eEF-1>UBC>B2M>ACTB>SDHA for
dorsal root ganglia and ACTB>SDHA>UBC>B2M>GAPDH>eEF-1 for spinal cord samples.
Expression stability estimates were verified by BestKeeper and NormFinder
analysis. Expression stability varied between genes within and between tissues.
Validation of most stably expressed reference genes was performed by
normalisation of calcitonin gene related polypeptide beta (CALCB). The results
show similar patterns of CALCB expression when the best reference genes selected
by all three programs were used. GAPDH, eEF-1 and UBC are suitable reference
genes for porcine dorsal root ganglia samples, whereas ACTB, SDHA and UBC are
more appropriate for spinal cord samples.
PMID- 28987957
TI - The first report of cases of pet dogs with naturally occurring cancer treated
with the antitumor peptide CIGB-552.
AB - The absence of an effective therapy against human solid tumors has fostered the
development of promising antineoplastic therapeutic candidates, as the CIGB-552
peptide. This synthetic peptide has shown to be effective in reducing tumor size
and increasing the lifespan in tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, this work was aimed
to explore the safety profile and preliminary assessment of antitumor activity of
the CIGB-552 peptide therapeutic candidate in a small population of dogs (n=9)
having malignant spontaneously-arising solid tumors. The peptide was administered
by subcutaneous (s.c.) route, at three dosage levels (0.075, 0.15 and 0.3mg/kg).
The results showed no dose-limiting toxicities in any dogs. The antitumor
activity observed in dogs receiving CIGB-552 was associated with the reduction in
the tumor volume. Given the antitumor effects of CIGB-552 as mediated by COMMD1
protein, which function is highly conserved among eukaryotic organisms, and the
similarities of canine and human types of cancer with respect to tumor biology,
it is likely that CIGB-552 could demonstrate comparable anti-cancer activity in
human patients. Synthetic peptide, COMMD1, Tumor, Dog, CIGB-552.
PMID- 28987958
TI - Study of the association of atmospheric temperature and relative humidity with
bulk tank milk somatic cell count in dairy herds using Generalized additive mixed
models.
AB - Elevated bulk tank milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) has a negative impact on milk
production, milk quality, and animal health. Seasonal increases in herd level
somatic cell count (SCC) are commonly associated with elevated environmental
temperature and humidity. The Temperature Humidity Index (THI) has been developed
to measure general environmental stress in dairy cattle; however, additional work
is needed to determine a specific effect of the heat stress index on herd-level
SCC. Generalized Additive Model methods were used for a flexible exploration of
the relationships between daily temperature, relative humidity, and bulk milk
somatic cell count. The data consist of BMSCC and meteorological recordings
collected between March 2009 and October 2011 of 10 dairy farms. The results
indicate that, an average increase of 0.16% of BMSCC is expected for an increase
of 1 degrees C degree of temperature. A complex relationship was found for
relative humidity. For example, increase of 0.099%, 0.037% and 0.020% are
expected in correspondence to an increase of relative humidity from 50% to 51%,
80% to 81%; and 90% to 91%, respectively. Using this model, it will be possible
to provide evidence-based advice to dairy farmers for the use of THI control
charts created on the basis of our statistical model.
PMID- 28987959
TI - Reanalysis of the role of pronase treatment of B cells in the flow cytometric
crossmatch assay: Fc receptor is not the primary target.
AB - Pronase, a mixture of nonspecific bacterial proteases, is used to pretreat human
lymphocytes to prevent false-positive B cell results in the flow cytometric
crossmatch (FCXM) assay. The target of pronase has been reported to be B cell
expressed Fc receptors, which nonspecifically bind IgG. As pronase use in FCXM
can induce other complications, including degradation of HLA leading to
inappropriate FCXM results, and false-positive T cell results when testing serum
from HIV-positive patients, we tested whether specifically blocking Fc receptor
CD32 could replace pronase. Anti-CD32 mAb 6C4 was superior to pronase for
blocking binding of aggregated IgG to B cells. However, 6C4 was unable to replace
pronase in clinical FCXM, as it did not prevent false-positive B cell FCXM
results, or enhance sensitivity of the assay. We conclude that the functional
targets of pronase in the FCXM assay are poorly understood, and that B cell
expressed Fc receptor plays an insignificant role.
PMID- 28987960
TI - Frequencies of gene variant CCR5-Delta32 in 87 countries based on next-generation
sequencing of 1.3 million individuals sampled from 3 national DKMS donor centers.
AB - Homozygous carriers of CCR5-Delta32, a gene variant of CC-type chemokine receptor
5 (CCR5), are highly resistant to infections with human immunodeficiency virus
type 1 (HIV-1) and therefore preferred stem cell donors for HIV-infected
patients. We analyzed CCR5 typing data of 1,333,035 potential hematopoietic stem
cell donors enlisted with three national DKMS donor centers. Allele and genotype
frequencies were determined for 87 countries of origin as self-assessed by the
donors. CCR5-Delta32 allele frequencies ranged from 16.4% in the Norwegian sample
to 0 in donors from Ethiopia. The highest CCR5-Delta32/Delta32 genotype frequency
was found in the sample from the Faroe Islands (2.3%), whereas in 27 samples,
predominantly of donors from Africa, Asia and South America, none of the
individuals carried this genotype. The characteristic CCR5-Delta32 allele
frequency decline from Northern to Southeastern Eurasia supports findings of
earlier studies. With available HLA haplotype frequency information for the
patient's ethnicity, our data allows upfront estimation of the probability that
an HLA-matched donor with CCR5-Delta32/Delta32 genotype can be found for a
patient in need of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
PMID- 28987961
TI - The effect of genetic variants affecting NK cell function on cardiovascular
health and the burden of CMV.
AB - Renal transplant recipients (RTR) display high burdens of cytomegalovirus (CMV)
and accelerated cardiovascular change. NK cells can control CMV and may
contribute to vascular pathologies. Polymorphisms in genes encoding the
inhibitory receptor LILRB1 and its ligand HLA-G, and the activating receptor
NKG2C may illuminate the role of NK cells in vascular health and CMV immunity. We
assessed 81 healthy adults and 82 RTR >2 years after transplantation. RTR had
higher humoral and T-cell responses to CMV, and impaired vascular health. A 14bp
indel in HLA-G associated with increased flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial
artery. The T allele of LILRB1 rs1061680 associated with increased carotid
intimal media thickness (cIMT) in RTR and controls. A 16 kb deletion encompassing
the NKG2C gene associated with lower cIMT values and higher humoral and T-cell
responses to CMV. Hence all polymorphisms tested had small but discernable
effects on vascular health. The NKG2C deletion may act via CMV.
PMID- 28987962
TI - Association of cytokine gene polymorphisms with the complications of allogeneic
haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB - The purpose of our study was to confirm the prevalence of the association between
single nucleotide polymorphisms present in genes encoding cytokines and the
complications occurring after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
108 recipients and 81 donors were typed for TNF-alpha (-308), TGF-beta1 (codon
10, 25), IL-10 (-1082, -819, -592), IL-6 (-174) and INF-gamma (+874). Our studies
have shown a tendency toward association between the occurrence of acute form of
graft versus host disease (aGVHD) and IL-6 genotype. Homozygote C/C was less
likely to develop aGVHD (p=0,09). Genotype GCC/ATA in IL-10 recipient gene alone
had protective effect against the occurrence of aGVHD (p=0,01). Furthermore,
GCC/ATA protected the host against developing the disease in the clinically
relevant grades (II-IV) (p=0,03). In addition, the recipient's T/T G/G genotype
(TGF-beta1) predisposed to the development of both acute (p=0,06 - trend) and
chronic (p=0,04) GVHD and also severe aGVHD (p=0,004). We also observed a
statistically significant association between the genotype of recipient and the
risk of infection - the protective function of the G/C IL-6 in the bloodstream
infections (p=0,001). Our results suggest that IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta1
genotypes of recipient are the most associated with the risk of complications
after HSCT.
PMID- 28987963
TI - Improving cancer patient emergency room utilization: A New Jersey state
assessment.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Due to its increasing incidence and its major contribution to
healthcare costs, cancer is a major public health problem in the United States.
The impact across different services is not well documented and utilization of
emergency departments (ED) by cancer patients is not well characterized. The aim
of our study was to identify factors that can be addressed to improve the
appropriate delivery of quality cancer care thereby reducing ED utilization,
decreasing hospitalizations and reducing the related healthcare costs. METHODS:
The New Jersey State Inpatient and Emergency Department Databases were used to
identify the primary outcome variables; patient disposition and readmission
rates. The independent variables were demographics, payer and clinical
characteristics. Multivariable unconditional logistic regression models using
clinical and demographic data were used to predict hospital admission or
emergency department return. RESULTS: A total of 37,080 emergency department
visits were cancer related with the most common diagnosis attributed to lung
cancer (30.0%) and the most common presentation was pain. The disposition of
patients who visit the ED due to cancer related issues is significantly affected
by the factors of race (African American OR=0.6, p value=0.02 and Hispanic
OR=0.5, p value=0.02, respectively), age aged 65 to 75years (SNF/ICF OR 2.35, p
value=0.00 and Home Healthcare Service OR 5.15, p value=0.01, respectively),
number of diagnoses (OR 1.26, p value=0.00), insurance payer (SNF/ICF OR 2.2, p
value=0.02 and Home Healthcare Services OR 2.85, p value=0.07, respectively) and
type of cancer (breast OR 0.54, p value=0.01, prostate OR 0.56, p value=0.01,
uterine OR 0.37, p value=0.02, and other OR 0.62, p value=0.05, respectively). In
addition, comorbidities increased the likelihood of death, being transferred to
SNF/ICF, or utilization of home healthcare services (OR 1.6, p value=0.00, OR
1.18, p value=0.00, and OR 1.16, p value=0.04, respectively). Readmission is
significantly affected by race (American Americans OR 0.41, standard error 0.08,
p value=0.001 and Hispanics OR 0.29, standard error 0.11, p value=0.01,
respectively), income (Quartile 2 OR 0.98, standard error 0.14, p value 0.01,
Quartile 3 OR 1.07, standard error 0.13, p value 0.01, and Quartile 4 OR 0.88,
standard error 0.12, p value 0.01, respectively), and type of cancer (prostate OR
0.25, standard error 0.09, p value=0.001). CONCLUSION: Web based symptom
questionnaires, patient navigators, end of life nursing and clinical cancer
pathways can identify, guide and prompt early initiation of treat before
progression of symptoms in cancer patients most likely to visit the ED. Thus,
improving cancer patient satisfaction, outcomes and reduce health care costs.
PMID- 28987964
TI - Meta-analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics and peri-operative
outcomes of colorectal cancer in obese patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: The effect of obesity on the clinicopathological characteristics of
colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been clearly characterized. This meta-analysis
assesses the pathological and perioperative outcomes of obese patients undergoing
surgical resection for CRC. METHODS: Meta-analysis was performed using the
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
guidelines. Databases were searched for studies reporting outcomes for obese and
non-obese patients undergoing primary CRC resection, based on body-mass index
measurement. Results were reported as mean differences or pooled odds ratios (OR)
with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 2183 citations were
reviewed; 29 studies comprising 56,293 patients were ultimately included in the
analysis, with an obesity rate of 19.3%. Obese patients with colorectal cancer
were more often female (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, p<0.001) but there was no
difference in the proportion of rectal cancers, T4 tumours, tumour
differentiation or margin positivity. Obese patients were significantly more
likely to have lymph node metastases (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, p<0.001), have a
lower nodal yield, were associated with a longer duration of surgery, more blood
loss and conversions to open surgery (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6-4.0, p<0.001) but with
no difference in length of stay or post-operative mortality. CONCLUSION: This
meta-analysis demonstrates that obese patients undergoing resection for CRC are
more likely to have node positive disease, longer surgery and higher failure
rates of minimally invasive approaches. The challenges of colorectal cancer
resection in obese patients are emphasized.
PMID- 28987965
TI - Emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy.
AB - The first generation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD
1/PD-L1) targeted natural immune homeostasis pathways, co-opted by cancers, to
drive anti-tumor immune responses. These agents led to unprecedented results in
patients with previously incurable metastatic disease and may become first-line
therapies for some advanced cancers. However, these agents are efficacious in
only a minority of patients. Newer strategies are becoming available that target
additional immunomodulatory mechanisms to activate patients' own anti-tumor
immune responses. Herein, we present a succinct summary of emerging immune
targets with reported pre-clinical efficacy that have progressed to active
investigation in clinical trials. These emerging targets include co-inhibitory
and co-stimulatory markers of the innate and adaptive immune system. In this
review, we discuss: 1) T lymphocyte markers: Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 [LAG
3], T-cell Immunoglobulin- and Mucin-domain-containing molecule 3 [TIM-3], V
domain containing Ig Suppressor of T cell Activation [VISTA], T cell
ImmunoGlobulin and ITIM domain [TIGIT], B7-H3, Inducible T-cell Co-stimulator
[ICOS/ICOS-L], CD27/CD70, and Glucocorticoid-Induced TNF Receptor [GITR]; 2)
macrophage markers: CD47/Signal-Regulatory Protein alpha [SIRPalpha] and
Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase [IDO]; and 3) natural killer cell markers: CD94/NKG2A
and the Killer Immunoglobulin-like receptor [KIR] family. Finally, we briefly
highlight combination strategies and potential biomarkers of response and
resistance to these cancer immunotherapies.
PMID- 28987966
TI - How available to European children and young people with cerebral palsy are
features of their environment that they need?
AB - BACKGROUND: The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires
accessibility to the physical and social environments. However, individuals with
cerebral palsy (CP) have many difficulties in accessing the environment they need
for functional independence and social inclusion. AIMS: To examine the
availability of environmental features which children with CP need for optimal
participation, and whether availability changed for them between ages 8-12 and 13
17 years. METHODS: The sample is the 594 children with CP, born 31/07/1991
01/04/1997, who took part in the SPARCLE study at age 8-12 (SPARCLE 1) and again
at 13-17 years (SPARCLE 2). Participants were randomly sampled from population
registers of children with CP in eight European regions; one further region
recruited from multiple sources. Data about environment were captured with the
European Child Environment Questionnaire (60 items). Differences in availability
of environmental features between childhood and adolescence were assessed using
McNemar's test; differences between regions were assessed by ranking regions.
Differences in availability between regions were assessed by ranking regions.
RESULTS: For seven environmental features significantly (p<0.01) fewer
individuals needed the feature in SPARCLE 2 than in SPARCLE 1, whilst for two
features more individuals needed the feature. Nine features in SPARCLE 1 and six
features in SPARCLE 2 were available to less than half the participants who
needed them. Eight features showed significantly (p<0.01) higher availability in
SPARCLE 2 than in SPARCLE 1 (enlarged rooms, adapted toilet, modified kitchen and
hoists at home, adapted toilets and lifts at school, an adequate vehicle, grants
for home modifications) while none showed significantly lower availability. The
relative rankings of the better and less good regions persisted from the age 8
12year age group to the 13-17year age group. CONCLUSIONS: Needed environmental
features are unavailable to many children at ages 8-12 and 13-17 years. This lack
of availability is more pronounced in some regions than others, which probably
results from their policy, legislative and statutory frameworks.
PMID- 28987967
TI - The bouba-kiki effect and its relation to the Autism Quotient (AQ) in autistic
adolescents.
AB - The bouba-kiki effect refers to the correspondence between arbitrary visual and
auditory stimuli. Previous studies indicate ASD persons' reduced bouba-kiki
effect compared to controls. This study examines the relation between ASD
symptomology and performance on the bouba-kiki task. Twenty ASD participants and
20 matched controls were presented the bouba-kiki task. Autism-Quotient (AQ)
scores and several cognitive measures were obtained for all participants. Results
demonstrate that among all measures, only AQ scores were significantly correlated
to the performance on the bouba-kiki task in the ASD group. Results thus support
the existence of a relation between autism symptoms and performance on the bouba
kiki task, and are discussed in light of current theories.
PMID- 28987968
TI - The effect of asymmetrical limited hip flexion on seating posture, scoliosis and
windswept hip distortion.
AB - BACKGROUND: Postural asymmetries with seating problems are common in adults with
cerebral palsy. AIMS: To analyse the prevalence of asymmetrical limited hip
flexion (<90 degrees ) in adults with CP, and to evaluate the association between
asymmetrical limited hip flexion and postural asymmetries in the sitting
position. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Cross-sectional data of 714 adults with CP, 16
73 years, GMFCS level I-V, reported to CPUP, the Swedish cerebral palsy national
surveillance program and quality registry, from 2013 to 2015. Hip range of motion
was analysed in relation to pelvic obliquity, trunk asymmetry, weight
distribution, scoliosis and windswept hip distortion. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The
prevalence of asymmetrical limited hip flexion increased as GMFCS level
decreased. Of adults at GMFCS level V, 22% had asymmetrical limited hip flexion
(<90 degrees ). The odds of having an oblique pelvis (OR 2.6, 95% CI:1.6-2.1), an
asymmetrical trunk (OR 2.1, 95% CI:1.1-4.2), scoliosis (OR 3.7, 95% CI:1.3-9.7),
and windswept hip distortion (OR 2.6, 95% CI:1.2-5.4) were higher for adults with
asymmetrical limited hip flexion compared with those with bilateral hip
flexion>90 degrees . CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Asymmetrical limited hip
flexion affects the seating posture and is associated with scoliosis and
windswept hip distortion.
PMID- 28987969
TI - Effectiveness of cognitive orientation to (daily) occupational performance (CO
OP) on children with cerebral palsy: A mixed design.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disabilities
during childhood. Therapeutic interventions mainly focus on impairment reduction
to address motor-based difficulties. In contrast, Cognitive Orientation to daily
Occupational Performance (CO-OP) is a cognitive approach, providing intervention
at the level of activity and participation. AIMS: This study aims to determine
whether the CO-OP approach improves motor skills and achievement in motor-based
occupational performance goals in children with CP. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: In
this mixed design research (i.e., a multiple baseline single case experimental
design and a one-group pretest-posttest design), five children with CP
participated in 12 CO-OP intervention sessions. Repeated measures of motor skills
for the multiple baseline single case experimental design were taken using the
Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP); pre- and post-measures of
parent/child perception of performance and satisfaction were identified using the
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM); level of achievement was
identified using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: According
to the BOTMP results, all children were able to engage in the CO-OP intervention
to improve motor performance. Significant differences after treatment were found
in both performance and performance satisfaction ratings using the COPM as rated
by parents and children. The GAS results showed progress in achievement levels
for all children; all goals were achieved or exceeded. CONCLUSIONS AND
IMPLICATIONS: CO-OP intervention can be helpful in improving motor skills and
achieving self-identified, motor-based goals in children with CP.
PMID- 28987970
TI - An evaluation of the production effects of video self-modeling.
AB - A multiple baseline across tasks design was used to evaluate the production
effects of video self-modeling on three activities of daily living tasks of an
adult male with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. Results
indicated large increases in task accuracy after the production of a self
modeling video for each task, but before the video was viewed by the participant.
Results also indicated small increases when the participant was directed to view
the same video self-models before being prompted to complete each task.
PMID- 28987971
TI - Best seating condition in children with spastic cerebral palsy: One type does not
fit all.
AB - BACKGROUND: The effect of forward-tilting of the seat surface and foot-support in
children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is debated. AIM: To assess the effect
of forward-tilting of the seat surface and foot-support in children with CP on
kinematic head stability and reaching. METHODS: Nineteen children functioning at
Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-III participated [range 6
12y; ten unilateral spastic CP (US-CP) and nine bilateral spastic CP (BS-CP)].
Kinematic data were recorded of head sway and reaching with the dominant arm in
four sitting conditions: a horizontal and a 15 degrees forward (FW) tilted seat
surface, each with and without foot-support. RESULTS: Seating condition did not
affect head stability during reaching, but did affect kinematic reaching quality.
The major reaching parameters, i.e., the proportion of reaches with one movement
unit (MU) and the size of the transport MU, were not affected by foot-support.
Forward-tilting had a positive effect on these parameters in children with US-CP,
whereas the horizontal condition had this effect in children with BS-CP.
IMPLICATIONS: A 15 degrees forward-tilted seating and foot-support do not affect
head stability. Reaching in children with US-CP profits from forward-tilting; in
children with BS-CP forward-tilting worsens reaching - effects that are
independent of foot-support.
PMID- 28987972
TI - Drop-out during a randomized trial with adolescents with intellectual disability
was associated with participant burden, while drop-out at study exit was
associated with carer and household characteristics.
AB - BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disability are difficult to retain in
longitudinal studies. Research on determinants of study retention for individual
carer dyads, and their reasons for drop-out, are limited. AIMS: To investigate
characteristics associated with drop-out, and to investigate whether
characteristics varied by stage of drop-out. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data are
from an Australian randomized trial with adolescents with intellectual disability
living in the community. Characteristics of both the adolescent and their
nominated carer were collected at baseline. Carers were sent an exit
questionnaire approximately two years after enrolment. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS:
Baseline information was available for 566 adolescents: 72(13.0%) withdrew during
the study, and 96(17.3%) didn't return exit questionnaires. Characteristics
associated with drop-out during the study were being in the intervention group,
the carer being younger, and the carer not being one of the adolescent's parents.
Characteristics associated with withdrawal at exit were carer having lower
education and carer having lower socioeconomic status. No adolescent
characteristic was associated with drop-out. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:
Characteristics of drop-outs weren't related to the adolescent and differed
according to timing. Drop-out during the study was associated with study burden,
whereas characteristics of drop-outs at exit interview were associated with lower
social position.
PMID- 28987973
TI - Effect of age at cochlear implantation and at exposure to Cued Speech on literacy
skills in deaf children.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate how age at cochlear implantation (CI)
and age at exposure to Cued Speech (CS, Manual system that resolves the ambiguity
inherent lipreading) could impact literacy skills in deaf children. Ninety deaf
children fitted with CI (early vs late) and exposed to CS (early vs late) from
primary schools (from Grade 2 to Grade 5) took part in this study. Five literacy
skills were assessed: phonological skills through phoneme deletion, reading
(decoding and sentence comprehension), word spelling and vocabulary. The results
showed that both age at CI and age at first exposure to CS had some influence on
literacy skills but there was no interaction between these factors. This implies
that the positive effects of age at CI, especially on all literacy skills in the
younger children, were not strengthened by age at exposure to CS.
PMID- 28987974
TI - Post-boosting of classification boundary for imbalanced data using geometric
mean.
AB - In this paper, a novel imbalance learning method for binary classes is proposed,
named as Post-Boosting of classification boundary for Imbalanced data (PBI),
which can significantly improve the performance of any trained neural networks
(NN) classification boundary. The procedure of PBI simply consists of two steps:
an (imbalanced) NN learning method is first applied to produce a classification
boundary, which is then adjusted by PBI under the geometric mean (G-mean). For
data imbalance, the geometric mean of the accuracies of both minority and
majority classes is considered, that is statistically more suitable than the
common metric accuracy. PBI also has the following advantages over traditional
imbalance methods: (i) PBI can significantly improve the classification accuracy
on minority class while improving or keeping that on majority class as well; (ii)
PBI is suitable for large data even with high imbalance ratio (up to 0.001). For
evaluation of (i), a new metric called Majority loss/Minority advance ratio (MMR)
is proposed that evaluates the loss ratio of majority class to minority class.
Experiments have been conducted for PBI and several imbalance learning methods
over benchmark datasets of different sizes, different imbalance ratios, and
different dimensionalities. By analyzing the experimental results, PBI is shown
to outperform other imbalance learning methods on almost all datasets.
PMID- 28987976
TI - A new approach to optimal control of conductance-based spiking neurons.
AB - This paper presents an algorithm for solving the minimum-energy optimal control
problem of conductance-based spiking neurons. The basic procedure is (1) to
construct a conductance-based spiking neuron oscillator as an affine nonlinear
system, (2) to formulate the optimal control problem of the affine nonlinear
system as a boundary value problem based on Pontryagin's maximum principle, and
(3) to solve the boundary value problem using the homotopy perturbation method.
The construction of the minimum-energy optimal control in the framework of the
homotopy perturbation technique is novel and valid for a broad class of nonlinear
conductance-based neuron models. The applicability of our method in the FitzHugh
Nagumo and Hindmarsh-Rose models is validated by simulations.
PMID- 28987975
TI - Synchronization stability of memristor-based complex-valued neural networks with
time delays.
AB - This paper focuses on the dynamical property of a class of memristor-based
complex-valued neural networks (MCVNNs) with time delays. By constructing the
appropriate Lyapunov functional and utilizing the inequality technique,
sufficient conditions are proposed to guarantee exponential synchronization of
the coupled systems based on drive-response concept. The proposed results are
very easy to verify, and they also extend some previous related works on
memristor-based real-valued neural networks. Meanwhile, the obtained sufficient
conditions of this paper may be conducive to qualitative analysis of some complex
valued nonlinear delayed systems. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the
effectiveness of our theoretical results.
PMID- 28987978
TI - Global exponential stability of nonautonomous neural network models with
unbounded delays.
AB - For a nonautonomous class of n-dimensional differential system with infinite
delays, we give sufficient conditions for its global exponential stability,
without showing the existence of an equilibrium point, or a periodic solution, or
an almost periodic solution. We apply our main result to several concrete neural
network models, studied in the literature, and a comparison of results is given.
Contrary to usual in the literature about neural networks, the assumption of
bounded coefficients is not required to obtain the global exponential stability.
Finally, we present numerical examples to illustrate the effectiveness of our
results.
PMID- 28987977
TI - Robust Alternating Low-Rank Representation by joint Lp- and L2,p-norm
minimization.
AB - We propose a robust Alternating Low-Rank Representation (ALRR) model formed by an
alternating forward-backward representation process. For forward representation,
ALRR first recovers the low-rank PCs and random corruptions by an adaptive local
Robust PCA (RPCA). Then, ALRR performs a joint Lp-norm and L2,p-norm minimization
(0=8 where the high observed acute toxicity could not be
explained, even by considering an equal contribution of CuOH+ and Cu2+ to the
overall Cu toxicity. The 96-h LC50 values of 59% of 90 toxicity tests from 19
independent studies in the literature were reasonably well predicted by the new
acute BLM. The LC20 predictions from the new chronic BLM were reasonable for 7
out of 14 toxicity tests from 6 independent chronic studies (with variable
exposure durations). The observed deviations from BLM predictions may be due to
uncertainties in the water chemistry in these literature studies and/or to
differences in fish sensitivity. A residual pH effect was also observed for both
the acute and the chronic data-sets, as the ratio of predicted vs. observed LC
values generally increased with the pH. Additional mechanistic studies are
required to understand the influence of pH, Na, and Mg on Cu toxicity to trout.
The present study presents the first experimentally developed chronic Cu BLM for
the rainbow trout. To the best of our knowledge, it also presents the first acute
Cu BLM that is based on a published data-set for trout. These newly developed
BLMs should contribute to improving the risk assessment of Cu to fish in
freshwater.
PMID- 28987992
TI - Effects of elevated CO2 levels on subcellular distribution of trace metals (Cd
and Cu) in marine bivalves.
AB - Hypercapnia (elevated CO2 levels) and pollution with trace metals such as Cu and
Cd are common stressors in estuarine habitats that can negatively affect
physiology and health of marine organisms. Hypercapnia can modulate toxicity of
trace metals including Cu and Cd; however, the physiological and cellular
mechanisms of the metal-CO2 interactions are not well understood. We investigated
the effects of elevated PCO2 (~800 and 2000MUatm) and metal exposure (50MUgl-1 of
Cu or Cd) on subcellular distribution of metals in two common species of marine
bivalves, Eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica and hard shell clams Mercenaria
mercenaria. Oysters accumulated higher burdens of Cu and Cd in the gill tissues
compared to clams. In both studied species, Cu was predominantly associated with
the metabolically active cell compartments (mitochondria, lysosomes, microsomes
and cytosolic enzymes), with a modest fraction sequestered by metallothioneins
(~30%) and the insoluble metal-containing granules (MCG) (~15-20%). Unlike Cu, Cd
was largely sequestered by metallothioneins (~60-70%), with a relatively small
fraction associated with the organelles and the cytosolic enzymes. Mitochondria
were the main intracellular target for trace metals accumulating higher
concentrations of Cd (and in the case of oysters - of Cu) than other organelles
or cytosolic enzymes. Cu accumulation in the metabolically active cellular
compartments was independent of the CO2 levels, while Cd content of the
organelles and cytosolic enzymes increased at elevated PCO2 in both studied
species indicating that hypercapnia may enhance cellular toxicity of Cd in
bivalves. Hypercapnia suppressed the sequestration capacity of metallothioneins
for Cu and Cd in oysters but increased Cu and Cd load in clam metallothioneins.
Thus, metal-induced metabolic injury in oysters may be exaggerated by hypercapnia
which enhances metal accumulation in the potentially sensitive intracellular
fractions and suppresses the metal detoxification capacity. In contrast, clams
appear to be more resistant to the combined effects of hypercapnia and metal
exposure reflecting more efficient and robust detoxification mechanisms of this
species.
PMID- 28987993
TI - Corticomuscular coherence in the acute and subacute phase after stroke.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Stroke is one of the leading causes of physical disability due to
damage of the motor cortex or the corticospinal tract. In the present study we
set out to investigate the role of adaptations in the corticospinal pathway for
motor recovery during the subacute phase after stroke. METHODS: We examined 19
patients with clinically diagnosed stroke and 18 controls. The patients had
unilateral mild to moderate weakness of the hand. Each patient attended two
sessions at approximately 3days (acute) and 38days post stroke (subacute). Task
related changes in the communication between motor cortex and muscles were
evaluated from coupling in the frequency domain between EEG and EMG during
movement of the paretic hand. RESULTS: Corticomuscular coherence (CMC) and
intermuscular coherence (IMC) were reduced in patients as compared to controls.
Paretic hand motor performance improved within 4-6weeks after stroke, but no
change was observed in CMC or IMC. CONCLUSIONS: CMC and IMC were reduced in
patients in the early phase after stroke. However, changes in coherence do not
appear to be an efficient marker for early recovery of hand function following
stroke. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study to demonstrate sustained reduced
coherence in acute and subacute stroke.
PMID- 28987994
TI - After-effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on evoked delta and
theta power.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Phase synchronization is suggested to be among the mechanisms that can
explain the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).
However, little is known about the effects of tACS on event-related oscillatory
activity. Therefore the objective was to investigate frequency-related effects of
frontal tACS on event-related oscillatory power. METHODS: In a double blind
randomized controlled cross-over design, twenty-four participants received 12min
of delta (2.5Hz), theta tACS (5Hz) and sham tACS at an intensity of 1mA peak-to
peak. Event-related delta- and theta-related oscillatory activity was recorded to
reward- and punishment-related feedback signals. RESULTS: Delta tACS decreased
feedback-related oscillatory power in the 1.5 and 3.5Hz frequency range. This
effect was driven by power changes below the tACS frequency stimulation.
CONCLUSION: Exogenous field potentials can attenuate event-related oscillatory
activity in a rhythm slightly below the stimulation frequency. Our findings
suggest an interaction between tACS and event-related rhythmic activity that
extends beyond phase synchronization. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings add novel
insights into the mechanisms of tACS after-effects.
PMID- 28987995
TI - Separation, identification and quantification of carotenoids and chlorophylls in
dietary supplements containing Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis using
High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography.
AB - In this study, 14 commercial products (dietary supplements) containing alga
Chlorella vulgaris and cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis, originated from China
and Japan, were analysed. UV-vis spectrophotometric method was applied for rapid
determination of chlorophylls, carotenoids and pheophytins; as degradation
products of chlorophylls. High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) was
used for effective separation of these compounds, and also Atomic Absorption
Spectrometry for determination of heavy metals as indicator of environmental
pollution. Based on the results obtained from UV-vis spectrophotometric
determination of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids), it was
confirmed that Chlorella vulgaris contains more of all these pigments compared to
the cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis. The fastest mobility compound identified
in Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis using HPTLC method was beta
carotene. Spectral analysis and standard calibration curve method were used for
identification and quantification of separated substances on Thin-Layer
Chromatographic plate. Quantification of copper (Cu2+, at 324.7 nm) and zinc
(Zn2+, at 213.9nm) was performed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with
air-acetylene flame atomization. Quantification of cadmium (Cd2+, at 228.8 nm),
nickel (Ni2+, at 232.0nm) and lead (Pb2+, at 283.3nm) by Electrothermal Graphite
Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry; and quantification of mercury (Hg2+, at
254nm) by Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
PMID- 28987996
TI - Pharmacokinetic comparison of seven major bioactive components in normal and
depression model rats after oral administration of Baihe Zhimu decoction by
liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB - A simple and rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was
firstly developed for simultaneous quantification of neomangiferin, mangiferin,
regaloside A, regaloside I, timosaponin BII, anemarsaponin E and timosaponin AIII
in rat plasma after oral administration of Baihe Zhimu decoction, which plays an
important role for the treatment of depression. The plasma samples were
pretreated by a one-step direct protein precipitation with methanol. Separation
of the seven components and scutellarin (IS) from endogenous components with high
selectivity and sensitivity (LLOQ, 0.1-1.0ng/mL) was achieved within 10min using
Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (150mm*3.0mm, 2.7MUm). A gradient mobile phase
consisting of acetonitrile and water (containing 5mM ammonium acetate) was
applied at a flow rate of 0.4mL/min. Detection and measurement were performed on
an AB Sciex QTRAP(r) 5500 mass spectrometer in multiple reactions monitoring
mode. The intra- and inter-day precisions were all within 15% and the accuracies
were in the range of -10.4% to 14.5%. The recovery ranged from 90.8 to 113.8%.
The validated method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of the
seven components in normal and chronic unpredicted mild stress-induced depression
model rats.
PMID- 28987997
TI - Immediate hypersensitivity to penicillins. Identification of a new antigenic
determinant.
AB - The study of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) constitutes a challenge in the area of
Medicine. Drugs generate a large number of the total registered hypersensitivity
reactions, where penicillins are responsible for more than half of them. In vitro
tests in the market are not efficient enough since they lack in sensitivity and
specificity. This is the reason why in vivo tests are carried out, with the
subsequent danger to the patient's life. It is essential to discover new beta
lactam antigenic determinants to develop more effective detection systems and
thus, obtain better explanations of the allergic mechanisms related to these
drugs. We propose a strategy based on the use of "peptide probes", small labeled
and chemical active peptides which have been structurally modified for reacting
with the beta-lactam moiety at different conditions. The probes also contain a
biotin group for application in an immunoassay format. Three different
amoxicillin adducts have been obtained, purified and characterized by HPLC-MS and
NMR techniques. These results have helped us to elucidate and propose a new
antigenic determinant for beta-lactams, named the "penamidyl" epitope. All the
adducts have been validated and evaluated with sera from different penicillin
allergic patients by means of a Magneto-ELISA, immunochemical technique that has
allowed us to detect specific IgEs in a very high percentage of the serum
samples. An immunoassay has been developed, validated and applied as a diagnostic
tool for the detection of specific IgEs in the sera of penicillin allergic
patients using a new antigenic determinant.
PMID- 28987998
TI - Monitoring and Targeting Anti-VEGF Induced Hypoxia within the Viable Tumor by 19F
MRI and Multispectral Analysis.
AB - The effect of anti-angiogenic agents on tumor oxygenation has been in question
for a number of years, where both increases and decreases in tumor pO2 have been
observed. This dichotomy in results may be explained by the role of vessel
normalization in the response of tumors to anti-angiogenic therapy, where anti
angiogenic therapies may initially improve both the structure and the function of
tumor vessels, but more sustained or potent anti-angiogenic treatments will
produce an anti-vascular response, producing a more hypoxic environment. The
first goal of this study was to employ multispectral (MS) 19F-MRI to
noninvasively quantify viable tumor pO2 and evaluate the ability of a high dose
of an antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to produce a strong
and prolonged anti-vascular response that results in significant tumor hypoxia.
The second goal of this study was to target the anti-VEGF induced hypoxic tumor
micro-environment with an agent, tirapazamine (TPZ), which has been designed to
target hypoxic regions of tumors. These goals have been successfully met, where
an antibody that blocks both murine and human VEGF-A (B20.4.1.1) was found by MS
19F-MRI to produce a strong anti-vascular response and reduce viable tumor pO2 in
an HM-7 xenograft model. TPZ was then employed to target the anti-VEGF-induced
hypoxic region. The combination of anti-VEGF and TPZ strongly suppressed HM-7
tumor growth and was superior to control and both monotherapies. This study
provides evidence that clinical trials combining anti-vascular agents with
hypoxia-activated prodrugs should be considered to improved efficacy in cancer
patients.
PMID- 28987999
TI - Novel technology as platform for interventions for caregivers and individuals
with severe mental health illnesses: A systematic review.
AB - BACKGROUND: Severe mental illnesses (SMIs) have been found to be associated with
both increases in morbidity-mortality, need for treatment care in patients
themselves, and burden for relatives as caregivers. A growing number of web-based
and mobile software applications have appeared that aim to address various
barriers with respect to access to care. Our objective was to review and
summarize recent advancements in such interventions for caregivers of individuals
with a SMI. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search for papers evaluating
interactive mobile or web-based software (using no or only minimal support from a
professional) specifically aimed at supporting informal caregivers. We also
searched for those supporting patients with SMI so as to not to miss any which
might include relatives. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1673 initial hits, we
identified 11 articles reporting on 9 different mobile or web-based software
programs. The main result is that none of those studies focused on caregivers,
and the ones we identified using mobile or web-based applications were just for
patients and not their relatives. LIMITATIONS: Differentiating between online and
offline available software might not always have been totally reliable, and we
might have therefore missed some studies. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the studies
provided evidence that remotely accessible interventions for patients with SMI
are feasible and acceptable to patients. No such empirically evaluated program
was available for informal caregivers such as relatives. Keeping in mind the
influential role of those informal caregivers in the process of treatment and
self-management, this is highly relevant for public health. Supporting informal
caregivers can improve well-being of both caregivers and patients.
PMID- 28988000
TI - Development and assessment of stressful life events subscales - A preliminary
analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Stress affects people of all ages, genders, and cultures and is
associated with physical and psychological complications. Stressful life events
are an important research focus and a psychometrically valid measure could
provide useful clinical information. The purpose of the study was to develop a
reliable and valid measurement of stressful life events and to assess its
reliability and validity using established measures of social support, stress,
depression, anxiety and maternal and child health. METHODS: The authors used an
adaptation from the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to describe the
prevalence of life events; they developed a 4-factor stressful life events
subscales and used Medical Outcomes Social Support Scale, Social Support Scale,
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and 14 general health items for validity
analysis. Analyses were performed with descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha,
Spearman's rho, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon 2-sample
test. RESULTS: The 4-factor stressful life events subscales showed acceptable
reliability. The resulting subscale scores were significantly associated with
established measures of social support, depression, anxiety, stress, and
caregiver health indicators. LIMITATIONS: The study presented a number of
limitations in terms of design and recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the presence
of a number of limitations, the study provided valuable insight and suggested
that further investigation is needed in order to determine the effectiveness of
the measures in revealing the family's wellbeing and to develop and strengthen a
more detailed analysis of the stressful life events/health association.
PMID- 28988001
TI - Prevalence of and risk factors for non-suicidal self-injury in rural China:
Results from a nationwide survey in China.
AB - BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a highly prevalent and serious
public health problem among adolescents worldwide. However, to date there were no
studies assessing the prevalence of NSSI defined by suggested DSM-5 criteria
among Chinese adolescents. We aimed to conduct a nationwide survey to explore the
prevalence of and risk factors for NSSI among school-based adolescents in rural
China. METHODS: A total sample of 15,623 adolescents in rural China were enrolled
by using a multistage sampling method. Data was collected by self-report
questionnaires including demographic characteristics, neglect, maltreatment,
loneliness, resilience, social support and emotional management ability. NSSI was
defined by suggested DSM-5 criteria, according to which the engagement in self
injury took place more than 5 times a year. Multinomial logistic regression
models were used to estimate the association between risk factors and NSSI.
RESULTS: There were 12.2% of adolescents (n = 1908) met the suggested DSM-5
criteria. Approximately 29% reported a history of NSSI at least once during the
last year. Significant differences were found in several demographic factors
including gender, ethnicity, grade, and family structure between adolescents with
and without experiencing NSSI. The top three NSSI behaviors among adolescents
with NSSI experience were hitting self, pinching, and pulling hair, with a
prevalence rate of 16.7%, 14.1% and 11.2%, respectively. Female, Han ethnicity,
fathers' education level, neglect, maltreatment, loneliness, social support,
suicidal behaviors and emotional management ability were significantly associated
with NSSI by multivariate analysis. No significant relationship was found between
resilience and risk of NSSI. LIMITATION: The DSM-5 has proposed 6 groups of
criteria for NSSI, we only used criteria on frequency given its more accepted
feasibility and pragmatic application. Consequently, it may different from other
prevalence that estimated by other criteria. CONCLUSION: To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first study reporting prevalence of NSSI defined by
suggested DSM-5 criteria among adolescent in rural China. In comparison to
finding from the similar samples of adolescents, Chinese rural adolescents seem
to have a relative higher prevalence. The potential risk factors for NSSI include
female, father's education, Han ethnicity, psychosocial factors and suicide
behaviors. More evidence for further understanding of context of the occurrence,
improving access to health care utilization, and identifying the role of
psychosocial factors and family relationship, is needed for the prevention and
management of NSSI.
PMID- 28988002
TI - The effect of sepsis and septic shock on the viscoelastic properties of clot
quality and mass using rotational thromboelastometry: A prospective observational
study.
AB - PURPOSE: The study purpose was to define changes in coagulation across the sepsis
spectrum using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). METHODS: Sepsis patients
were recruited on admission to the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units
of a large teaching hospital in Wales. ROTEM markers of clot development and
fibrinolysis were determined, as well as standard coagulation markers. A healthy
control group matched for age and gender was also recruited (n=44). RESULTS: 100
patients were recruited (50 sepsis, 20 severe sepsis and 30 septic shock).
Maximum clot firmness was significantly higher in the sepsis (p<0.001) and severe
sepsis (p=0.012) groups than the healthy control (71.6+/-4.5 and 70.4+/-4.1 vs
64.4 respectively). In septic shock there was prolonged clot development;
however, maximum clot firmness remained normal. Fibrinolytic function was
significantly impaired in septic shock, which was also significantly associated
with 28-day mortality (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ROTEM indicated significantly
enhanced clot structural development in sepsis and severe sepsis, which could be
indicative of a hypercoagulable phase. In septic shock, despite there being a
prolongation of clotting pathways and impaired fibrinolysis, clot mass was
comparably normal, suggestive of the development of a clot with healthy
characteristics.
PMID- 28988003
TI - Folate deficiency in patients seeking treatment of alcohol use disorder.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Nutritional deficiency is frequent in patients with an alcohol use
disorder (AUD). We aimed to analyze serum and erythrocyte folate deficiency in a
case series of patients that initiated treatment of AUD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
cross-sectional study in patients admitted for detoxification between 2007 and
2015 was performed. Sociodemographic characteristics, history of alcohol
consumption, type of alcohol, and medical co-morbidity were assessed at
admission. Blood samples for biochemistry and hematological parameters were
collected at admission. Logistic regression models were used to establish
predictors of folate deficiency. RESULTS: 211 patients (79.1% men) were eligible;
age at admission was 46 years [IQR:40-51], and the amount of alcohol consumption
was of 160g/day [IQR:120-200]. Thirty four percent of patients had macrocytosis
(MCV>100fL), 12.8% had anemia, 23% of cases presented with serum folate
deficiency and 7% presented with erythrocyte folate deficiency. Most (69%) of the
patients with serum folate deficiency had normal erythrocyte folate levels. In
univariate analysis, macrocytosis (OR=3.4, 95%CI:1.7-6.6), alcohol-related liver
disease (ARLD) (OR=2.5, 95%CI:1.0-6.1) and drinking alcoholic beverages other
than beer (OR=3.3, 95%CI:1.5-7.3) were associated with folate deficiency.
However, only macrocytosis was significantly associated with serum folate
deficiency in multivariate analysis (OR=3.1, 95%CI:1.1-8.9). Macrocytosis
(P<0.001), ARLD (P=0.01) and the type of alcohol consumption (P<0.001) were
factors associated with erythrocyte folate deficiency in univariate analysis. In
multivariate analysis only macrocytosis remained significantly associated to
erythrocyte folate deficiency (P=0.037). CONCLUSION: Folate deficiency is a
relatively frequent finding in contemporary, middle-aged patients with AUD, and
macrocytosis is significantly associated with the deficiency.
PMID- 28988004
TI - The role of restraint omission in alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fatal traffic accidents affect thousands of people in the US
alone every year. Alcohol consumption has been identified as a strong predictor
of traffic fatalities. This result is hardly surprising as drivers who decide to
consume alcohol and then drive are more likely to exhibit poor driving
performance. In this paper, I argue that alcohol consumption can lead to traffic
fatalities by increasing restraint omission. METHODS: I analyzed individual-level
data about victims (n=488,829) of fatal traffic accidents that occurred in the US
between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2015 from the Fatality Analysis
Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.
RESULTS: There is a strong relationship between alcohol consumption and restraint
use. Both vehicle drivers and occupants are far less likely to be restrained when
inebriated. Additional analyses show that part of the effect of alcohol
consumption on traffic fatalities can be attributed to restraint omission.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant relationship between alcohol consumption and
restraint omission for both drivers and occupants of vehicles that were involved
in fatal traffic accidents in the US between January 1999 and December 2015. Past
public health campaigns have focused on preventing traffic fatalities by
persuading drivers to refrain from getting behind the wheel after consuming
alcohol. My data suggest that public health campaigns should inform both drivers
and occupants of vehicles about the relationship between alcohol and restraint
omission in order to minimize future casualties.
PMID- 28988005
TI - A longitudinal study of electronic cigarette use and onset of conventional
cigarette smoking and marijuana use among Mexican adolescents.
AB - PURPOSE: This study evaluated whether e-cigarette trial among Mexican adolescents
increased the likelihood of trial and use of conventional cigarettes or marijuana
use at follow-up. METHOD: A school-based longitudinal survey was conducted in 60
public middle schools from the three largest cities in Mexico. Students (12
13years old) were surveyed in 2015 and followed up 20 months later (n=6574).
Generalized estimating equations models were used to evaluate the association
between e-cigarette trial at baseline and conventional cigarettes smoking and
marijuana use at follow-up. RESULT: Adolescents who had tried e-cigarettes (but
not cigarettes) at baseline were more likely to have tried conventional
cigarettes at followup compared to adolescents who had tried neither e-cigarettes
nor cigarettes (43% vs. 24%, respectively; RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.18-1.70). We also
found that adolescents who had tried both conventional cigarettes and e
cigarettes at baseline were more likely to have tried marijuana at follow-up
compared to adolescents who had tried neither tobacco product (20% vs. 4%,
respectively; RR 2.67, 95% CI 1.78-4.02). Trial of only e-cigarettes was not
independently associated with marijuana use at followup. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents
who had tried e-cigarettes were more likely to have tried conventional cigarettes
and marijuana 20 months later. Although e-cigarettes have been banned in Mexico,
it is likely that additional policies and public health campaigns are needed to
reduce adolescent use of e-cigarettes and its consequences.
PMID- 28988006
TI - Building abstinent networks is an important resource in improving quality of
life.
AB - AIMS: To investigate changes in social network and quality of life of a substance
use disorder cohort as they progressed through treatment. DESIGN: Multi-site,
prospective, observational study of 338 adults entering substance use disorder
treatment. SETTING: Patients at 21 facilities across Norway contributed baseline
data when they initiated treatment, and follow-up data was collected from them
one year later. METHODS: The cohort was divided into those who completed, dropped
out, and remained in treatment one year after treatment initiation. For each
treatment status group, general linear models with repeated measures analyzed
global and social quality of life with the generic QOL10 instrument over time.
The between-group factor was a change in social network variable from the
EuropASI. FINDINGS: Those who gained an abstinent network reported the largest
quality of life improvements. Improvements were smallest or negligible for the
socially isolated and those who were no longer in contact with the treatment
system. CONCLUSIONS: Developing an abstinent network is particularly important to
improve the quality of life of those in substance use disorder treatment. Social
isolation is a risk factor for impaired quality of life throughout the treatment
course.
PMID- 28988007
TI - Chromosome copy number variation in telomerized human bone marrow stromal cells;
insights for monitoring safe ex-vivo expansion of adult stem cells.
AB - Adult human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) cultured for cell therapy require
evaluation of potency and stability for safe use. Chromosomal aberrations
upsetting genomic integrity in such cells have been contrastingly described as
"Limited" or "Significant". Previously reported stepwise acquisition of a
spontaneous neoplastic phenotype during three-year continuous culture of
telomerized cells (hBMSC-TERT20) didn't alter a diploid karyotype measured by
spectral karyotype analysis (SKY). Such screening may not adequately monitor
abnormal and potentially tumorigenic hBMSC in clinical scenarios. We here used
array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to more stringently compare non
tumorigenic parental hBMSC-TERT strains with their tumorigenic subcloned
populations. Confirmation of a known chromosome 9p21 microdeletion at locus
CDKN2A/B, showed it also impinged upon the adjacent MTAP gene. Compared to
reference diploid human fibroblast genomic DNA, the non-tumorigenic hBMSC-TERT4
cells had a copy number variation (CNV) in at least 14 independent loci. The pre
tumorigenic hBMSC-TERT20 cell strain had further CNV including 1q44 gain
enhancing SMYD3 expression and 11q13.1 loss downregulating MUS81 expression.
Bioinformatic analysis of gene products reflecting 11p15.5 CNV gain in
tumorigenic hBMSC-TERT20 cells highlighted networks implicated in tumorigenic
progression involving cell cycle control and mis-match repair. We provide novel
biomarkers for prospective risk assessment of expanded stem cell cultures.
PMID- 28988008
TI - Superior catalytic activity of Pt/carbon nanohorns nanocomposites toward methanol
and formic acid oxidation reactions.
AB - Pt nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanohorns (Pt/CNHs) nanocomposites were synthesized
by using formic acid as reducing agent at room temperature. Taking the advantage
of the high surface area and excellent electronic conductivity, CNHs were used as
support without any pretreatments for the enhancement of catalytic performance.
By adjusting the feeding amount of H2PtCl6, the mass, size and distribution of Pt
nanoparticles could be effectively controlled on CNHs. Compared with commercial
Pt/C, the synthesized Pt/CNHs exhibit higher catalytic activity and improved long
term stability toward both methanol and formic acid oxidations. Among the
Pt/CNHs, 13% wt. Pt/CNHs exhibit the best catalytic performances for the small
size (2.4 nm) and uniform distribution of Pt NPs on CNHs. Our work reveals the
superior catalytic performance of Pt/CNHs which may be a promising substitute for
commercial Pt/C.
PMID- 28988009
TI - Formation, physicochemical and interfacial study of carbamate surfactants.
AB - Carbon dioxide is commonly used as pH regulator in switchable surfactant systems
and in the formation of alkyl ammonium-alkyl carbamate ion-pair. Its use to form
a meta-stable anionic surfactant has been less explored and can impart a
cleavable character to the amphiphile. The reaction between CO2 and an
alkylamine, N,N-di(propylamino)dodecylamine (Y12-amine), under alkaline pH
conditions, produced a stable anionic carbamate-based surfactant (Y12-carbamate).
By heating and exposure to N2, anionic Y12-carbamate could slowly be reverted
into Y12-amine. The surface activity of Y12-amine and Y12-carbamate was
investigated by surface tension measurements. To study the behavior of Y12-amine
at the gas-water interface during CO2 exposure, we used the pendant drop
technique with a sealed chamber where the gas composition could be controlled.
The Y12-carbamate had a higher CMC than Y12-amine at pH 12, and was also less
surface active. The ion pair Y12-ammonium - Y12-carbamate, obtained at neutral
pH, exhibited the lowest CMC and the highest surface activity. The interfacial
formation of anionic Y12-carbamate induced an increase in surface tension. When
CO2 was exchanged to N2, the migration from the bulk to the interface of Y12
amine induced a decrease in surface tension. The rate was dependent on the
concentration of Y12-amine.
PMID- 28988010
TI - A new microporous oxyfluorinated titanium(IV) phosphate as an efficient
heterogeneous catalyst for the selective oxidation of cyclohexanone.
AB - Designing a new porous nanomaterial for eco-friendly catalytic reactions is very
challenging. Here, a new crystalline microporous oxyfluorinated titanium
phosphate material (TIPO-1) has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions in
the absence of any structure directing agent. The triclinic crystalline phase
with the unit cell parameters a=7.962A, b=10.006A, c=13.979A, alpha=96.921
degrees , beta=95.851 degrees and gamma=93.760 degrees has been indexed for
TIPO-1 and it has been characterized through powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen
adsorption/desorption, XPS, FT-IR, 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy, UHR-TEM, FE-SEM and
TGA/DTA analysis. The material exhibited excellent catalytic activity in liquid
phase partial oxidation of cyclohexanone to adipic acid (up to 92% conversion) in
the presence of aqueous H2O2 as oxidant together with value added side products
like 1,6-hexandial and epsilon-caprolactone for reactions in different solvents.
The material showed excellent recycling efficiency for six consecutive reaction
cycles without any significant loss in catalytic activity.
PMID- 28988011
TI - Coordinated morphogenesis of neurons and glia.
AB - Glia adopt remarkable shapes that are tightly coordinated with the morphologies
of their neuronal partners. To achieve these precise shapes, glia and neurons
exhibit coordinated morphological changes on the time scale of minutes and on
size scales ranging from nanometers to hundreds of microns. Here, we review
recent studies that reveal the highly dynamic, localized morphological changes of
mammalian neuron-glia contacts. We then explore the power of Drosophila and C.
elegans models to study coordinated changes at defined neuron-glia contacts,
highlighting the use of innovative genetic and imaging tools to uncover the
molecular mechanisms responsible for coordinated morphogenesis of neurons and
glia.
PMID- 28988012
TI - Healing activity of proteolytic fraction (P1G10) from Vasconcellea
cundinamarcensis in a cutaneous wound excision model.
AB - The proteolytic enzymes from Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis have demonstrated
efficacy to accelerate healing of skin lesions. We report here the efficacy of
the proteolytic fraction - P1G10 during repair of excisional wounds in rodent
model and analyze possible mediators involved. Using 0.05% P1G10 we observed on
day 3rd increased wound contraction accompanied by an increase in activated
neutrophils and VEGF relative to the control. On day 7th neutrophils returned to
normal levels, and at 0.01% P1G10, an increase in NAG activity used to monitor
monocyte/macrophage, was observed. On the other hand, on day 7th, we observed a
decrease in TGF-beta at 0.05% P1G10, accompanied by an increased transformation
of the latent TGF-beta to its active form. Also, on day 7th a reduction in MMP-9
activity and the number of apoptotic cells was observed along with an increase in
fibroblast levels. Morphometrically, it appears that treatment with P1G10
accelerates the decline of initial inflammatory phase and reduces some unwanted
effects likely caused by remaining TGF-beta or MMPs, thus enhancing the quality
of scar. Overall, these data suggest that the active proteolytic fraction P1G10
enhances the efficacy of repair in excisional cutaneous wounds.
PMID- 28988013
TI - Aloe vera gel improves behavioral deficits and oxidative status in streptozotocin
induced diabetic rats.
AB - Oxidative stress has a major role in progression of diabetes-related behavioral
deficits. It has been suggested that Aloe vera has anti-diabetic, antioxidative,
and neuroprotective effects. The present study was designed to determine the
effects of Aloe vera gel on behavioral functions, oxidative status, and neuronal
viability in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Fifty
five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, including:
control (normal saline 8ml/kg/day; P.O.), diabetic (normal saline 8ml/kg/day;
P.O.), Aloe vera gel (100mg/kg/day; P.O.), diabetic+Aloe vera gel (100mg/kg/day;
P.O.) and diabetic+NPH insulin (10 IU/kg/day; S.C.). All treatments were started
immediately following confirmation of diabetes in diabetic groups and were
continued for eight weeks. Behavioral functions were evaluated by employing
standard behavioral paradigms. Additionally, oxidative status and neuronal
viability were assessed in the hippocampus. The results of behavioral tests
showed that diabetes enhanced anxiety/depression-like behaviors, reduced
exploratory and locomotor activities, decreased memory performance, and increased
stress related behaviors. These changes in diabetic rats were accompanied by
increasing oxidative stress and neuronal loss in the hippocampus. Interestingly,
eight weeks of treatment with Aloe vera gel not only alleviated all the mentioned
deficits related to diabetes, but in some aspects, it was even more effective
than insulin. In conclusion, the results suggest that both interrelated
hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties of Aloe vera gel are possible
mechanisms that improve behavioral deficits and protect hippocampal neurons in
diabetic animals.
PMID- 28988015
TI - The dose-dependent effect of SOX9 and its incidence in colorectal cancer.
AB - A member of the Sry-related HMG-box family of transcription factors (SOX9) is a
transcription factor that belongs to the superfamily of High Mobility Group (HMG)
domain transcription factors. SOX9 is expressed in a variety of tissues,
including as the intestinal epithelium, where it is now recognised as an
important actor for homeostasis. Beside, a high level of SOX9 has recently been
correlated with a good prognosis for stage II colorectal cancers. However,
growing evidence indicates that deciphering the function of SOX9 in the intestine
has to take into account a dose-dependent effect of SOX9. Given the recurrent
controversies and the lack of a state of the art as to whether SOX9 behaves like
a tumour suppressor or an oncogen in the intestine epithelium, it is time to
provide an update of the accumulated knowledge about the biological function of
SOX9 in the intestine and about the role of SOX9 in colorectal cancers.
PMID- 28988014
TI - L-Asparaginase of Leishmania donovani: Metabolic target and its role in
Amphotericin B resistance.
AB - Emergence of Amphotericin B (AmB) resistant Leishmania donovani has posed major
therapeutic challenge against the parasite. Consequently, combination therapy
aimed at multiple molecular targets, based on proteome wise network analysis has
been recommended. In this regard we had earlier identified and proposed L
asparaginase of Leishmania donovani (LdAI) as a crucial metabolic target. Here we
report that both LdAI overexpressing axenic amastigote and promastigote forms of
L. donovani survives better when challenged with AmB as compared to wild type
strain. Conversely, qRT-PCR analysis showed an upregulation of LdAI in both forms
upon AmB treatment. Our data demonstrates the importance of LdAI in imparting
immediate protective response to the parasite upon AmB treatment. In the absence
of structural and functional information, we modeled LdAI and validated its
solution structure through small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis. We
identified its specific inhibitors through ligand and structure-based approach
and characterized their effects on enzymatic properties (Km, Vmax, Kcat) of LdAI.
We show that in presence of two of the inhibitors L1 and L2, the survival of L.
donovani is compromised whereas overexpression of LdAI in these cells restores
viability. Taken together, our results conclusively prove that LdAI is a crucial
metabolic enzyme conferring early counter measure against AmB treatment by
Leishmania.
PMID- 28988016
TI - Characterisation of the immune-related transcriptome in resected biliary tract
cancers.
AB - : Although biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are known to have an inflammatory
component, a detailed characterisation of immune-related transcripts has never
been performed. In these studies, nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel was
used to assess the expression of 770 immune-related transcripts in the tumour
tissues (TTs) and matched adjacent tissues (ATs) of resected BTCs. Cox regression
analysis and Kaplan-Meier methods were used to correlate findings with relapse
free survival (RFS). The first analysis in the TT and AT of an exploratory set (n
= 22) showed deregulation of 39 transcripts associated with T-cell activation.
Risk of recurrence was associated with a greater number of genes deregulated in
AT in comparison to TT. Analysis in the whole set (n = 53) showed a correlation
between AT cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4) expression and RFS, which
maintained statistical significance at multivariate analysis. CTLA4 expression
correlated with forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression, suggesting enrichment in T
regulatory cells. CTLA4 is known to act by binding to the cluster of
differentiation 80 (CD80). No association was seen between AT CD80 expression and
RFS. However, CD80 expression differentiated prognosis in patients who received
adjuvant chemotherapy. We showed that the immunomodulatory transcriptome is
deregulated in resected BTCs. Our study includes a small number of patients and
does not enable to draw definitive conclusions; however, it provides useful
insights into potential transcripts that may deserve further investigation in
larger cohorts of patients. TRANSCRIPT PROFILING: Nanostring data have been
submitted to GEO repository: GSE90698 and GSE90699.
PMID- 28988018
TI - Corpus callosum diffusion abnormalities in refractory epilepsy associated with
hippocampal sclerosis.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To detect by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) the extent of
microstructural integrity changes of the corpus callosum (CC) in patients with
hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and to evaluate possible association with clinical
characteristics. METHODS: Fourty-two patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE)
and HS and 30 control subjects were studied with DTI. We grouped patients
according to lesion side (left or right) HS. Mean diffusivity (MD), fractional
anisotropy (FA), radial (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD) were extracted from five
segments in CC midsagittal section obtained by automatic segmentation. CC DTI
findings were compared between groups. We also evaluated association of DTI
changes and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: HS patients displayed decreased FA
and increased MD and RD in the anterior, mid-posterior and posterior CC segments,
compared to controls. No differences were observed in AD. Patients reporting
febrile seizure as the initial precipitating event presented more intense
diffusion changes. No differences were seen comparing left and right HS. Age at
epilepsy onset, disease duration and seizure frequency were not associated with
DTI findings. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the largest series of TLE-HS patients
evaluating CC white matter fiber integrity by DTI, which allowed us to study how
some clinical characteristics, such as seizure frequency, disease duration and
lesion side, are related to CC integrity. Occurrence of febrile seizure was the
only factor that had significant impact on tract integrity. Diffusion changes
were not restricted to the posterior part of the CC; we observed the same changes
for the anterior part of the CC. Diffusion changes were characterized by an
increase in RD, while the AD remained intact for all regions of the CC.
PMID- 28988017
TI - Evaluating the scientific basis of quality indicators in colorectal cancer care:
A systematic review.
AB - AIM: In colorectal cancer care, many indicators for assessment and improvement of
quality of care are being used. These quality indicators serve as national and
international benchmarks to compare health care on hospital and patient level.
However, the scientific basis of these indicators is often unclear. Therefore,
the aim of this systematic review is to examine reported quality indicators used
in multidisciplinary colorectal cancer care and categorise these indicators based
on scientific evidence. METHODS: We searched PubMed from 2005 to 2015 for
original articles reporting on development, evaluation or validation of quality
indicators in colorectal cancer care. Included articles were categorised in
consensus-based, evidence-based and validation cohort studies. Extracted quality
indicators were divided into structure, process and outcome indicators and
grouped per discipline(s) involved. RESULTS: From 1163 studies, 41 articles were
included: 12 (29%) consensus-based, 7 (17%) evidence-based and 22 (54%)
validation cohort studies. In total, we identified 389 reported quality
indicators: consensus-based (n = 349), evidence-based (n = 7) and validation (n =
33), respectively. Of all reported indicators, 45% (n = 186) concerned surgical
items. The vast majority were process indicators (n = 315; 81%) and the remaining
outcome (n = 57; 15%) or structure measurements (n = 17; 4%). Only 5 indicators
were reported in the majority (>=7/12 articles) of consensus-based papers and 7
indicators were successfully validated. CONCLUSIONS: There is an abundance of
reported colorectal cancer quality indicators, of which the majority are
surgical, consensus-based process measures, which have not been validated in
cohort studies. There is a need for international consensus on a limited evidence
based data set of validated quality indicators, with a focus on outcome
indicators.
PMID- 28988019
TI - Acute intermittent porphyria after right hemi-colectomy.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Acute intermittent porphyria is a rare autosomal dominant metabolic
disease. It is caused by a genetic mutation that results in deficiency of
porphobilinogen deaminase enzyme, the third enzyme in heme biosynthesis. Acute
intermittent porphyria precipitated by surgery is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION:
We present a 24 year-old woman who developed acute intermittent porphyria five
days after right hemi-colectomy. Her presentation included neuro-visceral and
psychiatric manifestations, and severe hyponatremia. She received critical care
symptomatic management including mechanical ventilation. The diagnosis was based
on a positive urine test for porphobilinogen and confirmed by the presence of a
heterozygous mutation in the hydroxyrmethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene (c.760delC
p Leu254). DISCUSSION: Acute intermittent porphyria is the most common and life
threatining type of acute porphyrias. It is more common in women and usually
presents after puberty with acute abdominal pain and diverse neuro-psychiatric
manifestations that can be confused with several surgical and medical diseases.
Acute intermittent porphyria after surgery is most likely due to postoperative
pain and low-calorie intake. Once suspected, prompt ICU management including high
calorie intake are necessary to avoid serious complications and mortality before
starting definitive treatment with hematin. CONCLUSION: Acute intermittent
porphyria should be suspected in any patient, particularly young women, who
develop diverse neuro-visceral and psychiatric manifestations and hyponatremia
after surgery.
PMID- 28988020
TI - Management of mediastinal parathyroid adenoma via minimally invasive
thoracoscopic surgery: Case report.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The most common cause of chronic hypercalcemia is primary
hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). However, owing to the diverse presentation of
hypercalcemia, the diagnosis often goes unnoticed culminating as a continuum of
recurrence of symptoms. Nephrolithiasis, decreased bone mineral density and
peptic ulcer disease are the main clinical sequelae. Among the causes of PHPT 80%
are caused by parathyroid adenomas (PA). However, only rarely, these adenomas are
found ectopically. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a 66-year-old
female with a history of recurrent renal stones and peptic ulcer disease. She was
found to have elevated serum calcium and PTH levels. However, subsequent high
resolution CT scan of chest and neck failed to demonstrate any abnormality.
Therefore, an anterior planar Technetium-99m-sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy scan
using a single-tracer was done and it identified ectopic anterior mediastinal
parathyroid adenoma. The patient was successfully managed with video-assisted
thoracoscopic surgery and excision of the mass with follow up calcium level
monitoring. DISSCUSSION: An elevated calcium level should prompt a thorough
workup, as sometimes it's the only clue to the unrelated and diversified systemic
manifestations of hypercalcemia. Hyperparathyroidism due to ectopic adenoma is
quite rare and possess a diagnostic and management challenge. CONCLUSION:
Symptomatic hypercalcemia and high level of PTH without local PA should alert
physicians to search for ectopic locations through imaging. VATS is a safe and
effective minimally invasive procedure for the resection of ectopic mediastinal
PA and it should be considered as the first line approach for resection of these
ectopic tumors.
PMID- 28988021
TI - Two concurrent appendiceal neoplasms in an elderly patient: A case report.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis, one of the commonest surgical diagnoses, is
rare and more complex presentation in the elderly. Physicians must consider
atypical causes appendicitis in this population, which could affect the
management of the patient. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An elderly female presented with
a two-day history of lower abdominal pain, associated with low-grade fevers and
chills. Studies showed leukocytosis and computed tomography (CT) findings
consistent with appendicitis. She underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Intra
operatively, the Appendix had an unusual appearance, so a frozen-section was
obtained, suggestive of a mucinous neoplasm with grossly clear margins. Despite
the possibility that she may require a more extensive cancer operation pending
the final Pathology results, the decision was made to complete the operation at
this stage, and return at a later date if needed, after completing the patient's
work-up with a colonoscopy to rule out any synchronous colonic lesions that could
alter her surgical management. Final Pathology revealed both a low-grade
appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, as well as a tip carcinoid tumor, both of which
were adequately treated with appendectomy alone. DISCUSSION: Physicians treating
elderly patients with appendicitis should suspect an atypical etiology, such as
appendiceal cancer. Early identification and appropriate pre-operative counseling
may alter the surgical management. CONCLUSION: The role and timing of right
hemicolectomy in treating appendiceal cancers remain controversial, and should be
evaluated on a case by case basis.
PMID- 28988022
TI - White matter and schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry and
diffusion tensor imaging studies.
AB - Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are the most
implemented methodologies to detect alterations of both gray and white matter
(WM). However, the role of WM in mental disorders is still not well defined. We
aimed at clarifying the role of WM disruption in schizophrenia and at identifying
the most frequently involved brain networks. A systematic literature search was
conducted to identify VBM and DTI studies focusing on WM alterations in patients
with schizophrenia compared to control subjects. We selected studies reporting
the coordinates of WM reductions and we performed the anatomical likelihood
estimation (ALE). Moreover, we labeled the WM bundles with an anatomical atlas
and compared VBM and DTI ALE-scores of each significant WM tract. A total of 59
studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. WM alterations were reported in 31
and 34 foci with VBM and DTI methods, respectively. The most occurred WM bundles
in both VBM and DTI studies and largely involved in schizophrenia were long
projection fibers, callosal and commissural fibers, part of motor descending
fibers, and fronto-temporal-limbic pathways. The meta-analysis showed a
widespread WM disruption in schizophrenia involving specific cerebral circuits
instead of well-defined regions.
PMID- 28988024
TI - The multidimensional nature of early prosocial behavior: a motivational
perspective.
AB - A majority of current work indicates that the different types of prosocial
behavior in young children (helping, sharing, comforting) are not related to each
other. Here, I review recent studies that examined the relations between
prosocial actions as well as the antecedents and correlates of the particular
domains of prosociality. I argue that in addition to different social-cognitive
demands also different motivations are involved in early prosocial action, and
that prosociality is thus a concept that encompasses-at least early in
development-heterogeneous behaviors and motivations.
PMID- 28988025
TI - Towards an objective assessment of motor function in sub-acute stroke patients:
Relationship between clinical rating scales and instrumental gait stability
indexes.
AB - The assessment of walking function alterations is a key issue to design effective
rehabilitative interventions in sub-acute stroke patients. Nevertheless, the
objective quantification of these alterations remains a challenge. Clinical
rating scales are commonly used in clinical practice, but have been proven prone
to errors associated to the evaluator subjective perception. On the other hand,
instrumental measurement of trunk acceleration can be exploited for an objective
quantitative characterization of gait function, but it is not applied in routine
clinical practice, because the resulting quantitative indexes have not been
related to the clinically information, conventionally provided by the rating
scales. To overcome this limitation, the relationship between the indexes, in
specific clinical conditions, and rating scale must be better investigated, to
support their exploitability in the clinical practice as a fast and reliable
screening tool. Thirty-one sub-acute stroke patients (17 with and 14 without
cane) participated in the study. All were assessed with 6 rating scales (MI, TCT,
MRI, FAC, WHS, CIRS) and 2 functional tests (2MWT and TUG). Sample Entropy (SEN)
and Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA) in AP, ML and V directions were
calculated over 2MWT and walking section of TUG. The influence of assessment task
and cane was analysed, as well as correlation of SEN and RQA indexes with
clinical rating scales. SEN and RQA on the medio-lateral plane resulted
influenced by the use of the cane, while the correlations between indexes and
clinical scales showed that SEN and RQA for antero-posterior direction correlate
positively with WHS.
PMID- 28988023
TI - Acute effects of fine particulate matter constituents on mortality: A systematic
review and meta-regression analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: The link between PM2.5 exposure and adverse health outcomes is well
documented from studies across the world. However, the reported effect estimates
vary across studies, locations and constituents. We aimed to conduct a meta
analysis on associations between short-term exposure to PM2.5 constituents and
mortality using city-specific estimates, and explore factors that may explain
some of the observed heterogeneity. METHODS: We systematically reviewed
epidemiological studies on particle constituents and mortality using PubMed and
Web of Science databases up to July 2015.We included studies that examined the
association between short-term exposure to PM2.5 constituents and all-cause,
cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, in the general adult population. Each
study was summarized based on pre-specified study key parameters (e.g., location,
time period, population, diagnostic classification standard), and we evaluated
the risk of bias using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT)
Method for each included study. We extracted city-specific mortality risk
estimates for each constituent and cause of mortality. For multi-city studies, we
requested the city-specific risk estimates from the authors unless reported in
the article. We performed random effects meta-analyses using city-specific
estimates, and examined whether the effects vary across regions and city
characteristics (PM2.5 concentration levels, air temperature, elevation,
vegetation, size of elderly population, population density, and baseline
mortality). RESULTS: We found a 0.89% (95% CI: 0.68, 1.10%) increase in all
cause, a 0.80% (95% CI: 0.41, 1.20%) increase in cardiovascular, and a 1.10% (95%
CI: 0.59, 1.62%) increase in respiratory mortality per 10MUg/m3 increase in
PM2.5. Accounting for the downward bias induced by studies of single days, the
all-cause mortality estimate increased to 1.01% (95% CI: 0.81, 1.20%). We found
significant associations between mortality and several PM2.5 constituents. The
most consistent and stronger associations were observed for elemental carbon (EC)
and potassium (K). For most of the constituents, we observed high variability of
effect estimates across cities. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests that (a)
combustion elements such as EC and K have a stronger association with mortality,
(b) single lag studies underestimate effects, and (c) estimates of PM2.5 and
constituents differ across regions. Accounting for PM mass in constituent's
health models may lead to more stable and comparable effect estimates across
different studies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42017055765.
PMID- 28988026
TI - Quantitative Image Restoration in Bright Field Optical Microscopy.
AB - Bright field (BF) optical microscopy is regarded as a poor method to observe
unstained biological samples due to intrinsic low image contrast. We introduce
quantitative image restoration in bright field (QRBF), a digital image processing
method that restores out-of-focus BF images of unstained cells. Our procedure is
based on deconvolution, using a point spread function modeled from theory. By
comparing with reference images of bacteria observed in fluorescence, we show
that QRBF faithfully recovers shape and enables quantify size of individual
cells, even from a single input image. We applied QRBF in a high-throughput image
cytometer to assess shape changes in Escherichia coli during hyperosmotic shock,
finding size heterogeneity. We demonstrate that QRBF is also applicable to
eukaryotic cells (yeast). Altogether, digital restoration emerges as a
straightforward alternative to methods designed to generate contrast in BF
imaging for quantitative analysis.
PMID- 28988027
TI - GelRed/[G3T]5/Tb3+ hybrid: A novel label-free ratiometric fluorescent probe for
H2O2 and oxidase-based visual biosensing.
AB - A novel label-free ratiometric fluorescent probe is developed for the detection
of H2O2 based on GelRed/[G3T]5/Tb3+ hybrid, in which GelRed (a nucleic acid dye)
intercalated into the designed single-stranded DNA [G3T]5 (i.e. GelRed/[G3T]5)
acts as a stable build-in reference with red emission and Tb3+ sensitized by
[G3T]5 (i.e. [G3T]5/Tb3+) as a sensitive response signal with green fluorescence.
With the successive addition of Hg2+ and cysteine (Cys) to GelRed/[G3T]5/Tb3+,
the fluorescence of [G3T]5/Tb3+ can be effectively quenched and recovered
respectively, while the fluorescence of GelRed/[G3T]5 remains unchangeable.
Combined with these properties, we have demonstrated its application for label
free ratiometric fluorescence detection of H2O2 with self-calibration. The
sensing mechanism is based on the specific reaction between H2O2 and Cys, the
resulting disulfide reverses the Cys-mediated fluorescence changes of
[G3T]5/Tb3+. This method is further applied to the monitoring of oxidase-related
reactions. As the glucose oxidase (GOx)-biocatalyzed oxidation of glucose and the
acetylcholine esterase/choline oxidase (AChE/ChOx) cascade yield H2O2, such two
biocatalytic processes are successfully examined utilized our proposed method,
indicating its potential broad applications in biomedical analysis. In addition,
we have also demonstrated its feasibility for oxidase-based visual biosensing, in
which only a handheld UV lamp is used. Importantly, coupled with our proposed
visual biosensing, a realtime quantitative scanometric assays has been also
demonstrated by using a smartphone with easy-to-access color-scanning APP as the
detection platform. Compared to traditional methods, the proposed design is cost
effective, simple to prepare and easy-to-use without fluorescence labeling or
chemical modification.
PMID- 28988028
TI - Intensive care admissions among ovarian cancer patients treated with primary
debulking surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy-interval debulking surgery.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Admissions to intensive care units (ICU) are costly, but are necessary
for some patients undergoing radical cancer surgery. When compared to primary
debulking surgery (PDS), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with interval debulking
surgery, is associated with less peri-operative morbidity. In this study, we
compare rates, indications and lengths of ICU stays among ovarian cancer patients
admitted to the ICU within 30days of cytoreduction, either primary or interval.
METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients with stage III-IV
ovarian cancer who underwent surgical cytoreduction at two large academic medical
centers between 2010 and 2014. Chi square tests, Student t-tests, and Mann-U
Whitney tests were used. RESULTS: A total of 635 patients were included in the
study. There were 43 ICU admissions, 7% of patients. Compared to NACT, a higher
percentage of PDS patients required ICU admission, 9.4% vs 3.9% of patients
(P=0.004). ICU admission indications did not vary between PDS and NACT patients.
NACT patients admitted to the ICU had comparable mean surgical complexity scores
to those PDS patients admitted to the ICU, 6.2 (95%CI 5.3-7.1) vs 4.5 (95%CI 3.1
6.0) (P=0.006). Length of ICU admission did not vary between groups, PDS 2.7days
(95%CI 2.3-3.2) vs 3.5days (95%CI 1.5-5.6) for NACT (P=0.936). CONCLUSIONS: The
rate of ICU admissions among patients undergoing PDS is higher than for NACT.
Among patients admitted to the ICU, indications for admission, length of stay and
surgical complexity were similar between patients treated with NACT and PDS.
PMID- 28988029
TI - Management of male hypogonadism and testosterone therapy: European Association of
Urology position statement on the role of the urologist.
PMID- 28988030
TI - Sub-lethal viral exposure and growth on drought stressed host plants changes
resource allocation patterns and life history costs in the Speckled Wood
butterfly, Pararge aegeria.
AB - This study investigated the interactive effects of growth on drought stressed
host plants and pathogen challenge with the baculovirus Autographa californica
nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) on survival and fitness-related traits using the
Speckled Wood butterfly, Pararge aegeria (L.). Exposure to AcMNPV significantly
reduced survival to pupation. For surviving larvae, sub-lethal infection
significantly decreased daily mass acquisition rates and pupal mass. Growth on
drought stressed plants increased daily mass acquisition rates resulting in
heavier pupae, and increased resource allocation to adult reproduction. The
interaction between host plant drought and viral exposure resulted in different
resource allocation strategies, and thus different growth trajectories, between
larvae. This in turn resulted in significantly different allometric relationships
between larval mass (at inoculation) and both development time and investment in
flight muscles. For larvae with relatively lighter masses there was a cost of
resisting infection when growth occurred on drought stressed host plants, both
within the larval stage (i.e. longer larval development times) and in the adult
stage (i.e. lower investment in flight muscle mass). This multi-factor study
highlights several potential mechanisms by which the complex interplay between
low host plant nutritional quality due to drought, and pathogen exposure, may
differentially influence the performance of P. aegeria individuals across
multiple life stages.
PMID- 28988032
TI - Expanding the genetic tool box for Cupriavidus necator by a stabilized L-rhamnose
inducible plasmid system.
AB - The Gram negative bacterium Cupriavidus necator is well known for the
accumulation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its fast lithoautotrophic growth,
leading in high cell densities. Although the host was engineered for the
heterologous production of diverse chemicals and biopolymers in recent years,
tool box of stabilized inducible expression systems is still limited. To avoid
plasmid loss during fermentation processes and to allow expression of complex
proteins, a tunable L-rhamnose inducible system was established and characterized
using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). The construct was stabilized by
a previously established partitioning system. An increase of fluorescence signal
intensity in different media was shown with inducer concentrations up to 11mM L
rhamnose. The strongest effects were measured at quite low concentrations - high
tunability was observed between 0 and 0.4-1mM (depending on the medium used).
Expression is tightly regulated and could be increased over 140-fold in complex
medium and approximately 60-fold in minimal medium due to induction with 11mM L
rhamnose. Varying induction times were characterized regarding growth behavior
and expression pattern, taking into consideration problems that may arise during
expression of toxic proteins. The novel plasmid expands the tool box for
engineering the highly flexible production host C. necator.
PMID- 28988031
TI - Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for production of valerenadiene.
AB - Valeriana officinalis is a medicinal herb which produces a suite of compounds in
its root tissue useful for treatment of anxiety and insomnia. The sesquiterpene
components of the root extract, valerenic acid and valerena-1,10-diene, are
thought to contribute to most of the observed anxiolytic of Valerian root
preparations. However, valerenic acid and its biosynthetic intermediates are only
produced in low quantities in the roots of V. officinalis. Thus, in this report,
Escherichia coli was metabolically engineered to produce substantial quantities
of valerena-1,10-diene in shake flask fermentations with decane overlay.
Expression of the wildtype valerenadiene synthase gene (pZE-wvds) resulted in
production of 12MUg/mL in LB cultures using endogenous FPP metabolism. Expression
of a codon-optimized version of the valerenadiene synthase gene (pZE-cvds)
resulted in 3-fold higher titers of valerenadiene (32MUg/mL). Co-expression of
pZE-cvds with an engineered methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway improved
valerenadiene titers 65-fold to 2.09mg/L valerenadiene. Optimization of the
fermentation medium to include glycerol supplementation enhanced yields by
another 5.5-fold (11.0mg/L valerenadiene). The highest production of
valerenadiene resulted from engineering the codon-optimized valerenadiene
synthase gene under strong Ptrc and PT7 promoters and via co-expression of an
exogenous mevalonate (MVA) pathway. These efforts resulted in an E. coli
production strain that produced 62.0mg/L valerenadiene (19.4mg/L/OD600 specific
productivity). This E. coli production platform will serve as the foundation for
the synthesis of novel valerenic acid analogues potentially useful for the
treatment of anxiety disorders.
PMID- 28988033
TI - Evidence of microglial activation following exposure to serum from first-onset
drug-naive schizophrenia patients.
AB - Abnormal activation of brain microglial cells is widely implicated in the
pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Previously the pathophysiology of microglial
activation was considered to be intrinsic to the central nervous system. We
hypothesised that due to their perivascular localization, microglia can also be
activated by factors present in circulating blood. Through application of high
content functional screening, we show that peripheral blood serum from first
onset drug-naive schizophrenia patients is sufficient to provoke microglial cell
signalling network responses in vitro which are indicative of proinflammatory
activation. We further explore the composition of the serum for the presence of
analytes, with the potential to activate microglia, and the utility of the
resultant microglial cellular phenotype for novel drug discovery.
PMID- 28988034
TI - The physical forces mediating self-association and phase-separation in the C
terminal domain of TDP-43.
AB - The TAR DNA-binding protein of 43kDa (TDP-43) has been identified as the main
component of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cytoplasmic inclusions. The link
between this proteinopathy and TDP-43's intrinsically disordered C-terminal
domain is well known, but recently also, this domain has been shown to be
involved in the formation of the membraneless organelles that mediate TDP-43's
functions. The mechanisms that underpin the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS)
of these membraneless organelles undergo remain elusive. Crucially though, these
factors may be the key to understanding the delicate balance between TDP-43's
physiological and pathological functions. In this study, we used nuclear magnetic
resonance spectroscopy and optical methods to demonstrate that an alpha-helical
component in the centre (residues 320-340) of the C-terminal domain is related to
the protein's self-association and LLPS. Systematically analysing ALS-related TDP
43 mutants (G298S, M337V, and Q331K) in different buffer conditions at different
temperatures, we prove that this phase separation is driven by hydrophobic
interactions but is inhibited by electrostatic repulsion. Based on these
findings, we rationally introduced a mutant, W334G, and demonstrate that this
mutant disrupts LLPS without disturbing this alpha-helical propensity. This
tryptophan may serve as a key residue in this protein's LLPS.
PMID- 28988035
TI - Coumarin based colorimetric and fluorescence on-off chemosensor for F-, CN- and
Cu2+ ions.
AB - (E)-4-Chloro-3-[{2-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazono}methyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (C), a
coumarin derivative has been studied toward its ion sensing properties for F-, CN
and Cu2+. A proton-transfer mechanism for F- sensing has been deduced with the
help of 1H NMR titration alongwith from the changes in the absorption and
emission spectra of C in the presence of F-. C formed 1:1 stoichiometric complex
with each of these analytes. Sensing of C toward Cu2+ is poor, but interestingly
in the presence of F-or CN- the sensing ability of Cu2+ gets enhanced many folds,
and C can act as F-or CN- mediated off-on sensor for Cu2+. Moreover, colorimetric
strip (pre-coated with the coumarin derived compound) tests for F-and CN- from
their DMSO solution at high temperature (~100 degrees C) opens up the door for
easiest naked eye recognition and distinction of these ions, and also for naked
eye detection of F- and CN- from its aqueous solution at high temperature (~100
degrees C).
PMID- 28988036
TI - Drought tolerance of selected bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.]
landraces assessed by leaf gas exchange and photosynthetic efficiency.
AB - Successful cultivation of bottle gourd in arid and semi-arid areas of sub-Saharan
Africa and globally requires the identification of drought tolerant parents for
developing superior genotypes with increased drought resistance. The objective of
this study was to determine the level of drought tolerance among genetically
diverse South African bottle gourd landraces based on leaf gas exchange and
photosynthetic efficiency and identify promising genotypes for breeding. The
responses of 12 bottle gourd landraces grown in glasshouse under non-stressed
(NS) and drought-stressed (DS) conditions were studied. A significant genotype x
water regime interaction was observed for gs, T, A, A/Ci, IWUE, WUEins, Fm',
Fv'/Fm', FPSII, qP, qN, ETR, ETR/A and AES indicating variability in response
among the studied bottle gourd landraces under NS and DS conditions. Principal
component analysis identified three principal components (PC's) under drought
stress condition contributing to 82.9% of total variation among leaf gas exchange
and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters measured. PC1 explained 36% of total
variation contributed by gs, T, F0', Fm', Fv'/Fm' and qN, while PC2 explained 28%
of the variation and highly correlated with A, A/Ci, IWUE, WUEins ETR/A and AES.
PC3 explained 14% of total variation contributed by FPSII, qP and ETR. Principal
biplot analysis allowed the identification of drought tolerant genotypes such as
BG-27, BG-48, BG-58, BG-79, BG-70 and BG-78 which were grouped based on high gs,
A, Fm'Fv'/Fm', qN, ETR/A and AES under DS condition. The study suggests that the
identified physiological traits could be useful indicators in the selection of
bottle gourd genotypes for increased drought tolerance.
PMID- 28988037
TI - Cost-effectiveness of methods in personalized medicine. Results of a decision
analytic model in patients with acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype.
AB - BACKGROUND: During the last years, molecular genetic data are increasingly used
as prognostic and predictive factors in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The
molecular genetic profile permits a rapid risk categorization and beyond that a
prediction of differential treatment efficacy of post-remission chemotherapy
versus an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in specific
subgroups. METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate cost-effectiveness of
two different strategies of risk categorization (conventional cytogenetic
diagnostics (CCD) versus molecular genetic diagnostics (MGD)) in patients with
AML, using a decision-analytic state-transition model. The model is run as (Monte
Carlo) microsimulation in which individuals pass through in cycles with a cycle
length of one month and a time horizon of ten years. FINDINGS: Results show that
on average, individuals within the MGD group generated about US$ 32,000 higher
costs but survived about seven months longer than individuals within the CCD
group. This leads to an Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) of about US$
4928 per survived month. INTERPRETATION: With a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of
US$ 26,467 (? 33,630) per capita in Germany in 2012, the base-case ICER of US$
4928 per survived month projected to US$ 59,136 per survived year is in between
the simple GDP and the three times GDP per capita.
PMID- 28988038
TI - Innate immune transcriptomic evaluation of PBMC isolated from sheep after
infection with E. ruminantium Welgevonden strain.
AB - Heartwater is a tick-borne non-infectious fatal disease of wild and domestic
ruminants caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia ruminantium, transmitted by Amblyomma
ticks. Although there is evidence that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) controls E.
ruminantium growth and that cellular immune responses could be protective, an
effective recombinant vaccine for this disease is lacking. An overall analysis of
which immune pathways are up- or down-regulated in sheep peripheral blood
mononuclear cells is expected to lead to a better understanding of the global
immune response of sheep to E. ruminantium infection. Therefore, a systems
biology oriented approach following the infection with E. ruminantium was
investigated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells to aid recombinant vaccine
development. In this study, heartwater naive sheep were infected and challenged
by allowing E. ruminantium infected ticks to feed on them. After primary
infection, all the animals were treated with antibiotic during the resulting
febrile response. Blood was collected daily for E. ruminantium detection by qPCR
(pCS20 assay). The pCS20 assay only detected the pathogen in the blood one day
prior to and during the febrile stage of infection confirming infection of the
sheep. IFN-gamma real-time PCR indicated that this cytokine was expressed at
specific time points: post infection, during the febrile stage of the disease and
after challenge. These were used as a guide to select samples for transcriptome
sequencing. This paper focuses on transcripts that are associated with innate
activating pathways that were identified to be up- and down-regulated after
primary infection and the subsequent challenge. These included the CD14 monocyte
marker, toll-like receptor (TLR), nod-like receptor, chemokine, cytosolic and
cytokine-cytokine interaction receptor pathways. In particular, TLR4, TLR9 and
CD14 were activated together with DNA detection pathways, suggesting that vaccine
formulations may be improved if CpG motifs and lipopolysaccharides are included.
This data indicates that innate immune activation, perhaps by using adjuvants,
should be an important component for consideration during future heartwater
recombinant vaccine development.
PMID- 28988039
TI - Cathelicidin modulates synthesis of Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) 4 and 9 in colonic
epithelium.
AB - Cathelicidin are innate antimicrobial peptides with broad immunomodulatory
functions; however, their role in regulating intestinal defenses is not well
characterized. This study aimed to investigate the role of cathelicidin
modulating expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 4 and 9 in colonic epithelium
in response to bacterial patterns. We demonstrated herein that intestinal
epithelial cells, when primed by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), responded to
cathelicidin by increased transcription and protein synthesis of TLR4. This
cathelicidin-induced response required the interaction of LPS-TLR4 and activation
of MAPK signalling pathways. However, cathelicidin blocked TLR9 responses induced
by TLR9 ligand CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN) in these colonic epithelial
cells. Modulations of TLRs triggered by cathelicidin in intestinal epithelium
occurred mainly in the apical compartment of intestinal cells. Activation of TLR4
by ligands in combination with cathelicidin promoted CXCL8 chemokine secretion
and epithelial antimicrobial defenses against Escherichia coli. We concluded that
cathelicidin selectively modulated synthesis of TLR4 and 9 in intestinal
epithelium, but only when cells were exposed to virulence factors, mostly from
apical surfaces. Enhanced TLR4 expression promoted by cathelicidin in intestinal
epithelium may be crucial for controlling enteric infectious diseases.
PMID- 28988040
TI - Johne's disease in cattle: an in vitro model to study early response to infection
of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis using RNA-seq.
AB - Johne's disease is a chronic granulomatous enteritis caused by Mycobacterium
avium subsp. paratubercolosis (MAP) which affects ruminants worldwide and has a
significant economic impact. MAP has also been associated with human Crohn's
disease, although this connection is not well established. MAP is highly adapted
for survival within host macrophages and prevents macrophage activation, blocks
phagosome acidification and maturation, and attenuates presentation of antigens
to the immune system. The consequence is a very long silent infection before
clinical signs are observed. The present work examined the transcriptome of
bovine monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) infected with the L1 strain of MAP at
2h, 6h and 24h post infection using RNA-seq. Pathway over-representation analysis
of genes differentially expressed between infected vs. control MDM identified
that immune related pathways were affected. Genes belonging to the cytokine
cytokine receptor interaction pathway and members of the JAK-STAT pathway, which
is involved in the regulation of immune response, were up-regulated. However, in
parallel inhibitors of immune functions were activated, including suppressor of
cytokine signaling (SOCS) and cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH),
which most likely suppresses IFNgamma and the JAK/STAT signaling cascade in
infected MDM, which may favour MAP survival. After exposure, macrophages
phagocytise pathogens, activate the complement cascade and the adaptive immune
system through the antigen presentation process. However, data presented here
suggest that genes related to phagocytosis and lysosome function are down
regulated in MAP infected MDM. Genes of MHC class II and complement pathway were
also down-regulated. This study therefore shows that MAP infection is associated
with changes in expression of genes related to the host immune response that may
affect its ability to survive and multiply inside the host cell.
PMID- 28988041
TI - Recombinant small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein of
Leishmania infantum: Potential vaccine and diagnostic application against
visceral leishmaniasis.
AB - Different Leishmania proteins have been evaluated in order to find a potential
vaccine candidate or diagnostic marker capable of providing long lasting
protection against infection or helping to identify infected mammalian hosts,
respectively. However, just few molecules have fulfilled all the requirements to
be evaluated. In the current study, we evaluated the prophylactic and diagnostic
value against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) of a small glutamine-rich
tetratricopeptide repeat-containing (SGT) protein from Leishmania infantum
species. In a first step, the immune response elicited by the immunization using
the recombinant protein (rSGT) plus saponin was evaluated in BALB/c mice.
Immunized animals had a low parasitism in all evaluated organs. They developed a
specific Th1 immune response, which was based on protein-specific production of
IFN-gamma, IL-12 and GM-CSF, and a humoral response dominated by antibodies of
the IgG2a isotype. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells contributed to the IFN-gamma
production, showing that both T cell subtypes contribute to the resistance
against infection. Regarding its value as a diagnostic marker, rSGT showed
maximum sensitivity and specificity to serologically identify L. infantum
infected dog and human sera. No cross-reactivity with sera from humans or dogs
that had other diseases was found. Although further studies are necessary to
validate these findings, data showed here suggest immunogenicity of rSGT and its
protective effect against murine VL, as well as its potential for the
serodiagnosis of human and canine VL.
PMID- 28988042
TI - Improved photo-induced charge carriers separation through the addition of erbium
on TiO2 nanoparticles and its effect on photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine
B.
AB - ErxTi1-xO2 nanocomposites was prepared by a simple sol-gel method with various
proportion of erbium viz., x=0.02, x=0.04, x=0.06, x=0.08 and x=0.10. The
prepared nanocomposites were studied using XRD, UV-Vis DRS, Raman spectra, HR
SEM, EDS, TEM, PL and impedance spectroscopy. XRD revealed that modified TiO2
nanocomposites possessed only the anatase phase with crystallite sizes of about
8.1 to 12.7nm and which is well consistent with TEM analysis. It is seen that
erbium ion exist in the nanocomposites based on the analysis of EDS. HR-SEM
analysis revealed that the ErxTi1-xO2 nanocomposites are spherical in shape with
size between 10 and 20nm. The amount of erbium remarkably affects the structural,
optical and electrical properties. Loading erbium could produce 4f energy levels
between valence and conduction bands thus narrowing optical band gap and
generates visible absorption peaks. It was found that erbium modified TiO2
nanocomposites induced a shift in Raman. The enhancement of life time of charge
carriers was observed on erbium inclusion.
PMID- 28988043
TI - Metabolic signatures of bisphenol A and genistein in Atlantic salmon liver cells.
AB - Screening has revealed that aquafeeds with high inclusion of plant material may
contain small amounts of endocrine disrupting agricultural pesticides. In this
work, bisphenol A (BPA) and genistein (GEN) were selected as model endocrine
disrupting toxicants with impact on DNA methylation in fish. Atlantic salmon
hepatocytes were exposed in vitro to four concentrations of BPA and GEN (0.1,
1.0, 10 and 100 MUM) for 48 h. Toxicity endpoints included cytotoxicity, global
DNA methylation, targeted transcriptomics and metabolomic screening (100 MUM).
GEN was not cytotoxic in concentrations up to 100 MUM, whereas one out of two
cell viability assays indicated a cytotoxic response to 100 MUM BPA. Compared to
the control, significant global DNA hypomethylation was observed at 1.0 MUM BPA.
Both compounds upregulated cyp1a1 transcription at 100 MUM, while estrogenic
markers esr1 and vtg1 responded strongest at 10 MUM. Dnmt3aa transcription was
downregulated by both compounds at 100 MUM. Metabolomic screening showed that BPA
and GEN resulted in significant changes in numerous biochemical pathways
consistent with alterations in carbohydrate metabolism, indicating perturbation
in glucose homeostasis and energy generation, and glutamate metabolism. Pathway
analysis showed that while the superpathway of methionine degradation was among
the most strongly affected pathways by BPA, GEN induced changes to uridine and
pyrimidine biosynthesis. In conclusion, this mechanistic study proposes
metabolites associated with glucose and glutamate metabolism, glucuronidation
detoxification, as well as cyp1a1, vtg1, esr1, ar, dnmt3aa, cdkn1b and insig1 as
transcriptional markers for BPA and GEN exposure in fish liver cells.
PMID- 28988044
TI - Adversity and persecutory ideation: A moderated mediational model.
AB - Adversity has been identified as an important factor in models of psychopathology
and can help in understanding persecutory ideation, although potential moderators
and mediators for adult psychopathology have not been sufficiently examined.
Experiential avoidance (EA) and Self-esteem (SE) are relevant factors to
understand how adversity leads to persecutory ideation. This study hypothesized
that adversity would be associated with persecutory ideation through heightened
EA, and that this association would be strengthened in individuals with a
discrepant high SE. Participants with persecutory ideation (n = 52), with
depression (n = 35) and healthy controls (n = 51) were assessed with the Trauma
History Screen, the Paranoia and Deservedness Scale, and the Beck Depression
Inventory. A SE discrepancy index was calculated subtracting the normalized
explicit SE score from the normalized implicit SE score (measured by a version of
a Go/No-go association task). Our analysis revealed that adversity was associated
with higher levels of paranoia and was mediated by EA. In addition, we found that
the relationship between adversity and EA was moderated by SE discrepancy.
Identification of moderating and mediating variables allows for increased
understanding of persecutory ideation and the processes that should be targeted
in the course of recovery.
PMID- 28988045
TI - Prescribing practices in Southeastern Europe - focus on benzodiazepine
prescription at discharge from nine university psychiatric hospitals.
AB - There is much concern about the widespread long-term use of benzodiazepines. Our
manuscript addressed its use in the region of Southeastern Europe, which seems
extensive, but insufficiently explored. At nine university psychiatric hospitals
(Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia), we retrospectively analyzed discharge summary
documents to find the prevalence of discharge benzodiazepine prescriptions and
the prescribed benzodiazepine doses. This study included 1047 adult subjects and
showed that 81.9% of them had benzodiazepines prescribed in the discharge summary
document, with high mean daily dose of around 5mg lorazepam equivalents. Factors
associated with the prescriptions were exclusively clinical factors (diagnosis of
schizophrenia spectrum disorders, more lifetime hospitalizations, psychiatric
comorbidity, co-prescription of antidepressant or mood stabilizer, shorter
duration of the hospitalization), while socio-demographic factors were not found
to influence benzodiazepine discharge prescriptions. Similarly, factors which
influenced the prescription of higher daily benzodiazepine dose were more
lifetime psychiatric hospitalizations and co-prescription of antidepressant or
mood stabilizer, as well as the diagnosis of mental/behavioral disorders due to
substance use and co-prescribed antipsychotic. Our data are emphasizing an urgent
need for guidelines and improved education of both health care professionals and
patients, in order to prevent long term benzodiazepine (mis)use and related side
effects.
PMID- 28988046
TI - Testing the Trower and Chadwick model of paranoia: Is 'poor-me' and 'bad-me'
paranoia acting as a defence?
AB - The study tested the predicted differences in phenomenology (self-esteem and
depression) and insecurity of the subgroups of paranoia proposed by the Trower
and Chadwick (1995) model of paranoia. Thirty-two inpatients experiencing
persecutory delusions were assigned to either the poor me or bad me paranoid
group. Questionnaire assessment of depression and self-esteem were conducted. A
Dot Probe task measured detection latency (reaction time) to poor me words, bad
me words and neutral words. The poor me and bad me groups displayed the predicted
phenomenological differences. The dot probe task did not support the predicted
insecurities of the Trower and Chadwick model, but unexpected significant results
for the poor me subgroup may offer support for an alternative explanation of
paranoia as an unstable phenomenon.
PMID- 28988047
TI - The identification of Lynch syndrome in Congolese colorectal cancer patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of Lynch syndrome as one of
hereditary causes of colorectal cancer (CRC) among young Congolese individuals
affected by the CRC, and to define methods for diagnosis in Congo Brazzaville.
METHODS: We conducted a transversal cohort study of 34 patients having a CRC with
a family history for a period of eight years. They were selected among 89 CRCs of
any type from the Bethesda guidelines criteria combined with pedigrees. Mismatch
repair (MMR) genes alterations were researched by immunohistochemistry (IHC).
RESULTS: We identified with the Bethesda criteria a total of 38.2% (34/89)
patients having familial CRC with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%=[0.34-0.41].
Only 14.7% (5/34) 95% CI=[0.34-2.32] patients showed MMR immunodeficiency
involving firstly MLH1 protein then MSH2 protein. These data account for 5.6%
(5/89) 95% CI=[0.15-0.33] of patients affected by Lynch syndrome with an earlier
median age of 35 years (range 20 to 47 years). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of
Lynch syndrome found in Brazzaville is comparable to that is found in northern
countries. The combined Bethesda guidelines, pedigree and IHC is an accessible
and good alternative method for the positive diagnosis of Lynch syndrome in
current practice in Congo.
PMID- 28988048
TI - Effect of hydraulic retention time on microbial community in biochemical passive
reactors during treatment of acid mine drainage.
AB - The effect of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the microbial community during
acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment was investigated. Physicochemical and
molecular (illumina and qPCR) analyses were performed on reactive mixtures
collected from seven bioreactors in three-operation period (8, 17 and 36weeks).
Long HRT (4day) favored the relative abundance of SRB, causing the increase of
residual sulfides and short HRT (1day) affected the anaerobic conditions of the
bioreactors and favored the presence the acidophilic chemolithotrophic
microorganisms. Besides qPCR indicated that genes related to cellulose
degradation were present in low copy numbers and were affected by the HRT.
Finally, environmental factors (pH, organic source, metal sulfides, and sulfate
concentrations) had significant impact on relative abundance of the phylogenetic
lineages, rather than the types of lineages present in the reactive mixture. The
findings of this study indicate that HRT affects the stability of passive
bioreactors and their microbial communities.
PMID- 28988049
TI - Development of a thermo-stable and recyclable magnetic nanobiocatalyst for
bioprocessing of fruit processing residues and D-allulose synthesis.
AB - The aim of the study was to covalently immobilize Smt3-D-psicose 3-epimerase onto
functionalized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. After immobilization, Km of the
immobilized enzyme increased, however, Vmax was nearly the same as that of its
free form, indicating that immobilization has no detrimental effects on its
catalytic output. The covalent immobilization caused a reduction in the
deactivation rate constant (kd) values leading to 4-5 fold enhancement in its
half-life at 50-65 degrees C, indicating significant thermal stability of the
iron-enzyme nanobioconjugate. The immobilized enzyme showed excellent storage
stability by losing only 20% activity even after 60days of storage at 4 degrees
C. The immobilized enzyme retained up to 90% of its initial activity even after
10 consecutive cycles of catalyzing D-fructose epimerization reactions. Thus,
after immobilization the enzyme exhibited remarkable improvements in thermal
tolerance, storage stability and recycling efficiency, useful for development of
industrially exploitable process for D-allulose production.
PMID- 28988050
TI - A comprehensive mechanistic model for simulating algal-bacterial growth dynamics
in photobioreactors.
AB - A comprehensive mechanistic model with state of the art understanding and
assumptions is presented to simulate major processes in a photobioreactor for
describing the algal-bacterial growth dynamics. The model includes a total of 37
state variables that broadly cover all the essential physiological and physico
chemical processes in such a system. Model parameters are first calibrated with
batch experimental data, and thereafter, extensive validation of the model is
carried with long term independent experimental data in diverse conditions. The
developed model is able to capture the complex system behavior with reasonable
accuracy. Also, the comprehensive mathematical formulation with realistic
assumptions make this model a valuable tool for gaining better insights into the
complex system behavior.
PMID- 28988051
TI - Influence of lime and struvite on microbial community succession and odour
emission during food waste composting.
AB - Lime addition as well as formation of struvite through the addition of magnesium
and phosphorus salts provide good pH buffering and may reduce odour emission.
This study investigated the odour emission during food waste composting under the
influence of lime addition, and struvite formation. Composting was performed in
20-L reactors for 56days using artificial food waste mixed with sawdust at 1.2:1
(w/w dry basis). VFA was one of the most important odours during food waste
composting. However, during thermophilic phase, ammonia is responsible for max
odour index in the exhaust gas. Trapping ammonia through struvite formation
significantly reduced the maximum odour unit of ammonia from 3.0*104 to 1.8*104.
The generation and accumulation of acetic acid and butyric acid led to the acidic
conditions. The addition of phosphate salts in treatment with struvite formation
improved the variation of total bacteria, which in turn increased the organic
decomposition.
PMID- 28988052
TI - Comparison of varying operating parameters on heavy metals ecological risk during
anaerobic co-digestion of chicken manure and corn stover.
AB - In this study, the potential ecological risk of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, As,
Cd, Pb, Cr) accumulation from anaerobic co-digestion of chicken manure (CM) and
corn stover (CS) was evaluated by comparing different initial substrate
concentrations, digestion temperatures, and mixture ratios. Results showed that
the highest volumetric methane yield of 20.3+/-1.4L/L reactor was achieved with a
CS:CM ratio of 3:1 (on volatile solid basis) in mesophilic solid state anaerobic
digestion (SS-AD). Although co-digestion increased the concentrations of all
tested heavy metals and the direct toxicity of some heavy metals, the potential
ecological risk index indicated that the digestates were all classified as low
ecological risk. The biogasification and risk variation of heavy metals were
affected by the operating parameters. These results are significant and should be
taken into consideration when optimizing co-digestion of animal manure and crop
residues during full-scale projects.
PMID- 28988053
TI - Biochar accelerates PAHs biodegradation in petroleum-polluted soil by
biostimulation strategy.
AB - Sawdust and wheat straw biochars prepared at 300 degrees C and 500 degrees C were
applied to petroleum-polluted soil for an 84-day incubation to estimate their
effectiveness on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) removal. Biochars alone
were most effective at reducing PAHs contents. However, adding biochar to soils
in company with NaN3 solution resulted in a decreasing trend in terms of PAHs
removal, which was even lower than treatment CK without biochar. Moreover, it was
discovered by PCR-DGGE files and sequencing analysis that the predominant
bacterial diversity slightly decreased but the abundance of some specific taxa,
including PAHs degraders, was promoted with biochar input. These results
highlighted the potential of biochar application on accelerating PAHs
biodegradation, which could be attributed to the properties of biochars that
benefit for making the amended soil a better habitat for microbes. The impacts of
biochar preparation and pollutants nature on PAHs removal were also determined.
Significant reduction in the PAHs contents was detected when adding biochar
prepared at a high temperature (500 degrees C), while the feedstocks of biochar
showed little effect on PAHs removal. Due to the high hydrophobicity of aromatic
rings, high-molecular weight PAHs were found much more resistant to microbial
degradation in comparison with low-molecular weight PAHs.
PMID- 28988054
TI - Titania nanowires functionalized polyester fabrics with enhanced photocatalytic
and antibacterial performances.
AB - Flexible organic fabrics coated with titania find wide applications in pollutant
degradations and antibiosis. Because of the enhanced charge separations, TiO2
with one-dimensional nanostructures exhibits photocatalytic activity superior to
that of nanoparticulate films; however, only the later has been achieved on
organic substrates through commonly sol-gel techniques till now. In this study,
radially aligned TiO2 nanowires were precipitated on polyester fabrics through
multi-steps of surface roughening, sol-gel TiO2 seeding, hydrogen titanate
nanobelts precipitation, and finally sulfuric acid treatment. Both mesoporous
anatase TiO2 nanowires and single-crystalline rutile TiO2 nanorods have been
achieved, which, together with some unchanged titanate nanobelts, exhibited an
overall narrowed band gap of ca. 2.50eV. The TiO2 nanowires on flexible PET
fabrics showed higher photocatalytic activity towards degradations of not only
rhodamine B in water but also toluene gas in air under UV light illumination,
when compared with either TiO2 nanotube array or commercial Degussa P25
nanoparticulate films on metallic Ti substrates. Remarkable sterilization of E.
coli and S. epidermidis under visible light irradiation was also achieved. The
excellent photocatalytic and antibacterial performances were attributed to the
unique mixed 1D nanostructures, phase junctions, abundant surface hydroxyl
groups, and the narrowed band gap.
PMID- 28988055
TI - A phosphorylethanolamine-functionalized super-hydrophilic 3D graphene-based foam
filter for water purification.
AB - A phosphorylethanolamine-functionalized graphene foam (PNGF) has been proposed as
an active filtration material for the capture and removal of heavy metal ions in
water. Benefiting from its abundant hydrophilic portion of oxygen, nitrogen and
phosphorus groups, the PNGF is super-hydrophilic. The selected heavy metal ions,
Pb(II) and Cd(II), could be rapidly and efficiently absorbed within 10min using
the PNGF through a filtration model, which is obviously less time compared with
the several hours or even longer time when employing the traditional shaking or
stirring model. In addition, the used PNGF filters can be easily reused after a
simple, low-cost detachment using HCl to remove the heavy metals, providing a new
approach for water purification.
PMID- 28988056
TI - Synthesis of magnetic orderly mesoporous alpha-Fe2O3 nanocluster derived from MIL
100(Fe) for rapid and efficient arsenic(III,V) removal.
AB - A calcination time regulation method has been unprecedentedly used to adjust the
orderly meso-structure of novel alpha-Fe2O3 nanoclusters derived from MIL-100(Fe)
(MIL: Materials of Institute Lavoisier). The as-synthesized magnetic orderly
mesoporous alpha-Fe2O3 nanoclusters were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, N2
adsorption-desorption isotherms, VSM, Zeta potential, FTIR and XPS. The 6h
calcinated alpha-Fe2O3 nanocluster exhibited the optimal properties, including
the high specific surface area and the orderly mesoporous properties, which
facilitate the arsenic(III,V) adsorption capacity. The maximum adsorption
capacities of As(III) and As(V) were 109.89 and 181.82mgg-1, respectively, and
adsorption equilibrium can be reached just within 30min. The kinetics intra
particle diffusion model and adsorption isotherms reveal that the adsorption rate
is controlled by pore diffusion and the adsorption process belongs to Langmuir
monolayer adsorption. These results indicate that the orderly mesoporous
structure of alpha-Fe2O3 nanoclusters plays a key role in rapid and efficient
adsorption for arsenic(III,V). Meanwhile, adsorption mechanism verifies that
arsenic can react with active sites (Fe-OH) to form complexes by Fe-O-As bond.
Moreover, alpha-Fe2O3 nanocluster can be separated easily due to its excellent
magnetism. Above all, the magnetism orderly mesoporous alpha-Fe2O3 nanocluster is
a promising adsorbent for emergent treatment of arsenic in practice.
PMID- 28988057
TI - Role of manganese dioxide in the recovery of oxide-sulphide zinc ore.
AB - In this article, the role of MnO2 in the recovery of oxide-sulphide zinc ore
discussed. Through adopting various modern analysis techniques (such as X-ray
diffraction pattern, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron
microscope, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy), the function and mechanism of MnO2 during the phase transformation
process is found out. Thermodynamic mechanisms involved in the phase
transformation process with or without addition of manganese dioxide investigated
by exploiting the Equilib module of FactSage. What's more, XRD patterns, XPS
spectra and SEM-EDAX analyses of zinc calcines verify well the calculations of
FactSage. Results reveal that the addition of MnO2 will produce an aggregation of
ZnMn2O4, a valuable energy material, while roasting on its own, results in
generating undesirable Zn2SiO4, the oxidation degree being relatively low.
Moreover, XRD pattern of zinc calcine and FT-IR spectrum of yellow product
collected in the calcination process prove that the sulphur-fixing value of the
additive MnO2, which can promote transforming to the elemental sulphur. The
volatile S can be collected through a simple guiding device. In this process, the
emission of SO2 effectively avoids, thus MnO2 deems as a potential additive in
the recovery of oxide-sulphide zinc ore.
PMID- 28988058
TI - The down-regulation of casein kinase 1 alpha as a host defense response against
infectious bursal disease virus infection.
AB - Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is an important immunosuppressive virus of
chickens. Although the gene functions of IBDV have been well characterized, the
host responses during IBDV infection remain much poor. In the present study,
casein kinase 1 alpha (CK1alpha), a novel VP2-associated protein, was down
regulated during IBDV replication in DF1 cells. Further experiments showed that
siRNA-mediated knockdown of CK1alpha inhibited IBDV replication, while
overexpression of CK1alpha promoted IBDV growth. Finally, we revealed that the
effects of CK1alpha expression level on IBDV replication were involved in the
negative regulation of CK1alpha on type I interferon receptor (IFNAR1), because
ubiquitination assay analyses demonstrated that CK1alpha could promote the
ubiquitination of IFNAR1, thereby affecting the stability of this receptor. In
conclusion, down-regulation of CK1alpha during IBDV infection as a host defense
response increased abundance of IFNAR1, which in turn enhanced an inhibitory
effect on IBDV replication.
PMID- 28988059
TI - Ionizing diagnostic radiation exposure in patients with Crohn's disease: A
retrospective study in a medium hospital and its predictive factors.
AB - INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that diagnostic medical radiation exposure may be
responsable for 0.5-2% of cancers worldwide. Because of the relapsing course of
Crohn's disease (CD), these patients usually requiere multiple ionizing radiation
test. OBJECTIVE: Stimating the total cumulative effective dose received by our CD
patients and identifying the risk factors associated with the exposure to a
cumulative effective dose due to the disease (CEED) > 50mSv. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: Retrospective cohort study (2001-2014). POPULATION: patients with CD.
Risk dose >50mSv. For calculating de cumulative effective dose and the CEED, all
the ionizing test done were taken. For identifying predictive factors for
receiving a CEDD >50mSv, an univariate and a multivariate logistic regression
analyses were performed using a >50mSv dose as dependent variable. RESULTS: Of
the 267 patients analyzed the 24.6% of them received a cumulative effective dose
> 50mSv and the 15.2% a CEED>50mSv. In the multivariate analysis, the following
variables were identified as independent predictors associated with a CEDD
>50mSv: major surgery (OR= 2.1; IC95% [1.1-3.8]; p=.019) and severity (OR= 20.6;
IC95% [4.5-94.8]; p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CD are more at risk of
receiving risk CEED, so it would be advisable to monitor the cumulative effective
dose received to anticipate our intervention in order to avoid reaching that
dose. The ultrasounds and abdominal resonance enterography are alternatives in
these cases, although their accessibility is limited in some centers.
PMID- 28988060
TI - Chandelier Cells Illuminate Inhibitory Control of Prefrontal-Amygdala Outputs.
AB - Inhibitory interneurons comprise a diverse subpopulation of cells that are
critical to circuit function. How distinct inhibitory microcircuits control long
range projections remains poorly understood. A recent study by Lu and colleagues
uncovered a unidirectional microcircuit of prefrontal chandelier cells that
preferentially innervate and suppress long-range amygdala-projecting pyramidal
cells.
PMID- 28988061
TI - Nanolayered hybrid mediates synergistic co-delivery of ligand and ligation
activator for inducing stem cell differentiation and tissue healing.
AB - Cellular behaviors, such as differentiation, are regulated by complex ligation
processes involving cell surface receptors, which can be activated by various
divalent metal cations. The design of nanoparticle for co-delivery of ligand and
ligation activator can offer a novel strategy to synergistically stimulate
ligation processes in vivo. Here, we present a novel layered double hydroxide
(LDH)-based nanohybrid (MgFe-Ado-LDH), composed of layered MgFe hydroxide
nanocarriers sandwiching the adenosine cargo molecule, maintained through an
electrostatic balance, to co-deliver the adenosine (Ado) ligand from the
interlayer spacing and the Mg2+ ion (ligation activator) through the dissolution
of the MgFe nanocarrier itself. Our findings demonstrate that the MgFe-Ado-LDH
nanohybrid promoted osteogenic differentiation of stem cells through the
synergistic activation of adenosine A2b receptor (A2bR) by the dual delivery of
adenosine and Mg2+ ions, outperforming direct supplementation of adenosine alone.
Furthermore, the injection of the MgFe-Ado-LDH nanohybrid and stem cells embedded
within hydrogels promoted the healing of rat tibial bone defects through the
rapid formation of fully integrated neo-bone tissue through the activation of
A2bR. The newly formed bone tissue displayed the key features of native bone,
including calcification, mature tissue morphology, and vascularization. This
study demonstrates a novel and effective strategy of bifunctional nanocarrier
mediated delivery of ligand (cargo molecule) and activation of its ligation to
receptor by the nanocarrier itself for synergistically inducing stem cell
differentiation and tissue healing in vivo, thus offering novel design of
biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
PMID- 28988062
TI - Single-walled carbon nanotube: One specific inhibitor of cancer stem cells in
osteosarcoma upon downregulation of the TGFbeta1 signaling.
AB - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to have a critical role in tumorigenesis,
metastasis, therapeutic resistance or recurrence. Therefore, strategies designed
to specifically target and eliminate CSCs have become one of the most promising
and desirable ways for tumor treatment. Osteosarcoma stem cells (OSCs), the CSCs
in osteosarcoma (OS), are critically associated with OS progression. Here, we
show that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), including unmodified SWCNT
(SWCNT-Raw) and SWCNT-COOH, have the ability to specifically inhibit the process
of TGFbeta1-induced OS cells dedifferentiation, prevent the stem cell phenotypes
acquisition in OS cells and reduce the OSC viability under conditions which mimic
the OS microenvironment. Concurrently, SWCNT treatment significantly down
regulates the expression of OSC markers in OS, and markedly reduces the tumor
microvessel density and tumor growth. Furthermore, we found that SWCNT could
suppress the TGFbeta1-induced activation of TGFbeta type I receptor and
downstream signaling, which are key for the OSC formation and maintenance. Our
results reveal an unexpected function of SWCNT in negative modulation of OSCs,
and provide significant implications for the potential CSCs-targeted therapeutic
applications of SWCNT.
PMID- 28988063
TI - Spatial landscape model to characterize biological diversity using R statistical
computing environment.
AB - Due to urbanization and population growth, the degradation of natural forests and
associated biodiversity are now widely recognized as a global environmental
concern. Hence, there is an urgent need for rapid assessment and monitoring of
biodiversity on priority using state-of-art tools and technologies. The main
purpose of this research article is to develop and implement a new methodological
approach to characterize biological diversity using spatial model developed
during the study viz. Spatial Biodiversity Model (SBM). The developed model is
scale, resolution and location independent solution for spatial biodiversity
richness modelling. The platform-independent computation model is based on
parallel computation. The biodiversity model based on open-source software has
been implemented on R statistical computing platform. It provides information on
high disturbance and high biological richness areas through different landscape
indices and site specific information (e.g. forest fragmentation (FR),
disturbance index (DI) etc.). The model has been developed based on the case
study of Indian landscape; however it can be implemented in any part of the
world. As a case study, SBM has been tested for Uttarakhand state in India.
Inputs for landscape ecology are derived through multi-criteria decision making
(MCDM) techniques in an interactive command line environment. MCDM with
sensitivity analysis in spatial domain has been carried out to illustrate the
model stability and robustness. Furthermore, spatial regression analysis has been
made for the validation of the output.
PMID- 28988064
TI - Positive appearance and functionality reflections can improve body satisfaction
but do not protect against idealised media exposure.
AB - We tested the effectiveness of a positive appearance or functionality reflective
writing task on women's body satisfaction and whether these writing task
reflections offered any protective advantage when exposed to idealised imagery.
Young adult women (N=230; Mage=23years) wrote about positive elements of either
their appearance or their body's functionality, and then were exposed to images
of scenery, or thin and attractive models presented in posed or active form.
Direction and amount of social comparison were also examined. Women reported
immediate gains in both appearance and physical functionality satisfaction
regardless of reflection type. However, neither reflection was protective against
decreased satisfaction after exposure to idealised images. Greater upward
comparison on either appearance or physical functionality domains was related to
poorer outcomes. Our reflection task has potential to shift body focus but future
research could examine multiple sessions and reflections on a broader range of
self-relevant domains.
PMID- 28988065
TI - Heterogeneity of Salmonella-host interactions in infected host tissues.
AB - Infected host tissues have complex anatomy, diverse cell types, and dynamic
inflammation. Traditional infection biology approaches largely ignore this
complex host environment and its impact on pathogens, but recent single-cell
technologies unravel extensively heterogeneous host-pathogen interactions in
vivo. Salmonella are major model pathogens in this field due to the availability
of excellent mouse disease models and facile molecular biology. The results show
how Salmonella stochastically vary their virulence, exploit differential nutrient
availability, experience and respond to widely varying stresses, and have
disparate fates ranging from vigorous proliferation to eradication within the
same host tissue. Specific Salmonella subsets drive disease progression, while
others persist during antimicrobial chemotherapy. Further elucidation of the
underlying mechanisms could provide a basis for improved infection control.
PMID- 28988066
TI - Trauma patient discharge and care transition experiences: Identifying
opportunities for quality improvement in trauma centres.
AB - BACKGROUND: Challenges delivering quality care are especially salient during
hospital discharge and care transitions. Severely injured patients discharged
from a trauma centre will go either home, to rehabilitation or another acute care
hospital with complex management needs. This purpose of this study was to explore
the experiences of trauma patients and families treated in a regional academic
trauma centre to better understand and improve their discharge and care
transition experiences. METHODS: A qualitative study using inductive thematic
analysis was conducted between March and October 2016. Telephone interviews were
conducted with trauma patients and/or a family member after discharge from the
trauma centre. Data collection and analysis were completed inductively and
iteratively consistent with a qualitative approach. RESULTS: Twenty-four
interviews included 19 patients and 7 family members. Participants' experiences
drew attention to discharge and transfer processes that either (1) Fostered
quality discharge or (2) Impeded quality discharge. Fostering quality discharge
was ward staff preparation efforts; establishing effective care continuity; and,
adequate emotional support. Impeding discharge quality was perceived pressure to
leave the hospital; imposed transfer decisions; and, sub-optimal communication
and coordination around discharge. Patient-provider communication was viewed to
be driven by system, rather than patient need. Inter-facility information gaps
raised concern about receiving facilities' ability to care for injured patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The quality of trauma patient discharge and transition experiences
is undermined by system- and ward-level processes that compete, rather than
align, in producing high quality patient-centred discharge. Local improvement
solutions focused on modifiable factors within the trauma centre include patient
oriented discharge education and patient navigation; however, these approaches
alone may be insufficient to enhance patient experiences. Trauma patients
encounter complex barriers to quality discharge that likely require a
comprehensive, multimodal intervention.
PMID- 28988067
TI - The effect of resuscitation strategy on the longitudinal immuno-inflammatory
response to blunt trauma.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Resuscitation strategies following blunt trauma have been linked to
immuno-inflammatory complications leading to systemic inflammatory syndrome
(SIRS), sepsis and multiple organ failure (MOF). The effect of resuscitation
strategy on longitudinal inflammation marker trajectories is, however, unknown.
We hypothesized that the effect of resuscitation strategy extends beyond the
trauma-related coagulopathy, perhaps affecting the longitudinal immuno
inflammatory response to injury. METHODS: We analyzed data prospectively
collected for the Inflammation and Host Response to Injury (Glue Grant) study.
Blood sampling for inflammation marker analyses from blunt trauma patients was
done on admission days 0, 1, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 where applicable. Total volume
transfused of packed red blood cells (PRBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), platelets
(PLT), and crystalloids during the initial 48h was extracted, along with an
analysis for an array of cytokines by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
technique. A within patient concentration change (WPCC) was calculated to
quantify longitudinal alterations in cytokine levels, while controlling for
potential confounders. To account for the multiple comparisons performed, p
values obtained from the multivariate regression model were post-hoc corrected by
the false detection rate (FDR) q-value. RESULTS: No longitudinal trajectories of
inflammatory markers were found to be associated with PRBC- or PLT transfusion.
Three proinflammatory cytokines (Il-1beta, MIP-1beta, and TNFR2) were negatively
associated with volume of FFP transfused (q=0.02, q<0.001 and q=0.007
respectively), and one proinflammatory cytokine (MIP-1beta) was positively
associated with crystalloid infusion (q=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Resuscitation
strategy employed following blunt trauma has limited association to longitudinal
inflammation marker trajectories, with a potential association between the
strategy employed and IL-1beta, TNFR2, and MIP-1beta trajectories, respectively.
PMID- 28988068
TI - Decapitation in reality and fine art: A review.
AB - The aim of our study was to examine all types of decapitation from forensic
literature, including our own case, and to analyze the presentation of beheading
in fine art, popular literature, and music. To do this, over 200 scientific
articles in regard to decapitation were analyzed, as well as more than 10,000
artworks, and several hundreds of literary works and music pieces. In addition, a
macroscopic examination of a decapitated victim was performed. Finally, a
multislice computerized tomography (MSCT) examination of the cervical spine in
two live volunteers was undertaken to present the osteological relationships. The
forensic and criminal investigation revealed that a female victim was murdered by
her jealous husband by applying several strikes with an axe, which resulted in an
incomplete decapitation. All the main neck structures were transected, including
the cervical spine, except a smaller part of the skin and soft tissue in the
nuchal region. The mentioned MSCT examination in both the neutral position and
flexion showed that the mandible can also be injured in a higher cervical
location of the severance line. Various types of beheading were mentioned,
including a homicidal, suicidal, accidental, judicial, internal,
pathophysiological, and foetal ones. The status of consciousness and emotions in
individuals just before and after decapitation was discussed. Finally, it was
found that decapitation was the subject of many artists, and some writers and
musicians. In conclusion, we presented a rare case of a homicide beheading
performed with an axe. In addition, forensic importance of decapitation was
discussed, as well as its great medical, social, anthropological, and artistic
significance.
PMID- 28988069
TI - 2018 tallied facial soft tissue thicknesses for adults and sub-adults.
AB - The tallied facial soft tissue thicknesses (or T-Tables) represent grand means of
published facial soft tissue thickness sample means. These sample means have been
drawn from across the full-breadth of the facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT)
literature, including forensic science, anthropology and odontology. The report
of new summary statistics for >1290 new sub-adults and >2200 new adults since the
last T-Table calculation, in 2008 for sub-adults and 2013 for adults
respectively, makes their update timely. The maximum sample sizes at any landmark
now stand at 3023 for individuals aged 0-11 years old (g-g'); 3145 for
individuals aged 12-17 years old (n-se'); and 10,333 for adults (n-se').
Following the recalculation of grand weighted means and comparison to the
original 2008 data, some shifts in the T-Table statistics are evident at specific
landmarks, namely: 2-2.5mm increases at gonion (go-go') and mid-mandibular border
(mmb-mmb') for adults; 3.5mm decrease at gonion (go-go') for 12-17year olds; and
2.0mm decrease at menton (me-me') for 0-11year olds. Differences at all other
landmarks (91-100% depending on the dataset) were minimal being <1.0mm.
Performance tests of the new grand means as point estimators (using individuals
with known FSTT size from the C-Table), show the 2018 T-Table statistics to
produce marginally less error than the 2013 means: 2018 standard error of the
estimate=3.7mm in contrast to 2013 standard error of the estimate=3.9mm. The long
run nature of the T-Table statistics (i.e., big data) and quantified performance
test accuracies on known subjects, earmark the 2018 T-Table as the premier FSTT
standard for craniofacial identification casework. In the distant future, this is
likely to change as the C-Table raw data repository grows, allowing shorths and
shormaxes to be calculated for large samples. Given current raw data repository
sample sizes of 0-1574 for T-Table landmarks (notably lower for younger
individuals), there is some way to go before enhanced central tendency estimators
can entirely replace untrimmed arithmetic means.
PMID- 28988070
TI - Prokaryotic communities and potential pathogens in sewage sludge: Response to
wastewaster origin, loading rate and treatment technology.
AB - Sewage sludge features high nitrogen and phosphorous contents encouraging its use
as a biosolid in agriculture, but it bears potential chemical and microbiological
risks. To tease apart the relative contribution of main factors determining the
sludge chemical and microbial features, we analysed 28 treatment plants differing
in the wastewater origin (municipal residues, agro-food or chemical industries),
organic loading rate and treatment technology (extended aeration, activated
sludge or activated sludge followed by anaerobic digestion). We found that the
treatment technology and the organic loading rate are main determinants of the
sludge chemical properties, including its organic load, nutrient and metal
contents, and override the effect of the wastewater origin. Sludge bacterial and
archaeal community structure and diversity, characterized through massive
sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, were also mostly determined by the treatment
technology partly through shifts in the sludge nutrient load. The same factor
conditioned the relative abundance of sequenced bacteria most closely related to
potential pathogens, but not that of cultivable Escherichia coli or Salmonella
spp. We did not find an effect of the geographic location of the plant on any of
the variables at the regional scale of our study. Operational parameters appear
as major determinants of the sludge chemical and microbial properties,
irrespective of the source of wastewaters, thus leaving a broad management window
for improving the agronomic value of sewage sludge.
PMID- 28988071
TI - Effects of particulate matter exposure during pregnancy on birth weight: A
retrospective cohort study in Suzhou, China.
AB - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have identified that exposure to particulate matter
during pregnancy could result in adverse birth outcomes, but the effects of
exposure at trimester-specific intervals are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: Our primary
goal was to investigate whether particulate matter exposure during pregnancy
could affect birth weight and gestational age of neonates. METHODS: A
retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine the relationship between
maternal particulate matter exposure and neonatal birth weight. We collected
14,455 births records linked to hospital admission records (delivery and
antenatal) from January 2013 to December 2015 in Suzhou Municipal Hospital. Air
monitoring data in the same timeframe were also collected from Suzhou
Environmental Protection Agency. The risk of low birth weight due to the exposure
to PM2.5 (with median aerodynamic diameter<=2.5MUm) and PM10 (with median
aerodynamic diameter<=10MUm) at each trimester and throughout the entire
pregnancy were assessed. Linear regression models were applied and potential
confounding factors were adjusted for data analysis. Gestational age, which was
another important birth outcome, and its association with maternal particulate
matter exposure were also studied. RESULTS: The final analysis included 10,915
singleton live births. Using multiple linear regression models, we found that
gestational exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 at 10MUg/m3 increments in the second
trimester led to decreases in birth weight of 4.94g (95% confidence interval:
9.828, -0.046) and 5.65g (95% confidence interval: -10.110, -1.188),
respectively. However, gestational age was not significantly associated with
maternal particulate matter exposure in term neonates. CONCLUSION: These findings
indicate that pregnant women might be more susceptible to particulate matter
during the second trimester which may lead to decreased neonatal birth weight.
PMID- 28988072
TI - TiO2 nanoparticles in the marine environment: Impact on the toxicity of
phenanthrene and Cd2+ to marine zooplankton Artemia salina.
AB - The impact of manufactured nanoparticles on the toxicity of co-existing
pollutants in aquatic environments has raised increasing concerns. However, the
toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or metal ions in the presence of
titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) to marine zooplankton has been rarely
reported. In the present study, the impacts of nTiO2 on the toxicity of
phenanthrene (Phe) and cadium (Cd2+) to Artemia salina, a model marine
zooplankton, were investigated. Although nTiO2 alone exerted a limited toxicity
to A. salina within 48h of exposure, nTiO2 strongly altered the toxicity of Phe
and Cd2+ to A. salina. Compared with the individual toxicities of pollutants to
A. salina, the toxicities of Phe and Cd2+ increased by 2.0% and 12.2%,
respectively, in the presence of 5mg/L nTiO2, but decreased by 24.5% and 57.1%,
respectively, in the presence of 400mg/L nTiO2. These concentration-dependent
impacts of nTiO2 on the toxicity of Phe or Cd2+ might be attributed to the
concurrent functions of several interrelated factors including the adsorption of
pollutants on nTiO2, the nTiO2-faciliated bioaccumulation of pollutants, the
limited gut volume in organisms, and the aggregation and sedimentation behaviors
of nTiO2. These results presented in the study could help understand the effects
of manufactured nanomaterials in marine environments.
PMID- 28988073
TI - Groundwater footprint methodology as policy tool for balancing water needs
(agriculture & tourism) in water scarce islands - The case of Crete, Greece.
AB - In many Mediterranean islands with limited surface water resources, the growth of
agricultural and touristic sectors, which are the main water consumers, highly
depends on the sustainable water resources management. This work highlights the
crucial role of groundwater footprint (GF) as a tool for the sustainable
management of water resources, especially in water scarce islands. The
groundwater footprint represents the water budget between inflows and outflows in
an aquifer system and is used as an index of the effect of groundwater use in
natural resources and environmental flows. The case study presented in this paper
is the island of Crete, which consists of 11 main aquifer systems. The data used
for estimating the groundwater footprint in each system were groundwater
recharges, abstractions through 412 wells, environmental flows (discharges) from
76 springs and 19 streams present in the area of study. The proposed methodology
takes into consideration not only the water quantity but also the water quality
of the aquifer systems and can be used as an integrated decision making tool for
the sustainable management of groundwater resources. This methodology can be
applied in any groundwater system. The results serve as a tool for assessing the
potential of sustainable use and the optimal distribution of water needs under
the current and future climatic conditions, considering both quantitative and
qualitative factors. Adaptation measures and water policies that will effectively
promote sustainable development are also proposed for the management of the
aquifer systems that exhibit a large groundwater footprint.
PMID- 28988074
TI - Asset management to support urban land and subsurface management.
AB - Pressure on urban areas increases by demographic and climate change. To enable
healthy, adaptive and liveable urban areas different strategies are needed. One
of the strategies is to make better use of subsurface space and its functions.
Asset management of the Subsurface (AMS) contributes to this. Asset management
provides transparency of trade-offs between performance, cost and risks
throughout the entire lifecycle of these assets. AMS is based on traditional
asset management methods, but it does not only take man-made assets in the
subsurface into account. AMS also considers the natural functions that the
subsurface, including groundwater, has to offer (ecosystem services). A Dutch
community of practice consisting of national and municipal authorities, a
consultancy-engineering and a research institute are developing AMS in practice
in order to 1) enhance the urban underground space planning (using its benefits,
avoiding problems) and 2) use, manage and maintain the (urban) subsurface and its
functions. The method is currently still under development.
PMID- 28988075
TI - Feasibility of a portable X-ray fluorescence device for bone lead measurements of
condor bones.
AB - Lead based ammunition is a primary source of lead exposure, especially for
scavenging wildlife. Lead poisoning remains the leading cause of diagnosed death
for the critically endangered California condors, which are annually monitored
via blood tests for lead exposure. The results of these tests are helpful in
determining recent exposure in condors and in defining the potential for exposure
to other species including humans. Since condors are victim to acute and chronic
lead exposure, being able to measure both would lend valuable information on the
rates of exposure and accumulation through time. A commercial portable X-ray
fluorescence (XRF) device has been optimized to measure bone lead in vivo in
humans, but this device could also be valuable for field measurements of bone
lead in avian species. In this study, we performed measurements of bone Pb in
excised, bare condor bones using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
(ICP-MS), a cadmium 109 (Cd-109) K-shell X-ray fluorescence (KXRF) system, and a
portable XRF system. Both KXRF and portable XRF bone Pb measurement techniques
demonstrated good correlations with ICP-MS results (r=0.93 and r=0.92
respectively), even with increasing skin thickness (r=0.86 between ICP-MS and
portable XRF at 1.54mm of soft tissue). In conclusion, our results suggest that a
portable XRF could be a useful option for measurement of bone Pb in avian species
in the field.
PMID- 28988076
TI - Carbon and energy footprint of the hydrate-based biogas upgrading process
integrated with CO2 valorization.
AB - The present paper aims at assessing the carbon and energy footprint of an energy
process, in which the energy excess from intermittent renewable sources is used
to produce hydrogen which reacts with the CO2 previously separated from an
innovative biogas upgrading process. The process integrates a hydrate-based
biogas upgrading section and a CO2 methanation section, to produce biomethane
from the biogas enrichment and synthetic methane from the CO2 methanation.
Clathrate hydrates are crystalline compounds, formed by gas enclathrated in cages
of water molecules and are applied to the selective separation of CO2 from biogas
mixtures. Data from the experimental setup were analyzed in order to evaluate the
green-house gas emissions (carbon footprint CF) and the primary energy
consumption (energy footprint EF) associated to the two sections of the process.
The biosynthetic methane production during a single-stage process was 0.962Nm3,
obtained mixing 0.830Nm3 of methane-enriched biogas and 0.132Nm3 of synthetic
methane. The final volume composition was: 73.82% CH4, 19.47% CO2, 0.67% H2,
1.98% O2, 4.06% N2 and the energy content was 28.0MJ/Nm3. The functional unit is
the unitary amount of produced biosynthetic methane in Nm3. Carbon and energy
footprints are 0.7081kgCO2eq/Nm3 and 28.55MJ/Nm3, respectively, when the electric
energy required by the process is provided by photovoltaic panels. In this
scenario, the overall energy efficiency is about 0.82, higher than the worldwide
average energy efficiency for fossil methane, which is 0.75.
PMID- 28988077
TI - Levels, congener profiles, and dietary intake assessment of polychlorinated
dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in
beef, freshwater fish, and pork marketed in Guangdong Province, China.
AB - Persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs),
polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls
(DL-PCBs) consisting of non-ortho and mono-ortho PCBs are suggested to be very
hazardous and have adverse effects on human health. However, their levels and
congener profiles in retail foods marketed in Guangdong Province of China have
not been elucidated thus far. Thus, in this study, 226 individual samples of
beef, freshwater fish, and pork marketed across four regions of Guangdong
Province were randomly collected during 2013-2015 to determine their levels of
PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs. The results showed that the total toxic equivalency
quantities (TEQs) of most samples were below the maximum limits except for the 26
samples collected from the vicinities of pollution areas. The median total TEQs
of these three categories were 0.174, 0.488, and 0.113pgTEQ/g fw, respectively,
which indicated that the contamination status of the studied foods was not
serious. For congener profiles, significantly different patterns were observed in
three food groups, but with the same major TEQ contributors being 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF
in beef, freshwater fish, and pork. Regional differences of congener profiles in
each food group were also found in this study, which might be attributed to the
regionally different distributions of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in environment media.
The dietary exposures of four population subgroups (girls, boys, male adults, and
female adults) to PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs via three food groups were estimated to
assessed the potential risks. They were all lower than the provisional tolerable
monthly intake (PTMI, 70pgTEQ/kgbw/month) established by Joint FAO/WHO Expert
Committee on Food Additive. In these food categories, the exposure to PCDD/Fs and
DL-PCBs via freshwater fish was the highest one, which accounted for about 20% of
PTMI, indicating that it was the major route to expose dioxin compounds.
PMID- 28988078
TI - Synthesis composite hydrogels from inorganic-organic hybrids based on leftover
rice for environment-friendly controlled-release urea fertilizers.
AB - Nearly 1.3 billion tons of food are discarded annually in the production process.
In this study, a novel slow-release nitrogen fertilizer with water absorbency was
developed using leftover rice and crosslinking methods. Urea was incorporated as
the nitrogen source in a leftover rice-g-poly(acrylic acid)/montmorillonite (LR-g
PAA/MMT) network, and then the leftover rice-g-poly(acrylic
acid)/montmorillonite/Urea (LR-g-PAA/MMT/Urea) retained in the soil, and used as
the loss control agent for water and nutrients. Variables including
concentrations of acrylic acid, montmorillonite, N,N'-methylenebis acrylamide
(MBA), and potassium persulfate (KPS) were investigated. Samples were with a
water absorbency of 102.6g/g in distilled water and 25.1g/g in 1.0wt% NaCl
solution under optimized conditions. Swelling measurements and water-retention
indicated that higher-covalent cations would aggregate the hydrogels and decrease
swelling. Investigating leaching behavior showed that these samples have the
potential to carry the necessary nitrogen (N). The results demonstrated that the
LR-g-PAA/MMT/Urea had a low leaching losses of N (19.7%) compared with pure urea
(52.3%). Therefore, the developed fertilizer may be widely applicable in
agriculture and horticulture, and could provide a new platform for reusing
leftover rice.
PMID- 28988079
TI - Preparation and characterization of slow-release fertilizer encapsulated by
biochar-based waterborne copolymers.
AB - To enhance the effectiveness of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated fertilizers, a
novel slow-release fertilizer was developed using biochar and waterborne
copolymer of PVA and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as coating materials. The effects
of botanical origins and doses of biochar as well as copolymer concentrations on
biochar-copolymer structures and properties were investigated. Our results
indicated that the water absorbency of blend films differing in biochar origins
showed different responses to these three factors. Generally, biochar decreased
water absorbency of copolymer with an increased degradability, and contributed to
improving the slow-release property of coated urea. In particular, rice biochar
based copolymer (S5 film) had less hydrophilic OH bonds and encapsulated urea
granules more compactly and densely. The urea particles coated with rice biochar
based copolymer (S5 film) exhibited an excellent release behavior of 65.28%
nutrient leaching on the 22th day. Therefore, this work has demonstrated the
potential of biochar-based copolymer from different botanical biochar for
improving the effectiveness of fertilizers.
PMID- 28988080
TI - Flood susceptibility mapping using novel ensembles of adaptive neuro fuzzy
inference system and metaheuristic algorithms.
AB - Flood is one of the most destructive natural disasters which cause great
financial and life losses per year. Therefore, producing susceptibility maps for
flood management are necessary in order to reduce its harmful effects. The aim of
the present study is to map flood hazard over the Jahrom Township in Fars
Province using a combination of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS)
with different metaheuristics algorithms such as ant colony optimization (ACO),
genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) and comparing their
accuracy. A total number of 53 flood locations areas were identified, 35
locations of which were randomly selected in order to model flood susceptibility
and the remaining 16 locations were used to validate the models. Learning vector
quantization (LVQ), as one of the supervised neural network methods, was employed
in order to estimate factors' importance. Nine flood conditioning factors namely:
slope degree, plan curvature, altitude, topographic wetness index (TWI), stream
power index (SPI), distance from river, land use/land cover, rainfall, and
lithology were selected and the corresponding maps were prepared in ArcGIS. The
frequency ratio (FR) model was used to assign weights to each class within
particular controlling factor, then the weights was transferred into MATLAB
software for further analyses and to combine with metaheuristic models. The ANFIS
PSO was found to be the most practical model in term of producing the highly
focused flood susceptibility map with lesser spatial distribution related to
highly susceptible classes. The chi-square result attests the same, where the
ANFIS-PSO had the highest spatial differentiation within flood susceptibility
classes over the study area. The area under the curve (AUC) obtained from ROC
curve indicated the accuracy of 91.4%, 91.8%, 92.6% and 94.5% for the respective
models of FR, ANFIS-ACO, ANFIS-GA, and ANFIS-PSO ensembles. So, the ensemble of
ANFIS-PSO was introduced as the premier model in the study area. Furthermore, LVQ
results revealed that slope degree, rainfall, and altitude were the most
effective factors. As regards the premier model, a total area of 44.74% was
recognized as highly susceptible to flooding. The results of this study can be
used as a platform for better land use planning in order to manage the highly
susceptible zones to flooding and reduce the anticipated losses.
PMID- 28988081
TI - Measurements of nonvolatile size distribution and its link to traffic soot in
urban Shanghai.
AB - Measurements of particle size distribution and size-resolved particle volatility
were conducted using a volatility tandem differential mobility analyzers (V-TDMA)
in the urban area of Shanghai during wintertime in January 2014. The nonvolatile
mode particles with VSF exceeding 0.85 were always externally mixed with more
volatile mode particles. The average VSF ranged from 0.58 to 0.65 for 100-400nm
particles, increasing with the increase of particle size. On average, the
nonvolatile mode contributed 15-20% of number fraction for 50-400nm particles.
Due to their hydrophobic nature, the nonvolatile particles were not easily
removed by wet deposition. The concentrations of the nonvolatile mode particles
and NOx were well correlated, indicating that the nonvolatile mode particles were
mostly attributed to be fresh traffic soot. The diurnal variations in ensemble
VSF and number fraction of nonvolatile mode particles exhibited two peaks in
clean days, corresponding to morning and evening rush hours. The VSF
distributions of 50nm particles were similar during a transition between haze to
clean periods whereas in the accumulation mode range, the number fraction of more
volatile mode and the amount of volatile materials in the more-volatile mode
particles during haze periods are considerably larger than those in clean
periods, indicating different contribution from transported sources.
PMID- 28988082
TI - Degradation of nonylphenol polyethoxylates by functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticle
immobilized Sphingomonas sp. Y2.
AB - : In this study, the efficiency of the nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs)
degrading bacterium Sphingomonas sp. strain Y2 was evaluated, which was
immobilized by a novel system composed of polydopamine (PD)-coated Fe3O4 iron
nanoparticles (IONPs). The PD-IONPs, with a distinct core-shell structure,
relatively uniform size, and high saturation magnetization, were prepared for Y2
immobilization. The performance of Y2 was unaffected by this novel immobilization
method, exhibiting 79.5% and 99.9% of NPEOs (500ppm) degradation efficiency at
day 1 and 2, respectively. Furthermore, separation and recycling were more
readily achieved for immobilized cells as compared to free cells. Immobilized
cells retained over 70% of the original degradation activity after 6cycles of
utilization. These results suggest that Y2-PD-IONPs can be potentially used for
NPEOs-contaminated wastewater bioremediation. CAPSULE: Immobilization of
Sphingomonas sp. Y2 by functionalized PD-IONPs with easy separation, recycling
utilization and high efficiency.
PMID- 28988083
TI - High-resolution sedimentary records of some organochlorine pesticides in Yamzho
Yumco Lake of the Tibetan Plateau: Concentration and composition.
AB - Sediment cores from lakes have been used to reconstruct the historic deposition
of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), especially in remote alpine areas. To
reconstruct the deposition history of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the
Tibetan Plateau (TP), two sediment cores from Yamzho Yumco Lake were drilled and
dated with high-resolution, from which 23 OCPs were analyzed in greater detail.
Regarding several legacy compounds, concentration peaks in the cores were
observed in the 1970s, corresponding to the heavy usage of these compounds around
the world. In addition, another peak was found at the end of the 1990s, which was
explained as the addition of OCPs released from melting glaciers or the
cryosphere due to global warming. Furthermore, it was found that the
transformation or degradation of OCPs after deposition in the lake was limited by
comparing the values of isomeric ratios at different times, such as
(DDD+DDE)/?DDTs, o,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDT and beta-HCH/?HCHs. Such results ensure that
the detected OCPs in the lake sediments really reflect their characteristics at
the time of deposition. On the other hand, weak environmental self-purification
of the OCPs made them last longer in the TP than in other regions. Reasonably,
the fragile ecological environment of the TP would be threatened not only by
legacy POPs that remain in the sediments and soils but also by POPs released from
melting glaciers or the cryosphere in the next few decades under the influence of
global warming. Our research provides an insight into the influence of global
warming and glacial melting on the environment of the TP, and further work to
gain a better understanding of the environmental processes of POPs in the TP is
ongoing.
PMID- 28988084
TI - Fluorescent sensor based models for the detection of environmentally-related
toxic heavy metals.
AB - The quest for industrial and biotechnological revolution has been contributed in
increasing environmental contamination issues, worldwide. The controlled or
uncontrolled release of hazardous pollutants from various industrial sectors is
one of the key problems facing humanity. Among them, adverse influences of lead,
cadmium, and mercury on human health are well known to cause many disorders like
reproductive, neurological, endocrine system, and cardiovascular, etc. Besides
their presence at lower concentrations, most of these toxic heavy metals are
posing noteworthy toxicological concerns. In this context, notable efforts from
various regulatory authorities, the increase in the concentration of these toxic
heavy metals in the environment is of serious concern, so real-time monitoring is
urgently required. This necessitates the exploration for novel and efficient
probes for recognition of these toxic agents. Among various methodologies adopted
for tailoring such probes, generally the methodologies, in which changes
associated with spectral properties, are preferred for the deceptive ease in the
recognition process. Accordingly, a promising modality has emerged in the form of
radiometric and colorimetric monitoring of these toxic agents. Herein, we review
fluorescent sensor based models and their potentialities to address the detection
fate of hazardous pollutants for a cleaner environment. Second, recent advances
regarding small molecule and rhodamine-based fluorescent sensors, radiometric and
colorimetric probes are discussed. The information is also given on the
photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism, chelation enhancement
fluorescence (CHEF) effect and spirocyclic ring opening mechanism.
PMID- 28988085
TI - Aging effects on chemical transformation and metal(loid) removal by entrapped
nanoscale zero-valent iron for hydraulic fracturing wastewater treatment.
AB - In this study, alginate and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-alginate entrapped nanoscale
zero-valent iron (nZVI) was tested for structural evolution, chemical
transformation, and metals/metalloids removal (Cu(II), Cr(VI), Zn(II), and As(V))
after 1-2month passivation in model saline wastewaters from hydraulic fracturing.
X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed successful prevention of Fe0 corrosion by
polymeric entrapment. Increasing ionic strength (I) from 0 to 4.10M (deionized
water to Day-90 fracturing wastewater (FWW)) with prolonged aging time induced
chemical instability of alginate due to dissociation of carboxyl groups and
competition for hydrogen bonding with nZVI, which caused high Na (7.17%) and
total organic carbon (24.6%) dissolution from PVA-alginate entrapped nZVI after 2
month immersion in Day-90 FWW. Compared to freshly-made beads, 2-month aging of
PVA-alginate entrapped nZVI in Day-90 FWW promoted Cu(II) and Cr(VI) uptake in
terms of the highest removal efficiency (84.2% and 70.8%), pseudo-second-order
surface area-normalized rate coefficient ksa (2.09*10-1Lm-2h-1 and 1.84*10-1Lm-2h
1), and Fe dissolution after 8-h reaction (13.9% and 8.45%). However, the same
conditions inhibited Zn(II) and As(V) sequestration in terms of the lowest
removal efficiency (31.2% and 39.8%) by PVA-alginate nZVI and ksa (4.74*10-2Lm-2h
1 and 6.15*10-2Lm-2h-1) by alginate nZVI. The X-ray spectroscopic analysis and
chemical speciation modelling demonstrated that the difference in
metals/metalloids removal by entrapped nZVI after aging was attributed to
distinctive removal mechanisms: (i) enhanced Cu(II) and Cr(VI) removal by nZVI
reduction with accelerated electron transfer after pronounced dissolution of non
conductive polymeric immobilization matrix; (ii) suppressed Zn(II) and As(V)
removal by nZVI adsorption due to restrained mass transfer after blockage of
surface-active micropores. Entrapped nZVI was chemically fragile and should be
properly stored and regularly replaced for good performance.
PMID- 28988086
TI - Proteome and phospholipid alteration reveal metabolic network of Bacillus
thuringiensis under triclosan stress.
AB - Triclosan is a common antibacterial agent widely applied in various household and
personal care products. The molecule, cell, organ and organism-level
understanding of its toxicity pose to some target organisms has been
investigated, whereas, the alteration of a single metabolic reaction, gene or
protein cannot reflect the impact of triclosan on metabolic network. To clarify
the interaction between triclosan stress and metabolism at network and system
levels, phospholipid synthesis, and cellular proteome and metabolism of Bacillus
thuringiensis under 1MUM of triclosan stress were investigated through omics
approaches. The results showed that C14:0, C16:1omega7, C16:0 and C18:2omega6
were significantly up-produced, and 19 proteins were differentially expressed.
Whereas, energy supply, protein repair and the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein
were down-regulated. PyrH and Eno could be biomarkers to reflect triclosan
stress. At network level, the target proteins ACOX1, AHR, CAR, CYP1A, CYP1B1,
DNMT1, ENO, HSP60, HSP70, SLC5A5, TPO and UGT expressed in different species
shared high sequence homology with the same function proteins found in Homo
sapiens not only validated their role as biomarkers but also implied the
potential impact of triclosan on the metabolic pathways and network of humans.
These findings provided novel insights into the metabolic influence of triclosan
at network levels, and developed an omics approach to evaluate the safety of
target compound.
PMID- 28988087
TI - Irrigation and weed control alter soil microbiology and nutrient availability in
North Carolina Sandhill peach orchards.
AB - Orchard management practices such as weed control and irrigation are primarily
aimed at maximizing fruit yields and economic profits. However, the impact of
these practices on soil fertility and soil microbiology is often overlooked. We
conducted a two-factor experimental manipulation of weed control by herbicide and
trickle irrigation in a nutrient-poor peach (Prunus persica L. cv. Contender)
orchard near Jackson Springs, North Carolina. After three and eight years of
treatments, an array of soil fertility parameters were examined, including soil
pH, soil N, P and cation nutrients, microbial biomass and respiration, N
mineralization, and presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Three general
trends emerged: 1) irrigation significantly increased soil microbial biomass and
activity, 2) infection rate of mycorrhizal fungi within roots were significantly
higher under irrigation than non-irrigation treatments, but no significant
difference in the AMF community composition was detected among treatments, 3)
weed control through herbicides reduced soil organic matter, microbial biomass
and activity, and mineral nutrients, but had no significant impacts on root
mycorrhizal infection and AMF communities. Weed-control treatments directly
decreased availability of soil nutrients in year 8, especially soil extractable
inorganic N. Weed control also appears to have altered the soil nutrients via
changes in soil microbes and altered net N mineralization via changes in soil
microbial biomass and activity. These results indicate that long-term weed
control using herbicides reduces soil fertility through reducing organic C
inputs, nutrient retention and soil microbes. Together, these findings highlight
the need for alternative practices such as winter legume cover cropping that
maintain and/or enhance organic inputs to sustain the soil fertility.
PMID- 28988088
TI - Low temperature geothermal systems in carbonate-evaporitic rocks: Mineral
equilibria assumptions and geothermometrical calculations. Insights from the
Arnedillo thermal waters (Spain).
AB - Geothermometrical calculations in low-medium temperature geothermal systems
hosted in carbonate-evaporitic rocks are complicated because 1) some of the
classical chemical geothermometers are, usually, inadequate (since they were
developed for higher temperature systems with different mineral-water equilibria
at depth) and 2) the chemical geothermometers calibrated for these systems (based
on the Ca and Mg or SO4 and F contents) are not free of problems either. The case
study of the Arnedillo thermal system, a carbonate-evaporitic system of low
temperature, will be used to deal with these problems through the combination of
several geothermometrical techniques (chemical and isotopic geothermometers and
geochemical modelling). The reservoir temperature of the Arnedillo geothermal
system has been established to be in the range of 87+/-13 degrees C being the
waters in equilibrium with respect to calcite, dolomite, anhydrite, quartz,
albite, K-feldspar and other aluminosilicates. Anhydrite and quartz equilibria
are highly reliable to stablish the reservoir temperature. Additionally, the
anhydrite equilibrium explains the coherent results obtained with the delta18O
anhydrite - water geothermometer. The equilibrium with respect to feldspars and
other aluminosilicates is unusual in carbonate-evaporitic systems and it is
probably related to the presence of detrital material in the aquifer. The
identification of the expected equilibria with calcite and dolomite presents an
interesting problem associated to dolomite. Variable order degrees of dolomite
can be found in natural systems and this fact affects the associated equilibrium
temperature in the geothermometrical modelling and also the results from the Ca
Mg geothermometer. To avoid this uncertainty, the order degree of the dolomite
present in the Arnedillo reservoir has been determined and the results indicate
18.4% of ordered dolomite and 81.6% of disordered dolomite. Overall, the results
suggest that this multi-technique approach is very useful to solve some of the
problems associated to the study of carbonate-evaporitic geothermal systems.
PMID- 28988089
TI - The location- and scale- specific correlation between temperature and soil carbon
sequestration across the globe.
AB - Much research has been conducted to understand the spatial distribution of soil
carbon stock and its temporal dynamics. However, an agreement has not been
reached on whether increasing global temperature has a positive or negative
feedback on soil carbon stocks. By analysing global maps of soil organic carbon
(SOC) using a spherical wavelet analysis, it was found that the correlation
between SOC and soil temperature at the regional scale was negative between 52
degrees N and 40 degrees S parallels and positive beyond this region. This was
consistent with a few previous studies and it was assumed that the effect was
most likely due to the temperature-dependent SOC formation (photosynthesis) and
decomposition (microbial activities and substrate decomposability) processes. The
results also suggested that the large SOC stocks distributed in the low
temperature areas might increase under global warming while the small SOC stocks
found in the high-temperature areas might decrease accordingly. Although it
remains unknown whether the potential increasing soil carbon stocks in the low
temperature areas can offset the loss of carbon stocks in the high-temperature
areas, the location- and scale- specific correlations between SOC and temperature
should be taken into account for modeling SOC dynamics and SOC sequestration
management.
PMID- 28988090
TI - Magnetite nanoparticles supported on organically modified montmorillonite for
adsorptive removal of iodide from aqueous solution: Optimization using response
surface methodology.
AB - Magnetite nanoparticles supported on organically modified montmorillonite (MNP
OMMTs) were successfully synthesized by a facile coprecipitation method. The
surface of natural clay was modified using a cationic surfactant,
hexadecyltrimethylammonium. The synthesized MNP-OMMTs were used as an adsorbent
to remove iodide from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the
adsorbent was 322.42mg/g, which is much higher than other previously reported
adsorbents for removing iodide in aqueous solution. The experimental data were
well fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption behavior
followed the Langmuir isotherm. A thermodynamic study indicated that iodide
adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The individual and combined effects
of key process parameters (pH, temperature, and initial iodide concentration)
were studied using a response surface methodology. The maximum iodide removal
efficiency of 93.81% was obtained under the optimal conditions of pH3.9, a
temperature of 41.3 degrees C, and an initial iodide concentration of 113.8mg/L.
PMID- 28988091
TI - Short-term effects of fine particulate matter on acute myocardial infraction
mortality and years of life lost: A time series study in Hong Kong.
AB - Previous studies have applied years of life lost (YLL) as a complementary
indicator to assess the short-term effect of the air pollution on the health
burden from all-cause mortality, but sparsely focused on individual diseases such
as acute myocardial infraction (AMI). In this study, we aimed to conduct a time
series analysis to evaluate short-term effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
on mortality and YLL from AMI in Hong Kong from 2011 to 2015, and explore the
potential effect modifiers including sex and age by subgroup analysis. We applied
generalized additive Poisson and Gaussian regression model for daily death count
and YLL, respectively. We found that 10MUg/m3 increment in concentration of PM2.5
lasting for two days (lag01) was associated with a 2.35% (95% CI 0.38% to 4.36%)
increase in daily mortality count and a 1.69 (95% CI 0.01 to 3.37) years increase
in YLL from AMI. The association between PM2.5 and AMI mortality count was
stronger among women and older people than men and young people, respectively. We
concluded that acute exposure to PM2.5 may increase the risk of mortality and YLL
from AMI in Hong Kong and this effect can be modified by age and gender. These
findings add to the evidence base for public health policy formulation and
resource allocation.
PMID- 28988092
TI - A new methodology for estimating rainfall aggressiveness risk based on daily
rainfall records for multi-decennial periods.
AB - The temporal irregularity of rainfall, characteristic of a Mediterranean climate,
corresponds to the irregularity of the environmental effects on soil. We used
aggressiveness as an indicator to quantify the potential environmental impact of
rainfall. However, quantifying rainfall aggressiveness is conditioned by the lack
of sub-hourly frequency records on which intensity models are based. On the other
hand, volume models are characterized by a lack of precision in the treatment of
heavy rainfall events because they are based on monthly series. Therefore, in
this study, we propose a new methodology for estimating rainfall aggressiveness
risk. A new synthesis parameter based on reformulation using daily data of the
Modified Fournier and Oliver's Precipitation Concentration indices is defined.
The weighting of both indices for calculating the aggressiveness risk is
established by multiple regression with respect to the local erosion R factor
estimated in the last decades. We concluded that the proposed methodology
overcomes the previously mentioned limitations of the traditional intensity and
volume models and provides accurate information; therefore, it is appropriate for
determining potential rainfall impact over long time periods. Specifically, we
applied this methodology to the daily rainfall time series from the San Fernando
Observatory (1870-2010) in southwest Europe. An interannual aggressiveness risk
series was generated, which allowed analysis of its evolution and determination
of the temporal variability. The results imply that environmental management can
use data from long-term historical series as a reference for decision making.
PMID- 28988093
TI - A methodological framework for coastal development assessment: A case study of
Fujian Province, China.
AB - Decision-makers often have to make trade-offs between economic growth and
environmental conservation when developing and managing coastal environments.
Coastal development and management need to be subject to rigorous assessments to
determine if they are sustainable over time. We propose a methodological
framework - the Coastal Development Index (CDI) for the assessment of the changes
in sustainability of coastal development over time. CDI is a modified version of
the Ocean Health Index (OHI) but with two new indicators - ecological and
environmental indicators (EEI), and social and economic indicators (SEI), both of
which comprise three sub-indicators (coastal protection, clean waters and species
protection for EEI, and food provision, coastal livelihoods and economies and
tourism and recreation for SEI). The six sub-indicators represent key aspects of
coastal development and the level of exploitation of natural resources that have
previously been missing in other conceptual frameworks. We demonstrate the value
of CDI with a detailed case study of Fujian Province in China, 2000-2013. The
scores of CDI decreased from 1.01 in 2000 to 0.42 in 2013 suggesting that the
Fujian coastal zone has experienced unsustainable development in that time.
Meanwhile, the scores of EEI decreased from 22.1 to 20.4 while the scores of SEI
increased from 21.9 to 48.1 suggesting that environmental values have been eroded
by economic growth. Analysis of the scores of sub-indicators reveals a need to
integrate economic growth and social development with environmental conservation
on Fujian coastal management. Our case study highlights the potential value of
the CDI for improving the ecological sustainability of coastal zone management
and development practices.
PMID- 28988094
TI - Integrate carbon dynamic models in analyzing carbon sequestration impact of
forest biomass harvest.
AB - Biomass is an attractive natural energy resource for mitigating climate change.
However, the loss of carbon sequestration as an ecosystem service due to biomass
harvest has not been considered in previous studies. To assess the impact of
biomass harvest on carbon sequestration, carbon dynamics in the forests and the
atmosphere were integrated. The impact of forest biomass harvests on carbon
sequestration was assessed based on the difference between carbon sequestration
after harvest and carbon sequestration without harvest. A Chapman-Richards
function and the forest vegetation simulator (FVS) were used to simulate the
growth of a forest stand. The carbon dynamics in the atmosphere were simulated by
the Bern2.5CC carbon cycle model. Characterization factors of the impact were
calculated in three time horizons: 20-, 100- and 500-year. According to the
simulations, postponement of harvest and low harvest intensity could prolong the
compensation period. The annual impact on carbon sequestration was mostly
negative over a short time and became positive in the end of compensation period.
The highest characteristic factors of the impact on carbon sequestration were
found in rotation length of 100years with the time horizon of 500-year in the
Chapman-Richards simulation and in the lowest harvest intensity with the time
horizon of 500-year in the FVS simulation. Based on the results, increasing
growth rate, postponing harvest, reducing harvest intensity and increasing length
of time horizon could reduce the impact of forest harvest on carbon
sequestration. The method proposed in this study is more proper to assess the
impact on carbon sequestration, and it has much wider applications in forest
management practice.
PMID- 28988095
TI - Assessing the resilience of urban areas to traffic-related air pollution:
Application in Greater Paris.
AB - Recent studies report that outdoor air pollution will become the main
environmental cause of premature death over the next few decades (OECD, 2012;
WHO, 2014; World Bank, 2016). Cities are considered hot spots and urban
populations are particularly exposed. There is therefore an urgent need to adapt
urban systems and urban design to tackle this issue. While most European cities
have introduced measures to reduce emissions, action is still required to reduce
concentrations and exposure, and a holistic approach to urban design is badly
needed. The concept of urban resilience, defined by Holling (1987) as the ability
of a city to absorb a disturbance while maintaining its functions and structures,
may offer a new paradigm for tackling urban air pollution. We propose to adapt
the concept of urban resilience to outdoor air pollution. A method has been
developed to assess the resilience of an urban area to outdoor air pollution.
Three "resilience capacities" have been identified: the capacity of an urban area
to decrease air pollution emissions, the capacity to decrease concentrations and
the capacity to decrease exposure. The calculation is based on the analysis of
urban design, defined as the pattern of buildings as well as the structural
elements that define an urban area (urban morphology; transport network, services
and land use). For each resilience capacity, indicators are calculated using a
Geographic Information System (GIS) and a grid-based approach. This method has
been implemented in the Greater Paris area within a 500m grid-cell system.
Greater Paris is one of the densest urban areas in Europe and experiences high
air pollution levels. The proposed "quick scan" method helps to localize areas
where specific action is needed.
PMID- 28988096
TI - Bridging environmental and financial cost of dairy production: A case study of
Irish agricultural policy.
AB - The Irish agricultural policy 'Food Harvest 2020' is a roadmap for sectoral
expansion and Irish dairy farming is expected to intensify, which could influence
the environmental and economic performance of Irish milk production. Evaluating
the total environmental impacts and the real cost of Irish milk production is a
key step towards understanding the possibility of sustainable production. This
paper addresses two main issues: aggregation of environmental impacts of Irish
milk production by monetization, to understand the real cost of Irish milk
production, including the environmental costs; and the effect of the agricultural
policy 'Food Harvest 2020' on total cost (combining financial cost and
environmental cost) of Irish milk production. This study used 2013 Irish dairy
farming as a baseline, and defined 'bottom', 'target' and 'optimum' scenarios,
according to the change of elementary inputs required to meet agricultural policy
ambitions. The study demonstrated that the three monetization methods, Stepwise
2006, Eco-cost 2012 and EPS 2000, could be used for aggregating different
environmental impacts into monetary unit, and to provide an insight for
evaluating policy related to total environmental performance. The results showed
that the total environmental cost of Irish milk production could be greater than
the financial cost (up to ?0.53/kg energy corrected milk). The dairy expansion
policy with improved herbage utilization and fertilizer application could reduce
financial cost and minimize the total environmental cost of per unit milk
produced.
PMID- 28988097
TI - No evidence of increased growth or mortality in fish exposed to oxazepam in semi
natural ecosystems.
AB - An increasing number of short-term laboratory studies on fish reports behavioral
effects from exposure to aquatic contaminants or raised carbon dioxide levels
affecting the GABAA receptor. However, how such GABAergic behavioral
modifications (GBMs) impact populations in more complex natural systems is not
known. In this study, we induced GBMs in European perch (Perca fluviatilis) via
exposure to a GABA agonist (oxazepam) and followed the effects on growth and
survival over one summer (70days) in replicated pond ecosystems. We hypothesized
that anticipated GBMs, expressed as anti-anxiety like behaviors (higher activity
and boldness levels), that increase feeding rates in laboratory assays, would; i)
increase growth and ii) increase mortality from predation. To test our
hypotheses, 480 PIT tagged perch of known individual weights, and 12 predators
(northern pike, Esox lucius) were evenly distributed in 12 ponds; six control (no
oxazepam) and six spiked (15.5+/-4MUgl-1 oxazepam [mean+/-1S.E.]) ponds. Contrary
to our hypotheses, even though perch grew on average 16% more when exposed to
oxazepam, we found no significant difference between exposed and control fish in
growth (exposed: 3.9+/-1.2g, control: 2.9+/-1g [mean+/-1S.E.], respectively) or
mortality (exposed: 26.5+/-1.8individuals pond-1, control: 24.5+/-2.6individuals
pond-1, respectively). In addition, we show that reduced prey capture efficiency
in exposed pike may explain the lack of significant differences in predation.
Hence, our results suggest that GBMs, which in laboratory studies impact fish
behavior, and subsequently also feeding rates, do not seem to generate strong
effects on growth and predation-risk in more complex and resource limited natural
environments.
PMID- 28988098
TI - Multiple-pathway remediation of mercury contamination by a versatile selenite
reducing bacterium.
AB - Mercury contamination is a global concern because of its high toxicity,
persistence, bioaccumulative nature, long distance transport and wide
distribution in the environment. In this study, the efficiency and multiple
pathway remediation mechanisms of Hg2+ by a selenite reducing Escherichia coli
was assessed. E. coli can reduce Hg2+ to Hg+ and Hg0 and selenite to selenide at
the same time. This makes a multiple-pathway mechanisms for removal of Hg2+ from
water in addition to biosorption. It was found that when the original Hg2+
concentration was 40MUgL-1, 93.2+/-2.8% of Hg2+ was removed from solution by E.
coli. Of the total Hg removed, it was found that 3.3+/-0.1% was adsorbed to the
bacterium, 2.0+/-0.5% was bioaccumulated, and 7.3+/-0.6% was volatilized into the
ambient environment, and most (80.6+/-5.7%) Hg was removed as HgSe and HgCl
precipitates and Hg0. On one hand, selenite is reduced to selenide and the latter
further reacts with Hg2+ to form HgSe precipitates. On the other hand Hg2+ is
successively reduced to Hg+, which forms solid HgCl, and Hg0. This is the report
on bacterially transformation of Hg2+ to HgSe, HgCl and Hg0 via multiple
pathways. It is suggested that E. coli or other selenite reducing microorganisms
are promising candidates for mercury bioremediation of contaminated wastewaters,
as well as simultaneous removal of Hg2+ and selenite.
PMID- 28988100
TI - "Silent" Sleep Apnea in Dentofacial Deformities and Prevalence of Daytime
Sleepiness After Orthognathic and Intranasal Surgery.
AB - PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to determine the occurrence of
undiagnosed "silent" obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in dentofacial deformity (DFD)
patients at initial surgical presentation and to report on the level of daytime
sleepiness in DFD patients with OSA and chronic obstructive nasal breathing
(CONB) after undergoing bimaxillary, chin, and intranasal surgery. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with a bimaxillary DFD and CONB
was implemented. Patients were divided into those with no OSA (group I) and those
with OSA (group II). Group II was further subdivided into patients referred with
polysomnogram (PSG)-confirmed OSA (group IIa) and those with a diagnosis of OSA
only after surgical consultation, airway evaluation, and a positive PSG (group
IIb). Group II patients were analyzed at a minimum of 1 year after surgery
(range, 1 to 10 years) for daytime sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
Patients with postoperative excessive daytime sleepiness were assessed for risk
factors and continued need for OSA treatment. Patients in group II were studied
to determine which DFD patterns were most associated with OSA. We compared the
prevalence of OSA between our study population and the general population.
RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 23%
(60 of 262) had PSG-confirmed OSA (group II). This rate was much higher than that
found in the general population. Of the patients, 7% (19 of 262) were known to
have OSA at initial surgical consultation (group IIa). An additional 16% (41 of
262) were later confirmed by PSG to have OSA (group IIb). Patients with primary
mandibular deficiency and short face DFDs were most likely to have OSA (P < .001
and P = .001, respectively). In group II, 91% (55 of 60) rated their daytime
sleepiness as "not sleepy" at a minimum of 1 year after surgery. A significant
association was found between group II patients with postoperative excessive
daytime sleepiness ("sleepy" or "very sleepy") and a preoperative body mass index
category of overweight (P = .026). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found silent OSA to be
frequent in the DFD population. The prevalence of OSA in DFD patients exceeded
that estimated in the general population, with retrusive jaw patterns most
affected. In DFD patients also presenting with OSA and CONB, we confirmed low
levels of daytime sleepiness long-term after simultaneous bimaxillary
orthognathic, chin, and intranasal surgery.
PMID- 28988099
TI - Chlorinated persistent organic pollutants in serum of New Zealand adults, 2011
2013.
AB - A national survey was conducted in 2011-2013 to assess serum concentrations of
persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in adult New Zealanders. Participants were
randomly selected from the 2010 Electoral Roll within 64 demographic strata
according to 4 age groups, 4 regions, 2 ethnic groups (Maori/non-Maori) and
gender. Eligible subjects (n=734) donated up to 30ml of blood, after which serum
was pooled (n=49) according to demographic strata prior to analysis by GC-HRMS.
Associations between demographic variables (age, region, ethnicity, gender) and
serum POPs were assessed using linear regression. The weighted geometric mean
(GM) of PCDD/Fs was 5.3pg/g lipid toxic equivalents using the WHO 2005 toxic
equivalence factors (TEQ05), which increased by age (3.2, 4.4, 4.8, and 8.1pg/g
lipid for the 19-24, 25-34, 35-49, and 50-64year age groups, respectively). The
weighted GM of dioxin-like PCBs was 1.4pg TEQ05/g lipid which also increased by
age (0.82, 0.86, 1.4, and 2.3pg/g lipid for the same age groups, respectively).
Of the detected OCPs, the highest concentration was observed for p,p'-DDE
(weighted GM, 220ng/g lipid) followed by hexachlorobenzene (HCB; 7.3ng/g lipid),
beta-HCH (7.0ng/g lipid), and dieldrin (4.7ng/g lipid). For most Cl-POPs,
concentrations were lowest in the youngest age group, and were similar for men
and women and Maori and non-Maori. Serum Cl-POPs were, on average, 50% lower than
those measured 15years earlier in 1997. This survey provides evidence of
declining serum concentrations of chlorinated POPs in the New Zealand adult
population. Age was the most important determinant of POPs concentrations. Body
burdens of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in New Zealand are relatively low by international
comparison, while for OCPs they are similar or lower compared to those reported
for other developed countries.
PMID- 28988101
TI - Computed Tomography Characterization and Comparison With Polysomnography for
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Evaluation.
AB - PURPOSE: We hypothesized that computed tomography (CT) combined with portable
polysomnography (PSG) might better visualize anatomic data related to obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA). The present study evaluated the CT findings during OSA and
assessed their associations with the PSG data and patient characteristics.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective cross-sectional study of patients
with OSA. The patients underwent scanning during the awake state and apneic
episodes. Associations of the predictor variables (ie, PSG data, respiratory
disturbance index [RDI]), patient characteristics (body mass index [BMI], neck
circumference [NC], and waist circumference [WC]), and outcome variables (ie, CT
findings during apneic episodes) were assessed using logistic regression
analysis. The CT findings during apneic episodes were categorized regarding the
level of obstruction, single level (retropalatal [RP] or retroglossal [RG]) or
multilevel (mixed RP and RG), degree of obstruction (partial or complete), and
pattern of collapse (complete concentric collapse [CCC] or other patterns).
RESULTS: A total of 58 adult patients with OSA were scanned. The mean +/-
standard deviation for the RDI, BMI, NC, and WC were 41.6 +/- 28.55, 27.80 +/-
5.43 kg/m2, 38.3 +/- 4.3 cm, and 93.8 +/- 13.6 cm, respectively. No variables
distinguished between the presence of single- and multilevel airway obstruction
in the present study. A high RDI (>=30) was associated with the presence of
complete obstruction and CCC (odds ratio 6.33, 95% confidence interval 1.55 to
25.90; and odds ratio 3.77, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 13.91, respectively)
compared with those with a lesser RDI. CONCLUSIONS: An increased RDI appears to
be an important variable for predicting the presence of complete obstruction and
CCC during OSA. Scanning during apneic episodes, using low-dose volumetric CT
combined with portable PSG provided better anatomic and pathologic findings of
OSA than did scans performed during the awake state.
PMID- 28988102
TI - Number of illness episodes as predictor of residual symptoms in major depressive
disorder.
AB - Notwithstanding major depressive disorder (MDD) is a recurring and chronic
condition, relatively few variables have consistently been shown to predict its
course. Residual depressive symptoms may be associated with disability and
functional impairment but few studies evaluated clinical correlates associated
with these symptoms and their impact on functioning after adjustment for
potential confounders. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate factors
associated with residual depressive symptoms and their impact on the course of
MDD. The sample consisted of 210 consecutive MDD euthymic outpatients (67.6%
females; mean age = 52.1 +/- 15.5), admitted to the Section of Psychiatry,
University of Genoa (Italy). Residuals depressive symptoms were significantly
associated with female gender; use of short half-life benzodiazepines; longer
duration of the current depressive episode; higher number of illness episodes;
and higher duration of illness. Conversely, prior treatment with first-generation
antipsychotics, later age of illness onset and first hospitalization were less
frequently observed among patients with residual symptoms. After multivariate
analyses, only duration of current illness episodes (beta = 0.003; p = <0.005)
and substance abuse (beta = 0.042; p = <0.05) remained significantly associated
with residual symptoms. Our findings indicate that residual depressive symptoms
conferred a pernicious illness course in this specific cohort of MDD patients.
Future trials mainly targeting these burdensome symptoms are warranted.
PMID- 28988103
TI - Opioid tapering in patients with prescription opioid use disorder: A
retrospective study.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Opioid use disorder (OUD) refers to a maladaptive pattern of
opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. OUD causes,
and vice versa, misuses and abuse of opioid medications. Clinicians face daily
challenges to treat patients with prescription opioid use disorder. An evidence
based management for people who are already addicted to opioids has been
identified as the national priority in the US; however, options are limited in
clinical practices. In this study, we aimed to explore the success rate and
important adjuvant medications in the medication assisted treatment with
temporary use of methadone for opioid discontinuation in patients with
prescription OUD. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review performed at a
private physician office for physical medicine and rehabilitation. We reviewed
all medical records dated between December 1st, 2011 and August 30th, 2016. The
initial evaluation of the included patients (N=140) was completed between
December 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2014. They all have concumittant
prescription OUD and chronic non-cancer pain. The patients (87 female and 53
male) were 46.7+/-12.7 years old, and had a history of opioid use of 7.7+/-6.1
years. All patients received the comprehensive opioid taper treatments (including
interventional pain management techniques, psychotherapy, acupuncture, physical
modalities and exercises, and adjuvant medications) on top of the medication
assisted treatment using methadone (transient use). Opioid tapering was
considered successful when no opioid medication was used in the last patient
visit. RESULTS: The 140 patients had pain of 9.6+/-8.4 years with 8/10 intensity
before treatment which decreased after treatment in all comparisons (p<0.001 for
all). Opioids were successfully tapered off in 39 (27.9%) patients after 6.6+/
6.7 visits over 8.8+/-7.2 months; these patients maintained opioid abstinence
over 14.3+/-13.0 months with regular office visits. Among the 101 patients with
unsuccessful opioid tapering, 13 patients only visited the outpatient clinic
once. Significant differences were found between patients with and without
successful opioid tapering in treatment duration, number of clinic visits, the
use of mirtazepine, bupropion, topiramate, and trigger point injections with the
univariate analyses. The use of mirtazepine (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.48-9.49),
topiramate (OR, 5.61; 95% CI, 1.91-16.48), or bupropion (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.08
5.81) was significantly associated with successful opioid tapering. The
associations remain significant for mirtazepine and topiramate (not bupropion) in
different adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: With comprehensive treatments, 27.9% of
patients had successful opioid tapering with opioid abstinence for over a year.
The use of mirtazepine, topiramate, or likely bupropion was associated with
successful opioid tapering in the medication assisted treatment with temporary
use of methadone. Opioid tapering may be a practical option and should be
considered for managing prescription OUD. IMPLICATIONS: For patients with OUD,
indefinite opioid maintenance treatment may not be necessary. Considering the
ethical values of autonomy, nonmaleficence, and beneficence, clinicians should
provide patients with OUD the option of opioid tapering.
PMID- 28988104
TI - Sleep, widespread pain and restless legs - What is the connection?
PMID- 28988105
TI - Broadening the fear-avoidance model of chronic pain?
PMID- 28988106
TI - DCPP1 is the mouse ortholog of human PAUF that possesses functional analogy in
pancreatic cancer.
AB - Pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) overexpressed in pancreatic
ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) plays a major role in tumor progression and
metastasis by autocrine and paracrine manners. However, underlying molecular
mechanism of PAUF functioning in pancreatic cancer are not fully understood yet.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of demilune cell and
parotid protein 1 (DCPP1) as a putative mouse ortholog of human PAUF by sequence
alignment and functional studies. Overexpression of mouse DCPP1 in Chinese
hamster ovary (CHO) cells or pancreatic cancer cells increased cell
proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion ability in vitro. Treatment of
human pancreatic cancer cells with recombinant mouse DCPP1 elevated cell growth,
motility, invasiveness, and adhesiveness. Mouse DCPP1 exerted its function on
pancreatic cancer cells by activating intracellular signaling pathways involved
in aggressive cancer phenotype of human pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover,
subcutaneous injection of mice with DCPP1-overexpressing CHO cells increased
tumor sizes. Taken together, we conclude that mouse DCPP1 is a multifunctional
promoter of tumor growth through functional activation of pancreatic cancer
cells, suggesting it to be an ortholog of human PAUF.
PMID- 28988107
TI - Calcium-dependent protein kinase 21 phosphorylates 14-3-3 proteins in response to
ABA signaling and salt stress in rice.
AB - The calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are a class of plant-specific
kinase that directly bind Ca2+ and mediate the calcium-signaling pathways to play
important physiological roles in growth and development. The rice genome contains
31 CDPK genes, one of which, OsCPK21, is known to modulate the abscisic acid
(ABA) and salt stress responses in this crop; however, the molecular mechanisms
underlying this regulation are largely unknown. In the present study, we
performed yeast two-hybrid screening, glutathione S-transferase pull-down, co
immunoprecipitation, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays to
confirm the interaction between OsCPK21 and one of its putative targets, Os14-3-3
(OsGF14e). We used an in vitro kinase assay and site-directed mutagenesis to
verify that OsCPK21 phosphorylates OsGF14e at Tyr-138. We used real-time PCR to
reveal that several ABA and salt inducible genes were more highly expressed in
the OsCPK21-OE and OsGF14e WT-OE plants than in the mutant OsGF14e Y138A-OE and
wild-type plants. These results suggest that OsCPK21 phosphorylates OsGF14e to
facilitate the response to ABA and salt stress.
PMID- 28988108
TI - Salubrinal protects human skin fibroblasts against UVB-induced cell death by
blocking endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and regulating calcium homeostasis.
AB - The role of UVB in skin photo damages has been widely reported. Overexposure to
UVB will induce severe DNA damages in epidermal cells and cause most cytotoxic
symptoms. In the present study, we tested the potential activity of salubrinal, a
selective inhibitor of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2 (eIF2) -alpha phosphatase,
against UV-induced skin cell damages. We first exposed human fibroblasts to UVB
radiation and evaluated the cytosolic Ca2+ level as well as the induction of ER
stress. We found that UVB radiation induced the depletion of ER Ca2+ and
increased the expression of ER stress marker including phosphorylated PERK, CHOP,
and phosphorylated IRE1alpha. We then determined the effects of salubrinal in
skin cell death induced by UVB radiation. We observed that cells pre-treated with
salubrinal had a higher survival rate compared to cells treated with UVB alone.
Pre-treatment with salubrinal successfully re-established the ER function and
Ca2+ homeostasis. Our results suggest that salubrinal can be a potential
therapeutic agents used in preventing photoaging and photo damages.
PMID- 28988109
TI - Nuclear import inhibitor N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide targets Zika virus (ZIKV)
nonstructural protein 5 to inhibit ZIKV infection.
AB - In the absence of approved therapeutics, Zika virus (ZIKV)'s recent prolific
outbreaks in the Americas, together with impacts on unborn fetuses of infected
mothers, make it a pressing human health concern worldwide. Although a key player
in viral replication in the infected host cell cytoplasm, ZIKV non-structural
protein 5 (NS5) appears to contribute integrally to pathogenesis by localising in
the host cell nucleus, in similar fashion to NS5 from Dengue virus (DENV). We
show here for the first time that ZIKV NS5 is recognized with high nanomolar
affinity by the host cell importin alpha/beta1 heterodimer, and that this
interaction can be blocked by the novel DENV NS5 targeting inhibitor N-(4
hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR). Importantly, we show that 4-HPR has potent
anti-ZIKV activity at low MUM concentrations. With an established safety profile
for human use, 4-HPR represents an exciting possibility as an anti-ZIKV agent.
PMID- 28988110
TI - Biophysical control of the growth of Agrobacterium tumefaciens using extremely
low frequency electromagnetic waves at resonance frequency.
AB - Isolated Agrobacterium tumefaciens was exposed to different extremely low
frequencies of square amplitude modulated waves (QAMW) from two generators to
determine the resonance frequency that causes growth inhibition. The carrier was
10 MHz sine wave with amplitude +/-10 Vpp which was modulated by a second wave
generator with a modulation depth of +/- 2Vpp and constant field strength of 200
V/m at 28 degrees C. The exposure of A. tumefaciens to 1.0 Hz QAMW for 90 min
inhibited the bacterial growth by 49.2%. In addition, the tested antibiotics
became more effective against A. tumefaciens after the exposure. Furthermore,
results of DNA, dielectric relaxation and TEM showed highly significant molecular
and morphological changes due to the exposure to 1.0 Hz QAMW for 90 min. An in
vivo study has been carried out on healthy tomato plants to test the
pathogenicity of A. tumefaciens before and after the exposure to QAMW at the
inhibiting frequency. Symptoms of crown gall and all pathological symptoms were
more aggressive in tomato plants treated with non-exposed bacteria, comparing
with those treated with exposed bacteria. We concluded that, the exposure of A.
tumefaciens to 1.0 Hz QAMW for 90 min modified its cellular activity and DNA
structure, which inhibited the growth and affected the microbe pathogenicity.
PMID- 28988111
TI - PAI-1/PIAS3/Stat3/miR-34a forms a positive feedback loop to promote EMT-mediated
metastasis through Stat3 signaling in Non-small cell lung cancer.
AB - AIM: This study intented to clarify the intracellular effect of PAI-1 on Non
small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis and the precise mechanism involved.
METHODS: The metastatic properties of NSCLC cells were determined by transwell
assays and wound-healing assay in vitro. The mRNA and protein expressions of
genes were analyzed by Real-time qPCR and western blot, respectively. Pulmonary
metastasis model of NSCLC cells was established to evaluate the pro-metastasis
effect of PAI-1 and anti-metastatic effect of miR-34a in vivo. The gene targets
of miR-34a were confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Chromatin
immunoprecipitation assay was employed to detect the transcriptional regulation
of miR-34a. Co-immunoprecipitation assay was performed to observe the interaction
of proteins. RESULTS: PAI-1, which was elevated in NSCLC patients with recurrence
and metastasis, augmented NSCLC metastasis and was negatively related to the
prognosis of NSCLC. miR-34a, which was decreased in NSCLC patients with
metastasis, attenuated NSCLC metastasis and was positively correlated with the
prognosis of NSCLC. Moreover, PAI-1 was identified as the target gene of miR-34a
and activated the Stat3 signaling pathway to promote epithelial-mesenchymal
transition (EMT) in NSCLC cells. PAI-1 interacted with PIAS3 to regulate Stat3
dependent gene expression and miR-34a was transcriptionally suppressed by Stat3
to form a positive regulatory loop through Stat3 signaling. CONCLUSION: Our
findings suggest that PAI-1 and miR-34a, which can be clinically utilized as
biomarkers for the clinical prognosis or diagnosis of NSCLC, are potential
targets for the treatment of NSCLC.
PMID- 28988112
TI - Caerulin-induced pro-inflammatory response in macrophages requires TRAF3-p38
signaling activation.
AB - Acute pancreatitis is a common threat to human health. Caerulin provokes severe
inflammations, causing injuries to surrounding pancreatic cells. TNF receptor
associated factor 3 (TRAF3) is a highly versatile regulator of immune response.
The current study aims to understand the potential effect of TRAF3 on caerulin
induced pro-inflammatory responses. In the primary-cultured mouse bone marrow
derived macrophages (BMDMs), caerulin induced TRAF3 protein stabilization, which
formed a complex with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) to mediate
downstream p38 activation. Lentiviral shRNA-mediated TRAF3 stable knockdown
significantly attenuated caerulin-induced MKK3-p38 activation and production of
several key pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta),
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-17. Remarkably, TRAF3 knockdown in
caerulin-stimulated BMDMs also alleviated cytotoxicity to Panc02 and primary
mouse pancreatic cells. Thus, TRAF3 is required for caerulin-induced p38
activation and macrophage-mediated pro-inflammatory responses. TRAF3 expression
in macrophages could be a novel therapeutic target protein for the treatment of
acute pancreatitis.
PMID- 28988113
TI - Effects of dexamethasone on purinergic signaling in murine mast cells: Selective
suppression of P2X7 receptor expression.
AB - Mast cells express many different purinergic receptors, including ionotropic P2X4
and P2X7, which recognize the accumulation of extracellular ATP released from
activated and/or damaged cells. This results in the stimulation of mast cell
functions. In this study, we investigated the effects of dexamethasone (Dex), an
anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid widely used for the treatment of allergic
disease, on purinergic receptor expression in mouse bone marrow-derived mast
cells (BMMCs). Treatment of BMMCs with Dex decreased P2X7 receptor mRNA levels in
a time- and concentration-dependent manner without affecting the expression of
other purinergic receptor subtypes. Accordingly, fluorescence-activated cell
sorting analysis revealed that Dex treatment also decreased P2X7 receptor protein
levels. This effect was mimicked by prednisolone, another anti-inflammatory
glucocorticoid, and was inhibited by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist
mifepristone. Functionally, treatment of BMMCs with Dex impaired the P2X7
mediated rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, degranulation, and ethidium
uptake, a response relevant to receptor-pore formation. Finally, oral
administration of Dex to C57BL/6 mice in vivo resulted in a significant decrease
in P2X7 receptor expression in peritoneal mast cells. These results suggest that
reduction of P2X7 receptor expression in mast cells might be one of the anti
allergic mechanisms of Dex.
PMID- 28988114
TI - Regulatory effects of the AMPKalpha-SIRT1 molecular pathway on insulin resistance
in PCOS mice: An in vitro and in vivo study.
AB - In order to preliminarily explore the correlation between the AMPKalpha-SIRT1
pathway and insulin resistance and reproductive function in PCOS mice and find
the pathogenesis molecular mechanism and potential therapeutic target of PCOS, we
carried out in vitro study of human granulosa KGN cells and in vivo study of PCOS
mouse model which was constructed with DHEA, and AICAR and Compound C were
applied. We have found that SIRT1 and AMPKalpha expression in KGN cells gradually
decreased as DHEA concentration increased; Mice of the PCOS model were in an
obvious status of IR (P < 0.05). Granulosa cells in their ovarian were present in
fewer numbers and were disorderly arranged, their numbers of immature follicles
were significantly increased, and their AMPKalpha-SIRT1 pathways were down
regulated. The AMPKalpha-SIRT1 pathway could be up-regulated after AICAR
treatment, resulting in improved IR status (P < 0.0001); however, the
abovementioned effect was blocked by Compound C. Thus we concluded that the
AMPKalpha-SIRT1 molecular pathway may be a molecular mechanism of IR in PCOS and
may serve as a therapeutic target for the development of potential treatments for
improving metabolic and reproductive function in PCOS.
PMID- 28988115
TI - A novel antimicrobial peptide isolated from centipede Scolopendra subspinipes
mutilans stimulates neutrophil activity through formyl peptide receptor 2.
AB - In this study, we identified scolopendrasin X, a novel antimicrobial peptide
(AMP), from centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. Scolopendrasin X strongly
stimulated mouse neutrophils, resulting in intracellular calcium increase,
chemotactic migration through pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein and
phospholipase C pathway, and increased superoxide anion production in
neutrophils. Target receptor for scolopendrasin X, formyl peptide receptor (FPR)2
mediated scolopendrasin X-induced neutrophil activation. Moreover, scolopendrasin
X significantly blocked inflammatory cytokine production induced by
lipopolysaccharide in mouse neutrophils. Taken together, our results suggest that
the novel AMP scolopendrasin X can be used as a material to regulate neutrophil
activity through FPR2.
PMID- 28988116
TI - Macrophage C-type lectin is essential for phagosome maturation and acidification
during Escherichia coli-induced peritonitis.
AB - Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by an uncontrolled response to
bacterial infection. Impaired bactericidal activity in the host is directly
associated with severe sepsis; however, the underlying regulatory mechanism(s) is
largely unknown. Here, we show that MCL (macrophage C-type lectin) plays a
crucial role in killing bacteria during Escherichia coli-induced peritonitis. MCL
deficient mice with E. coli-induced sepsis showed lower survival rates and
reduced bacterial clearance when compared with control mice, despite similar
levels of proinflammatory cytokine production. Although the ability of
macrophages from MCL-deficient mice to kill bacteria was impaired, they showed
normal phagocytic activity and production of reactive oxygen species. In
addition, MCL-deficient macrophages showed defective phagosome maturation and
phagosomal acidification after E. coli infection. Taken together, these results
indicate that MCL plays an important role in host defense against E. coli
infection by promoting phagosome maturation and acidification, thereby providing
new insight into the role of MCL during pathogenesis of sepsis and offering new
therapeutic options.
PMID- 28988117
TI - Mas-Related G-Protein Coupled Receptors and Cowhage-Induced Itch.
PMID- 28988118
TI - A low-cost and miniaturized potentiostat for sensing of biomolecular species such
as TNF-alpha by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
AB - Miniaturizing potentiostats, keeping their cost low and yet preserving full
measurement characteristics (e.g. bandwidth, determination of
capacitive/inductive contribution to sensor's impedance and parallel screening)
is still an unresolved challenge in bioelectronics. In this work, the combination
of simple analogue circuitry together with powerful microcontrollers and a
digital filter implementation is presented as an alternative to complex and
incomplete architectures reported in the literature. A low-cost acquisition
electronic system fully integrated with a biosensors platform containing eight
gold working microelectrodes and integrated reference and counter electrodes was
developed and validated. The manufacturing cost of the prototype was kept below
300 USD. The performance of the proposed device was benchmarked against a
commercial impedance analyzer through the electrochemical analysis of a highly
sensitive biosensor for the detection of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)
within the randomly chosen range of 266pg/mL to 666ng/mL in physiological medium
(PBS). A strong correlation between the outputs of both devices was found in a
critical range of frequencies (1-10Hz), and several TNF-alpha cytokine
concentrations were properly discriminated. These results are very promising for
the development of low-cost, portable and miniaturized electrochemical systems
for point-of-care and environmental diagnosis.
PMID- 28988119
TI - Glucocorticoid treatment facilitates development of a metabolic syndrome in
ovariectomized Macaca Mulatta fed a high fat diet.
AB - Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a cluster of key features, which
include abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of elevated glucocorticoid levels
on the development of MetS in middle-aged female rhesus monkeys (Macaca Mulatta)
after ovariectomy. Six female ovariectomized rhesus monkeys (9-13years) were
randomly assigned to either a control group (normal diet, n=3) or a group in
which MetS was facilitated (n=3). The MetS group fed with HFD (15% fat) and
received oral prednisone acetate treatment (50mg/day). After 24months, the GCs
treatment was withdrawn with continuation of high-fat feeding for a further
12months. After 24months, the MetS group displayed a significant increase in body
weight and abdominal circumference. Additionally, the MetS animals displayed
abnormal serum lipids, insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance.
Histology of liver biopsies indicated marked accumulation of lipid droplets in
hepatocytes of MetS animals. Withdrawal of GCs treatment led to recovery from
above-mentioned metabolic disorders. Whereas GCs treatment increased leptin
expression, it lowered expression of adiponectin and other factors in adipose
tissue. Expression of Hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase-1 and glucose transporter
type-4 in the livers of MetS animals were reduced. We conclude that in the
context of high fat diet, high levels of exogenous GCs contribute to the
development of MetS in non-human primates.
PMID- 28988121
TI - A study on the independence of egocentric and allocentric neglect.
AB - Currently there seems to be consensus that visuospatial neglect may involve
egocentric and allocentric symptoms. However, the relation between the two is
still discussed and models have been proposed based on the high correlation
between allocentric and egocentric neglect symptoms. To analyze the relation
between these two kinds of symptoms we developed a new paradigm. In contrast to
previous paradigms, we varied the extension of the search field and we added
centered reference targets to evaluate egocentric effects independent from
allocentric effects. Patients with exclusively left-sided neglect (n = 15) and
left-sided visual field deficit (VFD) (n = 9) were included. Right brain damaged
patients (n = 15) and a healthy control (n = 15) acted as control groups. The
results revealed egocentric inattention in VFD patients. Neglect patients
suffered from egocentric and allocentric neglect, but we found no interaction
between both kinds of impairments in the sense of a monotonous additive or
multiplicative increase going from right to left in terms of egocentric and
allocentric coordinates. On the contrary, at the outmost left allocentric and
egocentric positions, the number of omissions did not increase, unlike in outmost
right and centered positions. In conclusion, our experiment shows that egocentric
and allocentric neglect can be clearly dissociated in neglect patients and do not
interact. Inclusion of neglect patients with a VFD may lead to an artificial
interaction between egocentric and allocentric symptoms and this may explain the
differences with results of previous studies.
PMID- 28988120
TI - Endoplasmic reticulum stress and MAPK signaling pathway activation underlie
leflunomide-induced toxicity in HepG2 Cells.
AB - Leflunomide, used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been reported to
cause severe liver problems and liver failure; however, the underlying mechanisms
are not clear. In this study, we used multiple approaches including genomic
analysis to investigate and characterize the possible molecular mechanisms of the
cytotoxicity of leflunomide in hepatic cells. We found that leflunomide caused
endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activated an unfolded protein response, as
evidenced by increased expression of related genes including CHOP and GADD34; and
elevated protein levels of typical ER stress markers including CHOP, ATF-4, p
eIF2alpha, and spliced XBP1. The secretion of Gaussia luciferase was suppressed
in cells treated with leflunomide in an ER stress reporter assay. Inhibition of
ER stress with an ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyrate, and knockdown of ATF-4
and CHOP genes partially protected cells upon leflunomide exposure. In addition,
both genomic and biochemical analyses revealed that JNK and ERK1/2 of MAPK
signaling pathways were activated, and both contributed to the leflunomide
induced cytotoxicity. Inhibiting JNK activation using a JNK inhibitor attenuated
the ER stress and cytotoxicity of leflunomide, whereas inhibiting ERK1/2 using an
ERK1/2 inhibitor or ERK1/2 siRNA increased the adverse effect caused by
leflunomide, suggesting opposite roles for the two pathways. In summary, our data
indicate that both ER stress and the activation of JNK and ERK1/2 contribute to
leflunomide-induced cytotoxicity.
PMID- 28988122
TI - Views of people with schizophrenia and their caregivers towards the needs for
psychiatric rehabilitation in urban and rural areas of mainland China.
AB - This qualitative study explores and compares the views of the individuals with
schizophrenia and their caregivers in the urban and rural areas of Wuxi towards
the needs for psychiatric rehabilitation. The results may more precisely guide
the government and policy makers to tailor the corresponding strategies and
services. With interview guides, individual face-to-face semi-structured
interviews were conducted among a total of 16 participants (four people with
schizophrenia and their caregivers in the urban areas and in the rural areas,
respectively). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed
using an inductive approach. The findings revealed commonalities and
discrepancies on their views about the needs of rehabilitation interventions and
community care, the healthcare resources for medication, the major factors of
employment, and the support to caregivers for facilitating recovery. Some policy
and service implications to promote psychiatric rehabilitation of the people with
schizophrenia and their caregivers in Wuxi are discussed. With careful
consideration of the possible socio-cultural differences, the findings may also
serve as references for the related researchers and clinicians in other regions
in China.
PMID- 28988123
TI - The impact of lifetime PTSD on the seven-year course and clinical characteristics
of OCD.
AB - Research has suggested that the co-occurrence of PTSD in individuals with OCD is
associated with more severe symptoms and less responsivity to empirically
supported treatment as compared to individuals with OCD and no history of PTSD.
However, much of this work has been limited by non-empirical case report design,
cross-sectional and retrospective analyses, or small sample sizes. The current
study extended this research by comparing the clinical characteristics of
individuals with OCD with and without a lifetime PTSD diagnosis in a large,
naturalistic, longitudinal sample over the course of seven years. At baseline,
individuals with comorbid lifetime PTSD reported significantly more severe
symptoms of OCD (including symptom levels and insight), lower quality of life,
and higher rates of comorbid lifetime mood and substance use disorders than
participants without lifetime PTSD. Further, individuals with comorbid OCD and
lifetime PTSD reported significantly more severe OCD symptoms over the course of
seven years than those without lifetime PTSD. These results are largely
consistent with the existing literature and support the need to consider PTSD
symptoms in the assessment and treatment of OCD.
PMID- 28988124
TI - In vitro and in vivo evaluation of targeting tumor with folate-based amphiphilic
multifunctional stabilizer for resveratrol nanosuspensions.
AB - Resveratrol (RSV) nanosuspensions, with long term stability and targeting
delivery ability, were designed and demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo model.
The folate modified distearoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine-polyethylene glycol (DSPE
PEG-FA), as target delivery carrier, was synthesized and confirmed by FTIR and 1H
NMR. D-alpha-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and DSPE-PEG-FA
used as stabilizers formed two RSV nanosuspensions (RSV-NA and RSV-NB), which
were prepared by anti-solvent precipitation method and optimized by central
composite design-response surface model (CCD-RSM). The morphology of RSV
nanosuspensions showed flake shapes and spherical shapes by SEM. And the
distribution of particles was uniform by TEM and AFM. The two RSV nanosuspensions
displayed an amorphous state, by XRPD and DSC determination. At room temperature,
the optimum RSV nanosuspensions showed long term stability for 20days. The cell
proliferation and morphology study revealed that the RSV nanosuspensions
significantly enhanced the in vitro cytotoxicity against A549 cells in a dose-
and time-dependent manner. The recommended safe concentration was 5MUM for in
vitro study. In vivo studies of the two nanosuspensions also displayed higher
antitumor efficacy by reduced tumor volume and weight. Compared with the saline
group, the tumor inhibition ratio of the RSV-NA was 61.53+/-18.36% and RSV-NB was
64.61+/-21.13%. The mice weight of the RSV-NA group and RSV-NB group was also
maintained constant increasing. These results demonstrated that TPGS and DSPE-PEG
FA could be used as stabilizers for stable RSV nanosuspensions formulation with
the potentiality for targeting delivery to human alveolar carcinoma cells with
high stability and efficacy.
PMID- 28988125
TI - Ionic interactions determine the morphology of dried alkali/liposome suspension
droplets.
AB - We sought to understand why saline drops produce intriguing patterns when drying
in the presence of zwitterionic liposomes. Specifically, we would like to
comprehend why the nature of such patterns is hierarchically driven by the
Hofmeister series. The liposome suspension is made of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero
3-phosphocholine (DMPC) with alkali metal chlorides. A complexity analysis of the
patterns gives a fractal dimension around 1.71, which means that the drying
process resembles a DLA mechanism. A physicochemical study, including the
determination of zeta potential, molecular dynamics simulations, microrheology,
and calorimetry, supports the fact that electrostatic interactions among head
groups of phospholipids with alkali cations are the driven forces behind the
assembling of the observed structures. Moreover, we found that the morphology of
the dried droplets is sensitive to the substrate. Our findings could be used in a
biological context, for example, to characterize cells in ionic media.
PMID- 28988126
TI - Quantitative characterization of hepatitis delta virus genome edition by next
generation sequencing.
AB - AIM: To determine the capacity of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for
quantifying edited and unedited HDV populations, and to confirm if edition is a
general phenomenon taking place along the entire HDV region analyzed, as we
previously reported (Homs M et al. PLoS One 2016, 11, e0158557). METHODS: Four
serum samples from 4 patients with chronic HDV/HBV infection were included in the
study. The region selected for analysis covered 360 nucleotides (nt), positions
910-1270 of the HDV genome, which included the HDAg ORF editing site (nt 1014
within codon 196). Quantification of edited and unedited genomes was performed by
molecular cloning and Sanger sequencing and by NGS. To evaluate the reliability
of the NGS values obtained, we combined a clone with an edited codon and one with
an unedited codon in known percentages in a series of artificial mixtures, which
were then analyzed by NGS. In addition, we determined the nt changes occurring
over the complete amplified region after excluding the editing codon (196) to
evaluate edition along it. RESULTS: In total, 11,208 quality-filtered sequences
were obtained in the 4 samples. The 95% confidence intervals for the proportions
of unedited populations by molecular cloning and NGS were overlapping, and those
of cloning were wider, indicating that they are comparable and that NGS is more
precise than cloning. Unedited genomes predominated over edited ones in all 4
samples analyzed by NGS and in 3 of the 4 samples analyzed by molecular cloning.
In total, 83,276 quality-filtered sequences were obtained from the artificial
mixtures. Percentages of the two viral populations detected by NGS in these
mixtures were comparable to the expected percentages. Evaluation of edition along
the HDV coding region showed that transitions were more frequent than
transversions, accounting for 63.09% and 36.91%, respectively. Interestingly,
among the 4 possible transition-type changes, G:A and A:G accounted for 73.86% of
the total. CONCLUSION: Next-generation sequencing proved useful to quantify
edited and unedited HDV genomes, and provided relevant information on the HDV
quasispecies.
PMID- 28988127
TI - Comparative genome analysis of novel Podoviruses lytic for hypermucoviscous
Klebsiella pneumoniae of K1, K2, and K57 capsular types.
AB - Hypermucoviscous (HV) strains of capsular types K1, K2 and K57 are the most
virulent representatives of the Klebsiella pneumoniae species. Eight novel
bacteriophages lytic for HV K. pneumoniae were isolated and characterized. Three
bacteriophages, KpV41, KpV475, and KpV71 were found to have a lytic activity
against mainly K. pneumoniae of capsular type K1. Two phages, KpV74, and KpV763
were lytic for K2 capsular type K. pneumoniae, and the phage KpV767 was specific
to K57-type K. pneumoniae only. Two more phages, KpV766, and KpV48 had no
capsular specificity. The phage genomes consist of a linear double-stranded DNA
of 40,395-44,623bp including direct terminal repeats of 180-246 bp. The G + C
contents are 52.3-54.2 % that is slightly lower than that of genomes of K.
pneumoniae strains being used for phage propagation. According to the genome
structures, sequence similarity and phylogenetic data, the phages are classified
within the genus Kp32virus and Kp34virus of subfamily Autographivirinae, family
Podoviridae. In the phage genomes, genes encoding proteins with putative motifs
of polysaccharide depolymerase were identified. Depolymerase genes of phages
KpV71 and KpV74 lytic for hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae of K1 and K2 capsular
type, respectively, were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the
recombinant gene products were purified. The specificity and polysaccharide
degrading activity of the recombinant depolymerases were demonstrated.
PMID- 28988128
TI - The role of EscD in supporting EscC polymerization in the type III secretion
system of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.
AB - The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a multi-protein complex that plays a
central role in the virulence of many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. In
enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, a prevalent cause of diarrheal diseases, the
needle complex base of the T3SS is formed by multi-rings: two concentric inner
membrane rings made by the two oligomerizing proteins (EscD and EscJ), and an
outer ring made of a single oligomerizing protein (EscC). Although the
oligomerization activity of these proteins is critical for their function and
can, therefore, affect the virulence of the pathogen, the mechanisms underlying
the oligomerization of these proteins have yet to be identified. In this study,
we report that the proteins forming the inner-membrane T3SS rings, EscJ and EscD
proteins, are crucial for the oligomerization of EscC. Moreover, we elucidate the
oligomerization process of EscD and determine the contribution of individual
regions of the protein to its self-oligomerization activity. We show that the
oligomerization motif of EscD is located at its N-terminal portion and that its
transmembrane domain can self-oligomerize, thus contributing to the self
oligomerization of the full-length EscD.
PMID- 28988129
TI - Assessment of synergistic antibacterial activity of combined biosurfactants
revealed by bacterial cell envelop damage.
AB - Besides potential surface activity and some beneficial physical properties,
biosurfactants express antibacterial activity. Bacterial cell membrane disrupting
ability of rhamnolipid produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa C2 and a lipopeptide
type biosurfactant, BS15 produced by Bacillus stratosphericus A15 was examined
against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli K8813. Broth
dilution technique was followed to examine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
of both the biosurfactants. The combined effect of rhamnolipid and BS15 against
S. aureus and E. coli showed synergistic activity by expressing fractional
inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of 0.43 and 0.5. Survival curve of both the
bacteria showed bactericidal activity after treating with biosurfactants at their
MIC obtained from FIC index study as it killed >90% of initial population. The
lesser value of MIC than minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the
biosurfactants also supported their bactericidal activity against both the
bacteria. Membrane permeability against both the bacteria was supported by
amplifying protein release, increasing of cell surface hydrophobicity,
withholding capacity of crystal violet dye and leakage of intracellular
materials. Finally cell membrane disruption was confirmed by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM). All these experiments expressed synergism and effective
bactericidal activity of the combination of rhamnolipid and BS15 by enhancing the
bacterial cell membrane permeability. Such effect of the combination of
rhamnolipid and BS15 could make them promising alternatives to traditional
antibiotic in near future.
PMID- 28988130
TI - KLF4 overcomes tamoxifen resistance by suppressing MAPK signaling pathway and
predicts good prognosis in breast cancer.
AB - Tamoxifen resistance represents a daunting challenge to the successful treatment
for breast cancer. Kruppel-like factor 4 has critical roles in the development
and progression of breast cancer, but its expression, function and regulation in
the efficacy of TAM therapy in breast cancer have yet to be investigated. Here,
we examined the clinical significance and biologic effects of KLF4 in breast
cancer. Firstly, higher expression of KLF4 correlated with increased TAM
sensitivity in breast cancer cells, and analysis of GEO datasets indicated that
KLF4 expression was positively correlated with ERalpha and enhanced expression of
KLF4 sensitized breast cancer patients to endocrine therapy. Knockdown of KLF4 in
MCF-7 and BCAP37 cells led to increased TAM resistance, while ectopic KLF4
expression promoted the responsiveness to TAM in T47D and TAM-resistant MCF-7/TAM
cells. Secondly, ectopic KLF4 overexpression suppressed MCF-7/TAM cell growth,
invasion and migration. Moreover, KLF4 expression was down-regulated in breast
cancer tumor tissues and high expression of KLF4 was associated with favorable
outcomes. Mechanistically, KLF4 may enhance the responsiveness of breast cancer
cells to TAM through suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)
signaling pathway. We found that ERK and p38 were more activated in MCF-7/TAM
compared with MCF-7, and treatment with MAPK-specific inhibitors significantly
suppressed cell viability. Knockdown of KLF4 activated ERK and p38 and drove MCF
7 cells to become resistant to TAM. Conversely, overexpression of KLF4 in MCF
7/TAM cells suppressed ERK and p38 signaling and resulted in increased
sensitivity to TAM. Therefore, our findings suggested that KLF4 contributed to
TAM sensitivity in breast cancer via phosphorylation modification of ERK and p38
signaling. Collectively, this study highlighted the significance of KLF4/MAPK
signal interaction in regulating TAM resistance of breast cancer, and suggested
that targeting KLF4/MAPK signaling may be a potential therapeutic strategy for
breast cancer treatment, especially for the TAM-resistant patients.
PMID- 28988131
TI - Ovariectomy influences the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity and the photic
phase shifts in the volcano mouse.
AB - Recently, the relationship between the circadian system and female reproduction
has been of great interest; ovarian hormones can modify the amount and
distribution of daily activity differently in rodent species. The volcano mouse
Neotomodon alstoni is a species in which it is possible to study the circadian
rhythm of locomotion, and it offers comparative information about the influence
of ovaries on the circadian system. In this study, we used infrared crossings to
compare free movement in intact and sham-operated or ovariectomized mice. We
analyzed behavioral and endocrine changes related to the estrous cycle and
locomotor circadian rhythm in free-running mice and photic phase shifting.
Evidence shows that intact mice present a scalloped pattern of daily activity
during the estrous cycle. In constant darkness, the ovariectomy reduces the total
amount of activity, shortens the free-running circadian period of locomotion and
increases photic phase shifts during the early subjective night. During
entrainment, the ovariectomized mice increased the amplitude of total activity
during the scotophase, and delay the time of activity onset. These results
suggest that ovarian hormones in N. alstoni modulate the circadian rhythm of
locomotor activity in a species-specific manner.
PMID- 28988132
TI - Ferulic acid attenuates diabetes-induced cognitive impairment in rats via
regulation of PTP1B and insulin signaling pathway.
AB - Cognitive impairment has been recognized as a typical characteristic of
neurodegenerative disease in diabetes mellitus (DM) and this cognitive
dysfunction may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ferulic acid, a
phenolic compound commonly found in a range of plants, has emerged various
properties including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. In the
present study, the protective activities and relevant mechanisms of ferulic acid
were evaluated in diabetic rats with cognitive deficits, which were induced by a
high-glucose-fat (HGF) diet and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ). It was observed
that ferulic acid significantly increased body weight and decreased blood glucose
levels. Meanwhile, ferulic acid could markedly ameliorate spatial memory of
diabetic rats in Morris water maze (MWM) and decrease AD-like pathologic changes
(Abeta deposition and Tau phosphorylation) in the hippocampus, which might be
correlated with the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines release and reduction of
protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) expression. Moreover, the levels of brain
insulin signal molecules p-IRS, p-Akt and p-GSK3beta were also investigated. We
found that ferulic acid administration restored the alterations in insulin
signaling. In conclusion, ferulic acid exhibited beneficial effects on diabetes
induced cognition lesions, which was involved in the regulation of PTP1B and
insulin signaling pathway. We suppose that PTP1B inhibition may represent a
promising approach to correct abnormal signaling linked to diabetes-induced
cognitive impairment.
PMID- 28988134
TI - Dynamics of large-scale electrophysiological networks: A technical review.
AB - For several years it has been argued that neural synchronisation is crucial for
cognition. The idea that synchronised temporal patterns between different neural
groups carries information above and beyond the isolated activity of these groups
has inspired a shift in focus in the field of functional neuroimaging.
Specifically, investigation into the activation elicited within certain regions
by some stimulus or task has, in part, given way to analysis of patterns of co
activation or functional connectivity between distal regions. Recently, the
functional connectivity community has been looking beyond the assumptions of
stationarity that earlier work was based on, and has introduced methods to
incorporate temporal dynamics into the analysis of connectivity. In particular,
non-invasive electrophysiological data
(magnetoencephalography/electroencephalography (MEG/EEG)), which provides direct
measurement of whole-brain activity and rich temporal information, offers an
exceptional window into such (potentially fast) brain dynamics. In this review,
we discuss challenges, solutions, and a collection of analysis tools that have
been developed in recent years to facilitate the investigation of dynamic
functional connectivity using these imaging modalities. Further, we discuss the
applications of these approaches in the study of cognition and neuropsychiatric
disorders. Finally, we review some existing developments that, by using realistic
computational models, pursue a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of
non-stationary connectivity.
PMID- 28988133
TI - Coupling between physiological TSPO expression in brain and myocardium allows
stabilization of late-phase cerebral [18F]GE180 PET quantification.
AB - OBJECTIVES: PET imaging of the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a biomarker of
microglial activity, receives growing interest in clinical and preclinical
applications of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative brain diseases. In
globally affected brains, intra-cerebral pseudo reference regions are not
feasible. Consequently, many brain-independent approaches have been attempted,
including SUV analysis and normalization to muscle- or heart uptake, aiming to
stabilize quantitative analysis. In this study, we systematically compared
different image normalization methods for static late phase TSPO-PET imaging of
rodent brain. METHODS: We first obtained gamma counter measurements for gold
standard quantitation of [18F]GE180 uptake in brain of C57Bl/6 mice (N = 10)
after PET, aiming to identify factors contributing significantly to the
quantitative results. Subsequently, data from a large cohort of C57Bl/6 mice (N =
79) were compiled to precisely determine the weighted influence and variance
attributable these factors by regression analysis. Scan-rescan variability and
agreement with histology were used to validate the tested normalization methods
in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model with pathologically increased TSPO
expression (PS2APP; N = 24). Longitudinal data from AD model mice (N = 10)
scanned at four different ages were used to challenge and validate the different
normalization methods in a practical application. RESULTS: Gamma counter results
revealed that injected dose, body weight and PET-measured radioactivity
concentration in the ventral myocardium all significantly accounted for
[18F]GE180 activity in the brain. Skeletal muscle activity had high test-retest
variance in this PET only application and was therefore pursued no further.
Regression analysis of the large scale evaluation showed that scaling to injected
dose or SUV analysis accounted for little variance in brain activity (R2 < 0.5),
but inclusion of myocardial activity together with injected dose and body weight
in the regression model accounted for most of the variance in brain uptake (R2 =
0.94). Scan-rescan stability, correlation with histology and applicability for
longitudinal examination in the disease model were also significantly improved by
inclusion of myocadial uptake in the quantitative model. CONCLUSION: Cerebral and
myocardial TSPO expression are highly coupled under physiological conditions.
Myocardial uptake has great potential for stabilization of static late phase
[18F]GE180 quantification in brain in the absence of a valid intra-cerebral
pseudo-reference region.
PMID- 28988135
TI - Skin fluorescence following photodynamic therapy with NPe6 photosensitizer.
AB - BACKGROUND: The second-generation photosensitizer NPe6 has strong anti-tumor
effects with a much shorter photosensitive period than the first-generation
photosensitizer Photofrin. Although photosensitive period has been reduced, skin
photosensitivity is still a major side effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Therefore, we conducted a prospective study to investigate whether the NPe6
fluorescence intensity in skin after PDT could be measured effectively in human
patients to improve the management of a patient's photosensitive period. METHODS:
The NPe6 fluorescence measurements using a constructed fluorescence sensing
system at the inside of the arm were acquired prior to and 5 and 10min after NPe6
administration as well as at the time of PDT (4-5h after administration), at
discharge (2 or 3days after PDT), and at 1 or 2 weeks after PDT. Participants
were interviewed as to whether they had any complications at 2 weeks after PDT.
RESULTS: Nine male patients and one female patient entered this study. Nine
patients were inpatients and one patient was an outpatient. All of the
measurements of NPe6 fluorescence in the skin could be obtained without any
complications. The spectral peak was detected at the time of discharge (2-3days
after administration) in most cases and it decreased at 1 or 2 weeks after PDT.
CONCLUSIONS: The fluorescence of NPe6 in the skin could be detected feasibly
using the fluorescence sensing system in human patients. Measuring the relative
concentration of NPe6 in the skin indirectly by measuring fluorescence intensity
might be useful to predict the period of skin photosensitivity after PDT.
PMID- 28988136
TI - Effect of natural polyphenol on the oxidative stability of pecan oil.
AB - We evaluated the antioxidant activity of natural polyphenols which gives high
oxidative stability to the pecan oil. The in vitro DPPH radical scavenging,
reducing power and total antioxidant activity of tested antioxidants demonstrated
that tannic acid displayed the highest DPPH scavenging activity and provided the
largest reducing power. During storage of pecan oil, based on oxidative stability
tests, we further evaluated the protective effect of polyphenols and synthetic
antioxidants on the oxidative stability of pecan oil. The results showed that
caffeic acid inhibited oxidation of pecan oil effectively. Sesamol and catechin
showed slight improvement in oxidative stability, while ferulic acid, erucic acid
and rutin had no effect. Taken together, compared with synthetic antioxidants
(TBHQ, BHT, BHA), caffeic acid was observed to be stronger than BHT and BHA and
was close to TBHQ.
PMID- 28988137
TI - RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, cis-6-nonen-1-ol, CAS Registry
Number 35854-86-5.
PMID- 28988138
TI - MouseTox: An online toxicity assessment tool for small molecules through Enalos
Cloud platform.
AB - Advances in the drug discovery research substantially depend on in silico methods
and techniques that capitalize on experimental data to enable the accurate
property/activity assessment by employing a variety of computational techniques.
These in silico tools can significantly reduce expensive and time consuming
experimental procedures required and are strongly recommended to avoid animal
testing, especially as far as toxicity evaluation and risk assessment is
concerned. In this context, in the present work we aim to develop a predictive
model for the cytotoxic effects of a wide range of compounds based solely on
calculated molecular descriptors that account for their topological, geometric
and structural characteristics. The developed model was fully validated and was
released online via Enalos Cloud platform accessible through
http://enalos.insilicotox.com/MouseTox/. This ready-to-use web service offers,
through a user-friendly interface, free access to the model results and therefore
can act as a toxicity prediction tool for the risk assessment of novel compounds,
without any special requirements or prior programming skills.
PMID- 28988139
TI - RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, beta-methylphenethyl alcohol, CAS
Registry Number 1123-85-9.
PMID- 28988140
TI - RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, alpha-Propylphenethyl alcohol, CAS
Registry Number 705-73-7.
PMID- 28988141
TI - Ultrasonic wavefield inversion and migration in complex heterogeneous structures:
2D numerical imaging and nondestructive testing experiments.
AB - Delaminations, cracks and other defects in engineered structures often lie close
to the theoretical resolution limit for ultrasonic waves. While ultrasonic
waveform tomography has succeeded in detecting such features, recovery is
difficult because it requires computationally expensive high-frequency numerical
wave simulations and an accurate understanding of large-scale background
variations of the engineered structure. Without such knowledge, small defects may
be incorrectly imaged or go undetected altogether. To reduce computational cost
and improve detection of small defects, a useful approach is to divide the
waveform tomography procedure into two steps: first, a low-frequency model
building step aimed at recovering background structure, and second, a high
frequency imaging step targeting defects. The first is naturally formulated as
waveform inversion for wavespeed parameters and the second as time reversal
migration for reflectivity. Through synthetic test cases, we show that the two
step workflow appears more promising in most cases than a single-step inversion.
In particular, we find that new workflow succeeds in the challenging scenario
where the defect lies along preexisting layer interface in a composite bridge
deck and in related experiments involving noisy data or inaccurate source
parameters.
PMID- 28988142
TI - Effective and rapid technique for temporal response modeling of surface acoustic
wave interdigital transducers.
AB - Surface Acoustic Wave Interdigital Transducers (SAW-IDT) has a considerable
application potential for characterization of properties of thin layers, coatings
and functional surfaces. For optimization of these SAW-IDTs, it is necessary to
study various SAW-IDT configurations by varying the number of electrodes,
dimensions of the electrodes, their shapes and spacings. The finite element
method (FEM) is generally used to model such transducers but results are obtained
in several hours (or days). Thus it is necessary to implement effective and rapid
technique for SAW-IDT modeling. In this study, we develop simulation tool based
on Spatial Impulse Response model. Therefore, we reduce considerably computing
time and results are obtained in a few seconds. In order to validate this method,
theoretical and experimental results are compared with finite element method. The
results obtained show a good concordance and confirm effectiveness of suggested
method. In additional, this method requires less computer memory.
PMID- 28988143
TI - Fatigue failure load of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass ceramic
cemented to a dentin analogue: Effect of etching time and hydrofluoric acid
concentration.
AB - This study aimed to evaluate the effect of etching time and hydrofluoric acid
(HF) concentration on the fatigue failure load and surface characteristics of
zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass (ZLS) ceramic cemented to a dentin
like, fiber reinforced epoxy resin. Ceramic (Suprinity, VITA) (1.0mm thick) and
epoxy resin (2.5mm thick) discs (10mm diameter) were produced. The bonding
surface of the ceramic samples was nonetched (control group), or etched for 30,
60 or 90s by 5% or 10% HF. The epoxy resin discs were etched by 10% HF for 30s
followed by the application of an adhesive material (Single Bond Universal, 3M
ESPE). Pairs of ceramic/epoxy resin discs were cemented with a dual cure resin
cement. The fatigue failure load was determined by the staircase method (500,000
cycles at 20Hz; initial load = 925N; step size = 45N). In 10% HF the etching time
was shown to influence the fatigue failure load, which increased as the etching
time increased (30s < 60s < 90s), and in 5% HF the fatigue failure load was not
shown to be affected by the etching time; the lowest fatigue failure loads were
produced in the control group without ceramic etching followed by 10% HF acid
etching for 30s. Topography analysis showed variations based on the etching
protocols. All fractures (radial cracks) were shown to originate from defects at
the ceramic surface on the cementing interface. For fatigue loading improvements
of ZLS ceramic, 10% HF acid etching for 90s and silanization of the ceramic
surface is recommended.
PMID- 28988144
TI - Intracelluar delivery of A20 protein inhibits TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB
activation.
AB - A20 (also known as TNFAIP3) is a potent anti-inflammatory protein that suppresses
many intracellular signaling pathways induced by inflammatory cytokines and
bacterial and viral pathogens. The anti-inflammatory function of A20 depends on
its modulation of or binding to polyubiquitin chains on key signaling proteins in
the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway. To test whether A20 can be used as
therapeutic agent in these inflammatory diseases, we prepared a recombinant cell
penetrating form of A20 (TAT-A20) for intracellular delivery and examined its
effect on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha)-induced NF-kappaB activation. We
observed that TAT-A20 was effectively transduced into cells within 30 min,
whereas A20 protein without TAT motive was not. TAT-A20 also inhibited NF-kappaB
induction in fibroblasts stimulated with TNFalpha. These results suggest that
increasing intracellular level of A20 can be an effective means to suppress NF
kappaB activation and treat inflammatory diseases.
PMID- 28988145
TI - Heterologous expression of Homo sapiens alpha-folate receptors in E. coli by
fusion with a trigger factor for enhanced solubilization.
AB - The role of Alpha folate receptors (FRalpha) in folate metabolism and cancer
development has been extensively studied. The reason for this is not only
associated to its direct relation to disease development but also to its
potential use as a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for cancers therapies.
Over the recent years, the crystal structures of human FRalpha complexed with
different ligands were described relying on an expensive and time-consuming
production process. Here, we constructed an efficient system for the expression
and purification of a human FRalpha in E. coli. Unlike a conventional expression
method we used a specific protein fusion expressing the target protein together
with a trigger factor (TF). This factor is a chaperone from E. coli that assists
the correct folding of newly synthesized polypeptide chains. The activity of
rTFFRalpha was comparable to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored proteins
extracted from HeLa tumor cells. Our work demonstrates a straightforward and
versatile approach for the production of active human FRalpha by heterologous
expression; this approach further enhances the development of inhibition studies
and biotechnological applications. The purified product was then conjugated to
liposomes, obtaining a 35% higher signal from densitometry measurement on the
immunoblotting assay in the contruct containing the Ni-NTA tag, as a mimesis of
an exosome, which is of vital importance to nanotherapeutic techniques associated
to treatment and diagnosis of tumors.
PMID- 28988147
TI - Selection bias in ecological studies.
PMID- 28988146
TI - Recombinant production of the insecticidal scorpion toxin BjalphaIT in
Escherichia coli.
AB - Scorpion long-chain insect neurotoxins have important potential application value
in agricultural pest control. The difficulty of obtaining natural toxins is the
major obstacle preventing analyses of their insecticidal activity against more
agricultural insect pests. Here we cloned the insect neurotoxin BjalphaIT gene
into the pET32 expression vector and expressed the resulting thioredoxin (Trx)
BjalphaIT fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Soluble Trx-BjalphaIT was expressed
at a high level when induced at 18 degrees C with 0.1 mM isopropyl beta-d-1
thiogalactopyranoside, and it was purified by Ni2+-nitriloacetic acid affinity
chromatography. After cleaving the Trx tag with recombinant enterokinase, the
digestion products were purified by CM Sepharose FF ion-exchange chromatography,
and 1.5 mg of purified recombinant BjalphaIT (rBjalphaIT) was obtained from 100
ml of induced bacterial cells. Injecting rBjalphaIT induced obvious neurotoxic
symptoms and led to death in locust (Locusta migratoria) larvae. Dietary toxicity
was not observed in locusts. The results demonstrate that active rBjalphaIT could
be obtained efficiently from an E. coli expression system, which is helpful for
determining its insecticidal activity against agricultural insect pests.
PMID- 28988148
TI - The reach, adoption, and effectiveness of online training for healthcare
professionals.
PMID- 28988150
TI - Mesophyll cell ultrastructure of wheat leaves etiolated by lead and selenium.
AB - The ultrastructure of mesophyll cells was studied in leaves of the Triticum
aestivum L. cv. "Trizo" seedlings after two weeks of growth on soil contaminated
by Pb and/or Se. The soil treatments: control; (Pb1) 50mgkg-1; (Pb2) 100mgkg-1;
(Se1) 0.4mgkg-1; (Se2) 0.8mgkg-1; (Pb1+Se1); (Pb1+Se2); (P2+Se1); and (Pb2+Se2)
were used. Light and other conditions were optimal for plant growth. The (Se1)
plants showed enhanced growth and biomass production; (Pb1+Se1)-plants did not
lag behind the controls, though O2 evolution decreased; chlorophyll content did
not differ statistically in these treatments. Other treatments led to
statistically significant growth suppression, chlorophyll content reduction,
inhibition of photosynthesis, stress development tested by H2O2 and leaf
etiolation at the end of 14-days experiment. The tops of etiolated leaves
remained green, while the main leaf parts were visually white. Plastids in
mesophyll cells of etiolated parts of leaves were mainly represented by
etioplasts and an insignificant amount of degraded chloroplasts. Other cellular
organelles remained intact in most mesophyll cells of the plants, except
(Pb2+Se2)-plants. Ruptured tonoplast and etioplast envelope, swelled cytoplasm
and mitochondria, and electron transparent matrix of gialoplasm were observed in
the mesophyll cells at (Pb2+Se2)-treatment, that caused maximal inhibition of
plant growth. The results indicate that Pb and Se effects on growth of wheat
leaves are likely to target meristem in which the development of proplastids to
chloroplasts under the light is determined by chlorophyll biosynthesis.
Antagonistic effect of low concentration of Se and Pb in combination may retard
etiolation process.
PMID- 28988149
TI - Neural dysfunction during temporal discounting in paediatric Attention
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
AB - Both Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder (OCD) are associated with choice impulsivity, i.e. the tendency to
prefer smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards. However, the extent
to which this impulsivity is mediated by shared or distinct underlying neural
mechanisms is unclear. Twenty-six boys with ADHD, 20 boys with OCD and 20 matched
controls (aged 12-18) completed an fMRI version of an individually adjusted
temporal discounting (TD) task which requires choosing between a variable amount
of money now or L100 in one week, one month or one year. Activations to immediate
and delayed reward choices were compared between groups using a three-way ANCOVA.
ADHD patients had steeper discounting rates on the task relative to controls. OCD
patients did not differ from controls or patients with ADHD. Patients with ADHD
and OCD showed predominantly shared activation deficits during TD in fronto
striato-insular-cerebellar regions responsible for self-control and temporal
foresight, suggesting that choice impulsivity is mediated by overlapping neural
dysfunctions in both disorders. OCD patients alone showed dysfunction relative to
controls in right orbitofrontal and rostrolateral prefrontal cortex, extending
previous findings of abnormalities in these regions in OCD to the domain of
choice impulsiveness.
PMID- 28988151
TI - Does a lack of auditory experience affect sequential learning?
AB - To understand the interaction between sensory experiences and cognition, it is
critical to investigate the possibility that deprivation in one sensory modality
might affect cognition in other modalities. Here we are concerned with the
hypothesis that early experience with sound is vital to the development of domain
general sequential processing skills. In line with this hypothesis, a seminal
empirical study found that prelingually deaf children had impaired sequence
learning in the visual modality. In order to assess the limits of this
hypothesis, the current study employed a different visual sequence learning task
in an investigation of prelingually deaf children with cochlear implants and
normal hearing children. Results showed statistically significant learning in
each of the two groups, and no significant difference in the amount of learning
between groups. Moreover, there was no association between the age at which the
child received their implant (and thus access to electric hearing) and their
performance on the sequential learning task. We discuss key differences between
our study and the previous study, and argue that the field must reconsider claims
about domain-general cognitive impairment resulting from early auditory
deprivation.
PMID- 28988152
TI - Acute effects of static stretching on the shear elastic moduli of the medial and
lateral gastrocnemius muscles in young and elderly women.
AB - PURPOSE: Generally, static stretching (SS) is the recommended intervention for a
decline in the range of motion among elderly adults. However, no study has
investigated the acute effects of SS on the shear elastic modulus in elderly
people. The aims of the present study were to investigate the acute effects of SS
on the shear elastic moduli of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles and
to examine the differences in these acute effects between young and elderly
women. METHODS: This study included 15 healthy young women (age: 23.1 +/- 3.4
years) and 15 healthy elderly women (age: 75.9 +/- 2.8 years) with no history of
neuromuscular disease or musculoskeletal injury involving the lower limbs. The
shear elastic moduli of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles (MG and LG,
respectively) were measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography at 30
degrees plantar flexion, 0 degrees , and 20 degrees dorsiflexion before and
immediately after 5 min of SS with the knee extended. RESULTS: The shear elastic
moduli of the MG and LG in all ankle position decreased after SS in both the
young and elderly women, and there were no significant differences in the percent
changes in the shear elastic moduli of the MG and LG at all ankle positions
between the young and elderly women. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that 5
min of SS might be effective for decreasing shear elastic modulus in both young
and elderly women and that the effects on shear elastic modulus are similar
between young and elderly women.
PMID- 28988153
TI - Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of artesunate-polyamine and trioxolane
polyamine conjugates.
AB - A series of artesunate-polyamine and trioxolane-polyamine conjugates have been
prepared. The conjugates were evaluated for antimalarial activity towards the K1
dual drug resistant and NF54 chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium
falciparum (Pf) and for cytotoxicity towards the rat myoblast cell line L6. (Bis)
Boc-(bis)-artesunate-polyamine and (tetra)-artesunate-polyamine conjugates
exhibited potent in vitro activity towards both strains of Pf, with IC50 values
in the range of 0.3-1.1 nM, comparable to the parent artesunate. Cytotoxicity
within this series of analogues typically increased with polyamine (PA) chain
length, identifying the PA3-4-3 (spermine), and to some extent the PA3-7-3
series, as being highly selective towards the parasite. The corresponding series
of (bis)-Boc-(bis)-trioxolane and (tetra)-trioxolane-polyamine conjugates were
less active as antimalarials than the parent trioxolane acid, highlighting the
limitation of using this warhead for drug-conjugate studies. Preliminary in vivo
evaluation of two artesunate-polyamine conjugates 11 and 16 demonstrated 95.5
99.8% reduction in parasitaemia with maximal 30 day survival rates (ip delivery).
Oral testing of 11 proved less efficacious, with 95.7% activity and inconsistent
survival rates of 16-30 days. In contrast, trioxolane-polyamines were
substantially less effective (ip delivery), exhibiting only modest reductions in
parasitaemia and modest to no increase in survival rates.
PMID- 28988154
TI - Checking the detail in retail: Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia on
vegetables sold across different counters in Chandigarh, India.
AB - Fresh produce has been recognized as a vehicle of infection for protozoan
parasites, particularly Cryptosporidium, and, to a lesser extent, Giardia. For
both parasites, outbreaks associated with fresh produce have been documented.
Although documented outbreaks tend to be from industrialized countries,
contamination of fresh produce with these parasites is a global issue. In
developing countries, infections with these parasites are often endemic in the
community, and basic infrastructure and hygiene measures may be inadequate, thus
the likelihood of contamination of fresh produce with these parasites may be
higher. Realization of the importance of this transmission route comes against a
backdrop of raw salads and more Western culinary habits gaining a foothold, and
fresh produce being encouraged as part of the diet due to their associated health
benefits. However, if consumption of uncooked fresh produce is going to increase
its market sector in India, it is important that it is safe. In this study,
various types of fresh produce obtained from three types of vendors in
Chandigarh, a major city in Northern India, were analyzed for contamination with
Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts using a method that has been previously
validated in inter-laboratory spiking experiments. A total of 284 samples of
different fresh produce items were analyzed, obtained from the different
retailers situated in different societal layers of the city. The overall
prevalence of contamination of fresh produce with these parasites was just under
11%, with 6% of the vegetables contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts, and 5%
with Giardia cysts. Contaminated vegetables included turnip, cabbage, carrot,
chili, coriander, cucumber, radishes, and tomatoes. Molecular analyses identified
contamination with Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis of Assemblage A
and Assemblage D, indicating that contamination from animals may be of relevance.
Although the prevalence of contamination is similar to those reported in previous
studies, the levels of contamination on some items of fresh produce were
relatively high. Although the different socioeconomic areas of Chandigarh from
which the samples were obtained was not associated with likelihood of
contamination, fresh produce from supermarkets had heavier contamination with
Cryptosporidium oocysts than fresh produce purchased through other sales outlets.
The results are discussed in relation to the fresh produce chain and sales models
in Chandigarh, both in terms of where contamination may occur and the potential
importance of fresh produce as a transmission vehicle.
PMID- 28988155
TI - Optical and structural investigation on sodium borosilicate glasses doped with
Cr2O3.
AB - In this work, Sodium borosilicate glasses with chemical composition of 60% SiO2
20% B2O3-20%Na2O doped with different contents of Cr2O3 were prepared by melting
quenching method. Physical, structural and optical properties of glasses were
investigated by studying density and molar volume, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT
IR) Spectra and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The results showed an
increase in density of glasses with the increase of Cr2O3 that can be due to
addition of oxide with high molar mass. The optical absorption spectra of un
doped glass reveals UV absorption due to trace iron impurities with no visible
band however Cr2O3 doped glasses shows absorption in visible range that are
characteristic. Increasing of Cr3+ ions in the glassy microstructure of samples
provides a semiconducting character to Sodium borosilicate glass by reducing the
direct and indirect optical band gaps of glass samples from 3.79 to 2.59 (ev) and
3.36 to 2.09 (ev), respectively. These changes could be attributed to the role of
Cr3+ ions as the network former which asserts improvement of semiconducting
behavior in presence of Cr2O3.
PMID- 28988156
TI - Antibiotic efficacy in the complex infection environment.
AB - Accurate prediction of antimicrobial efficacy is essential for successful
treatment of bacterial infection. Beyond genetically encoded mechanisms of
antibiotic resistance, the determinants of antibiotic susceptibility during
infection remain poorly understood, and treatment failure is common. Traditional
antibiotic susceptibility testing fails to account for extrinsic determinants of
antibiotic susceptibility present in the complex infection environment and is
therefore a poor predictor of antibiotic treatment outcome. Here we discuss how
host-pathogen interaction, microbial interspecies interaction, and metabolic
heterogeneity contribute to the success or failure of antibiotic therapy.
Consideration of these factors during the treatment of disease will improve our
ability to successfully resolve recalcitrant bacterial infection and improve
patient health.
PMID- 28988157
TI - Short- and long-term mortality following bleeding events in patients undergoing
percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from four validated bleeding scales
in the CHAMPION trials.
AB - AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of
periprocedural bleeding based on various definitions on 30-day and one-year all
cause mortality in patients undergoing routine or urgent percutaneous coronary
intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: In this exploratory analysis of 25,107
patients enrolled in the three phase-3 CHAMPION trials, we assessed the
prognostic impact of four bleeding scales (GUSTO, TIMI, ACUITY, and BARC) at 48
hrs. Follow-up all-cause mortality data were available at 30 days in all three
trials, and at one year in CHAMPION PCI and CHAMPION PLATFORM. Bleeding rates
within 48 hrs of PCI were variably identified by each clinical definition (range:
<0.5% to >3.5%). Severe/major bleeding, measured by all bleeding scales, and
blood transfusion requirement were independently associated with increased
mortality at 30 days and one year after PCI (p<0.001 for all associations).
Mild/minor bleeding was not independently predictive of one-year mortality
(p>0.07 for all associations). Each bleeding definition demonstrated only modest
ability to discriminate 30-day and one-year mortality (adjusted C-statistics
range: 0.49 to 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Commonly employed clinical definitions
variably identify rates of bleeding after PCI. Severe or major, but not mild or
minor, bleeding is independently associated with increased 30-day and one-year
mortality. These data may aid in selection of appropriate bleeding metrics in
future clinical trials.
PMID- 28988158
TI - Outcomes of oxygen saturation targeting during delivery room stabilisation of
preterm infants.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between SpO2 at 5 min and preterm infant
outcomes. DESIGN: Data from 768 infants <32 weeks gestation from 8 randomised
controlled trials (RCTs) of lower (<=0.3) versus higher (>=0.6) initial
inspiratory fractions of oxygen (FiO2) for resuscitation, were examined. SETTING:
Individual patient analysis of 8 RCTs INTERVENTIONS: Lower (<=0.3) versus higher
(>=0.6) oxygen resuscitation strategies targeted to specific predefined SpO2
before 10 min of age. PATIENTS: Infants <32 weeks gestation. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Relationship between SpO2 at 5 min, death and intraventricular
haemorrhage (IVH) >grade 3. RESULTS: 5 min SpO2 data were obtained from 706 (92%)
infants. Only 159 (23%) infants met SpO2 study targets and 323 (46%) did not
reach SpO280%. Pooled data showed decreased likelihood of reaching SpO280% if
resuscitation was initiated with FiO2 <0.3 (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.21 to 5.74,
p<0.05). SpO2 <80% was associated with lower heart rates (mean difference -8.37,
95% CI -15.73 to -1.01, *p<0.05) and after accounting for confounders, with IVH
(OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.11, p<0.05). Bradycardia (heart rate <100 bpm) at 5
min increased risk of death (OR 4.57, 95% CI 1.62 to 13.98, p<0.05). Taking into
account confounders including gestation, birth weight and 5 min bradycardia, risk
of death was significantly increased with time taken to reach SpO280%.
CONCLUSION: Not reaching SpO280% at 5 min is associated with adverse outcomes,
including IVH. Whether this is because of infant illness or the amount of oxygen
that is administered during stabilisation is uncertain and needs to be examined
in randomised trials.
PMID- 28988159
TI - Chest compression during sustained inflation versus 3:1 chest
compression:ventilation ratio during neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a
randomised feasibility trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Current neonatal resuscitation guidelines recommend 3:1
compression:ventilation (C:V) ratio. Recently, animal studies reported that
continuous chest compressions (CC) during a sustained inflation (SI)
significantly improved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The approach of
CC during SI (CC+SI) has not been examined in the delivery room during neonatal
resuscitation. HYPOTHESIS: It is a feasibility study to compare CC+SI versus 3:1
C:V ratio during neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room. We hypothesised
that during neonatal resuscitation, CC+SI will reduce the time to ROSC. Our aim
was to examine if CC+SI reduces ROSC compared with 3:1 C:V CPR in preterm infants
<33 weeks of gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised feasibility trial. METHOD: Once
CC was indicated all eligible infants were immediately and randomly allocated to
either CC+SI group or 3:1 C:V group. A sequentially numbered, brown, sealed
envelope contained a folded card box with the treatment allocation was opened by
the clinical team at the start of CC. STUDY INTERVENTIONS: Infants in the CC+SI
group received CC at a rate of 90/min during an SI with a duration of 20 s
(CC+SI). After 20 s, the SI was interrupted for 1 s and the next SI was started
for another 20 s until ROSC. Infants in the '3:1 group' received CC using 3:1 C:V
ratio until ROSC. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Overall the mean (SD) time to ROSC was
significantly shorter in the CC+SI group with 31 (9) s compared with 138 (72) s
in the 3:1 C:V group (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: CC+SI is feasible in the delivery
room. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02083705, pre-results.
PMID- 28988161
TI - Should tumbling E go out of date in amblyopia screening? Evidence from a
population-based sample normative in children aged 3-4 years.
AB - AIMS: To determine a normative of tumbling E optotype and its feasibility for
visual acuity (VA) assessment in children aged 3-4 years. METHODS: A cross
sectional study of 1756 children who were invited to participate in a
comprehensive non-invasive eye exam. Uncorrected monocular VA with crowded
tumbling E with a comprehensive ophthalmological examination were assessed.
Testability rates of the whole population and VA of the healthy children for
different age subgroups, gender, school type and the order of testing in which
the ophthalmological examination was performed were evaluated. RESULTS: The
overall testability rate was 95% (92% and 98% for children aged 3 and 4 years,
respectively). The mean VA of the first-day assessment (first-VA) and best-VA
over 2 days' assessments was 0.14 logMAR (95% CI 0.14 to 0.15) (decimal=0.72, 95%
CI 0.71 to 0.73) and 0.13 logMAR (95% CI 0.13 to 0.14) (decimal=0.74, 95% CI 0.73
to 0.74). Analysis with age showed differences between groups in first-VA
(F(3,1146)=10.0; p<0.001; eta2=0.026) and best-VA (F(3,1155)=8.8; p<0.001;
eta2=0.022). Our normative was very highly correlated with previous reported HOTV
Amblyopia-Treatment-Study (HOTV-ATS) (first-VA, r=0.97; best-VA, r=0.99), with
0.8 to 0.7 lines consistent overestimation for HOTV-ATS as described in
literature. Overall false-positive referral was 1.3%, being specially low
regarding anisometropias of >=2 logMAR lines (0.17%). Interocular difference >=1
line VA logMAR was not associated with age (p=0.195). CONCLUSIONS: This is the
first normative for European Caucasian children with single crowded tumbling E in
healthy eyes and the largest study comparing 3 and 4 years old testability.
Testability rates are higher than found in literature with other optotypes,
especially in children aged 3 years, where we found 5%-11% better testability
rates.
PMID- 28988162
TI - Organised screening for cervical cancer in France: a cost-effectiveness
assessment.
AB - OBJECTIVE: According to the third cancer plan, organised screening (OS) of
cervical cancer (CC) among women aged 25-65 years should be implemented in France
in the forthcoming years. The most efficient way to implement OS in the French
healthcare system is yet to be determined. METHODS: A microsimulation model was
developed adopting a collective 'all payers' perspective. A closed cohort of
women eligible for CC screening and representative in terms of age and
participation in individual screening (IndScr) by annual Papanicolaou (Pap)
testing every 3 years was modelled on a lifetime horizon. Different OS
strategies, additive to IndScr with a 61.9% participation rate based on mailed
invitations to non-participant women to perform OS were assessed. Similar
modalities were applied to OS and IndScr participants. Strategies implied
different screening tests (Papanicolaou (Pap) test, human papillomavirus (HPV)
test and p16/Ki67 double staining) and OS periodicity. RESULTS: Compared with
IndScr only, all OS strategies were associated with decreased cancer
incidence/mortality (from 14.2%/13.5% to 22.9%/25.8%). Most strategies generated
extra costs ranging from ?37.9 to ?1607 per eligible woman. HPV testing every 10
and 5 years were cost saving. HPV tests every 10 and 5 years were the most
efficient strategies, generating more survival at lower costs than Pap-based
strategies. Compared to IndScr only, an HPV test every 10 years was cost saving.
The most effective strategies were p16/Ki67 as primary or HPV positive
confirmation tests, with respective incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of ?6
541 250 and ?101 391 per life year. Pap-based strategies generated intermediary
results. CONCLUSION: OS strategies based on the HPV test appear highly efficient.
However, our results rely on the assumption that women and practitioners comply
with the recommended OS periodicities (3, 5, 10 years). Implementing these OS
modalities will require major adaptations to the current CC screening
organisation. Pap test-based strategies might be simpler to setup while preparing
an appropriate implementation of more efficient OS screening modalities.
PMID- 28988160
TI - Effect of MRI on preterm infants and their families: a randomised trial with
nested diagnostic and economic evaluation.
AB - BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that routine MRI would improve the care and
well-being of preterm infants and their families. DESIGN: Parallel-group
randomised trial (1.1 allocation; intention-to-treat) with nested diagnostic and
cost evaluations (EudraCT 2009-011602-42). SETTING: Participants from 14 London
hospitals, imaged at a single centre. PATIENTS: 511 infants born before 33 weeks
gestation underwent both MRI and ultrasound around term. 255 were randomly
allocated (siblings together) to receive only MRI results and 255 only ultrasound
from a paediatrician unaware of unallocated results; one withdrew before
allocation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal anxiety, measured by the State-Trait
Anxiety inventory (STAI) assessed in 206/214 mothers receiving MRI and 217/220
receiving ultrasound. Secondary outcomes included: prediction of
neurodevelopment, health-related costs and quality of life. RESULTS: After MRI,
STAI fell from 36.81 (95% CI 35.18 to 38.44) to 32.77 (95% CI 31.54 to 34.01),
31.87 (95% CI 30.63 to 33.12) and 31.82 (95% CI 30.65 to 33.00) at 14 days, 12
and 20 months, respectively. STAI fell less after ultrasound: from 37.59 (95% CI
36.00 to 39.18) to 33.97 (95% CI 32.78 to 35.17), 33.43 (95% CI 32.22 to 34.63)
and 33.63 (95% CI 32.49 to 34.77), p=0.02. There were no differences in health
related quality of life. MRI predicted moderate or severe functional motor
impairment at 20 months slightly better than ultrasound (area under the receiver
operator characteristic curve (CI) 0.74; 0.66 to 0.83 vs 0.64; 0.56 to 0.72,
p=0.01) but cost L315 (CI L295-L336) more per infant. CONCLUSIONS: MRI increased
costs and provided only modest benefits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT01049594 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01049594. EudraCT: EudraCT:
2009-011602-42 (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/).
PMID- 28988163
TI - High-sensitivity C reactive protein as a predictor of inhospital mortality in
patients with cardiovascular disease at an emergency department: a retrospective
cohort study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether serum high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs
CRP) levels measured in an emergency department (ED) are associated with
inhospital mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). DESIGN: A
retrospective cohort study. SETTING: ED of a teaching hospital in Japan.
PARTICIPANTS: 12 211 patients with CVD aged >=18 years who presented to the ED by
an ambulance between 1 February 2006 and 30 September 2014 were evaluated. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: Inhospital mortality. RESULTS: 1156 patients had died. The
inhospital mortality increased significantly with the hs-CRP levels (<3.0 mg/L:
7.0%, 95% CI 6.4 to 7.6; 3.1-5.4 mg/L: 9.6%, 95% CI 7.9 to 11.3: 5.5-11.5 mg/L:
11.2%, 95% CI 9.4 to 13.0; 11.6-33.2 mg/L: 12.3%, 95% CI 10.5 to 14.1 and >=33.3
mg/L: 19.9%, 95% CI 17.6 to 22.2). The age-adjusted and sex-adjusted HR for total
mortality was increased significantly in the three >=5.5 mg/L groups compared
with the <3.0 mg/L group (5.5-11.5 mg/L: HR=1.32, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.60, p=0.005;
11.6-33.2 mg/L: HR=1.38, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.65, p=0.001 and >=33.3 mg/L: HR=2.15,
95% CI 1.84 to 2.51, p<0.001). Similar findings were observed for the CVD
subtypes of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, cerebral infarction and
intracerebral haemorrhage. This association remained unchanged even after
adjustment for age, sex and white cell count and withstood Bonferroni adjustment
for multiple testing. When the causes of death were divided into primary CVD and
non-CVD deaths, the association between initial hs-CRP levels and mortality
remained significant, but the influence of hs-CRP levels was greater in non-CVD
deaths than CVD deaths. The percentage of non-CVD deaths increased with hs-CRP
levels; among the patients with hs-CRP levels >=33.3 mg/L, non-CVD deaths
accounted for 37.5% of total deaths. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that
increased hs-CRP is a significant risk factor for inhospital mortality among
patients with CVD in an ED. Particular attention should be given to our finding
that non-CVD death is a major cause of death among patients with CVD with higher
hs-CRP levels.
PMID- 28988164
TI - Infant BMI peak as a predictor of overweight and obesity at age 2 years in a
Chinese community-based cohort.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Infant body mass index (BMI) peak has proven to be a useful indicator
for predicting childhood obesity risk in American and European populations.
However, it has not been assessed in China. We characterised infant BMI
trajectories in a Chinese longitudinal cohort and evaluated whether BMI peak can
predict overweight and obesity at age 2 years. METHODS: Serial measurements (n=6
12) of weight and length were taken from healthy term infants (n=2073) in a birth
cohort established in urban Shanghai. Measurements were used to estimate BMI
growth curves from birth to 13.5 months using a polynomial regression model. BMI
peak characteristics, including age (in months) and magnitude (BMI, in kg/m2) at
peak and prepeak velocities (in kg/m2/month), were estimated. The relationship
between infant BMI peak and childhood BMI at age 2 years was examined using
binary logistic analysis. RESULTS: Mean age at peak BMI was 7.61 months, with a
magnitude of 18.33 kg/m2. Boys (n=1022) had a higher average peak BMI (18.60 vs
18.07 kg/m2, p<0.001) and earlier average achievement of peak value (7.54 vs 7.67
months, p<0.05) than girls (n=1051). With 1 kg/m2 increase in peak BMI and 1
month increase in peak time, the risk of overweight at age 2 years increased by
2.11 times (OR 3.11; 95% CI 2.64 to 3.66) and 35% (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.50),
respectively. Similarly, higher BMI magnitude (OR 2.69; 95% CI 2.00 to 3.61) and
later timing of infant BMI peak (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.68) were associated
with an increased risk of childhood obesity at age 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: We have
shown that infant BMI peak is valuable for predicting early childhood overweight
and obesity in urban Shanghai. Because this is the first Chinese community-based
cohort study of this nature, future research is required to examine infant
populations in other areas of China.
PMID- 28988165
TI - Documenting and explaining the HIV decline in east Zimbabwe: the Manicaland
General Population Cohort.
AB - PURPOSE: The Manicaland cohort was established to provide robust scientific data
on HIV prevalence and incidence, patterns of sexual risk behaviour and the
demographic impact of HIV in a sub-Saharan African population subject to a
generalised HIV epidemic. The aims were later broadened to include provision of
data on the coverage and effectiveness of national HIV control programmes
including antiretroviral therapy (ART). PARTICIPANTS: General population open
cohort located in 12 sites in Manicaland, east Zimbabwe, representing 4 major
socioeconomic strata (small towns, agricultural estates, roadside settlements and
subsistence farming areas). 9,109 of 11,453 (79.5%) eligible adults (men 17-54
years; women 15-44 years) were recruited in a phased household census between
July 1998 and January 2000. Five rounds of follow-up of the prospective household
census and the open cohort were conducted at 2-year or 3-year intervals between
July 2001 and November 2013. Follow-up rates among surviving residents ranged
between 77.0% (over 3 years) and 96.4% (2 years). FINDINGS TO DATE: HIV
prevalence was 25.1% at baseline and had a substantial demographic impact with 10
fold higher mortality in HIV-infected adults than in uninfected adults and a
reduction in the growth rate in the worst affected areas (towns) from 2.9% to
1.0%pa. HIV infection rates have been highest in young adults with earlier
commencement of sexual activity and in those with older sexual partners and
larger numbers of lifetime partners. HIV prevalence has since fallen to 15.8% and
HIV incidence has also declined from 2.1% (1998-2003) to 0.63% (2009-2013)
largely due to reduced sexual risk behaviour. HIV-associated mortality fell
substantially after 2009 with increased availability of ART. FUTURE PLANS: We
plan to extend the cohort to measure the effects on the epidemic of current and
future HIV prevention and treatment programmes. Proposals for access to these
data and for collaboration are welcome.
PMID- 28988166
TI - Loneliness and depression among rural empty-nest elderly adults in Liuyang,
China: a cross-sectional study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare loneliness, depressive symptoms and major depressive
episodes between empty-nest and not-empty-nest older adults in rural areas of
Liuyang city, Hunan, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional multi-stage random cluster
survey was conducted from November 2011 to April 2012 in Liuyang, China. A total
of 839 rural older residents aged 60 or above completed the survey (response rate
97.6%). In line with the definition of empty nest, 25 participants who had no
children were excluded from the study, while the remaining 814 elderly adults
with at least one child were included for analysis. Loneliness and depressive
symptoms in rural elderly parents were assessed using the short-form UCLA
Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Major
depressive episodes were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for
DSM-IV (SCID-I). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between empty-nest
and not-empty-nest older adults regarding loneliness (16.19+/-3.90 vs. 12.87+/
3.02, Cohen's d=0.97), depressive symptoms (8.50+/-6.26 vs. 6.92+/-5.19, Cohen's
d=0.28) and the prevalence of major depressive episodes (10.1% vs. 4.6%) (all
p<0.05). After controlling for demographic characteristics and physical disease,
the differences in loneliness, depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes
remained significant. Path analysis showed that loneliness mediated the
relationship between empty-nest syndrome and depressive symptoms and major
depressive episodes. CONCLUSION: Loneliness and depression are more severe among
empty-nest than not-empty-nest rural elderly adults. Loneliness was a mediating
variable between empty-nest syndrome and depression.
PMID- 28988167
TI - Financial incentives to discontinue long-term benzodiazepine use: a discrete
choice experiment investigating patient preferences and willingness to
participate.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Investigate the acceptability of financial incentives for initiating
a medically supervised benzodiazepine discontinuation programme among people with
long-term benzodiazepine use and to identify programme features that influence
willingness to participate. METHODS: We conducted a discrete choice experiment in
which we presented a variety of incentive-based programs to a sample of older
adults with long-term benzodiazepine use identified using the outpatient
electronic health record of a university-owned health system. We studied four
programme variables: incentive amount for initiating the programme, incentive
amount for successful benzodiazepine discontinuation, lottery versus certain
payment and whether partial payment was given for dose reduction. Respondents
reported their willingness to participate in the programmes and additional
information was collected on demographics, history of use and anxiety symptoms.
RESULTS: The overall response rate was 28.4%. Among the 126 respondents, all four
programme variables influenced stated preferences. Respondents strongly preferred
guaranteed cash-based incentives as opposed to a lottery, and the dollar amount
of both the starting and conditional incentives had a substantial impact on
choice. Willingness to participate increased with the amount of conditional
incentive. Programme participation also varied by gender, duration of use and
income. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in an incentive-based benzodiazepine
discontinuation programme might be relatively low, but is modifiable by programme
variables including incentive amounts. These results will be helpful to inform
the design of future trials of benzodiazepine discontinuation programmes. Further
research is needed to assess the financial viability and potential cost
effectiveness of such economic incentives.
PMID- 28988168
TI - How information about overdetection changes breast cancer screening decisions: a
mediation analysis within a randomised controlled trial.
AB - OBJECTIVES: In a randomised controlled trial, we found that informing women about
overdetection changed their breast screening decisions. We now present a
mediation analysis exploring the psychological pathways through which study
participants who received the intervention processed information about
overdetection and how this influenced their decision-making. We examined a series
of potential mediators in the causal chain between exposure to overdetection
information and women's subsequently reported breast screening intentions.
DESIGN: Serial multiple mediation analysis within a randomised controlled trial.
SETTING: New South Wales, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 811 women aged 48-50 years
with no personal history of breast cancer. INTERVENTIONS: Two versions of a
decision aid giving women information about breast cancer deaths averted and
false positives from mammography screening, either with (intervention) or without
(control) information on overdetection. MAIN OUTCOME: Intentions to undergo
breast cancer screening in the next 2-3 years. MEDIATORS: Knowledge about
overdetection, worry about breast cancer, attitudes towards breast screening and
anticipated regret. RESULTS: The effect of information about overdetection on
women's breast screening intentions was mediated through multiple cognitive and
affective processes. In particular, the information led to substantial
improvements in women's understanding of overdetection, and it influenced-both
directly and indirectly via its effect on knowledge-their attitudes towards
having screening. Mediation analysis showed that the mechanisms involving
knowledge and attitudes were particularly important in determining women's
intentions about screening participation. CONCLUSIONS: Even in this emotive
context, new information influenced women's decision-making by changing their
understanding of possible consequences of screening and their attitudes towards
undergoing it. These findings emphasise the need to provide good-quality
information on screening outcomes and to communicate this information
effectively, so that women can make well-informed decisions. TRIAL REGISTRATION
NUMBER: This study was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand
Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12613001035718) on 17 September 2013.
PMID- 28988169
TI - Predicting the hand, foot, and mouth disease incidence using search engine query
data and climate variables: an ecological study in Guangdong, China.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has caused a substantial burden
in China, especially in Guangdong Province. Based on the enhanced surveillance
system, we aimed to explore whether the addition of temperate and search engine
query data improves the risk prediction of HFMD. DESIGN: Ecological study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Information on the confirmed cases of HFMD, climate
parameters and search engine query logs was collected. A total of 1.36 million
HFMD cases were identified from the surveillance system during 2011-2014.
Analyses were conducted at aggregate level and no confidential information was
involved. OUTCOME MEASURES: A seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average
(ARIMA) model with external variables (ARIMAX) was used to predict the HFMD
incidence from 2011 to 2014, taking into account temperature and search engine
query data (Baidu Index, BDI). Statistics of goodness-of-fit and precision of
prediction were used to compare models (1) based on surveillance data only, and
with the addition of (2) temperature, (3) BDI, and (4) both temperature and BDI.
RESULTS: A high correlation between HFMD incidence and BDI (r=0.794, p<0.001) or
temperature (r=0.657, p<0.001) was observed using both time series plot and
correlation matrix. A linear effect of BDI (without lag) and non-linear effect of
temperature (1 week lag) on HFMD incidence were found in a distributed lag non
linear model. Compared with the model based on surveillance data only, the ARIMAX
model including BDI reached the best goodness-of-fit with an Akaike information
criterion (AIC) value of -345.332, whereas the model including both BDI and
temperature had the most accurate prediction in terms of the mean absolute
percentage error (MAPE) of 101.745%. CONCLUSIONS: An ARIMAX model incorporating
search engine query data significantly improved the prediction of HFMD. Further
studies are warranted to examine whether including search engine query data also
improves the prediction of other infectious diseases in other settings.
PMID- 28988170
TI - Effectiveness of the HuCare Quality Improvement Strategy on health-related
quality of life in patients with cancer: study protocol of a stepped-wedge
cluster randomised controlled trial (HuCare2 study).
AB - INTRODUCTION: Our group previously demonstrated the feasibility of the HuCare
Quality Improvement Strategy (HQIS), aimed at integrating into practice six
psychosocial interventions recommended by international guidelines. This trial
will assess whether the introduction of the strategy in oncology wards improves
patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS AND ANALYSIS:
Multicentre, incomplete stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial,
conducted in three clusters of five centres each, in three equally spaced time
epochs. The study also includes an initial epoch when none of the centres are
exposed to the intervention, and a final epoch when all centres will have
implemented the strategy. The intervention is applied at a cluster level, and
assessed at an individual level with cross-sectional model. A total of 720
patients who received a cancer diagnosis in the previous 2 months and about to
start medical treatment will be enrolled. The primary aim is to evaluate the
effectiveness of the HQIS versus standard care in terms of improvement of at
least one of two domains (emotional and social functions) of HRQoL using the
EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality
of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 items) questionnaire, at baseline and at 3 months.
This outcome was chosen because patients with cancer generally exhibit low HRQoL,
particularly at certain stages of care, and because it allows to assess the
strategy's impact as perceived by patients themselves. The HQIS comprises three
phases: (1) clinician training-to improve communication-relational skills and
instruct on the project; (2) centre support-four on-site visits by experts of the
project team, aimed to boost motivation, help with context analysis and
identification of solutions; (3) implementation of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
recommendations at the centre. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics committee review
approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Parma. Results will be
disseminated at conferences, and in peer-reviewed and professional journals
intended for policymakers and managers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03008993;
Pre-results.
PMID- 28988171
TI - Post-trauma coping in the context of significant adversity: a qualitative study
of young people living in an urban township in South Africa.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Compared with knowledge of the post-trauma needs of young people
living in developed countries, little is known about the needs of those in low
middle-income countries. Such information is crucial, particularly as young
people in these environments can be at increased risk of experiencing trauma,
coupled with less available resources for formal support. The aim of this study
was to explore post-trauma coping and support-seeking of young people living in a
high-adversity settlement in South Africa. DESIGN: Semistructured qualitative
interviews analysed using thematic analysis. SETTING: An urban settlement
('township') in Cape Town, South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: 25 young people, aged 13
17 years, who had experienced trauma. Events included serious car accidents,
hearing of a friend's violent death, and rape, and all reported having
experienced multiple traumatic events. All participants identified as black South
African and spoke Xhosa as their first language. RESULTS: Social support was
considered key to coping after trauma, although the focus of the support differed
depending on the source. Parents would most commonly provide practical support,
particularly around safety. Peers often provided an avenue to discuss the event
and young person's emotional well-being more openly. Outside of social support
another key theme was that there were numerous community-level barriers to
participants receiving support following trauma. Many young people continued to
be exposed to the perpetrator of the event, while there was also the realistic
concern around future traumas and safety, community stigma and a perceived lack
of justice. CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into how young people cope
and seek support following trauma when they are living in a context of
significant adversity and risk. Overall, most young people identified helpful
sources of support and thought talking about the event was a useful strategy, but
concerns around safety and trust could impede this process.
PMID- 28988172
TI - Haemodynamic response to crystalloids or colloids in shock: an exploratory
subgroup analysis of a randomised controlled trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare the haemodynamic effect of crystalloids and colloids during
acute severe hypovolaemic shock. DESIGN: Exploratory subgroup analysis of a
multicentre randomised controlled trial (Colloids Versus Crystalloids for the
Resuscitation of the Critically Ill, CRISTAL, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00318942).
SETTING: CRISTAL was conducted in intensive care units in Europe, North Africa
and Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Current analysis included all patients who had a
pulmonary artery catheter in place at randomisation. 220 patients (117 received
crystalloids vs 103 colloids) underwent pulmonary artery catheterisation.
INTERVENTION: Crystalloids versus colloids for fluid resuscitation in
hypovolaemic shock. OUTCOME MEASURES: Haemodynamic data were collected at the
time of randomisation and subsequently on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. RESULTS:
Median cumulative volume of fluid administered during the first 7 days was higher
in the crystalloids group than in the colloids group (3500 (2000-6000) vs 2500
(1000-4000) mL, p=0.01). Patients in the colloids arm exhibited a lower heart
rate over time compared with those allocated to the crystalloids arm (p=0.014).
There was no significant difference in Cardiac Index (p=0.053), mean blood
pressure (p=0.4), arterial lactates (p=0.9) or global Sequential Organ Failure
Assessment score (p=0.3) over time between arms. CONCLUSIONS: During acute severe
hypovolaemic shock, patients monitored by a pulmonary artery catheter achieved
broadly similar haemodynamic outcomes, using lower volumes of colloids than
crystalloids. The heart rate was lower in the colloids arm.
PMID- 28988173
TI - Protocol for the TIDAL Melanoma Study: topical imiquimod or
diphenylcyclopropenone for the management of cutaneous in-transit melanoma
metastases-a phase II, single centre, randomised, pilot study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Patients with in-transit melanoma metastases present a therapeutic
challenge. Complete surgical excision of localised disease is considered as the
gold standard; however, surgery is not always acceptable and alternatives are
required. Treatment results reported using imiquimod and diphenylcyclopropenone
(DPCP) suggest that topical immunotherapies can be used to successfully treat
select patients with melanoma metastases. A phase II, randomised, single centre,
pilot study was designed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of DPCP and
imiquimod for the treatment of superficial, cutaneous in-transit melanoma
metastases. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is an open-label, non-superiority, pilot
study with no treatment cross-over. Eligible patients are randomised in a 1:1
ratio to receive topical therapy for up to 12 months with a minimum follow-up
period of 12 months. The target sample size is 30 patients, with 15 allocated to
each treatment arm. The primary endpoint is the number of patients experiencing a
complete response of treated lesions as determined clinically using Response
Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours. This trial incorporates health-related
quality of life measures and biological tissue collection for further
experimental substudies. The study will also facilitate a health economic
analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval was obtained from the Human Research
Ethics Committee at the participating centre, and recruitment has commenced. The
results of this study will be submitted for formal publication within a peer
reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Prospectively registered on 16
October 2015 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry
(ACTRN12615001088538). This study conforms to WHO Trial Registration Data Set.
PMID- 28988174
TI - The prognostic significance of smoking cessation after acute coronary syndromes:
an observational, multicentre study from the Melbourne interventional group
registry.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We aim to ascertain the prognostic significance of persistent smoking
and smoking cessation after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the era of
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and optimal secondary prevention
pharmacotherapy. METHODS: Consecutive patients from the Melbourne Interventional
Group registry (2005-2013) who were alive at 30 days post-ACS presentation were
included in our observational cohort study. Patients were divided into four
categories based on their smoking status: non-smoker; ex-smoker (quit >1 month
before ACS); recent quitter (smoker at presentation but quit by 30 days) and
persistent smoker (smoker at presentation and at 30 days). The primary endpoint
was survival ascertained through the Australian National Death Index linkage. A
Cox-proportional hazards model was used to estimate the adjusted HR and 95% CI
for survival. RESULTS: Of the 9375 patients included, 2728 (29.1%) never smoked,
3712 (39.6%) were ex-smokers, 1612 (17.2%) were recent quitters and 1323 (14.1%)
were persistent smokers. Cox-proportional hazard modelling revealed, compared
with those who had never smoked, that persistent smoking (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.36 to
2.32, p<0.001) was an independent predictor of increased hazard (mean follow-up
3.9+/-2.2 years) while being a recent quitter (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.68,
p=0.10) or an ex-smoker (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.22, p=0.72) were not.
CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary cohort of patients with ACS, those who continued
to smoke had an 80% risk of lower survival while those who quit had comparable
survival to lifelong non-smokers. This underscores the importance of smoking
cessation in secondary prevention despite the improvement in management of ACS
with PCI and pharmacotherapy.
PMID- 28988175
TI - Assessment of the effects of decision aids about breast cancer screening: a
systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised
controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies is to assess the effect of
decision aids (DAs) in women aged 50 and below facing the decision to be screened
for breast cancer. SETTING: Screening for breast cancer. INTERVENTION: DAs aimed
to help women make a deliberative choice regarding participation in mammography
screening by providing information on the options and outcomes. ELIGIBLE STUDIES:
We included published original, non-pilot, studies that assess the effect of DAs
for breast cancer screening. We excluded the studies that evaluated only
participation intention or actual uptake. The studies' risk of bias was assessed
with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for RCTs and the National Institutes of
Health Quality Assessment Tool for non-RCTs. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: The
main outcome measures were informed choice, decisional conflict and/or
confidence, and knowledge. Secondary outcomes were values, attitudes, uncertainty
and intention to be screened. RESULTS: A total of 607 studies were identified,
but only 3 RCTs and 1 before-after study were selected. The use of DAs increased
the proportion of women making an informed decision by 14%, 95% CI (2% to 27%)
and the proportion of women with adequate knowledge by 12%, 95% CI (7% to 16%).
We observed heterogeneity among the studies in confidence in the decision. The
meta-analysis of the RCTs showed a significant decrease in confidence in the
decision and in intention to be screened. CONCLUSIONS: Tools to aid decision
making in screening for breast cancer improve knowledge and promote informed
decision; however, we found divergent results on decisional conflict and
confidence in the decision. Under the current paradigm change, which favours
informed choice rather than maximising uptake, more research is necessary for the
improvement of DAs.
PMID- 28988176
TI - Implementing communication and decision-making interventions directed at goals of
care: a theory-led scoping review.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To identify the factors that promote and inhibit the implementation
of interventions that improve communication and decision-making directed at goals
of care in the event of acute clinical deterioration. DESIGN AND METHODS: A
scoping review was undertaken based on the methodological framework of Arksey and
O'Malley for conducting this type of review. Searches were carried out in Medline
and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) to identify
peer-reviewed papers and in Google to identify grey literature. Searches were
limited to those published in the English language from 2000 onwards. Inclusion
and exclusion criteria were applied, and only papers that had a specific focus on
implementation in practice were selected. Data extracted were treated as
qualitative and subjected to directed content analysis. A theory-informed coding
framework using Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) was applied to characterise
and explain implementation processes. RESULTS: Searches identified 2619
citations, 43 of which met the inclusion criteria. Analysis generated six themes
fundamental to successful implementation of goals of care interventions: (1)
input into development; (2) key clinical proponents; (3) training and education;
(4) intervention workability and functionality; (5) setting and context; and (6)
perceived value and appraisal. CONCLUSIONS: A broad and diverse literature
focusing on implementation of goals of care interventions was identified. Our
review recognised these interventions as both complex and contentious in nature,
making their incorporation into routine clinical practice dependent on a number
of factors. Implementing such interventions presents challenges at individual,
organisational and systems levels, which make them difficult to introduce and
embed. We have identified a series of factors that influence successful
implementation and our analysis has distilled key learning points, conceptualised
as a set of propositions, we consider relevant to implementing other complex and
contentious interventions.
PMID- 28988177
TI - Fabry disease due to D313Y and novel GLA mutations.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to report four novel alpha-gal A gene (GLA) mutations
resulting in Fabry disease (FD) and provide evidence of pathogenicity of the
D313Y mutation regarding which contradictory data have been presented in the
literature. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five family members of nine
unrelated patients with definite FD diagnosis, 10 clinically suspected cases and
18 members of their families were included in this polycentric cohort study.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Genotyping and measurement of lyso-Gb3
was performed in all individuals. The alpha-Gal A activity was measured in all
men as well as plasma and urine Gb3 concentration in selected cases. Optical and
electron microscopy was performed in kidney biopsies of selected patients. All
the above were evaluated in parallel with the clinical data of the patients.
RESULTS: Fourteen new cases of FD were recognised, four of which were carrying
already described GLA mutations. Four novel GLA mutations, namely c.835C>T,
c.280T>A, c.924A>C and c.511G>A, resulting in a classic FD phenotype were
identified. Moreover, FD was definitely diagnosed in five patients carrying the
D313Y mutation. Eight D313Y carriers were presenting signs of FD despite not
fulfilling the criteria of the disease, two had no FD signs and two others were
apparently healthy. CONCLUSIONS: Four novel GLA pathogenic mutations are reported
and evidence of pathogenicity of the D313Y mutation is provided. It seems that
the D313Y mutation is related to a later-onset milder phenotype than the typical
phenotype with normal lysoGb3 concentration. Our study underlines the
significance of family member genotyping and newborn screening to avoid
misdiagnoses and crucial delays in diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
PMID- 28988178
TI - Effect of socio-demographic factors on the association between multimorbidity and
healthcare costs: a population-based, retrospective cohort study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the attributable costs of multimorbidity and assess
whether the association between the level of multimorbidity and health system
costs varies by socio-demographic factors in young (<65 years) and older (>=65
years) adults living in Ontario, Canada. DESIGN: A population-based,
retrospective cohort study SETTING: The province of Ontario, Canada PARTICIPANTS:
6 639 089 Ontarians who were diagnosed with at least one of 16 selected medical
conditions on 1 April 2009. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: From the perspective of the
publicly funded healthcare system, total annual healthcare costs were derived
from linked provincial health administrative databases using a person-level
costing method. We used generalised linear models to examine the association
between the level of multimorbidity and healthcare costs and the extent to which
socio-demographic variables modified this association. RESULTS: Attributable
total costs of multimorbidity ranged from C$377 to C$2073 for young individuals
and C$1026 to C$3831 for older adults. The association between the degree of
multimorbidity and healthcare costs was significantly modified by age (p<0.001),
sex (p<0.001) and neighbourhood income (p<0.001) in both age groups, and the
positive association between healthcare costs and levels of multimorbidity was
statistically stronger for older than younger adults. For individuals aged 65
years or younger, the increase in healthcare costs was more gradual in women than
in their male counterparts, however, for those aged 65 years or older, the
increase in healthcare costs was significantly greater among women than men.
Lastly, we also observed that the positive association between the level of
multimorbidity and healthcare costs was significantly greater at higher levels of
marginalisation. CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic factors are important effect
modifiers of the relationship between multimorbidity and healthcare costs and
should therefore be considered in any discussion of the implementation of
healthcare policies and the organisation of healthcare services aimed at
controlling healthcare costs associated with multimorbidity.
PMID- 28988179
TI - Associations of perceived interparental relationship, family harmony and family
happiness with smoking intention in never-smoking Chinese children and
adolescents: a cross-sectional study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of perceived interparental relationship,
family harmony and family happiness with smoking intention in never-smoking
Chinese children and adolescents in Hong Kong. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS:
Cross-sectional surveys of 15 753 primary (grades 4-6) and 38 398 secondary
(grades 7-12) never-smoking students from 71 to 75 randomly selected primary and
secondary schools in Hong Kong, 2012-2013. MEASUREMENTS: Outcome variable was
smoking intention which denoted any affirmative response to smoke within the
coming year or when a cigarette was offered by a good friend. Exposure variables
were perceived interparental relationship and family harmony each measured on a
five-point scale from 'very good' to 'very bad' and perceived family happiness on
a four-point scale from 'very happy' to 'not happy at all'. Potential confounders
included age, sex, family structure, perceived family affluence, parental smoking
and sibling smoking. RESULTS: In primary students, the adjusted ORs (AORs) (95%
CI) of smoking intention generally increased with more negative perception of the
family relationship: up to 3.67 (1.91 to 7.05) for interparental relationship,
7.71 (4.38 to 13.6) for family harmony and 5.40 (3.41 to 8.55) for family
happiness. For secondary students, the corresponding AORs (95% CI) were 2.15
(1.64 to 2.82) for interparental relationship, 2.98 (2.31 to 3.84) for family
harmony and 2.61 (1.80 to 3.79) for family happiness. All p for trend <0.001.
CONCLUSIONS: More negatively perceived interparental relationship, family harmony
and family happiness were associated with higher odds of smoking intention with
dose-response relationships in never-smoking Chinese children and adolescents in
Hong Kong. Children's perception of their family relationship may be an important
intervening point for preventing youth from initiating smoking.
PMID- 28988180
TI - Are there any differences between different testing sites? A cross-sectional
study of a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service for men who have sex with
men.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To describe a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service targeting
men who have sex with men (MSM). DESIGN AND SETTING: After the HIV testing
consultation, all users of the HIV testing service were invited to answer the
study questionnaire. The study setting included the sites where testing was
performed, that is, the testing service's office in Oslo, cruising areas,
bars/clubs and in hotels in other Norwegian cities. PARTICIPANTS: MSM users of
the testing service. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected
on demographics, HIV testing and sexual behaviour as well as the participant's
motivations for choosing to take an HIV test at this low-threshold HIV testing
service. The data are stratified by testing site. RESULTS: 1577 HIV testing
consultations were performed, the study sample consisted of 732 MSM users. 11
tested positive for HIV. 21.7% had a non-western background, 27.1% reported
having a non-gay sexual orientation. 21.9% had 10 or more male sexual partners
during the last year, 27.9% reported also having had a female sexual partner.
56.4% reported having practised unprotected anal intercourse during the last 6
months. 20.1% had never tested for HIV before. Most of these user characteristics
varied by testing sites. CONCLUSIONS: The Norwegian low-threshold testing service
recruits target groups that are otherwise hard to reach with HIV testing. This
may indicate that the testing service contributes to increase HIV testing rates
among MSM in Norway.
PMID- 28988181
TI - Search for unpublished data by systematic reviewers: an audit.
AB - OBJECTIVES: We audited a selection of systematic reviews published in 2013 and
reported on the proportion of reviews that researched for unpublished data,
included unpublished data in analysis and assessed for publication bias. DESIGN:
Audit of systematic reviews. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE In
Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013
for the following journals: Journal of the American Medical Association, The
British Medical Journal, Lancet, Annals of Internal Medicine and the Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews. We also searched the Cochrane Library and
included 100 randomly selected Cochrane reviews. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Systematic
reviews published in 2013 in the selected journals were included. Methodological
reviews were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers independently
reviewed each included systematic review. The following data were extracted:
whether the review searched for grey literature or unpublished data, the sources
searched, whether unpublished data were included in analysis, whether publication
bias was assessed and whether there was evidence of publication bias. MAIN
FINDINGS: 203 reviews were included for analysis. 36% (73/203) of studies did not
describe any attempt to obtain unpublished studies or to search grey literature.
89% (116/130) of studies that sought unpublished data found them. 33% (68/203) of
studies included an assessment of publication bias, and 40% (27/68) of these
found evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSION: A significant fraction of
systematic reviews included in our study did not search for unpublished data.
Publication bias may be present in almost half the published systematic reviews
that assessed for it. Exclusion of unpublished data may lead to biased estimates
of efficacy or safety in systematic reviews.
PMID- 28988182
TI - Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure and pulmonary function: a cross-sectional study
among non-smoking employees of bar and restaurants in Santiago, Chile.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The workplace remains a significant source of secondhand smoke
(SHS) exposure. This pollutant is known to be associated with respiratory and
cardiovascular problems, but its effects on specific pulmonary function
parameters remain largely unexplored. The objectives of this study were to
measure SHS exposure among non-smoking employees of bar and restaurants in
Santiago, Chile and to evaluate the effects of such exposure on pulmonary
function. METHODS: Cross-sectional design. The study sample included non-smoking
workers from 57 restaurants and bars in Santiago, Chile. The outcome variable was
pulmonary function and the exposure variables were urine cotinine concentration,
a biomarker for current SHS exposure, and years of SHS exposure in the workplace
as proxy of chronic exposure. Personal and occupational variables were also
recorded. Data analysis was performed using linear regression models adjusted by
confounders. RESULTS: The median age of the workers was 35 years and the median
employment duration at the analysed venues was 1 year. Workers in smoking
facilities reported greater SHS exposure (36 hours per week) than workers in
smoke-free locations (4 hours per week). Urine cotinine levels were inversely
correlated with forced vital capacity, but the finding was not statistically
significant (beta=-0.0002; 95% CI -0.007 to 0.006). Years of exposure to SHS
showed to be significantly associated with forced expiratory flow25/75 (beta=
0.006; 95% CI -0.010 to -0.0004). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that
cumulative exposure to SHS at work may contribute to deterioration of pulmonary
function in non-smoking employees.
PMID- 28988183
TI - Neurological outcome after minimal invasive coronary artery surgery (NOMICS):
protocol for an observational prospective cohort study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Adverse neurocognitive outcomes are still an important cause of
morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. The most common neurocognitive
disorders after conventional cardiac surgery are postoperative cognitive
dysfunction (POCD), stroke and delirium. Minimal invasive cardiac procedures have
recently been introduced into practice. Endoscopic coronary artery bypass
grafting (Endo-CABG) is a minimal invasive cardiac procedure based on the
conventional CABG procedure. Neurocognitive outcome after minimal invasive
cardiac surgery, including Endo-CABG, has never been studied. Therefore, the main
objective of this study is to examine neurocognitive outcome after Endo-CABG.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will perform a prospective observational cohort study
including 150 patients. Patients are categorised into three groups: (1) patients
undergoing Endo-CABG, (2) patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary
intervention and (3) a healthy volunteer group. All patients in the Endo-CABG
group will be treated following a uniform, standardised protocol. To assess
neurocognitive outcome after surgery, a battery of six neurocognitive tests will
be administered at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. In the Endo-CABG group, a
neurological examination will be performed at baseline and postoperatively and
delirium will be scored at the intensive care unit. Quality of life (QOL),
anxiety and depression will be assessed at baseline and at 3-month follow-up.
Satisfaction with Endo-CABG will be assessed at 3-month follow-up. Primary
endpoints are the incidence of POCD, stroke and delirium after Endo-CABG.
Secondary endpoints are QOL after Endo-CABG, patient satisfaction with Endo-CABG
and the incidence of anxiety and depression after Endo-CABG. ETHICS AND
DISSEMINATION: The neurological outcome after minimal invasive coronary artery
surgery study has received approval of the Jessa Hospital ethics board. It is
estimated that the trial will be executed from December 2016 to January 2018,
including enrolment and follow-up. Analysis of data, followed by publication of
the results, is expected in 2018. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02979782.
PMID- 28988184
TI - Influence of frailty in older patients undergoing emergency laparotomy: a UK
based observational study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) has reported that
older patients (>=65 years) form a large percentage of emergency high-risk cases
with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. With the population
continuing to age rapidly, it is clear that a greater understanding of the
factors affecting surgical outcomes in older patients is required. Frailty is a
relatively new concept taking into account a variety of factors that increase an
individual's vulnerability to increased dependency and death. Research has
suggested that high frailty scores increase postoperative complications, length
of stay and mortality but the majority of these studies have been carried out on
elective patients. Knowledge of how frailty affects patients in an emergency
setting would aid clinicians' and patients' decision-making process. METHODS AND
ANALYSIS: This multicentre study will include consecutive adult patients aged 65
years and over undergoing emergency laparotomies over a 3-month period at 52
National Health Service hospitals across the UK. The primary outcome will be 90
day mortality. Secondary outcomes will include length of hospital stay, 30-day
complications, change in level of independence and 30-day readmission. This study
has been powered to detect a 10% change in mortality associated with frailty
(n=500 patients). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the
National Health Service Research Ethics Committee. It has been registered
centrally with HRA for English sites, NRSPCC for Scottish sites and Health and
Care Research Permissions Service for sites in Wales.Dissemination will be via
international and national surgical and geriatric conferences. In addition,
manuscripts will be prepared following the close of the project. TRIAL
REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study is also registered online at
www.clinicaltrials.gov (registration number NCT02952430).
PMID- 28988185
TI - Longer-term needs of stroke survivors with communication difficulties living in
the community: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To review and synthesise qualitative literature relating to the longer
term needs of community dwelling stroke survivors with communication difficulties
including aphasia, dysarthria and apraxia of speech. DESIGN: Systematic review
and thematic synthesis. METHOD: We included studies employing qualitative
methodology which focused on the perceived or expressed needs, views or
experiences of stroke survivors with communication difficulties in relation to
the day-to-day management of their condition following hospital discharge. We
searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, International
Bibliography of the Social Sciences and AMED and undertook grey literature
searches. Studies were assessed for methodological quality by two researchers
independently and the findings were combined using thematic synthesis. RESULTS:
Thirty-two studies were included in the thematic synthesis. The synthesis reveals
the ongoing difficulties stroke survivors can experience in coming to terms with
the loss of communication and in adapting to life with a communication
difficulty. While some were able to adjust, others struggled to maintain their
social networks and to participate in activities which were meaningful to them.
The challenges experienced by stroke survivors with communication difficulties
persisted for many years poststroke. Four themes relating to longer-term need
were developed: managing communication outside of the home, creating a meaningful
role, creating or maintaining a support network and taking control and actively
moving forward with life. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the experiences of stroke
survivors with communication difficulties is vital for ensuring that longer-term
care is designed according to their needs. Wider psychosocial factors must be
considered in the rehabilitation of people with poststroke communication
difficulties. Self-management interventions may be appropriate to help this
subgroup of stroke survivors manage their condition in the longer-term; however,
such approaches must be designed to help survivors to manage the unique
psychosocial consequences of poststroke communication difficulties.
PMID- 28988186
TI - How do general practitioners put preventive care recommendations into practice? A
cross-sectional study in Switzerland and France.
AB - OBJECTIVES: We previously identified that general practitioners (GPs) in French
speaking regions of Europe had a variable uptake of common preventive
recommendations. In this study, we describe GPs' reports of how they put
different preventive recommendations into practice. DESIGN, SETTING AND
PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2015 in Switzerland and France.
3400 randomly selected GPs were asked to complete a postal (n=1100) or online
(n=2300) questionnaire. GPs who exclusively practiced complementary and
alternative medicine were not eligible for the study. 764 GPs (response rate:
postal 47%, online 11%) returned the questionnaire (428 in Switzerland and 336 in
France). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We investigated how the GPs performed five
preventive practices (screening for dyslipidaemia, colorectal and prostate
cancer, identification of hazardous alcohol consumption and brief intervention),
examining which age group they selected, the screening frequency, the test they
used, whether they favoured shared decision for prostate cancer screening and
their definition of hazardous alcohol use. RESULTS: A large variability was
observed in the way in which GPs provide these practices. 41% reported screening
yearly for cholesterol, starting and stopping at variable ages. 82% did not use
any test to identify hazardous drinking. The most common responses for defining
hazardous drinking were, for men, >=21 drinks/week (24%) and >=4 drinks/occasion
for binge drinking (20%), and for women, >=14 drinks/week (28%) and >=3
drinks/occasion (21%). Screening for colorectal cancer, mainly with colonoscopy
in Switzerland (86%) and stool-based tests in France (93%), was provided every 10
years in Switzerland (65%) and 2 years in France (91%) to patients between 50
years (87%) and 75 years (67%). Prostate cancer screening, usually with shared
decision (82%), was provided yearly (62%) to patients between 50 years (74%) and
75-80 years (32%-34%). CONCLUSIONS: The large diversity in the way these
practices are provided needs to be addressed, as it could be related to some
misunderstandingof the current guidelines, to barriers for guideline uptake or,
more likely, to the absence of agreement between the various recommendations.
PMID- 28988187
TI - Changes in UK ophthalmology surgical training: analysis of cumulative surgical
experience 2009-2015.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in the patterns of cumulative surgical
experience for ophthalmologists in the UK following the introduction of a new
national training scheme. DESIGN: Retrospective review of all surgical training
records submitted to the UK Royal College of Ophthalmologists by trainees for the
award of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) for the period 2009-2015.
SETTING: Secondary level care, UK. PARTICIPANTS: 539 trainees achieving CCT over
the 7-year study period. INTERVENTIONS: Higher specialist training or
ophthalmology specialist training. OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of CCT awards by
years and procedures performed for cataract surgery, strabismus, corneal grafts,
vitreoretinal (VR) procedures, oculoplastics and glaucoma. RESULTS: Cataract
surgical experience showed little change with median number performed/performed
supervised (P/PS) 592, IQR: 472-738; mean: 631. Similarly, the median number of
strabismus (P/PS 34), corneal grafts (assisted, 9) and VR procedures (assisted,
34) appeared constant. There was a trend towards increasing surgical numbers for
oculoplastics (median 116) and glaucoma (57). Overall case numbers for ophthalmic
specialist training (OST) trainees (7-year training programme) were higher than
higher surgical training (HST) trainees (4.5-year programme) with the exception
of squint (P/PS), corneal grafts (P/PS) and VR cases (P/PS). CONCLUSIONS: Overall
case numbers reported at time of CCT application appear stable or with a marginal
trend towards increasing case numbers. HST (4.5-year programme) case numbers do
not include those performed before entry to HST, and although case numbers tended
to be higher for OST trainees (7-year programme) compared with HST trainees, they
were not proportionately so.
PMID- 28988188
TI - Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infestation in a child presenting with symptoms
of acute appendicitis: a wriggly tale!
AB - Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency worldwide. However, it
can still present a challenging diagnosis especially in the young, elderly and
those individuals of reproductive age, thus encompassing a wide spectrum of
varied clinical presentations. Parasitic infections of the appendix are a rare
cause of acute appendicitis. However, they must be considered in children
presenting with abdominal pain. We report a case of Enterobius vermicularis
infestation mimicking the features of acute appendicitis in a 10-year-old girl.
This case is a cautionary reminder of the importance of considering E.
vermicularis infestation in children presenting with abdominal pain, but who do
not have a significantly raised white cell count or high Alvarado scores. A
history of anal pruritus is the most characteristic symptom, but the parasites
can cause severe abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis. Prompt recognition and a
high clinical index of suspicion are required to prevent an unnecessary
appendicectomy. Caution is advised when performing a laparoscopic appendectomy,
as in our case, to prevent contamination of the peritoneum. This infestation is
easily treatable with mebendazole.
PMID- 28988189
TI - Recurrent chylothorax: a clinical mystery.
AB - Chylothorax is an unusual cause of pleural effusion, typically caused by trauma
or malignancy. Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a clinicopathological
entity demonstrating lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma in the bone marrow with an IgM
monoclonal gammopathy in the blood. Recurrent chylous effusions are often
resistant to conservative treatment and may require surgical intervention. We
present a unique case of a 50-year-old woman with recurrent chylothorax secondary
to WM that completely resolved with ibrutinib therapy. To our knowledge, this is
the eighth such case reported in literature and the first case of successful
resolution of chylothorax with monoclonal antibody therapy.
PMID- 28988190
TI - The outcome of patients in traumatic cardiac arrest presenting to deployed
military medical treatment facilities: data from the UK Joint Theatre Trauma
Registry.
AB - BACKGROUND: The UK military was continuously engaged in armed conflict in Iraq
and Afghanistan between 2003 and 2014, resulting in 629 UK fatalities. Traumatic
cardiac arrest (TCA) is a precursor to traumatic death, but data on military
outcomes are limited. In order to better inform military treatment protocols, the
aim of this study was to define the epidemiology of TCA in the military
population with a particular focus on survival rates and injury patterns.
METHODS: A retrospective database analysis of the UK Joint Theatre Trauma
Registry was undertaken. Patients who were transported to a UK deployed hospital
between 2003 and 2014 and suffered TCA were included. Those patients injured by
asphyxiation, electrocution, burns without other significant trauma and drowning
were excluded. Data included mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS),
Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) for each body region and survival to deployed
(Role 3) field hospital discharge. RESULTS: 424 TCA patients were identified
during the study period; median age was 23 years, with a median ISS of 45. The
most common mechanism of injury was explosive (55.7%), followed by gunshot wound
(38.9%), road traffic collision (3.5%), crush (1.7%) and fall (0.2%). 45 patients
(10.6% (95% CI 8.0% to 13.9%)) survived to deployed (Role 3) hospital discharge.
The most prevalent body region with a severe to maximum AIS injury was the head,
followed by the lower limbs, thorax and abdomen. Haemorrhage secondary to
abdominal and lower limb injury was associated with survival; traumatic brain
injury was associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that short
term survival from TCA in a military population is 10.6%. With appropriate and
aggressive early management, although unlikely, survival is still potentially
possible in military patients who suffer traumatic cardiac arrest.
PMID- 28988191
TI - Pathways between depression, substance use and multiple sex partners among
Northern and Indigenous young women in the Northwest Territories, Canada: results
from a cross-sectional survey.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Sexual and mental health disparities exist in the Northwest
Territories (NWT) compared with other Canadian regions. STI rates are 10-fold
higher, and youth suicide rates double the Canadian average. Scant research has
examined associations between mental and sexual health among youth in the NWT.
The study objective was to explore pathways from depression to multiple sex
partners (MSP) among young women in the NWT, Canada. METHODS: We implemented a
cross-sectional survey in 2015-2016 with a venue-based recruitment sample of
young women aged 13-17 attending secondary schools in 17 NWT communities. We
conducted path analysis to test a conceptual model examining associations between
depression and a history of MSP, examining substance use and peer support as
mediators. RESULTS: Participants (n=199; mean age: 13.8, SD: 1.27) mostly
identified were Indigenous (n=154; 77.4%) and one-fifth (n=39; 20.5%) were
sexually diverse/non-heterosexual. Almost two-thirds (n=119; 63.3%) reported
depression symptoms. One-quarter (n=53; 26.6%) were currently dating, and 16.1%
(n=32) reported a lifetime history of >1 sex partner (classified as having MSP).
There was no direct effect between depression and MSP (beta=0.189, p=0.087, 95%
CI 0.046 to 0.260). Depression had a direct effect on substance use (beta=0.023,
p<0.050, 95% CI 0.118 to 0.500), and an indirect effect on MSP through substance
use (beta=0.498, SE=0.10, p<0.001, 95% CI 0.141 to 0.280). Depression was
associated with lower peer support (beta=-0.168, p<0.010, 95% CI -0.126 to
0.280); peer support was not associated with MSP (beta=-0.158, p=0.130, 95% CI
0.126 to 0.001). CONCLUSION: This research is among the first to identify mental
health factors associated with STI vulnerability among young women in the NWT.
Findings demonstrate the importance of addressing depression and substance use in
sexual health interventions in Northern contexts.
PMID- 28988192
TI - Single-pulse CO2 laser treatment of paraurethral duct dilatation following
gonococcal inflammation of the paraurethral glands in men.
PMID- 28988193
TI - Using the eSexual Health Clinic to access chlamydia treatment and care via the
internet: a qualitative interview study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We developed the eSexual Health Clinic (eSHC), an innovative, complex
clinical and public health intervention, embedded within a specialist sexual
health service. Patients with genital chlamydia access their results online and
are offered medical management via an automated online clinical consultation,
leading to antibiotic collection from community pharmacy. A telephone helpline,
staffed by Sexual Health Advisers, is available to support patients and direct
them to conventional services if appropriate. We sought to understand how
patients used this ehealth intervention. METHODS: Within exploratory studies of
the eSHC (2014-2015), we conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of
36 patients diagnosed with chlamydia, who had chosen to use the eSHC (age 18-35,
20 female, 16 male). Thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Participants
described choosing to use this ehealth intervention to obtain treatment rapidly,
conveniently and privately, within busy lifestyles that hindered clinic access.
They described completing the online consultation promptly, discreetly and with
ease. The information provided online was considered comprehensive, reassuring
and helpful, but some overlooked it in their haste to obtain treatment.
Participants generally described being able to collect treatment from pharmacies
discreetly and promptly, but for some, poor awareness of the eSHC by pharmacy
staff undermined their ability to do this. Those unsuitable for remote
management, who were directed to clinic, described frustration and concern about
health implications and clinic attendance. However, the helpline was a highly
valued source of information, assistance and support. CONCLUSION: The eSHC is a
promising adjunct to traditional care. Its users have high expectations for
convenience, speed and privacy, which may be compromised when transitioning from
online to face-to-face elements of the eSHC. Managing expectations and improving
implementation of the pharmacy process, could improve their experiences. Positive
views on the helpline provide further support for embedding this ehealth
intervention within a specialist clinical service.
PMID- 28988194
TI - Observational study of the populations accessing rapid point-of-care HIV testing
in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, through a retrospective chart review of site
records.
AB - OBJECTIVES: HIV point-of-care testing (POCT) has been available in Manitoba since
2008. This study evaluated the effectiveness of POCT at identifying individuals
with previously unknown HIV status, its effects on clinical outcomes and the
characteristics of the populations reached. METHODS: A retrospective database
review was conducted for individuals who received HIV POCT from 2011 to 2014.
Time to linkage to care and viral load suppression were compared between
individuals who tested positive for HIV using POCT and controls identified as
positive through standard screening. Testing outcomes for labouring women with
undocumented HIV status accessing POCT during labour were also assessed. RESULTS:
3204 individuals received POCT (1055 females (32.9%) and 2149 males (67.1%)),
being the first recorded HIV test for 2205 (68.8%). Males were more likely to be
targeted with POCT as their first recorded HIV test (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.40).
Between the two main test sites (Main Street Project (MSP) and Nine Circles
Community Health Centre), MSP tested relatively fewer males (AOR 0.79) but a
higher proportion of members of all age groups over 30 years old (AOR 1.83, 2.51
and 3.64 for age groups 30-39, 40-49 and >50, respectively). There was no
difference in time to linkage to care (p=0.345) or viral load suppression
(p=0.405) between the POCT and standard screening cohorts. Of 215 women
presenting in labour with unknown HIV status, one was identified as HIV positive.
CONCLUSIONS: POCT in Manitoba has been successful at identifying individuals with
previously unknown HIV-positive status. Demographic differences between the two
main testing sites support that this intervention is reaching unique populations.
Given that we observed no significant difference in time to clinical outcomes, it
is reasonable to continue using POCT as a targeted intervention. MESH TERMS: HIV
infection; rapid HIV testing; vertical infectious disease transmission; community
outreach; service delivery; marginalised populations.
PMID- 28988195
TI - EUS-guided fine needle biopsy of pancreatic masses can yield true histology.
PMID- 28988196
TI - The oral microbiota in colorectal cancer is distinctive and predictive.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Microbiota alterations are linked with colorectal cancer
(CRC) and notably higher abundance of putative oral bacteria on colonic tumours.
However, it is not known if colonic mucosa-associated taxa are indeed orally
derived, if such cases are a distinct subset of patients or if the oral
microbiome is generally suitable for screening for CRC. METHODS: We profiled the
microbiota in oral swabs, colonic mucosae and stool from individuals with CRC (99
subjects), colorectal polyps (32) or controls (103). RESULTS: Several oral taxa
were differentially abundant in CRC compared with controls, for example,
Streptococcus and Prevotellas pp. A classification model of oral swab microbiota
distinguished individuals with CRC or polyps from controls (sensitivity: 53%
(CRC)/67% (polyps); specificity: 96%). Combining the data from faecal microbiota
and oral swab microbiota increased the sensitivity of this model to 76% (CRC)/88%
(polyps). We detected similar bacterial networks in colonic microbiota and oral
microbiota datasets comprising putative oral biofilm forming bacteria. While
these taxa were more abundant in CRC, core networks between pathogenic, CRC
associated oral bacteria such as Peptostreptococcus, Parvimonas and Fusobacterium
were also detected in healthy controls. High abundance of Lachnospiraceae was
negatively associated with the colonisation of colonic tissue with oral-like
bacterial networks suggesting a protective role for certain microbiota types
against CRC, possibly by conferring colonisation resistance to CRC-associated
oral taxa and possibly mediated through habitual diet. CONCLUSION: The
heterogeneity of CRC may relate to microbiota types that either predispose or
provide resistance to the disease, and profiling the oral microbiome may offer an
alternative screen for detecting CRC.
PMID- 28988199
TI - Spatial distribution of pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions before and after
pedestrian countdown signal installation in Toronto, Canada.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pedestrian countdown signals (PCS) have been installed in many cities
over the last 15 years. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of PCS on
pedestrian motor vehicle collisions (PMVC). This exploratory study compared the
spatial patterns of collisions pre and post PCS installation at PCS intersections
and intersections or roadways without PCS in Toronto, and examined differences by
age. METHODS: PCS were installed at the majority of Toronto intersections from
2007 to 2009. Spatial patterns were compared between 4 years of police-reported
PMVC prior to PCS installation to 4 years post installation at 1864
intersections. The spatial distribution of PMVC was estimated using kernel
density estimates and simple point patterns examined changes in spatial patterns
overall and stratified by age. Areas of higher or lower point density pre to post
installation were identified. RESULTS: There were 14 911 PMVC included in the
analysis. There was an overall reduction in PMVC post PCS installation at both
PCS locations and non-PCS locations, with a greater reduction at non-PCS
locations (22% vs 1%). There was an increase in PMVC involving adults (5%) and
older adults (9%) at PCS locations after installation, with increased adult PMVC
concentrated downtown, and older adult increases occurring throughout the city
following no spatial pattern. There was a reduction in children's PMVC at both
PCS and non-PCS locations, with greater reductions at non-PCS locations (35% vs
48%). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the effects of PCS on PMVC may vary by
age and location, illustrating the usefulness of exploratory spatial data
analysis approaches in road safety. The age and location effects need to be
understood in order to consistently improve pedestrian mobility and safety using
PCS.
PMID- 28988197
TI - Vonoprazan prevents ulcer recurrence during long-term NSAID therapy: randomised,
lansoprazole-controlled non-inferiority and single-blind extension study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To assess the non-inferiority of vonoprazan to lansoprazole for
secondary prevention of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced
peptic ulcer (PU) and the safety of vonoprazan during extended use. DESIGN: A
phase 3, 24-week, multicenter, randomised, double-blind (DB), active-controlled
study, followed by a phase 3, >=28 week, multicenter, single-blind, parallel
group extension study (EXT) in outpatients (n=642) receiving long-term NSAID
therapy who are at risk of PU recurrence. The patients received vonoprazan (10 mg
or 20 mg) or lansoprazole 15 mg once daily. For DB, non-inferiority of the
proportion of patients with recurrent PU within 24 weeks was analysed by
Farrington and Manning test (significance level 2.5%, non-inferiority margin
8.3%; primary endpoint), recurrent PU within 12 weeks, bleeding and time-to-event
of PU (secondary endpoint) and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). For
EXT, TEAEs (primary endpoint), recurrent PU and safety (secondary) were assessed
up to 104 weeks for patients in the extension study. RESULTS: The non-inferiority
of vonoprazan 10 mg and 20 mg to lansoprazole 15 mg was verified (percentage
difference -2.2%,95% CI -6.2% to 1.8%, p<0.001; -2.1%,95% CI -6.1% to 2.0%,
p<0.001, respectively). The proportion of patients with endoscopically confirmed
recurrent PU within 24 weeks was 3.3%, 3.4% and 5.5%, for vonoprazan 10 mg, 20 mg
and lansoprazole 15 mg, respectively. No significant safety concerns were
identified. CONCLUSION: The non-inferiority of vonoprazan (10 and 20 mg) was
verified in patients receiving long-term NSAIDs in DB; it was effective and well
tolerated in EXT for longer than 1 year, with a safety profile similar to
lansoprazole (15 mg). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT01452750, NCT01456260;
Results.
PMID- 28988198
TI - Wide-field endoscopic mucosal resection versus endoscopic submucosal dissection
for laterally spreading colorectal lesions: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost-effectiveness of endoscopic submucosal dissection
(ESD) and wide-field endoscopic mucosal resection (WF-EMR) for removing large
sessile and laterally spreading colorectal lesions (LSLs) >20 mm. DESIGN: An
incremental cost-effectiveness analysis using a decision tree model was performed
over an 18-month time horizon. The following strategies were compared: WF-EMR,
universal ESD (U-ESD) and selective ESD (S-ESD) for lesions highly suspicious for
containing submucosal invasive cancer (SMIC), with WF-EMR used for the remainder.
Data from a large Western cohort and the literature were used to inform the
model. Effectiveness was defined as the number of surgeries avoided per 1000
cases. Incremental costs per surgery avoided are presented. Sensitivity and
scenario analyses were performed. RESULTS: 1723 lesions among 1765 patients were
analysed. The prevalence of SMIC and low-risk-SMIC was 8.2% and 3.1%,
respectively. Endoscopic lesion assessment for SMIC had a sensitivity and
specificity of 34.9% and 98.4%, respectively. S-ESD was the least expensive
strategy and was also more effective than WF-EMR by preventing 19 additional
surgeries per 1000 cases. 43 ESD procedures would be required in an S-ESD
strategy. U-ESD would prevent another 13 surgeries compared with S-ESD, at an
incremental cost per surgery avoided of US$210 112. U-ESD was only cost-effective
among higher risk rectal lesions. CONCLUSION: S-ESD is the preferred treatment
strategy. However, only 43 ESDs are required per 1000 LSLs. U-ESD cannot be
justified beyond high-risk rectal lesions. WF-EMR remains an effective and safe
treatment option for most LSLs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02000141.
PMID- 28988200
TI - Supporting injury prevention research: taking stock and moving forward.
PMID- 28988201
TI - What matters, when, for whom? three questions to guide population health
scholarship.
PMID- 28988202
TI - Neighbourhood social trust and youth perceptions of safety during daily
activities.
AB - Exposure to adverse neighbourhood conditions can negatively impact adolescent
well-being and perceived safety. However, the impact of neighbourhood social
trust on perceived safety is largely unknown. We studied 139 adolescent men to
investigate how their perceptions of safety varied as a function of social trust
levels in the neighbourhoods they traversed; neighbourhoods that were not
necessarily their own. Adolescents mapped their minute-by-minute activities over
a recent day and rated their perceived safety on a 10-point scale during in
person interviews. Neighbourhood social trust was measured via a citywide random
sample survey. Mixed effects regression showed that, compared with their safety
perceptions when in areas of low social trust, older adolescents were 73% more
likely to feel unsafe when in areas of medium social trust, and 89% more likely
to feel unsafe when in areas of high social trust. Inverse relationships between
neighbourhood social trust and adolescents' perceived safety highlight the
complex interplay between youth, environmental contexts and safety.
PMID- 28988203
TI - Firearms training: what is actually taught?
AB - INTRODUCTION: Firearm safety instructors and public health professionals are
natural allies in the quest to prevent firearm injuries. We audited basic firearm
classes to provide information that can help familiarise public health
professionals and others with the content covered. METHODS: With the advice of
expert instructors, we created an audit form. Volunteers audited 20 basic firearm
classes in seven north-eastern states. RESULTS: All trainers covered a wide
variety of safety issues. Some specific basics were covered in 90+% of the
classes, including how to safely load/unload a gun, keeping your finger off the
trigger until ready to shoot, and being aware of your target and what is behind
it. In 50%-75% of the classes, the trainer covered topics such as operating a
safety, clearing jams and cartridge malfunctions, and recommended storing guns
unloaded and locked when not in use. Few instructors covered firearm suicide
prevention (10%) or domestic violence (10%). Most encouraged gun ownership, gun
carrying, gun use in self-defence and membership in a gun rights group.
DISCUSSION: From a public health standpoint, we would like to see more
instructors covering topics such as firearm suicide and alternatives to gun use
in self-defence, and to recommend safer storage of firearms.
PMID- 28988204
TI - Effect of bisphosphonates on knee replacement surgery.
AB - PURPOSE: Bone remodelling as a therapeutic target in knee osteoarthritis (OA) has
gained much interest, but the effects of antiresorptive agents on knee OA have
been conflicting, with no studies to date examining the effects of bisphosphonate
use on the clinically relevant endpoint of knee replacement (KR) surgery.
METHODS: We used data from The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a general
practitioner electronic medical records representative of the general UK
population. We identified older women who had initiated bisphosphonate use after
their incident knee OA diagnosis. Each bisphosphonate initiator was propensity
score-matched with a non-initiator within each 1-year cohort accrual block. The
effect of bisphosphonates on the risk of KR was assessed using Cox proportional
hazard regression. Sensitivity analyses to address residual confounding were also
conducted. RESULTS: We identified 2006 bisphosphonate initiators, who were
matched to 2006 non-initiators(mean age 76, mean body mass index 27), with mean
follow-up time of 3 years. The crude incidence rate of KR was 22.0 per 1000
person-years among the initiators, and 29.1 among the non-initiators.
Bisphosphonate initiators had 26% lower risk of KR than non-initiators(HR 0.74,
95% CI 0.59 to 0.93); these results were similar when additionally adjusted for
potential confounders in the propensity score (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.95).
Results of sensitivity analyses supported this protective effect. CONCLUSIONS: In
this population-based cohort of older women with incident knee OA, those with
incident bisphosphonate users had lower risk of KR than non-users of
bisphosphonates, suggesting a potential beneficial effect of bisphosphonates on
knee OA.
PMID- 28988205
TI - Response to: 'Spontaneous hypertensive rat exhibits bone and meniscus phenotypes
of osteoarthritis: is it an appropriate control for MetS-associated OA?' by Chan
and Wen.
PMID- 28988206
TI - Cigarette smoking and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus, overall and by
anti-double stranded DNA antibody subtype, in the Nurses' Health Study cohorts.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune
disease, subtyped according to clinical manifestations and autoantibodies.
Evidence concerning cigarette smoking and SLE risk has been conflicting. We
investigated smoking and SLE risk, overall and by anti-double stranded DNA
(dsDNA) presence, in two prospective cohort studies. METHODS: The Nurses' Health
Study (NHS) enrolled 121 701 US female nurses in 1976; Nurses' Health Study II
(NHSII) enrolled 116 430 in 1989. Lifestyle, environmental and medical data were
collected through biennial questionnaires. Incident SLE was confirmed by medical
record review. Cox regression models estimated HRs of SLE, overall and by dsDNA
subtype, in association with time-varying smoking status and cumulative smoking
pack-years through the 2-year cycle prior to diagnosis, controlling for potential
confounders. RESULTS: Among 286 SLE cases identified (159 in NHS (1978-2012) and
127 in NHSII (1991-2013)), mean age was 49.2 (10.3) years and 42% were dsDNA+ at
SLE diagnosis. At baseline, 45% of women had ever smoked, 51% of whom currently
smoked. Compared with never smokers, current smokers had increased dsDNA+ SLE
risk (HR 1.86 (1.14-3.04)), whereas past smokers did not (HR 1.31 (0.85-2.00)).
Women who smoked >10 pack-years (vs never) had an elevated dsDNA+ SLE risk (HR
1.60(95% CI 1.04 to 2.45)) compared with never smokers. No associations were
observed between smoking status or pack-years and overall SLE or dsDNA- SLE.
CONCLUSION: Strong and specific associations of current smoking and >10 pack
years of smoking with dsDNA+ SLE were observed. This novel finding suggests
smoking is involved in dsDNA+ SLE pathogenesis.
PMID- 28988207
TI - Leg lean mass correlates with exercise systemic output in young Fontan patients.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We previously described lower leg lean mass Z-scores (LLMZ) in Fontan
patients associated with worse peak oxygen consumption on metabolic exercise
testing. We hypothesised that LLMZ correlates with indexed systemic flow (Qsi)
and cardiac index (CI) on exercise cardiac magnetic resonance (eCMR). METHODS:
Thirteen patients had LLM measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry within
mean 40 (range 0-258) days of eCMR. LLM was converted to sex and race-specific Z
scores based on healthy reference data. Ventricular volumes and flow measurements
of the ascending and descending (DAO) aorta and superior vena cava (SVC) were
obtained by CMR at rest and just after supine ergometer exercise to a heart rate
associated with anaerobic threshold on prior exercise test. Baseline and peak
exercise measures of Qsi (SVC+DAO/BSA) and CI, as well as change in Qsi and CI
with exercise, were compared with LLMZ by linear regression. RESULTS: LLMZ was
not correlated with resting flows, stroke volume or CI. There was a strong linear
correlation between LLMZ and change in both CI (r=0.77, p=0.002) and Qsi (r=0.73,
p=0.005) from rest to exercise. There was also a significant correlation between
LLMZ and Qsi at exercise (r=0.70, p=0.008). The correlation between LLMZ and CI
at exercise did not reach significance (r=0.3, p=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In our
cohort, there was a strong linear correlation between LLMZ and change in both CI
and Qsi from rest to exercise, suggesting that Fontan patients with higher LLMZ
may be better able to augment systemic output during exercise, improving
performance.
PMID- 28988208
TI - Meta-analyses of incomplete trial datasets: unreliable and potentially
misleading.
PMID- 28988209
TI - Forced air warming during sedation in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory: a
randomised controlled trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Forced air warming (FAW) during general anaesthesia is a safe and
effective intervention used to reduce hypothermia. The objective of this study
was to determine if FAW reduces hypothermia when used for procedures performed
with sedation in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. METHODS: A parallel
group randomised controlled trial was conducted. Adults receiving sedation in a
cardiac catheterisation laboratory at two sites were randomised to receive FAW or
usual care, which involved passive warming with heated cotton blankets.
Hypothermia, defined as a temperature less than 36 degrees C measured with a
sublingual digital thermometer after procedures, was the primary outcome. Other
outcomes were postprocedure temperature, shivering, thermal comfort and major
complications. RESULTS: A total of 140 participants were randomised. Fewer
participants who received FAW were hypothermic (39/70, 56% vs 48/69, 70%,
difference 14%; adjusted RR 0.75, 95% CI=0.60 to 0.94), and body temperature was
0.3 degrees C higher (95% CI=0.1 to 0.5, p=0.004). FAW increased thermal comfort
(63/70, 90% vs51/69, 74% difference 16%, RR 1.21, 95% CI=1.04 to 1.42). The
incidence of shivering was similar (3/69, 4% vs 0/71 0%, difference 4%, 95% CI=
1.1 to 9.8). One patient in the control group required reintervention for
bleeding. No other major complications occurred. CONCLUSION: FAW reduced
hypothermia and improved thermal comfort. The difference in temperature between
groups was modest and less than that observed in previous studies where use of
FAW decreased risk of surgical complications. Therefore, it should not be
considered clinically significant. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
ACTRN12616000013460.
PMID- 28988210
TI - An unusual echo after ventricular tachycardia ablation.
PMID- 28988212
TI - Updated 2017 European and American guidelines for prosthesis type and
implantation mode in severe aortic stenosis.
PMID- 28988213
TI - Management of pneumatosis intestinalis in children over the age of 6 months: a
conservative approach.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is an uncommon and poorly understood
condition. Although it can be an incidental finding in asymptomatic individuals,
it can also be secondary to life-threatening bowel ischaemia and sepsis. In
premature infants, it is a pathognomonic sign of necrotising enterocolitis. There
is no consensus regarding management and long-term outcome of children with PI.
AIM: Review of our experience of PI in children beyond the early infantile
period. METHODS: Retrospective review of patient's records and radiological
images from 2013 to 2015. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (three girls) had
radiologically confirmed PI. The median age was 4.5 years (range 8 months-13
years). Background medical conditions (number): short bowel syndrome (one),
congenital heart disease (two), sickle cell disease (one), epilepsy (three),
cerebral palsy (six), myotonic dystrophy (four) and peroxisomal biogenesis defect
(one).Six children (33%) presented with abdominal distension, four (22%) with
abdominal pain, three (17%) with bilious vomiting, two (11%) with diarrhoea and
one (6%) with rectal bleeding. Two (11%) were asymptomatic. One had air in portal
vein and two had pneumoperitoneum.All patients with symptomatic PI were treated
conservatively with successful outcome and complete resolution of PI. None
required surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: PI in children who are not on
chemotherapy or immunosuppressant appears to follow a benign course and is
responsive to conservative management. In contrast to adults, portal venous gas
and pneumoperitoneum do not predict the need for surgical intervention.
PMID- 28988211
TI - Menopausal age, postmenopausal hormone therapy and incident atrial fibrillation.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Limited data exist on the association between menopause and atrial
fibrillation (AF). We sought to examine the relationship between menopausal age,
postmenopausal hormone therapy (PHT) use and incident AF. METHODS: The Women's
Health Study (WHS) enrolled 39 876 female health professionals between 1992 and
1995. We prospectively examined 30 034 women in WHS using Cox proportional-hazard
models. Participants were free of cardiovascular disease and AF at baseline and
had not undergone hysterectomy without bilateral oophorectomy prior to menopause.
Incident AF was confirmed by medical record review. RESULTS: At baseline, median
age was 53 years (IQR 49-60), median menopausal age was 50 years (IQR 46-52) and
14 415 (48.0%) had prior PHT use. Over a median follow-up of 20.5 years, 1350 AF
events occurred. In multivariable analysis, relative hazards for AF were lower
among women with younger age at menopause but did not differ significantly from
women with the oldest menopausal age (<45: HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.02; 45-49:
HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.08; 50-54: HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.06; >54 years:
referent). Use of oestrogen-alone PHT, but not oestrogen and progesterone, was
independently associated with AF risk (HR 1.22; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.45 vs HR 1.04;
95% CI 0.86 to 1.26). This relationship was not attenuated by intermediary
cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: In this large prospective study, menopausal
age was not significantly related to incident AF, while use of oestrogen
monotherapy was associated with increased AF risk. Our findings suggest a
pathophysiological link between unopposed oestrogen exposure and AF in women.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT000000479; Post-results.
PMID- 28988214
TI - Integrating primary eye care into global child health policies.
AB - Globally, approximately 75% of blind children live in low-income countries
(LICs). Almost half of blindness and low vision in LICs is due to avoidable
causes such as corneal scarring from measles infection, vitamin A deficiency
disorders, use of harmful traditional eye remedies, ophthalmia neonatorum and
cataract.
PMID- 28988215
TI - Biosimilar infliximab use in paediatric IBD.
AB - BACKGROUND: Biosimilar infliximab became available in the UK in 2015. Paediatric
experience to date on its use is limited. We prospectively evaluated the safety
and efficacy of biosimilar infliximab (Remsima) in two paediatric
gastroenterology networks in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS:
Prospective clinical data were collected from laboratory reports, electronic
patient records and case notes of 40 patients starting Remsima for the first
time. Disease activity scores together with blood and stool biomarkers were used
to assess response. RESULTS: Our data set highlights that Remsima was associated
with a significant clinical and biochemical improvement (p<0.01 or less for all
parameters assessed) in Crohn's disease post induction. There were no significant
safety issues noted. The total cost saving was L47 800, representing a 38%
reduction from originator. CONCLUSION: We found that biosimilar infliximab is as
effective as originator infliximab and its use is associated with significant
cost savings.
PMID- 28988216
TI - Efficacy and treatment costs of zoledronate versus pamidronate in paediatric
osteoporosis.
AB - Intravenous pamidronate has been used in the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta
(OI) in children for over 20 years. The more potent zoledronate is an attractive
alternative as it is administered less frequently. This study compares the
clinical efficacy of intravenous pamidronate (1.5 mg/kg/day over 2 days, every 3
months) versus zoledronate (0.05 mg/kg/dose every 6 months) in 40 children (20
per group) with mild to moderate OI and the treatment costs of the two drugs in a
tertiary centre for children with osteoporosis. Lumbar spine bone mineral density
and fracture rate did not differ between drug groups following 1 and 2 years of
treatment, respectively. Total cost per treatment course per patient was L1157
for pamidronate and L498 for zoledronate. Therefore, zoledronate is a
considerably cheaper alternative to pamidronate with comparable efficacy,
resulting in substantial annual savings for healthcare providers and a more
convenient option for patients due to fewer hospital visits.
PMID- 28988217
TI - Population-level impact of infant 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination on
adult pneumonia hospitalisations in Finland.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Limited data are available on population-level herd effects of
infant 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) programmes on pneumonia.
We assessed national trends in pneumococcal and all-cause pneumonia
hospitalisations in adults aged >=18 years, before and after infant PCV10
introduction in 2010. METHODS: Monthly hospitalisation rates of International
Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10)-coded primary
discharge diagnoses compatible with pneumonia from 2004-2005 to 2014-2015 were
calculated with population denominators from the population register. Trends in
pneumonia before and after PCV10 introduction were assessed with interrupted time
series analysis. Rates during the PCV10 period were estimated from adjusted
negative binomial regression model and compared with those projected as
continuation of the pre-PCV10 trend. All-cause hospitalisations were assessed for
control purposes. RESULTS: Before PCV10, the all-cause pneumonia rate in adults
aged >=18 years increased annually by 2.4%, followed by a 4.7% annual decline
during the PCV10 period. In 2014-2015, the overall all-cause pneumonia
hospitalisation rate was 109.3/100 000 (95% CI 96.5 to 121.9) or 15.4% lower than
the expected rate. A significant 6.7% decline was seen in persons aged >=65 years
(131.5/100 000), which translates to 1456 fewer pneumonia hospitalisations
annually. In comparison, hospitalisations other than pneumonia decreased by 3.5%
annually throughout the entire study period. CONCLUSION: These national data
suggest that herd protection from infant PCV10 programme has reversed the
increasing trend and substantially decreased all-cause pneumonia hospitalisations
in adults, particularly the elderly.
PMID- 28988218
TI - Prediction of long-term outcome subtypes in ARDS: first steps towards
personalised medicine in critical care.
PMID- 28988219
TI - Differences in levels of albumin, ALT, AST, gamma-GT and creatinine in frail,
moderately healthy and healthy elderly individuals.
AB - BACKGROUND: Reference intervals are widely used as decision tools, providing the
physician with information about whether the analyte values indicate ongoing
disease process. Reference intervals are generally based on individuals without
diagnosed diseases or use of medication, which often excludes elderly. The aim of
the study was to assess levels of albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine and gamma-glutamyl transferase
(gamma-GT) in frail, moderately healthy and healthy elderly indivuduals. METHODS:
Blood samples were collected from individuals >80 years old, nursing home
residents, in the Elderly in Linkoping Screening Assessment and Nordic Reference
Interval Project, a total of 569 individuals. They were divided into three
cohorts: frail, moderately healthy and healthy, depending on cognitive and
physical function. Albumin, ALT, AST, creatinine and gamma-GT were analyzed using
routine methods. RESULTS: Linear regression predicted factors for 34% of the
variance in albumin were activities of daily living (ADL), gender, stroke and
cancer. ADLs, gender and weight explained 15% of changes in ALT. For AST levels,
ADLs, cancer and analgesics explained 5% of changes. Kidney disease, gender, Mini
Mental State Examination (MMSE) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
explained 25% of the variation in creatinine levels and MMSE explained three per
cent of gamma-GT variation. CONCLUSIONS: Because a group of people are at the
same age, they should not be assessed the same way. To interpret results of
laboratory tests in elderly is a complex task, where reference intervals are one
part, but far from the only one, to take into consideration.
PMID- 28988220
TI - Laboratory performance of sweat conductivity for the screening of cystic
fibrosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: There are several complementary English-language guidelines for the
performance of the sweat chloride test. These guidelines also incorporate
information for the collection of conductivity samples. However, recommendations
for the measurement and reporting of sweat conductivity are less clear than for
sweat chloride. The aim of the study was to develop an understanding of the
testing and reporting practices of sweat conductivity in Australasian
laboratories. METHODS: A survey specifically directed at conductivity testing was
sent to the 12 laboratories registered with the Royal College of Pathologists of
Australasia Quality Assurance Programs. RESULTS: Nine (75%) laboratories
participated in the survey, seven of whom used Wescor Macroduct(r) for collecting
sweat and the Wescor SWEAT.CHEKTM for conductivity testing, and the remaining two
used the Wescor Nanoduct(r). There was considerable variation in frequency and
staffing for this test. Likewise, criteria about which patients it was
inappropriate to test, definitions of adequate collection sweat rate, cutoffs and
actions recommended on the basis of the result showed variations between
laboratories. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in sweat conductivity testing and reporting
reflect many of the same issues that were revealed in sweat chloride test audits
and have the potential to lead to uncertainty about the result and the proper
action in response to the result. We recommend that sweat testing guidelines
should include clearer statements about the use of sweat conductivity.
PMID- 28988221
TI - Cocos nucifera water improves metabolic functions in offspring of high fat diet
fed Wistar rats.
AB - BACKGROUND: Maternal high fat diet has been implicated in the aetiology of
metabolic diseases in their offspring. The hypolipidaemic actions of Cocos
nucifera water improve metabolic indices of dams consuming a high fat diet during
gestation. This study investigated the effects of C. nucifera water on metabolism
of offspring of dams exposed to high fat diet during gestation. METHODS: Four
groups of pregnant Wistar rat dams (n=6) were treated orally from Gestation Day
(GD) 1 to GD 21 as follows: standard rodent feed+10 mL/kg distilled water
(Control), standard rodent feed+10 mL/kg C. nucifera water, high fat feed+10
mL/kg distilled water (high fat diet), and high fat feed+10 mL/kg C. nucifera
water (high fat diet+C. nucifera water). The feeds were given ad libitum and all
dams received standard rodent feed after parturition. Fasting blood glucose was
measured in offspring before being euthanized on Postnatal Day (PND) 120. Serum
insulin, leptin, lipid profile and liver enzymes were measured. RESULTS: Serum
total cholesterol (TC), insulin, alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline
phosphatase levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in high fat diet
offspring compared with controls. Similar changes were not observed in high fat
diet+C. nucifera water offspring. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the adverse
effects of maternal high fat diet on offspring's metabolism can be ameliorated by
C. nucifera water.
PMID- 28988222
TI - An isobolographic analysis of the anti-nociceptive effect of geraniin in
combination with morphine or diclofenac.
AB - BACKGROUND: Geraniin, a dehydroellagitannin, is a major component of the aqueous
extract of the aerial parts of Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Exell.
(Euphorbiaceae). Several Phyllanthus species are traditionally used for painful
disorders. The anti-nociceptive effects of the aqueous extract of the aerial
parts of P. muellerianus and of geraniin have been scientifically established.
The aim of the paper is to determine whether a combination of geraniin and
diclofenac or geraniin and morphine leads to better anti-nociceptive effects.
METHODS: The nature of the interactions of morphine and diclofenac with geraniin
was evaluated by undertaking the isobolographic analysis. Mice were treated with
geraniin (3-30 mg/kg), morphine (1-10 mg/kg), and diclofenac (10-100 mg/kg) to
obtain the ED50 values of the agents in the formalin test. Dose-response curves
were then obtained and analyzed after the co-administration of geraniin with
morphine or diclofenac in fixed ratio (1:1) combinations based on specific
fractions (1/2, 1/4, and 1/8) of their respective ED50 values for the formalin
test. RESULTS: Geraniin was less potent than morphine but more potent than
diclofenac in the formalin-induced nociception. The isobolographic analysis of
geraniin/morphine (G/M) and geraniin/diclofenac combinations (G/D) at different
fractions revealed the potentiation of their anti-nociceptive effects. The
degrees of potentiation, which were calculated as interaction indices, showed
synergism for both combinations in both phase I (G/M: 0.040, G/D: 0.017) and
phase II (G/M: 0.004, G/D: 0.002) of the formalin test. CONCLUSIONS: The present
study demonstrates synergism for the co-administration of geraniin with both
morphine and diclofenac.
PMID- 28988223
TI - Makorin ring finger 3 gene analysis in Koreans with familial precocious puberty.
AB - BACKGROUND: Precocious puberty is known as an idiopathic, sporadic disease.
Recently, specific mutations have been shown to cause familial central precocious
puberty (CPP). The makorin ring finger 3 (MKRN3) gene plays a key role in
puberty; loss-of-function mutations in the gene trigger familial CPP. To date,
most described patients have been Western; few Asians with CPP have been
documented. OBJECTIVE: To identify MKRN3 gene mutations or polymorphisms in
Korean patients with familial CPP. METHODS: 26 patients with CPP and their
parents (total 13 families) were recruited. We measured endocrine and auxological
parameters, and sequenced all MKRN3 exons. RESULTS: We found no MKRN3 mutations.
Two MKRN3 exon polymorphisms were identified. The g.23566445 C/T polymorphism was
found in eight families; a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) g.23567001
A/C was found in one family. These variants are synonymous SNPs; their functional
roles remain unknown. CONCLUSIONS: MKRN3 mutation is uncommon in Korean patients
with familial CPP. Ethnic variation in the MKRN3 mutational status is thus
evident.
PMID- 28988224
TI - Oral health status of children with type 1 diabetes: a comparative study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the oral health status of
children with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls. METHODS: This comparative
study involved 64 children, 32 children with type 1 diabetes and 32 age- and
gender-matched controls. Oral health examination was conducted using WHO
criteria. Dental caries experience was recorded using DMFT/dmft index and
periodontal parameters were assessed using plaque, gingivitis, gingival bleeding
and calculus indexes. Dental caries and periodontal parameters between the two
groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Children with
diabetes exhibited significantly greater plaque deposits (p=0.01) and a higher
mean plaque index (p<0.01), when compared to healthy subjects. No significant
difference in DMFT and dmft scores, mean bleeding index, calculus index and
gingival index was found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Children with type
1 diabetes had a poor oral health status with greater plaque accumulation than
children without diabetes.
PMID- 28988225
TI - Persistent de Quervain tenosynovitis induced by somatotropin treatment.
AB - BACKGROUND: Growth hormone deficiency is a well-known clinical entity that is
usually treated with somatotropin (growth hormone). Growth hormone has some
frequent side effects such as intracranial hypertension, lymphedema and diabetes
mellitus. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 14-year-old girl with a
history of wrist pain and clumsiness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed de
Quervain tenosynovitis. The patient had a history of using growth hormones for 12
months. We conservatively managed the patient with corticosteroid injections and
oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and followed the course. However, the
conservative treatment methods failed, and we recommended surgery, which was
rejected. She was given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and was followed up
for 2 years, at the end of which her visual analog scale had decreased from 80 to
50. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of de
Quervain tenosynovitis related to somatotropin treatment. Physicians should
consider the possibility of musculoskeletal side effects after somatotropin
treatment.
PMID- 28988226
TI - Severe complications after initial management of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar
syndrome and diabetic ketoacidosis with a standard diabetic ketoacidosis
protocol.
AB - Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) is a clinical entity not identical to
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and with a markedly higher mortality. Children with
HHS can also present with concomitant DKA. Patients with HHS (with or without
DKA) are profoundly dehydrated but often receive inadequate fluid resuscitation
as well as intravenous insulin therapy based on traditional DKA protocols, and
this can lead to devastating consequences. In this article, we briefly review HHS
along with a report of an adolescent who presented with HHS and DKA and was
initially managed as DKA. She went into hypotensive shock and developed severe,
multiorgan failure. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of HHS and
its differences from DKA in terms of initial management is crucial to guide
management and improve outcomes. Additionally, fluid therapy in amounts
concordant with the degree of dehydration remains the mainstay therapy.
PMID- 28988227
TI - Thyroid hormone levels in late preterm, early term and term infants: a study with
healthy neonates revealing reference values and factors affecting thyroid
hormones.
AB - BACKGROUND: Thyroid function tests in neonates have been challenging to interpret
because their levels are affected by several neonatal and delivery-related
factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate reference values of thyroxine (T4)
and thyrotropin (TSH) levels in different gestational age groups and to
demonstrate the affect of perinatal factors on thyroid hormones. METHODS: Medical
records of 7616 neonates whose gestational age ranges between 34 and 42 weeks
were analyzed retrospectively. Gender, mode of delivery, gestational age,
postnatal age and birth weight were noted together with TSH and T4 levels.
RESULTS: Gestational age (r=0.14, p<0.001) and birth weight (r=0.12, p<0.001) had
positive correlation with T4 levels, whereas they had no effect on TSH levels.
Males had higher TSH and lower T4 levels (p=0.001 for both) compared with
females. T4 levels of babies born via vaginal delivery were lower than the ones
born via cesarean section (p=0.01). Multivariable analysis yielded gestational
age as the only factor affecting T4 levels (p<0.001). T4 and TSH levels based on
2.5-97.5 percentile cutoffs according to gestational age were presented.
CONCLUSIONS: The thyroid hormone ranges given in this study can help
pediatricians to interpret the thyroid hormone results with ease.
PMID- 28988228
TI - The relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and small intestinal
bacterial overgrowth among overweight and obese children and adolescents.
AB - BACKGROUND: The increasing rate of obesity and overweight among children has
highlighted nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the most common cause of
chronic pediatric liver diseases. There are many publications supporting the idea
that gut microbiota is altered in NAFLD. The aim of this study was to evaluate
the prevalence of NAFLD among overweight and obese children with and without
small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) compared to a control group and to
assess if intestinal dysbiosis represents a risk factor for NAFLD. METHODS: One
hundred and twenty-five overweight and obese children aged 10-18 years and 120
controls matched for age and gender were enrolled. SIBO was assessed by glucose
hydrogen breath test (GHBT) in all subjects. NAFLD was assessed in all children
using abdominal imaging and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Of 125 obese children
enrolled, 47 (37.6%) presented intestinal dysbiosis and 78 (62.4%) were SIBO
negative. Only four (3.3%) controls were SIBO positive. NAFLD was detected in
28/47 (59.5%) of the SIBO positive obese group, compared to 8/78 (10.2%) of the
SIBO negative obese group (p<0.001) and 0/120 (0%) controls (p<0.001). Children
from the SIBO positive obese group had higher rates of elevated aminotransferases
levels: aspartate aminotransferases (ASAT) (53.1% vs. 6.4%; p<0.001) and alanine
aminotransferase (ALAT) (59.5% vs. 7.6%; p<0.001), hypertension (23.4% vs. 5.1%;
p=0.002) and metabolic syndrome (44.6% vs. 9%; p=0.002) compared to the SIBO
negative obese group. CONCLUSIONS: Obese children with SIBO have an increased
risk for developing NAFLD. The relationship between intestinal dysbiosis and diet
can influence the gut-liver axis.
PMID- 28988229
TI - Studying Kidney Disease Using Tissue and Genome Engineering in Human Pluripotent
Stem Cells.
AB - Kidney morphogenesis and patterning have been extensively studied in animal
models such as the mouse and zebrafish. These seminal studies have been key to
define the molecular mechanisms underlying this complex multistep process. Based
on this knowledge, the last 3 years have witnessed the development of a cohort of
protocols allowing efficient differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells
(hPSCs) towards defined kidney progenitor populations using two-dimensional (2D)
culture systems or through generating organoids. Kidney organoids are three
dimensional (3D) kidney-like tissues, which are able to partially recapitulate
kidney structure and function in vitro. The current possibility to combine state
of-the art tissue engineering with clustered regularly interspaced short
palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated systems 9 (Cas9)-mediated genome
engineering provides an unprecedented opportunity for studying kidney disease
with hPSCs. Recently, hPSCs with genetic mutations introduced through CRISPR/Cas9
mediated genome engineering have shown to produce kidney organoids able to
recapitulate phenotypes of polycystic kidney disease and glomerulopathies. This
mini review provides an overview of the most recent advances in differentiation
of hPSCs into kidney lineages, and the latest implementation of the CRISPR/Cas9
technology in the organoid setting, as promising platforms to study human kidney
development and disease.
PMID- 28988230
TI - Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule-1 but Not Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated
Lipocalin Is Increased after Short Maximal Exercise.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Urinary neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (uNGAL)
and urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (uKIM-1) are markers of acute kidney injury.
The albuminuria is a well-known abnormality after physical exercise. The aim of
this study was to investigate changes in uNGAL and uKIM-1 after intensive
exercise causing albuminuria. METHODS: The study population consisted of 19
participants (10 males and 9 females). The mean age of participants was 35.74
years. All were fit amateur runners; the mean body mass index was 21.99 in
females and 24.71 in males. The subjects underwent a graded treadmill exercise
test (GXT) according to the Bruce protocol. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max)
was measured. Immediately before and after the test urine was collected. Urinary
creatinine, albumin, NGAL, and KIM-1 were measured. Albumin to creatinine (ACR),
KIM-1 to creatinine (KCR), and NGAL to creatinine (NCR) ratios were calculated.
RESULTS: The mean VO2max was 53.68 in females and 59.54 mL/min/kg in males.
Albuminuria and ACR were significantly higher after exercise. An increase in the
ACR from 8.82 to 114.35 mg/g (p < 0.01) was observed. uKIM-1 increased
significantly after exercise from 849.02 to 1,243.26 pg/mL (p < 0.05). KCR
increased from 1,239.1 to 1,725.9 ng/g but without statistical significance (p =
0.07). There were no statistical changes in pre- and post-run uNGAL levels. There
was no correlation between post-GXT albuminuria and uKIM-1. CONCLUSIONS: uKIM-1
is a very sensitive marker of kidney dysfunction. In our study, uKIM-1 increased
significantly after a very short period of exercise. It is not clear if the
increase in KIM-1 is caused by post-exercise albuminuria.
PMID- 28988231
TI - Principles of Current Vertebrate Neuromorphology.
AB - Causal analysis of molecular patterning at neural plate and early neural tube
stages has shown that the central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates is
essentially organized into transverse neural segments or neuromeres and
longitudinal zones which follow the curved axis of the brain. The intersection of
the longitudinal and transverse patterning processes in the embryonic brain leads
to the formation of a checkerboard pattern of distinct progenitor domains called
"fundamental morphological units" (FMUs). The topologically invariant pattern
formed by the ventricular surfaces of the FMUs of a given taxon represents the
"Bauplan" or "blueprint" of the brain of that taxon. The FMUs initially represent
thin epithelial fields; during further development they are transformed into
three-dimensional radial units, extending from the ventricular surface to the
meningeal surface. It is of note that the boundaries of the neuromeres,
longitudinal zones, and radial units all strictly adhere to a non-Cartesian
coordinate system inherent to the CNS of all vertebrates. The major neural
histogenetic processes, including cellular proliferation, radial migration, and
differentiation, as well as the formation of grisea (cell masses, nuclei, and
cortices), occur principally within the confines of the FMUs, although tangential
migration may also take cells to distant sites. Hence, recognition and
delimitation of these units is essential for the identification and
interpretation of grisea. An outline of the procedure to be followed in these
processes of identification and interpretation is presented, and a list of the
pertinent homology criteria is provided.
PMID- 28988232
TI - Clearance of Selected Plasma Cytokines with Continuous Veno-Venous Hemodialysis
Using Ultraflux EMiC2 versus Ultraflux AV1000S.
AB - BACKGROUND: High cutoff hemofilters might support the restoration of immune
homeostasis in systemic inflammation by depleting inflammatory mediators from the
circulation. METHODS: Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor
alpha depletion was assessed in 30 sepsis patients with acute renal failure using
continuous veno-venous hemodialysis with high cutoff versus standard filters
(CVVHD-HCO vs. CVVHD-STD) over 48 h. RESULTS: The transfer of IL-6 and IL-8 was
significantly higher for CVVHD-HCO, as shown by increased IL-6 and IL-8 effluent
concentrations. The mean plasma cytokine concentrations decreased over time for
all cytokines without detectable differences for the treatment modalities. No
transfer of albumin was observed for either of the filters. C-reactive protein
remained stable over time and did not differ between CVVHD-HCO and CVVHD-STD,
while procalcitonin decreased significantly over 48 h for both treatment
modalities. CONCLUSION: CVVHD-HCO achieved enhanced removal of IL-6 and IL-8 as
compared to CVVHD-STD, without differentially reducing plasma cytokine levels.
PMID- 28988234
TI - Dynamics of Goldfish Subregional Hippocampal Pallium Activity throughout Spatial
Memory Formation.
AB - The teleost fish hippocampal pallium, like the hippocampus of tetrapods, is
essential for relational map-like spatial memories. In mammals, these relational
memories involve the dynamic interactions among different hippocampal subregions
and between the hippocampus-neocortex network, which performs specialized
operations such as memory encoding and retrieval. However, how the teleost
hippocampal homologue operates to achieve comparably sophisticated spatial
cognition capabilities is largely unknown. In the present study, the progressive
changes in the metabolic activity of the pallial regions that have been proposed
as possible homologues of the mammalian hippocampus were monitored in goldfish.
Quantitative cytochrome oxidase histochemistry was used to measure the level of
activation along the rostrocaudal axis of the ventral (Dlv) and dorsal parts of
the dorsolateral division (Dld) and in the dorsoposterior division (Dp) of the
goldfish telencephalic pallium throughout the time course of the learning process
of a spatial memory task. The results revealed a significant increase in spatial
memory-related metabolic activity in the Dlv, but not in the Dld, suggesting that
the Dlv, but not the Dld, is comparable to the amniote hippocampus. Regarding the
Dlv, the level of activation of the precommissural Dlv significantly increased at
training onset but progressively declined to finally return to the basal
pretraining level when the animals mastered the spatial task. In contrast, the
commissural Dlv activation persisted even when the acquisition phase was
completed and the animal's performance reached an asymptotic level. These results
suggest that, like the dentate gyrus of mammals, the goldfish precommissural Dlv
seems to respond nonlinearly to increments of change in sensory input, performing
pattern separation under highly dissimilar input patterns. In addition, like the
CA3 of mammals, the commissural Dlv likely operates in a continuum between two
modes, a pattern separation or storage operation mode at early acquisition when
the change in the sensory input is high, probably driven by the precommissural
Dlv output, and a pattern completion or recall operation mode when the animals
have mastered the task and the change in sensory input is small. Finally, an
unexpected result of the present study is the persistent activation of the area
Dp throughout the complete spatial task training period, which suggests that the
Dp could be an important component of the pallial network involved in spatial
memory in goldfish, and supports the hypothesis proposing that the Dp is a
specialized part of the hippocampal pallium network.
PMID- 28988236
TI - Vertebrate Sensory Systems and Brains: From Genes to Behavior.
PMID- 28988233
TI - Sensing External and Self-Motion with Hair Cells: A Comparison of the Lateral
Line and Vestibular Systems from a Developmental and Evolutionary Perspective.
AB - Detection of motion is a feature essential to any living animal. In vertebrates,
mechanosensory hair cells organized into the lateral line and vestibular systems
are used to detect external water or head/body motion, respectively. While the
neuronal components to detect these physical attributes are similar between the
two sensory systems, the organizational pattern of the receptors in the periphery
and the distribution of hindbrain afferent and efferent projections are adapted
to the specific functions of the respective system. Here we provide a concise
review comparing the functional organization of the vestibular and lateral line
systems from the development of the organs to the wiring from the periphery and
the first processing stages. The goal of this review is to highlight the
similarities and differences to demonstrate how evolution caused a common
neuronal substrate to adapt to different functions, one for the detection of
external water stimuli and the generation of sensory maps and the other for the
detection of self-motion and the generation of motor commands for immediate
behavioral reactions.
PMID- 28988235
TI - Readmissions and Emergency Department Visits after Bariatric Surgery at Saudi
Arabian Hospital: The Rates, Reasons, and Risk Factors.
AB - BACKGROUND: Saudi Arabian hospital readmissions and emergency department (ED)
visits following bariatric surgery and discharge have never been investigated.
This study aimed to evaluate the rates and reasons of hospital readmissions and
ED visits related to surgical weight loss interventions at the King Abdulaziz
Medical City - Riyadh. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 301
patients who underwent bariatric surgery between January 2011 and July 2016. We
reviewed patient medical records progressively to assess hospital readmission, ED
visits, and complications. RESULTS: Of the 301 patients analyzed, 67.1% were
female and 93% had class II obesity. The readmission rate, ED visit rate after
discharge and the rate of either of the two was 8%, 14%,and 18.3%, respectively.
The most common causes of readmission were abdominal pain (37.5%),
nausea/vomiting (29.2%), and site leak (25%), while the most common causes of ED
visits were abdominal pain (59.5%) and nausea/vomiting (16.9%). Readmission rates
tended to be higher in older patients (age of patients readmitted 42 +/- 12.1
years vs. age of patients not readmitted 34.3 +/- 11.8 years; p = 0.002). The
rate of readmission tends to increase in patients with overweight or class I
obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 20.15), diabetes (OR = 14.82), and obstructive sleep
apnea (OR = 14.29). Dyslipidemia was positively associated with ED visits (p =
0.027, OR = 2.87). The rate of readmission or ED visits increased with age, while
there were decreases in readmission and ED visits for those who had received
gastric sleeve surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The study reported high rates of readmission
and ED visits, thus the effectiveness of different types of weight loss surgeries
should be further evaluated, particularly in individuals with complicated medical
issues such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea.
PMID- 28988238
TI - Bo Sun and the Development of Neonatology in China.
PMID- 28988239
TI - Extended Abstracts: VIIIth Recent Advances in Neonatal Medicine. An International
Symposium Honoring Prof. Bo Sun. Wurzburg, October 8-10, 2017.
PMID- 28988241
TI - Macrophage Extracellular Traps: A Scoping Review.
AB - Tissue macrophages are derived from either circulating blood monocytes that
originate in the bone marrow, or embryonic precursors that establish residence in
tissues and are maintained independent of bone marrow progenitors. Macrophages
perform diverse functions including tissue repair, the maintenance of
homeostasis, and immune regulation. Recent studies have demonstrated that
macrophages produce extracellular traps (ETs). ETs are an immune response by
which a cell undergoes "ETosis" to release net-like material, with strands
composed of cellular DNA that is studded with histones and cellular proteins. ETs
are thought to immobilize and kill microorganisms, but also been implicated in
disease pathology including aseptic inflammation and autoimmune disease. We
conducted a scoping review to define what is known from the existing literature
about the ETs produced by monocytes or macrophages. The results suggest that
macrophage ETs (METs) are produced in response to various microorganisms and have
similar features to neutrophil ETs (NETs), in that METs are produced by a unique
cell death program (METosis), which results in release of fibers composed of DNA
and studded with cellular proteins. METs function to immobilize and kill some
microorganisms, but may also play a role in disease pathology.
PMID- 28988240
TI - Economic Evaluation of Intensive Inpatient Treatments for Severely Obese Children
and Adolescents.
AB - BACKGROUND: Considering the large economic consequences of severe childhood
obesity for the society, we aimed to conduct an economic evaluation comparing two
intensive 1-year lifestyle treatments with varying inpatient periods for severely
obese children and adolescents with regard to standard deviation score BMI (SDS
BMI) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). METHODS: An economic evaluation
from a societal perspective accompanying a randomized controlled trial with a 24
month follow-up. 80 participants (8-19 years) with severe obesity were included.
Participants received an intensive 1-year lifestyle treatment with an inpatient
period of 2 months (short-stay group) or 6 months (long-stay group). Data were
collected at baseline, 6, 12 ,and 24 months and included SDS-BMI and QALYs.
RESULTS: SDS-BMI decreased in the first 6 months of treatment, stabilized in the
second 6 months, and increased during the 2nd year in both groups. After 24
months, SDS-BMI was similar in both groups, but remained lower than baseline
values (mean difference -0.24, 95% CI -0.42; -0.06). There was no difference in
QALYs between the groups after 24 months. For SDS-BMI, the probability of the
short-stay treatment being cost-effective in comparison with the long-stay
treatment was 1 at a willingness-to-pay of 0 EUR/unit of effect, which slowly
decreased to 0.54 for larger willingness-to-pay values. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the
results of this study, the short-stay treatment is considered to be more cost
effective from the societal perspective in comparison with the long-stay
treatment. Future research should provide insight in whether the short-stay
treatment is cost-effective in comparison with usual care.
PMID- 28988242
TI - Names Matter: Commentary on Luis Puelles' Article.
PMID- 28988243
TI - Efficacy in Treating Lung Metastasis of Invasive Breast Cancer with Functional
Vincristine Plus Dasatinib Liposomes.
AB - BACKGROUND: The metastasis of breast cancer is the leading cause of death, while
lung metastasis is a major clinical phenomenon in patients with invasive breast
cancer. The current treatment option comprising surgery, radiation, and standard
chemotherapy cannot achieve a satisfactory effect on the treatment of lung
metastasis of breast cancer. In this study, we report the potential of preventing
lung metastasis of invasive breast cancer using the newly developed functional
vincristine plus dasatinib liposomes. METHODS: The investigations were performed
on invasive breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and in lung metastatic model
of invasive breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in nude mice. RESULTS: The functional
drug liposomes were able to induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, induce
apoptosis, inhibit adhesion, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells in
vitro, and prevent lung metastasis of breast cancer in nude mice. CONCLUSION:
These findings indicate a potential clinical use of functional vincristine plus
dasatinib liposomes for treating metastatic breast cancer.
PMID- 28988245
TI - Basic in vitro Characterization of the Vasodilatory Potential of 2-Aminoethyl
Nitrate Fixed-Dose Combinations with Cilostazol, Metoprolol and Valsartan.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: 2-aminoethyl nitrate (CLC-1011) is a member of the class of
organic nitrates that cause vasodilation by the generation of nitric oxide (*NO).
These drugs are mainly used for the treatment of angina pectoris and ischemic
heart disease. The aim of this study was to characterize the vasodilatory potency
of this organic nitrate alone and in combination with clinically established
cardiovascular drugs. METHODS: Vasodilation by CLC-1011 was tested by isometric
tension studies, either alone or combined with cilostazol, valsartan, and
metoprolol. Induction of oxidative stress in isolated heart mitochondria was
measured by enhanced chemiluminescence. Bioactivation of CLC-1011 in aortic
tissue was measured by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy using an iron
based spin trap for *NO. RESULTS: We observed potent vasodilation by CLC-1011 and
additive effects for all three drug combinations. In contrast to nitroglycerin
(GTN), CLC-1011 did not stimulate mitochondrial oxidative stress. CLC-1011 was
bioactivated to *NO in aortic tissue. CONCLUSION: In summary, the experiments
described in this report demonstrate that CLC-1011 does not induce oxidative
stress, is a more potent vasodilator than isosorbide-5-mononitrate and dinitrate
ISDN, and displays synergistic vasodilation with other cardiovascular drugs. CLC
1011 fixed dose combinations could be used in the management of cardiovascular
diseases.
PMID- 28988244
TI - Evolution of Sound Source Localization Circuits in the Nonmammalian Vertebrate
Brainstem.
AB - The earliest vertebrate ears likely subserved a gravistatic function for
orientation in the aquatic environment. However, in addition to detecting
acceleration created by the animal's own movements, the otolithic end organs that
detect linear acceleration would have responded to particle movement created by
external sources. The potential to identify and localize these external sources
may have been a major selection force in the evolution of the early vertebrate
ear and in the processing of sound in the central nervous system. The intrinsic
physiological polarization of sensory hair cells on the otolith organs confers
sensitivity to the direction of stimulation, including the direction of particle
motion at auditory frequencies. In extant fishes, afferents from otolithic end
organs encode the axis of particle motion, which is conveyed to the dorsal
regions of first-order octaval nuclei. This directional information is further
enhanced by bilateral computations in the medulla and the auditory midbrain. We
propose that similar direction-sensitive neurons were present in the early
aquatic tetrapods and that selection for sound localization in air acted upon
preexisting brain stem circuits like those in fishes. With movement onto land,
the early tetrapods may have retained some sensitivity to particle motion,
transduced by bone conduction, and later acquired new auditory papillae and
tympanic hearing. Tympanic hearing arose in parallel within each of the major
tetrapod lineages and would have led to increased sensitivity to a broader
frequency range and to modification of the preexisting circuitry for sound source
localization.
PMID- 28988246
TI - Comments on the Updated Tetrapartite Pallium Model in the Mouse and Chick,
Featuring a Homologous Claustro-Insular Complex.
AB - This essay reviews step by step the conceptual changes of the updated
tetrapartite pallium model from its tripartite and early tetrapartite
antecedents. The crucial observations in mouse material are explained first in
the context of assumptions, tentative interpretations, and literature data.
Errors and the solutions offered to resolve them are made explicit. Next,
attention is centered on the lateral pallium sector of the updated model, whose
definition is novel in incorporating a claustro-insular complex distinct from
both olfactory centers (ventral pallium) and the isocortex (dorsal pallium). The
general validity of the model is postulated at least for tetrapods.
Genoarchitectonic studies performed to check the presence of a claustro-insular
field homolog in the avian brain are reviewed next. These studies have indeed
revealed the existence of such a complex in the avian mesopallium (though
stratified outside-in rather than inside-out as in mammals), and there are
indications that the same pattern may be found in reptiles as well. Peculiar
pallio-pallial tangential migratory phenomena are apparently shared as well
between mice and chicks. The issue of whether the avian mesopallium has
connections that are similar to the known connections of the mammalian claustro
insular complex is considered next. Accrued data are consistent with similar
connections for the avian insula homolog, but they are judged to be insufficient
to reach definitive conclusions about the avian claustrum. An aside discusses
that conserved connections are not a necessary feature of field-homologous neural
centers. Finally, the present scenario on the evolution of the pallium of
sauropsids and mammals is briefly visited, as highlighted by the updated
tetrapartite model and present results.
PMID- 28988247
TI - Distinct Penetrance of Obesity-Associated Susceptibility Alleles in the Hungarian
General and Roma Populations.
AB - AIMS: The aim of our study was to explore differences in genetic predisposition
to obesity between the Hungarian general and Roma populations. METHODS: A total
of 1,152 samples from the Hungarian Roma population and 1,743 samples from the
Hungarian general population were genotyped for 20 single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the risk of obesity. Two types of multilocus
genetic risk scores were constructed to estimate the combined effect of selected
SNPs. RESULTS: Risk allele frequencies differed significantly between the two
populations for 11 SNPs, with no enrichment in any of the two study groups.
Variants (rs1558902, rs1121980, rs9939609, and rs9941349) in the fat mass and
obesity-associated (FTO) gene exhibited strong but ethnicity-independent
association with obesity. Genetic risk scores showed stronger associations with
obesity in the Roma population compared with the Hungarian general population;
however, without significant gene-population interaction. CONCLUSION: Differences
in obesity prevalence between the Hungarian general and Hungarian Roma
populations could not be explained by their distinct genetic susceptibility,
rather by ethnicity-related environmental and behavioral factors. Nonetheless,
particular gene-environment interactions might contribute to the distinct
penetrance of the obesity-associated genetic factors in populations of different
ethnic backgrounds.
PMID- 28988249
TI - Validation of the Arabic version of the score for allergic rhinitis tool.
AB - BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammation of the nasal mucosa
in response to allergen exposure. We translated and validated the Score for
Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) into an Arabic version so that the disease can be
studied in an Arabic population. OBJECTIVES: SFAR is a non-invasive self
administered tool that evaluates eight items related to AR. This study aimed to
translate and culturally adapt the SFAR questionnaire into Arabic, and assess the
validity, consistency, and reliability of the translated version in an Arabic
speaking population of patients with suspected AR. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional.
SETTING: Tertiary care hospital in Riyadh. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The Arabic
version of the SFAR was administered to patients with suspected AR and control
participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Comparison of the AR and control groups to
determine the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the instrument.
RESULTS: The AR (n=173) and control (n=75) groups had significantly different
Arabic SFAR scores (P < .0001). The instrument provided satisfactory internal
consistency (Cronbach's alpha value of 0.7). The test-retest reliability was
excellent for the total Arabic SFAR score (r =0.836, P < .0001). CONCLUSION:
These findings demonstrate that the Arabic version of the SFAR is a valid tool
that can be used to screen Arabic speakers with suspected AR. LIMITATIONS: The
absence of objective allergy testing.
PMID- 28988248
TI - Risk of pneumonia among patients with splenectomy: a retrospective population
based cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: People without a spleen are particularly susceptible to various
overwhelming infections including pneumonia. Although the association between
splenectomy and pneumonia has been previously studied, there has been no study
using the national claims data. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to
investigate the association between splenectomy and pneumonia. DESIGN: A
retrospective population-based cohort analysis. SETTINGS: Database of the Taiwan
National Health Insurance Program. PATIENTS: Persons newly diagnosed with
splenectomy from 2000 to 2010 were compared with randomly selected subjects
without splenectomy. The groups were matched by sex, age, comorbidities, and the
year of index date and analyzed by multivariate methods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:
The difference in incidence of pneumonia at the end of 2011. RESULTS: In 12 757
individuals aged 20-84 years with splenectomy, the overall incidence of pneumonia
was 1.86-fold higher than in the 51 019 individuals without splenectomy (25.0 vs.
13.4 per 1000 person-years, 95% CI 1.78, 1.95). After multivariate analysis, the
adjusted hazard ratio for pneumonia was 2.2 for subjects with splenectomy (95%CI
2.07, 2.34). In further analysis, in the absence of any comorbidity, the adjusted
HR for pneumonia was 3.03 for those with splenectomy alone (95% CI 2.76, 3.33)
and 5.28 (95% CI 4.82, 5.78) for splenectomy and any comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS:
Although not a novel finding, we confirmed that splenectomy increases the
relative risk for developing pneumonia in a large study population. Even in the
absence of any comorbidity, the risk remains high. Patients with splenectomy
should receive preventive interventions for pneumonia, such as vaccination.
LIMITATIONS: ICD-9 codes do not differentiate if pneumonia is caused by a viral,
a bacterial or unspecified organisms, and some behavioral factors like smoking
could not be ascertained directly.
PMID- 28988250
TI - Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in neonates in Egypt.
AB - BACKGROUND: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked
disorder which causes neonatal jaundice in most cases, and under certain
conditions, can cause a spectrum of hemolytic manifestations. OBJECTIVE: To
determine the local prevalence of G6PD deficiency in newborns. DESIGN: Cross
sectional. SETTING: University hospital. METHODS: Infants born during 2015 were
prospectively screened for G6PD deficiency. Dried blood spot samples on filter
paper were collected in collaboration with the central laboratories of the
Ministry of Health. Quantitative measurement of G6PD enzyme activity was measured
from the blood samples using fluorometric analysis. A value.
PMID- 28988251
TI - Efficacy and safety of a generic rosuvastatin in a real-world setting:
prospective, observational clinical study in Lebanese patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: No published studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of
rosuvastatin generics. OBJECTIVES: Primary objective to assess the safety and
efficacy of a generic rosuvastatin in reducing plasma low-density-lipoprotein
cholesterol (LDL-C) in Lebanese dyslipidemic patients. Changes in high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and adverse effects were secondary
objectives. DESIGN: Prospective, observational, non-comparative. SETTING:
Multiple outpatient clinics in Lebanon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dyslipidemic
patients requiring statin therapy were followed for 2 months after prescription
of a generic rosuvastatin at the physician's discretion. Efficacy and safety
measurements were collected from medical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy
was assessed based on the evaluation of mean and percent change in LDL-C between
baseline and week 8 as well as the proportion of patients reaching target LDL-C
levels. Safety was assessed based on the evaluation of the incidence of adverse
events (AEs) during the study period. RESULTS: Two months after initiation of
generic rosuvastatin, LDL-C levels in the 313 eligible patients who completed the
study significantly decreased from 4.3 (0.8) mmol/L (168.2 [31.3] mg/dL) at
baseline to 2.7 (0.7) mmol/L (105.9 [25.5] mg/dL) (P < .001). The mean percent
change in LDL-C level was highest in subjects receiving generic rosuvastatin at a
dose of 40 mg/day (-47.4%), followed by 20 mg/day (-36.8%), and 10 mg/ day (
31.4%); 82.5% of patients reached the target LDL-C level as set by their
physician at baseline. Thirteen patients (4%) reported six AEs during treatment:
abdominal pain, headache, stomach ache, insomnia, musculoskeletal pain/myalgia
and nausea. No clinically significant changes in serum creatinine, serum creatine
kinase, or liver function tests were reported. One patient withdrew because of an
adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: Generic rosuvastatin was efficacious and safe in
reducing LDL-C levels and helping the majority of patients achieve LDL-C targets
after a short treatment period. LIMITATIONS: The observational nature, and a
control group, and the relatively short duration of follow-up limit the
generalizability of results. The authors received fees for study activities at
patient visits from an independent clinical research organization subcontracted
by the sponsor.
PMID- 28988252
TI - Drug shortages in large hospitals in Riyadh: a cross-sectional study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Drug shortages are a serious and complex issue in any healthcare
system. We conducted this study because the prevalence of drug shortages in Saudi
Arabia is largely unknown, while there have been reports of shortages. OBJECTIVE:
To explore the prevalence and characteristics of drug shortages as well as
identify strategies to minimize their impact on patient care and safety in large
hospitals. DESIGN: Questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: Pharmacy
departments in secondary and tertiary care hospitals in the city of Riyadh.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pharmacists in ten hospitals, categorized as Ministry of
Health [MOH], MOH-affiliated medical cities, and non-MOH, were recruited using
convenience sampling. The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists drug
shortage questionnaire was administered to survey pharmacists about drug
shortages in their hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentages of drug class
shortages, characteristics, and strategies to minimize impact on patient care and
safety across each hospital sector. RESULTS: Of 200 pharmacists invited to
participate, 120 pharmacists completed the questionnaire (60% response rate).
Twenty-four percent were from MOH hospitals, 32% from MOH-affiliated medical
cities, and 44% from non-MOH hospitals. A significantly higher percentage of
pharmacists from MOH-affiliated medical cities (42.11%) reported encountering
drug shortages on a daily basis compared to 13.79% and 15.09% of participants
from MOH-hospitals and non-MOH hospitals, respectively (P=.001). The top three
drug classes that >= 25% of participants reported having shortages of were
cardiovascular, antineoplastic, and endocrine drugs. The two most common
strategies that were reported to minimize the impact of drug shortages on patient
care by more than 70% of participants were informing prescribers and recommending
alternative drugs, and alerting hospital staff about the presence of drug
shortages using new communication tools. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively high
reported rates of drug shortages in some hospitals should encourage health
policymakers to address this serious public health problem. LIMITATIONS: The
generazibility of the study's findings were limited by the small sample size,
convenience sampling technique, self-reported data, and the fact that only
pharmacists were invited to participate.
PMID- 28988253
TI - Prevalence of congenital heart diseases in children with Down syndrome in
Mansoura, Egypt: a retrospective descriptive study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The pattern and risk factors for congenital heart diseases (CHD) in
children with Down syndrome (DS) vary over time. OBJECTIVES: To update knowledge
of the prevalence, types, trends and associated factors for CHD in children with
DS in the Egyptian Delta. DESIGN: A retrospective hospital record-based
descriptive study. SETTING: A tertiary care center in Mansoura, Egypt during a
period of 14 years from 2003 up to 2016. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied
children with genetically proven DS. Relevant sociodemographic factors, medical
history, clinical examination, karyotype and echocardiographic data were
statistically analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence, types and risk factors
of CHD in DS. RESULTS: The prevalence of overall, isolated and multiple CHD in
1720 children with DS were 36.9%, 29% and 8%, respectively. Isolated defects
accounted for 78.4% of all CHD. Ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular
septal defect and atrial septal defect were the most frequent isolated defects.
There was a downward trend in the prevalence of overall CHD (from 56.2% to 25.0%)
and isolated CHD (from 56.2% to 19.8%). The logistic regression model predicted
65.7% of CHD and revealed that passive maternal smoking, lack of folic
acid/multivitamin supplementation and parental consanguinity were the independent
predictors of CHD in children with DS with adjusted odds ratios of 1.9, 1.8 and
1.9, respectively. CONCLUSION: More than one-third of children with DS have CHD
with ventricular septal defect, which is the most common. Avoidance of passive
maternal smoking and consanguineous marriage together with maternal folic acid
supplementation could contribute to further reduction of CHD in children with DS.
LIMITATIONS: Single-center study and retrospective.
PMID- 28988254
TI - Preoperative thrombocytosis as a prognostic factor in endometrioid-type
endometrial carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: The impact of preoperative thrombocytosis as a prognostic factor in
endometrial carcinoma (EC) remains uncertain and has never been examined in Saudi
Arabia. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of preoperative thrombocytosis
(platelet count > 400 000/ MUL), and its prognostic significance for
clinicopathological factors and survival in Saudi patients with endometrioid-type
EC. DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study from January 2010 to December
2013. SETTING: A referral tertiary healthcare institute. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Patients who underwent staging surgery for primary endometrioid-type EC were
retrospectively analyzed for perioperative details: age, preoperative platelet
count, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage,
endometrioid grade, recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival
(OS). Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimates and a Cox
proportional hazards model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of preoperative
thrombocytosis, DFS and OS. RESULTS: In 162 patients who met inclusion criteria,
the frequency of preoperative thrombocytosis was 8.6% (n=14). Patients with
advanced FIGO disease (stages III-IV) and recurrence had significantly higher
mean preoperative platelet counts than patients with early FIGO disease (stages I
II) and no recurrence (P=.0080 and P=.0063, respectively). Patients with
thrombocytosis had statistically significant higher rates of advanced FIGO stages
III-IV disease, unfavorable grades II-III endometrioid histology and recurrence
than patients with preoperative platelet counts.
PMID- 28988255
TI - Cardiac rhythm recorded by implanted loop recorder during lightning strike.
AB - : Lightning strikes cause severe injuries and fatalities. Injuries vary from self
limiting skin manifestations to cardiac arrest and death. Because the event is
sudden and unpredictable, assessment of the direct effects of the lightning on
the human heart is usually impossible. In this case, a 16-year old boy who had an
implanted loop recorder subcutaneous cardiac monitor was hit by lightning during
a picnic and survived. A cardiac rhythm strip was recorded live during the
strike. SIMILAR CASES PUBLISHED: 0.
PMID- 28988256
TI - Primary leiomyosarcoma of the atrium with heterologous differentiation.
AB - : We report a case of a 47-year-old female who presented with breathlessness and
palpitations for two weeks. On clinical evaluation, bilateral pedal edema was
noticed. A CT pulmonary angiogram showed a mass in the left atrium causing
significant obstruction to cardiovascular outflow. After extensive work-up, the
mass was surgically resected. Histopathological findings from the acquired
specimen revealed a high-grade leiomyosarcoma with extensive necrosis and
heterologous (cartilaginous) differentiation. The early postoperative period was
complicated by cardiac tamponade and the patient died on the second postoperative
day due to ventricular arrhythmia, shock and multiorgan failure. SIMILAR CASES
PUBLISHED: No similar cases published.
PMID- 28988257
TI - Clinical and Prognostic Significance of Pathological and Inflammatory Markers in
Mucinous Rectal Cancer Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and
Curative Surgery.
AB - BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and prognostic
significance of pathological and inflammatory marker in mucinous rectal cancer
patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery. MATERIAL
AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the patient records of mucinous rectal
cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery at
Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute from January 2006 to December 2013. The
relationship between overall survival (OS) and clinicopathologic variables,
pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), pretreatment platelet-to
lymphocyte ratio (PLR), pretreatment lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and
other biomarkers were analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank
testing. Subsequently a Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate
hazard ratios for the risk of death. RESULTS A total of 100 mucinous rectal
cancer patients were included for analysis during the study period. The median
age at presentation was 60.5 years (range, 26-81 years). The median overall
survival (OS) for the whole group was 94 months. On univariate analysis, time
interval from CCRT to operation (HR 0.37, p=0.03), lymphovascular invasion (HR
3.23, p=0.009), pretreatment NLR (HR 3.87, p=0.012), and LMR (HR 0.31, p=0.002)
were significant prognostic factors for OS. In a multivariate analysis,
pretreatment LMR was found to be an independent prognostic factor for overall
survival (HR, 0.43; 95%CI, 0.18 to 1.00, p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS Pretreatment
lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio is a useful prognostic marker of OS in patients with
mucinous rectal carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and curative
surgery.
PMID- 28988258
TI - Moving beyond descriptions of diversity: clinical and research implications of
bacterial imbalance in chronic rhinosinusitis.
AB - Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a debilitating disease which affects 5-16% of the
general population and involves long-term inflammation of the sinonasal cavity.
While microbial involvement in the pathogenesis of CRS has long been suspected,
the exact role of microbes remains unclear. Recent application of cultivation
independent, molecular methods has provided much new information, taking
advantage of developments in both laboratory- and bioinformatics-based analyses.
The aim of this mini-review is to present a variety of available bioinformatics
approaches, such as data classification techniques and network analyses, with
proven applications in other aspects of human microbiome health and disease
research. The uses of molecular techniques in the clinical setting are still in
its infancy, but these tools can further our understanding of microbial imbalance
during chronic disease and help guide effective patient treatment. The mini
review emphasises ways in which CRS bacterial gene-targeted sequencing data can
progress beyond descriptive summaries and toward unlocking the mechanisms by
which bacterial communities can be markers for sinus health.
PMID- 28988259
TI - A straight choice: avoiding septal re-deviation using titanium plates. A 16 year
retrospective patient follow-up evaluation.
AB - BACKGROUND: To propose a new surgical technique for fixing the nasal septum to
the midline, for long term prevention of nasal obstruction, in secondary and
select cases of primary septoplasty. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study, within
hospital medical center. PATIENTS: Two hundred and twenty two patients who
underwent septoplasty. Data collection occurred consecutively between March 1st
of 2000 and May 1st 2016. Twenty six percent females and seventy four percent
males. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patterns of septal deformity, materials used for
titanium plates, surgical results, symptom improvement, and surgical
complications were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 222 patients were included
in this study. 163 patients (73%) had no previous nasal surgery. Fifty nine
patients (27%) presented with a previous nasal surgery. Sixteen year follow up
included more than 90% of patients and resulted in an overall 2.7% revision rate.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of titanium plate for septoplasty has shown to be simple,
safe, and easy to learn technique in both secondary and select cases of primary
septoplasty. Most importantly the results indicate a long term prevention of the.
PMID- 28988260
TI - The significance of Computed Tomography in invasive paranasal mucormycosis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is
crucial for patients prognosis and may reduce the extent of surgical debridement.
Initial evaluation usually includes paranasal Computed Tomography (CT), with an
emphasis on bony erosion which is considered a specific but insensitive
radiologic sign. Most studies made no distinction between Aspergillus and Mucor
species while addressing CT findings. In this study, we seek to evaluate whether
bony erosion on paranasal CT is a significant and reliable finding in the initial
evaluation of invasive paranasal mucormycosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of
pre-operative non-contrast craniofacial CT scans of patients diagnosed with acute
invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) caused by Mucor species for the presence of
bony erosion. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients (9 males, 4 females) were included.
Twelve patients were immunosuppressed due to various hematological malignancies.
Six patients underwent debridement due to gross intraoperative findings of bony
fungal invasion, but only one patient had evidence of bony erosion on the pre
operative paranasal CT. CONCLUSION: Bony erosion on paranasal CT is an
exceptionally insensitive radiologic sign for establishing or rejecting the
diagnosis of Mucor induced AIFR. The mainstay of confirming or rejecting the
diagnosis of AIFR is by physical examination, endoscopy and oriented biopsy of
suspicious mucosal lesions.
PMID- 28988261
TI - The Sickness of Stigmas.
AB - In modern medicine, approaches to healthcare no longer only encompass injury
management, but increasingly focus on understanding the performance demands and
health risk exposures faced by performing artists. Quantitative and qualitative
scientific and health analyses by performing artists, clinicians, educators, and
researchers are increasingly helping us to develop effective, targeted, and
relevant health promotion and performance optimisation strategies worldwide.
While such research increasingly identifies improved methods of preventing and
managing potential psychological, audiological, or physical challenges faced by
performing artists, we still need to work hard to address very important barriers
to implementing appropriate health approaches. One of the challenges to better
health management in performing arts populations relates to stigmatization.
PMID- 28988262
TI - Playing the Clarinet: Influence of Body Posture on Muscle Activity and Sound
Quality.
AB - Musculoskeletal complaints are highly prevalent in clarinetists and are related
to high arm load while playing. It is hypothesized that postural exercise therapy
may be used to adapt muscle activity patterns while playing and thus contribute
to better sound quality. The goal of the present study was to investigate the
relationship between body posture, muscle activity, and sound quality in
clarinetists while playing the instrument in two different postures, their
habitual sitting posture (control, CO) vs an experimental sitting posture (EXP)
based on Mensendieck postural exercise therapy, method Samama. Twenty healthy
professional and student clarinet players, aged 18-60 years, were included in
this cross-sectional study. Participants played a 60-second musical excerpt in
CO, followed by instruction on the EXP body posture, and then played in the EXP
condition. Two-dimensional goniometric analysis was used to calculate body
posture; muscle activity was measured bilaterally using surface electromyography.
In EXP, a significantly smaller low thoracic angle, smaller high thoracic angle,
and larger pelvic tilt angle (all p<0.001) were found. EMG results indicated that
the left and right erector spinae L3 and left and right lower trapezius were more
active in EXP compared to CO, whereas left upper trapezius and right
brachioradialis were less active in EXP than CO. Most participants experienced
better sound quality in EXP, whereas blinded experts found no consistent pattern
between body posture and sound quality. To conclude, it seems that postural
exercise therapy may change muscle activity patterns. By increasing stability, a
decrease in activity of the upper extremity muscles can be induced.
PMID- 28988263
TI - Reducing Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Collegiate Music Ensembles Using
Ambient Technology.
AB - Student musicians are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) as they
develop skills and perform during instructional activities. Studies using
longitudinal dosimeter data show that pedagogical procedures and instructor
behaviors are highly predictive of NIHL risk, thus implying the need for
innovative approaches to increase instructor competency in managing instructional
activities without interfering with artistic and academic freedom. Ambient
information systems, an emerging trend in human-computer interaction that infuses
psychological behavioral theories into technologies, can help construct
informative risk-regulating systems. The purpose of this study was to determine
the effects of introducing an ambient information system into the ensemble
setting. The system used two ambient displays and a counterbalanced within
subjects treatment study design with six jazz ensemble instructors to determine
if the system could induce a behavior change that alters trends in measures
resulting from dosimeter data. This study assessed efficacy using time series
analysis to determine changes in eight statistical measures of behavior over a 9
wk period. Analysis showed that the system was effective, as all instructors
showed changes in a combination of measures. This study is in an important step
in developing non-interfering technology to reduce NIHL among academic musicians.
PMID- 28988264
TI - Analysis of High-Density Surface EMG and Finger Pressure in the Left Forearm of
Violin Players: A Feasibility Study.
AB - Wrist and finger flexor muscles of the left hand were evaluated using high
density surface EMG (HDsEMG) in 17 violin players. Pressure sensors also were
mounted below the second string of the violin to evaluate, simultaneously, finger
pressure. Electrode grid size was 110x70 mm (12x8 electrodes with interelectrode
distance=10 mm and O=3 mm). The study objective was to observe the activation
patterns of these muscles while the violinists sequentially played four notes--SI
(B), DO# (C#), RE (D), MI (E)--at 2 bows/s (one bow up in 0.5 s and one down in
0.5 s) and 4 bows/s on the second string, while producing a constant (CONST) or
ramp (RAMP) sound volume. HDsEMG images obtained while playing the notes were
compared with those obtained during isometric radial or ulnar flexion of the
wrist or fingers. Two image descriptors provided information on image
differences. Results showed that the technique was reliable and provided reliable
signals, and that recognizably different sEMG images could be associated with the
four notes tested, despite the variability within and between subjects playing
the same note. sEMG activity of the left hand muscles and pressure on the string
in the RAMP task were strongly affected in some individuals by the sound volume
(controlled by the right hand) and much less in other individuals. These findings
question whether there is an individual or generally optimal way of pressing
violin strings with the left hand. The answer to this question might
substantially modify the teaching of string instruments.
PMID- 28988266
TI - Effect of Arm Position on Width of the Subacromial Space of Upper String
Musicians.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Musicians often end their musical career due to musculoskeletal
injury. A leading source of shoulder pain in upper string musicians is rotator
cuff disease (RCD). Multiple factors contribute to its development. Compressive
overload of the soft tissues of the subacromial space resulting from a decrease
in the width of the subacromial space has been identified as an extrinsic factor
contributing to RCD development. The purpose of this study was to characterize
the width of the subacromial space by measuring acromial-humeral distance (AHD)
of upper string musicians, while their arms are in standard playing positions.
METHODS: Experienced musicians (n=23) were recruited from local communities.
Shoulder ultrasound images were collected using standard imaging techniques.
Images were collected and the AHD measured while the musician's arm was in
positions associated with playing the violin. RESULTS: On the right side, the arm
position main effect was significant (p<0.001): the AHD in the 4th string
position (8.8+/-1.9 mm) was less than the 1st string (11.3+/-1.4 mm) and resting
(11.7+/-1.3 mm) positions. There was no difference in AHD between resting (10.0+/
5.8 mm) and instrument-support positions (10.6+/-1.5 mm). The resting AHD was
smaller (p=0.04) on the right side compared to the left (12.2+/-1.4 mm). There
was not statistically significant difference (p=0.138) in the occupation ratio
(supraspinatus tendon thickness/AHD) between the right (mean 0.543+/-0.80 mm) and
left sides (mean 0.510+/-0.087 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The AHD measurement decreased in
the playing positions compared to resting positions. Treatment interventions that
help musicians maximize the width of their subacromial space might help reduce
the prevalence of shoulder pain in this population.
PMID- 28988265
TI - Overuse Injuries in Professional Anatolian Folk Dancers: A Descriptive Study
Verified with MRI.
AB - BACKGROUND: Professional dancers are artists as well as athletes who push their
bodies beyond limits for aesthetic expression. Therefore, overuse injuries are
common. We present our findings on overuse injuries in Anatolian (Turkish) folk
dancers. METHODS: The Fire of Anatolia dance group comprises of 82 dancers (37
male, 45 female) with a mean age of 27.96+/-5.05 yrs (range 18 to 38). Forty-one
dancers from this group presented to our clinic between February 2009 and April
2016 with complaints of pain, and 25 of them had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
for verification. The type, frequency, and anatomical locations of their overuse
injuries as found on MRI were investigated. RESULTS: We evaluated a total of 70
overuse injuries in 25 dancers. All injuries were seen on separate occasions, and
multiple injuries in the same dancers at separate times were recorded. Most of
the overuse injuries were seen around the knee joint. Ankle ligament injuries
were not seen in our study, in contrast to ballet and modern dance. Overuse
injuries were observed in the knee in 68% of cases, thigh in 24%, lumbar region
in 24%, feet in 20%, shoulder in 16%, and hip in 12%. CONCLUSIONS: Overuse
injuries occur mostly in the knee region in Anatolian folk dancers. There were no
statistically significant differences between dancers with and without overuse
injuries in terms of age, sex, and dance style (p>0.05).
PMID- 28988267
TI - Leg-Length in Relation to Selected Ballet Performance Indicators.
AB - : It is unclear whether the modern ballet body stereotype of long limbs is
advantageous in dance performance. Therefore, we investigated the relationship
between leg-length and selected dance movements representative of power,
dexterity, and range of motion in ballet dancers at different competence levels.
METHODS: The total of 10 recreational, 24 vocational, and 10 professional
ballerinas volunteered. They were subjected to: a) lower limb-length
measurements, b) power tests (vertical jump-sautes and unilateral countermovement
jump-temps leve), c) dexterity tests (tendus and double battement frappes), and
d) flexibility tests (lateral active and passive-developpe a la seconde).
RESULTS: For power, regression analyses revealed negative leg-length
relationships in recreational dancers (p<0.05) and positive leg-length
relationships in vocational dancers (p<0.05). We also found negative
relationships between leg-length and dexterity in the vocational group (p=0.01).
No significant predictions of leg-length on power, dexterity, and range of motion
were found in professional dancers. Multiple comparisons revealed significant
differences between groups only for dexterity (p<0.01) and range of motion
(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Based on selected movements representative of power,
dexterity, and range of motion, the present exploratory data indicate that lower
limb length is not a determinative criterion for ballet success. Further studies
should investigate whether body stereotypes, such as long limbs, are linked to
dance injuries.
PMID- 28988268
TI - Epidemiology of Dance-Related Injuries Presenting to Emergency Departments in the
United States, 2000-2013.
AB - : Dance is a popular activity associated with many physical and mental health
benefits, but injuries are a concern for all skill levels. Previous studies have
focused on professional dancers or particular genres, meaning the population-wide
characteristics of injuries is unknown. This study's objective was to identify
the incidence and types of dance-related injuries evaluated in emergency
departments in the United States over the 14-year period 2000-2013. METHODS: Data
were obtained from the nationally representative National Electronic Injury
Surveillance System from 2000-2013. National estimates of injuries were
determined using complex sample design. Trends using 2-year intervals were
calculated using linear regression and injury proportion ratios using Pearson's
X2. RESULTS: The average annual incidence of dance-related injuries requiring
emergency medical attention was 17,145 per year. The number of injuries grew from
14,204 in 2000/1 to 21,356 in 2012/3, a change of 33.4% after accounting for
population growth. Lower limb injuries were most common, particularly ankle and
knee sprains. Females presented with a greater proportion of ankle (injury
proportion ratio [IPR]=1.34, p=0.029) and foot sprains (IPR=2.11, p<0.001) but a
lower proportion of shoulder sprains (IPR=0.41, p<0.001) and face lacerations
(IPR=0.13, p<0.001). Younger dancers presented with a lower proportion of knee
(IPR=0.79, p=0.006) and low back sprains (IPR=0.68, p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The
average annual incidence of dance-related injuries of a serious enough nature to
require presentation to the emergency department in the United States was 17,145
per year, with ankle and knee sprains being the most common. Injury numbers have
increased in recent years.
PMID- 28988269
TI - Analysis of Anteroposterior Spinal Curvatures in Child Violinists from Music
Schools.
AB - : Young musicians often report problems with their upper limbs and spine due to
their specific and asymmetric positions and actions while playing, which may
contribute to overloading these structures. Diagnosing any disorders to the upper
limbs or spine early may help to minimize the risk of developing any serious
instrument-related health problems in the future. The aim of this study was to
assess the anteroposterior (AP) spinal curvatures in children learning to play
the violin. Previous studies have shown anthropomorphic differences in young
adult musicians, and our study examined if these differences appeared early or
late in the musician's career. METHODS: Body posture of 101 children, aged 7-12
yrs (mean 11.09+/-1.48), was assessed. The study population consisted of 49 child
violinists and a control group of 52 children who did not play any musical
instrument. There were 81.19% girls and 18.81% boys. Body posture was analyzed
using the MORA 4G. RESULTS: The violinist group showed significant differences in
the thoracolumbar region angle (p=0.004) compared to the non-musical children.
The remaining parameters did not reveal significant differences between groups.
The parameter characterizing the location of kyphosis peak calculated from the
spinous process of the C7 vertebra was significantly higher in the study
population. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in body posture in children who play the violin
appear early in their training. Body postures when playing the violin lead to
some changes in parameters characterizing AP spinal curvatures in the sagittal
plane.
PMID- 28988270
TI - Musculoskeletal Problems in Performers.
PMID- 28988271
TI - Bridging the gap from prenatal karyotyping to whole-genome array comparative
genomic hybridization in Hong Kong: survey on knowledge and acceptance of health
care providers and pregnant women.
AB - PURPOSE: The use of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) has been
increasingly widespread. The challenge of integration of this technology into
prenatal diagnosis was the interpretation of results and communicating findings
of unclear clinical significance. This study assesses the knowledge and
acceptance of prenatal aCGH in Hong Kong obstetricians and pregnant women. The
aim is to identify the needs and gaps before implementing the replacement of
karyotyping with aCGH. Questionnaires with aCGH information in the form of
pamphlets were sent by post to obstetrics and gynecology doctors. METHOD: For the
pregnant women group, a video presentation, pamphlets on aCGH and a self
administered questionnaire were provided at the antenatal clinic. RESULT: The
perception of aCGH between doctors and pregnant women was similar. Doctors not
choosing aCGH were more concerned about the difficulty in counseling of variants
of unknown significance and adult-onset disease in pregnant women, whereas
pregnant women not choosing aCGH were more concerned about the increased waiting
time leading to increased anxiety. Prenatal aCGH is perceived as a better test by
both doctors and patients. CONCLUSION: Counseling support, training, and better
understanding and communication of findings of unclear clinical significance are
necessary to improve doctor-patient experience.
PMID- 28988272
TI - Pre-culture in endothelial growth medium enhances the angiogenic properties of
adipose-derived stem/stromal cells.
AB - Considerable progress has been made on the development of adipose-derived
stem/stromal cells (ASCs) as pro-angiogenic therapeutic tools. However, variable
clinical results highlight the need for devising strategies to enhance their
therapeutic efficacy. Since ASCs proliferate and stabilize newly formed vessels
during the angiogenic phase of adipose tissue formation, we hypothesized that
mimicking an angiogenic milieu during culture of ASCs would enhance their
capacity to support endothelial cell survival and angiogenesis. To test this, we
compared the effect of an endothelial growth medium (EGM-2) and conventional
media (alphaMEM) on the progenitor and angiogenic properties of ASCs. ASCs
cultured in EGM-2 (ASC-EGM) displayed the highest clonogenic efficiency,
proliferative potential and multilineage potential. After co-culture under growth
factor starvation, only ASC-EGM attenuated luciferase-expressing human umbilical
vein endothelial cells (HUVECluc) apoptosis and supported the formation of
endothelial cords in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were recapitulated by
the conditioned medium of ASC-EGM, which displayed a 100-fold higher expression
of hepatocyte growth factor in comparison with ASC-alphaMEM. Next, HUVECluc and
ASCs were co-transplanted subcutaneously into immunodeficient mice, and the
survival of HUVECluc was monitored by bioluminescent imaging. After 60 days, the
survival of HUVECluc transplanted alone was equivalent to that of HUVECluc co
transplanted with ASC-alphaMEM (15.0 +/- 0.7 vs. 13.0 +/- 0.5%). Strikingly, co
transplantation with ASC-EGM increased HUVECluc survival to 105.0 +/- 3.5%, and
the resulting organoids displayed functional vasculature with the highest human
derived vascular area. These findings demonstrate that pre-conditioning of ASCs
in endothelial growth medium augment their pro-angiogenic properties and could
enhance their therapeutic efficacy against ischemic diseases.
PMID- 28988274
TI - Ultrasound or MR elastography of liver: which one shall I use?
AB - Liver stiffness is now a well-established noninvasive biomarker for assessing
fibrosis in chronic liver disease. MRI-based and ultrasound-based dynamic
elastography techniques have been introduced for assessment of liver stiffness
and useful in clinical staging of hepatic fibrosis. Several different
elastography techniques are now available with each method having inherent
strengths and limitations. The published literature generally indicates that MR
elastography has a higher diagnostic performance and fewer technical failures
than ultrasound-based elastography techniques in assessing hepatic fibrosis.
There is also significant potential to further develop elastography techniques to
implement multiparametric methods that have promise for distinguishing between
processes such as inflammation, fibrosis, venous congestion, and portal
hypertension that can result in increased liver stiffness. In this commentary, we
compare MR and ultrasound elastography methods and their utility in clinical
practice.
PMID- 28988273
TI - Responses of growth, malformation, and thyroid hormone-dependent genes expression
in Bufo gargarizans embryos following chronic exposure to Pb2.
AB - The aim of this study was to examine the adverse effects of lead (Pb) exposure on
Bufo gargarizans embryos. The 96 h-LC50 of Pb2+ for B. gargarizans embryos was
determined to be 26.6 mg L-1 after an acute test. In the chronic test, B.
gargarizans embryos at Gosner stage 3 were exposed to 10~2000 MUg Pb2+ L-1 during
embryogenesis. Total length, weight, developmental stage, and malformation were
monitored. In addition, the transcript levels of type II and type III
iodothyronine deiodinase (Dio2 and Dio3) and thyroid hormone receptors (TRalpha
and TRbeta) were determined to assess the thyroid-disrupting effects of Pb2+.
Slightly increased growth and development of B. gargarizans embryos were observed
at low concentrations of Pb2+ (10, 50, and 100 MUg L-1), while retarded growth
and development were found at high concentrations of Pb2+ (1000 and 2000 MUg L
1). In addition, Pb2+ exposure induced morphological abnormalities, which were
characterized by edema at tail, wavy fin, abdominal edema, stunted growth,
hyperplasia, and axial flexures in B. gargarizans embryos. Furthermore, our
results showed that exposure to 2000 MUg Pb2+ L-1 decreased the transcript levels
of Dio2, TRalpha, and TRbeta, but it increased Dio3 mRNA level. In contrast,
exposure to 50 MUg Pb2+ L-1 increased TRalpha mRNA level and decreased Dio3 mRNA
level. These results suggested that Pb2+ might have thyroid-disrupting effects,
leading to the disruption of growth and development in B. gargarizans embryos.
PMID- 28988275
TI - Risk factors and preventative measures of early and persistent dysphagia after
anterior cervical spine surgery: a systematic review.
AB - PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic review of literature to determine risk factors
and preventative measures of early and persistent dysphagia after anterior
cervical spine surgery (ACSS). METHODS: On March 2017, we searched the database
PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, Clinical key, Springer link and
Wiley Online Library without time restriction using the term 'dysphagia',
'swallowing disorders', and 'anterior cervical spine surgery'. Selected papers
were examined for the level of evidence by published guidelines as level I, level
II, level III, level IV studies. We investigated risk factors and preventative
measures of early or persistent dysphagia after ACSS from these papers. RESULTS:
The initial search yielded 515 citations. Fifty-nine of these studies met the
inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three of them were level I evidence studies, 29
were level II evidence studies, 22 were level III evidence studies, and 3 were
level IV evidence studies. Preventable risk factors included prolonged operative
time, use of rhBMP, endotracheal tube cuff pressure, cervical plate type and
position, dC2-C7 angle, psychiatric factors, tobacco usage, prevertebral soft
tissue swelling, SLN or RLN palsy or injury of branches. Preventative measures
included preoperative tracheal traction exercise, maintaining endotracheal tube
cuff pressure at 20 mm Hg, avoiding routine use of rhBMP-2, use of zero-profile
implant, use of Zephir plate, use of new cervical retractor, steroid application,
avoiding prolonged operating time, avoiding overenlargement of cervical lordosis,
decreasing surgical levels, ensuring knowledge of anatomy of superior laryngeal
nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve, to comfort always, patients quitting smoking
and doctors ensuring improved skills. Unpreventable risk factors included age,
gender, multilevel surgery, revision surgery, duration of preexisting pain, BMI,
blood loss, upper levels, preoperative comorbidities and surgical type.
CONCLUSION: Adequate preoperative preparation of the patients including
preoperative tracheal traction exercise and quitting smoking, proper preventative
measures during surgery including maintaining endotracheal tube cuff pressure at
20 mm Hg, avoiding routine use of rhBMP-2, use of zero-profile implant, use of
Zephir plate, use of new cervical retractor, steroid application, avoiding
prolonged operating time, avoiding overenlargement of cervical lordosis and
decreasing surgical levels, doctors ensuring knowledge of anatomy, improved
surgical techniques and to comfort always are essential for preventing early and
persistent dysphagia after ACSS.
PMID- 28988276
TI - Vegaviidae, a new clade of southern diving birds that survived the K/T boundary.
AB - The fossil record of Late Cretaceous-Paleogene modern birds in the Southern
Hemisphere includes the Maastrichtian Neogaeornis wetzeli from Chile, Polarornis
gregorii and Vegavis iaai from Antarctica, and Australornis lovei from the
Paleogene of New Zealand. The recent finding of a new and nearly complete Vegavis
skeleton constitutes the most informative source for anatomical comparisons among
Australornis, Polarornis, and Vegavis. The present contribution includes, for the
first time, Vegavis, Polarornis, and Australornis in a comprehensive phylogenetic
analysis. This analysis resulted in the recognition of these taxa as a clade of
basal Anseriformes that we call Vegaviidae. Vegaviids share a combination of
characters related to diving adaptations, including compact and thickened cortex
of hindlimb bones, femur with anteroposteriorly compressed and bowed shaft, deep
and wide popliteal fossa delimited by a medial ridge, tibiotarsus showing notably
proximally expanded cnemial crests, expanded fibular crest, anteroposterior
compression of the tibial shaft, and a tarsometatarsus with a strong transverse
compression of the shaft. Isolated bones coming from the Cretaceous and Paleogene
of South America, Antarctica, and New Zealand are also referred to here to
Vegaviidae and support the view that these basal anseriforms were abundant and
diverse at high southern latitudes. Moreover, vegaviids represent the first avian
lineage to have definitely crossed the K-Pg boundary, supporting the idea that
some avian clades were not affected by the end Mesozoic mass extinction event,
countering previous interpretations. Recognition of Vegaviidae indicates that
modern birds were diversified in southern continents by the Cretaceous and
reinforces the hypothesis indicating the important role of Gondwana for the
evolutionary history of Anseriformes and Neornithes as a whole.
PMID- 28988277
TI - A physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) model of
the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor vorinostat for pediatric and adult
patients and its application for dose specification.
AB - PURPOSE: This study aimed at recommending pediatric dosages of the histone
deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor vorinostat and potentially more effective adult
dosing regimens than the approved standard dosing regimen of 400 mg/day, using a
comprehensive physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD)
modeling approach. METHODS: A PBPK/PD model for vorinostat was developed for
predictions in adults and children. It includes the maturation of relevant
metabolizing enzymes. The PBPK model was expanded by (1) effect compartments to
describe vorinostat concentration-time profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear
cells (PBMCs), (2) an indirect response model to predict the HDAC inhibition, and
(3) a thrombocyte model to predict the dose-limiting thrombocytopenia.
Parameterization of drug and system-specific processes was based on published and
unpublished in silico, in vivo, and in vitro data. The PBPK modeling software
used was PK-Sim and MoBi. RESULTS: The PBPK/PD model suggests dosages of 80 and
230 mg/m2 for children of 0-1 and 1-17 years of age, respectively. In comparison
with the approved standard treatment, in silico trials reveal 11 dosing regimens
(9 oral, and 2 intravenous infusion rates) increasing the HDAC inhibition by an
average of 31%, prolonging the HDAC inhibition by 181%, while only decreasing the
circulating thrombocytes to a tolerable 53%. The most promising dosing regimen
prolongs the HDAC inhibition by 509%. CONCLUSIONS: Thoroughly developed PBPK
models enable dosage recommendations in pediatric patients and integrated PBPK/PD
models, considering PD biomarkers (e.g., HDAC activity and platelet count), are
well suited to guide future efficacy trials by identifying dosing regimens
potentially superior to standard dosing regimens.
PMID- 28988278
TI - Impaired vascular endothelial function in patients with diabetic macular edema.
PMID- 28988279
TI - Caffeic acid combined with autoclaved Leishmania major boosted the protection of
infected BALB/c mice by enhancing IgG2 production, IFN-gamma/TGF-beta and iNO
synthase/arginase1 ratios, and the death of infected phagocytes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Immunization with killed Leishmania promastigotes without adjuvant
was considered as safe, but gave variable rates of protection. Taking advantage
of the immuno-modulatory effect of caffeic acid (CA), a natural polyphenolic
antioxidant, we investigated its potentiating effect in autoclaved Leishmania
major (ALM)-induced protection of Leishmania major-infected BALB/c. METHODS:
First, BALB/c mice were sensitized for 6 weeks either with CA, or ALM alone or
combined with caffeic acid (ALM-CA) or Freund's adjuvant (ALM-FA), and
subsequently infected with L. major promastigotes. Second, to test the curative
effect, CA was given daily for 5 weeks to susceptible mice, starting on week 4
post-infection. Sera, footpads and lymph nodes (LNs) were collected at week 9
post-infection and submitted to biochemical or histological analyses. RESULTS:
Compared to the respective controls, our results showed that CA directly healed
footpad lesions and reduced the hallmarks of cutaneous leishmaniasis including
oxidative inflammation, parasite load, and phagocytes influx and infestation. In
sensitized mice, the protection enhanced gradually from ALM-FA, CA, ALM to ALM-CA
in parallel to decreased seric IgGt levels. In contrast to ALM-FA, the combined
effect of ALM and CA increased specific isotype IgG2, and decreased IL-17 and MCP
1, and phagocyte influx, as attested by the concomitant reduction in
myeloperoxidase (MPO) and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activities. ALM
CA shifted IFN-gamma/TGF-beta and iNO synthase/arginase1 (iNOS/Arg1) balances in
a Th1 immune response that control efficiently cutaneous lesions and LNs
hypertrophy, and reactivate the death of infected phagocytes. CONCLUSIONS:
Therefore, CA combined with ALM synergizes with L. major antigens for priming
innate cells, through early polarization to optimal Th1 response that leads to
IFN-gamma and iNOS-dependent leishmanicidal activity of neutrophils and
macrophages.
PMID- 28988280
TI - Echocardiographic features in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis within 3
months before and after diagnosis.
AB - We investigated the all-inclusive echocardiographic features in patients with
antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) within 3
months before and after diagnosis. We reviewed the medical records of 89 AAV
patients taking echocardiography and 35 age- and gender-matched controls. We
collected clinical and laboratory data and echocardiographic results. We compared
the variables between patients with AAV of each variant and controls and among
those with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
and eosinophilic GPA (EGPA). The mean age and period from diagnosis to
echocardiography were 54.5 years (30 men) and 1.4 months. The mean age of
controls was 51.6 years. AAV patients exhibited lower mean left ventricle
ejection fraction (LVEF) (64.0 vs. 69.1%, P = 0.002) and higher mean E/E' ratio
(11.7 vs. 8.8, P = 0.001) and right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) (30.2 vs.
23.2 mm Hg, P < 0.001) than the controls. Each variant of AAV presented a
different pattern of echocardiographic features in comparison with controls. MPA
patients exhibited systolic and diastolic dysfunctions and pulmonary arterial
hypertension more often than controls. Meanwhile, GPA patients exhibited only
diastolic dysfunction, and EGPA patients had systolic dysfunction and pulmonary
arterial hypertension more frequently than controls. No meaningful differences in
echocardiographic features appeared among AAV variants. AAV patients exhibited
reduced systolic function and advanced diastolic dysfunctions and pulmonary
arterial hypertension near the time of diagnosis compared with controls. Each
variant of AAV presented a different pattern in echocardiographic features.
PMID- 28988281
TI - Corynebacterium glutamicum WhcD interacts with WhiA to exert a regulatory effect
on cell division genes.
AB - Corynebacterium glutamicum WhcD plays an important regulatory role in cell
division. Binding of WhcD to the promoter region of its target genes, such as
ftsZ, was observed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) using purified
fusion proteins; however, binding could only be observed in the presence of WhiA.
Although WhcD alone did not bind to the DNA, it stimulated binding of WhiA to the
promoter region of the cell division gene ftsZ. Binding of WhcD and WhiA to DNA
did not occur in the presence of the oxidant diamide. Purified WhcD and WhiA
physically interacted in vitro. The presence of diamide did not disrupt the WhcD
WhiA interaction but affected binding of WhiA to the promoter region of ftsZ. The
GACAC motif and adjacent sequences were found to be important for binding of the
WhcD-WhiA complex to the DNA. Collectively, our results suggest that WhcD
enhances the WhiA DNA-binding activity by physically interacting with WhiA. In
addition, loss of WhiA DNA-binding activity in the presence of an oxidant agent
may suggest a role for this protein as a switch that controls cell division in
cells under oxidative stress.
PMID- 28988283
TI - Determinants of Child Attachment in the Years Postpartum in a High-Risk Sample of
Immigrant Women.
AB - Our goal was to examine maternal mental health and associated stresses in a
sample of high-risk immigrant mothers, and its association with child insecure
attachment in the years following childbirth. Mothers and their child (Mage = 37
months) were recruited through a Health and Social Service organization in the
Parc-Extension neighborhood in Montreal, Quebec. Mothers completed the Hopkins
Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social
Support (MPSS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire that included questions on
premature delivery and birth weight. Attachment behaviors were coded out of a
videotaped free play sequence using the Preschool and Early School-Age Attachment
Rating Scales (PARS). Analysis revealed high levels of clinical anxiety and
depression, low social support and low attachment security. Significant mean
differences and associations were found between anxiety, depression, social
support, preterm delivery and child attachment. These results underscore the
importance of screening for anxiety and depression early in the postnatal years,
in order to prevent associated consequences such as child insecure attachment.
Results also highlight the importance of building positive social networks,
especially with immigrant populations.
PMID- 28988282
TI - Biogenic and Risk Elements in Wines from the Slovak Market with the Estimation of
Consumer Exposure.
AB - Wine consumption delivers macroelements and microelements necessary for the
proper metabolism. On the other hand, wine can be an important source of toxic
metals. The aim of this study was to estimate the concentrations of Ca, Cd, Cu,
Fe, Hg, Mg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the Slovak and non-Slovak wines. The concentration
of metals was evaluated with respect to the type, the alcohol content, and the
age of Slovak wine. The general scheme of concentrations found was as follows Ca
> Mg > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd > Ni > Cu > Hg. The type of wine and the alcohol content
do not have a significant impact on metal concentrations. Also, the age of wine
has no influence on the mean concentration of metals, except for Zn. Metal
concentrations in Slovak and non-Slovak wines indicate similar contents of
metals, except for Ni. The contribution to both dietary reference values (DRVs)
and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) evaluations in the Slovak wine
suggested low dietary exposure to Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb,
respectively. However, we do not suggest that the consumption of all Slovak wines
is healthy. The maximum Pb concentrations in Slovak wines exceed the maximum
permitted level proposed by the European Commission. This might be proved by the
results of the margin of the exposure (MOE) value evaluation in the samples
containing the maximum Pb concentrations, showing a high risk of CKD and SBP in
high and extreme consumption groups.
PMID- 28988284
TI - Morphological and morphometrical changes on adult Wistar rat testis caused by
chronic sodium arsenite exposure.
AB - Arsenic is a contaminant that occurs naturally in the environment, and it is
related to several diseases, such as cancer and severe metabolic diseases. Sodium
arsenite effects on testes rats are not fully understood regarding morphology and
stereology; thus, it becomes necessary to evaluate possible changes in these
parameters under low concentrations and simulating occupational exposure.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the morphometrical and
stereological changes on rat testis treated with sodium arsenite. The treatment
was accomplished using 5 mg/kg of sodium arsenite by gastric gavage in Wistar
rats, which experiment lasted 8 weeks. Organs were weighed and gonadosomatic
index (GSI) was calculated. Using the software Image Pro Plus, seminiferous
tubule diameter was measured, and the volume densities of testicular parenchymal
components were obtained. It was counted 200 hundred spermatozoa and classified
as normal or abnormal. The parameters means of control (N = 5) and treated (N =
7) groups were compared by U Mann-Whitney's test, and the results were considered
significant for P < 0.05. We observed a decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter,
as well as testis weight. These finds may be related with disorders of
testosterone metabolism due to activation of immunological responses of
macrophage, which inhibit the steroidogenesis. Thus, we conclude that sodium
arsenic does not impair the animal's general health, but its exposure induces
biochemical and tissue changes.
PMID- 28988286
TI - Odontology prize 2017.
PMID- 28988285
TI - Human biomonitoring of eight trace elements in urine of residents living in rural
areas along the Yangtze River, China.
AB - The rapid economic development and industrialization have made heavy metal
contamination a great public concern, especially in China. However, the levels of
heavy metals in human body, especially those susceptible to the effect of
industrial progression, are rarely explored. In this study, eight elements in
2643 urinary samples of individuals living in rural areas along the Yangtze River
were determined through inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
(As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) and TAS-990 atomic absorption spectrophotometry
(Cd). Two-level regression model was applied to explore the potential factors
associated with the level of the eight trace elements. After adjusting for
urinary creatinine, the geometric means were 77.5, 10.98, 14.39, 13.00, 0.59,
1.51, 489.62, and 1.80 MUg/g for As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, and Cd,
respectively. The level of eight elements varied among individual and familial
characteristics. Compared with domestic and international results, the rural
residents living in riverside areas had higher level of As, Cd, Cr, Fe, and Zn.
Therefore, industrial progression followed by economic development has resulted
in high body burden of heavy metals. Targeted public health policies should be
made to improve the local environment and the recognition of potential risk
factors.
PMID- 28988287
TI - Kinetic Measurements of Di- and Tripeptide and Peptidomimetic Drug Transport in
Different Kidney Regions Using the Fluorescent Membrane Potential-Sensitive Dye,
DiS-C3-(3).
AB - Tri- and dipeptides are transported in the kidney by PEPT1 and PEPT2 isoforms.
The aim of this study was to investigate differences in transport kinetics
between renal brush border (BBMV) and outer medulla (OMMV) membrane vesicles
(where PEPT1 and PEPT2 are sequentially available) for a range of di- and
tripeptides and peptidomimetic drugs. This was accomplished through the use of
the potential-sensitive fluorescent dye 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide [DiS
C3-(3)]. BBMV and OMMV were prepared from the rat kidney using standard
techniques. The presence of PEPT1 in BBMV and PEPT2 in OMMV was confirmed using
Western blotting. Fluorescence changes were measured when extravesicular medium
at pH 6.6 containing 0-1 mM substrates was added to a cuvette containing vesicles
pre-equilibrated at pH 7.4 and 2.71 MUM DiS-C3-(3). An increase in fluorescence
intensity occurred upon substrate addition reflecting the expected positive
change in membrane potential difference. Of the range of substrates studied, OMMV
manifested the highest affinity to cefadroxil and valacyclovir (K m 4.3 +/- 1.2
and 11.7 +/- 3.2 uM, respectively) compared to other substrates, whilst the BBMV
showed a higher affinity to Gly-His (K m 15.4 +/- 3.1 uM) compared to other
substrates. In addition, OMMV showed higher affinity and capacity to Gly-Gln (K m
47.1 +/- 9.8 uM, 55.5 +/- 2.8 DeltaF/s/mg protein) than BBMV (K m 78.1 +/- 13.3
uM and 35.5 +/- 1.7 DeltaF/s/mg protein, respectively). In conclusion, this study
successfully separated the expression of PEPT1 and PEPT2 into different vesicle
preparations inferring their activity in different regions of the renal proximal
tubule.
PMID- 28988288
TI - Effects of Mechanical Complications on Radiation Exposure During Fluoroscopically
Guided Gastrojejunostomy Exchange in the Pediatric Population.
AB - The purpose of the article is to evaluate the effects of mechanical
complications, such as clogging or coiling, of gastrojejunostomy tubes on
radiation exposure during exchange in the pediatric population. In this HIPAA
compliant and IRB-approved study, we retrospectively reviewed procedural records
for patients undergoing gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tube exchange during a 4-month
period in 2014. Success of the procedure, specifications of the tube, age, and
sex of the patient as well as radiation exposure during the procedure were
included. Radiation exposure was measured in fluoroscopy time and cumulative air
kerma. Complications encountered during exchange were also recorded, if
available. Patients presenting for gastrostomy to GJ conversions or combined
procedures were excluded from the study. Ordinary and mixed effect linear
regression models were used to test associations between GJ tube parameters,
presence of mechanical complications, and fluoroscopy time and radiation dose.
146 patients undergoing 285 GJ exchanges met inclusion criteria over the 4-month
study period (M:F 82:64). All exchanges were successful with 85 demonstrating a
form of mechanical complication (44 coiled, 41 clogged). Of the reported GJ tube
specifications, only tube length was significantly associated with mechanical
complications (p < 0.001). The presence of mechanical complication was
significantly associated with increased radiation exposure and fluoroscopy time
(p < 0.0001). Mechanical complications of gastrojejunostomy tubes, such as
clogging or coiling, are associated with increased radiation exposure during
exchange. Strategies to decrease these complications, including re-siting the
gastrostomy tract or placement of a surgical jejunostomy in the event of repeated
coiling of a tube should be strongly considered.
PMID- 28988289
TI - Whole body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) and brain MRI baseline
surveillance in TP53 germline mutation carriers: experience from the Li-Fraumeni
Syndrome Education and Early Detection (LEAD) clinic.
AB - Individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) have a significantly increased
lifetime cancer risk affecting multiple organ sites. Therefore, novel
comprehensive screening approaches are necessary to improve cancer detection and
survival in this population. The objective of this study was to determine the
diagnostic performance of whole body MRI (WB-MRI) and dedicated brain MRI
screening as part of a comprehensive screening clinic called Li-Fraumeni
Education and Early Detection (LEAD) at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Adult (>=21
year old) and pediatric (<21 year old) patients were referred to the LEAD clinic
by healthcare providers or self-referred and screened at 6 month intervals.
During the study period, 63 LFS individuals were seen in the LEAD clinic
including 49 adults (11 male, 38 female) and 14 children (7 male, 7 female).
Fifty-three of 63 potentially eligible individuals underwent baseline WB-MRI (41
adults and 12 children) with primary tumors detected in six patients, tumor
recurrence in one patient and cancer metastases in one patient. Thirty-five of 63
patients (24 adults and 11 children) underwent baseline brain MRI with primary
brain tumors detected in three individuals, also noted on subsequent WB-MRI
scans. Three additional tumors were diagnosed that in retrospect review were
missed on the initial scan (false negatives) and one tumor noted, but not
followed up clinically, was prospectively found to be malignant. The high
incidence of asymptomatic tumors identified in this initial screening (13%),
supports the inclusion of WB-MRI and brain MRI in the clinical management of
individuals with LFS.
PMID- 28988290
TI - Early microbiota, antibiotics and health.
AB - The colonization of the neonatal digestive tract provides a microbial stimulus
required for an adequate maturation towards the physiological homeostasis of the
host. This colonization, which is affected by several factors, begins with
facultative anaerobes and continues with anaerobic genera. Accumulating evidence
underlines the key role of the early neonatal period for this microbiota-induced
maturation, being a key determinant factor for later health. Therefore,
understanding the factors that determine the establishment of the microbiota in
the infant is of critical importance. Exposure to antibiotics, either prenatally
or postnatally, is common in early life mainly due to the use of intrapartum
prophylaxis or to the administration of antibiotics in C-section deliveries.
However, we are still far from understanding the impact of early antibiotics and
their long-term effects. Increased risk of non-communicable diseases, such as
allergies or obesity, has been observed in individuals exposed to antibiotics
during early infancy. Moreover, the impact of antibiotics on the establishment of
the infant gut resistome, and on the role of the microbiota as a reservoir of
resistance genes, should be evaluated in the context of the problems associated
with the increasing number of antibiotic resistant pathogenic strains. In this
article, we review and discuss the above-mentioned issues with the aim of
encouraging debate on the actions needed for understanding the impact of early
life antibiotics upon human microbiota and health and for developing strategies
aimed at minimizing this impact.
PMID- 28988291
TI - Statistical Approaches to Address Multi-Pollutant Mixtures and Multiple
Exposures: the State of the Science.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to describe the most recent
statistical approaches to estimate the effect of multi-pollutant mixtures or
multiple correlated exposures on human health. RECENT FINDINGS: The health
effects of environmental chemicals or air pollutants have been widely described.
Often, there exists a complex mixture of different substances, potentially highly
correlated with each other and with other (environmental) stressors. Single
exposure approaches do not allow disentangling effects of individual factors and
fail to detect potential interactions between exposures. In the last years,
sophisticated methods have been developed to investigate the joint or independent
health effects of multi-pollutant mixtures or multiple environmental exposures. A
classification of the most recent methods is proposed. A non-technical
description of each method is provided, together with epidemiological
applications and operational details for implementation with standard software.
PMID- 28988293
TI - Persistent trigeminal artery variant terminating in the posterior inferior
cerebellar artery: a case report.
AB - Persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is a rare cerebrovascular variation of remnant
fetal carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses. The PTA variant terminates in the
cerebellar artery with no direct connection to the basilar artery. We present a
rare case of a PTA variant that terminated directly into the ipsilateral
posterior inferior cerebellar artery.
PMID- 28988292
TI - Role of cell cycle regulators in adipose tissue and whole body energy
homeostasis.
AB - In the course of the last decades, metabolism research has demonstrated that
adipose tissue is not an inactive tissue. Rather, adipocytes are key actors of
whole body energy homeostasis. Numerous novel regulators of adipose tissue
differentiation and function have been identified. With the constant increase of
obesity and associated disorders, the interest in adipose tissue function
alterations in the XXIst century has become of paramount importance. Recent data
suggest that adipocyte differentiation, adipose tissue browning and mitochondrial
function, lipogenesis and lipolysis are strongly modulated by the cell division
machinery. This review will focus on the function of cell cycle regulators in
adipocyte differentiation, adipose tissue function and whole body energy
homeostasis; with particular attention in mouse studies.
PMID- 28988294
TI - Development and proposal of a scoring system for giant cell tumour of the bone
around the knee.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide the surgeons with effective and
reliable guidelines for surgical decision-making by establishing a scoring system
for giant cell tumour (GCTSS) based on evidence and expert opinion. METHODS: The
modified Delphi technique and analytic hierarchy process were used to establish
the GCTSS. The GCTSS was defined and classified based on different surgical
methods using data from 207 patients collected retrospectively between October
2003 and December 2014. Finally, prospective data of 40 patients between December
2014 and October 2015 were used to analyze concordance between score
categorization and experts' consensus on surgical procedure. RESULTS: A novel
GCTSS included pathological fracture, cortical bone destruction, tumour size, and
articular surface involved. The total scores ranged from 1 to 12 points. The
strategy for each patient was decided: a total score of 1-4 suggested
intralesional curettage alone for excellent post-operative function; 5-9 points
indicated intralesional curettage with internal fixation for less surgery-related
complications; and 10-12 points indicated prosthesis replacement for long-term
local control. The kappa-statistic for the predictive validity of total score was
0.611. The kappa coefficient of each group represented moderate or substantial
agreement, which was acceptable. The intraclass correlation coefficient for inter
and intra-observer reliability of total score was 0.831 and 0.740, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The novel GCTSS is a comprehensive scoring system with content
validity that can aid surgeons in assessing the aggressiveness or severity of
giant cell tumour and might become a prognostic tool for surgical decision
making.
PMID- 28988295
TI - Associations between clinical data and computed tomography features in patients
with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in lung adenocarcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: To analyse the differences in computed tomography (CT) features
between patients with lung adenocarcinoma who have epidermal growth factor
receptor (EGFR) mutations and those who have wild-type EGFR. METHODS: Patients
with lung adenocarcinoma (n = 156) were enrolled from October 2013 to March 2016,
including 56 patients with wild-type EGFR and 100 patients with EGFR mutations.
Two independent radiologists evaluated patient characteristics and imaging
features. Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test or ANOVA was applied to
discriminate clinical and CT characteristics between the genotypes. A prediction
tool for EGFR mutation was devised from principal component analysis. RESULTS:
The proportion of females and non-smokers in the exon 19 deletion and exon 21
missense groups was higher than in the wild-type group (P < 0.01). Severe
emphysema was higher in the wild-type group than in the exon 19 deletion group (P
< 0.01). The maximum diameter in the mediastinal window (MaxDmediastinal) in the
wild-type group was longer than in the exon 19 deletion and exon 21 missense
groups. The minimum diameter in the mediastinal window (MinDmediastinal) in the
wild-type group was also longer than in the exon 21 missense group, with a
significant difference (P < 0.05). The tumor shadow disappearance rate (TDR) in
the exon 19 deletion group was higher than in the wild-type group. Ground glass
opacity (GGO) appeared to be more common in the exon 19 deletion group (P =
0.010). The prediction score for exon 19 deletion mutation was: 0.305 * gender +
0.254 * smoking history + 0.198 * MaxDmediastinal + TDR * 0.254 + 0.280 * GGO +
0.095 * emphysema. The sensitivity and specificity for predicting exon 19
deletion were 59.09 and 76.79%, respectively. The prediction score for the exon
21 missense mutation was: 0.354 * gender + 0.291 * smoking history + 0.410 *
MaxDmediastinal + 0.408 * MinDmediastinal. The sensitivity and specificity for
predicting exon 21 missense mutation were 72.34 and 78.57%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: As well as gender, smoking history and GGO, adenocarcinomas with EGFR
mutation were significantly associated with emphysema, TDR, and the diameter in
the mediastinal window. As exon 19 deletion and 21 missense mutations might be
predicted by those features, the scoring system might be valuable for clinical
diagnosis.
PMID- 28988296
TI - Pivotal factors for successful withdrawal of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
in rheumatoid arthritis patients in remission or with low-disease activity.
AB - The purpose of this study is to examine the patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after
discontinuing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and clinical factors
associated with a favorable outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in
remission or with low-disease activity (LDA). A 16-week prospective open-label
trial was conducted at eight rheumatology clinics in Korea. RA patients with 28
joint disease activity score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR)
< 3.2 who were on NSAIDs for more than a month were enrolled, and NSAIDs were
discontinued. Acetaminophen (AAP) was used as the rescue medication, and NSAIDs
were restarted when joint pain was intolerable with AAP. The endpoint was to
analyze the group of patients who continued to withdraw NSAIDs. Among 109
enrolled patients, 105 completed the 16-week follow-up. Eighty-nine (84.8%)
patients remained without restarting NSAIDs. In these patients, there was a
slight increase in their pain levels compared with baseline (median 14.0 versus
19.0 using the pain-visual analog scale, p = 0.010). However, changes in DAS28
ESR (p = 0.638) and routine assessment of patient index data 3 (RAPID-3) (p =
0.128) were insignificant. Moreover, 66 (62.9%) patients showed sustained
effectiveness on PRO without restarting NSAIDs. In the multivariate regression
models, joint swelling was the detrimental factor in NSAID withdrawal (odds ratio
[OR] 0.149, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.033-0.680, p = 0.014) and sustained
effectiveness (OR 0.284, 95% CI 0.091-0.883, p = 0.030). Joint pain in RA
patients in remission or with LDA can be well managed without NSAIDs, especially
in those without swollen joints at the time of cessation.
PMID- 28988297
TI - Risk association between scleroderma disease characteristics, periodontitis, and
tooth loss.
AB - Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multi-system disorder that can have significant
adverse effects on the health of the mouth. The aim of this study was to
investigate the associations between the disease characteristics of SSc,
periodontal disease (PD), and tooth loss. Fifty-four patients affected by SSc and
55 non-diseased controls were matched for age and gender. SSc was characterized
in subtypes and with the mean duration of disease and the Modified Rodnan Skin
Score [mRSS]. Patients were surveyed and examined through the evaluation of the
periodontal parameters and the number of teeth. A logistic regression analysis
showed that patients with SSc presented a higher number of missing teeth (p =
0.001) and a significant median increased odds 2.95 (95% CI 1.26 to 6.84) of PD
(defined as clinical attachment loss, CAL) compared to nondiseased controls
(6.83, 95% CI 1.94 to 24.36). Moreover, the fewer values of PD was correlated
with mRSS in the total SSc group and with the mean duration of disease in
patients with limited SSc (p = 0.007), even after adjusting this correlation with
the presence of the major organ involvement. This study showed that patients with
SSc presented increased odds of PD and tooth loss compared to non-diseased
controls. In SSc patients, the magnitude of PD was strongly associated with the
mRSS and with the mean duration of the disease. The clinicians should be aware of
the potential systemic health problems related to PD.
PMID- 28988298
TI - Is There a Return on a Children's Hospital's Investment in a Pediatric
Residency's Community Health Track? A Cost Analysis.
AB - Academic Medical Centers incur significant expenses associated with training
residents and caring for underserved populations. No previous studies have
analyzed hospital-level graduate medical education economics for pediatric
residency training. Using data from the 2010-2011 academic year, we quantified
total direct costs per year for training 12 community health track (CHT)
residents. Utilizing sensitivity analyses, we estimated revenues generated by
residents in inpatient and outpatient settings. The total yearly direct cost of
training 12 CHT residents was $922,640 including salaries, benefits, and
administrative costs. The estimated additional yearly inpatient net revenue from
attending-resident clinical teams compared to attendingonly service was $109,452.
For primary care clinics, the estimated yearly revenue differential of resident
preceptor teams was $455,940, compared to attending-only clinics. The replacement
cost of 12 CHT residents with advanced practitioners was $457,596 per year.This
study suggests there is positive return on a children's hospital's investment in
a CHT.
PMID- 28988299
TI - Interrelationships among trace metals and metallothionein in digestive glands and
gills for field samples of Merceneria merceneria.
AB - More widespread use of metallothionein (MT) as a biomarker for trace metal
pollution continues to be partly dependent on obtaining reliable baseline
concentrations and identifying increased induction of the enzyme with only modest
increases in metal concentrations. In this study, new data on metals and MT
levels in whole clams tissue, gills, and digestive glands from field samples and
in sediments are presented. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn in depurated (24
h) clam samples of digestive glands, gills, and the whole clam Merceneria
merceneria from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, varied with location and showed
moderate to strong correlations among Zn, Cu, and Fe. Concentrations of
metallothionein (dry wt.) ranged from 34?270 MUg/g in gills and 150-440 MUg/g in
digestive glands and showed moderate to strong correlations between organs and
with metal concentrations in those organs. Observed trends support increased
synthesis of metallothionein with only moderate increases in metal values and in
response to statistically higher sediment metal concentrations.
PMID- 28988300
TI - Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, and Physicochemical
Study of an Anhydrous Organic Acidic Cyclohexaphosphate.
AB - The new organic-inorganic hybrid [5-Cl-2-(CH3)C6H3NH3]4H2P6O18 has been
synthesized by the slow evaporation method. X-ray diffraction on a single crystal
shows that this acidic cyclohexaphosphate crystallized in the monoclinic space
group C 2/c with a = 33.89(11) A, b = 9.16(16) A, c = 13.68(3) A, beta = 91.35(2)
degrees , V = 4244.9(19) A3 and Z = 4. 31P MAS-NMR and 13C CP/MAS-NMR results are
in accordance with X-ray findings. Fluorescent study shows the blue
photoluminescence. Furthermore, FT-IR analysis was studied and the complete
vibrational assignments were done. Intermolecular interactions were analyzed
using Hirshfeld surface analysis and the associated 2D fingerprint plots.
PMID- 28988301
TI - Occurrence, ecological risk assessment, and spatio-temporal variation of
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water and sediments along River Ravi and its
northern tributaries, Pakistan.
AB - Ecological risk assessment, spatio-temporal variation, and source apportionment
of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied in surface sediments and water
from River Ravi and its three northern tributaries (Nullah Deg, Nullah Basantar,
and Nullah Bein) in Pakistan. In total, 35 PCB congeners were analyzed along 27
sampling stations in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The ?35PCB
concentration ranged from 1.06 to 95.76 ng/g (dw) in sediments and 1.94 to 11.66
ng/L in water samples, with hexa-CBs and tetra-CBs as most dominant homologs in
sediments and water matrixes, respectively. The ?8DL-PCB levels were 0.33-22.13
ng/g (dw) and 0.16-1.95 ng/L in sediments and water samples, respectively. The
WHO-toxic equivalent values were ranged from 1.18 * 10-6 to 0.012 ng/L and 1.8 *
10-6 to 0.031 ng/g in water and sediments matrixes, respectively. The ecological
risk assessment indicates considerable potential ecological risk during pre
monsoon season ([Formula: see text] = 95.17) and moderate potential ecological
risk during post-monsoon season ([Formula: see text] = 49.11). The industrial and
urban releases were recognized as key ongoing sources for high PCB levels in
environment. Therefore, we recommend more freshwater ecological studies to be
conducted in the study area and firm regulatory initiatives are required to be
taken in debt to the Stockholm Convention, 2001 to cop up with PCB contamination
on emergency basis.
PMID- 28988302
TI - Bacterial alginate production: an overview of its biosynthesis and potential
industrial production.
AB - Alginate is a linear polysaccharide that can be used for different applications
in the food and pharmaceutical industries. These polysaccharides have a chemical
structure composed of subunits of (1-4)-beta-D-mannuronic acid (M) and its C-5
epimer alpha-L-guluronic acid (G). The monomer composition and molecular weight
of alginates are known to have effects on their properties. Currently, these
polysaccharides are commercially extracted from seaweed but can also be produced
by Azotobacter vinelandii and Pseudomonas spp. as an extracellular polymer. One
strategy to produce alginates with different molecular weights and with
reproducible physicochemical characteristics is through the manipulation of the
culture conditions during fermentation. This mini-review provides a comparative
analysis of the metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in alginate
polymerization from A. vinelandii and Pseudomonas spp. Different fermentation
strategies used to produce alginates at a bioreactor laboratory scale are
described.
PMID- 28988303
TI - High performance of alpha-defensin lateral flow assay (Synovasure) in the
diagnosis of chronic knee prosthetic infections.
AB - PURPOSE: This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic
accuracy of the SynovasureTM alpha-defensin lateral flow assay to detect or
exclude infection and to compare it to the sensitivity and specificity of other
diagnostic criteria according to the International Consensus Group on
Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI). METHODS: All patients who have undergone
revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from September 2015 to July 2016 were
included: 16 chronic (more than 3 months after performing arthroplasty)
infections and 35 aseptic joints were identified. The diagnostic performance of
single test was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve
analyses. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each of the cut-off
values and the area under the curve (AUC) was also calculated. RESULTS: The
median synovial fluid (SF) leukocyte count, as well as the neutrophil percentage,
was significantly higher in patients with PJI than in those with aseptic failure
(p < 0.001). The sensitivity of alpha-defensin was 87.5% (95%; CI 74.6-94.7), the
specificity was 97.1% (95% CI 86.9-99.7), the positive predictive value 93.3%
(95% CI 81.8-98.1), and negative predictive value was 94.4% (95% CI 83.2-98.6).
The results in terms of sensitivity and negative predictive value were greater
than those of the other tests (cultures, synovial cell count, erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein). The diagnostic accuracy of alpha
defensin, with an area under the curve of 0.92, was found to be higher than all
the minor criteria for PJI. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the alpha-defensin
lateral flow test was found to have the highest performance of all tests studied
to identify PJI. SynovasureTM holds the potential to be included in the daily
clinical practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I diagnostic study.
PMID- 28988304
TI - Levels of plasma and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites following an ACTH challenge
in male and female coyotes (Canis latrans).
AB - Knowledge of endocrine stress responses can be advantageous for understanding how
animals respond to their environment. One tool in wildlife endocrinology is to
measure the adrenocortical activity as a parameter of disturbance of animals.
Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) provide a noninvasive assessment of
adrenocortical activity. Using an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge
administered to 28 captive coyotes (Canis latrans), we measured the levels of
plasma cortisol, and fecal cortisol and corticosterone metabolites (i.e., GCMs).
Our goal was to determine the dose-response in the plasma and fecal samples
following the injection and determine if there were effects of sex, age, and time
of day. Specifically, animals were anesthetized for ~ 90 min with treatment
animals intravenously injected with exogenous ACTH and control animals receiving
saline. We collected blood samples prior to injection and at 4 different time
points post-injection. We also collected fecal samples 2 days pre- and 2 days
post-injection to measure fecal GCMs and determine if an endocrine stress
response could be detected in fecal samples. We found a definite response in
cortisol levels in the plasma for coyotes to the ACTH challenge. There was a
response in fecal corticosterone 1 day post-injection, but the control males
showed a similar response indicating a handling effect. Fecal cortisol levels did
not indicate a response to the ACTH challenge, and were significantly lower than
corticosterone concentrations. We also found significant sex, but not age or
diurnal, differences in fecal GCMs. Radioimmunoassays for fecal corticosterone
levels appeared to be a reliable indicator of physiological stress in coyotes.
PMID- 28988305
TI - Rapidly progressive Aspergillus meningitis successfully treated with voriconazole
and corticosteroids.
PMID- 28988307
TI - Effects of normoxic and hypoxic exercise regimens on lymphocyte apoptosis induced
by oxidative stress in sedentary males.
AB - PURPOSE: Oxidative stress-induced lymphocyte apoptosis is linked to hypoxemic
individuals suffering from cardiopulmonary disorders or exposed to hypoxic
environments. What kind of the exercise strategy under hypoxic condition improves
exercise performance and simultaneously minimizes lymphocyte dysfunction caused
by oxidative stress has not yet been established. This study elucidates how
various exercises regimens with/without hypoxia affect lymphocyte apoptosis
induced by oxidative stress. METHODS: A total of 60 sedentary males were randomly
divided into five groups. Each group (n = 12) received one of the five
interventions: hypoxic-absolute exercise (HAT, 50%W max under 15%O2), hypoxic
relative exercise (HRT, 50% heart rate reserve under 15%O2), normoxic exercise
(NT, 50%W max under 21%O2), hypoxic control (HC, resting under 15%O2), or
normoxic control (NC, resting under 21%O2) for 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 4
weeks. RESULTS: Before the intervention, the graded exercise test (GXT,
progressive exercise up to VO2max) decreased the surface thiol level on
lymphocytes and subsequently augmented the extents of H2O2-induced mitochondria
transmembrane potential (MTP) diminishing, caspase 3/8/9 activations, and
phosphotidyl serine (PS) exposure in lymphocytes. However, 4 weeks of NT, HRT, or
HAT reduced the extents of surface thiol decreasing on lymphocytes and H2O2
induced MTP diminishing, caspase 3/8/9 activations, and PS exposure in
lymphocytes following GXT. Moreover, the HAT group exhibited greater improvements
in pulmonary ventilation and VO2max than either NT or HRT group did. CONCLUSIONS:
Exercise training with/without hypoxic exposure effectively alleviates lymphocyte
apoptosis induced by oxidative stress following strenuous exercise. However, the
HAT is superior to the NT or HRT for enhancing aerobic capacity.
PMID- 28988306
TI - Nanoscale wide-band semiconductors for photocatalytic remediation of aquatic
pollution.
AB - Water pollution is a serious challenge to the public health. Among different
forms of aquatic pollutants, chemical and biological agents create paramount
threat to water quality when the safety standards are surpassed. There are many
conventional remediatory strategies that are practiced such as resin-based
exchanger and activated charcoal/carbon andreverse osmosis. Newer technologies
using plants, microorganisms, genetic engineering, and enzyme-based approaches
are also proposed for aquatic pollution management. However, the conventional
technologies have shown impending inadequacies. On the other hand, new bio-based
techniques have failed to exhibit reproducibility, wide specificity, and fidelity
in field conditions. Hence, to solve these shortcomings, nanotechnology ushered a
ray of hope by applying nanoscale zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and
tungsten oxide (WO3) particles for the remediation of water pollution. These
nanophotocatalysts are active, cost-effective, quicker in action, and can be
implemented at a larger scale. These nanoparticles are climate-independent,
assist in complete mineralization of pollutants, and can act non-specifically
against chemically and biologically based aquatic pollutants. Photocatalysis for
environmental remediation depends on the availability of solar light. The
mechanism of photocatalysis involves the formation of electron-hole pairs upon
light irradiations at intensities higher than their band gap energies. In the
present review, different methods of synthesis of nanoscale ZnO, TiO2, and WO3 as
well as their structural characterizations have been discussed. Photodegradation
of organic pollutants through mentioned nanoparticles has been reviewed with
recent advancements. Enhancing the efficacy of photocatalysis through doping of
TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles with non-metals, metals, and metal ions has also been
documented in this report.
PMID- 28988308
TI - Improving the role of echocardiography in studying the right ventricle of
repaired tetralogy of Fallot patients: comparison with cardiac magnetic
resonance.
AB - Right ventricular (RV) evaluation represents one of the major clinical tasks in
the follow-up of repaired tetralogy of Fallot patients (rToF) with pulmonary
valve regurgitation, as both severe RV dilatation and dysfunction are key factors
in defining the need of pulmonary valve replacement. The aim of our study was to
report the diagnostic accuracy of echocardiography in the identification of rToF
patients with severely dilated and/or depressed RV as compared to cardiac
magnetic resonance (CMR). Among our patients with rToF, a subgroup of 95 (17.6 +/
6.8 years; 60% male), who underwent right ventricular qualitative and
quantitative evaluation with CMR following echocardiographic suspicion of severe
dilation/dysfunction, were included in the analysis. When comparing
echocardiographic RV functional parameters to CMR findings, we found no
association between CMR-ejection fraction (EF) and either tricuspid annulus plane
systolic excursion (TAPSe) nor tissue Doppler systolic tricuspid excursion
velocity (all p = ns). In contrast RVFAC was strongly associated with CMR-EF (r =
0.44; p < 0.01) as well as to longitudinal components of RV mechanics including
tissue Doppler s' (r = 0.40; p < 0.01) and TAPSE (r = 0.36; p < 0.01). When
comparing echocardiographic and CMR structural parameters of the RV, we found
that CMR RV volume was strongly related to echocardiographic measurements of RV
end diastolic area (from the 4 chamber apical view) and with proximal parasternal
short axis right ventricle outflow-dimension. Accordingly a regression model was
derived from multiple regression analysis, which allows a more accurate estimate
of CMR RV volume from echocardiography (r2 = 0.59, p < 0.001). Our study
demonstrates a significant, although imperfect, correlation between
echocardiographic and CMR RV functional and geometrical parameters. Combining
echocardiographic measures of RV inflow and RV outflow, we deliver a simple
formula to estimate CMR-RV volume, improving the echocardiographic accuracy in RV
volume quantification.
PMID- 28988309
TI - Durable Benefit of Particle Occlusion of Systemic to Pulmonary Collaterals in
Select Patients After Superior Cavopulmonary Connection.
AB - Systemic to pulmonary arterial collaterals (SPC) are commonly found in patients
undergoing staged operative palliation for single ventricle heart disease.
Occlusion of SPC as part of pre-Fontan catheterization has been shown to improve
hemodynamics acutely. Anecdotally, the effect of this intervention appears to be
transient, and to our knowledge there is no data supporting its durability in
these patients. Between 1/1/2016 and 5/1/2017, 24 children underwent Glenn
operations at our institution. Of these, 3 patients had signs and symptoms
deteriorating clinical status suggestive of volume overload in the period between
their Glenn operation and Fontan completion, prompting heart catheterization. SPC
were occluded with a combination of polyvinyl alcohol embolization particles, and
in some cases coils or vascular plugs. Clinical course and data from
echocardiograms and serial catheterizations are presented. SPC occlusion was
performed over 6 procedures in 3 subjects with technical success in each case.
Hemodynamic evaluation was repeated in 2/3 patients with improvement in
collateral burden and hemodynamics in both cases. One patient previously thought
to be unsuitable for Fontan completion improved sufficiently to undergo late
Fontan completion, which was ultimately successful. In all patients, there was
improvement in clinical status. In patients with severe SPC collateral durable
benefit was seen, suggesting that in certain cases intervention on SPC remote
from Fontan completion may have clinical benefit.
PMID- 28988310
TI - Spatio-temporal flowering patterns in Mediterranean Poaceae. A community study in
SW Spain.
AB - This study focused on phenological timing and spatial patterns in 30 Poaceae
species flowering in spring in different types of plant cover (scrub, riverbank
and pasture). Grass community composition was studied, and the influence of
species and plant cover on the start date and duration of flowering was assessed
from March to June in both 2014 and 2015. Twenty-nine sampling sites were
selected for phenological monitoring using the BBCH scale. Data were subjected to
GLMM analyses. Binary discriminant analysis revealed differences in grass
community composition as a function of plant cover type; scrub cover comprised a
considerably larger number of species than those in riverbank and pasture.
Moreover, more species diversity was observed in 2014 than in 2015 with a drier
and stressed pre-flowering period. Differences on phenology were also recorded
between plant cover types and study years. Species in pasture and riverbank
flowered before (113.4 days; 116.1 days) than species in scrub (120.9 days),
being these species with shorter flowering length because they are more exposed
to the characteristic of the Mediterranean region during the summer. In general,
flowering onset occurred later in 2014 (118.2 days) than in 2015 (115.8 days),
probably attributable to precipitation occurring during March. On the other hand,
spatial autocorrelation within some cover types has been observed, showing
spatial patterns exist at a smaller scale. The findings of this study contribute
to a better understanding of grass phenology in different environments.
PMID- 28988311
TI - Addition of large amount of municipal sewage sludge as raw material in cement
clinker production.
AB - Two addition modes were used to explore the maximum addition of municipal sewage
sludge as a raw material in cement clinker production. The clinker and cement
product quality were determined by chemical analysis, cement quality testing,
characterization of the clinker crystalline phases, and leaching tests. Municipal
sewage sludge addition in the raw mix could be up to 30% based on the cement
clinker moduli, and the cement quality met the P.O 42.5 cement standard (GB 175
2007). The amount of municipal sewage sludge added based on the direct addition
mode should be less than 15% because of an insufficient early-term cement
strength (third day). The leaching concentrations of heavy metals in all cements
were below the threshold (GB 30760-2014) using the latest leaching procedure (GB
30810-2014). The municipal sewage sludge could be used with a high addition (30%)
in the raw mix as a raw material in cement clinker production.
PMID- 28988312
TI - Contamination occurs during ACL graft harvesting and manipulation, but it can be
easily eradicated.
AB - PURPOSE: Why anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) autograft soaking in a 5 mg/ml
vancomycin solution decreases the rate of infection has not been well-explained.
One hypothesis is that grafts can be contaminated during harvesting and
vancomycin eradicates the bacteria. The purpose of the present study is to assess
how the vancomycin solution acts against ACL graft contamination during graft
harvesting and preparation. METHODS: The study was carried out in three
university hospitals over a period of 6 months. After sample size calculation, 50
patients were included in the study. Three samples were taken from each ACL
graft. Sample 1 was obtained immediately after graft harvesting. After graft
manipulation and preparation, the remaining tissue was divided into two parts.
The raw sample was denominated sample 2 and sample 3 consisted of the rest of the
remaining tissue that had been soaked in the vancomycin solution. All the
cultures were incubated at 37 degrees C with 5% CO2 in agar plates for 7 days
(aerobically) or 14 days (anaerobically) and inspected daily for microbial
growth. Any bacterial growth and the number of colony forming units were
reported. RESULTS: In seven cases (14%), either sample 1 or sample 2 was
positive. In five of the cases (10%), only the sample after graft preparation was
positive (sample 2). In two cases (4%), sample 1 and sample 2 were positive for
the same bacteria. Isolated microorganisms corresponded to coagulase-negative
staphylococci (CNS) and Propionibacterium acnes. No bacterial growth was observed
in sample 3 (p < 0.001). Thus, none of those seven positive cases (0%) were
positive after vancomycin soaking (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the series, ACL
graft harvesting and manipulation leads to bacterial contamination in 14% of the
cases. This contamination is fully eradicated after soaking in the vancomycin
solution in this series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.
PMID- 28988313
TI - Thermal windows and metabolic performance curves in a developing Antarctic fish.
AB - For ectotherms, temperature modifies the rate of physiological function across a
temperature tolerance window depending on thermal history, ontogeny, and
evolutionary history. Some adult Antarctic fishes, with comparatively narrow
thermal windows, exhibit thermal plasticity in standard metabolic rate; however,
little is known about the shape or breadth of thermal performance curves of
earlier life stages of Antarctic fishes. We tested the effects of acute warming (
1 to 8 degrees C) and temperature acclimation (2 weeks at - 1, 2, 4 degrees C)
on survival and standard metabolic rate in early embryos of the dragonfish
Gymnodraco acuticeps from McMurdo Sound, Ross Island, Antarctica. Contrary to
predictions, embryos acclimated to warmer temperatures did not experience greater
mortality and nearly all embryos survived acute warming to 8 degrees C.
Metabolic performance curve height and shape were both significantly altered
after 2 weeks of development at - 1 degrees C, with further increase in curve
height, but not alteration of shape, with warm temperature acclimation. Overall
metabolic rate temperature sensitivity (Q 10) from - 1 to 8 degrees C varied
from 2.6 to 3.6, with the greatest thermal sensitivity exhibited by embryos at
earlier developmental stages. Interclutch variation in metabolic rates, mass, and
development of simultaneously collected embryos was also documented. Taken
together, metabolic performance curves provide insight into the costs of early
development under warming temperatures, with the potential for thermal
sensitivity to be modified by dragonfish phenology and magnitude of seasonal
changes in temperature.
PMID- 28988314
TI - The prostate response to prolactin modulation in adult castrated rats subjected
to testosterone replacement.
AB - Despite the androgenic dependence, other hormones, growth factors, and cytokines
are necessary to support prostatic growth and maintain the glandular structure;
among them, prolactin is a non-steroidal hormone secreted mainly by the pituitary
gland. However, extra-pituitary expression of prolactin, such as in the prostate,
has also been demonstrated, highlighting the paracrine and autocrine actions of
prolactin within the prostate. Here, we investigated whether prolactin modulation
alters ventral prostate (VP) morphophysiology in adult castrated rats. Sprague
Dawley rats were castrated and after 21 days, divided into ten experimental
groups (n = 6/group): castrated control: castrated animals that did not receive
treatment; castrated+testosterone: castrated animals that received T (4
mg/kg/day); castrated+PRL (PRL): castrated animals receiving prolactin (0.3
mg/kg/day); castrated+T+PRL: castrated animals that received a combination of
testosterone and prolactin; and castrated+bromocriptine (BR): castrated animals
that received bromocriptine (0.4 mg/kg/day). The control group included intact
animals. The animals were treated for 3 or 10 consecutive days. At the end of
experimental period, the animals were euthanized, and the blood and VP lobes were
collected and analyzed by different methods. The main findings were that the
administration of prolactin to castrated rats did not exert anabolic effects on
the VP. Although we observed activation of downstream prolactin signaling after
prolactin administration, this was not enough to overcome the prostatic androgen
deficiency. Likewise, there was no additional glandular involution in the
castrated group treated with bromocriptine. We concluded that despite stimulating
the downstream signaling pathway, exogenous prolactin does not act on VP in the
absence or presence of high levels of testosterone.
PMID- 28988315
TI - Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase is inversely associated with dietary total and
coffee-derived polyphenol intakes in apparently healthy Japanese men.
AB - PURPOSE: Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) has been proposed as a marker of
oxidative stress. Here, we examined the association between serum GGT and the
dietary intake of polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. METHODS: A
cross-sectional survey including 7960 apparently healthy Japanese men (aged 22-86
years) who participated in health checkups was conducted in Shizuoka, Japan. We
analyzed these subjects' clinical serum parameters and lifestyle factors,
including dietary polyphenol intake, which was evaluated by a self-administered
questionnaire and by matching the subjects' food consumption data with our
original polyphenol content database. RESULTS: The average intake of polyphenols
was 1157 +/- 471 mg/day, and green tea was the largest source of polyphenols at
40%, followed by coffee at 36%. Dividing the population according to quintiles of
total polyphenol intake, the difference in polyphenol intake from coffee between
the groups was much greater than the difference in polyphenol intake from green
tea. The analysis of the association between polyphenol intake and biological
parameters showed a significant negative association between polyphenol intake
and the levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), GGT, and
alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after adjusting for age, smoking habit, energy
intake and alcohol intake. The GGT levels were inversely associated with the
polyphenol intake from coffee, but not with that from green tea. Multivariable
linear regression analyses demonstrated that the subjects' GGT levels were
negatively and independently associated with their polyphenol intake.
CONCLUSIONS: The intake of total polyphenol including coffee as a major
contributor is inversely associated with the serum GGT concentration in Japanese
males.
PMID- 28988316
TI - Interspecies transmission of emotional information via chemosignals: from humans
to dogs (Canis lupus familiaris).
AB - We report a study examining interspecies emotion transfer via body odors
(chemosignals). Do human body odors (chemosignals) produced under emotional
conditions of happiness and fear provide information that is detectable by pet
dogs (Labrador and Golden retrievers)? The odor samples were collected from the
axilla of male donors not involved in the main experiment. The experimental setup
involved the co-presence of the dog's owner, a stranger and the odor dispenser in
a space where the dogs could move freely. There were three odor conditions [fear,
happiness, and control (no sweat)] to which the dogs were assigned randomly. The
dependent variables were the relevant behaviors of the dogs (e.g., approaching,
interacting and gazing) directed to the three targets (owner, stranger, sweat
dispenser) aside from the dogs' stress and heart rate indicators. The results
indicated with high accuracy that the dogs manifested the predicted behaviors in
the three conditions. There were fewer and shorter owner directed behaviors and
more stranger directed behaviors when they were in the "happy odor condition"
compared to the fear odor and control conditions. In the fear odor condition,
they displayed more stressful behaviors. The heart rate data in the control and
happy conditions were significantly lower than in the fear condition. Our
findings suggest that interspecies emotional communication is facilitated by
chemosignals.
PMID- 28988319
TI - The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine increases spontaneous
afferent firing, but not mechanonociceptive sensitization, in octopus.
AB - Serotonin is a widely studied modulator of neural plasticity. Here we investigate
the effect of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on short
term, peripheral nociceptive plasticity in the neurologically complex
invertebrate, octopus. After crush injury to isolated mantle (body wall) tissue,
application of 10 nM fluoxetine increased spontaneous firing in crushed
preparations, but had a minimal effect on mechanosensory sensitization. Effects
largely did not persist after washout. We suggest that transiently elevated,
endogenous serotonin may help promote initiation of longer-term plasticity of
nociceptive afferents and drive immediate and spontaneous behaviors aimed at
protecting wounds and escaping dangerous situations.
PMID- 28988317
TI - Identification of critical amino acids in the proximal C-terminal of TREK-2 K+
channel for activation by acidic pHi and ATP-dependent inhibition.
AB - TWIK-related two-pore domain K+ channels (TREKs) are regulated by intracellular
pH (pHi) and Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). Previously,
Glu306 in proximal C-terminal (pCt) of mouse TREK-1 was identified as the pHi
sensing residue. The direction of PI(4,5)P2 sensitivity is controversial, and we
have recently shown that TREKs are inhibited by intracellular ATP via endogenous
PI(4,5)P2 formation. Here we investigate the anionic and cationic residues of pCt
for the pHi and ATP-sensitivity in human TREK-2 (hTREK-2). In inside-out patch
clamp recordings (ITREK-2,i-o), acidic pHi-induced activation was absent in E332A
and was partly attenuated in E335A. Neutralization of cationic Lys (K330A) also
eliminated the acidic pHi sensitivity of ITREK-2,i-o. Unlike the inhibition of
wild-type (WT) ITREK-2,i-o by intracellular ATP, neither E332A nor K330A was
sensitive to ATP. Nevertheless, exogenous PI(4,5)P2 (10 MUM) abolished ITREK-2 i
o in all the above mutants as well as in WT, indicating unspecific inhibition by
exogenous PI(4,5)P2. In whole-cell recordings of TREK-2 (ITREK-2,w-c), K330A and
E332A showed higher or fully active basal activity, showing attenuated or
insignificant activation by 2-APB, arachidonic acid, or acidic pHe 6.9. ITREK-1,w
c of WT is largely suppressed by pHe 6.9, and the inhibition is slightly
attenuated in K312A and E315A. The results show concerted roles of the oppositely
charged Lys and Glu in pCt for the ATP-dependent low basal activity and pHi
sensitivity.
PMID- 28988320
TI - Nanoscale zero-valent iron functionalized Posidonia oceanica marine biomass for
heavy metal removal from water.
AB - Because of the excellent reducing capacity of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI),
it can be used as alternative materials for the removal of a variety of reducible
water contaminants including toxic metals. The current paper reports the research
results obtained for self-prepared biosorbent, Posidonia oceanica biomass,
activated in alkaline medium and functionalized with NZVI particles. The
structural characteristics, surface morphology, and binding properties of the
resulting nanobiosorbent are presented. Batch comparative adsorption trials
including adsorption kinetics and isothermals onto raw Posidonia, Posidonia-OH
and Posidonia-OH-NZVI were investigated on three heavy metal ions: Cd(II),
Pb(II), and Cu(II). The nanobiosorbent showed better properties, such as high
reactivity and high uptake rate through the sorption process. The toxic metal
removal has been monitored in terms of pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order
kinetics, and both Langmuir- and Freundlich-type isotherm models have been used
to describe the sorption mechanism. The experimental data of all studied systems
showed that the uptake kinetics follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and
the equilibrium uptake can adopt the Langmuir-type isotherm model which assumes a
monolayer coverage as the adsorption saturates and no further adsorption occurs.
The thermodynamic results confirm that all sorption processes were feasible,
spontaneous and thermodynamically favorable. Zeta potential data displayed that
Cd(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II) tend to be reduced after exposure on the Posidonia-OH
NZVI surface. Furthermore, sorption competitions of the metals from binary and
ternary systems were carried out onto Posidonia-OH-NZVI in order to gain further
insight into the sorption efficiency of this material. Therefore, as a result,
the proposed new nanobiosorbent could offer potential benefits in remediation of
heavy metal-contaminated water as a green and environmentally friendly
bionanocomposite.
PMID- 28988321
TI - Apoptotic biomarkers in cumulus cells in relation to embryo quality in polycystic
ovary syndrome.
AB - PURPOSE: To investigate associations between gene expression pattern of apoptotic
biomarkers in cumulus cells of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and the
quality of oocytes and embryos. METHODS: 40 intracytoplasmic sperm injection
patients, of whom 20 were PCOS and 20 were healthy women, were included in this
study. Serum hormone levels were measured using Radioimmunoassay for each
patient. The expression of survivin, caspase-3, and caspase-7 in 200 cumulus
complexes surrounding mature oocytes (100 in PCOS versus 100 in control groups)
collected individually at pick up was examined by real-time polymerase chain
reaction (real-time PCR). RESULTS: The expression levels of survivin were
significantly lower in PCOS patients than those of normal women while caspase-3
and caspase-7 expression levels were higher in PCOS patients (p < 0.05). There
was a statistically significant correlation between the levels of these genes and
embryo quality. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that the measurement of survivin,
caspase-3, caspase-7 levels in cumulus cells of PCOS patients could be used as
genetic biomarkers for oocyte and embryo selection under an ART program. However,
further prospective studies are required to elucidate this issue.
PMID- 28988322
TI - Multimodal Residential Treatment for Adolescent Anxiety: Outcome and Associations
with Pre-treatment Variables.
AB - This study aimed to determine the effect of a multimodal residential treatment
program for severe adolescent anxiety, and examine whether treatment outcome was
associated with pre-treatment anxiety, comorbid disorders, or participant age or
gender. Participants were 70 adolescents (61.4% female, mean age = 15.4 years)
with a primary anxiety disorder who received residential treatment involving
cognitive behavioral therapy and medication management. Treatment outcome was
assessed both as the change in adolescent-reported anxiety symptoms, and using
treatment response criteria. Results indicated a strong effect of the
intervention on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anxiety-related life
interference. Most pre-treatment variables were not associated with treatment
outcome. However, higher adolescent-reported pre-treatment anxiety was associated
with a greater reduction in anxiety at post-treatment, and the presence of a
comorbid anxiety disorder was associated with poorer odds of treatment response.
Findings indicate that residential treatment is a robust intervention for
adolescent anxiety.
PMID- 28988323
TI - Analysis of NOD-like receptor NLRP1 in multiple sclerosis families.
AB - The implementation of exome sequencing technologies has started to unravel the
genetic etiology of familial multiple sclerosis (MS). A homozygote p.G587S
mutation in NLRP1 has been suggested as potentially causative for the onset of MS
in an affected sibling pair, who later developed malignant melanoma. To validate
the proposed role of recessive NLRP1 mutations in the pathological mechanisms of
MS, we examined exome sequencing data from 326 MS patients from Canada for the
identification of NLRP1 missense and nonsense variants. This analysis did not
identify the previously described p.G587S mutation; however, three patients with
potential NLRP1 compound heterozygote mutations were observed. Haplotype and
segregation analyses indicate that the variants observed in these patients were
inherited in cis, and do not segregate with disease within families. Thus, the
analysis of MS patients from Canada failed to identify potentially pathogenic
mutations in NLRP1, including the previously described p.G587S mutation. Further
studies are necessary to confirm a role of NLRP1 in the pathophysiology of MS.
PMID- 28988326
TI - Soil aggregate and organic carbon distribution at dry land soil and paddy soil:
the role of different straws returning.
AB - Agriculture wastes returning to soil is one of common ways to reuse crop straws
in China. The returned straws are expected to improve the fertility and
structural stability of soil during the degradation of straw it selves. The in
situ effect of different straw (wheat, rice, maize, rape, and broad bean)
applications for soil aggregate stability and soil organic carbon (SOC)
distribution were studied at both dry land soil and paddy soil in this study. Wet
sieving procedures were used to separate soil aggregate sizes. Aggregate
stability indicators including mean weight diameter, geometric mean diameter,
mean weight of specific surface area, and the fractal dimension were used to
evaluate soil aggregate stability after the incubation of straws returning.
Meanwhile, the variation and distribution of SOC in different-sized aggregates
were further studied. Results showed that the application of straws, especially
rape straw at dry land soil and rice straw at paddy soil, increased the fractions
of macro-aggregate (> 0.25 mm) and micro-aggregate (0.25-0.053 mm). Suggesting
the nutrients released from straw degradation promotes the growing of soil
aggregates directly and indirectly. The application of different straws increased
the SOC content at both soils and the SOC mainly distributed at < 0.53 mm
aggregates. However, the contribution of SOC in macro- and micro-aggregates
increased. Straw-applied paddy soil have a higher total SOC content but lower SOC
contents at > 0.25 and 0.25-0.053 mm aggregates with dry land soil. Rape straw in
dry land and rice straw in paddy field could stabilize soil aggregates and
increasing SOC contents best.
PMID- 28988325
TI - Advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of cytoplasmic male sterility
and restoration in rice.
AB - Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in plants is a male reproductive defect
determined by mitochondrial genes and inherited maternally. CMS can be suppressed
by nuclear restorer of fertility (Rf) genes. Therefore, CMS/Rf systems provide a
classic model for the study of mitochondrial-nuclear interactions in plants.
Moreover, CMS/Rf systems are economical, effective tools for the production of
hybrid seeds. For example, CMS/Rf systems have been applied in over forty
countries to breed hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) with improved yields due to
hybrid vigor. The production of hybrid rice mainly depends on three types of CMS
systems, namely Wild-Abortive type CMS (CMS-WA), Hong-Lian type CMS (CMS-HL) and
Boro II type CMS (CMS-BT). Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying
these CMS/Rf systems will help us to understand mitochondrial-nuclear
interactions, and accelerate the utilization of heterosis for improvement in
yield. In the past decades, research benefitting from the availability of the
high-quality, annotated mitochondrial and nuclear genome sequences of rice has
isolated many CMS genes, identified the cognate nuclear Rf genes and studied the
molecular mechanisms underlying CMS and restoration in rice. Here, we focus on
recent advances in studies of the three major CMS/Rf systems in rice and discuss
the key issues facing basic research and application of CMS/Rf systems in the
future.
PMID- 28988324
TI - Potential Sex Differences Relative to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Metals.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This study aims to summarize the current body of literature on
the relationship between various toxic metals exposures (i.e., aluminum,
antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel) and
autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a focus on potential sex differences in
these associations. RECENT FINDINGS: Sex differences in ASD diagnosis and
mutagenic effects of toxic exposures indicate that sex differences may play a
major part in the causal relationship of any potential associations seen;
however, we were only able to find three studies that reported on sex differences
in observed associations with toxic metals exposure and ASD. We also found
several studies investigating associations between ASD and metals exposures,
including 11 on aluminum, 6 on antimony, 15 on arsenic, 5 on beryllium, 17 on
cadmium, 11 on chromium, 25 on lead, 14 on manganese, and 13 on nickel with
markers of exposure in hair, urine, blood, teeth, fingernails, and air pollution.
Results for each metal were conflicting, but studies on cadmium and lead yielded
the highest proportion of studies with positive results (72% and 36%,
respectively). Based on our examination of existing literature, the current
evidence warrants a considerable need for evaluations of sex differences in
future studies assessing the association between metals exposures and ASD.
Additionally, failure to account for potential sex differences could result in
bias and misinterpretation of exposure-disease relationships.
PMID- 28988328
TI - Acacetin attenuates mice endotoxin-induced acute lung injury via augmentation of
heme oxygenase-1 activity.
AB - Acacetin, a natural product, has a wide spectrum of biological activities such as
antioxidant properties. In the present study, we examined whether Acacetin has
any beneficial role on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI)
and, if so, whether its effect is mediated via heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an
antioxidant enzyme playing an important role in ALI. Male BALB/c mice were
stimulated with LPS intratracheal instillation to induce ALI. Acacetin was
administrated 2 h after LPS challenge. Samples were harvested 10 h after LPS
administration. We demonstrated that LPS challenge significantly induced lung
histological alterations such as inflammation and edema. Acacetin administration
notably attenuated these changes and reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and
interleukin-1beta in lung tissues. The LPS-induced reactive oxygen species
generation was markedly suppressed by Acacetin. Furthermore, Acacetin treatment
significantly elevated pulmonary HO-1 and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related
factor 2 (Nrf2) activities. However, the beneficial action of Acacetin was
markedly abolished when pretreated with zinc protoporphyrin, an inhibitor of HO
1. In in vitro studies, Acacetin notably increased the HO-1 expression in
pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. During knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA, the
effect of Acacetin on HO-1 expression was significantly reversed. Acacetin
attenuates LPS-induced ALI in mice. This protective effect of Acacetin may be
mediated, in part, through an HO-1-dependent pathway.
PMID- 28988329
TI - Ultrasonography and return to play of the different clinical grading of
quadriceps contusions: a case series.
AB - Prognostication of quadriceps contusion is based on the patient's active knee
flexion after the injury. Unlike ultrasonography, clinical grading does not
define the extent of soft tissue injury and may provide inaccurate time for
return to play. The purposes of this report are to describe the ultrasound
findings of the different clinical grading of quadriceps contusion and document
the return to play of each case. Seven patients were evaluated in this series.
Results showed discrepancies in the disability time between clinical grading and
ultrasound findings. Clinical grading did not consistently estimate the return to
play as described in previously published literature. Contusions with hyperechoic
lesions had earlier return to play compared to patients with hypoechoic findings.
Contusions with hypoechoic lesions might require aggressive monitoring and
therapy to decrease disability time and avoid complications such as myositis
ossificans.
PMID- 28988330
TI - Factors influencing streambed hydraulic conductivity and their implications on
stream-aquifer interaction: a conceptual review.
AB - The estimation and modeling of streambed hydraulic conductivity (K) is an
emerging interest due to its connection to water quality, aquatic habitat, and
groundwater recharge. Existing research has found ways to sample and measure K at
specific sites and with laboratory tests. The challenge undertaken was to review
progress, relevance, complexity in understanding and modeling via statistical and
geostatistical approaches, literature gaps, and suggestions toward future needs.
This article provides an overview of factors and processes influencing streambed
hydraulic conductivity (K) and its role in the stream-aquifer interaction. During
our synthesis, we discuss the influence of geological, hydrological, biological,
and anthropogenic factors that lead to variability of streambed substrates.
Literature examples document findings to specific sites that help to portray the
role of streambed K and other interrelated factors in the modeling of hyporheic
and groundwater flow systems. However, studies utilizing an integrated,
comprehensive database are limited, restricting the ability of broader
application and understanding. Examples of in situ and laboratory methods of
estimating hydraulic conductivity suggest challenges in acquiring representative
samples and comparing results, considering the anisotropy and heterogeneity of
fluvial bed materials and geohydrological conditions. Arriving at realistic
statistical and spatial inference based on field and lab data collected is
challenging, considering the possible sediment sources, processes, and
complexity. Recognizing that the K for a given particle size group includes
several to many orders of magnitude, modeling of streambed K and groundwater
interaction remain conceptual and experimental. Advanced geostatistical
techniques offer a wide range of univariate or multi-variate interpolation
procedures such as kriging and variogram analysis that can be applied to these
complex systems. Research available from various studies has been instrumental in
developing sampling options, recognizing the significance of fluvial dynamics,
the potential for filtration, transfer, and storage of high-quality groundwater,
and importance to aquatic habitat and refuge during extreme conditions. Efforts
in the characterization of natural and anthropogenic conditions, substrate
materials, sediment loading, colmation, and other details highlight the great
complexity and perhaps need for a database to compile relevant data. The effects
on streambed hydraulic conductivity due to anthropogenic disturbances (in-stream
gravel mining, contaminant release, benthic activity, etc.) are the areas that
still need focus. An interdisciplinary (hydro-geo-biological) approach may be
necessary to characterize the magnitude and variability of streambed K and fluxes
at local, regional scales.
PMID- 28988331
TI - Economic Burden of Herpes Zoster and Post-Herpetic Neuralgia in Adults 60 Years
of Age or Older: Results from a Prospective, Physician Practice-Based Cohort
Study in Kushiro, Japan.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Herpes zoster has a high incidence rate among people
aged >= 60 years and can lead to serious complications such as post-herpetic
neuralgia. There are currently no data on the economic burden of herpes zoster
and post-herpetic neuralgia in Japan, and the objective of this study was to
address this gap. METHODS: A total of 412 patients aged >= 60 years diagnosed
with herpes zoster were recruited. Demographic, clinical, and healthcare resource
utilization data on patients with herpes zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia
collected via case report forms were used to estimate direct medical cost. Data
obtained from a questionnaire survey among patients with herpes zoster/post
herpetic neuralgia were used to estimate transportation cost and productivity
loss. RESULTS: The mean number of outpatient visits was 5.7. Prescription
medications were the main cost driver accounting for 60% of the direct medical
cost. The mean direct medical and total herpes zoster-related costs per patient
were Y43,925 and Y57,112, respectively, and were higher in patients with post
herpetic neuralgia than in those with herpes zoster without complications. Direct
medical cost represented 77%, productivity loss 19%, and transportation cost 4%
of the total. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of the economic burden of
herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Japan and it demonstrated
substantial direct medical cost as a result of the multiple outpatient visits and
prescription medications required. These findings provide baseline data for
possible future economic evaluations of new herpes zoster/post-herpetic neuralgia
interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This cost analysis is part of a prospective,
physician practice-based cohort study conducted between June 2013 and February
2015 in Kushiro, Japan (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01873365, registered on
6 June, 2013).
PMID- 28988332
TI - Nomogram predicting long-term survival after the diagnosis of intrahepatic
recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following an initial liver resection :
Reply to Drs. Ayubi and Safiri.
PMID- 28988333
TI - Primary screw perforation or subsequent screw cut-out following proximal humerus
fracture fixation using locking plates: a review of causative factors and
proposed solutions.
AB - The surgical treatment of proximal humerus fractures remains controversial
primarily due to the high complication rate associated with the available
fixation methods. In an attempt to reduce the incidence of serious complications
and subsequent poor clinical outcomes, proximal humerus locking plates have
become popular but even these implants cannot overcome the risk of complications,
especially those associated with loss of fracture reduction and screw cut
out/migration through the humeral head. In an attempt to address these issues, we
have reviewed the literature, investigating the most likely causes for these
predominantly mechanical complications and propose technical solutions.
PMID- 28988335
TI - Sorption and desorption of organophosphate esters with different hydrophobicity
by soils.
AB - Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are ubiquitous contaminants with potentially
hazardous effects on both the environment and human health. Knowledge about the
soil sorption-desorption process of organic chemicals is important in order to
understand their fate, mobility, and bioavailability, enabling an estimation to
be made of possible risks to the environment and biota. The aim of this study was
to use the batch equilibrium technique to evaluate the sorption-desorption
behavior of seven OPEs (TCEP, TCPP, TBEP, TDCP, TBP, TPhP, and EHDP) in soils
with distinctive characteristics (two unamended soils and a soil amended with
sewage sludge). The equilibrium concentrations of the OPEs were determined by
high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass
spectrometer (HPLC-MS/MS). All the compounds were sorbed by the soils, and soil
organic carbon (OC) played an important role in this process. The sorption of the
most soluble OPEs (TCEP, TCPP, and TBEP) depended on soil OC content, although
desorption was >= 58.1%. The less water-soluble OPEs (TDCP, TBP, TPhP, and EHDP)
recorded total sorption (100% for TPhP and EHDP) or very high sorption (>= 34.9%)
by all the soils and were not desorbed, which could be explained by their highly
hydrophobic nature, as indicated by the logarithmic octanol/water partition
coefficient (Kow) values higher than 3.8, resulting in a high affinity for soil
OC. The results of the sorption-desorption of the OPEs by soils with different
characteristics highlighted the influence of these compounds' physicochemical
properties and the content and nature of soil OC in this process.
PMID- 28988334
TI - A systematic review of cerebral microdialysis and outcomes in TBI: relationships
to patient functional outcome, neurophysiologic measures, and tissue outcome.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review on commonly measured cerebral
microdialysis (CMD) analytes and their association to: (A) patient functional
outcome, (B) neurophysiologic measures, and (C) tissue outcome; after
moderate/severe TBI. The aim was to provide a foundation for next-generation CMD
studies and build on existing pragmatic expert guidelines for CMD. METHODS: We
searched MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Global Health, Scopus, Cochrane Library
(inception to October 2016). Strength of evidence was adjudicated using GRADE.
RESULTS: (A) Functional Outcome: 55 articles were included, assessing outcome as
mortality or Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 3-6 months post-injury. Overall,
there is GRADE C evidence to support an association between CMD glucose,
glutamate, glycerol, lactate, and LPR to patient outcome at 3-6 months. (B)
Neurophysiologic Measures: 59 articles were included. Overall, there currently
exists GRADE C level of evidence supporting an association between elevated CMD
measured mean LPR, glutamate and glycerol with elevated ICP and/or decreased CPP.
In addition, there currently exists GRADE C evidence to support an association
between elevated mean lactate:pyruvate ratio (LPR) and low PbtO2. Remaining CMD
measures and physiologic outcomes displayed GRADE D or no evidence to support a
relationship. (C) Tissue Outcome: four studies were included. Given the
conflicting literature, the only conclusion that can be drawn is acute/subacute
phase elevation of CMD measured LPR is associated with frontal lobe atrophy at 6
months. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review replicates previously documented
relationships between CMD and various outcome, which have driven clinical
application of the technique. Evidence assessments do not address the application
of CMD for exploring pathophysiology or titrating therapy in individual patients,
and do not account for the modulatory effect of therapy on outcome, triggered at
different CMD thresholds in individual centers. Our findings support clinical
application of CMD and refinement of existing guidelines.
PMID- 28988337
TI - EAP 2017 Congress and MasterCourse : October 12-15, 2017 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
PMID- 28988336
TI - Production of the copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) with
varied composition using different nitrogen sources with Haloferax mediterranei.
AB - The extreme haloarchaea Haloferax mediterranei accumulates poly(3-hydroxybutyrate
co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) without the need for specific precursors. In this
study, growth kinetics and PHBV synthesis were characterised under nitrogen
excess and nitrogen-limiting conditions in ammonium and, for the first time,
nitrate. With excess nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate cultures generated 10.7 g/L
biomass containing 4.6 wt% PHBV and 5.6 g/L biomass with 9.3 wt% PHBV,
respectively. Copolymer composition varied with the nitrogen source used: PHBV
from ammonium cultures had 16.9 mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate (HV), while PHBV from
nitrate cultures contained 12.5 mol% HV. Nitrogen limitation was achieved with
carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) molar ratios of 25 or higher. Nitrogen limitation
reduced biomass generation and polymer concentration, but polymer accumulation
increased to 6.6 and 9.4% for ammonium and nitrate, respectively, with C/N 42.
PHBV composition was also affected and cultures with lower C/N ratios produced
richer HV polymers. Copolymer formation was not a uniform process: HV was only
detected after a minimum accumulation of 0.45 g/L PHB and lasted for a maximum of
48 h. The understanding of copolymer synthesis and the influence of culture
conditions such as the nitrogen source will help in designing novel strategies
for the production of PHBV with more regular structure and material properties.
PMID- 28988338
TI - Opposing collicular influences on the parafascicular (Pf) and posteromedial (POm)
thalamic nuclei: relationship to POm-induced inhibition in the substantia nigra
pars reticulata (SNR).
AB - The superior colliculus activates the zona incerta (ZI), which sends GABAergic
projections to the posteromedial (POm) thalamic nucleus. Consistent with this
circuit, we previously showed that stimulation of the superior colliculus
activates ZI and causes inhibition of neuronal activity in POm (Watson et al., J
Neurosci 35:9463-9476, 2015). Other studies, however, have shown that collicular
stimulation activates the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus. The present study
extends these reports by showing that unilateral collicular stimulation causes
bilateral activation of Pf that is concomitant with bilateral inhibition of POm.
The opposing influences of the superior colliculus on Pf and POm are significant,
because both these thalamic nuclei innervate the striatum, which is involved in
behavioral selection. In view of data indicating that thalamostriatal projections
from Pf and other intralaminar nuclei increase the sensitivity of the indirect
pathway to corticostriatal inputs (Ding et al., Neuron 67:294-307, 2010), we
tested whether POm stimulation might exert an opposing influence on the basal
ganglia circuitry. Consistent with POm projections to the dorsolateral striatum
(DLS), which is necessary for the expression of sensorimotor habits, we found
that POm stimulation activates DLS and causes inhibition of neuronal activity in
the lateral part of the substantia nigra pars reticulata, which is a major target
of DLS and the direct pathway. These findings are discussed with respect to
clinical reports indicating that deep brain stimulation in ZI is effective in
reducing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
PMID- 28988339
TI - Teaching Parents Behavioral Strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
Effects on Stress, Strain, and Competence.
AB - We report on parent outcomes from a randomized clinical trial of parent training
(PT) versus psychoeducation (PEP) in 180 children with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) and disruptive behavior. We compare the impact of PT and PEP on parent
outcomes: Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Parent Sense of Competence (PSOC), and
Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ). Mixed-effects linear models evaluated
differences at weeks 12 and 24, controlling for baseline scores. Parents in PT
reported greater improvement than PEP on the PSOC (ES = 0.34), CGSQ (ES = 0.50),
and difficult child subdomain of the PSI (ES = 0.44). This is the largest trial
assessing PT in ASD on parent outcomes. PT reduces disruptive behavior in
children, and improves parental competence while reducing parental stress and
parental strain.
PMID- 28988340
TI - Inefficacy of autologous bone marrow concentrate in stage three osteonecrosis: a
randomized controlled double-blind trial.
AB - PURPOSE: The fracture stage of non-traumatic osteonecrosis (ON stage 3) of the
femoral head (ONFH) has an unfavourable prognosis frequently requiring total hip
replacement (THR). The percentage could be lowered after core decompression. In
earlier non-fracture ON stages, implantation of autologous bone marrow aspirate
concentrate (BMAC) improved the effect of core decompression. The purpose was to
evaluate the effect of BMAC in addition to core decompression in stage 3 ONFH.
METHODS: A double blind RCT was conducted comparing two groups: core
decompression plus saline injection or core decompression plus BMAC implantation.
Both patients and assessors were blinded to the treatment assignments.
Evaluations were done at baseline, three, six, 12, and 24 months, including pain
(VAS), WOMAC, side-effects, radiological evolution including ARCO
subclassifications, together with possible THR requirement. The primary endpoint
was the need for THR. The second endpoints included the clinical symptoms such as
pain and functional ability and the progression of the ON lesions as well as the
appearance of osteoarthritis features (ARCO stage 4). Both groups included 23
hips (19 patients). RESULTS: No differences were found between the groups for THR
requirements, clinical tests, and radiological evolution. In both groups, 15/23
hips needed THR. The radiological evolution of the ONFH lesions in term of
location, extension, surface collapse, and dome depression was moderate in both
groups and was not correlated with the need of THR. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of
BMAC after core decompression did not produce any improvement of the evolution of
ONFH stage 3. Level of evidence I.
PMID- 28988341
TI - Randomized phase II trial comparing axitinib with the combination of axitinib and
lomustine in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.
AB - Axitinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor with high affinity and
specificity for the family of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors. It
has previously demonstrated anti-tumor activity in a small cohort of patients
with recurrent glioblastoma (rGB). We conducted a non-comparative randomized
phase II clinical trial investigating axitinib monotherapy versus axitinib plus
lomustine (LOM) in patients with rGB. Primary endpoint was 6 month progression
free survival (6mPFS). Patients who progressed on axitinib-monotherapy were
allowed to cross-over. Between August 2011 and July 2015, 79 patients were
randomized and initiated axitinib monotherapy (n = 50; AXI) or axitinib plus
lomustine (n = 29; AXILOM). Median age was 55y [range 18-80], 50M/28F. Baseline
characteristics were well balanced between study arms. Nineteen patients in the
AXI-arm crossed-over at the time of progression. Treatment was generally well
tolerated. AXILOM patients were at higher risk for grade 3/4 neutropenia (0 vs.
21%) and thrombocytopenia (4 vs. 29%). Best Overall Response Rate (BORR) in the
AXI-arm was 28 vs. 38% in the AXILOM-arm. 6mPFS was 26% (95% CI 14-38) versus 17%
(95% CI 2-32) for patients treated in the AXI versus AXILOM-arms, respectively.
Median overall survival was 29 weeks (95% CI 20-38) in the AXI-arm and 27.4 weeks
(95% CI 18.4-36.5) in the AXILOM-arm. MGMT-promoter hypermethylation and steroid
treatment at baseline correlated significantly with PFS and OS. We conclude from
these results that axitinib improves response rate and progression-free survival
in patients with rGB compared to historical controls. There is no indication that
upfront combination of axitinib with LOM improves results (European Clinical
Trials Database (EudraCT) Study Number: 2011-000900-16).
PMID- 28988343
TI - To see and then to act, that is the challenge.
PMID- 28988342
TI - Spectrum of outcomes following traumatic brain injury-relationship between
functional impairment and health-related quality of life.
AB - BACKGROUND: The outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is heterogeneous
and poorly defined and physical disability scales like the extended Glasgow
Outcome Score (GOSE) while providing valuation information in terms of broad
categorisation of outcome are unlikely to capture the full spectrum of deficits.
Quality of life questionnaires such as SF-36 are emerging as potential tools to
help characterise factors important to patients' recovery. This study assessed
the association between physical disability and subjective health rating. The
relationship is of value as it may help evaluate the impact of TBI on patients'
lives and facilitate the delivery of appropriate neuro-rehabilitation services.
METHODS: A single-centre retrospective study was undertaken to assess the
relationship between physical outcome as measured by GOSE and quality of life
captured by the SF-36 questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for each of
the eight SF-36 domains to measure internal consistency of the test. Multivariate
analysis of variance was conducted to look at the association between GOSE and
the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores on the SF-36. Finally, we
performed a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) to assess the relative
contribution of GOSE score, age at the time of trauma, sex and TBI duration
towards MCS and PCS rating. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant
difference in the MCS and PCS scores based on patients' GOSE scores. The mean
scores of the eight SF-36 domains showed significant association with GOSE. GLMM
demonstrated that GOSE was the strongest predictor of PCS and MCS. Age was an
important variable in the PCS score while time following trauma was a significant
predictor of MCS rating. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that patients'
physical outcome following TBI is a strong predictor of the subjective mental and
physical health. Nevertheless, there remains tremendous variability in individual
SF-36 scores for each GOSE category, highlighting that additional factors play a
role in determining quality of life.
PMID- 28988344
TI - How should we manage internal margins in four-dimensional dose assessments?
PMID- 28988345
TI - Partial caries removal in deep caries lesions: a 5-year multicenter randomized
controlled trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to compare
the outcomes of stepwise excavation (SW) and partial caries removal (PCR)
regarding the maintenance of pulp vitality in deep caries lesions over 5 years.
METHODS: At baseline, 299 permanent molars with deep caries lesions were randomly
assigned to control or test groups. The control group received the stepwise
excavation treatment (SW), while the test group received partial caries removal
from the pulpal wall followed by restoration in a single session (PCR).
Treatments were conducted in two centers located in the cities of Porto Alegre
(South Brazil) and Brasilia (Midwest Brazil). Survival analysis was performed to
compare PCR and SW over time (Weibull regression models). The primary outcome of
this study was pulp vitality, determined by the combination of the following
characteristics: positive response to cold test, negative response to percussion,
absence of spontaneous pain, and absence of periapical lesion (radiographic
examination). RESULTS: This 5-year study includes data pertaining to 229 teeth:
121 teeth actually examined at the 5-year appointment, and 108 teeth contributed
with data collected in previous follow-ups (18 months or 3 years). Survival
analysis showed success rates of 80% in PCR group and 56% in SW group (p <
0.001). Failure was significantly associated with treatment [PCR, HR=0.38;
95%CI=0.23-0.63)] and region [South, HR=2.22; 95%CI=1.21-4.08]. CONCLUSION: PCR
significantly reduced the occurrence of pulp necrosis when compared with SW.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study supports the PCR as a single-visit technique to
manage deep caries lesions in permanent teeth.
PMID- 28988347
TI - Diagnosing Autism in Adults with Intellectual Disability: Validation of the DiBAS
R in an Independent Sample.
AB - The study assessed the diagnostic validity of the diagnostic behavioral
assessment for autism spectrum disorders-revised (DiBAS-R; 19-item screening
scale based on ratings by caregivers) in a clinical sample of 381 adults with ID.
Analysis revealed a sensitivity of 0.82 and a specificity of 0.67 in the overall
sample (70.3% agreement). Sensitivity (0.79) and specificity (0.84) were balanced
in individuals with mild to moderate ID (83.3% agreement), while specificity was
lower in individuals with severe to profound ID (sensitivity: 0.83, specificity:
0.34, 51% agreement). The level of ID as well as its interaction with ASD
explained a significant proportion of the variance in the DiBAS-R scores. The
DiBAS-R is an adequate screening tool, especially in individuals with mild to
moderate ID.
PMID- 28988346
TI - Lipid environment induces ER stress, TXNIP expression and inflammation in immune
cells of individuals with type 2 diabetes.
AB - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Obesity and type 2 diabetes are concomitant with low-grade
inflammation affecting insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Recently, the
thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) has been implicated in the activation
process of the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)
inflammasome. In this study, we aim to determine whether the expression of TXNIP
is altered in the circulating immune cells of individuals with type 2 vs type 1
diabetes and whether this can be related to specific causes and consequences of
inflammation. METHODS: The expression of TXNIP, inflammatory markers, markers of
the unfolded protein response (UPR) to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and
enzymes involved in sphingolipid metabolism was quantified by quantitative
reverse transcription real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in peripheral blood mononuclear
cells (PBMCs) of 13 non-diabetic individuals, 23 individuals with type 1 diabetes
and 81 with type 2 diabetes. A lipidomic analysis on the plasma of 13 non
diabetic individuals, 35 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 94 with type 2
diabetes was performed. The effects of ER stress or of specific lipids on TXNIP
and inflammatory marker expression were analysed in human monocyte-derived
macrophages (HMDMs) and THP-1 cells. RESULTS: The expression of TXNIP and
inflammatory and UPR markers was increased in the PBMCs of individuals with type
2 diabetes when compared with non-diabetic individuals or individuals with type 1
diabetes. TXNIP expression was significantly correlated with plasma fasting
glucose, plasma triacylglycerol concentrations and specific UPR markers.
Induction of ER stress in THP-1 cells or cultured HMDMs led to increased
expression of UPR markers, TXNIP, NLRP3 and IL-1beta. Conversely, a chemical
chaperone reduced the expression of UPR markers and TXNIP in PBMCs of individuals
with type 2 diabetes. The lipidomic plasma analysis revealed an increased
concentration of saturated dihydroceramide and sphingomyelin in individuals with
type 2 diabetes when compared with non-diabetic individuals and individuals with
type 1 diabetes. In addition, the expression of specific enzymes of sphingolipid
metabolism, dihydroceramide desaturase 1 and sphingomyelin synthase 1, was
increased in the PBMCs of individuals with type 2 diabetes. Palmitate or C2
ceramide induced ER stress in macrophages as well as increased expression of
TXNIP, NLRP3 and IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In individuals with type 2
diabetes, circulating immune cells display an inflammatory phenotype that can be
linked to ER stress and TXNIP expression. Immune cell ER stress can in turn be
linked to the specific exogenous and endogenous lipid environment found in type 2
diabetes.
PMID- 28988348
TI - Insight into the neuroendocrine basis of signal evolution: a case study in foot
flagging frogs.
AB - A hallmark of sexual selection is the evolution of elaborate male sexual signals.
Yet, how the physiology of an animal changes to support a new or modified signal
is a question that has remained largely unanswered. Androgens are important in
regulating male reproductive behavior, therefore, selection for particular
signals may drive the evolution of increased androgenic sensitivity in the neuro
motor systems underlying their production. Studies of the neuroendocrine
mechanisms of anuran sexual signaling provide evidence to support this idea.
Here, we highlight two such cases: first, a large body of work in Xenopus frogs
demonstrates that sexually dimorphic androgen receptor (AR) expression in the
laryngeal nerves and muscles underlies sexually dimorphic vocal behavior, and
second, our own work showing that the recent evolution of a hind limb signal
(known as the "foot flag") in Staurois parvus is accompanied by a dramatic
increase in androgenic sensitivity of the thigh muscles that control limb
movement. Together, these examples illustrate that the evolutionary modification
or gain of a sexual signal is linked with a novel pattern of AR expression in the
tissues that support it. We suggest that such co-evolution of AR expression and
sex-specific or species-specific signaling behavior exists across vertebrates.
PMID- 28988349
TI - Mastocytosis in Children.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we examine the current understanding of the
pathogenesis, clinical presentations, diagnostic tools, and treatment options of
pediatric mastocytosis as well as the natural history of the disease. RECENT
FINDINGS: We discuss the emerging concept of mast cell activation syndrome.
Mastocytosis in children presents most commonly as isolated cutaneous lesions and
is a relatively rare occurrence with excellent prognosis and spontaneous
regression often occurring by adolescence. Systemic mastocytosis with organ
system involvement is a more serious condition and is likely to persist into
adulthood.
PMID- 28988350
TI - Predictors of 30- and 90-day readmission following craniotomy for malignant brain
tumors: analysis of nationwide data.
AB - Hospital readmissions are a major contributor to increased health care costs and
are associated with worse patient outcomes after neurosurgery. We used the newly
released Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) to describe the association
between patient, hospital and payer factors with 30- and 90-day readmission
following craniotomy for malignant brain tumor. All adult inpatients undergoing
craniotomy for primary and secondary malignant brain tumors in the NRD from 2013
to 2014 were included. We identified all cause readmissions within 30- and 90
days following craniotomy for tumor, excluding scheduled chemotherapeutic
procedures. We used univariate and multivariate models to identify patient,
hospital and administrative factors associated with readmission. We identified
27,717 admissions for brain tumor craniotomy in 2013-2014, with 3343 (13.2%) 30
day and 5271 (25.7%) 90-day readmissions. In multivariate analysis, patients with
Medicaid and Medicare were more likely to be readmitted at 30- and 90-days
compared to privately insured patients. Patients with two or more comorbidities
were more likely to be readmitted at 30- and 90-days, and patients discharged to
skilled nursing facilities or home health care were associated with increased 90
day readmission rates. Finally, hospital procedural volume above the 75th
percentile was associated with decreased 90-day readmission rates. Patients
treated at high volume hospitals are less likely to be readmitted at 90-days.
Insurance type, non-routine discharge and patient comorbidities are predictors of
postoperative non-scheduled readmission. Further studies may elucidate
potentially modifiable risk factors when attempting to improve outcomes and
reduce cost associated with brain tumor surgery.
PMID- 28988351
TI - Management of Complex Anterior Shoulder Instability: a Case-Based Approach.
AB - PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: The goal of this review is to provide a guide on surgical
decision-making options for complex anterior shoulder instability using a case
based approach. RECENT FINDINGS: Arthroscopic Bankart repair is well documented
for having successful outcomes in patients with isolated labral tear involvement
with minimal bone loss. Latarjet is a generally accepted procedure in patients
with 20-30% glenoid bone loss. When bone loss exceeds that which cannot be
managed through Latarjet, a range of options exist and are highly dependent upon
the extent of osseous deficiency on both the glenoid and humeral sides, surgeon
experience, and patient-specific factors. The use of reverse total shoulder
arthroplasty for the management of chronic locked shoulder dislocations has been
described as a successful management option. Treatment options for complex
anterior shoulder instability range widely based on patients' presenting exam,
surgical history, amount of glenoid bone loss, size of Hill-Sachs lesion, and
surgeon preference. When selecting the appropriate surgical intervention, the
treating surgeon must consider the patient history, physical exam, and
preoperative imaging along with patient expectations.
PMID- 28988352
TI - Is a local sample internationally representative? Reproducibility of four
cognitive tests in family dogs across testing sites and breeds.
AB - A fundamental precept of the scientific method is reproducibility of methods and
results, and there is growing concern over the failure to reproduce significant
results. Family dogs have become a favoured species in comparative cognition
research, but they may be subject to cognitive differences arising from genetic
(breeding lines) or cultural differences (e.g. preferred training methods). Such
variation is of concern as it affects the validity and generalisability of
experimental results. Despite its importance, this problem has not been
specifically addressed to date. Therefore, we aimed to test the influence of
three factors on reproducibility: testing site (proximal environment), breed and
sex (phenotype). The same experimenter tested cognitive performance by more than
200 dogs in four experiments. Additionally, dogs' performance was tested in an
obedience task administered by the owner. Breed of dog and testing site were
found to influence the level of performance only mildly, and only in a means-end
experiment and the obedience task. Our findings demonstrate that by applying the
same test protocols on sufficiently large samples, the reported phenomena in
these cognitive tests can be reproduced, but slight differences in performance
levels can occur between different samples. Accordingly, we recommend the
utilisation of well-described protocols supported by video examples of the whole
experimental procedure. Findings should focus on the main outcome variables of
the experiments, rather than speculating about the general importance of small or
secondary performance outcomes which are more susceptible to random or local
noise.
PMID- 28988353
TI - When acrocyanosis in intensive care unit is not due to vasopressor support.
PMID- 28988355
TI - Updating the Evidence on Functional Capacity Evaluation Methods: A Systematic
Review.
AB - Objectives To synthesize the evidence on the psychometrics functional capacity
evaluation (FCE) methods. Methods A systematic literature search in nine
databases. The resulting articles were screened based on predefined in- and
exclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently performed this screening.
Included studies were appraised based on their methodological quality. Results
The search resulted in 20 eligible studies about nine different FCE methods. The
Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment work simulator showed a moderate predictive
validity. The Ergo-Kit (EK) showed moderate variability and high inter- and intra
rater reliability. Low discriminative abilities and high convergent validity were
found for the EK. Concurrent validity of the EK and the ERGOS Work Simulator was
low to moderate. Moderate to high test-retest, inter- and intra-reliability was
found in the Isernhagen Work-Systems (IWS) FCE. The predictive validity of the
IWS was low. The physical work performance evaluation (PWPE) showed moderate test
retest reliability and moderate to high inter-rater reliability. Low internal and
external responsiveness were found for the PWPE, predictive validity was high.
The predictive validity of the short-form FCE was also high but need to be
further examined on several psychometric properties. Low discriminative and
convergent validity were found for the work disability functional assessment
battery. The WorkHab showed moderate to high test-retest, inter- and intra-rater
reliability. Conclusion Well-known FCE methods have been rigorously studied, but
some of the research indicates weaknesses in their reliability and validity.
Future research should address how these weaknesses can be overcome.
PMID- 28988356
TI - Image-guided treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome: a giant leap from the past, a
small step towards the future.
AB - Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a relatively rare vascular disease characterized by
hepatic outflow tract obstruction, and image-guided endovascular treatment,
namely percutaneous angioplasty, stenting, and transjugular intrahepatic
portosystemic shunt (TIPS), has proven to be effective treatment modalities to
alleviate symptoms and markedly improve the prognosis of the disease.
Specifically, a step-wise approach is recommended, i.e., angioplasty and stenting
are the prioritized choice for patients with membranous obstruction and short
length stenosis, whereas TIPS is the option for patients who fail this treatment.
Currently, 5-year survival with the step-wise approach is about 75%, and the most
promising way to further improve this value is to identify candidates who are at
high risk of failing angioplasty, and perform pre-emptive TIPS in these patients.
PMID- 28988354
TI - Over-expression of the Arabidopsis formate dehydrogenase in chloroplasts enhances
formaldehyde uptake and metabolism in transgenic tobacco leaves.
AB - MAIN CONCLUSION: Over-expression of AtFDH controlled by the promoter of Rubisco
small subunit in chloroplasts increases formaldehyde uptake and metabolism in
tobacco leaves. Our previous study showed that formaldehyde (HCHO) uptake and
resistance in tobacco are weaker than in Arabidopsis. Formate dehydrogenase in
Arabidopsis (AtFDH) is a key enzyme in HCHO metabolism by oxidation of HCOOH to
CO2, which enters the Calvin cycle to be assimilated into glucose. HCHO metabolic
mechanism in tobacco differs from that in Arabidopsis. In this study, AtFDH was
over-expressed in the chloroplasts of transgenic tobacco using a light inducible
promoter. 13C-NMR analysis showed that the carbon flux from H13CHO metabolism was
not introduced into the Calvin cycle to produce glucose in transgenic tobacco
leaves. However, the over-expression of AtFDH significantly enhanced the HCHO
metabolism in transgenic leaves. Consequently, the productions of [4-13C]Asn, [3
13C]Gln, [U-13C]oxalate, and H13COOH were notably greater in transgenic leaves
than in non-transformed leaves after treatment with H13CHO. The increased
stomatal conductance and aperture in transgenic leaves might be ascribed to the
increased yield of oxalate in the guard cells with over-expressed AtFDH in
chloroplasts. Accordingly, the transgenic plants exhibited a stronger capacity to
absorb gaseous HCHO. Furthermore, the higher proline content in transgenic leaves
compared with non-transformed leaves under HCHO stress might be attributable to
the excess formate accumulation and Gln production. Consequently, the HCHO
induced oxidative stress was reduced in transgenic leaves.
PMID- 28988360
TI - Correction to: Challenges in minor TBI and indications for head CT in pediatric
TBI-an update.
AB - The published version of this article unfortunately contained an error.An error
in the Abstract was introduced during corrections stage when a "Conclusion"
section appended is from a different article and was not provided from authors.
PMID- 28988358
TI - Reliability and validity of the cross-culturally adapted Turkish version of the
Core Outcome Measures Index for low back pain.
AB - PURPOSE: To produce a cross-culturally adapted and validated Turkish version of
The Core Outcome Measure Index (COMI) Back questionnaire. METHODS: Ninety-six
Turkish-speaking patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP) were recruited
from orthopedic and physical therapy outpatient clinics in a public hospital.
They completed a booklet of questionnaires containing Turkish version of COMI,
adjectival pain scale, Roland Morris disability questionnaire, European 5
Dimension Questionnaire and brief version of World Health Organization Quality of
Life Questionnaire. Within following 7-14 days, 67 patients, reported no or
minimal changes in their back pain status, completed the Turkish COMI again to
assess reproducibility. RESULTS: Data quality was good with very few missing
answers. COMI summary index score displayed 3% floor effects and no ceiling
effects. The correlations between the COMI summary index score and each of the
full instrument whole scores were found to be excellent to very good (rho = -
0.81 to 0.74). Reliability expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)
was 0.95 (95% CI 0.91-0.97). Standard error of measurement (SEMagreement) was
acceptable at 0.41 and the minimum detectable change (MDC95%) was 1.14.
CONCLUSION: Turkish version of the COMI has acceptable psychometric properties.
It is a valid and reliable instrument and cross-culturally adapted, in accordance
with established guidelines, for the use by Turkish-speaking patients. It can be
recommended for use in evaluation of patients with chronic LBP in daily practice,
in international multicenter studies and in spine registry systems.
PMID- 28988359
TI - Patient-reported outcomes after sacrospinous fixation of vault prolapse with a
suturing device: a retrospective national cohort study.
AB - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Innovations in suturing devices have facilitated
sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSF) for the correction of vaginal vault
prolapse. It is uncertain if outcomes using suturing devices differ from those
using a traditional suturing technique. We hypothesize that no difference exists
in the efficacy and safety 1 year after SSF for vault prolapse performed with
suturing devices or using a traditional technique. The objective was to compare
SSF using a suturing device with traditional SSF for the treatment of vault
prolapse, regarding symptoms of prolapse recurrence, patient satisfaction,
incidence of re-operation, and complications 1 year postoperatively. METHODS: We
carried out a retrospective cohort study using register-based national data from
2006 to 2013. The Swedish Quality Register of Gynecological Surgery includes
assessments pre-operatively, at hospital admittance, surgery, discharge, and
questionnaires at 8 weeks and 1 year after surgery. Demographic variables and
surgical methods were included in multivariate logistic regression analyses.
RESULTS: In the suturing device group (SDG, n = 353), 71.5% were asymptomatic of
recurrence after 1 year compared with 78.7% in the traditional SSF group (TSG, n
= 195); risk difference - 7.3% (95%CI -15.2%; 0.7%). Adjusted odds ratio (aOR)
for being asymptomatic 1 year postoperatively was 0.56 (95%CI 0.31; 1.02, p =
0.057). Patient satisfaction was similar in SDG and TSG (78.1% vs 78.4%).
Reoperation occurred in 7.4% in the SDG compared with 3.6% in the TSG, risk
difference 3.8% (95%CI 0.0%; 7.5%), aOR 3.55 (95%CI 1.10; 11.44, p = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: Patient satisfaction was similar 1 year after SSF, despite symptoms
of recurrence being more likely and reoperation more common after using a
suturing device compared with a traditional technique. The methods did not differ
with regard to surgical complications.
PMID- 28988357
TI - The effects of diosmin on aflatoxin-induced liver and kidney damage.
AB - Aflatoxin is among the natural toxins that cause serious side effects on living
things. Diosmin is also one of the compounds with broad pharmacological effects.
In this study, the effects on the oxidant/antioxidant system of 50 mg/kg body
weight/day dose of diosmin, aflatoxin (500 MUg/kg body weight/day), and combined
aflatoxin (500 MUg/kg body weight/day) plus diosmin (50 mg/kg body weight/day)
given to the stomach via catheter female adult Wistar Albino rats is examined.
Forty rats were used in the experiment, and these animals were randomly allocated
to four equal groups. The test phase lasted 21 days, and blood samples and tissue
(liver and kidney) samples were taken after this period was over. Some
biochemical parameters (glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen,
creatinine, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine
aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin) and levels of
malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and 4-hydroxynonenal and activities of superoxide
dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were analyzed in the samples. The
aflatoxin administered over the period indicated a significant increase in levels
of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in all
tissues and blood samples. Therewithal, the activity of antioxidant enzymes
showed a change in the decreasing direction. Biochemical parameters of the group
in which aflatoxin were administered alone changed unfavorably. Parallel effects
were also observed in the histopathological findings of this group. The results
showed that aflatoxin changed antioxidant/oxidant balance in favor of oxidant and
eventually led to lipid peroxidation. Diosmin administration to aflatoxin-treated
animals resulted in positive changes in antioxidant enzyme activities while the
levels of MDA, NO, and 4-HNE were reduced in all tissues and blood samples
examined. Diosmin alleviates the oxidative stress caused by aflatoxin. Similar
improvement was observed in biochemical parameters of this group as well as in
liver and kidney histopathology. No significant change was observed in the group
treated with diosmin alone in terms of the parameters examined and histologic
findings. As a result, diosmin may be included in compounds that can be used as a
therapeutic and prophylactic agent in the event of the formation of aflatoxin
exposure and poisoning in animals.
PMID- 28988361
TI - Correction to: Sphenoid dysplasia in neurofibromatosis type 1: a new technique
for repair.
AB - The published version of this article unfortunately contained an error. All names
of the authors have been published incorrectly. Given in this article are the
corrected author names.
PMID- 28988362
TI - MiR-29b mimics promotes cell apoptosis of smooth muscle cells via targeting on
MMP-2.
AB - The phenotypic transformation and dysfunctions of vascular smooth muscle cells
(SMCs) such as abnormality proliferation and apoptosis are key pathological basis
of atherosclerosis. The recent study aimed to detect the role of miR-29b in
phenotypic transformation of SMCs. In this study, we investigated the expression
level of miR-29b and MMP-2 in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, verified
whether MMP-2 is the target gene of miR-29b by luciferase reporter gene system,
and explored the role of miR-29b in the viability and apoptosis of SMCs. We found
that the plasma level of miR-29b was significantly downregulated to 56% of
controls (p < 0.01). The plasma level of MMP-2 in health controls was 34.9 +/-
6.9 ng/mL, and that it significantly increased to 46.2 +/- 13.2 ng/mL in ACS
patients. MMP-2 is a target gene of miR-29b. The overexpression of miR-29b
significantly downregulated the expression of MMP-2 mRNA and protein. miR-29b
mimics inhibited the cell viability of SMCs, and cell apoptosis was significantly
enhanced compared with the NC group, especially in the early stage. In the
presence of MMP-2 inhibitor SB-3CT, the cell viability and apoptosis of SMC cells
were significantly reduced and enhanced, respectively, while the miR-29b
inhibited cell viability and -induced cell apoptosis were not significantly
changed. Taken together, miR-29b was downregulated in ACS patients. MiR-29 mimics
inhibits cell viability and promotes cell apoptosis via directly targeting on MMP
2, which could be a potentially promising therapy target for cardiovascular
diseases.
PMID- 28988363
TI - Safety of shortened infusion times for combined ipilimumab and nivolumab.
AB - BACKGROUND: Combined ipilimumab and nivolumab induces encouraging response rates
in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. However, the approved
protocol for dual checkpoint inhibition (3 mg/kg ipilimumab over 90 min and 1
mg/kg nivolumab over 60 min) is time-intensive and several trials have shown that
both single agents can be safely administered at faster infusion rates. AIM: To
investigate whether combined checkpoint inhibition with 3 mg/kg ipilimumab and 1
mg/kg nivolumab can be safely administered over 30 min per agent. PATIENTS AND
METHODS: We reviewed the rate of infusion-related reactions (IRRs) in the first
12 months of our single-institution experience using shortened infusion times for
combined checkpoint inhibition with ipilimumab and nivolumab. RESULTS: Between
May 24, 2016 and June 10, 2017, a total of 46 melanoma patients received 100
shortened cycles of combined 3 mg/kg ipilimumab and 1 mg/kg nivolumab. One
patient (2.2%; 1/46) had a questionable reaction after administration of 1 mg/kg
nivolumab over 30 min, but none of the other patients had a bona fide IRR.
CONCLUSIONS: Shortened infusion times for combined ipilimumab and nivolumab
treatment are safe, thereby facilitating a more efficient use of outpatient
facilities and enhancing patient's convenience.
PMID- 28988364
TI - Genetic parameters for growth performance, fillet traits, and fat percentage of
male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
AB - Improvement of fillet traits and flesh quality attributes are of great interest
in farmed tilapia and other aquaculture species. The main objective of this study
was to estimate genetic parameters for fillet traits (fillet weight and fillet
yield) and the fat content of fillets from 1136 males combined with 2585 data
records on growth traits (body weight at 290 days, weight at slaughter, and daily
weight gain) of 1485 males and 1100 females from a third generation of the
Aquaamerica tilapia strain. Different models were tested for each trait, and the
best models were used to estimate genetic parameters for the fat content, fillet,
and growth traits. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated using two
trait animal models. The heritability estimates were moderate for the fat content
of fillets and fillet yield (0.2-0.32) and slightly higher for body weight at
slaughter (0.41). The genetic correlation between fillet yield and fat was
significant (0.6), but the genetic correlations were not significant between body
weight and fillet yield, body weight and fat content, daily weight gain and
fillet yield, and daily weight gain and fat content (- 0.032, - 0.1, - 0.09, and
0.4, respectively). Based on the genetic correlation estimates, it is unlikely
that changes in fillet yield and fat content will occur when using growth
performance as a selection criterion, but indirect changes may be expected in fat
content if selecting for higher fillet yield.
PMID- 28988365
TI - Global radiological score for femoral cementless revision stem.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of total hip
arthroplasty (THA) revision with cementless stems using a numeric global
radiological score (GRxS) that summarizes two previously validated scores:
secondary bone stock (SBS) and osseointegration-secondary stability (O-SS).
METHOD: One hundred fifty cases of THA were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 6.5
+/- 3.7 years. The GRxS combines the SBS, which evaluated cortical bone
thickness, bone density and bone defects in each Gruen zone and the O-SS, which
evaluated the location and extent of a single radiolucent line. To calculate the
GRxS, the SBS and O-SS were each expressed on a 10-point scale and given equal
weighing. The final result was a number out of 20. The GRxS was used to assign a
radiological grade to each THA case: very good (20), good (18-15), average (13
12), or poor (<= 10). The numerical mean (Nm) was calculated for each grade. The
inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was evaluated. RESULTS: The inter
observer reproducibility was good (0.8) and the intra-observer reproducibility
was very good (0.9). The GRxS was considered very good in 46 cases (Nm 20), good
in 57 cases (Nm 16.6), average in 25 cases and poor in 22 cases. There was a
significant relationship between the GRxS and the Harris Hip and Postel Merle
d'Aubigne scores (p < 0.0001), and the initial bone stock (p = 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The GRxS is reliable and reproducible. This information can be used
by surgeons to adapt the surgical technique to bone characteristics (especially
during revision cases) and to compare the outcomes of different implant designs.
PMID- 28988366
TI - Anxiety and ASD: Current Progress and Ongoing Challenges.
AB - Symptoms of anxiety add significant burden to many autistic individuals and their
loved ones. There is an urgent need for better understanding of the unique
underlying mechanisms of anxiety in ASD, and for the development of more specific
assessment methods and treatment recommendations. This special issue brings
together 24 articles grouped into three themes; mechanisms, measurement, and
intervention. The result is a review of current anxiety research in ASD that is
both broad and deep. Key themes include recognition of the importance individual
differences in aetiology and presentation of anxiety in ASD, the need for a more
nuanced understanding of the interactions between anxiety and characteristics of
ASD and the need to develop appropriately adapted treatments.
PMID- 28988367
TI - Neonatal diabetes in a patient with IPEX syndrome: an attempt at balancing
insulin therapy.
PMID- 28988368
TI - Post-embryonic development of the Malpighian tubules in Apis mellifera
(Hymenoptera) workers: morphology, remodeling, apoptosis, and cell proliferation.
AB - The honeybee Apis mellifera has ecological and economic importance; however, it
experiences a population decline, perhaps due to exposure to toxic compounds,
which are excreted by Malpighian tubules. During metamorphosis of A. mellifera,
the Malpighian tubules degenerate and are formed de novo. The objective of this
work was to verify the cellular events of the Malpighian tubule renewal in the
metamorphosis, which are the gradual steps of cell remodeling, determining
different cell types and their roles in the excretory activity in A. mellifera.
Immunofluorescence and ultrastructural analyses showed that the cells of the
larval Malpighian tubules degenerate by apoptosis and autophagy, and the new
Malpighian tubules are formed by cell proliferation. The ultrastructure of the
cells in the Malpighian tubules suggest that cellular remodeling only occurs from
dark-brown-eyed pupae, indicating the onset of excretion activity in pupal
Malpighian tubules. In adult forager workers, two cell types occur in the
Malpighian tubules, one with ultrastructural features (abundance of mitochondria,
vacuoles, microvilli, and narrow basal labyrinth) for primary urine production
and another cell type with dilated basal labyrinth, long microvilli, and absence
of spherocrystals, which suggest a role in primary urine re-absorpotion. This
study suggests that during the metamorphosis, Malpighian tubules are non
functional until the light-brown-eyed pupae, indicating that A. mellifera may be
more vulnerable to toxic compounds at early pupal stages. In addition, cell
ultrastructure suggests that the Malpighian tubules may be functional from dark
brown-eyed pupae and acquire greater complexity in the forager worker bee.
PMID- 28988369
TI - Retention of molars after root-resective therapy: a retrospective evaluation of
up to 30 years.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Long-term retention of teeth and especially molars in function is the
ultimate goal of periodontal therapy. Root-resective therapy is a treatment
option for molars with advanced furcation involvement, which has been questioned
because of the heterogenous success rates published in literature. This study
aimed to evaluate long-term results of root-resective treatment over a period of
up to 30 years. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort, 90 root-resected molars in
69 patients were examined for 4-30 years (14.7 +/- 6.8 years). The complete
treatment sequence was performed by one of the authors in a general dental
practice. RESULTS: Overall cumulative survival rate was 90.6% after 10 years, but
then decreased considerably. Molars after root resection had a median survival
time of 20 years. The incidence of endodontic complications leading to tooth
extraction was only 26.7%, 50% were lost due to periodontal problems, and 16.7%
because of caries. Mandibular molars had a significantly lower relative risk of
loss than molars in the maxilla (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.1-0.91, p = 0.033). Mandibular
molars showed a survival probability of almost 80% even 20 years after root
resection. CONCLUSION: Root-resective therapy is a predictable treatment option,
when care is administered at each phase of therapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This
study provides important information about what is possible in daily practice
under the outlines of public health care, when care is administered at each phase
of resective therapy.
PMID- 28988370
TI - Morphologic characteristics of macroscopic peritoneal finding in patients with
peritoneal dialysis.
AB - Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been an attractive treatment for end-stage kidney
disease. Long-term exposure to the PD solution creates functional and
morphological alterations, and these alterations diminish the efficacy of PD. It
is important to establish an evaluation of the changes in PD patients and
strategies for the prevention of PD damage and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis
(EPS). We determined the relationship between clinical findings and macroscopic
morphological findings by laparoscopy in patients receiving PD. Macroscopic
intraperitoneal findings were recorded at the PD catheter removal in 23 PD
patients. We examined macroscopic morphological findings such as fibrin
deposition, peritoneal turbidity, vasculopathy, adhesion and calcification in
both parietal and visceral peritoneum of upper and lower peritoneal cavities, and
assessed the score semi-quantitatively. We then evaluated the relationship
between the morphological score and clinical findings, especially observational
parts and findings in EPS patients. The total macroscopic score increased with PD
duration. Peritoneal turbidity, fibrin deposition, and calcification were
observed in the whole peritoneal cavity. Scores of fibrin deposition, turbidity,
and calcification increased with PD duration. Vasculopathy in the parietal
peritoneum was more serious compared with that in the visceral peritoneum, but
there was no difference in the vasculopathy between the upper and lower areas. A
characteristic of the macroscopic findings in EPS patients was peritoneal
calcification in this study. It appears that macroscopic findings using
laparoscopy is significant in evaluating the degree of the peritoneum damage and
predicting EPS development.
PMID- 28988371
TI - Potential imaging findings following assisted reproduction: complications and
clinical implications.
AB - Recent rapid advances in assisted reproduction (ART) have led to global increase
in usage of in vitro fertilization. This in turn has resulted in clinicians and
imaging specialists encountering increase in complications associated with ART.
The specialists dealing with infertility should be aware of potential
complications associated with ART. Early diagnosis of these problems is based on
clinician's suspicion and radiologist's awareness of these complications. Many of
these conditions may be life threatening. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment of
these complications can safeguard the fetal and maternal health.
PMID- 28988372
TI - Ultra-low dose of intravitreal bevacizumab in retinopathy of prematurity.
AB - AIM: We aimed to investigate the effectivity of the 0.0625 mg dose of bevacizumab
in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and compare the results with
0.625 mg dose of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection. METHODS: The medical
records of the patients with type 1 ROP who received IVB monotherapy were
retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the
patients were recorded. The patients were classified into two groups with respect
to received dose of bevacizumab as follows: group F (n = 46) (full dose of
bevacizumab-0.625 mg/0.025 ml) and group L (n = 45) (low dose (one tenth) of
bevacizumab-0.0625 mg/0.025 ml). RESULTS: Both treatment dose regimens have
similar outcomes. Moreover, the mean retinal vascularization time seemed to be
significantly higher in group F compared to group L, 168 +/- 65 and 97 +/- 29
days, respectively (p < 0.001). Disappearance of plus sign is observed earlier in
group F (2.45 +/- 1.7 vs 3.66 +/- 2.46 days, respectively, p = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: The low dose (0.0625 mg) of IVB treatment was effective as full
(0.625 mg) dose in ROP treatment. Moreover, our results showed that low-dose
treatment might provide faster retinal vascularization than the regular used
dose. On the other hand, disappearance of the plus sign takes longer time in
patients treated with low dose compared to eyes treated with full dose of IVB
that should be taken into account.
PMID- 28988373
TI - Lithium Treatment Aggregates the Adverse Effects on Erythrocytes Subjected to
Arsenic Exposure.
AB - The present study was designed to investigate the effects of lithium treatment on
red blood cells which were given arsenic exposure. Long-term lithium therapy is
being extensively used for the treatment of bipolar disorders. Arsenic is a group
I carcinogen and a major toxic pollutant in drinking water that affects millions
of people worldwide. Male SD rats were segregated into four groups, viz. normal
control, lithium treated, arsenic treated, and lithium + arsenic treated. Lithium
was supplemented as lithium carbonate at a dose level of 1.1 g/kg diet for a
period of 8 weeks. Arsenic was given in the form of sodium arsenite at a dose
level of 100 ppm in drinking water, ad libitum, for the same period. Lysates of
red blood cells were used to investigate the effects of lithium and arsenic
treatments on anti-oxidant enzymes, reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid
peroxidation (LPO) levels. Various hematological parameters, activities of Na+ K+
ATPase and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (delta-ALAD) were also assessed.
A significant reduction was observed in the activities of antioxidant enzymes,
GSH levels, total erythrocyte counts, Na+ K+ ATPase, and ALAD enzyme activities
in lysates of red blood cells when exposed either to lithium or arsenic. In
addition, a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA),
lymphocytes, neutrophils, and total leukocytes was also observed following
lithium as well as arsenic treatments. However, when arsenic-treated rats were
subjected to lithium treatment, a pronounced alteration was noticed in all the
above parameters. Therefore, we conclude that lithium supplementation to the
arsenic-treated rats enhances the adverse effects on red blood cells and
therefore use of lithium may not be medicated to patients who are vulnerable to
arsenic exposure through drinking water. It can also be inferred that adverse
effects of lithium therapy may get aggravated in patients thriving in the arsenic
contaminated area.
PMID- 28988374
TI - Temporal Processing Instability with Millisecond Accuracy is a Cardinal Feature
of Sensorimotor Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Analysis Using the
Synchronized Finger-Tapping Task.
AB - To identify a specific sensorimotor impairment feature of autism spectrum
disorder (ASD), we focused on temporal processing with millisecond accuracy. A
synchronized finger-tapping task was used to characterize temporal processing in
individuals with ASD as compared to typically developing (TD) individuals. We
found that individuals with ASD showed more variability in temporal processing
parameters than TD individuals. In addition, temporal processing instability was
related to altered motor performance. Further, receiver operating characteristic
(ROC) curve analyses indicated that altered temporal processing can be useful for
distinguishing between individuals with and without ASD. These results suggest
that instability of temporal processing with millisecond accuracy is a
fundamental feature of sensorimotor impairments in ASD.
PMID- 28988375
TI - Long-Term Care Needs in the Context of Poverty and Population Aging: the Case of
Older Persons in Myanmar.
AB - Myanmar is one of the poorest and least healthy countries in Southeast Asia. As
elsewhere in the region, population aging is occurring. Yet the government
welfare and health systems have done little to address the long-term care (LTC)
needs of the increasing number of older persons thus leaving families to cope on
their own. Our study, based on the 2012 Myanmar Aging Survey, documents the LTC
needs of persons aged 60 and older and how they are met within the context of the
family. Nearly 40% of persons in their early 60s and 90% of those 80 and older
reported at least one physical difficulty. Spouses and children constitute the
mainstay of the financial and instrumental support of elderly including those
with LTC needs. Nearly two-thirds of older persons reported receiving assistance
with daily living activities. More than three quarters coreside with children, a
living arrangement that in turn is strongly associated with receiving regular
assistance in daily living. Daughters represent almost half and spouses,
primarily wives, one-fourth of primary caregivers. Unmet need for care as well as
inadequate care decline almost linearly with increased household wealth. Thus
elderly in the poorest households are most likely to experience gaps in LTC.
Given mounting concerns regarding health disparities among Myanmar's population,
this pattern of inequality clearly needs to be recognized and addressed. This
needs attention now rather than later given that reduced family size and
increased migration pose additional challenges for family caregiving of frail
elderly in the coming decades.
PMID- 28988376
TI - Differential diagnosis of the finger swelling on Pythagoras in the "School of
Athens" (1509-1511) by Raphael (1483-1520).
PMID- 28988378
TI - Hospital volume and group expertise in newly diagnosed glioblastoma management.
PMID- 28988377
TI - Phase I study of sorafenib and tipifarnib for recurrent glioblastoma: NABTC 05
02.
AB - Recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) has a very low 6-month progression free survival
(PFS) with currently available treatments. Combination chemotherapy to target
multiple cell signaling pathways is currently being investigated in order to
improve prognosis for recurrent disease. The purpose of this phase I study was to
determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for the combination of tipifarnib and
sorafenib for the treatment of recurrent GBM. Patients with pathologically proven
WHO grade IV GBM and radiographically proven tumor recurrence were eligible for
this study. Treatments included sorafenib at twice daily and escalating dosages
of tipifarnib. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was determined over the first 28-days
of treatments, and the MTD was determined in a 3 + 3 study design. We enrolled 24
patients, and 21 patients completed the MTD period. The study was stopped early
with no MTD determination for excessive toxicities. The last dose level reached
was sorafenib at 200 mg twice a day and tipifarnib 100 mg twice a day on an
alternating week schedule. The DLTs included diarrhea, lipase elevation,
hypophosphatemia, and arthralgia. The combination of sorafenib and tipifarnib has
excessive toxicities and full single agent dosages could not be achieved in
combination.
PMID- 28988380
TI - Tumor-infiltrating immune cells as potential biomarkers predicting response to
treatment and survival in patients with metastatic melanoma receiving ipilimumab
therapy.
AB - Monoclonal antibodies targeting immune checkpoints are gaining ground in the
treatment of melanoma and other cancers, and considerable effort is made to
identify biomarkers predicting the efficacy of these therapies. Our retrospective
study was performed on surgical tissue samples (52 lymph nodes and 34
cutaneous/subcutaneous metastases) from 30 patients with metastatic melanoma
treated with ipilimumab. Using a panel of 11 antibodies against different immune
cell types, intratumoral immune cell densities were determined and evaluated in
relation to response to ipilimumab treatment and disease outcome. For most
markers studied, median immune cell densities were at least two times higher in
lymph node metastases compared to skin/subcutaneous ones; therefore, the
prognostic and predictive associations of immune cell infiltration were evaluated
separately in the two groups of metastases as well as in all samples as a whole.
Higher prevalence of several immune cell types was seen in lymph node metastases
of the responders compared to non-responders, particularly FOXP3+ cells and CD8+
T lymphocytes. In subcutaneous or cutaneous metastases, on the other hand,
significant difference could be observed only in the case of CD16 and CD68.
Associations of labeled cell densities with survival were also found for most
cell types studied in nodal metastases, and for CD16+ and CD68+ cells in
skin/s.c. metastatic cases. Our results corroborate the previous findings
suggesting an association between an immunologically active tumor
microenvironment and response to ipilimumab treatment, and propose new potential
biomarkers for predicting treatment efficacy and disease outcome.
PMID- 28988379
TI - Iron and iron oxide nanoparticles are highly toxic to Culex quinquefasciatus with
little non-target effects on larvivorous fishes.
AB - The control of filariasis vectors has been enhanced in several areas, but there
are main challenges, including increasing resistance to insecticides and lack of
cheap and eco-friendly products. The toxicity of iron (Fe0) and iron oxide
(Fe2O3) nanoparticles has been scarcely investigated yet. We studied the
larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Fe0 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles against Culex
quinquefasciatus. Fe0 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles produced by green (using a Ficus
natalensis aqueous extract) and chemical nanosynthesis, respectively, were
analyzed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, SEM, and
EDX assays. In larvicidal and pupicidal experiments on Cx. quinquefasciatus, LC50
of Fe0 nanoparticles ranged from 20.9 (I instar larvae) to 43.7 ppm (pupae) and
from 4.5 (I) to 22.1 ppm (pupae) for Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesized chemically.
Furthermore, the predation efficiency of the guppy fish, Poecilia reticulata,
after a single treatment with sub-lethal doses of Fe0 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles was
magnified. Overall, this work provides new insights about the toxicity of Fe0 and
Fe2O3 nanoparticles against mosquito vectors; we suggested that green and
chemical fabricated nano-iron may be considered to develop novel and effective
pesticides.
PMID- 28988381
TI - Response to the letter from Dr. Veerman and colleagues.
PMID- 28988382
TI - Does time of surgery and complication have any correlation in the management of
hip fracture in elderly and can early surgery affect the outcome?
AB - OBJECTIVE: Hip fractures in the elderly are usually associated with a high rate
of morbidity and mortality and affect quality of life. On review of published
data, the current guidelines in the literature indicate that early surgery should
be performed within 24 h of injury because it is associated with better
functional outcomes and lower rates of perioperative complications and mortality.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether any correlation exists between
early surgical intervention and functional outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective
study, we analyzed the records between January 2010 and December 2016 and 550
elderly patients between the age group of 65-95 were included. RESULTS: The
results of early surgery were promising, 451 (82%) patients did not have any
complication, 42 (7.6%) has developed bed sore, 23 (4%) developed a hospital
acquired infection, 13 (2.3%) developed wound infection, 08 (1.4%) developed DVT,
04 (0.7%) developed implant failure, and 09 (01%) died of some or other
complications. CONCLUSION: Still, there is conflicting evidence in the published
data that early surgery would improve mortality and function. However, early
surgery definitively improves outcome and reduces morbidity, bed sores,
infection, and the length of hospital stay could be improved by reducing the
waiting time of hip surgery following fracture. We concluded that it is
beneficial to the elderly patients to receive surgical treatment as early as
possible.
PMID- 28988384
TI - Language Barriers Impact Access to Services for Children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders.
AB - Racial and ethnic disparities in accessing health care have been described in
children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a retrospective chart review of
152 children with ASD, children of parents whose primary language was English
were significantly more likely to have both social skills and communication goals
within their individualized education plan (IEP) compared to children of parents
whose primary language was not English. Additionally, children of primary English
speakers received significantly more hours of direct services from their state
disability program. After controlling for demographic covariates, findings
suggest that language barriers may negatively affect parents' abilities to access
health care services for their child with ASD. Acculturation factors must
therefore be considered when analyzing disparities in autism.
PMID- 28988383
TI - Diversity of free-living amoebae in soils and their associated human
opportunistic bacteria.
AB - Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protozoa found worldwide in the
environment. They feed by phagocytosis on various microorganisms. However, some
bacteria, i.e., amoebae-resistant bacteria (ARB) or bacterial endocytobionts, can
resist phagocytosis and even multiply inside FLA. This study investigated the
diversity of culturable FLA in various soils from agricultural and mining sites
and their bacterial endocytobionts. FLA were cultured on non-nutrient agar with
alive Escherichia coli and identified by PCR and sequencing. Amoebae were lysed
and bacterial endocytobionts were cultured on TSA 1/10 and Drigalski medium.
Bacterial isolates were identified by PCR and 16S rDNA sequencing and
characterized for their antibiotic resistance properties. To measure bacterial
virulence, the amoebal model Dictyostelium discoideum was used. The analysis of
FLA diversity showed that Tetramitus was the most prevalent genus in agricultural
soil from Burkina Faso (73%) and garden soil from Vietnam (42%) while Naegleria
and Acanthamoeba were dominant genera in mining soil from Vietnam (55%) and
French alpine soil (77%). Some genera were only present in one out of the four
soils analyzed. The bacterial endocytobiont included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes,
Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Human opportunistic pathogens identified as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Burkholderia cepacia
were found associated with amoebae including Micriamoeba, Tetramitus, Willaertia,
or Acanthamoeba. Some of these bacteria showed various antibiotic resistance
phenotypes and were virulent. Our study confirms that the occurrence of these
opportunistic bacteria with FLA in soils may be important for the survival,
multiplication, and spread of pathogens in the environment.
PMID- 28988385
TI - Adapting current model with field data of related performance reference compounds
in passive samplers to accurately monitor hydrophobic organic compounds in
aqueous media.
AB - Performance reference compounds (PRCs) are neutral organic compounds, introduced
in a passive sampler prior deployment for the assessment of in situ sampling
rate. In this study, evaluation of in situ sampling rates of 16 13C-PAH-PRCs with
moderate and high hydrophobicity was established to provide an overall correction
factor for variations in virtual organism (VO) uptake rates of the analytes of
interest. In situ sampling rate was compared to an empirical model during
sampling campaign in 2011 with VO in 12 different sites along the Three Gorges
Reservoir (TGR) in China. A discrepancy was observed for high hydrophobic
compounds with log K ow ranging from 5.18 to 6.63 where SigmaPAH concentration in
TGR from Huckins model (305,624 pg/L) was resulted to be roughly 2-fold higher
than the alternative procedure (182,292 pg/L). A relationship between in situ
sampling rates of the 16 13C-PAH-PRCs (Rs, PRC ) and log K ow was set up to allow
then calculation of analyte sampling rate Rs analyte (N) of various organic
pollutants with log K ow <= 6.63.
PMID- 28988386
TI - Perspectives on medicinal properties of natural phenolic monoterpenoids and their
hybrids.
AB - Carvacrol, thymol and eugenol belong to a class of naturally presenting phenols
with a ten-carbon unit, which are present in essential oils of many plants. These
versatile molecules are incorporated as useful ingredients in many food products
and find applications in agricultural, pharmaceutical, fragrance, cosmetic,
flavor and other industries. They are wide ranging of biological and
pharmaceutical activities: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic,
anticancer and antioxidant. This review summarizes pharmacological and medicinal
activities of these phytochemicals and their synthetic hybrids.
PMID- 28988388
TI - SPICODYN: A Toolbox for the Analysis of Neuronal Network Dynamics and
Connectivity from Multi-Site Spike Signal Recordings.
AB - We implemented an automated and efficient open-source software for the analysis
of multi-site neuronal spike signals. The software package, named SPICODYN, has
been developed as a standalone windows GUI application, using C# programming
language with Microsoft Visual Studio based on .NET framework 4.5 development
environment. Accepted input data formats are HDF5, level 5 MAT and text files,
containing recorded or generated time series spike signals data. SPICODYN
processes such electrophysiological signals focusing on: spiking and bursting
dynamics and functional-effective connectivity analysis. In particular, for
inferring network connectivity, a new implementation of the transfer entropy
method is presented dealing with multiple time delays (temporal extension) and
with multiple binary patterns (high order extension). SPICODYN is specifically
tailored to process data coming from different Multi-Electrode Arrays setups,
guarantying, in those specific cases, automated processing. The optimized
implementation of the Delayed Transfer Entropy and the High-Order Transfer
Entropy algorithms, allows performing accurate and rapid analysis on multiple
spike trains from thousands of electrodes.
PMID- 28988387
TI - Targeting tumor-associated macrophages by anti-tumor Chinese materia medica.
AB - Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key role in all stages of
tumorigenesis and tumor progression. TAMs secrete different kinds of cytokines,
chemokines, and enzymes to affect the progression, metastasis, and resistance to
therapy depending on their state of reprogramming. Therapeutic benefit in
targeting TAMs suggests that macrophages are attractive targets for cancer
treatment. Chinese materia medica (CMM) is an important approach for treating
cancer in China and in the Asian region. According to the theory of Chinese
medicine (CM) and its practice, some prescriptions of CM regulate the body's
internal environment possibly including the remodeling the tumor microenvironment
(TME). Here we briefly summarize the pivotal effects of TAMs in shaping the TME
and promoting tumorigenesis, invasion, metastasis and immunosuppression.
Furthermore, we illustrate the effects and mechanisms of CMM targeting TAMs in
antitumor therapy. Finally, we reveal the CMM's dual-regulatory and multi
targeting functions on regulating TAMs, and hopefully, provide the theoretical
basis for CMM clinical practice related to cancer therapy.
PMID- 28988389
TI - Treatment-Free Remission: a New Therapeutic Goal in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a chronic
myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of Philadelphia
chromosome [t(9:22)] leading to the presence of pathognomonic fusion gene
product, BCR-ABL1. This leads to constitutive activation of ABL1 kinase. CML was
a difficult-to-treat illness until the advent of small molecule tyrosine kinase
inhibitor (TKI), imatinib which revolutionized therapy of CML. Since then,
multiple second- and third-generation TKIs have been formulated which have proven
effective and has led to marked improvement in survival. In this article, we
review currently available data on possibility of holding TKI therapy in patients
in deep remission [treatment-free remission (TFR)] and safety of this approach.
RECENT FINDINGS: As CML treatment has become more effective, new questions have
emerged, most important being whether the treatment with TKIs can ever be
stopped. This is especially relevant in patient experiencing side effects from
therapy or who may be subject to increased health risks due to treatment. There
is now evidence that some CML patients who have achieved stable deep molecular
response can safely stop TKI. Furthermore, patients can safely re-establish
remission after restarting their TKI therapy in the situation of relapse. CML is
highly treatable disease, but the treatment has untoward physical and
socioeconomic consequences. The idea of TFR is hence attractive. There is a
growing body of evidence that some CML patients who have achieved stable deep
molecular response can safely stop TKI.
PMID- 28988390
TI - Topographic distribution of brain iron deposition and small cerebrovascular
lesions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in frontotemporal lobar
degeneration: a post-mortem 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging study with
neuropathological correlates.
AB - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with frontotemporal lobar
degeneration (FTLD) in 15% of the cases. A neuropathological continuity between
ALS and FTLD-TDP is suspected. The present post-mortem 7.0-tesla magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) study compares the topographic distribution of iron (Fe)
deposition and the incidence of small cerebrovascular lesions in ALS and in FTLD
brains. Seventy-eight post-mortem brains underwent 7.0-tesla MRI. The patients
consisted of 12 with ALS, 38 with FTLD, and 28 controls. Three ALS brains had
minor FTLD features. Three coronal sections of a cerebral hemisphere were
submitted to T2 and T2* MRI sequences. The amount of Fe deposition in the deep
brain structures and the number of small cerebrovascular lesions was determined
in ALS and the subtypes of FTLD compared to control brains, with
neuropathological correlates. A significant increase of Fe deposition was
observed in the claustrum, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus, and
subthalamic nucleus of the FTLD-FUS and FTLD-TDP groups, while in the ALS one,
the Fe increase was only observed in the caudate and the subthalamic nuclei.
White matter changes were only significantly more severe in the FTLD compared to
those in ALS and in controls brains. Cortical micro-bleeds were increased in the
frontal and temporal lobes of FTLD as well as of ALS brains compared to controls.
Cortical micro-infarcts were, on the other hand, more frequent in the control
compared to the ALS and FTLD groups. The present study supports the assumption of
a neuropathological continuity between ALS and FTLD and illustrates the
favourable vascular risk profile in these diseases.
PMID- 28988392
TI - A guide for endometrial cancer cell lines functional assays using the
measurements of electronic impedance.
AB - Endometrial cancer cell lines are critical tools to investigate the molecular
mechanism of tumorigenesis using the end point cell-based assay such as
proliferation, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, anoikis or migration and invasion. The
proper assay optimization and performance is essential for physiologically
relevant results interpretation. In this study we use label-free real-time cell
analysis platform (xCELLigence) to optimize growing conditions for proliferation
and migration experiments of two types of endometrial cancer cell lines HEC-1-B,
HEC-1-A, KLE, and Ishikawa. Profiling of cell lines by cell index measurement in
proliferation and migration experiments was performed. Our experimental approach
allowed us to monitor particular stage of the cell growth, to see the relation
between seeding density and dynamic cell growth as well as to choose the optimal
serum concentration as chemoattractant in migration experiment. The highest rate
of proliferation was shown for Ishikawa cells. The rapid pace of cellular
migration was observed in case of KLE and HEC-1-B cells as compared to weak
migratory activity of Ishikawa cells. The cell index that reflects the cell
status characterized real-time cytological profile of each analyzed cell line.
These cell profiles were crucial for better planning the classical end-point
assays used in further research.
PMID- 28988391
TI - Transcriptional profiling of cork oak phellogenic cells isolated by laser
microdissection.
AB - MAIN CONCLUSION: The phenylpropanoid pathway impacts the cork quality
development. In cork of bad quality, the flavonoid route is favored, whereas in
good quality, cork lignin and suberin production prevails. Cork oaks develop a
thick cork tissue as a protective shield that results of the continuous activity
of a secondary meristem, the cork cambium, or phellogen. Most studies applied to
developmental processes do not consider the cell types from which the samples
were extracted. Here, laser microdissection (LM) coupled with transcript
profiling using RNA sequencing (454 pyrosequencing) was applied to phellogen
cells of trees producing low- and good quality cork. Functional annotation and
functional enrichment analyses showed that stress-related genes are enriched in
samples extracted from trees producing good quality cork (GQC). This process is
under tight transcriptional (transcription factors, kinases) regulation and also
hormonal control involving ABA, ethylene, and auxins. The phellogen cells
collected from trees producing bad quality cork (BQC) show a consistent up
regulation of genes belonging to the flavonoid pathway as a response to stress.
They also display a different modulation of cell wall genes resulting into a
thinner cork layer, i.e., less meristematic activity. Based on the analysis of
the phenylpropanoid pathway regulating genes, in GQC, the synthesis of lignin and
suberin is promoted, whereas in BQC, the same pathway favors the biosynthesis of
free phenolic compounds. This study provided new insights of how cell-specific
gene expression can determine tissue and organ morphology and physiology and
identified robust candidate genes that can be used in breeding programs aiming at
improving cork quality.
PMID- 28988393
TI - Sexual function in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer: A
systematic review.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to identify, with supporting
evidence, the impact of cancer and its treatment on the sexual function of
adolescents and young adults. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO articles were
searched for relevant studies published in English. Fifteen studies, 13
quantitative and two qualitative, were included in this review. RESULTS: Results
indicated that cancer during the adolescent and young adult period has a
significant negative impact on certain domains of sexual function in both men and
women. CONCLUSIONS: Among adolescent and young adult males, there is evidence
that cancer has detrimental effects on erection, ejaculation, and orgasm. Among
adolescent and young adult females, cancer is associated with decreased desire,
but there appear to be mixed findings with respect to arousal, orgasm, and
satisfaction. Directions for future research are discussed. IMPLICATIONS FOR
CANCER SURVIVORS: A better understanding of the effects of cancer and its
treatment during adolescence and young adulthood on sexual function could
increase attention paid to sexual health in oncology settings and lead to
improved psychosexual services for this population.
PMID- 28988394
TI - Desert amphibian selection of arid land breeding habitat undermines reproductive
effort.
AB - Understanding how animals select habitat is important for understanding how to
better conserve those species. As droughts become more frequent and water
availability declines in many systems, understanding selection of water sources
becomes even more important for conservation. Tinajas and anthropogenic
catchments are critical ephemeral breeding sites for Sonoran Desert anurans.
Tadpoles have been documented in both water types even though anthropogenic
catchments can contain very high concentrations of ammonia. We currently do not
know how amphibians are selecting breeding habitat. We tested three hypotheses of
habitat selection based on resource quality, resource quality and territoriality,
and proximity of water site to other water sites. Male Anaxyrus punctatus called
from all sites regardless of habitat quality or male quality; however, they were
found more often at sites within 2 km of other sites. This suggests that male
desert anurans are selecting close breeding habitat regardless of quality for
breeding, indicating ammoniated sites are likely either population sinks or
ecological traps. Consequently, adding anthropogenic water sites, without
managing to reduce ammonia, will provide low quality habitat that could cause
long-term declines in desert anuran populations.
PMID- 28988395
TI - Effect of roxithromycin on mucosal damage, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory
markers in experimental model of colitis.
AB - OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Roxithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, exhibits anti
inflammatory property. The present study was designed to evaluate its protective
effect in a rat model of colitis. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory property of
roxithromycin was first validated in rat paw edema model at 5 and 20 mg/kg doses
where it produced 19 and 51% inhibition of paw swelling induced by carrageenan.
The efficacy of roxithromycin was evaluated at these doses in a rat model where
colitis was induced by intra-colonic instillation of acetic acid. Rats were
divided into six groups viz. normal control, experimental control and drug
treated groups: roxithromycin 5 and 20 mg/kg, diclofenac 10 mg/kg and mesalazine
300 mg/kg. All drugs were given orally 1 h before induction of colitis. The macro
and microscopic changes, mean ulcer score, mucus content and markers of oxidative
stress and inflammation were evaluated in all the groups after 24 h. RESULTS:
Pretreatment with roxithromycin markedly decreased hyperemia, ulceration, edema
and restored histological architecture. The protection afforded by roxithromycin
was substantiated by dose-dependent increase in mucus content, normalization of
markers of oxidative stress (GSH and TBARS) and levels of TNF-alpha, PGE2 and
nitrite along with marked decrease in expression of NFkappaB (p65), IL-1beta and
COX-2. The protective effect of roxithromycin was found to be comparable to
mesalazine while diclofenac was found ineffective. CONCLUSION: Our study
demonstrates that roxithromycin ameliorates experimental colitis by maintaining
redox homeostasis, preserving mucosal integrity and downregulating NFkappaB
mediated pro-inflammatory signaling and suggests that it has a therapeutic
potential in inflammatory conditions of the colon.
PMID- 28988396
TI - Performance assessment framework for groundwater treatment plants in Arid
Environments: a case of Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
AB - In arid environmental regions, such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), each
and every drop of groundwater needs to be efficiently utilized to meet growing
water demands. Ground water treatment plants (WTPs) are regularly being monitored
by the municipalities to ensure safe water supply. However, analyzing large data
to assess the performance of a WTP has always been a daunting task for plant's
management. Most of existing performance assessment frameworks were developed for
surface WTPs. In this research, an assessment framework using performance-based
water quality indices (P WQI) is developed to facilitate senior management of
ground WTPs for effective decision-making. The framework is also implemented on a
case study of Buraydah, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Five most important water quality
parameters (WQPs) have been selected to assess the performance of different
components of the WTP, including raw water, pre-treatment, ultrafiltration, sand
filtration, reverse osmosis, and final product. Depending on the relative
importance of WQPs for a specific treatment process, different weighting schemes
have been developed for each treatment process using fuzzy analytical
hierarchical process (FAHP) to address the possible uncertainties in data and
imprecision in expert opinion. Subsequently, fuzzy weighted sum method (FWSM) is
employed to develop aggregated P WQI for assessing average monthly performance
during the year 2016. Study results show that all the units consistently
performed "high," and the plant is meeting drinking water quality standards
throughout the year. Hypothetical scenario analysis revealed robustness of the
developed framework by showing lacking performance in case failure of different
units.
PMID- 28988397
TI - Risk factors for development of severe post-traumatic elbow stiffness.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare different grades of elbow
stiffness and investigate demographic, injury, and treatment factors potentially
associated with the development of severe elbow stiffness. METHODS: We performed
a retrospective study involving 169 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness
between June 2014 and June 2016. Patient demographics, injury, and treatment
details were reviewed. Patients were classified into three groups according to
the elbow motion. Ordinal regression analyses were performed to examine the
independent factors. RESULTS: Patients were classified into: mild (49 patients),
moderate (59 patients), and severe (61 patients) groups. Patients with severe
stiffness had a significantly worse elbow functional performance. Univariate
ordinal regression revealed that severe elbow stiffness was associated with high
energy injury (odds ratio [OR] 4.73), olecranon fracture (OR 1.92), fracture
dislocation (OR 2.28), and open fracture (OR 3.24). Multivariate regression
showed that higher-energy injuries were associated with severe stiffness (OR
4.45, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Elbow stiffness after fracture surgery often
results in joint stiffness. Severe stiffness often resulted in more significant
functional impairment. Our study suggested that high-energy injuries were
associated with the development of severe elbow stiffness.
PMID- 28988398
TI - Synthetic green fluorescent protein chromophore analogues with a positive charge
at the phenyl-like group.
AB - Synthetic green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore analogues with a positive
charge at the phenyl-like group have the highly electrophilic amidine carbon,
smaller LUMO-HOMO energy gap, red-shifted electronic absorptions and fluorescent
emissions, and accelerated E-Z thermoisomerization rates. They are water-labile
and their hydrolysis results in ring-opening of the imidazolinone moiety with a
half life around 25-37 h in D2O at 25 degrees C.
PMID- 28988400
TI - Left ventricle assist devices and driveline's infection incidence: a single
centre experience.
AB - Different left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are provided of different
driveline exit sites: HeartWare HVAD presents abdominal power-cable-supply, while
the Jarvik 2000 LVAD is powered by a retroauricular driveline. We analyzed 93
LVAD-implanted patients from January-2009 to October-2016 (41 HeartWare and 52
Jarvik 2000), hypothesizing a different incidence of infection, according to
driveline exit site. The two populations were propensity matched for the
demographic data and preoperative variables, and the outcomes were further
analyzed. Nine driveline infections (DLIs) were in each LVAD group recorded (22%
for HVAD and 17% for Jarvik 2000). The incidence of the complication was similar
between groups (p = 0.97), even during time (p = 0.27 within 6 months and p =
0.16 over 6 months of support). Age at implant (p = 0.01), revision for bleeding
(p = 0.05), days of postoperative intubation (p = 0.002), and ICU stay (p <
0.001), as well as days on device (p < 0.001) were identified as risk factors for
DLIs. The type of device and the driveline exit site were not statistically co
related to infections. Similar infection-freedom survival was identified (p =
0.87). Younger age at implant, revision for bleeding, prolonged mechanical
ventilation, delayed rehabilitation, as well as long time LVAD support were
identified as risk factors for exit site DLIs. Despite similar incidence of DLIs,
the different management and care of the retroauricular exit site makes it more
appropriate and comfortable in long-term support.
PMID- 28988399
TI - Control of HIV infection by IFN-alpha: implications for latency and a cure.
AB - Viral infections, including HIV, trigger the production of type I interferons
(IFNs), which in turn, activate a signalling cascade that ultimately culminates
with the expression of anti-viral proteins. Mounting evidence suggests that type
I IFNs, in particular IFN-alpha, play a pivotal role in limiting acute HIV
infection. Highly active anti-retroviral treatment reduces viral load and
increases life expectancy in HIV positive patients; however, it fails to fully
eliminate latent HIV reservoirs. To revisit HIV as a curable disease, this
article reviews a body of literature that highlights type I IFNs as mediators in
the control of HIV infection, with particular focus on the anti-HIV restriction
factors induced and/or activated by IFN-alpha. In addition, we discuss the
relevance of type I IFN treatment in the context of HIV latency reversal, novel
therapeutic intervention strategies and the potential for full HIV clearance.
PMID- 28988401
TI - The Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) Complements DXA and the FRAX as a Fracture Risk
Assessment Tool in Routine Clinical Practice.
AB - PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: There is an increasing body of evidence that the
trabecular bone score (TBS), a surrogate of bone microarchitecture extracted from
spine DXA, could play an important role in the management of patients with
osteoporosis or at risk of fracture. The current paper reviews this published
body of scientific literature on TBS and answers the most relevant clinical
questions. RECENT FINDINGS: TBS has repeatedly been proven to be predictive of
fragility fractures, current and future, and this is largely independent of BMD,
CRF, and the FRAX, and when used in conjunction with any one of these measures,
it consistently enhances their accuracy. There also is a growing body of evidence
indicating that the TBS has particular advantages over BMD for specific causes of
increased fracture risk, like chronic corticosteroid excess, type-2 diabetes, and
chronic kidney disease, and patients being treated with anti-aromatase and
primary hyperparathyroidism, conditions wherein BMD readings are often
misleading. TBS enhances performance of the FRAX tool, where its greatest utility
appears to lie in its ability to accurately classify those patients whose BMD
level lies close to the intervention threshold, aiding in decisions on whether
treatment is warranted or not. Furthermore, TBS has also particular advantages
over BMD in secondary osteoporosis. While the role of TBS with monitoring could
be important as the different molecules impact logically TBS to various degrees,
large clinical trials are still needed.
PMID- 28988402
TI - Nutritional markers may identify patients with greater risk of re-admission after
geriatric hip fractures.
AB - PURPOSE: Osteoporotic hip fractures are increasing in prevalence with the growing
elderly population. Morbidity and mortality remain high following osteoporotic
hip fractures despite advances in medical and surgical treatments. The associated
costs and medical burdens are increased with a re-admission following hip
fracture treatment. This study sought to identify demographic and clinical values
that may be a predictive model for 30-day re-admission risk following operative
management of an isolated hip fracture. METHODS: Between January 1, 2013 and
April 30, 2015 all patients admitted to a single academic medical centre for
treatment of a hip fracture were reviewed. Candidate variables included standard
demographics, common laboratory values, and markers of comorbid conditions and
nutrition status. A 30-day, all-cause re-admission model was created utilizing
multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 607 patients with hip
fractures were identified and met the inclusion criteria; of those patients, 67
were re-admitted within 30 days. Univariate analysis indicates that the re
admission group had more comorbidities (p < 0.001) and lower albumin (p = 0.038)
and prealbumin (p < 0.001). The final, reduced model contained 12 variables and
incorporated four out of five nutritional makers with an internally, cross
validated C-statistic of 0.811 (95% CI: 0.754, 0.867). CONCLUSION: Our results
indicate that specific nutritional laboratory markers at the index admission may
identify patients that have a greater risk of re-admission after hip fracture.
This model identifies potentially modifiable risk factors and may allow
orthogeriatricians to better educate patients and better treat post-operative
nutritional status and care.
PMID- 28988403
TI - Deterministic and stochastic analysis of an eco-epidemiological model.
AB - Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious prion disease among the deer family
that has the potential to disrupt the ecosystems where deer occur in abundance.
To understand the dynamics of this emerging infectious disease, we consider a
simple eco-epidemic model where the host population is infected by CWD.
Boundedness of the system is established. The structure of equilibria and their
linearized stability are investigated. The persistence condition is discussed. By
constructing a suitable Lyapunov function, we discuss the global stability of the
endemic equilibrium. Local bifurcation (transcritical) around the boundary
equilibria is developed. Sufficient conditions for the existence of Hopf
bifurcation are derived. Further, we have also introduced white type of noise
into the system to investigate stochastic stability. This suggests that the
deterministic model is robust with respect to stochastic perturbation. Some
numerical simulations are performed to validate our results.
PMID- 28988404
TI - Temporal Changes in Transcription Factor Expression Associated with the
Differentiation State of Cerebellar Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells During
Development.
AB - During central nervous development, multi-potent neural stem/progenitor cells
located in the ventricular/subventricular zones are temporally regulated to
mostly produce neurons during early developmental stages and to produce glia
during later developmental stages. After birth, the rodent cerebellum undergoes
further dramatic development. It is also known that neural stem/progenitor cells
are present in the white matter (WM) of the postnatal cerebellum until around
P10, although the fate of these cells has yet to be determined. In the present
study, it was revealed that primary neurospheres generated from cerebellar neural
stem/progenitor cells at postnatal day 3 (P3) mainly differentiated into
astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In contrast, primary neurospheres generated from
cerebellar neural stem/progenitor cells at P8 almost exclusively differentiated
into astrocytes, but not oligodendrocytes. These results suggest that the
differentiation potential of primary neurospheres changes depending on the timing
of neural stem/progenitor cell isolation from the cerebellum. To identify the
candidate transcription factors involved in regulating this temporal change, we
utilized DNA microarray analysis to compare global gene-expression profiles of
primary neurospheres generated from neural stem/progenitor cells isolated from
either P3 or P8 cerebellum. The expression of zfp711, zfp618, barx1 and hoxb3 was
higher in neurospheres generated from P3 cerebellum than from P8 by real-time
quantitative PCR. Several precursor cells were found to express zfp618, barx1 or
hoxb3 in the WM of the cerebellum at P3, but these transcription factors were
absent from the WM of the P8 cerebellum.
PMID- 28988405
TI - A case of adenocarcinoma developed in the small intestine with chronic
strongyloidiasis.
AB - We experienced a case of intestinal strongyloidiasis complicated by jejunal
carcinoma. A Japanese male in his 50s, who has a 7-year medical history of
duodenal ulcers, complained of loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Computed tomography and gastroduodenal endoscopic examination revealed a stenosis
of the duodenum. To remove the stenosis, gastric bypass surgery was performed.
The pathological diagnosis of the resected jejunum was strongyloidiasis and well
differentiated adenocarcinoma with subserosal invasion and vascular infiltration.
After administration of Ivermectin, Strongyloides stercoralis was not found in
any biopsies or in the specimens of the intestine, which were resected due to
cancer recurrence 2 years later. There are three possibilities for the reason of
coexistence of S. stercoralis and adenocarcinoma: S. stercoralis caused the
adenocarcinoma, S. stercoralis moved to the carcinoma, or just coincidence.
Although it is difficult to prove a causal relationship between S. stercoralis
and adenocarcinoma, this is the first report of adenocarcinoma developed in the
jejunum with chronic strongyloidiasis. The number of nematode infections,
including strongyloidiasis, is decreasing in Japan, although not worldwide.
Therefore, it should be considered in patients with prolonged intestinal ulcers.
PMID- 28988406
TI - Low level of circulating basophil counts in biopsy-proven active lupus nephritis.
AB - Basophils have been shown to be important players in promoting lupus nephritis
(LN). However, the relationship between circulating basophil counts and renal
pathology activity of LN remains unclear. In this retrospective study, 159
clinical and pathology samples from patients with biopsy-proven LN were analyzed.
The renal activity and classification were evaluated according to renal
pathology. The correlations between circulating basophil counts and renal
pathology activity index were assessed. Overall, circulating basophil counts
correlated with total systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index
(SLEDAI) score (r = - 0.31), renal SLEDAI score (r = - 0.35), activity index (AI)
score(r = - 0.40), and renal histologic activity parameters (p < 0.05,
respectively). Compared with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) non-LN patients,
the LN group had lower basophil counts (0.007 +/- 0.007 vs. 0.011 +/- 0.010 *
109/L, p = 0.04). Subgroup analyses revealed that the circulating basophil counts
in group B (AI > 8) were significantly lower than that in group A (AI <= 8)
(0.004 +/- 0.006 vs. 0.009 +/- 0.009 * 109/L, p < 0.001). The difference was
still significant when eliminating the influence of SLEDAI. Significant
differences were found in circulating basophil counts among LN pathology
classification groups (p < 0.01). Groups of classes III, IV, and V were more
likely to have lower circulating basophil counts when compared with group of
class I/II (p < 0.05). These findings suggest a potential role of circulating
basophil counts as a convenient and helpful marker for renal activity of LN.
PMID- 28988408
TI - Response to the Letter to the Editor Regarding "Kinetics of Radiological Response
of Thoracic Invasive Fungal Disease in Chronic Granulomatous Disease".
PMID- 28988407
TI - Accountability Studies on Air Pollution and Health: the HEI Experience.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Assessing health effects of air quality interventions is of
ever-increasing interest. Given the prominent role Health Effects Institute (HEI)
has played in accountability research, this review focuses on HEI's recent
experiences, the challenges it has encountered, and provides possible directions
for future research. RECENT FINDINGS: Most accountability studies to date have
focused on effects of relatively short-term, local-scale, and sometimes temporary
interventions. Only a few recent accountability studies have sought to
investigate large-scale, multiyear regulatory programs. Common challenges
encountered include lack of statistical power, how to account appropriately for
background trends in air quality and health, and difficulties in direct
attribution of changes in air pollution and health to a single intervention among
many regulatory actions. New methods have been developed for accountability
research that has shown promise addressing some of those challenges, including
use of causal inference methods. These and other approaches that would enhance
the attribution of changes in air quality and health directly to an intervention
should continue to be further explored. In addition, integration of social and
behavioral sciences in accountability research is warranted, and climate related
co-benefits and dis-benefits may be considered.
PMID- 28988409
TI - The Nutritional and Health Benefits of Kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) - a Review.
AB - The kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) is a new product on the market that is enjoying
growing consumer acceptance around the world. This widespread interest has
created increased demand for identification of the kiwiberry's nutritional health
benefits. Containing over 20 essential nutrients and a range of vitamins, the
kiwiberry comes near the top of fruits classed as superfoods. It is one of the
richest sources of vitamin C with up to 430 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) and is
considered the richest dietary source of myo-inositol (up to 982 mg/100 g FW).
The kiwiberry is also one of the richest sources of lutein (up to 0.93 mg/100 g
FW) in commonly consumed fruit. Furthermore, containing up to 1301.1 mg/100 g FW
phenolics and significant amounts of the essential minerals of potassium, calcium
and zinc, the kiwiberry rates very highly as a 'healthy food'. The type and
number of this fruit's medicinally promising nutrients have motivated ongoing
investigations into its antioxidant, anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory
properties. Early research has pointed to the kiwiberry being a very promising
treatment for some cancers and health issues involving the gastrointestinal
system, hypercholesterolemia and certain cancers. A pharmaceutical composition of
A. arguta, A. kolomikta, and A. polygama extracts has already been registered for
the prevention and treatment of some immune (inflammatory) mediated diseases, as
well as the treatment of some non-allergic inflammatory diseases. This paper
reviews and highlights the limited nutritional and therapeutic information
currently available on the kiwiberry, a minor fruit possessing such major
properties.
PMID- 28988410
TI - A case of macrocystic-type serous cystic neoplasm with repeated pancreatitis
within a short period of time.
AB - The patient was a 39-year-old woman in whom computed tomography (CT) in 201X had
revealed a pancreatic cystic neoplasm (PCN) of 4.3 cm in diameter in the
pancreatic body. In June 201X + 3, the patient consulted our hospital regarding
severe acute pancreatitis. The condition improved through treatment with large
volume fluid replacement and continuous regional arterial infusion therapy.
Thereafter, acute pancreatitis recurred twice, in November 201X + 3 and in
January 201X + 4. During an 8-month period, acute pancreatitis occurred three
times. The PCN was examined by endoscopic ultrasound, thin-slice contrast
enhanced CT, and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, which led to the
diagnosis of macrocystic-type serous cystic neoplasm (SCN). The SCN was found to
be 5.8 cm in diameter with dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) caudal to
the SCN for 3 years. We suspected that the repeated pancreatitis had been
obstructive pancreatitis resulting from displacement of the MPD caused by the
SCN, and therefore recommended that the patient undergo surgery for the SCN. In
March 201X + 4, distal pancreatectomy was performed. In the resected specimen, a
macrocystic-type SCN was diagnosed. No recurrence of acute pancreatitis has been
observed postoperatively. A macrocystic-type SCN with repeated pancreatitis
within a short period of time is rare.
PMID- 28988411
TI - How reliably can computed tomography predict thyroid invasion prior to
laryngectomy?
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: There is little evidence to support the removal of thyroid
tissue during total laryngectomy. Although oncological control of the tumor is
the priority, thyroidectomy can lead to hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism.
This study aimed to test the usefulness of preoperative computed tomography in
predicting histological invasion of the thyroid. STUDY DESIGN: Ambispective
cohort study. METHODS: All patients undergoing total laryngectomy for squamous
cell carcinoma at one center from 2006 to 2016 were included. Data were recorded
prospectively as part of the patients' standard care, but were collated
retrospectively, giving this study an ambispective design. The histology report
for thyroid invasion was taken as the gold standard. The computed tomography
report was categorized by invasion of tumor into intralaryngeal, laryngeal
cartilage involvement, and extralaryngeal tissues. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients
were included. Nine patients had thyroid involvement on histology, translating to
an incidence of 11.29% in this population. The positive predictive value for
cartilage involvement on computed tomography for thyroid invasion was 52.9% (95%
confidence interval [CI]: 28.5%-76.1%) and the negative predictive value was 100%
(95% CI: 92.7%-100%).The positive predictive value for extralaryngeal spread on
computed tomography for thyroid involvement was 100% (95% CI: 62.9%-100%), and
the negative predictive value was also 100% (95% CI: 93.5%-100%). CONCLUSIONS:
This study has shown that preoperative computed tomography is an effective method
of ruling out thyroid gland invasion. The absence of extralaryngeal spread on
computed tomography has been shown to be the most useful finding, with a high
negative predictive value and a narrow 95% CI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.
Laryngoscope, 128:1099-1102, 2018.
PMID- 28988412
TI - Cognitive outcomes among Latino survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic
leukemia and lymphoma: A cross-sectional cohort study using culturally competent,
performance-based assessment.
AB - BACKGROUND: This study sought to characterize cognitive outcomes among Latino
survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic
lymphoma (LL). PROCEDURE: In this cross-sectional cohort study, Latino survivors
of ALL (n = 57) and LL (n = 5) aged 6-16 years were pooled and evaluated using
validated measures of cognitive, academic, and behavioral function and English
language proficiency. Performance was compared with norms using single-sample t
tests. RESULTS: In this cohort (n = 62, 50% male), mean ages at diagnosis and
testing were 4.5 and 10.8 years, respectively; mean time off treatment was 44.7
months. All participants spoke English and over half (57%) identified Spanish as
the primary language in the home. Forty-two families (68%) placed in the two
lowest Hollingshead socioeconomic status categories. Participants were below
average for working memory (P < 0.001). Overall, participants were in the average
range, but significantly lower than published norms on domain-specific measures
of verbal comprehension (P < 0.001); perceptual reasoning (P = 0.033); processing
speed (P = 0.003); visual memory (P < 0.001); visuomotor attention, scanning, and
sequencing (P = 0.005); and reading comprehension (P = 0.001). Parents reported
concerns with working memory (P < 0.001) and metacognition (P = 0.014).
CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other childhood ALL/LL survivors, overall cognitive
function in this Latino sample was relatively preserved but selected deficits
were observed. Routine cognitive screening is indicated in this population.
PMID- 28988413
TI - Oral health of children and adolescents with mucopolysaccharidosis and mother's
Sense of Coherence.
AB - AIMS: The purpose of this study is assess the association between mother's Sense
of Coherence (SOC) and the oral health status of children with and without
mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out
with 29 children/adolescents with MPS and 29 children/adolescents without MPS,
and their mothers in Brazil. Mothers completed the Antonovsky's SOC instrument
(SOC-13) and their children's oral cavity had been examined for developmental
defects of enamel (DDE), occlusal problems, dental caries (DMFT/dmft) and oral
hygiene. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. RESULTS: Mothers of children with MPS had
lower SOC scores (mean: 33.3 [+/-4.0]) compared with mothers of children without
MPS (mean: 36.9 [+/-4.5]) (p < 0.001). Mother's SOC of children with MPS were
lower for those children with one or more decayed teeth (31.5 [+/-3.2]) than for
those children/adolescents without caries (35.7 [+/-3.8]) (p = 0.004) and lower
for those children/adolescents with one or more missing teeth (30.2 [+/-0.9])
than for those individuals identified without missing teeth (33.8 [+/-4.1]) (p =
0.046). CONCLUSION: Mothers' SOC of children/adolescents with MPS was associated
with dental caries experience in their children. Improving mothers' SOC should
contribute to a better quality of life for their children.
PMID- 28988414
TI - Upper esophageal sphincter augmentation reduces pharyngeal reflux in nasogastric
tube-fed patients.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Aspiration of gastric refluxate is one of the most
commonly observed complications among long-term nasogastric tube (NGT) fed
patients. The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure barrier is the main
defense mechanism against pharyngeal reflux of gastric contents. Our objective
was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the UES assist device (UES-AD) in
preventing gastric reflux through the UES in long-term NGT-fed patients. STUDY
DESIGN: Self-Controlled Case series. METHODS: We studied 10 patients (mean age =
90.6 +/- 3.4 years, four females) with dysphagia caused by stroke or dementia who
were fed for 0.5 to 5 years (median = 3 years) by NGT. External pressures of 20
to 30 mm Hg were applied by using a handmade UES-AD, which was started 2 hours
after the beginning of NGT infusion and was alternated between periods of 2 hours
on and 2 hours off, for a total of 12 hours. Placement of the impedance sensors
within the UES was guided by high-resolution manometry. Trans-UES and
intraesophageal reflux events were recorded by using 24-hour combined pH
impedance measurements. RESULTS: No aspiration pneumonia events were noted in the
period 1 month before or during the study in any of the cohort. Baseline UES
pressure averaged 17.5 +/- 9.4 mm Hg and was increased to 38.9 +/- 11.9mm Hg
after application of the UES-AD. Overall frequency of trans-UES reflux decreased
significantly with the UES-AD compared to without (0.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 3.3 +/- 2.8, P
< .05 for the 12-hour study period). There was no effect of the UES-AD on
esophageal reflux events (7.4 +/- 4.4 vs. 6.4 +/- 3.0, P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: UES
AD significantly decreases the number of trans-UES reflux events and can
potentially reduce the aspiration risk associated with NGT feeding. LEVEL OF
EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1310-1315, 2018.
PMID- 28988415
TI - Safety of outpatient thyroidectomy: Review of the American College of Surgeons
National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To investigate national trends in admission status after
thyroidectomy in the United States and to evaluate the factors associated with 30
day unplanned readmission and reoperation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of
American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS
NSQIP) METHODS: The ACS-NSQIP database was queried for patients who underwent a
partial or total thyroidectomy between 2005 and 2014. Outpatient surgery was
defined as discharge on the day of surgery. Patient demographic information,
unplanned hospital readmission, and reoperation were reviewed. Risk factors were
identified using logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: A total of 76,604 cases
met inclusion criteria as described above. There were 1,473 (1.9%) patients who
underwent reoperation and 477 unplanned 30-day readmissions (1.4%) for procedures
performed since 2012. There was a significant positive trend in the percentage of
thyroidectomy (partial and total) patients who underwent outpatient procedures by
year of operation (P < .001). Outpatient procedures were not more likely to have
unplanned readmissions or reoperations. Independent patient risk factors for
unplanned readmission and reoperation included current dialysis, chronic steroid
use, unintentional weight loss, American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 to
4, and active bleeding disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past decade there has
been a clear trend toward increasing outpatient thyroid surgery. Thyroidectomy
performed as an outpatient was not found to be an independent risk factor for
readmission or reoperation. Patients with serious medical comorbidities and
active bleeding disorders are at increased risk of unplanned readmission or
reoperation and should have their surgery performed on an inpatient basis. LEVEL
OF EVIDENCE: 2c. Laryngoscope, 128:1249-1254, 2018.
PMID- 28988416
TI - Comment on: Value of flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood samples in
children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
PMID- 28988417
TI - Self-apposing stent-assisted coil embolization for the treatment of coronary
artery aneurysm.
AB - Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) represent an uncommon disease with yet unclear
standards of treatment. Clinical and anatomic characteristics determine choice of
treatment. Stent-assisted coil embolization has been described as a valuable
option for management of patients with wide-neck coronary aneurysms. Choice of
appropriate stent sizing can be challenging particularly when there is a large
difference between proximal and distal diameters. We report a case of stent
assisted coil embolization of a coronary aneurysm using a self-expandable stent.
This type of stent can be helpful to treat CAA involving coronary sites where
marked tapering of vessel diameter is often present.
PMID- 28988418
TI - Clinical utility of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose/positron emission tomography in
diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing sialadenitis.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of 18 F
fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography
(PET/CT) for accurately diagnosing immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing
sialadenitis (IgG4-SS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We
reviewed the records of 64 patients with IgG4-SS (35 male and 29 female patients)
and 10 patients with clinically suspected IgG4-SS. Pathological diagnoses of
patients clinically suspected with IgG4-SS included four cases of malignant
lymphoma, one case of multicentric Castleman disease, one case of Sjogren's
syndrome, and four cases of sialadenitis. All patients underwent submandibular
gland (SMG) biopsies and baseline FDG-PET/CT evaluation. Clinical, serological,
pathological, and PET/CT findings were analyzed. We also investigated maximum
standardized uptake values (SUVmax) in the salivary glands of 15 patients with
malignant disease of the salivary glands during the same period. RESULTS:
Increased FDG uptake in the SMG and parotid gland was found in 63 (98%) and 23
(35%) patients with IgG4-SS, respectively. FDG uptake of the bilateral SMG and
unilateral SMG was recorded in 57 patients (89%) and six patients (9%),
respectively. Mean SUVmax in patients with malignant disease of the salivary
glands was significantly higher than that in patients with IgG4-SS (P = .035). We
defined a positive test for IgG4-SS diagnosis as high SMG FDG uptake and serum
IgG4 level >=135 mg/dL, resulting in a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of
96.9%, 90.0%, and 86.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET/CT findings in
combination with serological and clinical findings may have the capacity to
diagnose IgG4-SS and lead to less-invasive biopsy procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
4. Laryngoscope, 128:1120-1125, 2018.
PMID- 28988419
TI - Poly(norepinephrine)-coated open tubular column for the separation of proteins
and recombination human erythropoietin by capillary electrochromatography.
AB - Recombinant human erythropoietin is an important therapeutic protein with high
economic interest due to the benefits provided by its clinical use for the
treatment of anemias associated with chronic renal failure and chemotherapy. In
this work, a poly(norepinephrine)-coated open tubular column was successfully
prepared based on the self-polymerization of norepinephrine under mild alkaline
condition, the favorable film forming and easy adhesive properties of
poly(norepinephrine). The poly(norepinephrine) coating was characterized by
scanning electron microscopy and measurement of the electro-osmotic flow. The
thickness of the coating was about 431 nm. The electrochromatographic performance
of the poly(norepinephrine)-coated open tubular column was evaluated by
separation of proteins. Some basic and acidic proteins including two variants of
bovine serum albumin and two variants of beta-lactoglobulin achieved separation
in the poly(norepinephrine)-coated open tubular column. More importantly, the
column demonstrated separation ability for the glycoforms of recombinant human
erythropoietin. In addition, the column demonstrated good repeatability with the
run-to-run, day-to-day, and column-to-column relative standard deviations of
migration times of proteins less than 3.40%.
PMID- 28988420
TI - The effect of vocal fold augmentation on cough symptoms in the presence of
glottic insufficiency.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of injection augmentation of the vocal folds
on chronic cough symptoms in patients with glottic insufficiency. METHODS:
Medical records from 146 consecutive patients who underwent vocal fold injection
augmentation by a fellowship-trained laryngologist between 2013 and 2015 were
reviewed. Twenty-three patients (12 male) met inclusion criteria of a vocal fold
augmentation injection, cough symptoms lasting more than 8 weeks, and glottic
insufficiency as determined by shortened closed phase on stroboscopy. Exclusion
criteria included lack of cough complaints, diagnosis of vocal fold immobility,
previous history of vocal fold augmentation, and incomplete data sets. Data
collected included age, gender, pre- and 1-month postinjection Cough Severity
Index (CSI) scores, location of injection (unilateral or bilateral), and patient
statement of percent change in symptoms that was recorded at 1-month
postinjection visit. RESULTS: Paired t test indicated a significant decrease in
CSI scores from pre- (m = 18.5) to 1-month postinjection (m = 12.1) (P = 0.004).
Eighteen patients (78.2%) reported a 50% or greater improvement in cough symptoms
at the 1-month postinjection visit. CONCLUSION: Injection augmentation of the
vocal folds in the presence of glottic insufficiency appears to improve cough
symptoms, as was reported by CSI in patients who are refractory to other medical
and behavioral treatments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1316-1319,
2018.
PMID- 28988421
TI - Survival of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to nonthyroid head and neck region: A
systematic review.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to nonthyroid head and neck region
is rare. Survival benefit for complete metastasectomy of more common renal cell
foci has been reported in the literature. It is uncertain whether metastasectomy
in nonthyroid head and neck region would provide a similar benefit. DATA SOURCES:
We conducted a retrospective review of all renal cell metastases to the head and
neck region treated in the past 15 years at an academic hospital, and a
systematic review of all relevant reports with survival data in the literature
between 1960 and 2016. REVIEW METHODS: An analysis of pooled data was performed
to estimate overall survival. RESULTS: Six cases from our institution and 260
independent cases reported in the literature were included in the survival
analyses (n = 266). The median follow-up time was 12 months (range 0-180 months).
The overall median survival was 36 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.7
48.3). The median survival for those who underwent complete metastasectomy in the
head and neck was significantly higher at 60 months (95% CI 41.1-78.9) than those
who had incomplete or no metastasectomy (12 months, 95% CI 9.5-14.5).
Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model estimated that, after controlling
for potential confounders, complete metastasectomy remained associated with
reduced risk of death (hazard ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.29-0.69). CONCLUSION: Complete
metastasectomy was associated with 4-year longer median overall survival than
incomplete metastasectomy or no metastasectomy. Laryngoscope, 128:889-895, 2018.
PMID- 28988422
TI - Comparison of two cytoreductive regimens for alphabeta-T-cell-depleted
haploidentical HSCT in pediatric malignancies: Improved engraftment and outcome
with TBI-based regimen.
AB - BACKGROUND: Graft manipulation using selective depletion of alphabeta-T cells
provides a source of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
(haplo-HSCT) enriched in effector cells. We report our experience implementing
this haplo-HSCT for high-risk malignancies in pediatric patients focusing on the
conditioning regimen. PROCEDURE: We performed a retrospective study of patients
who underwent T-cell receptor alphabeta-depleted haplo-HSCT for high-risk
pediatric malignancies. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent haplo-HSCT using
this method. The initial reduced-toxicity chemotherapy-based conditioning regimen
was given to eight patients, and resulted in a high rate of graft rejections (six
of eight patients). Thus, total body irradiation (TBI) based regimen was
introduced in the following 10 patients and resulted in engraftment in all
patients. Neutrophil and platelet engraftment were rapid (median time to engraft,
10 days and 12 days, respectively). Significant treatment-related complications
for both cohorts were all due to graft failure in patients receiving chemotherapy
based conditioning, with a treatment-related mortality rate of 17%. None of the
patients developed hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome, and no grade III-IV
acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) was observed. The majority of patients
were free of immunosuppression in the first 100 days post-HSCT, and only two
patients developed chronic GVHD. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 39%.
Compared to patients conditioned with chemotherapy, patients conditioned with TBI
had superior actuarial overall survival (66% vs. 37%, P = 0.05) and event-free
survival (61% vs. 33%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: A TBI-based conditioning for haplo
HSCT using alphabeta-T-cell depletion for malignant diseases ensured engraftment
and resulted in acceptable outcomes.
PMID- 28988423
TI - Positive fresh frozen section margins as an adverse independent prognostic factor
for local recurrence in oral cancer patients.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To access 1) the value of further surgical resection (completion
surgery) in cases with a positive intraoperative margin analysis, and 2) whether
cancers that undergo completion surgery following positive intraoperative margin
analysis with subsequent negative margins should be considered true margin
negative (R0) resections in terms of adjuvant treatment planning. STUDY DESIGN:
Retrospective analysis of patients with primary oral cancer. METHODS: One hundred
and fifty-one patients underwent primary surgical resection of oral squamous cell
carcinoma with intraoperative margin examination. In all cases for which frozen
section margin analysis was positive, an extended resection was performed. Only
patients with clear final margins were included in the study. RESULTS: The
intraoperative analysis of surgical margins revealed that cancer-free margins
were achieved in 123 cases (81.5%). In 28 specimens (18.5%), the surgical margins
were positive. Local recurrence was observed in 28 (18.5%) patients, whereas
regional recurrence developed in 30 (19.9%) patients. Factors significantly (P <
0.05) increased the risk of local recurrence: advanced stage of the disease
(III/IV), node N-positive status, lymphovascular invasion and positive fresh
frozen surgical margins. On multivariate analysis, only positive fresh frozen
surgical margins remained significant independent adverse factors. CONCLUSION:
Our study demonstrates that positive fresh frozen margins, regardless of re
resection to R0 status, could be a powerful adverse factor that determines an
aggressive nature of the tumor. This feature should be taken into consideration
in adjuvant treatment planning. The greatest impact this could have is in
borderline clinical situations for which the indication for adjuvant treatment
may be questionable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1093-1098, 2018.
PMID- 28988424
TI - Maintenance of valvular integrity with Impella left heart support: Results from
the multicenter PROTECT II randomized study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The Impella 2.5 axial flow pump, which is positioned across the
aortic valve, is widely employed for hemodynamic support. The present study
compared structural and functional integrity of the left heart valves in patients
undergoing Impella vs intra-aortic balloon pump in the randomized PROTECT II
trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transthoracic echocardiograms were performed at
baseline, 1 and 3 months in 445 patients in the PROTECT II trial. Serial studies
were analyzed by an independent echocardiography core laboratory for aortic and
mitral valve structure and function, and left ventricular ejection fraction
(LVEF). During Impella support there was no appreciable change in the degree of
baseline valvular regurgitation. There were no cases of structural derangement of
the mitral or aortic valve after use of the Impella device. At 90-day follow-up,
there was an average 22% relative increase in LVEF from baseline (27% +/- 9 vs.
33% +/- 11, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present echocardiographic analysis of
the PROTECT II study confirms prior observations regarding the safety of the
Impella 2.5 device with respect to mitral and aortic valve function.
PMID- 28988425
TI - The safety and effectiveness of adenosine diphosphate receptor inhibitor
pretreatment among acute myocardial infarction patients treated with percutaneous
coronary intervention in community practice: Insights from the TRANSLATE-ACS
study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To understand the optimal timing of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)
receptor inhibitor pretreatment prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
among acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients. BACKGROUND: The role of ADP
receptor inhibitor pretreatment in this population is unclear. METHODS: A total
of 9,251 ADP receptor inhibitor-naive MI patients undergoing PCI at 229 TRANSLATE
ACS sites were evaluated. Adjusted risks of in-hospital major adverse
cardiovascular events (MACE) and major bleeding were compared among patients with
and without pretreatment using inverse probability-weighted propensity
adjustment. RESULTS: Of 9,251 patients treated with either prasugrel or
clopidogrel during the index MI hospitalization, 4,056 (44%) received
pretreatment (ST-segment elevation MI [STEMI] 54.9%, non-STEMI 45.1%);
pretreatment was used more commonly among those receiving clopidogrel than
prasugrel (52% vs. 20%, P < 0.0001). MACE risks were not significantly different
between patients with and without pretreatment (clopidogrel 2.1% vs. 2.2%,
adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-1.43;
prasugrel 2.1% vs. 2.3%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.82, 95% CI 0.42-1.60). No
differences in major bleeding were observed among those receiving versus not
receiving pretreatment (clopidogrel 3.1% vs. 3.5%, adjusted HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.65
1.36; prasugrel 2.5% vs. 2.7%, adjusted OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.42-2.02); results were
similar when stratified by MI type. CONCLUSIONS: ADP receptor inhibitor
pretreatment (44%) is commonly used among acute MI patients undergoing PCI in
contemporary practice, but no significant differences were found in in-hospital
MACE and/or bleeding risks between patients receiving versus not receiving
pretreatment, regardless of ADP receptor inhibitor type.
PMID- 28988426
TI - Primary surgery versus primary radiation-based treatment for locally advanced
oropharyngeal cancer.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Randomized data comparing surgery to radiation for locally advanced
oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) are lacking. This study evaluated practice patterns
and overall survival outcomes from the National Cancer Database. METHODS: A total
of 22,676 patients with stage III to IV, locally advanced OPC were treated
between 2004 to 2013 with primary chemoradiation (CRT) or surgery with adjuvant
radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy (aRT +/- CT). Survival rates were
estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HR)
were computed using Cox regression modeling. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 40.7
months; 8,555 and 14,121 patients received surgery with aRT +/- CT and CRT,
respectively. Corresponding 3-year survival was 85.4% and 72.6% (P < 0.0001). On
multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, gender, race insurance status, median
income, percentage with no high-school degree, Charlson-Deyo score, clinical
tumor and node stage, tumor grade, facility type, treatment at > 1 facility, and
human papillomavirus (HPV) status, surgery with aRT +/- CT had a reduced hazard
of death, HR, 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.69-0.91), P = 0.001. CONCLUSION:
Primary surgery with aRT +/- CT for locally advanced OPC has an improved survival
compared to primary radiation-based treatment even when stratified by HPV status.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c. Laryngoscope, 128:1353-1364, 2018.
PMID- 28988427
TI - Hydroxyurea therapy in UK children with sickle cell anaemia: A single-centre
experience.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Despite the demonstrated efficacy of hydroxyurea therapy, children
with sickle cell anaemia in the UK are preferentially managed with supportive
care or transfusion. Hydroxyurea is reserved for children with severe disease
phenotype. This is in contrast to North America and other countries where
hydroxyurea is widely used for children of all clinical phenotypes. The
conservative UK practice may in part be due to concerns about toxicity, in
particular marrow suppression with high doses, and growth in children. METHODS
AND RESULTS: We monitored 37 paediatric patients with sickle cell anaemia who
were treated with hydroxyurea at a single UK treatment centre. Therapy was well
tolerated and mild transient cytopenias were the only toxicity observed.
Comparative analysis of patients receiving >=26 mg/kg/day versus <26 mg/kg/day
demonstrates increasing dose has a significant positive effect on foetal
haemoglobin (Hb; 29.2% vs. 20.4%, P = 0.0151), mean cell volume (94.4 vs. 86.5, P
= 0.0183) and reticulocyte count (99.66 * 109 /l vs. 164.3 * 109 /l, P = 0.0059).
Marrow suppression was not a clinical problem with high-dose treatment, Hb 92.25
g/l versus 91.81 g/l (ns), neutrophil count 3.3 * 109 /l versus 4.8 * 109 /l (ns)
and platelet count 232.4 * 109 /l versus 302.2 * 109 /l (ns). Normal growth rates
were maintained in all children. Good adherence to therapy was a significant
factor in reducing hospitalisations. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the
effectiveness and safety in practice of high-dose hydroxyurea as a disease
modifying therapy, which we advocate for all children with sickle cell anaemia.
PMID- 28988428
TI - Risk factors for salvage surgery failure in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Locoregional recurrences of oral cavity squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC) may be diagnosed during follow-up of surgically treated patients.
Nevertheless, few studies have investigated factors that impact salvage surgery
failure and the mortality rates of these patients. The objectives were to
identify predictive factors of salvage surgery failure and mortality in patients
who undergo surgical treatment for recurrent oral cavity SCC and to compare the
overall survival rates of these patients with those of patients who undergo only
one surgical treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Forty
six patients submitted to salvage surgery for local or locoregional recurrence.
RESULTS: The presence of lymph node metastasis and positive surgical margins at
the salvage surgery time were the only independent factors associated with both
recurrence rates (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.04 and 2.82, respectively) and mortality
(HR: 3.51 and 3.24, respectively). When the overall survival rates of the 199
patients who only underwent one surgical treatment were compared to those of the
46 patients subjected to salvage surgery, a similarity was evident when patients
who underwent salvage surgery did not have a new disease recurrence (70.7% vs.
54.7%, respectively; P = .158). Likewise, patients with new recurrences after
salvage surgery and patients who received palliative treatment for relapsed
disease had similar overall survival rates (0.6% vs. 0.0%, respectively; P =
.475). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of lymph node metastasis at the time of
recurrence and positive surgical margins after the salvage surgery were
associated with a worse overall survival rate in patients with oral cavity SCC
relapse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. Laryngoscope, 128:1113-1119, 2018.
PMID- 28988429
TI - Homozygous indel mutation in CDH11 as the probable cause of Elsahy-Waters
syndrome.
AB - Two sisters from a consanguineous couple were seen in genetics department for
facial dysmorphic features and glaucoma. They both had broad foreheads,
hypertelorism, megalocorneas, thick eyebrows with synophrys, flat malar regions,
broad and bulbous noses, and mild prognathism. Both had glaucoma, younger one
also had cataracts and phthisis bulbi. Other findings included bilateral partial
cutaneous syndactyly of 2nd and 3rd fingers, history of impacted teeth with
dentigerous cyst in the elder one, and intellectual disability (mild and
borderline). The sisters were considered to have Elsahy-Waters syndrome. In order
to elucidate the underlying molecular cause, sisters and their healthy parents
were genotyped by SNP arrays, followed by homozygosity mapping. Homozygous
regions were further analyzed by exome sequencing in one affected individual. A
homozygous indel variant segregating with the condition was detected in CDH11
(c.1116_1117delinsGATCATCAG, p.(Ile372MetfsTer9)), which was then validated by
using Sanger sequencing. CDH11 encodes cadherin 11 (osteo-cadherin) that
regulates cell-cell adhesion, cell polarization and migration, as well as
osteogenic differentiation. Further experiments revealed that CDH11 expression
was decreased in patient-derived fibroblasts as compared to the heterozygous
parent and another healthy donor. Immunostaining showed absence of the protein
expression in patient fibroblasts. In addition, cell proliferation rate was slow
and osteogenic differentiation potential was delayed. We consider that this study
reveals loss-of-function mutations in CDH11 as a probable cause of this
phenotype. Next generation sequencing in further patients would both prove this
gene as causative, and finely delineate this clinical spectrum further
contributing in identification of other possibly involved gene(s).
PMID- 28988430
TI - Recent advances in methods for the analysis of protein o-glycosylation at
proteome level.
AB - O-Glycosylation, which refers to the glycosylation of the hydroxyl group of side
chains of Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine residues, is one of the most common post
translational modifications. Compared with N-linked glycosylation, O
glycosylation is less explored because of its complex structure and relatively
low abundance. Recently, O-glycosylation has drawn more and more attention for
its various functions in many sophisticated biological processes. To obtain a
deep understanding of O-glycosylation, many efforts have been devoted to develop
effective strategies to analyze the two most abundant types of O-glycosylation,
i.e. O-N-acetylgalactosamine and O-N-acetylglucosamine glycosylation. In this
review, we summarize the proteomics workflows to analyze these two types of O
glycosylation. For the large-scale analysis of mucin-type glycosylation, the
glycan simplification strategies including the ''SimpleCell'' technology were
introduced. A variety of enrichment methods including lectin affinity
chromatography, hydrophilic interaction chromatography, hydrazide chemistry, and
chemoenzymatic method were introduced for the proteomics analysis of O-N
acetylgalactosamine and O-N-acetylglucosamine glycosylation.
PMID- 28988431
TI - Hearing loss on social media: Who is winning hearts and minds?
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To analyze specific patterns of Twitter usage using common
references to hearing loss, and characterize the virtual public that comprises
the hearing loss community to inform hearing loss stakeholders for opportunities
for engagement and outreach. STUDY DESIGN: Social media network analysis.
METHODS: Twitter tweets were sampled from July 2016 to September 2016 using
#hearing, #hearingloss, #deaf, #hearingimpairment, #hardofhearing, #deafness,
#hearingmatters, #hearinghealth, and #hearingimpaired tags. User and Twitter
social community metrics were examined including temporal trends, tweet content,
user activity, tweet reach, and an analysis of the tweets' social network.
RESULTS: We identified and analyzed 49,208 tweets from July 2016 to September
2016 with tags relevant to hearing loss. Of the 100 most active Twitter accounts,
organizations owned 67% compared to 33% owned by individuals. Commercial/for
profit and informational organizations were the most common organization account
owners (26% and 16%, respectively). Five unique tweets were identified as each
having a reach of over 100,000 Twitter users, with the greatest reach exceeding
250,000 users. Temporal analysis identified marked retweet outliers (>300
retweets per hour) that corresponded with a widely publicized event involving the
dismissal of a deaf employee from a fast-food chain store. CONCLUSIONS: Twitter
accounts owned by organizations outnumbered individual accounts, and
commercial/for profit user accounts were the most frequently active organization
account type. Tweets pertaining to hearing loss may have a broad reach to a large
community base. Analyses of social media use can be helpful in discovering issues
of interest to the hearing loss community, as well as determining which users and
organizations are dominating social network conversations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.
Laryngoscope, 128:1453-1461, 2018.
PMID- 28988433
TI - Does a single dose of pregabalin help with postoperative pain after septoplasty?
PMID- 28988432
TI - Impact of flow, gradient, and left ventricular function on outcomes after
transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of low flow with and without preserved left
ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve
replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: Prior studies have shown that patients with low
flow, AVG, and LVEF have worse outcomes after TAVR. It is unclear whether low AVG
and LVEF remain prognostic after adjusting for flow, and how the outcomes of
patients with low flow with and without preserved LVEF compare after TAVR. The
goal of this study was to provide insight into these open questions. METHODS:
Data from 340 TAVR patients at Brigham and Women's Hospital from 2011 through
2015 were analyzed. Low flow was defined as stroke volume index (SVI) <=35 mL/m2
, low AVG as mean gradient < 40 mmHg, and reduced LVEF as < 50%. RESULTS: Low
flow was present in 96 (28.2%) patients, 48 (50.0%) of whom also had reduced
LVEF. At 1 year, low flow was associated with increased mortality (21.9 vs 7.4%;
P = 0.0002) and heart failure (HF) (20.8 vs 5.3%; P = 0.0113). Among patients
with low flow, those with preserved LVEF had increased mortality (HR 5.17, 95% CI
2.73-9.80; P < 0.001) and HF (HR 7.69, 95% CI 3.86-15.31; P < 0.001). After
adjusting for clinical factors, patients with low flow had increased mortality
(HR 6.51, 95% CI 2.98-14.22; P < 0.001) and HF (HR 5.52, 95% CI 2.34-12.98; P <
0.001), while neither low AVG nor low LVEF were associated with increases in
mortality or HF. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing TAVR, low flow was an
independent predictor of 1-year mortality and HF, and a stronger predictor than
either low AVG or LVEF. Patients with low flow and preserved EF had increased
mortality and HF at 1-year, while those with low flow and reduced EF had outcomes
similar to patients with normal flow.
PMID- 28988434
TI - Maternal and obstetrical outcome in 35 cases of well-differentiated thyroid
carcinoma during pregnancy.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Thyroid cancer, with 6% to 10% of cancer diagnoses, is one
of the most common malignancies during pregnancy. Its treatment poses a risk for
the pregnancy, as the thyroid gland plays a crucial role in the evolution of
pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate treatment of primary well
differentiated thyroid carcinoma during pregnancy and fetal and maternal
outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This is an international cohort study. METHODS: Primary
thyroid cancer patients were identified from the database of the International
Network on Cancer, Infertility, and Pregnancy registration study. Data on
histopathological characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions,
outcome (obstetrical, neonatal, and maternal) and maternal follow-up were
analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with well-differentiated thyroid
carcinoma were eligible. All 35 patients underwent surgery, 29 (83%) of which
during pregnancy. Procedures during pregnancy were mainly total thyroidectomies
(n = 24). The median number of days between diagnosis and surgical treatment was
different between the groups with surgery during and after pregnancy (27 vs. 139
days, P < .001). Both maternal and neonatal outcomes were uncomplicated,
regardless of gestational age during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Well-differentiated
thyroid carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy has a favorable outcome for both
mother and child. Surgical management during pregnancy has no negative impact on
the pregnancy regardless of the trimester at the time of surgery. However, the
potential negative effects of thyroid surgery early in pregnancy demand
management of these patients in an experienced multidisciplinary team to provide
the best possible care for these patients and their unborn babies. LEVEL OF
EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1493-1500, 2018.
PMID- 28988435
TI - Triple therapy of vincristine, bleomycin and etoposide for children with Kaposi
sarcoma: Results of a study in Malawian children.
AB - BACKGROUND: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is the most common paediatric cancer in human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) endemic countries of sub-Saharan Africa, but there
is little research on management and outcomes. METHODS: Children with KS at Queen
Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi treated between August 2012 and
March 2015 with six courses of vincristine, bleomycin and etoposide combination
chemotherapy, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) if HIV infected, were
studied and outcomes compared with previously reported results. FINDINGS: Fifty
six children were included; 38 (68%) were male; and 48 (86%) were HIV positive,
of whom 36 (77%) were on ART at diagnosis. Median age at diagnosis was 8 years
(interquartile range [IQR] 3-12) and median follow-up was 16.9 months (IQR 3.4
36.4). Quality of life improved in 45 (80%) children; the median Lansky Score
increased from 80% pre-treatment to 100% post-treatment. Eighteen (32%) children
had complete response to treatment. At 12 months, overall survival was 71% (95%
confidence interval [CI] 56-82) and event-free survival (event = death, loss to
follow-up or relapse) was 50% (95% CI 36-63). At 1 year, the risk of loss to
follow-up was 13.4%. In a previous, same-site, randomized controlled study of
vincristine monotherapy, vincristine and bleomycin, or oral etoposide, oral
etoposide monotherapy had the best outcome with survival at 12 month of 66% (95%
CI 46-80) and event-free survival of 52% (95% CI 33-68); however, loss to follow
up was not reported. CONCLUSION: Overall survival, event-free survival and
quality of life appear to have improved with this three-agent combination
chemotherapy; however larger, randomized studies are needed to determine optimal
management.
PMID- 28988436
TI - One-pot synthesis of magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework/grapheme oxide
composites for the extraction of neonicotinoid insecticides from environmental
water samples.
AB - Magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework 67/graphene oxide composites were
synthesized by one-pot method at room temperature for the first time.
Electrostatic interactions between positively charged metal ions and both
negatively charged graphene oxide and Fe3 O4 nanoparticles were expected to
chemically stabilize magnetic composites to generate homogeneous magnetic
products. The additional amount of graphene oxide and stirring time of graphene
oxide, Co2+ , and Fe3 O4 solution were investigated. The zeolitic imidazolate
framework 67 and Fe3 O4 nanoparticles were uniformly attached on the surface of
graphene oxide. The composites were applied to magnetic solid-phase extraction of
five neonicotinoid insecticides in environmental water samples. The main
experimental parameters such as amount of added magnetic composites, extraction
pH, ionic strength, and desorption solvent were optimized to increase the
capacity of adsorbing neonicotinoid insecticides. The results show limits of
detection at signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were 0.06-1.0 ng/mL under optimal
conditions. All analytes exhibited good linearity with correlation coefficients
of higher than 0.9915. The relative standard deviations for five neonicotinoid
insecticides in environmental samples ranged from 1.8 to 16.5%, and good
recoveries from 83.5 to 117.0% were obtained, indicating that magnetic zeolitic
imidazolate framework 67/graphene oxide composites were feasible for analysis of
trace analytes in environmental water samples.
PMID- 28988437
TI - The Impact of Blamer-softening on Romantic Attachment in Emotionally Focused
Couples Therapy.
AB - Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT; Johnson, ) treats relationship distress
by targeting couples' relationship-specific attachment insecurity. In this study,
we used hierarchical linear modeling (Singer & Willett, ) to examine intercept
and slope discontinuities in softened couples' trajectories of change in
relationship satisfaction and relationship-specific attachment over the course of
therapy from a total sample of 32 couples. Softened couples (n = 16) reported a
significant increase in relationship satisfaction and a significant decrease in
attachment avoidance at the softening session. Although softened couples
displayed an initial increase in relationship-specific attachment anxiety at the
softening session, their scores significantly decreased across post-softening
sessions. Results demonstrated the importance of the blamer-softening change
event in facilitating change in EFT.
PMID- 28988438
TI - Long-term results of Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt: Follow-up of more than 5
years.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt (ATES) represents a
nonprosthesis surgical option for voice restoration in laryngectomized patients.
However, data regarding the long-term efficacy of ATES are lacking. STUDY DESIGN:
Retrospective, single-institution study. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2010, 16
patients with laryngeal cancer underwent total laryngectomy with ATES at the
Hyogo Cancer Center (Akashi, Hyogo, Japan). Of these, 11 achieved long-term
tracheoesophageal speech that was maintained for a follow-up exceeding 5 years
(range 75-161 months; median 95 months). All patients were male and ranged from
46 to 74 years of age at the time of ATES surgery. RESULTS: Of 11 eligible
patients, eight were able to speak intelligibly with ATES at last follow-up.
Regarding aspiration, three patients experienced no leakage, and six experienced
mild leakage of saliva without medical intervention at last follow-up. Almost all
patients maintained an unchanged degree of voice quality (9 of 11) and leakage (8
of 11). CONCLUSION: The favorable voice restoration and low aspiration rates
achieved in this study appear to support the long-term efficacy of ATES. LEVEL OF
EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1395-1397, 2018.
PMID- 28988440
TI - Immature platelet fraction in immune thrombocytopenia: Useful in diagnosis but
does it predict bleeding?
PMID- 28988439
TI - Rationale of the FIBROTARGETS study designed to identify novel biomarkers of
myocardial fibrosis.
AB - AIMS: Myocardial fibrosis alters the cardiac architecture favouring the
development of cardiac dysfunction, including arrhythmias and heart failure.
Reducing myocardial fibrosis may improve outcomes through the targeted diagnosis
and treatment of emerging fibrotic pathways. The European-Commission-funded
'FIBROTARGETS' is a multinational academic and industrial consortium with the
main aims of (i) characterizing novel key mechanistic pathways involved in the
metabolism of fibrillary collagen that may serve as biotargets, (ii) evaluating
the potential anti-fibrotic properties of novel or repurposed molecules
interfering with the newly identified biotargets, and (iii) characterizing
bioprofiles based on distinct mechanistic phenotypes involving the aforementioned
biotargets. These pathways will be explored by performing a systematic and
collaborative search for mechanisms and targets of myocardial fibrosis. These
mechanisms will then be translated into individualized diagnostic tools and
specific therapeutic pharmacological options for heart failure. METHODS AND
RESULTS: The FIBROTARGETS consortium has merged data from 12 patient cohorts in a
common database available to individual consortium partners. The database
consists of >12 000 patients with a large spectrum of cardiovascular clinical
phenotypes. It integrates community-based population cohorts, cardiovascular risk
cohorts, and heart failure cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The FIBROTARGETS biomarker
programme is aimed at exploring fibrotic pathways allowing the bioprofiling of
patients into specific 'fibrotic' phenotypes and identifying new therapeutic
targets that will potentially enable the development of novel and tailored anti
fibrotic therapies for heart failure.
PMID- 28988441
TI - A prospective crossover trial of botulinum toxin chemodenervation versus
injection augmentation for essential voice tremor.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Botulinum toxin chemodenervation (BTX) is used to treat
essential voice tremor (EVT), but results are not uniformly satisfactory. This
study sought to assess the comparative utility of injection augmentation (IA) for
EVT. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective crossover treatment study. METHODS: Patients with
EVT underwent BTX. After washout patients underwent IA. Multidimensional
assessment carried out prior to and 30 days after each treatment included 1)
videostroboscopy graded by the Vocal Tremor Scoring System (VTSS), 2) acoustic
and aerodynamic assessment (cepstral peak prominence, cepstral spectral index of
dysphonia, cepstral peak prominence fundamental frequency, airflow, peak air
pressure and intensity, maximum phonation time, and amplitude/frequency of
tremor), 3) audio-perceptual assessment via Consensus Audio-Perceptual Evaluation
of Voice (CAPE-V), and 4) patient self-assessment via Voice Handicap Index-10
(VHI-10) and Percent of Normal Function (PNF) scale. Findings were analyzed via
paired t tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: Seven patients (five female
and two male; mean age 67 years old; range, 46-82 years old) participated. VTSS
grading showed divergent outcomes for certain individual sites of tremor, but
without significant differences. Airflow increased following BTX and decreased
following IA, and VHI-10 scores indicated slight improvement post-BTX (26.29
23.57), and decline post-IA (25.86-29.86), although differences were not
significant. Only changes in audio-perceptual ratings of loudness achieved
significance, which decreased with BTX and increased with IA. Five patients chose
to resume BTX; two elected long-term IA. No findings supported patient
preferences. CONCLUSIONS: IA demonstrated no advantage over BTX in the treatment
of EVT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. Laryngoscope, 128:437-446, 2018.
PMID- 28988442
TI - Dramatic response to nivolumab in xeroderma pigmentosum skin tumor.
AB - We report the case of a 6-year-old female with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) who
developed a nonoperable scalp tumor, treated with anti-programmed cell death
protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy (nivolumab). She presented with a sarcomatoid
carcinoma of the scalp with bone lysis as well as vascular and meningeal contact.
Nivolumab was initiated because it has emerged as a promising immunotherapy. We
observed a dramatic tumor response with excellent tolerance. However, while on
nivolumab therapy she developed two large skin melanomas and several squamous
cell carcinomas, which have been resected. These results demonstrate that cancer
immunotherapy in patients with XP can be impressive but complex and warrants
further investigation.
PMID- 28988444
TI - Usefulness of epicardial impedance evaluation for epicardial mapping and
determination of epicardial ablation site for ventricular tachycardia: A pilot
study.
AB - BACKGROUND: During epicardial mapping, determination of appropriate ablation
sites in low voltage areas (LVA) is challenging because of large epicardial areas
covered by adipose tissue. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impedance difference
between epicardial fat and the epicardial LVA using multiple detector computed
tomography (MDCT). METHODS: We enrolled patients who underwent ventricular
tachycardia (VT) ablation via the epicardial approach after endocardial ablation
failure. After the procedure, MDCT-derived images of epicardial fat were loaded
to the mapping system. Then, all points acquired during sinus rhythm were
retrospectively superimposed and analyzed. RESULTS: This study included data from
7 patients (62.5 +/- 3.9 years old) who underwent eight epicardial VT ablation
procedures. After the procedure, MDCT-derived images of epicardial fat were
registered in eight procedures. Retrospective analysis of 1,595 mapping and 236
ablation points was performed. Of the 1,595 mapping points on the merged
electroanatomical and epicardial fat maps, normal voltage area (NVA) and low
voltage area (LVA) without fat had lower impedance than those with fat (NVA
without fat 182 +/- 46 Omega vs. NVA with fat 321 +/- 164.0 Omega, P = 0.001,
LVA without fat 164 +/- 69 Omega vs. LVA with fat 248 +/- 89 Omega, P = 0.002).
Of the 236 ablation points, initial impedance before ablation was higher on
epicardial fat than on epicardial LVA without fat (134 +/- 16 Omega vs. 156 +/-
28 Omega, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Real time epicardial impedance evaluation may
be useful to determine effective epicardial ablation sites and avoid adipose
tissue. However, the number of patients in the present study is limited. Further
investigation with a large number of patients is needed to confirm our result.
PMID- 28988443
TI - Effects of supramaximal balloon dilatation pressures on adult cricoid and
tracheal cartilage: A cadaveric study.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Cricoid fracture is a serious concern for balloon
dilatation in airway stenosis. Furthermore, there are no studies examining
tracheal rupture in balloon dilatation of stenotic segments. The aim of this
study was to evaluate the effect of supramaximal pressures of balloons on the
cricoid and tracheal rings. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cadaveric study. METHODS:
Seven cadaveric laryngotracheal complexes of normal adults with intact
cricothyroid membranes were acquired. Noncompliant vascular angioplasty balloons
(BARD-VIDA) were used for dilatation. The subglottis and trachea were subjected
to supramaximal dilatation pressures graduated to nominal burst pressure (NBP)
and, if necessary, rated burst pressure (RBP). Larger-diameter balloons, starting
from 18 mm size to 24 mm, were used. Dilatations were maintained for 3 minutes.
RESULTS: The cricoid ring was disrupted by larger-diameter balloons (22 mm and 24
mm) even at lower pressures (less than NBP) in six cases. Tracheal cartilages
were very distensible, and external examination after supramaximal dilatation (24
mm close to RBP) revealed no obvious cartilage fractures or trachealis tears.
Histopathological examination revealed sloughing of mucosa in the areas
corresponding to balloon placement, but no microfractures or disruption of the
perichondrium of tracheal ring cartilages. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate
that the cricoid is vulnerable to injury from larger balloons even at lower
dilatation pressures. The tracheal cartilages and the membranous wall of the
trachea remained resilient to supramaximal dilatation and larger balloons. LEVEL
OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:1304-1309, 2018.
PMID- 28988445
TI - Effect of cochlear implantation on middle ear function: A three-month prospective
study.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine if cochlear implantation has a delayed effect
on the middle ear conductive hearing mechanism by measuring laser Doppler
vibrometry (LDV) of the tympanic membrane (TM) in both implanted and
contralateral control ears preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, and then
comparing the relative change in LDV outcome measures between implanted and
control ears. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Eleven
preoperative adult unilateral cochlear implant recipients in previously
unoperated ears with normal anatomy and aerated temporal bones were included in
this study. The magnitude and phase angle of umbo velocity transfer function in
response to air- conduction (AC) stimulus, and the magnitude of umbo velocity in
response to bone- conduction (BC) stimulus were measured in the implant ear and
the contralateral control ear preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively and
compared. RESULTS: No significant changes in the magnitude or phase angle of TM
velocity in response to either AC or BC stimulus were observed in the implanted
ear relative to the contralateral control ear 3 months following cochlear
implantation. CONCLUSIONS: From the results of LDV measurements, it can be said
that cochlear implantation has no significant delayed effect on the middle ear
conductive mechanism. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1207-1212, 2018.
PMID- 28988446
TI - Einthoven and electrical risk: Value of the electrocardiogram to predict sudden
cardiac death.
PMID- 28988447
TI - Online and call center referral for endocrine surgical pathology within
institutions.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that self-referred patients to academic
centers will be equally distributed between general surgery and otolaryngology
departments that perform thyroid surgery. We sought to quantify disparities in
the assignment of these self-referred patients who may reach an institution
through call centers or online pathways. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.
METHODS: Key words "thyroid surgery" and "thyroid cancer" were used along with
the name of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-listed
otolaryngology program in both Google and Bing search engines. The top three
search results for departments were reviewed, and a tally was given to general
surgery (GS), otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OLHNS), or neither. A
multidisciplinary center with both GS and OLHNS was recorded as "equitable."
Telephone calls were tallied if they were directed to GS or OLHNS. RESULTS: Out
of 400 program tallies, 117 (29.25%) patients were directed to GS and 50 (12.5%)
were directed to OLHNS. An additional 181 (45.25%) were directed to neither group
("neither") (P < .05). Fifty-two (13%) of the patients were referred to
multidisciplinary groups ("equitable"). A telephone call survey had 62 patients
(62%) assigned to a general surgeon, as opposed to 38 (38%) for OLHNS (P < .05).
Five institutions offered a multidisciplinary group when searching with Bing, and
11 were found by searching with Google. CONCLUSIONS: There is not an equal
distribution of self-referred patients with thyroid surgical pathology. It may be
important to increase the online presence of OLHNS surgeons who perform thyroid
surgery at academic medical institutions. Multidisciplinary centers focused on
thyroid and parathyroid surgical disease represents one model of assigning self
referred patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 1977-1981, 2018.
PMID- 28988448
TI - Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of sialendoscopy in salivary duct
stenosis.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of
sialendoscopy in patients with salivary duct stenosis and to investigate factors
associated therewith. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: This
study included 47 patients with salivary stenosis who underwent sialendoscopy
between January 2014 and December 2015. Subjective symptom, salivary flow rate,
salivary scintigraphy, and radiologic evaluation using magnetic resonance (MR)
sialography were performed preoperatively; direct ductal findings were evaluated
during sialendoscopy. Univariate and multivariate analyses of factors influencing
the patient-reported outcomes (complete, partial, or no improvement at 3 months
after sialendoscopy) were conducted. RESULTS: Stenosis severity was graded
according to sialendoscopic findings. Seventeen patients were classified with
grade I stenosis, 18 patients with grade II stenosis, and 12 patients with grade
III stenosis. Symptoms completely disappeared in 21 patients (44.7%) after
sialendoscopic procedures. In 19 patients (40.4%), symptoms were partially
improved. Seven patients (14.9%) showed no improvement or worsening of symptoms.
In univariate analysis, symptom score, stimulatory salivary flow rate, Tmin (time
interval from stimulation to minimal count on salivary scintigraphy), type of
stenosis on MR sialography, and sialendoscopic grade were found to be
significantly associated with treatment outcomes. In multivariate analysis, Tmin
, stenosis type of MR sialography, and sialendoscopic grade remained
significantly associated with outcomes after sialendoscopy. CONCLUSIONS:
Sialendoscopic procedures were found to be clinically satisfactory for relieving
the symptoms of patients with salivary stenosis. Factors related to the severity
of ductal stenosis such as Tmin , stenosis type of MR sialography, and
sialendoscopic grade were significantly associated with the success of
sialendoscopic treatment for salivary duct stenosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.
Laryngoscope, 128:878-884, 2018.
PMID- 28988449
TI - Surfactant-assisted electromembrane extraction combined with cyclodextrin
modified capillary electrophoresis for the separation and quantification of
Tranylcypromine enantiomers in biological samples.
AB - Surfactant-assisted electromembrane extraction coupled with cyclodextrin-modified
capillary electrophoresis was developed for the separation and determination of
Tranylcypromine enantiomers in biological samples. This combination would provide
a new strategy for selective and sensitive determination of target analytes. The
addition of surfactant in the donor solution improved the analyte transport into
the lumen of hollow fiber that resulted in an enhancement in the analytes
migration into acceptor solution. Optimization of the variables, affecting
proposed method, was carried out and best results were achieved with a 175 V
potential as driving force of the electromembrane extraction, 2
nitrophenyloctylether as the supported liquid membrane, donor solution containing
0.2 mM Triton X-100 with pH 3 and 0.1 M HCl for acceptor solution. Then, the
extract was analyzed using cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis method
for separation of Tranylcypromine enantiomers. The best results were obtained
with a phosphate running buffer (100 mM, pH 2.0) containing 7% w/v hydroxypropyl
alpha-cyclodextrin. Under the optimum conditions, a low limit of detection (3.03
ng/mL), good linearity (R2 > 0.9953), and relative standard deviations below
4.0% (n = 5) were obtained. Finally, this procedure was applied to determine the
concentration of Tranylcypromine enantiomers in urine samples with satisfactory
results.
PMID- 28988450
TI - Feasibility of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention after
transcatheter aortic valve replacement using a MedtronicTM self-expandable
bioprosthetic valve.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: With aging, the progression of atherosclerosis in the
coronary arteries is expected. The MedtronicTM self-expandable aortic
bioprosthetic valve is deployed in the supra-annular position, and it has been
challenging to selectively engage coronary arteries post-transcatheter aortic
valve replacement (TAVR) even though there are diamond-shaped spaces in the mesh
frame within the valve. Given the scarcity of data, we analyzed angiographic and
clinical data from all patients requiring coronary angiography (CA) or
intervention post-TAVR. METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2016, 403 patients
were treated for severe aortic stenosis with TAVR at our center using the
MedtronicTM self-expandable valve. This study included patients who underwent CA
with or without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after TAVR. RESULTS:
Twenty-eight patients underwent 43 CAs after TAVR at our institution. Eleven
patients (39%) were women. More than 90% of the procedures were performed for
acute coronary syndrome. Thirty-six cases were performed using the transfemoral
approach (83%). Forty-two of 43 (97%) left coronary arteries were selectively
engaged, and 29 of 32 (90%) right coronary arteries were selectively engaged. We
were able to engage 11 saphenous vein grafts and two left internal mammary artery
grafts selectively (100%). The mean fluoroscopy time for diagnostic CA was 11.5
min, and for PCI, instantaneous wave-free ratio, or intravascular ultrasound
(IVUS) interrogation, it was 19 minutes. The mean amount of contrast used for
diagnostic CA was 102 cc per case, and for PCI, iFR, or IVUS, it was 146 cc per
case. No periprocedural complication was noted. CONCLUSIONS: CA with or without
PCI after TAVR is feasible with supra-annular self-expandable valves. With the
proper technique in experienced hands, it can be conducted safely.
PMID- 28988451
TI - Evolving trends in sinus surgery: What is the impact of balloon sinus dilation?
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Balloon dilation (BD) represents a minimally invasive
alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Although BD was introduced in
2006, distinct Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were not available
until 2011, making prior analysis of population-based trends difficult. Our
objectives were to evaluate these trends and compare any changes to the use of
traditional ESS techniques. Geographic trends also were evaluated. METHODS:
Medicare Part B national datasets encompassing procedures from 2011 to 2015 were
obtained. ESS CPT codes (frontal sinusotomy, maxillary antrostomy with/without
tissue removal, sphenoidotomy) and BD codes were searched to determine temporal
trends in their use. Additionally, state carriers were individually evaluated for
geographic trends. RESULTS: National use of BD increased greater than five-fold
(39,193 from 7,496 among Medicare patients), whereas the use of ESS increased by
only 5.9%. This increase in BD was observed across all sites, including the
sphenoid (7.0x), maxillary (5.1x), and frontal (4.7x) sinuses. In the most recent
year for which data was available (2015), a significantly greater portion of
sinus procedures in these sites utilized BD in the South (42.1%) compared to the
Northeast (30.6%), West (29.5%), and Midwest (25.3%) regions (P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: The performance of BD has increased markedly in recent years. Because
the use of ESS codes remain stable, observed BD trends are unlikely to be due
simply to greater familiarity with newer CPT coding. The reasons for the striking
increase in BD popularity are speculative and beyond the scope of this analysis,
but further study may be needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:1299
1303, 2018.
PMID- 28988452
TI - Immobilized-enzyme reactors integrated with capillary electrophoresis for
pharmaceutical research.
AB - Enzymes play an essential role in many aspects of pharmaceutical research as drug
targets, drug metabolizers, enzyme drugs and more. In this specific field, enzyme
assays are required to meet a number of specific requirements, such as low cost,
easy automation, and high reliability. The integration of an immobilized-enzyme
reactor to capillary electrophoresis represents a unique approach to fulfilling
these criteria by combining the benefits of enzyme immobilization, that is,
increased stability and repeated use, as well as the minute sample consumption,
short analysis time, and efficient analysis provided by capillary
electrophoresis. In this review, we summarize, analyze, and discuss published
works where pharmaceutically relevant enzymes were used to prepare capillary
electrophoresis-integrated immobilized-enzyme reactors in an online manner. The
presented assays are divided into three distinct groups based on the drug-enzyme
relationship. The first, more extensively studied group employs enzymes that are
considered to be therapeutic targets, the second group of assays present tools to
assess drug metabolism and the third group assesses enzyme drugs. Furthermore, we
examine various methods of enzyme immobilization and their implications for assay
properties.
PMID- 28988453
TI - The structure of InAlGaN layers grown by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy:
effects of threading dislocations and inversion domains from the GaN template.
AB - Defects in quaternary InAlGaN barriers and their effects on crystalline quality
and surface morphology have been studied. In addition to growth conditions, the
quality of the GaN template may play an important role in the formation of
defects in the barrier. Therefore, this work is focused on effects caused by
threading dislocations (TDs) and inversion domains (IDs) originating from the
underlying GaN. The effects are observed on the crystalline quality of the
barrier and characteristic surface morphologies. Each type of TDs is shown to
affect the surface morphology in a different way. Depending on the size of the
corresponding hillock for a given pinhole, it was possible to determine the
dislocation type. It is pointed out that the smallest pinholes are not connected
to TDs whereas the large ones terminate either mixed type or edge type TDs. At
sufficiently large layer thickness, the IDs originating from the GaN template
lead to the formation of concentric trenches at the layer surface, and this is
related to the change in growth kinetics on top and at the immediate surroundings
of the ID.
PMID- 28988454
TI - Awake serial intralesional steroid injections without surgery as a novel targeted
treatment for idiopathic subglottic stenosis.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The fibrotic/erythematous appearance of the subglottis in
idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) hints that it might respond to repeated
intralesional steroid treatment similar to keloids. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
cohort study. METHODS: Thirteen iSGS subjects (six treated in-office with serial
intralesional steroid injections [SILSI] versus seven treated endoscopically in
the operating room [OR] followed by awake SILSI) between October 2011 and April
2017. Forced spirometry was performed before injections and at each follow-up
visit (peak expiratory flow [%PEF] and peak inspiratory flow). Steroids were
injected via transcricothyroid or transnasal routes. Injections were grouped into
rounds of four to six injections separated by 3 to 5 weeks. RESULTS: Thirteen
subjects with a mean follow-up of 3 years (3.3 years for SILSI and 2.7 years for
OR). Awake-only SILSI subjects had a mean improvement/round of 23.1% %PEF (range,
65.4%-88.6%), whereas the OR-treated subjects had a mean %PEF improvement/round
of 25.1% (range, 57.4%-82.5%). Both groups had improved breathing, and the
improvements were statistically equal (P = .569). SILSI subjects underwent 5.3
injections/round in 1.3 rounds, whereas OR subjects had 5.9 injections/round over
2.1 rounds. Statistically significant improvement was seen in %PEF for both
groups (SILSI P = .007, OR P = .002). Overall, SILSI achieved sustained %PEF
above 80% in 83% (5/6) and OR + SILSI 86% (6/7). CONCLUSIONS: SILSI in the awake
outpatient setting can improve the airway caliber in iSGS and is equivalent to
endoscopic OR treatment. We believe iSGS can be viewed as a chronic
scarring/inflammatory condition that can benefit from steroid scar-modification
therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:610-617, 2018.
PMID- 28988455
TI - Safety profiles of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure devices: An
analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility
Device Experience (MAUDE) database from 2009 to 2016.
AB - BACKGROUND: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a viable option
for AF patients who are unable to tolerate long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC).
OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the safety of two commonly used percutaneous
devices for LAA closure in the United States by analysis of surveillance data
from the FDA Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database.
METHODS: The MAUDE database was queried between May 1, 2006 and May 1, 2016 for
LARIAT(r) (SentreHEART Inc., Redwood City, CA, USA) and WATCHMANTM (Boston
Scientific Corp., Marlborough, MA, USA) devices. Among 622 retrieved medical
device reports, 356 unique and relevant reports were analyzed. The cumulative
incidence of safety events was calculated over the study period and compared
between the two devices. RESULTS: LAAC was performed with LARIAT in 4,889 cases.
WATCHMAN was implanted in 2,027 patients prior to FDA approval in March 2015 and
3,822 patients postapproval. The composite outcome of stroke/TIA,
pericardiocentesis, cardiac surgery, and death occurred more frequently with
WATCHMAN (cumulative incidence, 1.93% vs. 1.15%; P = 0.001). The same phenomenon
was observed when comparing the WATCHMAN pre- and postapproval experiences for
the composite outcome, as well as device embolization, cardiac surgery, and
myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: MAUDE-reported data show that postapproval,
new technology adoption is fraught with increased complications. Improved
collaboration between operators, device manufacturers, and regulators can better
serve patients through increased transparency and practical postmarket training
and monitoring mechanisms.
PMID- 28988457
TI - Re-evaluating pathogenicity of variants associated with the long QT syndrome.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Genetic testing for congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) has become
common. Recent studies have shown that some variants labelled as pathogenic might
be misclassified due to sparse case reports and relatively common allele
frequencies (AF) in the general population. This study aims to evaluate the
presence of LQTS-associated variants in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD)
population, and assess the functional impact of these variants. METHODS AND
RESULTS: Variants associated with LQTS from the Human Gene Mutation Database were
extracted and matched to the gnomAD to evaluate population-based AF. We used
MetaSVM to predict the function of LQTS variants. Allele distribution by protein
topology in KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A was compared between gnomAD (n = 123,136) and
a cohort of LQTS patients aggregated from eight published studies (n = 2,683).
Among the 1,415 LQTS-associated single nucleotide variants in 30 genes, 347 (25%)
are present in gnomAD; 24% of the 347 variants were predicted as functionally
tolerated compared with 4% of variants not present in gnomAD (P < 0.001). Of the
347 pathogenic variants in gnomAD, seven (2%) had an AF of >= 0.001 and 65 (19%)
variants had an AF of >= 0.0001. In KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A, allele distribution
by protein functional region was significantly different with gnomAD alleles
appearing less frequently in highly pathogenic domains than case alleles.
CONCLUSION: A significant number of LQTS variants have insufficient evidence for
pathogenicity and relatively common AF in the general population. Caution should
be used when ascribing pathogenicity to these variants.
PMID- 28988456
TI - Electrocardiographic features of failed and recurrent right ventricular outflow
tract catheter ablation of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Various ECG algorithms have been proposed to identify the origin of
idiopathic outflow tract (OT)-ventricular arrhythmia (VA). However,
electrocardiographic features of failed and recurrent right ventricular outflow
tract (RVOT) ablation of idiopathic OT-VAs have not been clearly elucidated.
METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 264 consecutive patients (mean age: 44.0 +/- 13.0
years, 96 male) undergoing RVOT ablation for OT-VAs with a transition >=V3 ,
including 241 patients (91.6%) with initially successful procedures and 23
patients (8.4%) with failed ablation. Detailed clinical characteristics and ECG
features were analyzed and compared between the two groups. VAs with failed RVOT
ablation had larger peak deflection index (PDI), longer V2 R wave duration (V2
Rd), smaller V2 S wave amplitude, higher R/S ratio in V2 , higher V3 R wave
amplitude, and larger V2 transition ratio than those with successful ablation.
Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PDI, V2 Rd, V2 transition ratio, and
pacemapping score acquired during mapping independently predicted failed ablation
(P = 0.01, P = 0.01, P = 0.01, and P < 0.001, respectively). In 31
recurrent cases (12.8%) after initially successful ablation, multivariate Cox
regression analysis showed that only the earliest activation time acquired during
mapping predicted the recurrences after successful ablation (P = 0.001). The
recurrent cases displayed different ECG features comparing with those with failed
ablation. CONCLUSION: The electrocardiographic features of failed RVOT ablation
of idiopathic OT-VAs with a transition >=V3 were characterized by PDI, V2 Rd, V2
transition ratio, and pacemapping score acquired during mapping, unlike the
recurrent RVOT ablation.
PMID- 28988458
TI - Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: Database review suggests a favorable prognosis in
the head and neck.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most common soft
tissue sarcoma of the head and neck. Currently, most of the data on this tumor
relies on small retrospective studies. The objective of this study is to use the
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to compare
characteristics of this tumor based on location to better understand its
prognosis in the head and neck region. This article represents the largest study
analyzing prognosis of this tumor in the head and neck to date. STUDY DESIGN:
Retrospective analysis of SEER database. METHODS: Using the SEER database, 395
patients with MFH of the head and neck were compared with 3,968 patients with MFH
of the trunk and extremities. Disease-specific survival was carried out comparing
these two cohorts, as well as univariate and multivariate analysis to determine
hazard ratios. RESULTS: Head and neck MFH had a significantly higher disease
specific survival compared with trunk and extremity disease. However, head and
neck tumors were more frequently a smaller size (P < .0001) and lower grade (P <
.0001). Larger tumors and grade III and IV tumors conferred a worse prognosis (P
< .0001). CONCLUSION: Head and neck malignant fibrous histiocytoma presents at a
smaller size and lower grade, likely due to earlier presentation in this region.
Because of this, head and neck malignant fibrous histiocytoma represents a more
favorable survival prognosis compared with trunk and extremity disease. LEVEL OF
EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:885-888, 2018.
PMID- 28988459
TI - Inconsistency in classifying vascular anomalies: What's in a name?
AB - BACKGROUND: Vascular anomalies are a heterogeneous group of disorders seen in
children and adults. A standard nomenclature for classification has been offered
by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies. Its application
is important for communication among the multiple specialties involved in the
care of patients and for planning treatment, as well as for research and billing.
We hypothesized that terminology still is not uniformly applied, and that this
could have an impact on treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the
medical records of patients with nonbrain lesions from our institutional vascular
anomalies database seen during 2010-2016 for whom at least one clinic visit,
radiologic imaging report, and pathology report were available to compare
diagnoses among and within disciplines, and treatment recommendations. Diagnoses
and referral patterns by community healthcare providers were also reviewed.
RESULTS: Of 400 patients seen during the targeted time interval, 35 had clinical,
imaging, and pathology reports. Agreement in terminology from initial clinic
notes with imaging and pathology reports was noted in only three cases (9%).
"Hemangioma" was often misused; "lymphangioma" and "cystic hygroma" persist as
diagnostic labels. Community healthcare providers referred vascular malformations
with a diagnosis of "mass" or "hemangioma" in 17 of 18 cases where that
information was available. Incomplete or mislabeling of vascular anomalies
sometimes delayed referrals to appropriate clinics, though it did not have a
major impact on treatment. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of vascular anomalies as
tumors or malformations is not uniform. Ongoing education will be needed to
promote consensus terminology and facilitate referrals.
PMID- 28988460
TI - Toolbox of assessment tools of technical skills in otolaryngology-head and neck
surgery: A systematic review.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To support the development of programs of assessment of technical
skills in the operating room (OR), we systematically reviewed the literature to
identify assessment tools specific to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OTL
HNS) core procedures and summarized their characteristics. METHODS: We
systematically searched Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane to identify and
report on assessment tools that can be used to assess residents' technical
surgical skills in the operating room for OTL-HNS core procedures. RESULTS: Of
the 736 unique titles retrieved, 16 articles met inclusion criteria, covering 11
different procedures (in otology, rhinology, laryngology, head and neck, and
general otolaryngology). The tools were composed of a task-specific checklist
and/or global rating scale and were developed in the OR, on human cadavers, or in
a simulation setting. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reports on published tools for
assessing technical skills for OTL-HNS residents during core procedures conducted
in the OR. These assessment tools could facilitate the provision of timely
feedback to trainees including specific goals for improvement. However, the
paucity of publications suggests little agreement on how to best perform work
based direct-observation assessment for core surgical procedures in OTL-HNS. The
sparsity of tools specific to OTL-HNS may become a barrier to a fluid transition
to competency-based medical education. Laryngoscope, 128:1571-1575, 2018.
PMID- 28988461
TI - Number of theoretical plates achievable by a toroidal capillary electrophoresis
system.
AB - The ability of a method and instrument to separate very similar compounds is
related to the "plate number," a number indicating performance. The resolution
between two neighboring peaks is proportional to the square root of the plate
number. Currently available commercial capillary electrophoresis instruments
easily reach plate numbers of a few million. In the present work, a capillary
electrophoresis system with a toroidal platform is proposed and theoretically
studied with the goal of extending the achievable plate number. In this new
system, electrophoresis occurs in a nonstop continuous circulating mode within a
closed loop capillary (toroid). Plate numbers upwards of one billion are
theoretically predicted. This could resolve hundreds of unseparated mixtures of
stereoisomers and other analytes that remain without a method for their analysis.
PMID- 28988462
TI - Exploring the dark side of left atrial appendage closure devices.
PMID- 28988463
TI - Evidence against the mucosal traction theory in cholesteatoma.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the distribution of ciliated epithelium in the human
middle ear and its potential role in the formation of cholesteatoma. STUDY
DESIGN: Comparative human temporal bone study. METHODS: We selected temporal
bones from 14 donors with a diagnosis of cholesteatoma, 15 with chronic otitis
media without retraction pockets, 14 with chronic otitis media with retraction
pockets, 14 with cystic fibrosis (CF), and 16 controls. We mapped the
distribution of the ciliated cells in the mucosal lining of the middle ear and
tympanic membrane using three-dimensional reconstruction analysis, and counted
the number of ciliated cells in the middle ear mucosa. RESULTS: Ciliated cells
are extremely sparse in the epithelial lining of the lateral surface of the
ossicles in the epitympanum and the medial surface of the tympanic membrane.
Furthermore, there is a significant decrease in the number of ciliated cells in
these areas in temporal bones with cholesteatoma, chronic otitis media, chronic
otitis media with retraction pockets, and CF compared to controls. Ciliated cells
most commonly are located at the hypotympanum and the Eustachian tube opening but
not the tympanic membrane or epitympanum. CONCLUSION: The paucity of ciliated
epithelial cells on the medial side of the tympanic membrane and the lateral
surface of the ossicles in the epitympanum in cases with cholesteatoma and/or
chronic otitis media do not support the mucosal migration theory of cholesteatoma
formation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:1663-1667, 2018.
PMID- 28988464
TI - Development and evaluation of microwave-assisted and ultrasound-assisted methods
based on a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe sample preparation
approach for the determination of bisphenol analogues in serum and sediments.
AB - Microwave- and ultrasound-assisted methods based on a quick, easy, cheap,
effective, rugged, and safe sample preparation approach followed by high
performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry were developed
for the simultaneous determination of eight bisphenol analogues in serum and
sediment. The developed methods provided satisfactory extraction efficiency for
the energy provided by microwaves and ultrasound. Compositions of commercial
sorbents (primary secondary amine, MgSO4 , octadecyl-modified silica, and
graphitized carbon black) were evaluated. The ultrasound-assisted method was
suited for serum using primary secondary amine, MgSO4 , and octadecyl-modified
silica as sorbents and a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate as extraction
solvent. The microwave-assisted method worked better for sediment with
tetrahydrofuran and methanol as solvents and primary secondary amine, MgSO4 ,
octadecyl-modified silica, and graphitized carbon black as sorbents. Other
experimental parameters, such as extraction temperature and time, were also
optimized. The inter- and intraday relative standard deviations ranged from 2.7
to 5.5%. The limits of detection were between 0.1 and 1.0 ng/mL for serum and
between 0.1 and 0.5 ng/g dry weight for sediment. The proposed methods were
successfully applied to seven sediment and 20 human serum samples. The results
showed that the developed methods were practical for the analysis and
biomonitoring of bisphenols in sera and sediment.
PMID- 28988466
TI - Characterization of ancient lipids in prehistoric organic residues: Chemical
evidence of livestock-pens in rock-shelters since early neolithic to bronze age.
AB - The characterization of ancient lipids from prehistoric sediments (fumiers)
located in a rock-selter has been possible after the optimization of an
analytical method based on the microwave-assisted extraction and solid-phase
extraction clean-up step and a final derivatization step followed by gas
chromatography with mass spectrometry. Eight sterols and two bile acids were
detected just in the partially burned and unburned layers of the fumiers (animal
organic residues deriving from manure/dung). The relationship between some of
these compounds can be used to distinguish the biogenic origin of the samples,
concluding that these strata (from Early Neolithic to Late Chalcolithic/Early
Bronze Age) can be classified as ruminant residues. Three main periods of
activity are observed over a period of 2000 years: one from 3990 +/- 40 before
present (4530-4410 calibrated before present) to 4100 +/- 40 before present (4820
4750/4730-4510/4470-4450 calibrated before present), the second from 4470 +/- 40
before present (5300-4970 calibrated before present) to 5490 +/- 30 before
present (6310-6275/6230-6220 calibrated before present) and the third from 5880
+/- 30 before present (6775-6765/6750-6645 calibrated before present) to 6010 +/-
30 before present (6940-6780/6765-6755 calibrated before present). Chemical data
obtained are in concordance with the previous results obtained in the area.
PMID- 28988465
TI - Outcomes and reliability of the flow coupler in postoperative monitoring of head
and neck free flaps.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the accuracy and reliability of the flow coupler
relative to the implantable arterial Doppler probe in postoperative monitoring of
head and neck free flaps. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective single-institution study,
April 2015 to March 2017. METHODS: Both the venous flow coupler and arterial
Doppler were employed in 120 consecutive head and neck free flap cases. When
Doppler signal loss occurred, flaps were evaluated by physical exam to determine
whether signal loss was a true positive necessitating operating room takeback.
Sensitivity, specificity, and false positive rate (FPR) were recorded for each
device. Logistic regression was conducted to identify user trends over time.
RESULTS: Eleven of 120 patients (9.2%) required takeback, 10 from venous
thrombosis and one from arterial thrombosis. Permanent signal loss (PSL) occurred
in the flow coupler in all takebacks; PSL occurred in the arterial Doppler only
in the case of arterial thrombosis. Salvage rate was 9/11 (81.8%). For the flow
coupler, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 86.4%, and FPR 13.6%. For the arterial
probe, sensitivity was 9.1%, specificity 97.1%, and FPR 2.9%. A 4.1% decrease in
false positives with each additional flow coupler use was observed. CONCLUSIONS:
Monitoring the vein via flow coupler has high sensitivity in identifying vascular
compromise compared to the arterial probe, especially for venous thrombosis.
There is moderate FPR; this decreases with increased usage and, when supplemented
with physical examination, does not result in unnecessary takebacks. The flow
coupler can be a valuable tool in postoperative monitoring of head and neck free
flaps. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:812-817, 2018.
PMID- 28988467
TI - What antibiotic should be used in the management of an otherwise healthy adult
with a peritonsillar abscess?
PMID- 28988468
TI - Thermal latency adds to lesion depth after application of high-power short
duration radiofrequency energy: Results of a computer-modeling study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The use of ultra-short RF pulses could achieve greater lesion depth
immediately after the application of the pulse due to thermal latency. METHODS
AND RESULTS: A computer model of irrigated-catheter RF ablation was built to
study the impact of thermal latency on the lesion depth. The results showed that
the shorter the RF pulse duration (keeping energy constant), the greater the
lesion depth during the cooling phase. For instance, after a 10-second pulse,
lesion depth grew from 2.05 mm at the end of the pulse to 2.39 mm (17%), while
after an ultra-short RF pulse of only 1 second the extra growth was 37% (from
2.22 to 3.05 mm). Importantly, short applications resulted in deeper lesions than
long applications (3.05 mm vs. 2.39 mm, for 1- and 10-second pulse,
respectively). While shortening the pulse duration produced deeper lesions, the
associated increase in applied voltage caused overheating in the tissue:
temperatures around 100 degrees C were reached at a depth of 1 mm in the case of
1- and 5-second pulses. However, since the lesion depth increased during the
cooling period, lower values of applied voltage could be applied in short
durations in order to obtain lesion depths similar to those in longer durations
while avoiding overheating. CONCLUSION: The thermal latency phenomenon seems to
be the cause of significantly greater lesion depth after short-duration high
power RF pulses. Balancing the applied total energy when the voltage and duration
are changed is not the optimal strategy since short pulses can also cause
overheating.
PMID- 28988469
TI - Treatment, survival, and costs of oropharyngeal cancer care in the elderly.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To examine associations between treatment, survival, and
costs in elderly patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC). STUDY
DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and
End Results-Medicare data. METHODS: We evaluated 666 patients diagnosed with
OPSCC from 2004 to 2007 using cross-tabulations, multivariate logistic and
generalized linear regression modeling, and survival analysis. RESULTS: The
majority of patients were nonsmokers (79%), had advanced-stage disease (59%), and
received chemoradiation (38%) or radiation (28%). Surgery with postoperative
radiation (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.33 [95% CI: 0.20-0.53]) and chemoradiation (HR:
0.45 [95% CI: 0.29-0.71]) were associated with improved survival, whereas stage
IV disease was associated with poorer survival (HR: 1.95 [95% CI: 1.13-3.38]).
Additional cancer-directed treatment after primary treatment was more likely
following chemoradiation (odds ratio [OR]: 3.44 [95% CI: 1.78-6.63]). Salvage
surgery was performed in 25% of patients undergoing subsequent additional cancer
directed treatment, and was associated with high-volume hospitals (OR: 2.81 [95%
CI: 1.07-7.74]). Additional radiation (HR: 0.47 [95% CI: 0.31-0.72]) and salvage
surgery (HR: 0.61 [95% CI: 0.38-0.99]) were associated with improved overall
survival when performed >6 months following initial treatment, whereas salvage
neck dissection alone was not significantly associated with survival after
controlling for time to salvage (HR: 0.38 [95% CI: 0.05-2.78]). Treatment and 5
year overall costs were highest for chemoradiation, surgery with postoperative
radiation, and additional cancer-directed treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodality
treatment in elderly OPSCC patients was associated with improved survival and
increased costs. Chemoradiation was associated with an increased likelihood of
additional cancer-directed treatment. Salvage surgery was centralized at high
volume hospitals, and was associated with improved survival when performed >6
months after last initial treatment date, but was performed in <20% of patients
undergoing additional treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c. Laryngoscope, 128:1103
1112, 2018.
PMID- 28988470
TI - El Nino Southern Oscillation influences the abundance and movements of a marine
top predator in coastal waters.
AB - Large-scale climate modes such as El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influence
population dynamics in many species, including marine top predators. However, few
quantitative studies have investigated the influence of large-scale variability
on resident marine top predator populations. We examined the effect of climate
variability on the abundance and temporary emigration of a resident bottlenose
dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) population off Bunbury, Western Australia (WA). This
population has been studied intensively over six consecutive years (2007-2013),
yielding a robust dataset that captures seasonal variations in both abundance and
movement patterns. In WA, ENSO affects the strength of the Leeuwin Current (LC),
the dominant oceanographic feature in the region. The strength and variability of
the LC affects marine ecosystems and distribution of top predator prey. We
investigated the relationship between dolphin abundance and ENSO, Southern
Annular Mode, austral season, rainfall, sea surface salinity and sea surface
temperature (SST). Linear models indicated that dolphin abundance was
significantly affected by ENSO, and that the magnitude of the effect was
dependent upon season. Dolphin abundance was lowest during winter 2009, when
dolphins had high temporary emigration rates out of the study area. This
coincided with the single El Nino event that occurred throughout the study
period. Coupled with this event, there was a negative anomaly in SST and an above
average rainfall. These conditions may have affected the distribution of dolphin
prey, resulting in the temporary emigration of dolphins out of the study area in
search of adequate prey. This study demonstrated the local effects of large-scale
climatic variations on the short-term response of a resident, coastal delphinid
species. With a projected global increase in frequency and intensity of extreme
climatic events, resident marine top predators may not only have to contend with
increasing coastal anthropogenic activities, but also have to adapt to large
scale climatic changes.
PMID- 28988471
TI - EMG disease in a pediatric patient.
PMID- 28988472
TI - Quantitative Determination of Bulk Molecular Concentrations of beta-Agonists in
Pork Tissue Samples by Direct Internal Extractive Electrospray Ionization-Mass
Spectrometry.
AB - Rapid quantitative determination of bulk molecular concentration in solid samples
without sample pretreatment is demonstrated using the internal extractive
electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (iEESI-MS) analysis of six beta
agonists, including salbutamol (Sal), clenbuterol (Cle), ractopamine (Rac),
terbutaline (Ter), tulobuterol (Tul), brombuterol (Bro), in pork tissue samples.
Single sample analysis only required 1 min. The linear range of detection was
about 0.01-1000 MUg/kg (R2 > 0.9994). The limit-of-detection (LOD) varied from
0.002 MUg/kg for Sal to 0.006 MUg/kg for Tul. Relative standard deviation (RSD)
of quantitation was in the range 6.5-11.3%. The analytical results were validated
by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid
chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), showing the accuracy rates of 92-105%.
The current study extends the power of ambient MS as a method for the
quantification of molecules at the surface of solid samples (e.g., in MUg/cm2
units) toward the quantification of molecules in bulk sample volume (i.e., in
MUg/kg units), which is commonly required in food safety control, biomedical
analysis, public security, and many other disciplines.
PMID- 28988473
TI - Preparation, Properties, and Structures of the Radical Anions and Dianions of
Azapentacenes.
AB - A series of diazapentacenes (5,14-diethynyldibenzo[b,i]phenazine, 6,13
diethynylnaphtho[2,3-b]phenazine) and tetraazapentacenes (7,12
diethynylbenzo[g]quinoxalino[2,3-b]quinoxaline, 6,13-diethynylquinoxalino[2,3
b]phenazine) were reduced to their radical anions and dianions, employing either
potassium anthracenide or lithium naphthalenide in THF. The anionic species
formed were investigated by UV-vis-NIR, fluorescence and EPR spectroscopy,
spectroelectrochemistry, and quantum chemical calculations. Single crystal X-ray
structures of three of their radical anions and of three of their dianions were
obtained. In contrast to the acenes, the anions of the azapentacenes are
persistent and, in some cases, even moderately stable toward air, and were
characterized.
PMID- 28988474
TI - Electrochemical CO2 Reduction over Compressively Strained CuAg Surface Alloys
with Enhanced Multi-Carbon Oxygenate Selectivity.
AB - The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide using renewably generated
electricity offers a potential means for producing fuels and chemicals in a
sustainable manner. To date, copper has been found to be the most effective
catalyst for electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide to products such as
methane, ethene, and ethanol. Unfortunately, the current efficiency of the
process is limited by competition with the relatively facile hydrogen evolution
reaction. Since multi-carbon products are more valuable precursors to chemicals
and fuels than methane, there is considerable interest in modifying copper to
enhance the multi-carbon product selectivity. Here, we report our investigations
of electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction over CuAg bimetallic electrodes and
surface alloys, which we find to be more selective for the formation of multi
carbon products than pure copper. This selectivity enhancement is a result of the
selective suppression of hydrogen evolution, which occurs due to compressive
strain induced by the formation of a CuAg surface alloy. Furthermore, we report
that these bimetallic electrocatalysts exhibit an unusually high selectivity for
the formation of multi-carbon carbonyl-containing products, which we hypothesize
to be the consequence of a reduced coverage of adsorbed hydrogen and the reduced
oxophilicity of the compressively strained copper. Thus, we show that promoting
copper surface with small amounts of Ag is a promising means for improving the
multi-carbon oxygenated product selectivity of copper during electrochemical CO2
reduction.
PMID- 28988475
TI - Nanoscale Coloristic Pigments: Upper Limits on Releases from Pigmented Plastic
during Environmental Aging, In Food Contact, and by Leaching.
AB - The life cycle of nanoscale pigments in plastics may cause environmental or human
exposure by various release scenarios. We investigated spontaneous and induced
release with mechanical stress during/after simulated sunlight and rain
degradation of polyethylene (PE) with organic and inorganic pigments.
Additionally, primary leaching in food contact and secondary leaching from
nanocomposite fragments with an increased surface into environmental media was
examined. Standardized protocols/methods for release sampling, detection, and
characterization of release rate and form were applied: Transformation of the
bulk material was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray
tomography and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); releases were
quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), single
particle-ICP-MS (sp-ICP-MS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Analytical
Ultracentrifugation (AUC), and UV/Vis spectroscopy. In all scenarios, the
detectable particulate releases were attributed primarily to contaminations from
handling and machining of the plastics, and were not identified with the
pigments, although the contamination of 4 mg/kg (Fe) was dwarfed by the
intentional content of 5800 mg/kg (Fe as Fe2O3 pigment). We observed modulations
(which were at least partially preventable by UV stabilizers) when comparing as
produced and aged nanocomposites, but no significant increase of releases.
Release of pigments was negligible within the experimental error for all
investigated scenarios, with upper limits of 10 mg/m2 or 1600 particles/mL. This
is the first holistic confirmation that pigment nanomaterials remain strongly
contained in a plastic that has low diffusion and high persistence such as the
polyolefin High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
PMID- 28988477
TI - High-Throughput Low-Background G-Quadruplex Aptamer Chemiluminescence Assay for
Ochratoxin A Using a Single Photonic Crystal Microsphere.
AB - We reported a novel hemin-G-quadruplex aptamer chemiluminescence assay platform
for ochratoxin A (OTA) using the single silica photonic crystal microsphere
(SPCM). The oligonucleotide A sequence containing aptamer sequences of hemin and
OTA is immobilized on the surface of SPCM. The other oligonucleotide B sequence
containing a partially complementary sequence with one part OTA aptamer and one
part hemin aptamer is used as a blocking chain. The hybridization between chain A
and chain B will be influenced by the presence or absence of OTA in the system,
which will affect the bioactivity of DNAzyme. Thus, the chemiluminescence signal
depends on the concentration of OTA in the samples. In the single particle assay
platform, the signal/noise is remarkably enhanced, and the background signal can
be ignored by separating hemin from the surface of SPCM. The limit of detection
of the new method reaches to the pg/mL scale, and the linear detection range is 4
orders of magnitude for OTA. The new assay platform can provide a sensitive, cost
efficient, simple, and high-throughput screening for OTA.
PMID- 28988476
TI - Pinpointing Double Bond and sn-Positions in Glycerophospholipids via Hybrid 193
nm Ultraviolet Photodissociation (UVPD) Mass Spectrometry.
AB - Complete structural characterization of complex lipids, such as
glycerophospholipids, by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) continues to present a
major challenge. Conventional activation methods do not generate fragmentation
patterns that permit the simultaneous discernment of isomers which differ in both
the positions of acyl chains on the glycerol backbone and the double bonds within
the acyl chains. Herein we describe a hybrid collisional activation/UVPD workflow
that yields near-complete structural information for glycerophospholipids. This
hybrid MS3 strategy affords the lipid's sum composition based on the accurate
mass measured for the intact lipid as well as highly specific diagnostic product
ions that reveal both the acyl chain assignment (i.e., sn-position) and the site
specific location of double bonds in the acyl chains. This approach is
demonstrated to differentiate sn-positional and double-bond-positional isomers,
such as the regioisomeric phosphatidylcholines PC 16:0/18:1(n-9) and PC 18:1(n
9)/16:0, and has been integrated into an LC-MS3 workflow.
PMID- 28988478
TI - Identification of Collagen-Derived Hydroxyproline (Hyp)-Containing Cyclic
Dipeptides with High Oral Bioavailability: Efficient Formation of Cyclo(X-Hyp)
from X-Hyp-Gly-Type Tripeptides by Heating.
AB - Cyclic dipeptides (2,5-diketopiperazines) are present in a variety of foods and
are reported to demonstrate antioxidant, antidepressant, and other beneficial
effects. We recently developed a novel collagen hydrolysate characterized by a
high content of X-hydroxyproline (Hyp)-Gly-type tripeptides using ginger
protease. In the present study, we found that, through heating, X-Hyp-Gly can be
easily converted into Hyp-containing cyclic dipeptides. After heating for 3 h at
85 degrees C and pH 4.8, Ala-Hyp-Gly was almost completely cyclized to cyclo(Ala
Hyp), in contrast to a slight cyclization of Ala-Hyp. The contents of cyclo(Ala
Hyp) and cyclo(Leu-Hyp) reached 0.5-1% (w/w) each in the ginger-degraded collagen
hydrolysate under the heating conditions. Oral administration experiments using
mice revealed that cyclo(Ala-Hyp) and cyclo(Leu-Hyp) were absorbed into the blood
at markedly higher efficiencies compared to collagenous oligopeptides, including
Pro-Hyp. The high productivity and oral bioavailability of the collagen-specific
cyclic dipeptides suggest significant health benefits of the heat-treated ginger
degraded collagen hydrolysate.
PMID- 28988479
TI - Selective and Sensitive Detection of Methylcytosine by Aerolysin Nanopore under
Serum Condition.
AB - Detection of DNA methylation in real human serum is of great importance to push
the development of clinical research and early diagnosis of human diseases.
Herein, taking advantage of stable pore structure of aerolysin in a harsh
environment, we distinguish methylated cytosine from cytosine using aerolysin
nanopore in human serum. Since wild-type (WT) aerolysin enables high sensitivity
detection of DNA, the subtle difference between methylated cytosine and cytosine
could be measured directly without any specific designs. Methylated cytosine
induced a population of I/I0 = 0.53 while cytosine was focused on I/I0 = 0.56.
The dwell time of methylated cytosine (5.3 +/- 0.1 ms) was much longer than that
of cytosine (3.9 +/- 0.1 ms), which improves the accuracy for the discrimination
of the two oligomers. Moreover, the pore-membrane system could remain stable for
more than 2 h and achieve the detection of methylated cytosine with zero
background signal in the presence of serum. Additionally, event frequency of
methylated cytosine is in correspondence with the relative concentration and
facilitate the quantification of methylation.
PMID- 28988480
TI - Tunable Photoluminescence across the Visible Spectrum and Photocatalytic Activity
of Mixed-Valence Rhenium Oxide Nanoparticles.
AB - Materials exhibiting excitation-wavelength-dependent photoluminescence, PL, are
useful in a range of biomedical and optoelectronic applications. This paper
describes a nanoparticulate material whose PL is tunable across the entire
visible range and is achieved without adjusting particle size, any postsynthetic
doping, or surface modification. A straightforward thermal decomposition of
rhenium (VII) oxide precursor yields nanoparticles that comprise Re atoms at
different oxidation states. Studies of time-resolved emission spectra and DFT
calculations both indicate that tunable PL of such mixed-valence particles
originates from the presence of multiple emissive states that become "active" at
different excitation wavelengths. In addition, the nanoparticles exhibit
photocatalytic activity that, under visible-light irradiation, is superior to
that of TiO2 nanomaterials.
PMID- 28988481
TI - Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) Affect the Bioconcentration and Tissue
Distribution of Short-Chain PFAAs in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).
AB - Short- and long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), ubiquitously coexisting in
the environment, can be accumulated in organisms by binding with proteins and
their binding affinities generally increase with their chain length. Therefore,
we hypothesized that long-chain PFAAs will affect the bioconcentration of short
chain PFAAs in organisms. To testify this hypothesis, the bioconcentration and
tissue distribution of five short-chain PFAAs (linear C-F = 3-6) were
investigated in zebrafish in the absence and presence of six long-chain PFAAs
(linear C-F = 7-11). The results showed that the concentrations of the short
chain PFAAs in zebrafish tissues increased with exposure time until steady states
reached in the absence of long-chain PFAAs. However, in the presence of long
chain PFAAs, these short-chain PFAAs in tissues increased until peak values
reached and then decreased until steady states, and the uptake and elimination
rate constants of short-chain PFAAs declined in all tissues and their BCFss
decreased by 24-89%. The inhibitive effect of long-chain PFAAs may be attributed
to their competition for transporters and binding sites of proteins in zebrafish
with short-chain PFAAs. These results suggest that the effect of long-chain PFAAs
on the bioconcentration of short-chain PFAAs should be taken into account in
assessing the ecological and environmental effects of short-chain PFAAs.
PMID- 28988482
TI - Electrocatalytic Radical Dichlorination of Alkenes with Nucleophilic Chlorine
Sources.
AB - We report a Mn-catalyzed electrochemical dichlorination of alkenes with MgCl2 as
the chlorine source. This method provides operationally simple, sustainable, and
efficient access to a variety of vicinally dichlorinated compounds. In
particular, alkenes with oxidatively labile functional groups, such as alcohols,
aldehydes, sulfides, and amines, were transformed into the desired vicinal
dichlorides with high chemoselectivity. Mechanistic data are consistent with
metal-mediated Cl atom transfer as the predominant pathway enabling dual C-Cl
bond formation and contradict an alternative pathway involving electrochemical
evolution of chlorine gas followed by Cl2-mediated electrophilic dichlorination.
PMID- 28988483
TI - Importance of Nonclassical sigma-Hole Interactions for the Reactivity of lambda3
Iodane Complexes.
AB - Key for the observed reactivity of lambda3-iodanes, powerful reagents for the
selective transfer of functional groups to nucleophiles, are the properties of
the 3-center-4-electron bond involving the iodine atom and the two linearly
arranged ligands. This bond is also involved in the formation of the initial
complex between the lambda3-iodane and a nucleophile, which can be a solvent
molecule or a reactant. The bonding in such complexes can be described by means
of sigma-hole interactions. In halogen compounds, sigma-hole interaction was
identified as a force in crystal packing or in the formation of supramolecular
chains. More recently, sigma-hole interactions were also shown to affect the
reactivity of the iodine-based hypervalent reagents. Relative to their monovalent
counterparts, where the sigma-hole is located on the extension of the sigma-bond,
in the hypervalent species our DFT calculations reveal the formation of a
nonclassical sigma-hole region with one or even two maxima. This observation is
also made in fully relativistic calculations. The SAPT analysis shows that the
sigma-hole bond between the lambda3-iodane and the nucleophile is not necessarily
of purely electrostatic nature but may also contain a significant covalent
component. This covalent component may facilitate chemical transformation of the
compound by means of reductive elimination or other mechanisms and is therefore
an indicator for its reactivity. Here, we also show that the shape, location, and
strength of the sigma-holes can be tuned by the choice of ligands and measures
such as Bronsted activation of the iodane reagent. At the limit, the tuning
transforms the nonclassical sigma-hole regions into coordination sites, which
allows us to control how a nucleophile will bind and react with the iodane.
PMID- 28988484
TI - Flaxseed Oil Alleviates Chronic HFD-Induced Insulin Resistance through Remodeling
Lipid Homeostasis in Obese Adipose Tissue.
AB - Emerging evidence suggests that higher circulating long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated
fatty acids (n-3PUFA) levels were intimately associated with lower prevalence of
obesity and insulin resistance. However, the understanding of bioactivity and
potential mechanism of alpha-linolenic acid-rich flaxseed oil (ALA-FO) against
insulin resistance was still limited. This study evaluated the effect of FO on
high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice focused on
adipose tissue lipolysis. Mice after HFD feeding for 16 weeks (60% fat-derived
calories) exhibited systemic insulin resistance, which was greatly attenuated by
medium dose of FO (M-FO), paralleling with differential accumulation of ALA and
its n-3 derivatives across serum lipid fractions. Moreover, M-FO was sufficient
to effectively block the metabolic activation of adipose tissue macrophages
(ATMs), thereby improving adipose tissue insulin signaling. Importantly,
suppression of hypoxia-inducible factors HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha were involved
in FO-mediated modulation of adipose tissue lipolysis, accompanied by specific
reconstitution of n-3PUFA within adipose tissue lipid fractions.
PMID- 28988485
TI - Purification, Selection, and Partition Coefficient of Highly Oxidized Carbon Dots
in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems Based on Polymer-Salt Pairs.
AB - In general, the methodologies for the preparation of carbon dots (CDs) lead to
the formation of nanostructures with size and surface chemistry heterogeneity.
Because the electronic and optical properties of these nanoparticles are directly
associated with these properties, the development of purification and selection
strategies is essential. Herein, we report a systematic study of the spontaneous
partition and separation of highly oxidized carbon dots (OCDs) prepared by the
dehydration and oxidation reactions of cotton cellulose in aqueous two-phase
systems (ATPSs) based on polymer-salt pairs. The partition of the CDs was
investigated in different ATPSs in which the effects of the cations and anions of
the salts, molecular mass and nature of the polymer, tie-line length, initial pH,
and surface modification of the nanoparticles on the partition coefficient (K)
were evaluated. The results showed that the best separation occurred with a
system consisting of PEO1500 + lithium sulfate + water using reduced CDs with
hydrazine. Alternatively, the lowest value of K, 0.79, was obtained for a
poly(ethylene oxide) PEO1500 + sodium tartrate + water system with pH = 6 using
OCDs. The detailed analyses of the top and bottom phases of the systems with
fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy showed that ATPSs are capable,
in addition to partitioning, of separating the nanoparticles with different
optical properties, which are directly associated with the surface properties and
particle sizes. We believe that the presented methodology is an alternative,
practical, fast, and potentially scalable technique for the separation of carbon
nanostructures with different optical properties.
PMID- 28988486
TI - Photo-CIDNP Reveals Different Protonation Sites Depending on the Primary Step of
the Photoinduced Electron-/Proton-Transfer Process with Ru(II) Polyazaaromatic
Complexes.
AB - The excited-state quenching of [Ru(TAP)2(HAT)]2+ (TAP = 1,4,5,8
tetraazaphenanthrene, HAT= 1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene) by hydroquinone
(H2Q), N-acetyl-tyrosine (N-Ac-Tyr) or guanosine-5'-monophosphate (GMP) was
investigated at various pH values. The quenching occurs via electron/proton
transfer, as evidenced by transient absorption spectroscopy and confirmed by 1H
photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP). Reductive
quenching also occurs in strongly acidic solution despite a much shorter lifetime
of the protonated excited-state complex. Photo-CIDNP revealed a different
mechanism at low pH, involving protonation before electron transfer and yielding
a distinct protonated monoreduced complex. The experimental photo-CIDNP patterns
are consistent with density functional theory calculations. This work highlights
the power of 1H photo-CIDNP for characterizing, at the atomic level, transient
species involved in electron-transfer processes.
PMID- 28988487
TI - Mechanisms and Control of Self-Emulsification upon Freezing and Melting of
Dispersed Alkane Drops.
AB - Emulsification requires drop breakage and creation of a large interfacial area
between immiscible liquid phases. Usually, high-shear or high-pressure
emulsification devices that generate heat and increase the emulsion temperature
are used to obtain emulsions with micrometer and submicrometer droplets.
Recently, we reported a new, efficient procedure of self-emulsification
(Tcholakova et al. Nat. Commun. 2017, 8, 15012), which consists of one to several
cycles of freezing and melting of predispersed alkane drops in a coarse oil-in
water emulsion. Within these freeze-thaw cycles of the dispersed drops, the
latter burst spontaneously into hundreds and thousands of smaller droplets
without using any mechanical agitation. Here, we clarify the main factors and
mechanisms, which drive this self-emulsification process, by exploring
systematically the effects of the oil and surfactant types, the cooling rate, and
the initial drop size. We show that the typical size of the droplets, generated
by this method, is controlled by the size of the structural domains formed in the
cooling-freezing stage of the procedure. Depending on the leading mechanism,
these could be the diameter of the fibers formed upon drop self-shaping or the
size of the crystal domains formed at the moment of drop-freezing. Generally,
surfactant tails that are 0-2 carbon atoms longer than the oil molecules are most
appropriate to observe efficient self-emulsification. The specific requirements
for the realization of different mechanisms are clarified and discussed. The
relative efficiencies of the three different mechanisms, as a function of the
droplet size and cooling procedure, are compared in controlled experiments to
provide guidance for understanding and further optimization and scale-up of this
self-emulsification process.
PMID- 28988488
TI - Influence of Environmental Factors on the Fate of Legacy and Emerging Per- and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances along the Salinity/Turbidity Gradient of a Macrotidal
Estuary.
AB - This study aimed at bridging knowledge gaps regarding the land-sea transport of
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) through riverine discharge into
coastal waters. The present survey was conducted in the Gironde estuary
(southwestern France) where PFASs were ubiquitously detected albeit at low
levels. Emerging PFASs such as fluorotelomer sulfonates or polyfluoroalkyl
phosphate diesters accounted for a relatively minor proportion of ?PFASs, while
perfluorooctanesulfonate, perfluorohexanesulfonate, and perfluorohexanoate were
the predominant congeners. Multiple linear regressions provided insights into the
relative influence of factors controlling PFAS sediment levels. In that respect,
the organic carbon fraction (strongly correlated to sediment grain size) appeared
as a more important controlling factor than black carbon or distance from
upstream sources for long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids. In the maximum turbidity
zone (suspended solids up to 2600 mg L-1), the particle-associated fraction was
almost consistently >50% for long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and
sulfonates (>=C8 and >= C6, respectively). Empirical models of KD partitioning
coefficients were derived by integrating, for the first time, both particle
concentration and salting-out effects. These results represent significant
progress toward the development of numerical transport models integrating both
PFAS partitioning and 3D-hydrosedimentary dynamics, with a view to estimate PFAS
mass budgets at the land-sea interface.
PMID- 28988490
TI - The measurement of functioning using the International Classification of
Functioning, Disability and Health: comparing qualifier ratings with existing
health status instruments.
AB - BACKGROUND: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
Health is the international standard for describing and monitoring functioning.
While the categories, the units of the classification, were not designed with
measurement in mind, the hierarchical structure of the classification lends
itself to the possibility of summating categories into some higher order domain.
Focusing on the chapters of d4 Mobility, d5 Self-Care and d6 Domestic Life, this
study seeks to ascertain if qualifiers rating of categories (0-No problem to 4
Complete problem) within those chapters can be summated, and whether such derived
measurement is consistent with estimates obtained from well-known instruments
which purport to measure the same constructs. METHODS: The current study applies
secondary analysis to data previously collected in the context of validating Core
Sets for stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Data included
qualifier-based ratings of the categories in the Core Sets, and the physical
functioning sub-scale of the Short-Form 36, and the World Health Organization
Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. To examine qualifier-comparator scale item
agreement Kappa statistics were used. To identify whether appropriate gradients
of the comparator scales were observed across qualifier levels, an Independent
Sample Median Test of the ordinal scores was deployed. To investigate the
internal validity of the summated ICF categories, the Rasch model was applied.
RESULTS: Data from 2,927 subjects from Europe, Australasia, Middle East and South
America were available for analysis; 36.3% had experienced a stroke, 35.8%
osteoarthritis, and 27.9% had rheumatoid arthritis. The items from the Short-Form
36 could not match directly the qualifier categories as the former had only 3
response options. The Kappa between World Health Organization Disability
Assessment Schedule 2.0 items and categories was low. For all qualifiers, a
significant (<0.001) overall gradient was observed across the comparator scales.
Only in few of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0
items could no discrete level be detected. The aggregation of the qualifiers at
the Chapter and higher order levels mostly revealed fit to the Rasch model.
Almost all ICF qualifiers showed ordered thresholds suggesting that the current
structure and response options of the qualifiers worked as intended. CONCLUSIONS:
The findings of this study provide supporting evidence for the use of the
professionally rated categories and associated qualifiers to measure functioning.
Implication for Rehabilitation This study provides evidence that functioning data
can be collected directly with the International Classification of Functioning,
Disability and Health (ICF) by using the ICF categories as items and the ICF
qualifiers as rating scale. The findings of this study show the aggregated
ratings of ICF categories from the chapters d4 Mobility, d5 Self-care, and d6
Domestic life capture a broader spectrum of the construct than the corresponding
summated items from the SF36-Physical Function sub-scale and the corresponding
items of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. This
study illustrates the potential of building quantitative measurement by
aggregating ICF categories and their qualifier ratings into meaningful domains.
PMID- 28988491
TI - Left atrial outflow obstruction in double-outlet right atrium.
AB - We describe an unusual case of partial atrioventricular septal defect with
malalignment of the septum primum to the left atrium with respect to the
ventricular septum, committing the tricuspid valve to both ventricles (double
outlet right atrium). Abnormal attachment of the septum primum to the lateral
aspect of mitral annulus resulted in left atrial outflow obstruction. The patient
underwent successful surgical correction.
PMID- 28988492
TI - Attending school after treatment for a brain tumor: Experiences of children and
key figures.
AB - Reintegration into school is a milestone for childhood brain tumor survivors, as
well as for their parents, teachers, and healthcare providers. We explored their
experiences following the school re-entry by conducting semi-structured
interviews. Thematic analysis resulted in four main themes: "school performance,"
"psychosocial well-being," "support and approach," and "communication and
collaboration." Children were pleased to return to school despite confrontation
with adverse outcomes. Parents, teachers, and healthcare providers identified
current and future concerns and challenges, as well as opportunities for academic
and personal development. Their experiences highlight the importance of
coordinated and systematic follow-up in close collaboration with healthcare
providers.
PMID- 28988493
TI - Goal feedback from whom? A physical activity intervention using an N-of-1 RCT.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Adolescents are not meeting the recommended guidelines for physical
activity. Social support and self-regulatory skills are two factors known to
impact physical activity and sedentary behaviour. The study sought to examine how
targeting feedback as part of a self-regulatory process could increase physical
activity, and the individual who should be providing the feedback. DESIGN: The
study utilised an aggregated N-of-1 RCT which allows for an iterative process of
intervention development, and examines variability within participants to answer
the question for whom did the intervention work. Ten adolescents (ages 13-18) set
a daily physical activity goal. Adolescents received a SMS text message providing
feedback on goal attainment daily from a parent, peer, behavioural health
specialist; or no text message (control). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A bioharness
heart rate monitor assessed heart rate as proxy for goal attainment. Adolescents
also self-monitored their physical activity in the Calorie Counter and Diet
Tracker by MyFitnessPalTM app (commercially available). RESULTS: Intervention
demonstrated a significant effect for 30% of the sample in increasing MVPA
(Mincrease = 52 min), with no significant effect on sedentary behaviour.
CONCLUSION: A single occasion of text messaging from the right person can produce
changes, however, careful consideration should be given to who provides the
feedback.
PMID- 28988489
TI - Fatty infiltration of the minor salivary glands is a selective feature of aging
but not Sjogren's syndrome.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Determine the presence and assess the extent of fatty infiltration of
the minor salivary glands (SG) of primary SS patients (pSS) as compared to those
with non-SS sicca (nSS). METHODS: Minor SG biopsy samples from 134 subjects with
pSS (n = 72) or nSS (n = 62) were imaged. Total area and fatty replacement area
for each glandular cross-section (n = 4-6 cross-sections per subject) were
measured using Image J (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). The
observer was blinded to subject classification status. The average area of fatty
infiltration calculated per subject was evaluated by logistic regression and
general linearized models (GLM) to assess relationships between fatty
infiltration and clinical exam results, extent of fibrosis and age. RESULTS: The
average area of fatty infiltration for subjects with pSS (median% (range) 4.97
(0.05-30.2)) was not significantly different from that of those with nSS (3.75
(0.087-41.9). Infiltration severity varied widely, and subjects with fatty
replacement greater than 6% were equivalently distributed between pSS and nSS
participants (chi2 p = .50). Age accounted for all apparent relationships between
fatty infiltration and fibrosis or reduced saliva flow. The all-inclusive GLM for
prediction of pSS versus non-SS classification including fibrosis, age, fatty
replacement, and focus score was not significantly different from any desaturated
model. In no iteration of the model did fatty replacement exert a significant
effect on the capacity to predict pSS classification. CONCLUSIONS: Fatty
infiltration is an age-associated phenomenon and not a selective feature of
Sjogren's syndrome. Sicca patients who do not fulfil pSS criteria have similar
rates of fatty infiltration of the minor SG.
PMID- 28988494
TI - Extravasation of contrast (Spot Sign) predicts in-hospital mortality in ruptured
arteriovenous malformation.
AB - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The spot sign is a highly specific and sensitive
predictor of hematoma expansion in following primary intracerebral hemorrhage
(ICH). Rare cases of the spot sign have been documented in patients with
intracranial hemorrhage secondary to arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The
purpose of this retrospective study is to assess the accuracy of spot sign in
predicting clinical outcomes in patients with ruptured AVM. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was
performed for patients who presented to West China Hospital with ICH secondary to
AVM in the period between January 2009 and September 2016. Two radiologists
blinded to the clinical data independently assessed the imaging data, including
the presence of spot sign. Statistical analysis using univariate testing,
multivariate logistic regression testing, and receiver operating characteristic
curve (AUC) analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients were
included. Overall, 18.9% (22/116) of subjects had at least 1 spot sign detected
by CT angiography, 7% (8/116) died in hospital, and 27% (31/116) of the patients
had a poor outcome after 90 days. The spot sign had a sensitivity of 62.5% and
specificity of 84.3% for predicting in-hospital mortality (p = .02, AUC 0.734).
No correlation detected between the spot sign and 90-day outcomes under multiple
logistic regression (p = .19). CONCLUSIONS: The spot sign is an independent
predictor for in-hospital mortality. The presence of spot sign did not correlate
with the 90 day outcomes in this patient cohort. The results of this report
suggest that patients with ruptured AVM with demonstrated the spot sign on
imaging must receive aggressive treatment early on due to the high risk of
mortality.
PMID- 28988495
TI - The beneficial effects of l-cysteine on brain antioxidants of rats affected by
sodium valproate.
AB - Oxidative stress caused by sodium valproate (SV) is known to play a key role in
the pathogenesis of brain tissue. The present study was designed to evaluate the
protective effect of l-cysteine (LC) on the antioxidants of brain tissue of rats.
The animals were divided into six groups: control group 1 was treated with saline
as vehicle, groups 2 and 3 were treated with low and high doses of SV (100 and
500 mg/kg, respectively), group 4 was treated with LC (100 mg/kg), and groups 5
and 6 were treated with low-dose SV + LC and high-dose SV + LC, respectively. All
the groups were treated orally by gastric tube for 30 successive days. Some
antioxidant parameters were determined. Brain tissue (cerebral cortex) of SV
treated animals showed an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduction in
activity of enzymatic antioxidant and total antioxidant levels. Histopathological
examination of cerebral cortex of SV rats showed astrocytic swelling,
inflammation, and necrosis. After 4 weeks of the combination treatment of SV and
LC daily, results showed significant improvement in the activity of cathepsin
marker enzymes and restored the structure of the brain. LC was able to ameliorate
oxidative stress deficits observed in SV rats. LC decreased LPO level and was
also able to restore the activity of antioxidant enzymes as well as structural
deficits observed in the brain of SV animals. The protective effect of LC in SV
treated rats is mediated through attenuation of oxidative stress, suggesting a
therapeutic role for LC in individuals treated with SV.
PMID- 28988496
TI - 6-Gingerol prevents MEHP-induced DNA damage in human umbilical vein endothelia
cells.
AB - Mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) is the principal metabolite of di (2
etylhexyl) phthalate, which is widely used as a plasticizer, especially in
medical devices. MEHP has toxic effects on cardiovascular system. The aim of this
study was to investigate the possibility that 6-gingerol may inhibit the
oxidative DNA damage of MEHP in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)
and the potential mechanism. The comet assay was used to monitor DNA strand
breaks. We have shown that 6-gingerol significantly reduced the DNA strand breaks
caused by MEHP. MEHP increased the levels of reactive oxygen species and
malondialdehyde, decreased the level of glutathione and activity of superoxide
dismutase, and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, DNA
damage-associated proteins (p53 and p-Chk2 (T68)) were significantly increased by
the treatment of MEHP. Those effects can all be protected by 6-gingerol. The
results firmly indicate that 6-gingerol may have a strong protective ability
against the DNA damage caused by MEHP in HUVECs, and the mechanism may relate to
the antioxidant activity.
PMID- 28988497
TI - S-Allyl cysteine alleviates inflammation by modulating the expression of NF
kappaB during chromium (VI)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
AB - Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) is a common environmental pollutant. Cr (VI)
exposure can lead to severe damage to the liver, but the preventive measures to
diminish Cr (VI)-induced hepatotoxicity need further study. S-allyl cysteine
(SAC) is a constituent of garlic ( Allium sativum) and has many beneficial
effects to humans and rodents. In this study, we intended to analyze the
mechanistic role of SAC during Cr (VI)-induced hepatotoxicity. Male Wistar albino
rats were induced with 17 mg/kg body weight to damage the liver. The Cr (VI)
induced rats were treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of SAC as an optimum dosage
to treat hepatotoxicity. We observed that the levels of oxidants, lipid
peroxidation and hydroxyl radical (OH*) were increased, and enzymatic
antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and
glutathione reductase were found to be decreased in Cr (VI)-induced rats. While
treated with SAC, the levels of oxidants were decreased and enzymatic
antioxidants were significantly ( p < 0.05) increased. Lysosomal enzyme
activities were increased in Cr (VI)-induced rats and on treatment with SAC, the
activities were significantly decreased. The expressions of nuclear factor-kappa
B (p65-NF-kappaB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and inducible nitric
oxide synthase (iNOS) were increased during induction with Cr (VI). Subsequent
administration of SAC to animals showed a decrease in the expressions of NF
kappaB, TNF-alpha, and iNOS. Results obtained from this study clearly
demonstrated that SAC protects the liver cells from the Cr (VI)-induced free
radical damage.
PMID- 28988498
TI - 2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and bromoxynil herbicide ingestion.
AB - CONTEXT: Ingestion of bromoxynil and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA)
in combination is associated with high mortality. Toxicity is characterised by
hyperthermia and metabolic acidosis. Dialysis is a proposed treatment, but little
data exist regarding its effectiveness. CASE DETAILS: Case 1: A 50-year-old
female presented 18 h post-ingestion of 200 mL of bromoxynil(200 g/L) and
MCPA(200 g/L). She was agitated, tachycardic and tachypnoeic. She was intubated
and continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) was commenced. She
deteriorated, becoming hypotensive, hyperthermic (39.5 degrees C) and
hypercapnic (80 mmHg). She was cooled, paralysed, received CVVHDF for 2d and was
extubated on day 4 making a full recovery. Case 2: A 60-year-old male presented 6
h post-ingestion of an unknown amount of bromoxynil (200 g/L) and MCPA (200 g/L).
On arrival, he was tachycardic and tachypneic (pCO2 25 mmHg). At 8h post
ingestion he became hyperthermic, hypercapnic and acidotic (pH 7.15), and was
intubated, paralysed, cooled and received CVVHDF for 36 h. He was extubated after
42 h and made a full recovery. Bromoxynil and MCPA serum and effluent
concentrations were measured. Peak MCPA serum concentrations were 161 ug/ml and
259 ug/ml and peak bromoxynil concentrations were 119 ug/ml and 155 ug/ml in case
1 and 2, respectively. The estimated clearance of both herbicides by CVVHDF was
low (<10 mL/min). CONCLUSION: CVVHDF did not result in significant clearance of
either herbicide but may have assisted with hyperthermia control. Both patients
survived with vigorous cooling, paralysis and ventilatory support.
PMID- 28988499
TI - Polymer therapeutics and the EPR effect.
AB - History of the EPR (enhanced permeability and retention) effect is discussed,
which goes back to the analyses of molecular pathology in bacterial infection and
edema (extravasation) formation. The first mediator we found for extravasation
was bradykinin. Later on, were found nitric oxide and superoxide, then formation
of peroxynitrite, that activates procollagenase. In this inflammatory setting
many other vascular mediators are involved that are also common to cancer
vasculature. Obviously cancer vasculature is defective architechtally, and this
makes macromolecular drugs more permeable through the vascular wall. The
importance of this pathophysiological event of EPR effect can be applied to
macromolecular drug-delivery, or tumor selective delivery, which takes hours to
achieve in the primary as well as metastatic tumors, not to mention of the
inflamed tissues. The retention of the EPR means that such drugs will be retained
in tumor tissues more than days to weeks. This was demonstrated initially, and
most dramatically, using SMANCS, a protein-polymer conjugated-drug dissolved in
lipid contrast medium (Lipiodol) by administering intraarterially. For
disseminating the EPR concept globally, or in the scientific community, Professor
Ruth Duncan played a key role at the early stage, as she worked extensively on
polymer- therapeutics, and knew its importance.
PMID- 28988500
TI - A safety evaluation of evolocumab.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Evolocumab is an injectable, fully human monoclonal antibody and a
member of the newest class of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)
lowering agents called proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)
inhibitors. The PCSK9 inhibitors are the most significant advance in lipid
therapy since the introduction of the first statin 30 years ago. Areas covered:
The PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies have demonstrated a consistently high LDL-C
lowering efficacy with and without statins and/or other lipid lowering therapies
(LLT). LDL-C levels achieved with these agents are lower than has ever been
possible before. This review will focus on the overall safety of evolocumab
including cognitive impairment, very low LDL-C levels, new onset diabetes and
glucose abnormalities, effect on vitamin E and steroid hormones, liver and muscle
abnormalities, and immunogenicity and injection site reactions. The phase II and
III clinical trials had relatively low patient-years of exposure, but the open
label extension studies and the recently published outcomes trial, FOURIER, will
be the focus of this paper. The safety profile of evolocumab to date is
remarkable and extremely encouraging as will be demonstrated. Expert opinion: The
PCSK9 inhibitors will be responsible for a new era in lipid therapy that will
expand our knowledge of lipid levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention
with an efficacy and safety profile not previously available in clinical
practice.
PMID- 28988501
TI - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and gastrointestinal stromal tumor as models for
targeted therapy in soft tissue sarcomas.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The development of novel targeted treatment in soft tissue sarcomas
(STS) is important since many sarcoma subtypes are resistant to chemotherapy and
effective therapeutic options are limited. Areas covered: This review discusses
the molecular background and treatment in two STS types which became a model for
targeted therapy - gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and dermatofibrosarcoma
protuberans (DFSP). DFSP is characterized, by chromosomal translocation which
results in the formation of COL1A1-PDGFB fusion gene causing platelet-derived
growth factor receptor beta(PDGFRB) signaling activation in tumor cells. The
majority of GIST malignancies are associated with activating, constitutive,
mutually exclusive mutations of two genes: KIT and PDGFRA (PDGF receptor-alpha).
Molecular diagnostics are an essential part of GIST and DFSP management. The
first effective systemic therapy in clinical practice in GIST and DFSP was
imatinib - tyrosine kinase inhibitor acting on KIT and PDGFR alpha/beta. Use of
the drug revolutionized treatment of inoperable and/or metastatic cases and
demonstrated activity in locally advanced cases. This review summarizes the
analogies of therapy and perspectives of GIST and DFSP management. Expert
commentary: The next generation of kinase inhibitors are approved for use after
the progression of GIST during imatinib treatment. However, little is known about
treatment beyond progression in DFSP.
PMID- 28988502
TI - Reassessing the species status of Pseudodiaptomus malayalus Wellershaus, 1969 and
P. binghami Sewell, 1912 (Calanoida: Pseudodiaptomidae) from India based on
morphology and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences.
AB - Pseudodiaptomus binghami Sewell, 1912 was first described from the Rangoon River
(now Yangon River) estuary, Myanmar. Pseudodiaptomus malayalus Wellershaus, 1969
previously known as P. binghami malayalus, is a typical brackish-water calanoid
copepod from Cochin Estuary, Kerala. Morphological examination of P. malayalus
and P. binghami collected from Cochin Estuary and the Nambur canal in Andhra
Pradesh revealed crucial differences between the two congeners. Female specimens
of P. malayalus exhibited marked differences from those described by Wellershaus.
They are (1) the number of terminal spines on P5, (2) ornamentation of GS, (3)
ornamentation of Ur1-4, (4) length ratio of the Ur and CR segments and (5)
length:width ratio of the CR setae. Furthermore, significant and discrete
morphological differences were observed between the two Indian species in their
P5 and urosome. But the male specimens of P. malayalus did not show any major
differences from the original description. In addition, distance matrix data
revealed 22% interspecific divergence values which in turn confirmed the status
of P. malayalus and P. binghami as two distinct species.
PMID- 28988503
TI - The misleading choice for safer births in Brazilian's most developed region: a
cross-sectional study.
AB - PURPOSE: To analyze the Cesarean Section (CS) rate in Brazilian women according
to category of health insurance and individual characteristics associated with
the mode of delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was
performed in three maternity services (one public tertiary referral center, one
maternity service for both public and private care, and one private maternity
service) in Campinas city, Brazil. Eligibility criteria were: inpatient during
the immediate postpartum period, hospital birth, single pregnancy, and live
newborn. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, reproductive history,
pregnancy planning, and prenatal care information was obtained from participants.
Comorbidities, type of birth, and newborn data were collected from medical
records. The mode of delivery was categorized as either CS or vaginal delivery.
RESULTS: A total of 1276 women were included in this study. The overall CS rate
was 57.5%. CS rates were 41.6, 54.8, and 90.1% for public, mixed (public and
private), and private maternity services, respectively. Mean age was higher in
women who had a CS (28.0 +/- 6.0 years versus 25.9 +/- 6.5 years, p < .0001) as
was the mean Body Mass Index (25.2 +/- 5.3 kg/m2 versus 23.8 +/- 4.5 kg/m2, p <
.0001). CS was related to higher education, employment, white skin color, planned
pregnancy, antenatal care in a private service, and primiparity. CONCLUSIONS: The
overall CS rate was high (greater than 50%); in the private service, almost all
participants had a CS delivery (90.1%). Better socioeconomic conditions and
primiparity were associated with higher CS rates in Brazil. Political pressure
for the management of unnecessary CSs is vital in Brazil. Together with the
provision of real incentives for normal deliveries in public and, most
importantly, private services.
PMID- 28988504
TI - Low colonic absorption drugs: risks and opportunities in the development of oral
extended release products.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Currently numerous drugs have been observed with lower colonic
absorption than small intestine absorption, which can significantly impact in
vivo performance of their oral extended release (ER) products. Areas covered: We
reviewed over 300 publications, patents, book chapters, and commercial reports of
drug products from regulatory agencies for low colonic absorption (LCA) drugs and
critical findings are discussed. The focuses of this article are (1) current
findings on the causes of low colonic absorption to support early assessment of
LCA candidates, and (2) current knowledge on successful ER strategies and
technical platforms used for LCA drugs in commercial drug products to facilitate
oral ER product development. Expert opinion: Colonic drug absorption is one of
the critical considerations in successful development of oral ER products. The
root causes of low colonic absorption in many LCA drugs are still unclear. It is
recommended to evaluate colonic drug absorption of drug candidate at early stage
of oral ER product development. After evaluation, the selection of a formulation
platform to develop an oral ER product needs to be carefully considered for LCA
drugs. Based on the current commercial oral ER formulation platforms for LCA
drugs, compounds are first divided into five types (I-V) and different ER
formulation approaches with higher success rate are recommended for each type.
PMID- 28988505
TI - Clinical and pharmacokinetic drug evaluation of delafloxacin for the treatment of
acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.
AB - INTRODUCTION: In the era of multi-drug resistant pathogens, the adequate
treatment of skin and skin structure infections remains a challenge for
clinicians. Delafloxacin, with its broad spectrum against Gram-positive, Gram
negative and anaerobic organisms, represents a new therapeutic option in this
setting, especially when coverage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
is required in the empirical or targeted approach. Areas covered: In this drug
evaluation, the Authors have reviewed the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
characteristics of delafloxacin. In addition, recent data on clinical efficacy
and safety from clinical trials have been included. Expert opinion: Delafloxacin
represents an attractive therapeutic option due to a broad antimicrobial and
favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. Several in vitro studies
have demonstrated the low potential for resistance selection if used in empirical
regimens. Delafloxacin is a promising candidate for the treatment of Gram
positive infections, especially if co-infection with other pathogens is
suspected. This is because of the very low MIC of the agent for Gram-positive
(including MRSA) and anaerobic bacteria and because of the wide spectrum of
activity against Gram-negative organisms. For these interesting microbiological
and PK/PD characteristics we expect future uses of this drug in other indications
such as diabetic foot infection, osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infections,
abdominal infections and central nervous system infections.
PMID- 28988506
TI - In silico ADME-Tox modeling: progress and prospects.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Although significant progress has been made in high-throughput
screening of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, and toxicity
(ADME-Tox) properties in drug discovery and development, in silico ADME-Tox
prediction continues to play an important role in facilitating the appropriate
selection of candidate drugs by pharmaceutical companies prior to expensive
clinical trials. Areas covered: This review provides an overview of the available
in silico models that have been used to predict the ADME-Tox properties of
compounds. It also provides a comprehensive overview and summarization of the
latest modeling methods and algorithms available for the prediction of
physicochemical characteristics, ADME properties, and drug toxicity issues.
Expert opinion: The in silico models currently available have greatly contributed
to the knowledge of screening approaches in the early stages of drug discovery
and the development process. As the definitive goal of in silico molding is to
predict the pharmacokinetics and disposition of compounds in vivo by assembling
all kinetic processes within one global model, PBPK models can serve this
purpose. However, much work remains to be done in this area to generate more data
and input parameters to build more reliable and accurate prediction models.
PMID- 28988507
TI - Electromagnetic fields in neonatal incubators: the reasons for an alert.
AB - BACKGROUND: Neonatal incubators are important tools for sick newborns in the
first few days of life. Nevertheless, their electric engine, often very close to
the newborn's body, emits electromagnetic fields (EMF) to which newborns are
exposed. Aim of this paper is to review the available literature on EMF exposure
in incubators, and the effects of such exposures on newborns that have been
investigated. METHODS: We carried out a systematic review of studies about EMF
emissions produced by incubators, using Medline and Embase databases from 1993 to
2017. RESULTS: We retrieved 15 papers that described the EMF exposure in
incubators and their biological effects on babies. EMF levels in incubators
appear to be between 2 and 100 mG, depending on the distance of the mattress from
the electric engine. In some cases, they exceed this range. These values
interfere with melatonin production or with vagal tone. Even caregivers are
exposed to high EMF, above 200 mG, when working at close contact with the
incubators. CONCLUSION: EMF have been described as potentially hazardous for
human health, and values reported in this review are an alert to prevent babies'
and caregivers' exposure when close to the incubators. A precautionary approach
should be adopted in future incubator design, to prevent high exposures of
newborns in incubators and of caregivers as well.
PMID- 28988508
TI - Immunological effects of everolimus in patients with metastatic renal cell
cancer.
AB - The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a crucial kinase present in all
cells. Besides its role in the regulation of cell-growth, proliferation,
angiogenesis, and survival of malignant tumors, mTOR additionally plays an
important role in immune regulation by controlling the balance between effector T
cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). This critically affects the suppressive
state of the immune system. Here, the systemic immunological effects of
everolimus treatment were comprehensively investigated in five patients with
metastatic renal cell cancer. In this hypothesis generating study, the
immunological alterations in circulating immune subsets induced by everolimus
included a (non-significant) increase in the frequency of Tregs, a significant
increase in monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, a significant decrease in
the frequency of immunoregulatory natural killer cells, classical CD141+ (cDC1)
and CD1c+ (cDC2) dendritic cell subsets, as well as a decrease in the activation
status of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and cDC1. These date indicate that the
immunological effects of everolimus affect multiple immune cell subsets and
altogether tip the balance in favor of immunosuppression, which can be considered
a detrimental effect in the treatment of cancer, and may require combination
treatment with agents able to negate immune suppression and boost T cell
immunity.
PMID- 28988509
TI - Darunavir for use in pregnant women with HIV.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Combination antiretroviral therapy is recommended during pregnancy
to decrease the rate of HIV transmission to the baby and reduce morbidity in the
mother. More than 50% of women are prescribed a protease inhibitor-based regimen
during pregnancy. Darunavir was recently reclassified as a first-line protease
inhibitor for use in pregnancy in the US Department of Health and Human Services
Perinatal Guidelines. Areas covered: This is a brief review of the use of
protease inhibitor therapy during pregnancy, and a discussion of darunavir's
utility in this area. Clinical pharmacology and trial data are reviewed, and the
safety, efficacy and dosing of darunavir during pregnancy is discussed. Expert
commentary: Darunavir has become an important option in the management of HIV
during pregnancy. Both once-daily dosing and twice-daily dosing regimens have
shown efficacy in clinical studies. Although a significant reduction in total
(protein bound and unbound) plasma concentrations of darunavir has been noted
during pregnancy, antiviral activity appears to be maintained with standard
dosing. This is likely due to diminished changes in unbound drug concentrations.
Preterm delivery and low birth weight have been noted for pregnancies of women on
darunavir-containg regimens, but a causal relationship has not yet been
demonstrated.
PMID- 28988510
TI - Tyrosine kinase inhibitors rechallenge in solid tumors: a review of literature
and a case description with lenvatinib in thyroid cancer.
AB - INTRODUCTION: In the last decade tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been
employed for a wide range of hematological and solid tumors and today they
represent a valid therapeutic option for different neoplasms. Among them, both
sorafenib and lenvatinib were approved for the treatment of radioactive iodine
(RAI) refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Unfortunately, in some
cases the efficacy of TKIs is limited by the onset of drug resistance after the
initial response. Areas covered: We report the case of a patient with a RAI
refractory advanced DTC, treated with lenvatinib after surgery, multiple RAI
administrations, traditional chemotherapy, and sorafenib. During treatment with
lenvatinib, a noticeable response was detected by sequential computed tomography
scans but, after 27 months, tumor progression became evident and led to
lenvatinib interruption. In absence of any active treatment, a further disease
progression was documented, and lenvatinib was re-administered obtaining a new
objective response. Starting from this case report, we review available reports
about the rechallenge with TKIs in solid tumors, discussing the possible
mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this approach. Expert commentary:
Rechallenge with TKIs in solid tumors could be a therapeutic option in subjects
with advanced and metastatic DTC who experience a progressive disease after
initial response to lenvatinib.
PMID- 28988511
TI - Adaptation for participation!
AB - PURPOSE: To explore children's experiences with testing, acquiring and using
assistive devices. METHODS: Nine children (six boys, three girls, 9-12 years old,
with different physical disability and activity experience, participated in
semistructured interviews. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and
analysed using Systematic text condensation. RESULTS: Assistive devices were
reported to contribute to cope activities that the children otherwise would not
have participated in. Several subjects listed the need for a shielded environment
when adapting to new equipment. The children highlighted "independence in
activities" and "having the opportunity to participate in activities with family
and friends" as important for frequent use. Need for assistance and lack of
localizations to perform the activities were listed as reasons for less frequent
use. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that it is useful to map each child's
opportunities for independency, appropriate locations for performing the activity
and participation with friends, when considering obtaining assistive devices.
Implications for Rehabilitation The use of assistive devices gives many children
with physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in physical activity.
Improving availability to assistive devices for physical activity should be a
priority to help facilitate participation. Having opportunities to develop
perceptions of competence may be essential for a child's long term participation
in physical activity.
PMID- 28988513
TI - Step-to-step spatiotemporal variables and ground reaction forces of intra
individual fastest sprinting in a single session.
AB - We aimed to investigate the step-to-step spatiotemporal variables and ground
reaction forces during the acceleration phase for characterising intra-individual
fastest sprinting within a single session. Step-to-step spatiotemporal variables
and ground reaction forces produced by 15 male athletes were measured over a 50-m
distance during repeated (three to five) 60-m sprints using a long force platform
system. Differences in measured variables between the fastest and slowest trials
were examined at each step until the 22nd step using a magnitude-based inferences
approach. There were possibly-most likely higher running speed and step frequency
(2nd to 22nd steps) and shorter support time (all steps) in the fastest trial
than in the slowest trial. Moreover, for the fastest trial there were likely-very
likely greater mean propulsive force during the initial four steps and possibly
very likely larger mean net anterior-posterior force until the 17th step. The
current results demonstrate that better sprinting performance within a single
session is probably achieved by 1) a high step frequency (except the initial
step) with short support time at all steps, 2) exerting a greater mean propulsive
force during initial acceleration, and 3) producing a greater mean net anterior
posterior force during initial and middle acceleration.
PMID- 28988512
TI - Consistency of traumatic brain injury reporting in older adults with and without
cognitive impairment.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Medical history information regarding prior traumatic brain injury
(TBI) usually relies on self-report, although little is known about the
reliability of this information with regard to injuries sustained years or
decades earlier. Even less is known about the reliability of self-reported
medical history information in older individuals with cognitive impairment. To
this end, we assessed the test-retest reliability of self-reported TBI history in
a large, national sample. METHODS: Participants (n = 4309) were older adults with
intact cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD)
from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Subjects provided TBI history
information at baseline and one annual follow-up visit. Consistency of self
reported history of TBI with <5 minutes loss of consciousness (mLOC) and TBI with
>=5 mLOC reported at time 1 and 2 was analyzed across diagnostic groups. RESULTS:
Overall, subjects provided reports of TBI history at follow-up that were highly
consistent with baseline reports (97.8-99.6% agreement), and Cohen's kappa
coefficients were all larger than .80 and statistically significant, maximum p <
.001. Furthermore, level of cognitive impairment was not a significant predictor
of consistency in reporting. CONCLUSIONS: These data are some of the first to
suggest that self-report may be a consistent method of obtaining remote TBI
history in the absence of medical records for older individuals, regardless of
cognitive impairment.
PMID- 28988514
TI - Long-term effects of acoustic reafference training (ART).
AB - In sport visual feedback is often used to enhance performance, mostly neglecting
the auditory modality. However, athletes produce natural sounds when they move
(acoustic reafferences) which they perceive and use to control their movements.
We examined the short- and long-term effects of a training intervention on a
complex movement by using acoustic reafferences. Natural step sounds produced
during hurdling were recorded and played back to the participants immediately
before each trial, with an increase (fast group), decrease (slow group), or no
manipulation (control group) in the tempo. All groups increased their hurdling
performance regarding overall running time, with the slow group showing the best
performance development. After a 10-week retention, the fast and slow group
further increased performance, whereas the control group declined. The repeated
experience with acoustic information associated with the rhythmic pattern of
hurdling may have helped developing a cognitive representation of that movement,
especially regarding long-term effects.
PMID- 28988515
TI - Pacing profiles of senior men and women at the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country
Championships.
AB - The purpose of this study was to analyse and compare pacing profiles of senior
men and women competing in the 2017 World Cross Country Championships. Finishing
and split times were collated for 118 men and 81 women competing over the newly
introduced race distance of 10 km (five laps of approximately 2 km). Athletes
were grouped according to finishing time, and changes in pace measured using lap
times, except between Laps 1 and 2 because of a shorter first lap (times relative
to the winner were used instead). Within both men's and women's races, groups
slowed during the early stages, but then either sped up or maintained pace during
the last lap. There were few differences between groups with regard to overall
pacing profiles, or between sexes. The men's fast finish contrasted with slower
finishes found in previous editions (over 12 km), and the degree to which women
were slower than men (approximately 12%) was very similar to track racing and
showed the decision to equalise the distances run by both sexes was sound. As in
other distance events, athletes are recommended to try to achieve an even pace
throughout, an approach that proved beneficial to both gold medallists.
PMID- 28988516
TI - Quinine and carbenoxolone enhance the anticonvulsant activity of some classical
antiepileptic drugs.
AB - Objective Quinine (QUIN) and carbenoxolone (CNX) elicit anticonvulsant effects
typically characterized by the reduction of the epileptiform activity as well as
changes in behavioral parameters related to seizures. Therefore, the aim of this
study was to analyze the effects of these molecules on the anticonvulsant
activity of some classical antiepileptic drugs. Methods Male Wistar rats were
used. Valproate (VPA), phenytoin (PHT), or carbamazepine (CBZ) was administered
at sub-therapeutic doses for intraperitoneal via. Subsequently, animals were
administered with a single dose of QUIN or CNX. The anticonvulsant activity was
evaluated with the maximal electroshock (MES) test and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)
administration. Additionally, the plasma levels of CBZ were determined using an
HPLC method. Results All the control rats presented generalized tonic-clonic
seizures after the MES test or the administration of PTZ. For the MES test, all
of the antiepileptic drugs increased their anticonvulsant activity when were co
administered with QUIN. For the PTZ test, only the combination CBZ plus QUIN
significantly increased the percentage of protection against the generalized
tonic-clonic seizures. The co-administration of CBZ plus QUIN resulted in an
augmented concentration of CBZ in plasma. Discussion The present study shows that
QUIN and CNX enhance the anticonvulsant activity of some classical antiepileptic
drugs. However, only the combination CBZ/QUIN had significant effects on both MES
and PTZ models. Such anticonvulsant activity could be attributed to increased
levels of CBZ in plasma. We propose that these molecules could improve the
pharmacological actions of antiepileptic drugs administered at sub-therapeutic
doses.
PMID- 28988517
TI - Developing and testing a consensus-based core set of outcome measures for
rehabilitation in musculoskeletal diseases.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Rehabilitation is important for people with musculoskeletal diseases
(MSDs), and evaluating the effect of rehabilitation on both an individual and
group level is advocated. A consensus concerning use of outcome measures will
improve collaboration between healthcare providers, and increase the possibility
of conducting meta-analyses in future research. The aim of this study was to
develop a consensus-based core set of outcome measures for rehabilitation in
MSDs, and to test the feasibility and responsiveness of the set. METHOD: The core
set was developed through a stepwise process comprising a Delphi consensus
procedure, systematic literature searches, and a pilot study, including 386
patients, to test the feasibility and responsiveness of the set. RESULTS: The
following aspects and outcome measures were selected: pain [numeric rating scale
(NRS)], fatigue (NRS), physical fitness (the 30-second Sit to Stand test), mental
health (Hopkins Symptom Checklist 5), daily activities (Hannover Functional
Questionnaire), goal attainment (Patient-Specific Functional Scale including
motivation score for baseline assessment), quality of life (5-level EuroQol 5
Dimensions), social participation (the social participation item from COOP/WONCA)
and coping (Effective Musculoskeletal Consumer Scale-17). All tested outcome
measures were found to be feasible, with high completion rates and acceptable
score distribution. Standard response means varied from 0.3 to 0.9. CONCLUSIONS:
A consensus-based core set of patient reported outcome measures is presented for
evaluating rehabilitation in MSDs. The core set is feasible and responsive for
use in Norway, but needs further testing in other countries.
PMID- 28988518
TI - RhBMP-2-loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres fabricated by coaxial
electrospraying for protein delivery.
AB - In this study, we fabricated recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2
(rhBMP-2) loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres with core
shell structures and particle sizes ranging from 2.5 to 8 MUm by coaxial
electrospraying. The manufacturing process of core-shell microspheres by coaxial
electrospraying is simpler than that with other methods, and a smaller diameter
can be obtained. The microspheres were analyzed by environmental scanning
electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and laser scanning
confocal microscopy (LSCM). Moreover, the drug release profiles and degradation
of rhBMP-2-loaded PLGA microspheres in vitro were investigated for 21 days and
for 7 weeks, respectively. The rhBMP-2 was stabilized by using bovine serum
albumin (BSA) to ensure protein activity in the electrospraying process.
Fluorescently labeled protein that was loaded into the core-shell PLGA
microspheres was verified by LSCM. The distinct layered structure that existed in
the manufactured core-shell microspheres can be observed by TEM. Cell Counting
Kit-8 (CCK-8) indicated that the core-shell PLGA microspheres loaded with rhBMP-2
have great potential for the treatment of bone defects, for bone regeneration,
and in bone tissue engineering.
PMID- 28988519
TI - Effect of unilateral nephrectomy on urinary angiotensinogen levels in living
kidney donors: 1 year follow-up study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Urinary angiotensinogen (uAGT) has recently been proposed as a marker
of kidney injury and activated intrarenal renin-angiotensin system. We
investigated the effects of living donor nephrectomy on uAGT levels, blood
pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria and compensatory
hypertrophy in the remaining kidney of living kidney donors. METHODS: Twenty
living kidney donors were included in the study and followed for 1 year. uAGT
levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay preoperatively and
postoperatively at the 15th day, 1, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Four donors were
excluded from the study due to lack of data. The mean baseline estimated
glomerular filtration rate was 98 +/- 15 ml/min/1.73 m2. Serum creatinine,
uAGT/creatinine, uAGT/protein levels were higher and estimated glomerular
filtration rate was lower than baseline values at all time periods. Urinary
protein/creatinine levels increased after donor nephrectomy, but after 6 months
they returned to baseline values. Renal volume increased after nephrectomy, but
these changes did not show any correlation with uAGT/creatinine, uAGT/protein,
estimated glomerular filtration rate or systolic/diastolic blood pressures.
uAGT/creatinine at 6 months and urinary protein/creatinine ratio at 12 months
showed a positive correlation ( P=0.008, r=0.639). CONCLUSION: After donor
nephrectomy, increasing uAGT levels can be the result of activation of the
intrarenal renin-angiotensin system affecting the compensatory changes in the
remaining kidney. The long-term effects of increased uAGT levels on the remaining
kidney should be examined more closely in future studies.
PMID- 28988520
TI - A comparison of the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry
cow therapy on somatic cell counts after calving in cows also given internal teat
sealants.
AB - AIM: To compare, in cows treated with an internal teat sealant, the effect of
short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell
counts (SCC) after calving. METHODS: Cows from a spring-calving, pasture-based
dairy farm in the Manawatu-Whanganui region of New Zealand were randomly
allocated to receive either a short-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow
therapy and internal teat sealant (n=291) or a long-acting cloxacillin and
ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=288) at the end of
lactation. Cows were managed on-farm with routine husbandry procedures through
the dry period and following calving. A multivariable logistic regression model
was used to determine the association between length of action of dry-cow therapy
and the proportion of cows with a SCC >150,000 cells/mL at the first herd test
after calving. RESULTS: Age of cow, mean SCC for the preceding season and
interval from calving to the first post-calving herd test were all associated
with the proportion of cows with an individual SCC >150,000 cells/mL at the first
herd test (p<0.001) Treatment with the short-acting dry-cow therapy was not
associated with decreased odds of cows having a SCC >150,000 cells/mL at the
first herd test compared with treatment with long-acting dry-cow therapy
(OR=0.724; 95% CI=0.40-1.30). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this herd,
which routinely used internal teat sealants, the use of short-acting cloxacillin
based dry-cow therapy did not result in an increased proportion of cows with
elevated SSC post-calving. This was a single farm, single year study but
indicates that in this herd, changing from a long-acting to a short-acting
antimicrobial may have no impact on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis.
PMID- 28988521
TI - The cardioprotective effect of rosmarinic acid on acute myocardial infarction and
genes involved in Ca2+ homeostasis.
AB - Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common cause of hospitalisation and high
mortality due to lethal arrhythmias. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2)
and ryanodine receptor (RyR2) regulate the cytosolic Ca2+ ion concentration.
Rosmarinic acid (RA) is one of the most common caffeic esters in Rosmarinus
officinalis. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis whether RA
can protect cardiac function against AMI and arrhythmias induced by isoproterenol
through the regulatory effect of SERCA2 and RyR2 gene expression. To this aim,
male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into in vivo and ex vivo studies and
received RA (10, 15, and 30 mg/kg; 14 days). AMI was induced by two consecutive
subcutaneous injections of 100 mg/kg isoproterenol. Blood pressure (BP), heart
rate, electrocardiography (ECG) parameters, plasma levels of cardiac biomarkers,
and antioxidative enzymes were evaluated (in vivo study). Cardiac functions were
measured in isolated hearts using Langendorff set up. Gene expressions of SERCA2
and RyR2 were measured in left ventricular heart. Isoproterenol administration
showed a significant decline in BP, QRS voltage, activities of antioxidant
enzymes, cardiac function, and gene expressions of SERCA2 and RyR2. The results
also indicated a significant increase in heart rate, ST-elevation, cardiac
biomarkers, and antioxidant enzymes. RA at 30 mg/kg dosage showed the best effect
on the improvement of the mentioned factors. This study suggests that RA has
potent cardioprotective effects against AMI and arrhythmia, which may be due to
its ability to enhance expression of plasma antioxidant enzymes and genes
involved in Ca2+ homeostasis SERCA2 and RyR2. The protective role of RA is also
possibly related to its antiadrenergic effects.
PMID- 28988522
TI - Intellectual performance of kidney transplant recipients' offspring: a cross
sectional, multicenter study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The number of successful pregnancies in kidney transplant (KT)
recipients has increased in recent years. Little evidence is available about the
risk of in utero immunosuppressive exposure for long-term cognitive consequences.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of immunosuppression during
pregnancy on intellectual performance of children born to KT recipients. METHODS:
Using a cross-sectional design, women who had undergone KT and their children
(aged 4+ years) were recruited at the outpatient follow-up in five transplant
centers. Women who did not receive immunosuppression during pregnancy with
similar distributions of socioeconomic status and length of gestation and their
children were also recruited. Children were assessed with Wechsler Intelligence
Scales. RESULTS: The study sample included 50 exposed and 50 unexposed children.
No differences between groups in all the proposed confounding factors were found.
Full-scale IQ did not differ significantly between both groups. Also, significant
differences in any index or subscale score were not observed, with the exception
of time required to complete the Wechsler preschool and primary scale of
intelligence (WPPSI) Zoo locations subtest, which was done quicker in the
unexposed group (p = .007). Exposure to immunosuppression during pregnancy was
not a significant predictor of low IQ in logistic regression after adjustment for
other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Immunosuppression therapy during pregnancy of KT
women did not affect global intellectual performance of their offspring, except
maybe for visuospatial working memory in preschool children.
PMID- 28988523
TI - Immunopathology in drug resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with different
types of hippocampal sclerosis.
AB - PURPOSE: There is evidence that autoimmunity has a specific role in temporal lobe
seizures of limbic encephalitis patients. Our aim in this study was to
investigate any histopathological clues of autoimmune process in refractory
temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with different pathologically proven
hippocampal sclerosis (HS) types. METHODS: 22 patients who had undergone epilepsy
surgery due to mesial TLE-HS were included. The sera of patients are tested for
neuronal antibodies to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), leucine-rich,
glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1), contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2), alpha-amino
3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR), gamma-aminobutyric
acid B receptor (GABABR) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). Pathological and
immunohistochemical investigations including neuronal nuclei (NeuN), NMDAR, GAD,
glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), CD8+-CD3+ lymphocytes and immunoglobulin
G (IgG) were done. Patients were grouped according to type of HS. Clinical
features and immunohistochemical changes were defined in these groups. RESULTS:
Available sera of 15 patients did not have any neuronal antibodies. Thirteen of
22 patients had HS type 1, three had HS type 2 and two had HS type 3. According
to immunohistochemical investigations CD3+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration was more
prominent in the hippocampus of patients with classical HS (International League
Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Type 1 HS) and there was a significant negative
correlation between epilepsy duration and numbers of CD3+-CD8+ lymphocytes in
temporal lobe parenchyma. CONCLUSION: The role of T cell-mediated immunopathology
and immunopathological difference in a variety of drug resistant TLE-H2S patients
was suggested. These findings can be helpful in understanding the
epileptogenicity of HS.
PMID- 28988524
TI - Safety of hormonal contraception for obese women.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Obese women have special safety requirements for contraceptive
choice, but the evidence supporting such decision is dispersed and sometimes
conflicting. Despite being effective, well tolerated and safe for most women,
hormonal contraceptives are underused by obese women due to fear of contraceptive
failure, weight gain and venous thrombosis. Areas covered: We performed a
comprehensive literature search to identify studies about hormonal contraception
in overweight and obese women, including safety concerns. We considered the
safety of hormonal contraceptives for otherwise healthy obese women and for those
with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, or a history
of deep venous thrombosis. Expert opinion: Over time there is no convincing
evidence that obesity increases the risk of contraceptive failure. Hormonal
contraceptive users may have a modest weight gain that is comparable to that of
non-users. Current evidence supports the safe use of combined hormonal
contraceptives by obese women after detailed clinical screening to exclude
comorbidities that may contraindicate the use of estrogens. Progestin-only
methods are generally safe, and long-acting reversible contraceptives hold the
best combination of efficacy, safety and convenience for this group, although
individualization is advisable.
PMID- 28988525
TI - The role of biofilm forming on mortality in patients with candidemia: a study
derived from real world data.
AB - BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the role on patient mortality exerted by biofilm
forming (BF) Candida strains, by using predictive clinical data. METHODS: Eighty
nine strains isolated from Candida bloodstream infection, occurring in two
Italian University Hospitals, were employed in this study. A random forest (RF)
model was built with a procedure of iterative selection of the risk factors
potentially able to predict the probability of death. The similarity between
patient conditions and Bayesian clustering was calculated in order to evaluate
the role of predictors in the stratification of the death risk. RESULTS: Three
different groups of patients with different probability of death were obtained
with a RF approach: Group 1 (mortality in 33.3% of cases), Group 2 (death in 50%
of cases), and Group 3 (mortality in 76.9% of cases). The comparison between
these three groups showed that BF correlated well with increased mortality in
patients, admitted for medical diagnosis, with high APACHE II score and treated
with azoles. Early treatment within 24 h between candidemia diagnosis and the
beginning of antifungal therapy was associated with the lowest of BF rate and
mortality. CONCLUSIONS: BF by Candida spp. seems to be clinically associated with
increased mortality especially in medical patients with higher Apache II score or
treated with azoles.
PMID- 28988526
TI - Wound healing properties of PVA/starch/chitosan hydrogel membranes with nano Zinc
oxide as antibacterial wound dressing material.
AB - In this work, hydrogel membranes were developed based on poly vinyl alcohol
(PVA), starch (St), and chitosan (Cs) hydrogels with nano Zinc oxide (nZnO).
PVA/St/Cs/nZnO hydrogel membranes were prepared by freezing-thawing cycles, and
the aqueous PVA/St solutions were prepared by dissolving PVA in distilled water.
After the dissolution of PVA, starch was mixed, and the mixture was stirred.
Then, chitosan powder was added into acetic acid, and the mixture was stirred to
form a chitosan solution. Subsequently, Cs, St and PVA solutions were blended
together to form a homogeneous PVA/St/Cs ternary blend solution. Measurement of
Equilibrium Swelling Ratio (ESR), Water Vapor Transmission Test (WVTR),
mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), MTT [3-(4, 5
dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay, antibacterial
studies, in vivo wound healing effect and histopathology of the hydrogel
membranes were then performed. The examination revealed that the hydrogel
membranes were more effective as a wound dressing in the early stages of wound
healing and that the gel could be used in topic applications requiring a large
spectrum of antibacterial activity; namely, as a bandage for wound dressing.
PMID- 28988528
TI - Klotho Protein: Its Role in Aging and Central Nervous System Pathology.
AB - This review is devoted to Klotho protein and recent evidences for its functions
in the brain. Information on transcriptional regulation of the klotho gene and
posttranslational modifications of the protein resulting in multiple forms of
Klotho is reviewed. Evidence is summarized that Klotho regulates the activity of
protein factors, enzymes, and receptors, including data suggesting the importance
of its glycosidase activity. Effects of Klotho on components of the glutamatergic
neurotransmitter system, signal cascades involving protein kinases and protein
phosphorylation, as well as oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination are
discussed. A possible contribution is proposed for Klotho levels in the
development of central nervous system pathologies including mental disorders.
PMID- 28988527
TI - How Fucose of Blood Group Glycotopes Programs Human Gut Microbiota.
AB - Formation of appropriate gut microbiota is essential for human health. The first
two years of life is the critical period for this process. Selection of
mutualistic microorganisms of the intestinal microbiota is controlled by the FUT2
and FUT3 genes that encode fucosyltransferases, enzymes responsible for the
synthesis of fucosylated glycan structures of mucins and milk oligosaccharides.
In this review, the mechanisms of the selection and maintenance of intestinal
microorganisms that involve fucosylated oligosaccharides of breast milk and
mucins of the newborn's intestine are described. Possible reasons for the use of
fucose, and not sialic acid, as the major biological signal for the selection are
also discussed.
PMID- 28988529
TI - Effect of Anesthetics on Efficiency of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning.
AB - Remote ischemic preconditioning of hind limbs (RIPC) is an effective method for
preventing brain injury resulting from ischemia. However, in numerous studies
RIPC has been used on the background of administered anesthetics, which also
could exhibit neuroprotective properties. Therefore, investigation of the
signaling pathways triggered by RIPC and the effect of anesthetics is important.
In this study, we explored the effect of anesthetics (chloral hydrate and
Zoletil) on the ability of RIPC to protect the brain from injury caused by
ischemia and reperfusion. We found that RIPC without anesthesia resulted in
statistically significant decrease in neurological deficit 24 h after ischemia,
but did not affect the volume of brain injury. Administration of chloral hydrate
or Zoletil one day prior to brain ischemia produced a preconditioning effect by
their own, decreasing the degree of neurological deficit and lowering the volume
of infarct with the use of Zoletil. The protective effects observed after RIPC
with chloral hydrate or Zoletil were similar to those observed when only the
respective anesthetic was used. RIPC was accompanied by significant increase in
the level of brain proteins associated with the induction of ischemic tolerance
such as pGSK-3beta, BDNF, and HSP70. However, Zoletil did not affect the level of
these proteins 24 h after injection, and chloral hydrate caused increase of only
pGSK-3beta. We conclude that RIPC, chloral hydrate, and Zoletil produce a
significant neuroprotective effect, but the simultaneous use of anesthetics with
RIPC does not enhance the degree of neuroprotection.
PMID- 28988531
TI - Effect of Light Intensity under Different Photoperiods on Expression Level of
Carbonic Anhydrase Genes of the alpha- and beta-Families in Arabidopsis thaliana
Leaves.
AB - Changes in expression levels of genes encoding carbonic anhydrases alpha-CA1,
alpha-CA2, alpha-CA4, beta-CA1, beta-CA2, beta-CA3, beta-CA4, beta-CA5, and beta
CA6 in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves after light increase from 80 to 400 umol PAR
quanta.m-2.s-1 were investigated under short day (8 h) and long day (16 h)
photoperiods. The expression of two forms of the gene, At3g01500.2 and
At3g01500.3, encoding the most abundant carbonic anhydrase of leaves, beta-CA1,
situated in chloroplast stroma, was found. The content of At3g01500.3 transcripts
was higher by approximately an order of magnitude compared to the content of
At3g01500.2 transcripts. When plants were adapted to high light intensity under
short day photoperiod, the expression level of both forms increased, whereas
under long day photoperiod, the content of At3g01500.3 transcripts increased, and
the content of transcripts of At3g01500.2 decreased. The expression levels of the
At3g01500.3 gene and of genes encoding chloroplast carbonic anhydrases alpha-CA1,
alpha-CA4, alpha-CA2 and cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase beta-CA2 increased
significantly in response to increase in light intensity under short day, and
these of the first three genes increased under long day as well. The expression
level of the gene encoding alpha-CA2 under long day photoperiod as well as of
genes of chloroplast beta-CA5 and beta-CA4 from plasma membranes and
mitochondrial beta-CA6 under both photoperiods depended insignificantly on light
intensity. Hypotheses about the roles in higher plant metabolism of the studied
carbonic anhydrases are discussed considering the effects of light intensity on
expression levels of the correspondent genes.
PMID- 28988530
TI - Hyperexpression of Integrin alpha5beta1 Promotes Resistance of MCF-7 Human Breast
Carcinoma Cells to Doxorubicin via ERK Protein Kinase Down-regulation.
AB - In MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells, alpha5beta1 integrin hyperexpression,
which was accomplished by transduction of a full-length alpha5 integrin cDNA,
increased by about 50-70% the number of cells, survived during 48-72 h cell
treatment with doxorubicin. Up-regulation of alpha5beta1 reduced the level of the
apoptogenic p53 protein and p21 cell cycle inhibitor, but enhanced the activity
of Akt and mTOR protein kinases. In addition to these findings, we observed a
significant decrease in the activity of both isoforms of phosphokinase Erk1/2,
which is known to play a key role in cell viability pathways, including pathways
alleviating stress damages caused by distinct antitumor drugs. Diminished Erk
activity accompanying the rise of drug resistance can be explained by an
"atypical" function of this kinase, which, in the cells studied, promotes an
enhanced rather than reduced sensitivity to doxorubicin. To verify this
suggestion, the effect of a specific Erk inhibitor, PD98059, on the resistance to
doxorubicin of control and alpha5 cDNA-transduced MCF-7 cells was investigated.
The data showed that suppression of Erk activity increased the resistance of
control cells (transduced with an "empty" vector) to a level higher than that
demonstrated by the alpha5 cDNA-transduced cells. The highest level of resistance
was observed in alpha5beta1-trancduced cells treated with PD98059. Akt and mTOR
kinase inhibitors had little if any effect on doxorubicin resistance of alpha5
cDNA-transduced MCF-7 cells. The data show for the first time that integrin
alpha5beta1 can stimulate drug resistance of tumor cells through a mechanism
based on the inhibition of protein kinase Erk. From a more general view, the
results of this investigation suggest that signal protein kinases can perform in
tumor cells "non-canonical" functions, opposite to those, which are the basis for
using kinase inhibitors in targeted cancer therapy. It follows that if a protein
kinase is supposed to be used as a target for such therapy, it is important to
explore its features in the particular tumor prior to the onset of treatment.
PMID- 28988532
TI - Interaction of Cholera Toxin B-subunit with Human T-lymphocytes.
AB - In this work, 125I-labeled cholera toxin B-subunit (CT-B) (specific activity 98
Ci/mmol) was prepared, and its high-affinity binding to human blood T-lymphocytes
(Kd = 3.3 nM) was determined. The binding of the 125I-labeled CT-B was inhibited
by unlabeled interferon-alpha2 (IFN-alpha2), thymosin-alpha1 (TM-alpha1), and by
the synthetic peptide LKEKK, which corresponds to sequences 16-20 of human TM
alpha1 and 131-135 of IFN-alpha2 (Ki 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 nM, respectively), but was
not inhibited by the unlabeled synthetic peptide KKEKL with inverted sequence (Ki
> 1 uM). In the concentration range of 10-1000 nM, both CT-B and peptide LKEKK
dose-dependently increased the activity of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) but
did not affect the activity of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase. The KKEKL
peptide tested in parallel did not affect sGC activity. Thus, the CT-B and
peptide LKEKK binding to a common receptor on the surface of T-lymphocytes leads
to an increase in sGC activity.
PMID- 28988533
TI - Quantitative Affinity Interaction of Ubiquitinated and Non-ubiquitinated Proteins
with Proteasome Subunit Rpn10.
AB - Recent proteomic profiling of mouse brain preparations using the ubiquitin
receptor, Rpn10 proteasome subunit, as an affinity ligand revealed a
representative group of proteins bound to this sorbent (Medvedev, A. E., et al.
(2017) Biochemistry (Moscow), 82, 330-339). In the present study, we investigated
interaction of the Rpn10 subunit of proteasomes with some of these identified
proteins: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), pyruvate kinase, and
histones H2A and H2B. The study revealed: (i) quantitative affinity interaction
of the proteasome subunit immobilized on a Biacore-3000 optical biosensor cuvette
with both the GAPDH (Kd = 2.4.10-6 M) and pyruvate kinase (Kd = 2.8.10-5 M); (ii)
quantitative high-affinity interaction of immobilized histones H2A and H2B with
the Rpn10 subunit (Kd values of 6.5.10-8 and 3.2.10-9 M, respectively). Mass
spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of the ubiquitin signature (GG) only
in a highly purified preparation of GAPDH. We suggest that binding (especially
high-affinity binding) of non-ubiquitinated proteins to the Rpn10 proteasome
subunit can both regulate the functioning of this proteasomal ubiquitin receptor
(by competing with ubiquitinated substrates) and promote activation of other
pathways for proteolytic degradation of proteins destined to the proteasome.
PMID- 28988534
TI - Biochemical Variations in Cytolytic Activity of Ortho- and Paramyxoviruses in
Human Lung Tumor Cell Culture.
AB - Human lung cancer cells (Calu-3 line) were studied for the development of
apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy in response to infection with ortho- and
paramyxoviruses. Biochemical pathways underlying various mechanisms of cell death
differed for different viruses. When infected with murine Sendai paramyxovirus,
Calu-3 cells demonstrated typical necrotic features such as cell swelling (but
not shrinkage), lack of chromatin DNA laddering, of caspase 3 and 8 activation,
and of apoptotic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein; an
activation of antiapoptotic protein kinase Akt was also revealed. In contrast,
infection with avian influenza virus A/FPV/Rostock/34 (H7N1 subtype) or Newcastle
disease virus (NDV, avian paramyxovirus) caused the development of typical
apoptotic markers such as cell shrinkage, ladder-type chromosomal DNA
fragmentation, caspase 3 and 8 activation, and proteolytic cleavage of PARP in
the absence of Akt activation. Notably, no upregulation of p53 protein
phosphorylation was observed in all infected cells, which indicates that p53 is
not involved in the virus-induced death of Calu-3 cells. Cell death caused by the
influenza virus was accompanied by overstimulation of autophagy, whereas no
stimulation of autophagy was observed in the NDV-infected cells. Infection with
Sendai virus caused moderate stimulation of autophagy, which suggests that the
mechanism of the virus-induced cell death and the balance between autophagy and
cell death in infected cancer cells depend on the virus type and might
significantly differ even for closely related viruses. Therefore, an optimal
strategy for oncolytic virus-mediated destruction of tumor cells in cancer
patients requires selection of the most appropriate oncolytic virus based on the
mechanism of its cytolytic action in a particular type of tumor.
PMID- 28988535
TI - Reason for Indispensability of Threonine in Humans and Other Mammals in
Comparative Aspect.
AB - The essential amino acid threonine is not synthesized in vertebrates, so it must
be obtained from food. During evolution, the decomposition of threonine has
changed. Because the decomposition of threonine catalyzed by threonine
dehydratase is irreversible, in the present work attention is focused on
threonine dehydrogenase to show the inability of this enzyme to synthesize
threonine in a reaction that would be the reverse of the reaction of threonine
decomposition. The reason why threonine dehydrogenase cannot be used for the
biosynthesis of threonine in mammalian tissues is discussed. It is concluded that
some quantity of threonine is involved in transamination.
PMID- 28988536
TI - Role of PKA and PI3K in Leptin and Ghrelin Regulation of Adaptive Subpopulations
of Regulatory CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Formation.
AB - The role of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase A (PKA) in
leptin and ghrelin regulation of formation of adaptive (a) subpopulations of CD4+
T-lymphocytes (helper (h) cells producing interleukin-17A) (aT?17) and of T
regulatory lymphocytes (aTreg) in the context of physiological pregnancy is
established. It is shown that leptin at a concentration typical for the second
half of pregnancy (trimesters II-III) enhances the differentiation of aT?17 with
a high level of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) production and the expression of the
chemokine receptor CCR6 with the participation of PI3K. Simultaneously, leptin
reduces formation of aTreg expressing the suppressor molecule CTLA-4, which
determines the function of these cells. Ghrelin at a concentration characteristic
of the first half of pregnancy (trimesters I-II), in contrast, enhances aTreg
formation and, in parallel, reduces the level aT?17 (that express CCR6) and the
IL-17A production by aTh17. PKA, likewise PI3K, participates in regulatory
effects of ghrelin on the formation of aT?17 and aTreg. The combined action of
leptin and ghrelin (via PKA participation) enhances formation of only aTreg,
which determines the priority of this molecular mechanism and explains why the
investigated hormones with reciprocal differentiating potential do not come into
antagonism at the level of immune system cells during pregnancy.
PMID- 28988537
TI - Comparison of Interaction between Ceruloplasmin and Lactoferrin/Transferrin: to
Bind or Not to Bind.
AB - The year 2016 marked the 50th anniversary of the discovery by S. Osaki who first
showed that ceruloplasmin (CP, ferro:O2-oxidoreductase or ferroxidase) is capable
of oxidizing Fe(II) to Fe(III) and favors the incorporation of the latter into
transferrin (TF). However, much debate remains in the literature concerning the
existence of a complex between the enzyme oxidizing iron and the protein
facilitating its transport in plasma. We studied CP in exocrine fluids and
demonstrated its high-affinity interaction with transferrin found in breast milk
and in lacrimal fluid, i.e. with lactoferrin (LF). Here we present data obtained
by comparing the interaction of CP with LF and TF using surface plasmon resonance
and Hummel-Dreyer chromatography. Binding of apo-LF within the range of
concentrations 1.6-51.3 uM with CP immobilized on a CM5-chip is characterized by
KD = 1.07 uM. Under similar conditions, the KD for apo-TF was measured and
appeared to be higher than 51.3 uM. Hummel-Dreyer chromatography of CP with 51 uM
apo-LF/apo-TF in the effluent demonstrated the absence of interaction between apo
TF and CP in solution, contrary to efficient interaction between apo-LF and CP.
In contrast to LF, the interaction of apo-TF with CP is probably not stable
within the physiological range of concentrations of TF.
PMID- 28988539
TI - Prevalence and determinants of active trachoma among preschool-aged children in
Dembia District, Northwest Ethiopia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Trachoma is an infectious eye disease caused by Chlamydia
trachomatis, which is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. In
areas where trachoma is endemic, active trachoma is common among preschool-aged
children, with varying magnitude. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of
active trachoma and associated risk factors among preschool-aged children in
Dembia District, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional
survey was conducted among preschool-aged children of northwest Ethiopia.
Multistage systematic random sampling was used to select 695 subjects. Trained
clinical optometrists subjected each child to an ocular examination and assessed
the presence of active trachoma. Face to face interview using pretested and
structured questionnaire were conducted to collect data on possible risk factors.
Trachoma cases were graded following a World Health Organization simplified
grading scheme. All statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS software
version 20. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were
used to identify factors associated with active trachoma. RESULTS: Of the 681
preschool-aged children studied, 18% (95% CI: 15.4% - 21.1%) had a prevalence of
active trachoma. Children who had clean faces (absence of nasal and ocular
discharges) had a lower chance of having active trachoma [aOR = 0.55, 95% CI:
0.37 - 0.82]. The odds of having active trachoma decreased with an increase in
the distance to a water point [aOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.33 - 0.78]. Similarly, no or
poor utilization of liquid waste disposal in the child's household was associated
with an increased chance of having active trachoma [aOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.26 -
11.61]. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of active trachoma in these preschool-aged
children was found to be high and needs special interventions that focus on
educating families about proper face washing, liquid waste disposal, and
improving safe water supply near the households.
PMID- 28988538
TI - High prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections among primary school
children, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2015.
AB - BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections often affect the poorest
and most deprived communities. In order to generate reliable data for planning a
school based deworming program, we conducted a survey among primary school
children studying in government schools in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The
objectives of our survey were to estimate the prevalence and intensity of STH
infections. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among children
studying in 130 primary schools from 9 agro-climatic zones, during May - August
2015. Information about socio-demographic details, defecation and hand-hygiene
practices, and stool samples were collected from the school children. Stool
samples were examined using the Kato-Katz method. RESULTS: Stool samples from
6421 school children were examined. The overall weighted prevalence of any STH in
the State was 75.6% (95% CI: 71.2-79.5). The prevalence was more than 50% in six
of the nine agro-climatic zones. A. lumbricoides was the most prevalent STH
(prevalence: 69.6%), followed by hookworm (prevalence: 22.6%) and T. trichura
(4.6%). The majority of the STH infections were of low intensity. The practice of
open defecation and not washing hands with soap after defecation and residence in
kutcha house were significant risk factors of STH infection. CONCLUSIONS: STH
prevalence among primary school children in Uttar Pradesh was high. Given the WHO
guidelines on deworming frequency according to STH prevalence, Govt of Uttar
Pradesh needs to implement a school-based deworming program with bi-annual
frequency. The findings of our survey would also help monitor the performance of
school based deworming programme.
PMID- 28988540
TI - The burden of and risk factors for active trachoma in the North and South Wollo
Zones of Amhara Region, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Trachoma is a disease of the eye, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia
trachomatis, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. Ethiopia is one of
the most trachoma-affected countries in the world. The objective of this study
was to determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for active
trachoma among children in selected woredas of North and South Wollo Zones in
Amhara Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: This study was a community-based, cross
sectional study, which was conducted from October to December 2014 among children
aged 1-8. A four-stage random cluster sampling technique was employed to select
the study areas and participants. From each selected household, one child was
clinically assessed for active trachoma. A structured questionnaire was used to
collect sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical data. Multivariate logistic
regression analysis was used to analyze the association between predictor
variables and active trachoma. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of active trachoma
among 1358 children was found to be 21.6% (95% CI: 19.4-23.8%). When analyzed by
the presence or absence of individual WHO simplified system signs of active
trachoma, trachomatous inflammation-follicular cases constituted18% (95% CI: 15.9
20.2%), while 4.7% (95% CI: 3.6-5.8%) were trachomatous inflammation-intense
cases. Ocular discharge (aOR = 5.2; 95% CI: 3.3-8.2), nasal discharge (aOR = 1.8;
95% CI: 1.2-2.7), time taken to fetch water (aOR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01-0.05),
frequency of hand and face washing (aOR = 4.4; 95% CI: 1.1-17.8), and access to a
latrine (aOR = 0.006; 95% CI: 0.001-0.030) were found to be independently
associated with the presence of active trachoma. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high
burden of active trachoma among children in the study areas. Lack of personal
hygiene and limited access to a safe water supply and latrines were associated
with increased prevalence of active trachoma. In order to reduce the burden of
active trachoma, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement components of
the SAFE strategy should be upgraded in the study areas.
PMID- 28988543
TI - Sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural risk factors for ultra-processed
food consumption in a sample of 2-9-year-olds in Brazil.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify food patterns among 2-9-year-olds
and investigate sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural predictors of
less healthy dietary patterns. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Parents of 2-9-year
olds completed an FFQ and factor analysis was applied to identify dietary
patterns. Parents also completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic,
anthropometric and behavioural characteristics of parents and children, including
parental feeding practices. SETTING: Participants were recruited from private
schools of Campinas and Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil, between April and June 2014.
SUBJECTS: Parents of 2-9-year-olds (n 929). RESULTS: Two dietary patterns
emerged: 'traditional food' and 'ultra-processed food'. Lower maternal education
(OR=2.05, P=0.010) and higher maternal weight status (OR=1.43, P=0.044) were
associated with a greater likelihood of the ultra-processed food pattern. Lower
perceived parental responsibility for adequacy of food group intake (OR=2.41,
P=0.020), and lower scores on the parental feeding practices of 'Healthy Eating
Guidance' (OR=1.83, P<0.001) and 'Monitoring' (OR=2.52, P<0.001), were also
associated with the presence of this pattern, as was higher child's screen use
during mealtimes (OR=1.61, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first
to evaluate associations between less healthy dietary patterns of Brazilian 2-9
year-olds and parental feeding practices. Our findings highlight
sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural factors within families that
could be used to target tailored policies to at-risk populations.
PMID- 28988542
TI - Children's everyday exposure to food marketing: an objective analysis using
wearable cameras.
AB - BACKGROUND: Over the past three decades the global prevalence of childhood
overweight and obesity has increased by 47%. Marketing of energy-dense nutrient
poor foods and beverages contributes to this worldwide increase. Previous
research on food marketing to children largely uses self-report, reporting by
parents, or third-party observation of children's environments, with the focus
mostly on single settings and/or media. This paper reports on innovative
research, Kids'Cam, in which children wore cameras to examine the frequency and
nature of everyday exposure to food marketing across multiple media and settings.
METHODS: Kids'Cam was a cross-sectional study of 168 children (mean age 12.6
years, SD = 0.5) in Wellington, New Zealand. Each child wore a wearable camera on
four consecutive days, capturing images automatically every seven seconds. Images
were manually coded as either recommended (core) or not recommended (non-core) to
be marketed to children by setting, marketing medium, and product category.
Images in convenience stores and supermarkets were excluded as marketing examples
were considered too numerous to count. RESULTS: On average, children were exposed
to non-core food marketing 27.3 times a day (95% CI 24.8, 30.1) across all
settings. This was more than twice their average exposure to core food marketing
(12.3 per day, 95% CI 8.7, 17.4). Most non-core exposures occurred at home (33%),
in public spaces (30%) and at school (19%). Food packaging was the predominant
marketing medium (74% and 64% for core and non-core foods) followed by signs (21%
and 28% for core and non-core). Sugary drinks, fast food, confectionary and snack
foods were the most commonly encountered non-core foods marketed. Rates were
calculated using Poisson regression. CONCLUSIONS: Children in this study were
frequently exposed, across multiple settings, to marketing of non-core foods not
recommended to be marketed to children. The study provides further evidence of
the need for urgent action to reduce children's exposure to marketing of
unhealthy foods, and suggests the settings and media in which to act. Such action
is necessary if the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity's vision is to be
achieved.
PMID- 28988544
TI - Molecular and clinical characterization of human respiratory syncytial virus in
South Korea between 2009 and 2014.
AB - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause serious respiratory infections,
second only to influenza virus. In order to know RSV's genetic changes we
examined 4028 respiratory specimens from local hospital outpatients in Gyeonggi
Province, South Korea over six consecutive years by real-time one-step RT-PCR;
183 patients were positive for RSV infection. To investigate the specific
distribution of RSV genotypes, we performed partial sequencing of the
glycoprotein gene. Of the 131 RSV-A specimens sequenced, 61 (43.3%) belonged to
the ON1 genotype, 66 (46.8%) were NA1 genotype, 3 (2.1%) were GA5 genotype, and 1
(0.7%) belonged to the GA1 genotype. Of the 31 RSV-B specimens sequenced, 29 were
BA9 genotype (87.9%) and 2 were BA10 genotype (6.1%). The most common clinical
symptoms were fever, cough, nasal discharge, and phlegm; multiple logistic
regression analysis showed that RSV-positive infection on pediatric patients was
strongly associated with cough (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.6-5.1) and wheezing (OR = 2.8,
95% CI 1.7-4.4). The ON1 genotype was significantly associated with phlegm (OR =
11.8, 95% CI 3.8-46.7), while the NA1 genotype was associated with the pediatric
patients' gender (males, OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.4) and presence of chills (OR =
5.1, 95% CI 1.1-27.2). RSV subgroup B was showed association with nasal
obstruction (OR = 4.6, 95% CI 1.2-20.0). The majority of respiratory virus
coinfections with RSV were human rhinovirus (47.2%). This study contributes to
our understanding of the molecular epidemiological characteristics of RSV, which
promotes the potential for improving RSV vaccines.
PMID- 28988541
TI - A randomised, double-blind clinical phase II trial of the efficacy, safety,
tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a single dose combination treatment with
artefenomel and piperaquine in adults and children with uncomplicated Plasmodium
falciparum malaria.
AB - BACKGROUND: The clinical development of a single encounter treatment for
uncomplicated malaria has the potential to significantly improve the
effectiveness of antimalarials. Exploratory data suggested that the combination
of artefenomel and piperaquine phosphate (PQP) has the potential to achieve
satisfactory cure rates as a single dose therapy. The primary objective of the
study was to determine whether a single dose of artefenomel (800 mg) plus PQP in
ascending doses is an efficacious treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium
falciparum malaria in the 'target' population of children <= 5 years of age in
Africa as well as Asian patients of all ages. METHODS: Patients in six African
countries and in Vietnam were randomised to treatment with follow-up for 42-63
days. Efficacy, tolerability, safety and pharmacokinetics were assessed.
Additional key objectives were to characterise the exposure-response relationship
for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-adjusted adequate clinical and
parasitological response at day 28 post-dose (ACPR28) and to further investigate
Kelch13 mutations. Patients in Africa (n = 355) and Vietnam (n = 82) were
included, with 85% of the total population being children < 5 years of age.
RESULTS: ACPR28 in the per protocol population (95% confidence interval) was
70.8% (61.13-79.19), 68.4% (59.13-76.66) and 78.6% (70.09-85.67) for doses of 800
mg artefenomel with 640 mg, 960 mg and 1440 mg of PQP respectively. ACPR28 was
lower in Vietnamese than in African patients (66.2%; 54.55-76.62 and 74.5%; 68.81
79.68) respectively. Within the African population, efficacy was lowest in the
youngest age group of >= 0.5 to <= 2 years, 52.7% (38.80-66.35). Initial parasite
clearance was twice as long in Vietnam than in Africa. Within Vietnam, the
frequency of the Kelch13 mutation was 70.1% and was clearly associated with
parasite clearance half-life (PCt1/2). The most significant tolerability finding
was vomiting (28.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In this first clinical trial evaluating a
single encounter antimalarial therapy, none of the treatment arms reached the
target efficacy of > 95% PCR-adjusted ACPR at day 28. Achieving very high
efficacy following single dose treatment is challenging, since > 95% of the
population must have sufficient concentrations to achieve cure across a range of
parasite sensitivities and baseline parasitaemia levels. While challenging, the
development of tools suitable for deployment as single encounter curative
treatments for adults and children in Africa and to support elimination
strategies remains a key development goal. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02083380 . Registered on 7 March 2014.
PMID- 28988545
TI - A controlled trial of screening, brief intervention and referral for treatment
(SBIRT) implementation in primary care in the United Arab Emirates.
AB - : Aim This project evaluated the effectiveness of screening brief intervention
and referral for treatment (SBIRT) in primary care in Abu Dhabi to manage
patients with problematic substance use. This study aimed to determine whether:
(i) training primary care physicians on the SBIRT model increased the
identification of patients using substances at a harmful, hazardous or dependent
level; (ii) training improved physicians' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in
self-efficacy in managing substance use. BACKGROUND: Substance use is increasing
in the United Arab Emirates yet there has been no formal primary care
intervention. SBIRT was considered an appropriate model given its endorsement by
the WHO. METHODS: A controlled trial (two intervention and two matched control
clinics) was undertaken. Intervention physicians (n=17) were trained in SBIRT.
Physicians' attitudes were measured before and after training and eight months
after implementation. Target recruitment was 900 patients. Inclusion criteria
were: consenting UAE national, ?18 years, using the 'walk-in' primary care
clinic. Patient data was collected by physician-administered questionnaire.
Prevalence of drug use was measured through electronic patient records. Findings
A total of 906 patients were screened, aged 18-82 years and 496 (55%) were
female. Of these, 5.7% reported use of amphetamine, 3.9% alcohol, 3.3%,
sedatives, 1.7% opioids and 1.1% cannabis. In all, 21 people had a moderate/high
ASSIST score and received a brief intervention, but did not attend follow-up;
three high-risk people were referred for specialist treatment. Physicians'
attitudes towards patients with problematic substance use and providing treatment
improved after training, but returned to pre-training levels after eight months.
Including the 21 individuals identified from intervention screening, the
prevalence of substance use increased to 0.208% (95% CI 0.154-0.274),
significantly higher than in control clinics (P<0.001). In conclusion, physicians
were generally positive towards SBIRT and SBIRT increased recorded drug related
conditions at a practice level. However, poor patient attendance at follow-up
requires investigation.
PMID- 28988547
TI - Systematic review of the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in people
with Lewy body dementia.
AB - : ABSTRACTBackground:Pharmacological interventions for Lewy body dementia (LBD),
especially for its non-cognitive symptoms, are limited in their efficacy and
tolerability. Clinicians are often uncertain about non-pharmacological
interventions and their efficacy in managing cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms
of LBD. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the existing literature on
non-pharmacological interventions for people with LBD. METHODS: We carried out a
systematic search using six databases. All human studies examining impact of any
non-pharmacological intervention on LBD were assessed for cognitive, physical,
psychiatric, and quality-of-life outcomes. Study quality was assessed by
Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative
Studies and the CARE criteria checklist. RESULTS: Prevailing evidence supporting
the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions is weak. We screened 1,647
papers. Fifteen studies (n = 61) including 11 case reports were found eligible
for this systematic review. Interventions and reported outcomes were
heterogeneous. Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus basalis of Meynert
reportedly conferred cognitive benefit. Electroconvulsive therapy and repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation have been reported to ameliorate depressive
symptoms. Transcranial direct current stimulation was observed to improve
attention. Exercise-based interventions reportedly improve various clinically
important outcomes. Spaced retrieval memory training and environmental
intervention for "mirror sign" have also been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Several non
pharmacological interventions have been studied in LBD. Although evidence
supporting their efficacy is not robust, prevailing preliminary evidence and
limitations of available pharmacological interventions indicate the need to
consider appropriate non-pharmacological interventions, while planning
comprehensive care of LBD patients. Larger trials evaluating the efficacy of non
pharmacological interventions for LBD are needed.
PMID- 28988546
TI - The Impact of Health Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis: A Replication and Treatment
Case Series.
AB - BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly associated with psychological
complications. Previous research by Hayter and colleagues (2016) found that in
patients with MS, health anxiety (HA) can account for part of the variance in
quality of life (QoL) independent of physical and cognitive impairment caused by
the disease. MS patients with HA perceived their intact physical and cognitive
performance as impaired relative to those without HA and attributed the
impairment to MS. These misperceptions might be useful targets in the treatment
of HA in MS using cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). AIMS: Study 1 sought to
replicate the main findings from Hayter et al. (2016). Study 2 examined the
impact of HA-focused CBT in a case series. METHOD: In Study 1, twenty
participants with MS were screened for HA and assigned to either a high or low HA
group. They completed assessments of cognitive and physical functioning before
rating their performance on these tasks, followed by measures of QoL, mood and
physical disability. Four participants in the high HA group subsequently received
six sessions of CBT using a consecutive AB case series in Study 2. RESULTS: Study
1 replicated the main findings from the earlier study. In Study 2, three of the
four patients who received treatment showed substantial improvements in HA and
mood and all showed improvement in QoL. CONCLUSION: Given the high rates of HA in
MS patients and its impact on QoL, this case series suggests that a brief CBT
intervention could significantly improve patients' wellbeing.
PMID- 28988548
TI - The impact of intergenerational programs on children and older adults: a review.
AB - : ABSTRACTBackground:Elderly are at particular risk of social isolation. This
condition significantly affects health; on the contrary, social involvement can
be extremely advantageous. In this context, intergenerational programs improve
interactions between different ages. Then, we conducted a review regarding
intergenerational programs, to summarize the effects of these activities on both
elderly and children. METHODS: Our review followed the PRISMA statements. We
considered papers reporting data about intergenerational programs involving
children (preschool and elementary) and elderly. RESULTS: The final selection
obtained 27 sources. Ten studies evaluated children's outcomes outlining the
positive impact of intergenerational programs upon children's perception of
elderly. The effects on older participants were variegated considering well
being, depression, self-reported health, and self-esteem. Moreover, the retrieved
studies outlined the importance of a careful organization and of a specific
training for all staff members. The staff involved in similar programs appeared,
overall, highly satisfied. DISCUSSION: The positive impact on children of
intergenerational programs is proved at both short- and long-term. Moreover,
despite the different outcomes considered and the variable results, these
programs resulted overall beneficial on elderly participants. Finally, similar
activities resulted feasible even in case of older adults with dementia.
PMID- 28988549
TI - Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Based Music Group (CBT-Music) for the
Treatment of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: A Feasibility Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Music has the potential to be an effective and engaging therapeutic
intervention in the treatment of mental illness. This research area remains
underdeveloped. AIMS: This paper reports the feasibility of an innovative low
intensity CBT-based music (CBT-Music) group targeted to symptoms of depression
and anxiety. METHOD: A total of 28 participants with symptoms of depression and
anxiety who were attending community mental health services were recruited for
the study and randomized into TAU (treatment as usual) plus low-intensity CBT
Music (treatment) or to TAU alone (control). The treatment group consisted of a 9
week music group that incorporated various components of CBT material into a
musical context. Feasibility was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were
a reduction in depression, anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and
disability (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0) assessed at baseline and 10
weeks. RESULTS: Recruitment proved feasible, retention rates were high, and the
participants reported a high level of acceptability. A randomized control study
design was successfully implemented as there were no significant differences
between treatment and control groups at baseline. Participants in the treatment
group showed improvement in disability (p = 0.027). Despite a reduction in
depression and anxiety scores, these differences were not statistically
significant. CONCLUSIONS: A low-intensity CBT-based music group can be
successfully administered to clients of community mental health services. There
are indications of effectiveness in reducing disability, although there appears
to be negligible effect on symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is the first
report of a trial of a low-intensity CBT-based music group intervention.
PMID- 28988550
TI - Cognitive profiles in childhood and adolescence differ between adult psychotic
and affective symptoms: a prospective birth cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Differences between verbal and non-verbal cognitive development from
childhood to adulthood may differentiate between those with and without psychotic
symptoms and affective symptoms in later life. However, there has been no study
exploring this in a population-based cohort. METHOD: The sample was drawn from
the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, and consisted of 2384 study
members with self-reported psychotic experiences and affective symptoms at the
age of 53 years, and with complete cognitive data at the ages of 8 and 15 years.
The association between verbal and non-verbal cognition at age 8 years and
relative developmental lag from age 8 to 15 years, and both adult outcomes were
tested with the covariates adjusted, and mutually adjusted for verbal and non
verbal cognition. RESULTS: Those with psychotic experiences [thought interference
(n = 433), strange experience (n = 296), hallucination (n = 88)] had lower
cognition at both the ages of 8 and 15 years in both verbal and non-verbal
domains. After mutual adjustment, lower verbal cognition at age 8 years and
greater verbal developmental lag were associated with higher likelihood of
psychotic experiences within individuals, whereas there was no association
between non-verbal cognition and any psychotic experience. In contrast, those
with case-level affective symptoms (n = 453) had lower non-verbal cognition at
age 15 years, and greater developmental lag in the non-verbal domain. After
adjustment, lower non-verbal cognition at age 8 years and greater non-verbal
developmental lag were associated with higher risk of case-level affective
symptoms within individuals. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cognitive
profiles in childhood and adolescence differentiate psychiatric disease spectra.
PMID- 28988552
TI - Change in psychotropic drug use in Norwegian nursing homes between 2004 and 2011.
AB - : ABSTRACTBackground:We aimed to assess whether there were any changes in the use
of psychotropic drugs in Norwegian nursing homes between 2004 and 2011. Also, we
investigated whether the predictors of use of specific psychotropic drug groups
have changed. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of two cohort studies of
two Norwegian nursing home samples (2004/05 and 2010/11). Multivariate models
were applied. RESULTS: We found a significant decrease in the prescription of
antipsychotic drugs between 2004 and 2011 (0.63 OR, 95%CI = 0.49-0.82, p < 0.001)
even after adjusting for relevant demographic and clinical variables. There are
only minor changes for the other psychotropic drugs. We found that (1) the use of
specific psychotropic drug groups as well as the number of psychotropic drugs
used was associated with more affective symptoms and (2) the use of specific
psychotropic drug groups as well as the number of psychotropic drugs used was
associated with lower scores on the Physical Self-Maintenance scale. CONCLUSION:
This is the first study to show a robust decrease in antipsychotic drug use in
nursing home patients with dementia unrelated to possible changes in case mix.
The change might be explained by treatment recommendations against its use except
in the most severe conditions of aggression or psychosis. Our findings indicate
that it takes several years to implement scientific knowledge in clinical
practice in nursing homes.
PMID- 28988551
TI - Food insecurity, social networks and symptoms of depression among men and women
in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional, population-based study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between food insecurity and depression
symptom severity stratified by sex, and test for evidence of effect modification
by social network characteristics. DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional
study. The nine-item Household Food Insecurity Access Scale captured food
insecurity. Five name generator questions elicited network ties. A sixteen-item
version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist for Depression captured depression
symptom severity. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between
food insecurity and depression symptom severity while adjusting for potential
confounders and to test for potential network moderators. SETTING: In-home survey
interviews in south-western Uganda. SUBJECTS: All adult residents across eight
rural villages; 96 % response rate (n 1669). RESULTS: Severe food insecurity was
associated with greater depression symptom severity (b=0.4, 95 % CI 0.3, 0.5,
P<0.001 for women; b=0.3, 95 % CI 0.2, 0.4, P<0.001 for men). There was no
evidence of effect modification by social network factors for women. However, for
men who are highly embedded within in their village social network, and
(separately) for men who have few poor contacts in their personal network, the
relationship between severe food insecurity and depression symptoms was stronger
than for men on the periphery of their village social network, and for men with
many poor personal network contacts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this
population-based study from rural Uganda, food insecurity was associated with
mental health for both men and women. Future research is needed on networks and
food insecurity-related shame in relation to depression symptoms among food
insecure men.
PMID- 28988553
TI - Color temperature of light-emitting diode lighting matters for optimum growth and
welfare of broiler chickens.
AB - Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs are becoming more prevalent in broiler
production as they are dimmable and more energy efficient than compact
fluorescent lamps. Although there is some research on how spectrum of light can
affect production, little has been conducted on how it may affect stress, and
behavior. To determine how different spectrum of light produced by LED lights
could affect production, stress and behavior we raised broilers under either 2700
K (WARM) or 5000 K (COOL) color temperature LED bulbs. To determine stress
susceptibility bilateral asymmetry (ASYM, n=128), plasma corticosterone
concentrations (CORT, n=40) and heterophil/lymphocyte ratios (HL, n=80) were
measured. Fear was measured using tonic immobility (TI, n=128), inversion (INV,
n=128) and isolation (ISO, n=128). Weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR)
were also determined. The COOL birds had lower ASYM (1.65+/-0.08 mm, P=0.001),
CORT (5.8+/-1.2 ng/dl, P=0.01) and HL (0.16+/-0.01, P=0.03) than the WARM birds
(2.38+/-0.14 mm, 13.4+/-2.7 ng/dl and 0.21+/-0.02, respectively). The COOL birds
righted faster during TI (136.2+/-11.1 s, P=0.001), flapped less intensely during
INV (4.1+/-0.1 flaps/s, P<0.001) and vocalized less during ISO (45.3+/-2.8
vocalizations, P=0.005) when compared with WARM birds (207.2+/-15.8 s, 4.9+/-0.1
flaps/s and 56.5+/-2.9 vocalizations). The COOL birds (2.89+/-0.03 kg, P=0.02)
grew to a heavier weight at the end of 42 day then WARM birds (2.79+/-0.03 kg).
The COOL birds (1.54+/-0.03) had better FCR (P=0.02) than WARM birds (1.61+/
0.01). These results demonstrate that raising broilers under 5000 K LED lights
can reduce their stress, fear and increase weight gain when compared with 2700 K.
These results indicate that the spectrum of light used for rearing of broilers is
not only important for production, but also for welfare of the birds.
PMID- 28988554
TI - Reduced satellite cell density and myogenesis in Wagyu compared with Angus cattle
as a possible explanation of its high marbling.
AB - Mechanisms responsible for excellent marbling in Japanese black cattle, Wagyu,
remain to be established. Because both muscle cells and intramuscular adipocytes
are developed from mesenchymal progenitor cells during early muscle development,
we hypothesized that intramuscular progenitor cells in Wagyu cattle have
attenuated myogenic capacity in favor of adipogenesis, leading to high marbling
but reduced muscle growth. Biceps femoris muscle biopsy samples were obtained
from both Angus (n=3) and Wagyu (n=3) cattle at 12 months of age. Compared with
Angus, the density of satellite cells was much lower in Wagyu muscle (by 45.8+/
10%, P<0.05). Consistently, the formation of myotubes from muscle-derived
progenitor cells was also lower (by 64.2+/-12.9%, P<0.05), but adipogenic
capacity was greater in Wagyu. The average muscle fiber diameter was larger in
Wagyu (by 23.9+/-6.8%, P=0.089) despite less muscle mass, suggesting less muscle
fiber formation in Wagyu compared with Angus cattle. Because satellite cells are
derived from fetal myogenic cells, the reduction in satellite cell density
together with lower muscle fiber formation suggests that myogenesis was
attenuated during early muscle development in Wagyu cattle. Given the shared pool
of mesenchymal progenitor cells, the attenuated myogenesis likely shifts
progenitor cells to adipogenesis during early development, which may contribute
to high intramuscular adipocyte formation in Wagyu cattle.
PMID- 28988555
TI - Mid-season targeted selective anthelmintic treatment based on flexible weight
gain threshold for nematode infection control in dairy calves.
AB - The suitability of a single mid-season targeted selective treatment (TST) for
gastrointestinal nematodes control, based on flexible average daily weight gain
(ADWG) thresholds, was investigated in 23 groups of first grazing season calves.
In each group, animals were weighed three times: before turnout, at mid-season
and at housing. Just after the first weighing, each group was divided in two
homogenous sub-groups in terms of age, breed and weight, and randomly allocated
to one of two sub-groups intented for two different mid-season anthelmintic
treatment strategies: (1) a treatment of all calves composing the sub-group
(whole-group treatment (WT)) or (2) a targeted selective weight gain-based
treatment (TST) of the animals showing an individual pre-treatment ADWG inferior
to the mean pre-treatment ADWG of the corresponding WT sub-group. Anthelmintic
treatment (levamisole 7.5 mg/kg BW) was performed 3 to 4 months after turnout. At
housing, two parasitological parameters (the anti-Ostertagia ostertagi antibody
level-Ostertagia optical density ratio (ODR) and the pepsinogen level) and a
clinical parameter (the breech soiling score) were assessed at individual level
in each group. Then, the high exposed groups to gastrointestinal nematode (GIN)
were defined as groups for which untreated animals exhibited a mean Ostertagia
ODR ?0.7 and among these groups, the ones characterized by high abomasal damage
due to Ostertagia for which untreated animals exhibited a mean pepsinogen level
?2.5 U Tyr were also identified. Among TST sub-groups, the treatment ADWG
thresholds varied from 338 to 941 g/day and the percentage of treated animals
from 28% to 75%. Pre- and post-treatment ADWG as well as parasitological and
clinical parameters measured at housing were similar between TST and WT sub
groups including the 17 high exposed groups to GIN. Within these 17 groups, the
treatment allowed to significantly improve post-treatment ADWG compared with
untreated animals. In the six high exposed groups showing mean pepsinogen level
?2.5 U Tyr, the average effect of treatment on post-treatment ADWG was the
highest and estimated up to 14 kg after a grazing duration of 4 months. In
contrast, in six other groups showing mean Ostertagia ODR<0.7 in untreated
animals, no effect of treatment was seen suggesting an absence of production
losses related to a low level of GIN infection. This study highlighted the
suitability of a convenient mid-season TST strategy for first grazing season
calves, based on the use of flexible thresholds of ADWG, allowing similar growth
compared with a whole-group treatment while keeping a GIN population in refugia.
PMID- 28988556
TI - Effects of pre-weaning housing in a multi-suckling system on performance and
carbohydrate absorption of relatively light and heavy piglets around weaning.
AB - The low feed intake and stress associated with abrupt weaning in conventional pig
farming often result in poor post-weaning performance, which is related to
impaired intestinal function. We investigated effects of housing conditions
before weaning on performance around weaning of relatively light and heavy
piglets. Before weaning, piglets were housed either with five sows and their
litters in a multi-suckling (MS) system or in pens with individually housed sows
in farrowing crates (FC). After weaning at 4 weeks of age (day 0), 16 groups of
four piglets (two light and two heavy litter-mates) were housed under equal
conditions in enriched pens. Mannitol (day -5 and day 5) and galactose (day 5)
were orally administered as markers for gastrointestinal carbohydrate absorption,
and after 20 min a blood sample was taken (sugar absorption test). In addition,
BW, feed intake and faecal consistency as an indicator for diarrhoea, were
assessed frequently during 2 weeks post-weaning. Pre-weaning housing, weight
class and their interaction did not affect post-weaning faecal consistency
scores. Weight gain over 2 weeks did not differ between pre-weaning housing
treatments, but MS piglets gained more (0.67+/-0.12 kg) than FC piglets (0.39+/
0.16 kg) between days 2 and 5 post-weaning, P=0.02), particularly in the 'heavy'
weight class (interaction, P=0.04), whereas feed intake was similar for both
treatments. This indicates a better utilisation of the ingested feed of the MS
piglets compared with the FC piglets in the early post-weaning period. Pre
weaning mannitol concentrations were unaffected by pre-weaning housing, weight
class and their interaction. On day 5 post-weaning, however, MS piglets had a
lower plasma concentration of mannitol (320 v. 592 nmol/ml, SEM=132, P=0.04) and
galactose (91 v. 157 nmol/ml, SEM=20, P=0.04) than FC piglets, regardless of
weight class. In conclusion, MS and FC piglets differed in aspects of post
weaning gastrointestinal carbohydrate absorption and in weight gain between days
2 and 5 after weaning, but pre-weaning housing did not affect feed intake, weight
gain and measures of faecal consistency over the first 2 weeks after weaning.
PMID- 28988557
TI - Effects of dietary inclusion of citrus pulp and rockrose soft stems and leaves on
lamb meat quality and fatty acid composition.
AB - Meat from lambs finished with high-starch diets often contains low concentration
of vaccenic (t11-18:1) and rumenic (c9,t11-18:2) acids and high concentration of
t10-18:1. We hypothesized that replacing cereals by dehydrated citrus pulp (DCP)
and the inclusion of tanniferous feed sources in oil supplemented diets might
reduce the accumulation of t10-18:1 and increase the t11-18:1 and c9,t11-18:2 in
lamb meat, without affecting the productive performance. In total, 32 lambs were
assigned to four diets which combine two factors: basal diet (BD) (cereals v.
DCP) and Cistus ladanifer (CL) (0 v. 150 g/kg dry matter). Feed intake, average
daily weight gain and carcass traits were not affected by treatments, except for
dressing percentage that was reduced with DCP (P=0.046). Both DCP and C.
ladanifer reduced tenderness and juiciness of meat, and C. ladanifer also reduced
(P0.05) by diets. However, DCP increased the proportions of odd-chain FA
(P=0.005) and several minor biohydrogenation (BH) intermediates in meat lipids.
C. ladanifer had few effects on meat FA profile. The proportions of t11-18:1 and
c9,t11-18:2 were high in all diets (5.4% and 1.5% of total FA, respectively) and
were not influenced by the treatments. Basal diet and CL showed some significant
interactions concerning FA composition of intramuscular fat. In diets without C.
ladanifer, replacement of cereals by DCP increased the 18:0 (P<0.05) and
decreased t10,c12-18:2 (P<0.05), t10-18:1 (P<0.10) and t10-/t11-18:1 ratio
(P<0.10) with a large reduction of the individual variation for t10-18:1 and of
t10-/t11-18:1 ratio. Combined with cereals, C. ladanifer increased 18:0 and
reduced the BH intermediates in meat. Replacement of cereals by DCP seems to
promote a more predictable FA profile in lamb meat, reducing the risk of t10
shifted BH pathways in the rumen.
PMID- 28988558
TI - Childhood abuse and psychotic experiences - evidence for mediation by adulthood
adverse life events.
AB - AIMS: We have previously reported an association between childhood abuse and
psychotic experiences (PEs) in survey data from South East London. Childhood
abuse is related to subsequent adulthood adversity, which could form one pathway
to PEs. We aimed to investigate evidence of mediation of the association between
childhood abuse and PEs by adverse life events. METHODS: Data were analysed from
the South East London Community Health Study (SELCoH, n = 1698). Estimates of the
total effects on PEs of any physical or sexual abuse while growing up were
partitioned into direct (i.e. unmediated) and indirect (total and specific)
effects, mediated via violent and non-violent life events. RESULTS: There was
strong statistical evidence for direct (OR 1.58, 95% CI: 1.19-2.1) and indirect
(OR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.32-1.72) effects of childhood abuse on PEs after adjustment
for potential confounders, indicating partial mediation of this effect via
violent and non-violent life events. An estimated 47% of the total effect of
abuse on PEs was mediated via adulthood adverse life events, of which violent
life events made up 33% and non-violent life events the remaining 14%.
CONCLUSIONS: The association between childhood abuse and PEs is partly mediated
through the experience of adverse life events in adulthood. There is some
evidence that a larger proportion of this effect was mediated through violent
life events than non-violent life events.
PMID- 28988559
TI - Ram semen deterioration by short-term exposure to high altitude is prevented by
improvement of antioxidant status.
AB - Ovine reproduction efficiency in herds at high altitude (ha) is lower than that
at low altitude (la). In ewes, ha effects are due to hypoxia and oxidative
stress. Our aim was to establish the effect of antioxidant vitamin
supplementation on semen traits and antioxidant status of rams exposed to short
or long time ha. A total of 32 rams native to la (~500 m) were used, 16 were kept
at la and the other 16 were brought to ha (~3600 m), where they were placed in
the same flock as the ha native rams (n=16). Half of the animals in each group
were supplemented daily with vitamins C 600 mg and E 450 IU per os, during the
entire experimental period, starting the 4th day after animal's arrival at ha
(day 0). At days 0, 30 and 60 of treatment, blood and semen samples were
collected for evaluation of antioxidant status and semen standard
characteristics. Data were compared within each experimental time by analysis of
variance using a general linear model. Elevated concentrations of oxidative
stress biomarkers were present in blood from animals maintained at ha. Ejaculates
from ha exposed rams showed decreased sperm concentration, progressive motility
and viability, in addition to decreased antioxidant status in seminal fluid. A
total of 30 days of oral supplementation with vitamins C and E prevented some ha
negative effects on semen characteristics, mainly in recently ha exposed rams. It
is concluded that exposure of rams to ha negatively affects semen quality, where
oxidative stress plays a predominant role. These effects are mainly prevented by
oral supplementation of vitamins C and E, which constitutes a simple and cheap
alternative to improve semen quality of rams when they are moved to ha.
PMID- 28988561
TI - Discussing advance care planning: insights from older people living in nursing
homes and from family members.
AB - : ABSTRACTBackground:Evidence concerning when and in which manner older people
living in nursing homes (NHs) would prefer to discuss advance care planning (ACP)
is still scarce. This study explored the attitudes of NH residents and family
members toward ACP and their opinions as to the right time to broach the subject,
the manner in which it should be approached, and the content of ACP. METHODS:
This was a qualitative study using face-to-face interviews with 30 residents (age
range 66-94), and 10 family members from 4 Italian NHs. The interviews were
analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: (1)
life in the NH, including thoughts about life in a nursing home, residents'
concerns, wishes and fears, and communication barriers; (2) future plans and
attitudes toward ACP, including attitudes toward planning for the future and
plans already made, and attitudes toward and barriers against ACP; (3) contents
and manner of ACP, including contents of ACP discussions, the right moment to
introduce ACP, with whom it is better to discuss ACP, and attitudes toward
advance directives. CONCLUSIONS: ACP was a welcome intervention for the majority
of participants, but an individualized assessment of the person's readiness to be
involved in ACP is needed. For people with dementia, it is essential to identify
the right time to introduce ACP before NH admission. Participants in our study
suggested that ACP should include palliative care and practical issues, and that
in the NH setting all staff and family members may have a valuable role in ACP.
PMID- 28988560
TI - Effects of replacement of Moringa oleifera for berseem clover in the diets of
Nubian goats on feed utilisation, and milk yield, composition and fatty acid
profile.
AB - Replacement of conventional feedstuffs with cheap non-conventional ingredients
may improve livestock performance and the quality of their products, particularly
milk. The study considered the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) foliage in
replacement of berseem clover (BC) on feed utilisation and lactational
performance in Nubian goats. A total of 16 lactating Nubian does, weighing 36.2+/
0.8 kg, were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments containing 0, 125,
250 and 375 g of MO per kg diet to replace 0 (M0), 25 (M25), 50 (M50) and 75%
(M75) of BC (on dry matter (DM) basis) in a quadruplicated 4*4 Latin square
design. The MO diets increased (P<0.01) feed intake and nutrient digestibility.
Feeding MO diets improved (P<0.01) ruminal volatile fatty acids, acetate and
propionate but reduced (P<0.01) valerate and iso-butyrate. Moringa diets
increased (P<0.01) serum total protein, albumin and glucose but decreased
(P<0.05) cholesterol and triglycerides. Milk yield and energy corrected milk, and
milk total solids, fat and energy content were increased (P<0.01) in MO diets.
Yields of milk components and energy were greater (P<0.05) for MO diets than for
control diet. Milk total saturated fatty acids and athrogenicity index were lower
(P<0.01), and unsaturated fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids and UFA/SFA ratio
higher (P<0.05) for MO diets. It is concluded that feeding MO to replace 75% DM
of BC improved feed utilisation, ruminal fermentation, and milk yield and quality
in lactating Nubian goats.
PMID- 28988563
TI - Food-Based Dietary Guidelines: a comparative analysis between the Dietary
Guidelines for the Brazilian Population 2006 and 2014 - CORRIGENDUM.
PMID- 28988562
TI - Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus among hemodialysis patients in the Middle East
and North Africa: systematic syntheses, meta-analyses, and meta-regressions.
AB - We aimed to investigate hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology among hemodialysis
(HD) patients in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Our data source was an
HCV biological measures database populated through systematic literature
searches. Descriptive epidemiologic syntheses, effects meta-analyses and meta
regressions, and genotype analyses were conducted. We analyzed 289 studies,
including 106 463 HD patients. HCV incidence ranged between 0 and 100% as
seroconversion risk, and between 0 and 14.7 per 1000 person-years as incidence
rate. The regional pooled mean estimate was 29.2% (95% CI: 25.6-32.8%) for HCV
antibody positive prevalence and 63.0% (95% CI: 55.4-70.3%) for the viremic rate.
Region within MENA, country income group, and year of data collection were
associated with HCV prevalence; year of data collection adjusted odds ratio was
0.92 (95% CI: 0.90-0.95). Genotype diversity varied across countries with four
genotypes documented regionally: genotype 1 (39.3%), genotype 2 (5.7%), genotype
3 (29.6%), and genotype 4 (25.4%). Our findings showed that one-third of HD
patients are HCV antibody positive and one-fifth are chronic carriers and can
transmit the infection. However, HCV prevalence is declining. In context of
growing HD patient population and increasing HCV treatment availability, it is
critical to improve standards of infection control in dialysis and expand
treatment coverage.
PMID- 28988564
TI - Perceptions of primary health care service users regarding dental team practices
in Brazil.
AB - BACKGROUND: The Unified Health System (SUS) is the Brazilian set of public health
services that offers global access to health care and disease treatments for all
citizens. These services have been evaluated by means of a national survey
assessing the users' perceptions.AimTo explore and characterize the SUS users'
perceptions regarding primary dental team practices in the five Brazilian
geographical regions. METHODS: Descriptive study. The sample consisted of 37 262
subjects. Data were collected by means of the Ministry of Health survey,
conducted between 2012 and 2014. Variables used in the present study are
associated with SUS users' perspectives of satisfaction, access, and use of
services. The study utilized bivariate data analysis, and dichotomous variables
were derived for analysis following 95% reliability.FindingsThis study observed
similarities and proportionality of perceptions in the Brazilian territory. In
most macro-regions, dental teams did not develop an active search for dental
treatment absentees. However, the SUS users reported very good and good
perceptions, which were homogeneously distributed across five Brazilian regions,
thereby showing an overall positive perception of primary dental treatment.
PMID- 28988565
TI - Effect of age and gender on carcass traits and meat quality of farmed brown
hares.
AB - A total of 48 sub-adult hares and adult reproducing farmed hares were used to
characterize carcass and meat traits according to the age and gender of animals.
With respect to carcass traits, when age increased, the carcass weight
significantly increased (2022 to 3391 g; P<0.001), but dressing out percentages
did not change. The dissectible fat (1.3% to 2.2%; P<0.05) and Longissimus
lumborum (LL) proportions (13.5% to 14.5%; P<0.001) and muscle-to-bone ratio of
hind legs (5.11 to 6.23; P<0.001) increased, whereas the hind leg proportions
decreased (37.3% to 36.3%; P=0.01). As for the meat quality, the pH of hind leg
(5.74 to 5.83; P<0.001) and LL (5.53 to 5.69; P<0.001) increased with age, while
the L* index decreased in both cuts (42.9 to 34.4 in hind leg; 45.1 to 40.3 in
LL; P<0.001). The redness index increased at the hind leg (4.07 to 5.76;
P<0.001), while it decreased at LL (3.03 to 1.46; P<0.001). In the case of the
hind leg, meat thawing losses decreased (1.58% to 1.02%), and shear force
increased (2.97 to 4.02 kg/g). In the case of LL, thawing losses decreased (8.79%
to 4.91%; P<0.001) in the adult hares compared with the sub-adult ones. Meat
water and protein contents decreased in the hind leg and LL of the adult hares
compared with the sub-adult ones, whereas ether extract increased in a restricted
range in LL only (0.92% to 1.11%; P<0.001). In the case of the hind leg, the rate
of the saturated fatty acids (SFA) decreased (41.0% to 26.7%), and the rate of
the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased (34.0% to 45.3%) (P<0.001). In
the case of LL, SFA (38.6% to 42.9%) and monounsaturated fatty acids (19.4% to
27.2%) increased, whereas PUFA decreased (42.0% to 30.1%) when the age increased
(P<0.001). Gender affected only the slaughter results and carcass traits. In
conclusion, farmed hares have favourable slaughter results (high dressing
percentage), carcass traits (high hind legs and loins rates), and meat
nutritional value (high-protein, low-fat meat). This fact would offer additional
commercial opportunities, in addition to restocking, to hare farmers.
PMID- 28988566
TI - Prediction of effects of beef selection indexes on greenhouse gas emissions.
AB - Genetic improvement in production efficiency traits can also drive reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions. This study used international 'best-practice'
methodology to quantify the improvements in system-wide CO2 equivalent emissions
per unit of genetic progress in the Irish Maternal Replacement (MR) and Terminal
(T) beef cattle indexes. Effects of each index trait on system gross emissions
(GE) and system emissions intensity (EI) were modelled by estimating effects of
trait changes on per-animal feed consumption and associated methane production,
per-animal meat production and numbers of animals in the system. Trait responses
to index selection were predicted from linear regression of individual bull
estimated breeding values for each index trait on their MR or T index value, and
the resulting regression coefficients were used to calculate trait-wise responses
in GE and EI from index selection. Summed over all trait responses, the MR index
was predicted to reduce system GE by 0.810 kg CO2e/breeding cow per year per ?
index and system EI by 0.009 kg CO2e/kg meat per breeding cow per year per ?
index. These reductions were mainly driven by improvements in cow survival,
reduced mature cow maintenance feed requirements, shorter calving interval and
reduced offspring mortality. The T index was predicted to reduce system EI by
0.021 kg CO2e/kg meat per breeding cow per year per ? index, driven by increased
meat production from improvements in carcass weight, conformation and fat.
Implications for incorporating an EI reduction index to the current production
indexes and long-term projections for national breeding programs are discussed.
PMID- 28988567
TI - SFA intake among Japanese schoolchildren: current status and possible
intervention to prevent excess intake.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Although a high intake of fat, particularly SFA, is a well-known risk
factor for CVD, fat intake in Japan has attracted relatively little attention
from health professionals to date due to the low intake in the Japanese
population. However, recent surveys have shown an increase in fat intake in
younger Japanese populations. Here, we described the fat intake and dietary
sources of SFA in Japanese schoolchildren. Also, we experimentally exchanged a
high-SFA food with a low-SFA substitute in the data, and calculated the resulting
changes in nutrient intakes. DESIGN: The study was conducted nationwide under a
cross-sectional design. A non-consecutive, three-day diet record was performed on
two school days and a non-school day. SETTING: Fourteen elementary and thirteen
junior high schools. SUBJECTS: Elementary-school children (n 629) and junior high
school children (n 281). RESULTS: Prevalence of excess fat intake was 35.4 % in
boys and 45.0 % in girls. Excess SFA intake was suspected in 97.7 % of boys and
99.4 % of girls when the dietary reference intake values for adults were applied.
Major dietary sources of SFA were meat (26.4 % of total SFA intake), dairy
products (25.7 %) and confectioneries (11.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: Since one-third to
nearly one-half of our Japanese schoolchildren consumed excess fat, careful
monitoring of fat intake in the Japanese population should be continued. Adoption
of low-fat milk and/or lean meat in daily meals might be a suitable means of
reducing fat, particularly SFA intake, in schoolchildren.
PMID- 28988568
TI - Does the accreditation of private dental practices work? Time to rethink how
accreditation can improve patient safety.
AB - Accreditation to demonstrate engagement with the National Safety and Quality
Health Service Standards (Standards) is compulsory for most hospital and
healthcare settings, but to date remains voluntary for private dental practices
(PDPs). The regulatory framework governing the dental profession lacks a
proactive element to drive improvements in quality and safety of care, and an
accreditation scheme can strengthen existing regulation. The current model of
accreditation operating in accordance with the Australian Health Service Safety
and Quality Accreditation Scheme (Scheme) is based on the Standards, which were
written for a hospital model of healthcare service. The majority of PDPs are
small office-based businesses with clear leadership structure and employing six
staff or fewer. The Scheme is overly bureaucratic given the simplicity of the PDP
business model. This article considers whether accreditation has a proven track
record of improving quality of service and offers opinions about how a more
appropriate safety management program for PDPs may look.What is known about the
topic? There has been minimal research about the impact of accreditation schemes
in improving patient safety in PDP.What does this paper add? This paper proposes
a redesign of the Scheme to make it more relevant to PDPs. The paper offers
strategies to minimise duplication of purpose between accreditation and existing
legislation; and to strengthen critical elements of accreditation to improve
effects on patient safety.What are the implications for practitioners? A
redesigned accreditation scheme will support dental practitioners to implement a
quality assurance system with improved efficiency, reduced administrative burden,
and optimised patient safety.
PMID- 28988569
TI - Public reporting of hospital performance data: views of senior medical directors
in Victoria, Australia.
AB - Objective The aim of the present study was to better understand senior medical
directors' perceptions of public reporting of hospital performance data, how
public reporting affects institutional behavioural change towards quality
improvement and how it could be improved.Methods Interviews were undertaken with
17 medical directors representing 26 metropolitan and regional public hospitals
in Victoria, Australia, between June and August 2016. Data were analysed
thematically.Results Medical directors are well placed to comment on clinical and
administrative aspects of quality, safety and performance monitoring in public
hospitals. Their responses largely suggested that public reporting of hospital
performance data in Australia is immature and not fulfilling its potential. There
was little consensus among informants around what public reporting is, who it is
for or its purpose. Although public reporting was considered to have important
functions for hospitals and consumers, it was generally considered to lack
robustness and have underutilised potential to inform consumers, build trust and
drive quality and performance improvements within hospitals.Conclusions The next
steps needed to advance public reporting of hospital performance data in
Australia include engaging clinicians and patients in selection and development
of metrics, improving timeliness of reporting, and improving communication of
information so that it is accessible and meaningful for different audiences.What
is known about the topic? Public reporting of hospital performance data is a
mechanism increasingly used in the Australian health system, but it has attracted
little research.What does this paper add? This paper reveals a lack of shared
understanding among medical directors in Victoria, Australia, on what public
reporting of hospital performance data is, who it is for and its purpose. The
paper highlights the potential importance of public reporting of hospital
performance data for rural and regional healthcare consumers and how it may be
strengthened.What are the implications for practitioners? Stronger systems of
public reporting of hospital performance data have the potential to increase
consumer engagement and improve hospital performance, quality and safety.
Awareness of the discourse around public reporting of hospital performance data
can increase practitioners' engagement in debate and development of reporting
systems.
PMID- 28988570
TI - Alcoholic Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Current Management.
AB - Excessive alcohol consumption is a global healthcare problem. The liver sustains
the greatest degree of tissue injury by heavy drinking because it is the primary
site of ethanol metabolism. Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption produces a
wide spectrum of hepatic lesions, the most characteristic of which are steatosis,
hepatitis, and fibrosis/cirrhosis. Steatosis is the earliest response to heavy
drinking and is characterized by the deposition of fat in hepatocytes. Steatosis
can progress to steatohepatitis, which is a more severe, inflammatory type of
liver injury. This stage of liver disease can lead to the development of
fibrosis, during which there is excessive deposition of extracellular matrix
proteins. The fibrotic response begins with active pericellular fibrosis, which
may progress to cirrhosis, characterized by excessive liver scarring, vascular
alterations, and eventual liver failure. Among problem drinkers, about 35 percent
develop advanced liver disease because a number of disease modifiers exacerbate,
slow, or prevent alcoholic liver disease progression. There are still no FDA
approved pharmacological or nutritional therapies for treating patients with
alcoholic liver disease. Cessation of drinking (i.e., abstinence) is an integral
part of therapy. Liver transplantation remains the life-saving strategy for
patients with end-stage alcoholic liver disease.
PMID- 28988571
TI - Alcohol and Gut-Derived Inflammation.
AB - In large amounts, alcohol and its metabolites can overwhelm the gastrointestinal
tract (GI) and liver and lead to damage both within the GI and in other organs.
Specifically, alcohol and its metabolites promote intestinal inflammation through
multiple pathways. That inflammatory response, in turn, exacerbates alcohol
induced organ damage, creating a vicious cycle and leading to additional
deleterious effects of alcohol both locally and systemically. This review
summarizes the mechanisms by which chronic alcohol intake leads to intestinal
inflammation, including altering intestinal microbiota composition and function,
increasing the permeability of the intestinal lining, and affecting the
intestinal immune homeostasis. Understanding the mechanisms of alcohol-induced
intestinal inflammation can aid in the discovery of therapeutic approaches to
mitigate alcohol-induced organ dysfunctions.
PMID- 28988572
TI - Uniting Epidemiology and Experimental Disease Models for Alcohol-Related
Pancreatic Disease.
AB - Findings from epidemiologic studies and research with experimental animal models
provide insights into alcohol-related disease pathogeneses. Epidemiologic data
indicate that heavy drinking and smoking are associated with high rates of
pancreatic disease. Less clear is the association between lower levels of
drinking and pancreatitis. Intriguingly, a very low percentage of drinkers
develop clinical pancreatitis. Experimental models demonstrate that alcohol
administration alone does not initiate pancreatitis but does sensitize the
pancreas to disease. Understanding the effects of alcohol use on the pancreas may
prove beneficial in the prevention of both pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
PMID- 28988574
TI - Alcoholic Myopathy: Pathophysiologic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.
AB - Skeletal muscle dysfunction (i.e., myopathy) is common in patients with alcohol
use disorder. However, few clinical studies have elucidated the significance,
mechanisms, and therapeutic options of alcohol-related myopathy. Preclinical
studies indicate that alcohol adversely affects both anabolic and catabolic
pathways of muscle-mass maintenance and that an increased proinflammatory and
oxidative milieu in the skeletal muscle is the primary contributing factor
leading to alcohol-related skeletal muscle dysfunction. Decreased regenerative
capacity of muscle progenitor cells is emerging as an additional mechanism that
contributes to alcohol-induced loss in muscle mass and impairment in muscle
growth. This review details the epidemiology of alcoholic myopathy, potential
contributing pathophysiologic mechanisms, and emerging literature on novel
therapeutic options.
PMID- 28988575
TI - Alcohol's Effects on the Cardiovascular System.
AB - Alcohol use has complex effects on cardiovascular (CV) health. The associations
between drinking and CV diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease,
stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and cardiomyopathy have been studied
extensively and are outlined in this review. Although many behavioral, genetic,
and biologic variants influence the interconnection between alcohol use and CV
disease, dose and pattern of alcohol consumption seem to modulate this most. Low
to-moderate alcohol use may mitigate certain mechanisms such as risk and
hemostatic factors affecting atherosclerosis and inflammation, pathophysiologic
processes integral to most CV disease. But any positive aspects of drinking must
be weighed against serious physiological effects, including mitochondrial
dysfunction and changes in circulation, inflammatory response, oxidative stress,
and programmed cell death, as well as anatomical damage to the CV system,
especially the heart itself. Both the negative and positive effects of alcohol
use on particular CV conditions are presented here. The review concludes by
suggesting several promising avenues for future research related to alcohol use
and CV disease. These include using direct biomarkers of alcohol to confirm self
report of alcohol consumption levels; studying potential mediation of various
genetic, socioeconomic, and racial and ethnic factors that may affect alcohol use
and CV disease; reviewing alcohol-medication interactions in cardiac patients;
and examining CV effects of alcohol use in young adults and in older adults.
PMID- 28988576
TI - Alcohol and the Lung.
AB - Among the many organ systems affected by harmful alcohol use, the lungs are
particularly susceptible to infections and injury. The mechanisms responsible for
rendering people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) vulnerable to lung damage
include alterations in host defenses of the upper and lower airways, disruption
of alveolar epithelial barrier integrity, and alveolar macrophage immune
dysfunction. Collectively, these derangements encompass what has been termed the
"alcoholic lung" phenotype. Alcohol-related reductions in antioxidant levels also
may contribute to lung disease in people with underlying AUD. In addition,
researchers have identified several regulatory molecules that may play crucial
roles in the alcohol-induced disease processes. Although there currently are no
approved therapies to combat the detrimental effects of chronic alcohol
consumption on the respiratory system, these molecules may be potential
therapeutic targets to guide future investigation.
PMID- 28988573
TI - Alcohol's Effects on the Brain: Neuroimaging Results in Humans and Animal Models.
AB - Brain imaging technology has allowed researchers to conduct rigorous studies of
the dynamic course of alcoholism through periods of drinking, sobriety, and
relapse and to gain insights into the effects of chronic alcoholism on the human
brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have distinguished alcohol
related brain effects that are permanent from those that are reversible with
abstinence. In support of postmortem neuropathological studies showing
degeneration of white matter, MRI studies have shown a specific vulnerability of
white matter to chronic alcohol exposure. Such studies have demonstrated white
matter volume deficits as well as damage to selective gray-matter structures.
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), by permitting microstructural characterization of
white matter, has extended MRI findings in alcoholics. MR spectroscopy (MRS)
allows quantification of several metabolites that shed light on brain biochemical
alterations caused by alcoholism. This article focuses on MRI, DTI, and MRS
findings in neurological disorders that commonly co-occur with alcoholism,
including Wernicke's encephalopathy, Korsakoff's syndrome, and hepatic
encephalopathy. Also reviewed are neuroimaging findings in animal models of
alcoholism and related neurological disorders. This report also suggests that the
dynamic course of alcoholism presents a unique opportunity to examine brain
structural and functional repair and recovery.
PMID- 28988577
TI - Pathophysiology of the Effects of Alcohol Abuse on the Endocrine System.
AB - Alcohol can permeate virtually every organ and tissue in the body, resulting in
tissue injury and organ dysfunction. Considerable evidence indicates that alcohol
abuse results in clinical abnormalities of one of the body's most important
systems, the endocrine system. This system ensures proper communication between
various organs, also interfacing with the immune and nervous systems, and is
essential for maintaining a constant internal environment. The endocrine system
includes the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary
gonadal axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary
growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis, and the hypothalamic-posterior
pituitary axis, as well as other sources of hormones, such as the endocrine
pancreas and endocrine adipose tissue. Alcohol abuse disrupts all of these
systems and causes hormonal disturbances that may result in various disorders,
such as stress intolerance, reproductive dysfunction, thyroid problems, immune
abnormalities, and psychological and behavioral disorders. Studies in both humans
and animal models have helped shed light on alcohol's effects on various
components of the endocrine system and their consequences.
PMID- 28988578
TI - Alcohol and Puberty.
AB - Adolescence represents a vulnerable period for developing youth. Alcohol use and
misuse are especially problematic behaviors during this time. Adolescents are
more sensitive to alcohol and less tolerant of its detrimental effects than are
adults. Research in humans and animals has revealed that early alcohol
consumption can result in delayed pubertal development. Animal studies have shown
that alcohol detrimentally affects neuroendocrine systems within the hypothalamic
region of the brain that are associated with the normal, timely onset of the
pubertal process. To effectively restore development and shorten recovery time
associated with the adverse effects of alcohol on puberty, researchers must first
understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms by which alcohol interferes
with critical hypothalamic functions.
PMID- 28988579
TI - Alcohol Misuse and Kidney Injury: Epidemiological Evidence and Potential
Mechanisms.
AB - Chronic alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor for tissue injury. The
link between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and kidney injury is intriguing but
controversial, and the molecular mechanisms by which alcohol may damage the
kidneys are poorly understood. Epidemiological studies attempting to link AUD and
kidney disease are, to date, inconclusive, and there is little experimental
evidence directly linking alcohol consumption to kidney injury. However, studies
conducted primarily in other organs and tissues suggest several possible
mechanisms by which alcohol may promote kidney dysfunction. One possible
mechanism is oxidative stress resulting from increased production of reactive
oxygen species, which leads to an excessive amount of free radicals, which in
turn trigger tissue injury and increase inflammation. In addition, AUD's effect
on other major organs (liver, heart, intestines, and skeletal muscle) appears to
promote unfavorable pathological processes that are harmful to the kidneys.
Notably, these mechanisms have not yet been validated experimentally in the
kidney. Additional research is needed to clarify if alcohol does indeed promote
kidney injury and the mechanisms by which alcohol-induced kidney injury may
occur.
PMID- 28988581
TI - Rupture of Subcutaneous Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter by Stretching Exercise: A
Case Report.
AB - Rupture of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter is rare complication. Here, we
report a case of catheter rupture that occurred because of exercise after partial
catheter reimplantation.A 66-year-old man with a history of end-stage kidney
disease secondary to diabetic nephropathy experienced refractory exit-site and
tunnel infection. After the infected parts of the catheter were excised, a
partial catheter reimplantation was performed. At the time of that surgery, a
presternal location was selected for the new exit site, and a titanium extender
was used to connect the two catheters. The patient was discharged on
postoperative day 3, but was readmitted for a pericatheter leak 5 days later.
Fluoroscopy performed to investigate the cause demonstrated a pericatheter leak
from the connecting portion between the titanium extender and the
catheter.Surgery performed to repair the leak revealed that the catheter had
ruptured. We believe that the cause of the rupture was mechanical stress induced
by the patient's stretching exercise program. The PD catheter was made of
silicone rubber with high elasticity. Even when such resilient materials are
used, we recommend that, to avoid PD catheter rupture after partial
reimplantation, clinicians should discourage the patient from stretching
excessively.
PMID- 28988582
TI - Correlation Between Near-Vision Acuity and the Incidence of Peritoneal Dialysis
Related Infections.
AB - Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infections (PDIs) such as peritonitis, exit-site
infection, and tunnel infection are serious complications affecting patients on
PD. Because patients with diabetes (DM) and of older age have increased in number
in Japan, the number of patients with visual impairment is estimated also to have
increased. Near vision is necessary for performing proper PD daily care. However,
no studies have reported whether visual impairment is likely to increase the risk
of PDIs.Our study included 31 PD patients (16 men, 15 women; mean age: 61.5 +/-
11.8 years; mean PD duration: 27.3 +/- 20.3 months; 38.7% with DM; 54.8% wearing
glasses) who performed their own PD care. At our facility and related facilities,
we used a standard near-vision test chart, which classifies vision into 12
grades, from 0.1 (poor) to 1.5 (clear), to assess near-vision binocular visual
acuity in those patients between March 2015 and September 2015. In addition, we
retrospectively examined the medical records of the patients to determine their
history of PDIs. We then evaluated the correlation between near-vision acuity and
the incidence of PDIs.Mean measured near-vision acuity was 0.61 +/- 0.29, and we
observed no significant difference in the visual acuity of patients with and
without DM (0.55 +/- 0.31 vs. 0.63 +/- 0.26 respectively, p = 0.477). In
addition, we observed no significant difference in the incidence of PDIs between
patients with and without DM (1.298 +/- 1.609 per year vs. 1.164 +/- 0.908 per
year respectively, p = 0.804). We did not find a correlation between near-vision
acuity and the incidence of PDIs (r = -0.071, p = 0.795).
PMID- 28988583
TI - Louisiana State University Nephrology: Initiation of a Multicenter Urgent-Start
Peritoneal Dialysis Program.
AB - Urgent-start peritoneal dialysis (PD) refers to the initiation of PD in new-start
end-stage renal disease patients who present either emergently in the hospital or
urgently in clinic. These patients are called "late-referred patients." Our
academic practice group, like many private practice and academic groups,
currently functions within 4 hospitals and 4 clinics. The patient base consists
of a large indigent population with limited access to health care and also of
insured patients. An urgent-start PD program was initiated to provide all
patients with a choice of dialysis modality.Our faculty understood that, for
their urgent-start PD program to be successful, they had to have the support of
the house staff, hospitalists, surgeons, and the PD nurse. The education began
with grand rounds on urgent-start PD in the medicine department. We also educated
the hospitalists at the other private hospitals on our urgent-start program. Once
the primary care services were comfortable with urgent-start PD, our nephrology
group then educated the surgeons about best-practice guidelines for PD catheter
placement. At that time, a direct feedback communication loop was created between
the PD nurse, surgeon, and nephrologist about the placement and functionality of
the catheter. Here, we present our success in the creation of an urgent-start PD
program.
PMID- 28988580
TI - Development, Prevention, and Treatment of Alcohol-Induced Organ Injury: The Role
of Nutrition.
AB - Alcohol and nutrition have the potential to interact at multiple levels. For
example, heavy alcohol consumption can interfere with normal nutrition, resulting
in overall malnutrition or in deficiencies of important micronutrients, such as
zinc, by reducing their absorption or increasing their loss. Interactions between
alcohol consumption and nutrition also can affect epigenetic regulation of gene
expression by influencing multiple regulatory mechanisms, including methylation
and acetylation of histone proteins and DNA. These effects may contribute to
alcohol-related organ or tissue injury. The impact of alcohol-nutrition
interactions has been assessed for several organs and tissues, including the
intestine, where heavy alcohol use can increase intestinal permeability, and the
liver, where the degree of malnutrition can be associated with the severity of
liver injury and liver disease. Alcohol-nutrition interactions also play a role
in alcohol-related lung injury, brain injury, and immune dysfunction. Therefore,
treatment involving nutrient supplementation (e.g., with zinc or S
adenosylmethionine) may help prevent or attenuate some types of alcohol-induced
organ damage.
PMID- 28988584
TI - Erosion of the Silicone Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter with the Use of Gentamicin
Cream at the Exit Site.
AB - Infection remains the leading complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Topical
mupirocin and gentamicin are frequently used to prevent infections. Mupirocin
ointment has been reported to cause damage to both polyurethane and silicone PD
catheters. Gentamicin cream has not been associated with physical damage to
catheters.A 64-year-old woman on PD developed relapsing peritonitis with
Staphylococcus epidermidis. Because of a drainage problem and white discoloration
at the exit site, which is known as " frosting," she underwent catheter exchange.
The catheter was found to be fractured within the area of frosting. Four more
patients with frosting of the catheter were identified. On further questioning,
it was recognized that they were applying excessive amounts of gentamicin cream
directly on the catheter surface rather than at the exit site. All patients in
the program were educated about the correct method of topical antibiotic
application. After the change in practice, no further cases of catheter frosting
were identified.Polyurethane catheters can undergo oxidation, mineralization, and
environmental stress cracking, leading to physical damage such frosting,
ballooning, and fracture. Polyethylene glycol, a component of the mupirocin
ointment base, is thought to cause plasticization of polyurethane, reducing its
tensile strength. Similar damage has been observed in silicone catheters.
Previous reports have not found gentamicin cream to cause that type of damage. We
observed that excessive amounts of cream applied directly to the catheter surface
can damage it. Damage did not recur once patients had been educated about the
proper method of application.
PMID- 28988585
TI - Time Is Not Always the Matter: An Instance of Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis
Developing in a Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis for a Short Term.
AB - Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is an infrequent but serious
complication that is observed mostly in patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis
(PD). However it can occur after short-term PD, in association with "second hit"
risk factors such as peritonitis, acute cessation of PD, or kidney
transplantation with the use of calcineurin inhibitors.In our case, a young woman
with second-hit risk factors presented with clinical and abdominal computed
tomography findings consistent with EPS after short-term PD. She was treated
conservatively with nutritional support and was discharged in improved and stable
clinical status.In general, the diagnosis of EPS requires clinical findings of
bowel obstruction combined with typical computed tomography imaging features.
However, the clinical manifestations can be very vague, and the diagnosis is
often unclear. A recent study categorized EPS into 4 clinical stages, from pre
EPS to chronic ileus, with associated management from conservative treatment to
surgical intervention.In association with second-hit risk factors, EPS can occur
after short-term PD. Severity is variable, and the outcome is often devastating.
Timely recognition and expert management of EPS can change the outcome very
favorably.
PMID- 28988586
TI - Comparing Dialysis Modality and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients on
Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis.
AB - Patients undergoing dialysis are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Mortality differences between peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) are
widely debated. The question of whether dialysis modality affects the risk for
CVD remains to be addressed.In the present study, we evaluated the influence of
hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) on survival and the risk of
developing de novo CVD. Our observational prospective study enrolled 157 end
stage renal disease patients on HD or PD for 12 months. Patients with a history
of malignancy, chronic rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease,
previous cardiac surgery, or previous transplantation, and patients started on
dialysis less than 3 months earlier were excluded from the study. Detailed
medical history, demographic data, and routine laboratory investigations were
obtained, and patients were follow every 3 months for 12 months. Cardiac
echography was performed at baseline and at 6 months. Nutrition status was scored
using the standardized 7-point subjective global assessment (SGA). Baseline
comorbidities included the presence or absence of coronary artery disease
(angina, myocardial infarction, and coronary artery bypass surgery), peripheral
vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular disease.Of
the 157 patients, 121 were on HD (60 men, 61 women; mean age: 59.3 years), and 36
were on PD (14 men, 22 women; mean age: 50.8 years, p = 0.13). The dialysis
duration was significantly different in the two groups (HD: 52.96 +/- 38.3; PD:
30.89 +/- 26.3; p = 0.02). Of the HD patients, 95.04% were hypertensive, and
61.98% were diabetic; of the PD patients, 91.66% were hypertensive, and 50% were
diabetic. Body mass index and SGA score were not significantly different between
the two groups. Patients on PD had a higher residual urine volume (383.66 +/-
548.393 mL vs. 12.40 +/- 96.238 mL in the HD patients, p < 0.001).In comparing
traditional cardiovascular risk factors at the start of the study, PD patients
had higher levels of total cholesterol (4.5 +/- 1.33 mmol/L vs. 3.85 +/- 1.34
mmol/L in HD patients, p < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.84 +/-
1.31 mmol/L vs. 2.06 +/- 0.89 mmol/L, p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol (1.10 +/- 0.26 mmol/L vs. 0.91 +/- 0.32 mmol/L, p < 0.005).
Cardiovascular morbidity affected 17 HD patients and 2 PD patients. A Cox
proportional hazards model for cardiovascular events showed a trend suggesting
that PD was safer, but the data did not reach statistical significance. Kaplan
Meir survival analysis revealed 12 death events in HD patients compared with 4
events in PD patients-a difference that was not statistically
significant.Cardiovascular morbidity during chronic dialysis was prevalent among
the older patients (>57 years) and those who used more than 1 antihypertensive
medication; an ejection fraction exceeding 53% was found to be cardioprotective.
For all-cause mortality, dialysis modality was a nonsignificant risk factor; age
and Kt/V were significant.
PMID- 28988587
TI - Preoperative Cardiac Evaluation in Kidney Transplant Patients: Is Coronary
Angiography Superior? A Focused Review.
AB - Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic
kidney disease patients. Because of a higher occurrence of asymptomatic coronary
artery disease and increased perioperative cardiovascular mortality in kidney
transplant patients, screening for coronary artery disease before transplant
surgery is essential. Various studies have shown that cardiac stress testing is
an unreliable screening method in these patients because of significant
variability in sensitivity and negative predictive value. We suggest that high
risk candidates such as those with diabetes or a prior history of myocardial
infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or coronary artery disease
should perhaps be considered for coronary angiography rather than stress testing
as cardiac screening before kidney transplantation.
PMID- 28988588
TI - Role of Chronic Use of Tolvaptan in Patients with Heart Failure Undergoing
Peritoneal Dialysis.
AB - In the present study, we assessed the effect of chronic tolvaptan treatment and
compared it with the effect of conventional treatment without tolvaptan. In
addition, changes in cardiac load and body fluid composition were compared.The
study enrolled 22 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis who had been receiving
tolvaptan for more than 1 year and 10 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis who
had been treated with conventional diuretics. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI),
left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and E/e' index were measured by
echocardiography at baseline and after 12 months of tolvaptan treatment (or an
equivalent period). Body composition was analyzed by bioimpedance monitoring
(BIM).In the tolvaptan group, LVMI was significantly reduced after 12 months of
treatment; in the conventional-treatment group, it was significantly increased.
The measured LVEF did not change in the tolvaptan group, but it increased
significantly in the conventional-treatment group. The E/e' index was not altered
in either group; however, it was reduced in patients receiving tolvaptan whose
initial E/e' was greater than 15. Although urine volume was not significantly
increased in either group, renal creatinine clearance increased significantly in
tolvaptan group; no change was observed in the conventional-treatment group.
Renal and peritoneal Kt/V did not significantly change during the study. In both
groups, beta2-microglobulin was significantly and similarly increased.
Extracellular water (ECW) and intracellular water (ICW) as determined by BIM were
both reduced after 12 months of tolvaptan treatment. We observed a significant
correlation between the ratio of ECW to total body water at the initiation of
tolvaptan and the reduction in ECW after 12 months.Our results indicate that
chronic tolvaptan treatment has a beneficial role in body fluid control without a
reduction in cardiac and renal function. Volume control depends on an equal
reduction in ECW and ICW, which can also have a benefit in avoiding hyponatremia.
PMID- 28988589
TI - Efficacy and Biocompatibility of Neutral Icodextrin Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid.
AB - Neutral icodextrin peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid (n-ICO) has become available
for use in Japan. However, removal of water and solutes remains to be elucidated
in detail. The present study was designed to determine removal of water,
electrolytes, and small, middle, and large molecules in a period of 16 hours. In
addition, biocompatibility with respect to peritoneal mesothelial cells was
determined.Three stable patients undergoing PD at Tohoku University Hospital were
administered n-ICO. Water removal was monitored every 2 hours. Sodium, urea
nitrogen [molecular weight (MW): 28 Da], uric acid (MW: 168 Da), beta2
microglobulin [beta2M (MW: 11,800 Da)], alpha1-microglobulin [alpha1M (MW: 33,000
Da)], albumin (MW: 66,000 Da), and immunoglobulin G (MW: 160,000 Da) were
measured in plasma and dialysate.Primary human peritoneal mesothelial cells were
collected from 6 patients. Equal numbers of cells were seeded into 96-well
culture plates and cultured for 12 hours. Culture medium was then replaced with
dialysate, and 24-hour cell proliferation was determined by WST-1 assay.Water
removal was sustained for 16 hours with n-ICO. The Na concentration in effluent
did not change over that time. Small molecules such as urea nitrogen and uric
acid were rapidly removed. Thus, their dialysate-to-plasma concentration ratio
(D/P) approached 1.0 (equilibrium) in 2 - 4 hours. The D/P values for the larger
molecules beta2M and alpha1M were 0.4 and less than 0.1 respectively at 16 hours.
However, larger molecules were removed in a time-dependent manner.Cell
proliferation with n-ICO PD fluid was not different from that with lactate
buffered glucose PD fluid, but was increased from that with acidic icodextrin PD
fluid (a-ICO).Water and solute removal with the new n-ICO is not much different
from that with a-ICO. However, biocompatibility as reflected by cell
proliferation was superior under n-ICO than under a-ICO and equal to
proliferation under glucose PD fluid.
PMID- 28988590
TI - Treatment of Calciphylaxis: A Case for Oral Sodium Thiosulfate.
AB - Calciphylaxis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal
disease (ESRD). Intravenous sodium thiosulfate (STS) is the mainstay of therapy
for calciphylaxis. In peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with calciphylaxis,
intravenous STS poses logistic and financial challenges. Even though
pharmacokinetic studies show poor bioavailability of oral STS, we report
successful use of oral STS in 2 PD patients with calciphylaxis.A 55-year-old
Latina American woman with diabetes was initiated on PD after access failure and
chronic hypotension. She developed painful ischemic lesions in the left middle
finger and left big toe 4 months later. The ischemia in the left hand progressed,
requiring amputation of two fingers. She later developed extensive painful
calcific areas in the abdominal wall. She was initially started on oral STS 1500
mg twice daily that was subsequently increased to 3750 mg daily, which resulted
in substantial pain relief and a decrease in the size of the calcific
plaques.Another diabetic patient with ESRD who was on PD presented with a painful
ischemic finger for 2 years. He was treated with oral STS 1500 mg twice daily,
resulting in prompt pain relief.Oral STS can be an effective treatment for
calciphylaxis.
PMID- 28988591
TI - Bullous Skin Lesions in a Patient with End-Stage Renal Disease and Hepatitis C.
AB - Bullous lesions in patients with end-stage renal disease are uncommon and can
pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We present a female patient with end
stage renal disease, bullous skin lesions affecting mainly sun-exposed areas, and
high ferritin levels. She also had hepatitis C. Her serum porphyrin panel was
suggestive of porphyria cutanea tarda. Skin biopsy excluded inflammatory
pathologies. Phlebotomy during each hemodialysis, continuation of darbepoetin,
and avoidance of any further doses of intravenous iron, with close monitoring of
hemoglobin, resulted in a gradual drop in ferritin level and improvement of the
skin lesions.
PMID- 28988592
TI - Successful Peritoneal Dialysis in Large-Weight Subjects: Clinical Features and
Comparisons with Normal-Weight Subjects.
AB - Peritoneal dialysis (PD) obviates the need for temporary vascular access in end
stage renal disease; however, extremely heavy weight has been viewed as a
relative contraindication to PD.We performed a cross-sectional review of multiple
clinical and laboratory variables for 75 current or past PD patients (vintage > 6
months), comparing dialysis adequacy parameters for those with a large body
weight (>100 kg, LWS group) and with a normal body weight (<75 kg, NWS group).In
the LWS group (n = 17), mean weight was 117.2 +/- 15.7 kg, and mean body mass
index (BMI) was 37.2 +/- 6.3 kg/m2; in the NWS group (n = 33), mean weight was
63.2 +/- 9.2 kg, and mean BMI was 25.3 +/- 4.5 kg/m2. Despite the marked
differences in weight and BMI between the groups (both p < 0.0001), achieved Kt/V
was adequate, although marginally less, in large subjects (1.96 +/- 0.29 for the
LWS group vs. 2.22 +/- 0.47 for the NWS group, p = 0.022), and weekly global
creatinine clearance was significantly better in the LWS group (92.5 +/- 43.5
L/1.73 m2 vs. 62.2 +/- 27.5 L/1.73 m2, p = 0.016). The total daily exchange
volume was approximately 30% higher in the LWS group (12.8 +/- 2.5 L vs. 9.9 +/-
2.2 L, p < 0.0001). Residual creatinine clearance (p = 0.224) and residual urine
output (p = 0.125) were similar and did not seem to influence the results.
Compared with their LWS counterparts, members of the NWS group were more likely
to have higher iron saturation (p = 0.053) and serum ferritin (p = 0.004), but
lower achieved hemoglobin (p = 0.055).Successful PD is feasible in larger-weight
individuals; however, given the retrospective nature of the present study,
prospective trials are needed to confirm that observation.
PMID- 28988593
TI - Corticosteroid-induced vaso-occlusive events may be prevented by lowering
hemoglobin S levels in adults with sickle cell disease.
PMID- 28988594
TI - The need for standardized evaluation and feedback processes for experiential
placements worldwide.
PMID- 28988595
TI - A Larger BAT Improves Metabolism but Whiffs on Safety.
PMID- 28988596
TI - TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratio: An independent predictor for coronary artery disease in
North Indian population.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIM: Cytokines are responsible for the modulation of immunological and
inflammatory processes and play a significant role in the pathogenesis of
coronary artery disease (CAD). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are
considered as a pro inflammatory and interleukin-10 (IL-10) anti inflammatory
have been shown to predict the risk of incident of CAD. Aim of present study is
to examine the impact of the TNF-alpha and Il-10 levels on various components of
the CAD. METHODS: Total 580 subjects were recruited in the present study out of
which 290 diagnosed CAD subjects (Age 51.61+/-9.26; BMI 25.27+/-3.58) and 290
healthy controls (Age 51.72+/-9.48; BMI 24.02+/-7.42). Serum TNF-alpha and IL-10
levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Data of present study revealed that CAD
patients had higher frequency (p=0.001) of smoking (38.28%), Alcohol (21.03%),
Diabetes (53.45%) and hypertension (48.28%) as compare to controls. Moreover, we
have observed highly significant (p<0.05) difference in PR, BMI, DBP, DBP,
Glucose, TC, TG, VLDL, LDL, TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha/IL-10. However, HDL and IL-10
were found lower in CAD. CONCLUSION: The findings of present study suggest that
the TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratio may play a vital role in the development of CAD of
North Indian population.
PMID- 28988598
TI - Nipple sparing mastectomy and microsurgical breast reconstruction: An approach
for success.
PMID- 28988597
TI - Dosing issues with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants for the treatment
of non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Why we should not underdose our patients.
AB - Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) - dabigatran, rivaroxaban,
apixaban and edoxaban - are well established in terms of preventing stroke or
systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and high
thromboembolism risk. When prescribed incorrectly, NOACs are associated with an
increased risk of ischaemic events and bleeding. Current NOAC labels explicitly
address dose adjustments according to age, body weight, renal function and
concomitant treatment with P-glycoprotein inhibitors. The required dose
adjustments vary significantly from molecule to molecule, thereby creating a
complex dose adjustment environment. Furthermore, recommendations support
assessment of individual risk using thromboembolic and bleeding risk scores.
Evidence-based medicine also provides data about specific patient profiles. In
particular, some patients who are at higher risk of bleeding, such as patients on
polymedication, are often at higher risk of stroke. More and more patients are
being treated with NOACs. The question of appropriate dosing has become
important, as studies are starting to show that reduced doses are being
prescribed at very high rates. Although these data have not been evaluated in
light of individual risk assessments, in everyday practice, physicians are often
more concerned about drug-related bleeding than about the spontaneous evolution
of the disease (stroke/systemic embolism), leading to high rates of prescription
of inadequately low doses. Recent results have shown that only certain risk
criteria justify dose reduction. Thus, the right dose needs to be prescribed for
the right patient in order to obtain, in real-life practice, the benefits of
NOACs that have been demonstrated in randomized clinical trials.
PMID- 28988599
TI - Pathological outcomes in men with prostate cancer who are eligible for active
surveillance.
AB - BACKGROUND: In order to prevent over treatment of prostate cancer and significant
adverse effects after surgical intervention, active surveillance was suggested in
low risk or very low risk patients. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze
the adverse pathological results of candidates eligible for active surveillance.
METHODS: A total of 904 patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical
prostatectomy in this single institute, from 2005 to April 2014. One hundred and
thirty-two patients were eligible for active surveillance (AS). Candidates for
active surveillance were defined as low risk (T1/T2a, prostate specific antigen
10 ng/ml or less, and Gleason score 6 or less) and very low risk (T1c, prostate
specific antigen density 0.15 or less, Gleason score 6 or less, 2 or fewer
positive biopsy cores, 50% or less cancer involvement per core) patients. Adverse
pathological results were defined as Gleason sum more than 6, and non-organ
confined disease. RESULTS: There were 132 patients eligible for active
surveillance. One hundred and thirteen (85.6%, 113/132) patients had low risk
disease and nineteen (14.4%, 19/132) patients had very low risk disease. The
adverse pathological results of low risk disease were upgrading Gleason sum and
non-organ-confined disease, 41.6% (47/113) and 28.3% (32/113), respectively. The
adverse pathological results of very low risk disease were upgrading Gleason sum
and non-organ-confined disease, 15.8% (3/19) and 15.8% (3/19), respectively.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that although AS may prevent over treatment and
significant adverse effects after surgical intervention, stratification of
patients with low risk prostate cancer is of paramount importance when choosing
appropriate candidate for AS. The risk of adverse pathological results should be
well informed in the pretreatment counseling.
PMID- 28988600
TI - An evaluation study of reported pancreatic adenocarcinoma risk-associated SNPs
from genome-wide association studies in Chinese population.
AB - BACKGROUND: Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and a pathway study
of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) identified 14 significantly associated
single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) along with another 7 promising loci in
European, Japanese, and Chinese descents. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the
potential association of these SNPs with PDAC risk in the Chinese population.
METHODS: In this Chinese population-based case-control study with 254 cases and
1200 controls, we tested 20 PDAC risk associated SNPs from previous GWAS and one
SNP from a pathway-based study. RESULTS: All 21 SNPs were polymorphic in the
Chinese population. Twenty SNPs were included in the final analysis after the
quality check (QC). Among these SNPs, three were significantly associated with
PDAC risk after Bonferroni correction (P < 2.5E-03) including rs7779540 (at
7q36.2, P = 3.89E-06, OR = 2.59, 95%CI: 1.73-3.87), rs10919791 (at 1q32.1, P =
6.07E-05, OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.24-1.86) and rs401681 (at 5p15.33, P = 5.15E-04, OR
= 1.42, 95%CI: 1.17-1.73). Rs2255280 (at 5p13.1, P = 8.16E-03, OR = 1.31, 95%CI:
1.07-1.6) showed significant association at the p < 0.05 level. The directions of
effect of these SNPs were consistent with previous studies. CONCLUSION: Four PDAC
risk-associated SNPs identified in GWAS of various populations are associated
with PDAC risk in the Chinese population. Information on PDAC risk-associated
SNPs and their ORs may facilitate risk assessment of PDAC risk in the Chinese
population.
PMID- 28988601
TI - Colonization of the middle turbinate.
PMID- 28988602
TI - A new hot spot for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE): A marked increase of TBE cases
in France in 2016.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a zoonotic agent causing
severe encephalitis. In 2016, in Northeastern France, we faced a TBEV infection
increase, leading to a warning from the Regional Health Agency. Here, we report
the confirmed TBE cases diagnosed between January 2013 and December 2016, with
particular emphasis on the year 2016. METHODS: A total of 1643 blood and
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from everywhere in France, corresponding to
1460 patients, were prospectively tested for anti-TBEV-specific IgM and IgG
antibodies by ELISA. Additional 39 blood and CSF samples from patients with
suspected Lyme neuroborreliosis were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: The
TBEV seropositivity rate was estimated to 5.89% and 54 patients were diagnosed as
TBE-confirmed cases. A significant increase in TBE cases was observed during the
year 2016 with 29 confirmed cases, instead of a mean of eight cases during the
three previous years (p=0.0006). Six imported cases and 48 autochthonous cases,
located in the Alsace region (n=43) and in the Alpine region (n=5) were reported.
Forty-six patients experienced neurological impairment. Nine patients showed an
incomplete recovery at last follow-up (from 15days to eight months post
infection). TBE diagnosis was performed earlier for patients taken in charge in
the Alsace region than those hospitalized elsewhere in France (p=0.0087). Among
the 39 patients with suspected Lyme neuroborreliosis retrospectively
investigated, one showed a TBEV recent infection. CONCLUSION: The TBE increase
that occurred in France in 2016 highlights the need to improve our knowledge
about the true burden of TBEV infection and subsequent long-term outcomes.
PMID- 28988603
TI - Exploring donor and product factors and their impact on red cell post-transfusion
outcomes.
AB - The impact of donor characteristics, red cell age, and red cell processing
methods on recipient outcomes is an emerging area of research. Knowledge
generated from exploring this transfusion continuum has the potential to change
the way donors are selected and how donations are processed and stored with
important clinical and operational impact. Recently, donor characteristics
including age, gender, donation frequency, genetics, and ethnicity have been
shown to affect product quality and possibly recipient outcomes. The structural,
biochemical and immunological changes that occur with red cell storage appear to
not cause harm to blood recipients after 14 randomized clinical trials. However,
both in vitro and clinical data are now beginning to question the safety of blood
stored for a shorter duration. Whole blood filtration, a method of blood
processing, has been linked to inferior recipient outcomes when compared to red
cell filtration. Collectively, this emerging body of literature suggests that pre
transfusion parameters impact product quality and recipient outcomes and that no
2 units of red cells are quite the same. This review will summarize both the pre
clinical and clinical studies evaluating these associations.
PMID- 28988604
TI - Heart failure management with ambulatory pulmonary artery pressure monitoring.
AB - Remote monitoring strategies have been developed to improve ambulatory care of
heart failure patients and reduce heart failure hospitalizations. This article
evaluates the CardioMEMS device, an implantable wireless pulmonary artery
pressure monitor. We provide a historical review of remote monitoring in heart
failure along with an in-depth analysis of the rationale, evidence, and
limitations of the CardioMEMS device.
PMID- 28988605
TI - Recovery of metal values from copper slag and reuse of residual secondary slag.
AB - Resource and environmental factors have become major forces in mining and
metallurgy sectors driving research for sustainability purposes. The concept of
zero-waste processing has been gaining ground readily. The scant availability of
high quality raw materials has forced the researchers to shift their focus to
recycling while the exceedingly stringent environmental regulations have forced
researchers to explore new frontiers of minimizing/eliminating waste generation.
The present work is aimed at addressing both aspects by employing recycling to
generate wealth from copper slag and producing utilizable materials at the same
time thus restoring the ecosystem. Copper slag was characterized and processed.
The pyro-metallurgical processing prospects to generate utilizable materials were
arrived at through rigorous thermodynamic analysis. Carbothermal reduction at
elevated temperature (near 1440 degrees C) helped recover a majority of the metal
values (e.g., Fe, Cu and Mo) into the iron-rich alloy product which can be a feed
material for steel making. On the other hand, the non-metallic residue, the
secondary slag, can be used in the glass and ceramic industries. Reduction time
and temperature and carbon content were shown to be the most important process
variables for the reaction which were optimized to identify the most favored
operating regime that maximizes the metal recovery and simultaneously maximizes
the hardness of the secondary slag and minimizes its density, the two major
criteria for the secondary slag product to be utilizable. The flux addition level
was shown to have relatively less impact on the process performance if these are
maintained at an adequate level. The work established that the copper slag, a
waste material, can be successfully processed to generate reusable products
through pyrometallurgical processing.
PMID- 28988606
TI - A novel strategy for producing compost with enhanced biopesticide properties
through solid-state fermentation of biowaste and inoculation with Bacillus
thuringiensis.
AB - In the framework of a circular economy, organic solid wastes are considered to be
resources useful for obtaining value-added products. Among other potential uses,
biodegradable wastes from agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources are
being studied to obtain biopesticides through solid-state fermentation (SSF),
mainly at the laboratory scale. The suitability of biowaste (source-selected
organic fraction of municipal solid waste) for use as a substrate for Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt) growth under non-sterile conditions in a 10 L SSF reactor was
determined in this study. An operational strategy for setting up a semi
continuous process yielding a stabilised organic compost-like material enriched
with Bt suitable for use as a soil amendment was developed. Concentrations of
1.7.107-2.2.107 and 1.3.107-2.1.107 CFU g-1 DM for Bt viable cells and spores,
respectively, were obtained in the final material. As the results confirmed, Bt
enriched compost-like material with potential biopesticide properties can be
produced from non-sterile biowaste.
PMID- 28988607
TI - Activity standardisation of 210Pb by 4pialpha liquid scintillation counting
method.
AB - The activity of 210Pb in a solution with 210Pb-210Po in the radioactive
equilibrium was determined through its decay product 210Po by liquid
scintillation counting (LSC), which has, after separation, as a pure alpha
emitting nuclide, detection efficiency practically equal to 1. For the separation
of 210Po from 210Pb solution, two methods based on precipitation of Pb, and Pb
with Bi, leaving Po in the solution, were introduced. The first one was
precipitation of Pb in the form of Pb(NO3)2 from a mixture of acetic acid,
toluene, water and HNO3. The second one was based on co-precipitation of Bi and
Pb with KCl from a mixture of organic solvents, where 210Bi with 210Pb was fixed
to the precipitate. The relative standard uncertainty of 210Pb activity
concentration was estimated to be lower than 0.45%.
PMID- 28988608
TI - Routine C4d immunohistochemistry in cardiac allografts: Long-term outcomes.
AB - BACKGROUND: In the past decade, C4d has emerged as a potential marker for
antibody-mediated rejection (AMR); however, evidence on its use as a prognostic
tool has been controversial. Although the International Society for Heart and
Lung Transplantation guideline recommends early routine surveillance of C4d in
heart transplantation, there is no consensus on its value in the pathologic
assessment of AMR. Herein we present a correlation analysis of C4d
immunoreactivity in endomyocardial biopsies with clinical cardiac dysfunction,
cellular rejection, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) status, cardiac allograft
vasculopathy (CAV) and death. METHODS: A total of 5,840 endomyocardial biopsies
from 296 heart transplant recipients (January 2004 to December 2014) were stained
prospectively for C4d. Strong, diffuse endothelial staining was considered
positive. All patients had at least 1 year of follow-up. Positive C4d staining
was present in 53 biopsies from 28 patients. Sixteen of 28 patients had
clinically significant cardiac dysfunction at the time of positive biopsy. In C4d
positive patients, the mean panel-reactive antibody (PRA) level was 33%. Ten
patients demonstrated a first C4d positivity within the first year post
transplant, whereas 18 patients had C4d positivity after 1 year post-transplant.
At autopsy, all 11 C4d-positive patients examined demonstrated cardiac allograft
vasculopathy (CAV) as the underlying cause of death. In contrast, only 2 of 8
(25%) C4d-negative patients had CAV at autopsy. In the surviving cohort, there
was an angiographic diagnosis of higher-than-moderate CAV in 10 patients (3.8%).
RESULTS: C4d-positive patients contributed to 67% of the overall institutional
mortality in heart transplant recipients. Late C4d positivity (>1 year post
transplant) demonstrated an even higher risk for developing CAV and poor
prognosis than early C4d positivity (within 1 year). In the C4d-negative group
with postmortem examination, 75% (6 of 8) deaths were due to non-cardiac causes.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show a positive association of C4d with CAV and death.
We identified a prognostic role for C4d in heart transplantation warranting
routine long-term detection of this marker in the pathologic evaluation of
cardiac AMR.
PMID- 28988609
TI - Metformin and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
PMID- 28988610
TI - Trends and predictions to 2020 in breast cancer mortality in Europe.
AB - OBJECTIVES: We analyzed trends in mortality from breast cancer in women in 36
European countries and the European Union (EU) over the period 1970-2014, and
predicted numbers of deaths and rates to 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We derived
breast cancer death certification data and population figures from the World
Health Organization and Eurostat databases. We obtained 2020 estimates using a
joinpoint regression model. RESULTS: Overall, EU breast cancer mortality rates
(world standard) declined from 17.9/100,000 in 2002 to 15.2 in 2012. The
predicted 2020 rate is 13.4/100,000. The falls were largest in young women (20-49
years, -22% between 2002 and 2012). Within the EU, declines were larger in the
United Kingdom (UK) and other northern and western European countries than in
most central and eastern Europe. The UK has the second lowest predicted breast
cancer mortality rate in 2020 (after Spain), starting from the highest one in
1970. Breast cancer mortality is predicted to rise in Poland, where the predicted
2020 rate is 15.3/100,000. We estimated that about 32,500 breast cancer deaths
will be avoided in 2020 in the EU as compared to the peak rate of 1989, and a
total of 475,000 breast cancer deaths over the period 1990-2020. CONCLUSION: The
overall favourable breast cancer mortality trends are mainly due to a succession
of improvements in the management and treatment of breast cancer, though early
diagnosis and screening played a role, too. Improving breast cancer management in
central and eastern Europe is a priority.
PMID- 28988611
TI - Prevalence of Neurocognitive Dysfunction and Its Effects on Postoperative
Outcomes in Total Joint Arthroplasty.
AB - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of neurocognitive dysfunction (NCD) and its effects on
postoperative outcomes have not been well characterized following total joint
arthroplasty (TJA) population. This study aims at better understand this
relationship. METHODS: Patients were evaluated for neurocognitive function using
the grooved pegboard test for the dominant (PEG-D) and nondominant hand (PEG-N),
and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). The patient scores for each
test was compared to age-controlled normative values in order to identify NCD.
Baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes were then compared amongst
the two cohorts. RESULTS: Ninety-nine consecutive patients were prospectively
enrolled. Nearly 54% were identified as neurocognitively deficient on at least 1
of the 3 tests (31% by RAVLT, 21% by PEG-D, and 30% by PEG-N). There was a
statistically significant prevalence of NCD in patients older than 60 years when
compared to normative controls for RAVLT (P < .001). Patients with depression or
an American Society of Anesthesiologist score of 3 were 5 times as likely to have
NCD, while patients with a body mass index between 20-30 kg/m2 were 5 times less
likely to have NCD. Furthermore, patients identified as NCD preoperatively were
significantly more likely to be transferred to the intensive care unit (48% vs
14%) and fail physical therapy (64% vs 17%), respectively. CONCLUSION: NCD is
highly prevalent within total joint arthroplasty candidates and may be correlated
with higher body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologist scores, and
rates of depression. The condition predisposes patients to suboptimal
postoperative outcomes including increased intensive care unit admissions and
prolonged rehabilitation.
PMID- 28988612
TI - Cost Analysis, Complications, and Discharge Disposition Associated With
Simultaneous vs Staged Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty.
AB - BACKGROUND: Simultaneous vs staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) has
long been debated. The primary objective of this study was to compare actual
hospital costs and complication rates in patients undergoing simultaneous BTKA
(simBTKA) and staged BTKA (staBTKA) at a single institution. METHODS: A total
joint arthroplasty database from a single hospital was used to identify all
patients who underwent primary BTKA from 2013 to 2016 and divided into
simultaneous and staged groups. StaBTKA patients were included if both procedures
were performed within 1 year by the same surgeon. The combined total hospital
cost of both procedures was used, and inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) costs were
added for all patients discharged to IPR. RESULTS: There were 225 simBTKA and 337
staBTKA patients. SimBTKA patients were younger (61 +/- 8 vs 66 +/- 8 years, P <
.001), had lower body mass index (31.3 +/- 5.9 vs 34.0 +/- 7.2, P < .001), were
more predominately male (48% vs 38%, P = .029), and more likely to require IPR as
compared with staBTKA patients. There was no difference in total hospital cost
for simBTKA as compared with staBTKA ($24,596 +/- $5652 vs $24,915 +/- $5756, P =
.586). Complications were more prevalent in the simBTKA group, including venous
thromboembolism (5.4% vs 1.4%, P = .006) and blood transfusions (15.8% vs 6.2%, P
< .001). CONCLUSION: There were higher complication rates with no significant
cost savings in actual hospital costs associated with simBTKA, when accounting
for the cost of IPR, as compared with staBTKA. The total cost analysis of simBTKA
vs staBTKA, using actual cost data, merits further evaluation.
PMID- 28988613
TI - Amelioration of panadol-induced nephrotoxicity via down-regulation of Bax/Bcl2
ratio with some antioxidants.
AB - BACKGROUND: Overdoses of Panadol (APAP) result in hepatic and renal toxicity. Up
till now, there is no effective drug for APAP-enhanced nephrotoxicity. This work
aims to explore the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine, Thymoquinone (THQ),
Curcumin (CUR) and alpha-Lipoic acid (LA) either alone or in combination against
APAP nephrotoxicity, focused on modulation of Bax/Bcl2 pathway. METHODS: APAP was
administrated at a single dose then treated with the fore mentioned antioxidants.
RESULTS: APAP administration increased serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, tumor
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) levels
compared to control group. There is a marked depletion of reduced glutathione
(GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), Bax level was
overexpressed, whereas Bcl2 was downregulated in renal tissue. Histopathological
examination of the kidney tissue supported these biochemical findings. Treatment
with the fore mentioned anti-oxidants ameliorated most of the previous evaluated
parameters and returned the kidney nearly to its normal architecture. CONCLUSION:
The expression of Bax and Bcl2 is considered one of the mechanisms underlying
APAP-induced nephrotoxicity. The administration of THQ along with CUR could be a
promising antidote for APAP renal damage through their antioxidant potential.
PMID- 28988614
TI - Neuroadaptive changes in metabotropic glutamate mGlu2/3R expression during
different phases of cocaine addiction in rats.
AB - BACKGROUND: In the cocaine addiction the development from transient into
persistent neuroplastic changes strongly involves the glutamatergic system. In
this respect, among glutamatergic receptors special attention is paid to the
group II of metabotropic glutamatergic receptors (mGlu2/3R) which are involved in
the transition from drug use to drug addiction including the relapse mechanisms.
METHODS: The present study employed radioligand binding and Western blot assays
to study mGlu2/3R density, affinity and protein expression in selected rat brain
areas after cocaine self-administration, extinction training and cocaine-induced
reinstatement. Rats were randomly assigned in triads to one of three conditions:
contingent cocaine intravenous self-administration, non-contingent injections of
cocaine (yoked cocaine), or saline yoked to the intake of the self-administering
subject. RESULTS: Cocaine self-administration and yoked cocaine delivery resulted
in a significant increase in the mGlu2/3R density in the prefrontal cortex and
the dorsal striatum, while 10-day extinction training provoked a reduction in the
prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens. Cocaine abstinence also enhanced an
increase in the [3H]ligand binding to mGlu2/3R in the prefrontal cortex. During
reinstatement the cocaine challenge dose (10mg/kg, ip) led to important elevation
in the mGlu2/3R density in the prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
demonstrated the role of mGlu2/3R localized in the prefrontal cortex-striatum
pathways to cocaine repeated exposure.
PMID- 28988616
TI - Modified conventional bioreactor for microalgae cultivation.
AB - Microalgae, a renewable source for third generation biofuel production, have a
great potential if cultivated in high concentration economically. Bottleneck lies
with designing economical and efficient photobioreactor. In addition,
proportional C and N inputs in the known media does not support high specific
growth rate and high biomass build-up. Nitrates in fermentation media, f/2 for
Nannochloropsis sp. and Zarrouk's for Arthrospira platensis, were modified.
Aeration and agitation were altered in conventional bioreactor (BIOFLO 110) to
reduce power consumption, increase mixing time and prevents settling. This was
achieved by introducing four way flow regime supporting uniform nutrient and cell
distribution in media. Volumetric cell productivity for Nannochloropsis sp. and
A. platensis were achieved as 0.618 g/l/d and 0.774 g/l/d, respectively. This
photobioreactor also supported the maximum specific CO2 sequestration rates to
the level of 0.42 g/g/h and 0.39 g/g/h for Nannochloropsis sp. and A. platensis,
respectively, confirming efficient and effective operation.
PMID- 28988617
TI - Translational Research - The Intersection Between Sociocultural and Environmental
Factors and the Health of Children and Families.
PMID- 28988615
TI - Mechanism of synergistic action on behavior, oxidative stress and inflammation
following co-treatment with ketamine and different antidepressant classes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects many people in the world.
However, around 40% of patients do not respond to any pharmacological drugs. An
alternative is to use a combination of different pharmacological groups or the
combination of a classical antidepressant with a substance that can potentiate
its effect. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the synergistic interactions
between different antidepressants, including fluoxetine, quetiapine and
lamotrigine in combination with ketamine, a N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor
antagonist. METHODS: Wistar rats were acutely treated with fluoxetine
(1.25mg/kg), quetiapine (5mg/kg), and lamotrigine (5.0mg/kg) alone or in
combination with ketamine (5.0mg/kg), and then subjected to behavioral tests. In
addition, oxidative damage and antioxidant capacity were assessed in the rat
brain, and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels were evaluated in the serum.
RESULTS: It was observed a synergistic effect of ketamine in combination with
fluoxetine on the immobility time in the forced swimming test, indicating an
antidepressant effect. Other antidepressant did not show effects when
administrated alone or joint to ketamine. The combination of ketamine with other
antidepressants, particularly quetiapine, in some brain regions induced an
increase in damage to lipids and proteins. However, the combination of ketamine
with fluoxetine increased the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase, and
decreased oxidative damage, thus suggesting a neuroprotective effect of the
combination of these drugs. The combination of ketamine with fluoxetine or
lamotrigine reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. CONCLUSION: In conclusion,
ketamine induced antioxidant or pro-antioxidant effects dependent of
antidepressant classes or brain area.
PMID- 28988618
TI - Hospital burden of long-term genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity after
radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Treatment options for prostate cancer (PCa) include radical
radiotherapy (RT) and radical prostatectomy, both of which have comparable
oncological outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the hospital
burden of long-term genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity among patients
with PCa who were treated with radiotherapy at our institution. METHODS: The
radiotherapy department database was used retrospectively to identify all
patients who underwent radiotherapy for PCa from January 2006 to January 2008.
The patient administration system from each public hospital in the region was
interrogated and all patient points of contact were recorded. Minimum follow up
was 5 years. Individual patient charts were reviewed and factors that might
influence outcomes were documented. RESULTS: We identified 112 patients. The mean
age at diagnosis was 66 (44-76) and the median PSA was 12.1 (3.2-38). The mean
duration of follow-up was 7.8 yrs. Twenty-three patients (20%) presented to the
Emergency Department (ED) with late onset toxicity. Nine patients had more than 2
ED attendances. Twenty-five patients (22%) were investigated for genitourinary
toxicity. Forty-seven patients (42%) underwent investigation for gastrointestinal
side-effects and 45% of these required argon therapy (21/47). CONCLUSION: We
found a significant hospital burden related to the management of gastrointestinal
and genitourinary toxicity post radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer. As
health care reforms gain momentum, policy makers must take into account the
considerable longitudinal health care cost related to radiotherapy. It is also
important that patients are counselled carefully in relation to potential long
term side-effects.
PMID- 28988619
TI - Bacterial Subversion of COG-Dependent Membrane Traffic.
AB - Intracellular bacterial pathogens thrive within eukaryotic cells by interacting
with a range of organelles to establish a replicative niche. In a new study in
Cell Host and Microbe, Miller et al. identify a Brucella abortus effector that
subverts membrane and protein transport to the Golgi apparatus to promote
bacterial replication.
PMID- 28988620
TI - Collapsing the Metabolic PON2zi Scheme in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
AB - A hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC) cells is metabolic
reprogramming that facilitates tumor progression. In a recent paper published in
Molecular Cell, Nagarajan et al. discover that paraoxonase (PON)2 stimulates
glucose transporter (GLUT)1-mediated glucose uptake, prevents AMP-activated
protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated anoikis, and consequently promotes PDAC
development and metastasis.
PMID- 28988621
TI - Oxidation of M252 but not M428 in hu-IgG1 is responsible for decreased binding to
and activation of hu-FcgammaRIIa (His131).
AB - Oxidation of monoclonal therapeutic antibodies (mAbs) can affect binding to Fc
receptors and potentially influence pharmacokinetics or effector functions like
e.g. antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). Recently, it has been
demonstrated that binding to FcgammaRIIa (H131) is affected by methionine
oxidation of the Fc-portion but it is currently unknown which methionine is
responsible for decreased binding. We separated an oxidized IgG1 monoclonal
antibody based on the oxidation state of methionine 252 and analyzed fractionated
material in receptor binding experiments as well as in functional (cell-based)
assays. Although the unfractionated mixture demonstrated weaker
interaction/activation of the receptor, differently oxidized isolated subspecies
can lead both to stronger as well as weaker binding and activation of the
histidine variant of FcgammaRIIa.
PMID- 28988622
TI - Back to the future of targeting leukotriene B4 mediated inflammation.
PMID- 28988623
TI - Stakeholder perceptions of lowering the blood alcohol concentration standard in
the United States.
AB - PURPOSE: This study sought to better understand the past change in the legal
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) standard from 0.10% to 0.08% in the United
States, as well as explore stakeholder perceptions about potential health and
other impacts of further lowering the standard below 0.08%. METHODS: In-depth
interviews were conducted with representatives of 20 organizations considered to
have an interest and investment in the potential impacts of strategies to
decrease alcohol-impaired related crashes and injuries. Interviews were conducted
by a trained moderator, using a structured guide. RESULTS: Themes from the
interviews are presented for several discussion topics explored for both the
earlier change in the legal BAC limit from 0.10% to 0.08% and a potential
lowering of the limit below 0.08%. Topics included arguments for and against
change; organizational position on the change; stakeholders on both sides of the
issue; strategies to support or oppose the change; health and economic impacts;
and enforcement and adjudication challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, results
suggest that moving the BAC standard below the current level will require
considerable effort and time. There was strong, but not complete, agreement that
it will be difficult, and maybe infeasible in the short-term, for states to
implement a BAC standard lower than 0.08%.
PMID- 28988624
TI - Recently reported biological activities of pyrazole compounds.
AB - The pyrazole nucleus is an aromatic azole heterocycle with two adjacent nitrogen
atoms. Pyrazole derivatives have exhibited a broad spectrum of biological
activities, and approved pyrazole-containing drugs include celecoxib, antipyrine,
phenylbutazone, rimonabant, and dipyrone. Many research groups have synthesized
and evaluated pyrazoles against several biological agents. This review examines
recent publications relating the structures of pyrazoles with their corresponding
biological activities.
PMID- 28988625
TI - In vivo programming of endogenous antibodies via oral administration of adaptor
ligands.
AB - Vaccination is a reliable method of prophylaxis and a crucial measure for public
health. However, the majority of vaccines cannot be administered orally due to
their degradation in the harsh gut environment or inability to cross the GI
tract. In this study, we report the first proof-of-concept study of orally
producible chemically programmed antibodies via specific conjugation of adaptor
ligands to endogenous antibodies, in vivo. Pre-immuniztion with 2,4-dinitrophenyl
(DNP), or the reactive hapten, 1,3-diketone (DK), or a novel reactive hapten,
vinyl sulfone (VS) in mice, followed by oral administration of adaptor ligands
composed of the hapten and biotin to the pre-immunized mice resulted in
successful in vivo formation of the biotin-hapten-antibody complexes within 2h.
Pharmacokinetic evaluations revealed that apparent serum concentrations of
programmed antibodies were up to 144nM and that the serum half-lives reached up
to 34.4h. These findings show promise for the future development of orally
bioavailable drug-hapten-antibody complexes asa strategy to quickly and easily
modulate immune targets for aggressive pathogens as well as cancer.
PMID- 28988626
TI - Synthesis and structure activity relationships of carbamimidoylcarbamate
derivatives as novel vascular adhesion protein-1 inhibitors.
AB - Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is a promising therapeutic target for the
treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Here, we conducted structural optimization of
the glycine amide derivative 1, which we previously reported as a novel VAP-1
inhibitor, to improve stability in dog and monkey plasma, and aqueous solubility.
By chemical modification of the right part in the glycine amide derivative, we
identified the carbamimidoylcarbamate derivative 20c, which showed stability in
dog and monkey plasma while maintaining VAP-1 inhibitory activity. We also found
that conversion of the pyrimidine ring in 20c into saturated rings was effective
for improving aqueous solubility. This led to the identification of 28a and 35 as
moderate VAP-1 inhibitors with excellent aqueous solubility. Further optimization
led to the identification of 2-fluoro-3-{3-[(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)oxy]azetidin-1
yl}benzyl carbamimidoylcarbamate (40b), which showed similar human VAP-1
inhibitory activity to 1 with improved aqueous solubility. 40b showed more potent
ex vivo efficacy than 1, with rat plasma VAP-1 inhibitory activity of 92% at 1h
after oral administration at 0.3mg/kg. In our pharmacokinetic study, 40b showed
good oral bioavailability in rats, dogs, and monkeys, which may be due to its
improved stability in dog and monkey plasma.
PMID- 28988628
TI - Challenges in the design of insulin and relaxin/insulin-like peptide mimetics.
AB - Peptidomimetics are designed to overcome the poor pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics associated with the native peptide or protein on which they are
based. The design of peptidomimetics starts from developing structure-activity
relationships of the native ligand-target pair that identify the key residues
that are responsible for the biological effect of the native peptide or protein.
Then minimization of the structure and introduction of constraints are applied to
create the core active site that can interact with the target with high affinity
and selectivity. Developing peptidomimetics is not trivial and often challenging,
particularly when peptides' interaction mechanism with their target is complex.
This review will discuss the challenges of developing peptidomimetics of
therapeutically important insulin superfamily peptides, particularly those which
have two chains (A and B) and three disulfide bonds and whose receptors are
known, namely insulin, H2 relaxin, H3 relaxin, INSL3 and INSL5.
PMID- 28988627
TI - Design, synthesis, and evaluation of salicyladimine derivatives as multitarget
directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease.
AB - A series of salicyladimine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated
as multi-target-directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Biological activity results demonstrated that some derivatives possessed
significant inhibitory activities against amyloid-beta (Abeta) aggregation and
human monoamine oxidase B (hMAO-B) as well as remarkable antioxidant effects and
low cell toxicity. The optimal compound, 5, exhibited excellent potency for
inhibition of self-induced Abeta1-42 aggregation (91.3+/-2.1%, 25MUM), inhibition
of hMAO-B (IC50, 1.73+/-0.39MUM), antioxidant effects (43.4+/-2.6MUM of IC50 by
DPPH method, 0.67+/-0.06 trolox equivalent by ABTS method), metal chelation and
BBB penetration. Furthermore, compound 5 had neuroprotective effects against ROS
generation, H2O2-induced apoptosis, 6-OHDA-induced cell injury, and a significant
in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Collectively, these findings highlighted
that compound 5 was a potential balanced multifunctional neuroprotective agent
for the development of anti-AD drugs.
PMID- 28988629
TI - Design and synthesis of a novel series of orally active, selective somatostatin
receptor 2 agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
AB - The discovery of a novel series of beta-methyltryptophan (beta MeTrp) derivatives
as selective and orally active non-peptide somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2)
agonists for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes is described. In our previous
research, Compound A, beta-MeTrp derivative with highly potent and selective
SSTR2 agonistic activity IC50 (SSTR2/SSTR5)=0.3/>100 (nM), was identified asa
drug candidate for treatment of Type 2 diabetes which lowers significantly plasma
glucose level in Wistar fatty rats in its oral administrations. However, as
serious increase in AUC and phospholipidosis (PLsis) were observed in its
toxicological studies in rats, follow-up compounds were searched to avoid risk of
PLsis with reference to their in vitro PLsis potentials evaluated on the basis of
accumulation of phospholipids in HepG2 cells exposed to the compounds. It has
been found that introduction of a carbonyl group onto the piperidine and
piperazine or aniline moiety of compounds A and B reduced markedly the in vitro
PLsis potentials. And further modification of the compounds and their evaluation
led to a discovery of compounds 3k with lower in vitro PLsis potentials
exhibiting lowering effect of hypoglycemia-induced glucagon secretion in SD rats
(ED50=1.1mg/kg) and glucose excursion in meal tolerance test in Wistar fatty
diabetic rats (MED=3.0mg/kg) in oral administrations. Compound 3k was selected
asa new drug candidate of selective and orally active non-peptide SSTR2 agonists
for treatment of Type 2 diabetes with low in vivo PLsis potential.
PMID- 28988630
TI - Differences in short-term clinical and radiological outcomes depending on timing
of balloon kyphoplasty for painful osteoporotic vertebral fracture.
AB - BACKGROUND: Balloon kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty is widely performed as a
surgical intervention for osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) and the effects
have been investigated in many previous studies. However, the influence of the
timing of the procedure on patient outcomes has not been studied formally. The
purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the surgical outcomes of
OVFs according to the timing of balloon kyphoplasty. METHODS: This was a
multicenter cohort study. Participants comprised 72 consecutive patients who
underwent balloon kyphoplasty between January 2012 and January 2016. Patients
were analyzed in two groups according to the timing of kyphoplasty after onset
(Early group: <=2 months; Late group: >2 months). Follow-up continued for more
than 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were effectively analyzed. Of
these, 27 (38%) patients underwent kyphoplasty within 2 months after symptom
onset. The Late group showed greater angular motion of fractured vertebrae (p =
0.005) and compression of anterior vertebral height (p = 0.001) before surgery.
Final outcomes adjusted for age and preoperative outcome showed lower visual
analog scale (VAS) scores for low back pain in the Early group than in the Late
group (19.9 vs. 30.4, p = 0.049). Final relative anterior vertebral height and
kyphotic angle were more preserved in the Early group than in the Late group (p =
0.002 and p = 0.020, respectively), although absolute differences were not
significant. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral height and kyphotic angle before and after
balloon kyphoplasty were greater in patients who underwent kyphoplasty within 2
months after onset, and the VAS score for low back pain at final follow-up was
better. Our results support kyphoplasty within 2 months.
PMID- 28988631
TI - Necessity of D2 lymph node dissection in older patients >=80years with gastric
cancer.
AB - OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the effect of D2 lymph node (LN) dissection on
complications and survival in older patients with gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: A total of 103 octogenarian patients who underwent curative gastrectomy
for gastric cancer were divided into two groups (D2 and D1) according to the
extent of LN dissection and analyzed retrospectively for complications and
survival. RESULTS: No differences were observed in short-term postoperative
outcomes, including complication rates, between the two groups. In a survival
analysis, D2 LN dissection did not improve overall survival (OS) in any patient,
including advanced cases. A Cox regression analysis revealed that the independent
risk factors for OS were history of coronary artery disease (hazard ratio [HR],
11.095), postoperative short-term complications (HR, 9.939), and TNM stage (HR,
6.299). The extent of LN dissection was not an independent risk factor for OS,
and D2 or more LN dissection (odds ratio, 10.89) increased the risk
independently. CONCLUSIONS: D2 or more LN dissection did not improve survival,
but rather increased the risk of complications. Thus, LN dissection should be
performed sparingly in octogenarian patients with gastric cancer.
PMID- 28988632
TI - Leisure time physical activity patterns in Odisha, India.
AB - AIMS: The World Health Organization has recommended a moderate intensity physical
activity of 150min, or 75min vigorous-intensity physical activity per week to
achieve optimal health benefits. It is not known if Indian populations who
indulge in leisure time physical exercises satisfy these recommendations.
METHODS: This study used a questionnaire to obtain data regarding demographic
details, current engagement in leisure time physical activities, and dosages of
these exercises from participants between 18 and 64 years of age. RESULTS: Data
was collected from a total of 390 participants (231 males and 159 females).
50.76% and 34.35% of the participants reported exercising voluntarily and for
health benefits respectively. Most participants (94.61%) indicated exercising
without prescription. 55.38% and 12.82% of the participants under and above 38
years of age perform moderate to vigorous intensity exercises respectively.
CONCLUSION: The over-all results of this study indicate that the participants'
choices of leisure time physical exercises are based on their personal choices
and beliefs. The exercise intensities undertaken do not meet the global
recommended intensities, especially in those above 38 years of age. Professionals
and facilities to engage the public in the WHO recommended intensities of
physical activity needs to be established.
PMID- 28988633
TI - Stabilizing the Transcription Factors by E3 Ligase COP1.
AB - Photomorphogenesis is oppositely regulated by two groups of transcription
factors. CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) degrades the positive factors but
stabilizes the negative ones to predominantly repress photomorphogenesis. It is
known that COP1 degrades substrates as an E3 ligase. Two recent studies unraveled
the long-sought mechanisms of how COP1 stabilizes the negative transcription
factors.
PMID- 28988634
TI - A Two-Tiered Strategy for Preventing Complications of Bereavement in the First
Thirteen Months Post-Loss: A Pilot Study Using Peer Supports with Professional
Therapist Back-up.
AB - This feasibility and acceptance pilot study for preventing complications of
bereavement within the first year post loss recruited 20 adult grievers within 9
months of becoming bereft and assigned consenting subjects to peer supporters
trained by a non-profit bereavement support organization for weekly or bi-weekly
telephone-based peer support until month 13 post-loss. Subjects who met DSM-5
criteria for major depressive disorder or showed an Inventory of Complicated
Grief (ICG) score exceeding 19, 6 months or more post loss, were assigned to 12
to 16 weeks of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) with an experienced therapist.
Eight and six subjects completed the protocol assigned to peer support and IPT,
respectively, with pre/post Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores of 5.38 (2.45)
versus 3.25 (4.13) (p = 0.266) and 16.67 (7.17) versus 8.40 (5.73) (p =0.063);
and pre/post ICG scores of 12.50 (4.72) versus 5.00 (2.51) (p = 0.016) and 35.17
(5.12) versus 8.4 (5.73) (p = 0.063). Implications of this two-tiered model of
early intervention for preventing complications of grief are discussed.
PMID- 28988635
TI - [Pediatricians and accompanied or unaccompanied foreign minors].
PMID- 28988636
TI - [Maternal anxiety related to how the pediatrician provided prenatal information
about preterm birth].
AB - INTRODUCTION: Women hospitalized for preterm labor require clear information
about prematurity. This study assessed whether or not specific written
information about prematurity delivered at admission to the unit combined with an
oral explanation from a pediatrician would decrease women's anxiety compared to
an oral explanation alone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single
center observational study. Women were included in the high-risk pregnancies
department and distributed into two groups: receiving "only oral" information for
a prenatal clinical consultation with a senior pediatrician or receiving
"combined" oral information+a booklet about prematurity given to the women at
admission. The primary endpoint was the change in anxiety-state (before and after
the information procedure) evaluated by the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y (STAI
Y). RESULTS: The anxiety score before receiving information did not differ
between the two groups (STAI-Y-A "combined" group: 46.7+/-3.0 vs. "only oral"
group: 42.7+/-2.74; P=0.55). After consultation with a pediatrician, the acute
anxiety-state score STAI-Y-A decreased significantly in the "combined" group (
6.7+/-1.9) compared to the "only oral" group (-2.5+/-4.6; P<0.05). DISCUSSION: A
booklet about prematurity combined with oral information from a pediatrician
reduced patients' anxiety more than oral information alone. Given that the
psychology of the mother interacts with the pregnancy, it is necessary to provide
clear and adapted information. Giving a booklet appears to be one of the
modalities to improve information. Other modalities such as video documents have
to be studied.
PMID- 28988637
TI - [Value of procalcitonin for infants with bronchiolitis in an emergency
department].
AB - CONTEXT: Very few studies have evaluated the role of procalcitonin (PCT) in
infants with bronchiolitis. AIMS: To describe infants who had both a diagnosis of
bronchiolitis at the emergency department and a blood test including PCT, and to
compare the characteristics of children according to the PCT value. METHODS:
Infants admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department between 1 January 2014 and
31 December 2014 who had a diagnosis of bronchiolitis and a blood test including
PCT were included. The clinical, biological, and radiological characteristics of
the infants with PCT <1 or >=1g/L were compared. RESULTS: One hundred thirty six
infants were included. Patients with high PCT (n=20) had a higher temperature
(38.5 degrees C, IQR=37.8-38.6 vs. 37.5 degrees C, IQR=37.1-38.2; P<0.01), C
reactive protein (50mg/L, IQR=25-83 vs. 5mg/L, IQR=0-19; P<0.01), and neutrophils
(7.8*109/L, IQR=6.0-8.5 vs 4.5*109/L, IQR=2.9-6.6; P<0.01) higher than patients
with low PCT (n=116). Presence on the chest x-ray of alveolar condensation did
not differ between the two PCT groups. Infants coming from the low-PCT group
received fewer antibiotics (14.7% vs 65%; P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In a Pediatric
Emergency Department, PCT with a value of 1 or more cannot predict the presence
of alveolar condensation on the chest x-ray. It seems to be associated with the
antibiotics prescription, even if this could not be proved because of the design
of the study.
PMID- 28988638
TI - [Pseudotumoral genital schistosomiasis].
PMID- 28988639
TI - Can we keep the MD program within reach of OMS?
PMID- 28988640
TI - Signaling pathway impact analysis by incorporating the importance and specificity
of genes (SPIA-IS).
AB - rlying biology of differentially expressed genes and proteins. Although various
approaches have been proposed to identify cancer-related pathways, most of them
only partially consider the influence of those differentially expressed genes,
such as the gene numbers, their perturbation in the signaling transduction, and
the interaction between genes. Signaling-pathway impact analysis (SPIA) provides
a convenient framework which considers both the classical enrichment analysis and
the actual perturbation on a given pathway. In this study, we extended previous
proposed SPIA by incorporating the importance and specificity of genes (SPIA-IS).
We applied this approach to six datasets for colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and
pancreatic cancer. Results from these datasets showed that the proposed SPIA-IS
could effectively improve the performance of the original SPIA in identifying
cancer-related pathways.
PMID- 28988641
TI - Sex-dependent effects of diabetes mellitus on the revascularization rate in mid
term follow up of young patients with coronary artery disease.
AB - AIMS: We investigated the association between Type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and
the need for revascularization at a 5-year follow-up of young coronary artery
disease patients and the role of sex in this regard. METHODS: Among 1121 young
(males<=45, and females<=55years) patients (female: 49.7%) from Tehran Heart
Center's Premature Coronary Atherosclerosis Cohort, 371(33.1%) had diabetes prior
to angiography. Revascularization was considered as either percutaneous coronary
intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. RESULTS: The mean follow-up
duration was 57.67+/-22.43months. In the univariable analysis, diabetics were at
a significantly higher risk of revascularization than nondiabetics (Sub
distributional Hazard Ratio [SHR]=1.843, P value<0.001). There was no association
between DM and revascularization among men (SHR=1.232, P value=0.508). In
contrast, women with DM had threefold more revascularization risk than women
without DM (SHR=3.519, P value<0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors,
the risk of revascularization in diabetics compared to nondiabetics increased to
2.139 fold (95% CI=1.473, 3.108) among the whole subjects, remained
nonsignificant among men, and increased significantly to 3.725 fold (95%
CI=2.067, 6.725) in women. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that in women with
premature CAD, but not in men, DM may have a significant role in emerging
revascularization during a mean follow-up of 5years.
PMID- 28988642
TI - Risk of beta-cell autoimmunity presence for progression to type 1 diabetes: A
systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Islet autoantibodies have been applied for diagnosis of type 1
diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at an asymptomatic stage in individuals with high-risk
genotypes. Evidence is insufficient to support a broad application of islet
autoantibody screening for T1DM in clinical practice. The aim of this study was
to assess the evidence of an association between islet autoantibodies and the
development of T1DM in a pooled population of both genetically at-risk
individuals and general people without definite genetic background. METHODS: A
comprehensive literature search was performed of Pubmed, Web of knowledge and
Cochrane library. Prospective cohort studies evaluating the role of islet
autoantibodies in prediction of T1DM progression were included. Risk ratios (RRs)
were calculated and pooled to arrive at summary estimate. chi2 and I2-values were
calculated as measures of heterogeneity and subgroup analyses were performed to
explore sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies matched the
inclusion criteria. A total of 71,482 nondiabetic participants who were
genetically at-risk individuals or from the general population were included, and
926 cases of T1DM were reported during a median follow-up of 7 years. Compared
with people free of islet autoantibody, those positive for any type or number of
islet autoantibody showed a significantly increased risk of developing T1DM (RR
150.42 [95% CI 87.34, 259.04]). Moreover, the risk for people with multiple islet
autoantibodies was 8.59-fold higher than the risk for those with single islet
autoantibody, although a moderate heterogeneity existed between studies. The
subgroup analysis further revealed that RRs of multiple islet autoantibodies in
at-risk population and general population were 7.17 and 13.72, respectively.
CONCLUSION: This study established the association between the seroconversion of
islet autoantibodies and T1DM progression in nondiabetic people with or without
definite genetic susceptibility, providing further evidence for an extensive
application in routine clinical practice to identify individuals at risk of T1DM.
PMID- 28988643
TI - A novel fitting algorithm for alignment curve radius estimation using corneal
elevation data in orthokeratology lens trial.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate a novel fitting algorithm for estimation of alignment curve
(AC) radius during orthokeratology lens trial. METHODS: Fifty myopic children
were recruited in this study. AC radii were estimated by both traditional method
using flat K readings and eccentricity values and by a novel fitting algorithm,
which was composed of 256 circle fittings using corneal elevation data from the
corresponding AC region and a succedent toric fitting based on these calculated
AC curvatures. Parameters of the final ordered lenses were determined by
fluorescein analysis and corneal topography. The number of lens trials was
recorded for each patient, and the consistencies of AC radius and astigmatism
between the first trial lenses and the final ordered lenses were tested by
Pearson correlations and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: The numbers of trials for
the novel algorithm and traditional method were 1.2+/-0.4 times vs. 1.8+/-0.7
times, respectively, and Mann-Whitney test showed significant difference (z=
3.27, p=0.001). AC radii of the first trial lenses estimated by the novel fitting
algorithm were more close to that of the final ordered lenses, showing a R square
value of 0.994 for the fitting algorithm and 0.927 for the traditional method,
respectively. Similar results could also be noticed for astigmatism estimation.
CONCLUSION: AC radius and astigmatism of ortho-k lens could be better estimated
by two steps of fitting algorithm using corneal elevation data, which may shorten
the time needed for ortho-k lens trial and achieve better lens fitting status.
PMID- 28988644
TI - Longitudinal study of accelerated long-term forgetting in children with genetic
generalized epilepsy: Evidence of ongoing deficits.
AB - Accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) is a recently described memory disorder
characterised by adequate recall after short, but not long delays. Currently, the
prevailing conceptualisation of ALF is of a seizure related phenomenon. The main
aim of this study was to assess whether ALF subsides as epilepsy severity and
seizures abate in children with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). Eighteen
children with GGE were compared over time to 29 healthy controls on a range of
cognitive measures. The primary outcome was a modified version of the California
Verbal Learning Test for Children with a long delay (seven day) recall component.
At approximately two years follow up, ALF was apparent, although epilepsy
severity subsided and seizures resolved in many children. This result contrasts
with the dominant conceptualisation of ALF being a seizure related phenomenon.
Moreover, at follow-up, worse recall at the long delay was related to greater
epilepsy severity at baseline and earlier age of seizure onset, but not to being
seizure free at follow-up. While at follow-up worse recall at the long delay
related to the worse baseline recall at the long delay, this recall did not
relate to scores obtained on standardised memory tests at baseline. Our study
suggests that ALF may not be seizure related and identifies factors associated
with risk of ALF in children with GGE.
PMID- 28988645
TI - PD-1 inhibition in bone sarcoma and soft-tissue sarcoma.
PMID- 28988647
TI - Secondary prevention of cervical cancer.
AB - Cervical cancer affects women in their reproductive ages. Screening is an
important secondary prevention strategy. The long process of carcinogenic
transformation from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection to invasive cancer
provides ample opportunities to detect the disease at a stage when treatment is
highly effective. Suitable screening tests are cytology, visual inspection after
acetic acid application and HPV detection tests. Evidence of effectiveness of the
tests to reduce cervical cancer mortality and the cost-effectiveness of screening
programs have been demonstrated. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and
grade 3 are the high-grade cervical cancer precursors and need to be treated.
Treatment is safe and effective with ablative or excisional techniques. The World
Health Organization recommends screening women at least once in a lifetime
between 30 and 49 years of age and ensuring effective treatment of the detected
abnormalities. Combination of HPV vaccination and population-based screening will
be instrumental in eliminating cervical cancer.
PMID- 28988646
TI - Pembrolizumab in advanced soft-tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma (SARC028): a
multicentre, two-cohort, single-arm, open-label, phase 2 trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced sarcomas have a poor prognosis and few
treatment options that improve overall survival. Chemotherapy and targeted
therapies offer short-lived disease control. We assessed pembrolizumab, an anti
PD-1 antibody, for safety and activity in patients with advanced soft-tissue
sarcoma or bone sarcoma. METHODS: In this two-cohort, single-arm, open-label,
phase 2 study, we enrolled patients with soft-tissue sarcoma or bone sarcoma from
12 academic centres in the USA that were members of the Sarcoma Alliance for
Research through Collaboration (SARC). Patients with soft-tissue sarcoma had to
be aged 18 years or older to enrol; patients with bone sarcoma could enrol if
they were aged 12 years or older. Patients had histological evidence of
metastatic or surgically unresectable locally advanced sarcoma, had received up
to three previous lines of systemic anticancer therapy, had at least one
measurable lesion according to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors
version 1.1, and had at least one lesion accessible for biopsy. All patients were
treated with 200 mg intravenous pembrolizumab every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint
was investigator-assessed objective response. Patients who received at least one
dose of pembrolizumab were included in the safety analysis and patients who
progressed or reached at least one scan assessment were included in the activity
analysis. Accrual is ongoing in some disease cohorts. This trial is registered
with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02301039. FINDINGS: Between March 13, 2015,
and Feb 18, 2016, we enrolled 86 patients, 84 of whom received pembrolizumab (42
in each disease cohort) and 80 of whom were evaluable for response (40 in each
disease cohort). Median follow-up was 17.8 months (IQR 12.3-19.3). Seven (18%) of
40 patients with soft-tissue sarcoma had an objective response, including four
(40%) of ten patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, two (20%) of ten
patients with liposarcoma, and one (10%) of ten patients with synovial sarcoma.
No patients with leiomyosarcoma (n=10) had an objective response. Two (5%) of 40
patients with bone sarcoma had an objective response, including one (5%) of 22
patients with osteosarcoma and one (20%) of five patients with chondrosarcoma.
None of the 13 patients with Ewing's sarcoma had an objective response. The most
frequent grade 3 or worse adverse events were anaemia (six [14%]), decreased
lymphocyte count (five [12%]), prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time
(four [10%]), and decreased platelet count (three [7%]) in the bone sarcoma
group, and anaemia, decreased lymphocyte count, and prolonged activated partial
thromboplastin time in the soft-tissue sarcoma group (three [7%] each). Nine
(11%) patients (five [12%] in the bone sarcoma group and four [10%] in the soft
tissue sarcoma group) had treatment-emergent serious adverse events (SAEs), five
of whom had immune-related SAEs, including two with adrenal insufficiency, two
with pneumonitis, and one with nephritis. INTERPRETATION: The primary endpoint of
overall response was not met for either cohort. However, pembrolizumab showed
encouraging activity in patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma or
dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Enrolment to expanded cohorts of those subtypes is
ongoing to confirm and characterise the activity of pembrolizumab. FUNDING:
Merck, SARC, Sarcoma Foundation of America, QuadW Foundation, Pittsburgh Cure
Sarcoma, and Ewan McGregor.
PMID- 28988648
TI - BAT Expansion: A Panacea against Obesity? Lessons from LKB1.
PMID- 28988649
TI - Dry facts are not always inviting: a content analysis of Korean videos regarding
Parkinson's disease on YouTube.
AB - This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of Korean videos regarding Parkinson's
disease (PD) on YouTube and viewers' responses to them. YouTube search was
performed using the search term "Parkinson disease" in Korean language on March
28, 2017. Two independent neurologists categorized the videos into "reliable",
"misleading" or "patient experiences". The number of views, days since upload,
video length, number of "likes" and "dislikes", and upload source were collected
for each video. A total of 138 videos were included in this study. Of these, 91
videos (65.9%) were reliable; 31 (22.5%) were misleading, and 16 (11.6%) were of
patient experiences. The videos with patient experiences had the highest number
of mean views with 9710.4+/-3686.9, followed by misleading videos with 5075.0+/
1198.6, and reliable videos with 2146.8+/-353.4 (ANOVA, p<0.001). The number of
mean views per day was 4.0+/-0.6 for the reliable videos, which was significantly
lower than the misleading videos (9.7+/-3.4, p=0.020) and the videos of patient
experiences (11.3+/-4.6, p=0.023). The reliable videos were mostly uploaded by
university hospitals (46.2%) and misleading videos by health-related commercial
entities (74.2%). The misleading videos as well as the videos of patient
experiences advocated "diet" asa treatment of PD. The current study found that
only two-thirds of the Korean videos regarding PD on YouTube provide reliable
information. More importantly, the videos with reliable contents were less
popular than videos with misleading contents. Further efforts are warranted to
effectively increase the dissemination of accurate and scientifically proven PD
information to YouTube users.
PMID- 28988650
TI - Learning curve of endoscopic pituitary surgery: Experience of a neurosurgery/ENT
collaboration.
AB - For neurosurgeons, who are accustomed to the binocular microscope, there is a new
learning curve that must be overcome for monocular endoscopic pituitary surgery.
Different studies describe a learning curve between 15 and 200 procedures, after
which both operative time and complications stabilize. In this retrospective
study, we evaluate the endoscopic learning curve of our group, already trained in
microsurgical transsphenoidal surgery, with the assistance of ear, nose, and
throat (ENT) surgeons. From 2010 to 2015, a total of 95 patients with pituitary
adenomas were treated with a purely endoscopic approach. The latest 48 patients
treated with the endoscope (L group) were compared with the 47 initial patients
treated with the endoscope (E group) and with 43 patients treated with the
microscope (M group), in terms of surgical time, complications, and tumor removal
rate. The complication rate was similar in all the groups, as was the rate of
total adenoma resection. Mean surgical time was shorter in the L group than in
the E group (115+/-36min vs. 157+/-46 min, p<0.001); the average operative time
was also shorter in the L group than in the M group (135+/-43min). The estimated
reduction in duration of surgery per 10 patients was 9min (p<0.001). Over time,
blood transfusions discrepantly increased from the E group to the L group (11%
vs. 31%). Because of the pivotal role of ENT in the transnasal stage of 50
endoscopic procedures, we obtained an operative time comparable to that of
microscopic procedures, with similar complication rate and gross total
resections. Neurosurgical-ENT combined follow-up proved to be a fundamental
protection from late complications.
PMID- 28988651
TI - Association between polymorphism of SMAD3 gene and risk of sporadic intracranial
arterial aneurysms in the Chinese Han population.
AB - Intracranial arterial aneurysms (IAAs) are locally abnormal dilations of the
cerebral arteries and often result in subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH). Genetic,
molecular and cellular mechanisms of sporadic IAAs forms are poorly understood.
In this study, we investigate the association between mothers against
decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3) genotypes and the risk of sporadic intracranial
arterial aneurysms among the Chinese Han population. A case-control study was
conducted examining 330 IAA patients and 313 controls. There were eight single
nucleotide polymorphisms of SMAD3 selected and genotyped using the polymerase
chain reaction-ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) method. Our results indicated
that SMAD3 rs1065080 polymorphism was associated with a risk of IAAs in a
codominant model (GA vs GG, OR=1.433; 95% CI 1.030-1.994; P=0.032). In summary,
we observed that SMAD3 rs1065080 single nucleotide gene polymorphisms were
significantly associated with patient susceptibility to IAAs.
PMID- 28988652
TI - Morphologic patterns of noncontrast-enhancing tumor in glioblastoma correlate
with IDH1 mutation status and patient survival.
AB - Glioblastomas with a substantial proportion of noncontrast-enhancing tumour
(nCET) have a variety of imaging appearances. We aimed to determine whether
glioblastomas demonstrating a substantial proportion (>33%) of nCET can be sub
classified by different morphologic pattern of nCET. We then assessed whether
this improves the ability of MRI to predict isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1)
mutation status and whether this has prognostic significance independent of IDH1
mutation status. Pre-operative MRIs of patients with a new diagnosis of
glioblastoma were reviewed. Tumours with >33% nCET were sub-classified by the
dominant morphologic pattern of nCET: mass-like expansion, white matter
dissemination, grey matter dissemination or a combination. IDH1 mutation status
(by immunohistochemistry) and survival were compared for each pattern. 153
patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 34 patients demonstrated >33% nCET.
10 patients had a significant mass-like component, either as the dominant pattern
(n=4) or as part of a mixed pattern (n=6). The 10 patients with a significant
mass-like component had longer survival than those without (median 387days,
compared to 241days), though this was not statistically significant (p=0.242).
Three patients had R132H-IDH1 mutations and >33% nCET, and all three had a mass
like component. Using the presence of a mass-like component of nCET for
predicting IDH1 mutation status improved the positive predictive value,
specificity and overall accuracy of MRI. Classification of nCET by morphologic
pattern improves the ability of MRI to predict IDH1 mutations and may provide
useful prognostic information.
PMID- 28988653
TI - Metastasectomy in older adults with urothelial carcinoma: Population-based
analysis of use and outcomes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, ureter, or renal
pelvis is a highly aggressive disease with poor outcomes. Even with platinum
based chemotherapy, the median overall survival is 15 months and the 5-year
survival is only 15%. The role of metastasectomy in urothelial carcinoma is
currently undefined. OBJECTIVE: To examine the use and outcomes of metastasectomy
in older patients with urothelial carcinoma in a large population-based dataset.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a SEER-Medicare study, and from
70,648 urothelial carcinoma patients who met inclusion criteria, we identified
497 patients who had at least 1 metastasectomy during a median follow-up of 40
months. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary study
endpoints were metastasectomy use, the length of stay for metastasectomy,
complications, and overall survival following metastasectomy. Secondary outcomes
included 30-day mortality and readmission rate following metastasectomy. RESULTS
AND LIMITATIONS: We identified 497 patients meeting inclusion criteria who had at
least 1 metastasectomy during the study period including 24 patients who had more
than 1 procedure resulting in a total of 523 metastasectomies. The median overall
survival after the first metastasectomy was 19 months (95% CI: 15-23;
interquartile range: 4-74). In this selected patient population, over a third of
patients were alive at 3 years. In the 476 patients who had evaluable discharge
dates, the median length of stay after metastasectomy was 7 days (IQR: 4-12), and
10% of patients had at least 1 complication within 30 days of discharge. Thirty
day mortality after metastasectomy was 10% (n = 53/523) and was largely driven by
the mortality associated with resections of urothelial cancer brain metastases.
CONCLUSIONS: In well-selected patients with urothelial carcinoma with a
reasonable life expectancy, resection of metastatic lesions is safe and is
associated with long-term survival and potential cures.
PMID- 28988654
TI - Level of knowledge among cardiac nurses regarding sexual counseling of post-MI
patients in three tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan.
AB - PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to measure the level of knowledge among cardiac
nurses about sexual counseling of post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients.
METHOD: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 153 nurses at
three tertiary care hospitals of a large metropolitan city of Pakistan. RESULTS:
The findings revealed that the majority nurses have moderate knowledge regarding
post-MI sexual counseling. Additionally, nurses have lack of knowledge regarding
effects of cardiac drugs on sexual life of post-MI patients. CONCLUSION: There is
a need to improve nurses' knowledge in regard to sexual counseling among post-MI
patients. Nurses should have knowledge to deal with such a sensitive issue as
sexuality, in order to improve patients' quality of life. With respect to
Pakistan, this was a baseline study and may provide insights for designing
interventional or qualitative studies in the future.
PMID- 28988655
TI - Agricultural Experiences Are Positively Associated With High School Students'
Fruit and Vegetable Perceptions and Consumption.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between high school students' agricultural
experiences and their (1) attitudes about consuming local fruits and vegetables,
(2) willingness to try new fruits and vegetables, and (3) fruit and vegetable
consumption. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey research. SETTING: Public high
schools in a lower-income, diverse, urban, northeastern community. PARTICIPANTS:
A total of 327 students from 3 public high schools. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):
Exposures were prior experience helping on a farm or community garden (yes/no)
and having a home garden (yes/no). Outcomes were perceptions about local produce
consumption (alpha = .73), willingness to try new fruits (alpha = .86) and
vegetables (alpha = .86), and adequate fruit and vegetable consumption (yes/no)
as measured by a valid 2-item cup screener. ANALYSIS: Independent t tests, 1-way
ANOVA, and chi-square tests were used. RESULTS: Half of students (52.9%) reported
prior farm experience; 29.7% reported having a garden at home. Few students
reported consuming at least 3 cups/d of vegetables (9.8%) or 2 cups/d of fruit
(37.0%). Students with prior farm experience had more favorable scores for local
produce perceptions (P = .002) and willingness to try new fruits (P = .001) and
vegetables (P < .001) than were students without prior experience. Students with
a home garden had more favorable scores for local produce perceptions (P = .02)
and willingness to try new fruits (P = .001) and vegetables (P = .001) and more
often consumed adequate vegetables (P = .007) than did students without a garden.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Those working with high school students might
consider offering agriculture experiences that could promote positive fruit and
vegetable attitudes and behaviors.
PMID- 28988656
TI - Thirty-Year Trends of Survival and Time-Varying Effects of Prognostic Factors in
Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer-A Single Institution Experience.
AB - BACKGROUND: Metastatic breast cancer is generally considered an incurable
disease. In our study we aimed to detect a time trend of survival over the past
30 years and account for time-varying effects of the prognostic factors. PATIENTS
AND METHODS: A total of 446 patients diagnosed with breast cancer at Saint
Vincent de Paul Hospital, Lille, France between 1977 and 2013 who developed
metastatic disease after a disease-free interval longer than 3 months and were
followed-up for outcome. Data were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards
model and presented as hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: A monotonic time trend of
survival was detected: a 2.6% lower risk of death for each increasing year over
the past 30 years. Three prognostic factors had time-varying effects; the liver
first metastasis (HR during the first 16 months of follow-up: 2.26; 95%
confidence interval [CI], 1.65-3.11), the bone first metastasis (HR during the
first 24 months of follow-up: 0.56; 95% CI, 0.43-0.74), and the disease-free
interval (HR during the first 16 months of follow-up: 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85-0.95).
The brain first metastasis, multiple first metastases, the lymph node ratio, and
estrogen receptor status had a constant effect over time. CONCLUSION: In our
study we detected a constant time trend of improvement in prognosis of metastatic
breast cancer patients over the past 30 years and identified prognostic factors
with time-varying effects.
PMID- 28988657
TI - Experiences of surviving a cardiac arrest after therapeutic hypothermia
treatment. An interview study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest (CA) is often associated with high mortality. In
Sweden, it is reported that 13-52 per 100,000 people suffer out-of-hospital CA,
and survival to one month is 2-14%. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe
people's experiences of surviving a CA after therapeutic hypothermia treatment.
METHOD: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Data were collected through
individual interviews with seven CA survivors. The collected data were analyzed
using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in six
subthemes and three emerging themes. The themes were "Dealing with issues of
mortality", "Living a changed life", and "Being confident with health care and
family members". CONCLUSION: Surviving a CA after therapeutic hypothermia
treatment means having to deal with issues of mortality, and these patients face
a turning point in life. The near-death event can create regression or
progression in ethos among these patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This
study implies that persons who have survived a CA need support to cope. One way
to provide support might be to initially establish an individualized health care
plan, including bringing up existential issues and involving family members in
such conversations.
PMID- 28988658
TI - Impact of depression and/or anxiety on the presentation of cardiovascular events
in a cohort with metabolic syndrome. StreX project: Five years of follow-up.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of anxiety and depression on the incidence of
cardiovascular events (CVE) in a Catalonian population with metabolic syndrome
(MetS) over a five-year follow-up according to the number/type of MetS criteria.
METHODS: Prospective study to determine the incidence of CVE according to the
presence of anxiety and depression disorders among individuals with different
combinations of clinical traits of the MetS. SETTING: Primary Care, Catalonia
(Spain). SUBJECTS: 35-75 years old fulfilling MetS criteria without CVE at the
initiation of follow-up (2009). We studied 16 MetS phenotypes [NCEP-ATPIII
criteria] based on the presence of depression/anxiety. The primary endpoint was
the incidence of CVE at five years. RESULTS: We analyzed 401,743 people with MetS
(17.2% of the population); 8.7% had depression, 16.0% anxiety and 3.8% both.
14.5% consumed antidepressants and 20.8% tranquilizers. At the 5-year follow-up,
the incidence of CVE was 5.5%, being 6.4% in men and 4.4% in women. On comparing
individuals with and without depression the incidence of CVE was 6.7% vs. 5.3%,
respectively (p<0.01), being 5.5% in both groups in relation to anxiety.
CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety play a role in the poor prognosis of patients
with MetS. In Catalonia, the two predominant MetS phenotypes do not include
obesity as a criterion.
PMID- 28988659
TI - Dynamics of oogenesis in ghost shrimp Callichirus major (Crustacea: Axiidea): a
morphofunctional and histochemical study.
AB - Callichirus major, popularly known as ghost shrimp, is a species of great
importance in the fishing industry, because of its use as live bait. This study
aimed to describe the different stages of the developing ovaries in C. major.
Shrimps were collected along the Corujao beach, Piuma, Brazil (20 degrees
50'41.6"S 40 degrees 44'15.7"W), and the gonads were dissected for histological
and histochemical analysis. The ovary consists of two elongated filaments covered
by a connective tissue that divides the organ into lobules, where somatic and
germ cells are found. It was possible to classify five types of germ cells:
Oogonia (Oog), previtellogenic oocyte (Oc1), early vitellogenic oocyte (Oc2),
late vitellogenic oocyte (Oc3) and mature oocyte (Oc4) based on their
vitellogenic stage, cytoplasmic, nuclear and morphometric characteristics. The
histochemical analysis demonstrated an intense reaction for proteins and
polysaccharides in peripheral cytoplasm of Oc3 comparing to others cell types.
According to size, volume, color intensity and distribution of oocyte types the
gonads were classified into: immature, developing, developed and spent, being in
females at this last stage, observed empty follicles and oocytes in reabsorption
process. During oogenesis was observed a gradual increase in cytoplasmic
acidophilia due to accumulation of yolk granules and the intense histochemical
reaction in periphery of Oc3, which indicate the beginning of an
extravitellogenic source of nutrients. Based on the microscopic analysis of the
vitellogenesis, shrimp C. major showed the initial short phase of oocyte growth
following with a fast vitellogenic cycle.
PMID- 28988660
TI - Improving the quality of radiation oncology: 10years' experience of QUATRO audits
in the IAEA Europe Region.
AB - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The IAEA has developed a methodology for comprehensive
quality audits of radiotherapy practices called Quality Assurance Team for
Radiation Oncology (QUATRO). This study explores the factors that impacted
quality of care among QUATRO audited centres in the IAEA Europe Region. MATERIALS
AND METHODS: The 31 QUATRO reports collected over 10years include extensive data
describing the quality of radiotherapy at the audited centres. A coding key was
developed to aggregate and review these data in terms of recommendations for
improvement and positive findings (commendations). RESULTS: Overall 759
recommendations and 600 commendations were given. Eight centres recognized as
centres of competence differed from other centres mostly because they operated
complete quality management systems and were adequately staffed. Other centres
had excessive staff workloads and many gaps in the process of care. Insufficient
equipment levels were prevalent. Patient centredness, communication, dosimetry,
quality control and radiation protection were frequently commended by QUATRO.
CONCLUSIONS: This analysis points to barriers to quality care such as
insufficient staffing, education/training, equipment and lack of quality
management. It highlights the correlation between the human resources
availability and quality of care. It has also identified common action items for
enhancing quality of radiotherapy programmes in the Region.
PMID- 28988661
TI - American College of Radiology-American Brachytherapy Society practice parameter
for electronically generated low-energy radiation sources.
AB - BACKGROUND: This collaborative practice parameter technical standard has been
created between the American College of Radiology and American Brachytherapy
Society to guide the usage of electronically generated low energy radiation
sources (ELSs). It refers to the use of electronic X-ray sources with peak
voltages up to 120 kVp to deliver therapeutic radiation therapy. MAIN FINDINGS:
The parameter provides a guideline for utilizing ELS, including patient selection
and consent, treatment planning, and delivery processes. The parameter reviews
the published clinical data with regard to ELS results in skin, breast, and other
cancers. CONCLUSIONS: This technical standard recommends appropriate
qualifications of the involved personnel. The parameter reviews the technical
issues relating to equipment specifications as well as patient and personnel
safety. Regarding suggestions for educational programs with regard to this
parameter,it is suggested that the training level for clinicians be equivalent to
that for other radiation therapies. It also suggests that ELS must be done using
the same standards of quality and safety as those in place for other forms of
radiation therapy.
PMID- 28988662
TI - Factors associated with fatigue in prostate cancer (PC) patients undergoing
external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).
AB - PURPOSE: Fatigue is a common adverse effect among cancer patients undergoing
external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), yet the underlying disease- and treatment
related factors influencing its development are poorly understood. We
hypothesized that clinical, demographic, and treatment-related factors
differentially affect fatigue and aimed to better characterize variables related
to fatigue development in prostate cancer (PC) patients during EBRT. METHODS AND
MATERIALS: We identified a cohort of 681 patients with nonmetastatic PC
undergoing a 6- to 9-week EBRT course. Patient fatigue scores (range, 0-3) were
prospectively recorded by providers during treatment visits using standardized
criteria. Clinical and demographic factors including age, race, EBRT details,
disease staging, smoking status, comorbidities, urinary symptoms, employment
status, weight, and concurrent medication use were assessed for their
relationship to fatigue levels. Significant differences in fatigue severity by
each variable at the beginning and end of EBRT were assessed by nonparametric
means testing, and differences in the level of fatigue increase over the
treatment course were assessed using an ordered logistic regression model.
RESULTS: Significant increases in reported fatigue severity were seen in patients
with age <60 years (P = .006), depressive symptoms (P < .001), and use of
androgen deprivation therapy before radiation start (P = .04). In addition, the
prescription of antiemetics before radiation start was associated with reduced
fatigue severity (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: We identify factors associated with
increased (young age, depressive symptoms, androgen deprivation therapy) and
decreased (antiemetic prescription) fatigue in a large cohort of PC patients
receiving EBRT. Continued investigation is needed to further elucidate clinical
drivers and biological underpinnings of increased fatigue to guide potential
interventions.
PMID- 28988664
TI - Epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of non-typeable Haemophilus
influenzae in otitis media in Taiwanese children.
AB - BACKGROUND: Concerns about non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in otitis
media (OM) have grown after the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
(PCV). We aim to better understand the clinical role of NTHi in pediatric OM.
METHODS: Middle ear fluid samples from children <18 years with OM were obtained
from 2010 to 2015. For culture-positive episodes (Streptococcus pneumoniae, H.
influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pyogenes), patients'
demographic and clinical information were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total
of 783 episodes were included with 31.8% of isolates as positive. S. pneumoniae
was recovered in 69.4%, NTHi in 24.6%, M. catarrhalis in 5.6%, and S. pyogenes in
4.0% of culture-positive episodes. The proportion of pneumococcal OM has declined
since 2012 (P for trend <0.005), but NTHi OM rose simultaneously (P for trend =
0.009). Factors associated with increased risk of NTHi infection included less
spontaneous otorrhea (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06-0.39, P < 0.001), absence of fever (OR
0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.66, P = 0.003), concurrent sinusitis (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.36
6.20, P = 0.006), previous ventilation tube insertion (OR 12.02, 95% CI 3.15
45.92, P < 0.001) and recurrent OM (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.01-11.71, P = 0.049). The
susceptibility of NTHi to amoxicillin/clavulanate was 82.0%. CONCLUSIONS: NTHi OM
has trended upward in the post-PCV era. Concurrent sinusitis, previous
ventilation tube insertion, and recurrent OM were associated with NTHi OM
implicated a correlation between NTHi and complex OM. In consideration of NTHi
infection, we suggest amoxicillin/clavulanate as the first-line therapy for OM
among Taiwanese children.
PMID- 28988663
TI - Risk factors for healthcare-associated infection caused by carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The incidence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(CRPA) related healthcare-associated infection (HAI) has increased in recent year
worldwide. This study is to investigate the risk factors associated with CRPA
infections in a university hospital setting in Taiwan to provide more information
for clinician and infection control system. METHODS: A retrospective cross
sectional study was conducted from January 1st, 2009 to June 30th, 2014. Patients
with P. aeruginosa related HAI were included and divided into the CRPA case group
and carbapenem-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CSPA) control group. The
medical records were reviewed to identify risk factors for CRPA HAI and
mortality. Patients with prior use of any anti-pseudomonal carbapenems were
included in subgroup analysis. RESULTS: 395 cases of P. aeruginosa infection were
enrolled from total of 3263 HAI events; 63 were CRPA and 332 were CSPA. The
prevalence of CRPA was 15.9% (63/395). Significant risk factors related to CRPA
infection were longer time at risk, prior use of anti-pseudomonal carbapenems,
and prior use of aminoglycoside (p < 0.05, 0.01, and 0.05). Furthermore, anti
pseudomonal carbapenem monotherapy did not significantly increase risk for CRPA
infection. CONCLUSION: The worldwide CRPA prevalence has been on the raise and
Taiwan has been also keeping up with the trend. Antimicrobials usage should be
monitored carefully, especially with carbapenems and aminoglycoside. Clinicians
should be award of and understand about the risk of CRPA infection, which
increases by 1% with each hospitalization day.
PMID- 28988665
TI - The epidemiology of non-typhoidal Salmonella gastroenteritis and Campylobacter
gastroenteritis in pediatric inpatients in northern Taiwan.
AB - BACKGROUND: Campylobacter and Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) are the two most
common bacterial pathogens associated with acute gastroenteritis in children.
This study aims to elucidate the epidemiology of Campylobacter and NTS
gastroenteritis and develop a scoring system to differentiate them. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 886 children <=18 years of age,
hospitalized due to acute gastroenteritis with stool culture-proven Campylobacter
or NTS infection from July 2012 to December 2015. Pearson's chi-square test and
multivariate logistic regression were used to compare clinical manifestations and
laboratory data. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to
evaluate the scoring system. RESULTS: Seasonality was found in NTS
gastroenteritis from May to September, but no seasonality in Campylobacter
gastroenteritis. Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella serogroup B were the most
common pathogens. The median ages were 68.2 and 18.5 months and the incidence
rates of bacteremia were 0.6% and 7.1% in the Campylobacter and NTS groups,
respectively. Salmonella serogroup C2 infection had the highest risk of
bacteremia (OR: 5.9, 95% CI: 2.8-12.7, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed
significant differences in sex, age, fever, dehydration, immature WBC, CRP and Na
between the two groups. A score of >=2 points indicated Campylobacter
gastroenteritis, with sensitivity 75%, specificity 77%. The positive and negative
predictive values were of 73.3% and 93.9% after validation. CONCLUSION:
Campylobacter gastroenteritis is associated with older age and male sex, while
NTS gastroenteritis is associated with moderate to severe dehydration and
bacteremia. Salmonella serogroup C2 infection has the highest risk of bacteremia.
PMID- 28988666
TI - Distributed synchronization of networked drive-response systems: A nonlinear
fixed-time protocol.
AB - The distributed synchronization of networked drive-response systems is
investigated in this paper. A novel nonlinear protocol is proposed to ensure that
the tracking errors converge to zeros in a fixed-time. By comparison with
previous synchronization methods, the present method considers more practical
conditions and the synchronization time is not dependent of arbitrary initial
conditions but can be offline pre-assign according to the task assignment.
Finally, the feasibility and validity of the presented protocol have been
illustrated by a numerical simulation.
PMID- 28988667
TI - Headless compression screw in the neuronavigation-guided and microscope-assisted
treatment of spondylolysis.
AB - Since 1968, many surgical techniques used in repairing the pars defect of the
vertebra have been reported. Technological advances are giving rise to new ways
of obtaining the best outcome using less invasive methods, which are more
accurate, simple and effective. To treat cases of spondylolysis such as
pseudarthrosis, we used neuro-navigation and microscopy through a 2.5-cm skin
incision to approach the pars defect, freshen the fracture and place a type of
screw that, until now, has never been used for this purpose. This is a novel
technique, which guarantees prolonged compression and sufficient stability to
facilitate the prompt healing of the vertebra. We present 2 cases of L5
spondylolysis treated with our technique, a modification of Buck's technique. A
detailed description of the screw selection, surgical technical details, follow
up and outcome are discussed.
PMID- 28988668
TI - [Neurophysiological monitoring options in brain tumour resections. Consensus
statement from the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery's (SENEC) Neuro-oncology
Working Group and the Spanish Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (SENFC)].
AB - Brain tumours located in or in proximity to eloquent areas are a significant
neurosurgical challenge. Performing this kind of surgery with neurophysiological
monitoring to improve resections with reduced permanent focal neurological
deficit has become widely accepted in the literature. However, how to conduct
this monitoring, the exact definition of an eloquent area and whether to perform
this surgery with the patient awake or asleep are still subject to rigorous
scientific debate. Members of the Neuro-oncology Working Group (GTNO) of the
Spanish Society of Neurosurgery (SENEC) and members of the Spanish Society of
Clinical Neurophysiology (SENFC) have published a consensus statement to explain
the different neurophysiological monitoring options currently available in awake
and asleep patients to obtain better surgical resection without neurological
deficits. An exhaustive review of the literature has also been conducted.
PMID- 28988669
TI - [Meningeal metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma. Case report and literature
review].
AB - Brain metastases are the most commonly seen intracranial lesions in adults. What
is more, meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumours after
gliomas and their imaging characteristics are well known in both CT and MRI
scans. However, there are lesions that can mimic meningiomas in imaging studies,
including metastases of extracranial tumours, confronting us with a diagnostic
and therapeutic challenge. We present the case of a patient with meningeal
metastasis of a uterine leiomyosarcoma that was not known at the time of the
surgical intervention.
PMID- 28988670
TI - Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Early-stage Hodgkin Lymphoma in the Elderly: A
National Cancer Database Analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: The outcome for early-stage (I/II) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has improved
significantly during the past few decades. However, older age (>= 60 years) has
continued to be associated with poor outcomes, and a paucity of data is available
defining the optimal treatment regimens. In the present study, we sought to
identify the practice patterns and outcomes in elderly patients with early-stage
HL using the National Cancer Database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a
retrospective study of patients aged 60 years with early-stage classic HL
diagnosed from 2004 to 2012. The overall survival (OS) of patients undergoing
chemotherapy (CT), radiation therapy (RT), or CT plus RT were compared. Kaplan
Meier curves of OS for individual therapy were constructed and compared using the
log-rank test. Multivariate analysis for predictors of mortality was conducted
using the Cox proportional hazard method. RESULTS: A total of 3795 patients were
included in the analysis. At baseline, 41% patients had stage I disease. Of the
3795 patients, 51% underwent CT, 16% underwent RT, and 33% underwent CT plus RT.
With a median follow-up duration of 40.4 months, the unadjusted OS rates for
patients receiving CT, RT, or CT plus RT were 58.1%, 54%, and 77.7%, respectively
(P < .0001). On multivariate analysis, CT plus RT improved OS compared with
monotherapy. CONCLUSION: In older patients (age >= 60 years) with stage I/II HL,
the combination of CT plus consolidative RT resulted in improved OS compared with
monotherapy. However, the use of combination therapy in this age group seems
suboptimal. This could be, in part, secondary to comorbidities limiting the use
of CT plus RT in the elderly.
PMID- 28988671
TI - C3 deposits worsens the prognosis in type iii extracapillary glomerulonephritis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Type iii extracapillary glomerulonephritis (PEGN) is a common cause
of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and it is usually associated with
circulating anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs). Recent evidence
points to complement activation as an important factor in the pathogenesis of
PEGN. The aim of the present study was to assess the value of C3 deposits in the
prognosis of PEGN. METHODS: All patients diagnosed of PEGN from 1995 to 2015
(n=72) were included in this study. Progression of renal disease in patients with
positive staining for C3 by immunofluorescence was compared with those with
negative staining. Mean follow up was 73 months. Progression to end-stage renal
disease in relation to clinical and histological variables was analyzed. RESULTS:
Positive staining for C3 was observed in 22 out of the 72 patients (30.5%). At
the time of diagnosis, patients with C3 deposits had higher serum creatinine
concentration than those without C3 staining (5.00 vs. 3.85mg/dl, P=0.050). Renal
survival at 10 years was 36.9% in patients with positive C3 staining vs. 64.4% in
patients with negative staining (P=0.005). Mortality at 10 years was higher in
patients with C3 deposits than in patients without deposits (77 vs. 49.3%).
CONCLUSIONS: Thus, our study shows that PEGN with deposits of C3 is associated
with worse renal prognosis and greater mortality. These results would support the
hypothesis that activation of the alternative pathway complement may play an
important role in the generation of renal injury associated with PEGN.
PMID- 28988672
TI - CEVL interactive - It is feasible for Pediatric Urology fellows to create
pediatric urological surgical plans: A case study of Botox endoscopic injection.
PMID- 28988673
TI - Predictive value of cortical transit time on MAG3 for surgery in antenatally
detected unilateral hydronephrosis caused by ureteropelvic junction stenosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: In children with antenatally detected hydronephrosis caused by
ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) stenosis, the main challenge is preserving renal
function by identifying children who require early surgical intervention from
those for whom watchful waiting may be appropriate because of the potential for
spontaneous resolution without a significant loss of renal function. OBJECTIVE:
To assess the impact of initial cortical transit time (CTT) on technetium-99m
mercaptoacetyltriglycerine (MAG3) diuretic renogram on the need for surgery in
children with antenatally detected unilateral hydronephrosis caused by UPJ
stenosis. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 33
patients with antenatally detected unilateral hydronephrosis caused by UPJ
stenosis who were managed at our institution between 2006 and 2014. Delayed CTT
was defined as the absence of activity in the subcortical structures within 3 min
of tracer injection on a MAG3 scan. The surgical indication includes symptomatic
UPJ stenosis, seriously deteriorating hydronephrosis with parenchymal thinning on
serial USG, split renal function <40%, or progressive deterioration of split
renal function (>5%) on a MAG3 scan. This study analyzed and compared the initial
level of Society for Fetal Urology grade, anteroposterior diameter (APD), split
renal function, drainage pattern on a diuretic renogram, and CTT with the need
for surgery. RESULTS: Of the 33 children, 16 were classified into the delayed CTT
group and 17 were placed in the normal CTT group. During the follow-up period
(mean 31.8 months), surgery was needed in 75.0% (12/16) of patients in the
delayed CTT group and in 5.9% (1/17) of those in the normal CTT group.
Multivariate analysis showed that delayed CTT on initial MAG3 scan and APD on
initial ultrasonography were independent predictive factors of the need for
surgery. DISCUSSION: In this era of conservative management of antenatally
detected hydronephrosis caused by UPJ stenosis, it is critical to identify which
measurement on an image study is the most reliable for predicting the need for
surgery by reflecting functional deterioration. In this study, multivariate
analysis revealed that CTT on the initial MAG3 scan was an independent predictive
factor of the need for surgery. In addition, CTT showed high negative predictive
value for surgical need in children with antenatally detected unilateral
hydronephrosis caused by UPJ stenosis. CONCLUSION: CTT on an initial MAG3 scan
may be a useful predictor of the need for surgery in children with antenatally
detected unilateral hydronephrosis caused by UPJ stenosis.
PMID- 28988674
TI - Quality improvement and patient safety: Reality and responsibility from Codman to
today.
AB - Quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) has become increasingly important
in the practice of medicine, particularly since the Institute of Medicine's
report, "To Err is Human." Despite surgery having been initially at the forefront
in instituting QIPS, there has been a lag in promoting its importance until
recently. A short history of QIPS is presented along with an introduction to the
SQUIRE guidelines used for standardizing QIPS publications. As surgeons we are
becoming even more accountable in promoting value in health care. As such,
knowledge of QIPS will become an increasingly important component of our future
practices and publications.
PMID- 28988675
TI - Application of Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation in dose calculations for small
radiosurgical fields.
AB - The Geant4 toolkit was used to develop a Monte Carlo (MC)-based engine for
accurate dose calculations in small radiation field sizes. The Geant4 toolkit
(version 10.1.p02) was used to simulate 6-MV photon beam of a Varian2100C linear
accelerator that is being used for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment with
small radiation fields. Geometric models of 3 in-house designed radiosurgical
divergent cones, with the diameters of their projections at the isocenter being
10, 20, and 30 mm, were simulated. The accuracy of the MC simulation technique
was examined by reproducing several different simulated dosimetric parameters of
the primary beams with the experimental data. The dose distributions are first
checked for single beams for each cone, then standard multiple field (SMF)
techniques are applied. A sample set of DICOM files from computed tomography (CT)
scan imaging of a patient's head was converted to the Geant4 geometry format to
implement MC-based engine for a clinical test. To validate the accuracy of the MC
based calculations for SMF arrangements, the isodose lines from MC simulation in
water phantom were compared with the measured isodose lines using EBT3 Gafchromic
film in Solid Water phantoms. Agreements between measured and simulated depth
dose values and beam profiles for SRS cones were generally within 2%/2 mm. For
output factors, the largest discrepancy was observed for 10 mm SRS cone, which
was 1.7%. For SMF techniques, in SRS cones, the MC simulation and EBT3 Gafchromic
film dosimetry were in acceptable agreement (5%/5 mm). Excellent agreement
between the results of the MC-based and measured dose values for both single and
SMF techniques in SRS cones indicates the ability of the Geant4 toolkit to be
applied as the platform for treatment planning of advanced radiotherapy
techniques.
PMID- 28988677
TI - Incorporating different learning styles into a home exercise program.
PMID- 28988676
TI - Two case reports-Use of relative motion orthoses to manage extensor tendon zones
III and IV and sagittal band injuries in adjacent fingers.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Case report. INTRODUCTION: Injuries to adjacent fingers with
differing extensor tendon (ET) zones and/or sagittal band pose a challenge to
therapists as no treatment guidelines exist. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This report
highlights how the relative motion flexion/extension (RMF/RME) concepts were
combined into one orthosis to manage a zone IV ET repair (RME) and a zone III
central slip repair (RMF) in adjacent fingers (Case 1); and how a single RME
orthosis was adapted to limit proximal interphalangeal joint motion to manage
multi-level ET zone III-IV injuries and a sagittal band repair in adjacent
fingers (case 2). METHODS: Adapted relative motion orthoses allowed early active
motion and graded exercises based on clinical reasoning and evidence. Outcomes
were standard TAM% and Miller's criteria. RESULTS: 'Excellent' and 'good'
outcomes were achieved by twelve weeks post surgery. Both cases returned to
unrestricted work at 6 and 7 weeks. Neither reported functional deficits at
discharge. DISCUSSION: Outcomes in 2 cases involving multiple digit injuries
exceeded those previously reported for ET zone III-IV repairs. CONCLUSIONS:
Relative motion orthoses can be adapted and applied to multi-finger injuries,
eliminating the need for multiple, bulky or functionally-limiting orthoses. LEVEL
OF EVIDENCE: 4.
PMID- 28988678
TI - Clinical relevance commentary in response to: Repositioning the scapula with
taping following distal radius fracture: Kinematic analysis using 3-dimensional
motion system.
PMID- 28988679
TI - Cumulative incidence of carpal instability 12-24 months after fall onto
outstretched hand.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive Epidemiological Study. INTRODUCTION: Ligament tears
between carpal bones are easily missed on initial presentation, but can have
potentially debilitating effects on the patient if they progress to an
instability. They are usually the result of a fall onto an outstretched hand with
the wrist in hyperextension. Current incidence of carpal instability after these
falls is unknown. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Using established clinical and
radiological measures, we sought to establish the cumulative incidence of carpal
instability in people who have fallen onto an outstretched hand in the second
year after injury. We also sought to describe its relationship with functional
impairment. METHODS: We used emergency department records of an inner-urban
tertiary hospital to contact all patients who presented with wrist pain following
fall onto outstretched hand who were between one and two years after injury.
Carpal instability was defined by blinded radiological evaluations and
provocative clinical tests, including Scaphoid Shift (Watson's) test,
Ballottement, and mid-carpal shift test. Wrist-related pain and disability was
measured using the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 279
potentially eligible cases, only 146 were contactable, and fifty (28 male, 22
female; mean age of 48 years) attended for assessment. We found a cumulative
incidence of 44% of carpal instability within the second year after injury. Of
these, 12 (24%) cases had scapho-lunate instability, 12 (24%) had luno-triquetral
instability and 7 (14%) had mid-carpal instability. There were no significant
correlations between clinically confirmed carpal instability and pain, function,
or work participation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study found a higher than
anticipated cumulative incidence of carpal instability in the second year after
injury, which may reflect volunteer bias. Patients should be advised to monitor
symptoms in the year after injury and seek a review if symptoms of pain, clicking
or clunking arise. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
PMID- 28988680
TI - Macroscopic anisotropic bone material properties in children with severe
osteogenesis imperfecta.
AB - Children with severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) typically experience numerous
fractures and progressive skeletal deformities over their lifetime. Recent
studies proposed finite element models to assess fracture risk and guide
clinicians in determining appropriate intervention in children with OI, but lack
of appropriate material property inputs remains a challenge. This study aimed to
characterize macroscopic anisotropic cortical bone material properties and
investigate relationships with bone density measures in children with severe OI.
Specimens were obtained from tibial or femoral shafts of nine children with
severe OI and five controls. The specimens were cut into beams, characterized in
bending, and imaged by synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-computed tomography.
Longitudinal modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and bending strength were 32
65% lower in the OI group (p<0.001). Yield strain did not differ between groups
(p>=0.197). In both groups, modulus and strength were lower in the transverse
direction (p<=0.009), but anisotropy was less pronounced in the OI group.
Intracortical vascular porosity was almost six times higher in the OI group
(p<0.001), but no differences were observed in osteocyte lacunar porosity between
the groups (p=0.086). Volumetric bone mineral density was lower in the OI group
(p<0.001), but volumetric tissue mineral density was not (p=0.770). Longitudinal
OI bone modulus and strength were correlated with volumetric bone mineral density
(p<=0.024) but not volumetric tissue mineral density (p>=0.099). Results indicate
that cortical bone in children with severe OI yields at the same strain as normal
bone, and that their decreased bone material strength is associated with reduced
volumetric bone mineral density. These results will enable the advancement of
fracture risk assessment capability in children with severe OI.
PMID- 28988682
TI - The 3Rs Concept: Time to Change How We Evaluate the Efficacy of Anthelmintics in
Companion Animals.
AB - Experimental infections are required by current guidelines for investigating the
efficacy of anthelmintics in dogs and cats. Recently, alternatives to
experimental infections and the sacrificing of research dogs and cats have been
evaluated, and novel conceptual investigations and methods of examination have
been explored. Several of these approaches could potentially be used in efficacy
studies for anthelmintics in dogs and cats. Here, we provide food for thought
towards using new tools for evaluating the efficacy of anthelmintics in companion
animals, for promoting the value of field trials, and for updating the existing
guidelines for the efficacy testing of anthelmintics in dogs and cats.
PMID- 28988681
TI - Pathophysiology of Leishmania Infection during Pregnancy.
AB - The pathological processes resulting from parasitic infection are known to have
important impacts on the mother child dyad during pregnancy. The roles of
parasite transmission and the maternal immune response have been described in
diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and trypanosomiasis. However, the impact
of parasites of the genus Leishmania, etiological agents of the neglected
tropical diseases tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL),
is comparatively less well known, though it is an increasingly recognized concern
for infected mothers and their fetuses. In this review, we first consider the
pathophysiology of placental infection and transplacental transmission of this
parasite, and then discuss the role and mechanisms of the maternal immune system
in simultaneously mediating maternal-fetal infection and adverse pregnancy
outcomes.
PMID- 28988683
TI - Smoking and age-at-onset of both motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's
disease.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Several evidence suggest that smoking may decrease the risk of
Parkinson's disease and is associated with an older age-at-onset of motor signs.
The relation between smoking and age-at-onset of non-motor symptoms has never
been analyzed. Objective of the study is to evaluate whether smoking habit and
pack-years of smoking are associated with a delay of age-at-onset of motor signs,
and of some non-motor symptoms. METHODS: The study population consisted of 262
consecutive parkinsonian patients. Information on relevant demographic/clinical
data focused on motor signs, REM sleep behavior disorder, constipation,
depression, and hyposmia. Patients were stratified according to smoking habit
(ever-versus never-smoker) and number of pack-years of smoking was computed.
Repeatability of data on age-at-onset was checked 6 months after the initial
interview in a randomly recruited subsample. RESULTS: Smoking habit and number of
pack-years smoked were associated with an older in age-at-onset of motor signs,
REM sleep behavior disorder and depression. By contrast, smoking did not affect
age-at-onset of hyposmia and constipation. CONCLUSION: information from this
study confirms that smoking may be associated with an older age-at-onset of motor
signs, and that a similar effect can be observed on some non-motor symptoms like
REM sleep behavior and depression.
PMID- 28988684
TI - A nutraceutical combination of Cinnamomum cassia &Nigella sativa for Type 1
diabetes mellitus.
AB - BACKGROUND: Nigella sativa (black cumin) and Cinnamomum cassia (Cinnamon) are an
integral part of the Indian diet, and have also been sourced in the ayurveda, the
traditional Indian system of medicine, for their medicinal properties. Both the
herbs individually have been successfully evaluated for their preliminary
antidiabetic potential. OBJECTIVE: Herein, we dived deeper into antidiabetic
properties of these herbs, by investigating the combinatorial effect of both
herbs, on parameters of diabetes and further, as an adjunct to metformin therapy,
for assessing the pharmacodynamics of herb-drug interaction in diabetes mellitus.
The objectives were to screen the combinatorial extract of Nigella sativa &
Cinnamomum cassia's (NSCCe) alone and in combination with metformin for its
potential in mitigating symptoms of diabetes mellitus-alone, and as an adjunct
therapy with metformin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced in the
animals by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Animals were
divided into seven groups with 6 animals each: Vehicle control, Negative control,
Positive control (Metformin 50 mg/kg), treatment groups 4 and 5 received NSCCe at
the doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Groups 6 and 7 received the
same doses, in combination with Metformin (50 and 25 mg/kg). Following a 28-day
dosing period, plasma glucose levels, lipid profile and renal function profile
were evaluated. Histopathological examinations were performed to measure any
morphological change in kidney, liver and pancreatic tissue. RESULTS: Combination
of Nigella sativa & Cinnamomum cassia extracts significantly normalized plasma
glucose levels, lipid profile and kidney function parameters, compared to the
diabetic control group. Animals treated with the combinatorial extract and
metformin showed more prominent effects on these parameters. Significant reversal
in the pancreatic cell damage was observed on treatment with NSCCe. CONCLUSION:
This study generates evidence to support Nigella sativa & Cinnamomum cassia as an
adjunctive in diabetes treatment protocols.
PMID- 28988685
TI - Socioeconomic disparities affect survival in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors
in AYA population.
AB - BACKGROUND: Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs) are a rare form of
ovarian malignancy. Socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to affect survival
in several gynecologic cancers. We examined whether SES impacted survival in
adolescent and young adults (AYAs) with MOGCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
National Cancer Data Base was used to identify AYAs (aged 15-39 years) with MOGCT
from 1998 to 2012. Three SES surrogate variables identified were as follows:
insurance type, income quartile, and education quartile. Pooled variance t-tests
and chi-square tests were used to compare tumor characteristics, the time from
diagnosis to staging/treatment, and clinical outcome variables for each SES
surrogate variable, while controlling for age and race/ethnicity in a
multivariate model. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated using the log
rank test. RESULTS: A total of 3125 AYAs with MOGCT were identified. Subjects
with lower SES measures had higher overall stage and T-stage MOGCTs at
presentation. There was no significant difference in the time to
staging/treatment, extent of surgery, or use of chemotherapy by SES. Subjects
from a lower education background, from a lower income quartile, and without
insurance had decreased survival (P <= 0.02 for all). Controlling for overall
stage and T-stage, the difference in survival was no longer significant.
CONCLUSIONS: AYAs with MOGCT from lower SES backgrounds presented with more
advanced stage disease. Further studies that focus on the underlying reasons for
this difference are needed to address these disparities.
PMID- 28988686
TI - Anti-angiogenic therapy in the setting of TACE: an elusive synergy?
PMID- 28988687
TI - Orantinib versus placebo combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation
in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (ORIENTAL): a randomised,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 3 study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Orantinib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor. This study was done to
evaluate the efficacy of orantinib combined with conventional transcatheter
arterial chemoembolisation (cTACE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular
carcinoma. METHODS: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3
study was done at 75 sites in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Patients with
unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, no extra-hepatic tumour spread, and Child
Pugh score of 6 or less were randomly assigned (1:1) by interactive web response
system using a computer-generated sequence to receive orantinib or placebo,
within 28 days of cTACE. Randomisation was stratified by region, Child-Pugh score
(5 vs 6), alpha fetoprotein concentrations (<400 ng/mL vs >=400 ng/mL), and size
of the largest lesion (<=50 mm vs >50 mm). Orantinib at 200 mg, twice per day, or
placebo was given orally until TACE failure or unacceptable toxicity. The
patients, investigators, and study personnel were masked to treatment assignment.
The primary endpoint was overall survival, analysed in the full analysis set
(patients who had received at least one dose of study drug). This study is
registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01465464, and has been terminated.
FINDINGS: Between Dec 10, 2010, and Nov 21, 2013, 889 patients were randomly
assigned to receive either orantinib (445 patients; 444 treated) or placebo (444
patients; all treated). The study was ended at interim analysis for futility
evaluation. Median follow-up was 17.3 months (IQR 11.3-26.4). There was no
improvement in overall survival with orantinib compared with placebo (median 31.1
months [95% CI 26.5-34.5] vs 32.3 months [28.4-not reached]; hazard ratio 1.090,
95% CI 0.878-1.352; p=0.435). The main adverse events in the orantinib group were
oedema, ascites, and elevation of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases. The
most frequent adverse events of grade 3 or worse in the orantinib group included
elevated aspartate aminotransferase (189 [43%] patients in the oratinib group,
161 [36%] patients in the placebo group), elevated alanine aminotransferase (150
[34%] patients in the oratinib group, 132 (30%) patients in the placebo group),
and hypertension (47 [11%] patients in the oratinib group, 39 [9%] patients in
the placebo group). Serious adverse events were reported in 200 (45%) patients in
the orantinib group and 134 (30%) patients in the placebo group. INTERPRETATION:
Orantinib combined with cTACE did not improve overall survival in patients with
unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. FUNDING: Taiho Pharmaceutical.
PMID- 28988688
TI - Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide concentrations before and after
pericardiocentesis in dogs with cardiac tamponade secondary to spontaneous
pericardial effusion.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine if concentrations of plasma N-terminal pro-brain
natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are increased in dogs with cardiac tamponade and
if there is a significant increase in plasma NT-proBNP after pericardiocentesis.
ANIMALS: Ten client-owned dogs with spontaneous cardiac tamponade. METHODS:
Prospective clinical study. Cardiac tamponade was suspected from physical
examination and confirmed with echocardiography. Blood was collected and plasma
NT-proBNP concentrations were measured before and 30-60 min following
pericardiocentesis and resolution of cardiac tamponade. Within-subject changes in
plasma NT-proBNP were compared by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The
plasma NT-proBNP concentrations measured within the reference interval in seven
of 10 dogs before pericardiocentesis and in six of 10 dogs following
pericardiocentesis. Following pericardiocentesis, there was a statistically
significant increase in median NT-proBNP concentration (733 pmol/L, range 250
3,297) compared with the values measured before (643 pmol/L, range 250-3,210, P =
0.004). The NT-proBNP concentration increased in 90% of the dogs following
pericardiocentesis. CONCLUSIONS: An upper reference limit of 900 pmol/L for
plasma NT-proBNP is insensitive for the diagnosis of pericardial effusion and
cardiac tamponade in dogs. Plasma NT-proBNP concentration commonly increases
following pericardiocentesis, perhaps related to improved ventricular filling and
stretch.
PMID- 28988689
TI - Residency pathways to ambulatory care practice: Essential insights for students,
residents, and educators.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To provide a guiding document describing residency training
opportunities in ambulatory care for students, postgraduate year 1 (PGY1)
residents, practicing pharmacists, and pharmacy educators. SUMMARY: Student
pharmacists, residents, practitioners, and educators can benefit from a guiding
document describing the various pathways to develop as an ambulatory care
practitioner through residency training. The benefits and differences of PGY1 and
postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) ambulatory care residency programs are included.
CONCLUSION: There are many possible training options for pharmacists interested
in pursuing a career in ambulatory care pharmacy practice. In addition to the
required ambulatory and community experience required for all Doctorate of
Pharmacy students, postgraduate training in an ambulatory environment can allow
for specialization. Candidates for residency training can complete a PGY1
pharmacy residency or a PGY1 community-based pharmacy residency, possibly
followed by a PGY2 ambulatory care residency. Career paths for ambulatory care
pharmacists vary regionally across the country according to competition for
positions, local availability of training programs, and the experience of
regional leaders. A comprehensive description of these available training
pathways and advantages of each are beneficial for students, residents,
practicing pharmacists, and educators.
PMID- 28988691
TI - Energetics: An emerging frontier in cellular mechanosensing: Reply to comments on
"Cellular mechanosensing of the biophysical microenvironment: A review of
mathematical models of biophysical regulation of cell responses".
AB - How do cells can sense the substrate stiffness? Our recent review highlighted a
range of theoretical models and simulations that have been proposed to answer
this important question. In response to this review, three leading groups in the
field noted some important omissions not only from our review itself but also
from the field. These groups noted, correctly, that much of our understanding of
cellular mechanosensing arises from models that take advantage of equilibrium
thermodynamics, and that this is inappropriate because living cells are never in
thermodynamic equilibrium. In this response, we highlight some promising research
aimed at resolving this conundrum.
PMID- 28988692
TI - The survey on cellular and tissue-engineered therapies in Europe and neighboring
Eurasian countries in 2014 and 2015.
AB - BACKGROUND AIMS: With the support of five established scientific organizations,
this report, the seventh of its kind, describes activity in Europe for the years
2014 and 2015 in the area of cellular and tissue-engineered therapies, excluding
hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) treatments for the reconstitution of hematopoiesis.
METHODS: In 2015 [respectively 2014], 205 [276] teams from 32 countries responded
to the cellular and tissue-engineered therapy survey; 178 [126] teams reported
treating 3686 [2665] patients. RESULTS: Indications were
musculoskeletal/rheumatological disorders (32% [33%]), cardiovascular disorders
(12% [21%]), hematology/oncology (predominantly prevention or treatment of graft
versus host disease and HSC graft enhancement; 20% [20%]), neurological disorders
(4% [6%]), gastrointestinal disorders (<1% [1%]) and other indications (31%
[20%]). The majority of autologous cells (60% [73%]) were used to treat
musculoskeletal/rheumatological (44% [36%]) disorders, whereas allogeneic cells
were used mainly for hematology/oncology (61% [68%]). The reported cell types
were mesenchymal stromal cells (40% [49%]), chondrocytes (13% [6%]),
hematopoietic stem cells (12% [23%]), dermal fibroblasts (8% [3%]), dendritic
cells (2% [2%]), keratinocytes (1% [2%]) and others (24% [15%]). Cells were
expanded in vitro in 63% [40%] of the treatments, sorted in 16% [6%] of the cases
and rarely transduced (<1%). Cells were delivered predominantly as suspension 43%
[51%], intravenously or intra-arterially (30% [30%]), or using a
membrane/scaffold (25% [19%]). DISCUSSION: The data are compared with those from
previous years to identify trends in a still unpredictably evolving field.
Perspectives of representatives from plastic surgery practitioners, Iran and ISCT
are presented (contributing authors D.A. Barbara, B. Hossein and W.L. Mark,
respectively).
PMID- 28988690
TI - Impact of number of co-existing rotors and inter-electrode distance on accuracy
of rotor localization.
AB - BACKGROUND: Conflicting evidence exists on the efficacy of focal impulse and
rotor modulation on atrial fibrillation ablation. A potential explanation is
inaccurate rotor localization from multiple rotors coexistence and a relatively
large (9-11mm) inter-electrode distance (IED) of the multi-electrode basket
catheter. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied a numerical model of cardiac action
potential to reproduce one through seven rotors in a two-dimensional lattice. We
estimated rotor location using phase singularity, Shannon entropy and dominant
frequency. We then spatially downsampled the time series to create IEDs of 2
30mm. The error of rotor localization was measured with reference to the dynamics
of phase singularity at the original spatial resolution (IED=1mm). IED has a
significant impact on the error using all the methods. When only one rotor is
present, the error increases exponentially as a function of IED. At the clinical
IED of 10mm, the error is 3.8mm (phase singularity), 3.7mm (dominant frequency),
and 11.8mm (Shannon entropy). When there are more than one rotors, the error of
rotor localization increases 10-fold. The error based on the phase singularity
method at the clinical IED of 10mm ranges from 30.0mm (two rotors) to 96.1mm
(five rotors). CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of error of rotor localization using a
clinically available basket catheter, in the presence of multiple rotors might be
high enough to impact the accuracy of targeting during AF ablation. Improvement
of catheter design and development of high-density mapping catheters may improve
clinical outcomes of FIRM-guided AF ablation.
PMID- 28988693
TI - Circulating CD8+CD28- suppressor T cells tied to poorer prognosis among
metastatic breast cancer patients receiving adoptive T-cell therapy: A cohort
study.
AB - BACKGROUND AIMS: This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of
circulating CD8+CD28- T lymphocytes among breast cancer patients treated with
adoptive T-lymphocyte immunotherapy after chemotherapy. METHODS: Two hundred and
thirty-two breast cancer patients underwent adoptive T-cell immunotherapy.
Circulating CD8+CD28- proportion was measured by flow cytometry. Median
proportion of CD8+CD28- was 24.2% and set as the categorical cutoff value for
further analysis. The median survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier curve, with
difference detection and hazard ratio estimation by log-rank test and Cox hazard
proportion regression model. RESULTS: With adoptive T-cell therapy, patients with
higher CD8+CD28- levels experienced median progression-free and overall survival
of 7.1 months and 26.9 months, respectively-significantly shorter than patients
with lower levels (11.8 and 36.2 months). CD8+CD28- proportion >24.2%
demonstrated a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.06 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31-3.12)
for progression and an HR of 1.97 (95% CI 1.06-3.67) for death. Among patients
who had received previous first-line chemotherapy, CD8+CD28- proportion >24.2%
demonstrated an HR of 2.66 (95% CI 1.45-4.88) for progression. Among patients
exposed to previous second-line or higher chemotherapy, CD8+CD28- proportion
>24.2% demonstrated a 486% higher risk for death (HR = 5.86, 95% CI 1.77-19.39).
A 1% increase in suppressive T cells was associated with a 5% increased risk of
death. DISCUSSION: Elevated peripheral blood CD8+CD28- was associated with poorer
prognosis for metastatic breast cancer, especially for higher risk of progression
among patients with first-line chemotherapy and higher risk of death among
patients with more than second-line chemotherapy.
PMID- 28988694
TI - Do Textiles Impact DXA Bone Density or Body Composition Results?
AB - External artifacts can confound dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
measurements. It is often accepted that garments free of metal do not affect DXA
results; however, little data exist in this regard. It is plausible that some
textiles absorb radiation and thereby alter DXA results. We hypothesized that
some dense or synthetic textiles, for example, reflective materials, might alter
DXA-measured bone and soft tissue mass. Hologic and GE Lunar spine phantoms and a
Bioclinica prototype total body phantom were imaged on a GE Lunar iDXA and
Prodigy densitometer. Each phantom was scanned 10 times to establish mean values.
Subsequently, 2 layers of various fabrics were placed over the entire top surface
of the phantom, and 10 scans were performed without repositioning. Samples of
natural, synthetic, or embellished fabric (including those with reflective
material) and of varying thickness were used. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were
used to compare the means between bare phantom and textile-covered phantom.
Significant differences were demonstrated often, depending on the scanner,
phantom, and textile used. A polyester fabric with reflective strip consistently
altered measurements. For example, this fabric increased measured mean lumbar
spine bone mineral density and total body bone mineral content by 0.008 g/cm2 and
3.6 g, respectively (p < 0.01). Similarly, mean total body fat decreased (-173 g)
and lean mass increased (+213 g; p < 0.01). Fat and lean mass were also affected
by metallic thread, wool, blend denim, and shiny polyester (p < 0.05), and lean
mass was affected by cotton denim and sweatshirt material (p < 0.0003). In
conclusion, textiles can affect DXA-measured bone mineral density and body
composition results. Even small amounts of reflective material could alter mass
measurements by ~25% of the least significant change. Clothing made of dense
textiles (e.g., wool and denim) or those with reflective material and metallic
thread should be avoided during DXA scanning.
PMID- 28988695
TI - Temporal Trends in Clinical and Pathological Characteristics for Men Undergoing
Radical Prostatectomy Between 1995 and 2013 at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen,
Denmark, and Stanford University Hospital, United States.
AB - PURPOSE: To analyze how prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and practice
patterns has affected trends in tumor characteristics in men undergoing radical
prostatectomy (RP) in the United States and Denmark. Unlike in the United States,
PSA screening has not been recommended in Denmark. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
performed an observational register study using pre- and postoperative data on
2168 Danish patients from Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, and 2236 patients
from Stanford University Hospital, Stanford, CA, who underwent RP between 1995
and 2013. Patients were stratified according to Cancer of the Prostate Risk
Assessment-Postsurgical (CAPRA-S) risk groups and D'Amico risk classification and
were clustered into 4 time periods (1995-1999, 2000-2004, 2005-2009, and 2010
2013). Temporal trends in the proportions of patients of a given variable at the
2 institutions were evaluated with Cochran-Armitage test for trends and chi
square testing. RESULTS: A total of 4404 patients were included. Temporal changes
in preoperative PSA, age, grade, and stage was found in both cohorts. Median
preoperative PSA declined in both cohorts, while median age increased, with the
Danish cohort showing the greatest changes in both PSA and age. In both cohorts,
there was a trend for higher-risk preoperative features before RP over time. In
2010-2013, 27.7% and 21.8% of the patients were in the D'Amico high-risk group at
Copenhagen and Stanford, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite recommendation against
PSA screening in Denmark, Danish men undergoing RP at Rigshospitalet to a
considerable extent now resemble American men undergoing RP at Stanford. At both
sites, there is continued trend to reduce the number of men undergoing RP for low
risk prostate cancer.
PMID- 28988696
TI - Phospholipases during membrane dynamics in malaria parasites.
AB - Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria, display a well-regulated
lipid metabolism required to ensure their survival in the human host as well as
in the mosquito vector. The fine-tuning of lipid metabolic pathways is
particularly important for the parasites during the rapid erythrocytic infection
cycles, and thus enzymes involved in lipid metabolic processes represent prime
targets for malaria chemotherapeutics. While plasmodial enzymes involved in lipid
synthesis and acquisition have been studied in the past, to date not much is
known about the roles of phospholipases for proliferation and transmission of the
malaria parasite. These phospholipid-hydrolyzing esterases are crucial for
membrane dynamics during host cell infection and egress by the parasite as well
as for replication and cell signaling, and thus they are considered important
virulence factors. In this review, we provide a comprehensive bioinformatic
analysis of plasmodial phospholipases identified to date. We further summarize
previous findings on the lipid metabolism of Plasmodium, highlight the roles of
phospholipases during parasite life-cycle progression, and discuss the plasmodial
phospholipases as potential targets for malaria therapy.
PMID- 28988697
TI - Diagnosis and management of patients with significantly abnormal glycaemic
profiles during pregnancy after bariatric surgery: PRESAGE (Pregnancy with
significantly abnormal glycaemic exposure - bariatric patients).
PMID- 28988698
TI - Dissemination of successful international clone ST15 and clonal complex 17 among
Bulgarian CTX-M-15 producing K. pneumoniae isolates.
AB - A total of 82 extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella
pneumoniae and 4 Klebsiella oxytoca isolates were collected in 2014 from four
geographical areas in Bulgaria and their multilocus sequence type (MLST) and
transferability of the ESBL encoding genes were investigated. The predominant
type was CTX-M-15 (87%), followed by CTX-M-3 (9%), SHV-12 or SHV-2 (2%) and CTX-M
14 (1%). The CTX-M-15 producers belonged to ST15 (34.1%) and to a lesser extent
to CC17 (ST16, ST17, ST336). The CTX-M-15 transconjugants showed a presence of R,
A/C2 and F replicons. The CTX-M-3 producers were assigned to ST29, ST70, ST432,
ST542 and ST15 types and the transconjugants carried M2 replicons. To the best of
our knowledge, this is the first report that fully describes the MLST types among
Bulgarian ESBL producing K. pneumoniae and the first report of the detection of
IncR plasmid replicon type in our country.
PMID- 28988699
TI - Disruption of Ankyrin B and Caveolin-1 Interaction Sites Alters Na+,K+-ATPase
Membrane Diffusion.
AB - The Na+,K+-ATPase is a plasma membrane ion transporter of high physiological
importance for ion homeostasis and cellular excitability in electrically active
tissues. Mutations in the genes coding for Na+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit isoforms
lead to severe human pathologies including Familial Hemiplegic Migraine type 2,
Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood, Rapid-onset Dystonia Parkinsonism, or
epilepsy. Many of the reported mutations lead to change- or loss-of-function
effects, whereas others do not alter the functional properties, but lead to,
e.g., reduced protein stability, reduced protein expression, or defective plasma
membrane targeting. Na+,K+-ATPase frequently assembles with other membrane
transporters or cellular matrix proteins in specialized plasma membrane
microdomains, but the effects of these interactions on targeting or protein
mobility are elusive so far. Mutation of established interaction motifs of the
Na+,K+-ATPase with ankyrin B and caveolin-1 are expected to result in changes in
plasma membrane targeting, changes of the localization pattern, and of the
diffusion behavior of the enzyme. We studied the consequences of mutations in
these binding sites by monitoring diffusion of eGFP-labeled Na+,K+-ATPase
constructs in the plasma membrane of HEK293T cells by fluorescence correlation
spectroscopy as well as fluorescence recovery after photobleaching or
photoswitching, and observed significant differences compared to the wild-type
enzyme, with synergistic effects for combinations of interaction site mutations.
These measurements expand the possibilities to study the consequences of Na+,K+
ATPase mutations and provide information about the interaction of Na+,K+-ATPase
alpha-isoforms with cellular matrix proteins, the cytoskeleton, or other membrane
protein complexes.
PMID- 28988700
TI - Differences in Adverse Event Reporting Rates of Therapeutic Failure Between Two
Once-daily Extended-release Methylphenidate Medications in Canada: Analysis of
Spontaneous Adverse Event Reporting Databases.
AB - PURPOSE: Our study evaluated adverse events of therapeutic failure (and
specifically reduced duration of action) with the use of a branded product,
Osmotic Release Oral System (OROS) methylphenidate, which is approved for the
treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and a generic product
(methylphenidate, methylphenidate ER-C), which was approved for marketing in
Canada based on bioequivalence to OROS methylphenidate. This study was initiated
following reports that some US-marketed generic methylphenidate ER products had
substantially higher reporting rates of therapeutic failure than did the
referenced brands. METHODS: Through methodology similar to that used by the US
Food and Drug Administration to investigate the issue with the US-marketed
generic, reporting rates were calculated from cases of therapeutic failure
identified in the Canadian Vigilance Adverse Reaction Online database for a 1
year period beginning 8 months after each product launch. Corresponding
population exposure was estimated from the number of tablets dispensed. An in
depth analysis of narratives of individual case safety reports (ICSRs) with the
use of the generic product was conducted in duplicate by 2 physicians to assess
causality and to characterize the potential safety risk and clinical pattern of
therapeutic failure. Similar secondary analyses were conducted on the US-marketed
products. FINDINGS: Reporting rates of therapeutic failure with the use of
methylphenidate ER-C (generic) and OROS methylphenidate (brand name) were 411.5
and 37.5 cases per 100,000 patient-years, respectively (reporting rate ratio,
10.99; 95% CI, 5.93-22.21). In-depth analysis of narratives of 230 ICSRs of
therapeutic failure with the Canadian-marketed generic determined that all ICSRs
were either probably (60 [26%]) or possibly (170 [74%]) causally related to
methylphenidate ER-C. Clinical symptoms suggestive of overdose were present in 31
reports of loss of efficacy (13.5%) and occurred primarily in the morning, and
premature loss of efficacy (shorter duration of action) was described in 98 cases
(42.6%) and occurred primarily in the afternoon. Impacts on social functioning,
such as disruption in work or school performance or adverse social behaviors,
were found in 51 cases (22.2%). IMPLICATIONS: The ~10-fold higher reporting rate
of therapeutic failure with the generic product relative to its reference product
in the present Canadian study resembles findings with US-marketed generic
products. While these results should be interpreted with caution due to the
limitations of spontaneous adverse event reporting, which may confound
comparisons across products, similar findings nonetheless led the US Food and
Drug Administration to declare in 2014 that 2 methylphenidate ER generic products
in the United States were neither bioequivalent nor interchangeable with OROS
methylphenidate-their reference product. Our results indicate a potential safety
issue with the Canadian-marketed generic and suggest a need for further
investigation by Health Canada.
PMID- 28988701
TI - Choosing the Active X: The Human Version of X Inactivation.
AB - Humans and rodents differ in how they carry out X inactivation (XI), the
mammalian method to compensate for the different number of X chromosomes in males
and females. Evolutionary changes in staging embryogenesis and in mutations
within the XI center alter the process among mammals. The mouse model of XI is
predicated on X counting and subsequently choosing the X to 'inactivate'.
However, new evidence suggests that humans initiate XI by protecting one X in
both sexes from inactivation by XIST, the noncoding RNA that silences the
inactive X. This opinion article explores the question of how the active X is
protected from silencing by its own Xist locus, and the possibility of different
solutions for mouse and human.
PMID- 28988702
TI - Prognosis of sporadic resected small (<=2 cm) nonfunctional pancreatic
neuroendocrine tumors - a multi-institutional study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Malignant potential of small (<=20 mm) nonfunctional pancreatic
neuroendocrine tumors (sNF-PNET) is difficult to predict and management remain
controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the prognosis of sporadic
nonmetastatic sNF-PNETs. METHODS: Patients were identified from databases of 16
centers. Outcomes and risk factors for recurrence were identified by uni- and
multivariate analyses. RESULTS: sNF-PNET was resected in 210 patients, and 66% (n
= 138) were asymptomatic. Median age was 60 years, median tumor size was 15 mm,
parenchyma-sparing surgery was performed in 42%. Postoperative mortality was 0.5%
(n = 1), severe morbidity rate was 14.3% (n = 30), and 14 of 132 patients (10.6%)
with harvested lymph nodes had metastatic lymph nodes. Tumor size, presence of
biliary or pancreatic duct dilatation, and WHO grade 2-3 were independently
associated with recurrence. Patients with tumors sized <=10 mm were disease free
at last follow-up. The 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates for patients
with tumors sized 11-20 mm on preoperative imaging were 95.1%, 91.0%, and 87.3%,
respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In sNF-PNETs, the presence of biliary or pancreatic
duct dilatation or WHO grade 2-3 advocate for surgical treatment. In the
remaining patients, a wait-and-see policy might be considered.
PMID- 28988703
TI - Cost of achieving equivalent outcomes in sicker patients after liver transplant.
AB - BACKGROUND: We aimed to characterize variability in cost after straightforward
orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). METHODS: Using the University HealthSystem
Consortium and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients databases, we
identified patients who underwent OLT between 2011 and 2014. Patients meeting
criteria for straightforward OLT, defined as length of stay < 14 days with
discharge to home, were selected (n = 5763) and grouped into tertiles (low,
medium, high) according to cost of perioperative stay. RESULTS: Patients
undergoing straightforward OLT were of similar demographics regardless of cost.
High cost patients were more likely to require preoperative hemodialysis, had
higher severity of illness, and higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)
(p < 0.01). High cost patients required greater utilization of resources
including lab tests, blood transfusions, and opioids (p < 0.01). Despite having
higher burden of disease and requiring increased resource utilization, high cost
OLT patients with a straightforward perioperative course were shown to have
identical 2-year graft and overall survival compared to lower cost patients (p =
0.82 and p = 0.63), respectively. CONCLUSION: Providing adequate perioperative
care for OLT patients with higher severity of illness and disease burden requires
increased cost and resource utilization; however, doing so provides these
patients with long term survival equivalent to more routine patients.
PMID- 28988704
TI - Fungal Infections of the Central Nervous System in Small Animals: Clinical
Features, Diagnosis, and Management.
AB - Small animal mycoses vary geographically. Different clinical presentations are
seen in animals with infection of the central nervous system (CNS), including
multifocal meningoencephalomyelitis, intracranial lesions that accompany
sinonasal lesions, rapidly progressive ventriculitis, or solitary granuloma of
the brain or spinal cord. Systemic, nasal, or extraneural clinical signs are
common but, especially in granuloma cases, do not always occur. Surgery may have
a diagnostic and therapeutic role in CNS granuloma. There have been recent
advancements in serology. Fluconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole cross the
blood-brain barrier, but voriconazole is neurotoxic to cats. Liposomal and lipid
encapsulated formulations of amphotericin B are preferred.
PMID- 28988705
TI - Implementing Head and Neck Contouring Peer Review without Pathway Delay: The On
demand Approach.
AB - AIMS: Peer review of contour volume is a priority in the radiotherapy treatment
quality assurance process for head and neck cancer. It is essential that
incorporation of peer review activity does not introduce additional delays. An on
demand peer review process was piloted to assess the feasibility and efficiency
of this approach, as compared with a historic scheduled weekly approach.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2016 and April 2017 four head and neck
clinicians in one centre took part in an on-demand peer review process. Cases
were of radical or adjuvant intent of any histology and submitted on a voluntary
basis. The outcome of contour peer review would be one of unchanged (UC),
unchanged with variation or discretion noted (UV), minor change (M) or
significant change (S). The time difference between the completion of the on
demand peer review was compared with the time difference to a hypothetical next
Monday or Tuesday weekly peer review meeting. The time taken to review each case
was also documented in the latter period of the pilot project. RESULTS: In total,
62 cases underwent peer review. Peer review on-demand provided dosimetrists with
an average of an extra two working days available per case to meet treatment
start dates. The proportion of cases with outcomes UC, UV, M and S were 45%, 16%,
26% and 13%, respectively. The mean peer review time spent per case was 17 min
(12 cases). The main reason for S was discrepancy in imaging interpretation (4/8
cases). A lower proportion of oropharyngeal cases were submitted and had S
outcomes. A higher proportion of complex cases, e.g. sinonasal/nasopharynx
location or previous downstaging chemotherapy had S outcomes. The distribution of
S outcomes appears to be similar regardless of clinician experience. The level of
peer review activity among individuals differed by workload and job timetable.
CONCLUSION: On-demand peer review of the head and neck contour volume is
feasible, reduces delay to the start of dosimetry planning and bypasses the
logistical barriers of weekly meetings. An audit of participation will be
required to ensure successful implementation.
PMID- 28988707
TI - Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending thoracic aorta years after aortic valve
replacement.
AB - Aortic pseudoaneurysm (PSA) formation post aortic valve replacement is one of the
rare and devastating complications if left untreated. Aortic PSA can occur few
weeks or month after surgery. The spectrum of symptoms varies from dyspnea, wide
pulse pressure, and chest pain. However, in rare cases, aortic root PSA could be
asymptomatic. Aortic PSA mortality could be as high as 70%, if left untreated.
Therefore, High clinical suspicion and prompt surgical intervention is
imperative. In this case, the patient presented with dyspnea years after Bentall
procedure, and imaging studies revealed para-aortic PSA that was treated
surgically.
PMID- 28988706
TI - Potential role of IL-37 in atherosclerosis.
AB - IL-37 is a member of the IL-1 family, but unlike most other members of this
family of cytokines, it has wide-ranging anti-inflammatory properties. Initially
shown to bind IL-18 binding protein and prevent IL-18-mediated inflammation, its
known role has been expanded to include distinct pathways, both intracellular
involving the transcription factor Smad3, and extracellular via binding to the
orphan receptor IL-1R8. A number of recent publications investigating the role of
IL-37 in atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease have revealed promising
therapeutic value of the cytokine. Although research concerning the role of IL-37
and its mechanism in atherosclerosis is relatively scant, there are a number of
well-known atherosclerotic processes that this cytokine can mediate with the
potential of modulating the disease progression itself. This review will probe in
detail the effects of IL-37 on important pathological processes such as
inflammation, dysregulated lipid metabolism, and apoptosis, by analyzing existing
data as well as exploring the potential of this cytokine to influence these
properties.
PMID- 28988708
TI - Efficacy of a heparin based rota-flush solution in patients undergoing rotational
atherectomy.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of heparin based flush solutions in rotational
atherectomy (RA) has not been validated. Recently, a single center study
demonstrated the feasibility of an alternative flush solution with 10,000U of
unfractionated heparin (UFH) in 1L of normal saline. We aimed to evaluate the
safety and efficacy of an alternative flush solution intermittently utilized at
our institution. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 150 patients undergoing
RA over a three year period. One hundred cases utilized an alternative flush
solution containing 10,000U UFH, 400mcg nitroglycerin, and 10mg verapamil in 1L
normal saline and fifty cases utilized RotaGlide Lubricant (Boston Scientific) in
addition to heparin and vasodilators in the same dose. The primary end point was
to compare rates of procedural success. Secondary endpoints were to report
procedural characteristics including the incidence of major adverse cardiac
events (MACE) and minor periprocedural complications. RESULTS: Procedural success
was achieved in 98% (98/100) of cases utilizing the alternative Rota-Flush
solution compared to 100% (50/50) in the Rota-Glide group (P=0.553). A total of
292 lesions (200 Rota-Flush vs 92 Rota-Glide) were targeted for intervention.
MACE occurred in 13 (13%) and 4 (8%) cases in the Rota-Flush and Rota-Glide
groups, respectively (P=0.425). CONCLUSION: Rotational atherectomy performed with
the previously defined Rota-Flush or Rota-Glide solutions resulted in similar
rates of procedural success. There were no significant disparities in incidence
of MACE and minor periprocedural complications between the two groups. Heparin
based rota-flush solutions can be effective alternatives to traditional solutions
containing RotaGlide Lubricant.
PMID- 28988709
TI - Identification and characterization of a potent and selective inhibitor of human
urate transporter 1.
AB - BACKGROUND: Selective inhibitors of human urate transporter 1 (hURAT1) are
considered to be effective treatment for hyperuricemia and gout, which can reduce
the reabsorption of more than 90% of uric acid in the proximal tubule of the
kidney. We aimed to design and synthesize a more potent hURAT1 based on the
structure of Lesinurad (LU), which was reported to lower uric acid levels with
IC50 value of hURAT1 (about 60MUM). METHODS: A cell model was conducted and
characterized via Real-time qRCR and Western blot. We synthesized and identified
a new midazole analogue of LU. Cells stably-expressing hURAT1 or human organic
anion transporter 1 (hOAT1) were used in the [14C] urate or 6-carboxyfluorescein
(6-CF) uptake assays to test the activities of the newly synthesized compound.
The uric acid lowering effects of LU and LUM and their effects on urea nitrogen
and creatinine in potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats were analyzed.
RESULTS: The [14C] Urate uptake assay using hURAT1 stably transfected MDCK cells
indicated that LUM was more potent than LU against hURAT1, with IC50 values of
3.22MUM and 65.47MUM, respectively. LU and LUM also effectively suppressed hOAT1
mediated 6-CF uptake, and the IC50 hURAT1/IC50 hOAT1 of LU and LUM was1.49 and
0.35 respectively, indicating a better selectivity for LUM than LU. In vivo, LUM
Na (40mg/kg) showed more potent activity in reducing serum uric acid levels in
potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats, compared to similar doses of LU-Na.
CONCLUSION: LUM was demonstrated to be as potent a uricosuric drug as LU.
PMID- 28988710
TI - Do Interventions Intended to Increase Female Medical Student Interest in
Radiology Work? Preliminary Findings.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to share the preliminary findings after
initiation of interventions at the medical school level, which have been
suggested by the literature to increase female medical student interest in
radiology at one institution. Additionally, the paper provides discussion of how
to better future interventions for increasing female medical student interest.
METHODS: Interventions to increase medical student exposure to radiology were
implemented at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 2012. Radiology
was incorporated into the preclinical curriculum; flexible clinical experiences
stressing patient contact were created for early exposure to radiology during
third-year clerkships; and a 'Women in Radiology' panel was held to promote
visibility of female radiologists. In addition, female radiology faculty became
more involved in medical school activities and events. RESULTS: Our results
suggest that early exposure in the preclinical curriculum and patient-centered
electives increase overall student interest in radiology but only minimally
increase female interest. Simply offering the patient-centered electives is not
enough as it resulted in more male student enrollment than female (60% vs. 40%,
respectively). Just one event promoting visibility of female radiologists changed
female medical student perception of patient contact within radiology by a
statistically significant amount. Examination of current UMass faculty
radiologists by gender demonstrates that full-time, junior female radiologists
the demographic suggested to have the biggest impact on female medical students
only accounted for 4% of faculty. CONCLUSION: This article may be informative for
radiology departments looking to increase female medical student interest.
Required visibility of female radiologists and active publicity of female
radiologists from the first preclinical year are likely to have the biggest
impact in increasing female medical student interest.
PMID- 28988711
TI - In Vivo Selection of a Computationally Designed SCHEMA AAV Library Yields a Novel
Variant for Infection of Adult Neural Stem Cells in the SVZ.
AB - Directed evolution continues to expand the capabilities of complex biomolecules
for a range of applications, such as adeno-associated virus vectors for gene
therapy; however, advances in library design and selection strategies are key to
develop variants that overcome barriers to clinical translation. To address this
need, we applied structure-guided SCHEMA recombination of the multimeric adeno
associated virus (AAV) capsid to generate a highly diversified chimeric library
with minimal structural disruption. A stringent in vivo Cre-dependent selection
strategy was implemented to identify variants that transduce adult neural stem
cells (NSCs) in the subventricular zone. A novel variant, SCH9, infected 60% of
NSCs and mediated 24-fold higher GFP expression and a 12-fold greater
transduction volume than AAV9. SCH9 utilizes both galactose and heparan sulfate
as cell surface receptors and exhibits increased resistance to neutralizing
antibodies. These results establish the SCHEMA library as a valuable tool for
directed evolution and SCH9 as an effective gene delivery vector to investigate
subventricular NSCs.
PMID- 28988712
TI - Antimicrobial Peptide Combined with BMP2-Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes
Calvarial Repair in an Osteolytic Model.
AB - Repair and regeneration of inflammation-induced bone loss remains a clinical
challenge. LL37, an antimicrobial peptide, plays critical roles in cell
migration, cytokine production, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Migration of stem
cells to the affected site and promotion of vascularization are essential for
tissue engineering therapy, including bone regeneration. However, it is largely
unknown whether LL37 affects mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) behavior and bone
morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)-mediated bone repair during the bone pathologic
remodeling process. By performing in vitro and in vivo studies with MSCs and a
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse calvarial osteolytic bone defect model, we
found that LL37 significantly promotes cell differentiation, migration, and
proliferation in both unmodified MSCs and BMP2 gene-modified MSCs. Additionally,
LL37 inhibited LPS-induced osteoclast formation and bacterial activity in vitro.
Furthermore, the combination of LL37 and BMP2 markedly promoted MSC-mediated
angiogenesis and bone repair and regeneration in LPS-induced osteolytic defects
in mouse calvaria. These findings demonstrate for the first time that LL37 can be
a potential candidate drug for promoting osteogenesis and for inhibiting
bacterial growth and osteoclastogenesis, and that the combination of BMP2 and
LL37 is ideal for MSC-mediated bone regeneration, especially for inflammation
induced bone loss.
PMID- 28988713
TI - Otx2-Genetically Modified Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Rescue Photoreceptors
after Transplantation.
AB - Inherited retinal degenerations are blinding diseases characterized by the loss
of photoreceptors. Their extreme genetic heterogeneity complicates treatment by
gene therapy. This has motivated broader strategies for transplantation of
healthy retinal pigmented epithelium to protect photoreceptors independently of
the gene causing the disease. The limited clinical benefit for visual function
reported up to now is mainly due to dedifferentiation of the transplanted cells
that undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We have studied this mechanism
in vitro and revealed the role of the homeogene OTX2 in preventing
dedifferentiation through the regulation of target genes. We have overexpressed
OTX2 in retinal pigmented epithelial cells before their transplantation in the
eye of a model of retinitis pigmentosa carrying a mutation in Mertk, a gene
specifically expressed by retinal pigmented epithelial cells. OTX2 increases
significantly the protection of photoreceptors as seen by histological and
functional analyses. We observed that the beneficial effect of OTX2 is non-cell
autonomous, and it is at least partly mediated by unidentified trophic factors.
Transplantation of OTX2-genetically modified cells may be medically effective for
other retinal diseases involving the retinal pigmented epithelium as age-related
macular degeneration.
PMID- 28988714
TI - Genome-wide Mapping of Off-Target Events in Single-Stranded Oligodeoxynucleotide
Mediated Gene Repair Experiments.
AB - Short single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides are versatile molecular tools used in
different applications. They enable gene repair and genome editing, and they are
central to the antisense technology. Because the usability of single-stranded
oligodeoxynucleotides depends on their efficiencies, as well as their
specificities, analyzing their genotoxic off-target activities is important.
Thus, we have developed a protocol that follows the fate of a biotin-labeled
single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide in human cells based on its physical
incorporation into the targeted genome. Affected chromosomal fragments are
enriched and preferably sequenced by nanopore sequencing. This protocol was
validated in gene repair experiments without intentionally inducing a DNA double
strand break. For a 21-nucleotide-long phosphorothioate-modified
oligodeoxynucleotide, we compiled a broad array of error-free incorporations,
point mutations, indels, and structural rearrangements from actively dividing
HEK293-derived cells. Additionally, we demonstrated the usefulness of this
approach for primary cells by treating human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and
progenitor cells with a 100-nucleotide-long unmodified oligodeoxynucleotide
directed against the endogenous CYBB locus. This work should pave the way for
future genotoxicity analyses. Concerning genome engineering approaches based on
nuclease-induced DNA double-strand breaks, this protocol could aid in detecting
the unwanted effects caused by the donor fragments themselves.
PMID- 28988717
TI - Where are the innovations in tuberculosis drug discovery?
PMID- 28988715
TI - Self-Transducible Bimodal PDX1-FOXP3 Protein Lifts Insulin Secretion and Curbs
Autoimmunity, Boosting Tregs in Type 1 Diabetic Mice.
AB - Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by massive destruction of insulin
producing beta cells by autoreactive T lymphocytes, arising via defective immune
tolerance. Therefore, effective anti-T1D therapeutics should combine autoimmunity
preventing and insulin production-restoring properties. We constructed a cell
permeable PDX1-FOXP3-TAT fusion protein (FP) composed of two transcription
factors: forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), the master regulator of differentiation and
functioning of self-tolerance-promoting Tregs, and pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1
(PDX1), the crucial factor supporting beta cell development and maintenance. The
FP was tested in vitro and in a non-obese diabetic mouse T1D model. In vitro, FP
converted naive CD4+ T cells into a functional "Treg-like" subset, which
suppressed cytokine secretion, downregulated antigen-specific responses, and
curbed viability of diabetogenic effector cells. In hepatic stem-like cells, FP
potentiated endocrine transdifferentiation, inducing expression of Insulin2 and
other beta lineage-specific genes. In vivo, FP administration to chronically
diabetic mice triggered (1) a significant elevation of insulin and C-peptide
levels, (2) the formation of insulin-containing cell clusters in livers, and (3)
a systemic anti-inflammatory shift (higher Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cell frequencies,
elevated rates of IL-10-producing cells, and reduced rates of IFN-gamma-secreting
cells). Overall, in accordance with its design, PDX1-FOXP3-TAT FP delivered both
Treg-stabilizing anti-autoimmune and de novo insulin-producing effects, proving
its anti-T1D therapeutic potential.
PMID- 28988716
TI - Evaluation of GalNAc-siRNA Conjugate Activity in Pre-clinical Animal Models with
Reduced Asialoglycoprotein Receptor Expression.
AB - The hepatocyte-specific asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) is an ideal candidate
for targeted drug delivery to the liver due to its high capacity for substrate
clearance from circulation together with its well-conserved expression and
function across species. The development of GalNAc-siRNA conjugates, in which a
synthetic triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine-based ligand is conjugated to
chemically modified siRNA, has enabled efficient, ASGPR-mediated delivery to
hepatocytes. To investigate the potential impact of variations in receptor
expression on the efficiency of GalNAc-siRNA conjugate delivery, we evaluated the
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of GalNAc-siRNA conjugates in multiple pre
clinical models with reduced receptor expression. Despite greater than 50%
reduction in ASGPR levels, GalNAc conjugate activity was retained, suggesting
that the remaining receptor capacity was sufficient to mediate efficient uptake
of potent GalNAc-siRNAs at pharmacologically relevant dose levels. Collectively,
our data support a broad application of the GalNAc-siRNA technology for hepatic
targeting, including disease states where ASGPR expression may be reduced.
PMID- 28988718
TI - An acute hospital admission greatly increases one year mortality - Getting sick
and ending up in hospital is bad for you: A multicentre retrospective cohort
study.
AB - BACKGROUND: For most of the population a serious acute illness that require an
emergency admission to hospital is a rare "once in a life time" event. This paper
reports the one year mortality of patients admitted to hospital as acute
emergencies compared to the general population. METHOD: This is a post-hoc
retrospective multicentre cohort study of acutely admitted patients from October
2008 to December 2013 aged 40 or higher. It compares the observed one-year
mortality of both acute medical and surgical patients with the overall mortality
in the general population at comparable age bands. RESULTS: We included 18,375
patients and 4037 (22.0%) died within one year. For all age groups the one year
mortality of those admitted to hospital for acute illness was markedly greater
than for the general population. Although the odds ratio of death was highest in
younger patients (e.g. odds ratio >20 for 40year olds), the absolute risk of
death was greatest in the elderly (e.g. 20% mortality rate for men admitted to
hospital over 65years of age, compared to 1.7% for the general population).
DISCUSSION: Admission to hospital for an acute illness is associated with a
greatly increased risk of death within a year and for many elderly patients may
be a seminal event.
PMID- 28988719
TI - A young patient with back pain.
PMID- 28988720
TI - Dilation of duodenum, stomach and esophagus in a patient with weight loss.
PMID- 28988721
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28988722
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28988723
TI - PCSK9 inhibitor therapy in homozygous familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 due
to APOB R3500Q: A case report.
AB - Identification of a patient homozygous for familial defective apolipoprotein B
100(FDB) and successful treatment with PCSK9 inhibition.
PMID- 28988724
TI - Antiarrhythmics in Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: It is widely accepted that antiarrhythmics play a role in
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) universally, but the absolute benefit of
antiarrhythmic use and the drug of choice in advanced life support remains
controversial. AIM: To perform a thorough, in-depth review and analysis of
current literature to assess the efficacy of antiarrhythmics in advanced life
support. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two authors systematically searched through
multiple bibliographic databases including CINAHL, SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of
Science, Medline(Ovid) and the Cochrane Clinical Trials Registry. To be included
studies had to compare an antiarrhythmic to either a control group, placebo or
another antiarrhythmic in adult cardiac arrests. These studies were independently
screened for outcomes in cardiac arrest assessing the effect of antiarrhythmics
on return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival and neurological outcomes.
Data was extracted independently, compared for homogeneity and level of evidence
was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of
bias. The Mantel-Haenszel (M-H) random effects model was used and heterogeneity
was assessed using the I2 statistic. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The search of the
literature yielded 30 studies, including 39,914 patients. Eight antiarrhythmic
agents were identified. Amiodarone and lidocaine, the two most commonly used
agents, showed no significant effect on any outcome either against placebo or
each other. Small low quality studies showed benefits in isolated outcomes with
esmolol and bretylium against placebo. The only significant benefit of one
antiarrhythmic over another was demonstrated with nifekalant over lidocaine for
survival to admission (p=0.003). On sensitivity analysis of a small number of
high quality level one RCTs, both amiodarone and lidocaine had a significant
increase in survival to admission, with no effect on survival to discharge.
CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that, based on
current literature and data, there has been no conclusive evidence that any
antiarrhythmic agents improve rates of ROSC, survival to admission, survival to
discharge or neurological outcomes. Given the side effects of some of these
agents, we recommend further research into their utility in current
cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines.
PMID- 28988725
TI - Prevention of preterm birth: Novel interventions for the cervix.
AB - Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide.
Spontaneous preterm birth is a complex, multifactorial condition in which
cervical dysfunction plays an important role in some women. Current treatment
options for cervical dysfunction include cerclage and supplemental progesterone.
In addition, cervical pessary is being studied in research protocols. However,
cerclage, supplemental progesterone and cervical pessary have well known
limitations and there is a strong need for alternate treatment options. In this
review, we discuss two novel interventions to treat cervical dysfunction: (1)
injectable, silk protein-based biomaterials for cervical tissue augmentation
(injectable cerclage) and (2) a patient-specific pessary. Three-dimensional
computer simulation of the cervix is performed to provide a biomechanical
rationale for the interventions. Further development of these novel interventions
could lead to new treatment options for women with cervical dysfunction.
PMID- 28988726
TI - Placenta-specific gene manipulation using lentiviral vector and its application.
AB - The placenta is an essential organ for embryo development in the uterus of
eutherian mammals. Large contributions in unveiling molecular mechanisms and
physiological functions underlying placental formation were made by analyzing
mutant and transgenic animals. However, it had been difficult to elucidate
whether the placental defects observed in such animals originate from the
placenta itself or from the fetus, as both placental and fetal genomes are
modified. Therefore strategies to modify the placental genome without affecting
the "fetal genome" had been needed. Through the ingenious use of lentiviral (LV)
vectors, placenta-specific modification is now possible. Lentivirus is a genus of
retroviruses that use reverse-transcriptase to convert its single-strand RNA
genome to double-strand DNA and integrate into the host genome. Previous studies
showed that when LV vectors were used to transduce embryos at the 2-cell stage,
the viral genome is systemically introduced into host genome. Interestingly, by
delaying the timing of transduction to the blastocyst stage, the transgene is
expressed specifically in the placenta as a consequence of trophectoderm-specific
viral transduction. This review summarizes the development of the LV vector
mediated placenta-specific gene manipulation technology and its application in
placental research over the past decade. A perspective for future application of
LV vectors to further placenta research, especially in combination with next
generation genome editing technologies, is also presented.
PMID- 28988727
TI - The mycobiome: Role in health and disease, and as a potential probiotic target in
gastrointestinal disease.
AB - The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to trillions of microorganisms,
some beneficial and others potentially harmful. Recent advances in science have
allowed us to identify the multitude of organisms inhabiting the GI tract and
parse out those that play a role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Unfortunately, most research has focused on studying only the bacteria while
,overlooking a key player, fungus. In order to address this issue, we have
focused our efforts on studying the fungal community in the GI tract known as the
mycobiome. We found that patients with Crohn's disease (CD) tend to have much
higher levels of the fungus Candida tropicalis compared to their healthy family
members, as well as two bacteria, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens.
Furthermore, we showed that these three organisms worked together to form robust
biofilms capable of exacerbating intestinal inflammation. Herein, we discuss the
role of the mycobiome in health and disease, and highlight the importance of
maintaining balance of the GI microbiota. Additionally, taking into consideration
recent next generation sequencing data, we provide insight into potentially new
therapeutic approaches in the treatment of IBD through the use of antifungals
and/or probiotics aimed at establishing and maintaining a healthy balance of the
GI total microbial community including fungi and bacteria.
PMID- 28988728
TI - Vertical locking of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger: A case
report.
AB - Locking of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is commonly caused by
hyperextension of the thumb or moderate flexion of the index or middle finger. We
report a rare case of vertical locking of the MCP joint of the little finger in a
16-year old female after blunt trauma to the little finger. The MCP joint was
locked when positioned at approximately 90-degree-flexion and could not extend
actively or passively. A manual reduction was easily achieved and no
immobilization was applied. Vertical locking of the MCP joint can be easily
reduced, and immobilization is unnecessary after reduction. Correct diagnosis
prior to reduction and differentiation from other types of locking are essential
to prevent overtreatment.
PMID- 28988730
TI - Erratum to "Orthopedics research output from China, USA, UK, Japan, Germany and
France: A 10-year survey of the literature" [Orthop. Traumatol. Surg. Res. 102
(2016) 939-945].
PMID- 28988729
TI - Allergic reactions to antivenom in a patient bitten twice by the same snake
within a month: A rare case report and literature review.
AB - Antivenom is the most effective method currently available for the treatment of
poisonous snake bite. Allergic reactions to antivenom have been reported in the
past. Here we shared a case of allergic reactions to antivenom in an old male
patient who was bitten twice by the same snake (probably same one) at the same
biting site within a month whereas the patient did not show any allergic disorder
in the first bitten. Envenomations twice in a short period time by the same kind
of snake are very rare. Physician should be alert to the occurrence of allergic
reactions in treating this type of patients with antivenom. The skin allergy test
has a certain value in predicting the allergic response before the second use of
antivenom. Desensitization may reduce the incidence of allergic reactions, but
this is insufficient. Rather than non-IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity,
patients receiving the second treatment of antivenom may develop IgE-mediated
immediate hypersensitivity. Once happened, the antivenom treatment should be
stopped promptly and anti-allergy treatment should be given immediately.
PMID- 28988731
TI - The Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual
Abuse and the Roman Catholic Church.
AB - The Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual
Abuse received more reports of sexual abuse of minors from victims of personnel
from the Catholic Church than from any other source. It looked beyond the
circumstances of the individual reports, to the response of Church leaders. It
then took the inquiry to the more fundamental issue of the elements of the
Church's structure and its unique culture that enabled sexual abuse and supported
the hierarchy's counter-productive responses. This commentary looks at the
structural and cultural aspects of the institutional Church most directly
connected to sexual abuse by clerics and the ensuing cover-up and it examines
their theological and historical foundations. The reality that sexual abuse by
clerics was not only known but condoned and covered up cannot be justified but it
can be explained in great part by the Church's justification for its own
structure and the role of its clerics.
PMID- 28988732
TI - Rupture of an Occult Intracranial Mycotic Aneurysm after Intravenous Thrombolysis
with Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Ischemic Stroke.
AB - BACKGROUND: The treatment of acute ischemic stroke with recombinant tissue
plasminogen activator (rtPA) has become the mainstay of treatment, but its use
carries a risk of subsequent intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Guidelines have been
developed to aid in the selection of the appropriate candidates to treat with
rtPA to reduce this risk. We present a case of a stroke patient who was an
appropriate candidate and was treated with rtPA who experienced a fatal
subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured mycotic aneurysm (MA). CASE REPORT: A
51-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with acute neurological
symptoms concerning for acute ischemic stroke. His National Institutes of Health
Stroke Scale score was 22. Emergent noncontrast head computed tomography (CT)
revealed no sign of hemorrhage. The patient received intravenous rtPA, and about
1 h after the infusion was started, he had an acute deterioration in his mental
status. Repeat CT scan revealed a large subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the patient
was later found to have two intracranial aneurysms consistent with a ruptured MA
that were related to his remote history of infective endocarditis. WHY SHOULD AN
EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: The majority of MAs are caused by
infective endocarditis. In patients presenting with acute neurologic symptoms
with a history of infective endocarditis, emergency physicians should strongly
consider obtaining CT angiography to rule out MA prior to treating presumed acute
ischemic stroke with rtPA.
PMID- 28988733
TI - Delayed Dermatitis Following Injury Caused by Coral.
PMID- 28988734
TI - Intractable Nausea Due to the Area Postrema Syndrome of Neuromyelitis Optica: An
Uncommon Cause of a Common Symptom.
AB - BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting are common emergency department (ED) complaints.
Neuromyelitis optica, a demyelinating disorder, has a predilection for the area
postrema, the central nausea and vomiting center. Demyelinating lesions in this
region cause intractable nausea and vomiting. CASE REPORT: We present a case of
area postrema syndrome due to neuromyelitis optica in a 34-year-old woman who was
seen in several EDs before the appropriate diagnosis was made. WHY SHOULD AN
EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Nausea and vomiting are complaints that
commonly bring people to the ED, thus, emergency physicians are likely to be the
first to encounter and diagnose the area postrema syndrome.
PMID- 28988736
TI - Response to Letter to the Editor.
PMID- 28988735
TI - Identifying Advanced Illness Patients in the Emergency Department and Having
Goals-of-Care Discussions to Assist with Early Hospice Referral.
AB - BACKGROUND: The emergency department (ED) is often where patients with advanced
illness (AI) present when faced with an acute deterioration in their disease.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of our AI Management program in the
ED on key outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a pre-post study with a retrospective
chart review with ED patients at an academic, tertiary care hospital in the New
York metropolitan area. We assessed changes from baseline to intervention period
on percent of patients identified in the ED with AI, percent who received an ED
led goals-of-care (GOC) discussion, and percent referred to hospice from the ED.
We used the Fisher's exact test or the Mann-Whitney test to compare groups, as
appropriate. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 82 patients (21 baseline and 61
intervention). Patients in the baseline period had a median age of 75 years, with
61.9% being female, whereas those in the intervention period had a median age of
83 years, with 67.2% being female. Patients in the intervention, compared with
baseline, were significantly more likely to be identified as having AI in the ED
(90.2% vs. 0.0%; p < 0.0001), to receive an ED-led GOC conversation (83.6% vs.
0.0%; p < 0.0001), and to be discharged to home hospice (39.3% vs. 0.0%; p <
0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The ED provides a critical opportunity to identify AI
patients, have ED-led GOC discussions, and refer appropriate patients to hospice.
PMID- 28988737
TI - Hematometrocolpos Disguised as Abdominal Pain.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hematometrocolpos caused by an imperforate hymen is a common form of
vaginal outflow obstruction. This is a rare pediatric anomaly that can present
with atypical or vague symptomatology, such as abdominal pain or constipation or
urinary retention in the setting of amenorrhea. It is essential to obtain a
gynecologic history and inquire about menstrual cycles to properly evaluate a
young female with such a common complaint as abdominal pain. Failure to perform a
gynecologic examination in the emergency department setting may delay diagnosis
and appropriate care for this rare condition, which can lead to serious
complications. CASE REPORT: This case describes a 12-year-old female who
presented to the emergency department with a complaint of abdominal pain and
urinary symptoms. Because of the severity of the patient's pain on abdominal
examination, we obtained a computed tomography scan of her abdomen and pelvis,
which showed findings consistent with hematometrocolpos. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY
PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Obstruction of the female genital outflow tract is a
rare occurrence. Because abdominal pain is such a common complaint, not only in
the pediatric emergency department but also in the outpatient setting, the
diagnosis of hematometrocolpos may easily go undiagnosed for months or even
years. Obtaining a complete gynecologic history is key when evaluating young
females with abdominal pain or urinary retention. Early detection and timely
management can prevent serious complications and long-term sequelae. This patient
had a successful outcome and early surgical management of her hematometrocolpos
which was caused by an imperforate hymen.
PMID- 28988738
TI - Tripartite Fracture of the Ulnar Sesamoid Bone of the Thumb.
PMID- 28988739
TI - A Tale of Black Eschar in a Returning Traveller.
AB - BACKGROUND: African tick-bite fever is an increasingly common cause for fever in
the returning traveller. It needs to be considered in the febrile returning
traveller with a characteristic rash: a black eschar. CASE REPORT: We describe a
51-year-old man returning from South Africa who presented to our emergency
department with fever, headache, myalgia, and chills. On careful history and skin
examination, a black eschar was found on the patient's left lateral shoulder,
pointing toward a diagnosis of African tick-bite fever. The patient was treated
with doxycycline and rapidly improved. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE
OF THIS?: In the emergency department, the diagnosis of African tick-bite fever
is often overlooked in the pursuit of ruling out other travel-related illnesses,
such as malaria. A thorough history, a complete physical examination, and a high
level of suspicion are essential to the timely diagnosis and treatment of African
tick-bite fever in the returning traveller.
PMID- 28988740
TI - Health Care Usage and Suicide Risk Screening within 1 Year of Suicide Death.
AB - BACKGROUND: Research indicates patients often seek medical care within 1 year of
suicide. Health care encounters are a crucial opportunity for health
professionals to identify patients at highest risk and provide preventative
services. OBJECTIVE: Study aims were to determine the characteristics of persons
seeking health care within 12 months of suicide death and evaluate suicide risk
screening (SRS) frequency in the emergency department (ED) vs. clinic settings.
METHODS: Medical examiner and hospital data of patients who died by suicide from
2007 to 2013 were evaluated. Descriptive analyses included demographics and
frequency of ED vs. clinic visits. We also compared SRS before and after
implementation of The Joint Commission's recommendation to assess suicide risk.
RESULTS: The 224 deceased patients were primarily single white males (mean age 67
years). Mental health issues, substance abuse, and prior suicide attempts were
present alone or in combination in 74%. Visits were primarily behavioral health
or substance abuse problems in the ED, and medical issues in the clinic. After
implementation of universal SRS in the ED, screening increased from 39% to 92%.
Among patients screened in the ED, 73% (37 of 51) screened negative for suicide
risk. CONCLUSIONS: Universal SRS increased the number of people screened in the
ED. However, negative SRS may not equate to reduced risk for future suicide
within 1 year. Future studies might investigate targeted screening of individuals
with known suicide risk factors, as well as alternatives to patient self-report
of intent to self-harm for patients with mental health or substance abuse
problems.
PMID- 28988741
TI - Smad7 alleviates glomerular mesangial cell proliferation via the ROS-NF-kappaB
pathway.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that altered gene expression
of Smad7regulated NF-kappaB expression and ROS production on Ang II (Angiotensin
II)-induced rat glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) proliferation. METHODS: pAdTrack
CMV-Smad7 was transduced into rat GMC by adeno-transduction using an ADV
(adenovirus)-mediated vector in vivo. Diphenylene iodonium chloride (DPI) pre
treated GMC, and blocked ROS generation as determined by DCFH-DA method. Altered
expressions of IkappaBalpha and p65 were monitored by Western blot analysis and
immunofluorescence. GMC proliferation was tested by the Cell Counting Kit-8
assay. Apoptosis of GMC was detected by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: Over
expression of Smad7 dampened the ability of Ang II to promote ROS synthesis and
inhibited the ability of Ang II to decrease functional expression of
IkappaBalpha. Moreover, Smad7 increased nuclear IkappaBalpha expression. Smad7
did not significantly influence the capacity of Ang II to increase protein
expression of NF-kappaB p65. However, immunofluorescence analysis showed that
Smad7 reduced nuclear NF-kappaB p65 level. Further, over-expression of Smad7
promoted GMC apoptosis by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation, which alleviated the
Ang II-promoted proliferation of GMC. CONCLUSIONS: Smad7 influenced NF-kappaB
expression by regulating ROS generation, and induced GMC apoptosis to counter the
Ang II-promoted proliferation.
PMID- 28988742
TI - Chimeric antigen-receptor T-cell therapy for hematological malignancies and solid
tumors: Clinical data to date, current limitations and perspectives.
AB - Progress in our understanding of basic immunology along with the advent of
bioengineering technologies have made possible the production of human T-cells
expressing Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR T-cells). These CAR T-cells are
designed to target specific antigens presented by cancer cells. Once CARs are
bound to these antigens, CAR T-cells get activated and can initiate potent anti
tumor effects. We will here overview the bioengineering advances which made
possible the clinical application of CAR T-cell therapy. We will review the data
to date regarding anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia,
non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Besides CD19, CAR T
cells directed against the B-cell maturation antigen have also shown encouraging
results to treat patients with refractory multiple myeloma. The more limited body
of clinical research in the field of solid tumors will also be reviewed.
Moreover, we will elaborate on the main toxicities of limitations of CAR T-cell
therapy, namely cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. While enjoying an
undeniable hype, CAR T-cell therapy bears significant limitations. We will
conclude by exposing the possible approaches to make CAR T-cells safer and more
efficient beyond the CD19 target.
PMID- 28988743
TI - Fludarabine-based reduced intensity regimen for matched related donor
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acquired severe aplastic anemia.
AB - Different conditioning regimens have been evaluated in matched-related donor
allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for acquired
severe aplastic anemia (SAA) with varying results. In this manuscript, we report
our experience with fludarabine (120mg/m2), very low dose cyclophosphamide
(1200mg/m2) and antithymocyte globulin (7.5mg/kg). Low dose total body
irradiation (2Gy) was added to the conditioning regimen for patients older than
15 years. Nineteen patients (median age 23years) underwent transplant between
2008 and 2015. The majority (89%) were younger than 40 years. Stem cell source
was BM (n=11) or PBSC (n=8). GvHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and
either a short course of methotrexate (n=9) or mycophenolate mofetil (n=10).
Eighteen (94.7%) patients achieved sustained engraftment. The median times to
neutrophil and platelet engraftments were 19 (range: 14-34) and 17.1 (range: 12
25) days, respectively. The day-30 cumulative incidence of neutrophil and
platelet engraftment was 89.4% and 94.7%, respectively. No secondary graft
rejection was observed. The 1-year cumulative incidence of aGvHD (grade II-IV)
and cGvHD was 11.7% and 0%, respectively. The 2-year GvHD-free survival rate was
78.6% (95% CI: 52.5-91.4%). Fludarabine-based reduced intensity regimen for MRD
allo-HSCT in SAA compares favorably to other available regimens. This regimen
deserves further investigations with larger cohort of patients.
PMID- 28988744
TI - Management of Endometriosis: Toward Value-Based, Cost-Effective, Affordable Care.
AB - Endometriosis management seems to be influenced by outcome-independent
biomedical, pharmacological, and technological developments. The propensity
towards doing more affects several aspects of care, sometimes translating into
proposals that are not based on sound epidemiological principles and robust
evidence. Different stakeholders share the interest for doing more testing and
using novel and costly drugs or devices in patients with endometriosis. Although
some women may benefit from such an approach, the majority do not, and some may
be harmed. Moreover, an uncontrolled increase in expenditures for endometriosis
management without demonstrated and proportional health benefits would waste the
finite resources of national health care services and would risk cost-related non
adherence. Cost-effectiveness analyses should be systematically pre-planned in
future trials on endometriosis, and the concept of "value" of medical
interventions should guide investigators and health care policymakers. Reducing
low-value care, financial toxicity, and the burden of treatment is respectful not
only of endometriosis patients, but also of the entire society. Whenever
possible, long-term therapeutic strategies should be tailored to each woman's
needs, and high-value tests and treatments should be chosen based on her
priorities and preferences. Moreover, listening to patients, understanding their
concerns, avoiding disease labelling, explaining plainly what is known and what
is unknown, and giving constant reassurance and encouragement may be exceedingly
important for the successful management of endometriosis and may change the
patient's perception of her clinical condition. Physician empathy has no untoward
effects, does not cause harms, and may determine whether a woman successfully
copes or desperately struggles with her disease during reproductive life.
PMID- 28988745
TI - Moving Beyond Uterotonics for the Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage: Lessons
From the WOMAN Study.
PMID- 28988746
TI - Sedative and physiologic effects of low-dose intramuscular alfaxalone in dogs.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To describe the sedative and physiologic effects of two doses of
alfaxalone administered intramuscularly in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized,
blinded, crossover experimental trial. ANIMALS: Ten adult mixed-breed dogs.
METHODS: Dogs were assigned randomly to be administered one of three
intramuscular injections [saline 0.1 mL kg-1 (S), alfaxalone 1 mg kg-1 (A1) or
alfaxalone 2 mg kg-1 (A2)] on three occasions. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate
(fR) and sedation score were assessed before injection (T0) and at 5 (T5), 10
(T10), 15 (T15), 20 (T20), 30 (T30), 45 (T45) and 60 (T60) minutes postinjection.
Rectal temperature was determined at T0 and T60. Adverse events occurring between
the time of injection and T60 were recorded. RESULTS: Sedation scores were higher
in group A2 at T15 and T30 compared with group S. There were no additional
differences between groups in sedation score. The A2 group had higher sedation
scores at T15, T20 and T30 compared with T0. The A1 group had higher sedation
scores at T10 and T30 compared with T0. Temperature was lower in groups A1 and A2
compared with S at T60, but was not clinically significant. There were no
differences between or within groups in HR or fR. Adverse effects were observed
in both A1 and A2 groups. These included ataxia (17/20), auditory hyperesthesia
(5/20), visual disturbance (5/20), pacing (4/20) and tremor (3/20). CONCLUSIONS
AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While alfaxalone at 2 mg kg-1 intramuscularly resulted in
greater median sedation scores compared with saline, the range was high and
adverse effects frequent. Neither protocol alone can be recommended for providing
sedation in healthy dogs.
PMID- 28988747
TI - Structural Insights into VLR Fine Specificity for Blood Group Carbohydrates.
AB - High-quality reagents to study and detect glycans with high specificity for
research and clinical applications are severely lacking. Here, we structurally
and functionally characterize several variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR)-based
antibodies from lampreys immunized with O erythrocytes that specifically
recognize the blood group H-trisaccharide type II antigen. Glycan microarray
analysis and biophysical data reveal that these VLRs exhibit greater specificity
for H-trisaccharide compared with the plant lectin UEA-1, which is widely used in
blood typing. Among these antibodies, O13 exhibits superior specificity for H
trisaccharide, the basis for which is revealed by comparative analysis of high
resolution VLR:glycan crystal structures. Using a structure-guided approach, we
designed an O13 mutant with further enhanced specificity for H-trisaccharide.
These insights into glycan recognition by VLRs suggest that lampreys can produce
highly specific glycan antibodies, and are a valuable resource for the production
of next-generation glycan reagents for biological and biomedical research and as
diagnostics and therapeutics.
PMID- 28988749
TI - Peptide therapeutics from venom: Current status and potential.
AB - Peptides are recognized as being highly selective, potent and relatively safe as
potential therapeutics. Peptides isolated from the venom of different animals
satisfy most of these criteria with the possible exception of safety, but when
isolated as single compounds and used at appropriate concentrations, venom
derived peptides can become useful drugs. Although the number of venom-derived
peptides that have successfully progressed to the clinic is currently limited,
the prospects for venom-derived peptides look very optimistic. As proteomic and
transcriptomic approaches continue to identify new sequences, the potential of
venom-derived peptides to find applications as therapeutics, cosmetics and
insecticides grows accordingly.
PMID- 28988748
TI - Structural and Functional Implications of Human Transforming Growth Factor beta
Induced Protein, TGFBIp, in Corneal Dystrophies.
AB - A major cause of visual impairment, corneal dystrophies result from accumulation
of protein deposits in the cornea. One of the proteins involved is transforming
growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBIp), an extracellular matrix component
that interacts with integrins but also produces corneal deposits when mutated.
Human TGFBIp is a multi-domain 683-residue protein, which contains one CROPT
domain and four FAS1 domains. Its structure spans ~120 A and reveals that vicinal
domains FAS1-1/FAS1-2 and FAS1-3/FAS1-4 tightly interact in an equivalent manner.
The FAS1 domains are sandwiches of two orthogonal four-stranded beta sheets
decorated with two three-helix insertions. The N-terminal FAS1 dimer forms a
compact moiety with the structurally novel CROPT domain, which is a five-stranded
all-beta cysteine-knot solely found in TGFBIp and periostin. The overall TGFBIp
architecture discloses regions for integrin binding and that most dystrophic
mutations cluster at both molecule ends, within domains FAS1-1 and FAS1-4.
PMID- 28988750
TI - Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide
derivatives as a new class of tubulin polymerization inhibitors.
AB - A novel series of 2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide derivatives was synthesized,
characterized and evaluated for its antiproliferative activity against five
cancer cell lines, Hela, SK-OV-3, HCT116, A549 and MDA-MB-468, and a normal human
fetal lung fibroblastic cell line, MRC-5. Among them, compound 7b displayed
potent cytotoxic activity in vitro against SK-OV-3 and HCT116 cell lines with
IC50 values of 0.5 and 0.2MUM, respectively. In general, the antiproliferative
activity was correlated with the binding property of the colchicine binding site
and inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization. In addition, immunofluorescence
and flow cytometry analysis revealed that selected compounds caused disruption of
the mitotic spindle assembly and G2/M phase arrest of the cell cycle, which
correlated with proliferation inhibitory activity. Molecular docking analysis
demonstrated the interaction of 7b at the colchicine binding site of tubulin.
These results indicate these compounds are promising inhibitors of tubulin
polymerization for the potent treatment of cancer.
PMID- 28988751
TI - Synthesis, computational studies and enzyme inhibitory kinetics of substituted
methyl[2-(4-dimethylamino-benzylidene)-hydrazono)-4-oxo-thiazolidin-5
ylidene]acetates as mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors.
AB - The present article describes the synthesis and enzyme inhibitory kinetics of
methyl[2-(arylmethylene-hydrazono)-4-oxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidene]acetates 5a-j as
mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors. The title compounds were synthesized via
cyclocondensation of thiosemicarbazones 3a-j with dimethyl but-2-ynedioate (DMAD)
4 in good yields under solvent-free conditions. The synthesized compounds were
evaluated for their potential to inhibit the activity of mushroom tyrosinase. It
was unveiled that compounds 5i showed excellent enzyme inhibitory activity with
IC50 3.17uM while IC50 of standard kojic acid is 15.91uM. The presence of
heterocyclic pyridine ring in compound 5i play important role in enzyme
inhibitory activity as rest of the functional groups are common in all
synthesized compounds. The enzyme inhibitory kinetics of the most potent
derivative 5i determined by Lineweaver-Burk plots and Dixon plots showed that it
is non-competitive inhibitor with Ki value 1.5uM. It was further investigated
that the wet lab results are in good agreement with the computational results.
The molecular docking of the synthesized compounds was performed against
tyrosinase protein (PDBID 2Y9X) to delineate ligand-protein interactions at
molecular level. The docking results showed that the major interacting residues
are His244, His85, His263, Val 283, His 296, Asn260, Val248, His260, His261 and
Phe264 which are located in active binding site of the protein. The molecular
modeling demonstrates that the oxygen atom of the compound 5i coordinated with
the key residues in the active site of mushroom tyrosinase contribute
significantly against inhibitory ability and diminishing the human melanin
synthesis. These results evident that compound 5i is a lead structure in
developing most potent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors.
PMID- 28988752
TI - The Gift of Life: New Opportunities from Renal Transplantation.
PMID- 28988753
TI - A Biopsy-based 17-gene Genomic Prostate Score as a Predictor of Metastases and
Prostate Cancer Death in Surgically Treated Men with Clinically Localized
Disease.
AB - BACKGROUND: A 17-gene biopsy-based reverse transcription polymerase chain
reaction assay, which provides a Genomic Prostate Score (GPS-scale 0-100), has
been validated as an independent predictor of adverse pathology and biochemical
recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with low- and intermediate
risk prostate cancer (PCa). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate GPS as a predictor of PCa
metastasis and PCa-specific death (PCD) in a large cohort of men with localized
PCa and long-term follow-up. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective
study using a stratified cohort sampling design was performed in a cohort of men
treated with RP within Kaiser Permanente Northern California. RNA from archival
diagnostic biopsies was assayed to generate GPS results. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We assessed the association between GPS and time to
metastasis and PCD in prespecified uni- and multivariable statistical analyses,
based on Cox proportional hazard models accounting for sampling weights. RESULTS
AND LIMITATIONS: The final study population consisted of 279 men with low-,
intermediate-, and high-risk PCa between 1995 and 2010 (median follow-up 9.8 yr),
and included 64 PCD and 79 metastases. Valid GPS results were obtained for 259
(93%). In univariable analysis, GPS was strongly associated with time to PCD,
hazard ratio (HR)/20 GPS units=3.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.84-5.65;
p<0.001), and time to metastasis, HR/20 units=2.75 (95% CI 1.63-4.63; p<0.001).
The association between GPS and both end points remained significant after
adjusting for National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Urological
Association, and Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) risks (p<0.001).
No patient with low- or intermediate-risk disease and a GPS of<20 developed
metastases or PCD (n=31). In receiver operating characteristic analysis of PCD at
10 yr, GPS improved the c-statistic from 0.78 (CAPRA alone) to 0.84 (GPS+CAPRA;
p<0.001). A limitation of the study was that patients were treated during an era
when definitive treatment was standard of care with little adoption of active
surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: GPS is a strong independent predictor of long-term
outcomes in clinically localized PCa in men treated with RP and may improve risk
stratification for men with newly diagnosed disease. PATIENT SUMMARY: Many
prostate cancers are slow growing and unlikely to spread or threaten a man's
life, while others are more aggressive and require treatment. Increasingly,
doctors are using new molecular tests, such as the17-gene Genomic Prostate Score
(GPS), which can be performed at the time of initial diagnosis to help determine
how aggressive a given patient's cancer may be. In this study, performed in a
large community-based healthcare network, GPS was shown to be a strong predictor
as to whether a man's prostate cancer will spread and threaten his life after
surgery, providing information that may help patients and their doctors decide on
the best course of management of their disease.
PMID- 28988754
TI - [Lens induced glaucoma: Report of 60 cases].
PMID- 28988755
TI - A model of an inflammatory bowel disease population-based registry: The Forli
experience (1993-2013).
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The article presents a population-based registry designed to
estimate incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the area
of Forli (north-eastern Italy). METHODS: The registry included all patients with
IBD ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in the Forli area from 1993
to 2013. A data manager matched records from various sources. RESULTS: Seven
hundred ninety-one patients were registered during the study period, 564 (71.3%)
with UC and 227 (28.7%) with CD. The standardized annual incidence rate for UC
was 12.8 per 100,000 females (95% CI 11.1-14.4) and 15.7 per 100,000 males (95%
CI 13.9-17.5). That of CD was 7.0 per 100,000 for females (95% CI 5.7-8.3) and
5.4 per 100,000 males (95% CI 4.3-6.4). The prevalence of CD and UC on 1 January
2014 was 109.2 per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 94.3-124.2) and 266.4 per 100,000
inhabitants (95% CI 243.4-289.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although further
studies are needed, the data suggest that incidence and prevalence of IBD in
Italy are underestimated.
PMID- 28988756
TI - Synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of new pyrimidines as glucagon-like
peptide-1 receptor agonists.
AB - The therapeutic success of peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor
agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus has inspired discovery
efforts aimed at developing orally available small-molecule GLP-1 receptor
agonists. In this study, two series of new pyrimidine derivatives were designed
and synthesized using an efficient route, and were evaluated in terms of GLP-1
receptor agonist activity. In the first series, novel pyrimidines substituted at
positions 2 and 4 with groups varying in size and electronic properties were
synthesized in a good yield (78-90%). In the second series, the designed
pyrimidine templates included both urea and Schiff base linkers, and these
compounds were successfully produced with yields of 77-84%. In vitro experiments
with cultured cells showed that compounds 3a and 10a (10-15-10-9M) significantly
increased insulin secretion compared to that of the control cells in both the
absence and presence of 2.8mM glucose; compound 8b only demonstrated significance
in the absence of glucose. These findings represent a valuable starting point for
the design and discovery of small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonists that can be
administered orally.
PMID- 28988757
TI - Pressure ulcers in critically ill patients - Preventable by non-sedation? A
substudy of the NONSEDA-trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Pressure ulcers still pose a significant clinical challenge to
critically ill patients. This study is a substudy of the multicenter NONSEDA
trial, where critically ill patients were randomised to sedation or non-sedation
during mechanical ventilation. The objective of this substudy was to assess if
non-sedation affected the occurrence of pressure ulcers. DESIGN: Retrospective
assessment of data from a single NONSEDA-trial site. SETTING: Mixed intensive
care unit. OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of pressure ulcers, described by
grade and location. RESULTS: 205 patients were included. Patients with pressure
ulcers in the two groups were comparable with regards to baseline data. There
were 44 ulcers in 32 patients in the sedated group and 31 ulcers in 25 patients
in the non-sedated group (p=0.08). 64% of the ulcers in sedated patients were
located on sacrum and heels, whereas 68% of the ulcers in non-sedated patients
were related to equipment (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Non-sedation did not
significantly reduce the number of pressure ulcers. Non-sedation significantly
affected the location of ulcers: non-sedated patients mainly had ulcers related
to equipment, whereas sedated patients mainly had ulcers on the sacrum and heels.
PMID- 28988758
TI - Prevention of spontaneous preterm birth: Guidelines for clinical practice from
the French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF).
PMID- 28988759
TI - Predictors of obesity and overweight in preschoolers: The role of parenting
styles and feeding practices.
AB - Childhood obesity/overweight (OB/OW) displayed a rapid increase and high
prevalence in the last few decades in preschool-aged children, which raised
health concerns across the world and motivated researchers to investigate the
factors that underlie childhood obesity. The current study examined parenting
styles and child-feeding practices as potential predictors for OB/OW in preschool
children, controlling for child's temperament, which has been shown to be linked
with OB/OW. The sample included 61 normal weight (NW) and 61 obese/overweight
(OB/OW) Turkish pre-schoolers (M age = 62.2 months; SD = 7.64, range = 45-80
months). Parenting styles (authoritarian, authoritative), child-feeding practices
(restriction, pressure to eat, monitoring), and child's temperament (negative
affectivity) were measured with mothers' reports. Results showed that
authoritarian parenting and maternal pressure to eat were the two parenting
variables that significantly predicted child's weight status; the odds of being
OB/OW was 4.71 times higher in children whose mothers used higher authoritarian
parenting style, and was 0.44 times lower when mothers pressured their child to
eat. These findings suggest that understanding the unique role of different
aspects of parenting in the risk of early OB/OW status of children would be
important in developing more effective interventions from early years in life.
PMID- 28988760
TI - The effects of overnight nutrient intake on hypothalamic inflammation in a free
choice diet-induced obesity rat model.
AB - Consumption of fat and sugar induces hyperphagia and increases the prevalence of
obesity and diabetes type 2. Low-grade inflammation in the hypothalamus, a key
brain area involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis is shown to blunt
signals of satiety after long term high fat diet. The fact that this mechanism
can be activated after a few days of hyperphagia before apparent obesity is
present led to our hypothesis that hypothalamic inflammation is induced with fat
and sugar consumption. Here, we used a free-choice high-fat high-sugar (fcHFHS)
diet-induced obesity model and tested the effects of differential overnight
nutrient intake during the final experimental night on markers of hypothalamic
inflammation. Male Wistar rats were fed a control diet or fcHFHS diet for one
week, and assigned to three different feeding conditions during the final
experimental night: 1) fcHFHS-fed, 2) fed a controlled amount of chow diet, or 3)
fasted. RT-qPCR and Western blot were utilized to measure hypothalamic gene and
protein expression, of cytokines and intermediates of the nuclear factor kappa
light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB) pathway. Lastly, we
investigated the effects of acute fat intake on markers of hypothalamic
inflammation in fat-naive rats. fcHFHS-fed rats consumed more calories, increased
adipose tissue, and showed elevated expression of hypothalamic inflammation
markers (increased phosphorylation of NF-kappaB protein, Nfkbia and Il6 gene
expression) compared to chow-fed rats. These effects were evident in rats
consuming relative high amounts of fat. Removal of the fat and sugar, or fasting,
during the final experimental night ameliorated hypothalamic inflammation.
Finally, a positive correlation was observed between overnight acute fat
consumption and hypothalamic NF-kappaB phosphorylation in fat-naive rats. Our
data indicate that one week of fcHFHS diet, and especially the fat component,
promotes hypothalamic inflammation, and removal of the fat and sugar component
reverses these detrimental effects.
PMID- 28988761
TI - Flavonoids and their derivatives with beta-amyloid aggregation inhibitory
activity from the leaves and twigs of Pithecellobium clypearia Benth.
AB - To explore potential compounds with marked effect on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in
Pithecellobium clypearia Benth., nineteen compounds (1-19) were obtained,
including two new flavonoid derivatives, named pithecellobiumol A (1) and
pithecellobiumol B (2) and 17 flavonoids (3-19). Their structures were elucidated
based on 1D and 2D-NMR spectra as well as HR-ESI-MS data. The absolute
configurations of new compounds were assigned by comparing their experimental
specific rotation or ECD curves with the calculated data. The inhibitory activity
on Abeta aggregation was screened by ThT assay, and compounds 7 (70.7%), 9
(86.5%), 10 (88.4%), 15 (86.1%) and 16 (87.7%) showed outstanding inhibition rate
at 20MUM compared to the positive control, curcumin (65.64%). In addition,
docking study was performed to initially examine possible molecular mechanisms.
Considering the important role of oxidative stress in AD, all the isolated
compounds were tested for their H2O2-induced damage in human neuronblastoma SH
SY5Y cells. Among them, compound 16 (91.0%) was the most potent candidate in the
treatment of AD.
PMID- 28988762
TI - A series of novel indazole derivatives of Sirt 1 activator as osteogenic
regulators.
AB - A series of indazole derivatives were identified as Sirt 1 activators though high
throughput screening. Optimization of each substituent on the indazole ring led
to the identification of compound 13. Compound 13 appeared to give the best Sirt
1 activity of the compounds tested and also showed osteogenesis activity in a
cell assay. Sirt 1 activators are therefore potential candidates for the
treatment of osteoporosis.
PMID- 28988763
TI - Treatment of Malignant Cutaneous Adnexal Neoplasms.
AB - Malignant cutaneous adnexal neoplasms form a group of rare, typically low-grade
malignancy carcinomas with follicular, sebaceous, apocrine, or eccrine
differentiation or a combination of the first 3 subtypes. Their clinical
presentation is usually unremarkable, and biopsy is required to establish the
differentiation subtype and the definitive diagnosis. Due to their rarity, no
clear consensus has been reached on which treatment is most effective. Mohs
micrographic surgery is considered to be the best option to prevent recurrence in
the majority of patients. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been studied in very
few cases and have rarely been shown to be effective.
PMID- 28988764
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28988765
TI - Results of a Phase 1/2 Study in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated
with a Patient-specific Adjuvant Multi-peptide Vaccine after Resection of
Metastases.
AB - : Treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma comprises metastasectomy+/
systemic medical treatment. Specific immunotherapy after metastasectomy could be
a complementary option. In this phase 1/2 study, safety and tolerability of an
adjuvant multi-peptide vaccine (UroRCC) after metastasectomy was evaluated
together with immune response and efficacy, compared with a contemporary cohort
of patients (n=44) treated with metastasectomy only. Nineteen metastatic renal
cell carcinoma patients received UroRCC via intradermal or subcutaneous
application randomized to immunoadjuvants (granulocyte-macrophage colony
stimulating factor or Montanide). Adverse events of UroRCC were mainly grade I
and II; frequency of immune response was higher for major histocompatibility
complex class II peptides (17/19, 89.5%) than for major histocompatibility
complex class I peptides (8/19, 42.1%). Median overall survival was not reached
in the UroRCC group (mean: 112.6 mo, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 92.1-133.1)
and 58.0 mo (95% CI: 32.7-83.2) in the control cohort (p=0.015). UroRCC was an
independent prognosticator of overall survival (hazard ratio=0.19, 95% CI: 0.05
0.69, p=0.012). Adjuvant UroRCC multi-peptide vaccine after metastasectomy was
well tolerated, immunogenic, and indicates potential clinical benefit when
compared with a contemporary control cohort (NCT02429440). PATIENT SUMMARY: The
application of a patient-specific peptide vaccine after complete resection of
metastases in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients resulted in favorable
tolerability and outcome.
PMID- 28988766
TI - Estimation of the future remnant liver function is a better tool to predict post
hepatectomy liver failure than platelet-based liver scores.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Recently, there has been increasing interest in the preoperative
prediction and prevention of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). This is a
particular concern in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), when surgery follows
potentially hepatotoxic chemotherapy. Platelet-based liver scores (PBLS) such as
APRI and FIB-4 are predictive of chemotherapy-associated liver injury (CALI) and
PHLF. Estimation of the future liver remnant function (eFLRF) by combining 99mTc
Mebrofenin Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy (HBSBSA) with future liver remnant volume
ratio (FLRV%), is predictive of PHLF and related mortality. We hypothesized that
a HBSBSA based formula was a better predictor for PHLF than PBLS in chemotherapy
pretreated CRLM. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2016, 140 patients underwent liver
resection for CRLM following systemic therapy. HBSBSA, FLRV%, eFLRF and PBLS were
calculated and compared for their value in predicting PHLF. RESULTS: eFLRF and
FLRV% had a better predictive value for PHLF than HBSBSA alone and APRI and FIB-4
(AUC = 0.800, 0.843 versus 0.652, 0.635 and 0.658 respectively). In a subgroup
analysis (Oxaliplatin all, Oxaliplatin >= 6 cycles, Irinotecan all and Irinotecan
>= 6 cycles), eFLRF was the only factor predictive for PHLF in all subgroups
(all: p <= 0.05). Prediction of HBSBSA for chemotherapy associated steato
hepatitis (CASH) reached almost significance (p = 0.06). FIB-4 was predictive for
sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) (p = 0.011). Only weak correlation was
found between HBSBSA and PBLS. CONCLUSION: eFLRF is a better predictor of PHLF
than PBLS or HBSBSA alone. PBLS seem to measure other aspects of liver function
or damage than HBSBSA.
PMID- 28988767
TI - Could lymphadenectomy be avoided in locally advanced cervical cancer patients
administered preoperative chemoradiation? A large-scale retrospective study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: To identify a subset of cervical cancer (CC) patients administered
chemoradiation (CT/RT) plus radical surgery (RS), who can be spared
lymphadenectomy, and complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 430 Stage IB2-IIB
patients without LN involvement at imaging were accrued (March 1996-December
2015) at Gynecologic Oncology Unit of the Catholic University of Rome/Campobasso.
CT/RT consisted of pelvic irradiation plus cisplatin based chemotherapy.
Objective response was evaluated according to RECIST criteria; radical
hysterectomy and pelvic +/- aortic lymphadenectomy was attempted in patients
achieving response or stable disease. Surgical morbidity was classified according
to the Chassagne grading system. RESULTS: 421 cases underwent RS; metastatic
pelvic and aortic LNs were documented in 10.7%, and 8.8% of cases, respectively.
In patients without residual tumor in the cervix, there was only 1 case (0.53%)
with positive pelvic LNs, and 1 case (2.3%) with metastatic aortic LNs. Analysis
of patients according to pre- and post-CT/RT imaging was able to select cases
without any metastatic LNs: in patients with negative pelvic LNs at pre- and post
CT/RT imaging, none of cases without residual disease in the cervix had
metastatic pelvic or aortic LNs. Of 149 early complications, 76 (51.0%) were
lymphovascular. The most frequent late complications were lymphovascular (N =
25/61, 41.0%). CONCLUSION: Lymphadenectomy could be avoided in stage IB2-IIB CC
patients undergoing preoperative CT/RT, when a careful evaluation of pre- and
post-CT/RT imaging and histological assessment of no residual disease in the
cervix is made. This approach may avoid lymphadenectomy in 40% of patients with a
favourable impact on lymphovascular morbidity.
PMID- 28988768
TI - Crosstalk between KCNK3-Mediated Ion Current and Adrenergic Signaling Regulates
Adipose Thermogenesis and Obesity.
AB - Adrenergic stimulation promotes lipid mobilization and oxidation in brown and
beige adipocytes, where the harnessed energy is dissipated as heat in a process
known as adaptive thermogenesis. The signaling cascades and energy-dissipating
pathways that facilitate thermogenesis have been extensively described, yet
little is known about the counterbalancing negative regulatory mechanisms. Here,
we identify a two-pore-domain potassium channel, KCNK3, as a built-in rheostat
negatively regulating thermogenesis. Kcnk3 is transcriptionally wired into the
thermogenic program by PRDM16, a master regulator of thermogenesis. KCNK3
antagonizes norepinephrine-induced membrane depolarization by promoting potassium
efflux in brown adipocytes. This limits calcium influx through voltage-dependent
calcium channels and dampens adrenergic signaling, thereby attenuating lipolysis
and thermogenic respiration. Adipose-specific Kcnk3 knockout mice display
increased energy expenditure and are resistant to hypothermia and obesity. These
findings uncover a critical K+-Ca2+-adrenergic signaling axis that acts to dampen
thermogenesis, maintain tissue homeostasis, and reveal an electrophysiological
regulatory mechanism of adipocyte function.
PMID- 28988772
TI - Therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: challenges during
transfer and global perspectives.
PMID- 28988773
TI - Rifaximin-resistant Clostridium difficile strains isolated from symptomatic
patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: Rifaximin has been proposed as an alternative treatment for specific
cases of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and intestinal decontamination.
Rifaximin-resistant C. difficile has occasionally been reported. Antibiotic
susceptibility testing relies on anaerobic agar dilution (reference method),
which is cumbersome and not routinely used. There is no commercial test for
detection of resistance to rifaximin. OBJECTIVES: To assess resistance to
rifaximin by C. difficile and to evaluate the correlation between the results of
the rifampicin E-test and susceptibility to rifaximin. METHODS: We compared the
in vitro susceptibility of clinical CDI isolates to rifaximin over a 6-month
period using the agar dilution method with susceptibility to rifampicin using the
E-test. All isolates were characterized using PCR-ribotyping. Clinical data were
recorded prospectively. RESULTS: We recovered 276 consecutive C. difficile
isolates and found that 32.2% of episodes were caused by rifaximin-resistant
strains. The MICs for rifaximin ranged from <0.0009-256 mg/L, with a geometric
mean (GM) of 0.256 mg/L, an MIC50/90 of 0.015/>256 mg/L. Rifaximin and rifampicin
MICs were comparable, and all strains classed as resistant by agar dilution were
correctly classified as resistant by E-test. The most common ribotypes were 001
(37.2%), 078/126 (14.3%), and 014 (12.0%). Ribotype 001 exhibited the highest
MICs for rifaximin. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance to rifaximin was common; resistance
rates were higher in ribotype 001 strains. Susceptibility to rifaximin determined
by agar dilution correlated with susceptibility to rifampicin determined using
the E-test, including rifaximin-resistant strains. Our results suggest that the
rifampicin E-test is a valid method for the prediction of rifaximin-resistant C.
difficile.
PMID- 28988770
TI - Structural Basis for a Safety-Belt Mechanism That Anchors Condensin to
Chromosomes.
AB - Condensin protein complexes coordinate the formation of mitotic chromosomes and
thereby ensure the successful segregation of replicated genomes. Insights into
how condensin complexes bind to chromosomes and alter their topology are
essential for understanding the molecular principles behind the large-scale
chromatin rearrangements that take place during cell divisions. Here, we identify
a direct DNA-binding site in the eukaryotic condensin complex, which is formed by
its Ycg1Cnd3 HEAT-repeat and Brn1Cnd2 kleisin subunits. DNA co-crystal structures
reveal a conserved, positively charged groove that accommodates the DNA double
helix. A peptide loop of the kleisin subunit encircles the bound DNA and, like a
safety belt, prevents its dissociation. Firm closure of the kleisin loop around
DNA is essential for the association of condensin complexes with chromosomes and
their DNA-stimulated ATPase activity. Our data suggest a sophisticated molecular
basis for anchoring condensin complexes to chromosomes that enables the formation
of large-sized chromatin loops.
PMID- 28988774
TI - Competition assays between ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates
collected from Lebanese elderly: An additional cost on fitness.
AB - The dissemination of Multi Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs) is one of the major
public health problems addressed nowadays. High fecal carriage rates of MDR
Enterobacteriaceae were reported from Lebanese nursing homes. Studies have shown
that the acquisition of resistance genes by bacteria might confer a fitness cost
detected as a decrease in the frequency of these bacteria as compared to
sensitive isolates. In this study, the competitive growth of MDR
Enterobacteriaceae isolated from elderly is assessed. Sensitive and ESBL
producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were identified.
Inter-species in-vitro competition assays were conducted in different
combinations. ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae presented a fitness cost when
competing against sensitive E. coli. On the other hand, resistant E. coli only
showed a fitness cost when growing in presence of two sensitive K. pneumoniae
isolates. These results suggest that ESBL-production genes in E. coli and K.
pneumoniae may confer a fitness cost that leads to the decrease in frequency of
these bacteria in interspecies competitions. Culturing bacteria in a medium with
more diverse isolates can provide better insights into bacterial competition and
resistance dynamics, which can be exploited in the search for alternative
therapeutic approaches towards the colonization of resistant bacteria.
PMID- 28988771
TI - EGFR Ligands Differentially Stabilize Receptor Dimers to Specify Signaling
Kinetics.
AB - Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) regulates many crucial cellular programs,
with seven different activating ligands shaping cell signaling in distinct ways.
Using crystallography and other approaches, we show how the EGFR ligands
epiregulin (EREG) and epigen (EPGN) stabilize different dimeric conformations of
the EGFR extracellular region. As a consequence, EREG or EPGN induce less stable
EGFR dimers than EGF-making them partial agonists of EGFR dimerization.
Unexpectedly, this weakened dimerization elicits more sustained EGFR signaling
than seen with EGF, provoking responses in breast cancer cells associated with
differentiation rather than proliferation. Our results reveal how responses to
different EGFR ligands are defined by receptor dimerization strength and
signaling dynamics. These findings have broad implications for understanding
receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling specificity. Our results also suggest
parallels between partial and/or biased agonism in RTKs and G-protein-coupled
receptors, as well as new therapeutic opportunities for correcting RTK signaling
output.
PMID- 28988775
TI - Outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases in Muslim majority countries.
AB - The increase in Muslim parents' refusal and hesitancy to accept childhood
vaccination was identified as one of the contributing factors in the increase of
vaccine-preventable diseases cases in countries such as Afghanistan, Malaysia and
Pakistan. The spread of inaccurate and irresponsible information by the anti
vaccination movement may inflict more harm than good on Muslim communities. To
curb this issue, health authorities in Pakistan and Malaysia have resorted to
imposing strict punishments on parents who refuse to allow their children to be
vaccinated. Information addressing religious concerns such as the halal issue
must be made priority and communicated well to the general public, encouraging
not only the acceptance of vaccinations but motivating communities to play an
active role in promoting vaccination. Local government of the affected region
need to work towards creating awareness among Muslim parents that vaccinations
are a preventative public health strategy that has been practised and
acknowledged by many doctors of all faiths.
PMID- 28988776
TI - Prevalence of influenza vaccine hesitancy at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccine hesitancy is a major problem worldwide, with
significant public health consequences. We aimed to determine the prevalence of
influenza vaccine hesitancy and the effect of vaccine awareness campaigns on
vaccine acceptance among three groups (parents, adult patients, and healthcare
workers [HCWs]) at King Abdulaziz Medical City, a tertiary care hospital in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The study was conducted during the 2015-2016
winter season. Participants anonymously completed a validated questionnaire on
influenza vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS: Of the 300 study participants, 17% (n=51)
expressed vaccine hesitancy. The most common reasons given for vaccine refusal
were: "It doesn't have any positive effect or benefit" (n=11 [21%]), "I don't
need it because I'm healthy" (n=9 [17%]), and "I think it causes serious side
effects" (n=7 [13%]). The most common sources of information about the vaccine
were awareness campaigns (98/267 [36%]) and medical staff (98/267 [36%]). One
hundred and sixty-three [54%] respondents knew that the effect of the influenza
vaccine lasts up to 1year. There was no significant relationship between
education level and receiving influenza vaccination. The study showed that
confidence towards the Saudi Ministry of Health and medical doctors among three
groups of participants was very high; 97% of adults, 95% of parents, and 93% of
HCWs expressed trusted information provided to them by the Ministry of Health,
and 97% of adults, 99% of parents, and 90% of HCWs trusted their physicians'
information. CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccine hesitancy was low at KAMC. The most
common reason for vaccine refusal was believing that it had no positive effect
and that it is unnecessary. The most common sources of information for influenza
vaccine were awareness campaigns and medical staff. Participants had high levels
of trust in both the Saudi Ministry of Health and doctors.
PMID- 28988769
TI - Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.
AB - We report a comprehensive analysis of 412 muscle-invasive bladder cancers
characterized by multiple TCGA analytical platforms. Fifty-eight genes were
significantly mutated, and the overall mutational load was associated with APOBEC
signature mutagenesis. Clustering by mutation signature identified a high
mutation subset with 75% 5-year survival. mRNA expression clustering refined
prior clustering analyses and identified a poor-survival "neuronal" subtype in
which the majority of tumors lacked small cell or neuroendocrine histology.
Clustering by mRNA, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and miRNA expression converged
to identify subsets with differential epithelial-mesenchymal transition status,
carcinoma in situ scores, histologic features, and survival. Our analyses
identified 5 expression subtypes that may stratify response to different
treatments.
PMID- 28988777
TI - Delta-toxin from Clostridium perfringens perturbs intestinal epithelial barrier
function in Caco-2 cell monolayers.
AB - Clostridium perfringens delta-toxin is a beta-barrel-pore-forming toxin (beta
PFT) and a presumptive virulence factor of type B and C strains, which are
causative organisms of fatal intestinal diseases in animals. We showed previously
that delta-toxin causes cytotoxicity via necrosis in sensitive cells. Here, we
examined the effect of delta-toxin on intestinal membrane integrity. Delta-toxin
led to a reduction in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased
the permeability of fluorescence isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran in human
intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells without changing the tight junction proteins,
such as zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-1. On the other hand,
delta-toxin reduced the cellular levels of adherence junction protein E-cadherin
before cell injury. A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 10 facilitates E
cadherin cleavage and was identified as the cellular receptor for alpha-toxin, a
beta-PFT produced by Staphylococcus aureus. ADAM10 inhibitor (GI254023X) blocked
the toxin-induced decrease in TEER and cleavage of E-cadherin. Delta-toxin
enhanced ADAM10 activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, delta
toxin colocalized with ADAM10. These results indicated that ADAM10 plays a key
role in delta-toxin-induced intestinal injury.
PMID- 28988780
TI - Clinical studies in restorative dentistry: Design, conduct, analysis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Clinical studies should be one main aspect underlying dentists'
decision-making towards dental materials. Study design, conduct, analysis and
reporting impact on the usefulness of studies. We discuss problems with current
studies and highlight areas where improvement might be possible. METHODS: Based
on systematically and non-systematically collected data, we demonstrate where and
why current studies in clinical dentistry deliver less-than-optimal results.
Lending from general medicine, we suggest ways forward for clinical dental
material science. RESULTS: Randomized controlled (efficacy) trials remain a major
pillar in dental material science, as they reduce selection bias and, if well
designed and conducted, have high internal validity. Given their costs and
limited external validity, alternatives like practice-based or pragmatic
controlled trials or observational studies can complement the evidence-base.
Prior to conduct, researchers should focus on study comparators and setting
(answering questions with relevance to clinical dentistry), and pay attention to
statistical power, considering the study aim (superiority or non-inferiority
trial), the expected event rate, and attrition. Study outcomes should be chosen
on the basis of a core outcome set or, if not available, involving patients and
other stakeholders. Studies should be registered a priori, and reporting should
adhere to standards. Possible clustering should be accounted for during
statistical analysis. SIGNIFICANCE: Many clinical studies in dental material
science are underpowered, and of limited validity and usefulness for daily
decision-making. Dental researchers should mirror existing efforts in other
medical fields in making clinical studies more valid and applicable, thus
contributing to better dental care.
PMID- 28988779
TI - Conceptual precision is key in acute stress research: A commentary on Shields,
Sazma, & Yonelinas, 2016.
AB - A recent meta-analytic review by Shields, Sazma, & Yonelinas (2016) brings to the
fore several conceptual issues within the stress and executive function (EF)
literatures. We present a critique of these issues, using the review as an
exemplar of how stress and EF are often examined empirically. The review
summarizes research suggesting that EF is not only trait-like, but can be also
state-like, influenced by factors such as acute stress. It has numerous strengths
including its scope in examining EF across domains, inclusion of moderators, and
timeliness, given the rapidly expanding field of stress research. We argue that
the conclusions would be less equivocal with a more precise and neurally-informed
consideration of EF, stressor, and timing assessments. A detailed discussion of
these issues is provided, using the inhibition EF domain as an example, in order
to illustrate key limitations and potential consequences of broad inclusion
criteria. We endeavor to promote precise, shared definitions in the service of
delineating a more complete and consistent account of acute stress effects on EF.
PMID- 28988778
TI - NMR structure and localization of a large fragment of the SARS-CoV fusion
protein: Implications in viral cell fusion.
AB - The lethal Coronaviruses (CoVs), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-associated
Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and most recently Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus, (MERS-CoV) are serious human health hazard. A successful viral
infection requires fusion between virus and host cells carried out by the surface
spike glycoprotein or S protein of CoV. Current models propose that the S2
subunit of S protein assembled into a hexameric helical bundle exposing
hydrophobic fusogenic peptides or fusion peptides (FPs) for membrane insertion.
The N-terminus of S2 subunit of SARS-CoV reported to be active in cell fusion
whereby FPs have been identified. Atomic-resolution structure of FPs derived
either in model membranes or in membrane mimic environment would glean insights
toward viral cell fusion mechanism. Here, we have solved 3D structure, dynamics
and micelle localization of a 64-residue long fusion peptide or LFP in DPC
detergent micelles by NMR methods. Micelle bound structure of LFP is elucidated
by the presence of discretely folded helical and intervening loops. The C
terminus region, residues F42-Y62, displays a long hydrophobic helix, whereas the
N-terminus is defined by a short amphipathic helix, residues R4-Q12. The
intervening residues of LFP assume stretches of loops and helical turns. The N
terminal helix is sustained by close aromatic and aliphatic sidechain packing
interactions at the non-polar face. 15N{1H}NOE studies indicated dynamical
motion, at ps-ns timescale, of the helices of LFP in DPC micelles. PRE NMR showed
that insertion of several regions of LFP into DPC micelle core. Together, the
current study provides insights toward fusion mechanism of SARS-CoV.
PMID- 28988781
TI - Interleukin 4/13 receptors: An overview of genes, expression and functional role
in teleost fish.
AB - In superior vertebrates, Interleukin 4 (IL-4) and Interleukin 13 (IL-13) play key
and diverse roles to support immune responses acting on cell surface receptors.
When stimulated, receptors activate intracellular signalling cascades switching
cell phenotypes according to stimuli. In teleost fish, Interleukin 4/13 (IL-4/13)
is the ancestral family cytokine related to both IL-4 and IL-13. Every private
and common receptor subunit for IL-4/13 have in fish at least two paralogues and,
as in mammals, soluble forms are also part of the receptor system. Reports for
findings of fish IL-4/13 receptors have covered comparative analysis,
transcriptomic profiles and to a lesser extent, functional analysis regarding
ligand-receptor interactions and their biological effects. This review addresses
available information from fish IL-4/13 receptors and discusses overall
implications on teleost immunity, summarized gene induction strategies and
pathogen-induced gene modulation, which may be useful tools to enhance immune
response. Additionally, we present novel coding sequences for Atlantic salmon
(Salmo salar) common gamma chain receptor (gammaC), Interleukin 13 receptor alpha
1A chain (IL-13Ralpha1A) and Interleukin 13 receptor alpha 1B chain (IL
13Ralpha1B).
PMID- 28988782
TI - Predictors of genitourinary malignancy in patients with asymptomatic microscopic
hematuria.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To report the incidence of genitourinary malignancy and identify
associated risk factors in patients undergoing urologic evaluation for
asymptomatic microscopic hematuria (AMH) according to the 2012 American Urologic
Association guidelines. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective
institutional review of patients who underwent evaluation for AMH between 2012
and 2015 was conducted. Covariates analyzed included age, sex, smoking status,
history of other malignancy, history of pelvic irradiation, presence of
irritative voiding symptoms, use of anticoagulation, number of red blood cells on
microscopic urinalysis, and guideline adherence. Univariate analysis was
performed to explore the association between these risk factors and the presence
of genitourinary malignancy. RESULTS: Of the 1,049 patients analyzed with AMH,
urologic malignancy was diagnosed in 12 patients (1.1%), including 1 upper-tract
urothelial cancer, 5 renal tumors, and 6 bladder tumors. All patients with
malignancy were over 50 years old. Older age, male sex, smoking history, and
irritative voiding symptoms were associated with malignancy on univariate
analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data adds to the growing evidence that the incidence
of malignancy among patients with AMH is low. Risk factors associated with
urinary tract cancer are male sex, age>50 years, smoking history, and irritative
voiding symptoms. Further prospective, randomized trials would be useful for
developing a more tailored screening protocol for low-risk patients.
PMID- 28988783
TI - Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Asthmatic Women: A Population-Based Family Design
Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Asthma is associated with several adverse pregnancy and perinatal
outcomes. Familial factors may confound these associations. OBJECTIVE: To examine
the role of measured and unmeasured confounding by conducting a study that
compared differentially exposed cousins and siblings from the same families.
METHODS: We retrieved data on adverse pregnancy outcomes, prescribed drugs, and
physician-diagnosed asthma from nationwide registers for all women in Sweden with
singleton births between 2001 and 2013. Logistic and linear regression estimated
the association between maternal asthma and several outcomes in the whole
population and within differently exposed pregnant relatives. RESULTS: In total,
1,075,153 eligible pregnancies were included and 10.1% of the study population
had asthma. We identified 475,200 cousin and 341,205 sister pregnancies. Women
with asthma had increased risks for preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR],
1.17; 95% CI, 1.13-1.21), emergency cesarean section (aOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.22
1.27), and having a child small for gestational age (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.12
1.23). In the conditional regression analyses, after adjustment for familial
factors, the associations remained: preeclampsia in cousins (aOR, 1.16; 95% CI,
1.07-1.25) and siblings (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08-1.38), emergency cesarean
section in cousins (aOR, 1.28) and siblings (aOR, 1.21), and small for
gestational age in cousins (aOR, 1.17) and siblings (aOR, 1.13). CONCLUSIONS:
Factors shared by siblings and cousins do not seem to explain the observed
association between maternal asthma and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This implies
that targeting the asthma disease will continue to be important in reducing risks
for adverse outcomes in pregnancy.
PMID- 28988785
TI - Chronic ocular complications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with
causative medications in Korea.
PMID- 28988784
TI - Risk of Immediate-Type Allergy to Local Anesthetics Is Overestimated-Results from
5 Years of Provocation Testing in a Danish Allergy Clinic.
AB - BACKGROUND: Local anesthetics (LAs) are used in many health care settings and
exposure during a lifetime is almost inevitable. Immediate-type allergy to LAs is
considered rare among allergy experts but is commonly suspected by health care
workers from other specialties, and by patients. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this
study was to investigate the incidence of immediate-type allergy to LAs in our
regional allergy clinic over the 5-year period 2010 to 2014. METHODS: This was a
retrospective single-center study of patients referred to a regional allergy
clinic (excluding patients with perioperative reactions) with suspected immediate
allergy to LAs, who had undergone subcutaneous provocation with 1 or more LAs.
Patients were identified in the hospital clinical coding system and clinical
information about the reaction and investigation results was obtained from their
medical records. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients (123 women/41 men; median age,
56 years; range, 7-89 years) who had 189 provocations with LAs were included over
the 5-year period 2010 to 2014. All 164 patients had negative subcutaneous
provocations to all 189 tests with LAs (95% CI, 0%-1.83%). Another allergen was
identified in 10% (n = 17) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: None of the 164 patients
with suspected immediate-type allergy to LAs reacted on provocation. Thus, no
patients have been diagnosed with an immediate allergy to LAs in our regional
allergy clinic in the 5-year period studied, and allergy to LAs must be
considered very rare. Alternative mechanisms should be considered, but if
symptoms are consistent with allergy, other potential allergens should be
investigated.
PMID- 28988786
TI - Omalizumab for severe chronic spontaneous urticaria: Real-life experiences of 280
patients.
PMID- 28988788
TI - A systematic review and meta-analysis on the treatment of liver hydatid cyst:
Comparing laparoscopic and open surgeries.
AB - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: There is an academic debate regarding surgical
interventions for liver hydatid cyst disease. The purpose of the current
systematic review and meta-analysis study was to analyse the pros and cons of
open surgery and laparoscopic techniques, considering the outcomes of liver
hydatid cysts. METHODS: Descriptive Boolean queries were used to search PubMed
and Scopus for articles published between January 2000 and December 2016 to
evaluate the outcomes of liver hydatid cyst in terms of mortality, post-operative
complications, cure rate and recurrences. The data related to the four outcomes
of liver hydatid cyst were extracted, assessed and then used as their
corresponding effect sizes in the meta-analysis process. RESULTS: Six studies
totally consisting of 1028 patients [open surgery group=816 (+7 converted to lap)
and laparoscopic group=212] were analysed. In this meta-analysis study, random
effects models of outcomes (i.e. post-operative complications, mortalities,
recurrences and cure rate) of the two procedures were OR=0.852, LL=0.469,
UL=1.546, Z=-0.526, p=0.599 (for post-operative complications); OR=0.849,
LL=0.141, UL=5.105, Z=-0.179, p=0.858 (for mortality); OR=0.903, LL=0.166,
UL=4.906, Z=-0.119, p=0.906 (for recurrence); and OR=0.459, LL=0.129, UL=1.637,
Z=-1.201, p=0.230 (for cure rate). Meta-analysis and illustrated forest plots
showed that there are no superiorities between the two approaches. The results of
heterogeneity tests of the above mentioned outcomes were Q=8.083, df=5, p=0.152,
I2=38.142% for post-operative complications; Q=0.127, df=2, p=0.938, I2=0% for
mortality; Q=4.984, df=2, p=0.083, I2=59.874% for recurrence; and Q=10.639, df=5,
p=0.059, I2=53.001% for cure rate. The results of regression tests based on
Egger's, smoothed variance based on Egger (SVE) and smoothed variance based on
Thomson (SVT) showed that the p values are not significant, and there are neither
significant statistical differences nor publication bias between the outcomes of
the two treatment procedures. CONCLUSION: The results show no promising trends
towards advantages of open versus laparoscopic surgeries in the treatment of
liver hydatid cyst. However, informative measurement values for comparing these
surgeries could be derived for complications, recurrence, mortality and cure
rates. Furthermore, all three tests, namely Egger's, SVE and SVT regression
models, were used to assess publication bias and showed no evidence for the
existence of publication bias.
PMID- 28988787
TI - Fascioliasis: A report on a case presenting with abdominal pain.
PMID- 28988789
TI - Highlights from Gastro Update Europe - Vienna April 6-8, 2017.
PMID- 28988790
TI - Recent diagnostic procedures for colorectal cancer screening: Are they cost
effective?
AB - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the fourth
most common cause of death. Reduction in mortality rates in some countries
worldwide are most likely ascribed to CRC screening and/or improved treatments.
We reviewed the most relevant articles which discuss the cost-effectiveness of
colorectal cancer screening procedures, in particular, the recent ones through
the last eight years. The effectiveness of screening estimated by discounted life
years gained (LYGs) compared to no screening, differed considerably between the
studies. Despite these differences, all studies consistently emphasized that
screening for CRC was cost-effective compared with no screening for each of the
recognized screening strategies. Newer technologies for colorectal cancer
screening, including computed tomographic colonography (CTC), faecal DNA test,
and Pillcam Colon are less invasive and accurate, however, they are not cost
effective, as their cost was higher than all other established screening
strategies. When compliance and adherence to such new techniques are increased
more than the established strategies they would be more cost-effective
particularly CTC.
PMID- 28988791
TI - Treating cholera in severely malnourished children in the Horn of Africa and
Yemen.
PMID- 28988792
TI - Department of Error.
PMID- 28988793
TI - The Combined Roles of Nonsomatic Depressive Symptomatology, Neurocognitive
Function, and Current Substance Use in Medication Adherence in Adults Living With
HIV Infection.
AB - Depression, global neurocognitive (GNC) function, and substance use disorders
(SUDs) are each associated with medication adherence in persons living with HIV
(PLWH). Because somatic symptoms can inflate depression scores in PLWH, the role
of nonsomatic depressive symptomatology (NSDS) should be considered in adherence.
However, the combined roles of NSDS, GNC function, and current SUDs in predicting
combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) adherence remain poorly understood. Forty
PLWH (70% Latina/o; 30% non-Hispanic White) completed psychiatric/SUD,
neurocognitive, and self-report cART adherence evaluations. Higher NSDS was
associated with suboptimal adherence (p < .01), but optimal and suboptimal
adherers did not differ in GNC function or current SUDs. Only NSDS was associated
with suboptimal adherence, after accounting for GNC function and SUDs (p = .01).
NSDS uniquely predicted self-reported adherence, beyond GNC function and current
SUDs among ethnically diverse PLWH. Methodological issues between present and
prior studies should also be considered.
PMID- 28988794
TI - Towards a Contrast free Approach at EVAR: a New Look at an Old Tool - CO2
Angiography.
PMID- 28988795
TI - Exposure to elemental composition of outdoor PM2.5 at birth and cognitive and
psychomotor function in childhood in four European birth cohorts.
AB - BACKGROUND: Little is known about developmental neurotoxicity of particulate
matter composition. We aimed to investigate associations between exposure to
elemental composition of outdoor PM2.5 at birth and cognitive and psychomotor
functions in childhood. METHODS: We analyzed data from 4 European population
based birth cohorts in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain, with
recruitment in 2000-2006. Elemental composition of PM2.5 measurements were
performed in each region in 2008-2011 and land use regression models were used to
predict concentrations at participants' residential addresses at birth. We
selected 8 elements (copper, iron, potassium, nickel, sulfur, silicon, vanadium
and zinc) and used principal component analysis to combine elements from the same
sources. Cognitive (general, verbal, and non-verbal) and psychomotor (fine and
gross) functions were assessed between 1 and 9years of age. Adjusted cohort
specific effect estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analysis.
RESULTS: 7246 children were included in this analysis. Single element analysis
resulted in negative association between estimated airborne iron and fine motor
function (-1.25 points [95% CI -2.45 to -0.06] per 100ng/m3 increase of iron).
Association between the motorized traffic component, derived from principal
component analysis, and fine motor function was not significant (-0.29 points
[95% CI -0.64 to 0.06] per unit increase). None of the elements were associated
with gross motor function or cognitive function, although the latter estimates
were predominantly negative. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that iron, a highly
prevalent element in motorized traffic pollution, may be a neurotoxic compound.
This raises concern given the ubiquity of motorized traffic air pollution.
PMID- 28988797
TI - Altered expression of interferon-stimulated genes is strongly associated with
therapeutic outcomes in hepatitis B virus infection.
AB - Our previous OSST study shows that switching to pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN)
alpha2a results in higher rates of response hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)
seroconversion and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss at the end of
treatment, compared with nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs) monotherapy in long term
NA-treated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. In order to characterize the
correlation between Peg-IFN-alpha antiviral effect and IFN-inducing signaling in
CHB patients who switched to Peg-IFN from long time entecavir (ETV) treatment, we
investigated the dynamic expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs),
including STAT1, MX, and a negative regulatory factor, suppressor of cytokine
signaling 3(SOCS3), which negatively regulate IFN JAK-STAT signaling pathway by
interacting with STAT1 and STAT2, in peripheral blood and paired liver samples,
obtained from 54 CHB patients enrolled in a clinical trial, OSST study. In Peg
IFN group, responders showed a more significant decline in HBsAg, compared with
non-responders. Following the treatment, peripheral blood and hepatic STAT1 and
MX expression levels were higher in Peg-IFN responders, while SOCS3 expression
was higher in non-responders. Fold induction of STAT1 at week 4 and MX at week 12
in PBMCs directly correlated with HBsAg decline at week 48 relative to the
baseline. Responders showed a significantly increased activation and nuclear
localization of phospho-STAT1 following Peg-IFN treatment, compared with non
responders in liver. Whereas, non-responders exhibited significantly higher
hepatic expression of SOCS3 before the treatment compared with the responders and
even higher expression levels after the treatment compared with the baseline,
which may be involved in the mechanism of IFN resistance.
PMID- 28988796
TI - Nitrogen dioxide exposure in school classrooms of inner-city children with
asthma.
AB - BACKGROUND: Ambient and home exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) causes asthma
symptoms and decreased lung function in children with asthma. Little is known
about the health effects of school classroom pollution exposure. OBJECTIVE: We
aimed to determine the effect of indoor classroom NO2 on lung function and
symptoms in inner-city school children with asthma. METHODS: Children enrolled in
the School Inner-City Asthma Study were followed for 1 academic year. Subjects
performed spirometry and had fraction of exhaled nitric oxide values measured
twice during the school year at school. Classroom NO2 was collected by means of
passive sampling for 1-week periods twice per year, coinciding with lung function
testing. Generalized estimating equation models assessed lung function and
symptom relationships with the temporally nearest classroom NO2 level. RESULTS:
The mean NO2 value was 11.1 ppb (range, 4.3-29.7 ppb). In total, exposure data
were available for 296 subjects, 188 of whom had complete spirometric data. At
greater than a threshold of 8 ppb of NO2 and after adjusting for race and season
(spirometry standardized by age, height, and sex), NO2 levels were associated
highly with airflow obstruction, such that each 10-ppb increase in NO2 level was
associated with a 5% decrease in FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio (beta = -0.05;
95% CI, -0.08 to -0.02; P = .01). Percent predicted forced expiratory flow
between the 25th and 75th percentile of forced vital capacity was also inversely
associated with higher NO2 exposure (beta = -22.8; 95% CI, -36.0 to -9.7; P =
.01). There was no significant association of NO2 levels with percent predicted
FEV1, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, or asthma symptoms. Additionally, there
was no effect modification of atopy on lung function or symptom outcomes.
CONCLUSION: In children with asthma, indoor classroom NO2 levels can be
associated with increased airflow obstruction.
PMID- 28988800
TI - The Effects of Stochasticity at the Single-Cell Level and Cell Size Control on
the Population Growth.
AB - Establishing a quantitative connection between the population growth rate and the
generation times of single cells is a prerequisite for understanding evolutionary
dynamics of microbes. However, existing theories fail to account for the
experimentally observed correlations between mother-daughter generation times
that are unavoidable when cell size is controlled for, which is essentially
always the case. Here, we study population-level growth in the presence of cell
size control and corroborate our theory using experimental measurements of single
cell growth rates. We derive a closed formula for the population growth rate and
demonstrate that it only depends on the single-cell growth rate variability, not
other sources of stochasticity. Our work provides an evolutionary rationale for
the narrow growth rate distributions often observed in nature: when single-cell
growth rates are less variable but have a fixed mean, the population will exhibit
an enhanced population growth rate as long as the correlations between the mother
and daughter cells' growth rates are not too strong.
PMID- 28988798
TI - Differential carbonylation of proteins in end-stage human fatty and nonfatty
NASH.
AB - OBJECTIVE: In the liver, a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of non
alcoholic fatty liver disease is oxidative stress leading to the accumulation of
highly reactive electrophilic alpha/beta unsaturated aldehydes. The objective of
this study was to determine if significant differences were evident when
evaluating carbonylation in human end-stage fatty nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
(fNASH) compared to end-stage nonfatty NASH (nfNASH). METHODS: Using hepatic
tissue obtained from healthy humans and patients diagnosed with end stage nfNASH
or fNASH, overall carbonylation was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and LC
MS/MS followed by bioinformatics. RESULTS: Picrosirius red staining revealed
extensive fibrosis in both fNASH and nfNASH which corresponded with increased
reactive aldehyde staining. Although significantly elevated when compared to
normal hepatic tissue, no significant differences in overall carbonylation and
fibrosis were evident when comparing fNASH with nfNASH. Examining proteins that
are critical for anti-oxidant defense revealed elevated expression of
thioredoxin, thioredoxin interacting protein, glutathione S-transferase p1 and
mitochondrial superoxide dismutase in human NASH. As important, using
immunohistochemistry, significant colocalization of the aforementioned proteins
occurred in cytokeratin 7 positive cells indicating that they are part of the
ductular reaction. Expression of catalase and Hsp70 decreased in both groups when
compared to normal human liver. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed a total of
778 carbonylated proteins. Of these, 194 were common to all groups, 124 unique to
tissue prepared from healthy individuals, 357 proteins exclusive to NASH, 124
proteins distinct to samples from patients with fNASH and 178 unique to nfNASH.
Using functional enrichment analysis of hepatic carbonylated proteins revealed a
propensity for increased carbonylation of proteins regulating cholesterol and
Huntington's disease related pathways occurred in nfNASH. Examining fNASH,
increased carbonylation was evident in proteins regulating Rho cytoskeletal
pathways, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling and chemokine/cytokine
inflammatory pathways. Using LC-MS/MS analysis and trypsin digests, sites of
carbonylation were identified on peptides isolated from vimentin, endoplasmin and
serum albumin in nfNASH and fNASH respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results
indicate that cellular factors regulating mechanisms of protein carbonylation may
be different depending on pathological diagnosis of NASH. Furthermore these
studies are the first to use LC-MS/MS analysis of carbonylated proteins in human
NAFLD and explore possible mechanistic links with end stage cirrhosis due to
fatty liver disease and the generation of reactive aldehydes.
PMID- 28988801
TI - A Padawan Programmer's Guide to Developing Software Libraries.
AB - With the rapid adoption of computational tools in the life sciences, scientists
are taking on the challenge of developing their own software libraries and
releasing them for public use. This trend is being accelerated by popular
technologies and platforms, such as GitHub, Jupyter, R/Shiny, that make it easier
to develop scientific software and by open-source licenses that make it easier to
release software. But how do you build a software library that people will use?
And what characteristics do the best libraries have that make them enduringly
popular? Here, we provide a reference guide, based on our own experiences, for
developing software libraries along with real-world examples to help provide
context for scientists who are learning about these concepts for the first time.
While we can only scratch the surface of these topics, we hope that this article
will act as a guide for scientists who want to write great software that is built
to last.
PMID- 28988803
TI - Effects of the bioactive peptides Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro upon autonomic
neurotransmission and blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
AB - The bioactive peptides Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP) and Val-Pro-Pro (VPP) are believed to
improve blood pressure and arterial function. To gain a better understanding of
the mechanisms underlying the action of these peptides, we investigated their
effects upon autonomic neurotransmission and blood pressure in spontaneously
hypertensive rats (SHR). Both IPP and VPP caused a significant reduction in
cutaneous arterial sympathetic nerve activity (CASNA) and reduced mean arterial
pressure (MAP); however, both of these effects were eliminated following sub
diaphragmatic vagotomy. On the other hand, captopril, an angiotensin-converting
enzyme inhibitor, reduced MAP without changing CASNA, and maintained this
hypotensive effect following vagotomy. Moreover, the effects of IPP and VPP upon
CASNA were observed following gastric administration but not by duodenal
administration. These results suggest that IPP and VPP reduce CASNA via the
stomach and afferent vagus nerve, thus causing reductions in MAP in SHR.
PMID- 28988799
TI - Dysfunction of autophagy and endosomal-lysosomal pathways: Roles in pathogenesis
of Down syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease.
AB - Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk of early-onset
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), largely owing to a triplication of the APP gene,
located on chromosome 21. In DS and AD, defects in endocytosis and lysosomal
function appear at the earliest stages of disease development and progress to
widespread failure of intraneuronal waste clearance, neuritic dystrophy and
neuronal cell death. The same genetic factors that cause or increase AD risk are
also direct causes of endosomal-lysosomal dysfunction, underscoring the essential
partnership between this dysfunction and APP metabolites in AD pathogenesis. The
appearance of APP-dependent endosome anomalies in DS beginning in infancy and
evolving into the full range of AD-related endosomal-lysosomal deficits provides
a unique opportunity to characterize the earliest pathobiology of AD preceding
the classical neuropathological hallmarks. Facilitating this characterization is
the authentic recapitulation of this endosomal pathobiology in peripheral cells
from people with DS and in trisomy mouse models. Here, we review current research
on endocytic-lysosomal dysfunction in DS and AD, the emerging importance of
APP/betaCTF in initiating this dysfunction, and the potential roles of additional
trisomy 21 genes in accelerating endosomal-lysosomal impairment in DS.
Collectively, these studies underscore the growing value of investigating DS to
probe the biological origins of AD as well as to understand and ameliorate the
developmental disability of DS.
PMID- 28988805
TI - Prediction of massive blood transfusion in battlefield trauma: Development and
validation of the Military Acute Severe Haemorrhage (MASH) score.
AB - BACKGROUND: The predominant cause of preventable trauma death is bleeding, and
many of these patients need resuscitation with massive blood transfusion. In
resource-constrained environments, early recognition of such patients can improve
planning and reduce wastage of blood products. No existing decision rule is
sufficiently reliable to predict those patients requiring massive blood
transfusion. This study aims to produce a decision rule for use on arrival at
hospital for patients sustaining battlefield trauma. METHODS: A retrospective
database analysis was undertaken using the UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry to
provide a derivation and validation dataset. Regression analysis of potential
predictive factors was performed. Predictive factors were analysed through multi
logistic regression analysis to build predictive models; sensitivity and
specificity of these models was assessed, and the best fit models were analysed
in the validation dataset. RESULTS: A decision rule was produced using a
combination of injury pattern, clinical observations and pre-hospital data. The
proposed rule, using a score of 3 or greater, demonstrated a sensitivity of 82.7%
and a specificity of 88.8% for prediction of massive blood transfusion, with an
AUROC of 0.93 (95% CI 0.91-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: We have produced a decision tool
with improved accuracy compared to any previously described tools that can be
used to predict blood transfusion requirements in the military deployed hospital
environment.
PMID- 28988804
TI - The experience and understanding of pain management in recently discharged adult
trauma patients: A qualitative study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Pain following injury is often intense, prolonged and debilitating.
If poorly managed, this acute pain has the potential to delay rehabilitation and
lead to chronic pain. Recent quantitative Australian research recommends
implementing further information and interventions to improve trauma patient
outcomes, however, to ensure effectiveness, exploration of the patient
perspective is imperative to ensure the success of future pain management
strategies. This study aimed to gain understanding about the experience of pain
management using prescribed analgesic regimens of recently discharged adult
trauma patients. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the
experiences and understandings of trauma patients in managing pain using
prescribed analgesic regimens during the initial post-hospital discharge period.
Twelve participants were purposively selected over a 6-month period at a level
one trauma outpatient clinic based on questionnaire responses indicating pain
related concerns. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. RESULTS: The
overarching finding was that injuries and inadequate pain management incapacitate
the patient at home. Four main themes were developed: injury pain is unique and
debilitating; patients are uninformed at hospital discharge; patients have low
confidence with pain management at home; and patients make independent decisions
about pain management. Patients felt they were not given adequate information at
hospital discharge to support them to make effective decisions about their pain
management practices at home. CONCLUSION: There is a need for more inclusive and
improved hospital discharge processes that includes patient and family education
around pain management following injury. To achieve this, clinician education,
support and training is essential.
PMID- 28988806
TI - 3D assessment of damaged bicycle helmets and corresponding craniomaxillo
mandibular skull injuries: A feasibility study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: In the Netherlands, cyclists continue to outnumber other road users
in injuries and deaths. The wearing of bicycle helmets is not mandatory in the
Netherlands even though research has shown that wearing bicycle helmets can
reduce head and brain injuries by up to 88%. Therefore, the aim of this study was
to assess the feasibility of using 3D technology to evaluate bicycle-related head
injuries and helmet protection. METHODS: Three patients who had been involved in
a bicycle accident while wearing a helmet were subjected to multi-detector row
computed tomography (MDCT) imaging after trauma. The helmets were separately
scanned using the same MDCT scanner with tube voltages ranging from 80kVp to
140kVp and tube currents ranging from 10mAs to 300mAs in order to determine the
best image acquisition parameters for helmets. The acquired helmet images were
converted into virtual 3D surface hence Standard Tessellation Language (STL)
models and merged with MDCT-derived STL models of the patients' skulls. Finally,
all skull fractures and corresponding helmet damage were visualized and related.
RESULTS: Imaging bicycle helmets on an MDCT scanner proved to be feasible using a
tube voltage of 120kVp and a tube current of 120mAs. Merging the resulting STL
models of the patients' skull and helmet allowed the overall damage sustained by
both skull and helmet to be related. CONCLUSION: Our proposed 3D method of
assessing bicycle helmet damage and corresponding head injuries could offer
valuable information for the development and design of safer bicycle helmets.
PMID- 28988807
TI - Increased risk for complications following removal of hardware in patients with
liver disease, pilon or pelvic fractures: A regression analysis.
AB - PURPOSE: Indications for removing orthopedic hardware on an elective basis varies
widely. Although viewed as a relatively benign procedure, there is a lack of data
regarding overall complication rates after fracture fixation. The purpose of this
study is to determine the overall short-term complication rate for elective
removal of orthopedic hardware after fracture fixation and to identify associated
risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients indicated for elective
hardware removal after fracture fixation between July 2012 and July 2016 were
screened for inclusion. Inclusion criteria included patients with hardware
related pain and/or impaired cosmesis with complete medical and radiographic
records and at least 3-month follow-up. Exclusion criteria were those patients
indicated for hardware removal for a diagnosis of malunion, non-union, and/or
infection. Data collected included patient age, gender, anatomic location of
hardware removed, body mass index, ASA score, and comorbidities. Overall
complications, as well as complications requiring revision surgery were recorded.
Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 20.0, and included univariate and
multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: 391 patients (418 procedures) were
included for analysis. Overall complication rates were 8.4%, with a 3.6% revision
surgery rate. Univariate regression analysis revealed that patients who had liver
disease were at significant risk for complication (p=0.001) and revision surgery
(p=0.036). Multivariate regression analysis showed that: 1) patients who had
liver disease were at significant risk of overall complication (p=0.001) and
revision surgery (p=0.039); 2) Removal of hardware following fixation for a pilon
had significantly increased risk for complication (p=0.012), but not revision
surgery (p=0.43); and 3) Removal of hardware for pelvic fixation had a
significantly increased risk for revision surgery (p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Removal
of hardware following fracture fixation is not a risk-free procedure. Patients
with liver disease are at increased risk for complications, including increased
risk for needing revision surgery following hardware removal. Patients having
hardware removed following fixation for pilon fractures also are at increased
risk for complication, although they may not require a return trip to the
operating room. Finally, removal of pelvic hardware is associated with a higher
return to the operating room.
PMID- 28988802
TI - A Community Challenge for Inferring Genetic Predictors of Gene Essentialities
through Analysis of a Functional Screen of Cancer Cell Lines.
AB - We report the results of a DREAM challenge designed to predict relative genetic
essentialities based on a novel dataset testing 98,000 shRNAs against 149
molecularly characterized cancer cell lines. We analyzed the results of over
3,000 submissions over a period of 4 months. We found that algorithms combining
essentiality data across multiple genes demonstrated increased accuracy; gene
expression was the most informative molecular data type; the identity of the gene
being predicted was far more important than the modeling strategy; well-predicted
genes and selected molecular features showed enrichment in functional categories;
and frequently selected expression features correlated with survival in primary
tumors. This study establishes benchmarks for gene essentiality prediction,
presents a community resource for future comparison with this benchmark, and
provides insights into factors influencing the ability to predict gene
essentiality from functional genetic screens. This study also demonstrates the
value of releasing pre-publication data publicly to engage the community in an
open research collaboration.
PMID- 28988808
TI - Impact of new International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups
(IADPSG) diagnostic criteria on perinatal outcomes in a regional tertiary
hospital in New South Wales, Australia.
AB - AIMS: We compared the impact of new gestational diabetes (GDM) diagnostic
criteria by IADPSG with previous criteria to ascertain concordance between the
two criteria; and whether women discordant for GDM between the old and new
criteria had increased pregnancy complications. METHODS: Oral glucose tolerance
tests of pregnant women across time periods using old criteria and new criteria
were collected. Maternal data and perinatal outcomes were compared between
diagnostic concordant and discordant women. RESULTS: In total, 666/5178 (12.9%)
women were diagnosed and treated for GDM. There was a significant increase in
odds of any complication in concordant positive women (OR 3.91 95%CI 2.71-5.63,
p<.0001); in women only positive by new GDM criteria (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.41-2.99,
p=.0002); and women only positive by old GDM criteria (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.42-3.66,
p=.0006); compared to concordant negative women. This is mainly due to macrosomia
and nursery admissions. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that women diagnosed with
GDM on both old and new criteria have a higher rate of birth complications than
women without GDM. Women who have been missed out due to new criteria may still
be at risk. Therefore, combination of both old and new criteria may be optimal
for identifying high-risk pregnancies.
PMID- 28988809
TI - Commentary on "Primary female epispadias: Perineal approach or Kelly repair?"
PMID- 28988810
TI - RE: Winship BB, Rushton HG, Pohl HG. In pursuit of the perfect penis: Hypospadias
repair outcomes. J Pediatr Urol 2017; 13: 285-8.
PMID- 28988811
TI - Featuring: Spinal anesthesia for pediatric urological surgery: Reducing the
theoretic neurotoxic effects of general anesthesia.
PMID- 28988813
TI - Asthma Management for the Otolaryngologist.
AB - Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that will frequently be encountered by
otolaryngologists as they manage their patients with upper respiratory diseases.
Symptoms such as cough should alert otolaryngologists to consider more broadly
the potential role of asthma in the differential diagnosis. It is critical for
otolaryngologists to appreciate that patients with allergic rhinitis and chronic
rhinosinusitis will often have asthma, and that many of them may not be diagnosed
at the time of presentation. Appropriate diagnosis of the patient with asthma, as
well as effective treatment for its symptoms, will improve patient function and
enhance quality of life.
PMID- 28988812
TI - High throughput sequencing-based analysis of microbial diversity in dental unit
waterlines supports the importance of providing safe water for clinical use.
AB - This study aims to explore the water quality of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs)
and the diversity of microbial communities in DUWLs. Water samples from 33 dental
chair units (DCUs) were collected, diluted and then spread on sterilized R2A
plate for incubation. Subsequently, the microbial colony-forming units per
milliliter (CFU/ml) were recorded by an automatic colony analyzer. Total DNA
extracted from the rest of the samples was tested on the Illumina MiSeq PE300
platform. T-test and Kruskal-Wallis rank test were adopted for statistical
analysis. Significance was assumed at a P<0.05. After incubation, the average
total microbial count was 21,413.13+/-17,861.00CFU/ml. High-throughput sequencing
revealed 10 bacterial phyla, including 9 identified and 1 unclassified phyla.
Totally 63 sequences were identified at the genus level, including 42 genera, 3
tentative species and 18 unclassified genera. In addition, 7 potential human
pathogenic bacteria were detected. In summary, department, brand and service life
of DCUs do not influence the water quality of DUWLs significantly. The diversity
of microbial communities in DUWLs is abundant and includes both pathogenic and
some unknown bacteria.
PMID- 28988814
TI - The Role of the Sinonasal Epithelium in Allergic Rhinitis.
AB - The sinonasal epithelial barrier is comprised of tight and adherens junction
proteins. Disruption of epithelial barrier function has been hypothesized to
contribute to allergic disease such as allergic rhinitis through increased
passage of antigens and exposure of underlying tissue to these stimuli. Several
mechanisms of sinonasal epithelial barrier disruption include antigen proteolytic
activity, inflammatory cytokine-mediated tight junction breakdown, or
exacerbation from environmental stimuli. Mechanisms of sinonasal epithelial
barrier stabilization include corticosteroids and nuclear erythroid 2-related
factor 2 (Nrf2) cytoprotective pathway activation. Additional studies will aid in
determining the contribution of epithelial barrier function in allergic rhinitis
pathophysiology and treatment.
PMID- 28988815
TI - Advancements and Dilemmas in the Management of Allergy.
AB - Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of allergic disease also lead to
new clinical decisions for providers. Advances in component (or molecular)
diagnostic testing for allergy continue to build in the literature, but
diagnosing inhalant allergy remains largely unchanged clinically. Prevention of
allergy has been demonstrated by preventing peanut allergy in high-risk infants
by intentional oral exposure to promote tolerance. Immunotherapy options have
increased, with literature supporting sublingual drops, sublingual tablets, and
subcutaneous immunotherapy. Expanded options create clinical questions such as
the role of monotherapy in polysensitized patients. This article explores recent
advances and their clinical implications.
PMID- 28988816
TI - Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy for post-disaster distress in post
traumatic stress symptoms after Chilean earthquake and tsunami.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This is the first time that the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural
therapy for post-disaster stress (CBT-PD) in symptoms of posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) has been tested outside the United States of America. DESIGN:
Quasi-experiment with three groups. In the quasi-control group, complete CBT-PD
was applied even though its members did not have PTSD; in quasi-experimental
conditions, participants received complete treatment because they had this
diagnosis; and in the third group, participants with PTSD received an abbreviated
treatment (double sessions) due to organisational requirements. LOCATION: Primary
health care workers in Constitucion (Chile), city exposed to earthquake and
tsunami; public department workers in Talca (city exposed only to earthquake) and
teachers from a school (Constitucion). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 13 of the 91
people diagnosed with PTSD participated. In addition, 16 people without diagnosis
voluntarily participated. The treatment was completed by 29 participants. There
were no dropouts. Only 1 of the 9 participants in the quasi-experimental group
did not respond to treatment. INTERVENTIONS: CBT-PD is a group therapy (10-12
sessions) that includes psychoeducation, breathing retraining, behavioural
activation and cognitive restructuring. CBT-PD (complete and abbreviated) was
applied between September and December 2010. MEASUREMENTS: Short Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT-E) was used to measure PTSD symptoms
before and after treatment. RESULTS: The group that received the complete
treatment and was diagnosed with PTSD showed a significant decrease in the total
symptoms to below dangerous levels (IGAAB: 31.556; p<0.01; 95%CI: 0.21-2.01];
eta2=0.709). DISCUSSION: The effectiveness and benefits of incorporating CBT-PD
in the health network after events like disasters were discussed.
PMID- 28988817
TI - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Manipulative Therapy in
Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To assess the robustness of evidence for the efficacy of manipulative
therapy in women with primary dysmenorrhea. METHOD: Seven electronic databases
were searched for studies reporting data on manipulative therapy for women with
primary dysmenorrhea. The primary and secondary outcomes were pain relief and
quality of life, respectively. Quality of eligible studies was assessed using the
Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) guideline. RESULTS: The search yielded 19
citations of which four were systematically reviewed and three eligible for meta
analysis. The systematic review showed above moderate methodological quality with
a mean of 6.7 out of 10 on the PEDro quality scale. Manipulative therapy showed
evidence of pain reduction in primary dysmenorrhea. CONCLUSION: Manipulative
therapy could be considered as adjunct therapy in the relief of pain in primary
dysmenorrhea. More high-quality research is needed before the evidence for their
utilization can be ascertained. Particularly, items related to assessor blinding
should be considered in future studies.
PMID- 28988818
TI - Assessing outcome following levatorplasty: When East meets West: Editorial on
paper "Transcutaneous aponeurotic repair with small detachment of the levator
aponeurosis for aponeurotic blepharoptosis in Japanese patients".
PMID- 28988819
TI - An in vitro cytotoxic approach to assess the toxicity of heavy metals and their
binary mixtures on hippocampal HT-22 cell line.
AB - Humans are exposed to a cocktail of heavy metal toxicants in the environment.
Though heavy metals are deleterious, there is a paucity of information on the
toxicity of mixtures. In this study, four common neurotoxicity heavy metals lead
(Pb) cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and methylmercury (MeHg) were exposed
individually and as mixtures to HT-22 cell line for 8days. The study established
that low dose exposures induced toxicity to the HT-22 cell line during 8days. The
results indicates potency dependent response, the toxicity of single metals on
the HT-22 cells; MeHg > As > Cd > Pb. The cytotoxicity data of single metals were
used to determine the mixtures interaction profile by using the dose additivity
and effect additivity method. Metal mixtures showed higher toxicities compared to
individual metals. Synergistic, antagonistic or additive effects of the toxicity
were observed in different mixtures in low dose exposure. The interactive
responses of mixtures depend on the co-exposure metal and their respective
concentration. We concluded that the combined effects should be considered in the
risk assessment of heavy metal co-exposure and potency. In future, comprehensive
mechanistic based investigations needed for understanding the real interactive
mixtures effects at molecular level.
PMID- 28988821
TI - Cold-Induced Thermogenesis Depends on ATGL-Mediated Lipolysis in Cardiac Muscle,
but Not Brown Adipose Tissue.
AB - Fatty acids (FAs) activate and fuel UCP1-mediated non-shivering thermogenesis
(NST) in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Release of FAs from intracellular fat stores
by adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is considered a key step in NST.
Accordingly, the severe cold intolerance of global ATGL knockout (AKO) mice has
been attributed to defective BAT lipolysis. Here we show that this conclusion is
incorrect. We demonstrate that although the BAT-specific loss of ATGL impairs BAT
lipolysis and alters BAT morphology, it does not compromise the beta3-adrenergic
thermogenic response or cold-induced NST. Instead, NST depends on nutrient supply
or lipolysis in white adipose tissue during fasting, suggesting that circulating
energy substrates are sufficient to fuel NST. Cold intolerance in AKO mice is not
caused by BAT dysfunction as previously suspected but by severe cardiomyopathy.
We conclude that functional NST requires adequate substrate supply and cardiac
function, but does not depend on ATGL-mediated lipolysis in BAT.
PMID- 28988820
TI - ATF4-Induced Metabolic Reprograming Is a Synthetic Vulnerability of the p62
Deficient Tumor Stroma.
AB - Tumors undergo nutrient stress and need to reprogram their metabolism to survive.
The stroma may play a critical role in this process by providing nutrients to
support the epithelial compartment of the tumor. Here we show that p62 deficiency
in stromal fibroblasts promotes resistance to glutamine deprivation by the direct
control of ATF4 stability through its p62-mediated polyubiquitination. ATF4
upregulation by p62 deficiency in the stroma activates glucose carbon flux
through a pyruvate carboxylase-asparagine synthase cascade that results in
asparagine generation as a source of nitrogen for stroma and tumor epithelial
proliferation. Thus, p62 directly targets nuclear transcription factors to
control metabolic reprogramming in the microenvironment and repress
tumorigenesis, and identifies ATF4 as a synthetic vulnerability in p62-deficient
tumor stroma.
PMID- 28988822
TI - Lipolysis in Brown Adipocytes Is Not Essential for Cold-Induced Thermogenesis in
Mice.
AB - Lipid droplet (LD) lipolysis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is generally
considered to be required for cold-induced nonshivering thermogenesis. Here, we
show that mice lacking BAT Comparative Gene Identification-58 (CGI-58), a
lipolytic activator essential for the stimulated LD lipolysis, have normal
thermogenic capacity and are not cold sensitive. Relative to littermate controls,
these animals had higher body temperatures when they were provided food during
cold exposure. The increase in body temperature in the fed, cold-exposed knockout
mice was associated with increased energy expenditure and with increased
sympathetic innervation and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT). Mice lacking
CGI-58 in both BAT and WAT were cold sensitive, but only in the fasted state.
Thus, LD lipolysis in BAT is not essential for cold-induced nonshivering
thermogenesis in vivo. Rather, CGI-58-dependent LD lipolysis in BAT regulates WAT
thermogenesis, and our data uncover an essential role of WAT lipolysis in fueling
thermogenesis during fasting.
PMID- 28988825
TI - PGC-1alpha Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis and Confers Bioenergetic Flexibility
against Metabolic Drugs.
AB - Metabolic adaptations play a key role in fueling tumor growth. However, less is
known regarding the metabolic changes that promote cancer progression to
metastatic disease. Herein, we reveal that breast cancer cells that
preferentially metastasize to the lung or bone display relatively high expression
of PGC-1alpha compared with those that metastasize to the liver. PGC-1alpha
promotes breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and augments lung
metastasis in vivo. Pro-metastatic capabilities of PGC-1alpha are linked to
enhanced global bioenergetic capacity, facilitating the ability to cope with
bioenergetic disruptors like biguanides. Indeed, biguanides fail to mitigate the
PGC-1alpha-dependent lung metastatic phenotype and PGC-1alpha confers resistance
to stepwise increases in metformin concentration. Overall, our results reveal
that PGC-1alpha stimulates bioenergetic potential, which promotes breast cancer
metastasis and facilitates adaptation to metabolic drugs.
PMID- 28988823
TI - FGF19, FGF21, and an FGFR1/beta-Klotho-Activating Antibody Act on the Nervous
System to Regulate Body Weight and Glycemia.
AB - Despite the different physiologic functions of FGF19 and FGF21 as hormonal
regulators of fed and fasted metabolism, their pharmacologic administration
causes similar increases in energy expenditure, weight loss, and enhanced insulin
sensitivity in obese animals. Here, in genetic loss-of-function studies of the
shared co-receptor beta-Klotho, we show that these pharmacologic effects are
mediated through a common, tissue-specific pathway. Surprisingly, FGF19 and FGF21
actions in liver and adipose tissue are not required for their longer-term weight
loss and glycemic effects. In contrast, beta-Klotho in neurons is essential for
both FGF19 and FGF21 to cause weight loss and lower glucose and insulin levels.
We further show an FGF21 mimetic antibody that activates the FGF receptor 1/beta
Klotho complex also requires neuronal beta-Klotho for its metabolic effects.
These studies highlight the importance of the nervous system in mediating the
beneficial weight loss and glycemic effects of endocrine FGF drugs.
PMID- 28988826
TI - Clinical diagnostic tools for vitamin D assessment.
AB - Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in a plethora of diseases including
rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and osteoporosis.
Deficiency of this vitamin is a global epidemic affecting both developing and
developed nations. Within a clinical context, the qualitative and quantitative
analysis of vitamin D is therefore vital. The main metabolic markers for
assessing vitamin D status in humans are the hydroxylated forms of vitamin D,
25OHD3 and 25OHD2 on account of their long half-lives within the body and
excellent stability. An adequate level for healthy individuals of these
hydroxylated forms is estimated to be around 20-40ng/ml of blood. There are three
main analytical techniques for determining the levels of 25OHD3 and 25OHD2. The
first technique is immunoassay-based and can be performed in a rapid, high
throughput, automated manner, allowing as many as 240 tests per hour with the
duration of each assay as little as 18min. Furthermore, it offers excellent
sensitivity with a detection range of 3.4-156ng/ml. A major downside of
immunoassays is that they are unable to distinguish between the various forms of
vitamin D. While HPLC is a highthroughput low cost instrument it is not a very
sensitive technique and cannot quantify the down stream metabolites of vitamin D.
The third technique, namely liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/),
provides excellent sensitivity with a wide dynamic range from 0.068pg/ml to
100ng/ml. Additionally, it offers a high level of separation and permits
identification of vitamin D-related metabolites. However, a huge limitation with
LC/MS/MS is their poor throughput for sample analyses. As yet, there is no
analytical technique which combines the fine detection capabilities of LC/MS/MS
and the rapid, automated format of immunoassay, for vitamin D analyses. Future
attention therefore needs to be given to this area if the current clinical
diagnostic tools for vitamin D analysis are to be further improved.
PMID- 28988824
TI - Citrobacter rodentium Subverts ATP Flux and Cholesterol Homeostasis in Intestinal
Epithelial Cells In Vivo.
AB - The intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) that line the gut form a robust line of
defense against ingested pathogens. We investigated the impact of infection with
the enteric pathogen Citrobacter rodentium on mouse IEC metabolism using global
proteomic and targeted metabolomics and lipidomics. The major signatures of the
infection were upregulation of the sugar transporter Sglt4, aerobic glycolysis,
and production of phosphocreatine, which mobilizes cytosolic energy. In contrast,
biogenesis of mitochondrial cardiolipins, essential for ATP production, was
inhibited, which coincided with increased levels of mucosal O2 and a reduction in
colon-associated anaerobic commensals. In addition, IECs responded to infection
by activating Srebp2 and the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Unexpectedly,
infected IECs also upregulated the cholesterol efflux proteins AbcA1, AbcG8, and
ApoA1, resulting in higher levels of fecal cholesterol and a bloom of
Proteobacteria. These results suggest that C. rodentium manipulates host
metabolism to evade innate immune responses and establish a favorable gut
ecosystem.
PMID- 28988827
TI - Self as Object: Emerging Trends in Self Research.
AB - Self representation is fundamental to mental functions. While the self has mostly
been studied in traditional psychophilosophical terms ('self as subject'), recent
laboratory work suggests that the self can be measured quantitatively by
assessing biases towards self-associated stimuli ('self as object'). Here, we
summarize new quantitative paradigms for assessing the self, drawn from
psychology, neuroeconomics, embodied cognition, and social neuroscience. We then
propose a neural model of the self as an emerging property of interactions
between a core 'self network' (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex; mPFC), a cognitive
control network [e.g., dorsolateral (dl)PFC], and a salience network (e.g.,
insula). This framework not only represents a step forward in self research, but
also has important clinical significance, resonating recent efforts in
computational psychiatry.
PMID- 28988828
TI - Epigenetics and cardiovascular regenerative medicine in the elderly.
AB - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a recognized age-dependent condition whose
incidence is set to increase due to the gradual aging of the population.
Moreover, ischemic cardiovascular diseases (i.e. stroke, myocardial infarction,
critical limb ischemia) requiring blood vessel growth are associated with a worse
outcome in elderly patients. Therefore, understanding the molecular cues
regulating the vascular repair process is of paramount importance to prevent
undesirable cardiovascular complications in this setting. A growing body of
evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications - changes to the genome that do
not involve changes in DNA sequence - may significantly derail gene expression
trajectories during the life course, thus affecting molecular phenotype and
functionality of angiogenic cells, namely mature endothelial cells (ECs),
endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and bone-marrow (BM)-derived angiogenic
cells. In the present review, we discuss the emerging role of epigenetics in age
related impairment of the angiogenic process. Specifically, the following aspects
are critically addressed: i) defective angiogenic process in aging; ii) impact of
epigenetics (DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs, long noncoding
RNAs) on phenotype and function of ECs and BM-derived angiogenic cells; iii)
clinical perspectives on epigenetic biomarkers and reprogramming approaches for
autologous transplantation. A scrutiny characterization of the "old epigenome"
may provide unprecedented insights to develop preventive strategies and
regenerative therapeutic interventions in the elderly.
PMID- 28988829
TI - Age related prefrontal compensatory mechanisms for inhibitory control in the
antisaccade task.
AB - Cognitive decline during aging includes impairments in frontal executive
functions like reduced inhibitory control. However, decline is not uniform across
the population, suggesting individual brain response variability to the aging
process. Here we tested the hypothesis, within the oculomotor system, that older
adults compensate for age-related neural alterations by changing neural
activation levels of the oculomotor areas, or even by recruiting additional areas
to assist with cognitive performance. We established that the observed changes
had to be related to better cognitive performance to be considered as
compensatory. To probe this hypothesis we used the antisaccade paradigm and
analyzed the effect of aging on brain activations during the inhibition of
prepotent responses to visual stimuli. While undergoing a fMRI scan with
concurrent eye tracking, 25 young adults (21.7 y/o +/- 1.9 SDM) and 25
cognitively normal older adults (66.2 y/o +/- 9.8 SDM) performed an interleaved
pro/antisaccade task consisting of a preparatory stage and an execution stage.
Compared to young adults, older participants showed a larger increase in
antisaccade reaction times, while also generating more antisaccade direction
errors. BOLD signal analyses during the preparatory stage, when response
inhibition processes are established to prevent an automatic response, showed
decreased activations in the anterior cingulate and the supplementary eye fields
in the older group. Moreover, older adults also showed additional recruitment of
the frontal pole not seen in the younger group, and larger activations in the
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during antisaccade preparation. Additional
analyses to address the performance variability in the older group showed
distinct behavioral-BOLD signal correlations. Larger activations in the saccade
network, including the frontal pole, positively correlated with faster
antisaccade reaction times, suggesting a functional recruitment of this area.
However, only the activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during the
antisaccade events showed a negative correlation with the number of errors across
older adults. These findings support the presence of two dissociable age-related
plastic mechanisms that result in different behavioral outcomes. One related to
the additional recruitment of neural resources within anterior pole to facilitate
modulation of cognitive responses like faster antisaccade reaction times, and
another related to increased activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
resulting in a better inhibitory control in aging.
PMID- 28988830
TI - Effects of neonatal deafness on resting-state functional network connectivity.
AB - Normal brain development depends on early sensory experience. Behavioral
consequences of brain maturation in the absence of sensory input early in life
are well documented. For example, experiments with mature, neonatally deaf human
or animal subjects have revealed improved peripheral visual motion detection and
spatial localization abilities. Such supranormal behavioral abilities in the
nondeprived sensory modality are evidence of compensatory plasticity occurring in
deprived brain regions at some point or throughout development. Sensory deprived
brain regions may simply become unused neural real-estate resulting in a loss of
function. Compensatory plasticity and loss of function are likely reflected in
the differences in correlations between brain networks in deaf compared with
hearing subjects. To address this, we used resting-state functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) in lightly anesthetized hearing and neonatally deafened
cats. Group independent component analysis (ICA) was used to identify 20
spatially distinct brain networks across all animals including auditory, visual,
somatosensory, cingulate, insular, cerebellar, and subcortical networks. The
resulting group ICA components were back-reconstructed to individual animal
brains. The maximum correlations between the time-courses associated with each
spatial component were computed using functional network connectivity (FNC).
While no significant differences in the delay to peak correlations were
identified between hearing and deaf cats, we observed 10 (of 190) significant
differences in the amplitudes of between-network correlations. Six of the
significant differences involved auditory-related networks and four involved
visual, cingulate, or somatosensory networks. The results are discussed in
context of known behavioral, electrophysiological, and anatomical differences
following neonatal deafness. Furthermore, these results identify novel targets
for future investigations at the neuronal level.
PMID- 28988831
TI - Calcification remodeling index assessed by cardiac CT predicts severe coronary
stenosis in lesions with moderate to severe calcification.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic performance of the calcification remodeling
index (RI) as assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA)
to predict the presence of severe coronary stenosis in atherosclerotic coronary
lesions with moderate to severe calcification. METHODS: Patients who underwent
coronary CTA and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within one month and had
moderately to severely calcified lesions as revealed by coronary CTA, were
retrospectively included. The calcification RI was calculated as the ratio of the
cross-sectional lumen area (with inclusion of calcium area) of the most severely
calcified site to the proximal reference lumen area. Other parameters, such as
the calcium volume, regional Agatston score, calcification length, involved
calcium arc quadrants and CTA-assessed diameter stenosis, were also recorded. A
multivariate model was used to identify the variables that predict the presence
of severe coronary stenosis (diameter stenosis ? 70%) as determined by ICA.
RESULTS: 422 patients with 629 lesions were finally included in the study.
Lesions with severe stenoses as determined by ICA tended to have larger calcium
volumes, regional Agatston scores, CTA-assessed diameter stenoses, longer calcium
length, more involved calcium arc quadrants and a significantly smaller
calcification remodeling index. ROC curve analysis determined the best cutoff
value of the calcification RI as 0.94 (AUC = 0.816, p < 0.001), which yielded
highest diagnostic accuracy (83.3%, 524/629) to identify severe coronary
stenosis. Among all parameters, calcification RI ?0.94 is the strongest
independent predictor (odds ratio: 17.5, p < 0.001) of severe coronary stenosis.
CONCLUSIONS: With an optimalcut-off value of 0.94, calcification RI is the
strongest independent predictor of severe coronary stenosis in calcified coronary
atherosclerotic lesions.
PMID- 28988832
TI - Effect of inoculum on the anaerobic digestion of food waste accounting for the
concentration of trace elements.
AB - The production of renewable energy in the form of methane from the anaerobic
digestion (AD) of food waste (FW) varies depending on factors such as the
quantity and quality of the inoculum. This research evaluated the influence of
trace elements (Ca, K, Fe, Zn, Al, Mg, Co, Ni, and Mo) present in inoculum from
different sources (wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs): 2 agro-industrial WWTPs
and 1 municipal WWTP) on the AD of FW. This study found that the source of the
inoculum determines the content of macronutrients and trace elements, which can
alter the requirements of the AD process and therefore affect methane production.
The inoculum obtained from municipal WWTPs contain potentially inhibitory
concentrations of Zn and Al that negatively affect methane production (<70 mL
CH4.gVS-1), the hydrolysis constant (<0.19 d-1), and the lag-phase (>7 days). It
was also found that high concentrations of trace elements such as Ni (35.2 mg kg
1) and Mo (15.4 mg kg-1) in the inoculum increase methane production (140.7 mL
CH4.gVS-1) and hydrolysis constant (>0.18d-1) in addition to presenting short lag
phase (<1 day) in the AD of food waste.
PMID- 28988833
TI - eHomecare and safety: The experiences of older patients and their relatives.
AB - The study's aim was to extend descriptions of how older patients with granted
eHomecare and their relatives understand safety, and further to describe how they
experience safety in everyday life. The study was conducted in Sweden. The
participants were 12 older patients who had been provided with eHomecare and 8
relatives. Data were collected by semi-structured individual interviews. A
conceptual framework of safety was used and a qualitative content analysis was
conducted in a deductive and an inductive phase. The deductive results are
presented in predefined categories: perceived sense of safety, disturbance and
threats, re-establishing safety, and new safety. The inductive analysis resulted
in two main categories: safety as part of everyday life and eHomecare as safety.
The results show that eHomecare can promote safety for older patients and their
relatives. Existing doubts and ethical concerns about the service can be
minimized by providing adequate information.
PMID- 28988834
TI - Predictive model for health-related quality of life in patients with Parkinson's
disease.
AB - This study was conducted to develop and test a prediction model that explains
health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).
Participants were 248 patients with PD enrolled in the neurology clinic of a
university hospital in Seoul, Korea. The data were collected through structured
questionnaires from March 1 to July 5, 2013. Motor fluctuations, depression,
sleep disturbances, fatigue, and activities of daily living had significant
direct effects on the quality of life of PD patients. Disease severity, social
support, pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and activities of daily living had
significant indirect effects on patients' quality of life. These predictive
variables explained 77.4% of the total variance. The assessment of HRQoL in PD
should be considered along with the variables affecting it, including social
support. In addition, strategies to enhance social support may be useful for
improving the quality of life for patients with PD.
PMID- 28988835
TI - INTERACT in VA Community Living Centers (CLCs): Training and Implementation
Strategies.
AB - Studies have shown that hospitalizations of nursing home (NH) residents lead to
complications and poorer quality of life. The Interventions to Reduce Acute Care
Transfers (INTERACT) Quality Improvement (QI) Program assists licensed NH staff
in avoiding such hospitalizations. INTERACT aims to improve the management of
acute changes in residents' conditions by providing tools to help staff recognize
subtle changes in condition, improve communication, and implement QI strategies.
INTERACT has been vetted by national clinical leaders and experts in long term
care (LTC). Multiple NHs have implemented INTERACT and it has been adopted in
Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. QI initiatives involve adaptation to
the organizational context in which it is being implemented. We report adaptation
of the INTERACT QI program and implementation training into Veteran Affairs (VA)
Community Living Centers (CLCs) (VA equivalent NH) and summarize the efforts to
introduce and train nursing leadership to integrate the intervention into
selected CLCs.
PMID- 28988837
TI - Nutrition Care Process and Model Update: Toward Realizing People-Centered Care
and Outcomes Management.
PMID- 28988836
TI - Parental Perceptions, Risks, and Incidence of Pediatric Unintentional Injuries.
AB - INTRODUCTION: More than 9,000 children die annually from various causes of
unintentional injury. Of all the pediatric unintentional injuries occurring in
the United States, 8.7 million are treated in emergency departments, and 225,000
require hospitalization annually. Health education programs are available to
address these injuries. The objective of this research was to examine the
distribution of self-reported high priority injury risks in an urban Midwestern
pediatric level 1 trauma center and investigate the relationship between parental
perceptions and injury-prevention behaviors. Prevalence rates for 3 data sources
are compared. METHODS: Missouri Information for Community Assessment (MICA) was
categorized to mirror variables corresponding with risks of injury presented in
the Safe 'n' Sound (SNS) program. Level 1 trauma center data were examined to
determine how the variables were distributed compared with MICA data and with the
parent-reported levels. RESULTS: A total of 429 SNS surveys were compared with ED
data and MICA data. For SNS users, car crashes were identified as the highest
risk, specifically due to the use of incorrect car seats. The injuries seen most
often in the emergency department were falls, and falls were also the most
prevalent injury captured by MICA. Controlling for demographics, parental
perceptions predicted several risks for injury. DISCUSSION: Because parental
perceptions are significantly related to risks of injury, prevention programs
aiming to decrease injuries could focus on the perceptions. Not only can
perceptions be used to tailor health communication materials, these perceptions
can be the targets of change. Further work might investigate the extent to which
changes in perceptions result in increased adoption of safety practices.
PMID- 28988838
TI - Staff Food-Related Behaviors and Children's Tastes of Food Groups during Lunch at
Child Care in Oklahoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: Young children should consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods to
support growth, while limiting added fat and sugar. A majority of children
between the ages of 3 and 5 years attend child care in the United States, which
makes this environment and the child-care staff influential at meals. OBJECTIVE:
The aim was to determine the association between best-practice food-related
behaviors and young children's tastes of fruit, vegetable, low-fat dairy, and
high-fat/high-sugar foods at child care. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional
study. PARTICIPANTS: A community-based study with 201 children ages 3 to 5 years
from 25 early care and education centers, including 11 tribally affiliated
centers and two Head Start programs across Oklahoma. Data collection occurred
from fall 2011 to spring 2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Classroom observations used
the Environmental Policy Assessment Observation tool to measure the staff
behaviors and environment. Staff behavior was compared at three different levels:
the composite score of staff nutrition behavior, each constituent staff behavior,
and staff behaviors grouped into broader feeding behaviors. Tasted food was
measured through the Dietary Observation in Child Care method. The children's
meals were categorized into the following food groups: fruit, vegetable, low-fat
dairy, fried vegetable, fried meat, high-fat meat, and high-fat/high-sugar food.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Descriptive statistics were calculated for
relevant variables. Relationships between the constituent staff behaviors and
food groups that children tasted were compared using multilevel mixed-model
analysis. RESULTS: The mean number of tasted fruit or vegetable items was higher
and the mean number of tasted high-fat/high-sugar food items was lower when
staff: 1) determined fullness before plate removal when less than half of food
was eaten, 2) ate with the children, 3) and talked about healthy food.
CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of the three staff behaviors and their association
with higher mean tastes of nutrient-dense items and lower mean tastes of high
fat/high-sugar food items among exposed children demonstrated support for the use
of the best practices in early care and education centers.
PMID- 28988839
TI - Trends in Fast-Food and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Their
Association with Social Environmental Status in South Korea.
AB - BACKGROUND: As South Korea has enjoyed rapid economic development, Koreans' diet,
particularly consumption of fast food (FF) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs),
has changed. OBJECTIVE: To examine time trends in FF and SSB consumption and
their associations with social environmental status (SEnS) in South Korea.
DESIGN: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) were a
series of population-based cross-sectional surveys. PARTICIPANTS: Data from the
KNHANES conducted in 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2007-2009 for 49,826 Koreans aged >=1
year were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Consumption of FF and SSBs were assessed
by a 24-hour recall. We defined two FF categories (Western-style and Korean
style) and one SSB category. Sex, age, household income, and residence regions
were investigated. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: The primary sampling units,
strata, and sampling weights were taken into account using SAS survey-related
procedures. Logistic regression models were used to test associations between
SEnS and FF consumption. RESULTS: Over an 11-year period, the proportion of
participants' who consumed Western FF and SSBs on the surveyed day doubled
(P<0.05). Per capita energy contribution from Western FF also increased in
adults, men, and low-income groups. SSB consumption doubled (per capita: 32 to 82
kcal/day, only consumers: 123 to 166 kcal/day), but consumption of Korean-style
FF decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the low-income rural resident group, the
high-income urban resident group was much more likely to consume Western FF
(OR=26.7[3.7, 193.4]) and SSBs (odds ratio [OR]=3.1 [2.4, 4.1]) in 1998. However,
in recent years, the patterns changed; the high-income urban resident group was
more likely to consume Korean-style FF (OR=2.0[1.3, 2.9]) and SSBs (OR=1.7[1.3,
2.1]). CONCLUSIONS: In South Korea, people who reported consuming Western FF and
SSBs on the surveyed day almost doubled during 1998-2009, whereas those who
consumed Korean FF decreased. SEnS was related to FF and SSB consumption.
PMID- 28988840
TI - Mechanism of co-aggregation in a protein mixture with small additives.
AB - Co-aggregation plays an important role in processing protein-rich food materials
under heterogeneous conditions. The main cause of co-aggregation is an
electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged molecules. This study
investigated thermal aggregation of beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) (pI=5.1) and
lysozyme (LYZ) (pI=10.7) as a model for the heterogeneous conditions of a protein
solution. BLG and LYZ were more aggregated in the mixture than in the single
solutions. Co-aggregation of the BLG-LYZ mixture was not observed below 60
degrees C at which temperature BLG and LYZ retained their native structures.
Adding sugars, salts, or amino acids to the BLG-LYZ mixture during the heat
treatment revealed the co-aggregation process as follows. (i) All additives
tested suppressed both the nucleation and growth of aggregates. (ii) Salts
affected nucleation stage to the same degree, except arginine hydrochloride
(Arg). (iii) Arg specifically suppressed both nucleation and growth of
aggregates. These results indicate that co-aggregation in a protein mixture is
more sensitive to the partial unfolding of proteins than that in a single protein
solution, due to the presence of electrostatic attraction between different
molecules. These results provide new insight into protein aggregation as well as
the molecular mechanism of additives under heterogeneous conditions.
PMID- 28988841
TI - Adsorption of Cu(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous single metal
solutions by guanyl-modified cellulose.
AB - A novel chemically guanyl-modified cellulose (Gu-MC) - material has been
synthesized for the adsorption of Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ metal ions from
aqueous solution. Cellulose was pretreated with periodate prior to its
condensation with aminoguanidine for the formation of cellulose aldehyde-guanyl
Schiff's. The synthesized material was characterized by Fourier transform
infrared spectra (FTIR), elemental analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM)
and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, the effect of contact time, pH,
adsorbent dosage, interfering ions and initial concentration of metal ions on the
adsorption capacity were investigated. At optimum conditions, the adsorption
capacities of Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ were 83, 78, 68, 52, and 48mgg-1,
respectively. The kinetic of adsorption adopted to the second-order model and
kinetic model showed that the chemical adsorption is the rate limiting step. The
proposed material has been successfully applied for the adsorption of the target
metal ions from different real samples with satisfactory results.
PMID- 28988842
TI - A novel core 1 O-linked glycan-specific binding lectin from the fruiting body of
Hericium erinaceus.
AB - Mucin-type O-glycans are involved in biological functions on the cell surface as
well as the glycoproteins and can also be used as specific carbohydrate
biomarkers of many diseases. In this study, I purified a novel core 1 O-linked
glycan specific lectin, Hericium erinaceus lecin (HeL), from the fruiting body of
the mushroom Hericium erinaceus, which is known as the natural source for a
sialic acid-binding lectin. Upon optimization of the purification conditions, a
sequence of ion exchange, affinity, ion exchange, and size-exclusion
chromatography resulted in the highest yield and best quality of lectin without
protease activity. The resulting purified HeL is an apparent hexameric protein
with a subunit molecular weight of 15kDa, and a pI of 4.3. In hemagglutination
inhibition assay, the purified lectin was only inhibited by glycoproteins
containing mucin-type O-glycans and reacted weakly with Galbeta(1,3)GalNAc.
Glycan array analyses showed that HeL specifically interacts with core 1 O-linked
glycans as well as extended O-glycan structures containing sialylation or
fucosylation. The glycan binding specificity of HeL is comparable to that of
peanut agglutinin for detection of a broader range of extended core 1 O-glycan
structures. Taken together, these results provide an efficient and optimized
procedure for the purification of HeL from the fruiting body of the mushroom
Hericium erinaceus. Moreover, HeL represents a powerful tool for analyzing core 1
and extended core 1 O- glycan structures in diagnosis assays.
PMID- 28988843
TI - Fabrication of cellulose acetate nanocomposite membranes using 2D layered
nanomaterials for macromolecular separation.
AB - Cellulose acetate (CA) nanocomposite ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were
fabricated using 2D layered nanosheets such as graphene oxide (GO) and exfoliated
molybdenum disulfide (E-MoS2) and effectively used for the removal of
macromolecular protein. The GO and E-MoS2 nanosheets were prepared and
characterized by FT-IR and XRD respectively. GO and E-MoS2 (0.5wt.%) were blended
individually with CA. The assenting changes generated by the incorporation of GO
and E-MoS2 in terms of surface hydrophilicity of the nanocomposite membrane were
analyzed by pure water flux (PWF) and contact angle measurement. The influence of
2D nanosheets on the morphology of CA are studied by scanning electron microscopy
(SEM). Mechanical strength and hydraulic resistance of the nanocomposite
membranes were found to be improved compared to bare CA membrane. The separation
and antifouling performance of the nanocomposite membranes were studied using
macromolecular bovine serum albumin (BSA). From the results, it was observed that
a CA/GO-0.5 membrane exhibited the highest PWF (125.4+/-1.7Lm-2h-1), water
content (70.6+/-1.2%), porosity (34.6+/-1.7%), flux recovery ratio (FRR) (88.8+/
1.6%) and lowest contact angle (63.9+/-2.5 degrees ), hydraulic resistance (4.3+/
0.67kPa/Lm-2h -1) than pure CA and CA/E-MoS2-0.5 membranes. CA/GO-0.5 membrane
displayed superior UF and antifouling performance due to the greater affinity of
GO nanoparticles towards water.
PMID- 28988844
TI - Sono-chemical synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals from wood sawdust using Acid
hydrolysis.
AB - Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) is a unique material obtained from naturally
occurring cellulose fibers. Owing to their mechanical, optical, chemical, and
rheological properties, CNC gained significant interest. Herein, we investigate
the potential of commercially non-recyclable wood waste, in particular, sawdust
as a new resource for CNC. Isolation of CNC from sawdust was conducted as per
acid hydrolysis which induced by ultrasonication technique. Thus, sawdust after
being alkali delignified prior sodium chlorite bleaching, was subjected to
sulfuric acid with concentration of 65% (w/w) at 60 degrees C for 60min. After
complete reaction, CNC were collected by centrifugation followed by dialyzing
against water and finally dried via using lyophilization technique. The CNC yield
attained values of 15% from purified sawdust. Acid hydrolysis mechanism exactly
referred that, the amorphous regions along with thinner as well as shorter
crystallites spreaded throughout the cellulose structure are digested by the acid
leaving CNC suspension. The latter was freeze-dried to produce CNC powder. A
thorough investigation pertaining to nanostructural characteristics of CNC was
performed. These characteristics were monitored using TEM, SEM, AFM, XRD and FTIR
spectra for following the changes in functionality. Based on the results
obtained, the combination of sonication and chemical treatment was great
effective in extraction of CNC with the average dimensions (diameter*length) of
35.2+/-7.4nm*238.7+/-81.2nm as confirmed from TEM. Whilst, the XRD study
confirmed the crystal structure of CNC is obeyed cellulose type I with
crystallinity index ~90%. Cellulose nanocrystals are nominated as the best
candidate within the range studied in the area of reinforcement by virtue of
their salient textural features.
PMID- 28988845
TI - A Bombyx homolog of ovo is a segmentation gene that acts downstream of Bm
wnt1(Bombyx wnt1 homolog).
AB - Insect embryogenesis is divided into long and short/intermediate germ types. The
long germ type may exhibit Drosophila-like hierarchical segmentation mechanisms,
whereas the short/intermediate type assumes some repeating mechanisms that are
considered to be ancestral. Embryogenesis in Bombyx mori possesses both
characteristics. Here, Bombyx ovo homolog (Bm-ovo) was identified as a gene
involved in segmentation. Ovo is a Drosophila gene that encodes a zinc finger
transcription factor and studies on its homolog functions in other systems have
suggested that it acts as a switch to enable the initiation of differentiation
from a progenitor cell state. This is the first description for ovo homologs
being involved in insect segmentation. Bm-ovo is expressed dynamically during
embryogenesis in a pattern that resembles that of gap and pair-rule genes. In Bm
ovo RNAi knockdown embryos, posterior segmentation does not proceed. In addition,
defects in anterior segments are observed. In Bm-wnt1 knockdown embryos, the Bm
ovo expression pattern was changed, suggesting that Bm-wnt1 is an upstream
regulator of Bm-ovo. The involvement of Bm-ovo may represent a novel ancestral
step under the control of wnt genes in insect segmentation: this step may
resemble those operating in cell differentiation processes.
PMID- 28988846
TI - Facial nerve neuroma in the geniculate ganglion extending into the internal
auditory canal: A case report.
AB - Facial nerve schwannoma is a very rare benign tumor representing less than 1% of
intrapetrous lesions. Our patient is a forty-one year old female who has suffered
from recurrent right facial palsy for the last six years. She was first
misdiagnosed as having Bell's palsy and received corticosteroids which resulted
in little improvement. She then had facial nerve decompression surgery which
resulted in a partial improvement. Since then, she has suffered from recurrent
attacks of facial palsy. Two years ago, she came to our hospital seeking further
treatment options. The final diagnosis made by MRI was a possible facial nerve
tumor. To obtain a better facial outcome, total tumor removal was performed
through the middle cranial fossa approach along with facial-hypoglossal nerve end
to-side anastomosis through transmastoid approach. Her hearing was preserved, and
she obtained a better facial outcome than that of her preoperative level. In
conclusion, facial nerve schwannoma has the potential to be misdiagnosed as
Bell's palsy which might lead to a delay in diagnosis, and end-to-side
neurorrhaphy may be an effective alternative in a selected case.
PMID- 28988847
TI - Impact of bacteremia prediction rule in CAP: Before and after study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: In cases of community acquired pneumonia (CAP), it has been known that
blood cultures have low yields and rarely affect clinical outcomes. Despite many
studies predicting the likelihood of bacteremia in CAP patients, those results
have been rarely implemented in clinical practice, and use of blood culture in
CAP is still increasing. This study evaluated impact of implementing a previously
derived and validated bacteremia prediction rule. METHODS: In this registry-based
before and after study, we used piecewise regression analysis to compare the
blood culture rate before and after implementation of the prediction rule. We
also compared 30-day mortality, emergency department (ED) length of stay, time
interval to initial antibiotics after ED arrival, and any changes to the
antibiotics regimen as results of the blood cultures. In subgroup analysis, we
compared two groups (with or without the use of the prediction rule) after
implementation period, using propensity score matching. RESULTS: Following the
implementation, the blood culture rate declined from 85.5% to 78.1% (P=0.003)
without significant changes in 30-day mortality and antibiotics regimen. The
interval to initial antibiotics (231min vs. 221min, P=0.362) and length of stay
(1019min vs. 954min, P=0.354) were not significantly changed. In subgroup
analysis, the group that use the prediction rule showed 25min faster antibiotics
initiation (P=0.002) and 48min shorter length of stay (P=0.007) than the group
that did not use the rule. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the bacteremia
prediction rule in CAP patients reduced the blood culture rate without affecting
the 30-day mortality and antibiotics regimen.
PMID- 28988848
TI - ED utilization of medical clearance testing for psychiatric admission: National
Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey analysis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Routine medical clearance testing of emergency department (ED)
patients with acute psychiatric illnesses in the absence of a medical indication
has minimal proven utility. Little is known about the variations in clinical
practice of ordering medical clearance tests. METHODS: This study was an analysis
of data from the annual United States National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care
Survey from 2010 to 2014. The study population was defined as ED visits by
patients >=18years old admitted to a psychiatric facility. We sought to determine
the percentage of these ED visits in which at least one medical clearance test
was ordered. Using a multivariate logistic regression model, we also evaluated
whether patient visit factors or regional variation was associated with use of
medical clearance tests. RESULT: A medical clearance test was ordered in 80.4% of
ED visits ending with a psychiatric admission. Multivariate logistic regression
demonstrated a statistically significant increased odds ratio (OR) of medical
clearance testing based on age (OR 1.02, 95%CI 1.01, 1.03), among visits
involving an injury or poisoning (OR 2.38, 95%CI 1.54, 3.68), and in the Midwest
region as compared to the Northeast region (OR 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]
1.09, 4.46), after adjusting for other predictors. DISCUSSION: Our study
demonstrated that, on a national level, 4 out of 5 ED visits resulting in a
psychiatric facility admission had a medical clearance test ordered. Future
research is needed to investigate the reasons underlying the discrepancies in
ordering patterns across the U.S., including the effect of local psychiatric
admission policies.
PMID- 28988850
TI - Biomarker Potential of Extracellular miRNAs in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
AB - miRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that not only regulate gene expression within
cells, but might also constitute promising extracellular biomarkers for a variety
of pathologies, including the progressive muscle-wasting disorder Duchenne
Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). A set of muscle-enriched miRNAs, the myomiRs (miR-1,
miR-133, and miR-206) are highly elevated in the serum of patients with DMD and
in dystrophin-deficient animal models. Furthermore, circulating myomiRs might be
used as pharmacodynamic biomarkers, given that their levels can be restored
towards wild-type levels following exon skipping therapy in dystrophic mice. The
relationship between muscle pathology and extracellular myomiR release is
complex, and incompletely understood. Here, we discuss current progress leading
towards the clinical utility of extracellular miRNAs as putative DMD biomarkers,
and their possible contribution to muscle physiology.
PMID- 28988849
TI - Oxygen, Metabolism, and Regeneration: Lessons from Mice.
AB - The discovery that the Murphy Roths Large (MRL) mouse strain is a fully
competent, epimorphic tissue regenerator, proved that the machinery of
regeneration was preserved through evolution from hydra, to salamanders, to
mammals. Such concepts have allowed translation of the biology of amphibians, and
their ability to regenerate, to a mammalian context. We identified the ancient
hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha pathway, operating through prolyl
hydroxylase domain proteins (PHDs), as a central player in mouse regeneration.
Thus, the possibility of targeting PHDs or other HIF-1alpha modifiers to
effectively recreate the amphibian regenerative state has emerged. We posit that
these regenerative pathways are critical in mammals. Moreover, the current
approved use of PHD inhibitors in the clinic should allow fast-track translation
from mouse studies to drug-based regenerative therapy in humans.
PMID- 28988851
TI - Ablation of C-fibers decreases quantal size of GABAergic synaptic transmission in
the insular cortex.
AB - The primary sensory cortex exhibits neuroplastic changes responding to sensory
disturbances, and GABAergic synaptic transmission plays a critical role in the
regulation of plasticity. The insular cortex (IC) integrates orofacial
nociceptive signals conveyed via myelinated Adelta- and unmyelinated C-fibers.
However, it has been unknown whether a disturbance of nociceptive inputs, such as
a deletion of the peripheral nerves, alters GABAergic local circuit in IC. The
present study elucidated GABAergic synaptic transmission in the model rat whose C
fibers were ablated by capsaicin injection 1-2 days after birth. In vivo optical
imaging revealed that capsaicin-treated rats showed a facilitative excitatory
propagation in IC responding to dental pulp stimulation. Whole-cell patch-clamp
recording from pyramidal neurons (Pyr) demonstrated that capsaicin-treated rats
showed the smaller amplitude of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents
(IPSCs) than sham-treated rats without changing the frequency. Furthermore,
replacement of extracellular Ca2+ to Sr2+, which induces an asynchronous release
of neurotransmitters in the quantal size, induced a smaller amplitude of
asynchronous unitary IPSCs recorded from fast-spiking GABAergic interneuron to
Pyr connections in capsaicin-treated rats than sham-treated rats. These results
suggest that capsaicin treatment depresses IPSCs via a postsynaptic mechanism. To
confirm this possibility, the variance-mean analysis of unitary IPSCs was
employed and we found that quantal size of GABAergic synaptic transmission was
smaller in capsaicin-treated rats than in sham-treated rats. These results
suggest that ablation of C-fibers induces plastic changes in GABAergic synaptic
transmission by decreasing postsynaptic GABAA receptor-mediated conductance,
which is a possible mechanism of the facilitative excitation in IC of capsaicin
treated rats.
PMID- 28988852
TI - Assessment of a nutritional supplement containing resveratrol, prebiotic fiber,
and omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention and treatment of mild traumatic brain
injury in rats.
AB - Children and adolescents have the highest rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI),
with mild TBI (mTBI) accounting for most of these injuries. Adolescents are
particularly vulnerable and often suffer from post-injury symptomologies that may
persist for months. We hypothesized that the combination of resveratrol (RES),
prebiotic fiber (PBF), and omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) would
be an effective therapeutic supplement for the mitigation of mTBI outcomes in the
developing brain. Adolescent male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly
assigned to the supplement (3S) or control condition, which was followed by a
mTBI or sham insult. A behavioral test battery designed to examine symptomologies
commonly associated with mTBI was administered. Following the test battery,
tissue was collected from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and primary auditory cortex
for Golgi-Cox analysis of spine density, and for changes in expression of 6 genes
(Aqp4, Gfap, Igf1, Nfl, Sirt1, and Tau). 3S treatment altered the behavioral
performance of sham animals indicating that dietary manipulations modify
premorbid characteristics. 3S treatment prevented injury-related deficits in the
longer-term behavior measures, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) spine density, and
levels of Aqp4, Gfap, Igf1, Nfl, and Sirt1 expression in the PFC. Although not
fully protective, treatment with the supplement significantly improved post-mTBI
function and warrants further investigation.
PMID- 28988853
TI - Ecological performance of construction materials subject to ocean climate change.
AB - Artificial structures will be increasingly utilized to protect coastal
infrastructure from sea-level rise and storms associated with climate change.
Although it is well documented that the materials comprising artificial
structures influence the composition of organisms that use them as habitat,
little is known about how these materials may chemically react with changing
seawater conditions, and what effects this will have on associated biota. We
investigated the effects of ocean warming, acidification, and type of coastal
infrastructure material on algal turfs. Seawater acidification resulted in
greater covers of turf, though this effect was counteracted by elevated
temperatures. Concrete supported a greater cover of turf than granite or high
density polyethylene (HDPE) under all temperature and pH treatments, with the
greatest covers occurring under simulated ocean acidification. Furthermore,
photosynthetic efficiency under acidification was greater on concrete substratum
compared to all other materials and treatment combinations. These results
demonstrate the capacity to maximise ecological benefits whilst still meeting
local management objectives when engineering coastal defense structures by
selecting materials that are appropriate in an ocean change context. Therefore,
mitigation efforts to offset impacts from sea-level rise and storms can also be
engineered to alter, or even reduce, the effects of climatic change on biological
assemblages.
PMID- 28988854
TI - Dynamics of phytoplankton productivity and exopolysaccharides (EPS and TEP) pools
in the Seine Estuary (France, Normandy) over tidal cycles and over two
contrasting seasons.
AB - Exopolysaccharides (EPS) play an important role in the carbon flux and may be
directly linked to phytoplankton and microphytobenthos production, most notably
in estuarine systems. However the temporal and spatial dynamics of estuarine EPS
are still not well understood, nor how primary productivity triggers this
variability at these different scales. The aim of this study was to investigate
the primary productivity of phytoplankton and EPS dynamics in the Seine estuary
over a tidal cycle in three different haline zones over two contrasted seasons.
The other objectives was to investigate the origin of pools of soluble
carbohydrates (S-EPS) and transparent exopolymeric particles (TEP) in
phytoplankton, microphytobenthos or other compartments. High frequency
measurements of productivity were made in winter and summer 2015. Physical and
chemical parameters, biomass and EPS were measured at hourly intervals in sub
surface waters and just above the water sediment-interface. Our results confirmed
that high frequency measurements improve the accuracy of primary productivity
estimations and associated carbon fluxes in estuaries. The photosynthetic
parameters were shown to be strongly controlled by salinity and by the
concentrations of suspended particle matter at the smallest temporal and at
spatial scales. At these scales, our results showed an inverse relationship
between EPS concentrations and biomass and productivity, and a positive
relationship with sediment resuspension. Additionally, the distribution of EPS
appears to be linked to hydrodynamics with the tide at daily scale and with the
winter at seasonal scale. At spatial scale, the maximum turbidity zone played an
important role in the distribution of TEP. Our results suggest that, in the Seine
estuary, between 9% and 33% of the S-EPS pool in the water column can be
attributed to phytoplankton excretion, while only 0.4%-1.6% (up to 6.14% in
exceptional conditions) originates from the microphytobenthos compartments. Most
EPS was attributed to remobilization of detrital carbon pools in the maximum
turbidity zone and in the sediment or allochthonous origin.
PMID- 28988855
TI - Grazing in adults with obesity and eating disorders: A systematic review of
associated clinical features and meta-analysis of prevalence.
AB - Grazing, the unstructured, repetitive eating of small amounts of food, is a
pattern of eating which has been associated with negative outcomes following
bariatric surgery. Less is known about grazing in eating disorders and in non
surgical obese samples. This review aims to critically examine the existing
research on the prevalence of grazing, associated treatment outcomes, and
clinical correlates in adults with eating disorders and/or obesity, in clinical
and community settings. A systematic electronic database search yielded 38
studies which met inclusion criteria for the review. A meta-analysis was
conducted using prevalence data from 32 studies (31 datasets). Mean pooled
prevalence in obesity (n=26 studies) was 33.20% (95% CI [27.54, 39.11]) at pre
weight loss treatment, 28.16% (95% CI [17.86, 39.73]) at follow-up, and 23.32%
(95% CI [3.07, 52.04]) in the community. Nine studies provided prevalence
estimates in eating disorders: 58.25% (95% CI [52.75, 63.66]) in bulimia nervosa;
67.77% (95% CI [44.96, 87.13]) in binge eating disorder; and 34.31% (95% CI
[26.56, 42.49]) in anorexia nervosa. The results suggest that grazing is widely
prevalent within obesity and eating disorders. There is mixed evidence to suggest
that grazing (especially a "compulsive" subtype including a sense of loss of
control) is associated with poorer weight loss treatment outcomes in obesity,
lower mood, increased eating disorder symptomatology, and decreased mental health
related quality of life. Differences in the operationalisation of grazing may
account for inconsistent findings in regards to specific correlates and risks
associated with this behaviour; therefore, there is an urgent need to refine and
adopt a consistent definition of grazing.
PMID- 28988856
TI - A 3D-printed modular device for imaging the brain of small birds.
AB - BACKGROUND: One potential barrier to using in vivo imaging in any new animal
species is solving the basic problem of how to hold animals safely and securely
during scans. NEW METHOD: In this paper, we describe the design, fabrication,
use, and positional reproducibility of a 3D-printed plastic device (the Avian
Imaging Device, or AID) for imaging the brain of 1 or 2 small songbirds. We
designed two different types of head cones to use with this device: one that was
not contoured and designed for anesthesia induction, and one contoured to the
shape of a house sparrow head, designed to be used with a pre-anesthetized
animal. RESULTS: Compared to no holder, using the AID with both contoured and non
contoured head cones significantly reduced the amount of translation necessary to
align the head in pairs of CT scans (by 78% and 90%, respectively); using the
contoured head cone also significantly reduced the amount of rotation necessary
for head alignment in registering pairs of scans (by 90%). COMPARISON WITH
EXISTING METHOD(S): Using an animal holder that can not only securely hold
animals but which has high positional reproducibility is essential to take
advantage of the maximum resolution possible with small animal imaging. 3D
printed materials are also compatible with PET and CT, environmentally stable,
and fast and inexpensive to make. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers can learn from the
design of the AID and use our CAD models as a starting point for fabricating
devices for multiple small-animal imaging needs.
PMID- 28988857
TI - Viscoelastic Dissipation Stabilizes Cell Shape Changes during Tissue
Morphogenesis.
AB - Tissue morphogenesis relies on the production of active cellular forces.
Understanding how such forces are mechanically converted into cell shape changes
is essential to our understanding of morphogenesis. Here, we use myosin II
pulsatile activity during Drosophila embryogenesis to study how transient forces
generate irreversible cell shape changes. Analyzing the dynamics of junction
shortening and elongation resulting from myosin II pulses, we find that long
pulses yield less reversible deformations, typically a signature of dissipative
mechanics. This is consistent with a simple viscoelastic description, which we
use to model individual shortening and elongation events. The model predicts that
dissipation typically occurs on the minute timescale, a timescale commensurate
with that of force generation by myosin II pulses. We test this estimate by
applying time-controlled forces on junctions with optical tweezers. Finally, we
show that actin turnover participates in dissipation, as reducing it
pharmacologically increases the reversibility of contractile events. Our results
argue that active junctional deformation is stabilized by actin-dependent
dissipation. Hence, tissue morphogenesis requires coordination between force
generation and dissipation.
PMID- 28988859
TI - How the Land Became the Locus of Major Evolutionary Innovations.
AB - Life originated in the sea and evolved its early metabolic pathways in water [1,
2]. Nevertheless, activities of organisms on land have influenced and enriched
marine ecosystems with oxygen and nutrients for billions of years [3-7]. In
contrast to the history of species diversity in the sea and on land [8-10] and
the flows of resources within and between these two realms [11], little is known
about the times and places of origin of major metabolic and ecological
innovations during the Phanerozoic. Many innovations among multicellular
organisms originated in the sea during or before the Cambrian, including
predation and most of its variations, biomineralization, colonial or clonal
growth, bioerosion, deposit feeding, bioturbation by animals, communication at a
distance by vision and olfaction, photosymbiosis, chemosymbiosis, suspension
feeding, osmotrophy, internal fertilization, jet propulsion, undulatory
locomotion, and appendages for movement. Activity is less constrained in air than
in the denser, more viscous medium of water [9, 12-14]. I therefore predict that
high-performance metabolic and ecological innovations should predominantly
originate on land after the Ordovician once organisms had conquered the
challenges of life away from water and later appeared in the sea, either in
marine-colonizing clades or by arising separately in clades that never left the
sea. In support of this hypothesis, I show that 11 of 13 major post-Ordovician
innovations appeared first or only on land. This terrestrial locus of innovation
cannot be explained by the Cretaceous to recent expansion of diversity on land.
It reveals one of several irreversible shifts in the history of life.
PMID- 28988858
TI - An Anatomically Constrained Model for Path Integration in the Bee Brain.
AB - Path integration is a widespread navigational strategy in which directional
changes and distance covered are continuously integrated on an outward journey,
enabling a straight-line return to home. Bees use vision for this task-a
celestial-cue-based visual compass and an optic-flow-based visual odometer-but
the underlying neural integration mechanisms are unknown. Using intracellular
electrophysiology, we show that polarized-light-based compass neurons and optic
flow-based speed-encoding neurons converge in the central complex of the bee
brain, and through block-face electron microscopy, we identify potential
integrator cells. Based on plausible output targets for these cells, we propose a
complete circuit for path integration and steering in the central complex, with
anatomically identified neurons suggested for each processing step. The resulting
model circuit is thus fully constrained biologically and provides a functional
interpretation for many previously unexplained architectural features of the
central complex. Moreover, we show that the receptive fields of the newly
discovered speed neurons can support path integration for the holonomic motion
(i.e., a ground velocity that is not precisely aligned with body orientation)
typical of bee flight, a feature not captured in any previously proposed model of
path integration. In a broader context, the model circuit presented provides a
general mechanism for producing steering signals by comparing current and desired
headings-suggesting a more basic function for central complex connectivity, from
which path integration may have evolved.
PMID- 28988860
TI - Theta Phase Synchronization Is the Glue that Binds Human Associative Memory.
AB - Episodic memories are information-rich, often multisensory events that rely on
binding different elements [1]. The elements that will constitute a memory
episode are processed in specialized but distinct brain modules. The binding of
these elements is most likely mediated by fast-acting long-term potentiation
(LTP), which relies on the precise timing of neural activity [2]. Theta
oscillations in the hippocampus orchestrate such timing as demonstrated by animal
studies in vitro [3, 4] and in vivo [5, 6], suggesting a causal role of theta
activity for the formation of complex memory episodes, but direct evidence from
humans is missing. Here, we show that human episodic memory formation depends on
phase synchrony between different sensory cortices at the theta frequency. By
modulating the luminance of visual stimuli and the amplitude of auditory stimuli,
we directly manipulated the degree of phase synchrony between visual and auditory
cortices. Memory for sound-movie associations was significantly better when the
stimuli were presented in phase compared to out of phase. This effect was
specific to theta (4 Hz) and did not occur in slower (1.7 Hz) or faster (10.5 Hz)
frequencies. These findings provide the first direct evidence that episodic
memory formation in humans relies on a theta-specific synchronization mechanism.
PMID- 28988861
TI - Centrifugal Displacement of Nuclei Reveals Multiple LINC Complex Mechanisms for
Homeostatic Nuclear Positioning.
AB - Nuclear movement is critical for developmental events, cell polarity, and
migration and is usually mediated by linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton
(LINC) complexes connecting the nucleus to cytoskeletal elements. Compared to
active nuclear movement, relatively little is known about homeostatic positioning
of nuclei, including whether it is an active process. To explore homeostatic
nuclear positioning, we developed a method to displace nuclei in adherent cells
using centrifugal force. Nuclei displaced by centrifugation rapidly recentered by
mechanisms that depended on cell context. In cell monolayers with wounds oriented
orthogonal to the force, nuclei were displaced toward the front and back of the
cells on the two sides of the wound. Nuclei recentered from both positions, but
at different rates and with different cytoskeletal linkage mechanisms. Rearward
recentering was actomyosin, nesprin-2G, and SUN2 dependent, whereas forward
recentering was microtubule, dynein, nesprin-2G, and SUN1 dependent. Nesprin-2G
engaged actin through its N terminus and microtubules through a novel dynein
interacting site near its C terminus. Both activities were necessary to maintain
nuclear position in uncentrifuged cells. Thus, even when not moving, nuclei are
actively maintained in position by engaging the cytoskeleton through the LINC
complex.
PMID- 28988863
TI - Dorsal Raphe Serotonergic Neurons Control Intertemporal Choice under Trade-off.
AB - Appropriate choice about delayed reward is fundamental to the survival of
animals. Although animals tend to prefer immediate reward, delaying gratification
is often advantageous. The dorsal raphe (DR) serotonergic neurons have long been
implicated in the processing of delayed reward, but it has been unclear whether
or when their activity causally directs choice. Here, we transiently augmented or
reduced the activity of DR serotonergic neurons, while mice decided between
differently delayed rewards as they performed a novel odor-guided intertemporal
choice task. We found that these manipulations, precisely targeted at the
decision point, were sufficient to bidirectionally influence impulsive choice.
The manipulation specifically affected choices with more difficult trade-off.
Similar effects were observed when we manipulated the serotonergic projections to
the nucleus accumbens (NAc). We propose that DR serotonergic neurons preempt
reward delays at the decision point and play a critical role in suppressing
impulsive choice by regulating decision trade-off.
PMID- 28988862
TI - Early Pheromone Experience Modifies a Synaptic Activity to Influence Adult
Pheromone Responses of C. elegans.
AB - Experiences during early development can influence neuronal functions and
modulate adult behaviors [1, 2]. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the
long-term behavioral effects of these early experiences are not fully understood.
The C. elegans ascr#3 (asc-DeltaC9; C9) pheromone triggers avoidance behavior in
adult hermaphrodites [3-7]. Here, we show that hermaphrodites that are briefly
exposed to ascr#3 immediately after birth exhibit increased ascr#3-specific
avoidance as adults, indicating that ascr#3-experienced animals form a long
lasting memory or imprint of this early ascr#3 exposure [8]. ascr#3 imprinting is
mediated by increased synaptic activity between the ascr#3-sensing ADL neurons
and their post-synaptic SMB motor neuron partners via increased expression of the
odr-2 glycosylated phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked signaling gene in the SMB
neurons. Our study suggests that the memory for early ascr#3 experience is
imprinted via alteration of activity of a single synaptic connection, which in
turn shapes experience-dependent plasticity in adult ascr#3 responses.
PMID- 28988864
TI - Museum Genomics Confirms that the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect Survived
Extinction.
AB - The Lord Howe Island stick insect, Dryococelus australis, was once common on the
island but was driven to extinction after the arrival of ship rats in the early
20th century [1, 2]. It was thought to be extinct for decades, until a tiny
population of similar-looking stick insects was discovered 20 km away, on the
islet of Ball's Pyramid, in 2001 [2]. Individuals from this population are
currently being reared in Australia and elsewhere in the world, with the eventual
goal of recolonizing Lord Howe Island [3]. Recent surveys of the wild population
on Ball's Pyramid suggest that it is among the world's rarest species. However,
there are significant morphological differences between Ball's Pyramid and museum
specimens, and there has never been a genetic confirmation of the rediscovered
population's species identity. Because Dryococelus is monotypic, there are also
no known extant relatives for comparison. Using shotgun genomic data from the
Ball's Pyramid population, we assembled a draft genome and the complete
mitochondrial genome. We found that the genome is massive, over 4 Gb in size, and
is most likely hexaploid. We re-sequenced mitochondrial genomes from historic
museum specimens collected on Lord Howe Island before the extinction event.
Sequence divergence between the two populations is less than 1% and is within the
range of intraspecific differences between the museum specimens, suggesting that
they are conspecific and that D. australis has successfully evaded extinction so
far. This work highlights the importance of museum collections for taxonomic
validation in the context of ongoing conservation efforts.
PMID- 28988865
TI - Impact of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccination on hospitalization
for invasive disease in children fifteen years after its introduction in Italy.
AB - In Italy, Hib conjugate vaccine was introduced for infants in 1999 and included
in the DTaP-HBV-IPV-Hib combination in 2001, with an uptake of 83.4% in 2002,
>90% by 2005, and >95% by 2011. We estimated the impact of Hib vaccination on
hospitalizations for H. influenzae invasive disease in children <5years. Age
specific hospitalization rates and hospitalization risk ratios (HRRs) with 95%CI
during 2001-2013 were calculated performing time-series analysis. The number of
cases reported to the national surveillance of invasive bacterial diseases was
compared to the number of hospitalizations between 2007-2013. Hospitalization
rates declined from 2.3 in 2001 to 0.9*100,000 in 2002 (HRR=0.4, 95%CI=0.3-0.6,
p<0.05) among children 1-4years and from 5.4 in 2001 to 2.4*100,000 in 2005
(HRR=0.4, 95%CI=0.2-0.9, p<0.05) among infants. During 2007-2013: 401 cases were
reported, 242 were typed, 12.4% were by serotype b; 861 hospital admissions were
recorded. Applying the percentage of typed b strains retrieved from the
surveillance to the number of hospitalizations for invasive H. influenzae
disease, an estimated 107 episodes could be attributable to serotype b. These
findings provided reassuring data on the impact of Hib vaccination on the burden
of hospitalization for invasive disease in Italian children.
PMID- 28988866
TI - Changing livestock vaccination policy alters the epidemiology of human anthrax,
Georgia, 2000-2013.
AB - Anthrax is a widely spread zoonotic disease found on nearly every continent. To
control the disease in humans and animals, annual livestock vaccination is
recommended. However, in 2007, the country of Georgia ended its policy of
compulsory annual livestock anthrax vaccination. Our objective was to assess how
the epidemiology of human anthrax has evolved from 2000-2013 in Georgia, in the
wake of this cessation. We used passive surveillance data on epidemiological
surveys of human anthrax case patients. Risk factors and rates of self-reported
sources of infection were compared, before and after the change in livestock
vaccination policy. We mapped ethnicity-adjusted incidence during the two periods
and assessed changes in the spatial pattern of risk. The overall risk of human
anthrax increased >5-fold, from 0.7 cases per 100,000 in 2000 to 3.7 cases per
100,000 by 2013. Ethnic disparities in risk became pronounced; from 2000 to 2013,
incidence increased >60-fold in Azerbaijanis from 0.35 to 21.1 cases/100,000
Azerbaijanis compared to 0.61 to 1.9 cases/100,000 among ethnic Georgians. Food
borne exposures from purchasing meat increased from 11% in 2000-2006 to 21% in
2007-2013. Spatial analyses revealed a shift from a random pattern of reporting
pre-policy change to clustering among district municipalities following the
change in policy. Our findings indicate there were unintended human health
consequences associated with changing livestock vaccination policy. Following a
reduction in the immunizations administered, there was a major shift in the
epidemiology of human anthrax in Georgia. Current infection risk is now highest
among ethnic minorities. Increased reporting among individuals
uncharacteristically at risk for anthrax from foodborne exposures suggests
spillover from modes of agricultural production. Given the importance of human
livestock health linkages, careful evaluations of policy need to be undertaken
before changes to animal vaccination are made.
PMID- 28988867
TI - Hepatitis B vaccine and the need for a booster dose after primary vaccination.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Protective antibodies levels, induced by Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
vaccine, persist for long-term after primary immunization, but there is evidence
that, as the time since vaccination increases, there is a reduced ability to
maintain immune memory. The study aim was to determine the prevalence and the
duration of persistence of an anti-HBs titer with >=10mIU/mL and eventual
predictors of reduced seroprotection. METHODS: The study was conducted among
students attending medical and healthcare professions schools from January 2014
to June 2016. Data were collected through the review of medical records completed
during the medical surveillance visit. All subjects had received HBV vaccine
according to the Italian Ministry of Health indications. RESULTS: The results are
reported for 722 subjects. Positive anti-HBs titer was found in 72.6% (95% CI=69
76). The mean age of the subjects was 25.5years. Subjects vaccinated during
adolescence and students that had received an adult vaccine dose were
significantly more likely to be seroprotected. The longer the time interval since
vaccination the lower the probability of being seroprotected; however if the role
of time since vaccination was considered after stratification by vaccine dose, a
statistically significant association with a lower percentage of seroprotected
remains only in the subgroup of subjects who received the pediatric dose. The
findings of the multivariate regression analysis partially confirmed those of the
univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our findings show that over 25%
of HBV vaccine recipients had an antiHBs titer <10mIU/ml after 18years of more
from the primary vaccination. Furthermore, in the case a booster dose would be
needed, our results suggest that the vaccination strategy should prefer
administration of a vaccine adult dose during early adolescence, since it might
offer longer-term protection through adulthood.
PMID- 28988868
TI - Characterization of the DNA mismatch repair proteins MutS and MutL in a
hypermutator Acinetobacter baumannii.
AB - Mutations of mutS and mutL genes have been linked with the emergence of
hypermutator (HPM) phenotype in several bacteria. Nevertheless, there is scarce
evidence that these mutations occurred in HPM Acinetobacter baumannii, therefore,
it remains unknown whether the mutations located in domains mediating the
functions of MutS and MutL. To address this information gap, the nucleotide
sequences of mutS and mutL were characterized and their mutations were
identified. Additionally, we proposed in silico models of mutated proteins and
analyzed the secondary and tertiary structures, and the interaction interfaces of
MutL and MutS. The HPM A. baumannii and a wild-type strain were subjected to PCR
amplification of full length mutS and mutL, cloning, and sequencing. Following
several reads of both strands of each gene and sequence assembly, the mutations
were identified. Thereafter, the three-dimensional (3-D) structure of A.
baumannii ATCC 19606 was developed and utilized as a template for homology
modeling of the mutated amino acid sequences using the Phyre2 and I-TASSER, VMD
1.9.3, LigPlus v.1.4.5, PyMOL v.0.99 software. Regardless of silent mutations (n
= 43), 11 missense mutations were identified in the MutS domains of HPM strain
such as A4T, T272S, D278N in N-terminus, connector, and core domains,
respectively. Three mutations -I357T, A408S, N447S- and 16 silent mutations were
observed in MutL. Secondary structure prediction of MutS revealed that the amount
of alpha helices, beta sheets, and coils in HPM were 35, 29, and 63,
respectively, while these values were 36, 28, and 63 for A. baumannii ATCC 19606
as non mutator. In the case of MutL, for both HPM and non-mutator, 20, 21, and 39
of complete protein were alpha helices, beta sheets, and coils, respectively.
Superimposition of structures of MutS of HPM on non-mutator revealed that T272,
D278, G457, S528, A533, Y715, and E747 are closely matched with S272, D278, A457,
P528, V533, C715, and K747, respectively in non-mutator strain. When the
structure of MutL model in HPM was superimposed on its counterpart in non
mutator, all but residues S447, S408, and T357 were identical. Many mutations
along the mutS and mutL were noted, but most of the mutations were observed in
the interaction interfaces of MutS and MutL. Other substitutions were
predominantly detected in C-terminus of MutS that may lead to reduced ATP binding
and hydrolysis. Three substitution mutations were adjacent to C-terminus of MutL
and are raising the suggestion of reduction in MutL dimerization. It seems that a
combination of these mutations is implicated in increased mutation frequency and
accordingly emergence of HPM strain.
PMID- 28988869
TI - Multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis in Salmonella isolates as
an effective molecular subtyping method.
AB - Due to the limitations of serotyping, to differentiate closely related microbial
isolates and to investigate disease outbreaks, molecular genotyping methods
including multiple loci variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) analysis (MLVA)
has been developed. The usefulness of MLVA was recently demonstrated for
Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from human sources in
Iran. In the present study. The discriminatory ability of this method was
investigated in 78 Iranian Salmonella enterica isolates. Salmonella strains
isolated from human urine, stool, bone marrow, blood, ascites and synovial fluid
sources in Iran during the years 2012 and 2015 were analyzed. Among these 78
Salmonella isolates, 70 isolates belonging to eight serotypes/serogroups, while
eight were nontypeable. Six VNTR loci were amplified from all isolates. The
isolates were distributed into 67 genotypes. Two out of the 6 markers (Sal20 and
Sal16) were highly discriminatory for all strains (DI > 0.80) while composition
of all VNTR loci produced 67 different types with 0.995 D value. The high
discrimination power of MLVA in Salmonella molecular typing via combination of
VNTR loci studied here, suggesting that this method is highly valuable for
molecular epidemiology of Salmonella strains.
PMID- 28988870
TI - Pulmonary exposure to metal fume particulate matter cause sleep disturbances in
shipyard welders.
AB - Sleep disorders may pose a risk to workers in the workplace. We aimed to
investigate the associations between metal fume fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
and sleep quality in workers. We assessed the effects of personal exposure to
metal fume PM2.5 on lung functions, urinary biomarkers, and sleep quality in
shipyard welding workers. In total, 96 welding workers and 54 office workers were
recruited in the present study; office workers were exposed to 82.1 +/- 94.1
MUg/m3 PM2.5 and welding workers were exposed to 2166.5 +/- 3149.1 MUg/m3.
Welding workers had significantly lower levels of FEV25-75 than office workers (p
< 0.05). An increase in 1 MUg/m3 PM2.5 was associated with a decrease of 0.003
ng/mL in urinary serotonin (95% CI = -0.007-0.000, p < 0.05) in all workers and
with a decrease of 0.001 ng/mL in serotonin (95% CI = -0.004-0.002, p < 0.05) in
welding workers, but these were not observed in office workers. There was no
significant association of PM2.5 with urinary cortisol observed in any workers.
Urinary serotonin was associated with urinary Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, and Pb. Urinary
cortisol was associated with Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, and Pb. Sixteen subjects were
randomly selected from each of the office and welding workers for personal
monitoring of sleep quality using a wearable device. We observed that welding
workers had greater awake times than did office workers (p < 0.05). Our study
observed that exposure to heavy metals in metal fume PM2.5 may disrupt sleep
quality in welding workers.
PMID- 28988871
TI - Adsorption and desorption of phthalic acid esters on graphene oxide and reduced
graphene oxide as affected by humic acid.
AB - The implications of humic acid (HA) regarding surface properties of graphene
materials and their interactions with phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are not vivid.
We report the role of HA on graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO)
for sorption-desorption behavior of PAEs. Besides higher surface area and pore
volume, the hydrophobic pi-conjugated carbon atoms on RGO ensured prominent
adsorption capacity towards PAEs in comparison to hydrophilic GO, highlighting
the hydrophobic effect. After adjusting for the hydrophobic effect by calculating
the hexadecane-water partition coefficient (KHW) normalized adsorption
coefficient (Kd/KHW), the dimethyl phthalate (DMP) molecule portrayed a higher
adsorption affinity towards RGO by pi-pi electron donor-acceptor (EDA)
interaction for active sites on graphene interface via sieving effect. In
contrast to RGO, the weak pi-pi EDA interactions and H-bonding was observed
between the carbonyl groups of PAEs and oxygen containing functional groups on
GO. There was no obvious change in morphologies of GO and RGO before and
desorption as revealed by SEM and TEM images, as desorption hysteresis did not
occur in all conditions. The presence of HA also resulted in shielding effect
thereby decreasing the adsorption rate and capacity of diethyl phthalate (DEP) on
GO and RGO, while it had little effect on DMP, probably due to the adsorbed HA as
new active sites. The desorption of DMP and DEP on RGO in presence of HA was
quick and enhanced. These results should be important for evaluating the fate and
health risk of graphene materials and PAEs in the environment.
PMID- 28988872
TI - Photocatalysis of bisphenol A by an easy-settling titania/titanate composite:
Effects of water chemistry factors, degradation pathway and theoretical
calculation.
AB - Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely concerned endocrine disrupting chemical and hard to
be removed through conventional wastewater treatment processes. In this study, we
developed a TiO2 decorated titanate nanotubes composite (TiO2/TNTs) and used for
photocatalytic degradation of BPA. TEM and XRD analysis show that the TiO2/TNTs
is a nano-composite of anatase and titanate, with anatase acting as the primary
photocatalytic site and titanate as the skeleton. TiO2/TNTs exhibited excellent
photocatalytic reactivity and its easy-settling property leaded to good
reusability. After 5 reuse cycles, TiO2/TNTs also could photo-degrade 91.2% of
BPA with a high rate constant (k1) of 0.039 min-1, which was much better than
TiO2 and TNTs. Higher pH facilitated photocatalysis due to more reactive oxygen
species produced and less material aggregation. The presence of NaCl and CaCl2
showed negligible effects on BPA degradation, but NaHCO3 caused an inhibition
effect resulting from consumption of .OH. Humic acid inhibited degradation mainly
due to blockage of the active sites of TiO2/TNTs. Degradation pathway was well
interpreted through theoretical calculation. Hydroxyl radical played the dominate
role in BPA photodegradation, and the atoms of BPA with high Fukui index based on
density-functional theory (DFT) calculation are the radical easy-attacking (f0)
sites. Considering the good photocatalytic reactivity, reusability, stability and
settle property, TiO2/TNTs promises to be an efficient alternative for removal of
organic compounds from wastewaters.
PMID- 28988873
TI - Ceramides - Lipotoxic Inducers of Metabolic Disorders: (Trends in Endocrinology
and Metabolism 26, 538-550; 2015).
PMID- 28988874
TI - Regulation of Mammalian 13-Subunit Cytochrome c Oxidase and Binding of other
Proteins: Role of NDUFA4.
AB - Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is the final oxygen accepting enzyme complex (complex
IV) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. In contrast to the other complexes
(I, II, and III), CcO is highly regulated via isoforms for six of its ten nuclear
coded subunits, which are differentially expressed in species, tissues,
developmental stages, and cellular oxygen concentrations. Recent publications
have claimed that NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 alpha subcomplex 4 (NDUFA4),
originally identified as subunit of complex I, represents a 14th subunit of CcO.
Results on CcO composition in tissues from adult animals and the review of data
from recent literature strongly suggest that NDUFA4 is not a 14th subunit of CcO
but may represent an assembly factor for CcO or supercomplexes (respirasomes) in
mitochondria of growing cells and cancer tissues.
PMID- 28988875
TI - Reply to Nic Lughadha et al.
PMID- 28988876
TI - Pilot Study of Screening Patients for Hepatitis C Virus Infection During
Outpatient Endoscopy.
PMID- 28988877
TI - Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of shoulder laxity tests: Comparison of
the drawer, modified drawer and load and shift tests.
AB - BACKGROUND: Conventional tests of shoulder laxity have been shown to have poor
reliability due to the difficulty in palpating the subtle movements of the
shoulder joint beneath the musculature. Modified drawer test that is performed
while the soft tissues surrounding the shoulder are loosened has been proposed to
facilitate glenohumeral joint movement and improve reliability. We hypothesised
that the modified drawer test would have an improved intra- and inter-observer
reproducibility in comparison to the drawer and load and shift tests. Correlation
of shoulder laxity measured by these tests with generalized joint laxity was also
assessed. METHODS: Forty healthy volunteers underwent bilateral shoulder
examination in the clinic using the three tests for anterior and posterior laxity
assessment by a consultant shoulder surgeon and a resident. The examination was
repeated three months later by the same examiners in the same cohort. Intra- and
inter- observer reproducibility was calculated using Kappa values. The
correlation of shoulder with generalized joint laxity was also investigated.
RESULTS: The modified drawer test showed significantly improved intra-observer
reproducibility compared to the drawer test, but not to the load and shift (kappa
= 0.173, -0.042, and 0.009, respectively). There were no significant differences
in the inter-observer reproducibility between the three tests (kappa = 0.054,
0.055, and 0.056, respectively). Moderate correlation was noted between shoulder
and generalized joint laxity when modified drawer test was used (r = 0.417).
CONCLUSIONS: The modified drawer test improves intra- but not inter- observer
reproducibility compared to the drawer test. Shoulder laxity assessed by the
modified test correlated to generalized joint laxity. The modified drawer test
has an improved reproducibility and correlation to generalized joint laxity over
the conventional tests.
PMID- 28988880
TI - Gender proteomics II. Which proteins in sexual organs.
AB - : In continuity with the review dealing with differences by gender in non-sexual
organs [1], this review collects data on the proteomes of the sexual organs as
involved in human reproduction, under both physiological and pathological
conditions. It also collects data on the tissue structures and biological fluids
typical of pregnancy, such as placenta and amniotic fluid, as well as what may be
tested on preimplantation embryos during medically assisted reproduction. The
review includes as well mention to all fluids and secretions connected with sex
organs and/or reproduction, including sperm and milk, to exemplify two
distinctive items in male and female physiology. SIGNIFICANCE: The causes of
infertility are only incompletely understood; the same holds for the causes, and
even the early markers, of the most frequent complications of pregnancy. To these
established medical challenges, present day practice adds new issues connected
with medically assisted reproduction. Omics approaches, including proteomics, are
building the database for basic knowledge to possibly translate into clinical
testing and eventually into medical routine in this critical branch of health
care.
PMID- 28988878
TI - Age variation in the minimum clinically important difference in SRS-22r after
surgical treatment for adult spinal deformity - A single institution analysis in
Japan.
AB - BACKGROUND: The Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) has been shown to be
reliable, valid and responsive to change in patients with adult spinal deformity
(ASD) undergoing surgery. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID)
quantifies a threshold value of improvement that is clinically relevant to the
patient. Health-related quality of life scores depend on age. The purpose of this
study was to assess MCID threshold values stratified by age for SRS-22r domains
in patients with ASD undergoing surgical correction. METHODS: We identified a
consecutive series of 184 Japanese ASD patients who completed the SRS-22r and
Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ)
preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Effectiveness as measured on the
JOABPEQ was used as the anchor to determine MCID for the Function, Pain, and
Mental health domains using receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve
analysis. We performed MCID analysis stratified by age (<70 or >=70). RESULTS:
Mean preoperative SRS-22r Function score was 2.69 improving to 3.23 at
postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean preoperative SRS-22r Pain score was 3.04
improving to 3.78 at postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean preoperative SRS-22r
Mental health score was 2.72 improving to 3.25 at postoperatively (p < 0.001).
There was a statistically difference in change in domain score between "not
effective" and "effective" (p < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis methods yielded
MCID values of 0.58 for Function, 0.55 for Pain, and 0.70 for Mental health
domains. There was difference of MCID value for Function and Mental health domain
between aged <70 and >=70; 0.78 and 0.55 for Function; 0.70 and 0.48 for Mental
health. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that MCID threshold values for
SRS-22 Function and Mental health domains in older than 70 was lower than in
younger than 70, potentially implying that older patients have lower expectation.
PMID- 28988879
TI - Roadmap for Tuberculosis Elimination in Latin America and the Caribbean.
PMID- 28988881
TI - Comprehensive proteomic profiles of mouse AApoAII amyloid fibrils provide
insights into the involvement of lipoproteins in the pathology of amyloidosis.
AB - : Amyloidosis is a disorder characterized by extracellular fibrillar deposits of
misfolded proteins. The amyloid deposits commonly contain several non-fibrillar
proteins as amyloid-associated proteins, but their roles in amyloidosis pathology
are still unknown. In mouse senile amyloidosis, apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II)
forms extracellular amyloid fibril (AApoAII) deposits with other proteins
(AApoAII-associated proteins) in many organs. We previously reported that R1.P1
Apoa2c mice provide a reproducible model of AApoAII amyloidosis. In order to
investigate the sequential alterations of AApoAII-associated protein, we
performed a proteomic analysis of amyloid fibrils extracted from mouse liver
tissues that contained different levels of AApoAII deposition. We identified 6
AApoAII-associated proteins that constituted 20 of the top-ranked proteins in
mice with severe AApoAII deposition. Although the amount of AApoAII-associated
proteins increased with the progression of amyloidosis, the relative abundance of
AApoAII-associated proteins changed little throughout the progression of
amyloidosis. On the other hand, plasma levels of these proteins showed dramatic
changes during the progression of amyloidosis. In addition, we confirmed that
AApoAII-associated proteins were significantly associated with lipid metabolism
based on functional enrichment analysis, and lipids were co-deposited with
AApoAII fibrils from early stages of development of amyloidosis. Thus, these
results demonstrate that lipoproteins are involved in AApoAII amyloidosis
pathology. SIGNIFICANCE: This study presented proteomic profiles of AApoAII
amyloidosis during disease progression and it revealed co-deposition of lipids
with AApoAII deposits based on functional analyses. The relative abundance of
AApoAII-associated proteins in the amyloid fibril fractions did not change over
the course of development of AApoAII amyloidosis pathology. However, their
concentrations in plasma changed dramatically with progression of the disease.
Interestingly, several AApoAII-associated proteins have been found as
constituents of lipid-rich lesions of other degenerative diseases, such as
atherosclerosis and age-related macular degeneration. The common protein
components among these diseases with lipid-rich deposits could be accounted for
by a lipoprotein retention model.
PMID- 28988882
TI - Gender proteomics I. Which proteins in non-sexual organs.
AB - : Differences related to gender have long been neglected but recent
investigations show that they are widespread and may be recognized with all types
of omics approaches, both in tissues and in biological fluids. Our review
compiles evidence collected with proteomics techniques in our species, mainly
focusing on baseline parameters in non-sexual organs in healthy men and women.
Data from human specimens had to be replaced with information from other mammals
every time invasive procedures of sample procurement were involved. SIGNIFICANCE:
As our knowledge, and the methods to build it, get refined, gender differences
need to receive more and more attention, as they influence the outcome of all
aspects in lifestyle, including diet, exercise and environmental factors. In turn
this background modulates a differential susceptibility to some disease, or a
different pathogenetic mechanism, depending on gender, and a different response
to pharmacological therapy. Preparing this review we meant to raise awareness
about the gender issue. We anticipate that more and more often, in the future,
separate evaluations will be carried out on male and female subjects as an
alternative - and an upgrade - to the current approach of reference and test
groups being 'matched for age and sex'.
PMID- 28988883
TI - T1-weighted parenchyma attenuated inversion recovery: A novel sequence that
improves contrast ratio of enhancing brain lesions.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a parenchyma
attenuated T1-weighted inversion recovery MR sequence (PAIR) that increases the
contrast between enhancing and non-enhancing tissues in the brain and to compare
the contrast ratio of enhancing brain tumors on this sequence compared to spin
echo magnetization transfer (SEMT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: PAIR sequence
parameters were developed to reduce signal from gray matter (GM), white matter
(WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a healthy adult volunteer. Forty-one
patients (17 men and 24 women) with a mean age of 55+/-13 (SD) years (range: 21
78years) with known or suspected brain tumors underwent PAIR and SEMT imaging
after intravenous administration of gadobenate dimeglumine. In patients with
confirmed tumors, PAIR and SEMT images were compared for contrast ratio of tumor
to-WM, tumor-to-GM, and tumor-to-CSF. RESULTS: A total of 23 enhancing neoplastic
lesions were found in 14/41 patients. All tumors were visualized on both contrast
enhanced PAIR and SEMT images. PAIR images showed a 2.5 fold increase in maximum
tumor-to-GM contrast ratio (P<0.0001), a 1.4 fold increase in maximum tumor-to-WM
contrast ratio (P=0.0007) and a 5-fold increase in maximum tumor-to-CSF contrast
ratio (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: PAIR provides improved lesion-to-background
contrast ratio compared to SEMT and may be useful as an added sequence in tumor
evaluation.
PMID- 28988884
TI - Cerebral Hyperperfusion Syndrome, an Unusual but Disastrous Complication of
Carotid Recanalization: A Case Report.
AB - Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS), known as the dark side of carotid
recanalization, happens in about 0%-3% of patients. Unfortunately, physicians
involving in carotid recanalization generally are not aware of diagnostic and
therapeutic aspects of this unusual but potentially life-threatening disorder.
Severe bilateral carotid stenosis is suggested to predispose patients to CHS by
decrement of cerebrovascular reactivity in a setting of chronic hypoperfusion
state. We here introduced such a case; a 69-year-old man, a known case of
hypertension and ischemic heart disease, who developed progressive intracranial
hypertension underlying CHS after carotid stenting because of symptomatic severe
bilateral carotid stenosis.
PMID- 28988887
TI - IgE induces hypotension in asthma mice by down-regulating vascular NCX1
expression through activating MiR-212-5p.
AB - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) has been suggested as a risk factor for allergy-induced
low blood pressure, which has not been well explained in molecular details. Our
current study shows a novel mechanism involving IgE, FcER1, miRNA-212-5p (miR-212
5p), and sodium/calcium exchanger protein 1(NCX1) for asthma to induce
hypotension. In arterial smooth muscle cells, IgE up-regulated miR212-5p via its
receptor FcER1, which resulted in down-regulation of NCX1 that is a regulating
factor for blood pressure. In mice, asthma induced hypotension by interfering
vasoconstrictive function; knockout of FcER1 kept the asthmatic mice from
developing hypotension; knock-down of miR-212-5p in asthmatic mice resulted in a
significant restoration of blood pressure. In human, asthma and IgE were
positively correlated with hypotension in cohort study on NIH epidemiological
data. This study suggests a novel therapeutic target (miR-212-5p) for treatment
of asthma-induced hypotension.
PMID- 28988888
TI - Small bowel tumors: A digestive endoscopy society of Taiwan (DEST) multicenter
enteroscopy-based epidemiologic study.
AB - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Small bowel (SB) accounts for the majority of
gastrointestinal tract but its tumors are rare and always overlooked. In this
study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of SB tumors. METHODS: This
multicenter retrospective study utilized endoscopy database from 2006/11 to
2016/07. Baseline demographic characteristics, clinical, radiologic and
endoscopic findings were collected. RESULTS: Totally 103 (34 benign, 69 malignant
lesions) patients with SB tumors in 1070 enteroscopic examinations were enrolled.
There were male preponderance (56.3% males, 43.7% females), both in benign
(52.9%, 49.1%) and malignant (58.0%, 42.0%) lesions, except for subtype
gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) (31.6%, 68.4%). The age (mean +/- SD) at
diagnosis in malignant SB tumors (62.2 +/- 15.6) was older than those with benign
tumors (50.7 +/- 21.4) (p < 0.01). Bleeding (43.7%), abdominal pain (40.8%) and
ileus (10.7%) were the most common clinical presentations. Hamartoma (32.4%) and
adenoma (14.7%) were the most common benign histology. Four major malignant
histological subtypes were lymphomas (29.0%), GISTs (27.5%), adenocarcinomas
(26.1%) and metastatic cancers (14.5%). SB adenocarcinoma patients (>60-year-old,
77.8%) were older than lymphomas (60%) and GISTs (50%). Proximally location rates
of lymphomas, GISTs, adenocarcinomas were 25.0% (5/20), 84.2% (16/19), and 88.9%
(16/18), respectively. CONCLUSION: This endoscopy-based study revealed the most
common histology of benign SB tumors were hamartoma and adenoma, and malignant
ones were lymphomas, GISTs, adenocarcinomas and metastatic cancers. Most of them
were male gender, except for GISTs, and with proximal location, except for
lymphomas. Further large-scale investigation efforts are warranted to elucidate
the epidemiology of SB tumors.
PMID- 28988889
TI - Severe aortic arch calcification predicts mortality in patients undergoing
peritoneal dialysis: Methodological issues.
PMID- 28988886
TI - The ceramide activated protein phosphatase Sit4 impairs sphingolipid dynamics,
mitochondrial function and lifespan in a yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1.
AB - The Niemann-Pick type C is a rare neurodegenerative disease that results from
loss-of-function point mutations in NPC1 or NPC2, which affect the homeostasis of
sphingolipids and sterols in human cells. We have previously shown that yeast
lacking Ncr1, the orthologue of human NPC1 protein, display a premature ageing
phenotype and higher sensitivity to oxidative stress associated with
mitochondrial dysfunctions and accumulation of long chain bases. In this study, a
lipidomic analysis revealed specific changes in the levels of ceramide species in
ncr1Delta cells, including decreases in dihydroceramides and increases in
phytoceramides. Moreover, the activation of Sit4, a ceramide-activated protein
phosphatase, increased in ncr1Delta cells. Deletion of SIT4 or CDC55, its
regulatory subunit, increased the chronological lifespan and hydrogen peroxide
resistance of ncr1Delta cells and suppressed its mitochondrial defects. Notably,
Sch9 and Pkh1-mediated phosphorylation of Sch9 decreased significantly in
ncr1Deltasit4Delta cells. These results suggest that phytoceramide accumulation
and Sit4-dependent signaling mediate the mitochondrial dysfunction and shortened
lifespan in the yeast model of Niemann-Pick type C1, in part through modulation
of the Pkh1-Sch9 pathway.
PMID- 28988890
TI - Current status and future challenge of population-based organized colorectal
cancer screening: Lesson from the first decade of Taiwanese program.
AB - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer in Taiwan, and is the third
leading cause of cancer-related death. Screening has been proven the most
effective way to reduce CRC mortality, and stool-based screening is currently the
most popular method of screening worldwide. In 2004, Taiwanese government
launched a nationwide screening program and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is
offered biennially to individuals aged 50 to 75. The results from the program
have demonstrated that FIT screening could effectively reduce the mortality from
CRC. Nevertheless, there were some problems needed to deal with. First, the
occurrence of interval cancers, which are associated with the performance of
screening tests or quality of colonoscopy, has affected the program sensitivity.
Second, increasing participation in the program has increased the demand for
colonoscopy and the burden on public health workers. Third, some individuals are
non-compliant with FIT screening, and with the recommendation for colonoscopy
after a positive FIT, which may be the result of insufficient awareness toward
CRC and screening of the public. Fourth, long-lasting financial support for this
program is necessary for its success. All of these problems need to be solved via
collaboration between the screening organizer, screening distributor, and
professional societies.
PMID- 28988891
TI - Cancer Deaths due to Lack of Universal Access to Radiotherapy in the Brazilian
Public Health System.
AB - AIMS: Radiotherapy plays a fundamental role in the treatment of cancer.
Currently, the Brazilian public health system cannot match the national
radiotherapy demand and many patients requiring radiotherapy are never exposed to
this treatment. This study estimated the number of preventable deaths in the
public health system if access to radiotherapy was universal. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: Incidence rates for the year 2016 provided by Instituto Nacional de
Cancer were used in this analysis. The number of untreated patients requiring
radiotherapy was obtained through the difference between the total number of
patients requiring radiotherapy and the total amount of delivered radiotherapy
treatments in the public health system. The number of deaths for the three most
common cancers in each gender due to radiotherapy shortage was calculated.
Initially, the total number of patients per cancer type was divided in stages
using Brazilian epidemiological data. Subsequently, previously published tree arm
diagrams were used to define the rate of patients requiring radiotherapy in each
specific clinical setting. Finally, the clinical benefit of radiotherapy in
overall survival was extracted from studies with level 1 evidence. RESULTS: Over
596 000 cancer cases were expected in Brazil in 2016. The public health system
covers more than 75% of the Brazilian population and an estimated 111 432
patients who required radiotherapy in 2016 did not receive this treatment.
Breast, colorectal and cervix cancers are the most frequent malignant tumours in
women and prostate, lung and colorectal in men. The number of deaths due to a
radiotherapy shortage in the year 2016 for these types of cancer were: (i)
breast: 1011 deaths in 10 years; (ii) cervix: 2006 deaths in 2 years; (iii) lung:
1206 deaths in 2 years; (iv) prostate, intermediate risk: 562 deaths in 13 years;
high risk: 298 deaths in 10 years; (v) colorectal: 0 deaths, as radiotherapy has
no proven benefit in overall survival. CONCLUSION: Thousands of cancer patients
requiring radiotherapy do not have access to this treatment in the Brazilian
public health system. The shortage of radiotherapy has a significant detrimental
effect on cancer survival; over 5000 deaths would probably be prevented in the
most common cancer types if radiotherapy access was universal.
PMID- 28988892
TI - The IL-1beta signalling pathway and its role in regulating pro-inflammatory and
pro-labour mediators in human primary myometrial cells.
AB - Interleukin (IL)-1beta plays a central role in the processes of human labour and
delivery. The adaptor proteins involved in the IL-1beta signalling pathway in
human myometrium are not known. This study sought to determine the role of the
adaptor proteins myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), tumour
necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), IL-1 receptor-associated
kinase 4 (IRAK4) and transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) in
IL-1beta-induced formation of pro-inflammatory and pro-labour mediators in human
myometrium. Human primary myometrial cells were transfected with siRNA against
MyD88 (siMYD88), TRAF6 (siTRAF6), IRAK4 (siIRAK4) or TAK1 (siTAK1), treated with
IL-1beta, and assayed for the mRNA expression and or secretion of pro
inflammatory and pro-labour mediators. Transfection of primary myometrial cells
with siMYD88, siTRAF6, siIRAK4 and siTAK1 significantly decreased IL-1beta
induced IL-1alpha, IL-6, growth-regulated alpha protein (GRO-alpha), IL-8,
monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)
1 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA expression and release of IL-6, GRO-alpha, IL
8, MCP-1, ICAM-1 and prostaglandin PGF2alpha. The expression and secretion of the
extracellular matrix remodelling enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 was
significantly lower with siMYD88 and siTRAF6. Finally, IL-1beta-induced nuclear
factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcriptional activity was significantly attenuated
by transfection with siMyD88, siTRAF6 and siIRAK4; there was no effect of siTAK1
transfection on NF-kappaB transcriptional activity. Collectively, these findings
suggest that MyD88, TRAF6, IRAK4 and TAK1 are involved in IL-1beta signalling in
human myometrium. Further studies are required to determine if inhibition of
these proteins can prevent preterm birth.
PMID- 28988893
TI - Radiation therapy of synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma (SBBC) using multiple
techniques.
AB - The purpose of this study was to establish intensity-modulated radiation therapy
(IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans for
synchronous bilateral breast cancer (SBBC) and to compare those plans with the
previous treatment plans using 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT). The
differences among the treatments were also statistically compared regarding
dosimetry distribution and treatment efficiency. The research was conducted with
10 SBBC patients. The study established IMRT (12 fields with a single isocenter)
and VMAT (2 partial arcs with a single isocenter) treatment plans for SBBC
patients and then compared those plans with 3DCRT (8 fields with multiple
isocenters). The plans were evaluated based on a dose-volume histogram analysis.
For planning target volumes (PTVs), the mean doses and the values of V95%, V105%,
conformity index, and homogeneity index were reported. For the organs at risk,
the analysis included the mean dose, maximum dose, and VXGy, depending on the
organs (lungs, heart, and liver). To objectively evaluate the efficiency of the
treatment plans, each plan's beam times, treatment times (including set-up time),
and monitor units were compared. Tukey test and one-way analysis of variance were
used to compare the PTV and organs at risk values of the 3 techniques.
Additionally, the independent-samples t-test was used to compare the 2 techniques
(IMRT and VMAT) based on the values of Rt. PTV and Lt. PTV (p < 0.05). For PTV
dose distribution, IMRT showed increases of approximately 1.2% in Dmean and of
approximately 5.7% in V95% dose distribution compared with 3DCRT. In comparison
to VMAT, 3DCRT showed about 3.0% higher dose distribution in Dmean and V95%. IMRT
was the best in terms of conformity index and homogeneity index (p < 0.05),
whereas 3DCRT and VMAT did not significantly differ from each other. In terms of
dose distribution on lungs, heart, and liver, the percentage of volume at high
doses such as V30Gy and V40Gy was approximately 70% lower for IMRT and
approximately 40% lower for VMAT than for 3DCRT. For distribution volumes of low
doses such as V5% and V10%, that for 3DCRT was approximately 60% smaller than for
IMRT and approximately 70% smaller than for VMAT. Comparison between IMRT and
VMAT showed that the IMRT was superior in all distribution factors. VMAT showed
better treatment efficiency than 3DCRT or IMRT. Among the SBBC radiotherapy
treatment plans, IMRT was superior to 3DCRT and VMAT in terms of PTV dose
distribution, whereas VMAT showed the most outstanding treatment efficiency.
PMID- 28988894
TI - A novel method to construct an air quality index based on air pollution profiles.
AB - BACKGROUND: Air quality indices based on the maximum of sub-indices of pollutants
are easy to produce and help quantify the degree of air pollution. However, they
discount the additive effects of multiple pollutants and are only sensitive to
changes in highest sub-index. OBJECTIVES: We propose a simple and concise method
to construct an air quality index that takes into account additive effects of
multiple pollutants and evaluate the extent to which this index predicts health
effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained concentrations of four criteria
pollutants: particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <= 10MUm (PM10), sulphur
dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) and daily admissions to Hong
Kong hospitals for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases for all ages and those
65 years or older for years 2001-2012. We derived sub-indices of the four
criteria pollutants, calculated by normalizing pollutant concentrations to their
respective short-term WHO Air Quality Guidelines (WHO AQG). We aggregated the sub
indices using the root-mean-power function with an optimal power to form an
overall air quality index. The optimal power was determined by minimizing the sum
of over- and under-estimated days. We then assessed associations between the
pollution bands of the index and cardiovascular and respiratory admissions using
a time-stratified case-crossover design adjusted for ambient temperature,
relative humidity and influenza epidemics. Further, we conducted case-crossover
analyses using the Hong Kong air quality data with the respective standards and
classification of pollution bands of the China Air Quality Index (AQI), the
United Kingdom Daily AQI (DAQI), and the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) AQI. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of PM10 and SO2 based on
maximum 3-h mean exceeded the WHO AQG by 37% and 50%, respectively. We identified
the combined condition of observed high-pollution days as either at least one
pollutant > 1.5*WHO AQG or at least two pollutants > 1.0*WHO AQG to characterize
the typical pollution profiles over the study period, which resulted in the
optimal power=3.0. The distribution of days in different pollution bands of the
index was: 5.8% for "Low" (0-50), 37.6% for "Moderate" (51-100), 31.1% for "High"
(101-150), 14.7% for "Very High" (151-200), and 10.8% for "Serious" (201+). For
cardiovascular and respiratory admissions, there were significant associations
with the pollution bands of the index for all ages and those 65 years or older.
The trends of increasing pollution bands in relation to increasing excess risks
of cardiovascular and respiratory admissions were significant for the proposed
index, the China AQI, the UK DAQI and the USEPA AQI (P value for test for linear
trend < 0.0001), suggesting a dose-response relation. CONCLUSIONS: We have
developed a simple and concise method to construct an air quality index that
accounts for multiple pollutants to quantify air quality conditions for Hong
Kong. Further developments are needed in order to support the extension of the
method to other settings.
PMID- 28988895
TI - The dynamics of the emergency medical readmission - The underlying fundamentals.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hospital readmissions are a perennial problem. We reviewed
readmissions to one institution (2002-2015) and investigated their dynamics.
METHODS: 96,474 emergency admissions (in 50,701 patients) to an Irish hospital
over a 15-year period were studied, and patterns surrounding early (<28days) and
late (any other) readmissions determined. Univariate and logistic or truncated
Poisson regression methods were employed. RESULTS: Early readmission rate
averaged 9.6% (95% CI: 9.4, 9.8) with a low/high of 8.4% (95% CI: 7.8, 9.1) and
10.3% (95% CI: 9.6, 11.0) respectively with no overall time trend. Early
readmissions represented 20.1% (95% CI: 19.8, 20.5) of emergency medical
readmissions. Median time to first readmission was 55weeks (95% CI: 13, 159),
time to second was 35weeks (95% CI: 9, 98); by the 7th/8th readmissions,
intervals were 13weeks (95% CI: 4, 36) and 11weeks (95% CI: 4, 30). Readmissions
were older 67.1years (95% CI: 48.3, 79.2) vs. single admissions 53.9years (34.3,
72.4) and stayed longer - 5.8days (2.7, 10.6) vs. 3.9days (1.5, 8.0).
Readmissions had more Acute Illness Severity, Charlson Co-Morbidity and Chronic
Disabling Disease. Between 2002 and 2015 the logistic adjusted model of 30-day in
hospital mortality reduced from 6.1% (95% CI: 5.7, 6.5) to 4.4% (95% CI: 4.1,
4.7) (RRR 30.4%). CONCLUSION: Early hospital readmission rate did not change over
15years despite improvements in hospital mortality outcomes. Readmissions have a
consistent pattern related to patient illness and social characteristics; the
fundamentals are driven by disease progression over time.
PMID- 28988896
TI - First laboratory confirmation on the existence of Zika virus disease in India.
PMID- 28988897
TI - Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Cataract Surgery in Adult Extreme
Microphthalmos With Axial Length <18 mm or Corneal Diameter <8 mm.
AB - PURPOSE: To study the long-term visual outcomes, complications, and prognostic
factors for cataract surgery in extreme microphthalmos. DESIGN: Prospective
cohort study. METHODS: Thirty eyes with simple microphthalmos (11 eyes, axial
length [AL] <18 mm), complex microphthalmos (8 eyes, AL <18 mm), and relative
anterior microphthalmos (RAM; 11 eyes, corneal diameter [CD] <8 mm) who underwent
cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) in our hospital were followed for a mean
of 25.3 months with at least 3 visits at early (1 day to 1 week), mid (1-3
months), and late (>6 months) stages after surgery. The main outcome measures
included the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and
complications. RESULTS: Significant improvements of BCVA were observed at the mid
and late postoperative visits in the entire cohort when compared with
preoperative value (P < .05). When eyes were divided into 3 groups, a
statistically significant improvement in late-stage BCVA was observed in the
simple microphthalmos and RAM groups. The AL, preoperative anterior chamber depth
(ACD), and preoperative BCVA were significant prognostic factors for late-stage
BCVA after surgery. The most common complications were early corneal edema (73%),
glaucoma (33%), and posterior capsular opacification (23%). Preoperative ACD was
significantly associated with the incidence of glaucoma after surgery (P < .05).
Severe complications included suprachoroidal hemorrhage (3%), endothelial
dysfunction (7%), and retinal detachment (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery
provided visual improvement in extreme microphthalmos (simple microphthalmos and
RAM), with higher risks of complications than with routine cataract surgeries.
Extreme microphthalmos with preoperative characteristics of relatively longer AL,
deeper ACD, and better BCVA may benefit more from cataract surgery.
PMID- 28988898
TI - Elevated Aqueous Cytokine Levels in Eyes With Ocular Surface Diseases.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate cytokine and protein levels in the aqueous humor (AqH) of
eyes with ocular surface diseases. DESIGN: Prospective consecutive case series.
METHODS: This study includes 14 patients (aged 62.4 +/- 13.7 years) with chronic
phase ocular surface diseases (4 with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, 5 with
chemical burns, 2 with a thermal burn, 2 with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and 1
with exposure keratitis), 14 matched patients without ocular surface disease
(controls with corneal scar), and 30 patients who underwent cataract surgery
(healthy controls). AqH samples were collected at the beginning of surgery. AqH
levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10,
IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, monocyte chemotactic protein [MCP]-1, interferon [IFN]
alpha, IFN-gamma, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1alpha, MIP-1beta, P
selectin, E-selectin, soluble-intercellular adhesion molecule [s-ICAM]-1, tumor
necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM
CSF], IFN-gamma-induced protein [IP]-10) were measured using multiplex beads
immunoassays. RESULTS: The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, GM-CSF, E-selectin, P
selectin, and s-ICAM in AqH were significantly elevated in eyes with ocular
surface diseases (in pg/mL: 1696 +/- 804, 4.0 +/- 1.0, 24.3 +/- 9.8, 26.0 +/-
18.3, 5150 +/- 1232, 13122 +/- 7219, and 7914 +/- 2813, respectively), compared
to healthy controls (IL-6: 6.36 +/- 0.94, P = .001; IL-10: 1.68 +/- 0.04, P =
.0006; IL-17A: 3.7 +/- 0.2, P = .008; GM-CSF: 2.7 +/- 0.3, P = .007; E-selectin:
2093 +/- 37, P = .0001; P-selectin: 3658 +/- 137, P = .0001; sICAM-1: 1397 +/-
119, P = .008). The levels of IL-6, IL-17A, E-selectin, and P-selectin in AqH
were significantly higher in eyes with ocular surface diseases compared to those
with corneal scar (IL-6: 44.1 +/- 15.0, P = .0077; IL-17A: 4.1 +/- 0.7, P = .034;
E-selectin: 2439 +/- 302, P = .039; and P-selectin: 5673 +/- 1553, P = .017).
CONCLUSIONS: Multiple AqH cytokine levels were elevated in chronic ocular surface
diseases.
PMID- 28988899
TI - Diabetic Choroidopathy: Choroidal Vascular Density and Volume in Diabetic
Retinopathy With Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare choroidal vascular density (CVD) and volume (CVV) in diabetic
eyes and controls, using en face swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS
OCT). DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Setting: Multicenter.
PATIENT POPULATION: Total of 143 diabetic eyes-27 with no diabetic retinopathy
(DR), 47 with nonproliferative DR (NPDR), 51 with NPDR and diabetic macular edema
(DME), and 18 with proliferative DR (PDR)-and 64 age-matched nondiabetic control
eyes. OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: Complete ophthalmologic examination and SS-OCT
imaging. En face SS-OCT images of the choroidal vasculature were binarized. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: CVD, calculated as the percent area occupied by choroidal
vessels in the central macular region (6-mm-diameter circle centered on the
fovea), and throughout the posterior pole (12 * 9 mm). The central macular CVV
was calculated by multiplying the average CVD by macular area and choroidal
thickness (obtained with SS-OCT automated software). Multilevel mixed linear
models were performed for analyses. RESULTS: Compared to controls (0.31 +/-
0.07), central macular CVD was significantly decreased by 9% in eyes with NPDR +
DME (0.28 +/- 0.06; beta = -0.03, P = .02) and by 15% in PDR (0.26 +/- 0.05; beta
= -0.04, P = .01). The central macular CVV was significantly decreased by 19% in
eyes with PDR (0.020 +/- 0.005 mm3, beta = -0.01, P = .01) compared to controls
(0.025 +/- 0.01 mm3). CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal vascular density and volume are
significantly reduced in more advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy. New
imaging modalities should allow further exploration of the contributions of
choroidal vessel disease to diabetic eye disease pathogenesis, prognosis, and
treatment response.
PMID- 28988900
TI - Biofilm-forming capacity of blood-borne Candida albicans strains and effects of
antifungal agents.
AB - Infections related to Candida albicans biofilms and subsequent antifungal
resistance have become more common with the increased use of indwelling medical
devices. Regimens for preventing fungal biofilm formation are needed,
particularly in high-risk patients. In this study, we investigated the biofilm
formation rate of multiple strains of Candida albicans (n=162 clinical isolates),
their antifungal susceptibility patterns, and the efficacy of certain antifungals
for preventing biofilm formation. Biofilm formation was graded using a modified
Christensen's 96-well plate method. We further analyzed 30 randomly chosen
intense biofilm-forming isolates using the XTT method. Minimum biofilm inhibition
concentrations (MBIC) of caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin, fluconazole,
voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B were determined
using the modified Calgary biofilm method. In addition, the inhibitory effects of
antifungal agents on biofilm formation were investigated. Our study showed weak,
moderate, and extensive biofilm formation in 29% (n=47), 38% (n=61), and 23%
(n=37) of the isolates, respectively. We found that echinocandins had the lowest
MBIC values and that itraconazole inhibited biofilm formation in more isolates
(26/32; 81.3%) than other tested agents. In conclusion, echinocandins were most
effective against formed biofilms, while itraconazole was most effective for
preventing biofilm formation. Standardized methods are needed for biofilm
antifungal sensitivity tests when determining the treatment and prophylaxis of C.
albicans infections.
PMID- 28988901
TI - Detection of toxigenic Clostridioides [Clostridium] difficile: Usefulness of two
commercially available enzyme immunoassays and a PCR assay on stool samples and
stool isolates.
AB - The best laboratory diagnostic approach to detect Clostridioides [Clostridium]
difficile infection (CDI) is a subject of ongoing debate. With the aim of
evaluating four laboratory diagnostic methods, 250 unformed stools from patients
with suspected CDI submitted to nine medical center laboratories from November
2010 to December 2011, were studied using: (1) an immunochromatographic rapid
assay test that combines the qualitative determination of glutamate dehydrogenase
(GDH) plus toxins A and B (QAB), the CDIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE assay; (2) an
enzyme immunoassay for qualitative determination of toxins A and B, the
RIDASCREENTM C. difficile Toxin A/B assay (RAB); (3) a PCR for the toxin B gene
assay (PCR); and (4) the toxigenic culture (TC). C. difficile isolates from
direct toxin negative stools by QAB, RAB and PCR were evaluated for toxigenicity
by the same direct tests, in order to assess the contribution of the TC (QAB-TC,
RAB-TC, PCR-TC). A combination of the cell culture cytotoxicity neutralization
assay (CCCNA) in stools, and the same assay on isolates from direct negative
samples (CCCNA-TC) was considered the reference method (CCCNA/CCCNA-TC). Of the
250 stools tested, 107 (42.8%) were positive by CCCNA/CCCNA-TC. The GDH and
PCR/PCR-TC assays were the most sensitive, 91.59% and 87.62%, respectively. The
QAB, RAB, QAB/QAB-TC and RAB/RAB-TC had the highest specificities, ca. 95%. A
negative GDH result would rule out CDI, however, its low positive likelihood
ratio (PLR) of 3.97 indicates that a positive result should always be
complemented with the detection of toxins. If the RAB, QAB, and PCR assays do not
detect toxins from direct feces, the toxigenic culture should be performed. In
view of our results, the most accurate and reliable methods to be applied in a
clinical microbiology laboratory were the QAB/QAB-TC, and RAB/RAB-TC, with PLRs
>10 and negative likelihood ratios <0.30.
PMID- 28988903
TI - Macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium from female sex workers in Belgium.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Mycoplasma genitalium is emerging as an aetiological agent of
sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Although M. genitalium is commonly
treated with azithromycin, macrolide resistance associated with point mutations
in the 23S rRNA gene is emerging. METHODS: In this study, the prevalence of M.
genitalium and macrolide resistance in female sex workers (FSW) in Belgium was
evaluated by a prospective study conducted between 2015 and 2016. Vaginal swabs
were sampled from 303 FSW who underwent testing for M. genitalium along with
standard STI screening. All samples positive for M. genitalium were subsequently
tested for mutations associated with macrolide resistance. RESULTS: M. genitalium
was detected in 10.8% of participants and macrolide resistance-associated
mutations (A2058G and A2059G) were found in 6.5% of isolates. CONCLUSIONS: M.
genitalium is clearly present in FSW in Belgium. In contrast to other reports,
for now the occurrence of macrolide resistance appears limited in this specific
target population.
PMID- 28988902
TI - [Evaluation of Fusarium spp. pathogenicity in plant and murine models].
AB - The genus Fusarium is widely recognized for its phytopathogenic capacity.
However, it has been reported as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompetent and
immunocompromised patients. Thus, it can be considered a microorganism of
interest in pathogenicity studies on different hosts. Therefore, this work
evaluated the pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. isolates from different origins in
plants and animals (murine hosts). Twelve isolates of Fusarium spp. from plants,
animal superficial mycoses, and human superficial and systemic mycoses were
inoculated in tomato, passion fruit and carnation plants, and in immunocompetent
and immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. Pathogenicity tests in plants did not show all
the symptoms associated with vascular wilt in the three plant models; however,
colonization and necrosis of the vascular bundles, regardless of the species and
origin of the isolates, showed the infective potential of Fusarium spp. in
different plant species. Moreover, the pathogenicity tests in the murine model
revealed behavioral changes. It was noteworthy that only five isolates (different
origin and species) caused mortality. Additionally, it was observed that all
isolates infected and colonized different organs, regardless of the species and
origin of the isolates or host immune status. In contrast, the superficial
inoculation test showed no evidence of epidermal injury or colonization. The
observed results in plant and murine models suggest the pathogenic potential of
Fusarium spp. isolates in different types of hosts. However, further studies on
pathogenicity are needed to confirm the multihost capacity of this genus.
PMID- 28988905
TI - Deciphering deep brain stimulation for depression.
PMID- 28988904
TI - Subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression:
a multisite, randomised, sham-controlled trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subcallosal cingulate white
matter has shown promise as an intervention for patients with chronic,
unremitting depression. To test the safety and efficacy of DBS for treatment
resistant depression, a prospective, randomised, sham-controlled trial was
conducted. METHODS: Participants with treatment-resistant depression were
implanted with a DBS system targeting bilateral subcallosal cingulate white
matter and randomised to 6 months of active or sham DBS, followed by 6 months of
open-label subcallosal cingulate DBS. Randomisation was computer generated with a
block size of three at each site before the site started the study. The primary
outcome was frequency of response (defined as a 40% or greater reduction in
depression severity from baseline) averaged over months 4-6 of the double-blind
phase. A futility analysis was performed when approximately half of the proposed
sample received DBS implantation and completed the double-blind phase. At the
conclusion of the 12-month study, a subset of patients were followed up for up to
24 months. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00617162.
FINDINGS: Before the futility analysis, 90 participants were randomly assigned to
active (n=60) or sham (n=30) stimulation between April 10, 2008, and Nov 21,
2012. Both groups showed improvement, but there was no statistically significant
difference in response during the double-blind, sham-controlled phase (12 [20%]
patients in the stimulation group vs five [17%] patients in the control group).
28 patients experienced 40 serious adverse events; eight of these (in seven
patients) were deemed to be related to the study device or surgery.
INTERPRETATION: This study confirmed the safety and feasibility of subcallosal
cingulate DBS as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression but did not show
statistically significant antidepressant efficacy in a 6-month double-blind, sham
controlled trial. Future studies are needed to investigate factors such as
clinical features or electrode placement that might improve efficacy. FUNDING:
Abbott (previously St Jude Medical).
PMID- 28988906
TI - Fluorinated phenmetrazine "legal highs" act as substrates for high-affinity
monoamine transporters of the SLC6 family.
AB - A variety of new psychoactive substances (NPS) are appearing in recreational drug
markets worldwide. NPS are compounds that target various receptors and
transporters in the central nervous system to achieve their psychoactive effects.
Chemical modifications of existing drugs can generate NPS that are not controlled
by current legislation, thereby providing legal alternatives to controlled
substances such as cocaine or amphetamine. Recently, 3-fluorophenmetrazine (3
FPM), a derivative of the anorectic compound phenmetrazine, appeared on the
recreational drug market and adverse clinical effects have been reported.
Phenmetrazine is known to elevate extracellular monoamine concentrations by an
amphetamine-like mechanism. Here we tested 3-FPM and its positional isomers, 2
FPM and 4-FPM, for their abilities to interact with plasma membrane monoamine
transporters for dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET) and serotonin (SERT). We
found that 2-, 3- and 4-FPM inhibit uptake mediated by DAT and NET in HEK293
cells with potencies comparable to cocaine (IC50 values < 2.5 MUM), but display
less potent effects at SERT (IC50 values >80 MUM). Experiments directed at
identifying transporter-mediated reverse transport revealed that FPM isomers
induce efflux via DAT, NET and SERT in HEK293 cells, and this effect is augmented
by the Na+/H+ ionophore monensin. Each FPM evoked concentration-dependent release
of monoamines from rat brain synaptosomes. Hence, this study reports for the
first time the mode of action for 2-, 3- and 4-FPM and identifies these NPS as
monoamine releasers with marked potency at catecholamine transporters implicated
in abuse and addiction. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled
'Designer Drugs and Legal Highs.'
PMID- 28988907
TI - Validity of utility measures for women with pelvic organ prolapse.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition that frequently coexists
with urinary and fecal incontinence. The impact of prolapse on quality of life is
typically measured through condition-specific quality-of-life instruments.
Utility preference scores are a standardized generic health-related quality-of
life measure that summarizes morbidity on a scale from 0 (death) to 1 (optimum
health). Utility preference scores quantify disease severity and burden and are
widely used in cost-effectiveness research. The validity of utility preference
instruments in women with pelvic organ prolapse has not been established.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of
generic quality-of-life instruments for measuring utility scores in women with
pelvic organ prolapse. Our hypothesis was that women with multiple pelvic floor
disorders would have worse (lower) utility scores than women with pelvic organ
prolapse only and that women with all 3 pelvic floor disorders would have the
worst (lowest) utility scores. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective observational
study of 286 women with pelvic floor disorders from a referral female pelvic
medicine and reconstructive surgery practice. All women completed the following
general health-related quality-of-life questionnaires: Health Utilities Index
Mark 3, EuroQol, and Short Form 6D, as well as a visual analog scale. Pelvic
floor symptom severity and condition-specific quality of life were measured using
the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire,
respectively. We measured the relationship between utility scores and condition
specific quality-of-life scores and compared utility scores among 4 groups of
women: (1) pelvic organ prolapse only, (2) pelvic organ prolapse and stress
urinary incontinence, (3) pelvic organ prolapse and urgency urinary incontinence,
and (4) pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence.
RESULTS: Of 286 women enrolled, 191 (67%) had pelvic organ prolapse; mean age was
59 years and 73% were Caucasian. Among women with prolapse, 30 (16%) also had
stress urinary incontinence, 39 (20%) had urgency urinary incontinence, and 42
(22%) had fecal incontinence. For the Health Utilities Index Mark 3, EuroQol, and
Short Form 6D, the pattern in utility scores was noted to be lowest (worst) in
the prolapse + urinary incontinence + fecal incontinence group (0.73-0.76),
followed by the prolapse + urgency urinary incontinence group (0.77-0.85) and
utility scores were the highest (best) for the prolapse only group (0.80-0.86).
Utility scores from all generic instruments except the visual analog scale were
significantly correlated with the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic
Floor Impact Questionnaire total scores (r values -0.26 to -0.57), and prolapse,
bladder, and bowel subscales (r values -0.16 to -0.50). Utility scores from all
instruments except the visual analog scale were highly correlated with each other
(r = 0.53-0.69, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The Health Utilities Index Mark 3,
EuroQol, and Short Form 6D, but not the visual analog scale, provide valid
measurements for utility scores in women with pelvic organ prolapse and
associated pelvic floor disorders and could potentially be used for cost
effectiveness research.
PMID- 28988908
TI - Brief latency after premature rupture of the membranes at term: correction of a
propagated error.
PMID- 28988909
TI - Detailed muscular structure and neural control anatomy of the levator ani muscle:
a study based on female human fetuses.
AB - BACKGROUND: Injury to the levator ani muscle or pelvic nerves during pregnancy
and vaginal delivery is responsible for pelvic floor dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: We
sought to demonstrate the presence of smooth muscular cell areas within the
levator ani muscle and describe their localization and innervation. STUDY DESIGN:
Five female human fetuses were studied after approval from the French Biomedicine
Agency. Specimens were serially sectioned and stained by Masson trichrome and
immunostained for striated and smooth muscle, as well as for somatic, adrenergic,
cholinergic, and nitriergic nerve fibers. Slides were digitized for 3-dimensional
reconstruction. One fetus was reserved for electron microscopy. We explored the
structure and innervation of the levator ani muscle. RESULTS: Smooth muscular
cell beams were connected externally to the anococcygeal raphe and the levator
ani muscle and with the longitudinal anal muscle sphincter. The caudalmost part
of the pubovaginal muscle was found to bulge between the rectum and the vagina.
This bulging was a smooth muscular interface between the levator ani muscle and
the longitudinal anal muscle sphincter. The medial (visceral) part of the levator
ani muscle contained smooth muscle cells, in relation to the autonomic nerve
fibers of the inferior hypogastric plexus. The lateral (parietal) part of the
levator ani muscle contained striated muscle cells only and was innervated by the
somatic nerve fibers of levator ani and pudendal nerves. The presence of smooth
muscle cells within the medial part of the levator ani muscle was confirmed under
electron microscopy in 1 fetus. CONCLUSION: We characterized the muscular
structure and neural control of the levator ani muscle. The muscle consists of a
medial part containing smooth muscle cells under autonomic nerve influence and a
lateral part containing striated muscle cells under somatic nerve control. These
findings could result in new postpartum rehabilitation techniques.
PMID- 28988910
TI - Neuroprotection and neurorestoration as experimental therapeutics for Parkinson's
disease.
AB - Disease-modifying treatments remain an unmet medical need in Parkinson's disease
(PD). Such treatments can be operationally defined as interventions that slow
down the clinical evolution to advanced disease milestones. A treatment may
achieve this outcome by either inhibiting primary neurodegenerative events
("neuroprotection") or boosting compensatory and regenerative mechanisms in the
brain ("neurorestoration"). Here we review experimental paradigms that are
currently used to assess the neuroprotective and neurorestorative potential of
candidate treatments in animal models of PD. We review some key molecular
mediators of neuroprotection and neurorestoration in the nigrostriatal dopamine
pathway that are likely to exert beneficial effects on multiple neural systems
affected in PD. We further review past and current strategies to therapeutically
stimulate these mediators, and discuss the preclinical evidence that exercise
training can have neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects. A future
translational task will be to combine behavioral and pharmacological
interventions to exploit endogenous mechanisms of neuroprotection and
neurorestoration for therapeutic purposes. This type of approach is likely to
provide benefit to many PD patients, despite the clinical, etiological, and
genetic heterogeneity of the disease.
PMID- 28988911
TI - Insulin analog linked to breast cancer risk.
PMID- 28988912
TI - Maintenance rituximab in mantle-cell lymphoma.
PMID- 28988913
TI - Surgical treatment strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with
impaired liver function: hepatic resection or radiofrequency ablation?
AB - BACKGROUND: To compare the survival impacts of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as
an initial treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with impaired
liver functional reserve compared to those of hepatic resection (HR). METHODS: In
total, 104 patients with liver damage B as defined by the Liver Cancer Study
Group of Japan underwent RFA (n = 33) or HR (n = 71) as an initial treatment for
hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival
(DFS) rates were compared, and independent prognostic factors were identified.
RESULTS: The OS tended to be better in the RFA group than in the HR group. There
was no significant difference in the DFS rate between the two groups. Independent
poor prognostic factors for OS were tumor size >3 cm and red blood cell
transfusion, and those for DFS were aspartate aminotransferase level >35 IU/L and
multiple tumors. Subgroup analyses revealed that the OS with RFA was
significantly better in patients with aspartate aminotransferase >35 IU/L, serum
albumin <3.5 g/dL, and 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin <0.85. CONCLUSIONS:
RFA offers comparable results with HR and may be preferable for HCC in the
particular setting of liver damage B, especially in those with poorer liver
functional reserve.
PMID- 28988915
TI - In Memoriam-John C. Brown, PhD, DSc, FRSC, 1938-2016: Discoverer of GIP and
Motilin.
PMID- 28988914
TI - DNA methylation age is not accelerated in brain or blood of subjects with
schizophrenia.
AB - Individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) exhibit multiple premature age-related
phenotypes and die ~20years prematurely. The accelerated aging hypothesis of SZ
has been advanced to explain these observations, it posits that SZ-associated
factors accelerate the progressive biological changes associated with normal
aging. Testing the hypothesis has been limited by the absence of robust,
meaningful, and multi-tissue measures of biological age. Recently, a method was
described in which DNA methylation (DNAm) levels at 353 genomic sites are used to
produce "DNAm age", an estimate of biological age with advantages over existing
measures. We used this method and 3 publicly-available DNAm datasets, 1 from
brain and 2 from blood, to test the hypothesis. The brain dataset was composed of
data from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of 232 non-psychiatric control (NPC)
and 195 SZ subjects. Blood dataset #1 was composed of data from whole blood of
304 NPC and 332 SZ subjects, and blood dataset #2 was composed of data from whole
blood of 405 NPC and 260 SZ subjects. DNAm age and chronological age correlated
strongly (r=0.92-0.95, p<0.0001) in both NPC and SZ subjects in all 3 datasets.
DNAm age acceleration did not differ between NPC and SZ subjects in the brain
dataset (t=0.52, p=0.60), blood dataset #1 (t=1.51, p=0.13), or blood dataset #2
(t=0.93, p=0.35). Consistent with our previous findings from a smaller study of
postmortem brains, our findings suggest there is no acceleration of brain or
blood aging in SZ and, thus, do not support the accelerated aging hypothesis of
SZ.
PMID- 28988916
TI - Vedolizumab Concentrations in the Breast Milk of Nursing Mothers With
Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
PMID- 28988917
TI - Risks of Saccharomyces boulardii-Containing Probiotics for the Prevention of
Clostridium difficile Infection in the Elderly.
PMID- 28988918
TI - An Unusual Cause of Elevated Liver Enzymes.
PMID- 28988919
TI - Esophageal Dilation in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Not Just for Adults Anymore.
PMID- 28988920
TI - Reply.
PMID- 28988921
TI - Association Between Screen-detected Gallstone Disease and Cancer in a Cohort
Study.
PMID- 28988922
TI - An Unusual Cause of Dysphagia in an Elderly Woman.
PMID- 28988923
TI - Use of Probiotics in Hospitalized Adults to Prevent Clostridium difficile
Infection: DownGRADE the Quality of Evidence?
PMID- 28988924
TI - A Bidirectional Relationship Between Symptom Reporting and Perceived Stress, But
Not Disease Activity, in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: More Questions Than Answers?
PMID- 28988925
TI - Gallstones and Colon Cancer: A Result of a Wrong Study Revived.
PMID- 28988926
TI - Reply.
PMID- 28988927
TI - In Memoriam-Konrad H. Soergel, MD, 1929-2017.
PMID- 28988928
TI - Preimplantation genetic screening: results of a worldwide web-based survey.
AB - Our objective was to evaluate and characterize the extent and patterns of
worldwide usage of preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) among the assisted
reproductive technique community. A prospective, web-based questionnaire with
questions relating to practices of, and views on, PGS was directed to users and
non-users of PGS. A total of 386 IVF units from 70 countries conducting 342,600
IVF cycles annually responded to the survey. A total of 77% of respondents
routinely carry out PGS in their clinics for a variety of indications: advanced
maternal age (27%), recurrent implantation failure (32%) and recurrent pregnancy
loss (31%). Few (6%) offer PGS to all their patients. In most cycles (72%),
trophectoderm biopsy is carried out and either array-comparative genomic
hybridization (59%) or next-generation sequencing (16%) are used for genetic
analysis. Only 30% of respondents regard PGS as clearly evidenced-based, and most
(84%) believe that more randomized controlled trials are needed to support the
use of PGS. Despite ongoing debate and lack of robust evidence, most respondents
support the use of PGS, and believe that it may aid in transferring only euploid
embryos, thereby reducing miscarriage rates and multiple pregnancies, increasing
live birth rates and reducing the risk of aneuploid pregnancies and births.
PMID- 28988929
TI - Corrigendum to "6-Amino-2,4,5-trimethylpyridin-3-ols: A new general synthetic
route and antiangiogenic activity" [Eur. J. Med. Chem. 74 (2014) 126-139].
PMID- 28988931
TI - Theoretical approaches for dynamical ordering of biomolecular systems.
AB - BACKGROUND: Living systems are characterized by the dynamic assembly and
disassembly of biomolecules. The dynamical ordering mechanism of these
biomolecules has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The
main theoretical approaches include quantum mechanical (QM) calculation, all-atom
(AA) modeling, and coarse-grained (CG) modeling. The selected approach depends on
the size of the target system (which differs among electrons, atoms, molecules,
and molecular assemblies). These hierarchal approaches can be combined with
molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and/or integral equation theories for liquids,
which cover all size hierarchies. SCOPE OF REVIEW: We review the framework of
quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations, AA MD simulations,
CG modeling, and integral equation theories. Applications of these methods to the
dynamical ordering of biomolecular systems are also exemplified. MAJOR
CONCLUSIONS: The QM/MM calculation enables the study of chemical reactions. The
AA MD simulation, which omits the QM calculation, can follow longer time-scale
phenomena. By reducing the number of degrees of freedom and the computational
cost, CG modeling can follow much longer time-scale phenomena than AA modeling.
Integral equation theories for liquids elucidate the liquid structure, for
example, whether the liquid follows a radial distribution function. GENERAL
SIGNIFICANCE: These theoretical approaches can analyze the dynamic behaviors of
biomolecular systems. They also provide useful tools for exploring the dynamic
ordering systems of biomolecules, such as self-assembly. This article is part of
a Special Issue entitled "Biophysical Exploration of Dynamical Ordering of
Biomolecular Systems" edited by Dr. Koichi Kato.
PMID- 28988930
TI - Comparison of two methods for transformation of Plasmodium knowlesi: Direct
schizont electroporation and spontaneous plasmid uptake from plasmid-loaded red
blood cells.
AB - Human infections from Plasmodium knowlesi present challenges to malaria control
in Southeast Asia. P. knowlesi also offers a model for other human malaria
species including Plasmodium vivax. P. knowlesi parasites can be cultivated in
the laboratory, and their transformation is standardly performed by direct
electroporation of schizont-infected red blood cells (RBCs) with plasmid DNA.
Here we show that the efficiency of direct electroporation is exquisitely
dependent on developmental age of the schizonts. Additionally, we show that
transformation of P. knowlesi can be achieved without direct electroporation by
using the parasite's ability to infect and take up DNA from plasmid-loaded RBCs.
Transformation with plasmid-loaded RBCs does not require labor-intensive
preparations of schizont-infected RBCs as for direct electroporation, and
parasite damage from high voltage discharge is avoided. Further studies of the
mechanism of spontaneous DNA uptake may suggest strategies for improved
transformation and provide insights into the transport pathways of apicomplexans.
PMID- 28988932
TI - 6S RNA Mimics B-Form DNA to Regulate Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase.
AB - Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene expression in all organisms. Bacterial 6S
RNAs globally regulate transcription by binding RNA polymerase (RNAP) holoenzyme
and competing with promoter DNA. Escherichia coli (Eco) 6S RNA interacts
specifically with the housekeeping sigma70-holoenzyme (Esigma70) and plays a key
role in the transcriptional reprogramming upon shifts between exponential and
stationary phase. Inhibition is relieved upon 6S RNA-templated RNA synthesis. We
report here the 3.8 A resolution structure of a complex between 6S RNA and
Esigma70 determined by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy and validation of
the structure using footprinting and crosslinking approaches. Duplex RNA segments
have A-form C3' endo sugar puckers but widened major groove widths, giving the
RNA an overall architecture that mimics B-form promoter DNA. Our results help
explain the specificity of Eco 6S RNA for Esigma70 and show how an ncRNA can
mimic B-form DNA to directly regulate transcription by the DNA-dependent RNAP.
PMID- 28988933
TI - Cancer stemness in bone marrow micrometastases of human breast cancer.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cancer cells metastasize to the bone marrow to create the
premetastatic niche. Cancer stemness (expression of stem cell characteristics) is
regulated by the tumor microenvironment and associated with self-renewal and poor
clinical outcomes. Osteopontin induces mesenchymal stem cells in the tumor
microenvironment to adopt a cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype to potentiate
cancer growth and metastasis. The mechanisms by which cancer cells and tumor
microenvironment regulate stemness in the bone marrow premetastatic niche is
unknown. METHODS: Human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were used
in an orthotopic murine xenograft model. NOD-scid mice were implanted with 2 *
106 tumor cells in the presence and absence of human mesenchymal stem cells-green
fluorescent protein cells and/or osteopontin aptamer, which blocks and
inactivates extracellular osteopontin, or mutant aptamer (osteopontin mutant
aptamer). In select instances, MCF-7 cells transfected to express osteopontin
were coimplanted instead of MCF-7. Stemness markers (Nanog, Oct4, Sox2) in the
tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblast (alpha-smooth muscle actin,
Vimentin) markers in the mesenchymal stem cells were measured in femoral bone
marrow via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell number was determined by
titrating cell number to Ct value in vitro. RESULTS: Tumor cells and mesenchymal
stem cells migrate from the primary tumor site to the bone marrow. Migration of
mesenchymal stem cells is osteopontin dependent. In both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7
cell lines, levels of both cancer-associated fibroblast and stemness markers were
3 to 4 times greater under conditions wherein mesenchymal stem cells were present
with osteopontin. Inactivation of extracellular osteopontin with an aptamer
decreased migration of mesenchymal stem cells and expression of both cancer
associated fibroblast and stemness markers. Cancer cells exhibited a
significantly increased stem cell profile in the presence of cancer-associated
fibroblast in the bone marrow. In the presence and absence of osteopontin, Sox2
knockdown abolished expression of both Nanog and Oct4. CONCLUSION: We conclude
that osteopontin-dependent migration of cancer-associated fibroblast is required
for increased cancer cell stemness in the bone marrow premetastatic niche.
PMID- 28988935
TI - Bis-choline tetrathiomolybdate for Wilson's disease.
PMID- 28988934
TI - Bis-choline tetrathiomolybdate in patients with Wilson's disease: an open-label,
multicentre, phase 2 study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Wilson's disease is a genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in
the liver, brain, and other tissues. Therapies are limited by efficacy, safety
concerns, and multiple daily dosing. Bis-choline tetrathiomolybdate (WTX101) is
an oral first-in-class copper-protein-binding molecule that targets hepatic
intracellular copper and reduces plasma non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper (NCC) by
forming tripartite complexes with albumin and increasing biliary copper
excretion. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of WTX101 in the initial or
early treatment of patients with Wilson's disease. METHODS: We did this open
label, phase 2 study at 11 hospitals in the USA and Europe. We enrolled patients
(>=18 years) with Wilson's disease who were untreated or had received no more
than 24 months of treatment with chelators or zinc, had a Leipzig score of 4 or
more, and had NCC concentrations above the lower limit of the normal reference
range (>=0.8 MUmol/L). Eligible patients received WTX101 monotherapy at a
starting dose of 15-60 mg/day on the basis of baseline NCC concentrations for the
first 4-8 weeks, with response-guided individualised dosing for the remaining
weeks up to week 24. Investigators, other hospital personnel, and patients were
aware of the identity of the treatment. The primary endpoint was change in
baseline NCC concentrations corrected for copper in tetrathiomolybdate-copper
albumin complexes (NCCcorrected) at 24 weeks, with treatment success defined as
achievement or maintenance of normalised NCCcorrected (<=2.3 MUmol/L [upper limit
of normal]) or achievement of at least a 25% reduction in NCCcorrected from
baseline at 24 weeks. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number
NCT02273596. FINDINGS: Between Nov 24, 2014, and April 27, 2016, 28 patients were
enrolled and received WTX101; 22 (79%) patients completed the study up to week
24. At 24 weeks, 20 (71%, 95% CI 51.3-86.8; p<0.0001) of 28 patients met the
criteria for treatment success: 16 (57%) treated with WTX101 either achieved or
maintained normalised NCCcorrected concentrations and 4 (14%) had at least a 25%
reduction from baseline NCCcorrected. Mean NCCcorrected was reduced by 72% from
baseline to week 24 (least squares mean difference -2.4 MUmol/L [SE 0.4], 95% CI
3.2 to -1.6; p<0.0001). No cases of paradoxical drug-related neurological
worsening were recorded. Liver function was stable in all patients, although
reversible increased concentrations of asymptomatic alanine or aspartate
aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase, without increased bilirubin,
occurred in 11 (39%) of 28 patients who received at least 30 mg/day. 11 serious
adverse events were reported in seven (25%) patients and included psychiatric
disorders (six events in four patients), gait disturbance (one event), elevated
liver aminotransferases (two events in two patients, one with agranulocytosis),
and decline in neurological functioning (one event, likely due to natural disease
progression although causality could not be ruled out). The seven serious adverse
events categorised as psychiatric disorders and as gait disturbance were assessed
as unlikely to be related to the study drug, whereas the remaining four events
were possibly or probably related. INTERPRETATION: Our findings indicate that
WTX101 might be a promising new therapeutic approach for Wilson's disease, with a
unique mode of action. In view of its once-daily dose and favourable safety
profile, WTX101 could improve the treatment of patients with this debilitating
condition. FUNDING: Wilson Therapeutics AB.
PMID- 28988936
TI - Fast digital 4pibeta-4pigamma coincidence counting with offline analysis at IRA.
AB - IRA recently launched a project to digitize all the data acquisition systems it
uses for primary radionuclide standardizations. It is well-known that the digital
approach presents numerous advantages over the traditional analog electronics
such as information losslessness, scalability, online and/or offline data
processing, and it is also a solution to the growing difficulties to repair or
renew ageing modules. As a first step in this wider program, our institute set-up
a 4pibeta-4pigamma digital coincidence counting system, with FPGA (Field
Programmable Gate Array)-based commercial boards from National Instruments (NI),
to perform data acquisition and offline data analysis. Choosing all components
and software from the same supplier provides a full compact and consistent
electronic system. To demonstrate and validate the capacity of this system to
standardize the activity of radioisotopes, we compare its predictions for the
activity concentration of 133Ba, 166mHo and 18F solutions with the results from a
coincidence counting system with analog electronics, as well as with the results
from other primary methods and a secondary measurement performed with an IG11
ionization chamber (CIR, chambre d'ionization de reference) with an equivalent
activity traceable to the Systeme International de Reference.
PMID- 28988938
TI - Testosterone Therapy in a Man with Intermediate-risk Prostate Cancer: Pro.
AB - The original prohibition of testosterone therapy for men with prostate cancer was
based on outdated concepts developed more than 70 yr ago. Current evidence,
although limited, provides consistently reassuring results that testosterone
therapy may be reasonably offered to many men with prostate cancer. These men may
experience valuable benefits in quality of life if they suffer from symptoms of
testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism).
PMID- 28988937
TI - Temporal trends and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infection
in the Swiss surveillance network: a cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is the leading pathogen in surgical site
infections (SSI). AIM: To explore trends and risk factors associated with S.
aureus SSI. METHODS: Risk factors for monomicrobial S. aureus SSI were identified
from the Swiss multi-centre SSI surveillance system using multi-variate logistic
regression. Both in-hospital and postdischarge SSI were identified using
standardized definitions. FINDINGS: Over a six-year period, data were collected
on 229,765 surgical patients, of whom 499 (0.22%) developed monomicrobial S.
aureus SSI; 459 (92.0%) and 40 (8.0%) were due to meticillin-susceptible S.
aureus (MSSA) and meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), respectively. There was
a significant decrease in the rate of MSSA SSI (P = 0.007), but not in the rate
of MRSA SSI (P = 0.70). Independent protective factors for S. aureus SSI were
older age [>=75 years vs <50 years: odds ratio (OR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval
(CI) 0.44-0.83], laparoscopy/minimally invasive surgery (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50
0.92), non-clean surgery [OR 0.78 (per increase in wound contamination class),
95% CI 0.64-0.94] and correct timing of pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis (OR
0.80, 95% CI 0.65-0.98). Independent risk factors were male sex (OR 1.38, 95% CI
1.14-1.66), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists' score (per one-point
increment: OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.13-1.51), re-operation for non-infectious reasons
(OR 4.59, 95% CI 3.59-5.87) and procedure type: cardiac surgery, laminectomy, and
hip or knee arthroplasty had two-to nine-fold increased odds of S. aureus SSI
compared with other procedures. CONCLUSIONS: SSI due to S. aureus are decreasing
and becoming rare events in Switzerland. High-risk procedures that may benefit
from specific preventive measures were identified. Unfortunately, many of the
independent risk factors are not easily modifiable.
PMID- 28988939
TI - Susceptibility of wounded and intact black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (L.)
(Diptera: Stratiomyidae) to entomopathogenic nematodes.
AB - Production costs and limited regional availability are two key factors limiting
the widespread adoption of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida:
Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) in biological control programs. We
explore the potential of using black soldier fly larvae Hermetia illucens (L.)
(Diptera: Stratiomyidae) as an alternative in vivo rearing host to the greater
wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). We injured black
soldier fly larvae to test the hypothesis that the tough cuticle was preventing
the penetration of founding infective juveniles (IJs) into the host and egress of
offspring from the cadaver. Injuring the black soldier fly larvae increased the
infection rate, the number of nematodes entering a host, and the number of IJs
harvested from a cadaver. Black soldier fly larvae, however, provided at most 10
fold less IJs compared to G. mellonella. In olfactometer assays, we assessed
nematode behavioral responses to wounded black soldier fly larvae. Steinernema
carpocapsae did not move towards the insects. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was
attracted to black soldier fly larvae but not G. mellonella. Heterorhabditis
bacteriophora did not show a preference for injured black soldier fly larvae over
non-injured larvae. Thus, increased colonization on wounded black soldier fly
larvae was likely due to additional entry points rather than an increase in their
apparency in the soil solution.
PMID- 28988940
TI - Dual-lumen balloon to increase onyx venous penetration in the treatment of spinal
dural arteriovenous fistulas.
AB - PURPOSE: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (sDAVF) are the most common spinal
vascular lesions. The arterialization of the recipient vein results in venous
hypertension and chronic ischemia. Intravascular injection of acrylic glue in
order to occlude the draining vein is the principle of endovascular treatment,
but a significant portion of embolization procedures do not succeed. We present
our initial experience of endovascular balloon augmented embolization of sDAVF
using a dual-lumen balloon. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Three patients harboring sDAVF
were submitted to endovascular treatment by onyx injection assisted by a double
lumen balloon as the sole therapy. Control angiography demonstrated complete
obliteration of the fistula in all cases with clinical improvement. CONCLUSION:
Dual-lumen balloon onyx embolization of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas
appears to be an acceptable and feasible alternative.
PMID- 28988941
TI - The economic impact of a nurse practitioner-directed lung cancer screening,
incidental pulmonary nodule, and tobacco-cessation clinic.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer screening programs have become increasingly prevalent
within the United States after the National Lung Screening Trial results. We
aimed to review the financial impact after programmatic implementation of
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner-led programs of Lung Cancer Screening and
Tobacco Related Diseases, Incidental Pulmonary Nodule Clinic, and Tobacco
Cessation Services. METHODS: We reviewed revenue from 2013 to 2016 by our nurse
practitioner-led program. Encounters were queried for charges related to
outpatient evaluation and management, professional procedures, and facility
charges related to both outpatient and inpatient procedures. Revenue was
normalized using 2016 data tables and the national Medicare conversion factor
(35.8043). RESULTS: Our program evaluated 694 individuals, of whom 75% (518/694)
are enrolled within the lung cancer-screening program. Overall revenue associated
with the programs was $733,336. Outpatient evaluation and management generated
revenue of $168,372. In addition, professional procedure revenue accounted for an
additional $60,015 with facility revenue adding an additional $504,949.
CONCLUSIONS: A nurse practitioner-led program of lung cancer screening,
incidental pulmonary nodules, and tobacco-cessation services can provide
additional revenue opportunities for a Thoracic Surgery and Interventional
Pulmonology Division, as well as a health care system. The current national,
median annual wage of a nurse practitioner is $98,190, and the cost associated
directly to their salary (and benefits) may remain neutral or negative within
certain programs. However, the larger economic benefit may be realized within the
division and institution. This potential additional revenue appears related to
evaluation of newly identified diseases and subsequent evaluations, procedures,
and operations.
PMID- 28988942
TI - Discussion.
PMID- 28988943
TI - How addictive are gabapentin and pregabalin? A systematic review.
AB - In the last ten years, gabapentin and pregabalin have been becoming dispensed
broadly and sold on black markets, thereby, exposing millions to potential side
effects. Meanwhile, several pharmacovigilance-databases have warned for potential
abuse liabilities and overdose fatalities in association with both
gabapentinoids. To evaluate their addiction risk in more detail, we conducted a
systematic review on PubMed/Scopus and included 106 studies. We did not find
convincing evidence of a vigorous addictive power of gabapentinoids which is
primarily suggested from their limited rewarding properties, marginal notes on
relapses, and the very few cases with gabapentinoid-related behavioral dependence
symptoms (ICD-10) in patients without a prior abuse history (N=4). In support,
there was no publication about people who sought treatment for the use of
gabapentinoids. Pregabalin appeared to be somewhat more addictive than gabapentin
regarding the magnitude of behavioral dependence symptoms, transitions from
prescription to self-administration, and the durability of the self
administrations. The principal population at risk for addiction of gabapentinoids
consists of patients with other current or past substance use disorders (SUD),
mostly opioid and multi-drug users, who preferred pregabalin. Pure overdoses of
gabapentinoids appeared to be relative safe but can become lethal (pregabalin >
gabapentin) in mixture with other psychoactive drugs, especially opioids again
and sedatives. Based upon these results, we compared the addiction risks of
gabapentin and pregabalin with those of traditional psychoactive substances and
recommend that in patients with a history of SUD, gabapentinoids should be
avoided or if indispensable, administered with caution by using a strict
therapeutic and prescription monitoring.
PMID- 28988944
TI - Efficacy of adding nutritional supplements in unipolar depression: A systematic
review and meta-analysis.
AB - In this article, we aimed to assess the efficacy of adjunctive administration of
nutritional supplements to antidepressants by means of a systematic review and
meta-analysis. The supplements included were inositol, vitamin D, folic acid,
vitamin B12, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
(n-3 PUFA) and zinc. A structured database search (MEDLINE, EBSCO, CENTRAL, Web
of Science) was performed using terms for the respective substances in
conjunction with terms for depression and the mode of treatment ("add-on" OR
"adjunctive" OR "augmentation"). Meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials
(RCTs) and non-randomized comparative studies that investigated the supplements
as an add-on in the treatment of clinically diagnosed MDD were included. Agents
had to be added to an existing antidepressant regime (augmentation) or started
simultaneously with the antidepressant (acceleration). For n-3 PUFAs, folic acid
and zinc, new meta-analyses were performed as part of this work. Our meta
analyses of 10 articles on n-3 PUFAs and four on zinc support their efficacy. For
folic acid, our meta-analysis does not support efficacy. For n-3 PUFAs,
sensitivity analysis showed no difference between acceleration and augmentation
designs, but significant differences between individuals with or without
comorbidities. For the remaining substances, only a few RCTs were available. The
preliminary data on inositol was negative, while one RCT for vitamin D
demonstrated positive results. For vitamin B12 one and for SAMe two RCTs and a
few open trials are available reporting positive and mixed results. To summarize,
for most of the substances, the available data is not yet sufficient or
inconclusive.
PMID- 28988945
TI - Neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy: Potential for novel therapies.
AB - The complex pathology of diabetic retinopathy (DR) affects both vascular and
neural tissue. The characteristics of neurodegeneration are well-described in
animal models but have more recently been confirmed in the clinical setting,
mostly by using non-invasive imaging approaches such as spectral domain optical
coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The most frequent observations report loss of
tissue in the nerve fiber layer and inner plexiform layer, confirming earlier
findings from animal models. In several cases the reduction in inner retinal
layers is reported in patients with little evidence of vascular lesions or
macular edema, suggesting that degenerative loss of neural tissue in the inner
retina can occur after relatively short durations of diabetes. Animal studies
also suggest that neurodegeneration leading to retinal thinning is not limited to
cell death and tissue loss but also includes changes in neuronal morphology,
reduced synaptic protein expression and alterations in neurotransmission,
including changes in expression of neurotransmitter receptors as well as
neurotransmitter release, reuptake and metabolism. The concept of
neurodegeneration as an early component of DR introduces the possibility to
explore alternative therapies to prevent the onset of vision loss, including
neuroprotective therapies and drugs targeting individual neurotransmitter
systems, as well as more general neuroprotective approaches to preserve the
integrity of the neural retina. In this review we consider some of the evidence
for progressive retinal neurodegeneration in diabetes, and explore potential
neuroprotective therapies.
PMID- 28988946
TI - Compromise Not Required.
PMID- 28988947
TI - Multiplexed Thiol Reactivity Profiling for Target Discovery of Electrophilic
Natural Products.
AB - Electrophilic groups, such as Michael acceptors, expoxides, are common motifs in
natural products (NPs). Electrophilic NPs can act through covalent modification
of cysteinyl thiols on functional proteins, and exhibit potent cytotoxicity and
anti-inflammatory/cancer activities. Here we describe a new chemoproteomic
strategy, termed multiplexed thiol reactivity profiling (MTRP), and its use in
target discovery of electrophilic NPs. We demonstrate the utility of MTRP by
identifying cellular targets of gambogic acid, an electrophilic NP that is
currently under evaluation in clinical trials as anticancer agent. Moreover, MTRP
enables simultaneous comparison of seven structurally diversified alpha,beta
unsaturated gamma-lactones, which provides insights into the relative proteomic
reactivity and target preference of diverse structural scaffolds coupled to a
common electrophilic motif and reveals various potential druggable targets with
liganded cysteines. We anticipate that this new method for thiol reactivity
profiling in a multiplexed manner will find broad application in redox biology
and drug discovery.
PMID- 28988948
TI - Self-Assembly of 3D DNA Crystals Containing a Torsionally Stressed Component.
AB - There is an increasing appreciation for structural diversity of DNA that is of
interest to both DNA nanotechnology and basic biology. Here, we have explored how
DNA responds to torsional stress by building on a previously reported two-turn
DNA tensegrity triangle and demonstrating that we could introduce an extra
nucleotide pair (np) into the original sequence without affecting assembly and
crystallization. The extra np imposes a significant torsional stress, which is
accommodated by global changes throughout the B-DNA duplex and the DNA lattice.
The work reveals a near-atomic structure of naked DNA under a torsional stress of
approximately 14%, and thus provides an example of DNA distortions that occur
without a requirement for either an external energy source or the free energy
available from protein or drug binding.
PMID- 28988949
TI - Structure of the Guanidine III Riboswitch.
AB - Riboswitches are structural elements found in mRNA molecules that couple small
molecule binding to regulation of gene expression, usually by controlling
transcription or translation. We have determined high-resolution crystal
structures of the ykkC guanidine III riboswitch from Thermobifida fusca. The
riboswitch forms a classic H-type pseudoknot that includes a triple helix that is
continuous with a central core of conserved nucleotides. These form a left-handed
helical ramp of inter-nucleotide interactions, generating the guanidinium cation
binding site. The ligand is hydrogen bonded to the Hoogsteen edges of two guanine
bases. The binding pocket has a side opening that can accommodate a small side
chain, shown by structures with bound methylguanidine, aminoguanidine,
ethylguanidine, and agmatine. Comparison of the new structure with those of the
guanidine I and II riboswitches reveals that evolution generated three different
structural solutions for guanidine binding and subsequent gene regulation,
although with some common elements.
PMID- 28988950
TI - Experience With the Absorb Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold in Various Scenarios
of Congenital Heart Disease.
PMID- 28988951
TI - [Relationship between macronutrient and micronutrient intake and nutritional
status of active older adults in Chillan, Chile].
AB - INTRODUCTION: Social participation by older adults is a health-protective element
that promotes a normal nutritional status through the intake of appropriate
nutrients that favour successful aging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional
analytical study was performed on a sample of 118 older adults. Food intake was
measured using a 24-h recall questionnaire. The body mass index was used to
evaluate the nutritional status. The information was analysed using uni- and
bivariate descriptive statistics. Given the abnormal distribution of the
responses, the Mann-Whitney and Kolgomorov-Smirnov statistical test were used to
compare data at the significance level alpha=0.05. RESULTS: More than half (55%)
of the women and 61% of men had a normal nutritional status. The calories and
macronutrient intake were within the recommended ranges and unrelated to the
nutritional status (P>.05). The micronutrients showed significant differences in
relation to the nutritional status, broken down by gender and age, in the
majority of vitamins and minerals. (P>.01). The group between 75-90 years old
accomplished the recommended dietary allowance in every case. CONCLUSIONS: The
active participation in organised community groups, the educational level of the
older adults, and higher income, could be key factors to explain the good
nutritional status of the group, and appears to be a good indicator of healthy
aging.
PMID- 28988952
TI - Uncommon and fatal case of cystoisosporiasis in a non HIV-immunosuppressed
patient from a non-endemic country.
AB - Cystoisospora belli (previously known as Isospora belli) is a tropical coccidian
parasite sometimes leading to severe diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. Here
we describe a fatal case of cystoisosporiasis in a non HIV-immunocompromised 71
year-old female with no recent travel history. Infection was either latent or
potentially caused by the consumption of contaminated imported food from Asia.
Diagnosis was made by microscopical detection of numerous C. belli oocysts in
stools without specific staining. Treatment with TMP-SMZ slightly improved
diarrhea within 3days, but dehydration subsequently led to acute decompensated
heart failure and a fatal evolution. This report illustrates the possibility of
severe cystoisosporiasis in non HIV-immunocompromised patients in a non-endemic
country and highlights the risk of transmission through imported contaminated
food consumption.
PMID- 28988955
TI - Work-Related Quality of Life of US General Surgery Residents: Is It Really so
Bad?
AB - PURPOSE: The quality of working life of US surgical residents has not been
studied, and given the complexity of interaction between work and personal life
there is a need to assess this interaction. We utilized a validated Work Related
Quality of Life (WRQoL) questionnaire to evaluate the perceived work-related
quality of life of general surgery residents, using a large, nationally
representative sample in the United States. METHODS: Between January 2016 and
March 2016, all US general surgery residents enrolled in an ACGME general surgery
training program were invited to participate. The WRQoL scale measures perceived
quality of life covering six domains: General Well-Being (GWB), Home-Work
Interface (HWI), Job and Career Satisfaction (JCS), Control at Work (CAW),
Working Conditions (WCS) and Stress at Work (SAW). RESULTS: After excluding for
missing data, the final analysis included 738 residents. The average age was 30
(+/-3) years, of whom 287 (38.9%) were female, 272 (36.9%) were from a community
hospital, and 477 (64.6%) were juniors (postgraduate year <= 3). Demographically,
the respondents matched expected percentages. When male and female residents were
compared, males had statistically better HWI (p<0.001), better GWB (p = 0.03),
more CAW (p = 0.0003) and WCS (p = 0.001). Junior residents had a lower JCS (p =
0.002) and CAW (p = 0.04) compared to seniors. There were no differences between
university and community residents in any of the domains of WRQoL. Although
residents were more stressed than other professions but the overall WRQoL was
comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The nature of surgical residency and a surgical career
may in fact be more "stressful" than other professions, yet may not translate
into a worsened Quality of Life. Our findings suggest further study is needed to
elucidate why female residents have or experience a lower perceived WRQoL than
their male colleagues.
PMID- 28988957
TI - Neocortical development.
PMID- 28988956
TI - Instituting a Surgical Skills Competition Increases Technical Performance of
Surgical Clerkship Students Over Time.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Surgical skills training varies greatly between institutions and is
often left to students to approach independently. Although many studies have
examined single interventions of skills training, no data currently exists about
the implementation of surgical skills assessment as a component of the medical
student surgical curriculum. We created a technical skills competition and
evaluated its effect on student surgical skill development. METHODS: Second-year
medical students enrolled in the surgery clerkship voluntarily participated in a
surgical skills competition consisting of knot tying, laparoscopic peg transfer,
and laparoscopic pattern cut. Winning students were awarded dinner with the chair
of surgery and a resident of their choice. Individual event times and combined
times were recorded and compared for students who completed without
disqualification. Disqualification included compromising cutting pattern,
dropping a peg out of the field of vision, and incorrect knot tying technique.
Timed performance was compared for 2 subsequent academic years using Mann-Whitney
U test. RESULTS: Overall, 175 students competed and 71 students met qualification
criteria. When compared by academic year, 2015 to 2016 students (n = 34)
performed better than 2014 to 2015 students (n = 37) in pattern cut (133s vs
167s, p = 0.040), peg transfer (66s vs 101s, p < 0.001), knot tying (28s vs 30s,
p = 0.361), and combined time (232s vs 283s, p = 0.009). The best time for each
academic year also improved (105s vs 110s). Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery
proficiency standards for examined tasks were achieved by 70% of winning
students. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an incentivized surgical skills
competition improves student technical performance. Further research is needed
regarding long-term benefits of surgical competitions for medical students.
PMID- 28988954
TI - F-RAG: Generating Atomic Coordinates from RNA Graphs by Fragment Assembly.
AB - Coarse-grained models represent attractive approaches to analyze and simulate
ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, for example, for structure prediction and
design, as they simplify the RNA structure to reduce the conformational search
space. Our structure prediction protocol RAGTOP (RNA-As-Graphs Topology
Prediction) represents RNA structures as tree graphs and samples graph topologies
to produce candidate graphs. However, for a more detailed study and analysis,
construction of atomic from coarse-grained models is required. Here we present
our graph-based fragment assembly algorithm (F-RAG) to convert candidate three
dimensional (3D) tree graph models, produced by RAGTOP into atomic structures. We
use our related RAG-3D utilities to partition graphs into subgraphs and search
for structurally similar atomic fragments in a data set of RNA 3D structures. The
fragments are edited and superimposed using common residues, full atomic models
are scored using RAGTOP's knowledge-based potential, and geometries of top
scoring models is optimized. To evaluate our models, we assess all-atom RMSDs and
Interaction Network Fidelity (a measure of residue interactions) with respect to
experimentally solved structures and compare our results to other fragment
assembly programs. For a set of 50 RNA structures, we obtain atomic models with
reasonable geometries and interactions, particularly good for RNAs containing
junctions. Additional improvements to our protocol and databases are outlined.
These results provide a good foundation for further work on RNA structure
prediction and design applications.
PMID- 28988953
TI - Meddling with Fate: The Proteasomal Deubiquitinating Enzymes.
AB - Three deubiquitinating enzymes-Rpn11, Usp14, and Uch37-are associated with the
proteasome regulatory particle. These enzymes allow proteasomes to remove
ubiquitin from substrates before they are translocated into the core particle to
be degraded. Although the translocation channel is too narrow for folded
proteins, the force of translocation unfolds them mechanically. As translocation
proceeds, ubiquitin chains bound to substrate are drawn to the channel's entry
port, where they can impede further translocation. Rpn11, situated over the port,
can remove these chains without compromising degradation because substrates must
be irreversibly committed to degradation before Rpn11 acts. This coupling between
deubiquitination and substrate degradation is ensured by the Ins-1 loop of Rpn11,
which controls ubiquitin access to its catalytic site. In contrast to Rpn11,
Usp14 and Uch37 can rescue substrates from degradation by promoting substrate
dissociation from the proteasome prior to the commitment step. Uch37 is unique in
being a component of both the proteasome and a second multisubunit assembly, the
INO80 complex. However, only recruitment into the proteasome activates Uch37.
Recruitment to the proteasome likewise activates Usp14. However, the influence of
Usp14 on the proteasome depends on the substrate, due to its marked preference
for proteins that carry multiple ubiquitin chains. Usp14 exerts complex control
over the proteasome, suppressing proteasome activity even when inactive in
deubiquitination. A major challenge for the field will be to elucidate the
specificities of Rpn11, Usp14, and Uch37 in greater depth, employing not only
model in vitro substrates but also their endogenous targets.
PMID- 28988958
TI - Mycobacterium abscessus and massiliense lung infection during macrolide treatment
for bronchiolitis obliterans after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
transplantation.
AB - In patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo
SCT), post-transplant lung infection is critical for their prognosis.
Mycobacterium abscessus complex is not fully recognized as a nontuberculous
mycobacteria (NTM) pathogen of post-SCT lung infection. Here, we present three
post-allogeneic SCT patients who developed pulmonary infection caused by M.
abscessus complex including M. abscessus and M. massiliense. In all three cases,
macrolide antibiotics had been administered for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome
(BOS) before the confirmation of their infection, and macrolide resistance was
noted in the M. abscessus isolates, one of which resulted in an unfavorable
treatment outcome. It is important to consider M. abscessus lung infection as
well as other NTM in patients receiving allo-SCT, particularly those receiving
macrolide therapy for BOS.
PMID- 28988959
TI - Decision-making frameworks and considerations for informing coverage decisions
for healthcare interventions: a critical interpretive synthesis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To guide decision-making about whether or not to pay for a new
healthcare intervention, a number of existing frameworks systematically weigh
scientific evidence, cost, and social and ethical values. Each framework has
strengths and limitations. This study aims to review and summarize available
frameworks and generate an integrated framework, if and where applicable,
highlighting particular issues faced with expensive but effective and desirable
healthcare interventions. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a critical
interpretive synthesis to inform decision-making about healthcare interventions.
We updated prior systematic reviews on decision-making frameworks through 2015.
Purposive sampling identified relevant constructs and considerations to
facilitate decision-making. RESULTS: Of 2,980 references, we purposively sampled
19 frameworks. The new framework, which built on the GRADE Evidence to Decision
framework, included burden of disease, benefits and harms, values and
preferences, resource use, equity, acceptability, and feasibility. Modifications
to the Evidence to Decision framework included adding limitations of alternative
technologies considerations in use (expanding benefits and harms) and broadening
acceptability and feasibility constructs to include political and health system
factors. No modifications appeared necessary to address the situation of
effective but expensive and desirable interventions. CONCLUSION: Guideline
developers, health technology assessment producers, and decision-makers can use
our integrated framework to inform decision-making about healthcare
interventions.
PMID- 28988960
TI - PDIM and SL1 accumulation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is associated with mce4A
expression.
AB - Lipid metabolism forms the heart and soul of Mycobacterium tuberculosis life
cycle. Starting from macrophage invasion at cholesterol rich micro-domains to a
sustainable survival for infection by utilizing cholesterol, Mycobacterium
displays the nexus of metabolic pathways around host derived lipids. mce4 operon
acts as cholesterol import system in M. tuberculosis and here we demonstrate role
of mce4A gene of this operon in cholesterol catabolism. Here M. tuberculosis
H37Rv overexpressing Rv3499c (mce4A) recombinant was used as a model to decipher
the metabolic flux during intake and utilization of host lipids by mycobacteria.
We analysed the impact of mce4A expression on carbon shift initiated during
cholesterol utilization necessary for long term survival of mycobacterium.
Through transcriptional analysis, upregulation in methylcitrate cycle (MCC) and
methylmalonyl pathway (MMP) genes was observed in Rv3499c overexpressing
recombinants of M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Up-regulation of methylmalonyl pathway
associated enzyme encoding genes increased accumulation of virulence associated
mycobacterial lipids phthiocerol dimycocerates (PDIM) and sulfolipid (SL1). We
demonstrate that MCC and MMP associated enzyme encoding genes are upregulated
upon mce4A overexpression and lead to enhanced accumulation of PDIM and SL1 which
are responsible for pathogenicity of M. tuberculosis.
PMID- 28988961
TI - Comprehensive genome-wide analysis of Glutathione S-transferase gene family in
potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and their expression profiling in various
anatomical tissues and perturbation conditions.
AB - Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are ubiquitous enzymes which play versatile
functions including cellular detoxification and stress tolerance. In this study,
a comprehensive genome-wide identification of GST gene family was carried out in
potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The result demonstrated the presence of at least
90 GST genes in potato which is greater than any other reported species.
According to the phylogenetic analyses of Arabidopsis, rice and potato GST
members, GSTs could be subdivided into ten different classes and each class is
found to be highly conserved. The largest class of potato GST family is tau with
66 members, followed by phi and lambda. The chromosomal localization analysis
revealed the highly uneven distribution of StGST genes across the potato genome.
Transcript profiling of 55 StGST genes showed the tissue-specific expression for
most of the members. Moreover, expression of StGST genes were mainly repressed in
response to abiotic stresses, while largely induced in response to biotic and
hormonal elicitations. Further analysis of StGST gene's promoter identified the
presence of various stress responsive cis-regulatory elements. Moreover, one of
the highly stress responsive StGST members, StGSTU46, showed strong affinity
towards flurazole with lowest binding energy of -7.6kcal/mol that could be used
as antidote to protect crop against herbicides. These findings will facilitate
the further functional and evolutionary characterization of GST genes in potato.
PMID- 28988962
TI - Prehospital cooling to improve successful targeted temperature management after
cardiac arrest: A randomized controlled trial.
AB - RATIONALE: Targeted temperature management (TTM) improves survival with good
neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but is
delivered inconsistently and often with delay. OBJECTIVE: To determine if
prehospital cooling by paramedics leads to higher rates of 'successful TTM',
defined as achieving a target temperature of 32-34 degrees C within 6h of
hospital arrival. METHODS: Pragmatic RCT comparing prehospital cooling (surface
ice packs, cold saline infusion, wristband reminders) initiated 5min after return
of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) versus usual resuscitation and transport. The
primary outcome was rate of 'successful TTM'; secondary outcomes were rates of
applying TTM in hospital, survival with good neurological outcome, pulmonary
edema in emergency department, and re-arrest during transport. RESULTS: 585
patients were randomized to receive prehospital cooling (n=279) or control
(n=306). Prehospital cooling did not increase rates of 'successful TTM' (30% vs
25%; RR, 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-1.52; p=0.22), but increased
rates of applying TTM in hospital (68% vs 56%; RR, 1.21; 95%CI 1.07-1.37;
p=0.003). Survival with good neurological outcome (29% vs 26%; RR, 1.13, 95%CI
0.87-1.47; p=0.37) was similar. Prehospital cooling was not associated with re
arrest during transport (7.5% vs 8.2%; RR, 0.94; 95%CI 0.54-1.63; p=0.83) but was
associated with decreased incidence of pulmonary edema in emergency department
(12% vs 18%; RR, 0.66; 95%CI 0.44-0.99; p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital cooling
initiated 5min after ROSC did not increase rates of achieving a target
temperature of 32-34 degrees C within 6h of hospital arrival but was safe and
increased application of TTM in hospital.
PMID- 28988963
TI - Defining Novel and Practical Metrics to Assess the Deliverables of
Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Ultrasound Fusion Prostate Biopsy.
AB - PURPOSE: Multiparametric magnetic resonance/ultrasound targeted prostate biopsy
is touted as a tool to improve prostate cancer care and yet its true clinical
usefulness over transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy has not been
systematically analyzed. We introduce 2 metrics to better quantify and report the
deliverables of targeted biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed our
prospective database of patients who underwent simultaneous multiparametric
magnetic resonance/ultrasound targeted prostate biopsy and transrectal ultrasound
guided prostate biopsy. Actionable intelligence metric was defined as the
proportion of patients in whom targeted biopsy provided actionable information
over transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. Reduction metric was defined
as the proportion of men in whom transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy
could have been omitted. We compared metrics in our cohort with those in prior
reports. RESULTS: A total of 371 men were included in study. The actionable
intelligence and reduction metrics were 22.2% and 83.6% in biopsy naive cases,
26.7% and 84.2% in prior negative transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy
cases, and 24% and 77.5%, respectively, in active surveillance cases. No
significant differences were observed among the groups in the actionable
intelligence metric and the reduction metric (p = 0.89 and 0.27, respectively).
The actionable intelligence metric was 25.0% for PI-RADSTM (Prostate Imaging
Reporting and Data System) 3, 27.5% for PI-RADS 4 and 21.7% for PI-RADS 5 lesions
(p = 0.73). Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy could have been avoided
in more patients with PI-RADS 3 compared to PI-RADS 4/5 lesions (reduction metric
92.0% vs 76.7%, p <0.01). Our results compare favorably to those of other
reported series. CONCLUSIONS: The actionable intelligence metric and the
reduction metric are novel, clinically relevant quantification metrics to
standardize the reporting of multiparametric magnetic resonance/ultrasound
targeted prostate biopsy deliverables. Targeted biopsy provides actionable
information in about 25% of men. Reduction metric assessment highlights that
transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy may only be omitted after carefully
considering the risk of missing clinically significant cancers.
PMID- 28988965
TI - Do estrogens enhance activation of brown and beiging of adipose tissues?
AB - Obesity and its associated co-morbidities are worldwide public health concerns.
Obesity is characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation; however, it is
important to recognize that human and rodent adipose tissues are made up of
several distinct adipose tissue sub-types. White adipose tissue (WAT) is
considered the prototypical fat cell, due to its capacity and capability to store
large amounts of lipid. In contrast, brown adipose tissue (BAT) oxidizes
substrates to generate heat. BAT contains more mitochondria than WAT and express
uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), which mediates BAT thermogenesis. A third sub-type
of adipose tissue, Brown-in-white (BRITE)/beige adipocytes arise from WAT upon
adrenergic stimulation and resembles BAT functionally. The energy burning feature
of BAT/beige cells, combined with evidence of an inverse-correlation between
BAT/beige adipose tissue and obesity have given rise to the hypothesis that
obesity may be linked to BAT/beige 'malfunction'. Females have more BAT and
perhaps an enhanced capacity to beige their adipose tissue when compared to
males. Multiple signal pathways are capable of activating BAT thermogenesis and
beiging of WAT; here, we discuss the potential role of estrogens in enhancing and
mediating these factors to enhance adipose tissue thermogenesis.
PMID- 28988964
TI - Epidemiology of Bacteremia in Febrile Infants Aged 60 Days and Younger.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the current epidemiology of bacteremia in febrile
infants 60 days of age and younger in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied
Research Network (PECARN). METHODS: We conducted a planned secondary analysis of
a prospective observational study of febrile infants 60 days of age and younger
presenting to any of 26 PECARN emergency departments (2008 to 2013) who had blood
cultures obtained. We excluded infants with significant comorbidities or
critically ill appearance. The primary outcome was prevalence of bacteremia.
RESULTS: Of 7,335 screened infants, 4,778 (65.1%) had blood cultures and were
enrolled. Of these patients, 84 had bacteremia (1.8%; 95% confidence interval
[CI] 1.4% to 2.2%). The prevalence of bacteremia in infants aged 28 days or
younger (47/1,515) was 3.1% (95% CI 2.3% to 4.1%); in infants aged 29 to 60 days
(37/3,246), 1.1% (95% CI 0.8% to 1.6%). Prevalence differed by week of age for
infants 28 days of age and younger (0 to 7 days: 4/156, 2.6%; 8 to 14 days:
19/356, 5.3%; 15 to 21 days: 15/449, 3.3%; and 22 to 28 days: 9/554, 1.6%). The
most common pathogens were Escherichia coli (39.3%; 95% CI 29.5% to 50.0%) and
group B streptococcus (23.8%; 95% CI 16.0% to 33.9%). Bacterial meningitis
occurred in 19 of 1,515 infants 28 days of age and younger (1.3%; 95% CI 0.8% to
2.0%) and 5 of 3,246 infants aged 29 to 60 days (0.2%; 95% CI 0.1% to 0.4%). Of
84 infants with bacteremia, 36 (42.9%; 95% CI 32.8% to 53.5%) had urinary tract
infections (E coli 83%); 11 (13.1%; 95% CI 7.5% to 21.9%) had bacterial
meningitis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of bacteremia and meningitis among febrile
infants 28 days of age and younger is high and exceeds that observed in infants
aged 29 to 60 days. E coli and group B streptococcus are the most common
bacterial pathogens.
PMID- 28988966
TI - Murine social stress results in long lasting voiding dysfunction.
AB - Repeated exposure to social stress shifts the voiding phenotype in male mice
leading to bladder wall remodeling and is associated with increased expression of
the stress neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in Barrington's
nucleus neurons. In these studies, we set out to determine if the voiding
phenotype could recover upon removal from the stressor. Male mice were exposed
for 1h daily to an aggressor and the voiding phenotype was assessed at one month
followed by randomization to three groups. One group underwent immediate
sacrifice. Two groups were allowed a one month recovery from the social stress
exposure with or without the addition of fluoxetine (1.2mg/ml) in their drinking
water and repeat voiding patterns were measured prior to sacrifice. Social stress
significantly increased bladder mass, bladder mass corrected for body weight,
voided volumes, and decreased urinary frequency. The abnormal voiding phenotype
persisted after a 1month recovery with no effect from the addition of fluoxetine.
CRF mRNA in Barrington's nucleus was increased by social stress and remained
elevated following recovery with no effect from the addition of fluoxetine. The
mRNA and protein expression for the alpha 1 chains of type 1 and type III
collagen was unchanged across all groups suggesting that changes in the
extracellular matrix of the bladder are not responsible for the voiding
phenotype. This persisting voiding dysfunction correlates with the persistent
elevation of CRF mRNA expression in Barrington's nucleus.
PMID- 28988967
TI - Prenatal stress suppresses the prefrontal and amygdaline EEG changes associated
with a sexually-motivated state in male rats.
AB - The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) participate in
the modulation of several motivated behaviors, such as the sexual behavior. Both
structures are sensitive to stress when it is experienced mainly in critical
periods of the life-cycle, such as the prenatal period. This study evaluated the
effects of prenatal stress on electroencephalographic activity (EEG) of the mPFC
and BLA during sexual motivation. EEG was recorded in the mPFC and BLA of male
rats assigned to either a prenatally-stressed group (SG, dam immobilized from
days 14 to 21of pregnancy), or a control group (CG), during the following
conditions: awake-quiet state without sexual motivation, and awake-quiet state
with sexual motivation. Compared to CG, fewer SG subjects presented copulatory
responses and their levels of sexual motivation were lower. The CG subjects with
sexual motivation showed a higher absolute power (AP) of the 14-30Hz band in the
left mPFC and BLA than those without sexual motivation. The SG showed a lower AP
of the 4-7 and 8-13Hz bands in the left BLA. Thus, prenatal stress suppressed the
prefrontal and amygdaline EEG changes associated with a sexually-motivated state.
EEG data show that stress affects the functioning of these two brain structures
and so could interfere with the adequate processing of sexual stimuli. These
findings contribute to understanding the brain mechanisms that underlie the
effect of prenatal stress on the processing of sexual stimuli in male rats.
PMID- 28988968
TI - KiSS1 gene as a novel mediator of TGFbeta-mediated cell invasion in triple
negative breast cancer.
AB - The invasive and metastatic phenotypes of breast cancer correlate with high
recurrence rates and poor survival outcomes. Transforming growth factor-beta
(TGFbeta) promotes tumor progression and metastasis in aggressive breast cancer.
Here, we identified the kisspeptin KiSS1 as a downstream target of canonical
TGFbeta/Smad2 pathway in triple negative breast cancer cells. We also found KiSS1
expression to be required for TGFbeta-induced cancer cell invasion. Indeed,
knockdown expression of KiSS1 blocked TGFbeta-mediated cancer cell invasion as
well as metalloproteinase (MMP9) expression and activity. Interestingly,
Kisspeptin-10 (KP-10), the smallest active form of kisspeptin also stimulates
cancer cell invasive behavior through activation of MAPK/Erk pathway. We
described a positive feedback loop between KiSS1 and p21 downstream of TGFbeta,
further contributing to TGFbeta-induced cancer cell invasion. Lastly, we explored
both the clinical utility of KiSS1 as a lymph node involvement predictive tool
and its potential as a therapeutic target. We found KiSS1 high expression to
correlate with lymph node positive status. Furthermore, blocking KiSS1 using a
specific small peptide antagonist (p234) impaired TGFbeta-mediated cell invasion
and MMP9 induction. Together, our results define an essential role of KiSS1 in
regulating TGFbeta pro-invasive effects and define KiSS1 as a therapeutic new
target for triple negative breast cancer.
PMID- 28988970
TI - Effects of berberine, curcumin, resveratrol alone and in combination with
chemotherapeutic drugs and signal transduction inhibitors on cancer cells-Power
of nutraceuticals.
AB - Over the past fifty years, society has become aware of the importance of a
healthy diet in terms of human fitness and longevity. More recently, the concept
of the beneficial effects of certain components of our diet and other compounds,
that are consumed often by different cultures in various parts of the world, has
become apparent. These "healthy" components of our diet are often referred to as
nutraceuticals and they can prevent/suppress: aging, bacterial, fungal and viral
infections, diabetes, inflammation, metabolic disorders and cardiovascular
diseases and have other health-enhancing effects. Moreover, they are now often
being investigated because of their anti-cancer properties/potentials.
Understanding the effects of various natural products on cancer cells may enhance
their usage as anti-proliferative agents which may be beneficial for many health
problems. In this manuscript, we discuss and demonstrate how certain
nutraceuticals may enhance other anti-cancer drugs to suppress proliferation of
cancer cells.
PMID- 28988971
TI - Voice Outcomes after Radiotherapy Treatment for Early Glottic Cancer: Long-Term
Follow-Up.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate long-term voice outcomes and
voice-related quality of life (QOL) for early glottic cancer treated with
radiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: Long-term exploratory follow-up study of a
prospective patient cohort comparing outcomes at a mean of 11 years
postradiotherapy with the original 1-year posttreatment results. METHOD: Eight
patients completed voice tasks for auditory perception and acoustic and
aerodynamic measures. Patient-reported voice-related QOL (VR-QOL) and voice
quality were measured. Changes in outcomes over time were analysed using repeated
measures linear mixed models. RESULTS: Acoustic and aerodynamic outcomes remained
stable from 1 year postradiotherapy to long-term follow-up, with only jitter
mildly increasing from 1.9% at 1 year posttreatment to 2.8% (difference = 1.0%,
95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.1-1.9). Perceptually, voice remained relatively
stable with only phonation breaks slightly increasing within the normal range,
from 1.1 to 1.7 (difference = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.3-0.9) and breathy quality
increasing from normal to slight impairment, with scores increasing from 1.8 to
2.4 (difference = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.3-1.1). QOL scores indicate a good level of VR
QOL that were unchanged at long-term follow-up when compared with 1 year
posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in voice outcomes found at 1 year
postradiotherapy were largely maintained long term, with only minor changes
observed. QOL scores indicate that a high level of VR-QOL was maintained many
years after curative radiotherapy.
PMID- 28988972
TI - Arginine vasopressin antagonizes the effects of prostaglandin E2 on the
spontaneous activity of warm-sensitive and temperature-insensitive neurons in the
medial preoptic area in rats.
AB - Arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays an important role in thermoregulation and
antipyresis. We have demonstrated that AVP could change the spontaneous activity
of thermosensitive and temperature insensitive neurons in the preoptic area.
However, whether AVP influences the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the
spontaneous activity of neurons in the medial preoptic area (MPO) remains
unclear. Our experiment showed that PGE2 decreased the spontaneous activity of
warm-sensitive neurons, and increased that of low-slope temperature-insensitive
neurons in the MPO. AVP attenuated the inhibitory effect of PGE2 on warm
sensitive neurons, and reversed the excitatory effect of PGE2 on low-slope
temperature-insensitive neurons, demonstrating that AVP antagonized the effects
of PGE2 on the spontaneous activity of these neurons. The effect of AVP was
suppressed by an AVP V1a receptor antagonist, suggesting that V1a receptor
mediated the action of AVP. We also demonstrated that AVP attenuated the PGE2
induced decrease in the prepotential's rate of rise in warm-sensitive neurons and
the PGE2-induced increase in that in low-slope temperature-insensitive neurons
through the V1a receptor. Together, these data indicated that AVP antagonized the
PGE2-induced change in the spontaneous activity of warm-sensitive and low-slope
temperature-insensitive neurons in the MPO partly by reducing the PGE2-induced
change in the prepotential of these neurons in a V1a receptor-dependent manner.
PMID- 28988969
TI - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Zebrafish in the analysis of the milder and
more prevalent form of the disease.
AB - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) represent a large unmet medical need.
Exposure of the developing human embryo to alcohol can lead to life-long
suffering. Despite the well documented deleterious effects of alcohol on the
developing fetus, pregnant women continue to drink alcohol, and FASD remains the
leading cause of preventable mental retardation and other behavioral
abnormalities. Particularly prevalent are the milder forms of the disease
cluster, representing children who do not show obvious physical signs and who may
be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. To develop treatment and diagnostic tools,
researchers have turned to animal models. The zebrafish is becoming one of the
leading biomedical research organisms that may facilitate discovery of the
biological mechanisms underlying this disease and the identification of
biomarkers that may be used for diagnosis. Here we review the latest advances of
this field, mostly focussing on the discoveries made in our own laboratory and
others with zebrafish employed to analyze the effects of moderate to low level of
exposure to alcohol. We argue that the zebrafish represents unique advantages,
and adding information obtained with this species to the mix of other animal
models will significantly increase translational relevance of animal biomedical
research for the analysis of human FASD.
PMID- 28988973
TI - Comparative connectomics: Mapping the inter-individual variability of connections
within the regions of the human brain.
AB - The human braingraph, or connectome is a description of the connections of the
brain: the nodes of the graph correspond to small areas of the gray matter, and
two nodes are connected by an edge if a diffusion MRI-based workflow finds fibers
between those brain areas. We have constructed 1015-vertex graphs from the
diffusion MRI brain images of 392 human subjects and compared the individual
graphs with respect to several different areas of the brain. The inter-individual
variability of the graphs within different brain regions was discovered and
described. We have found that the frontal and the limbic lobes are more
conservative, while the edges in the temporal and occipital lobes are more
diverse. Interestingly, a "hybrid" conservative and diverse distribution was
found in the paracentral lobule and the fusiform gyrus. Smaller cortical areas
were also evaluated: precentral gyri were found to be more conservative, and the
postcentral and the superior temporal gyri to be very diverse. Similar studies
concerning the human genome discovered more and less conservative sections of the
DNA, opening up entirely new fields in genomics. We think that the present study
is the first step in this direction in human connectomics. The clinical
significance of the conservativity of a given cerebral area could be the higher
sensitivity for traumas and developmental or neuro-degenerative events than the
less conservative areas.
PMID- 28988974
TI - BDNF Val66Met polymorphism modulates the effect of loneliness on white matter
microstructure in young adults.
AB - Loneliness is a common experience. Susceptibility to loneliness is a stable trait
and is heritable. Previous studies have suggested that loneliness may impact
regional gray matter density and brain activation to social stimuli, but its
relation to white matter structure and how it may interact with genetic factors
remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether and how a common
polymorphism (Val66Met) in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene modulated
the association between loneliness and white matter microstructure in 162 young
adults. The tract-based spatial statistics analyses revealed that the
relationships between loneliness and white matter microstructures were
significantly different between Val/Met heterozygotes and Val/Val homozygotes.
Specifically, loneliness was significantly correlated with reduced fractional
anisotropy and increased radial diffusivity in widespread white matter fibers
within Val/Met heterozygotes. It was also significantly correlated with increased
radial diffusivity in Met/Met genotypes but showed no significant association
with white matter measures in Val/Val genotypes. Furthermore, the associations
between loneliness and fractional anisotropy (or radial diffusivity) in Val/Met
heterozygotes turned out to be global effects. These results provide evidence
that loneliness may interact with the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism to shape the
microstructures of white matter, and the Val/Met heterozygotes may be more
susceptible to social environment.
PMID- 28988975
TI - Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) suppresses hair growth through downregulation of beta
catenin.
PMID- 28988976
TI - Role of endogenous melatoninergic system in development of hyperalgesia and
tolerance induced by chronic morphine administration in rats.
AB - Morphine is a widely used analgesic for various types of pain. However, its
efficacy is impeded by development of hyperalgesia and tolerance. Melatonin has
antinociceptive effect and is involved in morphine-induced hyperalgesia and
tolerance but the mechanism of its involvement remains to be defined. In this
study, we established a rat model of morphine-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance.
We determined the serum level of melatonin and expression of MU-opioid receptor
(MOR), melatonin receptor (MT1, MT2) and protein kinase C gamma(PKCgamma) in the
spinal dorsal horn of the rats with morphine-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance.
Comparing with control group (n=6), the group (n=6) of rats with morphine-induced
hyperalgesia and tolerance exhibited a significant lower serum melatonin level,
reduction in expression of the MT1, but up-regulation of the PKCgamma in the
spinal dorsal horn. These results may facilitate revealing the mechanism of
opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance and exploring new therapeutic remedy
for pain management.
PMID- 28988977
TI - Pulmonary Rehabilitation in a Patient With Bronchiectasis and Underlying Cerebral
Palsy: A Case Presentation.
AB - : Bronchiectasis is a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by the permanent
dilatation of the airways, with recurrent infections. As the disease progresses,
extrapulmonary symptoms manifest. If the patient with bronchiectasis has an
underlying central nervous system disease such as cerebral palsy (CP),
extrapulmonary functions decline faster. The co-occurrence of these 2 diseases
may make care more complex, and there have been no reports about pulmonary
rehabilitation (PR) in this class of patients. Here, we present a patient with
bronchiectasis and underlying CP who showed marked improvement of pulmonary
function and clinical symptoms after 6 weeks of a patient-specific intensive PR
program. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
PMID- 28988978
TI - Isolated Neck Extensor Myopathy: A Case Presentation of Rapid Onset and
Spontaneous Recovery.
AB - : Patients presenting with a chin-on-chest deformity, or dropped head syndrome,
may have a diagnosis of isolated neck extensor myopathy (INEM). INEM is a
diagnosis of exclusion occurring primarily in elderly patients. INEM usually has
a benign progression, which may involve the shoulder girdle but does not advance
to other muscle groups. Patients without an inflammatory etiology typically
experience minimal or no recovery of their symptoms. Dropped head syndrome has
various implications on a patient's quality of life and activities of daily
living. We present a unique case of INEM with rapid onset and complete clinical
recovery within a time frame of 4 months. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.
PMID- 28988980
TI - Important Considerations for Studies of Circulating MicroRNAs in Clinical
Samples.
PMID- 28988981
TI - The typical RB76 recombination breakpoint of the invasive recombinant tomato
yellow leaf curl virus of Morocco can be generated experimentally but is not
positively selected in tomato.
AB - TYLCV-IS76 is an unusual recombinant between the highly recombinogenic tomato
yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus
(TYLCSV), two Mediterranean begomoviruses (Geminiviridae). In contrast with the
previously reported TYLCV/TYLCSV recombinants, it has a TYLCSV derived fragment
of only 76 nucleotides, and has replaced its parental viruses in natural
conditions (Morocco, Souss region). The viral population shift coincided with the
deployment of the popular Ty-1 resistant tomato cultivars, and according to
experimental studies, has been driven by a strong positive selection in such
resistant plants. However, although Ty-1 cultivars were extensively used in
Mediterranean countries, TYLCV-IS76 was not reported outside Morocco. This, in
combination with its unusual recombination pattern suggests that it was generated
through a rare and possibly multistep process. The potential generation of a
recombination breakpoint (RB) at locus 76 (RB76) was investigated over time in 10
Ty-1 resistant and 10 nearly isogenic susceptible tomato plants co-inoculated
with TYLCV and TYLCSV clones. RB76 could not be detected in the recombinant
progeny using the standard PCR/sequencing approach that was previously designed
to monitor the emergence of TYLCV-IS76 in Morocco. Using a more sensitive PCR
test, RB76 was detected in one resistant and five susceptible plants. The results
are consistent with a very low intra-plant frequency of RB76 bearing recombinants
throughout the test and support the hypothesis of a rare emergence of TYLCV-IS76.
More generally, RBs were more scattered in resistant than in susceptible plants
and an unusual RB at position 141 (RB141) was positively selected in the
resistant cultivar; interestingly, RB141 bearing recombinants were detected in
resistant tomato plants from the field. Scenarios of TYLCV-IS76 pre-emergence are
proposed.
PMID- 28988979
TI - IRX3 Promotes the Browning of White Adipocytes and Its Rare Variants are
Associated with Human Obesity Risk.
AB - BACKGROUND: IRX3 was recently reported as the effector of the FTO variants. We
aimed to test IRX3's roles in the browning program and to evaluate the
association between the genetic variants in IRX3 and human obesity. METHODS: IRX3
expression was examined in beige adipocytes in human and mouse models, and
further validated in induced beige adipocytes. The browning capacity of primary
preadipocytes was assessed with IRX3 knockdown. Luciferase reporter analysis and
ChIP assay were applied to investigate IRX3's effects on UCP1 transcriptional
activity. Moreover, genetic analysis of IRX3 was performed in 861 young obese
subjects and 916 controls. RESULTS: IRX3 expression was induced in the browning
process and was positively correlated with the browning markers. IRX3 knockdown
remarkably inhibited UCP1 expression in induced mouse and human beige adipocytes,
and also repressed the uncoupled oxygen consumption rate. Further, IRX3 directly
bound to UCP1 promoter and increased its transcriptional activity. Moreover, 17
rare heterozygous missense/frameshift IRX3 variants were identified, with a
significant enrichment in obese subjects (P=0.038, OR=2.27; 95% CI, 1.02-5.05).
CONCLUSIONS: IRX3 deficiency repressed the browning program of white adipocytes
partially by regulating UCP1 transcriptional activity. Rare variants of IRX3 were
associated with human obesity.
PMID- 28988982
TI - Phylogenetic analysis of Human papillomavirus 16 variants isolated from Indian
Breast cancer patients showed difference in genetic diversity with that of
cervical cancer isolates.
AB - The genetic variations of HPV16 in Breast Cancer (BC) are not well studied unlike
HPV16 in Cervical Cancer (CACX). In this study, the genetic variations of HPV16
in BC were compared with HPV16 in CACX. In sequencing analysis of LCR, E6 and E7
regions of HPV16 in BC and CACX the A lineage was seen to be 64.2% and 66.6%
respectively. The other lineages showed differential frequency in BC and CACX.
The mutation frequency index of the regions in BC and CACX was in the following
order: LCR>E6>E7. However, the inter-patient genetic diversity in LCR and E6/E7
regions was high in BC than CACX. The LCR region showed more variations than the
E6/E7 region in BC. Apart from some common variations, some unique tissue
specific variants in LCR and E6/E7 region were seen in BC and in CACX. Besides
the selection of some common variants in both BC and CACX, some unique variants
in BC (D98Y; 395 G>T) and CACX (R48W; 245 G>T) were observed. The 7521 G>A
variant of LCR showed association with Luminal B subtype of BC and progression of
CACX. Whereas, 145 G>T (Q14H) and 335 C>T (H78Y) variants of E6 showed
association with either early invasiveness of BC and/or poor outcome of the
patients. Thus, this study indicates that there may be a difference in the
genetic variation of HPV16 in BC and in CACX.
PMID- 28988983
TI - Molecular characterization of two badnavirus genomes associated with Canna yellow
mottle disease.
AB - Members of the genus Badnavirus have a single non-covalently closed circular
double-stranded DNA genome of 7.2-9.2kb. The genome encodes three open reading
frames (ORFs) on the positive DNA strand. Canna yellow mottle virus (CaYMV) is a
badnavirus that has been described as the etiological cause of yellow mottle
disease in canna, although only a 565bp fragment of the genome has been
previously reported from cannas. In this report, concentrated virions were
recovered from infected canna plants and nucleic acids were extracted. Two full
length sequences represent two badnavirus genomes were recovered and were
determined to be 6966bp and 7385bp in length. These DNAs represent a virus strain
belonging to Canna yellow mottle virus and a novel species tentatively termed
Canna yellow mottle associated virus. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that these
two viruses are closely related to sugarcane bacilliform GD virus, pineapple
bacilliform comosus virus, banana streak MY virus, and cycad leaf necrosis virus.
We also showed naturally grown canna plants to be frequently co-infected by these
two badnaviruses along with a potyvirus, Canna yellow streak virus.
PMID- 28988984
TI - Prevention of chronic renal allograft rejection by AS2553627, a novel JAK
inhibitor, in a rat transplantation model.
AB - BACKGROUND: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are thought to be promising candidates
to aid renal transplantation. However, the effectiveness of JAK inhibitors
against features of chronic rejection, including interstitial fibrosis/tubular
atrophy (IF/TA) and glomerulosclerosis, has not been elucidated. Here, we
investigated the effect of AS2553627, a novel JAK inhibitor, on the development
of chronic rejection in rat renal transplantation. METHODS: Lewis (LEW) to Brown
Norway (BN) rat renal transplantation was performed. Tacrolimus (TAC) at 0.1mg/kg
was administered intramuscularly once a day for 10 consecutive days starting on
the day of transplantation (days 0 to 9) to prevent initial acute rejection.
After discontinuation of TAC treatment from days 10 to 28, AS2553627 (1 and
10mg/kg) was orally administered with TAC. At 13weeks after renal
transplantation, grafts were harvested for histopathological and mRNA analysis.
Creatinine and donor-specific antibodies were measured from plasma samples.
Urinary protein and kidney injury markers were also evaluated. RESULTS: AS2553627
in combination with TAC exhibited low plasma creatinine and a marked decrease in
urinary protein and kidney injury markers, such as tissue inhibitor of
metalloproteinase-1 and kidney injury molecule-1. At 13weeks, histopathological
analysis revealed that AS2553627 treatment inhibited glomerulosclerosis and
IF/TA. In addition, upregulation of cell surface markers, fibrosis/epithelial
mesenchymal transition and inflammation-related genes were reduced by the
combination of AS2553672 and TAC, particularly CD8 and IL-6 mRNAs, indicating
that AS2553627 prevented cell infiltration and inflammation in renal allografts.
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the therapeutic potential of JAK inhibitors
in chronic rejection progression, and suggest that AS2553627 is a promising agent
to improve long-term graft survival after renal transplantation.
PMID- 28988985
TI - FACS-Assisted CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing Facilitates Parkinson's Disease
Modeling.
AB - Genome editing and human induced pluripotent stem cells hold great promise for
the development of isogenic disease models and the correction of disease
associated mutations for isogenic tissue therapy. CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a
versatile and simple tool for engineering human cells for such purposes. However,
the current protocols to derive genome-edited lines require the screening of a
great number of clones to obtain one free of random integration or on-locus non
homologous end joining (NHEJ)-containing alleles. Here, we describe an efficient
method to derive biallelic genome-edited populations by the use of fluorescent
markers. We call this technique FACS-assisted CRISPR-Cas9 editing (FACE). FACE
allows the derivation of correctly edited polyclones carrying a positive
selection fluorescent module and the exclusion of non-edited, random integrations
and on-target allele NHEJ-containing cells. We derived a set of isogenic lines
containing Parkinson's-disease-associated mutations in alpha-synuclein and
present their comparative phenotypes.
PMID- 28988986
TI - Phosphorylation of Threonine343 Is Crucial for OCT4 Interaction with SOX2 in the
Maintenance of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency.
AB - OCT4 is required to maintain the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs);
yet, overdose-expression of OCT4 induces ESC differentiation toward primitive
endoderm. The molecular mechanism underlying this differentiation switch is not
fully understood. Here, we found that substitution of threonine343 by alanine
(T343A), but not aspartic acid (T343D), caused a significant loss of OCT4
phosphorylation signal in ESCs. Loss of such OCT4-phosphorylation compromises its
interaction with SOX2 but promotes interaction with SOX17. We therefore propose
that threonine343-based OCT4-phosphorylation is crucial for the maintenance of
ESC pluripotency. This OCT4-phosphorylation-based mechanism may provide insight
into the regulation of lineage specification during early embryonic development.
PMID- 28988987
TI - A DGCR8-Independent Stable MicroRNA Expression Strategy Reveals Important
Functions of miR-290 and miR-183-182 Families in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.
AB - Dgcr8 knockout cells provide a great means to understand the function of
microRNAs (miRNAs) in vitro and in vivo. Current strategies to study miRNA
function in Dgcr8 knockout cells depend on transient transfection of chemically
synthesized miRNA mimics, which is costly and not suitable for long-term study
and genetic selection of miRNA function. Here, we developed a cost-effective
DGCR8-independent stable miRNA expression (DISME) strategy based on a short
hairpin RNA vector that can be precisely processed by DICER. Using DISME, we
found that miR-294 promoted the formation of meso-endoderm lineages during
embryonic stem cell differentiation. Furthermore, DISME allowed for a pooled
screen of miRNA function and identified an miR-183-182 cluster of miRNAs
promoting self-renewal and pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells.
Altogether, our study demonstrates that DISME is a robust and cost-effective
strategy that allows for long-term study and genetic selection of miRNA function
in a Dgcr8 knockout background.
PMID- 28988988
TI - Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Encapsulating Bioactive
Hydrogels Improve Rat Heart Function Post Myocardial Infarction.
AB - Tissue engineering offers an exciting possibility for cardiac repair post
myocardial infarction. We assessed the effects of combined polyethylene glycol
hydrogel (PEG), human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (iPSC
CM), and erythropoietin (EPO) therapy in a rat model of myocardial infarction.
PEG with/out iPSC-CMs and EPO; iPSC-CMs in saline; or saline alone was injected
into infarcted hearts shortly after infarction. Injection of almost any
combination of the therapeutics limited acute elevations in chamber volumes.
After 10 weeks, attenuation of ventricular remodeling was identified in all
groups that received PEG injections, while ejection fractions were significantly
increased in the gel-EPO, cell, and gel-cell-EPO groups. In all treatment groups,
infarct thickness was increased and regions of muscle were identified within the
scar. However, no grafted cells were detected. Hence, iPSC-CM-encapsulating
bioactive hydrogel therapy can improve cardiac function post myocardial
infarction and increase infarct thickness and muscle content despite a lack of
sustained donor-cell engraftment.
PMID- 28988989
TI - FUS Mutant Human Motoneurons Display Altered Transcriptome and microRNA Pathways
with Implications for ALS Pathogenesis.
AB - The FUS gene has been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). FUS is a
ubiquitous RNA-binding protein, and the mechanisms leading to selective
motoneuron loss downstream of ALS-linked mutations are largely unknown. We report
the transcriptome analysis of human purified motoneurons, obtained from FUS wild
type or mutant isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Gene ontology
analysis of differentially expressed genes identified significant enrichment of
pathways previously associated to sporadic ALS and other neurological diseases.
Several microRNAs (miRNAs) were also deregulated in FUS mutant motoneurons,
including miR-375, involved in motoneuron survival. We report that relevant
targets of miR-375, including the neural RNA-binding protein ELAVL4 and apoptotic
factors, are aberrantly increased in FUS mutant motoneurons. Characterization of
transcriptome changes in the cell type primarily affected by the disease
contributes to the definition of the pathogenic mechanisms of FUS-linked ALS.
PMID- 28988990
TI - Efficient Large-Scale 2D Culture System for Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
and Differentiated Cardiomyocytes.
AB - Cardiac regenerative therapies utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cells
(hiPSCs) are hampered by ineffective large-scale culture. hiPSCs were cultured in
multilayer culture plates (CPs) with active gas ventilation (AGV), resulting in
stable proliferation and pluripotency. Seeding of 1 * 106 hiPSCs per layer
yielded 7.2 * 108 hiPSCs in 4-layer CPs and 1.7 * 109 hiPSCs in 10-layer CPs with
pluripotency. hiPSCs were sequentially differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs)
in a two-dimensional (2D) differentiation protocol. The efficiency of cardiac
differentiation using 10-layer CPs with AGV was 66%-87%. Approximately 6.2-7.0 *
108 cells (4-layer) and 1.5-2.8 * 109 cells (10-layer) were obtained with AGV.
After metabolic purification with glucose- and glutamine-depleted and lactate
supplemented media, a massive amount of purified CMs was prepared. Here, we
present a scalable 2D culture system using multilayer CPs with AGV for hiPSC
derived CMs, which will facilitate clinical applications for severe heart failure
in the near future.
PMID- 28988991
TI - Bifunctional Hydrogels Containing the Laminin Motif IKVAV Promote Neurogenesis.
AB - Engineering of biomaterials with specific biological properties has gained
momentum as a means to control stem cell behavior. Here, we address the effect of
bifunctionalized hydrogels comprising polylysine (PL) and a 19-mer peptide
containing the laminin motif IKVAV (IKVAV) on embryonic and adult neuronal
progenitor cells under different stiffness regimes. Neuronal differentiation of
embryonic and adult neural progenitors was accelerated by adjusting the gel
stiffness to 2 kPa and 20 kPa, respectively. While gels containing IKVAV or PL
alone failed to support long-term cell adhesion, in bifunctional gels, IKVAV
synergized with PL to promote differentiation and formation of focal adhesions
containing beta1-integrin in embryonic cortical neurons. Furthermore, in adult
neural stem cell culture, bifunctionalized gels promoted neurogenesis via the
expansion of neurogenic clones. These data highlight the potential of synthetic
matrices to steer stem and progenitor cell behavior via defined mechano-adhesive
properties.
PMID- 28988992
TI - Limb-Leaf designs for adaptive exploration of the dose-response curve.
AB - We propose a two-stage strategy, called the Limb-Leaf method, to explore the dose
response curve using dose promotion and addition in the context of adaptive
seamless Phase II/III trials. Strong control of the overall type 1 familywise
error rate of the proposed method is enforced by the closed testing principle.
The design constants are determined to minimize the risk-adjusted expected total
sample size while maintaining a target power. In the case of a nonmonotonic dose
response curve where more doses are required to adequately explore the curve,
substantial savings in sample size are achieved compared with a traditional
strategy which offers only selection and promotion from among initial first stage
doses.
PMID- 28988993
TI - Characterization and functional assessment of the NLRC3-like molecule of the
goldfish (Carassius auratus L.).
AB - The NLRC3-like (NLRC3L) molecule from the goldfish transcriptome database was
identified and characterized. Quantitative gene expression analysis revealed the
highest mRNA levels of NLRC3L were in the spleen and intestine, with lower mRNA
levels observed in muscle and liver. Goldfish NLRC3L was differentially expressed
in goldfish immune cell populations with highest mRNA levels measured in PBLs and
macrophages. We generated a recombinant form of the molecule (rgfNLRC3L) and an
anti-CT-NLRC3L IgG. Treatment of goldfish primary kidney macrophages in vitro
with ATP, LPS and heat-killed Aeromonas salmonicida up-regulated the NLRC3L mRNA
and protein. Confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation assays indicated that
goldfish rgfNLRC3L interacted with apoptosis-associated spec-like protein (ASC)
in eukaryotic cells, indicating that NLRC3L may participate in the regulation of
the inflammasome responses. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that NLRC3L
over-expression did not cause the activation of NF-kappaB, but that it cooperated
with RIP2 to down-regulate NF-kappaB activation. Our results indicate that the
NLRC3L may function as a regulator of NLR pathways in teleosts.
PMID- 28988994
TI - Locked nucleic acid: modality, diversity, and drug discovery.
AB - Over the past 20 years, the field of RNA-targeted therapeutics has advanced based
on discoveries of modified oligonucleotide chemistries, and an ever-increasing
understanding of how to apply cellular assays to identify oligonucleotides with
improved pharmacological properties in vivo. Locked nucleic acid (LNA), which
exhibits high binding affinity and potency, is widely used for this purpose. Our
understanding of RNA biology has also expanded tremendously, resulting in new
approaches to engage RNA as a therapeutic target. Recent observations indicate
that each oligonucleotide is a unique entity, and small structural differences
between oligonucleotides can often lead to substantial differences in their
pharmacological properties. Here, we outline new principles for drug discovery
exploiting oligonucleotide diversity to identify rare molecules with unique
pharmacological properties.
PMID- 28988995
TI - Overcoming or circumventing the stratum corneum barrier for efficient
transcutaneous immunization.
AB - Transcutaneous immunization (TCI) is a promising alternative to vaccine delivery
via the subcutaneous and intramuscular routes because of the unique immunological
characteristics of the skin. However, the stratum corneum (SC) prevents entry of
most therapeutic compounds into the body. Several physical devices have been
developed to overcome the SC barrier, but still damage the skin. However, by
targeting antigens to the abundant perifollicular antigen-presenting cells
(APCs), the transfollicular route might be a promising approach for TCI without
compromising the skin barrier.
PMID- 28988996
TI - 2017: beginning of a new era for Chlamydia research in China and the rest of the
world.
AB - The First Chinese Chlamydia Research Meeting was held in Lanzhou, China in May
2017, 60 years after the disclosure of reproducible isolation of Chlamydia
trachomatis by (Fei-fan Tang). We report current state of the Chlamydia research
community in China, and briefly review recent progress in Chlamydia vaccinology.
The meeting represents a new milestone for Chlamydia research in the country. The
Chinese Chlamydia Research Society (CCRS) was formed during the meeting. Future
meetings will be held biennially and should facilitate collaboration of Chinese
researchers with their domestic and international colleagues.
PMID- 28988997
TI - Offering smoking treatment to primary care patients in two Wisconsin healthcare
systems: Who chooses smoking reduction versus cessation?
AB - Smokers unwilling to make a quit attempt can still benefit from smoking
intervention. However, it is unclear what proportion of smokers will enter such a
Motivation phase intervention, and whether such an intervention attracts
different types of smokers than does abstinence oriented treatment. We conducted
a study from June 2010 to October 2013 based on a chronic care model of tobacco
treatment among study eligible primary care patients (N=1579; 58% women, 89%
White) presenting for regular health care visits in southern Wisconsin, U.S.
Medical assistants, prompted via the electronic health record (EHR), invited
smokers (n=10,242) to learn more about treatment options to help them either
reduce their smoking or quit. Of those invited to learn more who were then
reached by study staff, 10.2% (n=1046) reported interest in reduction treatment
and 24% (n=2465) reported interest in cessation treatment. Patients who selected
and ultimately entered reduction (n=492) versus cessation (n=1087) were more
likely to report: older age; a history of anxiety; lower motivation to quit;
lower primary dependence motives; more close friends or family who smoke; and a
greater interval since their last quit attempt. Results suggest that Motivation
phase treatment aimed at smoking reduction may increase the proportion and range
of smokers inducted into tobacco treatment.
PMID- 28988998
TI - Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors in Developing Countries: Policy
Perspectives.
PMID- 28988999
TI - Of weekend warriors and couch potatoes: Socio-economic determinants of physical
activity in Swiss middle-aged adults.
AB - Determinants of the interplay between physical activity (PA) and sedentary (SE)
status are poorly known. We assessed the socio-economic determinants of PA and SE
behaviours and patterns in a population-based study (The CoLaus study, Lausanne,
Switzerland, 2014-2017). 2229 adults (51.8% women, age range 45-86 years) had PA
and SE levels measured for 14 days using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Four
activity behaviours: (1) 'Couch potato': low PA & high SE; (2) 'Light mover': low
PA & low SE; (3) 'Sedentary exerciser': high PA & high SE, and (4) 'Busy bee':
high PA & low SE; and three activity patterns: (1) 'Inactive', (2) 'Weekend
warrior', and (3) 'Regularly active' were defined. Employment, household income
and educational level were collected by questionnaire. For activity behaviours,
relative to 'Couch potatoes', multivariate analysis showed that being employed
and having a low educational level were positively associated with 'Light
movers': relative risk ratios and (95% confidence interval): 1.54 (1.00-2.37) and
1.73 (1.11-2.69), respectively, and also with 'Busy bees': 1.49 (1.09-2.04) and
1.71 (1.26-2.32), respectively. High household income was negatively associated
with 'Light movers': 0.58 (0.34-0.97) and positively with 'Sedentary exercisers':
1.85 (1.10-3.10). For activity patterns, relative to 'Inactives', being employed
and having a high household income were positively associated with 'Weekend
warriors': 1.78 (1.26-2.50) and 1.59 (1.07-2.36), respectively, while having a
low educational level was positively associated with 'Regularly actives': 1.76
(1.32-2.34). Employment, educational level and household income are significantly
but differently associated with activity behaviours and patterns.
PMID- 28989000
TI - Use of 18F-FDG PET-CT imaging to determine internal mammary lymph node location
for radiation therapy treatment planning in breast cancer patients.
AB - PURPOSE: Adjuvant internal mammary lymph node (IMN) radiation is often delivered
with 2-dimensional techniques that use anatomic landmarks and predetermined
depths for field placement and dose specification. In contrast, 3-dimensional
planning uses the internal mammary vessels (IMVs) to localize the IMNs for
planning. Our purpose was to determine if localization of the involved IMN (i
IMN) by 18F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed
tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) offers opportunities to improve treatment. METHODS
AND MATERIALS: Breast cancer patients (n = 80) who had i-IMNs (n = 112) on PET-CT
for initial staging (n = 40) or recurrence (n = 40) were studied. Size,
intercostal space (IC), and distance from skin, sternum, and IMVs were recorded.
Effects on 2- and 3-dimensional planning were evaluated. RESULTS: Most i-IMNs
(94.6%) were in the first to third ICs. Few were in the fourth (4.5%) or fifth
(0.9%) IC. Mean i-IMN depth was 3.4 cm (range, 1.1-7.3 cm). Prescriptive depths
of 4, 5, and 6 cm would result in undertreatment of 25%, 10.7%, and 5.3% of IMNs,
respectively. Most IMNs (86.6%) were lateral or adjacent to the sternal edge.
Only 13.4% of IMNs were posterior to the sternum. Use of the ipsilateral or
contralateral sternal edge for field placement increases the risk of geographic
miss or excess normal tissue exposure. Most i-IMNs were adjacent to (83%) or
<=0.5 cm (14%) from the IMV edge. Three (3%) were >0.5 cm beyond the IMV edge.
The clinical target volume (CTV) defined by the first to third ICs encompassed
78% of i-IMNs. IMN-CTV coverage of i-IMNs increased with inclusion of the fourth
IC (82%), 0.5 cm medial and lateral margin expansion (93%), or both (96.5%).
CONCLUSION: Two-dimensional treatment techniques risk geographic miss of IMNs and
exposure of excess normal tissue to radiation. An IMN-CTV defined by the IMVs
from the first to third ICs with 0.5-cm medial and lateral margin expansion
encompasses almost all i-IMNs identified on PET-CT imaging. Inclusion of the
fourth IC offers modest coverage improvement, and its inclusion should be weighed
against potential increase in cardiac exposure. SUMMARY: The use of 2-dimensional
treatment techniques for adjuvant internal mammary lymph node (IMN) radiation may
cause geographic miss of tumor and expose normal tissue to radiation injury.
Conformal 3-dimensional planning improves coverage and reduces risk of normal
tissue damage by using the internal mammary vessel to define an IMN clinical
target volume (CTV). Contouring the IMN-CTV from the first to third intercostal
spaces with a 0.5-cm expansion medially and laterally encompasses most IMN.
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography may have a role in radiation
planning by identifying involved-IMN for dose escalation.
PMID- 28989001
TI - HPV-related nasopharyngeal and cervical cancer in a married couple in North
America.
PMID- 28989002
TI - CHI3L1 and CHI3L2 overexpression in motor cortex and spinal cord of sALS
patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive
neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration and death of upper
(UMN) and lower (LMN) motor neurons. In the last decade, it has been shown that
Chitinases are an important prognostic indicator of neuro-inflammatory damage
induced by microglia and astrocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed
microarray datasets obtained from the Array Express in order to verify the
expression levels of CHI3L1 and CHI3L2 in motor cortex biopsies of sALS patients
with different survival times. We also divided the sALS patients into smokers and
non-smokers. In order to extend our analysis, we explored two additional
microarray datasets, GSE833 and GSE26927, of post-mortem spinal cord biopsies
from sALS patients. RESULTS: The analysis showed that CHI3L1 and CHI3L2
expression levels were significantly upregulated in the motor cortex of sALS
patients, compared to the healthy controls. Moreover, their expression levels
were negatively correlated with survival time. Interesting results were obtained
when we compared the expression levels of Chitinases among smokers. We showed
that CHI3L1 and CHI3L2 were significantly upregulated in sALS smokers compared to
non-smokers. Furthermore, we found that four genes belonging to the Chitinases
network (SERPINA3, C1s, RRAD, HLA-DQA1) were significantly upregulated in the
motor cortex of sALS patients and positively correlated with Chitinases
expression levels. Similar results were obtained during the exploration of the
two-microarray dataset. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that CHI3L1 and CHI3L2
are associated with the progression of neurodegeneration in motor cortex and
spinal cord of sALS patients.
PMID- 28989003
TI - A novel approach to the endoscopic removal of a hollow fragile foreign body from
the rectum.
PMID- 28989004
TI - Per-oral endoscopic myotomy in achalasia with large esophageal diverticulum: the
"owl eyes" sign.
PMID- 28989005
TI - Postmucosectomy colonic pseudoperforation.
PMID- 28989006
TI - Comparison of endoscopy and radiographic imaging for detection of esophageal
inflammation and remodeling in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Eosinophil predominant mucosal inflammation is central to
the diagnosis and activity assessment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
Esophageal mural remodeling is an important consequence of EoE that is
responsible for adverse events of dysphagia, food impaction, and esophageal
stenosis. The aim of this study was to compare upper endoscopy (EGD) with barium
upper GI study (UGI) for the detection of esophageal inflammation and remodeling
in adults with EoE. METHODS: A retrospective review on a single-center database
of adults with confirmed EoE identified those with EGD and UGI performed within 6
months of each another. Studies were reviewed for mucosal inflammatory and
remodeling abnormalities. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included. Initial UGI
results were consistent with EoE in 10% and suggestive of EoE in 39%. Review of
UGI by a senior GI radiologist increased detection of changes consistent with EoE
(34%). EGD identified characteristic abnormalities in 93%, which was
significantly greater than UGI (67%). Inflammatory features were more frequently
appreciated on EGD (74%) compared with UGI (21%). There was no significant
difference in fibrostenotic changes observed on EGD (84%) versus UGI (73%).
CONCLUSIONS: EGD and UGI have similar sensitivity for identifying the remodeling
consequences of EoE; however, inflammatory features are better assessed on EGD.
Inadequate sensitivity of UGI for composite features of EoE limits its
capabilities as a diagnostic test, although radiologists' awareness significantly
increases the diagnostic yield of UGI. UGI and EGD may identify fibrostenotic
changes unappreciated by its counterpart and thus provide complementary
information in select patients.
PMID- 28989007
TI - Endoscopic reconstruction of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with placement of
gastrojejunal and remnant-jejunal lumen-apposing metal stents.
PMID- 28989008
TI - Metastatic melanoma in the ampulla of Vater.
PMID- 28989009
TI - The Surgery Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Program (SIEDP): An
Experiential Learning Program for Surgery Faculty to Ideate and Implement
Innovations in Health care.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Surgeons are continually engaged in the incorporation of new
technologies in their practice. In the operating room and beyond, they combine
technical skill with creative problem solving to improve tools and techniques for
patient care, making them natural innovators. However, despite their innovative
tendencies, education on entrepreneurship and commercialization is severely
lacking. Moreover, with increasing pressure to meet productivity metrics, their
availability to learn the complexities of commercialization is limited. To
address these challenges, we designed the Surgery Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Development Program (SIEDP) with the objective to advance faculty innovations,
develop new departmental innovation initiatives, and improve faculty education in
the area of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization. DESIGN: The
SIEDP is a first-of-its-kind experiential learning program specifically designed
for busy clinical and research faculty in a major academic surgery department.
Participants ideated and formed teams around health care innovations as they
progressed through a 9-month curriculum of expert guest lectures and interactive
workshops. A postprogram evaluation and outcome tracking method was used to
evaluate attainment of educational objectives and project development milestones.
SETTING: The Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann
Arbor, Michigan. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven surgery faculty of varying academic rank
and surgical subspecialties. RESULTS: The program generated 2 faculty startup
companies, 1 departmental commercial product, 3 patent disclosures, and 3
innovations that received additional funding. All participants in the program
reported a significant increase in their understanding of innovation and
entrepreneurship and that participation was a worthwhile faculty development
activity. CONCLUSION: Despite the various challenges and time constraints of
surgical practices, programs like SIEDP can educate surgeons and other
academicians on innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization and add value
to the academic mission of providing excellent education, research, and clinical
care.
PMID- 28989010
TI - Global Health Education for Medical Students: When Learning Objectives Include
Research.
AB - BACKGROUND: The Luke Commission, a provider of comprehensive mobile health
outreach in rural Swaziland, focuses on human immunodeficiency virus testing and
prevention, including the performance of over 100 circumcisions weekly.
Educational objectives for medical student global health electives are essential.
Learning research methodology while engaging in clinical activities reinforces
curriculum goals. Medical care databases can produce clinically significant
findings affecting international health policy. Engaging in academic research
exponentially increased the educational value of student experiences during an
international medical elective. METHODS: Staff of the Luke Commission, a
nongovernmental organization, collected and deidentified information from 1500
Swazi male patients undergoing circumcision from January through June of 2014.
Medical students designed studies and analyzed these data to produce research
projects on adverse event rates, pain perception, and penile malformations.
Institutional review board approval was obtained from the home institution and
accompanying senior surgical faculty provided mentorship. RESULTS: First-year
medical students enrolled in an international medical elective to explore
resource availability, cultural awareness, health care provision, and developing
world endemic diseases. While in country, students learned research methodology,
collected data, and engaged in research projects. Following the trip, students
presented posters at over 10 regional and national meetings. All 4 articles are
accepted or under consideration for publication by major journals. CONCLUSIONS:
During international medical electives the combination of clinical experiences
and access to databases from health aid organizations provides the foundation for
productive medical student research. All participants benefit from the
relationships formed by aid organizations, medical students, and patient
populations. Global health research has many complexities, but through careful
planning and cultural awareness, medical students can increase their research
skills and contribute to the medical literature, bringing attention to and
improving health care policies around the world. In sum, the educational
experience of medical students is enhanced through the interaction of delivering
patient care and completing clinical research studies.
PMID- 28989011
TI - Isoflavonoids as wound healing agents from Ononidis Radix.
AB - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dried roots of Ononis spinosa L. are
traditionally used for their diuretic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing
effects. AIM OF THE STUDY: Isolation of the bioactive compounds of Ononis spinosa
L. subsp. leiosperma (Boiss.) Sirj. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethyl acetate extract
prepared from the roots of Ononis spinosa L. subsp. leiosperma (Boiss.) Sirj. was
subjected to silica gel column. The fractions were tested for their wound healing
and anti-inflammatory activities. Linear incision and circular excision wound
models and hydroxypyroline estimation assay were used for the wound healing
activity. Carrageenan-induced hind paw edema, TPA-induced ear edema and acetic
acid-induced increase in capillary permeability tests as acute inflammation; FCA
induced arthritis as chronic inflammation models were used for the assessment of
anti-inflammatory activity. Antioxidant capacities of the fractions were tested
using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,2-azino
bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity assay,
reducing power assay and hydroxyl radical (OH-) scavenging assay. The isolation
procedure was continued with the active fraction (Fr-E5). RESULTS: Fr-E5
exhibited remarkable wound healing activity with the 33.4% tensile strength value
on the linear incision wound model and 51.4% reduction of the wound area at the
day 12 on the circular excision wound model. Hydroxyproline content of the tissue
treated by Fr-E5 was found to be 30.9 +/- 0.72MUg/mg. Acetic acid induced
increase in capillary permeability test results revealed that Fr-E5 inhibited
inflammation by the value of 40.3%. Fr-E5 showed 28.1-32.2% inhibition in
carrageenan-induced hind paw edema test while did not possess activity on TPA
induced ear edema and FCA-induced arthritis models. Trifolirhizin, ononin,
medicarpin-3-O-glucoside, onogenin-7-O-glucoside and sativanone-7-O-glucoside
were isolated from Fr-E5 and tested for their wound healing activities using by
measuring their inhibition of hyaluronidase, collagenase and elastase enzymes.
Ononin and sativanone-7-O-glucoside inhibited hyaluronidase and elastase enzymes
by 31.66% and 41.75%; 45.58% and 46.88% values respectively at the dose of
100MUg/mL. CONCLUSION: Among five isolated compounds, ononin and sativanone-7-O
glucoside were found to inhibit hyaluronidase and elastase enzymes. According to
the results, these compounds may majorly be responsible for the wound healing
activity of the extract.
PMID- 28989012
TI - In Vivo Transgene Expression in the Pancreas by the Intraductal Injection of
Naked Plasmid DNA.
AB - Patients with type I diabetes, which is caused by the destruction of pancreatic
islets, now require regular therapeutic injections of insulin. The use of
transgene therapy represents an alternate and potent strategy for the treatment
of type I diabetes. However, only a limited number of studies regarding in vivo
gene delivery targeting the pancreas and islets have been reported. Here, we
report on the possibility of in vivo transgene expression in the pancreas by the
intraductal injection of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA). Gene expression activities
were detected in the pancreas of mice after the injection of naked pDNA encoding
luciferase into the common bile duct. We then investigated the effects of
injection dose, volume, and speed on gene delivery and determined the optimal
conditions for the delivery of pDNA to the pancreas. Exogenous luciferase mRNA
was detected in the pancreatic islets by reverse transcription PCR analysis.
Moreover, no injury was detected in the liver, the common bile duct, or the
pancreas over time after the injection. These findings indicate that the
intraductal injection of naked pDNA promises to be a useful technique for in vivo
gene delivery targeted to pancreatic tissue and islets.
PMID- 28989013
TI - Development of a Modified-Release Formulation of Lovastatin Targeted to
Intestinal Methanogens Implicated in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation.
AB - There is growing evidence that methane production, predominantly by
Methanobrevibacter smithii, in the intestines is a cause of constipation, pain,
and bloating in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). M smithii
resides primarily in the large intestine but can also colonize the small
intestine. In vitro studies found that the prodrug lactone form of lovastatin,
found in cholesterol-lowering drugs, inhibited methane production in stool
samples from patients with IBS-C. However, the cholesterol-lowering lovastatin
beta-hydroxyacid was ineffective at inhibiting methane production in this system.
A considerable amount of lovastatin is converted to hydroxyacid in the stomach
and is absorbed. It was hypothesized that galenic innovations could protect
lovastatin from the stomach and allow release in 2 strategic locations, the
duodenum and the ileocecal region, to reach M smithii. The desired release
profile was achieved by developing an oral dosage form containing lovastatin and
coated with 2 different enteric polymers that enabled a pH-dependent "dual pulse"
drug release. Combinations of the 2 coated tablets were encapsulated together to
deliver the desired amount of lovastatin to the targeted intestinal locations.
The capsules have been tested in vitro and in vivo and show promise in treating
IBS-C.
PMID- 28989014
TI - Coamorphous Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient-Small Molecule Mixtures:
Considerations in the Choice of Coformers for Enhancing Dissolution and Oral
Bioavailability.
AB - In the recent years, coamorphous systems, containing an active pharmaceutical
ingredient (API) and a small molecule coformer have appeared as alternatives to
the use of either amorphous solid dispersions containing polymer or cocrystals of
API and small molecule coformers, to improve the dissolution and oral
bioavailability of poorly soluble crystalline API. This Commentary article
considers the relative properties of amorphous solid dispersions and coamorphous
systems in terms of methods of preparation; miscibility; glass transition
temperature; physical stability; hygroscopicity; and aqueous dissolution. It also
considers important questions concerning the fundamental criteria to be used for
the proper selection of a small molecule coformer regarding its ability to form
either coamorphous or cocrystal systems. Finally, we consider various aspects of
product development that are specifically associated with the formulation of
commercial coamorphous systems as solid oral dosage forms. These include coformer
selection; screening; methods of preparation; preformulation; physical stability;
bioavailability; and final formulation. Through such an analysis of coamorphous
API-small molecule coformer systems, against the more widely studied API-polymer
dispersions and cocrystals, it is believed that the strengths and weaknesses of
coamorphous systems can be better understood, leading to more efficient
formulation and manufacture of such systems for enhancing oral bioavailability.
PMID- 28989015
TI - The Use of a 2,2'-Azobis (2-Amidinopropane) Dihydrochloride Stress Model as an
Indicator of Oxidation Susceptibility for Monoclonal Antibodies.
AB - Protein oxidation is a major pathway for degradation of biologic drug products.
Past literature reports have suggested that 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane)
dihydrochloride (AAPH), a free radical generator that produces alkoxyl and alkyl
peroxyl radicals, is a useful model reagent stress for assessing the oxidative
susceptibility of proteins. Here, we expand the applications of the AAPH model by
pairing it with a rapid peptide map method to enable site-specific studies of
oxidative susceptibility of monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives for
comparison between formats, the evaluation of formulation components, and
comparisons across the stress models. Comparing the free radical-induced
oxidation model by AAPH with a light-induced oxidation model suggests that light
sensitive residues represent a subset of AAPH-sensitive residues and therefore
AAPH can be used as a preliminary screen to highlight molecules that need further
assessment by light models. In sum, these studies demonstrate that AAPH stress
can be used in multiple ways to evaluate labile residues and oxidation
sensitivity as it pertains to developability and manufacturability.
PMID- 28989016
TI - Solubilization of a Poorly Soluble B-Raf (Rapidly Accelerated Fibrosarcoma)
Inhibitor: From Theory to Application.
AB - The oral bioavailability of a drug candidate is influenced by its permeability,
metabolism, and physicochemical properties. Among the physicochemical properties,
solubility and dissolution rate often are the most critical factors affecting the
oral bioavailability of a compound. The increasing challenge for the
pharmaceutical industry is to achieve reasonable oral bioavailability of poorly
water-soluble drug candidates. G-F is a potent and selective B-Raf (rapidly
accelerated fibrosarcoma) inhibitor with poor water solubility and moderate
permeability, which resulted in an absorption-limited exposure in preclinical
safety studies. The intrinsic solubility of G-F is 8 MUg/mL (i.e., 0.0188 nM). In
this study, pH adjustment combined with cosolvency, micellization, or
complexation was applied as a technique to enhance the solubility of G-F. pH 9.5
and 4 buffers were selected to combine with the solubilization agents based on G
F's acidic pKa of 7.47. The solubilization power of each solubilization agent was
determined based on the experimental data. The solubility G-F can be increased up
to 4000-fold in a selected combination. The advantage of combination over
individual solubilization agent was demonstrated. In this study, the
understanding of the solubilization power of each solubilization agent played an
important role in the formulation development of this development candidate.
PMID- 28989017
TI - Mechanistic Basis of Cocrystal Dissolution Advantage.
AB - Current interest in cocrystal development resides in the advantages that the
cocrystal may have in solubility and dissolution compared with the parent drug.
This work provides a mechanistic analysis and comparison of the dissolution
behavior of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its 2 cocrystals, carbamazepine-saccharin
(CBZ-SAC) and carbamazepine-salicylic acid (CBZ-SLC) under the influence of pH
and micellar solubilization. A simple mathematical equation is derived based on
the mass transport analyses to describe the dissolution advantage of cocrystals.
The dissolution advantage is the ratio of the cocrystal flux to drug flux and is
defined as the solubility advantage (cocrystal to drug solubility ratio) times
the diffusivity advantage (cocrystal to drug diffusivity ratio). In this work,
the effective diffusivity of CBZ in the presence of surfactant was determined to
be different and less than those of the cocrystals. The higher effective
diffusivity of drug from the dissolved cocrystals, the diffusivity advantage, can
impart a dissolution advantage to cocrystals with lower solubility than the
parent drug while still maintaining thermodynamic stability. Dissolution
conditions where cocrystals can display both thermodynamic stability and a
dissolution advantage can be obtained from the mass transport models, and this
information is useful for both cocrystal selection and formulation development.
PMID- 28989018
TI - Optimization of a Vaginal Suppository Formulation to Deliver SHetA2 as a Novel
Treatment for Cervical Dysplasia.
AB - Cervical dysplasia induced by the human papilloma virus unpredictably progresses
to cervical cancer. Therapeutic options are invasive and affect the patient's
quality of life. SHetA2 has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against human and
murine human papilloma virus-induced tumors, but its oral bioavailability is <1%.
An optimized vaginal suppository formulation can deliver SHetA2 in sufficient
doses to prevent cervical dysplasia. The quality by design approach was employed
to optimize the suppository formulation consisting of cocoa butter as base with
5% Kolliphor and 40% SHetA2. The suppository had a content uniformity of 105.44
+/- 0.42%, melted in <8 min, and had a complete release of SHetA2 in water.
Administration of the suppository to mice-achieved cervix concentrations that
were significantly higher than the SHetA2 therapeutic concentration, with the
maximum concentration (Cmax-cervix = 336.78 MUg/g) being more than 100-fold the
therapeutic SHetA2 concentration. Furthermore, the levels of cyclin D1 protein
decreased 9-fold indicating a correlation of drug concentrations with the
pharmacodynamic endpoint. These proof-of-concept studies suggest that the SHetA2
optimized vaginal suppository formulation may have a potential use in the
prevention of cervical dysplasia, but detailed efficacy studies are required to
confirm this assumption.
PMID- 28989020
TI - Development of a Novel Amorphous Agomelatine Formulation With Improved Storage
Stability and Enhanced Bioavailability.
AB - The present work describes the development of a novel formulation of amorphous
agomelatine (AGM) that exhibits enhanced in vitro dissolution rate and
bioavailability, as well as improved storage stability. AGM was loaded on a
mixture of microcrystalline cellulose with a high specific surface area
excipient, namely colloidal silicon dioxide, employing a wet granulation method,
and the resultant AGM granules were subsequently formulated into immediate
release film-coated tablets. Modulated temperature differential scanning
calorimetry, hot-state light microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, attenuated
total reflectance FTIR, and micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed that the active
pharmaceutical ingredient existed primarily in the amorphous state within the
prepared formulations, with some crystals of polymorph I also present.
Accelerated stability studies for up to 6 months in alu-alu blisters showed good
physicochemical stability during storage. Finally, in vitro dissolution studies
and clinical trials in healthy human volunteers showed a remarkable increase in
the in vitro dissolution rate and a ~1.5-fold increase in bioavailability,
respectively, compared to the marketed product.
PMID- 28989019
TI - Drug-Disease Interaction: Effect of Inflammation and Nonsteroidal Anti
Inflammatory Drugs on Cytochrome P450 Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid.
AB - Inflammatory conditions increase cardiovascular (CV) risk. Some nonsteroidal anti
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are used to treat pain and inflammation are also
associated with CV complications. Inflammation, but not NSAIDs, disrupts the
balance of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor components of the renin-angiotensin
system within the heart. Herein, we report the effect of both inflammation and
NSAIDs (rofecoxib, celecoxib, and meloxicam) on the physiologically active
cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid (ArA) in the rat with adjuvant
arthritis. After oral administration of 7 daily therapeutically equivalent doses
of NSAIDs or vehicle, the anti-inflammatory response, as well as the ArA
metabolites and drug concentrations in plasma, heart and kidneys were assessed.
Inflammation in the form of adjuvant arthritis caused a significant tissue
dependent imbalance of ArA metabolites by elevating the ratio of cardiotoxic 20
hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid over cardioprotective epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in
the heart, and reducing the ratio in the kidney. The observed imbalance was
augmented by cardiotoxic rofecoxib but not by other examined NSAIDs with known
milder cardiotoxicity. The cardio-renal toxicity of NSAIDs with known severe CV
side effects may be due to altered cytochrome P450-mediated ArA acid metabolism.
The ArA metabolism profile may be a marker of NSAIDs safety and toxicity.
PMID- 28989022
TI - How Sensitive Are Transdermal Transport Predictions by Microscopic Stratum
Corneum Models to Geometric and Transport Parameter Input?
AB - While predictive models of transdermal transport have the potential to reduce
human and animal testing, microscopic stratum corneum (SC) model output is highly
dependent on idealized SC geometry, transport pathway (transcellular vs.
intercellular), and penetrant transport parameters (e.g., compound diffusivity in
lipids). Most microscopic models are limited to a simple rectangular brick-and
mortar SC geometry and do not account for variability across delivery sites,
hydration levels, and populations. In addition, these models rely on transport
parameters obtained from pure theory, parameter fitting to match in vivo
experiments, and time-intensive diffusion experiments for each compound. In this
work, we develop a microscopic finite element model that allows us to probe model
sensitivity to variations in geometry, transport pathway, and hydration level.
Given the dearth of experimentally-validated transport data and the wide range in
theoretically-predicted transport parameters, we examine the model's response to
a variety of transport parameters reported in the literature. Results show that
model predictions are strongly dependent on all aforementioned variations,
resulting in order-of-magnitude differences in lag times and permeabilities for
distinct structure, hydration, and parameter combinations. This work demonstrates
that universally predictive models cannot fully succeed without employing
experimentally verified transport parameters and individualized SC structures.
PMID- 28989021
TI - Enhanced Dissolution of a Porous Carrier-Containing Ternary Amorphous Solid
Dispersion System Prepared by a Hot Melt Method.
AB - The focus of our study was to employ a solvent-free, thermal process to evaluate
the use of a porous carrier in a drug-polymer-porous carrier ternary formulation
containing a high drug load (e.g., >=50% w/w). The purpose of the study was to
improve the dissolution properties of the biopharmaceutical classification system
class II drug, indomethacin, in the ternary formulation. The effect that the
selected polymer has on properties of the formulation was studied, and the
formulation characteristics of hypromellose (AF15), copovidone (VA64), and
polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer was evaluated to understand
differences in dissolution rates and drug adsorption onto the porous carrier. The
ternary formulations were manufactured using a thermal technique that relied on
heating and mixing, without the necessity of mechanical shear. All thermally
processed granules that employed the porous carrier exhibited immediate release
compared with crystalline indomethacin and physical mixtures. In addition, the
ternary formulations maintained supersaturation compared with the binary
formulations without polymer. The results of this study indicated that the
thermally processed ternary formulations containing a porous carrier demonstrated
a much improved dissolution profile in nonsink conditions.
PMID- 28989023
TI - Evaluation of Glass Delamination Risk in Pharmaceutical 10 mL/10R Vials.
AB - Glass delamination is characterized by the dissociation of glass flakes from the
glass surface. Since glass delamination is time dependent, 5 vial types were
investigated to assess delamination under accelerated stress conditions published
as quick tests in literature and compared to stress testing recommended per
United States Pharmacopoeia <1660>. A broad panel of analytical techniques was
employed to test the solution for visible/subvisible particles and leachables and
characterize topography and composition of the surface. The vial types showed
significant differences in surface durability when applying the same stress
conditions. An increase in glass leachables and change in topography were shown
for uncoated vials. An indication for an elevated delamination risk was confirmed
for Expansion 33 vials only by the compiled analytical data set including
particle assessment and change in elemental composition of the near glass surface
investigated by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry. The delamination test
protocols differ in test solution, handling, and time. Before choosing the most
appropriate protocol to predict delamination propensity and mimic real-time
conditions, long-term storage data are needed. A combination of analytical
techniques to study the risk for long-term corrosion of glass is highly
recommended covering the 3 aspects: visible/subvisible particle assessment,
solution analysis, and surface characterization.
PMID- 28989024
TI - Protein kinase C downregulation induces senescence via FoxO3a inhibition in
HCT116 and HEK293 cells.
AB - We investigated the impact of protein kinase C (PKC) on cellular senescence. The
PKC activity and expression of conventional PKC (cPKC) and atypical PKC (aPKC)
isoforms decreased during replicative senescence in IMR-90 cells. Forced
inhibition of cPKC or aPKC induced the activation of senescence markers,
including senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity and reactive oxygen
species (ROS)-p53-p21Cip1/WAF1 axis in HCT116 and HEK293 cells. PKC inhibition
triggered the nuclear exportation of FoxO3a via stimulation of AKT-mediated
phosphorylation of FoxO3a, and thereby decreased the transcription of FoxO3a
target genes. Conversely, ectopic expression of the PKC isoforms led to
stimulation of the nuclear import of FoxO3a and expression of the FoxO3a target
genes. Ectopic FoxO3a expression attenuated ROS accumulation and senescent
phenotypes induced by PKC inhibition. Therefore, this study suggests for the
first time that downregulation of PKC induces senescence through the AKT-FoxO3a
ROS-p53-p21Cip1/WAF1 pathway in HCT116 and HEK293 cells.
PMID- 28989025
TI - AAV-mediated conversion of human pluripotent stem cell-derived pacemaker.
AB - Malfunction of nodal pacemaker (Pm) cardiomyocytes (CMs) due to diseases or aging
leads to rhythm generation disorders, necessitating electronic Pm implantation.
We functionally reprogrammed human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) derived
ventricular (V) CMs into -PmCMs via recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9
(rAAV9)-mediated overexpression of engineered HCN1 channel (HCN1DeltaDeltaDelta)
whose S3-S4 linker has been strategically deleted by design to promote cardiac
pacemaking. rAAV9-HCN1DeltaDeltaDelta-reprogrammed hPSC-PmCMs converted from
VCMs showed automaticity and action potential parameters typical of native nodal
PmCMs. Implantation of rAAV9-HCN1DeltaDeltaDelta-based BPm in a preclinical
porcine model of complete heart block significantly reduced the dependence on
device-supported pacing and generated spontaneous heart rhythms from the BPm.
Collectively, these results have further laid the groundwork on BPm for future
translation.
PMID- 28989026
TI - Activation of nuclear beta-catenin/c-Myc axis promotes oxidative stress injury in
streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy.
AB - Myocardial oxidative stress injury plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of
diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Wnt/beta-catenin signaling has been reported to
involve in various heart diseases. However, the underlying mechanism associated
with beta-catenin in DCM remains elusive. This study intended to explore the
effect of beta-catenin on oxidative damage of DCM by establishing streptozotocin
(STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-treated
myocardial cell model. Cardiac oxidative stress in DCM was detected by
measurements of lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidative enzyme activities as well
as DHE staining. Nuclear beta-catenin activity and oxidative damage degree were
measured by western blotting, qPCR, MTT assay and TUNEL staining. Cardiac
function and morphology were evaluated by echocardiography and histopathology.
Under diabetic oxidative stress or H2O2 stimulation, nuclear beta-catenin
accumulation upregulated downstream c-Myc and further facilitated DNA damage and
p53-mediated apoptosis as well as cell viability reduction, followed by
phenotypic changes of cardiac dysfunction, interstitial fibrosis deposition and
myocardial atrophy. Conversely, through directly inhibiting nuclear beta
catenin/c-Myc axis, not only did siRNA knockdown of beta-catenin or c-Myc
attenuate cell injury in H2O2-stimulated cardiomyocytes, but also diabetic
cardiac-specific beta-catenin-knockout mice displayed the same prevention of
heart injury as insulin-treated diabetic mice. The present study demonstrated
that activated nuclear beta-catenin/c-Myc axis was responsible for oxidative
cardiac impairment of DCM. Therefore, repressing functional nuclear beta-catenin
may provide a hopeful therapeutic strategy for DCM.
PMID- 28989027
TI - Hyperglycemic condition during puberty increases collagen fibers deposition in
the prostatic stroma and reduces MMP-2 activity.
AB - Puberty is an important period for the growth and maturation of the male
reproductive system, and is also a critical window for endocrine or environmental
interference. The physiological levels of circulating insulin and hyperglycemic
control are important factors for a normal prostate growth. Hyperglycemia during
puberty is reported to retard the growth of the prostate gland, with remarkable
effects on the epithelial compartment. Here, we investigated the impact of
hyperglycemia along with a simultaneous or late insulin replacement on the
ventral prostate growth in rats during puberty, paying special attention to the
deposition of collagen fibers and activities of gelatinase, matrix
metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and -9 (MMP-9). Hyperglycemia was induced by
streptozotocin (STZ) administration in 40-day-old male Wistar rats. A subset of
hyperglycemic rats underwent an early insulin replacement (three days after the
STZ administration), and another subset underwent a late insulin replacement
(twenty days after the STZ administration). Animals were euthanized at 60 and/or
80 days of age. The ventral prostatic lobe was processed for picrosirius red
staining, type I and III collagen immunohistochemistry, and gelatin zymography.
Hyperglycemic animals showed an increased area of collagen fibers in the
prostate, which was composed both types of collagens. MMP-2 activity was
significantly reduced in the hyperglycemic animals, while MMP-9 activity was very
low and showed no alteration. The simultaneous and late insulin administration
restored collagen content and MMP-2 activity. In conclusion, puberty is a
critical window for prostate maturation and type-1 diabetes-induced hyperglycemia
affects the ratio of the prostatic parenchymal and stromal growth, leading to
fibrotic tissues by also MMP-2 down regulation.
PMID- 28989028
TI - Flexible nano- and microliter injections on a single liquid chromatography-mass
spectrometry system: Minimizing sample preparation and maximizing linear dynamic
range.
AB - Lack of knowledge on the expected concentration range or insufficient linear
dynamic range of the analytical method applied are common challenges for the
analytical scientist. Samples that are above the upper limit of quantification
are typically diluted and reanalyzed. The analysis of undiluted highly
concentrated samples can cause contamination of the system, while the dilution
step is time consuming and as the case for any sample preparation step, also
potentially leads to precipitation, adsorption or degradation of the analytes.
PMID- 28989029
TI - Applications of high-resolution recycling liquid chromatography: From small to
large molecules.
AB - A twin-column recycling separation process (TCRSP) is assembled and used to
generate higher speed and/or higher resolution levels than those of the usual non
recycling process at the same back pressure. It enables the users to solve very
challenging separation problems caused by too small selectivity factors and/or
too low column efficiencies. The relative gain in speed-resolution performance
increases with increasing the number of cycles in the TCRSP, decreasing the
maximum allowable pressure imposed by the LC system, decreasing the column
permeability, and with reducing the separation speed. TCRSP is then particularly
attractive for conventional LC systems (5000psi maximum) and columns packed with
sub-2MUm to 3.5MUm particles. The performance of the real TCRSP was compared to
that of the ideal TCRSP for which the retention factor is strictly pressure
independent. A broad range of separation problems encountered in conventional non
recycling chromatography can be easily solved by using a TCRSP assembly based on
two 15cm long columns. Under adsorption conditions, the TCRSP enables the full
baseline separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) isomers
(benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene) on a 3.5MUm XSelect-HSS T3 phase, the complete
or improved resolution of racemic mixtures (4-phenylbutanol and bromacil) using
the same 2.5MUm cellulose-1 chiral stationary phase, and the full resolution of
isotopic compounds (benzene/1,3,5-benzene-d3/benzene-d6) on a 2.7MUm Cortecs-C18
phase. Under non-adsorption conditions or in size-exclusion chromatography (SEC),
the fractionation of a polystyrene standard mixture (molecular weights of 35, 66,
130, 277, 552, 1210, and 2500kDa) was completed after only 8 cycles on a 1.7MUm
BEH 200Aphase. Similarly, a mixture of intact proteins with molecular weights of
16.7, 66.4, 150, 660, and 1320kDa was fully resolved on a 2.5MUm BEH 450Aphase
after only 6 cycles. Finally, TCRSP enables the complete separation of a few high
molecular-weight species (monoclonal antibody aggregates, small relative
abundance of 1 for 250) from the intact monomeric monoclonal antibody (Vectibix).
PMID- 28989030
TI - Layer chromatography-bioassays directed screening and identification of
antibacterial compounds from Scotch thistle.
AB - The antibacterial profiling of Onopordum acanthium L. leaf extract and subsequent
targeted identification of active compounds is demonstrated. Thin-layer
chromatography (TLC) and off-line overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC)
coupled with direct bioautography were utilized for investigation of the extract
against eight bacterial strains including two plant and three human pathogens and
a soil, a marine and a probiotic human gut bacteria. Antibacterial fractions
obtaining infusion-transfusion OPLC were transferred to HPLC-MS/MS analysis that
resulted in the characterization of three active compounds and two of them were
identified as, linoleic and linolenic acid. OPLC method was adopted to
preparative-scale flash chromatography for the isolation of the third active
compound, which was identified after a further semi-preparative HPLC purification
as the germacranolide sesquiterpene lactone onopordopicrin. Pure onopordopicrin
exhibited antibacterial activity that was specified as minimal inhibitory
concentration in the liquid phase as well.
PMID- 28989031
TI - The development of a monolith-based purification process for Orthopoxvirus
vaccinia virus Lister strain.
AB - The purification of large viruses remains an important field of research and
development. The development of efficient purification trains is restricted by
limited analytical methods, as well as by the complexity of large viruses, as
well as the high variability in starting material from cell culture. Vaccinia
virus holds great potential as an oncolytic and immunotherapeutic vaccine against
a broad spectrum of cancers. In this work, monolith-based capture and polishing
chromatographic steps for vaccinia virus Lister strain has been developed. Virus
produced in CV-1 cells was harvested and passed through a 0.8MUm pre-filter
before loading onto CIEX, AIEX and HIC CIM monoliths. Without the need for
nuclease treatment, up to 99% of the total DNA loaded can be removed from the
vaccinia feed stream by the CIM OH monolith, which also reduces the total protein
concentration in the product pool to LLOQ levels, and achieves infectious virus
recoveries of 90%. Binding capacities of greater than 1*109pfu of vaccinia per mL
of matrix were obtained on both CIM SO3 and CIM OH monoliths. Multiple orthogonal
analytical methods have been used to develop process knowledge and understanding.
PMID- 28989032
TI - System map for the ionic liquid stationary phase
tri(tripropylphosphoniumhexanamido)triethylamine
bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide for gas chromatography.
AB - The solvation parameter model is used to construct a system map for the retention
of volatile organic compounds on the ionic liquid stationary phase
tri(tripropypphosphoniumhexanamido)triethylamine
bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (SLB-IL76) over the temperature range 80-240
degrees C. The SLB-IL76 stationary phase is moderately cohesive and strongly
dipolar/polarizable and hydrogen-bond basic but only a weak hydrogen-bond acid.
Electron lone pair interactions are weak and make only a minor contribution to
the retention mechanism. The separation properties of SLB-IL76 highlight the
difficulty of designing new stationary phases from ion structures as the presence
of amide groups in the cation don't seem to contribute significantly to the
hydrogen-bond acidity of SLB-IL76. The separation properties of SLB-IL76 are
closest to the bis(polycyanopropyl)siloxane stationary phases with a high
percentage of bis(cyanopropyl)siloxane monomer and could be used in method
development when a stationary phase with similar gross retention characteristics
but different selectivity is required.
PMID- 28989034
TI - Tandem derivatization combined with salting-out assisted liquid-liquid
microextraction for determination of biothiols in urine by gas chromatography
mass spectrometry.
AB - Detection of polar organic compounds (POCs) using gas chromatography (GC) is not
straightforward due to high polarity, hydrophilicity, and low volatility of POCs.
In this study, we report a tandem microwave-assisted derivatization method
combined with salting-out assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (SALLME) to
modify successively the polar groups of POCs in protic and aprotic solvents.
Biothiols (cysteine and homocysteine) served as a proof of concept for this
method because they possess three polar groups (thiol, amine, and carboxyl); the
derivatizing reagent was 3,4,5-trifluorobenzyl bromide (Br-TFB) for alkylation.
The solubility of the POCs in the protic or aprotic reaction medium affected the
number of TFB molecules attached. Using the tandem derivatization with Br-TFB,
the thiol and amine groups of biothiols were alkylated in the protic system, and
the carboxylic groups of biothiols were alkylated in the aprotic system. The
developed method was then successfully applied to measure biothiols in human
urine. Because of the complex urine matrix and the lack of urine samples without
endogenous biothiols, the standard addition method was utilized to avoid the
matrix effect, check the recovery, and calculate the initial biothiol content in
the urine. Regarding the linearity of the standard addition curves, the
coefficient of determination was >0.996, and the linear regression showed
satisfactory reproducibility with a relative standard deviation <3.9% for the
slope and <8.8% for the intercept. The levels of cysteine and homocysteine in
healthy human urine ranged from 28.8 to 111MUmolL-1 and from 1.28 to 3.73MUmolL
1, respectively. The proposed method effectively increased the sensitivity of GC
MS assays of water-soluble compounds in human urine.
PMID- 28989033
TI - Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry for direct structural identification
of serum N-glycans.
AB - Through direct coupling of capillary electrophoresis (CE) to mass spectrometry
(MS) with a sheathless interface, we have identified 77 potential N-glycan
structures derived from human serum. We confirmed the presence of N-glycans
previously identified by indirect methods, e.g., electrophoretic mobility
standards, obtained 31 new N-glycan structures not identified in our prior work,
differentiated co-migrating structures, and determined specific linkages on
isomers featuring sialic acids. Serum N-glycans were cleaved from proteins,
neutralized via methylamidation, and labeled with the fluorescent tag 8
aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, which renders the glycan fluorescent and
provides a -3 charge for electrophoresis and negative-mode MS detection. The
neutralization reaction also stabilizes the labile sialic acids. In addition to
methylamidation, native charges from sialic acids were neutralized through
reaction with 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium to
amidate alpha2,6-linked sialic acids in the presence of ammonium chloride and
form lactones with alpha2,3-linked sialic acids. This neutralization effectively
labels each type of sialic acid with a unique mass to determine specific linkages
on sialylated N-glycans. For both neutralization schemes, we compared the results
from microchip electrophoresis and CE.
PMID- 28989035
TI - pLoc-mGneg: Predict subcellular localization of Gram-negative bacterial proteins
by deep gene ontology learning via general PseAAC.
AB - Information of the proteins' subcellular localization is crucially important for
revealing their biological functions in a cell, the basic unit of life. With the
avalanche of protein sequences generated in the postgenomic age, it is highly
desired to develop computational tools for timely identifying their subcellular
locations based on the sequence information alone. The current study is focused
on the Gram-negative bacterial proteins. Although considerable efforts have been
made in protein subcellular prediction, the problem is far from being solved yet.
This is because mounting evidences have indicated that many Gram-negative
bacterial proteins exist in two or more location sites. Unfortunately, most
existing methods can be used to deal with single-location proteins only.
Actually, proteins with multi-locations may have some special biological
functions important for both basic research and drug design. In this study, by
using the multi-label theory, we developed a new predictor called "pLoc-mGneg"
for predicting the subcellular localization of Gram-negative bacterial proteins
with both single and multiple locations. Rigorous cross-validation on a high
quality benchmark dataset indicated that the proposed predictor is remarkably
superior to "iLoc-Gneg", the state-of-the-art predictor for the same purpose. For
the convenience of most experimental scientists, a user-friendly web-server for
the novel predictor has been established at http://www.jci-bioinfo.cn/pLoc
mGneg/, by which users can easily get their desired results without the need to
go through the complicated mathematics involved.
PMID- 28989036
TI - Reflected Vision in Surgical Practice-A Novel Method to Circumvent Posture
Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.
AB - Abnormal neck posture while working is a crucial factor that predisposes to
incidence of musculoskeletal disorders amongst oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
The related spectrum of clinical symptoms may range from severe pain in the lower
and upper back, neck and TMJ to neurological deficits of the hand and wrist.
These posture-related problems may be prevented by use of reflected vision that
ensures a balanced neck posture during surgical procedures.
PMID- 28989037
TI - Lung Cancer Patients with Germline Mutations Detected by Next-Generation
Sequencing and/or Liquid Biopsy.
PMID- 28989039
TI - First-Line Osimertinib in Patients with Treatment-Naive Somatic or Germline EGFR
T790M-Mutant Metastatic NSCLC.
PMID- 28989038
TI - Risk of Second Lung Cancer in Patients with Previously Treated Lung Cancer:
Analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Data.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The risk for development of a second primary lung cancer (SPLC)
after treatment of an initial primary lung cancer (IPLC) is around 1% to 2% per
patient per year. The present screening and surveillance guidelines do not
adequately address this particular patient population. METHODS: We
retrospectively reviewed patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End
Results database from 1992 to 2007 to assess the frequency of occurrence of SPLC
with regard to multiple patient demographics and calculated standardized
incidence ratios (SIRs). RESULTS: The SIRs for SPLCs were high for both men and
women at any age but highest if the IPLC occurred at a younger age. Women had the
highest SIR values irrespective of age and race, with the highest SIR reported
for the youngest age group (20-49 years) (SIR = 15.26, 95% confidence interval:
12.81-18.04). The rate of SPLC development was 1.10% per patient per year, with
median time intervals between the IPLC and SPLC diagnoses of 59 and 62 months,
respectively, for men and women. The cumulative risk for development of SPLC
increased over time and did not plateau. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that
there is a continued risk for development of SPLC. Surveillance strategies for
this population must be addressed.
PMID- 28989040
TI - Molecular Adequacy of Image-Guided Rebiopsies for Molecular Retesting in Advanced
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Single-Center Experience.
AB - INTRODUCTION: In the era of biomarker-driven systemic therapy for advanced NSCLC,
the role of routine repeated biopsies for decision making outside EGFR-mutant
disease remains unproven. We report our center's experience of safety and
adequacy for molecular retesting of tumor material obtained from image-guided
lung rebiopsies in NSCLC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case note
analysis of patients undergoing image-guided lung rebiopsies at a single cancer
center between 2011 and 2014. The primary objective was to determine the
pathological success rate. Secondary and exploratory objectives were to determine
technical success rate, histological concordance, molecular adequacy, genotypes
identified, and complication rate. RESULTS: In all, 103 patients underwent
transthoracic image-guided procedures. A total of 66 rebiopsies in NSCLC were
identified and analyzed. The pathological success rate was 87.1%. A high
histological discordance rate was observed (12 of 52 evaluable cases [23.1%]).
Pretest molecular adequacy as determined by the lung pathologist was 78.8% (52 of
66). Of 52 adequate samples 51 were sent for molecular analysis, with a total of
209 genes analyzed (including EGFR, ALK receptor tyrosine kinase gene [ALK],
KRAS, BRAF, dicoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase 2 gene [DDR2], NRAS, ROS1,
and rearranged during transfection proto-oncogene gene [RET]). The rate of
postgenotyping molecular adequacy was 87.1% (182 of 209). Overall, 20 new
potentially actionable mutations were identified, with 13 of 66 patients (19.7%)
starting to receive new targeted treatment as a result. Overall, rebiopsies
informed clinical decision making in 63.6% of cases. The rates of complications
were 15% for pneumothorax, 3% for pneumothorax requiring chest drain, and 8% for
hemoptysis. CONCLUSIONS: We have validated the pathological and molecular
adequacy rates of rebiopsies and demonstrated clinical utility in routine
decision making.
PMID- 28989041
TI - Deciphering molecular mechanisms of arginine deiminase-based therapy -
Comparative response analysis in paired human primary and recurrent
glioblastomas.
AB - Arginine auxotrophy constitutes the Achilles' heel for several tumors, among them
glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Hence, arginine-depleting enzymes such as arginine
deiminase (ADI) from Streptococcus pyogenes are promising for treatment of
primary and maybe even refractory GBM. Based on our previous study in which ADI
susceptibility was shown on a panel of patient-derived GBM cell lines, we here
aimed at deciphering underlying molecular mechanisms of ADI-mediated growth
inhibition. We found that ADI (35 mU/mL) initially induces a cellular stress
response that is characterized by upregulation of genes primarily belonging to
the heat-shock protein family. In addition to autophagocytosis, we show for the
first time that senescence constitutes another cellular response mechanism upon
ADI-treatment and that this bacterial enzyme is able to act as radiosensitizer
(1/4 cases). Long-term treatment schedules revealed no resistance development,
with treated cells showing morphological signs of cell stress. Next, several
combination strategies were employed to optimize ADI-based treatment.
Simultaneous and sequential S. pyogenes ADI-based combinations included
substances acting at different molecular pathways (curcumin, resveratrol,
quinacrine, and sorafenib, 2 * 72 h treatment). Adding drugs to GBM cell lines (n
= 4, including a matched pair of primary and recurrent GBM in one case)
accelerated and potentiated ADI-mediated cytotoxicity. Autophagy was identified
as the main cause of tumor growth inhibition. Of note, residual cells again
showed classical signs of senescence in most combinations. Our results suggest an
alternative treatment regimen for this fatal cancer type which circumvents many
of the traditional barriers. Using the metabolic defect in GBM thus warrants
further (pre-) clinical evaluation.
PMID- 28989042
TI - Identification of Driver Genes and Key Pathways of Glioblastoma Shows JNJ-7706621
as a Novel Antiglioblastoma Drug.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify novel targets of diagnosis,
therapy, and prognosis for glioblastoma, as well as to verify the therapeutic
effect of JNJ-7706621 regarding glioblastoma. METHODS: The gene expression
profiles of GSE42656, GSE50161, and GSE86574 were obtained respectively from the
Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were
identified with comparison between gene expression profiles of the glioblastoma
tissues and normal tissues. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and
Genomes (KEGG) analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses
were performed. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and
survival curve analysis were also conducted to verify the correlation between
expression of hub genes and prognosis. Moreover, in vitro, MTT assay, colony
forming assay, the scratch assay, and flow cytometry were performed to verify the
therapeutic effect of JNJ-7706621. RESULTS: AURKA, NDC80, KIF4A, and NUSAP1 were
identified as hub genes after PPI network analysis. Differential expression of
those genes was detected between human normal glial cells and glioblastoma cells
by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (P < 0.05), and
the survival curve analysis showed that the patients with low expression of gene
AURKA, NDC80, KIF4A, and NUSAP1 had a significant favorable prognosis (P < 0.05).
In vitro assays showed that JNJ-7706621 inhibited glioblastoma cellular
viability, proliferation, and migration via inducing glioblastoma cells
apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: AURKA, NDC80, KIF4A, and NUSAP1 were significantly more
highly expressed in glioblastoma cells than in human normal glial cell. Patients
with low expression of those 4 genes had a favorable prognosis. JNJ-7706621 was a
potential drug in treatment of patients with glioblastoma.
PMID- 28989043
TI - Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak at Percutaneous Exit of Ventricular Catheter as a
Crucial Risk Factor for External Ventricular Drainage-Related Infection in Adult
Neurosurgical Patients.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The placement of a ventricular catheter for temporary cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) diversion is associated with a considerable risk of CSF infection.
The authors investigated the effect of a CSF leak on CSF-related infection and
the predisposing factors for a CSF leak. METHODS: Fifty-two patients who
underwent external ventricular drainage (EVD) for acute hydrocephalus associated
with a subarachnoid hemorrhage or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were enrolled
in this prospective study. A CSF leak-detection paper (small sterilized filter
paper) was applied at the percutaneous catheter exit site to check for any bloody
CSF leak. In addition, radiologic and clinical data were collected. RESULTS: Four
of the 52 patients (7.7%) developed an EVD-related CSF infection from organisms
including Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 3) and Staphylococcus hominis (n = 1).
A prolonged CSF leak >1 day was detected in 9 patients (17.3%) and revealed as a
significant risk factor for CSF infection with a 44.4% positive predictive value.
Moreover, an IVH >10 mL was found in 11 patients (21.2%) and revealed as a
significant predisposing factor for a CSF leak at the percutaneous catheter exit.
CONCLUSIONS: A prolonged CSF leak for >1 day at the percutaneous catheter exit
site is a crucial risk factor for EVD-related CSF infection and an IVH >10 mL is
a predisposing factor for a CSF leak.
PMID- 28989044
TI - Preoperative Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Tractography to
Guide Endoscopic Cystoventriculostomy: A Technical Note and Case Report.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To report a technique for endoscopic cystoventriculostomy guided by
preoperative navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) and tractography
in a patient with a large speech eloquent arachnoid cyst. METHODS: A 74-year old
woman presented with a seizure and subsequent persistent anomic aphasia from a
progressive left-sided parietal arachnoid cyst. An endoscopic
cystoventriculostomy and endoscope-assisted ventricle catheter placement were
performed. Surgery was guided by preoperative nTMS and tractography to avoid
eloquent language, motor, and visual pathways. RESULTS: Preoperative nTMS motor
and language mapping were used to guide tractography of motor and language white
matter tracts. The ideal locations of entry point and cystoventriculostomy as
well as trajectory for stent-placement were determined preoperatively with a
pseudo-3-dimensional model visualizing eloquent language, motor, and visual
cortical and subcortical information. The early postoperative course was
uneventful. At her 3-month follow-up visit, her language impairments had
completely recovered. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated
complete collapse of the arachnoid cyst. CONCLUSION: The combination of nTMS and
tractography supports the identification of a safe trajectory for
cystoventriculostomy in eloquent arachnoid cysts.
PMID- 28989045
TI - Reappraisal of Neonatal Greenstick Skull Fractures Caused by Birth Injuries:
Comparison of 3-Dimensional Reconstructed Computed Tomography and Simple Skull
Radiographs.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The most common birth-associated head injuries during vaginal delivery
are cephalhematomas and subgaleal hematomas. Cranial injuries are rarely
encountered. The neonate cranium is soft and pliable, and greenstick skull
fractures (GSFs) are expected to be more frequent than linear or depressed
fractures, but they are extremely difficult to detect with simple skull
radiography. As a result, no reports have been issued on this topic to date.
Recent reports suggest that technological advances in 3-dimensional (3D) computed
tomography (CT) have successfully enhanced the diagnostic accuracy for cranial
fractures. The authors researched the types and characteristics of GSFs and the
diagnostic accuracy of 3D CT for cranial fractures in neonates. METHODS: The
simple skull radiographs and 3D CT images of 101 neonates were retrospectively
evaluated and compared with respect to diagnosis of cranial fractures, and skull
GSFs were classified on the basis of 3D CT findings into 5 types depending on
multiplicity and location. RESULTS: 3D CT detected 88 cases of cranial fractures,
that is, 89 GSFs, 4 combined GSFs and linear fractures, and 3 combined GSFs and
depressed fractures. The diagnostic rate of 3DCT was 91% and this was
significantly higher than the 13% rate of simple skull radiographs (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: GSFs rather than linear fractures were found to account for most
cranial injuries among neonates. The diagnostic accuracy of 3D CT was
considerably superior than simple skull radiography, but the high radiation
exposure levels of 3D CT warrant the need for development of a modality with
lower radiation exposure.
PMID- 28989046
TI - Modular Classification of Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Approaches to
Sellar Region: Anatomic Quantitative Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic visualization does not necessarily correspond to an
adequate working space. The need for balancing invasiveness and adequacy of
sellar tumor exposure has recently led to the description of multiple endoscopic
endonasal transsphenoidal approaches. Comparative anatomic data on these variants
are lacking. OBJECT: We sought to quantitatively compare endoscopic endonasal
transsphenoidal approaches to the sella and parasellar region, using the concept
of "surgical pyramid." METHODS: Four endoscopic transsphenoidal approaches were
performed in 10 injected specimens: 1) hemisphenoidotomy; 2) transrostral; 3)
extended transrostral (with superior turbinectomy); and 4) extended transrostral
with posterior ethmoidectomy. ApproachViewer software (part of GTx-Eyes II,
University Health Network, Toronto, Canada) with a dedicated navigation system
was used to quantify the surgical pyramid volume, as well as exposure of sellar
and parasellar areas. Statistical analyses were performed with Friedman's tests
and Nemenyi's procedure. RESULTS: Hemisphenoidotomy provided limited exposure of
the sellar area and a small working volume. A transrostral approach was necessary
to expose the entire sella. Exposure of lateral parasellar areas required
superior turbinectomy or posterior ethmoidectomy. The differences between each of
the modules was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study
validates, from an anatomic point of view, a modular classification of endoscopic
endonasal transsphenoidal approaches to the sellar region.
PMID- 28989047
TI - Delayed Complications After Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas.
AB - Perioperative complications after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas
have been well documented in the literature; however, some complications can
occur in a delayed fashion postoperatively, and reports are sparse about their
occurrence, management, and outcome. Here, we describe delayed complications
after transsphenoidal surgery and discuss the incidence, temporality from the
surgery, and management of these complications based on the findings of studies
that reported delayed postoperative epistaxis, delayed postoperative cavernous
carotid pseudoaneurysm formation and rupture, vasospasm, delayed symptomatic
hyponatremia, hypopituitarism, hydrocephalus, and sinonasal complications. Our
findings from this review revealed an incidence of 0.6%-3.3% for delayed
postoperative epistaxis at 1-3 weeks postoperatively, 18 reported cases of
delayed carotid artery pseudoaneurysm formation at 2 days to 10 years
postoperatively, 30 reported cases of postoperative vasospasm occurring 8 days
postoperatively, a 3.6%-19.8% rate of delayed symptomatic hyponatremia at 4-7
days postoperatively, a 3.1% rate of new-onset hypopituitarism at 2 months
postoperatively, and a 0.4%-5.8% rate of hydrocephalus within 2.2 months
postoperatively. Sinonasal complications are commonly reported after
transsphenoidal surgery, but spontaneous resolutions within 3-12 months have been
reported. Although the incidence of some of these complications is low, providing
preoperative counseling to patients with pituitary tumors regarding these delayed
complications and proper postoperative follow-up planning is an important part of
treatment planning.
PMID- 28989048
TI - Supraorbital Keyhole Approach to the Sella and Anterior Skull Base via a Forehead
Wrinkle Incision.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of supraorbital keyhole approach
to the sella and anterior skull base via a forehead wrinkle incision. METHODS: We
analyzed and reclassified forehead wrinkle types in 100 recruited healthy
individuals. Twenty patients with different intracranial lesions in the sella and
anterior skull base areas were selected for surgery using the supraorbital
keyhole approach via a forehead wrinkle incision by forehead wrinkle type. All
clinical patient records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Based on the
feasibility of the surgical approach, the forehead wrinkles in Chinese
individuals were categorized into 2 types: horizontal linear and nonlinear. Gross
total removal of the lesions was achieved in 90% of the cases using this
approach. All patients had excellent cosmetic results. Except for 2 patients with
poor prognoses, a high level of comfort and satisfaction with the forehead
wrinkle incisions was obtained based on the scale scores of pain from scars and
headaches and satisfaction with the cosmetic results. No permanent approach
related complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The supraorbital keyhole approach
via a forehead wrinkle incision was safe and effective. This approach provided a
sufficient visual field for lesion resection and satisfactory cosmetic results
for patients.
PMID- 28989049
TI - Individual Variability of the Human Cerebral Cortex Identified Using
Intraoperative Mapping.
AB - BACKGROUND: Intraoperative functional cortical mapping using direct electrical
stimulation may show a wider individual variability than suggested by noninvasive
imaging data of healthy subjects. METHODS: We assessed intraoperative variability
of the frontal eye fields and the speech arrest sites in adult patients who
underwent awake craniotomy with direct electrostimulation for treatment of
diffuse gliomas located within eloquent regions, and we compared findings with
human cortical parcellation of the Human Connectome Project. RESULTS: The frontal
eye fields were defined by intraoperative direct electrostimulations (14.3% of
patients) projected on the superior subdivision of the premotor cortex covering
the areas defined as frontal eye fields (parcel index 10), area 55b (parcel index
12), and premotor eye field (parcel index 11) and in the posterior part of the
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex covering the areas defined as inferior 6-8
transitional area (parcel index 97), area 8Av (parcel index 67), and area 8C
(parcel index 73). The speech arrest sites were defined by intraoperative direct
electrostimulations (100% of patients) projected predominantly posteriorly to the
inferior frontal gyrus in the inferior subdivision of the premotor cortex, that
is, rostral area 6 (parcel index 78), ventral area 6 (parcel index 54), and area
43 (parcel index 99). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative functional cortical mapping
using direct electrostimulation highlights that actual individual variability is
wider than suggested by analyses of healthy subjects and results in atypical
patterns of functional organization and structural and functional changes of the
human cerebral cortex under pathologic conditions.
PMID- 28989051
TI - The effect of taxation and regulation on cigarette smoking: Fresh evidence from
Turkey.
AB - Enacting Law No 5247 in May 2008, Turkey has initiated crucial anti-tobacco
policies in the last decade. This paper aims to reveal on the effect of anti
tobacco policies such as excise taxes and regulations on cigarette smoking. To
this aim, I empirically investigate the long-term dynamics of demand for
cigarettes in Turkey through the OLS estimation strategy under various scenarios
and models. Using monthly and quarterly data that cover the pre- and post- anti
smoking policy periods, I estimate demand elasticities and compare the pre- and
post- taxation and regulation terms. The results presented in the paper confirm
that taxation and regulation have affected the long-term dynamics of demand for
cigarettes. The price and income elasticities of demand for cigarettes are
significantly higher than the previous literature on Turkey. Demand elasticities
have increased on average in the anti-tobacco policies period.
PMID- 28989050
TI - Novel Application of Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse Magnetic Resonance
Imaging for Diagnosis of External Hydrocephalus.
AB - BACKGROUND: Although a subdural fluid collection frequently is observed,
diagnostic methods that differentiate between the subdural collection caused by
external hydrocephalus and that caused by subdural hygroma have not been
established. Here, we report a case of external hydrocephalus caused by Gliadel
induced eosinophilic meningitis that has been previously reported in only 1 case
and can be diagnosed by time-spatial labeling inversion pulse magnetic resonance
imaging (time-SLIP MRI). CASE DESCRIPTION: A tumor located in the left temporal
was detected incidentally in an 81-year-old man by examination of a head injury.
The tumor was surgically resected and diagnosed as a high-grade glioma during the
surgery; Gliadel wafers subsequently were implanted. Three weeks after the
resection, the patient showed disturbed consciousness, and computed tomography
revealed a subdural fluid collection. The out-flow of cerebrospinal through the
resection cavity was detected by time-SLIP MRI. Cerebrospinal tests indicated
high white blood cell counts and high protein levels, with more than 90% of the
white blood cell count comprising eosinophils. Therefore, we suspected that the
subdural fluid collection was caused by external hydrocephalus because of Gliadel
induced eosinophilic meningitis. We surgically removed the Gliadel wafers and
subsequently performed a surgery to insert a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
Histologic examination indicated eosinophilic accumulation around the Gliadel
wafers. The patient's symptoms improved after the insertion of a
ventriculoperitoneal shunt. CONCLUSIONS: In the present case, time-SLIP MRI was a
useful and noninvasive method for diagnosing external hydrocephalus which was
caused by eosinophilic meningitis because of Gliadel-induced eosinophilic
meningitis.
PMID- 28989053
TI - PDGFs and their receptors in vascular stem/progenitor cells: Functions and
therapeutic potential in retinal vasculopathy.
AB - Vascular stem/progenitor cells (VSCs) include endothelial progenitor cells,
smooth muscle progenitor cells, pericytes, and mesenchymal stem cells. VSCs can
produce functional and mature vascular cells required to build blood vessels.
VSCs therefore play critical roles in vascular repair and regeneration,
particularly, in various retinal vasculopathies, in which vascular defects are a
devastating pathology. The platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their
receptors (PDGFRs) are important regulators of numerous physiological events and
diseases, and they play key roles in regulating the formation and function of
blood vessels. A better understanding of the effects of PDGFs/PDGFRs on VSCs and
a thorough elucidation of their therapeutic potential in the treatment of retinal
vasculopathies are critical for both basic and translational research and may
lead to better therapies for human vascular diseases.
PMID- 28989052
TI - In silico analysis of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in chronic granulomatous
infectious fungus Sporothrix schenckii: Special focus on CYP51.
AB - Sporotrichosis is an emerging chronic, granulomatous, subcutaneous, mycotic
infection caused by Sporothrix species. Sporotrichosis is treated with the azole
drug itraconazole as ketoconazole is ineffective. It is a well-known fact that
azole drugs act by inhibiting cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), heme
thiolate proteins. To date, nothing is known about P450s in Sporothrix schenckii
and the molecular basis of its resistance to ketoconazole. Here we present genome
wide identification, annotation, phylogenetic analysis and comprehensive P450
family-level comparative analysis of S. schenckii P450s with pathogenic fungi
P450s, along with a rationale for ketoconazole resistance by S. schenckii based
on in silico structural analysis of CYP51. Genome data-mining of S. schenckii
revealed 40 P450s in its genome that can be grouped into 32 P450 families and 39
P450 subfamilies. Comprehensive comparative analysis of P450s revealed that S.
schenckii shares 11 P450 families with plant pathogenic fungi and has three
unique P450 families: CYP5077, CYP5386 and CYP5696 (novel family). Among P450s,
CYP51, the main target of azole drugs was also found in S. schenckii. 3D modeling
of S. schenckii CYP51 revealed the presence of characteristic P450 motifs with
exceptionally large reductase interaction site 2. In silico analysis revealed
number of mutations that can be associated with ketoconazole resistance,
especially at the channel entrance to the active site. One of possible reason for
better stabilization of itraconazole, compared to ketoconazole, is that the more
extended molecule of itraconazole may form a hydrogen bond with ASN-230. This in
turn may explain its effectiveness against S. schenckii vis-a-vis resistant to
ketoconazole. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cytochrome P450
biodiversity and biotechnology, edited by Erika Plettner, Gianfranco Gilardi,
Luet Wong, Vlada Urlacher, Jared Goldstone.
PMID- 28989054
TI - Nuclear Met promotes hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis and metastasis by
upregulation of TAK1 and activation of NF-kappaB pathway.
AB - Presence of Met receptor tyrosine kinase in the nucleus of cells has been
reported. However, the functions of Met which expresses in the nucleus (nMet)
remain elusive. In this study, we found that nMet was increased in 89% of HCC
tumorous tissues when compared with the corresponding non-tumorous liver tissues.
nMet expression increased progressively along HCC development and significantly
correlated with cirrhosis, poorer cellular differentiation, venous invasion, late
stage HCC and poorer overall survival. Western blot analysis revealed that nMet
is a 48-kDa protein comprising the carboxyl terminal of Met receptor. Induced
expression of nMet promoted HCC cell growth, migration and invasiveness in vitro
and tumorigenesis and pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Luciferase assay showed that
nMet activated NF-kappaB pathway. Indeed, p-IKKalpha/beta and nuclear p-p65 were
higher in nMet stable cells than in the control cells. Perturbation of TAK1/NF
kappaB axis abrogated the aggressiveness of HCC cells, both in vitro and in vivo.
In conclusion, nMet was overexpressed and as a potential prognostic biomarker of
HCC. Functionally, nMet accelerated HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis via the
activation of TAK1/NF-kappaB pathway.
PMID- 28989055
TI - Down-regulation of HECTD3 by HER2 inhibition makes serous ovarian cancer cells
sensitive to platinum treatment.
AB - Resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy is a major cause of treatment failure
in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and predicts a poor prognosis.
Previously, we found that HECTD3 confers cancer cell resistance to apoptosis.
However, the significance of HECTD3 expression in ovarian cancer and its
regulatory mechanisms were unknown. Here, we found that HECTD3 depletion promotes
carboplatin-induced apoptosis in both an ovarian cancer cell model and a
xenograft mouse model. Moreover, high HECTD3 expression is significantly
associated with poor platinum response and prognosis in ovarian cancer patients.
We further demonstrated that HER2 can up-regulate HECTD3 expression through
activating STAT3. Furthermore, HER2 inhibitors, such as lapatinib, down-regulate
HECTD3 expression and thus promote the chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer cells
to carboplatin. Lapatinib combined with carboplatin also significantly inhibits
serous ovarian carcinoma growth compared with each drug alone in a xenograft
mouse model. HECTD3 may be considered a promising molecular predictor of platinum
chemosensitivity and prognosis for serous ovarian cancer. Through decreasing
HECTD3, lapatinib possesses significantly increased anti-tumor activity when
combined with carboplatin compared with each agent alone, which provides an
optional therapeutic regimen for serous ovarian cancer.
PMID- 28989056
TI - Engineering nanomaterials to overcome the mucosal barrier by modulating surface
properties.
AB - Although nanotechnology has been investigated during recent years to increase the
bioavailability and therapeutic effects of mucosal administrated drugs, numerous
barriers (e.g., pH environment, enzymes and mucus) still limit the delivery
efficiency. And the epithelium would also affect the systemic mucosal drug
delivery. Amongst all the barriers, the protective mucus has drawn more and more
attention, which strongly hinders the accessibility of nanovehicles to
epithelium. Therefore, trials to conquer the mucus barrier have been designed
using two controversial strategies: mucoadhesion and mucus-penetration. This
review summarizes the influence of mucus layer on nanomaterials and introduces
the modification strategies by modulating surface properties (i.e.,
hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity and surface charge) to overcome mucus barriers.
Furthermore, it also reviews advanced modification methods to meet the different
surface requirements of nanovehicles to overcome mucus and epithelium barriers in
systemic mucosal delivery.
PMID- 28989057
TI - A prospective pilot study of the efficacy and safety of Elipse intragastric
balloon: A single-center, single-surgeon experience.
AB - BACKGROUND: ElipseTM is the least invasive IGB for weight loss that needs no
sedation or endoscopy. It is a swallowable capsule filled with 550 mL of fluid,
which stays in the stomach for 16 weeks and is excreted from the gastrointestinal
tract. Kuwait is one of the first countries to start using ElipseTM as a weight
loss device. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ElipseTM
intragastric balloon (IGB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single-center
prospective pilot study of 51 ElipseTM insertions at our clinic. The patients
were followed for 4 months to monitor their weight and body mass index (BMI) at
1, 2, and 4 months. Total weight loss, % excess weight loss (%EWL), % total body
weight loss (%TBWL), and change in BMI and waist circumference (WC) were recorded
at the end of the study. A short survey was administered to evaluate symptoms,
complications, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients
participated, of which five had ElipseTM removed because of intolerance. One case
vomited the balloon; one had early deflation. The total weight loss was 8.84 kg,
%TBWL 10.44%, %EWL 40.84%, change in BMI 3.42 kg/m2, and the total WC reduction
8.62 cm. Symptoms after insertion were severe, whereas those during excretion
were mild and self-limiting. No serious complications were recorded, and the
overall satisfaction was above average. CONCLUSION: Our data proves that ElipseTM
is a safe and effective device for weight loss. Nevertheless, some limitations
were observed that need to be overcome for better outcomes. Larger studies are
needed to support our findings.
PMID- 28989058
TI - What Does Fatty Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy Mean?
PMID- 28989060
TI - Metroticket 2.0 Model for Analysis of Competing Risks of Death After Liver
Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC) are determined by cancer-related and non-related events. Treatments for
hepatitis C virus infection have reduced non-cancer events among patients
receiving liver transplants, so reducing HCC-related death might be an actionable
end point. We performed a competing-risk analysis to evaluate factors associated
with survival of patients with HCC and developed a prognostic model based on
features of HCC patients before liver transplantation. METHODS: We performed
multivariable competing-risk regression analysis to identify factors associated
with HCC-specific death of patients who underwent liver transplantation. The
training set comprised 1018 patients who underwent liver transplantation for HCC
from January 2000 through December 2013 at 3 tertiary centers in Italy. The
validation set comprised 341 consecutive patients who underwent liver
transplantation for HCC during the same period at the Liver Cancer Institute in
Shanghai, China. We collected pretransplantation data on etiology of liver
disease, number and size of tumors, patient level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP),
model for end-stage liver disease score, tumor stage, numbers and types of
treatment, response to treatments, tumor grade, microvascular invasion, dates,
and causes of death. Death was defined as HCC-specific when related to HCC
recurrence after transplantation, disseminated extra- and/or intrahepatic tumor
relapse and worsened liver function in presence of tumor spread. The cumulative
incidence of death was segregated for hepatitis C virus status. RESULTS: In the
competing-risk regression, the sum of tumor number and size and of log10 level of
AFP were significantly associated with HCC-specific death (P < .001), returning
an average c-statistic of 0.780 (95% confidence interval, 0.763-0.798). Five-year
cumulative incidence of non-HCC-related death was 8.6% in HCV-negative patients
and 18.1% in HCV-positive patients. For patients with HCC to have a 70% chance of
HCC-specific survival 5 years after transplantation, their level of AFP should be
<200 ng/mL and the sum of number and size of tumors (in centimeters) should not
exceed 7; if the level of AFP was 200-400 ng/mL, the sum of the number and size
of tumors should be <=5; if their level of AFP was 400-1000 ng/mL, the sum of the
number and size of tumors should be <=4. In the validation set, the model
identified patients who survived 5 years after liver transplantation with 0.721
accuracy (95% confidence interval, 0.648%-0.793%). Our model, based on patients'
level of AFP and HCC number and size, outperformed the Milan; University of
California, San Francisco; Shanghai-Fudan; Up-to-7 criteria (P < .001); and AFP
French model (P = .044) to predict which patients will survive for 5 years after
liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a model based on level of AFP,
tumor size, and tumor number, to determine risk of death from HCC-related factors
after liver transplantation. This model might be used to select end points and
refine selection criteria for liver transplantation for patients with HCC. To
predict 5-year survival and risk of HCC-related death using an online calculator,
please see www.hcc-olt-metroticket.org/. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02898415.
PMID- 28989059
TI - Clinical Practice Update: The Use of Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy in Achalasia:
Expert Review and Best Practice Advice From the AGA Institute.
AB - The purpose of this review is to describe a place for per-oral endoscopic myotomy
(POEM) among the currently available robust treatments for achalasia. The
recommendations outlined in this review are based on expert opinion and on
relevant publications from PubMed and EMbase. The Clinical Practice Updates
Committee of the American Gastroenterological Association proposes the following
recommendations: 1) in determining the need for achalasia therapy, patient
specific parameters (Chicago Classification subtype, comorbidities, early vs late
disease, primary or secondary causes) should be considered along with published
efficacy data; 2) given the complexity of this procedure, POEM should be
performed by experienced physicians in high-volume centers because an estimated
20-40 procedures are needed to achieve competence; 3) if the expertise is
available, POEM should be considered as primary therapy for type III achalasia;
4) if the expertise is available, POEM should be considered as treatment option
comparable with laparoscopic Heller myotomy for any of the achalasia syndromes;
and 5) post-POEM patients should be considered high risk to develop reflux
esophagitis and advised of the management considerations (potential indefinite
proton pump inhibitor therapy and/or surveillance endoscopy) of this before
undergoing the procedure.
PMID- 28989061
TI - A Case of Unusual Ileal Discoloration.
PMID- 28989062
TI - A Rare Submucosal Tumor of The Colon.
PMID- 28989064
TI - A Rare Cause of Gastric Wall Thickening.
PMID- 28989065
TI - Appendiceal Tumor or Something More?
PMID- 28989067
TI - Phylogenies based on combined mitochondrial and nuclear sequences conflict with
morphologically defined genera in the eimeriid coccidia (Apicomplexa).
AB - Partial mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and near-complete
nuclear (nu) 18S rDNA sequences were obtained from various eimeriid coccidia
infecting vertebrates. New and published sequences were used in phylogenetic
reconstructions based on nu 18S rDNA, mt COI and concatenated sequence datasets.
Bayesian analyses of nu 18S rDNA sequences used secondary structure-based
alignments with a doublet nucleotide substitution model; the codon nucleotide
substitution model was applied to COI sequences. Although alignment of the mt COI
sequences was unambiguous, substitution saturation was evident for comparisons of
COI sequences between ingroup (eimeriid) and outgroup (sarcocystid) taxa.
Consequently, a combined dataset applying partition-specific analytical and
alignment improvements was used to generate a robust molecular phylogeny. Most
eimeriid parasites that infect closely related definitive hosts were found in
close proximity on the resulting tree, frequently in a single clade. Whether this
represents coevolution or co-accommodation or a combination remains an open
point. Unlike host associations, basic oocyst configuration (number of sporocysts
per oocyst and sporozoites per sporocyst) was not correlated with phylogeny.
Neither 'Eimeria-type' nor 'Isospora-type' oocyst morphotypes formed monophyletic
groups. In the combined dataset tree (representing only a tiny fraction of
described eimeriid coccidia), at least 10 clades of Eimeria spp. would need to be
re-assigned to nine distinct genera to resolve their paraphyly. The apparent lack
of congruence between morphotype and genotype will require taxonomists to balance
nomenclatural stability and diagnostic ease against the ideal of monophyletic
genera. For now, recognition of paraphyletic eimeriid genera defined by basic
oocyst configuration may be necessary for reasons of taxonomic stability and
diagnostic utility. Future taxonomic revisions to produce monophyletic eimeriid
genera will ultimately require the identification of reliable phenotypic
characters that agree with the molecular phylogeny of these parasites or, less
optimally, acceptance that genotyping may be needed to support monophyletic
supraspecific taxonomic groups.
PMID- 28989066
TI - Interleukin 35 Expression Correlates With Microvessel Density in Pancreatic
Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Recruits Monocytes, and Promotes Growth and Angiogenesis
of Xenograft Tumors in Mice.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cells of the monocyte lineage contribute to tumor
angiogenesis. Interleukin 35 (IL35) is a member of the IL12 family produced by
regulatory, but not effector, T cells. IL35 is a dimer comprising the IL12 alpha
and IL27 beta chains, encoded by IL12A and EBI3, respectively. Expression of IL35
is increased in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) compared with normal
pancreatic tissues, and promotes metastasis. We investigated the role of IL35 in
monocyte-induced angiogenesis of PDAC in mice. METHODS: We measured levels of
IL35 protein, microvessel density, and numbers of monocytes in 123 sequential
PDAC tissues from patients who underwent surgery in China in 2010. We performed
studies with the human PDAC cell lines CFPAC-1, BxPC-3, Panc-1, MIA-PaCa-2, and
mouse PDAC cell line Pan02. Monocyte subsets were isolated by flow cytometry from
human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Fused human or mouse IL12A and EBI3
genes were overexpressed in PDAC cells or knocked down using small hairpin RNAs.
Cells were grown as xenograft tumors in SCID mice; some mice were given
injections of an IL35-neutralizing antibody and tumor growth was monitored. We
performed chemotaxis assays to measure the ability of IL35 to recruit monocytes.
We analyzed mRNA sequences of 179 PDACs in the Cancer Genome Atlas to identify
correlations between expression of IL12A and EBI3 and monocyte markers. Monocytes
incubated with IL35 or PDAC cell supernatants were analyzed in tube formation and
endothelial migration assays. RESULTS: In PDAC samples from patients, levels of
IL35 mRNA and protein correlated with microvessel density and infiltration of
monocyte lineage cells. In cells and mice with xenograft tumors, IL35 increased
recruitment of monocytes into PDAC tumors, which required CCL5. Upon exposure to
IL35, monocytes increased expression of genes whose products promote angiogenesis
(CXCL1 and CXCL8). IL35 activated transcription of CCL5, CXCL1, and CXCL8 by
inducing GP130 signaling, via IL12RB2 and phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT4. A
combination of a neutralizing antibody against IL35 and gemcitabine significantly
decreased monocyte infiltration, microvessel density, and volume of xenograft
tumors grown from PDAC cells in mice. CONCLUSIONS: PDAC cells produce IL35 to
recruit monocytes via CCL5 and induce macrophage to promote angiogenesis via
expression of CXCL1 and CXCL8. IL35 signaling promotes angiogenesis and growth of
xenograft tumors from PDAC cells in mice. IL35 might serve as a therapeutic
target for patients with pancreatic cancer.
PMID- 28989068
TI - Transcriptome and toxin family analysis of the paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus.
AB - The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) secretes neuropathic toxins
into saliva that induce host paralysis. Salivary glands and viscera were
dissected from fully engorged female I. holocyclus ticks collected from dogs and
cats with paralysis symptoms. cDNA from both tissue samples were sequenced using
Illumina HiSeq 100 bp pair end read technologies. Unique and non-redundant
holocyclotoxin sequences were designated as HT2-HT19, as none were identical to
the previously described HT1. Specific binding to rat synaptosomes was determined
for synthetic HTs, and their neurotoxic capacity was determined by neonatal mouse
assay. They induced a powerful paralysis in neonatal mice, particularly HT4 which
produced rapid and strong respiratory distress in all animals tested. This is the
first known genomic database developed for the Australian paralysis tick. The
database contributed to the identification and subsequent characterization of the
holocyclotoxin family that will inform the development of novel anti-paralysis
control methods.
PMID- 28989069
TI - The role of biomarkers in dilated cardiomyopathy: Assessment of clinical severity
and reverse remodeling.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Biomarkers in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) reflect various
pathobiological processes, including neurohormonal activation, oxidative stress,
matrix remodeling, myocyte injury and myocyte stretch. We assessed the role of
biomarkers in clinical and echocardiographic parameters and in left ventricular
(LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR). METHODS: In this prospective study of 50 DCM
patients (28 men, aged 59+/-10 years) with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%, LVRR
was defined as an increase of >10 U in LVEF after optimal medical therapy.
RESULTS: Baseline LVEF was 25.4+/-9.8% and LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD)/body
surface area (BSA) was 34.2+/-4.5 mm/m2. LVRR occurred in 34% of patients within
17.6+/-15.6 months. No correlation was found between B-type natriuretic peptide
(BNP), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), CA-125, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
(hs-CRP), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], noradrenaline, adrenaline, renin or aldosterone
and LVRR. Patients in NYHA class III or IV, with pulmonary congestion or ankle
edema, had higher CA-125, cystatin C, BNP and hs-CRP levels (p<0.05). CA-125 was
correlated with BNP (r=0.61), hs-CRP (r=0.56) and uric acid (r=0.52) (all
p=0.01). BNP correlated directly with LVEDD (r=0.49), LV volumes (r=0.51),
pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (r=0.43) and E/e' (r=0.31), and was
inversely correlated with LVEF (r=-0.50) and e' velocity (r=-0.32) (p<0.05). CA
125 was positively correlated with left atrial volume/BSA (r=0.46), E/A ratio
(r=0.60) and PASP (r=0.49) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No correlation was found
between biomarkers and LVRR, but CA-125, BNP and hs-CRP were predictors of
clinical severity and congestion. BNP correlated with parameters of systolic and
diastolic dysfunction, while CA-125 correlated with measures of diastolic
dysfunction.
PMID- 28989070
TI - Personal-level exposure to environmental temperature is a superior predictor of
endothelial-dependent vasodilatation than outdoor-ambient level.
AB - Environmental temperatures influence cardiovascular physiology. However, the
majority of time is spent indoors, making outdoor-ambient temperatures inaccurate
estimates of true exposures encountered by most individuals. We evaluated in 50
healthy adults the associations between previous 7-day outdoor-ambient (four
occasions) and prior 24-hour personal-level (two occasions) environmental
temperature exposures with blood pressure, heart rate variability, sleep
parameters, and endothelial-dependent vasodilatation (brachial flow-mediated
dilatation [FMD]) using generalized estimating equations. Participants (34
females; age, 32.1 +/- 9.6 years) had normal blood pressures (107.8 +/- 13.3/70.2
+/- 9.4 mm Hg), FMD (7.4 +/- 2.8%), as well as sleep and heart rate variability
parameters. Mean 7-day outdoor-ambient (4.6 +/- 9.7 degrees C) differed from
personal-level temperature exposures (22.0 +/- 3.0 degrees C). Colder outdoor
ambient temperatures (per -10 degrees C) over the previous 1-6 days (rolling
averages) were associated with decreases in FMD: -0.57% (95% confidence interval
[CI]: -1.14% to 0.01%, P = .055) to -0.62% (95% CI: -1.07% to -0.18%, P = .006).
However, a 10 degrees C decrease in personal-level temperature during the prior
24 hours was associated with a greater decrement in FMD: -2.44% (95% CI: -4.74%
to -0.13%, P = .038). Both were also linearly related to FMD during all seasons
and without a threshold temperature. Other end points were not significantly
related to either temperature level in this study. Short-term exposures to colder
environmental temperatures reduced endothelial-dependent vasodilatation,
supporting the epidemiologic associations with heightened cardiovascular risk. We
show here for the first time that temperature exposures characterized at the
personal level may be more robust predictors of endothelial function than outdoor
ambient levels.
PMID- 28989071
TI - Air pollution and arterial hypertension. A new risk factor is in the air.
AB - Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental threats and has been
implicated for several adverse cardiovascular effects including arterial
hypertension (HTN). However, the exact relationship between air pollution
exposure and HTN is still unclear. Air contamination provokes oxidative stress,
systemic inflammation, and autonomic nervous system imbalance that subsequently
induce endothelial dysfunction and vasoconstriction leading to increased blood
pressure. The aim of this review was to describe the potential mechanisms by
which air pollution contributes to HTN and to summarize the consequences of short
and long-term exposure.
PMID- 28989072
TI - Pentoxifylline treatment enhances antihypertensive activity of captopril through
hemorheological improvement in spontaneously hypertensive rats during development
of arterial hypertension.
AB - The rheological properties of blood play a significant role in the onset and
progression of arterial hypertension. The aim of our work was to evaluate the
effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (20 mg/kg/d),
pentoxifylline (PTX; 100 mg/kg/d), and the combination of captopril + PTX (20 +
100 mg/kg/d) on the hemodynamic and hemorheological parameters in spontaneously
hypertensive rats (SHRs) during the development of arterial hypertension. In the
group of animals that received captopril, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was
significantly lower by 30% due to a decrease in cardiac output of 23% and in
total peripheral resistance (TPR) of 26% compared with the control group, whereas
blood viscosity did not change significantly. PTX-treated SHRs had significantly
lower MAP and TPR (by 19% and 31%, respectively) and blood viscosity (by 4%-6%)
and a higher erythrocyte deformability index (by 1.5%-2%) than the control group.
In the group of animals that received captopril + PTX, MAP and TPR were
significantly lower, by 41% and 46%, than those in the control group, and by 16%
and 27% than those in the captopril group. The combination of the angiotensin
converting enzyme inhibitor captopril and the hemorheological agent PTX,
affecting various systems that are involved in blood pressure regulation,
exhibits synergism and prevents an increase in arterial blood pressure during the
development of arterial hypertension in SHRs (ie, from 5 to 11 weeks of life).
PMID- 28989073
TI - Psychological Features and Their Relationship to Movement-Based Subgroups in
People Living With Low Back Pain.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution of higher psychological risk features
within movement-based subgroups for people with low back pain (LBP). DESIGN:
Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Participants were recruited from
physiotherapy clinics and community advertisements. Measures were collected at a
university outpatient-based physiotherapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS: People (N=102)
seeking treatment for LBP. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were subgrouped according
to 3 classification schemes: Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT), Treatment
Based Classification (TBC), and O'Sullivan Classification (OSC). MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Questionnaires were used to categorize low-, medium-, and high-risk
features based on depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression, Anxiety, and
Stress Scale-21 Items); fear avoidance (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire);
catastrophizing and coping (Pain-Related Self-Symptoms Scale); and self-efficacy
(Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire). Psychological risk profiles were compared
between movement-based subgroups within each scheme. RESULTS: Scores across all
questionnaires revealed that most patients had low psychological risk profiles,
but there were instances of higher (range, 1%-25%) risk profiles within
questionnaire components. The small proportion of individuals with higher
psychological risk scores were distributed between subgroups across TBC, MDT, and
OSC schemes. CONCLUSIONS: Movement-based subgrouping alone cannot inform on
individuals with higher psychological risk features.
PMID- 28989074
TI - Safety of Active Rehabilitation for Persistent Symptoms After Pediatric Sport
Related Concussion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To examine the safety and tolerability of an active rehabilitation
program for adolescents who are slow to recover from a sport-related concussion,
and secondarily to estimate the treatment effect for this intervention. DESIGN:
Single-site, parallel, open-label, randomized controlled trial comparing
treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU plus active rehabilitation. SETTING: Outpatient
concussion clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents (N=19) aged 12 to 18 years with
postconcussion symptoms lasting >=1 month after a sports-related concussion.
INTERVENTIONS: TAU consisted of symptom management and return-to-play advice,
return-to-school facilitation, and physiatry consultation. The active
rehabilitation program involved in-clinic subsymptom threshold aerobic training,
coordination exercises, and visualization and imagery techniques with a
physiotherapist (mean, 3.4 sessions) as well as a home exercise program, over 6
weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A blinded assessor systematically monitored for
predetermined adverse events in weekly telephone calls over the 6-week
intervention period. The treating physiotherapist also recorded in-clinic symptom
exacerbations during aerobic training. The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale was the
primary efficacy outcome. RESULTS: Nineteen participants were randomized, and
none dropped out of the study. Of the 12 adverse events detected (6 in each
group), 10 were symptom exacerbations from 1 weekly telephone assessment to the
next, and 2 were emergency department visits. Four adverse events were referred
to an external safety committee and deemed unrelated to the study procedures. In
clinic symptom exacerbations occurred in 30% (9/30) of aerobic training sessions,
but resolved within 24 hours in all instances. In linear mixed modeling, active
rehabilitation was associated with a greater reduction on the Post-Concussion
Symptom Scale than TAU only. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the safety,
tolerability, and potential efficacy of active rehabilitation for adolescents
with persistent postconcussion symptoms.
PMID- 28989075
TI - Development of a Social Functioning Assessment Using Computerized Adaptive
Testing for Patients With Stroke.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To develop a computerized adaptive test of social functioning (Social
CAT) for patients with stroke. DESIGN: This study contained 2 phases. First, a
unidimensional item bank was formed using social-related items with sufficient
item fit (ie, infit and outfit mean square [MNSQ]). The social-related items were
selected from 3 commonly used patient-reported quality-of-life measures. Items
with differential item functioning (DIF) of sex were deleted. Second, we
performed simulations to determine the best set of stopping rules with both high
reliability and efficiency. The participants' responses to the items were
extracted from a previous study. SETTING: Rehabilitation wards and departments of
rehabilitation/neurology of 5 general hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=263)
with stroke (47.1% were inpatients). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURE: Social-CAT. RESULTS: The unidimensionality of the 24 selected items was
supported (infit and outfit MNSQs =0.8-1.2). One item had DIF of sex and was
deleted. The item bank was composed of the remaining 23 items. With the best set
of stopping rules (person reliability >=.90 or limited reliability increased
<=.001), the Social-CAT used on average 10 items to achieve sufficient
reliability (average person reliability =.88; 81.0% of the patients with
reliability >=.90). CONCLUSIONS: The Social-CAT appears to be a unidimensional
measure with acceptable reliability and efficiency, and it could be useful for
both clinicians and patients in time-pressed clinical settings.
PMID- 28989076
TI - National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Burn Model System: Review of Program and Database.
AB - The Burn Model System (BMS) centers program was created in 1994 to evaluate the
long-term outcomes of burn injuries. As part of this multicenter program, a
comprehensive longitudinal database was developed to facilitate the study of a
number of functional and psychosocial outcomes after burn injury. In this
article, we provide an overview of the data collection procedures, measures
selection process, and an overview of the participant data collected between 1994
and 2016. Surveys were administered during hospitalization and at 6, 12, and 24
months after discharge, and in the most recent funding cycle, data collection at
every 5 years postinjury was added. More than 7200 people with burn injury were
eligible to participate in the BMS National Longitudinal Database. Of these,
>5900 (82%) were alive at discharge and consented to follow-up data collection.
The BMS National Longitudinal Database represents a large sample of people with
burn injury, including information on demographic characteristics, injury
characteristics, and health outcomes. The database is publicly available and can
be used to examine the effect of burn injury on long-term outcomes.
PMID- 28989077
TI - Comparison of efficiencies of selected sample extraction techniques for the
analysis of selected antiretroviral drugs in human plasma using LC-MS.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Sample preparation in bio analytical chemistry poses a challenge
because it can be compound dependent. We compared six sample extraction
techniques i.e. QuEChERS (Q), liquid extraction (LE), protein precipitation
(PPT), Q-PPT, Q-LE and LE-PPT for the extraction of antiretroviral drugs
emtricitabine, tenofovir, efavirenz, lopinavir and rotinavir in human blood
plasma. METHOD: A multiple reaction monitoring liquid chromatography- tandem mass
spectrometry method for the determination of the same antiretroviral drugs
developed and validated in this laboratory was used. Comparisons were based on
the efficiencies of extraction, the precisions and accuracies. Using United
States Food and Drug Administration guidelines, analytical performance
characteristics i.e. limits of detection, lower limits of quantification and
upper limits of quantification were also compared. RESULTS: The percent mean
recoveries ranged between 68.8 and 81.2% for single modes and 52.4-70.5% for
mixed mode techniques. The precisions of all the extraction techniques were
within the Using United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines acceptable
range of <15% at all concentration levels for all analytes. Accuracy ranged
between 8.73 and 65.94% for single mode techniques and between 21.73 and 51.59%
for mixed mode techniques. DISCUSSION: The mixed modes gave slightly lower
recoveries but Q-LE compared well with the single modes at slightly higher spike
levels. Limits of detection for all the six sample preparation techniques fell
below the clinically relevant therapeutic range of approximately 3-8ppm.
Therefore all techniques can be employed for routine therapeutic drug monitoring
studies.
PMID- 28989078
TI - Effects of G-quadruplex topology on translational inhibition by tRNA fragments in
mammalian and plant systems in vitro.
AB - The folding of tRNA fragments (tRFs) into G-quadruplex structures and the
implications of G-quadruplexes in translational inhibition have been studied
mainly in mammalian systems. To increase our knowledge of these phenomena, we
determined the influence of human and plant tRFs and model G-quadruplexes on
translation in rabbit reticulocyte lysate and wheat germ extract. The efficiency
of translational inhibition in the mammalian system was strongly associated with
the type of G-quadruplex topology. In the plant system, the ability of a small
RNA to adopt the G-quadruplex conformation was not sufficient to repress
translation, indicating the importance of other structural determinants.
PMID- 28989079
TI - Impact of aging on distribution of IgA+ and IgG+ cells in aggregated lymphoid
nodules area in abomasum of Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus).
AB - The aggregated lymphoid nodules area (ALNA) in the abomasum is a special
organized lymphoid tissue discovered only in Bactrian camels at present. This
study aimed to explore the impact of aging on distribution of IgA+ and IgG+ cells
in ALNA in abomasum of Bactrian camels. Twenty-four Alashan Bactrian camels were
divided into the following four age groups: young (1-2years), pubertal (3
5years), middle-aged (6-16years) and old (17-20years). IgA+ and IgG+ cells in the
lamina propria of ALNA were observed and analyzed using immunohistochemical and
statistical techniques. The results showed that, in ALNA, the distribution of
IgA+ and IgG+ cells were diffuse, and only a few were in subepithelium dome (SED)
and most of them in non-SED. Meanwhile, there were significantly more IgA+ cells
than IgG+ cells in SED from the young to the middle aged group, but which
reversed in old group (P<0.05). However, the aging significantly decreased the
densities of IgA+ and IgG+ cells populations in non-SED (P<0.05); in SED, there
were no significant differences between the densities of IgA+ and IgG+ cells, but
which were both significantly lower in old group than those in young group
(P<0.05). The results demonstrated that, in mucosal effector sites, the aging
significantly decreased the densities of IgA+ and IgG+ cells populations and
impacted on the defense barriers formed by IgA and IgG, but had no impact on the
scattered characteristics. In inductive sites, the aging dramatically declined
their densities, and they should have close relationships with immune memory.
These findings lay the foundation for further researching the mucosal immune
disorder or decline caused by aging, and especially underscore the importance of
researching the impact of aging on the relationship between IgA+ and IgG+ cells
populations and the microbiota colonized in abomasum of Bactrian camels.
PMID- 28989080
TI - Non-clinical efficacy-related studies for human medicines: An overview and
retrospective analysis of data for a group of approved medicines.
AB - The lack of efficacy is a major cause of medicine's development failure at the
clinical phase, which may lead to question, among other aspects, the translation
of the non-clinical data into humans. The objectives of the work here presented
were (i) to get an overview (based on public assessment reports) of the nature of
the non-clinical efficacy-related studies presented to the regulatory authorities
at the marketing authorization application's stage for a group of approved
anticancer human medicines (15 in total) and (ii) to conduct a retrospective
analysis of such studies in terms of any identified insufficiencies and
consistency with the current regulatory non-clinical guidelines. Each medicine
has been tested in a number of in vitro assays and animal studies, which, all
together, are judged to be capable of providing information on the activity of
the active substance and demonstrating an anti-tumour effect, as well as to be
generally consistent with the available, although limited detailed, guidance. In
spite of this, some aspects were identified which could have a potential impact
on the translation on non-clinical data into humans, namely, apparent
insufficiencies in terms of animal model/human bridging data/knowledge and in
vivo data on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics relationships.
PMID- 28989081
TI - Assessment of tobacco heating product THP1.0. Part 1: Series introduction.
AB - We have recently developed a Tobacco Heating Product (THP) comprising an
electrical heating device, commercially known as GloTM, and consumable tobacco
rods, commercially known as Kent NeostiksTM. We refer to this system as THP1.0;
Bright tobacco-flavoured variant THP1.0(T), or THP1.0(M) Menthol-flavoured
variant. In this issue, we present a series of seven pre-clinical studies
conducted on THP1.0,covering the following aspects of its design, development,
safety and toxicological assessment, and a paper on placing THPs on an emissions
continuum.
PMID- 28989082
TI - Assessment of tobacco heating product THP1.0. Part 4: Characterisation of indoor
air quality and odour.
AB - The tobacco heating product THP1.0, which heats but does not burn tobacco, was
tested as part of a modified-risk tobacco product assessment framework for its
impacts on indoor air quality and residual tobacco smoke odour. THP1.0 heats the
tobacco to less than 240 degrees C +/- 5 degrees C during puffs. An
environmentally controlled room was used to simulate ventilation conditions
corresponding to residential, office and hospitality environments. An analysis of
known tobacco smoke constituents, included CO, CO2, NO, NO2, nicotine, glycerol,
3-ethenyl pyridine, sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, eight volatile
organic compounds, four carbonyls, four tobacco-specific nitrosamines and total
aerosol particulate matter. Significant emissions reductions in comparison to
conventional cigarettes were measured for THP1.0. Levels of nicotine,
acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and particulate matter emitted from THP1.0 exceeded
ambient air measurements, but were more than 90% reduced relative to cigarette
smoke emissions within the laboratory conditions defined Residual tobacco smoke
odour was assessed by trained sensory panels after exposure of cloth, hair and
skin to both mainstream and environmental emissions from the test products.
Residual tobacco smoke odour was significantly lower from THP1.0 than from a
conventional cigarette. These data show that using THP1.0 has the potential to
result in considerably reduced environmental emissions that affect indoor air
quality relative to conventional cigarettes.
PMID- 28989083
TI - Resveratrol activation of AMPK-dependent pathways is neuroprotective in human
neural stem cells against amyloid-beta-induced inflammation and oxidative stress.
AB - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with progressive memory
loss resulting in dementia. Amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides play a critical role in
the pathogenesis of this disease, and are thought to promote inflammation and
oxidative stress leading to neurodegeneration in the neocortex and hippocampus of
the AD brains. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master regulator of
cellular energy homeostasis, and cell survival in response to inflammation and
oxidative stress. However, the neuroprotective mechanisms by which AMPK achieves
these beneficial effects in human neural stem cells (hNSCs) exposed to Abeta is
still not well understood. Resveratrol is a potent activator of AMPK suggesting
it may have therapeutic potential against AD. Therefore, we will test the
hypothesis that the AMPK activator resveratrol protects against Abeta mediated
neuronal impairment (inflammation and oxidative stress) in hNSCs. Here, Abeta
treated hNSCs had significantly decreased cell viability that correlated with
increased TNF-alpha and IL-1beta inflammatory cytokine expression. Co-treatment
with resveratrol significantly abrogated the Abeta-mediated effects in hNSCs, and
was effectively blocked by the addition of the AMPK-specific antagonist (Compound
C). These results suggest the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol are mediated
by an AMPK-dependent pathway. In addition, resveratrol rescued the transcript
expression levels of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK) in Abeta-treated hNSCs. NF
kappaB is a transcription factor with a key role in the expression of a variety
of genes involved in inflammatory responses. Resveratrol prevented the Abeta
mediated increases in NF-kappaB mRNA and protein levels, and its nuclear
translocation in hNSCs. Co-treatment with resveratrol also significantly restored
iNOS and COX-2 levels in Abeta-treated hNSCs. Furthermore, hNSCs co-treated with
resveratrol were significantly rescued from Abeta-induced oxidative stress, which
correlated with reversal of the Abeta-induced mRNA decrease in oxidative defense
genes (SOD-1, NRF2, Gpx1, Catalase, GSH and HO-1). Taken together, these novel
findings show that activation of AMPK-dependent signaling by resveratrol rescues
Abeta-mediated neurotoxicity in hNSCs, and provides evidence supporting a
neuroprotective role for AMPK activating drugs in Abeta-related diseases such as
AD.
PMID- 28989084
TI - Heterogeneity of atherosclerotic plaque macrophage origin, phenotype and
functions: Implications for treatment.
AB - Macrophages are key players in atherosclerotic lesions, regulating the local
inflammatory milieu and plaque stability by the secretion of many inflammatory
molecules, growth factors and cytokines. Monocytes have long been considered to
be the main source of plaque macrophages. However, recent findings provide
evidence for proliferation of local macrophages or transdifferentiation from
other vascular cells as alternative sources. Recent years of research focused on
the further identification and characterisation of macrophage phenotypes and
functions. In this review we describe the advances in our understanding of
monocyte and macrophage heterogeneity and its implications for specific
therapeutic interventions, aiming to reduce the ever growing significant risk of
cardiovascular events without any detrimental side effects on the patient's
immune response.
PMID- 28989085
TI - Ferulic acid relaxed rat aortic, small mesenteric and coronary arteries by
blocking voltage-gated calcium channel and calcium desensitization via
dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 and MYPT1.
AB - Ferulic acid, a natural ingredient presents in several Chinese Materia Medica
such as Radix Angelicae Sinensis, has been identified as an important
multifunctional and physiologically active small molecule. However, its
pharmacological activity in different blood vessel types and underlying
mechanisms are unclear. The present study was to investigate the vascular
reactivity and the possible action mechanism of FA on aorta, small mesenteric
arteries and coronary arteries isolated from Wistar rats. We found FA dose
dependently relieved the contraction of aorta, small mesenteric arteries and
coronary arteries induced by different contractors, U46619, phenylephrine (Phe)
and KCl. The relaxant effect of FA was not affected by L-NAME (eNOS inhibitor),
ODQ (soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor), and mechanical removal of endothelium
in thoracic aortas. The contraction caused by 60mM KCl (60K) was concentration
dependently hindered by FA pretreatment in all three types of arteries. In Ca2+
free 60K solution, FA weakened Ca2+-related contraction in a concentration
dependent manner. And FA relaxed both fluoride and phorbol ester which were PKC,
ERK and Rho-kinase activators induced contraction in aortic rings with or without
Ca2+ in krebs solution. Western blotting experiments in A7r5 cells revealed that
FA inhibited calcium sensitization via dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 and MYPT1.
Furthermore, the relaxation effect of FA was attenuated by verapamil (calcium
channel blocker), ERK inhibitor, and fasudil (ROCK inhibitor). These results
provide evidence that FA exhibits endothelium-independent vascular relaxant
effect in different types of arteries. The molecular mechanism of vasorelaxation
activity of FA probably involved calcium channel inhibition and calcium
desensitization.
PMID- 28989087
TI - Catanionic systems in nanotherapeutics - Biophysical aspects and novel trends in
drug delivery applications.
AB - Mixtures of surfactants can result in formation of various structures like
micelles, vesicles and inverted micelles. Catanionic vesicular systems are
preferred on account of their ease of formation and thermodynamic stability.
Furthermore, their charge and surfactant properties render them as useful
vehicles for DNA delivery and cytotoxic compounds. They suffer from disadvantages
of being leaky and yielding low encapsulation efficiencies which are averse to
drug delivery purposes. Extensive efforts are being undertaken to overcome these
barriers and render these vesicles amenable to spatial placement and temporal
delivery of drugs. This manuscript addresses diverse aspects of catanionic
vesicles including their formation, fabrication and stability. The manuscript
focuses further on applications of catanionic vesicles in nanodrug delivery.
Novel trends in the field of catanionics with respect to bio-compatibility and
novel technologies developed using these systems have also been reviewed. An
attempt has been made to compile catanionic systems reported in literature
detailing surfactants and therapeutic agents employed to aid understanding and
yield information of various facets that drive fabrication and potential utility
of these systems in therapeutics.
PMID- 28989086
TI - Reported gastroparesis in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) from the T1D Exchange
clinic registry.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To better understand the prevalence and impact of gastroparesis in the
T1D Exchange clinic registry database. METHODS: The analysis included 7107 adult
participants with T1D across 45 sites (median age 46years. and median duration
24years). Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the
association of gastroparesis vs. no gastroparesis (obtained from medical record)
with demographic characteristics, glycemic control and diabetes complications.
RESULTS: Among 7107 registry participants, 340 (4.8%) had a clinical diagnosis of
gastroparesis. Females were more likely to have gastroparesis compared with males
(5.8% vs. 3.5%, P<0.001). Participants with gastroparesis compared with those
without gastroparesis were older (median age 49.4 vs. 45.3years, P<0.001), had a
longer duration of T1D (median duration 32 vs. 23years, P<0.001), higher mean
HbA1c (8.1% vs. 7.7% [65 vs. 61mmol/mol], P<0.001), more frequent severe
hypoglycemia (25% vs. 11% with >=1 event in the past 12months, P<0.001), lower
socio-economic status, less likely to be using CGM and insulin pump and greater
prevalence of microvascular and neuropathic complications than participants
without gastroparesis. CONCLUSION: Gastroparesis is associated with higher risk
of severe hypoglycemia despite higher HbA1c levels than in T1D patients without
gastroparesis. The increased presence of multiple long-term complications and
overall poor glycemic control in these subjects emphasizes the need to establish
diagnostic protocols for earlier diagnosis, achieve tighter glycemic control with
more extensive use of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring, and the
need for wider availability of medical therapies for treatment of diabetic
gastroparesis.
PMID- 28989088
TI - The Magnesium Transporter MGT10 Is Essential for Chloroplast Development and
Photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.
PMID- 28989089
TI - Fungal mitochondrial oxygen consumption induces the growth of strict anaerobic
bacteria.
AB - Fungi are commonly encountered as part of a healthy oral ecosystem. Candida
albicans is the most often observed and investigated fungal species in the oral
cavity. The role of fungi in the oral ecosystem has remained enigmatic for
decades. Recently, it was shown that C. albicans, in vitro, influences the
bacterial composition of young oral biofilms, indicating it possibly plays a role
in increasing diversity in the oral ecosystem. C. albicans favored growth of
strictly anaerobic species under aerobic culture conditions. In the present
study, the role of mitochondrial respiration, as mechanism by which C. albicans
modifies its environment, was investigated. Using oxygen sensors, a rapid
depletion of dissolved oxygen (dO2) was observed. This decrease was not C.
albicans specific as several non-albicans Candida species showed similar oxygen
consumption. Heat inactivation as well as addition of the specific mitochondrial
respiration inhibitor Antimycin A inhibited depletion of dO2. Using 16S rDNA
sequencing, it is shown that mitochondrial activity, more than physical presence
of C. albicans is responsible for inducing growth of strictly anaerobic oral
bacteria in aerobic growth conditions. The described mechanism of dO2 depletion
may be a general mechanism by which fungi modulate their direct environment.
PMID- 28989090
TI - Different IgM+ B cell subpopulations residing within the peritoneal cavity of
vaccinated rainbow trout are differently regulated by BAFF.
AB - In teleost fish, IgM+ B cells are one of the main responders against inflammatory
stimuli in the peritoneal cavity, as IgM+ B cells dominate the peritoneum after
intraperitoneal stimulation, also increasing the levels of secreted IgM. BAFF, a
cytokine known to play a major role in B cell biology, has been shown to be up
regulated along with its receptors in the peritoneum of rainbow trout upon
antigenic exposure, however, the regulatory mechanisms underneath this response
remain unclear. In this study, we have identified two different IgM+ B cell types
residing in the peritoneal cavity of previously vaccinated rainbow trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss): IgD+IgMhiMHCIIhi cells, resembling naive B cells, and IgD
IgMloMHCIIlo cells, resembling antibody-secreting cells. Based on their membrane
IgM levels, these cell types were named IgMhi and IgMlo B cells, respectively. As
each of these B cell populations showed a distinct expression pattern for the
different BAFF receptors, we studied the effect of BAFF individually on each cell
subset. Recombinant BAFF promoted the survival of IgMlo but not IgMhi B cells in
vitro, resulting in increased levels of IgM-secreting cells. In contrast, BAFF
increased the levels of membrane MHC II only on IgMhi B cells, suggesting
different functions on these B cell subsets. Moreover, we also showed that
peritoneal IgMhi B cells expressed BAFF at levels comparable to those seen on
myeloid cells. These results point to BAFF as a main regulator of B cell
homeostasis in the peritoneal cavity, suggesting that this cytokine can trigger
different signals on different peritoneal B cell subsets in a specific manner.
PMID- 28989091
TI - More than just antibodies: Protective mechanisms of a mucosal vaccine against
fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare.
AB - A recently developed attenuated vaccine for Flavobacterium columnare has been
demonstrated to provide superior protection for channel catfish, Ictalurus
punctatus, against genetically diverse columnaris isolates. We were interested in
examining the mechanisms of this protection by comparing transcriptional
responses to F. columnare challenge in vaccinated and unvaccinated juvenile
catfish. Accordingly, 58 day old fingerling catfish (28 days post-vaccination or
unvaccinated control) were challenged with a highly virulent F. columnare isolate
(BGSF-27) and gill tissues collected pre-challenge (0 h), and 1 h and 2 h post
infection, time points previously demonstrated to be critical in early host
pathogen interactions. Following RNA-sequencing and transcriptome assembly,
differential expression (DE) analysis within and between treatments revealed
several patterns and pathways potentially underlying improved survival of
vaccinated fish. Most striking was a pattern of dramatically higher basal
expression of an array of neuropeptides (e.g. somatostatin), hormones, complement
factors, and proteases at 0 h in vaccinated fish. Previous studies indicate these
are likely the preformed mediators of neuroendocrine cells and/or eosinophilic
granular (mast-like) cells within the fish gill. Following challenge, these
elements fell to almost undetectable levels (>100-fold downregulated) by 1 h in
vaccinated fish, suggesting their rapid release and/or cessation of synthesis
following degranulation. Concomitantly, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL
1b, IL-8, IL-17) were induced in unvaccinated fish. In contrast, in vaccinated
catfish, we observed widespread induction of genes needed for collagen deposition
and tissue remodeling. Taken together, our results indicate an important
component of vaccine protection in fish mucosal tissues may be the sensitization,
proliferation and arming of resident secretory cells in the period between
primary and secondary challenge.
PMID- 28989092
TI - Advanced liver fibrosis but not steatosis is independently associated with
albuminuria in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Increasing evidence suggests that non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD) may be an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease
(CKD). Given the high prevalence of NAFLD among patients with diabetes who are
also at risk of CKD, we aimed to investigate the association between NAFLD and
albuminuria, a marker commonly found in diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: This study
included a cohort of Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes from the Hong Kong
Diabetes Registry recruited between March 2013 and May 2014. Liver stiffness
measurement (LSM), with probe-specific cut-offs, was used to detect advanced
liver fibrosis. While controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was used to assess
liver steatosis using transient elastography. RESULTS: A total of 1,763 Chinese
patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this analysis. The mean (standard
deviation) age and duration of diabetes were 60.7 (11.5) years and 10.8 (8.5)
years, respectively. The prevalence of albuminuria was higher in diabetic
patients with liver steatosis and those with advanced fibrosis (no NAFLD vs.
liver steatosis vs. advanced fibrosis: 41.4% vs. 46.2% vs. 64.2%, p <0.001).
After adjustment for potential confounders including glycated hemoglobin,
hypertension and body mass index, advanced fibrosis, but not liver steatosis, was
associated with increased risk of albuminuria (odds ratio [OR] 1.52; 95%
confidence interval [CI] 1.02-2.28; p = 0.039) in patients with eGFR >=60
ml/min/1.73 m2. The odds of albuminuria increased with greater severity of liver
fibrosis in a dose dependent manner, with the highest odds observed in patients
with LSM scores >=11.5 kPa assessed by M probe or >=11.0 kPa assessed by XL probe
(adjusted OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.07-2.20; p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced liver
fibrosis, but not steatosis, is independently associated with albuminuria in
Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Attention should be paid to liver fibrosis
in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes complicated with albuminuria. LAY
SUMMARY: In this study, we assessed the link between non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD) and albuminuria in a cohort of 1,763 Chinese patients with type 2
diabetes. This study shows that advanced liver fibrosis, a severe form of NAFLD,
was independently associated with increased risk of albuminuria. The risk of
albuminuria increased with greater severity of liver fibrosis.
PMID- 28989093
TI - Durability of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance in untreated and
nucleos(t)ide analogue-treated patients.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: It is uncertain if nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-induced
hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance is durable. We investigated the
impact of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and duration of consolidation
antiviral therapy on the durability of HBsAg seroclearance. METHODS: A territory
wide cohort study was conducted using data from the Hospital Authority, Hong
Kong. We identified all subjects with positive HBsAg between January 1, 2000 and
August 31, 2016. NA use, liver biochemistries, serial HBsAg and anti-HBs results
were retrieved. The primary endpoint was confirmed HBsAg seroclearance, defined
least two negative HBsAg test results, with the last HBsAg test being negative in
patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). RESULTS: A total of 4,080 CHB patients
were included for analysis. In patients with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance
(n=3,563), 1,771 patients (49.7%) had confirmed HBsAg seroclearance and 75
patients (2.1%) had HBsAg seroreversion. In patients with NA-induced HBsAg
seroclearance (n=475), 320 patients (67.4%) had confirmed HBsAg seroclearance and
14 patients (2.9%) had HBsAg seroreversion. The five-year cumulative probability
of confirmed HBsAg seroclearance was comparable in patients with spontaneous and
NA-induced HBsAg seroclearance (88.1% vs. 92.2%; Log-rank test, p=0.964); it was
also similar in patients with or without anti-HBs in NA-treated patients (95.4%
vs. 95.5%, Log-rank test, p=0.602). HBsAg seroreversion was only observed in 3
(2.0%) patients who had received consolidation therapy for 6-12months and none of
those who had received it for >=12months. CONCLUSIONS: NA-induced HBsAg
seroclearance is as durable as spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance. NA-treated
patients may not need to have positive anti-HBs before stopping treatment. Longer
consolidation NA treatment may result in more durable HBsAg seroclearance. LAY
SUMMARY: We investigated 4,080 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
seroclearance. HBsAg seroreversion occurred in 2.1% of patients with spontaneous
and 2.9% of those with nucleos(t)ide analogues-induced HBsAg seroclearance.
PMID- 28989094
TI - Impact of time to surgery in the outcome of patients with liver resection for
BCLC 0-A stage hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) guidelines recommend
resection for very early and early single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
patients. It is not known whether a delay in resection from the time of diagnosis
(the time to surgery [TTS], i.e. the elapsed time from diagnosis to surgery)
affects outcomes. We aim to evaluate the impact of TTS on recurrence and survival
outcomes in patients with HCC. METHODS: All patients resected for BCLC stage 0-A
single HCC from 2006 to 2016 were studied to evaluate the impact of TTS on
recurrence rate, recurrence-free survival (RFS), transplantability following
recurrence, and intention-to-treat overall survival (ITT-OS). Propensity score
matching (PSM) was further performed to ensure comparability. RESULTS: The study
population included 100 patients. Surgery was performed between 0.6 and 77 months
after diagnosis (median TTS: three months; interquartile range: 1.8-4.6 months).
There was no post-operative mortality. Compared to those with TTS <3 months,
patients with TTS >=3 months (70% of these patients had TTS 3-6 months) had a
higher post-operative morbidity (36% vs. 16%, p = 0.02), a similar tumor
recurrence rate (32% vs. 32%, p = 1.00), RFS (37% vs. 48%, p = 0.42),
transplantability following tumor recurrence (63% vs. 50%, p = 0.48), and five
year ITT-OS (82% vs. 80%, p = 0.20). Similar results were observed after PSM.
CONCLUSION: Patients with BCLC stage 0-A single HCC can undergo surgery with TTS
>=3 months without impaired oncologic outcomes. An increase in the TTS within a
safe range could allow time for proper evaluation before surgery, and ethical
testing of new neoadjuvant treatments, aiming to reduce the high rate of tumor
recurrence despite curative resection. LAY SUMMARY: A delay of >=3 months in time
to resection after diagnosis in HCC patients meeting the European Association for
the Study of Liver Disease/American Association for the Study of Liver Disease
criteria for resection does not affect oncological and long-term outcomes
compared to those with a delay to surgery of <3 months.
PMID- 28989097
TI - Assessing the utility of transcriptome data for inferring phylogenetic
relationships among coleoid cephalopods.
AB - Historically, deep-level relationships within the molluscan class Cephalopoda
(squids, cuttlefishes, octopods and their relatives) have remained elusive due in
part to the considerable morphological diversity of extant taxa, a limited fossil
record for species that lack a calcareous shell and difficulties in sampling open
ocean taxa. Many conflicts identified by morphologists in the early 1900s remain
unresolved today in spite of advances in morphological, molecular and analytical
methods. In this study we assess the utility of transcriptome data for resolving
cephalopod phylogeny, with special focus on the orders of Decapodiformes (open
eye squids, bobtail squids, cuttlefishes and relatives). To do so, we took new
and previously published transcriptome data and used a unique cephalopod core
ortholog set to generate a dataset that was subjected to an array of filtering
and analytical methods to assess the impacts of: taxon sampling, ortholog number,
compositional and rate heterogeneity and incongruence across loci. Analyses
indicated that datasets that maximized taxonomic coverage but included fewer
orthologs were less stable than datasets that sacrificed taxon sampling to
increase the number of orthologs. Clades recovered irrespective of dataset,
filtering or analytical method included Octopodiformes (Vampyroteuthis infernalis
+ octopods), Decapodiformes (squids, cuttlefishes and their relatives), and
orders Oegopsida (open-eyed squids) and Myopsida (e.g., loliginid squids).
Ordinal-level relationships within Decapodiformes were the most susceptible to
dataset perturbation, further emphasizing the challenges associated with
uncovering relationships at deep nodes in the cephalopod tree of life.
PMID- 28989096
TI - Exploiting 2A peptides to elicit potent neutralizing antibodies by a multi
subunit herpesvirus glycoprotein complex.
AB - Neutralizing antibodies (NAb) interfering with glycoprotein complex-mediated
virus entry into host cells are thought to contribute to the protection against
herpesvirus infection. However, using herpesvirus glycoprotein complexes as
vaccine antigens can be complicated by the necessity of expressing multiple
subunits simultaneously to allow efficient complex assembly and formation of
conformational NAb epitopes. By using a novel bacterial artificial chromosome
(BAC) clone of the clinically deployable Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector
and exploiting ribosomal skipping mediated by 2A peptides, MVA vectors were
generated that expressed self-processing subunits of the human cytomegalovirus
(HCMV) pentamer complex (PC) composed of gH, gL, UL128, UL130, and UL131A. These
MVA vectors expressed 2A-linked HCMV PC subunits that were efficiently cleaved
and transported to the cell surface as protein complexes forming conformational
neutralizing epitopes. In addition, vaccination of mice by only two immunizations
with these MVA vectors resulted in potent HCMV NAb responses that remained stable
over a period of at least six months. This method of eliciting NAb by 2A-linked,
self-processing HCMV PC subunits could contribute to develop a HCMV vaccine
candidate and may serve as a template to facilitate the development of subunit
vaccine strategies against other herpesviruses.
PMID- 28989098
TI - Phenotypic evolution in marmoset and tamarin monkeys (Cebidae, Callitrichinae)
and a revised genus-level classification.
AB - Marmosets and tamarins (Cebidae, Callitrichinae) constitute the most species-rich
subfamily of New World monkeys and one of the most diverse phenotypically.
Despite the profusion of molecular phylogenies of the group, the evolution of
phenotypic characters under the rapidly-emerging consensual phylogeny of the
subfamily has been little studied, resulting in taxonomic proposals that have
limited support from other datasets. We examined the evolution of 18 phenotypic
traits (5 continuous and 13 discrete), including pelage, skull, dentition,
postcrania, life-history and vocalization variables in a robust molecular
phylogeny of marmoset and tamarin monkeys, quantifying their phylogenetic signal
and correlations among some of the traits. At the family level, our resulting
topology supports owl monkeys (Aotinae) as sister group of Callitrichinae. The
topology of the callitrichine tree was congruent with previous studies except for
the position of the midas group of Saguinus tamarins, which placement as sister
of the bicolor group did not receive significant statistical support in both
Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference analyses. Our results showed that the
highest value of phylogenetic signal among continuous traits was displayed by the
long call character and the lowest was exhibited in the home range, intermediate
values were found in characters related to osteology and skull size. Among
discrete traits, pelage and osteology had similar phylogenetic signal. Based on
genetic, osteological, pelage and vocalization data, we present an updated genus
level taxonomy of Callitrichinae, which recognizes six genera in the subfamily:
Callimico, Callithrix, Cebuella, Mico, Leontopithecus and Saguinus. To reflect
their phenotypic distinctiveness and to avoid the use of the informal "species
group", we subdivided Saguinus in the subgenera Leontocebus, Saguinus and
Tamarinus (revalidated here).
PMID- 28989095
TI - Risk factors and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of precision
medicine.
AB - Patients who develop chronic fibrotic liver disease, caused by viral or metabolic
aetiologies, are at a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Even after complete HCC tumour resection or ablation, the carcinogenic tissue
microenvironment in the remnant liver can give rise to recurrent de novo HCC
tumours, which progress into incurable, advanced-stage disease in most patients.
Thus, early detection and prevention of HCC development is, in principle, the
most impactful strategy to improve patient prognosis. However, a "one-size-fits
all" approach to HCC screening for early tumour detection, as recommended by
clinical practice guidelines, is utilised in less than 20% of the target
population, and the performance of screening modalities, including ultrasound and
alpha-fetoprotein, is suboptimal. Furthermore, optimal screening strategies for
emerging at-risk patient populations, such as those with chronic hepatitis C
after viral cure, or those with non-cirrhotic, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
remain controversial. New HCC biomarkers and imaging modalities may improve the
sensitivity and specificity of HCC detection. Clinical and molecular HCC risk
scores will enable precise HCC risk prediction followed by tailoured HCC
screening of individual patients, maximising cost-effectiveness and optimising
allocation of limited medical resources. Several aetiology-specific and generic
HCC chemoprevention strategies are evolving. Epidemiological and experimental
studies have identified candidate chemoprevention targets and therapies,
including statins, anti-diabetic drugs, and selective molecular targeted agents,
although their clinical testing has been limited by the lengthy process of cancer
development that requires long-term, costly studies. Individual HCC risk
prediction is expected to overcome the challenge by enabling personalised
chemoprevention, targeting high-risk patients for precision HCC prevention and
substantially improving the dismal prognosis of HCC.
PMID- 28989100
TI - Pleiotropic genes in psychiatry: Calcium channels and the stress-related FKBP5
gene in antidepressant resistance.
AB - A candidate gene and a genome-wide approach were combined to study the
pharmacogenetics of antidepressant response and resistance. Investigated genes
were selected on the basis of pleiotropic effect across psychiatric phenotypes in
previous genome-wide association studies and involvement in antidepressant
response. Three samples with major depressive disorder (total=671) were genotyped
for 44 SNPs in 8 candidate genes (CACNA1C, CACNB2, ANK3, GRM7, TCF4, ITIH3,
SYNE1, FKBP5). Phenotypes were response/remission after 4weeks of treatment and
treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Genome-wide data from STAR*D were used to
replicate findings for response/remission (n=1409) and TRD (n=620). Pathways
including the most promising candidate genes were investigated in STAR*D for
involvement in TRD. FKBP5 polymorphisms showed replicated but nominal
associations with response, remission or TRD. CACNA1C rs1006737 and rs10848635
were the only polymorphisms that survived multiple-testing correction. In STAR*D
the best pathway associated with TRD included CACNA1C (GO:0006942, permutated
p=0.15). Machine learning models showed that independent SNPs in this pathway
predicted TRD with a mean sensitivity of 0.83 and specificity of 0.56 after 10
fold cross validation repeated 100 times. FKBP5 polymorphisms appear good
candidates for inclusion in antidepressant pharmacogenetic tests. Pathways
including the CACNA1C gene may be involved in TRD and they may provide the base
for developing multi-marker predictors of TRD.
PMID- 28989101
TI - Securing extraocular muscles in strabismus surgery: laboratory analysis of
biomechanical parameters related to the suture.
AB - PURPOSE: To investigate the tensile properties of several components used to
secure extraocular muscle to sclera in strabismus surgery to determine potential
failure points. METHODS: A digital force gauge measured the tensile strength of
intact or damaged 6-0 Vicryl suture (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ), as well as threads
tied in a 2-1-1 or 2-1-1-1 surgeon's knot configuration. Human sclera was used to
test the resistance to drag of knotted and unknotted 6-0 Vicryl suture thread
through partial thickness sclera. Mean values were compared using a t test.
RESULTS: The mean tensile strength of 6-0 Vicryl suture was 623.5 g, but it was
markedly reduced by damage from the needle (P < 0.0001) or ophthalmic needle
holder (P < 0.0001). The 2-1-1 knots broke at a mean force of 307.6 g, compared
with 292.8 g for 2-1-1-1 knots (P = 0.84). Drag through a 2 mm scleral tunnel was
4.6 g, compared to 13.6 g for a 4 mm tunnel (P = 0.011). The force required to
pull a knotted suture through a 4 mm scleral tunnel was 254 g for a 2-1-1 knot
and 367 g for a 2-1-1-1 knot (P < 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Although 6-0 Vicryl
possesses adequate tensile strength for muscle fixation, thread damage from a
needle or needle holder may cause serious losses in tensile strength. Knot
breaking strength is not significantly increased by adding a fourth throw.
Frictional forces of the scleral tunnel are not sufficient to provide muscle
stabilization, but the presence of a knot can provide substantial resistance to
suture slip into the scleral tunnel.
PMID- 28989102
TI - Comparative evaluation of electrospraying and lyophilization techniques on solid
state properties of Erlotinib nanocrystals: Assessment of In-vitro cytotoxicity.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Erlotinib is a well known FDA approved drug from category of
tyrosine kinase inhibitors; used for the treatment of lung cancer. However its
use is limited because of its poor water solubility. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
present work was to improve solubility by developing a stable nanocrystal based
drug delivery system of ERL with the aid of sodium lauryl sulfate as potential
stabilizer and to carry out comparative evaluation of electrospraying and
lyophilization as solidification techniques on its solid state properties.
EXPERIMENTAL: Nanocrystal formulation was developed with antisolvent
precipitation method having particle size, polydispersity index and zetapotential
of 232.4+/-4.3nm, 0.162 and -9.82mV respectively. Further comparative evaluation
of lyophilization and electrospraying was commenced as potential solidification
techniques and solid powder matrix obtained from both the solidification
techniques were compared in terms of size after re-dispersion (260+/-4.8 and
329+/-5.2nm respectively), particle morphology, surface area (0.984+/-0.11 and
0.341+/-0.05m2/g respectively), pore volume (0.0014 and 0.0009cc/g respectively),
solid state of drug present and % drug release (~100% and ~78% respectively in
600min). In vitro cytotoxicity studies shared that obtained formulation was
having reduced IC50 values in comparison to drug. Further intracellular reactive
oxygen species production was found to be higher for formulation treated cells
when compared to free drug. Overall developed formulation was found to be
potential drug delivery system for lung cancer therapy.
PMID- 28989103
TI - Antimalarial drug toxicities in patients with cutaneous lupus and
dermatomyositis: A retrospective cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Although existing evidence demonstrates the efficacy of antimalarials
for rheumatic skin disease, the safety of these medications, and particularly
quinacrine, remains debated. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the toxicity risk
associated with antimalarials in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus and
dermatomyositis. METHODS: A total of 532 patients (mean age, 52.29 years; sample
composition by sex, 85.15% female vs 14.85% male) were selected from 2 databases
on cutaneous lupus erythematosus (69.92%) and dermatomyositis (30.08%). Details
regarding treatment and toxicities were extracted and 5 treatment courses were
defined (ie, hydroxychloroquine [HCQ], chloroquine [CQ], quinacrine [Q], HCQ-Q
combination therapy [HCQ-Q], and CQ-Q combination therapy [CQ-Q]). The hazard
ratio for each major toxicity was estimated by using the Cox proportional hazard
model to compare the different treatments with HCQ. RESULTS: The most common
toxicities included cutaneous eruption, gastrointestinal upset, mucocutaneous
dyspigmentation, neurologic toxicity, and retinopathy. The hazards of cutaneous
eruption, gastrointestinal upset, and neurologic toxicities were lower with HCQ-Q
than with HCQ; however, this may represent selection bias. Although there was
increased retinopathy risk with CQ and CQ-Q versus with HCQ, retinopathy was not
seen with Q. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective analysis. CONCLUSIONS: With the exception
of retinopathy, which was not seen with Q, the risks for other toxicities
associated with Q monotherapy or combination treatment were not significantly
different from those with HCQ.
PMID- 28989105
TI - Comparison of cyclic and continuous 308-nm excimer laser treatments for vitiligo:
A randomized controlled noninferiority trial.
PMID- 28989104
TI - Epidemiology of malignant cutaneous granular cell tumors: A US population-based
cohort analysis using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)
database.
AB - BACKGROUND: Malignant cutaneous granular cell tumors (mcGCTs) are rare and
associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The literature includes
single-institution studies. OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence, secondary
malignancies, treatment, overall survival, and disease-specific survival (DSS) of
patients with mcGCT. METHODS: A population-based cohort analysis was conducted in
the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1973 to 2013 for
patients with a diagnosis of mcGCT. Risk-adjusted associations between overall
survival/DSS and patient characteristics and treatment modalities were assessed
by Cox proportional hazard regression. Quantile regression was used to determine
median survival times. RESULTS: The 5-year DSS rate was 62.8%. Patients
demonstrated an increased risk for renal and pancreatic cancers. In risk-adjusted
models, male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06
0.82; P = .02), advanced cancer stage (HR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.40-3.72; P < .01), and
surgical resection (HR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.59; P = .02) predicted DSS. Median
survival time in years increased for males (1.39), earlier stage (0.60), and
surgical intervention (5.34). LIMITATIONS: Absent or incorrect reporting in
retrospective Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data is possible. The
database is more likely to include academic centers. Some subanalyses may be
underpowered because of the limited sample size for a rare cancer. CONCLUSIONS:
Our study presents an in-depth assessment of factors that identify high-risk
patients. Residency in a nonmetro area, black race, female sex, and no surgical
resection were each associated with poorer DSS.
PMID- 28989106
TI - Demographic and health care service utilization by 4417 patients with
hidradenitis suppurativa.
AB - BACKGROUND: Data on the health care utilization of patients with hidradenitis
suppurativa (HS) in primary care settings are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To investigate
the health care service utilization of patients with HS. METHODS: In a cross
sectional study, patients with HS were compared with 2 age- and sex-matched
control groups-general population enrollees of Clalit Health Services and a group
of patients with psoriasis. Health care services data included inpatient and
outpatient community clinic visits and pharmacy claims for topical and systemic
treatments. Multivariate analysis of the data for patients with HS and controls
was performed. RESULTS: The study included 4417 patients with HS, 22,085 general
population enrollees, and 4417 patients with psoriasis. On the basis of
multivariate analyses, patients with HS had more annual dermatology clinic visits
compared with the general population enrollees (odds ratio [OR], 6.49; 95%
confidence interval [CI], 7.06-5.97) and patients with psoriasis (OR, 1.32; 95%
CI, 1.44-1.21), more annual surgical clinic visits (OR, 3.78; 95% CI 3.28-4.36
and OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.42-1.91, respectively), and more hospitalizations (OR,
2.21; 95% CI, 1.89-2.56 and OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.28-1.78, respectively).
LIMITATIONS: Underestimation of HS frequency was possible. CONCLUSIONS: The
burden on health care systems due to patients with HS is greater than that due to
patients with psoriasis and the general population.
PMID- 28989108
TI - Novel uses of bilateral advancement flaps for tip defects on the nose: Part II.
PMID- 28989107
TI - Azathioprine and risk of multiple keratinocyte cancers.
PMID- 28989109
TI - Machine learning and melanoma: The future of screening.
PMID- 28989099
TI - Astroglial correlates of neuropsychiatric disease: From astrocytopathy to
astrogliosis.
AB - Complex roles for astrocytes in health and disease continue to emerge,
highlighting this class of cells as integral to function and dysfunction of the
nervous system. In particular, escalating evidence strongly implicates a range of
changes in astrocyte structure and function associated with neuropsychiatric
diseases including major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and addiction. These
changes can range from astrocytopathy, degeneration, and loss of function, to
astrogliosis and hypertrophy, and can be either adaptive or maladaptive. Evidence
from the literature indicates a myriad of changes observed in astrocytes from
both human postmortem studies as well as preclinical animal models, including
changes in expression of glial fibrillary protein, as well as changes in
astrocyte morphology and astrocyte-mediated regulation of synaptic function. In
this review, we seek to provide a comprehensive assessment of these findings and
consequently evidence for common themes regarding adaptations in astrocytes
associated with neuropsychiatric disease. While results are mixed across
conditions and models, general findings indicate decreased astrocyte cellular
features and gene expression in depression, chronic stress and anxiety, but
increased inflammation in schizophrenia. Changes also vary widely in response to
different drugs of abuse, with evidence reflective of features of astrocytopathy
to astrogliosis, varying across drug classes, route of administration and length
of withdrawal.
PMID- 28989110
TI - Novel uses of bilateral advancement flaps for tip defects on the nose: Part I.
PMID- 28989111
TI - Efficacy and tolerance profile of thalidomide in cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A
systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Thalidomide has shown excellent results for severe cutaneous lupus
erythematosus (CLE), but its prescription is limited by potentially severe
adverse events. OBJECTIVE: To assess the overall rate of response to thalidomide
in CLE with respect to CLE subtypes and the occurrence rate of relevant adverse
events on the basis of previously published studies. METHODS: We performed a
systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published in MEDLINE, Embase, and
the Cochrane Library between 1965 and January 2017. The proportions of responders
and rates of adverse events were extracted from individual studies and pooled
using random effects or fixed models. RESULTS: Among 548 patients from 21
included studies, the overall rate of response to thalidomide was 90% (95%
confidence interval [CI], 85-94), with similar response rates between CLE
subtypes. Conversely, the pooled rate of thalidomide withdrawal related to
adverse events was 24% (95% CI, 14-35) including confirmed peripheral neuropathy
in 16% (95% CI, 9-25) and thromboembolic events in 2% (95% CI, 1-3). The pooled
rate of relapse after thalidomide withdrawal was 71% (95% CI, 65-77) compared
with 34% (95% CI, 25-44) with a maintenance dose. LIMITATIONS: We found important
statistical heterogeneity across included studies. CONCLUSION: Considering the
frequent occurrence of adverse events, prescription of thalidomide should be
restricted to patients with severely refractory CLE or who are at high risk for
severe scarring.
PMID- 28989112
TI - A comparison of apremilast monotherapy and combination therapy for plaque
psoriasis in clinical practice: A Canadian multicenter retrospective study.
PMID- 28989113
TI - Utilization patterns and survival outcomes after wide local excision or Mohs
micrographic surgery for Merkel cell carcinoma in the United States, 2004-2009.
PMID- 28989115
TI - Osteoarthritis year in review 2017: genetics and epigenetics.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to describe highlights from original
research publications related to osteoarthritis (OA), epigenetics and genomics
with the intention of recognising significant advances. DESIGN: To identify
relevant papers a Pubmed literature search was conducted for articles published
between April 2016 and April 2017 using the search terms 'osteoarthritis'
together with 'genetics', 'genomics', 'epigenetics', 'microRNA', 'lncRNA', 'DNA
methylation' and 'histone modification'. RESULTS: The search term OA generated
almost 4000 references. Publications using the combination of descriptors OA and
genetics provided the most references (82 references). However this was reduced
compared to the same period in the previous year; 8.1-2.1% (expressed as a
percentage of the total publications combining the terms OA and genetics).
Publications combining the terms OA with genomics (29 references), epigenetics
(16 references), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) (11 references; including the
identification of novel lncRNAs in OA), DNA methylation (21 references), histone
modification (3 references) and microRNA (miR) (79 references) were reviewed.
Potential OA therapeutics such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been
identified. A number of non-coding RNAs may also provide targets for future
treatments. CONCLUSION: There continues to be a year on year increase in
publications researching miRs in OA (expressed as a percentage of the total
publications), with a doubling over the last 4 years. An overview on the last
year's progress within the fields of epigenetics and genomics with respect to OA
will be given.
PMID- 28989114
TI - Is a randomized trial of a short course of aminoglycoside added to beta-lactam
antibiotics for empirical treatment in critically ill patients with sepsis
justified?
PMID- 28989116
TI - Complex restitution behavior and reentry in a cardiac tissue model for neonatal
mice.
AB - Spatiotemporal dynamics in cardiac tissue emerging from the coupling of
individual cardiomyocytes underlie the heart's normal rhythm as well as undesired
and possibly life-threatening arrhythmias. While single cells and their
transmembrane currents have been studied extensively, systematically
investigating spatiotemporal dynamics is complicated by the nontrivial
relationship between single-cell and emergent tissue properties. Mathematical
models have been employed to bridge this gap and contribute to a deepened
understanding of the onset, development, and termination of arrhythmias. However,
no such tissue-level model currently exists for neonatal mice. Here, we build on
a recent single-cell model of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes by Wang and Sobie
(Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol 294:H2565) to predict properties that are
commonly used to gauge arrhythmogenicity of cardiac substrates. We modify the
model to yield well-defined behavior for common experimental protocols and
construct a spatially extended version to study emergent tissue dynamics. We find
a complex action potential duration (APD) restitution behavior characterized by a
nonmonotonic dependence on pacing frequency. Electrotonic coupling in tissue
leads not only to changes in action potential morphology but can also induce
spatially concordant and discordant alternans not observed in the single-cell
model. In two-dimensional tissue, our results show that the model supports stable
functional reentry, whose frequency is in good agreement with that observed in
adult mice. Our results can be used to further constrain and validate the
mathematical model of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes with future experiments.
PMID- 28989117
TI - Brachial artery blood flow dynamics during sinusoidal leg cycling exercise in
humans.
AB - To explore the control of the peripheral circulation of a nonworking upper limb
during leg cycling exercise, blood flow (BF) dynamics in the brachial artery (BA)
were determined using a sinusoidal work rate (WR) exercise. Ten healthy subjects
performed upright leg cycling exercise at a constant WR for 30 min, followed by
16 min of sinusoidal WR consisting of 4-min periods of WR fluctuating between a
minimum output of 20 W and a maximum output corresponding to ventilatory
threshold (VT). Throughout the protocol, pulmonary gas exchange, heart rate (HR),
mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), blood velocity (BV), and cross-sectional area
of the BA, forearm skin BF (SBF), and sweating rate (SR) were measured. Each
variable was fitted to a sinusoidal model with phase shift (theta) and amplitude
(A). Nearly all variables closely fit a sinusoidal model. Variables relating to
oxygen transport, such as VO2 and HR, followed the sinusoidal WR pattern with
certain delays (theta: VO2; 51.4 +/- 4.0 degrees , HR; 41.8 +/- 5.4 degrees ,
mean +/- SD). Conversely, BF response in the BA was approximately in antiphase
(175.1 +/- 28.9 degrees ) with a relatively large A, whereas the phase of forearm
SBF was dissimilar (65.8 +/- 35.9 degrees ). Thus, the change of BF through a
conduit artery to the nonworking upper limb appears to be the reverse when WR
fluctuates during sinusoidal leg exercise, and it appears unlikely that this
could be ascribed exclusively to altering the downstream circulation to forearm
skin.
PMID- 28989119
TI - Effects of protein-coated nanofibers on conformation of gingival fibroblast
spheroids: potential utility for connective tissues regeneration.
AB - Deep wounds in the gingiva caused by trauma or surgery require a rapid and robust
healing of connective tissues. We propose utilizing gas-brushed nanofibers coated
with collagen and fibrin for that purpose. Our hypotheses are that protein-coated
nanofibers will: (i) attract and mobilize cells in various spatial orientations,
and (ii) regulate the expression levels of specific extracellular matrix (ECM)
associated proteins, determining the initial conformational nature of dense and
soft connective tissues. Gingival fibroblast monolayers and 3D spheroids were
cultured on ECM substrate and covered with gas-blown poly-(DL-lactide-co
glycolide) (PLGA) nanofibers (uncoated/coated with collagen and fibrin). Cell
attraction and rearrangement was followed by F-actin staining and confocal
microscopy. Thicknesses of the cell layers, developed within the nanofibers, were
quantified by imageJ software. The expression of collagen1alpha1 chain
(Col1alpha1), fibronectin, and metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) encoding genes was
determined by quantitative reverse transcription analysis. Collagen- and fibrin-
coated nanofibers induced cell migration toward fibers and supported cellular
growth within the scaffolds. Both proteins affected the spatial rearrangement of
fibroblasts by favoring packed cell clusters or intermittent cell spreading.
These cell arrangements resembled the structural characteristic of dense and soft
connective tissues, respectively. Within 3 days of incubation, fibroblast
spheroids interacted with the fibers and grew robustly by increasing their
thickness compared to monolayers. While the ECM key components, such as
fibronectin and MMP2 encoding genes, were expressed in both protein groups,
Col1alpha1 was predominantly expressed in bundled fibroblasts grown on collagen
fibers. This enhanced expression of collagen1 is typical for dense connective
tissue. Based on results of this study, our gas-blown, collagen- and fibrin
coated PLGA nanofibers are viable candidates for engineering soft and dense
connective tissues with the required structural characteristics and functions
needed for wound healing applications. Rapid regeneration of these layers should
enhance healing of open wounds in a harsh oral environment.
PMID- 28989120
TI - Quality of Life Assessment should be Part of Oral Health Evaluations in Day-to
day Practice.
AB - According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Health is a state of complete
physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease and
infirmity."1 Quality of Life (QoL) is a crucial and often required measure of an
individual's general well-being. The QoL is an established term incorporating
different facets of life like physical, psychological, social, economical,
spiritual, cognitional, and sexual dimensions.
PMID- 28989118
TI - Dual specificity phosphatase 5 and 6 are oppositely regulated in human skeletal
muscle by acute exercise.
AB - Physical activity promotes specific adaptations in most tissues including
skeletal muscle. Acute exercise activates numerous signaling cascades including
pathways involving mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as
extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, which returns to pre-exercise
level after exercise. The expression of MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) in human
skeletal muscle and their regulation by exercise have not been investigated
before. In this study, we used mRNA sequencing to monitor regulation of MKPs in
human skeletal muscle after acute cycling. In addition, primary human myotubes
were used to gain more insights into the regulation of MKPs. The two ERK1/2
specific MKPs, dual specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5) and DUSP6, were the most
regulated MKPs in skeletal muscle after acute exercise. DUSP5 expression was
ninefold higher immediately after exercise and returned to pre-exercise level
within 2 h, whereas DUSP6 expression was reduced by 43% just after exercise and
remained below pre-exercise level after 2 h recovery. Cultured myotubes express
both MKPs, and incubation with dexamethasone (Dex) mimicked the in vivo
expression pattern of DUSP5 and DUSP6 caused by exercise. Using a MAPK kinase
inhibitor, we showed that stimulation of ERK1/2 activity by Dex was required for
induction of DUSP5 However, maintaining basal ERK1/2 activity was required for
basal DUSP6 expression suggesting that the effect of Dex on DUSP6 might involve
an ERK1/2-independent mechanism. We conclude that the altered expression of DUSP5
and DUSP6 in skeletal muscle after acute endurance exercise might affect ERK1/2
signaling of importance for adaptations in skeletal muscle during exercise.
PMID- 28989121
TI - Protective Effect of Adhesive Systems associated with Neodymium-doped Yttrium
Aluminum Garnet Laser on Enamel Erosive/Abrasive Wear.
AB - AIM: This study evaluated the efficacy of self-etching adhesive systems
associated or not associated with the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet
(Nd:YAG) laser on the protection against enamel erosive/abrasive wear. MATERIALS
AND METHODS: Bovine enamel specimens were demineralized with 0.3% citric acid (5
minutes). The samples were randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 20): SB -
Single Bond Universal (3M/ESPE); SB+L - Single Bond Universal + laser (80 mJ/10
Hz); FB - Futurabond U (Voco); FB+L -Futurabond U + laser; GEN - G-aenial bond
(GC); GEN+L -G-aenial bond + laser; L - laser irradiation; and C - no treatment.
The laser was applied before light curing. The samples were subjected to
erosive/abrasive challenges (0.3% citric acid - 2 minutes and tooth brushing four
times daily for 5 days). Enamel surface loss was recovered profilometrically by
comparison of baseline and final profiles. The adhesive layer thickness,
retention percentage of the protective layer, and microhardness of cured adhesive
were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's
test (5%). RESULTS: There were significant differences for all parameters (p =
0.0001). Mean values +/- SD and results of the Tukey's test were: Surface wear:
GEN - 4.88 (+/-1.09)a, L - 5.04 +/- 0.99)a, FB - 5.32 (+/-0.93)ab, GEN + L - 5.46
(+/-1.27)abc, SB + L - 5.78 (+/-1.12)abc, FB + L - 6.23 (+/-1.25)bc, SB - 6.35
(+/-1.11)c, and C - 6.46 (+/-0.61)c; layer thickness: GEN - 15.2 (+/-8.63)c, FB -
5.06 (+/-1.96)a, GEN + L - 13.96 (+/-7.07)bc, SB + L - 4.24 (+/-2.68)a, FB + L -
9.03 (+/-13.02)abc, and SB - 7.49 (+/-2.80)ab; retention: GEN - 68.89 (+/
20.62)c, FB - 54.53 (+/-24.80)abc, GEN + L - 59.90 (+/-19.79)abc, SB + L - 63.37
(+/-19.30)bc, FB + L - 42.23 (+/-17.68) a, and SB - 47.78 (+/-18.29)ab;
microhardness: GEN - 9.27 (+/-1.75)c; FB - 6.99 (+/-0.89)b; GEN + L - 6.22 (+/
0.87)ab; SB + L - 15.48 (+/-2.51)d; FB + L - 10.67 (+/-1.58)c; SB - 5.00 (+/
1.60)a. CONCLUSION: The application of Futurabond U and G-aenial bond on enamel
surface, as well as the Nd:YAG laser irradiation alone, was able to reduce the
enamel wear. The use of laser after the adhesive systems did not improve their
efficacy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Erosive/abrasive wear is a prevalent condition
in clinical practice affecting many patients. The association of adhesive systems
and Nd:YAG laser is of considerable clinical interest because it assesses new
treatments to reduce the erosive/abrasive wear that would help dentists in
clinical treatment decisions to reduce enamel wear and achieve a successful
treatment.
PMID- 28989122
TI - Comparison of Microleakage of Class V Cavities restored with the Embrace WetBond
Class V Composite Resin and Conventional Opallis Composite Resin.
AB - PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to compare the micro-leakage of class V
cavities restored with the newly introduced Embrace WetBond class V (EWC)
composite resin and conventional Opallis composite resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
In this in vitro study, class V cavities were prepared on 30 extracted bovine
incisors, with the gingival floor and the coronal margin of the cavities 1 mm
apical and coronal to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) respectively. The cavities
measured 3 mm in length, 2 mm in width, and 1.5 mm in depth. The teeth were
randomly divided into two groups. In group I, the cavities were restored with
Opallis composite resin in association with ExciTE adhesive system (total-etch);
in group II, the EWC composite resin was used for restorations. After 500
thermocycling procedures, the teeth were immersed in 0.5% fuchsin solution for 24
hours. Then, the samples were placed within a polyester model and sectioned in
the buccolingual direction. The samples were evaluated under a stereomicroscope
at *30 for the penetration of dye. The enamel and dentin margins were evaluated
separately. To test ordinal results, we used nonparametric statistical methods.
To find out whether each independent composite groups I and II came from the same
populations, we used Mann-Whitney U test and to compare two related samples'
coronal margin and gingival margin, Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used. RESULTS:
There was significantly more microleakage in group II at both the enamel and
dentin margins (coronal margin: p = 0.04; gingival margin: p = 0.21). In both
groups, microleakage at gingival margins was significantly higher than that at
coronal margins (group I: p = 0.008; group II: p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Despite the
high speed and the short process of restoration with Embrace WetBond, it is not a
reliable restorative material for class V cavities due to its inadequate marginal
seal.
PMID- 28989123
TI - Effect of Two-minute Application of 35% Sodium Ascorbate on Composite Bond
Strength following Bleaching.
AB - AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of 35% sodium ascorbate on
microtensile bond strength of dentin immediately after bleaching with 35%
hydrogen peroxide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 sound human 3rd molars
were collected. Teeth were randomly divided into five groups for different
treatments: Group I [bleaching + immediate bonding (i.e., restoration)], group II
(bleaching + delayed bonding), group III (bleaching + sodium ascorbate +
immediate bonding), group IV (bleaching + sodium ascorbate + delayed bonding),
and group V (bonding only). After bleaching, but before bonding, groups II and IV
were stored for 1 week in deionized water at 37 degrees C. All samples were
bonded using OptiBoned FL (Kerr) and Filtek Supreme (3M/ESPE). Teeth were
sectioned into 1 * 1 mm 2 bars, and microtensile bond strength was tested with a
universal testing machine (Instron 8841) at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/minute.
RESULTS: Microtensile bond strength differed significantly across the five
groups, with a significant reduction in microtensile bond strength observed for
samples in group I relative to samples in any of the other treatment groups (p <
0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of a high concentration of sodium ascorbate
for a shorter time reversed the negative effect of 35% hydrogen peroxide
bleaching on composite bonding strength to dentin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The
negative effects of bleaching on composite bonding can be neutralized by the
application of the reversing agent sodium ascorbate thus, increasing the
efficiency of clinic chair time. This is clinically relevant for those patients
requiring restorative treatment immediately after in-office bleaching.
PMID- 28989124
TI - Comparison of Shear Bond Strengths of Conventional Resin Cement and Self-adhesive
Resin Cement bonded to Lithium Disilicate: An in vitro Study.
AB - AIM: The aim of this study is to compare the shear bond strengths of conventional
resin cement and self-adhesive resin cement bonded to lithium disilicate.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 extracted human molar teeth were mounted in
self-cure acrylic resin. Teeth were prepared to obtain flat occlusal surface.
About 40 lithium disilicate specimens of dimension-10 mm in diameter and
thickness of 2 mm-were fabricated using lost wax technique. The samples were
divided into four groups: Groups I, II, III, and IV (n = 10). The specimens were
surface treated with Monobond S silane coupling agent. Self-etching primer and
bonding agent were applied on the bonding surface of the teeth in groups I and
III. The specimens were bonded to the primed teeth with the Multilink N resin
cement and subjected to the universal testing machine. The specimens were light
cured. Specimens in groups II and IV were luted to teeth using self-adhesive
cement RelyX U100. The same force was applied over the specimen as mentioned
above. Excess cement was removed, and light curing was done. The specimens in
groups III and IV were subjected to thermocycling for 10,000 cycles at
temperatures altering between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C. RESULTS: The shear
bond strengths of conventional resin cement and self-adhesive resin cement with
lithium disilicate were tested before and after thermocycling. Results indicated
that thermocycling has no significant effect on the bond strengths of
conventional or self-adhesive resin cement. However, from the study, it is seen
that conventional resin cement had a higher shear bond strength value than the
self-adhesive resin cement. CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference
between the average shear bond strength values of conventional resin cement
(Multilink N) and self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX U100) when bonded to lithium
disilicate disks, and thermocycling had no significant effect on the bond
strength of conventional or self-adhesive resin cements. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Among all-ceramic systems available, lithium disilicate materials have emerged as
an excellent esthetic material for fabrication of anterior and posterior crowns
and three-unit anterior fixed partial dentures because of their high translucency
and improved optical properties. For successful clinical outcomes, the luting
agent should have high bond strength not only to the ceramic surface, but also to
the tooth surface.
PMID- 28989125
TI - Evaluation of Antibacterial Effect and Dimensional Stability of Self-disinfecting
Irreversible Hydrocolloid: An in vitro Study.
AB - AIM: This study evaluated the antibacterial activity and dimensional stability of
irreversible hydrocolloids mixed with different concentrations of chlorhexidine
gluconate instead of water. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental specimens (45
specimens) were prepared and allocated into three groups of 15 each. Group I:
Impression material mixed with distilled water served as control. Groups II and
III were prepared with 0.12 and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution,
respectively. Specimens in each group were subjected to tests for dimensional
stability. For antimicrobial activity, 30 specimens were prepared and allocated
into three groups of 10 each named as group I (control), group II (0.12%
chlorhexidine gluconate), and group III (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate) similar to
specimens for dimensional stability. Statistical analysis was performed using a
one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test. RESULTS: Zones of inhibition
were observed around test specimens, but not around control specimens; there was
a significant intergroup difference in the diameters of the inhibition zones. In
the test for dimensional stability, no significant differences were detected
among groups, and the accuracy was clinically acceptable. CONCLUSION:
Irreversible hydrocolloid impression material mixed with chlorhexidine exhibits
varying degrees of antibacterial activity without influencing the dimensional
stability of set material. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Many contagious diseases can be
prevented by practical control of infection in the dental office. Chlorhexidine
gluconate, as a mixing liquid, ensures disinfection of impression, and this
method of disinfection is more convenient and avoids extra effort as in other
disinfection techniques.
PMID- 28989126
TI - Risk Factors and Treatment Needs among Orphan School Children.
AB - AIM: The aim of the study was to identify risk factors and treatment needs of
orphan children of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ob ectives: (1) To identify
the association between the frequency of snacking and caries among orphan
schoolchildren, (2) To assess Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli
(microbiological assessment) in saliva of orphan children, and (3) To formulate
treatment needs for orphan children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional
study was done among 253 children of 5-, 12-, and 15-year-olds living in various
orphanage houses of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Demographic data, and
dietary and oral hygiene practices were collected through a structured
questionnaire. Clinical examinations of children were conducted to assess oral
health status and recorded in the World Health Organization oral health
assessment form (1997). Stimulated saliva was collected for S. mutans and
Lactobacilli levels. The statistical software, namely, Statistical Package for
the Social Sciences version 19.0 was used for the analysis of the data. RESULTS:
The final data analysis included 253 children of which 116 (45.8%) were boys and
137 (54.2%) were girls. Overall, 140 (55.33%) children were caries-free and 113
(44.66%) children presented with caries (decayed/missing/filled surface >0). High
levels of salivary microbiological counts (S. mutans and Lactobacilli), i.e.,
>=105, stress the importance of necessary preventive oral health services.
Treatment needs among orphan children showed that most of the children, i.e., 58
(22.9%), need preventive or caries-arresting care followed by 49 (19.4%) who
require two-surface filling as an immediate measure. CONCLUSION: From the results
of our study, orphan children have low utilization of preventive and therapeutic
oral health services. Urgent attention is required to plan a comprehensive dental
health-care program to improve their oral health status. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Parents are the primary caretakers of children, but woefully some of them have to
lead their lives without parents, the latter either being dead or incapable of
bringing up their children. Such a group of children is known as orphans. As oral
health is an integral part of general health, it is essential for health-care
policy makers to address oral health needs of this underprivileged group of
society. This article highlights the risk factors and treatment needs among
orphan schoolchildren.
PMID- 28989127
TI - Relationship of Body Mass Index with Diet, Physical Activities, and Lifestyles of
Dental Students.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of
overweight issues and obesity by recording the body mass index (BMI) and explore
the dietary habits, physical activities (PAs), and lifestyles of male students at
the College of Dentistry, King Saud University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A custom
designed self-administrative form and questionnaire were used in this study for
data collection. The first part of the form was used to record the participants'
height and weight for the BMI. The participants were grouped as underweight (BMI
< 18.5), normal weight (BMI = 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI = 25-29.9), and obese
(BMI > 30.0). The second part comprised questions related to the dietary habits,
PAs, and lifestyles of the male dental students. Chi-squared test was used to
generate the significance of each question at significance <0.05. RESULTS: A
total of 211 male students (mean age 22.31 +/- 2.10 years) participated in the
study (response rate 78.1%). The findings revealed that 29 and 28% of the dental
students were overweight and obese respectively. A statistically significant
difference (p < 0.05) between the groups was found for the questions asked about
time spent exercising per day (p = 0.003), time spent sporting per week (p =
0.003), and time spent watching television and internet surfing per day (p =
0.012). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight issues and obesity is high among
the dental students compared with the general population of Saudi Arabia, and
there is a need for intervention programs to combat obesity among the dental
students. The awareness about PA, healthy diet/lifestyle, consequences of
overweight and obesity on their health and profession must be increased among the
dental students to avoid future complications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The impact
of obesity on individuals' oral health and its influence on dental treatment
protocols and postoperative procedures has been well documented. Dental students
are more prone to obesity due to their lifestyle with less PA and disordered
eating habits and, thereby, are prone to obesity-related health hazards.
PMID- 28989128
TI - Mechanical and Physical Properties of Two Different Resin-based Materials: A
Comparative Study.
AB - AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) of
two different resin-based composite materials (nanofill composite and ormocer)
and correlate it with some mechanical properties of these two restorative
materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different resin-based materials (Filtek
Supreme XT and Admira) were tested. A total of 30 samples of each type of
selected composite were prepared. Specimens were immersed in distilled water for
24 hours. Then, the specimens were subjected to DC, hardness, and diametral
tensile strength (DTS) measurements. The data obtained were tabulated for
statistical analysis. The t-test was used to detect the significant difference
among the variables tested in this study. Furthermore, the interrelationship
between the studied parameters was investigated using a simple correlation
coefficient statistical test. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were
observed regarding DC, hardness, and DTS. Filtek Supreme XT presented the highest
values. There was a positive correlation between DC and hardness. Also there was
a correlation between DC and DTS, but it was not significant. CONCLUSION: Under
the tested experimental conditions, the DC of Filtek Supreme XT was higher than
that of ormocer. Accordingly, Filtek Supreme XT showed better mechanical
properties. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Filtek Supreme XT showed superior mechanical
properties. Therefore, orthodontic bracket-based composite combinations may also
be expected to perform well clinically over the lifetime of a bonded orthodontic
appliance.
PMID- 28989129
TI - Assessment of Influence of Contact Time between Alginate and Type III Dental
Stone on Properties of Cast Model: An in vitro Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Alginate is a versatile, irreversible hydrocolloid impression
material, which is cost-effective and forms an essential component in dental
practice. For elevating the hardness of the cast models, hardeners are combined
with stone. Hence, we planned the present study to evaluate the impact of
altering the time of contact between alginate and stone after various interim
periods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included the assessment of
impact of time of contact between alginate and stone by the construction of 90
casts using a cylinder model. Two bisecting lines were marked and were named as y
and y'. These lines were used for testing the dimensional stability. Using
chemically cured acrylic resin, the construction of ten special trays was done.
All the impression casts were randomly divided into two study groups, with 45
casts in each group-group I: control group, casts were removed after 60 minutes;
group II: study group, casts were removed after 9 hours. A digital caliper was
used for measuring the dimensional stability of the cast. All the data were
collected and analyzed. RESULTS: In the specimens of the control group (group I)
and the study group (group II), the mean dimensions from y to y' were found to be
17.54 and 17.95 respectively. The mean reading of hardness in the control group
and study group was found to be 0.59 and 0.20 respectively. In groups I and II,
the number of specimens showing clarity of two lines (X and X") was 0 and 5
respectively. CONCLUSION: There was no change in the dimensional stability of the
dental stone model when the contact time was increased. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Within certain limits, the contact time between alginate and stone can be altered
without significantly altering the properties of the cast.
PMID- 28989130
TI - Evaluation of the Sealing Capability of the Internal Conical Connections of
Implants with Titanium and Zirconia Abutments.
AB - AIM: The purpose of this in vitro investigation was to evaluate the sealing
capability of the conical implant-abutment interfaces under different abutment
screw torque values using titanium and zirconia abutments with Morse taper
designs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 dental implants (n = 21 for
titanium abutments and n = 21 for zirconia abutments) were inoculated internally
with three bacteria. These assemblies were divided into four test groups (n = 10)
based on screw fixation torques of 35 or 20 Ncm and placed in sterile broth; the
remaining abutments were used as positive controls and torqued to 10 Ncm.
Microleakage was quantified by enumerating the bacteria from the colony-forming
units. An analysis of variance for the estimates of bacteria enumerated and
microgaps was used with a post hoc analysis as indicated. A p-value of 0.05 was
used as the level of significance. RESULTS: There was no statistically
significant difference in microleakage among the four test groups; there were no
significant effects of screw torque or abutment type on the bacteria enumerated.
There was a significantly smaller mean microgap with the zirconia abutments.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated no statistically significant
difference in the sealing capabilities between titanium and zirconia abutments,
having internal conical connections, after increasing the abutment screw torque.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It is important for clinicians to follow the guidelines
suggested by the implant companies to avoid biomechanical complications over
time.
PMID- 28989131
TI - Comparison of Hypersensitivity in Metal Ceramic Crowns cemented with Zinc
Phosphate and Self-adhesive Resin: A Prospective Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Luting agents used to fix artificial prostheses, such as fixed
partial denture (FPD) to tooth are basically viscous in nature and show chemical
reaction for fixation. Postcementation hypersensitivity is a frequent complaint
of patients. The present study was conducted to compare postcementation
hypersensitivity with zinc phosphate and self-adhesive resin in complete coverage
crown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 30 patients in which 60
porcelein fused to metal crowns was placed. Two metal crowns were placed in each
patient in nonantagonis-tic contralateral quadrants. First crown was cemented
with zinc phosphate cement, while the other was cemented with self-adhesive
resin. Hypersensitivity was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) score and by
clinical test. For clinical evaluation of sensitivity, hot and cold water was
applied to the cervical margin of restoration for 5 seconds and response was
recorded. RESULTS: This study consisted of 30 patients in which 60 crowns were
given. There was no statistical difference in VAS score of mastication in zinc
phosphate cement recorded at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2
years (p > 0.05). Cold response also did not show a significant difference at six
time points. Warm response showed slight decrease in subsequent time points but
was nonsignificant (p > 0.05). Similarly, with self-adhesive resin cement, VAS
score during mastication, hot and cold response was statistically nonsignificant
(p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postcementation hypersensitivity is a frequent complaint
that patient may experience. However, we found no statistically significant
difference in both cements tested. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Postcementation
hypersensitivity is an unpleasant sensation experienced by patients. This may
affect the success of any prosthesis. Thus, selection of luting agent for
cementation plays an important role to eliminate this symptom.
PMID- 28989132
TI - Post-insertion Posterior Single-implant Occlusion Changes at Different Intervals:
A T-Scan Computerized Occlusal Analysis.
AB - AIM: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the postinsertion
posterior single-implant occlusion changes at 3- and 6-month intervals using T
Scan computerized occlusal analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21
patients received single implant, opposed by natural dentition, in posterior
regions of the maxilla or mandible (13 premolar, 8 molar) and were finally
restored with cemented-retained metal-ceramic crowns. The occlusal contacts were
equilibrated according to the implant-protective occlusion concept to develop
light contact with heavy occlusion and no contact with light occlusion in maximum
inter-cuspation. The percentage of force applied to the implant crowns (POFI) and
contralateral teeth (POFT) was evaluated using T-Scan computerized occlusal
analysis at prosthesis insertion, 3- and 6-month follow-up appointments. The data
were statistically analyzed using Friedman test and Wilcoxon post hoc test (alpha
= 0.05). RESULTS: The POFI values at the 6- and 3-month follow-up appointments
were significantly higher than those at prostheses insertion (p = 0.001 and p =
0.005 respectively). In addition, there were significant differences between the
POFI at 3- and 6-month follow-up (p = 0.020). However, the POFT values at 3- and
6-month follow-up appointments were significantly lower than those at baseline (p
< 0.001). CONCLUSION: The intensity of occlusal contacts of implant-supported
prostheses opposed by natural dentition gradually increased after prosthesis
insertion. Placement of single posterior implant-supported restoration decreased
the percentage of occlusal force applied to contralateral arch. CLINICAL
SIGNIFICANCE: A periodic occlusal adjustment of implant-supported prostheses is
necessary to prevent potential overloading from the movement of opposing natural
dentition.
PMID- 28989133
TI - Gingival Crevicular Fluid Turnover Markers in Premenopausal vs Postmenopausal
Women receiving Orthodontic Treatment.
AB - BACKGROUND: Orthodontic treatment is one of the commonly used dental treatments.
Orthodontic forces act on the bone by modulating the biomolecules, chiefly the
osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin (OPN), receptor activator of nuclear factor
kappa-B (RANK), and RANK ligand (RANKL) (OPG ligand). Hormonal changes are known
to cause marked alteration in the levels of these biomolecules. Hence, we planned
this study to evaluate the response of bone biomarkers in the gingival crevicular
fluid (GCF) in postmenopausal women undergoing fixed orthodontic therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included assessment of 50 subjects who
underwent orthodontic treatment from June 2012 to July 2016. All the patients
were divided into two study groups with 25 patients in each group: premenopausal
group and postmenopausal group. Similar orthodontic wires were used for
controlling the forces applied in subjects of both the study groups and their GCF
levels of RANKL, and OPN was assessed at baseline and 24 hours after the
activation of orthodontic forces. All the results were compiled, assessed, and
analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 16.0.
Chi-square test, Student's t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for the
assessment of the level of significance. RESULTS: The mean values of RANKL and
OPN in the premenopausal and postmenopausal groups were found to be 241.52 and
317.15 pg/MUL respectively. The mean values of RANKL at baseline in the
premenopausal and postmenopausal groups were found to be 7.15 and 3.84 pg/MUL
respectively. Nonsignificant results were obtained while comparing mean OPN and
RANKL level alteration in between the two study groups. CONCLUSION: The mean
alterations in the GCF levels of bone biomarkers are similar for both
premenopausal and postmeno-pausal women. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: For women with
either premenopausal or postmenopausal status, orthodontic treatment appears to
be equally safer.
PMID- 28989134
TI - Influence of Energy Beverages on the Surface Texture of Glass lonomer Restorative
Materials.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to find whether energy
beverages have an erosive effect, leading to a risk in the clinical performance
of glass ionomer restorative materials. AIM: This study evaluated the influence
of energy beverages on the surface texture of glass ionomer restorative
materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glass ionomer materials used were Ionofil Plus
AC, GC EQUIA, and Ketac Molar; energy beverages are Code Red, Red Bull, and Power
Horse. Specimens prepared were discs of 8 mm diameter and 3 mm thickness;
specimens from each material were evaluated following aging with Code Red, Red
Bull, and Power Horse energy beverages. Distilled water was used as a control.
The surface roughness (Ra) was assessed by surface scanning interferometry. The
surface roughness values (DeltaRa and Ra) were measured for each specimen. The
data were analyzed statistically using multiple repeated measures [analysis of
variance (ANOVA)] and paired data t-test (p < 0.05 was considered as the
significance level). RESULTS: The surface roughness (DeltaRa and Ra) values
before and after aging using Code Red, Red Bull, and Power Horse energy beverages
differ significantly for all the materials regardless of the immersion time (p <
0.05). All the materials showed roughness changes after immersion periods of 1
day, 1 week, and 1 month. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that all energy
beverage solutions used in this study had an adverse effect on the surface
roughness degradation of the tested glass ionomers with increasing immersion
time. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Energy beverages have an erosive effect on glass
ionomer, which influences the clinical importance of the material; it also has
anticarious property because it releases the fluoride.
PMID- 28989135
TI - Study to assess Activity and Concentration of Gammaglutamyl Transpeptidase in
Precancerous and Cancer Patients and Its Comparison with Controls.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to highlight the use of gamma-glutamyl
transpeptidase (GGT) as salivary enzyme tumor marker and assess the activity and
concentration of GGT in precancerous and cancer patients and compare it with the
normal control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals in the age group of above 20
years were included in the study. In this study, salivary GGT was analyzed in 75
cases. The selected patients were divided into three main groups as group I
(controls with normal health), group II (patients with precancerous lesions and
conditions), and group III (patients with oral cancer lesions). All the selected
individuals were analyzed for salivary GGT. RESULTS: A significant difference was
observed between control and precancerous groups with GGT values at 5% level of
significance. The mean GGT value is significantly higher in precancerous group as
compared with control group (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed
between control and cancerous groups with GGT values at 5% level of significance.
The mean GGT value is significantly higher in cancerous group as compared with
control group (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed between
precancerous and cancerous groups with GGT values at 5% level of significance.
The mean GGT value is significantly higher in cancerous group as compared with
precancerous group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a remarkable increase in
salivary GGT activity in both precancerous and cancerous conditions. The
increased activity was more marked in cancerous conditions than in precancerous
conditions. The GGT levels were two- to threefold increased in precancerous
conditions as compared with control group. This finding was statistically
significant and also suggested the strong correlation between GGT levels and
presence of precancerous conditions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Integration of all
these observation strengthens our thinking that elevation of salivary GTT in pre
cancerous and cancerous conditions can be a reliable biomarker in early detection
and prevention of oral malignancy.
PMID- 28989136
TI - Morphology of the Dentin-resin Interface yielded by Two-step Etch-and-rinse
Adhesives with Different Solvents.
AB - AIM: The study aimed to analyze the morphology of the dentin-resin interface
yielded by two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive systems with different solvents and
compositions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 dentine disks were prepared
and randomly assigned to four groups of one-bottle etch-and-rinse adhesive
systems containing different solvents: group I, Adper Scotchbond-IXTTM
(ethanol/water); group II, XP-BondTM (tertiary butanol); group III, Prime and
Bond NT(r) (acetone); and group IV, One Coat bond(r) (5% water). Adhesive systems
were applied onto dentin disks, which were then thermal cycled, divided into two
hemi-disks (n = 16), and prepared for field-emission scanning electron microscopy
to examine the dentin-resin interdiffusion zone. Microphotographs were scanned
and data were processed. Data were compared with analysis of variance
multivariant test after Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests using Statistic
Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS: The adhesive layer thickness average
found was group I: 45.9 +/- 13.41 urn, group II: 20.6 +/- 16.32 urn, group III:
17.7 +/- 11.75 urn, and group IV: 50.7 +/- 27.81 urn. Significant differences
were found between groups I and IV and groups II and III (p < 0.000). Groups I
(3.23 +/- 0.53 MUm) and II (3.13 +/- 0.73 MUm) yielded significantly thicker
hybrid layers than groups III (2.53 +/- 0.50 MUm) and IV (1.84 +/- 0.27 MUm) (p <
0.003). Group III presented a less homogeneous hybrid layer, with some gaps. Tag
length average was greater in groups II (111.0 +/- 36.92 MUm) and IV (128.9 +/-
78.38 MUm) than in groups I (61.5 +/- 18.10 MUm) and III (68.6 +/- 15.84 MUm) (p
< 0.008). CONCLUSION: Adhesives systems with different solvents led to
significant differences in the dentin-resin interface morphology. Solvents role
in adhesives bond strength should be considered together with the other adhesive
system components. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The adhesive containing tertiary
butanol, in addition, seems to originate a good-quality hybrid layer and long,
entangled tags and also appears to have greater ability to originate microtags,
which may indicate higher bond strength.
PMID- 28989137
TI - Characteristic of Malocclusion among Saudi Special Need Group Children.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The present study analyzed the characteristics of malocclusions,
occlusal traits among Special Health care Needs (SHCN) children with Down
syndrome (DS) and autism disorder (AD) in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 DS and 100 AD children from five
rehabilitation centers in and around Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were
included in the study. Any children with history of ongoing medical treatment,
extraction, or orthodontic treatment were excluded from the study. Out of the 200
patients examined, 131 were males and 69 were females and the age of the children
ranged from 6 to 14 years. The children were examined for malocclusion
characteristics using the Angle's classification of malocclusion, and also other
occlusal traits, such as overjet, overbite, cross bite, and open bite were also
determined. The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences, version 16 to generate descriptive statistics for each variable.
RESULTS: The analyzed data of the right and left permanent molar relation showed
higher incidence of class III malocclusion (66%) in DS children as compared with
(3-4%) AD children. The AD children presented with higher percentage of class I
malocclu-sion (40-41%) as compared with (10-14%) DS children. During examination
of the primary molars, the analyzed data showed that left primary molar had more
mesial shift in AD children as compared with DS children. CONCLUSION: Down
syndrome children had high incidence of class III malocclusion and autistic
children had high incidence of class I malocclusion. Overall, the DS children
were more prone to malocclusion. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides
database for health professionals in Saudi Arabia in regard to malocclusion of
autis-tics and DS patients.
PMID- 28989138
TI - Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices regarding Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug
Reaction reporting among Dental Students in a Teaching Hospital, Jodhpur, India:
A Cross-sectional Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: This is a cross-sectional knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs)
study on pharmacovigilance (PV) and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting among
dental students in a teaching hospital in India. AIM: The aim of this study was
to assess the KAP of dental students regarding PV, ADR reporting, and barriers
toward the same. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using a self
administered, investigator-developed, close-ended questionnaire was conducted in
an academic dental hospital in India. All prescribers including third year
students, final year students, and house surgeons of the same institute were
included for assessment of KAP regarding PV using 16, 8, and 8 items
respectively. Data regarding barriers toward ADR reporting and demographics were
also collected. Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied followed
by post hoc test. RESULTS: A total of 241 of 275 respondents participated in the
study with a response rate of 87.5%. Overall, 64% reported that they had no idea
about the term PV. Age was significantly associated with knowledge (p = 0.045)
and attitude (p = 0.016). Barriers contributing to underreporting were difficulty
in deciding whether or not an ADR has occurred (52.0%), concerns that the report
may be wrong (37%), lack of confidence to discuss ADR with colleagues (29%), and
almost no financial benefits (24%). CONCLUSION: Participants had a comparatively
favorable attitude toward PV, but their knowledge and practice need considerable
improvements. This study highlights the need for appropriate dental curriculum
changes and further multicentric studies to shed more light on important issues
of PV among dentists in India. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study explores
dentists' knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding PV, which could help to
improve patient's safety and care. The favorable attitude of dentists is an
indication that PV could be added in depth in the curriculum and in general
practice. Information on barriers for reporting the ADRs could help to find
possible solutions for removing the barriers precisely.
PMID- 28989139
TI - Prevalence of Periodontal Destruction and Putative Periodontal Pathogens in the
Same Lebanese Family.
AB - AIM: Periodontal diseases are associated with microorganisms rich in Gram
negative species. Several studies have indicated the presence of few a
periodontopathic microorganisms in the same family. A parent with severe adult
periodontitis, who is infected with bacteria associated with periodontal disease,
may function as a source of infection. Their children may be at a greater risk to
become colonized with bacteria. The purpose of this investigation was (1) to
explore the presence of three bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG),
Prevotella intermedia (PI), and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (AA) in the
same Lebanese family and (2) to study the clinical destruction in the same family
and their relations as members of this family due to the presence of PG.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 families were screened; only 5 (13 females
and 5 males) were selected for this study, and at least one member of the family
had untreated periodontal disease, chronic or aggressive. Every participant
signed an informed consent form. A total of 18 available deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) samples were taken to analyze the presence of three periodontal bacteria.
STATISTICS: Multiple logistic regression was used for the exact methods. RESULTS:
All 18 patients showed a positive result for PI. Also, PG. was recognized in 15
patients while AA was not detected in any of the subjects. All couples suffered
from periodontitis, chronic or aggressive forms, five children suffered from
gingivitis, three children had no clinical manifestation, and only one suffered
from localized aggressive periodontitis. The statistical analysis showed with
each 1 year of increase in age, the odds of having periodontal disease multiply
by 1.39, i.e., age as a risk factor for periodontal disease due to the presence
of PG and sharing the same plate. CONCLUSION: This investigation demonstrates a
high prevalence of periodontal microorganisms in children and young adults of
Lebanese periodontitis parents and a microbiological similarity between the
children and their mothers. All these factors could be a high risk of developing
periodontal disease in the future. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This article shows that
vertical transmission of microorganisms is a possible risk factor for developing
periodontal disease in the offspring.
PMID- 28989140
TI - Comparative Evaluation of Myeloperoxidase Enzymatic Activity in Gingival
Crevicular Fluid of Subjects having Orthodontic Treatment by Different Aligning
Arch Wires.
AB - INTRODUCTION: There exist a number of factors that affect the outcome of
orthodontic treatment. These factors can be assessed by various gingival markers.
One such maker is myeloperoxidase (MPO). Hence, we planned the present study to
assess and compare the MPO activity in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of
subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment by different aligning arch wires.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included assessment of patients who
underwent orthodontic treatment for crowding of anterior teeth. Diagnostic cast
models of all the subjects were made for recording the irregularity index. All
the subjects were randomly divided into three study groups with 15 patients in
each group based on the type of nickel-titanium (NiTi) arch wires used. A
collection of GCF samples was done in all the patients at various time intervals
and it was sent to the laboratory for assessment of MPO activity. Activity of the
MPO enzyme was expressed in terms of number of units per 100 MUL. All the results
obtained were compiled and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS: We observed that nonsignificant results were
obtained while comparing the mean age and mean gingival score in all the study
groups. However, significant results were obtained on comparing the mean MPO
enzymatic activity in all the study groups at different time intervals.
CONCLUSION: Both superelastic NiTi and heat-activated NiTi generate optimal
forces, which are necessary for higher metabolic response of the periodontal
ligament. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the intimal stages of orthodontic treatment,
both superelastic NiTi and heat-activated NiTi wires are superior in leveling and
aligning the crowded teeth.
PMID- 28989141
TI - Melanotic Macule in Conjunction with a Giant Cell Fibroma.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to describe a case of a melanotic macule
found in conjunction with a giant cell fibroma (GCF). For oral pigmented lesions
without an identifiable etiologic factor, critical factors in determining the
differential diagnosis are clinical history, symmetry, and uniformity of the
lesions. Potential differential diagnosis includes racial pigmentation, endocrine
disturbance, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, trauma, hemochromatosis, oral malignant
melanoma, or idiopathic etiology and melanotic macules. Melanotic macules are the
most common solitary pigmented melanocytic lesions in the oral mucosa,
corresponding to 86.1% of melanocytic lesions of the mouth. Giant cell fibromas
are reactive connective tissue lesions in the oral cavity. They were first
described as a distinct entity in 1974 by Weathers and Callihan and make up
around 5 to 10% of all oral mucosa fibrous lesions. They are commonly mistaken
for other growths, such as pyogenic granuloma and fibroma, and diagnosis is
accurately based on its distinctive histopathology. This article presents the
clinicopathologic findings of a 15-year-old Hispanic male presenting for biopsy
of a melanotic macule on the mandibular anterior buccal gingiva. Histologic
evaluation of the specimen revealed that the lesion also contained a GCF.
Pathologic lesions of the mouth should be carefully diagnosed. Conventionally,
histologic evaluation is the gold standard to produce a final diagnosis. As
evidenced in this article, multiple lesions may exist in a site and may be
mistakenly diagnosed as a single entity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: While each lesion
has been reported individually, in reviewing the literature, no cases were
reported in which both histopathologic findings of GCF and melanotic macule were
present within the same lesion.
PMID- 28989142
TI - [Expression and spatial distribution of P2X7 receptor in pilocarpine-induced
epileptic rat hippocampus].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dynamic expression and spatial distribution of P2X7
receptor in pilocarpine-induced epileptic rat hippocampus.? Methods: Status
epilepticus (SE) model of rats was established by intraperitoneal injection with
chloride lithium and pilocarpine. Rat brain tissue and hippocampus were collected
at 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days after SE. The protein expression of P2X7 receptor in rat
hippocampus was detected by Western blot. The distribution of P2X7 receptor in
hippocampal sub-region was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.? Results: Bilateral
forelimb clonus appeared at (33.9+/-12.3) min after intraperitoneal injection
with pilocarpine. The protein expression of P2X7 receptor was increased at 1d
after SE, while it was decreased gradually from 3 d to minimum at 7 d, then it
was elevated continuously to 28 d. Among them, the expression of P2X7 receptor
was increased significantly at 1, 14 and 28 d post-SE (P<0.05).
Immunohistochemical staining showed that P2X7 receptor was detected in all areas.
The expression pattern of P2X7 receptor in hippocampal DG and CA3 area was
consistent with protein expression, but its expression in hippocampal CA1 area
was not significantly changed after SE.? Conclusion: The expression of P2X7
receptor in post-SE hippocampus is in a time-dependent manner and spatial
specificity. P2X7 receptor might be involved in the development of chronic
epilepsy.
PMID- 28989143
TI - [Protective effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SS31 on early brain
injury following subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate protective effects of SS31 on early brain injury (EBI)
induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats.? Methods: A total of 96 Sprague
Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: A sham group, an SAH group, an
SAH+vehicle group (SAH+V), and an SAH+SS31 group. The SAH-induced prechiasmatic
cistern rat model was established in this study. Neurological deficit scores were
evaluated at 24 h after SAH. The SS31 (5 mg/kg) as well as equal volume of
vehicle were administrated intraperitoneally at 2 h after SAH. The neurological
scores, brain edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, apoptosis,
malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, superoride
dismutase (SOD) activity, and the expression of cytosolic cytochrome c (Cyt C)
and Bax were analyzed at 24 h after SAH.? Results: Treatment with SS31 could
significantly reduce MDA levels, and restored the activities of GPx and SOD in
the cortex following SAH when compared with the SAH+V group. In addition, Bax
SS31 trearment increased or decreased the levels of mitochondrial Cyt C or Bax,
respectively. Moreover, SS31 treatment ameliorated brain edema and Evans blue dye
extravasation, improved neurological deficits, and decreased neuronal apoptosis
at 24 h after SAH.? Conclusion: SS31 could alleviate EBI after SAH through its
antioxidant property and ability in inhibition of neuronal apoptosis.
PMID- 28989144
TI - [Role of mimecan in development of atherosclerosis induced by increased blood
pressure variability].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes of mimecan protein expression in development of
atherosclerosis induced by sinoaortic denervation, and to explore the effects of
mimecan knock down on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle
cells.? Methods: The animals were randomly divided into a sham group and a model
group (n=8 in each group). The rat model of blood pressure variability was
established by sinoaortic denervation, and the hemodynamic indexes were recorded
20 weeks after the surgery to confirm the success of the model. The thoracic
aorta was excised and stained with immunohistochemistry to observe the
pathological changes of smooth muscle tissues and the changes of mimecan
expression. The mice vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated, and which were
treated with mimecan siRNA to knock down the mimecan expression. The cell
proliferation was observed by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (Edu) in corporation test
and the changes of cell migration was observed by wound healing test.? Results:
Twenty weeks after sinoaortic denervation, the blood pressure variability in the
model group was significantly increased compared with that in the sham group,
suggesting the model was successfully established. In addition, the increased
blood pressure variability in the model group promoted the proliferation and
migration of the vascular smooth muscle cells in thoracic aorta, while the
expression of mimecan protein was significantly decreased. In in vitro assays,
the knock down of mimecan in mice vascular smooth muscle cells could promote the
cell proliferation and migration.? Conclusion: Mimecan plays a protective role in
the development of sinoaortic denervation induced atherosclerosis through
amechanism involving suppression of the proliferation and migration of vascular
smooth muscle cells.
PMID- 28989145
TI - [Clinical and genetic diagnosis in a hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
family].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and feasibility genetic diagnosis
in a hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) family, and to explore the
application of gene mutation testing in HHT diagnosis.? Methods: Medical
histories and clinical features of a family were analyzed to diagnose HHT
patients and suspected individuals according to the clinical diagnostic criteria.
Sequence analysis of endoglin (ENG) and activin A receptor like type 1 (ACVRL1)
gene in the proband was performed with PCR and Sanger sequencing technology.
After the possible pathogenic mutation was identified in the proband, the
specific mutation was detected in the suspected individuals and part of other
family members. Then the genetic diagnoses were concluded.? Results: There were 5
family members in 4 generations manifested with epistaxis. According to the
clinical diagnosis criteria, the proband with epistaxis, mucocutaneous
telangiectases, visceral arteriovenous malformation and family history was
diagnosed as HHT; while 2 survival family members with epistaxis and family
history were suspected individuals. A substitution mutation in the 5'
untranslated region(5'-UTR) of ENG c.1-127 C>T was detected in the proband and
the 2 suspected individuals, which did not exist in other family members. Based
on the clinical and genetic findings, the 2 clinically suspected individuals were
diagnosed as HHT.? Conclusion: There is great variability of the clinical
manifestations among HHT patients. ENG c.1-127 C>T mutation is the possible
pathogenic variant of the HHT family. A combination of clinical and genetic
diagnosis could improve the diagnosis and treatment of HHT.
PMID- 28989146
TI - Epicutaneous sensitization with ovalbumin, staphylococcal enterotoxin B and
vitamin D analogue induces ?atopic dermatitis in mice.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To illuminate a method for establishment of a cost-efficient atopic
dermatitis (AD) mouse model by topical application of ovalbumin (OVA), super
antigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), and calcipotriene ointment (CO) on
the back of BALB/c mice.? Methods: Experimental mice were topically treated with
OVA/SEB or OVA/SEB/CO every other day during 15 days of induction. Clinical
alterations on the skin area were monitored every other day. Epidermal thickness
were measured by reflectance confocal microscope (RCM) before harvest.
Inflammatory cells in skin biopsies were marked by hematoxylin-eosin (HE)
staining. Blood sample and skin biopsies were measured by ELISA and quantitative
real-time PCR to detect the expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-31, interferon (IFN)
gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha pruritus-associated nerve growth factor
(NGF), and serum IgE.? Results: Human AD-like cutaneous local inflammatory
reaction was characterized by the accumulation of inflammatory cells, increased
epidermal thickness and serum IgE levels as well as Th1 cell-associated cytokines
(IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha), Th2 cell-associated cytokines (IL-4, IL-31), and NGF in
the OVA/SEB/CO group compared with that in the normal control group or the
OVA/SEB group.? Conclusion: OVA/SEB/CO can induce an AD-like mouse model with
lower economic and time consumption.
PMID- 28989147
TI - [Effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound on expression of TGF-beta1 and Smads
during dentin injury and repair].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on
TGF-beta1/Smad 2, 3 signal pathway during the dentin injury and repair.? Methods:
Among 25 Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 rats served as a blank control group without
treatment. The remaining 20 rats received modified caries preparation inbilateral
maxillary first molars to establish a model of dentin-pulp injury and repair. The
right maxillary first molars served as a LIPUS group, which received LIPUS
irradiation (frequency: 1.5 MHz, pulse width: 200 MUs, pulse repetition
frequency: 1 kHz, spatial averaged temporal averaged intensity: 30 mW/cm2, 20
min/d), and the left maxillary first molars served as a cavity-prepared group,
which received fake LIPUS irradiation. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 5, 7 and
14 days after LIPUS irradiation. Immunohistochemical staining and Image-pro plus
6.0 were applied to detect the expression and distribution of transforming growth
factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and small mothers against decapentaplegic 2/3(Smad 2 and
Smad 3).? Results: Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of TGF
beta1 and Smad 2, 3 were low innormal pulp, but they were increased in different
degree after dentin injury. The result of image analysis showed that the
expression of TGF-beta1 in the cavity-prepared group gradually increased at the
first day and peaked at day 5, and then it returned to normal level at day 14.
However, the expression of TGF-beta1 in the LIPUS group were significantly higher
than that in the cavity-prepared group at day 3 and 5 (both P<0.05). The
expressions of Smad 2,3 in both the LIPUS group and the cavity-prepared group
were consistently increased all the way, but the expressions in the LIPUS group
were higher compared with that in the cavity-prepared group (P<0.05).?
Conclusion: The TGF-beta1/Smad 2, 3 signal pathway can be activated during the
dentin injury and repair. LIPUS can up-regulate the expression of TGF-beta1 and
Smad 2, 3 in the early period, which may take part in the dentin-pulp complex
injury and repair process.
PMID- 28989148
TI - [Effect of growth hormone on osteopontin expression during orthodontic tooth
movement in rats].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of growth hormone on osteopontin expression
during orthodontic tooth movement in rats.? Methods: Forty male Wistar rats (2
weeks, average weight 200 g) were randomly divided into a control group and an
experimental group (n=20 per group). The experimental group received subcutaneous
injections of growth hormone at a dose of 0.15 U/(kg.d), and the control group
received equivalent volumes of saline. A nickel-titanium spring was fixed between
the maxillary incisors and the left upper first molar with a force of 0.49 N to
move the molar mesially. All rats were sacrificed on day 3, 7, 10 or 14 with
cardiac perfusion. And the left side of upper jaw was removed. The longitudinal
section of the first molar was prepared from sagittal direction to observe
osteopontin expression in the pressure area between the mesial buccal root and
distal buccal root by immunohistochemical staining and semi-quantitative
analysis.? Results: The positive expression of osteopontin in the 2 groups showed
similar trend, which was increased firstly and then was decreased. The expression
of osteopontin on day 7 in the experimental group showed strong positive
expression but it was decreased significantly on day 10 compared with the control
group (P<0.05).? Conclusion: Systemic application of growth hormone could affect
the expression of osteopontin and probably plays an important role in regulating
bone resorption in the compression area during orthodontic tooth movement in
rats.
PMID- 28989149
TI - [Airborne fine particle decreases the cell viability and induces inflammation in
human bronchial epithelial cells].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of airborne fine particle on cell viability
and inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells.? Methods: Atmospheric PM2.5
samples were collected by PM2.5 sampler. PM2.5 morphology was observed by
scanning electron microscope (SEM). Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B)
were treated with PM2.5 at different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800
MUg/mL) for 12, 24 or 48 hours, and the cell activity were evaluated by cell
counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The mRNA expression levels of (granulocyte-macrophage
colony stimulating factor,GM-CSF) and TNF-alpha were detected by quantitative
real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions
of GM-CSF and TNF-alpha.? Results: According to SEM, the shape of PM2.5 varied,
and the diameter was different and mostly equal to or less than 2.5 MUm. CCK-8
assay showed that different concentrations of PM2.5 exposure for 12 hours, 24
hours and 48 hours resulted in loss of cell viability of BEAS-2B cells (P<0.05).
Different concentrations of PM2.5 increased the mRNA and protein expression of GM
CSF and TNF-alpha, and the higher concentration of PM2.5 induced higher
expression, which have statistical significant difference between the groups
(P<0.05).? Conclusion: Atmospheric PM2.5 can cause inflammatory response in human
bronchial epithelial cells. They can reduce cell viability, which may be related
to the PM2.5 trigger and aggravation of bronchopulmonary inflammatory diseases.
PMID- 28989150
TI - [Parecoxib suppresses the increase of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio after the
modified radical mastectomy].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of parecoxib on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
(NLR)after the modified radical mastectomy, and to explore its potential
mechanisms for inhibition of perioperative inflammation.? Methods: A total of 40
breast cancer patients undergone the modified radical mastectomy were randomly
divided into a parecoxib group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). The parecoxib
group received intravenous parecoxib (40 mg, 5 mL) during general anesthesia
induction, post-operative day 1 and day 2; the control group received intravenous
normal saline (5 mL) at the corresponding time points. Their peripheral bloods
were collected for routine test in the morning of the surgery day (T1), and Day 1
(T2), Day 3 (T3) and Day 7 (T4) after the surgery, and NLR was calculated.?
Results: Compared with T1, NLR in the control group at T2 and T3 was
significantly increased (P<0.05), but not at T4 (P>0.05); NLR in the parecoxib
group was sharply increased at T2 (P<0.01), and returned to preoperative levels
at T3 and T4 (P>0.05). NLR in the parecoxib group was significantly lower than
that in the control group at T2 (P<0.05), but there were no significant
difference between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05).? Conclusion:
Parecoxib can restrain the inflammatory responses and improve immune function of
the breast cancer patients by suppressing the elevation of NLR after the modified
radical mastectomy, which is expected to improve the prognosis of the breast
cancer patients.
PMID- 28989151
TI - [Application of pie-crusting the medial collateral ligament release in
arthroscopic surgery for posterior horn of ?medial meniscus in knee joint].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness and safety of pie-crusting the medial
collateral ligament release (MCL) in treating posterior horn of medial meniscus
(PHMM) tear in tight medial tibiofemoral compartment of knee joint.? Methods:
Thirty-two consecutive patients with PHMM tear in tight medial tibiofemoral
compartment of knee joint were admitted to our department from January, 2013 to
December, 2014. All patients were performed pie-crusting the MCL release at its
tibial insertion with 18-gauge intravenous needle. All patients were evaluated by
valgus stress test and bilateral valgus stress radiograph at postoperative 1st
day, 4th week and 12th week. Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), Lysholm scores, Tegner
scores and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were recorded
at the 1st, 3th, 6th month follow-up, then follow-up every 6 months.? Results:
The mean follow-up was 28 (24-36) months. All cases were negative in valgus
stress test. MCL rupture, femoral fracture, articular cartilage lesion and
neurovascular injury were not found at the last follow-up. The median medial
joint space width of affected side and unaffected side for valgus stress
radiographs were 6.8 mm and 4.3 mm (P<0.05) at the 1st day, 5.5 mm and 4.2 mm
?(P<0.05) in the 4th week and 4.8 mm and 4.3 mm (P>0.05) at the 12th week,
respectively. VAS scores was changed from 4.5+/-1.5 preoperatively to 1.7+/-1.0
at the final follow-up (t=16.561, P<0.05). Lysholm scores was changed from 52.3+/
5.8 preoperatively to 93.2+/-6.3 at the final follow-up (t=-41.353, P<0.05).
Tegner scores was changed from 4.1+/-1.1 preoperatively to 5.5+/-0.6 at the final
follow-up (t=-18.792, P<0.05). IKDC scores was changed from 54.5+/-6.2
preoperative to 93.8+/-4.5 at the final follow-up (t=-38.253, P<0.05).?
Conclusion: Pie-crusting the medial collateral ligament release is a safe,
minimal invasive and effective surgical option for posterior horn of medial
meniscus tear in tight medial tibiofemoral compartment of knee joint.
PMID- 28989152
TI - [Correlations of FGF23 and Klotho with cardiovascular injury in chronic kidney
disease patients].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the levels of serum calcium, phosphate, fibroblast growth
factor 23 (FGF23), and Klotho proteins in patients with chronic kidney disease
(CKD), and to investigate the correlations of FGF23 and Klotho proteins with
cardiac complicates in patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone
disorder (CKD-MBD).? Methods: A total of 180 CKD-MBD patients were enrolled for
this study. Among them, 60 patients underwent regular hemodialysis, 60 patients
did not undergo renal replacement therapy and 60 patients were diagnosed as
second hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Thirty age and gender-matched health
volunteers served as controls. Serum samples were collected and tested, and the
demographical, clinical and biochemical data were all recorded. FGF23 and Klotho
levels in serum samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data
of echocardiography and plain abdominal X rays were collected as well. The
influential factors for cardiovascular injury, the relationship between
biochemical indexes and ectopic calcification, and the correlations of FGF23 and
Klotho with cardiac complicates were analyzed? Results: Patients, who kept
hemodialysis, especially those with SHPT, exhibited an increase in serum FGF23
level while a decrease in serum Klotho protein levels (P<0.01). Patients with
higher levels of serum FGF23 were more likely to have ectopic calcification
(OR=4.667), while patients with lower levels of serum Klotho had high risks to
get myocardial hypertrophy (OR=3.496). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC)
curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for FGF23 was 0.778
(P<0.01) while for Klotho was 0.715 (P<0.01).? Conclusion: Patients, who kept
hemodialysis, especially those with SHPT, have a significant increase in serum
FGF23 protein levels and a significant decrease in serum Klotho protein levels.
Serum FGF23 and Klotho protein levels are closely correlated with left
ventricular enlargement and hypertrophy. Serum FGF23 and Klotho protein are risk
factors for heart.
PMID- 28989153
TI - [Preoperational nutritional status for the children with congenital heart disease
and the influential factors].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preoperational nutritional condition for the
children with congenital heart disease, and to analyze the relevant factors.?
Methods: According to the standards of WHO, the Z-scores was used to assess the
nutritional condition for the children, and the generational information
questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Self-Rating Depression Scale and
Parent Understanding Questionnaire were used to analyze the maternal factors.?
Results: Stunting, underweighting and wasting represented the poor nutritional
conditions, which accounted for 28.6%, 25.3% and 25.3%, respectively. Maternal
accurate perception and the psychological problems such as anxiety and depression
were the main relevant factors.? Conclusion: The poor nutritional condition for
the congenital heart disease was serious. It is very important to improve the
maternal accurate perception and to relieve the maternal psychological problems
for changing the nutritional condition through appropriate health education and
effective intervention.
PMID- 28989154
TI - [Influential factors associated with 2-week prevalence of fever and diarrhea
among infants and young children at the age of 6-23 months in poor rural areas].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status and influential factors associated with 2
week prevalence of fever and diarrhea among infants and young children at the age
of 6-23 months in poor rural areas.? Methods: A total of 8 735 rural infants and
young children aged 6-23 months in 30 poor counties of Wuling Mountains and
Luoxiao Mountains in Hunan Province were selected in August 2015, and the
questionnaires were used to collect information on the prevalence of fever and
diarrhea, person and families, and feeding status. The data for prevalence of
fever and diarrhea in infants and young children were calculated, and multi-non
conditional logistic regression model were used to analyze the influential
factors.? Results: The 2-week prevalence of fever and diarrhea in infants and
young children was 20.8% and 12.2% respectively. The ages (OR=0.66, 95%CI 0.58 to
0.75), Dong ethnicity(OR=1.42, 95%CI 1.17 to 1.74) and low body weight (OR=1.31,
95%CI 1.11 to 1.54) were influential factors for fever among infants and young
children in poor rural areas; female (OR=0.86, 95%CI 0.76 to 0.98), 12-17 months
(OR=0.80, 95%CI 0.69 to 0.93), 18-23 months (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.43 to 0.60), other
ethnic minorities (OR=1.70, 95%CI 1.13 to 2.56), non-complementary feeding
(OR=1.65, 95%CI 1.05 to 2.59) and low body weight (OR=1.39, 95%CI 1.14 to 1.70)
were the influential factors of diarrhea among infants and young children.?
Conclusion: The 2-week prevalence of fever and diarrhea among infants and young
children aged 6-23 months in poor rural areas were quite serious. Low age, Dong
ethnicity, and low birth weight are high risk factors for fever. Male, no
addition of complementary feeding, and low birth weight are high risk factors for
diarrhea.
PMID- 28989155
TI - [Analysis of spatiotemporal patterns and influential factors for mushroom
poisoning in Hunan Province in 2015].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To understand the spatial distribution of mushroom poisoning in Hunan
Province and its influential factors, and to provide the evidence for control of
the mushroom poisoning.? Methods: The surveillance data for mushroom poisoning
cases from 122 counties in Hunan Province in 2015 were collected. Based on
geographical information system database, spatial autocorrelation analysis and
spatial regression analysis (via OpenGeoDa) was conducted.? Results: The
incidence of mushroom poisoning in Hunan Province in 2015 was 2.94/100 000.
Global Moran's I values was 0.315 (P<0.05). Local spatial autocorrelation
analysis indicated that Ningxiang, Xiangtan, Shaoyang, Lingling, Jiahe, and Linwu
districts et al were "positive hotspot" regions. Guzhang, Hecheng, Dingcheng,
Yueyang districts et al were "negative hotspot" regions. Spatial regression
analysis revealed that the reported incidence of mushroom poisoning was
positively correlated with the annual average temperate (Z=2.145, P=0.032), the
number of health care institutions per capita (Z=2.352, P=0.019), and the number
of students enrollment in secondary schools (Z=4.309, P<0.001). It was negatively
associated with the number of school staff and workers of secondary schools (Z=
2.626, P=0.009).? Conclusion: The spatial distribution of mushroom poisoning
cases in Hunan Province in 2015 is highly clustered. Mushroom poisoning cases are
more prevalent in the middle and southern regions and less prevalent in the
northern areas of the province. The annual average temperate and the number of
students enrollment in secondary schools demonstrate a certain positive influence
on the distribution of mushroom poisoning in Hunan.
PMID- 28989156
TI - [Prevalence and influential factors for asthma among adults in Chinese].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and influential factors for asthma among
adults in Chinese.? Methods: Chinese residents aged >=18 years in 12 regions were
enrolled to estimate the prevalence of asthma in adults with different
characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were adopted to
determine the influential factors for asthma based on the China Health and
Nutrition Survey in 2009 and 2011.? Results: The prevalence of asthma was 1.25%
(95%CI 1.06% to 1.43%) among the entire adult population in China. There were
significant differences in terms of age, gender, regions, city and countryside,
smoking, body mass index (BMI), education levels, marriage and subjective well
being (SWB)(all P<0.05). Compared with normal people, the risk of asthma
complicated with hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction and stroke was
significantly increased (P<0.01). The multiple logistic regression analysis
showed that the influential factors for asthma included age (OR=1.042, 95%CI
1.032 to 1.053), gender (male OR=1.533, 95%CI 1.080 to 2.167), regions (Beijing
OR=2.470, 95%CI 1.155 to 5.308), urban area (OR=1.355, 95%CI 1.026 to 1.786), BMI
(OR=1.021, 95%CI 1.000 to 1.037), smoking (OR=1.428, 95%CI 1.028 to 1.989),
drinking (OR=0.711, 95%CI 0.976), education level (OR=0.964, 95%CI 0.930 to
0.999), poor short-term health status (OR=5.295, 95%CI 4.055 to 6.934), well
being (lowest OR=2.219, 95%CI 1.272 to 3.887), playing games (OR=2.732, 95%CI
1.023 to 6.088) and watching TV (OR=1.695, 95%CI 1.036 to 2.941).? Conclusion:
Adult asthma is associated with multiple factors including age, gender,
lifestyle, social environment, etc.
PMID- 28989157
TI - [High-affinity glutamate transporters and chronic pain].
AB - Glutamate serves as a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central
nervous system and is stored in synaptic cleft by an uptake system that is
dependent on the high-affinity glutamate transporters (ETTAs), which locate in
the plasma membrane of glial cells and neurons. ETTAs can rapidly terminate the
action of glutamate and maintain its normal physiological functions. If the
content or function of glutamate transporters is abnormal, it can result in many
physiological dysfunctions. Studies have demonstrated that high-affinity
glutamate transporters play an important role in the development of chronic pain,
which might be a new therapeutic target for the pain.
PMID- 28989158
TI - [Environmental risk factors for induction of the inflammatory bowel disease].
AB - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of intestinal chronic non-specific
inflammatory disease with unknown etiology, including ulcerative colitis and
Crohn's disease. The risk factors associated with pathogenesis of IBD include
environmental factors, genetic factors, and immune factors.Among them, the
environmental factors include smoking, drugs, diet, infection and psychological
factors.
PMID- 28989159
TI - [Progress in study on animal models of ?chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
AB - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incompletely reversible
chronic airway disease that can be prevented and cured. There is a tendency
toward increasing the morbidity and mortality for COPD. Establishment of an
animal model for COPD is an important step to explore the pathogenesis of this
disease. Presently, a well-recognized COPD animal model is not available. The key
points for establishing the COPD animal models, such as selection of animal
species, parameters for model evaluation, are constantly updated.
PMID- 28989160
TI - [Mechanism of migration and release of ?high mobility group box-1].
AB - High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is an evolutionarily conserved protein, which
widely exists in mammals. HMGB1 contains the nucleus localization sequences.
Intracellular and extracellular HMGB1 shows different biological functions.
Extracellular HMGB1 is closely related to sepsis, cancer, rheumatoid immune,
atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury and so on. The mobilization of HMGB1
from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and subsequent release involves the processes
of post-translation modification, active secretion and nuclear localization.
PMID- 28989161
TI - [PET-CT imaging features of primary ureteric lymphoma: ?A case report and
literature review].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To review the dual-time-point 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron
emission tomography/X-ray computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging for a patient with
primary ureteric lymphoma (PUL), and explore the potential of FDG PET-CT on
diagnosis, staging and evaluation of treatment in patients with PUL.? Methods:
Complete clinical and imaging data of one patient with PUL was reported. The
relevant literatures from 1997 to 2016 were reviewed, and the imaging features of
uriteric lymphoma were analyzed.? Results: The patient presented with
microhematuria, a soft-density mass with moderate enhancement in the mid left
ureter, and a luminal stenosis with the scope inserted 5 cm into the left stoma,
but no mass was found. The patient was pathologically diagnosed as follicular
lymphoma (stage IE confirmed by whole body FDG PET-CT).? Conclusion: PET-CT may
be useful in diagnosis, clinical stage and therapy assessment in patients with
PUL.
PMID- 28989164
TI - Editorial Note.
PMID- 28989162
TI - [A case of pulmonary alternariosis complicated with aspergillosis].
AB - A 61-year-old woman with pulmonary alternariosis and aspergillosis was reported.
The patient presented with recurrent hemoptysis and cough for 3 years. Alternaria
was identified by fungal culture. Biopsy specimen showed pulmonary aspergillosis.
The patient had been treated with voriconazole at 400 mg/d through intravenous
guttae for 7 days, and then switched amphotericin B at 25 mg/d through
intravenous guttae for 11 days. The patient was treated with voriconazole at ?400
mg through oral when she was discharged from hospital. After the treatment, the
clinical symptoms of hemoptysis and cough were recovered, and the lung CT
examinations showed normal.
PMID- 28989165
TI - The Role of Doctors in Hunger Strikes.
AB - In its Malta Declaration, The World Medical Association prohibits force-feeding
of hunger strikers as "degrading and inhuman," even when this is the only way to
save their lives. The European Court of Human Rights ruled that lifesaving force
feeding is compatible with the state's duty to protect the lives of prisoners. To
understand how such extreme divergence of opinions has become possible, this
paper offers a critical examination of the social history of prisoners' hunger
strikes, the philosophy of nonviolence, and the debate on its medicalization. The
discourse by actors, professionals, regulators, and scholars on hunger strikes is
divided into three paradigms: the "communicative," the "extreme violence," and
the "psychiatric." I argue that another paradigm is in play, and its
incorporation may enrich and balance the discourse. This is the "wounded
combatant" paradigm, according to which hunger strikers are like enemy soldiers
who are injured in battle.
PMID- 28989166
TI - A Theoretical Foundation for the Ethical Distribution of Authorship in
Multidisciplinary Publications.
AB - In academia, authorship on publications confers merit as well as responsibility.
The respective disciplines adhere to their "typical" authorship practices:
individuals may be named in alphabetical order (e.g., in economics, mathematics),
ranked in decreasing level of contribution (e.g., biomedical sciences), or the
leadership role may be listed last (e.g., laboratory sciences). However, there is
no specific, generally accepted guidance regarding authorship distribution in
multidisciplinary teams, something that can lead to significant tensions and even
conflict. Using Scanlon's contractualism as a basis, I propose a conceptual
foundation for the ethical distribution of authorship in multidisciplinary teams;
it features four relevant principles: desert, just recognition, transparency, and
collegiality. These principles can serve in the development of a practical
framework to support ethical and nonarbitrary authorship distribution, which
hopefully would help reduce confusion and conflict, promote agreement, and
contribute to synergy in multidisciplinary collaborative research.
PMID- 28989167
TI - A Defense of The-Risks-of-Daily-Life.
AB - Research examining the safe and effective treatment of diseases and disorders
affecting children offers one of the best prospects for improving the medical
treatment of children. But the inclusion of children in research raises difficult
ethical questions, among them: To how much risk is it permissible to expose
children in research? Various thresholds have been proposed to constrain research
risks that do not offer children the prospect of direct medical benefit. These
proposals include limiting research risks to (1) the risks of routine medical
examinations, (2) the risks of participation in charitable activities, (3) the
risks of family life, and (4) the risks-of-daily-life. I examine which, if any,
of these proposals is defensible. I argue that only the risks-of-daily-life
threshold is defensible and I offer a new justification for this risk threshold.
I argue that the risks of daily life are justifiable because they are part of a
reasonable trade-off between personal safety and our ability to pursue meaningful
lives.
PMID- 28989168
TI - (Queer) Family Values and "Reciprocal IVF": What Difference Does Sexual Identity
Make?
AB - In this paper I employ the case of "reciprocal IVF" (R-IVF)-in which a female
female couple uses in vitro fertilization to allow one woman to be the genetic
mother and the other the gestational mother of their child(ren)-to illuminate the
role sexual identity might productively play in bioethics. Bioethicists who have
taken up this issue have largely focused on the moral permissibility and
availability of the technology, and so defend R-IVF through analogy to commonly
accepted different-sex uses of IVF. In this way, they position sexual identity as
largely irrelevant to the primary bioethical questions raised by R-IVF. My
approach diverges on these counts as I focus on the ethics of R-IVF through the
lens of queer family values specifically. I ask what the practice of R-IVF as an
option might mean for the queer community at large, and so view sexual identity
as integral to a full bioethical evaluation of the practice.
PMID- 28989169
TI - Moyamoya Disease in an 18-Month-Old Female Caucasian Complicated by Cerebral
Hyperperfusion Syndrome Following Indirect Revascularization.
AB - BACKGROUND Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome is a rare complication of indirect
revascularization due to moyamoya disease, but has not been reported previously
in the pediatric population. We present a case of an 18-month-old girl with
moyamoya disease that was treated with bilateral pial synangiosis and had
complications consistent with cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome. This case report
discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in cerebral hyperperfusion
in moyamoya syndrome. CASE REPORT An 18-month-old female Caucasian presented with
seizures and weakness of the left side. Angiography confirmed bilateral cerebral
moyamoya disease that was worse on the right side. Indirect revascularization
with pial synangiosis was first performed on the right side to allow for healing.
Five months later, pial synangiosis was then performed on the left side.
Postoperatively, the patient experienced increased intracranial pressure (ICP),
suggesting cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome. She was treated with a repeat lumbar
puncture, a lumbar drain, and a lumbar shunt. CONCLUSIONS This report
demonstrates a case of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome as a complication of
moyamoya disease in a pediatric patient. Although the patient progressed well
after placement of a lumbar shunt, this case demonstrates the occurrence of
cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome as a complication of revascularization in
pediatric patients and highlights the need for further research in this area.
PMID- 28989170
TI - Olig2 Silence Ameliorates Cuprizone-Induced Schizophrenia-Like Symptoms in Mice.
AB - BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of schizophrenia is complex and oligodendrocyte
abnormality is an important component of the pathogenesis found in schizophrenia.
This study was designed to evaluate the function of olig2 in cuprizone-induced
schizophrenia-like symptoms in a mouse model, and to assess the related
mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS The schizophrenia-like symptoms were modeled by
administration of cuprizone in mice. Open-field and elevated-plus maze tests were
applied to detect behavioral changes. Adenovirus encoding olig2 siRNA was
designed to silence olig2 expression. Real-time PCR and western blotting were
applied to detect myelin basic protein (MBP), 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'
phosphodiesterase (CNPase), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and olig2
expressions. RESULTS Open field test showed that the distance and time spent in
the center area were significantly decreased in cuprizone mice (model mice) when
compared with control mice (p<0.05). By contrast, olig2 silence could
significantly increase the time and distance spent in the center area compared
with the model mice (p<0.05). As revealed by elevated-plus maze test, the mice in
the model group preferred the open arm and spent more time and distance in the
open arm compared with control mice (p<0.05), while olig2 silence significantly
reversed the abnormalities (p<0.05). Mechanically, MBP and CNPase expression were
reduced in the model group compared with the control (p<0.05). However, olig2
silence reversed the reduction caused by cuprizone modeling (p<0.05). In
addition, GFAP was elevated after cuprizone modeling compared with control
(p<0.05), and was significantly inhibited by olig2 silence compared with model
(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Cuprizone-induced schizophrenia-like symptoms involved
olig2 upregulation. The silence of olig2 could prevent changes, likely through
regulating MBP, CNPase, and GFAP expressions.
PMID- 28989172
TI - Genome organization: Compartmentalizing chromatin without cohesin.
PMID- 28989173
TI - Diabetic nephropathy: Renoprotective effects of GLP1R agonists and SGLT2
inhibitors.
PMID- 28989171
TI - Convergence between biological, behavioural and genetic determinants of obesity.
AB - Multiple biological, behavioural and genetic determinants or correlates of
obesity have been identified to date. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have
contributed to the identification of more than 100 obesity-associated genetic
variants, but their roles in causal processes leading to obesity remain largely
unknown. Most variants are likely to have tissue-specific regulatory roles
through joint contributions to biological pathways and networks, through changes
in gene expression that influence quantitative traits, or through the regulation
of the epigenome. The recent availability of large-scale functional genomics
resources provides an opportunity to re-examine obesity GWAS data to begin
elucidating the function of genetic variants. Interrogation of knockout mouse
phenotype resources provides a further avenue to test for evidence of convergence
between genetic variation and biological or behavioural determinants of obesity.
PMID- 28989174
TI - New treatment paradigms for ADPKD: moving towards precision medicine.
AB - The natural history of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is
characterized by a variable rate of cyst development and increase in total kidney
volume (TKV), variable kidney function decline and age of onset of end-stage
renal disease (ESRD), and variable presentation of renal and extrarenal
manifestations. Precision medicine is proposed to improve patient outcomes by
tailoring therapy to the specific genetic background, pathophysiology, disease
burden, prognosis and status of each individual. This approach to the management
of patients with ADPKD is nearing clinical implementation owing to advances in
genetics, imaging, biomarker development and therapeutics. In this Review, we
discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for the treatment
of hypertension and proteinuria, and for slowing the rate of cyst growth in
patients with ADPKD before the development of ESRD. We provide recommendations
for the management of renal complications, including cyst infection,
nephrolithiasis, haematuria and chronic pain. The early treatment of patients
with ADPKD who are largely asymptomatic is associated with a therapeutic burden
but slows cyst growth and delays subsequent loss of kidney function, which
ultimately delays the need for renal replacement therapy and has a positive
effect on the quality of life of patients.
PMID- 28989175
TI - Glomerular disease: Loss of Epas1 promotes FSGS.
PMID- 28989176
TI - Renal physiology: ER-associated degradation in diabetes insipidus.
PMID- 28989177
TI - [Cii] emission from L1630 in the Orion B molecular cloud.
AB - CONTEXT: L1630 in the Orion B molecular cloud, which includes the iconic
Horsehead Nebula, illuminated by the star system sigma Ori, is an example of a
photodissociation region (PDR). In PDRs, stellar radiation impinges on the
surface of dense material, often a molecular cloud, thereby inducing a complex
network of chemical reactions and physical processes. AIMS: Observations toward
L1630 allow us to study the interplay between stellar radiation and a molecular
cloud under relatively benign conditions, that is, intermediate densities and an
intermediate UV radiation field. Contrary to the well-studied Orion Molecular
Cloud 1 (OMC1), which hosts much harsher conditions, L1630 has little star
formation. Our goal is to relate the [Cii] fine-structure line emission to the
physical conditions predominant in L1630 and compare it to studies of OMC1.
METHODS: The [Cii] 158 MUm line emission of L1630 around the Horsehead Nebula, an
area of 12' * 17', was observed using the upgraded German Receiver for Astronomy
at Terahertz Frequencies (upGREAT) onboard the Stratospheric Observatory for
Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). RESULTS: Of the [Cii] emission from the mapped area
95%, 13 L?, originates from the molecular cloud; the adjacent Hii region
contributes only 5%, that is, 1 L?. From comparison with other data (CO(1-0)-line
emission, far-infrared (FIR) continuum studies, emission from polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs)), we infer a gas density of the molecular cloud of nH ~ 3 .
103 cm-3, with surface layers, including the Horsehead Nebula, having a density
of up to nH ~ 4 . 104 cm-3. The temperature of the surface gas is T ~ 100 K. The
average [Cii] cooling efficiency within the molecular cloud is 1.3 . 10-2. The
fraction of the mass of the molecular cloud within the studied area that is
traced by [Cii] is only 8%. Our PDR models are able to reproduce the FIR-[Cii]
correlations and also the CO(1-0)-[Cii] correlations. Finally, we compare our
results on the heating efficiency of the gas with theoretical studies of
photoelectric heating by PAHs, clusters of PAHs, and very small grains, and find
the heating efficiency to be lower than theoretically predicted, a continuation
of the trend set by other observations. CONCLUSIONS: In L1630 only a small
fraction of the gas mass is traced by [Cii]. Most of the [Cii] emission in the
mapped area stems from PDR surfaces. The layered edge-on structure of the
molecular cloud and limitations in spatial resolution put constraints on our
ability to relate different tracers to each other and to the physical conditions.
From our study, we conclude that the relation between [Cii] emission and physical
conditions is likely to be more complicated than often assumed. The theoretical
heating efficiency is higher than the one we calculate from the observed [Cii]
emission in the L1630 molecular cloud.
PMID- 28989179
TI - CO Emission from an Impinging Non-Premixed Flame.
AB - Carbon monoxide (CO) results from the incomplete oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels.
While CO can be desirable in some syngas processes, it is a dangerous emission
from fires, gas heaters, gas stoves, or furnaces where insufficient oxygen in the
core reaction prevents complete oxidation of fuel to carbon dioxide and water,
particularly when the reaction is interrupted by interaction with relatively cool
solid boundaries. This research examines the physico-thermo-chemical processes
responsible for carbon monoxide release from a small laminar non-premixed
methane/air flame impinging on a nearby surface. We measure the changes in CO
emission as correlated with variations in flame structure observed using planar
laser induced fluorescence (PLIF of OH and 2-photon CO), and two-line OH PLIF
thermometry, as a function of burner-to-plate distance. In particular, this work
combines the use of OH and CO PLIF, and PLIF thermometry to describe the relative
locations of the CO rich region, the peak heat release zone as indicated by
chemiluminescence and OH gradients, and the extended oxidative zone in the
impinging flames. The results show that CO release correlates strongly with
stagnating flow-driven changes in the location and extent of high concentration
regions of OH in surface-impinging diffusion flames.
PMID- 28989180
TI - Genetic isolation in an endemic African habitat specialist.
AB - The Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus is a Near-Threatened shorebird
species endemic to mainland Africa. We examined levels of genetic differentiation
between its two morphologically and geographically distinct subspecies, C. p.
pallidus in southern Africa (population size 11 000-16 000) and C. p. venustus in
eastern Africa (population size 6500). In contrast to other plover species that
maintain genetic connectivity over thousands of kilometres across continental
Africa, we found profound genetic differences between remote sampling sites.
Phylogenetic network analysis based on four nuclear and two mitochondrial gene
regions, and population genetic structure analyses based on 11 microsatellite
loci, indicated strong genetic divergence, with 2.36% mitochondrial sequence
divergence between individuals sampled in Namibia (southern Africa) and those of
Kenya and Tanzania (eastern Africa). This distinction between southern and
eastern African populations was also supported by highly distinct genetic
clusters based on microsatellite markers (global FST = 0.309, GST' = 0.510, D =
0.182). Behavioural factors that may promote genetic differentiation in this
species include habitat specialization, monogamous mating behaviour and
sedentariness. Reliance on an extremely small number of saline lakes for breeding
and limited dispersal between populations are likely to promote reproductive and
genetic isolation between eastern and southern Africa. We suggest that the two
Chestnut-banded Plover subspecies may warrant elevation to full species status.
To assess this distinction fully, additional sample collection will be needed,
with analysis of genetic and phenotypic traits from across the species' entire
breeding range.
PMID- 28989181
TI - International Peacekeeping Operations: Burden Sharing and Effectiveness.
AB - This article takes stock of some of the important contributions to the study of
peacekeeping (PK). Two key topics stand out: peacekeeping burden sharing and
mission effectiveness. For burden sharing, the theoretical foundation is the
private provision of public goods and joint products. Implications for burden
sharing differ whether financial or troop contributions are being shared, with
the latter driven by jointly produced country-specific benefits. Financial burden
sharing can also differ between United Nations (UN)-led and non-UN-led
peacekeeping operations, wherein country-specific benefits are especially
important for the latter. Many articles gauge peacekeeping effectiveness by the
mission's ability to maintain the peace or to protect lives for a set time
period. More recently, multiple criteria are raised for evaluating peacekeeping
in today's world of multifaceted peacebuilding operations.
PMID- 28989182
TI - Spousal Bargaining Over Care for Elderly Parents in China: Imbalances in Sex
Ratios Influence the Allocation of Support.
AB - Using a unique Chinese survey of parents and adult children, this paper examines
how married children negotiate with their spouses for time devoted to caring for
their own parents. Applying a collective bargaining framework, I show that the
sex ratio at marriage shifts household bargaining in favour of the husband's
parents when women are less scarce, or against his parents when women are
scarcer. Such changing dynamics in the family may potentially reverse the current
preference for sons in China, implying that those with sons, rather than
daughters, may be increasingly in need of state support.
PMID- 28989183
TI - Romantic Relationship Commitment Behavior Among Emerging Adult African American
Men.
AB - Contextual and intrapersonal factors affecting the development of African
American men's romantic relationship commitment-related behavior were
investigated. Socioeconomic disadvantage during early adolescence was
hypothesized to predict harsh, unsupportive parenting practices. Harsh parenting
was hypothesized to result in youths' emotion-regulation difficulties, indicated
by elevated levels of anger during mid-adolescence, particularly when men were
exposed to racial discrimination. Young African American men's anger during mid
adolescence, a consequence of harsh, unsupportive parenting and racial
discrimination, was expected to predict commitment-related behavior. Hypotheses
were tested with a sample of rural African American men participating in a panel
study from the ages of 11 through 21. Data from teachers, parents, and youths
were integrated into a multi-reporter measurement plan. Results confirmed the
hypothesized associations. Study findings indicate that the combination of harsh
parenting and racial discrimination is a powerful antecedent of young men's
commitment-related behavior. Anger across mid-adolescence mediated this
interaction effect.
PMID- 28989185
TI - Optimal Proliferation and Differentiation of Chlamydia Trachomatis.
AB - Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterium that causes eye infection and blindness in
humans. It has an unusual life cycle involving two developmental forms. Within a
cytoplasmic inclusion, the reticulate body (RB) repeatedly divides by binary
fission and asynchronously differentiates into the infectious elementary body
(EB). Upon the death of the mammalian cell that host many such inclusions, only
the EB form of the bacteria survive and proceed to infect other cells. Given the
bacteria's fast spreading infection, conventional wisdom would have the few
initial EB turn into RB, divide and proliferate first, and then eventually start
converting in order to maximize the terminal EB population upon host cell lysis.
Several biological processes are seen as possible mechanisms for implementing
such a conversion strategy. However, the optimality of an instinctual strategy
with a period of proliferate without conversion prior to the onset of
differentiation has never been substantiated theoretically or justified
mathematically. This paper formulates three relatively simple models that capture
the essential features of the Chlamydia life cycle. When the initial infection is
caused by the endocytosis of a small EB population well below the carrying
capacity of the host cell, the Maximum Principle requires for these models an
optimal conversion strategy that confirms and rigorously justifies the prevailing
view of no conversion at the early stage of the host cell infection. However, the
conventional supposition is found to be inappropriate for an initial EB (-to-RB)
population near or above the carrying capacity. Previously suggested and new
biological mechanisms are examined for their role in implementing the different
optimal conversion strategies associated with models investigated herein.
PMID- 28989184
TI - Sexual Minority Stress and Same-Sex Relationship Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis of
Research Prior to the U.S. Nationwide Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage.
AB - Meta-analytic methods were used to analyze 179 effect sizes retrieved from 32
research reports on the implications that sexual minority stress may have for
same-sex relationship well-being. Sexual minority stress (aggregated across
different types of stress) was moderately and negatively associated with same-sex
relationship well-being (aggregated across different dimensions of relationship
well-being). Internalized homophobia was significantly and negatively associated
with same-sex relationship well-being, whereas heterosexist discrimination and
sexual orientation visibility management were not. Moreover, the effect size for
internalized homophobia was significantly larger than those for heterosexist
discrimination and sexual orientation visibility management. Sexual minority
stress was significantly and negatively associated with same-sex relationship
quality but not associated with closeness or stability. Sexual minority stress
was significantly and negatively associated with relationship well-being among
same-sex female couples but not among same-sex male couples. The current status
of research approaches in this field was also summarized and discussed.
PMID- 28989186
TI - The Coupled Bio-Chemo-Electro-Mechanical Behavior of Glucose Exposed Arterial
Elastin.
AB - Elastin, the principle protein component of the elastic fiber, is a critical
extracellular matrix (ECM) component of the arterial wall providing structural
resilience and biological signaling essential in vascular morphogenesis and
maintenance of mechanical homeostasis. Pathogenesis of many cardiovascular
diseases have been associated with alterations of elastin. As a long-lived ECM
protein that is deposited and organized before adulthood, elastic fibers can
suffer from cumulative effects of biochemical exposure encountered during aging
and/or disease, which greatly compromise their mechanical function. This review
article covers findings from recent studies of the mechanical and structural
contribution of elastin to vascular function, and the effects of biochemical
degradation. Results from diverse experimental methods including tissue-level
mechanical characterization, fiber-level nonlinear optical imaging, piezoelectric
force microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance are reviewed. The intriguing
coupled bio-chemo-electro-mechanical behavior of elastin calls for a multi-scale
and multi-physical understanding of ECM mechanics and mechanobiology in vascular
remodeling.
PMID- 28989188
TI - How to Construct a Mixed Methods Research Design.
AB - This article provides researchers with knowledge of how to design a high quality
mixed methods research study. To design a mixed study, researchers must
understand and carefully consider each of the dimensions of mixed methods design,
and always keep an eye on the issue of validity. We explain the seven major
design dimensions: purpose, theoretical drive, timing (simultaneity and
dependency), point of integration, typological versus interactive design
approaches, planned versus emergent design, and design complexity. There also are
multiple secondary dimensions that need to be considered during the design
process. We explain ten secondary dimensions of design to be considered for each
research study. We also provide two case studies showing how the mixed designs
were constructed.
PMID- 28989189
TI - Mechanistic Kinetic Modeling of Thiol-Michael Addition Photopolymerizations via
Photocaged "Superbase" Generators: An Analytical Approach.
AB - A kinetic mechanism and the accompanying mathematical framework are presented for
base-mediated thiol-Michael photopolymerization kinetics involving a photobase
generator. Here, model kinetic predictions demonstrate excellent agreement with a
representative experimental system composed of 2-(2-nitrophenyl)propyloxycarbonyl
1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (NPPOC-TMG) as a photobase generator that is used to
initiate thiol-vinyl sulfone Michael addition reactions and polymerizations.
Modeling equations derived from a basic mechanistic scheme indicate overall
polymerization rates that follow a pseudo-first-order kinetic process in the base
and coreactant concentrations, controlled by the ratio of the propagation to
chain-transfer kinetic parameters (kp/kCT) which is dictated by the rate-limiting
step and controls the time necessary to reach gelation. Gelation occurs earlier
as the kp/kCT ratio reaches a critical value, wherefrom gel times become nearly
independent of kp/kCT. The theoretical approach allowed determining the effect of
induction time on the reaction kinetics due to initial acid-base neutralization
for the photogenerated base caused by the presence of protic contaminants. Such
inhibition kinetics may be challenging for reaction systems that require high
curing rates but are relevant for chemical systems that need to remain
kinetically dormant until activated although at the ultimate cost of lower
polymerization rates. The pure step-growth character of this living
polymerization and the exhibited kinetics provide unique potential for extended
dark-cure reactions and uniform material properties. The general kinetic model is
applicable to photobase initiators where photolysis follows a unimolecular
cleavage process releasing a strong base catalyst without cogeneration of
intermediate radical species.
PMID- 28989190
TI - The effect of pH, electrolytes and temperature on the rhizosphere geochemistry of
phytosiderophores.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Graminaceous plants are grown worldwide as staple crops
under a variety of climatic and soil conditions. They release phytosiderophores
for Fe acquisition (Strategy II). Aim of the present study was to uncover how the
rhizosphere pH, background electrolyte and temperature affect the mobilization of
Fe and other metals from soil by phytosiderophores. METHODS: For this purpose a
series of kinetic batch interaction experiments with the phytosiderophore 2'
deoxymugineic acid (DMA), a calcareous clay soil and a mildly acidic sandy soil
were performed. The temperature, electrolyte concentration and applied
electrolyte cation were varied. The effect of pH was examined by applying two
levels of lime and Cu to the acidic soil. RESULTS: Fe mobilization by DMA
increased by lime application, and was negatively affected by Cu amendment.
Mobilization of Fe and other metals decreased with increasing ionic strength, and
was lower for divalent than for monovalent electrolyte cations at equal ionic
strength, due to higher adsorption of metal-DMA complexes to the soil. Metal
mobilization rates increased with increasing temperature leading to a faster
onset of competition; Fe was mobilized faster, but also became depleted faster at
higher temperature. Temperature also affected biodegradation rates of metal-DMA
complexes. CONCLUSION: Rhizosphere pH, electrolyte type and concentration and
temperature can have a pronounced effect on Strategy II Fe acquisition by
affecting the time and concentration 'window of Fe uptake' in which plants can
benefit from phytosiderophore-mediated Fe uptake.
PMID- 28989187
TI - Physical models of collective cell motility: from cell to tissue.
AB - In this article, we review physics-based models of collective cell motility. We
discuss a range of techniques at different scales, ranging from models that
represent cells as simple self-propelled particles to phase field models that can
represent a cell's shape and dynamics in great detail. We also extensively review
the ways in which cells within a tissue choose their direction, the statistics of
cell motion, and some simple examples of how cell-cell signaling can interact
with collective cell motility. This review also covers in more detail selected
recent works on collective cell motion of small numbers of cells on
micropatterns, in wound healing, and the chemotaxis of clusters of cells.
PMID- 28989191
TI - Extensive validation of CM SAF surface radiation products over Europe.
AB - This work presents a validation of three satellite-based radiation products over
an extensive network of 313 pyranometers across Europe, from 2005 to 2015. The
products used have been developed by the Satellite Application Facility on
Climate Monitoring (CM SAF) and are one geostationary climate dataset (SARAH
JRC), one polar-orbiting climate dataset (CLARA-A2) and one geostationary
operational product. Further, the ERA-Interim reanalysis is also included in the
comparison. The main objective is to determine the quality level of the daily
means of CM SAF datasets, identifying their limitations, as well as analyzing the
different factors that can interfere in the adequate validation of the products.
The quality of the pyranometer was the most critical source of uncertainty
identified. In this respect, the use of records from Second Class pyranometers
and silicon-based photodiodes increased the absolute error and the bias, as well
as the dispersion of both metrics, preventing an adequate validation of the daily
means. The best spatial estimates for the three datasets were obtained in Central
Europe with a Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) within 8-13 W/m2, whereas the MAD
always increased at high-latitudes, snow-covered surfaces, high mountain ranges
and coastal areas. Overall, the SARAH-JRC's accuracy was demonstrated over a
dense network of stations making it the most consistent dataset for climate
monitoring applications. The operational dataset was comparable to SARAH-JRC in
Central Europe, but lacked of the temporal stability of climate datasets, while
CLARA-A2 did not achieve the same level of accuracy despite predictions obtained
showed high uniformity with a small negative bias. The ERA-Interim reanalysis
shows the by-far largest deviations from the surface reference measurements.
PMID- 28989192
TI - Team-Based Professional Development Interventions in Higher Education: A
Systematic Review.
AB - Most professional development activities focus on individual teachers, such as
mentoring or the use of portfolios. However, new developments in higher education
require teachers to work together in teams more often. Due to these changes,
there is a growing need for professional development activities focusing on
teams. Therefore, this review study was conducted to provide an overview of what
is known about professional development in teams in the context of higher
education. A total of 18 articles were reviewed that describe the effects of
professional development in teams on teacher attitudes and teacher learning.
Furthermore, several factors that can either hinder or support professional
development in teams are identified at the individual teacher level, at the team
level, and also at the organizational level.
PMID- 28989193
TI - The Effects of Mobile-Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning: Meta-Analysis
and Critical Synthesis.
AB - One of the trends in collaborative learning is using mobile devices for
supporting the process and products of collaboration, which has been forming the
field of mobile-computer-supported collaborative learning (mCSCL). Although
mobile devices have become valuable collaborative learning tools, evaluative
evidence for their substantial contributions to collaborative learning is still
scarce. The present meta-analysis, which included 48 peer-reviewed journal
articles and doctoral dissertations written over a 16-year period (2000-2015)
involving 5,294 participants, revealed that mCSCL has produced meaningful
improvements for collaborative learning, with an overall mean effect size of
0.516. Moderator variables, such as domain subject, group size, teaching method,
intervention duration, and reward method were related to different effect sizes.
The results provided implications for future research and practice, such as
suggestions on how to appropriately use the functionalities of mobile devices,
how to best leverage mCSCL through effective group learning mechanisms, and what
outcome variables should be included in future studies to fully elucidate the
process and products of mCSCL.
PMID- 28989194
TI - Effective Dementia Education and Training for the Health and Social Care
Workforce: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
AB - Ensuring an informed and effective dementia workforce is of international
concern; however, there remains limited understanding of how this can be
achieved. This review aimed to identify features of effective dementia
educational programs. Critical interpretive synthesis underpinned by
Kirkpatrick's return on investment model was applied. One hundred and fifty-two
papers of variable quality were included. Common features of more efficacious
educational programs included the need for educational programs to be relevant to
participants' role and experience, involve active face-to-face participation,
underpin practice-based learning with theory, be delivered by an experienced
facilitator, have a total duration of at least 8 hours with individual sessions
of 90 minutes or more, support application of learning in practice, and provide a
structured tool or guideline to guide care practice. Further robust research is
required to develop the evidence base; however, the findings of this review have
relevance for all working in workforce education.
PMID- 28989195
TI - FAILURES-TO-LAUNCH AND BOOMERANG KIDS: CONTEMPORARY DETERMINANTS OF LEAVING AND
RETURNING TO THE PARENTAL HOME.
AB - The percentage of young American adults residing in their parents' home has
increased markedly over recent years, but we know little about how
sociodemographic, life-course, and parental characteristics facilitate or impede
leaving or returning home. We use longitudinal data from the Panel Study of
Income Dynamics' Transition into Adulthood survey to examine the determinants of
leaving and returning home among youth who turned age 18 between 2005 and 2011.
Findings from event history models show that while leaving and returning home is
to some extent a function of normative life-course transitions, characteristics
of the parental home (e.g., presence of co-resident siblings, mother's
educational attainment) and the degree of family connectivity (e.g., emotional
closeness to mother, instrumental help from family) also play important roles.
Experiencing physical, including sexual, victimization drives young adults both
out of, and back into, the parental home. Having parents in poor physical health
encourages young adults to move back home. Overall, the results suggest that a
comprehensive explanation for both home-leaving and home-returning will need to
look beyond life-course transitions and standard economic accounts to encompass a
broader array of push and pull factors, particularly those that bond young adults
with their parents.
PMID- 28989196
TI - Managing Boundaries: The Role of Non-Profit Organisations in Russia's Managed
Democracy.
AB - This article examines Russian human service non-profit organisations (NPOs) to
investigate the nature of civil society in a managed democracy. Specifically the
focus is on emerging vertical ties between NPOs and ruling and governing elites.
Drawing on qualitative data collected from health and education NPOs in three
industrial regions, we find that in establishing such vertical ties the role of
organisations and individuals within is changing - they have moved away from
ignored outsiders towards accessing the circles of power and being tasked with
managing the boundary between the state and civil society. In exploring these
arrangements this article highlights that in the post-Soviet space, NPOs and the
state are closely intertwined resembling co-optation. As a result the
democratisation potential of human service NPOs is constrained. In discussing
these insights we also draw parallels to contexts in which the state has
outsourced welfare service to human service NPOs.
PMID- 28989197
TI - Enjoyment, Exploration and Education: Understanding the Consumption of
Pornography among Young Men with Non-Exclusive Sexual Orientations.
AB - This qualitative research examines the influence of pornography consumption on
young men with non-exclusive sexual orientations. Drawing on 35 in-depth
interviews with young men from an elite university in the north-eastern United
States, we examine how pornography was experienced as a leisure activity to be
consumed in free time. Rather than focusing on the potential harms of
pornography, we use an inductive analytic approach to explore the broader range
of experiences that participants had, since the time they first consumed
pornography. We demonstrate that pornography had educational benefits for these
young men, related to their sexual desires, emerging sexual identities and for
developing new sexual techniques. This study is part of a growing body of
research that seeks to develop a holistic understanding of pornography in
society, addressing the absence of the lived experience of the consumer in most
pornography research.
PMID- 28989198
TI - 'Like Skydiving without a Parachute': How Class Origin Shapes Occupational
Trajectories in British Acting.
AB - There is currently widespread concern that access to, and success within, the
British acting profession is increasingly dominated by those from privileged
class origins. This article seeks to empirically interrogate this claim using
data on actors from the Great British Class Survey (N = 404) and 47 qualitative
interviews. First, survey data demonstrate that actors from working-class origins
are significantly underrepresented within the profession. Second, they indicate
that even when those from working-class origins do enter the profession they do
not have access to the same economic, cultural and social capital as those from
privileged backgrounds. Third, and most significantly, qualitative interviews
reveal how these capitals shape the way actors can respond to shared occupational
challenges. In particular we demonstrate the profound occupational advantages
afforded to actors who can draw upon familial economic resources, legitimate
embodied markers of class origin (such as Received Pronunciation) and a
favourable typecasting.
PMID- 28989199
TI - Wider-community Segregation and the Effect of Neighbourhood Ethnic Diversity on
Social Capital: An Investigation into Intra-Neighbourhood Trust in Great Britain
and London.
AB - Extensive research has demonstrated that neighbourhood ethnic diversity is
negatively associated with intra-neighbourhood social capital. This study
explores the role of segregation and integration in this relationship. To do so
it applies three-level hierarchical linear models to two sets of data from across
Great Britain and within London, and examines how segregation across the wider
community in which a neighbourhood is nested impacts trust amongst neighbours.
This study replicates the increasingly ubiquitous finding that neighbourhood
diversity is negatively associated with neighbour-trust. However, we demonstrate
that this relationship is highly dependent on the level of segregation across the
wider-community in which a neighbourhood is nested. Increasing neighbourhood
diversity only negatively impacts neighbour-trust when nested in more segregated
wider-communities. Individuals living in diverse neighbourhoods nested within
integrated wider-communities experience no trust-penalty. These findings show
that segregation plays a critical role in the neighbourhood diversity/trust
relationship, and that its absence from the literature biases our understanding
of how ethnic diversity affects social cohesion.
PMID- 28989200
TI - Man Thou Art Dust: Rites of Passage in Austere Times.
AB - In response to recent calls for further cross-disciplinary research on austerity
and a deeper sociological understanding of the impact and aftermath of the
economic crisis on individuals and societies, this article builds on extant
austerity literature through an exploration of its effects on European men.
Informed by theories of liminality and rites of passage, this qualitative
investigation examines the experience of austerity from the perspective of 11 men
through the three liminal stages of separation, transition and reaggregation and
investigates its impact on their identity, responsibilities and expectations. Our
findings reveal the negative experiences of alienation and outsiderhood alongside
positive experiences of communitas, solidarity and comradeship. The study
provides a nuanced understanding of modern male Europeans and their 'rites of
passage' through austere times.
PMID- 28989202
TI - Interpopulation variability and adaptive potential for reduced glyphosate
sensitivity in Alopecurus myosuroides.
AB - Glyphosate use in the United Kingdom has more than doubled in the last 20 years.
Much of this increase is driven by efforts to control herbicide resistant weeds,
particularly Alopecurus myosuroides, prior to crop drilling. There is precedent
for evolution of glyphosate resistance in similar situations, raising concerns
over the sustainability of glyphosate use in the UK. We used dose-response
experiments to examine variation in glyphosate sensitivity amongst 40 field
collected A. myosuroides populations. No populations were resistant to
glyphosate, but ED 90 values ranged between 354 and 610 g a.i. ha-1. Five
populations had ED 90 values significantly higher than the unexposed control
population collected from a site at Rothamsted Research with no previous
glyphosate exposure. Recurrent selection experiments were performed to determine
whether variation in glyphosate sensitivity had a heritable basis. Following two
rounds of selection, five of six field populations evolved significantly reduced
sensitivity to glyphosate, with R/S ratios, based on estimated ED 50 values,
ranging from 1.2 to 1.5. These results confirm that there is a heritable basis to
variation in glyphosate sensitivity. The response to selection was modest.
Evolved populations were not highly resistant to glyphosate, although some twice
selected individuals survived recommended field rates. These results do not
represent definitive proof of the potential of A. myosuroides to evolve
glyphosate resistance, although they do indicate caution is needed when
considering the sustainability of increased glyphosate use to control this
herbicide resistance-prone species.
PMID- 28989201
TI - Identification of an unexpected shunt pathway product provides new insights into
tirandamycin biosynthesis.
AB - Tirandamycin K (7), the first linear 7,13;9,13-diseco-tirandamycin derivative,
was isolated from the tamI (encoding the TamI P450 monooxygenase) disruption
mutant strain (DeltatamI) of marine Streptomyces sp. 307-9. Its chemical
structure with relative and absolute configurations was elucidated by a
combination of extensive spectroscopic analyses and biosynthetic inferences.
Structural elucidation of this unusual compound provides new insights into
tirandamycin biosynthesis. Moreover, examination of the biological activity of 7
confirms the essential function of the bicyclic ketal ring for antibiotic
activities of tirandamycins.
PMID- 28989203
TI - Bayesian sparse reduced rank multivariate regression.
AB - Many modern statistical problems can be cast in the framework of multivariate
regression, where the main task is to make statistical inference for a possibly
sparse and low-rank coefficient matrix. The low-rank structure in the coefficient
matrix is of intrinsic multivariate nature, which, when combined with sparsity,
can further lift dimension reduction, conduct variable selection, and facilitate
model interpretation. Using a Bayesian approach, we develop a unified sparse and
low-rank multivariate regression method to both estimate the coefficient matrix
and obtain its credible region for making inference. The newly developed sparse
and low-rank prior for the coefficient matrix enables rank reduction, predictor
selection and response selection simultaneously. We utilize the marginal
likelihood to determine the regularization hyperparameter, so our method
maximizes its posterior probability given the data. For theoretical aspect, the
posterior consistency is established to discuss an asymptotic behavior of the
proposed method. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated via
simulation studies and a real application on yeast cell cycle data.
PMID- 28989205
TI - The effectiveness of online, family-based media literacy education for substance
abuse prevention in elementary school children: Study of the Media Detective
Family program.
AB - The present study investigates the effectiveness of a family-based, online media
literacy education (MLE) program for substance abuse prevention in children from
rural areas. A total of 83 families were randomly assigned to receive Media
Detective Family (MDF) (n = 47) or a control computer program (n = 36) between
pre- and posttest questionnaires. Fifty-one percent (N=42) completed a three
month follow-up questionnaire. Children receiving MDF reported a significant
reduction in their use of substances over time compared to children in the
control group (d = -.80). Parents receiving MDF reported that the program was
convenient and engaging. The current study showed that an online substance use
prevention program using MLE and designed for families is an effective
intervention method for reducing children's substance use.
PMID- 28989204
TI - Association of IL-6 with PM2.5 Components: Importance of Characterizing Filter
Based PM2.5 Following Extraction.
AB - Filter-based toxicology studies are conducted to establish the biological
plausibility of the well-established health impacts associated with fine
particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. Ambient PM2.5 collected on filters is
extracted into solution for toxicology applications, but frequently,
characterization is nonexistent or only performed on filter-based PM2.5, without
consideration of compositional differences that occur during the extraction
processes. To date, the impact of making associations to measured components in
ambient instead of extracted PM2.5 has not been investigated. Filter-based PM2.5
was collected at locations (n = 5) and detailed characterization of both ambient
and extracted PM2.5 was performed. Alveolar macrophages (AMJ2-C11) were exposed
(3, 24, and 48 h) to PM2.5 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6
was measured. IL-6 release differed significantly between PM2.5 collected from
different locations; surprisingly, IL-6 release was highest following treatment
with PM2.5 from the lowest ambient concentration location. IL-6 was negatively
correlated with the sum of ambient metals analyzed, as well as with
concentrations of specific constituents which have been previously associated
with respiratory health effects. However, positive correlations of IL-6 with
extracted concentrations indicated that the negative associations between IL-6
and ambient concentrations do not accurately represent the relationship between
inflammation and PM2.5 exposure. Additionally, seven organic compounds had
significant associations with IL-6 release when considering ambient
concentrations, but they were not detected in the extracted solution. Basing
inflammatory associations on ambient concentrations that are not necessarily
representative of in vitro exposures creates misleading results; this study
highlights the importance of characterizing extraction solutions to conduct
accurate health impact research.
PMID- 28989206
TI - Pitted terrains on (1) Ceres and implications for shallow subsurface volatile
distribution.
AB - Prior to the arrival of the Dawn spacecraft at Ceres, the dwarf planet was
anticipated to be ice-rich. Searches for morphological features related to ice
have been ongoing during Dawn's mission at Ceres. Here we report the
identification of pitted terrains associated with fresh Cerean impact craters.
The Cerean pitted terrains exhibit strong morphological similarities to pitted
materials previously identified on Mars (where ice is implicated in pit
development) and Vesta (where the presence of ice is debated). We employ
numerical models to investigate the formation of pitted materials on Ceres and
discuss the relative importance of water ice and other volatiles in pit
development there. We conclude that water ice likely plays an important role in
pit development on Ceres. Similar pitted terrains may be common in the asteroid
belt and may be of interest to future missions motivated by both astrobiology and
in situ resource utilization.
PMID- 28989208
TI - Ocean remote sensing for sustainable resources.
PMID- 28989207
TI - Juno-UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras.
AB - Juno ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) observations of Jupiter's aurora obtained
during approach are presented. Prior to the bow shock crossing on 24 June 2016,
the Juno approach provided a rare opportunity to correlate local solar wind
conditions with Jovian auroral emissions. Some of Jupiter's auroral emissions are
expected to be controlled or modified by local solar wind conditions. Here we
compare synoptic Juno-UVS observations of Jupiter's auroral emissions, acquired
during 3-29 June 2016, with in situ solar wind observations, and related Jupiter
observations from Earth. Four large auroral brightening events are evident in the
synoptic data, in which the total emitted auroral power increases by a factor of
3-4 for a few hours. Only one of these brightening events correlates well with
large transient increases in solar wind ram pressure. The brightening events
which are not associated with the solar wind generally have a risetime of ~2 h
and a decay time of ~5 h.
PMID- 28989209
TI - Dampening, Positive Rumination, and Positive Life Events: Associations with
Depressive Symptoms in Children at Risk for Depression.
AB - Blunted positive affect is characteristic of depression. Altered positive affect
regulation may contribute to this blunting, and two regulation strategies,
dampening positive affect and positive rumination, have been implicated in
depression. However, the conditions under which these strategies impart
risk/protective effects prior to onset of depression are unknown. The current
study examined 81 healthy children (age 7-10) at low and high risk for depression
on the basis of maternal history of depression and tested how dampening and
positive rumination interacted with the experience of recent positive life events
to predict depressive symptoms. Children at high and low risk did not differ in
their use of dampening or positive rumination. However, elevated use of dampening
in the context of many positive life events predicted current depressive
symptoms, and specifically anhedonic symptoms, in children at low-risk for
depression. These findings held when controlling for negative rumination and
negative life events. Positive rumination did not interact with positive life
events but was associated with higher depressive symptoms in high-risk children.
Results indicate that prior to the onset of depression, positive life events may
impart risk when dampening positive affect is utilized in this context, while
positive rumination may increase risk for depressive symptoms.
PMID- 28989210
TI - The relationship between automatic thoughts and depression in a cognitive
behavioral treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS: Exploring temporality and
causality.
AB - Depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is highly prevalent and related
to worse adherence to antiretroviral therapy, but is amenable to change via CBT.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adherence and depression (CBT-AD) specifically
addresses negative automatic thoughts (ATs) as one component of the treatment.
There is little research on the temporal nature of the relation between ATs and
depression. HIV-positive adults with depression (N=240) were randomized to CBT
AD, information/supportive psychotherapy for adherence and depression (ISP-AD),
or one session of adherence counseling alone (ETAU). ATs were self-reported
(Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire; ATQ) and depression was assessed by blinded
interview (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale; MADRS) at baseline, and 4-,
8-, and 12-months. We performed autoregressive cross-lagged panel models.
Broadly, decreases in ATs were followed by decreases in depression, but decreases
in depression were not followed by decreases in ATs. In CBT-AD, decreases in ATs
were followed by decreases in depression, and vice versa. However, in the ISP
group, while depression and ATs both significantly influenced each other, not all
relations were in the direction expected. This study adds to the evidence base
for cognitive interventions to decrease depression in individuals with a chronic
medical condition, HIV/AIDS.
PMID- 28989211
TI - High Resolution Free Triiodothyronine-Thyrotropin (FT3-TSH) Responses to a Single
Oral Dose of Liothyronine in Humans: Evidence of Distinct Inter-Individual
Differences Unraveled Using an Electrical Network Model.
AB - The effects of a single oral dose of liothyronine (L-T3) on thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH) and other related thyroid system parameters are partly understood
despite therapeutic use of this hormone over many decades. We characterize
individualized responses of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis and its
related temporal hormonal profile using an electrical network model. Based on
thyroid hormone responses from blood samples using a single 50 MUg oral dose of
liothyronine in healthy persons with a normal operating euthyroid feedback HPT
system, we derived an equivalent electrical circuit model for the system's
responses. The mathematical model was tested with a circuit simulator and
validated with individualized clinical data. This signal processing technique
makes the evaluation of bioequivalence and bioavailability of various
preparations of liothyronine at an individualized level a feasible endeavor for
clinical application.
PMID- 28989212
TI - Collegial Activity Learning between Heterogeneous Sensors.
AB - Activity recognition algorithms have matured and become more ubiquitous in recent
years. However, these algorithms are typically customized for a particular sensor
platform. In this paper we introduce PECO, a Personalized activity ECOsystem,
that transfers learned activity information seamlessly between sensor platforms
in real time so that any available sensor can continue to track activities
without requiring its own extensive labeled training data. We introduce a multi
view transfer learning algorithm that facilitates this information handoff
between sensor platforms and provide theoretical performance bounds for the
algorithm. In addition, we empirically evaluate PECO using datasets that utilize
heterogeneous sensor platforms to perform activity recognition. These results
indicate that not only can activity recognition algorithms transfer important
information to new sensor platforms, but any number of platforms can work
together as colleagues to boost performance.
PMID- 28989213
TI - Solvent extraction of Cu, Mo, V, and U from leach solutions of copper ore and
flotation tailings.
AB - Flotation tailings from copper production are deposits of copper and other
valuable metals, such as Mo, V and U. New hydrometallurgical technologies are
more economical and open up new possibilities for metal recovery. This work
presents results of the study on the extraction of copper by mixed extractant
consisting p-toluidine dissolved in toluene. The possibility of simultaneous
liquid-liquid extraction of molybdenum and vanadium was examined. D2EHPA
solutions was used as extractant, and recovery of individual elements compared
for the representative samples of ore and copper flotation tailings. Radiometric
methods were applied for process optimization.
PMID- 28989214
TI - Extraction of pertechnetates from HNO3 solutions into ionic liquids.
AB - The extraction of pertechnetate ions from aquous solutions containing various
concentrations of nitric acid into hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) has been
examined at 25, 50 and 70 degrees C. The results show that the distribution
ratio of Tc (DTc) between both phases weakly depends on the temperature and HNO3
concentration when IL's with relatively short aliphatic chains are used. The DTc
obtained for all examined ILs, except methyltrioctylammonium
bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and 1-butyl-3-methylimidasolium
hexafluorophosphate, are lower than 1.5. In the case of methyltrioctylammonium
bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide a decrease of Tc concentration in aqueous
solutions facilitates pertechnetate extraction into the organic phase.
PMID- 28989215
TI - The curious case of processing unaccusative verbs in aphasia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Individuals with agrammatic Broca's aphasia (IWBA) exhibit a delay in
lexical activation in S-V-O word order sentences and delayed lexical reactivation
in sentences that contain syntactic dependencies. This pattern is in contrast to
neurologically unimpaired individuals who immediately evince lexical reactivation
at the gap in sentences that contain syntactic dependencies. However, in the case
of sentences that contain unaccusative verbs, neurologically unimpaired
individuals also exhibit a delay in lexical reactivation. This delay provides a
unique opportunity to further examine lexical delays in IWBA. AIM: The purpose of
the current studies is to investigate the online comprehension of sentences that
contain unaccusative verbs in IWBA and in a group of age-matched control (AMC)
individuals. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Cross-modal picture priming was used to test
for priming of a displaced lexical item (direct object noun) immediately after
the unaccusative verb (at the gap) during the ongoing auditory stream and at
three additional time points downstream from the verb (500 ms, 750 ms, and 1,250
ms). OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Delayed reactivation of the displaced lexical item
downstream from the gap (similar to prior reports of delayed reactivation with
younger unimpaired listeners) for both the AMCs and the IWBA was found.
CONCLUSION: These results provide support that IWBA do not evince a delayed time
course of lexical reactivation for unaccusative verbs compared to neurologically
unimpaired individuals.
PMID- 28989216
TI - Rehabilitation Practitioners' Prioritized Care Processes in Hip Fracture Post
Acute Care.
AB - AIMS: Occupational and physical therapy in post-acute care (PAC) has reached the
point where quality indicators for hip fracture are needed. This study
characterizes the practitioners' prioritized hip fracture rehabilitation
practices, which can guide future quality improvement initiatives. METHODS:
Ninety-two practitioners participating in a parent mixed methods study were asked
to rank a series of evidence-based best practices across five clinical domains
(assessment, intervention, discharge planning, caregiver training and patient
education). RESULTS: Prioritized practices reflected patient-practitioner
collaboration, facilitating an effective discharge, and preventing adverse
events. The highest endorsed care processes include: developing meaningful goals
with patient input (84%) in assessment, using assistive devices in intervention
(75%) and patient education (65%), engaging the patient and caregiver (50%) in
discharge planning, and fall prevention (60%) in caregiver education.
CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners identified key care priorities. This study lays the
foundation for future work evaluating the extent to which these practices are
delivered in PAC.
PMID- 28989218
TI - Geometric Calibration Using Line Fiducials for Cone-Beam CT with General, Non
Circular Source-Detector Trajectories.
AB - PURPOSE: Traditional BB-based geometric calibration methods for cone-beam CT
(CBCT) rely strongly on foreknowledge of the scan trajectory shape. This is a
hindrance to the implementation of variable trajectory CBCT systems, normally
requiring a dedicated calibration phantom or software algorithm for every scan
orbit of interest. A more flexible method of calibration is proposed here that
accommodates multiple orbit types - including strongly noncircular trajectories -
with a single phantom and software routine. METHODS: The proposed method uses a
calibration phantom consisting of multiple line-shaped wire segments. Geometric
models relating the 3D line equations of the wires to the 2D line equations of
their projections are used as the basis for system geometry estimation. This
method was tested using a mobile C-arm CT system and comparisons were made to
standard BB-based calibrations. Simulation studies were also conducted using a
sinusoid-on-sphere orbit. Calibration performance was quantified in terms of
Point Spread Function (PSF) width and back projection error. Visual image quality
was assessed with respect to spatial resolution in trabecular bone in an
anthropomorphic head phantom. RESULTS: The wire-based calibration method
performed equal to or better than BB-based calibrations in all evaluated metrics.
For the sinusoidal scans, the method provided reliable calibration, validating
its application to non-circular trajectories. Furthermore, the ability to improve
image quality using non-circular orbits in conjunction with this calibration
method was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The proposed method has been shown feasible
for conventional circular CBCT scans and offers a promising tool for non-circular
scan orbits that can improve image quality, reduce dose, and extend field of
view.
PMID- 28989217
TI - Epi-direction detected multimodal imaging of an unstained mouse retina with a Yb
fiber laser.
AB - In this work, we present all epi-direction detected images of an unstained mouse
retina using multiphoton microscopy with a sub-50 fs Yb-fiber laser centered at
1.07 MUm. This wavelength is particularly interesting as the fundamental
wavelength is transparent to the anterior segment of the eye and the higher
harmonics are above DNA-damaging UV wavelengths. We present a characterization of
the multimodal signals emitted from the different retinal layers, as well as from
the choroid and the sclera. By characterizing native multiphoton signals from the
retina, we move closer to having Yb-fiber considered for in vivo diagnosis of
retinal disease through multiphoton microscopy as well as for corrective
therapies.
PMID- 28989219
TI - Task-Driven Orbit Design and Implementation on a Robotic C-Arm System for Cone
Beam CT.
AB - PURPOSE: This work applies task-driven optimization to the design of non-circular
orbits that maximize imaging performance for a particular imaging task. First
implementation of task-driven imaging on a clinical robotic C-arm system is
demonstrated, and a framework for orbit calculation is described and evaluated.
METHODS: We implemented a task-driven imaging framework to optimize orbit
parameters that maximize detectability index d'. This framework utilizes a
specified Fourier domain task function and an analytical model for system spatial
resolution and noise. Two experiments were conducted to test the framework.
First, a simple task was considered consisting of frequencies lying entirely on
the fz-axis (e.g., discrimination of structures oriented parallel to the central
axial plane), and a "circle + arc" orbit was incorporated into the framework as a
means to improve sampling of these frequencies, and thereby increase task-based
detectability. The orbit was implemented on a robotic C-arm (Artis Zeego, Siemens
Healthcare). A second task considered visualization of a cochlear implant
simulated within a head phantom, with spatial frequency response emphasizing high
frequency content in the (fy , fz ) plane of the cochlea. An optimal orbit was
computed using the task-driven framework, and the resulting image was compared to
that for a circular orbit. RESULTS: For the fz -axis task, the circle + arc orbit
was shown to increase d' by a factor of 1.20, with an improvement of 0.71 mm in a
3D edge-spread measurement for edges located far from the central plane and a
decrease in streak artifacts compared to a circular orbit. For the cochlear
implant task, the resulting orbit favored complementary views of high tilt angles
in a 360 degrees orbit, and d' was increased by a factor of 1.83. CONCLUSIONS:
This work shows that a prospective definition of imaging task can be used to
optimize source-detector orbit and improve imaging performance. The method was
implemented for execution of non-circular, task-driven orbits on a clinical
robotic C-arm system. The framework is sufficiently general to include both
acquisition parameters (e.g., orbit, kV, and mA selection) and reconstruction
parameters (e.g., a spatially varying regularizer).
PMID- 28989220
TI - High-resolution extremity cone-beam CT with a CMOS detector: Task-based
optimization of scintillator thickness.
AB - PURPOSE: CMOS x-ray detectors offer small pixel sizes and low electronic noise
that may support the development of novel high-resolution imaging applications of
cone-beam CT (CBCT). We investigate the effects of CsI scintillator thickness on
the performance of CMOS detectors in high resolution imaging tasks, in particular
in quantitative imaging of bone microstructure in extremity CBCT. METHODS: A
scintillator thickness-dependent cascaded systems model of CMOS x-ray detectors
was developed. Detectability in low-, high- and ultra-high resolution imaging
tasks (Gaussian with FWHM of ~250 MUm, ~80 MUm and ~40 MUm, respectively) was
studied as a function of scintillator thickness using the theoretical model.
Experimental studies were performed on a CBCT test bench equipped with DALSA
Xineos3030 CMOS detectors (99 MUm pixels) with CsI scintillator thicknesses of
400 MUm and 700 MUm, and a 0.3 FS compact rotating anode x-ray source. The
evaluation involved a radiographic resolution gauge (0.6-5.0 lp/mm), a 127 MUm
tungsten wire for assessment of 3D resolution, a contrast phantom with tissue
mimicking inserts, and an excised fragment of human tibia for visual assessment
of fine trabecular detail. RESULTS: Experimental studies show ~35% improvement in
the frequency of 50% MTF modulation when using the 400 MUm scintillator compared
to the standard nominal CsI thickness of 700 MUm. Even though the high-frequency
DQE of the two detectors is comparable, theoretical studies show a 14% to 28%
increase in detectability index (d'2) of high- and ultrahigh resolution tasks,
respectively, for the detector with 400 MUm CsI compared to 700 MUm CsI.
Experiments confirm the theoretical findings, showing improvements with the
adoption of 400 MUm panel in the visibility of the radiographic pattern (2*
improvement in peak-to-through distance at 4.6 lp/mm) and a 12.5% decrease in the
FWHM of the tungsten wire. Reconstructions of the tibial plateau reveal enhanced
visibility of trabecular structures with the CMOS detector with 400 MUm
scinitllator. CONCLUSION: Applications on CMOS detectors in high resolution CBCT
imaging of trabecular bone will benefit from using a thinner scintillator than
the current standard in general radiography. The results support the translation
of the CMOS sensor with 400 MUm CsI onto the clinical prototype of CMOS-based
extremity CBCT.
PMID- 28989221
TI - Deformable 3D-2D Registration for Guiding K-Wire Placement in Pelvic Trauma
Surgery.
AB - Pelvic Kirschner wire (K-wire) insertion is a challenging surgical task requiring
interpretation of complex 3D anatomical shape from 2D projections (fluoroscopy)
and delivery of device trajectories within fairly narrow bone corridors in
proximity to adjacent nerves and vessels. Over long trajectories (~10-25 cm), K
wires tend to curve (deform), making conventional rigid navigation inaccurate at
the tip location. A system is presented that provides accurate 3D localization
and guidance of rigid or deformable surgical devices ("components" - e.g., K
wires) based on 3D-2D registration. The patient is registered to a preoperative
CT image by virtually projecting digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) and
matching to two or more intraoperative x-ray projections. The K-wire is localized
using an analogous procedure matching DRRs of a deformably parametrized model for
the device component (deformable known-component registration, or dKC-Reg). A
cadaver study was performed in which a K-wire trajectory was delivered in the
pelvis. The system demonstrated target registration error (TRE) of 2.1 +/- 0.3 mm
in location of the K-wire tip (median +/- interquartile range, IQR) and 0.8 +/-
1.4 degrees in orientation at the tip (median +/- IQR), providing functionality
analogous to surgical tracking/navigation using imaging systems already in the
surgical arsenal without reliance on a surgical tracker. The method offers
quantitative 3D guidance using images (e.g., inlet/outlet views) already acquired
in the standard of care, potentially extending the advantages of navigation to
broader utilization in trauma surgery to improve surgical precision and safety.
PMID- 28989222
TI - Ultra-miniature wireless temperature sensor for thermal medicine applications.
AB - This study presents a prototype design of an ultra-miniature, wireless, battery
less, and implantable temperature-sensor, with applications to thermal medicine
such as cryosurgery, hyperthermia, and thermal ablation. The design aims at a
sensory device smaller than 1.5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in length, to enable
minimally invasive deployment through a hypodermic needle. While the new device
may be used for local temperature monitoring, simultaneous data collection from
an array of such sensors can be used to reconstruct the 3D temperature field in
the treated area, offering a unique capability in thermal medicine. The new
sensory device consists of three major subsystems: a temperature-sensing core, a
wireless data-communication unit, and a wireless power reception and management
unit. Power is delivered wirelessly to the implant from an external source using
an inductive link. To meet size requirements while enhancing reliability and
minimizing cost, the implant is fully integrated in a regular foundry CMOS
technology (0.15 MUm in the current study), including the implant-side inductor
of the power link. A temperature-sensing core that consists of a proportional-to
absolute-temperature (PTAT) circuit has been designed and characterized. It
employs a microwatt chopper stabilized op-amp and dynamic element-matched current
sources to achieve high absolute accuracy. A second order sigma-delta (Sigma
Delta) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is designed to convert the temperature
reading to a digital code, which is transmitted by backscatter through the same
antenna used for receiving power. A high-efficiency multi-stage differential CMOS
rectifier has been designed to provide a DC supply to the sensing and
communication subsystems. This paper focuses on the development of the all-CMOS
temperature sensing core circuitry part of the device, and briefly reviews the
wireless power delivery and communication subsystems.
PMID- 28989223
TI - Investigation of certain physical-chemical features of oil recovery by an
optimized alkali-surfactant-foam (ASF) system.
AB - The objective of this study is to discover a synergistic effect between foam
stability in bulk and micro-emulsion phase behaviour to design a high-performance
chemical system for an optimized alkaline-surfactant-foam (ASF) flooding for
enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The focus is on the interaction of ASF chemical
agents with oil in the presence and absence of a naphthenic acid component and in
situ soap generation under bulk conditions. To do so, the impact of alkalinity,
salinity, interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and in situ soap generation was
systematically studied by a comprehensive measurement of (1) micro-emulsion phase
behaviour using a glass tube test method, (2) interfacial tension and (3) foam
stability analysis. The presented alkali-surfactant (AS) formulation in this
study lowered IFT between the oil and aqueous phases from nearly 30 to 10-1-10-3
mN/m. This allows the chemical formulation to create considerably low IFT foam
flooding with a higher capillary number than conventional foam for displacing
trapped oil from porous media. Bulk foam stability tests demonstrated that the
stability of foam diminishes in the presence of oil with large volumes of in situ
soap generation. At lower surface tensions (i.e. larger in situ soap generation),
the capillary suction at the plateau border is smaller, thus uneven thinning and
instabilities of the film might happen, which will cause acceleration of film
drainage and lamellae rupture. This observation could also be interpreted by the
rapid spreading of oil droplets that have a low surface tension over the lamella.
The spreading oil, by augmenting the curvature radius of the bubbles, decreases
the surface elasticity and surface viscosity. Furthermore, the results obtained
for foam stability in presence of oil were interpreted in terms of
phenomenological theories of entering/spreading/bridging coefficients and lamella
number.
PMID- 28989224
TI - Semi-batch synthesis of colloidal spheres with fluorinated cores and varying
grafts of poly(ethylene glycol).
AB - Fluorinated spheres with grafted poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been
synthesized using a semi-batch emulsion polymerization in which the initiator is
fed slowly to the reaction. In this way, PEG-grafted colloidal spheres can be
fabricated with varying PEG chain length, different cores and varying degrees of
crosslinking. The resulting batches have been characterized using disc centrifuge
photosedimentometry and small-angle X-ray scattering. The size distribution is
shown to be a sensitive function of the molar ratio of the reactive PEG
macromonomer to fluorinated monomer, and with some optimization latices of very
low polydispersity can be obtained with this simple synthesis method. For short
PEG grafts too high a molar ratio results in a build up of smaller size particles
and a broadening of the size distribution, whereas for longer grafts the mean
particle size increases with decreasing molar ratio.
PMID- 28989225
TI - Heavy-tailed fractional Pearson diffusions.
AB - We define heavy-tailed fractional reciprocal gamma and Fisher-Snedecor diffusions
by a non-Markovian time change in the corresponding Pearson diffusions. Pearson
diffusions are governed by the backward Kolmogorov equations with space-varying
polynomial coefficients and are widely used in applications. The corresponding
fractional reciprocal gamma and Fisher-Snedecor diffusions are governed by the
fractional backward Kolmogorov equations and have heavy-tailed marginal
distributions in the steady state. We derive the explicit expressions for the
transition densities of the fractional reciprocal gamma and Fisher-Snedecor
diffusions and strong solutions of the associated Cauchy problems for the
fractional backward Kolmogorov equation.
PMID- 28989226
TI - Oviposition preference and offspring performance in container breeding
mosquitoes: evaluating the effects of organic compounds and laboratory
colonisation.
AB - The preference-performance hypothesis predicts that organisms lacking parental
care should oviposit in habitats that optimize offspring performance. We
investigated preference-performance relationships for the Asian tiger mosquito
(Aedes albopictus Skuse) and the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus
Say) (Diptera:Culicidae), two medically important container-breeding species, in
response to an organic chemical blend mimicking decaying plant matter.
Additionally, we evaluated the effects of long-term laboratory colonization of
Cx. quinquefasciatus by using wild and laboratory strains.Oviposition bioassays
were conducted by releasing gravid mosquitoes into field enclosures with
automobile tires containing low and high concentrations of the chemical blend,
and water controls. The offspring were then reared in water collected from the
tires in which they were deposited.Aedes albopictus and wild Cx. quinquefasciatus
laid more eggs in the chemical blend than water controls but did not
differentiate between the low and high concentrations. Conversely, laboratory Cx.
quinquefasciatus only preferred the high concentration to the low concentration.
No statistical associations between oviposition preference and larval survival
were found, as the chemical blend did not affect survivorship of either
species.The oviposition preference for the chemical blend over water controls
suggests that both species oviposit in the best available resource environment,
but further studies are needed before conclusions regarding preference
performance relationships can be drawn.We found that long-term laboratory
colonization affects oviposition behavior in Cx. quinquefasciatus, suggesting
that behavioral studies on laboratory strains are not always applicable to wild
populations.
PMID- 28989227
TI - Smell or vision? The use of different sensory modalities in predator
discrimination.
AB - ABSTRACT: Theory predicts that animals should adjust their escape responses to
the perceived predation risk. The information animals obtain about potential
predation risk may differ qualitatively depending on the sensory modality by
which a cue is perceived. For instance, olfactory cues may reveal better
information about the presence or absence of threats, whereas visual information
can reliably transmit the position and potential attack distance of a predator.
While this suggests a differential use of information perceived through the two
sensory channels, the relative importance of visual vs. olfactory cues when
distinguishing between different predation threats is still poorly understood.
Therefore, we exposed individuals of the cooperatively breeding cichlid
Neolamprologus pulcher to a standardized threat stimulus combined with either
predator or non-predator cues presented either visually or chemically. We
predicted that flight responses towards a threat stimulus are more pronounced if
cues of dangerous rather than harmless heterospecifics are presented and that N.
pulcher, being an aquatic species, relies more on olfaction when discriminating
between dangerous and harmless heterospecifics. N. pulcher responded faster to
the threat stimulus, reached a refuge faster and entered a refuge more likely
when predator cues were perceived. Unexpectedly, the sensory modality used to
perceive the cues did not affect the escape response or the duration of the
recovery phase. This suggests that N. pulcher are able to discriminate
heterospecific cues with similar acuity when using vision or olfaction. We
discuss that this ability may be advantageous in aquatic environments where the
visibility conditions strongly vary over time. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The
ability to rapidly discriminate between dangerous predators and harmless
heterospecifics is crucial for the survival of prey animals. In seasonally
fluctuating environment, sensory conditions may change over the year and may make
the use of multiple sensory modalities for heterospecific discrimination highly
beneficial. Here we compared the efficacy of visual and olfactory senses in the
discrimination ability of the cooperatively breeding cichlid Neolamprologus
pulcher. We presented individual fish with visual or olfactory cues of predators
or harmless heterospecifics and recorded their flight response. When exposed to
predator cues, individuals responded faster, reached a refuge faster and were
more likely to enter the refuge. Unexpectedly, the olfactory and visual senses
seemed to be equally efficient in this discrimination task, suggesting that
seasonal variation of water conditions experienced by N. pulcher may necessitate
the use of multiple sensory channels for the same task.
PMID- 28989228
TI - Effects of Maternal Work Incentives on Teen Drug Arrests.
AB - PURPOSE: This study exploits differences in the implementation of welfare reform
across states and over time in the United States in the attempt to identify
causal effects of welfare reform on youth arrests for drug-related crimes between
1990 and 2005, the period during which welfare reform unfolded. METHODOLOGY:
Using monthly arrest data from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform
Crime Reports, we estimate the effects of welfare reform implementation on drug
related arrests among 15-17 year olds in the United States between 1990 and 2005.
We use a difference-in-differences (DD) approach that exploits the implementation
of welfare reform across states and over time to estimate effects for teens
exposed to welfare reform. FINDINGS: The findings, based on numerous different
model specifications, suggest that welfare reform had no statistically
significant effect on teen drug arrests. Most estimates were positive and
suggestive of a small (3%) increase in arrests. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study
investigated the effects of a broad-based policy change that altered maternal
employment, family income, and other family characteristics on youth drug
arrests.
PMID- 28989229
TI - Impacts of extension access and cooperative membership on technology adoption and
household welfare.
AB - This paper examines the impacts of access to extension services and cooperative
membership on technology adoption, asset ownership and poverty using household
level data from rural Nigeria. Using different matching techniques and endogenous
switching regression approach, we find that both extension access and cooperative
membership have a positive and statistically significant effect on technology
adoption and household welfare. Moreover, we find that both extension access and
cooperative membership have heterogeneous impacts. In particular, we find
evidence of a positive selection as the average treatment effects of extension
access and cooperative membership are higher for farmers with the highest
propensity to access extension and cooperative services. The impact of extension
services on poverty reduction and of cooperatives on technology adoption is
significantly stronger for smallholders with access to formal credit than for
those without access. This implies that expanding rural financial markets can
maximize the potential positive impacts of extension and cooperative services on
farmers' productivity and welfare.
PMID- 28989230
TI - Delivering Parent-Teen Therapy for ADHD through Videoconferencing: A Preliminary
Investigation.
AB - Adolescents with ADHD demonstrate notoriously poor treatment utilization.
Barriers to access have been partially addressed through tailored therapy content
and therapist delivery style; yet, additional challenges to engaging this
population remain. To leverage modern technology in support of this aim, the
current study investigates parent-teen therapy for ADHD delivered over a
videoconferencing format. In this preliminary feasibility study, teens and
parents (N=20) received an empirically supported dyadic therapy that incorporates
skills-based modules with motivational interviewing. The videoconferencing
interface was deemed feasible with nearly all families completing treatment.
Acceptable therapeutic alliance was reported and key mechanisms of change were
engaged (i.e., adolescent motivation to meet goals, parent strategy
implementation). Families reported high satisfaction, despite minor disturbances
associated with delivering therapy via videoconferencing. Treatment integrity and
fidelity were acceptable, though slightly reduced compared to clinic-based trials
of the same protocol. Therapists perceived that videoconferencing enhanced
treatment for 50% of families. Reductions in participant ADHD symptoms and
organization, time management, and planning problems from baseline to post
treatment were noted by parents and teachers. However, open trial results of this
study should be interpreted with caution due to their uncontrolled and
preliminary nature.
PMID- 28989231
TI - Controls on the distribution of fluorescent dissolved organic matter during an
under-ice algal bloom in the western Arctic Ocean.
AB - In this study we used fluorescence excitation and emission matrix spectroscopy,
hydrographic data, and a self-organizing map (SOM) analysis to assess the spatial
distribution of labile and refractory fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM)
for the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas at the time of a massive under-ice
phytoplankton bloom during early summer 2011. Biogeochemical properties were
assessed through decomposition of water property classes and sample
classification that employed a SOM neural network-based analysis which classified
10 clusters from 269 samples and 17 variables. The terrestrial, humic-like
component FDOM (ArC1, 4.98 +/- 1.54 Quinine Sulfate Units (QSU)) and protein-like
component FDOM (ArC3, 1.63 +/- 0.88 QSU) were found to have elevated fluorescence
in the Lower Polar Mixed Layer (LPML) (salinity ~29.56 +/- 0.76). In the LPML
water mass, the observed contribution of meteoric water fraction was 17%,
relative to a 12% contribution from the sea ice melt fraction. The labile ArC3
protein-like component (2.01 +/- 1.92 QSU) was also observed to be elevated in
the Pacific Winter Waters mass, where the under-ice algal bloom was observed (~40
50 m). We interpreted these relationships to indicate that the accumulation and
variable distribution of the protein-like component on the shelf could be
influenced directly by sea ice melt, transport, and mixing processes and
indirectly by the in situ algal bloom and microbial activity. ArC5, corresponding
to what is commonly considered marine humic FDOM, indicated a bimodal
distribution with high values in both the freshest and saltiest waters. The
association of ArC5 with deep, dense salty water is consistent with this
component as refractory humic-like FDOM, whereas our evidence of a terrestrial
origin challenges this classic paradigm for this component.
PMID- 28989232
TI - Setting Directions: Anisotropy in Hierarchically Organized Porous Silica.
AB - Structural hierarchy, porosity, and isotropy/anisotropy are highly relevant
factors for mechanical properties and thereby the functionality of porous
materials. However, even though anisotropic and hierarchically organized, porous
materials are well known in nature, such as bone or wood, producing the synthetic
counterparts in the laboratory is difficult. We report for the first time a
straightforward combination of sol-gel processing and shear-induced alignment to
create hierarchical silica monoliths exhibiting anisotropy on the levels of both,
meso- and macropores. The resulting material consists of an anisotropic
macroporous network of struts comprising 2D hexagonally organized cylindrical
mesopores. While the anisotropy of the mesopores is an inherent feature of the
pores formed by liquid crystal templating, the anisotropy of the macropores is
induced by shearing of the network. Scanning electron microscopy and small-angle
X-ray scattering show that the majority of network forming struts is oriented
towards the shearing direction; a quantitative analysis of scattering data
confirms that roughly 40% of the strut volume exhibits a preferred orientation.
The anisotropy of the material's macroporosity is also reflected in its
mechanical properties; i.e., the Young's modulus differs by nearly a factor of 2
between the directions of shear application and perpendicular to it.
Unexpectedly, the adsorption-induced strain of the material exhibits little to no
anisotropy.
PMID- 28989233
TI - Extremely Slow Spontaneous Electron Trapping in Photodoped n-Type CdSe
Nanocrystals.
AB - The trapping dynamics of conduction-band electrons in colloidal degenerately
doped n-CdSe nanocrystals prepared by photochemical reduction (photodoping) were
measured by direct optical methods. The nanocrystals show spontaneous electron
trapping with distributed kinetics that extend to remarkably long timescales.
Shifts in nanocrystal band-edge potentials caused by quantum confinement and
surface ion stoichiometry were also measured by spectroelectrochemical
techniques, and their relationship to the slow electron trapping is discussed.
The very long electron-trapping timescales observed in these measurements are
more consistent with atomic rearrangement than with fundamental electron-transfer
processes. Such slow and broadly distributed electron-trapping dynamics are
reminiscent of the well-known distributed dynamics of nanocrystal
photoluminescence blinking, and potential relationships between the two phenomena
are discussed.
PMID- 28989234
TI - Valuing Air Quality Using Happiness Data: The Case of China.
AB - This paper estimates the monetary value of cutting PM2.5, a dominant source of
air pollution in China. By matching hedonic happiness in a nationally
representative survey with daily air quality data according to the dates and
counties of interviews in China, we are able to estimate the relationship between
local concentration of particulate matter and individual happiness. By holding
happiness constant, we calculate the tradeoff between the reduction in
particulate matter and income, essentially a happiness-based measure of
willingness-to-pay for mitigating air pollution. We find that people on average
are willing to pay Y258 ($42, or 1.8% of annual household per capita income) per
year per person for a 1% reduction in PM2.5.
PMID- 28989236
TI - Alar cartilage-an alternative for spreader graft in primary rhinoplasty.
AB - BACKGROUND: Alar cartilage can be very useful for tip and dorsum grafts.
Depending on its size and thickness, it can be an important alternative for
spreader grafts to improve endonasal functional deficiencies, correct deviated
noses, and prevent inverted "V" deformities. Caucasian patients with bulbous tips
are the most common candidates to achieve such benefits. It is easy to obtain and
to frame into a desired graft. METHODS: The authors describe a surgical technique
using the alar cartilages as spreader grafts. All Caucasian patients with bulbous
tips who underwent primary rhinoplasty were included. All patients have been
evaluated after 3 to 4 months and after 1 and 2 years by aesthetical and
functional criteria. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (28 female and 6 male)
underwent this procedure between 2001 and 2015: 94% reported a better airflow,
91% reported very good aesthetic results and were very satisfied 2 years
postoperatively, and 12% had nasal deviations that were corrected with a one side
double-layered spreader grafts. Two patients presented supra-tip deformities and
one patient had a columella scar that was revised surgically. No cases of
inverted "V" deformity were reported 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with functional satisfaction and with a straight and smooth dorsum seem
to be the most important benefits that were achieved with this technique using
alar cartilage spreader grafts, an alternative that can be offered to improve
airflow and to prevent deviated and inverted "V" deformities. Level of Evidence:
IV, therapeutic study.
PMID- 28989235
TI - A new treatment for reliable functional and esthetic outcome after local facial
flap reconstruction: a transparent polycarbonate facial mask with silicone
sheeting.
AB - BACKGROUND: Facial flap surgery predominantly leads to good functional results.
However, in some cases, it can cause unsatisfactory esthetic results. They
include persistent erythema, pincushioning, and development of hypertrophic
scars. Conservative, reliable treatment for facial flaps is lacking. Pressure and
silicone therapy have proven to result in significant improvement in scar
erythema, pliability, and thickness in postburn hypertrophic scars. By combining
these therapies in a facial mask, the esthetic outcome of facial flaps could be
improved. In this retrospective study, the efficacy of a unique transparent face
mask containing silicone sheets on the esthetic outcome of postsurgical facial
flaps is assessed. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were assigned to facial pressure
mask therapy after they underwent facial flap surgery between July 2012 and
September 2015. Patients were treated for a mean duration of 46 weeks. The
effects of pressure mask therapy were examined by means of the Patient and
Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). RESULTS: All POSAS components showed a
reduction between start and end of therapy, while itchiness, pigmentation,
pliability, thickness, and relief of the flap improved significantly (P < 0.05).
Mean total and patient score showed significant reduction between start and end
of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a facial pressure mask layered
with silicone results in noticeable flap improvement with a long-lasting result.
Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study.
PMID- 28989238
TI - Hand rejuvenation with fat grafting: A 12-year single-surgeon experience.
AB - BACKGROUND: Fat grafting has been successfully used for reconstructive and
esthetic surgery of the breast, face, and other body parts. In this article, we
present our protocol for hand fat grafting and over a decade of clinical
experience. METHODS: Fat tissue is obtained from the flanks, peri-umbilical
region, or internal side of the thigh or knee. No centrifuge machine is used to
prevent fat damage. After decantation, fat is injected into the dorsum of the
hand using a cannula from the wrist and not from the fingers. Fat is distributed
gently above the dorsal deep fascia to avoid perforation of the vessels. RESULTS:
The proposed technique was applied to 65 patients. The amount of fat injected
ranged from 10 to 30 cm3. No allergic reactions were noticed. Each patient's
progress was followed-up for a minimum of 12 months. Over this period, contour
changes and the effects of the procedure(s) on the skin were analyzed. Fifty-six
patients (84%) were satisfied with the results during the observation period, 7
patients (12%) were somewhat satisfied and needed one more fat grafting procedure
to achieve complete satisfaction, and 2 patients (4%) were dissatisfied with the
results. Three cases of temporary swelling of the hands resolved naturally. No
long-term complications were seen. CONCLUSIONS: This study covers over a decade
of practical experience in applying fat grafts to hands. The procedure is
effective in reshaping and rejuvenating the hand as it shows long-lasting results
after 1-year follow-up.
PMID- 28989237
TI - Lipofilling effects after breast cancer surgery in post-radiation patients: an
analysis of results and algorithm proposal.
AB - BACKGROUND: Lipofilling or autologous fat transfer is an established technique in
plastic surgery. Herein, we describe the lipofilling effects after implant-based
breast reconstruction in post-radiation patients and propose an algorithm for
indication of lipofilling. METHODS: Forty patients with a history of breast
cancer were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients had undergone
either breast conserving therapy or mastectomy. Twenty-six patients underwent
additional radiation therapy. Patients were assessed using a post-radiation skin
scoring classification. RESULTS: In total, 68 lipofilling procedures were
analyzed. Scar release, skin softening, improved quality of life, and improvement
of post-radiation findings are results of lipofilling with a closed filtration
system. In all patients with post-surgical radiation, an improvement of tissue
quality was observed. Staging revealed that lipofilling improved mean post
radiation skin scores of 2.40 +/- 0.89 to 1.21 +/- 0.76 (p <= 0.000). There was
no recurrence of breast cancer in our study patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study
introduces an algorithm using lipofilling in reconstructive breast surgery and
especially in post-radiation patients with low risks as well as very high
acceptance in patients with various indications for this procedure. A
regenerative aspect was also detectable in patients following radiation therapy
and reconstruction. Lipofilling is a safe and effective procedure with a low
incidence of minor complications. It is therefore a feasible method to resolve
volume deficiencies and asymmetric results after oncologic breast surgery.
Nevertheless, a prospective study has now been initiated focusing on the
oncologic safety of lipofilling including ultrasound and radiological
examinations to validate the findings of this initial study. Level of Evidence:
Level IV, therapeutic study.
PMID- 28989239
TI - Scarring of the C8-T1 roots with partial avulsion in situ in total obstetric
brachial plexus palsy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Primary exploration of the brachial plexus in infants with obstetric
palsy may reveal scarring of the lower roots with evidence of partial avulsion-in
situ. As we have been treating this lesion by neurolysis only, we aimed to
investigate the recovery of hand function following such approach. METHODS: A
series of 14 cases of total obstetric palsy with with evidence of partial
avulsion-in-situ of the lower roots were included. All lesions were treated by
neurolysis only (with no neurotization of the lower roots). Management of the
injured upper roots was done by neurotization. Recovery was assessed as per our
motor grading system. RESULTS: After a minimum follow-up of 4 years, hand
functional recovery was considered good in 7 patients and excellent in the
remaining 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the scarring of lower roots with
evidence of partial avulsion-in situ in obstetric palsy. We also document that
neurolysis is an acceptable approach to such lesions. Level of Evidence: Level
IV, therapeutic study.
PMID- 28989240
TI - Evidence-Based Practice in the social sciences? A scale of causality,
interventions, and possibilities for scientific proof.
AB - This article discusses Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in the social sciences.
After a brief outline of the discussion, the work of William Herbert Dray (1921
2009) is examined. Dray, partly following Collingwood, worked on different forms
of causality and methodology in historical explanation (in comparison to the
social sciences), based on a distinction between causes and reasons. Dray's
ladder of rational understanding is also explored here. Taking his argumentation
further and sometimes turning it upside-down, a scale of forms of causality is
developed with accompanying types of interventions and possibilities for
scientific proof of their effectivity. This scale makes it possible to weigh
interventions regarding the degree to which "hard" scientific proof is possible
for them. The article concludes with a brief discussion of how interventions in
psychology and education should be chosen and can be justified, both those that
do and those that don't lend themselves to empirical research.
PMID- 28989241
TI - Rise Time Reduction of Thermal Actuators Operated in Air and Water through
Optimized Pre-Shaped Open-Loop Driving.
AB - Electrothermal actuators have many advantages compared to other actuators used in
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). They are simple to design, easy to
fabricate and provide large displacements at low voltages. Low voltages enable
less stringent passivation requirements for operation in liquid. Despite these
advantages, thermal actuation is typically limited to a few kHz bandwidth when
using step inputs due to its intrinsic thermal time constant. However, the use of
pre-shaped input signals offers a route for reducing the rise time of these
actuators by orders of magnitude. We started with an electrothermally actuated
cantilever having an initial 10-90% rise time of 85 MUs in air and 234 MUs in
water for a standard open-loop step input. We experimentally characterized the
linearity and frequency response of the cantilever when operated in air and
water, allowing us to obtain transfer functions for the two cases. We used these
transfer functions, along with functions describing desired reduced rise-time
system responses, to numerically simulate the required input signals. Using these
pre-shaped input signals, we improved the open-loop 10-90% rise time from 85 MUs
to 3 MUs in air and from 234 MUs to 5 MUs in water, an improvement by a factor of
28 and 47, respectively. Using this simple control strategy for MEMS
electrothermal actuators makes them an attractive alternative to other high speed
micromechanical actuators such as piezoelectric stacks or electrostatic comb
structures which are more complex to design, fabricate, or operate.
PMID- 28989243
TI - A Comprehensive Review on Rasam: A South Indian Traditional Functional Food.
AB - The view that food can have an expanded role that goes well beyond providing a
source of nutrients truly applies to traditional functional foods. The systematic
consumption of such traditional functional food provides an excellent preventive
measure to ward off many diseases. Rasam, a soup of spices, is a traditional
South Indian food. It is traditionally prepared using tamarind juice as a base,
with the addition of Indian sesame oil, turmeric, tomato, chili pepper, pepper,
garlic, cumin, curry leaves, mustard, coriander, asafoetida, sea salt, and water.
Rasam is a classic example of traditional functional food with all its
ingredients medicinally claimed for various ailments. The preclinical and
clinical studies on rasam and its ingredients support their traditional claim.
This review is an attempt to compile the literatures on rasam, its ingredients,
and to highlight its medicinal potential that has been underestimated.
PMID- 28989242
TI - Developing New Antimicrobial Therapies: Are Synergistic Combinations of Plant
Extracts/Compounds with Conventional Antibiotics the Solution?
AB - The discovery of penicillin nearly 90 years ago revolutionized the treatment of
bacterial disease. Since that time, numerous other antibiotics have been
discovered from bacteria and fungi, or developed by chemical synthesis and have
become effective chemotherapeutic options. However, the misuse of antibiotics has
lessened the efficacy of many commonly used antibiotics. The emergence of
resistant strains of bacteria has seriously limited our ability to treat
bacterial illness, and new antibiotics are desperately needed. Since the
discovery of penicillin, most antibiotic development has focused on the discovery
of new antibiotics derived from microbial sources, or on the synthesis of new
compounds using existing antibiotic scaffolds to the detriment of other lines of
discovery. Both of these methods have been fruitful. However, for a number of
reasons discussed in this review, these strategies are unlikely to provide the
same wealth of new antibiotics in the future. Indeed, the number of newly
developed antibiotics has decreased dramatically in recent years. Instead, a
reexamination of traditional medicines has become more common and has already
provided several new antibiotics. Traditional medicine plants are likely to
provide further new antibiotics in the future. However, the use of plant extracts
or pure natural compounds in combination with conventional antibiotics may hold
greater promise for rapidly providing affordable treatment options. Indeed, some
combinational antibiotic therapies are already clinically available. This study
reviews the recent literature on combinational antibiotic therapies to highlight
their potential and to guide future research in this field.
PMID- 28989246
TI - General Overview of Phenolics from Plant to Laboratory, Good Antibacterials or
Not.
AB - The emergence and rapid development of seriously drug-resistant pathogens have
created the greatest danger to public health and made the treatment of infectious
diseases ineffective; to control the antibiotic-resistant microbes, the discovery
of new effective antibacterials with new mechanisms of action against bacteria
remains an urgent task to control the bacterial resistance. The paucity of
infections in wild plants supports the role of innate defense system of plants.
Many researchers nominate the natural extracts to act against bacterial
resistance mechanisms, and the majority of them have now been focused on the
combination of plant extracts and antibiotics to define the availability of
resistance modification agents. Only very few numbers of natural products are
successful to reach experiments circle beyond the in vitro assays. Phenols and
phenolic acids could serve as good candidates to the natural antibacterial
arsenal. The pyrogallol-based compounds are more potent than others such as
catechol or resorcinol, gallic acid, and the hydroxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid)
are destructing the bacterial cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia
coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to leakage of cellular contents. These
compounds have stronger activity against Gram-positive microorganisms, and some
of them showed good synergism with antibiotics, for example,
pentagalloylglucopyranose, is shown a synergism with penicillin G against
methicillin-resistant S. aureus, another example is the interesting synergism
between epicatechin gallate and oxacillin where the minimal inhibitory
concentrations of oxacillin reduced around 500 times by the addition of
epicatechin gallate to the antibiotic.
PMID- 28989245
TI - Plants' Natural Products as Alternative Promising Anti-Candida Drugs.
AB - Candida is a serious life-threatening pathogen, particularly with
immunocompromised patients. Candida infections are considered as a major cause of
morbidity and mortality in a broad range of immunocompromised patients. Candida
infections are common in hospitalized patients and elderly people. The difficulty
to eradicate Candida infections is owing to its unique switch between yeast and
hyphae forms and more likely to biofilm formations that render resistance to
antifungal therapy. Plants are known sources of natural medicines. Several plants
show significant anti-Candida activities and some of them have lower minimum
inhibitory concentration, making them promising candidates for anti-Candida
therapy. However, none of these plant products is marketed for anti-Candida
therapy because of lack of sufficient information about their efficacy, toxicity,
and kinetics. This review revises major plants that have been tested for anti
Candida activities with recommendations for further use of some of these plants
for more investigation and in vivo testing including the use of nanostructure
lipid system.
PMID- 28989248
TI - Potential Antitumor Effects of Pomegranates and Its Ingredients.
AB - The treatment based on plant or plant derivatives is a promising strategy in the
killing of cancers cells. Moreover, wide-ranging finding has established that
medicinal plant and its ingredient modulate several cells signaling pathways or
inhibiting the carcinogenesis process. In this vista, pomegranates fruits, seeds
and peels illustrate cancer preventive role seems to be due to rich source of
antioxidant and other valuable ingredients. Furthermore, anti-tumour activities
of pomegranates have been evidences through the modulation of cell signaling
pathways including transcription factor, apoptosis and angiogenesis. In this
review article, anti-tumor activity of pomegranates and its components or its
different type of extracts are described to understand the mechanism of action of
pomegranates in cancer therapy.
PMID- 28989247
TI - Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction for the Treatment of Diabetic Complications:
Pharmacological Interventions through Natural Products.
AB - Diabetes mellitus is a chronic hyperglycemic condition with deleterious effects
on microcirculation, resulting in diabetic complications. Chronic hyperglycemia
induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are the key
pathological triggers in the development of diabetic complications. ROS are
responsible for the activation of various pathways involved in the genesis of
diabetic complications, mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as insulin resistance.
The review describes normal mitochondrial physiology and abnormal alterations,
which occur in response to hyperglycemia. Mitochondrial biogenesis is a highly
regulated process mediated by several transcription factors, wherein
mitochondrial fusion and fission occur in harmony in a normal healthy cell.
However, this harmony is disrupted in hyperglycemic condition indicated by
alteration in functions of essential transcription factors. Hyperglycemia-induced
mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in diabetic complications, pancreatic
beta-cell dysfunction, as well as skeletal muscle insulin resistance as
demonstrated by various in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies. The review
focuses on the various factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and
maintenance of healthy mitochondrial function. Several phytoconstituents act
through these pathways, either directly by stimulating biogenesis or indirectly
by inhibiting or preventing dysfunction, and produce a beneficial effect on
overall mitochondrial function. These phytoconstituents have enormous potential
in amelioration of diabetic complications by restoring normal mitochondrial
physiology and need detailed evaluation by preclinical and clinical studies. Such
phytoconstituents can be included as nutraceuticals or adjuvant therapy to the
mainstream treatment of diabetes.
PMID- 28989244
TI - Herbal Drugs from Sudan: Traditional Uses and Phytoconstituents.
AB - Sudan folklore medicine is characterized by a unique combination of Islamic,
Arabic, and African cultures. In poor communities, traditional medicine has
remained as the most reasonable source of treatment of several diseases and
microbial infections. Although the traditional medicine is accepted in Sudan, to
date there is no updated review available, which focuses on most effective and
frequently used Sudanese medicinal plants. Thus, this review aims to summarize
the published information on the ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants from
Sudan, preparation methods, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology. The collected
data demonstrate that Sudanese medicinal plants have been reported to possess a
wide range of traditional medicinal uses including different microbial
infections, gastrointestinal disorders, malaria, diabetes, rheumatic pain,
respiratory system disorders, jaundice, urinary system inflammations, wounds,
cancer, and different microbial infections. In most cases, the pharmacological
studies were in agreement with traditional uses. Moreover, several bioactive
compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenes, tannins,
fatty acids, and essential oils have been identified as active constituents.
Although this review demonstrates the importance of ethnomedicine medicines in
the treatment of several diseases in Sudan, further researches to validate the
therapeutic uses and safety of these plants through phytochemical screening,
different biological activity assays, and toxicological studies are still needed.
PMID- 28989249
TI - Review of Holarrhena antidysenterica (L.) Wall. ex A. DC.: Pharmacognostic,
Pharmacological, and Toxicological Perspective.
AB - Holarrhena antidysenterica (L.) Wall. ex A. DC. is a medicinal plant abundantly
found in India. Its uses are mentioned in the classical Ayurvedic literature and
by many folklore claims. The plant is also of extreme economic importance. Its
seeds are mainly used as an antidiabetic remedy. All pharmacological and
toxicological aspects of this plant are discussed in this review.
PMID- 28989251
TI - A Hidden Treasure: The Borneo Mistletoes.
AB - The European mistletoe, Viscum album, is the most common consumed adjuvant among
cancer patients in Europe. Its success warrants a report on three most apparent
mistletoes found in Borneo Island, namely Scurrula ferruginea, Macrosolen
cochinchinensis, and Dendrophthoe curvata. The traditional and pharmacological
uses of these mistletoes include antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral,
antihypertensive, antioxidative, and cytotoxic effects. Phytochemicals such as
flavonols, alkaloids, tannins, and gallic acid have been reported in one of these
mistletoes. This review discusses the potential of these mistletoes as
therapeutic agents.
PMID- 28989250
TI - A Review Study on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology Applications of Juglans Regia
Plant.
AB - In recent years, the use of medicinal plants increased considerably; so that
today, the use of traditional medicine, as well as medicinal plants is necessary
for the aim of producing more effective drugs with fewer side effects and
determining the effective doses. With the scientific name of Juglans regia,
walnut plant is a medicinal plant with different properties that is considered
less, despite having great therapeutic potential in the traditional medicine. The
aim of this study was to review the dispersal of walnut plants, the chemical
compounds, and therapeutic effects of walnuts on antioxidant activity,
antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, and antihypertensive activities, as
well as liver protection. Data of this review study have been collected from the
books and scientific articles published in databases such as Science Direct, Web
of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Scientific Information Database. While this plant
having high antioxidant capabilities, walnuts are composed of many chemical
compounds such as ascorbic acid, flavonoids, quercetin, and caffeic acid.
Experimental studies have shown that walnuts reduced blood glucose and lipids and
also decreased blood pressure. They have antioxidant, antidiabetic,
antimicrobial, and liver-protective properties. The use of walnuts in traditional
medicine and review of experimental studies demonstrated the presence of
multiple, effective, and useful compounds which may provide the opportunity for
the production of lipid-lowering, antidiabetes, and liver protective drugs. Due
to the effects of walnuts on improving the complications of various diseases, the
need for doing comprehensive clinical trials for the use of walnuts in the
treatment of diseases is necessary.
PMID- 28989252
TI - Operculina turpethum (Linn.) Silva Manso as a Medicinal Plant Species: A Review
on Bioactive Components and Pharmacological Properties.
AB - Operculina turpethum (Linn.) (OT) Silva Manso belongs to the family
Convolvulaceae. This review incorporates literature for the phytochemical and
pharmacological profile of OT herb. Exhaustive literature survey was done using
all the details on phytochemistry and pharmacology of OT available. This herb was
found to be a potent source of bioactive compounds such as alpha- and beta
turpethein, turpethinic acids (A, B, C, D, and E), coumarins, cycloartenol,
lanosta-5-ene, 24-methylene-delta-5-lanosterol, alpha- and beta-rhamnose, beta
sitosterol, lupeol, scopoletin, betulin, acrylamide, stigma-5,22dien-3-O-beta-D
glucopyranoside, beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside (H-1), 22,23-dihydro-alpha
spinosterol-beta-D-glucoside (H-2), and salicylic acid (CH-2), which are useful
in fevers, edema, ascites, anorexia, constipation, hepatosplenomegaly,
hemorrhoids, cervical lymphadenitis, fistulas, constipation, chronic gout, fever,
bronchitis, ulcers, hemorrhoids, tumors, obesity, jaundice, herpes, induce
lacrimation, and other skin disorders. From the aerial parts of OT, four new
dammarane-type saponins that are operculinosides A-D (1-4) were isolated that
showed particular hepatoprotective activities. All the compounds are reported to
possess pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,
analgesic, hepatoprotective, anti-arthritic, ulcer protective, antidiarrheal,
antidiabetic, and cytotoxic properties.
PMID- 28989254
TI - Superconvergence of the local discontinuous Galerkin method for nonlinear
convection-diffusion problems.
AB - In this paper, we discuss the superconvergence of the local discontinuous
Galerkin methods for nonlinear convection-diffusion equations. We prove that the
numerical solution is [Formula: see text]th-order superconvergent to a particular
projection of the exact solution, when the upwind flux and the alternating fluxes
are used. The proof is valid for arbitrary nonuniform regular meshes and for
piecewise polynomials of degree k ([Formula: see text]). The numerical
experiments reveal that the property of superconvergence actually holds true for
general fluxes.
PMID- 28989255
TI - Modified forward-backward splitting midpoint method with superposition
perturbations for the sum of two kinds of infinite accretive mappings and its
applications.
AB - In a real uniformly convex and p-uniformly smooth Banach space, a modified
forward-backward splitting iterative algorithm is presented, where the
computational errors and the superposition of perturbed operators are considered.
The iterative sequence is proved to be convergent strongly to zero point of the
sum of infinite m-accretive mappings and infinite [Formula: see text]-inversely
strongly accretive mappings, which is also the unique solution of one kind
variational inequalities. Some new proof techniques can be found, especially, a
new inequality is employed compared to some of the recent work. Moreover, the
applications of the newly obtained iterative algorithm to integro-differential
systems and convex minimization problems are exemplified.
PMID- 28989253
TI - Psidium guajava: A Single Plant for Multiple Health Problems of Rural Indian
Population.
AB - The rural population in India faces a number of health problems and often has to
rely on local remedies. Psidium guajava Linn. (guava), a tropical plant which is
used as food and medicine can be used by rural communities due to its several
medicinal properties. A literature search was undertaken to gauge the rural
health scenario in India and compile the available literature on guava so as to
reflect its usage in the treatment of multiple health conditions prevalent in
rural communities. Towards this, electronic databases such as Pubmed, Science
Direct, google scholar were scanned. Information on clinical trials on guava was
obtained from Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and
Clinicaltrial.gov. The literature survey revealed that guava possesses various
medicinal properties which have been reported from across the globe in the form
of ethnobotanical/ethnopharmacological surveys, laboratory investigations and
clinical trials. Besides documenting the safety of guava, the available
literature shows that guava is efficacious against the following conditions which
rural communities would encounter. (a) Gastrointestinal infections; (b) Malaria;
(c)Respiratory infections; (d) Oral/dental infections; (e) Skin infections; (f)
Diabetes; (g) Cardiovascular/hypertension; (h) Cancer; (i) Malnutrition; (j)
Women problems; (k) Pain; (l) Fever; (m) Liver problems; (n) Kidney problems. In
addition, guava can also be useful for treatment of animals and explored for its
commercial applications. In conclusion, popularization of guava, can have
multiple applications for rural communities.
PMID- 28989257
TI - Fibonacci statistical convergence and Korovkin type approximation theorems.
AB - The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the definition of new statistical
convergence with Fibonacci sequence is given and some fundamental properties of
statistical convergence are examined. Second, we provide various approximation
results concerning the classical Korovkin theorem via Fibonacci type statistical
convergence.
PMID- 28989256
TI - Boundedness of Marcinkiewicz integrals with rough kernels on Musielak-Orlicz
Hardy spaces.
AB - Let [Formula: see text] satisfy that [Formula: see text], for any given [Formula:
see text], is an Orlicz function and [Formula: see text] is a Muckenhoupt
[Formula: see text] weight uniformly in [Formula: see text]. The Musielak-Orlicz
Hardy space [Formula: see text] is defined to be the set of all tempered
distributions such that their grand maximal functions belong to the Musielak
Orlicz space [Formula: see text]. In this paper, the authors establish the
boundedness of Marcinkiewicz integral [Formula: see text] from [Formula: see
text] to [Formula: see text] under weaker smoothness conditions assumed on Omega.
This result is also new even when [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see
text], where phi is an Orlicz function.
PMID- 28989258
TI - The closure property of [Formula: see text]-tensors under the Hadamard product.
AB - In this paper, we investigate the closure property of [Formula: see text]-tensors
under the Hadamard product. It is shown that the Hadamard products of Hadamard
powers of strong [Formula: see text]-tensors are still strong [Formula: see text]
tensors. We then bound the minimal real eigenvalues of the comparison tensors of
the Hadamard products involving strong [Formula: see text]-tensors. Finally, we
show how to attain the bounds by characterizing these [Formula: see text]
tensors.
PMID- 28989259
TI - Weak convergence to isotropic complex [Formula: see text] random measure.
AB - In this paper, we prove that an isotropic complex symmetric alpha-stable random
measure ([Formula: see text]) can be approximated by a complex process
constructed by integrals based on the Poisson process with random intensity.
PMID- 28989260
TI - Quantitative unique continuation for the linear coupled heat equations.
AB - In this paper, we established a quantitative unique continuation results for a
coupled heat equations, with the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition, on a
bounded convex domain Omega of [Formula: see text] with smooth boundary ?Omega.
Our result shows that the value of the solutions can be determined uniquely by
its value on an arbitrary open subset omega of Omega at any given positive time
T.
PMID- 28989261
TI - A family of conjugate gradient methods for large-scale nonlinear equations.
AB - In this paper, we present a family of conjugate gradient projection methods for
solving large-scale nonlinear equations. At each iteration, it needs low storage
and the subproblem can be easily solved. Compared with the existing solution
methods for solving the problem, its global convergence is established without
the restriction of the Lipschitz continuity on the underlying mapping.
Preliminary numerical results are reported to show the efficiency of the proposed
method.
PMID- 28989262
TI - On a new generalized symmetric vector equilibrium problem.
AB - In this paper, a new form of the symmetric vector equilibrium problem is
introduced and, by mixing properties of the nonlinear scalarization mapping and
the maximal element lemma, an existence theorem for it is established. We show
that Ky Fan's lemma, as a usual technique for proving the existence results for
equilibrium problems, implies the maximal element lemma, while it is useless for
proving the main theorem of this paper. Our results can be viewed as an extension
and improvement of the main results obtained by Farajzadeh (Filomat 29(9):2097
2105, 2015) and some corresponding results that appeared in this area by relaxing
the lower semicontinuity, quasiconvexity on the mappings and being nontrivial of
the dual cones. Finally, some examples are given to support the main results.
PMID- 28989263
TI - Modeling and characterization of shape memory alloy springs with water cooling
strategy in a neurosurgical robot.
AB - Since shape memory alloy (SMA) has high power density and is magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) compatible, it has been chosen as the actuator for the meso-scale
minimally invasive neurosurgical intracranial robot (MINIR-II) that is envisioned
to be operated under continuous MRI guidance. We have devised a water cooling
strategy to improve its actuation frequency by threading a silicone tube through
the spring coils to form a compact cooling module-integrated actuator. To create
active bi-directional motion in each robot joint, we configured the SMA springs
in an antagonistic way. We modeled the antagonistic SMA spring behavior and
provided the detailed steps to simulate its motion for a complete cycle. We
investigated heat transfer during the resistive heating and water cooling
processes. Characterization experiments were performed to determine the
parameters used in both models, which were then verified by comparing the
experimental and simulated data. The actuation frequency of the antagonistic SMAs
was evaluated for several motion amplitudes and we could achieve a maximum
actuation frequency of 0.143 Hz for a sinusoidal trajectory with 2 mm amplitude.
Lastly, we developed a robotic system to implement the actuators on the MINIR-II
to move its end segment back and forth for approximately +/-25 degrees .
PMID- 28989264
TI - Killer Apps: Developing Novel Applications That Enhance Team Coordination,
Communication, and Effectiveness.
AB - As part of the Lorentz workshop, "Interdisciplinary Insights into Group and Team
Dynamics," held in Leiden, Netherlands, this article describes how Geeks and
Groupies (computer and social scientists) may benefit from interdisciplinary
collaboration toward the development of killer apps in team contexts that are
meaningful and challenging for both. First, we discuss interaction processes
during team meetings as a research topic for both Groupies and Geeks. Second, we
highlight teamwork in health care settings as an interdisciplinary research
challenge. Third, we discuss how an automated solution for optimal team design
could benefit team effectiveness and feed into team-based interventions. Fourth,
we discuss team collaboration in massive open online courses as a challenge for
both Geeks and Groupies. We argue for the necessary integration of social and
computational research insights and approaches. In the hope of inspiring future
interdisciplinary collaborations, we develop criteria for evaluating killer apps
including the four proposed here-and discuss future research challenges and
opportunities that potentially derive from these developments.
PMID- 28989265
TI - Technical Considerations in Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Reconstruction for Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics.
AB - As the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction continues to
increase, the rate of revision surgery continues to climb. Revision surgery has
inherent challenges that must be addressed in order to achieve successful
results. The cause of the primary ACL reconstruction failure should be
determined, and careful preoperative planning should be performed to address the
cause(s) of failure. Each patient undergoing revision surgery should undergo a
thorough history and physical examination, receive full length alignment
radiographs, lateral radiographs, 45-degree flexion weight-bearing postero
anterior radiographs, and patellofemoral radiographs. 3-dimensional computed
topography (CT) scan should be performed to assess tunnel position and widening.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be used to assess for intra-articular
soft tissue pathology. Meniscal tears, meniscal deficiency, anterolateral capsule
injuries, bony morphology, age, activity level, connective tissue diseases,
infection, graft choice, and tunnel position can all impact the success of ACL
reconstruction surgery. Meniscal lesions should be repaired, and in cases of
persistent rotatory instability, extra-articular procedures may be indicated.
Furthermore, osteotomies may be needed to correct malalignment or excess
posterior tibial slope. Depending on the placement and condition of the original
femoral and tibial tunnels, revision surgery may be performed in a single
procedure or in a staged manner. In most cases, the surgery can be performed in
one procedure. Regardless, the surgeon must communicate with the patient openly
regarding the implications of revision ACL surgery and the treatment plan should
be developed in a shared fashion between the surgeon and the patient.
PMID- 28989266
TI - Measuring Anxiety in Children: The Importance of Separate Mother and Father
Reports.
AB - BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that it is important to use parental
reports when assessing children's anxiety, but it remains unclear to what extent
there are differences between mothers' and fathers' scores and whether these
potential differences have any repercussions for the psychometric properties of
the scale being used. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate parental
differences on the Parent version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related
Emotional Disorders-Revised (SCARED-RP), a rating scale for measuring child
anxiety symptoms. The second aim was to re-examine the reliability and validity
of the SCARED-RP, in light of these possible differences. METHODS: The SCARED-RP
and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) were administered to parents of
clinically anxious children (n = 81), and control children (n = 108). All
children (n = 189) completed the SCARED-R. RESULTS: Significant correlations
between mother and father reports were found within the clinically anxious
sample. Mothers showed significantly more correspondence with their children in
the control group than fathers. The SCARED-RP internal consistency on total scale
was excellent (mothers: .94; fathers: .94) and moderate to good for all subscales
(from .66 Situational-Environmental Phobia to .93 Animal Phobia). The SCARED-RP
differentiated well between clinically anxious and control children (mother and
father data). The concurrent validity was supported by strong correlations with
the CBCL anxious-depressed scale. CONCLUSION: Differences between mother and
father reports suggest the importance of obtaining information from both parents
separately. Furthermore, the SCARED-RP is a useful instrument for assessing
children's anxiety disorder symptoms in clinical and research settings.
PMID- 28989267
TI - The Impact of Transcription Writing Interventions for First-Grade Students.
AB - We examined the effects of transcription instruction for students in first grade.
Students in the lowest 70% of the participating schools were selected for the
study. These 81 students were randomly assigned to: (a) spelling instruction, (b)
handwriting instruction, (c) combination spelling and handwriting instruction, or
(d) no intervention. Intervention was provided in small groups of 4 students, 25
min a day, 4 days a week for 8 weeks. Students in the spelling condition
outperformed the control group on spelling measures with moderate effect sizes
noted on curriculum-based writing measures (e.g., correct word sequence; g range
= 0.34 to 0.68). Students in the handwriting condition outperformed the control
group on correct word sequences with small to moderate effects on other
handwriting and writing measures (g range = 0.31 to 0.71). Students in the
combined condition outperformed the control group on correct word sequences with
a small effect on total words written (g range = 0.39 to 0.84).
PMID- 28989269
TI - Electrochemistry of a Robust Neural Interface.
PMID- 28989268
TI - Parental Accommodation Predicts Symptom Severity at Long-term Follow-Up in
Children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
AB - Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition affecting
millions of children. Though well intentioned, accommodation (i.e., a parent's
attempt to assuage their child's distress and anxiety) is thought to increase OCD
symptom severity and may cause greater OCD-related impairment. The present study
sought to examine the relative contribution of parental accommodation in
predicting OCD symptom severity. Children between the ages of 6 and 18 (and their
parents) participated in a prospective, longitudinal study investigating the
course of pediatric OCD utilizing a longitudinal design. Data was collected at
intake (n = 30) and two-years (n = 22) post-intake controlling for age, anxiety
and depression. Parental accommodation (measured at intake) significantly
predicted OCD symptom severity and was the strongest predictor at both intake and
two-year follow-up. These preliminary findings highlight the importance of
further research seeking to delineate factors relevant to the development and
maintenance of accommodation as well as parent-level variables that might mediate
the relationship between accommodation and OCD symptom severity.
PMID- 28989270
TI - Robust Visualization and Discrimination of Nanoparticles by Interferometric
Imaging.
AB - Single-molecule and single-nanoparticle biosensors are a growing frontier in
diagnostics. Digital biosensors are those which enumerate all specifically
immobilized biomolecules or biological nanoparticles, and thereby achieve limits
of detection usually beyond the reach of ensemble measurements. Here we review
modern optical techniques for single nanoparticle detection and describe the
single-particle interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (SP-IRIS). We present
challenges associated with reliably detecting faint nanoparticles with SP-IRIS,
and describe image acquisition processes and software modifications to address
them. Specifically, we describe a image acquisition processing method for the
discrimination and accurate counting of nanoparticles that greatly reduces both
the number of false positives and false negatives. These engineering improvements
are critical steps in the translation of SP-IRIS towards applications in medical
diagnostics.
PMID- 28989271
TI - The Causal Effect of Bus Rapid Transit on Changes in Transit Ridership.
AB - Numerous studies have reported ridership increases along routes when Bus rapid
transit (BRT) replaces conventional bus service, but these increases could be due
simply to broader temporal trends in transit ridership. To address this
limitation, we compared changes in ridership among routes where BRT was
implemented to routes where BRT was planned or already existed in King County,
Washington. Ridership was measured at 2010, 2013, and 2014. Ridership increased
by 35% along routes where BRT was implemented from 2010 to 2013 compared to
routes that maintained conventional bus service. Ridership increased by 29% along
routes where BRT was implemented from 2013 to 2014 compared to consistent
existing BRT service. These results provide stronger evidence for a causal
relationship between BRT and increased transit ridership and a more accurate
estimate of the independent effect of BRT on ridership.
PMID- 28989272
TI - Design and Fabrication of MR-Tracked Metallic Stylet for Gynecologic
Brachytherapy.
AB - Active magnetic resonance (MR) tracking for gynecologic brachytherapy was made
possible by attaching the micro radiofrequency coils to the brachytherapy
applicator. The rectangular planar micro coil was fabricated using flexible
printed circuits with dimensions of 8mm*1.5mm. A 5-Fr (1.6mm) tungsten
brachytherapy stylet was custom-machined to incorporate the micro coils. The
finite element analysis and the phantom tissue studies show that the proposed
device enables in situ, real-time guidance of access routes to the target anatomy
safely and accurately. The setup was tested in a Siemens 3T MR scanner. The micro
coils can be localized rapidly (up to 40 Hz) and precisely (resolution:
0.6*0.6*0.6mm3) using an MR-tracking sequence.
PMID- 28989273
TI - Mechanical Model of Dexterous Continuum Manipulators with Compliant Joints and
Tendon/External Force Interactions.
AB - Dexterous continuum manipulators (DCMs) have been widely adopted for minimally-
and less-invasive surgery. During the operation, these DCMs interact with
surrounding anatomy actively or passively. The interaction force will inevitably
affect the tip position and shape of DCMs, leading to potentially inaccurate
control near critical anatomy. In this paper, we demonstrated a 2D mechanical
model for a tendon actuated, notched DCM with compliant joints. The model
predicted deformation of the DCM accurately in the presence of tendon force,
friction force, and external force. A partition approach was proposed to describe
the DCM as a series of interconnected rigid and flexible links. Beam mechanics,
taking into consideration tendon interaction and external force on the tip and
the body, was applied to obtain the deformation of each flexible link of the DCM.
The model results were compared with experiments for free bending as well as
bending in the presence of external forces acting at either the tip or body of
the DCM. The overall mean error of tip position between model predictions and all
of the experimental results was 0.62+/-0.41mm. The results suggest that the
proposed model can effectively predict the shape of the DCM.
PMID- 28989274
TI - Factors Associated With Negative Attitudes Toward Speaking in Preschool-Age
Children Who Do and Do Not Stutter.
AB - PURPOSE: This study explored relations between the negativity of children's
speech-related attitudes as measured by the Communication Attitude Test for
Preschool and Kindergarten Children Who Stutter (KiddyCAT; Vanryckeghem &
Brutten, 2007) and (a) age; (b) caregiver reports of stuttering and its social
consequences; (c) types of disfluencies; and (d) standardized speech, vocabulary,
and language scores. METHOD: Participants were 46 preschool-age children who
stutter (CWS; 12 females, 34 males) and 66 preschool-age children who do not
stutter (CWNS; 35 females, 31 males). After a conversation, children completed
standardized tests and the KiddyCAT while their caregivers completed scales on
observed stuttering behaviors and their consequences. RESULTS: The KiddyCAT
scores of both the CWS and the CWNS were significantly negatively correlated with
age. Both groups' KiddyCAT scores increased with higher scores on the Speech
Fluency Rating Scale of the Test of Childhood Stuttering (Gillam, Logan, &
Pearson, 2009). Repetitions were a significant contributor to the CWNS's KiddyCAT
scores, but no specific disfluency significantly contributed to the CWS's
KiddyCAT scores. Greater articulation errors were associated with higher KiddyCAT
scores in the CWNS. No standardized test scores were associated with KiddyCAT
scores in the CWS. CONCLUSION: Attitudes that speech is difficult are not
associated with similar aspects of communication for CWS and CWNS. Age
significantly contributed to negative speech attitudes for CWS, whereas age,
repetitions, and articulation errors contributed to negative speech attitudes for
CWNS.
PMID- 28989275
TI - Audit Culture: Unintended Consequences of Accountability Practices in Evidence
Based Programs.
AB - Evaluation has become expected within the nonprofit sector, including HIV
prevention service delivery through community-based organizations (CBOs). While
staff and directors at CBOs may acknowledge the potential contribution of
evaluation data to the improvement of agency services, the results of evaluation
are often used to demonstrate fiscal prudence, efficiency, and accountability to
funders and the public, rather than to produce information for the organization's
benefit. We conducted 22 in-depth, semistructured interviews with service
providers from four agencies implementing the same evidence-based HIV prevention
intervention. We use the lens of "audit culture" to understand how the evaluation
and accountability mandates of evidence-based program implementation within HIV
prevention service provision affect provider-client relations, staff members'
daily work, and organizational focus in natural settings, or contexts without
continuous support and implementation monitoring. We conclude with
recommendations for improving the use and methods of evaluation within HIV
prevention service delivery.
PMID- 28989276
TI - Stability of medicines after repackaging into multicompartment compliance aids:
eight criteria for detection of visual alteration.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Multicompartment compliance aids (MCA) are widely used by patients.
They support the management of medication and reduce unintentional nonadherence.
MCA are filled with medicines unpacked from their original packaging. Swiss
pharmacists currently provide MCA for 1-2 weeks, although little and
controversial information exists on the stability of repackaged medicines.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to validate the usefulness of a simple screening method
capable of detecting visual stability problems with repackaged medicines.
METHODS: We selected eight criteria for solid formulations from The International
Pharmacopoeia: (1) rough surface, (2) chipping, (3) cracking, (4) capping, (5)
mottling, (6) discoloration, (7) swelling, and (8) crushing. A selection of 24
critical medicines was repackaged in three different MCA (Pharmis(r), SureMedTM,
and self-produced blister) and stored at room temperature for 4 weeks. Pharmis(r)
was additionally stored at accelerated conditions. Appearance was scored weekly.
RESULTS: Six alterations (rough surface, cracking, mottling, discoloration,
swelling, and crushing) were observed at accelerated conditions. No alteration
was observed at room temperature, except for the chipping of tablets that had
been stuck to cold seal glue. CONCLUSION: The eight criteria can detect
alterations of the appearance of oral solid medicines repackaged in MCA. In the
absence of specific guidelines, they can serve as a simple screening method in
community pharmacies for identifying medicines unsuitable for repackaging.
PMID- 28989277
TI - A Metagenomic Analysis of Bacterial Microbiota in the Digestive Tract of
Triatomines.
AB - The digestive tract of triatomines (DTT) is an ecological niche favored by
microbiota whose enzymatic profile is adapted to the specific substrate
availability in this medium. This report describes the molecular enzymatic
properties that promote bacterial prominence in the DTT. The microbiota
composition was assessed previously based on 16S ribosomal DNA, and whole
sequenced genomes of bacteria from the same genera were used to calculate the GC
level of rare and prominent bacterial species in the DTT. The enzymatic reactions
encoded by coding sequences of both rare and common bacterial species were then
compared and revealed key functions explaining why some genera outcompete others
in the DTT. Representativeness of DTT microbiota was investigated by shotgun
sequencing of DNA extracted from bacteria grown in liquid Luria-Bertani broth
(LB) medium. Results showed that GC-rich bacteria outcompete GC-poor bacteria and
are the dominant components of the DTT microbiota. In addition, oxidoreductases
are the main enzymatic components of these bacteria. In particular, nitrate
reductases (anaerobic respiration), oxygenases (catabolism of complex
substrates), acetate-CoA ligase (tricarboxylic acid cycle and energy metabolism),
and kinase (signaling pathway) were the major enzymatic determinants present
together with a large group of minor enzymes including hydrogenases involved in
energy and amino acid metabolism. In conclusion, despite their slower growth in
liquid LB medium, bacteria from GC-rich genera outcompete the GC-poor bacteria
because their specific enzymatic abilities impart a selective advantage in the
DTT.
PMID- 28989278
TI - Whole-body electromyostimulation and protein supplementation favorably affect
sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling older men at risk: the randomized
controlled FranSO study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the
disproportion between the amount of lean mass and fat mass. Exercise decreases
fat and maintains muscle mass; however, older people fail to exercise at doses
sufficient to affect musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic risk factors. The aim of
this study was to evaluate the effect of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB
EMS), a time-efficient, joint-friendly and highly individualized exercise
technology, on sarcopenia and SO in older men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of
100 community-dwelling northern Bavarian men aged >=70 years with sarcopenia and
obesity were randomly (1-1-1) assigned to either 16 weeks of 1) WB-EMS and
protein supplementation (WB-EMS&P), 2) isolated protein supplementation or 3)
nonintervention control. WB-EMS consisted of 1.5*20 min (85 Hz, 350 us, 4 s of
strain to 4 s of rest) applied with moderate-to-high intensity while moving. We
further generated a daily protein intake of 1.7-1.8 g/kg/body mass per day. The
primary study end point was Sarcopenia Z-Score, and the secondary study end
points were body fat rate (%), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and handgrip
strength. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis determined a significantly
favorable effect of WB-EMS&P (P<0.001) and protein (P=0.007) vs control. Both
groups significantly (P<0.001) lost body fat (WB-EMS&P: 2.1%; protein: 1.1%) and
differed significantly (P<=0.004) from control (0.3%). Differences between WB
EMS&P and protein were significant for the Sarcopenia Z-Score (P=0.39) and
borderline nonsignificant (P=0.051) for body fat. SMI increased significantly in
both groups (P<0.001 and P=0.043) and decreased significantly in the control
group (CG; P=0.033); differences between the verum groups and control were
significant (P<=0.009). Handgrip strength increased in the WB-EMS group (1.90 kg;
P<0.001; P=0.050 vs control) only. No adverse effects of WB-EMS or protein
supplementation were recorded. CONCLUSION: WB-EMS&P is a safe and efficient
method for tackling sarcopenia and SO in older men. However, the suboptimum
effect on functional parameters should be addressed by increased voluntary
activation during WB-EMS application.
PMID- 28989279
TI - Estimating the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD exacerbations:
reduction of hospital inpatient days during the following year.
AB - AIMS: To study the short- and long-term results of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)
given in the Helsinki University Heart and Lung Center and to understand the
hospital resources used to treat severe COPD exacerbations in the city of
Helsinki. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight inactive patients with severe COPD
were recruited for a PR course; three of them did not finish the course. The
course took 6-8 weeks and included 11-16 supervised exercise sessions. Using
electronic medical records, we studied all COPD patients with hospital admission
in the city of Helsinki in 2014, including COPD diagnosis, criteria for
exacerbation, and potential exclusion/inclusion criteria for PR. RESULTS: Seventy
five of the patients finished the PR course and 92% of those patients showed
clinically significant improvement. Their hospital days were reduced by 54% when
compared to the year before. At 1 year after the course, 53% of the patients
reported that they have continued with regular exercise training. In the city of
Helsinki, 437 COPD patients were treated in a hospital due to exacerbation during
2014. On the basis of their electronic medical records, 57% of them would be
suitable for PR. According to a rough estimate, 10%-20% hospital days could be
saved annually if PR was available to all, assuming that the PR results would be
as good as those shown here. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that in a real-world
setting, PR is efficient when measured by saved hospital days in severe COPD.
Half of the patients could be motivated to continue exercising on their own.
PMID- 28989280
TI - Exon Mapping in Long Noncoding RNAs Using Digital Filters.
AB - Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) which were initially dismissed as "transcriptional
noise" have become a vital area of study after their roles in biological
regulation were discovered. Long noncoding RNAs have been implicated in various
developmental processes and diseases. Here, we perform exon mapping of human
lncRNA sequences (taken from National Center for Biotechnology Information
GenBank) using digital filters. Antinotch digital filters are used to map out the
exons of the lncRNA sequences analyzed. The period 3 property which is an
established indicator for locating exons in genes is used here. Discrete wavelet
transform filter bank is used to fine-tune the exon plots by selectively removing
the spectral noise. The exon locations conform to the ranges specified in
GenBank. In addition to exon prediction, G-C concentrations of lncRNA sequences
are found, and the sequences are searched for START and STOP codons as these are
indicators of coding potential.
PMID- 28989281
TI - Efficacy and tolerability of liposomal polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine hydrogel for
the localized treatment of chronic infective, inflammatory, dermatoses: an
uncontrolled pilot study.
AB - Infection is common in many chronic, inflammatory skin conditions but is often
difficult to treat, in part due to growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Liposomal polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP)-iodine hydrogel has a unique mode of
action, combining the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions of PVP-iodine with
the drug delivery and moisturizing properties of liposomes. We investigated the
utility of liposomal PVP-iodine to treat infective dermatoses. In this
prospective, single-arm (uncontrolled), open-label Phase II pilot study, patients
with acne vulgaris (n=30), atopic dermatitis (n=20), impetigo contagiosa (n=10),
and rosacea (n=10) received PVP-iodine (3%) hydrogel for <=4 weeks. Global
Clinical Severity score improved for all dermatoses (range: 0.5 for acne vulgaris
[p<0.001] to 1.0 for impetigo contagiosa [p=0.011]). Improvements in pain,
quality of life, (Freiburg Life Quality Assessment), and Eczema Area and Severity
Index scores were also seen. Treatment was well tolerated; most frequent adverse
events were burning (14%) or itching (9%) sensations. Thus, liposomal PVP-iodine
hydrogel has potential utility as an effective treatment for inflammatory skin
conditions associated with bacterial colonization.
PMID- 28989282
TI - Spotlight on eluxadoline for the treatment of patients with irritable bowel
syndrome with diarrhea.
AB - BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) has limited options
for treatment currently, including mainly anti-motility medications,
antispasmodics, and antidepressants. This review discusses the properties of a
new drug, eluxadoline, a gut-targeting mu- and kappa-opioid receptor agonist and
a delta-opioid receptor antagonist, and its efficacy and safety in patients with
IBS-D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was
undertaken to identify studies that had investigated eluxadoline as a treatment
in IBS-D. A narrative review of other information is provided with respect to
pharmacological and chemical properties. Where suitable, meta-analysis was
performed with a random-effects model to produce a pooled estimate. RESULTS:
Eluxadoline showed efficacy improving stool consistency (standardized mean
difference [SMD]: -0.29 at 12 weeks, p = 0.0004; -0.46 at 26 weeks, p = 0.0001),
global symptoms (SMD: -0.15 at 12 weeks, p = 0.006; -0.14 at 26 weeks, p = 0.02),
quality of life (SMD: 0.21 at 12 weeks, p < 0.0001; 0.16 at 26 weeks, p = 0.007),
pain (SMD: -0.17 at 12 weeks, p = 0.001; -0.16 at 26 weeks, p = 0.01), and
adequate relief (odds ratio [OR]: 1.99 at 12 weeks, p < 0.00001; 1.78 at 26
weeks, p < 0.0001). It also improved IBS severity and other abdominal symptoms
such as bloating, discomfort, and risk of urgency and fecal incontinence. Its
main side effects included constipation (OR: 3.49, p < 0.00001), vomiting (OR:
3.42, p = 0.0002), abdominal pain (OR: 1.78, p = 0.007), and nausea (OR: 1.42, p
= 0.07). The overall quality of trials was satisfactory with the meta-analyses
providing largely homogeneous outcomes. CONCLUSION: Eluxadoline's place in
clinical practice might prove useful since the pharmacological options of IBS-D
are limited and eluxadoline showed a positive effect in treating the symptoms of
IBS-D.
PMID- 28989283
TI - Abdominal pain and nausea in the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis in boys.
AB - OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the accuracy of gastrointestinal
symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, in the diagnosis of
Group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis in children and to determine differences
in diagnostic accuracy in boys versus girls. METHODS: This retrospective cross
sectional study included 5,755 consecutive patients aged <15 years with fever in
the electronic database at a primary care practice. Gastrointestinal symptoms
were recorded in the database according to the International Classification of
Primary Care codes, and the data were extracted electronically. The reference
standard was GAS pharyngitis diagnosed with a rapid test. Patients with a
clinical diagnosis of probable GAS pharyngitis were excluded from the primary
analysis. RESULTS: Among the 5,755 children with fever, 331 (5.8%) were coded as
having GAS pharyngitis, including 218 (65.9%) diagnosed with rapid tests and 113
(34.1%) clinically diagnosed with probable GAS pharyngitis. Among patients with
fever and abdominal pain, rapid-test-confirmed GAS pharyngitis was significantly
more common in boys (11/120, 9.2%) than in girls (3/128, 2.3%; p=0.026). The
positive likelihood ratio of abdominal pain was 1.49 (95% CI =0.88-2.51): 2.41
(95% CI =1.33-4.36) in boys and 0.63 (95% CI =0.20-1.94) in girls. The positive
likelihood ratio of nausea was 2.05 (95% CI =1.06-4.00): 2.74 (95% CI =1.28-5.86)
in boys and 1.09 (95% CI =0.27-4.42) in girls. The association between abdominal
pain and GAS pharyngitis was stronger in boys aged <6 years than in boys aged 6
15 years. CONCLUSION: Abdominal pain and nausea were associated with GAS
pharyngitis in boys, but not in girls. Abdominal pain and nausea may help
determine the suitability of rapid tests in younger boys with fever and other
clinical findings consistent with GAS pharyngitis, even in the absence of sore
throat.
PMID- 28989284
TI - An Exploration Into Short-Interval Maintenance of Adult Hemispheric Cortical
Thickness at an Individual Brain Level.
AB - Adult cerebral cortical structure is thought to be statically maintained over
short intervals. This view is based on group average findings but has never been
studied at the individual level. This issue was examined with an unconventional
longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging design which measured hemispheric mean
cortical thickness of an adult man repeatedly at week intervals over 6 months.
These measures were compared with measurement error estimates to test the current
prediction that thickness measures would be statically maintained within
measurement error variation. The results did not support this prediction.
Thickness underwent incremental and decremental fluctuations which ranged up to
0.12 mm and 5.83% over week and multiweek intervals and which differed from
measurement error variation. These exploratory analyses suggest a working
hypothesis that short-interval cortical structural maintenance in an individual
can involve fluctuations in thickness. If confirmed, this hypothesis has
potential implications for cortical maintenance mechanisms and precision medicine
approaches.
PMID- 28989285
TI - Unintended target effect of anti-BCL-2 DNAi.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Previous research suggested that a novel compound PNT2258 inhibits
B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) transcription by DNA interference (DNAi) and
demonstrated its activity in preclinical xenograft models and in a pilot Phase II
clinical trial in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). While the drug downregulates BCL
2 at the promoter, mRNA, and protein levels, there is a significant homology (13
16 bases) between PNT100 and a number of promoters of genes involved in cell
cycle regulation and survival. In this study, we identify cyclin-dependent kinase
4 (CDK4) as an unintended target gene of PNT2258 and examine its relevance to
NHL. METHODS: We performed a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) homology
search using PNT100 DNAi sequences. Also, we conducted CDK4 promoter assay in
K562 cells and studied the protein expression of CDK4 in Wayne State University
(WSU)-follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma (FSCCL), WSU-diffuse large cell
lymphoma, and WSU-Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) lymphoma cells. RESULTS:
BLAST homology search showed that PNT100 completely binds to BCL-2 gene as
expected. However, there was 100% homology in a stretch of 14 bases (8-21)
between PNT100 and CDK4. PNT2258 strongly inhibited CDK4 promoter activity in
K562 cells. Moreover, CDK4 protein expression was significantly downregulated by
PNT2258 in WSU-FSCCL and WSU-WM cell lines. DISCUSSION: DNAi may work not only
through knocking down the intended gene but also by knocking down other genes.
PNT2258 affects CDK4 expression and promoter activity. Results of the present
study suggest a broader mechanism of action for DNAi targeting both intended (BCL
2) and unintended (CDK4) genes.
PMID- 28989286
TI - Effect of late HIV diagnosis on HIV-related mortality among adults in general
hospitals of Central Zone Tigray, northern Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort
study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The global incidence of HIV infection is not significantly
decreasing, especially in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia.
Though there is availability and accessibility of free HIV services, people are
not being diagnosed early for HIV, and hence patients are still dying of HIV
related causes. This research is aimed at verifying the effect of late diagnosis
of HIV on HIV-related mortality in Central Zone Tigray, Ethiopia. METHODS: A
retrospective cohort study among adult (>=15 years old) HIV patients in three
general hospitals of Tigray was conducted. Record reviews were carried out
retrospectively from 2010 to 2015. Sample size was determined using stpower Cox
in Stata software. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 software and
transferred to Stata version 12 for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable
analyses were performed using Cox regression model to compare the HIV-related
mortality of exposed (cluster of differentiation 4 cells count <350 cells/mm3)
and nonexposed (>=350 cells/mm3) patients using adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) at
95% confidence interval (CI). RESULT: In all, 638 HIV patients were analyzed,
contributing 2,105.6 person-years. Forty-eight (7.5%) patients died of HIV
related causes with a mortality rate of 2.28 per 100 person-years. In the
multivariable Cox regression model, patients with late diagnosis of HIV had a
higher risk of mortality (AHR =3.22, 95% CI: 1.17-8.82) than patients with early
diagnosis of HIV. Rural residence (AHR =1.96, 95% CI: 1.05-3.68), unemployment
(AHR =2.70, 95% CI: 1.03-7.08), bedridden patients (AHR =2.98, 95% CI: 1.45
6.13), ambulatory patients (AHR =2.54, 95% CI: 1.05-6.15), and baseline
hemoglobin level of <11 mg/dL (AHR =3.06, 95% CI: 1.51-6.23) were other
independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Late
diagnosis of HIV increased HIV-related mortality. Rural residence, unemployment,
bedridden and ambulatory patients, and baseline hemoglobin level <11 mg/dL were
also independent predictors of HIV-related mortality.
PMID- 28989287
TI - Congenitally corrected transposition of great vessels with infundibular pulmonary
stenosis with ventricular septal defect, presenting with atypical
atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: a rare association.
AB - Congenitally corrected transposition of great vessels (CCTGV) is a rare
congenital heart disease (CHD) accounting for <1% of CHDs. CCTGV with
infundibular pulmonary stenosis (PS) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) is part
of Fallot's physiology. It is known to be associated with bradyarrhythmias like
atrioventricular (AV) blocks, and acquired complete AV block occurs at a rate of
2% per year. Patients can have left-sided accessory pathways, which may cause
atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT). Tachyarrhythmias like
atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) are very rare in such
patients. A 30-year-old woman, a known case of CCTGV with PS with VSD, not
corrected surgically and not on any drugs, presented with the syndrome of
paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia without hemodynamic compromise.
Electrocardiogram showed atypical AVNRT. She was pharmacologically cardioverted
to normal sinus rhythm with adenosine. CTGV with PS with VSD known to be
associated with AV blocks, and preexcitation can sometimes present with atypical
AVNRT.
PMID- 28989288
TI - A Family of Early English Oculists (1600-1751), With a Reappraisal of John Thomas
Woolhouse (1664-1733/1734).
AB - INTRODUCTION: John Thomas Woolhouse (1666-1733/1734), who practiced in Paris, was
part of a family with 5 generations of English oculists. Some historians have
derided him as a "charlatan" and have criticized him for adhering to the old
notion that a cataract was a membrane anterior to the lens. METHODS: We reviewed
treatises and digital records related to Woolhouse and his family and the
handwritten notes of his 1721 lecture series at the Royal Society of Medicine.
RESULTS: We have identified 5 generations of oculists in Woolhouse's family, by
the names of Atwood, Stepkins, Ivy, and Beaumont. Woolhouse taught students from
across Europe. He was one of the early proponents in Europe, inspired by Asian
medical practices, to perform paracentesis to release aqueous for a new condition
called hydrophthalmia. In Woolhouse's system, some of these cases probably
described angle-closure glaucoma. He was the first to attach the name glaucoma to
the palpably hard eye in 1707. He may also have been the first to teach that a
soft eye was unlikely to recover vision. Credit for these teachings has
traditionally gone to one of his students, Johannes Zacharias Platner, in 1745.
Some historians have stated that he proposed iridectomy as a theoretical
procedure, which was later performed by Cheselden. In fact, Woolhouse described
techniques he had performed which today would be called pupilloplasty,
synechiolysis, or pupillary membrane lysis. He was also a pioneer in
dacryocystectomy for chronic dacryocystitis and in congenital cataract surgery.
His writings from 1716 onward repeatedly (and correctly) stressed that most of
the patients with visual disorders required depression of the crystalline lens
(for what he called glaucoma), as opposed to removal of an anterior membrane
(which he called cataract). CONCLUSIONS: Woolhouse was a bold ophthalmic
innovator and teacher who made major contributions which have lasted to this day.
Although he did not admit it, he ultimately adopted much of the evolving
understanding of the nature of lens opacities. However, his stubborn refusal to
adopt the newer semantics has detracted from a full appreciation of his
contributions.
PMID- 28989290
TI - Feasibility of the Atlas Unicompartmental Knee System Load Absorber in Improving
Pain Relief and Function in Patients Needing Unloading of the Medial Compartment
of the Knee: 1-Year Follow-Up of a Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Arm Pilot
Study (PHANTOM High Flex Trial).
AB - In young patients with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA), surgical intervention may
not be desirable due to preferences to avoid bone cutting procedures, return to
high activity levels, and prolong implant survival. The Atlas Knee System was
designed to fill the gap between ineffective conservative treatments and invasive
surgery. This single-arm study included 26 patients, aged 25 to 65 years, who
completed 12 months of follow-up. All dimensions of the Knee injury and
Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Knee Society Score significantly improved from
baseline to 12 months. About 96.2% and 92.3% of patients experienced a ?20%
improvement in their KOOS pain and WOMAC pain scores, respectively, at 12 months.
This study highlights the potential benefit of a joint unloading device in the
management of young patients with medial knee OA. The trial is still ongoing and
another analysis is planned at 24 months.
PMID- 28989292
TI - Diffusion in Tube Dialyzer.
AB - Nowadays, kidney failure is a problem of many peoples in the world. We know that
the main function of kidney is maintaining the chemical quality of blood
particularly removing urea through urine. But when they malfunction, the
pathologic state known as uremia results in a condition in which the urea is
retained in the body. Failure of the kidney results in building up of harmful
wastes and excess fluids in the body. Kidney diseases (failures) can be due to
infections, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, and/or extensive use of
medication. The best form of treatment is the implantation of a healthy kidney
from a donor. However, this is often not possible due to the limited availability
of human organs. Chronic kidney failure requires the treatment using a tube
dialyzer called dialysis. Blood is taken out of the body and passes through a
special membrane that removes waste and extra fluids. The clean blood is then
returned to the body. The process is controlled by a dialysis machine (tube
dialyzer) which is equipped with a blood pump and monitoring systems to ensure
safety. So this article investigates the real application of mathematics
(diffusion) in medical science, and it also contains the mathematical formulation
and interpretation of tube dialyzer in relation to diffusion.
PMID- 28989289
TI - Epidemiology, diagnosis, and optimal management of glioma in adolescents and
young adults.
AB - Neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) are the most frequently encountered
solid tumors of childhood, but are less common in adolescents and young adults
(AYA), aged 15-39 years. Gliomas account for 29%-35% of the CNS tumors in AYA,
with approximately two-thirds being low-grade glioma (LGG) and the remaining
being high-grade glioma (HGG). We review the epidemiology, work-up, and
management of LGG and HGG, focusing on the particular issues faced by the AYA
population relative to pediatric and adult populations. Visual pathway glioma and
brainstem glioma, which represent unique clinical entities, are only briefly
discussed. As a general management approach for both LGG and HGG, maximal safe
resection should be attempted. AYA with LGG who undergo gross total resection
(GTR) may be safely observed. As age increases and the risk factors for
recurrence accumulate, adjuvant therapy should be more strongly considered with a
strong consideration of advanced radiation techniques such as proton beam therapy
to reduce long-term radiation-related toxicity. Recent results also suggest
survival advantage for adult patients with the use of adjuvant chemotherapy when
radiation is indicated. Whenever possible, AYA patients with HGG should be
enrolled in a clinical trial for the benefit of centralized genetic and molecular
prognostic review and best clinical care. Chemoradiation should be offered to all
World Health Organization grade IV patients with concurrent and adjuvant
chemotherapy after maximal safe resection. Younger adolescents with GTR of grade
III lesions may consider radiotherapy alone or sequential radiotherapy and
chemotherapy if unable to tolerate concurrent treatment. A more comprehensive
classification of gliomas integrating pathology and molecular data is emerging,
and this integrative strategy offers the potential to be more accurate and
reproducible in guiding diagnostic, prognostic, and management decisions.
PMID- 28989291
TI - Frontline Therapy for Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma by Stage and Prognostic Factors.
AB - Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable malignancy in early and advanced stages.
Most patients are diagnosed in their teens or twenties and are expected to live
decades beyond their treatment. Therefore, the toxicity of treatment must be
balanced with the goal of cure. Thus, treatment has been refined through
prognostic models and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT)
directed therapy. Stratification by prognostic models defines groups of patients
with favorable characteristics who may be treated with less intensive therapy
upfront, including fewer cycles of chemotherapy, lower doses of radiation, or
omission of radiation altogether. Alternatively, high-risk patients may be
assigned to a more aggressive initial approach. The modern use of interim PET-CT
allows further tailoring of treatment by response.
PMID- 28989293
TI - Internet use and its addiction level in medical students.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare the Internet addiction levels between male and female
medical students. METHODS: One hundred medical students (male: 50, female: 50)
aged 17-30 years were included in a cross-sectional study. A standardized
questionnaire was used to assess their Internet addiction level. Additionally, a
self-designed questionnaire was used to identify the various purposes of Internet
use among the students. The Internet addiction score (based on the Internet
Addiction Test) was compared between male and female students by using the Mann
Whitney U test (p<=0.05). After knowing their addiction level, we interviewed
students to know if Internet use had any bad/good impact on their life. RESULTS:
The Internet Addiction Test scores obtained by the students were in the range of
11-70. Out of 100 students, 21 (male: 13, female: 8) were found to be slightly
addicted to the Internet. The remaining 79 students were average online users.
There was no significant difference between male and female students in the
addiction level (score). However, males were more addicted than females. The
major use of Internet was to download and watch movies and songs and to
communicate with friends and family (76/100). Some students (24/100) used the
Internet to assess information that helped them in their educational and learning
activities. Some students mentioned that overuse of the Internet lead to
insufficient amounts of sleep and affected their concentration levels in the
classroom during lectures. CONCLUSION: Medical students are experiencing problems
due to Internet overuse. They experience poor academic progress and lack of
concentration while studying. The main use of the Internet was for entertainment
and to communicate with friends and family.
PMID- 28989294
TI - What are the educational and curriculum needs for emergency medical technicians
in Taiwan? A scoping review.
AB - PURPOSE: The development of emergency medical services (EMS) training in Taiwan
is in a transitional phase because of increasing demand for, and advancements in,
clinical skill sets. The aim of this study is to review the current literature to
compare the key factors of EMS training and education development in different
countries in order to provide a new curricula blueprint for the Taiwanese EMS
training system. METHOD: The method follows Arksey and O'Malley's six stages of
scoping review. RESULTS: Five databases were searched for relevant articles:
MEDLINE, EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database; Education Resources
Information Center, and Google Scholar. The initial search of five databases
produced 1,230 articles, of which title and abstract screening excluded 1,156
articles. The 74 remaining articles underwent a full-text screening process,
which further reduced the number of articles to 22. Researching references and
citations produced an additional 23 articles, national curriculum standards
produced a further six documents, and one article derived from emergency medical
technician (EMT) regulation in Taiwan. In total, 52 articles were included in the
study, categorized by competency and standards, EMT education and learning
environment, curriculum design, and teaching and learning method. CONCLUSION:
This study reviewed international EMS training and education literature and
documents to summarize the essential elements for developing an EMS education
system: for example, core competencies and standards, education environment,
curriculum design, and teaching and learning method. By connecting the essential
elements for developing an EMS education system, a blueprint for the Taiwanese
EMS education system can be identified. Analysis and study of the essential
elements will provide educators with clear direction in developing the EMS
education system in Taiwan.
PMID- 28989295
TI - Involving junior doctors in medical article publishing: is it an effective method
of teaching?
AB - BACKGROUND: Having peer-reviewed articles published in medical journals is
important for career progression in many medical specialties. Despite this, only
a minority of junior doctors have the skills in the area of medical article
publishing. The aim of this study was to assess junior doctors' views concerning
being involved in medical article publishing and whether they perceive
involvement as an effective method of teaching. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey
was administered to a convenience sample of doctors who had been involved in
medical article publishing. Questions concerned training and involvement in
publishing as junior doctors, effects on education and training, is it an
effective method of teaching and should publishing be part of their education and
training program. Questions used the 5-point Likert scale. Of the 39 doctors, 37
(94.9%) doctors responded. RESULTS: Only one-third of respondents agreed that
they had adequate training or involvement in medical article publishing during
their undergraduate medical training. Many (78.4%) agreed that it was difficult
to get published as a junior doctor. Publishing as a junior doctor improved
knowledge about publishing, understanding of the topic and interest in the field
of study for 92, 92 and 73% of respondents, respectively. Many (89%) agreed that
publishing made them eager to publish more. Most (76%) agreed that it was likely
to encourage interest in a postgraduate career in that field of study. A majority
(92%) felt that involvement in medical article publishing is an effective method
of teaching and it should be a part of the junior doctors' education and training
program. CONCLUSION: Junior doctors feel that involvement in medical article
publishing contributes to learning and education and is an effective method of
teaching. This supports the need to incorporate such training into the junior
doctors' education and training program.
PMID- 28989297
TI - New records for millipedes from southern Chile (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae;
Polyzoniida: Siphonotidae).
AB - BACKGROUND: Millipedes from 1983 collections by the author in southern Chile have
been identified and registered as specimen lots at the Queen Victoria Museum and
Art Gallery (QVMAG) in Launceston, Tasmania. NEW INFORMATION: Collection and
specimen data from the new QVMAG specimen lots have been archived in Darwin Core
format together with a KML file of occurrences. The 31 occurrence records in the
Darwin Core Archive list 13 millipede taxa from 16 sites in Llanquihue and Osorno
provinces, Chile.
PMID- 28989296
TI - Mystery mushroom malingerers: Megaselia marquezi Hartop et al. 2015 (Diptera:
Phoridae).
AB - A mysterious female phorid fly, known for many years to be associated with fungal
sporophores ("mushrooms") is identified as Megaselia marquezi Hartop et al. 2015.
Male and female flies were collected emerging from the fungus Psathyrella
candolleana (Fr.) Maire, and females were observed swarming over the sporophores.
PMID- 28989298
TI - Who will attack the competitors? How political parties resolve strategic and
collective action dilemmas in negative campaigning.
AB - Negative campaigning presents parties with a collective action problem. While
parties would prefer to have their competitors attacked, potential backlash
effects from negative messages mean that individual politicians typically lack
the incentives to carry out such attacks. We theorize that parties solve this
problem by implementing a division of labour that takes into account the
incentives of individual office holders, their availability for campaign
activity, and media relevance. Drawing on these arguments we expect that holders
of high public office and party leaders are less likely to issue attacks, leaving
the bulk of the 'dirty work' to be carried out by party floor leaders and general
secretaries. Examining almost 8000 press releases issued by over 600 individual
politicians during four election campaigns in Austria, we find strong support for
our theoretical expectations.
PMID- 28989299
TI - Transfection in perfused microfluidic cell culture devices: A case study.
AB - Automated microfluidic devices are a promising route towards a point-of-care
autologous cell therapy. The initial steps of induced pluripotent stem cell
(iPSC) derivation involve transfection and long term cell culture. Integration of
these steps would help reduce the cost and footprint of micro-scale devices with
applications in cell reprogramming or gene correction. Current examples of
transfection integration focus on maximising efficiency rather than viable long
term culture. Here we look for whole process compatibility by integrating
automated transfection with a perfused microfluidic device designed for
homogeneous culture conditions. The injection process was characterised using
fluorescein to establish a LabVIEW-based routine for user-defined automation.
Proof-of-concept is demonstrated by chemically transfecting a GFP plasmid into
mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Cells transfected in the device showed an
improvement in efficiency (34%, n = 3) compared with standard protocols (17.2%, n
= 3). This represents a first step towards microfluidic processing systems for
cell reprogramming or gene therapy.
PMID- 28989301
TI - Density of convex intersections and applications.
AB - In this paper, we address density properties of intersections of convex sets in
several function spaces. Using the concept of Gamma-convergence, it is shown in a
general framework, how these density issues naturally arise from the
regularization, discretization or dualization of constrained optimization
problems and from perturbed variational inequalities. A variety of density
results (and counterexamples) for pointwise constraints in Sobolev spaces are
presented and the corresponding regularity requirements on the upper bound are
identified. The results are further discussed in the context of finite-element
discretizations of sets associated with convex constraints. Finally, two
applications are provided, which include elasto-plasticity and image restoration
problems.
PMID- 28989300
TI - Study of Crystal Formation and Nitric Oxide (NO) Release Mechanism from S-Nitroso
N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP)-Doped CarboSil Polymer Composites for Potential
Antimicrobial Applications.
AB - Stable and long-term nitric oxide (NO) releasing polymeric materials have many
potential biomedical applications. Herein, we report the real-time observation of
the crystallization process of the NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine
(SNAP), within a thermoplastic silicone-polycarbonate-urethane biomedical
polymer, CarboSil 20 80A. It is demonstrated that the NO release rate from this
composite material is directly correlated with the surface area that the CarboSil
polymer film is exposed to when in contact with aqueous solution. The
decomposition of SNAP in solution (e.g. PBS, ethanol, THF, etc.) is a pseudo
first-order reaction proportional to the SNAP concentration. Further, catheters
fabricated with this novel NO releasing composite material are shown to exhibit
significant effects on preventing biofilm formation on catheter surface by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis grown in CDC bioreactor over 14
days, with a 2 and 3 log-unit reduction in number of live bacteria on their
surfaces, respectively. Therefore, the SNAP-CarboSil composite is a promising new
material to develop antimicrobial catheters, as well as other biomedical devices.
PMID- 28989302
TI - On the Keller-Rubinow model for Liesegang ring formation.
AB - We study the model of Keller & Rubinow (Keller & Rubinow 1981 J. Chem. Phys74,
5000-5007. (doi:10.1063/1.441752)) describing the formation of Liesegang rings
due to Ostwald's supersaturation mechanism. Keller and Rubinow provided an
approximate solution both for the growth and equilibration of the first band, and
also for the formation of secondary bands, based on a presumed asymptotic limit.
However, they did not provide a parametric basis for the assumptions in their
solution, nor did they provide any numerical corroboration, particularly of the
secondary band formation. Here, we provide a different asymptotic solution, based
on a specific parametric limit, and we show that the growth and subsequent
cessation of the first band can be explained. We also show that the model is
unable to explain the formation of finite width secondary bands, and we confirm
this result by numerical computation. We conclude that the model is not fully
posed, lacking a transition variable which can describe the hysteretic switch
across the nucleation threshold.
PMID- 28989303
TI - Bitwise efficiency in chaotic models.
AB - Motivated by the increasing energy consumption of supercomputing for weather and
climate simulations, we introduce a framework for investigating the bit-level
information efficiency of chaotic models. In comparison with previous
explorations of inexactness in climate modelling, the proposed and tested
information metric has three specific advantages: (i) it requires only a single
high-precision time series; (ii) information does not grow indefinitely for
decreasing time step; and (iii) information is more sensitive to the dynamics and
uncertainties of the model rather than to the implementation details. We
demonstrate the notion of bit-level information efficiency in two of Edward
Lorenz's prototypical chaotic models: Lorenz 1963 (L63) and Lorenz 1996 (L96).
Although L63 is typically integrated in 64-bit 'double' floating point precision,
we show that only 16 bits have significant information content, given an initial
condition uncertainty of approximately 1% of the size of the attractor. This
result is sensitive to the size of the uncertainty but not to the time step of
the model. We then apply the metric to the L96 model and find that a 16-bit
scaled integer model would suffice given the uncertainty of the unresolved sub
grid-scale dynamics. We then show that, by dedicating computational resources to
spatial resolution rather than numeric precision in a field programmable gate
array (FPGA), we see up to 28.6% improvement in forecast accuracy, an
approximately fivefold reduction in the number of logical computing elements
required and an approximately 10-fold reduction in energy consumed by the FPGA,
for the L96 model.
PMID- 28989304
TI - The problem of camouflaging via mirror reflections.
AB - This work is related to billiards and their applications in geometric optics. It
is known that perfectly invisible bodies with mirror surface do not exist. It is,
therefore, natural to search for bodies that are, in a sense, close to invisible.
We introduce a visibility index of a body measuring the mean angle of deviation
of incident light rays, and derive a lower estimate for this index. This estimate
is a function of the body's volume and of the minimal radius of a ball containing
the body. This result is far from being final and opens a possibility for further
research.
PMID- 28989305
TI - Fully localized post-buckling states of cylindrical shells under axial
compression.
AB - We compute nonlinear force equilibrium solutions for a clamped thin cylindrical
shell under axial compression. The equilibrium solutions are dynamically unstable
and located on the stability boundary of the unbuckled state. A fully localized
single dimple deformation is identified as the edge state-the attractor for the
dynamics restricted to the stability boundary. Under variation of the axial load,
the single dimple undergoes homoclinic snaking in the azimuthal direction,
creating states with multiple dimples arranged around the central circumference.
Once the circumference is completely filled with a ring of dimples, snaking in
the axial direction leads to further growth of the dimple pattern. These fully
nonlinear solutions embedded in the stability boundary of the unbuckled state
constitute critical shape deformations. The solutions may thus be a step towards
explaining when the buckling and subsequent collapse of an axially loaded
cylinder shell is triggered.
PMID- 28989306
TI - Meso-scale defect evaluation of selective laser melting using spatially resolved
acoustic spectroscopy.
AB - Developments in additive manufacturing technology are serving to expand the
potential applications. Critical developments are required in the supporting
areas of measurement and in process inspection to achieve this. CM247LC is a
nickel superalloy that is of interest for use in aerospace and civil power
plants. However, it is difficult to process via selective laser melting (SLM) as
it suffers from cracking during rapid cooling and solidification. This limits the
viability of CM247LC parts created using SLM. To quantify part integrity,
spatially resolved acoustic spectroscopy (SRAS) has been identified as a viable
non-destructive evaluation technique. In this study, a combination of optical
microscopy and SRAS was used to identify and classify the surface defects present
in SLM-produced parts. By analysing the datasets and scan trajectories, it is
possible to correlate morphological information with process parameters. Image
processing was used to quantify porosity and cracking for bulk density
measurement. Analysis of surface acoustic wave data showed that an error in
manufacture in the form of an overscan occurred. Comparing areas affected by
overscan with a bulk material, a change in defect density from 1.17% in the bulk
material to 5.32% in the overscan regions was observed, highlighting the need to
reduce overscan areas in manufacture.
PMID- 28989307
TI - The steady aerodynamics of aerofoils with porosity gradients.
AB - This theoretical study determines the aerodynamic loads on an aerofoil with a
prescribed porosity distribution in a steady incompressible flow. A Darcy
porosity condition on the aerofoil surface furnishes a Fredholm integral equation
for the pressure distribution, which is solved exactly and generally as a Riemann
Hilbert problem provided that the porosity distribution is Holder-continuous. The
Holder condition includes as a subset any continuously differentiable porosity
distributions that may be of practical interest. This formal restriction on the
analysis is examined by a class of differentiable porosity distributions that
approach a piecewise, discontinuous function in a certain parametric limit. The
Holder-continuous solution is verified in this limit against analytical results
for partially porous aerofoils in the literature. Finally, a comparison made
between the new theoretical predictions and experimental measurements of SD7003
aerofoils presented in the literature. Results from this analysis may be
integrated into a theoretical framework to optimize turbulence noise suppression
with minimal impact to aerodynamic performance.
PMID- 28989308
TI - Rate-based structural health monitoring using permanently installed sensors.
AB - Permanently installed sensors are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, facilitating
very frequent in situ measurements and consequently improved monitoring of
'trends' in the observed system behaviour. It is proposed that this newly
available data may be used to provide prior warning and forecasting of critical
events, particularly system failure. Numerous damage mechanisms are examples of
positive feedback; they are 'self-accelerating' with an increasing rate of damage
towards failure. The positive feedback leads to a common time-response behaviour
which may be described by an empirical relation allowing prediction of the time
to criticality. This study focuses on Structural Health Monitoring of engineering
components; failure times are projected well in advance of failure for fatigue,
creep crack growth and volumetric creep damage experiments. The proposed
methodology provides a widely applicable framework for using newly available near
continuous data from permanently installed sensors to predict time until failure
in a range of application areas including engineering, geophysics and medicine.
PMID- 28989309
TI - Singular diffusionless limits of double-diffusive instabilities in
magnetohydrodynamics.
AB - We study local instabilities of a differentially rotating viscous flow of
electrically conducting incompressible fluid subject to an external azimuthal
magnetic field. In the presence of the magnetic field, the hydrodynamically
stable flow can demonstrate non-axisymmetric azimuthal magnetorotational
instability (AMRI) both in the diffusionless case and in the double-diffusive
case with viscous and ohmic dissipation. Performing stability analysis of
amplitude transport equations of short-wavelength approximation, we find that the
threshold of the diffusionless AMRI via the Hamilton-Hopf bifurcation is a
singular limit of the thresholds of the viscous and resistive AMRI corresponding
to the dissipative Hopf bifurcation and manifests itself as the Whitney umbrella
singular point. A smooth transition between the two types of instabilities is
possible only if the magnetic Prandtl number is equal to unity, Pm=1. At a fixed
Pm?1, the threshold of the double-diffusive AMRI is displaced by finite distance
in the parameter space with respect to the diffusionless case even in the zero
dissipation limit. The complete neutral stability surface contains three Whitney
umbrella singular points and two mutually orthogonal intervals of self
intersection. At these singularities, the double-diffusive system reduces to a
marginally stable system which is either Hamiltonian or parity-time-symmetric.
PMID- 28989310
TI - Irreversible particle motion in surfactant-laden interfaces due to pressure
dependent surface viscosity.
AB - The surface shear viscosity of an insoluble surfactant monolayer often depends
strongly on its surface pressure. Here, we show that a particle moving within a
bounded monolayer breaks the kinematic reversibility of low-Reynolds-number
flows. The Lorentz reciprocal theorem allows such irreversibilities to be
computed without solving the full nonlinear equations, giving the leading-order
contribution of surface pressure-dependent surface viscosity. In particular, we
show that a disc translating or rotating near an interfacial boundary experiences
a force in the direction perpendicular to that boundary. In unbounded monolayers,
coupled modes of motion can also lead to non-intuitive trajectories, which we
illustrate using an interfacial analogue of the Magnus effect. This perturbative
approach can be extended to more complex geometries, and to two-dimensional
suspensions more generally.
PMID- 28989311
TI - Uncertainties in the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman source through nonlinear stochastic
inversion of tsunami waves.
AB - Numerical inversions for earthquake source parameters from tsunami wave data
usually incorporate subjective elements to stabilize the search. In addition,
noisy and possibly insufficient data result in instability and non-uniqueness in
most deterministic inversions, which are barely acknowledged. Here, we employ the
satellite altimetry data for the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman tsunami event to invert the
source parameters. We also include kinematic parameters that improve the
description of tsunami generation and propagation, especially near the source.
Using a finite fault model that represents the extent of rupture and the geometry
of the trench, we perform a new type of nonlinear joint inversion of the slips,
rupture velocities and rise times with minimal a priori constraints. Despite
persistently good waveform fits, large uncertainties in the joint parameter
distribution constitute a remarkable feature of the inversion. These
uncertainties suggest that objective inversion strategies should incorporate more
sophisticated physical models of seabed deformation in order to significantly
improve the performance of early warning systems.
PMID- 28989313
TI - On the topology of the Lorenz system.
AB - We present a new paradigm for three-dimensional chaos, and specifically for the
Lorenz equations. The main difficulty in these equations and for a generic flow
in dimension 3 is the existence of singularities. We show how to use knot theory
as a way to remove the singularities. Specifically, we claim: (i) for certain
parameters, the Lorenz system has an invariant one-dimensional curve, which is a
trefoil knot. The knot is a union of invariant manifolds of the singular points.
(ii) The flow is topologically equivalent to an Anosov flow on the complement of
this curve, and moreover to a geodesic flow. (iii) When varying the parameters,
the system exhibits topological phase transitions, i.e. for special parameter
values, it will be topologically equivalent to an Anosov flow on a knot
complement. Different knots appear for different parameter values and each knot
controls the dynamics at nearby parameters.
PMID- 28989312
TI - Accuracy of the hypothetical sky-polarimetric Viking navigation versus sky
conditions: revealing solar elevations and cloudinesses favourable for this
navigation method.
AB - According to Thorkild Ramskou's theory proposed in 1967, under overcast and foggy
skies, Viking seafarers might have used skylight polarization analysed with
special crystals called sunstones to determine the position of the invisible Sun.
After finding the occluded Sun with sunstones, its elevation angle had to be
measured and its shadow had to be projected onto the horizontal surface of a sun
compass. According to Ramskou's theory, these sunstones might have been
birefringent calcite or dichroic cordierite or tourmaline crystals working as
polarizers. It has frequently been claimed that this method might have been
suitable for navigation even in cloudy weather. This hypothesis has been accepted
and frequently cited for decades without any experimental support. In this work,
we determined the accuracy of this hypothetical sky-polarimetric Viking
navigation for 1080 different sky situations characterized by solar elevation
theta and cloudiness rho, the sky polarization patterns of which were measured by
full-sky imaging polarimetry. We used the earlier measured uncertainty functions
of the navigation steps 1, 2 and 3 for calcite, cordierite and tourmaline
sunstone crystals, respectively, and the newly measured uncertainty function of
step 4 presented here. As a result, we revealed the meteorological conditions
under which Vikings could have used this hypothetical navigation method. We
determined the solar elevations at which the navigation uncertainties are minimal
at summer solstice and spring equinox for all three sunstone types. On average,
calcite sunstone ensures a more accurate sky-polarimetric navigation than
tourmaline and cordierite. However, in some special cases (generally at 35
degrees <= theta <= 40 degrees , 1 okta <= rho <= 6 oktas for summer solstice,
and at 20 degrees <= theta <= 25 degrees , 0 okta <= rho <= 4 oktas for spring
equinox), the use of tourmaline and cordierite results in smaller navigation
uncertainties than that of calcite. Generally, under clear or less cloudy skies,
the sky-polarimetric navigation is more accurate, but at low solar elevations its
accuracy remains relatively large even at high cloudiness. For a given rho, the
absolute value of averaged peak North uncertainties dramatically decreases with
increasing theta until the sign (+/-) change of these uncertainties. For a given
theta, this absolute value can either decrease or increase with increasing rho.
The most advantageous sky situations for this navigation method are at summer
solstice when the solar elevation and cloudiness are 35 degrees <= theta <= 40
degrees and 2 oktas <= rho <= 3 oktas.
PMID- 28989314
TI - A priori estimation of memory effects in reduced-order models of nonlinear
systems using the Mori-Zwanzig formalism.
AB - Reduced models of nonlinear dynamical systems require closure, or the modelling
of the unresolved modes. The Mori-Zwanzig procedure can be used to derive
formally closed evolution equations for the resolved physics. In these equations,
the unclosed terms are recast as a memory integral involving the time history of
the resolved variables. While this procedure does not reduce the complexity of
the original system, these equations can serve as a mathematically consistent
basis to develop closures based on memory approximations. In this scenario,
knowledge of the memory kernel is paramount in assessing the validity of a memory
approximation. Unravelling the memory kernel requires solving the orthogonal
dynamics, which is a high-dimensional partial differential equation that is
intractable, in general. A method to estimate the memory kernel a priori, using
full-order solution snapshots, is proposed. The key idea is to solve a pseudo
orthogonal dynamics equation, which has a convenient Liouville form, instead.
This ersatz arises from the assumption that the semi-group of the orthogonal
dynamics is a composition operator for one observable. The method is exact for
linear systems. Numerical results on the Burgers and Kuramoto-Sivashinsky
equations demonstrate that the proposed technique can provide valuable
information about the memory kernel.
PMID- 28989316
TI - Stochastic partial differential fluid equations as a diffusive limit of
deterministic Lagrangian multi-time dynamics.
AB - In Holm (Holm 2015 Proc. R. Soc. A471, 20140963. (doi:10.1098/rspa.2014.0963)),
stochastic fluid equations were derived by employing a variational principle with
an assumed stochastic Lagrangian particle dynamics. Here we show that the same
stochastic Lagrangian dynamics naturally arises in a multi-scale decomposition of
the deterministic Lagrangian flow map into a slow large-scale mean and a rapidly
fluctuating small-scale map. We employ homogenization theory to derive effective
slow stochastic particle dynamics for the resolved mean part, thereby obtaining
stochastic fluid partial equations in the Eulerian formulation. To justify the
application of rigorous homogenization theory, we assume mildly chaotic fast
small-scale dynamics, as well as a centring condition. The latter requires that
the mean of the fluctuating deviations is small, when pulled back to the mean
flow.
PMID- 28989315
TI - On the differing growth mechanisms of black-smoker and Lost City-type
hydrothermal vents.
AB - Black smokers and Lost City-type springs are varieties of hydrothermal vents on
the ocean floors that emit hot, acidic water and cool, alkaline water,
respectively. While both produce precipitation structures as the issuing fluid
encounters oceanic water, Lost City-type hydrothermal vents in particular have
been implicated in the origin of life on the Earth. We present a parallel
velocity flow model for the radius and flow rate of a cylindrical jet of fluid
that forms the template for the growth of a tube precipitated about itself and we
compare the solution with previous laboratory experimental results from growth of
silicate chemical gardens. We show that when the growth of the solid structure is
determined by thermal diffusion, fluid flow is slow at the solid-liquid contact.
However, in the case of chemical diffusive transport, the fluid jet effectively
drags the liquid in the pores of the solid precipitate. These findings suggest a
continuum in the diffusive growth rate of hydrothermal vent structures, where
Lost City-type hydrothermal vents favour contact between the vent fluid and the
external seawater. We explore the implications for the road to life.
PMID- 28989317
TI - Can a quantum state over time resemble a quantum state at a single time?
AB - The standard formalism of quantum theory treats space and time in fundamentally
different ways. In particular, a composite system at a given time is represented
by a joint state, but the formalism does not prescribe a joint state for a
composite of systems at different times. If there were a way of defining such a
joint state, this would potentially permit a more even-handed treatment of space
and time, and would strengthen the existing analogy between quantum states and
classical probability distributions. Under the assumption that the joint state
over time is an operator on the tensor product of single-time Hilbert spaces, we
analyse various proposals for such a joint state, including one due to Leifer and
Spekkens, one due to Fitzsimons, Jones and Vedral, and another based on discrete
Wigner functions. Finding various problems with each, we identify five criteria
for a quantum joint state over time to satisfy if it is to play a role similar to
the standard joint state for a composite system: that it is a Hermitian operator
on the tensor product of the single-time Hilbert spaces; that it represents
probabilistic mixing appropriately; that it has the appropriate classical limit;
that it has the appropriate single-time marginals; that composing over multiple
time steps is associative. We show that no construction satisfies all these
requirements. If Hermiticity is dropped, then there is an essentially unique
construction that satisfies the remaining four criteria.
PMID- 28989318
TI - Cautionary tales on air-quality improvement in Beijing.
AB - The official air-quality statistic reported that Beijing had a 9.9% decline in
the annual concentration of PM2.5 in 2016. While this statistic offered some
relief for the inhabitants of the capital, we present several analyses based on
Beijing's PM2.5 data of the past 4 years at 36 monitoring sites along with
meteorological data of the past 7 years. The analyses reveal the air pollution
situation in 2016 was not as rosy as the 9.9% decline would convey, and
improvement if any was rather uncertain. The paper also provides an assessment on
the city's PM2.5 situation in the past 4 years.
PMID- 28989319
TI - Elastodynamic image forces on screw dislocations in the presence of phase
boundaries.
AB - The elastodynamic image forces acting on straight screw dislocations in the
presence of planar phase boundaries are derived. Two separate dislocations are
studied: (i) the injected, non-moving screw dislocation and (ii) the injected (or
pre-existing), generally non-uniformly moving screw dislocation. The image forces
are derived for both the case of a rigid surface and of a planar interface
between two homogeneous, isotropic phases. The case of a rigid interface is shown
to be solvable employing Head's image dislocation construction. The case of the
elastodynamic image force due to an interface is solved by deriving the reflected
wave's contribution to the global solution across the interface. This entails
obtaining the fundamental solution (Green's function) for a point unit force via
Cagniard's method, and then applying the convolution theorem for a screw
dislocation modelled as a force distribution. Complete, explicit formulae are
provided when available. It is shown that the elastodynamic image forces are
generally affected by retardation effects, and that those acting on the moving
dislocations display a dynamic magnification that exceed the attraction (or
repulsion) predicted in classical elastostatic calculations.
PMID- 28989320
TI - Nonparametric methods for doubly robust estimation of continuous treatment
effects.
AB - Continuous treatments (e.g., doses) arise often in practice, but many available
causal effect estimators are limited by either requiring parametric models for
the effect curve, or by not allowing doubly robust covariate adjustment. We
develop a novel kernel smoothing approach that requires only mild smoothness
assumptions on the effect curve, and still allows for misspecification of either
the treatment density or outcome regression. We derive asymptotic properties and
give a procedure for data-driven bandwidth selection. The methods are illustrated
via simulation and in a study of the effect of nurse staffing on hospital
readmissions penalties.
PMID- 28989321
TI - 'Because I've been extremely careful': HIV seroconversion, responsibility,
citizenship and the neo-liberal drug-using subject.
AB - In this article we examine how injection drug users who do not attribute their
HIV infection to engaging in HIV risk behaviours take up and critique discourses
of individual responsibility and citizenship relating to HIV risk and HIV
prevention. We draw on data from a study in Vancouver, Canada (2006 - 2009) in
which we interviewed individuals living with HIV who had a history of injection
drug use. In this paper we focus on 6 cases studies of participants who did not
attribute their HIV infection to engaging in HIV risk behaviours. We found that
in striving to present themselves as responsible HIV citizens who did not engage
in HIV risk behaviours, these participants drew on individually-focused HIV
prevention discourses. By identifying themselves in these ways, they were able to
present themselves as 'deserving' HIV citizens and avoid the blame associated
with being HIV positive. However, in rejecting the view that they and their risk
behaviours were to blame for their HIV infection and by developing an explanation
that drew on broader social, structural and historical factors, these individuals
were developing a tentative critique of the importance of individual
responsibility in HIV transmission as opposed to dangers of infection from the
socio-economic environment. By framing the risk of infection in environmental
rather than individual risk-behaviour terms these individuals redistributed
responsibility to reflect the social-structural realities of their lives. In this
article we reflect on the implications of these findings for public health
measures such as risk prevention messages. We note that it is important that such
messages are not restricted to individual risk prevention but also include a
focus of broader shared responsibilities of HIV.
PMID- 28989322
TI - Nonlocal teleparallel cosmology.
AB - Even though it is not possible to differentiate general relativity from
teleparallel gravity using classical experiments, it could be possible to
discriminate between them by quantum gravitational effects. These effects have
motivated the introduction of nonlocal deformations of general relativity, and
similar effects are also expected to occur in teleparallel gravity. Here, we
study nonlocal deformations of teleparallel gravity along with its cosmological
solutions. We observe that nonlocal teleparallel gravity (like nonlocal general
relativity) is consistent with the present cosmological data obtained by SNe Ia +
BAO + CC + [Formula: see text] observations. Along this track, future experiments
probing nonlocal effects could be used to test whether general relativity or
teleparallel gravity gives the most consistent picture of gravitational
interaction.
PMID- 28989324
TI - Positive and Negative Aspects of Relationship Quality and Unprotected Sex among
Young Women.
AB - The aim of this study was to examine both positive and negative aspects of
relationship quality in relation to condom use. Sexually active young women aged
14-18 years (n=111; 34% non-white) were recruited from community clinics and
schools in the Midwest USA and provided data via an online survey. The number of
unprotected sex acts in the past month with the most recent male partner was
regressed on relationship quality with that partner, adjusting for demographics
and other characteristics. Negative relationship quality was associated with a
greater number of unprotected sex acts among women reporting a low level of
positive relationship quality and among women taking hormonal/IUD contraception.
Positive relationship quality was associated with unprotected sex among women who
reported multiple partners in the past month. Both positive and negative aspects
of relationship quality may confer risk for unprotected sex. This risk appears
modified by patterns of contraceptive use and other sexual behaviours. Health
professionals may be more effective in promoting condom use if they ask questions
about both positive and negative aspects of young people's relationship quality
and tailor their conversations based on the responses received.
PMID- 28989325
TI - Contrast between Spain and the Netherlands in the hidden obstacles to re-entry
into the labour market due to a criminal record.
AB - This article aims at analysing the differences between European countries in the
obstacles ex-offenders face due to having a criminal record. First, a comparative
analytical framework is introduced that takes into account all the different
elements that can lead to exclusion from the labour market by the dissemination
of criminal record information. This model brings together social norms (macro
level), social actors (meso level) and individual choices (micro level) in the
same framework. Secondly, this model is used to compare the different impact of
having a criminal record in Spain and the Netherlands. This comparison highlights
three important findings: (1) the difference between norms of
transparency/privacy and inclusive/exclusive ideals, (2) the significant role of
social control agents, such as probation agencies and the ex-offenders' social
network, in shaping the opportunities that they have, and (3) self-exclusion
seems to be a key mechanism for understanding unsuccessful re-entry into the
labour market.
PMID- 28989323
TI - The relationship of sleep complaints risk factors with sleep phase, quality, and
quantity in Japanese workers.
AB - Numerous studies have determined that lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking,
snacking, etc.) and the bedroom environment can influence sleep. We developed a
new sleep scale-the 3-Dimensional Sleep Scale (3DSS)-which measures three
elements of sleep: phase, quality, and quantity. The purpose of this study is to
determine which risk factors of sleep complaints are associated with these sleep
elements. Data were obtained from 366 Japanese day workers (302 men and 64
women). Sleep condition was assessed with the 3DSS, and we also assessed various
habits within 2 h of going to bed, including smoking, drinking, snacking,
caffeine intake, mobile phone use, and working. We also asked about bedroom
environmental conditions (noise, lighting, and temperature and humidity).
Multivariate logistic regression analysis using the backward selection method
(likelihood ratio) was used, with 3DSS scores as the outcome (i.e., over or under
the cutoff). The results showed that smoking was associated with significantly
greater odds ratio [2.71 (1.65-4.44)] of disordered sleep phase, while lighting
as well as temperature and humidity led to greater odds [3.67 (1.55-8.68), 1.93
(1.20-3.11)] of poor sleep quality. Finally, only noise was significantly related
to greater odds [1.98 (1.13-3.46)] of low sleep quantity. These findings
indicated the various risk factors of sleep complaints could be associated with
different sleep elements. This might help in the effective treatment of sleep
complaints.
PMID- 28989326
TI - Developmental trajectories of offenders convicted of fraud: A follow-up to age 50
in a Dutch conviction cohort.
AB - This study describes the criminal careers of offenders convicted of fraud,
distinguishing different career dimensions such as intermittency, versatility and
specialization. Results indicate that most fraud offenders are versatile in the
sense that they also have significant criminal records for other serious
offending (that is, not fraud). At the same time they are also specialized in
fraud. When we examine developmental trajectories of serious offending and next
explore patterns of fraud for the groups identified, we find that offenders in
our sample represent a heterogeneous group and that the classic divide between
typical financial (for example, white-collar) offenders and common criminals does
not apply to the majority of our sample.
PMID- 28989327
TI - Beyond individualism: Is there a place for relational autonomy in clinical
practice and research?
AB - The dominant, individualistic understanding of autonomy that features in clinical
practice and research is underpinned by the idea that people are, in their ideal
form, independent, self-interested and rational gain-maximising decision-makers.
In recent decades, this paradigm has been challenged from various disciplinary
and intellectual directions. Proponents of 'relational autonomy' in particular
have argued that people's identities, needs, interests - and indeed autonomy -
are always also shaped by their relations to others. Yet, despite the pronounced
and nuanced critique directed at an individualistic understanding of autonomy,
this critique has had very little effect on ethical and legal instruments in
clinical practice and research so far. In this article, we use four case studies
to explore to what extent, if at all, relational autonomy can provide solutions
to ethical and practical problems in clinical practice and research. We conclude
that certain forms of relational autonomy can have a tangible and positive impact
on clinical practice and research. These solutions leave the ultimate decision to
the person most affected, but encourage and facilitate the consideration of this
person's care and responsibility for connected others.
PMID- 28989328
TI - NETWORK-BASED GENOME WIDE STUDY OF HIPPOCAMPAL IMAGING PHENOTYPE IN ALZHEIMER'S
DISEASE TO IDENTIFY FUNCTIONAL INTERACTION MODULES.
AB - Identification of functional modules from biological network is a promising
approach to enhance the statistical power of genome-wide association study (GWAS)
and improve biological interpretation for complex diseases. The precise functions
of genes are highly relevant to tissue context, while a majority of module
identification studies are based on tissue-free biological networks that lacks
phenotypic specificity. In this study, we propose a module identification method
that maps the GWAS results of an imaging phenotype onto the corresponding tissue
specific functional interaction network by applying a machine learning framework.
Ridge regression and support vector machine (SVM) models are constructed to re
prioritize GWAS results, followed by exploring hippocampus-relevant modules based
on top predictions using GWAS top findings. We also propose a GWAS top-neighbor
based module identification approach and compare it with Ridge and SVM based
approaches. Modules conserving both tissue specificity and GWAS discoveries are
identified, showing the promise of the proposal method for providing insight into
the mechanism of complex diseases.
PMID- 28989329
TI - Probability of an Autism Diagnosis by Gestational Age.
AB - Early preterm infants (EPT) (<33 6/7 weeks) are at increased risk for autism
spectrum disorders (ASDs) but prevalence estimates vary widely across studies.
Furthermore, there are very few studies addressing the association between late
preterm (LPT) births (34-36 6/7 weeks) and ASDs. To address the question of
whether LPT infants carry the same risk for ASDs as full-term infants, this study
aimed to estimate the relative probability of an ASD diagnosis using Bayes rule.
A retrospective cohort analysis of 406 children was undertaken to look at
gestational age, ASDs, and birth history. The application of Bayes rule was used,
given that there is not sufficient information about the joint probabilities
related to prematurity and autism. Using the estimated gestational age
proportions within ASD diagnosis, plus national estimates of ASDs, probabilities
for ASDs within a given gestational age were calculated. Among these 406 children
with ASDs, 6.7% were EPT and 10.6% were LPT. In comparison to full term, EPT
children are at 1.9 multiplicative increase in risk (95% CI [1.3, 2.5]). While
the probability of ASDs for LPT children was higher than that for term, the
estimated relative risk of the LPT infants was not statistically significant (95%
CI [0.9, 1.5]). EPT infants were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with
ASDs compared to their term peers. While the relative probability of ASD
diagnosis among children born LPT was not statistically significant in this
limited sample, the results indicate a possible elevated risk. A larger cohort is
needed to adequately estimate this risk.
PMID- 28989330
TI - Maternal and Neonatal Birth Factors Affecting the Age of ASD Diagnosis.
AB - Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) enables early intervention
that improves long term functioning of children with ASD but is often delayed
until age of school entry. Few studies have identified factors that affect timely
diagnosis. This study addressed how maternal education, race, age, marital status
as well as neonatal birth factors affect the age at which a child is diagnosed
with ASD. This study involved a retrospective analysis of 664 records of children
treated at one of the largest autism treatment centers in the United States from
March 1, 2009 to December 30, 2010. Logistic regression and Cox proportional
hazards regression were used to identify maternal and neonatal factors associated
with age of diagnosis. Infant gender, maternal race, marital status, and maternal
age were identified as significant factors for predicting the age of ASD
diagnosis. In the Cox proportional hazards regression model, only maternal race
and marital status were included. Median survival age till diagnosis of children
born to married mothers was 53.4 months compared to 57.8 months and 63.7 months
of children born to single and divorced or widowed mothers respectively. Median
survival age till diagnosis for children of African American mothers was 53.8
months compared to 57.2 months for children of Caucasian mothers. No
statistically significant difference of timing of ASD diagnosis was found for
children of varying gestational age. Children born to older or married mothers
and mothers of minority races were more likely to have an earlier ASD diagnosis.
No statistically significant differences in timing of ASD diagnosis were found
for children born at varying gestational ages. Identification of these factors
has the potential to inform public health outreach aimed at promoting timely ASD
diagnosis. This work could enhance clinical practice for timelier diagnoses of
ASD by supporting parents and clinicians around the world in identifying risk
factors beyond gender and SES and developing strategies to recognize earlier
signs of ASD and contribute to improved development outcomes in children with
ASD.
PMID- 28989331
TI - mixed messages about teen sex.
PMID- 28989332
TI - How do sex ratios in China influence marriage decisions and intra-household
resource allocation?
AB - This article examines how imbalanced sex ratios influence marriage decisions and
household bargaining. Using data from the 1982 Chinese census, the traditional
"availability ratio" is modified to reflect the degree to which men tend to marry
women from different cohorts. This ratio reflects the average tendency of men to
prefer women who are close in age to women who are several years younger than
them by weighting cohort sizes using the proportion of people in the population
who marry someone born in a different cohort. Given that men generally marry
younger women, this ratio varies independently of the size of one's own birth
cohort. Yet, the ratio fluctuates considerably across individuals, as the sizes
of birth cohorts in China vary across time and regions. This enables us to
examine how variability in such ratios may influence marriage decisions and
household bargaining. The findings suggest that women exercise greater bargaining
power once married. Results indicate that as women become scarcer in the marriage
market, they have healthier sons. Men also delay marriage, and consume less
tobacco and alcohol. This paper also highlights how sensitive findings may be to
using this modified weighted availability ratio rather than a traditional
unweighted availability ratio.
PMID- 28989333
TI - Nebulized Delivery of the MAPKAP Kinase 2 Peptide Inhibitor MMI-0100 Protects
Against Ischemia-Induced Systolic Dysfunction.
AB - Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results in systolic dysfunction, myocarditis
and fibrotic remodeling, which causes irreversible pathological remodeling of the
heart. Associated cell death and inflammation cause cytokine release, which
activates the p38 MAPK signaling pathway to propagate damaging signals via MAPKAP
kinase 2 (MK2). Previously we showed that intraperitoneal injection of a cell
permeable peptide inhibitor of MK2, MMI-0100, protects against fibrosis,
apoptosis and systolic dysfunction in a mouse model of AMI induced by left
anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. Here we tested a new route of
administration of MMI-0100: inhalation of nebulized peptide. When given within 30
min of AMI and daily for 2 weeks thereafter, both inhaled and injected MMI-0100
improved cardiac function as measured by conscious echocardiography. Limited
fibrosis was observed after 2 weeks by Massons trichrome staining, suggesting
that MMI-0100 protects the heart prior to the formation of significant fibrosis.
These results support a nebulized route of administration of MMI-0100 can protect
the myocardium from ischemic damage.
PMID- 28989334
TI - massPix: an R package for annotation and interpretation of mass spectrometry
imaging data for lipidomics.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) experiments result in complex multi
dimensional datasets, which require specialist data analysis tools. OBJECTIVES:
We have developed massPix-an R package for analysing and interpreting data from
MSI of lipids in tissue. METHODS: massPix produces single ion images, performs
multivariate statistics and provides putative lipid annotations based on accurate
mass matching against generated lipid libraries. RESULTS: Classification of
tissue regions with high spectral similarly can be carried out by principal
components analysis (PCA) or k-means clustering. CONCLUSION: massPix is an open
source tool for the analysis and statistical interpretation of MSI data, and is
particularly useful for lipidomics applications.
PMID- 28989335
TI - Estimation of metabolite networks with regard to a specific covariable:
applications to plant and human data.
AB - INTRODUCTION: In systems biology, where a main goal is acquiring knowledge of
biological systems, one of the challenges is inferring biochemical interactions
from different molecular entities such as metabolites. In this area, the
metabolome possesses a unique place for reflecting "true exposure" by being
sensitive to variation coming from genetics, time, and environmental stimuli.
While influenced by many different reactions, often the research interest needs
to be focused on variation coming from a certain source, i.e. a certain
covariable [Formula: see text]. OBJECTIVE: Here, we use network analysis methods
to recover a set of metabolite relationships, by finding metabolites sharing a
similar relation to [Formula: see text]. Metabolite values are based on
information coming from individuals' [Formula: see text] status which might
interact with other covariables. METHODS: Alternative to using the original
metabolite values, the total information is decomposed by utilizing a linear
regression model and the part relevant to [Formula: see text] is further used.
For two datasets, two different network estimation methods are considered. The
first is weighted gene co-expression network analysis based on correlation
coefficients. The second method is graphical LASSO based on partial correlations.
RESULTS: We observed that when using the parts related to the specific covariable
of interest, resulting estimated networks display higher interconnectedness.
Additionally, several groups of biologically associated metabolites (very large
density lipoproteins, lipoproteins, etc.) were identified in the human data
example. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates how information on the study design
can be incorporated to estimate metabolite networks. As a result, sets of
interconnected metabolites can be clustered together with respect to their
relation to a covariable of interest.
PMID- 28989336
TI - Surface-Initiated Polymerization with Poly(n-hexylisocyanate) to Covalently
Functionalize Silica Nanoparticles.
AB - New methods are needed for covalent functionalization of nanoparticles-surface
with organic polymer coronas to generate polymeric nanocomposite in a controlled
manner. Here we report the use of a surface-initiated polymerization approach,
mediated by titanium (IV) catalysis, to grow poly(n-hexylisocyanate) chains from
silica surface. Two pathways were used to generate the interfacing in these nano
hybrids. In the first one, the nanoparticles was "seeded" with SiCl4, followed by
reaction with 1,6-hexanediol to form hydroxyl groups attached directly to the
surface via O-Si-O bonding. In the second pathway, the nanoparticles were
initially exposed to a 9:1 mixture of trimethyl silyl chloride and chlorodimethyl
octenyl silane which was then followed by hydroboration of the double bonds, to
afford hydroxyl groups with a spatially controlled density and surface-attachment
via O-Si-C bonding. These functionalized surfaces were then activated with the
titanium tetrachloride catalyst. In our approach, thus surface tethered catalyst
provided the sites for n-hexyl isocyanate monomer insertion, to "build up" the
surface-grown polymer layers from the "bottom-up". A final end-capping, to seal
off the chain ends, was done via acetyl chloride. Compounds were characterized by
FT-IR, 1H-NMR, GC-MS, GPC, and thermogravimetric analyses.
PMID- 28989337
TI - Neuroendocrine Tumor-Targeted Upconversion Nanoparticle-Based Micelles for
Simultaneous NIR-Controlled Combination Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy,
and Fluorescence Imaging.
AB - Although neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are slow growing, they are frequently
metastatic at the time of discovery and no longer amenable to curative surgery,
emphasizing the need for the development of other treatments. In this study,
multifunctional upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based theranostic micelles are
developed for NET-targeted and near-infrared (NIR)-controlled combination
chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT), and bioimaging. The theranostic
micelle is formed by individual UCNP functionalized with light-sensitive
amphiphilic block copolymers poly(4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl methacrylate)
polyethylene glycol (PNBMA-PEG) and Rose Bengal (RB) photosensitizers. A
hydrophobic anticancer drug, AB3, is loaded into the micelles. The NIR-activated
UCNPs emit multiple luminescence bands, including UV, 540 nm, and 650 nm. The UV
peaks overlap with the absorption peak of photocleavable hydrophobic PNBMA
segments, triggering a rapid drug release due to the NIR-induced hydrophobic-to
hydrophilic transition of the micelle core and thus enabling NIR-controlled
chemotherapy. RB molecules are activated via luminescence resonance energy
transfer to generate 1O2 for NIR-induced PDT. Meanwhile, the 650 nm emission
allows for efficient fluorescence imaging. KE108, a true pansomatostatin
nonapeptide, as an NET-targeting ligand, drastically increases the tumoral uptake
of the micelles. Intravenously injected AB3-loaded UCNP-based micelles conjugated
with RB and KE108-enabling NET-targeted combination chemotherapy and PDT-induce
the best antitumor efficacy.
PMID- 28989338
TI - Chemical Sensing Systems that Utilize Soft Electronics on Thin Elastomeric
Substrates with Open Cellular Designs.
AB - A collection of materials and device architectures are introduced for thin,
stretchable arrays of ion sensors that mount on open cellular substrates to
facilitate solution exchange for use in biointegrated electronics. The results
include integration strategies and studies of fundamental characteristics in
chemical sensing and mechanical response. The latter involves experimental
measurements and theoretical simulations that establish important considerations
in the design of low modulus, stretchable properties in cellular substrates, and
in the realization of advanced capabilities in spatiotemporal mapping of
chemicals' gradients. As the chemical composition of extracellular fluids
contains valuable information related to biological function, the concepts
introduced here have potential utility across a range of skin- and internal-organ
integrated electronics where soft mechanics, fluidic permeability, and advanced
chemical sensing capabilities are key requirements.
PMID- 28989339
TI - Corrigendum: Clinical and Molecular Heterogeneity of RTEL1 Deficiency.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 449 in vol. 8, PMID: 28507545.].
PMID- 28989340
TI - On the implication of structural zeros as independent variables in regression
analysis: applications to alcohol research.
AB - In alcohol studies, drinking outcomes such as number of days of any alcohol
drinking (DAD) over a period of time do not precisely capture the differences
among subjects in a study population of interest. For example, the value of 0 on
DAD could mean that the subject was continually abstinent from drinking such as
lifetime abstainers or the subject was alcoholic, but happened not to use any
alcohol during the period of interest. In statistics, zeros of the first kind are
called structural zeros, to distinguish them from the sampling zeros of the
second type. As the example indicates, the structural and sampling zeros
represent two groups of subjects with quite different psychosocial outcomes. In
the literature on alcohol use, although many recent studies have begun to
explicitly account for the differences between the two types of zeros in modeling
drinking variables as a response, none has acknowledged the implications of the
different types of zeros when such modeling drinking variables are used as a
predictor. This paper serves as the first attempt to tackle the latter issue and
illustrate the importance of disentangling the structural and sampling zeros by
using simulated as well as real study data.
PMID- 28989341
TI - THE LONG-TERM DYNAMICS OF RACIAL/ETHNIC INEQUALITY IN NEIGHBORHOOD AIR POLLUTION
EXPOSURE, 1990-2009.
AB - Research examining racial/ethnic disparities in pollution exposure often relies
on cross-sectional data. These analyses are largely insensitive to exposure
trends and rarely account for broader contextual dynamics. To provide a more
comprehensive assessment of racial-environmental inequality over time, we combine
the 1990 to 2009 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) with
spatially- and temporally-resolved measures of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in respondents' neighborhoods, as well as
census data on the characteristics of respondents' metropolitan areas. Results
based on multilevel repeated measures models indicate that Blacks and Latinos
are, on average, more likely to be exposed to higher levels of NO2, PM2.5, and
PM10 than Whites. Despite nationwide declines in levels of pollution over time,
racial and ethnic disparities persist and cannot be fully explained by individual
, household-, or metropolitan-level factors.
PMID- 28989342
TI - Experimental Investigation on Minimum Frame Rate Requirements of High-Speed
Videoendoscopy for Clinical Voice Assessment.
AB - This study investigated the impact of high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) frame rates
on the assessment of nine clinically-relevant vocal-fold vibratory features.
Fourteen adult patients with voice disorder and 14 adult normal controls were
recorded using monochromatic rigid HSV at a rate of 16000 frames per second (fps)
and spatial resolution of 639*639 pixels. The 16000-fps data were downsampled to
16 other rate denominations. Using paired comparisons design, nine common
clinical vibratory features were visually compared between the downsampled and
the original images. Three raters reported the thresholds at which: (1) a
detectable difference between the two videos was first noticed, and (2)
differences between the two videos would result in a change of clinical rating.
Results indicated that glottal edge, mucosal wave magnitude and extent,
aperiodicity, contact and loss of contact of the vocal folds were the vibratory
features most sensitive to frame rate. Of these vibratory features, the glottal
edge was selected for further analysis, due to its higher rating reliability,
universal prevalence and consistent definition. Rates of 8000 fps were found to
be free from visually-perceivable feature degradation, and for rates of 5333 fps,
degradation was minimal. For rates of 4000 fps and higher, clinical assessments
of glottal edge were not affected. Rates of 2000 fps changed the clinical ratings
in over 16% of the samples, which could lead to inaccurate functional assessment.
PMID- 28989345
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989346
TI - Competences, conferences and contributions - making the vision a reality.
PMID- 28989343
TI - Multifunctional nanoscale strategies for enhancing and monitoring blood vessel
regeneration.
AB - Nanomedicine has great potential in biomedical applications, and specifically in
regenerative medicine and vascular tissue engineering. Designing nanometer-sized
therapeutic and diagnostic devices for tissue engineering applications is
critical because cells experience and respond to stimuli on this spatial scale.
For example, nanoscaffolds, including nanoscalestructured or nanoscale surface
modified vascular scaffolds, can influence cell alignment, adhesion, and
differentiation to promote better endothelization. Furthermore, nanoscale
contrast agents can be extended to the field of biomedical imaging to monitor and
track stem cells to better understand the process of neovascularization. In
addition, nanoscale systems capable of delivering biomolecules (e.g. peptides and
angiogenic genes/proteins) can influence cell behavior, function, and phenotype
to promote blood vessel regeneration. This review will focus on nanomedicine and
nanoscale strategies applied to vascular tissue engineering. In particular, some
of the latest research and potential applications pertaining to nanoscaffolds,
biomedical imaging and cell tracking using nanoscale contrast agents, and
nanodelivery systems of bioactive molecules applied to blood vessel regeneration
will be discussed. In addition, the overlap between these three areas and their
synergistic effects will be examined as related to vascular tissue engineering.
PMID- 28989347
TI - Infection Prevention 2013 - a potted overview.
PMID- 28989344
TI - The Role of Physical Activity Enjoyment on the Acute Mood Experience of Exercise
among Smokers with Elevated Depressive Symptoms.
AB - PROBLEM: Depressive symptoms are consistently shown to be related to poor smoking
cessation outcomes. Aerobic exercise is a potential treatment augmentation that,
given its antidepressant and mood enhancing effect, may bolster cessation
outcomes for smokers with elevated depressive symptoms. Lower enjoyment of
physical activity may inhibit the acute mood enhancing effects of aerobic
exercise. The current study investigated the associations between depressive
symptoms, physical activity enjoyment and the acute mood experience from exercise
among low-active smokers with elevated depressive symptoms. METHOD: Daily smokers
with elevated depressive symptoms (N=159; Mage = 45.1, SD = 10.79; 69.8% female)
were recruited for a randomized controlled exercise-based smoking cessation
trial. Participants self-reported levels of depressive symptoms, physical
activity enjoyment, and rated their mood experience (assessed as "mood" and
"anxiety") before and after a standardized aerobic exercise test. RESULTS:
Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that depressive symptom severity
accounted for significant unique variance in physical activity enjoyment (R2
=.041, t = -2.61, p = .010), beyond the non-significant effects of gender and
level of tobacco dependence. Additionally, physical activity enjoyment was a
significant mediator of the association between depressive symptom severity and
acute mood experience ("mood" and "anxiety") following the exercise test.
CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity enjoyment may explain, at least in part, how
depressive symptom severity is linked to the acute mood experience following a
bout of activity. Interventions that target increasing physical activity
enjoyment may ultimately assist in enhancing the mood experience from exercise,
and therefore improve smoking cessation likelihood, especially for smokers with
elevated depressive symptoms.
PMID- 28989348
TI - The outcome competency framework for practitioners in infection prevention and
control: use of the outcome logic model for evaluation.
AB - Healthcare is delivered in a dynamic environment with frequent changes in
populations, methods, equipment and settings. Infection prevention and control
practitioners (IPCPs) must ensure that they are competent in addressing the
challenges they face and are equipped to develop infection prevention and control
(IPC) services in line with a changing world of healthcare provision. A
multifaceted Framework was developed to assist IPCPs to enhance competence at an
individual, team and organisational level to enable quality performance and
improved quality of care. However, if these aspirations are to be met, it is
vital that competency frameworks are fit for purpose or they risk being ignored.
The aim of this unique study was to evaluate short and medium term outcomes as
set out in the Outcome Logic Model to assist with the evaluation of the impact
and success of the Framework. This study found that while the Framework is being
used effectively in some areas, it is not being used as much or in the ways that
were anticipated. The findings will enable future work on revision, communication
and dissemination, and will provide intelligence to those initiating education
and training in the utilisation of the competences.
PMID- 28989349
TI - An exploration of NHS staff views on tuberculosis service delivery in Scottish
NHS boards.
AB - Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease and major worldwide killer with an
increased UK incidence rate. This study aimed to explore the views of National
Health Service (NHS) staff on TB service delivery models of care in NHS boards
across Scotland. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 nurse
specialists and five consultants in public health medicine (CPHM) across five
Scottish NHS boards. Five main themes emerged and findings showed that: directly
observed treatment (DOT) was provided only to patients assessed to be at high
risk of poor treatment adherence; contact tracing was conducted by participating
NHS boards but screening at ports was thought to be weak; all NHS boards
implemented TB awareness campaigns for TB health professionals; three NHS boards
conducted team meetings that monitored TB patient progress; participants believed
that TB funding should be increased; contact tracing was routinely conducted by
TB nurses. Improved TB screening at airports was recommended and a need for TB
health education for high risk groups was identified.
PMID- 28989351
TI - Outbreak Column 12: Nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus outbreaks (part 1).
PMID- 28989353
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989350
TI - Can measuring environmental cleanliness using ATP aid in the monitoring of wards
with periods of increased incidence of Clostridium difficile?
AB - Management of periods of increased incidence of Clostridium difficile (PIIs) on a
ward have become multi-factorial and involve isolation of patients, typing of the
isolates, antibiotic audit and a weekly environmental audit completed until three
consecutive weekly passes are obtained. The aim of this study was to establish if
monitoring the environment using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) could aid in
reducing the length of time the wards remained on the weekly environmental audit.
Secondly, it was to establish if certain pieces of equipment had continually high
ATP scores requiring wider interventions. The study took place across three
hospital sites covered by one infection control team over a 22 month period.
There were three study periods, with the only difference being that ATP
monitoring was conducted during period B. There was a difference in the length of
time the wards remained on the audit between the first period and the ATP period;
however this decrease was sustained in the third period when ATP monitoring
ceased. There was an increase in the percentage of sites achieving a pass with
ATP week on week. ATP monitoring provided the staff with non-subjective results
and immediate feedback that facilitated discussions about cleaning regimes. ATP
monitoring was a useful adjunct to environmental audits.
PMID- 28989354
TI - Doing the right things well.
PMID- 28989355
TI - Screening haematology patients for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.
AB - Following a cluster of haematology patients with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella
pneumoniae (CRKP) septicaemia, we initiated screening for rectal carriage of CRKP
and multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae (MDRKP) in this patient group. Haematology
inpatients submit a rectal swab once weekly. When plated onto chromogenic
BrillianceTM UTI Agar (Oxoid), and incubated overnight with a 10 ug ertapenem
disc (Oxoid), K. pneumoniae is identified and semi-automated antibiotic
susceptibility testing is performed using the Vitek 2 analyser (Biomerieux). When
no zone of inhibition occurs, immediate intervention through patient isolation
and enhanced environmental cleaning can be instigated to control further spread
while empirical antibiotic prescribing is adapted to take account of identified
resistances. Over 2 years, six patients with CRKP and 20 patients with MDRKP were
identified. These isolates were resistant to first-line empirical treatment
choices for neutropenic sepsis and presented a clinical risk of treatment failure
for sepsis post cytotoxic chemotherapy. We describe how this rectal screening
methodology was developed and how the results influenced appropriate antibiotic
prescribing, patient placement in single rooms and the cleaning of the ward
environment to prevent person-to-person transmission of MDRKP and CRKP.
PMID- 28989356
TI - Knowledge regarding assessment of sepsis among Greek nurses.
AB - The aim of the present survey was to evaluate nurses' knowledge regarding sepsis
in Greece. A total of 835 registered nurses (125 males/710 females) from tertiary
hospitals in Greece were interviewed from April 2008 to December 2009. All
participants completed a self-completed questionnaire about assessment of sepsis
(see Figure 1). Basic demographic information was recorded. The protocol and
questionnaire were approved by the Ethics Committees of participating hospitals.
The majority of the participants answered correctly regarding awareness of
systemic inflammation - 83.5% regarding the role of temperature in the definition
of systemic inflammation; 81.3% regarding the importance of white blood cell
count; and 49.9% and 46.3% regarding the role of tachycardia and tachypnoea,
respectively. The same pattern was observed regarding the answers about the
assessment of sepsis - 79.4% of the nurses answered correctly about the role of
blood pressure; 70.9% about the role of urine volume; and 43.5% about the
importance of oxygen saturation. Finally, 57.2% of the participants confirmed
that in practice they followed the current guidelines for the diagnosis and
treatment of patients with sepsis. The study has established baseline data with
which future studies can be compared.
PMID- 28989357
TI - Infection prevention and control self-audit: just a tick box exercise?
AB - The National Health Service (NHS) in England continues to experience ongoing
change in order to complete the transition to the new delivery system outlined in
Liberating the NHS (Department of Health, 2010a). Treating and caring for
patients in a safe environment and protecting them from acquiring avoidable
infections remains a high priority and a central quality improvement component
within the outcome Indicator set for 2013/14 (NHS Commissioning Board, 2012a).
Infection prevention and control practitioners will be required to use a range of
innovative quality improvement strategies to facilitate engagement with
clinicians and meet the challenges that lie ahead for the NHS. The purpose of
this paper is to report on the implementation of an infection prevention and
control self-audit (IPCSA) project within general practice. The aim of the
project was to empower practice staff to become actively involved with an
infection prevention and control (IPC) audit in order to support the development
of an IPC quality improvement culture within general practice teams. The paper
outlines the methodology used to implement self-audit. The findings suggest that
IPCSA can be used as an effective alternative to an IPC nurse-led infection
prevention and control audit.
PMID- 28989358
TI - Outbreak Column 13: Nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus outbreaks (part 2 -
guidelines).
PMID- 28989360
TI - Guest Editorial.
PMID- 28989361
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989362
TI - A personal experience of care and the lack of it.
PMID- 28989363
TI - Patient perspective: is hand hygiene really the most important thing we do?
PMID- 28989364
TI - Implementation of a patient-held urinary catheter passport to improve catheter
management, by prompting for early removal and enhancing patient compliance.
AB - Over the past few years a number of strategic initiatives to improve catheter
management and reduce associated infections have been introduced. This paper
details the introduction of a patient-held catheter passport and an improved
documentation record using the PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) cycle of change
implementation in one large acute National Health Service (NHS) trust and local
health economy (NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, 2008).
PMID- 28989365
TI - Educational innovation for infection control in Tanzania: bridging the policy to
practice gap.
AB - The incidence of hospital acquired infection in developing countries is between
two to 20 times higher than in developed countries and is attributable to
multiple causes. Evidence-based international policies and guidelines developed
to improve infection prevention and control are often not used in practice in
these countries. To combat this challenge, this article presents an innovative
educational framework used to bridge the gap between policy written by global
health agencies and the realities of practice in Tanzania.
PMID- 28989366
TI - Do ward and department managers know their responsibilities in relation to the
management of sharps, and is this reflected in the way that they practise sharps
management?
AB - Needlestick injuries (NSIs) involving hollowbore needles are the most commonly
reported occupational exposure within the healthcare sector in the United Kingdom
(HPA, 2012). It is estimated that at least 100,000 NSIs occur each year but due
to under-reporting the figure may be much higher (RCN, 2008). Many strategies
aimed at preventing NSIs have been implemented in the healthcare environment,
including administrative controls, safer work practices and engineering controls,
but despite these measures NSIs remain a serious health and safety threat (EU,
2010). New legislation has now been introduced as part of EU Directive
2010/32/EU, which requires UK and all EU member states to bring into force
regulations, laws and administrative provisions to further protect healthcare
workers from sustaining NSIs (EU Directive, 2010). The aim of this study was to
determine the degree of responsibility that NHS ward/department managers felt
they have in relation to the prevention and management of NSIs and if this was
reflected in the way that they carry out relevant practices in their clinical
environment. The study also aimed to identify factors which might impact on the
ward/department managers' ability to manage sharps effectively. The study found
that although ward/department managers did acknowledge a high degree of
responsibility overall for the prevention and management of NSIs, there were some
concerns highlighted in relation to certain practices. These included not
ensuring that all staff had received up to date training on the safe use and
disposal of sharps and not disseminating information on NSI incidences and
outcomes to staff in their clinical areas. The findings of this study have the
potential to inform and enhance future training and education schedules that
relate to NSI prevention and management and to improve the corporate strategic
commitment to reducing NSIs across healthcare organisations.
PMID- 28989369
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989367
TI - Identification and control of a gentamicin resistant, meticillin susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus outbreak on a neonatal unit.
AB - We describe the identification and control of an outbreak of gentamicin
resistant, meticillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (GR-MSSA) on a 36-bed
neonatal unit (NNU) in London. Control measures included admission and weekly
screening for GR-MSSA, cohorting affected babies, environmental and staff
screening, hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) for terminal disinfection of cohort
rooms, and reinforcement of hand hygiene. Seventeen babies were affected by the
outbreak strain over ten months; seven were infected and ten were asymptomatic
carriers. The outbreak strain was gentamicin resistant and all isolates were
indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The outbreak strains
spread rapidly and were associated with a high rate of bacteraemia (35% of 17
affected patients had bacteraemia vs. 10% of 284 patients with MSSA prior to the
outbreak, p=0.007). None of 113 staff members tested were colonised with GR-MSSA.
GR-MSSA was recovered from 11.5% of 87 environmental surfaces in cohort rooms,
7.1% of 28 communal surfaces and 4.1% of 74 surfaces after conventional terminal
disinfection. None of 64 surfaces sampled after HPV decontamination yielded GR
MSSA. Recovery of GR-MSSA from two high level sites suggested that the organism
could have been transmitted via air. Occasional breakdown in hand hygiene
compliance and contaminated environmental surfaces probably contributed to
transmission.
PMID- 28989370
TI - Editorial: From evidence into practice.
PMID- 28989372
TI - Implementing a ward accreditation programme to drive improvements in infection
prevention.
AB - University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust aspires to be a national
leader in the reduction of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). The need to
further improve patient safety requires continual improvements in infection
control practice in order to sustain high quality and safe patient care. To help
achieve this, an infection prevention ward accreditation scheme was introduced
across the trust in 2009. The accreditation scheme was initially based on the
results of clinical wards'/areas' infection prevention audits, aiming to motivate
wards to achieve success and support areas to identify and address gaps in
compliance. The ward accreditation scheme acts as a certification of best
practice and policy compliance related to reducing HCAIs. Since its introduction
four years ago, the ward accreditation programme has been expanded and developed
to incorporate other elements of infection prevention policy and practice and
continues to be developed in order to drive the trust forward as leaders in
infection prevention. The introduction and ongoing development of the
accreditation scheme has encouraged healthy competition, aiding local ownership
and driving forward improvements, and with this, the trust has significantly
reduced infection rates over the last four years.
PMID- 28989371
TI - Point prevalence survey of urinary catheterisation in care homes and where they
were inserted, 2012.
AB - The extent to which the use of catheter care bundles and other interventions has
led to a reduction in urinary catheterisation rates is unknown. We aimed to
determine current urinary catheterisation rates in care homes with residents over
65 years old, and determine the extent to which residents are discharged from the
hospital setting with urinary catheters. A point prevalence questionnaire survey
was used in care homes that looked after residents over 65 years in six UK health
boards or primary care trusts, to determine urinary catheterisation rates, and
where these catheters were inserted. Questionnaires for 445 of 461 care homes
(96.5%) were completed, 425 of 445 care homes cared for residents over 65 years;
888 (6.9%) of 12,827 residents had a urethral (82.5%) or supra-pubic (17.5%)
urinary catheter. Over half of all catheters (both urethral and suprapubic,
57.4%, 509 of 888 catheters), and 3.1% of all residents had a catheter inserted
while the residents were hospital inpatients, and then discharged back to the
care home still catheterised. There was a significant variation in urinary
catheterisation rates in the care homes surveyed, and rates remain similar to
previous English surveys in 2003 and 2009. More still needs to be done to
understand the variation in urinary catheterisation rates in care homes and
reduce these rates, including the numbers of residents that are discharged from
hospital with a urinary catheter.
PMID- 28989373
TI - Physical space and its impact on waste management in the neonatal care setting.
AB - This paper reports an investigation intended to obtain some understanding of how
the working environment might influence the practice and knowledge of those
involved in the management of healthcare waste. The National Health Service (NHS)
has a continuing waste problem, and the way it manages waste harms the
environment and consumes resources. It has been estimated that the carbon
footprint of the NHS in England is approximately 20 million tons of CO2e. It has
been suggested that better waste segregation could lead to more effective
recycling, saving up to 42,000 tonnes of CO2. This qualitative study employed non
participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The interviews were
carried out with the key informants within the participating neonatal intensive
care unit. Findings from this study indicate that space and the physical
arrangement of the environment are significant and influential factors in
clinical practice. Where the clinical environment is not supportive, poor
infection control and waste management practice is likely to occur. However,
proximity of staff caused by a lack of physical space might facilitate situated
learning and a collective development of knowledge in practice. The
implementation of sustainable waste management practices would be more likely to
succeed in an environment that facilitates correct waste segregation.
PMID- 28989374
TI - Impact of a central venous line care bundle on rates of central line associated
blood stream infection (CLABSI) in hospitalised children.
AB - Central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) reduction programmes in
hospitalised children have been focused in the intensive care setting and little
data is available on the efficacy and cost effectiveness of such programmes in
other clinical areas. Prospective monitoring of hospital acquired CLABSI rates in
all clinical areas was performed at Alder Hey Children's Hospital for a period of
three years following the implementation of a central venous line (CVL) care
bundle. We observed a decrease in CLABSI rates from 220 in the first year
following intervention to 108 per 100,000 patient days (p=0.002) in the third
year of the study, demonstrating a decrease of over 50% in CLABSI rates. Blood
culture contamination rates were also significantly reduced. The introduction of
a CVL care bundle produced a significant, sustainable reduction in hospital
acquired CLABSI rates in a children's hospital setting.
PMID- 28989375
TI - An observational study of hand hygiene adherence following the introduction of an
education intervention.
AB - Hand hygiene adherence needs to be increased and sustained in order to prevent
and reduce healthcare associated infections. We implemented an educational
intervention and observed the adherence of healthcare workers, patients and
visitors over 24 hour periods at four observation points. For healthcare workers
a total of 2,294 opportunities were observed and for patients and visitors, a
total of 597 opportunities were observed. Healthcare worker adherence increased
following the introduction of the educational intervention, with 53.0% (282/532)
adherence at baseline (observation point 1), and was sustained varying between
67.7% and 70.8% in the post-intervention points (p=0.0007). The greatest increase
in adherence was observed between baseline and the observation point 2. Adherence
varied according to type of opportunity (p<0.0001) with the lowest level of
adherence observed after contact with patient surroundings, however there was no
obvious trend across the observation points. There was an interaction between
point of study and ward (p=0.0001). For patients and visitors, adherence did
differ according to the point of study (p=0.0074) with adherence prior to the
intervention being 49.1% and then ranging from 43.5-61.8%. We suggest that future
educational interventions should be implemented as this study implies that there
is potential for increased and sustained adherence to hand hygiene protocols.
PMID- 28989376
TI - Outbreak column 14: Staphylococcus aureus - new outbreaks of old infections.
PMID- 28989378
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989379
TI - Sepsis and the impact of life-threatening infection - working together to make an
impact.
PMID- 28989380
TI - Are your IPC policies fit for purpose?
AB - Infection prevention and control practitioners are well versed in protecting
patients from harm. Recent political, public and media attention about unsafe
organisations has brought doubts into many minds as to the safety of our
healthcare services. Infection prevention and control policies are the mainstay
in ensuring compliance with best evidence-based practices, but with many mergers
of community and secondary care infection prevention and control teams, policies
have to be reviewed and revised to ensure they meet both organisational and
patient/employer safety needs. This paper reflects contemporary literature around
policy development. It will discuss how to develop, implement and evaluate
comprehensive policies that will fit the needs of organisations while protecting
their population of employees and patients.
PMID- 28989381
TI - Sharps injury reduction: a six-year, three-phase study comparing use of a small
patient-room sharps disposal container with a larger engineered container.
AB - A 350-bed Sydney hospital noted excessive container-associated sharps injuries
(CASI) using small sharps containers and compared the effect from 2004 to 2010 of
using a larger container engineered to reduce CASI. In Phase 1 (Ph1), disposable
1.4L containers (BD Australia) were carried to/from patients' rooms. In Phase 2
(Ph2), this stopped and a safety-engineered 32L reusable container (the Device;
Sharpsmart, SteriHealth) was mounted in medication stations only and sharps were
carried to and from patient rooms using kidney dishes. In Phase 3 (Ph3), the
Device was wall-mounted in patient rooms. Sharps injuries were categorised as
'during-procedure', 'after-procedure but before disposal', 'CASI', and 'improper
disposal SI'. Disposal-related SI comprised CASI plus improper-disposal SI.
Injuries per 100 full-time-equivalent staff were analysed using Chi2; p <= 0.05;
and relative risk and 95% confidence limits were calculated. In Ph1 (small
containers) 19.4% of SI were CASI and transport injuries were zero. In Ph2
(Device in medication station) CASI fell 94.9% (p <0.001); Disposal-related SI
fell 71.1% (p=0.002) but transport injuries rose significantly. In Ph3 (Device in
patient room) zero CASI occurred (p<0.001); Disposal-related SI fell 83.1%
(p=0.001). Recapping SI fell 85.1% (p=0.01) with the Device. The Device's volume,
large aperture, passive overfill-protection and close-at-hand siting are
postulated as SI reduction factors.
PMID- 28989382
TI - An audit of neonatal and infant hepatitis B immunisation and serological testing
in two counties of England, 2007-12.
AB - We audited adherence to national hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunisation policy for
neonates and infants born to HBV positive mothers in two counties of England
during 2007/08 to 2011/12 (n=112 in County X, n=190 in County Y). Over the five
year period, 29.9% of at risk neonates in County X and 23.5% in County Y required
hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) at birth. The annual median age of HBIG
administration was 0.0-0.5 days. The annual median coverage and timeliness of the
first (coverage range 92.3-100.0%; age of administration range 0.0-0.0 days),
second (83.8-100.0%; 32.0-42.0 days), third (81.1-100.0%; 62.0-81.0 days) and
fourth dose HBV immunisations (44.4-91.9%; 378.0-443.0 days) and serological
testing (8.6-81.0%; 450.0-707.0 days) were calculated. Statistically significant
variation was found in the coverage of third and fourth dose immunisations in
County Y, age of fourth dose immunisation in County X, and the coverage and
timeliness of serological testing in both counties (p < 0.05). HBIG and the first
three HBV immunisations were commonly administered according to the national
schedule. Fourth dose immunisations and serological tests showed poor adherence.
We advocate public health interventions to improve immunisation programme
outcomes and hepatitis B surface antigen testing.
PMID- 28989383
TI - A pilot observational study of hydrogen peroxide and alcohol for disinfection of
privacy curtains contaminated by MRSA, VRE and Clostridium difficile.
AB - Privacy curtains, frequently used in hospitals to separate patient care areas may
have an important role in the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens. In
this pilot study, we inoculated curtain swatches with suspensions of clinical
specimens of meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin
resistant enterococcus (VRE), and Clostridium difficile before using a gloved
hand to touch the inoculated curtain swatch and transfer to clean agar plates.
Three different commonly used disinfectants were then sprayed onto these swatches
before using a clean gloved hand to touch the swatch and transfer onto new agar
plates. All plates were incubated at 35 degrees C for 24 and 72 h. Bacterial
growth before and after disinfection was assessed and compared. 3.1% hydrogen
peroxide effectively eliminated transfer of C. difficile, MRSA and VRE from
inoculated curtains.
PMID- 28989386
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989387
TI - Antibiotic Guardianship.
PMID- 28989384
TI - Outbreak Column 15: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
PMID- 28989388
TI - Review of technologies available to improve hand hygiene compliance - are they
fit for purpose?
AB - Hand hygiene has been empirically proven to prevent cross-transmission of
infection, which has led to the development of global guidelines such as the
World Health Organization's 'My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene.' Because of the
relatively recent launch of these guidelines (2009) technology designed to assist
in measuring hand hygiene compliance appears not to fully acknowledge the
influence of the WHO 5 Moments for hand hygiene Consequently, they may not be fit
for purpose (FFP). This paper uses a review of the literature on current hand
hygiene technology to assess the extent to which these are FFP based on these
global guidelines. The results show that there are a variety of technologies
available to assist with the monitoring and measurement of hand hygiene levels.
However, none appear to explicitly achieve detection of all WHO 5 Moments for
hand hygiene, limiting their effectiveness. The authors conclude that a systems
approach offers a potential aid for developers aspiring to meet domain specific
FFP requirements. Human factors may help guide such developments to meet user and
context specific needs.
PMID- 28989389
TI - Vaccine-preventable disease susceptibility in a British paediatric assessment
unit.
AB - Aims: To evaluate practice within a paediatric secondary-care centre before and
after introduction of simple interventions to improve identification of under
immunised children and facilitate catch-up immunisations. Methods: The population
based child health database was used to check immunisation status for two cohorts
of 200 consecutive admissions before and after routine printing of immunisation
histories from the database and raising staff awareness. Vaccine-preventable
disease (VPD) susceptibility burdens were calculated for each child. Case notes
were assessed for accuracy and documentation of ward-based interventions.
Results: Fourteen per cent of all children were under-immunised on admission and
27% of these were more than five years behind schedule. Under-immunised
children's VPD susceptibility burdens ranged from 0-40,858 days and in 59%
exceeded 1,000 days. Over one month the paediatric admission unit saw children
with a combined VPD susceptibility burden of 1,323 child-years. Positive
identification of under-immunised children increased by 40% (95% confidence
interval: 12-62, p=0.002) following the introduction of routine database
printouts. Conclusion: Children presenting to British secondary care units have
large VPD susceptibility burdens. Positive identification of under-immunised
children substantially improved after the introduction of routine database
printouts, but catch-up immunisation rates did not increase.
PMID- 28989390
TI - The antibacterial effect of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond(r)) skin adhesive.
AB - Dermabond(r) is a tissue adhesive commonly used for wound or surgical incision
closure. Its use has previously been associated with a reduction in wound
infection, and it has been thought to act as a physical barrier to bacteria
accessing the wound. This study aimed to establish whether the Dermabond(r)
adhesive demonstrated any intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Solidified pellets
of Dermabond(r) were placed on standardised Agar plates cultured with a variety
of pathogens. Inhibition of growth was demonstrated against Gram-positive
bacteria. Culture swabs taken from the inhibition rings demonstrated no growth,
suggesting that Dermabond has a bactericidal mechanism of action. Based on the
design of this study, the results suggest that Dermabond(r) demonstrates
bactericidal properties against Gram-positive bacteria. Its use for wound closure
following surgical intervention may reduce postoperative wound infection by Gram
positive organisms.
PMID- 28989392
TI - Informing the practice of infection prevention and control.
PMID- 28989393
TI - Adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay for monitoring contamination of the
working environment of anaesthetists and cleanliness of the operating room.
AB - Anaesthetists possibly contribute to the spread of infections during anaesthesia.
The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay is an easy-to-perform, on
the-spot assay that provides objective data; therefore, using the LuciPac(r)Pen
and the Lumitester PD-20(r)System, we assessed contamination of the working
environment of anaesthetists before and after surgery as well as their hands at
the time of each procedure during induction and extubation. Similarly,
cleanliness of the operating room was evaluated using this assay to determine
whether it is useful to assess the effectiveness of the routine cleaning
protocols followed after surgery. ATP concentrations in the working environment
of anaesthetists and their hands increased during surgery. In addition, ATP
concentrations within the working environment decreased after routine cleaning
with ethanol or accelerated hydrogen peroxide; however, there were no differences
in the number of sites with ATP concentrations >500 relative light units before
and after cleaning. This method is useful to evaluate contamination of the
working environment of anaesthetists; nevertheless, it is prudent to evaluate the
effectiveness of routine cleaning protocols because ATP bioluminescence assays
are influenced by the use of various disinfectants at varying concentrations.
PMID- 28989394
TI - Knowledge, attitude and practice of standard precautions of infection control by
hospital workers in two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.
AB - BACKGROUND: Standard precautions are recommended to prevent transmission of
infection in hospitals. However, their implementation is dependent on the
knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers (HCW). This study describes the
knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of standard precautions of infection
control among HCW of two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria is described. METHODS: A
cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2011/2012 among HCW in two tertiary
hospitals in Nigeria. Data was collected via a structured self-administered
questionnaire assessing core elements of KAP of standard precautions. Percentage
KAP scores were calculated and professional differences in median percentage KAP
scores were ascertained. RESULTS: A total of 290 HCW participated in the study
(76% response rate), including 111 (38.3%) doctors, 147 (50.7%) nurses and 32
(11%) laboratory scientists. Overall median knowledge and attitude scores toward
standard precautions were above 90%, but median practice score was 50.8%. The
majority of the HCW had poor knowledge of injection safety and complained of
inadequate resources to practise standard precautions. House officers, laboratory
scientists and junior cadres of nurses had lower knowledge and compliance with
standard precautions than more experienced doctors and nurses. CONCLUSION: Our
results suggest generally poor compliance with standard precautions of infection
control among HCW in Nigeria. Policies that foster training of HCW in standard
precautions and guarantee regular provision of infection control and prevention
resources in health facilities are required in Nigeria.
PMID- 28989395
TI - The misuse and overuse of non-sterile gloves: application of an audit tool to
define the problem.
AB - BACKGROUND: The use of non-sterile gloves (NSG) has become routine in the
delivery of health care, often for procedures for which they are not required;
their use may increase the risk of cross contamination and is generally not
integrated into hand hygiene audit. This paper describes a small-scale
application and validation of an observational audit tool devised to identify
inappropriate use of NSG and potential for cross contamination. METHODS: Two
observers simultaneously observed the use of NSG during episodes of care in an
acute hospital setting. The inter-rater reliability (IRR) of the audit tool was
measured corrected for chance agreement using Kappa. RESULTS: A total of 22
episodes of care using NSG were observed. In 68.6% (24/35) of procedures there
was no contact with blood/body fluid; in 54.3% (19/35) NSG-use was inappropriate.
The IRR was 100% for eight of 12 components of the tool. For hand hygiene before
and after NSG removal it was 82% (Kappa = 0.72) and 95% (Kappa = 0.87).
CONCLUSIONS: In this small-scale application of a glove-use audit tool we
demonstrated over-use and misuse of NSG and potential for cross transmission on
gloved hands. The audit tool provides an effective mechanism for integrating
glove use into the audit of hand hygiene behaviour.
PMID- 28989396
TI - Outbreak Column 16: Cognitive errors in outbreak decision making.
AB - During outbreaks, decisions must be made without all the required information.
People, including infection prevention and control teams (IPCTs), who have to
make decisions during uncertainty use heuristics to fill the missing data gaps.
Heuristics are mental model short cuts that by-and-large enable us to make good
decisions quickly. However, these heuristics contain biases and effects that at
times lead to cognitive (thinking) errors. These cognitive errors are not made to
deliberately misrepresent any given situation; we are subject to heuristic biases
when we are trying to perform optimally. The science of decision making is large;
there are over 100 different biases recognised and described. Outbreak Column 16
discusses and relates these heuristics and biases to decision making during
outbreak prevention, preparedness and management. Insights as to how we might
recognise and avoid them are offered.
PMID- 28989398
TI - Clostridium difficile period of increased incidence in hospitals.
PMID- 28989400
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989399
TI - Reply to 'Clostridium difficile period of increased incidence in hospitals'.
PMID- 28989401
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989402
TI - Achieving best practice in infection prevention: evidence from the real world.
PMID- 28989403
TI - Infection control intervention on meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
transmission in residential care homes for the elderly.
AB - BACKGROUND: The objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of an infection
control bundle in controlling the meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) transmission in residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) in Hong
Kong. METHODS: This was a two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial. Infection
control bundles focused on hand hygiene (HH), environmental hygiene, and modified
contact precautions were applied to the intervention arm. Nasal swabs from
residents; staff HH compliance and effectiveness; and environmental hygiene were
assessed by microbiological sampling or observation at the baseline and quarterly
after the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 2776 residents from 36 RCHEs were
recruited. The overall MRSA prevalence was 20.4% (95% confidence interval, 18.9%
21.9%). The intervention elicited an immediate effect of 2.4% absolute decrease
in the prevalence and 3.7% in the intra-facility transmission, though the
difference between the two arms was insignificant. Staff HH compliance increased
substantially from 5.9% to 45.6% post-intervention (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We
initiated the infection control culture into the RCHEs and gained their
acceptance. However, this behavioural change takes time to emerge. Our study
shows that relying on the bundle alone could not bring sustainable MRSA
reduction. Administrative control for strengthening infection control
infrastructure is important for continuous compliance and improvement.
PMID- 28989404
TI - Examining the policies and guidelines around the use of masks and respirators by
healthcare workers in China, Pakistan and Vietnam.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing debate regarding the type of respiratory
protection that should be recommended for use for healthcare workers. MATERIALS
AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three countries: China,
Pakistan and Vietnam. RESULTS: In China and Pakistan, the infection control
guidelines were developed to be in line with the recommendations from the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
while in the Vietnamese guidelines the recommendations correspond with the WHO
suggestions only. The guidelines from all three countries document the need for
training and fit testing; however there is no system to monitor the training and
fit testing programs. Across the three countries, there was some inconsistency
with regard to the types of products (i.e. masks vs. respirators) recommended for
influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and tuberculosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence should be examined and a comprehensive policy
should be developed on the use of masks and respirators. The policy should
address critical areas such as regulation, training, fit testing and reuse.
PMID- 28989405
TI - The effect of different oral hygiene treatments on the occurrence of ventilator
associated pneumonia (VAP) in ventilated patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: We compared the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP)
among patients treated with comprehensive oral care to those treated with
conventional methods of oral care. METHODS: We conducted a prospective,
controlled study in an intensive care unit of 90 ventilated patients. Patients in
the study group received a comprehensive oral hygiene treatment regimen that
involved tooth brushing, suctioning, sodium bicarbonate, rinsing with an
antiseptic solution containing 1.5% hydrogen peroxide and a mouth moisturiser.
Patients in the control group received a more conventional treatment that
included cleaning with a sponge and atraumatic clamp, and rinsing with a 0.2%
solution of chlorhexidine gluconate. RESULTS: Among the 90 patients admitted to
the ICU, 8.9% of the study group developed VAP compared with 33.3% of the control
group (p< 0.004). The development of VAP per 1,000 ventilation days was 10.2 in
the study group, and 29.5 in the control group (p< 0.06). The mean number of
ventilation days and the mean number of hospitalisation days were also lower in
the study group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who are ventilated, a comprehensive
oral hygiene treatment regimen that includes tooth brushing, suctioning and
rinsing with an antiseptic is more effective in preventing VAP than more
conventional protocols.
PMID- 28989406
TI - The effect of a quality improvement programme reducing blood culture
contamination on the detection of bloodstream infection in an emergency
department.
AB - BACKGROUND: Contaminated blood cultures (BC) generate avoidable costs and prolong
hospital stays. To measure our hospital's performance against the recommended
standard of <3% BC contamination, we performed a prospective study. METHODS: We
prospectively determined the frequency of contaminated and genuinely positive BC
hospital-wide over seven months. RESULTS: Overall, 73 of 1,829 blood cultures
reviewed were contaminated (4.0%). However, distribution of contamination was not
uniform. Finding a consistently higher incidence of contamination (11.7%) in our
emergency department (ED) than elsewhere in the hospital (2.5%), we adopted a
collaborative quality improvement strategy targeted to the ED. A combination of
education, modified BC packs and regular feedback of BC results was associated
with a significant reduction in contamination (7.4%, p=0.01) over the next six
months. Our data suggests that contaminated BC were more likely to have been
taken during regular day time hours (odds ratio (OR) 2.7, p=0.012), rather than
overnight and were not associated with influxes of new junior medical staff. We
found no evidence that the incidence of true bloodstream infection (12.8%)
diagnosed by our ED was adversely affected by our intervention (10.7%, p=0.35).
CONCLUSIONS: Using a simple and inexpensive collaborative intervention we reduced
BC contamination without adversely affecting the detection of genuine BSI.
PMID- 28989407
TI - Non-food environmental exposure to Escherichia coli O157:H7 - the risks of
cycling on muddy pathways.
PMID- 28989410
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989409
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989411
TI - Collaboration in the prevention of surgical site infection: the OneTogether
project.
PMID- 28989412
TI - Epidemiology and outcomes of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Burkholderia
cepacia infections among trauma patients of India: a five year experience.
AB - BACKGROUND: Infections by uncommon non-fermenting Gram negative bacteria are on
the rise, but little is known about the risk factors and drug resistance in
trauma patients in India. This study explored the infections caused by
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and/or Burkholderia cepacia in trauma patients over
a period of 5 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients admitted for trauma care with
S. maltophilia and/or B. cepacia isolated from clinical specimens were enrolled.
Characteristics regarding the strain isolation, drug sensitivity pattern,
multidrug resistance (MDR), patient, outcomes, and differentiation of true
infection from colonisation were observed. RESULTS: Of the total 233 isolates,
102 were S. maltophilia and 131 were B. cepacia; 4.3% were responsible for
polymicrobial infections with other bacteria. There were more B. cepacia MDR
isolates than S. maltophilia. Maximum resistance was found to tetracycline
(86.7%) and tobramycin (86.7%) in B. cepacia and to co-trimoxazole (68.7%) in S.
maltophilia. Of these, 21 (16.03%) had a fatal outcome and the remaining 111
(84.7%) were discharged healthy. The in-hospital mortality rate associated with
B. cepacia was much (16%) higher than S. maltophilia (13%) at this centre.
CONCLUSION: The analysis of epidemiology and outcome of these infections will
help to inform their management and treatment.
PMID- 28989413
TI - Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) site infections: a clinical and
microbiological study from university teaching hospital, India.
AB - BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is used to provide enteral
access in patients who are unable to swallow. Infection of the stoma is an
important complication and there is little data from India on this problem, which
can be used to inform infection prevention and prophylactic strategies. AIM: The
objective was to assess the prevalence and the role of contributory factors in
PEG site infections. METHODS: A total of 173 patients underwent PEG insertion
from January 2011 to May 2012. Clinical and microbiological data were collected
for culture-positive cases. Insertion was performed using a standard sterile pull
through technique. Infections were defined as two of: peristomal erythema,
induration, and purulent discharge. RESULTS: A total of 54 PEG infections
occurred in 43 patients (28.85%). Seventy-seven organisms were isolated.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common (n=29) followed by coliforms (n=21)
and meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (n=6). Thirty-one (72%)
received amoxicillin-clavulanic acid as prophylaxis and 12 (28%) were receiving
concomitant antibiotics for their underlying conditions. The occurrence of PEG
site infections was statistically independent of the administered prophylactic
antibiotics (p=0.3). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the importance of
PEG sites as a cause of healthcare associated infections. Educating patients on
wound care practices would play a significant role in prevention of PEG site
infections.
PMID- 28989414
TI - The OneTogether collaborative approach to reduce the risk of surgical site
infection: identifying the challenges to assuring best practice.
AB - BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSI) account for 16% of healthcare
associated infections, and are associated with considerable morbidity, mortality
and increased costs of care. Ensuring evidence-based practice to prevent SSI is
incorporated across the patient's surgical journey is complex. OneTogether is a
quality improvement collaborative of infection prevention and operating
department specialists, formed to support the spread and adoption of best
practice to prevent SSI. This paper describes the findings of an expert workshop
on infection prevention in operating departments. METHODS: A total of 84
delegates from 75 hospitals attended the workshop, comprising 46 (55%) theatre
nurses/operating department practitioners; 16 (19%) infection control
practitioners and 22 (26%) other healthcare practitioners. Discussion focused on
evidence, policy implementation and barriers to best practice. Responses were
synthesised into a narrative review. RESULTS: Delegates reported significant
problems in translating evidence-based guidance into everyday practice, lack of
local polices and poor compliance. Major barriers were lack of leadership, poorly
defined responsibilities, and lack of knowledge/training. CONCLUSIONS: This
workshop has provided important insights into major challenges in assuring
compliance with best practice in relation to the prevention of SSI. The
OneTogether partnership aims to support healthcare practitioners to improve the
outcomes of patients undergoing surgery by reducing the risk of SSI.
PMID- 28989417
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989415
TI - Report of an outbreak of Clostridium difficile infection caused by ribotype 053
in a neurosurgery unit.
AB - BACKGROUND: We describe an outbreak of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with
ribotype 053, a possible hypervirulent strain that causes outbreaks, in a
neurosurgical unit. OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The outbreak was investigated by
creating a timeline of all toxin positive patients with root cause analysis,
supplemented with ribotyping results, hand hygiene and environmental audits.
There were five cases of CDI, three caused by ribotype 053 indicating
transmission. INFECTION PREVENTION MEASURES: These included a short period of
ward closure to allow enhanced cleaning, including use of vaporised hydrogen
peroxide, isolation of infected patients, reinforcement of hand hygiene,
education of all staff on C. difficile, reduction of shared bay occupancy from
six to four, and addressing staffing levels. DISCUSSION: The patients with
ribotype 053 all had long inpatient stays and had required several courses of
broad-spectrum antibiotics for aspiration pneumonia. They also required enteral
feeding, which can cause diarrhoea, and during long inpatient stays they had
multiple toxin negative faecal samples making clinical diagnosis of CDI
difficult. Hence they were not isolated promptly, leading to transmission. This
is the first reported outbreak of C. difficile ribotype 053 in the UK and
highlights the unique aspects of an outbreak in neurosurgical patients.
PMID- 28989418
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989419
TI - Hand hygiene and human factors.
PMID- 28989421
TI - A discourse analysis of hand hygiene policy in NHS Trusts.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Healthcare-associated infection is a major patient safety concern.
Hand hygiene is widely thought to be the single most important measure to affect
reductions but compliance is problematic. Producing policies that clearly outline
the responsibilities of staff is seen as a key way to instil accountability and
improve performance. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the
discourse of hand hygiene policies across 359 NHS Trusts in England and consider
the implications for practice. METHOD: The data were examined by combining the
techniques of corpus linguistics with critical discourse analysis to generate
keywords and concordance lines and then to make an interpretation what this may
mean for the healthcare worker. RESULTS: High frequency words such as 'must',
'should', 'will', 'responsible', 'compliance' and 'audit' suggest a tone that is
authoritative and unyielding. This creates a fractured relationship between those
who produce policies and the healthcare workers who need to comply with them.
CONCLUSION: In their intentions to advance patient care policy, producers take
little account of the messy, contextual factors that make the recommendations
challenging to implement in daily practice. Firstly, Trusts should consider the
use language that acknowledges the dynamic nature of practice and, secondly,
cease using audit data as an indicator of performance as the conditions under
which information is collected lacks reliability.
PMID- 28989422
TI - Exploring the approaches used to teach concepts of hand hygiene to Australian
medical students.
AB - BACKGROUND: Recent audit data has revealed that the hand hygiene (HH) rates of
Australian medical students is suboptimal. It has been suggested that new
approaches are needed to teach students about infection control. As a first step,
we undertook a study to determine the current educational approaches used to
teach Australian medical students about HH. Secondly, this study aimed to explore
the perceived barriers and to explore what other teaching approaches could be
used to improve the levels of knowledge and compliance. METHODS: A self
administered questionnaire was sent to the Dean of Medical Education at each of
the medical schools in late 2012. RESULTS: Of the 19 medical schools in
Australia, 17 agreed to participate. The most commonly reported approaches
currently used to teach students about HH are skills stations (17/17) and case
scenarios/lectures (15/17). Clinical practical exams (15/17) and competency
checks (11/17) are mostly used to assess the HH practices of medical students.
Participants nominated the following as barriers to improving HH compliance:
negative role modelling by senior doctors, and negative attitudes of students.
Practical exercises (15/17), online teaching (12/17) and reflection (12/17) were
suggested as other useful approaches that could be used to teach these concepts.
CONCLUSION: Practical laboratory-based approaches were suggested as the most
useful teaching and learning approach. Given the trend towards blended learning,
universities may want to consider new HH teaching approaches that combine campus
based learning with online components and reflection. Early exposure and the
continued reinforcement of HH concepts through the student's medical degree are
essential.
PMID- 28989423
TI - 'I don't want to cause any trouble': the attitudes of hospital patients towards
patient empowerment strategies to reduce healthcare-acquired infections.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients have, traditionally, been assumed to be the passive party in
the healthcare-associated infections equation, with relatively little research
focused on the patients' perspective. This study aimed to explore the attitudes
of hospital patients towards patient empowerment as one of the key components of
patient engagement. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with
surgical patients from a major public hospital in Sydney, Australia. FINDINGS:
While participants acknowledged that patients could play a role in preventing
infections while in hospital, that role was largely associated with maintaining
their own personal hygiene. No reference was made to patients interacting with
staff members. Some participants said that they would feel comfortable and happy
to engage with staff, while others voiced concerns. Some about not wanting to
'cause trouble or start fires' and therefore would not tell staff members to
perform hand hygiene. Some participants articulated a fear that their care may be
negatively affected if they directly engaged or confronted clinicians about their
behaviours. CONCLUSION: We found that patient engagement remains an underused
method of preventing healthcare-associated infections, and the deep-seated public
fears about individual vulnerabilities still need to be addressed.
PMID- 28989424
TI - An outbreak of invasive group A streptococcal infection among elderly patients
receiving care from a district nursing team, October 2013 - May 2014.
AB - Between October 2013 and April 2014 five elderly patients living within a 2
square mile radius, were admitted to local hospitals with severe group A
streptococcal cellulitis and septicaemia. Molecular typing confirmed four
patients for whom typing results were available to have the same emm gene
sequence type, emm st89. An outbreak investigation was launched and identified
that each patient had received care interventions from a district nursing team at
their home or local health clinic in the 7 days prior to onset of symptoms.
PMID- 28989420
TI - Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)
Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach, over 8 years, in 11 cities of Turkey.
AB - AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of the International Nosocomial Infection
Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach in Turkey and
analyse predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance. DESIGN: An observational,
prospective, interventional, before-and-after study was conducted from August
2003 to August 2011 in 12 intensive care units (ICU) of 12 hospitals in 11
cities. The study was divided into a baseline and a follow-up period and included
random 30-minute observations for hand hygiene compliance in ICU. The hand
hygiene approach included administrative support, supplies availability,
education and training, reminders in the workplace, process surveillance, and
performance feedback. RESULTS: We observed 21,145 opportunities for hand hygiene.
Overall hand hygiene compliance increased from 28.8% to 91% (95% CI 87.6-93.0, p
0.0001). Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that several variables were
significantly associated with poor hand hygiene compliance: males vs. females
(39% vs. 48%; 95% CI 0.79-0.84, p 0.0001), ancillary staff vs. physicians (35%
vs. 46%, 95% CI 0.73-0.78, p 0.0001), and adult vs. pediatric ICUs (42% vs. 74%,
95% CI 0.54-0.60, p 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to hand hygiene was
significantly increased with the INICC Hand Hygiene Approach. Specific programmes
should be directed to improve hand hygiene in variables found to be predictors of
poor hand hygiene compliance.
PMID- 28989427
TI - The future is bright?
PMID- 28989428
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989425
TI - Multiple drug resistant organisms in healthcare: the failure of contact
precautions.
PMID- 28989430
TI - Different perspectives, same goals.
PMID- 28989429
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989431
TI - Evaluation of practice change in Tanzanian health professionals 12 months after
participation in an Infection Prevention and Management Course.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is a problem confronting developing
countries. Education programmes have been shown to be effective in increasing
awareness and changing practice in health professionals. METHODS: Practice change
in health professionals who completed an Infection Prevention and Management
Course in Tanzania was explored via focus group 12 months after completion of the
course. FINDINGS: Positive changes in infection control practice were found,
along with barriers to more widespread change. CONCLUSIONS: Providing tailored
and continuing education programs to hospital staff, including managers, is
recommended.
PMID- 28989432
TI - Using surveillance data to reduce healthcare-associated infection: a qualitative
study in Sweden.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance data can be used
to estimate the scope, spread and location of infections, monitor trends,
evaluate preventive efforts, and improve practices, policy and facility planning.
In Sweden, national point prevalence surveys (PPS) have been conducted twice
yearly in all county councils since 2008. AIM: The aim of this study was to
identify key obstacles concerning the HAI surveillance process. METHODS: Twenty
two infection control practitioners (ICPs) from all county councils in Sweden
were interviewed, using semi-structured interview guides. Data were analysed
using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen types of obstacles
pertaining to four surveillance stages were identified. Most obstacles were
associated with the first two stages, which meant that the latter stages of this
process, i.e. the use of the results to reduce HAI, were underdeveloped. The ICPs
observed scepticism towards both the PPS methodology itself and the quality of
the HAI data collected in the PPS, which hinders HAI surveillance realising its
full potential in Swedish healthcare.
PMID- 28989433
TI - Outbreak column 17: Situational Awareness for healthcare outbreaks.
AB - Outbreak column 17 introduces the utility of Situation Awareness (SA) for
outbreak management. For any given time period, an individual or team's SA
involves a perception of what is going on, meaning derived from the perception
and a prediction of what is likely to happen next. The individual or team's SA
informs, but is separate to, both the decisions and actions that follow. The
accuracy and completeness of an individual or team's SA will therefore impact on
the effectiveness of decisions and actions taken. SA was developed by the
aviation industry and is utilised in situations which, like outbreaks, have
dynamic, i.e. continuously changing problem spaces, and wherein a loss of SA is
likely to lead to both poor decision-making and actions with potentially fatal
consequences. The potential benefits of using SA for outbreaks are discussed and
include: (1) retrospectively to identify if poor decision-making was a result of
a poor SA; (2) prospectively to identify where the system is weakest; and (3) as
a teaching tool to improve the skills of individuals and teams in developing a
shared understanding of the here and now.
PMID- 28989434
TI - Public involvement - benefit or burden?
PMID- 28989436
TI - IPS spotlight.
PMID- 28989437
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989438
TI - Editorial: the art of scientific publication.
PMID- 28989439
TI - A case study of healthcare professional views on the meaning of data produced by
hand hygiene auditing.
AB - BACKGROUND: Measurement of hand hygiene (HH), crucial for patient safety, has
acknowledged flaws stemming from methods available. Even direct observation, the
World Health Organization gold standard, may lead to behaviour changes which can
affect outcome validity. However, it remains important to understand current
levels of HH to allow targeted interventions to be developed. This has resulted
in wider adoption of auditing processes. AIM: This study addressed how healthcare
professionals perceive data generated by HH auditing processes. METHODS:
Qualitative study involving participatory observation and semi-structured
interviews with 30 healthcare professionals recruited from a large National
Health Service (NHS) two-hospital site in England. FINDINGS: Healthcare
professionals perceived two main problems with HH measurement, both associated
with feedback: (1) lack of clarity with regard to feedback; and (2) lack of
association between training and measurement. In addition, concerns about data
accuracy led the majority of participants (22/30) to conclude audit feedback is
often 'meaningless'. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals require meaningful data
on compliance with HH to engender change, as part of a multimodal strategy.
Currently healthcare professionals perceive that data lack meaning, and are not
seen as drivers to improve HH performance. Potential opportunities to change
practice and improve HH are being missed.
PMID- 28989440
TI - Central venous catheter dressing durability: an evaluation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Skin organisms at the insertion site are frequently implicated in
central venous catheter blood stream infections (CVC BSIs) yet few studies have
compared the durability of CVC dressings in critically ill patients. AIMS: To
undertake an evaluation of the durability and associated costs of different CVC
dressings. METHODS: Dressing duration was captured prospectively using a pro
forma on four different dressings on five critical care units over a 12-month
period. Staff received training on CVC dressing evidence-based practices and a
'how to guide' was implemented. FINDINGS: A total of 1229 CVC dressings were
observed from 590 CVCs. One dressing had a median (IQR) duration of 68.5 h
(range, 32-105 h) compared to a median duration of 43.5, 46.0 and 40.5 h for the
other dressings (P <0.001). The mean time to change a CVC dressing was 13.5 min
and the cost of a dressing change was in the range of L1.97-4.97. During the 12
month study period we observed a downward trend in CVC BSIs. DISCUSSION: Despite
few dressings remaining adherent for 7 days, the low rates of CVC BSI observed
suggests good dressing practices. CONCLUSIONS: One dressing appeared more durable
than the others, although it was still below the recommended standard and more
expensive.
PMID- 28989441
TI - Quantifying patient bacterial exposure risk from reusable phlebotomy tourniquets
in a New Zealand secondary level hospital.
AB - AIM: This study aimed to assess for the presence of multi-drug resistant
organisms (MDROs) on tourniquets and quantify the number of bacteria to which
patients might be exposed with each blood collection episode. METHODS:
Tourniquets were randomly sampled in a 246-bed, secondary level, New Zealand
hospital, which is currently non-endemic for MDROs. A 6-cm length of each
tourniquet sampled was applied to the surface of an agar plate and the colony
forming units (CFUs) were enumerated. All colonies were then screened for MDROs
using standard methods. CFU counts per linear centimetre were multiplied by a
range of patient arm circumference measurements. Comparison was also made between
non-disinfected tourniquets left on the wards and phlebotomy service tourniquets
after daily decontamination with a proprietary disinfectant. RESULTS: The median
exposure risk from non-disinfected tourniquets was 173 CFUs per collect (95% CI,
104-861). None of the general ward tourniquets grew any MDROs but four out of
five dedicated, single-patient reusable isolation room tourniquets grew MRSA.
Disinfected tourniquets had few if any CFUs and CFU counts were significantly
lower than non-disinfected tourniquets (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The quantitative
risk from reusable tourniquets appears low in the setting of MDRO non-endemicity,
with the application of standard infection control practices.
PMID- 28989442
TI - Outbreak column 18: The undervalued work of outbreak: prevention, preparedness,
detection and management.
AB - There are oft-quoted studies which advise that between 1% and 10% of healthcare
associated infections (HAIs) present as healthcare-associated outbreaks (HAOs).
Examination of these studies showed they lacked validity due to a low sensitivity
to detect HAO, and because they pre-date both advanced healthcare systems and the
emergence of recent nosocomial pathogen challenges. The accepted inference: that
as there are so few HAOs the focus of surveillance programmes should be on
endemic and not epidemic infections (outbreaks), is therefore called into
question. Current estimates of HAI burden are derived from Point Prevalence
Surveys (PPS) which are neither designed to nor are capable of detecting HAOs. We
considered the extensive Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT) work to
prevent and prepare for perennial and novel HAOs and suggest that at present this
endeavour is largely unseen, underestimated and undervalued. Any HAI burden
estimate needs to comprise a more complete HAI summary than PPS data. This can
only be done with a more inclusive surveillance system that has a wider focus
than just prevalent infections. There is a real risk of redirection of the IPCT
resource from outbreak prevention and preparedness work towards HAI that are
counted: such a change could only further increase HAO risks.
PMID- 28989445
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989444
TI - IPS spotlight.
PMID- 28989446
TI - Norovirus: increasing the index of suspicion.
PMID- 28989447
TI - The Where is Norovirus Control Lost (WINCL) Study: an enhanced surveillance
project to identify norovirus index cases in care settings in the UK and Ireland.
AB - BACKGROUND: Norovirus outbreaks have a significant impact on all care settings;
little is known about the index cases from whom these outbreaks initiate. AIM: To
identify and categorise norovirus outbreak index cases in care settings. METHODS:
A mixed-methods, multi-centre, prospective, enhanced surveillance study
identified and categorised index cases in acute and non-acute care settings.
RESULTS: From 54 participating centres, 537 outbreaks were reported (November
2013 to April 2014): 383 (71.3%) in acute care facilities (ACF); 115 (21.4%) in
residential or care homes (RCH) and 39 (7.3%) in other care settings (OCS). Index
cases were identified in 424 (79%) outbreaks. Of the 245 index cases who were
asymptomatic on admission and not transferred within/into the care setting, 123
(50%) had been an inpatient/resident for 4 days. Four themes emerged: missing the
diagnosis, care service under pressure, delay in outbreak control measures and
patient/resident location and proximity. CONCLUSION: The true index case is
commonly not identified as the cause of a norovirus outbreak with at least 50% of
index cases being misclassified. Unrecognised norovirus cross-transmission occurs
frequently suggesting that either Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)
are being insufficiently well applied, and or SICPs are themselves are
insufficient to prevent outbreaks.
PMID- 28989448
TI - The antimicrobial stewardship program in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states:
insights from a regional survey.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study is to describe the prevalence and
characteristics of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) in Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) states to explore opportunities and overcome barriers to effective
ASP implementation. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used to
evaluate the current status of ASP: major stewardship components, barriers of
implementation and program impact in acute care hospitals of GCC states. RESULTS:
Forty-seven healthcare professionals responded from four GCC states, the majority
from Saudi Arabia (81%). Twenty-nine (62%) participating hospitals had ASP in
place. Of these established programs, 35 (75%) reported lack of funding and
personnel as major barriers to program implementation. The top three objectives
cited for the hospital ASP were to reduce resistance (72.3%), improve clinical
outcomes (70.2%) and reduce costs (44.7%). The reported impact of existing ASP
was reduction of inappropriate prescribing (68%), reduction of broad spectrum
antibiotic use (63.8%), reduction of healthcare-associated infections (61.7%),
reduction of length of stay or mortality metrics (59.6%), reduction in direct
antibiotic cost (57.4%) and reduction of reported antibiotic resistance (55.3%).
CONCLUSION: Survey participants from GCC states who have implemented ASP report
significant impacts in the reduction of broad spectrum antibiotic use, hospital
acquired infection, inappropriate prescribing and antimicrobial resistance. These
findings suggest a promising opportunity to enhance existing ASP through sharing
of best practices and support the development of regional guidelines across GCC
states.
PMID- 28989449
TI - Potential infection control risks associated with roaming healthcare industry
representatives.
AB - BACKGROUND: Healthcare industry representatives (HCIR) visit multiple hospitals
every day. Most enter hygiene sensitive areas and work in close proximity to
caregivers and patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to
evaluate the HCIRs' current status in hygiene training and vaccination. METHODS:
An anonymous walking intercept study was used based on questionnaires to evaluate
industry representatives in comparison to physicians and nurses (n = 311
participants, participation rate 30.2%) after their visit to the MEDICA Congress.
The valid participants consisted of HCIR (n = 208), hospital nurses (n = 49) and
physicians (n = 41). A total of 82.2% (n = 171) HCIR worked in varying hospitals.
RESULTS: They frequently request access to hygiene and data-privacy sensitive
areas: Among them 51.9% (n = 108) accessed the outpatient clinic, 41.8% (n = 87)
the operating room (OR), 33.7% (n = 70) the central supply and sterilisation
department (CSSD), and 32.7% (n = 68) the intensive care unit. HCIR requesting
access to hygiene sensitive areas showed the lowest scores in hygiene training
and a significantly lower Hepatitis B vaccination status, i.e. 37.5% compared to
70.7% for physicians and 53.1% for nurses. DISCUSSION: Status of HCIR hygiene
training was inadequate - as was vaccination and contamination control.
Therefore, HCIR are exposed to increased infection risk and may unknowingly act
as infection vector between different hospitals.
PMID- 28989450
TI - Are you serious? From fist bumping to hand hygiene: Considering culture, context
and complexity in infection prevention intervention research.
AB - Infection prevention is an under-resourced research and development topic, with
limited evidence for practice in the most basic of measures. A survey of IPS R&D
members indicated that what might appear to be simple interactions and
interventions in healthcare, such as hand shaking and hand hygiene, should be
considered complex interventions taking account of behaviour at the individual
and social level as well as contextual factors. Future studies need to be
designed utilising comprehensive approaches, for example, the Medical Research
Council complex interventions framework, tailored to the country and more local
cultural context, if we are to be serious about evidence for infection prevention
and control practice.
PMID- 28989452
TI - Reflections from Infection Prevention 2015: beating the bugs, improving the
systems and thinking outside the box.
PMID- 28989453
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989454
TI - The all-important 'how to': Infection Prevention and Implementation Science.
PMID- 28989455
TI - Decontamination of breast pump milk collection kits and related items at home and
in hospital: guidance from a Joint Working Group of the Healthcare Infection
Society & Infection Prevention Society.
AB - INTRODUCTION: A variety of methods are in use for decontaminating breast pump
milk collection kits and related items associated with infant feeding. This paper
aims to provide best practice guidance for decontamination of this equipment at
home and in hospital. It has been compiled by a joint Working Group of the
Healthcare Infection Society and the Infection Prevention Society. METHODS: The
guidance has been informed by a search of the literature in Medline, the British
Nursing Index, the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature,
Midwifery & Infant Care and the results of two surveys of UK neonatal units in
2002/3 and 2006, and of members of the Infection Prevention Society in 2014.
Since limited good quality evidence was available from these sources much of the
guidance represents good practice based on the consensus view of the Working
Group. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS: Breast pump milk collection kits should not be reused
by different mothers unless they have been sterilized in a Sterile Services
Department between these different users.When used by the same mother, a
detergent wash followed by thorough rinsing and drying after each use gives
acceptable decontamination for most circumstances, as long as it is performed
correctly.Additional decontamination precautions to washing, rinsing and drying
may be used if indicated by local risk assessments and on advice from the
departmental clinicians and Infection Prevention and Control Teams. The
microbiological quality of the rinse water is an important consideration,
particularly for infants on neonatal units.If bottle brushes or breast/nipple
shields are used, they should be for use by one mother only. Decontamination
should be by the processes used for breast pump milk collection kits.Dummies
(soothers, pacifiers or comforters) needed for non-nutritive sucking by infants
on neonatal units, should be for single infant use. Manufacturers should provide
these dummies ready-to-use and individually packaged. They must be discarded at
least every 24 hours or immediately if soiled with anything other than the baby's
saliva. No attempt should be made to decontaminate the dummies, either before or
during use. CONCLUSION: This guidance provides practical recommendations to
support the safe decontamination of breast pump milk collection kits for
healthcare professionals to use and communicate to other groups such as parents
and carers.
PMID- 28989456
TI - Development of the UK Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) framework: a multi
organisational collaborative.
AB - Vascular access is an important part of many patient care management plans but
has some unwanted risks. Previous work published by Moureau et al. (2012)
inspired a working group led by the UK Infection Prevention Society (IPS) to
produce a vessel health and preservation (VHP) framework. This was with the
intention of producing a resource for frontline staff to be able to assess and
select the best vascular access device to meet the individual patient's needs and
to preserve veins for future use. The working group produced a framework that
used available evidence, expert opinion and some small scale testing of the
components of the framework. The work so far has received positive feedback but
further work is required to formally evaluate the VHP framework in clinical
practice to measure both staff knowledge and patient outcomes.
PMID- 28989457
TI - Using the Behaviour Change Wheel in infection prevention and control practice.
AB - The Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London (UCL) is a new
venture that has grown out of the work that we have been doing in the Health
Psychology Research Group at UCL and seeks to harness the different pockets of
behaviour change work in different disciplines across UCL. A lot of our work in
health focuses on the adoption of evidence-based guidelines in practice; not just
designing and evaluating interventions, but also developing usable tools for
people who are tasked with changing behaviours. These tools aim to enable those
who do not necessarily have a background in behavioural science to understand the
behaviours they are trying to change and design appropriate interventions.
PMID- 28989458
TI - Implementing change: lessons from the patient safety movement.
PMID- 28989459
TI - Lessons in implementing infection prevention.
AB - This paper has been developed from a conference presentation given by Professor
Alison Holmes at the IPS Learning Labs launch event (2015). In it the
implementation of research into clinical practice is discussed with reference to
the upcoming Health Foundation Spotlight Report. The difficulties of engaging
those in clinical practice are discussed with the importance of involvement of
clinical leaders being highlighted. The importance of recognising that
implementation science as a social process to bring credibility and legitimacy is
also stressed. Following this, the Spotlight Report that is focused on
strengthening implementation in the UK is discussed. There remains considerable
scope for improvement and the impact of surveillance, targets and fatigue are
considered. The tension between top-down and bottom-up approaches to
implementation are discussed and a recommendation for a blended approach when
implementing measures that are the components of an organisational infection
prevention and control strategy is proposed. There also needs to be more scrutiny
of the reasons for the failure of research implementation through an examination
of the 'soft periphery' that comprises the organisational structure, systems and
people that will be responsible for implementing and sustaining an intervention.
PMID- 28989463
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989461
TI - Spotlight on the IPS Team of the Year 2015.
PMID- 28989464
TI - Antimicrobial stewardship: a personal and professional challenge.
PMID- 28989466
TI - Incidence and risk factors of infections associated with peripheral intravenous
catheters.
AB - AIM: To study the incidence and risk factors of bacterial colonisation of
peripheral venous catheters during the early neonatal period. DESIGN: Prospective
observational clinical study. SETTING: Level II neonatal intensive care unit.
PATIENTS: Consecutive neonates in whom peripheral catheter was inserted were
recruited. METHODS: The insertion site was cleaned with isopropyl alcohol and
chlorhexidine for 30 s consecutively. A needleless catheter access device was
attached to peripheral catheters. A dedicated observer reviewed the catheter
sites regularly for complications. On removal, the tip of the catheter was cut
under sterile conditions and sent to the laboratory for culture. Only catheters
indwelling for >12 h were sent for culture. FINDINGS: Bacteria were isolated from
22 out of 154 catheter tips. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (n = 13)
was the most common organism constituting more than 50% of isolates. In five out
of 22 isolates, the organism from the catheter tip was identical to the one from
the skin. Systemic sepsis at enrolment was positively associated with
colonisation of peripheral catheter. None of the neonates developed peripheral
catheter-related bloodstream infection. CONCLUSION: When proper infection control
measures are in place, risk of peripheral venous catheter-related infection
appears extremely low in spite of frequent colonisation of the catheter.
PMID- 28989465
TI - A whole health economy approach to reducing MRSA bacteraemia incidence in
diabetic foot ulcer patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Ulceration of the foot is a common problem among diabetic patients.
Infection is a major risk in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and many of these are
caused by Staphylococcus aureus, in particular meticillin-resistant strains
(MRSA). The control and management of MRSA remains a significant challenge and
all healthcare organisations in England are required to meet Zero Tolerance
Objectives for cases of MRSA bacteraemia (MRSAB). This paper describes a
collaborative approach across the health economy to investigate factors
contributing to the acquisition of MRSA and MRSAB among DFU patients and make
improvements to care to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
METHODS: A collaborative approach between acute and community healthcare
providers and commissioners was used to conduct Root Cause Analysis and drive
improvement to prevent MRSA transmission in DFU patients. RESULTS: Screening of
all DFU patients was initiated after 6 MRSAB were found to be associated with in
DFU. In total 15 patients with the same MRSA antibiogram were identified.
Following the implementation of actions focused on isolation, wound management,
screening and cleaning no further cases were identified. CONCLUSION: This
outbreak has demonstrated the value of cross-sector collaboration in
investigating HCAI in patients with DFU, improving patient care and reducing the
risk of MRSA transmission in these vulnerable patents.
PMID- 28989467
TI - A cross-sectional survey of the acceptability of data collection processes for
validation of a European point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated
infections and antimicrobial use.
AB - BACKGROUND: Statistical measurements alone are insufficient to ensure robust data
for point prevalence surveys (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAI).
Data quality is determined by the type of data, data collection methods and
available resources. Data collectors' views regarding the acceptability of data
collection process for validation studies are also important to consider. AIM: To
explore data collectors' views on the acceptability of data collection processes
used for a European validation PPS of HAI and antimicrobial use (AMU). METHODS:
An anonymous online survey was conducted with 67 data collectors from 10 European
countries involved in the study. FINDINGS: Twenty-five (64.1%) participants
viewed AMU data collection as easy/quite easy whereas only five (12.8%) thought
HAI data collection was easy/quite easy. Six (17%) participants indicated that
incentives and 21 (56.8%) that disincentives were possibly/definitely present for
reporting cases of HAI. Engagement of staff was not thought to have adversely
affected data collection as only one (2.6%) and five (15.4%) participants thought
involvement of hospital PPS teams and administration was low/very low,
respectively. DISCUSSION: Participants believed the approaches used were
appropriate but that more training was required prior to data collection, some
case definitions should be reviewed and the number of variables reduced.
PMID- 28989468
TI - The reliability of the McCabe score as a marker of co-morbidity in healthcare
associated infection point prevalence studies.
AB - This study aimed to ascertain the reliability of the McCabe score in a healthcare
associated infection point prevalence survey. A 10 European Union Member States
survey in 20 hospitals (n = 1912) indicated that there was a moderate level of
agreement (kappa = 0.57) with the score. The reliability of the application of
the score could be increased by training data collectors, particularly with
reference to the ultimately fatal criteria. This is important if the score is to
be used to risk adjust data to drive infection prevention and control
interventions.
PMID- 28989469
TI - Recent emergence of carbapenem-resistant organisms in a low prevalence UK setting
in London.
AB - Carbapenem-resistant organisms are emerging as a global health threat. The
prevalence of CROs in London is largely unknown. A retrospective review of
microbiology records indicates an increased in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella
pneumoniae (none in 2011 to 1.3% of 386 in 2013, P = 0.073) and Acinetobacter
baumannii (9.1% of 11 in 2011 to 31.2% of 16 in 2013, P = 0.001) in a background
of low prevalence at a London hospital. This suggests that CROs may be emerging
in our patient population. These increases demand an urgent enhanced surveillance
response.
PMID- 28989471
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989472
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989474
TI - Reporting and case management of occupational exposures to blood-borne pathogens
among healthcare workers in three healthcare facilities in Tanzania.
AB - BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, blood-borne pathogens exposure (BPE) is a
serious risk to healthcare workers (HCW). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional
study assessing BPE among HCW at three public hospitals in Tanzania. From August
to November 2012, HCW were surveyed using Audio-Computer Assisted Self-Interview.
All HCW at risk for BPE were invited to participate. Factors associated with
reporting BPE were identified using logistic regression. FINDINGS: Of the 1102
eligible HCW, 973 (88%) completed the survey. Of these, 690 (71%) were women and
499 (52%) were nurses and nurse assistants. Of the 357 HCW who had a BPE (32%) in
the previous 6 months, 120 (34%) reported it. Among these 120 reported exposures,
93 (78%) HCWs reported within 2 h of exposure, 98 (82%) received pre- and post
HIV test counselling, and 70 (58%) were offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Independent factors associated with reporting BPE were being female (adjusted
odds ratio [AOR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.5), having ever
received BPE training (AOR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.5), knowledge that HCW receive PEP
at another facility (AOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5-4.4), low/no perceived risk related to
BPE (AOR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.9-9.4) and HIV testing within the past year (AOR, 2.3;
95% CI, 1.2-4.4). CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of
appropriate training on the prevention and reporting of occupational exposure to
increase acceptance of HIV testing and improve access to PEP after BPE.
PMID- 28989475
TI - Development and appraisal of a hand hygiene teaching approach for medical
students: a qualitative study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Poor hand hygiene (HH) practices among medical students have
previously been attributed to students not being exposed to sufficient teaching
materials during their training. AIM: To develop and evaluate a teaching module
directed at improving the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate medical
students towards HH. METHODS: The HH teaching module was designed based on
educational materials used by the World Health Organization and other patient
safety organisations. The development was also informed by the findings from two
previous studies including qualitative interviews with staff and students and a
survey of Australian medical schools. In-depth group interviews were undertaken
with 24 undergraduate medical students. RESULTS: Favourable feedback was received
from the interviewed medical students towards the developed scenario-based
learning activity; however, the group interview activity was not received well by
students. They suggested that the HH teaching activities should be compulsory and
not optional for medical students. In order to reinforce good HH practices and to
improve knowledge around HH and healthcare-associated infections, they felt that
the activities should be repeated during each phase of their degree. CONCLUSIONS:
There is a need to change the approach to training in education, particularly to
engage students in topics such as HH which are often seen as unimportant.
PMID- 28989476
TI - Efficacy of a hospital-wide environmental cleaning protocol on hospital-acquired
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus rates.
AB - BACKGROUND: Environmental contamination has been associated with over half of
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreaks in hospitals. We
explored if a hospital-wide environmental and patient cleaning protocol would
lower hospital acquired MRSA rates and associated costs. OBJECTIVE: This study
evaluates the impact of implementing a hospital-wide environmental and patient
cleaning protocol on the rate of MRSA infection and the potential cost benefit of
the intervention. METHODS: A retrospective, pre-post interventional study design
was used. The intervention comprised a combination of enhanced environmental
cleaning of high touch surfaces, daily washing of patients with benzalkonium
chloride, and targeted isolation of patients with active infection. The rate of
MRSA infection per 1000 patient days (PD) was compared with the rate after the
intervention (Steiros Algorithm(r)) was implemented. A cost-benefit analysis
based on the number of MRSA infections avoided was conducted. RESULTS: The MRSA
rates decreased by 96% from 3.04 per 1000 PD to 0.11 per 1000 PD (P <0.0001).
This reduction in MRSA infections, avoided an estimated $1,655,143 in healthcare
costs. DISCUSSION: Implementation of this hospital-wide protocol appears to be
associated with a reduction in the rate of MRSA infection and therefore a
reduction in associated healthcare costs.
PMID- 28989477
TI - The use of daily electronic prompts to help improve antimicrobial stewardship in
a critical care unit.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a growing threat to
public health, with the potential to reverse many of the gains made in modern
medicine. AMR is contributed to by both inappropriate choice of antibiotics and
inappropriate antibiotic course durations. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this
audit was to determine if the introduction of antimicrobial prescribing
electronic prompts in an electronic patient record had a positive impact on
antimicrobial stewardship. METHODS: The audit examined the proportion of
antibiotic prescriptions within a critical care unit in which both a valid stop
date and indication were recorded. The audit was repeated on two occasions:
first, after an education programme, and second, after the introduction of an
electronic prompt within the patients' electronic patient record. RESULTS: Chi
square analyses indicated that significant improvements in both the recording of
indications (chi2(4) = 39.69, P <0.0001) and stop-dates (chi2(4) = 42.10, P
<0.0001) occurred across the three audits. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the novel
use of daily electronic prompts has a positive impact on antimicrobial
stewardship.
PMID- 28989479
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989480
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989481
TI - Infection Control Nurses Association' to Infection Prevention Society: 10 years
on.
PMID- 28989482
TI - Infection risks associated with peripheral vascular catheters.
AB - BACKGROUND: Peripheral vascular catheters (PVC) are the most frequently used
invasive medical devices in hospitals, with 330 million sold each year in the USA
alone. One in three UK inpatients at any one time has at least one PVC in situ
according to the Scottish National Prevalence survey. METHOD: A narrative review
of studies describing the infection risks associated with PVCs. RESULTS: It is
estimated that 30-80% of hospitalised patients receive at least one PVC during
their hospital stay. Despite their prevalence, PVCs are not benign devices, and
the high number of PVCs inserted annually has resulted in serious catheter
related bloodstream infections and significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stay
and increased healthcare system costs. To date, PVC infections have been under
evaluated. Most studies focus on central venous catheter rather than PVC
associated bloodstream infections. Risks associated with PVC infection must be
addressed to reduce patient morbidity and associated costs of prolonged hospital
admission and treatment. DISCUSSION: This article discusses the sources and
routes of PVC-associated infection and outlines known effective prevention and
intervention strategies.
PMID- 28989483
TI - Characterisation of occupational blood and body fluid exposures beyond the
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of mandated safety engineered sharps devices
(SESDs) and personal protective equipment in healthcare workers (HCWs) with
occupational body fluid exposures (BFE) since the Needlestick Safety and
Prevention Act. METHODS: Two questionnaires were administered, over 3 years, to
HCWs who reported sharps or splash BFEs. Descriptive statistics and chi-square
analysis were used. RESULTS: Of the 498 questionnaires completed, nurses
completed 262 (53%), house staff 155 (32 %), technicians 63 (13%) and
phlebotomists 11 (2%). Four (1%) completers reported 'other' and three (1%)
reported unknown. Sharps injuries accounted for 349 (70%) of the BFEs. SESDs were
utilised 43% (128/299) of the time with a 54% (70/130) activation rate.
Phlebotomists (80%; 8/10) and nurses (59%; 79/267) used SESDs more than doctors
(27%; 31/86) and technicians (26%; 10/39) (P <0.0001). Fifty-four percent
(185/207) of HCWs reported having had training on SESD use; nurses (64%; 98/154)
and phlebotomists (70%; 7/8) significantly more so than house staff (44%; 59/133)
and technicians (44%; 21/48) (P <0.05). Most splash BFEs were to the eyes 73%
(91/149). Five percent (4/79) of HCWs used protective eyewear. CONCLUSIONS:
Systematic regular training, appropriate protocols and iteratively providing the
safest SESDs based on HCW experience and technological advances will further
reduce the physical and emotional toll of BFEs.
PMID- 28989485
TI - Outbreak column 19: needleless connectors (NCs) tales from nine outbreaks.
AB - A critical review of historical outbreak reports that are still influencing
practice today is presented. These outbreak reports were used as evidence in
support of guideline recommendations and of the US Food and Drug Administration's
(FDA) advisory notice requiring post-product surveillance for needleless
connectors (NC) which have a positive displacement. Guideline recommendations
were subsequently changed but not before other authorities had issued
recommendations based on the original. All the above led some purchasers to look
for different NC designs. The conclusions are that the evidence, as reported,
does not support there being an increased risk from positive displacement NCs.
Identified in this review were unsubstantiated claims, incompleteness in
reporting of specifics, opinions considered as evidence and unexplored outbreak
provoking explanations.
PMID- 28989484
TI - Needleless connectors: the vascular access catheter's microbial gatekeeper.
AB - Needleless connectors (NCs) are essential devices which connect to the end of
vascular catheters and enable catheter access for infusion and aspiration. There
are various different designs which make it difficult for purchasers to identify
the features which present the least risk and greatest safety. The NC is the
microbial gatekeeper for vascular catheters; how it is disinfected pre access
determines if, and how many, organisms enter and how quickly biofilm will form.
This paper will consider these design variations and how differences in
antiseptic testing methods have made it difficult to determine the best
antiseptic practice pre access. One specific design characteristic is considered:
the fluid pathway. The NC's fluid pathway creates a flow which can be either
direct to produce a laminar flow or indirect which creates a turbulent flow. At
present, the evidence does not support there being an advantage for a specific
fluid pathway design in reducing infection risks.
PMID- 28989488
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989487
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989489
TI - Endorsing Reporting Guidelines: the Journal of Infection Prevention helps show
the way!
PMID- 28989490
TI - Compliance with infection control standard precautions guidelines: a survey among
dental healthcare workers in Hail Region, Saudi Arabia.
AB - BACKGROUND: The concept of standard precautions (SP) has been a cornerstone of
dental infection control (IC) practice. Full adherence with SP guidelines is
still a matter of concern in many institutions. The objectives of the present
study were to assess and characterise compliance with SP guidelines among dental
healthcare workers (DHCWs) and to analyse factors that affect compliance.
METHODS: A regional cross-sectional questionnaire survey among DHCWs in all
health facilities was carried out from August to November 2014. RESULTS: A total
of 307 returned valid self-report questionnaires with a response rate of 73.1%.
Most participants (86.3%) were aware of the SP guidelines, 84.4% received IC
training and 88.9% received hepatitis B vaccination. Compliance with SP was found
to be high; the majority (90.1%) attained 75% on the compliance scale. In the
multivariate logistic regression model, perceived higher institutional commitment
as regard IC requirements (odds ratio [OR], 4.34; P <0.001), perceived training
as adequate (OR, 3.51; P = 0.003), dentist job (OR, 2.99; P = 0.035) and younger
age (OR, 0.59; P = 0.041) were independently predicted as good compliant
behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed high self-reported compliance with
SP guidelines. Institutional factors appear to have an important role. Attention
should be paid to dental assistants and private DHCWs.
PMID- 28989491
TI - An evaluation of the effectiveness of an algorithm intervention in reducing
inappropriate faecal samples sent for Clostridium difficile testing.
AB - BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a leading cause of infectious
diarrhoea in hospitals. Sending faecal samples for testing expedites diagnosis
and appropriate treatment. Clinical suspicion of C. difficile based on patient
history, signs and symptoms is the basis for sampling. Sending faecal samples
from patients with diarrhoea 'just in case' the patient has C. difficile may be
an indication of poor clinical management. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of
an intervention by an Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT) in reducing
inappropriate faecal samples sent for C. difficile testing. METHOD: An audit of
numbers of faecal samples sent before and after a decision-making algorithm was
introduced. The number of samples received in the laboratory was retrospectively
counted for 12-week periods before and after an algorithm was introduced.
FINDINGS: There was a statistically significant reduction in the mean number of
faecal samples sent post the algorithm. Results were compared to a similar
intervention carried out in 2009 in which the same message was delivered by a
memorandum. In 2009 the memorandum had no effect on the overall number of weekly
samples being sent. CONCLUSION: An algorithm intervention had an effect on the
number of faecal samples being sent for C. difficile testing and thus contributed
to the effective use of the laboratory service.
PMID- 28989492
TI - Encouraging practitioners in infection prevention and control to publish: a cross
sectional survey.
AB - AIM: The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to determine the views of
infection prevention and control practitioners (IPCPs) on publishing research.
METHODS: A convenience sample was obtained by approaching delegates at the 2015
Infection Prevention Society conference and data were captured via a hand-held
electronic device. FINDINGS: Of the 79 respondents, most (83%) read the Journal
of Infection Prevention (JIP) and found it useful for informing their practice
(72%). However, most (91%) had never published in JIP, and less than half (40%)
published elsewhere. The main barrier to publication was not having work suitable
for publication (38%). Support (37%), training in writing for publication (10%)
and time (9%) were considered to be important facilitators in encouraging
respondents to publish. DISCUSSION: Strategies that support IPCPs in developing
their writing skills may encourage more IPCPs to disseminate evidence to support
best practice by publishing their work in peer-reviewed journals.
PMID- 28989493
TI - Reduction in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonisation: impact of
a screening and decolonisation programme.
AB - Patients in care homes are often at 'high risk' of being methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonised. Here we report the prevalence of MRSA,
the effect of MRSA screening and decolonisation in Wolverhampton care-home
residents. Eighty-two care homes (1665 residents) were screened for MRSA, three
times at 6-monthly intervals (referred to as phases one, two and three).
Screening and decolonisation of MRSA-colonised residents led to a reduction in
the prevalence of MRSA from 8.7% in phase one, 6.3% in phase 2 and 4.7% in phase
three. Overall, the study suggests that care-home facilities in Wolverhampton are
a significant reservoir for MRSA; screening and decolonisation has reduced the
risk to residents going for procedures and has indirectly impacted on MRSA rates
in the acute Trust.
PMID- 28989496
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989495
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989497
TI - The Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemic: where are we now?
PMID- 28989498
TI - Two vignettes of adolescent sexual disclosure: guidance for HIV clinical
practice.
AB - HIV-positive adolescents are required by law to notify sexual partners, but can
find it difficult to achieve this goal. This article offers practice guidance for
counselling HIV-positive adolescents about sexual disclosure in clinical settings
and for building confidence in managing sexual lives with HIV. We use two
vignettes to illustrate key differences between perinatally and sexually infected
adolescents in terms of readiness to disclose, and include a set of strategies
for both groups that can be tailored to individual circumstances and contexts.
The toolbox of strategies we describe include pre-counselling, focused
counselling, social support groups and technical support. Pre-counselling helps
to identify barriers and motivations to sexual disclosure and is followed by
counselling sessions in which the focus is on role playing and sexual scripts for
disclosure. Peer-led support groups are designed to boost adolescent confidence,
and pre-paid cell phones, text messaging, ready-dial phone numbers and a private
Facebook page provide back-up support and out-of-hours contact. Since sexual
disclosure can be a risky proposition, safety plans, such as having an emergency
contact person, should always be in place. These strategies are designed to
empower vulnerable adolescents, foster trust between patient and provider, and
reduce HIV transmission to sexual partners.
PMID- 28989499
TI - Do travel clinic visitors read information on sexual risk abroad in travel health
brochures?
AB - BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of travel clinic visitors have sexual
encounters while abroad. Hence, guidelines on travel health recommend discussing
sexual risk in a pre-travel consultation. However, previous studies showed that
it often is not discussed. Although travel clinic visitors usually do receive
written information on sexual risk abroad, few data are available on whether this
information is read. Therefore, this prospective cohort study in travel clinic
visitors was performed. METHODS: Travel clinic visitors were invited to complete
a questionnaire after return from their journey. RESULTS: A total of 130
travellers (55%) responded. Half of them recorded they read the information on
sexual risk. Male gender (OR 9.94 95% CI 3.12 - 31.63) and 'travelling with
others' (OR 2.7 95% CI 1.29 - 5.78) were significant independent predictors of
reading the information on sexual risk. High risk travellers, i.e. those
travelling without a steady partner, were less likely to have read it. Although
websites and apps were mentioned as better methods of providing information, none
of the participants visited the websites on sexual behaviour and sexually
transmitted infections recommended in the travel health brochure. CONCLUSION:
Only half of travel clinic visitors read information on sexual risk in the health
brochure received in the clinic and none of them visited the related websites
mentioned in the brochure. Further research to identify the most effective way to
inform travellers about sexual risk is needed.
PMID- 28989501
TI - Understanding disclosure behaviours in HIV-positive young people.
AB - Disclosure of sero-status is part of living with HIV and involves a complex
decision-making process. Disclosure is not a one-off event and can be viewed as a
sequential process and, while affording opportunities for individuals to access
appropriate physical and psychological support, it is also an important part of
secondary prevention. It is, however, often fraught with emotional challenges,
and there is a considerable amount of evidence demonstrating the barriers that
individuals face to making a disclosure. Adolescents are one such group that face
challenges over disclosing their HIV status. Many adolescents are choosing not to
disclose their status, through fear of potentially adverse outcomes, such as
rejection and stigma, which could amplify onward transmission rates. In order to
better support young people through disclosure journeys, it is essential to
understand the reasons and motivations behind why young people choose not to
disclose their sero-status in order to develop interventions which may facilitate
supporting young people through the disclosure process.
PMID- 28989503
TI - Infection Prevention Society Awards 2016.
PMID- 28989504
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989505
TI - Credentialing, competence and certification: Infection Prevention and Control as
a specialty.
PMID- 28989500
TI - Prospective multicentre study in intensive care units in five cities from the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control
Consortium (INICC) multidimensional approach on rates of central line-associated
bloodstream infection.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection
Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Approach (IMA) and INICC Surveillance
Online System (ISOS) on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)
rates in five intensive care units (ICUs) from October 2013 to September 2015.
DESIGN: Prospective, before-after surveillance study of 3769 patients
hospitalised in four adult ICUs and one paediatric ICU in five hospitals in five
cities. During baseline, we performed outcome and process surveillance of CLABSI
applying CDC/NHSN definitions. During intervention, we implemented IMA and ISOS,
which included: (1) a bundle of infection prevention practice interventions; (2)
education; (3) outcome surveillance; (4) process surveillance; (5) feedback on
CLABSI rates and consequences; and (6) performance feedback of process
surveillance. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS: During baseline, 4468 central line (CL) days and 31 CLABSIs were
recorded, accounting for 6.9 CLABSIs per 1000 CL-days. During intervention,
12,027 CL-days and 37 CLABSIs were recorded, accounting for 3.1 CLABSIs per 1000
CL-days. The CLABSI rate was reduced by 56% (incidence-density rate, 0.44; 95%
confidence interval, 0.28-0.72; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing IMA through
ISOS was associated with a significant reduction in the CLABSI rate in the ICUs
of Saudi Arabia.
PMID- 28989507
TI - Reducing the number of missed isolation days in a paediatric high-dependency unit
using semi-permanent pods.
AB - BACKGROUND: Single rooms are in short supply in many hospitals. AIM: To evaluate
the impact of introducing semi-permanent pods to convert multi-occupancy bays
into single occupancy pods. METHODS: We performed a 24-month pre-post
observational study in a 15-bed paediatric high dependency unit. Three semi
permanent pods were installed in February 2013, in the middle of the 24-month
period. The percentage of missed isolation days and the proportion of days for
which >4 patients required isolation (which would exceed existing isolation
facilities) were compared for the year prior to the pods with the first year of
pod use using a Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Missed isolation days fell from
58.2% (662/1138; 95% confidence interval [CI], 55.3-61.0) pre-pod to 14.8%
(205/1382; 95% CI, 13.0-16.8) during the first year of pod use (P <0.001). The
percentage of days for which >4 patients required isolation was 74.5% overall
(95% CI, 70.5-78.8), and increased from 63% (95% CI, 56.2-69.4) pre-Pod to 86%
(95% CI, 80.9-90.3) during pod use (P <0.001). DISCUSSION: The introduction of
three semi-permanent pods was feasible in our paediatric HDU setting and reduced
the number of missed isolation days, and hence transmission risk, for important
hospital pathogens.
PMID- 28989506
TI - TWOC around the clock: a multimodal approach to improving catheter care.
AB - BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the second-largest group of
healthcare-associated infections (HCAI). The Saving Lives Urinary Catheter Care
Bundle was introduced to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections
(CAUTI). In response, we implemented a catheter care group to examine ways to
improve catheter care in an acute hospital NHS Trust. METHODS: We adopted a
multimodal approach, revolving around four components: (1) Catheter Care Pathway;
(2) HOUDINI checklist; (3) catheter magnets; and (4) use of bladder ultrasound
scanners. RESULTS: The yearly CAUTI prevalence survey showed an annual reduction
in CAUTI from 2012-2013 to 2014-2015 (3.5% to 2.4%). Evaluations of the
multimodal approach have highlighted limitations, leading to priorities being
established around provision of tools, education, and use of measurement and
feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Our multimodal approach demonstrates CAUTI rate
improvements are achievable, directly benefiting patients. However, long-term
maintenance of multimodal components is required to ensure sustained benefit.
Engagement and accountability have emerged as significant challenges to the
effectiveness and longevity of the catheter care group. We suggest greater
emphasis on such challenges if long-term national or international improvement is
to be achieved.
PMID- 28989508
TI - The utility of electronic health record-based hygiene notes for chlorhexidine
bathing practice evaluation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Unreliable compliance with infection prevention procedures
necessitates an analysis of contributing factors. METHODS: A retrospective study
explored utility of 3236 nursing hygiene notes in the electronic healthcare
record system (EHR). This 2012-2013 study identified defects in the chlorhexidine
(CHG) bathing practice for a hospital unit. RESULTS: The overall compliance with
CHG bathing was 22.99%. Patients with length of stay less than 3 days, in most
cases, did not have documentation for CHG bathing. Patient refusal to bathe was
the most prevalent documented reason (66%) of the unsuccessful initial and
repeated offers to bathe. The regular staff were statistically less successful in
convincing patients to bathe. The 1455 notes produced by the regular staff (n =
10) demonstrated a significantly higher failure rate (56.08%) to execute this
procedure in comparison with 1770 notes documented by the 246 temporary staff
(31.19% failure rate) (P value <0.001) . DISCUSSION: This analysis yielded three
main insights: lack of the CHG documentation in a large number of short
admissions; inconsistent use of CHG baths; and presence of workarounds due to
patient refusals to bathe. The study concluded that EHR structured and
unstructured data can unlock the opportunity for identifying hidden defects and
inform decision-makers about the need for change.
PMID- 28989509
TI - Is a chlorine dioxide wiping procedure suitable for the high-level disinfection
of nasendoscopes?
AB - BACKGROUND: Nasendoscopes are widely used in the outpatient ENT setting. Their
reprocessing requires high-level disinfection (HLD). Recently, a wiping procedure
using chlorine dioxide (ClO2) has been proposed as an alternative to HLD
traditional procedures. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the HLD wiping
procedure versus soaking procedure on a contaminated nasendoscope. METHOD: A
nasendoscope was contaminated with four strains of bacteria and Bacillus subtilis
spores. After HLD either with the wiping procedure or with the soaking procedure
(PA), the reduction of the initial contamination was determined. FINDINGS: The
wiping procedure with ClO2 displayed more than 5 log reduction for vegetative
bacteria after 30 s contact time (CT) and 4 log reduction on B. subtilis spores
after 2 min CT. The soaking procedure with PA displayed similar results on
planktonic bacteria after 10 min CT but the log reduction of B. subtilis remained
below 4. CONCLUSION: The ClO2 wiping procedure showed bactericidal and sporicidal
efficacy on a contaminated nasendoscope in a shorter time compared to the PA
soaking procedure. Thus, ClO2 wiping procedure might be considered as an
alternative to the traditional HLD procedure for nasendoscopes.
PMID- 28989512
TI - IPS Spotlight.
PMID- 28989510
TI - Managing screening and diagnosis of Zika in the Emergency Department.
AB - Zika has emerged as a rapidly spreading infection worldwide. Clinicians in many
parts of the world must be prepared to screen for symptoms and diagnose patients
with this disease. In particular, pregnant women who may have experienced
exposure to Zika must be treated with care and sensitivity due to serious risk
for pregnancy complications among those who contract the infection. In response
to the outbreak, patient management guidelines have been established for all who
may be symptomatic or potentially at risk of infection with Zika. Clinicians
globally can prepare to implement such protocols to help contain this disease.
PMID- 28989513
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989514
TI - Hand hygiene: From research to action.
PMID- 28989515
TI - Hand hygiene among healthcare workers: A qualitative meta summary using the GRADE
CERQual process.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene is considered an effective and potentially modifiable
infection control behaviour among healthcare workers (HCW). Several meta-studies
have been published that compare quantitatively expressed findings, but limited
efforts have been made to synthesise qualitative research. OBJECTIVES: This paper
provides the first report of integrated findings from qualitative research
reports on hand hygiene compliance among HCW worldwide that employs the GRADE
CERQual process of quality assessment. METHODS: We conducted database searches
and identified 36 reports in which authors conducted qualitative or mixed methods
research on hand hygiene compliance among HCW. We used Dedoose analysis software
to facilitate extraction of relevant excerpts. We applied the GRADE-CERQual
process to describe relative confidence as high, moderate or low for nine
aggregate findings. FINDINGS: Highest confidence findings included that HCW
believe they have access to adequate training, and that management and resource
support are sometimes lacking. Individual, subjective criteria also influence
hand hygiene. DISCUSSION: These results suggest the need for further
investigation into healthcare cultures that are perceived as supportive for
infection control. Surveillance processes have potential, especially if
information is perceived by HCW as timely and relevant.
PMID- 28989516
TI - Public perceptions of the use of gloves by healthcare workers and comparison with
perceptions of student nurses.
AB - INTRODUCTION: There is evidence that non-sterile clinical gloves (NSCG) are over
used by healthcare workers (HCWs) and are associated with cross-contamination.
This study aimed to determine attitudes of student nurses and members of the
public to the use of NSCG. METHODS: Third-year student nurses completed a
questionnaire indicating tasks for which they would wear NSCG and influences on
their decision. Correlations between tasks were identified using exploratory
factor analysis. An online survey of the public was conducted using snowball
sampling method. RESULTS: Sixty-seven students completed the questionnaire; they
indicated use of NSCG for low-risk tasks and reported their own judgement as the
main influence on their decision to wear them. Correlated tasks included
'perceived to be risky' or 'definitive indication for gloves/no gloves' and
'related to personal hygiene'. A total of 142 respondents completed the public
survey. They reported being uncomfortable with HCW wearing gloves for some
personal tasks, e.g. assisting to toilet and dressing, but 94% preferred their
use for washing 'private parts'; 29% had observed inappropriate glove use by HCWs
during recent contact with healthcare. CONCLUSION: Student nurses reported using
NSCG routinely for tasks for which they are neither required nor recommended. The
public observe inappropriate glove use and are uncomfortable with their use for
some personal tasks.
PMID- 28989517
TI - Healthcare professionals' hand hygiene knowledge and beliefs in the United Arab
Emirates.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene at key moments during patient care is considered an
important infection prevention and control measure to reduce healthcare
associated infections. While there is extensive research in Western settings,
there is little in the United Arab Emirates where particular cultural and
religious customs are thought to influence hand hygiene behaviour. AIM: To
examine the hand hygiene knowledge and beliefs of health professionals at a
tertiary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: A mixed methods
design employed a survey followed by focus groups with nurses and doctors.
FINDINGS: A total of 109 participants (13.6%) completed the survey: 96 nurses
(88%) and 13 doctors (12%). Doctors' hand hygiene knowledge was slightly higher
than that of nurses (78.5% versus 73.5%). There was no significant difference in
scores on the hand hygiene beliefs scale between nurses (M = 103.06; SD = 8.0)
and doctors (M = 99.00; SD = 10.53; t (80) = 1.55; p = 0.13, two-tailed). Seven
categories emerged following transcript analysis. DISCUSSION: Hand hygiene
knowledge scores suggest further hand hygiene education is required, especially
on alcohol-based hand rub use. Addressing doctors' beliefs is particularly
important given the leadership roles that doctors play in healthcare settings.
PMID- 28989518
TI - The effect of merging two infectious disease units on hand hygiene adherence in
Italy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are common and harmful to
patients. Effective hand hygiene can help prevent HAIs, however, suboptimal
healthcare worker hand hygiene remains problematic across the globe. This study
analyses the impact of organisational changes on hand hygiene. METHODS: This
observational study assessed hand hygiene by different professions before and
after a merger of a recently combined infectious diseases (ID) unit coupled with
a qualitative study about barriers to optimal hand hygiene. Direct observations
were compared with previous data collected on both units before they merged. We
also conducted focus groups with the doctors and nurses about hand hygiene.
RESULTS: After two ID units merged in 2013, we observed 681 provider-patient
interactions. We compared these with a previous observation period in 2012. Hand
hygiene adherence among nurses significantly declined after the merger (from 36%
to 24%, P <0.001). However, adherence among doctors increased from 51% to 63%
after the merger (P = 0.004). Data from the focus groups revealed a gap between
doctor and nurses perceptions of education and goal adherence rates. CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings underscore the important role played by effective unit leaders to
prevent infection. We found long-term sustainability of hand hygiene practices
among doctors. However, adherence among nurses was substantially lower.
PMID- 28989521
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989519
TI - Outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus on a haematology ward: management
and control.
AB - Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections and outbreaks are still
infrequent in Spain. A six-month outbreak, which took place in a haematology
ward, its control and management are described in this study. A total of 22
patients were colonised and two bloodstream infections occurred during this
period. Even though there were two waves of new colonised patients, a
multidisciplinary approach, quick interventions and enhanced infection control
policies were required in order to control this outbreak.
PMID- 28989523
TI - Preventing surgical site infection: The challenge of 'getting it right first
time'.
PMID- 28989524
TI - Development of a single, practical measure of surgical site infection (SSI) for
patient report or observer completion.
AB - BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the third most common hospital
associated infection and can lead to significant patient morbidity and healthcare
costs. Identification of SSIs is key to surveillance and research but reliable
assessment is challenging, particularly after hospital discharge when most SSIs
present. Existing SSI measurement tools have limitations and their suitability
for post-discharge surveillance is uncertain. AIMS: This study aimed to develop a
single measure to identify SSI after hospital discharge, suitable for patient or
observer completion. METHODS: A three-phase mixed methods study was undertaken:
Phase 1, an analysis of existing tools and semi-structured interviews with
patients and professionals to establish the content of the measure; Phase 2,
development of questionnaire items suitable for patients and professionals; Phase
3, pre-testing the single measure to assess acceptability and understanding to
both stakeholder groups. Interviews and pre-testing took place over 12 months in
2014-2015 with patients and professionals from five specialties recruited from
two UK hospital Trusts. FINDINGS: Analyses of existing tools and interviews
identified 19 important domains for assessing SSIs. Domains were developed into
provisional questionnaire items. Pre-testing and iterative revision resulted in a
final version with 16 items that were understood and easily completed by patients
and observers (healthcare professionals). CONCLUSION: A single patient and
observer measure for post-discharge SSI assessment has been developed. Further
testing of the validity, reliability and accuracy of the measure is underway.
PMID- 28989525
TI - Factors influencing compliance to the infection control precautions among nurses
and physicians in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Adherence to infection control precautions (ICP) is important to
reduce the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). AIMS: To
determine nurses and physician's knowledge, attitude and compliance to ICPs and
factors associated with reported compliance. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of
nurses and physicians recruited from three hospitals at three different
healthcare sectors in Jordan. Three instruments were used to assess knowledge,
attitudes and compliance to ICPs. FINDINGS: A total of 211 professionals
completed the survey: 155 nurses and 56 physicians. Both groups had low knowledge
scores for ICP but a high positive attitude. Although both groups had high
reported compliance scores, nurses scores were higher (P = 0.04). Participants
from the private hospital had higher knowledge and compliance scores. Length of
experience, knowledge and attitude were significant predictors of reported
compliance to ICPs. DISCUSSION: Despite poor knowledge, Jordanian healthcare
professionals reported high scores for positive attitudes and compliance with
IPCs. Clinical training programmes are required to enhance knowledge and
understanding of IPCs.
PMID- 28989526
TI - Scabies outbreak among healthcare workers in a German acute care hospital.
AB - BACKGROUND: This article reports on a scabies outbreak among healthcare workers
(HCW) in an acute care hospital. The outbreak was associated with a patient
suffering from a chronic skin disease that was later diagnosed as crusted
scabies. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the outbreak drivers and
define a prevention strategy against future outbreaks. METHODS: All staff that
had contact with the patient were treated with 5% permethrin ointment. An
interdisciplinary outbreak investigation team was established. The team conducted
a questionnaire-based case-control study. FINDINGS: After the permethrin
treatment, no further case was found. Twenty-seven HCWs who had contact with the
index patient answered the questionnaire (response rate 73%). The outbreak
questionnaire revealed 13 cases of secondary scabies among HCWs. In the
multivariable analysis, a lack of glove use (odds ratio [OR], 9.8; P value =
0.036) and frequent close physical contact (OR, 8.151; P value = 0.038) were
associated with increased risk of scabies acquisition. DISCUSSION: The scabies
outbreak was most likely driven by three factors: an index patient with crusted
scabies; a delayed diagnosis of this patient; and close physical contact without
gloves during his hospital stay. The use of disposable gloves for patients with
unclear dermatological diagnosis have the potential to limit future scabies
outbreaks.
PMID- 28989527
TI - Influenza outbreak in a Canadian correctional facility.
AB - Correctional facilities face increased risk of communicable disease transmission
and outbreaks. We describe the progression of an influenza outbreak in a Canadian
remand facility and suggest strategies for preventing, identifying and responding
to outbreaks in this setting. In total, six inmates had laboratory-confirmed
influenza resulting in 144 exposed contacts. Control measures included enhanced
isolation precautions, restricting admissions to affected living units, targeted
vaccination and antiviral prophylaxis. This report highlights the importance of
setting specific outbreak guidelines in addressing population and environmental
challenges, as well as implementation of effective infection prevention and
control (IPAC) and public health measures when managing influenza and other
communicable disease outbreaks.
PMID- 28989528
TI - Outbreak Column 20: are outbreaks man-made disasters that display intertwined
errors of human judgement and behaviour?
AB - Man-made disasters are reported to have five intertwined errors of human
judgement and behaviour. As outbreaks are essentially man-made disasters, the
cited intertwined errors of engineering overreach, smooth sailing fallacy,
insider view, risk-seeking incentives and social-herding were looked for in five
notable outbreaks of Clostridium difficile infection. Engineering overreach was
found to be the most identifiable error. The purpose of this reflective exercise
was to turn hindsight into foresight and determine the intertwined levels of
safety behaviour needed to prevent any future pathogen emerging to produce
healthcare disasters.
PMID- 28989530
TI - The national agenda for Healthcare Associated Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance
and Infection Prevention and Control in Scotland: Structures, current priorities
and programmes.
PMID- 28989531
TI - Diary.
PMID- 28989532
TI - Disulfide Bond Characterization of Endogenous IgG3 Monoclonal Antibodies Using LC
MS: An Investigation of IgG3 Disulfide-mediated Isoforms.
AB - The use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the manufacture of innovator and
biosimilar biotherapeutics has increased tremendously in recent years. From a
structural perspective, mAbs have high disulfide bond content, and the correct
disulfide connectivity is required for proper folding and to maintain their
biological activity. Therefore, disulfide linkage mapping is an important
component of mAB characterization for ensuring drug safety and efficacy. The
native disulfide linkage patterns of all four subclasses of IgG antibodies have
been well established since the late 1960s. Among these IgG subtypes, disulfide
mediated isoforms have been identified for IgG2 and IgG4, and to a lesser extent
in IgG1, which is the most studied IgG subclass. However, no studies have been
carried out so far to investigate whether different IgG3 isoforms exist due to
alternative disulfide connectivity. In an effort to investigate the presence of
disulfide-mediated isoforms in IgG3, we employed a bottom-up mass spectrometry
approach to accurately determine the disulfide bond linkages in endogenous human
IgG3 monoclonal antibody and our results show that no such alternative disulfide
bonds exist. While many antibody-based drugs are developed around IgG1, IgG3
represents a new, and in some cases, more desirable drug candidate. Our data
represent the first demonstration that alternative disulfide bond arrangements
are not present in endogenous IgG3; and therefore, they should not be present in
recombinant forms used as antibody-based therapeutics.
PMID- 28989533
TI - Trityl-based alkoxyamines as NMP controllers and spin-labels.
AB - Recently, new applications of trityl-nitroxide biradicals were proposed. In the
present study, attachment of a trityl radical to alkoxyamines was performed for
the first time. The rate constants kd of C-ON bond homolysis in these
alkoxyamines were measured and found to be equal to those for alkoxyamines
without trityl. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the products
of alkoxyamine homolysis (trityl-TEMPO and trityl-SG1 biradicals) were recorded,
and the corresponding exchange interactions were estimated. The decomposition of
trityl-alkoxyamine showed more than an 80% yield of biradicals, meaning that the
C-ON bond homolysis is the main reaction. The suitability of these labelled
initiators/controllers for polymerisation was exemplified by means of successful
nitroxide-mediated polymerisation (NMP) of styrene. Thus, this is the first
report of a spin-labelled alkoxyamine suitable for NMP.
PMID- 28989534
TI - Activation of Janus kinase 1 confers poor prognosis in patients with non-small
cell lung cancer.
AB - The activation of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) has been reported to occur in non-small
cell lung cancer (NSCLC), activating the JAK/signal transducers and activators of
transcription cascade. However, the association between JAK1 activation and the
prognostic value in NSCLC remains unclear. The present study initially
investigated the association between expression of the activated form of JAK1 (p
JAK1) and prognosis in patients with NSCLC. A cohort of 142 resected primary
NSCLC tissue samples, including 74 adenocarcinoma (ADCC) and 68 squamous cell
carcinoma samples, were analyzed. p-JAK1 expression status was determined by
immunohistochemistry. Evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene
amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization was subsequently performed in
74 ADCC samples. The prognostic significance of p-JAK1 expression and EGFR gene
amplification were evaluated with univariate and multivariate survival analyses.
Compared with normal lung tissue, p-JAK1 expression level was significantly
increased in NSCLC (P<0.001). Positive p-JAK1 expression indicated a poor
prognosis, particularly for patients in early stages (stage I/II, including tumor
size <3 cm, Lymph node invasion N0/1; all P<0.05). p-JAK1 expression was an
independent predictor of a poor prognosis (P=0.022). The overall survival time
for patients with positive p-JAK1 expression and EGFR-amplified tumors was
significantly shortened compared with patients with tumors negative for one or
both features (both features present vs. neither feature present, P<0.001). The
results provided clinical evidence that the activation of JAK1 was an independent
prognostic factor, particularly in early stage NSCLC. The combination of EGFR
gene amplification and p-JAK1 expression may be a novel target for the selection
of individual therapy strategies and predicting the effects of therapy for NSCLC.
PMID- 28989535
TI - Investigating the microRNA-mRNA regulatory network in acute myeloid leukemia.
AB - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common myelogenous malignancy in adults that is
often characterized by disease relapse. The pathophysiological mechanism of AML
has not yet been elucidated. The present study aimed to identify the crucial
microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) and target genes in AML, and to uncover the potential
oncogenic mechanism of AML. miRNA and mRNA expression-profiling microarray
datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential
expression analysis was performed and a regulatory network between miRNAs and
target genes was constructed. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and
Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were used to predict the biological functions
of the differentially expressed genes. Reverse transcription-quantitative
polymerase chain reaction analysis was employed to verify the expression levels
of miRNAs and target genes in AML patient samples. A total of 86 differentially
expressed miRNAs and 468 differentially expressed mRNAs between AML and healthy
blood samples were identified. In total, 47 miRNAs and 401 mRNAs were found to be
upregulated, and 39 miRNAs and 67 mRNAs were found to be downregulated in AML. A
total of 223 miRNA-target genes pairs were subjected to the construction of a
regulatory network. Differentially expressed target genes were significantly
enriched in the Wnt signaling pathway (hsa04310), melanogenesis (hsa04916) and
pathways in cancer (hsa05200). Significantly differentially expressed miRNAs and
genes, including hsa-miR-155, hsa-miR-192, annexin A2 (ANXA2), frizzled class
receptor 3 (FZD3), and pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1), may serve essential
roles in AML oncogenesis. Overall, hsa-miR-155, hsa-miR-192, ANXA2, FZD3 and
PLAG1 may be associated with the development of AML via the involvement of the
Wnt signaling pathway, melanogenesis and other cancer-associated signaling
pathways.
PMID- 28989536
TI - Mechanisms of inhibiting human leukemia cell lines by serum of rats treated with
compound banmao capsule.
AB - Compound banmao capsule (CBC) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula composed
of extracts from 11 organisms. The present study investigated the mechanism of
CBC on the biological behavior of human leukemia cell lines using
seropharmacological methods. CBC-containing rat serum was prepared by
intragastrical administration of CBC to rats. The proliferation of human leukemia
HL60 and K562 cell lines was assayed by measuring cell viability with the 3-(4,5
dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium
method, while cell cycle distribution and the rate of apoptosis were evaluated
with flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A
(VEGF-A) and chemotactic and inflammatory genes in human leukemia cell lines was
examined using reverse transcription quantitative-polymerase chain reaction
methods. It was revealed that the proliferation of K562 and HL60 cells was
significantly inhibited by the CBC-containing rat serum at 72 h. The CBC
containing serum also promoted the apoptosis of K562 and HL60 cell lines. The CBC
containing serum altered the cell cycle progression of K562 and HL60, increasing
the proportion of the cells in G1 phase and decreasing the proportion of the
cells in S phase. Attenuated expression of VEGF-A and a decreasing trend in the
expression of chemotactic and inflammatory genes were identified following
treatment with CBC-containing serum in HL60 and K562 cells. In conclusion, CBC
containing serum exerted an inhibitory effect on the growth of K562 and HL60
cells by decreasing cellular proliferation, promoting apoptosis and cell cycle
arrest, and decreasing the expression of VEGF-A, and chemotactic and inflammatory
genes.
PMID- 28989537
TI - Effect of inhibiting Beclin-1 expression on autophagy, proliferation and
apoptosis in colorectal cancer.
AB - The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms and effect of
Beclin-1 on autophagy, proliferation and apoptosis in the colorectal cancer (CRC)
HCT116 and SW620 cells. Beclin-1 was silenced by RNA interference (RNAi) in
HTC116 and SW620 cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and
western blot were used to measure the expression of Beclin-1. The percentage of
apoptotic cells was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry
(FCM). Cell cycle and cell proliferation were analyzed by FCM and the MTT assay.
The present study created 3 groups in the two cell lines, consisting of the
targeting siRNA (TS) group, in which Beclin-1 was partially silenced, non
specific siRNA (NS) group and control group (CG; without transfection). By siRNA
transfection, the mRNA and protein level of Beclin-1 in the TS group were
significantly inhibited compared with the NS group and CG (P<0.05). After 0, 24,
48 and 72 h, the survival rate of the cells in the TS group was significantly
decreased compared with the survival rate of the cells in the NS group and CG, as
detected by CCK-8 methods (P<0.05). FCM and MTT results showed the apoptotic rate
of the cells in the TS group was significantly decreased compared with the rate
in the NS group and CG (P<0.05), and the proliferation of the cells in the NS
group was evidently increased compared with the CG. In conclusion, Beclin-1
played an important role in regulating autophagy, proliferation and apoptosis in
HCT116 and SW620 cells. The inhibition of Beclin-1 by RNAi suppressed the
autophagic activity and proliferation, but promoted apoptosis in CRC cells.
Beclin-1 was the new target of gene therapy for CRC.
PMID- 28989538
TI - Erratum: Efficacy and tolerability of lacosamide for secondary epileptic seizures
in patients with brain tumor: A multicenter, observational retrospective study.
AB - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.5988.].
PMID- 28989539
TI - Correction of aberrations in the human eye using computational methods.
AB - Phase-sensitive imaging and computational correction of patient-specific optical
aberrations enable high-resolution imaging of the human retina to aid diagnosis
and treatment of eye diseases.
PMID- 28989540
TI - Immunotheranostic Polymersomes Modularly Assembled from Tetrablock and Diblock
Copolymers with Oxidation-Responsive Fluorescence.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Intracellular delivery is a key step for many applications in
medicine and for investigations into cellular function. This is particularly true
for immunotherapy, which often requires controlled delivery of antigen and
adjuvants to the cytoplasm of immune cells. Due to the complex responses
generated by the stimulation of diverse immune cell populations, it is critical
to monitor which cells are targeted during treatment. To address this issue, we
have engineered an immunotheranostic polymersome delivery system that
fluorescently marks immune cells following intracellular delivery. METHODS: N-(3
bromopropyl)phthalimide end-capped poly(ethylene glycol)-bl-poly(propylene
sulfide) (PEG-PPS-PI) was synthesized by anionic ring opening polymerization and
linked with PEG-PPS-NH2 via a perylene bisimide (PBI) bridge to form a tetrablock
copolymer (PEG-PPS-PBI-PPS-PEG). Block copolymers were assembled into
polymersomes by thin film hydration in phosphate buffered saline and
characterized by dynamic light scattering, cryogenic electron microscopy and
fluorescence spectroscopy. Polymersomes were injected subcutaneously into the
backs of mice, and draining lymph nodes were extracted for flow cytometric
analysis of cellular uptake and disassembly. RESULTS: Modular self-assembly of
tetrablock / diblock copolymers in aqueous solutions induced pi-pi stacking of
the PBI linker that both red-shifted and quenched the PBI fluorescence. Reactive
oxygen species within the endosomes of phagocytic immune cell populations
oxidized the PPS blocks, which disassembled the polymersomes for dequenching and
shifting of the PBI fluorescence from 640 nm to 550 nm emission. Lymph node
resident macrophages and dendritic cells were found to increase in 550 nm
emission over the course of 3 days by flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS:
Immunotheranostic polymersomes present a versatile platform to probe the
contributions of specific cell populations during the elicitation of controlled
immune responses. Flanking PBI with two oxidation-sensitive hydrophobic PPS
blocks enhanced pi stacking and introduced a mechanism for disrupting pi-pi
interactions to shift PBI fluorescence in response to oxidative conditions.
Shifts from red (640 nm) to green (550 nm) fluorescence occurred in the presence
of physiologically relevant concentrations of reactive oxygen species and could
be observed within phagocytic cells both in vitro and in vivo.
PMID- 28989541
TI - A Parallel-Plate Flow Chamber for Mechanical Characterization of Endothelial
Cells Exposed to Laminar Shear Stress.
AB - Shear stresses induced by laminar fluid flow are essential to properly
recapitulate the physiological microenvironment experienced by endothelial cells
(ECs). ECs respond to these stresses via mechanotransduction by modulating their
phenotype and biomechanical characteristics, which can be characterized by Atomic
Force Microscopy (AFM). Parallel Plate Flow Chambers (PPFCs) apply unidirectional
laminar fluid flow to EC monolayers in vitro. Since ECs in sealed PPFCs are
inaccessible to AFM probes, cone-and-plate viscometers (CPs) are commonly used to
apply shear stress. This paper presents a comparison of the efficacies of both
methods. Computational Fluid Dynamic simulation and validation testing using EC
responses as a metric have indicated limitations in the use of CPs to apply
laminar shear stress. Monolayers subjected to laminar fluid flow in a PPFC
respond by increasing cortical stiffness, elongating, and aligning filamentous
actin in the direction of fluid flow to a greater extent than CP devices.
Limitations using CP devices to provide laminar flow across an EC monolayer
suggest they are better suited when studying EC response for disturbed flow
conditions. PPFC platforms allow for exposure of ECs to laminar fluid flow
conditions, recapitulating cellular biomechanical behaviors, whereas CP platforms
allow for mechanical characterization of ECs under secondary flow.
PMID- 28989542
TI - Cross-over comparison and new chemotherapy regimens in metastatic pancreatic
cancer.
AB - Despite decades of research, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still one
of the most lethal malignant diseases with a devastating 5-year overall survival
of only 4-5%. Indeed, long-term survival was not affected by the introduction of
new systemic cytotoxic chemotherapies which remain the key cornerstone in the
treatment of metastatic PDAC. In the first-line setting, FOLFIRINOX based upon
the results of the PRODIGE/ACCORD trial and gemcitabine with albumin-bound
paclitaxel (GNP) based upon the MPACT trial have both been approved as
therapeutic options for patients with no significant comorbidities and good
performance status. As there is no direct comparison between these regimens, the
choice in first-line treatment depends on the toxicity profile, patient's
preferences and reimbursability. In the second-line setting, the results of the
NAPOLI-1 trial have led to the approval of nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-iri) in
combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for the treatment of patients with mPDAC
progressing under gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and therefore this regimen is
the first to be approved for use in second-line therapy.
PMID- 28989543
TI - New diagnostic tools for breast cancer.
AB - Imaging plays a major role in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of breast
cancer. Findings that require further assessment will be detected both at
screening and curative mammography. Most findings that are further worked up tend
to yield benign diagnoses. Consequently, there is an ongoing search for new tools
to reduce recalls and unnecessary biopsies while maintaining or improving cancer
detection rates. The clinically most promising methods in this respect are
described and discussed in this review.
PMID- 28989544
TI - Local therapies for breast cancer.
AB - During the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2016, the main topics
were systemic treatment of breast cancer and molecular research. But several
studies were also presented concerning local therapy: Surgical issues on
evaluating resection margins, management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS),
surgical challenges after neoadjuvant therapy related to assessment of response
or treatment of axillary lymph nodes, and studies about outcome after breast
reconstruction and radiation therapy were discussed. In this short review, oral
presentations of these topics are summarized.
PMID- 28989545
TI - A modified risk set approach to biomarker evaluation studies.
AB - There is tremendous scientific and medical interest in the use of biomarkers to
better facilitate medical decision making. In this article, we present a simple
framework for assessing the predictive ability of a biomarker. The methodology
requires use of techniques from a subfield of survival analysis termed
semicompeting risks; results are presented to make the article self-contained. As
we show in the article, one natural interpretation of semicompeting risks model
is in terms of modifying the classical risk set approach to survival analysis
that is more germane to medical decision making. A crucial parameter for
evaluating biomarkers is the predictive hazard ratio, which is different from the
usual hazard ratio from Cox regression models for right-censored data. This
quantity will be defined; its estimation, inference and adjustment for covariates
will be discussed. Aspects of causal inference related to these procedures will
also be described. The methodology is illustrated with an evaluation of serum
albumin in terms of predicting death in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.
PMID- 28989546
TI - Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges-Ethical and Otherwise
Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World.
PMID- 28989547
TI - Teaching Mindfulness to Teachers: a Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis.
AB - School teachers report high levels of stress which impact on their engagement
with pupils and effectiveness as a teacher. Early intervention or prevention
approaches may support teachers to develop positive coping and reduce the
experience and impact of stress. This article reviews research on one such
approach: mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for school teachers. A
systematic review and narrative synthesis were conducted for quantitative and
qualitative studies that report the effects of MBIs for teachers of children aged
5-18 years on symptoms of stress and emotion regulation and self-efficacy. Twelve
independent publications were identified meeting the inclusion criteria and these
gave a total of 13 samples. Quality appraisal of the identified articles was
carried out. The effect sizes and proportion of significant findings are reported
for relevant outcomes. The quality of the literature varied, with main strengths
in reporting study details, and weaknesses including sample size considerations.
A range of MBIs were employed across the literature, ranging in contact hours and
aims. MBIs showed strongest promise for intermediary effects on teacher emotion
regulation. The results of the review are discussed in the context of a model of
teacher stress. Teacher social and emotional competence has implications for
pupil wellbeing through teacher-pupil relationships and effective management of
the classroom. The implications for practice and research are considered.
PMID- 28989549
TI - The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Psychological Distress
and Cognitive Functioning in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: a Pilot Study.
AB - Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) often suffer from psychological distress
and cognitive dysfunctioning. These factors negatively impact the health-related
quality of life. Only recently behavioral therapeutic approaches are being used
to treat psychological distress in MS. The aim of the present pilot study was not
only to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction
(MBSR) on psychological distress but also to explore whether it can improve
cognitive functioning among patients with MS. Outpatients of the MS Center of the
Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) were invited to participate in an
MBSR training. Psychological and cognitive measures were administered pre- and
post-intervention. Twenty-five MS patients completed the MBSR training and
psychological measures, of which 16 patients completed the cognitive tests.
Significant improvements were found in depressive symptoms, quality of life,
fatigue, mindfulness skills, and self-compassion. Of the cognitive tests,
performance on a visual spatial processing test significantly improved after the
intervention. Overall, this pilot study showed promising results of the effects
of MBSR on reducing psychological distress, and it suggests MBSR might improve
cognitive functioning in MS patients. Future randomized controlled trials should
be conducted to confirm the possible effectiveness of MBSR-and its long-term
effects-on psychological and cognitive functioning in MS patients.
PMID- 28989550
TI - Emotion Regulation Mediates the Associations of Mindfulness on Symptoms of
Depression and Anxiety in the General Population.
AB - In the last decade, clinical research on mindfulness and its positive effects on
depression and anxiety have gained increased interest. Emotion regulation
mediates the effects of mindfulness on mental health in clinical samples and
among meditators. The present study examined whether these associations also
generalize to the general population. Multi-group structural equation models
tested with a sample of 853 adults whether difficulties in emotion regulation
mediated the associations between overall mindfulness in addition to the Observe
facet with symptoms of depression and anxiety and whether associations were
similar among men and women. Emotion regulation partially mediated the
associations of overall mindfulness with symptoms of depression and anxiety;
associations with Observe were fully mediated. The magnitude of associations was
similar among men and women. Mindfulness exerts positive effects on mental health
among the general population mostly via improving emotion regulation. The
training of mindfulness and emotion regulation may thus benefit mental health not
only in clinical populations but also in the general population. Venues for
further research are discussed.
PMID- 28989548
TI - Mindful with Your Baby: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effects of a Mindful
Parenting Group Training for Mothers and Their Babies in a Mental Health Context.
AB - Many mothers experience difficulties after the birth of a baby. Mindful parenting
may have benefits for mothers and babies, because it can help mothers regulate
stress, and be more attentive towards themselves and their babies, which may have
positive effects on their responsivity. This study examined the effectiveness of
Mindful with your baby, an 8-week mindful parenting group training for mothers
with their babies. The presence of the babies provides on-the-spot practicing
opportunities and facilitates generalization of what is learned. Forty-four
mothers with their babies (0-18 months), who were referred to a mental health
clinic because of elevated stress or mental health problems of the mother, infant
(regulation) problems, or mother-infant interaction problems, participated in 10
groups, each comprising of three to six mother-baby dyads. Questionnaires were
administered at pretest, posttest, 8-week follow-up, and 1-year follow-up.
Dropout rate was 7%. At posttest, 8-week follow-up, and 1-year follow-up, a
significant improvement was seen in mindfulness, self-compassion, mindful
parenting, (medium to large effects), as well as in well-being, psychopathology,
parental confidence, responsivity, and hostility (small to large effects).
Parental stress and parental affection only improved at the first and second
follow-ups, respectively (small to medium effects), and maternal attention and
rejection did not change. The infants improved in their positive affectivity
(medium effect) but not in other aspects of their temperament. Mindful with your
baby is a promising intervention for mothers with babies who are referred to
mental health care because of elevated stress or mental health problems, infant
(regulation) problems, or mother-infant interaction problems.
PMID- 28989551
TI - Mindfulness Mechanisms in Sports: Mediating Effects of Rumination and Emotion
Regulation on Sport-Specific Coping.
AB - The main objective of the project was to examine a proposed theoretical model of
mindfulness mechanisms in sports. We conducted two studies (the first study using
a cross-sectional design and the second a longitudinal design) to investigate if
rumination and emotion regulation mediate the relation between dispositional
mindfulness and sport-specific coping. Two hundred and forty-two young elite
athletes, drawn from various sports, were recruited for the cross-sectional
study. For the longitudinal study, 65 elite athletes were recruited. All analyses
were performed using Bayesian statistics. The path analyses showed credible
indirect effects of dispositional mindfulness on coping via rumination and
emotion regulation in both the cross-sectional study and the longitudinal study.
Additionally, the results in both studies showed credible direct effects of
dispositional mindfulness on rumination and emotion regulation. Further, credible
direct effects of emotion regulation as well as rumination on coping were also
found in both studies. Our findings support the theoretical model, indicating
that rumination and emotion regulation function as essential mechanisms in the
relation between dispositional mindfulness and sport-specific coping skills.
Increased dispositional mindfulness in competitive athletes (i.e. by practicing
mindfulness) may lead to reductions in rumination, as well as an improved
capacity to regulate negative emotions. By doing so, athletes may improve their
sport-related coping skills, and thereby enhance athletic performance.
PMID- 28989552
TI - Inflexible Youngsters: Psychological and Psychopathological Correlates of the
Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youths in Nonclinical Dutch Adolescents.
AB - The present study examined psychological and psychopathological correlates of
psychological inflexibility as measured by the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire
for Youth (AFQ-Y) in two independent samples of nonclinical Dutch adolescents
aged between 12 and 18 years (Ns being 184 and 157). Participants completed a
survey containing the AFQ-Y and scales assessing mindfulness, thought
suppression, self-compassion, self-worth, self-efficacy, and
internalizing/externalizing symptoms. In both samples, the AFQ-Y was found to be
a reliable measure of psychological inflexibility that correlated in a
theoretically meaningful way with other psychological constructs. Most
importantly, AFQ-Y scores correlated positively with internalizing and
externalizing symptoms, and in most cases, these associations remained
significant when controlling for other measures. These findings suggest that
psychological inflexibility is an important factor in youth psychopathology that
needs to be further investigated in future research.
PMID- 28989553
TI - A Randomized Controlled Pilot Intervention Study of a Mindfulness-Based Self
Leadership Training (MBSLT) on Stress and Performance.
AB - The present randomized pilot intervention study examines the effects of a
mindfulness-based self-leadership training (MBSLT) specifically developed for
academic achievement situations. Both mindfulness and self-leadership have a
strong self-regulatory focus and are helpful in terms of stress resilience and
performance enhancements. Based on several theoretical points of contact and a
specific interplay between mindfulness and self-leadership, the authors developed
an innovative intervention program that improves mood as well as performance in a
real academic setting. The intervention was conducted as a randomized controlled
study over 10 weeks. The purpose was to analyze the effects on perceived stress,
test anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and the performance of students by
comparing an intervention and control group (n = 109). Findings demonstrated
significant effects on mindfulness, self-leadership, academic self-efficacy, and
academic performance improvements in the intervention group. Results showed that
the intervention group reached significantly better grade point averages than the
control group. Moreover, the MBSLT over time led to a reduction of test anxiety
in the intervention group compared to the control group. Furthermore, while
participants of the control group showed an increase in stress over time,
participants of the intervention group maintained constant stress levels over
time. The combination of mindfulness and self-leadership addressed both positive
effects on moods and on objective academic performance. The effects demonstrate
the great potential of combining mindfulness with self-leadership to develop a
healthy self-regulatory way of attaining achievement-related goals and succeeding
in high-stress academic environments.
PMID- 28989554
TI - Sexual Health Care Services among Young Adult Sexual Minority Women.
AB - Young adult sexual minority women (YSMW) are at elevated risk for negative
reproductive health outcomes, yet are less likely than heterosexual peers to
utilize preventive health care. Medical and public health policy organizations
advocate sexual orientation disclosure ("coming out") to health care providers as
a strategy for increasing service utilization among YSMW. Limited research
explores relationships between disclosure and receipt of sexual health services.
YSMW (N=285) ages 21-24 participated in an online survey assessing their health
behaviors and care utilization. We employed multivariable logistic regression
models to examine the association between receipt of sexual health services and
sexual orientation disclosure to provider, after adjusting for sociodemographic
covariates. Thirty-five percent of YSMW were out to their provider. Less than
half the sample had received Pap screening or STI testing in the previous year;
approximately 15% had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccination.
Disclosure was associated with increased likelihood of Pap screening (OR=2.66,
p<.001) and HPV vaccination (OR=4.30, p<.001), but was not significantly
associated with STI testing. Promoting coming out to providers may be a promising
approach to increase sexual health care use among YSMW. Future research should
explore causal relationships between these factors.
PMID- 28989556
TI - Fibreglass Total Contact Casting, Removable Cast Walkers, and Irremovable Cast
Walkers to Treat Diabetic Neuropathic Foot Ulcers: A Health Technology
Assessment.
AB - BACKGROUND: Diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers are a risk factor for lower leg
amputation. Many experts recommend offloading with fibreglass total contact
casting, removable cast walkers, and irremovable cast walkers as a way to treat
these ulcers. METHODS: We completed a health technology assessment, which
included an evaluation of clinical benefits and harms, value for money, and
patient preferences for offloading devices. We performed a systematic literature
search on August 17, 2016, to identify randomized controlled trials that compared
fibreglass total contact casting, removable cast walkers, and irremovable cast
walkers with other treatments (offloading or non-offloading) in patients with
diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers. We developed a decision-analytic model to
assess the cost-effectiveness of fibreglass total contact casting, removable cast
walkers, and irremovable cast walkers, and we conducted a 5-year budget impact
analysis. Finally, we interviewed people with diabetes who had lived experience
with foot ulcers, asking them about the different offloading devices and the
factors that influenced their treatment choices. RESULTS: We identified 13
randomized controlled trials. The evidence suggests that total contact casting,
removable cast walkers, and irremovable cast walkers are beneficial in the
treatment of neuropathic, noninfected foot ulcers in patients with diabetes but
without severe peripheral arterial disease. Compared to removable cast walkers,
ulcer healing was improved with total contact casting (moderate quality evidence;
risk difference 0.17 [95% confidence interval 0.00-0.33]) and irremovable cast
walkers (low quality evidence; risk difference 0.21 [95% confidence interval 0.01
0.40]). We found no difference in ulcer healing between total contact casting and
irremovable cast walkers (low quality evidence; risk difference 0.02 [95%
confidence interval -0.11-0.14]). The economic analysis showed that total contact
casting and irremovable cast walkers were less expensive and led to more health
outcome gains (e.g., ulcers healed and quality-adjusted life-years) than
removable cast walkers. Irremovable cast walkers were as effective as total
contact casting and were associated with lower costs. The 5-year budget impact of
funding total contact casting, removable cast walkers, and irremovable cast
walkers (device costs only at 100% access) would be $17 to $20 million per year.
The patients we interviewed felt that wound healing was improved with total
contact casting than with removable cast walkers, but that removable cast walkers
were more convenient and came with a lower cost burden. They reported no
experience or familiarity with irremovable cast walkers. CONCLUSIONS: Ulcer
healing improved with total contact casting, irremovable cast walkers, and
removable cast walkers, but total contact casting and irremovable cast walkers
had higher rates of ulcer healing than removable cast walkers. Increased access
to offloading devices could result in cost savings for the health system because
of fewer amputations. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers reported a preference
for total contact casting over removable cast walkers, largely because they
perceived wound healing to be improved with total contact casting. However, cost,
comfort, and convenience are concerns for patients.
PMID- 28989555
TI - Noninvasive Evaluation of Varying Pulse Pressures in vivo Using Brachial
Sphymomanometry, Applanation Tonometry, and Pulse Wave Ultrasound Manometry.
AB - The routine assessment and monitoring of hypertension may benefit from the
evaluation of arterial pulse pressure (PP) at more central locations (e.g. the
aorta) rather solely at the brachial artery. Pulse Wave Ultrasound Manometry
(PWUM) was previously developed by our group to provide direct, noninvasive
aortic PP measurements using ultrasound elasticity imaging. Using PWUM, radial
applanation tonometry, and brachial sphygmomanometry, this study investigated the
feasibility of noninvasively obtaining direct PP measurements at multiple
arterial locations in normotensive, pre-hypertensive, and hypertensive human
subjects. Two-way ANOVA indicated a significantly higher aortic PP in the
hypertensive subjects, while radial and brachial PP were not significantly
different among the subject groups. No strong correlation (r2 < 0.45) was
observed between aortic and radial/brachial PP in normal and pre-hypertensive
subjects, suggesting that increases in PP throughout the arterial tree may not be
uniform in relatively compliant arteries. However, there was a relatively strong
positive correlation between aortic PP and both radial and brachial PP in
hypertensive subjects (r2 = 0.68 and 0.87, respectively). PWUM provides a low
cost, non-invasive, and direct means of measuring the pulse pressure in large
central arteries such as the aorta. When used in conjunction with peripheral
measurement devices, PWUM allows for the routine screening of hypertension and
monitoring of BP-lowering drugs based on the PP from multiple arterial sites.
PMID- 28989557
TI - ALLELE-SPECIFIC COPY NUMBER ESTIMATION BY WHOLE EXOME SEQUENCING.
AB - Whole exome sequencing is currently a technology of choice in large-scale cancer
genomics studies, where the priority is to identify cancer-associated variants in
coding regions. We describe a method for estimating allele-specific copy number
using whole exome sequencing data from tumor and matched normal.
PMID- 28989558
TI - Designing penalty functions in high dimensional problems: The role of tuning
parameters.
AB - Various forms of penalty functions have been developed for regularized estimation
and variable selection. Screening approaches are often used to reduce the number
of covariate before penalized estimation. However, in certain problems, the
number of covariates remains large after screening. For example, in genome-wide
association (GWA) studies, the purpose is to identify Single Nucleotide
Polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with certain traits, and typically there
are millions of SNPs and thousands of samples. Because of the strong correlation
of nearby SNPs, screening can only reduce the number of SNPs from millions to
tens of thousands and the variable selection problem remains very challenging.
Several penalty functions have been proposed for such high dimensional data.
However, it is unclear which class of penalty functions is the appropriate choice
for a particular application. In this paper, we conduct a theoretical analysis to
relate the ranges of tuning parameters of various penalty functions with the
dimensionality of the problem and the minimum effect size. We exemplify our
theoretical results in several penalty functions. The results suggest that a
class of penalty functions that bridges L0 and L1 penalties requires less
restrictive conditions on dimensionality and minimum effect sizes in order to
attain the two fundamental goals of penalized estimation: to penalize all the
noise to be zero and to obtain unbiased estimation of the true signals. The
penalties such as SICA and Log belong to this class, but they have not been used
often in applications. The simulation and real data analysis using GWAS data
suggest the promising applicability of such class of penalties.
PMID- 28989560
TI - Evaluation of Performance of Introduced Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus spp.) in Three Agro
Ecological Zones of Rwanda.
AB - The yam bean (Pachyrizhus spp) was recently introduced as a root crop with high
yield potential, considerable protein and micro-nutrient concentration to
investigate its potential for food production in Rwanda. Except for Chuin types
(Pachyrizhus tuberosus) which have high storage root dry matter (RDM) (26 to
36%), most accessions are consumed raw and are reported to have low RDM. The
present study aimed to evaluate and identify adapted high yielding yam bean
accessions in major agro-ecological zones of Rwanda. Field experiments with 22
accessions were conducted in 2012 at three research sites representing the major
agro-ecologies of Rwanda. Strict reproductive pruning was followed to enhance
fresh storage root yields. Across locations, ANOVA indicated highly significant
differences (p < 0.01) for genotypes (G), locations (L), seasons (S) and G x L
effects for storage root yield, vine yield and harvest index and accounted for
21.88%, 43.41%, 1.43% and 13.25% of the treatment sum of squares, respectively.
The GGE bi-plot revealed that EC209018 is high yielding but unstable. However,
genotypes, AC209034, AC209035 and EC209046, were outstanding in terms of
adaptation and relative stability across the 3 locations, suggesting consistent
root yields irrespective of location and environmental conditions. The GGE
scatter plot showed that all genotypes formed one mega-environment for storage
root yield (Karama, Musanze and Rubona) and two mega-environments for biomass
yield (Karama and Rubona as one mega-environment and Musanze the second one).
This study revealed that Karama is the most suitable environment for evaluation
and selection of yam bean for yield components in Rwanda.
PMID- 28989559
TI - Breakup-related appraisals and the psychological well-being of young adult gay
and bisexual men.
AB - Participation in romantic relationships during adolescence and young adulthood
provides opportunities to explore one's sexuality, yet may also cause distress
once these relationships dissolve. Although researchers have asserted that
participation in same-sex relationships may be beneficial for young gay and
bisexual men's (YGBM) psychosocial well-being, less is known about YGBM
appraisals of breakups after participating in same-sex relationships. We examined
the association between self-reported psychological well-being (e.g., symptoms of
depression and anxiety; self-esteem, sense of personal competency) and YGBM's
negative and positive appraisals of breakups within a sample of single YGBM
(N=1,040; ages 18-24) who reported prior serious same-sex relationships. Negative
appraisals were associated with lower psychological well-being. Positive
appraisals were associated with greater anxiety symptoms, self-esteem and sense
of personal competency. Our findings highlight the need to acknowledge how YGBM's
differential responses to breakups may be associated with their psychological
well-being.
PMID- 28989561
TI - Eigenvalues of Random Matrices with Isotropic Gaussian Noise and the Design of
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Experiments.
AB - Tensor-valued and matrix-valued measurements of different physical properties are
increasingly available in material sciences and medical imaging applications. The
eigenvalues and eigenvectors of such multivariate data provide novel and unique
information, but at the cost of requiring a more complex statistical analysis. In
this work we derive the distributions of eigenvalues and eigenvectors in the
special but important case of m*m symmetric random matrices, D, observed with
isotropic matrix-variate Gaussian noise. The properties of these distributions
depend strongly on the symmetries of the mean tensor/matrix, D. When D has
repeated eigenvalues, the eigenvalues of D are not asymptotically Gaussian, and
repulsion is observed between the eigenvalues corresponding to the same D
eigenspaces. We apply these results to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), with m =
3, addressing an important problem of detecting the symmetries of the diffusion
tensor, and seeking an experimental design that could potentially yield an
isotropic Gaussian distribution. In the 3-dimensional case, when the mean tensor
is spherically symmetric and the noise is Gaussian and isotropic, the asymptotic
distribution of the first three eigenvalue central moment statistics is simple
and can be used to test for isotropy. In order to apply such tests, we use
quadrature rules of order t >= 4 with constant weights on the unit sphere to
design a DTI-experiment with the property that isotropy of the underlying true
tensor implies isotropy of the Fisher information. We also explain the potential
implications of the methods using simulated DTI data with a Rician noise model.
PMID- 28989562
TI - A Bayesian approach to identify genes and gene-level SNP aggregates in a genetic
analysis of cancer data.
AB - Complex diseases, such as cancer, arise from complex etiologies consisting of
multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), each contributing a small amount
to the overall risk of disease. Thus, many researchers have gone beyond single
SNPs analysis methods, focusing instead on groups of SNPs, for example by
analysing haplotypes. More recently, pathway-based methods have been proposed
that use prior biological knowledge on gene function to achieve a more powerful
analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data. In this paper we propose
a novel Bayesian modeling framework to identify molecular biomarkers for disease
prediction. Our method combines pathway-based approaches with multiple SNP
analyses of a specified region of interest. The model's development is motivated
by SNP data from a lung cancer study. In our approach we define gene-level scores
based on SNP allele frequencies and use a linear modeling setting to study the
scores association to the observed phenotype. The basic idea behind the
definition of gene-level scores is to weigh the SNPs within the gene according to
their rarity, based on genotype frequencies expected under the Hardy-Weinberg
equilibrium law. This results in scores giving more importance to the unusually
low frequencies, i.e. to SNPs that might indicate peculiar genetic differences
between subjects belonging to different groups. An additional feature of our
approach is that we incorporate information on SNP-to-SNP associations into the
model. In particular, we use network priors that model the linkage disequilibrium
between SNPs. For posterior inference, we design a stochastic search method that
identifies significant biomarkers (genes and SNPs) for disease prediction. We
assess performances on simulated data and compare results to existing approaches.
We then show the ability of the proposed methodology to detect relevant genes and
associated SNPs in a lung cancer dataset.
PMID- 28989563
TI - GENERATIVE METHOD TO DISCOVER EMPHYSEMA SUBTYPES WITH UNSUPERVISED LEARNING USING
LUNG MACROSCOPIC PATTERNS (LMPS): THE MESA COPD STUDY.
AB - Pulmonary emphysema overlaps considerably with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), and is traditionally subcategorized into three subtypes:
centrilobular emphysema (CLE), panlobular emphysema (PLE) and paraseptal
emphysema (PSE). Automated classification methods based on supervised learning
are generally based upon the current definition of emphysema subtypes, while
unsupervised learning of texture patterns enables the objective discovery of
possible new radiological emphysema subtypes. In this work, we use a variant of
the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model to discover lung macroscopic patterns
(LMPs) in an unsupervised way from lung regions that encode emphysematous areas.
We evaluate the possible utility of the LMPs as potential novel emphysema
subtypes via measuring their level of reproducibility when varying the learning
set and by their ability to predict traditional radiological emphysema subtypes.
Experimental results show that our algorithm can discover highly reproducible
LMPs, that predict traditional emphysema subtypes.
PMID- 28989565
TI - Risk of liver disease in methotrexate treated patients.
AB - Methotrexate is the first line drug treatment for a number of rheumatic and non
rheumatic diseases. It is effective in controlling disease activity and
preventing disease-related damage, and significantly cheaper than many
alternatives. Use in rheumatoid arthritis infers a significant morbidity and
mortality benefit. Methotrexate is generally well tolerated but can cause
symptomatic adverse events. Multiple serious adverse events have been attributed
to methotrexate, based largely on older reports using high or daily doses, and
subsequent case reports and circumstantial evidence. The risk with modern dosing
regimens: Lower doses, weekly schedules, and concomitant folic acid is less
clear. Clarification and dissemination of the actual risk is crucial so
appropriate judgements can be made for patients who may benefit from this
treatment. Methotrexate has been associated with a range of liver related adverse
events ranging from asymptomatic transaminase elevations to fibrosis and fatal
hepatic necrosis. Concern over potential liver toxicity has resulted in treatment
avoidance, cessation, or recommendations for investigations which may be costly,
invasive and unwarranted. Modern laboratory monitoring of liver blood tests may
also influence the risk of more serious complications. The majority of present
day studies report an approximate doubling of the relative risk of elevated
transaminases in methotrexate treated patients but no increased risk of
symptomatic or severe liver related adverse events. In this article we will
review the evidence around methotrexate and liver related adverse events.
PMID- 28989564
TI - Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging of liver: Principles, clinical
applications and recent updates.
AB - Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), a functional imaging technique exploiting the
Brownian motion of water molecules, is increasingly shown to have value in
various oncological and non-oncological applications. Factors such as the ease of
acquisition and ability to obtain functional information in the absence of
intravenous contrast, especially in patients with abnormal renal function, have
contributed to the growing interest in exploring clinical applications of DWI. In
the liver, DWI demonstrates a gamut of clinical applications ranging from
detecting focal liver lesions to monitoring response in patients undergoing
serial follow-up after loco-regional and systemic therapies. DWI is also being
applied in the evaluation of diffuse liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this review, we intend to
review the basic principles, technique, current clinical applications and future
trends of DW-MRI in the liver.
PMID- 28989566
TI - Regional differences in genetic susceptibility to non-alcoholic liver disease in
two distinct Indian ethnicities.
AB - AIM: To validate the association of variants in PNPLA3 (rs2281135) and TM6SF2
(rs58542926) genes with ultrasound detected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD). METHODS: A total of 503 individuals with and without fatty infiltration
were recruited. Fatty infiltration was confirmed based on ultrasound findings.
Anthropometric data and blood samples were collected from the study group. DNA
was isolated from peripheral blood, quality and quantity was assessed by gel
electrophoresis and spectrophotometer respectively. Genotyping of the variants in
PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genes was carried out by employing taqman probes (C_15875080_10
for PNPLA3 and C_8946351_10 for TM6SF2 SNP) on real time PCR (Stepone
Lifetechnologies). Genotype data was tested for deviations from Hardy-Weinberg
equilibrium. chi2 test was used to analyze the statistical significance of the
difference in genotype distribution of the studied variants in patients and
controls and the strength of association was expressed as odds ratio (95%CI). A
two-tailed P value of <= 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:
The study group comprised of 503 individuals of which 256 had fatty infiltration
and 247 without fatty infiltration and thus formed the patient and control groups
respectively. As the patient group could be divided in to two distinct
ethnicities (ancestral South Indians-ASI and North-East Indians-NEI), further
recruitment of control cohort and association analyses was carried out based on
ethnicities. Of the 256 with fatty infiltration 93 were ASI and 163 were NEI and
of the 247 controls 138 were ASI and 109 were NEI. As expected, there were
significant differences in the anthropometric and other clinical data between the
control and the patient groups. However significant differences within the
ethnicities were also noted. While rs2281135 in PNPLA3 gene was significantly
associated (P = 0.03) with higher risk (odds 1.9, 95%CI: 1.5-3.14, P = 0.03) of
NAFLD in NEI ethnicity, rs58542926 in TM6SF2 gene was significantly associated
with NAFLD with a 2.7 fold higher risk (odds 2.7, 95%CI: 1.37-5.3, P = 0.0004) of
the disease. There were significantly higher proportions of individuals with
variants in both the genes in the patient group in both ASI (patients - 14/93 and
controls - 7/138; P = 0.009) and NEI ethnicities (patients - 17/163 and controls
7/109; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Although the study identified distinct genetic
susceptibility in the two ethnicities, transheterozygosity of the variants
suggests higher risk of NAFLD in individuals with both the variants.
PMID- 28989567
TI - Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia presenting in first fourteen days in term neonates.
AB - AIM: To describe the etiology and characteristics of early-onset conjugated
hyperbilirubinemia (ECHB) presenting within 14 d of life in term neonates.
METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of term infants up to 28-d-old who
presented with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (CHB) at a tertiary center over a 5
year period from January 2010 to December 2014. CHB is defined as conjugated
bilirubin (CB) fraction greater than 15% of total bilirubin and CB greater or
equal to 25 MUmol/L. ECHB is defined as CHB detected within 14 d of life. "Late
onset" CHB (LCHB) is detected at 15-28 d of life and served as the comparison
group. RESULTS: Total of 117 patients were recruited: 65 had ECHB, 52 had LCHB.
Neonates with ECHB were more likely to be clinically unwell (80.0% vs 42.3%, P <
0.001) and associated with non-hepatic causes (73.8% vs 44.2%, P = 0.001)
compared to LCHB. Multifactorial liver injury (75.0%) and sepsis (17.3%) were the
most common causes of ECHB in clinically unwell infants, majority (87.5%) had
resolution of CHB with no progression to chronic liver disease. Inborn errors of
metabolism were rare (5.8%) but associated with high mortality (100%) in our
series. In the subgroup of clinically well infants (n = 13) with ECHB, biliary
atresia (BA) was the most common diagnosis (61.5%), all presented initially with
normal stools and decline in total bilirubin but with persistent CHB. CONCLUSION:
Secondary hepatic injury is the most common reason for ECHB. BA presents with
ECHB in well infants without classical symptoms of pale stools and deep jaundice.
PMID- 28989568
TI - Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-11 is increased under conditions of
insulin resistance.
AB - AIM: To investigate matrix metalloproteinase-11 (MMP-11) expression in adipose
tissue dysfunction, using in vitro and in vivo models of insulin resistance.
METHODS: Culture of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiation
into mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cellular insulin resistance was induced by
treating differentiated cultured adipocytes with hypoxia and/or tumor necrosis
factor (TNF)-alpha, and transcriptional changes were analyzed in each condition
thereafter. For the in vivo studies, MMP-11 expression levels were measured in
white adipose tissue (WAT) from C57BL/6J mice that underwent low fat diet or high
fat feeding in order to induce obesity and obesity-related insulin resistance.
Statistical analysis was carried out with GraphPad Prism Software. RESULTS: MMP
11 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in insulin resistant 3T3-L1
adipocytes compared to control cells (1.46 +/- 0.49 vs 0.83 +/- 0.21,
respectively; P < 0.00036). The increase in MMP-11 expression was observed even
in the presence of TNF-alpha alone (3.79 +/- 1.11 vs 1 +/- 0.17, P < 0.01) or
hypoxia alone (1.79 +/- 0.7 vs 0.88 +/- 0.1, P < 0.00023). The results obtained
in in vitro experiments were confirmed in the in vivo model of insulin
resistance. In particular, MMP-11 mRNA was upregulated in WAT from obese mice
compared to lean mice (5.5 +/- 2.8 vs 1.1 +/- 0.7, respectively; P < 3.72E-08).
The increase in MMP-11 levels in obese mice was accompanied by the increase in
typical markers of fibrosis, such as collagen type VI alpha 3 (Col6alpha3), and
fibroblast-specific protein 1. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that
dysregulation of MMP-11 expression is an early process in the adipose tissue
dysfunction, which leads to obesity and obesity-related insulin resistance.
PMID- 28989569
TI - Clinical profile of diabetes at diagnosis among children and adolescents at an
endocrine clinic in Ghana.
AB - AIM: To determine the clinical features of diabetes in children and adolescents
in Ghana. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical features of all children and
adolescents with new-onset diabetes seen at the paediatric endocrinology clinic
of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, from February 2012 to Auguest 2016.
RESULTS: One hundred and six subjects presented with diabetes. Ninety (84.9%)
were diagnosed by clinical features and family history as type 1, and 16 (15.1%)
type 2. For type 1 subjects, age range at diagnosis was 0.9-19.9 year (y), peak
age of onset 12-13 year, and 3.3% were < 5 year, 21.1% 5- < 10 year, 45.6% 10- <
15 year and 30.0% 15- < 20 year. Seventy-one point one percent were female.
Common clinical features were polyuria (100%), polydipsia (98.9%), and weight
loss (82.2%). Mean BMI SD was -0.54, range -3.84 to 2.47. 60.0% presented in
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Nine had infections at onset (skin, abscess, leg
ulcer). Mean +/- SD HbA1c at diagnosis was 12.7% +/- 1.9% (115 +/- 21 mmol/mol).
Four have since died: Hypoglycaemia (2), recurrent DKA (1), osteosarcoma (1). Two
other type 1 cases died of DKA at presentation in emergency before being seen by
the paediatric endocrinologist. Crude mortality rate including these 2 cases was
32.2/1000 patient years. Type 2 cases were 81% female, age of onset 9-19 year.
Mean BMI SD was 1.49, range -0.87 to 2.61. Forty-three point eight percent
presented in DKA. All type 2 cases had acanthosis nigricans. Overall, 9.8% did
not have home refrigeration, most using clay pot evaporative cooling for insulin
storage. CONCLUSION: Type 1 occurs with a female preponderance and high DKA
rates. Type 2 also occurs. Typology based on clinical features is difficult.
Community and professional awareness is warranted.
PMID- 28989570
TI - Eye and foot checks in patients with diabetes on haemodialysis: Are they done,
and who does them?
AB - AIM: To determine if retinal and foot checks are carried out on patients with
diabetes receiving haemodialysis. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with diabetes
receiving haemodialysis were asked if they recalled having eye and foot screening
in the last year, and if so, by whom was the check done. RESULTS: Seventy-seven
(91.7%) patients recalled having an eye check in the preceding 12 mo. Of these,
52 (67.5%) did so in an ophthalmology clinic, 17 (22%) in retinal screening,
three (3.9%) in an optician clinic. Three patients (3.9%) went to both
ophthalmology and retinal screening, and two (2.6%) attended an ophthalmology and
optician. Seventy (83.3%) patients recalled having a foot check in the preceding
12 mo. Of these, 33 (47.1%) were done by practice nurse, 14 (20%) by a diabetes
nurse, 11 (15.7%) by a general practitioner, eight (11.4%) by a chiropodist, and
four (5.7%) were each checked by renal nurse, diabetes consultant, junior doctor,
or unknown person at a foot clinic. CONCLUSION: Most patients with diabetes on
haemodialysis are able to recall having an eye check in the last year, although
8.3% could not. A significant proportion of patients could not recall having a
foot check (16.7%) in the last year. This baseline audit suggests that an
improvement in the rate of foot screening is important to achieve in patients
with diabetes on haemodialysis in our unit.
PMID- 28989571
TI - Black soybean anthocyanins attenuate inflammatory responses by suppressing
reactive oxygen species production and mitogen activated protein kinases
signaling in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is closely related with inflammation and
development of many diseases. Black soybean seed coat contains high amount of
anthocyanins, which are well-known for free radical scavenging activities. This
study investigated inflammatory response and action mechanism of black soybean
anthocyanins with regard to antioxidant activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells were treated with
anthocyanins extracted from black soybean seed coats in a concentration range of
12.5 to 100 ug/mL. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), secretion of
pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and the signaling in the mitogen
activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway were examined. RESULTS: Black soybean
anthocyanins significantly decreased LPS-stimulated production of ROS,
inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2, and pro
inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6,
in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity (P < 0.001). Black soybean
anthocyanins downregulated the expression of inducible NO synthase and
cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.001). Moreover, black
soybean anthocyanins inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs, including
extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 (P <
0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that black soybean anthocyanins exert
anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting ROS generation and subsequent MAPKs
signaling, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses.
PMID- 28989572
TI - Effects of ingredients of Korean brown rice cookies on attenuation of cholesterol
level and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Owing to health concerns related to the consumption of
traditional snacks high in sugars and fats, much effort has been made to develop
functional snacks with low calorie content. In this study, a new recipe for
Korean rice cookie, dasik, was developed and its antioxidative, lipid-lowering,
and anti-inflammatory effects and related mechanisms were elucidated. The effects
were compared with those of traditional rice cake dasik (RCD), the lipid-lowering
effect of which is greater than that of traditional western-style cookies.
MATERIALS/METHODS: Ginseng-added brown rice dasik (GBRD) was prepared with brown
rice flour, fructooligosaccharide, red ginseng extract, and propolis. Mice were
grouped (n = 7 per group) into those fed a normal AIN-76 diet, a high-fat diet
(HFD), and HFD supplemented with RCD or GBRD. Dasik in the HFD accounted for 7%
of the total calories. The lipid, reactive oxygen species, and peroxynitrite
levels, and degree of lipid peroxidation in the plasma or liver were determined.
The expression levels of proteins involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation,
and those of antioxidant enzymes were determined by western blot analysis.
RESULTS: The plasma and hepatic total cholesterol concentrations in the GBRD
group were significantly decreased via downregulation of sterol regulatory
element-binding protein-2 and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (P <
0.05). The hepatic peroxynitrite level was significantly lower, whereas
glutathione was higher, in the GBRD group than in the RCD group. Among the
antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were
significantly upregulated in the GBRD group (P < 0.05). In addition, nuclear
factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) expression in the GBRD group was significantly lower
than that in the RCD group. CONCLUSIONS: GBRD decreases the plasma and hepatic
cholesterol levels by downregulating cholesterol synthesis. This new dasik recipe
also improves the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory status in HFD-fed mice via
CAT and GPx upregulation and NF-kappaB downregulation. These effects were
significantly higher than those of RCD.
PMID- 28989574
TI - Protection of the brain through supplementation with larch arabinogalactan in a
rat model of vascular dementia.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vascular dementia (VaD) caused by reduced blood supply to
the brain manifests as white matter lesions accompanying demyelination and glial
activation. We previously showed that arabinoxylan consisting of arabinose and
xylose, and arabinose itself attenuated white matter injury in a rat model of
VaD. Here, we investigated whether larch arabinogalactan (LAG) consisting of
arabinose and galactose could also reduce white matter injury. MATERIALS/METHODS:
We used a rat model of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO), in
which the bilateral common carotid arteries were exposed and ligated permanently
with silk sutures. The rats were fed a modified AIN-93G diet supplemented with
LAG (100 mg/kg/day) for 5 days before and 4 weeks after being subjected to BCCAO.
Four weeks after BCCAO, the pupillary light reflex (PLR) was measured to assess
functional consequences of injury in the corpus callosum (cc). Additionally,
Luxol fast blue staining and immunohistochemical staining were conducted to
assess white matter injury, and astrocytic and microglial activation,
respectively. RESULTS: We showed that white matter injury in the the cc and optic
tract (opt) was attenuated in rats fed diet supplemented with LAG. Functional
consequences of injury reduction in the opt manifested as improved PLR. Overall,
these findings indicate that LAG intake protects against white matter injury
through inhibition of glial activation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study
support our hypothesis that cell wall polysaccharides consisting of arabinose are
effective at protecting white matter injury, regardless of their origin.
Moreover, LAG has the potential for development as a functional food to prevent
vascular dementia.
PMID- 28989573
TI - Corn silk extract improves benign prostatic hyperplasia in experimental rat
model.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a
corn silk extract on improving benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
MATERIALS/METHODS: The experimental animals, 6-week-old male Wistar rats, were
divided into sham-operated control (Sham) and experimental groups. The
experimental group, which underwent orchiectomy and received subcutaneous
injection of 10 mg/kg of testosterone propionate to induce BPH, was divided into
a Testo Only group that received only testosterone, a Testo+Fina group that
received testosterone and 5 mg/kg finasteride, a Testo+CSE10 group that received
testosterone and 10 mg/kg of corn silk extract, and a Testo+CSE100 group that
received testosterone and 100 mg/kg of corn silk extract. Prostate weight and
concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5alpha-reductase 2 (5alpha-R2), and
prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum or prostate tissue were determined. The
mRNA expressions of 5alpha-R2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in
prostate tissue were also measured. RESULTS: Compared to the Sham group, prostate
weight was significantly higher in the Testo Only group and decreased
significantly in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups (P < 0.05),
results that were consistent with those for serum DHT concentrations. The
concentrations of 5alpha-R2 in serum and prostate as well as the mRNA expression
of 5alpha-R2 in prostate were significantly lower in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10,
and Testo+CSE100 groups than that in the Testo Only group (P < 0.05). Similarly,
the concentrations of PSA in serum and prostate were significantly lower in the
Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups (P < 0.05) than in the Testo
Only group. The mRNA expression of PCNA in prostate dose-independently decreased
in the Testo+CSE-treated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BPH was induced through
injection of testosterone, and corn silk extract treatment improved BPH symptoms
by inhibiting the mRNA expression of 5alpha-R2 and decreasing the amount of
5alpha-R2, DHT, and PSA in serum and prostate tissue.
PMID- 28989575
TI - Antihypertensive effect of Ganjang (traditional Korean soy sauce) on Sprague
Dawley Rats.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although Korean fermented foods contain large amounts of
salt, which is known to exacerbate health problems, these foods still have
beneficial effects such as anti-hypertension, anti-cancer, and anti-colitis
properties. We hypothesized that ganjang may have different effects on blood
pressure compared to same concentrations of salt. MATERIALS/METHODS: Sprague
Dawley rats were divided into control (CT), NaCl (NC), and ganjang (GJ) groups
and orally administered with 8% NaCl concentration for 9 weeks. The systolic
blood pressure (SBP), serum chemistry, Na+ and K+ concentrations and renal gene
expressions were measured. RESULTS: The SBP was significantly increased in the NC
group compared to the GJ and CT groups. In addition, the Na+ concentration in
urine was higher in the GJ and NC groups than the CT group, but the urine volume
was increased in the GJ group compared to the other groups. The serum renin
levels were decreased in the GJ group compared to the CT group, while the serum
aldosterone level was decreased in the GJ group relative to the NC group. The
mRNA expression of the renin, angiotensin II type I receptor, and
mineralocorticoid receptor were significantly lower in the GJ group compared to
other groups. Furthermore, GJ group showed the lowest levels of genes for Na+
transporter in kidney cortex such as Na+/K+ ATPasealpha1 (NKAalpha1), Na+/H+
exchanger 3 (NHE3), Na+/HCO3- co-exchanger (NBC), and carbonic anhydrases II
(CAII). CONCLUSIONS: The decreased SBP in the GJ could be due to decreased renin
and aldosterone levels in serum and increased urinary volume and excretion of Na+
with its transporter gene alteration. Therefore, ganjang may have
antihypertensive effect despite its high contents of salt.
PMID- 28989576
TI - Antihypertensive effect of an enzymatic hydrolysate from Styela clava flesh
tissue in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind
study, we evaluated the antihypertensive effects of enzymatic hydrolysate from
Styela clava flesh tissue in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and
hypertension. SUBJECTS/METHODS: S. clava flesh tissue hydrolysate (SFTH) (n = 34)
and placebo (n = 22) were randomly allocated to the study subjects. Each subject
ingested two test capsules (500 mg) containing powdered SFTH (SFTH group) or
placebo capsules (placebo group) during four weeks. RESULTS: In the SFTH group,
systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly 4 weeks after
ingestion by 9.9 mmHg (P < 0.01) and 7.8 mmHg (P < 0.01), respectively. In
addition, the SFTH group exhibited a significant decrease in hemoglobin A1c with
a tendency toward improvement in homeostasis model assessment of insulin
resistance, triglyceride, apolipoprotein B and plasma insulin levels after 4
weeks. No adverse effects were observed in other indexes, including biochemical
and hematological parameters in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of our study
suggested that SFTH exerts a regulatory, antihypertensive effect in patients with
T2DM and hypertension.
PMID- 28989577
TI - Creating a school nutrition environment index and pilot testing it in elementary
and middle schools in urban South Korea.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The role of a school's nutrition environment in explaining
students' eating behaviors and weight status has not been examined in an Asian
setting. The purpose of this study was to create a school nutrition environment
index and to pilot test the index in elementary and middle schools in urban South
Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods approach. Environment
assessment tools were developed based on formative research, which comprised
literature reviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Key
elements from the formative research were included in the assessment tool, which
consisted of a structured survey questionnaire for school dietitians. Fifteen
school dietitians from 7 elementary and 8 middle schools in Seoul completed the
questionnaire. RESULTS: The formative research revealed four main sections that
guided a summary index to assess a school's nutrition environment: resource
availability, education and programs, dietitians' perceptions and
characteristics, and school lunch menu. Based on the literature reviews and
interviews, an index scoring system was developed. The total possible score from
the combined four index sections was 40 points. From the 15 schools participating
in the pilot survey, the mean school nutrition-environment index was 22.5
(standard deviation +/- 3.2; range 17-28). The majority of the schools did not
offer classroom-based nutrition education or nutrition counseling for students
and parents. The popular modes of nutrition education were school websites,
posters, and newsletters. CONCLUSIONS: This paper illustrates the process used to
develop an instrument to assess a school's nutrition environment. Moreover, it
presents the steps used to develop a scoring system for creation of a school
nutrition environment index. As pilot testing indicated the total index score has
some variation across schools, we suggest applying this instrument in future
studies involving a larger number of schools. Future studies with larger samples
will allow investigation of the validity and reliability of this newly developed
tool.
PMID- 28989578
TI - Chia seed (Salvia Hispanica L.) added yogurt reduces short-term food intake and
increases satiety: randomised controlled trial.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Several studies have reported that consumption of Salvia
Hispanica L.,commonly known as chia seed, may exert beneficial effects on health
outcomes. The main purpose of this study was to examine the influence of chia
seed consumption as a mid-morning snack on short-term satiety. SUBJECTS/METHODS:
Subjects (n = 24) were tested using a randomized, cross-over design consisting of
three mid-morning snacks. Yogurt with no chia seed, yogurt with 7 g chia seed,
and yogurt with 14 g chia seed were given to subjects on different test days.
After subjects were asked to report visual analog scale (VAS) scores on sensory
outcomes, ad libitum lunch was served, and energy intake of individuals was
measured. RESULTS: VAS scores indicated that participants reported significantly
lower scores for hunger (P = 0.033), prospective food consumption (P = 0.031),
amounts of food that could be consumed (P = 0.017), desire for sugary foods (P =
0.015), and higher scores for satiety (P = 0.031) on the test days with 7 g and
14 g chia seed. Energy intake of individuals during ad libitum lunch was
significantly lower when they consumed yogurt with 7 g or 14 g chia seed (P =
0.037). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that chia seed consumption as a mid
morning snack may induce short-term satiety in healthy individuals.
PMID- 28989579
TI - Circulating folate levels and colorectal adenoma: a case-control study and a meta
analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The relationship between folate and colorectal neoplasia
remains controversial. We examined the association between serum folate
concentrations and colorectal adenomas in a case-control study of Korean adults
and conducted a meta-analysis. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Our case-control study included
113 pairs of case and control who underwent colonoscopy and provided blood
samples. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression models to obtain
the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (CIs). For meta-analysis, we
identified the relevant studies by searching the PubMed database up to February
2017, included our case-control study and combined the study-specific relative
risks (RRs) using a random-effects model. RESULTS: In this case-control study, we
included 58 men and 55 women with colorectal adenomas and sex and fasting status
matched the controls. We did not find any significant association between the
serum folate levels and colorectal adenomas in either men or women. For meta
analysis, a total of eleven studies were included in our analysis and classified
into two groups; polyp clearance group (PC) for the studies that included
participants who underwent endoscopies and had their polyps removed at baseline;
and no polyp clearance group (NPC) for the studies that included participants
whose histories of endoscopies were unknown or who underwent their first
endoscopies. Four PC (1,311 cases and 1,672 non-cases) and eight NPC studies
(3,501 cases and 11,347 non-cases) were included. The combined RRs (95% CIs)
comparing the bottom with the top categories of circulating folate levels were
1.07 (0.97-1.18) for the NPC group but 1.45 (1.16-1.74) for the PC group.
CONCLUSIONS: Low circulating folate levels were associated with new adenoma
formation.
PMID- 28989580
TI - Luteolin and fisetin suppress oxidative stress by modulating sirtuins and
forkhead box O3a expression under in vitro diabetic conditions.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Chronic hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress via
accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contributes to diabetic
complications. Hyperglycemia induces mitochondrial superoxide anion production
through the increased activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
(NADPH) oxidase. This study aimed to determine whether fisetin and luteolin
treatments suppress the oxidative stress by modulating the expression of sirtuins
(SIRTs) and forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) under hyperglycemic conditions in human
monocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: Human monocytic cells (THP-1) were cultured under
osmotic control (14.5 mmol/L mannitol), normoglycemic (NG, 5.5 mmol/L glucose),
or hyperglycemic (HG, 20 mmol/L glucose) conditions, in the absence or presence
of fisetin and luteolin for 48 h. To determine the effect of fisetin and luteolin
treatments on high glucose-induced oxidative stress, western blotting and
intracellular staining were performed. RESULTS: Hyperglycemic conditions
increased the ROS production, as compared to normoglycemic condition. However,
fisetin and luteolin treatments inhibited ROS production under hyperglycemia. To
obtain further insight into ROS production in hyperglycemic conditions,
evaluation of p47phox expression revealed that fisetin and luteolin treatments
inhibited p47phox expression under hyperglycemic conditions. Conversely, the
expression levels of SIRT1, SIRT3, SIRT6, and FOXO3a were decreased under high
glucose conditions compared to normal glucose conditions, but exposure to fisetin
and luteolin induced the expression of SIRT1, SIRT3, SIRT6, and FOXO3a. The above
findings suggest that fisetin and luteolin inhibited high glucose-induced ROS
production in monocytes through the activation of SIRTs and FOXO3a. CONCLUSIONS:
The results of our study supports current researches that state fisetin and
luteolin as potential agents for the development of novel strategies for
diabetes.
PMID- 28989581
TI - Erratum: Effects of disturbed liver growth and oxidative stress of high-fat diet
fed dams on cholesterol metabolism in offspring mice.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 386 in vol. 10, PMID: 27478544.].
PMID- 28989582
TI - Patterns of DNMT1 Promoter Methylation in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia.
AB - Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a clonal malignant disorder
characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of immature T or B lymphocytes.
Extensive studies have shown that the epigenetic changes, especially modified DNA
methylation patterns in the regulatory regions through the DNA methyltransferase
(DNMTs), play an important role in the development of genetic disorders and
abnormal growth and maturation capacity of leukemic stem cells (LSCs).The aim of
this study was to evaluate the changes in DNMT1 promoter methylation and its
expression pattern in patients with ALL. Materials and Methods: In this
experimental study, methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to assess the
methylation status of DNMT1 promoter regions in samples collected from ALL
patients (n=45) and healthy control subjects. According to this method, un
methylated cytosine nucleotides are converted to uracil by sodium bisulfite and
the proliferation of methylated and un-methylated regions are performed using
specific primers for target sequences. Results: None of the patients with B and T
ALL showed methylated promoter regions of the DNMT1 gene, while the methylation
pattern of both pre-B ALL patients and the control group showed a relative
promoter methylation. Conclusion: Analysis of promoter methylation patterns in
various subgroups of ALL has revealed the importance of DNMT1 in the regulation
of gene expression. Likewise, extensive data have also highlighted the
methylation-based mechanisms exerted by DNAM1 as one of the main participants
regulating gene expression in B-ALL and T-ALL patients. Investigation of the
overall DNA methylation pattern offers significant improvements in the prediction
of disease prognosis and treatment response.
PMID- 28989584
TI - Expression Analysis of Long Non-Coding PCAT-1in Breast Cancer.
AB - Background: The prostate cancer-associated non-coding RNA transcript 1 (PCAT-1)
is a newly identified long non- coding RNA whose participation in tumorigenesis
of a variety of cancers has been observed. In the present study, we aimed at
analysis of its expression in breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The
expression of PCAT-1 was assessed using real-time reverse transcription
polymerase chain reaction in tumor samples obtained from 47newly diagnosed breast
cancer patients as well as their corresponding adjacent non-cancerous tissues
(ANCTs). Results: We detected significant over-expression of PCAT-1 in 12/47
(25.5%) of tumoral tissues compared with their corresponding ANCTs. However, no
significant association has been found between the levels of PCAT-1 transcripts
and patients' clinical data such as tumor size, stage, grade, estrogen and
progesterone receptors or Her2/neu status. Conclusion: PCAT-1 is possibly
involved in the pathogenesis of fraction of breast cancers. Future studies are
needed to evaluate its precise function in breast cancer.
PMID- 28989583
TI - Attitudes toward Telling the Truth to Cancer Patients in Iran: A Review Article.
AB - Background:Patients generally have the right to be informed of their condition,
but the debate over the issue of truth disclosure is still present. The attempt
of this study is to review the approaches toward truth- telling to cancer
patients in Iran. Materials and Methods: This study is a narrative review that
included articles published in Iran on attitudes toward telling the truth to
cancer patients. The present study extracted data from articles published in
PubMed, Science Direct, Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, Iran
Medex, Google Scholar, Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and
Technology with key terms such as truth disclosure, breaking bad news, death
awareness and disclosure of diagnosis without any time restriction. Results:
Totally, 21 articles including 14 in English and 7 in Persian were selected and
reviewed. The results of the study have shown that although treatment team and
caregivers are unwilling to disclose the truth to patients, they have a tendency
to obtain more information about their disease. Conclusion: As the incidence of
cancer has increased worldwide, telling the truth to patients seeking more
information about cancer disease would be inevitable, but more studies are
required to provide scientific procedures based on evidence for truth disclosure,
not the whole, to cancer patients.
PMID- 28989585
TI - Absolute and Functional Iron Deficiency Anemia among Different Tumors in Cancer
Patients in South Part of Iran, 2014.
AB - Background: Anemia is a common problem in cancer patients. This study aimed to
investigate the frequency rate of absolute and functional iron deficiency anemia
among different tumors and its distribution in different stages of cancer in
solid tumors. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 597 patients
with cancer referred to Ali-Ebne-Abitaleb Hospital in Zahedan. Laboratory tests
included serum iron, transferrin saturation, C-reactive protein (CRP),
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and complete blood count (CBC). The
malignancy type and stages were recorded. Data were analysed using SPSS
statistics software (Ver.19). Results: Four hundred and fifty-seven patients
(76.5 %) diagnosed with solid tumors and 140 (23.5%) suffered from hematologic
malignancies. Among patients with solid tumors, functional iron deficiency had
the highest rate (300 patients had anemia and 243 (53.2%) of whom were
functionally iron deficient), but in hematologic malignancies most of patients
had not iron deficiency (66 patients had not iron deficiency against 12 patients
had absolute iron deficiency and 62 patients had functional iron deficiency
anemia) (P-value=0.021). No significant differences were observed among the
various stages of cancers in terms of degrees of iron deficiency (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that solid tumors had a higher rate
of absolute and functional iron deficiency anemia, compared to hematologic
malignancies. But there was no difference between the different stages of the
disease.
PMID- 28989586
TI - How Do Donor-Recipient CMV Serostatus and Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell
Transplantation CMV Reactivation Affect Outcomes in Acute Leukemia Patients?
AB - Background: This study evaluated CMV serostatus in donors and recipients of
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and its effects on CMV
reactivation of patients and all aspects of CMV on HSCT outcomes. Materialsand
Methods: Seven hundred and five adult acute leukemia patients (AML=408 and
AML=297) who had undergone HSCT were included in this retrospective study. We
categorized donor-recipient pairs in three risk groups: positive donors (D+) were
studied as high-risk group, including either R+ or R-(n=485), R-D- as low-risk
group (n=32) and R+D- as intermediate group (n=15). Results: There was no
statistically difference in CMV reactivation among these risk groups (P=0.14).CMV
infection rate was lower in R+D+ than R+D-(p=0.050). Multivariate analysis showed
that patients developing CMV infection had lower overall survival (p=0.04, HR:
1.43, CI=1.00- 2.05) and higher non- relapse mortality (P=0.01, HR: 1.62, CI=1.11
2.38). Relapse rate did not change in CMV reactivated patients (P=0.94).
Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that asCMV reactivation occurred
more in R+D- patients compared to R+D+ ones, and was associated with inferior OS
and higher NRM it could be suggested that in contrast to general belief, if the
recipient is seropositive , seropositive donor is preferred to a seronegative
one.
PMID- 28989587
TI - High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Patients and Its Adverse Outcome.
AB - Background: Although several studies have supported a preventive and therapeutic
role of vitamin D (Vit D) for different types of cancers, we face insufficient
documentation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). So, we examined whether the serum
calcidiol (25(OH)D) levels at the time of induction therapy have any impact on
response and relapse in AML patients. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were
collected from 65 patients on days 0 and 28th of treatment to evaluate serum
concentration of 25(OH)D and its effects on complete remission (CR) achievement,
relapse rate and hospitalization length. Results: Of the 65 patients who were
included in the study, 38 were male (58.5%) and 27 were female (41.5%). Median
age at the time of treatment was 37 years (range 15-68). 6% of the participants
were older than 60 years. In regard to 25(OH)D levels, 81.5% of AML patients were
deficient (levels <20 ng/ml). There was a significant difference in CR between
patients with sufficient and deficient level of 25(OH)D. Deficient patients had
longer length of hospitalization than those with sufficient levels. Also Vitamin
D deficient patients had higher serum ALP levels. The mean level of 25(OH)D on
treatment day 28th in our study was significantly lower than the baseline value.
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that serum 25(OH)D levels deficiency
was highly prevalent among Iranian AML patients. Furthermore, higher Vit D levels
in AML patients were associated with better outcome in these patients.
PMID- 28989588
TI - Cytogenetic Abnormalities with Interphase FISH Method and Clinical Manifestation
in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients in North-East of Iran.
AB - Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most prevalent adult
leukemias. This malignancy is known by lymphocytosis for a duration of more than
3 months. In fact, it is a heterogeneous clinical disease with changeable
progression. Chromosomal aberrations are significant parameters to predict result
and survival rate and find treatment strategies for each patient. Cytogenetic
methods are known as sensitive and relatively new procedures to detect
abnormalities in genome. Materials and Methods: In order to identify CLL-related
chromosomal abnormalities, 48 CLL patients included 38 Men and 10 Women with mean
age of 58.25+/-36 were enrolled in this case series study.The survey was done at
Cancer Molecular Pathology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical
Sciences. Interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (I-FISH) was done on
unstimulated peripheral blood or bone marrow samples, which were cultured in
whole medium culture; it was used to detect chromosomal abnormalities such as 11q
, 13q14-, 17p- , 6q- and trisomy 12 in CLL patients. Results: Analysis
demonstrated that 45.5% of CLL cases had chromosomal abnormalities; 13.63% haddel
17p, 40.90% had del 13q14 and 9.09% had del 11q. Statistical analysis of data
revealed a significant relevancy between age variable and splenomegaly occurrence
(P value<0.05). The younger the patients were, the less the splenomegaly
occurrence. Conclusion: Laboratory findings were correlated with clinical data.
PMID- 28989589
TI - Aberrant Methylation of APAF-1 Gene in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients.
AB - Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous clonal disorder
characterized by immature myeloid cell proliferation and bone marrow failure.
Various genetic and epigenetic factors have been found to be influential in such
patients. Methylation silencing of APAF-1, a putative tumor suppressor gene
(TSG), has been found in several human malignancies. In this study, we explored
the association of APAF-1 methylation status with AML patients. Materials and
Methods: We studied the methylation status of APAF-1 gene in 101 AML patients and
50 healthy subjects as controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes in
peripheral blood or bone marrow and the methylation status of APAF-1 gene
promoter was detectedusing methylation-specific PCR (MSP) method with specific
methylated and unmethylated primers. Gene expression was analyzed using real time
RT-PCR. Results: The prevalence of methylated (MM) and hemi-methylated (MU) CpG
dinucleotides within the APAF-1 gene promoter of AML patients was 12 (11.9%) and
45 (44.6%), respectively, while no methylation was detected in the control
samples (p < 0.001). Our results showed a higher frequency of methylated APAF1 in
FLT3-ITD mutated cases (p=0.04). APAF1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in
methylated cases compared with normal cases. Conclusion: The present study
indicated the increased frequency of hypermethylation of APAF-1 gene promoter in
AML patients. APAF-1 aberrant CpG island methylation was associated with
transcriptional downregulation in AML patients. Therefore, promoter methylation
of APAF-1 gene could be considered as an epigenetic factor that contributes to
the development of AML.
PMID- 28989591
TI - Familial Colorectal Cancer Type X in Central Iran: A New Clinicopathologic
Description.
AB - Background: Familial colorectal cancer type X (FCCX) is a subtype of mismatch
repair (MMR)-proficient colorectal cancerin which the patients are clinically at
risk for Lynch syndrome (LS), a common hereditary cancer predisposing syndrome.
In this study, we described a new clinicopathological feature of the condition in
central Iran. Materials and Methods: We designed a descriptive, retrospective
study to screenat-risk colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, using Amsterdam II
criteria and Molecular analysis in Isfahan (central Iran) throughout 2000-2013
period. Results: 219 early-onset (<= 50 years) CRC patients of 1659 were selected
for the evaluation. Amsterdam II criteria were positive in 45 families; of whom
31 were finally analyzed by molecular testing. MMR deficiency was detected in
7/31 probands (22.6%) as affected to LS, so 24 families (77.4%) were identified
as FCCX. The mean age of the probands at diagnosis among FCCX families was 45.3
years (range 24-69) versus 38.0 years (range 31-50) in LS families. The frequency
of CRC among FCCX and LS families was calculated 27.9% and 67.5%, respectively.
Also, the most frequent extracolonic cancer among both FCCX and LS families was
stomach by 25.5% and 30.8%, respectively. Tumor site was proximal to the splenic
flexure in 20.8% and 57.1% of index CRC patients in FCCX and LS families,
respectively. Conclusion: Given the relative high frequency of FCCX and its
different phenotype among Iranian populations, we need to set up more advanced
molecular studies for exploration of unknown molecular pathways leading to
tumorigenesis in this class of CRC patients.
PMID- 28989590
TI - Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: An Overview.
AB - Karyotype is one of the main constituents of the International Prognostic Scoring
System (IPSS) and revised-IPSS that are the cornerstones for the prognostication
of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Del(5q), -7/del(7q), +8 and -Y
are among the most extensively studied cytogenetic abnormalities in MDS. The same
applies for normal karyotype. There are hundreds of other rare cytogenetic
abnormalities that have been reported in MDS, included but not limited to -X, 3q
abnormalities, +13/del(13q), i(17q), +21/-21. However, due to a very low number
of patients, their impact on the prognosis of MDS is limited. Knowledge of the
molecular consequences of different cytogenetic abnormalities allows us to modify
treatment regimens based on drugs most active against the specific karyotype
present, allowing for the opportunity to individualize MDS treatment and improve
patient care and prognosis.
PMID- 28989592
TI - Pseudohypercalcemia in Multiple Myeloma: A Case Report.
AB - Hypercalcemia is a common finding in patients with multiple myeloma. Clinical
manifestations of hypercalcemia correlate with the level of serum calcium.
Ionized serum calcium (Ca (I)) will be increased in true hypercalcemia. In
pseudohypercalcemia the Ionized Ca is normal, although binding of calcium to
abnormal immunoglobulin causes increased serum calcium level. In the asymptomatic
multiple myeloma patients with moderate to severe hypercalcemia, measurement of
ionized calcium is critical to exclude pseudohypercalcemia. Here, we describe an
asymptomatic 44-year-old man with multiple myeloma who had severe hypercalcemia,
but normal serum Ionized Ca level.
PMID- 28989594
TI - Feminist ecology: Doing, undoing, and redoing gender in science.
AB - Women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields and also are more likely to
leave academic careers than men. While much existing sociological research on
gender in science focuses on structures, institutions, and policies, we take a
cultural and phenomenological approach to the question. We focus on the
interaction between structural and micro-sociological forces that uphold existing
gender inequalities and drive new forms of inequality within the discipline of
ecology by tracing the experience of female graduate students. Ecology in the
United States and elsewhere is currently undergoing three shifts, well documented
by previous studies-more female scientists, interdisciplinary work, and research
in human-altered landscapes-that comprise a transition to what we call "feminist
ecology." We ask whether these disciplinary-level shifts in ecology are
accompanied by renegotiations in the way ecologists "do gender" as they work. In
this paper we argue that despite structural changes toward a feminist ecology,
gender inequalities are not eliminated. Our data collected using ethnographic and
autoethnographic methods during ecological fieldwork in the Northeastern United
States, show that gender inequality persists through daily interactions, shaping
the way that fieldwork is conducted and bodies are policed. We provide additional
evidence of the way that ecologists and non-ecologists interact during fieldwork,
highlighting the embeddedness of scientific disciplines within larger societal
forces. Thus, the question of women in science cannot be understood strictly from
within the bounds of science but extends to gender relations in society at large.
We hope that this study can serve as a teaching tool for university efforts to
increase the success, not just the prevalence, of women in science, and
facilitate productive interdisciplinary research across disciplines.
PMID- 28989593
TI - Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Comprehensive Review to Recent Non-Invasive
Methods.
AB - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and
considered to be one of the hassles in medical communities. CRC develops from
precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum and is preventable and curable by an
early diagnosis and with the removal of premalignant polyps. In recent years,
scientists have looked for inexpensive and safe ways to detect CRC in its
earliest stages. Strong evidence shows that screening for CRC is a crucial way to
reduce the incidence and mortality of this devastating disease. The main purpose
for screening is to detect cancer or pre-cancer signs in all asymptomatic
patients. In this review, we holistically introduce major pathways involved in
the initiation and progression of colorectal tumorgenesis, which mainly includes
chromosome instability (CIN), microsatellite instability (MSI), the CpG island
methylator phenotype (CIMP), and we then will discuss different screening tests
and especially the latest non-invasive fecal screening test kits for the
detection of CRC.
PMID- 28989595
TI - Haemorrhoids: an update on management.
AB - Haemorrhoids are common, affecting up to one quarter of all adults according to
some estimates. Numerous interventions exist for their management, ranging from
topical and medical therapies to outpatient treatments and surgical interventions
that aim to fix or excise. Given the polysymptomatic nature of the disease, it is
difficult to effectively judge which treatment option is best. Recently
introduced novel haemorrhoid management techniques, such as stapled
haemorrhoidopexy, LigasureTM excision and haemorrhoidal artery ligation, aim to
reduce harm whilst maintaining or improving on outcome. These new techniques are
universally more expensive, and available good quality data suggest the
additional cost does not necessarily equate to universally better outcomes
compared with traditional older interventions, such as rubber band ligation and
excisional haemorrhoidectomy. Whatever the intervention selected for treatment,
it is clear that this should be tailored to the individual based on patient
choice, convenience and degree of haemorrhoids.
PMID- 28989596
TI - The Automated Root Exudate System (ARES): a method to apply solutes at regular
intervals to soils in the field.
AB - Root exudation is a key component of nutrient and carbon dynamics in terrestrial
ecosystems. Exudation rates vary widely by plant species and environmental
conditions, but our understanding of how root exudates affect soil functioning is
incomplete, in part because there are few viable methods to manipulate root
exudates in situ. To address this, we devised the Automated Root Exudate System
(ARES), which simulates increased root exudation by applying small amounts of
labile solutes at regular intervals in the field.The ARES is a gravity-fed drip
irrigation system comprising a reservoir bottle connected via a timer to a micro
hose irrigation grid covering c. 1 m2; 24 drip-tips are inserted into the soil to
4-cm depth to apply solutions into the rooting zone. We installed two ARES
subplots within existing litter removal and control plots in a temperate
deciduous woodland. We applied either an artificial root exudate solution (RE) or
a procedural control solution (CP) to each subplot for 1 min day-1 during two
growing seasons. To investigate the influence of root exudation on soil carbon
dynamics, we measured soil respiration monthly and soil microbial biomass at the
end of each growing season.The ARES applied the solutions at a rate of c. 2 L m-2
week-1 without significantly increasing soil water content. The application of RE
solution had a clear effect on soil carbon dynamics, but the response varied by
litter treatment. Across two growing seasons, soil respiration was 25% higher in
RE compared to CP subplots in the litter removal treatment, but not in the
control plots. By contrast, we observed a significant increase in microbial
biomass carbon (33%) and nitrogen (26%) in RE subplots in the control litter
treatment.The ARES is an effective, low-cost method to apply experimental
solutions directly into the rooting zone in the field. The installation of the
systems entails minimal disturbance to the soil and little maintenance is
required. Although we used ARES to apply root exudate solution, the method can be
used to apply many other treatments involving solute inputs at regular intervals
in a wide range of ecosystems.
PMID- 28989597
TI - Graphene oxide-carbon nanotube hybrid assemblies: cooperatively strengthened
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bonds and the removal of chemisorbed water.
AB - Owing to their great significance for energy storage and sensing applications,
multi-layer papers consisting of graphene oxide-carbon nanotube (GO-CNT) hybrid
sheets were prepared by in situ exfoliation of graphite oxide in the presence of
oxidized CNTs (oCNTs). For the first time we elucidate the influence of oCNTs on
chemisorbed water (CW), i.e. the water molecules inherently bound to the oxygen
functional groups (OFGs) of graphene oxide (GO) and responsible for irreversible
structural damage upon thermal reduction processes. We show that oCNTs self
assemble onto GO sheets during the liquid phase processing steps by forming
cooperatively strengthened OH...OC hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic groups
of the oCNTs and OFGs of GO. At oCNT amounts of about 10 to 15 wt% this leads to
the displacement of considerable amounts of CW without altering the original
chemical composition of GO. The thermally reduced GO-CNT (rGO-CNT) papers reveal
improved sp2 character and an enhancement of the specific capacitance by 75% with
respect to thermally reduced GO (rGO), largely due to the effective removal of CW
by oxidized CNTs. These findings disclose the relevance of the cooperative
hydrogen bonding phenomena in graphene oxide paper/film electrodes for the
development of improved electrochemical energy storage and sensing devices.
PMID- 28989598
TI - Imaging of formaldehyde in plants with a ratiometric fluorescent probe.
AB - The fluorescence monitoring of formaldehyde in real environmental samples and
live plant tissues is of great importance for physiological and pathological
studies. However, there is a lack of suitable chemical tools to directly trace
and measure the formaldehyde activity in bio-systems, and developing effective
and, in particular, selective sensors for mapping formaldehyde in live tissues
still remains a great challenge. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the
ratiometric fluorescence monitoring of formaldehyde in live plant tissues is
achieved with a newly developed ratiometric fluorescent probe, FAP, which
effectively eliminated interference from other comparative analytes. Live tissue
analyses reveal that FAP can potentially detect exogenous and endogenous
formaldehyde in live Arabidopsis thaliana tissues, exposing a potential
application for biological and pathological studies of formaldehyde.
PMID- 28989599
TI - Photoredox ketone catalysis for the direct C-H imidation and acyloxylation of
arenes.
AB - The photoexcited aryl ketone-catalyzed C-H imidation of arenes and heteroarenes
is reported. Using 3,6-dimethoxy-9H-thioxanthen-9-one as a catalyst in
combination with a bench-stable imidating reagent, C-N bond formation proceeds
with high efficiency and a broad substrate scope. A key part of this method is
that the thioxanthone catalyst acts as an excited-state reductant, thus
establishing an oxidative quenching cycle for radical aromatic substitution. The
synthetic potential of this photoexcited ketone catalysis is further demonstrated
by application to the direct C-H acyloxylation of arenes.
PMID- 28989600
TI - Chemical tuning of dynamic cation off-centering in the cubic phases of hybrid tin
and lead halide perovskites.
AB - Hybrid halide perovskites combine ease of preparation and relatively abundant
constituent elements with fascinating photophysical properties. Descriptions of
the chemical and structural drivers of the remarkable properties have often
focused on the potential role of the dynamic order/disorder of the molecular A
site cations. We reveal here a key aspect of the inorganic framework that
potentially impacts the electronic, thermal, and dielectric properties. The
temperature evolution of the X-ray pair distribution functions of hybrid
perovskites ABX3 [A+ = CH3NH3 (MA) or CH(NH2)2 (FA); B2+ = Sn or Pb; X- = Br, or
I] in their cubic phases above 300 K reveals temperature-activated displacement
(off-centering) of the divalent group 14 cations from their nominal, centered
sites. This symmetry-lowering distortion phenomenon, previously dubbed emphanisis
in the context of compounds such as PbTe, is attributed to Sn2+ and Pb2+ lone
pair stereochemistry. Of the materials studied here, the largest displacements
from the center of the octahedral sites are found in tin iodides, a more moderate
effect is found in lead bromides, and the weakest effect is seen in lead iodides.
The A-site cation appears to play a role as well, with the larger FA resulting in
greater off-centering for both Sn2+ and Pb2+. Dynamic off-centering, which is
concealed within the framework of traditional Bragg crystallography, is proposed
to play a key role in the remarkable defect-tolerant nature of transport in these
semiconductors via its effect on the polarizability of the lattice. The results
suggest a novel chemical design principle for future materials discovery.
PMID- 28989602
TI - An unprecedented amplification of near-infrared emission in a Bodipy derived pi
system by stress or gelation.
AB - We report an unprecedented strategy to generate and amplify near-infrared (NIR)
emission in an organic chromophore by mechanical stress or gelation pathways. A
greenish-yellow emitting film of pi-extended Bodipy-1, obtained from n-decane,
became orange-red upon mechanical shearing, with a 15-fold enhancement in NIR
emission at 738 nm. Alternatively, a DMSO gel of Bodipy-1 exhibited a 7-fold
enhancement in NIR emission at 748 nm with a change in emission color from yellow
to orange-red upon drying. The reason for the amplified NIR emission in both
cases is established from the difference in chromophore packing, by single
crystal analysis of a model compound (Bodipy-2), which also exhibited a near
identical emission spectrum with red to NIR emission (742 nm). Comparison of the
emission features and WAXS and FT-IR data of the sheared n-decane film and the
DMSO xerogel with the single crystal data supports a head-to-tail slipped
arrangement driven by the N-H...F-B bonding in the sheared or xerogel states,
which facilitates strong exciton coupling and the resultant NIR emission.
PMID- 28989601
TI - Multi-target-directed phenol-triazole ligands as therapeutic agents for
Alzheimer's disease.
AB - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disease that is characterized by the
formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular amyloid-beta
(Abeta) plaque deposits. Increased oxidative stress, metal ion dysregulation, and
the formation of toxic Abeta peptide oligomers are all considered to contribute
to the etiology of AD. In this work we have developed a series of ligands that
are multi-target-directed in order to address several disease properties. 2-(1-(3
Hydroxypropyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)phenol (POH), 2-(1-(2-morpholinoethyl)-1H
1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)phenol (PMorph), and 2-(1-(2-thiomorpholinoethyl)-1H-1,2,3
triazol-4-yl)phenol (PTMorph) have been synthesized and screened for their
antioxidant capacity, Cu-binding affinity, interaction with the Abeta peptide and
modulation of Abeta peptide aggregation, and the ability to limit Abeta1-42
induced neurotoxicity in human neuronal culture. The synthetic protocol and
structural variance incorporated via click chemistry, highlights the influence of
R-group modification on ligand-Abeta interactions and neuroprotective effects.
Overall, this study demonstrates that the phenol-triazole ligand scaffold can
target multiple factors associated with AD, thus warranting further therapeutic
development.
PMID- 28989604
TI - Macrocycle-assisted synthesis of non-stoichiometric silver(i) halide
electrocatalysts for efficient chlorine evolution reaction.
AB - The electrocatalytic oxidation of chloride to chlorine is a fundamental and
important electrochemical reaction in industry. Herein we report the synthesis of
non-stoichiometric silver halide nanoparticles through a novel macrocycle
assisted bulk-to-cluster-to-nano transformation. The acquired positively charged
nanoparticles expedite chloride transportation by electrostatic attraction and
facilitate the formation of silver polychloride catalytic species on the surface,
thus functioning as efficient and selective electrocatalysts for the chlorine
evolution reaction (CER) at a very low overpotential and within a wide
concentration range of chloride. The formation of uncommon non-stoichiometric
nanoparticles prevents the formation of a AgCl precipitate and exposes more
coordination unsaturated silver atoms to catalyze CER, finally causing a large
enhancement of the atomic catalytic efficiency of silver. This study showcases a
promising approach to achieve efficient catalysts from a bottom-up design.
PMID- 28989603
TI - From single-site tantalum complexes to nanoparticles of Ta x N y and TaO x N y
supported on silica: elucidation of synthesis chemistry by dynamic nuclear
polarization surface enhanced NMR spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.
AB - Air-stable catalysts consisting of tantalum nitride nanoparticles represented as
a mixture of Ta x N y and TaO x N y with diameters in the range of 0.5 to 3 nm
supported on highly dehydroxylated silica were synthesized from TaMe5 (Me =
methyl) and dimeric Ta2(OMe)10 with guidance by the principles of surface
organometallic chemistry (SOMC). Characterization of the supported precursors and
the supported nanoparticles formed from them was carried out by IR, NMR, UV-Vis,
extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies
complemented with XRD and high-resolution TEM, with dynamic nuclear polarization
surface enhanced NMR spectroscopy being especially helpful by providing enhanced
intensities of the signals of 1H, 13C, 29Si, and 15N at their natural abundances.
The characterization data provide details of the synthesis chemistry, including
evidence of (a) O2 insertion into Ta-CH3 species on the support and (b) a
binuclear to mononuclear transformation of species formed from Ta2(OMe)10 on the
support. A catalytic test reaction, cyclooctene epoxidation, was used to probe
the supported nanoparticles, with 30% H2O2 serving as the oxidant. The catalysts
gave selectivities up to 98% for the epoxide at conversions as high as 99% with a
3.4 wt% loading of Ta present as Ta x N y /TaO x N y .
PMID- 28989605
TI - N,N-Dimethylation of nitrobenzenes with CO2 and water by electrocatalysis.
AB - We have proposed a strategy for the synthesis of N,N-dimethylanilines from
nitrobenzene and its derivatives, CO2, and water via an electrochemical reaction
under ambient conditions. H+ generated from H2O was used as the hydrogen source.
Pd/Co-N/carbon, in which the Pd nanoparticles were supported on Co-N/carbon, was
designed and used as the electrocatalyst. It was found that the electrocatalyst
was very efficient for the reaction in MeCN solution with 1-butyl-3
methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Bmim]Tf2N) as the
supporting electrolyte and 1-amino-methylphosphonic acid (AMPA) as the thermal co
catalyst. A series of control experiments showed that Pd/Co-N/carbon and AMPA
cooperated very well in accelerating the reaction. This synthetic route has some
obvious advantages, such as using CO2 and water as the reactants, ambient
reaction conditions, and high yields of the desired products. This opens up a way
to synthesize chemicals by the combination of an electrocatalyst and a thermal
catalyst with organic compounds, CO2, and water as the reactants.
PMID- 28989607
TI - Electronic delocalization, charge transfer and hypochromism in the UV absorption
spectrum of polyadenine unravelled by multiscale computations and quantitative
wavefunction analysis.
AB - The characterization of the electronically excited states of DNA strands
populated upon solar UV light absorption is essential to unveil light-induced DNA
damage and repair processes. We report a comprehensive analysis of the electronic
properties of the UV spectrum of single-stranded polyadenine based on theoretical
calculations that include excitations over eight nucleobases of the DNA strand
and environmental effects by a multiscale quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics
scheme, conformational sampling by molecular dynamics, and a meaningful
interpretation of the electronic structure by quantitative wavefunction analysis.
We show that electronic excitations are extended mainly over two nucleobases with
additional important contributions of monomer-like excitations and excitons
delocalized over three monomers. Half of the spectral intensity derives from
locally excited and Frenkel exciton states, while states with partial charge
transfer character account for the other half and pure charge-transfer states
represent only a minor contribution. The hypochromism observed when going from
the isolated monomer to the strand occurs independently from delocalization and
charge transfer and is instead explained by long-range environmental
perturbations of the monomer states.
PMID- 28989606
TI - Rapid access to substituted 2-naphthyne intermediates via the benzannulation of
halogenated silylalkynes.
AB - Aryne intermediates are versatile and important reactive intermediates for
natural product and polymer synthesis. 2-Naphthynes are relatively unexplored
because few methods provide precursors to these intermediates, especially for
those bearing additional substituents. Here we report a general synthetic
strategy to access 2-naphthyne precursors through an Asao-Yamamoto benzannulation
of ortho-(phenylethynyl)benzaldehydes with halo-silylalkynes. This transformation
provides 2-halo-3-silylnaphthalenes with complete regioselectivity. These
naphthalene products undergo desilylation/dehalogenation in the presence of F- to
generate the corresponding 2-naphthyne intermediate, as evidenced by furan
trapping experiments. When these 2-naphthynes are generated in the presence of a
copper catalyst, ortho-naphthalene oligomers, trinaphthalene, or binaphthalene
products are formed selectively by varying the catalyst loading and reaction
temperature. The efficiency, mild conditions, and versatility of the naphthalene
products and naphthyne intermediates will provide efficient access to many new
functional aromatic systems.
PMID- 28989608
TI - RNA splicing process analysis for identifying antisense oligonucleotide
inhibitors with padlock probe-based isothermal amplification.
AB - RNA splicing, which mainly involves two transesterification steps, is a
fundamental process of gene expression and its abnormal regulation contributes to
serious genetic diseases. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are genetic control
tools that can be used to specifically control genes through alteration of the
RNA splicing pathway. Despite intensive research, how ASOs or various other
factors influence the multiple processes of RNA splicing still remains obscure.
This is largely due to an inability to analyze the splicing efficiency of each
step in the RNA splicing process with high sensitivity. We addressed this
limitation by introducing a padlock probe-based isothermal amplification assay to
achieve quantification of the specific products in different splicing steps. With
this amplified assay, the roles that ASOs play in RNA splicing inhibition in the
first and second steps could be distinguished. We identified that 5'-ASO could
block RNA splicing by inhibiting the first step, while 3'-ASO could block RNA
splicing by inhibiting the second step. This method provides a versatile tool for
assisting efficient ASO design and discovering new splicing modulators and
therapeutic drugs.
PMID- 28989609
TI - Catalyst-controlled regioselectivity in phosphine catalysis: the synthesis of
spirocyclic benzofuranones via regiodivergent [3 + 2] annulations of aurones and
an allenoate.
AB - Catalyst-controlled regiodivergent [3 + 2] annulations of aurones and allenoates
have been developed. When a dipeptide phosphine catalyst with an l-d-
configuration was employed, alpha-selective [3 + 2] annulation products could be
obtained with good regioselectivities and enantioselectivities. With the
employment of l-l- dipeptide phosphines, gamma-selective annulation products
could be selectively obtained with excellent enantioselectivities. By simply
tuning the catalyst configurations, a wide range of alpha-selective or gamma
selective spirocyclic benzofuranones with either aryl or alkyl substitutions
could be readily prepared. DFT calculations suggest that the conformation of the
dipeptide phosphines influences the hydrogen bonding interactions or the
distortion energy, resulting in delicate energy differentiation in the transition
states, and accounting for the observed regioselectivity.
PMID- 28989610
TI - Controlled in-cell activation of RNA therapeutics using bond-cleaving bio
orthogonal chemistry.
AB - Temporal control of siRNA activation is a major challenge for RNAi-based
therapeutics. The majority of the reported siRNA delivery systems rely on
environmental factors, such as differences in extracellular and intracellular
redox potential, ATP concentration, or pH to activate an siRNA payload. However
dynamic endogenous environments are far too complex to rely on for controllable
siRNA release and can result in premature siRNA activation prior to reaching the
intended biological target. In addition, there are uncertainties about timing,
degree and rate of the siRNA activation with spontaneous release approaches.
Herein we describe a bio-orthogonal chemistry approach to address this important
challenge. With our approach we were able achieve two major goals: complete siRNA
inactivation upon immobilization of the payload on the surface of iron oxide
nanoparticles and controlled in-cell activation with the addition of a small non
toxic chemical trigger after sufficient cellular uptake of the nanoparticles was
confirmed. We have demonstrated our in-cell activation approach using two siRNAs
against green fluorescent protein (GFP) and cyclin dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) in
GFP expressing MDA-MB-231 cell line. We anticipate that this methodology will
potentially advance the clinical translation of RNAi-based therapeutics, as the
described bio-orthogonal chemistry can be generalized for any siRNA of choice.
PMID- 28989611
TI - Diversity-oriented synthesis of heterocycles and macrocycles by controlled
reactions of oxetanes with alpha-iminocarbenes.
AB - Using N-sulfonyl triazoles as substrates, compounds as diverse as 2-imino
tetrahydrofurans, 13- and 15-membered ring aza-macrocycles can be prepared
selectively via formal [1 + 4], [5 + 4 + 4] and [3 + 4 + 4 + 4] condensations of
alpha-imino carbenes and oxetanes under Rh(ii)-catalysis or thermal activation.
Spirocyclic N-heterocycles are also accessible by means of Buchwald-Hartwig and
Pictet-Spengler cyclizations. By reaction control, substrate selection or further
derivatization, a large variety of chemical structures is thus achievable.
Finally, using triazoles reacting under thermal activation, interesting
mechanistic insight was obtained.
PMID- 28989612
TI - Inside information on xenon adsorption in porous organic cages by NMR.
AB - A solid porous molecular crystal formed from an organic cage, CC3, has
unprecedented performance for the separation of rare gases. Here, xenon was used
as an internal reporter providing extraordinarily versatile information about the
gas adsorption phenomena in the cage and window cavities of the material. 129Xe
NMR measurements combined with state-of-the-art quantum chemical calculations
allowed the determination of the occupancies of the cavities, binding constants,
thermodynamic parameters as well as the exchange rates of Xe between the
cavities. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) experiments revealed a
minor window cavity site with a significantly lower exchange rate than other
sites. Diffusion measurements showed significantly reduced mobility of xenon with
loading. 129Xe spectra also revealed that the cage cavity sites are preferred at
lower loading levels, due to more favourable binding, whereas window sites come
to dominate closer to saturation because of their greater prevalence.
PMID- 28989613
TI - A nickel nanocatalyst within a h-BN shell for enhanced hydrogen oxidation
reactions.
AB - The development of low-cost and high-performance electrocatalysts remains a
challenge for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkaline membrane fuel
cells. Here, we have reported novel Ni@h-BN core-shell nanocatalysts consisting
of nickel nanoparticles encapsulated in few-layer h-BN shells. The Ni@h-BN
catalysts exhibit an improved HOR performance compared with the bare Ni
nanoparticles. In situ characterization experiments and density functional theory
calculations indicate that the interactions of the O, H, and OH species with the
Ni surface under the h-BN shell are weakened, which helps to maintain the active
metallic Ni phase both in air and in the electrolyte and strengthen the HOR
processes occurring at the h-BN/Ni interfaces. These results suggest a new route
for designing high-performance non-noble metal electrocatalysts with
encapsulating two-dimensional material overlayers for HOR reactions.
PMID- 28989614
TI - Universal sensor array for highly selective system identification using two
dimensional nanoparticles.
AB - A typical lock-and-key sensing strategy, relying only on the most dominant
interactions between the probe and target, could be too limiting. In reality, the
information received upon sensing is much richer. Non-specific events due to
various intermolecular forces contribute to the overall received information with
different degrees, and when analyzed, could provide a much more powerful
detection opportunity. Here, we have assembled a highly selective universal
sensor array using water-soluble two-dimensional nanoparticles (nGO, MoS2 and
WS2) and fluorescent DNA molecules. The array is composed of 12 fluorescently
silent non-specific nanoreceptors (2D-nps) and used for the identification of
three radically different systems; five proteins, three types of live breast
cancer cells and a structure-switching event of a macromolecule. The data
matrices for each system were processed using Partial Least Squares (PLS)
discriminant analysis. In all of the systems, the sensor array was able to
identify each object or event as separate clusters with 95% confidence and
without any overlap. Out of 15 unknown entities with unknown protein
concentrations tested, 14 of them were predicted successfully with correct
concentration. 8 breast cancer cell samples out of 9 unknown entities from three
cell types were predicted correctly. During the assembly of each nanoprobe, the
intrinsic non-covalent interactions between unmodified 2D nanoparticles and
ssDNAs were exploited. The unmodified 2D materials offer remarkable simplicity in
the layout and the use of ssDNAs as probes provides limitless possibilities
because the natural interaction of a ssDNA and 2D surface can be fine-tuned with
the nucleobase composition, oligonucleotide length and type of 2D nanomaterial.
Therefore, the approach described here can be advanced and fine-tuned
indefinitely for meeting a particular sensing criterion. Though we have only
studied three distinct elements, this approach is universal enough to be applied
to a wide-range of systems.
PMID- 28989615
TI - Enantioselective catalytic beta-amination through proton-coupled electron
transfer followed by stereocontrolled radical-radical coupling.
AB - A new mechanistic approach for the catalytic, enantioselective conjugate addition
of nitrogen-based nucleophiles to acceptor-substituted alkenes is reported, which
is based on a visible light induced and phosphate base promoted transfer of a
single electron from a nitrogen nucleophile to a catalyst-bound acceptor
substituted alkene, followed by a stereocontrolled C-N bond formation through
stereocontrolled radical-radical coupling. Specifically, N-aryl carbamates are
added to the beta-position of alpha,beta-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles using a
visible light activated photoredox mediator in combination with a chiral-at
rhodium Lewis acid catalyst and a weak phosphate base, affording new C-N bonds in
a highly enantioselective fashion with enantioselectivities reaching up to 99% ee
and >99 : 1 dr for a menthol-derived carbamate. As an application, the
straightforward synthesis of a chiral beta-amino acid ester derivative is
demonstrated.
PMID- 28989616
TI - Synthesis and evaluation of MR probes for targeted-reporter imaging.
AB - Visualizing disease heterogeneity remains a challenging task since most imaging
agents are targeted to a single receptor. We describe the development of an MR
platform able to report on multiple molecular events. Enzyme activation and
enhanced cellular uptake of this modular probe make it suitable for subsequent
targeted-reporter imaging applications.
PMID- 28989617
TI - Stimuli-responsive nucleic acid-functionalized metal-organic framework
nanoparticles using pH- and metal-ion-dependent DNAzymes as locks.
AB - A versatile approach to modify metal-organic framework nanoparticles (NMOFs) with
nucleic acid tethers, using the "click chemistry" method is introduced. The
nucleic acid-functionalized NMOFs are used to prepare stimuli-responsive carriers
of loads (fluorescence probes or anti-cancer drugs). Two different stimuli
responsive nucleic acid-based NMOFs are presented. One system involves the
preparation of pH-responsive NMOFs. The NMOFs are loaded with fluorophores or
doxorubicin anti-cancer drug and locked in the NMOFs by pH-responsive DNA duplex
capping units. At pH = 5.0 the capping units are unlocked, leading to the release
of the loads. The AS1411 aptamer is conjugated to the locking units as the
targeting unit for the nucleolin biomarker present in cancer cells. The pH
responsive doxorubicin-loaded NMOFs and, in particular, the AS1411 aptamer
modified pH-responsive NMOFs reveal selective, targeted, cytotoxicity toward MDA
MB-231 breast cancer cells. A second system involves the synthesis of NMOFs that
are loaded with fluorophores or doxorubicin and capped with metal-ion-dependent
DNAzyme/substrate complexes as locking units (metal ion = Mg2+ or Pb2+ ions). In
the presence of the respective metal ions, the nucleic acid locking units are
cleaved off, resulting in the release of the loads. Also, "smart" Mg2+-ion
dependent DNAzyme capped doxorubicin-loaded NMOFs are synthesized via the
integration of the ATP aptamer sequence in the loop domain of the Mg2+-dependent
DNAzyme. The unlocking of these NMOFs proceeds effectively only in the presence
of ATP and Mg2+ ions, acting as cooperative triggers. As ATP is over-expressed in
cancer cells, the "smart" carrier provides sense-and-treat functions. The "smart"
ATP/Mg2+-triggered doxorubicin-loaded NMOFs reveal selective cytotoxicity toward
MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Beyond the use of the metal-ion-dependent DNAzymes as
ion-responsive locks of drug-loaded NMOF carriers, the DNAzyme-capped fluorophore
loaded NMOFs are successfully applied as functional units for multiplexed ion
sensing and for the design of logic-gate systems.
PMID- 28989618
TI - Learning reduced kinetic Monte Carlo models of complex chemistry from molecular
dynamics.
AB - We propose a novel statistical learning framework for automatically and
efficiently building reduced kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) models of large-scale
elementary reaction networks from data generated by a single or few molecular
dynamics simulations (MD). Existing approaches for identifying species and
reactions from molecular dynamics typically use bond length and duration
criteria, where bond duration is a fixed parameter motivated by an understanding
of bond vibrational frequencies. In contrast, we show that for highly reactive
systems, bond duration should be a model parameter that is chosen to maximize the
predictive power of the resulting statistical model. We demonstrate our method on
a high temperature, high pressure system of reacting liquid methane, and show
that the learned KMC model is able to extrapolate more than an order of magnitude
in time for key molecules. Additionally, our KMC model of elementary reactions
enables us to isolate the most important set of reactions governing the behavior
of key molecules found in the MD simulation. We develop a new data-driven
algorithm to reduce the chemical reaction network which can be solved either as
an integer program or efficiently using L1 regularization, and compare our
results with simple count-based reduction. For our liquid methane system, we
discover that rare reactions do not play a significant role in the system, and
find that less than 7% of the approximately 2000 reactions observed from
molecular dynamics are necessary to reproduce the molecular concentration over
time of methane. The framework described in this work paves the way towards a
genomic approach to studying complex chemical systems, where expensive MD
simulation data can be reused to contribute to an increasingly large and accurate
genome of elementary reactions and rates.
PMID- 28989619
TI - Efficient photocatalytic carbon monoxide production from ammonia and carbon
dioxide by the aid of artificial photosynthesis.
AB - Ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) was generated by the absorption of carbon dioxide
(CO2) into an aqueous solution of ammonia (NH3). NH4HCO3 was successfully used to
achieve highly efficient photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to carbon monoxide
(CO). NH3 and/or ammonium ions (NH4+) derived from NH4HCO3 in aqueous solution
were decomposed into nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2). Stoichiometric amounts of
the N2 oxidation product and the CO and H2 reduction products were generated when
the photocatalytic reaction was carried out in aqueous NH4HCO3 solution. NH3
and/or NH4+ functioned as electron donors in the photocatalytic conversion of CO2
to CO. A CO formation rate of 0.5 mmol h-1 was obtained using 500 mg of catalyst
(approximately 7500 ppm) in ambient conditions (303 K, 101.3 kPa). Our results
demonstrated that NH4HCO3 is a novel inorganic sacrificial reagent, which can be
used to increase the efficiency of photocatalytic CO production to achieve one
step CO2 capture, storage and conversion.
PMID- 28989620
TI - Controlling the excited-state dynamics of low band gap, near-infrared absorbers
via proquinoidal unit electronic structural modulation.
AB - While the influence of proquinoidal character upon the linear absorption spectrum
of low optical bandgap pi-conjugated polymers and molecules is well understood,
its impact upon excited-state relaxation pathways and dynamics remains obscure.
We report the syntheses, electronic structural properties, and excited-state
dynamics of a series of model highly conjugated near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing
chromophores based on a (porphinato)metal(ii)-proquinoidal spacer
(porphinato)metal(ii) (PM-Sp-PM) structural motif. A combination of excited-state
dynamical studies and time-dependent density functional theory calculations: (i)
points to the cardinal role that excited-state configuration interaction (CI)
plays in determining the magnitudes of S1 -> S0 radiative (kr), S1 -> T1
intersystem crossing (kISC), and S1 -> S0 internal conversion (kIC) rate
constants in these PM-Sp-PM chromophores, and (ii) suggests that a primary
determinant of CI magnitude derives from the energetic alignment of the PM and Sp
fragment LUMOs (DeltaEL). These insights not only enable steering of excited
state relaxation dynamics of high oscillator strength NIR absorbers to realize
either substantial fluorescence or long-lived triplets (tauT1 > MUs) generated at
unit quantum yield (PhiISC = 100%), but also crafting of those having counter
intuitive properties: for example, while (porphinato)platinum compounds are well
known to generate non-emissive triplet states (PhiISC = 100%) upon optical
excitation at ambient temperature, diminishing the extent of excited-state CI in
these systems realizes long-wavelength absorbing heavy-metal fluorophores. This
work highlights approaches to: (i) modulate low-lying singlet excited-state
lifetime over the picosecond-to-nanosecond time domain, (ii) achieve NIR
fluorescence with quantum yields up to 25%, (iii) tune the magnitude of S1-T1 ISC
rate constant from 109 to 1012 s-1 and (iv) realize T1-state lifetimes that range
from ~0.1 to several MUs, for these model PM-Sp-PM chromophores, and renders new
insights to evolve bespoke photophysical properties for low optical bandgap pi
conjugated polymers and molecules based on proquinoidal conjugation motifs.
PMID- 28989621
TI - Utilizing light-triggered plasmon-driven catalysis reactions as a template for
molecular delivery and release.
AB - Due to the facile manipulation and non-invasive nature of light-triggered
release, it is one of the most potent ways to selectively and remotely deliver a
molecular target. Among the various carrier platforms, plasmonic nanoparticles
possess advantages such as enhanced cellular uptake and easy loading of "cargo"
molecules. Two general strategies are currently utilized to achieve light-induced
molecule release from plasmonic nanoparticles. The first uses femtosecond laser
pulses to directly break the bond between the nanoparticle and the loaded target.
The other requires significant photo-thermal effects to weaken the interaction
between the cargo molecules and nanoparticle-attached host molecules. Different
from above mechanisms, herein, we introduce a new light-controlled molecular
release method by taking advantage of a plasmon-driven catalytic reaction at the
particle surface. In this strategy, we link the target to a plasmon responsive
molecule, 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT), through the robust and simple EDC coupling
reaction and subsequently load the complex onto the particles via the strong Au
thiol interaction. Upon continuous-wave (CW) laser illumination, the excited
surface plasmon catalyzes the formation of 4,4'-dimercaptoazobenzenethiol (DMAB)
and simultaneously releases the loaded molecules with high efficiency. This
method does not require the use of high-power pulsed lasers, nor does it rely on
photo-thermal effects. We believe that plasmon-driven release strategies open a
new direction for the designing of next-generation light-triggered release
processes.
PMID- 28989622
TI - Using highly emissive and environmentally sensitive o-carborane-functionalized
metallophosphors to monitor mitochondrial polarity.
AB - Mitochondria as vital intracellular organelles play critical roles in multiple
physiological processes, and their polarity is a crucial characteristic that can
reveal the intracellular environment and impact cellular events. In this work, we
designed and synthesized a novel series of highly emissive and environmentally
sensitive phosphorescent iridium(iii) complexes (2a-2e, 3a-3e and 4)
functionalized by o-carborane. These complexes showed high emission quantum
yields both in solution and in solid state (up to PhiPL = 0.82), long emission
lifetime and tunable emission wavelength over 74 nm by introduction of a
carboranyl motif in their ligands. Importantly, all the complexes have shown
significant solvatochromic effects in contrast to the carborane-free control
complex. Among them, complex 2d shows the highest sensitivity to polarity of
solvents with a MPPS (maximum peak phosphorescence shift) value of 42 nm and
clear dependence of phosphorescence lifetime on solvent polarity. Interestingly,
complex 2d can easily penetrate into cells and preferentially distribute in
mitochondria. To utilize these properties, the first phosphorescent imaging of
mitochondrial polarity has been realized by photoluminescence lifetime imaging
microscopy (PLIM), which can monitor mitochondria-relevant cellular processes
such as cell apoptosis and distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. Compared
to intensity-based sensing, lifetime-based detection is independent of the probe
concentration, excitation power and photobleaching of probes, which can show high
accuracy and reproducibility.
PMID- 28989623
TI - ENDOR characterization of an iron-alkene complex provides insight into a
corresponding organometallic intermediate of nitrogenase.
AB - A bio-organometallic intermediate, denoted PA, was previously trapped during the
reduction of propargyl alcohol to allyl alcohol (AA) by nitrogenase, and a
similar one was trapped during acetylene reduction, representing foundational
examples of alkene binding to a metal center in biology. ENDOR spectroscopy led
to the conclusion that these intermediates have eta2 binding of the alkene, with
the hydrogens on the terminal carbon structurally/magnetically equivalent and
related by local mirror symmetry. However, our understanding of both the PA
intermediate, and of the dependability of the ENDOR analysis on which this
understanding was based, was constrained by the absence of reference iron-alkene
complexes for EPR/ENDOR comparison. Here, we report an ENDOR study of the
crystallographically characterized biomimetic iron(i) complex 1, which exhibits
eta2 coordination of styrene, thus connecting hyperfine and structural parameters
of an Fe-bound alkene fragment for the first time. A tilt of the alkene plane of
1 from normal to the crystallographic Fe-C2-C1 plane causes substantial
differences in the dipolar couplings of the two terminal vinylic protons.
Comparison of the hyperfine couplings of 1 and PA confirms the proposed symmetry
of PA, and that the eta2 interaction forms a scalene Fe-C-C triangle, rather than
an isosceles triangle. This spectroscopic study of a structurally characterized
complex thus shows the exceptional sensitivity of ENDOR spectroscopy to
structural details, while enhancing our understanding of the geometry of a key
nitrogenase adduct.
PMID- 28989624
TI - Formation and decay of negative ion states up to 11 eV above the ionization
energy of the nanofabrication precursor HFeCo3(CO)12.
AB - In single electron collisions with the heteronuclear metal carbonyl compound
HFeCo3(CO)12 we observe the formation of long-lived negative ion states up to
about 20 eV, 11 eV above its ionization energy. These transient negative ions
(TNIs) relax through dissociation (dissociative electron attachment, DEA), losing
up to all 12 CO ligands, demonstrating their resilience towards reemission of the
captured electron - even at such very high energies. This is unique in DEA and we
hypothesize that this phenomenon is rooted in the orbital structure enabling a
scaffold of multi-particle, electronically excited resonances. We support this
with calculated MO-diagrams revealing dense bands of energy levels near the HOMO
LUMO gap. HFeCo3(CO)12 is a promising focused electron beam induced deposition
(FEBID) precursor and we argue that its unusual DEA behavior relates to its
exceptional performance in FEBID. This may be general to a class of molecules
with high potential for nano-fabrication by FEBID.
PMID- 28989625
TI - Enhancing the reactivity of nickel(ii) in hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) by
beta-hydrogenation of porphyrinoid ligands.
AB - Fine-tuning of the porphyrin beta-periphery is important for naturally occurring
metal tetrapyrroles to exert diverse biological roles. Here we describe how this
approach is also applied to design molecular catalysts, as exemplified by Ni(ii)
porphyrinoids catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We found that
beta-hydrogenation of porphyrin remarkably enhances the electrocatalytic HER
reactivity (turnover frequencies of 6287 vs. 265 s-1 for Ni(ii) chlorin (Ni-2)
and porphyrin (Ni-1), and of 1737 vs. 342 s-1 for Ni(ii) hydroporpholactone (Ni
4) and porpholactone (Ni-3), respectively) using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as
the proton source. DFT calculations suggested that after two-electron reduction,
beta-hydrogenation renders more electron density located on the Ni center and
thus prefers to generate a highly reactive nickel hydride intermediate. To
demonstrate this, decamethylcobaltocene Co(Cp*)2 was used as a chemical
reductant. [Ni-2]2- reacts ca. 30 times faster than [Ni-1]2- with TFA, which is
in line with the electrocatalysis and computational results. Thus, such subtle
structural changes inducing the distinctive reactivity of Ni(ii) not only test
the fundamental understanding of natural Ni tetrapyrroles but also provide a
valuable clue to design metal porphyrinoid catalysts.
PMID- 28989626
TI - Borylation of fluorinated arenes using the boron-centred nucleophile B(CN)32- - a
unique entry to aryltricyanoborates.
AB - The potassium salt of the boron-centred nucleophile B(CN)32- (1) readily reacts
with perfluorinated arenes, such as hexafluorobenzene, decafluorobiphenyl,
octafluoronaphthalene and pentafluoropyridine, which results in KF and the K+
salts of the respective borate anions with one {B(CN)3} unit bonded to the
(hetero)arene. An excess of K21 leads to the successive reaction of two or, in
the case of perfluoropyridine, even three C-F moieties and the formation of di-
and trianions, respectively. Moreover, all of the 11 partially fluorinated
benzene derivatives, C6F6-n H n (n = 1-5), generally react with K21 to give new
tricyano(phenyl)borate anions with high chemo- and regioselectivity. A decreasing
number of fluorine substituents on benzene results in a decrease in the reaction
rate. In the cases of partially fluorinated benzenes, the addition of LiCl is
advantageous or even necessary to facilitate the reaction. Also,
pentafluorobenzenes R-C6F5 (R = -CN, -OMe, -Me, or -CF3) react via C-F/C-B
exchange that mostly occurs in the para position and to a lesser extent in the
meta or ortho positions. Most of the reactions proceed via an SNAr mechanism. The
reaction of 1,4-F2C6H4 with K21 shows that an aryne mechanism has to be
considered in some cases as well. In summary, a wealth of new stable
tricyano(aryl)borates have been synthesised and fully characterized using multi
NMR spectroscopy and most of them were characterised using single-crystal X-ray
diffraction.
PMID- 28989627
TI - X-ray circular dichroism signals: a unique probe of local molecular chirality.
AB - Core-resonant circular dichroism (CD) signals are induced by molecular chirality
and vanish for achiral molecules and racemic mixtures. The highly localized
nature of core excitations makes them ideal probes of local chirality within
molecules. Simulations of the circular dichroism spectra of several molecular
families illustrate how these signals vary with the electronic coupling to
substitution groups, the distance between the X-ray chromophore and the chiral
center, geometry, and chemical structure. Clear insight into the molecular
structure is obtained through analysis of the X-ray CD spectra.
PMID- 28989628
TI - Two-step model for ultrafast interfacial electron transfer: limitations of
Fermi's golden rule revealed by quantum dynamics simulations.
AB - Interfacial electron transfer (IET) is one of the crucial steps in the light
harvesting process that occurs in various assemblies for solar energy conversion,
such as dye-sensitized solar cells or dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cells.
Computational studies of IET in dye-semiconductor assemblies employ a variety of
approaches, ranging from phenomenological models such as Fermi's golden rule to
more complex methods relying on explicit solutions of the time-dependent
Schrodinger equation. This work investigates IET in a model pyridine-TiO2
assembly, with the goals of assessing the validity of Fermi's golden rule for
calculation of the IET rates, understanding the importance of conformational
sampling in modeling the IET process, and establishing an approach to rapid
computational screening of dye-sensitizers that undergo fast IET into the
semiconductor. Our results suggest that IET is a two-step process, in which the
electron is first transferred into the semiconductor surface states, followed by
diffusion of the electron into the nanoparticle bulk states. Furthermore, while
Fermi's golden rule and related approaches are appropriate for predicting the
initial IET rate (i.e., the initial transfer of an electron from the dye into the
semiconductor surface states), they are not reliable for prediction of the
overall IET rate. The inclusion of conformational sampling at room temperature
into the model offers a more complete picture of the IET process, leading to a
distribution of IET rates with a median rate faster than the IET rate obtained
for the fully-optimized structure at 0 K. Finally, the two most important
criteria for determination of the initial IET rate are the percentage of electron
density on the linker in the excited state as well as the number of semiconductor
acceptor states available at the energy of the excited state. Both of these can
be obtained from relatively simple electronic structure calculations at either ab
initio or semiempirical levels of theory and can thus be used for rapid screening
of dyes with the desired properties.
PMID- 28989629
TI - Halogenation of glycopeptide antibiotics occurs at the amino acid level during
non-ribosomal peptide synthesis.
AB - Halogenation plays a significant role in the activity of the glycopeptide
antibiotics (GPAs), although up until now the timing and therefore exact
substrate involved was unclear. Here, we present results combined from in vivo
and in vitro studies that reveal the substrates for the halogenase enzymes from
GPA biosynthesis as amino acid residues bound to peptidyl carrier protein (PCP)
domains from the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase machinery: no activity was
detected upon either free amino acids or PCP-bound peptides. Furthermore, we show
that the selectivity of GPA halogenase enzymes depends upon both the structure of
the bound amino acid and the PCP domain, rather than being driven solely via the
PCP domain. These studies provide the first detailed understanding of how
halogenation is performed during GPA biosynthesis and highlight the importance
and versatility of trans-acting enzymes that operate during peptide assembly by
non-ribosomal peptide synthetases.
PMID- 28989630
TI - Efficient stabilisation of a dihydrogenphosphate tetramer and a
dihydrogenpyrophosphate dimer by a cyclic pseudopeptide containing 1,4
disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole moieties.
AB - A cyclic pseudooctapeptide 2 is described containing 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3
triazole moieties. This compound features eight converging hydrogen bond donors
along the ring, namely four amide NH and four triazole CH groups, which enable 2
to engage in interactions with anions. While fully deprotonated sulfate anions
exhibit only moderate affinity for 2, protonated anions such as
dihydrogenpyrophosphate and dihydrogenphosphate anions are strongly bound.
Complexation of the phosphate-derived anions involves sandwiching of a
dihydrogenpyrophosphate dimer or a dihydrogenphosphate tetramer between two
pseudopeptide rings. X-ray crystallography provided structural information, while
1H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and isothermal titration calorimetry
demonstrated that these complexes are stable in solution (2.5 vol% water/DMSO)
and can even be transferred without decomposition into the gas phase. The
observed high thermodynamic stabilities are attributed to the mutual
reinforcement of the interactions between the individual complex components,
namely, hydrogen-bonding between the anions, multiple hydrogen bonding
interactions between the anion aggregates and the triazole CH and NH hydrogen
bond donors of 2, and potential dispersive interactions between the closely
arranged pseudopeptide rings. Pseudopeptide 2 thus represents a promising lead
for the construction of phosphate receptors, whose binding selectivity makes use
of the unique ability of certain anions to assemble into higher aggregates.
PMID- 28989631
TI - Solid-state molecular organometallic chemistry. Single-crystal to single-crystal
reactivity and catalysis with light hydrocarbon substrates.
AB - Single-crystal to single-crystal solid/gas reactivity and catalysis starting from
the precursor sigma-alkane complex [Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(eta2eta2-NBA)][BArF4] (NBA
= norbornane; ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) is reported. By adding ethene, propene and 1
butene to this precursor in solid/gas reactions the resulting alkene complexes
[Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(alkene) x ][BArF4] are formed. The ethene (x = 2) complex,
[Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(ethene)2][BArF4]-Oct, has been characterized in the solid
state (single-crystal X-ray diffraction) and by solution and solid-state NMR
spectroscopy. Rapid, low temperature recrystallization using solution methods
results in a different crystalline modification,
[Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(ethene)2][BArF4]-Hex, that has a hexagonal microporous
structure (P6322). The propene complex (x = 1)
[Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(propene)][BArF4] is characterized as having a pi-bound alkene
with a supporting gamma-agostic Rh...H3C interaction at low temperature by single
crystal X-ray diffraction, variable temperature solution and solid-state NMR
spectroscopy, as well as periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A
fluxional process occurs in both the solid-state and solution that is proposed to
proceed via a tautomeric allyl-hydride. Gas/solid catalytic isomerization of d3
propene, H2C 0000000000000000000000000000000000
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0000000000000000000000000000000000 CHCD3, using [Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(eta2eta2
NBA)][BArF4] scrambles the D-label into all possible positions of the propene, as
shown by isotopic perturbation of equilibrium measurements for the agostic
interaction. Periodic DFT calculations show a low barrier to H/D exchange (10.9
kcal mol-1, PBE-D3 level), and GIPAW chemical shift calculations guide the
assignment of the experimental data. When synthesized using solution routes a bis
propene complex, [Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(propene)2][BArF4], is formed.
[Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(butene)][BArF4] (x = 1) is characterized as having 2-butene
bound as the cis-isomer and a single Rh...H3C agostic interaction. In the solid
state two low-energy fluxional processes are proposed. The first is a simple
libration of the 2-butene that exchanges the agostic interaction, and the second
is a butene isomerization process that proceeds via an allyl-hydride intermediate
with a low computed barrier of 14.5 kcal mol-1. [Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(eta2eta2
NBA)][BArF4] and the polymorphs of [Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(ethene)2][BArF4] are shown
to be effective in solid-state molecular organometallic catalysis (SMOM-Cat) for
the isomerization of 1-butene to a mixture of cis- and trans-2-butene at 298 K
and 1 atm, and studies suggest that catalysis is likely dominated by surface
active species. [Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(eta2eta2-NBA)][BArF4] is also shown to
catalyze the transfer dehydrogenation of butane to 2-butene at 298 K using ethene
as the sacrificial acceptor.
PMID- 28989632
TI - Temporal switching of an amphiphilic self-assembly by a chemical fuel-driven
conformational response.
AB - The spatial and temporal control of self-assemblies is the latest scientific
hurdle in supramolecular chemistry which is inspired by the functioning of
biological systems fueled by chemical signals. In this study, we work towards
alleviating this scenario by employing a unique amphiphilic foldamer that
operates under the effect of a chemical fuel. The conformational changes in the
foldamer amplify into observable morphological changes in its amphiphilic
assembly that are controlled by external molecular cues (fuel). We take advantage
of this redox responsive foldamer to affect its conformation in a temporal manner
by an enzymatic pathway. The temporal characteristics of the transient
conformation/assembly can be modulated by varying the concentrations of the fuel
and enzyme. We believe that such a design strategy can have positive consequences
in designing molecular and supramolecular systems for future active, adaptive and
autonomous materials.
PMID- 28989633
TI - Mechanical measurement of hydrogen bonded host-guest systems under non
equilibrium, near-physiological conditions.
AB - Decades after the birth of supramolecular chemistry, there are many techniques to
measure noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, under equilibrium
conditions. As ensembles of molecules rapidly lose coherence, we cannot
extrapolate bulk data to single-molecule events under non-equilibrium conditions,
more relevant to the dynamics of biological systems. We present a new method that
exploits the high force resolution of optical tweezers to measure at the single
molecule level the mechanical strength of a hydrogen bonded host-guest pair out
of equilibrium and under near-physiological conditions. We utilize a DNA reporter
to unambiguously isolate single binding events. The Hamilton receptor-cyanuric
acid host-guest system is used as a test bed. The force required to dissociate
the host-guest system is ~17 pN and increases with the pulling rate as expected
for a system under non-equilibrium conditions. Blocking one of the hydrogen
bonding sites results in a significant decrease of the force-to-break by 1-2 pN,
pointing out the ability of the method to resolve subtle changes in the
mechanical strength of the binding due to the individual H-bonding components. We
believe the method will prove to be a versatile tool to address important
questions in supramolecular chemistry.
PMID- 28989634
TI - Near-infrared luminescent metallacrowns for combined in vitro cell fixation and
counter staining.
AB - Cell fixation is an essential approach for preserving cell morphology, allowing
the targeting and labelling of biomolecules with fluorescent probes. One of the
key requirements for more efficient fluorescent labelling is the preservation of
cell morphology, which usually requires a combination of several fixation
techniques. In addition, the use of a counter stain is often essential to improve
the contrast of the fluorescent probes. Current agents possess significant
limitations, such as low resistance toward photobleaching and sensitivity to
changes in the microenvironment. Luminescent Ln3+ 'encapsulated sandwich'
metallacrowns (MCs) overcome these drawbacks and offer complementary advantages.
In particular, they emit sharp emission bands, possess a large difference between
excitation and emission wavelengths and do not photobleach. Herein, MCs formed
with pyrazinehydroxamic acid (Ln3+[Zn(ii)MCpyzHA], Ln3+ = Yb, Nd) were used,
combined with near-infrared (NIR) counter staining and fixation agents for HeLa
cells upon an initial five minute exposure to UV-A light. The validity and
quality of the cell fixation were assessed with Raman spectroscopy. Analysis of
the NIR luminescence properties of these MCs was performed under different
experimental conditions, including in a suspension of stained cells. Moreover,
the high emission intensity of Ln3+[Zn(ii)MCpyzHA] in the NIR region allows these
MCs to be used for imaging with standard CCD cameras installed on routine
fluorescence microscopes. Finally, the NIR-emitting Ln3+[Zn(ii)MCpyzHA] compounds
combine, within a single molecule, features such as cell fixation and staining
abilities, good photostability and minimal sensitivity of the emission bands to
the local microenvironment, and they are highly promising for establishing the
next generation of imaging agents with a single biodistribution.
PMID- 28989635
TI - Intra-molecular origin of the spin-phonon coupling in slow-relaxing molecular
magnets.
AB - We perform a systematic investigation of the spin-phonon coupling leading to spin
relaxation in the prototypical mononuclear single molecule magnet [(tpaPh)Fe]-.
In particular we analyze in detail the nature of the most relevant vibrational
modes giving rise to the relaxation. Our fully ab initio calculations, where the
phonon modes are evaluated at the level of density functional theory and the spin
phonon coupling by mapping post-Hartree-Fock electronic structures onto an
effective spin Hamiltonian, reveal that acoustic phonons are not active in the
spin-phonon relaxation process of dilute SMMs crystals. Furthermore, we find that
intra-molecular vibrational modes produce anisotropy tensor modulations orders of
magnitude higher than those associated to rotations. In light of these results we
are able to suggest new designing rules for spin-long-living SMMs which go beyond
the tailoring of static molecular features but fully take into account dynamical
features of the vibrational thermal bath evidencing those internal molecular
distortions more relevant to the spin dynamics.
PMID- 28989636
TI - Bright persistent luminescence from pure organic molecules through a moderate
intermolecular heavy atom effect.
AB - Generally, strong phosphorescence always implies a short luminescence lifetime.
So, pure organic molecules with strong persistent phosphorescence at room
temperature are rarely explored. Here, a new strategy is used to explore strong
persistent phosphorescence of carbazole derivatives through an intermolecular
moderate heavy atom effect. Flexible alkyl chains were inserted between the heavy
atom and carbazole moieties so as to avoid a strong internal heavy atom affect.
The results indicate that the photoluminescence properties of crystals strongly
depend on molecular stacking in crystal states. Moreover, seven molecules among
eight carbazole derivatives exhibit persistent room-temperature phosphorescence
in their crystals and the PhiP values of three compounds exceed 9.5%. Notably,
when a 6-(4-bromophenoxy)hexyl group is linked to carbazole, the ambient
phosphorescent quantum yield reaches 39.5% and the lifetime is as long as 200 ms.
Moreover, it emitted white light with a luminescent efficiency of 72.6% owing to
the coexistence of strong fluorescence and phosphorescence.
PMID- 28989637
TI - Selective C-O bond formation via a photocatalytic radical coupling strategy:
access to perfluoroalkoxylated (ORF) arenes and heteroarenes.
AB - Development of an efficient process that employs commercially available and cost
effective reagents for the synthesis of perfluoroalkoxylated aromatic compounds
(Ar-ORF) remains a daunting challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, we report the
first catalytic protocol using readily available perfluoroalkyl iodides (RFI) and
N-(hetero)aryl-N-hydroxylamides to access a wide range of perfluoroalkoxylated
(hetero)arenes. Mild reaction conditions allow for selective O-RF bond formation
over a broad substrate scope and are tolerant of a wide variety of functional
groups. Mechanistic studies suggest the formation and recombination of persistent
N-hydroxyl radicals and transient RF radicals under photocatalytic reaction
conditions to generate N-ORF compounds that rearrange to afford the desired
products.
PMID- 28989639
TI - Synthesis of 'reactive' and covalent polymeric multilayer coatings with durable
superoleophobic and superoleophilic properties under water.
AB - Bioinspired underwater super-oil-wettability (superoleophilic/superoleophobic)
properties are emerging as a potential avenue for developing smart materials for
addressing issues related to healthcare, environment, energy, etc. However, the
inherent poor durability of the materials that are mostly developed using
polymeric hydrogel, metal oxide coatings and electrostatic multilayers often
challenges the application of these wettability properties in practical
scenarios. Here, 'amine-reactive' polymeric multilayers of nano-complex were
developed to fabricate 'internal' underwater superoleophobic/superoleophilic
coatings with impeccable physical/chemical durability. This allows the super
wetting properties to exist beyond the surface of the material and remain intact
even after severe physical damage including erosion of the material and
continuous exposure to an artificial-marine environment for more than 80 days.
Moreover, this current design allowed for independent revalidation of some key
hypotheses with direct experimental demonstrations, and provided a basis to
develop highly durable super-oil-wettability properties under water. It is
believed that this contemporary study will make a worthwhile contribution on
developing multifunctional materials for widespread practical applications by
exploiting these super-oil-wetting properties.
PMID- 28989638
TI - Evaluating the electronic structure of formal LnII ions in LnII(C5H4SiMe3)31-
using XANES spectroscopy and DFT calculations.
AB - The isolation of [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Ln(C5H4SiMe3)3], formally containing LnII,
for all lanthanides (excluding Pm) was surprising given that +2 oxidation states
are typically regarded as inaccessible for most 4f-elements. Herein, X-ray
absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), ground-state density functional theory
(DFT), and transition dipole moment calculations are used to investigate the
possibility that Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31- (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Y, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb
and Lu) compounds represented molecular LnII complexes. Results from the ground
state DFT calculations were supported by additional calculations that utilized
complete-active-space multi-configuration approach with second-order perturbation
theoretical correction (CASPT2). Through comparisons with standards,
Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31- (Ln = Sm, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y) are determined to contain 4f6 5d0
(SmII), 4f13 5d0 (TmII), 4f14 5d0 (YbII), 4f14 5d1 (LuII), and 4d1 (YII)
electronic configurations. Additionally, our results suggest that Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31
(Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) also contain LnII ions, but with 4f n 5d1
configurations (not 4f n+1 5d0). In these 4f n 5d1 complexes, the C3h-symmetric
ligand environment provides a highly shielded 5d-orbital of a' symmetry that made
the 4f n 5d1 electronic configurations lower in energy than the more typical 4f
n+1 5d0 configuration.
PMID- 28989640
TI - CoO x nanoparticle anchored on sulfonated-graphite as efficient water oxidation
catalyst.
AB - Development of efficient, robust and earth-abundant water oxidation catalysts
(WOCs) is extremely desirable for water splitting by electrolysis or
photocatalysis. Herein, we report cobalt oxide nanoparticles anchored on the
surface of sulfonated graphite (denoted as "CoO x @G-Ph-SN") to exhibit
unexpectedly efficient water oxidation activity with a turnover frequency (TOF)
of 1.2 s-1; two or three orders of magnitude higher than most cobalt-based oxide
WOCs reported so far. The CoO x @G-Ph-SN nanocomposite can be easily prepared by
a soft hydrothermal route to have an average CoO x size below 2 nm. Additionally,
the loading of CoO x @G-Ph-SN catalyst on the surface of a BiVO4 or Fe2O3
photoanode can boost remarkably the photoanode currents for robust photocatalytic
water oxidation under visible light irradiation. Its excellent activity and
photochemical stability for water oxidation suggest that this ultrasmall cobalt
based composite is a promising candidate for solar fuel production.
PMID- 28989641
TI - On the incompatibility of lithium-O2 battery technology with CO2.
AB - When solubilized in a hexacarboxamide cryptand anion receptor, the peroxide
dianion reacts rapidly with CO2 in polar aprotic organic media to produce
hydroperoxycarbonate (HOOCO2-) and peroxydicarbonate (-O2COOCO2-).
Peroxydicarbonate is subject to thermal fragmentation into two equivalents of the
highly reactive carbonate radical anion, which promotes hydrogen atom abstraction
reactions responsible for the oxidative degradation of organic solvents. The
activation and conversion of the peroxide dianion by CO2 is general. Exposure of
solid lithium peroxide (Li2O2) to CO2 in polar aprotic organic media results in
aggressive oxidation. These findings indicate that CO2 must not be introduced in
conditions relevant to typical lithium-O2 cell configurations, as production of
HOOCO2- and -O2COOCO2- during lithium-O2 cell cycling will lead to cell
degradation via oxidation of organic electrolytes and other vulnerable cell
components.
PMID- 28989642
TI - Electrochemical control of the single molecule conductance of a conjugated
bis(pyrrolo)tetrathiafulvalene based molecular switch.
AB - As the field of unimolecular electronics develops, there is growing interest in
the development of functionalised molecular wires, such as switches, which will
allow for more complex molecular-scale circuits. To this end, a three redox state
single molecule switch, 1, based on bis(pyrrolo)tetrathiafulvalene (BPTTF) has
been designed, synthesised and investigated using scanning tunnelling microscopy
break junction (STM-BJ) studies and quantum transport calculations. Oxidising the
BPTTF unit increases its conjugation, which was anticipated to increase the
molecular conductance of 1. By changing the redox state of 1 electrochemically it
was possible to vary the single molecule conductance by more than an order of
magnitude (from 10-5.2G0 to 10-3.8G0). Simulations afforded a qualitatively
similar trend. An additional, higher conductance feature is present in most
traces at junction sizes of around 2.0 nm - further extension affords the
switchable lower conductance feature at junction sizes closer to the molecular
length (ca. 3.0 nm). Analysis of the conductance traces shows that these two
conductance features occur sequentially in nearly all junctions. This behaviour
is attributed to an alternative initial junction conformation in which one or
more of the BPTTF sulfur atoms acts as an anchoring group. This hypothesis is
supported by a computational study of binding conformations and STM-BJ studies on
a model compound, 2, with only one thiol anchor. Our results indicate that the
redox properties of BPTTF make it an excellent candidate for use in single
molecule switches.
PMID- 28989643
TI - Real single ion solvation free energies with quantum mechanical simulation.
AB - Single ion solvation free energies are one of the most important properties of
electrolyte solutions and yet there is ongoing debate about what these values
are. Only the values for neutral ion pairs are known. Here, we use DFT
interaction potentials with molecular dynamics simulation (DFT-MD) combined with
a modified version of the quasi-chemical theory (QCT) to calculate these energies
for the lithium and fluoride ions. A method to correct for the error in the DFT
functional is developed and very good agreement with the experimental value for
the lithium fluoride pair is obtained. Moreover, this method partitions the
energies into physically intuitive terms such as surface potential, cavity and
charging energies which are amenable to descriptions with reduced models. Our
research suggests that lithium's solvation free energy is dominated by the free
energetics of a charged hard sphere, whereas fluoride exhibits significant
quantum mechanical behavior that cannot be simply described with a reduced model.
PMID- 28989644
TI - Unravelling the electronic structure and dynamics of an isolated molecular rotary
motor in the gas-phase.
AB - Light-driven molecular motors derived from chiral overcrowded alkenes are an
important class of compounds in which sequential photochemical and thermal
rearrangements result in unidirectional rotation of one part of the molecule with
respect to another. Here, we employ anion photoelectron spectroscopy to probe the
electronic structure and dynamics of a unidirectional molecular rotary motor
anion in the gas-phase and quantum chemistry calculations to guide the
interpretation of our results. We find that following photoexcitation of the
first electronically excited state, the molecule rotates around its axle and some
population remains on the excited potential energy surface and some population
undergoes internal conversion back to the electronic ground state. These
observations are similar to those observed in time-resolved measurements of
rotary molecular motors in solution. This work demonstrates the potential of
anion photoelectron spectroscopy for studying the electronic structure and
dynamics of molecular motors in the gas-phase, provides important benchmarks for
theory and improves our fundamental understanding of light-activated molecular
rotary motors, which can be used to inform the design of new photoactivated
nanoscale devices.
PMID- 28989645
TI - Thermochemical functionalisation of graphenes with minimal framework damage.
AB - Graphene and graphene nanoplatelets can be functionalised via a gas-phase
thermochemical method; the approach is versatile, readily scalable, and avoids
the introduction of additional defects by exploiting existing sites. Direct TEM
imaging confirmed covalent modification of single layer graphene, without
damaging the connectivity of the lattice, as supported by Raman spectrometry and
AFM nano-indentation measurements of mechanical stiffness. The grafting
methodology can also be applied to commercially-available bulk graphene
nanoplatelets, as illustrated by the preparation of anionic, cationic, and non
ionic derivatives. Successful bulk functionalisation is evidenced by TGA, Raman,
and XPS, as well as in dramatic changes in aqueous dispersability. Thermochemical
functionalisation thus provides a facile approach to modify both graphene
monolayers, and a wide range of graphene-related nanocarbons, using variants of
simple CVD equipment.
PMID- 28989646
TI - The double-edged role of copper in the fate of amyloid beta in the presence of
anti-oxidants.
AB - The biological fate of amyloid beta (Abeta) species is a fundamental question in
Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. The competition between clearance and
aggregation of Abetas is critical for the onset of AD. Copper has been widely
considered to be an inducer of harmful crosslinking of Abetas, and an important
triggering factor for the onset of AD. In this report, however, we present data
to show that copper can also be an inducer of Abeta degradation in the presence
of a large excess of well-known intrinsic (such as dopamine) or extrinsic (such
as vitamin C) anti-oxidants. The degraded fragments were identified using SDS
Page gels, and validated via nanoLC-MS/MS. A tentative mechanism for the
degradation was proposed and validated with model peptides. In addition, we
performed electrophysiological analysis to investigate the synaptic functions in
brain slices, and found that in the presence of a significant excess of vitamin
C, Cu(ii) could prevent an Abeta-induced deficit in synaptic transmission in the
hippocampus. Collectively, our evidence strongly indicated that a proper
combination of copper and anti-oxidants might have a positive effect on the
prevention of AD. This double-edged function of copper in AD has been largely
overlooked in the past. We believe that our report is very important for fully
understanding the function of copper in AD pathology.
PMID- 28989647
TI - Heterocyclic boronic acids display sialic acid selective binding in a hypoxic
tumor relevant acidic environment.
AB - Boronic acids are well known for their ability to reversibly interact with the
diol groups found in sugars and glycoproteins. However, they are generally
indiscriminate in their binding. Herein we describe the discovery of a group of
heterocyclic boronic acids demonstrating unusually high affinity and selectivity
for sialic acids (SAs or N-acetylneuraminic acid), which are sugar residues that
are intimately linked with tumor growth and cancer progression. Remarkably, these
interactions strengthen under the weakly acidic pH conditions associated with a
hypoxic tumoral microenvironment. In vitro competitive binding assays uncovered a
significantly higher ability of 5-boronopicolinic acid, one of the derivatives
identified in this work as a strong SA-binder, to interact with cell surface SA
in comparison to a gold-standard structure, 3-propionamidophenylboronic acid,
which has proven to be an efficient SA-binder in numerous reports. This structure
also proved to be suitable for further chemical conjugation with a well-preserved
SA-binding capability. These findings suggest an attractive alternative to other
ongoing boronic acid based chemistry techniques aiming to achieve tumor-specific
chemotherapies and diagnoses.
PMID- 28989649
TI - Quinone-fused porphyrins as contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging.
AB - Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is an emerging non-invasive diagnostic modality with
many potential clinical applications in oncology, rheumatology and the
cardiovascular field. For this purpose, there is a high demand for exogenous
contrast agents with high absorption coefficients in the optical window for
tissue imaging, i.e. the near infrared (NIR) range between 680 and 950 nm. We
herein report the photoacoustic properties of quinone-fused porphyrins inserted
with different transition metals as new highly promising candidates. These dyes
exhibit intense NIR absorption, a lack of fluorescence emission, and PA
sensitivity in concentrations below 3 nmol mL-1. In this context, the highest PA
signal was obtained with a Zn(ii) inserted dye. Furthermore, this dye was stable
in blood serum and free thiol solution and exhibited negligible cell toxicity.
Additionally, the Zn(ii) probe could be detected with an up to 3.2 fold higher PA
intensity compared to the clinically most commonly used PA agent, ICG. Thus,
further exploration of the 'quinone-fusing' approach to other chromophores may be
an efficient way to generate highly potent PA agents that do not fluoresce and
shift their absorption into the NIR range.
PMID- 28989648
TI - Self-assembling soft structures for intracellular NO release and promotion of
neurite outgrowth.
AB - Nitric oxide (NO), an endogenously produced free radical species, is an extremely
important signalling molecule in several biochemical processes related to
neurotransmission, neuronal communication, and vasodilation, to name a few. Other
than relying on endogenous synthesis, intracellular NO delivery presents an
interesting challenge to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of this gaseous
molecule. We have applied a self-assembling peptide conjugate strategy to devise
a construct carrying a NO-release arm, which can be activated under standard
redox conditions. Consequently, a tryptophan-based peptide carrier was designed,
which self-assembled in the solution phase to afford soft nanospherical
structures, and released NO in Neuro2a cell line, resulting in neurite outgrowth.
PMID- 28989650
TI - Thiol-ene click chemistry: a biocompatible way for orthogonal bioconjugation of
colloidal nanoparticles.
AB - Bioconjugation based on crosslinking primary amines to carboxylic acid groups has
found broad applications in protein modification, drug development, and
nanomaterial functionalization. However, proteins, which are made up of amino
acids, typically give nonselective bioconjugation when using primary amine-based
crosslinking. In order to control protein orientation and activity after
conjugation, selective bioconjugation is desirable. We herein report an efficient
and cysteine-selective thiol-ene click reaction-based bioconjugation strategy
using colloidal nanoparticles. The resulting thiol-ene based aptamer and enzyme
nanoconjugates demonstrated excellent target binding ability and enzymatic
activity, respectively. Thus, thiol-ene click chemistry can provide a stable and
robust crosslinker in a biocompatible manner for bioconjugation of any thiol
containing biomolecule with nanomaterials. This will open more opportunities for
applications of thiol-ene reactions and functional colloidal nanoparticles in
chemical biology.
PMID- 28989651
TI - Fluorometric probing of the lipase level as acute pancreatitis biomarkers based
on interfacially controlled aggregation-induced emission (AIE).
AB - As a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, acute pancreatitis presents severe
complications and a high mortality rate, despite treatment. Lipase in serum
serves as an essential biomarker of acute pancreatitis and even pancreatic
cancer. Therefore, developing robust, convenient and sensitive probing of lipase
levels is greatly needed. In this work, we present glutamate functionalized
tetraphenylethylene (TPE) as a "turn-on" fluorescent probe (S1) based on the
aggregation-induced emission (AIE) mechanism for lipase levels with new
recognition units. In heterogeneous media, the hydrophilic amino and carboxyl
groups in the probe were specifically introduced to facilitate its full access to
lipase at the oil-water interface and achieve an interfacially controlled AIE
process. The linear response of fluorescence ranging from 0 to 80 U L-1, which
included the concentration range of the lipase level in human serum, considering
the dilution factor if necessary, the limit of detection as low as 0.13 U L-1,
and the fast response time (7 min) were determined. The value of the apparent
Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) was obtained as 4.23 MUM, which indicated superior
affinity between lipase and the probe molecule. The selectivity, photostability,
dynamic monitoring of the enzymatic reaction, and preliminary commercial enzyme
activity screening were summarized. As far as we know, this is the fastest,
easiest and most sensitive method for lipase level probing in the reported
literature. Finally, probing the lipase level for the first time in real human
serum samples was also conducted successfully.
PMID- 28989652
TI - Elucidation of the relative and absolute stereochemistry of the
kalimantacin/batumin antibiotics.
AB - Kalimantacin A and batumin exhibit potent and selective antibiotic activity
against Staphylococcus species including MRSA. Both compounds are formed via a
hybrid polyketide synthase/non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (PKS-NRPS)
biosynthetic pathway and from comparison of the gene clusters it is apparent that
batumin from Pseudomonas batumici and kalimantacin from P. fluorescens are the
same compound. The linear structure of this unsaturated acid was assigned by
spectroscopic methods, but the relative and absolute stereochemistry of the five
stereocentres remained unknown. Herein we describe isolation of kalimantacin A
and two further metabolites 17,19-diol 2 and 27-descarbomyl hydroxyketone 3 from
cultures of P. fluorescens. Their absolute and relative stereochemistries are
rigorously determined using a multidisciplinary approach combining natural
product degradation and fragment synthesis with bioinformatics and NMR
spectroscopy. Diol 2 has the 5R, 15S, 17S, 19R, 26R, 27R configuration and is the
immediate biosynthetic precursor of the bioactive kalimantacin A formed by
oxidation of the 17-alcohol to the ketone.
PMID- 28989653
TI - Bioinspired enantioselective synthesis of crinine-type alkaloids via iridium
catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enones.
AB - A bioinspired enantioselective synthesis of crinine-type alkaloids has been
developed by iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic cycloenones.
The method features a biomimetic stereodivergent resolution of the substrates
bearing a remote arylated quaternary stereocenter. Using this protocol, 24
crinine-type alkaloids and 8 analogues were synthesized in a concise and rapid
way with high yield and high enantioselectivity.
PMID- 28989654
TI - Assessing crystal field and magnetic interactions in diuranium-MU-chalcogenide
triamidoamine complexes with UIV-E-UIV cores (E = S, Se, Te): implications for
determining the presence or absence of actinide-actinide magnetic exchange.
AB - We report the synthesis and characterisation of a family of diuranium(iv)-MU
chalcogenide complexes including a detailed examination of their electronic
structures and magnetic behaviours. Treatment of [U(TrenTIPS)] [1, TrenTIPS =
N(CH2CH2NSiPri3)3] with Ph3PS, selenium or tellurium affords the diuranium(iv)
sulfide, selenide, and telluride complexes [{U(TrenTIPS)}2(MU-E)] (E = S, 2; Se,
5; Te, 6). Complex 2 is also formed by treatment of [U(TrenTIPS){OP(NMe2)3}] (3)
with Ph3PS, whereas treatment of 3 with elemental sulfur gives the diuranium(iv)
persulfido complex [{U(TrenTIPS)}2(MU-eta2:eta2-S2)] (4). Complexes 2-6 have been
variously characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, IR, and optical
spectroscopies, room temperature Evans and variable temperature SQUID
magnetometry, elemental analyses, and complete active space self consistent field
spin orbit calculations. The combined characterisation data present a self
consistent picture of the electronic structure and magnetism of 2, 5, and 6,
leading to the conclusion that single-ion crystal field effects, and not
diuranium magnetic coupling, are responsible for features in their variable
temperature magnetisation data. The presence of magnetic coupling is often
implied and sometimes quantified by such data, and so this study highlights the
importance of evaluating other factors, such as crystal field effects, that can
produce similar magnetic observables, and to thus avoid misassignments of such
phenomena.
PMID- 28989655
TI - Precision spherical nucleic acids for delivery of anticancer drugs.
AB - We report a spherical nucleic acid (SNA) system for the delivery of BKM120, an
anticancer drug for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). While
promising for cancer treatment, this drug crosses the blood-brain barrier causing
significant side-effects in patients. The DNA nanoparticle encapsulates BKM120 in
high efficiency, and is unparalleled in its monodispersity, ease of synthesis and
stability in different biological media and in serum. These DNA nanostructures
demonstrate efficient uptake in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, and increased
internalization of cargo. In vitro studies show that BKM120-loaded nanoparticles
promote apoptosis in primary patient CLL lymphocytes, and act as sensitizers of
other antitumor drugs, without causing non-specific inflammation. Evaluation of
this drug delivery system in vivo shows long circulation times up to 24 hours,
full body distribution, accumulation at tumor sites and minimal leakage through
the blood-brain barrier. Our results demonstrate the great potential of these
delivery vehicles as a general platform for chemotherapeutic drug delivery.
PMID- 28989657
TI - Selective cobalt nanoparticles for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of N
heteroarenes.
AB - Nitrogen modified cobalt catalysts supported on carbon were prepared by pyrolysis
of the mixture generated from cobalt(ii) acetate in aqueous solution of melamine
or waste melamine resins, which are widely used as industrial polymers. The
obtained nanostructured materials catalyze the transfer hydrogenation of N
heteroarenes with formic acid in the absence of base. The optimal Co/Melamine-2@C
700 catalyst exhibits high activity and selectivity for the dehydrogenation of
formic acid into molecular hydrogen and carbon dioxide and allows for the
reduction of diverse N-heteroarenes including substrates featuring sensitive
functional groups.
PMID- 28989656
TI - Computational investigation of O2 diffusion through an intra-molecular tunnel in
AlkB; influence of polarization on O2 transport.
AB - E. Coli AlkB catalyzes the direct dealkylation of various alkylated bases in
damaged DNA. The diffusion of molecular oxygen to the active site in AlkB is an
essential step for the oxidative dealkylation activity. Despite detailed studies
on the stepwise oxidation mechanism of AlkB, there is no conclusive picture of
how O2 molecules reach the active site of the protein. Yu et al. (Nature, 439,
879) proposed the existence of an intra-molecular tunnel based on their initial
crystal structures of AlkB. We have employed computational simulations to
investigate possible migration pathways inside AlkB for O2 molecules. Extensive
molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, including explicit ligand sampling and
potential of mean force (PMF) calculations, have been performed to provide a
microscopic description of the O2 delivery pathway in AlkB. Analysis of intra
molecular tunnels using the CAVER software indicates two possible pathways for O2
to diffuse into the AlkB active site. Explicit ligand sampling simulations
suggests that only one of these tunnels provides a viable route. The free energy
path for an oxygen molecule to travel along each of these tunnels has been
determined with AMBER and AMOEBA. Both PMFs indicate passive transport of O2 from
the surface of the protein. However, the inclusion of explicit polarization shows
a very large barrier for diffusion of the co-substrate out of the active site,
compared with the non-polarizable potential. In addition, our results suggest
that the mutation of a conserved residue along the tunnel, Y178, has dramatic
effects on the dynamics of AlkB and on the transport of O2 along the tunnel.
PMID- 28989658
TI - Efficient syntheses of (-)-crinine and (-)-aspidospermidine, and the formal
synthesis of (-)-minfiensine by enantioselective intramolecular dearomative
cyclization.
AB - Polycyclic alkaloids bearing all-carbon quaternary centers possess a diversity of
biological activities and are challenging targets in natural product synthesis.
The development of a general and asymmetric catalytic method applicable to the
efficient syntheses of a series of complex polycyclic alkaloids remains highly
desirable in synthetic chemistry. Herein we describe an efficient palladium
catalyzed enantioselective dearomative cyclization which is capable of
synthesizing two important classes of tricyclic nitrogen-containing skeleton,
chiral dihydrophenanthridinone and dihydrocarbazolone derivatives bearing all
carbon quaternary centers, in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The P
chiral monophosphorus ligand AntPhos is crucial for the reactivity and
enantioselectivity, and the choice of the N-phosphoramide protecting group is
essential for the desired chemoselectivity. This method has enabled the
enantioselective total syntheses of three distinctive and challenging
biologically important polycyclic alkaloids, specifically a concise and gram
scale synthesis of (-)-crinine, an efficient synthesis of indole alkaloid (-)
aspidospermidine and a formal enantioselective synthesis of (-)-minfiensine.
PMID- 28989659
TI - A multi-signal fluorescent probe for simultaneously distinguishing and
sequentially sensing cysteine/homocysteine, glutathione, and hydrogen sulfide in
living cells.
AB - Biothiols, which have a close network of generation and metabolic pathways among
them, are essential reactive sulfur species (RSS) in the cells and play vital
roles in human physiology. However, biothiols possess highly similar chemical
structures and properties, resulting in it being an enormous challenge to
simultaneously discriminate them from each other. Herein, we develop a unique
fluorescent probe (HMN) for not only simultaneously distinguishing Cys/Hcy, GSH,
and H2S from each other, but also sequentially sensing Cys/Hcy/GSH and H2S using
a multi-channel fluorescence mode for the first time. When responding to the
respective biothiols, the robust probe exhibits multiple sets of fluorescence
signals at three distinct emission bands (blue-green-red). The new probe can also
sense H2S at different concentration levels with changes of fluorescence at the
blue and red emission bands. In addition, the novel probe HMN is able to
discriminate and sequentially sense biothiols in biological environments via
three-color fluorescence imaging. We expect that the development of the robust
probe HMN will provide a powerful strategy to design fluorescent probes for the
discrimination and sequential detection of biothiols, and offer a promising tool
for exploring the interrelated roles of biothiols in various physiological and
pathological conditions.
PMID- 28989660
TI - Rh-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of anilines, alkynes, and CO.
AB - Transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative C-H cyclization of anilines has been an
attractive and powerful strategy for the efficient construction of N
heterocycles. However, primary and tertiary anilines are rarely employed in this
strategy due to the relative instability with strong oxidants or the presence of
three C-N bonds. We describe here a novel Rh-catalyzed C-H cyclization of a wide
range of anilines with alkynes and CO, using an aerobic oxidative protocol.
Particularly, the simple primary anilines and readily prepared tertiary anilines
could be easily converted to quinolin-2(1H)-ones, which are high value-added,
biologically significant N-heterocycles, via C-N bond cleavage.
PMID- 28989661
TI - Completing the series of boron-nucleophilic cyanoborates: boryl anions of type
NHC-B(CN)2.
AB - Since the first seminal report of boron-centred nucleophiles, the area of boryl
anions has developed only sporadically and requires further systematisation. The
boryl anions of type NHC-B(CN)2- (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) described herein
complete a consistent series with the known anions cAAC-B(CN)2- [cAAC =
cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene] and B(CN)32-. A novel approach towards NHC
stabilised cyanoboranes based on alkylthio-cyano exchange at boron is presented,
and in contrast to other methods affords the products in better purity and yield.
Reduction of suitable NHC-dicyanoboranes gave two unprecedented examples of NHC
B(CN)2- boryl anions. The latter were shown to react as boron-centred
nucleophiles with facile formation of B-E bonds, where E = C, Si, Sn, P, Au.
Bonding analysis by DFT calculations suggests a systematic variation of the
energy of the boron-centred HOMO depending on the carbene, which in turn can
control the nucleophilic character.
PMID- 28989663
TI - Impact of mechanical bonding on the redox-switching of tetrathiafulvalene in
crown ether-ammonium [2]rotaxanes.
AB - Switchable crown ether-ammonium [2]rotaxanes with a redox-active
tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) unit implemented in their wheels were synthesised and
fully characterised. Reversible operation in two modes is possible, in which the
[2]rotaxane's axle is either charged or neutral. Cyclic voltammetry experiments
reveal the effects of mechanical bonding on the electrochemical properties of TTF
and show the [2]rotaxanes to perform a distinct function in both modes. In the
charged mode, redox-switching is dominated by strong electrostatic repulsion in
the [2]rotaxane which subsequently leads to a macrocycle translation along the
axle. In the non-charged mode, a selective energetic stabilisation of TTF radical
cations is observed, which can be attributed to an interplay of weak
electrostatic interactions between wheel and axle.
PMID- 28989664
TI - A new function for thermal phase transition-based polymer actuators: autonomous
motion on a surface of constant temperature.
AB - It is very challenging to make materials capable of autonomous oscillation known
in many living systems (such as the heartbeat). Herein, we describe an approach
to creating a thermo-mechano-thermal feedback loop for thermal phase transition
based polymer actuators, which leads to hour-long, autonomous motion on a
substrate surface of constant temperature. We investigated the variables that
determine the amplitude and period of the motion, and demonstrated exemplary
physical work powered by direct thermomechanical energy conversion. Such
continuous motion of a solid polymer driven by thermal energy without the need
for temperature up/down switching is unprecedented, and the validated feedback
loop can be implemented into other thermal phase transition-based polymer
actuators.
PMID- 28989662
TI - AIE-doped poly(ionic liquid) photonic spheres: a single sphere-based customizable
sensing platform for the discrimination of multi-analytes.
AB - By simultaneously exploiting the unique properties of ionic liquids and
aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens, as well as photonic structures, a
novel customizable sensing system for multi-analytes was developed based on a
single AIE-doped poly(ionic liquid) photonic sphere. It was found that due to the
extraordinary multiple intermolecular interactions involved in the ionic liquid
units, one single sphere could differentially interact with broader classes of
analytes, thus generating response patterns with remarkable diversity. Moreover,
the optical properties of both the AIE luminogen and photonic structure
integrated in the poly(ionic liquid) sphere provide multidimensional signal
channels for transducing the involved recognition process in a complementary
manner and the acquisition of abundant and sufficient sensing information could
be easily achieved on only one sphere sensor element. More importantly, the
sensing performance of our poly(ionic liquid) photonic sphere is designable and
customizable through a simple ion-exchange reaction and target-oriented multi
analyte sensing can be conveniently realized using a selective receptor species,
such as counterions, showing great flexibility and extendibility. The power of
our single sphere-based customizable sensing system was exemplified by the
successful on-demand detection and discrimination of four multi-analyte challenge
systems: all 20 natural amino acids, nine important phosphate derivatives, ten
metal ions and three pairs of enantiomers. To further demonstrate the potential
of our spheres for real-life application, 20 amino acids in human urine and their
26 unprecedented complex mixtures were also discriminated between by the single
sphere-based array.
PMID- 28989665
TI - Full color palette of fluorescent d-amino acids for in situ labeling of bacterial
cell walls.
AB - Fluorescent d-amino acids (FDAAs) enable efficient in situ labeling of
peptidoglycan in diverse bacterial species. Conducted by enzymes involved in
peptidoglycan biosynthesis, FDAA labeling allows specific probing of cell wall
formation/remodeling activity, bacterial growth and cell morphology. Their broad
application and high biocompatibility have made FDAAs an important and effective
tool for studies of peptidoglycan synthesis and dynamics, which, in turn, has
created a demand for the development of new FDAA probes. Here, we report the
synthesis of new FDAAs, with emission wavelengths that span the entire visible
spectrum. We also provide data to characterize their photochemical and physical
properties, and we demonstrate their utility for visualizing peptidoglycan
synthesis in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial species. Finally, we show
the permeability of FDAAs toward the outer-membrane of Gram-negative organisms,
pinpointing the probes available for effective labeling in these species. This
improved FDAA toolkit will enable numerous applications for the study of
peptidoglycan biosynthesis and dynamics.
PMID- 28989667
TI - A combined experimental and theoretical spectroscopic protocol for determination
of the structure of heterogeneous catalysts: developing the information content
of the resonance Raman spectra of M1 MoVO x.
AB - Absorption and multiwavelength resonance Raman spectroscopy are widely used to
investigate the electronic structure of transition metal centers in coordination
compounds and extended solid systems. In combination with computational
methodologies that have predictive accuracy, they define powerful protocols to
study the spectroscopic response of catalytic materials. In this work, we study
the absorption and resonance Raman spectra of the M1 MoVO x catalyst. The spectra
were calculated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) in
conjunction with the independent mode displaced harmonic oscillator model
(IMDHO), which allows for detailed bandshape predictions. For this purpose
cluster models with up to 9 Mo and V metallic centers are considered to represent
the bulk structure of MoVO x . Capping hydrogens were used to achieve valence
saturation at the edges of the cluster models. The construction of model
structures was based on a thorough bonding analysis which involved conventional
DFT and local coupled cluster (DLPNO-CCSD(T)) methods. Furthermore the
relationship of cluster topology to the computed spectral features is discussed
in detail. It is shown that due to the local nature of the involved electronic
transitions, band assignment protocols developed for molecular systems can be
applied to describe the calculated spectral features of the cluster models as
well. The present study serves as a reference for future applications of combined
experimental and computational protocols in the field of solid-state
heterogeneous catalysis.
PMID- 28989666
TI - Development of a high quantum yield dye for tumour imaging.
AB - A fluorescent dye, FEB, with high fluorescence quantum yield for tumour imaging
is reported. FEB dyes can be efficiently synthesized in three steps and then
easily modified with either PEG or PEG-iRGD to yield FEB-2000 or FEB-2000-iRGD,
respectively. Both modified dyes showed negligible toxicity and were thus able to
be adopted for in vivo tumour imaging. PEG modification endowed the dye FEB-2000
with both long circulating times and good tumour targeting properties in a MDA-MB
231 xenograft model. Further conjugation with iRGD to generate FEB-2000-iRGD
showed minimal targeting enhancement. These results provide a template for the
efficient preparation of FEB dyes for use in tumour imaging, thus providing a
foundation for future modifications.
PMID- 28989668
TI - Micellar catalysis-enabled sustainable ppm Au-catalyzed reactions in water at
room temperature.
AB - Several ppm level gold-catalyzed reactions enabled by the ligand HandaPhos can be
performed at room temperature in aqueous nanoreactors composed of the surfactant
Nok. Variously substituted allenes undergo cycloisomerization leading to
heterocyclic products in good yields. Likewise, cyclodehydration is also
illustrated under similar conditions, as is an intermolecular variant, hydration
of terminal alkynes. Recycling of the catalyst and reaction medium is also
illustrated. A low E factor associated with limited solvent use and therefore,
waste generation, documents the greenness of this process.
PMID- 28989669
TI - Metal-free di- and tri-fluoromethylation of alkenes realized by visible-light
induced perylene photoredox catalysis.
AB - Regioselective amino-difluoromethylation of aromatic alkenes via C(sp3)-CF2H and
C(sp3)-N bond formation with the C 0000000000000000000000000000000000
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0000000000000000000000000000000000 C moiety has been achieved in a single
operation by visible-light photoredox catalysis. The combination of a shelf
stable and easy-to-handle sulfonium salt, S-difluoromethyl-S-di(p-xylyl)sulfonium
tetrafluoroborate, and perylene catalysis is the key to the successful
transformation. Furthermore, this noble metal-free protocol allows for the
photocatalytic trifluoromethylation of alkenes.
PMID- 28989671
TI - Highly efficient enantioselective liquid-liquid extraction of 1,2-amino-alcohols
using SPINOL based phosphoric acid hosts.
AB - Access to enantiopure compounds on large scale in an environmentally friendly and
cost-efficient manner remains one of the greatest challenges in chemistry.
Resolution of racemates using enantioselective liquid-liquid extraction has great
potential to meet that challenge. However, a relatively feeble understanding of
the chemical principles and physical properties behind this technique has
hampered the development of hosts possessing sufficient resolving power for their
application to large scale processes. Herein we present, employing the previously
untested SPINOL based phosphoric acids host family, an in depths study of the
parameters affecting the efficiency of the resolution of amino-alcohols in the
optic of further understanding the core principles behind ELLE. We have
systematically investigated the dependencies of the enantioselection by
parameters such as the choice of solvent, the temperature, as well as the pH and
bring to light many previously unsuspected and highly intriguing interactions.
Furthermore, utilizing these new insights to our advantage, we developed novel,
highly efficient, extraction and resolving protocols which provide remarkable
levels of enantioselectivity. It was shown that the extraction is catalytic in
host by demonstrating transport in a U-tube and finally it was demonstrated how
the solvent dependency could be exploited in an unprecedented triphasic
resolution system.
PMID- 28989670
TI - Potent mechanism-based sirtuin-2-selective inhibition by an in situ-generated
occupant of the substrate-binding site, "selectivity pocket" and NAD+-binding
site.
AB - Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), a member of the NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase family, has
recently received increasing attention due to its potential involvement in
neurodegenerative diseases and the progression of cancer. Potent and selective
SIRT2 inhibitors thus represent desirable biological probes. Based on the X-ray
crystal structure of SIRT2 in complex with a previously reported weak inhibitor
(6), we identified in this study the potent mechanism-based inactivator KPM-2
(36), which is selective toward SIRT2. Compound 36 engages in a nucleophilic
attack toward NAD+ at the active site of SIRT2, which affords a stable 36-ADP
ribose conjugate that simultaneously occupies the substrate-binding site, the
"selectivity pocket" and the NAD+-binding site. Moreover, 36 exhibits
antiproliferative activity in cancer cells and remarkable neurite outgrowth
activity. This strategy for the selective inhibition of SIRT2 should allow
further probing of the biology of SIRT2, and promote the development of new
disease treatment strategies.
PMID- 28989672
TI - Photochromic coenzyme Q derivatives: switching redox potentials with light.
AB - Coenzyme Q is an important redox cofactor involved in a variety of cellular
processes, and is thus found in several cell compartments. We report a
photochromic derivative of coenzyme Q that combines the molecular structures of
the redox active cofactor and a photochromic dye. Light irradiation triggers an
electronic rearrangement reversibly changing the redox potential. We used this
effect to control the intermolecular redox reaction of the photochromic coenzyme
Q derivative with dihydropyridine in solution by light irradiation. On
mitochondria, the altered redox properties showed an effect on the respiratory
chain. The experiments demonstrate that the redox reactions can be initiated
inside the system of interest through irradiation with light and the accompanied
photoisomerization.
PMID- 28989673
TI - Predicting allosteric mutants that increase activity of a major antibiotic
resistance enzyme.
AB - The CTX-M family of beta lactamases mediate broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance
and are present in the majority of drug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial
infections worldwide. Allosteric mutations that increase catalytic rates of these
drug resistance enzymes have been identified in clinical isolates but are
challenging to predict prospectively. We have used molecular dynamics simulations
to predict allosteric mutants increasing CTX-M9 drug resistance, experimentally
testing top mutants using multiple antibiotics. Purified enzymes show an increase
in catalytic rate and efficiency, while mutant crystal structures show no
detectable changes from wild-type CTX-M9. We hypothesize that increased drug
resistance results from changes in the conformational ensemble of an acyl
intermediate in hydrolysis. Machine-learning analyses on the three top mutants
identify changes to the binding-pocket conformational ensemble by which these
allosteric mutations transmit their effect. These findings show how molecular
simulation can predict how allosteric mutations alter active-site conformational
equilibria to increase catalytic rates and thus resistance against common
clinically used antibiotics.
PMID- 28989674
TI - High turnover in electro-oxidation of alcohols and ethers with a glassy carbon
supported phenanthroimidazole mediator.
AB - Glassy carbon electrodes covalently modified with a phenanthroimidazole mediator
promote electrochemical alcohol and ether oxidation: three orders of magnitude
increase in TON, to ~15 000 in each case, was observed compared with homogeneous
mediated reactions. We propose the deactivation pathways in homogeneous solution
are prevented by the immobilization: modified electrode reversibility is
increased for a one-electron oxidation reaction. The modified electrodes were
used to catalytically oxidize p-anisyl alcohol and 1-((benzyloxy)methyl)-4
methoxybenzene, selectively, to the corresponding benzaldehyde and benzyl ester,
respectively.
PMID- 28989675
TI - Atmospheric pressure neutral reionization mass spectrometry for structural
analysis.
AB - Ion dissociation is the usual basis for tandem MS analysis but a significant
limitation is that only charged fragments from ion dissociation events are
detected while neutral fragments are simply lost. This study reports our
continued effort to solve this problem by developing atmospheric pressure neutral
reionization mass spectrometry (APNR). In APNR, analyte ions are thermally
dissociated (atmospheric pressure thermal dissociation, APTD) followed by soft
reionization using electrosonic spray ionization (ESSI). Our results show that
APNR is a powerful method for structural analysis of various biomolecules such as
peptides, saccharides and nucleotides, as well as for elucidating unimolecular
ion dissociation mechanisms. It was found that APNR provides extensive fragment
ions including a series of y ions in peptides, which benefit sequencing and
provide complementary information to collision induced dissociation (CID). In
particular, direct cleavage of disulfide bonds of peptides occurs during APTD,
facilitating peptide sequencing and disulfide bond mapping. In addition, many
cross-ring cleavage fragments are detected during APNR analysis of
oligosaccharides, indicating that the APTD dissociation process is energetic and
potentially useful for identifying glycan linkage sites. Fragmentation patterns
of oligosaccharide isomers can be used for their differentiation. Furthermore, in
the cases of dissociation of nucleotides and synthetic naphthoylindole drugs, the
putative neutral, phosphorylated riboses and indoles, were successfully detected
using APNR, providing strong evidence to confirm previously proposed unimolecular
ion dissociation mechanisms. We believe this APNR technique along with APTD
should be of high value in structure determination of biomolecules.
PMID- 28989676
TI - Rapid determination of medulloblastoma subgroup affiliation with mass
spectrometry using a handheld picosecond infrared laser desorption probe.
AB - Medulloblastoma (MB), the most prevalent malignant childhood brain tumour,
consists of at least 4 distinct subgroups each of which possesses a unique
survival rate and response to treatment. To rapidly determine MB subgroup
affiliation in a manner that would be actionable during surgery, we subjected
murine xenograft tumours of two MB subgroups (SHH and Group 3) to Mass
Spectrometry (MS) profiling using a handheld Picosecond InfraRed Laser (PIRL)
desorption probe and interface developed by our group. This platform provides
real time MS profiles of tissue based on laser desorbed lipids and small
molecules with only 5-10 seconds of sampling. PIRL-MS analysis of ex vivo MB
tumours offered a 98% success rate in subgroup determination, observed over 194
PIRL-MS datasets collected from 19 independent tumours (~10 repetitions each)
utilizing 6 different established MB cell lines. Robustness was verified by a 5%
leave-out-and-remodel test. PIRL ablated tissue material was collected on a
filter paper and subjected to high resolution LC-MS to provide ion identity
assignments for the m/z values that contribute most to the statistical
discrimination between SHH and Group 3 MB. Based on this analysis, rapid
classification of MB with PIRL-MS utilizes a variety of fatty acid chains,
glycerophosphates, glycerophosphoglycerols and glycerophosphocholines rapidly
extracted from the tumours. In this work, we provide evidence that 5-10 seconds
of sampling from ex vivo MB tissue with PIRL-MS can allow robust tumour subgroup
classification, and have identified several biomarker ions responsible for the
statistical discrimination of MB Group 3 and the SHH subgroup. The existing PIRL
MS platform used herein offers capabilities for future in vivo use.
PMID- 28989677
TI - Catalytic [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition with indium(iii)-activated formaldimines: a
practical and selective access to hexahydropyrimidines and 1,3-diamines from
alkenes.
AB - Catalytic [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition with imines has, for the first time, been
developed as a practical and selective approach for direct construction of
hexahydropyrimidine derivatives from various alkenes. With formaldimines as
reagents and simple InCl3 as the catalyst, this ionic [2 + 2 + 2] approach is
applicable for a wide scope of alkenes and allenes with various electronic and
steric properties, as well as substitution patterns. Through facile hydrolysis of
the resulting hexahydropyrimidines, this catalytic process also provides a new
synthetic strategy for the aminomethylamination of alkenes and allenes to
practically access 1,3-diamine derivatives.
PMID- 28989678
TI - Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of amides and esters at room temperature:
correlation with barriers to rotation around C-N and C-O bonds.
AB - The Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling has been widely recognized as one of the most
important methods for the construction of C-C bonds. However, in contrast to
traditional aryl halide or pseudohalide electrophiles, coupling reactions with
unactivated C-N and C-O electrophiles have proven significantly more challenging.
Here we report the first general palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross
coupling of both common amides and aryl esters through the selective cleavage of
the C-N and C-O bonds under exceedingly mild conditions. Notably, for the first
time we demonstrate selective C(acyl)-N and C(acyl)-O cleavage/cross-coupling
under the same reaction conditions. The reaction uses a commercially available,
bench-stable and operationally-convenient (eta3-1-t-Bu-indenyl)Pd(IPr)(Cl)
precatalyst. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the reactivity of generic amides
and aryl esters can be correlated with barriers to isomerization around the
C(acyl)-X (X = N, O) bond, thus providing a blueprint for the development of a
broad range of novel coupling reactions of ester and amide electrophiles by the
selective activation of C-O and C-N bonds.
PMID- 28989679
TI - From imine to amine: an unexpected left turn. Cis-beta iron(ii) PNNP'
precatalysts for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone.
AB - A novel PNN ligand bearing an orthophenylene group and a primary amine was
synthesized with the aid of a palladium-catalyzed amination and reacted with
phosphonium dimers [-PR2CH2CH(OH)-]2[Br]2 R = Et, iPr, Cy, Ph, xylyl, and o-Tol,
and [Fe(OH2)6]2+ to produce a new series of cis-beta iron(ii) PNNP' precatalysts
cis-beta-[Fe(Br)(CO)(PNNP')]BPh4 as a pair of diastereomers. The more stable
orthophenylene amido group was chosen to imitate and replace the enamido moiety
of a highly active iron precatalyst for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation
(ATH) of ketones in an attempt to prevent its deactivation caused by reduction of
the enamido group. This objective was partially achieved using the complex with a
PEt2 group which catalyzed the transfer hydrogenation in isopropanol of 150 000
equivalents of acetophenone to racemic 1-phenylethanol. With a low acetophenone
to catalyst ratio of 500 to 1, the catalytic activity was moderate and the
enantiomeric excess (ee) of the product 1-phenylethanol ranged surprisingly from
94% (R) to 95% (S) depending on the nature of PR2 and whether the precatalyst
contained an imine or amine donor. The amine precatalyst with a PEt2-group
produced a more stable hydride species when activated, allowing the reaction
mixture to be heated to 75 degrees C to obtain a TON of 8821 for acetophenone
while retaining the high ee of 95% (S). The activation pathway in basic
isopropanol (iPrOH) was studied for three precatalysts to elucidate that the cis
beta precatalysts rearrange to form trans hydride complexes. The study suggests
that the enantioselectivity of these complexes is determined by from which side
of the PNNP' plane the hydride transfer occurs.
PMID- 28989680
TI - A general and facile chemical avenue for the controlled and extreme regulation of
water wettability in air and oil wettability under water.
AB - The controlled modulation of both oil (under water) and water (in air)
wettability is an emerging approach to develop several functional materials for
various prospective applications including oil/water separation, anti-corrosive
coatings, underwater robotics, protein crystallization, drug delivery, open
microfluidics, water harvesting etc. Here, we report a 'reactive' and covalently
cross-linked coating through a facile and robust Michael addition reaction, which
is suitable for the controlled and extreme regulation of both water and oil
wettability in air and under water respectively. Along with extremes (super
philicity and super-phobicity) of water (in air) and oil (under water)
wettability, this single multilayer construction was also able to display special
liquid wettability (i.e.; extremely liquid repellent-but with controlled adhesive
properties) both in air and under water, after strategic post chemical
modifications, again through 1,4-conjugate addition reaction. The super-wetting
properties in the materials were able to withstand various physical and chemical
insults including adhesive tape test, sand drop test, and exposure to extremes of
pH, salt, and surfactant contaminated aqueous media. Moreover, this approach also
allowed the decoration of various flexible and rigid substrates (i.e.; wood, Al
foil, synthetic fabric etc.) with various bio-inspired wettability properties
including (1) non-adhesive superhydrophobicity (lotus leaf), (2) adhesive
superhydrophobicity (rose petal), (3) underwater superoleophobicity (fish scale)
etc. This single polymeric coating-which is capable of displaying several bio
inspired interfaces both in air and under water, even after harsh
physical/chemical insults-would be useful in various prospective and relevant
applications for practical scenarios.
PMID- 28989681
TI - Light-responsive paper strips as CO-releasing material with a colourimetric
response.
AB - Carbon monoxide (CO) is known for its multifaceted role in human physiology, and
molecules that release CO in a controlled way have been proposed as therapeutic
drugs. In this work, a light-responsive CO-releasing molecule (CORM-Dabsyl)
showed a strong colourimetric response upon photochemical CO-release, owing to
the tight conjugation of a Mn(i) tricarbonyl centre to a dabsyl chromophoric
ligand (L). Whereas the complex was very stable in the dark in nitrogen-purged
aqueous media, CO-release was effectively triggered using 405 nm irradiation.
CORM-Dabsyl, L and the inactive product iCORM-Dabsyl have been investigated by
DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Only mild toxicity of CORM-Dabsyl was observed
against LX-2 and HepaRG(r) human cell lines (IC50 ~ 30 MUM). Finally, to develop
a CO storage and release material that is readily applicable to therapeutic
situations, CORM-Dabsyl was loaded on low-cost and easily disposable paper
strips, from which the light triggered CO-release was conveniently visible with
the naked eye.
PMID- 28989682
TI - Interdomain flip-flop motion visualized in flavocytochrome cellobiose
dehydrogenase using high-speed atomic force microscopy during catalysis.
AB - Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) is a dual domain flavocytochrome, which consists
of a dehydrogenase (DH) domain containing a flavin adenine dinucleotide and a
cytochrome (CYT) domain containing b-type heme. To directly visualize the dynamic
domain motion of class-I CDH from Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PcCDH) during
catalysis using high-speed atomic force microscopy, the apo-form of PcCDH was
anchored to a heme-immobilized flat gold surface that can specifically fix the
orientation of the CYT domain. The two domains of CDH are found to be immobile in
the absence of cellobiose, whereas the addition of cellobiose triggers an
interdomain flip-flop motion involving domain-domain association and
dissociation. Our results indicate that dynamic motion of a dual domain enzyme
during catalysis induces efficient electron transfer to an external electron
acceptor.
PMID- 28989683
TI - Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed nucleophilic dearomatization of
alkyl pyridiniums.
AB - NHC-catalyzed nucleophilic dearomatization of alkyl pyridiniums has been achieved
to generate 1,4-dihydropyridines with high enantioselectivity. This is a rare
example of catalytic, asymmetric addition of a nucleophile to the activated
pyridinium that prefers C-4 functionalization leading to the 1,4-dihydropyridine
with high selectivity.
PMID- 28989684
TI - The unexpected roles of sigma and pi orbitals in electron donor and acceptor
group effects on the 13C NMR chemical shifts in substituted benzenes.
AB - Effects of electron-donating (R = NH2) and electron-withdrawing (R = NO2) groups
on 13C NMR chemical shifts in R-substituted benzene are investigated by molecular
orbital analyses. The 13C shift substituent effect in ortho, meta, and para
position is determined by the sigma bonding orbitals in the aryl ring. The pi
orbitals do not explain the substituent effects in the NMR spectrum as
conventionally suggested in textbooks. The familiar electron donating and
withdrawing effects on the pi system by NH2 and NO2 substituents induce changes
in the sigma orbital framework, and the 13C chemical shifts follow the trends
induced in the sigma orbitals. There is an implicit dependence of the sigma
orbital NMR shift contributions on the pi framework, via unoccupied pi* orbitals,
due to the fact that the nuclear shielding is a response property.
PMID- 28989685
TI - Tuning SpyTag-SpyCatcher mutant pairs toward orthogonal reactivity encryption.
AB - Genetically encoded covalent peptide tagging technology, such as the SpyTag
SpyCatcher reaction, has emerged as a unique way to do chemistry with proteins.
Herein, we report the reactivity engineering of SpyTag-SpyCatcher mutant pairs
and show that distinct reactivity can be encrypted for the same reaction based on
protein sequences of high similarity. Valuable features, including high
selectivity, inverse temperature dependence and (nearly) orthogonal reactivity,
could be achieved based on as few as three mutations. This demonstrates the
robustness of the SpyTag-SpyCatcher reaction and the plasticity of its sequence
specificity, pointing to a family of engineered protein chemistry tools.
PMID- 28989686
TI - Electrochemical maps and movies of the hydrogen evolution reaction on natural
crystals of molybdenite (MoS2): basal vs. edge plane activity.
AB - Two dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)
have attracted considerable interest in a range of chemical and electrochemical
applications, for example, as an abundant and low-cost alternative
electrocatalyst to platinum for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). While it
has been proposed that the edge plane of MoS2 possesses high catalytic activity
for the HER relative to the "catalytically inert" basal plane, this conclusion
has been drawn mainly from macroscale electrochemical (voltammetric)
measurements, which reflect the "average" electrocatalytic behavior of complex
electrode ensembles. In this work, we report the first spatially-resolved
measurements of HER activity on natural crystals of molybdenite, achieved using
voltammetric scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), whereby pixel
resolved linear-sweep voltammogram (LSV) measurements have allowed the HER to be
visualized at multiple different potentials to construct electrochemical flux
movies with nanoscale resolution. Key features of the SECCM technique are that
characteristic surface sites can be targeted and analyzed in detail and, further,
that the electrocatalyst area is known with good precision (in contrast to many
macroscale measurements on supported catalysts). Through correlation of the local
voltammetric response with information from scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
and atomic force microscopy (AFM) in a multi-microscopy approach, it is
demonstrated unequivocally that while the basal plane of bulk MoS2 (2H crystal
phase) possesses significant activity, the HER is greatly facilitated at the edge
plane (e.g., surface defects such as steps, edges or crevices). Semi-quantitative
treatment of the voltammetric data reveals that the HER at the basal plane of
MoS2 has a Tafel slope and exchange current density (J0) of ~120 mV per decade
and 2.5 * 10-6 A cm-2 (comparable to polycrystalline Co, Ni, Cu and Au),
respectively, while the edge plane has a comparable Tafel slope and a J0 that is
estimated to be more than an order-of-magnitude larger (~1 * 10-4 A cm-2).
Finally, by tracking the temporal evolution of water contact angle (WCA) after
cleavage, it is shown that cathodic polarization has a 'self-cleaning' effect on
the surface of MoS2, consistent with the time-independent (i.e., time after
cleavage) HER voltammetric response.
PMID- 28989687
TI - Preparation and characterization of chemically bonded argon-boroxol ring cation
complexes.
AB - The cation complexes [ArB3O4]+, [ArB3O5]+, [ArB4O6]+ and [ArB5O7]+ were prepared
via a laser vaporization supersonic ion source in the gas phase. Their
vibrational spectra were measured via mass-selected infrared photodissociation
spectroscopy. Spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations revealed
that the [ArB3O5]+, [ArB4O6]+ and [ArB5O7]+ cation complexes have planar
structures each involving an aromatic boroxol ring and an argon-boron covalent
bond. In contrast, the [ArB3O4]+ cation is characterized to be a weakly bound
complex with a B3O4+ chain structure.
PMID- 28989688
TI - Photoredox mediated nickel catalyzed C(sp3)-H thiocarbonylation of ethers.
AB - The first direct C(sp3)-H thiocarbonylation reaction is achieved by visible light
photoredox/Ni dual catalysis. The thioester group of thiobenzoate is transferred
to the alpha-oxy carbon of various cyclic/acyclic ethers, which is the opposite
to the commonly expected chemical reactivity involving acyl group transfer via
the weaker C(acyl)-S activation. Through mechanistic studies, we proposed that
the reaction is initiated by photocatalytic reduction and fragmentation of the
thioester into an acyl radical and a thiolate. A nickel complex binds to the
thiolate and induces the decarbonylation of the acyl radical to form an aryl
radical, which abstracts hydrogen from the alpha-oxy carbon of the ether. The
resulting alpha-oxy C(sp3) centered radical re-binds to the (RS)(CO)Ni complex,
which undergoes CO migratory insertion and reductive elimination to give the
desired thioester product.
PMID- 28989689
TI - Semisynthetic prion protein (PrP) variants carrying glycan mimics at position 181
and 197 do not form fibrils.
AB - The prion protein (PrP) is an N-glycosylated protein attached to the outer
leaflet of eukaryotic cell membranes via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)
anchor. Different prion strains have distinct glycosylation patterns and the
extent of glycosylation of potentially pathogenic misfolded prion protein (PrPSc)
has a major impact on several prion-related diseases (transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies, TSEs). Based on these findings it is hypothesized that
posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of PrP influence conversion of cellular
prion protein (PrPC) into PrPSc and, as such, modified PrP variants are critical
tools needed to investigate the impact of PTMs on the pathogenesis of TSEs. Here
we report a semisynthetic approach to generate PrP variants modified with
monodisperse polyethyleneglycol (PEG) units as mimics of N-glycans. Incorporating
PEG at glycosylation sites 181 and 197 in PrP induced only small changes to the
secondary structure when compared to unmodified, wildtype PrP. More importantly,
in vitro aggregation was abrogated for all PEGylated PrP variants under
conditions at which wildtype PrP aggregated. Furthermore, the addition of
PEGylated PrP as low as 10 mol% to wildtype PrP completely blocked aggregation. A
similar effect was observed for synthetic PEGylated PrP segments comprising amino
acids 179-231 alone if these were added to wildtype PrP in aggregation assays.
This behavior raises the question if large N-glycans interfere with aggregation
in vivo and if PEGylated PrP peptides could serve as potential therapeutics.
PMID- 28989692
TI - Nickel-catalyzed C-H/N-H annulation of aromatic amides with alkynes in the
absence of a specific chelation system.
AB - The Ni-catalyzed reaction of aromatic amides with alkynes in the presence of KOBu
t involves C-H/N-H oxidative annulation to give 1(2H)-isoquinolinones. A key to
the success of the reaction is the use of a catalytic amount of strong base, such
as KOBu t . The reaction shows a high functional group compatibility. The
reaction with unsymmetrical alkynes, such as 1-arylalkynes, gives the
corresponding 1(2H)-isoquinolinones with a high level of regioselectivity. This
discovery would lead to the development of Ni-catalyzed chelation-assisted C-H
functionalization reactions without the need for a specific chelation system.
PMID- 28989691
TI - Catalytic asymmetric hydroxylative dearomatization of 2-naphthols: synthesis of
lacinilene derivatives.
AB - An enantioselective hydroxylative dearomatization of 2-naphthols with
oxaziridines has been accomplished using a N,N'-dioxide-scandium(iii) complex
catalyst. Various substituted ortho-quinols could be obtained in high yields (up
to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 95 : 5 er). This methodology could be
applied in the synthesis of bioactive lacinilenes in a gram-scale reaction. Based
on the experimental investigations and previous work, a possible catalytic model
was proposed.
PMID- 28989690
TI - Visible-light-induced oxidant and metal-free dehydrogenative cascade
trifluoromethylation and oxidation of 1,6-enynes with water.
AB - Generally, oxy-trifluoromethylation in olefins is achieved using oxidants and
transition metal catalysts. However, labile olefins remain unexplored due to
their incompatibility with harsh reaction conditions. Here, unprecedented light
induced oxidant and metal-free tandem radical cyclization-trifluoromethylation
and dehydrogenative oxygenation of 1,6-enynes have been achieved using a
photoredox catalyst, CF3SO2Na, and phenanthrene-9,10-dione (PQ), Langlois'
reagent (CF3SO2Na) and water as the oxygen source. This benign protocol allows
for access to various CF3-containing C3-aryloyl/acylated benzofurans,
benzothiophenes, and indoles. Moreover, the oxidized undesired products, which
are inherently formed by the cleavage of the vinylic carbon and heteroatom bond,
have been circumvented under oxidant free conditions. The mechanistic
investigations by UV-visible and ESR spectroscopy, electrochemical studies,
isotope labelling and density functional theory (DFT) suggest that light induced
PQ produced a CF3 radical from CF3SO2Na. The generated CF3 radical adds to the
alkene, followed by cyclization, to provide a vinylic radical that transfers an
electron to PQ and generates a vinylic cation. Alternatively, electron transfer
may occur from the CF3-added alkene moiety, forming a carbocation, which would
undergo cationic cyclization to generate a vinylic carbocation. The subsequent
addition of water to the vinylic cation, followed by the elimination of hydrogen
gas, led to the formation of trifluoromethylated C3-aryloyl/acylated
heterocycles.
PMID- 28989693
TI - Asymmetric syntheses of 8-oxabicyclo[3,2,1]octane and 11
oxatricyclo[5.3.1.0]undecane from glycals.
AB - Herein, we describe an efficient method to prepare enantiomerically pure 8
oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes via gold(i)-catalyzed tandem 1,3-acyloxy
migration/Ferrier rearrangement of glycal derived 1,6-enyne bearing propargylic
carboxylates. The resultant compounds could then undergo interrupted Nazarov
cyclization to afford diastereomerically pure 11-oxatricyclo[5.3.1.0]undecanes.
PMID- 28989694
TI - Rotational and steric effects in water dissociative chemisorption on Ni(111).
AB - Powerful laser techniques have recently enabled quantum-state resolved molecular
beam experiments for investigating gas-surface reactions, which have unveiled
intriguing vibrational, rotational, and also steric effects. For reactions
involving polyatomic molecules, e.g., the dissociative chemisorption of methane
and water, the rotational and related steric effects are far less understood
despite a large body of theoretical work having been able to reproduce the
observed vibrational mode specificity and related bond selectivity semi
quantitatively or even within chemical accuracy. Herein, we report a high
dimensional quantum dynamics study of water dissociation on Ni(111) on a first
principles potential energy surface, focusing on the reactivities of D2O in
various rotational quantum states with different spatial orientations. Through an
accurate quantum mechanical description of this asymmetric top, remarkable
dependence of the reactivity on the orientation is observed. This dependence is
site specific and rotational state specific. These single site rotational and
steric effects are partially justified by a sudden model on the basis of the
overlap between the rotational wavefunctions and the angular potential near the
transition state, but rotational steering also plays a significant role which
complicates the dynamics. Although site averaging weakens the influence of
initial rotational excitations and leads to minor effects to the reactivity,
steric effects are predicted to be observable if the water molecule is
selectively excited and aligned by a linearly polarized laser.
PMID- 28989695
TI - Simultaneous visualization of the subfemtomolar expression of microRNA and
microRNA target gene using HILO microscopy.
AB - The family of microRNAs (miRNAs) not only plays an important role in gene
regulation but is also useful for the diagnosis of diseases. A reliable method
with high sensitivity may allow researchers to detect slight fluctuations in
ultra-trace amounts of miRNA. In this study, we propose a sensitive imaging
method for the direct probing of miR-10b (miR-10b-3p, also called miR-10b*) and
its target (HOXD10 mRNA) in fixed cells based on the specific recognition of
molecular beacons combined with highly inclined and laminated optical sheet
(HILO) fluorescence microscopy. The designed dye-quencher-labelled molecular
beacons offer excellent efficiencies of fluorescence resonance energy transfer
that allow us to detect miRNA and the target mRNA simultaneously in
hepatocellular carcinoma cells using HILO fluorescence microscopy. Not only can
the basal trace amount of miRNA be observed in each individual cell, but the
obtained images also indicate that this method is useful for monitoring the
fluctuations in ultra-trace amounts of miRNA when the cells are transfected with
a miRNA precursor or a miRNA inhibitor (anti-miR). Furthermore, a reasonable
causal relation between the miR-10b and HOXD10 expression levels was observed in
miR-10b* precursor-transfected cells and miR-10b* inhibitor-transfected cells.
The trends of the miRNA alterations obtained using HILO microscopy completely
matched the RT-qPCR data and showed remarkable reproducibility (the coefficient
of variation [CV] = 0.86%) and sensitivity (<1.0 fM). This proposed imaging
method appears to be useful for the simultaneous visualisation of ultra-trace
amounts of miRNA and target mRNA and excludes the procedures for RNA extraction
and amplification. Therefore, the visualisation of miRNA and the target mRNA
should facilitate the exploration of the functions of ultra-trace amounts of
miRNA in fixed cells in biological studies and may serve as a powerful tool for
diagnoses based on circulating cancer cells.
PMID- 28989696
TI - Nitro-enabled catalytic enantioselective formal umpolung alkenylation of beta
ketoesters.
AB - A formal umpolung strategy is presented for the enantioselective installation of
an alkenyl group with a terminal double bond at a tertiary center. This one-pot
two-step sequence relies on the unique features of the nitro group, which after
inverting the polarity of the alkenylating agent toward the desired bond
formation, itself serves as a leaving group. The application of this protocol to
cyclic beta-ketoesters results in densely functionalized products, bearing an all
carbon quaternary stereocenter including an alkenyl substituent with a terminal
double bond, in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities.
PMID- 28989697
TI - Colors of the Sublunar.
AB - Generic red, green, and blue images can be regarded as data sources of coarse
(three bins) local spectra, typical data volumes are 104 to 107 spectra. Image
data bases often yield hundreds or thousands of images, yielding data sources of
109 to 1010 spectra. There is usually no calibration, and there often are various
nonlinear image transformations involved. However, we argue that sheer numbers
make up for such ambiguity. We propose a model of spectral data mining that
applies to the sublunar realm, spectra due to the scattering of daylight by
objects from the generic terrestrial environment. The model involves colorimetry
and ecological physics. Whereas the colorimetry is readily dealt with, one needs
to handle the ecological physics with heuristic methods. The results suggest
evolutionary causes of the human visual system. We also suggest effective methods
to generate red, green, and blue color gamuts for various terrains.
PMID- 28989699
TI - The status of transarterial chemoembolization treatment in the era of precision
oncology.
AB - Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the gold standard of therapy for
patients with unresectable intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and
is also commonly used as postresection adjuvant therapy in Asia. The delivery of
TACE is highly variable from center to center, and clinical decision making for
patients is based primarily on tumor staging guidelines, with very little focus
on individualized tumor features. This review will discuss recent efforts for
improving patient outcomes with TACE treatment through personalized medicine
advances, including ongoing clinical trials investigating the combination of
targeted therapy with TACE and the discovery of prognostic biomarkers for
predicting TACE response.
PMID- 28989698
TI - Recent advances to accelerate re-endothelialization for vascular stents.
AB - Cardiovascular diseases are considered as one of the serious diseases that leads
to the death of millions of people all over the world. Stent implantation has
been approved as an easy and promising way to treat cardiovascular diseases.
However, in-stent restenosis and thrombosis remain serious problems after stent
implantation. It was demonstrated in a large body of previously published
literature that endothelium impairment represents a major factor for restenosis.
This discovery became the driving force for many studies trying to achieve an
optimized methodology for accelerated re-endothelialization to prevent
restenosis. Thus, in this review, we summarize the different methodologies opted
to achieve re-endothelialization, such as, but not limited to, manipulation of
surface chemistry and surface topography.
PMID- 28979764
TI - Saccharomyces cerevisiae show low levels of traversal across human endothelial
barrier in vitro.
AB - Background: Saccharomyces cerevisiae is generally considered safe, and is
involved in the production of many types of foods and dietary supplements.
However, some isolates, which are genetically related to strains used in brewing
and baking, have shown virulent traits, being able to produce infections in
humans, mainly in immunodeficient patients. This can lead to systemic infections
in humans. Methods: In this work, we studied S. cerevisiae isolates in an in
vitro human endothelial barrier model, comparing their behaviour with that of
several strains of the related pathogens Candida glabrata and Candida albicans.
Results: The results showed that this food related yeast is able to cross the
endothelial barrier in vitro. However, in contrast to C. glabrata and C.
albicans, S. cerevisiae showed very low levels of traversal. Conclusions: We
conclude that using an in vitro human endothelial barrier model with S.
cerevisiae can be useful to evaluate the safety of S. cerevisiae strains isolated
from foods.
PMID- 28989700
TI - Toxicological Implications of Mitochondrial Localization of CYP2E1.
AB - Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) metabolizes an extensive array of pollutants, drugs,
and other small molecules, often resulting in bioactivation to reactive
metabolites. Therefore, it is unsurprising that it has been the subject of
decades of research publications and reviews. However, while CYP2E1 has
historically been studied in the endoplasmic reticulum (erCYP2E1), active CYP2E1
is also present in mitochondria (mtCYP2E1). Relatively few studies have
specifically focused on mtCYP2E1, but there is growing interest in this form of
the enzyme as a driver in toxicological mechanisms given its activity and
location. Many previous studies have linked total CYP2E1 to conditions that
involve mitochondrial dysfunction (fasting, diabetes, non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis, and obesity). Furthermore, a large number of reactive
metabolites that are formed by CYP2E1 through metabolism of drugs and pollutants
have been demonstrated to cause mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, there appears
to be significant inter-individual variability in targeting to the mitochondria,
which could constitute a source of variability in individual response to
exposures. This review discusses those outcomes, the biochemical properties and
toxicological consequences of mtCYP2E1, and highlights important knowledge gaps
and future directions. Overall, we feel that this exciting area of research is
rich with new and important questions about the relationship between mtCYP2E1,
mitochondrial dysfunction, and pathology.
PMID- 28989702
TI - Selective Adhesive Cell Capture without Molecular Specificity: New Surfaces
Exploiting Nanoscopic Polycationic Features as Discrete Adhesive Units.
AB - This work explored how molecularly non-specific polycationic nanoscale features
on a collecting surface control kinetic and selectivity aspects of mammalian cell
capture. Key principles for selective collector design were demonstrated by
comparing the capture of two closely related breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 and
TMX2-28. TMX2-28 is a tamoxifen-selected clone of MCF-7. The collector was a
silica surface, negatively-charged at pH 7.4, containing isolated molecules (~ 8
nm diameter) of the cationic polymer, poly(dimethyl-aminoethylmethacrylate),
pDMAEMA. Important in this work is the non-selective nature of the pDMAEMA
interactions with cells: pDMAEMA generally adheres negatively charged particles
and cells in solution. We show here that selectivity towards cells results from
collector design: this includes competition between repulsive interactions
involving the negative silica and attractions to the immobilized pDMAEMA
molecules, the random pDMAEMA arrangement on the surface, and the concentration
of positive charge in the vicinity of the adsorbed pDMAEMA chains. The latter act
as nanoscopic cationic surface patches, each weakly attracted to negatively
charged cells. Collecting surfaces engineered with an appropriate amount pDMAEMA,
exposed to mixtures of MCF-7 and TMX2-28 cells preferentially captured TMX2-28
with a selectivity of 2.5. (This means that the ratio of TMX2-28 to MCF cells on
the surface was 2.5 times their compositional ratio in free solution.) The ionic
strength-dependence of cell capture was shown to be similar to that of silica
microparticles on the same surfaces. This suggests that the mechanism of
selective cell capture involves nanoscopic differences in the contact areas of
the cells with the collector, allowing discrimination of closely related cell
line-based small scale features of the cell surface. This work demonstrated that
even without molecular specificity, selectivity for physical cell attributes
produces adhesive discrimination.
PMID- 28989703
TI - An amphipathic trans-acting phosphorothioate RNA element delivers an uncharged
phosphorodiamidate morpholino sequence in mdx mouse myotubes.
AB - An efficient method for the delivery of uncharged polyA-tailed phosphorodiamidate
morpholino sequences (PMO) in mammalian cells consists of employing a synthetic 8
mer amphipathic trans-acting poly-2'-O-methyluridylic thiophosphate triester
element (2'-OMeUtaPS) as a transfection reagent. Unlike the dTtaPS DNA-based
element, this RNA element is potent at delivering polyA-tailed PMO sequences to
HeLa pLuc 705 cells or to myotube muscle cells. However, much like dTtaPS, the 2'
OMeUtaPS-mediated internalization of PMO sequences occurs through an energy
dependent mechanism; macropinocytosis appears to be the predominant endocytic
pathway used for cellular uptake. The transfected PMO sequences induce alternate
splicing of either the pre-mRNA encoding luciferase in HeLa pLuc 705 cells or the
excision of exon 23 from the pre-mRNA encoding dystrophin in myotube muscle cells
of the mdx mouse model of muscular dystrophy with an efficiency comparable to
that of commercial cationic lipid reagents but without detrimental cytotoxicity.
PMID- 28989704
TI - GENESIS - The GENEric SImulation System for Modelling State Transitions.
AB - This software implements a discrete time Markov chain model, used to model
transitions between states when the transition probabilities are known a priori.
It is highly configurable; the user supplies two text files, a "state transition
table" and a "config file", to the Perl script genesis.pl. Given the content of
these files, the script generates a set of C++ classes based on the State design
pattern, and a main program, which can then be compiled and run. The C++ code
generated is based on the specification in the text files. Both multiple
branching and bi-directional transitions are allowed. The software has been used
to model the natural histories of colorectal cancer in Mexico. Although written
primarily to model such disease processes, it can be used in any process which
depends on discrete states with known transition probabilities between those
states. One suitable area may be in environmental modelling. A test suite is
supplied with the distribution. Due to its high degree of configurability and
flexibility, this software has good re-use potential. It is stored on the
Figshare repository.
PMID- 28989705
TI - Collagen-mimetic hydrogels promote human endothelial cell adhesion, migration and
phenotypic maturation.
AB - This work evaluates the response of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) to
thromboresistant collagen-mimetic hydrogel coatings toward improving the
biocompatibility of existing "off-the-shelf" small-caliber vascular grafts.
Specifically, bioactive hydrogels - previously shown to support alpha1/alpha2
integrin-mediated cell adhesion but to resist platelet activation - were
fabricated by combining poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with a 120 kDa, triple
helical collagen-mimetic protein(Scl2-2) containing the GFPGER adhesion sequence.
Analysis of HAECs seeded onto the resulting PEG-Scl2-2 hydrogels demonstrated
that HAEC adhesion increased with increasing Scl2-2 concentration, while HAEC
migration rate decreased over this same concentration range. In addition,
evaluation of HAEC phenotype at confluence indicated significant differences in
the gene expression of NOS3, thrombomodulin, and E-selectin on the PEG-Scl2-2
hydrogels relative to PEG-collagen controls. At the protein level, however, only
NOS3 was significantly different between the PEG-Scl2-2 and PEG-collagen
surfaces. Furthermore, PECAM-1 and VE-cadherin expression on PEG-Scl2-2 hydrogels
versus PEG-collagen controls could not be distinguished at either the gene or
protein level. Cumulatively, these data indicate the PEG-Scl2-2 hydrogels warrant
further investigation as "off-the-shelf" graft coatings. In future studies, the
Scl2-2 protein can potentially be modified to include additional extracellular
matrix or cytokine binding sites to further improve endothelial cell responses.
PMID- 28989707
TI - What is the best way to determine bond-valence parameters?
AB - Two recent systematic determinations of bond-valence parameters addressed the
problem of the correlation between R0 and b in different ways raising the
question of which is to be preferred.
PMID- 28989706
TI - Standard 12 month dialectical behaviour therapy for adults with borderline
personality disorder in a public community mental health setting.
AB - BACKGROUND: Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is noted to be an intervention
with a growing body of evidence that demonstrates its efficacy in treating
individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Evidence for
the effectiveness of DBT in publicly funded community mental health settings is
lacking however. No study to our knowledge has been published on the
effectiveness of a 12 month standard DBT programme without adaptations for
individuals with BPD in a publicly funded community mental health setting and no
study has included data across multiple time-points. The main objective of the
current study was to determine if completion of a 12 month DBT programme is
associated with improved outcomes in terms of borderline symptoms, anxiety,
hopelessness, suicidal ideation, depression and quality of life. A secondary
objective includes assessing client progress across multiple time-points
throughout the treatment. METHODS: Fifty-four adult participants with BPD
completed the standard DBT programme across four sites in community mental health
settings in the Republic of Ireland. Data was collected by the DBT therapists
working with participants and took place at 8 week intervals across the 12 month
programme. To explore the effects of the intervention for participants, linear
mixed-effects models were used to estimate change utilising data available from
all time-points. RESULTS: At the end of the 12 month programme, significant
reductions in borderline symptoms, anxiety, hopelessness, suicidal ideation and
depression were observed. Increases in overall quality of life were also noted.
In particular, gains were made during the first 6 months of the programme. There
was a tendency for scores to slightly regress after the six-month mark which
marks the start of the second delivery of the group skills cycles. CONCLUSIONS:
The current study provides evidence for the effectiveness of standard DBT in
publicly funded community mental health settings. As participants were assessed
at the end of every module, it was possible to observe trends in symptom
reduction during each stage of the intervention. Despite real-world limitations
of applying DBT in community settings, the results of this study are comparable
with more tightly controlled studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID:
NCT03166579; Registered May 24th 2017 'retrospectively registered'.
PMID- 28989708
TI - Experimental phasing of serial femtosecond crystallography data.
AB - A synopsis of and prospects for de novo phasing using diffraction data collected
at X-ray free-electron lasers are given.
PMID- 28989709
TI - Progress in small-angle scattering from biological solutions at high-brilliance
synchrotrons.
AB - Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is an established technique that provides low
resolution structural information on macromolecular solutions. Recent decades
have witnessed significant progress in both experimental facilities and in novel
data-analysis approaches, making SAXS a mainstream method for structural biology.
The technique is routinely applied to directly reconstruct low-resolution shapes
of proteins and to generate atomistic models of macromolecular assemblies using
hybrid approaches. Very importantly, SAXS is capable of yielding structural
information on systems with size and conformational polydispersity, including
highly flexible objects. In addition, utilizing high-flux synchrotron facilities,
time-resolved SAXS allows analysis of kinetic processes over time ranges from
microseconds to hours. Dedicated bioSAXS beamlines now offer fully automated data
collection and analysis pipelines, where analysis and modelling is conducted on
the fly. This enables SAXS to be employed as a high-throughput method to rapidly
screen various sample conditions and additives. The growing SAXS user community
is supported by developments in data and model archiving and quality criteria.
This review illustrates the latest developments in SAXS, in particular
highlighting time-resolved applications aimed at flexible and evolving systems.
PMID- 28989710
TI - Protein microcrystallography using synchrotron radiation.
AB - The progress in X-ray microbeam applications using synchrotron radiation is
beneficial to structure determination from macromolecular microcrystals such as
small in meso crystals. However, the high intensity of microbeams causes severe
radiation damage, which worsens both the statistical quality of diffraction data
and their resolution, and in the worst cases results in the failure of structure
determination. Even in the event of successful structure determination, site
specific damage can lead to the misinterpretation of structural features. In
order to overcome this issue, technological developments in sample handling and
delivery, data-collection strategy and data processing have been made. For a few
crystals with dimensions of the order of 10 um, an elegant two-step scanning
strategy works well. For smaller samples, the development of a novel method to
analyze multiple isomorphous microcrystals was motivated by the success of serial
femtosecond crystallography with X-ray free-electron lasers. This method overcame
the radiation-dose limit in diffraction data collection by using a sufficient
number of crystals. Here, important technologies and the future prospects for
microcrystallography are discussed.
PMID- 28989711
TI - Real-time powder diffraction studies of energy materials under non-equilibrium
conditions.
AB - Energy materials form the central part of energy devices. An essential part of
their function is the ability to reversibly host charge or energy carriers, and
analysis of their phase composition and structure in real time under non
equilibrium conditions is mandatory for a full understanding of their atomic
scale functional mechanism. Real-time powder diffraction is increasingly being
applied for this purpose, forming a critical step in the strategic chemical
engineering of materials with improved behaviour. This topical review gives
examples of real-time analysis using powder diffraction of rechargeable battery
electrodes and porous sorbent materials used for the separation and storage of
energy-relevant gases to demonstrate advances in the insights which can be gained
into their atomic-scale function.
PMID- 28989712
TI - Pair distribution functions of amorphous organic thin films from synchrotron X
ray scattering in transmission mode.
AB - Using high-brilliance high-energy synchrotron X-ray radiation, for the first time
the total scattering of a thin organic glass film deposited on a strongly
scattering inorganic substrate has been measured in transmission mode. The
organic thin film was composed of the weakly scattering pharmaceutical substance
indomethacin in the amorphous state. The film was 130 um thick atop a
borosilicate glass substrate of equal thickness. The atomic pair distribution
function derived from the thin-film measurement is in excellent agreement with
that from bulk measurements. This ability to measure the total scattering of
amorphous organic thin films in transmission will enable accurate in situ
structural studies for a wide range of materials.
PMID- 28989714
TI - zeta-Glycine: insight into the mechanism of a polymorphic phase transition.
AB - Glycine is the simplest and most polymorphic amino acid, with five phases having
been structurally characterized at atmospheric or high pressure. A sixth form,
the elusive zeta phase, was discovered over a decade ago as a short-lived
intermediate which formed as the high-pressure ? phase transformed to the gamma
form on decompression. However, its structure has remained unsolved. We now
report the structure of the zeta phase, which was trapped at 100 K enabling
neutron powder diffraction data to be obtained. The structure was solved using
the results of a crystal structure prediction procedure based on fully ab initio
energy calculations combined with a genetic algorithm for searching phase space.
We show that the fate of zeta-glycine depends on its thermal history: although at
room temperature it transforms back to the gamma phase, warming the sample from
100 K to room temperature yielded beta-glycine, the least stable of the known
ambient-pressure polymorphs.
PMID- 28989713
TI - Start-to-end simulation of single-particle imaging using ultra-short pulses at
the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser.
AB - Single-particle imaging with X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) has the potential
to provide structural information at atomic resolution for non-crystalline
biomolecules. This potential exists because ultra-short intense pulses can
produce interpretable diffraction data notwithstanding radiation damage. This
paper explores the impact of pulse duration on the interpretability of
diffraction data using comprehensive and realistic simulations of an imaging
experiment at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser. It is found that the
optimal pulse duration for molecules with a few thousand atoms at 5 keV lies
between 3 and 9 fs.
PMID- 28989716
TI - Coherent amplification of X-ray scattering from meso-structures.
AB - Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) often includes an unwanted background, which
increases the required measurement time to resolve the sample structure. This is
undesirable in all experiments, and may make measurement of dynamic or radiation
sensitive samples impossible. Here, we demonstrate a new technique, applicable
when the scattering signal is background-dominated, which reduces the requisite
exposure time. Our method consists of exploiting coherent interference between a
sample with a designed strongly scattering 'amplifier'. A modified angular
correlation function is used to extract the symmetry of the interference term;
that is, the scattering arising from the interference between the amplifier and
the sample. This enables reconstruction of the sample's symmetry, despite the
sample scattering itself being well below the intensity of background scattering.
Thus, coherent amplification is used to generate a strong scattering term (well
above background), from which sample scattering is inferred. We validate this
method using lithographically defined test samples.
PMID- 28989715
TI - Spin-reorientation magnetic transitions in Mn-doped SmFeO3.
AB - Spin reorientation is a magnetic phase transition in which rotation of the
magnetization vector with respect to the crystallographic axes occurs upon a
change in the temperature or magnetic field. For example, SmFeO3 shows a
magnetization rotation from the c axis above 480 K to the a axis below 450 K,
known as the Gamma4 -> Gamma2 transition. This work reports the successful
synthesis of the new single-crystal perovskite SmFe0.75Mn0.25O3 and finds
interesting spin reorientations above and below room temperature. In addition to
the spin reorientation of the Gamma4 -> Gamma2 magnetic phase transition observed
at around TSR2 = 382 K, a new spin reorientation, Gamma2 -> Gamma1, was seen at
around TSR1 = 212 K due to Mn doping, which could not be observed in the parent
rare earth perovskite compound. This unexpected spin configuration has complete
antiferromagnetic order without any canting-induced weak ferromagnetic moment,
resulting in zero magnetization in the low-temperature regime. M-T and M-H
measurements have been made to study the temperature and magnetic-field
dependence of the observed spin reorientation transitions.
PMID- 28989717
TI - Bond softness sensitive bond-valence parameters for crystal structure
plausibility tests.
AB - Based on a description of bond valence as a function of valence electron density,
a systematic bond softness sensitive approach to determine bond-valence
parameters and related quantities such as coordination numbers is elaborated and
applied to determine bond-valence parameters for 706 cation-anion pairs. While
the approach is closely related to the earlier softBV parameter set, the new
softNC1 parameters proposed in this work may be simpler to apply in plausibility
checks of crystal structures, as they follow the first coordination shell
convention. The performance of this softNC1 bond-valence parameter set is
compared with that of the previously derived softBV parameter set that also
factors in contributions from higher coordination shells, and with a benchmarking
parameter set that has been optimized following the conventional choice of a
universal value of the bond-valence parameter b. The results show that a
systematic adaptation of the bond-valence parameters to the bond softness leads
to a significant improvement in the bond-valence parameters, particularly for
bonds involving soft anions, and is safer than individual free refinements of
both R0 and b from a limited number of reference cation environments.
PMID- 28989718
TI - Background modelling of diffraction data in the presence of ice rings.
AB - An algorithm for modelling the background for each Bragg reflection in a series
of X-ray diffraction images containing Debye-Scherrer diffraction from ice in the
sample is presented. The method involves the use of a global background model
which is generated from the complete X-ray diffraction data set. Fitting of this
model to the background pixels is then performed for each reflection
independently. The algorithm uses a static background model that does not vary
over the course of the scan. The greatest improvement can be expected for data
where ice rings are present throughout the data set and the local background
shape at the size of a spot on the detector does not exhibit large time-dependent
variation. However, the algorithm has been applied to data sets whose background
showed large pixel variations (variance/mean > 2) and has been shown to improve
the results of processing for these data sets. It is shown that the use of a
simple flat-background model as in traditional integration programs causes
systematic bias in the background determination at ice-ring resolutions,
resulting in an overestimation of reflection intensities at the peaks of the ice
rings and an underestimation of reflection intensities either side of the ice
ring. The new global background-model algorithm presented here corrects for this
bias, resulting in a noticeable improvement in R factors following refinement.
PMID- 28989720
TI - One enzyme, many reactions: structural basis for the various reactions catalyzed
by naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase.
AB - Rieske nonheme iron oxygenases (ROs) are a well studied class of enzymes.
Naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase (NDO) is used as a model to study ROs. Previous work
has shown how side-on binding of oxygen to the mononuclear iron provides this
enzyme with the ability to catalyze stereospecific and regiospecific cis
dihydroxylation reactions. It has been well documented that ROs catalyze a
variety of other reactions, including mono-oxygenation, desaturation, O- and N
dealkylation, sulfoxidation etc. NDO itself catalyzes a variety of these
reactions. Structures of NDO in complex with a number of different substrates
show that the orientation of the substrate in the active site controls not only
the regiospecificity and stereospecificity, but also the type of reaction
catalyzed. It is proposed that the mononuclear iron-activated dioxygen attacks
the atoms of the substrate that are most proximal to it. The promiscuity of
delivering two products (apparently by two different reactions) from the same
substrate can be explained by the possible binding of the substrate in slightly
different orientations aided by the observed flexibility of residues in the
binding pocket.
PMID- 28989719
TI - Experimental phase determination with selenomethionine or mercury-derivatization
in serial femtosecond crystallography.
AB - Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) using X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs)
holds enormous potential for the structure determination of proteins for which it
is difficult to produce large and high-quality crystals. SFX has been applied to
various systems, but rarely to proteins that have previously unknown structures.
Consequently, the majority of previously obtained SFX structures have been solved
by the molecular replacement method. To facilitate protein structure
determination by SFX, it is essential to establish phasing methods that work
efficiently for SFX. Here, selenomethionine derivatization and mercury soaking
have been investigated for SFX experiments using the high-energy XFEL at the
SPring-8 Angstrom Compact Free-Electron Laser (SACLA), Hyogo, Japan. Three
successful cases are reported of single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD)
phasing using X-rays of less than 1 A wavelength with reasonable numbers of
diffraction patterns (13 000, 60 000 and 11 000). It is demonstrated that the
combination of high-energy X-rays from an XFEL and commonly used heavy-atom
incorporation techniques will enable routine de novo structural determination of
biomacromolecules.
PMID- 28989721
TI - A distance geometry-based description and validation of protein main-chain
conformation.
AB - Understanding the protein main-chain conformational space forms the basis for the
modelling of protein structures and for the validation of models derived from
structural biology techniques. Presented here is a novel idea for a three
dimensional distance geometry-based metric to account for the fine details of
protein backbone conformations. The metrics are computed for dipeptide units,
defined as blocks of Calphai-1-O i-1-Calphai -O i -Calphai+1 atoms, by obtaining
the eigenvalues of their Euclidean distance matrices. These were computed for
~1.3 million dipeptide units collected from nonredundant good-quality structures
in the Protein Data Bank and subjected to principal component analysis. The
resulting new Euclidean orthogonal three-dimensional space (DipSpace) allows a
probabilistic description of protein backbone geometry. The three axes of the
DipSpace describe the local extension of the dipeptide unit structure, its twist
and its bend. By using a higher-dimensional metric, the method is efficient for
the identification of Calpha atoms in an unlikely or unusual geometrical
environment, and its use for both local and overall validation of protein models
is demonstrated. It is also shown, for the example of trypsin proteases, that the
detection of unusual conformations that are conserved among the structures of
this protein family may indicate geometrically strained residues of potentially
functional importance.
PMID- 28989722
TI - A closer look into close packing: pentacoordinated silicon in a high-pressure
polymorph of danburite.
AB - Due to their high technological and geological relevance, silicates are one of
the most studied classes of inorganic compounds. Under ambient conditions, the
silicon in silicates is almost exclusively coordinated by four oxygen atoms,
while high-pressure treatment normally results in an increase in the coordination
from four- to sixfold. Reported here is a high-pressure single-crystal X-ray
diffraction study of danburite, CaB2Si2O8, the first compound showing a step-wise
transition of Si coordination from tetrahedral to octahedral through a trigonal
bipyramid. Along the compression, the Si2O7 groups of danburite first transform
into chains of vertice-sharing SiO5 trigonal bipyramids (danburite-II) and later
into chains of edge-sharing SiO6 octahedra (danburite-III). It is suggested that
the unusual formation of an SiO5 configuration is a consequence of filling up the
pentacoordinated voids in the distorted hexagonal close packing of danburite-II.
PMID- 28989725
TI - Crystallographic features of the martensitic transformation and their impact on
variant organization in the intermetallic compound Ni50Mn38Sb12 studied by
SEM/EBSD.
AB - The mechanical and magnetic properties of Ni-Mn-Sb intermetallic compounds are
closely related to the martensitic transformation and martensite variant
organization. However, studies of these issues are very limited. Thus, a thorough
crystallographic investigation of the martensitic transformation orientation
relationship (OR), the transformation deformation and their impact on the variant
organization of an Ni50Mn38Sb12 alloy using scanning electron microscopy/electron
backscatter diffraction (SEM/EBSD) was conducted in this work. It is shown that
the martensite variants are hierarchically organized into plates, each possessing
four distinct twin-related variants, and the plates into plate colonies, each
containing four distinct plates delimited by compatible and incompatible plate
interfaces. Such a characteristic organization is produced by the martensitic
transformation. It is revealed that the transformation obeys the Pitsch relation
({0[Formula: see text]}A // {2[Formula: see text]}M and <0[Formula: see text]1>A
// <[Formula: see text]2>M; the subscripts A and M refer to austenite and
martensite, respectively). The type I twinning plane K1 of the intra-plate
variants and the compatible plate interface plane correspond to the respective
orientation relationship planes {0[Formula: see text]}A and {0[Formula: see
text]}A of austenite. The three {0[Formula: see text]}A planes possessed by each
pair of compatible plates, one corresponding to the compatible plate interface
and the other two to the variants in the two plates, are interrelated by 60
degrees and belong to a single <11[Formula: see text]>A axis zone. The
{0[Formula: see text]}A planes representing the two pairs of compatible plates in
each plate colony belong to two <11[Formula: see text]>A axis zones having one
{0[Formula: see text]}A plane in common. This common plane defines the compatible
plate interfaces of the two pairs of plates. The transformation strains to form
the variants in the compatible plates are compatible and demonstrate an edge-to
edge character. Thus, such plates should nucleate and grow simultaneously. On the
other hand, the strains to form the variants in the incompatible plates are
incompatible, so they nucleate and grow separately until they meet during the
transformation. The results of the present work provide comprehensive information
on the martensitic transformation of Ni-Mn-Sb intermetallic compounds and its
impact on martensite variant organization.
PMID- 28989724
TI - Charge-transport properties of 4-(1,2,2-tri-phenyl-vinyl)-aniline salicylaldehyde
hydrazone: tight-packing induced molecular 'hardening'.
AB - Based on first-principles calculations, the relationship between molecular
packing and charge-transport parameters has been investigated and analysed in
detail. It is found that the crystal packing forces in the flexible organic
molecule 4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)-aniline salicylaldehyde hydrazone (A) can
apparently overcome the dynamic intramolecular rotations and the intramolecular
steric repulsion, effectively enhancing the molecular rigidity and decreasing the
internal reorganization energy. The conducting properties of A have also been
simulated within the framework of hopping models, and the calculation results
show that the intrinsic electron mobility in A is much higher than the
corresponding intrinsic hole mobility. These theoretical investigations provide
guidance for the efficient and targeted control of the molecular packing and
charge-transport properties of organic small-molecule semiconductors and
conjugated polymeric materials.
PMID- 28989723
TI - Single-particle cryo-EM using alignment by classification (ABC): the structure of
Lumbricus terrestris haemoglobin.
AB - Single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can now yield near-atomic
resolution structures of biological complexes. However, the reference-based
alignment algorithms commonly used in cryo-EM suffer from reference bias,
limiting their applicability (also known as the 'Einstein from random noise'
problem). Low-dose cryo-EM therefore requires robust and objective approaches to
reveal the structural information contained in the extremely noisy data,
especially when dealing with small structures. A reference-free pipeline is
presented for obtaining near-atomic resolution three-dimensional reconstructions
from heterogeneous ('four-dimensional') cryo-EM data sets. The methodologies
integrated in this pipeline include a posteriori camera correction, movie-based
full-data-set contrast transfer function determination, movie-alignment
algorithms, (Fourier-space) multivariate statistical data compression and
unsupervised classification, 'random-startup' three-dimensional reconstructions,
four-dimensional structural refinements and Fourier shell correlation criteria
for evaluating anisotropic resolution. The procedures exclusively use information
emerging from the data set itself, without external 'starting models'. Euler
angle assignments are performed by angular reconstitution rather than by the
inherently slower projection-matching approaches. The comprehensive 'ABC-4D'
pipeline is based on the two-dimensional reference-free 'alignment by
classification' (ABC) approach, where similar images in similar orientations are
grouped by unsupervised classification. Some fundamental differences between X
ray crystallography versus single-particle cryo-EM data collection and data
processing are discussed. The structure of the giant haemoglobin from Lumbricus
terrestris at a global resolution of ~3.8 A is presented as an example of the use
of the ABC-4D procedure.
PMID- 28989726
TI - Carbohydrate-last meal pattern lowers postprandial glucose and insulin excursions
in type 2 diabetes.
AB - BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the timing of carbohydrate ingestion
during a meal and postprandial glucose regulation. METHODS: Sixteen subjects with
type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) consumed the same meal on 3 days in random order:
carbohydrate first, followed 10 min later by protein and vegetables; protein and
vegetables first, followed 10 min later by carbohydrate; or all components
together. Blood was sampled for glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP
1), and glucagon measurements at baseline (just before meal ingestion) and
subsequently at 30 min intervals up to 180 min. RESULTS: The incremental areas
under the curve for glucose (iAUC0-180) and incremental glucose peaks were 53%
and 54% lower, respectively, when carbohydrate was consumed last compared with
carbohydrate consumed first (3124.7+/-501.2 vs 6703.5+/-904.6 mg/dL*180min,
p<0.001; 34.7+/-4.1 vs 75.0+/-6.5 mg/dL, p<0.001) and 44% and 40% lower,
respectively, compared with the all components together condition (3124.7+/-501.2
vs 5587.1+/-828.7 mg/dL*180min, p=0.003; 34.7+/-4.1 vs 58.2+/-5.9 mg/dL,
p<0.001). Postprandial insulin excursions were lower (iAUC0-180: 7354.1+/-897.3
vs 9769.7+/-1002.1 uU/mL*min, p=0.003) and GLP-1 excursions higher (iAUC0-180:
3487.56+/-327.7 vs 2519.11+/-494.8 pg/mL*min, p=0.019) following the carbohydrate
last meal order compared with carbohydrate first. CONCLUSION: The carbohydrate
last meal pattern may be an effective behavioral strategy to improve postprandial
glycemia.
PMID- 28989727
TI - Preparation in the business and practice of medicine: perspectives from recent
gynecologic oncology graduates and program directors.
AB - BACKGROUND: Preparation in the business of medicine is reported to be poor across
a number of specialties. No data exist about such preparation in gynecologic
oncology training programs. Our objectives were to evaluate current time
dedicated to these initiatives, report recent graduate perceptions about personal
preparedness, and assess areas where improvements in training can occur. METHODS:
Two separate surveys were created and distributed, one to 183 Society of
Gynecologic Oncology candidate members and the other to 48 gynecologic oncology
fellowship program directors. Candidate member surveys included questions about
perceived preparedness for independent research, teaching, job-hunting,
insurance, and billing. Program director surveys assessed current and desired
time dedicated to the topics asked concurrently on the candidate survey.
Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-squared (or Fisher's exact test if
appropriate) and logistic regression. RESULTS: Survey response rates of candidate
members and program directors were 28% and 40%, respectively. Candidate members
wanted increased training in all measures except retrospective protocol writing.
Female candidates wanted more training on writing letters of intent (LOI) (p =
0.01) and billing (p < 0.01). Compared to their current schedules, program
directors desired more time to teach how to write an investigator initiated trial
(p = 0.01). 94% of program directors reported having career goal discussions with
their fellows, while only 72% of candidate members reported that this occurred (p
= 0.05). CONCLUSION: Recent graduates want more preparation in the non-clinical
aspects of their careers. Reconciling program director and fellow desires and
increasing communication between the two may serve to achieve the educational
goals of each.
PMID- 28989728
TI - Walking with wider steps changes foot placement control, increases kinematic
variability and does not improve linear stability.
AB - Walking humans respond to pulls or pushes on their upper body by changing where
they place their foot on the next step. Usually, they place their foot further
along the direction of the upper body perturbation. Here, we examine how this
foot placement response is affected by the average step width during walking. We
performed experiments with humans walking on a treadmill, both normally and at
five different prescribed step widths. We prescribed step widths by requiring
subjects to step on lines drawn on the treadmill belt. We inferred a linear model
between the torso marker state at mid-stance and the next foot position. The
coefficients in this linear model (which are analogous to feedback gains for foot
placement) changed with increasing step width as follows. The sideways foot
placement response to a given sideways torso deviation decreased. The fore-aft
foot placement response to a given fore-aft torso deviation also decreased.
Coupling between fore-aft foot placement and sideways torso deviations increased.
These changes in foot placement feedback gains did not significantly affect
walking stability as quantified by Floquet multipliers (which estimate how
quickly the system corrects a small perturbation), despite increasing foot
placement variance and upper body motion variance (kinematic variability).
PMID- 28989729
TI - Adaptive recursive algorithm for optimal weighted suprathreshold stochastic
resonance.
AB - Suprathreshold stochastic resonance (SSR) is a distinct form of stochastic
resonance, which occurs in multilevel parallel threshold arrays with no
requirements on signal strength. In the generic SSR model, an optimal weighted
decoding scheme shows its superiority in minimizing the mean square error (MSE).
In this study, we extend the proposed optimal weighted decoding scheme to more
general input characteristics by combining a Kalman filter and a least mean
square (LMS) recursive algorithm, wherein the weighted coefficients can be
adaptively adjusted so as to minimize the MSE without complete knowledge of input
statistics. We demonstrate that the optimal weighted decoding scheme based on the
Kalman-LMS recursive algorithm is able to robustly decode the outputs from the
system in which SSR is observed, even for complex situations where the signal and
noise vary over time.
PMID- 28989730
TI - Subliminal influence on preferences? A test of evaluative conditioning for brief
visual conditioned stimuli using auditory unconditioned stimuli.
AB - In the field of evaluative conditioning (EC), two opposing theories-propositional
single-process theory versus dual-process theory-are currently being discussed in
the literature. The present set of experiments test a crucial prediction to
adjudicate between these two theories: Dual-process theory postulates that
evaluative conditioning can occur without awareness of the contingency between
conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US); in contrast, single
process propositional theory postulates that EC requires CS-US contingency
awareness. In a set of three studies, we experimentally manipulate contingency
awareness by presenting the CSs very briefly, thereby rendering it unlikely to be
processed consciously. We address potential issues with previous studies on EC
with subliminal or near-threshold CSs that limited their interpretation. Across
two experiments, we consistently found an EC effect for CSs presented for 1000 ms
and consistently failed to find an EC effect for briefly presented CSs. In a
third pre-registered experiment, we again found evidence for an EC effect with
CSs presented for 1000 ms, and we found some indication for an EC effect for CSs
presented for 20 ms.
PMID- 28989731
TI - Learning of efficient behaviour in spatial exploration through observation of
behaviour of conspecific in laboratory rats.
AB - Recent studies have suggested that rodent behaviour is influenced by the
behaviour of surrounding conspecifics (e.g. emotional contagion and prosocial
behaviour). However, little is known about deferred imitation and complex
observational learning in rats. The purpose of this study was to reveal whether
rats can learn from another rat's experiences. In a maze, observer rats watched
the foraging behaviour of other rats (demonstrators) and then foraged in turn.
The results showed that demonstrators explored inefficiently, but observers
explored more efficiently after observing inefficient exploration by the
demonstrators. This observational learning probably involved the acquisition of
an efficient strategy through spatial exploration.
PMID- 28989733
TI - The shrimp superfamily Sergestoidea: a global phylogeny with definition of new
families and an assessment of the pathways into principal biotopes.
AB - The phylogenetic analysis of Sergestoidea based on 253 morphological characters
and encompassing all 99 valid species confirmed all previously recognized genus
level clades. Analysis retrieved five major robust clades that correspond to
families Luciferidae, Sergestidae, Acetidae fam.n., Sicyonellidae fam.n. and
Petalidiumidae fam.n. Synonymy, emended diagnoses and composition of revealed
family-level clades are provided. Three types of morphological characters were
important in the phylogeny of the Sergestoidea: general external characters,
copulatory organs, and photophores. Novel metrics to quantify the contribution of
these character types were tested. General external characters were significant
in supporting the major clades (80% of the families and nearly half of the
genera). Copulatory organ characters and photophores greatly supported the medium
level clades: Lucifer, Belzebub, Petalidium, Neosergestes, Challengerosergia
(copulatory organ characters) and Lucensosergia, Challengerosergia,
Gardinerosergia, Phorcosergia (photophores). An evolutionary model of the
Sergestoidea showing their pathways into their principal biotopes is proposed:
the major clades evolved in a vertical direction (from epi- to bathypelagic);
further divergence at the genus level occurred within vertical zones in a
horizontal direction, with the invasion of the benthopelagic and neritic (shelf
and estuarine) habitats and speciation within these domains.
PMID- 28989732
TI - Investigating the association between social interactions and personality states
dynamics.
AB - The recent personality psychology literature has coined the name of personality
states to refer to states having the same behavioural, affective and cognitive
content (described by adjectives) as the corresponding trait, but for a shorter
duration. The variability in personality states may be the reaction to specific
characteristics of situations. The aim of our study is to investigate whether
specific situational factors, that is, different configurations of face-to-face
interactions, are predictors of variability of personality states in a work
environment. The obtained results provide evidence that within-person variability
in personality is associated with variation in face-to-face interactions.
Interestingly, the effects differ by type and level of the personality states:
adaptation effects for Agreeableness and Emotional Stability, whereby the
personality states of an individual trigger similar states in other people
interacting with them and complementarity effects for Openness to Experience,
whereby the personality states of an individual trigger opposite states in other
people interacting with them. Overall, these findings encourage further research
to characterize face-to-face and social interactions in terms of their relevance
to personality states.
PMID- 28989734
TI - Detecting rare asymmetrically methylated cytosines and decoding methylation
patterns in the honeybee genome.
AB - Context-dependent gene expression in eukaryotes is controlled by several
mechanisms including cytosine methylation that primarily occurs in the CG
dinucleotides (CpGs). However, less frequent non-CpG asymmetric methylation has
been found in various cell types, such as mammalian neurons, and recent results
suggest that these sites can repress transcription independently of CpG contexts.
In addition, an emerging view is that CpG hemimethylation may arise not only from
deregulation of cellular processes but also be a standard feature of the
methylome. Here, we have applied a novel approach to examine whether asymmetric
CpG methylation is present in a sparsely methylated genome of the honeybee, a
social insect with a high level of epigenetically driven phenotypic plasticity.
By combining strand-specific ultra-deep amplicon sequencing of illustrator genes
with whole-genome methylomics and bioinformatics, we show that rare
asymmetrically methylated CpGs can be unambiguously detected in the honeybee
genome. Additionally, we confirm differential methylation between two
phenotypically and reproductively distinct castes, queens and workers, and offer
new insight into the heterogeneity of brain methylation patterns. In particular,
we challenge the assumption that symmetrical methylation levels reflect symmetry
in the underlying methylation patterns and conclude that hemimethylation may
occur more frequently than indicated by methylation levels. Finally, we question
the validity of a prior study in which most of cytosine methylation in this
species was reported to be asymmetric.
PMID- 28989735
TI - Perception of global image contrast involves transparent spatial filtering and
the integration and suppression of local contrasts (not RMS contrast).
AB - When adjusting the contrast setting on a television set, we experience a
perceptual change in the global image contrast. But how is that statistic
computed? We addressed this using a contrast-matching task for checkerboard
configurations of micro-patterns in which the contrasts and spatial spreads of
two interdigitated components were controlled independently. When the patterns
differed greatly in contrast, the higher contrast determined the perceived global
contrast. Crucially, however, low contrast additions of one pattern to
intermediate contrasts of the other caused a paradoxical reduction in the
perceived global contrast. None of the following metrics/models predicted this:
max, linear sum, average, energy, root mean squared (RMS), Legge and Foley.
However, a nonlinear gain control model, derived from contrast detection and
discrimination experiments, incorporating wide-field summation and suppression,
did predict the results with no free parameters, but only when spatial filtering
was removed. We conclude that our model describes fundamental processes in human
contrast vision (the pattern of results was the same for expert and naive
observers), but that above threshold-when contrast pedestals are clearly visible
vision's spatial filtering characteristics become transparent, tending towards
those of a delta function prior to spatial summation. The global contrast
statistic from our model is as easily derived as the RMS contrast of an image,
and since it more closely relates to human perception, we suggest it be used as
an image contrast metric in practical applications.
PMID- 28989736
TI - Quantifying the dynamic wing morphing of hovering hummingbird.
AB - Animal wings are lightweight and flexible; hence, during flapping flight their
shapes change. It has been known that such dynamic wing morphing reduces
aerodynamic cost in insects, but the consequences in vertebrate flyers,
particularly birds, are not well understood. We have developed a method to
reconstruct a three-dimensional wing model of a bird from the wing outline and
the feather shafts (rachides). The morphological and kinematic parameters can be
obtained using the wing model, and the numerical or mechanical simulations may
also be carried out. To test the effectiveness of the method, we recorded the
hovering flight of a hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia) using high-speed cameras and
reconstructed the right wing. The wing shape varied substantially within a stroke
cycle. Specifically, the maximum and minimum wing areas differed by 18%,
presumably due to feather sliding; the wing was bent near the wrist joint,
towards the upward direction and opposite to the stroke direction; positive
upward camber and the 'washout' twist (monotonic decrease in the angle of
incidence from the proximal to distal wing) were observed during both half
strokes; the spanwise distribution of the twist was uniform during downstroke,
but an abrupt increase near the wrist joint was found during upstroke.
PMID- 28989737
TI - Familiarity affects collective motion in shoals of guppies (Poecilia reticulata).
AB - The coordinated and synchronized movement of animals in groups often referred to
as collective motion emerges through the interactions between individual animals
within the group. Factors which affect these interactions have the potential to
shape collective movement. One such factor is familiarity, or the tendency to
bias behaviour towards individuals as a result of social recognition. We examined
the effect of familiarity on the expression of collective motion in small shoals
of female guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Groups comprising familiar individuals
were more strongly polarized than groups of unfamiliar individuals, particularly
when in novel surroundings. The ability to form more strongly polarized shoals
potentially promotes information transfer and enhances the anti-predator benefits
of grouping.
PMID- 28989738
TI - Pragmatic analysis of the electric submerged arc furnace continuum.
AB - A transient mathematical model was developed for the description of fluid flow,
heat transfer and electromagnetic phenomena involved in the production of
ferronickel in electric arc furnaces. The key operating variables considered were
the thermal and electrical conductivity of the slag and the shape, immersion
depth and applied electric potential of the electrodes. It was established that
the principal stimuli of the velocities in the slag bath were the electric
potential and immersion depth of the electrodes and the thermal and electrical
conductivities of the slag. Additionally, it was determined that, under the set
of operating conditions examined, the maximum slag temperature ranged between
1756 and 1825 K, which is in accordance with industrial measurements. Moreover,
it was affirmed that contributions to slag stirring due to Lorentz forces and
momentum forces due to the release of carbon monoxide bubbles from the electrode
surface were negligible.
PMID- 28989739
TI - Prey selection and dietary flexibility of three species of mammalian predator
during an irruption of non-cyclic prey.
AB - Predators often display dietary shifts in response to fluctuating prey in cyclic
systems, but little is known about predator diets in systems that experience non
cyclic prey irruptions. We tracked dietary shifts by feral cats (Felis catus),
red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and dingoes (Canis dingo) through a non-cyclic
irruption of small mammalian prey in the Simpson Desert, central Australia. We
predicted that all three predators would alter their diets to varying degrees as
small mammals declined post irruption, and to test our predictions we live
trapped small mammals through the irruption event and collected scats to track
predator diets. Red foxes and dingoes included a broader variety of prey in their
diets as small mammals declined. Feral cats did not exhibit a similar dietary
shift, but did show variable use and selectivity of small mammal species through
the irruption cycle. Results were largely consistent with prior studies that
highlighted the opportunistic feeding habits of the red fox and dingo. They also,
however, showed that feral cats may exhibit less dietary flexibility in response
to small mammal irruptions, emphasizing the importance of tracking predator diets
before, during and after irruption events.
PMID- 28989740
TI - Spreading of components of mood in adolescent social networks.
AB - Recent research has provided evidence that mood can spread over social networks
via social contagion, but that, in seeming contradiction to this, depression does
not. Here, we investigate whether there is evidence for the individual components
of mood (such as appetite, tiredness and sleep) spreading through US adolescent
friendship networks while adjusting for confounding by modelling the transition
probabilities of changing mood state over time. We find that having more friends
with worse mood is associated with a higher probability of an adolescent
worsening in mood and a lower probability of improving, and vice versa for
friends with better mood, for the overwhelming majority of mood components. We
also show, however, that this effect is not strong enough in the negative
direction to lead to a significant increase in depression incidence, helping to
resolve the seeming contradictory nature of existing research. Our conclusions,
therefore, link in to current policy discussions on the importance of
subthreshold levels of depressive symptoms and could help inform interventions
against depression in high schools.
PMID- 28989741
TI - Cu1-x Fe x O: hopping transport and ferromagnetism.
AB - Single phase, sol-gel prepared Cu1-x Fe x O (0 <= x <= 0.125) powders are
characterized in terms of structural, electronic and magnetic properties. Using
dielectric and magnetic studies we investigate the coupling of electron and spin.
The electrical conductivities and activation energies are studied with increasing
Fe content. Modelling of experimental conductivity data emphasizes a single
hopping mechanism for all samples except x = 0.125, which have two activation
energies. Hole doping is confirmed by confirming a majority Fe3+ substitution of
Cu2+ in CuO from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies (XPS). Such a
substitution results in stabilized ferromagnetism. Fe substitution introduces
variation in coercivity as an intrinsic magnetic property in Fe-doped CuO, and
not as a secondary impurity phase.
PMID- 28989742
TI - Comparative studies need to rely both on sound natural history data and on
excellent statistical analysis.
PMID- 28989743
TI - Improved surface-enhanced Raman and catalytic activities of reduced graphene
oxide-osmium hybrid nano thin films.
AB - Reduced graphene oxide-osmium (rGO-Os) hybrid nano dendtrites have been prepared
by simple liquid/liquid interface method for the first time. The method involves
the introduction of phase-transfered metal organic precursor in toluene phase and
GO dispersion in the aqueous phase along with hydrazine hydrate as the reducing
agent. Dendritic networks of Os nanoparticles and their aggregates decorating rGO
layers are obtained. The substrate shows improved catalytic and surface-enhanced
activities comparable with previous reports. The catalytic activity was tested
for the reduction of p-nitroaniline into p-phenyldiamine with an excess amount of
NaBH4. The catalytic activity factors of these hybrid films are 2.3 s-1 g-1 (Os
film) and 4.4 s-1 g-1 (rGO-Os hybrid film), which are comparable with other noble
metal nanoparticles such as Au, Ag, but lower than Pd-based catalysts. Surface
enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements have been done on rhodamine 6G
(R6G) and methylene blue dyes. The enhancement factor for the R6G adsorbed on rGO
Os thin film is 1.0 * 105 and for Os thin film is 7 * 103. There is a 14-fold
enhancement observed for Os hybrids with rGO. The enhanced catalytic and SERS
activities of rGO-Os hybrid thin film prepared by simple liquid/liquid interface
method open up new challenges in electrocatalytic application and SERS-based
detection of biomolecules.
PMID- 28989744
TI - Mixed-matrix membranes with enhanced antifouling activity: probing the surface
tailoring potential of Tiron and chromotropic acid for nano-TiO2.
AB - Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) were developed by impregnating organofunctionalized
nanoadditives within fouling-susceptible polysulfone matrix following the non
solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The facile functionalization of
nanoparticles of anatase TiO2 (nano-TiO2) by using two different organoligands,
viz. Tiron and chromotropic acid, was carried out to obtain organofunctionalized
nanoadditives, FT-nano-TiO2 and FC-nano-TiO2, respectively. The structural
features of nanoadditives were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,
which established that Tiron leads to the blending of chelating and bridging
bidentate geometries for FT-nano-TiO2, whereas chromotropic acid produces
bridging bidentate as well as monodentate geometries for FC-nano-TiO2. The
surface chemistry of the studied membranes, polysulfone (Psf): FT-nano-TiO2 UF
and Psf: FC-nano-TiO2 UF, was profoundly influenced by the benign distributions
of the nanoadditives enriched with distinctly charged sites ([Formula: see
text]), as evidenced by superior morphology, improved topography, enhanced
surface hydrophilicity and altered electrokinetic features. The membranes
exhibited enhanced solvent throughputs, viz. 3500-4000 and 3400-4300 LMD at 1 bar
of transmembrane pressure, without significant compromise in their rejection
attributes. The flux recovery ratios and fouling resistive behaviours of MMMs
towards bovine serum albumin indicated that the nanoadditives could impart stable
and appreciable antifouling activity, potentially aiding in a sustainable
ultrafiltration performance.
PMID- 28989745
TI - Spatial capture-recapture analysis of artificial cover board survey data reveals
small scale spatial variation in slow-worm Anguis fragilis density.
AB - Vague and/or ad hoc definitions of the area sampled in monitoring efforts are
common, and estimates of ecological state variables (e.g. distribution and
abundance) can be sensitive to such specifications. The uncertainty in population
metrics due to data deficiencies, vague definitions of space and lack of
standardized protocols is a major challenge for monitoring, managing and
conserving amphibian and reptile populations globally. This is especially true
for the slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), a cryptic and fossorial legless lizard;
uncertainty about spatial variation in density has hindered conservation efforts
(e.g. in translocation projects). Spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methods can be
used to estimate density while simultaneously and explicitly accounting for space
and individual movement. We use SCR to analyse mark-recapture data of the slow
worm that were collected using artificial cover objects (ACO). Detectability
varied among ACO grids and through the season. Estimates of slow-worm density
varied across ACO grids (13, 45 and 46 individuals ha-1, respectively). The
estimated 95% home range size of slow-worms was 0.38 ha. Our estimates provide
valuable information about slow-worm spatial ecology that can be used to inform
future conservation management.
PMID- 28989747
TI - Molecular trade-offs in RNA ligases affected the modular emergence of complex
ribozymes at the origin of life.
AB - In the RNA world hypothesis complex, self-replicating ribozymes were essential.
For the emergence of an RNA world, less is known about the early processes that
accounted for the formation of complex, long catalysts from small passively
formed molecules. The functional role of small sequences has not been fully
explored and, here, a possible role for smaller ligases is demonstrated. An
established RNA polymerase model, the R18, was truncated from the 3' end to
generate smaller molecules. All the molecules were investigated for self-ligation
functions with a set of oligonucleotide substrates without predesigned base
pairing. The smallest molecule that exhibited self-ligation activity was a 40
nucleotide RNA. It also demonstrated the greatest functional flexibility as it
was more general in the kinds of substrates it ligated to itself although its
catalytic efficiency was the lowest. The largest ribozyme (R18) ligated
substrates more selectively and with greatest efficiency. With increase in size
and predicted structural stability, self-ligation efficiency improved, while
functional flexibility decreased. These findings reveal that molecular size could
have increased from the activity of small ligases joining oligonucleotides to
their own end. In addition, there is a size-associated molecular-level trade-off
that could have impacted the evolution of RNA-based life.
PMID- 28989748
TI - Magic informationally complete POVMs with permutations.
AB - Eigenstates of permutation gates are either stabilizer states (for gates in the
Pauli group) or magic states, thus allowing universal quantum computation
(Planat, Rukhsan-Ul-Haq 2017 Adv. Math. Phys. 2017, 5287862
(doi:10.1155/2017/5287862)). We show in this paper that a subset of such magic
states, when acting on the generalized Pauli group, define (asymmetric)
informationally complete POVMs. Such informationally complete POVMs, investigated
in dimensions 2-12, exhibit simple finite geometries in their projector products
and, for dimensions 4 and 8 and 9, relate to two-qubit, three-qubit and two
qutrit contextuality.
PMID- 28989746
TI - The sex-specific effects of diet quality versus quantity on morphology in
Drosophila melanogaster.
AB - Variation in the quality and quantity of nutrition is a major contributor to
phenotypic variation in animal populations. Although we know much of how dietary
restriction impacts phenotype, and of the molecular-genetic and physiological
mechanisms that underlie this response, we know much less of the effects of
dietary imbalance. Specifically, although dietary imbalance and restriction both
reduce overall body size, it is unclear whether both have the same effect on the
size of individual traits. Here, we use the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to
explore the effect of dietary food versus protein-to-carbohydrate ratio on body
proportion and trait size. Our results indicate that body proportion and trait
size respond differently to changes in diet quantity (food concentration) versus
diet quality (protein-to-carbohydrate ratio), and that these effects are sex
specific. While these differences suggest that Drosophila use at least partially
distinct developmental mechanisms to respond to diet quality versus quantity,
further analysis indicates that the responses can be largely explained by the
independent and contrasting effects of protein and carbohydrate concentration on
trait size. Our data highlight the importance of considering macronutrient
composition when elucidating the effect of nutrition on trait size, at the levels
of both morphology and developmental physiology.
PMID- 28989749
TI - A geometric method for eigenvalue problems with low-rank perturbations.
AB - We consider the problem of finding the spectrum of an operator taking the form of
a low-rank (rank one or two) non-normal perturbation of a well-understood
operator, motivated by a number of problems of applied interest which take this
form. We use the fact that the system is a low-rank perturbation of a solved
problem, together with a simple idea of classical differential geometry (the
envelope of a family of curves) to completely analyse the spectrum. We use these
techniques to analyse three problems of this form: a model of the oculomotor
integrator due to Anastasio & Gad (2007 J. Comput. Neurosci.22, 239-254.
(doi:10.1007/s10827-006-0010-x)), a continuum integrator model, and a non-local
model of phase separation due to Rubinstein & Sternberg (1992 IMA J. Appl.
Math.48, 249-264. (doi:10.1093/imamat/48.3.249)).
PMID- 28989750
TI - Feeding the world's largest fish: highly variable whale shark residency patterns
at a provisioning site in the Philippines.
AB - Provisioning wildlife for tourism is a controversial yet widespread practice. We
analysed the residency patterns of juvenile whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in
Oslob, Philippines, where provisioning has facilitated a large shark-watching
operation since 2011. We identified 208 individual sharks over three years, with
an average of 18.6 (s.d. = 7.8, range = 6-43) individuals sighted per week.
Weekly shark abundance varied seasonally and peak-season abundance (approx. May
November) increased across years. Whale sharks displayed diverse individual site
visitation patterns ranging from a single visit to sporadic visits, seasonal
residency and year-round residency. Nine individuals became year-round residents,
which represents a clear response to provisioning. The timing of the seasonal
peak at Oslob did not align with known non-provisioned seasonal aggregations
elsewhere in the Philippines, which could suggest that seasonal residents at
Oslob exploit this food source when prey availability at alternative sites is
low. Since prolonged residency equates to less time foraging naturally,
provisioning could influence foraging success, alter distributions and lead to
dependency in later life stages. Such impacts must be carefully weighed against
the benefits of provisioning (i.e. tourism revenue in a remote community) to
facilitate informed management decisions.
PMID- 28989752
TI - Cultural investment and urban socio-economic development: a geosocial network
approach.
AB - Being able to assess the impact of government-led investment onto socio-economic
indicators in cities has long been an important target of urban planning.
However, owing to the lack of large-scale data with a fine spatio-temporal
resolution, there have been limitations in terms of how planners can track the
impact and measure the effectiveness of cultural investment in small urban areas.
Taking advantage of nearly 4 million transition records for 3 years in London
from a popular location-based social network service, Foursquare, we study how
the socio-economic impact of government cultural expenditure can be detected and
predicted. Our analysis shows that network indicators such as average clustering
coefficient or centrality can be exploited to estimate the likelihood of local
growth in response to cultural investment. We subsequently integrate these
features in supervised learning models to infer socio-economic deprivation
changes for London's neighbourhoods. This research presents how geosocial and
mobile services can be used as a proxy to track and predict socio-economic
deprivation changes as government financial effort is put in developing urban
areas and thus gives evidence and suggestions for further policymaking and
investment optimization.
PMID- 28989751
TI - Characterization and Pb(II) removal potential of corn straw- and municipal sludge
derived biochars.
AB - Corn straw- and municipal sludge-derived biochars (CS-BC and MS-BC, respectively)
were used to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. Despite being pyrolysed at the
same temperature (723 K), MS-BC showed higher porosity and hydrophobicity than CS
BC. The optimum biochar loading and pH values allowing efficient Pb(II) removal
(greater than 80%) were 0.2 g l-1 and 7.0, respectively. The presence of PO43-
(greater than 0.01 mol l-1) significantly affected the adsorptive performance of
Pb(II) on the biochar samples. The adsorption data fitted well to a pseudo-second
order kinetic model and a Langmuir model, and the maximum Pb(II) adsorption
capacities were 352 and 387 mg g-1 for CS-BC and MS-BC, respectively. The main
mechanisms involved in the adsorption of Pb(II) on biochar were electrostatic
attraction and surface complexation. When comparing both biochars, CS-BC showed
better cost-effectiveness for the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions.
PMID- 28989753
TI - Influence of solvents in the preparation of cobalt sulfide for supercapacitors.
AB - In this study, cobalt sulfide (CoS) electrodes are synthesized using various
solvents such as water, ethanol and a combination of the two via a facile
chemical bath deposition method on Ni foam. The crystalline nature, chemical
states and surface morphology of the prepared CoS nanoparticles are characterized
using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron
microscopy and transition electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of
CoS electrodes are also evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge
discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. When used as an electrode
for a supercapacitor, CoS prepared with ethanol as a solvent exhibits a
capacitance of 41.36 F g-1 at 1.5 A g-1, which is significantly better than that
prepared using water and water/ethanol-based solvents (31.66 and 18.94 F g-1 at
1.5 A g-1, respectively). This superior capacitance is attributed to the ideal
surface morphology of the solvent, which allows for easy diffusion of electrolyte
ions into the inner region of the electrode. High electrical conduction enables a
high rate capability. These results suggest that CoS nanoparticles are highly
promising for energy storage applications as well as photocatalysis,
electrocatalysis, water splitting and solar cells, among others. These results
show that CoS is a promising positive electrode material for practical
supercapacitors.
PMID- 28989754
TI - Accelerating adaptive inverse distance weighting interpolation algorithm on a
graphics processing unit.
AB - This paper focuses on designing and implementing parallel adaptive inverse
distance weighting (AIDW) interpolation algorithms by using the graphics
processing unit (GPU). The AIDW is an improved version of the standard IDW, which
can adaptively determine the power parameter according to the data points'
spatial distribution pattern and achieve more accurate predictions than those
predicted by IDW. In this paper, we first present two versions of the GPU
accelerated AIDW, i.e. the naive version without profiting from the shared memory
and the tiled version taking advantage of the shared memory. We also implement
the naive version and the tiled version using two data layouts, structure of
arrays and array of aligned structures, on both single and double precision. We
then evaluate the performance of parallel AIDW by comparing it with its
corresponding serial algorithm on three different machines equipped with the GPUs
GT730M, M5000 and K40c. The experimental results indicate that: (i) there is no
significant difference in the computational efficiency when different data
layouts are employed; (ii) the tiled version is always slightly faster than the
naive version; and (iii) on single precision the achieved speed-up can be up to
763 (on the GPU M5000), while on double precision the obtained highest speed-up
is 197 (on the GPU K40c). To benefit the community, all source code and testing
data related to the presented parallel AIDW algorithm are publicly available.
PMID- 28989755
TI - Facilitation of trace metal uptake in cells by inulin coating of metallic
nanoparticles.
AB - Trace elements such as zinc and iron are essential for the proper function of
biochemical processes, and their uptake and bioavailability are dependent on
their chemical form. Supplementation of trace metals through nanostructured
materials is a new field, but its application raises concerns regarding their
toxicity. Here, we compared the intracellular zinc uptake of different sources of
zinc: zinc sulfate, and ZnO and core-shell alpha-Fe2O3@ZnO nanoparticles, coated
or uncoated with inulin, an edible and biocompatible polysaccharide. Using mussel
haemocytes, a well-known model system to assess nanomaterial toxicity, we
simultaneously assessed zinc accumulation and multiple cellular response
endpoints. We found that intracellular zinc uptake was strongly enhanced by
inulin coating, in comparison to the uncoated nanoparticles, while no significant
effects on cell death, cell viability, mitochondrial membrane integrity,
production of reactive oxygen species or lysosome abundance were observed at
concentrations up to 20 ppm. Since no significant increments in toxicity were
observed, the coated nanomaterials may be useful to increase in vivo zinc uptake
for nutritional applications.
PMID- 28989756
TI - Does detection range matter for inferring social networks in a benthic shark
using acoustic telemetry?
AB - Accurately estimating contacts between animals can be critical in ecological
studies such as examining social structure, predator-prey interactions or
transmission of information and disease. While biotelemetry has been used
successfully for such studies in terrestrial systems, it is still under
development in the aquatic environment. Acoustic telemetry represents an
attractive tool to investigate spatio-temporal behaviour of marine fish and has
recently been suggested for monitoring underwater animal interactions. To
evaluate the effectiveness of acoustic telemetry in recording interindividual
contacts, we compared co-occurrence matrices deduced from three types of acoustic
receivers varying in detection range in a benthic shark species. Our results
demonstrate that (i) associations produced by acoustic receivers with a large
detection range (i.e. Vemco VR2W) were significantly different from those
produced by receivers with smaller ranges (i.e. Sonotronics miniSUR receivers and
proximity loggers) and (ii) the position of individuals within their network, or
centrality, also differed. These findings suggest that acoustic receivers with a
large detection range may not be the best option to represent true social
networks in the case of a benthic marine animal. While acoustic receivers are
increasingly used by marine ecologists, we recommend users first evaluate the
influence of detection range to depict accurate individual interactions before
using these receivers for social or predator-prey studies. We also advocate for
combining multiple receiver types depending on the ecological question being
asked and the development of multi-sensor tags or testing of new automated
proximity loggers, such as the Encounternet system, to improve the precision and
accuracy of social and predator-prey interaction studies.
PMID- 28989757
TI - Limited evidence for third-party affiliation during development in wild
chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii).
AB - Examining the ontogeny of conflict-mitigating behaviours in our closest living
relatives is an important component of understanding the evolutionary origins of
cooperation in our species. In this study, we used 26 years of data to
investigate the emergence of third-party affiliation (TPA), defined as
affiliative contact given to recipients of aggression by uninvolved bystanders
(regardless of initiation), in wild immature eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes
schweinfurthii) of Gombe National Park, Tanzania. We also characterized TPA by
mothers in the same dataset as an adult benchmark for interpreting immature TPA
patterns. In summary, we found that immatures did not express TPA as measured by
grooming between the ages of 1.5 and 12.0 years, and that there was limited
evidence that immatures expressed TPA via play. We also found that mothers did
express TPA to offspring, although mothers did not show TPA towards non
offspring. Cases of TPA by mothers to other adults were too few to analyse
separately. These results contrast with findings from captive studies which found
that chimpanzees as young as 6 years of age demonstrated TPA. We argue that
within-species variation in the expression of TPA, both in immatures and
adulthood, provides evidence that the conflict management behaviours of young
chimpanzees may be heavily influenced by social, ecological and demographic
factors.
PMID- 28989758
TI - Design of cinnamaldehyde amino acid Schiff base compounds based on the
quantitative structure-activity relationship.
AB - Cinnamaldehyde amino acid Schiff base (CAAS) is a new class of safe, bioactive
compounds which could be developed as potential antifungal agents for fungal
infections. To design new cinnamaldehyde amino acid Schiff base compounds with
high bioactivity, the quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) for
CAAS compounds against Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and Penicillium citrinum (P.
citrinum) were analysed. The QSAR models (R2 = 0.9346 for A. niger, R2 = 0.9590
for P. citrinum,) were constructed and validated. The models indicated that the
molecular polarity and the Max atomic orbital electronic population had a
significant effect on antifungal activity. Based on the best QSAR models, two new
compounds were designed and synthesized. Antifungal activity tests proved that
both of them have great bioactivity against the selected fungi.
PMID- 28989759
TI - Population cycles emerging through multiple interaction types.
AB - Cyclic dynamics of populations are outstanding and widespread phenomena across
many taxa. Previous theoretical studies have mainly focused on the consumer
resource interaction as the driving force for such cycling. However, natural
ecosystems comprise diverse types of species interactions, but their roles in
population dynamics remains unclear. Here, using a four-species hybrid module
with antagonistic, mutualistic and competitive interactions, we analytically
showed that the system with major interaction types can drive population cycles.
Stronger interactions easily cause cycling, and even when sub-modules with
possible combinations of two interactions are stabilized by weak interactions,
the system with all interaction types can cause unstable population oscillations.
Diversity of interaction types allows to add mutualists to the list of drivers of
oscillations in a focal species' population size, when they act in conjunction to
other drivers.
PMID- 28989760
TI - Performance improvement of miniaturized ZnO nanowire accelerometer fabricated by
refresh hydrothermal synthesis.
AB - Miniaturized accelerometers are necessary for evaluating the performance of small
devices, such as haptics, robotics and simulators. In this study, we fabricated
miniaturized accelerometers using well-aligned ZnO nanowires. The layer of ZnO
nanowires is used for active piezoelectric layer of the accelerometer, and copper
was chosen as a head mass. Seedless and refresh hydrothermal synthesis methods
were conducted to grow ZnO nanowires on the copper substrate and the effect of
ZnO nanowire length on the accelerometer performance was investigated. The
refresh hydrothermal synthesis exhibits longer ZnO nanowires, 12 um, than the
seedless hydrothermal synthesis, 6 um. Performance of the fabricated
accelerometers was verified by comparing with a commercial accelerometer. The
sensitivity of the fabricated accelerometer by the refresh hydrothermal synthesis
is shown to be 37.7 pA g-1, which is about 30 times larger than the previous
result.
PMID- 28989761
TI - A new Miocene baleen whale from Peru deciphers the dawn of cetotheriids.
AB - Cetotheriidae are an iconic, nearly extinct family of baleen whales (Mysticeti)
with a highly distinct cranial morphology. Their origins remain a mystery, with
even the most archaic species showing a variety of characteristic features. Here,
we describe a new species of archaic cetotheriid, Tiucetus rosae, from the
Miocene of Peru. The new material represents the first mysticete from the poorly
explored lowest portion of the highly fossiliferous Pisco Formation (allomember
P0), and appears to form part of a more archaic assemblage than observed at the
well-known localities of Cerro Colorado, Cerro los Quesos, Sud-Sacaco and Aguada
de Lomas. Tiucetus resembles basal plicogulans (crown Mysticeti excluding right
whales), such as Diorocetus and Parietobalaena, but shares with cetotheriids a
distinct morphology of the auditory region, including the presence of an enlarged
paroccipital concavity. The distinctive morphology of Tiucetus firmly places
Cetotheriidae in the context of the poorly understood 'cetotheres' sensu lato,
and helps to resolve basal relationships within crown Mysticeti.
PMID- 28989762
TI - Adsorption and movement of water by skin of the Australian thorny devil
(Agamidae: Moloch horridus).
AB - Moisture-harvesting lizards, such as the Australian thorny devil Moloch horridus,
have remarkable adaptations for inhabiting arid regions. Their microstructured
skin surface, with channels in between overlapping scales, enables them to
collect water by capillarity and passively transport it to the mouth for
ingestion. We characterized this capillary water transport for live thorny devils
using high-speed video analyses. Comparison with preserved specimens showed that
live lizards are required for detailed studies of skin water transport. For
thorny devils, there was no directionality in cutaneous water transport (unlike
Phrynosoma) as 7 ul water droplets applied to the skin were transported radially
over more than 9.2 mm. We calculated the total capillary volume as 5.76 ul cm-2
(dorsal) and 4.45 ul cm-2 (ventral), which is reduced to 50% filling by the time
transportation ceases. Using micro-computed tomography and scanning electron
microscopy of shed skin to investigate capillary morphology, we found that the
channels are hierarchically structured as a large channel between the scales that
is sub-divided by protrusions into smaller sub-capillaries. The large channel
quickly absorbs water whereas the sub-capillary structure extends the transport
distance by about 39% and potentially reduces the water volume required for
drinking. An adapted dynamics function, which closely reflects the channel
morphology, includes that ecological role.
PMID- 28989764
TI - Modelling personality, plasticity and predictability in shelter dogs.
AB - Behavioural assessments of shelter dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) typically
comprise standardized test batteries conducted at one time point, but test
batteries have shown inconsistent predictive validity. Longitudinal behavioural
assessments offer an alternative. We modelled longitudinal observational data on
shelter dog behaviour using the framework of behavioural reaction norms,
partitioning variance into personality (i.e. inter-individual differences in
behaviour), plasticity (i.e. inter-individual differences in average behaviour)
and predictability (i.e. individual differences in residual intra-individual
variation). We analysed data on interactions of 3263 dogs (n = 19 281) with
unfamiliar people during their first month after arrival at the shelter.
Accounting for personality, plasticity (linear and quadratic trends) and
predictability improved the predictive accuracy of the analyses compared to
models quantifying personality and/or plasticity only. While dogs were, on
average, highly sociable with unfamiliar people and sociability increased over
days since arrival, group averages were unrepresentative of all dogs and
predictions made at the individual level entailed considerable uncertainty.
Effects of demographic variables (e.g. age) on personality, plasticity and
predictability were observed. Behavioural repeatability was higher one week after
arrival compared to arrival day. Our results highlight the value of longitudinal
assessments on shelter dogs and identify measures that could improve the
predictive validity of behavioural assessments in shelters.
PMID- 28989763
TI - Into the dark: patterns of middle ear adaptations in subterranean eulipotyphlan
mammals.
AB - Evolution of the middle ear ossicles was a key innovation for mammals, enhancing
the transmission of airborne sound. Radiation into various habitats from a
terrestrial environment resulted in diversification of the auditory mechanisms
among mammals. However, due to the paucity of phylogenetically controlled
investigations, how middle ear traits have diversified with functional
specialization remains unclear. In order to identify the respective patterns for
various lifestyles and to gain insights into fossil forms, we employed a high
resolution tomography technique and compared the middle ear morphology of
eulipotyphlan species (moles, shrews and hedgehogs), a group that has radiated
into various environments, such as terrestrial, aquatic and subterranean
habitats. Three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis was conducted within
a phylogenetically controlled framework. Quantitative shapes were found to
strongly reflect the degree of subterranean lifestyle and weakly involve
phylogeny. Our analyses demonstrate that subterranean adaptation should include a
relatively shorter anterior process of the malleus, an enlarged incus, an
enlarged stapes footplate and a reduction of the orbicular apophysis. These
traits arguably allow improving low-frequency sound transmission at low
frequencies and inhibiting the low-frequency noise which disturbs the
subterranean animals in hearing airborne sounds.
PMID- 28989766
TI - Larval abundances of rockfishes that were historically targeted by fishing
increased over 16 years in association with a large marine protected area.
AB - Marine protected areas (MPAs) can facilitate recovery of diminished stocks by
protecting reproductive adults. To effectively augment fisheries, however,
reproductive output must increase within the bounds of MPAs so that larvae can be
exported to surrounding areas and seed the region. In response to dramatic
declines of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) in southern California by the late 1990s
two large MPAs, the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs), were established in 2001.
To evaluate whether the CCAs affected rockfish productivity we evaluated the
dynamics of 8 species that were, and 7 that were not, historically targeted by
fishing. Abundances of 6/8 targeted and 4/7 non-targeted species increased
regionally from 1998 to 2013. These upturns were probably affected by
environmental conditions in addition to changes in fishing pressure as the
presence of most species correlated negatively with temperature, and temperature
was lower than the historic average in 11/15 years. Seventy-five per cent of the
targeted, but none of the non-targeted species increased at a greater rate inside
than outside the CCAs while controlling for environmental factors. Results
indicate that management actions, coupled with favourable environmental
conditions, facilitated the resurgence of multiple rockfish species that were
targeted by intense fishing effort for decades.
PMID- 28989765
TI - Architecture of crossed-lamellar bivalve shells: the southern giant clam
(Tridacna derasa, Roding, 1798).
AB - Tridacna derasa shells show a crossed lamellar microstructure consisting of three
hierarchical lamellar structural orders. The mineral part is intimately
intergrown with 0.9 wt% organics, namely polysaccharides, glycosylated and
unglycosylated proteins and lipids, identified by Fourier transform infrared
spectrometry. Transmission electron microscopy shows nanometre-sized grains with
irregular grain boundaries and abundant voids. Twinning is observed across all
spatial scales and results in a spread of the crystal orientation angles.
Electron backscatter diffraction analysis shows a strong fibre texture with the
[001] axes of aragonite aligned radially to the shell surface. The aragonitic
[100] and [010] axes are oriented randomly around [001]. The random orientation
of anisotropic crystallographic directions in this plane reduces anisotropy of
the Young's modulus and adds to the optimization of mechanical properties of
bivalve shells.
PMID- 28989767
TI - Pedestrian motion modelled by Fokker-Planck Nash games.
AB - A new approach to modelling pedestrians' avoidance dynamics based on a Fokker
Planck (FP) Nash game framework is presented. In this framework, two interacting
pedestrians are considered, whose motion variability is modelled through the
corresponding probability density functions (PDFs) governed by FP equations.
Based on these equations, a Nash differential game is formulated where the game
strategies represent controls aiming at avoidance by minimizing appropriate
collision cost functionals. The existence of Nash equilibria solutions is proved
and characterized as a solution to an optimal control problem that is solved
numerically. Results of numerical experiments are presented that successfully
compare the computed Nash equilibria to the output of real experiments (conducted
with humans) for four test cases.
PMID- 28989768
TI - Function and flexibility of object exploration in kea and New Caledonian crows.
AB - A range of non-human animals frequently manipulate and explore objects in their
environment, which may enable them to learn about physical properties and
potentially form more abstract concepts of properties such as weight and
rigidity. Whether animals can apply the information learned during their
exploration to solve novel problems, however, and whether they actually change
their exploratory behaviour to seek functional information about objects have not
been fully explored. We allowed kea (Nestor notabilis) and New Caledonian crows
(Corvus moneduloides) to explore sets of novel objects both before and after
encountering a task in which some of the objects could function as tools.
Following this, subjects were given test trials in which they could choose among
the objects they had explored to solve a tool-use task. Several individuals from
both species performed above chance on these test trials, and only did so after
exploring the objects, compared with a control experiment with no prior
exploration phase. These results suggest that selection of functional tools may
be guided by information acquired during exploration. Neither kea nor crows
changed the duration or quality of their exploration after learning that the
objects had a functional relevance, suggesting that birds do not adjust their
behaviour to explicitly seek this information.
PMID- 28989769
TI - Highly efficient synthesis of [60]fullerene oxides by plasma jet.
AB - Atmospheric pressure nonequilibrium plasma jet has been applied to the synthesis
of [60]fullerene oxides (C60On) for the first time. C60O and C60O2 were produced
and isolated in high yields up to 44% and 21%, respectively. The structural
assignment of C60O was confirmed by comparison with the reported spectroscopic
data. Theoretical calculations of 13C NMR chemical shifts for eight isomers of
C60O2 were performed and compared with the experimental data to assign the most
possible structure for the obtained C60O2 dominantly as an e isomer.
PMID- 28989770
TI - Large batoid fishes frequently consume stingrays despite skeletal damage.
AB - The shapes of vertebrate teeth are often used as hallmarks of diet. Here,
however, we demonstrate evidence of frequent piscivory by cartilaginous fishes
with pebble-like teeth that are typically associated with durophagy, the eating
of hard-shelled prey. High-resolution micro-computed tomography observation of a
jaw specimen from one batoid species and visual investigation of those of two
additional species reveal large numbers of embedded stingray spines, arguing that
stingray predation of a scale rivalling that of the largest carnivorous sharks
may not be uncommon for large, predatory batoids with rounded, non-cutting
dentition. Our observations demonstrate that tooth morphology is not always a
reliable indicator of diet and that stingray spines are not as potent a deterrent
to predation as normally believed. In addition, we show that several spines in
close contact with the jaw skeleton of a wedgefish (Rhynchobatus) have become
encased in a disorganized mineralized tissue with a distinctive ultrastructure,
the first natural and unequivocal evidence of a callus-building response in the
tessellated cartilage unique to elasmobranch skeletons. Our findings reveal
sampling and analysis biases in vertebrate ecology, especially with regard to the
role of large, predatory species, while also illustrating that large body size
may provide an escape from anatomical constraints on diet (e.g. gape size,
specialist dentition). Our observations inform our concepts of skeletal biology
and evolution in showing that tessellated cartilage-an ancient alternative to
bone-is incapable of foreign tissue resorption or of restoring damaged skeletal
tissue to its original state, and attest to the value of museum and skeletal
specimens as records of important aspects of animal life history.
PMID- 28989771
TI - Preparation of core-shell structured CaCO3 microspheres as rapid and recyclable
adsorbent for anionic dyes.
AB - Core-shell structured CaCO3 microspheres (MSs) were prepared by a facile, one-pot
method at room temperature. The adsorbent dosage and adsorption time of the
obtained CaCO3 MSs were investigated. The results suggest that these CaCO3 MSs
can rapidly and efficiently remove 99-100% of anionic dyes within the first 2
min. The obtained CaCO3 MSs have a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area
(211.77 m2 g-1). In addition, the maximum adsorption capacity of the obtained
CaCO3 MSs towards Congo red was 99.6 mg g-1. We also found that the core-shell
structured CaCO3 MSs have a high recycling capability for removing dyes from
water. Our results demonstrate that the prepared core-shell structured CaCO3 MSs
can be used as an ideal, rapid, efficient and recyclable adsorbent to remove dyes
from aqueous solution.
PMID- 28989772
TI - Dielectric properties and carbothermic reduction of zinc oxide and zinc ferrite
by microwave heating.
AB - This paper aims to study the dielectric properties and carbothermic reduction of
zinc oxide (zincite, ZnO) and zinc ferrite (franklinite, ZnFe2O4) by microwave
heating. To achieve this aim, the dielectric properties were measured with an
open-ended coaxial method to understand the behaviour of the samples under
microwave irradiation. The effects of microwave power, duration time and sample
mass on the heating rate, and the effects of the stoichiometric amount of
graphite on the reduction of ZnO and decomposition of ZnFe2O4 were investigated.
The results show that ZnFe2O4 has significantly higher dielectric properties
compared to ZnO. Generally, for both samples, the dielectric values at room
temperature were quite low, indicating that both ZnO and ZnFe2O4 are poor
microwave absorbers. It was found that the temperatures have a more significant
effect on the imaginary permittivities than on the real permittivities. The
heating rate showed that the sample temperature increased with increase in
microwave power and sample mass. Using 700 W of microwave power and two times the
stoichiometric amount of graphite, almost complete reduction of ZnO was achieved
in 12 min, while ZnFe2O4 completely decomposed to zincite and wustite in 3 min.
PMID- 28989773
TI - A generalized equation for the calculation of receptor noise limited colour
distances in n-chromatic visual systems.
AB - Researchers must assess similarities and differences in colour from an animal's
eye view when investigating hypotheses in ecology, evolution and behaviour.
Nervous systems generate colour perceptions by comparing the responses of
different spectral classes of photoreceptor through colour opponent mechanisms,
and the performance of these mechanisms is limited by photoreceptor noise.
Accordingly, the receptor noise limited (RNL) colour distance model of Vorobyev
and Osorio (Vorobyev & Osorio 1998 Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B265, 351-358
(doi:10.1098/rspb.1998.0302)) generates predictions about the discriminability of
colours that agree with behavioural data, and consequently it has found wide
application in studies of animal colour vision. Vorobyev and Osorio (1998)
provide equations to calculate RNL colour distances for animals with di-, tri-
and tetrachromatic vision, which is adequate for many species. However,
researchers may sometimes wish to compute RNL colour distances for potentially
more complex colour visual systems. Thus, we derive a simple, single formula for
the computation of RNL distance between two measurements of colour, equivalent to
the published di-, tri- and tetrachromatic equations of Vorobyev and Osorio
(1998), and valid for colour visual systems with any number of types of noisy
photoreceptors. This formula will allow the easy application of this important
colour visual model across the fields of ecology, evolution and behaviour.
PMID- 28989774
TI - Extraction of lotus fibres from lotus stems under microwave irradiation.
AB - An efficient technology for preparing lotus fibres under microwave irradiation
was developed. The lotus fibres were characterized by scanning electron
microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and
thermogravimetry. Lotus fibres prepared are a kind of hollow fibres which are
composed of a superfine fibre and an external shell. The effect of the treatment
time with hydrogen peroxide under microwave irradiation on components, whiteness,
moisture regain, removal rate of impurities, fineness, tensile strength and
breaking elongation of lotus fibres was investigated. The results show that the
cellulose content in lotus fibres increases with increase in treatment time.
Whiteness and moisture regain of lotus fibres increase with increase in treatment
time with hydrogen peroxide. The removal rate of impurities and the fineness of
lotus fibres are improved after they are treated with hydrogen peroxide.
Microwave irradiation is supposed to be an efficient method for producing lotus
fibres.
PMID- 28989775
TI - Celebrating 30 years of science from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope.
AB - The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) has been the world's most successful
single-dish telescope at submillimetre wavelengths since it began operations in
1987. From the pioneering days of single-element photometers and mixers, through
to the state-of-the-art imaging and spectroscopic cameras, the JCMT has been
associated with a number of major scientific discoveries. Famous for the
discovery of 'SCUBA' galaxies, which are responsible for a large fraction of the
far-infrared background, the JCMT has pushed the sensitivity limits arguably more
than any other facility in this most difficult of wavebands in which to observe.
Closer to home, the first images of huge discs of cool debris around nearby stars
gave us clues to the evolution of planetary systems, further evidence of the
importance of studying astrophysics in the submillimetre region. Now approaching
the 30th anniversary of the first observations, the telescope continues to carry
out unique and innovative science. In this review article, we look back on some
of the major scientific highlights from the past 30 years.
PMID- 28989776
TI - Flexible transparent electrodes based on silver nanowires synthesized via a
simple method.
AB - Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) with the length of approximately 60 um and the diameter
of approximately 300 nm are prepared via a simple, cost-effective, high-yield and
eco-friendly procedure under a high molar concentration ratio of silver nitrate
(AgNO3) solution to poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) solution. The pre-synthesized Ag NWs
were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV-visible
spectrophotometer. Furthermore, the as-prepared silver nanowires were roll-coated
on the surfaces of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. By optimizing
the concentration of silver nanowire solution, the flexible Ag NW/PET transparent
electrodes with a sheet resistance of 3.8 Omega sq-1 at a transmittance of 70%
can be fabricated. The results reported in this paper provide a basis for
optimizing the growth of silver nanowires and performances of transparent
electrodes.
PMID- 28989777
TI - Defining the flexibility window in ordered aluminosilicate zeolites.
AB - The flexibility window in zeolites was originally identified using geometric
simulation as a hypothetical property of SiO2 systems. The existence of the
flexibility window in hypothetical structures may help us to identify those we
might be able to synthesize in the future. We have previously found that the
flexibility window in silicates is connected to phase transitions under pressure,
structure amorphization and other physical behaviours and phenomena. We here
extend the concept to ordered aluminosilicate systems using softer 'bar'
constraints that permit additional flexibility around aluminium centres. Our
experimental investigation of pressure-induced amorphization in sodalites is
consistent with the results of our modelling. The softer constraints allow us to
identify a flexibility window in the anomalous case of goosecreekite.
PMID- 28989778
TI - Monarch butterfly population decline in North America: identifying the
threatening processes.
AB - The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) population in North America has sharply
declined over the last two decades. Despite rising concern over the monarch
butterfly's status, no comprehensive study of the factors driving this decline
has been conducted. Using partial least-squares regressions and time-series
analysis, we investigated climatic and habitat-related factors influencing
monarch population size from 1993 to 2014. Potential threats included climatic
factors, habitat loss (milkweed and overwinter forest), disease and agricultural
insecticide use (neonicotinoids). While climatic factors, principally breeding
season temperature, were important determinants of annual variation in abundance,
our results indicated strong negative relationships between population size and
habitat loss variables, principally glyphosate use, but also weaker negative
effects from the loss of overwinter forest and breeding season use of
neonicotinoids. Further declines in population size because of glyphosate
application are not expected. Thus, if remaining threats to habitat are mitigated
we expect climate-induced stochastic variation of the eastern migratory
population of monarch butterfly around a relatively stationary population size.
PMID- 28989779
TI - Prostaglandin F2alpha synthase in Trypanosoma cruzi plays critical roles in
oxidative stress and susceptibility to benznidazole.
AB - Nifurtimox (Nfx) and benznidazole (Bz) are the current drugs used for the
treatment of Chagas disease. The mechanisms of action and resistance to these
drugs in this parasite are poorly known. Prostaglandin F2alpha synthase or old
yellow enzyme (OYE), an NAD(P)H flavin oxidoreductase, has been involved in the
activation pathway of other trypanocidal drugs such as Nfx; however, its role in
the mechanism of action of Bz is uncertain. In this paper, we performed some
experiments of functional genomics in the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi with the aim
to test the role of this gene in the resistance to Bz. For this, we overexpressed
this gene in sensitive parasites and evaluated the resistance level to the drug
and other chemical compounds such as hydrogen peroxide, methyl methanesulfonate
and gamma radiation. Interestingly, parasites overexpressing OYE showed
alteration of enzymes associated with oxidative stress protection such as
superoxide dismutase A and trypanothione reductase. Furthermore, transfected
parasites were more sensitive to drugs, genetic damage and oxidative stress.
Additionally, transfected parasites were less infective than wild-type parasites
and they showed higher alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential and cell
cycle after treatment with Bz. These results supply essential information to help
further the understanding of the mechanism of action of Bz in T. cruzi.
PMID- 28989780
TI - Huygens' clocks revisited.
AB - In 1665, Huygens observed that two identical pendulum clocks, weakly coupled
through a heavy beam, soon synchronized with the same period and amplitude but
with the two pendula swinging in opposite directions. This behaviour is now
called anti-phase synchronization. This paper presents an analysis of the
behaviour of a large class of coupled identical oscillators, including Huygens'
clocks, using methods of equivariant bifurcation theory. The equivariant normal
form for such systems is developed and the possible solutions are characterized.
The transformation of the physical system parameters to the normal form
parameters is given explicitly and applied to the physical values appropriate for
Huygens' clocks, and to those of more recent studies. It is shown that Huygens'
physical system could only exhibit anti-phase motion, explaining why Huygens
observed exclusively this. By contrast, some more recent researchers have
observed in-phase or other more complicated motion in their own experimental
systems. Here, it is explained which physical characteristics of these systems
allow for the existence of these other types of stable solutions. The present
analysis not only accounts for these previously observed solutions in a unified
framework, but also introduces behaviour not classified by other authors, such as
a synchronized toroidal breather and a chaotic toroidal breather.
PMID- 28989781
TI - Benthic communities under anthropogenic pressure show resilience across the
Quaternary.
AB - The Southeast Pacific is characterized by rich upwelling systems that have
sustained and been impacted by human groups for at least 12 ka. Recent fishing
and aquaculture practices have put a strain on productive coastal ecosystems from
Tongoy Bay, in north-central Chile. We use a temporal baseline to determine
whether potential changes to community structure and composition over time are
due to anthropogenic factors, natural climatic variations or both. We compiled a
database (n = 33 194) with mollusc species abundances from the Mid-Pleistocene,
Late Pleistocene, Holocene, dead shell assemblages and live-sampled communities.
Species richness was not significantly different, neither were diversity and
evenness indices nor rank abundance distributions. There is, however, an increase
in relative abundance for the cultured scallop Argopecten, while the previously
dominant clam Mulinia is locally very rare. Results suggest that impacts from
both natural and anthropogenic stressors need to be better understood if benthic
resources are to be preserved. These findings provide the first Pleistocene
temporal baseline for the south Pacific that shows that this highly productive
system has had the ability to recover from past alterations, suggesting that if
monitoring and management practices continue to be implemented, moderately
exploited communities from today have hopes for recovery.
PMID- 28989782
TI - Breeding decisions and output are correlated with both temperature and rainfall
in an arid-region passerine, the sociable weaver.
AB - Animal reproductive cycles are commonly triggered by environmental cues of
favourable breeding conditions. In arid environments, rainfall may be the most
conspicuous cue, but the effects on reproduction of the high inter- and intra
annual variation in temperature remain poorly understood, despite being relevant
to the current context of global warming. Here, we conducted a multiyear
examination of the relationships between a suite of measures of temperature and
rainfall, and the onset and length of the breeding season, the probability of
breeding and reproductive output in an arid-region passerine, the sociable weaver
(Philetairus socius). As expected, reproductive output increased with rainfall,
yet specific relationships were conditional on the timing of rainfall: clutch
production was correlated with rainfall throughout the season, whereas fledgling
production was correlated with early summer rainfall. Moreover, we reveal novel
correlations between aspects of breeding and temperature, indicative of earlier
laying dates after warmer springs, and longer breeding seasons during cooler
summers. These results have implications for understanding population trends
under current climate change scenarios and call for more studies on the role of
temperature in reproduction beyond those conducted on temperate-region species.
PMID- 28989783
TI - Genome size variation in deep-sea amphipods.
AB - Genome size varies considerably across taxa, and extensive research effort has
gone into understanding whether variation can be explained by differences in key
ecological and life-history traits among species. The extreme environmental
conditions that characterize the deep sea have been hypothesized to promote large
genome sizes in eukaryotes. Here we test this supposition by examining genome
sizes among 13 species of deep-sea amphipods from the Mariana, Kermadec and New
Hebrides trenches. Genome sizes were estimated using flow cytometry and found to
vary nine-fold, ranging from 4.06 pg (4.04 Gb) in Paralicella caperesca to 34.79
pg (34.02 Gb) in Alicella gigantea. Phylogenetic independent contrast analysis
identified a relationship between genome size and maximum body size, though this
was largely driven by those species that display size gigantism. There was a
distinct shift in the genome size trait diversification rate in the supergiant
amphipod A. gigantea relative to the rest of the group. The variation in genome
size observed is striking and argues against genome size being driven by a common
evolutionary history, ecological niche and life-history strategy in deep-sea
amphipods.
PMID- 28989784
TI - Glyph guessing for 'oo' and 'ee': spatial frequency information in sound symbolic
matching for ancient and unfamiliar scripts.
AB - In three experiments, we asked whether diverse scripts contain interpretable
information about the speech sounds they represent. When presented with a pair of
unfamiliar letters, adult readers correctly guess which is /i/ (the 'ee' sound in
'feet'), and which is /u/ (the 'oo' sound in 'shoe') at rates higher than
expected by chance, as shown in a large sample of Singaporean university students
(Experiment 1) and replicated in a larger sample of international Internet users
(Experiment 2). To uncover what properties of the letters contribute to different
scripts' 'guessability,' we analysed the visual spatial frequencies in each
letter (Experiment 3). We predicted that the lower spectral frequencies in the
formants of the vowel /u/ would pattern with lower spatial frequencies in the
corresponding letters. Instead, we found that across all spatial frequencies, the
letter with more black/white cycles (i.e. more ink) was more likely to be guessed
as /u/, and the larger the difference between the glyphs in a pair, the higher
the script's guessability. We propose that diverse groups of humans across
historical time and geographical space tend to employ similar iconic strategies
for representing speech in visual form, and provide norms for letter pairs from
56 diverse scripts.
PMID- 28989785
TI - Group foraging increases foraging efficiency in a piscivorous diver, the African
penguin.
AB - Marine piscivores have evolved a variety of morphological and behavioural
adaptations, including group foraging, to optimize foraging efficiency when
targeting shoaling fish. For penguins that are known to associate at sea and feed
on these prey resources, there is nonetheless a lack of empirical evidence to
support improved foraging efficiency when foraging with conspecifics. We examined
the hunting strategies and foraging performance of breeding African penguins
equipped with animal-borne video recorders. Individuals pursued both solitary as
well as schooling pelagic fish, and demonstrated independent as well as group
foraging behaviour. The most profitable foraging involved herding of fish schools
upwards during the ascent phase of a dive where most catches constituted
depolarized fish. Catch-per-unit-effort was significantly improved when targeting
fish schools as opposed to single fish, especially when foraging in groups. In
contrast to more generalist penguin species, African penguins appear to have
evolved specialist hunting strategies closely linked to their primary reliance on
schooling pelagic fish. The specialist nature of the observed hunting strategies
further limits the survival potential of this species if Allee effects reduce
group size-related foraging efficiency. This is likely to be exacerbated by
diminishing fish stocks due to resource competition and environmental change.
PMID- 28989786
TI - Inferring individual-level processes from population-level patterns in cultural
evolution.
AB - Our species is characterized by a great degree of cultural variation, both within
and between populations. Understanding how group-level patterns of culture emerge
from individual-level behaviour is a long-standing question in the biological and
social sciences. We develop a simulation model capturing demographic and cultural
dynamics relevant to human cultural evolution, focusing on the interface between
population-level patterns and individual-level processes. The model tracks the
distribution of variants of cultural traits across individuals in a population
over time, conditioned on different pathways for the transmission of information
between individuals. From these data, we obtain theoretical expectations for a
range of statistics commonly used to capture population-level characteristics
(e.g. the degree of cultural diversity). Consistent with previous theoretical
work, our results show that the patterns observed at the level of groups are
rooted in the interplay between the transmission pathways and the age structure
of the population. We also explore whether, and under what conditions, the
different pathways can be distinguished based on their group-level signatures, in
an effort to establish theoretical limits to inference. Our results show that the
temporal dynamic of cultural change over time retains a stronger signature than
the cultural composition of the population at a specific point in time. Overall,
the results suggest a shift in focus from identifying the one individual-level
process that likely produced the observed data to excluding those that likely did
not. We conclude by discussing the implications for empirical studies of human
cultural evolution.
PMID- 28989787
TI - Interaction between path integration and visual orientation during the homing run
of fiddler crabs.
AB - Foraging fiddler crabs form a strict spatial relationship between their current
positions and burrows, allowing them to run directly back to their burrows when
startled even without visual contacts. Path integration (PI), the underlying
mechanism, is a universal navigation strategy through which animals continuously
integrate directions and distances of their movements. However, we report that
fiddler crabs also use visual orientation during homing runs using burrow
entrances as cues, with the prioritised mechanism (i.e. PI or visual) determined
by the distance (which has a threshold value) between the goal, indicated by PI,
and the visual cue. When we imposed homing errors using fake entrances (visual
cue) and masking their true burrows (goal of PI), we found that frightened
fiddler crabs initially ran towards the true burrow following PI, then altered
their behaviour depending on the distance between the fake entrance and masked
true burrow: if the distance was large, they kept running until they reached the
true burrow, ignoring the visual cue; however, if the distance was small, they
altered the homing path and ran until they reached the fake entrance. This
suggests that PI and visual mechanism in fiddler crabs are mutually mediated to
achieve their homing behaviour.
PMID- 28989788
TI - Caching for where and what: evidence for a mnemonic strategy in a scatter
hoarder.
AB - Scatter-hoarding animals face the task of maximizing retrieval of their scattered
food caches while minimizing loss to pilferers. This demand should select for
mnemonics, such as chunking, i.e. a hierarchical cognitive representation that is
known to improve recall. Spatial chunking, where caches with the same type of
content are related to each other in physical location and memory, would be one
such mechanism. Here we tested the hypothesis that scatter-hoarding eastern fox
squirrels (Sciurus niger) are organizing their caches in spatial patterns
consistent with a chunking strategy. We presented 45 individual wild fox
squirrels with a series of 16 nuts of four different species, either in runs of
four of the same species or 16 nuts offered in a pseudorandom order. Squirrels
either collected each nut from a different location or collected all nuts from a
single location; we then mapped their subsequent cache distributions using GPS.
The chunking hypothesis predicted that squirrels would spatially organize caches
by nut species, regardless of presentation order. Our results instead
demonstrated that squirrels spatially chunked their caches by nut species but
only when caching food that was foraged from a single location. This first
demonstration of spatial chunking in a scatter hoarder underscores the cognitive
demand of scatter hoarding.
PMID- 28989789
TI - Bi-logistic model for disease dynamics caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in
Russia.
AB - In this work, we explore epidemiological dynamics by the example of tuberculosis
in Russian Federation. It has been shown that the epidemiological dynamics
correlates linearly with the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during the
period 1987-2012. To construct an appropriate model, we have analysed (using
LogLet decomposition method) epidemiological World Health Organization (WHO) data
(period 1980-2014) and obtained, as result of their integration, a curve
approximated by a bi-logistic function. This fact allows a subdivision of the
whole population into parts, each of them satisfies the Verhulst-like models with
different constant virulences introduced into each subsystem separately. Such a
subdivision could be interconnected with the heterogeneous structure of
mycobacterial population that has a high ability of adaptation to the host and
strong mutability.
PMID- 28989790
TI - Mechanistic insights into molecular evolution of species-specific differential
glycosaminoglycan binding surfaces in growth-related oncogene chemokines.
AB - Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines involved in leucocyte trafficking to
infected tissue. Growth-related oncogene (GRO) chemokines namely CXCL1, CXCL2 and
CXCL3 are neutrophil activating chemokines sharing a conserved three-dimensional
structure, but encompassing functional diversity due to gene duplication and
evolutionary events. However, the evolutionary mechanisms including selection
pressures involved in diversification of GRO genes have not yet been
characterized. Here, we performed comprehensive evolutionary analysis of GRO
genes among different mammalian species. Phylogenetic analysis illustrated a
species-specific evolution pattern. Selection analysis evidenced that these genes
have undergone concerted evolution. Seventeen positively selected sites were
obtained, although the majority of the protein is under purifying selection.
Interestingly, these positively selected sites are more concentrated on the C
terminal/glycosaminoglycan (GAG) binding and dimerization segment compared to
receptor binding domain. Substitution rate analysis confirmed the C-terminal
domain of GRO genes as the highest substituted segment. Further, structural
analysis established that the nucleotide alterations in the GAG binding domain
are the source of surface charge modulation, thus generating the differential GAG
binding surfaces and multiple binding sites as per evolutionary pressure,
although the helical surface is primordial for GAG binding. Indeed, such variable
electrostatic surfaces are crucial to regulate chemokine gradient formation
during a host's defence against pathogens and also explain the significance of
chemokine promiscuity.
PMID- 28989791
TI - Sweepstake evolution revealed by population-genetic analysis of copy-number
alterations in single genomes of breast cancer.
AB - Single-cell sequencing is a promising technology that can address cancer cell
evolution by identifying genetic alterations in individual cells. In a recent
study, genome-wide DNA copy numbers of single cells were accurately quantified by
single-cell sequencing in breast cancers. Phylogenetic-tree analysis revealed
genetically distinct populations, each consisting of homogeneous cells.
Bioinformatics methods based on population genetics should be further developed
to quantitatively analyse the single-cell sequencing data. We developed a
bioinformatics framework that was combined with molecular-evolution theories to
analyse copy-number losses. This analysis revealed that most deletions in the
breast cancers at the single-cell level were generated by simple stochastic
processes. A non-standard type of coalescent theory, the multiple-merger
coalescent model, aided by approximate Bayesian computation fit well with the
data, allowing us to estimate the population-genetic parameters in addition to
false-positive and false-negative rates. The estimated parameters suggest that
the cancer cells underwent sweepstake evolution, where only one or very few
parental cells produced a descendent cell population. We conclude that breast
cancer cells successively substitute in a tumour mass, and the high reproduction
of only a portion of cancer cells may confer high adaptability to this cancer.
PMID- 28989792
TI - How tight are beetle hugs? Attachment in mating leaf beetles.
AB - Similar to other leaf beetles, rosemary beetles Chrysolina americana exhibit a
distinct sexual dimorphism in tarsal attachment setae. Setal discoid terminals
occur only in males, and they have been previously associated with a long-term
attachment to the female's back (elytra) during copulation and mate guarding. For
the first time, we studied living males and females holding to female's elytra.
Pull-off force measurements with a custom-made tribometer featuring a self
aligning sample holder confirmed stronger attachment to female elytra compared
with glass in both males and females; corresponding to 45 and 30 times the body
weight, respectively. In line with previous studies, males generated
significantly higher forces than females on convex elytra and flat glass, 1.2
times and 6.8 times, respectively. Convex substrates like elytra seem to improve
the attachment ability of rosemary beetles, because they can hold more strongly
due to favourable shear angles of legs, tarsi and adhesive setae. A self-aligning
sample holder is found to be suitable for running force measurement tests with
living biological samples.
PMID- 28989793
TI - Correction to 'Effects of time pressure and time passage on face-matching
accuracy'.
AB - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170249.].
PMID- 28989795
TI - A comparison of multiple sclerosis disease activity after discontinuation of
fingolimod and placebo.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cases of higher-than-expected disease activity have been reported
following fingolimod discontinuation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is
to assess the risk of substantially higher-than-expected disease activity post
study drug discontinuation (SDD) at the individual patient level using data from
the Phase III, placebo-controlled FREEDOMS and FREEDOMS II trials. METHODS:
Baseline gadolinium-enhancing T1-lesion volumes were used to statistically model
the expected level of MRI disease activity post-SDD. Patients exceeding this
level were classed as "MRI outliers." Patients with an unusually high increase in
Expanded Disability Status Scale score, hospitalization for relapse, severe
relapse, or relapse with incomplete recovery post-SDD were classed as "clinical
outliers." RESULTS: In FREEDOMS, the number of MRI outliers post-SDD was 2/69
(2.9%), 1/65 (1.5%) and 7/83 (8.4%) for the placebo, fingolimod 0.5 mg, and
fingolimod 1.25 mg groups, respectively. In FREEDOMS II, the corresponding
numbers were 4/72 (5.6%), 6/79 (7.6%) and 3/73 (4.1%). The number of clinical
outliers across both trials was low. No consistent evidence of placebo vs
fingolimod, dose-related or inter-trial patterns was discernable. CONCLUSION: The
low number of clinical and MRI outliers and lack of any discernible pattern
within and between trials, including between placebo and fingolimod, argues
against a systematic risk of higher-than-expected recurrence of disease activity
following discontinuation of fingolimod.
PMID- 28989794
TI - A marker of biological age explains individual variation in the strength of the
adult stress response.
AB - The acute stress response functions to prioritize behavioural and physiological
processes that maximize survival in the face of immediate threat. There is
variation between individuals in the strength of the adult stress response that
is of interest in both evolutionary biology and medicine. Age is an established
source of this variation-stress responsiveness diminishes with increasing age in
a range of species-but unexplained variation remains. Since individuals of the
same chronological age may differ markedly in their pace of biological ageing, we
asked whether biological age-measured here via erythrocyte telomere length
predicts variation in stress responsiveness in adult animals of the same
chronological age. We studied two cohorts of European starlings in which we had
previously manipulated the rate of biological ageing by experimentally altering
the competition experienced by chicks in the fortnight following hatching. We
predicted that individuals with greater developmental telomere attrition, and
hence greater biological age, would show an attenuated corticosterone (CORT)
response to an acute stressor when tested as adults. In both cohorts, we found
that birds with greater developmental telomere attrition had lower peak CORT
levels and a more negative change in CORT levels between 15 and 30 min following
stress exposure. Our results, therefore, provide strong evidence that a measure
of biological age explains individual variation in stress responsiveness: birds
that were biologically older were less stress responsive. Our results provide a
novel explanation for the phenomenon of developmental programming of the stress
response: observed changes in stress physiology as a result of exposure to early
life adversity may reflect changes in ageing.
PMID- 28989797
TI - The Place of Identity Dissonance and Emotional Motivations in Bio-Cultural Models
of Religious Experience: A Report from the 19th Century.
AB - Durham University's 'Hearing the Voice' project involves a multi-disciplinary
exploration of hallucinatory-type phenomena in an attempt to revaluate and
reframe discussions of these experiences. As part of this project,
contemporaneous religious experiences (supernatural voices and visions) in the
United States from the first half of the nineteenth century have been analysed,
shedding light on the value and applicability of contemporary bio-cultural models
of religious experience for such historical cases. In particular, this essay
outlines four historical cases, seeking to utilise and to refine four theoretical
models, including anthropologist Tanya Luhrmann's 'absorption hypothesis', by
returning to something like William James' concern with 'discordant
personalities'. Ultimately, the paper argues that emphasis on the role of
identity dissonance must not be omitted from the analytical tools applied to
these nineteenth-century examples, and perhaps should be retained for any study
of religious experience generally.
PMID- 28989796
TI - Externally controllable glycan presentation on nanoparticle surfaces to modulate
lectin recognition.
AB - Nature dynamically controls carbohydrate expression on cells rather than static
presentation. Here we report synthetic glycosylated nanoparticles that contain
polymeric 'gates' to enable external control (via temperature changes) of glycan
surface expression, as an alternative to enzymatic control in nature. This
approach offers a new dynamic multivalent scaffold for glycan recognition.
PMID- 28989799
TI - Laser-Fabricated Plasmonic Nanostructures for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
of Bacteria Quorum Sensing Molecules.
AB - We used a laser-directed fabrication to create silver nanostructures on glass
cover slips via photo-reduction. The resulting silver films exhibited plasmonic
properties which show promise in application towards surface enhanced Raman
spectroscopy (SERS). The enhancement factor calculated for the deposits was
approximately ~106 using the standard thiophenol, which is comparable to other
SERS-active plasmonic nanostructures fabricated through more complex techniques,
such as electron beam lithography. The silver nanostructures were then employed
in the enhancement of Raman signals from N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone, a
signaling molecule relevant to bacteria quorum sensing. In particular, the work
presented here shows that the laser-deposited plasmonic nanostructures are
promising candidates for monitoring concentrations of signaling molecules within
biofilms containing quorum sensing bacteria.
PMID- 28989798
TI - How to train radiology residents to diagnose pulmonary embolism using a dedicated
MRI protocol.
AB - BACKGROUND: In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been suggested
as an alternative to computed tomography angiography (CTA) to diagnose pulmonary
embolism (PE). In previous studies, only senior radiologists have been evaluated
as reviewers. PURPOSE: To investigate if radiology residents can be trained to
review MRI regarding PE and to determine the learning curve effects. MATERIAL AND
METHODS: Four residents independently went through a training program consisting
of 70 participants that had undergone steady-state free precession MRI. The
individuals were randomized into ten training sessions. For each exam, the review
time and presence or absence of embolus was recorded. After completing each
session, the residents received feedback on diagnostic accuracy compared to a
consensus reading by two specialists. The residents were also presented with the
corresponding CTA. RESULTS: The review time was nearly halved (P = 0.0002) during
the training program. Comparing the first three sessions with the last three
sessions for all residents, the review time decreased from 5:22 min to 2:51 min.
The inter-reader agreement improved for all residents during the training program
reaching a clinically acceptable level after seven sessions. CONCLUSION: Our
study suggests that radiology residents can be trained to independently review
MRI investigations regarding PE within a short training program. Similar training
programs could be more extensively used as effective teaching method for
residents.
PMID- 28989800
TI - Opening already occluded middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery or other
cerebral arteries: when, where, how and why?
PMID- 28989801
TI - Blood pressure gradients in cerebral arteries: a clue to pathogenesis of cerebral
small vessel disease.
AB - RATIONALE: The role of hypertension in cerebral small vessel disease is poorly
understood. At the base of the brain (the 'vascular centrencephalon'), short
straight arteries transmit blood pressure directly to small resistance vessels;
the cerebral convexity is supplied by long arteries with many branches, resulting
in a drop in blood pressure. Hypertensive small vessel disease (lipohyalinosis)
causes the classically described lacunar infarctions at the base of the brain;
however, periventricular white matter intensities (WMIs) seen on MRI and WMI in
subcortical areas over the convexity, which are often also called 'lacunes',
probably have different aetiologies. OBJECTIVES: We studied pressure gradients
from proximal to distal regions of the cerebral vasculature by mathematical
modelling. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood flow/pressure equations were solved in an
Anatomically Detailed Arterial Network (ADAN) model, considering a normotensive
and a hypertensive case. Model parameters were suitably modified to account for
structural changes in arterial vessels in the hypertensive scenario. Computations
predict a marked drop in blood pressure from large and medium-sized cerebral
vessels to cerebral peripheral beds. When blood pressure in the brachial artery
is 192/113 mm Hg, the pressure in the small arterioles of the posterior parietal
artery bed would be only 117/68 mm Hg. In the normotensive case, with blood
pressure in the brachial artery of 117/75 mm Hg, the pressure in small parietal
arterioles would be only 59/38 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: These findings have important
implications for understanding small vessel disease. The marked pressure gradient
across cerebral arteries should be taken into account when evaluating the
pathogenesis of small WMIs on MRI. Hypertensive small vessel disease, affecting
the arterioles at the base of the brain should be distinguished from small vessel
disease in subcortical regions of the convexity and venous disease in the
periventricular white matter.
PMID- 28989802
TI - Clopidogrel loading dose versus maintenance dose to treat patients with acute
ischaemic stroke in China (CLASS-China): results from a prospective double-blind
randomised clinical trial.
AB - AIM: The role of clopidogrel in treating patients with acute ischaemic stroke is
unclear. We have conducted the clinical trial in order to evaluate the efficacy
and safety of clopidogrel with a loading dose in treating patients with non
cardiogenic acute ischaemic stroke. METHOD: Clopidogrel loading dose versus
maintenance dose to treat patients with acute ischaemic stroke in China (CLASS
China) was a prospective, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled
clinical trial in China. Patients with acute ischaemic stroke of non-cardiogenic
origin within 48 hours of onset were enrolled and those received thrombolysis
were excluded. Enrolled patients were divided into two treatment groups: loading
dose and routine dose. The primary outcome was the incidence of stroke recurrence
or progression within 7 days. Primary safety outcome was measured by life
threatening haemorrhage. An intent-to-treat analysis was used for the statistical
analysis. RESULTS: From March 2008 to March 2010, a total of 303 patients from 16
centres were recruited into this study; six were excluded because of lack of
basic information. Since the enrolment was slow and the study drug expired in
March 2010, this clinical trial was stopped earlier than planned. No significant
baseline and demographic differences were seen between the two groups. There was
no difference in primary outcome between the loading dosage group 16.1% (24/149)
and control group 14.9% (22/148), respectively (p=0.782). The mortality and
disability rate within 90 days in loading dose group (19.6%) was slightly lower
than that in controlled group (23.4%), p=0.444. Loading dose group had two (1.3%)
cases of fatal haemorrhage and control group had four (2.7%) within 90 days,
p=0.674. No significant difference was detected in other adverse events between
the groups. CONCLUSION: In our study stopped early due to slow enrolment, loading
dose of clopidogrel does not reduce the risk of recurrent stroke. Future trials
with sufficient number of patients enrolled are needed to re-examine this
hypothesis.
PMID- 28989803
TI - Trend of declining stroke mortality in China: reasons and analysis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: There is a downward trend of stroke-related mortality in the USA.
By reviewing all published articles on stroke mortality in China, we analysed its
trend and possible factors that have influenced the trend. METHODS: Both English
and Chinese literatures were searched on the mortality of stroke or
cerebrovascular diseases in China. Potential papers related to this topic were
identified from PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database,
SINOMED and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. RESULTS: Comparing
the results from the most recent population-based epidemiological survey and
databank from the national Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the age
adjusted stroke mortality rate has shown a downward trend among both urban and
rural population in the past 30 years in China. Comparing with 30 years ago, the
rate of stroke mortality has decreased by more than 31% in urban/suburban
population and 11% in rural population. In men, the age-adjusted stroke mortality
rate decreased by 18.9% and in women by 24.9% between 1994 and 2013. Factors that
may have contributed to the trend of decreased stroke mortality rate include (1)
improved healthcare coverage and healthcare environment; (2) improved treatment
options and medical technology; (3) support by government to educate the public
on stroke and stroke prevention; and (4) improved public knowledge on stroke.
CONCLUSIONS: The age-adjusted stroke mortality rate in China has shown a downward
trend among both urban and rural population in the past 30 years. The major
influencing factors that helped in reducing stroke mortality in China included
improved healthcare coverage, healthcare environment, the updated treatment
options and modern medical technology.
PMID- 28989806
TI - The progress of telestroke in China.
AB - Stroke remains the leading cause of death in China. The disparity of distribution
in specialists and hospitals affects access to timely stroke care. Telestroke,
the use of telemedicine for stroke, may be the solution to access to stroke care.
Telestroke can improve the rate of successful intravenous thrombolysis and
shorten the time to treatment. Here we review the progress of telestroke in
China.
PMID- 28989805
TI - Migraine and stroke.
AB - Migraines are generally considered a relatively benign neurological condition.
However, research has shown an association between migraines and stroke, and
especially between migraine with aura and ischaemic stroke. Patients can also
suffer from migrainous infarction, a subset of ischaemic stroke that often occurs
in the posterior circulation of younger women. The exact pathogenesis of
migrainous infarct is not known, but it is theorised that the duration and local
neuronal energy level from cortical spreading depression may be a key factor.
Other factors contributing to migrainous infarct may include vascular,
inflammatory, endothelial structure, patent foramen ovale, gender, oral
contraceptive pill use and smoking. Vasoconstrictors such as the triptan and
ergot class are commonly used to treat migraines and may also play a role.
Migraine is also shown to be correlated to haemorrhagic stroke, although studies
do not demonstrate causation versus association, and further studies are
warranted. There are also some rare genetic diseases such as cerebral autosomal
dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, retinal
vasculopathy with cerebral leukodystrophy and others, which can cause both
migraines and infarcts. On imaging, many migraineurs are found to have white
matter changes similar to those seen in patients with stroke. These may be caused
in part by alterations in resting cerebral blood flow and vasoconstrictor use. In
treating patients with migraines, it is important to identify and modify any
vascular risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, oral contraceptive pill use
and lifestyle factors. Further studies will determine if more aggressive
treatment of migraines can ultimately lead to fewer strokes in this population.
PMID- 28989804
TI - The Chinese Stroke Association scientific statement: intravenous thrombolysis in
acute ischaemic stroke.
AB - The most effective medical treatment for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is to offer
intravenous thrombolysis during the ultra-early period of time after the onset.
Even based on the Consensus of Chinese Experts on Intravenous Thrombolysis for
AIS in 2012 and 2014 Chinese Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of AIS,
the rate of thrombolysis for AIS in China remained around 2.4%, and the rate of
intravenous tissue plasminogen activator usage was only about 1.6% in real world.
The indication of thrombolysis for AIS has been expanded, and contraindications
have been reduced with recently published studies. In order to facilitate the
standardisation of treating AIS, improve the rate of thrombolysis and benefit
patients who had a stroke, Chinese Stroke Association has organised and developed
this scientific statement.
PMID- 28989807
TI - Red blood cell distribution width and ischaemic stroke.
AB - The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of red blood cell (RBC)
size heterogeneity, which is easily calculated by dividing the SD of erythrocyte
volumes for the mean corpuscular volume. Recent reporter suggested that, besides
haematological diseases and anaemia, many human disorders may be closely
associated with the elevated RDW. A literature review has revealed the RDW may be
closely related to the development of ischaemic stroke, carotid artery
atherosclerosis and cerebral embolism. Higher RDW could independently predict
adverse outcomes in patients in these conditions.
PMID- 28989808
TI - A Multi-Compartment Hybrid Computational Model Predicts Key Roles for Dendritic
Cells in Tuberculosis Infection.
AB - : Tuberculosis (TB) is a world-wide health problem with approximately 2 billion
people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb, the causative bacterium of
TB). The pathologic hallmark of Mtb infection in humans and Non-Human Primates
(NHPs) is the formation of spherical structures, primarily in lungs, called
granulomas. Infection occurs after inhalation of bacteria into lungs, where
resident antigen-presenting cells (APCs), take up bacteria and initiate the
immune response to Mtb infection. APCs traffic from the site of infection (lung)
to lung-draining lymph nodes (LNs) where they prime T cells to recognize Mtb.
These T cells, circulating back through blood, migrate back to lungs to perform
their immune effector functions. We have previously developed a hybrid agent
based model (ABM, labeled GranSim) describing in silico immune cell, bacterial
(Mtb) and molecular behaviors during tuberculosis infection and recently linked
that model to operate across three physiological compartments: lung (infection
site where granulomas form), lung draining lymph node (LN, site of generation of
adaptive immunity) and blood (a measurable compartment). Granuloma formation and
function is captured by a spatio-temporal model (i.e., ABM), while LN and blood
compartments represent temporal dynamics of the whole body in response to
infection and are captured with ordinary differential equations (ODEs). In order
to have a more mechanistic representation of APC trafficking from the lung to the
lymph node, and to better capture antigen presentation in a draining LN, this
current study incorporates the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in a computational
fashion into GranSim. RESULTS: The model was calibrated using experimental data
from the lungs and blood of NHPs. The addition of DCs allowed us to investigate
in greater detail mechanisms of recruitment, trafficking and antigen presentation
and their role in tuberculosis infection. CONCLUSION: The main conclusion of this
study is that early events after Mtb infection are critical to establishing a
timely and effective response. Manipulating CD8+ and CD4+ T cell proliferation
rates, as well as DC migration early on during infection can determine the
difference between bacterial clearance vs. uncontrolled bacterial growth and
dissemination.
PMID- 28989810
TI - Carbon Support Surface Effects in the Gold-Catalyzed Oxidation of 5
Hydroxymethylfurfural.
AB - Oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid is an
important transformation for the production of bio-based polymers. Carbon
supported gold catalysts hold great promise for this transformation. Here we
demonstrate that the activity, selectivity, and stability of the carbon-supported
gold nanoparticles in the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural strongly depend on
the surface properties of the carbon support. Gold nanoparticles supported on
basic carbon materials with a low density of functional groups demonstrate higher
activity in 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation (TOFAu up to 1195 h-1), higher
selectivity to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, and better stability in comparison to
gold nanoparticles supported on carbon materials with acidic surface groups.
Surface groups of basic carbon supports that are positively charged under the
reaction conditions result in a higher adsorption and local concentration of
hydroxyl ions, which act as cocatalysts for gold and enhance gold-catalyzed
dehydrogenation. Negatively charged surface groups of acidic carbons repel
hydroxyls and the intermediate monoacid anions, which leads to lower reaction
rates and a high selectivity toward 2,5-hydroxymethylfurancarboxylic acid.
Understanding the role of support surface charge and local hydroxyl anion
concentration provides a basis for the rational design of the optimal carbon
support surface chemistry for highly active, selective, and stable catalysts for
the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and related reactions.
PMID- 28989809
TI - Understanding Flavin-Dependent Halogenase Reactivity via Substrate Activity
Profiling.
AB - The activity of four native FDHs and four engineered FDH variants on 93 low
molecular weight arenes was used to generate FDH substrate activity profiles.
These profiles provided insights into how substrate class, functional group
substitution, electronic activation, and binding impact FDH activity and
selectivity. The enzymes studied could halogenate a far greater range of
substrates than previously recognized, but significant differences in their
substrate specificity and selectivity were observed. Trends between the
electronic activation of each site on a substrate and halogenation conversion at
that site were established, and these data, combined with docking simulations,
suggest that substrate binding can override electronic activation even on
compounds differing appreciably from native substrates. These findings provide a
useful framework for understanding and exploiting FDH reactivity for organic
synthesis.
PMID- 28989811
TI - Metabolic Profiling of Green Tea Treatments in Zucker Diabetic Rats Using 1H NMR.
AB - This study has investigated the metabolic effects of catechin-rich green tea (GT)
and its formulation with ascorbic acid (AA) on the Zucker rat model of type 2
diabetes. AA is used to protect the GT catechins during digestion and increase
bioavailability. Thirty two Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were randomly
divided into four groups (n=8 in each group) and treated with water, GT, AA and
GT+AA respectively for five weeks. Urinary metabolic profiles were determined
using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Fourteen metabolites were identified and their 24-hr
excretions were quantified. Changes in the 14 metabolites demonstrated
differential treatment effects on the metabolism of ZDF rats. GT and AA were
found to be able to independently reduce urinary excretions of most metabolites
that were over-excreted in the control diabetic rats, such as oxidative stress
marker metabolites and TCA cycle metabolites. GT showed a great potential in
controlling metabolic acidosis by suppressing the excretion of lactic acid and
acetic acid from diabetic rats and GT+AA showed a remarkably stronger suppression
than GT while AA was unable to suppress these two acids. Further investigation is
needed to better understand the role of GT and/or formulated GT in altering the
metabolic pathways in the diabetic animal model as well as in humans.
PMID- 28989812
TI - Sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis via Truncated l1-norm with Application to
Brain Imaging Genetics.
AB - Discovering bi-multivariate associations between genetic markers and neuroimaging
quantitative traits is a major task in brain imaging genetics. Sparse Canonical
Correlation Analysis (SCCA) is a popular technique in this area for its powerful
capability in identifying bi-multivariate relationships coupled with feature
selection. The existing SCCA methods impose either the l1-norm or its variants.
The l0-norm is more desirable, which however remains unexplored since the l0-norm
minimization is NP-hard. In this paper, we impose the truncated l1-norm to
improve the performance of the l1-norm based SCCA methods. Besides, we propose
two efficient optimization algorithms and prove their convergence. The
experimental results, compared with two benchmark methods, show that our method
identifies better and meaningful canonical loading patterns in both simulated and
real imaging genetic analyse.
PMID- 28989813
TI - A brush-polymer conjugate of exendin-4 reduces blood glucose for up to five days
and eliminates poly(ethylene glycol) antigenicity.
AB - The delivery of therapeutic peptides and proteins is often challenged by a short
half-life, and thus the need for frequent injections that limit efficacy, reduce
patient compliance and increase treatment cost. Here, we demonstrate that a
single subcutaneous injection of site-specific (C-terminal) conjugates of exendin
4 (exendin) - a therapeutic peptide that is clinically used to treat type 2
diabetes - and poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] (POEGMA)
with precisely controlled molecular weights lowered blood glucose for up to 120 h
in fed mice. Most notably, we show that an exendin-C-POEGMA conjugate with an
average of 9 side-chain ethylene glycol (EG) repeats exhibits significantly lower
reactivity towards patient-derived anti-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) antibodies
than two FDA-approved PEGylated drugs, and that reducing the side-chain length to
3 EG repeats completely eliminates PEG antigenicity without compromising in vivo
efficacy. Our findings establish the site-specific conjugation of POEGMA as a
next-generation PEGylation technology for improving the pharmacological
performance of traditional PEGylated drugs, whose safety and efficacy are
hindered by pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies in patients.
PMID- 28989815
TI - Microinjection of Ghrelin into the Ventral Tegmental Area Potentiates Cocaine
Induced Conditioned Place Preference.
AB - Prior work has shown that systemic cocaine pretreatment augments cocaine
conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats. In contrast, ghrelin receptor
antagonism attenuates cocaine and amphetamine-induced CPP. In order to further
investigate ghrelin's role in dopamine-mediated reward, the present report
examined whether pretreament with ghrelin, administered directly into the ventral
tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain, would potentiate the rewarding properties
of cocaine as measured by CPP. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were given access
to either side of the CPP chamber in order to determine initial side preferences.
The rats were then restricted to either their non-preferred or preferred side
over the course of conditioning which lasted for a total of 16 consecutive days.
This was followed by a final test day to then reassess preference. On days where
rats were confined to their non-preferred side, ghrelin (30 - 300 pmol) and
cocaine (0.625 - 10 mg/kg IP) were administered immediately prior to the
conditioning trial. On alternate days rats were treated with vehicle and placed
into what was initially determined to be their preferred side. CPP was calculated
as the difference in percentage of total time spent in the treatment-paired
compartment during the post-conditioning session and the pre-conditioning
session. Our results indicated that both cocaine and ghrelin elicited CPP and
that ghrelin pre-treatment potentiated the effect of cocaine on place preference.
Overall, these findings provide additional support for the argument that ghrelin
signaling within the VTA enhances the rewarding effects of psychostimulant
compounds.
PMID- 28989814
TI - Engineering the pre-metastatic niche.
AB - The pre-metastatic niche - the accumulation of aberrant immune cells and
extracellular matrix proteins in target organs - primes the initially healthy
organ microenvironment and renders it amenable for subsequent metastatic cell
colonization. By attracting metastatic cancer cells, mimics of the pre-metastatic
niche offer both diagnostic and therapeutic potential. However, deconstructing
the complexity of the niche by identifying the interactions between cell
populations and the mediatory roles of the immune system, soluble factors,
extracellular matrix proteins, and stromal cells has proved challenging.
Experimental models need to recapitulate niche-population biology in situ and
mediate in vivo tumour-cell homing, colonization and proliferation. In this
Review, we outline the biology of the pre-metastatic niche and discuss advances
in engineered niche-mimicking biomaterials that regulate the behaviour of tumour
cells at an implant site. Such oncomaterials offer strategies for early detection
of metastatic events, inhibiting the formation of the pre-metastatic niche, and
attenuating metastatic progression.
PMID- 28989816
TI - Social Determinants of Health Associated with HBV Testing and Access to Care
among Foreign-born Persons Residing in the United States: 2009 - 2012.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To describe how select Social Determinants of Health (SDH) are
associated with the burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among foreign
born persons residing in the United States. METHODS: Multivariate logistic
regression was used to examine the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community
Health (REACH) 2010 Risk Factor Survey data to investigate the independent
relationship between SDH and HBV testing and access to care. RESULTS: HBV
infected persons with insurance were more likely to see a physician than those
without. Respondents worried about money to pay rent or mortgage were more likely
to report HBV infection than individuals who reported they never worry. Compared
to English speakers, Spanish-speakers were less likely to report HBV infection,
Vietnamese-speakers were more likely to see a physician for HBV infection, and
Khmer-speakers were less likely to be tested. CONCLUSIONS: Health insurance
coverage, worries about paying rent, and language of interview all differentially
affect HBV testing and linkages to care among foreign-born persons. Multi
sectorial stakeholder collaborative efforts should integrate resources to provide
culturally sensitive health promotion campaigns which may improve HBV related
outcomes.
PMID- 28989817
TI - Medical and Surgical Advancements in the Management of Cystic Fibrosis Chronic
Rhinosinusitis.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide otolaryngologists
with the most up-to-date advancements in both the medical and surgical management
of CF-related sinus disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have supported more
aggressive CRS management, often with a combination of both medical and surgical
therapies. Comprehensive treatment strategies have been shown to reduce hospital
admissions secondary to pulmonary exacerbations in addition to improving CRS
symptoms. Still, current management strategies are lacking in both high-level
evidence and standardized guidelines. SUMMARY: The unified airway model describes
the bi-directional relationship between the upper and lower airways as a single
functional unit and suggests that CRS may play a pivotal role in both the
development and progression of lower airway disease. Current strategies for CF
CRS focus primarily on amelioration of symptoms with antibiotics, nasal saline
and/or topical medicated irrigations, and surgery. However, there are no
definitive management guidelines and there remains a persistent need for
additional studies. Nevertheless, otolaryngologists have a significant role in
the overall management of CF, which requires a multi-disciplinary approach and a
combination of both surgical and medical interventions for optimal outcomes of
airway disease. Here we present a review of currently available literature and
summarize medical and surgical therapies best suited for the management of CF
related sinus disease.
PMID- 28989819
TI - Skeletal Muscle CAP Expression Increases after Dietary Restriction and Aerobic
Training in Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes.
AB - The purpose is to determine the effects of 6 months caloric restriction and
aerobic training (3x/wk) (CR+AEX) on c-CBL associated protein (CAP) gene
expression in women with a history of GDM. CAP is involved in cell signaling and
protein ubiquitination, and is linked to the development of insulin resistance.
Obese (BMI=32 +/- 1 kg/m2, % fat=46 +/- 2, X +/- SEM), sedentary (VO2 max=21.2 +/
1.2 ml/kg/min), women aged 52 +/- 2 years participated in 6 months D+WL (n=10)
with body composition, fitness (VO2 max), and glucose tolerance testing. Insulin
sensitivity was assessed during the last 30 min of 2-hour hyperinsulinemic
euglycemic clamps (40 mU.m-2.min-1) pre and post interventions. Vastus lateralis
skeletal muscle biopsies (n=7) were conducted and CAP, GLUT4 and glycogen
synthase (GS) gene expression measured by RT-PCR. No change in FFM by DXA was
observed, but body weight decreased 8% with losses of total body fat mass
(P<0.05) and a 10% increase in VO2 max (P<0.01). Glucose and insulin areas under
the curve by OGTT decreased (P<0.05). Glucose utilization during the clamp
increased 27% (23.1 +/- 3.8 vs. 29.4 +/- 3.6 umol.kg.min-1, P<0.05). Vastus
lateralis skeletal muscle CAP expression increased 21% (P<0.05) but GLUT4 did
not. Results suggest that changes in CAP could be involved in the improvement in
glucose metabolism with caloric restriction and aerobic training in women with a
history of gestational diabetes.
PMID- 28989818
TI - Larger Receptive Field Size as a Mechanism Underlying Atypical Motion Perception
in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
AB - Atypical visual motion perception has been widely observed in individuals with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The pattern of results, however, has been
inconsistent. Emerging mechanistic hypotheses seek to explain these variable
patterns of atypical motion sensitivity, each uniquely predicting specific
patterns of performance across varying stimulus conditions. Here, we investigated
the integrity of two such fundamental mechanisms-response gain control and
receptive field size. Twenty children and adolescents with ASD and 20 typically
developing (TD) age- and IQ-matched controls performed a motion discrimination
task. To adequately model group differences in both mechanisms of interest, we
tested a range of 23 stimulus conditions varying in size and contrast. Results
revealed a motion perception impairment in ASD that was specific to the smallest
sized stimuli (1 degrees ), irrespective of stimulus contrast. Model analyses
provided evidence for larger receptive field size in ASD as the mechanism that
explains this size-specific reduction of motion sensitivity.
PMID- 28989820
TI - Characterization of 31 microsatellite markers for Sinocalycanthus chinensis
(Calycanthaceae), an endemic endangered species.
AB - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Thirty-one microsatellite markers were developed for
Sinocalycanthus chinensis (Calycanthaceae), an endemic endangered species in
China. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-one polymorphic and 10 monomorphic
microsatellite markers of S. chinensis were developed using methods of biotin
streptavidin capture and capillary electrophoresis. The number of alleles per
locus was one to 20 with an average of 4.677 in 90 individuals taken from two
populations in Zhejiang Province and one population in Anhui Province in China.
Mean observed and expected heterozygosity across all three populations were 0.403
+/- 0.061 (0.033-1.000 per locus) and 0.510 +/- 0.043 (0.032-0.797 per locus),
respectively. Of these 31 loci, 29 were successfully amplified in Calycanthus
floridus. CONCLUSIONS: These microsatellite markers will be useful for studies of
population genetic diversity and phylogeny of S. chinensis and C. floridus.
PMID- 28989821
TI - Primers for Castilleja and their utility across Orobanchaceae: I. Chloroplast
primers.
AB - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Chloroplast primers were developed from genomic data for
the taxonomically challenging genus Castilleja. We further tested the broader
utility of these primers across Orobanchaceae, identifying a core set of
chloroplast primers amplifying across the clade. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a
combination of three low-coverage Castilleja genomes and sequence data from 12
Castilleja plastomes, 76 primer combinations were specifically designed and
tested for Castilleja. The primers targeted the most variable portions of the
plastome and were validated for their applicability across the clade. Of these,
38 primer combinations were subsequently evaluated in silico and then validated
across other major clades in Orobanchaceae. CONCLUSIONS: These results
demonstrate the utility of these primers, not only across Castilleja, but for
other clades in Orobanchaceae-particularly hemiparasitic lineages-and will
contribute to future phylogenetic studies of this important clade of parasitic
plants.
PMID- 28989822
TI - Primers for Castilleja and their utility across Orobanchaceae: II. Single-copy
nuclear loci.
AB - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: We developed primers targeting nuclear loci in Castilleja
with the goal of reconstructing the evolutionary history of this challenging
clade. These primers were tested across other major clades in Orobanchaceae to
assess their broader utility. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assembled low-coverage
genomes for three taxa in Castilleja and developed primer combinations for the
single-copy conserved ortholog set (COSII) and the pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR)
gene family. These primer combinations were designed to take advantage of the
Fluidigm microfluidic PCR platform and are well suited for high-throughput
sequencing applications. Eighty-seven primers were designed for Castilleja, and
27 were found to have broader utility in Orobanchaceae. CONCLUSIONS: These
results demonstrate the utility of these primers, not only across Castilleja, but
for other lineages within Orobanchaceae as well. This expanded molecular toolkit
will be an asset to future phylogenetic studies in Castilleja and throughout
Orobanchaceae.
PMID- 28989823
TI - Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the New Zealand endemic sand
binder, Ficinia spiralis (Cyperaceae).
AB - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Ficinia spiralis (Cyperaceae) is a declining sand-binding
sedge of ecological and cultural importance. Microsatellite primers were
developed in F. spiralis to investigate how population genetic structure is
related to the pronounced morphological, physiological, and ecological variation
observed in this species. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 454 shotgun-sequencing approach
was used to generate 157,274 raw sequence reads, 536 of which contained
microsatellites. After initial primer testing for 40 loci, 14 polymorphic loci
were isolated, containing five to 27 alleles per locus. Ten of these loci also
amplified in a congener, F. nodosa. CONCLUSIONS: These loci will enable the
assessment of the population genetic structure of F. spiralis, improving our
understanding of the population processes underlying the observed morphological,
physiological, and ecological variation in this endemic species. As the first
microsatellites developed in Ficinia, these loci are a valuable resource for
population genetic studies within this genus.
PMID- 28989824
TI - Development of single-copy nuclear intron markers for species-level
phylogenetics: Case study with Paullinieae (Sapindaceae).
AB - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: We developed a bioinformatic pipeline that leverages a
publicly available genome and published transcriptomes to design primers in
conserved coding sequences flanking targeted introns of single-copy nuclear loci.
Paullinieae (Sapindaceae) is used to demonstrate the pipeline. METHODS AND
RESULTS: Transcriptome reads phylogenetically closer to the lineage of interest
are aligned to the closest genome. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms are called,
generating a "pseudoreference" closer to the lineage of interest. Several filters
are applied to meet the criteria of single-copy nuclear loci with introns of a
desired size. Primers are designed in conserved coding sequences flanking
introns. Using this pipeline, we developed nine single-copy nuclear intron
markers for Paullinieae. CONCLUSIONS: This pipeline is highly flexible and can be
used for any group with available genomic and transcriptomic resources. This
pipeline led to the development of nine variable markers for phylogenetic study
without generating sequence data de novo.
PMID- 28989825
TI - Fungus-specific SSR markers in the Antarctic lichens Usnea antarctica and U.
aurantiacoatra (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota).
AB - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Usnea antarctica and U. aurantiacoatra (Parmeliaceae) are
common lichens in the maritime Antarctic. These species share the same habitats
on King George Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) and are
distinguishable based on reproductive strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS: We
developed 23 fungus-specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers that cross
amplify between the two species. We used a low-coverage genome-skimming approach
on one sample of each species to identify SSR repeats in the two species. Primers
were designed for 3-4-bp repeats, and only the loci common to both species were
selected for further analyses. Seventy-seven samples of the two species were
selected to assess fungal specificity, genetic variability, and linkage of the
markers. In addition, we tested cross-amplification in other Usnea species.
CONCLUSIONS: The 23 newly designed SSR markers are suitable for population
genetic and phylogeographic studies of Usnea species.
PMID- 28989826
TI - Isolation and characterization of 30 microsatellite loci for Cunninghamia
lanceolata (Taxodiaceae).
AB - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: To quantify the population-level genetic characteristics of
Cunninghamia lanceolata (Taxodiaceae), an important timber conifer, we developed
30 pairs of microsatellite primers based on the nuclear genome. METHODS AND
RESULTS: Using the streptavidin-biotin capture system, we developed 14
polymorphic and 16 monomorphic microsatellites. Polymorphisms were detected in 14
loci using 94 individual trees that were collected from three C. lanceolata
populations in Hubei and Zhejiang provinces and in Chongqing Municipality, China.
There were three to 30 alleles per locus, and the observed and expected
heterozygosities ranged from 0.0313-0.8333 and from 0.0313-0.9246, respectively.
Cross-species amplification showed that two to seven polymorphic loci were
functional in three of the five related species that were collected. CONCLUSIONS:
Our newly developed microsatellite primers provide neutral molecular markers that
are beneficial to future studies of population genetics and germplasm
conservation of C. lanceolata.
PMID- 28989827
TI - Recovery of Volatile Fatty Acids from Fermented Wastewater by Adsorption.
AB - Separation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from fermented wastewater is
challenging, due to low VFA concentrations in mineral-rich streams. As a result,
separation capacity and selectivity with traditional solvents and adsorbents are
both compromised. In this study, using a complex artificial model solution
mimicking real fermented wastewaters, it is shown that a simple and robust
adsorption-based separation technique can retain a remarkable capacity and
selectivity for VFAs. Four types of polystyrene-divinylbenzene-based resins
(primary, secondary, and tertiary amine-functionalized, and nonfunctionalized)
were examined as the adsorbents. The presence of chloride, sulfate, and phosphate
salts resulted in coadsorption of their acidic forms HCl, H2SO4, and H3PO4 on
amine-functionalized adsorbents, and severely reduced the VFA capacity. With the
nonfunctionalized adsorbent, almost no mineral acid coadsorption was observed.
This together with a high total VFA capacity of up to 76 g/kg in equilibrium with
the model solution containing a total VFA concentration of 1 wt % resulted in a
very high selectivity for the VFAs. Nitrogen-stripping with various temperature
profiles was applied to regenerate the adsorbent, and study the potential for
fractionation of the VFAs during regeneration. Butyric acid (HBu) was obtained in
mole fractions of up to 0.8 using a stepwise increase in the stripping
temperature from 25 degrees C via 120 to 200 degrees C. During four successive
adsorption-regeneration cycles, no reduction in the adsorption capacity was
observed.
PMID- 28989829
TI - Bony Hyperostosis Recurrence after Complete Resection of Sphenoorbital
Meningioma.
AB - Bony hyperostosis is commonly associated with meningioma growth and is considered
one of the characteristic signs on imaging; however, recurrence of meningiomas in
the sphenoorbital area, including associated hyperostosis, is typically precluded
by gross total resection of the lesion. This 63-year-old man presented with
progressive double vision and proptosis in the right eye. He underwent
frontotemporal craniotomy and partial removal after magnetic resonance imaging
demonstrated a right sphenoorbital meningioma extending to the orbit and middle
fossa. He had transient improvement of his symptoms postoperatively but
experienced a progressive recurrence of symptoms and new onset of right facial
hypoesthesia in the distribution of V1 and V2. We performed a right
frontotemporal craniotomy with removal of the nodular part, as well as extensive
drilling. Although the postoperative computed tomography scan revealed a gross
total resection, the five-year follow-up scan demonstrated a recurrent
hyperostosis in the region of the lesser and greater sphenoid wings, the middle
cranial fossa floor with inferior extension toward the infratemporal fossa, and
the sphenoid sinus wall. After another redo surgery, the patient continues to be
monitored with yearly imaging. The extent of surgical resection is one of the
most important predictors of meningioma recurrence postoperatively, and cases of
recurrence after gross total resection are rare.
PMID- 28989828
TI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Primary Hepatic Malignancies in Patients With and
Without Chronic Liver Disease: A Pictorial Review.
AB - Primary hepatic malignancies are less common than metastatic diseases, but a
recognition of these lesions is important for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides the most imaging information to
diagnose lesions noninvasively and to narrow differential diagnoses. This paper
reviews the imaging findings of chronic liver disease and primary hepatic
malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic
cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, hepatic angiosarcoma,
and primary hepatic lymphoma. Clinical and MRI features are reviewed to improve
the readers' recognition of these tumors, allowing for a narrower differential
diagnosis when liver masses are encountered on abdominal imaging.
PMID- 28989830
TI - Combining Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in
Diagnosing Focal Brain Lesions in Children.
AB - Introduction We attempted to find the sensitivity and specificity of various
pediatric brain masses in the Pakistani population while keeping histopathology
or clinical diagnosis as the gold standard. Methods This was a retrospective
study that was conducted from January 2007 to January 2016. We reviewed the
records of 204 patients that presented to the radiology department of Aga Khan
University Hospital (AKUH). Out of the 204, 135 pediatric patients in the 0-18
age group with focal brain lesions who underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy
(MRS) and a biopsy or clinical diagnosis were included. If histopathology was
available, it was taken as the gold standard test; otherwise, clinical diagnosis
was considered the gold standard. Results We had a total of 135 patients, of
which 71 (52.6%) were male and 64 (47.4%) were female. The mean age represented
was 7.2 +/- 4.5 years with a range of 1-18 years. We found radiology (magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) and MRS) to have a 91.7% sensitivity and a 94.3%
specificity for tumors. For leukodystrophy, there was a 64.3% sensitivity and a
97.3% specificity. On the other hand, infection and mitochondrial disorders had
sensitivities of 35.7% and 21.7%, respectively, and specificities of 98.9% and
97.1%, respectively. The category labeled "others" had a sensitivity of 27.4% and
a specificity of 86.0%. Conclusion A combination of MRI and MRS was highly
sensitive and specific for tumors. For infections, leukodystrophy, mitochondrial
disorders, and the category of "others," it was highly specific but poorly
sensitive.
PMID- 28989832
TI - Constraints to do realistic modeling of the electric field ahead of the tip of a
lightning leader.
AB - Several computer models exist to explain the observation of terrestrial gamma-ray
flashes (TGFs). Some of these models estimate the electric field ahead of
lightning leaders and its effects on electron acceleration and multiplication. In
this paper, we derive a new set of constraints to do more realistic modeling. We
determine initial conditions based on in situ measurements of electric field and
vertical separation between the main charge layers of thunderclouds. A maximum
electric field strength of 50 kV/cm at sea level is introduced as the upper
constraint for the leader electric field. The threshold for electron avalanches
to develop of 2.86 kV/cm at sea level is introduced as the lower value. With
these constraints, we determine a region where acceleration and multiplication of
electrons occur. The maximum potential difference in this region is found to be
~52 MV, and the corresponding number of avalanche multiplication lengths is ~3.5.
We then quantify the effect of the ambient electric field compared to the leader
field at the upper altitude of the negative tip. Finally, we argue that only
leaders with the highest potential difference between its tips (~600 MV) can be
candidates for the production of TGFs. However, with the assumptions we have
used, these cannot explain the observed maximum energies of at least 40 MeV. Open
questions with regard to the temporal development of the streamer zone and its
effect on the shape of the electric field remain.
PMID- 28989831
TI - Intraoperative Awareness and Recall: A Comparative Study of Dexmedetomidine and
Propofol in Cardiac Surgery.
AB - Background Awareness during general anesthesia is undesired and unanticipated
patient wakefulness during surgery or recall of intraoperative events. Incidence
of awareness in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is significantly higher than
the overall incidence of 1% during general surgery. Awareness during cardiac
surgery can be prevented by a number of methods. One such method is the
supplemental, intraoperative use of sedative agents. Propofol, a bisubstituted
phenol, is an intravenous general anesthetic that has been shown to reduce the
incidence of awareness. Dexmedetomidine-an alpha2-adrenergic agonist with
anxiolytic, opioid, and general anesthetic-sparing properties-is being considered
for maintaining intraoperative depth of anesthesia. The purpose of this study was
to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on depth of anesthesia and to compare
it with the effect of propofol in cardiac surgery. Methods This was a
prospective, randomized, double-blind study conducted in a tertiary-care
hospital. Sixty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
physical status I-III planned for elective open heart surgery were randomized
into two groups of 30 patients each. Each patient of the dexmedetomidine group
received an initial loading dose of dexmedetomidine at 1 mcg kg-1 over 10 minutes
followed by infusion at the rate of 0.2-0.6 mcg kg-1 hr-1. Patients of the
propofol group received propofol infusion at the rate of 0.25-1 mg kg-1 hr-1. An
identical technique-of standard general anesthesia and routine physiological
monitoring-was used in both groups. Bispectral scores were recorded at
predetermined intervals during surgery and the target bispectral index (BIS) was
kept at 50+/-10. The patients were assessed for awareness and recall 24 hours
after tracheal extubation using the Brice Questionnaire. Results Intraoperative
BIS scores remained within the target range in both groups; however, the BIS
scores showed variable trends between the groups and were significantly lower in
the dexmedetomidine group (p < 0.001). None of the patients in either group had
recall of intraoperative events. Conclusion Administration of dexmedetomidine was
as effective in reducing awareness and recall in cardiac surgery compared to
propofol. Thus, dexmedetomidine can be used as an alternative sedative agent to
prevent awareness and recall in cardiac surgery.
PMID- 28989833
TI - Black Sea thermohaline properties: Long-term trends and variations.
AB - The current knowledge about spatial and temporal dynamics of the Black Sea's
thermohaline structure is incomplete because of missing data and sparse
distribution of existing measurements in space and time. This study presents 56
year continuous simulations of the Black Sea's hydrodynamics using the 3D General
Estuarine Transport Model (GETM), without incorporating any relaxation toward
climatological or observational data fields. This property of the model allows us
to estimate independent temporal trends, in addition to resolving the spatial
structure. The simulations suggest that the intermediate layer temperature is
characterized by a weak positive trend (warming), whereas the surface temperature
does not show a clear linear trend. Different salinity trends have been
established at the surface (negative), upper (weaker negative) and main halocline
(positive). Three distinct dynamic periods are identified (1960-1970, 1970-1995,
1995-2015), which exhibit pronounced changes in the Black Sea's thermohaline
properties and basin circulation. Strengthening of the main cyclonic circulation,
accompanied by intensification of the mesoscale anticyclonic eddy formation is
found. Both events strongly affect the sea surface salinity but contribute in
opposing directions. Specifically, strong composite large-scale circulation leads
to an increase in sea surface salinity, while enhanced formation of mesoscale
anticyclones decreases it. Salinity evolution with time is thus the result of the
competition of these two opposing yet interdependent processes.
PMID- 28989834
TI - The change of picrotoxin-induced epileptiform discharges to the beta oscillation
by carbachol in rat hippocampal slices.
AB - The study aimed to determine whether and how the activation of the acetylcholine
receptor affects epileptiform discharges in the CA3 region in a rat hippocampus.
Picrotoxin (100 MUM), a GABAA receptor antagonist, was applied to a hippocampal
slice to induce epileptiform discharges. The effects of the cholinergic agonist,
carbachol, on the discharges were examined at the several concentrations (1-30
MUM). Carbachol had different impacts on epileptiform discharges at the different
concentrations. Relatively low concentrations of carbachol (<10 MUM) increased
the frequency but decreased the amplitude of the discharges. At 10 MUM, carbachol
induced the discharges, including bursts of theta frequency oscillations. At 30
MUM, carbachol could induce bursts of beta frequency oscillations instead of
epileptiform discharges. The amplitudes of the oscillations were smaller than
those of the discharges. Carbachol suppressed the evoked population EPSPs
(pEPSPs) in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were blocked by the muscarinic
cholinergic receptor antagonist atropine sulfate. The high level of muscarinic
receptor activation can replace epileptiform discharges with theta or beta
oscillation. These results suggest that the dose-dependent alternation of the
acetylcholine receptor activation may provide the three different stages the
epileptiform discharges, the bursts of theta oscillation, and the bursts of the
beta oscillation.
PMID- 28989835
TI - Isn't there an inductance factor in the plasma membrane of nerves?
AB - It is established knowledge that the action potential event of nerves is formed
by the combination of a phasic inward Na+ current and a following outward K+
current which increases gradually. These changes in current are commonly referred
to as conductance changes of channels for Na+ and K+ with time. On the other
hand, electric requirements for action potential generation in phenomena such as
anode break excitation, hyperpolarizing break stimulation and accommodation,
strongly suggest an existence of an inductance factor in the plasma membrane of
nerves. In this study, the possibility that the Na+ channel could be simulated by
a circuit composed serially of resistance (R), inductance (L), and capacitance
(C) was examined using a computer simulation. Electric responses of the RLC
circuit (R2/4L2 >= 1/LC) to step voltages are as followings: (1) A transient
potential is produced on the inductor, (2) the circuit current simulates well the
Na+ current manner, and (3) time course of the capacitor potential resembles the
K+ current change.
PMID- 28989836
TI - The Ongoing Quest for the Holy Bone Graft Grail: Scientific Progress, Economic
Bonanza, or Quixotic Quagmire?
PMID- 28989837
TI - Trends, Costs, and Complications of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion With
and Without Bone Morphogenetic Protein in the United States Medicare Population.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database review. OBJECTIVES: After the Food and Drug
Administration approved bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP) in 2002, BMP was used
off-label in the cervical spine to increase bone growth and bony fusion. Since
then, concerns have been raised regarding complication rates and safety. This
study was conducted to examine the use of BMP in anterior cervical discectomy and
fusion (ACDF) in the Medicare population and to determine risk of complications
and associated costs within 90 days of surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent
ACDF were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International
Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision Procedure codes (ICD9-P).
Complications were identified using ICD9 diagnostic codes. Charges were
calculated as amount billed, and reimbursements were calculated as amounts paid
by Medicare. Data for these analyses came from a nationwide claims database.
RESULTS: A total of 215 047 patients were identified who had ACDF from 2005 to
2011. For the majority of the procedures (89.0%), BMP was not used. BMP use rose
from 11.84% in 2005 to a peak of 16.73% in 2007 before decreasing to 12.01% in
2011. BMP was used 16% more in women than men. BMP use was the highest in the
West (13.6%) followed by Midwest (11.8%), South (10.6%), and Northeast (7.5%).
There was a higher overall complication rate in the BMP group (2.1%) compared
with the non-BMP group (1.9%) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.01-1.22). The
BMP group also had a higher rate of wound complications (0.98% vs 0.76%, OR =
1.29, 95% CI = 1.12-1.48). In this study population, there was no difference in
dysphagia/hoarseness, neurologic, medical, or other complications. During the 90
day perioperative period, BMP surgeries were charged at 17.6% higher than non-BMP
surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: The use of BMP in ACDF in the Medicare population has
decreased since a peak in 2007. The rate of wound and overall complications for
BMP use with ACDF was higher than without. Our results regarding
dysphagia/hoarseness did not show a statistically meaningful difference, which is
in contrast with many other studies. Charges associated with BMP use were higher
during the 90-day perioperative period.
PMID- 28989838
TI - Sacral Fractures and Associated Injuries.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to describe
the injuries associated with sacral fractures and to analyze their impact on
patient outcome. METHODS: A comprehensive narrative review of the literature was
performed to identify the injuries associated with sacral fractures. RESULTS:
Sacral fractures are uncommon injuries that result from high-energy trauma, and
that, due to their rarity, are frequently underdiagnosed and mistreated. Only 5%
of sacral fractures occur in isolation. Injuries most often associated with
sacral fractures include neurologic injuries (present in up to 50% of sacral
fractures), pelvic ring disruptions, hip and lumbar spine fractures, active
pelvic/ abdominal bleeding and the presence of an open fracture or significant
soft tissue injury. Diagnosis of pelvic ring fractures and fractures extending to
the lumbar spine are key factors for the appropriate management of sacral
fractures. Importantly, associated systemic (cranial, thoracic, and
abdominopelvic) or musculoskeletal injuries should be promptly assessed and
addressed. These associated injuries often dictate the management and eventual
outcome of sacral fractures and, therefore, any treatment algorithm should take
them into consideration. CONCLUSIONS: Sacral fractures are complex in nature and
often associated with other often-missed injuries. This review summarizes the
most relevant associated injuries in sacral fractures and discusses on their
appropriate management.
PMID- 28989839
TI - Use of Computer Assistance in Lumbar Fusion Surgery: Analysis of 15 222 Patients
in the ACS-NSQIP Database.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: Several studies have shown
that the accuracy of pedicle screw placement significantly improves with use of
computer-assisted surgery (CAS). Yet few studies have compared the incidence of
postoperative complications between CAS and conventional techniques. The
objective of this study is to determine the difference in postoperative
complication rates between CAS and conventional techniques in spine surgery.
METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement
Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was used to identify patients who underwent
posterior lumbar fusion from 2011 to 2013. Multivariate analysis was conducted to
demonstrate the difference in postoperative complication rates between CAS and
conventional techniques in spine surgery. RESULTS: Out of 15 222 patients, 14 382
(95.1%) were operated with conventional techniques and 740 (4.90%) were operated
with CAS. Multivariate analysis showed that patients in the CAS group had fewer
odds to experience adverse events postoperatively (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, P <
.001). Minor adverse events occurred in 2905 (20.2%) patients in the conventional
group and in 98 (13.2%) patients in the CAS group (OR = 0.57, P < .001). Blood
transfusion was present in 2488 (17.3%) of the patients in the conventional group
compared to 81 (11.0%) of the patients in the CAS group (OR = 0.56, P < .001).
The mean operative time in the conventional group was 205.2 +/- 106.1 minutes,
and it was 227.0 +/- 111.9 minutes in the CAS group. This difference was
statistically significant (r = 20.14, P < .001). CONCLUSION: This article
examined the complications in lumbar spinal surgery with or without the use of
CAS. These results suggest that CAS may provide a safer technique for implant
placement in lumbar fusion surgeries.
PMID- 28989840
TI - Trends Analysis of rhBMP Utilization in Single-Level Posterior Lumbar Interbody
Fusion in the United States.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: Recombinant human bone
morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) has been widely used in spinal fusion surgery,
but there is little information on rhBMP-2 utilization in single-level posterior
lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the
trends and demographics of rhBMP-2 utilization in single-level PLIF. METHODS:
Patients who underwent single-level PLIF from 2005 to 2011 were identified by
searching ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes in the PearlDiver Patient Records
Database, a national database of orthopedic insurance records. The year of
procedure, age, gender, and region of the United States were recorded for each
patient. Results were reported for each variable as the incidence of procedures
identified per 100 000 patients searched in the database. RESULTS: A total of
2735 patients had single-level PLIF. The average rate of single-level PLIF with
rhBMP-2 maintained at a relatively stable level (28% to 31%) from 2005 to 2009,
but decreased in 2010 (9.9%) and 2011 (11.8%). The overall incidence of single
level PLIF without rhBMP-2 (0.68 cases per 100 000 patients) was statistically
higher (P < .01) compared to single-level PLIF with rhBMP-2 (0.21 cases per 100
000 patients). The average rate of single-level PLIF with rhBMP-2 utilization was
the highest in West (30.1%), followed by Midwest (26.9%), South (20.5%), and
Northeast (17.8%). The highest incidence of single-level PLIF with rhBMP-2 was
observed in the age group <65 years (0.3 per 100 000 patients). CONCLUSIONS: To
our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the demographics associated
with rhBMP-2 use in single-level PLIF. There was a 3-fold increase in the rate of
PLIF without rhBMP-2 compared to PLIF with rhBMP-2, with both procedures being
mainly done in patients less than 65 years of age.
PMID- 28989841
TI - Should We Label All Synovial Cysts as Unstable?
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the various anatomical
parameters that influence segmental stability in patients suffering from lumbar
intra spinal cysts (LISCs) and to determine the outcome of microscopic unilateral
laminotomy and cystectomy. METHODS: All patients that were surgically managed for
a LISC between 2007 and 2013 with more than 3 years of follow-up were reviewed.
Those without associated instability were evaluated for segmental mobility,
segmental angulation, facet inclination, stage of disc degeneration, and level of
involvement on MRI and dynamic radiographs. Outcomes of unilateral laminotomy and
cystectomy were evaluated using VAS (Visual Analogue Score), ODI (Oswestry
Disability Index), and Macnabs criteria. Dynamic radiographs were performed in
all cases pre- and postoperatively and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty
patients were operated for a LISC between 2007 and 2013. The levels involved were
L4-5(23), L3-4(4) and L5-S1(3). The mean facet angle was 42.6 (+/- 6.1) degrees.
The stage of disc degeneration was scattered haphazardly across all the cases (Gr
2[17]; Gr 3[1]; Gr 4[8]; Gr 5[4]). VAS and ODI scores improved significantly in
all patients. Mean follow-up was 46.5 months (36-96 months). No patient developed
postoperative instability at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The coronal
inclination of the facet joints, absence of radiological instability, and poor co
relation with stages of disc degeneration suggests the presence of adequate
residual stability. In this study, stand-alone decompression for LISCs without
instability had well sustained good/excellent outcomes. Fusion is recommended for
LISCs with associated instability.
PMID- 28989843
TI - A Novel Lumbar Motion Segment Classification to Predict Changes in Segmental
Sagittal Alignment After Lateral Interbody Fixation.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Lateral interbody fixation
is being increasingly used for the correction of segmental sagittal parameters.
One factor that affects postoperative correction is the resistance afforded by
posterior hypertrophic facet joints in the degenerative lumbar spine. In this
article, we describe a novel preoperative motion segment classification system to
predict postoperative correction of segmental sagittal alignment after lateral
lumbar interbody fusion. METHODS: Preoperative computed tomography scans were
analyzed for segmental facet osseous anatomy for all patients undergoing lateral
lumbar interbody fusion at 3 institutions. Each facet was assigned a facet grade
(min = 0, max = 2), and the sum of the bilateral facet grades was the final
motion segment grade (MSG; min = 0, max = 4). Preoperative and postoperative
segmental lordosis was measured on standing lateral radiographs. Postoperative
segmental lordosis was also conveyed as a percentage of the implanted graft
lordosis (%GL). Simple linear regression was conducted to predict the
postoperative segmental %GL according to MSG. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients
with 59 operated levels were identified. There were 19 levels with MSG 0, 14
levels with MSG 1, 13 levels with MSG 2, 8 levels with MSG 3, and 5 levels with
MSG 4. Mean %GL was 115%, 90%, 77%, 43%, and 5% for MSG 0 to 4, respectively. MSG
significantly predicted postoperative %GL (P < .01). Each increase in MSG was
associated with a 28% decrease in %GL. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a novel facet
based motion segment classification system that significantly predicted
postoperative segmental lordosis after lateral lumbar interbody fusion.
PMID- 28989844
TI - Use of Intraoperative Ultrasound During Spinal Surgery.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Review and technical report. OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative ultrasound
has been used by spine surgeons since the early 1980s. Since that time, more
advanced modes of intraoperative imaging and navigation have become widely
available. Although the use of ultrasound during spine surgery has fallen out of
favor, it remains the only true real-time imaging modality that allows surgeons
to visualize soft tissue anatomy instantly and continuously while operating. It
is our objective to demonstrate that for this reason, ultrasound is a useful
adjunctive technique for spine surgeons, especially when approaching intradural
lesions or when addressing pathology in the ventral spinal canal via a posterior
approach. METHODS: Using PubMed, the existing literature regarding the use of
intraoperative ultrasound during spinal surgery was evaluated. Also, surgical
case logs were reviewed to identify spinal operations during which intraoperative
ultrasound was used. Illustrative cases were selected and reviewed in detail.
RESULTS: This article provides a brief review of the history of intraoperative
ultrasound in spine surgery and describes certain surgical scenarios during which
this technique might be useful. Several illustrative cases are provided from our
own experience. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should consider the use of intraoperative
ultrasound when approaching intradural lesions or when addressing pathology
ventral to the thecal sac via a posterior approach.
PMID- 28989845
TI - Comparison Perioperative Factors During Minimally Invasive Pre-Psoas Lateral
Interbody Fusion of the Lumbar Spine Using Either Navigation or Conventional
Fluoroscopy.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was
to compare intraoperative conditions and clinical results of patients undergoing
pre-psoas oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) using navigation or
conventional fluoroscopy (C-ARM) techniques. METHODS: Forty-two patients (22
patients by navigation and 20 by fluoroscopy) underwent the OLIF procedure at 2
medical centers, and records were reviewed. Clinical data was collected and
compared between the 2 groups. Patients were followed-up with a range of 6 to 24
months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences on demographic data
between groups. The navigation group had zero radiation exposure (RE) to the
surgeon and radiation time compared to the C-ARM group, with total RE of 44.59 +/
26.65 mGy and radiation time of 88.30 +/- 58.28 seconds (P < .05). The RE to the
patient was significantly lower in the O-ARM group (9.38 mGy) compared to the C
ARM group (44.59 +/- 26.65 mGy). Operating room time was slightly longer in the
navigation group (2.49 +/- 1.35 hours) compared to the C-ARM group (2.30 +/- 1.17
hours; P > .05), although not statistically significant. No differences were
found in estimated blood loss, length of hospitalization, surgery-related
complications, and outcome scores with an average of 8-month follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with C-ARM techniques, using navigation can eliminate RE to
surgeon and decrease RE to the patient, and it had no significant effect on
operating time, estimated blood loss, length of hospitalization, or perioperative
complications in the patients with OLIF procedure. This study shows that
navigation is a safe alternative to fluoroscopy during the OLIF procedure in the
treatment of degenerative lumbar conditions.
PMID- 28989842
TI - Complications Associated With Spine Surgery in Patients Aged 80 Years or Older:
Japan Association of Spine Surgeons with Ambition (JASA) Multicenter Study.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of registry data. OBJECTIVES: Aging of society
and recent advances in surgical techniques and general anesthesia have increased
the demand for spinal surgery in elderly patients. Many complications have been
described in elderly patients, but a multicenter study of perioperative
complications in spinal surgery in patients aged 80 years or older has not been
reported. Therefore, the goal of the study was to analyze complications
associated with spine surgery in patients aged 80 years or older with cervical,
thoracic, or lumbar lesions. METHODS: A multicenter study was performed in
patients aged 80 years or older who underwent 262 spinal surgeries at 35
facilities. The frequency and severity of complications were examined for
perioperative complications, including intraoperative and postoperative
complications, and for major postoperative complications that were potentially
life threatening, required reoperation in the perioperative period, or left a
permanent injury. RESULTS: Perioperative complications occurred in 75 of the 262
surgeries (29%) and 33 were major complications (13%). In multivariate logistic
regression, age over 85 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.007, P = 0.025) and
estimated blood loss >=500 g (HR = 3.076, P = .004) were significantly associated
with perioperative complications, and an operative time >=180 min (HR = 2.78, P =
.007) was significantly associated with major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly
patients aged 80 years or older with comorbidities are at higher risk for
complications. Increased surgical invasion, and particularly a long operative
time, can cause serious complications that may be life threatening. Therefore,
careful decisions are required with regard to the surgical indication and
procedure in elderly patients.
PMID- 28989846
TI - Impact of Operation Time on 30-Day Complications After Adult Spinal Deformity
Surgery.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE:
There is a paucity of data on the effect of operative duration on postoperative
complications during adult spinal deformity surgery (ASDS). The study attempts to
explore and quantify the association between increased operation times and
postoperative complications. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was
performed on the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality
Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2010 to 2014. Patients (>=18 years
of age) from the NSQIP database undergoing ASDS were separated into cohorts based
on quartiles of operation duration. Chi-square and multivariate logistic
regression models were used to identify risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 5338
patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided per quartiles based on
operative duration in minutes (154, 235, 346, and 1156 minutes). Multivariate
logistic regressions revealed that in comparison to the lowest quartile of
operative duration, the highest quartile group was associated significantly with
length of stay >=5 days (odds ratio [OR] = 5.85), any complication (OR = 9.88),
wound complication (OR = 5.95), pulmonary complication (OR = 2.85, P = .001),
venous thromboembolism (OR = 12.37), intra-/postoperative transfusion (OR =
12.77), sepsis (OR = 5.27), reoperations (OR = 1.48), and unplanned readmissions
(OR = 1.29). The odds ratio was higher when comparing a higher quartile group
with the reference group across all associations. P < .001 unless otherwise
noted. CONCLUSION: ASDS operation time is associated with multiple postoperative
complications, including, but not limited to, wound and pulmonary complications,
venous thromboembolism, postoperative transfusion, length of stay >=5 days,
sepsis, reoperation, and unplanned readmission.
PMID- 28989847
TI - Comparison Between S2-Alar-Iliac Screw Fixation and Iliac Screw Fixation in Adult
Deformity Surgery: Reoperation Rates and Spinopelvic Parameters.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The S2-alar-iliac (S2AI)
technique has been described as an alternative method for pelvic fixation in
place of iliac screws (ISs) in spinal deformity surgery. The objective of this
study was to analyze the impact of S2AI screws on radiographical outcomes,
including spinopelvic parameters. METHODS: A retrospective review of 17 patients
receiving ISs and 46 patients receiving S2AI screws for correction of adult
spinal deformity between 2010 and 2015 with minimum 1-year follow-up was
conducted. Patient data on postoperative complications, including reoperation
rates and proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), and radiographical parameters was
collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: With mean follow-up of 21.1
months, the overall reoperation rate was significantly lower in the S2AI group
than in the IS group (21.7% vs 58.8%, P = .01), but the incidence of PJK was
similar (32.6% vs 35.3%, P > .99). Moreover, the time to reoperation in the IS
group was significantly shorter than in the S2AI group (P = .001), and the S2AI
group trended toward a longer time to reoperation due to PJK (P = .08). There was
a significantly higher change in pelvic incidence (PI) in the S2AI group (-6.0
degrees ) compared with the IS group (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the
IS technique, the S2AI technique demonstrated a lower rate of overall
reoperation, a similar rate of PJK, longer time to reoperation, and possible
reduction in PI. Future studies may be warranted to clarify the mechanism of
these results and how they can be translated into improved patient care.
PMID- 28989848
TI - Biomechanical Stability of a Stand-Alone Interbody Spacer in Two-Level and Hybrid
Cervical Fusion Constructs.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: In vitro human cadaveric biomechanical analysis. OBJECTIVE: To
evaluate the segmental stability of a stand-alone spacer (SAS) device compared
with the traditional anterior cervical plate (ACP) construct in the setting of a
2-level cervical fusion construct or as a hybrid construct adjacent to a previous
1-level ACP construct. METHODS: Twelve human cadaveric cervical spines (C2-T1)
were nondestructively tested with a custom 6-degree-of-freedom spine simulator
under axial rotation (AR), flexion-extension (FE), and lateral bending (LB) at
1.5 N m loads. After intact analysis, each specimen underwent instrumentation and
testing in the following 3 configurations, with each specimen randomized to the
order of construct: (A) C5-7 SAS; (B) C5-6 ACP, and C6-7 SAS (hybrid); (C) C5-7
ACP. Full range of motion (ROM) data at C5-C7 was obtained and analyzed by each
loading modality utilizing mean comparisons with repeated measures analysis of
variance with Sidak correction for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Compared with
the intact specimen, all tested constructs had significantly increased segmental
stability at C5-C7 in AR and FE ROM, with no difference in LB ROM. At C5-C6, all
test constructs again had increased segmental stability in FE ROM compared with
intact (10.9 degrees +/- 4.4 degrees Intact vs SAS 6.6 degrees +/- 3.2 degrees
, P < .001; vs.Hybrid 2.9 degrees +/- 2.0 degrees , P = .005; vs ACP 2.1 degrees
+/- 1.4 degrees , P < .001), but had no difference in AR and LB ROM. Analysis of
C6-C7 ROM demonstrated all test groups had significantly greater segmental
stability in FE ROM compared with intact (9.6 degrees +/- 2.7 degrees Intact vs
SAS 5.0 degrees +/- 3.0 degrees , P = .018; vs Hybrid 5.0 degrees +/- 2.7
degrees , P = .018; vs ACP 4.4 degrees +/- 5.2 degrees , P = .005). Only the
hybrid and 2-level ACP constructs had increased stability at C6-C7 in AR ROM
compared with intact, with no difference for all test groups in LB ROM.
Comparison between test constructs demonstrated no difference in C5-C7 and C6-C7
segmental stability in all planes of motion. However, at C5-C6 comparison between
test constructs found the 2-level SAS had significantly less segmental stability
compared to the hybrid (6.6 degrees +/- 3.2 degrees vs 2.9 degrees +/- 2.0
degrees , P = .025) and ACP (6.6 degrees +/- 3.2 degrees vs 2.1 degrees +/-
1.4 degrees , P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found the currently tested SAS
device may be a reasonable option as part of a 2-level hybrid construct, when
used below an adjacent 1-level ACP, but should be used with careful consideration
as a 2-level SAS construct. Consequences of decreased segmental stability in FE
are unknown; however, optimal immediate fixation stability is an important
surgical principle to avoid loss of fixation, segmental kyphosis, interbody graft
subsidence, and pseudarthrosis.
PMID- 28989849
TI - Can Posterior Lumbar Instrumentation and Fusion Be Overpowered by Anterior Lumbar
Fusion With Hyperlordotic Cages? A Cadaveric Study.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Technical report on cadavers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate preliminary
feasibility and safety of lumbar sagittal alignment correction with anterior
hyperlordotic cages used to overpower previous posterior spinal instrumentation.
METHODS: Hyperlordotic 30 degrees anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) cages
were inserted in collapsed L5-S1 disc space of 2 cadavers to overpower prior
posterior L5-S1 pedicle screws and rod constructs. A distinct technique of
opening up the disc space and creation of intersegmental lordosis was employed
using a large endplate distractor and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
(TLIF) paddle distractor. Assessment of increase in the intersegmental lordosis
(ISL) was made using lateral fluoroscopic imaging. Postprocedural computed
tomography (CT) scans were obtained to evaluate any failure of posterior
instrumentation and to serve as a surrogate marker for bone quality. RESULTS: The
2 cadavers selected (from an available number of 10) were males: 82 and 84 years
of age, respectively. Both had marked L5-S1 disc space collapse. The ISL achieved
with hyperlordotic cages was 27.6 degrees for the first cadaver (up from 4.9
degrees ) and 23.1 degrees for the second one (up from 4.6 degrees ). No obvious
screw-rod failure or cutout of instrumentation occurred. Postprocedure CT scans
did not reveal any loosening of screws or cutout through endplates. Hounsfield
unit values calculated on axial CT cuts were 73.50 (osteoporosis) and 80.70
(osteopenia) respectively for the 2 cadavers. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of
the cadaveric experiment, overpowering of posterior instrumentation can be
effectively achieved. Biomechanical and clinical studies are indicated to further
evaluate the suitability and safety of this technique.
PMID- 28989850
TI - Why Does C5 Palsy Occur After Prophylactic Bilateral C4-5 Foraminotomy in Open
Door Cervical Laminoplasty? A Risk Factor Analysis.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of
bilateral C4-5 foraminotomy in preventing occurrence of postoperative C5 palsy
and to identify possible risk factors for its development. METHODS: A total of 70
consecutive patients who underwent open-door laminoplasty with bilateral C4-5
foraminotomy were included. Clinical, radiographic, and operative data was
reviewed. Development of postoperative C5 palsy was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of
54 males and 16 females were reviewed. Mean age was 56 years (range, 30-86
years). The primary pathology was spondylosis in 76% of cases and ossified
posterior longitudinal ligament in 21%. Radiographic evidence of C4-5 foraminal
stenosis was seen in 81% of the patients. The mean duration of preoperative
symptoms was 7 +/- 19 months. Four (5.7%) out of 70 patients developed C5 palsy
after open-door laminoplasty with bilateral C4-5 foraminotomy. Multivariate
analysis showed that a long duration of preoperative symptoms (>12 months) and
the presence of preoperative C4-5 T2-MRI cord signal change were statistically
significant risk factors for the development of C5 palsy even after bilateral C4
5 foraminotomy in open-door laminoplasty (P < .0001 and P = .036, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic bilateral C4-5 foraminotomies do not completely
eliminate the occurrence of C5 palsy. Prolonged duration of symptoms and presence
of preoperative T2-MRI cord signal change increase the risk for developing
postoperative C5 palsy despite foraminotomy.
PMID- 28989851
TI - Is There a Patient Profile That Characterizes a Patient With Adult Spinal
Deformity as a Candidate for Minimally Invasive Surgery?
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to
evaluate the baseline characteristics of patients chosen to undergo traditional
open versus minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for adult spinal deformity (ASD).
METHODS: A multicenter review of 2 databases including ASD patients treated with
surgery. Inclusion criteria were age >45 years, Cobb angle minimum of 20 degrees
, and minimum 2-year follow-up. Preoperative radiographic parameters and
disability outcome measures were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 350 patients were
identified: 173 OPEN patients and 177 MIS. OPEN patients were significantly
younger than MIS patients (61.5 years vs 63.74 years, P = .013). The OPEN group
had significantly more females (87% vs 76%, P = .006), but both groups had
similar body mass index. Preoperative lumbar Cobb was significantly higher for
the OPEN group (34.2 degrees ) than for the MIS group (26.0 degrees , P < .001).
The mean preoperative Oswestry Disability Index was significantly higher in the
MIS group (44.8 in OPEN patients and 49.8 in MIS patients, P < .011). The
preoperative Numerical Rating Scale value for back pain was 7.2 in the OPEN group
and 6.8 in the MIS group preoperatively, P = .100. CONCLUSIONS: Patients chosen
for MIS for ASD are slightly older and have smaller coronal deformities than
those chosen for open techniques, but they did not have a substantially lesser
degree of sagittal malalignment. MIS surgery was most frequently utilized for
patients with an sagittal vertical axis under 6 cm and a baseline pelvic
incidence and lumbar lordosis mismatch under 30 degrees .
PMID- 28989852
TI - Editorial Perspective.
PMID- 28989853
TI - Xenotransplantation: Where Are We with Potential Kidney Recipients? Recent
Progress and Potential Future Clinical Trials.
AB - PURPOSE: Inter-species transplantation, xenotransplantation, is becoming a
realistic strategy to solve the organ shortage crisis. Here we focus on seminal
publications that have driven research in xenotransplantation, as well as
recently published literature and future endeavors. RECENT FINDINGS: Advances in
gene editing technology have allowed for the efficient production of multi
transgenic porcine donors leading improved xenograft survival in baboons, up to 2
years following heterotopic heart xenotransplantation and from weeks to several
months following life-supporting kidney xenotransplanation. As technology
evolves, additional challenges have arisen, including the development of
proteinuria, early graft loss associated with porcine CMV, disparities in organ
growth between donors and recipients as well as high-dose continuous
immunosuppression requirements. To address these issues, our laboratory developed
a tolerance-inducing protocol which has allowed for >6 months survival of a life
supporting kidney with further approaches currently underway to address the
challenges mentioned above. SUMMARY: Our recent findings, reviewed in this
article, led us to develop methods to overcome obstacles, which, in conjunction
with the work of others, are promising for future clinical applications of
xenotransplantation.
PMID- 28989854
TI - Identification and characterization of probiotic lactic acid bacteria isolated
from traditional persian pickled vegetables.
AB - Background: The pickle, a traditional fermented product, is popular among
Iranians. Much research has been conducted worldwide on this food group. Due to a
lack of related data in Iran, this study was conducted to isolate and identify
dominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in pickles and salted pickles. Materials and
methods: Seventy samples were collected from different regions of Iran. The
isolated bacteria were identified as LAB by Gram staining and catalase by using
MRS agar. Then, those strains were identified at the species level by
physiological tests (e.g., gas production from glucose, arginine hydrolysis, CO2
production from glucose in MRS broth, carbohydrate fermentation) and growth at
temperatures of 15 degrees C, 30 degrees C, and 45 degrees C in MRS broth for 3
days. The probiotic characteristics of these bacteria were studied using acid and
bile tolerance. The corresponding results were verified using PCR analyses of the
16S rDNA region. Results: 114 presumptive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with Gram
positive and catalase-negative properties were obtained from the samples. The
results revealed that all isolated bacteria were identfied as Lactobacillus (L.)
plantarum, L. brevis, L. pentosus, L. casei, L. paracasei and Leuconostoc
mesenteroides. The predominant LAB in these pickles was L. plantarum, which was
isolated from most of the samples. Among the 114 LAB, 7 isolated species have
probiotic potential. Six out of seven were recognized as L. plantarum and one
remained unidentifiable by biochemical testing. PCR analysis and sequencing of
the 16S rDNA region using 27f and 1522r primers showed that all of the probiotic
strains were L. plantarum. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the
dominant LAB in traditional Persian pickled vegetables are L. plantarum, L.
brevis, L. pentosus, L. casei, L. paracasei, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides.
Moreover, L. plantarum was recognized as a probiotic species in pickled
vegetables. The raw data obtained from this study can be used in the pickling
industry to improve the nutritional value of products.
PMID- 28989855
TI - Antimicrobial inhibitory activity of aqueous, hydroalcoholic and alcoholic
extracts of leaves and stem of Daphne mucronata on growth of oral bacteria.
AB - Background: Plants are a source of potential anti-infective agents. Daphne
mucronata is a shrub in the family Thymelaeaceae, which has therapeutic effects.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of
aqueous, hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts of the leaves and stem of Daphne
mucronata on the growth of oral bacteria. Materials and methods: Leaves and stem
of Daphne mucronata were collected from the Zagros Mountains, Lorestan, Iran.
They were air dried in the shade. Aqueous, hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts
of Daphne mucronata were made by using classic techniques for solvent extraction
of plant material. The antimicrobial effects of the Daphne mucronata extracts
were evaluated using the agar disk diffusion method (ADDM) and the minimum
inhibitory concentration (MIC). The data were analyzed using Duncan's test and
ANOVA. Results: The results showed that the antimicrobial activity depended on
the type of extract. The alcoholic extract of Daphne mucronata had the highest
antibacterial activity and the highest effect on Streptococcus mutans. The
aqueous extract of the plant had no effect on bacterial growth. Conclusion: On
the basis of the current results, the alcoholic extract of Daphne mucronata might
be promising as a natural antimicrobial agent and as a medicine for the
prevention and control of the growth of Streptococcus mutans.
PMID- 28989856
TI - Lead-free perovskite solar cells using Sb and Bi-based A3B2X9 and A3BX6 crystals
with normal and inverse cell structures.
AB - Research of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells had significant attention as the
candidate of new future energy. Due to the toxicity, however, lead (Pb) free
photon harvesting layer should be discovered to replace the present CH3NH3PbI3
perovskite. In place of lead, we have tried antimony (Sb) and bismuth (Bi) with
organic and metal monovalent cations (CH3NH3+, Ag+ and Cu+). Therefore, in this
work, lead-free photo-absorber layers of (CH3NH3)3Bi2I9, (CH3NH3)3Sb2I9,
(CH3NH3)3SbBiI9, Ag3BiI6, Ag3BiI3(SCN)3 and Cu3BiI6 were processed by solution
deposition way to be solar cells. About the structure of solar cells, we have
compared the normal (n-i-p: TiO2-perovskite-spiro OMeTAD) and inverted (p-i-n:
NiO-perovskite-PCBM) structures. The normal (n-i-p)-structured solar cells
performed better conversion efficiencies, basically. But, these environmental
friendly photon absorber layers showed the uneven surface morphology with a
particular grow pattern depend on the substrate (TiO2 or NiO). We have considered
that the unevenness of surface morphology can deteriorate the photovoltaic
performance and can hinder future prospect of these lead-free photon harvesting
layers. However, we found new interesting finding about the progress of devices
by the interface of NiO/Sb3+ and TiO2/Cu3BiI6, which should be addressed in the
future study.
PMID- 28989858
TI - Assessment of personal care and medical robots from older adults' perspective.
AB - Demographic reports indicate that population of older adults is growing
significantly over the world and in particular in developed nations.
Consequently, there are a noticeable number of demands for certain services such
as health-care systems and assistive medical robots and devices. In today's
world, different types of robots play substantial roles specifically in medical
sector to facilitate human life, especially older adults. Assistive medical
robots and devices are created in various designs to fulfill specific needs of
older adults. Though medical robots are utilized widely by senior citizens, it is
dramatic to find out into what extent assistive robots satisfy their needs and
expectations. This paper reviews various assessments of assistive medical robots
from older adults' perspectives with the purpose of identifying senior citizen's
needs, expectations, and preferences. On the other hand, these kinds of
assessments inform robot designers, developers, and programmers to come up with
robots fulfilling elderly's needs while improving their life quality.
PMID- 28989857
TI - JC Polyomavirus Attachment and Entry: Potential Sites for PML Therapeutics.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) is a significant human pathogen that
causes an asymptomatic infection in the kidney in the majority of the population.
In immunosuppressed individuals, the virus can become reactivated and spread to
the brain, causing the fatal, demyelinating disease progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy (PML). There are currently limited treatment options for this
fatal disease. Attachment to receptors and entry into host cells are the
initiating events in JCPyV infection and therefore an attractive target for
therapeutics to prevent or treat PML. This review provides the current
understanding of JCPyV attachment and entry events and the potential therapeutics
to target these areas. RECENT FINDINGS: JCPyV attachment and entry to host cells
is mediated by alpha2,6-linked lactoseries tetrasaccharide c (LSTc) and 5
hydroxytryptamine receptors (5-HT2Rs), respectively, and subsequent trafficking
to the endoplasmic reticulum is required for infection. Recently, vaccines,
monoclonal antibodies, and small molecules have shown promise as anti-viral and
PML therapies. SUMMARY: This review summarizes our current understanding of JCPyV
attachment, entry, and trafficking and the development of potential PML
therapeutics that inhibit these critical steps in JCPyV infection.
PMID- 28989859
TI - Clarifying the Relationship between Trichotillomania and Anxiety.
AB - Although research has consistently linked unidimensional anxiety with
Trichotillomania (TTM) severity, the relationships between TTM severity and
anxiety dimensions (i.e., cognitive and somatic anxiety) are unknown. This
knowledge gap limits current TTM conceptualization and treatment. The current
study examined these relationships with data collected from ninety-one adults who
participated in a randomized clinical trial for TTM treatment. To examine whether
the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; Beck, Epstein, Brown, & Steer, 1988) could be
used to measure multidimensional anxiety in TTM samples, we conducted a factor
analysis. Results showed four emergent factors, including a cognitive factor and
three somatic factors (neurophysiological, autonomic, and panic). Based on prior
research, it was hypothesized that TTM severity would be related to the cognitive
anxiety dimension and that psychological inflexibility would mediate the
association. Hypotheses were not made regarding the relationship between TTM
severity and somatic anxiety. Regression analyses indicated that only cognitive
dimensions of anxiety predicted TTM severity and that psychological inflexibility
mediated this relationship. Implications for the conceptualization and treatment
of TTM are discussed.
PMID- 28989860
TI - Model-based inference for small area estimation with sampling weights.
AB - Obtaining reliable estimates about health outcomes for areas or domains where
only few to no samples are available is the goal of small area estimation (SAE).
Often, we rely on health surveys to obtain information about health outcomes.
Such surveys are often characterised by a complex design, stratification, and
unequal sampling weights as common features. Hierarchical Bayesian models are
well recognised in SAE as a spatial smoothing method, but often ignore the
sampling weights that reflect the complex sampling design. In this paper, we
focus on data obtained from a health survey where the sampling weights of the
sampled individuals are the only information available about the design. We
develop a predictive model-based approach to estimate the prevalence of a binary
outcome for both the sampled and non-sampled individuals, using hierarchical
Bayesian models that take into account the sampling weights. A simulation study
is carried out to compare the performance of our proposed method with other
established methods. The results indicate that our proposed method achieves great
reductions in mean squared error when compared with standard approaches. It
performs equally well or better when compared with more elaborate methods when
there is a relationship between the responses and the sampling weights. The
proposed method is applied to estimate asthma prevalence across districts.
PMID- 28989861
TI - Tackling vitamin A deficiency with biofortified sweetpotato in sub-Saharan
Africa.
AB - Orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) is a rich plant-based source of beta-carotene,
which the body converts into vitamin A. In sub-Saharan Africa, sweetpotato is
known as a food security crop but most varieties grown are high dry matter white
fleshed types, lacking beta-carotene. In 1995, researchers recognized the
potential of OFSP varieties to address widespread vitamin A deficiency in SSA
using an integrated agriculture-nutrition approach. With their partners, they
confronted conventional wisdom concerning food-based approaches and institutional
barriers, to build the evidence base and breed 42 OFSP varieties adapted to
farmer needs and consumer preferences. Subsequently, a multi-partner, multi-donor
initiative, launched in 2009, has already reached 2.8 million households. This
review summarizes that effort describing how the changing policy environment
influenced the process.
PMID- 28989862
TI - Bioprospecting North Atlantic microalgae with fast growth and high
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content for microalgae-based technologies.
AB - Microalgae are considered to be an important and sustainable alternative to fish
oil as a source for the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Due to their health benefits, there is an
increasing interest in the commercial application of these fatty acids (FA) to
health and dietary products, and to aquaculture feeds. However, FA from
microalgae are still expensive to produce compared to fish or plant oils. With
only a few microalgal strains being cultivated on a large scale for commercial
PUFA production, prospecting for new, robust and fast-growing strains with
increased PUFA content is essential in order to reduce production costs.
Microalgae from northern high latitudes, exposed to cold temperatures, may be
especially promising candidates as previous studies have shown increasing
unsaturation of FA in response to decreasing growth temperatures in different
microalgae, most likely to maintain membrane fluidity and function. We have
designed a screening pipeline, targeting a focused search and selection for
marine microalgal strains from extreme North Atlantic locations with high
robustness and biomass production, and increased levels of EPA and DHA. The
pipeline includes a rational sampling plan, isolation and cultivation of clonal
strains, followed by a batch growth experiment designed to obtain information on
robustness, growth characteristics, and the FA content of selected isolates
during both nutrient replete exponential cultivation and nutrient limited
stationary cultivation. A number of clonal cultures (N = 149) have been
established, and twenty of these strains have been screened for growth and FA
content and composition. Among those strains, three showed growth rates >= 0.7 d-
1 at temperatures of 15 degrees C or below, and high amounts of EPA (> 3% DW),
suggesting their potential as candidates for large scale production.
PMID- 28989863
TI - Evaluation of a C57BL/6J * 129S1/SvImJ Hybrid Nestin-Thymidine Kinase Transgenic
Mouse Model for Studying the Functional Significance of Exercise-Induced Adult
Hippocampal Neurogenesis.
AB - New neurons are continuously generated in the adult hippocampus but their
function remains a mystery. The nestin thymidine kinase (nestin-TK) transgenic
method has been used for selective and conditional reduction of neurogenesis for
the purpose of testing the functional significance of new neurons in learning,
memory and motor performance. Here we explored the nestin-TK model on a hybrid
genetic background (to increase heterozygosity, and "hybrid vigor"). Transgenic
C57BL/6J (B6) were crossed with 129S1/SvImJ (129) producing hybrid offspring (F1)
with the B6 half of the genome carrying a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase
(TK) transgene regulated by a modified nestin promoter. In the presence of
exogenously administered valganciclovir, new neurons expressing TK undergo
apoptosis. Female B6 nestin-TK mice (n = 80) were evaluated for neurogenesis
reduction as a positive control. Male and female F1 nestin-TK mice (n = 223) were
used to determine the impact of neurogenesis reduction on the Morris water maze
(MWM) and rotarod. All mice received BrdU injections to label dividing cells and
either valganciclovir or control chow, with or without a running wheel for 30
days. Both the F1 and B6 background displayed approximately 50% reduction in
neurogenesis, a difference that did not impair learning and memory on the MWM or
rotarod performance. Running enhanced neurogenesis and performance on the rotarod
but not MWM suggesting the F1 background may not be suitable for studying pro
cognitive effects of exercise on MWM. Greater reduction of neurogenesis may be
required to observe behavioral impacts. Alternatively, new neurons may not play a
critical role in learning, or compensatory mechanisms in pre-existing neurons
could have masked the deficits. Further work using these and other models for
selectively reducing neurogenesis are needed to establish the functional
significance of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in behavior.
PMID- 28989864
TI - Flux Balance Analysis Indicates that Methane Is the Lowest Cost Feedstock for
Microbial Cell Factories.
AB - The low cost of natural gas has driven significant interest in using C1 carbon
sources (e.g. methane, methanol, CO, syngas) as feedstocks for producing liquid
transportation fuels and commodity chemicals. Given the large contribution of
sugar and lignocellulosic feedstocks to biorefinery operating costs, natural gas
and other C1 sources may provide an economic advantage. To assess the relative
costs of these feedstocks, we performed flux balance analysis on genome-scale
metabolic models to calculate the maximum theoretical yields of chemical products
from methane, methanol, acetate, and glucose. Yield calculations were performed
for every metabolite (as a proxy for desired products) in the genome-scale
metabolic models of three organisms: Escherichia coli (bacterium), Saccharomyces
cerevisiae (yeast), and Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (cyanobacterium). The
calculated theoretical yields and current feedstock prices provided inputs to
create comparative feedstock cost surfaces. Our analysis shows that, at current
market prices, methane feedstock costs are consistently lower than glucose when
used as a carbon and energy source for microbial chemical production. Conversely,
methanol is costlier than glucose under almost all price scenarios. Acetate
feedstock costs could be less than glucose given efficient acetate production
from low-cost syngas using nascent biological gas to liquids (BIO-GTL)
technologies. Our analysis suggests that research should focus on overcoming the
technical challenges of methane assimilation and/or yield of acetate via BIO-GTL
to take advantage of low-cost natural gas rather than using methanol as a
feedstock.
PMID- 28989866
TI - Choices and Challenges of Antibiotics Therapy in Diabetic Foot Infection.
PMID- 28989867
TI - Medical Nutrition Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
PMID- 28989865
TI - Unveiling the role of tumor reactive stroma in cholangiocarcinoma: an opportunity
for new therapeutic strategies.
AB - Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a very aggressive neoplasm, whose incidence has
steadily increased in the last decade. Despite its growing epidemiological
impact, therapeutic chances with a curative intent are still limited to surgical
resection and, in highly selected cases, to liver transplantation. Unfortunately,
in most cases at the time of diagnosis, CCA has already metastasized to regional
lymph nodes, thereby reducing the opportunities for curative treatment.
Mechanisms governing CCA invasiveness are unclear. A critical element of CCA is
the abundant "tumor reactive stroma", which develops in close association with
tumor growth. An abundant reactive stroma is present in a number of carcinomas
characterized by strong invasiveness, namely gastric, colorectal and pancreatic
cancers, as well as breast cancer. In tumor stroma, a variety of signals and
mediators are reciprocally exchanged between stromal and cancer cells that, in
turn acquire pro-invasive properties. These paracrine communications have started
to be elucidated only recently, and may represent targets amenable of specific
therapeutic intervention. In this review, we will highlight the cell types that
compose the tumor reactive stroma in CCA and some of the molecular interactions
possibly responsible for increased invasiveness of CCA. The possibility of
dissecting, and likely exploiting, these interactions for potential new
treatments will be also described.
PMID- 28989868
TI - Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis.
PMID- 28989869
TI - "Riding High on Low Fuel" - Our Experience with Endogenous Hyperinsulinemic
Hypoglycemia.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (EHH) is a condition in
which the insulin levels are inappropriately high in the presence of low plasma
glucose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of case records
of those patients admitted and evaluated for EHH from June 2004 to June 2016 in
our center, excluding those that were diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia. We
collected data regarding demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory results,
localization techniques, and treatment administered. RESULTS: Sixteen patients
who were admitted for evaluation based on history suggestive of repeated
hypoglycemic episodes were included in the study. All but one pregnant patient
was subjected to a supervised fast in the hospital. All patients developed
hypoglycemia (defined using Whipple's triad) within the first 24 h. Three
patients had autoimmune hypoglycemia which differed significantly from insulinoma
mediated hypoglycemia in certain clinical and laboratory parameters. They were
older in age with marked fluctuations in the 24 h glucose profile ranging from
frank hypoglycemia to frank hyperglycemia. The insulin levels were markedly
elevated in this group of patients along with a significantly elevated insulin C
peptide molar ratio (ICMR) when compared with patients with insulinoma-mediated
hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Although insulinoma is the most common cause of EHH,
autoimmune hypoglycemia should be considered as a differential diagnosis,
particularly in older individuals with plasma glucose values increasing to the
hyperglycemic range. Degree of elevation of insulin levels and ICMR may provide
additional clues. Overall, the survival and prognosis of patients with EHH are
excellent.
PMID- 28989870
TI - Prepregnancy Hypothyroidism versus Gestational Hypothyroidism: A Comparative
Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Hypothyroidism managed inadequately in pregnancy may have grave
outcomes for both mother and baby. Understanding pregnancy outcomes in our
country with low awareness about thyroid diseases is important. OBJECTIVES: The
objectives of the study were to evaluate demographic features and biochemical
parameters in patients with prepregnancy hypothyroidism versus patients diagnosed
to have primary hypothyroidism during pregnancy and to assess pregnancy outcomes.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted
in a tertiary care center in Bengaluru for 2 years. The patients were divided
into two groups - Group I: Prepregnancy hypothyroidism and Group II: Hypothyroid
during pregnancy. They were further staged according to ESI guidelines as
subclinical or overt hypothyroidism. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square and Mann
Whitney test. RESULTS: A total of 452 pregnant women with hypothyroidism were
analyzed. The data of 371 delivered pregnancies were available. Group I and II
had 196 (43.36%) and 256 (56.64%) patients, respectively. Age at presentation
(years) was 27.09 +/- 4.19 in Group I versus 25.74 +/- 4.29 in Group II (P =
0.003); gestational age (weeks) was 9.04 +/- 5.41 in Group I versus 13.81 +/-
9.12 in Group II (P = 0.000). There was one case of congenital hypothyroidism in
baby in each group. Mean birth weight was 2.90 +/- 0.39 kg in Group I versus 2.88
+/- 0.36 kg in Group II; P = 0.608. There were four abortions in Group I versus
ten in Group II (P = 0.231), 104 cesarean sections in Group I compared to 133 in
Group II; (P = 0.382). There was no difference in number of cesarean sections,
abortions and low birth weight babies between overt and subclinical
hypothyroidism subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Group I patients presented earlier for
testing suggesting awareness was good in this group. There was no difference in
pregnancy outcome between the two groups. Overt versus subclinical status did not
have any different effects on pregnancy outcomes in any group.
PMID- 28989871
TI - Prevalence and Risk Factors for Peripheral Neuropathy among Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Coastal Karnataka.
AB - CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: In view of the growing burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus
(T2DM) globally and associated microvascular and macrovascular complications, the
study was done to assess the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic neuropathy
among T2DM patients attending a tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
T2DM patients' >=30 years of both gender, presenting to the Medicine Department
at a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. Diabetic Neuropathy
Symptom (DNS) questionnaire to assess symptoms and Diabetic Neuropathy
Examination (DNE) scoring to assess clinical signs were used. RESULTS: A total of
273 patients were included. The mean age was 57.8 +/- 11.5 years. The male to
female distribution was 75% (202) and 25% (71), respectively. According to DNS
instrument, 41.4% patients scored positive for the presence of neuropathy while
only 24.5% had neuropathy according to DNE score. The proportion of males
affected by neuropathy was more than females. 43.1% males had a positive DNS
score while only 27.2% of them had a positive DNE score. Duration of the disease
was positively correlated with neuropathy. Neuropathy was more prevalent among
people who had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure as per DNS and DNE
instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified a higher proportion of
males to be affected by neuropathy. Hence, more detailed evaluation must be
accorded to elderly male diabetic patients with longer duration of the disease.
Lifestyle modifications and watchful screening need to be incorporated as part of
routine patient health education during follow-up clinic visits.
PMID- 28989872
TI - Current Indicators of Nutritional Care in Children with Type 1 Diabetes in India:
Do we Need a National Nutritional Guideline?
AB - BACKGROUND: Nutrition is an important pillar of management in children with type
1 diabetes. Indian food is heavily influenced by region, religion, traditions,
seasons, and cultural choices. This survey was done to assess current practices
and the need for India specific nutritional guidelines for children with type 1
diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two 12-item questionnaires were administered to
forty health-care professionals across India. The first questionnaire evaluated
current clinical practice indicators for nutrition in these children and second
assessed practices for counseling a child on dietary habits. RESULTS: There is
great heterogeneity across the country with regard to dietary advice offered to
children with type 1 diabetes. 97.5% of the respondents feel there is a need for
an Indian dietary guideline for children with type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSION: There
is need of India specific nutritional guidelines that should be made considering
key variants such as age, region, cultural preference, economic burden and
psychosocial beliefs, to offer guidance to diabetes care professionals.
PMID- 28989873
TI - Effect of Metformin-sustained Release Therapy on Low-density Lipoprotein Size and
Adiponectin in the South Indian Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to compare surrogate markers of
cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, such as adiponectin (APN) levels and low
density lipoprotein (LDL) size, before and after sustained release metformin (Met
SR) therapy in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Sixty
women with PCOS and sixty age-matched controls in the age group 18-45 years were
recruited after obtaining informed consent. Women with PCOS were initiated on Met
SR 1 g orally, which was increased to 1.5 g after 2 weeks and continued up to 24
weeks. Demographic data along with family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus,
PCOS, and CVD were collected. Lipid profile plasma APN levels and LDL size were
measured before and after therapy in the PCOS group. Data analysis was performed
using the GraphPad Prism-5 software. RESULTS: Women with PCOS had greater
dyslipidemia, lower APN level and LDL size, and increased lipid accumulating
product index as compared to controls. After 6 months of Met-SR therapy, women
with PCOS demonstrated significant increase in plasma APN levels and LDL size and
significant decrease in weight, waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC),
and blood pressure (BP). A significant decrease was observed in body mass index
(BMI) in the overweight and obese PCOS subgroups. CONCLUSION: Met-SR increases
LDL size, APN concentration and decreases weight, WC, WHR, and BP in patients
with PCOS. Met-SR may have salutary effects on LDL particle size through effects
on APN levels in women with PCOS.
PMID- 28989874
TI - Metabolic Status and Hypogonadism in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected Males.
AB - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of
hypogonadism in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected males and to study
its relation to age, CD4 count, body mass index (BMI), duration of highly active
antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and metabolic status. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-one HIV
positive cases and 82 healthy controls were included in this case-control study.
Each case underwent a complete physical examination and serum fasting plasma
glucose, A1c, lipid profile, total testosterone (TT), follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were estimated. Serum TT level
<300 ng/dl, or TT >300 ng/dl with high LH and FSH (compensatory hypogonadism)
were taken as markers for hypogonadism, and it was correlated with age, CD4
count, duration of HAART, and metabolic status of the patient. RESULTS: Out of 81
cases, 21 (25.9%) were found to have hypogonadism as compared to 4 (4.9%) out of
82 controls. Of these 21, 14 cases had secondary hypogonadism, five had primary,
and the remaining two had compensatory hypogonadism. The mean serum TT value
among cases (371.7 +/- 102.9 ng/dl) was significantly lower than that among
controls (419.7 +/- 71.5 ng/dl) (P = 0.007). Hypogonadism was found to be
significantly associated with the age of the patient (P = 0.007), CD4 count (P =
0.002), and duration of HAART (P = 0.04) and was independent of the BMI (P = 0.9)
and the waist circumference (P = 0.8). Dyslipidemia and dysglycemia were
significantly more common among cases as compared to controls (P < 0.05) but were
not associated with hypogonadism. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypogonadism is
higher among HIV-infected males as compared to healthy individuals. Hypogonadism
was significantly associated with age, CD4 count, and duration of HAART and was
independent of BMI, glycemic status, and dyslipidemia.
PMID- 28989875
TI - Bacteriological Profile of Diabetic Foot Ulcer with Special Reference to Drug
resistant Strains in a Tertiary Care Center in North-East India.
AB - AIM: This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological profile of
infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and the antibiotic resistance pattern from
the isolates. An attempt was made to suggest an empiric antibiotic regimen to
treat such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue samples were collected from
150 patients between February 2015 and January 2016 with DFUs under aseptic
precautions and they were processed as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards
Institute guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 185 bacterial isolates were obtained
from 150 persons with diabetic and with foot ulcers. The age group of these
persons ranged from 35 to 80 years and the maximum number of persons with DFUs
was in the age group of 60-65 years. Among the isolates, Gram-negative bacilli
were isolated in 112/185 (61%) and Gram-positive cocci in 73/185 (39%) cases. The
most common isolate was Staphylococcus spp. 46 (25%), followed by Escherichia
coli (20%) and Enterococcus spp. (15%). The antibiotic sensitivity profile of the
bacteria was also studied. Among the isolates, 59/112 (53%) of the Gram-negative
bacilli were extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers, 19/46 (41%) were
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and 5/27 (19%) were vancomycin
resistant Enterococcus. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a preponderance of
multidrug-resistant strains among the isolates from the DFUs. Knowledge on the
antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates will be helpful in determining the
drugs for the empirical treatment of diabetic ulcers. Thus, indiscriminate use of
antibiotics and chances of subsequent development of antibiotic resistance can
also be reduced.
PMID- 28989876
TI - Metabolic Derangement in Acute and Chronic Liver Disorders.
AB - AIMS: This study aims to assess glycemic and lipid derangement in acute and
chronic liver disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was
conducted on 104 patients diagnosed with acute or chronic liver disorder. Acute
liver disease (ALD) patients were 40 and chronic liver disease (CLD) patients
were 64. RESULTS: The mean value of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in patients with
ALD was 91.8 +/- 5.4 mg/dl and in CLD was 115.7 +/- 17.9 mg/dl, the difference
was significant. The mean value of A1c was 4.3 +/- 0.6 in ALD and 6.1 +/- 0.8 in
CLD, the difference was significant. In patients with CLD mean cholesterol was
higher 177.4 +/- 28.8 mg/dl when compared to ALD 140 +/- 35.1 mg/dl, but the
difference was not significant. ALD patients' high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was
50.4 +/- 5.1 mg/dl, and in CLD patients, HDL was 44.4 +/- 6.1 mg/dl. In CLD mean
triglyceride (T) was 148.9 +/- 6.4 mg/dl while in ALD T was 134.8 +/- 14.2 mg/dl,
the difference was significant. CONCLUSIONS: CLD is associated with glycemic
derangement demonstrated by deranged FPG and A1c. In patients of ALD, no
metabolic derangement was observed.
PMID- 28989877
TI - Postpartum Follow-up in Women Diagnosed with Subclinical Hypothyroidism during
Pregnancy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Management guidelines about the thyroid disease in pregnancy are
silent about the postpartum course of new onset subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).
Hence, we analyzed the 2 years outcome of SCH diagnosed during pregnancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this retrospective study using the medical
records of patients with new onset SCH during pregnancy between 2010 and 2013 (n
= 718). Patients who stopped their levothyroxine after delivery with a 2-year
follow-up record were included. We excluded patients with known thyroid disorders
and continuous use of drugs that affect the thyroid results. The patients were
divided into two groups (Group 1 - euthyroid and Group 2 - hypothyroid) based on
the final outcome after 2 years. The data were analyzed using appropriate
statistical methods and a P < 0.05 was considered statically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 559 (77.8%) women stopped levothyroxine after delivery, and
the final follow-up data were available for 467 patients only. At the end of 2
years, 384 (82.2%) remained euthyroid, and the remaining 83 (17.8%) developed
hypothyroidism. SCH and overt hypothyroidism were seen in 22 and 61 patients,
respectively. Group 2 patients had higher mean age (25.5 vs. 23.6 years), goiter
(51 vs. 2%), initial thyroid stimulating hormone (7.9 vs. 5.1 MUIU/mL), and
thyroid antibody positivity (76 vs. 13%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The majority of
patients with SCH during pregnancy remain euthyroid after delivery. Advanced age,
goiter, positive family history, and thyroid autoimmunity increase the future
risk of hypothyroidism in patients with SCH diagnosed during pregnancy.
PMID- 28989878
TI - Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Markers among Women at 1-year Postpartum as per
Prepregnancy Body Mass Index Status: A Longitudinal Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Maternal body composition (BC) changes during lactation. Increased
prepregnancy obesity is associated with poor obstetric outcomes. The aim was to
study changes in maternal BC postpartum (PP) to 1-year PP with reference to their
prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) status. METHODS: The study design was a 1-year
follow-up study. Sixty-five apparently healthy primiparous women (28.6 +/- 3.4
years delivered full-term infants) were randomly selected from December 2010 to
June 2013 and postclassified on the basis of their prepregnancy BMI status.
Anthropometry, sociodemographic status, physical activity, diet, clinical
examination, biochemical tests, and BC at total body (dual energy X-ray
absorptiometry, GE, Lunar DPX) were collected using standardized protocols.
RESULTS: Forty-one women were classified in Group A with normal prepregnancy BMI
(20.4 +/- 2.0 kg/m2) and 24 women in Group B with overweight/obese (OW/OB)
prepregnancy BMI (26.1 +/- 1.9 kg/m2). At 1 year, 75% of women returned to normal
BMI in Group A, whereas all 100% of women from Group B remained in OW category at
1-year PP. Nearly 43% of Group B women showed the presence of at least two
metabolic syndrome risk factors as compared to 36% in Group A at 1 year.
CONCLUSION: Women with OW/OB prepregnancy BMI accumulated higher visceral fat
with a higher prevalence of metabolic risk factors at 1-year PP. Our study
underlines the importance of maintaining BMI status in reference range in
reproductive years.
PMID- 28989880
TI - Arrhythmias in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
AB - : Chronic hyperglycaemia of Type 2 diabetes mellitus causes long term damage to
heart resulting in coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI),
congestive heart failure (CHF), and sudden death from arrhythmias. AIMS: To study
the prevalence of different types of arrhythmias in T2DM, particularly in
association with Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN). METHODS: A cross-sectional
study including 100 patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) presenting with
cardiac arrhythmias, was done at our hospital over 2 years. Detailed history
along with physical examination and tests for CAN were done. Routine
investigations along with echocardiography, stress test, Holter monitoring were
done. RESULTS: Sinus Tachycardia (ST) was the commonest arrhythmia, found in 32%
of patients. 20% had Complete Heart Block (CHB), 15% had Sinus Bradycardia (SB),
and 15% had Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Ventricular Premature Complex (VPC) was
found in 10% and 3% had Atrial Premature Complex (APC). 3% had first degree AV
block, whereas 1% had Paroxysmal Supra Ventricular Tachycardia (PSVT), and
another 1% had Ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Poorly controlled diabetes and co
morbidities was associated with higher incidence of arrhythmias. 62% of patients
had prolonged QTc, majority of which had CAN. Most of the patients responded to
standard therapy.
PMID- 28989879
TI - Root Cause Analysis of Diabetic Ketoacidosis Admissions at a Tertiary Referral
Pediatric Emergency Department in North India.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To identify system-based factors contributing to Emergency Department
(ED) admissions of children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and related
complications with emphasis on parental and physician awareness and prereferral
management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational root cause
analysis study of all consecutive admissions of children with DKA to pediatric ED
of a tertiary care referral hospital in northern India over a period of 1 year
(July 2010-June 2011). Prehospital, health-care system, referral, follow-up, and
continuum of care related details were obtained through direct interview of
parents and physicians and/or field observations for all enrolled children.
RESULTS: Of the 30 children enrolled, 26 (86.6%) were referrals; 16 (61.5%) from
first, 7 (26.9%) from second, and 3 (11.5%) from third health-care facility. More
than half (n [%], 18 [60%]) had new onset diabetes and belonged to lower
socioeconomic strata. Twenty-two (73.3%) were complicated DKA; shock (n [%], 19
[63%]), hypokalemia (n [%], 11 [36%]), and CE (n [%], 3 [10%]) were the most
common complications. Most parents were ignorant of diabetes, its symptoms or
complicating DKA. Nearly, half of the cases remained undiagnosed (n = 11) at
first contact health-care facility; more so for new onset as compared to known
diabetes (9/18 vs. 2/8; P = 0.022). The referring hospitals had limited
facilities for rapid blood glucose estimation (n [%], 12 [40%]), blood gas
analysis (n [%], 6 [20%]) and insulin infusion. On univariate analysis, patients
with missed/delayed diagnosis more often had severe and complicated DKA.
CONCLUSION: Parental ignorance, lower socioeconomic status, lack of clinical
experience, and limited primary health-care facilities were root causes for
severe and complicated DKA.
PMID- 28989881
TI - Iodine Status among Subclinical and Overt Hypothyroid Patients by Urinary Iodine
Assay: A Case-Control Study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to assess the differences of iodine
status as measured by urinary iodine excretion (UIE) between cases of
hypothyroidism and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was
conducted in cases with subclinical hypothyroidism (n = 58) and overt
hypothyroidism (n = 41) and compared with age- and sex-matched healthy euthyroid
controls (n = 52) attending Universal College of Medical Sciences Teaching
Hospital, Bhairahawa, Nepal. Serum free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine
(fT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were estimated by competitive ELISA
and sandwich ELISA, respectively (Diametra, Italy). The urinary iodine
concentration (UIC) in urine samples was estimated by ammonium persulfate
digestion method recommended by the WHO. RESULTS: A significantly higher median
UIC was observed among cases of subclinical hypothyroidism (224.90 MUg/l) and
overt hypothyroidism (281.0 MUg/l) as compared to the controls (189.90 MUg/l) (P
= 0.0001, P = 0.001). Serum TSH in the cases of subclinical hypothyroid was
higher, whereas fT3 was lower as compared to controls (P = 0.028, P = 0.0001),
respectively. Similarly, serum TSH in the cases of overt hypothyroid was higher
and fT3 and fT4 were lower as compared to controls (P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001, P =
0.015), respectively. There was positive correlation of UIC with TSH (r = 0.269,
P = 0.0001), whereas negative correlation was seen with fT3 (r = -0.328, P =
0.0001) and fT4 (r = -0.145, P = 0.076). The test of multiple regression has
shown that fT3 (beta = -0.262, P = 0.012) as an independent predictor in
association with UIE in cases. CONCLUSION: Excessive iodine intake was found in
hypothyroid patients as assessed by UIE concluding that it may trigger the
thyroid hypofunction. Cohort studies to generate further evidence should be done
to explore potential mechanism of hypothyroidism in excess iodine intake.
PMID- 28989882
TI - Effect of Short-term Erythropoietin Therapy on Insulin Resistance and Serum
Levels of Leptin and Neuropeptide Y in Hemodialysis Patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Insulin resistance (IR) is a known complication of end-stage kidney
disease (ESKD). It may be an important therapeutic target in stages of chronic
kidney disease. AIM: The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of short-term
treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy on IR, serum
leptin, and neuropeptide Y in ESKD patients on hemodialysis. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: Thirty ESKD patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly
assigned into two groups. Erythropoietin (rHuEpo) group consisted of 15 patients
(7 females, 8 males, mean age 47.8 +/- 9.3 years) treated with rHuEpo therapy
after each session of dialysis. No-rHuEpo group consisted of 15 patients (7
females, 8 males, mean age 45.5 +/- 8.6 years) not treated with rHuEpo. In
addition to, control group consisted of 15 healthy controls (6 females, 9 males,
mean age 48.8 +/- 11 years). RESULTS: The mean fasting insulin (11 +/- 4.2 mU/L)
and homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) test (2.6 +/- 1.1) were
significantly higher in ESKD patients than control group (6.6 +/- 1.4 mU/L and
1.5 +/- 0.3, respectively). There were significant decreases in glycated
hemoglobin (HbA1c) (5.6 +/- 1%), fasting insulin level (9.3 +/- 3.1 MUU/mL), HOMA
IR (2.2 +/- 0.7), and serum leptin levels (17.4 +/- 8.7 ng/mL) also significant
increase in neuropeptide Y levels (113 +/- 9.9 pg/mL) after 3 months of rHuEpo
therapy, in addition to further significantly decrease fasting insulin levels
(7.1 +/- 2.1 MUU/mL) and HOMA-IR (1.7 +/- 6) after 6 months in rHuEpo group. In
contrast, there were significantly increases in HbA1c% (5.9 +/- 0.5%) and leptin
levels (42.3 +/- 25.3 ng/mL) in No-rHuEpo group throughout the study. CONCLUSION:
IR and hyperleptinemia are improved by recombinant human erythropoietin therapy.
PMID- 28989883
TI - Status of Serum Vitamin D and Calcium Levels in Women of Reproductive Age in
National Capital Territory of India.
AB - CONTEXT: In India, Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem,
associated with lack of sunlight exposure in spite of abundant sunshine usually
accompanied by reduced dietary intake. In women of reproductive age, Vitamin D
deficiency in pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of gestational
diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
AIMS: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the levels of
serum Vitamin D 25(OH) D and calcium in women of reproductive age from India.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was carried on a total of 224
healthy nonpregnant and nonlactating women in the reproductive age group of 20-49
years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic, socioeconomic class, and biochemical
parameters for the estimation of serum 25(OH)D and calcium levels in women of
reproductive age were studied. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical Package for
Social Sciences version 20.0 was utilized for conducting the statistical analysis
of the data. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) was present in 88% of
women. Women from middle socioeconomic class had the lowest mean serum 25(OH) D
levels (9.6 +/- 6 ng/ml) as compared to women from upper middle (11.4 +/- 8
ng/ml), lower (11.2 +/- 8 ng/ml), and upper (10 +/- 8.6 ng/ml) socioeconomic
class. Serum calcium levels were found in the normal range of 8.5-10.5 mg/dl for
all the study subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of
hypovitaminosis D among women of reproductive age. These women may possibly have
a higher risk of development of osteoporosis and pregnancy-related complications
in future life.
PMID- 28989884
TI - Diagnosis of Adrenocortical Tumors by Reticulin Algorithm.
AB - AIMS: To apply reticulin algorithm (RA) to the diagnosis of adrenocortical tumors
on adrenalectomy specimens and compare its efficacy to the modified Weiss
criteria or Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia (LWB) criteria for oncocytic variant. MATERIALS
AND METHODS: Adrenocortical tumors (ACTs) diagnosed on resected specimens
including the variants during January 2010-June 2016 were retrieved from the
pathology records. The demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical
records. The functional status of the tumor was noted based on clinical and
biochemical evaluation. The location, size, and gross appearance of the tumor
were noted. The corresponding hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were
independently assessed by two pathologists applying modified Weiss criteria and
LWB criteria for the oncocytic variant as applicable. Reticulin stain was
performed on representative sections in all cases. All the tumors were classified
according to RA, and the diagnoses made by each system were correlated. RESULTS:
There were 15 ACTs in the study period. There were two adenomas including one
oncocytoma which showed Weiss score (WS) of 2 and intact reticulin framework.
There were 13 adrenal cortical carcinomas including two oncocytic variants with
WS ranging from 4 to 7. There was disruption of reticulin and thick, irregular
reticulin fibers in all tumors, irrespective of the histology. It correlated with
modified Weiss and LWB criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The RA was simple, easy to apply,
and correlated well with modified Weiss criteria in the diagnosis of ACTs
including the oncocytic variant.
PMID- 28989885
TI - Impact of Severity of Illness on the Function of the Hypothalamo-pituitary
gonadal Axis in Postmenopausal Women with Acute Severe Illness: Implications for
Predicting Disease Outcome.
AB - BACKGROUND: While elevated levels of estradiol were predictive of mortality in
critically ill surgical and trauma patients, their ability to predict outcome in
nonsurgical patients has not been studied. We aimed to study the determinants of
gonadotropin levels in acutely ill postmenopausal women with nonsurgical disease
and the impact of changes in the gonadal axis on the outcome of these patients.
METHODS: Thirty-five postmenopausal women admitted to medical intensive care with
acute severe illness and having a Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II
score) >=30 (in-hospital mortality rate >= 10%) were recruited. On the 5th day of
hospitalization, fasting samples were collected at 8.00 am and tested for
luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, free
triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, thyrotropin, cortisol, prolactin,
dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, and sex hormone-binding globulin.
Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent
determinants if any of LH and FSH. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves
were drawn for different cutoffs of LH, FSH, and estradiol to diagnose mortality
and prolonged hospitalization. RESULTS: There was an independent negative
association between the FSH and the SAPS II score (beta = -0.435; P = 0.014), but
not with any of the other tested parameters (estradiol, prolactin, or cortisol).
Among components of the SAPS II score, the total leukocyte count (TLC) was
negatively associated with serum FSH (beta coefficient = -0.635, P = 0.013). None
of these parameters were determinants of LH. On ROC analysis, neither estradiol
nor gonadotropins were diagnostic for in-hospital mortality. However, among
survivors, low estradiol was diagnostic for prolonged hospital stay (area under
the curve = 0.785; P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: FSH, but not LH, is negatively
associated with the severity of illness, particularly to its inflammatory
component (TLC). Low estradiol in survivors was a predictor of prolonged hospital
stay.
PMID- 28989886
TI - Comparative Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Glimepiride and Sitagliptin in
Combination with Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Indian
Multicentric Randomized Trial - START Study.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Modern sulfonylureas like glimepiride offer effective
glycemic control with extrapancreatic benefits and good tolerability. The
objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare safety and efficacy of
glimepiride and sitagliptin in combination with metformin in patients with type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: In this open-label, randomized, comparative,
multicenter study, a total of 305 T2DM patients who were either drug naive or
uncontrolled on metformin were randomized to glimepiride 1 or 2 mg/sustained
release metformin 1000 mg once daily (glimepiride group, n = 202) or sitagliptin
50 mg/metformin 500 mg twice daily (sitagliptin group, n = 103) for 12 weeks.
Primary endpoint was change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary
endpoints were change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma
glucose (PPG), body mass index (BMI) and to assess overall safety profile.
RESULTS: At 12 weeks, there was a statistically significant difference in the
mean HbA1c reduction in glimepiride group (0.42%) as compared to sitagliptin
group (0.30%) (P = 0.001). Mean reduction in FPG and PPG was also statistically
significant in the glimepiride group as compared to the sitagliptin group (P =
0.008). There was no significant difference in terms of change in BMI (0.07 +/-
0.39 kg/m2 vs. 0.08 +/- 0.31 kg/m2) in glimepiride and sitagliptin groups,
respectively, (P = 0.644) between both the groups. The incidences of hypoglycemic
events were also comparable among both the groups. CONCLUSION: In T2DM patients,
glimepiride/metformin combination exhibited significant reduction in glycemic
parameters as compared to sitagliptin/metformin combination. Moreover, there was
no significant difference between both the groups in terms of change in BMI and
incidence of hypoglycemia.
PMID- 28989887
TI - A Pragmatic Approach to the Indeterminate Thyroid Nodule.
AB - Thyroid nodules are prevalent in upto 68% of randomly selected individuals in
whom high resolution ultrasound is performed. The majority of nodules are benign.
The use of ultrasound coupled with FNAC has dramatically reduced the number of
patients who undergo surgery for nodules. The six tier Bethesda scoring system
has reduced variability and increased the ability to clinicians to guide patients
with thyroid nodules. There is good correlation between cytology and
histopathologic outcomes. A significant proportion of patients will however fall
into an indeterminate category. The availability of molecular markers enhanced
with next generation sequencing technology and the expression classifier are
added diagnostic aids that can help in management. However these are not
available in many countries and in resource limited settings. A pragmatic
approach to the diagnosis of indeterminate nodules includes utilising pre and
post test probability, clinical acumen, correlation of ultrasound findings and
expert opinion in some settings. Using this approach high risk patients can be
appropriately chosen for surgery while relegating patients with lower risk to
watchful followup.
PMID- 28989888
TI - Sleep Disorders in Type 2 Diabetes.
AB - Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has shown to be associated with higher incidence
of sleep disorders, which may be due to disease itself or because of secondary
complications or associated comorbidities associated with diabetes. On the other
hand, shorter sleep duration and erratic sleep behavior itself have been linked
with higher incidence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and T2DM. Assessment of
sleep quality and sleep disorders as a part of the comprehensive medical
evaluation is recommended based on emerging evidence suggesting a relationship
between sleep quality and glycemic control in persons with T2DM. In this review,
we attempt to summarize common sleep disorders associated with T2DM, their
impacts on glycemic and other metabolic control, and various preventive and
therapeutic strategies to tackle these problems.
PMID- 28989889
TI - Sodium-glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Use: A Pharmaco-ergonomic Qualification
Tool.
AB - Pharmaco-ergonomics implies tailoring the drug therapy to an individual patient's
requirement(s). The development of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor
(SGLT2-i) agents has impelled multiple clinical considerations, in the management
of type-2 diabetes. This paper attempts to summarize the pharmaco-ergonomic
considerations for these agents, in the form of an SGLT2-i qualification tool,
based on a clinical score. This tool may serve as a simple and inexpensive
practical guide, to optimize the risk-benefit considerations for SGLT2-i agents.
PMID- 28989892
TI - Management of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: Review of Current Clinical Practice
in a Developed and a Developing Country.
AB - Treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) requires lifelong hormone
replacement with glucocorticoids (GCs) and mineralocorticoids. Impaired quality
of life and increased standardized mortality ratio in these patients emphasize
the importance of tailoring therapy to individual needs. Role of education is
paramount in improving patient compliance and in anticipating and preventing
adrenal crises. Although discovery of synthetic GCs was a major breakthrough in
treatment of patients with this life-threatening condition, management of PAI
continues to be challenging. The obstacles for clinicians appear to vary widely
across the globe. While optimization and individualization of therapy after
diagnosis of PAI remain the main challenges for clinicians in the developed
world, doctors in a developing country face problems at almost every stage from
the diagnosis to the treatment and follow-up of these patients; cost of therapy,
lack of resources, and funding are the main hindrances. Adherence to therapy and
patient education are found to be common issues in most parts of the world. This
commentary highlights the challenges from both developed and developing country's
perspective in treating PAI; it also provides an update on current management
scenario and future treatment options.
PMID- 28989891
TI - Effect of a Low-Calorie Diet on Restoration of Normoglycemia in Obese subjects
with Type 2 Diabetes.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered to be an inevitably
progressive disease. Complex therapies add to the financial and psychological
burden. Very low-calorie diets (LCDs) are emerging as an option in the management
of type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We performed a clinical audit of patients with T2DM
who received 12 weeks of LCD. RESULTS: This case series documents that 6 out of
12 participants (median baseline HbA1c 9%) achieved HbA1c level in nondiabetes
range with LCD despite stopping all antidiabetes medications. There was an
improvement in serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, C
Reactive protein, urine microalbumin, liver transaminases, liver fat and the
indices of insulin resistance, beta cell secretory capacity, and insulin
sensitivity. CONCLUSION: If long-term follow-up proves sustained benefits, such
dietary restriction may be an alternative to more drastic options for reversal of
type 2 diabetes. This may also help in changing the treatment perspective of a
newly detected T2DM from an incurable and inevitably progressive disease to a
potentially reversible disease.
PMID- 28989890
TI - Systematic Review on Vitamin D Level in Apparently Healthy Indian Population and
Analysis of Its Associated Factors.
AB - BACKGROUND: Vitamin D which is involved in the maintenance of bone mineral
homeostasis has been found to portray various pleiotropic effects. Although it
has been widely accepted that serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D level above 30 ng/ml is
considered optimal for the biological actions of Vitamin D, there is a need to
explore the levels of Vitamin D reported among Indians from various regions of
the country. Hence, this systematic review aims to appraise the status of Vitamin
D levels reported from apparently healthy Indians across various parts of India.
METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive literature search was carried out to identify the
range of Vitamin D levels among apparently healthy individuals from various parts
of India, with the search term "Vitamin D and India" in the search portals of
PubMed, Google Scholar, Indmed, and ScienceDirect. A total of 2998 articles were
retrieved by the above search strategy, of which only forty studies fulfilled the
criteria to be included in the systematic review. Studies done in various states
were compiled under the respective zones based on the classification of Indian
zones as specified in Zonal maps of India. RESULTS: The level of Vitamin D from
all the forty included studies ranged from 3.15 +/- 1.4 to 52.9 +/- 33.7 ng/ml.
The effect size of Vitamin D level was higher in the South Zone compared to other
zones. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent
among apparently healthy Indians living in different regions of India,
irrespective of their exposure to sunlight.
PMID- 28989893
TI - An Intriguing Family with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Complete Heart Block.
AB - Chronic hyperglycaemia of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) causes long term damage
to heart resulting in coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI),
congestive heart failure (CHF), and sudden death from arrhythmias. A 62 year old
male presented to our emergency with complaint of sudden onset giddiness from
last 2 hours. This was followed by loss of consciousness. Patient was a known
case of T2DM since last 1 year. Family history- patient has two brothers who also
have T2DM and both of them also developed Complete Heart Block (CHB)
spontaneously. The patient's mother also had T2DM and she also developed CHB. On
examination of the cardiovascular system, pulse rate was 36 per minute and a
variable intensity of first heart sound was present. Rest of the cardiovascular
examination and other system examination was within normal limits. Routine
investigations were within normal limits and ECG showed CHB. Echocardiography
revealed normal ventricular function with no evidence of ischemic heart disease.
This was a case of Type 2 DM and spontaneous onset CHB with a strong family
history. This case underscores the fact that CHB can occur spontaneously in Type
2 diabetics without ischemic heart disease. The cause of CHB was most likely
Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN), which is determined not only by poor
glycaemic control, metabolic derangements and duration of diabetes but also by
genetic factors (likely maternal).
PMID- 28989894
TI - Endocrine Covfefe.
PMID- 28989895
TI - Verapamil in Diabetes.
PMID- 28989896
TI - Diagnostic efficacy of a modified low-dose acquisition protocol for the
preoperative evaluation of mini-implant sites.
AB - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of surgical mini
implant placement when potential mini-implant sites were scanned using a lower
dose 180 degrees acquisition protocol versus a conventional 360 degrees
acquisition protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten dentate human skulls were used
to provide sites for potential mini-implant placement. The sites were randomly
divided into 2 groups: 360 degrees and 180 degrees cone-beam computed
tomography (CBCT) acquisition protocols. A small-volume 180 degrees CBCT scan
and a 360 degrees CBCT scan of each site were acquired using a Morita Accuitomo
170 CBCT machine and then a mini-implant was placed. A follow-up 360 degrees
CBCT scan was done as a gold standard to evaluate the location of the mini
implant and root perforation. Two raters evaluated the scans. RESULTS: Ninety
eight percent of the mini-implants placed did not perforate any root structure.
Two percent of the sites had an appearance suggestive of perforation. On a Likert
scale, both raters agreed that their subjective evaluation of the diagnostic
quality of the protocols, ability to make and read measurements of the sites, and
preferences for the specified diagnostic task were comparable. The Cohen kappa
showed high inter-rater and intra-rater agreement. CONCLUSION: In this ex vivo
study, we found that the 180 degrees rotational acquisition was as effective as
the conventional 360 degrees rotational acquisition for the preoperative
evaluation of potential mini-implant sites.
PMID- 28989897
TI - Three-dimensional analysis of impacted maxillary third molars: A cone-beam
computed tomographic study of the position and depth of impaction.
AB - PURPOSE: The classification of impacted maxillary third molars (IMTMs)
facilitates interdisciplinary communication and helps estimate the degree of
surgical difficulty. Thus, this study aimed to develop a 3-dimensional
classification of the position and depth of impaction of IMTMs and to estimate
their prevalence with respect to gender and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
cross-sectional retrospective study analyzed images in sagittal and coronal cone
beam computed tomography (CBCT) sections of 300 maxillary third molars. The
proposed classification was based on 3 criteria: buccolingual position (buccal,
lingual, or central), mesial-distal position (mesioangular, vertical, or
distoangular), and depth of impaction (low, medium, or high). CBCT images of
IMTMs were classified, and the associations of the classifications with gender
and age were examined using analysis of variance with the Scheffe post-hoc test.
To determine the associations among the 3 classifications, the chi-square test
was used (P<.05). RESULTS: No significant association of the classifications with
gender was observed. Age showed a significant relationship with depth of
impaction (P=.0001) and mesial-distal position (P=.005). The most common
positions were buccal (n=222), vertical (n=184), and low (n=124). Significant
associations among the 3 tested classifications were observed. CONCLUSION: CBCT
enabled the evaluation of IMTMs in a 3-dimensional format, and we developed a
proposal for a new classification of the position and depth of impaction of
IMTMs.
PMID- 28989898
TI - Distances from the root apices of posterior teeth to the maxillary sinus and
mandibular canal in patients with skeletal open bite: A cone-beam computed
tomography study.
AB - PURPOSE: This study determined and compared the distances from the maxillary root
apices of posterior teeth to the floor of the maxillary sinus, or maxillary sinus
distances (MSDs), and the distances from the mandibular root apices of the
posterior teeth to the mandibular canal, or mandibular canal distances (MCDs), in
Thai subjects with skeletal open bite and skeletal normal bite. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: Pretreatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained
from 30 Thai orthodontic patients (15 patients with skeletal normal bite and 15
with skeletal open bite) whose ages ranged from 14 to 28 years. The CBCT images
of the patients were processed and measured using the Romexis Viewer program. The
MSDs and MCDs from the root apices of the maxillary and mandibular second
premolar, first molar, and second molar to the maxillary sinus floor or the
mandibular canal were measured perpendicularly to the occlusal plane. The Student
t test was used for comparisons between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The greatest mean
MSDs were from the root apex of the second premolars in both groups, whereas the
least mean MSDs were from the mesiobuccal root apex of the second molars. The
greatest mean MCDs were from the mesial root apex of the first molars, whereas
the least mean MCDs were from the distal root apex of the second molars.
CONCLUSION: There were no differences in the mean MSDs or the mean MCDs between
the skeletal normal bite group and the skeletal open bite group.
PMID- 28989899
TI - Volumetric accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography.
AB - PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the influence of object shape
and distance from the center of the image on the volumetric accuracy of cone-beam
computed tomography (CBCT) scans, according to different parameters of tube
voltage and current. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four geometric objects (cylinder,
cube, pyramid, and hexagon) with predefined dimensions were fabricated. The
objects consisted of Teflon-perfluoroalkoxy embedded in a hydrocolloid matrix
(Dupli-Coe-Loid TM; GC America Inc., Alsip, IL, USA), encased in an acrylic resin
cylinder assembly. An Alphard Vega Dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co.,
Ltd, Kyoto, Japan) was used to acquire CBCT images. OnDemand 3D (CyberMed Inc.,
Seoul, Korea) software was used for object segmentation and image analysis. The
accuracy was expressed by the volume error (VE). The VE was calculated under 3
different exposure settings. The measured volumes of the objects were compared to
the true volumes for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean VE ranged from
4.47% to 2.35%. There was no significant relationship between an object's shape
and the VE. A significant correlation was found between the distance of the
object to the center of the image and the VE. Tube voltage affected the volume
measurements and the VE, but tube current did not. CONCLUSION: The evaluated CBCT
device provided satisfactory volume measurements. To assess volume measurements,
it might be sufficient to use serial scans with a high resolution, but a low
dose. This information may provide useful guidance for assessing volume
measurements.
PMID- 28989900
TI - Prevalence of pineal gland calcification as an incidental finding in patients
referred for implant dental therapy.
AB - PURPOSE: Pineal gland calcification has been proposed to play a role in the
pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. This study evaluated the prevalence and extent
of pineal gland calcification in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of
patients referred for dental implant therapy who could possibly be a vulnerable
group for this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of
500 CBCT scans was conducted. Scans that showed the area where the pineal gland
was located were included. The scans were initially screened by a single observer
to record the prevalence and extent of calcification. Six weeks following the
completion of the study, another investigator randomly reviewed and selected 50
scans to investigate inter-observer variation, which was evaluated using
reliability analysis statistics. The prevalence and measurements of the
calcifications were reported using descriptive statistics. The chi-square test
was used to compare the prevalence between males and females. RESULTS: The
prevalence of pineal gland calcification was 58.8%. There was no statistically
significant correlation between age and the extent of the calcification. The
prevalence of calcification was 58.6% in females and 59.0% in males. The average
anteroposterior measurement was 3.73+/-1.63 mm, while the average mediolateral
measurement was 3.47+/-1.31 mm. The average total calcified area was 9.79+/-7.59
mm2. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pineal gland calcification was high in
patients undergoing implant therapy. While not all pineal gland calcifications
lead to neurodegenerative disorders, they should be strongly considered in the
presence of any symptoms as a reason to initiate further investigations.
PMID- 28989902
TI - Quantitative assessment of image artifacts from root filling materials on CBCT
scans made using several exposure parameters.
AB - PURPOSE: To quantify artifacts from different root filling materials in cone-beam
computed tomography (CBCT) images acquired using different exposure parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen single-rooted teeth were scanned using 8 different
exposure protocols with 3 different filling materials and once without filling
material as a control group. Artifact quantification was performed by a trained
observer who made measurements in the central axial slice of all acquired images
in a fixed region of interest using ImageJ. Hyperdense artifacts, hypodense
artifacts, and the remaining tooth area were identified, and the percentages of
hyperdense and hypodense artifacts, remaining tooth area, and tooth area affected
by the artifacts were calculated. Artifacts were analyzed qualitatively by 2
observers using the following scores: absence (0), moderate presence (1), and
high presence (2) for hypodense halos, hypodense lines, and hyperdense lines. Two
way ANOVA and the post-hoc Tukey test were used for quantitative and qualitative
artifact analysis. The Dunnet test was also used for qualitative analysis. The
significance level was set at P<.05. RESULTS: There were no significant
interactions among the exposure parameters in the quantitative or qualitative
analysis. Significant differences were observed among the studied filling
materials in all quantitative analyses. In the qualitative analyses, all
materials differed from the control group in terms of hypodense and hyperdense
lines (P<.05). Fiberglass posts did not differ statistically from the control
group in terms of hypodense halos (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Different exposure
parameters did not affect the objective or subjective observations of artifacts
in CBCT images; however, the filling materials used in endodontic restorations
did affect both types of assessments.
PMID- 28989901
TI - Analysis of the root position of the maxillary incisors in the alveolar bone
using cone-beam computed tomography.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure the buccal bone thickness and
angulation of the maxillary incisors and to analyze the correlation between these
parameters and the root position in the alveolar bone using cone-beam computed
tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 398 maxillary central
and lateral incisors from 199 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The root
position in the alveolar bone was classified as buccal, middle, or palatal, and
the buccal type was further classified into subtypes I, II, and III. In addition,
the buccolingual inclination of the tooth and buccal bone thickness were
evaluated. RESULTS: A majority of the maxillary incisors were positioned more
buccally within the alveolar bone, and only 2 lateral incisors (0.5%) were
positioned more palatally. The angulation of buccal subtype III was the greatest
and that of the middle type was the lowest. Most of the maxillary incisors
exhibited a thin facial bone wall, and the lateral incisors had a significantly
thinner buccal bone than the central incisors. The buccal bone of buccal subtypes
II and III was significantly thinner than that of buccal subtype I. CONCLUSION: A
majority of the maxillary incisor roots were positioned close to the buccal
cortical plate and had a thin buccal bone wall. Significant relationships were
observed between the root position in the alveolar bone, the angulation of the
tooth in the alveolar bone, and buccal bone thickness. CBCT analyses of the
buccal bone and sagittal root position are recommended for the selection of the
appropriate treatment approach.
PMID- 28989903
TI - Optimizing the reconstruction filter in cone-beam CT to improve periodontal
ligament space visualization: An in vitro study.
AB - PURPOSE: Evaluation of alveolar bone is important in the diagnosis of dental
diseases. The periodontal ligament space is difficult to clearly depict in cone
beam computed tomography images because the reconstruction filter conditions
during image processing cause image blurring, resulting in decreased spatial
resolution. We examined different reconstruction filters to assess their ability
to improve spatial resolution and allow for a clearer visualization of the
periodontal ligament space. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography
projections of 2 skull phantoms were reconstructed using 6 reconstruction
conditions and then compared using the Thurstone paired comparison method.
Physical evaluations, including the modulation transfer function and the Wiener
spectrum, as well as an assessment of space visibility, were undertaken using
experimental phantoms. RESULTS: Image reconstruction using a modified Shepp-Logan
filter resulted in better sensory, physical, and quantitative evaluations. The
reconstruction conditions substantially improved the spatial resolution and
visualization of the periodontal ligament space. The difference in sensitivity
was obtained by altering the reconstruction filter. CONCLUSION: Modifying the
characteristics of a reconstruction filter can generate significant improvement
in assessments of the periodontal ligament space. A high-frequency enhancement
filter improves the visualization of thin structures and will be useful when
accurate assessment of the periodontal ligament space is necessary.
PMID- 28989905
TI - Digital subtraction radiography in TMJ imaging: A critique.
PMID- 28989904
TI - Central giant cell lesion of the mandible in a 2-year old girl.
AB - Central giant cell lesions are rare, benign, osteolytic, pseudocystic, solitary,
localized lesions that are common in the skeletal structure, but less so in the
maxillofacial region. Furthermore, to perform panoramic radiography and cone-beam
computed tomography, it is necessary to prepare patients properly and to position
their heads carefully. However, this can be difficult in pediatric patients, who
may be anxious. In this report, we describe the case of a central giant cell
lesion of the mandible in a 2-year-old girl that was evaluated with multidetector
computed tomography.
PMID- 28989907
TI - Comments on: Phenotypic and Molecular Identification of Nocardia in Brain
Abscess.
PMID- 28989906
TI - Abnormal regulation of extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules in corneas of
patients with keratoconus.
AB - AIM: To identify changes in the expression of genes coding for extracellular
matrix (ECM) proteins in patients with non-inflammatory corneal disorder
keratoconus (KC), patients with corneal scarring, and normal controls. MATERIALS
AND METHODS: Total RNA extracted from corneal tissue of 13 KC patients, 2
patients with corneal scaring and 4 normal controls was analyzed using Human
Extracellular Matrix & Adhesion Molecules Profiler PCR Array. Statistically
significant changes in gene expression were identified using the Data Analysis
software. RESULTS: Comparison of KC and control corneas with thresholds of 1.5 or
greater fold change and a p-value of 0.05 or lower, revealed 21 differentially
expressed genes, 16 genes were downregulated and 5 were upregulated. Among
transcripts downregulated in KC patients we identified THBS1, ADAMTS1, SPP1,
several collagens and integrins. We found TGFBI (BIGH3) gene was the most
significantly upregulated transcript. CONCLUSION: Development of keratoconus
results in deregulation of gene expression of extracellular matrix and adhesion
molecules. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Downregulation of collagens and upregulation of
TGFBI repeatedly identified in KC patients may be used as clinical markers of the
disease.
PMID- 28989908
TI - The Effects of Hydroxyethyl Starch 6% and Crystalloid on Volume Preloading
Changes following Spinal Anesthesia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hypotension is one of the most common complications after spinal
anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Normally, preloading with fluids, especially
crystalloids, is used to prevention of hypotension. METHODS: In the present
randomized clinical trial study, 120 parturients presenting for elective cesarean
section with the American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I and II received
either 15 cc normal saline or 7 cc/kg hydroxyethyl starch 6% (Voluven) fluid.
Information regarding to systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure, and heart
rate, incidence of hypotension, adverse effects, the total dose of atropine, and
ephedrine were recorded in before and 3, 6, 9, 15, and 20 min after spinal
anesthesia. Furthermore, Apgar score of newborn at the 1st and 5th min after
birth was recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean arterial
pressure at different stages such as: Exactly after spinal and 3, 6, 15, and 20
min after spinal anesthesia between two groups (P > 0.05). Total dose of
ephedrine and atropine were similar between groups (P > 0.05), respectively.
There was no significant difference in Apgar score at the 1st and 5th min after
birth between two groups. There were not any adverse effects of drugs in two
groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that hydroxyethyl starch 6%
compared to normal saline are similar to prevent hypotension during spinal
anesthesia for cesarean delivery.
PMID- 28989909
TI - Evaluation of Progesterone and Ovulation-stimulating Drugs on the Glandular
Epithelium and Angiogenesis in Mice.
AB - BACKGROUND: Human endometrium is a dynamic tissue during the menstrual cycle can
be influenced by ovarian hormones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
endometrium angiogenesis under the influence of human menopausal gonadotropin and
human chorionic gonadotropin (HMG and HCG) that stimulate ovulation and
progesterone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, thirty adult female mice were
randomly divided into three groups as: control, gonadotropin and gonadotropin +
progesterone. The mice in the other two groups except the control group received
7.5 IU HMG and later HCG. Subsequently, the mice were placed in a cage for
mating. Gonadotropin + progesterone group was administered, 1 mg/mouse
progesterone in 24, 48, and 72 h interval, after HMG injection. Ninety-six hours
after HMG injection, animals were sacrificed, and their uterine specimens were
prepared by immunohistochemistry technique for light microscopic studies, and
statistical analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Endometrium angiogenesis in
control group showed that mean +/- standard deviation was 24.15 +/- 11.15,
gonadotropin group was 62.50 +/- 24.16, and gonadotropin + progesterone group was
41.85 +/- 19.54. Significant difference between the control group and
gonadotropin group and between the control group and gonadotropin + progesterone
was observed. Statistically significant differences were observed in all groups
in the endometrial angiogenesis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ovarian induction with
gonadotropins and gonadotropins + progesterone could not change the
morphometrically index of endometrial glandular epithelium in mice. Ovarian
stimulation followed by progesterone injection could modify the angiogenesis of
mice endometrium.
PMID- 28989910
TI - Clinical Implications of TiGRT Algorithm for External Audit in Radiation
Oncology.
AB - BACKGROUND: Performing audits play an important role in quality assurance program
in radiation oncology. Among different algorithms, TiGRT is one of the common
application software for dose calculation. This study aimed to clinical
implications of TiGRT algorithm to measure dose and compared to calculated dose
delivered to the patients for a variety of cases, with and without the presence
of inhomogeneities and beam modifiers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nonhomogeneous
phantom as quality dose verification phantom, Farmer ionization chambers, and PC
electrometer (Sun Nuclear, USA) as a reference class electrometer was employed
throughout the audit in linear accelerators 6 and 18 MV energies (Siemens ONCOR
Impression Plus, Germany). Seven test cases were performed using semi CIRS
phantom. RESULTS: In homogeneous regions and simple plans for both energies,
there was a good agreement between measured and treatment planning system
calculated dose. Their relative error was found to be between 0.8% and 3% which
is acceptable for audit, but in nonhomogeneous organs, such as lung, a few errors
were observed. In complex treatment plans, when wedge or shield in the way of
energy is used, the error was in the accepted criteria. In complex beam plans,
the difference between measured and calculated dose was found to be 2%-3%. All
differences were obtained between 0.4% and 1%. CONCLUSIONS: A good consistency
was observed for the same type of energy in the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous
phantom for the three-dimensional conformal field with a wedge, shield,
asymmetric using the TiGRT treatment planning software in studied center. The
results revealed that the national status of TPS calculations and dose delivery
for 3D conformal radiotherapy was globally within acceptable standards with no
major causes for concern.
PMID- 28989911
TI - The Effect of Levothyroxine on Serum Levels of Interleukin 10 and Interferon
gamma in Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is an increase in inflammatory and a reduction in anti
inflammatory cytokines in multiple sclerosis (MS). Considering the role of
thyroid hormones in the development and regulation of both neural and immune
systems, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of levothyroxine on
serum concentrations of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)
in animal models of MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To induce demyelination in male
Wistar rats, lysolecithin was injected into the optic chiasm. Then levothyroxine
was injected intraperitoneally (20, 50, and 100 MUg/kg) for 21 days. Serum levels
of cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 7, 14, and 21
days after that. RESULTS: The results showed that injection of lysolecithin to
the optic chiasm only increased serum concentrations of IL-10 compared to the
sham group (P < 0.05) at 7th day, but this increase was prevented by all doses of
levothyroxine. IFN-gamma was decreased significantly (P < 0.001) 21 days after.
Comparing to the sham group at all sampling time and with respect to the MS group
at the days 7 and 21, levothyroxine decreased serum concentrations of IFN-gamma
significantly. CONCLUSION: The results showed that thyroid hormones probably
could produce protective effects against induced demyelination through affecting
immune responses.
PMID- 28989912
TI - Effect of Low-dose Atracurium on Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion Conditions: A
Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: The amount of sedation and muscle relaxation of the jaw may have an
impact on complications caused by laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The aim of this
study is to evaluate the effect of low-dose Atracurium on conditions of
insertion, complications, and hemodynamic responses to LMA insertion following
induction of anesthesia with propofol, in patients undergoing cataract surgery.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial study, 60
patients were randomly divided into two groups. Initially, the patients in the
study group received 0.15 mg/kg intravenous injection of atracurium, and the
patients in the control group received 2 ml of intravenous injection of normal
saline, after which anesthesia in both groups were induced with midazolam,
fentanyl, lidocaine, and propofol. The amount of jaw relaxation, ease of
insertion, and the time needed for insertion, hemodynamic responses and
complications of LMA insertion were evaluated. RESULTS: Jaw relaxation and ease
of LMA insertion in the study group was significantly better than that of the
control group (P = 0.02). Average time needed for LMA placement in the study
group (5/06 +/- 0.52 second) was significantly lower than the control group (5/76
+/- 0.67 second) (P = 0.001). Hemodynamic response to LMA insertion was similar
in both groups. Sore throat at recovery and 24 h after surgery in the control
group was significantly higher than that of the study group (3/30 vs. 10/30) (P =
0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Using low doses of atracurium decreases the time needed for
LMA insertion and sore throat after the operation. Atracurium also increases jaw
relaxation and facilitates the placement of LMA.
PMID- 28989913
TI - Efficacy Comparison of Divided and Infusion Intravenous Pantoprazole Methods
after Endoscopic Therapy in Patients with Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding.
AB - BACKGROUND: Intravenous pantoprazole administration in patients with severe
bleeding under urgent endoscopic therapy is effective. Furthermore, its infusion
dose is useful to control bleeding; however, it is not economical. In this study,
clinical outcomes and intravenous infusion of pantoprazole after endoscopic
therapy plus efficacy of infusion dosage and divided doses are compared.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, comparative study conducted on 18 adult
(>18 years) patients referred to Al Zahra Hospital for hematemesis and melena
bleeding who underwent endoscopic treatment with pantoprazole which divided into
two groups of forty patients. First group received intravenous infusion for 80 mg
and 8 mg/h. The second group received intravenous infusion with divided doses as
40 mg twice daily for 3 days. Clinical outcomes such as rebleeding, duration of
hospitalization, amount of blood transfused, and mortality within 3 days after
endoscopic treatment were collected and analyzed by SPSS software (version 20)
using independent t-test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS:
Duration of hospitalization in the pantoprazole infusion group was 5.42 +/- 4.62
days, with three patients (7.5%) having rebleeding, and in the divided
pantoprazole group was 5.90 +/- 3.08 days, with four patients (10%) having
rebleeding, and overall, only one person died in the divided pantoprazole group
(2.5%) out of eighty patients. No significant difference was observed between two
groups in terms of clinical outcomes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Regarding to
results, it can be stated that both methods with specified dosage had significant
impact on improvement of hematemesis and melena. Furthermore, due to lower costs,
low dose of pantoprazole in divided approach as 40 mg/12 h is proposed.
PMID- 28989914
TI - Which Components of Metabolic Syndrome have a Greater Effect on Mortality, CVA
and Myocardial Infarction, Hyperglycemia, High Blood Pressure or Both?
AB - BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the incidence of stroke, ischemic heart
disease (IHD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in clusters containing
hypertension (HTN), clusters containing diabetes (diabetes mellitus [DM]),
cluster with both HTN, DM, and cluster without HTN, DM in patients with metabolic
syndrome (MetS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The association between MetS and outcomes
was examined in 2257 patients with MetS that were divided into four groups
includes patients with MetS with hyperglycemia (Cluster 1), patients with MetS
with HTN (Cluster 2), patients with MetS with HTN and hyperglycemia (Cluster 3)
and patients with MetS without HTN and hyperglycemia (Cluster 4). To assess the
risk ratio and incidence of CVA, myocardial infarction, and mortality with the
use multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: As it shown the lowest
prevalence of events was in Cluster 1 and against in Cluster 3 the prevalence of
stroke with 34 (38.2%) cases and the prevalence of IHD and CVD mortality in
Cluster 2 with, respectively, 168 (54.7%) and 51 patients (49%) had the most
frequencies (P < 0.001), and hence that the lowest prevalence of events was seen
in Cluster 1, but stroke in Cluster 3 with 34 cases (38.2%) and the prevalence of
IHD and CVD mortality in Cluster 2, respectively, with 168 (54.7%) and 51
patients (49%) had the most frequencies (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: More intensive
changes in lifestyle and management protocols may be required in these patients
for controlling the components of the syndrome, with the aim of preventing not
only type II diabetes and CVD but also ischemic cerebrovascular events.
PMID- 28989915
TI - Management of Substance Use Disorder in Military Services: A Comprehensive
Approach.
AB - BACKGROUND: Historically, substance misuse has been a serious problem faced by
worldwide military personnel. Some research showed that military personnel have
higher rates of unhealthy substance use than their age peers in the general
population. These problems have serious consequences and may lead to significant
military difficulties in the field of readiness, discipline, and mental or
physical health. In this review, we gathered various methods for prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders and suggested a comprehensive
plan for Iran Armed Forces to improve existing services. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This article is a narrative review study, which was carried out on 2016. A
careful literature review was performed between January 1970 and April 2016 on
several national and international databases. Articles were screened according to
the following inclusion criteria: (1) review articles about prevention and
treatment protocols, (2) executive guidance, (3) cohort articles about risk
factors of addiction, and (4) randomized controlled trials about prevention or
treatment of substance use disorders in army service members. After screening by
title and abstract, 130 articles selected of 832 founded articles, and after
quality assessment, finally, 63 articles included in the review. RESULTS: There
is a necessity to manage substance use disorder through prevention, screening,
and then referral to proper services for diagnosis and treatment. Urinalysis
programs for screening are cost-effective and should be considered as a main
method. Effective treatment includes both behavioral and pharmacological methods.
CONCLUSIONS: The ideal prevention program will include multiple and mutually
reinforcing evidence-based universal, selective, and indicated attempts at both
the individual and environmental levels. The implementation of screening and
treatment strategies needs strict rules and national guideline for the
comprehensive management of substance use disorders in army.
PMID- 28989916
TI - Use of progesterone supplement therapy for prevention of preterm birth: review of
literatures.
AB - Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the most common complications during pregnancy and
it primarily accounts for neonatal mortality and numerous morbidities including
long-term sequelae including cerebral palsy and developmental disability. The
most effective treatment of PTB is prediction and prevention of its risks. Risk
factors of PTB include history of PTB, short cervical length (CL), multiple
pregnancies, ethnicity, smoking, uterine anomaly and history of curettage or
cervical conization. Among these risk factors, history of PTB, and short CL are
the most important predictive factors. Progesterone supplement therapy is one of
the few proven effective methods to prevent PTB in women with history of
spontaneous PTB and in women with short CL. There are 2 types of progesterone
therapy currently used for prevention of PTB: weekly intramuscular injection of
17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate and daily administration of natural
micronized progesterone vaginal gel, vaginal suppository, or oral capsule.
However, the efficacy of progesterone therapy to prevent PTB may vary depending
on the administration route, form, dose of progesterone and indications for the
treatment. This review aims to summarize the efficacy and safety of progesterone
supplement therapy on prevention of PTB according to different indication, type,
route, and dose of progesterone, based on the results of recent randomized trials
and meta-analysis.
PMID- 28989917
TI - Comparison of perinatal outcomes in late preterm birth between singleton and twin
pregnancies.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether late preterm twin neonates have a more favorable
perinatal outcome than singleton late preterm neonates. METHODS: We studied 401
late preterm births between 34+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation, from January 2011
to December 2014 in our institution. We compared the maternal and neonatal
characteristics and perinatal outcomes between singleton and twin pregnancies.
Perinatal outcomes included Apgar score, admission to the neonatal intensive care
unit (NICU) or special care nursery, duration of NICU stay, and the rate of
composite morbidity (antibiotic use, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia,
hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy, respiratory support, and respiratory
distress syndrome). RESULTS: A total of 289 neonates were in the singleton group
and 112 in the twin group. The twin group showed smaller mean birth weight
despite of longer gestational age at delivery. In addition, there were
significant differences in the indication of delivery and cesarean section rate
between the 2 groups. Overall, the risk of composite morbidity was similar
between 2 groups (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.8 to 2.4).
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that late preterm twins do not show a more
favorable outcome than singleton late preterm births.
PMID- 28989918
TI - Serum beta-hCG concentration is a predictive factor for successful early medical
abortion with vaginal misoprostol within 24 hours.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive factors associated with the success of
medical abortion by misoprostol monotherapy within 24 hours in the first
trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: The records of 228 women with miscarriage up to
11 weeks of gestational age who underwent medical abortion by intravaginal
misoprostol monotherapy were reviewed. Success of abortion was defined as
complete expulsion of the conceptus without the need for surgical intervention.
Outcomes of interest were success of abortion within 24 hours following
administration of misoprostol. RESULTS: Among 222 women who continued the process
of medical abortion for 24 hours, 209 (94.1%) had a successfully completed
abortion. Multivariate logistic regression showed that serum beta-human chorionic
gonadotropin (beta-hCG) above 40,000 mIU/mL is significantly associated with
failed medical abortion within 24 hours (odds ratio [OR], 7.13; 95% confidence
interval [CI], 1.60-37.32; P=0.011). The area under the receiver operating
characteristic curve of beta-hCG level associated with successful abortion within
24 hours was 0.705 (95% CI, 0.63-0.77; P=0.007). Previous vaginal delivery seems
to be significantly associated with successful abortion within 24 hours on
univariate analysis (P=0.037), but the association was lost in multivariate
analysis. CONCLUSION: Misoprostol monotherapy has a high success rate for first
trimester abortion. Women with serum beta-hCG less than 40,000 mIU/mL are likely
to achieve a successful abortion within 24 hours after intravaginal
administration of misoprostol.
PMID- 28989919
TI - The efficacy and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin monotherapy and
combination therapy with carboplatin in Korean patients with recurrent ovarian,
fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer: a single-institution experience.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegylated
liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) with or without carboplatin in Korean patients with
recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC), fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 52 patients with ROC, fallopian tube,
or primary peritoneal cancer who received PLD (50 mg/m2) between 1st December
2014 and 31th July 2016. RESULTS: The mean number of chemotherapy cycles was 3.8
(range, 2 to 9) in the PLD monotherapy group and 7 (range, 2 to 13) in the PLD
combined with carboplatin (PLD-C) group. In overall response rates and clinical
beneficial rates, PLD monotherapy group shows 5.0% and 17.5%, and PLD-C group
shows 33.3% and 75.0%. The mean progression-free survival (PFS) was 5 and 13
months in the PLD monotherapy and PLD-C groups, respectively. At 6 months after
treatment initiation, absence of disease progression was confirmed in 6 (15%) and
10 (83.3%) patients in the PLD monotherapy and PLD-C groups. Hematological
adverse events (e.g., neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) were more common in the
PLD-C group (P<0.001, P=0.004). The incidence of anemia and non-hematological
adverse events, including mucositis, hand-foot syndrome, and allergic reactions,
was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the efficacy and
safety of PLD monotherapy and PLD-C combination in Korean patients with ROC. This
study would be helpful to consider the degree of worry about side effects and
treatment expectations after treatment. Further retrospective studies with larger
samples are required to confirm the efficacy of PLD monotherapy in Asian patients
with platinum-resistant ROC.
PMID- 28989920
TI - Nomogram predicting risk of lymphocele in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing
pelvic lymph node dissection.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to estimate the risk of postoperative
lymphocele development after lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancer patients
through establishing a nomogram. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 371
consecutive gynecologic cancer patients undergoing lymphadenectomy between 2009
and 2014. Association of the development of postoperative lymphocele with
clinical characteristics was evaluated in univariate and multivariate regression
analyses. Nomograms were built based on the data of multivariate analysis using R
software. RESULTS: Mean age at the operation was 50.8+/-11.1 years. Postoperative
lymphocele was found in 70 (18.9%) patients. Of them, 22 (31.4%) had complicated
one. Multivariate analysis revealed that hypertension (hazard ratio [HR], 3.0;
95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 6.0; P=0.003), open surgery (HR, 3.2; 95%
CI, 1.4 to 7.1; P=0.004), retrieved lymph nodes (LNs) >21 (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0
to 3.3; P=0.042), and no use of intermittent pneumatic compression (HR, 2.7; 95%
CI, 1.0 to 7.2; P=0.047) were independent risk factors for the development of
postoperative lymphocele. The nomogram appeared to be accurate and predicted the
lymphocele development better than chance (concordance index, 0.754). For
complicated lymphoceles, most variables which have shown significant association
with general lymphocele lost the statistical significance, except hypertension
(P=0.011) and mean number of retrieved LNs (29.5 vs. 21.1; P=0.001). A nomogram
for complicated lymphocele showed similar predictive accuracy (concordance index,
0.727). CONCLUSION: We developed a nomogram to predict the risk of lymphocele in
gynecologic cancer patients on the basis of readily obtained clinical variables.
External validation of this nomogram in different group of patients is needed.
PMID- 28989921
TI - Gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist administration for treatment of early
type severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a case series.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To report an efficacy of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
antagonist administration after freezing of all embryos for treatment of early
type ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). METHODS: In 10 women who developed
fulminant early type OHSS after freezing of all embryos, GnRH antagonist
(cetrorelix 0.25 mg per day) was started at the time of hospitalization and
continued for 2 to 4 days. Fluid therapy and drainage of ascites was performed as
usual. RESULTS: Early type OHSS was successfully treated without any
complication. At hospitalization, the median (95% confidence interval [CI]) of
the right and the left ovarian diameter was 10.0 cm (7.6 to 12.9 cm) and 8.5 cm
(7.5 to 12.6 cm). After completion of GnRH antagonist administration, it was
decreased to 7.4 cm (6.2 to 10.7 cm) (P=0.028) and 7.8 cm (5.7 to 12.2 cm)
(P=0.116), respectively. The median duration of hospital stay was 6 days (3 to 11
days). Trans-abdominal drainage of ascites was performed in 2 women and drainage
of ascites by percutaneous indwelling catheter was performed in 4 women. No side
effect of GnRH antagonist was noted. CONCLUSION: GnRH antagonist administration
appears to be safe and effective for women with fulminant early type OHSS after
freezing all embryos. Optimal dose or duration of GnRH antagonist should be
further determined.
PMID- 28989922
TI - Port site infiltration of local anesthetic after laparoendoscopic single site
surgery for benign adnexal disease.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether local bupivacaine injection into the incision
site after gynecologic laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) improves
postoperative pain. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included consecutive
158 patients who had LESS for benign adnexal disease from March 2013 to December
2015. Chronologically, 82 patients (March 2013 to August 2014) received no
bupivacaine (group 1) and 76 (August 2014 to December 2015) received a
bupivacaine block (group 2). For group 2, 10 mL 0.25% bupivacaine was injected
into the 20 mm-incision site through all preperitoneal layers after LESS
completion. Primary outcome is postoperative pain score using the visual analog
scale (VAS). RESULTS: There was no difference in clinicopathological
characteristics between the groups. Operating time (expressed as median [range],
92 [55-222] vs. 100 [50-185] minutes, P=0.137) and estimated blood loss (50 [30
1,500] vs. 125 [30-1,000] mL, P=0.482) were similar between the groups. Post
surgical VAS pain scores after 3 hours (3.5 [2-6] vs. 3.5 [2-5], P=0.478), 6 to 8
hours (3.5 [2-6] vs. 3 [1-8], P=0.478), and 16 to 24 hours (3 [2-4] vs. 3 [1-7],
P=0.664) did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Bupivacaine injection into
the trocar site did not improve postoperative pain after LESS. Randomized trials
are needed to evaluate the benefits of local bupivacaine anesthetic for
postoperative pain reduction.
PMID- 28989923
TI - Preoperative diagnostic clues to ovarian pregnancy: retrospective chart review of
women with ovarian and tubal pregnancy.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the preoperative diagnostic clues to ovarian pregnancy
(OP). METHODS: This study conducted a retrospective chart review of 23 patients
with OP and 46 patients with tubal pregnancy (TP) from October 1, 2003 to
September 31, 2016 in Hanyang University Hospital. RESULTS: There were no
significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the
two groups. The presence of an ectopic gestational sac and hemoperitoneum was
significantly higher in the TP group (13.0% vs. 95.7%, P=0.000; 13.0% vs. 54.3%,
P=0.001, respectively) in preoperative ultrasonogram. The OP group had more
ruptured ectopic gestational sacs than the TP group (73.9% vs. 45.7%, P=0.039) in
surgical findings. CONCLUSION: For the patients in whom a gestational sac is not
detected in the uterus or the fallopian tubes, it is important to be aware of the
possibility of OP and rupture of an ovarian gestational sac to promote early
diagnosis and surgical intervention.
PMID- 28989924
TI - Epithelial ovarian tumors in a premenarchal girl: a rare case report.
AB - Ovarian tumors are relatively uncommon in paediatric age group and mostly occur
in the period after menarche and are extremely rare prior to menarche. However,
in children and adolescent, the epithelial ovarian tumors account approximately
10% to 28% of all ovarian tumors. In the present case, the patient was presented
with abdominal pain for 1 day and no mass was felt on physical examination.
Contrast-enhance computed tomography abdomen and pelvis showed a left ovarian
cystic mass measuring 7.3*5.1 cm in size and unilateral oophorectomy was done.
Tumor shows multiloculated cysts of varying sizes filled with mucinous fluid.
Cysts were lined by tall columnar epithelial cells and show predominantly
periodic acid-Schiff positive neutral mucin favouring benign nature of lesion. We
present this case due to its uncommon age of presentation and the patient was
premenarchal girl.
PMID- 28989925
TI - Genital tract cavernous hemangioma as a rare cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
AB - Cavernous hemangiomas rarely involve the female genital tract. It is difficult to
identify vascular malformations when these lesions are concealed in the vagina or
deep vulva area. We present a rare case of vaginal cavernous hemangioma in a 30
year-old primiparous woman with an early severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and
delayed continuous bleeding from the episiotomy site. She was treated
successfully with transarterial embolization of the left vaginal artery. To our
knowledge, this is the first reported case of PPH caused by rupture of a vaginal
hemangioma during vaginal delivery in English literature.
PMID- 28989926
TI - BRCA1-mutated ovarian cancer with skin metastasis: a case report.
AB - The major risk factor for ovarian cancer (OC) is mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2
DNA mismatch repair genes, which occurs in approximately 10% of OC cases. Most
previous studies have demonstrated that BRCA1- and BRCA2-mutated OCs are
associated with better prognosis than sporadic OCs. However, information about
the patterns and clinical course of the metastatic spread of BRCA-mutated OCs is
limited. Herein, we describe a case of OC with a BRCA1 mutation and skin
metastases in a 49-year-old patient, which to the best of our knowledge has not
been reported previously.
PMID- 28989927
TI - Metastatic uterine cancer looking as cervical fibroid in recurrent breast cancer
woman: a case report.
AB - Metastasis to the female genital tract from extragenital primary cancer is
uncommon. In this case, a 46-year-old woman was diagnosed with invasive lobular
carcinoma of the left breast in 2011. She had left breast conserving surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy (gosereline and tamoxifen).
However, she developed menorrhagia after interruption of hormonal therapy and
incidentally, the ultrasonogram of her pelvis showed a solid, large mass in the
cervix. It looked like leiomyoma. Because of massive vaginal bleeding requiring
multiple blood transfusions, she underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy. Unexpectedly, however, histopathological examination
revealed metastatic carcinoma, consistent with breast origin.The metastatic tumor
involved the uterine corpus with spreading to the endocervix, left ovary, and
multiple lymphovascular invasion was present. We described the rarity and risk of
metastatic uterine cancer in patient with history of malignant tumor treatment.
PMID- 28989928
TI - Estrogen-induced acute pancreatitis: A case report and literature review.
AB - Estrogens are commonly used in gynecologic area, such as oral contraception,
hormone replacement therapy, and in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Although
estrogen is a common cause of acute drug-induced pancreatitis, there has been
paucity of report in Korea. Clinical course of estrogen-induced acute
pancreatitis is usually mild to moderate, but fetal case can occur. In addition,
there can be a latency from the first administration to the symptom. Therefore,
physicians should consider the possibility of the disease when a woman taking
estrogen or previous history of taking estrogen presents with acute abdominal
pain. Here, we report a case of estrogen-induced acute pancreatitis that occurred
during the preparation for embryo transfer.
PMID- 28989929
TI - Delayed intestinal perforation and vertebral osteomyelitis after high-intensity
focused ultrasound treatment for uterine leiomyoma.
AB - High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive uterine fibroid
treatment option for patients who want to preserve fertility. However, according
to several reports regarding ablation of solid tumors by HIFU, there are rare
complications in patients with uterine leiomyomas, and overall data are still
insufficient. Here, we report rare and major complications of HIFU, such as
delayed intestinal perforation, uterine perforation with recto-uterine fistula,
and osteomyelitis 29 days after the HIFU procedure to treat multiple myomas.
Thus, we present a very serious case resulting from HIFU treatment of uterine
fibroids and a review of the literature.
PMID- 28989930
TI - A case report of angioleiomyoma of uterus.
AB - Angioleiomyoma (AL) is a very rare benign tumor that originates from smooth
muscle cells and has thick walled vessels. It may be found throughout the body
but more frequently occurs in the lower extremities and rarely develops in the
head and other parts of the body. This paper presents a case report of giant AL
detected in a 33-year-old woman who complained of severe anemia, menorrhagia, and
palpable lower abdominal mass. The patient underwent myomectomy and was diagnosed
with AL based on the pathological report of mass. The effective treatment for AL
is either simple hysterectomy or angiomyomectomy depending on the patient's
desire to preserve fertility and symptom.
PMID- 28989931
TI - The Impact of Historical and Current Loss on Chronic Illness: Perceptions of Crow
(Apsaalooke) People.
AB - The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of perceptions
about the impact of historical and current loss on Apsaalooke (Crow) people
acquiring and coping with chronic illness. This study took a qualitative
phenomenological approach by interviewing community members with chronic illness
in order to gain insight into their perceptions and experiences. Participants
emphasized 10 areas of impact of historical and current loss: the link between
mental health and physical health/health behaviors; resiliency and strengths;
connection and isolation; importance of language and language loss; changes in
cultural knowledge and practices; diet; grieving; racism and discrimination;
changes in land use and ownership; and boarding schools. The findings from this
research are being used to develop a chronic illness self-care management program
for Crow people.
PMID- 28989932
TI - MUTATIONS IN LIVER X RECEPTOR ALPHA THAT IMPAIR DIMERIZATION AND LIGAND DEPENDENT
TRANSACTIVATION.
AB - Liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) is crucial for the maintenance of lipid and
cholesterol homeostasis. Ligand binding and dimerization with retinoid X receptor
(RXR) or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) is required for
forming active DNA binding complexes leading to gene regulation. Structure based
prediction and solvent accessibility of LXRalpha LBD shows that residues H383,
E387, H390, L414, and R415 which are located in helices 9 and 10 may be critical
for mediating protein-protein interactions. In this study, LXRalpha interface
residues were individually mutated to determine their effects on ligand binding,
protein-protein association, subcellular localization, and transactivation
activity. LXRalpha L414R and R415A lacked binding to T-0901317, but retained
binding to 25-Hydroxycholesterol. In vitro assay and a cell based assay
demonstrated that LXRalpha L414R was specifically impaired for interactions with
RXRalpha but not PPARalpha suggesting that charge reversal at the interface
provides selectivity to LXRalpha dimerization. Furthermore, binding of LXRalpha
L414R or R415A with PPARalpha exhibited minimal conformational changes in the
dimer secondary structure. Interestingly, all LXRalpha mutants exhibited lower
levels of ligand dependent luciferase activity driven by the SREBP-1c or ApoA1
promoter. Taken together, our data demonstrates that intact hydrophobic
interactions and salt bridges at the interface mediate efficient ligand-dependent
transactivation activities.
PMID- 28989933
TI - Spontaneous Left Main and Right Coronary Artery Spasm in a Patient With
Vasospastic Angina.
AB - Coronary spasm is a well-documented, though rare, condition that can mimic
myocardial infarction and is usually found in only a single vessel during an
event. We describe the case of a 43-year-old male with past medical history of
hypertension, hyperlipidemia, tobacco abuse, and with no known coronary disease.
The patient developed chest pain 3 days postadmission for primary diagnosis of
psychiatric disorder. The patient had a positive stress study with moderate
reversible ischemia in the anterolateral region. A subsequent coronary
angiography was performed that revealed significant left main coronary
obstruction with TIMI I (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) flow. This
pattern was also present in the proximal right coronary artery. Both stenoses
were relieved with intracoronary nitroglycerin, revealing no significant
obstructive disease and TIMI III flow. The patient was started on dihydropyridine
calcium channel blocker and counseled against smoking without recurrence of
angina.
PMID- 28989934
TI - Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy With a Rapidly Resolved Left Ventricular Thrombus.
AB - This article presents the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with acute
right superficial femoral and popliteal arterial thrombosis for which he
underwent an emergent uncomplicated thrombectomy. He denied preceding
cardiovascular or neurologic symptomatology and had no history of coronary or
peripheral arterial disease, trauma, hypercoagulability, or malignancy. However,
he reported having several days of intense emotional stress prior to
presentation. His cardiac exam was normal, his electrocardiogram showed normal
sinus rhythm and nonspecific ST-T wave abnormalities, and his troponin levels
were normal. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed a large (2.4 * 2 cm)
apical left ventricle (LV) thrombus, LV apical akinesis, and LV ejection fraction
of 40% to 45%. Coronary angiography revealed only luminal irregularities. A
repeat TTE performed 3 days after initiating unfractionated heparin revealed
complete resolution of the LV thrombus. The patient had an uneventful clinical
course and was discharged home in stable condition on oral anticoagulants. The
lower incidence of LV thrombus in takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) of 1.3% in
comparison to 4% to 8% in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery
disease in the current era of early reperfusion may be explained by the lower
extent of ischemic myocardial necrosis associated with TC. This case suggests
that the lower extent of myocardial necrosis in TC may also lead to faster
resolution of LV thrombus. Therefore, earlier follow-up with TTE (within 2 weeks)
and shorter duration of anticoagulation (<3 months) may be considered in patients
with TC complicated by LV thrombus formation with or without systemic embolism.
PMID- 28989935
TI - Pathologic Findings of Chronic PML-IRIS in a Patient with Prolonged PML Survival
Following Natalizumab Treatment.
AB - Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a common complication
during treatment for natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy (PML). Although severe IRIS can result in acute worsening of
disability and is associated with poor prognosis, effective immune reconstitution
may account for the high survival rate of this cohort of PML patients. We present
pathological evidence of chronic IRIS 3.5 years after diagnosis with natalizumab
associated PML. Our case showed that the IRIS initially developed after plasma
exchange therapy and resolved clinically and radiologically following a
combination treatment with corticosteroids, maraviroc, and cidofovir. Autopsy 3.5
years later revealed evidence of grey-white matter junction demyelinating lesions
characteristic of PML and perivascular leukocyte infiltrates predominated by CD8+
T-lymphocytes, and polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated the presence
of JC viral DNA in this tissue, indicative of persistent PML-IRIS. While clinical
symptoms of PML-IRIS typically stabilize within 6 months, our case report
suggests that prolonged low-grade inflammation may persist in some patients.
Better assays are needed to determine the prevalence of prolonged low-grade IRIS
among PML survivors.
PMID- 28989936
TI - Closing the Data Loop: An Integrated Open Access Analysis Platform for the MIMIC
Database.
AB - We describe a new model for collaborative access, exploration, and analyses of
the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care - III (MIMIC III) database for
translational clinical research. The proposed model addresses the significant
disconnect between data collection at the point of care and translational
clinical research. It addresses problems of data integration, preprocessing,
normalization, analyses (along with associated compute back-end), and
visualization. The proposed platform is general, and can be easily adapted to
other databases. The pre-packaged analyses toolkit is easily extensible, and
allows for multi-language support. The platform can be easily federated, mirrored
at other locations, and supports a RESTful API for service composition and
scaling.
PMID- 28989937
TI - Comparison of 2 Radiographic Techniques for Measurement of Tibiofemoral Joint
Space Width.
AB - BACKGROUND: No consensus is available regarding the best method for measuring
tibiofemoral joint space width (JSW) on radiographs to quantify joint changes
after injury. Studies that track articular cartilage thickness after injury
frequently use patients' uninjured contralateral knees as controls, although the
literature supporting this comparison is limited. PURPOSE: (1) To compare JSW
measurements using 2 established measurement techniques in healthy control
participants and (2) to determine whether the mean JSW of the uninjured
contralateral knee in a cohort with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
reconstruction is different from that obtained from a true control population.
STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Medial and
lateral JSWs were measured on standardized, bilateral, semiflexed
metatarsophalangeal positioning, posteroanterior radiographs of 60 healthy
individuals (26 females; mean +/- SD age, 25 +/- 6.2 years; no history of knee
injury) via 2 published techniques: a computerized surface-delineation method
(surface-fit method) and a manual digitization method (midpoint method). Bland
Altman method was used to examine the agreement between JSW measurements obtained
with the 2 methods and to examine the agreement between measurements obtained on
left and right knees within a participant for each measurement method. Within-
and between-participant variance components and intraclass correlation
coefficients (ICCs) were computed for JSW measurements corresponding to each
method. Two-sample t tests were used to compare the surface-fit method
measurements of mean JSW of the true control group (n = 60) with the previously
published mean JSW measurements from the Multicenter Orthopaedics Outcomes
Network (MOON) nested cohort of 262 contralateral uninjured knees 2 to 3 years
after ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: For JSW in the medial compartment, the surface
fit method had lower within-participant interknee variability (sigma2within,
0.064; 95% CI, 0.04-0.09) compared with the midpoint method (sigma2within, 0.28;
95% CI, 0.20-0.43) and a higher ICC (0.93 vs 0.65; P < .001). Lateral JSW values
were similar for the surface-fit method (sigma2within, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.18-0.43)
and the midpoint method (sigma2within, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.14-0.31), with ICCs of
0.75 and 0.77, respectively (P = .80). With the surface-fit method, mean JSW
measurements of the medial and lateral compartments of a control population were
not significantly different from the contralateral uninjured knees of patients
after ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSION: For measuring medial JSW, the surface-fit
method was less variable across knees within a participant than the midpoint
method, as evidenced by larger ICCs and lower interknee variability. For
measuring lateral JSW, the 2 methods were similar. The JSW measurements of
uninjured contralateral knees of patients with ACL reconstruction at 2 to 3 years
postsurgery were not significantly different from those of a cohort of healthy
control participants. Future work should be performed to demonstrate the validity
of these methods for documenting change over time in the ACL-reconstructed knee.
PMID- 28989938
TI - Position Statement From the Australian Knee Society on Arthroscopic Surgery of
the Knee, Including Reference to the Presence of Osteoarthritis or Degenerative
Joint Disease: Updated October 2016.
PMID- 28989940
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1177/2325967117723108.].
PMID- 28989939
TI - Recovery of Shoulder Rotational Muscle Strength After Arthroscopic Bankart
Repair.
AB - BACKGROUND: Shoulder rotational muscles act as dynamic stabilizers of the
glenohumeral joint, and the recovery of muscle strength plays an important role
in stabilizing the joint during postoperative rehabilitation. However, temporal
changes in muscle strength after arthroscopic Bankart repair have not been
clarified. PURPOSE: To better understand the temporal recovery of shoulder
rotational muscle strength after arthroscopic Bankart repair. STUDY DESIGN: Case
series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Isokinetic concentric shoulder rotational
muscle strength was evaluated in 50 patients who were diagnosed with recurrent
dislocations of the glenohumeral joint and treated with arthroscopic Bankart
repair. RESULTS: The mean peak torque/weight and total work were reduced
significantly at 1.5 months after surgery (P < .0001) and returned to
preoperative levels by 6 months for external rotation and 4.5 months for internal
rotation. The contralateral peak torque ratios reached preoperative levels by 6
months after surgery. The ipsilateral peak torque ratios were reduced between 1.5
and 3 months after surgery and returned to preoperative levels at 6 months for
external rotation and 4.5 months for internal rotation. CONCLUSION: Isokinetic
shoulder rotational muscle strength after arthroscopic Bankart repair recovered
to preoperative levels by 6 months for external rotation and 4.5 months for
internal rotation.
PMID- 28989941
TI - Resting-state networks do not determine cognitive function networks: a commentary
on Campbell and Schacter (2016).
PMID- 28989943
TI - Is current irrigation sustainable in the United States? An integrated assessment
of climate change impact on water resources and irrigated crop yields.
AB - While climate change impacts on crop yields has been extensively studied,
estimating the impact of water shortages on irrigated crop yields is challenging
because the water resources management system is complex. To investigate this
issue, we integrate a crop yield reduction module and a water resources model
into the MIT Integrated Global System Modeling framework, an integrated
assessment model linking a global economic model to an Earth system model. We
assess the effects of climate and socioeconomic changes on water availability for
irrigation in the U.S. as well as subsequent impacts on crop yields by 2050,
while accounting for climate change projection uncertainty. We find that climate
and socioeconomic changes will increase water shortages and strongly reduce
irrigated yields for specific crops (i.e., cotton and forage), or in specific
regions (i.e., the Southwest) where irrigation is not sustainable. Crop modeling
studies that do not represent changes in irrigation availability can thus be
misleading. Yet, since the most water-stressed basins represent a relatively
small share of U.S. irrigated areas, the overall reduction in U.S. crop yields is
small. The response of crop yields to climate change and water stress also
suggests that some level of adaptation will be feasible, like relocating
croplands to regions with sustainable irrigation or switching to less irrigation
intensive crops. Finally, additional simulations show that greenhouse gas (GHG)
mitigation can alleviate the effect of water stress on irrigated crop yields,
enough to offset the reduced CO2 fertilization effect compared to an
unconstrained GHG emission scenario.
PMID- 28989942
TI - Diagnosing phosphorus limitations in natural terrestrial ecosystems in carbon
cycle models.
AB - Most of the Earth System Models (ESMs) project increases in net primary
productivity (NPP) and terrestrial carbon (C) storage during the 21st century.
Despite empirical evidence that limited availability of phosphorus (P) may limit
the response of NPP to increasing atmospheric CO2, none of the ESMs used in the
previous Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment accounted for P
limitation. We diagnosed from ESM simulations the amount of P need to support
increases in carbon uptake by natural ecosystems using two approaches: the demand
derived from (1) changes in C stocks and (2) changes in NPP. The C stock-based
additional P demand was estimated to range between -31 and 193 Tg P and between
89 and 262 Tg P for Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6 and RCP8.5,
respectively, with negative values indicating a P surplus. The NPP-based demand,
which takes ecosystem P recycling into account, results in a significantly higher
P demand of 648-1606 Tg P for RCP2.6 and 924-2110 Tg P for RCP8.5. We found that
the P demand is sensitive to the turnover of P in decomposing plant material,
explaining the large differences between the NPP-based demand and C stock-based
demand. The discrepancy between diagnosed P demand and actual P availability
(potential P deficit) depends mainly on the assumptions about availability of the
different soil P forms. Overall, future P limitation strongly depends on both
soil P availability and P recycling on ecosystem scale.
PMID- 28989944
TI - Association of Dietary Factors with Progression of AA in Stroke/TIA Patients.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dietary factors such as calorie intake
and dietary fats on the progression of aortic arch atheroma (AA). BACKGROUND: In
stroke/TIA patients, progression of AA is associated with recurrent vascular
events. DESIGN/METHODS: Consecutive patients with measurable (>1 mm) AA atheroma
on baseline transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) evaluation consented to a
protocol mandated follow-up TEE at 12 months. Patients that had adequate paired
AA images were assessed for progression, defined as Delta >= 1 grade worsening
(based on plaque thickness over 12 months). Stroke risk factors and fasting lipid
profile were assessed at baseline. The patient's nutritional intake was measured
at baseline using the Gladys Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. RESULTS: One
hundred-nine patients (70 strokes, 33 TIAs) had sequential TEEs, of whom 27%
(N=30) progressed and 73% (N=79) did not. Patients with progression had higher
daily calorie (1778 +/- 623 vs. 1378 +/- 406 Calories, p=0.008), fat (76 +/- 33
vs. 52 +/- 23 grams, p=0.0002), carbohydrate (208 +/- 78 vs. 169 +/- 57 grams,
p=0.01) and protein (73 +/- 26 vs. 57 +/- 21 grams, p=0.005) intake. On Further
analysis among different fats showed a higher consumption of saturated fats (25
+/- 12 vs. 17 +/-8 grams, p=0.00051) as well as unsaturated fats (44 +/- 20 vs.
30 +/- 13 grams, p=0.002). These differences remained significant after we
adjusted for the medication use. However the significance of these differences
was attenuated after adjusting for the calorie intake. Cholesterol consumption
did not differ between the progression and no-progression group (262 +/- 125 vs.
213 +/- 149 mg, p=0.2). CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE: Calorie intake plays a significant
role in the progression of AA. Further studies are needed to confirm these
findings and determine the specific dietary modifications that may prevent AA
progression and associated recurrent vascular events.
PMID- 28989945
TI - The cardiac regenerative potential of myoblasts remains limited despite improving
their survival via antioxidant treatment.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Since myoblasts have been limited by poor cell survival after
cellular myoplasty, the major goal of the current study was to determine whether
improving myoblast survival with an antioxidant could improve cardiac function
after the transplantation of the myoblasts into an acute myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that early myogenic progenitors such as
muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) exhibited superior cell survival and improved
cardiac repair after transplantation into infarcted hearts compared to myoblasts,
which we partially attributed to MDSC's higher antioxidant levels. AIM: To
determine if antioxidant treatment could increase myoblast survival, subsequently
improving cardiac function after myoblast transplantation into infarcted hearts.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Myoblasts were pre-treated with the antioxidant N
acetylcysteine (NAC) or the glutathione depleter, diethyl maleate (DEM), and
injected into infarcted murine hearts. Regenerative potential was monitored by
cell survival and cardiac function. RESULTS: At early time points, hearts
injected with NAC-treated myoblasts exhibited increased donor cell survival,
greater cell proliferation, and decreased cellular apoptosis, compared to
untreated myoblasts. NAC-treated myoblasts significantly improved cardiac
contractility, reduced fibrosis, and increased vascular density compared to DEM
treated myoblasts, but compared to untreated myoblasts, no difference was noted.
DISCUSSION: While early survival of myoblasts transplanted into infarcted hearts
was augmented by NAC pre-treatment, cardiac function remained unchanged compared
to non-treated myoblasts. CONCLUSION: Despite improving cell survival with NAC
treated myoblast transplantation in a MI heart, cardiac function remained similar
to untreated myoblasts. These results suggest that the reduced cardiac
regenerative potential of myoblasts, when compared to MDSCs, is not only
attributable to cell survival but is probably also related to the secretion of
paracrine factors by the MDSCs.
PMID- 28989946
TI - Tumor-targeted costimulation by using bi-specific aptamers.
AB - Aptamers are chemically synthesized oligonucleotides that can be easily
engineered for cancer immunotherapy use. So far, most of the therapeutic aptamers
described are antagonistic and block the function of a receptor or its soluble
ligand. Recently, aptamers have been modified to act as agonists by
multimerization, with a direct application in cancer immunotherapy. Several
agonistic aptamers against costimulatory receptors have been described. However,
systemic costimulation, though potentially a very potent antitumor immune
strategy, is not devoid of auto-inflammatory side effects. In a quest to reduce
toxicity and improve efficacy - reducing the therapeutic index - the first bi
specific aptamers to target the costimulatory ligand to the tumor have been
described, showing very promising results in different preclinical tumor models.
PMID- 28989947
TI - Proton Therapy for Vaginal Reirradiation.
AB - Primary or recurrent gynecologic cancers in operable patients with a history of
prior pelvic radiation are typically treated with surgery based on the risk of
late toxicities historically associated with reirradiation. A number of studies
have demonstrated that, compared with conventional radiation therapy (RT) using
photons, proton therapy (PT) offers dosimetric advantages for patients with
gynecologic cancers by reducing radiation dose to healthy tissues. Thereby, we
expect that, in appropriately selected cases, PT may reduce long-term treatment
related morbidities without compromising treatment efficacy. Herein, we describe
the treatment planning, technique, and long-term follow-up of a patient who was
treated with PT for a primary vaginal carcinoma nearly 30 years after a prior
course of pelvic RT. Using this case, we illustrate the utility and advantages of
PT in the treatment of cancers that occur at less favorable sites, adjacent to
normal structures with low radiation tolerance, or in paients with a history of
prior irradiation. Additionally, we provide a brief discussion and review of
literature of prior case series of pelvic reirradiation, illustrating the value
of identifying treatment approaches that can reduce treatment-related
morbidities, particularly late treatment toxicities.
PMID- 28989948
TI - Morbidity in <=1500-Gram Births in Spain, 1993-2011: Study of a Sample of 1200
Cases.
AB - Background and Objective. Preterm birth has a major impact on growth, and very
preterm birth is associated with disabilities in numerous developmental domains.
This article describes and quantifies morbidities in a sample of 1200 <=1500-g
births in Spain between 1993 and 2011 based on parent information, and it
highlights several variables that influence these morbidities. Methods. Multiple
method surveys using computer-assisted telephones interviewing and computer
assisted web interviewing methods. Sample design was intentional. Most subjects
were contacted via their referral hospitals. Data collection was done from April
2013 to June 2014. Prior to the survey, extensive qualitative fieldwork was
conducted, including nonparticipant observation in neonatal units and the design
and analysis of discussion groups and interviews with professionals and families,
including preterm adolescents. Results. A total of 44.2% of the sample were
experiencing morbidity (mean: 1.788 morbidities per child). The most prevalent
types were learning difficulties (34.4%) and attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (31.5%). The most influential variables were male gender, age, lower
birthweight, private hospital admission for birth, scarcity of health resources
in the family's residential area, non-Spanish maternal birthplace, and emotional
distress in the primary carer. Conclusions. Overall, the total percentage of very
low birth weight children with morbidities has decreased moderately between 1993
and 2011, thanks to major socio-sanitary improvements during this period.
Biological and medical variables, rather than family factors, explain more
accurately the presence of morbidities in children with birth weight <=1500 g.
PMID- 28989949
TI - Promising Themes for Antismoking Campaigns Targeting Youth and Young Adults.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Behavior change campaigns typically try to change beliefs that
influence behaviors, with targeted beliefs comprising the campaign theme. We
present an empirical approach for choosing among a large number of potential
themes, and results from the implementation of this approach for campaigns aimed
at 4 behavioral targets: (1) preventing smoking initiation among youth, and (2)
preventing initiation, (3) stopping progression to daily smoking and (4)
encouraging cessation among young adults. METHODS: An online survey of 13- to 17
year-olds and 18- to 25-year-olds in the United States (US), in which 20
potential campaign themes were represented by 154 beliefs. For each behavioral
target, themes were ranked based on the strength of belief-intention and belief
behavior associations and size of the population not already endorsing the
beliefs. RESULTS: The most promising themes varied across behavioral targets but
3 were consistently promising: consequences of smoking for mood, social
acceptance and social popularity. CONCLUSIONS: Using a robust and systematic
approach, this study provides campaign developers with empirical data to inform
their selection of promising themes. Findings related to the campaign to prevent
initiation among youth informed the development of the US Food and Drug
Administration's "The Real Cost" campaign.
PMID- 28989950
TI - Surveillance of Nicotine and pH in Cigarette and Cigar Filler.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We examined differences between nicotine concentrations and pH in
cigarette and cigar tobacco filler. METHODS: Nicotine and pH levels for 50
cigarette and 75 cigar brands were measured. Non-mentholated and mentholated
cigarette products were included in the analysis along with several cigar types
as identified by the manufacturer: large cigars, pipe tobacco cigars, cigarillos,
mini cigarillos, and little cigars. RESULTS: There were significant differences
found between pH and nicotine for cigarette and cigar tobacco products. Mean
nicotine concentrations in cigarettes (19.2 mg/g) and large cigars (15.4 mg/g)
were higher than the other cigars types, especially the pipe tobacco cigars (8.79
mg/g). The mean pH for cigarettes was pH 5.46. Large cigars had the highest mean
pH value (pH 6.10) and pipe tobacco cigars had the lowest (pH 5.05). CONCLUSIONS:
Although cigarettes are the most common combustible tobacco product used
worldwide, cigar use remains popular. Our research provides a means to
investigate the possibility of distinguishing the 2 tobacco product types and
offers information on nicotine and pH across a wide range of cigarette and cigar
varieties that may be beneficial to help establish tobacco policies and
regulations across product types.
PMID- 28989951
TI - Current Ability of Multiparametric Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging and
Targeted Biopsy to Improve the Detection of Prostate Cancer.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Recent advancements in imaging technology have significantly
increased the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for prostate
cancer. However, tissue diagnosis and grading remain the gold standard for
diagnosis and prognostication. Because transrectal ultrasound guided prostate
biopsy performs poorly, extensive research has been conducted into biopsy
techniques that are guided by magnetic resonance imaging, including direct in
bore, cognitive fusion and magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasound fusion guided
biopsies. METHODS: The PubMed(r) database was searched from inception until
January 15, 2014 for criteria pertaining to targeted prostate biopsy. RESULTS:
Initial studies of the 3 types of targeted prostate biopsy yielded similar
results. Most importantly, targeted biopsy detects a greater amount of clinically
significant prostate cancer than does transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy.
Magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasound fusion guided biopsy has generated the most
interest, as it is an office based procedure that does not require a significant
change from the current workflow of transrectal prostate biopsy. These techniques
hold great promise in the areas of patient selection for definitive treatment,
appropriate screening, active surveillance and focal therapy for prostate cancer.
CONCLUSIONS: Targeted prostate biopsy has the potential to significantly improve
the way patients are screened, treated and monitored in the setting of prostate
cancer. These techniques allow for an individualized approach to each patient,
which is a substantial improvement over the current practice of effectively
random prostate biopsies. Large, multicenter studies are necessary to determine
whether targeted prostate biopsy will become a definitive standard of care.
PMID- 28989952
TI - Synthesis and characterization of thermally responsive N-isopropylacrylamide
hydrogels copolymerized with novel hydrophobic polyphenolic crosslinkers.
AB - Two series of thermosensitive hydrogels were synthesized by copolymerizing N
isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) with various contents of novel hydrophobic
crosslinkers, curcumin multiacrylate (CMA) and quercetin multiacrylate (QMA). The
compositions of the resulting hydrogels were characterized using solid state-NMR
(ss-NMR), and the temperature dependent swelling behavior and lower critical
solution temperature (LCST) were characterized using swelling studies and
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Increasing the crosslinker content
resulted in a significant decrease in the LCST and swelling ratio of hydrogels,
which could be attributed to the increased hydrophobicity introduced by CMA or
QMA. All of the hydrogels demonstrated temperature responsive swelling with the
extent of swelling decreasing with increasing crosslinker content. The lower
crosslinker content gels displayed sharper phase transitions, while the high
crosslinker content gels had broader phase transitions.
PMID- 28989954
TI - Inattentional blindness for a gun during a simulated police vehicle stop.
AB - People often fail to notice unexpected objects and events when they are focusing
attention on something else. Most studies of this "inattentional blindness" use
unexpected objects that are irrelevant to the primary task and to the participant
(e.g., gorillas in basketball games or colored shapes in computerized tracking
tasks). Although a few studies have examined noticing rates for personally
relevant or task-relevant unexpected objects, few have done so in a real-world
context with objects that represent a direct threat to the participant. In this
study, police academy trainees (n = 100) and experienced police officers (n = 75)
engaged in a simulated vehicle traffic stop in which they approached a vehicle to
issue a warning or citation for running a stop sign. The driver was either
passive and cooperative or agitated and hostile when complying with the officer's
instructions. Overall, 58% of the trainees and 33% of the officers failed to
notice a gun positioned in full view on the passenger dashboard. The driver's
style of interaction had little effect on noticing rates for either group. People
can experience inattentional blindness for a potentially dangerous object in a
naturalistic real-world context, even when noticing that object would change how
they perform their primary task and even when their training focuses on awareness
of potential threats.
PMID- 28989953
TI - Individual differences in perceptual abilities in medical imaging: the Vanderbilt
Chest Radiograph Test.
AB - Radiologists make many important decisions when detecting nodules on chest
radiographs. While training can result in high levels of performance of this
task, there could be individual differences in relevant perceptual abilities that
are present pre-training. A pre-requisite to address this question is a valid and
reliable measure of such abilities. The present work introduces a new measure,
the Vanderbilt Chest Radiograph Test (VCRT), which aims to quantify individual
differences in perceptual abilities for radiograph-related decision-making in
novices. We validate the relevance of the test to diagnostic imaging by verifying
radiologists' superior performance on the test compared to novices'. The final
VCRT version produces scores with acceptable internal consistency. Then, we
investigate how the VCRT can be used in future research by evaluating how the
test relates to extant measures of face and object recognition ability. We find
that the VCRT shares a small but significant portion of its variance with a
measure of novel object recognition, suggesting that some aspect of VCRT
performance is driven by a domain-general visual ability.
PMID- 28989955
TI - Optimizing learning in undergraduate psychology students: the impact of advance
quizzing, review, and classroom attendance.
AB - This study investigates whether introducing simple cognitive interventions that
are known to enhance learning in laboratory studies can be transferred to
classroom settings. In an introductory psychology class, students were provided
with a brief advance quiz on the topic covered in each particular lecture. In
case they did not attend class, they still had the opportunity to fill it out at
home. The interventions were offered on a voluntary basis and the students were
given the opportunity to obtain an extra point towards the final exam by
reviewing the key points of each lecture on a regular basis. The results indicate
that both advance quizzing and review enhanced the grades on the final
examination. Although it is likely that individual differences also contribute to
learning outcomes, these effects were specific for the particular course and
independent from class attendance. The results indicate that transfer of simple
cognitive interventions from laboratory to classroom settings is feasible. They
also indicate that these interventions can be effectively implemented into the
lectures to boost student learning.
PMID- 28989956
TI - Rapidly Biodegrading PLGA-Polyurethane Fibers for Sustained Release of
Physicochemically Diverse Drugs.
AB - Sustained release of physicochemically diverse drugs from electrospun fibers
remains a challenge and precludes the use of fibers in many medical applications.
Here, we synthesize a new class of polyurethanes with poly(lactic-co-glycolic
acid) (PLGA) moieties that degrade faster than polyurethanes based on
polycaprolactone. The new polymers, with varying hard to soft segment ratios and
fluorobenzene pendant group content, were electrospun into nanofibers and loaded
with four physicochemically diverse small molecule drugs. Polymers were
characterized using GPC, XPS, and 19F NMR. The size and morphology of electrospun
fibers were visualized using SEM, and drug/polymer compatibility and drug
crystallinity were evaluated using DSC. We measured in vitro drug release,
polymer degradation and cell-culture cytotoxicity of biodegradation products. We
show that these newly synthesized PLGA-based polyurethanes degrade up to 65-80%
within 4 weeks and are cytocompatible in vitro. The drug-loaded electrospun
fibers were amorphous solid dispersions. We found that increasing the hard to
soft segment ratio of the polymer enhances the sustained release of positively
charged drugs, whereas increasing the fluorobenzene pendant content caused more
rapid release of some drugs. In summary, increasing the hard segment or
fluorobenzene pendant content of segmented polyurethanes containing PLGA moieties
allows for modulation of physicochemically diverse drug release from electrospun
fibers while maintaining a biologically relevant biodegradation rate.
PMID- 28989957
TI - Display of DNA on Nanoparticles for Targeting Antigen Presenting Cells.
AB - Efficient delivery of antigens is of paramount concern in immunotherapies. We
aimed to target antigen presenting cells (APCs) by conjugating CpG
oligonucleotides to an E2 protein nanoparticle surface (CpG-PEG-E2). Compared to
E2 alone, we observed ~4-fold increase of in vitro APC uptake of both CpG-PEG-E2
and E2 conjugated to non-CpG DNA. Furthermore, compared to E2-alone or E2
functionalized solely with polyethylene glycol (PEG), the CpG-PEG-E2 showed
enhanced lymph node retention up to at least 48 hr and 2-fold increase in APC
uptake in vivo, parameters which are advantageous for vaccine success. This
suggests that enhanced APC uptake of nanoparticles mediated by oligonucleotide
display may help overcome delivery barriers in vaccine development.
PMID- 28989958
TI - Engineering Xeno-Free Microcarriers with Recombinant Vitronectin, Albumin and UV
Irradiation for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Bioprocessing.
AB - The development of platforms for the expansion and directed differentiation of
human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in large quantities under xeno-free
conditions is a key step toward the realization of envisioned stem cell-based
therapies. Microcarrier bioreactors afford great surface-to-volume ratio,
scalability and customization with typical densities of 106-107 cells/ml or
higher. In this study, a simple and inexpensive method was established for
generating microcarriers without animal-derived components. While coating
polystyrene beads with vitronectin alone did not support the culture of hPSCs in
stirred suspension, the inclusion of recombinant human serum albumin and UV
irradiation led to enhanced seeding efficiency and retention while cells grew
more than 20-fold per passage for multiple successive passages and without loss
of cell pluripotency. Human PSCs expanded on microcarriers were coaxed to tri
lineage differentiation demonstrating that this system can be used for the self
renewal and specification of hPSCs to therapeutically relevant cell types. Such
systems will be critical for the envisioned use of stem cells in regenerative
medicine and drug discovery.
PMID- 28989959
TI - Moving the Conversation on Climate Change and Inequality to the Local: Socio
ecological Vulnerability in Agricultural Tanzania.
AB - Climate change is expected to shift seasonality in Tanzania, while smallholder
farmers' livelihoods and the economy rely upon the success of rainfed
agriculture. However, we should not a priori assume doomsday climate
vulnerability scenarios of drought and devastation in the rural global South nor,
on the other hand, that farmers will optimally employ local knowledge for
effective adaptation. Drawing from qualitative fieldwork in two Tanzanian
communities, I question these grand narratives of devastation and local adaptive
capacity and introduce an approach that brings inequality to the center. Poorer
nations are most vulnerable to climate change, but they are not homogenous and
neither are the smallholder farmers living within them. I present evidence on the
crucial context-specific dimensions of socio-ecological vulnerability for these
smallholder farmers-1) water resources and access to them; 2) agricultural
knowledge, including farmers' own knowledge and their interactions with sources
like government-run agricultural extension and NGOs; and 3) existing drought
coping strategies-and the heterogeneity among farmers across these dimensions.
Ultimately, this case demonstrates how climate change can reproduce existing
inequalities within nations by drawing upon how farmers currently respond to
drought as evidence. I present the difficult and somewhat bleak contexts within
which the farmers are coping, but also illustrate the agency that farmers exhibit
in response to these conditions and the adaptive capacity they possess. Finally,
I call for more sub-national research on climate and inequality by sociologists
and draw connections among within-nation inequality, climate change, and
agricultural development initiatives.
PMID- 28989960
TI - Microstructural control of new intercalation layered titanoniobates with large
and reversible d-spacing for easy Na+ ion uptake.
AB - Key issues for Na-ion batteries are the development of promising electrode
materials with favorable sites for Na+ ion intercalation/deintercalation and an
understanding of the reaction mechanisms due to its high activation energy and
poor electrochemical reversibility. We first report a layered H0.43Ti0.93Nb1.07O5
as a new anode material. This anode material is engineered to have dominant (200)
and (020) planes with both a sufficiently large d-spacing of ~8.3 A and two
dimensional ionic channels for easy Na+ ion uptake, which leads to a small volume
expansion of ~0.6 A along the c direction upon Na insertion (discharging) and the
lowest energy barrier of 0.19 eV in the [020] plane among titanium oxide-based
materials ever reported. The material intercalates and deintercalates reversibly
1.7 Na ions (~200 mAh g-1) without a capacity fading in a potential window of
0.01 to 3.0 V versus Na/Na+. Na insertion/deinsertion takes place through a solid
solution reaction without a phase separation, which prevents coherent strain or
stress in the microstructure during cycling and ensures promising sodium storage
properties. These findings demonstrate a great potential of H0.43Ti0.93Nb1.07O5
as the anode, and our strategy can be applied to other layered metal oxides for
promising sodium storage properties.
PMID- 28989961
TI - Topological bootstrap: Fractionalization from Kondo coupling.
AB - Topologically ordered phases of matter can host fractionalized excitations known
as "anyons," which obey neither Bose nor Fermi statistics. Despite forming the
basis for topological quantum computation, experimental access to these exotic
phases has been very limited. We present a new route toward realizing
fractionalized topological phases by literally building on unfractionalized
phases, which are much more easily realized experimentally. Our approach involves
a Kondo lattice model in which a gapped electronic system of noninteracting
fermions is coupled to local moments via the exchange interaction. Using general
entanglement-based arguments and explicit lattice models, we show that gapped
spin liquids can be induced in the spin system, and we demonstrate the power of
this "topological bootstrap" by realizing chiral and Z2 spin liquids. This
technique enables the realization of many long sought-after fractionalized phases
of matter.
PMID- 28989962
TI - Surface plasmon polariton laser based on a metallic trench Fabry-Perot resonator.
AB - Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in the development of small
footprint lasers for potential applications in small-volume sensing and on-chip
optical communications. Surface plasmons-electromagnetic modes evanescently
confined to metal-dielectric interfaces-offer an effective route to achieving
lasing at nanometer-scale dimensions when resonantly amplified in contact with a
gain medium. We achieve narrow-linewidth visible-frequency lasing at room
temperature by leveraging surface plasmons propagating in an open Fabry-Perot
cavity formed by a flat metal surface coated with a subwavelength-thick layer of
optically pumped gain medium and orthogonally bound by a pair of flat metal
sidewalls. We show how the lasing threshold and linewidth can be lowered by
incorporating a low-profile tapered grating on the cavity floor to couple the
excitation beam into a pump surface plasmon polariton providing a strong modal
overlap with the gain medium. Low-perturbation transmission-configuration
sampling of the lasing plasmon mode is achieved via an evanescently coupled
recessed nanoslit, opening the way to high-figure of merit refractive index
sensing of analytes interacting with the open metallic trench.
PMID- 28989964
TI - A highly selective and stable ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalyst for CO2
hydrogenation to methanol.
AB - Although methanol synthesis via CO hydrogenation has been industrialized, CO2
hydrogenation to methanol still confronts great obstacles of low methanol
selectivity and poor stability, particularly for supported metal catalysts under
industrial conditions. We report a binary metal oxide, ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution
catalyst, which can achieve methanol selectivity of up to 86 to 91% with CO2
single-pass conversion of more than 10% under reaction conditions of 5.0 MPa,
24,000 ml/(g hour), H2/CO2 = 3:1 to 4:1, 320 degrees to 315 degrees C.
Experimental and theoretical results indicate that the synergetic effect between
Zn and Zr sites results in the excellent performance. The ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution
catalyst shows high stability for at least 500 hours on stream and is also
resistant to sintering at higher temperatures. Moreover, no deactivation is
observed in the presence of 50 ppm SO2 or H2S in the reaction stream.
PMID- 28989963
TI - Ultrathin thermoresponsive self-folding 3D graphene.
AB - Graphene and other two-dimensional materials have unique physical and chemical
properties of broad relevance. It has been suggested that the transformation of
these atomically planar materials to three-dimensional (3D) geometries by
bending, wrinkling, or folding could significantly alter their properties and
lead to novel structures and devices with compact form factors, but strategies to
enable this shape change remain limited. We report a benign thermally responsive
method to fold and unfold monolayer graphene into predesigned, ordered 3D
structures. The methodology involves the surface functionalization of monolayer
graphene using ultrathin noncovalently bonded mussel-inspired polydopamine and
thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brushes. The functionalized graphene
is micropatterned and self-folds into ordered 3D structures with reversible
deformation under a full control by temperature. The structures are characterized
using spectroscopy and microscopy, and self-folding is rationalized using a
multiscale molecular dynamics model. Our work demonstrates the potential to
design and fabricate ordered 3D graphene structures with predictable shape and
dynamics. We highlight applicability by encapsulating live cells and creating
nonlinear resistor and creased transistor devices.
PMID- 28989965
TI - Field-controlled structures in ferromagnetic cholesteric liquid crystals.
AB - One of the advantages of anisotropic soft materials is that their structures and,
consequently, their properties can be controlled by moderate external fields.
Whereas the control of materials with uniform orientational order is
straightforward, manipulation of systems with complex orientational order is
challenging. We show that a variety of structures of an interesting liquid
material, which combine chiral orientational order with ferromagnetic one, can be
controlled by a combination of small magnetic and electric fields. In the
suspensions of magnetic nanoplatelets in chiral nematic liquid crystals, the
platelet's magnetic moments orient along the orientation of the liquid crystal
and, consequently, the material exhibits linear response to small magnetic
fields. In the absence of external fields, orientations of the liquid crystal and
magnetization have wound structure, which can be either homogeneously helical,
disordered, or ordered in complex patterns, depending on the boundary condition
at the surfaces and the history of the sample. We demonstrate that by using
different combinations of small magnetic and electric fields, it is possible to
control reversibly the formation of the structures in a layer of the material. In
such a way, different periodic structures can be explored and some of them may be
suitable for photonic applications. The material is also a convenient model
system to study chiral magnetic structures, because it is a unique liquid analog
of a solid helimagnet.
PMID- 28989966
TI - Ligand effects in catalysis by atomically precise gold nanoclusters.
AB - Atomically precise gold nanoclusters are ideal model catalysts with well-defined
compositions and tunable structures. Determination of the ligand effect on
catalysis requires the use of gold nanoclusters with protecting ligands as the
only variable. Two isostructural Au38 nanoclusters, [Au38(L)20(Ph3P)4]2+ (L =
alkynyl or thiolate), have been synthesized by a direct reduction method, and
they have an unprecedented face-centered cubic (fcc)-type Au34 kernel surrounded
by 4 AuL2 staple motifs, 4 Ph3P, and 12 bridging L ligands. The Au34 kernel can
be derived from the fusion of two fcc-type Au20 via sharing a Au6 face. Catalytic
performance was studied with these two nanoclusters supported on TiO2 (1/TiO2 and
2/TiO2) as catalysts. The alkynyl-protected Au38 are very active (>97%) in the
semihydrogenation of alkynes (including terminal and internal ones) to alkenes,
whereas the thiolated Au38 showed a very low conversion (<2%). This fact suggests
that the protecting ligands play an important role in H2 activation. This work
presents a clear demonstration that catalytic performance of gold nanoclusters
can be modulated by the controlled construction of ligand spheres.
PMID- 28989967
TI - Tailoring tricolor structure of magnetic topological insulator for robust axion
insulator.
AB - Exploration of novel electromagnetic phenomena is a subject of great interest in
topological quantum materials. One of the unprecedented effects to be
experimentally verified is the topological magnetoelectric (TME) effect
originating from an unusual coupling of electric and magnetic fields in
materials. A magnetic heterostructure of topological insulator (TI) hosts such
exotic magnetoelectric coupling and can be expected to realize the TME effect as
an axion insulator. We designed a magnetic TI with a tricolor structure where a
nonmagnetic layer of (Bi, Sb)2Te3 is sandwiched by a soft ferromagnetic Cr-doped
(Bi, Sb)2Te3 and a hard ferromagnetic V-doped (Bi, Sb)2Te3. Accompanied by the
quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect, we observe zero Hall conductivity plateaus,
which are a hallmark of the axion insulator state, in a wide range of magnetic
fields between the coercive fields of Cr- and V-doped layers. The resistance of
the axion insulator state reaches as high as 109 ohms, leading to a gigantic
magnetoresistance ratio exceeding 10,000,000% upon the transition from the QAH
state. The tricolor structure of the TI may not only be an ideal arena for the
topologically distinct phenomena but can also provide magnetoresistive
applications for advancing dissipation-less topological electronics.
PMID- 28989968
TI - Unexpected high robustness of electrochemical cross-coupling for a broad range of
current density.
AB - Electro-organic synthesis is a powerful technique for the sustainable preparation
of compounds. However, many electrosynthetic reactions require complex equipment,
are limited to a very narrow current density range, or have very long reaction
times; some also involve nonselective transformations and bad scalability. The
robust and selective synthesis of nonsymmetric biphenols and partially protected
derivatives is established by anodic C-C cross-coupling. The setup is simple,
involving constant current conditions and undivided cells. Its key is a unique
electrolyte system based on fluorous alcohols and mixtures, particularly
1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol. This allows variations of the current density
of more than two orders of magnitude without decreasing selectivity or product
yield. This exceptional effect is unknown for electro-organic synthesis of
products that have similar oxidation potentials as the starting materials. It
potentially paves the way for industrial electrolyzers with variable current
consumption, which could enable the flexible use of energy surplus in the
electricity supply.
PMID- 28989969
TI - Structural Characterization of Clostridium sordellii Spores of Diverse Human,
Animal, and Environmental Origin and Comparison to Clostridium difficile Spores.
AB - Clostridium sordellii is an often-lethal bacterium causing human and animal
disease. Crucial to the infectious cycle of C. sordellii is its ability to
produce spores, which can germinate into toxin-producing vegetative bacteria
under favorable conditions. However, structural details of the C. sordellii spore
are lacking. Here, we used a range of electron microscopy techniques together
with superresolution optical microscopy to characterize the C. sordellii spore
morphology with an emphasis on the exosporium. The C. sordellii spore is made up
of multiple layers with the exosporium presenting as a smooth balloon-like
structure that is open at the spore poles. Focusing on the outer spore layers, we
compared the morphologies of C. sordellii spores derived from different strains
and determined that there is some variation between the spores, most notably with
spores of some strains having tubular appendages. Since Clostridium difficile is
a close relative of C. sordellii, their spores were compared by electron
microscopy and their exosporia were found to be distinctly different from each
other. This study therefore provides new structural details of the C. sordellii
spore and offers insights into the physical structure of the exosporium across
clostridial species. IMPORTANCEClostridium sordellii is a significant pathogen
with mortality rates approaching 100%. It is the bacterial spore that is critical
in initiating infection and disease. An understanding of spore structures as well
as spore morphology across a range of strains may lead to a better understanding
of C. sordellii infection and disease. However, the structural characteristics of
the C. sordellii spores are limited. In this work, we have addressed this lack of
detail and characterized the C. sordellii spore morphology. The use of
traditional and advanced microscopy techniques has provided detailed new
observations of C. sordellii spore structural features, which serve as a
reference point for structural studies of spores from other bacterial species.
PMID- 28989970
TI - Virioplankton Assemblage Structure in the Lower River and Ocean Continuum of the
Amazon.
AB - The Amazon River watershed and its associated plume comprise a vast continental
and oceanic area. The microbial activities along this continuum contribute
substantially to global carbon and nutrient cycling, and yet there is a dearth of
information on the diversity, abundance, and possible roles of viruses in this
globally important river. The aim of this study was to elucidate the diversity
and structure of virus assemblages of the Amazon River-ocean continuum.
Environmental viral DNA sequences were obtained for 12 locations along the
river's lower reach (n = 5) and plume (n = 7). Sequence assembly yielded 29,358
scaffolds, encoding 82,546 viral proteins, with 15 new complete viral genomes.
Despite the spatial connectivity mediated by the river, virome analyses and
physical-chemical water parameters clearly distinguished river and plume
ecosystems. Bacteriophages were ubiquitous in the continuum and were more
abundant in the transition region. Eukaryotic viruses occurred mostly in the
river, while the plume had more viruses of autotrophic organisms
(Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus) and heterotrophic bacteria (Pelagibacter). The
viral families Microviridae and Myoviridae were the most abundant and occurred
throughout the continuum. The major functions of the genes in the continuum
involved viral structures and life cycles, and viruses from plume locations and
Tapajos River showed the highest levels of functional diversity. The distribution
patterns of the viral assemblages were defined not only by the occurrence of
possible hosts but also by water physical and chemical parameters, especially
salinity. The findings presented here help to improve understanding of the
possible roles of viruses in the organic matter cycle along the river-ocean
continuum. IMPORTANCE The Amazon River forms a vast plume in the Atlantic Ocean
that can extend for more than 1,000 km. Microbial communities promote a globally
relevant carbon sink system in the plume. Despite the importance of viruses for
the global carbon cycle, the diversity and the possible roles of viruses in the
Amazon are poorly understood. The present work assesses, for the first time, the
abundance and diversity of viruses simultaneously in the river and ocean in order
to elucidate their possible roles. DNA sequence assembly yielded 29,358
scaffolds, encoding 82,546 viral proteins, with 15 new complete viral genomes
from the 12 river and ocean locations. Viral diversity was clearly distinguished
by river and ocean. Bacteriophages were the most abundant and occurred throughout
the continuum. Viruses that infect eukaryotes were more abundant in the river,
whereas phages appeared to have strong control over the host prokaryotic
populations in the plume.
PMID- 28989971
TI - Target Abundance-Based Fitness Screening (TAFiS) Facilitates Rapid Identification
of Target-Specific and Physiologically Active Chemical Probes.
AB - Traditional approaches to drug discovery are frustratingly inefficient and have
several key limitations that severely constrain our capacity to rapidly identify
and develop novel experimental therapeutics. To address this, we have devised a
second-generation target-based whole-cell screening assay based on the principles
of competitive fitness, which can rapidly identify target-specific and
physiologically active compounds. Briefly, strains expressing high, intermediate,
and low levels of a preselected target protein are constructed, tagged with
spectrally distinct fluorescent proteins (FPs), and pooled. The pooled strains
are then grown in the presence of various small molecules, and the relative
growth of each strain within the mixed culture is compared by measuring the
intensity of the corresponding FP tags. Chemical-induced population shifts
indicate that the bioactivity of a small molecule is dependent upon the target
protein's abundance and thus establish a specific functional interaction. Here,
we describe the molecular tools required to apply this technique in the prevalent
human fungal pathogen Candida albicans and validate the approach using two well
characterized drug targets-lanosterol demethylase and dihydrofolate reductase.
However, our approach, which we have termed target abundance-based fitness
screening (TAFiS), should be applicable to a wide array of molecular targets and
in essentially any genetically tractable microbe. IMPORTANCE Conventional drug
screening typically employs either target-based or cell-based approaches. The
first group relies on biochemical assays to detect modulators of a purified
target. However, hits frequently lack drug-like characteristics such as membrane
permeability and target specificity. Cell-based screens identify compounds that
induce a desired phenotype, but the target is unknown, which severely restricts
further development and optimization. To address these issues, we have developed
a second-generation target-based whole-cell screening approach that incorporates
the principles of both chemical genetics and competitive fitness, which enables
the identification of target-specific and physiologically active compounds from a
single screen. We have chosen to validate this approach using the important human
fungal pathogen Candida albicans with the intention of pursuing novel antifungal
targets. However, this approach is broadly applicable and is expected to
dramatically reduce the time and resources required to progress from screening
hit to lead compound.
PMID- 28989972
TI - A New Take on an Old Remedy: Generating Antibodies against Multidrug-Resistant
Gram-Negative Bacteria in a Postantibiotic World.
AB - With the problem of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens becoming
increasingly dire, new strategies are needed to protect and treat infected
patients. Though abandoned in the past, monoclonal antibody therapy against Gram
negative bacteria remains a potential solution and has potential advantages over
the broad-spectrum antibiotics they were once replaced by. This Perspective
reviews the prospect of utilizing monoclonal antibody therapy against these
pathogens, as well as the challenges of doing so and the current therapy targets
under investigation.
PMID- 28989974
TI - Arresting Dentine Caries with Different Concentration and Periodicity of Silver
Diamine Fluoride.
AB - Different regimens of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) have been used to manage
early childhood caries. So far, there is limited information regarding the
concentrations and frequency of applications for effective caries control in
primary teeth. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of 2 commercially
available SDF solutions at preprepared concentrations of 38% and 12% when applied
annually or biannually over 18 mo in arresting dentine caries in primary teeth.
This randomized double-blinded clinical trial recruited kindergarten children
aged 3 to 4 y who had at least 1 tooth with dentine caries. The children were
randomly allocated to receive 4 treatment protocols: group 1, annual application
of 12% SDF; group 2, biannual application of 12% SDF; group 3, annual application
of 38% SDF; and group 4, biannual application of 38% SDF. Clinical examinations
at 6-mo intervals were conducted to assess whether active carious lesions became
arrested. Information on the children's background and oral hygiene habits was
collected through a parental questionnaire at baseline and follow-up
examinations. A total of 888 children with 4,220 dentine carious tooth surfaces
received treatment at baseline. After 18 mo, 831 children (94%) were examined.
The caries arrest rates were 50%, 55%, 64%, and 74% for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4,
respectively (P < 0.001). Lesions treated with SDF biannual application had a
higher chance of becoming arrested compared with those receiving SDF annual
application (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.71; P = 0.025).
The interaction between concentration and lesion site was statistically
significant (P < 0.001). Compared with 12% SDF, the use of 38% SDF increased a
chance of becoming arrested (P < 0.05), except lesions on occlusal surfaces.
Based on the 18-mo results, SDF is more effective in arresting dentin caries in
the primary teeth of preschool children at 38% concentration than 12%
concentration and when applied biannually rather than annually. Knowledge
Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used by clinicians and
dental public health professionals when deciding which concentrations and
frequency of application of silver diamine fluoride solution should be adopted
for arresting dentine caries. With consideration of caries arrest treatment with
silver diamine fluoride, which is painless, simple, and low cost, this
information could lead to more appropriate therapeutic decisions for caries
control in young children or those who lack access to affordable conventional
dental care.
PMID- 28989973
TI - Cloning, Assembly, and Modification of the Primary Human Cytomegalovirus Isolate
Toledo by Yeast-Based Transformation-Associated Recombination.
AB - Genetic engineering of cytomegalovirus (CMV) currently relies on generating a
bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) by introducing a bacterial origin of
replication into the viral genome using in vivo recombination in virally infected
tissue culture cells. However, this process is inefficient, results in adaptive
mutations, and involves deletion of viral genes to avoid oversized genomes when
inserting the BAC cassette. Moreover, BAC technology does not permit the
simultaneous manipulation of multiple genome loci and cannot be used to construct
synthetic genomes. To overcome these limitations, we adapted synthetic biology
tools to clone CMV genomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using an early passage of
the human CMV isolate Toledo, we first applied transformation-associated
recombination (TAR) to clone 16 overlapping fragments covering the entire Toledo
genome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Then, we assembled these fragments by TAR in
a stepwise process until the entire genome was reconstituted in yeast. Since next
generation sequence analysis revealed that the low-passage-number isolate
represented a mixture of parental and fibroblast-adapted genomes, we selectively
modified individual DNA fragments of fibroblast-adapted Toledo (Toledo-F) and
again used TAR assembly to recreate parental Toledo (Toledo-P). Linear, full
length HCMV genomes were transfected into human fibroblasts to recover virus.
Unlike Toledo-F, Toledo-P displayed characteristics of primary isolates,
including broad cellular tropism in vitro and the ability to establish latency
and reactivation in humanized mice. Our novel strategy thus enables de novo
cloning of CMV genomes, more-efficient genome-wide engineering, and the
generation of viral genomes that are partially or completely derived from
synthetic DNA. IMPORTANCE The genomes of large DNA viruses, such as human
cytomegalovirus (HCMV), are difficult to manipulate using current genetic tools,
and at this time, it is not possible to obtain, molecular clones of CMV without
extensive tissue culture. To overcome these limitations, we used synthetic
biology tools to capture genomic fragments from viral DNA and assemble full
length genomes in yeast. Using an early passage of the HCMV isolate Toledo
containing a mixture of wild-type and tissue culture-adapted virus. we directly
cloned the majority sequence and recreated the minority sequence by simultaneous
modification of multiple genomic regions. Thus, our novel approach provides a
paradigm to not only efficiently engineer HCMV and other large DNA viruses on a
genome-wide scale but also facilitates the cloning and genetic manipulation of
primary isolates and provides a pathway to generating entirely synthetic genomes.
PMID- 28989976
TI - Hematopoietic Stem Cell-derived Adipocytes Promote Tumor Growth and Cancer Cell
Migration.
AB - Adipocytes, apart from their critical role as the energy storage depots,
contribute to the composition of the tumor microenvironment. Our previous studies
based on a single hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation model, have
revealed a novel source of adipocytes from HSCs via monocyte/macrophage
progenitors. Herein, we extend these studies to examine the role of HSC-derived
adipocytes (HSC-Ad) in tumor progression. When cultured under adipogenic
conditions, bone marrow-derived monocytic progenitors differentiated into
adipocytes that accumulated oil droplets containing triglyceride. The adipokine
array and ELISAs confirmed secretion of multiple adipokines by HSC-Ad. These
adipocytes underwent further development in vivo when injected subcutaneously
into C57Bl/6 mice. When co-injected with melanoma B16F1 cells or breast cancer
E0771 cells into syngeneic C57Bl/6 mice, HSC-Ad not only accelerated both
melanoma and breast tumor growth, but also enhanced vascularization in both
tumors. Conditioned media from HSC-Ad supported B16F1 and E0771 cell
proliferation and enhanced cell migration in vitro. Among the HSC-Ad secreted
adipokines, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) played an important role in
E0771 cell proliferation. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was indispensable for
B16F1 cell migration, whereas HGF and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB)
collectively contributed to E0771 cell migration. Expression levels of receptors
for IGF-1, HGF, and PDGF-BB correlated with their differential roles in B16F1 and
E0771 cell proliferation and migration. Our data suggest that HSC-Ad
differentially regulate tumor behavior through distinct mechanisms.
PMID- 28989975
TI - Peptide-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels for Delivery of Biologics.
AB - The demand for therapeutic biologics has rapidly grown over recent decades,
creating a dramatic shift in the pharmaceutical industry from small molecule
drugs to biological macromolecular therapeutics. As a result of their large size
and innate instability, the systemic, topical, and local delivery of biologic
drugs remains a highly challenging task. Although there exist many types of
delivery vehicles, peptides and peptide conjugates have received continuously
increasing interest as molecular blocks to create a great diversity of
supramolecular nanostructures and hydrogels for the effective delivery of
biologics, due to their inherent biocompatibility, tunable biodegradability, and
responsiveness to various biological stimuli. In this context, we discuss the
design principles of supramolecular hydrogels using small molecule peptides and
peptide conjugates as molecular building units, and review the recent effort in
using these materials for protein delivery and gene delivery.
PMID- 28989977
TI - Fear reduction without fear through reinforcement of neural activity that
bypasses conscious exposure.
PMID- 28989978
TI - The therapeutic potential of resveratrol: a review of clinical trials.
AB - Resveratrol is a nutraceutical with several therapeutic effects. It has been
shown to mimic effects of caloric restriction, exert anti-inflammatory and anti
oxidative effects, and affect the initiation and progression of many diseases
through several mechanisms. While there is a wealth of in vitro and in vivo
evidence that resveratrol could be a promising therapeutic agent, clinical trials
must confirm its potential. In this work, we reviewed the current clinical data
available regarding the pharmacological action of resveratrol. Most of the
clinical trials of resveratrol have focused on cancer, neurological disorders,
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and
obesity. We found that for neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and
diabetes, the current clinical trials show that resveratrol was well tolerated
and beneficially influenced disease biomarkers. However resveratrol had ambiguous
and sometimes even detrimental effects in certain types of cancers and in NAFLD.
In most of the clinical trials, the major obstacle presented was resveratrol's
poor bioavailability. Thus, this work provides useful considerations for the
planning and design of future pre-clinical and clinical research on resveratrol.
PMID- 28989981
TI - Synthetic ALSPAC longitudinal datasets for the Big Data VR project.
AB - Three synthetic datasets - of observation size 15,000, 155,000 and 1,555,000
participants, respectively - were created by simulating eleven cardiac and
anthropometric variables from nine collection ages of the ALSAPC birth cohort
study. The synthetic datasets retain similar data properties to the ALSPAC study
data they are simulated from (co-variance matrices, as well as the mean and
variance values of the variables) without including the original data itself or
disclosing participant information. In this instance, the three synthetic
datasets have been utilised in an academia-industry collaboration to build a
prototype virtual reality data analysis software, but they could have a broader
use in method and software development projects where sensitive data cannot be
freely shared.
PMID- 28989979
TI - Haplotype-based association analysis of general cognitive ability in Generation
Scotland, the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, and UK Biobank.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cognitive ability is a heritable trait with a polygenic architecture,
for which several associated variants have been identified using genotype-based
and candidate gene approaches. Haplotype-based analyses are a complementary
technique that take phased genotype data into account, and potentially provide
greater statistical power to detect lower frequency variants. METHODS: In the
present analysis, three cohort studies (n total = 48,002) were utilised:
Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study (GS:SFHS), the English
Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), and the UK Biobank. A genome-wide haplotype
based meta-analysis of cognitive ability was performed, as well as a targeted
meta-analysis of several gene coding regions. RESULTS: None of the assessed
haplotypes provided evidence of a statistically significant association with
cognitive ability in either the individual cohorts or the meta-analysis. Within
the meta-analysis, the haplotype with the lowest observed P-value overlapped with
the D-amino acid oxidase activator ( DAOA) gene coding region. This coding region
has previously been associated with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and
Alzheimer's disease, which have all been shown to impact upon cognitive ability.
Another potentially interesting region highlighted within the current genome-wide
association analysis (GS:SFHS: P = 4.09 x 10 -7), was the butyrylcholinesterase (
BCHE) gene coding region. The protein encoded by BCHE has been shown to influence
the progression of Alzheimer's disease and its role in cognitive ability merits
further investigation. CONCLUSIONS: Although no evidence was found for any
haplotypes with a statistically significant association with cognitive ability,
our results did provide further evidence that the genetic variants contributing
to the variance of cognitive ability are likely to be of small effect.
PMID- 28989982
TI - An exploration into caring for a stroke-survivor in Lima, Peru: Emotional impact,
stress factors, coping mechanisms and unmet needs of informal caregivers.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Understanding local complexities and challenges of stroke-related
caregiving are essential to develop appropriate interventions. Our study aimed to
characterize the impact of post-stroke care among caregivers in a setting of
transitioning economy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative study based on in-depth
interviews with primary caregivers of stroke survivors in Lima, Peru. Transcribed
data was organized into the emotional impact of caregiving, main stress factors
and coping mechanisms to deal with the caregiving role, as well as the unmet
needs of caregivers. RESULTS: We interviewed twelve caregivers, mean age 52.5
years, 8/12 were females, who were either the spouse or child of the stroke
survivor. Stroke patients had a median age of 70 years, range 53-85 years. All
participants reported having experienced emotional stress and depressive symptoms
as a result of caregiving. Although most had family support, reduced social
activities and added unanticipated financial burdens increased caregiver's
stress. None of the caregivers had received training in post-stroke care tasks
after the patient's discharge and only a few had received some psychological
support, yet almost all expressed the need to see a professional to improve their
mental health. Keeping a positive attitude towards their relative's physical post
stroke condition was a key coping mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of
structured institutional responses, family members endure with the provision of
care for stroke survivors, a task escorted by major emotional, financial, and
social strains. This burden could be prevented or curtailed if caregivers were to
be targeted by interventions providing psychological and financial support,
together with basic training on post-stroke care.
PMID- 28989980
TI - Bone mineral density and risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease: A
Mendelian randomization study.
AB - Background: Observational studies have demonstrated that increased bone mineral
density is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the
relationship with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is less clear. Moreover,
substantial uncertainty remains about the causal relevance of increased bone
mineral density for T2D and CHD, which can be assessed by Mendelian randomisation
studies. Methods: We identified 235 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs) associated at p<5*10 -8 with estimated heel bone mineral density (eBMD) in
116,501 individuals from the UK Biobank study, accounting for 13.9% of eBMD
variance. For each eBMD-associated SNP, we extracted effect estimates from the
largest available GWAS studies for T2D (DIAGRAM: n=26,676 T2D cases and 132,532
controls) and CHD (CARDIoGRAMplusC4D: n=60,801 CHD cases and 123,504 controls). A
two-sample design using several Mendelian randomization approaches was used to
investigate the causal relevance of eBMD for risk of T2D and CHD. In addition, we
explored the relationship of eBMD, instrumented by the 235 SNPs, on 12
cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Finally, we conducted Mendelian
randomization analysis in the reverse direction to investigate reverse causality.
Results: Each one standard deviation increase in genetically instrumented eBMD
(equivalent to 0.14 g/cm 2) was associated with an 8% higher risk of T2D (odds
ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 1.14; p=0.012) and 5%
higher risk of CHD (OR 1.05; 95%CI: 1.00 to 1.10; p=0.034). Consistent results
were obtained in sensitivity analyses using several different Mendelian
randomization approaches. Equivalent increases in eBMD were also associated with
lower plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol and increased insulin resistance.
Mendelian randomization in the reverse direction using 94 T2D SNPs or 52 CHD SNPs
showed no evidence of reverse causality with eBMD. Conclusions: These findings
suggest a causal relationship between elevated bone mineral density with risks of
both T2D and CHD.
PMID- 28989983
TI - Prevalence of historical and replacement brominated flame retardant chemicals in
New York City homes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Until their phase-out between 2005 and 2013, polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDEs) were added to household products including furniture, rugs, and
electronics to meet flammability standards. Replacement brominated flame
retardant (BFR) chemicals, including 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5 tetrabromobenzoate
(TBB) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) 2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), which are
components of the Firemaster 550(r) commercial mixture, are now being used to
meet some flammability standards in furniture. The objective of this analysis was
to evaluate the extent to which mothers and their children living in New York
City are exposed to PBDEs, TBB, and TBPH. METHODS: We measured PBDEs, TBB, and
TBPH using gas chromatography mass spectrometry in dust (n = 25) and handwipe (n
= 11) samples collected between 2012 and 2013 from mothers and children living in
New York City. We defined dust as enriched if the proportional distribution for a
given BFR exceeded two-thirds of the total BFR content. RESULTS: We detected
PBDEs and TBPH in 100% of dust and handwipe samples and TBB in 100% of dust
samples and 95% of handwipe samples. Dust from approximately two-thirds of
households was enriched for either PBDEs (n = 9) or for TBB + TBPH (n = 8).
Overall, the median house dust concentration of TBB + TBPH (1318 ng/g dust) was
higher than that of SigmaPentaBDE (802 ng/g dust) and BDE-209 (1171 ng/g dust).
Children generally had higher BFR handwipe concentrations compared to mothers
(SigmaPentaBDE: 73%, BDE-209: 64%, TBB + TBPH: 55%) and within households, BFR
concentrations from paired maternal-child handwipes were highly correlated. Among
mothers, we found a significant positive relation between house dust and handwipe
BDE-209 and TBB + TBPH concentrations. CONCLUSION: PBDEs, TBB and TBPH are
ubiquitous in house dust and handwipes in a sample of mother-child pairs residing
in New York City.
PMID- 28989984
TI - Hippocampal volume changes following electroconvulsive therapy: a systematic
review and meta-analysis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Reduced hippocampal volume is one of the most consistent
morphological findings in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) is the most effective therapy for MDD, yet its mechanism of action
remains poorly understood. Animal models show that ECT induces several
neuroplastic processes, which lead to hippocampal volume increases. We conducted
a meta-analysis of ECT studies in humans to investigate its effects on
hippocampal volume. METHODS: PubMed was searched for studies examining
hippocampal volume before and after ECT. A random-effects model was used for meta
analysis with standardized mean difference (SMD) of the change in hippocampal
volume before and after ECT as the primary outcome. Nine studies involving 174
participants were included. RESULTS: Total hippocampal volumes increased
significantly following ECT compared to pre-treatment values (SMD=1.10; 95% CI
0.80-1.39; z=7.34; p<0.001; k=9). Both right (SMD=1.01; 95% CI 0.72-1.30; z=6.76;
p<0.001; k=7) and left (SMD=0.87; 95% CI 0.51-1.23; z=4.69; p<0.001; k=7)
hippocampal volumes were also similarly increased significantly following ECT. We
demonstrated no correlation between improvement in depression symptoms with ECT
and change in total hippocampal volume (beta=-1.28, 95% CI -4.51-1.95, z=-0.78,
p=0.44). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate fairly consistent increases in hippocampal
volume bilaterally following ECT treatment. The relationship among these
volumetric changes and clinical improvement and cognitive side effects of ECT
should be explored by larger, multisite studies with harmonized imaging methods.
PMID- 28989985
TI - Cardiac Lymphatic Vessels, Transport, and Healing of the Infarcted Heart.
AB - The lymphatic vasculature plays a key role throughout the body in regulating
tissue fluid homeostasis, lipid transport, and immune surveillance. Whereas it
has been appreciated that the heart relies on lymphatic vessels to maintain fluid
balance and that such balance must be tightly maintained to allow for normal
cardiac output, it has only recently come to light that the lymphatic vasculature
might serve as a therapeutic target to promote optimal healing following
myocardial ischemia and infarction. We review the subject of cardiac lymphatic
vessels herein and highlight studies that imply targeting of lymphatic vessel
development or transport may serve as a promising avenue for future clinical
application in the context of ischemic injury.
PMID- 28989986
TI - Data Resources for Human Functional Genomics.
PMID- 28989987
TI - Towards a better cancer precision medicine: systems biology meets immunotherapy.
AB - Systems biology approaches that embrace the complexity of cancer are starting to
gain traction in the development of new anticancer therapeutic strategies. In
this review we describe how genomic analyses are helping improve our
understanding of response to immunotherapy, a front-runner in cancer treatment.
We argue that systems-level approaches are needed to help understand the
concerted impact of tumor-specific and immune-specific molecular features on
clinical outcomes, predict responders and unravel the complexity of tumor
ecosystems. This integrated approach will propel immunotherapy into the exciting
world of precision medicine.
PMID- 28989988
TI - A Risk-based Model for Predicting the Impact of using Condoms on the Spread of
Sexually Transmitted Infections.
AB - We create and analyze a mathematical model to estimate the impact of condom-use
and sexual behavior on the prevalence and spread of Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STIs). STIs remain a significant public health challenge globally
with a high burden of some Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in both developed
and undeveloped countries. Although condom-use is known to reduce the
transmission of STIs, there are a few quantitated population-based studies on the
protective role of condom-use in reducing the incidence of STIs. The number of
concurrent partners is correlated with their risk of being infectious by a STI
such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. We define a Susceptible-Infectious
Susceptible (SIS) model that distributes the population by the number of
concurrent partners. The model captures the multi-level heterogeneous mixing
through a combination of biased (preferential) and random mixing between
individuals with different risks, and accounts for differences in condom-use in
the low- and high-risk populations. We use sensitivity analysis to assess the
relative impact of high-risk people using condom as a prophylactic to reduce
their chance of being infectious, or infecting others. The model predicts the STI
prevalence as a function of the number of partners that a person has, and
quantifies how this distribution changes as a function of condom-use. Our results
show that when the mixing is random, then increasing the condom-use in the high
risk population is more effective in reducing the prevalence than when many of
the partners of high-risk people have high risk. The model quantified how the
risk of being infected increases for people who have more partners, and and the
need for high-risk people to consistently use condoms to reduce their risk of
infection.
PMID- 28989989
TI - Immunotoxicology: A brief history, current status and strategies for future
immunotoxicity assessment.
PMID- 28989990
TI - Molecular Breast Imaging using Synthetic Projections from High-Purity Germanium
Detectors: A Simulation Study.
AB - High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma cameras are an emerging technology for
Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) due to their 2D lateral spatial resolution, depth
of-interaction (DOI) estimation, and superb energy resolution. In this simulation
study, we investigate the potential imaging performance of an opposing view dual
head HPGe breast imaging system using a synthetic-projection technique, which
utilizes DOI data with varying degrees of overlap in an iterative OSEM
reconstruction algorithm to create 3D images from which new 2D projections are
then created. The radiation transport simulator Monte Carlo N-Particle was
employed to generate projections from 10-mm thick HPGe detectors using tungsten
parallel-hole collimators with short and wide holes. Simulations modeling 140-keV
emissions from various contrast-detail and breast-torso phantoms were conducted.
Synthetic projections were generated along with conjugate-counting images from
collected HPGe projections. Tumor contrast, SNR, and hot-spot detection
measurements were used to compare images. Results show that the synthetic
projections could resolve more low-contrast tumors compared to single-camera
projections and conjugate-counting methods. MBI simulations also showed increased
contrast and SNR in synthetic projections compared to individual projections. In
conclusion, the HPGe imaging system employing a synthetic-projection technique
may offer advantages over individual dual-camera projections or conjugate
counting methods in terms of contrast, SNR, and tumor detectability.
PMID- 28989991
TI - Region Specific Effects of Aging and the Nurr1-Null Heterozygous Genotype on
Dopamine Neurotransmission.
AB - The transcription factor Nurr1 is essential for dopamine neuron differentiation
and is important in maintaining dopamine synthesis and neurotransmission in the
adult. Reduced Nurr1 function, due to the Nurr1-null heterozygous genotype (+/-),
impacts dopamine neuron function in a region specific manner resulting in a
decrease in dopamine synthesis in the dorsal and ventral striatum and a decrease
in tissue dopamine levels in the ventral striatum. Additionally, maintenance of
tissue dopamine levels in the dorsal striatum and survival of nigrostriatal
dopamine neurons with aging (>15 months) or after various toxicant treatments are
impaired. To further investigate the effects of aging and the Nurr1-null
heterozygous genotype, we measured regional tissue dopamine levels, dopamine
neuron numbers, body weight, open field activity and rota-rod performance in
young (3-5 months) and aged (15-17 months) wild-type +/+ and +/- mice. Behavioral
tests revealed no significant differences in rota-rod performance or basal open
field activity as a result of aging or genotype. The +/- mice did show a
significant increase in open field activity after 3 min of restraint stress. No
differences in tissue dopamine levels were found in the dorsal striatum. However,
there were significant reductions in tissue dopamine levels in the ventral
striatum, which was separated into the nucleus accumbens core and shell, in the
aged +/- mice. These data indicate that the mesoaccumbens system is more
susceptible to the combination of aging and the +/- genotype than the
nigrostriatal system. Additionally, the effects of aging and the +/- genotype may
be dependent on genetic background or housing conditions. As Nurr1 mutations have
been implicated in a number of diseases associated with dopamine
neurotransmission, further data is needed to understand why and how Nurr1 can
have differential functions across different dopamine neuron populations in
aging.
PMID- 28989994
TI - Arteriovenous Malformation in a Youth with Atypical Autism Symptoms.
AB - Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) present a challenge to diagnose in
children with developmental disability, because of the overlap in behavioral
symptoms and neurologic manifestations. They have been very rarely reported in
conjunction with autism spectrum disorder. This case involves a 13 year old male
with a history of autism spectrum disorder and significant behavioral issues
diagnosed with a thalamic AVM following lateralizing neurologic symptoms. Despite
radiosurgical treatment, hemorrhage followed consequently causing extensive
neurologic injury and death. This case emphasizes the need for close follow up
and coordination within a medical home for children with developmental
disabilities. A multidisciplinary team approach is ideal to allow detection of
subtle neurologic changes over time that may be masked as behavioral
difficulties.
PMID- 28989995
TI - COLLAGE 360: A Model of Person-Centered Care To Promote Health Among Older
Adults.
AB - Health care leaders and providers have introduced the assumption the typical
elder, even in the presence of complex, chronic disease and prevailing illness,
is capable of assuming greater personal responsibility for their health care,
with a shift from provider-centered to a person-centered model of care. For older
adults who often and repeatedly face challenges managing and maintaining their
health status, guidance and support is needed. In this study, COLLAGE 360, a
comprehensive assessment system and wellness coaching program that focuses on
prevention and wellness, care coordination and self-management of health care was
implemented in one continuing care retirement community. Following completion of
two assessment tools via directed conversation with a wellness coach, older
adults developed an individualized vitality plan that outlined life goals,
supporting goals and action plans for goal achievement. Results from this program
suggest engagement in the assessment and wellness coaching process via the
COLLAGE 360 program translated into sample older adults sensing that they live in
a more supportive environment when compared with elders not receiving any
wellness coaching. In addition, the older adults had positive effects in the
areas of mood, loneliness, social interaction, health status, and life
satisfaction. Strategies to improve health and well being need an extended focus
beyond the older adult's medical conditions and consider psychological, spiritual
and social needs with personal preferences being paramount. These issues are
foundational to a person-centered, health promotion approach needed among this
population.
PMID- 28989996
TI - Clinicopathological features and post-resection outcomes of biliary cystadenoma
and cystadenocarcinoma of the liver.
AB - BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Biliary cystadenoma (BCA) and biliary cystadenocarcinoma (BCAC)
account for 5%-10% of liver cystic diseases. In this study, we analysed the
clinical presentation and surgical management of patients with BCA and BCAC.
METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 23 BCA and 7 BCAC
cases diagnosed between January 2007 and December 2013. RESULTS: There was a
statistically significant difference in age (p=0.044) and sex (p=0.048) between
BCA and BCAC groups. In the BCA group, 17 patients showed no symptoms (74%), 5
had abdominal pain (22%) and 1 showed abdominal distension (4%). In the BCAC
group, two patients were without any symptoms (29%), three had abdominal pain
(43%), one showed abdominal distension (14%) and one had fever and chills (14%).
The cystic lesion size was widely variable; thus, there was no statistical
difference (p=0.84). Complete resection was performed in all patients with BCA
and BCAC. No tumour recurrence developed in patients with BCA. In patients with
BCAC, 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 100%, 85.7% and 57.1%,
respectively, and 1-, 3- and 5-year overall patient survival rates were 100%,
100% and 75.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to distinguish between
BCA and BCAC via clinical manifestations and diagnostic imaging findings.
Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for BCA and BCAC, and patient
prognosis after complete resection was very favourable.
PMID- 28989997
TI - Diaphragmatic hernia following liver resection: case series and review of the
literature.
AB - BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Postoperative diaphragmatic hernia, following liver resection,
is a rare complication. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent major hepatectomy
for liver tumors, between 2011 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The
literature was searched for studies reporting the occurrence of diaphragmatic
hernia following liver resection. RESULTS: Diaphragmatic hernia developed in 2.3%
of patients (3/131) with a median delay of 14 months (4-31 months). One patient
underwent emergency laparotomy for bowel obstruction and two patients underwent
elective diaphragmatic hernia repair. At last follow-up, no recurrences were
observed. Fourteen studies including 28 patients were identified in the
literature search (donor hepatectomy, n=11: hepatectomy for liver tumors, n=17).
Diaphragmatic hernia was repaired emergently in 42.9% of cases and digestive
resection was necessary in 28.5% of the cases. One patient died 3 months after
hepatectomy, secondary to sepsis, from a segment of small bowel that perforated
into the diaphragmatic hernia. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, diaphragmatic hernia
should be considered as an important complication, especially in living donor
liver transplant patients. Diaphragmatic hernia should be repaired surgically,
even for asymptomatic patients.
PMID- 28989998
TI - Mirizzi syndrome: necessity for safe approach in dealing with diagnostic and
treatment challenges.
AB - BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The challenging dilemma of Mirizzi syndrome for operating
surgeons arises from the difficulty to diagnose it preoperatively, and
approximately 50% of cases are diagnosed intraoperatively. In this study, we
analysed the effectiveness of diagnostic modalities and treatment options in our
series of Mirizzi syndrome. METHODS: Patients had a preoperative or
intraoperative diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome, and were classified into three
groups: Group 1: Incidental finding of Mirizzi syndrome intraoperatively (n=34).
Group 2: Patients presented with jaundice, diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography (n=17). Group 3: Patients diagnosed initially by
ultrasound (n=13). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was conducted in all 49 patients
with Cendes type I disease. Partial cholecystectomy, common bile duct
exploration, repair of fistula and t-tube placement was conducted on eight
patients with Cendes type II and five patients with Cendes type III. Partial
cholecystectomy with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was conducted in two patients
with Cendes type IV disease. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were diagnosed with
Mirizzi syndrome. Morbidity rate was 3.1%. Mortality rate was 0%. Group 3
(patients diagnosed initially by ultrasound) had the best treatment outcome, the
least morbidity, and the shortest hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Suspected cases of
Mirizzi syndrome should not be underestimated. Difficulty in establishing
preoperative diagnosis is the major dilemma. As it is mostly encountered
intraoperatively, the approach should be careful and logical to identify the
correct type of Mirizzi by a thorough diagnostic laparoscopy and thus, provide
optimum treatment for the subtype to achieve the best outcome.
PMID- 28989999
TI - Gallstone, cholecystectomy and risk of gastric cancer.
AB - BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The aim of this retrospective study is to compare stomach
cancer incidence, characteristics between gallstones, cholecystectomy and control
groups. It also aims to investigate key variables' potential effects on overall
survival. METHODS: A total of 99 patients, diagnosed with stomach cancers between
April 1994 and December 2015, were identified. We excluded stomach cancer
patients, accrued during the first year of follow-up in both the gallstones and
cholecystectomy groups, assuming that they missed cancers. The main analyses
addressing the objective were a chi-square analysis and a survival analysis.
RESULTS: The incidence of stomach cancers was increased in both the gallstone and
cholecystectomy groups, compared with the control group (p=0.003). Multivariate
regression analysis showed that the overall survival in gallstones,
cholecystectomy group patients as compared with those in the control group
decreased (HR=6.66, 95 CI: 1.94-22.80, p=0.003). Also, T-stage was found to
statistically affect the rate of overall survival (HR=9.85, 95% CI: 3.09-31.39,
p=.000). The stomach cancer showed the worse survival at the posterior, greater
curvature location than anterior, lesser curvature of the stomach. (HR=0.30, 95%
CI: 0.11-0.80, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: We provided an awareness of the possible
increased risks of stomach cancer in gallstone and cholecystectomy group
patients, which might be induced by duodenogastric bile reflux. Also, the
survival rate was poor (p<0.000). Therefore, close follow-up strategies for early
detection are recommended for such patients.
PMID- 28990000
TI - Extended pancreatic transection for secure pancreatic reconstruction during
pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB - BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with various
surgical complications including healing failure of the pancreaticojejunostomy
(PJ). This study intended to ensure blood supply to the pancreatic stump through
extended pancreatic transection (EPT). METHODS: This study assessed whether EPT
reduces PJ-associated complications and whether EPT is harmful on the remnant
pancreatic function. The EPT group included 19 patients undergoing PD, pylorus
preserving PD (PPPD) or hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy. The propensity score
matched control group included 45 patients who had undergone PPPD. Pancreatic
transection was performed at the level of the celiac axis in the EPT group, by
which the pancreatic body was additionally removed by 3 cm in length comparing
with the conventional pancreatic transection. RESULTS: A small invagination
fissure suspected as the embryonic fusion site was identified at the ventro
caudal edge of the pancreatic body in all patients undergoing EPT. A sizable
fissure permitting easy separation of the pancreatic parenchyma was identified in
15 of 19 patients (78.9%). The incidence of significant postoperative pancreatic
fistula was significantly lower in the EPT group than in the control group
(p=0.047). There was no significant increase in the postoperative de novo
diabetes mellitus in EPT group (p=0.60). CONCLUSIONS: The EPT technique
contributes to the prevention of major pancreatic fistula without impairing
remnant pancreatic function. EPT is feasible for routine clinical application or
at least in patients with any known risk of PJ leak.
PMID- 28990001
TI - Safety of duodenal ampullectomy for benign periampullary tumors.
AB - BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Surgical resection, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), is
used for treatment of benign periampullary tumors, but high morbidity and
mortality resulting from PD can be a huddle. The aim of this study is to suggest
a safe and less invasive procedure for treatment of benign periampullary tumors.
METHODS: From January 2001 to September 2016, 31 patients with ampulla of Vater
(AOV) tumors were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who were confirmed with
malignancy through biopsy were excluded, except for one patient with malignancy
and multiple underlying diseases. To investigate the safety and availability of
transduodenal ampullectomy (TDA), TDA and endoscopic papillectomy (EP) were
compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the occurrence of
complications between the TDA group and EP group (p=0.145), and the resection
margins were negative in both groups. There was no recurrence in patients who had
TDA, while one patient had a recurrence after EP. CONCLUSIONS: This study
suggests that TDA is as safe as EP for treating benign periampullary tumors.
PMID- 28990002
TI - Two cases of ALPPS procedure: simultaneous ALPPS and colorectal resection and
ALPPS procedure for hepatic malignancy larger than 15 centimeter.
AB - Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy
(ALPPS) has recently been introduced as a new surgical technique to increase
future liver remnant in patients with marginal liver volume contemplating major
liver resection. We herein present two cases. Case 1: a 68-year-old male patient
with colorectal liver metastasis was referred to our department. The future liver
remnant (FLR) was 22%. We performed first-stage ALPPS and colorectal surgery
concurrently and second stage operation was performed 8 days later. The patient
discharged 28 days after the first-stage ALPPS procedure. Case 2: a 69-year-old
male patient with a huge hepatic mass was referred for hepatic surgery. The FLR
was 19%. After the first stage of the ALPPS procedure, acute renal failure and
posthepatectomy liver failure occurred. The patient began to recover on the 5th
postoperative day. At 10 days after the first stage, the patient completed the
second-stage procedure. The patient discharged 23 days after the first-stage
ALPPS procedure. So far many studies are currently underway to identify factors
associated with the morbidity and mortality of the ALPPS procedure, it is
necessary to continue follow-up studies and observe the results.
PMID- 28990003
TI - Liver lesions detected in a hepatitis B core total antibody-positive patient
masquerading as hepatocellular carcinoma: a rare case of peliosis hepatis and a
review of the literature.
AB - Peliosis Hepatis (PH) is a rare vascular disorder of the liver, characterized by
the presence of cystic blood-filled cavities distributed throughout the hepatic
parenchyma. The pathogenesis of PH remains controversial. The preoperative
diagnosis of PH is difficult, due to the non-specific imaging characteristics of
PH and almost all cases are diagnosed on histology post resection. This study
presents a case of PH masquerading as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patient
is a 45-year old Chinese lady, who presented with transaminitis. She was found to
be hepatitis B virus core total antibody-positive with an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
of 29.4 ng/ml. Triphasic liver computed tomography showed several arterial
hypervascular lesions and hypoenhancing lesions on the venous phase, particularly
in the segments 6/7. Subsequently, a magnetic resonance imaging scan showed
multiple lesions in the right hemiliver with an indeterminate enhancement
patterns. Subsequently, she decided to undergo a resection procedure.
Histopathology revealed findings consistent with PH with some unusual features.
This case demonstrates a clinical conundrum, in which PH presented with a raised
AFP, in a patient with risk factors for the development of HCC. The clinical
suspicion of PH should be high in patients, who present with multiple hepatic
lesions with variable enhancement patterns.
PMID- 28990004
TI - Primary hepatic lymphoma treated with liver resection followed by chemotherapy: a
case report.
AB - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma often involves the liver. However, primary hepatic lymphoma
(PHL) confined to the liver without evidence of lymphomatous involvement is rare.
The optimal therapy for PHL is still unclear. Most patients present with poor
prognostic features. Here, we report a case of PHL treated with liver resection
followed by chemotherapy. A 65-year-old male was referred for further evaluation
about a liver mass detected on ultrasound. Abdominal computed tomography (CT)
scan showed well-defined single mass of 6 cm in diameter. Positron emission
tomography/CT scan revealed a hot uptake lesion on the segment 8 of the liver.
Colonoscopy showed no abnormal finding. It was diagnosed as intrahepatic
cholangiocarcinoma. A right anterior sectionectomy was performed. Postoperative
pathology revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Bone marrow biopsy showed
normal findings. The final diagnosis was confirmed as PHL. The patient
subsequently received six cycles of R-CHOP (Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide,
Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisolone) regimen. The patient is doing well
without relapse after 60 months of follow-up. Because of its rarity and the lack
of specific laboratory, radiological, or clinical finding, liver biopsy is
essential for definite diagnosis of PHL. Optimal treatment for PHL is currently
uncertain. However, surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy should
be considered for select individuals to achieve better outcome.
PMID- 28990006
TI - Distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic arteriovenous malformation: report of a
case.
AB - Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the pancreas is an uncommon disease, which
can cause an abdominal pain. This disease is characterized by a tangled vascular
network, including the whole or part of the pancreas, resulting in portal
hypertension by forming a shunt of the pancreas arteries to drain directly into
the portal venous system. This study presents a case that was suspected as AVM of
the pancreas by preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan (CT). A
49-year-old male patient had several episodes of abdominal discomfort associated
with dyspepsia for 4 days. Magnetic resonance imaging showed enhancement of the
conglomeration about 1.5 cm size in diameter in the pancreas. Selective
angiography showed the proliferation of a vascular network in the pancreas and an
early visualization of the portal vein during the arterial phase. Distal
pancreatectomy with splenectomy was done. Histology of the pancreas showed AVM,
with enzymatic fat necrosis extending to the capsule of the pancreas. The patient
recovered successfully without postoperative complications. Surgical resection of
pancreas is the definitive treatment for symptomatic AVM.
PMID- 28990005
TI - Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder: a case report.
AB - Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the gallbladder is an extremely rare tumor. Despite
aggressive and varied treatments, its prognosis is poor. A 70-year-old woman
undergoing treatment for pneumonia was detected with a gallbladder mass. Radical
cholecystectomy was performed and the pathology revealed small cell carcinoma.
There were metastases in 2 lymph nodes, scoring T2N1M0, stage IIIB (AJCC 7th).
The patient has survived thus far, with subsequent chemotherapy. SCC of the
gallbladder has an extremely low incidence and poor prognosis. In some cases,
radical surgery with chemotherapy or radiation therapy could increase survival
rate of patients.
PMID- 28990007
TI - Pancreatic resection for renal cell carcinoma metastasis: a case review.
AB - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney malignancy. The
pancreas is an infrequent site of metastasis in relation to any type of
malignancy. However, RCC is one of the tumor types that most frequently
metastasize to the pancreas. In this study, we report our experiences with two
patients who underwent pancreatic resection for metastatic RCC tumors; of these
two patients, one patient had a tumor was a metachronous pancreas-only tumor, and
the other patient's tumor was synchronous with hematogenous lung metastasis.
Following left-side pancreatic resection, the patients were administered tyrosine
kinase inhibitors.
PMID- 28990009
TI - Education as Liberation?
AB - This paper studies the political and social impacts of increased education by
utilizing a randomized girls' merit scholarship programme in Kenya that raised
test scores and secondary schooling. Consistent with the view that education
empowers the disadvantaged to challenge authority, we find that the programme
reduced the acceptance of domestic violence and political authority. Young women
in programme schools also increased their objective political knowledge. We find
that this rejection of the status quo did not translate into greater perceived
political efficacy, community participation or voting intentions. Instead, there
is suggestive evidence that the perceived legitimacy of political violence
increased.
PMID- 28990008
TI - Parcellation of Human Amygdala Subfields Using Orientation Distribution Function
and Spectral K-means Clustering.
AB - Amygdala plays an important role in fear and emotional learning, which are
critical for human survival. Despite the functional relevance and unique
circuitry of each human amygdaloid subnuclei, there has yet to be an efficient
imaging method for identifying these regions in vivo. A data-driven approach
without prior knowledge provides advantages of efficient and objective
assessments. The present study uses high angular and high spatial resolution
diffusion magnetic resonance imaging to generate orientation distribution
function, which bears distinctive microstructural features. The features were
extracted using spherical harmonic decomposition to assess microstructural
similarity within amygdala subfields are identified via similarity matrices using
spectral k-mean clustering. The approach was tested on 32 healthy volunteers and
three distinct amygdala subfields were identified including medial, posterior
superior lateral, and anterior-inferior lateral.
PMID- 28990010
TI - Concepts, Terms, and Mental Models: Everyday Challenges to Older Adult Social
Media Adoption.
AB - Social connection and social support are strong predictors of wellbeing, but
maintaining social relations often becomes more difficult at older ages. Because
social media enhance feelings of connectedness and reduce feelings of loneliness,
they may present accessible and relatively low cost mechanisms to enhance life
quality at older ages. Using data gathered from two focus groups of potential
older adult social media learners, we explored the physical and cognitive
challenges to social media use, perceptions of social media benefits, and
conceptual barriers to use. Findings support earlier studies that identify
perceived benefit as important to social media adoption at older ages, and extend
these by identifying that a lack in conceptual knowledge of these technologies is
an additional barrier to use. We then discuss the cognitive implications of
gaining this knowledge.
PMID- 28990011
TI - How Gamification Affects Physical Activity: Large-scale Analysis of Walking
Challenges in a Mobile Application.
AB - Gamification represents an effective way to incentivize user behavior across a
number of computing applications. However, despite the fact that physical
activity is essential for a healthy lifestyle, surprisingly little is known about
how gamification and in particular competitions shape human physical activity.
Here we study how competitions affect physical activity. We focus on walking
challenges in a mobile activity tracking application where multiple users compete
over who takes the most steps over a predefined number of days. We synthesize our
findings in a series of game and app design implications. In particular, we
analyze nearly 2,500 physical activity competitions over a period of one year
capturing more than 800,000 person days of activity tracking. We observe that
during walking competitions, the average user increases physical activity by 23%.
Furthermore, there are large increases in activity for both men and women across
all ages, and weight status, and even for users that were previously fairly
inactive. We also find that the composition of participants greatly affects the
dynamics of the game. In particular, if highly unequal participants get matched
to each other, then competition suffers and the overall effect on the physical
activity drops significantly. Furthermore, competitions with an equal mix of both
men and women are more effective in increasing the level of activities. We
leverage these insights to develop a statistical model to predict whether or not
a competition will be particularly engaging with significant accuracy. Our models
can serve as a guideline to help design more engaging competitions that lead to
most beneficial behavioral changes.
PMID- 28990012
TI - Impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on otologic symptoms associated with chronic
rhinosinusitis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate improvements in otologic symptoms after endoscopic sinus
surgery (ESS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and identify
differences in symptoms, if any, between CRS patients with (CRSwNP) and without
(CRSsNP) nasal polyposis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective multi-center observational
cohort study. SETTING: Academic tertiary medical centers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
Adults with medically recalcitrant CRS who elected ESS were enrolled in a
prospective, multi-center, observational cohort study between March, 2011 and
October, 2014. Preoperative evaluation of subjects included assessment of
clinical characteristics, measures of disease severity, and quality of life
evaluation using the 22-item SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Postoperative
improvement in otologic symptoms (ear fullness, dizziness, ear pain) scores were
evaluated and compared between CRSwNP and CRSsNP subgroups. RESULTS: 395 study
patients completed both preoperative and postoperative evaluations, with an
average follow-up of 13.9 months after ESS. The prevalence of patients reporting
at least one otologic symptom preoperatively (87%) significantly decreased after
ESS (63%; p<0.001). Significant postoperative improvement across all otologic
scores was also reported (p<0.001). Relative mean improvement in otologic symptom
severity was similar for both CRSwNP and CRSsNP, except patients with CRSwNP
reported significantly greater postoperative improvement in ear fullness compared
to CRSsNP (54% vs. 41%; p=0.039). A total of 61%, 44%, and 43% of patients
reported experiencing improvement in "ear fullness", "dizziness" and "ear pain",
respectively. CONCLUSION: Sinus surgery significantly improves otologic symptoms
associated with CRS. CRSwNP patients reported slightly greater relief of ear
fullness than CRSsNP patients following ESS.
PMID- 28990013
TI - Primary oral melanoma: A clinicopathologic review and case presentation.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this manuscript is to present a clinicopathologic
review of the literature concerning all the detailed cases of primary oral
melanoma (OM) that were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, a
pertinent case presentation is addressed. DATA SOURCES: An extensive electronic
search of the literature was performed using PubMed/Medline from 1953 to 2017.
Relevant articles were selected based on specific inclusion criteria. Statistical
analyses were conducted by the Shapiro-Wilk, Fisher's exact, chi-square, and Z
tests (alpha = .05). RESULTS: Forty-nine cases of primary OM reported in the
literature plus the current case were analyzed; patient ages ranged from 17 to 89
years with a mean of 60.8 years; male to female ratio was 1.5:1; Caucasian
patients were the most affected and the most frequent locations were maxillary
alveolar mucosa and palate; the majority of the lesions were pigmented (62%);
differences among the proportions of positivity to S-100, HMB-45, Melan-A, NKFC3,
vimentin, tyrosinase, CK, microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF), and Ki-67
were found (P < .0001), especially when comparing with vimentin (P < .05) and CK
(P < .01); recurrence was reported in 11.6% and mortality in 54.8%. The case
presented is of a 71-year-old mixed-race woman who presented multiple pigmented
lesions over the maxillary alveolar mucosa and palate. Positivity for S-100, HMB
45, Melan-A, and Ki-67 confirmed the diagnosis of primary OM. CONCLUSION: Primary
OM is rare and very aggressive, with only 49 detailed cases confirmed by
immunohistochemistry existing within the English literature, in addition to the
present case. S-100 and HMB-45 are excellent markers to confirm the diagnosis of
primary OM, although the use of adjuvant specific markers such as Melan-A,
tyrosinase, and MITF should be also encouraged.
PMID- 28990014
TI - Atypical root resorption following root fractures in primary teeth.
AB - Atypical root resorption (ARR) is the condition of a superficial and
circumferential resorption process along the lateral and/or apical root surface
of a primary maxillary incisor. This case series demonstrates longitudinal
observations of six patients with atypical root resorption following root
fractured primary incisors. The characteristics of atypical root resorption were
different from pathologic root resorption.
PMID- 28990015
TI - Efficacy of the twin block, a peripheral nerve block for the management of
chronic masticatory myofascial pain: A case series.
AB - Masticatory myofascial pain is the one of the most common etiologies for
nonodontogenic pain, often characterized by the presence of trigger points.
Conventional management includes approaches such as jaw exercises, physical
therapy, intraoral appliances, medications, and trigger point injections.
Peripheral/regional nerve blocks have shown to be effective in managing myogenous
pain conditions. The twin block is a nerve block that blocks both the masseteric
and the anterior deep temporal nerves. The objective of this case series is to
illustrate expeditious and sustained efficacy of the twin block in the management
of chronic masticatory myofascial pain.
PMID- 28990016
TI - Orthodontics and the temporomandibular joint: What orthodontic providers need to
know.
AB - Currently, there are three major groups of dentists who provide orthodontic
services to the public: postgraduate trained orthodontists, postgraduate trained
pediatric dentists, and general dentists who have taken various orthodontic
training courses. All of them can expect to encounter a variety of clinical
situations that require a proper understanding of how normal temporomandibular
joints (TMJs) function, and also how the masticatory system can develop pain
dysfunction problems; those problems are classified and defined as
temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In this paper, six "intersections" between
these groups of practitioners and those clinical situations will be discussed,
with an emphasis on practical approaches to managing problems that may arise
during orthodontic treatment. Specific recommendations are offered to help
clinicians recognize clinical problems and to deal with them successfully.
PMID- 28990017
TI - Associations between patients' understanding of periodontal disease, treatment
compliance, and disease status.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations
between patients' understanding of periodontal disease, their individual
compliance to homecare, self-reported periodontal disease, and how they have been
educated regarding their oral health. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional
study was performed by distributing questionnaires to patients at the University
of Alberta Dental Clinic. A survey consisting of 45 questions was constructed in
order to quantify patients' understanding of periodontal disease (section 1),
where they received their information, how often they have been instructed by
dental practitioners, their homecare habits (section 2), and their self-reported
periodontal status (section 3). RESULTS: In total, 286 surveys were analyzed from
participants (92 males; 191 females; 3 other), with an age range of 15-87 years
(mean 42.6 +/- 15.1). Correctly answered questions ranged from 39.5% to 95.8%,
the highest related to smoking and lowest regarding gingival pockets. Only 42.0%
and 42.7% understood the purpose of periodontal probing and the difference
between gingivitis and periodontitis respectively. Of the participants, 13.3% and
54.2% had never been shown how to clean their teeth or counselled regarding
dietary habits from dental professionals respectively, and only 24.8% had been
shown more than four times how to clean their teeth. A moderate association was
found between sections 1 (knowledge) and 2 (habits/instruction), between sections
1 and 3 (self-reported health), and between sections 2 and 3. CONCLUSION:
Moderate association between knowledge, homecare habits, instruction from dental
professionals, and self-reported periodontal health was found. Patient
understanding is lacking in certain areas and there seems to be a lack of patient
education from dental professionals. As dental professionals improve patient
instruction, there may be an improvement in patient compliance to homecare and
periodontal health.
PMID- 28990018
TI - Crystallographic features of poly(vinylidene fluoride) film upon an attractive
substrate of KBr.
AB - Among all the polymorphs of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), the polar gamma
form possesses the highest melting point and electrical breakdown strength as
well as the strongest solvent and irradiation resistance, which are beneficial
for the durability of PVDF products. Since the gamma-form is neither kinetically
favorable nor the most thermodynamically stable, it is still difficult to attain
the exclusive gamma-polymorph, particularly in the case of neat PVDF. In this
study, the melt isothermal crystallization of PVDF films was carried out between
two KBr wafers. Owing to the characteristics of KBr wafer, including no IR
absorbance and high optical transmittance, the crystallographic features
originating from the KBr substrate can be conveniently elucidated through the in
situ inspected techniques of FTIR and PLM. The KBr wafers significantly
accelerated the crystallization kinetics of alpha-crystals, and then readily
triggered the solid-state alpha- to gamma-transformation of the pre-formed alpha
spherulites, resulting in a 10 MUm-thick, neat PVDF film with an absolute
crystallinity of 35% and a relative gamma fraction as high as 94%. When the film
thickness was increased to 40 MUm, the crystallization rate of the alpha-form was
still rapid, but the solid-state transformation was not appreciable. These
interesting crystallographic phenomena are attributed to the existence of ion
dipole interaction between the -CF2 or -CH2 of PVDF chains and the surface of KBr
wafer. Unlike most traditional substrate-dominated crystallizations that prevail
in a surface epitaxy manner, in which the target films are of ultra-thin
thickness (of the order of 10 nm), the ion-dipole interaction promotes the
effective thickness to a ten micron level, which enables its production and
application at scalable level. Moreover, the triggering of alpha- to gamma
transformation via external fields could be an alternative for achieving the
gamma-dominant PVDF products, particularly when the introduction of external
additives is prohibited.
PMID- 28990019
TI - Liquid-based stationary phase for deterministic lateral displacement separation
in microfluidics.
AB - Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a promising separation scheme in
microfluidic systems. In traditional DLD, a periodic array of solid posts induces
the separative migration of suspended particles moving through the system. Here,
we present a radical departure from traditional DLD systems and use an array of
anchored liquid-bridges as the stationary phase in the DLD device. The liquid
bridges are created between two parallel plates and anchored to the bottom one by
cylindrical wells. We show that the non-linear particle dynamics observed in
traditional DLD systems is also present in the anchored-liquid case, enabling
analogous size-based separation of suspended particles. The use of liquid-bridges
as the stationary phase presents additional possibilities in separation
technologies, potentially eliminating or significantly reducing clogging,
enabling renewable and/or reconfigurable systems, allowing a different set of
fabrication methods and providing alternative ways to separate particles based on
their interaction with liquid-liquid interfaces. Some of these advantages could
also extend to filtration methods based on similar liquid-based stationary
phases.
PMID- 28990020
TI - Proton relays in anomalous carbocations dictate spectroscopy, stability, and
mechanisms: case studies on C2H5+ and C3H3.
AB - We present a detailed analysis of the anomalous carbocations: C2H5+ and C3H3+.
This work involves (a) probing electronic structural properties, (b) ab initio
dynamics simulations over a range of internal energies, (c) analysis of reduced
dimensional potential surfaces directed along selected conformational transition
pathways, (d) dynamically averaged vibrational spectra computed from ab initio
dynamics trajectories, and (e) two-dimensional time-frequency analysis to probe
conformational dynamics. Key findings are as follows: (i) as noted in our
previous study on C2H3+, it appears that these non-classical carbocations are
stabilized by delocalized nuclear frameworks and "proton shuttles". We analyze
this nuclear delocalization and find critical parallels between conformational
changes in C2H3+, C2H5+, and C3H3+. (ii) The vibrational signatures of C2H5+ are
dominated by the "bridge-proton" conformation, but also show critical
contributions from the "classical" configuration, which is a transition state at
almost all levels of theory. This result is further substantiated through two
dimensional time-frequency analysis and is at odds with earlier explanations of
the experimental spectra, where frequencies close to the classical region were
thought to arise from an impurity. While this is still possible, our results here
indicate an additional (perhaps more likely) explanation that involves the
"classical" isomer. (iii) Finally, in the case of C3H3+ our explanation of the
experimental result includes the presence of multiple, namely, "cyclic",
"straight", and propargyl, configurations. Proton shuttles and nuclear
delocalization, reminiscent of those seen in the case of C2H3+, were seen all
through and have a critical role in all our observations.
PMID- 28990021
TI - Ultrafast X-ray absorption study of longitudinal-transverse phonon coupling in
electrolyte aqueous solution.
AB - Ultrafast X-ray absorption spectroscopy is applied to study the conversion of
longitudinal to transverse phonons in aqueous solution. Permanganate solutes
serve as X-ray probe molecules that permit the measurement of the conversion of
13.5 GHz, longitudinal phonons to 27 GHz, transverse phonons that propagate with
high-frequency sound speed. The experimental results, combined with QM/MM MD
simulations, show that the hydrogen bond network around the charged solutes has a
glass-like stiffness that persists for at least tens of picoseconds.
PMID- 28990022
TI - Giant anisotropic photogalvanic effect in a flexible AsSb monolayer with
ultrahigh carrier mobility.
AB - Searching for novel two-dimensional (2D) materials with desirable properties is
of great significance for the design of next generation nano-devices. In this
work, we address the electronic and optoelectronic properties of monolayer AsSb
on the basis of density functional theory (DFT) combined with quantum transport
simulations. We find three stable phases of monolayer AsSb, that is, the alpha,
gamma and epsilon phases, and all of them show direct bandgaps, which are
beneficial in increasing the transition probability of photon-generated electrons
and improving the efficiency of photoelectric conversion. In addition, these
systems could attain meaningful strain-induced band engineering and a phase
transition from semiconductor to metal occurs. It is highly interesting that the
monolayer AsSb has an ultrahigh carrier mobility (~104 cm2 V-1 s-1), which is
evidently larger than most of the reported 2D materials. In light of the
nonequilibrium Green's function formalism, a linear photogalvanic effect (PGE) is
observed along both the zigzag and armchair directions, suggesting that monolayer
AsSb exhibits excellent photoresponse in a broad spectrum ranging from
ultraviolet to infrared light, which is favorable for serving as a potential
outstanding photovoltaic material. Our results highlight that these monolayer
AsSb are promising candidates for future applications in electronics and
optoelectronics.
PMID- 28990023
TI - Controlled droplet discretization and manipulation using membrane displacement
traps.
AB - An innovative platform enabling complex discretization and manipulation of
aqueous droplets is described. The system uses simple membrane displacement trap
elements to perform multiple functions including droplet discretization, release,
metering, capture, and merging. Multi-layer PDMS devices with membrane
displacement trap arrays are used to discretize sample into nanoliter scale
droplet volumes, and reliably manipulate individual droplets within the arrays.
Performance is characterized for varying capillary number flows, membrane
actuation pressures, trap and membrane geometries, and trapped droplet volumes,
with operational domains established for each platform function. The novel
approach to sample digitization and droplet manipulation is demonstrated through
discretization of a dilute bacteria sample, metering of individual traps to
generate droplets containing single bacteria, and merging of the resulting
droplets to pair the selected bacteria within a single droplet.
PMID- 28990024
TI - Visible-light promoted gamma-cyanoalkyl radical generation: three-component
cyanopropylation/etherification of unactivated alkenes.
AB - A photoredox approach to generate distal cyano-substituted alkyl radicals through
C-C bond cleavage of cyclobutanone oximes was developed. The radicals produced by
this method were applied to three-component cyanopropylation/etherification of
unactivated alkenes. Their reactions with diverse radical acceptors were also
demonstrated.
PMID- 28990025
TI - An exploding N-isocyanide reagent formally composed of anthracene, dinitrogen and
a carbon atom.
AB - Targeted as an example of a compound composed of a carbon atom together with two
stable neutral leaving groups, 7-isocyano-7-azadibenzonorbornadiene, CN2A (1, A =
C14H10 or anthracene) has been synthesized and spectroscopically and structurally
characterized. The terminal C atom of 1 can be transferred: mesityl nitrile oxide
reacts with 1 to produce carbon monoxide, likely via intermediacy of the N
isocyanate OCN2A. Reaction of 1 with [RuCl2(CO)(PCy3)2] leads to
[RuCl2(CO)(1)(PCy3)2] which decomposes unselectively: in the product mixture, the
carbide complex [RuCl2(C)(PCy3)2] was detected. Upon heating in the solid state
or in solution, 1 decomposes to A, N2 and cyanogen (C2N2) as substantiated using
molecular beam mass spectrometry, IR and NMR spectroscopy techniques.
PMID- 28990026
TI - Correction: Tailoring of optical properties of fluorescein using green
synthesized gold nanoparticles.
AB - Correction for 'Tailoring of optical properties of fluorescein using green
synthesized gold nanoparticles' by Jisha John et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.,
2015, 17, 15813-15821.
PMID- 28990027
TI - A DFT study on the mechanism of photoselective catalytic reduction of 4
bromobenzaldehyde in different solvents employing an OH-defected TiO2 cluster
model.
AB - Density functional theory calculations are employed to study the mechanism of
photoselective catalytic reduction of 4-bromobenzaldehyde (4-BBA) in acetonitrile
and in ethanol solvents. A totally relaxed Ti3O9H6 cluster model is proposed to
represent titanium dioxide (TiO2) surfaces. The reduction selectivity of an
adsorbed 4-BBA molecule on Ti3O9H6 has been investigated. Owing to the difference
in the proton and H atom donating capabilities between explicit CH3CN and C2H5OH
solvent molecules, the photocatalytic reduction of 4-BBA is the debromination
process in acetonitrile, whereas in ethanol it is the carbonyl reduction process.
Therefore 4-BBA can be selectively reduced to benzaldehyde in acetonitrile and 4
bromobenzyl alcohol in ethanol, respectively. Our computational results have
verified the reaction mechanism proposed by experiments and show that the
debromination of 4-BBA would be efficient if both 4-BBA and Ti3O9H6 have an extra
photoelectron. The Ti3O9H6 cluster, playing a role as a hydrogen source and a
bridge to transfer photoelectrons from bulk TiO2, would have potential to be an
ideal molecular model for understanding photocatalytic reactions on the TiO2
surface.
PMID- 28990028
TI - A unimolecular channel formed by dual helical peptide modified pillar[5]arene:
correlating transmembrane transport properties with antimicrobial activity and
haemolytic toxicity.
AB - Five unimolecular channels with different lengths are presented. The varying
length of these channels has significant impact on their transmembrane transport
properties, which are directly correlated with their antimicrobial activity and
inversely correlated with their haemolytic toxicity. By further structural
optimization, these new channels could reach high antimicrobial activity and very
low haemolytic toxicity, with the potential to serve as systemic antibiotics.
PMID- 28990029
TI - Highly sensitive detection of epidermal growth factor receptor in lung cancer
cells by aptamer-based target-/probe-mediated cyclic signal amplification.
AB - We develop an antibody-free fluorescence method for the epidermal growth factor
receptor (EGFR) assay using aptamer-based target-/probe-mediated cyclic signal
amplification. The method is highly sensitive with a detection limit of 0.16 fM,
and it can be applied to detect EGFR in lung cancer cells, holding great
potential in clinical diagnosis.
PMID- 28990030
TI - Intermolecular magnetic interactions in stacked DNA base pairs.
AB - The influence of pi-stacking on the magnetic properties of atoms that belong to
adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine pairs in sequences of three and five layers
of DNA base pairs was analysed. As probes we used NMR spectroscopic parameters,
which are among the most useful tools to learn about the transmission of magnetic
interactions in molecules. Four DFT functionals were employed: B3LYP, BHANDLYP,
KT2 and KT3, together with the SOPPA method. Besides, given that the number of
non-hydrogen atoms of the supramolecular systems studied here is larger than 50
we applied a locally dense basis set scheme. Our results show that the piling up
of a few Watson-Crick base pairs above and below a given pair modifies its NMR
spectroscopic parameters by an amount that may be measurable and the percentage
of variation does not depend on dispersion. We found that magnetic shieldings are
more sensitive than J-couplings, and also that some atoms are more sensitive than
others. Stacking affects the shielding of non-hydrogen atoms like nitrogens, that
are donors in hydrogen bonds, HBs, and the carbons bonded to them. The amount of
variation of these shieldings was found to be from 2% to 5% when the pairs are
considered first as isolated, and then, placed in the middle of a sequence of
three layers of base pairs. Such a variation becomes vanishingly small when the
sequence contains more than three layers, showing that the stacking effect on NMR
spectroscopic parameters has a local nature. We have also found a pattern for
shieldings. First, equivalent atoms of similar monomers (thymine and adenine, or
guanine and cytosine) have similar values of absolute shieldings in isolated
pairs, and the amount of variation from isolated pairs to aggregates of a few
pairs is also similar, meaning that equivalent atoms are affected in a similar
manner by pi-stacking. Second, the hydrogen atoms which belong to hydrogen bonds
are more sensitive to the piling up than the non-hydrogen atoms.
PMID- 28990031
TI - Topology vs. thermodynamics in chemical reactions: the instability of PH5.
AB - The topological approach, based on Bader theory, is compared to the common
thermodynamical methodology to study chemical reactivity. It is shown how the
former indeed has numerous advantages and provides a more detailed description
with respect to the latter about the course of the reaction. The comparison
between the two approaches is performed by considering a classical reaction, i.e.
the decomposition of PX5 (X = H, F). The topological investigation was supported
by using different state-of-the-art topological tools, such as the source
function, Espinosa indexes, delocalisation indexes, and domain-averaged Fermi
hole analysis. Furthermore, in this work a new topological descriptor, the Bader
energy density, PBADER, is introduced and applied to the study case. For the
first time since Bader theory was introduced, the distribution of atomic energies
in the atomic basins was analysed in detail and used to explain the chemical
reactivity a priori.
PMID- 28990033
TI - Controlled direct electron transfer kinetics of fructose dehydrogenase at cup
stacked carbon nanofibers.
AB - Graphene edge sites not only facilitate heterogeneous electron transfer reactions
of redox species because of localization of electrons, but also allow
sensitivities and selectivities to be tuned by controlling the atomic
oxygen/carbon (O/C) ratio. Here, we immobilized fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) onto
the surface of cup-stacked carbon nanofibers (CSCNFs), which provide highly
ordered graphene edges with a controlled O/C ratio, and investigated the direct
electron communication with FDH. As the O/C ratio decreased at the CSCNF surface,
the negative zeta potential was mitigated and the electrochemical communication
with FDH was facilitated. This is likely due to improved orientation of FDH
molecules on the CSCNF surface. CSCNFs with a controlled O/C ratio could be
applied to FDH-based d-fructose biosensors with tunable dynamic range and
fructose biofuel cells with a controlled maximum current.
PMID- 28990032
TI - Impact of multiple quaternary ammonium salts on dynamic properties of BSA
adsorption layer at different pH values.
AB - The interaction mechanism of multiple quaternary ammonium salts (MQAS) with
bovine serum albumin (BSA) was examined by the fluorescence quenching method and
circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Moreover, the effects of MQAS on the dynamic
properties of BSA adsorption layers at different pH values were investigated
using dilational interfacial rheology. Results show that the quenching constants
increase with an increase in pH values and decrease with an increase in the
experiment temperature at pH 5.3. The quenching mechanism is static quenching,
and the electrostatic force dominates the interaction between MQAS and BSA at pH
5.3. Due to three positive head groups, MQAS can significantly affect the dynamic
interfacial activity of BSA molecules at a relatively low concentration. At pH
4.3, the electrostatic repulsion is unfavorable for the formation of MQAS/BSA
complexes. Consequently, MQAS molecules will replace BSA molecules from the
interface by competitive adsorption. At the pH value above the isoelectric point
of BSA, the electrostatic attraction is better for the formation of MQAS/BSA
complexes, which exhibit a rapid adsorption rate and an enhanced interfacial
activity. Moreover, the kinetic dependencies of interfacial dilational elasticity
for the MQAS/BSA mixtures become nonmonotonous. The appearance of the maximum
interfacial elasticity values can be attributed to the formation of tails and
loops, which suggests that the addition of MQAS destroys the secondary and
tertiary structure of protein in the bulk phase. In addition, the effects of MQAS
on the secondary structure of protein were demonstrated by CD spectra.
PMID- 28990034
TI - Theoretical illumination of highly original photoreactive 3MC states and the
mechanism of the photochemistry of Ru(ii) tris(bidentate) complexes.
AB - We have identified highly novel photoreactive 3MC states of ruthenium(ii) 4,4'-bi
1,2,3-triazolyl (btz) complexes of the form [Ru(N^N)(btz)2]2+ and have elucidated
the mechanism of the highly unusual experimental observations of photochemical
ligand dechelation and concomitant ligand rearrangement reactivity to form
unusual photoproducts trans-[Ru(N^N)(kappa2-btz)(kappa1-btz)(solvent)]2+. The
triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) states and classical Jahn-Teller
type triplet metal-centred (3MC) states of the series of complexes [Ru(N^N)3
n(btz)n]2+ (btz = 4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl; N^N = 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy), n = 0 (1),
1 (2), 2 (3), 3 (5); N^N = 4-(pyrid-2-yl)-1,2,3-triazole (pytz), n = 1 (4)) have
been optimised by density functional theory (DFT) and characterised. There is a
gradual and significant destabilisation of the 3MLCT states as the triazole
content of the complexes increases, which occurs with a slight stabilisation of
the 3MC states. Whilst consistent with the promotion of photochemical reactivity
in the heteroleptic complexes of the series relative to 1, these classical 3MC
states fail to account for the extraordinary ligand rearrangement processes that
accompany ligand ejection. Thorough theoretical exploration of the lowest excited
triplet potential energy surface (3PES) here reveals the existence of a new type
of 3MC state and the role it plays in the photochemical reactivity of the
complexes. This newly discovered state, called MC(F), displays a flattened
geometry (indicated by the 'F' in the parentheses) which makes it clearly on the
path to achieving the coplanarity of the bidentate ligands in the experimentally
observed trans-photoproduct. Further novel 'pentacoordinate' 3MC states with
coplanar bidentate ligands, called MC(P) (where the 'P' in the parentheses
denotes the pentacoordinate character), were then identified and optimised. The
energy barriers between the different triplet states were confirmed to be small
which makes all triplet states accessible. Solvent trapping, which occurs on the
singlet PES according to Wigner's rules, is finally achieved by a singlet
pentacoordinate species to yield the monosolvento photoproduct. Thus, our
calculations not only reveal highly novel 3MC states but more significantly
demonstrate their crucial role in the formation of the experimentally observed
photoproducts.
PMID- 28990035
TI - meso-to-meso 2,5-Pyrrolylene bridged zig-zag porphyrin arrays.
AB - meso-to-meso 2,5-Pyrrolylene bridged zig-zag porphyrin arrays have been
synthesized via a stepwise Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reaction. Both the
dimeric and trimeric structures of ZnII porphyrin were confirmed by X-ray
diffraction analysis. DFT calculations indicate that the porphyrin oligomers are
all in zig-zag conformations. The UV/Vis absorption and emission spectra of these
porphyrin oligomers were red-shifted as the number of their porphyrin units
increased.
PMID- 28990036
TI - Silver-mediated oxidative C-H difluoromethylation of phenanthridines and 1,10
phenanthrolines.
AB - A silver-mediated oxidative difluoromethylation of phenanthridines and 1,10
phenanthrolines with TMSCF2H is disclosed. This C-H difluoromethylation of N
containing polycyclic aromatics constitutes an efficient method for the
regioselective synthesis of difluoromethylated N-heterocycles.
PMID- 28990037
TI - Spreading dynamics of a precursor film of nanodrops on total wetting surfaces.
AB - The spreading dynamics of a nanodrop on a total wetting surface is explored by
many-body dissipative particle dynamics. Both smooth and rough surfaces with
various spreading coefficients (S) are considered. The evolution of the spreading
film is mainly characterized by the radius of the wetting area (Rp) and the
apparent base radius (Rb) and the contact angle (theta) of the spherical cap. The
difference between Rp and Rb reveals the presence of the precursor film. The
dynamic behavior can be described by the power law: Rp ~ tm, Rb ~ tn, and theta ~
t-alpha. Regardless of the surface roughness, the exponents n = 0.1 and alpha =
0.3 agree with Tanner's law and are independent of the spreading coefficient.
However, the expansion of the precursor film depends on the surface roughness and
the spreading coefficient. As the cavity size corresponding to the roughness
decreases or S increases, the exponent m can rise approximately from 0.1 to 0.2.
That is, the spontaneous expansion is driven by the spreading coefficient but
impeded by the surface roughness. Forced spreading of a nanodrop on a smooth
surface leads to anisotropic expansion. The length along the force direction L(t)
follows the power law L ? tp and the exponent p ~ 0.274 is insensitive to S.
Nonetheless, the length along the direction perpendicular to the force direction
is dominated by the spontaneous spreading. Contact line pinning of the rear end
is only observed for intermediate forces.
PMID- 28990038
TI - An Ir-photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative Michael addition of glyoxylic acid
acetal as a formyl equivalent.
AB - We reported herein an iridium-photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative conjugated
addition of glyoxylic acid acetals with various Michael acceptors, including
unsaturated amide, ester, aldehyde, ketone, and nitrile under irradiation. Vinyl
pyridine and alpha-aryl styrene are also suitable substrates. The reaction offers
various types of acetal products, which are of synthetic significance as
protected aldehydes.
PMID- 28990039
TI - Size and shape evolution of highly magnetic iron nanoparticles from successive
growth reactions.
AB - We present a synthetic protocol for the solution-phase synthesis of
monocrystalline, metallic iron nanoparticles based on seed-mediated growth,
showing near-single nanometre control over particle size. A shape evolution to
cubic nanoparticles is also observed with increasing size. Magnetic properties
were measured after surface oxidation, showing the potential of our protocol to
tune the magnetism of iron nanoparticles for applications requiring
superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic nanoparticles.
PMID- 28990040
TI - Squeezing bio-capsules into a constriction: deformation till break-up.
AB - We study experimentally the deformation and break-up of liquid-filled capsules
trapped at an axisymmetric step constriction, and subjected to increasing
pressure drops. We considered biological (trout fish eggs) and bioartificial
(made of ovalbumin and alginate) ones, with the objective to characterize the
transition to break-up. We find that both capsule populations behave as a brittle
material. They do not exhibit any plastic deformation prior to break-up. Moreover
critical pressure drop exhibits a stochastic behavior as known for the fracture
of disordered media. The break-up probability follows a three-parameter Weibull
distribution, from which one can deduce the capsule rupture characteristics.
PMID- 28990041
TI - Brain iron deposition analysis using susceptibility weighted imaging and its
association with body iron level in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
AB - The aim of the present study was to analyze brain and body iron levels among
patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and
normal controls (NCs). A total of 90 participants (30 MCI, 30 AD, 30 NC) were
enrolled. Brain iron content was quantified using susceptibility weighted imaging
(SWI). Phase values were used to calculate bilateral iron content in the
hippocampus (HP), substantia nigra, red nucleus (RN), dentate nucleus (DN),
caudate nucleus (CN), globus pallidus (GP), putamen (PUT), frontal white matter,
temporal cortex (TC), and parietal cortex. Body iron indices, including serum
iron, serum transferrin, ferritin and total iron binding capacity, were measured.
Phase values of the left (L)-DN, L-CN, and bilateral PUT in the MCI group were
significantly lower compared with NC group. Phase values of the right (R)-RN,
bilateral DN, and bilateral PUT in the AD group were significantly lower compared
with the MCI group. Phase values of the bilateral HP, DN, RN, CN, GP, PUT, and L
TC in the AD group were significantly lower compared with the NC group. Serum
ferritin levels in the MCI and AD groups were significantly lower compared with
the NC group. Only serum iron in the AD group was positively associated with iron
content in the R-HP. Brain iron deposition and body iron levels both increased in
MCI and AD patients, however, excessive brain iron accumulation may have no
association with body iron level. SWI was particularly effective at recognizing
the presence of brain iron in the MCI and AD groups.
PMID- 28990042
TI - Hydroxytyrosol contributes to cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in pulsed
electromagnetic fields treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro.
AB - A variety of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been experimentally and
clinically used in an effort to promote wound healing, although the mechanisms
involved remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
action of a novel protocol of co-treatment with PEMFs and hydroxytyrosol (HTY) on
the proliferation and differentiation potential of human umbilical vein
endothelial cells (HUVECs). The HUVECs were assigned randomly into three groups:
Control, PEMF-treated and PEMF + HT-treated. The intensity of the electromagnetic
field used in this protocol was 2.25 mT, the frequency of the bursts was 50 Hz
and the application time was 15 min. A Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used
to assess cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL apoptosis
assay kit and calcein-acetoxymethyl/propidium iodide dual-staining assay. In
addition, protein and mRNA expression levels of protein kinase B (Akt),
mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1
and p53 were determined by western blotting and reverse transcription
quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays, respectively. The CCK-8 assay
demonstrated that HTY contributed to HUVEC proliferation mediated by PEMFs in a
time-dependent manner. The Transwell assay and scratch wound results demonstrated
that co-treatment of HTY and PEMFs could increase HUVEC migration. Furthermore,
the levels of apoptotic cells were reversed by pre-incubation with HTY in the
PEMF treatment group, while PEMF treatment alone had no such effect. The proteins
and mRNA expression levels of Akt, mTOR, TGF-beta1 were elevated in co-treatment
of HTY and PEMFs, whereas there was no effect on levels of p53. Therefore, the
results indicated that combined exposure of HUVECs to PEMFs and HTY exerted
protective effects in HUVECs by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting
apoptosis. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study was the
first to demonstrate the beneficial roles of HTY and PEMF combined treatment in
HUVECs, which may represent an effective treatment for wound healing.
PMID- 28990044
TI - MicroRNA-320 targets mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 to inhibit cell
proliferation and invasion in epithelial ovarian cancer.
AB - Ovarian cancer is the second most frequently occurring cancer and the most fatal
gynecological malignancy of all gynecological cancers worldwide. MicroRNAs (miR)
have been reported to be downregulated or upregulated in a variety of human
malignancies, and involved in the formation and progression of the majority of
human cancers, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). miR-320 has been
identified as a tumor suppressor in multiple human cancers. However, the
expression levels, biological role and underlying mechanisms of miR-320 in EOC
remain to be elucidated. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect miR-320 expression in
EOC tissues and cell lines. Following transfection with miR-320 mimics, Cell
Counting Kit 8 and cell invasion assays were utilized to investigate the effects
of miR-320 on EOC cell proliferation and invasion. Bioinformatic analysis,
luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to explore the
underlying mechanism of how miR-320 affects cell proliferation and invasion in
EOC. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 1 expression and its association
with the miR-320 expression level was examined in EOC tissues. The role of MAPK1
in EOC cells was additionally evaluated by using a loss-of-function assay. The
results demonstrated that miR-320 was markedly downregulated in EOC tissues and
cell lines. A decreased miR-320 expression was significantly correlated with the
Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage and lymph node metastasis of EOC
patients. Additionally, reintroduction of miR-320 expression suppressed cell
proliferation and invasion in EOC. Furthermore, it was verified that MAPK1 is a
direct target gene of miR-320 in EOC. MAPK1 expression was markedly upregulated
in EOC tissues and inversely correlated with miR-320 expression. Furthermore,
silencing of MAPK1 by RNA interference inhibited cell proliferation and invasion
of EOC cells. Overall, the present study demonstrated that miR-320 may act as a
useful diagnostic and therapeutic target in the treatment of EOC.
PMID- 28990043
TI - Tauhe genetics of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Searching for new susceptibility
loci.
AB - Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an autoimmune disease that is
characterized by persistent chronic arthritis and affected by genetic and
environmental factors. Different genetic variations have been reported as risk
factors for JIA. However, given that many results could not be replicated in
individuals of different ancestral origin, it was assumed that heterogeneous
genetic factors are involved in this disease. In the present study, we analyzed
three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely PTPRC (rs10919563), TYK2
(rs34536443) and PRKCQ (rs4750316), which were found to be associated with JIA in
previous studies. We also investigated whether the intron-4 located 27-bp VNTR of
endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is associated with risk for JIA in
Greece. In total, 125 JIA patients and 221 healthy controls from northern Greece
were included in the study as a sample set. Samples were then analyzed, and
genotyped for the three SNPs with TaqMan primer-probe sets, using a Real-Time PCR
platform (ViiATM 7 Real-Time PCR system), while eNOS VNTR polymorphism was
genotyped by PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using a GraphPad Prism
statistical program. The chi2 test was used to examine differences of genotype
and allele frequencies between patients and controls. Statistical significance
was defined by using the two-tailed P<0.05 test. Bioinformatics analysis was
conducted by using BlastP, Pymol, Maestro and Desmond. In the case-control
association study performed, eNOS only was found to be associated with JIA.
Genotype a/a and allele 'a' were found in a higher frequency in JIA patients than
in controls [p<0.0001, odds ratio (OR)=0.15, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.065
0.37; and p<0.0001, OR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.23-0.49, respectively]. No associations
with JIA were detected for TYK2, PTPRC or PRKCQ. Aiming to investigate the
structural consequences and the structure/function relationships accompanying the
Pro1104 to Ala (rs34536443) mutation on TYK2 protein, bioinformatics analysis was
performed. Combining three-dimensional (3D)-modeling and molecular dynamics
simulations we identified changes in structural flexibility, affecting the
functionality of the kinase domain of TYK2. To the best of our knowledge, this is
the first time that eNOS VNTR polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to
JIA, suggesting a differential role of allele 'a' in various complex diseases.
The current data emphasize the importance of comparative studies in populations
of a different ancestral background towards the clarification of the role of
specific alleles in the development of JIA.
PMID- 28990045
TI - Anti-tumor effects of bakuchiol on human gastric carcinoma cell lines are
mediated through PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways.
AB - Bakuchiol is extracted from Psoralea corylifolia, a member of the Leguminosae
family, has been used in Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine, and
it possesses an anticancer effect. The primary aim of the present study was to
identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effect of bakuchiol
monoterpenes. Bakuchiol treatment significantly inhibited NUGC3 human gastric
cancer cell viability in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, bakuchiol
significantly increased the apoptotic cell population in the sub-G1 phase, and
Annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining confirmed
the increase in apoptosis. Nuclear fragmentation and the formation of apoptotic
organelles were promoted in bakuchiol-treated NUGC3 cells. Western blotting
results indicated that bakuchiol treatment significantly decreased procaspase
3,6,8,9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) expression levels, increased
cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP expression levels, and increased the B cell
lymphoma-2 associated X, apoptosis regulator:B cell lymphoma-extra large ratio.
Bakuchiol-treated NUGC3 cells demonstrated significantly reduced phosphorylated
(p-) protein kinase B (AKT) protein expression levels and elevated p
extracellular signal related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)
and p-p38. Bakuchiol-induced cell death was mitochondrial dependent, through
modulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase
signaling pathways. These findings demonstrated that bakuchiol possesses
potential for treating human gastric cancer.
PMID- 28990046
TI - Mechanism of the effect of saikosaponin on atherosclerosis in vitro is based on
the MAPK signaling pathway.
AB - The present study aimed to investigate the effects of saikosaponin on oxidized
low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell
(HUVEC) injury and apoptosis, and examine the involvement of the mitogen
activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The viability and apoptosis of
HUVECs were detected using an MTT assay and flow cytometry. ELISA analysis was
applied to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and
interleukin (IL)-6 cytokines. Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p65 nuclear
translocation was observed using immunofluorescence staining. The levels of
intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were
detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The
phosphorylation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax),
caspase-3 p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated
kinase (ERK)1/2 were detected using western blot analysis. The results revealed
that saikosaponin increased the viability of the HUVECs and decreased the early
stage apoptotic rate of the HUVECs induced by ox-LDL. The expression levels of
inflammatory cytokines in the injured vascular endothelial cells were decreased,
the expression levels of adhesion molecules were reduced, the activity of
superoxide dismutase was increased, and malondialdehyde content was decreased.
Therefore, the inflammatory response and oxidative stress were inhibited.
Simultaneously, the levels of Bcl-2 increased, the levels of Bax and caspase-3
decreased, and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 was significantly
inhibited. The protein levels of phosphorylated p38 and JNK were reduced, whereas
that of ERK1/2 remained unaffected. It was concluded that the MAPK signaling
pathway mediated HUVEC injury induced by ox-LDL. However, saikosaponin inhibited
the HUVEC injury induced by ox-LDL through inhibiting the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK
signaling pathways, and possibly also through the JNK and p38 MAPK signaling
pathway.
PMID- 28990047
TI - Impact of biopersistent fibrous dusts on glycolysis, glutaminolysis and serine
metabolism in A549 cells.
AB - The conversion rates of different metabolic pathways summarized as a metabolic
signature mirror the physiological functions and the general physiological status
of a cell. The present study compared the impact of crocidolite and chrysotile
asbestos, glass fibers and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) of two different
lengths (1-2 um and 5-15 um) on the conversion rates in glycolysis,
glutaminolysis and serine metabolism of A549 cells. The concentration tested was
1 ug/cm2 for all fibers. A concentration of 5 ug/cm2 was additionally used for
chrysotile and crocidolite, and 25 ug/cm2 for glass fibers and MWCN. With respect
to the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and the extent of metabolic
alterations, the present study revealed the following ranking among the fibers
tested: Chrysotile>crocidolite>glass fibers>MWCN 5-15 um>MWCN 1-2 um. For the
asbestos and glass fibers this ranking correlated best with the number of fibers.
It appeared that the results observed for MWCN did not match this correlation.
However, electron microscopy revealed an agglomeration of MWCN. The agglomeration
decreased the toxicologically relevant number of fibers by forming larger
particle-like shapes and explained the smaller effects of MWCN 5-15 um and 1-2 um
on cell proliferation and metabolism.
PMID- 28990048
TI - Chlorogenic acid suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide and
interleukin-1beta expression by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 activation in RAW264.7
cells.
AB - Chlorogenic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound purified from coffee, fruits and
their associated beverages, which possess various biological properties, such as
antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities. The present study evaluated the
effects of CA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells
and the associated intracellular signaling pathways using reverse transcription
quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assays. CA pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced expression of
inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory
mediators including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha),
macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and IL-1beta in RAW264.7 cells. In
addition, phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of
transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) with LPS was inhibited by CA pretreatment. CA and
STAT3 inhibitor (STAT3i) pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced nuclear translocation
of phosphorylated STAT3. In addition, STAT3i inhibited the LPS-induced expression
of iNOS, NO and IL-1beta similar to the results of CA pretreatment. By contrast,
STAT3i did not inhibit the LPS-induced increase in IL-6, TNF-alpha and MIP-2
expression. These results indicate that CA may suppress LPS-induced NO and IL
1beta expression by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 activation in RAW264.7 cells.
PMID- 28990049
TI - miRNA-34a-5p downregulation of VEGFA in endometrial stem cells contributes to the
pathogenesis of endometriosis.
AB - Endometrial-derived stem cells (EnSCs) serve an important role in the development
of endometriosis via retrograde menstruation. Abnormal expression of miRNAs in
EnSCs is involved in the etiology of endometriosis, however, the mechanisms
remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of
miR-34a-5p and VEGFA in endometrial samples from patients with or without
endometriosis, and then examine the underlying mechanism of microRNA-34a-5p
regulation of VEGFA in EnSCs. Endometrial samples from patients with or without
endometriosis were collected, and miR-34a-5p expression in the two groups was
measured using RT-PCR. Human endometrial-derived stem cells (hEnSCs) were
isolated from these endometrial samples, and hEnSCs were transfected with the miR
34a-5p mimics or control miRNAs. qPCR and western blotting were performed to
assess the effects of miR-34a-5p on the expression of VEGFA in hEnSCs, and cell
growth was assessed by an MTT assay. miR-34a-5p was significantly downregulated
in patients with endometriosis when compared with that of those without
endometriosis. VEGFA expression levels in hEnSCs with an overexpression of miR
34a-5p were significantly reduced when compared with those in the negative
control (P<0.01). In addition, the upregulation of miR-34a-5p suppressed EnSCs
proliferation by targeting the 3' untranslated region of VEGFA. miR-34a-5p
provides a novel avenue for the understanding of the development of
endometriosis, and may facilitate the development of potential therapeutics
against endometriosis.
PMID- 28990050
TI - Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ameliorate Crohn's disease in rats by
modulating the expression of PPAR-gamma/NFAT.
AB - Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) exerts anti-inflammatory and
immunoregulatory effects via downregulation of the innate and adaptive immune
responses. However, the effect of dietary n-3 PUFA on experimental Crohn's
Disease (CD) in rats and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The present study
aimed to investigate the effects of n-3 PUFA on CD induced by 2,4,6
trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats, and to determine the underlying
mechanisms, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma
and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) pathway. Sprague-Dawley rats
(n=90) were randomly assigned to the following groups: Control (intragastric
distilled water); PUFA control (intragastric n-3 PUFA, 20 mg/kg/day); trans-fatty
acid (TFA) control (intragastric TFA, 13 mg/kg/day); model (intragastric
distilled water + TNBS); PUFA model (intragastric n-3 PUFA, 20 mg/kg/day + TNBS);
and TFA model (intragastric TFA, 13 mg/kg/day + TNBS). The disease activity index
(DAI), colon macroscopic damage index (CMDI) and tissue damage index (TDI) were
evaluated. The expression of PPAR-gamma, NFAT, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-2 mRNA
in colonic tissues was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the serum levels of IL-6, IL-12, tumor
necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma were measured by ELISA. The results
demonstrated that dietary n-3 PUFA markedly attenuated colonic inflammation
compared with the model group, as indicated by reduced DAI, CMDI and TDI scores,
amelioration in pathological evaluation and improvements in localized mucosal
inflammation, as indicated by the levels of cytokines associated with local
mucosal immunity. Treatment with n-3 PUFA increased the gene expression of PPAR
gamma in TNBS-treated rats, and reduced the expression of NFAT, which ultimately
reduced the release of IL-4 and IL-2 detected by RT-qPCR. A TFA-enriched diet was
observed to increase DAI and TDI scores, aggravate pathological inflammation with
epithelioid granulomas and enhance the release of proinflammatory cytokines,
compared with the model group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that
dietary n-3 PUFA may attenuate experimental CD induced by TNBS in rats by
regulating the expression and activity of the PPAR-gamma/NFAT signaling pathway.
These results provide a promising potential therapeutic method for the treatment
of CD.
PMID- 28990051
TI - Ultrasound-targeted microbubbles combined with a peptide nucleic acid binding
nuclear localization signal mediate transfection of exogenous genes by improving
cytoplasmic and nuclear import.
AB - The development of an efficient delivery system is critical for the successful
treatment of cardiovascular diseases using non-viral gene therapies. Cytoplasmic
and nuclear membrane barriers reduce delivery efficiency by impeding the
transfection of foreign genes. Thus, a gene delivery system capable of
transporting exogenous genes may improve gene therapy. The present study used a
novel strategy involving ultrasound-targeted microbubbles and peptide nucleic
acid (PNA)-binding nuclear localization signals (NLS). Ultrasound-targeted
microbubble destruction (UTMD) and PNA-binding NLS were used to improve the
cytoplasmic and nuclear importation of the plasmid, respectively. Experiments
were performed using antibody-targeted microbubbles (AT-MCB) that specifically
recognize the SV40T antigen receptor expressed on the membranes of 293T cells,
resulting in the localization of ultrasound microbubbles to 293T cell membranes.
Furthermore, PNA containing NLS was inserted into the enhanced green fluorescent
protein (EGFP)-N3 plasmid DNA (NLS-PNA-DNA), which increased nuclear
localization. The nuclear import and gene expression efficiency of the AT-MCB
with PNA-binding NLS were compared with AT-MCB alone or a PNA-binding NLS. The
effect of the AT-MCB containing PNA-binding NLS on transfection was investigated.
The ultrasound and AT-MCB delivery significantly enhanced the cytoplasmic intake
of exogenous genes and maintained high cell viability. The nuclear import and
gene expression of combined microbubble- and PNA-transfected cells were
significantly greater compared with cells that were transfected with AT-MCB or
DNA with only PNA-binding NLS. The quantity of EGFP-N3 plasmids in the nuclei was
increased by >5.0-fold compared with control microbubbles (CMCB) and NLS-free
plasmids. The gene expression was ~1.7-fold greater compared with NLS-free
plasmids and 1.3-fold greater compared with control microbubbles. In conclusion,
UTMD combined with AT-MCB and a PNA-binding NLS plasmid significantly improved
transfection efficiency by increasing cytoplasmic and nuclear DNA import. This
method is a promising strategy for the noninvasive and effective delivery of
target genes or drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
PMID- 28990052
TI - Macrophage migration inhibitory factor knockdown inhibit viability and induce
apoptosis of PVM/Ms.
AB - Previous studies have suggested that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)
serves an important role in hearing function; however, the underlying mechanism
remains unclear. In the present study, perivascular-resident macrophage-like
melanocytes (PVM/Ms) from the stria vascularis of the lateral cochlear wall in
young and aged mice were isolated. The mRNA and protein expression levels of MIF
were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain
reaction analysis, and western blotting, respectively. MIF expression was knocked
down in vitro and in vivo using small interfering RNA. Cell viability was
determined using an MTT assay and cell apoptosis was determined using flow
cytometry analysis. The hearing ability was assessed through the auditory brain
stem response in vivo. The results of the current study demonstrated that the
expression of MIF was significantly downregulated in aged mice compared with in
young mice. Furthermore, the viability of PVM/Ms in aged mice was significantly
decreased and the number of apoptotic PVM/Ms was significantly increased compared
with that in young mice. Further studies demonstrated that the MIF knockdown
accentuated hearing loss in young mice as compared with the scramble control
group. In addition, the MIF knockdown in PVM/Ms significantly inhibited cell
viability and lead to a significant increase in the apoptotic cell number as
compared with the control group. In summary, these results revealed that the MIF
knockdown significantly accentuates hearing loss in young mice in vivo, and
significantly inhibits the viability and induces the apoptosis of PVM/Ms in
vitro. Thus, the results of the present study may provide a novel potential
therapeutic approach and prevention method for presbycusis.
PMID- 28990054
TI - Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum interleukin-16 in patients with gastric
cancer.
AB - Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the major leading causes of cancer-associated
mortality worldwide. Serum biomarkers have a vital role in diagnosis and
prognosis of GC, and interleukin (IL)-16 may serve as a useful biomarker with
prognostic value for human cancers. The current study aimed to evaluate the
expression level of serum IL-16 in patients with GC, and evaluate the diagnostic
and prognostic value of IL-16. ELISA was performed determine the serum IL-16
levels in patients with GC and healthy controls. Receiver operator curve analysis
was performed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic potential value of serum
IL-16 in GC diagnosis. Migration and invasion assays were performed using cells
with IL-16 small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown. The results demonstrated that
serum IL-16 levels were significantly higher in GC samples than in healthy
controls, and increased serum IL-16 levels were significantly associated with
tumor recurrence and poor prognosis. Knockdown of IL-16 significantly suppressed
the migration and invasion of GC cells. In conclusion, the current results
indicate that serum IL-16 levels may have diagnostic and prognostic value for
patient with GC.
PMID- 28990053
TI - P38/ERK MAPK signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of filaggrin and
involucrin by IL-17.
AB - Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by a defective skin barrier, which
increases the penetration of allergens and pathogens through the skin. The role
of interleukin (IL)-17, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in the pathogenesis of AD
remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to examine the effects of IL-17
on skin barrier proteins in the HaCaT cell line. The expression levels of
filaggrin (FLG) and involucrin (IVL) were evaluated by reverse transcription
quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses of the HaCaT
cells following IL-17 simulation. The role of IL-17 was further examined by using
small molecule inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and P38.
Treatment of the HaCaT cells with IL-17 resulted in reduced expression levels of
FLG and IVL at the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, the gene expression
levels of FLG and IVL were significantly reduced in the HaCaT cells by IL-4.
Treatment with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors, SB203580
and PD98059, significantly inhibited the effects of IL-17 on the gene and protein
expression levels of FLG and IVL. Finally, the protein levels of phosphorylated
ERK and P38 were significantly increased following IL-17 stimulation. Taken
together, the results revealed that IL-17 reduced the expression of FLG and IVL
in HaCaT cells, and this effect involved the P38/ERK MAPK signaling pathways.
PMID- 28990055
TI - Defective insulin signaling and the protective effects of dimethyldiguanide
during follicular development in the ovaries of polycystic ovary syndrome.
AB - It is established that the physiological effects of insulin are primarily
mediated by the insulin signaling pathway. However, a defective insulin signaling
is closely associated with the clinical manifestations of polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS), which include excess androgen levels, insulin resistance and
anovulation, and is involved in the pathophysiology of PCOS at the molecular
level. Dimethyldiguanide (DMBG) has been widely employed to alleviate
reproduction dysfunction in women with PCOS, however, the exact mechanism of this
effect remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the
effects of DMBG on the expression of the insulin signaling pathway in the ovaries
of rats with PCOS, and to identify the potential underlying molecular mechanisms
of these effects in PCOS. In the present study, a PCOS rat model was induced by
letrozole, and successful establishment of the model was confirmed by examining
ovarian histology and determining serum testosterone levels, by hematoxylin and
eosin staining and ELISA, respectively. Subsequently, the expression of two key
elements of insulin signaling, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 and
phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), was determined by immunohistochemistry and
western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that IRS-2 and PI3K expression
was markedly decreased in PCOS ovaries, which was rescued by DMBG treatment.
These results indicate that IRS-2/PI3K signaling may be involved in the
development of PCOS and the therapeutic effects of DMBG on PCOS. To further
confirm the effects of DMBG on insulin signaling expression during this process,
the expression of an additional two downstream proteins, phosphoinositide
dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), was also
investigated in the present study, and the results demonstrated that the
expression of PDK-1 and mTOR was significantly reduced in PCOS ovaries and
increased following DMBG treatment, further indicating that altered insulin
signaling may have an important role in the development and treatment of PCOS. In
conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that the reduced expression
of proteins involved in insulin signaling may contribute to the development of
the clinical features of PCOS, and DMBG reverses reduced expression of insulin
signaling components, by a mechanism that is yet to be determined, to attenuate
certain symptoms of PCOS, such as obesity. To the best of our knowledge, the
present study is the first to provide data regarding the detailed changes of
insulin signaling during the development and treatment of PCOS, and may provide
an important reference for clinical PCOS treatment.
PMID- 28990056
TI - Arctiin regulates collagen type 1alpha chain 1 mRNA expression in human dermal
fibroblasts via the miR-378b-SIRT6 axis.
AB - Arctiin, a lignin isolated from Arctium lappa, exhibits a variety of biological
effects, including anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative actions,
in mammalian cells. In a previous study, arctiin was demonstrated to induce
procollagen type I synthesis and exhibited protective effects against ultraviolet
B (UVB) radiation in normal human dermal fibroblasts (nHDFs). However, the
underlying molecular mechanism of arctiin-mediated collagen synthesis remains
unknown. In the present study, the mechanism for increased expression of collagen
type 1alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) mRNA in arctiin-induced nHDFs was identified. The
expression of microRNA-378b (miR-378b), downregulated by arctiin, was correlated
with the expression of sirtuin-6 (SIRT6) mRNA, a regulator of COL1A1 mRNA.
Furthermore, it was revealed that arctiin protected the UVB radiation-mediated
decrease in COL1A1 mRNA expression, through the miR-378b/SIRT6 signaling pathway.
In conclusion, these results suggest that arctiin regulates COL1A1 through the
miR-378b-SIRT6 axis.
PMID- 28990057
TI - ID3 may protect mice from anti-GBM glomerulonephritis by regulating the
differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells.
AB - Anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN) is an
autoimmune disease that leads to severe and rapidly progressive renal injury.
Inhibition of DNA-binding factor 3 (ID3) serves a key role in autoimmune
diseases, such as asthma and Sjogren's syndrome, and in experimental allergic
encephalitis models. However, the role of ID3 in the progression of anti-GBM GN
remains unknown. In the present study, ID3 mRNA expression increased between 3-
and 20-fold in the renal tissues of anti-GBM GN mice compared with the Control
group, with a peak at day 14 post-induction. In addition, ID3 protein expression
was upregulated from day 7 onwards. The expression of ID3 was also examined in
the spleen, and was demonstrated to be increased in the spleen of nephritic mice.
T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells were present throughout
the entire period of observation (from day 7 to day 28) in anti-GBM GN mice,
which may vary at different time points, accompanied with the expression of ID3.
In vitro, ID3 expression was increased when CD4+ T cells differentiated into
Tregs; however, expression was lower in Th17 cells. Following treatment with ID3
small interfering RNA, RAR-related orphan receptor gammat, but not forkhead box
P3, expression increased. Furthermore, increased expression of interleukin-17A
was also observed when ID3 was blocked. In addition, ID3 was able to interact
with transcription factor E2A. A significant increase in binding between ID3 and
E2A was observed in anti-GBM GN from day 7 onwards, with a peak at day 14 in both
renal tissue and spleen. In conclusion, ID3 may be involved in the
differentiation of Th17 and Tregs by downregulating Th17 cells, which is probably
associated with binding to E2A. The present results suggested that ID3 may offer
protection against anti-GBM GN in mice.
PMID- 28990059
TI - Expression of NR1 and apoptosis levels in the hippocampal cells of mice treated
with MK-801.
AB - The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics of N-methyl-D
aspartate receptor R1 (NR1) expression and apoptosis in the nerve cells of the
hippocampus in schizophrenia-like mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated to
the following groups: i) Blank group; ii) MK-801 group; iii) MK-801+NMDA group,
according to body weight. The NMDAR antagonist, MK-801 (0.6 mg/kg/d) was
intraperitoneally injected daily for 14 days to induce a schizophrenia-like
phenotype mouse model, and the effect of the NMDA injection via the lateral
ventricle was observed. The results demonstrated that the number of NR1 positive
cells in the MK-801 group increased in the CA1 and DG regions, indicating that
NMDA may reverse this change. The level of damage decreased in the MK-801 treated
group when compared with the blank group in the CA3 region. The protein
expression of NR1 increased however, at the mRNA expression level, NR1 was lower
in the MK-801 treated group when compared to the blank group; NMDA also reversed
this change. In addition, early and total apoptosis detected in the hippocampal
nerve cells was significantly increased in the MK-801 group when compared with
the blank group, which was reversible following treatment with NMDA. These
results indicated that NMDA may regulate the expression of NR1 and suppress
apoptosis in hippocampal nerve cells in schizophrenia-like mice. Thus, NR1 may be
a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of schizophrenia.
PMID- 28990058
TI - Ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits free fatty acids-induced oxidative stress and
inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
AB - Free fatty acids (FFAs) increase in visceral fat and are inferred to be one of
the underlying inducers of adipose tissue inflammation. In our previous study, it
was demonstrated that ginsenoside Rb1 stimulates endothelial nitric oxide
synthase (eNOS) and Sirtuin 1 to protect against endothelial cell senescence. In
the present study, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were exposed to 0.5 mM FFAs with or without
Rb1 (10-40 uM). Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)
secretion was measured using ELISA. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)
expression and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 phosphorylation were
detected using western blot analysis. Oxidative stress was determined via
measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO)
production. The results demonstrated that MCP-1 and IL-6 secretion, as well as
TNF-alpha expression, were significantly increased following FFA treatment, which
was attenuated by Rb1 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, Rb1 attenuated FFA
induced NF-kappaB phosphorylation, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of Rb1
on inflammatory cytokines was partially mediated through blockade of NF-kappaB
phosphorylation. Further experiments demonstrated that Rb1 ameliorated FFA
induced ROS generation and NO reduction through upregulation of superoxide
dismutase 2 and eNOS expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate
proinflammatory and pro-oxidant effects of FFA on 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which are
effectively ameliorated by Rb1. Suppression of inflammatory responses and
oxidative stress may be a novel mechanism for attenuating the effect of Rb1 on
adipocyte dysfunction.
PMID- 28990060
TI - MicroRNA expression profiling of intestinal mucosa tissue predicts multiple
crucial regulatory molecules and signaling pathways for gut barrier dysfunction
of AIDS patients.
AB - Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection severely damages the gut
associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), the immune system and the gut barrier, which
leads to accelerating the disease progression for patients with acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) may contribute to
this process. However, few studies have investigated the importance of miRNAs in
AIDS pathogenesis and progression. The whole miRNA profile of patients with HIV
infection from southwest P.R. China and the mode of interaction between HIV-1 and
miRNAs remains to be elucidated. Colon mucosal samples were collected from HIV+
patients and HIV- healthy individuals, miRNAs were isolated and subjected to
array hybridization in the present study. A total of 476 human and virus-derived
microRNAs were significantly altered in the HIV+ group when compared with the
control group (P<0.05), which may be involved in the progression to AIDS. Target
genes of the significantly altered miRNAs were predicted using the TargetScan,
miRbase and miRanda databases and the 10 shared target genes of upregulated
miRNAs and the 391 target genes of downregulated miRNAs were selected. As only 10
target genes were predicted for upregulated miRNAs, subsequent GO and KEGG
pathway analyses were focused on the 391 target genes of the downregulated
miRNAs. The findings of the present study identified a series of crucial
pathways, including cell-extracellular matrix interaction and chemokine
regulation, which indicated close affinity with CD4+ T cell activation. These
pathways, involving genes such as integrin alpha5, led to a gut barrier
dysfunction of patients with HIV. Important miRNAs include hsa-miRNA-32-5p, hsa
miRNA-195-5p, hsa-miRNA-20b-5p, hsa-miRNA-590-5p. The expression levels of the
miRNAs and their target genes were confirmed using RT-qPCR. Taking into previous
observations, the findings of the present study identified the importance of
miRNAs for regulating gut barrier dysfunction via multiple regulatory molecules
and signaling pathways, which elucidated the underlying molecular mechanism of
gut barrier dysfunction in patients with HIV.
PMID- 28990061
TI - Imperatorin possesses notable anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo
through inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway.
AB - Imperatorin (IMT) is a furanocoumarin from the root of Phlomis younghusbandii
(Lamiaceae) with various activities. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory
effects of IMT were evaluated by examining dimethylbenzene-induced ear edema,
acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and by performing cotton pellet
granuloma assessments in mice. In addition, the expression of pro-inflammatory
cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL
1beta, were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits in mice and
using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis in RAW 264.7
cells. The expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),
cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear p65, cytosolic p65 and inhibitor of nuclear
factor (NF)-kappaB (IkappaB) in RAW 264.7 cells were determined using western
blot analysis. The results showed that the oral administration of IMT
significantly inhibited the inflammatory reactions and reduced the release of TNF
alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta reactions and reduced and suppressed the mRNA expression
of TNF-A expressionact1o, and the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 in the RAW
264.7 cells. The results also indicated that IMT suppressed the activity of NF
kappaB via upregulating p65 and IkappaB in the cytoplasm and downregulating p65
in the nucleus. In conclusion, IMT possessed notable anti-inflammatory activities
in vitro and in vivo through inhibiting the NF-kappaB pathway.
PMID- 28990062
TI - Regulation of M1-type and M2-type macrophage polarization in RAW264.7 cells by
Galectin-9.
AB - Generally considered as a potent pro-inflammatory signal, beta-galactosidelectin
suppresses T cell receptor activation, can both promote and inhibit integrin
mediated adhesion and is required in nuclear pre-mRNA splicing. Galectin-9 (Gal
9), a member of beta-galactoside lectin, is involved many processes of T cell
mediated diseases (such as autoimmune diseases and asthma) and immunomodulation
of macrophages. Macrophages are involved in the occurrence of inflammation,
development and digestion and other stages. At different stages of the
inflammatory response, macrophages exhibit different phenotypes, but mainly two
subtypes, classically (M1) or alternatively (M2) polarization. The purpose of
this work is to investigate the effect of overexpression or knockdown of Gal-9 on
the macrophage polarization. Macrophage polarization was detected by flow
cytometric profiling of secreted cytokines and specific surface markers
expression, including nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) and mannose receptor 1
(CD206). Protein and mRNA expression levels of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-6, IL-10,
NF-kappaB, signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)1 and Stat3
were determined by ELISA, western blot analysis or qRT-PCR. Our results implied
that differentiation of the mouse macrophage line RAW264.7 into M1-type and M2
type macrophages is followed by marked variations of Gal-9 expression.
Furthermore, its overexpression and secretion are tightly associated with M2-type
macrophages, whereas its downregulation promotes macrophages to polarize into M1
type macrophages, which confirmed by elevated CD206 and NOS2, respectively. In
response to the changes of Gal-9 expression, cytokines, transcription factors and
regulators, including TNF-alpha, IL-6, NF-kappaB, Stat1, TGF-beta, IL-10, and
Stat3, were tightly regulated and significantly associated with classically and
alternatively activated macrophages. Consistent with characteristics of M1-type
macrophages, the transcriptional or translational expression levels or activity
of TNF-alpha, IL-6, Stat1 and NF-kappaB were markedly increased with knockdown of
Gal-9 in macrophages. By contrast, the expression levels or activity of TGF-beta,
IL-10 and Stat3 were clearly elevated in macrophages with Gal-9 overexpression,
which is closely related with M2-type macrophages. Specific expression and
secretion patterns of cytokines, transcription factors and regulators in M1-type
and M2-type macrophages contribute to better understanding the role of Gal-9 in
regulation in macrophages. This study provides a new insight that Gal-9 may be a
new immunomodulatory target for macrophages.
PMID- 28990063
TI - Bioinformatics analysis of gene expression data for the identification of
critical genes in breast invasive carcinoma.
AB - Gene expression data were analyzed in order to identify critical genes in breast
invasive carcinoma (BRCA). Data from 1,073 BRCA samples and 99 normal samples
were analyzed, which were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Differentially
expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the significance analysis of
microarrays method and a functional enrichment analysis was performed using the
Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. Relevant
microRNAs (miRNAs), transcription factors (TFs) and associated small molecule
drugs were revealed by Fisher's exact test. Furthermore, protein-protein
interaction (PPI) information was downloaded from the Human Protein Reference
Database. Interactions with a Pearson's correlation coefficient >0.5 were
identified and PPI networks were subsequently constructed. A survival analysis
was also conducted according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Initially, the 1,073
BRCA samples were clustered into seven groups, and 5,394 DEGs that were
identified in >=4 groups were selected. These DEGs were involved in the cell
cycle, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, oxidative phosphorylation and human
immunodeficiency virus infection. In addition, TFs, including Sp1 transcription
factor, DAN domain BMP antagonist family member 5, MYCN proto-oncogene, bHLH
transcription factor and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB)1, were
identified in the BRCA groups. Seven PPI networks were subsequently constructed
and the top 10 hub genes were acquired, including RB transcriptional corepressor
1, inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB kinase subunit gamma, NF-kappaB
subunit 2, transporter 1, ATP binding cassette subfamily B member, CREB binding
protein and proteasome subunit alpha3. A significant difference in survival was
observed between the two combined groups (groups-2, -4 and -5 vs. groups-1, -3,
6 and -7). In conclusion, numerous critical genes were detected in BRCA, and
relevant miRNAs, TFs and small molecule drugs were identified. These findings may
advance understanding regarding the pathogenesis of BRCA.
PMID- 28990064
TI - Gaseous signalling molecule SO2 via Hippo-MST pathway to improve myocardial
fibrosis of diabetic rats.
AB - Recent studies have indicated the existence of an endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2)
generating system in the cardiovascular system. The present study aimed to
discuss the function and regulatory mechanism of gaseous signal molecule SO2 in
inhibiting apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) via the Hippo-MST
signaling pathway to improve myocardial fibrosis of diabetic rats. A total of 40
male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats per
group): Normal control group (control group), diabetic rats group [streptozotocin
(STZ) group], SO2 intervention group (STZ+SO2 group) and diabetes mellitus rats
treated with L-Aspartic acid beta-hydroxamate (HDX) group (HDX group). Diabetic
rats models were established by intra-peritoneal injection of STZ (40 mg/kg)
Following model establishment, intra-peritoneal injection of Na2SO3/NaHSO3
solution (0.54 mmol/kg) was administered in the STZ+SO2 group, and HDX solution
(25 mg/kg/week) was administered in the HDX group. A total of 4 weeks later,
echocardiography was performed to evaluate rats' cardiac function; Masson
staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining
and transmission electron microscopy examinations were performed to observe
myocardial morphological changes. ELISA was employed to determine the SO2
content. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of proteins
associated with apoptosis, ERS and the Hippo-MST signalling pathway. Compared
with the control group, the STZ group and HDX group had a disordered arrangement
of myocardial cells with apparent myocardial fibrosis, and echocardiography
indicated that the cardiac function was lowered, there was an obvious increase of
apoptosis in myocardial tissue, the expression levels of apoptosis-associated
protein B-cell lymphoma associated protein X, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were
upregulated, and Bcl-2 expression was downregulated. The expression of ERS and
Hippo-MST pathway-associated proteins, including CHOP, GRP94, MST1 and MST2, were
significantly upregulated. By contrast, these above-mentioned changes were
reversed by SO2 treatment. Compared with STZ group, the HDX group had a further
increase of myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis, while there were no statistically
significant differences in the expression of Bax/Bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-9 and
ERS and Hippo-MST pathway-associated proteins. The results of the present study
demonstrated that the gaseous signal molecule SO2 can effectively improve the
myocardial fibrosis of diabetic rats, and its mechanism may be associated with
reduced apoptosis and ERS by downregulated Hippo-MST pathway.
PMID- 28990065
TI - Inhibition of cardiotrophin-1 overexpression is involved in the anti-fibrotic
effect of Astrogaloside IV.
AB - Astragaloside IV (AsIV), one of the major active ingredients in Astragalus
membranaceus, has demonstrated remarkable antifibrotic effects via its
antioxidative activity. Cardiac fibrosis is an important pathological mechanism
during cardiac remodelling associated with heart failure. In the present study,
the mechanism underlying the antifibrotic effect of AsIV upon isoprenaline (ISO)
stimulation was investigated. AsIV significantly improved cardiac fibrosis in
vivo and dose-dependently inhibited ISO-induced CF proliferation in vitro. The
ISO-triggered elevation in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was remarkably
inhibited by AsIV, as well as ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and not
affected by cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) knockdown. In addition, AsIV effectively
reversed ISO-induced upregulation of CT-1 expression, which was blunted by
pretreatment with NAC. Cardiac fibroblast (CF) proliferation and collagen Iota
overexpression induced by ISO stimulation were effectively abrogated by AsIV,
NAC, and CT-1 small interfering RNA transfection. Taken together, these results
demonstrated that AsIV was able to effectively inhibit ISO-induced CF
proliferation and collagen production through negative regulation of ROS-mediated
CT-1 upregulation.
PMID- 28990066
TI - Integrated microarray analysis provided novel insights to the pathogenesis of
glaucoma.
AB - Glaucoma is characterized as a visual field defect, which is the second most
common cause of blindness. The present study performed an integrated analysis of
microarray studies of glaucoma derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).
Following the identification of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in
glaucoma compared with normal control (NC) tissues, the functional annotation,
glaucoma-specific protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and transcriptional
regulatory network constructions were performed. The acute intraocular pressure
(IOP) elevation rat models were established and reverse transcription
quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed for DEGs
expression confirmation. Three datasets were downloaded from GEO. A total of 97
DEGs, 82 upregulated and 15 downregulated were identified in glaucoma compared
with NC groups with false discovery rate <0.05. Response to virus and immune
response were two significantly enriched GO terms in glaucoma. Valine, leucine
and isoleucine degradation was a significantly enriched pathway of DEGs in
glaucoma. According to the PPI network, HDAC1, HBN, UBR4 and PDK1 were hub
proteins in glaucoma. FOXD3, HNF-4 and AP-1 were the three transcription factors
(TFs) derived from top 10 TFs which covered the majority of downstream DEGs in
glaucoma. Based on the RT-qPCR results, the expression levels of 3 DEGs, raftlin,
lipid raft linker 1 (RFTN1), PBX homeobox 1 (PBX1), HDAC1 were significantly
upregulated and the expression of GEM was significantly downregulated in acute
IOP elevation rat model at the first and fifth day. These four DEGs had the same
expression pattern with our integrated analysis. Therefore, the current study
concluded that 6 DEGs, including HEPH, SELENBP1, RFTN1, ID1, HDAC-1 and PBX1 and
three TFs, including FOXD3, HNF-4 and AP-1 may be involved with the pathogenesis
of glaucoma. The findings of the current study may improve diagnosis and drug
design for glaucoma.
PMID- 28990067
TI - Thevetiaflavone from Wikstroemia indica ameliorates PC12 cells injury induced by
OGD/R via improving ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.
AB - Cerebral ischemia and following reperfusion affects many people worldwide. To
discover efficient therapeutic approaches, numerous natural products have been
investigated. The current study investigated the protective effects of
thevetiaflavone, a natural flavonoid obtained from Wikstroemia indica, and the
associated mechanisms using PC12 cells induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation.
As a result, thevetiaflavone improves cell viability and suppresses the leakage
of lactate dehydrogenase from the cytoplasm. Further investigation of the
mechanisms demonstrated that thevetiaflavone decreases overproduction of ROS and
ameliorates ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, including collapse of
mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial permeability transition pore
opening. Thevetiaflavone reduces the intracellular Ca2+ level, which is closely
associated with mitochondrial function and interplays with ROS. Furthermore,
thevetiaflavone inhibits apoptosis in PC12 cells through upregulating the
expression of Bcl-2 and downregulating that of Bax and caspase-3 in addition to
increasing the activity of caspase-3. These results further indicate the
protective effects of thevetiaflavone in vivo and its application in the clinic.
PMID- 28990068
TI - MACC1 facilitates chemoresistance and cancer stem cell-like properties of colon
cancer cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
AB - With regards to colon cancer, resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based
chemotherapy and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered important factors
underlying therapy failure. Metastasis-associated colon cancer 1 (MACC1) has been
associated with poor prognosis and the promotion of metastasis within several
types of cancer. However, the biological behavior of MACC1 in chemoresistance and
CSC-like properties remains unclear. In the present study, various methods
including gene knockdown, gene overexpression, western blotting, quantitative
polymerase chain reaction and MTT assay, have been adopted. According to the
results of the present study, MACC1 was depleted in two colon cancer cell lines
resistant to 5-FU; subsequently, CSC-like properties and 5-FU sensitivity were
investigated. Within 5-FU-resistant cells, cell death was facilitated by MACC1
knockdown. Furthermore, sphere formation and the expression levels of pluripotent
markers, including cluster of differentiation (CD) 44, CD133 and Nanog were
reduced due to MACC1 depletion. Additionally, it was indicated that the
phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway may be associated
with 5-FU resistance and CSC-like properties via MACC1.
PMID- 28990069
TI - Knockdown of Indian hedgehog protein induces an inhibition of cell growth and
differentiation in osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells.
AB - Indian hedgehog protein (Ihh) is evolutionarily conserved and serves important
roles in controlling the differentiation of progenitor cells into osteoblasts.
Ihh null mutant mice exhibit a failure of osteoblast development in endochondral
bone. Although studies have demonstrated that Ihh signaling is a potent local
factor that regulates osteoblast differentiation, the specific transcription
factors that determine osteoblast differentiation remain unclear. Further studies
are required to determine the precise mechanism through which Ihh regulates
osteoblast differentiation. In the present study, Ihh was knocked down in
osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells using short hairpin RNA, to investigate the function of
Ihh in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and to examine the potential
mechanism through which Ihh induces osteoblast apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
It was observed that the knockdown of Ihh induced a marked inhibition of cell
growth and increased the apoptosis rate compared with the negative control
osteoblasts. Downregulation of Ihh resulted in a cell cycle arrest at the G1 to S
phase boundary in osteoblasts. In addition, the knockdown of Ihh decreased the
alkaline phosphatase activity and mineral deposition of osteoblasts. The
inhibitory roles of Ihh downregulation in osteoblast growth and differentiation
may be associated with the transforming growth factor-beta/mothers against
decapentaplegic homolog and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member
11B/tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 signaling pathways.
Manipulating either Ihh expression or its signaling components may be of benefit
for the treatment of skeletal diseases.
PMID- 28990070
TI - Metformin accelerates wound healing in type 2 diabetic db/db mice.
AB - Wound healing impairment is increasingly recognized to be a consequence of
hyperglycemia-induced dysfunction of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) in type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Metformin exhibits potential for the improvement of
endothelial function and the wound healing process. However, the underlying
mechanisms for the observed beneficial effects of metformin application remain to
be completely understood. The present study assessed whether metformin, a widely
used therapeutic drug for T2DM, may accelerate wound closure in T2DM db/db mice.
Genetically hyperglycemic db/db mice were used as the T2DM model. Metformin (250
mg/kg/day; intragastric) was administered for two weeks prior to EPC collection
and wound model creation in db/db mice. Wound healing was evaluated by
alterations in the wound area and the number of platelet endothelial cell
adhesion molecule-positive cells. The function of the isolated bone marrow
derived EPCs (BM-EPCs) was assessed by a tube formation assay. The number of
circulating EPCs, and the levels of intracellular nitric oxide (NO) and
superoxide (O2-) were detected by flow cytometry. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1)
expression was determined by western blot analysis. It was observed that
treatment with metformin accelerated wound healing, improved angiogenesis and
increased the circulating EPC number in db/db mice. In vitro, treatment with
metformin reversed the impaired BM-EPC function reflected by tube formation, and
significantly increased NO production while decreasing O2- levels in BM-EPCs from
db/db mice. In addition, TSP-1 expression was markedly attenuated by treatment
with metformin in cultured BM-EPCs. Metformin contributed to wound healing and
improved angiogenesis in T2DM mice, which was, in part, associated with
stimulation of NO, and inhibition of O2- and TSP-1 in EPCs from db/db mice.
PMID- 28990071
TI - miR-494 inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis via targeting of CDK6 in
osteosarcoma.
AB - Tumorigenesis is a multistep process involving various cell growth-associated
factors. Accumulated evidence indicates that the disordered regulation of
microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to tumorigenesis. However, the detailed mechanism
underlying the involvement of miRNAs in oncogenesis remains to be fully
elucidated. In the present study, the repressed expression of microRNA (miR)-494
was identified in 18 patients with osteosarcoma (OS) and OS cell lines, compared
with corresponding controls. To determine whether deregulated miR-494 exerts
tumor-suppressive effects in the development of OS, the effects of miR-494 on
cell proliferation and metastasis were evaluated. It was found that the
restoration of miR-494 in MG-63 and U2OS cells led to inhibited cell
proliferation and attenuated migratory propensity in vitro, determined through
analysis using MTT, colony formation and Transwell assays. In addition,
overexpression of miR-494 markedly suppressed the tumor volume and weight in
vivo. In accordance, the ectopic expression of miR-494 induced cell cycle arrest
at the G1/S phase in OS cells. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter
assays were performed to investigate the potential regulatory role of miR-494,
the results of which indicated that miR-494 directly targeted cyclin-dependent
kinase 6 (CDK6). Of note, the data obtained through reverse transcription
quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses suggested that
the elevated expression of miR-494 resulted in reduced mRNA and protein
expression levels of CDK6. Taken together, these findings indicated that the miR
494/CDK6 axis has a significant tumor-suppressive effect on OS, and maybe a
diagnostic and therapeutic target for the treatment of OS.
PMID- 28990072
TI - 2,3,5,4-tetrahydroxy diphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside inhibits the adhesion and
invasion of A549 human lung cancer cells.
AB - Lung cancer is considered to be a serious disease that poses a significant threat
to human health. 2,3,5,4-tetrahydroxy diphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside (THSG) is a
bioactive compound derived from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. That has been
demonstrated to possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antitumor
activities. However, little is currently known regarding the potential anticancer
effects of this compound in lung cancer. Therefore, the present study aimed to
investigate the effects of THSG on the adhesion and invasion of A549 human lung
cancer cells in vitro, and to identify the putative mechanisms involved. Cell
Counting kit-8 assay was performed to determine A549 cell viability following
treatment with various doses (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 uM) of THSG for
12, 24 and 48 h. In addition, cell adhesion and invasion were determined
following treatment of A549 cells with 0, 10, 25 or 50 uM THSG for 1, 2 or 3 h,
respectively. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction
analysis was performed to examine the mRNA expression levels of Snail, E
cadherin, vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP9 following THSG
treatment for 12 h. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the protein
expression levels of Snail, E-cadherin, vimentin, MMP2 and MMP9 following THSG
treatment for 24 h. Treatment with THSG (10, 25 and 50 uM) significantly
suppressed the adhesion and invasion of A549 human lung cancer cells in a dose
dependent manner. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of adhesion
and invasion-associated factors were decreased significantly in A549 cells
treated with THSG. In conclusion, THSG effectively suppressed the adhesion and
invasion of human lung cancer cells potentially by inhibiting the expression of
adhesion and invasion-related genes.
PMID- 28990073
TI - NOD receptor and TLR9 modulation in severe acute pancreatitis-induced intestinal
injury.
AB - Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has a rapid onset and may cause multiple organ
dysfunction syndrome (MODS), which has high mortality. Nucleotide binding
oligomerization domain (NOD) receptor and Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), a pattern
recognition receptor in innate immunity, are involved in inflammation, immunity
and pathogen recognition. The role and mechanism of the NOD receptor and TLR9 in
early MODS of SAP-induced intestinal injury, however, remain unclear. Wistar rats
were divided into control, SAP, TLR9 inhibitor and NOD receptor activation
groups. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to
analyze the expression of TLR9, NOD1 and NOD2 in the experimental treatment
groups. Serum amylase, creatinine and alanine aminotransferase indices were
measured, ELISA was used to determine the expression of tumor necrosis factor
alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and western blot analysis was
used to assess nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB expression levels in intestinal
tissues. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
activity were quantified by spectrometry. SAP and NOD receptor activation groups
exhibited significantly elevated TLR9, NOD1, NOD2, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and
nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB levels compared with the control group. Furthermore,
ROS production was increased, SOD activity was decreased and higher serum indices
were exhibited, compared with the control group. The NOD receptor group presented
more significant differences compared with the SAP group. The TLR9 inhibitor
group exhibited opposite effects, with markedly decreased TLR9, NOD1, NOD2, TNF
alpha, IL-1beta and NF-kappaB levels. The TLR9 inhibitor group also presented
reduced ROS production, increased SOD activity and lower serum indexes compared
to the SAP group. The present study therefore indicated that NOD receptor and
TLR9 may modulate the inflammatory response and further impact upon intestinal
injury of SAP, via the regulation of NF-kappaB expression and the
oxidation/antioxidation balance, suggesting therapeutically targeting NOD
receptor and TLR9 might be a useful approach for the treatment of severe acute
pancreatitis.
PMID- 28990074
TI - Puerarin inhibits beta-amyloid peptide 1-42-induced tau hyperphosphorylation via
the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.
AB - Excessive tau protein phosphorylation is important in the pathogenesis and early
abnormal signal transduction of Alzheimer's disease. Excessive phosphorylation of
microtubules is associated with tau accumulation, which induces the formation of
neurofibrillary tangles in neurons, leading to synaptic damage and ultimately,
neurodegeneration. The present study aimed to investigate the possible mechanism
underlying the inhibitory effects of puerarin on beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta)1-42
induced tau protein hyperphosphorylation in SH-SY5Y cells. Following various
treatments, the viability of SH-SY5Y cells was determined using the MTT assay,
and cell morphology was observed under an inverted fluorescence microscope.
Western blotting was used to detect tau phosphorylation, and the protein
expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta, phosphorylated (p)-GSK
3beta (Ser9), beta-catenin and cyclin D1, which are the key factors mediating the
Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. The results demonstrated
that puerarin reversed the Abeta1-42-induced decrease in SH-SY5Y cell viability.
In addition, puerarin inhibited the degree of Abeta1-42-induced tau
phosphorylation at Ser396, Ser199 and Thr231 in SH-SY5Y cells, and reduced the
expression of GSK-3beta by increasing the expression of p-GSK-3beta (Ser9).
Furthermore, puerarin increased the protein expression levels of beta-catenin and
cyclin D1, which are key factors involved in the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling
pathway. The results of the present study demonstrated that puerarin may
attenuate Abeta1-42-induced tau hyperphosphorylation in SH-SY5Y cells, by
inhibiting the expression of GSK-3beta and activating the Wnt/beta-catenin
signaling pathway; therefore, puerarin may exert protective effects against
Alzheimer's disease.
PMID- 28990075
TI - Ulinastatin inhibits renal tubular epithelial apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis
in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction.
AB - The effect of ulinastatin (UTI) on renal tubular epithelial apoptosis and
interstitial fibrosis in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was
investigated. A total of 18 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the
following 3 groups: The Sham group (n=6), the UUO group (n=6), and the UTI group
(n=6). In the UUO and UTI groups, the left ureter was ligated to establish a UUO
model. Starting from day 1 after surgery, an intervention treatment was performed
using normal saline (1 ml/kg/d) and UTI (40,000 unit/kg/d). On day 7 after
surgery, 6 rats from each group were sacrificed. In the Sham group, the left
ureter was only freed, not ligated; after 7 days of abdominal closure, all of the
rats were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected prior to sacrificing the
animals to measure the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr). The
incidence of renal interstitial lesions on the obstruction side was observed by
hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase
dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and immunohistochemical detection of
apoptosis regulator Bax (Bax), apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 (Bcl-2) and caspase-3
were performed to observe the presence of renal tubular epithelial cell
apoptosis. The UTI did not have a significant influence on the mouse BUN and Scr
levels in any of the groups (P>0.05). Compared with that in the Sham group, renal
tissue injury in the UUO group was significantly aggravated with renal tubular
dilation, epithelial cell atrophy, renal interstitial inflammatory cell
infiltration and fibrous tissue hyperplasia (P<0.01). Furthermore, the renal
tubular epithelial TUNEL+ cell number and Bax and caspase-3 levels were
increased, and the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased (P<0.01). Following the UTI
treatment, the renal interstitial injury at the obstruction side was
significantly attenuated (P<0.05), the renal tubular epithelial TUNEL+ cell
number, and Bax and caspase-3 levels significantly decreased, and the expression
of Bcl-2 was restored (P<0.05). UTI inhibited renal tubular epithelial apoptosis
and interstitial fibrosis in UUO rats.
PMID- 28990077
TI - Inhibitory effect of the anthelmintic drug pyrvinium pamoate on T315I BCR-ABL
positive CML cells.
AB - Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder
characterized by a chromosome translocation that generates the BCR-ABL oncogene,
which encodes a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase. Despite progress in
controlling CML at the chronic phase by first and second generations of BCR-ABL
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), effective drugs with good safety are not
available for CML patients harboring T315I BCR-ABL and those in advanced stages
of CML. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement for the development of
effective therapies against T315I BCR-ABL. In the present study, it was
demonstrated that pyrvinium pamoate, an anthelmintic drug approved by the Food
and Drug Administration had potent inhibitory effects on growth and survival in
CML cells with T315I BCR-ABL. In addition, this agent was equally effective in
inhibiting the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in wild-type and T315I BCR-ABL CML
cells. Thus, the clinical efficacy of pyrvinium pamoate in treating patients with
CML bearing T315I BCR-ABL should be further investigated.
PMID- 28990076
TI - Global transcriptome-wide analysis of the function of GDDR in acute gastric
lesions.
AB - Acute gastric lesions induced by stress are frequent occurrences in medical
establishments. The gastric dramatic downrelated gene (GDDR) is a secreted
protein, which is abundantly expressed in normal gastric epithelia and is
significantly decreased in gastric cancer. In our previous study, it was found
that GDDR aggravated stress-induced acute gastric lesions. However, the role of
GDDR in acute gastric lesions remains to be fully elucidated. In the present
study, RNA sequencing was performed in order to examine the gene expression
profile regulated by GDDR in acute gastric lesions. The dataset comprised four
stomach samples from wild-type (WT) mice and four stomach samples from GDDR
knockout mice. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to analyze the differentially
expressed genes (DEGs). Weighted correlation network analysis was used to
identify clusters of highly correlated genes. Cytoscape was used to construct a
protein-protein interaction network (PPI) of the DEGs. Based on the GO analysis,
the upregulated DEGs were distinctly enriched in muscle contraction and response
to wounding; and the downregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in the
regulation of nitrogen compound metabolic process and regulation of RNA metabolic
process. The results of the KEGG pathway analysis showed that the upregulated
DEGs were enriched in ECM-receptor interaction and the signaling pathway of cGMP
PKG, and the downregulated DEGs were enriched in the renin-angiotensin system and
glycerolipid metabolism. The co-expression network revealed a group of genes,
which were associated with increased wound healing in the WT mice. Significant
pathways were identified through the PPI network, including negative regulation
of the signaling pathway of glucocorticoid receptor, regulation of cellular
stress response, and regulation of hormone secretion. In conclusion, the present
study improves current understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying acute
gastric lesions and may assist in the treatment of gastric lesions.
PMID- 28990078
TI - Increased expression of high mobility group box protein 1 and vascular
endothelial growth factor in placenta previa.
AB - Placenta previa is often associated with preterm delivery, reduced birth weight,
a higher frequency of placental accreta and postpartum haemorrhage, and increased
likelihood of blood transfusion. The present study aimed to examine the
expression of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in the placenta of women
with or without placenta previa. The study group consisted of placental tissues
obtained from women with or without placenta previa. The expression levels of
HMGB1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated in the
placental tissues using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain
reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression levels
of HMGB1 and VEGF were significantly increased in the placenta previa group
compared with in the normal group. In addition, the placenta previa group
exhibited increased HMGB1 and VEGF staining in vascular endothelial cells and
trophoblasts. There were no significant differences in the expression of HMGB1 or
VEGF between groups with or without placenta accreta or postpartum haemorrhage.
The present study hypothesised that the increased expression of HMGB1 in the
placenta may be associated with the pathogenesis of placenta previa by regulating
the expression of the proangiogenic factor VEGF.
PMID- 28990079
TI - Effect of miR-146a-5p on tumor growth in NSCLC using chick chorioallantoic
membrane assay and bioinformatics investigation.
AB - Our previous study demonstrated that the expression of miR-146a-5p was
downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue, which affected the
progression and prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Thus, the present study was
conducted to investigate the functional mechanism of miR-146a-5p in tumorigenesis
and angiogenesis in NSCLC. Following the construction of a H460 NSCLC cell line
in which miR-146a-5p was overexpressed via lentivirus transduction, the NSCLC
chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model was established by
transplanting miR-146a-5p-overexpressing NSCLC cells into the CAM. Then, the size
of the neoplasms within the CAM was measured, the vessel ratio was calculated,
and the cellular morphology, metastasis and inflammation of tumor cell was
observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The target genes of miR-146a-5p
were predicted by 12 online software programs; these genes were then subjected to
Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
pathway annotations using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and
Integrated Discovery 6.7 as well as constructed into a protein interaction
network using protein-protein interaction from Search Tool for the Retrieval of
Interacting Genes/Proteins. The xenograft tumor size and angiogenesis conditions
of the miR-146a-5p-overexpressing group (volume 6.340+/-0.066 mm3, vessel ratio
9.326+/-0.083) was obviously restricted (P<0.001) when compared with the low
expression group (volume 30.13+/-0.06 mm3, vessel ratio 16.94+/-0.11). In
addition, marked necrosis along with inflammatory cell infiltration was observed
with the HE-stained slices from the miR-146a-5p low expression group. Regarding
the results of the target gene prediction, cancer and toll-like receptor
signaling were the two most significant pathways represented among the target
genes, while JUN, EGFR and RAC1 were the most relevant proteins among the
selected potential targets of miR-146a-5p. In a CAM xenograft tumor model,
overexpression of miR-146a-5p inhibited the tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of an
NSCLC cell line. miR-146a-5p may act as a tumor suppressor gene in NSCLC and have
moderate prognostic value in lung cancer.
PMID- 28990080
TI - Rapamycin promotes osteogenesis under inflammatory conditions.
AB - Chronic periodontitis, a common oral disease, usually results in irreversible
bone resorption. Bone regeneration is a complex process between bone-forming
activity of osteoblasts and bone-resorbing activity of osteoclasts, and still
remains a challenge for physicians clinically. A previous study demonstrated that
the mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway is involved in osteogenic
differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells. Herein, whether rapamycin could be
used to induce osteogenic differentiation of primary bone marrow-derived
mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and promote new bone formation in vivo
were evaluated. The results demonstrated that rapamycin alone was not enough to
fully induce osteoblast differentiation in vitro and enhanced bone regeneration
in vivo. Interestingly, rapamycin in rapamycin plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
treated BMSCs significantly increased the gene expression levels of Sp7
transcription factor, runt related transcription factor 2, alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) and collagen I (Col I), ALP activity, and calcium nodule at different time
points in vitro, indicating that osteoblast differentiation occurs by rapamycin
when BMSCs are exposed to LPS simultaneously. It was also demonstrated that
rapamycin in rapamycin plus LPS-treated rats promoted bone regeneration in vivo.
These results suggest that rapamycin may influence osteoblast differentiation and
new bone formation after LPS induces an inflammatory environment. Rapamycin may
be used to treat periodontitis associated with bone loss in future clinical
practice.
PMID- 28990081
TI - Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy is potentially associated with a novel
m.5587T>C mutation in two pedigrees.
AB - Mitochondrial (mt)DNA mutations have been revealed to be associated with Leber's
hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). The present study conducted clinical, genetic
and molecular evaluations of two Han Chinese families. A total of 4 (3 men and 1
female) out of 14 matrilineal relatives in the families exhibited visual
impairment with variable severity and age of onset. The average age of onset of
visual loss was 20.5 years old. Molecular analysis of the complete mitochondrial
genome in these pedigrees demonstrated that the three primary mutations
associated with LHON were not detected; however, the homoplasmic m.5587T>C
mutation was identified, which was localized at the end of the mitochondrially
encoded transfer (t)RNA alanine gene and may alter the tertiary structure of this
tRNA. Subsequently, this structural alteration may result in tRNA metabolism
failure. In addition, distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphisms belonging to
haplogroup F1 were detected in both families tested. The findings of the present
study suggested that the m.5587T>C mutation may be involved in the pathogenesis
of visual impairment. In addition, the mtDNA variant m.15024G>A(p.C93H) in the
mitochondrially encoded cytochrome B gene was detected in both families, which
exhibited evolutionary conservation, indicating it may serve a potential
modifying role in the development of visual impairment associated with m.5587T>C
mutation in these families. Furthermore, other modifying factors, including
nuclear modifier genes, and environmental and personal factors may also
contribute to the development of LHON in subjects carrying this mutation.
PMID- 28990083
TI - Confirmation and preliminary analysis of circRNAs potentially involved in human
intervertebral disc degeneration.
AB - Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are relatively recently identified noncoding RNAs that
are ubiquitously expressed in human tissues and serve key functions in regulating
gene expression. However, few studies have focused on human intervertebral disc
degeneration (IDD) circRNAs, and the potential role of circRNAs in IDD has not
been described in detail. In the present study, circRNA expression data was
downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and circRNAs in the human
intervertebral disc were classified according to their length, indicating their
uniform distribution of circRNAs of different lengths. Gene Ontology analysis was
performed, which indicated that the differentially expressed circRNAs were mainly
produced as a result of catalytic activity and from binding genes in the
molecular function category, cell part genes in the cellular component category,
and cellular and metabolic process genes in the biological process category.
Classification analysis divided the circRNAs host genes into 16 classes; with
nucleic acid binding genes ranked as the most common host gene type in IDD
tissue. Pathway analysis indicated that >15 signaling pathways may serve
different roles in IDD, and Wnt signaling, gonadotropin-releasing hormone
receptor and integrin signaling pathways may serve important roles. Using co
expression analysis, 76 differentially expressed circRNAs and host gene pairs
were identified, which were divided into four groups: CircRNAs and their host
genes downregulated; circRNAs downregulated and host genes upregulated; circRNAs
and their host genes upregulated; and circRNAs upregulated and host genes
downregulated. Finally, hsa_circ_0008305 upregulation and hsa_circ_0041946
downregulation were validated in IDD using reverse transcription-quantitative
polymerase chain reaction. In conclusion, the findings of the present study may
shed light on the potential roles of circRNAs in IDD and the possibility for
their use in the diagnosis and clinical treatment of IDD in the future.
PMID- 28990082
TI - Fluid shear stress induces osteoblast differentiation and arrests the cell cycle
at the G0 phase via the ERK1/2 pathway.
AB - Numerous studies have demonstrated that fluid shear stress (FSS) may promote the
proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells. However, proliferation and
differentiation are mutually exclusive processes and are unlikely to be promoted
by FSS simultaneously. Cell proliferation and differentiation induced by FSS has
rarely been reported. In order to provide an insight into this process, the
present study investigated the effects of FSS on osteoblast-like MC3T3 cells in
the G0/G1 phase, the period during which the fate of a cell is determined. The
results of the present study demonstrated that FSS promoted alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) activity, and the mRNA expression and protein expression of osteocalcin,
collagen type I and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), while inhibiting
DNA synthesis and arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. The increase in
Runx2 and ALP activity was accompanied by the activation of calcium/calmodulin
dependent protein kinase type II (CaMK II) and extracellular signal-regulated
kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), which was completely abolished by treatment with KN93 and
U0126, respectively. In addition, the inhibition of ERK1/2, although not CaMK II,
decreased p21Cip/Kip activity, resulting in an increase in cell number and S
phase re-entry. The results of the present study indicated that in the G0/G1
phase, FSS promoted osteoblast differentiation via the CaMK II and ERK1/2
signaling pathways, and blocked the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase via the ERK1/2
pathway only. The present findings provided an increased understanding of
osteoblastic mechanobiology.
PMID- 28990085
TI - RhoA regulates lipopolysaccharide-induced lung cell injury via the Wnt/beta
catenin pathway.
AB - Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) has been reported to be involved in numerous
biological processes; however, the effects of RhoA on acute lung injury (ALI)
have yet to be reported. The present study aimed to explore how RhoA affects cell
viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity and cell apoptosis in a cell
model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. An MTT assay, flow cytometry,
reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting
were used to determine the effects of RhoA on cell viability, apoptosis and ROS
activity. The results demonstrated that RhoA inactivation was able to promote
cell viability, and decrease apoptosis and ROS activity of LPS-treated cells. The
results of western blotting indicated that RhoA activated the downstream Wnt/beta
catenin signaling pathway and inhibited the expression of apoptotic factors.
These findings suggested that RhoA may be involved in ALI progression and could
be a novel therapeutic target for this disease.
PMID- 28990084
TI - Neuroprotective effect of chondroitin sulfate on SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing
wild-type or A53T mutant alpha-synuclein.
AB - Accumulation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-SYN) is a common pathology for Parkinson's
disease (PD). There is abundant evidence that the toxic-gain-of-function of alpha
SYN's is associated with aggregation and consequent effects. To assess the
potential of chondroitin sulfate (CS) in this regard, the present study
investigated its neuroprotective on SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing wild-type (WT)
or A53T mutant alpha-SYN. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis,
reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected
by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of total alpha-SYN,
phosphorylated Ser129 alpha-SYN, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X
protein (Bax) and cytochrome-c (Cyt-c ) were analyzed by western blotting. It was
observed that CS reduced the expression levels of total alpha-SYN and
phosphorylated Ser129 alpha-SYN, prevented cell loss and inhibited apoptosis. The
subsequent mechanism study indicated that CS inhibited ROS overproduction. CS
also significantly attenuated WT and A53T mutant alpha-SYN-induced dysfunction,
including decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, decrease of Bcl-2
expression, and increase of Bax expression, release of Cyt-c from the
mitochondria and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, which demonstrated that
CS suppressed alpha-SYN-induced apoptosis possibly through mitochondria
protection. These results suggested that CS protects SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing
WT or A53T mutant alpha-SYN by inhibiting the expression and phosphorylation of
alpha-SYN, and ROS overproduction and mitochondrial apoptosis. These results
implicate CS as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of PD.
PMID- 28990086
TI - miR-647 and miR-1914 promote cancer progression equivalently by downregulating
nuclear factor IX in colorectal cancer.
AB - MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have been investigated as diagnostic and prognostic
biomarkers for cancer; however, the significance of miRNAs in colorectal cancer
(CRC) remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to determine the
genetic profiles of CRC tissue, and screen for miRNAs implicated in CRC cell
proliferation and migration. RNA sequencing of 10 paired specimens was performed
to for screen genes that were upregulated or downregulated in CRC. miRNA
expression in CRC specimens and cell lines was confirmed using qPCR analysis. The
significance of indicated miRNAs in CRC cell proliferation and migration was
evaluated using MTT and scratch wound-healing assays. Online computational
prediction, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification analysis and a
luciferase reporter assay were applied to determine candidate targeted genes for
the miRNAs. RNA-seq data revealed miR-1914 as the most prominent miRNA in CRC
specimens. qPCR analysis also suggested that the expression of miR-1914, as well
as its counterpart miR-647 were elevated in CRC specimens and cell lines.
Suppression of miR-647/1914 using small interfering RNAs inhibited CRC SW480 and
SW620 cell proliferation, and migration. Nuclear factor I/X (NFIX) was
demonstrated to be a candidate for miR-647/1914 and mediated the oncogenic
activity of miR-647/1914. In all, miR-647 and miR-1914 were demonstrated to
promote the proliferation and migration of CRC cells by directly targeting NFIX.
Therapeutic delivery of siRNAs targeting miR-647/1914 and overexpression of NFIX
may be feasible approaches for CRC treatment.
PMID- 28990087
TI - SiRNA directed against NF-kappaB inhibits mononuclear macrophage cells releasing
proinflammatory cytokines in vitro.
AB - Acute lung injury (ALI) is a condition of acute respiratory failure,
characterized by diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and severe hypoxemia. During ALI,
the acute phase of inflammation induces the recruitment of activated inflammatory
cells, including macrophages and lymphocytes, to the damaged lesions. Nuclear
factor (NF)-kappaB is a key protein in many signal transduction pathways, over
activation of which is followed by an approach of inflammation cells and release
of pre-inflammation cytokines. The aim of the present study was to explore the
effect of NF-kappaB P65 siRNA retroviruses on the activation of NF-kappaB
signaling pathway and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells. In
the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction
(RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used to detect the NF-kappaB p65 mRNA and
protein expression at different times in THP-1 cells infected by p65 siRNA
retroviruses. The results revealed that p65 siRNA retroviruses could
significantly inhibit the expression levels of NF-kappaB p65 mRNA and protein at
different times. In addition, to further investigate the effect of p65 siRNA
retroviruses on the pro-inflammatory cytokines release stimulated by LPS, the
expression of IL-1beta in THP-1 cells and TNF-alpha in THP-1/M cells was also
detected using RT-qPCR and ELISA. As a result, the level of released
proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha
stimulated was significantly inhibited at different times infected by p65 siRNA
retroviruses, while increased at different times infected by siControl
retroviruses in THP-1 and THP-1/M cells stimulated by LPS. In summary, the
present study demonstrated that p65 siRNA retroviruses could suppress the
activation of NF-kappaB signal pathway and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines
in THP-1 cells which provided a clinically plausible method to inhibit the
inflammation for ALI/ARDS utilizing RNA interference technology.
PMID- 28990088
TI - Identification and bioinformatics analysis of miRNAs associated with human muscle
invasive bladder cancer.
AB - Accumulated evidence has indicated that micro (mi)RNAs play vital roles in the
occurrence and development of human muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC),
however, little is known about the miRNAs' regulatory networks. In the present
study, the authors aimed to use bioinformatics analysis to identify the key
miRNAs and potential target genes, as well as studying the underlying mechanisms
for MIBC. They collected several human MIBC tissues to generate a miRNA
expression analysis by microarray analysis comparing with normal bladder tissues,
identifying 104 differentially expressed miRNAs (102 were downregulated and 2
were upregulated) and predicted 11,884 putative target genes of the dysregulated
miRNAs. To understand the function of dysregulated miRNAs in the development of
MIBC, networks among miRNAs and genes, gene ontologies and pathways were built.
The subsequent bioinformatics analysis indicated that the mitogen-associated
protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, apoptosis and pathways in cancer and the
cell cycle, were significantly enriched Overall, these results provided
comprehensive information on the biological function of dysregulated miRNAs in
the development of MIBC. The identification of miRNAs and their putative targets
may offer new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for human muscle invasive
bladder cancer.
PMID- 28990089
TI - Kinin B1 receptor as a novel, prognostic progression biomarker for carotid
atherosclerotic plaques.
AB - Stroke caused by atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of morbidity and
mortality worldwide, associated with carotid plaque rupture and inflammation
progression. However, the inflammatory biomarkers which aid in predicting the
future course of plaques are less detailed. The present study investigated the
association between plaque vulnerable and inflammatory biomarkers using blood and
plaque specimens. Carotid plaque specimens were obtained from 80 patients
following stroke, 14 patients suffering from transient ischaemic attack and 17
asymptomatic patients that underwent carotid endarterectomy. To assess changes in
plaque characteristics at histological levels, plaques were categorized by the
time between the latest ischemic stroke and surgical intervention within 30, 30
90, 90-180 and over 180 days following stroke. Serum levels of inflammatory
biomarkers interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and kinin B1 receptor (B1R) were measured by
ELISA. Histological assessment of plaque was used to evaluate the plaque
stability, progression and the inflammatory biomarker levels. Comparisons of
histological characteristics demonstrated that plaques revealed an unstable
phenotype following stroke within 30, 30-90 days and then remodeled into more
stable plaques following stroke at 90-180 and over 180 days. By comparing the
serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers, it was observed that IL-6 and B1R levels
tended to decline whereas IL-10 levels increased in stroke patients from <30 days
to over 180 days. Immunohistochemical analysis of IL-6, IL-10 and B1R
demonstrated similar alterations in serum levels. Correlation analyses revealed
that only B1R serum level was significantly correlated with histological level in
patients with carotid atherosclerosis. The findings revealed that serum B1R
levels may provide prognostic information and currently act as potential
indicators for progression in atherosclerosis.
PMID- 28990090
TI - Calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway mediates titanium particle-induced
inflammation and osteoclast formation by inhibiting RANKL and M-CSF in vitro.
AB - Wear particles serve a central role in periprosthetic osteolysis, which leads to
the aseptic loosening of prostheses. In the present study a lentiviral vector was
constructed to silence macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor
activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) genes, which synergistically
inhibit osteoclast formation and differentiation. To confirm the role of the
calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway in osteolysis, we
transduced murine macrophage/monocyte RAW264.7 cells with M-CSF-short hairpin
(sh)RNA-RANKL-shRNA. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) protein levels were
evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transduced RAW264.7 cells were
cultured in Transwell chambers in the presence of 0.1 mg/ml titanium particles to
investigate the capacity of TNF-alpha inhibition to reduce wear debris-induced
inflammation. RANKL, M-CSF, TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and NFATc1
mRNA levels were also assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase
chain reaction. Osteoclastogenesis was measured by tartrate-resistant acid
phosphatase (TRAP) mRNA quantification. Lentiviral-mediated double gene
inhibition is known to be able to completely inhibit inflammatory osteolysis,
simultaneously decreasing the number of NFATc1- and TRAP-positive cells. The
present study confirmed that the combined silencing of M-CSF and RANKL genes can
inhibit the osteolysis induced by the wear particles around the prosthesis. The
calcineurin/NFAT pathway serves a role in the prevention of prosthesis loosening.
PMID- 28990092
TI - Elevated expression of SATB1 is involved in pancreatic tumorigenesis and is
associated with poor patient survival.
AB - Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) is a master chromatin
organizer which has been reported to be implicated in tumor progression in breast
and lung cancer. However, its functions in pancreatic tumorigenesis have yet to
be elucidated. In the present study, the involvement of SATB1 in pancreatic
cancer development was investigated in human BxPC-3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma
cells. Short hairpin (sh)RNA was used to stably downregulate SATB1 expression,
and functional assays, including cell proliferation, colony formation, soft agar
and migration assays, were performed in vitro. In addition, a mouse pancreatic
cancer xenograft model was created to examine the tumor-promoting properties of
SATB1 in vivo. The present findings demonstrated that stable knockdown of SATB1
expression inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, anchorage-independent
growth and suppressed the migratory capabilities of BxPC-3 cells in vitro. In
addition, SATB1 downregulation significantly inhibited tumor growth in
xenografted mice in vivo. Furthermore, SATB1 was revealed to be upregulated in
human pancreatic cancer tissue samples compared with matched non-cancerous
adjacent tissues, and high SATB1 expression was associated with poor patient
survival. Overall, the present study demonstrated that SATB1 promoted the
proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. In addition, SATB1 expression
was revealed to be upregulated in human pancreatic cancer tissues and its
upregulation was associated with poor patient survival. Therefore, SATB1 may have
potential as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for the
treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.
PMID- 28990091
TI - WWC1 promotes podocyte survival via stabilizing slit diaphragm protein dendrin.
AB - Previous studies have indicated that glomerular podocyte injury serves a crucial
role in proteinuria during the process of chronic kidney disease. The slit
diaphragm of podocytes forms the final barrier to proteinuria. Dendrin, a
constituent of the slit diaphragm protein complex, has been observed to relocate
from the slit diaphragm to the nuclei in injured podocytes and promote podocyte
apoptosis. However, the exact mechanism for nuclear relocation of dendrin remains
unclear. The expression of WWC1 in podocyte injury induced by lipopolysaccharides
(LPS) or adriamycin (ADR) was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blotting and the immunofluorescence
assay. The role of WWC1 in podocyte apoptosis was detected by knockdown of WWC1
and flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis
associated genes Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) and Bcl-2 were measured by RT-qPCR and
western blotting. The impact of WWC1 on dendrin nucleus relocation in vitro in
podocytes was further evaluated by knockdown of WWC1. Expression of WWC1
significantly decreased in injured podocytes in vitro. The loss-of-function assay
indicated that knockdown of WWC1 gene in vitro promoted podocyte apoptosis,
accompanied with increased levels of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreased
levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Furthermore, the relocation of
dendrin protein was significantly promoted by knockdown of the WWC1 gene. In
conclusion, the study indicated that loss of WWC1 may contribute to podocyte
apoptosis by inducing nuclear relocation of dendrin protein, which provided novel
insight into the molecular events in podocyte apoptosis.
PMID- 28990093
TI - SNPs of CD14 change the mastitis morbidity of Chinese Holstein.
AB - Gram-negative (GN) bacterial infection is a main cause of bovine mastitis. The
cluster of differentiation (CD) 14 gene serves an essential role in GN bacterium
induced innate immune response. CD14 works as a bacterial lipopolysaccharide
(LPS) receptor, combines with LPS-liposaccharide binding protein complex, and
causes cellular activation. However, the effects of CD14 single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) on morbidity of clinical mastitis remain unclear. In the
present study, To investigate the polymorphisms of CD14 gene and its effects on
cows' susceptibility to mastitis, polymerase chain reaction-single-strand
conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) assay was used to detect SNPs of CD14 gene
in 134 Chinese Holsteins. SNPs were identified in PCR products amplified with 3
sets of primers in CD14 exon 2. A total of three SNPs were located in that exon:
g.528 A->C (147Ser->Arg) in allele B; g.612 A->G (175Asn->Asp) in allele D; and
g.1022 A->G in allele F (synonymous mutation). The SNPs in alleles B and D
affected the secondary structure of CD14. A 3-dimensional (3D) structural
analysis predicted three potential protein forms with a similar structure and
indicated that the changes of the above-mentioned alleles were on the concave
surface of the protein. In more detail, 147 Ser->Arg induced a protein kinase C
phosphorylation site to move forward, as assessed by the motif analysis. The
morbidity rate of AB (mixed type g.528 A/C) and CD (mixed type g.612 A/G) was the
highest among all genotypes presented in the current study, and via of tumor
necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 mRNA levels were upregulated in animals
of this genotype compared with others. Taken together, the CD14 SNPs identified
in the present study, may be closely associated with the morbidity of mastitis.
PMID- 28990094
TI - Identifying dysregulated pathways in postmenopausal osteoporosis through
investigation of crosstalk between pathways.
AB - The present study aimed to identify potential dysregulated pathways to further
reveal the molecular mechanisms of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) based on
pathway-interaction network (PIN) analysis, which considers crosstalk between
pathways. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) data and pathway information were
derived from STRING and Reactome Pathway databases, respectively. According to
the gene expression profiles, pathway data and PPI information, a PIN was
constructed with each node representing a biological pathway. Principal component
analysis was used to compute the pathway activity for each pathway, and the seed
pathway was selected. Subsequently, dysregulated pathways were extracted from the
PIN based on the seed pathway and the increased classification accuracy, which
was measured using the area under the curve (AUC) index according to 5-fold cross
validation. A PIN comprising 2,725 interactions was constructed, which was used
to detect dysregulated pathways. Notably, the 'mitotic prometaphase' pathway was
selected and defined as a seed pathway. Starting with the seed pathway, network
based analysis successfully identified one pathway set for PMOP comprising eight
dysregulated pathways (such as mitotic prometaphase, resolution of sister
chromatid cohesion, mRNA splicing and mRNA splicing-major) with an AUC score of
0.85, which may provide potential biomarkers for targeted therapy for PMOP.
PMID- 28990095
TI - Kangfuxin promotes apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through activating ER-stress
and autophagy.
AB - Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. In
studies on the mechanisms of antigastric cancer drugs, autophagy and endoplasmic
reticulum (ER) stress have been demonstrated to serve an active role in gastric
cancer. The organic extract of Periplaneta americana (also termed American
Cockroach), which is named Kangfuxin (KFX) in China, has been used clinically as
a traditional Chinese medicine against disorders, including stomach bleeding,
gastric ulcers, tuberculosis, burns and trauma. However, the role of KFX and its
mechanism in gastric cancer remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to
determine the effects of KFX in vitro against cultured the human carcinoma SGC
7901 cell line, and to explore the potential mechanism of the anticancer effects
of KFX in gastric cancer. SGC-7901 cells were treated with different
concentrations of KFX for varying amounts of time. As a result, KFX treatment
decreased the ratio of apoptosis regulators Bcl-2/Bax, activated ER stress and
induced significant apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells. Furthermore, KFX was able to
restore the ER stress activation blocked by 4-phenylbutyrate. In addition, KFX
activated autophagy in SGC-7901 cells. These results demonstrated that ER stress,
autophagy and the apoptosis-inducing effects of KFX in SGC-7901 cells may achieve
promising anticancer effects in numerous other types of cancer. In particular, ER
stress may serve an essential role in KFX-induced anticancer effects on gastric
carcinoma and a secondary role in autophagy.
PMID- 28990096
TI - High incidence of coding gene mutations in mitochondrial DNA in esophageal
cancer.
AB - The aim of the present study was to detect mutations in the coding genes of
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in three esophageal cancer cell lines and in tumor
tissues obtained from 30 patients with esophageal cancer, to investigate the
relationship between protein- and RNA-coding gene mutations and esophageal
cancer. mtDNA was extracted and the coding genes were sequenced and analyzed by
comparing the sequencing results with the complete mitochondrial genome of Homo
sapiens. The results revealed 39 mutations in the three esophageal cancer cell
lines; the genes with the highest mutation frequencies included mitochondrially
encoded cytochrome B (MT-CYTB), NADH dehydrogenase 5 (MT-ND5) and MT-ND4 gene. A
total of 216 mutations were identified in the 30 esophageal cancer tissues,
including 182 protein-coding mutations, of which MT-CYTB and MT-ND5 genes
exhibited higher mutation frequencies. The results of the present study indicated
that mutations in the coding genes of mtDNA in esophageal cancer cells may be
related to the occurrence of esophageal cancer.
PMID- 28990097
TI - Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase-1 decrease may promote carcinogenesis and
chemoresistance in cervical cancer.
AB - Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase-1 (FBP1), a gluconeogenesis rate-limiting enzyme
expressed in various tissues, is important in the carcinogenesis of various
cancers. To evaluate the association of FBP1 expression and carcinogenesis and
chemoresistance in cervical cancer, the present study analyzed 140 patients of
squamous cell carcinoma of cervical cancer (CSCC) who had adjuvant concurrent
chemoradiation therapy following radical surgery. By detecting FBP1 protein
expression in paraffin-embedded tumor tissues through immunohistochemistry, it
was observed that 50% of the cases had a low expression of FBP1, which was
associated with a shorter overall survival time (P=0.011). In addition, FBP1 mRNA
level was downregulated in tumor tissues, compared with cervical normal tissues.
Among the tumor-associated prognostic factors, loss of FBP1 expression (chi2
test, P=0.025) was significantly associated with the tumor recurrence and greater
tumor stage of cervical cancer patients (2-test, P<0.0001). In 3-(4,5)
dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay of primary
tumor cells, the median in vitro inhibition rate of cisplatin, carboplatin,
nedaplatin, and oxaliplatin was 62, 47, 58 and 52%, respectively. Although there
was no significant association between FBP1 expression and in vitro tumor
inhibition rates of primary tumor cells, overexpression of FBP1 markedly
suppressed carcinogenesis and restored the chemosensitivity to cisplatin in
cervical cancer cell lines of HeLa and CaSki. Overall, decreased levels of FBP1
may be used as a predictor for poor prognosis of cervical cancer patients,
however the mechanism requires further investigation.
PMID- 28990098
TI - Anti-inflammatory effect of Amomum xanthioides in a mouse atopic dermatitis
model.
AB - Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disorder. The
present study investigated the effects of Amomum xanthioides extract (AXE) on AD
like skin inflammation using a Dermatophagoides farinae extract (DFE) and 2,4
dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced mouse AD model. Hematoxylin and eosin
staining results demonstrated that repeated DFE/DNCB exposure markedly increased
the thickening of the dermis and epidermis, in addition to the infiltration of
eosinophils and mast cells. However, oral administration of AXE reduced these
histopathological alterations in a dose-dependent manner. Elevated serum
histamine, total and DFE-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), and IgG2a were also
decreased by treatment with AXE. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results demonstrated that the mRNA expression
of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4,
IL-13, IL-31 and IL-17A was reduced in ear skin following AXE administration in
AD mice. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting demonstrated that the population of
CD4+/IL-4+, CD4+/IFN-gamma+ and CD4+/IL-17A+ cells in draining lymph nodes was
also significantly decreased in AXE-treated mice compared with AD mice without
AXE treatment. Furthermore, keratinocytes that were stimulated with TNF-alpha and
IFN-gamma exhibited increased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and
chemokines, including TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, C-C motif chemokine ligand
(CCL)17 and CCL22, as determined by RT-qPCR. However, upregulation of these genes
was reduced by AXE pretreatment. Based on these results, we hypothesize that AXE
may be useful in the treatment of allergic skin inflammation, particularly AD.
PMID- 28990099
TI - Genome-wide analysis and prediction of functional long noncoding RNAs in
osteoblast differentiation under simulated microgravity.
AB - Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been regarded as important regulators in
numerous biological processes during cell development. However, the holistic
lncRNA expression pattern and potential functions during osteoblast
differentiation under simulated microgravity remain unknown. In the present
study, a high throughput microarray assay was performed to detect lncRNA and mRNA
expression profiles during MC3TC-E1 pre-osteoblast cell osteo-differentiation
under simulated microgravity. The expression of 857 lncRNAs and 2,264 mRNAs was
signi-ficantly altered when MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to simulated
microgravity. A relatively consistent distribution pattern on the chromosome and
a co-expression network were observed between the differentially-expressed
lncRNAs and mRNAs. Genomic context analysis further identified 132 differentially
expressed lncRNAs and nearby coding gene pairs. Subsequently, 3 lncRNAs were
screened out for their possible function in osteoblast differentiation, based on
their co-expression association and potential cis-acting regulatory pattern with
the deregulated mRNAs. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive
understanding of and a foundation for future studies into lncRNA function in
mechanical signal-mediated osteoblast differentiation.
PMID- 28990100
TI - Low molecular weight heparin may benefit nephrotic remission in steroid-sensitive
nephrotic syndrome via inhibiting elastase.
AB - Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has a structure similar to heparan sulfate,
which exerts anti-inflammatory effects via inhibiting elastase (Ela) activity.
Release of Ela along the glomerular capillary wall may induce glomerular injury
and proteinuria. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of LMWH on
steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and the potential underlying
mechanism. A total of 40 SSNS patients and 20 healthy controls were recruited.
SSNS patients were treated with LMWH and prednisone simultaneously (LMWH+pred
group) or with prednisone alone (pred group). Proteinuria, urinary
glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), serum Ela and urinary creatinine levels were measured.
The nephrotic period of SSNS was 15.93+/-5.78 days. The nephrotic period of SSNS
in LMWH+pred group was significantly reduced compared with the pred group
(14.13+/-4.56 vs. 18.63+/-6.49 days; P<0.05). At the follow-up of the SSNS
patients, there was no statistically significant difference in number of relapses
between the LMWH+pred and pred groups. Proteinuria (2.51+/-0.97 g/24 h), urinary
GAG levels (4.92+/-0.87 mg/mmol creatinine) and serum Ela levels (77.64+/-10.99
ng/l) were significantly greater in the nephrotic period of SSNS compared with
the remission period (0.107+/-0.026 g/24 h, 1.53+/-0.27 mg/mmol Cr and 41.92+/
7.81 ng/l, respectively) and the healthy control group (0.098+/-0.027 g/24 h,
1.40+/-0.26 mg/mmol creatinine and 38.43+/-9.83 ng/l, respectively; P<0.05).
During the remission period, urinary GAG and serum Ela levels in the LMWH+pred
group were significantly reduced compared with the pred group (P<0.05), whereas
proteinuria did not differ between these groups (P>0.05). Positive correlations
were revealed between urinary GAG excretion and proteinuria (r=0.877; P<0.05),
proteinuria and serum Ela levels (r=0.844; P<0.05) and serum Ela levels and
urinary GAG excretion (r=0.881; P<0.05). The results of the present study
indicated that elevated serum Ela levels may induce proteinuria by degrading GAGs
in the glomerular basement membrane in children with SSNS. LMWH may benefit
nephrotic remission of SSNS via inhibiting Ela.
PMID- 28990101
TI - Exogenous peripheral blood mononuclear cells affect the healing process of deep
degree burns.
AB - The regenerative repair of deep-degree (second degree) burned skin remains a
notable challenge in the treatment of burn injury, despite improvements being
made with regards to treatment modality and the emergence of novel therapies.
Fetal skin constitutes an attractive target for investigating scarless healing of
burned skin. To investigate the inflammatory response during scarless healing of
burned fetal skin, the present study developed a nude mouse model, which was
implanted with normal human fetal skin and burned fetal skin. Subsequently, human
peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to treat the nude mouse
model carrying the burned fetal skin. The expression levels of matrix
metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1
were investigated during this process. In the present study, fetal skin was
subcutaneously implanted into the nude mice to establish the murine model.
Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to detect alterations in the skin during
the development of fetal skin and during the healing process of deep-degree
burned fetal skin. The expression levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined
using immunochemical staining, and their staining intensity was evaluated by mean
optical density. The results demonstrated that fetal skin subcutaneously
implanted into the dorsal skin flap of nude mice developed similarly to the
normal growth process in the womb. In addition, the scarless healing process was
clearly observed in the mice carrying the burned fetal skin. A total of 2 weeks
was required to complete scarless healing. Following treatment with PBMCs, the
burned fetal skin generated inflammatory factors and enhanced the inflammatory
response, which consequently resulted in a reduction in the speed of healing and
in the formation of scars. Therefore, exogenous PBMCs may alter the lowered
immune response environment, which is required for scarless healing, resulting in
scar formation. In conclusion, the present study indicated that the involvement
of inflammatory cells is important during the healing process of deep-degree
burned skin, and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 may serve important roles in the process of
scar formation.
PMID- 28990102
TI - Role of artesunate in TGF-beta1-induced renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal
transdifferentiation in NRK-52E cells.
AB - The implications of epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) have
extended beyond the confines of renal fibrosis to renal tubulointerstitial
fibrosis. It has been proposed that EMT may be one of the mechanisms involved in
the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain
unknown. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is considered to be an important
cytokine which regulates the transdifferentiation of tubular epithelial cells
into myofibroblasts in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In the present study,
normal rat kidney tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) were treated for 48 h with
TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml) and different concentrations of artesunate (ART; 0.01, 0.1
and 1 ug/ml). Western blotting, reverse transcription-semi quantitative
polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunofluorescence staining were used to
evaluate the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7, uterine
sensitization-associated gene (USAG)-1, E-cadherin, alpha-smooth muscle actin
(alpha-SMA) and extracellular matrix collagen type I (Col I) mRNA. ART was able
to attenuate renal injury in a unilateral ureteral obstruction model. However,
its anti-fibrotic effect remains to be elucidated. In the present study, it was
observed that ART was able to ameliorate the TGF-beta1-induced alterations in
cellular morphology. In addition, ART inhibited the TGF-beta1-induced USAG-1
increase and the decrease in BMP-7. Treatment with ART markedly attenuated the
TGF-beta1-induced upregulation of alpha-SMA and downregulation of E-cadherin.
Additionally, ART was able to significantly attenuate the deposition of
interstitial collagens, including Col I. The results of the present study further
verified the therapeutic efficacy of ART in TGF-beta1-induced renal interstitial
fibrosis. These findings indicated that ART may hold the potential to prevent
chronic kidney diseases via the suppression of USAG-1 expression or by increasing
BMP-7 expression.
PMID- 28990103
TI - Silver nanoparticles coupled to anti-EGFR antibodies sensitize nasopharyngeal
carcinoma cells to irradiation.
AB - Radiotherapy is the major form of treatment for head and neck carcinoma, a
malignant tumour of epithelial origin. The identification of agents, which can be
co-administered in order to sensitize these tumours to radiotherapy, has become a
major focus of investigations. In the present study, a novel 20 nm nanocomposite,
Ag/C225, was constructed, which consisted of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)
conjugated to an epidermal growth factor receptor-specific antibody (C225).
Physical characterization demonstrated that the Ag/C225 nanoparticles were
spherical and dispersed well in water. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed
that the activity of C225 was preserved in the Ag/C225 nanoparticles. The results
of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis revealed
that AgNPs and Ag/C225 inhibited the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
epithelial (CNE) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry
revealed that AgNPs and Ag/C225 induced the apoptosis of CNEs, and abrogated G2
arrest; the latter effect was more marked with Ag/C225 than with AgNPs.
Clonogenic assays indicated that AgNPs and Ag/C225 increased the sensitivity of
CNEs to irradiation. The sensitizer enhancement ratios were 1.610+/-0.012 and
1.405+/-0.033 Gy for AgNPs and Ag/C225, respectively. Western blot analysis
revealed that combining X-ray irradiation with either AgNPs or Ag/C225 reduced
the expression levels of DNA damage/repair proteins Ku-70, Ku-80 and Rad51;
Ag/C225 was also more effective than AgNPs in this context. These results
indicated that AgNPs and Ag/C225 effectively enhanced CNE cell radiosensitivity
in vitro. Therefore, these potent agents may be considered for use as
radiosensitizers during the treatment of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
PMID- 28990104
TI - Antiangiogenic properties of caudatin in vitro and in vivo by suppression of VEGF
VEGFR2-AKT/FAK signal axis.
AB - Tumor angiogenesis provides essential nutrients and oxygen to the tumor
microenvironment, which is important in tumor growth, progression and metastasis.
Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis represents one of the most promising strategies
in tumor therapy. The authors previously demonstrated that caudatin, one species
of C-21 steroidal from Cynanchum auriculatum (C. auriculatum), effectively
inhibits human glioma growth in vitro and in vivo through triggering cell cycle
arrest and apoptosis. However, little information regarding the antiangiogenic
properties of caudatin in human glioma is available. Based on the author's
previous study, the antiangiogenic effect of caudatin against human glioma was
explored, and the underlying mechanism was investigated. The results suggested
that caudatin treatment significantly inhibited HUVEC human umbilical vein
endothelial cell proliferation, blocked the HUVECs migration, invasion and
capillary-like tube formation by disturbing the vascular endothelial growth
factor (VEGF)-VEGFR2-protein kinase B (AKT)/focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signal
axis. Notably, caudatin treatment abolished the glioma cell growth by suppression
of the in vivo angiogenesis, which involved FAK and AKT dephosphorylation and
inhibition of VEGF expression. The findings validated the antiangiogenic
potential of caudatin in hunting human glioma.
PMID- 28990105
TI - MicroRNA-24-2 is associated with cell proliferation, invasion, migration and
apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma.
AB - Micro (mi)RNAs are involved in multiple cellular processes, and alterations in
miRNA expression have been demonstrated to lead to tumorigenesis. Previous
microarray analysis revealed that miRNA (miR)-24 was downregulated in renal cell
carcinoma (RCC). Additionally, miR-24 has been identified as an oncogene and
tumor suppressor in various cancers. The present study assessed the expression
levels of two stem-loops of miR-24, miR-24-1 and miR-24-2, in RCC tissues and
paired healthy tissues by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain
reaction. The results revealed that miR-24-2 was upregulated in RCC tissues and
ACHN, 786-O and 769P cell lines compared with healthy tissues and HEK-293T cells,
respectively, whereas miR-24-1 was almost absent in RCC and healthy kidney
tissues. To investigate the role of miR-24-2 in RCC, a synthesized miR-24-2
mimic, negative control (NC), inhibitor or inhibitor NC was transfected into 786
O and ACHN RCC cells, and cell proliferation, mobility and apoptosis assays were
performed. The results of the present study revealed that miR-24-2 was associated
with cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, thus demonstrating
that miR-24-2 may serve a role as an oncogene in RCC. Further studies are
required to investigate the signaling pathways of miR-24-2, and the potential of
miR-24-2 as a therapeutic target or biomarker for the early detection of RCC.
PMID- 28990106
TI - Identification of key genes for diabetic kidney disease using biological
informatics methods.
AB - Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common complication of diabetes, which is
characterized by albuminuria, impaired glomerular filtration rate or a
combination of the two. The aim of the present study was to identify the
potential key genes involved in DKD progression and to subsequently investigate
the underlying mechanism involved in DKD development. The array data of GSE30528
including 9 DKD and 13 control samples was downloaded from the Gene Expression
Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in DKD glomerular and
tubular kidney biopsy tissues were compared with normal tissues, and were
analyzed using the limma package. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto
Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were
performed for DEGs using the GO Function software in Bioconductor. The protein
protein interaction (PPI) network was then constructed using Cytoscape software.
A total of 426 genes (115 up- and 311 downregulated) were differentially
expressed between the DKD and normal tissue samples. The PPI network was
constructed with 184 nodes and 335 edges. Vascular endothelial growth factor A
(VEGFA), alpha-actinin-4 (ACTN4), proto-oncogene, Src family tyrosine kinase
(FYN), collagen, type 1, alpha2 (COL1A2) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)
were hub proteins. Major histocompatibility complex, class II, DP alpha1 (HLA
DPA1) was the common gene enriched in the rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus
erythematosus pathways, and the immune response was a GO term enriched in module
A. VEGFA, ACTN4, FYN, COL1A2, IGF1 and HLA-DPA1 may be potential key genes
associated with the progression of DKD, and immune mechanisms may serve a part in
DKD development.
PMID- 28990107
TI - Estradiol-enhanced osteogenesis of rat bone marrow stromal cells is associated
with the JNK pathway.
AB - Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into osteoblasts. The present
study investigated the osteogenic effects of estradiol, as well as the role of
the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in promoting estradiol
enhanced osteogenesis of rat (r)BMSCs. rBMSCs were treated for 7 days with or
without estradiol and further treated with or without the JNK-specific inhibitor
SP600125. The role of estrogen during rBMSC osteogenesis was evaluated by
alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized nodule formation using the Gomori
method and Alizarin red S staining, respectively. Subsequently, the mRNA
expression levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and core
binding factor alpha1 (Cbfalpha1) were evaluated by reverse transcription
quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and TGF-beta1, Cbfalpha1 and
phosphorylated (p)-JNK protein expression was detected by western blotting. All
groups treated with SP600125 expressed low levels of TGF-beta1 and Cbfalpha1 mRNA
and protein, and low p-JNK protein expression. Compared with the control cells,
rBMSCs cultured with estradiol exhibited a significant upregulation in the
expression levels of osteogenic genes and proteins. The present study
demonstrated that estradiol enhanced osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs and
that the JNK signaling pathway was involved in this process, providing insights
into the molecular mechanisms involved in rBMSC osteogenesis upon estradiol
stimulation.
PMID- 28990108
TI - The effect of anagliptin on intimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery after
balloon injury.
AB - The present study evaluated the effect of anagliptin on intimal hyperplasia
following carotid artery injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. Sprague-Dawley rats
weighing 280-300 g were injured using a 2F Fogarty balloon embolectomy catheter.
The rats were divided into injury-(saline) and anagliptin-(10 mg/kg/day) treated
groups. vascular injuries were induced in the left carotid artery, followed by
evaluation of neointima formation at 28 days. The right and left carotid arteries
were harvested and evaluated with histological evaluation, and the plasma
activity of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1), stromal cell-derived factor
(SDF)-1alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha
were detected by ELISA analysis. Treatment with anagliptin decreased balloon
injury-induced neointima formation, compared with the injury group (P<0.01). Body
weight and food consumption did not alter following treatment with anagliptin.
Anagliptin caused an increase in the serum active GLP-1 concentration, compared
with the injury group. In addition, serum SDF-1alpha was significantly decreased
by treatment with anagliptin (P<0.001). Anagliptin altered the serum activity of
IL-6, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha (P<0.01). The results of the present study
demonstrated that anagliptin appeared to attenuate neointimal formation by
inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and chemokines following balloon injury, and
that treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor may be useful for future
preclinical studies and potentially for the inhibition of thrombosis formation
following percutaneous coronary intervention.
PMID- 28990111
TI - MicroRNA-720 inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and invasion by
directly targeting cyclin D1.
AB - Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in
Western countries, and ranks sixth among cancer-associated diseases, with the
highest mortality rate in China. Deregulation of micro (miR) RNA may contribute
to the occurrence and progression of numerous cancers, including pancreatic
cancer. In particular, deregulation of microRNA-720 (miR-720) has been reported
in various types of human cancer. However, the expression and biological role of
miR-720 in pancreatic cancer remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to
investigate the expression and functional role of miR-720 in pancreatic cancer
and determine the underlying regulatory mechanism. The results demonstrated that
miR-720 was expressed at low levels in pancreatic cancer tissue samples and cell
lines. Upregulating miR-720 suppressed pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and
invasion in vitro. Additionally, cyclin D1 (CCND1) was identified as the direct
target gene of miR-720 in pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, CCND1 was significantly
upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and inversely correlated with miR-720
expression. Furthermore, CCND1 re-expression partially abrogated the inhibitory
effects of miR-720 on pancreatic cancer cells. Overall, miR-720 may act as a
tumor suppressor by directly targeting CCND1 in pancreatic cancer.
PMID- 28990109
TI - miR-342-5p promotes Zmpste24-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts proliferation
by suppressing GAS2.
AB - Cellular senescence is an irreversible growth arrest of cells that maintain their
metabolic activities. Premature senescence can be induced by different stress
factors and occurs in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Zmpste24
metalloproteinase-deficient mice, a progeria mouse model of Hutchinson-Gilford
Progeria Syndrome. Previous studies have shown that miR-342-5p, an intronic
microRNA (miRNA/miR) reportedly involved in ageing associated diseases, is
downregulated in Zmpste24-/- MEFs. However, whether miR-342-5p is associated with
the premature senescence phenotype of Zmpste24-/- MEFs remains unclear. Thus, the
present study investigated the effects of miR-342-5p on cellular senescence and
cell proliferation in Zmpste24-/- MEFs. The results showed that miR-342-5p
overexpression ameliorated the cellular senescence phenotype to a certain extent,
promoted cell proliferation and increased the G2+M cell cycle phase in Zmpste24-/
MEFs. Nonetheless, it was difficult to observe the opposite cell phenotypes in
wild-type (WT) MEFs transfected with the miR-342-5p inhibitor. Growth-arrest
specific 2 (GAS2) was identified as a target gene of miR-342-5p in Zmpste24-/-
MEFs. In addition, miR-342-5p was identified to be downregulated in WT MEFs
during replicative senescence, while Gas2 was upregulated. Taken together, these
findings suggest that downregulated miR-342-5p is involved in regulating cell
proliferation and cell cycles in Zmpste24-/- MEFs by suppressing GAS2 in vitro.
PMID- 28990110
TI - Effects of butylphthalide on cognitive decline in diabetic rats.
AB - Butylphthalide, a component extracted from seeds of Chinese celery, is an
effective neuroprotective agent used for the treatment of ischemic stroke and
dementia. Diabetes may cause central nervous system damage, and diabetes is
closely associated with dementia. The aim of the present study was to investigate
the effects of butylphthalide on cognitive impairment in a streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rat model, and the underlying mechanisms of action. A total of 30
healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 2
groups: Normal control (NC; n=10) and diabetes model (DM) groups (n=20). Diabetes
was induced in rats in the DM group by intraperitoneal injection of
streptozotocin, and these rats were further subdivided into the following 2
groups: Diabetic control (n=10) and butylphthalide-treated groups (n=10).
Following 8 consecutive weeks of treatment, a Morris water maze test was
performed and the levels of blood fasting plasma glucose (FPG), superoxide
dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 inflammatory cytokines in the
hippocampus were measured. FPG levels were significantly decreased in the
butylphthalide-treated group when compared with the DM group. In addition,
cognitive deficits in diabetic rats were improved following butylphthalide
treatment. Furthermore, butylphthalide significantly increased the level of SOD,
reduced MDA levels, and reduced TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 levels in the
hippocampus when compared with the DM group. The results of the present study
suggest that butylphthalide may be an effective neuroprotective agent to improve
cognitive dysfunction during diabetes.
PMID- 28990112
TI - A novel compound heterozygous mutation of SLC26A4 in two Chinese families with
nonsyndromic hearing loss and enlarged vestibular aqueducts.
AB - Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA)-associated hearing loss is frequently detected
in individuals carrying the SLC26A4 mutation in the Chinese population. The
present study aimed to identify the causative SLC26A4 coding mutations in a
patient group with nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) and EVA. Genomic DNA was
extracted from blood samples obtained from 52 NSHL patients with EVA and from 60
normal controls. The mutation analysis for 20 coding exons of SLC26A4 was
performed by direct sequencing. The results of the mutational analysis showed
that there were two probands from two separate families suffering from bilateral
sensorineural hearing loss with EVA, carrying the same novel compound
heterozygous mutation of SLC26A4 (c.1644_1645insA and c.2168A>G). Other members
of the two families had heterozygous mono-allelic mutations with normal hearing.
However, neither of these mutations were detected in the 60 normal controls.
These results are the first, to the best of our knowledge, to link the compound
heterozygote mutation, c.1644_1645insA and c.2168A>G, in the SLC26A4 gene to NSHL
patients with EVA. The two mutations identified in the present study were located
in the anti-sigma factor antagonist domain, the core region for plasma membrane
targeting of anion transporters, which suggested that the reduced or complete
loss of SLC26A4 function was the direct cause of hearing loss in the two
patients. These results provide a foundation for further elucidating the genetic
factors responsible for EVA-associated NSHL.
PMID- 28990113
TI - Downregulation of SYT7 inhibits glioblastoma growth by promoting cellular
apoptosis.
AB - Synaptotagmin-7 (SYT7) is a member of the synaptotagmin gene family, and encodes
a protein that mediates the calcium-dependent regulation of membrane trafficking
during synaptic transmission. A previous study demonstrated that the expression
of SYT7 is associated with prostate cancer and serves an important role in
development of prostate cancer. However, the roles of SYT7 in the progression of
glioma remain unknown. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis demonstrated that SYT7 was expressed
in three human glioma cell lines. Western blotting and RT-qPCR analysis
demonstrated the knockdown efficiency of SYT7 shRNA in 293T cells and U87MG
cells. Celigo Image Cytometer Analysis, a caspase-3/7 assay, flow cytometry and
an MTT assay demonstrated that the proliferation of U87MG cells was inhibited as
SYT7 was downregulated by a lentiviral vector expressing SYT7 shRNA, via the
promotion of cellular apoptosis. The results of the present study demonstrated
that the downregulation of SYT7 inhibited glioblastoma growth by promoting
cellular apoptosis, and that SYT7 may therefore be a potential target for glioma
intervention.
PMID- 28990115
TI - An inexact multistage fuzzy-stochastic programming for regional electric power
system management constrained by environmental quality.
AB - Electric power system involves different fields and disciplines which addressed
the economic system, energy system, and environment system. Inner uncertainty of
this compound system would be an inevitable problem. Therefore, an inexact
multistage fuzzy-stochastic programming (IMFSP) was developed for regional
electric power system management constrained by environmental quality. A model
which concluded interval-parameter programming, multistage stochastic
programming, and fuzzy probability distribution was built to reflect the
uncertain information and dynamic variation in the case study, and the scenarios
under different credibility degrees were considered. For all scenarios under
consideration, corrective actions were allowed to be taken dynamically in
accordance with the pre-regulated policies and the uncertainties in reality. The
results suggest that the methodology is applicable to handle the uncertainty of
regional electric power management systems and help the decision makers to
establish an effective development plan.
PMID- 28990116
TI - Introduction to the Special Section on Executive Functions and Externalizing
Symptoms.
PMID- 28990114
TI - Clinical Guidance for Managing Statin and Antimicrobial Drug-Drug Interactions.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review discusses potential drug-drug interactions between
statins and antimicrobials and provides clinician's guidance on how to manage
these interactions. RECENT FINDINGS: In addition to statin utilization increasing
in recent years, there is greater emphasis on using moderate to high-intensity
statin doses. Statin-related adverse effects are often dose-dependent; therefore,
patients may be at increased risk. Antimicrobial use has also increased in recent
years, and various efforts have been implemented to ensure appropriate use of
antimicrobials. Commonly used antimicrobials, such as macrolide antibiotics and
azole antifungals, interact significantly with the CYP3A4 enzyme pathway
similarly to lovastatin, simvastatin, and atorvastatin. Consequently, the
potential for significant drug-drug interactions is increasing. In 2012, the US
Food and Drug Administration strengthened warning labels for statins and dose
adjustments related to drug-drug interactions. As such, it is imperative that
clinicians are comfortable identifying drug-drug interactions between statins and
antimicrobials and making appropriate therapy modifications as clinically
warranted. Statins and antimicrobials are frequently coprescribed, and the
available pharmacokinetic data supports the potential for clinically significant
drug-drug interactions. Macrolides and selected antifungals can significantly
increase drug levels of select statins, particularly those metabolized by the
CYP3A4 pathway. Contrarily, rifampin can significantly reduce drug levels of
statins, limiting their efficacy. Future research efforts should identify
interventions to improve clinician recognition of these drug-drug interactions
and the prevention of unwarranted statin-related adverse effects.
PMID- 28990117
TI - Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 12 is highly specific for non
proliferating invasive trophoblasts in the first trimester and temporally
regulated by oxygen-dependent mechanisms including HIF-1A.
AB - During first trimester pregnancy, trophoblast cells invade from the placenta into
the maternal decidua where they anchor the placenta and remodel luminal
structures like spiral arteries. This process depends on proteases secreted by
invading trophoblasts, which degrade extracellular matrix (ECM). We here aimed to
identify proteases particularly important for trophoblast invasion. We generated
a list of proteases capable of degrading decidual ECM and trophoblast integrins
using MEROPS database and compared expression of these proteases between primary
trophoblasts isolated from first trimester placenta (FT, n = 3), representing an
invasive phenotype, vs trophoblasts isolated from term pregnancy (TT, n = 3),
representing a non-invasive trophoblast phenotype. Matrix metalloproteinase 12
(MMP12) revealed highest expression levels in FT, with absent expression in TT.
In situ hybridisation and immunofluorescence localised MMP12 specifically to
extravillous trophoblasts (evCT) whilst Ki67 co-staining revealed that
proliferating trophoblasts of the cell columns were almost negative for MMP12.
Quantification revealed a decline in MMP12 positive evCT at the end of first
trimester, when oxygen levels start rising. MMP12 promoter analysis identified
potential binding sites for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1) and other oxygen
sensitive transcription factors. Moreover, MMP12 protein was increased by low
oxygen in FT in vitro and by addition of a HIF-1alpha activator. Collectively,
MMP12 is a highly expressed protease specific for invasive evCT during the first
trimester. MMP12 down regulation by increasing oxygen concentration enables
temporal expression control of MMP12 and involves several mechanisms including
HIF-1alpha. These findings suggest MMP12 involved in trophoblast invasion during
the first trimester.
PMID- 28990118
TI - Efficacy of long pulse Nd:YAG laser versus fractional Er:YAG laser in the
treatment of hand wrinkles.
AB - : There are different modalities for hand rejuvenation. Fractional Er:YAG laser
and long pulse Nd:YAG laser were introduced for treating hand wrinkles. We plan
to compare fractional Er:YAG laser and long pulse Nd:YAG laser in a randomized
controlled double-blind design with multiple sessions and larger sample size in
comparison with previous studies. Thirty-three participants with hand wrinkles
entered this study. They were randomly allocated to undergo three monthly laser
treatments on each hand, one with a fractional Er:YAG laser and the other with a
long pulse Nd:YAG laser. The evaluations included assessment of clinical
improvement determined by two independent dermatologists not enrolled in the
treatment along with measuring skin biomechanical property of hands using a
sensitive biometrologic device with the assessment of cutaneous resonance running
time (CRRT). Moreover, potential side effects and patients' satisfaction have
been documented at baseline, 1 month after each treatment, and 3 months after the
final treatment session. Clinical evaluation revealed both modalities
significantly reduce hand wrinkles (p value < 0.05), with no significant
difference between two lasers. Mean CRRT values also decreased significantly
after the laser treatment compared to those of the baseline in both laser groups.
There was no serious persistent side effect after both laser treatments. Both
fractional Er:YAG and long pulse Nd:YAG lasers show substantial clinical
improvement of hand skin wrinkles with no serious side effects. However,
combination treatment by these lasers along with the other modalities such as fat
transfer could lead to better outcomes in hand rejuvenation. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
IRCT2016032020468N4.
PMID- 28990119
TI - Dual Src and EGFR inhibition in combination with gemcitabine in advanced
pancreatic cancer: phase I results : A phase I clinical trial.
AB - Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains a major therapeutic challenge, as the poor
(<8%) 5-year survival rate has not improved over the last three decades. Our
previous preclinical data showed cooperative attenuation of pancreatic tumor
growth when dasatinib (Src inhibitor) was added to erlotinib (EGFR inhibitor) and
gemcitabine. Thus, this study was designed to determine the maximum-tolerated
dose of the triplet combination. Standard 3 + 3 dose escalation was used,
starting with daily oral doses of 70 mg dasatinib and 100 mg erlotinib with
gemcitabine on days 1, 8, and 15 (800 mg/m2) of a 28-day cycle (L0). Nineteen
patients were enrolled, yet 18 evaluable for dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). One
DLT observed at L0, however dasatinib was reduced to 50 mg (L-1) given side
effects observed in the first two patients. At L-1, a DLT occurred in 1/6
patients and dose was re-escalated to L0, where zero DLTs reported in next four
patients. Dasatinib was escalated to 100 mg (L1) where 1/6 patients experienced a
DLT. Although L1 was tolerable, dose escalation was stopped as investigators felt
L1 was within the optimal therapeutic window. Most frequent toxicities were
anemia (89%), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (79%), fatigue (79%), nausea
(79%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (74%), lymphopenia (74%), leukopenia
(74%), neutropenia (63%), and thrombocytopenia (63%), most Grade 1/2. Stable
disease as best response was observed in 69% (9/13). Median progression-free and
overall survival was 3.6 and 8 months, respectively. Dasatinib, erlotinib, and
gemcitabine was safe with manageable side effects, and with encouraging
preliminary clinical activity in advanced pancreatic cancer.
PMID- 28990120
TI - Sequential versus concomitant therapy for treatment of Helicobacter pylori
infection: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Sequential and concomitant therapies are two innovative therapies for
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication. However, the comparative efficacy
and safety of these treatments are controversial. Therefore, we aimed to conduct
an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that compared these two
treatments. METHODS: A search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of
Science was carried out. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared
sequential with concomitant therapies were selected for meta-analysis. RESULTS:
Twenty RCTs were included in the analysis. The eradication rate of 10-day
sequential therapy was superior to that of 5-day concomitant therapy (82.09
versus 77.79%, relative risk (RR) 1.052 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.004
1.103), P = 0.035)), similar to that of 7-day concomitant therapy (82.40 versus
86.99%, RR 0.959 (95% CI 0.874-1.053), P = 0.382), and inferior to that of 10-day
concomitant therapy (78.39 versus 83.32%, RR 0.945 (95% CI 0.907-0.984, P =
0.006); the occurrence of diarrhea was higher in 10-day concomitant therapy than
that in 10-day sequential therapy. Compared with the eradication rate of
sequential therapy, that of concomitant therapy was higher in metronidazole
resistant strains (RR 0.912 (95% CI 0.844-0.986, P = 0.020)) and strains
resistant to metronidazole and clarithromycin (RR 0.542 (95% CI 0.308-0.956, P =
0.035)). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of concomitant therapy was duration dependent,
and 10-day concomitant therapy was superior to 10-day sequential therapy.
Compared to sequential therapy, concomitant therapy was more efficacious for
metronidazole-resistant strains and metronidazole plus clarithromycin-resistant
strains. However, diarrhea was more frequent with concomitant therapy than with
sequential therapy.
PMID- 28990121
TI - Climatic water deficit and surplus between the Carpathian Mountains and the
Dniester River (1961-2012).
AB - The study addresses the climatic water deficit (WD) and surplus (WE) in the area
located between the heights of the Eastern Carpathians (Romania) and the Dniester
River (Moldova). The objective of this study is to discover the trend of WD/WE
(past and future) and its variation in space. WD and WE were calculated as the
difference between the amounts of precipitation (P) and the reference
evapotranspiration (ET0). The P-ET0 trend, analyzed through Mann-Kendall and t
tests, was negative for 83 and 80% of the analyzed stations and the Sen's slope
had values between - 0.05 mm year-1 (t test) and - 6.73 mm year-1 (Mann-Kendall
test). Seasonally, the slope values of P-ET0 trends were negative during winter,
spring, and summer and positive in autumn. The P-ET0 index is positive (WE) only
in the Carpathian and Eastern Subcarpathian areas, whereas for the rest of the
investigated territory, we found negative values (WD). WD is more pronounced as
we depart from the Carpathians towards the east, but also on a north to south
direction, reaching the maximum in the southeastern part of the territory. In
what concerns seasonal distribution, WE is identified everywhere only in winter,
whereas, in spring, summer, and autumn, WD characterizes most of the territory,
with the exception of the Carpathian and Subcarpathian areas. The increasing WD
will have a growing negative influence on the agriculture of the studied area.
For the year 2030, we anticipate a reduction in the climate water availability
with 46 mm m-2 (reference period: 1961-2012).
PMID- 28990122
TI - Efficacy of resin infiltration of proximal caries in primary molars: 1-year
follow-up of a split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this split month, randomized, controlled clinical
trial was evaluate the efficacy of caries infiltration in controlling the
progression of non-cavitated proximal lesions in primary molars. Anxiety and time
required for the caries infiltration was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Fifty healthy children, 5 to 9 years, presenting two primary molars with proximal
caries lesions (1/2 of the enamel or outer 1/3 of dentin), were included. Lesions
were randomly allocated to the test group (fluoridated toothpaste + flossing +
infiltration) or to the control group (fluoridated toothpaste + flossing). Caries
risk was based on the Cariogram model. The main outcome after 1-year radiographic
follow up was assessed by an independent blinded examiner A facial image scale
(FIS) was applied to assess dental anxiety and time required to perform the
infiltration was recorded. RESULTS: Of the sample, 92.9% corresponded to high or
medium caries risk. In 42 patients (1-year follow up), caries progression was
observed in 11.9% (5/42) of the test lesions compared with 33.3% (14/42) of the
control lesions (p < 0.05). Five control and three test lesions progressed to the
middle 1/3 of dentin and were restored. No side effects were observed. Anxiety
was both low before and after the treatment, and mean time required for the
infiltration was 11.29 min (+/- 1.16 min). CONCLUSIONS: Caries infiltration of
proximal caries lesions in primary molars is significantly more efficacious than
standard therapy alone (fluoride toothpaste + flossing). CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
Caries infiltration is an applicable and well-accepted method be used in
children, representing a promising micro-invasive approach.
PMID- 28990123
TI - Chemical composition and trophic state of shallow saline steppe lakes in central
Asia (North Kazakhstan).
AB - The purpose of this study was to identify the prevailing chemical composition and
trophic state of the shallow saline steppe lakes of North Kazakhstan along a wide
size range (< 1-454 km2) and salinity gradient (2-322 g L-1) on a large spatial
scale (1000 km), taking into account the potential effects of human disturbances.
Water depth, Secchi disk transparency, temperature, pH, electric conductivity,
major ions, total dissolved solids, total organic carbon, total nitrogen and
phosphorus, nitrate, soluble reactive phosphorus, and chlorophyll a were
measured. The equivalent percentage of major ions, Spearman rank correlation,
multivariate analyses, equilibrium state of lakes, and spatial GIS
autocorrelation were calculated. The impact of human disturbances (settlements,
farms, and mines) on total organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll
a were tested by Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA. The most common combinations of dominant
ions were Na-Cl>SO4 and Na-Cl (n = 16; 64%); the Ca, Mg, HCO3, and SO4 ions
precipitate with increasing salinity (2-322 g L-1); and ion composition shifts
from Na>Mg-Cl>SO4 to Na-Cl. The most of the chemical variables positively, but
chlorophyll a negatively, correlated with total dissolved solids, and the total
phosphorus had no significant correlation with any variables. The trophic state
of these lakes in most cases exceeded the hypertrophic level. The increase in
salinity causes change in chemical composition and effects on the phytoplankton
development independently from the size of water surface, and the human
disturbances had negligible effect on the trophic state of shallow saline lakes
in this region of Kazakhstan.
PMID- 28990124
TI - The induction of salt stress tolerance by propyl gallate treatment in green
microalga Dunaliella bardawil, through enhancing ascorbate pool and antioxidant
enzymes activity.
AB - The effect of propyl gallate (PG), a synthetic antioxidant, on antioxidant
responses and salinity tolerance was investigated in the cells of the green
microalga, Dunaliella bardawil. Algal suspensions grown at three salinity levels
of 1, 2, and 3 M NaCl were incubated with 1 mM of PG. The number of cells was
significantly lower in all PG-treated cells compared to untreated controls.
Despite PG-induced cell death, the fresh weight of all PG-treated cells was
considerably higher than controls. PG-treated cells had enhanced antioxidant
capacity because of increased levels of Chlorophyll a, beta-carotene, reduced
ascorbate, protein, and enzymatic activities, but accumulated lower levels of
malonyldialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide compared to untreated cells. The results
suggest that PG acts as a signal molecule both directly by reducing of free
radical oxidants and indirectly by augmenting ascorbate pool levels, beta
carotene production, and antioxidant enzymes activity to boost the capacity of
antioxidant systems and radical oxygen species scavenging. Therefore, induction
of salt stress tolerance by PG in D. bardawil is associated with metabolic
adjustments through activation or synthesis of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic
molecules involved in antioxidant systems.
PMID- 28990125
TI - Differences in range of motion with the same combined anteversion after total hip
arthroplasty.
AB - PURPOSE: We investigated the various impingement angles (including both bony and
prosthetic impingement) and impingement types that can occur after THA, even when
the same combined anteversion parameter is used. We also investigated the
relationship between impingement angle and acetabular morphology or femoral
anteversion. METHODS: We evaluated 83 patients with no hip arthritis. We divided
them into six groups according to acetabular CE angle (<=15 degrees , >15-<=25
degrees , and >25 degrees ) and femoral anteversion (<=20 degrees and >20
degrees ). Using three-dimensional templating software, we changed stem and cup
anteversion to satisfy a combined anteversion (CA) of 50 degrees in each hip
(stem anteversion + cup anteversion = 50 degrees ) and investigated the resulting
impingement angles. RESULTS: Even with the same CA, differences in impingement
angle occurred: 18.3 degrees +/- 7.2 degrees with flexion, 30.2 degrees +/-
9.7 degrees with internal rotation at 90 degrees flexion, 20.2 degrees +/-
12.5 degrees with extension, and 26.2 degrees +/- 7.8 degrees with external
rotation. As stem anteversion increased, the impingement type changed from
prosthetic impingement to bony impingement in flexion and internal rotation and
from bony impingement to prosthetic impingement in extension and external
rotation. The flexion angle and internal rotation angle at 90 degrees flexion
increased (p < 0.016) as CE angle decreased. There were no significant
differences between high and low femoral anteversion. CONCLUSIONS: Combined
anteversion theory should be used with care because of large differences in
impingement angles. A stem anteversion of 30 degrees and cup anteversion of 20
degrees appear to be ideal for obtaining a larger impingement angle under this
condition.
PMID- 28990126
TI - Effectiveness and predictability of titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin for
the management of multiple gingival recessions.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) is activated with
titanium, which results in a more mature and aggregated form than PRF. In our
previous studies, we established that the fibrin carpet formed with titanium had
a firmer network structure, and longer resorption time in the tissue than the
fibrin carpet formed with glass. The purpose of this randomized controlled
clinical trial is to compare the effects of autogenous T-PRF and connective
tissue graft (CTG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 114 Miller Class I/II
gingival recessions with abrasion defects were treated either T-PRF (63 teeth) or
CTG (51 teeth) using a modified tunnel technique. Clinical periodontal indexes,
keratinized tissue (KTW), gingival thickness, and recession depth were recorded
before surgery and at 6- and 12-month follow-up examinations. The visual analog
scale and healing index scores were assessed. RESULTS: The mean root coverages
were 93.29 and 93.22% in the T-PRF and CTG groups, respectively, at 12 months
post-operatively. CTG resulted in greater gingival thickness than T-PRF at 6 and
12 months post-surgery compared to baseline. Furthermore, the mean amounts of KTW
increased by 1.97 and 0.75 mm in the T-PRF and CTG groups, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, the results demonstrated that T-PRF
is safe and effective for treatment of multiple Miller Class I/II gingival
recession defects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: T-PRF can serve as a good autogenous
alternative to CTG, which is the gold standard for root coverage.
PMID- 28990127
TI - Patterns of axillary evaluation in older patients with breast cancer and
associations with adjuvant therapy receipt.
AB - PURPOSE: Although axillary lymph node status has traditionally been a key factor
in informing adjuvant breast cancer therapy recommendations, this information may
be less relevant as our focus shifts more towards tumor biology, particularly in
older patients where comorbidity influences treatment decisions and nodal staging
and/or surgery may not improve outcomes. We examined patterns of axillary surgery
and associations between axillary surgery and receipt of adjuvant treatment in
older breast cancer patients. METHODS: Women aged >= 65 years with clinically
node-negative, stage I-II breast cancer treated between 2012 and 2013 were
identified using the National Cancer Data Base. Using multivariable logistic
regression, we examined associations between axillary surgery and age, adjusting
for patient, clinical, and facility factors. We also examined receipt of adjuvant
treatment by nodal surgery. RESULTS: Among 68,205 women, 40.1% were aged 65-70,
24.5% were 71-75, 17.4% were 76-80, and 18.0% were > 80. Overall, 91.2% had
axillary surgery (67.8% sentinel lymph node biopsy, 11.7% axillary lymph node
dissection, 11.7% unspecified/unknown axillary surgery); 88.0% of those aged >=
70 with lower risk, hormone receptor-positive tumors underwent axillary surgery.
In adjusted analyses, compared to patients aged 65-70, increasing age was
associated with lower odds of any axillary surgery (ages 71-75: OR 0.64, 95% CI
0.57-0.71; ages 76-80: OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.30-0.37; age > 80: OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.07
0.08). Axillary surgery was associated with higher odds of receipt of radiation
after breast conservation and receipt of chemotherapy in human epidermal growth
factor 2-positive disease. CONCLUSIONS: In a large nationwide dataset, the vast
majority of older women with clinically node-negative breast cancer underwent
axillary staging despite uncertainty about its impact on survival, particularly
for those with lower-risk disease. Further study on how to tailor node assessment
in older patients is warranted.
PMID- 28990128
TI - A single-center, retrospective analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of
filgrastim-sndz to filgrastim for prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia
and for neutrophil recovery following autologous stem cell transplantation.
AB - Filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio(r)) was approved by the FDA in March 2015 as a biosimilar
product of its reference product, filgrastim (Neupogen(r)) for all five
indications. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines has incorporated filgrastim
sndz into its recommendations as a category 1 recommendation for use in settings
of febrile neutropenia, myelosuppressive chemotherapy administration, and post
hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). As a cost-saving initiative, our
institution switched from filgrastim to filgrastim-sndz for all indications
starting in March 2016. The purpose of this study was to assess for any
difference in clinical or safety outcomes between filgrastim and filgrastim-sndz.
This is an IRB-approved, single institution, 1-year retrospective chart review
(September 2015 to August 2016) conducted in hospitalized adults who received
either filgrastim or filgrastim-sndz either for prophylaxis of chemotherapy
induced myelosuppression or for neutrophil recovery after autologous HSCT. Our
data showed no differences in duration of G-CSF therapy (7.96 vs. 8.5 days, P =
0.36), white blood count (WBC) (8.99 vs. 8.04, P = 0.28), absolute neutrophil
count (ANC) (7.62 vs. 6.91 * 109/L, P = 0.36) at the time of granulocyte-colony
stimulating factor (G-CSF) discontinuation, or safety of filgrastim and
filgrastim-sndz. The efficacy and safety of filgrastim and filgrastim-sndz were
similar for prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and neutrophil
recovery post-autologous HSCT.
PMID- 28990129
TI - Differences in lethal response between male and female calanoid copepods and life
cycle traits to cadmium toxicity.
AB - This study determined the effect of cadmium (Cd) toxicity comparatively on two
copepods, Eurytemora affinis (Poppe 1880) from a temperate region (Seine Estuary,
France) and Pseudodiaptomus annandalei (Sewell 1919) from a subtropical region
(Danshuei Estuary, Taiwan), according to their sex and reproductive stages. In
addition, the effect of Cd to their life cycle traits was quantified. In the
first experiment, both copepod sexes were exposed to 40, 80, 150, 220, and 360
ug/L of Cd and a control cultured in salinity 15, except that the temperature was
18 degrees C for E. affinis and 26 degrees C for P. annandalei. This allowed
calculating median lethal concentration (LC50) of Cd after 96 h. This was 120.6
ug/L Cd for P. annandalei males which were almost twice as sensitive as P.
annandalei females (LC50 = 239.5 ug/L Cd). For E. affinis females, the LC50 was
90.04 ug/L Cd, reflecting a 1.4 times higher sensitivity of females than of males
(LC50 = 127.75 ug/L Cd). The males of both species were similarly sensitive;
however, the E. affinis females were 2.7 times more sensitive than the P.
annandalei females. We also compared the sensitivity of ovigerous females (OVF)
and non-ovigerous females (NOF) of both species to Cd. Mortality was higher in
NOF than in OVF of both copepod species in both the control and the 40 ug/L Cd
treatment. Finally, the total population, fecundity and female morphology of both
copepod species were estimated after exposing one generation cycle (nauplius to
adult) to 40 MUg/L Cd (for E. affinis) and 160 MUg/L Cd (for P. annandalei). A
significant decrease in cohort production, survival and clutch size but no
significant difference in the prosome length of both copepod species exposed to
Cd were detected. The ratio of OVF:NOF was high in both copepod species exposed
to Cd. Cd toxicity did not significantly affect the M:F sex ratio and % OVF of E.
affinis. However, the effect of Cd toxicity in P. annandalei was significant in
the M:F sex ratio and was in favor of females and their reproductive activities
due to an increase in % OVF. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in total
production of P. annandalei due to high mortality in their nauplii and copepodid
developmental stages. Toxicity to Cd appears to be affected by multiple factors
including sex, reproductive life stage and species. The ecological implication of
Cd toxicity on E. affinis and P. annandalei copepod ecology is more related to a
skewed sex ratio, low egg production, reduced hatchability and reduced survival
that affects the recruitment potential of the copepod nauplii resulting in a
decreasing copepod population. Mortality, reproduction and population growth of
model species may provide important bio-indicators for environmental risk
assessment.
PMID- 28990130
TI - Sperm preparation after freezing improves motile sperm count, motility, and
viability in frozen-thawed sperm compared with sperm preparation before freezing
thawing process.
AB - PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate which cryopreservation protocol,
freezing before or after swim-up, optimizes cryopreservation outcomes in terms of
motile sperm count, motility, morphology, and viability, and also to establish
whether sperm viability could be assessed based on sperm motility. METHODS: Fifty
three fresh and 53 swim-up prepared samples were considered for the first
experiment. In parallel, total motility evaluation by CASA system (computer
assisted sperm analyzer) and hypoosmotic swelling test (HOS-test) was performed
in each sample to compare the viability results of both methods. In the second
experiment, 21 normozoospermic semen samples and 20 semen samples from male
factor patients were included. After fresh ejaculate evaluation, the semen sample
of each patient was divided into two aliquots, one of them was frozen before swim
up and the other was frozen after swim-up. Motility, sperm count, morphology, and
viability were evaluated after thawing. RESULTS: A linear regression model allows
prediction of HOS-test viability results based on total motility: HOS = 1.38 +
0.97 . TM (R 2 = 99.10, residual mean squares = 9.51). Freezing before sperm
selection leads to higher total and progressive motility, total motile sperm
count, and viability rates than when sperm selection is performed before freezing
(P < 0.005 in all cases). In fact, sperm selection prior to freezing reaches
critical values when subfertile patients are considered. CONCLUSIONS: To
conclude, total motility evaluation can predict HOS-test viability results,
resulting in a more objective and less time-consuming method to assess viability.
In addition, sperm freezing prior to swim-up selection must be considered in
order to achieve better outcomes after thawing, especially in patients presenting
poor sperm baseline.
PMID- 28990131
TI - Diagnosis and Management of Cognitive and Behavioral Changes in Dementia With
Lewy Bodies.
AB - OPINION STATEMENT: Proper diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in
clinical practice remains suboptimal as many cases are misdiagnosed, usually as
Alzheimer disease (AD) or Parkinson's disease (PD) and, in rare cases, psychosis.
Therefore, it is important for patients with dementia to be thoroughly evaluated
by a specialist who is familiar with current diagnostic tests and treatment
options. New diagnostic criteria from the Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consortium
have been developed to increase diagnostic sensitivity for DLB (Diagnosis and
management of dementia with Lewy bodies: fourth consensus report of the DLB
Consortium; McKeith et al.; Neurology, 89(1): 88-100). REM sleep behavior
disorder (RBD) has been studied more thoroughly in correlation with DLB and is
now considered a core feature. D2 receptor blocking antipsychotics, which can
cause severe antipsychotic sensitivity, are now rarely prescribed for treatment.
Therefore, severe antipsychotic sensitivity, which was a suggestive criterion for
DLB diagnosis, is now listed as a supportive feature. Reduced DAT uptake in basal
ganglia demonstrated by SPECT or PET imaging has high specificity (90%) for
distinguishing DLB from AD. Reduced uptake on metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial
scintigraphy correlates with reduced postganglionic sympathetic cardiac
innervation in Lewy body diseases, which can increase specificity for
discriminating probable DLB from probable AD in milder cases of dementia.
However, the latter is more commonly used in Japan and is not used in the USA.
The evidence supporting the benefit of other therapeutic modalities is limited in
DLB due to lack of extensive studies. There are no FDA-approved medications for
the treatment of DLB, although some effective drugs have been used off label to
treat various symptoms.
PMID- 28990133
TI - Correction to: Malachite Green and Crystal Violet Decolorization by Ganoderma
lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus Supernatant and by rGlLCC1 and rPOXA 1B
Concentrates: Molecular Docking Analysis.
AB - The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The
replacement image of Fig. 4 provided by the first corresponding author, Aura M.
Pedroza-Rodriguez, is incorrect and that the originally submitted Fig. 4 should
have been retained. The original article has been corrected.
PMID- 28990134
TI - Evaluation of Potassium Dichromate (K2Cr2O7)-Induced Liver Oxidative Stress and
Ameliorative Effect of Picrorhiza kurroa Extract in Wistar Albino Rats.
AB - The aim of the study was to assess the protective effect of Picrorhiza kurroa
hydroalcoholic extract (PCK), a glycoside-rich extract, against potassium
dichromate (PDC)-induced liver oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. Thirty-six
male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: the control group (which received
distilled water), the SIL group (which received 60 mg/kg silymarin), the PDC
group (which received 30 mg/kg K2Cr2O7), and the treatment groups (which received
25, 50, 100 mg/kg PCK). Administration of PDC resulted in increased levels of
liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST),
and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); up-regulated peroxidation biomarkers, i.e.,
thiobarbutric acid-reactive species (TBARS) and protein carbonyls in serum; and
decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
catalase (CAT) significantly in the liver tissue. Gene expression studies of
tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), growth
arrest, and DNA damage-inducible protein (GADD45) revealed that there was a liver
damage at the molecular level, and histopathological studies further confirmed
the morphological changes by PDC administration. However, PCKs at 50 and 100
mg/kg promoted significant restoration of liver enzyme levels and the activities
of antioxidant enzymes were kept close to the values of the control and SIL
groups. Our current study confirms that the active compounds present in the PCK
might have conferred a strong protection against potassium dichromate-induced
oxidative stress.
PMID- 28990136
TI - Hepatic Abscess with Biliary Obstruction Mimicking Cholangiocarcinoma-a Case
Report.
PMID- 28990135
TI - Text Messaging (SMS) Helping Cancer Care in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Treatment: a Pilot Study.
AB - Cancer treatment is an extremely stressful life experience that is accompanied by
a range of psychological, social, physical, and practical difficulties. Cancer
patients need to receive information that helps them to better understand the
disease, assists them in decision-making, and helps them deal with treatment.
Patients are interested in receiving such information. The degree of satisfaction
with the information received has been associated with positive health outcomes,
specifically regarding quality of life, severity of side effects, and
psychological well-being. This study investigates a method of guiding cancer
patients, in relation to outpatient chemotherapy treatment, using SMS (short
message service) text messaging. A smartphone application called cHEmotHErApp was
developed, and its primary function is to send out SMS text messages with
guidance for self-care and emotional support for oncology patients undergoing
chemotherapy. Thus, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the
acceptance and perception of patients of the receipt of these SMS messages, as
well as to evaluate the possible benefits reported by the participants. Adult
patients diagnosed with cancer, who started the first outpatient chemotherapy
treatment scheme between August and November 2016 at the School Hospital (HE) of
the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), were invited to participate in this
pilot study. In total, 14 cancer patients were adherent to this study. Each of
these patients received a daily text message on their cell phone with some
guidance on encouraging self-care and emotional support. Patients reported that,
because of the SMS text messages they received, they felt more confident in their
treatment, felt more supported and encouraged, and that the text messages
facilitated self-care. In addition, patients reported that the SMS text messages
they received helped them to take better care of themselves and to continue
further treatment.
PMID- 28990132
TI - OXA-48-like carbapenemases producing Enterobacteriaceae in different niches.
AB - The emergence of carbapenem-resistant enterobacterial species poses a serious
threat to public health worldwide. OXA-48-type carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D
beta-lactamases are widely distributed among Enterobacteriaceae, with significant
geographical differences. To date, 11 OXA-48-like variants have been identified,
with classical OXA-48 being the most widespread. These enzymes show high-level
hydrolytic activity against penicillins and low-level hydrolysis towards
carbapenems. Since the first description of the OXA-48 carbapenemase in Turkey,
bacterial strains producing the enzyme have been extensively reported in
nosocomial and community outbreaks in many parts of the word, particularly in the
Mediterranean area and European countries. The rapid spread of Enterobacteriaceae
producing OXA-48-like enzymes in different ecosystems has become a serious issue
recently. The number of reservoirs for such organisms is increasing, not only in
hospitals, but also in the community, among animals (e.g., livestock, companion
animals, and wildlife) and in the environment. This review aims to summarize the
main characteristics of the OXA-48-type carbapenemases, covering genetic and
enzymatic traits, their epidemiology, clonality and associated genes, correlation
with extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) or plasmidic AmpC (pAmpC) in
different bacterial species worldwide.
PMID- 28990138
TI - A survey of protocols and trends in orthodontic retention.
AB - BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to evaluate retention procedures
and protocols which are used by the orthodontists in Lithuania and to identify
commonly used types of dental retainers. METHODS: One hundred seven
questionnaires in total with 28 multiple-choice questions were sent to all
members of the Lithuanian Orthodontic Society. The questionnaire was organized
into eight sections representing specific information about socio-demographic
status of the respondents, selection of a retention system, details of commonly
used fixed and removable retainers, the duration of the retention period,
supervision of the retainers, instructions for patients, and necessity of common
retention guidelines. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 75.7%. All of the
respondents prescribed retainers after the orthodontic therapy. More than 40% of
the respondents combined fixed and removable retainers in different clinical
situations, but the first-choice option after an expansion of the maxillary
dental arch was the removable retainer (54.3%); meanwhile, a fixed retainer was
used after a correction of any rotations of the mandibular anterior teeth
(49.4%). The Hawley retainer was preferred by 90.1% of the respondents for a
maxillary dental arch, and 74.1% of them preferred it for a mandibular dental
arch. The most preferable fixed retainer was the retainer bonded to all six
anterior teeth (in the upper dental arch-by 71.6%; in the lower one-by 80.2%).
There was no consensus on the duration of a retention period. Most of the
orthodontists checked up retainers three times during the first year (fixed ones
by 42.0%; removable ones-by 30.0%) and once per year after the 1-year retention
period (fixed ones-by 44.4%; removable ones-by 40.7%). All orthodontists gave
instructions for taking care of an orthodontic retainer. It was observed that the
orthodontists with less than 10 years of experience used a protocol based on the
skills learned during their postgraduate studies, while orthodontists with more
than 10 years of experience used retention procedures based on their orthodontic
work practice (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of fixed and removable
retainers was the most often used in an orthodontic retention. Evidence-based
guidelines are desired for a common retention protocol.
PMID- 28990139
TI - Association between Morphological Patterns of Myometrial Invasion and Cancer Stem
Cell Markers in Endometrial Endometrioid Carcinoma.
AB - In endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEC), the depth of myometrial
invasion (MI) is an important parameter for determining whether additional
treatment is warranted. The present study investigated the association between MI
patterns, cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes, and their clinicopathological
significance in EEC. A total of 73 cases of EEC with MI were examined in this
study. Haematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue specimens were analysed for MI
pattern, which was categorised as infiltrating; expansile; adenomyosis (AM)-like;
or microcystic, elongated, and fragmented (MELF)-type. The expression of CSC
markers such as cluster of differentiation (CD)44, CD133, and Nanog1, as well as
oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) was examined by
immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological features including age, DOI, MI
pattern, LVI, lymph node (LN) metastasis, disease progression, and survival
outcome were recorded. Most examined cases (45/73) were International Federation
of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I. MI showed infiltrating (49.3%), AM
like (26.3%), MELF (15.1%), and expansile (9.6%) patterns. Tumours with the
infiltrating pattern were associated with high FIGO grade (P = 0.002), reduced ER
and PR, and CD44 expression (P = 0.014, 0.026, and 0.030, respectively); those
with a MELF pattern showed LN metastasis (P < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (P
= 0.011), and reduced ER, CD44, and CD133 expression (P = 0.036, 0.006, and
0.016, respectively). EEC with infiltrating/MELF patterns of MI is associated
with worse prognosis. These results suggest that CSC expression profiles are an
unfavourable indicator of EEC.
PMID- 28990137
TI - Effects of Fluoride on SOD and CAT in Testis and Epididymis of Mice.
AB - Oxidative damage has been implicated to be one of main mechanisms by which
fluoride (F) induces toxic effects. Previous studies reported that F destroyed
the epididymal structure of mouse and rabbit. Epididymis is the important place
for sperm maturation. However, little is known about the effect of F on the
oxidative stress status of epididymis. Therefore, the aim of the present study
was to explore the changes in the activities and transcriptional levels of CuZn
superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD, SOD1) and catalase (CAT), as well as the
ultrastructure, in testis and epididymis of mice administrated with F. Sixty
health Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups. With one group
untreated as controls, the others were treated with 25, 50, and 100 mg NaF/L in
drinking water. After 10 weeks administration, mitochondrial ultrastructural
changes in testis and epididymis were observed, including the incomplete membrane
and the dissolved or disappeared cristae. Compared to the control group, the
activities of both SOD1 and CAT in testis and epididymis were significantly
reduced by 50 or 100 mg NaF exposure. In addition, the mRNA expressions of
testicular SOD1 and CAT were also decreased significantly in 100 mg NaF/L group,
while the SOD1 and CAT mRNA expressions in epididymides were significantly
reduced in all F treatment groups. The above results suggest that in the presence
of F, similar to testis, epididymis also loses the balance between oxidative
stress and antioxidative defense, and perhaps more sensitive to F.
PMID- 28990141
TI - Same Time Next Year!
PMID- 28990140
TI - Comparison of expression of key sporulation, solventogenic and acetogenic genes
in C. beijerinckii NRRL B-598 and its mutant strain overexpressing spo0A.
AB - The production of acetone, butanol and ethanol by fermentation of renewable
biomass has potential to become a valuable industrial process. Mechanisms of
solvent production and sporulation involve some common regulators in some ABE
producing clostridia, although details of the links between the pathways are not
clear. In this study, we compare a wild-type (WT) Clostridium beijerinckii NRRL B
598 with its mutant strain OESpo0A, in which the gene encoding Spo0A, an
important regulator of both sporulation and solventogenesis, is overexpressed in
terms of solvent and acid production. We also compare morphologies during growth
on two different media: TYA broth, where the WT culture sporulates, and RCM,
where the WT culture does not. In addition, RT-qPCR-based analysis of expression
profiles of spo0A, spoIIE, sigG, spoVD, ald and buk1 genes involved in
sporulation or solvent production in these strains, were compared. The OESpo0A
mutant did not produce spores and butanol titre was lower compared to the WT, but
increased amounts of butyric acid and ethanol were produced. The gene spo0A had
high levels of expression in the WT under non-sporulating culture conditions
while other selected genes for sporulation factors were downregulated
significantly. Similar observations were obtained for OESpo0A where spo0A
overexpression and downregulation of other sporulation genes were demonstrated.
Higher expression of spo0A led to higher expression of buk1 and ald, which could
confirm the role of spo0A in activation of the solventogenic pathway, although
solvent production was not affected significantly in the WT and was weakened in
the OESpo0A mutant.
PMID- 28990142
TI - Blood Cadmium Concentrations in Women with Ectopic Pregnancy.
AB - The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the blood
level of cadmium and the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy. Forty-one (41) case
patients with ectopic pregnancy and 41 uncomplicated intrauterine pregnant
patients as controls were recruited. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd) were
measured from blood samples using atomic absorption spectrometry. The cases and
controls were similar in age, body mass index, and smoking habits. The median
blood level of Cd was 0.32 MUg/l (interquartile range [IQR] 0.00-0.71) in the
women with ectopic pregnancies and 0.34 MUg/l (IQR 0.09-0.59) in the controls.
There was no significant association between blood cadmium levels and ectopic
pregnancy.
PMID- 28990143
TI - Turning an environmental problem into an opportunity: potential use of biochar
derived from a harmful marine biomass named Cladophora glomerata as anode
electrode for Li-ion batteries.
AB - The electrochemical performance of lithium ion battery was enhanced by using
biochar derived from Cladophora glomerata (C. glomerata) as widespread green
macroalgae in most areas of the Iran's Caspian sea coast. By the utilization of
the structure of the biochar, micro-/macro-ordered porous carbon with olive
shaped structure was successfully achieved through pyrolysis at 500 degrees C,
which is the optimal temperature for biofuel production, and was activated with
HCl. The biochar and HCl treatment biochar (HTB) were applied as anode electrode
in lithium ion batteries. Then, electrochemical measurements were conducted on
the electrodes via galvanostatic charge-discharge, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. The electrochemical
results indicated a higher specific discharge capacity (700 mAh g-1) and good
cycling stability for HTB at the current density of 0.1 A g-1 as compared to the
biochar. The reason that HTB electrode works better than the biochar could be due
to the higher surface area, formation functional groups, removal impurities, and
formation some micropores after HCl treatment. The biochar derived from marine
biomass and treatment process developed here could provide a promising path for
the low-cost, renewable, and environmentally friendly electrode materials.
Graphical abstract Algal-biochar into Li-ion Battery.
PMID- 28990144
TI - Biofilm formation by Candida albicans is inhibited by photodynamic antimicrobial
chemotherapy (PACT), using chlorin e6: increase in both ROS production and
membrane permeability.
AB - Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal producing both superficial and
systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. Furthermore, it has been
described an increase in the frequency of infections which have become refractory
to standard antifungal therapy. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) is
a potential antimicrobial therapy that combines visible light and a nontoxic dye,
known as a photosensitizer, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can kill
the treated cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of
PACT, using chlorin e6, as a photosensitizer on C. albicans. In this work, we
studied the effect of PACT on both cell growth and biofilm formation by C.
albicans. In addition, both ROS production and cell permeability were determined
after PACT. PACT inhibited both growth and biofilm formation by C. albicans. We
have also observed that PACT increased both ROS production (six times) and cell
membrane permeability (five times) in C. albicans. PACT decreased both cell
growth and biofilm development. The effect of PACT using chlorin e6 on C.
albicans could be associated with an increase in ROS production, which could
increase cell permeability, producing permanent damage to the cell membranes,
leading to the cell death.
PMID- 28990145
TI - Organic horizon and mineral soil mercury along three clear-cut forest
chronosequences across the northeastern USA.
AB - Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed pollutant trace metal that has been
increasing in terrestrial environments due to rising anthropogenic emissions.
Vegetation plays an important role in Hg sequestration in forested environments,
but increasing tree removal for biofuels and wood products may affect this
process. The long-term effect of clear-cutting on forest soil Hg remains
uncertain, since most studies are limited to measuring changes for < 10 years
following a single harvest event. The chronosequence approach, which substitutes
space for time using forest stands of different ages since clear-cutting, allows
for investigation of processes occurring over decades to centuries. Here, we
utilized three clear-cut forest soil chronosequences across the northeastern USA
to understand Hg accumulation and retention over several decades. Total Hg
concentrations and pools were quantified for five soil depth increments along
three chronosequences. Our results showed Hg concentrations and pools decreased
in the initial 20 years following clear-cutting. Mineral soil Hg pools decreased
21-53% (7-14 mg m-2) between 1-5-year-old stands and 15-25-year-old stands but
mineral soil Hg pools recovered in 55-140-year-old stands to similar values as
measured in 1-5-year-old stands. Our study is one of the first to demonstrate a
decrease and recovery in Hg pool size. These changes in Hg did not correspond
with changes in bulk density, soil C, or pH. We utilized a simple two-box model
to determine how different Hg fluxes affected organic and mineral soil horizon Hg
pools. Our simple model suggests that changes in litterfall and volatilization
rates could have caused the observed changes in organic horizon Hg pools.
However, only increases in leaching could reproduce observed decreases to mineral
soil Hg pools. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism of Hg loss
from forest soils following clear-cutting.
PMID- 28990146
TI - A preliminary study to design a floating treatment wetland for remediating acid
mine drainage-impacted water using vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides).
AB - Acid mine drainage (AMD) is extremely acidic, sulfate-rich effluent from
abandoned or active mine sites that also contain elevated levels of heavy metals.
Untreated AMD can contaminate surface and groundwater and pose severe ecological
risk. Both active and passive methods have been developed for AMD treatment
consisting of abiotic and biological techniques. Abiotic techniques are expensive
and can create large amounts of secondary wastes. Passive biological treatment
mainly consists of aerobic or anaerobic constructed wetlands. While aerobic
wetlands are economical, they are not effective if the pH of the AMD is < 5.
Anaerobic wetlands use organic-rich substrates to provide carbon source to iron-
and sulfate-reducing bacteria. The efficiency of these systems declines overtime
and requires continuous maintenance. Our objective is to develop an alternative,
low-cost, and sustainable floating wetland treatment (FWT) system for AMD for the
abandoned Tab-Simco coal mining site in Illinois using vetiver grass (Chrysopogon
zizanioides). Tab-Simco AMD is highly acidic, with mean pH value of 2.64, and
contains high levels of sulfate and metals. A greenhouse study was performed for
a 30-day period in order to screen and optimize the necessary parameters to
design a FWT system. Water quality and plant growth parameters were continuously
monitored. Results show significant SO42- removal, resulting in increased pH,
particularly at higher planting densities. Vetiver also helped in metal removal;
high amounts of Fe, Zn, and Cu were removed, with relatively lower amounts of Pb,
Al, and Ni. Iron plaque formation on the root was observed, which increased metal
stabilization in root and lowered root to shoot metal translocation. Vetiver was
tolerant of AMD, showing minimal change in biomass and plant growth. Results
obtained are encouraging, and a large scale mesocosm study is now in progress, as
the next step to develop the vetiver-based system for AMD treatment.
PMID- 28990148
TI - Athletes and the Aorta: Normal Adaptations and the Diagnosis and Management of
Pathology.
AB - OPINION STATEMENT: Over a hundred years ago, physicians first recognized that
participation in regular, vigorous training resulted in enlargement of the heart.
Since that time, the term "athlete's heart" has entered the medical lexicon as a
global expression encompassing the electrical, functional, and morphological
adaptations that develop in response to physical training. Exercise-induced
adaptations of the aorta, which is also exposed to large hemodynamic stresses
during prolonged endurance exercise or resistance training, are less well
recognized. Young athletes tend to have slightly larger aortas than their
sedentary counterparts; however, this rarely exceeds normal ranges for the
general population. A systematic approach is advised when presented with an
athlete with aortic enlargement. The size of the aorta needs to be first put in
the context of the athlete's age, sex, size, and sporting endeavors; however,
even in the largest young athletes, the aortic root rarely exceeds 4 cm in men or
3.4 cm in women. A comprehensive evaluation is advised which includes a detailed
family history and a thorough physical examination evaluating for signs of any
defined connective tissue disorder associated with aortopathy. Downstream testing
is then tailored for the individual and may include further tomographic imaging,
opthalmology review, and genetic testing. This should ideally be performed at a
specialist center. Management of athletes with an aortopathy includes tailoring
athletic activity, medical management with strict impulse control, and, in some
cases, prophylactic surgery. The issue of sporting eligibility should be
individualized and if disqualification is necessary, this should be undertaken by
a sports cardiologist or an expert in aortic disease with experience in dealing
with an athletic population.
PMID- 28990147
TI - Pandemrix(r) vaccination is not associated with increased risk of islet
autoimmunity or type 1 diabetes in the TEDDY study children.
AB - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: During the A/H1N1 2009 (A/California/04/2009) pandemic, mass
vaccination with a squalene-containing vaccine, Pandemrix(r), was performed in
Sweden and Finland. The vaccination was found to cause narcolepsy in children and
young adults with the HLA-DQ 6.2 haplotype. The aim of this study was to
investigate if exposure to Pandemrix(r) similarly increased the risk of islet
autoimmunity or type 1 diabetes. METHODS: In The Environmental Determinants of
Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study, children are followed prospectively for the
development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. In October 2009, when the
mass vaccination began, 3401 children at risk for islet autoimmunity and type 1
diabetes were followed in Sweden and Finland. Vaccinations were recorded and
autoantibodies against insulin, GAD65 and insulinoma-associated protein 2 were
ascertained quarterly before the age of 4 years and semi-annually thereafter.
RESULTS: By 5 August 2010, 2413 of the 3401 (71%) children observed as at risk
for an islet autoantibody or type 1 diabetes on 1 October 2009 had been
vaccinated with Pandemrix(r). By 31 July 2016, 232 children had at least one
islet autoantibody before 10 years of age, 148 had multiple islet autoantibodies
and 96 had developed type 1 diabetes. The risk of islet autoimmunity was not
increased among vaccinated children. The HR (95% CI) for the appearance of at
least one islet autoantibody was 0.75 (0.55, 1.03), at least two autoantibodies
was 0.85 (0.57, 1.26) and type 1 diabetes was 0.67 (0.42, 1.07). In Finland, but
not in Sweden, vaccinated children had a lower risk of islet autoimmunity (0.47
[0.29, 0.75]), multiple autoantibodies (0.50 [0.28, 0.90]) and type 1 diabetes
(0.38 [0.20, 0.72]) compared with those who did not receive Pandemrix(r). The
analyses were adjusted for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION:
Children with an increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes who received the
Pandemrix(r) vaccine during the A/H1N1 2009 pandemic had no increased risk of
islet autoimmunity, multiple islet autoantibodies or type 1 diabetes. In Finland,
the vaccine was associated with a reduced risk of islet autoimmunity and type 1
diabetes.
PMID- 28990149
TI - Management of Arrhythmias in Athletes: Atrial Fibrillation, Premature Ventricular
Contractions, and Ventricular Tachycardia.
AB - OPINION STATEMENT: Management of atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular
contractions, and ventricular tachycardia without underlying cardiac disease or
arrhythmogenic conditions differs in athletes from the general population.
Athletes tend to be younger, healthier individuals with few comorbidities.
Therapies that work well in the general population may not be appropriate or
preferable for athletes. Management strategies include deconditioning,
pharmacologic therapy, such as rate control with beta-blockers or non
dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and rhythm control with class I or class
III antiarrhythmic drugs, and catheter ablation. Deconditioning is not preferred
by athletes because of lost playing time. Pharmacologic therapy is well tolerated
among most individuals, but is not as favorable in athletes. Rate control
medications can reduce performance and beta-blockers, in particular, are
prohibited in many sports. Antiarrhythmic drugs are preferred over rate control
with athletes, but many, especially younger athletes, may not like the idea of
long-term medical therapy. Catheter ablation has been proven to be safe and
efficacious, may eliminate the need for long-term medical therapy, and is
supported by the major societies (AHA, ACC, ESC).
PMID- 28990150
TI - Biomarkers of Colorectal Cancer Risk Decrease 6 months After Roux-en-Y Gastric
Bypass Surgery.
AB - PURPOSE: The impact of weight loss on obesity-related colorectal cancer (CRC)
risk is not well defined. Previous studies have suggested that Roux-en-Y gastric
bypass (RYGB) surgery may have an unexpected adverse impact on CRC risk. This
study aimed to investigate the impact of RYGB on biomarkers of CRC risk.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rectal mucosal biopsies and blood were obtained from
patients undergoing RYGB (n = 22) and non-obese control participants (n = 20) at
baseline and at a median of 6.5 months after surgery. Markers of systemic
inflammation and glucose homeostasis were measured. Expression of pro
inflammatory genes and proto-oncogenes in the rectal mucosa was quantified using
qPCR. Crypt cell proliferation state of the rectal mucosa was assessed by
counting mitotic figures in whole micro-dissected crypts. RESULTS: At 6.5 months
post-surgery, participants had lost 29 kg body mass and showed improvements in
markers of glucose homeostasis and in systemic inflammation. Expression of pro
inflammatory genes in the rectal mucosa did not increase and COX-1 expression
fell significantly (P = 0.019). The mean number of mitoses per crypt decreased
from 6.5 to 4.3 (P = 0.028) after RYGB. CONCLUSION: RYGB in obese adults led to
lower rectal crypt cell proliferation, reduced systemic and mucosal markers of
inflammation and improvements in glucose regulation. These consistent findings of
reduced markers of tumourigenic potential suggest that surgically induced weight
loss may lower CRC risk.
PMID- 28990151
TI - Burnout and stress amongst interns in Irish hospitals: contributing factors and
potential solutions.
AB - BACKGROUND: The transition from medical school to internship can be daunting for
newly qualified doctors. High rates of stress and burnout have been reported,
with negative impacts on patient care and physician wellbeing. AIMS: We surveyed
interns in our hospital group to evaluate rates of stress and burnout, as well as
identify the causative factors and propose potential solutions to these. METHODS:
A hundred and one interns working in four different hospitals over a 2-year
period were invited to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey collected
basic demographic details and surveyed aspects of mental health using the burnout
scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the stress scale and 12-item General
Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Interns were also asked to rate a variety of
workplace factors on a Likert scale based on the degree of stress caused.
Finally, they were surveyed on their awareness of support services available to
them. RESULTS: Our results showed that 37% of interns met the criteria for
psychological distress, high levels of emotional exhaustion, high
depersonalisation and a low sense of personal accomplishment were reported in
55.4, 51.5 and 41.6%, respectively. Inadequate preparation for practice,
financial worries, poor role definition and sleep deprivation were reported as
significant stressors. Most were unaware of available support services and
expressed interest in leaving Ireland after internship. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout and
stress are significant problems amongst doctors in Irish hospitals. Ensuring
better preparation for clinical practice and awareness of support services is
vital to tackle this issue.
PMID- 28990153
TI - Executive Functions and Externalizing Symptoms: Common and Unique Associations.
AB - In discussing the four papers in this special issue, we provide our perspective
on the authors' contributions and suggest directions for future research. First,
we highlight the usefulness of the bi-factor model for investigating relations
among specific aspects of executive functions (EFs) and externalizing symptoms.
Next, we examine the role of EFs as a protective factor that can moderate the
relation between risk factors - specifically, callous-unemotional behaviors - on
externalizing symptoms. And finally, we address the contributions of innovative
measurement approaches to understanding the relations between EFs and
externalizing symptoms, using the state-space grid methodology as an example.
PMID- 28990154
TI - Into the Great Unknown Our Patients Go.
PMID- 28990152
TI - Therapeutic Targets for the Multi-system Pathophysiology of Heart Failure:
Exercise Training.
AB - OPINION STATEMENT: Adult chronic heart failure (HF) is a terminal syndrome. While
the HF phenotype is inhomogeneous across the ejection fraction spectrum, exercise
intolerance remains a cardinal feature of all HF patients. Impairment of a single
organ system cannot independently account for exercise intolerance in HF. Thus,
the multi-system integrative pathophysiology of HF leads to challenges in
identifying an effective medical therapy aimed at targeting a single mechanism to
improve exercise tolerance. This unresolved medical care approach raises a number
of points for discussion in this field as it is well-recognized that exercise
intolerance is accompanied by increased hospitalizations and mortality across the
HF spectrum. Practitioner-guided individualized exercise training represents an
intrinsic multi-level therapeutic approach that inclusively "targets" integrated
physiological systems. A rapidly evolving body of evidence provides firm support
that structured exercise therapy is safe while leading to improved exercise
tolerance (peak oxygen uptake [VO2]) followed by reduced hospitalizations and
cardiovascular mortality across the HF spectrum. The benefits of guided exercise
therapy in HF have been directly attributed to integrative improvements in peak
VO2, skeletal muscle strength, cardiac function, micro- to macro-vascular
function, circulation/organ perfusion, and nervous system function, among others.
Despite the sound clinical evidence in support of exercise-based medical care,
there remains an appreciable gap in translation of current scientific evidence
and implementation of this therapeutic paradigm into routine clinical practice as
well as universal insurance coverage for HF patients. In the following review,
the theme of discussion is framed in a manner that carries a sense of urgency for
the need to increase awareness of the up-to-date evidence-based support for the
clinical implementation of structured exercise therapy as a necessary routine
component of primary medical care practices for reducing hospitalizations,
morbidity, and mortality in all HF patients.
PMID- 28990156
TI - Microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) 'decorates'
intracytoplasmic inclusions in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
PMID- 28990155
TI - Treatment decisions and employment of breast cancer patients: Results of a
population-based survey.
AB - BACKGROUND: Many patients with breast cancer work for pay at the time of their
diagnosis, and the treatment plan may threaten their livelihood. Understanding
work experiences in a contemporary population-based sample is necessary to inform
initiatives to reduce the burden of cancer care. METHODS: Women who were 20 to 79
years old and had been diagnosed with stage 0 to II breast cancer, as reported to
the Georgia and Los Angeles Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results
registries in 2014-2015, were surveyed. Of the 3672 eligible women, 2502
responded (68%); 1006 who reported working before their diagnosis were analyzed.
Multivariate models evaluated correlates of missing work for >1 month and
stopping work altogether versus missing work for <=1 month. RESULTS: In this
diverse sample, most patients (62%) underwent lumpectomy; 16% underwent
unilateral mastectomy (8% with reconstruction); and 23% underwent bilateral
mastectomy (19% with reconstruction). One-third (33%) received chemotherapy. Most
(84%) worked full-time before their diagnosis; however, only 50% had paid sick
leave, 39% had disability benefits, and 38% had flexible work schedules. Surgical
treatment was strongly correlated with missing >1 month of work (odds ratio [OR]
for bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction vs lumpectomy, 7.8) and with
stopping work altogether (OR for bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction vs
lumpectomy, 3.1). Chemotherapy receipt (OR for missing >1 month, 1.3; OR for
stopping work altogether, 3.9) and race (OR for missing >1 month for blacks vs
whites, 2.0; OR for stopping work altogether for blacks vs whites, 1.7) also
correlated. Those with paid sick leave were less likely to stop working (OR,
0.5), as were those with flexible schedules (OR, 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Working
patients who received more aggressive treatments were more likely to experience
substantial employment disruptions. Cancer 2017;123:4791-9. (c) 2017 American
Cancer Society.
PMID- 28990157
TI - Maternal adherence with recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplements: A
cross-sectional survey.
AB - We conducted a survey of 535 New Zealand women to determine supplement use pre
pregnancy, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to evaluate adherence with
national recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplementation. Our findings
suggest that despite these women being well-educated and motivated to complete an
online survey, there was low adherence to recommendations for folic acid and
iodine supplements. Only 38% of women reported supplement intake that met both
folic acid and iodine recommendations. This cross-sectional survey provides
information useful to policy makers, clinicians and researchers seeking to
protect and promote maternal and infant health.
PMID- 28990158
TI - Recurrent nevus as a pitfall of melanoma diagnosis under reflectance confocal
microscopy.
PMID- 28990159
TI - Neuropsychiatric comorbidity among adolescents with psoriasis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a known risk factor for neuropsychiatric diseases among
adults. Less is known about the impact on adolescents. OBJECTIVES: To investigate
the association between psoriasis and neuropsychiatric comorbidity and social
skills among adolescents. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study
between 1 January 1999 and 1 January 2014 was conducted. The study included 1746
and 1366 adolescents (aged 16 to 18) with mild and moderate-to-severe psoriasis,
respectively. The psoriasis patients were diagnosed by a dermatologist.
Neuropsychiatric diseases were diagnosed by a neurologist and a psychiatrist, as
appropriate. Social skills were evaluated using psychosocial assessment. Patients
with psoriasis were compared with 884 653 healthy controls by a multivariate
analysis adjusted for age, sex, country of origin, socioeconomic status,
cognitive skills and body mass index. A subgroup evaluation was done for
comorbidity that could only be evaluated for part of the recruitment years, using
a univariate analysis. RESULTS: Overall chronic headaches (8.1% vs. 3.4%),
intermediate frequency migraine (4.8% vs. 1.6%), low-frequency migraine and
nonmigraine headaches (3.4% vs. 1.8%) were associated with moderate-to-severe
psoriasis only compared with healthy controls [adjusted odds ratios (OR) 1.9, 95%
confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.4; 2.3, 95% CI 1.8-3.0 and 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1,
respectively]. Anxiety disorders (2.1% vs. 0.8%) and impaired social adjustment
skills (7.5% vs. 4.2%) were also associated with moderate-to-severe psoriasis
only compared with healthy controls [adjusted ORs 2.9, 95% CI 1.6-5.5 and 1.9,
95% CI 1.3-2.6 (of 466 vs. 265 023), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis among
adolescents is associated with neuropsychiatric comorbidity and impaired
adjustment skills, depending on disease severity.
PMID- 28990160
TI - Monitoring of Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions in Older Inpatients: A
French Multicenter Study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) or
potentially inappropriate associations (PIAs) prescribed knowingly are associated
with patient monitoring. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING:
Geriatric units (n = 56) in 28 hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Inpatients aged 75 and
older (N = 1,327). MEASUREMENTS: Potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP)
were defined as a PIM or a PIA selected by an expert board from lists of explicit
criteria (Beers, Priscus, Laroche, French Health Agency) using a Delphi process.
They were considered to be prescribed knowingly if they were maintained after
reassessment by the geriatrician and the clinical pharmacist. Primary outcome was
the rate of PIPs maintained (prescribed knowingly) and for which a geriatrician
declared that specific monitoring was performed. Secondary outcomes were the
parameters monitored and the rate of participants receiving knowingly a PIP.
RESULTS: One thousand sixty-three PIPs were detected in 607 participants (46%).
After reassessment, 826 (78%) PIPs were maintained in 490 participants (37%), the
main reasons being participant's regular treatment and lack of alternative.
Psychotropic (36%), cardiovascular (including antithrombotics) (29%), and
laxative or antiemetic drugs (16%) were the most-frequent classes prescribed
knowingly. The geriatricians declared to perform clinical or biological
monitoring for 69% (n = 570) of PIMs or PIAs prescribed knowingly. Three types of
specific monitoring were identified: clinical, biological, and follow-up with a
specialist. CONCLUSION: Approximately three-quarters of PIMs or PIAs were
prescribed knowingly, of which 69% were monitored, with wide variations in
occurrence and in quality according to drug classes. This underlines the need for
accurate guidelines on PIP monitoring.
PMID- 28990161
TI - Real-time ultrasound-guided axillary vein cannulation in children: a randomised
controlled trial.
AB - The axillary vein is a good site for ultrasound-guided central venous cannulation
in terms of infection rate, patient comfort and its anatomical relationship with
the clavicle and lungs. We compared real-time ultrasound-guided axillary vein
cannulation with conventional infraclavicular landmark-guided subclavian vein
cannulation in children. A total of 132 paediatric patients were randomly
allocated to either ultrasound-guided axillary vein (axillary group) or landmark
guided subclavian vein (landmark group). The outcomes measured were success rate
after two attempts, first-attempt success rate, time to cannulation and
complication rate. The success rate after two attempts was 83% in the axillary
group compared with 63% in the landmark group (odds ratio 2.85, 95%CI 1.25-6.48,
p = 0.010). The first-attempt success rate was 46% for the axillary group and 40%
for the landmark group (p = 0.274) and median time to cannulation was 156 s for
the axillary group and 180 s for the landmark group (p = 0.286). There were no
differences in complication rates between the two groups, although three episodes
of subclavian artery puncture occurred in the landmark group (p = 0.08). We
conclude that axillary vein cannulation using a real-time ultrasound-guided in
plane technique is useful and effective in paediatric patients.
PMID- 28990162
TI - Vince Lombardi and Me.
PMID- 28990163
TI - Corticosteroids in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: impact on the motor function
measure sensitivity to change and implications for clinical trials.
AB - AIM: To monitor the evolution of the motor function of ambulatory patients with
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treated by corticosteroids for 2 years in
comparison with untreated patients. METHOD: This observational, multicentre
cohort study explores the evolution of the motor function measure (MFM) over a 24
month period for 29 ambulant corticosteroids-treated and 45 ambulant untreated
patients with DMD. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between mean MFM
scores in corticosteroids-treated and untreated groups for domain 1 of the MFM
(standing position and transfers; D1), domain 2 of the MFM (axial and proximal
motor function; D2), and domain 3 of the MFM (distal motor function; D3).
Subscores were between 0 months and 6 months, and 0 months and 24 months. For the
D1 subscore specifically, there was a significant increase in the corticosteroids
treated group (mean+/-standard deviation [SD] slope of change=12.6+/-15.5%/y),
while a decrease was observed in the untreated group (-17.8+/-17.7%/y) between 0
months and 6 months (p<0.001). Sensitivity to change as assessed by standardized
response means was high between 12 months and 24 months for D1 of both
corticosteroids-treated and untreated groups (1.0 and 1.2 respectively), and low
for D2 and D3 of both treated and untreated groups. INTERPRETATION: Patients with
DMD treated by corticosteroids present a different course of the disease as
assessed by MFM, confirming the sensitivity to change of the MFM in this
population. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Corticosteroids have a quantitative impact on
muscle strength 6 to 24 months after starting treatment. Motor function measure
is a valid outcome measure in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients under
corticosteroid treatment.
PMID- 28990164
TI - Reply to 'Impact of biologic therapies on risk of major adverse cardiovascular
events in patients with psoriasis: systematic review and meta-analysis of
randomized controlled trials': reply from the authors.
PMID- 28990165
TI - Framingham-Based Cardiovascular Risk Estimates Among People With Episodic
Migraine in the US Population: Results from the American Migraine Prevalence and
Prevention (AMPP) Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular (CV) events, conditions, and procedures (ECPs) are
common in persons with migraine and are a contraindication to triptan and ergot
use. In a prior study, we estimated that there are 2.6 million American adults
with episodic migraine (EM) who have had CV ECPs. However, the prior analysis did
not assess persons with migraine without CV ECPs who are at high risk for a first
cardiovascular disease (CVD) event. OBJECTIVES: To use the Framingham
nonlaboratory CVD events risk equation to estimate the number of individuals with
EM who are at elevated risk for a first CVD event in the next 10 years using data
from the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study, and then to
extrapolate the findings to the US population to estimate the scope of people
with EM for whom triptan and ergot therapies may be problematic. METHODS: Data
from respondents to the 2009 American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP)
Study questionnaire aged >=22 who met criteria and headache day frequency for EM
were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Ten-year, first CVD event risk
was calculated using the nonlaboratory Framingham CV disease risk score (FRS).
Variables were collected via respondent self-report and included sex, age,
height, and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and the
presence of hypertension and diabetes among other variables. Standard FRS cut
scores of >=21 for women and >=16 for men were used, which indicate a 30% or
greater risk of a first CVD event in the next 10 years. History of CV ECPs was
collected via self-report of ever having the ECP and for events and conditions
that were diagnosed by a physician. We applied rates of positive ECPs and rates
of high FRS to age and sex stratified estimates of the number of people with EM
in the US derived from 2015 US Census data to estimate rates of both in the
population. RESULTS: The AMPP Study analysis sample included 5227 women and 1496
men with EM. Results showed that 69.5% of women and 73.4% of men had at least one
CV risk factor from the FRS, 38.9% of women and 41.6% of men had >=2 risk
factors, and 18.6% of women and 19.1% of men had >=3 risk factors. The proportion
of women with high FRS was 0% for those aged 22-39, 0.8% (95%CI: 0.5-1.2%) among
40- to 59-year-olds and 15.2% (95% CI: 13.3-17.4%) among the >=60 age group. For
men, the corresponding proportions were 0, 7.3% (95% CI: 5.7-9.4%), and 53.0%
(95% CI: 4.7-58.1%). Projecting to a national US sample, the number of persons
with EM and high FRS was 403,000 for women and 510,000 for men. The proportion of
women and men at high risk for future CV events based on a prior CV ECP, a high
FRS or both increased with age from 20-39 (women 4.5%, men 4.2%), 40-59 (women
11.8%, men 18.6%), and >=60 (women 31.2%, men 61.8%). An estimated 141,000 men
aged 40-59 and 187,000 aged >=60 and 34,000 women aged 40-59 and 181,000 women
aged >=60 in the US population with EM have not had a CV ECP but are at increased
risk for a future CV event within the next 10 years based upon their FRS alone.
CONCLUSION: Among people with EM in the US population, the number of women and
men with relative contraindications to triptans and ergots based on a high FRS
includes over 900,000 women and men. This includes more than half a million
individuals with EM who have not had a prior CV ECP.
PMID- 28990166
TI - Testing the keystone community concept: effects of landscape, patch removal, and
environment on metacommunity structure.
AB - Although the influence of regional processes on local patches is well studied,
the influence of local patches and their spatial arrangement on regional
processes is likely to be complex. One interesting idea is the keystone community
concept (KCC); this posits that there may be some patches that have a
disproportionately large effect on the metacommunity compared to other patches.
We experimentally test the KCC by using replicate protist microcosm
metacommunities with single-patch removals. Removing single patches had no effect
on average community richness, evenness and biomass of our metacommunities, but
did cause metacommunities to be assembled significantly less by local
environmental conditions and more by spatial effects related to stochastic
factors. Overall our results show that local patch removal can have large
regional effects on structural processes, but indicate that more experiments are
needed to find evidence of keystone communities.
PMID- 28990167
TI - Irradiance, as well as body site and timing of readings, is important in
determining ultraviolet A minimal erythemal dose: reply from the authors.
PMID- 28990168
TI - Automated analysis of seizure semiology and brain electrical activity in
presurgery evaluation of epilepsy: A focused survey.
AB - Epilepsy being one of the most prevalent neurological disorders, affecting
approximately 50 million people worldwide, and with almost 30-40% of patients
experiencing partial epilepsy being nonresponsive to medication, epilepsy surgery
is widely accepted as an effective therapeutic option. Presurgical evaluation has
advanced significantly using noninvasive techniques based on video monitoring,
neuroimaging, and electrophysiological and neuropsychological tests; however,
certain clinical settings call for invasive intracranial recordings such as
stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), aiming to accurately map the eloquent brain
networks involved during a seizure. Most of the current presurgical evaluation
procedures focus on semiautomatic techniques, where surgery diagnosis relies
immensely on neurologists' experience and their time-consuming subjective
interpretation of semiology or the manifestations of epilepsy and their
correlation with the brain's electrical activity. Because surgery misdiagnosis
reaches a rate of 30%, and more than one-third of all epilepsies are poorly
understood, there is an evident keen interest in improving diagnostic precision
using computer-based methodologies that in the past few years have shown near
human performance. Among them, deep learning has excelled in many biological and
medical applications, but has advanced insufficiently in epilepsy evaluation and
automated understanding of neural bases of semiology. In this paper, we
systematically review the automatic applications in epilepsy for human motion
analysis, brain electrical activity, and the anatomoelectroclinical correlation
to attribute anatomical localization of the epileptogenic network to distinctive
epilepsy patterns. Notably, recent advances in deep learning techniques will be
investigated in the contexts of epilepsy to address the challenges exhibited by
traditional machine learning techniques. Finally, we discuss and propose future
research on epilepsy surgery assessment that can jointly learn across visually
observed semiologic patterns and recorded brain electrical activity.
PMID- 28990170
TI - Response to Ciuculete et al.
PMID- 28990169
TI - Methylphenidate, cognition, and epilepsy: A 1-month open-label trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Cognitive difficulties are common in epilepsy. Beyond reducing
seizures and adjusting antiepileptic medications, no well-validated treatment
exists in adults. Methylphenidate is used effectively in children with epilepsy
and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but its effects in adults have not
been systematically evaluated. We hypothesized that methylphenidate can safely
improve cognition in adults with epilepsy. We detail here the open-label follow
up to a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose study. METHODS: Thirty
epilepsy patients entered a 1-month open-label methylphenidate trial after a
double-blind phase. Doses were titrated according to clinical practice and
patient tolerance, ranging 20-40 mg/day. Primary measures included: Conners'
Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Symbol-Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and
Medical College of Georgia Memory Test (MCG). Secondary measures were: Beck
Depression Inventory, 2nd Edition (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory, Apathy
Evaluation Scale (AES), Stimulant Side-Effect Checklist, Adverse Events Profile,
Quality of Life in Epilepsy-89 (QOLIE-89), and seizure frequency. Fourteen
healthy, nonmedicated controls were tested concurrently. RESULTS: Twenty-eight
participants with epilepsy (13 men/15 women) completed the trial. Withdrawals
occurred due to anxiety (n = 1) and fatigue (n = 1). Mean age was 36.4 years
(range = 20-60). Epilepsy types were: focal (n = 21), generalized (n = 6), or
unclassified (n = 1). Mean epilepsy duration was 12.3 years. Mean baseline
seizure frequency was 2.8/month. There were significant improvements on
methylphenidate for SDMT, MCG, CPT (the ability to discriminate between targets
and nontargets [d'] hits, hit reaction time standard deviation, omissions, and
commissions), and QOLIE subscales (energy/fatigue, attention/concentration,
memory, and language; paired t tests; p <= 0.002). BDI-II and additional
subscales also improved, at a lower level of statistical significance. Effect
sizes were moderate to large. Comparisons with untreated controls (n = 14)
revealed greater improvement for epilepsy patients on omissions and commissions,
with improvement trends on d' and hits. Seizure frequency did not increase with
methylphenidate treatment (2.8/month vs. 2.4/month). SIGNIFICANCE:
Methylphenidate may be an effective and safe option for improving cognition and
quality of life in epilepsy. Larger and longer double-blind, placebo-controlled
clinical trials are needed.
PMID- 28990171
TI - Response to Lefebvre et al.
AB - Congenital scoliosis (CS) is a common vertebral malformation with incidence of up
to 1 of 1000 births worldwide. Recently, TBX6 has been reported as the first
disease gene for CS: about 10% of CS patients are compound heterozygotes of rare
null mutations and a common haplotype composed by 3 SNPs in TBX6. Lefebvre et al
in this journal reported that 2 patients with spondylocostal dysostosis (SCD), a
rare skeletal dysplasia affecting spine and ribs also have TBX6 mutations: 1
carried the microdeletion and a rare missense variant, and another 2 rare
missense variants. We investigated the pathogenicity of the 3 missense variants
in SCD by a luciferase assay. The results were negative for the proposal of
Lefebvre et al. We consider these 2 SCD patients are more probably compound
heterozygotes of null mutations and a common risk haplotype just as CS patients
with TBX6 mutations.
PMID- 28990172
TI - Response to Leusink et al.
PMID- 28990173
TI - Optimization of rituximab for the treatment of DLBCL: increasing the dose for
elderly male patients.
AB - Male sex is associated with unfavourable pharmacokinetics and prognosis in
elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We investigated
higher rituximab doses for elderly male DLBCL patients. Elderly patients (61-80
years) received 6 cycles CHOP-14 (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and
prednisone at 14-day intervals) and were randomized to 8 cycles rituximab (males
500 mg/m2 , females 375 mg/m2 ) every 2 weeks or according to an upfront dose
dense schedule. In 268 (120 females, 148 males) no difference between the
standard and the upfront dose-dense rituximab schedule was found (3-year PFS 72%
vs. 74%; OS 74% vs. 77%; P = 0.651). The 500 mg/m2 dose of rituximab for male
patients was associated with serum levels and exposure times slightly better than
in females and a male/female hazard ratio of 0.9 for progression-free survival
(PFS) and 0.8 for overall survival. For elderly males, 500 mg/m2 was not more
toxic than 375 mg/m2 rituximab, but improved PFS by 32.5% (P = 0.039), with a
trend for a (30%) better overall survival (P = 0.076) in a planned subgroup
analysis adjusting for International Prognostic Index risk factors. We conclude
that the higher rituximab dose for elderly male patients abrogated the adverse
prognosis of male sex without increasing toxicity. In the era of personalized
medicine, sex-specific pharmacokinetics and toxicities should be investigated for
all drugs where these parameters impact on outcome.
PMID- 28990174
TI - Immunoparesis defined by heavy+light chain suppression is a novel marker of long
term outcomes in cardiac AL amyloidosis.
AB - Cardiac involvement and presenting dFLC (difference between involved and
uninvolved free light chains) are independent predictors of outcome in systemic
AL amyloidosis. These markers have limited prognostic utility in patients
surviving the initial months following diagnosis. Here we assessed immunoparesis,
as determined by novel heavy+light chain (HLC) immunoassays, as a prognostic
marker for survival in AL amyloidosis. HLC measurements identified immunoparesis
of at least one immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype in 145 (85%) patients; and severe
immunoparesis (>=2 Ig isotypes suppressed by >50% below normal levels) in 29
(17%) patients. Median overall survival (OS) on intention to treat (ITT) analysis
was 26.2 months. In the ITT cohort, dFLC >180 mg/l was associated with shorter OS
(P = 0.05); whereas HLC immunoparesis was not prognostic. On a landmark analysis
of 127 patients alive at 6 months, presenting dFLC was not prognostic for OS (P =
0.33) and severe HLC immunoparesis trended towards poorer survival (20.2 vs. 42.8
months; P = 0.09). In the subset of patients with cardiac involvement, severe HLC
immunoparesis conferred very poor outcome (median OS 8.8 vs. 29.9 months, P =
0.007). In conclusion, severe HLC immunoparesis is an independent marker of long
term poor prognosis in AL patients with cardiac involvement. The
pathophysiological significance of this observation needs further study.
PMID- 28990175
TI - Anaesthesia during endovascular stroke therapy - a strong or weak link in the
treatment chain?
PMID- 28990176
TI - Validation of subjective rating scales for assessment of surgical workspace
during laparoscopy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Recently, studies have focused on how to optimize laparoscopic
surgical workspace by changes in intra-abdominal pressure, level of muscle
relaxation or body position, typically evaluated by surgeons using subjective
rating scales. We aimed to validate two rating scales by having surgeons assess
surgical workspace in video sequences recorded during laparoscopic surgery.
METHOD: Video sequences were obtained from laparoscopic procedures. Eight
experienced surgeons assessed the video sequences on a categorical 5-point scale
and a numerical 10-point rating scale. Intraclass correlations coefficients (ICC)
and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for intra- and inter-rater
reliability. RESULTS: The 5-point rating scale had an intra-rater ICC of 0.76
(0.69; 0.83) and an inter-rater ICC of 0.57 (0.45; 0.68), corresponding to
excellent and fair reliability, respectively. The 10-point scale had an intra
rater ICC of 0.86 (0.82; 0.89) and an inter-rater ICC of 0.54 (0.39; 0.68),
corresponding to excellent and fair as well. All surgeons used the full range of
the 5-point scale, but only one surgeon used the full range of the 10-point
scale. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, both scales showed excellent intra-rater and
fair inter-rater reliability for assessing surgical workspace in laparoscopy. The
5-point surgical rating scale had all categories employed by all surgeons.
PMID- 28990177
TI - Reply to "Does use of perioperative COX-2 inhibitors really increase risk of
acute kidney injury?"
PMID- 28990178
TI - Intensive care admissions due to poisoning.
AB - BACKGROUND: Poisoning represents a significant part of admissions to intensive
care units. The aim of this nationwide study was to describe recent national
quality register data of demographics and mortality for these patients. METHOD: A
retrospective national observational study including all patients over 19 years
admitted to an ICU in Sweden, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011, with
an ICD-10 code for poisoning. The data were collected from three national
registers (The Swedish Intensive Care Register, The National Patient Register,
and The Cause of Death Register). RESULTS: The incidence of ICU-treated
poisonings was 43/100,000. Twenty-one per cent (n = 8155) of all poisoned
patients seeking medical care were admitted to the ICU. Their median age was 38
years (q1-q3: 26-51), as many men as women and 46.5% (n = 3790) had a previous
registered poisoning. A mix of different substances was the most common type of
suspected poisoning (29.7%, n = 2424). The in-hospital mortality was 1.9% and was
correlated to invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 6.91 CI 95% 4.59-10.42), age >
40 (OR 4.54 CI 95% 2.86-7.21) and no previous hospitalisation for poisoning (OR
3.23 CI 95% 2.06-5.07). For 78.3% (n = 119) of the deceased patients, the fatal
poisoning was their first diagnosed poisoning. The 30-day mortality was 2.7%, a
majority died from poisoning (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In Sweden, patients treated
in the ICU due to poisoning represent a fifth of all poisoned patients seeking
medical care. Older men with no previous poisoning were considered a high-risk
group.
PMID- 28990179
TI - Therapeutic bronchoscopy vs. standard of care in acute respiratory failure: a
systematic review.
AB - BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess patient-important benefits and harms of
therapeutic bronchoscopy vs. standard of care (no bronchoscopy) in critically ill
patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). METHODS: We conducted a systematic
review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) according to the
Cochrane Handbook and GRADE methodology, including a predefined protocol
(PROSPERO no. CRD42016046235). We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs)
comparing therapeutic bronchoscopy to standard of care in critically ill patients
with ARF. Two reviewers independently assessed trials for inclusion, extracted
data and assessed risk of bias. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals
(CI) were estimated by conventional meta-analysis. The risk of random errors was
assessed by TSA. Exclusively patient-important outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS:
We included five trials (n = 212); all were judged as having high risk of bias.
There was no difference in all-cause mortality between therapeutic bronchoscopy
and standard of care (TSA adjusted RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.14 to 1.07; I2 0%), and only
3% of the required information size had been accrued. There was no difference in
ICU length of stay. A shorter duration of mechanical ventilation was suggested by
conventional meta-analysis, however TSA highlighted that only 42% of the required
information size had been accrued, indicating high risk of random errors. No
trials reported data on adverse events, hospital length of stay, quality of life
or performance status. CONCLUSIONS: The quantity and quality of evidence
supporting therapeutic bronchoscopy in critically ill patients with ARF is very
low with no firm evidence for benefit or harm.
PMID- 28990180
TI - What is the real incidence of Takotsubo syndrome in intensive care units?
PMID- 28990181
TI - Long-term impairment attributable to congenital cytomegalovirus infection: a
retrospective cohort study.
AB - AIM: This study aimed to estimate long-term impairment attributable to congenital
cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV). METHOD: This nationwide cohort study
retrospectively assessed cCMV in children born in 2008 in the Netherlands,
testing 31 484 stored neonatal dried blood spots. Extensive medical data of cCMV
positive children (n=133) and matched cCMV-negative comparison children (n=274)
up to 6 years of age were analysed. RESULTS: Moderate to severe long-term
impairment was diagnosed in 24.8% (33 out of 133) of all cCMV-positive children
(53.8% in symptomatic, 17.8% in asymptomatic), compared with 12.0% (33 out of
274) of cCMV-negative children. Sensorineural hearing loss was seen only in five
cCMV-positive children (3.8%). Developmental delays were diagnosed more often in
cCMV-positive children than cCMV-negative children: motor (12.0% vs 1.5%),
cognitive (6.0% vs 1.1%), and speech-language (16.5% vs 7.3%). Long-term
impairment in multiple domains was more frequent in symptomatic (19.2%) and
asymptomatic (8.4%) cCMV-positive children than cCMV-negative children (1.8%).
INTERPRETATION: Children with cCMV were twice as likely to have long-term
impairment up to the age of 6 years, especially developmental delays and
sensorineural hearing loss, than cCMV-negative comparison children, with a risk
difference of 12.8%. These insights into the risk of cCMV-associated impairment
can help optimize care and stimulate preventive measures. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS:
Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) leads to impairment in 25% of cases.
Fifty per cent of children with cCMV symptoms at birth have long-term impairment.
The risk difference of moderate to severe long-term impairment between children
with and without cCMV is 13%, attributable to cCMV. cCMV leads to motor,
cognitive, and speech-language developmental delay in children.
PMID- 28990182
TI - Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease on Nonrenal Elimination Pathways: A Systematic
Assessment of CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and OATP.
AB - Our recent studies have shown that chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects the
pharmacokinetics (PKs) of cytochrome P450 (CYP)2D6-metabolized drugs, whereas
effects were less evident on CYP3A4/5. Therefore, the effect of CKD on the
disposition of CYP1A2-metabolized, CYP2C8-metabolized, CYP2C9-metabolized,
CYP2C19-metabolized, and organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP)
transported drugs was investigated. We identified dedicated CKD studies with 6,
5, 6, 4, and 12 "model" substrates for CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and OATP,
respectively. Our analyses suggest that clearance of OATP substrates decreases as
kidney function declines. Similar trends were seen for CYP2C8; but overlap
between some CYP2C8 and OATP substrates highlights that their interplay needs
further investigation. In contrast, the effect of CKD on CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and
CYP2C19 was variable and modest compared to CYP2C8 and OATP. This improved
understanding of elimination-pathway-dependency in CKD is important to inform the
need and conduct of PK studies in these patients for nonrenally eliminated drugs.
PMID- 28990184
TI - Corrigendum.
PMID- 28990183
TI - Array CGH analysis reveals deletion of chromosome 22q11 in CLL with normal
karyotype and no fish alterations.
PMID- 28990186
TI - Molecular mechanisms underlying Grateloupia imbricata (Rhodophyta)
carposporogenesis induced by methyl jasmonate.
AB - When applied in vitro, methyl jasmonate is sensed by the red seaweed Grateloupia
imbricate, substantially and visually affecting its carposporogenesis. However,
although there is some understanding of the morphological changes induced by
methyl jasmonate in vitro, little is known about the genes that are involved in
red seaweed carposporogenesis and how their protein products act. For the work
reported herein, the expression of genes in red seaweed that encode enzymes
involved in the synthesis of methyl jasmonate (jasmonic acid carboxyl methyl
transferase and a putative methyl transferase) was monitored. Additionally the
genes involved in oxidation (cytochrome P450 and WD40), jasmonate synthesis,
signal transduction, and regulation of reactive oxygen species (MYB), and
reproduction (ornithine decarboxylase) were monitored. To determine when or if
the aforementioned genes were expressed during cystocarp development, fertilized
and fertile thalli were exposed to methyl jasmonate and gene expression was
measured after 24 and 48 h. The results showed that methyl jasmonate promoted
differential gene expression in fertilized thalli by 24 h and upregulated
expression of the ornithine decarboxylase gene only by 48 h in fertile thalli
(0.75 +/- 003 copies . MUL-1 at 24 h vs. 1.11 +/- 0.04 copies . MUL-1 at 48 h).
We conclude that Ornithine decarboxylase expression involves methyl jasmonate
signaling as well as development and maturation of cystocarps.
PMID- 28990187
TI - Case-control study of shock index among women who did and did not receive blood
transfusions due to postpartum hemorrhage.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare shock index (SI) values between women who required blood
transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and women who did not. METHODS: In
a case-control study, clinical data were assessed from the medical records of
women requiring blood transfusion for PPH at a center in Brazil between 2012 and
2015 (n=105). A control group was randomly selected from women who did not
receive blood transfusion (n=129). RESULTS: Compared with women who did not
receive a transfusion after delivery, women who did receive one had significantly
higher SI values 10 minutes after delivery (0.81 +/- 0.27 vs 0.72 +/- 0.16;
P=0.012), at 30 minutes (0.83 +/- 0.26 vs 0.71 +/- 0.15; P<0.001), and at 2 hours
(0.84 +/- 0.27 vs 0.70 +/- 0.14; P=0.032). For vaginal deliveries, SI values were
significantly different at 30 minutes (0.88 +/- 0.26 vs 0.71 +/- 0.14; P<0.001)
and 2 hours (0.90 +/- 0.23 vs 0.72 +/- 0.14; P=0.001). No significant differences
were found for cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: The SI might be useful to identify
early vital sign changes due to PPH. Increased SI values were associated with
need for transfusion in vaginal deliveries.
PMID- 28990188
TI - A population-based study of the effect of pregnancy history on risk of
stillbirth.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of pregnancy history on the risk of stillbirth.
METHODS: In a population-based cross-sectional study, data were reviewed from all
women aged at least 20 years with singleton pregnancies in Finland between 2000
and 2010. The primary outcome-stillbirth-was defined as fetal death after 22
gestational weeks or death of a fetus weighing at least 500 g. RESULTS: Among 604
047 singleton pregnancies, the prevalence of stillbirth was 3.17 per 1000
deliveries. Prevalence was lowest for multiparous women without previous
pregnancy loss after adjusting for major pregnancy complications associated with
stillbirth (placenta previa, placental abruption, and pre-eclampsia) and other
confounders. Relative to these women, stillbirth prevalence was higher among
multiparous women with previous spontaneous abortion and/or stillbirth (adjusted
odds ratio [aOR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.36), nulliparous women
with no previous pregnancy loss (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.38), and nulliparous
women with prior spontaneous abortion (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.18-1.74). CONCLUSION:
Previous pregnancy loss was found to be an independent risk factor for
stillbirth, irrespective of the number of prior deliveries.
PMID- 28990185
TI - Postaxial limb hypoplasia (PALH): the classification, clinical features, and
related developmental biology.
AB - Postaxial limb hypoplasia (PALH) is a group of nonhereditary diseases with
congenital lower limb deficiency affecting the fibular ray, including fibular
hemimelia, proximal femoral focal deficiency, and tarsal coalition. The etiology
and the developmental biology of the anomaly are still not fully understood.
Here, we review the previous classification systems, present the clinical
features, and discuss the developmental biology of PALH.
PMID- 28990189
TI - Cell wall physicochemical properties determine the thallus biomineralization
pattern of Padina gymnospora (Phaeophyceae).
AB - Approximately half of the Padina (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) species mineralize
aragonite needles over the adaxial thallus surface, where mineral bands are
interspersed with nonmineralized regions along the thallus from the apical to
basal end. However, this calcification pattern and the related algal properties
are not well understood. Therefore, this work was performed to elucidate a
potential role of cell walls in the inhibition/induction of mineralization in the
brown alga Padina gymnospora. In a comparison of specific thallus regions,
differences were identified in the cellulose distribution, microfibrils
arrangement and thickness, distribution and abundance of phenolic substances, and
physical differences among the surfaces of the thallus (deformation, adhesion,
topography, and nano-rugosity). In vitro mineralization assays indicated that
phenolic substances are strong modulators of calcium carbonate crystals growth.
In addition, de novo mineralization assays over cell wall surfaces that were used
as templates, even without cellular activity, indicated that the cell wall
remains a key factor in the induction/inhibition of mineralization. Overall, the
current findings indicate a strong correlation between the physico-chemical and
structural properties of the cell wall and the alternation pattern of the
mineralization bands over the thallus of P. gymnospora.
PMID- 28990190
TI - A randomized waitlist control community study of Social Cognition and Interaction
Training for people with schizophrenia.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) has demonstrated
effectiveness in improving social cognition and functioning of people with
schizophrenia. This pilot study examines the acceptability, feasibility, and
effectiveness of SCIT with individuals who have schizophrenia-spectrum disorders
and are receiving care through a public mental health service. METHOD: In a
pragmatic randomized waitlist controlled trial, 36 participants (aged 19-55
years) with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder were randomly allocated to SCIT or
treatment as usual (TAU). Measures of theory of mind, emotion perception,
attributional bias, social skills, quality of life, life skills, depression,
anxiety, and stress were administered pre- and post-intervention with follow-up
conducted 4 months later. All wait-list controls subsequently received the
intervention and a secondary within-group analysis was conducted including these
participants. RESULTS: While no significant differences were found between groups
on any outcomes, there was strong engagement with the SCIT intervention. Of the
21 participants in the intervention group, the completion rate was 85.71% with a
median attendance rate of 17 sessions. Within subject analyses of SCIT
participants over time showed significant improvements in quality of life,
emotion recognition, social skills, and a trend towards better life skills from
pre- to post-intervention. These gains were sustained at the 4-month follow-up
time. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Although this study showed
limited benefits in outcomes associated with SCIT compared with TAU, it
demonstrated the acceptability of SCIT to participants in a real world public
health setting shown by high retention, attendance, and positive feedback. This
pilot shows SCIT can be implemented in routine clinical practice and lays the
foundation for a larger pragmatic study. PRACTITIONER POINTS: SCIT can be
implemented successfully in a real-world community mental health setting. SCIT
had high levels of acceptability to these participants. Limitations The small
sample size meant there was insufficient power to detect differences between
groups on outcome measures. The study did not include measures of psychiatric
symptoms or neuropsychological functioning which may have influenced
participants' capacity to benefit from SCIT.
PMID- 28990192
TI - Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry method for determining
highly hydrophobic peptides.
AB - A nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (NACE-MS) method was
developed to separate and determine highly hydrophobic temporin peptides. The
nonaqueous background electrolyte solution was a mixture of 20% acetonitrile, 78%
methanol and 2% formic acid, with 20 mM ammonium formate. The separation of six
peptides was completed within 12 min. The CE system was connected to a triple
quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in MRM mode using a chemical modifier
solution of 2 mM ammonium formate in ethanol with the flow through microvial
interface. The mass spectrometer offered a second dimension of separation for
peptides having identical migration times but different structures. The new
method represents the first system capable of reliably determining hydrophobic
peptides without using reversed phase liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
PMID- 28990191
TI - Chemical warfare agent simulants for human volunteer trials of emergency
decontamination: A systematic review.
AB - Incidents involving the release of chemical agents can pose significant risks to
public health. In such an event, emergency decontamination of affected casualties
may need to be undertaken to reduce injury and possible loss of life. To ensure
these methods are effective, human volunteer trials (HVTs) of decontamination
protocols, using simulant contaminants, have been conducted. Simulants must be
used to mimic the physicochemical properties of more harmful chemicals, while
remaining non-toxic at the dose applied. This review focuses on studies that
employed chemical warfare agent simulants in decontamination contexts, to
identify those simulants most suitable for use in HVTs of emergency
decontamination. Twenty-two simulants were identified, of which 17 were
determined unsuitable for use in HVTs. The remaining simulants (n = 5) were
further scrutinized for potential suitability according to toxicity,
physicochemical properties and similarities to their equivalent toxic
counterparts. Three suitable simulants, for use in HVTs were identified; methyl
salicylate (simulant for sulphur mustard), diethyl malonate (simulant for soman)
and malathion (simulant for VX or toxic industrial chemicals). All have been
safely used in previous HVTs, and have a range of physicochemical properties that
would allow useful inference to more toxic chemicals when employed in future
studies of emergency decontamination systems.
PMID- 28990193
TI - Antimicrobial peptides as a possible interlink between periodontal diseases and
its risk factors: A systematic review.
AB - Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a critical role in controlling innate and
acquired immune responses. Local dysregulation of AMP is implicated in the
pathogenesis of periodontal diseases as a response to periodontal pathogen
challenge. Changes in AMP expression also characterize tobacco smoking, diabetes
mellitus, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis, which are established risk factors of
periodontal diseases, suggesting AMP may act as putative mechanistic links
between these. The aim was to evaluate and summarize critically the current
evidence pertaining to interrelationships between AMPs, periodontal diseases and
selected periodontal disease risk factors. General and theme specific keywords
were used to search the PUBMED database for studies relevant to AMP, periodontal
diseases, smoking, diabetes mellitus, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis and
critically reviewed. A total of 131 abstracts and 119 full text articles were
screened for relevance; 13 studies were selected for inclusion after critical
review. Local AMP dysregulation characteristic to periodontal diseases appears to
occur within a broader landscape of complex systemic immune perturbations
independently induced by smoking, metabolic and rheumatoid disease. The nature of
these interactions and mechanistic pathways involved are inadequately understood.
AMPs could be possible mechanistic interlinks between periodontal diseases and
its risk factors. However, such evidence is very limited and more in vivo and in
vitro studies are necessary to clarify the nature of such relationships. A
greater understanding of AMPs as shared mediators is essential for unraveling
their value as therapeutic or biomarker candidates.
PMID- 28990194
TI - Relaxation of tyrosine pathway regulation underlies the evolution of betalain
pigmentation in Caryophyllales.
AB - Diverse natural products are synthesized in plants by specialized metabolic
enzymes, which are often lineage-specific and derived from gene duplication
followed by functional divergence. However, little is known about the
contribution of primary metabolism to the evolution of specialized metabolic
pathways. Betalain pigments, uniquely found in the plant order Caryophyllales,
are synthesized from the aromatic amino acid l-tyrosine (Tyr) and replaced the
otherwise ubiquitous phenylalanine-derived anthocyanins. This study combined
biochemical, molecular and phylogenetic analyses, and uncovered coordinated
evolution of Tyr and betalain biosynthetic pathways in Caryophyllales. We found
that Beta vulgaris, which produces high concentrations of betalains, synthesizes
Tyr via plastidic arogenate dehydrogenases (TyrAa /ADH) encoded by two ADH genes
(BvADHalpha and BvADHbeta). Unlike BvADHbeta and other plant ADHs that are
strongly inhibited by Tyr, BvADHalpha exhibited relaxed sensitivity to Tyr. Also,
Tyr-insensitive BvADHalpha orthologs arose during the evolution of betalain
pigmentation in the core Caryophyllales and later experienced relaxed selection
and gene loss in lineages that reverted from betalain to anthocyanin
pigmentation, such as Caryophyllaceae. These results suggest that relaxation of
Tyr pathway regulation increased Tyr production and contributed to the evolution
of betalain pigmentation, highlighting the significance of upstream primary
metabolic regulation for the diversification of specialized plant metabolism.
PMID- 28990196
TI - Concentration-controlled particle focusing in spiral elasto-inertial microfluidic
devices.
AB - Herein, we proposed a strategy for controlling the particle focusing position in
Dean-coupled elasto-inertial flows via adjusting the polymer concentration of
viscoelastic fluids. The physics behind the control strategy was then explored
and discussed. At high polymer concentrations, the flowing particles could be
single-line focused exactly at the channel centerline under the dominated elastic
force. The center-line focusing in our spiral channel may employed as a potential
pretreatment scheme for microflow cytometry detection. With further decreasing
polymer concentrations, the particles would shift into the outer channel region
under the comparable competition between inertial lift force, elastic force and
Dean drag force. Finally, the observed position-shifting was successfully
employed for particle concentration at a throughput much higher than most
existing elasto-inertial microfluidics.
PMID- 28990195
TI - Comparative analyses of industrial-scale human platelet lysate preparations.
AB - BACKGROUND: Efforts are underway to eliminate fetal bovine serum from mammalian
cell cultures for clinical use. An emerging, viable replacement option for fetal
bovine serum is human platelet lysate (PL) as either a plasma-based or serum
based product. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Nine industrial-scale, serum-based PL
manufacturing runs (i.e., lots) were performed, consisting of an average +/-
standard deviation volume of 24.6 +/- 2.2 liters of pooled, platelet-rich plasma
units that were obtained from apheresis donors. Manufactured lots were compared
by evaluating various biochemical and functional test results. Comprehensive
cytokine profiles of PL lots and product stability tests were performed. Global
gene expression profiles of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) cultured with plasma
based or serum-based PL were compared to MSCs cultured with fetal bovine serum.
RESULTS: Electrolyte and protein levels were relatively consistent among all
serum-based PL lots, with only slight variations in glucose and calcium levels.
All nine lots were as good as or better than fetal bovine serum in expanding
MSCs. Serum-based PL stored at -80 degrees C remained stable over 2 years.
Quantitative cytokine arrays showed similarities as well as dissimilarities in
the proteins present in serum-based PL. Greater differences in MSC gene
expression profiles were attributable to the starting cell source rather than
with the use of either PL or fetal bovine serum as a culture supplement.
CONCLUSION: Using a large-scale, standardized method, lot-to-lot variations were
noted for industrial-scale preparations of serum-based PL products. However, all
lots performed as well as or better than fetal bovine serum in supporting MSC
growth. Together, these data indicate that off-the-shelf PL is a feasible
substitute for fetal bovine serum in MSC cultures.
PMID- 28990197
TI - Pollen tube growth and guidance: Occam's razor sharpened on a molecular
arabinogalactan glycoprotein Rosetta Stone.
AB - Occam's Razor suggests a new model of pollen tube tip growth based on a novel
Hechtian oscillator that integrates a periplasmic arabinogalactan glycoprotein
calcium (AGP-Ca2+ ) capacitor with tip-localized AGPs as the source of tip
focussed cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations: Hechtian adhesion between the plasma
membrane and the cell wall of the growing tip acts as a piconewton force
transducer that couples the internal stress of a rapidly growing wall to the
plasma membrane. Such Hechtian transduction opens stretch-activated Ca2+ channels
and activates H+ -ATPase proton pump efflux that dissociates periplasmic AGP-Ca2+
resulting in a Ca2+ influx that activates exocytosis of wall precursors. Thus, a
highly simplified pectic primary cell wall regulates its own synthesis by a
Hechtian growth oscillator that regulates overall tip growth. By analogy with the
three cryptic inscriptions of the classical Rosetta Stone, the Hechtian
Hypothesis translates classical AGP function as a Ca2+ capacitor, pollen tube
guide and wall plasticizer into a simple but widely applicable model of tip
growth. Even wider ramifications of the Hechtian oscillator may implicate AGPs in
osmosensing or gravisensing and other tropisms, leading us yet further towards
the Holy Grail of plant growth.
PMID- 28990198
TI - Exploring parkrun as a social context for collective health practices: running
with and against the moral imperatives of health responsibilisation.
AB - Critiques of public health policies to reduce physical inactivity have led to
calls for practice-led research and the need to reduce the individualising
effects of health promotion discourse. The purpose of this paper is to examine
how parkrun - an increasingly popular, regular, community-based 5 km running
event - comes to be understood as a 'health practice' that allows individuals to
enact contemporary desires for better health in a collective social context.
Taking a reflexive analytical approach, we use interview data from a
geographically diverse sample of previously inactive parkrun participants (N =
19) to explore two themes. First, we argue that parkrun offers a space for
'collective bodywork' whereby participants simultaneously enact personal body
projects while they also experience a sense of being 'all in this together' which
works to ameliorate certain individualising effects of health responsibilisation.
Second, we examine how parkrun figures as a health practice that makes available
the subject position of the 'parkrunner'. In doing so, parkrun enables newly
active participants to negotiate discourses of embodied risk to reconcile the
otherwise paradoxical experience of being an 'unfit-runner'. Findings contribute
to sociological understandings of health and illness through new insights into
the relation between health practices and emerging physical cultures, such as
parkrun.
PMID- 28990199
TI - The epigenetic component of the brain response to electromagnetic stimulation in
Parkinson's Disease patients: A literature overview.
AB - Modulations of epigenetic machinery, namely DNA methylation pattern, histone
modification, and non-coding RNAs expression, have been recently included among
the key determinants contributing to Parkinson's Disease (PD) aetiopathogenesis
and response to therapy. Along this line of reasoning, a set of experimental
findings are highlighting the epigenetic-based response to electromagnetic (EM)
therapies used to alleviate PD symptomatology, mainly Deep Brain Stimulation
(DBS) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Notwithstanding the proven
efficacy of EM therapies, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the brain
response to these types of stimulations are still far from being elucidated. In
this review we provide an overview of the epigenetic changes triggered by DBS and
TMS in both PD patients and neurons from different experimental animal models.
Furthermore, we also propose a critical overview of the exposure modalities
currently applied, in order to evaluate the technical robustness and dosimetric
control of the stimulation, which are key issues to be carefully assessed when
new molecular findings emerge from experimental studies. Bioelectromagnetics.
39:3-14, 2018. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PMID- 28990200
TI - Reduced ferritin levels in individuals with non-O blood group: results from the
Danish Blood Donor Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Genomewide association studies have reported alleles in the ABO locus
to be associated with ferritin levels. These studies warrant the investigation of
a possible association between the ABO blood group and ferritin levels. We aimed
to explore if ABO blood group is associated with iron stores expressed as
ferritin levels. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Ferritin levels were measured at least
once for 30,595 Danish Blood Donor Study participants. Linear regression analyses
were performed with the ABO blood group as explanatory variable and adjusted for
age, number of donations 3 years before the ferritin measurement, and time since
latest donation. In addition, a subanalysis was performed on 15,280 individuals
in which further adjustments for body mass index, smoking status, and C-reactive
protein levels were possible. Furthermore, logistic regression analyses were
performed to determine if ABO blood group was associated with a ferritin level of
less than 15 ng/mL. RESULTS: Non-O blood group donors had lower ferritin levels
than blood group O donors, regardless of sex. Accordingly, risk of ferritin level
of less than 15 ng/mL was increased for individuals with non-O blood group
compared with O blood group. In subanalyses similar associations were observed,
albeit in women the association between blood group and risk of a ferritin level
below 15 ng/mL was no longer significant. ABO blood group was not associated with
red blood cell indices such as mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin content.
CONCLUSION: Donors with non-O blood group have lower ferritin levels than donors
with other blood groups.
PMID- 28990201
TI - Correlation between plasma fibrinogen and FIBTEM thromboelastometry during liver
transplantation: a comprehensive assessment.
AB - BACKGROUND: Thromboelastometry may reduce red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in
liver transplantation (LT). Fibrinogen concentration is a primary determinant of
FIBTEM maximum clot firmness (MCF), but several factors could affect the
correlation between FIBTEM MCF and fibrinogen values. We aimed to investigate (1)
the concordance between fibrinogen level and FIBTEM MCF and (2) the association
of fibrinogen level and FIBTEM MCF with RBC transfusion during LT. METHODS: A
post hoc analysis of data from a randomized, multicentre, double-blind,
saline/fibrinogen trial was used (NCT01539057). A total of 86 adult patients were
included. RESULTS: The Lin concordance coefficient (LCC) between FIBTEM MCF and
fibrinogen levels with the model formula 1.3679 + 0.05414* FIBTEM MCF was poor
overall (LLC [95% CI]: 0.387 [0.340 to 0.432]) and moderate for the preperfusion
period (LLC [95% CI]: 0.789 [0.747 to 0.824]), but very poor for the
postreperfusion period (LLC [95% CI] 0.170 [0.105 to 0.233]). The model assessed
for RBC transfusion for FIBTEM MCF showed an area under the curve of 0.788 [0.745
0.832]. Patients with FIBTEM MCF values <8 mm had a significantly higher
likelihood of receiving RBC than patients with higher values. (OR [95% CI]: 2.08
[1.30-3.33], P = 0.002). FIBTEM MCF values over 10 mm do not appear to reduce the
likelihood of RBC transfusion. CONCLUSION: FIBTEM MCF is not a good indicator of
plasma fibrinogen values after graft reperfusion. FIBTEM MCF >8 mm during the LT
procedure is associated with less RBC transfusion. FIBTEM MCF values over 10 mm
could lead to unnecessary fibrinogen administration.
PMID- 28990202
TI - Beneath the hairy look: the hidden reproductive diversity of the Gibsmithia
hawaiiensis complex (Dumontiaceae, Rhodophyta).
AB - The tropical alga previously recognized as Gibsmithia hawaiiensis (Dumontiaceae,
Rhodophyta) was recently suggested to represent a complex of species distributed
throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean and characterized by a peculiar combination of
hairy (pilose) gelatinous lobes growing on cartilaginous stalks. Phylogenetic
reconstructions based on three genetic markers are presented here with the
inclusion of new samples. Further diversity is reported within the complex, with
nine lineages spread in four major phylogenetic groups. The threshold between
intra- and interspecific relationships was assessed by species delimitation
methods, which indicate the existence of 8-10 putative species in the complex.
Two species belonging to the G. hawaiiensis complex are described here:
Gibsmithia malayensis sp. nov. from the Coral Triangle and Gibsmithia
indopacifica sp. nov., widely distributed in the Central and Eastern Indo
Pacific. Morphological differences in the vegetative and reproductive structures
of the newly described species are provided and compared to the previously
described species of the complex. Additional lineages represent putative species,
which await further investigation to clarify their taxonomic status. Gibsmithia
hawaiiensis sensu stricto is confirmed to be endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, and
Gibsmithia eilatensis is apparently confined to the Red Sea, with an expanded
distribution in the region. New records of the G. hawaiiensis complex are
reported from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Philippines, and the Federated
States of Micronesia, indicating that the complex is more broadly distributed
than previously considered. The isolated position of Gibsmithia within the
Dumontiaceae is corroborated by molecular data.
PMID- 28990203
TI - Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia associated with anti-vancomycin complicated
by a paraben antibody.
AB - BACKGROUND: Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is rare, but potentially
life-threatening. A high index of clinical suspicion is required for diagnosis,
since the number of medications known to induce DIIHA continues to expand.
Additionally, in vitro antibody reactivity against reagent additives has been
reported, which may complicate test interpretation. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old
group A, D+ woman with a history of negative antibody detection tests developed
hemolytic anemia on Postoperative Day 7 after repeat incision and drainage of a
chronically infected right knee prosthesis. She was treated with multiple
antibiotics in the postoperative period, including three cephalosporins and
vancomycin intravenously as well as vancomycin and gentamicin-containing
intraarticular cement spacers. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A workup for possible
DIIHA was performed. Testing was performed using vancomycin and cephalosporin
antibiotics. Initially, gentamicin injection solution was used for testing,
followed by testing with its component ingredients. RESULTS: A vancomycin
antibody was detected and anemia resolved after vancomycin was discontinued.
Reactivity was seen when gentamicin injection solution was used for testing,
raising the possibility of a gentamicin antibody as well. However, testing with
purified gentamicin as well as methylparaben and propylparaben demonstrated a
paraben antibody that reacted with the paraben-containing gentamicin solution.
The patient also demonstrated an anti-N. Neither the paraben antibody nor the
anti-N appeared to cause in vivo hemolysis. CONCLUSION: This is the second
reported case of DIIHA associated with anti-vancomycin. It is the fourth report
describing a paraben antibody.
PMID- 28990204
TI - Serial Evaluation of Endometrial Blood Flow for Prediction of Pregnancy Outcomes
in Patients Who Underwent Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation and In Vitro
Fertilization and Embryo Transfer.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate endometrial blood flow during the menstrual cycle in
patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), in vitro
fertilization (IVF), and embryo transfer (ET) and prediction of pregnancy
outcomes based on these characteristics. METHODS: Endometrial blood flow was
measured in 35 patients undergoing COH and IVF-ET (nonpregnant [n = 15] and
pregnant [n = 20]) by measuring the resistive index (RI) of the uterine radial
artery using 2-dimensional Doppler ultrasonography. Measurements were obtained in
4 different phases of the menstrual cycle day: early follicular, midfollicular,
preovulatory, and midluteal. RESULTS: The uterine radial artery RI during the
early follicular phase was significantly lower in the pregnant group than in the
nonpregnant group (mean +/- SD, 0.61 +/- 0.01 versus 0.66 +/- 0.01; P = .029).
There was no significant difference between groups during the midfollicular,
preovulatory, and midluteal phases (mean +/- SD, 0.60 +/- 0.02 versus 0.60 +/-
0.01; P = .84; 0.61 +/- 0.09 versus 0.57 +/- 0.01; P = .12; 0.54 +/- 0.01 versus
0.57 +/- 0.02; P = .32, respectively). There was a significant difference in
endometrial blood flow between the pregnant and nonpregnant groups during each
phase (P = .016). The difference in the changes of the uterine radial artery RI
from the preovulatory to midluteal phase between the pregnant and non pregnant
groups was significant (-0.002 +/- 0.03 versus 0.07 +/- 0.02; P = .038).
CONCLUSIONS: Increased endometrial blood flow during the midluteal phase,
compared to the preovulatory phase, may correlate with successful COH and IVF-ET.
Additionally, sufficient blood flow at initiation of COH may affect COH and IVF
ET results.
PMID- 28990205
TI - Developing a protocol for normothermic ex-situ limb perfusion.
AB - BACKGROUND: Ischemia time represents a significant limitation for successful
extremity transplantation because of the rapid deterioration of ischemic muscle.
Normothermic ex-situ preservation is an emergent method to prolong the organ
viability following procurement, by replicating the physiologic conditions. The
aim of this study was to develop an ex-situ normothermic limb perfusion system to
preserve the viability and function of porcine limbs for 12 hours following
procurement. METHODS: A total of 18 swine limbs were perfused. Thirteen limbs
were used to develop the perfusion protocol. Five limbs were perfused according
to the optimized protocol. These limbs were perfused at 39 degrees C for twelve
hours using an oxygenated colloid solution containing red blood cells. Glucose
and electrolytes were kept within physiologic range by partial perfusate
exchange. Limb specific perfusion quality was assessed by muscle contractility
upon electrical nerve stimulation, compartment pressure, creatine kinase (CK) and
myoglobin concentrations, tissue oxygen saturation (near infrared spectroscopy),
indocyanine green angiography, and infrared radiation by thermographic imaging.
RESULTS: The last five limbs reached the 12 hours' perfusion target maintaining
normal compartment pressure (16.4 +/- 8.20 mmHg), minimal weight increase (0.54
+/- 7.35%), and mean muscle temperature of 33.6 +/- 1.67 degrees C. Myoglobin and
CK concentrations were 875 +/- 291.4 ng/mL, and 53344 +/- 14850.34 U/L,
respectively, at the end of perfusion. Muscle contraction was present in all
limbs until cessation of perfusion. Differences in uniformity and quality of
distal perfusion were identified with thermography and angiography imaging at 12
hours of perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Ex-situ normothermic limb perfusion preserves
swine limb physiology and function for at least 12 hours.
PMID- 28990207
TI - A review of bioanalytical quantitative methods for selected sphingosine 1
phosphate receptor modulators.
AB - Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P1 ) modulators provide an emerging therapeutic
approach for various autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and
psoriasis. Fingolimod is the first approved orally active, selective and potent
drug of this class. Other drugs belonging to this class include siponimod,
ponesimod, ceralifimod, amiselimod, CS-0777 and GSK2018682. However, owing to the
high protein binding, polarity and zwitter-ionic nature of the phosphate
metabolite of parent drugs, it becomes challenging to optimize the extraction
method for this class of compounds. Although, there are individual published
bioanalytical methods for the analysis of selected S1P1 modulators to support
preclinical and clinical drug development, no extensive review compiling all the
bioanalytical methods for the important drugs in the class is available. Thus, we
attempted to prepare a comprehensive review on various bioanalytical methods for
selected S1P1 modulators which will provide all the relevant bioanalytical
information as required by bioanalytical researchers. This review focuses on the
various liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry methods that have
been used to quantify S1P1 modulators in various biological matrices. Extraction
methods included liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and one-step
protein precipitation for extracting the analytes. This review captures key
information regarding sample processing options and chromatographic/detection
conditions.
PMID- 28990208
TI - Effectiveness of terrestrial protected areas for conservation of lake fish
communities.
AB - Freshwater protected areas are rare even though freshwater ecosystems are among
the most imperiled in the world. Conservation actions within terrestrial
protected areas (TPAs) such as development or resource extraction regulations may
spill over to benefit freshwater ecosystems within their boundaries. Using data
from 175 lakes across Ontario, Canada, we compared common indicators of fish
assemblage status (i.e., species richness, Shannon diversity index, catch per
unit effort, and normalized-length size spectrum slopes) to evaluate whether TPAs
benefit lake fish assemblages. Nearest neighbor cluster analysis was used to
generate pairs of lakes: inside versus outside, inside versus bordering, and
bordering versus outside TPAs based on lake characteristics. The diversity and
abundance indicators did not differ significantly across comparisons, but
normalized-length size spectrum slopes (NLSS) were significantly steeper in lakes
outside parks. The latter indicated assemblage differences (greater abundances of
small-bodied species) and less-efficient energy transfer through the trophic
levels of assemblages outside parks. Although not significantly different,
pollution- and turbidity-tolerant species were more abundant outside parks,
whereas 3 of the 4 pollution-intolerant species were more abundant within parks.
Twenty-one percent of the difference in slopes was related to higher total
dissolved solids concentrations and angling pressure. Our results support the
hypothesis that TPAs benefit lake fish assemblages and suggest that NLSS slopes
are informative indicators for aquatic protected area evaluations because they
represent compositional and functional aspects of communities.
PMID- 28990206
TI - Child maltreatment and eating disorders among men and women in adulthood: Results
from a nationally representative United States sample.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Child maltreatment is associated with an increased likelihood of
having mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder,
substance use disorders, and personality disorders, but far less is known about
eating disorders. The objective of the current study was to examine the
associations between child maltreatment, including harsh physical punishment,
physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical
neglect, and exposure to intimate partner violence, and eating disorders in
adulthood among men and women. METHOD: Data were from the National Epidemiologic
Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions wave 3 (NESARC-III) collected in 2012
2013. The sample was nationally representative of the United States adult
population (N = 36,309). Lifetime eating disorders (anorexia nervosa [AN],
bulimia nervosa [BN], and binge-eating disorder [BED]) were assessed using
diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5)
criteria and the alcohol use disorder and associated disabilities interview
schedule-5 (AUDADIS-5). RESULTS: The prevalence of any lifetime eating disorder
was 1.7% (0.8% among men and 2.7% among women). All child maltreatment types were
associated with AN, BN, and BED with notable differences among men and women.
Overall, the types of child maltreatment with the strongest relationships with
any eating disorder were sexual abuse and physical neglect among men and sexual
abuse and emotional abuse among women. DISCUSSION: Clinicians should be mindful
that child maltreatment experiences are associated with increased odds of eating
disorders including AN, BED, and BN. Such relationships are significant among men
and women although notable gender differences in these relationships exist.
Abstract word count = 248.
PMID- 28990209
TI - Sensitivity analysis for publication bias in meta-analysis of diagnostic studies
for a continuous biomarker.
AB - Publication bias is one of the most important issues in meta-analysis. For
standard meta-analyses to examine intervention effects, the funnel plot and the
trim-and-fill method are simple and widely used techniques for assessing and
adjusting for the influence of publication bias, respectively. However, their use
may be subjective and can then produce misleading insights. To make a more
objective inference for publication bias, various sensitivity analysis methods
have been proposed, including the Copas selection model. For meta-analysis of
diagnostic studies evaluating a continuous biomarker, the summary receiver
operating characteristic (sROC) curve is a very useful method in the presence of
heterogeneous cutoff values. To our best knowledge, no methods are available for
evaluation of influence of publication bias on estimation of the sROC curve. In
this paper, we introduce a Copas-type selection model for meta-analysis of
diagnostic studies and propose a sensitivity analysis method for publication
bias. Our method enables us to assess the influence of publication bias on the
estimation of the sROC curve and then judge whether the result of the meta
analysis is sufficiently confident or should be interpreted with much caution. We
illustrate our proposed method with real data.
PMID- 28990210
TI - The impact of practice guidelines on opioid utilization for injured workers.
AB - BACKGROUND: Opioid use is rising in the US and may cause special problems in
workers compensation cases, including addiction and preventing a return to work
after an injury. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates a physician-level intervention
to curb opioid usage. An insurer identified patients with out-of-guideline opioid
utilization and called the prescribing physician to discuss the patient's
treatment protocol. RESEARCH DESIGN: This study uses a differences-in-differences
study design with a propensity-score-matched control group. Medical and
pharmaceutical claims data from 2005 to 2011 were used for analyses. RESULTS:
Following the intervention, the use of opioids increased for the intervention
group and there is little impact on medical spending. CONCLUSIONS: Counseling
physicians about patients with high opioid utilization may focus more attention
on their care, but did not impact short-term outcomes. More robust interventions
may be needed to manage opioid use. PERSPECTIVE: While the increasing use of
opioids is of growing concern around the world, curbing the utilization of these
powerfully addictive narcotics has proved elusive. This study examines a
prescribing guidelines intervention designed to reduce the prescription of
opioids following an injury. The study finds that there was little change in the
opioid utilization after the intervention, suggesting interventions along other
parts of the prescribing pathway may be needed.
PMID- 28990213
TI - The complex relationship among arteriovenous access, heart, and circulation.
AB - There are currently near 400 000 patients on hemodialysis in the United States.
More than 50% of those treated by chronic hemodialysis die because of a
cardiovascular (CV) event. The majority of these patients have functional
arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). AVFs have an adverse effect on cardiac function,
but their exact contribution to CV morbidity is not clear. It has long been known
that a vascular access with an inappropriately high-flow rate may cause high
output heart failure. Paradoxically, there may be hemodynamic and cardiopulmonary
benefits conferred by AVF particularly in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. While Brescia-Cimino's basic idea of the AVF has saved millions of
lives, we would like to stress that there are dangers from their often high blood
flow rates, which unfortunately have proved difficult to evaluate.
PMID- 28990211
TI - Translation research in occupational safety and health: A proposed framework.
AB - Translation research in occupational safety and health is the application of
scientific investigative approaches to study how the outputs of basic and applied
research can be effectively translated into practice and have an impact. This
includes the study of the ways in which useful knowledge and interventions are
disseminated, adopted, implemented, and institutionalized. In this paper, a 4
stage framework (Development, Testing, Institutionalization, and Evaluation) is
presented. Translation research can be used to enhance the use and impact of
occupational safety and health knowledge and interventions to protect workers.
This type of research has not received much attention in the occupational safety
and health field. However, in contemporary society, it is critical to know how to
make an impact with the findings and outputs of basic and applied research. This
paper provides a novel framework for consideration of how to advance and
prioritize translation research for occupational safety and health.
PMID- 28990212
TI - Normal Development of the Corpus Callosum and Evolution of Corpus Callosum Sexual
Dimorphism in Infancy.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish reference ranges for the
corpus callosum in infancy and to clarify how sexual dimorphism evolves between
the fetal stage and infancy. METHODS: Normal sonograms from cerebral
ultrasonographic examinations of 1- to 6-month-old healthy full-term infants were
selected. The length and thickness of the corpus callosum were determined, and
the effect of sex on these values was analyzed. Studies on corpus callosum sexual
dimorphism were reviewed. RESULTS: In total, sonograms from 236 1- to 6-month-old
infants (120 male and 116 female) were collected, and the typical values (5th
95th percentiles) of the corpus callosum were determined for each group. During
the first 2 months, with and without brain size adjustment, the corpus callosum
in female infants was significantly thicker than that in male infants (mean
thickness +/- SD: 1 month, male infant, 1.8 +/- 0.3 mm; female infant, 2.1 +/-
0.3 mm; P = .005; 2 months, male infant, 1.8 +/- 0.2 mm; female infant, 2.0 +/-
0.3 mm; P = .002). The corpus callosum thickness of male and female infants had
no significant differences after 2 months of age. Sexual dimorphism was not
detected in corpus callosum length. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides reference
data on typical corpus callosum development in infants. In the fetal period and
early infancy, the corpus callosum in female infants is thicker than that in male
infants. From 3 months onward, the corpus callosum sexual dimorphism becomes
insignificant throughout childhood. The evolvement of corpus callosum sexual
dimorphism suggests that maternal factors may influence brain development.
PMID- 28990214
TI - Reply.
PMID- 28990215
TI - Ultrasonic Perfluorohexane-Loaded Monocyte Imaging: Toward a Minimally Invasive
Technique for Selective Detection of Liver Inflammation in Fatty Liver Disease.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the utility of ultrasonic (US) perfluorohexane (PFH)
loaded monocyte imaging for detection of liver inflammation in fatty liver
disease. METHODS: C57Bl6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with tumor necrosis
factor alpha and assessed by US PFH-loaded monocyte imaging 3 hours later.
Echogenic monocytes were injected intravenously, leading to a transient increase
in liver tissue intensity on a US perfusion scan. The contrast wash-out time
constant was hypothesized to reflect the degree of inflammation. Next, we
evaluated US PFH-loaded monocyte imaging in Ldlr-/- mice fed a 1-week high
fat/high-cholesterol diet as model for early developing nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis. Adjunct analyses included tissue markers of liver inflammation.
RESULTS: Tumor necrosis factor alpha-injected mice showed a reduced wash-out time
constant (mean +/- SEM, 0.013 +/- 0.003; n = 8) compared to controls (0.054 +/-
0.009; n = 7; P = .0006), indicative of increased inflammatory adhesion molecule
expression on the endothelium. The Ldlr-/- mice fed the high-fat/high-cholesterol
diet showed liver inflammation, as reflected by increased (3- to 4-fold)
infiltration of inflammatory cells and increased (3- to 4-fold) gene expression
of tumor necrosis factor alpha, integrin alphaM, intracellular adhesion molecule,
and vascular cell adhesion molecule. However, in these mice, no difference was
detected in the wash-out time constant as assessed by US PFH-loaded monocyte
imaging (high-fat/high-cholesterol, 0.050 +/- 0.017; n = 5; chow, 0.048 +/-
0.006; n = 6; P = .91). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that US PFH-loaded
monocyte imaging is able to detect vascularly expressed inflammatory adhesion
molecules in the mouse liver on direct endothelial stimulation. However, in our
mouse model of early developing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, we did not detect
inflammation by this method, which may suggest that the time-dependent
relationship between parenchymal and endothelial inflammation remains a
fundamental issue to be addressed.
PMID- 28990216
TI - Left atrial volume changes are an early marker of end-organ damage in essential
hypertension: A multidisciplinary approach to an old problem.
AB - PURPOSE: Left atrial (LA) volume has been shown to be a predictor of adverse
cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation
between LA phasic volumes and hypertensive end-organ damage (EOD), by using real
time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in patients with essential
hypertension (HT). METHODS: The study included 95 essential hypertensive patients
(60 +/- 10 years, 37 males). The patients were divided into three according to
the presence of EOD, namely microalbuminuria and retinal vascular changes
detected by direct ophthalmoscopy. The first group had no EOD. The second group
(EOD+ group) had either microalbuminuria or retinal vascular changes while the
third group (EOD++ group) had both renal and retinal damage. RESULTS: The three
groups did not differ with regard to age, sex, or metabolic profile. In RT3DE
measurements, there were significant differences in LA phasic volumes (LA maximal
volume index, LA minimal volume index, LA pre-atrial contraction volume index, LA
total stroke volume index, and LA active stroke volume index, P < .001) among the
groups. Moreover, patients with more extended EOD had significantly worse LA
reservoir and conduit functions. In the logistic regression analysis, the LA
active stroke volume index was an independent predictor of EOD (82% sensitivity
and 92% specificity, area under the curve = 0.96, P < .001). CONCLUSION: RT3DE
measured LA phasic volumes and mechanical functions are associated with
hypertensive EOD, which might serve as a surrogate endpoint for determining
cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates in patients with essential HT.
PMID- 28990217
TI - Identification of three prophenoloxidase-activating factors (PPAFs) from an
invasive beetle Octodonta nipae Maulik (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and their
roles in the prophenoloxidase activation.
AB - A typical characteristic of the insect innate immune system is the activation of
the serine protease cascade in the hemolymph. As being the terminal component of
the extracellular serine protease cascade in the prophenoloxidase (proPO)
activating system, proPO-activating factors (PPAFs) activated by the upstream
cascade may generate active phenoloxidase, which then induces downstream
melanization. In the present study, we reported three PPAFs from the nipa palm
hispid beetle Octodonta nipae (Maulik) (designated as OnPPAF1, OnPPAF2, OnPPAF3).
All three OnPPAFs contained a single clip domain at the amino-terminus followed
by a trypsin-like serine protease domain at the carboxyl-terminus, except the Ser
in the active sites of OnPPAF2 and OnPPAF3 was substituted with Gly. Transcript
expression analysis revealed that all OnPPAFs were highly expressed in hemolymph,
whereas OnPPAF2 showed an extremely low mRNA abundance compared with that of
OnPPAF1 and OnPPAF3, and that the abundance of all three OnPPAFs was dramatically
increased upon bacterial challenge. Knockdown of OnPPAF1 or OnPPAF3 resulted in a
reduction of hemolymph phenoloxidase activity and an inhibition of hemolymph
melanization, whereas the knockdown of OnPPAF2 did not affect the proPO cascade.
Our work thus implies that the three OnPPAFs may have different functions and
regulation during immune responses in O. nipae.
PMID- 28990219
TI - Emergency Ultrasound: A Survey Study of Fellowship Graduate Characteristics and
Career Paths.
AB - OBJECTIVES: There are sparse data on the career pathways of graduates of
emergency ultrasound fellowships. The authors sought to define the
characteristics of graduates and their reported career paths after training
through this survey study. METHODS: A 26-question anonymous survey was emailed to
597 graduates of 70 fellowships over a 4-week period. No incentives were provided
for completion of the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics are reported. For
qualitative data, open- and axial-coding methods were used. RESULTS: A total of
336 participants completed the study for a response rate of 56%. The average age
of respondents was 36.4 years, and 58% were male. Most graduates had MD degrees
(89%) or DO degrees (10%). Sixty percent of graduates attended a 3-year emergency
medicine residency, and 29% attended a 4-year residency. Only 11% pursued
additional fellowship training, most commonly pediatric emergency medicine (n =
14). After fellowship, 63% (95% confidence interval [CI], 62.9, 63.1) of
graduates began working full-time in an academic setting, whereas 24% (95% CI,
23.9, 24.1) worked full-time in a community setting. Thirty-three percent (95%
CI, 32.7, 33.3) took an immediate position as ultrasound division director,
whereas 4% (95% CI, 3.7, 4.3) became fellowship directors and 3% (95% CI, 2.7,
3.3) became ultrasound medical student directors. Currently, 67% (95% CI, 66-68%)
identify ultrasound as their leading academic focus. CONCLUSIONS: Although not
all fellowship graduates pursue academic positions, most note the impact of
fellowship on their career paths. Graduates hold a variety of leadership
positions. Approximately two thirds still consider ultrasound as their academic
focus.
PMID- 28990218
TI - A polysaccharide from Dictyophora indusiata inhibits the immunosuppressive
function of cancer-associated fibroblasts.
AB - Reversing the function of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) may improve the
efficacy of cancer therapy. Here, we isolated a novel polysaccharide from
Dictyophora indusiata (ZSP4) and examined its effects on the function of prostate
CAFs. The supernatant of prostate CAFs can stimulate the proliferation of immune
cells and inhibit the growth of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. However, after ZSP4
stimulation, the functions of prostate CAFs were inhibited. The mechanism
experiment shows that ZSP4 can stimulate prostate CAFs by down-regulating the
expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. Polysaccharides extracted from
Dictyophora indusiata stimulate the proliferation of immune cells and reverse the
immune-suppressive functions of prostate CAFs, shedding new light on the
development of novel anticancer strategies. The endocrine therapy used to treat
prostate cancer aims to eliminate androgenic activity from prostatic tissue;
these therapies are painful and of poor therapeutic effect. In this study, we
found that polysaccharides extracted from Dictyophora indusiata may affect the
micro-environment of tumours and inhibit the growth of the tumours. Our results
suggest that polysaccharides may modulate negative immune regulation and enhance
antitumour immunity, which is important for clinical therapy.
PMID- 28990220
TI - Low-dose basiliximab induction therapy in heart transplantation.
AB - We prospectively studied efficacy and safety outcomes of two 10-mg doses of
intravenous basiliximab on day 0 and day 4 for induction therapy in 17
consecutive de novo heart transplant recipients. By the 2-week assessment post
transplant, there were no deaths, graft failures, or acute cellular rejections
(ACRs) ISHLT grade >= 2R. By the 1-year assessment post-transplant, there were 1
(6%) infectious death, no graft failures, 2 (12%) grade 2R ACRs, 6 (35%)
asymptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, and 4 (25%) treated infections.
Our study was the first to show that low-dose basiliximab induction in heart
transplant resulted in favorable efficacy and safety outcomes. Additionally,
calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) initiation in a low-risk population could be safely
delayed using the strategy of modified low-dose postoperative basiliximab. This
strategy also appears to allow subsequent early corticosteroid wean, although
with the concomitant maintenance of higher CNI levels and higher dosing of
mycophenolate.
PMID- 28990221
TI - Growth performance of piglets during the first two weeks of lactation affects the
development of the intestinal microbiota.
AB - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of newborn piglet weight gain
during the first 2 weeks of lactation on the luminal and mucosal microbiota of
the ileum and colon. The microbiota from high-weight-gain (HWG) and low-weight
gain (LWG) 2-week-old piglets was characterized by amplicon length heterogeneity
PCR (LH-PCR) and compared using diversity indices and multivariate statistical
analyses. At birth, LWG piglets weighted in average 0.26 kg less than HWG piglets
(p = .002). The weight difference between LWG and HWG piglets increased with time
and reached 2.1 kg after 16 days of lactation (p < .0001). Based on these growth
performance differences, estimated colostrum and milk intake was greater in HWG
than in LWG piglets (p < .0001). Analysis of the LH-PCR data of the microbiota
using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) and blocked multiresponse
permutation procedure (MRBP) revealed that the microbiota of the HWG and LWG
piglets tended to differ in ileal mucosa (p = .097) and differed in colonic lumen
(p = .024). The microbiota of HWG piglets had higher levels of Bacteroidetes,
Bacteroides and Ruminoccocaceae, and lower proportions of Actinobacillus porcinus
and Lactobacillus amylovorus when compared with those of LWG piglets. As the
weight gain of nursing piglets is highly correlated with the amount of ingested
colostrum and milk, the results strongly suggest that colostrum and milk intake
in the first 2 weeks of life influenced the development of the gut microbiota.
PMID- 28990223
TI - The establishment of a Middle East Acne Advisory Board: a success story.
PMID- 28990222
TI - Managing acne in the Middle East: consensus recommendations.
AB - Acne has been estimated to affect the majority of people at some point in their
life and is common in Middle Eastern countries. While acne is frequently
perceived to be a self-limited disease of adolescence, there is an increasing
population of adults with acne. Information about the management of acne in the
Middle East is somewhat sparse; however, several studies have recently been
conducted and will be discussed in this supplement.
PMID- 28990224
TI - Evaluation of haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters
of growing rabbits fed Amaranthus dubius.
AB - Amaranthus dubius is an alternative source of fibre and protein for the feed
formulation for growing rabbits, although its effects on their health status are
yet unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of three dietary
levels (0, 160 and 320 g/kg) of A. dubius on haematological, serum biochemical
and histopathological parameters of fattening rabbits. One hundred and thirteen
New Zealand White rabbits were fed ad libitum from weaning (35 days) to slaughter
(87 days). The health status of the animals was monitored, and mortality was
recorded. Before slaughtering, 30 rabbits were randomly selected for
haematological and serum biochemical analysis. During slaughter, 18 rabbits were
randomly selected for histopathological study in heart, liver, lung and small
intestine. The health status of rabbits was good, with no differences among
treatments in mortality. Diet and sex did not affect the values of most
haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Fibrinogen, glucose and high
density lipoprotein values increased significantly from 0 to 320 g/kg A. dubius
diets. The white blood cell count and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase values
decreased significantly from 0 to 320 g/kg A. dubius diets. The organs showed
histologically well-structured tissues. However, in all experimental groups
several samples with lesions were observed, always highly focalized in small
tissue areas. The main lesions observed, probably related to conditions of
thermal stress affecting the rabbits, were cholesterolosis (heart), steatosis
(liver), inflammatory lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate (lung) and chronic
inflammatory tissue damage (small intestine). In conclusion, the inclusion of up
to 320 g/kg A. dubius in diet did not jeopardize the health status of growing
rabbits. Therefore, A. dubius can become an alternative raw material for the
formulation of feeds in tropical and subtropical countries where this plant is
widespread.
PMID- 28990225
TI - Feasibility of diaphragm pacing in patients after bilateral lung transplantation.
AB - Recent animal studies and intraoperative studies in humans suggested that phrenic
nerve stimulation could attenuate ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. The
purpose of the present study is to examine the safety and feasibility of
diaphragm pacing during the weaning process after bilateral lung transplantation.
Four patients, suffering from chronic pulmonary disease, were included, and
diaphragm pacing was evaluated after lung transplantation. Implantation of
electrodes at the end of the lung transplant procedure was possible in three of
the four patients. In all implanted patients, stimulation of the diaphragm could
trigger the ventilator. Implanted electrodes were completely removed by
percutaneous retraction after up to 7 days of pacing. Adverse events related to
pacing included occurrence of pain. Diaphragm pacing with temporary electrodes,
inserted during surgery, is feasible and is able to trigger the ventilator in
patients after bilateral lung transplantation. The use of intradiaphragmatic
electrodes creates the additional opportunity to monitor the evolution of
diaphragm electromyography during the postoperative weaning process.
PMID- 28990226
TI - Milk fatty acid profile from cows fed with mixed rations and different access
time to pastureland during early lactation.
AB - Milk fatty acid (FA) profiles were determined in Holstein cows (n = 27) fed total
mixed rations (TMR) ad libitum (G0) or diet composed by TMR (50% dry matter [DM]
offered) plus grazing of pasture with 6 hr of access time to paddock in one
session (G1) or 9 hr in two sessions (G2) at 45 days in milk (DIM). Moreover,
milk FA was determined at 65 DIM when G0 cows turned out to G1 diet without
adaptation period (Post-G0), G1 remained as controls. Milk FA was quantified
using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Preformed FA at 45 DIM was
greater (+27%) for G2 than G0 cows (p < .05). Stearic acid (C18:0) was 30%
greater for G2 cows (p < .05). De novo FA was lowest for G2 cows (p < .05).
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) did not differ (p < .12), while vaccenic acid
(C18:1trans) was twofold greater for grazing treatments (p < .01). Linolenic acid
[C18:3(n-3)] was greatest for G2 and lowest for G0 cows (p < .01). Omega 6 FA was
greater for G0 than grazing cows, mainly due to linoleic acid [18:2cis(n-6); p <
.05]. These results determined that n-6/n-3 ratio was almost threefold greater
for G0 than grazing cows (p < .001). When diet of G0 cows changed to include
pasture (Post-G0), preformed FA increased (p < .05), explained mainly by the
increase (p < .05) of stearic (C18:0) and C18:1trans, while de novo FA tended to
decrease (p < .1). Moreover, the amount of CLA and C18:3(n-3) tended to increase
(p < .1) in Post-G0 cows. Offering 50% of dietary DM from pasture modified milk
FA profile in early lactation potentially beneficial for human health. When TMR
fed cows were turned out to 50% pasture, milk FA profile reflected dietary change
without need of an adaptation period.
PMID- 28990227
TI - Re Doping in 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides as a New Route to Tailor
Structural Phases and Induced Magnetism.
AB - Alloying in 2D results in the development of new, diverse, and versatile systems
with prospects in bandgap engineering, catalysis, and energy storage. Tailoring
structural phase transitions using alloying is a novel idea with implications in
designing all 2D device architecture as the structural phases in 2D materials
such as transition metal dichalcogenides are correlated with electronic phases.
Here, this study develops a new growth strategy employing chemical vapor
deposition to grow monolayer 2D alloys of Re-doped MoSe2 with show composition
tunable structural phase variations. The compositions where the phase transition
is observed agree well with the theoretical predictions for these 2D systems. It
is also shown that in addition to the predicted new electronic phases, these
systems also provide opportunities to study novel phenomena such as magnetism
which broadens the range of their applications.
PMID- 28990228
TI - Influence of outdoor rearing and oleic acid supplementation on lipid
characteristics of muscle and adipose tissues from obese Alentejano pigs.
AB - Data evaluating the effect of oleic-acid-enriched diets and outdoor rearing (with
access to pasture) on the quality of Alentejano (AL) pork and fat are limited.
The aim of this work was to study the effects of feeding low (LO) or high oleic
acid (HO) diets to AL pigs reared in individual pens (IND) or outdoors (OUT) with
access to pasture. Biceps femoris and dorsal subcutaneous fat (DSF) samples were
collected to analyse chemical composition and lipids fatty acid (FA) profile. The
expression of seven genes involved in lipogenesis, lipolysis and FA transport, as
well as two transcription factors were also evaluated in the muscle. B. femoris
and DSF presented lower lipid content in OUT-reared than in IND-reared pigs. Two
genes involved in lipogenesis, ACACA and FASN, were under-expressed in B. femoris
from OUT-reared pigs, while two involved in lipolysis, LPL and HSL were over
expressed. HO diet also significantly reduced FASN expression. Both rearing
system and diet affected the FA profile of tissues, particularly DSF. Overall,
OUT-reared pigs presented lower n6 to n3 FA ratios in all tissues, and lower
monounsaturated (MUFA) and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content in
DSF. When compared to LO-fed ones, HO-fed pigs presented higher oleic acid
proportions in all tissues, and lower SFA, higher MUFA and PUFA levels, as well
as lower saturation, atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes in DSF. This study
shows that rearing system and oleic acid supplementation have complementary
effects and influence the nutritional quality of pork and DSF.
PMID- 28990229
TI - Association of single-nucleotide polymorphism of melanocortin gene with feed
intake in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
AB - The aim of the study was to investigate the association of two parts of
melanocortin gene (MC4R-1, MC4R-2) and feed intake for V-line rabbits. V-line
rabbits were grouped into high and low daily feed intake during the period from
30 to 63 days of age in order to identify MC4R SNPs useful for association study
with feed intake. DNA from blood samples of each group was extracted to amplify
the MC4R gene. The purified PCR products were sequenced in those had the highest
and lowest feed intake. Alignment of sequence data from each group revealed that
there is a variation detected in MC4R-1 at nucleotide 35 (T-G) (sense mutation)
and another variation was detected in MC4R-2 gene at nucleotide 19 (T-C) (sense
mutation) for high feed intake rabbits. These sense mutations lead to transform
some amino acids and cause a significant change of the MC4R function. The results
of average daily feed intake (ADFI) indicated that group (1) had significantly
higher feed intake than group (2) of V-line rabbits. The detected mutations and
the analysis of daily feed intake means revealed a significant association
between MC4R polymorphism and feed intake in rabbits.
PMID- 28990230
TI - Response of in ovo administration of zinc on egg hatchability and immune response
of commercial broiler chicken.
AB - An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of in ovo administration of
different forms of zinc with respect to hatchability and performance of
commercial broiler chicken. In trial 1, the fertile eggs on day 18 were divided
into six treatment groups: Group I as control without any supplementation of
zinc, group II to IV were supplemented with 0.5 mg zinc per egg as zinc sulphate,
zinc methionine or nano zinc, respectively, and Group V with nano zinc at 0.25 mg
zinc per egg. Sixth group received 0.5 ml citric acid per egg as sham control.
The results of the first trial indicated that in ovo administration of nano zinc
at both levels and zinc methionine resulted in complete failure of hatchability.
A second trial to validate the result of trial 1 consisted of Group I control (no
administration). Group II and Group III were supplemented with zinc sulphate and
zinc methionine, respectively, at 0.5 mg zinc per egg. Group IV and Group V were
supplemented with nano zinc at 0.04 and 0.08 mg per egg. In the second trial,
again there was a similar pattern for zinc sulphate and zinc methionine.
Administration of Zn by nano form had around 80% hatchability on fertile eggs in
comparison with the unadministered control eggs (92%). There was no difference (p
> .05) in body weight gain, feed intake and FCR. No difference (p > .05) was
observed between treatments for cell-mediated immune response and humoral immune
response. Nano Zn-administered group showed a non-significant downregulation of
MUC2 gene. It could be concluded that in ovo administration of higher levels of
zinc has to be with caution for the developing embryo of commercial broiler
chicken.
PMID- 28990231
TI - IFI16 restoration in hepatocellular carcinoma induces tumour inhibition via
activation of p53 signals and inflammasome.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Interferon-inducible 16 (IFI16) is known to involve in p53-dependent
tumour suppression and also the formation of inflammasome, which function,
however, remains controversy during carcinogenesis as a pattern recognition
receptor for tumour death-derived free DNA. In this study, we investigated the
anti-tumour role of IFI16 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND
METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma tissues (n = 20) and corresponding non
neoplastic tissues (n = 20) were collected to determine the expression of IFI16.
After the transfection of pcDNA3.1-IFI16 into Huh7 and SMMC7721 cells in vitro,
the influence of IFI16 overexpression on cell vitality, colony formation,
apoptosis and migration were analysed. The role effect of IFI16 in vivo was
further investigated. RESULTS: The expression of IFI16 was significantly
decreased in tumour tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of IFI16 induced
decrease of cell vitality, colony formation and increased apoptosis with impaired
ability of migration. Mechanistically, IFI16 could activate p53 at Ser15 to up
regulate the p21WAF1/CIP1 level to inhibit tumour growth and migration, which was
restored by the p53 inhibitor Pifithrin-alpha (20 MUmol/L). Moreover, IFI16
induced tumour cell death promoted the recruitment of inflammasome complex to
enhance tumour inhibition, but the caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK (50 MUmol/L)
could suppress this process in HCC. The results in vivo indicated that restored
expression of IFI16 in tumour cells effectively promote tumour regression, which
could be partly abrogated by the inhibition of activation of p53 signals or
induced inflammasome. CONCLUSION: IFI16 is a tumour suppressor in HCC via
activation of p53 signals and inflammasome.
PMID- 28990232
TI - Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Au-Polypyrrole Composites Using Poly(4
vinylpyridine) Brush Grafted on Graphene Oxide as a Reaction Chamber.
AB - Controlling the shape of the conducting polymer-noble metal composites is a key
factor in determining their properties and applications. In this paper, we
demonstrate a novel strategy to fabricate Au-polypyrrole (PPy) composites with
unusual morphology using poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) brush grafted on graphene
oxide (GO) as a reaction chamber. When the GO/P4VP brush bearing AuCl4- ions is
exposed to pyrrole vapor or directly immersed into pyrrole solution, novel Au-PPy
nanotubules and flower-like Au mesoparticles-PPy composites are formed on the
surface of GO/P4VP brush, respectively. The application of the as-prepared
GO/P4VP/Au-PPy composites in catalysis and surface-enhanced Raman scattering
(SERS) are investigated. The relevant results exhibit that the GO/P4VP/Au-PPy
nanotubules can act as an efficient catalyst for reduction of 4-nitrophenol, and
the GO/P4VP/flower-like Au mesoparticles-PPy composites can be used as a sensor
platform for the detection of organic molecules by SERS.
PMID- 28990233
TI - Molecular dynamics investigation of stereoselective inhibition mechanism of HIF
2alpha/ARNT heterodimer.
AB - Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are heterodimeric transcription factors related
with the onset and progression of solid tumors. Studies demonstrated a class of
tetrazole containing chiral inhibitors could stereoselectively disrupt the HIF-2
dimerization and reduce the target gene expression. However, the dynamical
features and structural motifs of the HIF-2 heterodimer caused by the binding of
enantiomers have not been rationalized at the atomistic level. In this work,
molecular dynamics (MD) simulations combined with adaptive steered MD (ASMD)
simulations were used to investigate stereoselective interrupting mechanism of
HIF-2. Our results decipher that the binding of ligand A (S, R)-24 begets the
significant conformation changes of beta-sheets and interrupts the HIF
2alpha/ARNT heterodimerization, which may be attributed to the disruption of the
hydrogen bond and salt bridge interactions formed by the 4 foremost residues
(Asp240, Arg247, Glu362, and Arg366) and the destruction of hydrophobic
interactions on the binding interface. By contrast, the binding of ligand B (R,
S)-24 does not disrupt protein dimerization and causes the motion of Falpha helix
in HIF-2alpha PAS-B domain to further change the major tunnel for ligand ingress
and engress. The present work provides important molecular-level insight into the
effect of the binding enantiomers on HIF-2 heterodimerization and bridges the gap
between theory and the experimental results, which may conduce to develop highly
potent antagonists for intervening the HIF-2-driven tumors.
PMID- 28990234
TI - Safety of Atrovent(r) CFC-free inhaler: respiratory events reported from an
observational cohort study in England.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify any unexpected clinical events
associated with starting the new CFC-free formulation of Atrovent(r) MDI in
general practice in England. METHODS: An active surveillance cohort study was
conducted with a focus on selected clinical events, including respiratory
symptoms, in past users of Atrovent(r) CFC MDI ('switchers') and Atrovent(r)
naive users. Incidence density rate ratios (with 99% confidence intervals) for
events occurring in the first 3 months of exposure (risk period-ID1-3 ) compared
to 3 months prior to starting treatment (reference period-IDR ) were calculated.
RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 13 211 patients (median age 70 years, 50.1%
female; 63.5% prior users of Atrovent(r) CFC MDI ('switchers')). Common
respiratory events occurred at higher rates after starting treatment than before
for switchers, for example lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) [ID1 /IDR =
1.45 (99% CI: 1.17, 1.81)] and worsening asthma [ID1 /IDR = 1.58 (99% CI: 1.00,
2.51)]. Of these events only LRTI was significant for Atrovent(r) naive patients
[ID1 /IDR = 1.42 (99% CI: 1.04, 1.95)]. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study
suggest effect modification of risk as a result of prior Atrovent(r) CFC MDI use.
Overall, Atrovent(r) CFC-free MDI appeared to be reasonably well tolerated in the
immediate postmarketing period and the safety profile appeared similar to that of
the CFC formulation.
PMID- 28990235
TI - Application of 1013 ohm Faraday cup current amplifiers for boron isotopic
analyses by solution mode and laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry.
AB - RATIONALE: Boron isotope ratios (delta11 B values) are used as a proxy for
seawater paleo-pH, amongst several other applications. The analytical precision
can be limited by the detection of low intensity ion beams from limited sample
amounts. High-gain amplifiers offer improvements in signal/noise ratio and can be
used to increase measurement precision and reduce sample amounts. METHODS: 1013
ohm amplifier technology has previously been applied to several radiogenic
systems, but has thus far not been applied to non-traditional stable isotopes.
Here we apply 1013 ohm amplifier technology for the measurement of boron isotope
ratios using solution mode MC-ICP-MS and laser ablation mode (LA-)MC-ICP-MS
techniques. Precision is shown for reference materials as well as for low-volume
foraminifera samples. RESULTS: The baseline uncertainty for a 0.1 pA 10 B+ ion
beam is reduced to <0.1 0/00 for a typical measurement period. The external
precision is better than 0.2 0/00 (2SD) for delta11 B measurements for solution
samples containing as little as 0.8 ng total boron. For in situ microanalyses
with LA-MC-ICP-MS, the external precision of 11 B/10 B from an in-house calcite
standard was 1 0/00 (2SD) for individual spot analyses, and 0.3 0/00 for the mean
of >=10 replicate spot analyses. CONCLUSIONS: 1013 ohm amplifier technology is
demonstrated to offer advantages for the determination of delta11 B values by
both MC-ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICP-MS for small samples of biogenic carbonates, such as
foraminifera shells. 1013 ohm amplifier technology will also be of benefit to
other non-traditional stable isotope measurements.
PMID- 28990236
TI - Spatial organization of silybin biosynthesis in milk thistle [Silybum marianum
(L.) Gaertn].
AB - Silymarin is a collection of compounds extracted from the medicinal herb milk
thistle, among which silybin is the major flavonolignan. However, the
biosynthesis pathway of silybin remains unclear. In this study, biomimetic
reactions demonstrated that silybin can be synthesized from coniferyl alcohol and
taxifolin by the action of peroxidase. The concentration profiles of silybin and
its precursors and RNA-Seq analysis of gene expression revealed that the amount
of taxifolin and the activity of peroxidase serve as the limiting factors in
silybin biosynthesis. Hierarchical clustering of the expression profile of genes
of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway distinguished flowers from other organs.
RNA-Seq revealed five candidates for the peroxidase involved in silybin
production, among which APX1 (ascorbate peroxidase 1) showed a distinct
peroxidase activity and the capacity to synthesize silybin. The spatial
organization of silybin biosynthesis in milk thistle was elucidated, which could
help our understanding of the biosynthesis of silybin and other flavonolignans.
PMID- 28990238
TI - Early onset canine generalized demodicosis.
PMID- 28990237
TI - Dereplication by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and Screening for Biological Activities of
Byrsonima Species (Malpighiaceae).
AB - INTRODUCTION: Byrsonima species have been used in the treatment of
gastrointestinal and gynecological inflammations, skin infections and snakebites.
Based on their biological activities, it is important to study other organisms
from this genus and to identify their metabolites. OBJECTIVES: To determine the
metabolic fingerprinting of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of four Byrsonima
species (B. intermedia, B. coccolobifolia, B. verbascifolia and B. sericea) by
HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and evaluate their in vitro antioxidant, anti-glycation, anti
inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antioxidant
activity was determined by DPPH, ABTS+ and ROO scavenging assays. Anti-glycation
activity was evaluated by the ability to inhibit the formation of advanced
glycation endproducts (AGEs). Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using a
murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264-7) in the presence of lipopolysaccharide
(LPS). Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitrite (NO2- ) production
were measured by ELISA and the Griess reaction, respectively. The compounds
present in the extracts were tentatively identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS.
RESULTS: The evaluation of the biological activities showed the potential of the
extracts. The activities were assigned to the presence of glycoside flavonoids
mainly derived from quercetin, quinic acid derivatives, gallic acid derivatives,
galloylquinic acids and proanthocyanidins. Two isomers of sinapic acid-O-hexoside
were described for the first time in a Byrsonima species. CONCLUSION: This
research contributes to the study of the genus, it is the first report of the
chemical composition of B. sericea and demonstrates the importance of the
dereplication process, allowing the identification of known compounds without
time-consuming procedures. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID- 28990239
TI - Tacrolimus therapy for dermal arteritis of the nasal philtrum refractory to
surgery and anti-inflammatory therapy (doxycycline/niacinamide and topical
fluocinolone) in a dog.
AB - BACKGROUND: Dermal arteritis of the nasal philtrum is a rarely reported condition
commonly affecting large breed dogs. OBJECTIVE: To describe the effective
treatment of nasal philtrum arteritis with topical tacrolimus in one dog. ANIMAL:
A 9-year-old, intact male German shorthair pointer dog was presented with well
demarcated deep erythematous ulcers targeting exclusively the skin of the nasal
philtrum, accompanied by frequent series of haemorrhage. METHODS: Complete blood
count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, histopathological examination and
immunohistochemistry of skin biopsies. RESULTS: The presence of a V-shaped ulcer
with subendothelial spindle cell proliferation resulting in stenosis of dermal
arteries and arterioles on histological evaluation, together with a well
demarcated deep nasal philtrum ulcer was consistent with arteritis of the nasal
philtrum. Treatment was initiated with twice daily oral doxycycline and
niacinamide in conjunction with topical fluocinolone cream. Over the course of
two years, the lesions progressed with frequent bleeding episodes. A novel
surgical approach provided deep resection of all grossly affected tissue; four
months later a recurrence of fissures and occasional mild bleeding from the
original site was noted and there was no improvement after another two months of
oral doxycycline/niacinamide and topical fluocinolone treatment. Topical
application of 0.1% tacrolimus twice daily resulted in complete healing of the
ulceration and normalization of the epidermis. Over the subsequent 15 months, the
dog's lesions remained in remission with topical tacrolimus application twice
daily. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Topical tacrolimus ointment appeared
effective at inducing and maintaining lesion remission in this dog with nasal
philtrum arteritis.
PMID- 28990240
TI - Reduced striato-cortical and inhibitory transcallosal connectivity in the motor
circuit of Huntington's disease patients.
AB - Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which is primarily
associated with striatal degeneration. However, the alterations in connectivity
of this structure in HD have been underinvestigated. In this study, we analyzed
the functional and structural connectivity of the left putamen, while
participants performed a finger-tapping task. Using fMRI and DW-MRI, 30 HD gene
expansion carriers (HDGEC) and 29 healthy participants were scanned.
Psychophysiological interaction analysis and DTI-based tractography were employed
to examine functional and structural connectivity, respectively. Manifest HDGEC
exhibited a reduced functional connectivity of the left putamen with the left and
the right primary sensorimotor areas (SM1). Based on this result, the inhibitory
functional connectivity between the left SM1 and the right SM1 was explored,
appearing to be also decreased. In addition, the tract connecting these areas
(motor corpus callosum), and the tract connecting the left putamen with the left
SM1 appeared disrupted in HDGEC compared to controls. Significant correlations
were found between measures of functional and structural connectivity of the
motor corpus callosum, showing a coupling of both types of alterations in this
tract. The observed reduction of functional and structural connectivity was
associated with worse motor scores, which highlights the clinical relevance of
these results. Hum Brain Mapp 39:54-71, 2018. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PMID- 28990241
TI - Clinically indicated replacement versus routine replacement of peripheral venous
catheters in adults: A nonblinded, cluster-randomized trial in China.
AB - AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of clinically
indicated peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) replacement intervals.
BACKGROUND: Peripheral intravenous catheters are used internationally, including
in China where PIVCs are routinely replaced every 72 to 96 hours. Despite some
recent international evidence showing such routine replacement is unnecessary,
developing countries such as China have no supporting data. METHOD: This cluster
randomized trial was conducted between December 2 and December 31, 2013, in 10
internal medicine wards and 10 surgery wards at a tertiary referral teaching
hospital in Xiamen, China. Patients were randomly divided into an experimental
group (PIVCs were replaced only when clinical indications appeared) and a control
group (PIVCs were routinely changed every 72-96 hours). Per-protocol analysis and
intention-to-treat analysis were used to analyse the data. Primary end point was
the incidence of phlebitis. RESULTS: This study analysed the data of 1198
patients (553 patients in the experimental group and 645 patients in the control
group). There were no catheter-related bloodstream infections or local infections
in the 2 groups. The 2 groups showed no statistically significant differences in
the incidence of phlebitis, catheter occlusion, infiltration, and accidental
removal. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically indicated PIVC replacement is feasible, and it
may reduce nursing staff workload and patient discomfort.
PMID- 28990242
TI - Blood utilization in revision versus first-time cardiac surgery: an update in the
era of patient blood management.
AB - BACKGROUND: Relative to first-time (primary) cardiac surgery, revision cardiac
surgery is associated with increased transfusion requirements, but studies
comparing these cohorts were performed before patient blood management (PBM) and
blood conservation measures were commonplace. The current study was performed as
an update to determine if this finding is still evident in the PBM era. STUDY
DESIGN AND METHODS: Primary and revision cardiac surgery cases were compared in a
retrospective database analysis at a single tertiary care referral center. Two
groups of patients were assessed: 1) those having isolated coronary artery bypass
(CAB) or valve surgery and 2) all other cardiac surgeries. Intraoperative and
whole hospital transfusion requirements were assessed for the four major blood
components. RESULTS: Compared to the primary cardiac surgery patients, the
revision surgery patients required approximately twofold more transfused units
intraoperatively (p < 0.0001) and approximately two- to threefold more transfused
units for the whole hospital stay (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative massive
transfusion (>10 red blood cell [RBC] units) was substantially more frequent with
revision versus primary cardiac surgery (2.6% vs. 0.1% [p < 0.0001] for isolated
CAB or valve and 6.1% vs. 1.9% [p < 0.0001] for all other cardiac surgeries).
Revision surgery was an independent risk factor for both moderate (6-10 RBC
units) and massive intraoperative transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In the era of PBM,
with restrictive transfusion strategies and a variety of methods for blood
conservation, revision cardiac surgery patients continue to have substantially
greater transfusion requirements relative to primary cardiac surgery patients.
This difference in transfusion requirement was greater than what has been
previously reported in the pre-PBM era.
PMID- 28990243
TI - MicroRNAs: A novel potential biomarker for diagnosis and therapy in patients with
non-small cell lung cancer.
AB - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is still one of the most serious causes of cancer-related
deaths all over the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are defined as small non-coding
RNAs which could play a pivotal role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene
expression. Increasing evidence demonstrated dysregulation of miRNA expression
associates with the development and progression of NSCLC. AIMS: To emphasize a
variety of tissue-specific miRNAs, circulating miRNAs and miRNA-derived exosomes
could be used as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in NSCLC
patients. MATERIALS & METHODS: In the current review, we paid attention to the
significant discoveries of preclinical and clinical studies, which performed on
tissue-specific miRNA, circulating miRNA and exosomal miRNA. The related studies
were obtained through a systematic search of Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase.
RESULTS: A variety of tissue-specific miRNAs and circulating miRNAs with high
sensitivity and specificity which could be used as potential diagnostic and
therapeutic biomarkers in NSCLC patients. In addition, we emphasize that the
miRNA-derived exosomes become novel diagnostic biomarkers potentially in these
patients with NSCLC. CONCLUSION: MiRNAs have emerged as non-coding RNAs, which
have potential to be candidates for the diagnosis and therapy of NSCLC.
PMID- 28990244
TI - A comparison of two tools to screen potentially inappropriate medication in
internal medicine patients.
AB - WHAT IS KNOWN: Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is an important issue
for inpatient management; it has been associated with safety problems, such as
increases in adverse drugs events, and with longer hospital stays and higher
healthcare costs. OBJECTIVE: To compare two PIM-screening tools-STOPP/START and
PIM-Check-applied to internal medicine patients. A second objective was to
compare the use of PIMs in readmitted and non-readmitted patients. METHOD: A
retrospective observational study, in the general internal medicine ward of a
Swiss non-university hospital. We analysed a random sample of 50 patients,
hospitalized in 2013, whose readmission within 30 days of discharge had been
potentially preventable, and compared them to a sample of 50 sex- and age-matched
patients who were not readmitted. PIMs were screened using the STOPP/START tool,
developed for geriatric patients, and the PIM-Check tool, developed for internal
medicine patients. The time needed to perform each patient's analysis was
measured. A clinical pharmacist counted and evaluated each PIM detected, based on
its clinical relevance to the individual patient's case. The rates of screened
and validated PIMs involving readmitted and non-readmitted patients were
compared. RESULTS: Across the whole population, PIM-Check and STOPP/START
detected 1348 and 537 PIMs, respectively, representing 13.5 and 5.4 PIMs/patient.
Screening time was substantially shorter with PIM-Check than with STOPP/START (4
vs 10 minutes, respectively). The clinical pharmacist judged that 45% and 42% of
the PIMs detected using PIM-Check and STOPP/START, respectively, were clinically
relevant to individual patients' cases. No significant differences in the rates
of detected and clinically relevant PIM were found between readmitted and non
readmitted patients. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Internal medicine patients are
frequently prescribed PIMs. PIM-Check's PIM detection rate was three times higher
than STOPP/START's, and its screening time was shorter thanks to its electronic
interface. Nearly half of the PIMs detected were judged to be non-clinically
relevant, however, potentially overalerting the prescriber. These tools can,
nevertheless, be considered useful in daily practice. Furthermore, the relevance
of any PIM detected by these tools should always be carefully evaluated within
the clinical context surrounding the individual patient.
PMID- 28990245
TI - Effects of exposure to six chemical ultraviolet filters commonly used in personal
care products on motility of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells in
vitro.
AB - Benzophenone (BP)-1, BP-2, BP-3, octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC), 4
methylbenzilidenecamphor and homosalate are added to personal care products to
absorb ultraviolet light. Their presence in human milk and their oestrogenic
activity suggests a potential to influence breast cancer development. As
metastatic tumour spread is the main cause of breast cancer mortality, we have
investigated the effects of these compounds on migration and invasion of human
breast cancer cell lines. Increased motility of oestrogen-responsive MCF-7 human
breast cancer cells was observed after long-term exposure (>20 weeks) to each of
the six compounds at >=10-7 m concentrations using three independent assay
systems (scratch assay, live cell imaging, xCELLigence technology) and increased
invasive activity was observed through matrigel using the xCELLigence system.
Increased motility of oestrogen-unresponsive MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells
was observed after 15 weeks of exposure to each of the six compounds by live cell
imaging and xCELLigence technology, implying the increased migratory activity was
not confined to oestrogen-responsive cells. Molecular mechanisms varied between
compounds and cell lines. Using MCF-7 cells, reduction in E-cadherin was observed
following 24 weeks' exposure to 10-5 m BP-1 and 10-5 m homosalate, and
reduction in beta-catenin was noted following 24 weeks' exposure to 10-5 m OMC.
Using MDA-MB-231 cells, increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 were
observed after 15 weeks exposure to 10-7 m OMC and 10-7 m 4
methylbenzilidenecamphor. Although molecular mechanisms differ, these results
demonstrate that exposure to any of these six compounds can increase migration
and invasion of human breast cancer cells.
PMID- 28990246
TI - Excited Delirium: A Systematic Review.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clarify the definition, epidemiology, and pathophysiology
of excited delirium syndrome (ExDS) and to summarize evidence-based treatment
recommendations. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of MEDLINE,
Ovid, Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane Library for articles published to March 18,
2017. We also searched the gray literature (Google Scholar) and official police
or medical expert reports to complete specific epidemiologic data. Search results
and full-text articles were independently assessed by two investigators and
agreements between reviewers assessed with K statistics. We classified articles
by study type, setting, and evidence level. RESULTS: After reviewing the title
and abstract of 3,604 references, we fully reviewed 284 potentially relevant
references, from which 66 were selected for final review. Six contributed to the
definition of ExDS, 24 to its epidemiology, 38 to its pathophysiology, and 27 to
its management. The incidence of ExDS varies widely with medical or medicolegal
context. Mortality is estimated to be as much as 8.3% to 16.5%. Patients are
predominantly male. Male sex, young age, African-American race, and being
overweight are independent risk factors. Pathophysiology hypotheses mostly
implicate dopaminergic pathways. Most cases occur with psychostimulant use or
among psychiatric patients or both. Proposed treatments are symptomatic, often
with rapid sedation with benzodiazepines or antipsychotic agents. Ketamine is
suggested as an alternative. CONCLUSION: The overall quality of studies was poor.
A universally recognized definition is lacking, remaining mostly syndromic and
based on clinical subjective criteria. High mortality rate may be due to
definition inconsistency and reporting bias. Our results suggest that ExDS is a
real clinical entity that still kills people and that has probably specific
mechanisms and risk factors. No comparative study has been performed to conclude
whether one treatment approach is preferable to another in the case of ExDS.
PMID- 28990247
TI - Click and Click-Inspired Chemistry for the Design of Sequence-Controlled
Polymers.
AB - During the previous decade, many popular chemical reactions used in the area of
"click" chemistry and similarly efficient "click-inspired" reactions have been
applied for the design of sequence-defined and, more generally, sequence
controlled structures. This combination of topics has already made quite a
significant impact on scientific research to date and has enabled the synthesis
of highly functionalized and complex oligomeric and polymeric structures, which
offer the prospect of many exciting further developments and applications in the
near future. This minireview highlights the fruitful combination of these two
topics for the preparation of sequence-controlled oligomeric and macromolecular
structures and showcases the vast number of publications in this field within a
relatively short span of time. It is divided into three sections according to the
click-(inspired) reaction that has been applied: copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne
cycloaddition, thiol-X, and related thiolactone-based reactions, and finally
Diels-Alder-chemistry-based routes are outlined, respectively.
PMID- 28990248
TI - Exploring the collaboration between formal and informal care from the
professional perspective-A thematic synthesis.
AB - In Dutch policy and at the societal level, informal caregivers are ideally seen
as essential team members when creating, together with professionals, co
ordinated support plans for the persons for whom they care. However,
collaboration between professionals and informal caregivers is not always
effective. This can be explained by the observation that caregivers and
professionals have diverse backgrounds and frames of reference regarding
providing care. This thematic synthesis sought to examine and understand how
professionals experience collaboration with informal caregivers to strengthen the
care triad. PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane/Central and CINAHL were
searched systematically until May 2015, using specific key words and inclusion
criteria. Twenty-two articles were used for thematic synthesis. Seven themes
revealed different reflections by professionals illustrating the complex, multi
faceted and dynamic interface of professionals and informal care. Working in
collaboration with informal caregivers requires professionals to adopt a
different way of functioning. Specific attention should be paid to the informal
caregiver, where the focus now is mainly on the client for whom they care. This
is difficult to attain due to different restrictions experienced by professionals
on policy and individual levels. Specific guidelines and training for the
professionals are necessary in the light of the current policy changes in the
Netherlands, where an increased emphasis is placed on informal care structures.
PMID- 28990249
TI - Berberine inhibits the chemotherapy-induced repopulation by suppressing the
arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and phosphorylation of FAK in ovarian cancer.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Cytotoxic chemotherapy is an effective and traditional treatment of
ovarian cancer. However, chemotherapy-induced apoptosis may also trigger and
ultimately accelerate the repopulation of the small number of adjacent surviving
cells. This study mainly focused on the tumour cell repopulation caused by
chemotherapy in ovarian cancer and the adjunctive/synergistic effect of Berberine
on the prevention of tumour repopulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The transwell
system was used to mimic the co-culture of surviving ovarian cancer cells in the
microenvironment of cytotoxic chemotherapy-treated dying cells. Tumour cell
proliferation was observed by crystal violet staining. AA and PGE2 levels were
measured by ELISA, and changes of protein expression were analysed by Western
blot. RESULTS: Chemotherapy drug VP16 treatment triggered AA pathway, leading to
the elevated PGE2 level, and ultimately enhanced the repopulation of ovarian
cancer cells. Berberine can block the caspase 3-iPLA2 -AA-COX-2-PGE2 pathway by
inhibiting the expression of iPLA2 and COX-2. Berberine can also reverse the
increased phosphorylation of FAK caused by abnormal PGE2 level and thus reverse
the repopulation of ovarian cancer cells after VP16 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our
observation suggested that Berberine could inhibit the chemotherapy-induced
repopulation of ovarian cancer cells by suppressing the AA pathway and
phosphorylation of FAK. And these findings implicated a novel combined use of
Berberine and chemotherapeutics, which might prevent ovarian cancer recurrence by
abrogating early tumour repopulation.
PMID- 28990250
TI - Galectin-3 is Persistently Increased in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and
Associates with Anti-CCP Seropositivity and MRI Bone Lesions, While Early
Fibrosis Markers Correlate with Disease Activity.
AB - Galectin-3 has been suggested as a pro-inflammatory mediator in animal arthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to study the serum level of galectin-3 in
patients with newly diagnosed RA and associations with disease profile, Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) findings and seromarkers of synovial matrix inflammation.
One hundred and sixty DMARD naive patients newly diagnosed with RA were included
(CIMESTRA study). Clinical, serological and imaging data were recorded before
treatment and at 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months. Galectin-3 and hyaluronan (HYA) were
measured by ELISA (R&D and Corgenix, USA), and the N-terminal propeptide of type
III collagen (PIIINP) by radioimmunoassay (Orion Diagnostica, Finland). One
hundred and nineteen, 87 and 60 blood donors served as controls for galectin-3,
HYA and PIIINP, respectively. Baseline galectin-3 was significantly elevated in
anti-CCP positive (4.2 MUg/l IQR [3.6;6.1]) patients as compared with anti-CCP
negatives (4.0 MUg/l [2.6;4.9], P = 0.05) and controls (3.8 MUg/l [3.0;4.8], P <
0.01). During treatment, galectin-3 remained elevated, but increased transiently
with peak values at 6 weeks. Galectin-3 correlated with baseline smoking, anti
CCP, and with MRI erosion score after 1 year of follow-up. HYA and PIIINP were
elevated (P < 0.001) irrespective of anti-CCP status and correlated positively
with synovitis assessed clinically and by MRI. HYA and PIIINP did not correlate
with galectin-3. These observations indicate that HYA and PIIINP mainly reflect
expansive synovitis proliferation while galectin-3 is more closely linked to
autoimmunity, smoking and joint destructive processes.
PMID- 28990251
TI - Waist-to-calf circumstance ratio is an independent predictor of hepatic steatosis
and fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although a combination of central obesity and decreased
skeletal muscle mass has been associated with various cardiometabolic disorders,
its influence on the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in
type 2 diabetes (T2D) is unclear. We investigated whether waist-to-calf
circumference ratio (WCR) predicts NAFLD or hepatic fibrosis in T2D. METHODS:
Patients with T2D (n = 5507) were enrolled in this study. Hepatic steatosis was
diagnosed using abdominal ultrasound and predicting score. NAFLD was defined as
'hepatic steatosis absent other causes of chronic liver disease,' such as virus
or alcoholism. Degree of hepatic fibrosis was calculated using non-invasive serum
biomarker-based models. Insulin resistance was assessed by short insulin
tolerance test. RESULTS: The prevalence of NAFLD and obesity (BMI >= 25 kg/m2 ,
Asian definition) were 46.4% and 38.9%, respectively. NAFLD prevalence was higher
with increasing WCR tertiles: lowest tertile (36% in men, 28% in women) versus
highest tertile (53.8% in men, 58.2% in women, both P < 0.001 after
stratification by insulin resistance status. Increasing WCR tertiles were
independently associated with presence of NAFLD: odds ratio (OR) = 1.43, 95%
confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-1.68 and OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.31-1.86, in the
middle and highest tertiles, respectively. Furthermore, patients with NAFLD and
the highest WCR tertile had significant fibrosis (OR = 8.62, 95% CI = 1.39-53.36,
P = 0.021). Also, WCR was correlated with risk of sarcopenia (OR = 3.18, 95% CI =
2.50-4.05, P < 0.001, highest tertile). CONCLUSIONS: Higher WCR is associated
with increased risk of NAFLD and hepatic fibrosis independent of insulin
resistance. This suggests that WCR may be a useful index to predict high risk of
hepatic steatosis in T2D.
PMID- 28990252
TI - Differential brainstem atrophy patterns in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis
optica spectrum disorders.
AB - BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
(NMOSD) are central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory demyelinating disorders. It
is clinically important to distinguish MS from NMOSD, as treatment and prognosis
differ. Brainstem involvement is common in both disorders. PURPOSE: To
investigate whether the patterns of brainstem atrophy on volumetric analysis in
MS and NMOSD were different and correlated with clinical disability. STUDY TYPE:
Case-control cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: In all, 17 MS, 13 NMOSD, and 18
healthy control (HC) subjects were studied. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: T1 -weighted
and T2 w spin-echo images were acquired with a 3T scanner. ASSESSMENT:
Semiautomated segmentation and volumetric measurement of brainstem regions were
performed. Anatomical information was obtained from whole brain T1 w images using
a 3D magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (MPRAGE) imaging sequence
(TR/TE/T: 7.0/3.2/800 msec, voxel size: 1 * 1 * 1 mm3 , scan time: 10 min 41
sec). STATISTICAL TESTS: Independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, partial
correlation, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics
were similar across the three groups, without significant difference in disease
duration (P = 0.354) and EDSS score (P = 0.159) between MS and NMOSD subjects.
Compared to HC, MS subjects had significantly smaller normalized whole brainstem
(-5.2%, P = 0.027), midbrain (-8.3%, P = 0.0001), and pons volumes (-5.9%, P =
0.048), while only the normalized medulla volume was significantly smaller in
NMOSD subjects compared to HC (-8.5% vs. HC, P = 0.024). Normalized midbrain
volume was significantly smaller in MS compared to NMOSD subjects (-5.0%, P =
0.014), whereas normalized medulla volume was significantly smaller in NMOSD
compared to MS subjects (-8.1%, P = 0.032). Partial correlations and multiple
regression analysis revealed that smaller normalized whole brainstem, pons, and
medulla oblongata volumes were associated with greater disability on the Expanded
Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Functional System Score (FSS)-brainstem and FSS
cerebellar in NMOSD subjects. DATA CONCLUSION: Differential patterns of brainstem
atrophy were observed, with the midbrain being most severely affected followed by
pons in MS, whereas only the medulla oblongata was affected in NMOSD. LEVEL OF
EVIDENCE: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1601
1609.
PMID- 28990253
TI - The meaning of empowerment within Italian nursing care settings.
AB - AIM: To examine the current state of empowerment of nurses in Italy. BACKGROUND:
Empowerment is a broad concept that is also relevant to the field of nursing
practice. Its comprehension and use are important because empowerment allows
nurses to take control of their own practice. A clear understanding of
empowerment is necessary for nurses to take advantage of this important tool.
DESIGN: Focus groups were conducted. METHODS: A literature review was performed,
and two focus groups were selected between January and February 2014. RESULTS:
Sixteen nurses participated in the research. Empowerment is seen as being
strongly connected to autonomy and is not associated with power, as the word
itself suggests. Italian nurses define empowerment as the creation of conditions
that help to establish the possibility for people to develop and express their
value and potential. CONCLUSIONS: Empowerment is defined as a condition in which
the individual nurse takes control of his/her own practice and thereby provides
awareness and confidence to a group. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Italian
nurses need to feel appreciated and supported by their own organisations. If
warranted, empowerment would allow them to contribute to enhance care, which is
the core of the nursing profession.
PMID- 28990254
TI - Endoscope-assisted resection of thyroglossal duct cysts via a submaxillary
vestibular approach.
AB - BACKGROUND: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) are usually resected through an
incision over the entire protruding zone. The resulting scar is aesthetically
displeasing, so we explored the use of endoscope-assisted excision of TDCs via a
submaxillary vestibular approach. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate
the feasibility, validity, and safety of this approach and to evaluate the follow
up results. METHODS: From January 2007 to August 2015, 16 patients with TDCs
underwent surgical resection using a submaxillary vestibular approach. RESULTS:
All procedures were successfully performed using endoscope-assisted surgery via a
submaxillary vestibular approach. There were no postoperative complications and
no conversions of the operation. The average follow-up period was 73 months
(range 14-117 months) without recurrence. All patients and their families were
satisfied with the cosmetic results. CONCLUSION: Endoscope-assisted excision of
TDCs using a submaxillary vestibular approach is feasible and can be applied
effectively and safely with good cosmetic results. Therefore, this method should
be considered a viable alternative approach for these patients.
PMID- 28990256
TI - Corrigendum.
PMID- 28990255
TI - Role of surgery in the treatment of osteoradionecrosis and its complications
after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of surgery for
patients with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal
carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Between 2000 and 2016, we identified 162 patients with
skull base ORN, among which 58 patients required surgery. A retrospective medical
chart review was performed and the indications and results of surgical
interventions were recorded. RESULTS: All surgeries were performed for the
treatment of secondary complications of ORN, including central nervous system
(CNS) infection (48.4%), blowout bleeding (24.1%), and severe pain (17.2%).
Endoscopic debridement was done in 12 patients, whereas the rest required either
maxillary swing or mandibulotomy, depending on the location of the necrosis. The
majority of the patients required free vastus lateralis flap (72.5%) for
reconstruction. Surgery was effective in the control of infection, bleeding, and
pain. Multivariate analysis identified reirradiation and bone exposure on MRI as
the significant independent risk factors predicting the future need of surgery.
CONCLUSION: Surgery is effective in the treatment of secondary complications of
skull base ORN after previous radiotherapy for NPC.
PMID- 28990257
TI - Validation of the eighth edition American Joint Committee on Cancer staging
system for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer.
AB - BACKGROUND: The eighth edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging
manual includes major changes in staging of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). We
evaluated the new staging system in order to validate this shift in
classification. METHODS: We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify
patients with human papillomavirus-associated (HPV-positive) OPC from 2010-2013.
We restaged patients using the eighth edition guidelines and compared them with
those from the seventh edition. We calculated stage-specific overall survival and
concordance indices. RESULTS: We identified 15 116 patients with a median follow
up period of 29.1 months. Clinical and pathological staging changed for 93.9% and
91.7% of patients, respectively. Survival concordance indices for both clinical
(0.621-0.656) and pathological (0.640-0.663) staging were improved in the eighth
edition compared to the seventh edition. CONCLUSION: The eighth edition
guidelines have profoundly altered staging of HPV-positive OPC and seem to
demonstrate improved survival discrimination.
PMID- 28990259
TI - Isolation and screening of rare Actinobacteria, a new insight for finding natural
products with antivascular calcification activity.
AB - AIM: Vascular calcification (VC) is a significant pathological process in some
life-threatening diseases. Several pathological mechanisms, including
transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells to osteoblast-like cells and
apoptosis are involved in VC. Compounds with an inhibitory effect on these
processes are potentially efficient medications. In consideration of the multiple
biological activities of Actinobacteria, this research was aimed at finding anti
VC metabolite-producing Actinobacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: After the isolation
and identification of Actinobacteria, the effect of their fermentation broth
extracts on the apoptosis rate was measured using various methods, for example,
ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining, DNA laddering and diphenylamine
assays. The effect of the most effective fermentation broth extract of
Actinobacteria (FBEA) on the mRNA expression of runt-related transcription factor
2 (Runx2) and osteopontin (OPN) was examined. Finally, the most effective FBEA
was fractionated and the chemical composition of anti-VC fractions was analysed
using GC-MS. Various VC inhibition rates were observed in the tested FBEA (20 MUg
ml-1 ; 17.9-60.15%). The inhibition of DNA fragmentation was 7-48%. The FBE with
the greatest anticalcification activity belonged to Kribbella sp. UTMC 267 and,
according to 16S rRNA analysis, Kribbella sancticallisti with a similarity of
98.53% is its nearest neighbour. The FBE of Kribbella sp. UTMC 267 reduced Runx2
mRNA expression by 2.95-fold and OPN mRNA expression by 28.57-fold, both of which
are considered significant (P < 0.05). Finally, GC-MS analysis showed the
existence of potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammation agents in FBE of
Kribbella sp. UTMC 267. CONCLUSIONS: Actinobacterial metabolites can provide a
new strategy for treating VC diseases by reducing the expression of osteogenic
genes, the apoptosis rate and oxidative stress. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE
STUDY: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of Kribbella sp.
metabolites and Actinobacteria as a new natural source for drug discovery
programs in the nonantibiotic bioactivity field.
PMID- 28990260
TI - Combining Charge-Transfer Pathways to Achieve Unique Thermally Activated Delayed
Fluorescence Emitters for High-Performance Solution-Processed, Non-doped Blue
OLEDs.
AB - Two efficient blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence compounds, B-oCz and
B-oTC, composed of ortho-donor (D)-acceptor (A) arrangement were designed and
synthesized. The significant intramolecular D-A interactions induce a combined
charge transfer pathway and thus achieve small DeltaEST and high efficiencies.
The concentration quenching can be effectively inhibited in films of these
compounds. The blue non-doped organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on B
oTC prepared from solution processes shows record-high external quantum
efficiency (EQE) of 19.1 %.
PMID- 28990258
TI - Baseline connectome modular abnormalities in the childhood phase of a
longitudinal study on individuals with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
AB - Occurring in at least 1 in 3,000 live births, chromosome 22q11.2 deletion
syndrome (22q11DS) produces a complex phenotype that includes a constellation of
medical complications such as congenital cardiac defects, immune deficiency,
velopharyngeal dysfunction, and characteristic facial dysmorphic features. There
is also an increased incidence of psychiatric diagnosis, especially intellectual
disability and ADHD in childhood, lifelong anxiety, and a strikingly high rate of
schizophrenia spectrum disorders, which occur in around 30% of adults with
22q11DS. Using innovative computational connectomics, we studied how 22q11DS
affects high-level network signatures of hierarchical modularity and its
intrinsic geometry in 55 children with confirmed 22q11DS and 27 Typically
Developing (TD) children. Results identified 3 subgroups within our 22q11DS
sample using a K-means clustering approach based on several midline structural
measures-of-interests. Each subgroup exhibited distinct patterns of connectome
abnormalities. Subtype 1, containing individuals with generally healthy-looking
brains, exhibited no significant differences in either modularity or intrinsic
geometry when compared with TD. By contrast, the more anomalous 22q11DS Subtypes
2 and 3 brains revealed significant modular differences in the right hemisphere,
while Subtype 3 (the most anomalous anatomy) further exhibited significantly
abnormal connectome intrinsic geometry in the form of left-right temporal
disintegration. Taken together, our findings supported an overall picture of (a)
anterior-posteriorly differential interlobar frontotemporal/frontoparietal
dysconnectivity in Subtypes 2 and 3 and (b) differential intralobar
dysconnectivity in Subtype 3. Our ongoing studies are focusing on whether these
subtypes and their connnectome signatures might be valid biomarkers for
predicting the degree of psychosis-proneness risk found in 22q11DS. Hum Brain
Mapp 39:232-248, 2018. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PMID- 28990262
TI - Effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the body temperature
of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions.
AB - Feed intake and diet composition appear to affect the body temperature of pigs.
Two trials were conducted to analyse the effect of feed intake level and dietary
protein content on the intestinal temperature (IT) of pigs housed under thermo
neutral conditions. Ten pigs (64.1 +/- 1.3 kg initial body weight) fitted with an
ileal cannula were used. A thermometer set to register the IT at 5-min intervals
was implanted into the ileum through the cannula. In both trials, the ambient
temperature ranged from 19.1 to 21.6 degrees C and the pigs were fed at 07:00 and
19:00 hr (same amount each time). In trial 1, the pigs were fed daily 1.2 or 1.8
kg of a wheat-soybean meal diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along a 24-hr
period regardless the feed intake level. The IT rapidly increased up to 0.61 and
0.74 degrees C after the morning meal and up to 0.53 and 0.47 degrees C after the
evening meal in pigs fed 1.2 and 1.8 kg/d respectively. The postprandial IT was
higher in pigs fed 1.8 kg after each meal (p < .05). In trial 2, pigs were fed
daily 1.8 kg of a low (11%) or a high (22%) crude protein diet. The IT followed a
similar pattern along the 24-hr period regardless the dietary protein level. The
postprandial IT did not differ between pigs fed the low protein or the high
protein (p > .10). The IT rapidly increased up to 0.66 and 0.62 degrees C after
the morning meal in pigs fed the high- and low-protein diet (p < .05), but there
was no change after the evening meal (p > .10). In conclusion, the feed intake
level affected the IT of pigs housed under TN conditions, but the dietary protein
content had no effect.
PMID- 28990261
TI - Heated air humidification versus cold air nebulization in newly tracheostomized
patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: After tracheostomy, the airway lacks an essential mechanism for
warming and humidifying the inspired air with the consequent functional
impairment and discomfort. The purpose of this study was to compare airway
hydration with cold-air nebulization versus heated high-flow humidification on
medical interventions and tracheal ciliary beat frequency (CBF). METHODS: Newly
tracheostomized patients (n = 20) were treated either with cold-air nebulization
or heated humidification. The number of required tracheal suctioning procedures
to clean the trachea and tracheal CBF were assessed. RESULTS: The number of
required suctions per day was significantly lower in the heated humidification
group with medians 3 versus 5 times per day. Mean CBF was significantly higher in
the heated humidification group (6.36 +/- 1.49 Hz) compared to the cold-air
nebulization group (3.99 +/- 1.39 Hz). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that heated
humidification enhanced mucociliary transport leading to a reduced number of
required suctioning procedures in the trachea, which may improve postoperative
patient care.
PMID- 28990263
TI - Early aspirin initiation following heart transplantation is associated with
reduced risk of allograft vasculopathy during long-term follow-up.
AB - AIM: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major cause of morbidity and
mortality after heart transplantation (HT). Enhanced platelet reactivity is a
contributing factor. We aimed to investigate the association between early
initiation of aspirin therapy post-HT and the 15-year risk of the development of
CAV. METHODS: We studied 206 patients who underwent HT between 1991 and 2016.
Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was employed to
evaluate the association between early aspirin initiation and the long-term risk
of CAV. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients (47%) received aspirin therapy. At 15
years of follow-up, the rate of CAV was lowered by sixfold in patients treated
with aspirin compared with the non-treated patients: 7% vs 37% (log-rank P
value<.001). The corresponding rates of the combined end-point of CAV or death
were also lower in patients treated with aspirin, compared with the non-treated
patients: 42% vs 78% (log-rank P < .001). Consistently, multivariate analysis
showed that early aspirin therapy was associated with a significant 84% (P <
.001) reduction in CAV risk, and with a corresponding 68% (P < .0001) reduction
in the risk of the combined end-point of CAV or death. We further validated these
results using a propensity score-adjusted Cox model. CONCLUSIONS: Early aspirin
initiation is independently associated with a significant reduction in the risk
of CAV.
PMID- 28990265
TI - Physical activity interventions are delivered consistently across hospitalized
older adults but multimorbidity is associated with poorer rehabilitation
outcomes: A population-based cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Older adults live with multimorbidity including frailty and cognitive
impairment often requiring hospitalization. While physical activity interventions
(PAIs) are a normal rehabilitative treatment, their clinical effect in
hospitalized older adults is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To observe PAI dosing
characteristics and determine their impact on clinical performance parameters.
DESIGN: A single-site prospective observational cohort study in an older persons'
unit. SUBJECTS: Seventy-five older persons' unit patients >=65 years.
INTERVENTION: PAI; therapeutic contact between physiotherapy clinician and
patient. MEASUREMENTS: Parameters included changes in activities-of-daily-living
(Barthel Index), handgrip strength, balance confidence, and gait velocity,
measured between admission and discharge (episode). Dosing characteristics were
PAI temporal initiation, frequency, and duration. Frailty/cognition status was
dichotomized independently per participant yielding 4 subgroups: frail/nonfrail
and cognitively-impaired/cognitively-unimpaired. RESULTS: Median (interquartile
range) PAI initiation occurred after 2 days (1-4), frequency was 0.4 PAIs per day
(0.3-0.5), and PAI duration per episode was 3.75 hours (1.8-7.2). All clinical
parameters improved significantly across episodes: grip strength median
(interquartile range) change, 2.0 kg (0.0-2.3) (P < .01); Barthel Index, 5 (3-8)
(P < .01); gait velocity, 0.06 m.?s-1 (0.06-0.16) (P < .01); and balance
confidence, -3 (-6 to -1) (P < .01). Physical activity intervention dosing
remained consistent within subgroups. While several moderate to large
associations between amount of PAIs and change in clinical parameters were
observed, most were within unimpaired subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: PAI dosing is
consistent. However, while clinical changes during hospital episodes are
positive, more favourable responses to PAIs occur if patients are
nonfrail/cognitively-unimpaired. Therefore, to deliver a personalized
rehabilitation approach, adaptation of PAI dose based on patient presentation is
desirable.
PMID- 28990264
TI - Consistency of magnetoencephalographic functional connectivity and network
reconstruction using a template versus native MRI for co-registration.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Studies using functional connectivity and network analyses based on
magnetoencephalography (MEG) with source localization are rapidly emerging in
neuroscientific literature. However, these analyses currently depend on the
availability of costly and sometimes burdensome individual MR scans for co
registration. We evaluated the consistency of these measures when using a
template MRI, instead of native MRI, for the analysis of functional connectivity
and network topology. METHODS: Seventeen healthy participants underwent resting
state eyes-closed MEG and anatomical MRI. These data were projected into source
space using an atlas-based peak voxel and a centroid beamforming approach either
using (1) participants' native MRIs or (2) the Montreal Neurological Institute's
template. For both methods, time series were reconstructed from 78 cortical atlas
regions. Relative power was determined in six classical frequency bands per
region and globally averaged. Functional connectivity (phase lag index) between
each pair of regions was calculated. The adjacency matrices were then used to
reconstruct functional networks, of which regional and global metrics were
determined. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated and Bland-Altman
plots were made to quantify the consistency and potential bias of the use of
template versus native MRI. RESULTS: Co-registration with the template yielded
largely consistent relative power, connectivity, and network estimates compared
to native MRI. DISCUSSION: These findings indicate that there is no (systematic)
bias or inconsistency between template and native MRI co-registration of MEG.
They open up possibilities for retrospective and prospective analyses to MEG
datasets in the general population that have no native MRIs available. Hum Brain
Mapp, 2017. (c) 2017 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley
Periodicals, Inc. Hum Brain Mapp 39:104-119, 2018. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals,
Inc.
PMID- 28990266
TI - Nickel-Catalyzed Cyanation of Aryl Chlorides and Triflates Using Butyronitrile:
Merging Retro-hydrocyanation with Cross-Coupling.
AB - We describe a nickel-catalyzed cyanation reaction of aryl (pseudo)halides that
employs butyronitrile as a cyanating reagent instead of highly toxic cyanide
salts. A dual catalytic cycle merging retro-hydrocyanation and cross-coupling
enables the conversion of a broad array of aryl chlorides and aryl/vinyl
triflates into their corresponding nitriles. This new reaction provides a
strategically distinct approach to the safe preparation of aryl cyanides, which
are essential compounds in agrochemistry and medicinal chemistry.
PMID- 28990267
TI - The role of identity in committing acts of violent extremism - and in desisting
from them.
PMID- 28990268
TI - Extended suicide.
PMID- 28990269
TI - Sexual behaviour in preschool children in the context of intraparental violence
and sexual coercion.
PMID- 28990270
TI - Impact of low alcohol verbal descriptors on perceived strength: An experimental
study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Low alcohol labels are a set of labels that carry descriptors such as
'low' or 'lighter' to denote alcohol content in beverages. There is growing
interest from policymakers and producers in lower strength alcohol products.
However, there is a lack of evidence on how the general population perceives
verbal descriptors of strength. The present research examines consumers'
perceptions of strength (% ABV) and appeal of alcohol products using low or high
alcohol verbal descriptors. DESIGN: A within-subjects experimental study in which
participants rated the strength and appeal of 18 terms denoting low (nine terms),
high (eight terms) and regular (one term) strengths for either (1) wine or (2)
beer according to drinking preference. METHODS: Thousand six hundred adults (796
wine and 804 beer drinkers) sampled from a nationally representative UK panel.
RESULTS: Low, Lower, Light, Lighter, and Reduced formed a cluster and were rated
as denoting lower strength products than Regular, but higher strength than the
cluster with intensifiers consisting of Extra Low, Super Low, Extra Light, and
Super Light. Similar clustering in perceived strength was observed amongst the
high verbal descriptors. Regular was the most appealing strength descriptor, with
the low and high verbal descriptors using intensifiers rated least appealing.
CONCLUSIONS: The perceived strength and appeal of alcohol products diminished the
more the verbal descriptors implied a deviation from Regular. The implications of
these findings are discussed in terms of policy implications for lower strength
alcohol labelling and associated public health outcomes. Statement of
contribution What is already known about this subject? Current UK and EU
legislation limits the number of low strength verbal descriptors and the
associated alcohol by volume (ABV) to 1.2% ABV and lower. There is growing
interest from policymakers and producers to extend the range of lower strength
alcohol products above the current cap of 1.2% ABV set out in national
legislation. There is a lack of evidence on how the general population perceives
verbal descriptors of alcohol product strength (both low and high). What does
this study add? Verbal descriptors of lower strength wine and beer form two
clusters and effectively communicate reduced alcohol content. Low, Lower, Light,
Lighter, and Reduced were considered lower in strength than Regular (average %
ABV). Descriptors using intensifiers (Extra Low, Super Low, Extra Light, and
Super Light) were considered lowest in strength. Similar clustering in perceived
strength was observed amongst the high verbal descriptors. The appeal of alcohol
products reduced the more the verbal descriptors implied a deviation from
Regular.
PMID- 28990271
TI - In Situ GIWAXS Analysis of Solvent and Additive Effects on PTB7 Thin Film
Microstructure Evolution during Spin Coating.
AB - The influence of solvent and processing additives on the pathways and rates of
crystalline morphology formation for spin-coated semiconducting PTB7 (poly[[4,8
bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluoro-2-[(2
ethylhexyl)-carbonyl]-thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl]]) thin films is investigated by
in situ grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) and optical
reflectance, to better understand polymer solar cell (PSC) optimization
approaches. In situ characterization of PTB7 film formation from chloroform (CF),
chlorobenzene (CB), and 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) solutions, as well as CB
solutions with 1% and 3% v/v of the processing additives 1-chloronapthalene (CN),
diphenylether (DPE), and 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO), reveals multiple crystallization
pathways with: (i) single-solvent systems exhibiting rapid (<3 s) crystallization
after a solvent boiling point-dependent film thinning transition, (ii) solvent +
additive systems exhibiting different crystallization pathways and crystallite
formation times from minutes (CN, DPE) to 1.5 h (DIO). Identifying crystalline
intermediates has implications for bulk-heterojunction PSC morphology
optimization via optimized spin-casting processes.
PMID- 28990272
TI - Impact of bladder cancer on health-related quality of life.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To identify changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after
diagnosis of bladder cancer in older adults in comparison with a group of adults
without bladder cancer (controls). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from the
Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registries were linked with Medicare
Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) data. Medicare beneficiaries aged >=65 years in the
period 1998-2013, who were diagnosed with bladder cancer between baseline and
follow-up through the MHOS, were matched with control subjects without cancer
using propensity scores. Linear mixed models were used to estimate predictors of
HRQoL changes. RESULTS: After matching, 535 patients with bladder cancer (458 non
muscle-invasive bladder cancer [NMIBC] and 77 with muscle-invasive bladder cancer
[MIBC]) and 2 770 control subjects without cancer were identified. Both patients
with NMIBC and those with MIBC reported significant declines in HRQoL scores over
time vs controls: physical component summary -2 and -5.3 vs -0.4, respectively;
bodily pain -1.9 and -3.6 vs -0.7; role physical -2.7 and -4.7 vs -0.7; general
health -2.4 and -6.1 vs 0; vitality -1.2 and -3.5 vs -0.1; and social functioning
-2.1 and -5.7 vs -0.8. All scores ranged from 0 to 100. When stratified by time
since diagnosis, HRQoL improved over 1 year for some domains (role physical), but
remained lower across most domains. CONCLUSIONS: After diagnosis, patients with
bladder cancer experienced significant declines in physical, mental and social
HRQoL relative to controls. Decrements were most pronounced among individuals
with MIBC. Methods to better understand and address HRQoL decrements among
patients with bladder cancer are needed.
PMID- 28990273
TI - Exercise ventilatory inefficiency in heart failure: some fresh news into the
roadmap of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction phenotyping.
PMID- 28990274
TI - Optimizing Multiplexed Detections of Diabetes Antibodies via Quantitative
Microfluidic Droplet Array.
AB - Sensitive, single volume detections of multiple diabetes antibodies can provide
immunoprofiling and early screening of at-risk patients. To advance the state-of
the-art suspension assays for diabetes antibodies, porous hydrogel droplets are
leveraged in microfluidic serpentine arrays to enhance reagent transport. This
spatially multiplexed assay is applied to the detection of antibodies against
insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and insulinoma-associated protein 2.
Optimization of assay protocol results in a shortened assay time of 2 h, with
better than 20 pg mL Supporting Information detection limits across all three
antibodies. Specificity and cross-reactivity tests show negligible background,
nonspecific antibody-antigen, and nonspecific antibody-antibody bindings.
Multiplexed detections are able to measure within 15% of target concentrations
from low to high ranges. The technique enables quantifications of as little as
8000 molecules in each 500 um droplet in a single volume, multiplexed assay
format, a breakthrough necessary for the adoption of diabetes panels for clinical
screening and monitoring in the future.
PMID- 28990275
TI - Iron status measurement in routine heart failure assessment: a call for action.
PMID- 28990277
TI - The efficacy of using exogenous enzymes cocktail on production, egg quality, egg
nutrients and blood metabolites of laying hens fed distiller's dried grains with
solubles.
AB - An experiment was performed using 120 Hisex Brown laying hens for evaluating the
effects of different inclusion levels of corn distiller's dried grains with
solubles (DDGS) as a replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with or without enzyme
cocktail on performance, egg quality, egg nutrients and blood metabolites in
laying hens through 22-42 weeks of age. A 4 * 2 factorial design experiment was
performed including four substitution levels of DDGS (0, 250, 500 and 750 g/kg
respectively) and two enzyme cocktail levels (0 and 250 mg/kg diet). The used
enzyme in this study "Gallazyme" composed of xylanase, Trichoderma
longibrachiatum (600 units/g), protease, Bacillus subtilis (8,000 units/g) and
amylase and Bacillus amyloliquofaciens (800 units/g). The control diet showed the
best feed efficiency followed by the intermediate levels of DDGS. The lowest
value of feed efficiency was found in the group fed the highest level of DDGS.
Enzyme addition improved feed efficiency and decreased laying rate. Increasing
DDGS levels was associated with albumin and shell thickness increases. Dietary
DDGS depressed all egg components except the organic matter which maximised in
enzyme-treated groups. Increasing DDGS level was accompanied by increase in yolk
cholesterol and total lipids. No significant impacts were detected with enzymes
supplementation on yolk lipids profile. Excepting serum calcium and phosphorous,
all serum constituents increased with increasing level of DDGS. Using enzyme
markedly depressed serum ammonia by 15.02% and increased calcium by 6.44%
compared with enzyme-free diets. Interaction between DDGS and enzyme was
significant on most of studied parameters. It could be concluded that using
enzyme cocktail in DDGS-based diets may improve feed efficiency and egg quality,
in addition to lowering blood ammonia and increasing blood calcium. It is
recommended to substitute SBM by DDGS up to 500 g/kg diet.
PMID- 28990278
TI - Generalized Self-Doping Engineering towards Ultrathin and Large-Sized Two
Dimensional Homologous Perovskites.
AB - Two-dimensional (2D) homologous perovskites are arousing intense interest in
photovoltaics and light-emitting fields, attributing to significantly improved
stability and increasing optoelectronic performance. However, investigations on
2D homologous perovskites with ultrathin thickness and large lateral dimension
have been seldom reported, being mainly hindered by challenges in synthesis. A
generalized self-doping directed synthesis of ultrathin 2D homologous (BA)2 (MA)n
1 Pbn Br3n+1 (17-fold extension
in relaxation time and almost 10-fold improvement in polarization level when
compared to its unoptimized structure.
PMID- 28990280
TI - Soil microbiota respond to green manure in organic vineyards.
AB - AIMS: The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of biodynamic
management with and without the addition of green manure, in comparison with
organic management, on the microbiota in vineyards soil. METHODS AND RESULTS:
High throughput sequencing was used to compare the taxonomic structure of the
soil bacterial and fungal communities from vineyards managed with different
methods (organic, biodynamic or biodynamic with green manure). Our results showed
that microbial communities associated with biodynamic and organic farming systems
were very similar, while green manure was the greatest source of soil microbial
biodiversity and significantly changed microbial richness and community
composition compared with other soils. Green manure also significantly enriched
bacterial taxa involved in the soil nitrogen cycle (e.g. Microvirga sp.,
Pontibacter sp. and Nitrospira sp.). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the
diversity and composition of the microbial communities associated with biodynamic
and organic farming systems were similar, indicating that the use of biodynamic
preparations 500 and 501 did not cause any significant detectable changes to the
soil microbial community in the short term, while the effects of green manure
were significant in soil microbiota. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The
microbiological richness and structure of soil are used as a sensitive indicator
of soil quality. The extension of organic/biodynamic farming, associated with
green manure application, could contribute to increase the abundance of
functional groups of biological and agronomical relevance and maintaining
microbial biodiversity in vineyard soils.
PMID- 28990281
TI - Mass spectrometry in untargeted liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
metabolomics: Electrospray ionisation parameters and global coverage of the
metabolome.
AB - RATIONALE: Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is a
dominant analytical platform in metabolomics, because of the high sensitivity and
resolution, thus enabling large-scale coverage of metabolomes. Correspondingly,
electrospray ionisation (ESI) is the favoured ionisation method in untargeted
LC/MS metabolomics given the ability to produce large numbers of ions. In the
workflow of LC/ESI-MS metabolomics, maximising the ionisation efficiency over a
wide mass range is inevitably an essential and determining step, subsequently
defining the extent of coverage of the metabolome under investigation. Thus in
this study, electronic factors related to the functioning of the ESI source,
namely the capillary and sample cone voltages, were explored to investigate the
influence on the data acquired in metabolomic investigations. METHODS:
Hydromethanolic samples from an untargeted study (sorghum plants responding
dynamically to fungal infection) were analysed on a high-resolution/definition
LC/ESI-MS system. Here the capillary and sample cone voltages of the ZSprayTM ESI
source were varied between 1.5-3.0 kV and 10.0-40.0 V, respectively. The acquired
data were processed with MarkerLynxTM software and analysed using central
composite design response surface methodology and chemometric approaches
(principal component analysis and orthogonal projection latent structures
discriminant analysis). RESULTS: The results evidently demonstrate that both
capillary and sampling cone voltages not only significantly influence the
recorded MS signals with regard to the number and abundance of features, but also
the overall structure of the collected data. This consequently impacts on the
information extracted from the data and thus affects coverage of the metabolome.
CONCLUSIONS: The observations postulate in that, untargeted LC/MS metabolomics,
'what you see is what you ionise'. Although there is convergence of collected
data under different ESI conditions, the nuances observed indicate that the
exploration of different ion source settings could be the best trade-off in
expanding and maximising the metabolome coverage in untargeted metabolomic
experiments.
PMID- 28990282
TI - Use of oral mucosal cell sheets for accelerated oral surgical wound healing.
AB - BACKGROUND: We developed a highly efficient in vitro-engineered mucosa equivalent
using completely autologous mucosa and blood and investigated its feasibility and
efficacy for oral surgical wound healing. METHODS: Small oral mucosa samples were
obtained from surgical patients, and keratinocytes and fibroblasts were primarily
grown in media without animal products for generating 3D cell sheets. RESULTS:
Morphological characteristics of the cell sheets were comparable to those of
human mucosa, although p63-positive cells were more numerous in cell sheets. In
addition, cell sheets were flexible, expandable, and easy to handle or transfer.
In further in vivo rat experiments with deep wounding of the buccal mucosa and
soft tissues, controls had significantly thinner epithelium and thicker collagen
densities than those with cell sheets. CONCLUSION: Autologous cell sheets can be
engineered in vitro from oral keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and fibrin, and can be
used clinically to accelerate healing of oral soft tissue defects.
PMID- 28990283
TI - Metastatic spread from squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx to the totally
implantable venous access port insertion site: Case report and review of
literature.
AB - BACKGROUND: The totally implantable venous access port plays a crucial role in
delivering chemotherapy in the outpatient setting. Here, we report the first case
of a patient with hypopharyngeal tumor who developed chest wall metastasis over
the totally implantable venous access port inserted in the internal jugular vein.
METHODS: Our patient, a 58-year-old man with a hypopharyngeal tumor presented
with a lump over the totally implantable venous access port site. The port was
removed and the lump was biopsied. The CT studies showed that the tumor had
spread along the catheter from the hypopharynx to the chest wall. RESULTS: The
pathology from the biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The patient had
poor performance status and opted for hospice care. CONCLUSION: We present a
novel case of metastasis over the totally implantable venous access port
implanted in a patient with a hypopharyngeal tumor. We also reviewed relevant
literature comparing the data from percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube
site metastasis with our patient and other similar case reports.
PMID- 28990285
TI - Green and Efficient Processing of Cinnamomum cassia Bark by Using Ionic Liquids:
Extraction of Essential Oil and Construction of UV-Resistant Composite Films from
Residual Biomass.
AB - There is significant interest in the development of a sustainable and integrated
process for the extraction of essential oils and separation of biopolymers by
using novel and efficient solvent systems. Herein, cassia essential oil enriched
in coumarin is extracted from Cinnamomum cassia bark by using a protic ionic
liquid (IL), ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), through dissolution and the creation of
a biphasic system with the help of diethyl ether. The process has been perfected,
in terms of higher biomass dissolution ability and essential oil yield through
the addition of aprotic ILs (based on the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (C4 mim)
cation and chloride or acetate anions) to EAN. After extraction of oil, cellulose
rich material and free lignin were regenerated from biomass-IL solutions by using
a 1:1 mixture of acetone-water. The purity of the extracted essential oil and
biopolymers were ascertained by means of FTIR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and
GC-MS techniques. Because lignin contains UV-blocking chromophores, the oil-free
residual lignocellulosic material has been directly utilized to construct UV
light-resistant composite materials in conjunction with the biopolymer chitosan.
Composite material thus obtained was processed to form biodegradable films, which
were characterized for mechanical and optical properties. The films showed
excellent UV-light resistance and mechanical properties, thereby making it a
material suitable for packaging and light-sensitive applications.
PMID- 28990286
TI - A new practical classification for spatial distribution and morphology of human
hair: Ahmad's LGMA classification.
AB - BACKGROUND: The human hair is a complex structure with a diversity within itself.
There is a wide variation in distribution and spatial arrangement of hairs.
METHODS: The current classification was developed on the basis of high-resolution
photographs of adult human scalp. RESULTS: On the observation, the new
classification consisted of 4 categories. CONCLUSIONS: It will help the hair
restoration surgeons and dermatologists to identify the various pattern and also
to help in deciding the appropriate size of the punch in FUE.
PMID- 28990284
TI - The oncogenic role of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded microRNAs in Epstein-Barr virus
associated gastric carcinoma.
AB - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is detected in various epithelial
malignancies, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and gastric cancer (GC). EBV
comprises some unique molecular features and encodes viral genes and microRNAs
(miRNAs) by its own DNA sequence. EBV genes are required to maintain latency and
contribute to oncogenic property. miRNAs encoded by EBV have been shown to
contribute to initiation and progression of EBV-related malignancies. By a number
of genomic profiling studies, some EBV miRNAs were confirmed to be highly
expressed in EBV-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) samples and cell lines. The
majority host targets of the EBV miRNAs are important for promoting cell growth
and inhibiting apoptosis, facilitating cell survival and immune evasion. However,
the integrated molecular mechanisms related to EBV miRNAs remain to be
investigated. In this review, we summarized the crucial role of EBV miRNAs in
epithelial malignancies, especially in EBVaGC. Collectively, EBV miRNAs play a
significant role in the viral and host gene regulation network. Understanding the
comprehensive potential targets and relevant functions of EBV miRNAs in gastric
carcinogenesis might provide better clinical translation.
PMID- 28990287
TI - Mesenchymal-like stem cells in canine ovary show high differentiation potential.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have reported the existence of stem cells in ovarian
tissue that show enhanced proliferative and differentiation potential compared to
other adult tissues. Based on this evidence, we hypothesized that ovarian tissue
contained mesenchymal-like stem cells (MSC) that could be isolated using a novel
rapid plastic adhesion technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established MSC lines
derived from ovarian and adipose tissue based on their ability to rapidly adhere
to plastic culture dishes in the first 3 hours after plating and studied their
potentiality in terms of molecular markers and differentiation capacity. RESULTS:
Morphological and kinetic properties of in vitro cultured ovarian MSC were
similar to adipose-derived MSC, and both reached senescence after similar passage
numbers. Ovarian-derived MSC expressed mesenchymal (CD90 and CD44) but not
haematopoietic markers (CD34 and CD45), indicating similarity to adipose-derived
MSC. Moreover, ovarian-derived MSC expressed NANOG, TERT, SOX2, OCT4 and showed
extensive capacity to differentiate not only into adipogenic, osteogenic and
chondrogenic tissue but also towards neurogenic and endodermal lineages and even
precursors of primordial germ cells. CONCLUSION: These results show for the first
time the derivation of ovarian cells with the molecular properties of MSC as well
as wide differentiation potential. Canine ovarian tissue is accessible,
expandable, multipotent and has high plasticity, holding promise for applications
in regenerative medicine.
PMID- 28990288
TI - Comparing the broad socio-cognitive profile of youth with Williams syndrome and
22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
AB - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have assessed the socio-cognitive profile in
Williams syndrome (WS) and, independently, in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
(22q11.2DS). Yet, a cross-syndrome comparison of these abilities between
individuals with these two syndromes with known social deficits has not been
conducted. METHODS: Eighty-two children participated in four study groups: WS (n
= 18), 22q112.DS (n = 24), age-matched individuals with idiopathic developmental
disability (IDD; n = 20) and typically developing (TD) controls (n = 20).
Participants completed four socio-cognitive tests: facial emotion recognition,
mental state attribution, differentiating real from apparent emotions and trait
inference based on motives and actions-outcomes. RESULTS: The current findings
demonstrate that children with WS were better in labelling happy faces compared
with children with 22q11.2DS, partially reflecting their exaggerated social
drive. In the false belief task, however, the WS and IDD groups performed poorly
compared with the 22q11.2DS group, possibly due to their difficulty to interpret
subtle social cues. When asked to identify the gap between real-negative vs.
apparent-positive emotions, the 22q11.2DS group performed similarly to TD
children but better than the WS group, possibly due to their anxious personality
and their innate bias towards negatively valence cues. Finally, individuals with
WS were more willing to become friends with a story character even when the
character's motives were negative, reflecting their difficulty to avoid
potentially harmful real-life situations. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our multi-facet
socio-cognitive battery uncovered strengths and weaknesses in social cognition
that are syndrome-specific, shared among the genetic syndromes, or common to the
three clinical groups compared with healthy controls. Our findings underscore the
need to devise age-specific and condition-specific assessment tools and
intervention programs towards improving these children's socio-cognitive
deficits.
PMID- 28990289
TI - Valproate Plays a Protective Role against Migraine by Inhibiting Protein Kinase C
Signalling in Nitroglycerin-treated Mice.
AB - Migraine is a common disease with a high morbidity. Valproate (VP) is used as an
anti-epilepsy drug in clinic. This study aimed to investigate the role of VP in
nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine using a mouse model. NTG was employed by
intraperitoneal injection to induce a migraine model in mice. The NTG
administration caused mouse head discomforts, decreased tolerance to cold or hot
stimulation and increased content of nitric oxide, calcitonin gene-related
peptide and neuropeptide Y in serum, which were ameliorated by intraperitoneal
injection of VP. The levels of two inflammatory factors, interleukin (IL)-1beta
and inducible nitric oxide synthase, in dura mater were increased by NTG
treatment, while the increase was attenuated by application of VP. In addition,
the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase C (PKC) alpha, gamma, delta and
epsilon were increased by NTG and decreased by VP. However, their total
expression at the transcriptional and translational levels did not change
significantly. Two substrates of PKC, cAMP-response element binding protein 1 and
signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 were also phosphorylated by
NTG application, and the phosphorylation level was attenuated by VP, consistent
with the change of PKC informs. Together, we demonstrated that VP prevented
damage due to migraine by inhibiting PKC signalling in NTG-injected mice, which
may provide a basis for investigating the clinical treatment of migraine.
PMID- 28990290
TI - Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and Docking Studies of New
Triazolic Tripodal Ligands.
AB - The synthesis and characterization of new N-donor bitriazolic tripods were
reported. The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of these products
were screened against fungal strain (Candida pelliculosa) and against four
bacterial strains (Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria innocua, and
Escherichia coli). Biological data revealed the effect of the chemical structure
on antimicrobial activity. Molecular docking studies of some compounds showed
that they could act as inhibitors for the biotin carboxylase enzyme.
PMID- 28990292
TI - Investigating the impact of the universal healthcare coverage programme on
community pharmacy practice.
AB - The introduction of Universal Healthcare Coverage (JKN) in 2014 has changed the
landscape of the Indonesian healthcare and affected the community pharmacy
sector. This paper investigates perceptions of healthcare and pharmacy
stakeholders about the impact of JKN on the practice of pharmacists and pharmacy
in both public (Puskesmas) and private (Community or Retail pharmacy) settings.
In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted from February to August 2016
involving 29 participants representing key stakeholders from different provinces
in Indonesia. While JKN was actually designed with good policy objectives for
pharmacy integration within primary care network, it has created some unintended
and unanticipated distortion in the healthcare system which may be detrimental to
the community pharmacy sector. In fact, community pharmacy practice is still
limited to dispensing and continued to be hampered by ongoing challenges mainly
pharmacists' absence, lack of clinical competence and limited support from
regulation changes. It is a missed opportunity for pharmacists to play a greater
role in primary care services indicating the need for an overhaul to pharmacy
education and policy system.
PMID- 28990291
TI - Performance evaluation of the automated nucleated red blood cell count of five
commercial hematological analyzers.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Recent automated hematology analyzers (HAs) can identify and report
nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) count as a separate population out of white
blood cells (WBC). The aim of this study was to investigate the analytical
performances of NRBC enumeration on five top of the range HAs. METHODS: We
evaluated the within-run and between-day precision, limit of blank (LoB), limit
of detection (LoD), and limit of quantitation (LoQ) of XE-2100 and XN-module
(Sysmex), ADVIA 2120i (Siemens), BC-6800 (Mindray), and UniCel DxH 800 (Beckman
Coulter). Automated NRBC counts were also compared with optical microscopy (OM).
RESULTS: The limits of detection for NRBC of the BC-6800, XN-module, XE-2100,
UniCel DxH 800, and ADVIA 2120i are 0.035*109 /L, 0.019*109 /L, 0.067*109 /L,
0.038*109 /L, and 0.167*109 /L, respectively. Our data indicated excellent
performance in terms of precision. The agreement with OM was excellent for BC
6800, XN-module, and XE-2100 (Bias 0.023, 0.019, and 0.033*109 /L, respectively).
ADVIA 2120i displayed a significant constant error and UniCel DxH 800 both
proportional and small constant error. CONCLUSION: Regards to NRBC counting, the
performances shown by BC-6800, XN-module, and XE-2100 are excellent also a low
count, ADVIA 2120i and UniCel DxH 800 need to be improved.
PMID- 28990293
TI - Stigma of mental illness and substance misuse in sub-Saharan African migrants: A
qualitative study.
AB - Stigma of mental illness and substance misuse can deter help seeking, especially
in immigrants who are often reluctant to seek help early for these issues. The
aim of the present study was to explore the stigma experience surrounding mental
illness and substance misuse, and its implications for improving help seeking,
for youths and parents from sub-Saharan African immigrant communities. A
qualitative, descriptive design was used. Individual interviews were undertaken
with 28 youths, and focus group discussions were held with 41 parents and
community leaders in Melbourne, Australia. The findings indicated that public
stigma and self-stigma were common and deterred participants' help seeking within
sub-Saharan African communities. There was concern about the consequences of
disclosure. Personal shame, fear of community rejection, and being labelled a
'lunatic' deterred help seeking. Programmes are needed to address stigma, promote
help seeking, and increase mental health knowledge. Mental health nurses and
other clinicians in the mental health and alcohol and other drug fields can make
an important contribution. Steps are needed to employ more sub-Saharan African
immigrant clinicians to help increase help seeking from their communities.
PMID- 28990295
TI - Job crafting among health care professionals: The role of work engagement.
AB - AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of job crafting on the
quality of the work environment of health care professionals. BACKGROUND: Job
crafting refers to proactive behavior aimed at optimizing the fit between person
and job. Using job demands-resources theory, we hypothesized that job crafting
would be positively related to job resources and person-organisation fit, and
negatively to hindrance demands. Furthermore, we hypothesized that these
relationships would be qualified by work engagement. METHODS: A total of 5,272
health care professionals from one of 35 different organisations filled out an
electronic questionnaire (response is 55%). Regression analyses were used to test
hypotheses. RESULTS: Consistent with hypotheses, job crafting in the form of
increasing job resources was positively related to opportunities for development,
performance feedback and P-O fit; and negatively related to hindrance job demands
- particularly when work engagement was high. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of job
crafting and work engagement is important for the realization of a resourceful
work environment and fit between person and organisation. IMPLICATIONS FOR
NURSING MANAGEMENT: Interventions aimed at fostering job crafting should be
tailored to the motivation of health care professionals.
PMID- 28990294
TI - Genetic and molecular risk factors within the newly identified primate-specific
exon of the SAP97/DLG1 gene in the 3q29 schizophrenia-associated locus.
AB - The synapse-associated protein 97/discs, large homolog 1 of Drosophila (DLG1)
gene encodes synaptic scaffold PDZ proteins interacting with ionotropic glutamate
receptors including the N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) that
is presumed to be hypoactive in brains of patients with schizophrenia. The DLG1
gene resides in the chromosomal position 3q29, the microdeletion of which confers
a 40-fold increase in the risk for schizophrenia. In the present study, we
performed genetic association analyses for DLG1 gene using a Japanese cohort with
1808 schizophrenia patients and 2170 controls. We detected an association which
remained significant after multiple comparison testing between schizophrenia and
the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3915512 that is located within the
newly identified primate-specific exon (exon 3b) of the DLG1 gene and constitutes
the exonic splicing enhancer sequence. When stratified by onset age, although it
did not survive multiple comparisons, the association was observed in non-early
onset schizophrenia, whose onset-age selectivity is consistent with our recent
postmortem study demonstrating a decrease in the expression of the DLG1 variant
in early-onset schizophrenia. Although the present study did not demonstrate the
previously reported association of the SNP rs9843659 by itself, a meta-analysis
revealed a significant association between DLG1 gene and schizophrenia. These
findings provide a valuable clue for molecular mechanisms on how genetic
variations in the primate-specific exon of the gene in the schizophrenia
associated 3q29 locus affect its regulation in the glutamate system and lead to
the disease onset around a specific stage of brain development.
PMID- 28990296
TI - Association between MTHFR microRNA binding site polymorphisms and methotrexate
concentrations in Chinese pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB - BACKGROUND: The pharmacokinetics and therapeutic response to methotrexate (MTX)
display large variability in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of two microRNA
(miRNA) binding site polymorphisms (rs3737966 G > A and rs35134728 DEL/TTC) in
the 3'-untranslated region of MTHFR with serum MTX concentrations, in a Chinese
pediatric population with ALL. METHODS: Genotyping for MTHFR rs3737966 and
rs35134728 in 144 children with ALL was performed using the Sequenom MassArray
system (Sequenom, San Diego, CA, USA). Serum MTX concentrations were measured by
a fluorescence polarization immunoassay 24 h (C24h ) and 42 h (C42h ) after
administration. The effects of the polymorphisms on concentration-to-dose (C/D)
ratios of MTX were assessed. RESULTS: Complete linkage disequilibrium between
rs3737966 and rs35134728 polymorphisms (r2 = 1) was found in the study
population. The minor allele frequency observed in the present study (17.4%) was
significantly lower than those in European and African samples reported in the
1000 Genomes Project (42.9% and 63.9%, respectively; p < 0.01). The C/D ratios of
MTX at 24 and 42 h for the TTC/TTC-A/A haplotype carriers (11.74 and 0.07 MUmol/l
per g/m2 , respectively) were significantly lower than those in DEL/DEL-G/G or
DEL/TTC-G/G haplotype carriers (12.49 and 0.09 MUmol/l per g/m2 , respectively; p
< 0.05). Computational predictions suggested that the two polymorphisms
overlapped with putative binding sites of several miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS: The
rs3737966 and rs35134728 polymorphisms in MTHFR were associated with serum MTX
concentrations. The findings of the present study indicate that miRNAs might be
involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of MTHFR.
PMID- 28990297
TI - Commentary on Burdzovic Andreas & Bretteville-Jensen (2017): Cannabis use
opportunities-an under-researched factor in substance use epidemiology.
PMID- 28990298
TI - Commentary on Lichenstein et al. (2017): Escalating cannabis use, weak
corticostriatal connections and negative outcomes.
PMID- 28990299
TI - Commentary on Parish et al. (2017): What is the best exposure for estimating
alcohol-attributable burden of disease?
PMID- 28990300
TI - Commentary on Wu et al. (2017): Do very brief reduction interventions increase
quitting among smokers not ready to quit?
PMID- 28990301
TI - Commentary on McCutcheon et al. (2017): Familial transmission of abstinent
remission and social cognition.
PMID- 28990302
TI - Commentary on Currie et al. (2017): Low-risk gambling limits-a bridge too far?
PMID- 28990304
TI - Commentary on Moore et al. (2017): Focus on policies rather than programmes to
address alcohol-related violence.
PMID- 28990305
TI - Supporting The SALIS Collection: an ATOD digital archive.
PMID- 28990308
TI - Measuring the hierarchical general factor model of psychopathology in young
adults.
AB - There is evidence that models of psychopathology specifying a general factor and
specific second-order factors fit better than competing structural models.
Nonetheless, additional tests are needed to examine the generality and boundaries
of the general factor model. In a selected second wave of a cohort study, first
order dimensions of psychopathology symptoms in 499 23- to 31-year-old twins were
analyzed. Using confirmatory factor analysis, a bifactor model specifying a
general factor and specific internalizing and externalizing factors fit better
than competing models. Factor loadings in this model were sex invariant despite
greater variances in the specific internalizing factor among females and greater
variances in the general and specific externalizing factors among males. The
bifactor structure was robust to the exclusion of any single first-order
dimension of psychopathology. Furthermore, the results were essentially unchanged
when all overlapping symptoms that define multiple disorders were excluded from
symptom dimensions. Furthermore, the best-fitting bifactor model also emerged in
exploratory structural equation modeling with freely estimated cross-loadings.
The general factor of psychopathology was robust across variations in measurement
and analysis.
PMID- 28990307
TI - Physiological dead space and arterial carbon dioxide contributions to exercise
ventilatory inefficiency in patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction
heart failure.
AB - AIMS: Patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF)
ejection fraction demonstrate an increased ventilatory equivalent for carbon
dioxide (VE /VCO2 ) slope. The physiological correlates of the VE /VCO2 slope
remain unclear in the two HF phenotypes. We hypothesized that changes in the
physiological dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD /VT ) and arterial CO2 tension
(PaCO2 ) differentially contribute to the VE /VCO2 slope in HFrEF vs. HFpEF.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Adults with HFrEF (n = 32) and HFpEF (n = 27) [mean +/-
standard deviation (SD) left ventricular ejection fraction: 22 +/- 7% and 61 +/-
9%, respectively; mean +/- SD body mass index: 28 +/- 4 kg/m2 and 33 +/- 6 kg/m2
, respectively; P < 0.01] performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with breath
by-breath ventilation and gas exchange measurements. PaCO2 was measured via
radial arterial catheterization. We calculated the VE /VCO2 slope via linear
regression, and VD /VT = 1 - [(863 * VCO2 )/(VE * PaCO2 )]. Resting VD /VT
(0.48 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.41 +/- 0.11; P = 0.04), but not PaCO2 (38 +/- 5 mmHg vs. 40
+/- 3 mmHg; P = 0.21) differed between HFrEF and HFpEF. Peak exercise VD /VT
(0.39 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.32 +/- 0.12; P = 0.02) and PaCO2 (33 +/- 6 mmHg vs. 38 +/- 4
mmHg; P < 0.01) differed between HFrEF and HFpEF. The VE /VCO2 slope was higher
in HFrEF compared with HFpEF (44 +/- 11 vs. 35 +/- 8; P < 0.01). Variance
associated with the VE /VCO2 slope in HFrEF and HFpEF was explained by peak
exercise VD /VT (R2 = 0.30 and R2 = 0.50, respectively) and PaCO2 (R2 = 0.64
and R2 = 0.28, respectively), but the relative contributions of each differed
(all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Relationships between the VE /VCO2 slope and both VD
/VT and PaCO2 are robust, but differ between HFpEF and HFrEF. Increasing VE /VCO2
slope appears to be strongly explained by mechanisms influential in regulating
PaCO2 in HFrEF, which contrasts with the strong role of increased VD /VT in
HFpEF.
PMID- 28990309
TI - Making sense of frailty: An ethnographic study of the experience of older people
living with complex health problems.
AB - AIM: To explore how older people with complex health problems experience frailty
in their daily lives. BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the personal
experience of frailty in the context of fluctuating ill-health has the potential
to contribute to the development of personalised approaches to care planning and
delivery. DESIGN: An ethnographic study of older people, living at home,
receiving support from a community matron service in a large city in the North of
England. METHODS: Up to six care encounters with each of ten older people, and
their community matron, were observed at monthly intervals, over a period of time
ranging from 4 to 11 months. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the
older participants in their own homes. Fieldwork took place over a 4-year period.
Data analysis was undertaken using the constant comparative method. FINDINGS: The
experience of frailty was understood through the construction of four themes:
Fluctuating ill-health and the disruption of daily living; Changes to the
management of daily living; Frailty as fear, anxiety and uncertainty; Making
sense of changes to health and daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Older people work hard
to shape and maintain daily routines in the context of complicated and enduring
transitions in health and illness. However, they experience episodic moments of
frailty, often articulated as uncertainty, where daily living becomes precarious
and their resilience is threatened. Developing an understanding of the personal
experiences of frail older people in the context of transition has the potential
to inform nursing practice in person-centred care . IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:
Nurses need to support frail older people to maintain independence and continuity
of personhood in the context of daily routines.
PMID- 28990310
TI - The interaction between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and sun exposure around
time of diagnosis influences melanoma survival.
AB - Evidence on the relationship between the vitamin D pathway and outcomes in
melanoma is growing, although it is not always clear. We investigated the impact
of measured levels of sun exposure at diagnosis on associations of vitamin D
receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms and melanoma death in 3336 incident primary
melanoma cases. Interactions between six SNPs and a common 3'-end haplotype were
significant (p < .05). These SNPs, and a haplotype, had a statistically
significant association with survival among subjects exposed to high UVB in
multivariable regression models and exerted their effect in the opposite
direction among those with low UVB. SNPs rs1544410/BsmI and rs731236/TaqI
remained significant after adjustment for multiple testing. These results suggest
that the association between VDR and melanoma-specific survival is modified by
sun exposure around diagnosis, and require validation in an independent study.
Whether the observed effects are dependent or independent of vitamin D activation
remains to be determined.
PMID- 28990311
TI - Comprehensive data of 3,820 patients newly diagnosed with colorectal liver
metastasis between 2005 and 2007: report of a nationwide survey in Japan.
AB - To collect big data for further research to improve treatment outcomes in
patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), the Joint Committee for
Nationwide Survey on CRLM was established by the Japanese Society for Cancer of
the Colon and Rectum and the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic
Surgery. The joint committee initiated data collection since 2014. The data of
4,237 patients newly diagnosed with CRLM between 2005 and 2007 were registered
from 134 departments of 127 institutions (64%) among 209 departments (from 201
institutions) that agreed to participate in this study. Finally, 3,820 patients
were enrolled in this report after a quality management process by the joint
committee. We report the comprehensive data obtained from 3,820 patients,
clinicopathological findings, treatment strategies, prognoses, and implementation
status of chemotherapy. The joint committee is prospectively collecting data of
patients newly diagnosed with CRLM after 2013 and will provide these raw data,
including data of patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2007, to researchers who
will conduct meaningful studies that meet the aim of the joint committee.
PMID- 28990313
TI - In vitro variations of Mean platelet volume over time in blood samples collected
in different anticoagulants from thrombocytopenic patients and healthy subjects.
PMID- 28990314
TI - Female breast cancer management and survival: The experience of major public
hospitals in South Australia over 3 decades-trends by age and in the elderly.
AB - BACKGROUND: Clinical registry data from major South Australian public hospitals
were used to investigate trends in invasive breast-cancer treatment and survival
by age. METHODS: Disease-specific survival was calculated for the 1980 to 2013
diagnostic period using Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimates, with a censoring of
live cases on December 31, 2014. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to
examine differences in survival by age and tumour characteristic. First-round
treatments following diagnosis were analysed, using multiple logistic regression
to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: Five-year survival increased from 75% in the
1980s to 87% in 2000 to 2013, consistent with national trends, and with increases
occurring irrespective of age. There was an increased use of breast conserving
surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone treatments. Five-year survival
was lower for women aged 80+ years, increasing from 65% in the 1980s to 74% in
2000 to 2013. Lower survival in these older women persisted after adjusting for
TNM stage, other clinical variables, and diagnostic year, without evidence of a
reduced disparity over time. Older women were less likely to have surgery,
radiotherapy, and chemotherapy throughout 1980 to 2013. By comparison, their use
of hormone therapy was elevated. The adjusted relative odds of mastectomy (as
opposed to breast conserving surgery) were lower for the 80+ year age range.
CONCLUSIONS: Breast-cancer survival increases applied to all ages, including 80+
years, but poorer outcomes persisted in this older group and the gap did not
reduce. A key question is whether the best trade-off now exists between optimally
therapeutic cancer treatment and accommodations for frailty and co-morbidity in
the aged, or whether opportunities exist for better trade-offs and better
survival. Local registry data are important for describing local service activity
and outcomes by age for local service providers, health administrations and
consumer groups; monitoring disparities; and indicating effects of local
initiatives.
PMID- 28990315
TI - Psychometric validation of a new measurement instrument for time-oriented patient
information in electronic medical records: A questionnaire survey of physicians.
AB - RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: Time is an important element in medical data.
Physicians record and store information about patients' disease progress and
treatment response in electronic medical records (EMRs). Because EMRs use
timestamps, physicians can identify patterns over time regarding a patient's
disease and treatment (eg, laboratory values and medications). However, analyses
of physicians' use and satisfaction with EMRs have focused on functionality,
storage, and system operation rather than the use of time-oriented information.
This study aimed to understand physicians' needs regarding time-oriented patient
information in EMRs in clinical practice. METHODS: The reliability and validity
of the items in the questionnaire were evaluated in 87 physicians at a national
university hospital. Internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach alpha
coefficient, 0.87). RESULTS: Four dimensions were identified in exploratory
factor analysis. Correlations between the 4 dimensions supported the construct
validity of the items. Scores of time-oriented patients' medical history in the 4
dimensions showed a significant association with physician age. Based on
confirmatory factor analysis, associations were significant and positive (P <
.001). In terms of the needs of physicians regarding time-oriented patient
information in EMRs, both time-oriented treatment results followed by time
oriented team information had significant positive associations. CONCLUSION: Our
study suggests that 4 specific time-oriented patient information factors in EMRs
are needed by physicians. Exploring physicians' needs regarding patient-specific
time-oriented information may provide a better understanding of the barriers
facing the adoption and use of EMRs (eg, decision-making and practice safety
concerns) and lead to better acceptance of EMRs in physicians' clinical
practices.
PMID- 28990316
TI - Non-invasive assessment of left ventricular filling pressure.
AB - Dyspnoea is a presenting symptom for patients with heart failure. It is often due
to elevated left ventricular (LV) filling pressure but can be due to pulmonary
disease or other non-cardiac reasons. While physical examination is useful, it
has its limitations. Accordingly, non-invasive imaging has an important role in
the diagnostic evaluation of patients with known or suspected heart failure.
Echocardiography is usually the first test obtained and is used to determine LV
volumes, ejection fraction and mass as well as right ventricular size and
function, left and right atrial volumes, valvular lesions, and pulmonary artery
pressures. Additionally, LV filling pressure can be estimated. A recent algorithm
was published that depends on clinical, two-dimensional data and Doppler signals.
The algorithm is accurate in patients with depressed and normal ejection
fraction. There are other measurements that can be obtained as LV strain and
diastolic strain rate and left atrial strain. These indices provide valuable
insight into LV relaxation and filling pressure as well as left atrial function.
Assessment of LV filling pressure has been evaluated most extensively in patients
in sinus rhythm. However, it is also possible to assess LV filling and draw
inferences about LV filling pressure in patients in atrial fibrillation, in
patients with mitral valve disease and in patients with left ventricular assist
devices. Left ventricular filling has been assessed by other imaging modalities,
including cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance. While these
other imaging modalities may be needed in some cases, echocardiography has the
highest feasibility and validation, and the most practical application.
PMID- 28990317
TI - An in vitro and in vivo characterization of fine WE43B magnesium wire with varied
thermomechanical processing conditions.
AB - Absorbable implants made of magnesium alloys may revolutionize surgical
intervention, and fine magnesium wire will be critical to many applications.
Functionally, the wires must have sufficient mechanical properties to withstand
implantation and in-service loading, have excellent tissue tolerance, and exhibit
an appropriate degradation rate for the application. Alloy chemistry and
thermomechanical processing conditions will significantly impact the material's
functional performance, but the exact translation of these parameters to implant
performance is unclear. With this in mind, fine (127 um) WE43B magnesium alloy
wires in five thermomechanical process (TMP) conditions (90% cold work [CW], and
250, 375, 400, and 450 degrees C heat treatments) were investigated for their
effect on mechanical and corrosion behavior. The TMP conditions gave clear
metallurgical differences: transverse grain dimensions ranged from 200 nm (CW) to
3 um (450 degrees C), UTS varied from 324 MPa (450 degrees C) to 608 MPa (250
degrees C), and surgical knotting showed some were suitable (CW, 400 degrees C,
450 degrees C) while others were not (250 degrees C, 350 degrees C). In vitro and
in vivo corrosion testing yielded interesting and in some cases conflicting
results. After 1 month immersion in cell culture medium, wire corrosion was
extensive, and TMP conditions altered the macrocorrosion morphology but not the
rate or total release of magnesium ions. After 1 month subdermal implantation in
mice, all wires were well tolerated and showed very little corrosion (per uCT and
histology), but differences in localized corrosion were detected between
conditions. This study indicates that WE43B wires treated at 450 degrees C may be
most suitable for surgical knotting procedures. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1987-1997, 2018.
PMID- 28990318
TI - Depression hurts, depression costs: The medical spending attributable to
depression and depressive symptoms in China.
AB - Due to its fast economic growth and lifestyle changes, China is experiencing a
rapid epidemiological transition from communicable to noncommunicable diseases
(NCDs). Mental disorder such as depression is an important yet often neglected
NCD and is becoming a growing cause of disability, suicides, and disease burden.
This paper provides the first nationally representative estimate of the medical
cost attributable to depression and depressive symptoms among the adult
population in China. On the basis of the 2012 China Family Panel Studies survey,
our results indicate that these mental health conditions have significant impacts
on the individual medical expenditure, and they jointly contribute to 14.7% of
total personal expected medical spending in China, with depression and depressive
symptoms accounting for 6.9% and 7.8%, respectively. Given that patients with
mental illness face multiple psychological and institutional barriers in seeking
appropriate treatment, the high depression-induced medical costs may be primarily
driven by the cost-shifting effect from mental health care to general health
care, as mental disorders often coexist with other NCDs such as diabetes and
hypertension. As an implication, our study calls for an urgent reform of China's
mental health and insurance systems to remove the policy-induced obstacles for
the access to mental health care resources.
PMID- 28990312
TI - Cyclic-di-GMP regulation of virulence in bacterial pathogens.
AB - Signaling pathways allow bacteria to adapt to changing environments. For
pathogenic bacteria, signaling pathways allow for timely expression of virulence
factors and the repression of antivirulence factors within the mammalian host. As
the bacteria exit the mammalian host, signaling pathways enable the expression of
factors promoting survival in the environment and/or nonmammalian hosts. One such
signaling pathway uses the dinucleotide cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP), and many
bacterial genomes encode numerous proteins that are responsible for synthesizing
and degrading c-di-GMP. Once made, c-di-GMP binds to individual protein and RNA
receptors to allosterically alter the macromolecule function to drive phenotypic
changes. Each bacterial genome encodes unique sets of genes for c-di-GMP
signaling and virulence factors so the regulation by c-di-GMP is organism
specific. Recent works have pointed to evidence that c-di-GMP regulates virulence
in different bacterial pathogens of mammalian hosts. In this review, we discuss
the criteria for determining the contribution of signaling nucleotides to
pathogenesis using a well-characterized signaling nucleotide, cyclic AMP (cAMP),
in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using these criteria, we review the roles of c-di-GMP
in mediating virulence and highlight common themes that exist among eight diverse
pathogens that cause different diseases through different routes of infection and
transmission. WIREs RNA 2018, 9:e1454. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1454 This article is
categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
PMID- 28990319
TI - A qualitative study on community pharmacists' decision-making process when making
a diagnosis.
AB - RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: Self-care policies are increasingly directing
patients to seek advice from community pharmacists. This means pharmacists need
to have sound diagnostic decision-making skills to enable them to recognise a
variety of conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the process by
which pharmacists manage patient signs and symptoms and to explore their use of
decision-making for diagnostic purposes. METHODS: Data were collected through
semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with community pharmacists working in
England, between August 2013 and November 2014. Pharmacists were asked to share
their experiences on how they performed patient consultations, and more
specifically how they would approach a hypothetical headache scenario. As part of
the interview, their sources of knowledge and experience were also explored.
Framework analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes. RESULTS: Eight
interviews were conducted with pharmacists who had a wide range of working
practice, from 1 year through to 40 years of experience. The pharmacists' main
motivations during consultations were product selection and risk minimisation.
Their questioning approach and decision-making relied heavily on mnemonic
methods. This led to poor quality information gathering-although pharmacists
acknowledged they needed to "delve deeper" but were often unable to articulate
how or why. Some pharmacists exhibited elements of clinical reasoning in their
consultations, but this seemed, mostly, to be unconscious and subsequently
applied inappropriately. Overall, pharmacists exhibited poor decision-making
ability, and often decisions were based on personal belief and experiences rather
than evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacists relied heavily on mnemonic
methods to manage patients' signs and symptoms with diagnosis-based decision
making being seldom employed. These findings suggest practicing pharmacists
should receive more diagnostic training.
PMID- 28990320
TI - Non-Tuberculosis mycobacterium speciation using HPLC under Revised National TB
Control Programme (RNTCP) in India.
AB - AIMS: Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in nature. The data on
prevalence of NTM under the RNTCP is scarce. Many NTM species have clinical
significance, and hence their identification and speciation are important.
METHODS AND RESULTS: It is a cross-sectional study conducted at the five RNTCP
accredited culture and drug susceptibility testing (CDST) laboratory. The culture
isolates from AFB positive but Immunochromatographic test negative samples were
taken for identification and speciation using HPLC. Of the total 266 isolates
only 164 isolates had a second sample received at the laboratory. The speciation
was done using HPLC for those isolates. The type of species identified are: 26.8%
(44) were Mycobacterium chelonae, 12.8% (21) were Mycobacterium fortuitum, 9%
(15) were Mycobacterium gordonae, 9% (15) were Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex, 6.1% (10) were Mycobacterium kansasii, 4.9% (8) were Mycobacterium
simiae, 2.4% (4) were Mycobacterium thermophile, 1.2% (2) were Mycobacterium
gastri, 0.6% (1) were Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, 0.6% (1) were Mycobacterium
avium and 4.9% (8) isolates had chromatogram which was un-interpretable.
CONCLUSION: Identification and its speciation of NTM are not routinely done under
TB control programme. Since HPLC could identify 95% of isolates belonging to 10
species, the speciation of NTM using HPLC should gain importance in the diagnosis
of disease caused by NTM. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: NTM are emerging as
important causative agents of pulmonary and extra pulmonary disease, the ability
to recognize disease caused by NTM and subsequently treat such disease has become
increasingly important. The identification of NTM up to its species level should
gain importance in all TB reference Laboratories.
PMID- 28990321
TI - Ecological and evolutionary legacy of megafauna extinctions.
AB - For hundreds of millions of years, large vertebrates (megafauna) have inhabited
most of the ecosystems on our planet. During the late Quaternary, notably during
the Late Pleistocene and the early Holocene, Earth experienced a rapid extinction
of large, terrestrial vertebrates. While much attention has been paid to
understanding the causes of this massive megafauna extinction, less attention has
been given to understanding the impacts of loss of megafauna on other organisms
with whom they interacted. In this review, we discuss how the loss of megafauna
disrupted and reshaped ecological interactions, and explore the ecological
consequences of the ongoing decline of large vertebrates. Numerous late
Quaternary extinct species of predators, parasites, commensals and mutualistic
partners were associated with megafauna and were probably lost due to their
strict dependence upon them (co-extinctions). Moreover, many extant species have
megafauna-adapted traits that provided evolutionary benefits under past megafauna
rich conditions, but are now of no or limited use (anachronisms). Morphological
evolution and behavioural changes allowed some of these species partially to
overcome the absence of megafauna. Although the extinction of megafauna led to a
number of co-extinction events, several species that likely co-evolved with
megafauna established new interactions with humans and their domestic animals.
Species that were highly specialized in interactions with megafauna, such as
large predators, specialized parasites, and large commensalists (e.g. scavengers,
dung beetles), and could not adapt to new hosts or prey were more likely to die
out. Partners that were less megafauna dependent persisted because of behavioural
plasticity or by shifting their dependency to humans via domestication,
facilitation or pathogen spill-over, or through interactions with domestic
megafauna. We argue that the ongoing extinction of the extant megafauna in the
Anthropocene will catalyse another wave of co-extinctions due to the enormous
diversity of key ecological interactions and functional roles provided by the
megafauna.
PMID- 28990322
TI - Proteogenomics Gets onto the Regulation of mRNA Decoding and Translation into
Protein.
AB - Proteogenomics, the integrative analysis of the proteome and the genome,
increasingly provides protein-level insights about the regulation of gene
expression and protein translation. Armengaud et al. (Proteomics 2017, 17,
1700211) nicely illustrate this trend with the first in-depth proteomic analysis
of the eukaryotic and unicellular intestinal parasite Blastocystis sp. Not only
this work constitutes an important milestone toward the proteogenomics profile of
this human pathogen, but also it demonstrates at the protein level the occurrence
of a specific mechanism of mRNA decoding. GU-rich motifs located downstream of
mRNA polyadenylation sites create termination codons that ultimately result in
the synthesis of proteins with lower molecular weight than predicted from gene
sequence. Thus, the scope of proteogenomics now extends to the regulation of mRNA
translation into proteins, providing a proof of concept for future studies in
multicellular eukaryotes such as humans and plants.
PMID- 28990323
TI - Multiple growth periods predict unfavourable pathology in patients with small
renal masses.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To use the number of positive growth periods as a characterization of
the growth of small renal masses in order to determine potential predictors of
malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent axial imaging at
multiple time points prior to surgical resection for a small renal mass were
queried. Patients were categorized based on their pathological tumour grade and
stage: favourable (benign, chromophobe and low-grade pT1-2 renal cell carcinoma
[RCC]) vs unfavourable (high-grade of any stage and low-grade pT3-4 RCC). A
positive growth period was counted each time the difference in greatest tumour
diameters between two images was positive. The Cochran-Armitage trend test and
Somers' D association were used to determine if the number of positive growth
periods was correlated with unfavourable pathology. RESULTS: Of the 124 patients,
86 (69.4%) had favourable pathology and 38 (30.6%) had unfavourable pathology.
Those who had favourable pathology were younger than those who had unfavourable
pathology: median (interquartile range [IQR]) 61.0 (52.2-66.0) vs 68.5 (61.5
77.0); P < 0.001. The overall growth rate was higher in the unfavourable group,
but was not statistically significant: mean (sd) 0.7 (1.7) vs 1.6 (2.8) cm/year;
P = 0.07. There was a significant trend difference in the number of positive
growth periods between favourability groups (P = 0.02). An association between
increased number of positive growth periods and unfavourable pathology was
observed: 0.15 (95% confidence interval 0.02, 0.29). The ratios of favourable to
unfavourable pathology were 1.8, 1.0, 0.66, 0.59 and 0 as the number of positive
growth periods increased from 0 to 4, respectively. CONCLUSION: While overall
growth rate was not predictive of pathology favourability, there was a positive
association between the number of positive growth periods and unfavourable
pathology. The number of positive growth periods may be a potential parameter for
malignant potential in patients undergoing active surveillance for small renal
masses.
PMID- 28990325
TI - Predominance of neutrophils in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients treated with
intravenous immunoglobulin.
AB - Patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin can present with numerous
neutrophils in the cerebrospinal fluid.
PMID- 28990324
TI - Involvement of stanniocalcins in the deregulation of glycaemia in obese mice and
type 2 diabetic patients.
AB - Stanniocalcins are expressed in the pancreas tissue, and it was suggested a
direct correlation between circulating insulin and STC2 concentrations in human.
Here, we show a significant correlation between STC1 and both glycaemia and
glycosylated haemoglobin among DM2 patients, while DM2 patients who present the
greatest glycosylated haemoglobin values exhibited the lowest STC2 expression.
However, treatment of patients with antiglycaemic drugs does not significantly
modify the expression of both STCs. On the other hand, STC2-/- mice that
exhibited neonatal and adult overweight further presented deregulated glycaemia
when they were feed with a hypercaloric diet (breeding pellet, BP). This
alteration is more evident at the early stages of the animal life. Deregulated
glycaemia in these mice was confirmed using glucose oral test. In addition, STC2
/- mice present enhanced pancreas size; thus, the histological analysis reveals
that WT mice respond to BP diet by increasing the size of the pancreatic islets
through inducing cell division, and STC2-/- mice lack this compensatory
mechanism. Contrary, BP fed STC2-/- mice show enhanced number of islets but of
similar size than those fed with regular pellet. Histopathological analysis
demonstrates tissue structure disruption and erythrocytes infiltrations in STC2-/
mice, possibly due to the stress evoked by the BP diet. Finally, enhanced
glucagon immunostaining was observed in the islet of STC2-/- mice, and the
glucagon ELISA assay confirmed the increase in the circulating glucagon.
Summarizing, we present evidence of the role of STCs, mainly STC2, as a possible
early marker during development of diabetes mellitus.
PMID- 28990327
TI - The Recent Crystal Structure of Human Tyrosinase Related Protein 1 (HsTYRP1)
Solves an Old Problem and Poses a New One.
AB - Show your metal: l-Tyrosine is converted into the protective antioxidative
polymer melanin in a sequence of reactions. In humans, the catalytic pathway
starts with the tyrosinase HsTYR and two tyrosinase-related proteins HsTYRP1 and
HsTYRP2. All three enzymes have the same active site but the latter two contain
two zinc ions instead of copper ions.
PMID- 28990326
TI - Association of the nurse work environment with nurse incivility in hospitals.
AB - AIM: To determine whether nurse coworker incivility is associated with the nurse
work environment, defined as organisational characteristics that promote nurse
autonomy. BACKGROUND: Workplace incivility can negatively affect nurses,
hospitals and patients. Plentiful evidence documents that nurses working in
better nurse work environments have improved job and health outcomes. There is
minimal knowledge about how nurse coworker incivility relates to the United
States nurse work environment. METHODS: Quantitative, cross-sectional. Data were
collected through online surveys of registered nurses in a southwestern United
States health system. The survey content included the National Quality Forum
endorsed Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index and the Workplace
Incivility Scale. Data analyses were descriptive and correlational. RESULTS: Mean
levels of incivility were low in this sample of 233 staff nurses. Incivility
occurred 'sporadically' (mean = 0.58; range 0.00-5.29). The nurse work
environment was rated highly (mean = 3.10; range of 1.00-4.00). The nurse work
environment was significantly inversely associated with coworker incivility. The
nurse manager qualities were the principal factor of the nurse work environment
associated with incivility. CONCLUSIONS: Supportive nurse managers reduce
coworker incivility. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse managers can
shape nurse work environments to prevent nurse incivility.
PMID- 28990328
TI - A striking case of dermatosis neglecta.
PMID- 28990329
TI - Educators' emotion regulation strategies and their physiological indicators of
chronic stress over 1 year.
AB - Studies show teaching is a highly stressful profession and that chronic work
stress is associated with adverse health outcomes. This study analysed
physiological markers of stress and self-reported emotion regulation strategies
in a group of middle school teachers over 1 year. Chronic physiological stress
was assessed with diurnal cortisol measures at three time points over 1 year
(fall, spring, fall). The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate the
changes in educators' physiological level of stress. Results indicate that
compared to those in the fall, cortisol awakening responses were blunted in the
spring. Further, this effect was ameliorated by the summer break. Additionally,
self-reported use of the emotion regulation strategy reappraisal buffered the
observed blunting that occurred in the spring.
PMID- 28990331
TI - Antimalarial and Antileishmanial Activities of Phytophenolics and Their Synthetic
Analogues.
AB - Thirty-seven phytophenolics and their synthetic analogues were evaluated for
activity against two protozoal pathogens, Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium
falciparum (D6 and W2 clones), respectively. 4,6-Dimethoxyaurone demonstrated the
highest activity with IC50 values of 13.2 and 16.9 MUm against L. donovani and P.
falciparum (W2 clone), respectively, without undesired cytotoxicity against VERO
cells. The moiety having two benzene rings was critical to maintain the
antiprotozoal activities based on the observation that both coumaranones and
chromones were inactive while other test compounds, including coumarans and
aurones, remained active. There was no correlation between antiprotozoal
activities and previously evaluated insect antifeedant activity against common
cutworms (Spodoptera litura). Flavonoids, including aurones, pterocarpans, and
lignan like dihydrobenzofurans, structural analogues of coumarans, are abundant
in fruits and vegetables, so these phytophenolics may act as natural
antiprotozoal agents in humans.
PMID- 28990332
TI - The expression and functional activities of smooth muscle myosin and non-muscle
myosin isoforms in rat prostate.
AB - Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is mainly caused by increased prostatic smooth
muscle (SM) tone and volume. SM myosin (SMM) and non-muscle myosin (NMM) play
important roles in mediating SM tone and cell proliferation, but these molecules
have been less studied in the prostate. Rat prostate and cultured primary human
prostate SM and epithelial cells were utilized. In vitro organ bath studies were
performed to explore contractility of rat prostate. SMM isoforms, including SM
myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms (SM1/2 and SM-A/B) and myosin light chain 17
isoforms (LC17a/b ), and isoform ratios were determined via competitive RT-PCR.
SM MHC and NM MHC isoforms (NMMHC-A, NMMHC-B and NMMHC-C) were further analysed
via Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Prostatic SM generated
significant force induced by phenylephrine with an intermediate tonicity between
phasic bladder and tonic aorta type contractility. Correlating with this kind of
intermediate tonicity, rat prostate mainly expressed LC17a and SM1 but with
relatively equal expression of SM-A/SM-B at the mRNA level. Meanwhile, isoforms
of NMMHC-A, B, C were also abundantly present in rat prostate with SMM present
only in the stroma, while NMMHC-A, B, C were present both in the stroma and
endothelial. Additionally, the SMM selective inhibitor blebbistatin could
potently relax phenylephrine pre-contracted prostate SM. In conclusion, our novel
data demonstrated the expression and functional activities of SMM and NMM
isoforms in the rat prostate. It is suggested that the isoforms of SMM and NMM
could play important roles in BPH development and bladder outlet obstruction.
PMID- 28990333
TI - A truly complementary approach: A qualitative exploration of complementary and
alternative medicine practitioners' views of treating ankylosing spondylitis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic
disease in which individuals experience a long delay to diagnosis. Prior to
diagnosis, individuals report frequent use of complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) therapies. While popularly used, there is a dearth of knowledge
concerning the experiences of CAM practitioners in terms of treating individuals
with AS. Addressing this knowledge gap, the present study provides a detailed
exploration of how UK-based CAM practitioners treat individuals with AS. METHODS:
Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with eight UK-based CAM
practitioners, (four males), aged 45-69 years. CAM practitioners were recruited
across a range of CAM therapies and years of CAM practice experience (8-46
years). RESULTS: Thematic analysis resulted in the identification of three themes
to characterize the data. Themes comprised: (i) the whole picture; (ii) alarm
bells; and (iii) a common language. Themes highlighted CAM practitioner adoption
of a holistic, yet individualized approach to treating individuals with AS,
despite a general sense of lack of knowledge concerning AS among CAM
practitioners. Notably, results indicated a desire of CAM practitioners to work
more collaboratively with mainstream health providers to provide more joined-up
care for individuals with AS. CONCLUSION: CAM practitioners emphasized the
benefits of CAM to focus on providing effective symptom management when used in
conjunction, rather than in opposition to, mainstream healthcare. Adoption of a
more holistic approach to AS management by CAM practitioners may empower clients
to become more aware of symptoms, thus potentially reducing delays in receiving a
formal diagnosis of AS.
PMID- 28990334
TI - What's Next for Acute Heart Failure Research?
AB - Each year over one million patients with acute heart failure (AHF) present to a
United States emergency department (ED). The vast majority are hospitalized for
further management. The length of stay and high postdischarge event rate in this
cohort have changed little over the past decade. Therapeutic trials have failed
to yield substantive improvement in postdischarge outcomes; subsequently, AHF
care has changed little in the past 40 years. Prior research studies have been
fragmented as either "inpatient" or "ED-based." Recognizing the challenges in
identification and enrollment of ED patients with AHF, and the lack of robust
evidence to guide management, an AHF clinical trials network was developed. This
network has demonstrated, through organized collaboration between cardiology and
emergency medicine, that many of the hurdles in AHF research can be overcome. The
development of a network that supports the collaboration of acute care and HF
researchers, combined with the availability of federally funded infrastructure,
will facilitate more efficient conduct of both explanatory and pragmatic trials
in AHF. Yet many important questions remain, and in this document our group of
emergency medicine and cardiology investigators have identified four high
priority research areas.
PMID- 28990335
TI - Next-Generation Magnetic Nanocomposites: Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of
Coated and Uncoated Ferric Cobalt Boron (FeCoB) Nanoparticles In Vitro.
AB - Metal nanoparticles (NPs) have unique physicochemical properties and a widespread
application scope depending on their composition and surface characteristics.
Potential biomedical applications and the growing diversity of novel
nanocomposites highlight the need for toxicological hazard assessment of next
generation magnetic nanomaterials. Our study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and
genotoxic properties of coated and uncoated ferric cobalt boron (FeCoB) NPs (5-15
nm particle size) in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts. Cell proliferation
was assessed via ATP bioluminescence kit, and DNA breakage and chromosomal damage
were measured by alkaline comet assay and micronucleus test. Polyacryl acid
coated FeCoB NPs [polyacrylic acid (PAA)-FeCoB NPs) and uncoated FeCoB NPs
inhibited cell proliferation at 10 MUg/ml. DNA strand breaks were significantly
increased by PAA-coated FeCoB NPs, uncoated FeCoB NPs and l-cysteine-coated FeCoB
NPs (Cys-FeCoB NPs), although high concentrations (10 MUg/ml) of coated NPs (Cys-
and PAA-FeCoB NPs) showed significantly more DNA breakage when compared to
uncoated ones. Uncoated FeCoB NPs and coated NPs (PAA-FeCoB NPs) also induced the
formation of micronuclei. Additionally, PAA-coated NPs and uncoated FeCoB NPs
showed a negative correlation between cell proliferation and DNA strand breaks,
suggesting a common pathomechanism, possibly by oxidation-induced DNA damage. We
conclude that uncoated FeCoB NPs are cytotoxic and genotoxic at in vitro
conditions. Surface coating of FeCoB NPs with Cys and PAA does not prevent but
rather aggravates DNA damage. Further safety assessment and a well-considered
choice of surface coating are needed prior to application of FeCoB nanocomposites
in biomedicine.
PMID- 28990336
TI - Peer teaching of the physical exam: a pilot study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Mastery of the physical exam (PE), and the ability to teach it to
peers and medical students, are important milestones for residents (junior
doctors); however, several reports indicate that PE skills are in decline. To
address this need, we explored the use of peer observation of teaching (POT) as a
conceptual framework to develop an innovative approach to PE teaching at the
postgraduate medical education level. INNOVATION: We designed a PE POT session to
be conducted at the patient bedside, and piloted four sessions in April 2014.
Sessions involved a senior medicine resident teaching a focused PE to their team
(consisting of two postgraduate first-year residents), while being observed by a
peer, followed by feedback anchored in 11 validated measures of clinical
teaching. The sessions were completed in 30-35 minutes and were enthusiastically
received by residents. Participants valued the interactive approach and the
opportunity to exchange feedback with a peer on their PE teaching skills.
IMPLICATIONS: This pilot using POT methodology to teach the PE addressed
mandatory core competencies related to patient care and practice-based learning
and improvement. Residents gained insights on their PE teaching skills while
interacting with their peers in a novel and reciprocal learning opportunity. This
experience helped participants to value their role as PE teachers and generate
strategies to change their teaching behaviours. Despite this being a small study,
POT offers an innovative approach to teach the PE at the postgraduate level, with
the potential to address the gap of PE teaching and learning. Several reports
indicate that physical exam skills are in decline.
PMID- 28990337
TI - The prioritization of symptom beliefs over illness beliefs: The development and
validation of the Pain Perception Questionnaire for Young People.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the suitability of the revised Illness Perception
Questionnaire (IPQ-R) for use with adolescents with a long-term pain condition
and to validate a new questionnaire for use with this age group. DESIGN: A three
phase mixed-methods study. METHODS: Phase 1 comprised in-depth qualitative
analyses of audio-recorded cognitive interviews with 20 adolescents with juvenile
idiopathic arthritis who were answering IPQ-R items. Transcripts were coded using
framework analysis. A content analysis of their intended responses to individual
items was also conducted. In Phase 2, a new questionnaire was developed and its
linguistic and face validity were assessed with 18 adolescents without long-term
conditions. In Phase 3, the construct validity of the new questionnaire was
assessed with 240 adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. A subset of 43
adolescents completed the questionnaire a second time to assess test-retest
reliability. All participants were aged 11-16 years. RESULTS: Participants
described both conceptual and response format difficulties when answering IPQ-R
items. In response, the Pain Perception Questionnaire for Young People (PPQ-YP)
was designed which incorporated significant modifications to both wording and
response formats when compared with the IPQ-R. A principal component analysis of
the PPQ-YP identified ten constructs in the new questionnaire. Emotional
representations were separated into two constructs, responsive and anticipatory
emotions. The PPQ-YP showed high test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom
beliefs appear to be more salient to adolescents with a long-term pain condition
than beliefs about the illness as a whole. A new questionnaire to assess pain
beliefs of adolescents was designed. Further validation work may be needed to
assess its suitability for use with other pain conditions. Statement of
contribution What is already known on this subject? Versions of the adult Revised
Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) have been adapted for adolescents and
children by changing item wording; however, research to assess the degree to
which the underlying IPQ-R constructs are relevant to adolescents with a long
term condition had not been performed. What the present study adds? In
adolescents, beliefs about symptoms of their condition are more salient than
beliefs about the illness as a whole. Question response formats for children and
young people need to take account of age-specific abilities. A new questionnaire
has been designed for adolescents with pain. It is theoretically congruent with
the CS-SRM.
PMID- 28990340
TI - Mechanical thrombectomy revisited is there any value?
AB - The use of mechanical thrombectomy in STEMI with large amount of jeopardized
myocardium may preserve regional wall motion When appropriate and done with
proper removal technique, there does not appear to be any increased incidence of
neurologic complications The guideline recommendation that mechanical
thrombectomy should not be done routinely is supported by these authors.
PMID- 28990338
TI - Minor Structural Variations of Small Molecules Tune Regulatory Activities toward
Pathological Factors in Alzheimer's Disease.
AB - Chemical tools have been valuable for establishing a better understanding of the
relationships between metal ion dyshomeostasis, the abnormal aggregation and
accumulation of amyloid-beta (Abeta), and oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease
(AD). Still, very little information is available to correlate the structures of
chemical tools with specific reactivities used to uncover such relationships.
Recently, slight structural variations to the framework of a chemical tool were
found to drastically determine the tool's reactivities toward multiple
pathological facets to various extents. Herein, we report our rational design and
characterization of a structural series to illustrate the extent to which the
reactivities of small molecules vary toward different targets as a result of
minor structural modifications. These compounds were rationally and
systematically modified based on consideration of properties, including
ionization potentials and metal binding, to afford their desired reactivities
with metal-free or metal-bound Abeta, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and free
organic radicals. Our results show that although small molecules are structurally
similar, they can interact with multiple factors associated with AD pathogenesis
and alleviate their reactivities to different degrees. Together, our studies
demonstrate the rational structure-directed design that can be used to develop
chemical tools capable of regulating individual or interrelated pathological
features in AD.
PMID- 28990341
TI - Patterns of restenosis for the SFA: The second step on a long journey.
AB - Restenosis patterns required better definitions Defining restenosis patterns may
help compare technologies better Further research with consistent restenosis
pattern definition will help us define the most value-added treatments.
PMID- 28990342
TI - Post-TAVR aortogram: Transform it into a modern tool for prognosis and
efficiency.
AB - Video densitometry after aortography can provide objective assessment of aortic
regurgitation post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) Contrast density
ratio between the left ventricular outflow track and proximal aorta (LVOT-AR) of
>0.17 suggests greater than mild aortic insufficiency and correlates with echo
findings LVOT-AR of >0.17 is associated with higher 30-day and 1-year mortality.
PMID- 28990339
TI - The antiviral effects of RSV fusion inhibitor, MDT-637, on clinical isolates, vs
its achievable concentrations in the human respiratory tract and comparison to
ribavirin.
AB - BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) viral load and disease severity
associate, and the timing of viral load and disease run in parallel. An antiviral
must be broadly effective against the natural spectrum of RSV genotypes and must
attain concentrations capable of inhibiting viral replication within the human
respiratory tract. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated a novel RSV fusion inhibitor, MDT
637, and compared it with ribavirin for therapeutic effect in vitro to identify
relative therapeutic doses achievable in humans. METHOD: MDT-637 and ribavirin
were co-incubated with RSV in HEp-2 cells. Quantitative PCR assessed viral
concentrations; 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50 ) were compared to achievable
human MDT-637 and ribavirin peak and trough concentrations. RESULTS AND
CONCLUSIONS: The IC50 for MDT-637 and ribavirin (against RSV-A Long) was 1.42 and
16 973 ng/mL, respectively. The ratio of achievable peak respiratory secretion
concentration to IC50 was 6041-fold for MDT-637 and 25-fold for aerosolized
ribavirin. The ratio of trough concentration to IC50 was 1481-fold for MDT-637
and 3.29-fold for aerosolized ribavirin. Maximal peak and trough levels of oral
or intravenous ribavirin were significantly lower than their IC50 s. We also
measured MDT-637 IC50 s in 3 lab strains and 4 clinical strains. The IC50 s
ranged from 0.36 to 3.4 ng/mL. Achievable human MDT-637 concentrations in
respiratory secretions exceed the IC50 s by factors from hundreds to thousands of
times greater than does ribavirin. Furthermore, MDT-637 has broad in vitro
antiviral activity on clinical strains of different RSV genotypes and clades.
Together, these data imply that MDT-637 may produce a superior clinical effect
compared to ribavirin on natural RSV infections.
PMID- 28990343
TI - Efficacy and Safety of a Biodegradable Polymer Cobalt-Chromium Sirolimus-Eluting
Stent (EXCEL2) in Treating De Novo Coronary Artery Disease: A Pooled Analysis of
the CREDIT II and CREDIT III Trials. DOI: 10.1002/ccd.26887.
PMID- 28990344
TI - Treating of aortic valve stenosis in real-life: A multifaceted decision-making
challenge.
AB - In this issue of CCI, Vejpongsa and coworkers showed that TAVR represented 20.4%
of all aortic valve replacements performed in elderly patients from 21 US states
in the year 2013. Patients treated with SAVR or TAVR largely overlapped in their
baseline characteristics, indicating that both modalities concur in everyday
life. One out of six patients was readmitted within 30 days, with no significant
differences between the TAVR and SAVR in propensity score analysis. One may ask:
since the indications of transcatheter and surgical treatments are interchanged
for many cases, and the global results look similar, how to finally select the
best therapeutic option for an individual case? Would the results be the same if
patient-reported outcomes and experiences, such as pain and analgesic use, time
to return to routine activities, or quality of life scores were measured?
Combining traditional and patient-reported outcomes, in relation to costs, is the
optimal approach to assess value in healthcare. Time has come for investigators
to adopt value-based healthcare measures as endpoints in registries and clinical
trials.
PMID- 28990345
TI - Is adjustment disorder unidimensional or multidimensional? Implications for ICD
11.
AB - In preparation for ICD-11, the adjustment disorder (AjD) diagnosis has undergone
considerable revisions; however, the latent structure of AjD remains uncertain.
It is unclear whether AjD is best represented as a unidimensional or
multidimensional construct. This study performed a comprehensive assessment of
the latent structure of AjD symptomatology and assessed its concurrent and
discriminant validity. Individuals who experienced involuntary job loss (N = 333)
completed a self-report measure of AjD symptoms. Seven alternative models of AjD
were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. General psychological distress,
impairment in social functioning, occupational self-efficacy, and sense of
coherence were used as criterion variables for construct validity. In the
confirmatory factor analysis, a bifactor solution with one dominant general AjD
factor and 5 correlated group factors (preoccupation, failure-to-adapt,
avoidance, affective reaction, and impulsivity) provided optimal fit. As
expected, the AjD factor showed strong positive associations with general
psychological distress and impairments in social functioning and moderately
negative associations with occupational self-efficacy and sense of coherence.
With regard to unidimensionality or multidimensionality of AjD symptoms, the
current results indicate the plausibility of a unidimensional conceptualization.
Future research should focus on essential key characteristics and a reduction of
symptoms for the AjD definition.
PMID- 28990346
TI - Risk factors for resurgery in men with artificial urinary sphincter: Role of
urethral strictures.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the outcome of
implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in male patients with
iatrogenic urinary incontinence and to analyse possible risk factors for
resurgery, with particular focus on the effects of posterior urethral strictures
(US). METHODS: The outcomes of AUS implantation surgeries performed by 2 surgeons
on consecutive patients between January 1999 and 2015 were evaluated
retrospectively. Univariate analysis with Cox proportional hazard regression was
used to assess correlations between resurgery (explantation or substitution of
the urethral cuff) and risk factors. Hazard ratios (HR) associated with AUS
survival and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and Kaplan-Meier were
constructed. Patients who underwent resurgery for mechanical failure were
excluded from the study. RESULTS: In all, 73 male patients were monitored for a
maximum of 190 months (median follow-up duration 36 months). The risk of
resurgery was 3.75-fold greater in patients with than without stenosis (HR 3.75;
95% CI 1.47-9.59). In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a
significantly shorter AUS survival time in patients with than without stenosis
treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Prior treatment for US increases the relative risk of AUS
failure. Despite not being an absolute contraindication for AUS implantation, we
suggest that patients with previous treatment for US are informed of potential
risks.
PMID- 28990347
TI - October 2017 at a glance: phenotyping heart failure, co-morbidities, use of
evidence-based therapy and new treatments.
PMID- 28990348
TI - Larvicidal Activity of Essential Oils of Five Apiaceae Taxa and Some of Their
Main Constituents Against Culex quinquefasciatus.
AB - Apiaceae are aromatic herbs producing essential oils which are used on an
industrial scale for various purposes. Notably, Apiaceae essential oils may
replace synthetic insecticides keeping most of their efficacy and avoiding
environmental pollution and human poisoning. In the present work, we explored the
insecticidal potential of the essential oils from five Apiaceae taxa, namely
Sison amomum, Echinophora spinosa, Heracleum sphondylium subsp. sphondylium,
Heracleum sphondylium subsp. ternatum, and Trachyspemum ammi, as well as their
major constituents (sabinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, myristicin, and thymol),
against the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus. For the purpose, the
essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and their composition was
achieved by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Their acute toxicity on
third instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus was determined. The two most active
essential oils were those from T. ammi fruits and E. spinosa roots, showing LC50
below 20 MUl/l and LD90 below 50 MUl/l. These oils were dominated by the
monoterpene phenol thymol and the phenylpropanoid myristicin, respectively, which
showed the strongest larvicidal activity (LC50 of 15.1 and 16.3 MUl/l,
respectively) among the pure compounds tested. These results showed that Apiaceae
may be useful as source of larvicidal compounds to be used for the development of
cheap, effective and eco-friendly insecticidal formulations.
PMID- 28990349
TI - STAMPEDE-ing towards androgen biosynthesis inhibition for treatment of high-risk
hormone-naive prostate cancer: changing the LATITUDE.
PMID- 28990350
TI - Association of DNMT3b gene variants with sporadic Parkinson's disease in a
Chinese Han population.
AB - BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative
disorder worldwide. Epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation, have
been implicated in the development of this disease. Genetic variants of DNA
methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b), one of the most important DNA methyltransferases,
were shown to be associated with PD in a Brazilian population. However, it is
unclear whether genetic variants of DNMT3b increase the risk of PD in the Chinese
Han people. The present study aimed to investigate the association of the DNMT3b
variants rs2424913, rs998382 and rs2424932 with PD in a Chinese Han population.
METHODS: We studied 487 Chinese Han patients with sporadic PD and 485 healthy age
, sex- and ethnicity-matched controls. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood
leukocytes and the individual genotypes were determined using the SNaPshot
method. RESULTS: We found that the rs2424932 and rs998382 variants were
significantly associated with an increased risk of PD compared to the controls
[rs2424932: odds ratio (OR) = 1.632, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.108-2.406,
p = 0.013; rs998382: OR = 1.612, 95% CI = 1.103-2.382, p = 0.014]. Subgroup
analysis suggested that female patients carrying the rs2424932 or rs998382
variants were more likely to develop PD than female controls (rs2424932: OR =
3.863, 95% CI = 2.004-7.445, p < 0.001; rs998382: OR = 3.679, 95% CI = 1.943
6.964, p < 0.001). Haplotype analysis indicated that the three variants comprised
one block and that the Trs2424913 -Crs998382 -A rs2424932 haplotype was
correlated with an increased risk of PD (p = 0.0046), especially for Chinese Han
females (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study strongly
suggest that DNMT3b variants are associated with PD in the Chinese Han people,
especially females.
PMID- 28990351
TI - Human capabilities in advanced dementia: Nussbaum's approach.
AB - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore how Martha Nussbaum's approach to human
capabilities can apply to dignity in the lives of people with advanced dementia
living in nursing homes. BACKGROUND: Challenges experienced when supporting
people with advanced dementia who express problematic behaviours include
understanding their needs and ensuring a dignified life for them. DESIGN AND
METHODS: Data were gathered using an ethnographic approach based on participatory
observation. Nussbaum's capability approach was then used as a framework for the
analysis. Four women diagnosed with advanced dementia who also expressed
problematic behaviours were recruited from a nursing home in Northern Sweden. The
data collection was performed during 2015. FINDINGS: Individuals with advanced
dementia had difficulties in participating in the planning of their lives and
achieving the human capability of practical reasoning. They were also at risk of
being placed outside the social group, thus hindering them from attaining the
human capability of affiliation. A dignified life for individuals with advanced
dementia requires nursing staff to be present and to provide adapted support to
ensure that the individual can actually pursue human capabilities. CONCLUSION:
Creating opportunities for the human capabilities of practical reasoning and
affiliation is essential as they permeate all other human capabilities. For these
individuals, it was crucial not only to create opportunities for human
capabilities but also to attend to their expressions and needs and to guide and
steer them towards a dignified life. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The normative
structure of the capability approach described by Nussbaum can ensure that
nursing staffs move beyond fulfilling patients' basic needs to consider other
capabilities vital for a dignified life.
PMID- 28990352
TI - Flexible Zirconium MOFs as Bromine-Nanocontainers for Bromination Reactions under
Ambient Conditions.
AB - A series of flexible MOFs (PCN-605, PCN-606, and PCN-700) are synthesized and
applied to reversible bromine encapsulation and release. The chemical stability
of these Zr-MOFs ensures the framework's integrity during the bromine adsorption,
while the framework's flexibility allows for structural adaptation upon bromine
uptake to afford stronger host-guest interactions and therefore higher bromine
adsorption capacities. The flexible MOFs act as bromine-nanocontainers which
elongate the storage time of volatile halides under ambient conditions.
Furthermore, the bromine pre-adsorbed flexible MOFs can be used as generic
bromine sources for bromination reactions giving improved yields and
selectivities under ambient conditions when compared with liquid bromine.
PMID- 28990353
TI - Professor Thue W. Schwartz is the BCPT Nordic Prize Winner 2017 in Basic &
Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology.
PMID- 28990354
TI - Influence of atrial contraction dynamics on cardiac function.
AB - In recent years, there has been a move from monoventricular or biventricular
models of the heart, to more complex models that incorporate the
electromechanical function in all 4 chambers. However, the biophysical foundation
is still underdeveloped, with most work in atrial cellular models having focused
on electrophysiological properties. Here, we present a biophysical model of human
atrial contraction at body temperature and use it to study the effects of atrial
contraction on whole organ function and a study of the effects of remodelling due
to atrial fibrillation on atrial and ventricular function.
PMID- 28990355
TI - Sickness Status and Neural Tube Defects: A Case-Control Study in a North Indian
Population.
AB - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in India is high in
comparison to other regions in the world, with the Northern part reporting the
highest prevalence. METHODS: To explore the risk factors for NTDs, a case-control
study was carried out in Delhi from January 2008 to June 2011. Using multivariate
logistic regression model analysis, 308 cases were compared with 580 controls and
adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was calculated using SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Maternal
factors that were significantly associated with increased risk of NTDs were inter
pregnancy interval (AOR = 3.175; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.007-5.024),
hyperthermia during the first trimester (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.131-3.788),
maturation ill pregnancy (AOR = 1.956; 95% CI, 1.385-2.763), chronic illness (AOR
= 1.648; 95% CI, 1.103-2.462), and use of antibiotics (AOR = 5.589; 95% CI, 1.789
17.455). Differences in the risk were also found between upper and lower NTD. It
was observed that all of the former five variables, except for chronic illness,
were associated with risk for upper NTDs (AOR = 1.532; 95% CI, 0.916-2.563). In
contrast, hyperthermia before conception (and not during the first trimester) was
found to be additionally associated with risk for lower NTDs (AOR = 2.782; 95%
CI, 1.302-5.944). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight heterogeneity in the
etiology of upper and lower NTDs. The study also highlights the risk factors that
should be considered in combating the risk of NTDs. Birth Defects Research
109:1393-1399, 2017.(c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PMID- 28990356
TI - Thalidomide Embryopathy as Possible Cause of Anterior Sacral Meningocele: A Case
Report.
AB - A 54-year-old male presented with a sudden burning sensation during urination and
left flank pain. Apart from having congenital facial palsy and malformation of
the inner right ear that was linked to thalidomide embryopathy, the patient has
always been in good health. Urine examination showed the presence of a urinary
tract infection. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a large cyst in the lower
abdomen, which on MRI corresponded to a large anterior sacral meningocele (ASM)
with sacral agenesis at S1/S2. After antibiotic treatment and the spontaneous
passage of a kidney stone, the symptoms resolved. This suggests that the
patient's acute symptoms were caused by the urolithiasis and not the ASM.
Thalidomide is teratogenic between days 17 and 30 after conception. The neural
tube closes between days 20 and 36, therefore, thalidomide embryopathy was the
possible cause of ASM in this patient. Birth Defects Research 109:1390-1392,
2017.(c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PMID- 28990357
TI - Procedural learning across the lifespan: A systematic review with implications
for atypical development.
AB - This systematic review aimed to investigate procedural learning across the
lifespan in typical and atypical development. Procedural learning is essential
for the development of everyday skills, including language and communication
skills. Although procedural learning efficiency has been extensively studied,
there is no consensus yet on potential procedural learning changes during
development and ageing. Currently, three conflicting models regarding this
trajectory exist: (1) a model of age invariance; (2a) a model with a peak in
young adulthood; and (2b) a model with a plateau in childhood followed by a
decline. The aims of this study were (1) to investigate this debate on procedural
learning across the lifespan by systematically reviewing evidence for each model
from studies using the serial reaction time task; and (2) to review procedural
learning in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and specific language impairment
(SLI), two developmental disorders characterized by deficits in communication
skills, in the light of these models. Our findings on typical development
strongly support a model of age-related changes (Model 2a or 2b) and show that
mixed findings regarding the developmental trajectory during childhood can be
explained by methodological differences across studies. Applying these
conclusions to systematic reviews of studies of ASD and SLI makes it clear that
there is a strong need for the inclusion of multiple age groups in these clinical
studies to model procedural learning in atypical development. Clinical
implications of the findings are discussed. Future research should focus on the
role of declarative learning in both typical and atypical development.
PMID- 28990358
TI - Long-term safety of intravenous cardiovascular agents in acute heart failure:
results from the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry.
AB - AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess long-term safety of intravenous
cardiovascular agents-vasodilators, inotropes and/or vasopressors-in acute heart
failure (AHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: The European Society of Cardiology Heart
Failure Long-Term (ESC-HF-LT) registry was a prospective, observational registry
conducted in 21 countries. Patients with unscheduled hospitalizations for AHF (n
= 6926) were included: 1304 (18.8%) patients received a combination of
intravenous (i.v.) vasodilators and diuretics, 833 (12%) patients received i.v.
inotropes and/or vasopressors. Primary endpoint was long-term all-cause
mortality. Main secondary endpoints were in-hospital and post-discharge
mortality. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) showed no association between the use of
i.v. vasodilator and diuretic and long-term mortality [HR 0.784, 95% confidence
interval (CI) 0.596-1.032] nor in-hospital mortality (HR 1.049, 95% CI 0.592
1.857) in the matched cohort (n = 976 paired patients). By contrast, adjusted HR
demonstrated a detrimental association between the use of i.v. inotrope and/or
vasopressor and long-term all-cause mortality (HR 1.434, 95% CI 1.128-1.823), as
well as in-hospital mortality (HR 1.873, 95% CI 1.151-3.048) in the matched
cohort (n = 606 paired patients). No association was found between the use of
i.v. inotropes and/or vasopressors and long-term mortality in patients discharged
alive (HR 1.078, 95% CI 0.769-1.512). A detrimental association with inotropes
and/or vasopressors was seen in all geographic regions and, among catecholamines,
dopamine was associated with the highest risk of death (HR 1.628, 95% CI 1.031
2.572 vs. no inotropes). CONCLUSIONS: Vasodilators did not demonstrate any
association with long-term clinical outcomes, while inotropes and/or vasopressors
were associated with increased risk of all-cause death, mostly related to excess
of in-hospital mortality in AHF.
PMID- 28990359
TI - Ancestry-specific and sex-specific risk alleles identified in a genome-wide gene
by-alcohol dependence interaction study of risky sexual behaviors.
AB - We previously mapped loci for the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and
genome-wide gene-by-alcohol dependence interaction (GW-GxAD) analyses of risky
sexual behaviors (RSB). This study extends those findings by analyzing the
ancestry- and sex-specific AD-stratified effects on RSB. We examined the
concordance of findings for the AD-stratified GWAS and the GW-GxAD analysis of
RSB, with concordance defined as genome-wide significance in one analysis and at
least nominal significance in the second analysis. A total of 2,173 African
American (AA) and 1,751 European-American (EA) subjects were investigated.
Information regarding RSB (lifetime experiences of unprotected sex and multiple
sexual partners) and DSM-IV diagnosis of lifetime AD were derived from the Semi
Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (SSADDA). In our
ancestry- and sex-specific analyses, we identified four independent genome-wide
significant (GWS) loci (p < 5*10-8 ) and one suggestive locus (p < 6*10-8 ). In
men, we observed a GWS signal in FAM162A (rs2002594, p = 4.96*10-8 ). In women,
there was a suggestive locus in PLGRKT (rs3824435, p = 5.52*10-8 ). In AAs, there
was a GWS signal in GRK5 (rs1316543, p = 1.25*10-9 ). In AA men, we observed an
intergenic GWS signal (rs12898370, p = 4.49*10-8 ) near LINGO1. In EA men, there
was a GWS signal in CCSER1 (rs62313897; p = 7.93*10-10 ). The loci identified in
this GWAS implicate molecular mechanisms related to psychiatric illness and
personality features, suggesting that the interplay between AD and RSB is
mediated by alleles associated with behavioral traits.
PMID- 28990360
TI - Effects of Genetic Variants on Carboxylesterase 1 Gene Expression, and
Clopidogrel Pharmacokinetics and Antiplatelet Effects.
AB - Several single nucleotide variations (SNVs) affect carboxylesterase 1 (CES1)
activity, but the effects of genetic variants on CES1 gene expression have not
been systematically investigated. Therefore, our aim was to investigate effects
of genetic variants on CES1 gene expression in two independent whole blood sample
cohorts of 192 (discovery) and 88 (replication) healthy volunteers and in a liver
sample cohort of 177 patients. Furthermore, we investigated possible effects of
the found variants on clopidogrel pharmacokinetics (n = 106) and pharmacodynamics
(n = 46) in healthy volunteers, who had ingested a single 300 mg or 600 mg dose
of clopidogrel. Using massively parallel sequencing, we discovered two CES1 SNVs,
rs12443580 and rs8192935, to be strongly and independently associated with a 39%
(p = 4.0 * 10-13 ) and 31% (p = 2.5 * 10-8 ) reduction in CES1 whole blood
expression per copy of the minor allele. These findings were replicated in the
replication cohort. However, these SNVs did not affect CES1 liver expression, or
clopidogrel pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. Conversely, the CES1 c.428G>A
missense SNV (rs71647871) impaired the hydrolysis of clopidogrel, increased
exposure to clopidogrel active metabolite and enhanced its antiplatelet effects.
In conclusion, the rs12443580 and rs8192935 variants reduce CES1 expression in
whole blood but not in the liver. These tissue-specific effects may result in
substrate-dependent effects of the two SNVs on CES1-mediated drug metabolism.
PMID- 28990362
TI - An explorative study on the validity of various definitions of a 2.2 degrees C
temperature threshold as warning signal for impending diabetic foot ulceration.
AB - Home monitoring of skin temperature is effective to prevent diabetic foot
ulceration. We explored the validity of various definitions for the >2.2 degrees
C left-to-right threshold used as a warning signal for impending ulceration.
Twenty patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy monitored their skin
temperature with an infrared thermometer at the plantar hallux, metatarsal heads,
midfoot and heel four times a day for 6 consecutive days. Environmental
temperature and walking activity were monitored and associated with foot
temperature. The average temperature difference between feet was 0.65 degrees C.
At single locations, a left-to-right temperature difference of >2.2 degrees C was
found 245 times (8.5% of measurements). Confirmation of these above-threshold
readings on the following day was found seven times (0.3%). Corrected for
individual left-to-right mean foot temperature differences, this reduced to four
(0.2%). No ulcers developed in the week after monitoring. Left-to-right foot
temperature differences were not significantly correlated with walking activity,
environmental temperature or time of day. The >2.2 degrees C left-to-right foot
temperature threshold for impending ulceration is not valid as single
measurement, but validity improves to acceptable levels when an above-threshold
temperature difference is confirmed the following day and further improves with
individual correction. The threshold is independent of time of day, environmental
temperature and walking activity.
PMID- 28990363
TI - Light-Harvesting Organic Nanocrystals Capable of Photon Upconversion.
AB - Harvesting and converting low energy photons into higher ones through
upconversion have great potential in solar energy conversion. A light-harvesting
nanocrystal assembled from 9,10-distyrylanthracene and palladium(II) meso
tetraphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin as the acceptor and the sensitizer, respectively
effects red-to-green upconversion under incoherent excitation of low power
density. An upconversion quantum yield of 0.29+/-0.02 % is obtained upon
excitation with 640 nm laser of 120 mW cm-2 . The well-organized packing of
acceptor molecules with aggregation-induced emission in the nanocrystals
dramatically reduces the nonradiative decay of the excited acceptor, benefits the
triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion and guides the consequent
upconverted emission. This work provides a straightforward strategy to develop
light-harvesting nanocrystals based on TTA upconversion, which is attractive for
energy conversion and photonic applications.
PMID- 28990361
TI - Characterization of garlic endophytes isolated from the black garlic processing.
AB - The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify garlic endophytes, and
explore the characteristics of dominant strains. Garlic endophytes were studied
through phenotypical characterization and comparative sequence analysis of 16S
rDNA based on culture-dependent approaches. Representative strains inferred from
16S rDNA sequencing were selected for further identification by gyrA and rpoB
gene loci and phylogenetic analysis based on concateneted house-keeping
sequences. Seven kinds of Bacillus were found from garlic and black garlic,
respectively. Further studies demonstrated that the total bacteria and endophytes
showed a sharp decrease firstly, followed by a rapid rise, then maintained at a
certain level, and finally slowed down during the black garlic processing. B.
subtilis, B. methylotrophicus, and B. amyloliquefaciens were the dominant
strains. The selected strains were capable of fermenting glucose, lactose,
sucrose, and garlic polysaccharide to produce acid but no gas, with a strong
ability of heat resistance. The results indicated that there were a certain
number of garlic endophytes during the black garlic processing, and Bacillus was
the dominant strains under the conventional culture-dependent methods. This
report provided useful information for the presence and type of garlic endophytes
during the black garlic processing, which were of great significance to study the
formation mechanism and quality improvement of black garlic in the future, as
well as the security of garlic powder.
PMID- 28990364
TI - Synthesis, Functionalization, and Design of Magnetic Nanoparticles for
Theranostic Applications.
AB - In order to translate nanotechnology into medical practice, magnetic
nanoparticles (MNPs) have been presented as a class of non-invasive nanomaterials
for numerous biomedical applications. In particular, MNPs have opened a door for
simultaneous diagnosis and brisk treatment of diseases in the form of theranostic
agents. This review highlights the recent advances in preparation and utilization
of MNPs from the synthesis and functionalization steps to the final design
consideration in evading the body immune system for therapeutic and diagnostic
applications with addressing the most recent examples of the literature in each
section. This study provides a conceptual framework of a wide range of synthetic
routes classified mainly as wet chemistry, state-of-the-art microfluidic
reactors, and biogenic routes, along with the most popular coating materials to
stabilize resultant MNPs. Additionally, key aspects of prolonging the half-life
of MNPs via overcoming the sequential biological barriers are covered through
unraveling the biophysical interactions at the bio-nano interface and giving a
set of criteria to efficiently modulate MNPs' physicochemical properties.
Furthermore, concepts of passive and active targeting for successful cell
internalization, by respectively exploiting the unique properties of cancers and
novel targeting ligands are described in detail. Finally, this study extensively
covers the recent developments in magnetic drug targeting and hyperthermia as
therapeutic applications of MNPs. In addition, multi-modal imaging via fusion of
magnetic resonance imaging, and also innovative magnetic particle imaging with
other imaging techniques for early diagnosis of diseases are extensively
provided.
PMID- 28990367
TI - Continuing Professional Development.
PMID- 28990368
TI - Future proofing radiologists.
PMID- 28990369
TI - Frederick Schubert BSc, MBBS, FRACR, FRCR, BA, DDU (1926-2017).
PMID- 28990365
TI - Endocannabinoid-related compounds in gastrointestinal diseases.
AB - The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an endogenous signalling pathway involved in
the control of several gastrointestinal (GI) functions at both peripheral and
central levels. In recent years, it has become apparent that the ECS is pivotal
in the regulation of GI motility, secretion and sensitivity, but endocannabinoids
(ECs) are also involved in the regulation of intestinal inflammation and mucosal
barrier permeability, suggesting their role in the pathophysiology of both
functional and organic GI disorders. Genetic studies in patients with irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease have indeed shown significant
associations with polymorphisms or mutation in genes encoding for cannabinoid
receptor or enzyme responsible for their catabolism, respectively. Furthermore,
ongoing clinical trials are testing EC agonists/antagonists in the achievement of
symptomatic relief from a number of GI symptoms. Despite this evidence, there is
a lack of supportive RCTs and relevant data in human beings, and hence, the
possible therapeutic application of these compounds is raising ethical, political
and economic concerns. More recently, the identification of several EC-like
compounds able to modulate ECS function without the typical central side effects
of cannabino-mimetics has paved the way for emerging peripherally acting drugs.
This review summarizes the possible mechanisms linking the ECS to GI disorders
and describes the most recent advances in the manipulation of the ECS in the
treatment of GI diseases.
PMID- 28990370
TI - Importance of quality in radiation oncology.
PMID- 28990371
TI - Exploring animal rabies endemicity to inform control programmes in Punjab, India.
AB - Previous studies estimate that one-third of the annual global burden of rabies
(~20,000 cases) occurs in India. Elimination of canine rabies is essential to
reduce this burden. Surveillance of animal cases can assess both the risk to
humans and the efficacy of control strategies. The objective of this study was to
describe the spatial and temporal occurrence of reported confirmed cases of
rabies in animals in Punjab, India, from 2004 to 2014. We analysed passive
surveillance data on 556 samples submitted from 2004 to 2014 to GADVASU,
Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Regression and time series analyses were conducted to
understand seasonal and long-term variation of cases and identify cross
correlation of monthly cases between species. Spatio-temporal analyses assessed
spatial autocorrelation of date of reporting, mean geographic centres of disease
occurrence and clustering of cases using Kulldorff's space-time permutation
statistic. The annual number of submissions and proportion of confirmed cases
were consistent throughout 2004-2014. Most submissions (320; 57.6%) were
confirmed rabies cases, including dogs (40.6%), buffalo (29.7%) and cattle
(23.1%). Regression analysis of monthly cases in dogs showed seasonal variation
with significant increases in cases in March and August. Monthly case numbers in
buffalo decreased over time. Long-term temporal trend was not detected in dog and
cattle cases. Time-series models identified significant cross-correlation between
dog and buffalo cases, suggesting that buffalo cases were spillover events from
dogs. Significant spatio-temporal variation or clusters of cases were not
detected. These results indicate that rabies cases in animals-and therefore, the
potential for exposure to humans-were temporally and spatially stable during 2004
2014 in Punjab, India. The endemic nature of rabies transmission in this region
demands a coordinated, sustained control programme. This study provides baseline
information for assessing the efficacy of rabies control measures and developing
seasonally targeted dog vaccination and rabies awareness strategies.
PMID- 28990372
TI - ATP Binding Cassette Sub-family Member 2 (ABCG2) and Xenobiotic Exposure During
Early Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation.
AB - BACKGROUND: ATP binding cassette sub-family member 2 (ABCG2) is a well-defined
efflux transporter found in a variety of tissues. The role of ABCG2 during early
embryonic development, however, is not established. Previous work which compared
data from the ToxCast screening program with that from in-house studies suggested
an association exists between exposure to xenobiotics that regulate Abcg2
transcription and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC), a
relationship potentially related to redox homeostasis. METHODS: mESC were grown
for up to 9 days. Pharmacological inhibitors were used to assess transporter
function with and without xenobiotic exposure. Proliferation and differentiation
were evaluated using RedDot1 and quantiative reverse transcriptase-polymerase
chain reaction, respectively. ABCG2 activity was assessed using a Pheophorbide a
based fluorescent assay. Protein expression was measured by capillary-based
immunoassay. RESULTS: ABCG2 activity increased in differentiating mESC. Treatment
with K0143, an inhibitor of ABCG2, had no effect on proliferation or
differentiation. As expected, mitoxantrone and topotecan, two chemotherapeutics,
displayed increased toxicity in the presence of K0143. Exposure to K0143 in
combination with chemicals predicted by ToxCast to regulate ABCG2 expression did
not alter xenobiotic-induced toxicity. Moreover, inhibition of ABCG2 did not
shift the toxicity of either tert-Butyl hydroperoxide or paraquat, two oxidative
stressors. CONCLUSION: As previously reported, ABCG2 serves a protective role in
mESC. The role of ABCG2 in regulating redox status, however, was unclear. The
hypothesis that ABCG2 plays a fundamental role during mESC differentiation or
that regulation of the receptor by xenobiotics may be associated with altered
mESC differentiation could not be supported. Birth Defects Research, 110:35-47,
2018. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public
domain in the USA.
PMID- 28990373
TI - Sigma-1 receptor agonist increases axon outgrowth of hippocampal neurons via
voltage-gated calcium ions channels.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1Rs) are unique endoplasmic reticulum
proteins that have been implicated in both neurodegenerative and ischemic
diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke. Accumulating evidence has
suggested that Sig-1R plays a role in neuroprotection and axon outgrowth. The
underlying mechanisms of Sig-1R-mediated neuroprotection have been well
elucidated. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of Sig-1R on axon
outgrowth are not fully understood. METHODS: To clarify this issue, we utilized
immunofluorescence to compare the axon lengths of cultured naive hippocampal
neurons before and after the application of the Sig-1R agonist, SA4503. Then,
electrophysiology and immunofluorescence were used to examine voltage-gated
calcium ion channel (VGCCs) currents in the cell membranes and growth cones.
RESULTS: We found that Sig-1R activation dramatically enhanced the axonal length
of the naive hippocampal neurons. Application of the Sig-1R antagonist NE100 and
gene knockdown techniques both demonstrated the effects of Sig-1R. The growth
promoting effect of SA4503 was accompanied by the inhibition of voltage-gated
Ca2+ influx and was recapitulated by incubating the neurons with the L-type, N
type, and P/Q-type VGCC blockers, nimodipine, MVIIA and omega-agatoxin IVA,
respectively. This effect was unrelated to glial cells. The application of SA4503
transformed the growth cone morphologies from complicated to simple, which
favored axon outgrowth. CONCLUSION: Sig-1R activation can enhance axon outgrowth
and may have a substantial influence on neurogenesis and neurodegenerative
diseases.
PMID- 28990374
TI - Transcriptome sequencing and annotation of the halophytic microalga Dunaliella
salina.
AB - The unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina is well adapted to salt stress and
contains compounds (including beta-carotene and vitamins) with potential
commercial value. A large transcriptome database of D. salina during the
adjustment, exponential and stationary growth phases was generated using a high
throughput sequencing platform. We characterized the metabolic processes in D.
salina with a focus on valuable metabolites, with the aim of manipulating D.
salina to achieve greater economic value in large-scale production through a
bioengineering strategy. Gene expression profiles under salt stress verified
using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) implied that salt can
regulate the expression of key genes. This study generated a substantial fraction
of D. salina transcriptional sequences for the entire growth cycle, providing a
basis for the discovery of novel genes. This first full-scale transcriptome study
of D. salina establishes a foundation for further comparative genomic studies.
PMID- 28990375
TI - Nominal effective immunoreaction volume of magnetic beads at single bead level.
AB - Immunomagnetic bead (IMB)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has
been the tool frequently used for protein detection in research and clinical
laboratories. For most ELISA reactions the recommended dosage of IMBs is usually
according to their weight (mg) or mass fraction (w/v) instead of the bead number.
Consequently, the processes occurring in the immediate vicinity of the IMBs have
always been ignored by researchers and they cannot be revealed in detail during
the ELISA reaction. In this paper, we established the relationship between number
of IMBs and colorimetric results, and further proposed a new concept of "nominal
effective immunoreaction volume (NEIV)" to characterize a single IMB during ELISA
reaction. Results showed that the NEIV of a single IMB has a constant value,
which is unrelated to the amount of beads and the concentration of antigen.
Optimal results of the colorimetric ELISA are achieved when the incubation volume
meets each IMB's NEIV and is no longer enhanced by increasing the incubation
volume. Thus, the reliable and relatively precise number of IMBs for ELISA
detection during practical application could be determined. Most importantly, a
study using IMB's NEIV would lay the foundation for a kinetics analysis of IMBs
and antigens for future study.
PMID- 28990376
TI - Phenolic compounds participating in mulberry juice sediment formation during
storage.
AB - The stability of clarified juice is of great importance in the beverage industry
and to consumers. Phenolic compounds are considered to be one of the main factors
responsible for sediment formation. The aim of this study is to investigate the
changes in the phenolic content in clarified mulberry juice during storage.
Hence, separation, identification, quantification, and analysis of the changes in
the contents of phenolic compounds, both free and bound forms, in the supernatant
and sediments of mulberry juice, were carried out using high performance liquid
chromatographic system, equipped with a photo-diode array detector (HPLC-PDA) and
HPLC coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometric (HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS)
techniques. There was an increase in the amount of sediment formed over the
period of study. Total phenolic content of supernatant, as well as free phenolic
content in the extracts of the precipitate decreased, whereas the bound phenolic
content in the sediment increased. Quantitative estimation of individual phenolic
compounds indicated high degradation of free anthocyanins in the supernatant and
sediment from 938.60 to 2.30 mg/L and 235.60 to 1.74 mg/g, respectively. A
decrease in flavonoids in the supernatant was also observed, whereas the contents
of bound forms of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin in
the sediment increased. Anthocyanins were the most abundant form of phenolics in
the sediment, and accounted for 67.2% of total phenolics after 8 weeks of
storage. These results revealed that phenolic compounds, particularly
anthocyanins, were involved in the formation of sediments in mulberry juice
during storage.
PMID- 28990377
TI - Stability of beta-carotene microcapsules with Maillard reaction products derived
from whey protein isolate and galactose as coating materials.
AB - The stability of beta-carotene microcapsules using Maillard reaction products
(MRPs) derived from whey protein isolate (WPI) and galactose as coating
materials, was studied under the varying environmental conditions of temperature,
pH, air, incandescent light, and ultraviolet (UV) light. Scanning electron
microscopy showed that microcapsules prepared by WPI-galactose MRPs displayed a
smooth and less concave-convex surface and that the particle size (D50) of the
microcapsules made with WPI-galactose MRPs was smaller than those made with WPI
galactose mixture. The storage stability of beta-carotene microencapsulated in
WPI-galactose MRPs was remarkably better than that of beta-carotene
microencapsulated in the WPI-galactose mixture and that of beta-carotene crystal,
in respect of temperature, pH, air, incandescent light, and UV light
measurements. When the storage temperature was increased from 5 to 105 degrees
C, the retention rate of beta-carotene microcapsules significantly decreased
(P<0.05). When pH values were increased from 1 to 12, the beta-carotene retention
rate of the microcapsules significantly increased and afterward decreased.
Compared with the retention rate of beta-carotene microencapsulated in a WPI
galactose mixture, the retention rate of beta-carotene microencapsulated in WPI
galactose MRPs was at a maximum between pH 8 and 9. Under the actions of air,
incandescent light, and UV light, the retention rates of beta-carotene
microcapsules in WPI-galactose MRPs and WPI-galactose mixture, as well as in beta
carotene crystal, decreased significantly as the storage time increased (P<0.05).
Therefore, the use of WPI-galactose MRPs as coating materials can aid in
improving the storage stability of beta-carotene microcapsules.
PMID- 28990379
TI - Effects of neutral phytase on growth performance and phosphorus utilization in
crucian carp (Carassius auratus).
AB - A feeding trial was conducted for nine weeks to investigate the effects of
partially replacing Ca(H2PO4)2 with neutral phytase on the growth performance,
phosphorus utilization, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters,
bone and carcass mineral composition, and digestive-enzyme-specific activity in
crucian carp (Carassius auratus). The diets prepared with 0.8%, 0%, and 1.8%
Ca(H2PO4)2 (1%=1 g/100 g) supplements were regarded as the P1E0, negative control
(NC), and positive control (PC) groups, respectively; the other three
experimental diets were prepared with the addition of 200, 300, and 500 U/kg of
neutral phytase, respectively, based on the P1E0 group. Three hundred and eighty
four fish ((1.50+/-0.01) g) were randomly distributed in the six treatments with
four replicates each. The fish were initially fed with 2%-3% diets of their body
weight per day, with feeding twice daily (08:00 and 16:00), under a 12-h light/12
h dark cycle at the temperature of (27.56+/-0.89) degrees C. The results showed
that supplemental phytase at different levels in the diet improved the final body
weight, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, phosphorus utilization, and
protein efficiency ratio of crucian carp (P<0.05). Phytase supplementation
increased the mineral content in serum (P), bone (P, Ca), and carcass (P, Ca, Zn,
Na, and Mg) (P<0.05); the trypsin and chymotrypsin activity soared when fed with
the phytase-supplemented diets (P<0.05). We may conclude that supplemental
dietary neutral phytase improved the growth performance, phosphorus utilization
as well as nutrient utilization in crucian carp, and it can be considered an
important nutritional replacement for Ca(H2PO4)2.
PMID- 28990378
TI - Optimization of low-abundance protein extraction and abundant protein removal
from defatted soybean meal.
AB - The aim of this study was to optimize the conditions for the extraction of low
abundance proteins (LAPs) and the removal of abundant proteins (APs; beta
conglycinin and glycinin) from soybean meal. Single factor and orthogonal
experiments were designed to determine the effects of four factors (isopropanol
concentration, total extraction time, ultrasonic power, and ultrasonic time) on
protein concentration in isopropanol extracts. Proteins in the isopropanol
supernatant and the cold acetone precipitate of isopropanol were identified by
sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and matrix
assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF
MS). The results showed that the optimal conditions were 50% isopropanol,
ultrasonic pretreatment for 15 min at 350 W, and a total extraction time of 1 h.
Under these conditions, the protein concentration in the isopropanol extracts
reached 0.8081 g/L. Many LAPs were detected, including beta-amylase, soybean
agglutinin, soybean trypsin inhibitor, fumarylacetoacetase-like, phospholipase D
alpha 1-like, oleosin, and even some unknown soybean proteins. The soybean APs
(beta-conglycinin and glycinin) were not found. The method may be useful for
discovering new soybean proteins and extracting enough LAPs of soybean to allow
further studies of their physiological effects on animals without the influence
of APs.
PMID- 28990380
TI - Effects of split applications of nitrogen fertilizers on the Cd level and
nutritional quality of Chinese cabbage.
AB - Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil is an increasingly serious problem. Management
of plant nutrients has been proposed as a potentially promising strategy for
minimizing Cd accumulation in crops grown in contaminated soil. This study
investigated the effects of split applications of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on the
Cd concentration in Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) plants grown in Cd
contaminated soil. Compared with single applications, split applications of
ammonium or urea resulted in significantly lower Cd concentrations, and higher
biomass production and antioxidant-associated nutritional quality in the edible
plant parts. However, when nitrate was used as the N fertilizer, there were no
significant differences between the split and single applications for the same
parameters. We conclude that a split application could be more beneficial than a
single application method when ammonium or urea is used as the N fertilizer for
vegetable cultivation in Cd-contaminated soil.
PMID- 28990382
TI - Characteristic differences in essential oil composition of six Zanthoxylum
bungeanum Maxim. (Rutaceae) cultivars and their biological significance.
AB - Great variations have been found in composition and content of the essential oil
of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (Rutaceae), resulting from various factors such
as harvest time, drying and extraction methods (Huang et al., 2006; Shao et al.,
2013), solvent and herbal parts used (Zhang, 1996; Cao and Zhang, 2010; Wang et
al., 2011). However, in terms of artificial introduction and cultivation, there
is little research on the chemical composition of essential oil extracted from Z.
bungeanum Maxim. cultivars, which have been introduced from different origins. In
this study, the composition and content of essential oil from six cultivars (I
VI) have been investigated. They were introduced and cultivated for 11 years in
the same cultivation conditions. Cultivars were as followings: Qin'an (I)
cultivar originally introduced from Qin'an City in Gansu Province; Dahongpao A
(II) from She County in Hebei Province; Dahongpao B (III) from Fuping County;
Dahongpao C (IV) from Tongchuan City; Meifengjiao (V) from Feng County; and,
Shizitou (VI) from Hancheng City, in Shaanxi Province, China. This research is
expected to provide a theoretical basis for further introduction, cultivation,
and commercial development of Z. bungeanum Maxim.
PMID- 28990381
TI - Enucleation of non-invasive tumors in the proximal pancreas: indications and
outcomes compared with standard resections.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficiency of
enucleation (EU) for proximal pancreatic non-invasive neoplasms. METHODS:
Patients with solitary non-invasive neoplasms in the proximal pancreas from
January 1998 to April 2014 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang
University, Hangzhou, China were included. Different operations and outcomes were
analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were enrolled. Forty patients (32.5%)
underwent EU including 18 patients who had tumors close to the main pancreatic
duct (MPD). Sixty-one patients (49.6%) had pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) performed
and 22 (17.9%) underwent central pancreatectomy (CP). Pathological outcomes
included neuroendocrine tumors, cystic lesions, and solid pseudopapillary tumors.
Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, and duration of hospital stay were
significantly reduced in the EU group. PD was associated with the greatest
complication rate (55.7%), followed by EU (50%) and CP (40.9%), though the
pancreatic fistula rate after EU was the highest (50%), especially in patients
with tumors larger than 3 cm and tumors close to the MPD. EU had advantages in
the preservation of pancreatic parenchyma and endocrine and exocrine function.
CONCLUSIONS: EU can be carried out safely and effectively for tumors in the
proximal pancreas with improved outcomes compared with standard resections, even
if the tumor is larger than 3 cm and close to the MPD.
PMID- 28990383
TI - Rational Engineering of Bioinspired Anthocyanidin Fluorophores with Excellent Two
Photon Properties for Sensing and Imaging.
AB - Fluorescent materials are widely employed in biological analysis owing to their
biorthogonal chemistries for imaging and sensing purposes. However, it is always
a challenge to design fluorophores with desired photophysical and biological
properties, due to their complicated molecular and optical nature. Inspired by
anthocyanidin, a class of flower pigments, we designed a new fluorescent
molecular framework, AC-Fluor. The new fluorescent materials can be rationally
engineered to produce a broad range of fluorescent scaffolds with flexibly
tunable emission spectra covering the whole visible light range, from 467 to 707
nm. Furthermore, they exhibit unprecedented environment-insensitive two-photon
properties with a substantial cross section as large as 1100 GM in aqueous
solution. AC-Fluors demonstrate their biological values through two-photon deep
tissue imaging, with penetration depths as much as 300 MUm, while exhibiting
minimal cytotoxicity. These features engender a rational engineering strategy for
the design and optimization of new fluorescent materials for biological imaging.
PMID- 28990384
TI - Selective Binding of Spherical and Linear Anions by Tetraphenyl(thio)urea-Based
Dihomooxacalix[4]arene Receptors.
AB - Three novel tetra(thio)ureido dihomooxacalix[4]arene anion receptors (phenylurea
4a, phenylthiourea 4b, and tert-butylurea 4c) were synthesized and obtained in
the cone conformation in solution, as shown by NMR studies. The X-ray crystal
structure of 4c is reported. The host-guest properties of these receptors toward
several anions were investigated by 1H NMR titrations. Phenylurea 4a displayed a
very efficient binding toward the spherical F- and Cl- anions, and the linear CN-
(log Kass = 3.46, 3.50, and 4.02, respectively). In comparison to related
bidentate phenylurea dihomooxacalix[4]arenes, tetraphenylurea 4a is more
preorganized and the higher number of hydrogen bond donor sites provides a
remarkable enhancement of its binding efficiency.
PMID- 28990385
TI - Thin Coating of Microporous Organic Network Makes a Big Difference:
Sustainability Issue of Ni Electrodes on the PET Textile for Flexible Lithium-Ion
Batteries.
AB - Poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers (PET-Fs) were coated with microporous organic
networks (MONs) by the Sonogashira coupling of tetra(4-ethynylphenyl)methane with
1,4-diiodobenzene. Ni was deposited on the PET-F@MON via electroless deposition.
Interestingly, although Ni on the PET-F showed a sharp decrease in conductivity
in repeated bending tests, the PET-F@MON@Ni showed excellent retention of
conductivity. We suggest that thin MON layers play roles of an efficient binder
for Ni attachment to fibers and a structural buffer for the relaxation of bending
strain. The positive effect of MON was supported by scanning electron microscopy
studies of the PET-F@Ni or PET-F@MON@Ni retrieved after 2000 bending numbers.
Although Ni on the PET-F showed severe detachment after bending tests, PET
F@MON@Ni retained the original morphologies. The pouch cells of lithium-ion
batteries fabricated using PET-F@MON@Ni as the current collectors showed
excellent performance against bending.
PMID- 28990386
TI - An Adaptable Phospholipid Membrane Mimetic System for Solution NMR Studies of
Membrane Proteins.
AB - Based on the saposin-A (SapA) scaffold protein, we demonstrate the suitability of
a size-adaptable phospholipid membrane-mimetic system for solution NMR studies of
membrane proteins (MPs) under close-to-native conditions. The Salipro
nanoparticle size can be tuned over a wide pH range by adjusting the saposin-to
lipid stoichiometry, enabling maintenance of sufficiently high amounts of
phospholipid in the Salipro nanoparticle to mimic a realistic membrane
environment while controlling the overall size to enable solution NMR for a range
of MPs. Three representative MPs, including one G-protein-coupled receptor, were
successfully incorporated into SapA-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine nanoparticles
and studied by solution NMR spectroscopy.
PMID- 28990387
TI - Mechanistic Insight into Caffeine-Oxalic Cocrystal Dissociation in Formulations:
Role of Excipients.
AB - Caffeine-oxalic acid cocrystal, widely reported to be stable under high humidity,
dissociated in the presence of numerous pharmaceutical excipients. In cocrystal
excipient binary systems, the water mediated dissociation reaction occurred under
pharmaceutically relevant storage conditions. Powder X-ray diffractometry was
used to identify the dissociated products obtained as a consequence of coformer
excipient interaction. The proposed cocrystal dissociation mechanism involved
water sorption, dissolution of cocrystal and excipient in the sorbed water,
proton transfer from oxalic acid to the excipient, and formation of metal salts
and caffeine hydrate. In compressed tablets with magnesium stearate, the
cocrystal dissociation was readily discerned from the appearance of peaks
attributable to caffeine hydrate and stearic acid. Neutral excipients provide an
avenue to circumvent the risk of water mediated cocrystal dissociation.
PMID- 28990388
TI - Carbon-Encapsulated Sn@N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes as Anode Materials for
Application in SIBs.
AB - Carbon-encapsulated Sn@N-doped carbon tubes with submicron diameters were
obtained via the simple reduction of C@SnO2@N-doped carbon composites that were
fabricated by a hydrothermal approach. Sn nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon
layers were distributed uniformly on the surfaces of the N-doped carbon
nanotubes. The electrochemical performances of the composites were systematically
investigated as anode materials in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The composite
electrode could attain a good reversible capacity of 398.4 mAh g-1 when
discharging at 100 mA g-1, with capacity retention of 67.3% and very high
Coulombic efficiency of 99.7% over 150 cycles. This good cycling performance,
when compared to only 17.5 mAh g-1 delivered by bare Sn particles prepared via
the same method without the presence of N-doped carbon, could be mainly ascribed
to the uniform distribution of the precursor SnO2 on the substrate of N-doped
carbon tubes with three-dimensional structure, which provides more reaction sites
to reduce the diffusion distance of Na+, further facilitating Na+-ion diffusion
and relieves the huge volume expansion during charging/discharging. These
outcomes imply that such a Sn/C composite would provide more options as an anode
candidate for SIBs.
PMID- 28990390
TI - Henry's Constants of Persistent Organic Pollutants by a Group-Contribution Method
Based on Scaled-Particle Theory.
AB - A group-contribution method based on scaled-particle theory was developed to
predict Henry's constants for six families of persistent organic pollutants:
polychlorinated benzenes, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated
dibenzodioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, polychlorinated naphthalenes, and
polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The group-contribution model uses limited
experimental data to obtain group-interaction parameters for an easy-to-use
method to predict Henry's constants for systems where reliable experimental data
are scarce. By using group-interaction parameters obtained from data reduction,
scaled-particle theory gives the partial molar Gibbs energy of dissolution,
Deltag2, allowing calculation of Henry's constant, H2, for more than 700 organic
pollutants. The average deviation between predicted values of log H2 and
experiment is 4%. Application of an approximate van't Hoff equation gives the
temperature dependence of Henry's constants for polychlorinated biphenyls,
polychlorinated naphthalenes, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the
environmentally relevant range 0-40 degrees C.
PMID- 28990389
TI - Stimulus-Responsive Plasmonic Chiral Signals of Gold Nanorods Organized on DNA
Origami.
AB - In response to environmental variations, living cells need to arrange the
conformational changes of macromolecules to achieve the specific biofunctions.
Inspired by natural molecular machines, artificial macromolecular assemblies with
controllable nanostructures and environmentally responsive functions can be
designed. By assembling macromolecular nanostructures with noble metal
nanoparticles, environmental information could be significantly amplified and
modulated. However, manufacturing dynamic plasmonic nanostructures that are
efficiently responsive to different stimuli is still a challenging task. Here we
demonstrate a stimulus-responsive plasmonic nanosystem based on DNA origami
organized gold nanorods (GNRs). L-shaped GNR dimers were assembled on rhombus
shaped DNA origami templates. The geometry and chiral signals of the GNR
nanoarchitectures respond to multiple stimuli, including glutathione reduction,
restriction enzyme action, pH change, or photoirradiation. While the glutathione
reduction or restriction enzyme caused irreversible changes in the plasmonic
circular dichroism (CD) signals, both pH and light irradiation triggered
reversible changes in the plasmonic CD. Our system transduces external stimuli
into conformational changes and circular dichroism responses in near-infrared
(NIR) wavelengths. By this approach, programmable optical reporters for essential
biological signals can be fabricated.
PMID- 28990391
TI - Fluorinated, Sulfur-Rich, Covalent Triazine Frameworks for Enhanced Confinement
of Polysulfides in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.
AB - Lithium-sulfur battery represents a promising class of energy storage technology
owing to its high theoretical energy density and low cost. However, the
insulating nature, shuttling of soluble polysulfides and volumetric expansion of
sulfur electrodes seriously give rise to the rapid capacity fading and low
utilization. In this work, these issues are significantly alleviated by both
physically and chemically restricting sulfur species in fluorinated porous
triazine-based frameworks (FCTF-S). One-step trimerization of perfluorinated
aromatic nitrile monomers with elemental sulfur allows the simultaneous formation
of fluorinated triazine-based frameworks, covalent attachment of sulfur and its
homogeneous distribution within the pores. The incorporation of electronegative
fluorine in frameworks provides a strong anchoring effect to suppress the
dissolution and accelerate the conversion of polysulfides. Together with covalent
chemical binding and physical nanopore-confinement effects, the FCTF-S
demonstrates superior electrochemical performances, as compared to those of the
sulfur-rich covalent triazine-based framework without fluorine (CTF-S) and porous
carbon delivering only physical confinement. Our approach demonstrates the
potential of regulating lithium-sulfur battery performances at a molecular scale
promoted by the porous organic polymers with a flexible design.
PMID- 28990392
TI - Highly Specific and Wide Range NO2 Sensor with Color Readout.
AB - We present a simple and inexpensive method to implement a Griess-Saltzman-type
reaction that combines the advantages of the liquid phase method (high
specificity and fast response time) with the benefits of a solid implementation
(easy to handle). We demonstrate that the measurements can be carried out using
conventional RGB sensors; circumventing all the limitations around the
measurement of the samples with spectrometers. We also present a method to
optimize the measurement protocol and target a specific range of NO2
concentrations. We demonstrate that it is possible to measure the concentration
of NO2 from 50 ppb to 300 ppm with high specificity and without modifying the
Griess-Saltzman reagent.
PMID- 28990393
TI - An Assessment of the Burden on Polish Caregivers of Patients With Dementia: A
Preliminary Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the level of burden of
caregivers of persons with dementia and to analyze the factors related to the
sense of burden. METHODS: The study group consisted of 58 caregivers with an
average age of 54.7 (+/- 12.6) and 45 (78%) were women. The Caregiver Burden
Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Berlin Social Support Scale
(BSSS), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used. RESULTS: In the
study group, 93% could rely on help in caring for the patient, provided mainly by
the family. Most caregivers demonstrated a medium level of burden (2.63 +/-
0.61). A significant correlation was found between the level of caregiver burden
and caregiving frequency, BSSS, BDI, and SWLS. CONCLUSIONS: A lot of factors
influence the caregivers' burden. It appears necessary to take into consideration
the cultural, religious, and economic distinctiveness of the country in question.
PMID- 28990394
TI - Striving for Positive Aging Among Chinese Older People: Effects of Life Stress
and Control Beliefs in a Longitudinal Study.
AB - We examined effects of life stress and control beliefs on a constellation of
subjective indicators of well-being for older people, including meaning in life,
happiness, peace of mind, and positive aging perception. The Chinese cultural
background provided the sociocultural milieu for the present study. In a
longitudinal study, 301 older Chinese adults completed a questionnaire survey
twice, 6 months apart. Regression analyses found that stress caused by major life
changing events (acute) and financial hardship (chronic) were consistent negative
predictors of all well-being indicators. Furthermore, primary control belief
(tenacious goal pursuit) amplified the negative impacts of life events on
happiness and peace of mind. Secondary control belief (submitting to
circumstances), in contrast, acted as a buffer that alleviated the deleterious
effects of financial hardship on peace of mind and meaning in life. Noting the
threats of unfavorable life circumstances and the potency of secondary control
belief for older Chinese people, theoretical and cultural implications were
discussed.
PMID- 28990395
TI - An Evaluation of Reach for a Work Site Implementation of the National Diabetes
Prevention Program Focusing on Diet and Exercise.
AB - PURPOSE: Our objective is to evaluate the "reach" component of the Reach
Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework by comparing
prediabetics who were and were not interested in enrolling in a free work site
diabetes prevention program (DPP) during the first year of the program. Reach is
defined as the proportion of eligible participants who enroll in a health
program. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was used. SETTING: The setting
was a large health system in the Midwest. PARTICIPANTS: Prediabetic health plan
enrollees and spouses (N = 2158). MEASURES: An online health survey, annual
voluntary biometric screenings delivered by a trained health-care professional
using standardized protocols via point-of-care testing, and records from the DPP
office were the sources of data for this study. ANALYSIS: Health behaviors and
biometric screening results were simultaneously compared using multivariable
logistic regression. RESULTS: The study population was 63% female, 79% white, and
16% black, and the mean age was 50.2 years (SD = 10.2). The reach of this program
was 10%. Prediabetics were more likely to express interest in the DPP, if they
were female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:
1.55-3.72; P < .001), black (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.43-3.47; P < .001), older in
age (AOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.99-1.17; P = .05), or had a high-risk waist
circumference (AOR = 1.44; 95% CI: 0.98-2.13; P = .07), lower self-efficacy to
make healthy changes (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.26-0.91; P = .03), and 5 or more
doctor visits in the last year (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI: 0.99-4.57; P = .05), after
controlling for other covariates. CONCLUSION: Current recruitment and
implementation strategies are reaching only a small group of individuals who are
not representative of the larger prediabetic population. These findings inform
future engagement strategies, and we recommend that public health practitioners
evaluate reach to ensure that health promotion programs are of high value.
PMID- 28990397
TI - Examining the Role of Primary Care Physicians and Challenges Faced When Their
Patients Transition to Home Hospice Care.
AB - BACKGROUND: The transition into home hospice care is often a critical time in a
patient's medical care. Studies have shown patients and caregivers desire
continuity with their physicians at the end of life (EoL). However, it is unclear
what roles primary care physicians (PCPs) play and what challenges they face
caring for patients transitioning into home hospice care. OBJECTIVES: To
understand PCPs' experiences, challenges, and preferences when their patients
transition to home hospice care. DESIGN: Nineteen semi-structured phone
interviews with PCPs were conducted. Study data were analyzed using standard
qualitative methods. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included PCPs from 3 academic
group practices in New York City. Measured: Physician recordings were transcribed
and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Most PCPs noted that there was a
discrepancy between their actual role and ideal role when their patients
transitioned to home hospice care. Primary care physicians expressed a desire to
maintain continuity, provide psychosocial support, and collaborate actively with
the hospice team. Better establishment of roles, more frequent communication with
the hospice team, and use of technology to communicate with patients were
mentioned as possible ways to help PCPs achieve their ideal role caring for their
patients receiving home hospice care. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians
expressed varying degrees of involvement during a patient's transition to home
hospice care, but many desired to be more involved in their patient's care. As
with patients, physicians desire to maintain continuity with their patients at
the EoL and solutions to improve communication between PCPs, hospice providers,
and patients need to be explored.
PMID- 28990398
TI - Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Antibiotics Among the
General Public Attending the Outpatient Pharmacy Units of Hospitals in Bhutan: A
Cross-Sectional Survey.
AB - We assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices on antibiotics
through a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey among the general public in
Bhutan. Of the 692 participants, 52.6% (364) were females with a mean age of 34.2
years. More than half of the respondents showed unsatisfactory knowledge varying
significantly from 23.1% to 69.6%. Cotrimoxazole (septran) was the least known
while amoxicillin was the most known antibiotics assessed. Two-thirds of the
responsents (267) knew that inappropriate use of antibiotics could lead to
antimicrobial resistance and 89% (319) were aware of the need to complete the
antibiotic courses. In bivariate analysis, satisfactory knowledge was associated
with the education level of graduate and higher as compared with no education.
This study revealed unsatisfactory knowledge and attitude but satisfactory
practices on antibiotics use among participants. Efforts are needed to improve
public awareness on antibiotics. Enforcement of regulations on sale of
antibiotics over the counter needs a revamp.
PMID- 28990396
TI - Physicians Perceptions of Shared Decision-Making in Neonatal and Pediatric
Critical Care.
AB - BACKGROUND: Most children die in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units
after decisions are made to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments.
These decisions can be challenging when there are different views about the
child's best interest and when there is a lack of clarity about how best to also
consider the interests of the family. OBJECTIVE: To understand how neonatal and
pediatric critical care physicians balance and integrate the interests of the
child and family in decisions about life-sustaining treatments. METHODS:
Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 physicians from neonatal,
pediatric, and cardiothoracic intensive care units in a single quaternary care
pediatric hospital. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using content and
thematic analysis. RESULTS: We identified 3 main themes: (1) beliefs about child
and family interests; (2) disagreement about the child's best interest; and (3)
decision-making strategies, including limiting options, being directive, staying
neutral, and allowing parents to come to their own conclusions. Physicians
described challenges to implementing shared decision-making including unequal
power and authority, clinical uncertainty, and complexity of balancing child and
family interests. They acknowledged determining the level of engagement in shared
decision-making with parents (vs routine engagement) based on their perceptions
of the best interests of the child and parent. CONCLUSIONS: Due to power
imbalances, families' values and preferences may not be integrated in decisions
or families may be excluded from discussions about goals of care. We suggest that
a systematic approach to identify parental preferences and needs for decisional
roles and information may reduce variability in parental involvement.
PMID- 28990399
TI - The Carrel patch clamp for renal transplantation.
PMID- 28990400
TI - 'Trust me, I'm a doctor': a qualitative study of the role of paternalism and
older people in decision-making when they have lost their capacity.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore whether older people want
their doctors to make treatment decisions on their behalf when they no longer
have capacity to do so, and their reasons for these preferences. METHOD: A
convenience sample of older people from two retirement villages were interviewed
and asked to respond to a hypothetical vignette. Their responses were analysed
using qualitative thematic methodology. RESULTS: Thirty-seven people (56.8%
female; mean age = 83.9 years; mean Mini Mental State Examination = 26.5)
participated; 73.0% indicated that they would want their doctor to make treatment
decisions on their behalf. Three key themes emerged: 1) trust in the doctor
patient relationship; 2) doctor-derived factors: knowledge and expertise,
professionalism, role and responsibility; 3) patient-derived factors:
vulnerability, dependence and reliance, compromised autonomy. CONCLUSION: Our
findings suggest that the paternalistic model within medical care can be an
expectation of some older patients and if taking a paternalistic approach we
should not underestimate the trust and power that is imparted to us.
PMID- 28990401
TI - Reactive Oxygen Species and Their Implications on CD4+ T Cells in Type 1
Diabetes.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: Previous work has indicated that type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathology is
highly driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS). One way in which ROS shape the
autoimmune response demonstrated in T1D is by promoting CD4+ T cell activation
and differentiation. As CD4+ T cells are a significant contributor to pancreatic
beta cell destruction in T1D, understanding how ROS impact their development,
activation, and differentiation is critical. Recent Advances: CD4+ T cells
themselves generate ROS via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)
oxidase expression and electron transport chain activity. Moreover, T cells can
also be exposed to exogenous ROS generated by other immune cells (e.g.,
macrophages and dendritic cells) and beta cells. Genetically modified animals and
ROS inhibitors have demonstrated that ROS blockade during activation results in
CD4+ T cell hyporesponsiveness and reduced diabetes incidence. Critical Issues
and Future Directions: Although the majority of studies with regard to T1D and
CD4+ T cells have been done to examine the influence of redox on CD4+ T cell
activation, this is not the only circumstance in which a T cell can be impacted
by redox. ROS and redox have also been shown to play roles in CD4+ T cell-related
tolerogenic mechanisms, including thymic selection and regulatory T cell-mediated
suppression. However, the effect of these mechanisms with respect to T1D
pathogenesis remains elusive. Therefore, pursuing these avenues may provide
valuable insight into the global role of ROS and redox in autoreactive CD4+ T
cell formation and function.
PMID- 28990403
TI - Redox Potential and ROS-Mediated Nanomedicines for Improving Cancer Therapy.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: The overabundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants
in cancer cells represents a challenge for therapeutic intervention, while also
providing an opportunity for the development of new strategies to improve
clinical therapeutic outcomes. Recent Advances: Nanotechnology has advanced
tremendously in recent decades and now offers many potential opportunities to
leverage altered redox status to improve conventional therapies. Highly tunable
nanoparticle delivery systems have shown great promise for improving the
following: (i) chemotherapy via selective redox-sensitive drug release in tumor
cells and limited systemic toxicity; (ii) photodynamic therapy via enhancing
photoactivation and/or ROS production; and (iii) radiation therapy via enhancing
ROS production. Great progress has also been made regarding novel nanoparticle
mediated therapies to enhance tumor cell death via ROS generation and angiogenic
inhibition. CRITICAL ISSUES: Current anticancer therapies are limited by systemic
side effects and resistance. The inherent heterogeneity and hypoxic status of
solid tumors impose significant barriers for even the most rationally designed
nanoparticle systems. In addition, few comprehensive biodistribution and toxicity
evaluations exist, and clinical efficacy remains to be established. The
practicality of many nanoparticle systems is compromised by variable in vivo
responses and scale-up difficulties due to complicated chemistry and prohibitive
manufacturing costs. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: As nanoparticle design continues to
advance, improved therapeutic efficacy will likely follow. Actively targeted
systems may improve distribution specificity but more positive clinical
demonstrations are needed. Further investigation into systemic and intracellular
distribution as well as toxicity will improve understanding of how these
nanoparticle systems can be applied to improve existing therapies. Antioxid.
Redox Signal. 00, 000-000.
PMID- 28990404
TI - Dietary planning, self-efficacy, and outcome expectancies play a role in an
online intervention on fruit and vegetable consumption.
AB - OBJECTIVE: An online intervention to improve fruit and vegetable (FV) intake
examines the role of planning, outcome expectancies, self-efficacy and gender.
Women are not only expected to eat more FV than men, but they are also expected
to be more responsive to nutritional advice and benefit more from treatment.
METHOD: A two-arm digital intervention with 269 men and 395 women (Mage = 41.2,
SDage = 11.45; range: 19-66 years) was conducted in Italy, Spain and Greece,
followed up at three and six months, comparing a static with a dynamic, feedback
intensive platform. RESULTS: Linear mixed models yielded an increase in FV
consumption in both the dynamic and the static intervention arms. In men, outcome
expectancies were positively related to follow-up FV intake. Dietary planning
interacted with self-efficacy on behavioural outcomes. CONCLUSION: FV intake
increased overall, and being a woman and involvement in planning facilitated
behaviour change. Women seemed to be more engaged in the dynamic platform
resulting in a higher amount of planning. Initial motivation, as indicated by
outcome expectancies, seemed to be beneficial for men. Self-efficacious
individuals benefitted from their engagement in planning, but self-efficacy did
not compensate for failing to plan.
PMID- 28990402
TI - Reassessing the Structure and Function Relationship of the O2 Sensing
Transcription Factor FNR.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: The Escherichia coli regulatory protein fumarate nitrate reduction
(FNR) mediates a global transcriptional response upon O2 deprivation. Spanning
nearly 40 years of research investigations, our understanding of how FNR senses
and responds to O2 has considerably progressed despite a lack of structural
information for most of that period. This knowledge has established the paradigm
for how facultative anaerobic bacteria sense changes in O2 tension. Recent
Advances: Recently, the X-ray crystal structure of Aliivibrio fischeri FNR with
its [4Fe-4S] cluster cofactor was solved and has provided valuable new insight
into FNR structure and function. These findings have alluded to the
conformational changes that may occur to alter FNR activity in response to O2.
CRITICAL ISSUES: Here, we review the major features of this structure in context
of previously acquired data. In doing so, we discuss additional mechanistic
aspects of FNR function that warrant further investigation. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: To
complement the [4Fe-4S]-FNR structure, the structures of apo-FNR and FNR bound to
DNA or RNA polymerase are needed. Together, these structures would elevate our
understanding of how ligation of its [4Fe-4S] cluster allows FNR to regulate
transcription according to the level of environmental O2.
PMID- 28990405
TI - Suicide of Australians during the Vietnam War.
AB - OBJECTIVES: National suicide rates fall during times of war. This fits with the
notion of the population coming together against a common foe. But, what happens
in the case of a war which is not fully supported, which draws the population and
families apart? We consider this question by examining the Australian suicide
rates during the divisive Vietnam War. METHODS: We graphed and examined the
Australian suicide figures for 1921-2010. RESULTS: We found clear evidence of a
decrease in the suicide rate for World War II (consistent with other studies),
but a marked elevation of suicide during the Vietnam War. CONCLUSIONS: The
elevation of the Australian suicide rate during the Vietnam War is consistent
with Durkheim's social integration model - when social integration is lessened,
either by individual characteristics or societal characteristics, the risk of
suicide rises.
PMID- 28990407
TI - Clinical research in an academic psychiatry department: some general principles
and case studies.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This paper gives guidance for developing collaborative clinical
research within an academic psychiatry department. METHODS: We describe the
experience at the Australian National University Medical School, and present
three case studies. RESULTS: The results reveal that general principles include,
but are not limited to, intellectual curiosity, mentorship, collaboration and
protected time. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a particular strength of a new
research department at a medical school may be close collaborative research
within clinical settings.
PMID- 28990408
TI - A systematic review of electronic assistive technology within supporting living
environments for people with dementia.
AB - Health and social care provision needs to change in order to meet the needs of an
increase in the number of people living with dementia. Environmental design,
technology and assistive devices have the potential to complement care, help
address some of the challenges presented by this growing need and impact on the
lived experience of this vulnerable population. This systematic review was
undertaken to identify the research on the use of electronic assistive technology
within long-term residential care settings. A total of 3229 papers published from
the inception of each of the databases up until May 2016 were retrieved from
searches in four major databases. Sixty-one were identified to be included in the
review. The inclusion criteria were: original peer reviewed journals; an
electronic assistive technology intervention; with residents or tenants living
with dementia or their family or paid caregivers; in supported living
environments or residential care. The data extracted from the included studies
focused on the methodology, technology, outcomes and the role of people living
with dementia within the research. Overall, an extensive variety of technical
interventions were found, with a broad range of methodological heterogeneity to
explore their effect. Additionally, wide-spanning outcomes to support the
potential of technology solutions and the challenges presented by such
intervention were found.
PMID- 28990406
TI - In Vivo Application of Proton-Electron Double-Resonance Imaging.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: Proton-electron double-resonance imaging (PEDRI) employs electron
paramagnetic resonance irradiation with low-field magnetic resonance imaging so
that the electron spin polarization is transferred to nearby protons, resulting
in higher signals. PEDRI provides information about free radical distribution
and, indirectly, about the local microenvironment such as partial pressure of
oxygen (pO2), tissue permeability, redox status, and acid-base balance. Recent
Advances: Local acid-base balance can be imaged by exploiting the different
resonance frequency of radical probes between R and RH+ forms. Redox status can
also be imaged by using the loss of radical-related signal after reduction. These
methods require optimized radical probes and pulse sequences. CRITICAL ISSUES:
High-power radio frequency irradiation is needed for optimum signal enhancement,
which may be harmful to living tissue by unwanted heat deposition. Free radical
probes differ depending on the purpose of PEDRI. Some probes are less effective
for enhancing signal than others, which can reduce image quality. It is so far
not possible to image endogenous radicals by PEDRI because low concentrations and
broad line widths of the radicals lead to negligible signal enhancement. FUTURE
DIRECTIONS: PEDRI has similarities with electron paramagnetic resonance imaging
(EPRI) because both techniques observe the EPR signal, directly in the case of
EPRI and indirectly with PEDRI. PEDRI provides information that is vital to
research on homeostasis, development of diseases, or treatment responses in vivo.
It is expected that the development of new EPR techniques will give insights into
novel PEDRI applications and vice versa. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 1345-1364.
PMID- 28990409
TI - HIV primary care by the infectious disease physician in the United States -
extending the continuum of care.
AB - Models of care for people living with HIV (PLWH) have varied over time due to
long term survival, development of HIV-associated non-AIDS conditions, and HIV
specific primary care guidelines that differ from those of the general
population. The objectives of this study are to assess how often infectious
disease (ID) physicians provide primary care for PLWH, assess their practice
patterns and barriers in the provision of primary care. We used a 6-item survey
electronically distributed to ID physician members of Emerging Infections Network
(EIN). Of the 1248 active EIN members, 644 (52%) responded to the survey. Among
the 644 respondents, 431 (67%) treated PLWH. Of these 431 responders, 326 (75%)
acted as their primary care physicians. Responders who reported always/mostly
performing a screening assessment as recommended per guidelines were: (1)
Screening specific to HIV (tuberculosis 95%, genital chlamydia/gonorrhoea 77%,
hepatitis C 67%, extra genital chlamydia/gonorrhoea 47%, baseline anal PAP smear
for women 36% and men 34%); (2) Primary care related screening (fasting lipids
95%, colonoscopy 95%, mammogram 90%, cervical PAP smears 88%, depression 57%,
osteoporosis in postmenopausal women 55% and men >50 yrs 33%). Respondents who
worked in university hospitals, had <5 years of ID experience, and those who
cared for more PLWH were most likely to provide primary care to all or most of
their patients. Common barriers reported include: refusal by patient (72%), non
adherence to HIV medications (43%), other health priorities (44%), time
constraints during clinic visit (43%) and financial/insurance limitations (40%).
Most ID physicians act as primary care providers for their HIV infected patients
especially if they are recent ID graduates and work in university hospitals.
Current screening rates are suboptimal. Interventions to increase screening
practices and to decrease barriers are urgently needed to address the needs of
the aging HIV population in the United States.
PMID- 28990410
TI - Proceedings of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Annual General
Meeting - Back to the Beginning / Compte rendu du congres annuel de la Societe
canadienne de physiologie de l'exercice - " Back to the Beginning ".
PMID- 28990411
TI - Differences in illness perception between children with cancer and other chronic
diseases and their parents.
AB - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in illness
perception between children with cancer and other chronic diseases. A secondary
aim was to examine the similarities and differences between the illness
perception of these children and their parents. METHODS: The Revised Illness
Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) was used to measure the children's and parents'
illness perceptions. In this study, 184 children (ages 8-18 years) and their
caregivers completed the questionnaires. RESULTS: This study shows that children
with cancer feel that they have greater control over their treatment compared to
the other two groups. The children's parents have more pessimistic views of the
illness than their children. CONCLUSION: Examinations of illness perceptions
among paediatric cancer patients and their families are essential in designing
psychosocial interventions for these families. The clinical value of our results
can help better understand the cancer-specific features of illness perceptions.
PMID- 28990412
TI - Structural Biology of Proline Catabolic Enzymes.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: Proline catabolism refers to the 4-electron oxidation of proline to
glutamate catalyzed by the enzymes proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and l-glutamate
gamma-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (GSALDH, aka ALDH4A1). These enzymes and the
intermediate metabolites of the pathway have been implicated in tumor growth and
suppression, metastasis, hyperprolinemia metabolic disorders, schizophrenia
susceptibility, life span extension, and pathogen virulence and survival. In some
bacteria, PRODH and GSALDH are combined into a bifunctional enzyme known as
proline utilization A (PutA). PutAs are not only virulence factors in some
pathogenic bacteria but also fascinating systems for studying the coordination of
metabolic enzymes via substrate channeling. Recent Advances: The past decade has
seen an explosion of structural data for proline catabolic enzymes. This review
surveys these structures, emphasizing protein folds, substrate recognition,
oligomerization, kinetic mechanisms, and substrate channeling in PutA. CRITICAL
ISSUES: Major unsolved structural targets include eukaryotic PRODH, the complex
between monofunctional PRODH and monofunctional GSALDH, and the largest of all
PutAs, trifunctional PutA. The structural basis of PutA-membrane association is
poorly understood. Fundamental aspects of substrate channeling in PutA remain
unknown, such as the identity of the channeled intermediate, how the tunnel
system is activated, and the roles of ancillary tunnels. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: New
approaches are needed to study the molecular and in vivo mechanisms of substrate
channeling. With the discovery of the proline cycle driving tumor growth and
metastasis, the development of inhibitors of proline metabolic enzymes has
emerged as an exciting new direction. Structural biology will be important in
these endeavors. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 00, 000-000.
PMID- 28990413
TI - NADPH Oxidases and Their Roles in Skin Homeostasis and Carcinogenesis.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: Skin protects the body from dehydration, pathogens, and external
mutagens. NADPH oxidases are central components for regulating the cellular redox
balance. There is increasing evidence indicating that reactive oxygen species
(ROS) generated by members of this enzyme family play important roles in the
physiology and pathophysiology of the skin. Recent Advances: NADPH oxidases are
active producers of ROS such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Different
isoforms are found in virtually all tissues. They play pivotal roles in normal
cell homeostasis and in the cellular responses to various stressors. In
particular, these enzymes are integral parts of redox-sensitive prosurvival and
proapoptotic signaling pathways, in which they act both as effectors and as
modulators. However, continuous (re)activation of NADPH oxidases can disturb the
redox balance of cells, in the worst-case scenario in a permanent manner.
Abnormal NADPH oxidase activity has been associated with a wide spectrum of
diseases, as well as with aging and carcinogenesis. CRITICAL ISSUES: Sunlight
with its beneficial and deleterious effects induces the activation of NADPH
oxidases in the skin. Evidence for the important roles of this enzyme family in
skin cancer and skin aging, as well as in many chronic skin diseases, is now
emerging. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Understanding the precise roles of NADPH oxidases in
normal skin homeostasis, in the cellular responses to solar radiation, and during
carcinogenesis will pave the way for their validation as therapeutic targets not
only for the prevention and treatment of skin cancers but also for many other
skin-related disorders. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 1238-1261.
PMID- 28990414
TI - Biomarkers of Endothelial, Renal, and Platelet Dysfunction in Stage 5 Chronic
Kidney Disease Hemodialysis Patients With Heart Failure.
AB - The aim of this study was to determine the role of endothelial, renal, and
inflammatory biomarkers in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) in patients
with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis
(HD). Plasma levels of biomarkers-kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), N-terminal
pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), glycated hemoglobin, neutrophil
gelatinase-associated lipocalin, interleukin-18,platelet-derived growth factor,
platelet factor 4 (PF4), 25-OH vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), endothelin,
and endocan-were measured in CKD5-HD patients at the Loyola University Ambulatory
Dialysis facility. The HF (+) CKD5-HD patients, as compared to HF (-) CKD5-HD
patients, exhibited significantly elevated NT-proBNP ( P = .0194) and KIM-1 ( P =
.0485). The NT-proBNP in HF (+) CKD5-HD patients was found to correlate with the
levels of serum potassium ( P = .023, R = -.39), calcium ( P = .029, R = -.38),
and PF4 ( P = .045, R = -.35). The KIM-1 in HF (+) CKD5-HD patients was found to
correlate with PTH ( P = .043, R = -.36) and 25-OH vitamin D ( P = .037, R =
.36). Elevated plasma NT-proBNP and KIM-1 in CKD5-HD and HF (+) CKD5-HD patients
suggest that natriuretic peptides and KIM-1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of
HF in CKD5-HD patients.
PMID- 28990416
TI - Does Regular Physical Exercise Preserve Artery Dilation by Lowering Nox2-Related
Oxidative Stress?
AB - Habitual physical activity has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk
reduction by improving vascular function but the underlying mechanism is still
unclear. To address this issue, we performed a cross-sectional study comparing 50
physically active (PA) adults with 50 sedentary controls matched for age, sex,
and cardiovascular risk factors. PA subjects had significantly higher flow
mediated dilation (FMD) than controls and higher serum levels of nitrite/nitrate,
a marker of nitric oxide generation. In addition, PA subjects showed lower levels
of urinary isoprostanes, a marker of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production,
and lower serum levels of sNox2-dp, a validated assay to measure Nox2 activity,
one of the most important enzymes producing ROS in the blood cells. FMD was
independently correlated with sNox2-dp, after adjusting for possible confounding
factors. Our observation leads to the hypothesis that, in adults, regular
exercise preserves artery dilation through Nox2 decreased activity. Antioxid.
Redox Signal. 28, 1576-1581.
PMID- 28990417
TI - Risk indicators and effects of hypertension on HIV/AIDS disease progression among
patients seen at Kenyatta hospital HIV care center.
AB - There is paucity of data on prevalence of hypertension and its effects on
HIV/AIDS progression among patients at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya.
This was a cross sectional study conducted between January and May 2015 at the
KNH HIV Care Centre. Ethical approval was obtained from institutional ethics
review board. HIV positive adult patients were recruited sequentially, and
written informed consent obtained from each participant. Systematic sampling was
used to select participants who were screened for blood pressure, body mass index
(BMI) and lifestyle characteristics. Data on clinical parameters were extracted
from patient records. A total of 297 participants (89 males and 208 females) were
enrolled in the study. The participants were socially diverse in cultural
beliefs, religious practices and lifestyles. Their ages ranged from 30 to 57
years, and the average age of males (M = 44.56, SD = 6.05) was higher than
females (M = 42.29, SD = 6.16), p < .01. The prevalence of hypertension was found
to be 23.2%. The relation between CD4 counts and creatinine was statistically
significant, p < .01, as was the association between CD4 counts and BMI, p < .01.
Hypertension is a highly prevalent co-morbidity in HIV patients. The risk factors
include prolonged use of ART as well as increased body mass index. The effects of
hypertension on HIV progression include low CD4+ T cell counts which complicate
the underlying immunosuppression.
PMID- 28990415
TI - Redox Regulation of Heme Oxygenase-2 and the Transcription Factor, Rev-Erb,
Through Heme Regulatory Motifs.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: Heme binds to and serves as a cofactor for a myriad of proteins
that are involved in diverse biological processes. Hemoproteins also exhibit
varying modes of heme binding, suggesting that the protein environment
contributes to the functional versatility of this prosthetic group. The subject
of this review is a subset of hemoproteins that contain at least one heme
regulatory motif (HRM), which is a short sequence containing a Cys-Pro core that,
in many cases, binds heme with the Cys acting as an axial ligand. Recent
Advances: As more details about HRM-containing proteins are uncovered, some
underlying commonalities are emerging, including a role in regulating protein
stability. Further, the cysteines of some HRMs have been shown to form disulfide
bonds. Because the cysteines must be in the reduced, dithiol form to act as a
heme axial ligand, heme binds at these sites in a redox-regulated manner, as
demonstrated for heme oxygenase-2 (HO2) and Rev-erbbeta. CRITICAL ISSUES: HRM
containing proteins have wide variations in heme affinity, utilize different
axial ligand schemes, and exhibit differences in the ability to act as a redox
sensor-all while having a wide variety of biological functions. Here, we
highlight HO2 and Rev-erbbeta to illustrate the similarities and differences
between two hemoproteins that contain HRMs acting as redox sensors. FUTURE
DIRECTIONS: HRMs acting as redox sensors may be applicable to other HRM
containing proteins as many contain multiple HRMs and/or other cysteine residues,
which may become more evident as the functional significance of HRMs is probed in
additional proteins.
PMID- 28990418
TI - Redox Mechanisms in Migraine: Novel Therapeutics and Dietary Interventions.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: Migraine represents the third most prevalent and the seventh most
disabling human disorder. Approximately 30% of migraine patients experience
transient, fully reversible, focal neurological symptoms (aura) preceding the
attack. Recent Advances: Awareness of the hypothesis that migraine actually
embodies a spectrum of illnesses-ranging from episodic to chronic forms-is
progressively increasing and poses novel challenges for clarifying the underlying
pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine as well as for the development of novel
therapeutic interventions. Several theories have evolved to the current concept
that a combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors may play a
role in migraine pathogenesis, although their relative importance is still being
debated. CRITICAL ISSUES: One critical issue that deserves a particular attention
is the role of oxidative stress in migraine. Indeed, potentially harmful
oxidative events occur during the migraine attack and long-lasting or frequent
migraine episodes may increase brain exposure to oxidative events that can lead
to chronic transformation. Moreover, a wide variety of dietary, environmental,
physiological, behavioral, and pharmacological migraine triggers may act through
oxidative stress, with clear implications for migraine treatment and prophylaxis.
Interestingly, almost all current prophylactic migraine agents exert antioxidant
effects. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Increasing awareness of the role of oxidative stress
and/or decreased antioxidant defenses in migraine pathogenesis and progression to
a chronic condition lays the foundations for the design of novel prophylactic
approaches, which, by reducing brain oxidative phenomena, could favorably modify
the clinical course of migraine. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 1144-1183.
PMID- 28990419
TI - Proline Metabolism in Cell Regulation and Cancer Biology: Recent Advances and
Hypotheses.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: It is increasingly clear that proline metabolism plays an important
role in metabolic reprogramming, not only in cancer but also in related fields
such as aging, senescence, and development. Although first focused on proline
catabolism, recent studies from a number of laboratories have emphasized the
regulatory effects of proline synthesis and proline cycling. Recent Advances:
Although proline dehydrogenase/proline oxidase (PRODH/POX) has been known as a
tumor protein 53 (P53)-activated source of redox signaling for initiating
apoptosis and autophagy, senescence has been added to the responses. On the
biosynthetic side, two well-recognized oncogenes, c-MYC and phosphoinositide 3
kinase (PI3K), markedly upregulate enzymes of proline synthesis; mechanisms
affected include augmented redox cycling and maintenance of pyridine nucleotides.
The reprogramming has been shown to shift in clonogenesis and/or metastasis.
CRITICAL ISSUES: Although PRODH/POX generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) for
signaling, the cellular endpoint is variable and dependent on metabolic context;
the switches for these responses remain unknown. On the synthetic side, the
enzymes require more complete characterization in various cancers, and
demonstration of coupling of proline metabolites to other pathways may require
studies of protein-protein interactions, membrane transporters, and shuttles.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS: The proline metabolic axis can serve as a scaffold on which a
variety of regulatory mechanisms are integrated. Once understood as a central
mechanism in cancer metabolism, proline metabolism may be a good target for
adjunctive cancer therapy.-Antioxid. Redox Signal. 00, 000-000.
PMID- 28990420
TI - Synaptic Activity Protects Neurons Against Calcium-Mediated Oxidation and
Contraction of Mitochondria During Excitotoxicity.
AB - AIMS: Excitotoxicity triggered by extrasynaptic N-methyl-d-aspartate-type
glutamate receptors has been implicated in many neurodegenerative conditions,
including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis, and stroke. Mitochondrial calcium overload leading to mitochondrial
dysfunction represents an early event in excitotoxicity. Neurons are rendered
resistant to excitotoxicity by previous periods of synaptic activity that
activates a nuclear calcium-driven neuroprotective gene program. This process,
termed acquired neuroprotection, involves transcriptional repression of the
mitochondrial calcium uniporter leading to a reduction in excitotoxcity
associated mitochondrial calcium load. As mitochondrial calcium and the
production of reactive oxygen species may be linked, we monitored excitotoxicity
associated changes in the mitochondrial redox status using the ratiometric
glutathione redox potential indicator, glutaredoxin 1 (GRX1)-redox-sensitive
green fluorescent protein (roGFP)2, targeted to the mitochondrial matrix. Aim of
this study was to investigate if suppression of oxidative stress underlies
mitoprotection afforded by synaptic activity. RESULTS: We found that synaptic
activity protects primary rat hippocampal neurons against acute excitotoxicity
induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial contraction associated
with it. Downregulation of the mitochondrial uniporter by genetic means mimics
the protective effect of synaptic activity on mitochondrial redox status. These
findings indicate that oxidative stress acts downstream of mitochondrial calcium
overload in excitotoxicity. Innovation and Conclusion: We established mito-GRX1
roGFP2 as a reliable and sensitive tool to monitor rapid redox changes in
mitochondria during excitotoxicity. Our results highlight the importance of
developing means of blocking mitochondrial calcium overload for therapeutic
targeting of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative
diseases. Antioxid. Redox. Signal. 29, 1109-1124.
PMID- 28990421
TI - The impact of a private-public partnership delivery system on the HIV continuum
of care in a South Indian city.
AB - We characterized the impact of a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) on the
continuum of HIV care (e.g., treatment initiation, ART effectiveness and loss to
follow-up) among adults enrolled at a private hospital/ART link center in the
southern state of Karnataka, India from 2007 through 2012. Data on 2326 adults in
care were compiled using an electronic database supplemented with medical chart
abstraction. Survival methods with staggered entries were used to analyze time to
ART initiation and loss to follow-up as well as associated factors. Mixed effects
linear regression models were used to assess ART effectiveness. The mean age of
adults in care was 36 years; 40% were male. The majority were married, had less
than primary education, and less than 45 US dollars (3000 Indian Rupee) monthly
income. The mean CD4 at presentation was 527 cells/mm3. The median time from ART
eligibility to initiation was 5 and 2 months for before and after the PPP,
respectively (p < 0.001). Becoming eligible after PPP was associated with more
rapid treatment initiation (Hazard Ratio: [95% Confidence Interval] 1.49 [1.11,
1.99]). Moreover, among the 1639 persons lost to follow-up, more rapid loss was
observed before the PPP (12.77 months) vs. after (13.37 months) (p = 0.25) and
there was a significant interaction between ART status and calendar time before
and after the PPP (p < 0.001). Being on treatment was associated with a lower
likelihood of becoming lost before the PPP (HR: [95% CI] 0.33 [0.27, 0.42]), but
this association was reversed after the PPP (HR: [95% CI] 1.77 [1.54, 2.04]), p
value for interaction <0.001. Treatment response measured by CD4 was comparable
before and after the PPP (p = 0.088). Our findings suggest that PPP models of ART
delivery may improve HIV treatment initiation and loss to follow-up without
compromising the effectiveness of treatment. Efforts to expand these system-level
interventions should be considered with on-going evaluation.
PMID- 28990422
TI - Gait speed has comparable prognostic capability to six-minute walk distance in
older patients with cardiovascular disease.
AB - Background Although gait speed and six-minute walk distance are used to assess
functional capacity in older patients with cardiovascular disease, their
prognostic capabilities have not been directly compared. Methods The study
population was identified from the Kitasato University Cardiac Rehabilitation
Database and consisted of 1474 patients >=60 years old with a mean age of 72.2 +/
7.1 years that underwent evaluation of both usual gait speed and six-minute walk
distance in routine geriatric assessment between 1 June 2008-30 September 2015.
Both gait speed and six-minute walk distance were determined on the same day at
hospital discharge. Results Mean gait speed and six-minute walk distance in the
whole population were 1.04 m/s and 381 m, respectively, and were strongly
positively correlated ( r = 0.80, p < 0.001). A total of 180 deaths occurred
during a follow-up of 2.3 +/- 1.9 years. After adjusting for confounding factors,
both gait speed (adjusted hazard ratio per 0.1 m/s increase: 0.87, 95% confidence
interval: 0.81-0.93, p < 0.001) and six-minute walk distance (adjusted hazard
ratio per 10-metre increase: 0.96, 95% confidence interval: 0.94-0.97, p < 0.001)
were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. There was no significant
difference in prognostic capability between gait speed and six-minute walk
distance (c-index: 0.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.69) and 0.66 (95%
confidence interval: 0.61-0.70), respectively, p = 0.357). Conclusions Gait speed
and six-minute walk distance showed similar prognostic predictive ability for all
cause mortality in older cardiovascular disease patients, indicating the
potential utility of gait speed as a simple risk stratification tool in older
cardiovascular disease patients.
PMID- 28990423
TI - Dupilumab for the treatment of asthma.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Dupilumab is a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody directed
against the alpha subunit of the interleukin (IL)-4 receptor (IL-4Ralpha). Since
the activation of IL-4Ralpha is utilized by both IL-4 and IL-13 to mediate their
pathophysiological effects, dupilumab behaves as a dual antagonist of these two
sister cytokines, which blocks IL-4/IL-13-dependent signal transduction. Areas
covered: Herein, the authors review the cellular and molecular pathways activated
by IL-4 and IL-13, which are relevant to asthma pathobiology. They also review:
the mechanism of action of dupilumab, the phase I, II and III studies evaluating
the pharmacokinetics as well as the safety, tolerability and clinical efficacy of
dupilumab in asthma therapy. Expert opinion: Supported by a strategic mechanism
of action, as well as by convincing preliminary clinical results, dupilumab
currently appears to be a very promising biological drug for the treatment of
severe uncontrolled asthma. It also may have benefits to comorbidities of asthma
including atopic dermatitis, chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis.
PMID- 28990424
TI - An Inducible Promoter Responsive to Different Porphyrinogenic Stimuli Improves
Gene Therapy Vectors for Acute Intermittent Porphyria.
AB - Porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) gene therapy represents a promising therapeutic
option for acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) patients suffering recurrent acute
attacks. A first-in-human Phase I clinical trial confirmed the safety and
tolerability of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-AAT-PBGD gene therapy, but higher
doses and/or more efficient vectors are needed to achieve therapeutic expression
of the transgene. This study assayed the insertion into the promoter of a short
enhancer element able to induce transgene expression during exposure to
endogenous and exogenous stimuli related to the pathology of the disease. The
inclusion in tandem of two elements of the minimal functional sequence of human
delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase drug-responsive enhancing sequence (ADRES)
positioned upstream of the promoter strongly induced transgene expression in the
presence of estrogens, starvation, and certain drugs known to trigger attacks in
porphyria patients. The inclusion of two ADRES motives in an AAV vector improved
therapeutic efficacy, reducing 10-fold the effective dose in AIP mice. In
conclusion, the inclusion of specific enhancer elements in the promoter of gene
therapy vectors for AIP was able to overexpress the therapeutic transgene when it
is most needed, at the time when porphyrinogenic factors increase the demand for
hepatic heme and precipitate acute porphyria attacks.
PMID- 28990425
TI - Mendelian forms of disease and age at onset affect survival in frontotemporal
dementia.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a common cause of young onset
dementia. Very few reports on disease duration are currently available and
predictors of survival are still undefined. The aim of the present study was to
assess the natural history of FTD and to define predictors of survival. METHODS:
Four hundred amd eleven FTD patients, including 294 with behavioural variant FTD,
77 with agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and 40 with semantic
variant PPA, were consecutively enrolled and demographic and clinical variables
carefully recorded. Each patient underwent genetic screening for monogenic
disease. RESULTS: The mean survival time from onset of the symptoms was 7.8 +/-
4.0 years. The presence of a pathogenic mutation (GRN, C9orf72 or MAPT) (Hazard
ratio [HR] = 1.85, 95% CI 1.04-3.31, p = 0.037) and older age at disease onset
(HR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, p = 0.002) were associated with shorter life
expectancy. However, a significant negative interaction between age at onset and
genetic mutation was found, suggesting that the effect of age is different in
patients with and without a genetic mutation (p = 0.028). Gender, clinical
phenotype or education and occupation were not associated with survival risk.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that monogenic disease and age at onset are
independent predictors of survival and should be considered in future clinical
intervention trials and in patients' and caregivers' counselling.
PMID- 28990427
TI - Chew on This: Not All First Finger Foods Are Created Equal.
AB - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends when to start first finger
foods (FFFs) and what types of foods to start with, but it is unclear whether
products marketed as FFF comply with these recommendations. We evaluated FFF
products for compliance with AAP recommendations and product safety using 41
adult product testers, who were asked to dissolve each product in their mouth.
Product characteristics, comments pertaining to product safety, and time to
dissolve each product were recorded. Only 2 products met all AAP criteria, and
safety concerns were raised for an additional 2 products. One product showed a
large change in dissolvability after being left out of original packaging.
Consumers should not assume that products marketed for infant/toddler consumption
comply with AAP recommendations. Also, products left out of original packaging
may change consistency, presenting a choking hazard. Additional research is
warranted to guide the development of regulations surrounding labeling and
marketing of these foods.
PMID- 28990426
TI - Gene Therapy for Modulation of T-Cell-Mediated Immune Response Provoked by
Corneal Transplantation.
AB - Corneal transplantation (keratoplasty) is the most common type of tissue
replacement in the world. The increased rate of graft rejection after
keratoplasty is a central problem for repeated transplantations and in inflamed
host corneas. It has been shown that apoptosis of grafted epithelium has a role
in corneal allograft rejection. This study focused on the T-cell response
triggered in BALB/c mice after allogeneic corneal transplantation with and
without anti-apoptotic p35-transduced epithelium. To restrict p35 expression to
the epithelial cells, modified allogeneic composite grafts were created. As a
result, it was found that the proportion of alloreactive CD4+ T cells in
postoperatively removed cervical lymph nodes was reduced in the p35-transduced
group compared to the allogeneic control group. Diminished priming of the CD4+ T
cells was supported by significantly decreased proliferation and lower interferon
gamma secretion when compared to allogeneic engraftments. The reduced priming of
CD4+ lymphocytes is the first confirmation of the functionality of p35 in the
epithelium of corneal grafts to alter the development of the recipient's immune
response. Thus, modification of allosensibilization seems to be a promising tool
for reducing graft-mediated immune response following corneal transplantation.
PMID- 28990428
TI - Retrospective Review of Comorbid Conditions in a Multidisciplinary Pediatric
Weight Management Clinic.
AB - A retrospective medical chart review was conducted of patients enrolled in the
Fit for Healthy Weight Clinic (Fit Clinic). At initial evaluation, comorbidities
were identified by the patient and pediatrician. The number of comorbidities
increased with age among patients. In reviewing the differences among the number
of identified comorbidities among grade school age and adolescent patients,
increases of 30% were observed in gastrointestinal-associated, 23% in
psychiatric, 18% in endocrine, 16% in cardiovascular, and 14% in respiratory
comorbidities. Fit Clinic patients already manifest many known obesity-related
comorbidities as evidenced in identified conditions and abnormal laboratory
values. The elevated blood pressures, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels raise
concern for the future development of coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes
mellitus. With an average of five obesity-related comorbidities, Fit Clinic
patients already have more comorbidities than what is evidenced in large US
population-based studies, demonstrating that solely addressing body mass index is
not sufficient.
PMID- 28990429
TI - Persistent Cervical Lymphadenopathy Caused by Foreign Body Ingestion With
Migration Into Soft Tissue.
PMID- 28990430
TI - Utilization of Antipyretics for Nonurgent Fever in a Pediatric Emergency
Department.
AB - This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe antipyretic use among healthy
patients in a pediatric emergency department (ED) with nonurgent fever defined
as: triage level 4 or 5, chief complaint fever or temperature 38 degrees C to 39
degrees C, and otherwise normal vital signs, and determine if antipyretic
administration is associated with increased ED length of stay (LOS). We compared
continuous variables using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank sum testing. We
adjusted confounding variables using logistic regression modeling. A total of 22
169 patients were included. Of these, 52% received antipyretic: acetaminophen
(38%), ibuprofen (19%), or both antipyretics (5%). ED LOS (median hours) varied
by number of antipyretic types given (none, 2.2; ibuprofen, 2.7; acetaminophen,
2.7; and both 3.4, P < .001) and number of doses (0 doses, 2.2, 1 dose, 2.7; 2
doses, 3.4, P < .001). Patients who received antipyretic were more likely to have
ED LOS greater than 2 hours (adjusted odds ratio 1.99, 95% CI 1.88-2.11) compared
with those with no antipyretic, controlling for age, imaging studies, laboratory
studies, antibiotic administration, and disposition.
PMID- 28990431
TI - Fever, Abdominal Pain, and Jaundice in a 7-Year-Old Male.
PMID- 28990432
TI - Three-Month-Old Girl With Worm Infestation.
PMID- 28990433
TI - Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in chinese children with vitiligo: a case
control study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Vitamin D can play a vital role in autoimmune diseases. Epidemiologic
evidence demonstrates vitamin D deficiency excited in adult patients with
vitiligo. OBJECTIVES: To investigate 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in
children with vitiligo and explore possible relevant factors. METHODS: A total of
114 patients and 100 controls were included in our case-control study. We
analyzed the required data collected by the questionnaire and examination to
reveal the correlation with 25(OH)D levels. RESULTS: The mean serum 25(OH)D
levels in patients and controls were 43.62 +/- 19.23 and 67.87 +/- 19.45 nmol/L,
respectively. The rate of deficient in patients and controls are 14.9% and 2%,
respectively. There was significant difference between the 2 groups. Significant
differences also existed on different ages comparing serum vitamin D levels of
patients with controls ( P < .001). Age was an independent factor affecting
25(OH)D level ( P = .032). Two (1.8%) and 4 (3.5%) of children with vitiligo have
comorbid autoimmune diseases and family history, respectively. There was no
correlation between sex, duration of disease, type of vitiligo, skin lesion
location, stage, family history, and comorbid autoimmune diseases with 25(OH)D
levels. CONCLUSION: Serum vitamin D level was associated with onset vitiligo
children. More sunshine and vitamin D fortified foods are necessary among
children with age. The rates of children vitiligo with family history has
decreased in China.
PMID- 28990434
TI - Therapeutic Effect Evaluation of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation With or
Without Strengthening Exercise on Spastic Cerebral Palsy.
AB - The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of neuromuscular electrical
stimulation (NMES) combined with strengthening exercise on movement in children
with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). One hundred children with spastic CP were
randomly divided into a treatment group (NMES and strengthening exercise, n = 50)
and a control group (only NMES, n = 50). We compared the Comprehensive Spasticity
Scale (CSS) score, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) score, and walking speed
before treatment and 6 weeks and 3 months after treatment between the 2 groups.
There was no difference in CSS score between the treatment and control groups
before the therapy (12.0 +/- 3.4 vs 12.3 +/- 3.6), which decreased much more in
the treatment group after 6 weeks (7.6 +/- 3.0 vs 9.5 +/- 2.8) and 3 months (7.4
+/- 2.4 vs 9.4 +/- 2.6) with significant differences ( P < .05). No difference in
GMFM score was observed between the treatment and control groups before the
therapy (44.5 +/- 13.2 vs 44.0 +/- 12.6), which increased much more in the
treatment group after 6 weeks (70.6 +/- 15.2 vs 56.7 +/- 14.3) and 3 months (71.0
+/- 16.4 vs 58.0 +/- 15.6) with significant differences ( P < .05). The walking
speed improved over time, which was the same before the treatment (0.43 +/- 0.13
m/s vs 0.45 +/- 0.14 m/s), and was significantly greater in the treatment group
than that in the control group (6 weeks: 0.69 +/- 0.15 m/s vs 0.56 +/- 0.12 m/s,
P < .05; 3 months: 0.72 +/- 0.17 m/s vs 0.57 +/- 0.18 m/s, P < .05). NMES
combined with strengthening exercise was more effective than NMES alone in the
recovery of spastic CP.
PMID- 28990435
TI - PTPN22 1858C > T polymorphism and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus:
a meta-analysis update.
AB - Studies performed in the past years showed PTNP22 1858 C > T (rs2476601)
polymorphism as associated with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility,
although conflicting findings are still found. In this context, a powerful
statistical study, such as meta-analysis, is necessary to establish a consensus.
The aim of this study was to evaluate association studies between the PTPN22 1858
C > T polymorphism and SLE by a meta-analysis update, including three recently
published studies in the last three years. A total of 3868 SLE patients and 7458
healthy individuals were considered herein, enclosing 19 studies from Asian,
American, European and Latin ethnic groups. Odds ratio (OR) was performed for
allelic, dominant and recessive genetic models. Statistically significant
association was found between the PTPN22 1858 C > T polymorphism and
susceptibility to SLE in all inheritance models. Allelic genetic model data (OR =
1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.38-1.72, p value=.000) shows that T allele
confers increased SLE susceptibility. As well as recessive genetic model (OR =
2.04, 95% CI = 1.09-3.82, p value = .030) for T/T genotype. Instead, dominant
genetic model shows that C/C genotype confers lower susceptibility for SLE
development (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.54-0.72, p value = .000). In addition, we
provided an ethnicity-derived meta-analysis. The results showed association in
Caucasian (OR = 1.47, p value = .000) and Latin (OR = 2.41, p value = .000)
ethnic groups. However, rs2476601 polymorphism is not associated nor in Asian
(OR= 1.31; p value = .54) and African (OR = 2.04; p value=.22) populations. In
conclusion, present meta-analysis update confirms that T allele and T/T genotype
in PTPN22 1858 C > T polymorphism confers SLE susceptibility, particular in
Caucasian and Latin groups, suggesting PTPN22 1858 C > T as a potential genetic
marker in SLE susceptibility.
PMID- 28990436
TI - Acceptability of Implantable Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor.
AB - BACKGROUND: Real-time continuous glucose monitoring is associated with
significant benefits for diabetes management. Implantable sensors could overcome
some challenges reportedly associated with device visibility, psychosocial
functioning and sensor durability. METHODS: A psychosocial assessment was
conducted to determine acceptability and impact of an implantable continuous
glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor as part of the PRECISE trial. Questionnaires were
administered to participants comprising the Diabetes Distress Scale, the CGM
impact scale, and bespoke device satisfaction. RESULTS: Fifty-one participants
across the United Kingdom (n = 10) and Germany (n = 41) completed the
questionnaires. Of these, 90% had T1D, 50% followed an insulin pump therapy
regimen, and 45% of the participants were previous CGM users. CGM Impact Scale
results show 86% (n = 44) of participants reported feeling better (14% neutral)
about their diabetes control with 90% CGM naive participants and 81% previous CGM
users reporting increased confidence about their diabetes management.
Furthermore, 73% (n = 37) felt more safe (27% neutral) while sleeping and 78% (n
= 39) more confident (22% neutral) about avoiding serious hypoglycemia. Responses
correspond with an average improvement in HbA1c from 7.51 to 7.05 ( P < .0001)
over the 90 days use of the CGM. Overall, the system was rated highly on ease of
use, convenience and comfort. 84% would choose to be inserted again with 93% of
CGM naive participants (86% previous CGM users) reporting minimized burden of
diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Implantable CGM devices are acceptable to users and are
evaluated favorably. The considerable majority of participants (93% of first time
users and 77% previous CGM users) would like to continue using the system to help
manage their diabetes more effectively.
PMID- 28990437
TI - Impact of Injection Speed, Volume, and Site on Pain Sensation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Painful subcutaneous insulin injections may decrease treatment
compliance. Improving injection comfort therefore represents a particular area of
technological research in which steady progress has been made since the
introduction of the insulin pen in 1985. Injection pain can be influenced by many
variables, but relatively little is known about their impact. This study
investigated the impact of injection volume (range 0-2250 uL), speed (range 0-800
uL/sec), and site (abdomen vs thigh) on pain sensation. METHOD: In random order,
patients (n = 80) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes received 24 saline injections
subcutaneously through a 27G ultra-thin-wall needle. Injections were performed in
the abdomen (n = 19) and thigh (n = 5) with predefined speed-volume combinations.
For each injected speed-volume combination, patients scored their pain sensation
on a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The mean pain scores for speed
volume combinations were all in the lower part (<20 mm) of the VAS, indicating
zero to mild pain. Pain sensation was statistically higher ( P < .05) with the
2250 uL volume compared to other injection volumes (range 4.3-5.1 mm) and with
thigh compared to abdomen injections (2.1 mm). Pain sensation did not change with
increasing injection speed. Patient acceptance of the injection pain was high for
all injections (range 93.7-98.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, large volume and
thigh injections are rated more painful, but the clinical impact of these
findings is likely marginal considering the low absolute pain levels and high
patient acceptance rates. Injection speed does not influence pain sensation.
PMID- 28990438
TI - Flash Glucose Monitoring: Differences Between Intermittently Scanned and
Continuously Stored Data.
AB - The flash glucose monitoring system FreeStyle Libre (Abbott Diabetes Care Ltd.,
Witney, UK) measures interstitial glucose concentrations and continuously stores
measurement values every 15 minutes. To obtain a current glucose reading, users
have to scan the sensor with the reader. In a clinical trial, 5% of the scanned
data showed relative differences of more than +/-10% compared with continuously
stored data points (median -0.5%). Such differences might impact results of
studies using this system. It should be indicated whether scanned or continuously
stored data were used for analyses. Health care professionals might have to
differentiate between data reports from clinical software and the scanned data
their patients are provided with. Additional information on these differences and
their potential impact on therapeutic decisions would be helpful.
PMID- 28990439
TI - Effect of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women:
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
AB - Objectives This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of orally
administered fennel on vaginal atrophy. Materials and methods In this double
blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 60 postmenopausal women living in
Mashhad, Iran, were randomly divided into an oral fennel group (n = 30) and a
placebo group (n = 30). The Maturation Vaginal Index and maturation values were
measured once at baseline and again upon a three-month follow-up. Results The
paired t-test showed statistically significant changes in the Maturation Vaginal
Index (i.e. a decline in the parabasal cells and an increase in the intermediate
and superficial cells) and maturation values in both the fennel and placebo
groups at the end of the trial compared to at baseline. Nonetheless, no
significant differences were observed in the percentages of the parabasal (P =
0.191), intermediate (P = 0.219) and superficial (P = 0.82) cells, which was also
the case for the maturation values (P = 0.64). Conclusion Fennel had no
significant positive effects on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.
Nonetheless, more studies are recommended to be conducted using higher doses of
fennel and larger sample sizes so as to verify the results of this study.
PMID- 28990440
TI - Influence of Passive Joint Stiffness on Proprioceptive Acuity in Individuals With
Functional Instability of the Ankle.
AB - Study Design Controlled laboratory study, cross-sectional. Background Deficits in
ankle proprioceptive acuity have been reported in persons with functional
instability of the ankle. Passive stiffness has been proposed as a possible
mechanism underlying proprioceptive acuity. Objective To compare proprioceptive
acuity and passive ankle stiffness in persons with and without functional ankle
instability, and to assess the influence of passive joint stiffness on
proprioceptive acuity in persons with functional ankle instability. Methods A
sample of 18 subjects with and 18 without complaints of functional ankle
instability following lateral ankle sprain participated. An isokinetic
dynamometer was used to compare motion perception threshold, passive position
sense, and passive ankle stiffness between groups. To evaluate the influence of
passive stiffness on proprioceptive acuity, individuals in the lateral functional
ankle instability group were divided into 2 subgroups: "high" and "low" passive
ankle stiffness. Results The functional ankle instability group exhibited
increased motion perception threshold when compared with the corresponding limb
of the control group. Between-group differences were not found for passive
position sense and passive ankle stiffness. Those in the functional ankle
instability group with higher passive ankle stiffness had smaller motion
perception thresholds than those with lower passive ankle stiffness. Conclusion
Unlike motion perception threshold, passive position sense is not affected by the
presence of functional ankle instability. Passive ankle stiffness appears to
influence proprioceptive acuity in persons with functional ankle instability. J
Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(12):899-905. Epub 7 Oct 2017.
doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7030.
PMID- 28990441
TI - Beware of predatory journals.
PMID- 28990442
TI - Low-Income Senior Housing Residents' Emergency Department Use and Care Transition
Problems.
AB - Older adults may be at risk of adverse outcomes after emergency department (ED)
visits due to ineffective transitions of care. Semi-structured interviews were
employed to identify and categorize reasons for ED use and problems that occur
during transition from the ED back to home among 14 residents of low-income
senior housing. Qualitative thematic and descriptive analyses were used.
Ambulance use, timely ED use or a wait-and-see approach, and lack of health-care
provider contact before ED visit were emergent themes. Delayed medication
receipt, no current medication list, and medication knowledge gaps were
identified. Lack of a personal health record, follow-up care instruction, and
worsening symptoms education emerged as transition problems from ED to home.
After an ED visit, education opportunities exist around seeing primary care
providers for nonurgent conditions, follow-up care, medications, and worsening
condition symptoms. Timely receipt of discharge medications and medication
education may improve medication-related transition problems.
PMID- 28990443
TI - Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci Underlying Circadian Light Sensitivity in
Drosophila.
AB - Despite the significant advance in our understanding of the molecular basis of
light entrainment of the circadian clock in Drosophila, the underlying genetic
architecture is still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify loci
associated with variation in circadian photosensitivity, which are important for
the evolution of this trait. We have used complementary approaches that combined
quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, complementation testing, and transcriptome
profiling to dissect this variation. We identified a major QTL on chromosome 2,
which was subsequently fine mapped using deficiency complementation mapping into
2 smaller regions spanning 139 genes, some of which are known to be involved in
functions that have been previously implicated in light entrainment. Two genes
implicated with the clock and located within that interval, timeless and cycle,
failed to complement the QTL, indicating that alleles of these genes contribute
to the variation in light response. Specifically, we find that the timeless s/ ls
polymorphism that has been previously shown to constitute a latitudinal cline in
Europe is also segregating in our recombinant inbred lines and is contributing to
the phenotypic variation in light sensitivity. We also profiled gene expression
in 2 recombinant inbred strains that differ significantly in their
photosensitivity and identified a total of 368 transcripts that showed
differential expression (false discovery rate < 0.1). Of 131 transcripts that
showed a significant recombinant inbred line by treatment interaction (i.e.,
putative expression QTL), 4 are located within QTL2.
PMID- 28990444
TI - Progress in the Full-Text Publication Rate of Orthopaedic and Sport Physical
Therapy Abstracts Presented at the American Physical Therapy Association's
Combined Sections Meeting.
AB - Study Design Descriptive study. Background Professional meetings, such as the
American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA's) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM),
provide forums for sharing information. However, it was reported that only one
quarter of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy abstracts presented at the CSM
between 2000 and 2004 went on to full-text publication. This low conversion rate
raises a number of concerns regarding the full dissemination of work within the
profession. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the full-text
publication rate of work presented in abstract form at subsequent CSMs and
investigate factors influencing the rate. Methods A systematic search was
undertaken to locate full-text publications of orthopaedic and sports physical
therapy abstracts presented at CSMs between 2005 and 2011. Eligible publications
were published within 5 years following abstract presentation. The influences of
year of abstract presentation, APTA section, presentation type, institution of
origin, study design, and study significance were assessed. Results Over one
third (38.6%) of presented abstracts progressed to full-text publication. Odds of
full-text publication increased if the abstract was presented as a platform
presentation, originated from a doctorate-granting institution, reported findings
of an experimental study, or reported a statistically significant finding.
Conclusion The full-text publication rate for orthopaedic and sports physical
therapy abstracts presented at recent CSMs has increased by over 50% compared to
that reported for the preceding period. The rate is now in the range of that
reported in comparable clinical disciplines, demonstrating important progress in
the full dissemination of work within the profession. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther,
Epub 7 Oct 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.7581.
PMID- 28990445
TI - A non-linear relationship between the cumulative exposure to occupational
stressors and nurses' burnout and the potentially emotion regulation factors.
AB - BACKGROUND: Stressful situations can increase the likelihood of nurses
experiencing negative emotions, especially burnout. AIMS: To explore the
association of cumulative exposure to occupational stressors and emotion
regulation strategies with nurses' burnout. METHODS: Participants were 602 nurses
from three general hospitals in Jinan, China. Social demographic characteristics,
occupational stress, burnout, and emotion regulation strategies (cognitive
reappraisal, expressive suppression, and rumination), were assessed. RESULTS:
Nearly 70% of nurses reported that they were burnt out. Those with a moderate
level and high level of stressors were 3.203 times and 26.444 times more likely
to have burnout, respectively (x2trend = 62.732). Logistic regression revealed
that nurses had higher cognitive reappraisal score (odds ratios (OR) = 0.941),
scored lower for burnout. Those who had higher expressive suppression score (OR =
1.054), higher rumination score (OR = 1.037), and a higher level of stressors (OR
= 2.779-18.259) scored higher for burnout. The results of sensitivity analysis
were similar. CONCLUSIONS: A non-linear relationship exists between the
cumulative exposure to occupational stressors and nurses' burnout. Those who less
frequently use cognitive reappraisal, more frequently use rumination and
expressive suppression, and have a high level of stressors may be more likely to
experience burnout.
PMID- 28990446
TI - What is 'moral distress'? A narrative synthesis of the literature.
AB - AIMS: The aim of this narrative synthesis was to explore the necessary and
sufficient conditions required to define moral distress. BACKGROUND: Moral
distress is said to occur when one has made a moral judgement but is unable to
act upon it. However, problems with this narrow conception have led to multiple
redefinitions in the empirical and conceptual literature. As a consequence, much
of the research exploring moral distress has lacked conceptual clarity,
complicating attempts to study the phenomenon. DESIGN: Systematic literature
review and narrative synthesis (November 2015-March 2016). DATA SOURCES: Ovid
MEDLINE(r) In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations 1946-Present, PsycINFO(r)
1967-Present, CINAHL(r) Plus 1937-Present, EMBASE 1974-24 February 2016, British
Nursing Index 1994-Present, Social Care Online, Social Policy and Practice
Database (1890-Present), ERIC (EBSCO) 1966-Present and Education Abstracts.
REVIEW METHODS: Literature relating to moral distress was systematically
retrieved and subjected to relevance assessment. Narrative synthesis was the
overarching framework that guided quality assessment, data analysis and
synthesis. RESULTS: In all, 152 papers underwent initial data extraction and 34
were chosen for inclusion in the narrative synthesis based on both quality and
relevance. Analysis revealed different proposed conditions for the occurrence of
moral distress: moral judgement, psychological and physical effects, moral
dilemmas, moral uncertainty, external and internal constraints and threats to
moral integrity. CONCLUSION: We suggest the combination of (1) the experience of
a moral event, (2) the experience of 'psychological distress' and (3) a direct
causal relation between (1) and (2) together are necessary and sufficient
conditions for moral distress.
PMID- 28990447
TI - Psychotic-like experiences in help-seeking adolescents: Dimensional exploration
and association with different forms of bullying victimization - A developmental
social psychiatry perspective.
AB - BACKGROUND: Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are common in the general
population and increase the risk of psychotic disorders. Adolescents are a high
risk group of this condition. Stressful events, such as bullying, have a role in
the onset of PLEs. This study has several aims: (1) to assess PLEs in adolescents
seeking help from a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, (2) to assess the
association of PLEs with specific bullying victimization and (3) to assess
difference in PLEs and victimizations by sex and age. METHODS: Participants were
help-seeking (HS) adolescents initially screened for PLEs. They completed an
assessment including characteristics of PLEs and bullying victimization. We paid
particular attention to different kinds of PLEs and victimization. RESULTS: In
total, 50 PLE-positive adolescents screened from 324 HS adolescents (15.4%)
constituted the sample. Paranoia and verbal bullying were the PLEs and form of
victimization most represented, respectively. Verbal bullying was strongly
associated with paranoia (odds ratio (OR): 4.40, confidence interval (CI): 2.8
5.9, p < .001). Results remained significant after controlling for confounder
(socio-demographic, anxiety, depression and for the latter analysis also other
forms of victimization). Furthermore, social manipulation showed a strong
association of paranoia and physical bullying with grandiosity. Verbal bullying
was also associated with psychotic negative symptoms, but controlling for
emotional symptoms and other victimization led to a reduction in the effect. Men
were more involved in physical victimization and experienced grandiosity; on the
contrary, late adolescents were most involved in social victimization and
negative psychotic symptoms Conclusion: PLEs are relevant in HS adolescents.
Bullying victimization interacts with the onset of these phenomena. In
particular, verbal bullying predicted paranoia onset significantly.
PMID- 28990448
TI - Evaluation of hemostatic effect of polyelectrolyte complex-based dressings.
AB - The aim of this work was to develop a polyelectrolyte complex-based hemostatic
dressing made from chitosan and polygalacturonic acid. Porous dressings were
fabricated by ultrasonication of chitosan and alginate solutions followed by
freeze-drying. Since chitosan has inherent hemostatic properties, and
polygalacturonic acid is anti-inflammatory in nature, it was desired to combine
these two polymers to develop an effective hemostatic dressing, which may also
promote wound healing. Porous structure of the bandages was observed using field
emission scanning electron microscope. Blood clotting behavior was studied using
whole blood clotting assay. Plasma recalcification time, prothrombin time, and
activated partial thromboplastin time were also determined to study the mechanism
of clotting. The dressings were found to accelerate clotting rates and showed
increased thrombin activity with an increase in chitosan concentration.
PMID- 28990449
TI - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Childhood Health Utilities.
AB - BACKGROUND: A common feature of most reviews or catalogues of health utilities
has been their focus on adult health states or derivation of values from adult
populations. More generally, utility measurement in or on behalf of children has
been constrained by several methodological concerns. The objective of this study
was to conduct the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of
primary utility data for childhood conditions and descriptors, and to determine
the effects of methodological factors on childhood utilities. METHODS: The review
followed PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EconLit,
CINAHL and Cochrane Library were searched for primary studies reporting health
utilities for childhood conditions or descriptors using direct or indirect
valuation methods. The Paediatric Economic Database Evaluation (PEDE) Porject was
also searched for cost-utility analyses with primary utility values. Mean or
median utilities for each of the main samples were catalogued, and weighted
averages of utilities for each health condition were estimated, by valuation
method. Mixed-effects meta-regression using hierarchical linear modeling was
conducted for the most common valuation methods to estimate the utility decrement
for each health condition category relative to general childhood population
health, as well as the independent effects of methodological factors. RESULTS:
The literature searches resulted in 272 eligible studies. These yielded 3,414
utilities when all sub-groups were considered, covering all ICD-10 chapters
relevant to childhood health, 19 valuation methods, 12 respondent types, 8 modes
of administration, and data from 36 countries. A total of 1,191 utility values
were obtained when only main study samples were considered, and these were
catalogued by health condition or descriptor, and methodological characteristics.
1,073 mean utilities for main samples were used for fixed-effects meta-analysis
by health condition and valuation method. Mixed-effects meta-regressions
estimated that 53 of 76 ICD-10 delineated health conditions, valued using the
HUI3, were associated with statistically significant utility decrements relative
to general population health, whereas 38 of 57 valued using a visual analog scale
(VAS) were associated with statistically significant VAS decrements. For both
methods, parental proxy assessment was associated with overestimation of values,
whereas adolescents reported lower values than children under 12 y. VAS responses
were more heavily influenced by mode of administration than the HUI3. CONCLUSION:
Utilities and their associated distributions, as well as the independent
contributions of methodological factors, revealed by this systematic review and
meta-analysis can inform future economic evaluations within the childhood
context.
PMID- 28990450
TI - Revisiting the role of durable polymers in cardiovascular devices.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Polymers are an essential component of drug-eluting stents (DES)
used to control drug release but remain the most controversial component of DES
technology. There are two types of polymers employed in DES: durable polymer
based DES (DP-DES) and biodegradable polymer DES (BP-DES). First-generation DES
were exclusively composed of DP and demonstrated increased rates of late stent
failure due in part to poor polymer biocompatibility. Newer generations DES use
more biocompatible durable polymers or biodegradable polymers. Areas covered: We
will cover issues identified with 1st-generation DP-DES, areas of success and
failure in 2nd-generation DP-DES and examine the promise and shortcomings of BP
DES. Briefly, fluorinated polymers used in 2nd-generation DP-DES have excellent
anti-thrombogenicity and better biocompatibility than 1st-generation DES
polymers. However, these devices lead to persistent drug exposure to the
endothelium which impairs endothelial function and predisposes towards
neoatherosclerosis. Meanwhile, BP-DES has shortened the duration of drug exposure
which might be beneficial for endothelial functional recovery leading to less
neoatherosclerosis. However, it remains uncertain whether the long-term
biocompatibility of bare metal surfaces is better than that of polymer-coated
metals. Expert commentary: Each technology has distinct advantages, which can be
optimized depending upon the particular characteristics of the patient being
treated.
PMID- 28990451
TI - Urine and oral fluid drug testing in support of pain management.
AB - In recent years, the abuse of opioid drugs has resulted in greater prevalence of
addiction, overdose, and deaths attributable to opioid abuse. The epidemic of
opioid abuse has prompted professional and government agencies to issue practice
guidelines for prescribing opioids to manage chronic pain. An important tool
available to providers is the drug test for use in the initial assessment of
patients for possible opioid therapy, subsequent monitoring of compliance, and
documentation of suspected aberrant drug behaviors. This review discusses the
issues that most affect the clinical utility of drug testing in chronic pain
management with opioid therapy. It focuses on the two most commonly used specimen
matrices in drug testing: urine and oral fluid. The advantages and disadvantages
of urine and oral fluid in the entire testing process, from specimen collection
and analytical methodologies to result interpretation are reviewed. The
analytical sensitivity and specificity limitations of immunoassays used for
testing are examined in detail to draw attention to how these shortcomings can
affect result interpretation and influence clinical decision-making in pain
management. The need for specific identification and quantitative measurement of
the drugs and metabolites present to investigate suspected aberrant drug behavior
or unexpected positive results is analyzed. Also presented are recent
developments in optimization of test menus and testing strategies, such as the
modification of the standard screen and reflexed-confirmation testing model by
eliminating some of the initial immunoassay-based tests and proceeding directly
to definitive testing by mass spectrometry assays.
PMID- 28990452
TI - Do Medicare Beneficiaries Living With HIV/AIDS Choose Prescription Drug Plans
That Minimize Their Total Spending?
AB - This article examines whether California Medicare beneficiaries with HIV/AIDS
choose Part D prescription drug plans that minimize their expenses. Among
beneficiaries without low-income supplementation, we estimate the excess cost,
and the insurance policy and beneficiary characteristics responsible, when the
lowest cost plan is not chosen. We use a cost calculator developed for this
study, and 2010 drug use data on 1453 California Medicare beneficiaries with HIV
who were taking antiretroviral medications. Excess spending is defined as the
difference between projected total spending (premium and cost sharing) for the
beneficiary's current drug regimen in own plan vs spending for the lowest cost
alternative plan. Regression analyses related this excess spending to individual
and plan characteristics. We find that beneficiaries pay more for Medicare Part D
plans with gap coverage and no deductible. Higher premiums for more extensive
coverage exceeded savings in deductible and copayment/coinsurance costs. We
conclude that many beneficiaries pay for plan features whose costs exceed their
benefits.
PMID- 28990453
TI - Deficiencies of Magnesium Replacement in the Critically Ill.
PMID- 28990455
TI - Remote consulting with telemonitoring of continuous positive airway pressure
usage data for the routine review of people with obstructive sleep apnoea
hypopnoea syndrome: A systematic review.
AB - Introduction Telehealth has the potential to offer more convenient care and
reduce travel. We aimed to systematically review studies that assessed the
effectiveness of teleconsultation plus telemonitoring in the review of people
with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome receiving continuous positive
airway pressure therapy versus face-to-face care. Methods Following Cochrane
methodology, we searched 10 electronic databases (November 2015), trial
registries, and reference lists of included studies, for trials testing
interventions that combined remote consultations with telemonitoring of
usage/continuous positive airway pressure data. Outcomes measures were:
proportion reviewed, continuous positive airway pressure adherence, symptom
control, and satisfaction/acceptability and cost effectiveness. Results From 362
potentially relevant papers, we identified five randomised controlled trials ( n
= 269 patients): four from North America and one from Spain. Risk of bias was
moderate in one, and moderate/high in four trials. Two trials reported
number/duration of reviews with inconsistent results. The
teleconsultation/telemonitoring improved continuous positive airway pressure
adherence in two trials ( n = 19; n = 75); two ( n = 114 and n = 75) reported no
between-groups differences. Two studies, both at moderate/high risk of bias,
showed no between-group difference in the Epworth Sleepiness Score. Satisfaction
was generally reported positively in all five trials; one trial reported that the
teleconsultation/telemonitoring patients were 'more likely to continue' with
continuous positive airway pressure therapy treatment. One study reported
teleconsultation/telemonitoring as cost effective. Discussion The evidence for
teleconsultation/telemonitoring in continuous positive airway pressure users is
limited; however, no safety concerns have been raised. Adequately powered, well
designed trials are needed to establish whether real-time telemonitoring and
remote teleconsultation is a clinically and cost effective option for people
using continuous positive airway pressure therapy.
PMID- 28990454
TI - Perceived risks and use of psychotherapy via telemedicine for patients at risk
for suicide.
AB - Introduction Suicide is a major public health problem and its human, emotional,
and economic costs are significant. Individuals in rural areas are at highest
risk for suicide. However, telemedicine services are typically not rendered to
individuals who are actively suicidal. The goals of the current study were to
identify the risks of using telemedicine for mental healthcare from the
perspective of licensed mental health providers and to determine factors
associated with the use of telemedicine with patients who are at high risk for
suicide. Methods A total of 52 licensed mental health providers were recruited
online through several professional organization listservs and targeted emails.
Providers completed online questionnaires regarding demographics, caseload of
suicidal patients, perceived risks for using telemedicine with patients at risk
for suicide, attitudes towards telemedicine, and use of telemedicine with
patients at risk for suicide. Results Three key perceived risks associated with
using telemedicine were identified, including assessment, lack of control over
patient, and difficulties triaging patients if needed. It was also found that
individuals who had more positive attitudes towards telemedicine, younger
providers, and more experienced providers were more likely to use telemedicine
with patients who are at high risk for suicide. Discussion To our knowledge, this
is the first study to examine the perceived risks and use of telemedicine with
patients at high risk for suicide. It is essential to continue this line of
research to develop protocols for the provision of evidence-based therapy via
telemedicine for this high-risk group.
PMID- 28990456
TI - Cerebrospinal fluid spaces between intracranial venous sinuses and overlying dura
mater: magnetic resonance imaging.
AB - Purpose The intracranial venous sinuses are thought to lie interdurally,
circumferentially contacting the dura maters. There has been no report
documenting the cerebrospinal fluid spaces intervening between the venous sinuses
and overlying dura mater. Here, we explored such structures using magnetic
resonance imaging. Methods A total of 206 patients underwent magnetic resonance
imaging with a T2-weighted or constructive interference steady-state sequence.
Imaging data were analysed on a workstation. Results The peri-superior sagittal
sinus cerebrospinal fluid spaces were identified in 100% of 133 patients who
underwent coronal and sagittal T2-weighted imaging and in 98.6% of 73 with a
constructive interference steady-state sequence. Among the 205 patients, the
cerebrospinal fluid spaces were distributed over the frontoparietal region in 84%
and the parietal region in 16%. On sagittal sections performed for 58 patients,
the cerebrospinal fluid spaces were identified between the superior sagittal
sinus and overlying dura mater. The peri-sinus spaces were found in 91% of the
identified transverse sinuses, 29% of the straight and 70% of the occipital
sinuses. The peri-superior sagittal sinus cerebrospinal fluid spaces were
classified into five distinct appearances. The circumferential type was the most
predominant and was found in 68.7%, followed by lateral in 10.2%, lateral plus
inferior in 7.5%, lateral plus superior in 6.8% and superior in 6.8%. Conclusions
The intracranial venous sinuses do not circumferentially contact with the dura
maters. Instead, they are adjacent to the cerebrospinal fluid spaces intervening
between the walls and overlying dura maters. These spaces are critical when
considering tumour extensions contralateral to the superior sagittal sinus and
safe surgical manoeuvres around it.
PMID- 28990458
TI - Corrigendum to 'Ultraviolet-A1 irradiation therapy for systemic lupus
erythematosus'.
PMID- 28990459
TI - Multi-objective performance investigation of orthopaedic bone drilling using
Taguchi membership function.
AB - Orthopaedic bone drilling attacks the surrounded bone cells and tissues in terms
of thermal and mechanical in such a way that these cells can get damaged
permanently. This damage to the surrounding of drill point upsurges the
rehabilitation time of injury and in some cases leads to the failure of the bone
screw joint. This study is based on the optimization of multiple response
characteristics to minimize the damage during the bone drilling. All real-life
problems, including bone drilling, require the multiple response optimization for
getting a combined optimization result for all countable response
characteristics. The Taguchi optimization technique is observed as a highly
recommended tool for single response optimization. This article uses the Taguchi
technique with little modification of membership function that will help to
convert the multiple response characteristics into single response and further
optimize it as a single function of performance. Rotational speed, feed rate of
tool at three different levels with three different kinds of drilling tools are
the drilling parameters selected for the study. The objective of this study is to
minimize the surface roughness and thrust force simultaneously. Analysis of
variance helps to find the percentage contribution and significance of each
parameter on the performance.
PMID- 28990457
TI - Age at First Exposure to Repetitive Head Impacts Is Associated with Smaller
Thalamic Volumes in Former Professional American Football Players.
AB - Thalamic atrophy has been associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts
(RHI) in professional fighters. The aim of this study is to investigate whether
or not age at first exposure (AFE) to RHI is associated with thalamic volume in
symptomatic former National Football League (NFL) players at risk for chronic
traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Eighty-six symptomatic former NFL players (mean
age = 54.9 +/- 7.9 years) were included. T1-weighted data were acquired on a 3T
magnetic resonance imager, and thalamic volumes were derived using FreeSurfer.
Mood and behavior, psychomotor speed, and visual and verbal memory were assessed.
The association between thalamic volume and AFE to playing football and to number
of years playing was calculated. Decreased thalamic volume was associated with
more years of play (left: p = 0.03; right: p = 0.03). Younger AFE was associated
with decreased right thalamic volume (p = 0.014). This association remained
significant after adjusting for total years of play. Decreased left thalamic
volume was associated with worse visual memory (p = 0.014), whereas increased
right thalamic volume was associated with fewer mood and behavior symptoms (p =
0.003). In our sample of symptomatic former NFL players at risk for CTE, total
years of play and AFE were associated with decreased thalamic volume. The effect
of AFE on right thalamic volume was almost twice as strong as the effect of total
years of play. Our findings confirm previous reports of an association between
thalamic volume and exposure to RHI. They suggest further that younger AFE may
result in smaller thalamic volume later in life.
PMID- 28990460
TI - Amplification of specific chromosomal regions assessed by fluorescent in situ
hybridization on Pap smears to be added as screening tool for identifying women
at risk of progressing to cervical cancer.
AB - Cervical carcinoma is a frequent malignancy in developing countries despite being
a preventable disease. For the first time, four screening tests were used
simultaneously for identifying women with a risk of developing cervical cancer,
to help clinicians and policy makers to implement the best strategy for reducing
the burden of this disease. Women visiting a hospital in India were enrolled
after institutional ethics clearance and informed consent. Visual inspection
using acetic acid and Pap smear tests were performed on 2683 women, and 104 had
abnormal cytology: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (n = 29),
low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (n = 41), high-grade squamous
intraepithelial lesion (n = 17), and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 17). These and
96 samples, with normal cytology, were subjected to high-risk human papilloma
virus testing and fluorescent in situ hybridization evaluation. Women with
abnormal cytology were followed for 5 years and evaluated with colposcopy-guided
biopsy. Three accepted methods of screening and one novel fluorescent in situ
hybridization assay were carried out in 200 cases. Cutoffs for fluorescent in
situ hybridization were established. The screening methods had 88%-96% negative
predictive value, while positive predictive value was low (20%) for visual
inspection using acetic acid, 47% for fluorescent in situ hybridization, 56% for
high-risk human papilloma virus, and 73% for combined high-risk human papilloma
virus and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Combined high-risk human papilloma
virus and fluorescent in situ hybridization had 94% sensitivity, specificity, and
negative predictive value, suggesting that simultaneous screening with these two
tests is appropriate for identifying women progressing to cervical cancer and not
visual inspection using acetic acid, which has low positive predictive value and
Pap cytology which requires to be repeated. Policy makers and clinicians can
assess feasibility of incorporating this screening strategy to prevent cervical
cancer.
PMID- 28990461
TI - Enrichment of Helicobacter pylori mutant strains after eradication therapy
analyzed by gastric wash-based quantitative pyrosequencing.
AB - The eradication of Helicobacter pylori reduces the risk of gastric cancer. A
clear understanding of the factors underlying mixed infection with multiple
clarithromycin-susceptible and clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori strains is
necessary to design more effective therapies against H. pylori. We aimed to
assess how the abundance and prevalence of H. pylori strains vary after
clarithromycin-based eradication therapy. Using gastric wash samples, which
represent the entire stomach, we sequentially analyzed the abundance and
prevalence of H. pylori DNA by 23S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing before and 1, 2,
and 3 years after eradication therapy. Low levels of H. pylori DNA were still
detectable at the first-year follow-up in all samples with negative post
treatment urea breath test results. The abundance of H. pylori DNA decreased
significantly until the 2-year follow-up, but it switched to an increase at the 3
year follow-up. Importantly, the ratio of the prevalence of mutant strains to the
prevalence of wild-type strains had already increased at the first-year follow-up
and continued to increase, suggesting the selection and growth of clarithromycin
resistant strains during the follow-up periods. Being sensitive and
representative, our assay will be useful in effectively addressing gastric cancer
development by enhancing the long-term success of intervention strategies and
consecutive surveillance for H. pylori eradication.
PMID- 28990462
TI - Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products: A Guide for Bone Marrow-derived MSC
Application in Bone and Cartilage Tissue Engineering.
AB - Millions of people worldwide suffer from trauma- or age-related orthopedic
diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or cancer. Tissue Engineering (TE)
and Regenerative Medicine are multidisciplinary fields focusing on the
development of artificial organs, biomimetic engineered tissues, and cells to
restore or maintain tissue and organ function. While allogenic and future
autologous transplantations are nowadays the gold standards for both cartilage
and bone defect repair, they are both subject to important limitations such as
availability of healthy tissue, donor site morbidity, and graft rejection. Tissue
engineered bone and cartilage products represent a promising and alternative
approach with the potential to overcome these limitations. Since the development
of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) such as TE products requires the
knowledge of diverse regulation and an extensive communication with the
national/international authorities, the aim of this review is therefore to
summarize the state of the art on the clinical applications of human bone marrow
derived stromal cells for cartilage and bone TE. In addition, this review
provides an overview of the European legislation to facilitate the development
and commercialization of new ATMPs.
PMID- 28990463
TI - Are People Becoming More Entitled Over Time? Not in New Zealand.
AB - It is a common conception that entitlement is increasing among younger
generations over time. However, although there is some evidence for this trend,
other findings are less conclusive. The current research investigated change in
psychological entitlement across the adult lifespan for men and women (ages 19
74), using six annual waves of data (2009-2014) from the New Zealand Attitudes
and Values Study ( N = 10,412). We employed Cohort-Sequential Latent Growth
Modeling to assess mean-level change in entitlement. Entitlement was found to be
generally unchanging over time for both men and women, with only those aged 65
and above showing increasing entitlement. Entitlement showed a steady downward
trend across age. These findings from a large national probability sample suggest
that change in entitlement may follow a decreasing developmental trend across the
lifespan. In New Zealand, at least, there is no evidence for a narcissism
epidemic.
PMID- 28990464
TI - The opinions of ambulance personnel regarding using a heated mattress for
patients being cared for in a cold climate - An intervention study in ambulance
care.
AB - The purpose of the study was to describe the opinions of ambulance personnel
regarding differences between using a heated mattress and a standard ambulance
mattress. This study was an intervention study with pre- and post-evaluation.
Evaluations of the opinions of personnel regarding the standard unheated mattress
were conducted initially. After the intervention with new heated mattresses,
follow-up evaluations were conducted. Ambulance personnel (n=64) from an
ambulance station in northern Sweden took part in the study, which ran from
October 2014 until February 2016. There were differences in opinions regarding
the standard unheated mattress and the new heated mattress. The evaluation of the
proxy ratings by the personnel showed that the heated mattress was warmer than
the standard mattress, more pleasant to lie on and that patients were happier and
more relaxed than when the standard mattress was used. The ambulance personnel in
this study rated the experience of working with the heated mattress as very
positive and proxy rated that it had a good effect on patient comfort. A heated
mattress can be recommended for patients in ambulance care, even if more research
is needed to receive sufficient evidence.
PMID- 28990465
TI - Statins induce apoptosis through inhibition of Ras signaling pathways and
enhancement of Bim and p27 expression in human hematopoietic tumor cells.
AB - Recently, statins have been demonstrated to improve cancer-related mortality or
prognosis in patients of various cancers. However, the details of the apoptosis
inducing mechanisms remain unknown. This study showed that the induction of
apoptosis by statins in hematopoietic tumor cells is mediated by mitochondrial
apoptotic signaling pathways, which are activated by the suppression of
mevalonate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate biosynthesis. In addition, statins
decreased the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2
and mammalian target of rapamycin through suppressing Ras prenylation.
Furthermore, inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and
mammalian target of rapamycin by statins induced Bim expression via inhibition of
Bim phosphorylation and ubiquitination and cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase via
enhancement of p27 expression. Moreover, combined treatment of U0126, a mitogen
activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor, and rapamycin, a mammalian target
of rapamycin inhibitor, induced Bim and p27 expressions. The present results
suggested that statins induce apoptosis by decreasing the mitochondrial
transmembrane potential, increasing the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3,
enhancing Bim expression, and inducing cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase through
inhibition of Ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Ras/mammalian target
of rapamycin pathways. Therefore, our findings support the use of statins as
potential anticancer agents or concomitant drugs of adjuvant therapy.
PMID- 28990466
TI - Task-dependent cold stress during expeditions in Antarctic environments.
AB - This study seeks to understand the degree of body cooling, cold perception and
physical discomfort during Antarctic tour excursions. Eight experienced
expedition leaders across three Antarctic cruise voyages were monitored during
occupational tasks: kayaking, snorkelling and zodiac outings. Subjective cold
perception and discomfort were recorded using a thermal comfort assessment and
skin temperature was recorded using a portable data logger. Indoor cabin
temperature and outdoor temperature with wind velocity were used as measures of
environmental stress. Physical activity level and clothing insulation were
estimated using previous literature. Tour leaders experienced a 6 degrees C (2
degrees C wind chill) environment for an average of 6 hours each day. Leaders
involved in kayaking reported feeling colder and more uncomfortable than other
leaders, but zodiac leaders showed greater skin temperature cooling. Occupational
experience did not predict body cooling or cold stress perception. These findings
indicate that occupational cold stress varies by activity and measurement
methodology. The current study effectively used objective and subjective measures
of cold-stress to identify factors which can contribute to risk in the Antarctic
tourism industry. Results suggest that the type of activity may moderate risk of
hypothermia, but not discomfort, potentially putting individuals at risk for
cognitive related mistakes and cold injuries.
PMID- 28990467
TI - Mobility Analysis of AmpuTees (MAAT I): Quality of life and satisfaction are
strongly related to mobility for patients with a lower limb prosthesis.
AB - BACKGROUND: While rehabilitation professionals are historically trained to place
emphasis on the restoration of mobility following lower limb amputation, changes
in healthcare dynamics are placing an increased emphasis on the limb loss
patient's quality of life and general satisfaction. Thus, the relationship
between these constructs and mobility in the patient with lower limb loss
warrants further investigation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between
mobility of the patient with lower limb loss and both (1) general satisfaction
and (2) quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart analysis. METHODS: A
retrospective chart review of the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility and
the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire-Well-Being subsection. Pearson
correlations were used to test relationships. RESULTS: Data from 509 patients
with a lower limb prosthesis were included. Mobility was found to be positively
correlated with quality of life ( r = 0.511, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval
(0.443, 0.569)) and general satisfaction ( r = 0.475, p < 0.001, 95% confidence
interval (0.403, 0.542)), as well as their arithmetic mean (i.e. Prosthesis
Evaluation Questionnaire-Well-Being) ( r = 0.533, p < 0.001, 95% confidence
interval (0.466, 0.592)). CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of a strong
positive correlation between mobility and both quality of life and general
satisfaction. Thus, in the holistic care of a patient with lower limb loss,
maximizing mobility would correlate with greater quality of life and general
satisfaction. Clinical relevance There is growing emphasis on the quality of life
and general satisfaction experienced by patients undergoing prosthetic
rehabilitation. The results of this study underscore the importance of providing
prosthetic rehabilitation that maximizes the patient's mobility, noting that
these individuals also report greater quality of life and general satisfaction.
PMID- 28990468
TI - Deep-Sea Phylogeographic Structure Shaped by Paleoenvironmental Changes and
Ongoing Ocean Currents Around the Sea of Japan in a Crangonid Shrimp, Argis lar.
AB - The deep-sea crangonid shrimp, Argis lar, is a highly abundant species from the
northern Pacific Ocean. We investigated its phylogeographic and demographic
structure across the species' extensive range, using mitochondrial DNA sequence
variation to evaluate the impact of deep-sea paleoenvironmental dynamics in the
Sea of Japan on population histories. The haplotype network detected three
distinct lineages with allopatric isolation, which roughly corresponded to the
Sea of Japan (Lineage A), the northwestern Pacific off the Japanese Archipelago
(Lineage B), and the Bering Sea/Gulf of Alaska (Lineage C). Lineage A showed
relatively low haplotype and nucleotide diversity, a significantly negative value
of Tajima's D, and a star-shaped network, suggesting that anoxic bottom-water in
the Sea of Japan over the last glacial period may have brought about a reduction
in the Sea of Japan population. Furthermore, unexpectedly, the distributions of
Lineage A and B were closely related to the pathways of the two ocean currents,
especially along the Sanriku Coast. This result indicated that A. lar could
disperse across shallow straits through the ocean current, despite their deep-sea
adult habitat. Bayesian inference of divergence time revealed that A. lar
separated into three lineages approximately 1 million years before present (BP)
in the Pleistocene, and then had been influenced by deep-sea paleoenvironmental
change in the Sea of Japan during the last glacial period, followed by a more
recent larval dispersal with the ocean current since ca. 6 kilo years BP.
PMID- 28990469
TI - Identification and Characterization of Novel Genes Expressed Preferentially in
the Corpora Allata or Corpora Cardiaca During the Juvenile Hormone Synthetic
Period in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori.
AB - Juvenile hormone (JH) plays important roles in insect development and physiology.
JH titer is tightly regulated to coordinately adjust systemic physiology and
development. Although control of JH titer is explained by the expression of JH
biosynthetic enzymes in the corpora allata (CA), molecular mechanisms that
regulate the expression of these genes remain elusive. In the present study, to
identify novel regulators of JH biosynthetic genes, we conducted a gene
expression screen using the CA and corpora cardiaca (CC) of the silkworm, Bombyx
mori, in the JH synthesis period. We identified seven candidate genes and
characterized their properties through extensive expression analyses. Of these
candidates, we found that a novel gene, which encodes type II
phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] 4-phosphatase, shows highly
correlated expression with JH titer. In addition, expression of this gene was
strongly upregulated by starvation, when JH biosynthetic enzyme genes are
concurrently upregulated. These results, for the first time, imply possible
involvement of phosphoinositol signal in regulation of JH biosynthesis, providing
novel insights into molecular mechanisms of nutrition-dependent regulation of JH
biosynthesis.
PMID- 28990471
TI - Corrigenda.
PMID- 28990470
TI - Reproductive Traits of the Duckbill Sleeper Butis butis (Hamilton, 1822).
AB - Butis butis is a commercially important goby that is widely distributed in Indo
Pacific regions; however, its reproductive biology is poorly characterized. We
condcted the present study in estuarine and coastline areas in the Mekong Delta
from June 2015 to May 2016 to generate reproductive parameters for this species.
The results of data analysis based on a collection of 173 individuals (74 females
and 99 males) indicate that the sex ratio of this species is close to 1:1. Mature
(stage IV) and ripe (stage V) gonads were found monthly during the study period,
suggesting that Butis butis is an iteroparous fish that spawns in a year-round
cycle. Male B. butis matures first at 8.97 cm total length (TL), which is longer
than females (6.82 cm TL). Butis butis is well adapted to tropical monsoon
regions due to its high batch fecundity (46,017 +/- 6941 SE), ranging from 15,000
(8.6 cm TL and 5.71 g W) to 78,500 (15.8 cm TL and 42.24 g W) eggs. Batch
fecundity increases with fish size due to a strong positive relationship between
batch fecundity and fish size (TL and W). These results help fill the knowledge
gap on the reproductive biology of Butis butis, and contribute crucial
information relevant to sustainable management of fish populations in the study
region.
PMID- 28990472
TI - An Inhibitor of Thyroid Hormone Synthesis Protects Tail Skin Grafts Transplanted
to Syngenic Adult Frogs.
AB - Tail regression in amphibian tadpoles during metamorphosis is one of the most
dynamic morphological changes in animal development and is induced by thyroid
hormone (TH). It has been proposed that tail resorption is driven by
immunological rejection in Xenopus laevis, based on experimental evidence showing
that larval skin grafts become atrophic on syngenic recipient adult frogs. This
led to the hypothesis that tail regression is induced by an immunological
rejection against larval skin-specific antigens called Ouro proteins. However,
our group has demonstrated that ouro-knockout tadpoles undergo normal
metamorphosis, including tail resorption in Xenopus tropicalis, which indicates
that the expression of ouro genes is not necessary for tail regression. In the
present study, we showed that an inhibitor of TH synthesis promotes the survival
of larval tail skin grafts on syngenic adult Xenopus tropicalis frogs. The levels
of endogenous THs in adult frogs were also comparable to those in metamorphosing
tadpoles of Xenopus laevis with a regressing tail, and TH induced the regression
of tadpole tail tips of Xenopus tropicalis in organ culture. Taken together,
these results strongly suggest that endogenous THs in the recipient adult frog
induce the degeneration of syngenic tail skin grafts.
PMID- 28990473
TI - Chick Development and Asynchroneous Hatching in the Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia
guttata castanotis).
AB - The mode of hatching in birds has important impacts on both parents and chicks,
including the costs and risks of breeding for parents, and sibling competition in
a clutch. Birds with multiple eggs in a single clutch often begin incubating when
most eggs are laid, thereby reducing time of incubation, nursing burden, and
sibling competition. In some songbirds and some other species, however,
incubation starts immediately after the first egg is laid, and the chicks thus
hatch asynchronously. This may result in differences in parental care and in
sibling competition based on body size differences among older and younger
chicks, which in turn might produce asynchronous development among siblings
favoring the first hatchling, and further affect the development and fitness of
the chicks after fledging. To determine whether such processes in fact occur in
the zebra finch, we observed chick development in 18 clutches of zebra finches.
We found that there were effects of asynchronous hatching, but these were smaller
than expected and mostly not significant. Our observations suggest that the
amount of care given to each chick may be equated with such factors as a
camouflage effect of the down feathers, and that the low illumination within the
nest also complicates the determination of the hatching order by the parents.
PMID- 28990474
TI - Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Gene from Greasyback Shrimp Metapenaeus ensis:
Isolation, Genomic Organization and Expression Pattern Analysis.
AB - Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), a catalytic subunit of telomerase, plays
a key role in the activity and biological functions of telomerase. In the present
study we isolated and characterized the full-length cDNA and DNA sequences of the
TERT gene (MeTERT) from Metapenaeus ensis. MeTERT cDNA was 4239 bp in length,
which consisted of a 369 bp 5'UTR, a 3231 bp open reading frame encoding 1076
amino acids, and a 639 bp 3'UTR. The genomic DNA of MeTERT had only two introns,
similar to beetle (two introns) and silkworm (intronless). The MeTERT protein
showed only 5.2-7.9% identity with other known TERTs but contained all the four
primary TERT domains of the N-terminal TEN, RNA binding domain (TRBD), reverse
transcriptase (RT) and C-terminus CTE. Expression pattern analysis by RT-qPCR
showed that, the MeTERT mRNA transcripts could be detected in all the tested
samples, with relatively higher expression level in the gill, mysis, Oka organ
and egg, but lower level in muscle, ovary, in vitro cultured 3-d Oka organ cells
and heart. The significant decrease of MeTERT expression in the in vitro cultured
3-d Oka organ primary cells compared with their source tissue of Oka organ may
have contributed to the cellular mitosisarrest. Thus trans-activation of TERT
gene may be a candidate in attempts to immortalize in vitro cultured shrimp
cells. This work will lay a solid foundation for future studies of the biological
functions of telomerase in crustaceans.
PMID- 28990475
TI - Histology of the Urogenital System in the American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana),
with Emphasis on Male Reproductive Morphology.
AB - Previous studies have revealed variations in the urogenital system morphology of
amphibians. Recently, the urogenital system of salamanders was reviewed and
terminology was synonymized across taxa. Discrepancies exist in the terminology
describing the urogenital system of anurans, which prompted our group to develop
a complete, detailed description of the urogenital system in an anuran species
and provide nomenclature that is synonymous with those of other amphibian taxa.
In Rana catesbeiana, sperm mature within spermatocysts of the seminiferous tubule
epithelia and are transported to a series of intratesticular ducts that exit the
testes and merge to form vasa efferentia. Vasa efferentia converge into single
longitudinal ducts (Bidder's ducts) on the lateral aspects of the kidneys.
Branches from the longitudinal ducts merge with genital kidney renal tubules
through renal corpuscles. The nephrons travel caudally and empty into the Woffian
ducts. Similar to salamanders, the caudal portion of the kidneys (termed the
pelvic kidneys in salamanders) only possesses nephrons involved in urine
formation, not sperm transport. Data from the present study provide a detailed
description and synonymous nomenclature that can be used to make future
comparative analyses between taxa more efficient.
PMID- 28990476
TI - Disruption of the Reproductive Axis in Freshwater Fish, Catla catla, After
Bisphenol-A Exposure.
AB - Environmental estrogens such as bisphenol-A (BPA) cause reproductive disorders in
many vertebrate species, especially fish. BPA is used extensively in the
manufacture of plastic and plastic products, epoxy resins, and dental sealants.
The presence of BPA in sewage and surface water raises a potential threat to
aquatic populations. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BPA on
ovarian histology and transcription of key genes involved in reproduction. Adult
female Catla catla were exposed to graded concentrations of BPA (10, 100, 1000
ug/l) for 14 days. Ovary histology and expression of steroidogenic acute
regulatory protein (star), ovary aromatase (cyp19a), follicle-stimulating hormone
receptor (fshr), and luteinizing hormone receptor (lhr) were evaluated in ovary
of female fish after 14 days. Fish ovaries from the control and 10 ug/l BPA
exposed groups included primary oocytes (POCs), while fish exposed to higher
concentrations of BPA (100 and 1000 ug/l) contained tertiary and mature oocytes
with increased numbers of atretic follicles. Significant increases in mRNA
transcripts of star were observed in fish exposed to 100 and 1000 ug/l BPA. A 15
fold increase in the expression of ovary aromatase (cyp19a) was detected in fish
exposed to 100 ug/l BPA. fshr increased in a dose-dependent manner. Increases in
the expression of lhr, although not statistically significant, were observed in
fish exposed to 100 and 1000 ug/l BPA when compared to control. The results of
the present study indicate that BPA causes alterations in the expression patterns
of genes involved in the reproductive pathway, which may lead to negative effects
on the reproductive system in female fish.
PMID- 28990477
TI - External Asymmetry and Pectoral Fin Loss in the Bamboo Sole (Heteromycteris
japonica): Small-Sized Sole with Potential as a Pleuronectiformes Experimental
Model.
AB - Pleuronectiform fish develop marked external asymmetry in eye location and skin
color at metamorphosis. The bamboo sole, Heteromycteris japonica, also exhibits
loss of the pectoral fins at metamorphosis. Because of its small body size, short
generation time, and long spawning season, we focused on the bamboo sole as an
experimental model to investigate metamorphic asymmetry and pectoral fin loss
during development. In the present study, we utilized a small-scale culture
system to evaluate bamboo sole larvae and larval development, and a
microinjection system for fertilized eggs. The culture system described here uses
an 18 L culture tank for rotifers (the first diet for larvae) and 5 L plastic
beakers for larval culture. Under this system, most larvae completed
metamorphosis, including one-eye migration and pigmentation of the ocular side,
by 23 days postfertilization (dpf) at 25 degrees C. Larvae at density of 120-150
per liter were grown from hatching to 23 dpf with a survival ratio of 60-75% per
beaker. Pectoral fins, including coracoid and disk cartilage, formed but were
completely lost in late metamorphosis without formation of proximal radials and
fin rays. The microinjection system designed here is adequate for the bamboo sole
and allows injection of 100 one-cell-stage embryos per day. We expect that the
culture and microinjection systems described here will facilitate the use of the
bamboo sole as an experimental model organism in developmental biology.
PMID- 28990478
TI - Changes in Plasma and Tissue Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (LC-PUFA)
Content in the Eel Anguilla japonica After External and Internal Osmotic Stress.
AB - We investigated the effect of external and internal osmotic stress on the profile
of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in euryhaline eels Anguilla
japonica. Freshwater (FW) fish were transferred to seawater (SW) for external
osmotic stress or subjected to internal stress through injection with hypertonic
saline. FW eels injected with isotonic saline served as controls. Plasma
osmolality, Na+ concentration, and gill Na+/K+ -ATPase activity increased, but
hematocrit decreased compared with controls in eels exposed to external or
internal osmotic stress. The expression of two major transporter genes for SW
adaptation, the Na+ -K+ -2Cl - co-transporter 1a (NKCC1a) in the gill and NKCC2b
in the intestine, was up-regulated only in SW-transferred eels, suggesting a
direct impact of SW on the gill and intestine via SW ingestion. Total LC-PUFA
contents and DHA (22:6 n-3) increased in the gill and liver of SW-transferred
eels and in the intestine of hypertonic saline-injected eels. However, total LC
PUFA content in plasma decreased after both external and internal osmotic
stimuli. In contrast, the gene expression of two key enzymes involved in the LC
PUFA biosynthesis, Delta6 fatty acid desaturase and elongase, did not change in
the gill, intestine and liver of osmotically stressed eels. These results
indicate that LC-PUFA is possibly involved in osmoregulation and the increased LC
PUFA contents of osmoregulatory organs might be a result of LC-PUFA transport via
circulation, rather than through de novo biosynthesis.
PMID- 28990479
TI - Laboratory Rearing System for Ischnura senegalensis (Insecta: Odonata) Enables
Detailed Description of Larval Development and Morphogenesis in Dragonfly.
AB - In an attempt to establish an experimental dragonfly model, we developed a
laboratory rearing system for the blue-tailed damselfly, Ischnura senegalensis.
Adoption of multi-well plastic plates as rearing containers enabled mass-rearing
of isolated larvae without cannibalism and convenient microscopic monitoring of
individual larvae. Feeding Artemia brine shrimps to younger larvae and Tubifex
worms for older larvae resulted in low mortality, synchronized ecdysis, and
normal development of the larvae. We continuously monitored the development of
118 larvae every day, of which 49 individuals (41.5%) reached adulthood. The
adult insects were fed with Drosophila flies in wet plastic cages, attained
reproductive maturity in a week, copulated, laid fertilized eggs, and produced
progeny. The final larval instar varied from 9th to 12th, with the 11th instar
(56.5%) and the 12th instar (24.2%) constituting the majority. From the 1st
instar to the penultimate instar, the duration of each instar was relatively
short, mainly ranging from three to 11 days. Afterwards, the duration of each
instar was prolonged, reaching 7-25 days for the penultimate instar and 14-28
days for the final instar. Some larvae of final, penultimate and younger instars
were subjected to continuous and close morphological examinations, which enabled
developmental staging of larvae based on size, shape, and angle of compound eyes
and other morphological traits. This laboratory rearing system may facilitate the
understanding of physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying
metamorphosis, hormonal control, morphogenesis, body color polymorphism, and
other biological features of dragonflies.
PMID- 28990480
TI - Dyella-Like Bacterium Isolated from an Insect as a Potential Biocontrol Agent
Against Grapevine Yellows.
AB - Yellows diseases, caused by phytopathogenic bacteria of the genus Phytoplasma,
are a major threat to grapevines worldwide. Because conventional applications
against this pathogen are inefficient and disease management is highly
challenging, the use of beneficial bacteria has been suggested as a biocontrol
solution. A Dyella-like bacterium (DLB), isolated from the Israeli insect vector
of grapevine yellows (Hyalesthes obsoletus), was suggested to be an endophyte. To
test this hypothesis, the bacterium was introduced by spraying the plant leaves,
and it had no apparent phytotoxicity to grapevine. Fluorescent in situ
hybridization analysis showed that DLB is colonizing grapevine phloem. Because
phytoplasmas inhabit the same niche, DLB interactions with this phytopathogen
were examined. When the isolate was introduced to phytoplasma-infected Chardonnay
plantlets, morphological disease symptoms were markedly reduced. The mode of DLB
action was then tested using bioinformatics and system biology tools. DLB genome
analysis suggested that the ability to reduce phytoplasma symptoms is related to
inhibition of the pathogenic bacterium. These results provide the first step in
examining the potential of DLB as a biological control agent against phytoplasmas
in grapevine and, possibly, other agricultural crops.
PMID- 28990481
TI - Challenges for Managing Candidatus Liberibacter spp. (Huanglongbing Disease
Pathogen): Current Control Measures and Future Directions.
AB - Huanglongbing (HLB; "citrus greening" disease) has caused significant damages to
the global citrus industry as it has become well established in leading citrus
producing regions and continues to spread worldwide. Insecticidal control has
been a critical component of HLB disease management, as there is a direct
relationship between vector control and Candidatus Liberibacter spp. (i.e., the
HLB pathogen) titer in HLB-infected citrus trees. In recent years, there have
been substantial efforts to develop practical strategies for specifically
managing Ca. Liberibacter spp.; however, a literature review on the outcomes of
such attempts is still lacking. This work summarizes the greenhouse and field
studies that have documented the effects and implications of chemical-based
treatments (i.e., applications of broad-spectrum antibiotics, small molecule
compounds) and nonchemical measures (i.e., applications of plant-beneficial
compounds, applications of inorganic fertilizers, biological control,
thermotherapy) for phytopathogen control. The ongoing challenges associated with
mitigating Ca. Liberibacter spp. populations at the field-scale, such as the
seasonality of the phytopathogen and associated HLB disease symptoms, limitations
for therapeutics to contact the phytopathogen in planta, adverse impacts of broad
spectrum treatments on plant-beneficial microbiota, and potential implications on
public and ecosystem health, are also discussed.
PMID- 28990482
TI - Advanced Copper Composites Against Copper-Tolerant Xanthomonas perforans and
Tomato Bacterial Spot.
AB - Bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas spp., is a widespread and damaging
bacterial disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). For disease management,
growers rely on copper bactericides, which are often ineffective due to the
presence of copper-tolerant Xanthomonas strains. This study evaluated the
antibacterial activity of the new copper composites core-shell copper (CS-Cu),
multivalent copper (MV-Cu), and fixed quaternary ammonium copper (FQ-Cu) as
potential alternatives to commercially available micron-sized copper bactericides
for controlling copper-tolerant Xanthomonas perforans. In vitro, metallic copper
from CS-Cu and FQ-Cu at 100 MUg/ml killed the copper-tolerant X. perforans strain
within 1 h of exposure. In contrast, none of the micron-sized copper rates (100
to 1,000 MUg/ml) from Kocide 3000 significantly reduced copper-tolerant X.
perforans populations after 48 h of exposure compared with the water control (P <
0.05). All copper-based treatments killed the copper-sensitive X. perforans
strain within 1 h. Greenhouse studies demonstrated that all copper composites
significantly reduced bacterial spot disease severity when compared with copper
mancozeb and water controls (P < 0.05). Although there was no significant impact
on yield, copper composites significantly reduced disease severity when compared
with water controls, using 80% less metallic copper in comparison with copper
mancozeb in field studies (P < 0.05). This study highlights the discovery that
copper composites have the potential to manage copper-tolerant X. perforans and
tomato bacterial spot.
PMID- 28990483
TI - Identification of a Hypervirulent Pathotype of Rice yellow mottle virus: A Threat
to Genetic Resistance Deployment in West-Central Africa.
AB - Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) causes high losses to rice production in Africa.
Several sources of varietal high resistance are available but the emergence of
virulent pathotypes that are able to overcome one or two resistance alleles can
sometimes occur. Both resistance spectra and viral adaptability have to be taken
into account to develop sustainable rice breeding strategies against RYMV. In
this study, we extended previous resistance spectrum analyses by testing the
rymv1-4 and rymv1-5 alleles that are carried by the rice accessions Tog5438 and
Tog5674, respectively, against isolates that are representative of RYMV genetic
and pathogenic diversity. Our study revealed a hypervirulent pathotype, named
thereafter pathotype T', that is able to overcome all known sources of high
resistance. This pathotype, which is spatially localized in West-Central Africa,
appears to be more abundant than previously suspected. To better understand the
adaptive processes of pathotype T', molecular determinants of resistance
breakdown were identified via Sanger sequencing and validated through directed
mutagenesis of an infectious clone. These analyses confirmed the key role of
convergent nonsynonymous substitutions in the central part of the viral genome
linked protein to overcome RYMV1-mediated resistance. In addition, deep
sequencing analyses revealed that resistance breakdown does not always coincide
with fixed mutations. Actually, virulence mutations that are present in a small
proportion of the virus population can be sufficient for resistance breakdown.
Considering the spatial distribution of RYMV strains in Africa and their ability
to overcome the RYMV resistance genes and alleles, we established a resistance
breaking risk map to optimize strategies for the deployment of sustainable and
resistant rice lines in Africa.
PMID- 28990484
TI - Adult Plant Leaf Rust Resistance Derived from Toropi Wheat is Conditioned by Lr78
and Three Minor QTL.
AB - Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina is an important disease of wheat in many
regions worldwide. Durable or long-lasting leaf rust resistance has been
difficult to achieve because populations of P. triticina are highly variable for
virulence to race-specific resistance genes, and respond to selection by
resistance genes in released wheat cultivars. The wheat cultivar Toropi,
developed and grown in Brazil, was noted to have long-lasting leaf rust
resistance that was effective only in adult plants. The objectives of this study
were to determine the chromosome location of the leaf rust resistance genes
derived from Toropi in two populations of recombinant inbred lines in a partial
Thatcher wheat background. In the first population, a single gene with major
effects on chromosome 5DS that mapped 2.2 centimorgans distal to IWA6289,
strongly reduced leaf rust severity in all 3 years of field plot tests. This gene
for adult plant leaf rust resistance was designated as Lr78. In the second
population, quantitative trait loci (QTL) with small effects on chromosomes 1BL,
3BS, and 4BS were found. These QTL expressed inconsistently over 4 years of field
plot tests. The adult plant leaf rust resistance derived from Toropi involved a
complex combination of QTL with large and small effects.
PMID- 28990486
TI - Nodule-Specific Cysteine-Rich Peptides Negatively Regulate Nitrogen-Fixing
Symbiosis in a Strain-Specific Manner in Medicago truncatula.
AB - Medicago truncatula shows a high level of specificity when interacting with its
symbiotic partner Sinorhizobium meliloti. This specificity is mainly manifested
at the nitrogen-fixing stage of nodule development, such that a particular
bacterial strain forms nitrogen-fixing nodules (Nod+/Fix+) on one plant genotype
but ineffective nodules (Nod+/Fix-) on another. Recent studies have just begun to
reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms that control this specificity. The S.
meliloti strain A145 induces the formation of Fix+ nodules on the accession
DZA315.16 but Fix- nodules on Jemalong A17. A previous study reported that the
formation of Fix- nodules on Jemalong A17 by S. meliloti A145 was conditioned by
a single recessive allele named Mtsym6. Here we demonstrate that the specificity
associated with S. meliloti A145 is controlled by multiple genes in M.
truncatula, including NFS1 and NFS2 that encode nodule-specific cysteine-rich
(NCR) peptides. The two NCR peptides acted dominantly to block rather than
promote nitrogen fixation by S. meliloti A145. These two NCR peptides are the
same ones that negatively regulate nitrogen-fixing symbiosis associated with S.
meliloti Rm41.
PMID- 28990485
TI - There is a need for new systemic sclerosis subset criteria. A content analytic
approach.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is heterogenous. The objectives of this
study were to evaluate the purpose, strengths and limitations of existing SSc
subset criteria, and identify ideas among experts about subsets. METHODS: We
conducted semi-structured interviews with randomly sampled international SSc
experts. The interview transcripts underwent an iterative process with text
deconstructed to single thought units until a saturated conceptual framework with
coding was achieved and respondent occurrence tabulated. Serial cross-referential
analyses of clusters were developed. RESULTS: Thirty experts from 13 countries
were included; 67% were male, 63% were from Europe and 37% from North America;
median experience of 22.5 years, with a median of 55 new SSc patients annually.
Three thematic clusters regarding subsetting were identified: research and
communication; management; and prognosis (prediction of internal organ
involvement, survival). The strength of the limited/diffuse system was its ease
of use, however 10% stated this system had marginal value. Shortcomings of the
diffuse/limited classification were the risk of misclassification,
predictions/generalizations did not always hold true, and that the elbow or knee
threshold was arbitrary. Eighty-seven percent use more than 2 subsets including:
SSc sine scleroderma, overlap conditions, antibody-determined subsets, speed of
progression, and age of onset (juvenile, elderly). CONCLUSIONS: We have
synthesized an international view of the construct of SSc subsets in the modern
era. We found a number of factors underlying the construct of SSc subsets.
Considerations for the next phase include rate of change and hierarchal
clustering (e.g. limited/diffuse, then by antibodies).
PMID- 28990487
TI - GABA, A Primary Metabolite Controlled by the Gac/Rsm Regulatory Pathway, Favors a
Planktonic Over a Biofilm Lifestyle in Pseudomonas protegens CHA0.
AB - In Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 and other fluorescent pseudomonads, the Gac/Rsm
signal transduction pathway is crucial for the expression of secondary metabolism
and the biological control of fungi, nematodes, and insects. Based on the
findings of a previous metabolomic study, the role of intracellular gamma
aminobutyrate (GABA) as a potential signal in the Gac/Rsm pathway was
investigated herein. The function and regulation of a gabDT (c01870-c01880) gene
cluster in strain CHA0 were described. The gabT gene encoded GABA transaminase
(GABAT) and enabled the growth of the bacterium on GABA, whereas the upstream
gabD gene (annotated as a gene encoding succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase) had
an unknown function. A gacA mutant exhibited low GABAT activity, leading to the
markedly greater intracellular accumulation of GABA than in the wild type. In the
gacA mutant, the RsmA and RsmE proteins caused translational gabD repression,
with concomitant gabT repression. Due to very low GABAT activity, the gabT mutant
accumulated GABA to high levels. This trait promoted a planktonic lifestyle,
reduced biofilm formation, and favored root colonization without exhibiting the
highly pleiotropic gacA phenotypes. These results suggest an important role of
GABA in the Gac/Rsm-regulated niche adaptation of strain CHA0 to plant roots.
PMID- 28990488
TI - The MicroRNA miR773 Is Involved in the Arabidopsis Immune Response to Fungal
Pathogens.
AB - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21- to 24-nucleotide short noncoding RNAs that trigger
gene silencing in eukaryotes. In plants, miRNAs play a crucial role in a wide
range of developmental processes and adaptive responses to abiotic and biotic
stresses. In this work, we investigated the role of miR773 in modulating
resistance to infection by fungal pathogens in Arabidopsis thaliana. Interference
with miR773 activity by target mimics (in MIM773 plants) and concomitant
upregulation of the miR773 target gene METHYLTRANSFERASE 2 (MET2) increased
resistance to infection by necrotrophic (Plectosphaerrella cucumerina) and
hemibiotrophic (Fusarium oxysporum, Colletototrichum higginianum) fungal
pathogens. By contrast, both MIR773 overexpression and MET2 silencing enhanced
susceptibility to pathogen infection. Upon pathogen challenge, MIM773 plants
accumulated higher levels of callose and reactive oxygen species than wild-type
plants. Stronger induction of defense-gene expression was also observed in MIM773
plants in response to fungal infection. Expression analysis revealed an important
reduction in miR773 accumulation in rosette leaves of plants upon elicitor
perception and pathogen infection. Taken together, our results show not only that
miR773 mediates pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity but also
demonstrate that suppression of miR773 activity is an effective approach to
improve disease resistance in Arabidopsis plants.
PMID- 28990489
TI - Binding characterization of the targeting drug AIMPILA to AFP receptors in human
tumor xenografts.
AB - The main objective of this study was the characterization of preclinical tumor
models based on their expression of alpha-fetoprotein receptor (RECAF) for
targeting cancer cells with a new non-covalent complex (AIMPILA) containing alpha
fetoprotein as the carrier and Atractyloside as an apoptosis-inducing agent. For
that purpose, we measured the amount of RECAF in the homogenates of the grafted
tumors T47D and SW620 and in HepG2 cell extracts. We also determined the alpha
fetoprotein binding specificity of the targeting drug AIMPILA using a solid-phase
chemiluminescent assay with AIMPILA-Acrdidinium. We found that RECAF is
practically absent from healthy mice tissues (100 Units/mg) where in malignant
cells, the amount of alpha-fetoprotein receptors follows this order: T47D (9152
Units/mg) > HepG2 (4865 Units/mg) > SW620 (2839 Units/mg). This agrees with our
findings regarding AIMPILA-induced tumor growth inhibition (T47D (T/C = 22%) >
HepG2 (T/C = 51%) > SW620 (T/C = 70%), where T/C is the ratio of tumor volume in
treated vs control animals). Our results demonstrate that the therapeutic
response to the targeting drug AIMPILA strongly depends on the RECAF expression
by human tumors and confirms the choice of the tumor models used for an AIMPILA
preclinical study.
PMID- 28990490
TI - Targeted photodynamic therapy as potential treatment modality for the eradication
of colon cancer and colon cancer stem cells.
AB - Colorectal cancer is commonly treated by tumour resection, as chemotherapy and
radiation have proven to be less effective, especially if the tumour has
metastasized. Resistance to therapies occurs in almost all patients with
colorectal cancer, especially in those with metastatic tumours. Cancer stem cells
have the ability to self-renew, and their slow rate of cycling enhances
resistance to treatment and increases the likelihood of tumour recurrence. Most
metastatic tumours are unable to be surgically removed, thus creating a need for
treatment modalities that target cancers directly and destroy cancer stem cells.
Photodynamic therapy involves a photosensitizer that when exposed to a light
source of a particular wavelength becomes excited and produces a form of oxygen
that kills cancer cells. Photodynamic therapy is currently being investigated as
a treatment modality for colorectal cancer, and new studies are exploring
enhancing photodynamic therapy efficacy with the aid of drug carriers and immune
conjugates. These modifications could prove effective in targeting cancer stem
cells that are thought to be resistant to photodynamic therapy. In order for
photodynamic therapy to be an effective treatment in colorectal cancer, it
requires treatment of both primary tumours and the metastatic secondary disease
that is caused by colon cancer stem cells. This review focuses on current
photodynamic therapy treatments available for colorectal cancer and highlights
proposed actively targeted photosynthetic drug uptake mechanisms specifically
mediated towards colon cancer stem cells, as well as identify the gaps in
research which need to be investigated in order to develop a combinative targeted
photodynamic therapy regime that can effectively control colorectal cancer
primary and metastatic tumour growth by eliminating colon cancer stem cells.
PMID- 28990491
TI - Young Athletes Cleared for Sports Participation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Reconstruction: How Many Actually Meet Recommended Return-to-Sport Criterion
Cutoffs?
AB - Study Design Prospective cohort study. Background While meeting objective
criterion cutoffs is recommended prior to return to sports following anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, the number of young athletes who meet
recommended cutoffs and the impact of cutoffs on longitudinal sports
participation are unknown. Objectives To test the hypothesis that a higher
proportion of young athletes who meet recommended cutoffs will maintain the same
level of sports participation over the year following return-to-sport clearance
compared to those who do not meet recommended cutoffs. Methods At the time of
return-to-sport clearance, the International Knee Documentation Committee
Subjective Knee Evaluation Form (IKDC), quadriceps and hamstring strength limb
symmetry index (LSI), and single-leg hop test LSI were assessed. Proportions of
participants who met individual (IKDC score of 90 or greater; strength and hop
test LSIs of 90% or greater) and combined cutoffs were calculated. Proportions of
participants who continued at the same level of sports participation over the
year following return-to-sport clearance (assessed using the Tegner activity
scale) were compared between those who met and did not meet cutoffs. Results
Participants included 115 young athletes (88 female). The proportions meeting
individual cutoffs ranged from 43.5% to 78.3%. The proportions meeting cutoffs
for all hop tests, all strength tests, and all combined measures were 53.0%,
27.8%, and 13.9%, respectively. A higher proportion of participants who met
cutoffs for both strength tests maintained the same level of sports participation
over the year following return-to-sport clearance than those who did not (81.3%
versus 60.2%, P = .02). Conclusion The proportions of young athletes after ACL
reconstruction recently cleared for return to sports who met the combined
criterion cutoffs were low. Those who met the criterion cutoffs for both strength
tests maintained the same level of sports participation at higher proportions
than those who did not. Level of Evidence Prognosis, level 2b. J Orthop Sports
Phys Ther 2017;47(11):825-833. Epub 7 Oct 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7227.
PMID- 28990492
TI - Presidential Address: 28th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Society for Vascular
Medicine.
PMID- 28990493
TI - Remembering Alan T. Hirsch, MD, MSVM: SVM Founding Member and Past President
(1954-2017).
PMID- 28990494
TI - 28th SVM Scientific Sessions Highlights.
PMID- 28990495
TI - Internal mammary artery-to-pulmonary vasculature fistula: Systematic review of
case reports.
AB - The formation of a fistula between the internal mammary artery and the pulmonary
vasculature (IMA-to-PV) is a rare anomaly. The etiology can be congenital;
however, most recent cases have been associated with coronary artery bypass
grafting, trauma, inflammatory conditions, chronic infections, or neoplasia. The
knowledge base on the formation of these fistulas is derived primarily from case
reports. To our knowledge, no systematic reviews or guidelines are available that
provide information on how to manage these cases, and the treatment of an IMA-to
PV fistula is controversial. To our knowledge, this report is the first to review
80 cases of IMA-to-PV fistulas reported in the literature. We describe the
etiologies, clinical presentation, and management of these fistulas.
PMID- 28990496
TI - Bone Marrow Findings Secondary to Antineoplastic Compounds: Hematopoietic, Bone,
and Cytokine Cross Talk.
AB - New medullary bone formation has been observed in rats administered a variety of
antineoplastic compounds. Similar effects reported in rats administered
granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were attributed to exaggerated
pharmacology of G-CSF as a cytokine and growth factor, resulting in stromal
proliferation in addition to the intended hematopoietic effects. Similar
phenomena of marrow stromal change are reported among other species in
association with various growth factors. Case study summaries of test item
related histopathologic changes in bone marrow, reflecting trabecular and/or
endosteal new bone formation, are presented. In each of these cases, it was
concluded that the new medullary bone and stromal proliferation did not reflect a
primary target-related toxicity; rather, the mesenchymal changes were attributed
to nonspecific, secondary effects of cytokines elaborated in response to primary
cytotoxic effects on hematopoietic cells with subsequent impact on circulating
blood cells. The common features associated with marrow stromal changes in the
case studies, as well as with a variety of pharmacologic compounds across several
species described in the literature, are hematologic effects and/or changes in
growth factor levels and cytokine expression.
PMID- 28990497
TI - CALR, JAK2 and MPL mutation status in Argentinean patients with BCR-ABL1-
negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To establish the frequency of JAK2, MPL and CALR mutations in
Argentinean patients with BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN)
and to compare their clinical and haematological features. METHODS: Mutations of
JAK2V617F, JAK2 exon 12, MPL W515L/K and CALR were analysed in 439 Argentinean
patients with BCR-ABL1-negative MPN, including 176 polycythemia vera (PV), 214
essential thrombocythemia (ET) and 49 primary myelofibrosis (PMF). RESULTS: In
94.9% of PV, 85.5% ET and 85.2% PMF, we found mutations in JAK2, MPL or CALR.
74.9% carried JAK2V617F, 12.3% CALR mutations, 2.1% MPL mutations and 10.7% were
triple negative. In ET, nine types of CALR mutations were identified, four of
which were novel. PMF patients were limited to types 1 and 2, type 2 being more
frequent. DISCUSSION: In ET, patients with CALR mutation were younger and had
higher platelet counts than those with JAK2V617F and triple negative. In
addition, JAK2V617F patients had high leucocyte and haemoglobin values compared
with CALR-mutated and triple-negative patients. In PMF, patients with mutant CALR
were associated with higher platelet counts. CONCLUSION: Our study underscores
the importance of JAK2, MPL and CALR genotyping for accurate diagnosis of
patients with BCR-ABL1-negative MPN.
PMID- 28990498
TI - Tumoral vascular pattern in renal cell carcinoma and fat-poor renal
angiomyolipoma as a novel helpful differentiating factor on contrast-enhanced CT
scan.
AB - Our objective was to evaluate the differences between tumoral vascular pattern of
renal cell carcinoma and fat-poor angiomyolipoma by contrast-enhanced computed
tomography. All included patients had a definitive pathological diagnosis of
either angiomyolipoma or renal cell carcinoma, and then the contrast-enhanced
computed tomography images of these patients were evaluated. The patients who had
visible prominent vessels in cross-sectional imaging were selected. The tumor
vascular pattern (prominent (>2 mm) intratumoral and peritumoral vessels),
density, and diameter of the vessels in renal cell carcinoma and fat-poor
angiomyolipoma were evaluated. All cases (n = 12) with fat-poor angiomyolipoma
were found to have intratumoral vessels and all cases (n = 36) with clear cell
renal cell carcinoma were found to have peritumoral vessels. There was no
significant correlation detected between the diameter of tumor and the density as
well as diameter of the vessels. In conclusion, the evaluation of the vascular
pattern using contrast enhancement contrast-enhanced computed tomography may
provide important information that is useful in helping accurate differential
diagnosis of fat-poor angiomyolipoma or renal cell carcinoma preoperatively.
PMID- 28990499
TI - Editorial:Engineered Particles and Human Tissues for Pharmaceutical Research.
PMID- 28990500
TI - Editorial: Pharmaceutical Applications of Dendrimers.
PMID- 28990501
TI - Editorial: Parasite Polyamines.
PMID- 28990502
TI - Editorial: Recent Advances and Innovative Strategies Applied in the Development
of Biomaterials.
PMID- 28990503
TI - Effects of isolated isoflavones intake on health
AB - Isoflavones are naturally occurring flavonoids characterized by a structure able
to exert non-steroidal estrogen-like activity on human cells. The atypical
linkage between the rings B and C remarkable influences these potentialities and
confers them specific applications, along with the biochemical modification such
as acetylation and malonylation. Plants belonging to Leguminosae family are the
most abundant and rich sources for human organism, where, after their ingestion
and metabolization, they show positive health effects on several diseases,
especially in the prevention of coronary heart and neurological diseases, hormone
related cancers, osteoporosis, and postmenopausal symptoms. Although these
molecules have been the subjects of numerous researches, their role for the
wellness of the human organism remains controversial, due to the estrogen-like
effects that can be a risk to certain individuals, especially, for instance,
women with breast cancer or with the possibility to contract it. Moreover, there
are substantial inconsistencies between the results obtained by epidemiologic
studies conducted on Eastern population, which found high health promoting
properties, and Western clinical trials, which found much less positive effects.
In this review, we have performed a critical evaluation of available literature
as far as isoflavones health promoting properties, risk assessment and mechanisms
of action are of concern. In addition, we supply useful information on its
biochemical properties, sources and bioavailability.
PMID- 28990504
TI - Polyphenols in Food: Cancer Prevention and Apoptosis Induction.
AB - Polyphenols are group of water-soluble organic compounds, mainly of natural
origin. The compounds having about 5-7 aromatic rings and more than 12 phenolic
hydroxyl groups are classified as polyphenols. These are the antioxidants which
protect the body from oxidative damage. In plants, they are the secondary
metabolites produced as a defense mechanism against stress factors. Antioxidant
property of polyphenols is suggested to provide protection against many diseases
associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), including cancer. Various studies
carried out across the world have suggested that polyphenols can inhibit the
tumor generation, induce apoptosis in cancer cells and interfere in progression
of tumors. This group of wonder compounds is present in surplus in natural plants
and food products. Intake of polyphenols through diet can scavenge ROS and thus
can help in cancer prevention. The plant derived products can also be used along
with conventional chemotherapy to enhance the chemopreventive effects. The
present review focuses on various in vitro and in vivo studies carried out to
assess the anti-carcinogenic potential of polyphenols present in our food. Also,
the pathways involved in cancer chemopreventive effects of various subclasses
(flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes and phenolic acids) of polyphenols are discussed.
PMID- 28990505
TI - Biological therapy of hematologic malignancies: toward a chemotherapy-free era.
AB - Less than 70 years ago, the vast majority of hematologic malignancies were
untreatable diseases with fatal prognoses. The development of modern chemotherapy
agents, which had begun after the Second World War, was markedly accelerated by
the discovery of the structure of DNA and its role in cancer biology and tumor
cell division. The path travelled from the first temporary remissions observed in
children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with single-agent
antimetabolites until the first cures achieved by multi-agent chemotherapy
regimens was incredibly short. Despite great successes, however, conventional
genotoxic cytostatics suffered from an inherently narrow therapeutic index and
extensive toxicity, which in many instances limited their clinical utilization.
In the last decade of the 20th century, increasing knowledge on the biology of
certain malignancies resulted in the conception and development of first
molecularly targeted agents designed to inhibit specific druggable molecules
involved in the survival of cancer cells. Advances in technology and genetic
engineering enabled the production of structurally complex anticancer
macromolecules called biologicals, including therapeutic monoclonal antibodies,
antibody-drug conjugates and antibody fragments. The development of drug delivery
systems (DDSs), in which conventional drugs were attached to various types of
carriers including nanoparticles, liposomes or biodegradable polymers,
represented an alternative approach to the development of new anticancer agents.
Despite the fact that the antitumor activity of drugs attached to DDSs was not
fundamentally different, the improved pharmacokinetic profiles, decreased toxic
side effects and significantly increased therapeutic indexes resulted in their
enhanced antitumor efficacy compared to conventional (unbound) drugs. Approval of
the first immune checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of cancer in 2011
initiated the era of cancer immunotherapy. Checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific T
cell engagers, adoptive T-cell approaches and cancer vaccines have joined the
platform so far, represented mainly by recombinant cytokines, therapeutic
monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory agents. In specific clinical
indications, conventional drugs have already been supplanted by multi-agent,
chemotherapy-free regimens comprising diverse immunotherapy and/or targeted
agents. The very distinct mechanisms of the anticancer activity of new
immunotherapy approaches not only call for novel response criteria, but also
might fundamental change treatment paradigms of certain types of hematologic
malignancies in the near future.
PMID- 28990506
TI - Metabolomic heterogeneity of urogenital tract cancers analyzed by complementary
chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry.
AB - BACKGROUND: In regard to urogenital tract cancer studies, an estimated 340,650
new cases and 58,360 deaths from genital system cancer and about 141,140 new
cases and 29330 deaths from urinary system were projected to occur in United
States in 2012. The main drawbacks of currently available diagnostic tests
constitute the low specificity, costliness and quite high invasiveness.
OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this pilot study was to determine and compare urine
metabolic fingerprints in urogenital tract cancer patients and healthy controls.
METHOD: A comparative analysis of the metabolic profile of urine from 30 patients
with cancer of the genitourinary system (bladder (n=10), kidney (n=10) and
prostate (n=10)) and 30 healthy volunteers as a control group was provided by LC
TOF/MS and GC-QqQ/MS. The data analysis was performed by the use of U-Mann
Whitney test or Student's t-test, principal component analysis (PCA) and
orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). RESULTS: As a
result, 33, 43, and 22 compounds were identified as statistically significant in
bladder, prostate and kidney cancer, respectively, comparing to healthy groups.
CONCLUSION: Diverse compounds such as purine, sugars, amino acid, nucleosides,
organic acid which play a role in purine metabolism, in tricarboxylic acid cycle,
in amino acid metabolism or in gut floral metabolism were identified. Only two
metabolites namely glucocaffeic acid and lactic acid were found to be in common
in studied three types of cancer.
PMID- 28990507
TI - Metabolomics and heart diseases: from basic to clinical approach.
AB - The field of metabolomics has been steadily increasing in size for the last 15
years. Advances in analytical and statistical methods have allowed metabolomics
to flourish in various areas of medicine. Cardiovascular diseases are some of the
main research targets in metabolomics, due to their social and medical relevance,
and also to the important role metabolic alterations play in their pathogenesis
and evolution. Metabolomics has been applied to the full spectrum of
cardiovascular diseases: from patient risk stratification to myocardial
infarction and heart failure. However - despite the many proof-of-concept studies
describing the applicability of metabolomics in the diagnosis, prognosis and
treatment evaluation in cardiovascular diseases - it is not yet used in routine
clinical practice. Recently, large phenome centers have been established in
clinical environments, and it is expected that they will provide definitive proof
of the applicability of metabolomics in clinical practice. But there is also room
for small and medium size centers to work on uncommon pathologies or to resolve
specific but relevant clinical questions. In this review, we will introduce
metabolomics, cover the metabolomic work done so far in the area of
cardiovascular diseases and point to future directions that may lead to its
application in the clinical setting.
PMID- 28990508
TI - Biomarkers of atrial fibrillation in hypertension.
AB - It is well known that atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac
arrhythmia worldwide and substantially increases the risk for thromboembolic
disease. One of the main problems is that it remains undiagnosed (about 20% of
all cases of AF). On the other hand, hypertension amplifies the risk for both AF
occurrences through hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic mechanisms and
cerebrovascular ischemia. Under this prism, prompt diagnosis of undetected AF in
hypertensive patients is of pivotal importance. Biomarkers could be used in AF
diagnosis as well as in predicting the transition of paroxysmal AF to sustained
AF. Last year's many biomarkers has been developed and they can categorized into
electrophysiological, morphological, and molecular markers that reflect the
underlying mechanisms of adverse atrial remodeling that constitutes the hallmark
of this arrhythmia. In this review study, we focused on P-wave duration and
dispersion as electrophysiological markers of AF and left atrial (LA) and LA
appendage size, atrial fibrosis, left ventricular hypertrophy, aortic stiffness
and connexins as structural biomarkers, respectively. The heterogeneous group of
molecular biomarkers of AF encompasses products of the neurohormonal cascade,
including. NT-pro BNP, BNP, MR-pro ANP, polymorphisms of the ACE and convertases
such as corin and furin that are implemented in BNP modulation. In addition,
soluble biomarkers of inflammation (i.e. CRP, IL-6) and fibrosis (i.e. TGF-1 and
matrix metalloproteinases) were assessed for predicting AF. The reviewed
individual biomarkers should add to current diagnostic tools but the ideal
candidate is expected to combine multiple indices of atrial remodeling in order
to effectively detect both AF and adverse characteristics of high risk
hypertensive patients.
PMID- 28990509
TI - Potential of plant-sourced phenols for inflammatory bowel disease.
AB - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an uncontrolled chronic inflammatory
intestinal disorder, which requires medications for long-term therapy. Facing the
challenges of severe side effects and drug resistance of conventional
medications, to develop the strategies meet the stringent safety and
effectiveness in the long-term treatment are urgent in the clinics. In this
regard, a growing body of evidence confirms plant-sourced phenols, such as
flavonoids, catechins, stilbenes, coumarins, quinones, lignans, phenylethanoids,
cannabinoid phenols, tannins, phenolic acids and hydroxyphenols, exert potent
protective benefits with fewer undesirable effects in conditions of acute or
chronic intestinal inflammation through improvement of colonic oxidative and pro
inflammatory status, preservation of the epithelial barrier function and
modulation of gut microbiota. In this review, the great potential of plant
sourced phenols and their action mechanisms for the treatment or prevention of
IBD in recent research are summarized, which may help the further development of
new preventive/adjuvant regimens for IBD.
PMID- 28990510
TI - Benzothiazole-based compounds in antibacterial drug discovery.
AB - Numerous compounds with a benzothiazole scaffold that have been described in the
literature show promising activities against several Gram-positive and Gram
negative bacteria, and also against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Benzothiazole
based antibacterial compounds bind to different biological targets in bacterial
cells and have been shown to be inhibitors of enzymes that are important for
essential processes in the bacterial cells, such as cell-wall synthesis, cell
division, and DNA replication, or are important for different biosynthetic
pathways of essential compounds in bacterial cells, such as the biosynthesis of
histidine and biotin. This review focuses on the antibacterial potential of
benzothiazole-based compounds, in terms of their specific interactions with
targets in bacterial cells. We assess the importance of the benzothiazole
scaffold in the discovery of new antibacterial compounds, the potential of
benzothiazole-based compounds against resistant bacterial strains, optimization
of their antibacterial activity, and the future perspectives of benzothiazole
based antibacterials.
PMID- 28990511
TI - Sunitinib in the treatment of thyroid cancer.
AB - BACKGROUND: Sunitinib (SU11248) is an oral, small-molecule, multi-targeted
tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), that inhibits receptors for platelet-derived
growth factor (PDGF-Rs) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors
(VEGFRs), c-KIT, fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and RET. The concurrent
inhibition of these pathways reduces tumor vascularization and causes cancer cell
apoptosis, inducing a tumor shrinkage. Sunitinib is approved for the treatment of
imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), renal carcinoma, and
pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. METHODS: We searched the literature on PubMed
library. RESULTS: In vitro studies showed that sunitinib targeted the cytosolic
MEK/ERK and SAPK/JNK pathways in the RET/PTC1 cell inhibiting cell proliferation
and causing stimulation of sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) gene expression in
RET/PTC1 cells. Furthermore sunitinib is active in vitro and in vivo against
anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells. Most of the clinical studies report that
sunitinib is effective as first- and second-line TKI therapy in patients with
advanced dedifferentiated thyroid cancer (DeTc), or medullary thyroid cancer
(MTC). Sunitinib 37.5 mg/day is well tolerated, and effective. The most common
adverse events include decreases in blood cell counts (especially leukocytes),
diarrhea, fatigue, hand-foot skin reaction, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, and
hypertension. CONCLUSION: Even if sunitinib is promising in the therapy of
differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), until now no phase III studies have been
published, and additional prospective researches are necessary in order to
evaluate the real efficacy of sunitinib in aggressive thyroid cancer.
PMID- 28990512
TI - Fighting type-2 diabetes: present and future perspectives.
AB - BACKGROUND: Type-2 diabetes mellitus accounts for 80-90% of diabetic patients. So
far, the treatment of diabetes mainly aims at elevating insulin level and
lowering glucose level in the peripheral blood and mitigating insulin resistance.
Physiologically, insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells is delicately
regulated. Thus, how insulin-related therapies could titrate blood glucose
appropriately and avoid the occurrence of hypoglycemia remains an important issue
for decades. Similar question is addressed on how to attenuate vascular
complication in diabetic subjects. METHOD: We overviewed the evolution of each
class of anti-diabetic drugs that have been used in clinical practice, focusing
on their mechanisms, clinical results and cautions. RESULTS: Glucagon-like
peptide-1 receptor agonists stimulate beta cells for insulin secretion in
response to diet but not in fasting stage, which make them superior than
conventional insulin-secretion stimulators. DPP-4 inhibitors suppress glucagon
like peptide-1 degradation. Sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors enhance
glucose clearance through urine excretion. The appearance of these new drugs
provides new thoughts on glycemic control. We update the clinical findings of
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors and Sodium/glucose
cotransporter 2 inhibitors in glycemic control and the risk or progression of
cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Stem cell therapy might be an
alternative tool for diabetic patients to improve beta cell regeneration and
peripheral ischemia. We summarizes the clinical results of mesenchymal stem cells
transplanted into patients with diabetic limb and foot. CONCLUSION: A stepwise
intensification of dual and triple therapy for individual diabetic patient is
required to achieve therapeutic target.
PMID- 28990513
TI - Protective effects of the caffeine against neurodegenerative diseases.
AB - Caffeine is one of the most consumed stimulant of the central nervous system.
Similar to those of other stimulants, its effects are to improve brain activity
and stimulate cognition learning and memory. Caffeine affects the brain by acting
mainly as a non-selective blocker of the adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, and
A3). The purpose of this review article is to provide an overview on the
neurobiochemical impact of caffeine, focusing on the ability of the drug to
effectively counteract several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's, Huntington's diseases, Multiple sclerosis and Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis and Epilepsy. What emerges is a significant therapeutic and
prophylactic potentiality of caffeine because of its antioxidant activity
combined with multiple molecular targets. Moreover, it is striking to note that a
molecule such as caffeine, appeared in the land plants few billion years ago may
be an efficient drug for cells of more recent evolutionary origin.
PMID- 28990514
TI - Bisphenol A in Reproduction: Epigenetic Effects.
AB - BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical widely used in
the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin to produce a multitude
of consumer products, food and drink containers, and medical devices. BPA is
similar to estradiol in structure and thus interferes in steroid signalling with
different outcomes on reproductive health depending on doses, life stage, mode,
and timing of exposure. In this respect, it has an emerging and controversial
role as a "reproductive toxicant" capable of inducing short and long-term effects
including the modulation of gene expression through epigenetic modification (i.e.
methylation of CpG islands, histone modifications and production of non-coding
RNA) with direct and trans-generational effects on exposed organisms and their
offspring, respectively. OBJECTIVE: This review provides an overview about BPA
effects on reproductive health and aims to summarize the epigenetic effects of
BPA in male and female reproduction. RESULTS: BPA exerts epigenetic effects in
both male and female reproduction. In males, BPA affects spermatogenesis and
sperm quality and possible trans-generational effects on the reproductive ability
of the offspring. In females, BPA affects ovary, embryo development, and gamete
quality for successful in vivo and in vitro fertilization (IVF). CONCLUSION: The
exact mechanisms of BPA-mediated effects in reproduction are not fully
understood; however, the environmental exposure to BPA - especially in fetal and
neonatal period - deserves attention to preserve the reproductive ability in both
sexes and to reduce the epigenetic risk for the offspring.
PMID- 28990515
TI - Recent Advances and Perspectives in Liposomes for Cutaneous Drug Delivery.
AB - The cutaneous route is attractive for the delivery of drugs in the treatment of a
wide variety of diseases. However the stratum corneum (SC) is an effective
barrier that hampers skin penetration. Within this context, liposomes emerge as a
potential carrier for improving topical delivery of therapeutic agents. In this
review, we aimed to discuss key aspects for the topical delivery by drug-loaded
liposomes. Phospholipid type and phase transition temperature have been shown to
affect liposomal topical delivery. The effect of surface charge is subject to
considerable variation depending on drug and composition. In addition, modified
vesicles with the presence of components for permeation enhancement, such as
surfactants and solvents, have been shown to have a considerable effect. These
liposomes include: Transfersomes, Niosomes, Ethosomes, Transethosomes, Invasomes,
coated liposomes, penetration enhancer containing vesicles (PEVs), fatty acids
vesicles, Archaeosomes and Marinosomes. Furthermore, adding polymeric coating
onto liposome surface could influence cutaneous delivery. Mechanisms of delivery
include intact vesicular skin penetration, free drug diffusion, permeation
enhancement, vesicle adsorption to and/or fusion with the SC, trans-appendageal
penetration, among others. Finally, several skin conditions, including acne,
melasma, skin aging, fungal infections and skin cancer, have benefited from
liposomal topical delivery of drugs, with promising in vitro and in vivo results.
However, despite the existence of some clinical trials, more studies are needed
to be conducted in order to explore the potential of liposomes in the
dermatological field.
PMID- 28990516
TI - Gut Microbiota as a Therapeutic Target for Metabolic Disorders.
AB - BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota play a vital role not only in the digestion and
absorption of nutrients, but also in homeostatic maintenance of host immunity,
metabolism and the gut barrier. Recent evidence suggests that gut microbiota
alterations contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. OBJECTIVE AND
METHOD: In this review, we discuss the association between the gut microbiota and
metabolic disorders, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease, and the contribution of relevant modulating interventions,
focusing on recent human studies. RESULTS: Several studies have identified
potential causal associations between gut microbiota and metabolic disorders, as
well as the underlying mechanisms. The effects of modulating interventions, such
as prebiotics, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and other new
treatment possibilities on these metabolic disorders have also been reported.
CONCLUSION: A growing body of evidence highlights the role of gut microbiota in
the development of dysbiosis, which in turn influences host metabolism and
disease phenotypes. Further studies are required to elucidate the precise
mechanisms by which gut microbiota-derived mediators induce metabolic disorders
and modulating interventions exert their beneficial effects in humans. The gut
microbiota represents a novel potential therapeutic target for a range of
metabolic disorders.
PMID- 28990517
TI - Anesthetic Agents and Neuronal Autophagy. What We Know and What We Don't.
AB - BACKGROUND: Ethanol is known to have both gamma-Aminobutyric acid agonist and
Nmethyl- D-aspartate antagonist characteristics similar to commonly used volatile
anesthetic agents. Recent evidence demonstrates that autophagy can reduce the
development of ethanol induced neurotoxicity. Recent studies have found that
general anesthesia can cause longterm impairment of both mitochondrial
morphogenesis and synaptic transmission in the developing rat brain, both of
which are accompanied by enhanced autophagy activity. Autophagy may play an
important role in general anesthetic mediated neurotoxicity. METHODS: This review
outlines the role of autophagy in the development of anesthetic related
neurotoxicity and includes an explanation of the role of autophagy in neuronal
cell survival and death, the relationship between anesthetic agents and neuronal
autophagy, possible molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying general
anesthetic agent induced activation of neuronal autophagy in the developing
brain, and potential therapeutic approaches aimed at modulating autophagic
pathways. RESULTS: In a time- and concentration-dependent pattern, general
anesthetic agents can disrupt intracellular calcium homeostasis which enhances
both autophagy and apoptosis activation. The degree of neural cell injury may be
ultimately determined by the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis. It
appears likely that the increase in calcium flux associated with some anesthetic
agents disrupts lysosomal function. This results in an over-activation of
endosomal- lysosomal trafficking causing mitochondrial damage, reactive oxygen
species upregulation, and lipid peroxidation. CONCLUSION: Autophagy may play a
role in the development of anesthetic related neurotoxicity. Understanding this
may lead to strategies or therapies aimed at preventing or ameliorating general
anesthetic agent mediated neurotoxicity.
PMID- 28990518
TI - Click Reactions in Chemistry of Triterpenes - Advances Towards Development of
Potential Therapeutics.
AB - Triterpenoids are natural compounds with a large variety of biological activities
such as anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparazitic,
antiinflammatory and others. Despite their low toxicity and simple availability
from the natural resources, their clinical use is still severely limited by their
higher IC50 and worse pharmacological properties than in the currently used
therapeutics. This fact encouraged a number of researchers to develop new
terpenic derivatives more suitable for the potential clinical use. This review
summarizes a new approach to improve both, the activity and ADME-Tox properties
by connecting active terpenes to another modifying molecules using click
reactions. Within the past few years, this synthetic approach was well explored
yielding a lot of great improvements of the parent compounds along with some less
successful attempts. A large quantity of the new compounds presented here are
superior in both activity and ADME-Tox properties to their parents. This review
should serve the researchers who need to promote their hit triterpenic structures
towards their clinical use and it is intended as a guide for the chemical
synthesis of better drug candidates.
PMID- 28990519
TI - Amino Acid Degrading Enzymes and Their Application in Cancer Therapy.
AB - Amino acids are essential components in various biochemical pathways. The
deprivation of certain amino acids is an antimetabolite strategy for the
treatment of amino acid-dependent cancers which exploits the compromised
metabolism of malignant cells. This review summarizes recent progress in the
relationship between amino acids metabolism and cancer therapy, with a particular
focus on L-asparagine, L-methionine, L-arginine and L-lysine degrading enzymes
and their formulations, which have been successfully used in the treatment of
several types of cancer.
PMID- 28990520
TI - Collagenolytic enzymes and their applications in biomedicine.
AB - Nowadays, enzymatic therapy is a very promising line of treatment for many
different diseases. There is a group of disorders and conditions, caused by
fibrotic and scar processes and associated with the excessive accumulation of
collagen that needs to be catabolized to normalize the connective tissue content.
The human body normally synthesizes special extracellular enzymes, matrix
metalloproteases (MMPs) by itself. These enzymes can cleave components of
extracellular matrix (ECM) and different types of collagen and thus maintain the
balance of the connective tissue components. MMPs are multifunctional enzymes and
are involved in a variety of organism processes. However, under pathological
conditions, the function of MMPs is not sufficient, and these enzymes fail to
deal with disease. Thus, medical intervention is required. Enzymatic therapy is a
very effective way of treating such collagen-associated conditions. It involves
the application of exogenous collagenolytic enzymes that catabolize excessive
collagen at the affected site and lead to the successful elimination of disease.
Such collagenolytic enzymes are synthesized by many organisms: bacteria, animals
(especially marine organisms), plants and fungi. The most studied and
commercially available are collagenases from Clostridium histolyticum and from
the pancreas of the crab Paralithodes camtschatica, due to their ability to
effectively hydrolyse human collagen without affecting other tissues, and their
wide pH ranges of collagenolytic activity. In the present review, we summarize
not only the data concerning existing collagenase-based medications and their
applications in different collagen-related diseases and conditions, but we also
propose collagenases from different sources for their potential application in
enzymatic therapy.
PMID- 28990521
TI - The Use of Naphthoquinones and Furano-naphthoquinones as Anti-invasive Agents.
AB - Cancer is a leading cause of mortality in the world and metastasis is to blame.
Invasion is the initial step of metastasis. Therapies targeting epithelial
mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cells (CSCs) and signal transducer and
activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways can reduce stemness of
cancer cells and thus inhibit cancer invasion. A large number of anti-cancer
naphthoquinones (NQs) can target cancer invasion by acting on EMT, CSCs and STAT3
signaling. Furano-naphthoquinones (FNQs) belong to a class of NQ derivatives
commonly characterized by a naphthoquinone fused with a furano ring. A study
indicated that the corporation of the furano ring improved the anticancer potency
as compared to the other classes of NQs. BBI608, a natural FNQ, which can be
found in the woods or barks of several Tabebuia species, has entered phases I and
II clinical trials. It has been regarded as a potential candidate for new
generation lead compound acting directly on CSCs to overcome the chemotherapy
resistance. Apart from the natural plant sources, there are a number of synthetic
FNQ derivatives that are effective in reducing stemness of cancer cells and thus
are anti-invasive. In this review, the anti-invasion mechanisms of NQs and the
more powerful FNQs, together with their natural origins, synthetic derivatives as
well as their synthetic routes are discussed.
PMID- 28990522
TI - Untargeted metabolomics provides insight into mechanisms underlying resistant
hypertension.
AB - BACKGROUND: Resistant hypertension (RH) affects about 15-20% of treated
hypertensive patients worldwide. RH increases the risk of cardiovascular events
such as myocardial infarction and stroke by 50%. The pathological mechanisms
underlying resistance to treatment are still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: The
main goal of this pilot study was to determine and compare plasma metabolomic
profiles in resistant and non-resistant hypertensive patients. METHOD: We applied
untargeted metabolomic profiling in plasma samples collected from 69 subjects
with RH and 81 subjects with controlled hypertension. To confirm patients'
compliance to antihypertensive treatment, levels of selected drugs and their
metabolites were determined in plasma samples with the LC-ESI-TOF/MS technique.
RESULTS: The results showed no statistically significant differences of
antihypertensive drug administration in the compared groups. We identified 19 up
regulated and 13 down-regulated metabolites in RH. CONCLUSION: The metabolites
altered in RH are linked to oxidative stress and inflammation, endothelium
dysfunction, vasoconstriction, and cell proliferation. Our results may generate
new hypothesis about RH development and progression.
PMID- 28990523
TI - Editorial: Modifying Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Acquired Topics and Emerging
Concepts.
PMID- 28990524
TI - Statins and inflammation in cardiovascular disease.
AB - BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation and immune system activation underlie a variety
of seemingly unrelated cardiac conditions including not only atherosclerosis and
the subsequent coronary artery disease but also peripheral artery disease,
hypertension with target organ damage and heart failure. The beneficial effects
of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins are mainly attributed to their ability
to inhibit hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. Beyond their lipid lowering
activity, ample evidence exists in support of their potent anti-inflammatory
properties which initiate from the inhibition of GTPase isoprenylation,
activating a cataract of secondary pathways and extend to the inhibition and
blocking of immune cell activation and interaction. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the
anti-inflammatory mechanisms of statins in clinical and experimental settings in
cardiovascular disease. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and the Cochrane
Database was conducted in order to identify the majority of trials, studies,
current guidelines and novel articles related to the subject. RESULTS: In vitro,
statins have immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, and they can exert
anti-atherosclerotic effects independently of their hypolipidemic actions. In
addition, positive results have emerged from mechanistic and experimental studies
on the active role of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in HF. By extrapolating those
data in clinical setting, we further understand how HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
can beneficially affect not only systolic but also diastolic HF. CONCLUSION: In
this review article, we present the basic pathophysiologic data supporting the
anti-inflammatory actions of statins in clinical and experimental settings and we
link these mechanisms with confirmatory clinical data on the potent non lipid
lowering effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
PMID- 28990525
TI - A Human Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cell Model to Explore a Knowledge Gap on
Neonatal Drug Disposition.
AB - BACKGROUND: Finding the right drug-dosage for neonates is still a challenge.
Until now, neonatal doses are extrapolated from adults and children doses.
However, there are differences between neonatal and adult kidney physiology that
should be considered, especially when it comes to drug metabolism and/or
transport. Studying renal drug disposition in neonates is limited by the lack of
reliable human cell models. OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the feasibility of
developing an in vitro model for neonatal proximal tubule epithelial cells
(nPTECs) to study renal drug disposition at this age. METHOD: nPTECs were
isolated from urine samples of neonates of different gestational ages and were
conditionally immortalized using a temperature sensitive SV40T antigen and human
telomerase hTERT. Cell clones were characterized on gene expression level for
PTEC markers such as P-glycoprotein (ABCB1), aquaporin1 (AQP1), and organic
cation transport protein 2 (SLC22A2), and for kidney progenitor cell and podocyte
markers. In addition, protein expression and functional assessment were performed
for P-gp and OCT2. RESULTS: We established 101 clonal cell lines of conditionally
immortalized nPTECs derived from neonatal urines. Characterization of primary
cells lines showed expression of genes from different cell types such as
progenitors, PTECs and podocytes, however the developed conditionally
immortalized nPTECs only expressed proximal tubule markers. Quantitative PCR
analysis confirmed the expression of proximal tubule markers in nPTECs similar to
the adult control PTECs. P-gp was expressed in nPTECs derived from the different
gestational ages with a similar functionality compared with adult derived PTECs.
In contrast, OCT2 functionality was significantly lower in nPTEC cell lines
compared with adult PTECs. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate the feasibility of
culturing proximal tubule epithelial cells with high efficiency from urine of
neonates. These cells expressed PTEC-specific genes and functional drug
transporters. The cell model presented is a valuable tool to study proximal
tubule physiology and pharmacology in newborns. In addition, we demonstrate the
physiological differences between the neonatal and adult kidney, which emphasizes
the importance of studying drug disposition in neonatal models instead of
extrapolating from adult data.
PMID- 28990526
TI - PBPK in Preterm and Term Neonates: A Review.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The neonatal population remains one of the populations in which
appropriate dosing regimens are still lacking, resulting in a large off-label or
unlicensed use. Clinical research in these small infants remains a challenge,
which sparks the need for modeling and simulation as an additional tool for
neonatal drug research. METHODS: The use of physiologically based pharmacokinetic
modeling in preterm and term neonates is investigated. RESULTS: Throughout the
last decade, the use of this modeling technique in this vulnerable population has
received increased attention, but still many knowledge gaps exist. Firstly, an
overview of the top-down, bottom-up and middle-out approach is given, and then
these different modeling tools regarding feasibility and appropriate use are
compared. The challenges in applying PBPK to this young population are
highlighted and possible solutions are presented. Examples of applications were
found in literature and a preference for the combination of a pure bottom- up
approach with clinical data (the "middle-out" approach) was detected. CONCLUSION:
Perspectives to further apply this powerful modeling methodology in this
population are described in order to become 'the tool' for the design of First-in
Human and First-in-Neonate trials, and the individualization of dosing in these
therapeutic orphans.
PMID- 28990527
TI - Epilepsy, Comorbidities and Treatments.
AB - BACKGROUND: An increasing amount of evidence suggests an association between
epilepsy and multiple somatic and psychiatric conditions, which is more
significant than in the general population. Furthermore, a bidirectional
association has been established between epilepsy and several conditions, notably
depression and suicide, cerebrovascular disease, stroke, dementia and migraine,
which is best explained by the presence of common underlying mechanisms and risk
factors. Gaining knowledge about these common mechanisms can provide insight into
new therapeutic targets, screening and preventive measures. METHODS: This review
discusses several of the more significant somatic and psychiatric comorbidities
of epilepsy, the mechanisms and direction of their association, as well as the
implications of these comorbidities for treatment. RESULTS: Somatic and
psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy have been investigated in several population
based studies using medical records databases and different survey methods. All
show a significantly higher prevalence for a number of medical conditions in
people with epilepsy (PWE) compared to the general population. CONCLUSION: The
coexistence of different medical conditions with epilepsy carries important
implications for the assessment of the burden of the disease and the outcome and
management of these patients, as they often require long-term antiepileptic drug
intake.
PMID- 28990528
TI - Level V Metastasis, a Novel Predicative Factor for Recurrence in N1b Papillary
Thyroid Carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: Lymph nodal (LN) metastasis, classified as pN1b, is considered as an
independent poor prognostic factor for Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)
patients. However, whether LN metastasis can serve as a predictive factor for
recurrence or disease-free survival of N1b PTC is still plagued by controversy.
METHODS: The N1b PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and unilateral
modified radical neck dissection (MRND) by the same surgical team in Ningbo NO.2
Hospital from March, 1998 to March, 2015 were included in this study. The
clinical and pathological characteristics of each patient were recorded in
detail. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models
were performed to analyze the associations between clinicopathological
characteristics with recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were
used for the analysis of overall RFS and level V metastasis. RESULTS: A total of
214 patients were eligible for the final analyses. Of the 214 finally included
patients with N1b PTC, 39 patients were classified with recurrence and 175
without recurrence. The final univariate and multiple Cox proportional hazards
analysis only suggested level V metastasis as the independent predictive factor
of N1b PTC recurrence (HR: 4.11; 95% CI:1.22-11.05, P=0.028). The patients with
level V metastasis showed a significantly lower 10-year RFS rate (P=0.031) as
illustrated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. CONCLUSION: Level V
metastasis is a novel indicator for tumor recurrence and 10-year RFS in patients
with N1b PTC.
PMID- 28990529
TI - Review on the Application of Mixed-mode Chromatography for Separation of
Structure Isoforms.
AB - Proteins often generate structure isoforms naturally or artificially due to, for
example, different glycosylation, disulfide scrambling, partial structure
rearrangement, oligomer formation or chemical modification. The isoform
formations are normally accompanied by alterations in charged state or
hydrophobicity. Thus, isoforms can be fractionated by reverse-phase, hydrophobic
interaction or ion exchange chromatography. We have applied mixed-mode
chromatography for fractionation of isoforms for several model proteins and
observed that cation exchange Capto MMC and anion exchange Capto adhere columns
are effective in separating conformational isoforms and self-associated
oligomers.
PMID- 28990530
TI - Isoform Separation by a Mixed-mode Resin, TOYOPEARL MX-Trp-650M.
AB - TOYOPEARL particles are cross-linked hydroxylated methacrylic polymers available
in different pore and particle sizes. They are conjugated with different ligands
to generate ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction and affinity resins. They have
excellent physical and chemical properties. A mixed-mode resin, TOYOPEARL MX-Trp
650M, is made of this particle with tryptophan conjugated via N-terminal amino
group and hence has both hydrophobic/aromatic side chain and carboxyl group. In
this review, I will summarize the properties of the TOYOPEARL particles and MX
Trp-650M resin and application of this resin for purification of proteins and in
some detail the separation of disulfide (SS)- scrambled oligomers of insulin-like
growth factor-1 (IGF-1). For this particular application, the intact IGF-1 was
used to examine binding and elution conditions of TOYOSCREEN MX-Trp-650M column.
Strong binding was obtained at pH 4.0, at which arginine, but not NaCl, resulted
in elution. Both NaCl and arginine resulted in elution at pH 6.5. In addition, a
pH gradient from 4.0 to 8.5 was effective. When applied to SS-scrambled IGF-1
oligomers, both pH and arginine gradient exhibited an efficient separation of the
oligomers.
PMID- 28990532
TI - A Novel SCN9A Mutation (F826Y) in Primary Erythromelalgia Alters the Excitability
of Nav1.7.
AB - BACKGROUND: Primary erythromelalgia (PE) is a dominant inherited disorder
characterized by recurrent pain, redness, and warmth of the extremities that is
caused by gain-of-function mutations in Nav1.7 encoding gene SCN9A. Most of the
PE-causing mutations of Nav1.7 have been shown to be able to render Nav1.7
expressing cells hyperexcitable, however in most PE cases the symptoms are
refractory to treatment with sodium channel blockers and the mechanism underlying
the intractability has not been clearly clarified. OBJECTIVE: To identify the
mutation of SCN9A in a Chinese Han family with typical symptoms of PE and study
the electrophysiological effect of the identified mutation. METHODS: A Chinese
Han family with typical symptoms of PE was collected and the proband's response
to treatment was recorded. All the exons and flanking intronic sequences of SCN9A
were amplified with PCR and sequenced. Several online programs were used to
predict the damaging effect of variants. The functional effect of variants was
studied by voltage-clamp analysis in CHO-K1 cells. RESULTS: The PE symptoms of
the proband are refractory to all kinds of reported medications. Sequence
analysis of SCN9A showed that a novel c.2477T>A (p. F826Y) mutation co-segregated
with the disease phenotype. Several online programs predicted that the F826Y
mutation has a deleterious effect on the gene product. Voltage-clamp analysis
showed that while compared with the wild-type channel, activation of the F826Y
mutant channel was shifted by 7.7 mV in a hyperpolarizing direction, whereas
steadystate inactivation was shifted by 4.3 mV in a depolarizing direction.
CONCLUSION: A novel disease-causing SCN9A Mutation (F826Y) was identified in a
Chinese family with typical PE symptoms refractory to treatment. F826Y of Nav1.7
could render DRG neurons hyperexcitable, contributing to the pathogenesis of PE.
PMID- 28990531
TI - RUNX1: A Regulator of NF-kB Signaling in Pulmonary Diseases.
AB - Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1), a member of the RUNX family, is one
of the key regulatory proteins in vertebrates. RUNX1 is involved in embryonic
development, hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis and immune response. In
the past few decades, studies mainly focused on the effect of RUNX1 on acute
leukemia and cancer. Only few studies about the function of RUNX1 in the
pathological process of pulmonary diseases have been reported. Recent studies
have demonstrated that RUNX1 is highly expressed in both mesenchymal and
epithelial compartments of the developing and postnatal lung and that it plays a
critical role in the lipopolysaccharide induced lung inflammation by regulating
the NF-kB pathway. RUNX1 participates in the regulation of the NF-kB signaling
pathway through interaction with IkB kinase complex in the cytoplasm or
interaction with the NF-kB subunit P50. NF-kB is well-known signaling pathway
necessary for inflammatory response in the lung. This review is to highlight the
RUNX1 structure, isoforms and to present the mechanism that RUNX1 regulates NF
kB. This will illustrate the great potential role of RUNX1 in the inflammation
signaling pathway in pulmonary diseases.
PMID- 28990533
TI - Blood-brain Barrier Disruption Leads to Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction.
AB - BACKGROUND: Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD) has received considerable
attention as one of the main postoperative complications. The underlying
mechanism of POCD in elderly subjects has not been fully elucidated to date. The
Central Nervous System (CNS) is isolated from the bloodstream by the Blood Brain
Barrier (BBB) that consists of endothelial cells, capillary blood vessels and
tight junctions. The tight junctions carry out significant biological functions
that are associated with the CNS and blood circulation. METHODS: In this review,
I present a hypothesis that blood-brain barrier disruption leads to postoperative
cognitive dysfunction. A total of 81 healthy male Wistar rats were used for the
present study. All the experimental animals were randomly divided into 3 groups:
normal control group, isoflurane group and splenectomy group. The control group
was not subjected to any form of treatment. The rats in isoflurane group were
given 1.5-2% isoflurane under intubation and mechanical ventilation. The rats in
splenectomy group underwent splenectomy under the same anesthesia as the
isoflurane group. The Morris water maze was used to examine the learning and
memory ability of the animals. The expression of the Tight Junctions Proteins
(TJPs) in the hippocampus was analyzed using Western blotting. The concentration
of Evans Blue (EB) in the supernatant was analyzed using UV spectroscopy.
Ultrastructure changes in the basal laminas, the Tight Junctions (TJs),
mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum surrounding the capillaries were
assessed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Following
splenectomy, the rats displayed concomitant significant cognitive deficits in the
Morris water maze test. Taken together, the results indicate that the expression
levels of occludin (65KD) following splenectomy were reduced on days one and
three in aged rats. No significant difference was noted in the expression levels
of claudin-5, except for a reduction after surgery on day one. The leakage of EB
was higher following splenectomy than control group and isoflurane group. The
ultrastructure of the neurovascular unit was monitored on the day prior to
surgery and on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day following surgery using a transmission
electronmicroscope. CONCLUSION: The alterations in the levels of tight junction
proteins following splenectomy may contribute to the BBB permeability increase,
which in turn will induce postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
PMID- 28990534
TI - Association between Vitamin D Status, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Viral Load
in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection.
AB - BACKGROUND: The role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology of human
immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To
evaluate the associations between vitamin D and immunological, virological, and
oxidative stress biomarkers in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus type
1 (HIV-1) infection. METHODS: The serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]
were determined in 314 HIV-1- infected individuals and 127 controls and the
values >=30 ng/mL defined a vitamin D sufficient (VDS) status, and <30 ng/mL
defined the presence of hypovitaminosis D (HD). Oxidative stress was evaluated
with plasma levels of lipid hydroperoxides, advanced oxidation protein products
(AOPP), carbonyl protein, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), total radical-trapping
antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and sulfhydryl groups of proteins. Plasma HIV-1
viral load and CD4+/CD8+ T cells were quantified. RESULTS: The 25(OH)D levels and
vitamin D status did not differ between HIV-1-infected individuals and controls.
Hydroperoxides and AOPP were higher (p<0.0001 and p=0.002, respectively), whereas
TRAP, carbonyl protein, and NOx were lower in HIV-1-infected individuals than
controls (p<0.0001). HIV-1-infected individuals with HD showed higher
hydroperoxide levels than those with a VDS status (p=0.012) and controls
(p=0.022), independent of ethnicity and antiretroviral therapy. A positive
correlation between 25(OH)D >=30 ng/mL and viral load was observed when expressed
as the number of copies/mL (r=0.178, p=0.039), as well as log10 copies/mL
(r=0.183, p=0.033). CONCLUSION: These results suggest the bimodal influence of
vitamin D in the modulation of immune response in HIV-1 infection, considering
its differential susceptibility to modulation of the various immune targets and
pathways.
PMID- 28990535
TI - Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision to Prevent HIV in Tanah Papua, Indonesia:
Field Trial to Assess Acceptability and Feasibility.
AB - BACKGROUND: Relatively little attention has been paid to the significant HIV
prevention role that voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) can play in
populations with moderate levels of HIV prevalence. One such location is Tanah
Papua, Indonesia, which in 2013 had a general population having HIV prevalence of
2.3% concentrated among indigenous Papuans (2.9% prevalence), very few of whom
are circumcised. This article reports the findings of an implementation research
study assessing the acceptability and feasibility of introducing VMMC for HIV
prevention. METHODS: Following a situational assessment and socialization of
targeted groups of men and key stakeholders, a single-arm, open-label,
prospective cohort trial using the non-surgical PrePex(r) device was undertaken
in four cities. Study participants were recruited via study-associated
socialization events. Data were collected from clients prior to and following
device insertion, and at several "check-up" points (2-, 21- and 42-days) using
standardized case report forms. A random sample of circumcision clients from one
city was surveyed six months' post-removal to assess the prevalence of
compensatory sexual risk behaviours. RESULTS: Demand for circumcision was weak in
three of the cities, reflecting insufficient prior socialization and lingering
concerns over religious appropriateness and safety issues. Despite no prior
experience with PrePex (r), the pilot implementation yielded side-effect and
adverse event rates that were unremarkable in comparison with sub-Saharan African
countries, where PrePex (r) is widely used. No evidence of increased post
procedure sexual risk-taking was found. CONCLUSION: The study findings point to
both opportunity and significant challenges in introducing VMMC on a large scale
in Tanah Papua, Indonesia. Although there were enough promising signs in the
qualitative research and in the limited-scale implementation trial undertaken to
remain optimistic as to the potential for VMMC to help contain HIV in Tanah
Papua, much remains to be done to promote the benefits of VMMC and address
lingering concerns as to safety and religious appropriateness. An acceleration of
the pace of task-shifting from physicians to nurses will be needed in order for
VMMC to be feasible for implementation on a large scale.
PMID- 28990537
TI - Nanostructured Therapeutic Carriers for Tuberculosis Treatment: Approaches &
Challenges.
AB - BACKGROUND: The diseases tuberculosis, triggered by intracellular pathogens, is a
major problem for the global medical professionals. Treatments for these diseases
through conventional dosage form consist of long-term therapy with multiple
drugs, leading to several side effects and contribute to low patient compliance
and drug resistance. The pathogens are found to be situated in the intracellular
compartments of the cells, which ultimately results in additional blockades to
effective treatment. Therefore, improved and more efficient therapies for such
intracellular diseases are required. METHODS: This review discusses the potential
of nanomedicine and related patents to improve intracellular disease
chemotherapy. To complete the objective, we searched bibliographic databases of
indexed literature using a focused and structured criteria. The quality and
characteristics of selected papers were assessed using standard parameters with
qualitative analysis having a conceptual framework. RESULTS: Nanoparticle-based
drug delivery systems are suitable for the treatment of illnesses, such as
tuberculosis. Due to the unique size-dependent properties, nanocarriers such as
nanoparticles, liposomes, niosomes and microspheres offer the opportunity to
develop new therapeutic and diagnostic tools. The ability to integrate drugs into
nanosystems displays a new standard in pharmacotherapy that could be used for
cell-targeted drug therapy. Experimental data showed the possibility of
intermittent chemotherapy with main antituberculosis drugs by employing
nanocarriers. Besides the advantage of the controlled release of medications in
organs, the other benefits of the nanocarriers include the possibility of various
routes of therapy, reduction in drug dosage and adverse effects, reduced
possibility of drug interactions, and drug-resistant targeting. Published
literature including patented studies suggests that nanomedicine mediated drug
delivery may improve tuberculosis chemotherapy by offering benefits such as
targeting to the specific organs, sustained and controlled drug release,
tuberculosis diagnosis, drug delivery to the pathogen's intracellular location,
and tuberculosis vaccine development. CONCLUSION: The properties of nanomedicine
may prove beneficial in developing improved, efficacious or alternative therapies
for tuberculosis diseases.
PMID- 28990536
TI - Novel Insights in the Metabolic Syndrome-induced Oxidative Stress and
Inflammation-mediated Atherosclerosis.
AB - CONTEXT: Atherosclerosis is a progressive pathological process and a leading
cause of mortality worldwide. Clinical research and epidemiological studies state
that atherosclerosis is caused by an amalgamation of metabolic and inflammatory
deregulation involving three important pathological events including Endothelial
Dysfunction (ED), Foam Cell Formation (FCF), and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
(VSMCs) proliferation and migration. OBJECTIVES: Research in recent years has
identified Metabolic Syndrome (MS), which involves factors such as obesity,
insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and diabetes, to be responsible for the
pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. These factors elevate oxidative stress and
inflammation-induced key signalling molecules and various microRNAs (miRs). In
present study, we have reviewed recently identified molecular targets in the
pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Scientific literature obtained from
databases such as university library, PubMed and Google along with evidences from
published experimental work in relevant journals has been summarized in this
review article. RESULTS: The molecular events and cell signalling implicated in
atherogenic processes of ED, FCF and VSMCs hyperplasia are sequential and
progressive, and involve cross talks at many levels. Specific molecules such as
transcription factors, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and miRs have been
identified playing crucial role in most of the events leading to atherosclerosis.
CONCLUSION: Studies associated with MS induced oxidative stress- and inflammation
mediated signalling pathways along with critical miRs help in better
understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Several key molecules
discussed in this review could be potent target for the prevention and treatment
of atherosclerosis.
PMID- 28990538
TI - Recent Complications and Issues in Tuberculosis Treatment.
AB - BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is one of the major communicable diseases which can be
prevented and cured. The prevalence of tuberculosis infection is more despite
this disease causes major morbidity and mortality. To establish connection
between tuberculosis (TB) related stigma and hindrance in search of a treatment
after the inception of symptoms associated with tuberculosis. METHODS: Physicians
conducted the interviews using a structured questionnaire. Information from the
medical reports available at health care centers (especial results of sputum
microscopy, radiological and other investigations) was also distracted. Patients
is said to be infected with TB having a minimum two initial +ve sputum smears or
one +ve sputum smear and chest radiographic abnormalities along with active
pulmonary TB as determined by clinician; one sputum +ve culture specimen +ve for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT), a new
susceptible technique shows erratically disseminated military nodules. The organs
associated and extents of lesions of miliary TB in the pulmonary tuberculosis are
examined by ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI). Histopathological examination of tissue biopsy is a conservative
and fast technique for the separation of mycobacterium tuberculosis and
assessment of choroid tubercles in fundus. CONCLUSION: Even though numerous
prognostic markers have been described which envisage mortality, yet untreated
miliary TB has a serious outcome within one year. A high index of clinical
research, early diagnosis and timely institution of anti-tuberculosis treatment
can be life-saving. Response to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs is good. Anti
tuberculosis drugs are patent.
PMID- 28990539
TI - New Drugs and Vaccines for Tuberculosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that resulted in estimated
9.6 million new cases in 2014 and 1.5 million deaths. The available drug regimen
for TB is time consuming which more often leads to the patient non compliance
which then results in occurrence of drug resistant TB (Multi-drug and extremely
drug resistant TB) in several portions of the world. METHODS: The dangerous
combinations of TB and HIV is taking its toll on human health. The foremost
factor is non- profit associated with the development of anti TB drugs. There is
almost 10 different drugs in various levels of trials whereas the vaccine
development is focusing more on adult vaccine rather than a child vaccine.
RESULTS: More than 15 vaccine candidate are in various stages of pipelines.
Present compilation gives an account for various drug candidates and vaccine
products in various stages of drug development. Also included is a recent
collection of patents for assay methods, potential drug candidates/classes and
vaccination products. CONCLUSION: The need is for improvement in the activity and
chemical and biological description of under development compounds. Lastly the
set up for clinical and appropriate uses for running a reliable clinical trial is
a necessary prerequisite.
PMID- 28990540
TI - Current Progress in Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Silver
Nanoparticles: Precepts and Prospects.
AB - BACKGROUND: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), are amongst the utmost striking
nanosized materials that are extensively applied in a variety of biomedical
applications which includes diagnostic use, disease management, medical device
coating, drug delivery and for personal health care. DISCUSSION: With the growing
interest and its application in the health care sector, it is becoming necessary
for a better understanding and exploration of AgNPs mechanism of action like
biological interaction, their possible toxicity, and safety concern to human
exposure. AgNPs have been the subject of researchers attention and interest due
to the unique properties and quality such as shape and size depending optical,
electrical, and antimicrobial potentials (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral
etc.). In recent times, several studies have been conducted on AgNPs
antimicrobial potential and also a number of patents related to its synthesis,
clinical role and importance have also been registered. In this review, a short
overview of AgNPs synthesis approach is presented (physical, chemical, and
biological or green synthesis) and it also delivers a historical outlook of AgNPs
application as an antimicrobial agent which includes combined evidence of
microbial resistance and safety issues with human exposure.
PMID- 28990542
TI - Psychopharmacological options for adult patients with anorexia nervosa: the
patients' and carers' perspectives integrated by the spectrum model.
PMID- 28990541
TI - Associations of dietary patterns with bone mass, muscle strength and balance in a
cohort of Australian middle-aged women.
AB - Influences of dietary patterns on musculoskeletal health are poorly understood in
middle-aged women. This cross-sectional analysis from a cohort of 347 women (aged
36-57 years) aimed to examine associations between dietary patterns and
musculoskeletal health outcomes in middle-aged women. Diet was measured by the
Cancer Council of Victoria FFQ. Total body bone mineral content (TB BMC), femoral
neck and lumbar spine bone density (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), lower
limbs muscle strength (LMS) and balance tests (timed up and go test, step test,
functional reach test (FRT) and lateral reach test) were also measured.
Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns and scores for
each pattern generated using factor loadings with absolute values >=0.20.
Associations between food pattern scores and musculoskeletal outcomes were
assessed using multivariable linear regression. Three dietary patterns were
identified: 'Healthy' (high consumption of a plant-based diet - vegetables,
legumes, fruit, tomatoes, nuts, snacks, garlic, whole grains and low intake of
high-fat dairy products), 'high protein, high fat' (red meats, poultry, processed
meats, potatoes, cruciferous and dark-yellow vegetables, fish, chips, spirits and
high-fat dairy products) and 'Processed foods' (high intakes of meat pies,
hamburgers, beer, sweets, fruit juice, processed meats, snacks, spirits, pizza
and low intake of cruciferous vegetables). After adjustment for confounders,
Healthy pattern was positively associated with LMS, whereas Processed foods
pattern was inversely associated with TB BMC and FRT. The associations were not
significant after accounting for multiple comparisons. There were no associations
with any other outcomes. These results suggest that maintaining a healthy diet
could contribute to bone acquisition, muscle strength and balance in adult life.
However, while they provide some support for further investigating dietary
strategies for prevention of age-related loss of muscle and deterioration in
balance, the exploratory nature of the analyses means that confirmation in
longitudinal studies and/or trials with pre-specified hypotheses is needed.
PMID- 28990543
TI - Reasons for Treatment Non-Response: A Controlled Study of Patients' Views in Pain
Rehabilitation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Understanding successful and unsuccessful behavioural treatment for
pain is essential. AIMS: We carried out a retrospective survey of 130 people who
had undergone pain rehabilitation based on acceptance and commitment therapy,
aiming to identify factors associated with non-response. METHOD: The sample was
selected using the reliable change index to define 'responders' and 'non
responders' to key outcome measures. We surveyed a range of treatment-related,
systemic, practical and personal factors that may have affected their treatment,
and then compared 'non-responders' with 'responders', controlling for factors
that might not be causal or specific to non-response. RESULTS: Logistic
regression analysis showed two themes that distinguished the groups, 'people
outside programme' and 'emotional state'. CONCLUSIONS: These data have clinical
implications, as such factors can be addressed directly or incorporated into an
assessment of treatment 'readiness'. This study introduced a novel methodology
for the investigation of pain treatment response, which allowed a broad study of
clinically relevant variables, but with greater rigour than conventional self
reports of 'helpful factors' in treatment.
PMID- 28990545
TI - A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF INTERNAL MIGRATION, DIVORCE AND WELL-BEING IN CHINA.
AB - SummaryThe rapid economic growth in China has been accompanied by increases in
internal migration as well as marital dissolution. Using longitudinal data from
China Health and Nutrition Surveys covering over 19,000 individuals during 1989
2011, this study modelled the inter-relationships between internal migration,
divorce and individual well-being, tackling conceptual and methodological aspects
such as the joint determination of variables. First, random effects probit models
showed that the migration periods of husbands and wives significantly increased
their respective chances of divorce. Second, results from dynamic random effects
models for self-reported health showed different effects of separation periods
for husbands and wives; divorce did not significantly lower health status. Third,
dynamic models for systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed significant
effects of migration durations of husbands and wives; men had lower systolic
blood pressure following divorce thereby indicating beneficial effects for
unhappily married couples. The implications of the findings are discussed.
PMID- 28990544
TI - Associations of dietary carbohydrates, glycaemic index and glycaemic load with
risk of bladder cancer: a case-control study.
AB - Carbohydrate foods with high glycaemic index (GI) and load (GL) may negatively
influence cancer risk. We studied the association of dietary carbohydrates, GI,
GL, intake of bread and pasta with risk of bladder cancer using data from an
Italian case-control study. The study included 578 men and women with
histologically confirmed bladder cancer and 608 controls admitted to the same
hospitals as cases for acute, non-neoplastic conditions. OR were estimated by
logistic regression models after allowance for relevant confounding factors. OR
of bladder cancer for the highest v. the lowest quantile of intake were 1.52 (95
% CI 0.85, 2.69) for available carbohydrates, 1.18 (95 % CI 0.83, 1.67) for GI,
1.96 (95 % CI 1.16, 3.31, P trend<0.01) for GL, 1.58 (95 % CI 1.09, 2.29, P
trend=0.03) for pasta and 1.92 (95 % CI 1.28, 2.86, P trend<0.01) for bread. OR
for regular consumption of legumes and whole-grain products were 0.78 (95 % CI
0.60, 1.00) and 0.82 (95 % CI 0.63, 1.08), respectively. No heterogeneity in
risks emerged across strata of sex. This case-control study showed that bladder
cancer risk was directly associated with high dietary GL and with consumption of
high quantity of refined carbohydrate foods, particularly bread. These
associations were apparently stronger in subjects with low vegetable consumption.
PMID- 28990546
TI - [New treatments in immuno-oncology: a revolution and a formidable scientific and
clinical challenge].
PMID- 28990547
TI - [Induction of pancreatic beta-like cell regeneration by activation of GABA
signaling pathways].
PMID- 28990548
TI - [The Epstein-Barr virus and the centriole: new tricks from an old dog].
PMID- 28990549
TI - [A new immune competent mouse model for the study of hepatitis D virus
infection].
PMID- 28990550
TI - [Characterization of rhythmic liver physiology by nuclear proteomics].
PMID- 28990552
TI - [Mitochondria link between cannabinoid and memory].
PMID- 28990551
TI - [Hybrid fluorescent probes for imaging cellular proteins on demand].
PMID- 28990553
TI - [Anti-adenovirus humoral immunity: impact on dendritic cell activation].
PMID- 28990554
TI - [Fertilization: the spermatic nucleus unlocked by an ultra-specialized
thioredoxin].
PMID- 28990555
TI - [The mystery of histone disappearance during spermatogenesis].
PMID- 28990556
TI - [Beating cancer with synthetic genes: towards more effective treatments through
autonomous genetic programs].
PMID- 28990557
TI - [Evolutionary explanation of the diversity of immune strategies].
PMID- 28990558
TI - [Navbeta4: a metastasis suppressor and a new biomarker of aggressive cancers].
PMID- 28990559
TI - [Predicting placebo response with functional magnetic resonance imaging].
PMID- 28990560
TI - [Control of the Salmonella enterica virulence by iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis
machinery].
PMID- 28990561
TI - [Cholestasis-induced liver injury: the role of S1PR2].
PMID- 28990562
TI - [Clone war: tumour-suppressive cell competition].
PMID- 28990563
TI - [Ribosomes synthesis at the heart of cell proliferation].
AB - Ribosomes are central to gene expression. Their assembly is a complex and an
energy consuming process. Many controls exist to make it possible a fine-tuning
of ribosome production adapted to cell needs. In this review, we describe recent
advances in the characterisation of the links occurring between ribosome
synthesis and cell proliferation control. Defects in ribosome biogenesis directly
impede cellular cycle and slow-down proliferation. Among the different factors
involved, we could define the 5S particle, a ribosome sub-complex, as a key
regulator of p53 and other tumour suppressors such as pRB. This cross-talk
between ribosome neogenesis defects and proliferation and cellular cycle also
involves other cell cycle controls such as p14ARF, SRSF1 or PRAS40 pathways.
These data place ribosome synthesis at the heart of cell proliferation and offer
new therapeutic strategies against cancer.
PMID- 28990564
TI - [MiRNAs: new actors in the physiopathology of multiple sclerosis].
AB - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune demyelinating disorder characterized by
a chronic neuro-inflammatory process associated with an infiltration of the
central nervous system (CNS) by autoreactive lymphocytes. The etiology of the
disease remains unclear but the recent discovery of a dysregulated miRNA network
in both cells and extracellular fluids of MS patients has brought new insights on
the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in this disorder. miRNAs can induce a
T cell polarization towards a pathological Th17 or Th1 phenotype and a
deleterious activation of microglia, the CNS-resident macrophages. We provide
here a review of the most recent data regarding miRNA dysregulation and
pathophysiological roles in MS patients and in the animal model of MS, EAE
(experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis). Moreover, we discuss the putative
clinical value of miRNAs as a novel biomarker and diagnostic tool for MS.
PMID- 28990565
TI - [Calpain as a new therapeutic target for treating spasticity after a spinal cord
injury].
AB - After a spinal cord injury (SCI), patients develop spasticity, a motor disorder
characterized by hyperreflexia and stiffness of muscles. Spasticity results from
alterations in motoneurons with an upregulation of their persistent sodium
current (I NaP), simultaneously with a disinhibition caused by a reduction of
expression of chloride (Cl-) co-transporters KCC2. Until recently the origin of
alterations was unknown. After reviewing pathophysiology of spasticity, the
manuscript relates our recent work showing a tight relationship between the
calpain-dependent proteolysis of voltage-gated sodium channels, the upregulation
of I NaP and spasticity following SCI. We also discuss KCC2 as a substrate of
calpains which may contribute to the disinhibition of motoneurons below the
lesion. This led us to consider the proteolytic cleavage of both sodium channels
and KCC2 as the upstream mechanism contributing to the development of spasticity
after SCI.
PMID- 28990566
TI - [Some insulins to orchestrate growth].
AB - Body size is an intrinsic property of living organisms that is intimately linked
to the developmental program to produce fit individuals with proper proportions.
Final size is the result of both genetic determinants and sophisticated
mechanisms adapting size to available resources. Even though organs grow
according to autonomous programs, some coordination mechanisms ensure that the
different body parts adjust their growth with the rest of the body. In
Drosophila, Dilp8, a hormone of the Insulin/Relaxin family is a key player in
this inter-organs coordination and is required together with its receptor Lgr3 to
limit developmental variability. Recently, the transcriptional co-activator Yki
(homologue of YAP/TAZ factors in mammals) was shown to regulate dilp8 expression
and contribute to the coordination of organ growth in Drosophila.
PMID- 28990567
TI - [Nuclear transfer to prevent transmission of mtDNA disorders: where are we?]
AB - The recent birth from a mitochondrial DNA mutation carrier of a child, conceived
after transfer in a donor oocyte of the meiotic spindle, taken from the maternal
oocyte, revived the debate on the safety of these procedures. The doubts concern
mainly the possibility of genetic reversion, the uncertainties about potential
disturbances of the dialogue between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes and the
side effects of a heteroplasmic state induced by these techniques. The
possibility to expand nuclear transfer applications to patients experiencing in
vitro fertilization failure, urges us to answer these questions rapidly.
PMID- 28990568
TI - [Role of academic social networks in disseminating the scientific production of
researchers in biology/medicine: the example of ResearchGate].
AB - Over time, academic social networks are more and more used by researchers,
especially thanks to the possibilities of sharing articles they offer. The
objective of the present study was to evaluate the proportion, the typology (pre
print, post-print author/publisher) and the legality of the full-text
publications deposited by researchers on ResearchGate which is widely used by the
medical and biological community, using a sample of 1,500 randomly selected
articles in PubMed and published between 2013 and 2015. To compare, the access to
the full-text of the 1500 articles via PubMed and PubMed Central has been
assessed, putting into evidence the important role ResearchGate plays for
providing full-texts of articles in biology/medicine. It also puts academic
social networks into perspective in relation to open-access repositories and open
access.
PMID- 28990570
TI - [Children's politics and the hierarchy dilemma].
AB - Hierarchy is a recurrent feature of social life. From an early age, children are
confronted with power relationships wherein a dominant individual imposes his/her
will to a subordinate individual. Recent research has shown that young children
develop sophisticated abilities in understanding power. However, little is known
about how young children react to power-based inequality. Do they consider a
dominant should be favored so as to strenghten the status quo ? Or do they
consider that the subordinate must be favored to conteract a social inequality?
In the current paper, I present and discuss a recent study, published in
Developmental Psychology, that investigates this issue.
PMID- 28990569
TI - [History of the thymus: from an "accident of evolution" to the programming of
immunological self-tolerance].
AB - This synthesis presents the most important disruptions of conceptions about the
thymus since its discovery in Antique Greece. For centuries, the thymus was
considered as a vestigial organ, and its role in T-lymphocyte differentiation has
been proposed only in the 1960's. Most recent studies attribute to the thymus an
essential and unique role in the programming of central immunological self
tolerance. The basal mechanism implicated in this function is the transcription
in thymic epithelium of genes encoding precursors of self-antigens. Processing of
these latter leads to presentation of self-antigens by the major
histocompatibility complex (MHC) machinery expressed by thymic epithelial cells
and dendritic cells. During fetal life, this presentation drives negative
selection of T-cell clones harboring receptors with high affinity for these
MHC/self-antigen complexes. After birth, this presentation also promotes the
generation of regulatory T cells specific for these complexes. A number of
studies, as well as the identification of Aire and Fezf2 genes, have shown that a
thymus dysfunction plays a crucial role in the development of organ-specific
autoimmunity.
PMID- 28990571
TI - [For an "alternative" history of the medicine].
PMID- 28990572
TI - [A misunderstanding].
PMID- 28990573
TI - [Common and rare variants, polygenic traits and missing heritability].
AB - Recently, a systematic (but limited) search for rare variants implicated in adult
height, a highly polygenic trait, has uncovered a number of new variants for
which the effect size is inversely correlated with the minor allele frequency.
This opens interesting perspectives on the genetic architecture of complex traits
and on the vexing problem of "missing heritability".
PMID- 28990574
TI - An evidence-based evaluation on the use of platelet rich plasma in orthopedics -
a review of the literature.
AB - Within orthopedics, the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been rapidly
increasing in popularity, however, its true effectiveness has yet to be fully
established. Several studies find that injecting PRP to the site of injury does
not provide any significant benefit with respect to clinical outcomes; however,
many others report the contrary. Due to the conflicting evidence and multiple
meta-analyses conducted on the topic, a literature review of high-quality
evidence on the use of PRP for common orthopaedic conditions was performed. Thus
far, the evidence appears to suggest that PRP may provide some benefit in
patients who present with knee osteoarthritis or lateral epicondylitis. On the
other hand, evidence appears to be inconsistent or shows a minimal benefit for
PRP usage in rotator cuff repair, patellar and Achilles tendinopathies, hamstring
injuries, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair, and medial epicondylitis.
There is limited confidence in the conclusions from the published meta-analyses
due to issues with statistical pooling, and limited subgroup analyses exploring
the substantial heterogeneity across studies. Evidence-based clinicians
considering the use of PRP in their patients with musculoskeletal injuries should
be weary that the literature appears to be inconsistent and thus far,
inconclusive.
PMID- 28990576
TI - Publication rates of abstracts presented at major interventional radiology
conferences.
AB - PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the publication rate and factors predictive of
publication of oral presentations at the annual meetings of the Cardiovascular
and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe (CIRSE) and the Society of
Interventional Radiology (SIR). METHODS: Keywords and authors from oral
presentation abstracts at the 2012 CIRSE and SIR annual meetings were used to
search PubMed and GoogleScholar for subsequent publication. Logistic regression
was performed to identify whether number of authors, country of origin, subject
category, methodology, study type, and/or study results were predictive of
publication. RESULTS: A total of 421 abstracts (CIRSE-126, SIR-295) met the
inclusion criteria. The overall publication rate across both conferences was
44.9%. Time from conference presentation to publication was 15+/-8.9 months for
CIRSE and 16.3+/-8.8 months for SIR (P > 0.05), with a combined time interval of
15.9+/-8.8 months for both. The median impact factor of published abstracts was
2.075 (interquartile range, 2.075-2.775) for CIRSE and 2.093 (2.075-2.856) for
SIR (P > 0.05). The most common country of origin for published abstracts was
Germany (27.1%) at CIRSE and the United States (69%) at SIR. Logistic regression
did not identify factors that were predictive of future publication. CONCLUSION:
Publication rates were similar for CIRSE and SIR. Factors such as country of
origin, topic of study and study results were not predictive of future
publication. Authors should not be discouraged from submitting their work to
journals based on these factors.
PMID- 28990577
TI - Manipulating magnetism by ultrafast control of the exchange interaction.
AB - In recent years, the optical control of exchange interactions has emerged as an
exciting new direction in the study of the ultrafast optical control of magnetic
order. Here we review recent theoretical works on antiferromagnetic systems,
devoted to (i) simulating the ultrafast control of exchange interactions, (ii)
modeling the strongly nonequilibrium response of the magnetic order and (iii) the
relation with relevant experimental works developed in parallel. In addition to
the excitation of spin precession, we discuss examples of rapid cooling and the
control of ultrafast coherent longitudinal spin dynamics in response to
femtosecond optically induced perturbations of exchange interactions. These
elucidate the potential for exploiting the control of exchange interactions to
find new scenarios for both faster and more energy-efficient manipulation of
magnetism.
PMID- 28990575
TI - A systematic review of the concept and clinical applications of bone marrow
aspirate concentrate in tendon pathology.
AB - Tendon pathologies are a group of musculoskeletal conditions frequently seen in
clinical practice. They can be broadly classified into traumatic, degenerative
and overuse-related tendinopathies. Rotator cuff tears, Achilles tendinopathy and
tennis elbow are common examples of these conditions. Conventional treatments
have shown inconsistent outcomes and might fail to provide satisfactory clinical
improvement. With the growing trend towards the use of mesenchymal stem cells
(MSCs) in other branches of medicine, there is an increasing interest in treating
tendon pathologies using the bone marrow MSC. In this article, we provide a
systematic literature review documenting the current status of the use of bone
marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) for the treatment of tendon pathologies. We
also asked the question on the safety of BMAC and whether there are potential
complications associated with BMAC therapy. Our hypothesis is that the use of
BMAC provides safe clinical benefit when used for the treatment of tendinopathy
or as a biological augmentation of tendon repair. We followed the Preferred
Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist while
preparing this systematic review. A literature search was carried out including
the online databases of PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrial.gov and the Cochrane
Library from 1960 to the end of May 2015. Relevant studies were selected and
critically appraised. Data from eligible studies were extracted and classified
per type of tendon pathology. We included 37 articles discussing the application
and use of BMAC for the treatment of tendon pathologies. The Critical Appraisal
Skills Program (CASP) appraisal confirmed a satisfactory standard of 37 studies.
Studies were sub-categorised into: techniques of extraction, processing and
microscopic examination of BMAC (n = 18), where five studies looked at the
evaluation of aspiration techniques (n = 5), augmentation of rotator cuff tears
(n = 5), augmentation of tendo-achilles tendon (n = 1), treatment of gluteal
tendon injuries (n = 1), management of elbow epicondylitis (n = 2), management of
patellar tendinopathy (n = 1) and complications related to BMAC (n = 5). Multiple
experimental studies investigated the use of BMAC for tendon repair; nonetheless,
there are only limited clinical studies available in this field. Unfortunately,
due to the scarcity of studies, which were mainly case series, the current level
of evidence is weak. We strongly recommend further future randomised controlled
studies in this field to allow scientists and clinicians make evidence-based
conclusions.
PMID- 28990578
TI - New developments in the theoretical treatment of low dimensional strongly
correlated systems.
AB - We review two important non-perturbative approaches for extracting the physics of
low- dimensional strongly correlated quantum systems. Firstly, we start by
providing a comprehensive review of non-Abelian bosonization. This includes an
introduction to the basic elements of confor- mal field theory as applied to
systems with a current algebra, and we orient the reader by presenting a number
of applications of non-Abelian bosonization to models with large symmetries. We
then tie this technique into recent advances in the ability of cold atomic
systems to realize complex symme- tries. Secondly, we discuss truncated spectrum
methods for the numerical study of systems in one and two dimensions. For one
dimensional systems we provide the reader with considerable insight into the
methodology by reviewing canonical applications of the technique to the Ising
model (and its variants) and the sine-Gordon model. Following this we review
recent work on the development of renormalization groups, both numerical and
analytical, that alleviate the effects of truncating the spectrum. Using these
technologies, we consider a number of applications to one-dimensional systems:
properties of carbon nanotubes, quenches in the Lieb-Liniger model, 1+1D quantum
chro- modynamics, as well as Landau-Ginzburg theories. In the final part we move
our attention to consider truncated spectrum methods applied to two-dimensional
systems. This involves combining truncated spectrum methods with matrix product
state algorithms. We describe applications of this method to two-dimensional
systems of free fermions and the quantum Ising model, including their non
equilibrium dynamics.
PMID- 28990579
TI - Bone matrix production in hydroxyapatite-modified hydrogels suitable for bone
bioprinting.
AB - Though bioprinting is a forward-looking approach in bone tissue engineering, the
development of bioinks which are on the one hand processable with the chosen
printing technique, and on the other hand possess the relevant mechanical as well
as osteoconductive features remains a challenge. In the present study, polymer
solutions based on methacrylated gelatin and methacrylated hyaluronic acid
modified with hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles (5 wt%) were prepared. Encapsulation
of primary human adipose-derived stem cells in the HAp-containing gels and
culture for 28 d resulted in a storage moduli significantly increased to 126% +/-
9.6% compared to the value on day 1 by the sole influence of the HAp. Additional
use of osteogenic media components resulted in an increase of storage module up
to 199% +/- 27.8%. Similarly, the loss moduli was increased to 370% +/- 122.1%
under the influence of osteogenic media components and HAp. Those changes in
rheological material characteristics indicate a distinct change in elastic and
viscous hydrogel properties, and are attributed to extensive matrix production in
the hydrogels by the encapsulated cells, what could also be proven by staining of
bone matrix components like collagen I, fibronectin, alkaline phosphatase and
osteopontin. When using the cell-laden polymer solutions as bioinks to build up
relevant geometries, the ink showed excellent printability and the printed grid
structure's integrity remained intact over a culture time of 28 d. Again, an
intense matrix formation as well as upregulation of osteogenic markers by the
encapsulated cells could be shown. In conclusion, we demonstrated that our HAp
containing bioinks and hydrogels on basis of methacrylated gelatin and hyaluronic
acid are on the one hand highly suitable for the build-up of relevant three
dimensional geometries with microextrusion bioprinting, and on the other hand
exhibit a significant positive effect on bone matrix development and remodeling
in the hydrogels, as indicated by rheological measurements and staining of bone
components. This makes the developed composite hydrogels an excellent material
for bone bioprinting approaches.
PMID- 28990580
TI - Nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel as both a sulfur host and an effective interlayer
for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries.
AB - Lithium-sulfur batteries have attracted great concern because of the high
theoretical capacity of sulfur (1675 mA h g-1). However, the poor electrical
conductivity and volumetric expansion of sulfur along with the dissolution of
lithium polysulfides largely limit their practical application. In this study,
nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel (NGA) with high nitrogen content and porosity is
used as a host for the impregnation of sulfur. The effects of sulfur impregnation
on the specific surface area, pore volume, and microstructure of NGA supported
sulfur composite (S@NGA) are well investigated. Furthermore, NGA is also
processed into a NGA film, which is sandwiched between a separator and S@NGA
cathode. The lithium-sulfur battery with such a configuration delivers a high
reversible capacity of 1514 mA h g-1 at 0.1 C, excellent rate performance (822 mA
h g-1 at 2.0 C), and good cycling stability (946 mA h g-1 at 0.5 C even after 100
cycles). The enhanced electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the
introduction of the NGA interlayer, the unique interconnected porous structure,
and strong interaction between the three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene
network and the homogeneously dispersed sulfur and/or lithium polysulfides.
PMID- 28990581
TI - Blinatumomab retreatment after relapse in patients with relapsed/refractory B
precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
PMID- 28990582
TI - Non-coding RNA: a key regulator of the pathogenicity and immunity of Flaviviridae
viruses infection.
PMID- 28990583
TI - The ESCRT protein CHMP5 escorts alphabeta T cells through positive selection.
PMID- 28990584
TI - The IgH 3' regulatory region super-enhancer does not control IgA class switch
recombination in the B1 lineage.
PMID- 28990585
TI - The diverse functions of the PD1 inhibitory pathway.
AB - T cell activation is a highly regulated process involving peptide-MHC engagement
of the T cell receptor and positive costimulatory signals. Upon activation,
coinhibitory 'checkpoints', including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1),
become induced to regulate T cells. PD1 has an essential role in balancing
protective immunity and immunopathology, homeostasis and tolerance. However,
during responses to chronic pathogens and tumours, PD1 expression can limit
protective immunity. Recently developed PD1 pathway inhibitors have
revolutionized cancer treatment for some patients, but the majority of patients
do not show complete responses, and adverse events have been noted. This Review
discusses the diverse roles of the PD1 pathway in regulating immune responses and
how this knowledge can improve cancer immunotherapy as well as restore and/or
maintain tolerance during autoimmunity and transplantation.
PMID- 28990586
TI - Immune checkpoint blockade in infectious diseases.
AB - The upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules, such as programmed cell death
protein 1 (PD1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), on immune cells
occurs during acute infections, such as malaria, as well as during chronic
persistent viral infections, including HIV and hepatitis B virus. These pathways
are important for preventing immune-driven pathology but can also limit immune
mediated clearance of the infection. The recent success of immune checkpoint
blockade in cancer therapy suggests that targeting these pathways would also be
effective for preventing and treating a range of infectious diseases. Here, we
review our current understanding of immune checkpoint pathways in the
pathogenesis of infectious diseases and discuss the potential for therapeutically
targeting these pathways in this setting.
PMID- 28990588
TI - Triglycerides cross the blood-brain barrier and induce central leptin and insulin
receptor resistance.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Resistance at the brain receptors for leptin and insulin has been
associated with increased feeding, obesity and cognitive impairments. The causal
agent for central resistance is unknown but could be derived from the blood. Here
we postulate whether hypertriglyceridemia, the major dyslipidemia of the
metabolic syndrome, could underlie central leptin and insulin resistance. DESIGN:
We used radioactively labeled triglycerides to measure blood-brain barrier (BBB)
penetration, western blots to measure receptor activation, and feeding and
cognitive tests to assess behavioral endpoints. RESULTS: Human CSF was determined
to contain triglycerides, a finding previously unclear. The radioactive
triglyceride triolein readily crossed the BBB and centrally administered triolein
and peripherally administered lipids induced in vivo leptin and/or insulin
resistance at hypothalamic receptors. Central triolein blocked the satiety effect
of centrally administered leptin. Decreasing serum triglycerides with gemfibrozil
improved both learning and memory inversely proportionate to triglyceride levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Triglycerides cross the blood-brain barrier rapidly, are found in
human cerebrospinal fluid, and induce central leptin and insulin receptor
resistance, decreasing satiety and cognition.
PMID- 28990587
TI - Neutrophil extracellular traps in immunity and disease.
AB - Neutrophils are innate immune phagocytes that have a central role in immune
defence. Our understanding of the role of neutrophils in pathogen clearance,
immune regulation and disease pathology has advanced dramatically in recent
years. Web-like chromatin structures known as neutrophil extracellular traps
(NETs) have been at the forefront of this renewed interest in neutrophil biology.
The identification of molecules that modulate the release of NETs has helped to
refine our view of the role of NETs in immune protection, inflammatory and
autoimmune diseases and cancer. Here, I discuss the key findings and concepts
that have thus far shaped the field of NET biology.
PMID- 28990589
TI - Which anthropometric measures best reflect neonatal adiposity?
AB - BACKGROUND: Studying the determinants and the long-term consequences of fetal
adipose accretion requires accurate assessment of neonatal body composition. In
large epidemiological studies, in-depth body composition measurement methods are
usually not feasible for cost and logistical reasons, and there is a need to
identify anthropometric measures that adequately reflect neonatal adiposity.
METHODS: In a multiethnic Asian mother-offspring cohort in Singapore,
anthropometric measures (weight, length, abdominal circumference, skinfold
thicknesses) were measured using standardized protocols in newborn infants, and
anthropometric indices (weight/length, weight/length2 (body mass index, BMI),
weight/length3 (ponderal index, PI)) derived. Neonatal total adiposity was
measured using air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and abdominal adiposity
using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Correlations of the anthropometric
measures with ADP- and MRI-based adiposity were assessed using Pearson's
correlation coefficients (rp), including in subsamples stratified by sex and
ethnicity. RESULTS: Study neonates (n=251) had a mean (s.d.) age of 10.2 (2.5)
days. Correlations between ADP-based fat mass (ADPFM) and anthropometric measures
were moderate (rp range: 0.44-0.67), with the strongest being with weight/length,
weight, BMI and sum of skinfolds (rp=0.67, 0.66, 0.62, 0.62, respectively, all
P<0.01). All anthropometric measures except skinfold thicknesses correlated more
strongly with ADP-based fat-free mass than ADPFM, indicating that skinfold
measures may have more discriminative power in terms of neonatal total body
adiposity. For MRI-based measures, weight and weight/length consistently showed
strong positive correlations (rp?0.7) with abdominal adipose tissue compartments.
These correlations were consistent in boys and girls, across different ethnic
groups, and when conventional determinants of neonatal adiposity were adjusted
for potential confounding. Abdominal circumference was not strongly associated
with ADPFM or abdominal fat mass. CONCLUSIONS: Simple anthropometric measures
(weight and weight/length) correlated strongly with neonatal adiposity, with some
evidence for greater discriminative power for skinfold measures. These simple
measures could be of value in large epidemiological studies.
PMID- 28990590
TI - An experimental therapeutics test of whether adding dissonance-induction
activities improves the effectiveness of a selective obesity and eating disorder
prevention program.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Compare the Healthy Weight obesity and eating disorder prevention
program, which promotes participant-driven gradual lifestyle changes to bring
energy intake and expenditure into balance, to a new intervention, Project
Health, which adds activities to create cognitive dissonance about unhealthy
eating, a sedentary lifestyle, and excess body fat, and an obesity education
video-control condition. METHOD: College students at risk for both outcomes
because of weight concerns (N=364, 72% female) were randomized to condition,
completing pretest, posttest, and 6, 12 and 24-month follow-up assessments.
RESULTS: Project Health participants showed significantly smaller increases in
measured body mass index (BMI) through 2-year follow-up than both Healthy Weight
participants and controls (both d=-0.18), and significantly lower onset of
overweight/obesity over 2-year follow-up than Healthy Weight participants and
controls (13 vs 21% and 22%). Healthy Weight and Project Health participants
showed significantly greater eating disorder symptom reductions than controls
through 2-year follow-up. Healthy Weight and Project Health participants showed
marginally lower eating disorder onset over follow-up than controls (3 and 3% vs
8% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The reduced increases in BMI and future
overweight/obesity onset for Project Health relative to both an active matched
intervention and a minimal intervention control condition are noteworthy,
especially given the short 6-h intervention duration. The reduction in eating
disorder symptoms for Healthy Weight and Project Health relative to controls was
also encouraging. Results suggest that adding dissonance-induction activities
increased weight loss effects. Yet, effects for both were generally small and the
eating disorder onset prevention effects were only marginal, potentially because
intervention groups included both sexes, which reduced eating disorder incidence
and sensitivity.
PMID- 28990591
TI - Incidence of components of metabolic syndrome in the metabolically healthy obese
over 9 years follow-up: the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Some obese adults are not afflicted by the metabolic abnormalities
often associated with obesity (the 'metabolically healthy obese' (MHO)); however,
they may be at increased risk of developing cardiometabolic abnormalities in the
future. Little is known about the relative incidence of individual components of
metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). METHODS: We used data from a multicenter, community
based cohort aged 45-64 years at recruitment (the Atherosclerosis Risk In
Communities study) to examine the first appearance of any MetSyn component,
excluding waist circumference. Body mass index (BMI, kg m-2) and cardiometabolic
data were collected at four triennial visits. Our analysis included 3969 adults
who were not underweight and free of the components of MetSyn at the initial
visit. Participants were classified as metabolically healthy normal weight
(MHNW), overweight (MHOW) and MHO at each visit. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and
95% confidence intervals were estimated with proportional hazards regression
models. RESULTS: The relative rate of developing each risk factor was higher
among MHO than MHNW, with the strongest association noted for elevated fasting
glucose (MHO vs MHNW, HR: 2.33 (1.77, 3.06)). MHO was also positively associated
with elevated triglycerides (HR: 1.63 (1.27, 2.09)), low high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol (HR: 1.68 (1.32, 2.13)) and elevated blood pressure (HR: 1.54 (1.26,
1.88)). A similar, but less pronounced pattern was noted among the MHOW vs MHNW.
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that even among apparently healthy individuals, obesity
and overweight are related to more rapid development of at least one
cardiometabolic risk factor, and that elevations in blood glucose develop most
rapidly.
PMID- 28990593
TI - Riluzole Impairs Cocaine Reinstatement and Restores Adaptations in Intrinsic
Excitability and GLT-1 Expression.
AB - Adaptations in glutamate signaling within the brain's reward circuitry are
observed following withdrawal from several abused drugs, including cocaine. These
include changes in intrinsic cellular excitability, glutamate release, and
glutamate uptake. Pharmacological or optogenetic reversal of these adaptations
have been shown to reduce measures of cocaine craving and seeking, raising the
hypothesis that regulation of glutamatergic signaling represents a viable target
for the treatment of substance use disorders. Here, we tested the hypothesis that
administration of the compound riluzole, which regulates glutamate dynamics in
several ways, would reduce cocaine seeking in the rat self-administration and
reinstatement model of addiction. Riluzole dose-dependently inhibited cue- and
cocaine-primed reinstatement to cocaine, but did not affect locomotor activity or
reinstatement to sucrose seeking. Moreover, riluzole reversed bidirectional
cocaine-induced adaptations in intrinsic excitability of prelimbic (PL) and
infralimbic (IL) pyramidal neurons; a cocaine-induced increase in PL excitability
was decreased by riluzole, and a cocaine-induced decrease in IL excitability was
increased to normal levels. Riluzole also reversed the cocaine-induced
suppression of the high-affinity glutamate transporter 1 (EAAT2/GLT-1) in the
nucleus accumbens (NAc). GLT-1 is responsible for the majority of glutamate
uptake in the brain, and has been previously reported to be downregulated by
cocaine. These results demonstrate that riluzole impairs cocaine reinstatement
while rectifying several cellular adaptations in glutamatergic signaling within
the brain's reward circuitry, and support the hypothesis that regulators of
glutamate homeostasis represent viable candidates for pharmacotherapeutic
treatment of psychostimulant relapse.
PMID- 28990597
TI - From molecular to colloidal manganese vanadium oxides for water oxidation
catalysis.
AB - The spontaneous, sonication-driven conversion of a molecular manganese vanadium
oxide water oxidation catalyst, (n-Bu4N)3[Mn4V4O17(OAc)3] * 3H2O, into colloidal
manganese vanadium oxide particles (average particle size ca. 70 nm) together
with their stability and chemical water oxidation activity is reported. The
nanoparticulate metal oxide colloid (approximate composition: VMn5O10.ca.
6H2O.ca. 0.2nBu4N+) is formed spontaneously when the molecular precursor is
sonicated in water. The particles show water oxidation activity when combined
with CeIV as the oxidant, are stable even under highly acidic reaction conditions
and can be recovered and reused.
PMID- 28990598
TI - FeCl3-Catalyzed synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives from 1-(2
aminophenyl)pyrroles through annulation and cleavage of cyclic ethers.
AB - A straightforward Fe-catalyzed method for the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2
a]quinoxalines from 1-(2-aminophenyl)pyrroles and cyclic ethers, which includes
functionalization of C(sp3)-H bonds and the construction of C-C and C-N bonds,
has been developed. The features of this reaction are Fe catalysis, low-cost and
readily accessible starting materials. Moreover, this procedure exhibits good
functional group tolerance and a series of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives
are obtained in moderate to good yields.
PMID- 28990592
TI - Maternal and fetal genetic contribution to gestational weight gain.
AB - BACKGROUND: Clinical recommendations to limit gestational weight gain (GWG) imply
high GWG is causally related to adverse outcomes in mother or offspring, but GWG
is the sum of several inter-related complex phenotypes (maternal fat deposition
and vascular expansion, placenta, amniotic fluid and fetal growth). Understanding
the genetic contribution to GWG could help clarify the potential effect of its
different components on maternal and offspring health. Here we explore the
genetic contribution to total, early and late GWG. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A
genome-wide association study was used to identify maternal and fetal variants
contributing to GWG in up to 10 543 mothers and 16 317 offspring of European
origin, with replication in 10 660 mothers and 7561 offspring. Additional
analyses determined the proportion of variability in GWG from maternal and fetal
common genetic variants and the overlap of established genome-wide significant
variants for phenotypes relevant to GWG (for example, maternal body mass index
(BMI) and glucose, birth weight). RESULTS: Approximately 20% of the variability
in GWG was tagged by common maternal genetic variants, and the fetal genome made
a surprisingly minor contribution to explain variation in GWG. Variants near the
pregnancy-specific beta-1 glycoprotein 5 (PSG5) gene reached genome-wide
significance (P=1.71 * 10-8) for total GWG in the offspring genome, but did not
replicate. Some established variants associated with increased BMI, fasting
glucose and type 2 diabetes were associated with lower early, and higher later
GWG. Maternal variants related to higher systolic blood pressure were related to
lower late GWG. Established maternal and fetal birth weight variants were largely
unrelated to GWG. CONCLUSIONS: We found a modest contribution of maternal common
variants to GWG and some overlap of maternal BMI, glucose and type 2 diabetes
variants with GWG. These findings suggest that associations between GWG and later
offspring/maternal outcomes may be due to the relationship of maternal BMI and
diabetes with GWG.
PMID- 28990594
TI - The Gene Encoding Protocadherin 9 (PCDH9), a Novel Risk Factor for Major
Depressive Disorder.
AB - Genomic analyses have identified only a handful of robust risk loci for major
depressive disorder (MDD). In addition to the published genome-wide significant
genes, it is believed that there are undiscovered 'treasures' underlying the
current MDD genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and gene expression data
sets, and digging into these data will allow better understanding of the illness
and development of new therapeutic approaches. For this purpose, we performed a
meta-analytic study combining three MDD GWAS data sets (23andMe, CONVERGE, and
PGC), and then conducted independent replications of significant loci in two
additional samples. The genome-wide significant variants then underwent
explorative analyses on MDD-related phenotypes, cognitive function alterations,
and gene expression in brains. In the discovery meta-analysis, a previously
unidentified single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9540720 in the PCDH9 gene was
genome-wide significantly associated with MDD (p=1.69 * 10-8 in a total of 89 610
cases and 246 603 controls), and the association was further strengthened when
additional replication samples were included (p=1.20 * 10-8 in a total of 136 115
cases and 355 275 controls). The risk SNP was also associated with multiple MDD
related phenotypes and cognitive function impairment in diverse samples.
Intriguingly, the risk allele of rs9540720 predicted lower PCDH9 expression,
consistent with the diagnostic analysis results that PCDH9 mRNA expression levels
in the brain and peripheral blood tissues were reduced in MDD patients compared
with healthy controls. These convergent lines of evidence suggest that PCDH9 is
likely a novel risk gene for MDD. Our study highlights the necessity and
importance of excavating the public data sets to explore risk genes for MDD, and
this approach is also applicable to other complex diseases.
PMID- 28990599
TI - Ultrathin gold film modified optical properties of excitons in monolayer MoS2.
AB - Metal nanostructure plays an important role in tailoring the performance of
various two-dimensional semiconductors. Herein, we theoretically study the
optical properties of A, B and C excitons in monolayer MoS2 coated on ultrathin
gold films less than 20 nm in thickness. We show that resonances of these three
excitons occur at ~660, ~613 and ~426 nm, respectively and each exciton maximizes
absorption intensity at total reflection. However, because of the optical
scattering effect induced by the ultrathin gold film, the maximum absorption of
each exciton appears at the incident angle thetam that is larger than its
corresponding surface plasmon resonance angle thetaSPR. It is possible that due
to the gradual approach between thetam and thetaSPR, the maximum absorption
intensity of the exciton gradually increases with thickening of the gold film.
For external reflection, the C exciton maximizes absorption intensity around its
corresponding quasi-Brewster's angle, whereas the incident angle, at which the A
or B exciton gives the maximum absorption, gradually deviates from its
corresponding quasi-Brewster's angle as the gold film thickness decreases. This
discrepancy is explained by the dependencies of extinction coefficients of hybrid
films on the excitonic resonance wavelength and gold film thickness.
PMID- 28990600
TI - Effect of buffer at nanoscale molecular recognition interfaces - electrostatic
binding of biological polyanions.
AB - We investigate the impact of an over-looked component on molecular recognition in
water-buffer. The binding of a cationic dye to biological polyanion heparin is
shown by isothermal calorimetry to depend on buffer (Tris-HCl > HEPES > PBS). The
heparin binding of self-assembled multivalent (SAMul) cationic micelles is even
more buffer dependent. Multivalent electrostatic molecular recognition is buffer
dependent as a result of competitive interactions between the cationic binding
interface and anions present in the buffer.
PMID- 28990601
TI - Direct sensing of cancer biomarkers in clinical samples with a designed nanopore.
AB - Here, we show a designed solid-state nanopore sensor for the direct sensing and
quantification of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as cancer biomarker in serum
without any pretreatment. This nanopore technique provides a convenient, fast,
and low-cost quantification of cancer biomarkers in clinical samples.
PMID- 28990602
TI - Self-sustainable, high-power-density bio-solar cells for lab-on-a-chip
applications.
AB - A microfluidic lab-on-a-chip system that generates its own power is essential for
stand-alone, independent, self-sustainable point-of-care diagnostic devices to
work in limited-resource and remote regions. Miniaturized biological solar cells
(or micro-BSCs) can be the most suitable power source for those lab-on-a-chip
applications because the technique resembles the earth's natural ecosystem -
living organisms work in conjunction with non-living components of their
environment to create a self-assembling and self-maintaining system. Micro-BSCs
can continuously generate electricity from microbial photosynthetic and
respiratory activities over day-night cycles, offering a clean and renewable
power source with self-sustaining potential. However, the promise of this
technology has not been translated into practical applications because of its
relatively low power (~nW cm-2) and current short lifetimes (~a couple of hours).
In this work, we enabled high-performance, self-sustaining, long-life micro-BSCs
by using fundamental breakthroughs of device architectures and electrode
materials. A 3-D biocompatible, conductive, and porous anode demonstrated great
microbial biofilm formation and a high rate of bacterial extracellular electron
transfer, which led to greater power generation. Furthermore, our micro-BSCs
promoted gas exchange to the bacteria through a gas-permeable PDMS membrane in a
well-controlled, tightly enclosed micro-chamber, substantially enhancing
sustainability. Through photosynthetic reactions of the cyanobacteria
Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 without additional organic fuel, the 90 MUL single
chambered bio-solar cell generated a maximum power density of 43.8 MUW cm-2 and
sustained consistent power production of ~18.6 MUW cm-2 during the day and ~11.4
MUW cm-2 at night for 20 days, which is the highest and longest reported success
of any existing micro-scale bio-solar cells.
PMID- 28990603
TI - Solvothermal synthesis and enhanced photo-electrochemical performance of
hierarchically structured strontium titanate micro-particles.
AB - Homogeneous powders of almost spherical particles of SrTiO3 with diameters of
about 1 MUm and large surface areas of up to 186 m2 g-1 were obtained from a
facile one-pot solvothermal synthesis. Thorough characterization by X-ray
diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (high-resolution)
transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen physisorption measurements
revealed the hierarchical architecture of the particles down to the scale of a
few nanometers. In contrast to SrTiO3 samples obtained by high-temperature solid
state reaction, the particles are neither agglomerated nor sintered above the
micrometer scale. The samples exhibit enhanced photoelectrochemical properties in
a 1.0 M KOH aqueous solution compared to their bulk counterpart. The formation
mechanism of the SrTiO3 particles was systematically investigated on the basis of
a series of XRD and SEM studies of the products obtained at different reaction
temperatures and times. The growth of the hierarchically structured SrTiO3
particles mainly includes two stages: an intermediately formed amorphous TiO2
hydrate transforms in a subsequent step into the final SrTiO3 product. The latter
step is a morphology-conserving transformation (pseudomorphosis). Further study
indicates that ethylene glycol plays a dominant role in the formation of the
hierarchical structures. SrTiO3 particles of polyhedral shapes with smooth
surfaces are obtained when ethylene glycol is substituted by the strongly
hydrated basic ionic liquid (IL) tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) as the
solvent.
PMID- 28990604
TI - Electrochemically exfoliated graphene as a novel microwave susceptor: the
ultrafast microwave-assisted synthesis of carbon-coated silicon-graphene film as
a lithium-ion battery anode.
AB - Graphene nanocomposites have attracted much attention in many applications due to
their superior properties. However, preparing graphene nanocomposites requires a
time-consuming thermal treatment to reduce the graphene or synthesize
nanomaterials, in most cases. We present an ultrafast synthesis of a carbon
coated silicon-graphene nanocomposite using a commercial microwave system.
Electrochemically exfoliated graphene is used as a novel microwave susceptor to
deliver efficient microwave energy conversion. Unlike graphene oxide, it does not
require a time-consuming pre-thermal reduction or toxic chemical reduction to
absorb microwave radiation efficiently. A carbon-coated silicon nanoparticle
electrochemically exfoliated graphene nanocomposite film was prepared by a few
seconds' microwave irradiation. The sp2 domains of graphene absorb microwave
radiation and generate heat to simultaneously reduce the graphene and carbonize
the polydopamine carbon precursor. The as-prepared N-doped carbon-coated silicon
graphene film was used as a lithium-ion battery anode. The N-doped carbon coating
decreases the contact resistance between silicon nanoparticles and graphene
provides a wide range conductive network. Consequently, it exhibited a reversible
capacity of 1744 mA h g-1 at a current density of 0.1 A g-1 and 662 mA h g-1 at
1.0 A g-1 after 200 cycles. This method can potentially be a general approach to
prepare various graphene nanocomposites in an extremely short time.
PMID- 28990605
TI - A simple route to 1,4-addition reactions by Co-catalyzed reductive coupling of
organic tosylates and triflates with activated alkenes.
AB - An efficient Co-catalyzed 1,4-addition reaction of alkyl/aryl triflates and
tosylates with activated alkenes is described. In this reaction, an air-stable
cobalt(ii) complex, a mild reducing agent Zn and a simple proton source (H2O) are
used. A radical mechanism for the addition of alkyl tosylates to activated
alkenes is likely involved.
PMID- 28990606
TI - A combined docosahexaenoic acid-thyroid hormone protocol upregulates rat liver
beta-Klotho expression and downstream components of FGF21 signaling as a
potential novel approach to metabolic stress conditions.
AB - Liver preconditioning by a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and triiodothyronine (T3)
combined protocol underlies peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor alpha
(PPARalpha)-fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) upregulation, the study of the
regulatory mechanisms involved being the aim of this work. Combined DHA (daily
doses of 300 mg kg-1 for 3 days)-T3 (0.05 mg kg-1 at the fourth day)
administration elicited higher levels of liver DHA and serum T3, with enhanced
hepatic nuclear/cytosolic PPARalpha ratios, upregulation of FGF21 and beta-Klotho
expression, and a small reduction in that of FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1), compared
with the respective controls. Concomitantly, the components of the FGF21 cascade
extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), FGF receptor substrate 2alpha
(FRS2alpha), cFos, ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (RSK1), liver kinase B1 (LKB1), and AMP
activated protein kinase (AMPK) were activated. The upregulation of liver
PPARalpha-FGF21-AMPK signaling by the combined DHA-T3 protocol resulted in values
significantly higher than those elicited by the addition of the data obtained for
DHA and T3 alone. It is concluded that combined DHA-T3 supplementation achieves
synergistic effects on liver PPARalpha-FGF21-AMPK signaling, which may result in
significant metabolic changes associated with energy expenditure that are of
importance in the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders.
PMID- 28990607
TI - The effect of centred versus offset interpenetration on C2H2 sorption in hybrid
ultramicroporous materials.
AB - Fine-tuning of hybrid ultramicroporous materials (HUMs) can significantly impact
their gas sorption performance. This study reveals that offset interpenetration
can be antagonistic with respect to C2H2 separation from C2H2/C2H4 gas mixtures.
PMID- 28990608
TI - Exploiting the energetic potential of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives: combining the
benefits of a 1,2,4-oxadiazole framework with various energetic functionalities.
AB - A series of 1,2,4-oxadiazole-derived energetic compounds were successfully
synthesized using 1,2,4-oxadiazole-3-chloroxime as a versatile starting material.
These energetic compounds were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, IR
spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The structures of compounds 5, 6a, 6c, 8
and 8a were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The physicochemical
and energetic properties of all the synthesized energetic compounds, including
density, thermal stability and energetic performance (e.g., detonation velocities
and detonation pressures) were investigated. Among these energetic compounds,
hydrazinium salts 6b and 8b and hydroxylammonium salts 6c and 8c exhibit
satisfactory calculated detonation performances, which outperform the commonly
used high explosive RDX. Potassium salt 5 shows good detonation performance, high
density as well as high sensitivity, making it a potential primary explosive.
Compound 9 is a potential candidate for melt-cast explosives due to its
remarkable liquid range between melting point (Tm = 98 degrees C) and
decomposition temperature (Td = 208 degrees C).
PMID- 28990609
TI - Review of recent research on flexible multifunctional nanopapers.
AB - Traditional paper and papermaking have struggled with a declining market during
the last few decades. However, the incorporation of nanotechnology into
papermaking has brought possibilities to develop low-cost, biocompatible and
flexible products with sophisticated functionalities. The functionality of
nanopapers emerges from the intrinsic properties of the nanofibrous network, the
additional loading of specific nanomaterials (NMs), or the additional deposition
and patterning of thin films of nanomaterials on the paper surface. A successful
development of functional nanopapers requires understanding how the nanopaper
matrix, nanofillers, nanocoating pigments, nanoprinting inks, processing
additives and manufacturing processes all interact to provide the intended
functionality. This review addresses the emerging area of functional nanopapers.
This review discusses flexible and multifunctional nanopapers, NMs being used in
nanopaper making, manufacturing techniques, and functional applications that
provide new important possibilities to utilize papermaking technology. The
interface where NM research meets traditional papermaking has important
implications for food packaging, energy harvesting and energy storage, flexible
electronics, low-cost devices for medical diagnostics, and numerous other areas.
PMID- 28990610
TI - Effects of cyanidin 3-0-glucoside on cardiac structure and function in an animal
model of myocardial infarction.
AB - Cyanidin 3-0-glucoside (CG) is a polyphenol with potential health benefits. In
this study, we investigated, for the first time, the cardioprotective effects of
CG in an animal model of myocardial infarction (MI), a major cause of death
worldwide. Sham and MI rats were administered CG (10 mg kg-1 day-1) daily for one
week prior to surgery, and 8 weeks post-surgery. Echocardiography was performed
to assess cardiac structure and function at 4 and 8 weeks. At 4 weeks, MI rats
had significantly lower body mass when compared to control rats, and CG
administration significantly prevented this decrease. Four-week MI rats also
showed significantly increased left ventricle dilation, end systolic and end
diastolic volumes in comparison to controls, and CG significantly prevented these
adverse changes. Ejection fraction was significantly lower in 4-week MI rats in
comparison to controls, and CG had no effect on this parameter. At 8 weeks, body
mass was significantly lower in MI rats when compared to control rats, and CG
significantly prevented this decrease. At 8 weeks, MI rats showed a significant
increase in left ventricle dilation and isovolumic relaxation time, while
ejection fraction was significantly lower when compared to controls; these
parameters were not altered by CG treatment. Eight-week MI rats had significantly
higher level of oxidative stress in heart tissue in comparison to controls, and
CG administration did not prevent this increase. In conclusion, administration of
CG was able to significantly preserve body mass in both 4 and 8 weeks MI rats, as
well as significantly prevent cardiac dilation in 4 weeks MI rats. However, CG
was unable to sustain this cardioprotection, as cardiac structure and function
were not significantly improved in 8 weeks MI rats.
PMID- 28990611
TI - Hot electron-hole plasma dynamics and amplified spontaneous emission in ZnTe
nanowires.
AB - Key to optimizing and tailoring the optoelectronic properties of semiconductor
nanostructures for practical applications is a clear understanding of their
carrier interactions and recombination dynamics. Herein, the electron-hole (e-h)
plasma dynamics and the electron-phonon coupling interactions in zincblende ZnTe
nanowires (NWs) were systematically investigated by time-resolved
photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy over a wide range of lattice temperatures
(4-300 K) and pump densities. Following intense, non-resonant femtosecond (fs)
laser pulse excitation, the excited carriers thermalize to quasi-equilibrium
distribution through carrier-carrier and carrier-phonon scattering within a few
picoseconds. The peak temperature of the hot electron gas (Te0) is much higher
than the lattice temperature and increases sub-linearly with the pump fluence.
The hot electron gas thermalizes in two characteristic carrier density-dependent
regimes - i.e., within 35 ps under high carrier densities (e-h plasma) while
persisting to 360 ps under low carrier densities (exciton). Temperature-dependent
studies of the ZnTe NWs revealed that the acoustic phonons play a significant
role in the cooling of the hot e-h plasma in these NWs and the emission band
broadening arises from the interplay of the contributions from crystal
imperfections, LA and LO phonon scattering and most importantly, from the hot
carrier thermalization. For demonstration, e-h plasma-amplified spontaneous
emission in ZnTe NWs at room temperature by one- and two-photon excitation was
realized. The results provide new insights into carrier interactions and
recombination dynamics of ZnTe NWs and highlight their potential for high
efficiency e-h plasma light emitters, sensors and in plasma photochemotherapy.
PMID- 28990612
TI - Controlling G-quadruplex formation via lipid modification of oligonucleotide
sequences.
AB - G-quadruplexes (G4) represent attractive supramolecular scaffolds. In this
communication, we show that the lipid modification of a G4 prone oligonucleotide
sequence drastically increases the probability of forming tetramolecular parallel
G4s with unprecedented conformational control over other unspecific oligomers or
folds.
PMID- 28990613
TI - Effect of cooking and simulated gastrointestinal digestion on the activity of
generated bioactive peptides in aged beef meat.
AB - Ageing is widely used in the meat industry to improve tenderness mainly as a
result of the breakdown of muscular proteins through the action of endopeptidases
during storage time. In addition, meat contains a large pool of other proteolytic
enzymes, mainly exopeptidases, which cut from the outer edges of proteins and
polypeptides generating a vast array of peptides and free amino acids. Some of
these peptides could potentially exert bioactivities of interest for human
health. In this study, ACE-inhibitory and antioxidant activities during meat
ageing in chilled-storage at 4 degrees C for a period of time of 0, 1, 2, 3 and
4 weeks have been determined. Beef loin steak samples were analysed before and
after cooking, and gastrointestinal digestion was simulated in order to study its
effect on the bioactivity. Control and cooked samples showed an increase in the
ACE-inhibitory activity from the third week of chilled storage whereas non
significant differences in the antioxidant activity between control and cooked
samples were detected during the studied time. After gastrointestinal digestion
of samples, there was a significant increment of the ACE-inhibitory and
antioxidant activities in comparison with control and cooked samples at all the
studied times. As a main conclusion, cooking does not significantly influence the
bioactivity detected whereas the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion produces a
significant increase in the ACE-inhibitory and antioxidant activities from the
first week, probably due to the intense generation of small peptides as a result
of the action of gastrointestinal enzymes.
PMID- 28990614
TI - Microfluidic magnetic bead conveyor belt.
AB - Magnetic beads play an important role in the miniaturization of clinical
diagnostics systems. In lab-on-chip platforms, beads can be made to link to a
target species and can then be used for the manipulation and detection of this
species. Current bead actuation systems utilize complex on-chip coil systems that
offer low field strengths and little versatility. We demonstrate a novel system
based on an external rotating magnetic field and on-chip soft-magnetic structures
to focus the field locally. These structures were designed and optimized using
finite element simulations in order to create a number of local flux density
maxima. These maxima, to which the magnetic beads are attracted, move over the
chip surface in a continuous way together with the rotation of the external
field, resulting in a mechanism similar to that of a conveyor belt. A prototype
was fabricated using PDMS molding techniques mixed with iron powder for the
magnetic structures. In the subsequent experiments, a quadrupole electromagnet
was used to create the rotating external field. We observed that beads formed
agglomerates that rolled over the chip surface, just above the magnetic
structures. Field rotation frequencies between 0.1-50 Hz were tested resulting in
magnetic bead speeds of over 1 mm s-1 for the highest frequency. With this, we
have shown that our novel concept works, combining a simple design and simple
operation with a powerful and versatile method for bead actuation. This makes it
a promising method for further research and utilization in lab-on-chip systems.
PMID- 28990615
TI - A series of anionic host coordination polymers based on azoxybenzene carboxylate:
structures, luminescence and magnetic properties.
AB - A series of coordination polymers {[Ln(aobtc)(H2O)4].Hbipy.H2O}n (H4aobtc =
azoxybenzene-2,2',3,3'-tetracarboxylic acid, bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, and Ln =
Sm(1), Eu(2), Gd(3), Tb(4), Dy(5), Er(6)) have been synthesized and characterized
systematically. The cationic Hbipy+ guest incorporated polymers are isostructural
sets, featuring a one-dimensional (1D) zigzag double chain edifice composed of
binuclear clusters [Ln2(H4aobtc)2], with the Hbipy+ guest being located on two
sides. These 1D chains are further interlinked into a 2D layer structure, and
further extended into a 3D framework through hydrogen bonding interactions. The
luminescence emission spectra of polymers 2 and 3 are based on the H4aobtc acid
ligands, while 1 and 4 display the characteristic f-f transitions of Ln(iii)
ions. Magnetic measurements revealed the presence of ferromagnetic behavior in
polymer 3. The magnetic behaviors of 4 and 6 are ascribed to the depopulation of
the Stark levels and/or weak antiferromagnetic interactions within MOFs at lower
temperature. Slow relaxation is observed through the alternating-current
susceptibility measurements for 5 at lower temperature, and the coexistence of
weak ferromagnetism corresponding to the spin-canting-like behavior.
PMID- 28990616
TI - Complexation of beta-cyclodextrin with dual molecular probes bearing fluorescent
and paramagnetic moieties linked by short polyether chains.
AB - Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and fluorescence spectroscopies provide
molecular-level insights on the interaction of paramagnetic and fluorescent
species with the microenvironment. A series of dual molecular probes bearing
fluorescent and paramagnetic moieties linked by flexible short polyether chains
have been synthesized. These new molecular probes open the possibility to
investigate various multi-component systems such as host-guest systems, polymeric
micelles, gels and protein solutions by using EPR and fluorescence spectroscopies
concertedly. The EPR and fluorescence spectra of these compounds show that the
dependence of the rotational correlation time and fluorescence quantum yield on
the chain length of the linker is not linear, due to the flexibility of the
polyether linker. The quenching effect of the nitroxide moiety on the
fluorescence intensity of the pyrene group varies with the linker length and
flexibility. The interaction of these dual molecular probes with beta
cyclodextrin, in solution and in polymeric gels, was evaluated and demonstrated
by analysis of EPR and fluorescence spectra.
PMID- 28990618
TI - Direct crystallographic evidence of the reversible photo-formation and thermo
rupture of a coordination bond inducing spin-crossover phenomenon.
AB - A detailed crystallographic study of [FeII(LN5)(CN)2].MeOH (LN5 = 2,13-dimethyl
3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),2,12,14,16-pentaene) shows the
light-induced formation and thermally-assisted rupture of a metal-ligand
coordination bond concomitantly with a spin-crossover process occurring at the
Fe(ii) center between its low spin (LS) and high spin (HS) states. These results
illustrate the remarkable reversibility and non-destructive character of this
photo-induced magneto-structural process in a single crystal.
PMID- 28990619
TI - Exploring the tunable excitation of QDs to maximize the overlap with the absorber
for inner filter effect-based phosphorescence sensing of alkaline phosphatase.
AB - The inner filter effect (IFE) is an effective way for fluorescence modulation and
thus has been extensively explored for the development of fluorescence assays.
Theoretically, the key to maximize the sensitivity of IFE-based fluorescence
assays is to enlarge the overlap between the absorption of the absorber and the
excitation/emission of the fluorophore. Therefore, in this work, the tunable
excitation of quantum dots (QDs) was explored for screening of the IFE pair
having the best IFE-based assay sensitivity. A series of QDs, including CdTe QDs
with different sizes, carbon dots, Cu-doped CdS QDs, and Mn-doped ZnS QDs, were
investigated. PNPP (p-nitrophenylphosphate) was chosen as the absorber since its
absorption overlapped with the above QDs. Besides, it can be catalytically
converted to p-nitrophenol (PNP) by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) together with an
absorption spectrum change (red-shift). Interestingly, it was found that the IFE
efficiency of different PNPP-QD pairs increased almost linearly with the
corresponding spectral overlap, and Mn-doped ZnS QDs were eventually chosen for
the IFE assay of ALP because of the maximum spectral overlap and thus the best
sensitivity. A simple and sensitive turn-on phosphorescence ALP assay was
developed, with a detection limit of 4 * 10-4 U L-1. Because of the high
sensitivity, we also found that ALP of different origins possessed different
enzymatic activities. The developed ALP phosphorescence assay was successfully
employed for the analysis of ALP in serum samples.
PMID- 28990620
TI - Single Ni sites distributed on N-doped carbon for selective hydrogenation of
acetylene.
AB - We prepared single Ni atoms embedded in an N-doped carbon catalyst with the
assistance of metal organic frameworks. The dispersion of Ni atoms was verified
by taking X-ray absorption fine structure measurements. Under the typical
conditions for hydrogenation of acetylene, this single-site heterogeneous
catalyst showed great potential as an alternative to Pd-based materials.
PMID- 28990621
TI - Carbon oxidation reactions could misguide the evaluation of carbon black-based
oxygen-evolution electrocatalysts.
AB - A variety of carbon-based materials have been reported as electrocatalysts
towards the oxygen evolution reaction. However, carbon oxidation during the OER
was rarely considered or even neglected in most of the reports. Herein, using
carbon black as a model material, we develop a method to estimate the
contribution of carbon oxidation reactions (CORs) to the measured current during
the OER test. It is shown that the CORs could result in significant
overestimation of the OER activity of carbon black-based electrocatalysts.
PMID- 28990622
TI - Cooperative self-assembly and gelation of organogold(i) complexes via hydrogen
bonding and aurophilic AuAu interactions.
AB - With the synergistic combination of intermolecular Au(i)-Au(i) and hydrogen
bonding interactions, a rod-coil alkynyl-gold(i)-isocyanide monomer tends to form
supramolecular fibers and gels via a cooperative nucleation-elongation self
assembly mechanism, which display Ag(i) ion-triggered responsiveness.
PMID- 28990623
TI - Friction controls even submerged granular flows.
AB - We investigate the coupling between the interstitial medium and granular
particles by studying the hopper flow of dry and submerged systems experimentally
and numerically. In accordance with earlier studies, we find that the dry hopper
empties at a constant rate. However, in the submerged system we observe the
surging of the flow rate. We model both systems using the discrete element
method, which we couple with computational fluid dynamics in the case of a
submerged hopper. We are able to match the simulations and the experiments with
good accuracy by fitting the particle-particle contact friction for each system
separately. Submerging the hopper changes the particle-particle contact friction
from MUvacuum = 0.15 to MUsub = 0.13, while all the other simulation parameters
remain the same.
PMID- 28990624
TI - A copper-catalyzed tandem reaction for the construction of coumarin fused 9H
pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles.
AB - An efficient copper-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation/cyclization/isomerization
sequence of 3-arylcarbonyl coumarins and 3-methyl indole was developed to afford
a wide range of functionalized coumarin fused 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles, which
feature a 6-6-5-5-6 pentacyclic core, in 34-99% yields. Moreover, gram-scale
experiment and chemical transformations were conducted to demonstrate the
synthetic value of this protocol.
PMID- 28990625
TI - Enantioselective organocatalytic Michael additions of N,N'-dialkylbarbituric
acids to enones.
AB - N,N'-Dialkylbarbituric acids as cyclic malonamide donors were successfully used
in the enantioselective Michael addition reaction of enones. Using cinchona
alkaloid-based bifunctional squaramide as an organocatalyst, this Michael
reaction of N,N'-di-tert-butylbarbituric acid with various enones features a
highly enantioselective (91-99% ee) production of the corresponding optically
active 5-substituted barbituric acid derivatives. The transformations of the
Michael product for the barbituric acid structural unit were realized in two
ways, deprotection to remove the N-tert-butyl group and alkylation to produce 5,5
disubstituted barbituric acid derivatives.
PMID- 28990627
TI - Controlling the generation of bilayer and multilayer vesicles in block
copolymer/epoxy blends by a slow photopolymerization process.
AB - Vesicles are a highly attractive morphology to achieve in micellar dispersions of
block copolymers (BCP) in epoxy thermosets due to the fact that small amounts can
affect a large volume fraction of the matrix, a fact that is important for
toughening purposes. However, generating vesicles in epoxy matrices requires
operating in a narrow range of formulations and processing conditions. In this
report, we show that block-copolymer vesicles dispersed in an epoxy matrix could
be obtained through a sphere-to-cylinder-to-vesicle micellar transition induced
by visible-light photopolymerization at room temperature. A 10 wt% colloidal
solution of poly(ethylene-co-butene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEB-b-PEO) block
copolymer (BCP) in an epoxy monomer (DGEBA) self-assembled into spherical
micelles as shown by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). During a slow
photopolymerization of the epoxy monomer carried out at room temperature, a
sphere-to-cylinder-to-vesicle transition took place as revealed by in situ SAXS
and TEM images. This was driven by the tendency of the system to reduce the local
interfacial curvature as a response to a decrease in the miscibility of PEO
blocks in the polymerizing epoxy matrix. When the BCP concentration was increased
from 10 to 20 and 40 wt%, the final structure evolved from bilayer vesicles to
multilayer vesicles and to lamellae, respectively. In particular, for 20 wt% PEB
b-PEO, transient structures such as partially fused multilayered vesicles were
observed by TEM, giving insight into the growth mechanism of multilayer vesicles.
On the contrary, when a relatively fast thermal polymerization was performed at
80 degrees C, the final morphology consisted of kinetically trapped spherical
and cylindrical micelles. Hopefully, this study will lead to new protocols for
the preparation of vesicles dispersed in epoxy matrices in a controlled way.
PMID- 28990628
TI - Computational identification of protein S-sulfenylation sites by incorporating
the multiple sequence features information.
AB - Cysteine S-sulfenylation is a major type of posttranslational modification that
contributes to protein structure and function regulation in many cellular
processes. Experimental identification of S-sulfenylation sites is challenging,
due to the low abundance of proteins and the inefficient experimental methods.
Computational identification of S-sulfenylation sites is an alternative strategy
to annotate the S-sulfenylated proteome. In this study, a novel computational
predictor SulCysSite was developed for accurate prediction of S-sulfenylation
sites based on multiple sequence features, including amino acid index properties,
binary amino acid codes, position specific scoring matrix, and compositions of
profile-based amino acids. To learn the prediction model of SulCysSite, a random
forest classifier was applied. The final SulCysSite achieved an AUC value of
0.819 in a 10-fold cross-validation test. It also exhibited higher performance
than other existing computational predictors. In addition, the hidden and complex
mechanisms were extracted from the predictive model of SulCysSite to investigate
the understandable rules (i.e. feature combination) of S-sulfenylation sites. The
SulCysSite is a useful computational resource for prediction of S-sulfenylation
sites. The online interface and datasets are publicly available at .
PMID- 28990629
TI - The electrochemical effect of various Si/Zr molar ratios on anode materials in
lithium-ion batteries.
AB - The aim of this study was to unveil the mechanisms of SiO2/ZrO2 (SSZ) anode
materials through electrochemical analysis and to understand the effect of
various Si/Zr molar ratios (Si/Zr = 0.5, 1, and 2) on the performance of SSZ
anode materials with these mechanisms. The 2-SSZ (Si/Zr = 2) electrode had a much
higher capacity than that of the 0.5- or 1-SSZ (Si/Zr = 0.5 or 1) electrode. It
exhibited superior cycling performance when compared to commercial graphite
(theoretical capacity of 372 mA h g-1). The 2-SSZ had a capacity of 461 mA h g-1
at a high current density of 100 mA g-1 over 30 cycles. These characteristics are
due to the effects from each of the different reversible materials formed by the
SSZs. Zr2Si and Zr5Si3, ZrSi, or ZrSi2 were formed by the 0.5-, 1-, and 2-SSZs,
respectively, which would affect the reversible storage capacity. ZrSi2 provided
an increase in the possible reaction area for the guest species (lithium ions) at
the empty interstitial site in the host materials as well as a large area for
accommodating a volume change. It was supportive by maintaining the lattice
constant and reducing the ratio of the structure distortion. Furthermore, the 2
SSZ structure consisted of an overall amorphous structure with a crystalline
structure related to the Zr-O-Si bond unlike the 0.5- and 1-SSZs which had an
overall crystalline structure. Such a combined structure of 2-SSZ was
advantageous for providing good capacity due to the amorphous structure and an
efficient pathway for electron transport and little pulverization due to the
crystalline structure. This structure led to its superior performance and long
lifespan.
PMID- 28990630
TI - Synergistic effect of polymer encapsulated silver nanoparticle doped WS2 sheets
for plasmon enhanced 2D/3D heterojunction photodetectors.
AB - Chemical doping and plasmonic enhanced photoresponsivity of two dimensional (2D)
n-WS2/p-Si heterojunctions are demonstrated for the first time. Novel PVP coated
Ag0 intercalation induced synthesis has led to the formation of impurity-free,
chemically doped few-layer n-WS2 with reversed conductivity following the Maxwell
Wagner-Sillars interfacial effect. The resultant composite film exhibits
excellent stability and tunable plasmonic absorption due to silver nanoparticles
of different sizes. A sharp band-edge absorption of the hybrid material indicates
the presence of spin-orbit coupled direct band gap transitions in WS2 layers, in
addition to a broader plasmonic peak attributed to Ag nanoparticles. Stabilized
Ag-nanoparticle (~4-6 nm) embedded electron rich n-WS2 has been used to fabricate
plasmon enhanced, silicon compatible heterojunction photodetectors. The detectors
exhibited superior properties, possessing a photo-to-dark current ratio of ~103,
a very high responsivity (8.0 A W-1) and an EQE of 2000% under 10 V bias with a
broad spectral photoresponse in the wavelength range of 400-1100 nm. The results
provide a new paradigm for intercalant impurity-free metal nanoparticle assisted
exfoliation of n-type few-layer WS2, with the nanoparticles playing a dual role
towards the realization of 2D materials based broadband heterojunction
optoelectronic devices by inducing chemical doping as well as tunable plasmon
enhanced absorption.
PMID- 28990632
TI - The use of RGD-engineered exosomes for enhanced targeting ability and synergistic
therapy toward angiogenesis.
AB - Promoted therapeutic angiogenesis is a major objective in the area of
regenerative medicine, and sufficient vascularization of artificial tissues or
organs is one of the main difficulties for the realization of tissue engineering
methods. The identification of new kinds of pro-angiogenic materials will greatly
profit developments in regenerative medicine. The use of exosomes for this
intention is a considerably new idea developed in recent years. However, several
limitations need to be addressed before their use as clinical therapeutics,
including the lack of efficient exosome enrichment and methods to endow exosomes
with targeting ability. Herein, we pioneered biomimetic particles with
topographic structures for exosome isolation. Using this system, nearly 80% of
exosomes were isolated in 30 min. Through a donor cell-assisted membrane
modification strategy, the isolated exosomes exhibited increased targeting to
blood vessels due to the modified Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide on the exosome
membrane, and simultaneously possessed a synergistic therapeutic angiogenesis
effect and angiogenesis imaging attributed to metabolic labeling by click
chemistry both in vitro and in vivo. The engineered exosomes represent a
potential new therapeutic tool for angiogenesis therapy and imaging in a bio
friendly manner.
PMID- 28990631
TI - A chemosensor for micro- to nano-molar detection of Ag+ and Hg2+ ions in pure
aqueous media and its applications in cell imaging.
AB - The pyridine substituted thiourea derivative PTB-1 was synthesized and
characterized by spectroscopic techniques as well as by single crystal X-ray
crystallography. The metal ion sensing ability of PTB-1 was explored by various
experimental (naked-eye, UV-Vis, fluorescence, mass spectrometry and 1H NMR
spectroscopy) and theoretical (B3LYP/6-31G**/LANL2DZ) methods. PTB-1 exhibited a
highly selective naked-eye detectable color change from colorless to dark brown
and UV-Vis spectral changes for the detection of Ag+ with a detection limit of
3.67 MUM in aqueous medium. The detection of Ag+ ions was achieved by test paper
strip and supported silica methods. In contrast, PTB-1 exhibited a 23-fold
enhanced emission at 420 nm in the presence of Hg2+ ions with a nano-molar
detection limit of 0.69 nM. Finally, the sensor PTB-1 was applied successfully
for the intracellular detection of Hg2+ ions in a HepG2 liver cell line, which
was monitored by the use of confocal imaging techniques.
PMID- 28990633
TI - A Tailor-Made Exercise Program for Improving Balance and Mobility in Older Adults
With Type 2 Diabetes.
AB - Effectiveness of an exercise program designed for improving postural control and
mobility in older adults with type 2 diabetes was investigated. Ninety-three
adults 65 or older diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and able to walk unaided were
recruited. The intervention group received exercise training focused on ankle
strengthening and mobility twice per week for 10 weeks. The control group did not
participate in any exercise program. After 10 weeks, the intervention group
showed significantly greater improvement in the mean Sensory Organization Test
composite score (4.4 vs. 0.3; p = 0.01) as well as visual ratio (0.1 vs. 0.002; p
= 0.01) and vestibular ratio (0.1 vs. 0.003; p < 0.001) than the control group
after adjusting for covariates. A greater trend of improvement in the Timed Up
and Go and Single-Leg Stance Test was also found in the intervention group.
Exercise training focusing on the ankle is effective in enhancing the postural
stability of older adults with type 2 diabetes and can potentially be effective
in improving single-leg standing balance and mobility. [Journal of Gerontological
Nursing, 44(2), 41-48.].
PMID- 28990635
TI - Nurses' Communication of Safety Events to Nursing Home Residents and Families.
AB - Although communication is an essential part of the nursing process, nurses have
little to no formal education in how to best communicate patient safety event
(PSE) information to nursing home (NH) residents and their family members. The
current mixed-methods study tested an intervention aimed at educating nurses on
how to communicate a PSE to residents/family members using a structured
communication tool. Nurse participants improved their knowledge of PSE
communication, especially about the cause of the event, what they would say to
the resident/family member, and future prevention of the PSE. Through qualitative
subgroup analysis, an increased number of empathic statements were noted post
intervention. The tool tested in this study provides structure to an important
care process that is necessary for improving the culture of safety in NH
settings. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(2), 25-32.].
PMID- 28990634
TI - Understanding End-of-Life Decision-Making Terminology Among African American
Older Adults.
AB - The purpose of the current study was to examine understanding of end-of-life
(EOL) decision-making terminology among family caregivers of African American
older adults with dementia. This qualitative descriptive study was part of a
larger mixed-methods study from which a subset of caregivers (n = 18) completed
interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analyses
guided by methods of qualitative analysis. Caregiver interpretation of EOL
decision-making terminology varied between associations before and/or after
death. EOL decision making was most often a family decision, based on past
experiences, and included reliance on resources such as faith or spirituality and
health care providers. Patients and families attach meaning to health care terms
that should be aligned with health care providers' understanding of those terms.
Results provide insight to improve EOL decision making in this population via
tailored interventions for patients, families, and health care providers.
[Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(2), 33-40.].
PMID- 28990636
TI - Preferences for Everyday Living: Understanding the Impact of Cognitive Status on
Preference Importance Ratings in Nursing Homes.
AB - Assessing everyday living preferences for nursing home residents is a cornerstone
of delivering person-centered care (PCC), yet little is known about how cognitive
ability can influence the importance of reported preferences. The current study
examined the effect of cognitive ability on the level and stability of reported
importance of preferences for everyday living in a sample of 255 nursing home
residents across 3 months. Participants were grouped by cognitive impairment
status (none-to-low, mild, and moderate) at baseline and completed the
Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory, Nursing Home version interview at
baseline and 3 months. Repeated measures analyses of covariance revealed no
significant differences (p > 0.001) between cognitive groups on their reported
level of importance of preferences at baseline and no significant change over 3
months. These data highlight the value of assessing everyday care preferences to
help support delivery of PCC for individuals with and without cognitive
impairment. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(5), 9-17.].
PMID- 28990637
TI - Qualitative Study of Depression Literacy Among Korean American Parents of
Adolescents.
AB - Lack of depression literacy is associated with low help-seeking behaviors for
mental health care in adolescents. As parents generally determine adolescents'
health care, ensuring parents can recognize depressive symptoms is crucial. The
current study explored depression literacy among Korean American parents of
adolescents ages 12 to 19 using a qualitative descriptive design. Semantic
content analysis was performed using data from three focus group interviews
conducted in 2015 with Korean American parents (10 mothers, four fathers) of
adolescents. Participants lacked knowledge about the biological causes and
medicinal treatment of depression. Most believed that depression cannot be fully
treated, relapses occur easily, and medication is taken indefinitely. Gender
influenced perceptions of symptoms. Parents often overlooked children's
depressive symptoms until schools alerted them. Nursing interventions should
educate parents about the biological causes of depression, strategies for
addressing adolescents' symptoms, community-based professional resources, and
success stories about depression treatment. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and
Mental Health Services, 56(1), 48-56.].
PMID- 28990638
TI - Emotional and Psychosocial Problems Encountered by Children Who Have Been
Sexually Abused.
AB - The current descriptive analysis sought to identify the emotional and
psychosocial problems experienced by children who have been sexually abused. Of
518 children with a history of sexual abuse who applied to the Child Protection
Center, 443 were included in the study. Approximately 71.6% of children were
subject to sexual abuse entailing penetration, whereas 69% were subject to sexual
abuse not entailing penetration. After-effects reported included despair (46.5%),
fear of reoccurrence of the incident (52.8%), distrust of others (36.8%),
difficulty sleeping (32.7%), negative expectations about the future (32.1%), and
self-blame (31.1%). Nurses have crucial roles and functions in the protection,
improvement, treatment, and rehabilitation of the health of children who have
been sexually abused. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health
Services, 56(2), 37-43.].
PMID- 28990639
TI - Pharmacogenomics and Psychiatric Clinical Care.
AB - Approximately one in five individuals in the United States experiences mental
health issues in any given year, and these disorders are consistently among the
leading causes of years lived with disability. Unfortunately, many mental
illnesses are lifelong conditions that require medication and therapy to improve
quality of life, yet clinical trial data show that many patients fail to achieve
remission or require several pharmacological interventions prior to remission.
These results indicate a need to address the variability among patients in their
response to medication, in addition to developing treatment plans tailored to the
individual. One approach that may help explain patient variability in response to
medication is pharmacogenetic testing. The current review shows the clinical use
of pharmacogenetic testing in a small subset of gene variants and how they
pertain to psychiatric illness and treatment. Recent evidence suggests that
genetic testing for psychiatric illness can improve patient outcomes in addition
to decreasing health care costs. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental
Health Services, 56(1), 22-31.].
PMID- 28990640
TI - Very Late-Onset Schizophrenia-Like Psychosis: A Clinical Update.
AB - Psychosis symptoms (delusions and hallucinations) are multifactorial in origin
and, in later life, occur in the context of schizophrenia, delirium, dementia,
delusional and schizophrenia-like disorders, mood disorders, and alcohol or
substance abuse. The current article provides a clinical overview of very late
onset (after age 60) schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP), summarizing the
literature on treatment options and reflecting on the role of psychiatric-mental
health nurses (PMHNs). Increased awareness of the clinical presentation, key
features, and evidence-based treatment options will assist PMHNs to confidently
recognize this often under-diagnosed disorder and adopt a more assertive role in
terms of engagement and follow up. Pragmatic research involving individuals with
VLOSLP is required to increase the evidence base for treatment and improve
outcomes of care. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services,
56(1), 37-47.].
PMID- 28990641
TI - Dignity in Older Adults With Schizophrenia Residing in Assisted Living
Facilities.
AB - There is a lack of nursing literature on older adults' perceptions of dignity,
specifically those of older adults with schizophrenia. With the aging population,
mental health services and support for older adults with schizophrenia will
become a greater priority. The purpose of the current descriptive
phenomenological study was to describe the meaning of the lived experience of
dignity for older adults with schizophrenia residing in assisted living
facilities. A purposive sample of eight older adults with schizophrenia residing
in assisted living facilities participated in semi-structured interviews
following the descriptive phenomenological psychological method. Five intertwined
constituents were identified: (1) dignity is an intrinsic or self-regarding
experience; (2) dignity is an experience that is reciprocal, extrinsic, and
regards others, and is embedded in social relationships; (3) dignity can be
eroded by ageism, stigma, discrimination, and alienation; (4) dignity can be
interrupted when positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia are present and
misunderstood by others; and (5) dignity can be enhanced when oneself and others
embrace a recovery-focused relationship. Implications for mental health nursing
are provided. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56(2),
20-28.].
PMID- 28990642
TI - Quantitative phase microscopy for evaluation of intestinal inflammation and wound
healing utilizing label-free biophysical markers.
AB - Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are inflammatory disorders of the
gastrointestinal tract characterized by a chronic relapsing disease course. As
uncontrolled intestinal inflammation can result in severe disease complications,
recent treatment targets of IBD evolved toward seeking the absence of mucosal and
histological inflammation. However, this approach requires adequate histological
evaluation of IBD disease activity. The diagnostic challenge of histological
examination of intestinal inflammation is documented by the multitude of proposed
histological scoring systems. In this context, we review quantitative phase
imaging (QPI) techniques such as digital holographic microscopy (DHM) for
characterizing intestinal inflammation. DHM determines optical path-length delays
in a stain-free manner, thereby providing the tissue refractive index as a
biophysical marker that directly correlates to tissue density. Recently, DHM has
been successfully applied in cell biology, cancer cell research and infectious
induced cellular alterations. We summarized the capabilities of DHM and related
QPI techniques to assess the severity of intestinal inflammation in experimental
colitis as well as in colonic samples from human IBD patients. Moreover, we
illustrate major advantages of DHM facilitated multimodal evaluation of
epithelial wound healing processes as assessed by physical parameters like cell
volume, density, thickness and dry mass in vitro. Furthermore, potential
limitations of DHM and future utilities of QPI are discussed. In conclusion, DHM
represents a promising, easy-to-use quantitative tool to provide accurate and
objective assessment of intestinal inflammation and may pave the way towards
automated label-free digital pathology and related in vitro cell culture analysis
in future.
PMID- 28990643
TI - [Commercial video games in the rehabilitation of patients with sub-acute stroke:
a pilot study].
AB - INTRODUCTION: Stroke generates dependence on the patients due to the various
impairments associated. The use of low-cost technologies for neurological
rehabilitation may be beneficial for the treatment of these patients. AIM: To
determine whether combined treatment using a semi-immersive virtual reality
protocol to an interdisciplinary rehabilitation approach, improve balance and
postural control, functional independence, quality of life, motivation, self
esteem and adherence to intervention in stroke patients in subacute stage.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A longitudinal prospective study with pre and post
intervention evaluation was carried out. Fourteen were recruited at La Fuenfria
Hospital (Spain) and completed the intervention. Experimental intervention was
performed during eight weeks in combination with conventional treatment of
physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Each session was increased in time and
intensity, using commercial video games linked to Xbox 360 degrees videoconsole
and Kinect sensor. RESULTS: There were statistical significant improvements in
modified Rankin scale (p = 0.04), baropodometry (load distribution, p = 0.03;
support surface, p = 0.01), Barthel Index (p = 0.01), EQ-5D Questionnaire (p =
0.01), motivation (p = 0.02), self-esteem (p = 0.01) and adherence to the
intervention (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: An interdisciplinary rehabilitation
approach supplemented with semi-immersive virtual reality seems to be useful for
improving balance and postural control, functional independence in basic
activities of daily living, quality of life, as well as motivation and self
esteem, with excellent adherence. This intervention modality could be adopted as
a therapeutic tool in neurological rehabilitation of stroke patients in subacute
stage.
PMID- 28990644
TI - [Relationship between homocysteinaemia and sympathetic skin response in
Parkinson's disease].
AB - INTRODUCTION: High levels of homocysteine linked to treatment with levodopa have
been observed in patients with Parkinsons disease (PD). Our aim was to assess the
influence of serum homocysteine levels and other PD-related on the sympathetic
skin response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was
conducted that consecutively included patients with PD. We unilaterally assessed
the sympathetic skin response in the upper limbs. We measured the influence of PD
severity (measured by the Hoehn and Yahr and the Schwab and England scales, and
the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale) and blood homocysteine, vitamin B12
and folic acid levels on the latency and amplitude of the sympathetic skin
response. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients were enrolled, and all achieved a
sympathetic skin response. In the bivariate analysis, latency was significantly
correlated with age, age at PD onset and homocysteinaemia levels. The presence of
hyper-homocysteinemia was associated with a longer latency. The amplitude was
only correlated with the score on the Schwab and England scale. In the
multivariate analysis, age was the only variable that showed a significant
association with the latency duration and homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION: A
direct association could not be established between the increase in
homocysteinaemia levels and sympathetic skin response dysfunction in PD. The
results of the multivariate analysis suggest that latency prolongation in elderly
patients could be due to the fact that these patients have higher blood levels of
homocysteinaemia.
PMID- 28990645
TI - [Transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of fibromyalgia: a
systematic review].
AB - INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia is a multisymptomatic diffuse chronic musculoskeletal
pain syndrome with evidence of central nervous system dysfunction. Accordingly,
non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial direct current
stimulation (tDCS) may be a complementary therapeutic resource to reduce pain
perception. AIMS: To review the potential effectiveness of tDCS to reduce pain in
fibromyalgia, to identify the most effective neurostimulation parameters and to
delimit its safety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Systematic review of prospective
studies reported in PubMed and Cochrane reviews. RESULTS: The anodal tDCS of the
left primary motor cortex, at 2mA for 20 minutes with 35 cm2 electrodes on five
consecutive days, provides better results in reducing pain (14-59%), and
improving sleep quality, with greater accentuation on the fifth day. The clinical
improvement persists up to a minimum of 60 days (11-20% reduction of pain).
Adverse effects are well tolerated and few. CONCLUSIONS: The experience with tDCS
in fibromyalgia is still limited. However, the anodal tDCS in the left primary
motor cortex can be recommended with level B (probable therapeutic efficacy) and
appears to act through the modification of the sensorial processing of the pain
of thalamic inhibitory circuitry.
PMID- 28990646
TI - [Clinical profile and satisfaction with anticoagulated treatment in patients with
non-valvular atrial fibrillation attended in Internal Medicine and Neurology
departments of Spain].
AB - AIM: To determine the clinical profile, management of anticoagulant treatment and
satisfaction related to anticoagulation in outpatients with nonvalvular atrial
fibrillation attended in Neurology or Internal Medicine departments of Spain.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and multicenter study, in which 1,337
outpatients were included. Patients fulfilled ACTS, SAT-Q and EQ-5D
questionnaires. RESULTS: 865 patients (64.7%) were recruited from Neurology
department and 472 (35.3%) from Internal Medicine department. Those patients
attended in Internal Medicine department were older and had more frequently
hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, renal insufficiency and peripheral artery
disease. Those patients attended in Neurology department had more commonly prior
stroke. Overall, CHADS2 score was 3.2 +/- 1.3, CHA2DS2-Vasc 4.8 +/- 1.5 and HAS
BLED 2.0 +/- 0.9. All scores were higher in those patients attended in Neurology
department. Globally, 56.1% of patients were taking vitamin K antagonists, more
commonly in Internal Medicine department. The adequate percent of time in
therapeutic range was 47% (Rosendaal), without significant differences between
groups. Satisfaction with oral anticoagulation was high in both groups, but
higher in those attended in Neurology department, and higher in those individuals
taking direct oral anticoagulants compared with vitamin K antagonists.
CONCLUSIONS: Although there were some differences in the clinical profile of
patients with atrial fibrillation attended in Neurology or Internal Medicine
departments, all of them had many comorbidities and a high thromboembolic risk.
Despite INR control was poor, the most common oral anticoagulant used were
vitamin K antagonists. Satisfaction related to oral anticoagulation was high.
PMID- 28990647
TI - [Medullar thoracic compression by tophaceous gout: presentation of a case and
review of the literature].
AB - INTRODUCTION: Spine involvement in gout is an extremely uncommon complication.
Dorsalgia and quadriplegia are some manifestations that may occur, although these
symptoms are seen more frequently in other more prevalent pathologies, such as
spinal tumors. CASE REPORT: We present an unusual case of thoracic spinal cord
compression at T10-T11 level caused by the extradural deposit of tophaceous
material in a 52-year-old woman with uncontrolled chronic tophaceous gout. In
addition to intensive medical treatment, the patient required surgery
(hemilaminectomy and spinal decompression) and subsequent rehabilitation. Overall
and neurological evolution were satisfactory.
PMID- 28990648
TI - [Patients organizations and new drug approval in the US. Eteplirsen and Duchenne
muscular dystrophy case].
AB - INTRODUCTION: In 2016 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the
marketing authorization for eteplirsen for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This has
been a very controversial decision since it happened after a negative assessment
from both the Advisory Committee and the technical FDA evaluation team. The FDA's
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) director was who ultimately
approved the product, while the FDA Commissioner did not overrule that decision.
AIM: To report about the most relevant events regarding the approval of
eteplirsen by the US FDA. DEVELOPMENT: All relevant facts that occurred during
the clinical development and evaluation phase following 'accelerated approval'
procedure of eteplirsen are discussed in detail. The technical FDA evaluation
team reasons supporting that the drug has not proven clinical benefit, the
attitude of patient advocacy groups and the post-approval FDA requirements to the
marketing authorization holder are discussed. Finally, we reflect on what is the
situation Spanish patients face once eteplirsen is on the US market. CONCLUSIONS:
This is a unique case in the history of drug authorizations in western countries,
that shows the difficulties that current regulations on accelerated approval of
new medicines could have when interpreting scarce and low quality clinical
development data, when dealing with rare diseases with no available therapies.
PMID- 28990649
TI - [Not Available].
PMID- 28990650
TI - [Not Available].
PMID- 28990651
TI - Randomized feasibility trial of high-intensity interval training before elective
abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
AB - BACKGROUND: This study assessed the feasibility of a preoperative high-intensity
interval training (HIT) programme in patients awaiting elective abdominal aortic
aneurysm repair. METHODS: In this feasibility trial, participants were allocated
by minimization to preoperative HIT or usual care. Patients in the HIT group were
offered three exercise sessions per week for 4 weeks, and weekly maintenance
sessions if surgery was delayed. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes were:
rates of screening, eligibility, recruitment, retention, outcome completion,
adverse events and adherence to exercise. Data on exercise enjoyment (Physical
Activity Enjoyment Scale, PACES), cardiorespiratory fitness (anaerobic threshold
and peak oxygen uptake), quality of life, postoperative morbidity and mortality,
duration of hospital stay and healthcare utilization were also collected.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were allocated to HIT and 26 to usual care
(controls). Screening, eligibility, recruitment, retention and outcome completion
rates were 100 per cent (556 of 556), 43.2 per cent (240 of 556), 22.1 per cent
(53 of 240), 91 per cent (48 of 53) and 79-92 per cent respectively. The overall
exercise session attendance rate was 75.8 per cent (276 of 364), and the
mean(s.d.) PACES score after the programme was 98(19) ('enjoyable'); however, the
intensity of exercise was generally lower than intended. The mean anaerobic
threshold after exercise training (adjusted for baseline score and minimization
variables) was 11.7 ml per kg per min in the exercise group and 11.4 ml per kg
per min in controls (difference 0.3 (95 per cent c.i. -0.4 to 1.1) ml per kg per
min). There were trivial-to-small differences in postoperative clinical and
patient-reported outcomes between the exercise and control groups. CONCLUSION:
Despite the intensity of exercise being generally lower than intended, the
findings support the feasibility and acceptability of both preoperative HIT and
the trial procedures. A definitive trial is warranted. Registration number:
ISRCTN09433624 ( https://www.isrctn.com/).
PMID- 28990653
TI - Mechanism of in-vitro inhibition of UGT1A1 by paritaprevir.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The direct-acting protease inhibitor paritaprevir is a new pharmaco
logic option available for treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV). Paritaprevir
is reported to inhibit human UGT 1A1, but the mechanism of inhibition and its
possible clinical consequences are not established. Our objective was to evaluate
the in-vitro metabolic interaction between paritaprevir and the oral
contraceptive steroid ethinyl estradiol (EE), a UGT 1A1 substrate. METHODS:
Enzyme kinetic parameters were determined using human liver microsomes for the
biotransformation of EE to its glucuronide metabolites, and the potency and
mechanism of inhibition by paritaprevir. Probenecid was used as a reference
inhibitor for purposes of assay validation. KEY FINDINGS: The underlying pattern
of EE kinetics was complex, with evidence of substrate inhibition. The in-vitro
inhibition constant (Ki ) value for paritaprevir vs EE on average was 20 MUm and
was consistent with a competitive inhibition mechanism. The ratio of in-vivo
maximum plasma concentration of paritaprevir to in-vitro Ki was <0.1.
CONCLUSIONS: Paritaprevir is an in-vitro inhibitor of UGT 1A1. However, the in
vitro Ki value relative to maximum clinical plasma concentrations is below the
threshold to trigger a recommendation for pharmacokinetic drug interaction
studies.
PMID- 28990652
TI - Bronchiectasis and deteriorating lung function in agammaglobulinaemia despite
immunoglobulin replacement therapy.
AB - Immunoglobulin replacement therapy enhances survival and reduces infection risk
in patients with agammaglobulinaemia. We hypothesized that despite regular
immunoglobulin therapy, some patients will experience ongoing respiratory
infections and develop progressive bronchiectasis with deteriorating lung
function. One hundred and thirty-nine (70%) of 199 patients aged 1-80 years from
nine cities in the United Kingdom with agammaglobulinaemia currently listed on
the UK Primary Immune Deficiency (UKPID) registry were recruited into this
retrospective case study and their clinical and laboratory features analysed; 94%
were male, 78% of whom had Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene mutations. All
patients were on immunoglobulin replacement therapy and 52% had commenced therapy
by the time they were 2 years old. Sixty per cent were also taking prophylactic
oral antibiotics; 56% of patients had radiological evidence of bronchiectasis,
which developed between the ages of 7 and 45 years. Multivariate analysis showed
that three factors were associated significantly with bronchiectasis: reaching 18
years old [relative risk (RR) = 14.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.7-74.6],
history of pneumonia (RR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.1-13.8) and intravenous immunoglobulin
(IVIG) rather than subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) = (RR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.2
10.1), while starting immunoglobulin replacement after reaching 2 years of age,
gender and recent serum IgG concentration were not associated significantly.
Independent of age, patients with bronchiectasis had significantly poorer lung
function [predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s 74% (50-91)] than those
without this complication [92% (84-101)] (P < 0.001). We conclude that despite
immunoglobulin replacement therapy, many patients with agammaglobulinaemia can
develop chronic lung disease and progressive impairment of lung function.
PMID- 28990654
TI - Analysis of volatiles in brown rice, germinated brown rice, and selenised
germinated brown rice during storage at different vacuum levels.
AB - BACKGROUND: The quality of nutritionally enhanced foods can be determined by
evaluating changes in the volatile compounds produced in these foods over time.
In this work, selenium-enriched germinated brown rice (Se-GBR), germinated brown
rice (GBR), and brown rice (BR) stored under 90% relative humidity, 38 degrees
C, and various vacuum levels were investigated. The relative abundance and
differences of volatile compounds in Se-GBR, GBR, and BR over various storage
periods were detected. The correlation of volatile compound abundance with vacuum
level and storage time was analysed using principal component analysis (PCA).
RESULTS: Volatile compounds in the three samples were quantified at various
storage periods (0, 90 and 150 days). Approximately 100 volatile compounds and
eight species were identified and classified. Various proportions or types of
volatile compounds were found in each sample at different sampling times. PCA
results showed an isolation of volatile compounds in terms of sampling day and
vacuum level at each storage period. CONCLUSION: Changes in volatile compounds
over time and vacuum levels can provide bases for assessing of the nutritional
quality of Se-GBR, GBR, and BR. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28990655
TI - Round window plugging in the treatment of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Objectives were to describe the use of round window
plugging for superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome and review further
recommendations regarding the procedure based on our experience and to compare
results with recent literature on round window plugging. STUDY DESIGN:
Retrospective case series. METHODS: Fourteen patients underwent round window
plugging for superior semicircular canal dehiscence at our institution from 2012
to 2015. All patients underwent the same surgical procedure. Available pre- and
postoperative data were reviewed. RESULTS: Fourteen patient charts were reviewed.
Symptoms of autophony improved in nine of 14 (64%) patients. Symptoms of pressure
induced vertigo improved in seven of 12 (58%) patients. Hennebert's sign that was
positive preoperatively only improved in one of six (17%) patients. A positive
preoperative vestibular evoked myogenic potential improved in only one of six
(17%) patients. Six of 13 (46%) patients had increased air conduction thresholds
postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Round window plugging has been described as a less
invasive treatment for patients with superior semicircular canal dehiscence.
Although the procedure did benefit some of our patients, successful outcomes were
not predictable. Improvement in at least one objective finding was seen in only
21% of the patients studied. Hennebert's sign and vestibular evoked myogenic
potentials that were positive preoperatively only improved in 17% of patients. At
our institution, round window plugging is no longer considered a reasonable
treatment option for most patients with superior semicircular canal dehiscence.
We recommend that further study on this topic follow a standardized pre- and
postoperative assessment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1445-1452,
2018.
PMID- 28990657
TI - Proper fin-clip sample collection for molecular analyses in the age of eDNA.
PMID- 28990656
TI - Optimisation of saponin extraction conditions with Camellia sinensis var.
assamica seed and its application for a natural detergent.
AB - BACKGROUND: Camellia sinensis var. assamica seed cake (a by-product of tea-seed
oil) is an abundant resource with poor utilisation. C. sinensis var. assamica
seed saponin (CSS) is one kind of non-ionic surfactant. In this study, the CSS
extraction conditions were optimised by response surface methodology (RSM) and
then the CSS detergent was developed. Additionally, the safety and
decontamination ability of the developed detergent were evaluated. RESULTS: The
optimised extraction conditions were including the extracting temperature of
40.04 degrees C, extraction time of 4.97 h, ethanol concentration of 64.11% and
liquid-solid ratio of 14.57:1 mL g-1 . The formula of the CSS detergent was as
follows: 20% crude CSS, 0.3% oxidised tea polyphenols (OTPs), 0.2% nisin, 0.3%
sodium dehydroacetate, 0.7% sodium alginate and 0.5% sodium polyacrylate. The
LD50 of the CSS detergent exceeds 14 g kg-1 in mice, indicating the detergent was
non-toxic. Both of the emulsifying and the pesticide residues removal abilities
of the CSS detergent were significantly stronger than the commercial detergent.
CONCLUSION: A natural tea seed saponin detergent with good safety and
decontamination ability was successfully developed. This can make better use of
the tea seed cake, thereby creating added value in the tea seed oil industry. (c)
2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28990659
TI - Persistence of STAT-1 inhibition and induction of cytokine resistance in
pancreatic beta cells treated with St John's wort and its component hyperforin.
AB - OBJECTIVES: St John's wort extract (SJW) and its component hyperforin (HPF) were
shown to potently inhibit cytokine-induced STAT-1 and NF-kappaB activation in
pancreatic beta cells and protect them against injury. This study aimed at
exploring the time course of STAT-1 inhibition afforded by these natural
compounds in the beta-cell line INS-1E. METHODS: INS-1E cells were pre-incubated
with SJW extract (2-5 MUg/ml) or HPF (0.5-2 MUm) and then exposed to a cytokine
mixture. In some experiments, these compounds were added after or removed before
cytokine exposure. STAT-1 activation was assessed by electrophoretic mobility
shift assay, apoptosis by caspase-3 activity assay, mRNA gene expression by RT
qPCR. KEY FINDINGS: Pre-incubation with SJW/HPF for 1-2 h exerted a remarkable
STAT-1 downregulation, which was maintained upon removal of the compounds before
early or delayed cytokine addition. When the protective compounds were added
after cell exposure to cytokines, between 15 and 90 min, STAT-1 inhibition also
occurred at a progressively decreasing extent. Upon 24-h incubation, SJW and HPF
counteracted cytokine-induced beta-cell dysfunction, apoptosis and target gene
expression. CONCLUSIONS: SJW and HPF confer to beta cells a state of 'cytokine
resistance', which can be elicited both before and after cytokine exposure and
safeguards these cells from deleterious cytokine effects.
PMID- 28990658
TI - Production of probiotic bovine salami using Lactobacillus plantarum 299v as
adjunct.
AB - BACKGROUND: Five probiotic lactobacilli were tested, alone or in combination with
two commercial starters, to select the most suitable strain for a probiotic
bovine salami production. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v was used with both
starters, to make salami according to a traditional recipe. Salami obtained by
using just the starters and by spontaneous fermentation, served as control.
Microbial dynamics, as well as the main physico-chemical parameters, were
monitored throughout ripening. The survival of probiotic 299v was confirmed by
strains' tracking by means of RAPD-PCR coupled to a culture-independent approach
PCR-DGGE-based. RESULTS: The results showed a remarkable viability of the
probiotic strain even after 60 days of storage. Experimental salami exhibited the
same level of sensory acceptance of control salami, were hygienically safe, and
characterised by pH, weight loss and microbiological loads within the ranges
conventionally advocated for optimal fermented sausages. CONCLUSION: Outcomes
indicate the workable possibility of using second-quality beef cuts for probiotic
salami production. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28990660
TI - Relationship of stroke risk and hearing loss in African Americans: The Jackson
Heart Study.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the relationships among measures of stroke
risk and hearing in an African American cardiovascular study cohort. STUDY
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: The relationships between stroke risk
profiles and hearing of 1,107 individuals from a cohort of African Americans were
assessed. Several different hearing pure-tone averages (PTAs) were constructed
representing different frequency regions of hearing, namely PTA low, PTA mid, and
PTA high. Stroke risk profiles were calculated using validated 10-year
cardiovascular disease risk scores. Gamma regression analyses were performed for
each PTA given as a continuous variable with change in stroke risk score.
Logistic regression analyses, presented as odds ratios, were performed with
hearing loss defined as any PTA >25 dB hearing level. Stratification models were
analyzed for age quarterlies and among sex. RESULTS: Single unit increases of
stroke risk percentage were found to be predictive of increases in all PTA
threshold levels in gamma regression analyses for the overall pooled sample. The
relationship was influenced by age, where fewer significant relationships were
observed at higher ages. When analyzed with respect to stroke risk categories,
using low risk as the reference group, there was found to be a significant
association between stroke risk and hearing loss in the medium- and high-risk
groups, with a stronger relationship in the high-risk group for all PTA threshold
levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that stroke risk has a positive
predictive relationship with hearing pure-tone threshold. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.
Laryngoscope, 128:1438-1444, 2018.
PMID- 28990661
TI - Second tympanostomy tube placement in children with recurrent acute otitis media.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the rate and predictors of electing for a
second bilateral myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement (BMT) in children
with recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart
review. METHODS: Charts of 600 children who underwent BMT for RAOM between 2012
and 2014 were reviewed. RESULTS: The overall rate of a second BMT was 15.2%
(91/600) and occurred a median of 1.58 years after the initial BMT. The most
common indication was continued RAOM with extruded tubes. There was a higher rate
of second BMT in patients of younger age (1.06 vs. 1.32 years old, P < .001) and
those with a positive family history of RAOM/BMT in a first-degree relative (odds
ratio [OR]: 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-2.73, P = .041).
Identification of middle ear fluid intraoperatively (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.22-3.26,
P = .005) but not preoperatively (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 0.98-3.57, P = .051) was
associated with higher rates of second BMT. Children with bilateral
intraoperative fluid (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.42-3.58, P < .001) or fluid both
preoperatively and intraoperatively (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.40-3.61, P = .001) had
greater higher risk of requiring second BMT. In this series, the finding of
blocked tubes or tube otorrhea at the first postoperative visit were not
predictive of an increased risk of second BMT. CONCLUSIONS: Children who
underwent BMT for RAOM were more likely to undergo second BMT if they were of
younger age, had a family history of RAOM/BMT, or were found to have middle ear
fluid intraoperatively. The overall second BMT rate for children with RAOM is
lower than in studies examining all BMT indications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.
Laryngoscope, 128:1476-1479, 2018.
PMID- 28990662
TI - The radioanatomy of endonasal flap coverage of skull base defects: A tool for
preoperative planning.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To develop a tool for the calculation of surgical skull
base defects and endonasal flap dimensions on preoperative computed tomography
(CT) to aid surgical planning. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: A literature
search was conducted to identify all endonasal flaps. There were five basic
models identified. These are the nasoseptal flap, anterior lateral nasal wall
flap, bipedicled anterior septal flap, posterior pedicled inferior turbinate
flap, and middle turbinate flap. Publications on the radioanatomy of endonasal
flaps and surgical skull base defects were also identified. Using these
descriptions as a reference, 38 radioanatomic variables were measured on CT scans
obtained from 60 preoperative endonasal skull base surgery patients. These were
then used to model endonasal flap coverage of six defects: transfrontal,
transcribriform, transplanar, transsellar, transsphenoidal, and transclival.
RESULTS: The nasoseptal provides adequate coverage for most defects. The
posteriorly pedicled inferior turbinate flap is a good alternative, and provides
better coverage of posterior skull base defects. The anterior lateral nasal wall
flap is the best choice for transfrontal defects. The middle turbinate flap and
bipedicled anterior septal flaps provide secondary options when larger flaps are
not available. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a simple tool for the calculation
of endonasal flap coverage of surgical skull base defects on preoperative CT
scans. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1287-1293, 2018.
PMID- 28990663
TI - Adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Tonsil and Adenoid Health
Status Instrument.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The Tonsil and Adenoid Health Status Instrument (TAHSI) is
a disease-specific questionnaire, intended for completion by parents, for
assessing quality of life related to tonsil and adenoid disease or its treatment
in children with throat disorders. The aim of this study was to validate the
Spanish adaptation of the TAHSI, thus allowing comparison across studies and
international multicenter projects. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter prospective
instrument validation study. METHODS: Guidelines for the cross-cultural
adaptation process from the original English-language scale into a Spanish
language version were followed. The psychometric properties (reproducibility,
reliability, validity, responsiveness) of the Spanish version of the TAHSI (s
TAHSI) were assessed in 51 consecutive children undergoing adeno/tonsillectomy
(both before and 6 months after surgery) and a separate cohort of 50 unaffected
children of comparable age range. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability (gamma = 0.8)
and internal consistency reliability (alpha = 0.95) were adequate. The s-TAHSI
demonstrated satisfactory content validity (r > 0.40). The instrument showed
excellent between-groups discrimination (P < .0001) and high responsiveness to
change (effect size = 2.09). CONCLUSIONS: Psychometric testing of the s-TAHSI
yielded satisfactory results, thus allowing assessment of the subjective severity
of throat disorders in children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c. Laryngoscope, 128:1469
1475, 2018.
PMID- 28990664
TI - Hormone receptors analysis in idiopathic progressive subglottic stenosis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic subglottic stenosis predominantly affects fertile and
perimenopausal women. Estrogens and/or progesterone have been proposed as
mediators of its pathogenesis by stimulating collagen deposition within the upper
airway. We evaluated the presence and expression of estrogen-alpha (ER-alpha),
estrogen-beta (ER-beta), and progesterone receptors (PR) in idiopathic stenotic
patients. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis on 42 surgical specimens from
idiopathic stenosis female patients (mean age, 52.4; age range, 31-79) and 28
gender- and age-matched controls. METHODS: Immunoreactivity of ER-alpha, ER-beta,
and PR was calculated as the product of intensity (1 = weak, 2 = moderate, 3 =
strong) and positive cell percentage (1-4, for < 10/10-50/50-80/ > 80%). This
score was calculated on the stenotic and peristenotic tissues. Influence of
menopausal status on hormonal expression and stenotic grade was tested. RESULTS:
Stenosis showed ER-alpha overexpression versus peristenotic tissue and controls
(score 6.6 +/- 4.4, 0.3 +/- 0.5, and 2.2 +/- 1.5, respectively; P < 0.001).
Overexpression was even more marked for progesterone receptors (score 8.3 +/-
3.6, 0.8 +/- 0.6, and 1.0 +/- 0.7, respectively; P < 0.001). There was no
expression of ER-beta in stenosis (score 0), whereas it was normally expressed in
peristenotic tissue and controls (score 0.7 +/- 0.5 and 0.5 +/- 0.5; P < 0.001
vs. stenosis). Expression of ER-alpha was higher in postmenopausal stenotic
patients (P < 0.01). This subgroup included a higher proportion of Cotton-Myer
grade III stenosis than in premenopausal subjects (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An
imbalance between ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PR is present in idiopathic stenosis
patients. The hormonal background may be involved in inappropriate inflammation
and increased stenosis susceptibility. Menopausal changes seem to play a role in
both stenosis grade and receptor patterns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope,
128:E72-E77, 2018.
PMID- 28990665
TI - Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for fibromyalgia in adults.
AB - BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is characterised by persistent, widespread pain; sleep
problems; and fatigue. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is the
delivery of pulsed electrical currents across the intact surface of the skin to
stimulate peripheral nerves and is used extensively to manage painful conditions.
TENS is inexpensive, safe, and can be self-administered. TENS reduces pain during
movement in some people so it may be a useful adjunct to assist participation in
exercise and activities of daily living. To date, there has been only one
systematic review in 2012 which included TENS, amongst other treatments, for
fibromyalgia, and the authors concluded that TENS was not effective. OBJECTIVES:
To assess the analgesic efficacy and adverse events of TENS alone or added to
usual care (including exercise) compared with placebo (sham) TENS; no treatment;
exercise alone; or other treatment including medication, electroacupuncture,
warmth therapy, or hydrotherapy for fibromyalgia in adults. SEARCH METHODS: We
searched the following electronic databases up to 18 January 2017: CENTRAL
(CRSO); MEDLINE (Ovid); Embase (Ovid); CINAHL (EBSCO); PsycINFO (Ovid); LILACS;
PEDRO; Web of Science (ISI); AMED (Ovid); and SPORTDiscus (EBSCO). We also
searched three trial registries. There were no language restrictions. SELECTION
CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-randomised
trials of TENS treatment for pain associated with fibromyalgia in adults. We
included cross-over and parallel-group trial designs. We included studies that
evaluated TENS administered using non-invasive techniques at intensities that
produced perceptible TENS sensations during stimulation at either the site of
pain or over nerve bundles proximal (or near) to the site of pain. We included
TENS administered as a sole treatment or TENS in combination with other
treatments, and TENS given as a single treatment or as a course of treatments.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently determined study
eligibility by assessing each record and reaching agreement by discussion. A
third review author acted as arbiter. We did not anonymise the records of studies
before assessment. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed
risk of bias of included studies before entering information into a
'Characteristics of included studies' table. Primary outcomes were participant
reported pain relief from baseline of 30% or greater or 50% or greater, and
Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). We assessed the evidence using GRADE
and added 'Summary of findings' tables. MAIN RESULTS: We included eight studies
(seven RCTs, one quasi-RCT, 315 adults (299 women), aged 18 to 75 years): six
used a parallel-group design and two used a cross-over design. Sample sizes of
intervention arms were five to 43 participants.Two studies, one of which was a
cross-over design, compared TENS with placebo TENS (82 participants), one study
compared TENS with no treatment (43 participants), and four studies compared TENS
with other treatments (medication (two studies, 74 participants),
electroacupuncture (one study, 44 participants), superficial warmth (one cross
over study, 32 participants), and hydrotherapy (one study, 10 participants)). Two
studies compared TENS plus exercise with exercise alone (98 participants, 49 per
treatment arm). None of the studies measured participant-reported pain relief of
50% or greater or PGIC. Overall, the studies were at unclear or high risk of
bias, and in particular all were at high risk of bias for sample size.Only one
study (14 participants) measured the primary outcome participant-reported pain
relief of 30% or greater. Thirty percent achieved 30% or greater reduction in
pain with TENS and exercise compared with 13% with exercise alone. One study
found 10/28 participants reported pain relief of 25% or greater with TENS
compared with 10/24 participants using superficial warmth (42 degrees C). We
judged that statistical pooling was not possible because there were insufficient
data and outcomes were not homogeneous.There were no data for the primary
outcomes participant-reported pain relief from baseline of 50% or greater and
PGIC.There was a paucity of data for secondary outcomes. One pilot cross-over
study of 43 participants found that the mean (95% confidence intervals (CI))
decrease in pain intensity on movement (100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS))
during one 30-minute treatment was 11.1 mm (95% CI 5.9 to 16.3) for TENS and 2.3
mm (95% CI 2.4 to 7.7) for placebo TENS. There were no significant differences
between TENS and placebo for pain at rest. One parallel group study of 39
participants found that mean +/- standard deviation (SD) pain intensity (100-mm
VAS) decreased from 85 +/- 20 mm at baseline to 43 +/- 20 mm after one week of
dual-site TENS; decreased from 85 +/- 10 mm at baseline to 60 +/- 10 mm after
single-site TENS; and decreased from 82 +/- 20 mm at baseline to 80 +/- 20 mm
after one week of placebo TENS. The authors of seven studies concluded that TENS
relieved pain but the findings of single small studies are unlikely to be
correct.One study found clinically important improvements in Fibromyalgia Impact
Questionnaire (FIQ) subscales for work performance, fatigue, stiffness, anxiety,
and depression for TENS with exercise compared with exercise alone. One study
found no additional improvements in FIQ scores when TENS was added to the first
three weeks of a 12-week supervised exercise programme.No serious adverse events
were reported in any of the studies although there were reports of TENS causing
minor discomfort in a total of 3 participants.The quality of evidence was very
low. We downgraded the GRADE rating mostly due to a lack of data; therefore, we
have little confidence in the effect estimates where available. AUTHORS'
CONCLUSIONS: There was insufficient high-quality evidence to support or refute
the use of TENS for fibromyalgia. We found a small number of inadequately powered
studies with incomplete reporting of methodologies and treatment interventions.
PMID- 28990666
TI - Updating the research on the chemopreventive and therapeutic role of the peptide
lunasin.
AB - Chronic diseases have become the medical challenge of the 21st century because of
their high incidence and mortality rates. Modulation of diet and lifestyle habits
is considered as the best strategy for the prevention of these disorders. Health
promoting benefits beyond their nutritional effects have been described for
multiple dietary compounds. Among these compounds, the peptide lunasin is
considered as one of the most promising. Naturally present in soybean, lunasin
has been extensively studied in the last two decades because of its potential
against chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and immunological
disorders. The purpose of this article is to summarise the evidence on the
presence of lunasin in soybean and derived foods, and its bioavailability once it
is orally ingested. The protective and therapeutic effects of this peptide
against cancer, oxidative stress, inflammation, and high cholesterol levels as
well as the molecular mechanisms of action involved in these effects are also
described in this review. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28990667
TI - The Indice Flesch-Szigriszt and Spanish Lexile Analyzer to evaluate Spanish
patient education materials in otolaryngology.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Evaluate the reading difficulty of Spanish patient
education materials using the validated Indice Flesch-Szigriszt (INFLESZ) and
Spanish Lexile Analyzer, and to identify relationships between English and
Spanish readability formulas. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. METHODS:
All otolaryngology-related patient education articles written in Spanish from the
health libraries of the top 10 US News & World Report-ranked hospitals, top 10
Doximity-ranked otolaryngology residencies, the American Academy of
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery website, and the US National Library of
Medicine online section on ears, nose and throat were collected. Reading
difficulty was assessed using the INFLESZ and Spanish Lexile Analyzer. Additional
readability assessments included the traditional English tools: Flesch-Kincaid
Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score, and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook
score. RESULTS: A total of 497 articles were reviewed. The average INFLESZ score
for all articles was 57.75, which is considered normal and requires the reading
ability of a student who finished Escuela Secundaria Obligatoria or 10th grade
equivalent in the United States. The average Spanish Lexile measure for all
articles was 1062L, equivalent to a reading level between the 6th and 12th grade.
English readability tools calculated a more difficult reading level compared to
Spanish tools when performed on the same text. CONCLUSIONS: Current Spanish
patient education materials in otolaryngology may be too difficult for the
average Spanish-speaking reader to understand. Future improvements may be
warranted to improve the readability of educational materials and increase health
literacy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:E21-E26, 2018.
PMID- 28990668
TI - Population panmixia and demographic expansion of a highly piscivorous marine fish
Scomberomorus niphonius.
AB - Population structure and demographic history of the Japanese Spanish mackerel
Scomberomorus niphonius a highly piscivorous and migratory marine fish, were
assessed using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences (n = 720) and
microsatellite genotypes at five loci (n = 1331) for samples collected on
Japanese coasts from 2001 to 2010. The population structure was panmictic and the
haplotype and allele frequencies were temporally stable even during the recent
recovery process. Demographic expansion was strongly supported throughout the
Pleistocene, suggesting that the oscillating glacial and interglacial climate
conditions in the Pleistocene had no substantial impact on the demographic
history of S. niphonius.
PMID- 28990669
TI - Effect of thyme oil-alginate-based coating on quality and microbial safety of
fresh-cut apples.
AB - BACKGROUND: Food preservation is critical for keeping fresh-cut products fresh,
nutritious, safe, attractive and available for consumers. To improve the safety
and quality of fresh-cut fruits, 15 essential oils (EOs) were screened to test
the antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes (LM), Salmonella
typhimurium (ST), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EC
O157:H7). The effect of alginate-based edible coating (EC) incorporating
different concentrations thyme oil on fresh-cut 'Red Fuji' apples was
investigated. RESULTS: Results showed that thyme oil, cinnamon oil and oregano
oil were more effective in inhibiting the microbes than other EOs. The result
showed that the combined usage of 0.5 uL mL-1 thyme oil incorporated with
alginate-based EC could significantly inhibit the microbial growth, respiration,
weight loss, firmness and browning of fresh-cut 'Red Fuji' apples. CONCLUSION:
The edible coating and natural additives like thyme oil could be used to preserve
the quality of fresh-cut fruits. It revealed that EC incorporated with 0.5 uL mL
1 thyme oil can be a safe preservative for fresh-cut apples. (c) 2017 Society of
Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28990670
TI - Measuring consumers' interest in instant fortified pearl millet products: a field
experiment in Touba, Senegal.
AB - BACKGROUND: In Africa, food-processing industries are emerging fast, especially
for cereals. New low-cost extrusion cookers give small enterprises an opportunity
to enter the market for processed cereal products, in particular instant,
fortified and flavoured mixes. Before engaging in the marketing of these
products, consumers' interest needs to be assessed. This study used a combination
of affective tests and experimental auctions with 200 consumers in Touba,
Senegal, to evaluate four new products with conventional pearl millet flour as
the control: instant pearl millet flour, instant pearl millet flour with added
dry mango and carrot powder (naturally fortified), and the previous products with
added conventional chemical micronutrient fortificants. RESULTS: During affective
tests, consumers made little distinction between the five products in appearance,
aroma, taste and overall appreciation. The experimental auctions showed that,
without providing additional information on the products, there was no difference
in 'willingness to pay' (WTP) between them. However, after that information is
provided, consumers were willing to pay a modest premium for instant flour, and a
large premium for added mango and carrot extract and for added micronutrients,
but were not willing to pay a premium if those micronutrients came from natural
sources. Income increased overall WTP, while education increased WTP for instant
flour. CONCLUSION: There is a potential market in low-income African countries
for instant and fortified cereal food products, but likely in the higher income
and education groups. The increased cost needs to be compared to the premiums
consumers are willing to pay. In the next step, the new and promising products
could be tested in pilot markets, with target consumers. (c) 2017 Society of
Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28990671
TI - Reproductive isolation between sympatric Anguilla japonica and Anguilla
marmorata.
AB - Species-specific restriction fragment length polymorphism in the intron of the
androgen receptor gene (ar5) was found in glass to silver-stage individuals of
Anguilla japonica (n = 51) and A. marmorata (n = 21). The sequence analysis of
16S rDNA from 328 anguillid leptocephali collected in the North Equatorial
Current of the western North Pacific Ocean revealed the specimens to be A.
japonica (n = 194), A. marmorata (n = 128), A. bicolor pacifica (n = 5) and A.
luzonensis (n = 1). All leptocephali of A. japonica and A. marmorata were
monomorphic and did not share an allele at the ar5 locus, indicating that the two
species are reproductively isolated.
PMID- 28990673
TI - Clinical characteristics and outcomes of major salivary gland malignancies in
children.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Determine demographics, clinical characteristics, and
survival rates for children with primary salivary gland malignancies. STUDY
DESIGN: Retrospective, population-based cohort study. METHODS: All cases of
primary salivary gland malignancies diagnosed between the years of 2002 and 2013
in patients ages 0 to 19 years were extracted from the National Cancer
Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Additional
variables collected included age, gender, ethnicity, tumor histological subtype,
tumor size, treatment modality, vitality status, and follow-up time. Kaplan-Meier
survival curves were generated. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-five primary salivary
gland malignancies were identified (220 parotid, 25 submandibular). Median age at
diagnosis was 15 years. Most patients were female (59%), white (74%), and non
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino (81%). Among parotid tumors, mean tumor size was 2.3 cm,
and there were 109 (50%) mucoepidermoid carcinomas and 86 (39%) acinic cell
carcinomas. Most patients underwent surgery (n = 212, 96%) and 64 (29%) received
adjuvant radiation. At a mean follow-up of 62.4 months, 10 patients (5%) were
deceased. Kaplan-Meier survival curves illustrated that black children exhibited
higher mortality rates than white children (15.8% vs. 4.6%, log-rank = 0.0260) as
did those who underwent adjuvant radiation (15.73% vs. 3.2%, log-rank = 0.0209).
Among submandibular tumors, mean tumor size was 3.1 cm, and there were 11 (44%)
mucoepidermoid carcinomas. All patients underwent surgery and most received
adjuvant radiation (n = 15, 60%). At a mean follow-up of 51.25 months, one
patient was deceased. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary gland malignancies in children and
adolescents are rare. Overall survival for both parotid and submandibular tumors
in children is good. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1126-1132, 2018.
PMID- 28990672
TI - Microdissection testicular sperm extraction in Finland - results of the first 100
patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Testicular microdissection sperm extraction (MD-TESE) combined with
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has made biological fatherhood possible
for many men with the most severe form of male infertility, non-obstructive
azoospermia. MD-TESE was introduced in Turku in 2008, and by 2015, 100 Finnish
men with non-obstructive azoospermia have been operated on. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
The average age of the men was 33 years at the time of surgery. Forty-eight had a
needle biopsy previously and 56% had a testicular size <15 mL. The most common
diagnoses were idiopathic (n = 65), Klinefelter syndrome (n = 15), operated
cryptorchidism or torsion (n = 10), and Y chromosome microdeletion (n = 7). The
pregnancy outcomes were followed. RESULTS: The sperm recovery rate (SRR) overall
was 42%: 31% for idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia, 40% for Klinefelter
syndrome, 57% for Y chromosome microdeletion AZFc, 90% for previous testicular
surgery (mostly for cryptorchidism; n = 10) and 67% for previous cytotoxic
treatment (n = 3). SRR with histopathologic diagnosis Sertoli-cell-only was 29%,
and 44% for spermatogenic arrest. Age did not affect the outcome of the surgery.
Small testicular size seemed to predict a higher SRR. A previous needle biopsy
did not predict a lower SRR. Surgical complications were rare. Of couples, 32 had
at least one ICSI attempt, and 22 at least one live birth, giving a cumulative
live birth rate of 69%. No major pregnancy complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS:
Our SRR is comparable with international results, and the cumulative live birth
rate similar to other ICSI indications in Finland. Physicians and specialists
need to be made aware of new treatment options to enable biological fatherhood
for men with non-obstructive azoospermia.
PMID- 28990674
TI - The futility of intraoperative frozen section in the evaluation of follicular
thyroid lesions.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Investigate the utility of intraoperative frozen section (iFS) in
patients with follicular thyroid lesions following publication of the 2015
American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart
review. METHODS: Patient demographics, preoperative cytology, frozen pathology,
and final pathology were reviewed on patients undergoing thyroid surgery at a
tertiary care hospital in which iFS was utilized over a 5-year period. The test
performance of iFS and the frequency of indicated completion/total
thyroidectomies pre- and postpublication of the 2015 ATA guidelines were
calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients met inclusion criteria: 54
patients with follicular lesions of undetermined significance (FLUS) and 47
patients with a cytologic diagnosis of suspicious for follicular
neoplasm/follicular neoplasm. The malignancy rate was 36%, but only 14% of
malignancies were identified on iFS. A definitive benign or malignant diagnosis
was given on iFS in only 21% of cases, and operative management was altered in
two cases as a result of iFS. There was a statistically significant reduction in
the frequency of indicated total/completion thyroidectomies based on high-risk
features as a result of the 2015 ATA guidelines compared to prior recommendations
(20.8% vs. 5.0%, P = < 0.001). None of these patients had findings on iFS that
would have altered management intraoperatively. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative frozen
section offers minimal diagnostic utility in the evaluation of follicular thyroid
lesions. Updates in the 2015 ATA guidelines further diminish its potential to
impact management intraoperatively. Significant improvements in its ability to
identify malignancies would be needed to justify its use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.
Laryngoscope, 128:1501-1505, 2018.
PMID- 28990675
TI - The saline challenge-A test of injection laryngoplasty outcome.
PMID- 28990676
TI - Arthroscopic approach and anatomy of the stifle joint in the rabbit.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique and normal findings for arthroscopy of the
stifle in rabbits. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaver study. ANIMALS: Twenty cadaveric stifles
from New Zealand White rabbits were examined. METHODS: The arthroscope was placed
through a medial portal, and instrument portals were created on the lateral
aspect of the joint. The same portals were used for examination of the entire
joint and palpation of structures with a probe. RESULTS: Structures identified in
the proximal aspect of the stifle included the suprapatellar pouch, suprapatella,
patella, medial and lateral proximal recesses, medial and lateral trochlear
ridges, trochlear groove. Structures identified in the distal aspect of the joint
included the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, medial and lateral menisci,
medial and lateral femoral condyles, the long digital extensor tendon, and the
cranial meniscal ligaments were identified. All of the proximal structures could
be seen in 16/20 limbs. Distally, the cranial cruciate ligament could be
identified and manipulated most often (17/20 limbs), followed by the caudal
cruciate ligament (11/20), the menisci (9/20), and condyles (9/20). The average
examination time was 27 minutes. There was a variably present femorotibial
membrane. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the arthoscopic evaluation of the stifle
in rabbits is a viable surgical approach and could be used for rabbit models or
to examine clinical cases with stifle pathology. Precise portal placement and
adequate infrapatellar fat pad debridement were critical for success.
PMID- 28990677
TI - Left ventricular twist is impaired in acromegaly: Insights from the three
dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Path Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Acromegaly is a rare, chronic, disfiguring, and debilitating
disease caused, in 90% of cases, by a benign monoclonal growth hormone-secreting
pituitary adenoma. The present study aimed to assess left ventricular (LV)
rotational and twist mechanics in acromegalic patients and to compare their
results to age- and gender-matched healthy controls. METHODS: The present study
comprised 24 acromegalic patients, from which 4 were excluded due to insufficient
image quality (mean age: 57.8 +/- 13.7 years, 7 men). The control group consisted
of 18 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals (mean age: 54.8 +/- 6.9 years,
8 men). RESULTS: In 4 out of 20 acromegalic patients, LV showed near absence of
twist, as the so-called LV "rigid body rotation" (RBR). Between all acromegalic
patients without LV-RBR and controls, both LV basal (-3.76 +/- 1.73 vs. -6.17 +/-
2.66 degrees , P = .004) and apical rotation (6.12 +/- 4.03 vs. 10.81 +/- 3.65
degrees , P = .001) and LV twist (9.88 +/- 4.74 vs. 16.98 +/- 3.88 degrees , P <
.001) differed significantly. Between active and nonactive acromegaly subgroups,
only the time-to-peak LV twist (377 +/- 78 vs. 229 +/- 97 ms, P = .005) showed
significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Acromegaly is associated with impaired LV
rotation and twist as assessed by 3-dimensional speckle tracking
echocardiography. LV-RBR is a frequent phenomenon in acromegaly.
PMID- 28990679
TI - Sonographic evaluation of the endochondral ossification process of the thyroid
cartilage in children.
AB - PURPOSE: To determine the sonographic appearances of the endochondral
ossification process of the thyroid cartilage in children. METHODS: Thyroid
cartilage sonography (US) of 420 children was performed with a high-resolution
linear-array transducer. Right and left laminae of the thyroid cartilage,
including the inferior horns, were examined. Ossification foci were evaluated for
their presence, location, shape, size, echo pattern, and number. RESULTS: Four
hundred nineteen children, 239 girls and 180 boys, were enrolled in the study
with a mean age of 109.8 +/- 60.7 months. Ossification foci were found in 167
children (39.9%). First ossification focus detection age was 72 months in girls
and 79 months in boys. On both laminae, the most frequent appearance of the
ossification focus was hypoechoic (right: 94.8%, left: 93.5%). Prevalence and
number of ossification foci increased with age in each sex. The shape of the
ossification foci in both laminae was generally nonexpansile (right: 92.9%, left:
93.5%). CONCLUSION: Endochondral ossification process of the thyroid cartilage
begins in the first decade with extracellular matrix changes, which can be
detected as hypoechoic foci by US. These foci can be expansile, and radiologists
should be aware of this entity to avoid misdiagnosing them as abnormal masses.
PMID- 28990680
TI - Baseline NS5A resistance associated substitutions may impair DAA response in real
world hepatitis C patients.
AB - Oral DAA have demonstrated high efficacy as treatment of hepatitis C. However,
the presence of resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) at baseline has
occasionally been associated with impaired treatment response. Herein, we
examined the impact of baseline RAS at the HCV NS5A gene region on treatment
response in a real-life setting. All hepatitis C patients treated with DAA
including NS5A inhibitors at our institution were retrospectively examined. The
virus NS5A gene was analyzed using population sequencing at baseline and after 24
weeks of completing therapy in all patients that failed. All changes recorded at
positions 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 58, 62, 92, and 93 were considered. A total of 166
patients were analyzed. HCV genotypes were as follows: G1a (31.9%), G1b (48.2%),
G3 (10.2%), and G4 (9.6%). Overall, 69 (41.6%) patients were coinfected with HIV
and 46.7% had advanced liver fibrosis (Metavir F3-F4). Sixty (36.1%) patients had
at least one RAS at baseline, including M28A/G/T (5), Q30X (12), L31I/F/M/V (6),
T58P/S (25), Q/E62D (1), A92 K (7), and Y93C/H (15). Overall, 4.8% had two or
more RAS, being more frequent in G4 (12.5%) followed by G1b (6.3%) and G1a
(1.9%). Of 10 (6%) patients that failed DAA therapy, five had baseline NS5A RAS.
No association was found for specific baseline RAS, although changes at position
30 were more frequent in failures than cures (22.2% vs 6.4%, P = 0.074).
Moreover, the presence of two or more RAS at baseline was more frequent in
failures (HR: 7.2; P = 0.029). Upon failure, six patients showed emerging RAS,
including Q30C/H/R (3), L31M (1), and Y93C/H (2). Baseline NS5A RAS are
frequently seen in DAA-naive HCV patients. Two or more baseline NS5A RAS were
found in nearly 5% and were significantly associated to DAA failure. Therefore,
baseline NS5A testing should be considered when HCV treatment is planned with
NS5A inhibitors.
PMID- 28990678
TI - Spatiotemporal modeling of laser tissue soldering using photothermal
nanocomposites.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Laser tissue soldering using photothermal solders is a technology that
facilitates rapid sealing using heat-induced changes in the tissue and the solder
material. The solder material is made of gold nanorods embedded in a protein
matrix patch that can be placed over the tissue rupture site and heated with a
laser. Although laser tissue soldering is an attractive approach for surgical
repair, potential photothermal damage can limit the success of this approach.
Development of predictive mathematical models of photothermal effects including
cell death, can lead to more efficient approaches in laser-based tissue repair.
METHODS: We describe an experimental and modeling investigation into photothermal
solder patches for sealing porcine and mouse cadaver intestine sections using
near-infrared laser irradiation. Spatiotemporal changes in temperature were
determined at the surface as well as various depths below the patch. A
mathematical model, based on the finite element method, predicts the
spatiotemporal temperature distribution in the patch and surrounding tissue, as
well as concomitant cell death in the tissue is described. RESULTS: For both the
porcine and mouse intestine systems, the model predicts temperatures that are
quantitatively similar to the experimental measurements with the model
predictions of temperature increase often being within a just a few degrees of
experimental measurements. CONCLUSION: This mathematical model can be employed to
identify optimal conditions for minimizing healthy cell death while still
achieving a strong seal of the ruptured tissue using laser soldering. Lasers
Surg. Med. 50:143-152, 2018. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PMID- 28990681
TI - Limb shortening as a strategy for limb sparing treatment of appendicular
osteosarcoma of the distal radius in a dog.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To develop and report a novel limb sparing technique for the distal
radius in a dog. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMAL: A 14-year-old, female spayed
Labrador Retriever with an osteosarcoma of the right distal radius and a
pathological fracture. A previous mast cell tumor had been treated 5 years prior
to presentation with marginal excision and a full-course radiation over the right
metacarpal bones. The dog had received 2 doses of palliative radiation just prior
to presentation. METHODS: A standard resection of the distal radius was used as a
strategy to salvage the limb. Instead of replacing the 6-cm bone defect with an
endoprosthesis, the limb was acutely shortened and a carpal arthrodesis plate was
applied. RESULTS: Postoperative function was good and limb shortening was well
tolerated. Radiographic evidence of early bone healing was noted at the osteotomy
site. The dog experienced 3 postoperative complications: a focal area of skin
necrosis managed successfully via surgical revision; infection resolving after
long-term antibiotherapy; and a fracture of the third metacarpal bone through a
screw hole, managed via screw removal and a custom external prosthesis. The
patient was euthanatized due to presumptive chemotherapy complications 127 days
after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Limb shortening limb salvage is technically
feasible and can result in excellent limb use postoperatively, in spite of a
significant loss in limb length.
PMID- 28990682
TI - Ex vivo feasibility study of endoscopic intraductal laser ablation of the breast.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and safety of breast endoscopic thulium
laser ablation for treatment of intraductal neoplasia. STUDY DESIGN: Ductoscopy
is a minimally invasive endoscopic approach of the milk ducts of the breast via
the nipple. Besides diagnosis in women with pathologic nipple discharge (PND), it
allows non-invasive removal of intraductal lesions with a stalk like papillomas.
Removal, however, is often incomplete and flat lesions cannot be targeted. We
therefore developed laser ductoscopy. METHODS: Dosimetry of laser ductoscopy was
assessed in thirteen mastectomy specimens, applying power settings of 1-5 W with
100-1000 ms pulsed exposure to a 375-MUm outer diameter thulium fiber laser.
Subsequently histology was obtained from the breast tissue that was treated with
the Thulium laser. RESULTS: Endoscopic view was maintained during ductoscopic
laser ablation at 1-3 W. Increasing power to 4-5 W caused impaired vision due to
shrinkage of the main duct around the ductoscope tip. Histology revealed
localized ablation of the duct wall. CONCLUSION: We show for the first time that
laser ductoscopy is technically feasible. The Thulium laser enables a superficial
intraductal ablation and is a useful tool for intraductal interventions. An in
vivo prospective study is needed to further demonstrate its potential. Lasers
Surg. Med. 50:137-142, 2018. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PMID- 28990683
TI - The effect of unit, depth, and probe load on the reliability of muscle shear wave
elastography: Variables affecting reliability of SWE.
AB - PURPOSE: There is currently no standardized method for muscle shear wave
elastography (SWE). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of
unit of measurement, depth, and probe load on the reliability of muscle SWE.
METHODS: The vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, biceps brachii, and abductor
digiti minimi muscles were scanned on 20 healthy participants. The SWE readings
were measured in shear wave velocity (m/s) and Young's modulus (kPa). Three
acquisitions of varying depths were acquired from vastus lateralis. Minimal probe
load was compared with the use of a standoff gel layer. Three repeated
measurements were acquired to assess reliability using intraclass correlations
(ICC). RESULTS: The mean elasticity varied across muscle groups and ranged from
1.54 m/s for biceps femoris to 2.55 m/s for abductor digiti minimi (difference =
1.01 m/s [95% confidence interval, CI = 0.92, 1.10]). Reporting readings in
meters per second resulted in higher ICC of 0.83 (0.65, 0.93) in comparison to
0.77 (0.52, 0.90) for kilopascal for the vastus lateralis muscle only. Variance
increased proportionally with depth reaching 0.17 (equivalent to +/-0.82 m/s) at
6 cm. Using a standoff gel decreased ICC to 0.63 (0.20, 0.84) despite similar
mean elasticity readings to minimal probe load. CONCLUSIONS: Different
acquisition and technical factors may significantly affect the reliability of SWE
in skeletal muscles. Readings acquired in the unit of shear wave velocity (m/s)
from depths less than 4 cm using a minimal probe load without a standoff gel
yielded the best reliability.
PMID- 28990684
TI - A new scenario in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
AB - Cutaneous lesions of leishmaniasis are easy to diagnose when clinically obvious
or when amastigotes are numerous in the biopsy. However, this is not always the
case. In difficult cases, the diagnosis of leishmaniasis requires a reliable tool
to identify the microorganisms. The identification of the parasite via microscope
has a superior sensitivity to that of culture, and molecular techniques, such as
polymerase chain reaction (PCR), highly improve the sensitivity of the diagnosis.
Alternatively, immunohistochemistry has emerged as an affordable alternative to
PCR. Several laboratories have produced their own antibodies against Leishmania
and seem satisfied with the results. Nevertheless, most of these antibodies are
not commercialized or standardized. Pathology also welcomed the unexpected
positivity of amastigotes with certain clones of anti-CD1a. The latter does not
universally stain all species of Leishmania, with a low sensitivity for New World
species. In conclusion, although anti-CD1a is a reliable complementary tool in
the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, pathologists should familiarize themselves with
one of the specific antibodies against Leishmania and globalize its use,
standardizing and adapting the technique.
PMID- 28990685
TI - National trends in otolaryngology intern curricula following Accreditation
Council for Graduate Medical Education changes.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: In 2016, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education (ACGME) requirements for curriculum and resident experiences were
modified to require entering postgraduate year (PGY)-1 residents to spend 6
months of structured education on otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS)
rotations. We aimed to determine how ORL-HNS training programs have adapted
curricula in response to 2016 ACGME curriculum requirement changes. STUDY DESIGN:
Survey study. METHODS: A national survey of ACGME-accredited ORL-HNS programs was
distributed via the Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization. RESULTS:
Thirty-seven program directors responded (34.9%). Most common ORL-HNS rotations
included general otolaryngology (80.6% of programs, up to 6 months) and head and
neck oncology (67.7%, up to 4 months), though more months are also spent on other
subspecialty rotations (laryngology, otology, rhinology, and pediatrics) than
previously. All programs continue at least 1 month of anesthesiology, intensive
care unit, and general surgery. Programs have preferentially eliminated rotations
in emergency medicine (77% decrease) and additional months on general surgery
(48% decrease). Curricula have incorporated supplemental teaching modalities
including didactic lectures (96.3% of programs), simulation (66.7%), dissection
courses (63.0%), and observed patient encounters (55.5%), to a greater degree
following ACGME changes. More interns are involved in shared call
responsibilities than in previous years (70.4% vs. 51.8%). A stable minority of
interns take the Otolaryngology Training Examination (approximately 20%).
CONCLUSIONS: New ACGME requirements have challenged ORL-HNS training programs to
develop effective 6-month rotation schedules for PGY-1 residents. Significant
variation exists between programs, and evaluation of first-year curricula and
readiness for PGY-2 year is warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 1811
1816, 2018.
PMID- 28990686
TI - Hierarchical imputation of systematically and sporadically missing data: An
approximate Bayesian approach using chained equations.
AB - In health and medical sciences, multiple imputation (MI) is now becoming popular
to obtain valid inferences in the presence of missing data. However, MI of
clustered data such as multicenter studies and individual participant data meta
analysis requires advanced imputation routines that preserve the hierarchical
structure of data. In clustered data, a specific challenge is the presence of
systematically missing data, when a variable is completely missing in some
clusters, and sporadically missing data, when it is partly missing in some
clusters. Unfortunately, little is known about how to perform MI when both types
of missing data occur simultaneously. We develop a new class of hierarchical
imputation approach based on chained equations methodology that simultaneously
imputes systematically and sporadically missing data while allowing for arbitrary
patterns of missingness among them. Here, we use a random effect imputation model
and adopt a simplification over fully Bayesian techniques such as Gibbs sampler
to directly obtain draws of parameters within each step of the chained equations.
We justify through theoretical arguments and extensive simulation studies that
the proposed imputation methodology has good statistical properties in terms of
bias and coverage rates of parameter estimates. An illustration is given in a
case study with eight individual participant datasets.
PMID- 28990687
TI - Phrenicoabdominal venotomy for tumor thrombectomy in dogs with adrenal neoplasia
and suspected vena caval invasion.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for tumor thrombectomy by phrenicoabdominal
venotomy in dogs with adrenal neoplasia and suspected caval invasion and to
report complications and outcomes associated with the procedure. STUDY DESIGN:
Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Eight client-owned dogs with invasive adrenal
tumors. METHODS: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with adrenal tumors with
extension of thrombus into the phrenicoabdominal vein (PAV) and vena cava were
reviewed. Cases where phrenicoabdominal venotomy without cavotomy for thrombus
resection was performed were included. Data collected from the medical records
included signalment, clinical signs, physical examination findings, diagnostic
imaging results, preoperative laboratory testing, surgical technique, surgical
and postoperative complications and outcome. RESULTS: Phrenicoabdominal venotomy
was successful in removal of vena caval thrombosis in 7 of 8 dogs. In one case,
an attempt was made to remove a large vena caval thrombus through a distended PAV
resulting in fragmentation of the thrombus and the need to extend the incision
into the vena cava. In all dogs, complete removal of tumor thrombus was achieved.
Two dogs died in the perioperative period, one from cardiopulmonary arrest and a
second from bronchopneumonia and pancreatitis. The remaining 6 dogs were
discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Thrombectomy through a
phrenicoabdominal venotomy may obviate the need for a cavotomy in a subset of
dogs with invasive adrenal neoplasia.
PMID- 28990688
TI - Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis testis of unknown
malignant potential: Sonographic appearance.
AB - Paratesticular mesothelioma is a rare differential diagnosis in the presence of
scrotal hydrocele. A 17-year-old boy presented with a 3-year history of
progressive hydrocele. Sonography revealed a large left paratesticular mass
within the hydrocele. Serum tumor markers were negative. Left hydrocelectomy was
performed and pathological analysis of the epididymal mass revealed a well
differentiated papillary mesothelioma. We discuss the sonographic and
pathological findings of this rare neoplasm.
PMID- 28990689
TI - Control of GABARAP-mediated autophagy by the Golgi complex, centrosome and
centriolar satellites.
AB - Within minutes of induction of autophagy by amino-acid starvation in mammalian
cells, multiple autophagosomes form throughout the cell cytoplasm. During their
formation, the autophagosomes sequester cytoplasmic material and deliver it to
lysosomes for degradation. How these organelles can be so rapidly formed and how
their formation is acutely regulated are major questions in the autophagy field.
Protein and lipid trafficking from diverse cell compartments contribute membrane
to, or regulate the formation of the autophagosome. In addition, recruitment of
Atg8 (in yeast), and the ATG8-family members (in mammalian cells) to
autophagosomes is required for efficient autophagy. Recently, it was discovered
that the centrosome and centriolar satellites regulate autophagosome formation by
delivery of an ATG8-family member, GABARAP, to the forming autophagosome
membrane, the phagophore. We propose that GABARAP regulates phagophore expansion
by activating the ULK complex, the amino-acid controlled initiator complex. This
finding reveals a previously unknown link between the centrosome, centriolar
satellites and autophagy.
PMID- 28990690
TI - Contrast-enhanced transoral carotid ultrasonography for the diagnosis and follow
up of extracranial internal carotid artery dissection: A case report.
AB - A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of amaurosis fugax. The
carotid angiogram showed irregularly stenotic lesions of the left and right
internal carotid arteries (ICAs), suggestive of dissection. Follow-up evaluation
was performed by transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU) with contrast
enhancement (CE), which yielded better vessel lumen and intramural hematoma
visualization than color Doppler imaging. CE-TOCU is useful for evaluating ICA
dissections that extends to the high cervical portion.
PMID- 28990691
TI - Comparison of 2 training programs for basic laparoscopic skills and simulated
surgery performance in veterinary students.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 2 training curricula on laparoscopic skills
and performance of simulated surgery in veterinary students. STUDY DESIGN:
Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Veterinary students (n = 33) with no prior
hands-on experience in minimally invasive surgery. METHODS: Basic laparoscopic
skills (BLS) were assessed based on 5 modified McGill inanimate system for
training and evaluation of laparoscopic skills. Motion metrics and an objective
structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) were used to evaluate surgical
skills during a simulated laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in an augmented
reality simulator. Students were randomly assigned to either skill-based (group
A) or procedural-based (group B) training curriculum. Both tests were performed
prior to and after a 10-session training curriculum. RESULTS: Post-training BLS
results were improved in both training groups (P < .001). Seven participants
completed both presimulated and postsimulated laparoscopic cholecystectomy,
preventing paired analysis. Based on motion metrics analysis, participants
completed tasks in a shorter time (P = .0187), and with better economy of
movement (P = .0457) after training. No difference was detected in OSATS before
and after training. CONCLUSION: Both training curricula improved BLS, but
significant differences were not detected between the procedural-based training
program and basic skills training alone in veterinary students. Motion metrics
such as time, economy of movement, and instrument path were superior to an OSATS,
when assessing surgical performance. Further studies are needed to compare the
effects of different simulators on the training of veterinarians with diverse
laparoscopic surgical experience.
PMID- 28990692
TI - Functional results of free tissue transfer for complex heel-calcaneal defects.
AB - BACKGROUND: Loss of soft tissue in heel-calcaneal region is frequently caused by
trauma, infection, or tumors. Limited availability of similar tissue becomes
challenging, therefore, the use of free tissue transfer offers a solution. Our
aim is to describe long term functional outcome of different free tissue
transfers for these defects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 24
consecutive cases of the heel-calcaneal defect between January 2009 and December
2014. The free fasciocutaneous perforator (FCP) flaps were performed in 14 cases
and free muscle flaps with skin graft in 10 cases. The postoperative
complications, range of motion and ability of ambulation or exercise were
administered to evaluate functional results. RESULTS: The average follow-up
period was 26.5 months. The survival of free flap was 100%. Early complication
included venous thrombosis, infection and edge dehiscence was noted in 8 cases.
Late complication with insensate ulcers developed in 3 cases (1 cases in FCP
flap, 2 cases in muscle flap). All ulcers healed spontaneously without surgical
intervention. The postoperative average range of motion of ankle regained 52.79
degree in FCP flap group and 56.4 degree in muscle flap group. The ability of
ambulation or exercise returned in 13 cases in FCP group (13/14) and 9 cases in
muscle flap group (9/10). No differences of complication rate (P = .403), ROM (P
= .363) or functional evaluation (P = .803) could be found between these two
groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both FCP flap and muscle flaps provided the similar and
excellent functional results in resurfacing of heel-calcaneal defects after long
term follow up.
PMID- 28990693
TI - Impact of medialization laryngoplasty on dynamic nanomechanical vocal fold
structure properties.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Although the primary goal of medialization laryngoplasty
is to improve glottic closure, implant placement is also likely to alter the
biomechanical properties of the vocal fold (VF). We sought to employ novel,
nanoscale technology to quantify these properties following medialization based
on the hypothesis that different medialization materials will likely yield
differential biomechanical effects. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo. METHODS: Nine pig
larynges were divided into three groups: control, Silastic (Dow Corning, Midland,
Michigan, U.S.A.) block medialization, or Gore-Tex (W.L. Gore & Associates,
Newark, Delaware) medialization. Laryngoplasty was performed on excised, intact
larynges. The larynges were then bisected in the sagittal plane and each
subjected to dynamic nanomechanical analysis (nano-DMA) at nine locations using a
250-MUm flat-tip punch and frequency sweep-load profile across the free edge of
the VF and inferiorly along the conus elasticus. RESULTS: Silastic block and Gore
Tex implant introduced increased storage and loss moduli. Overall, storage moduli
mean (maximum) increased from 38 kilopascals (kPa) (119) to 72 kPa (422) and 129
kPa (978) in control, Gore-Tex, and Silastic implants, respectively. Similarly,
loss moduli increased from 13 kPa (43) to 22 kPa (201) and 31 kPa (165),
respectively. Moduli values varied widely by location in the Silastic block and
Gore-Tex groups. At the free VF edge, mean (maximum) storage moduli were lowest
in the Gore-Tex group, 20 kPa (44); compared to control, 34.5 kPa (86); and
Silastic, 157.9 kPa (978), with similar loss and complex moduli trends.
CONCLUSION: Medialization laryngoplasty altered VF structure biomechanical
properties; Silastic and Gore-Tex implants differentially impact these
properties. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:1163-1169, 2018.
PMID- 28990694
TI - Suprafascial versus traditional harvesting technique for free antero lateral
thigh flap: A case-control study to assess the best functional and aesthetic
result in extremity reconstruction.
AB - Clinical applications of ALT flap have currently extended to extremity (hand and
foot) as well as oral cavity reconstruction. In these anatomical areas, the
traditional harvesting technique presents a few disadvantages such as bulkiness
of the recipient site and potential donor site morbidity including damage to the
deep fascia and skin graft adhesions. The purpose of the present study was to
compare the functional and aesthetic outcomes of upper and lower extremity
reconstruction with either suprafascial or subfascial harvested anterolateral
(ALT) flaps. Sixty patients who underwent hand or foot reconstruction with an ALT
flap between January 2013 and January 2015 were included in the study (34 flaps
elevated on a subfascial plane and 26 on a suprafascial plane). Group 1
(subfascial harvested ALT flap) was composed of 23 male and 11 female patients
with an average age of 53.4 years (range, 36-72 years). Group 2 (suprafascial
harvested ALT flap) was composed of 18 male and 8 female patients with an average
age of 48.7 years (range, 32-69 years). Surgical indication was tumor resection
for 20 patients in group 1 and 16 patients in group 2, chronic ulcer for 8
patients in group 1 and 6 patients in group 2, and trauma for 6 patients in group
1 and 4 patients in group 2. Complications were documented. Aesthetic outcomes
were considered in terms of bulkiness of the recipient site, subsequent request
for a debulking procedure, and donor site morbidity. Donor site scars were
evaluated for cosmesis using a modified Hollander Wound Evaluation Scale (HWES).
Skin grafts outcomes were assessed according to the modified Vancouver Scar Scale
(VSS). Functional outcome at the recipient site was measured using the Enneking
functional outcome score (ESS). Total range of motion (ROM) was recorded. All
flaps were successfully elevated with at least one viable perforator with both
approaches. The survival rates of suprafascial and subfascial harvested ALT flaps
were 96.2 and 97% respectively (P = .85). The mean flap size was 110.4 +/- 27.8
cm2 in group 1 and 159.7 +/- 44.4 cm2 in group 2. The average flap thickness was
26.2+/- 5.2 mm in group 1 and 13.9 mm +/- 4.1 in group 2. Complications included
total flap loss (1 case in group 1 and 1 case in group 2), partial flap loss (2
cases in group 1 and 1 case in group 2), skin graft failure (3 cases in group 1),
and muscle herniation at the donor site (1 case in group 1; P < .17). Secondary
debulking procedures were needed for 20 flaps in the subfascial group and for one
flap in the suprafascial group (P-value <.01). Donor site closure with skin
grafts was necessary in 42 cases: 32 in group 1 and 10 in group 2. The
suprafascial harvested ALT flap group reported a significant difference in terms
of donor site morbidity. The HWES score of donor site scars was significantly
lower in group 1 (mean 1.2 +/- 0.54) than in group 2 (mean 2.4 +/- 0.58), P <
.01. Similarly, the VSS score for skin graft outcomes was lower in patients of
group 1 (mean 4.5 +/- 0.93) than in patients of group 2 (mean 6.7 +/- 0.96), P <
.01. There was also a significant lower score of postoperative ESS in patients of
group 1 (mean 21.2 +/- 3.4) when compared with patients of group 2 (mean 23.6 +/-
2.7), P < .01. Total ROM improved on average 60 degrees after surgery (P-value
<.01). The suprafascial plane for elevating ALT flaps presented several
advantages over the traditional subfascial approach in terms of functional and
aesthetic outcomes, providing a thin flap allowing increased versatility to
achieve better contour of flap, and minimizing the need for secondary debulking.
PMID- 28990695
TI - Synergistic Hydrogenation over Palladium through the Assembly of MIL-101(Fe) MOF
over Palladium Nanocubes.
AB - Enhancing catalytic performance of metal nanoparticles is highly sought for many
industrial catalytic processes. In this regard, assembly of crystalline porous
super-tunable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) around preformed metal
nanoparticles is an attractive prospect as this strongly influences the activity
of the entire nanoparticle surface. Herein, we assembled a MlL-101(Fe) MOF onto
the Pd nanocubes and evaluated the catalytic properties of the hybrid material
for the hydrogenation of the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds
cinnamaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, and beta-ionone. Owing to the synergestic effects
originating from the Lewis acid sites present on MOF and Pd active sites,
striking improvements in the activities and selectivities were observed for the
Pd?MIL-101(Fe) hybrid material. The turnover frequency (TOF) values increased up
to roughly 20 fold and in all three studied substrates, C=C was preferentially
hydrogenated compared to C=O. Furthermore, the Pd?MIL-101(Fe) catalyst was
readily reusable and highly stable.
PMID- 28990696
TI - Modulation of Th17 and regulatory T-cell responses during murine pregnancy
contributes to increased maternal susceptibility to Salmonella Typhimurium
infection.
AB - PROBLEM: Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Tm) infection in pregnant mice results in
massive placental infection, fetal loss, and exacerbated systemic infection. The
Th17 host response can aid control of S. Tm infection, whereas successful
pregnancy correlates to a dampened inflammatory and enhanced regulatory T-cell
(Treg) response. METHOD OF STUDY: Mice were infected systemically with S. Tm and
tissue bacterial burden, splenic Th17 and Treg cell numbers, and serum cytokines
were analyzed. Splenic and/or placental mRNA expression of IL-17A, RORgamma-t, IL
10, and TNF was determined. The effects of in vivo CD25+ cell depletion and TLR4
blockade on the course of S. Tm infection and Th17 response were determined.
RESULTS: Enhanced S. Tm burden in pregnant mice was associated with time
dependent increased serum inflammatory cytokines. In vivo, TLR4 blockade reduced
splenic S. Tm burden, suggesting detrimental TLR4-mediated inflammation. However,
the splenic and placental Th17 response was reduced in S. Tm-infected pregnant
mice relative to non-pregnant controls. Alternatively, there was an increase in
splenic Treg frequency in pregnant mice and depletion of this subset reduced
bacterial burden and increased the Th17 response. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of
Th17 cell responses by Tregs during pregnancy potentially contributes to
exacerbation of S. Tm infection in pregnant mice.
PMID- 28990697
TI - C9/12 Ribbon-Like Structures in Hybrid Peptides Alternating alpha- and Thiazole
Based gamma-Amino Acids.
AB - According to their restricted conformational freedom, heterocyclic gamma-amino
acids are usually considered to be related to Z-vinylogous gamma-amino acids. In
this context, oligomers alternating alpha-amino acids and thiazole-based gamma
amino acids (ATCs) were expected to fold into a canonical 12-helical shape as
described for alpha/gamma-hybrid peptides composed of cis-alpha/beta-unsaturated
gamma-amino acids. However, through a combination of X-ray crystallography, NMR
spectroscopy, FTIR experiments, and DFT calculations, it was determined that the
folding behavior of ATC-containing hybrid peptides is much more complex. The
homochiral alpha/(S)-ATC sequences were unable to adopt a stable conformation,
whereas the heterochiral alpha/(R)-ATC peptides displayed novel ribbon structures
stabilized by unusual C9/12 -bifurcated hydrogen bonds. These ribbon structures
could be considered as a succession of pre-organized gamma/alpha dipeptides and
may provide the basis for designing original alpha-helix mimics.
PMID- 28990699
TI - Novel AMER1 frameshift mutation in a girl with osteopathia striata with cranial
sclerosis.
PMID- 28990698
TI - Psychosocial co-morbidities in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain syndrome
(IC/BPS): A systematic review.
AB - AIMS: Psychosocial factors amplify symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis (IC/BPS).
While psychosocial self-management is efficacious in other pain conditions, its
impact on an IC/BPS population has rarely been studied. The objective of this
review is to learn the prevalence and impact of psychosocial factors on IC/BPS,
assess baseline psychosocial characteristics, and offer recommendations for
assessment and treatment. METHOD: Following PRISMA guidelines, primary
information sources were PubMed including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and
GoogleScholar. Inclusion criteria included: (i) a clearly defined cohort with
IC/BPS or with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome provided the IC/BPS cohort was
delineated with quantitative results from the main cohort; (ii) all genders and
regions; (iii) studies written in English from 1995 to April 14, 2017; (iv)
quantitative report of psychosocial factors as outcome measures or at minimum as
baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Thirty-four of an initial 642 articles were
reviewed. Quantitative analyses demonstrate the magnitude of psychosocial
difficulties in IC/BPS, which are worse than average on all measures, and fall
into areas of clinical concern for 7 out of 10 measures. Meta-analyses shows mean
Mental Component Score of the Short-Form 12 Health Survey (MCS) of 40.80 (SD
6.25, N = 2912), where <36 is consistent with severe psychological impairment.
Averaged across studies, the population scored in the range seen in clinical
depression (CES-D 19.89, SD 13.12, N = 564) and generalized anxiety disorder
(HADS-A 8.15, SD 4.85, N = 465). CONCLUSION: The psychological impact of IC/BPS
is pervasive and severe. Existing evidence of treatment is lacking and suggests
self-management intervention may be helpful.
PMID- 28990700
TI - Application of the Eighth Edition American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging
System for HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With Transoral Robotic
Surgery.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Analyze patients treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the
context of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)
staging system. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including 110 human
papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer (HPV+OPC) patients with a minimum 1
year follow-up treated with TORS between 2007 to 2016. Kaplan-Meier methods were
used to estimate 3-year disease-free survival and assess differences in
recurrence. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients with a median follow-up of 54
months were analyzed. Of those, 85% of patients were male, with a median age of
60. Twenty-two percent of patients received no adjuvant therapy; 43% received
adjuvant radiation; and 35% underwent adjuvant chemoradiation. Extracapsular
spread was identified in 24% of patients. Overall survival was 100%, with
estimated 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (95% confidence interval) of 87%
(77, 93). Under the seventh edition of the AJCC, 5% of patients were stage I; 11%
were stage II; 26% were stage III; and 57% were stage IVa. Twenty-seven patients
(25%) were upstaged on final pathology, whereas 15 patients (14%) were
downstaged. Under the eighth edition of the AJCC, 94% of patients were stage I
for both clinical and pathologic staging systems. Six patients (6%) were upstaged
on final pathology, whereas six patients (6%) were downstaged. No factors
demonstrated statistical significance for DFS. Within pathologic stage I, Kaplan
Meier estimates for DFS did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The
majority of patients undergoing TORS for HPV + OPC are stage I under the eighth
edition of the AJCC staging system, with limited pathologic re-staging compared
with the prior system. Oncologic outcomes are favorable for this group. No
clinicopathologic features are significant for DFS within pathologic stage I.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. Laryngoscope, 128:1133-1139, 2018.
PMID- 28990701
TI - Survey on attitudes towards renaming bipolar disorder in Japanese.
PMID- 28990702
TI - Prevalence and associated factors of impaired renal function in Chinese children:
the China Health and Nutrition Survey.
AB - AIM: To assess the prevalence of impaired renal function and its associated
factors in Chinese children. METHODS: Children aged 7-18 years in China Health
and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) 2009 were included as participants, and their
anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP) and biochemical parameters were
taken for analysis. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was
calculated by using the Schwartz "original" formula. RESULTS: The prevalence of
estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 and < 75
ml/min/1.73 m2 was 10.09% (95% CI: 8.03-12.11) and 1.01% (95% CI: 0.38-1.77)
respectively. The prevalence of impaired renal function (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2
) was 0.25%. Age was detected as a negative associated factor whereas
hyperuricemia and elevated total cholesterol (TC) were positively associated
factors for subjects with eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 . In the group of eGFR < 75
ml/min/1.73 m2 , only elevated TC was related to the increased odds of decreased
eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the need for large-scale programs to
detect and treat the early-stage impaired renal function in the paediatric
population in China.
PMID- 28990703
TI - Effects of maternal separation and antidepressant drug on epigenetic regulation
of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor exon I promoter in the adult rat
hippocampus.
AB - AIM: Early life stress can induce epigenetic changes through genetic and
environmental interactions and is a risk factor for depression. Brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of
depression and antidepressant drug action. We investigated epigenetic changes at
the BDNF exon I promoter in the hippocampus of adult rats subjected to maternal
separation (MS) during early life and treated with an antidepressant drug as
adults. METHODS: Rat pups were subjected to MS from postnatal day 1 to 21 and
received chronic escitalopram (ESC) as adults. We assessed the effects of MS and
ESC on BDNF exon I and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) mRNA levels (quantitative
reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction), acetylated histone H3, and
MeCP2 binding to the BDNF promoter I (chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by
real-time polymerase chain reaction), and BDNF protein levels (enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay). RESULTS: The levels of BDNF protein, exon I mRNA, histone
H3 acetylation, and DNMT1 and DNMT3a mRNA were altered in the MS group compared
with the control group. Significant decreases were observed in the BDNF protein,
exon I mRNA, and histone H3 acetylation levels and there were significant
increases in DNMT1 and DNMT3a mRNA levels. The comparison between the MS + ESC
and MS groups revealed significant increases in BDNF protein, exon I mRNA, and
histone H3 acetylation levels and significant decreases in MeCP2 and DNMT1 and
DNMT3a mRNA levels. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that MS induced
epigenetic changes at the BDNF exon I promoter and these changes were prevented
by antidepressant drug treatment during adulthood.
PMID- 28990704
TI - Epithelioid glioblastomas stratify into established diagnostic subsets upon
integrated molecular analysis.
AB - Epithelioid glioblastoma (eGBM) is a newly defined and rare GBM variant in the
current WHO 2016 classification. BRAF V600E mutation is overrepresented in these
tumors and there is known some morphological overlap with anaplastic epithelioid
PXA (ePXA). In order to further elucidate this diagnostic category, we
molecularly characterized 64 pediatric and adult examples initially diagnosed as
"eGBM." Tumors were analyzed using array based methylation and direct sequencing
of the BRAF and TERT genes. Our results demonstrated considerable molecular and
clinical heterogeneity among eGBM cohort. Methylation patterns, copy number
alterations, and mutational analysis data, in combination with clinical findings
disclosed three different, well established tumor subtypes: (i) PXA-like tumors
with favorable prognosis, predominantly in children and young adults (38), (ii)
IDHwt GBM-like tumors with poor prognosis, mainly occurring in older adults,
albeit with more frequent BRAF mutations (17), and (iii) RTK1 pediatric GBM-like
neoplasms of intermediate prognosis in children and young adults, associated with
chromothripsis and frequent PDGFRA amplifications (9). We conclude that the
histopathologically defined eGBM do not represent a single diagnostic entity, but
rather at least three molecularly and biologically distinct categories.
Therefore, additional molecular testing through genome-wide molecular profiling
is recommended to further stratify these rare cases.
PMID- 28990705
TI - An Enzymatic Route to alpha-Tocopherol Synthons: Aromatic Hydroxylation of
Pseudocumene and Mesitylene with P450 BM3.
AB - Aromatic hydroxylation of pseudocumene (1 a) and mesitylene (1 b) with P450 BM3
yields key phenolic building blocks for alpha-tocopherol synthesis. The P450 BM3
wild-type (WT) catalyzed selective aromatic hydroxylation of 1 b (94 %), whereas
1 a was hydroxylated to a large extent on benzylic positions (46-64 %). Site
saturation mutagenesis generated a new P450 BM3 mutant, herein named "variant M3"
(R47S, Y51W, A330F, I401M), with significantly increased coupling efficiency (3-
to 8-fold) and activity (75- to 230-fold) for the conversion of 1 a and 1 b.
Additional pi-pi interactions introduced by mutation A330F improved not only
productivity and coupling efficiency, but also selectivity toward aromatic
hydroxylation of 1 a (61 to 75 %). Under continuous nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide phosphate recycling, the novel P450 BM3 variant M3 was able to
produce the key tocopherol precursor trimethylhydroquinone (3 a; 35 %
selectivity; 0.18 mg mL-1 ) directly from 1 a. In the case of 1 b, overoxidation
leads to dearomatization and the formation of a valuable p-quinol synthon that
can directly serve as an educt for the synthesis of 3 a. Detailed product pattern
analysis, substrate docking, and mechanistic considerations support the
hypothesis that 1 a binds in an inverted orientation in the active site of P450
BM3 WT, relative to P450 BM3 variant M3, to allow this change in
chemoselectivity. This study provides an enzymatic route to key phenolic synthons
for alpha-tocopherols and the first catalytic and mechanistic insights into
direct aromatic hydroxylation and dearomatization of trimethylbenzenes with O2 .
PMID- 28990706
TI - Effect of dietary supplementation of organic zinc on laying performance, egg
quality and some biochemical parameters of laying hens.
AB - This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc methionine (Zn-Met)
supplementation on the performance, egg quality, antioxidant status and some
biochemical parameters of blood serum in laying hens from 22 to 34 weeks of age.
A total of 120 Hisex Brown laying hens of 22-week-old were randomly allocated
into five treatments with six cage replicates for each (four hens/replicate).
Dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet with no Zn-Met supplementation
(control group) and basal diet supplemented with 25, 50, 75 or 100 mg Zn-Met/kg
diet. No significant differences were observed on body weight, body weight gain
or feed conversion ratio due to dietary Zn-Met supplementation. However, highly
significant impact was observed on daily feed intake. Egg number, egg weight and
egg mass were increased in the group fed diet supplemented with the highest level
of Zn-Met (100 mg/kg of diet) as compared to other groups. All egg quality traits
were statistically (p > .05 or .01) affected as a response to dietary Zn-Met
supplementation except egg shape index, shell percentage and yolk index. In
comparison with the control group, dietary supplementation of 25, 50, 75 or 100
mg Zn-Met/kg decreased serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels. Serum
cholesterol level was increased with all dietary levels of Zn-Met in comparison
with the control group. Dietary Zn-Met supplementation increased the serum
content of zinc, where the highest values were recorded with 50 and 100 mg Zn
Met/kg diet. Dietary Zn-Met levels did not affect the antioxidant indices in
blood serum except for the activity of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn
SOD). The activity of Cu-Zn-SOD was increased with Zn-Met supplementations with
no differences among supplemental zinc levels. It is concluded that dietary Zn
Met supplementation reduced serum triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and increased Zn
status and resulted in promoting antioxidant ability of laying hens, and the
addition of 100 mg Zn-Met/kg to layer diet was appropriate for improving the
above parameters in addition to egg production indices and Haugh unit score.
PMID- 28990707
TI - Rapid changes in brain aromatase activity in the female quail brain following
expression of sexual behaviour.
AB - In male quail, oestrogens produced in the brain (neuro-oestrogens) exert a dual
action on male sexual behaviour: they increase sexual motivation within minutes
via mechanisms activated at the membrane but facilitate sexual performance by
slower, presumably nuclear-initiated, mechanisms. Recent work indicates that
neuro-oestrogens are also implicated in the control of female sexual motivation
despite the presence of high circulating concentrations of oestrogens of ovarian
origin. Interestingly, aromatase activity (AA) in the male brain is regulated in
time domains corresponding to the slow "genomic" and faster "nongenomic" modes of
action of oestrogens. Furthermore, rapid changes in brain AA are observed in
males after sexual interactions with a female. In the present study, we
investigated whether similar rapid changes in brain AA are observed in females
allowed to interact sexually with males. A significant decrease in AA was
observed in the medial preoptic nucleus after interactions that lasted 2, 5 or 10
minutes, although this decrease was no longer significant after 15 minutes of
interaction. In the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, a progressive decline of
average AA was observed between 2 and 15 minutes, although it never reached
statistical significance. AA in this nucleus was, however, negatively correlated
with the sexual receptivity of the female. These data indicate that sexual
interactions affect brain AA in females as in males in an anatomically specific
manner and suggest that rapid changes in brain oestrogens production could also
modulate female sexual behaviour.
PMID- 28990708
TI - Astroblastoma: a distinct tumor entity characterized by alterations of the X
chromosome and MN1 rearrangement.
AB - Astroblastoma is a rare, enigmatic tumor of the central nervous system (CNS)
which shares some clinicopathologic aspects with other CNS tumors, especially
ependymoma. To further clarify the nature of astroblastoma, we performed
clinicopathologic and molecular genetic studies on eight cases of astroblastoma.
The median age of the patients was 14.5 years, ranging from 5 to 60 years, and
seven of the patients were female. All tumors arose in the cerebral hemisphere
and radiologically appeared to be well-bordered, nodular tumors often associated
with cystic areas and contrast-enhancement. Six of the seven patients with
prognosis data survived without recurrences during the follow-up periods ranging
from six to 76 months. One patient had multiple recurrences and died six years
later. All tumors exhibited salient microscopic features, such as being well
demarcated from the surrounding brain tissue, perivascular arrangement of
epithelioid tumor cells (represented by "astroblastic" pseudorosettes, trabecular
alignment, and pseudopapillary patterns), and hyalinized blood vessels.
Immunoreactivity for GFAP, S-100 protein, Olig2, and EMA was variably
demonstrated in all tumors, and IDH1 R132H and L1CAM were negative. Array
comparative genomic hybridization revealed numerous heterozygous deletions on
chromosome X in the four tumors studied, and break-apart fluorescence in situ
hybridization demonstrated rearrangement of MN1 in five tumors with successful
testing. The characteristic clinicopathologic and genetic findings support the
idea that astroblastoma is distinct from other CNS tumors, in particular,
ependymoma. In addition, MN1 rearrangement and aberrations of chromosome X may
partly be involved in the pathogenesis of astroblastoma.
PMID- 28990709
TI - Study of morphological and mechanical features of multinuclear and mononuclear
SW480 cells by atomic force microscopy.
AB - This article studies the morphological and mechanical features of multinuclear
and mononuclear SW480 colon cancer cells by atomic force microscopy to understand
their drug-resistance. The SW480 cells were incubated with the fullerenol
concentrations of 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml. Morphological and mechanical features
including the height, length, width, roughness, adhesion force and Young's
modulus of three multinuclear cell groups and three mononuclear cell groups were
imaged and analyzed. It was observed that the features of multinuclear cancer
cells and mononuclear cancer cells were significantly different after the
treatment with fullerenol. The experiment results indicated that the mononuclear
SW480 cells were more sensitive to fullerenol than the multinuclear SW480 cells,
and the multinuclear SW480 cells exhibited a stronger drug-resistance than the
mononuclear SW480 cells. This work provides a guideline for the treatments of
multinuclear and mononuclear cancer cells with drugs.
PMID- 28990710
TI - Dr. Takuya Ueno to Serve as a Co-Editor of Transplantation for Artificial Organs.
PMID- 28990713
TI - Welcome to "24 +1 = 25" the Quarter Century Anniversary Meeting of Our Society:
Evolving to the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support.
PMID- 28990711
TI - Tsunamasa Inou: A Pioneer in Artificial Organs and Transplantation in Japan.
PMID- 28990714
TI - Challenges in Assist Devices Therapy in the Middle East.
PMID- 28990715
TI - Congress Summary: The 24th Congress of the International Society for Rotary Blood
Pumps.
PMID- 28990716
TI - Genome-wide characterization of Phytophthora infestans metabolism: a systems
biology approach.
AB - Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) provide a functional view of the complex
network of biochemical reactions in the living cell. Initially mainly applied to
reconstruct the metabolism of model organisms, the availability of increasingly
sophisticated reconstruction methods and more extensive biochemical databases now
make it possible to reconstruct GEMs for less well-characterized organisms, and
have the potential to unravel the metabolism in pathogen-host systems. Here, we
present a GEM for the oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans as a first
step towards an integrative model with its host. We predict the biochemical
reactions in different cellular compartments and investigate the gene-protein
reaction associations in this model to obtain an impression of the biochemical
capabilities of P. infestans. Furthermore, we generate life stage-specific models
to place the transcriptomic changes of the genes encoding metabolic enzymes into
a functional context. In sporangia and zoospores, there is an overall down
regulation, most strikingly reflected in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway. To
investigate the robustness of the GEM, we simulate gene deletions to predict
which enzymes are essential for in vitro growth. This model is an essential first
step towards an understanding of P. infestans and its interactions with plants as
a system, which will help to formulate new hypotheses on infection mechanisms and
disease prevention.
PMID- 28990717
TI - Mechanisms of resistance in the rice cultivar Manikpukha to the rice stem
nematode Ditylenchus angustus.
AB - The incompatible interaction between the rice cultivar Manikpukha and the rice
stem nematode Ditylenchus angustus has been reported recently. This research
focuses on the underlying mechanisms of resistance in Manikpukha. Invasion, post
infection development and reproduction of D. angustus were compared in compatible
and incompatible interactions to identify the stage in which resistance occurs.
The results indicate that resistance in Manikpukha is associated with reduced
development and reproduction, implying that resistance acts post-invasion. We
studied the possible involvement of three classical defence hormones, salicylic
acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET), in response to infection in a
compatible interaction using biosynthesis/signalling-deficient transgenic rice
lines. All three hormones appear to have an influence on the basal defence of
Nipponbare against the stem nematode. Although hormone application increases
basal defences, expression studies and hormone analyses after nematode infection
in Manikpukha did not show a clear involvement of the hormone defense pathways
for SA, ET and JA. However, it seems that OsPAL1 plays a pivotal role in
resistance, indicating that the phenylpropanoid pathway and its products might be
key players in the incompatible interaction. Lignin measurement showed that,
although basal levels are similar, Manikpukha had a significantly higher lignin
content on nematode infection, whereas it was decreased in the susceptible
cultivar. The results presented here show that SA, ET and JA are involved in
basal defences, but the resistance of Manikpukha against D. angustus probably
relies on products of the phenylpropanoid pathway.
PMID- 28990718
TI - Limb-sparing sarcoma reconstruction with functional composite thigh flaps.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Innervated muscle transfer can improve functional outcomes after
extensive limb-sparing sarcoma resections. We report our experience using
composite thigh flaps for functional reconstruction of large oncologic extremity
defects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2014, four limb-sparing oncologic
resections (3 lower extremities, 1 upper extremity) underwent immediate
functional reconstruction with composite thigh free flaps in three males and one
female. The age of the patients ranged from 36 to 73 years. There were 3 soft
tissue sarcomas and one giant cell tumor, all required resection of entire muscle
compartments. Flap components included fasciocutaneous tissue with sensory nerve,
plicated iliotibial band (ITB), and variable amounts of motorized vastus
lateralis (VL). RESULTS: All flaps survived without complications. All patients
showed VL motor innervation by six months. Follow-up ranged from 20 to 36 months.
Motor strength ranged from 2 to 5 out of 5, active range of motion was 25-92% of
normal, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Scores were between 22 and 29
out of 30. CONCLUSIONS: Limb-sparing techniques for upper and lower extremity
sarcomas continue to evolve. Our experience has validated the composite thigh
free flap as an excellent option for one-stage functional reconstruction of large
limb defects.
PMID- 28990719
TI - Japanese Outreach Model Project for patients who have difficulty maintaining
contact with mental health services: Comparison of care between higher
functioning and lower-functioning groups.
AB - AIM: The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare sponsored the current
examination of a new community mental health service, the Japan Outreach Model
Project (JOMP), for persons with mental illnesses and who find it difficult to
continue with ongoing treatment. Shorter readmission rates and hospital stays
were found. In this study, the amount and type of care that were delivered by the
JOMP were examined in order to inform the process of establishing the public
insurance system. METHODS: The data were collected from 32 JOMP outreach teams
from 21 prefectures in Japan that agreed to participate; 415 patients were
included in the analysis. The clients' characteristics, social functions,
problematic behavior score, and the amount and type of care that were delivered
were examined. RESULTS: Higher amounts of care were delivered in the first month,
compared to the remaining months, and the care was relatively stable from months
2-5. This suggests that consistently high care was needed for the JOMP clients
who found it difficult to maintain contact with mental health services. Those
clients with an increased overall global assessment functioning score at 6 months
(n = 151) had received significantly more care than those whose functioning had
decreased or remained stable (n = 150). The types of increased care that were
provided to the higher functioning group were: "assistance with daily living
tasks," "medical support for psychiatric symptoms," "empowering the client,"
"communication and coordination," "support for physical health," and "vocational
and educational support." CONCLUSION: The type and amount of care can positively
influence good functional outcomes for those in the community who find it
difficult to maintain contact with mental health services.
PMID- 28990721
TI - Getting termination right: strategies for cervical preparation.
PMID- 28990720
TI - Autotransplantation of teeth to the anterior maxilla: A systematic review of
survival and success, aesthetic presentation and patient-reported outcome.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIM: Autotransplantation of teeth to the anterior maxilla may be
indicated after trauma or in patients with congenitally missing teeth. The aim of
this systematic review was to report the current evidence concerning survival and
success rate, aesthetic outcome, and patient-reported outcome of autotransplanted
teeth to the anterior maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search followed
by an additional hand search was performed to identify relevant literature. All
levels of evidence except case reports were considered. Any publication reporting
on 10 or more autotransplanted teeth to the anterior maxilla, and written in
English were eligible for this systematic review. RESULTS: The systematic search
identified 95 abstracts. Thirty-seven full-text articles were evaluated of which
17 could finally be included. Data on survival and success rate of the
transplants could be extracted from 11 studies. Survival rates ranged between 93%
and 100% (weighted mean: 96.7%, median: 100%) after 9 months to 22 years of
observation (median: 8.75 years). No consensus regarding definition of success
criteria of the transplants could be found in the literature. Two and four
studies contained data on aesthetic and patient-reported outcomes, respectively.
In general, they reported favourable aesthetic results and high patient
satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The current available evidence suggests a high survival
rate after autotransplantation of teeth to the anterior maxilla. However, the
level of evidence is low. Limited data on aesthetic and patient-reported outcomes
warrant additional research in this field.
PMID- 28990722
TI - Disruption of calcineurin catalytic subunit (cnaA) in Epichloe festucae induces
symbiotic defects and intrahyphal hyphae formation.
AB - Calcineurin is a conserved calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase,
consisting of a catalytic subunit A and a regulatory subunit B, which is involved
in calcium-dependent signalling and regulation of various important cellular
processes. In this study, we functionally characterized the catalytic subunit A
(CnaA) of the endophytic fungus Epichloe festucae which forms a symbiotic
association with the grass host Lolium perenne. We deleted the CnaA-encoding gene
cnaA in E. festucae and examined its role in hyphal growth, cell wall integrity
and symbiosis. This DeltacnaA strain had a severe growth defect with loss of
radial growth and hyper-branched hyphae. Transmission electron microscopy and
confocal microscopy analysis of the mutant revealed cell wall defects, aberrant
septation and the formation of intrahyphal hyphae, both in culture and in planta.
The mutant strain also showed a reduced infection rate in planta. The
fluorescence of mutant hyphae stained with WGA-AF488 was reduced, indicating
reduced chitin accessibility. Together, these results show that E. festucae CnaA
is required for fungal growth, maintaining cell wall integrity and host
colonization.
PMID- 28990723
TI - MRI findings in deep infiltrating endometriosis: A pictorial essay.
AB - Endometriosis is an important gynaecological disorder which can impact
significantly on an individual's quality of life and has major implications on
fertility. Deep infiltrating endometriosis is a severe form of endometriosis
which can cause obliteration of anatomic compartments. Laparoscopy remains the
gold standard for diagnosis of endometriosis, although is an invasive procedure
that has the potential to be hindered by obliterative disease. Ultrasound is
often employed as the first-line imaging modality when endometriosis is
suspected, however, MRI is more accurate in assessment of complex disease. Pre
operative MRI is highly specific in the diagnosis of endometriosis and
characterization of disease extent, and plays a key role in guiding surgical
management. MRI findings in deep infiltrating endometriosis are described.
PMID- 28990724
TI - Preparation and Thermal Properties of Polycarbonates/esters Catalyzed by Using
Dinuclear Salph-Al from Ring-Opening Polymerization of Epoxide Monomers.
AB - A dinuclear Salph-Al complex/bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride catalyst
system was synthesized and employed for cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and CO2
copolymerization. The catalyst system had an excellent selectivity of 99 % for
carbonate linkages and the resultant poly(cyclohexene carbonate) (PCHC) had a
high glass transition temperature (Tg ) of 123.8 degrees C and a thermal
decomposition temperature (5 % weight loss; Td 5 % ) of 265 degrees C.
Furthermore, this catalyst system was active in the polymerization of phthalic
anhydride (PA) and epoxides. Poly(CHO-alt-PA) was completely alternating, and had
improved thermal properties (Tg =142.7 and Td 5 % =295 degrees C) compared with
PCHC. The Tg values of the polyesters could be adjusted by addition of PO to the
CHO/PA reaction system. For the CHO/PO/PA terpolymerization, CHO and PO
participated concurrently and proportionally in the chain growth and the obtained
terpolyesters had tunable Tg values from 62.8 to 142.7 degrees C depending on
the CHO/PO feed ratio.
PMID- 28990725
TI - Single-Molecule Monitoring of the Structural Switching Dynamics of Nucleic Acids
through Controlling Fluorescence Blinking.
AB - Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a powerful
tool to investigate the dynamics of biomolecular events in real time. However, it
requires two fluorophores and can be applied only to dynamics that accompany
large changes in distance between the molecules. Herein, we introduce a method
for kinetic analysis based on control of fluorescence blinking (KACB), a general
approach to investigate the dynamics of biomolecules by using a single
fluorophore. By controlling the kinetics of the redox reaction the blinking
kinetics or pattern can be controlled to be affected by microenvironmental
changes around a fluorophore (rKACB), thereby enabling real-time single-molecule
measurement of the structure-changing dynamics of nucleic acids.
PMID- 28990727
TI - Magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate and targeted biopsy, Comparison of
PIRADS and Gleason grading.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate
has become integral in the investigation of suspected prostate cancer. Regions of
interest are graded using the PIRADS scoring system, and in our institution,
lesions graded as PIRADS 3-5 undergo sampling by MRI-guided biopsy. Limited data
currently exists on PIRADS grading and biopsy results. METHODS: Retrospective
review of 343 MRI-guided biopsies (MRGB) performed between April 2013 and
December 2016 was conducted. This included patients irrespective of whether they
were biopsy naive, biopsy negative or known low-grade malignancy. A Gleason score
(G) >= 3+4 was considered to reflect clinically significant disease (CSD).
RESULTS: Of the 18 PIRADS 2 cases (at referrer request) who went to biopsy, 16
were negative and two had small volume Gleason 6 cancer. A total of 75 PIRADS 3
cases were biopsied with 88% negative or small volume Gleason 6 cancer, only 12%
yielded >= G 3+4. Of the 133 PIRADS 4 lesions, 24% were negative, 25% were G6 and
51% were >= G 3+4. A total of 117 PIRADS 5 cases were biopsied with 7% negative,
13% Gleason 6 and 80% considered significant (>= G 3+4). Of all biopsies, 230
(67%) had a positive result (>= G6) with 171 of these (75%) being considered CSD,
with overall CSD of 50% (171/343). CONCLUSIONS: This paper demonstrates the
incidence of CSD for different PIRADS grades. The low incidence of CSD in PIRADS
3 lesions suggests that in low clinical risk men, follow up in priority to biopsy
may be an alternative treatment pathway.
PMID- 28990726
TI - Multiple mechanisms of dimethyl fumarate in amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in
human neuronal cells.
AB - Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by a complex heterogeneity of
pathological changes, and any therapeutic approach categorically requires a multi
targeted way. It has been demonstrated that together with the hallmarks of the
disease such as neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques, oxidative and
inflammatory stress covered an important role. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an
orally bioavailable methyl ester of fumaric acid and activator of Nrf2 with
potential neuroprotective and immunomodulating activities. Therefore, the aim of
the present work was to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of DMF,
compared with its active metabolite monomethyl fumarate (MMF) (both at 30 MUM) in
an in vitro Alzheimer's model using SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell lines
stimulated with amyloid-beta (Abeta). Moreover, the effect of DMF, compared with
MMF, was evaluate by an ex vivo model using organotypic hippocampal slice
cultures stimulated with Abeta1-42 (1 MUg/ml), to better understand its action in
a pathological setting. In both models, DMF pre-treatment (30 MUM) preserved
cellular viability from Abeta stimulation, reducing tau hyper-phosphorylation,
much more efficiently then MMF (30 MUM). Moreover, DMF was able to induce an
activation of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1),
decreasing the severity of oxidative stress. Our results showed important multi
protective effects of DMF pre-treatment from Abeta stimulation both in in vitro
and ex vivo models, highlighting an Nrf2/NF-kappaB-dependent mechanism, which
could provide a valuable support to the therapies for neurodegenerative diseases
today.
PMID- 28990728
TI - Female bladder outlet obstruction: Common symptoms masking an uncommon cause.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in women remains an underdiagnosed
condition. Although diagnosed rarely in general urologic practice, its incidence
in specialist centers has been reported to be up to 29%. In the present study we
evaluated the incidence of female BOO in adult women referred for evaluation of
lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary incontinence, assessing its etiology and
correlating this with its clinical presentation. METHODS: The present study
consisted of a retrospective review of a prospectively acquired videourodynamic
database of 1142 consecutive women referred for evaluation of lower urinary tract
symptoms (LUTS) or urinary incontinence from March 2007 to December 2012 and
diagnosed with BOO. After exclusions, data from 1014 patients were analyzed. BOO
was defined using a combination of radiographic evidence of obstruction during
the voiding phase of the urodynamic study and pressure-flow criteria (Solomon
Greenwell nomogram). Diagnosis was confirmed by cystoscopy, maximal urethral
closure pressure, and magnetic resonance imaging as clinically indicated.
RESULTS: In all, 192 women (19%) were diagnosed with BOO. Functional sphincteric
obstruction was diagnosed in 70 women (36%). The most common anatomical cause of
BOO was previous anti-incontinence surgery, followed by urethral stricture,
diagnosed in 21% and 20% of patients, respectively. The most common presenting
symptoms were storage phase symptoms of daytime and night-time urinary frequency.
CONCLUSIONS: BOO was present in 19% of women with LUTS. Functional sphincteric
obstruction was the most common cause (36%), followed by obstruction after anti
incontinence surgery (21%). The most common presenting symptom was daytime
urinary frequency. BOO should be suspected in women with refractory LUTS,
especially those presenting with urinary frequency.
PMID- 28990730
TI - Corrigendum.
PMID- 28990729
TI - Renoprotective effects of topiroxostat for Hyperuricaemic patients with overt
diabetic nephropathy study (ETUDE study): A prospective, randomized, multicentre
clinical trial.
AB - AIM: We aimed to evaluate the anti-albuminuric effects of topiroxostat in
Japanese hyperuricaemic patients with diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: In this 24
week, multicentre, open-label, randomized (1 : 1) trial, we assigned
hyperuricaemic patients with diabetic nephropathy (estimated glomerular
filtration rate >= 20 mL/min per 1.73m2 ) and overt proteinuria (0.3 <= urine
protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) <3.5 g/g Cr) to either high dose (160 mg
daily) or low dose (40 mg daily) topiroxostat. The primary endpoint was the
change in albuminuria indicated by urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) from
the baseline at the final time point. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients underwent
randomization. The changes in UACR after 24 weeks of treatment (or at the final
time point if patients failed to reach 24 weeks) relative to the baseline were
122 mg/gCr (95% CI: -5.1 to -240.1, P = 0.041) in patients treated with high
dose, while treatment with low dose topiroxostat could not show significant
reduction (P = 0.067). In the linear mixed model including baseline albuminuria,
eGFR, age, and sex as covariates, the decreases in UACR were still significant
from baseline to 12 weeks by 228.7 +/- 83.2 mg/gCr (P = 0.0075) in the high dose
group. The adverse-event profile during this study was not different between the
groups. CONCLUSION: Topiroxostat 160 mg daily reduced albuminuria in patients
with diabetic nephropathy. (Funded by Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho; Trial registration,
UMIN000015403).
PMID- 28990731
TI - Comment on a paper by Dupoiron et al. "A phase III randomized controlled study on
the efficacy and improved bowel function of prolonged-release (PR) oxycodone-
naloxone (up to 160/80 mg daily) versus oxycodone PR".
PMID- 28990732
TI - First use of Micro Vascular Plugs in Australia: Endovascular treatment of
pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.
AB - This report describes the first Australian experience with the Micro Vascular
Plug System (MVP), as a permanent embolic device for the treatment of pulmonary
arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). MVPs deployed in small vessels between 2 mm
and 5 mm are demonstrated to be feasible, safe and effective treatment for PAVMs.
PMID- 28990733
TI - Sustainable and Continuous Synthesis of Enantiopure l-Amino Acids by Using a
Versatile Immobilised Multienzyme System.
AB - The enzymatic synthesis of alpha-amino acids is a sustainable and efficient
alternative to chemical processes, through which achieving enantiopure products
is difficult. To more address this synthesis efficiently, a hierarchical
architecture that irreversibly co-immobilises an amino acid dehydrogenase with
polyethyleneimine on porous agarose beads has been designed and fabricated. The
cationic polymer acts as an irreversible anchoring layer for the formate
dehydrogenase. In this architecture, the two enzymes and polymer colocalise
across the whole microstructure of the porous carrier. This multifunctional
heterogeneous biocatalyst was kinetically characterised and applied to the
enantioselective synthesis of a variety of canonical and noncanonical alpha-amino
acids in both discontinuous (batch) and continuous modes. The co-immobilised
bienzymatic system conserves more than 50 % of its initial effectiveness after
five batch cycles and 8 days of continuous operation. Additionally, the
environmental impact of this process has been semiquantitatively calculated and
compared with the state of the art.
PMID- 28990734
TI - Application of the allogenic mesenchymal stem cells in the therapy of the bladder
tuberculosis.
AB - Urogenital tuberculosis (TB) often leads to contraction of the bladder, a
reduction of the urinary reservoir capacity, and, in the latest stage, to real
microcystitis up to full obliteration. Bladder TB Stage 4 is unsuitable for
conservative therapy, and cystectomy with subsequent enteroplasty is indicated.
In this study, using a model of bladder TB in New Zealand rabbits, the
therapeutic efficacy of the interstitial injection of autologous bone-derived
mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with standard anti-TB treatment in the
restoration of the bladder function was demonstrated. For analysis of the MSC
distribution in tissues, the latter were labelled with superparamagnetic iron
oxide nanoparticles. In vitro studies demonstrated the high intracellular
incorporation of nanoparticles and the absence of cytotoxicity on MSC viability
and proliferation. A single-dose administration of MSCs into the bladder mucosal
layer significantly reduced the wall deformation and inflammation and hindered
the development of fibrosis, which was proven by the subsequent histological
assay. Confocal microscopy studies of the bladder cryosections confirmed the
presence of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-labelled MSCs in different
bladder layers of the treated animals, thus indicating the role of stem cells in
bladder regeneration.
PMID- 28990735
TI - Metabolism in cancer metastasis: bioenergetics, biosynthesis, and beyond.
AB - Metabolic changes accompany tumor progression and metastatic dissemination of
cancer cells. Yet, until recently, metabolism has received little attention in
the study of cancer metastasis. Cancer cells undergo significant metabolic
rewiring as they acquire metastatic traits and adapt to survive in multiple
environments with varying nutrient availability, oxygen concentrations, and
extracellular signals. Therefore, to effectively treat metastatic cancer, it is
important to understand the metabolic strategies adopted by cancer cells during
the metastatic process. Here, we focus on the metabolic pathways known to play a
role in cancer metastasis, including glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway,
tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, amino acid metabolism, and
fatty acid metabolism. Recent studies have uncovered roles for these pathways in
cellular events that promote metastasis, including reactive oxygen species
mediated signaling, epigenetic regulation, and interaction with the extracellular
matrix. We also discuss the metabolic interplay between immune cells and cancer
cells supporting metastasis. Finally, we highlight the current limitations of our
knowledge on this topic, and present future directions for the field. WIREs Syst
Biol Med 2018, 10:e1406. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1406 This article is categorized
under: Biological Mechanisms > Metabolism.
PMID- 28990736
TI - Hospital outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in
female in the United States.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess the in-hospital mortality and complications in female
between transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve
replacement (SAVR). BACKGROUND: Female is one of the risk factors for increased
adverse events in cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nationwide Inpatient
Sample database was queried from 2011 to 2014 for patients who underwent TAVR or
SAVR in female patients. The primary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause mortality
and second endpoints were perioperative complications. We performed a propensity
score analysis to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for each outcome.
Patients who had concomitant cardiac surgery and those who had TAVR or SAVR
mainly for aortic regurgitation were excluded. Our query from 2011 to 2014
resulted in a total of 3,067 TAVR and 18,594 SAVR in female patients. TAVR
patients were in general elder and had a higher burden of comorbidities. The
primary endpoint was similar between TAVR and SAVR (4.2% vs. 3.9%, OR 1.0, P =
0.89). Compared to SAVR, female TAVR patients had less hemorrhage requiring
transfusion (12% vs. 21%, OR 0.41, P < 0.001), perioperative cardiac arrest and
nonfatal myocardial infarction (9.8% vs. 17%, OR 0.38, P < 0.001), respiratory
complication (1.6% vs. 4.4%, OR 0.28, P < 0.001), post-op sepsis (1.7% vs. 2.9%,
OR 0.65, P = 0.03), acute myocardial infarction (3.0% vs. 4.9%, OR 0.60, P <
0.001), and acute kidney injury (15% vs. 18%, OR 0.62, P < 0.001). Conversely,
female TAVR patients had significantly increased risk of new pacemaker
implantation (11% vs. 5.9%, OR 1.7, P < 0.001) and use of extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation (0.66% vs. 0.24%, OR 2.8, P < 0.001). TAVR patients had less
nonroutine discharge. The median hospital cost was significantly higher in TAVR
than SAVR (median $51,274 vs. $43,677, P < 0.001) but the length of stay was
shorter (mean 7.8 days vs. 10.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: TAVR may be a better option
for those patients with underlying comorbidities that predispose them at higher
risk for complications that was less observed in TAVR group. However, higher cost
and increased risk of need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, although
rare, should be taken into consideration upon deciding the optimal mode for
aortic valve replacement.
PMID- 28990737
TI - Evaluation of kidney motion with and without a pneumatic abdominal compression
belt: Considerations for stereotactic radiotherapy.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The optimal delivery of stereotactic radiotherapy for kidney
tumours requires an effective motion management strategy. This study assessed the
effectiveness of a pneumatic abdominal compression belt in reducing kidney motion
during free breathing. METHODS: Thirteen patients, with four-dimensional computed
tomography (4DCT) of the abdomen in free breathing with and without a pneumatic
abdominal compression belt, were retrospectively reviewed. Points of Interest
(POI) were placed on each kidney to determine the greatest magnitude of
displacement in all directions. RESULTS: Without compression, all patients had
>5.0 mm motion in the craniocaudal (CC) direction in at least one kidney. Median
CC excursion of the left superior pole was reduced with compression from 8.0 mm
(range 2.0 mm-18.0 mm) to 4.0 mm (range 2.0 mm-10.0 mm, P = 0.047) and right
superior pole from 10.0 mm (range 4.0 mm-16.0 mm) to 6.0 mm (range 2.0 mm-10.0
mm, P=value 0.051). A benefit was less evident for the left and right inferior
poles with median CC excursion of 6.0 mm versus 4.0 mm and 5.0 mm versus 4.0 mm
without and with compression, respectively. Median displacement in the
anteroposterior direction (<=3.2 mm) and lateral directions (<=1.3 mm) was
similar for left and right kidneys and not significantly altered by compression.
Overall, seven patients had kidney motion reduced by >5.0 mm with two reduced by
10.0 mm. CONCLUSION: A pneumatic abdominal compression belt reduced kidney motion
by >5.0 mm in seven of thirteen patients. The relative benefit is patient and
location specific and should be assessed on an individual basis.
PMID- 28990738
TI - Treatment of obsessive morbid jealousy with cognitive analytic therapy: An
adjudicated hermeneutic single-case efficacy design evaluation.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The evidence base for the treatment of morbid jealousy with
integrative therapies is thin. This study explored the efficacy of cognitive
analytic therapy (CAT). DESIGN: An adjudicated hermeneutic single-case efficacy
design evaluated the cognitive analytic treatment of a patient meeting diagnostic
criteria for obsessive morbid jealousy. METHOD: A rich case record was developed
using a matrix of nomothetic and ideographic quantitative and qualitative
outcomes. This record was then debated by sceptic and affirmative research teams.
Experienced psychotherapy researchers acted as judges, assessed the original case
record, and heard the affirmative-versus-sceptic debate. Judges pronounced an
opinion regarding the efficacy of the therapy. RESULTS: The efficacy of CAT was
supported by all three judges. Each ruled that change had occurred due to the
action of the therapy, beyond any level of reasonable doubt. CONCLUSIONS: This
research demonstrates the potential usefulness of CAT in treating morbid jealousy
and suggests that CAT is conceptually well suited. Suggestions for future
clinical and research directions are provided. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The
relational approach of CAT makes it a suitable therapy for morbid jealousy. The
narrative reformulation component of CAT appears to facilitate early change in
chronic jealousy patterns. It is helpful for therapists during sessions to use
CAT theory to diagrammatically spell out the patterns maintaining jealousy.
PMID- 28990739
TI - Advances in native high-performance liquid chromatography and intact mass
spectrometry for the characterization of biopharmaceutical products.
AB - The characterization of biotherapeutics represents a major analytical challenge.
This review discusses the current state-of-the-art in analytical technologies to
profile biopharma products under native conditions, i.e., the protein three
dimensional conformation is maintained during liquid chromatographic analysis.
Native liquid-chromatographic modes that are discussed include aqueous size
exclusion chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and ion
exchange chromatography. Infusion conditions and the possibilities and
limitations to hyphenate native liquid chromatography to mass spectrometry are
discussed. Furthermore, the applicability of native liquid-chromatography methods
and intact mass spectrometry analysis for the characterization of monoclonal
antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates is discussed.
PMID- 28990740
TI - Schedules of Controlled Substances: Removal of Naldemedine From Control. Final
rule.
AB - With the issuance of this final rule, the Drug Enforcement Administration removes
the substance naldemedine (4R,4aS,7aR,12bS)-3-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4a,7,9
trihydroxy-N-(2-(3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)propan-2-yl)-2,3,4,4a,5,7a
hexahydro-1H-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinoline-6-carboxamide) including
its salts from the schedules of the Controlled Substances Act. Prior to the
effective date of this rule, naldemedine was a schedule II controlled substance
because it can be derived from opium alkaloids. This action removes the
regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable
to controlled substances, including those specific to schedule II controlled
substances, on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute,
dispense, conduct research, import, export, or conduct chemical analysis) or
propose to handle naldemedine.
PMID- 28990741
TI - Post-transplant diabetes: diagnosis and management.
AB - Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is common after most types of solid
organ transplantation, though the actual incidence is as yet unknown because of
the use of different diagnostic criteria. PTDM is the result of individual risk
factors as well as risk factors associated with the transplant itself,
particularly immunosuppressants. Previously called New Onset Diabetes, in many
cases inadequate screening for diabetes before transplant cannot assure that the
diabetes is new after transplant. The most recent international consensus
guidelines suggest diagnosis should be delayed until the patient is taking
maintenance doses of immunosuppressants even if they require treatment in the
immediate hospitalization. Criteria for diagnosis follow those of the American
Diabetes Association and the World Health Organization, although hemoglobin A1C
should not be used as the only screening test at least until one year after
transplant because of its insensitivity for significant glucose intolerance in
the transplant patient and setting. Management of PTDM is best done in a team
setting, with an emphasis on glycemic control, dyslipidemia, and hypertension,
and taking into consideration immunosuppressant regimens and potential drug side
effects and interactions. While PTDM has been associated with changes in
outcomes, these have and may continue to improve with improved diabetes care in
and out of the hospital, and other changes in post-transplant care.
PMID- 28990742
TI - Autoimmune endocrine diseases.
AB - The endocrine system is interested by several autoimmune diseases, characterized
by different impact and severity, according to the organs involved. Autoimmune
thyroid disorders (i.e. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease) and type 1
diabetes mellitus are the most common autoimmune endocrine disorders, while
hypophysitis, adrenalitis (90% of cases of primary hypocortisolism or Addison's
disease), POF and hypoparathyroidism represent quite rare conditions. Autoimmune
endocrine diseases can also coexist in the same individuals and cluster in
families. Some of these associations are nosologically codified in the so-called
autoimmune polyglandular syndromes, but autoimmune endocrinopathies can also be
accompanied by other non-endocrine autoimmune disorders (i.e. connective tissue,
skin or gastrointestinal diseases). Pathophysiology generally results from a
complex interplay among genetic predisposition and environmental/endogenous
factors. In the diagnostic process, measurement of organ-specific autoantibodies,
both with a causative role or as an epiphenomenon, is often fundamental and
integrates the assessment of hormone axes and the targeted imaging studies.
PMID- 28990743
TI - Drug Pricing Program Ceiling Price and Manufacturer Civil Monetary Penalties
Regulation. Final rule; further delay of effective date.
AB - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administers section 340B
of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), known as the "340B Drug Pricing Program"
or the "340B Program." HRSA published a final rule on January 5, 2017, that set
forth the calculation of the ceiling price and application of civil monetary
penalties. The final rule applied to all drug manufacturers that are required to
make their drugs available to covered entities under the 340B Program. On August
21, 2017, HHS solicited comments on further delaying the effective date of the
January 5, 2017, final rule to July 1, 2018 (82 FR 39553). HHS proposed this
action to allow a more deliberate process of considering alternative and
supplemental regulatory provisions and to allow for sufficient time for
additional rulemaking. After consideration of the comments received on the
proposed rule, HHS is delaying the effective date of the January 5, 2017, final
rule, to July 1, 2018.
PMID- 28990744
TI - Phosphoprotein 1 (osteopontin) gene (rs4754) affects markers of subclinical
atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB - BACKGROUND: Our study was designed to test a possible association between
polymorphisms of the SPP1 gene (rs4754, rs28357094) and markers of carotid
atherosclerosis (CIMT, number of affected segments of carotid arteries, sum of
plaque thickness, presence of carotid plaques, and presence of unstable carotid
plaques) in subjects with T2DM. The second aim was to test the possible
association between polymorphisms of the SPP1 gene (rs4754, rs28357094) and the
progression of carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT progression, change in total plaque
thickness, change in the number of sites with plaques) in subjects with T2DM.
METHODS: In the prospective study 595 T2DM subjects were enrolled. Markers of
carotid atherosclerosis were assessed ultrasonographically. rs4754 and rs28357094
polymorphisms of the phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) gene were determined with real-time
PCR. RESULTS: In our study we found an association between SPP1 rs4754 and the
presence of plaques at the time of recruitment, whereas we did not find any
association between SPP1 rs28357094 and subclinical markers of carotid
atherosclerosis at the time of recruitment. Moreover, we did not find any
statistically significant effect of either rs4754 or rs28357094 on subclinical
markers of carotid atherosclerosis progression (CIMT progression, change in total
plaque thickness, change in the number of sites with plaques). As shown by the
multiple linear regression analysis, genotypes of either rs4754 or rs28357094 did
not have a statistically significant effect on the progression of subclinical
markers of carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT progression, change in total plaque
thickness, change in the number of sites with plaques) after the adjustment for
confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated an important effect of the
SPP1 rs4754 on subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with
T2DM; however, as demonstrated by the multiple linear regression analysis,
neither rs4754 nor rs28357094 had an important impact on the progression of
subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with T2DM.
PMID- 28990745
TI - Diagnostic value of circulating microRNA-27a/b in patients with acute pulmonary
embolism.
AB - BACKGROUND: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been increasingly suggested as
biomarkers for numerous diseases. The aims of this study were to evaluate the
expression of plasma miR-27a/b in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE)
and determine the possibility of miR-27a/b as diagnostic biomarkers for APE.
METHODS: Seventy-eight APE patients diagnosed by computed tomographic pulmonary
angiography (CTPA) and 70 age and gender matched normal volunteers were included
in this study. The levels of miR-27a and miR-27b were measured by quantitative
reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and the concentrations
of plasma D-dimer were measured using immunoturbidimetric assay. RESULTS: The
levels of plasma miR-27a and miR-27b were significantly higher in APE patients
(P<0.001) compared with normal controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
curve analyses showed that plasma miR-27a was superior to miR-27b for the
diagnosis of APE (AUC=0.784, AUC=0.707, respectively). Combining miR-27a or miR
27b with D-dimer significantly increased the diagnostic capacity of APE.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that circulating miR-27a and miR-27b might be
potential novel diagnostic biomarkers in APE patients.
PMID- 28990746
TI - Medical Devices; Gastroenterology-Urology Devices; Classification of the High
Intensity Ultrasound System for Prostate Tissue Ablation. Final order.
AB - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is classifying the high intensity
ultrasound system for prostate tissue ablation into class II (special controls).
The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order
and will be part of the codified language for the high intensity ultrasound
system forprostate tissue ablation's classification. We are taking this action
because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special
controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the
device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial
innovativedevices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
PMID- 28990747
TI - Paying for Prescription Drugs Around the World: Why Is the U.S. an Outlier?
AB - Issue: Compared with other high-income countries, the United States spends the
most per capita on prescription drugs. Goal: To compare drug spending levels and
trends in the U.S. and nine other high-income countries - Australia, Canada,
France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United
Kingdom; consider potential explanations for higher U.S. spending; and explore
patients' exposure to pharmaceutical costs. Method: Analysis of health data from
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the 2016 Commonwealth
Fund International Health Policy Survey, and other sources. Findings and
Conclusions: Various factors contribute to high per capita drug spending in the
U.S. While drug utilization appears to be similar in the U.S. and the nine other
countries considered, the prices at which drugs are sold in the U.S. are
substantially higher. These price differences appear to at least partly explain
current and historical disparities in spending on pharmaceutical drugs. U.S.
consumers face particularly high out-of-pocket costs, both because the U.S. has a
large uninsured population and because cost-sharing requirements for those with
coverage are more burdensome than in other countries. Most Americans support
reducing pharmaceutical costs. International experience demonstrates that
policies like universal health coverage, insurance benefit design that restricts
out-of-pocket spending, and certain price control strategies, like centralized
price negotiations,can be effective.
PMID- 28990748
TI - Cal MediConnect Enrollment: Why Are Dual-Eligible Consumers in Los Angeles County
Opting Out?
AB - Los Angeles County has the state's lowest rate of consumer enrollment in Cal
MediConnect, a program that is responsible for the delivery and coordination of
medical, behavioral health, and long-term services and support benefits for
individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal. This policy brief
examines the factors that influence consumer decisions and may contribute to low
enrollment rates. Influential factors include consumer knowledge of health care
options, perception of choice, and disruption of existing care. Differences in
decision making by age, complexity of health care needs, race/ethnicity,
immigration status, and primary language are also noted. Policy recommendations
include engaging consumers in the planning and dissemination of information about
their health care options, optimizing consumer choice and implementing the least
disruptive pathway to enrollment, and recognizing and responding to the great
diversity of dual-eligible consumers in Los Angeles County.
PMID- 28990749
TI - Structurally Simple and Easily Accessible Perylenes for Dye-Sensitized Solar
Cells Applicable to Both 1 Sun and Dim-Light Environments.
AB - The need for low-cost and highly efficient dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells
under both the sunlight and dim light environments is growing. We have devised GJ
series push-pull organic dyes which require only four synthesis steps. These dyes
feature a linear molecular structure of donor-perylene-ethynylene-arylcarboxylic
acid, where donor represents N,N-diarylamino group and arylcarboxylic groups
represent benzoic, thienocarboxylic, 2-cyano-3-phenylacrylic, 2-cyano-3
thienoacrylic, and 4-benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-4-yl-benzoic groups. In this
study, we demonstrated that a dye without tedious and time-consuming synthesis
efforts can perform efficiently. Under the illumination of AM1.5G simulated
sunlight, the benzothiadiazole-benzoic-containing GJ-BP dye shows the best power
conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.16% with VOC of 0.70 V and JSC of 11.88 mA cm-2
using liquid iodide-based electrolyte. It also shows high performance in
converting light of 6000 lx light intensity, that is, incident power of ca. 1.75
mW cm-2, to power output of 0.28 mW cm-2 which equals a PCE of 15.79%.
Interestingly, the benzoic-containing dye GJ-P with a simple molecular structure
has comparable performance in generating power output of 0.26 mW cm-2 (PCE of
15.01%) under the same condition and is potentially viable toward future
application.
PMID- 28990750
TI - Organic-Inorganic Composite Films Based on Gd3Ga3Al2O12:Ce Scintillator
Nanoparticles for X-ray Imaging Applications.
AB - Organic-inorganic nanocomposite self-standing films of Gd3Ga3Al2O12 (GGAG)
uniformly dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene polymer
are prepared for radiography application. GGAG:Ce nanoscintillator has been
chosen because of its high light output and fast decay time. The nanopowder of
GGAG is synthesized by coprecipitation method and dispersed in the polymer matrix
by a simple blending technique. The nanocomposite films of thickness in the range
of 150-450 MUm with a very high inorganic content is achieved by this technique.
These films are characterized by their uniformity, optical absorption,
photoluminescence, and radioluminescence. These films are further tested for
their application in radiography by recording X-ray images using a commercially
available charge-coupled device camera. A resolution of 10 lp/mm is obtained
using GGAG:PMMA composite film with 50% loading, confirming their application in
imaging devices.
PMID- 28990751
TI - MOF-Derived ZnO Nanoparticles Covered by N-Doped Carbon Layers and Hybridized on
Carbon Nanotubes for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.
AB - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have many promising applications in energy and
environmental areas such as gas separation, catalysis, supercapacitors, and
batteries; the key toward those applications is controlled pyrolysis which can
tailor the porous structure, improve electrical conductivity, and expose metal
ions in MOFs. Here, we present a systematic study on the structural evolution of
zeolitic imidazolate frameworks hybridized on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during the
carbonization process. We show that a number of typical products can be obtained,
depending on the annealing time, including (1) CNTs wrapped by relatively thick
carbon layers, (2) CNTs grafted by ZnO nanoparticles which are covered by thin
nitrogen-doped carbon layers, and (3) CNTs grafted by aggregated ZnO
nanoparticles. We also investigated the electrochemical properties of those
hybrid structures as freestanding membrane electrodes for lithium ion batteries,
and the second one (CNT-supported ZnO covered by N-doped carbon) shows the best
performance with a high specific capacity (850 mA h/g at a current density of 100
mA/g) and excellent cycling stability. Our results indicate that tailoring and
optimizing the MOF-CNT hybrid structure is essential for developing high
performance energy storage systems.
PMID- 28990752
TI - Monomer: Design of ZnO Nanostructures (Nanobush and Nanowire) and Their Room
Temperature Ethanol Vapor Sensing Signatures.
AB - Ethanol serves as a biomarker as well as a chemical reagent for several
applications and has been predominantly used as an alternative fuel (E10 and
E85). Development of sensors for the detection and monitoring of ethanol vapor at
lower operating temperatures has gathered momentum in the recent past. In this
work, we reported the synthesis of self-assembled ZnO nanowires using electrospun
technique without using any external surfactants or capping agents and their room
temperature ethanol sensing properties. An inherent template namely monomer of
the polymer poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with two different molecular weights (14
000 and 140 000 g mol-1) was used along with the precursor zinc acetate
dihydrate. The ZnO-PVA nanofibers have been tranformed to ZnO nanospheres and
nanowires after calcination. The ratio of zinc precursor concentration to PVA
polymer led to the enhanced carrier concentration of the resultant ZnO nanowire
that enhanced, in turn, the sensing response toward ethanol vapor. The developed
sensing elements have been systematically characterized to correlate their
structural, morphological, and electrical properties with the respective room
temperature ethanol-sensing characteristics. The role of grain features and low
activation energy of ZnO nanowires in coordination with the low dipole moment of
ethanol resulted in the excellent response of 78 toward 100 ppm at room
temperature with ultra-sensitive response and recovery times (9 and 12 s,
respectively).
PMID- 28990754
TI - Effect of an Interfacial Layer on Electron Tunneling through Atomically Thin
Al2O3 Tunnel Barriers.
AB - Electron tunneling through high-quality, atomically thin dielectric films can
provide a critical enabling technology for future microelectronics, bringing
enhanced quantum coherent transport, fast speed, small size, and high energy
efficiency. A fundamental challenge is in controlling the interface between the
dielectric and device electrodes. An interfacial layer (IL) will contain defects
and introduce defects in the dielectric film grown atop, preventing electron
tunneling through the formation of shorts. In this work, we present the first
systematic investigation of the IL in Al2O3 dielectric films of 1-6 A's in
thickness on an Al electrode. We integrated several advanced approaches:
molecular dynamics to simulate IL formation, in situ high vacuum sputtering
atomic layer deposition (ALD) to synthesize Al2O3 on Al films, and in situ
ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling spectroscopy to probe the electron tunneling
through the Al2O3. The IL had a profound effect on electron tunneling. We
observed a reduced tunnel barrier height and soft-type dielectric breakdown which
indicate that defects are present in both the IL and in the Al2O3. The IL forms
primarily due to exposure of the Al to trace O2 and/or H2O during the pre-ALD
heating step of fabrication. As the IL was systematically reduced, by controlling
the pre-ALD sample heating, we observed an increase of the ALD Al2O3 barrier
height from 0.9 to 1.5 eV along with a transition from soft to hard dielectric
breakdown. This work represents a key step toward the realization of high
quality, atomically thin dielectrics with electron tunneling for the next
generation of microelectronics.
PMID- 28990753
TI - Novel Electrophilic Scaffold for Imaging of Essential Penicillin-Binding Proteins
in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
AB - Peptidoglycan (PG) is a mesh-like heteropolymer made up of glycan chains cross
linked by short peptides and is the major scaffold of eubacterial cell walls,
determining cell shape, size, and chaining. This structure, which is required for
growth and survival, is located outside of the cytoplasmic membrane of bacterial
cells, making it highly accessible to antibiotics. Penicillin-binding proteins
(PBPs) are essential for construction of PG and perform transglycosylase
activities to generate the glycan strands and transpeptidation to cross-link the
appended peptides. The beta-lactam antibiotics, which are among the most
clinically effective antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections,
inhibit PBP transpeptidation, ultimately leading to cell lysis. Despite this
importance, the discrete functions of individual PBP homologues have been
difficult to determine. These major gaps in understanding of PBP activation and
macromolecular interactions largely result from a lack of tools to assess the
functional state of specific PBPs in bacterial cells. We have identified beta
lactones as a privileged scaffold for the generation of PBP-selective probes and
utilized these compounds for imaging of the essential proteins, PBP2x and PBP2b,
in Streptococcus pneumoniae. We demonstrated that while PBP2b activity is
restricted to a ring surrounding the division sites, PBP2x activity is present
both at the septal center and at the surrounding ring. These spatially separate
regions of PBP2x activity could not be detected by previous activity-based
approaches, which highlights a critical strength of our PBP-selective imaging
strategy.
PMID- 28990755
TI - Tunable and Linker Free Nanogaps in Core-Shell Plasmonic Nanorods for Selective
and Quantitative Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells by SERS.
AB - Controlling the size, number, and shape of nanogaps in plasmonic nanostructures
is of significant importance for the development of novel quantum plasmonic
devices and quantitative sensing techniques such as surface-enhanced Raman
scattering (SERS). Here, we introduce a new synthetic method based on
coordination interactions and galvanic replacement to prepare core-shell
plasmonic nanorods with tunable enclosed nanogaps. Decorating Au nanorods with
Raman reporters that strongly coordinate Ag+ ions (e.g., 4-mercaptopyridine)
afforded uniform nucleation sites to form a sacrificial Ag shell. Galvanic
replacement of the Ag shell by HAuCl4 resulted in Au-AgAu core-shell structure
with a uniform intra-nanoparticle gap. The size (length and width) and morphology
of the core-shell plasmonic nanorods as well as the nanogap size depend on the
concentration of the coordination complexes formed between Ag+ ions and 4
mercaptopyridine. Moreover, encapsulating Raman reporters within the nanogaps
afforded an internal standard for sensitive and quantitative SERS analysis. To
test the applicability, core-shell plasmonic nanorods were functionalized with
aptamers specific to circulating tumor cells such as MCF-7 (Michigan Cancer
Foundation-7, breast cancer cell line). This system could selectively detect as
low as 20 MCF-7 cells in a blood mimicking fluid employing SERS. The linking DNA
duplex on core-shell plasmonic nanorods can also intercalate hydrophobic drug
molecules such as Doxorubicin, thereby increasing the versatility of this sensing
platform to include drug delivery. Our synthetic method offers the possibility of
developing multifunctional SERS-active materials with a wide range of
applications including biosensing, imaging, and therapy.
PMID- 28990756
TI - Development of Sphere-Polymer Brush Hierarchical Nanostructure Substrates for
Fabricating Microarrays with High Performance.
AB - In this work, a sphere-polymer brush hierarchical nanostructure-modified glass
slide has been developed for fabricating high-performance microarrays. The
substrate consists of a uniform 160 nm silica particle-self-assembled monolayer
on a glass slide with a postcoated poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) brush layer
(termed PGMA@3D(160) substrate), which can provide three-dimensional (3D) polymer
brushes containing abundant epoxy groups for directly immobilizing various
biomolecules. As a typical example, the interactions of three monosaccharides (4
aminophenyl beta-d-galactopyranoside, 4-aminophenyl beta-d-glucopyranoside, and 4
aminophenyl alpha-d-mannopyranoside) with two lectins (biotinylated ricinus
communis agglutinin 120 and biotinylated concanavalin A from Canavalia
ensiformis) have been assessed by PGMA@3D(160) substrate-based carbohydrate
microarrays. The carbohydrate microarrays show good selectivity, strong
multivalent interaction, and low limit of detection (LOD) in the picomolar range
without any signal amplification. Furthermore, the proposed sphere-polymer brush
hierarchical nanostructure substrates can be easily extended to fabricate other
types of microarrays for DNA and protein detection. PGMA@3D(160) substrate-based
microarrays exhibit higher reaction efficiencies and lower LODs (by at least 1
order of magnitude) in comparison to those of two-dimensional microarrays, which
are fabricated on planar epoxy substrates, making it a promising platform for
bioanalytical and biomedical applications.
PMID- 28990757
TI - Preparation of Iridescent 2D Photonic Crystals by Using a Mussel-Inspired Spatial
Patterning of ZIF-8 with Potential Applications in Optical Switch and Chemical
Sensor.
AB - In this work, spatial patterning of a thin, dense, zeolitic imidazolate framework
(ZIF-8) pattern was generated using photolithography and nanoscale (60 nm)
dopamine coating. A bioinspired, unique, reversible, two-color iridescent pattern
can be easily obtained for potential applications in sensing and photonics.
PMID- 28990758
TI - Breath-Taking Patterns: Discontinuous Hydrophilic Regions for Photonic Crystal
Beads Assembly and Patterns Revisualization.
AB - Surfaces patterned with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions provide robust and
versatile means for investigating the wetting behaviors of liquids, surface
properties analysis, and producing patterned arrays. However, the fabrication of
integral and uniform arrays onto these open systems remains a challenge, thus
restricting them from being used in practical applications. Here, we present a
simple yet powerful approach for the fabrication of water droplet arrays and the
assembly of photonic crystal bead arrays based on hydrophilic-hydrophobic
patterned substrates. Various integral arrays are simply prepared in a high
quality output with a low cost, large scale, and uniform size control. By simply
taking a breath, which brings moisture to the substrate surface, complex
hydrophilic-hydrophobic outlined images can be revisualized in the discontinuous
hydrophilic regions. Integration of hydrogel photonic crystal bead arrays into
the "breath-taking" process results in breath-responsive photonic crystal beads,
which can change their colors upon a mild exhalation. This state-of-the-art
technology not only provides an effective methodology for the preparation of
patterned arrays but also demonstrates intriguing applications in information
storage and biochemical sensors.
PMID- 28990759
TI - Uniform Gold-Nanoparticle-Decorated {001}-Faceted Anatase TiO2 Nanosheets for
Enhanced Solar-Light Photocatalytic Reactions.
AB - The {001}-faceted anatase TiO2 micro-/nanocrystals have been widely investigated
for enhancing the photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2
nanostructures, but their practical applications still require improved energy
conversion efficiency under solar-light and enhanced cycling stability. In this
work, we demonstrate the controlled growth of ultrathin {001}-faceted anatase
TiO2 nanosheets on flexible carbon cloth for enhancing the cycling stability, and
the solar-light photocatalytic performance of the synthesized TiO2 nanosheets can
be significantly improved by decorating with vapor-phase-deposited uniformly
distributed plasmonic gold nanoparticles. The fabricated Au-TiO2 hybrid system
shows an 8-fold solar-light photocatalysis enhancement factor in photodegrading
Rhodamine B, a high photocurrent density of 300 MUA cm-2 under the illumination
of AM 1.5G, and 100% recyclability under a consecutive long-term cycling
measurement. Combined with electromagnetic simulations and systematic control
experiments, it is believed that the tandem-type separation and transition of
plasmon-induced hot electrons from Au nanoparticles to the {001} facet of anatase
TiO2, and then to the neighboring {101} facet, is responsible for the enhanced
solar-light photochemical performance of the hybrid system. The Au-TiO2 nanosheet
system addresses well the problems of the limited solar-light response of anatase
TiO2 and fast recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, representing a
promising high-performance recyclable solar-light-responding system for practical
photocatalytic reactions.
PMID- 28990760
TI - Transformation of Metal-Organic Frameworks/Coordination Polymers into Functional
Nanostructured Materials: Experimental Approaches Based on Mechanistic Insights.
AB - Nanostructured materials such as porous metal oxides, metal nanoparticles, porous
carbons, and their composites have been intensively studied due to their
applications, including energy conversion and storage devices, catalysis, and gas
storage. Appropriate precursors and synthetic methods are chosen for synthesizing
the target materials. About a decade ago, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and
coordination polymers (CPs) emerged as new precursors for these nanomaterials
because they contain both organic and inorganic species that can play parallel
roles as both a template and a precursor under given circumstances. Thermal
conversions of MOFs offer a promising toolbox for synthesizing functional
nanomaterials that are difficult to obtain using conventional methods. Although
understanding the conversion mechanism is important for designing MOF precursors
for the synthesis of nanomaterials with desired physicochemical properties,
comprehensive discussions revealing the transformation mechanism remain
insufficient. This Account reviews the utilization of MOFs/CPs as precursors and
their transformation into functional nanomaterials with a special emphasis on
understanding the relationship between the intrinsic nature of the parent MOFs
and the daughter nanomaterials while discussing various experimental approaches
based on mechanistic insights. We discuss nanomaterials categorized by materials
such as metal-based nanomaterials and porous carbons. For metal-based
nanomaterials transformed from MOFs, the nature of metal ions in the MOF
scaffolds affects the physicochemical properties of the resultant materials
including the phase, composite, and morphology of nanomaterials. Organic ligands
are also involved in the in situ chemical reactions with metal species during
thermal conversion. We describe these conversion mechanisms by classifying the
phase of metal components in the resultant materials. Along with the metal
species, carbon is a major element in MOFs, and thus, the appropriate choice of
precursor MOFs and heat treatment can be expected to yield carbon-based
nanomaterials. We address the relationship between the nature of the parent MOF
and the porosity of the daughter carbon material-a controversial issue in the
synthesis of porous carbons. Based on an understanding of the mechanism of MOF
conversion, morphologically or compositionally advanced materials are synthesized
by adopting appropriate MOF precursors and thermolysis conditions. Despite the
progressive understanding of conversion phenomena of MOFs/CPs, this research
field still has rooms to be explored and developed, ultimately in order to
precisely control the properties of resultant nanomaterials. In this sense, we
should pay more attention to the mechanism investigations of MOF conversion. We
believe this Account will facilitate a deeper understanding of MOF/CP conversion
routes and will accelerate further development in this field.
PMID- 28990761
TI - Multimicrometer Noncovalent Monolayer Domains on Layered Materials through
Thermally Controlled Langmuir-Schaefer Conversion for Noncovalent 2D
Functionalization.
AB - As functionalized 2D materials are incorporated into hybrid materials, ensuring
large-area structural control in noncovalently adsorbed films becomes
increasingly important. Noncovalent functionalization avoids disrupting
electronic structure in 2D materials; however, relatively weak molecular
interactions in such monolayers typically reduce stability toward solution
processing and other common material handling conditions. Here, we find that
controlling substrate temperature during Langmuir-Schaefer conversion of a
standing phase monolayer of diynoic amphiphiles on water to a horizontally
oriented monolayer on a 2D substrate routinely produces multimicrometer domains,
at least an order of magnitude larger than those typically achieved through drop
casting. Following polymerization, these highly ordered monolayers retain their
structures during vigorous washing with solvents including water, ethanol,
tetrahydrofuran, and toluene. These findings point to a convenient and broadly
applicable strategy for noncovalent functionalization of 2D materials in
applications that require large-area structural control, for instance, to
minimize desorption at defects during subsequent solution processing.
PMID- 28990762
TI - Multichanneled Nerve Guidance Conduit with Spatial Gradients of Neurotrophic
Factors and Oriented Nanotopography for Repairing the Peripheral Nervous System.
AB - Peripheral nerve injuries, causing sensory and motor impairment, affect a great
number of patients annually. It is therefore important to incorporate different
strategies to promote nerve healing. Among the treatment options, however, the
efficacy of nerve conduits is often compromised by their lack of living cells,
insufficient growth factors, and absence of the extracellular matrix (ECM)-like
structure. To improve the functional recovery, we aimed to develop a natural
biodegradable multichanneled scaffold characterized with aligned electrospun
nanofibers and neurotrophic gradient (MC/AN/NG) to guide axon outgrowth. The
gelatin-based conduits mimicked the fascicular architecture of natural nerve ECM.
The multichanneled (MC) scaffolds, cross-linked with microbial transglutaminase,
possessed sustainable mechanical stability. Meanwhile, the release profile of
dual neurotrophic factors, nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF), exhibited a temporal-controlled manner. In vitro, the
differentiated neural stem cells effectively extended their neurites along the
aligned nanofibers. Besides, in the treated group, the cell density increased in
high NGF concentration regions of the gradient membrane, and the BDNF
significantly promoted myelination. In a rabbit sciatic nerve transection in vivo
model, the MC/AN/NG scaffold showed superior nerve recovery and less muscle
atrophy comparable to autograft. By integrating multiple strategies to promote
peripheral nerve regeneration, the MC/AN/NG scaffolds as nerve guidance conduits
showed promising results and efficacious treatment alternatives for autologous
nerve grafts.
PMID- 28990763
TI - Significance of a Noble Metal Nanolayer on the UV and Visible Light
Photocatalytic Activity of Anatase TiO2 Thin Films Grown from a Scalable
PECVD/PVD Approach.
AB - UV and visible light photocatalytic composite Pt and Au-TiO2 coatings have been
deposited on silicon and glass substrates at low temperature using a hybrid ECWR
PECVD/MS-PVD process. Methylene blue, stearic acid, and sulfamethoxazole were
used as dye, organic, and antibiotic model pollutants, respectively, to
demonstrate the efficiency of these nanocomposite coatings for water
decontamination or self-cleaning surfaces applications. Raman investigations
revealed the formation of anatase polymorph of TiO2 in all synthesized coatings
with a shifting of the main vibrational mode peak to higher wavenumber in the
case of Au-TiO2 coating, indicating an increase number of crystalline defects
within this coating. Because of the difference of the chemical potentials of each
of the investigated noble metals, the sputtered metal layers exhibit different
morphology. Pt sputtered atoms, with high surface adhesion, promote formation of
a smooth 2D layer. On the other hand, Au sputtered atoms with higher cohesive
forces promote the formation of 5-10 nm nanoparticles. As a result, the surface
plasmon resonance phenomenon was observed in the Au-TiO2 coatings. UV
photoactivity of the nanocomposite coatings was enhanced 1.5-3 times and 1.3
times for methylene blue and stearic acid, respectively, thanks to the
enhancement of electron trapping in the noble metal layer. This electron trapping
phenomenon is higher in the Pt-TiO2 coating because of its larger work function.
On the other hand, the enhancement of the visible photoactivity was more
pronounced (3 and 7 times for methylene blue and stearic acid, respectively) in
the case of Au-TiO2 thanks to the surface plasmon resonance. Finally, these
nanocomposite TiO2 coatings exhibited also a good ability for the degradation of
antibiotics usually found in wastewater such as sulfamethoxazole. However, a
complementary test have showed an increase of the toxicity of the liquid medium
after photocatalysis, which could be due the presence of sulfamethoxazole's
transformation byproducts.
PMID- 28990764
TI - Slow Magnetic Relaxation in Ladder-Type and Single-Strand 2p-3d-4f Heterotrispin
Chains.
AB - Ladder-type and chain 2p-3d-4f complexes based on a bridging nitronyl nitroxide
radical, namely, [LnCu(hfac)5(NIT-Ph-p-OCH2trz)].0.5C6H14 [Ln = Y (1a), Dy (1b)]
and [LnCu(hfac)5(NIT-Ph-p-OCH2trz)] [Ln = Y (2a), Dy (2b); NIT-Ph-p-OCH2trz = 2
[4-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methoxy]phenyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl
3-oxide; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) have been successfully achieved
through a one-pot reaction of the NIT-Ph-p-OCH2trz radical with Cu(hfac)2 and
Ln(hfac)3.2H2O. Complexes 1a and 1b feature a ladder-like structure, where the
rails are made of Ln(III) and Cu(II) ions alternatively bridged by nitronyl
nitroxide and the triazole units while the NIT-Ph-p-OCH2trz moieties act as the
rungs of the ladder. Complexes 2a and 2b consist of one-dimensional nitronyl
nitroxide bridged Ln coordination polymers with dangly Cu(II) units connected to
the triazole moieties. All of compounds exhibit ferromagnetic NIT-Dy and/or NIT
Cu interactions. Both Dy derivatives (1b and 2b) show frequency-dependent out-of
phase magnetic susceptibility signals in a zero field indicating slow magnetic
relaxation behavior.
PMID- 28990766
TI - Efficient Bacterial Inactivation by Transition Metal Catalyzed Auto-Oxidation of
Sulfite.
AB - Disinfection is an indispensable process in wastewater treatment plants. New
bacterial inactivation technologies are of increasing interest and persistent
demand. A category of simple and efficient bactericidal systems have been
established in this study, that is, the combination of divalent transition metal
(Mn(II), Co(II), Fe(II), or Cu(II)) and sulfite. In these systems, metal
catalyzed auto-oxidation of sulfite was manifested to generate reactive
intermediary SO4*- that played the major role in Escherichia coli inactivation at
pH 5-8.5. Increasing concentrations of metal ion or sulfite, and lower pH, led to
higher bacterial deaths. Bacterial inactivation by Me(II)/sulfite systems was
demonstrated to be a surface-bound oxidative damage process through destructing
vital cellular components, such as NADH and proteins. Additionally, the developed
Me(II)/sulfite systems also potently killed other microbial pathogens, that is,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Cu(II)-antibiotic-resistant E.
coli. The efficacy of Me(II)/sulfite in treating real water samples was further
tested with two sewages from a wastewater treatment plant and a natural lake
water body, and Cu(II)/sulfite and Co(II)/sulfite rapidly inactivated viable
bacteria regardless of bacteria species and cell density, therefore holding great
promises for wastewater disinfection.
PMID- 28990765
TI - Self-Assembling Ability Determines the Activity of Enzyme-Instructed Self
Assembly for Inhibiting Cancer Cells.
AB - Enzyme-instructed self-assembly (EISA) represents a dynamic continuum of
supramolecular nanostructures that selectively inhibits cancer cells via
simultaneously targeting multiple hallmark capabilities of cancer, but how to
design the small molecules for EISA from the vast molecular space remains an
unanswered question. Here we show that the self-assembling ability of small
molecules controls the anticancer activity of EISA. Examining the EISA precursor
analogues consisting of an N-capped d-tetrapeptide, a phosphotyrosine residue,
and a diester or a diamide group, we find that, regardless of the stereochemistry
and the regiochemistry of their tetrapeptidic backbones, the anticancer
activities of these precursors largely match their self-assembling abilities.
Additional mechanistic studies confirm that the assemblies of the small peptide
derivatives result in cell death, accompanying significant rearrangement of
cytoskeletal proteins and plasma membranes. These results imply that the diester
or diamide derivatives of the d-tetrapeptides self-assemble pericellularly, as
well as intracellularly, to result in cell death. As the first case to correlate
thermodynamic properties (e.g., self-assembling ability) of small molecules with
the efficacy of a molecule process against cancer cells, this work provides an
important insight for developing a molecular dynamic continuum for potential
cancer therapy, as well as understanding the cytotoxicity of pathogenic
assemblies.
PMID- 28990767
TI - Three Mixed-Alkaline Borates: Na2M2B20O32 (M = Rb, Cs) with Two Interpenetrating
Three-Dimensional B-O Networks and Li4Cs4B40O64 with Fundamental Building Block
B40O77.
AB - Three new mixed-alkaline borates Na2M2B20O32 (M = Rb, Cs) and Li4Cs4B40O64 with
unique structures were synthesized by the spontaneous nucleation method, and
their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The B-O
networks of Na2M2B20O32 (M = Rb, Cs) are constructed by two independent
interpenetrating three-dimensional (3D) frameworks, which is the first case in
anhydrous mixed-alkaline borate systems. In addition, Li4Cs4B40O64 shows high B-O
polymerization with a new fundamental building block B40O77. Meanwhile, detailed
structure comparisons containing the cation effect on the framework have been
discussed. UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectra and the infrared spectra were
measured. The band structures and the density of states were performed using
density functional theory calculation.
PMID- 28990768
TI - Reactions of Germylenes and Stannylenes with Halo(hydrocarbyl)- and
Chloro(amino)phosphines: Oxidative Addition versus Ligand Transfer.
AB - Oxidative addition (OA) is an important elementary step in chemistry, but it has
been studied mainly in the context of transition-metal-catalyzed reactions and
mainly with carbon-X substrates (X = halogen, H). Reports of main-group metal
compounds undergoing OA are rare by comparison, and those involving phosphorus
halogen substrates are rarer still. Acyclic and cyclic diazagermylenes and
stannylenes react with chloro(hydrocarbyl)phosphines with the intermediacy of
oxidative addition products. Stannylenes react faster than germylenes, and these
reactions are first-order in both reactants and slowed by steric bulk. Kinetic
data and the structures of intermediates and products had suggested an
adduct/insertion mechanism for these reactions. To gain further insight into
these transformations, the work presented herein was extended to
chloro(hydrocarbyl)phosphines with varying organic substituents. These studies
confirmed prior conclusions concerning the rate-diminishing effect of steric
bulk, and the rate dependence on leaving groups also seems to suggest
adduct/insertion or SN2 mechanisms. Importantly, these new data now also point to
associative decomposition pathways. In the course of the investigation, it was
discovered that aliphatic chloro(amino)phosphines react differently with the
carbene analogues, giving oxidative addition products for germylenes but
metathesis reactions for stannylenes.
PMID- 28990769
TI - Rapid and Concomitant Analysis of Pharmaceuticals in Treated Wastewater by Coated
Blade Spray Mass Spectrometry.
AB - The widespread use of pharmaceuticals in both human and animal populations, and
the resultant contamination of surface waters from the outflow of water treatment
facilities is an issue of growing concern. This has raised the need for
analytical methods that can both perform rapid sample analysis and overcome the
limitations of conventional analysis procedures, such as multistep workflows and
tedious procedures. Coated blade spray (CBS) is a solid-phase microextraction
based technique that enables the direct-to-mass-spectrometry analysis of
extracted compounds via the use of limited organic solvent to desorb analytes and
perform electrospray ionization. This paper documents how CBS can be applied for
the concomitant tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis of nine
pharmaceuticals in treated wastewater. The total analysis times of less than 11
min provided limits of detection lower than 50 ng L-1 for all target compounds in
river water. The CBS methodology was then compared to a conventional solid-phase
extraction technique for the analysis of the final effluent of six wastewater
treatment facilities. The experimental results strongly suggest that CBS offers
scientists a viable alternative method for analyzing water samples that is both
rapid and relatively solvent-free.
PMID- 28990770
TI - Design, Synthesis, and Potency of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex E1 Inhibitors
against Cyanobacteria.
AB - Safe and effective algaecides are needed to control agriculturally and
environmentally significant algal species. Four series (6, 10, 17, and 21) of 29
novel 4-aminopyrimidine derivatives were rationally designed and synthesized. A
part of 10, 17, and 21 displayed potent inhibition of Escherichia coli pyruvate
dehydrogenase complex E1 (E. coli PDHc-E1) (IC50 = 2.12-18.06 MUM) and good
inhibition of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (EC50 = 0.7-7.1 MUM) and Microcystis sp.
FACH 905 (EC50 = 3.7-7.6 MUM). The algaecidal activity of these compounds
positively correlated with their inhibition of E. coli PDHc-E1. In particular,
21l and 10b exhibited potent algaecidal activity against PCC 6803 (EC50 = 0.7 and
0.8 MUM, respectively), values that were 2-fold increased compared to that of
copper sulfate (EC50 = 1.8 MUM), and showed the best inhibition of cyanobacterium
PDHc-E1 (IC50 = 5.10 and 6.06 MUM, respectively). 17h and 21e, the best
inhibitors of E. coli PDHc-E1, were studied by molecular docking, site-directed
mutagenesis, and enzymatic assays. These results revealed that the improved
inhibition of novel inhibitors compared with that of the lead compound I was due
to the formation of a new hydrogen bond with Leu264 at the active site of E. coli
PDHc-E1. The results proved the great potential to obtain effective algaecides
via the rational design of PDHc-E1 inhibitors.
PMID- 28990771
TI - Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Associated Microbial Community Conditions in
Aging Landfill Systems.
AB - Landfills receive about 350 million tons of municipal solid wastes (MSWs) per
year globally, including antibiotics and other coselecting agents that impact
antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, little is known about AMR in landfills,
especially as a function of landfill ages. Here we quantified antibiotics, heavy
metals, and AMR genes (ARGs) in refuse and leachates from landfills of different
age (<3, 10, and >20 years). Antibiotics levels were consistently lower in refuse
and leachates from older landfills, whereas ARG levels in leachates significantly
increased with landfill age (One-way ANOVA, F = 10.8, P < 0.01). Heavy metals
whose contents increased as landfills age (one-way ANOVA, F = 12.3, P < 0.01)
were significantly correlated with elevated levels of ARGs (Mantel test, R =
0.66, P < 0.01) in leachates, which implies greater AMR exposure risks around
older landfills. To further explain ARGs distributional mechanisms with age,
microbial communities, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and environmental factors
were contrasted between refuse and leachate samples. Microbial communities in the
refuse were closely correlated with ARG contents (Procrustes test; M2 = 0.37, R =
0.86, P < 0.001), whereas ARG in leachates were more associated with MGEs.
PMID- 28990772
TI - Anthropogenic 236U in the North Sea - A Closer Look into a Source Region.
AB - In this study we present new seawater data of 236U and 238U sampled in the North
Sea in 2010. The North Sea has been and is still receiving a considerable input
of anthropogenic radionuclides from nuclear reprocessing facilities located in La
Hague (France) and Sellafield (Great Britain). It therefore represents an
important source region for oceanographic tracer studies using the transient
signal of anthropogenic 236U. A proper knowledge of the sources of 236U is an
essential prerequisite for such tracer studies. The 236U data set presented in
this study covers the transition regions of the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean,
to the Baltic Sea, and upstream the Elbe River. It is discussed in the context of
available 236U data from the literature. Our results show that both 236U
concentrations and 236U/238U ratios in surface waters of the North Sea can be
explained by simple binary mixing models implying that 236U behaves
conservatively in seawater. We further show that the input of 236U by the Elbe
River is negligible, while there might be a maximum input of 12 g/yr via the
Baltic Sea. The results of the mixing models suggest that this still unidentified
236U contamination could be supplied by fresh water input.
PMID- 28990773
TI - N-Heterocyclic Carbene Initiated Anionic Polymerization of (E,E)-Methyl Sorbate
and Subsequent Ring-Closing to Cyclic Poly(alkyl sorbate).
AB - A diene-based cyclic polymer has been synthesized by the anionic polymerization
of methyl sorbate (MS) by an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) in the presence of a
bulky aluminum Lewis acid. We first polymerized methyl sorbate (MS) initiated by
NHC in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 25 degrees C, poly(MS) with a number
average molecular weight (Mn) of 3.5 * 103 (Mw/Mn = 2.1) was obtained with a
conversion of 93%. The structure was confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR and IR spectra,
which revealed that the propagation proceeded via 1,2-addition as well as 1,4
addition. Although the polymerization did not occur in toluene in the absence of
any additive, quantitative monomer consumption was observed in the presence of
methylaluminum bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxide) (MAD) to afford the
poly(MS) with a 1,4-trans structure, 86% of threo diastereoselectivity, and a Mn
of 23.0 * 103 with narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.17). From the
matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra of poly(MS)
and the hydrogenated analogue, ring-closing occurred by nucleophilic attack of
the anionic propagating center into the adjacent carbon of the alpha-terminal
imidazolimium group to afford cyclic poly(MS). The cyclic formation in the
present synthesis system was confirmed by DSC and viscosity measurements.
PMID- 28990774
TI - Layered Crystal Structure, Color-Tunable Photoluminescence, and Excellent Thermal
Stability of MgIn2P4O14 Phosphate-Based Phosphors.
AB - Single-component white phosphors stand a good chance to serve in the next
generation high-power white light-emitting diodes. Because of low thermal
stability and containing lanthanide ions with reduced valence state, most of
reported phosphors usually suffer unstable color of lighting for practical
packaging and comparably complex synthetic processes. In this work, we present a
type of novel color-tunable blue-white-yellow-emitting MgIn2P4O14:Tm3+/Dy3+
phosphor with high thermal stability, which can be easily fabricated in air.
Under UV excitation, the MgIn2P4O14:Tm0.02Dy0.03 white phosphor exhibits
negligible thermal-quenching behavior, with a 99.5% intensity retention at 150
degrees C, relative to its initial value at room temperature. The phosphor host
MgIn2P4O14 was synthesized and reported for the first time. MgIn2P4O14
crystallizes in the space group of C2/c (No. 15) with a novel layered structure
built of alternate anionic and cationic layers. Its disordering structure, with
Mg and In atoms co-occupying the same site, is believed to facilitate the energy
transfer between rare-earth ions and benefit by sustaining the luminescence with
increasing temperature. The measured absolute quantum yields of
MgIn2P4O14:Dy0.04, MgIn2P4O14:Tm0.01Dy0.04, and MgIn2P4O14:Tm0.02Dy0.03 phosphors
under the excitation of 351 nm ultraviolet radiation are 70.50%, 53.24%, and
52.31%, respectively. Present work indicates that the novel layered MgIn2P4O14 is
a promising candidate as a single-component white phosphor host with an excellent
thermal stability for near-UV-excited white-light-emitting diodes (wLEDs).
PMID- 28990775
TI - Reversible Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation in Photomagnetic
Cyanido-Bridged Cd4M2 Octahedral Molecules.
AB - Two new hexanuclear octahedral cyanido-bridged clusters,
{[CdII(bpy)2]4[WIV(CN)8]2}.10H2O (Cd4W2) and {[CdII(bpy)2]4[MoIV(CN)8]2}.10H2O
(Cd4Mo2), have been obtained and characterized structurally and
photomagnetically. Both compounds show a very rare and reversible single-crystal
to-single-crystal transformation upon dehydration accompanied by marked color
changes in the case of Cd4W2. Moreover, irradiation of Cd4Mo2 using 436 nm light
induces a reversible photomagnetic effect due to the LIESST-like singlet-triplet
transition at the MoIV center. Analogous photomagnetic experiments for Cd4W2 did
not lead to any significant change of its magnetic moment.
PMID- 28990776
TI - Discovery and Engineering of Pathways for Production of alpha-Branched Organic
Acids.
AB - Cell-based synthesis offers many opportunities for preparing small molecules from
simple renewable carbon sources by telescoping multiple reactions into a single
fermentation step. One challenge in this area is the development of enzymatic
carbon-carbon bond forming cycles that enable a modular disconnection of a target
structure into cellular building blocks. In this regard, synthetic pathways based
on thiolase enzymes to catalyze the initial carbon-carbon bond forming step
between acyl coenzyme A (CoA) substrates offer a versatile route for biological
synthesis, but the substrate diversity of such pathways is currently limited. In
this report, we describe the identification and biochemical characterization of a
thiolase-ketoreductase pair involved in production of branched acids in the
roundworm, Ascaris suum, that demonstrates selectivity for forming products with
an alpha-methyl branch using a propionyl-CoA extender unit. Engineering synthetic
pathways for production of alpha-methyl acids in Escherichia coli using these
enzymes allows the construction of microbial strains that produce either chiral 2
methyl-3-hydroxy acids (1.1 +/- 0.2 g L-1) or branched enoic acids (1.12 +/- 0.06
g L-1) in the presence of a dehydratase at 44% and 87% yield of fed propionate,
respectively. In vitro characterization along with in vivo analysis indicates
that the ketoreductase is the key driver for selectivity, forming predominantly
alpha-branched products even when paired with a thiolase that highly prefers
unbranched linear products. Our results expand the utility of thiolase-based
pathways and provide biosynthetic access to alpha-branched compounds as
precursors for polymers and other chemicals.
PMID- 28990777
TI - Ultrahigh Mass Activity for Carbon Dioxide Reduction Enabled by Gold-Iron Core
Shell Nanoparticles.
AB - Wide application of carbon dioxide (CO2) electrochemical energy storage requires
catalysts with high mass activity. Alloy catalysts can achieve superior
performance to single metals while reducing the cost by finely tuning the
composition and morphology. We used in silico quantum mechanics rapid screening
to identify Au-Fe as a candidate improving CO2 reduction and then synthesized and
tested it experimentally. The synthesized Au-Fe alloy catalyst evolves quickly
into a stable Au-Fe core-shell nanoparticle (AuFe-CSNP) after leaching out
surface Fe. This AuFe-CSNP exhibits exclusive CO selectivity, long-term
stability, nearly a 100-fold increase in mass activity toward CO2 reduction
compared with Au NP, and 0.2 V lower in overpotential. Calculations show that
surface defects due to Fe leaching contribute significantly to decrease the
overpotential.
PMID- 28990778
TI - Benzo[a]pyrene Induces Autophagic and Pyroptotic Death Simultaneously in HL-7702
Human Normal Liver Cells.
AB - As a common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is
readily produced in processing of oil and fatty foods. It is not only a strong
carcinogen but also a substance with strong immunotoxicity and reproduction
toxicity. Autophagy and pyroptosis are two types of programmed cell death.
Whether or not BaP damages body tissues via autophagy or pyroptosis remains
unknown. The present study investigated the effects of BaP on autophagy and
pyroptosis in HL-7702 cells. The results showed that BaP induced cell death in HL
7702 cells enhanced the intracellular levels of ROS and arrested the cell cycle
at the S phase. Additionally, BaP resulted in cell death through autophagy and
pyroptosis. Compared with the BaP group, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA
significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited the release of LDH by 70.53% +/- 0.46 and NO
by 50.36% +/- 0.80, the increase of electrical conductivity by 12.08% +/- 0.55,
and the expressions of pyroptotic marker proteins (Caspase-1, Cox-2, IL-1beta, IL
18). The pyroptosis inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CM also notably (p < 0.01) blocked BaP
induced autophagic cell death characterized by the increase of autophagic
vacuoles and overexpression of Beclin-1 and LC3-II. In conclusion, BaP led to
injury by inducing autophagy and pyroptosis simultaneously, the two of which
coexisted and promoted each other in HL-7702 cells.
PMID- 28990780
TI - Lorneic Acid Analogues from an Endophytic Actinomycete.
AB - Our natural products discovery program utilizes endophytic actinomycetes
associated with plants and employs biological assays and HPLC-based metabolite
profiles as the preliminary screen to identify strains of interest, followed by
large-scale fermentation and isolation, leading to new and/or bioactive natural
products. Six new trialkyl-substituted aromatic acids, namely, lorneic acids E-J
(1-6), together with two known analogues (7 and 8), were isolated and identified
from the culture extract of Streptomyces sp. KIB-H1289, an endophytic
actinomycete obtained from the inner tissue of the bark of Betula mandshurica
Nakai. The structures were characterized by interpretation of their spectroscopic
data, mainly 1D and 2D NMR. Among them, compound 5 contains a unique disulfide
bond that is presumably derived from N-acetylcysteine. All isolated metabolites
were evaluated for their inhibitory activity on tyrosinase.
PMID- 28990781
TI - Selective Distance Measurements Using Triple Spin Labeling with Gd3+, Mn2+, and a
Nitroxide.
AB - Distance measurements by pulse electron paramagnetic resonance techniques, such
as double electron-electron resonance (DEER, also called PELDOR), have become an
established tool to explore structural properties of biomacromolecules and their
assemblies. In such measurements a pair of spin labels provides a single distance
constraint. Here we show that by employing three different types of spin labels
that differ in their spectroscopic and spin dynamics properties it is possible to
extract three independent distances from a single sample. We demonstrate this
using the Antennapedia homeodomain orthogonally labeled with Gd3+ and Mn2+ tags
in complex with its cognate DNA binding site labeled with a nitroxide.
PMID- 28990779
TI - Designer alpha1,6-Fucosidase Mutants Enable Direct Core Fucosylation of Intact N
Glycopeptides and N-Glycoproteins.
AB - Core fucosylation of N-glycoproteins plays a crucial role in modulating the
biological functions of glycoproteins. Yet, the synthesis of structurally well
defined, core-fucosylated glycoproteins remains a challenging task due to the
complexity in multistep chemical synthesis or the inability of the biosynthetic
alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8) to directly fucosylate full-size mature N
glycans in a chemoenzymatic approach. We report in this paper the design and
generation of potential alpha1,6-fucosynthase and fucoligase for direct core
fucosylation of intact N-glycoproteins. We found that mutation at the
nucleophilic residue (D200) did not provide a typical glycosynthase from this
bacterial enzyme, but several mutants with mutation at the general acid/base
residue E274 of the Lactobacillus casei alpha1,6-fucosidase, including E274A,
E274S, and E274G, acted as efficient glycoligases that could fucosylate a wide
variety of complex N-glycopeptides and intact glycoproteins by using alpha
fucosyl fluoride as a simple donor substrate. Studies on the substrate
specificity revealed that the alpha1,6-fucosidase mutants could introduce an
alpha1,6-fucose moiety specifically at the Asn-linked GlcNAc moiety not only to
GlcNAc-peptide but also to high-mannose and complex-type N-glycans in the context
of N-glycopeptides, N-glycoproteins, and intact antibodies. This discovery opens
a new avenue to a wide variety of homogeneous, core-fucosylated N-glycopeptides
and N-glycoproteins that are hitherto difficult to obtain for structural and
functional studies.
PMID- 28990782
TI - Synthesis of Functionalized Pyridines via Cu(II)-Catalyzed One-Pot Cascade
Reactions of Inactivated Saturated Ketones with Electron-Deficient Enamines.
AB - In this paper, a novel and efficient synthesis of 3-acylpyridines and pyridine-3
carboxylates through the oxidative one-pot sequential reactions of inactivated
saturated ketones with electron-deficient enamines is presented. Mechanistically,
the formation of the title compounds involves the in situ formation of an enone
intermediate through an oxidative dehydrogenation of the saturated ketone
substrate, followed by its [3+3] annulation with beta-enaminone or beta
enaminoester via a cascade process, including Michael addition, aldol type
condensation, and oxidative aromatization.
PMID- 28990783
TI - Quantification of Total Vitamin-D-Binding Protein and the Glycosylated Isoforms
by Liquid Chromatography-Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry.
AB - Vitamin-D-binding protein (VDBP), a transporter of 25-hydroxyvitamin D
metabolites, has three common isoforms. The relationship of the isoforms and
their glycosylation state with various diseases has been under recent
examination. In this work, liquid chromatography coupled to isotope dilution mass
spectrometry was evaluated for quantification of VDBP, the three common isoforms,
and total glycosylation. Protocols using guanidine, urea, RapiGest,
trifluoroethanol, or tris buffer were also evaluated for optimal tryptic
digestion. Differences in peptide release were detected between purified and
plasma VDBP; however, for both protein sources, ELPEHTVK, TSALSAK, and VLEPTLK
concentrations were reproducible between most protocols tested. The isoform
specific peptides, LPDATPK, LPDATPTELAK, and LPEATPTELAK, were optimally released
when TFE was added to plasma. The total VDBP concentration calculated from the
three shared peptides resulted in 97.6% accuracy compared with the concentration
from amino acid analysis. Glycosylation of VDBP was also calculated for purified
protein and donor samples using the ratio of the isoform-specific peptide(s) to
the total protein concentration. Glycosylation of purified VDBP was found to be
99.5-111.1% the value determined by semiquantitative analysis of the intact
protein by LC-MS. This approach may be used to quantify other samples containing
a mixture of isoforms and post-translational modifications.
PMID- 28990784
TI - Cooperative Hydrogen-Bond Dynamics at a Zwitterionic Lipid/Water Interface
Revealed by 2D HD-VSFG Spectroscopy.
AB - Molecular-level elucidation of hydration at biological membrane interfaces is of
great importance for understanding biological processes. We studied ultrafast
hydrogen-bond dynamics at a zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine/water interface by
two-dimensional heterodyne-detected vibrational sum frequency generation (2D HD
VSFG) spectroscopy. The obtained 2D spectra confirm that the anionic phosphate
and cationic choline sites are individually hydrated at the interface.
Furthermore, the data show that the dynamics of water at the zwitterionic lipid
interface is not a simple sum of the dynamics of the water species that hydrate
to the separate phosphate and choline. The center line slope (CLS) analysis of
the 2D spectra reveals that ultrafast hydrogen-bond fluctuation is not
significantly suppressed around the phosphate at the zwitterionic lipid
interface, which makes the hydrogen-bond dynamics look similar to that of the
bulk water. The present study indicates that the hydrogen-bond dynamics at
membrane interfaces is not determined only by the hydrogen bond to a specific
site of the interface but is largely dependent on the water dynamics in the
vicinity and other nearby moieties, through the hydrogen-bond network.
PMID- 28990785
TI - Negative and Positive Confinement Effects in Chiral Separation Chromatography
Monitored with Molecular-Scale Precision by In-Situ Electron Paramagnetic
Resonance Techniques.
AB - Separation of compounds using liquid chromatography is a process of enormous
technological importance. This is true in particular for chiral substances, when
one enantiomer has the desired set of properties and the other one may be
harmful. The degree of development in liquid chromatography is extremely high,
but still there is a lack in understanding based on experimental data how
selectivity works on a molecular level directly at the surfaces of a porous host
material. We have prepared amino-acid containing organosilica as such host
materials. Watching the rotational dynamics of chiral spin probes using electron
paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy allows us to differentiate between surface
adsorbed and free guest species. Diastereotopic selectivity factors were
determined, and the influence of chiral surface group density, chemical character
of the surface groups, pore-size, and temperature was investigated. We found
higher selectivity values in macroporous solids with a rather rigid organosilica
network and at lower temperature, indicating the significant effect of
confinement effects. In mesoporous materials features are opposed with regards to
the T-dependent behavior. From EPR imaging techniques and the resulting
(macroscopic) diffusion coefficients, we could confirm that the correlations
found on the microscopic level transform also to the macroscopic behavior. Thus,
our study is of value for the development of future chromatography materials by
design.
PMID- 28990787
TI - Real-Space Observation of Nonvolatile Zero-Field Biskyrmion Lattice Generation in
MnNiGa Magnet.
AB - Magnetic skyrmions, particular those without the support of external magnetic
fields over a wide temperature region, are promising as alternative spintronic
units to overcome the fundamental size limitation of conventional magnetic bits.
In this study, we use in situ Lorentz microscope to directly demonstrate the
generation and sustainability of robust biskyrmion lattice at zero magnetic field
over a wide temperature range of 16-338 K in MnNiGa alloy. This procedure
includes a simple field-cooling manipulation from 360 K (higher than Curie
temperature TC ~ 350 K), where topological transition easily occurs by adapting
the short-range magnetic clusters under a certain magnetic field. The biskyrmion
phase is favored upon cooling below TC. Once they are generated, the robust high
density biskyrmions persist even after removing the external magnetic field due
to the topological protection and the increased energy barrier.
PMID- 28990786
TI - Longitudinal Monitoring of Antibody Responses against Tumor Cells Using Magneto
nanosensors with a Nanoliter of Blood.
AB - Each immunoglobulin isotype has unique immune effector functions. The
contribution of these functions in the elimination of pathogens and tumors can be
determined by monitoring quantitative temporal changes in isotype levels. Here,
we developed a novel technique using magneto-nanosensors based on the effect of
giant magnetoresistance (GMR) for longitudinal monitoring of total and antigen
specific isotype levels with high precision, using as little as 1 nL of serum.
Combining in vitro serologic measurements with in vivo imaging techniques, we
investigated the role of the antibody response in the regression of firefly
luciferase (FL)-labeled lymphoma cells in spleen, kidney, and lymph nodes in a
syngeneic Burkitt's lymphoma mouse model. Regression status was determined by
whole body bioluminescent imaging (BLI). The magneto-nanosensors revealed that
anti-FL IgG2a and total IgG2a were elevated and sustained in regression mice
compared to non-regression mice (p < 0.05). This platform shows promise for
monitoring immunotherapy, vaccination, and autoimmunity.
PMID- 28990788
TI - Chromophore-Dependent Intramolecular Exciton-Vibrational Coupling in the FMO
Complex: Quantification and Importance for Exciton Dynamics.
AB - In this paper, we adopt an approach suitable for monitoring the time evolution of
the intramolecular contribution to the spectral density of a set of identical
chromophores embedded in their respective environments. We apply the proposed
method to the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex, with the objective to quantify
the differences among site-dependent spectral densities and the impact of such
differences on the exciton dynamics of the system. Our approach takes advantage
of the vertical gradient approximation to reduce the computational demands of the
normal modes analysis. We show that the region of the spectral density that is
believed to strongly influence the exciton dynamics changes significantly in the
timescale of tens of nanoseconds. We then studied the impact of the
intramolecular vibrations on the exciton dynamics by considering a model of FMO
in a vibronic basis and neglecting the interaction with the environment to
isolate the role of the intramolecular exciton-vibration coupling. In agreement
with the assumptions in the literature, we demonstrate that high frequency modes
at energy much larger than the excitonic energy splitting have negligible
influence on exciton dynamics despite the large exciton-vibration coupling. We
also find that the impact of including the site-dependent spectral densities on
exciton dynamics is not very significant, indicating that it may be acceptable to
apply the same spectral density on all sites. However, care needs to be taken for
the description of the exciton-vibrational coupling in the low frequency part of
intramolecular modes because exciton dynamics is more susceptible to low
frequency modes despite their small Huang-Rhys factors.
PMID- 28990790
TI - Synthesis and Characterization of a Binuclear Copper(II) Naphthoisoamethyrin
Complex Displaying Weak Antiferromagnetic Coupling.
AB - The reaction between a naphthylbipyrrole-containing hexaphyrin-type expanded
porphyrin and copper acetate affords a bench-stable dicopper(II) complex. UV-vis
spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallographic analysis
measurements provide support for the conclusion that this complex displays
aromatic features. A weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the
binuclear copper(II) ions is evidenced by variable-temperature electron
paramagnetic resonance and by fitting of the bulk magnetic susceptibility to a
dimer model, yielding J = -5.1 cm-1.
PMID- 28990789
TI - Singlet Oxygen Production and Biological Activity of Hexanuclear Chalcocyanide
Rhenium Cluster Complexes [{Re6Q8}(CN)6]4- (Q = S, Se, Te).
AB - Octahedral rhenium cluster complexes have recently emerged as relevant building
blocks for the design of singlet oxygen photosensitizing materials toward
biological applications such as blue-light photodynamic therapy. However, their
singlet oxygen generation ability as well as biological properties have been
studied only superficially. Herein we investigate in detail the singlet oxygen
photogeneration, dark and photoinduced cytotoxicity, cellular uptake kinetics,
cellular localization and in vitro photoinduced oxidative stress, and
photodynamic cytotoxicity of the series of octahedral rhenium cluster complexes
[{Re6Q8}(CN)6]4-, where Q = S, Se, Te. Our results demonstrate that the selenium
containing complex possesses optimal properties in terms of absorption and
singlet oxygen productivity. These features coupled with the cellular
internalization and low dark toxicity lead to the first photoinduced cytotoxic
effect observed for a molecular [{M6Q8}L6] complex, making it a promising object
for further study in terms of blue-light PDT.
PMID- 28990791
TI - Difference FTIR Studies of Substrate Distribution in Triosephosphate Isomerase.
AB - Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) catalyzes the interconversion between
dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP), via an
enediol(ate) intermediate. Determination of substrate population distribution in
the TIM/substrate reaction mixture at equilibrium and characterization of the
substrate-enzyme interactions in the Michaelis complex are ongoing efforts toward
the understanding of the TIM reaction mechanism. By using isotope-edited
difference Fourier transform infrared studies with unlabeled and 13C-labeled
substrates at specific carbon(s), we are able to show that in the reaction
mixture at equilibrium the keto DHAP is the dominant species and the populations
of aldehyde GAP and enediol(ate) are very low, consistent with the results from
previous X-ray structural and 13C NMR studies. Furthermore, within the DHAP side
of the Michaelis complex, there is a set of conformational substates that can be
characterized by the different C2?O stretch frequencies. The C2?O frequency
differences reflect the different degree of the C2?O bond polarization due to
hydrogen bonding from active site residues. The C2?O bond polarization has been
considered as an important component for substrate activation within the
Michaelis complex. We have found that in the enzyme-substrate reaction mixture
with TIM from different organisms the number of substates and their population
distribution within the DHAP side of the Michaelis complex may be different.
These discoveries provide a rare opportunity to probe the interconversion
dynamics of these DHAP substates and form the bases for the future studies to
determine if the TIM-catalyzed reaction follows a simple linear reaction pathway,
as previously believed, or follows parallel reaction pathways, as suggested in
another enzyme system that also shows a set of substates in the Michaelis
complex.
PMID- 28990792
TI - Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Alkenylation of Aliphatic Imines.
AB - An efficient, enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed addition of potassium
alkenyltrifluoroborates to N-nosyl aliphatic imines has been realized. Good
reaction yields and excellent enantioselectivities (94-99% ee) were obtained for
a variety of aliphatic imines and nucleophilic alkenyltrifluoroborates. An active
rhodium-diene catalyst and the precise reaction condition control proved to be
pivotal for success.
PMID- 28990793
TI - Leiomyosarcoma of the infratemporal fossa with perineurial spread along the right
mandibular nerve: a case report.
AB - Leiomyosarcomas are malignant tumors displaying strong smooth muscle
differentiation. They can often develop within the GI tract and myometrium, but
are particularly rare in the head and neck. Perineurial spread of head and neck
cancer is observed in patients with neoplasms of the skin (squamous cell
carcinoma, melanoma) or skin appendages (adenoid cystic carcinoma). We report the
case of a woman who presented with diplopia and headaches. MRI showed an
infratemporal mass lesion and faint enhancement tracking along the mandibular
nerve into the wall of the right cavernous sinus. A nerve biopsy revealed
leiomyosarcoma. We review the medical literature to provide further insight into
the diagnosis and management of this tumor and its peculiar pattern of spread. A
similar case was unidentifiable in the literature.
PMID- 28990794
TI - Value of the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) and determinant-based
classification (DBC) systems in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Since increasing acute pancreatitis (AP) severity is significantly
associated with mortality, accurate and rapid determination of severity is
crucial for effective clinical management. This study investigated the value of
the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) and the determinant-based classification
(DBC) systems in stratifying severity of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: This
retrospective observational cohort study included 480 AP patients. Patient
demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded. The primary outcome was
mortality, and secondary outcomes were admission to intensive care unit (ICU),
duration of ICU stay, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: Based on the RAC
classification, there were 295 patients with mild AP (MAP), 146 patients with
moderate-to-severe AP (MSAP), and 39 patients with severe AP (SAP). Based on the
DBC classification, there were 389 patients with MAP, 41 patients with MSAP, 32
patients with SAP, and 18 patients with critical AP (CAP). ROC curve analysis
showed that the DBC system had a significantly higher accuracy at predicting
organ failure compared to the RAC system (p < .001). Multivariate regression
analysis showed that age and ICU stay were independent risk factors of mortality.
CONCLUSION: The DBC system had a higher accuracy at predicting organ failure. Age
and ICU stay were significantly associated with risk of death in AP patients. A
classification of CAP by the DBC system should warrant close attention, and rapid
implementation of effective measures to reduce mortality.
PMID- 28990797
TI - Competing agendas and other tensions in developing patient-centred communication
in audiology education: a qualitative study of educator perspectives.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Patient-centred communication (PCC) is an essential skill for
effective healthcare provision and is accepted as a core competency in medicine
and allied health. In audiology, recent studies have shown that audiologists
rarely display PCC in adult hearing interactions. This highlights a need to
investigate how PCC is taught and learnt in audiology. There is a paucity of
studies on PCC in audiology education. The aim of this study is to examine
educator perceptions of teaching PCC, including barriers and facilitators, in
Australian graduate audiology programmes. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were
conducted with audiology educators responsible for communication training.
Interview transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. STUDY
SAMPLE: Nine participants, including programme coordinators and key teaching
staff from all six Australian audiology programmes participated in the study.
RESULTS: PCC education was found to be influenced by four emerging themes:
professional culture and values, contextual factors, knowledge and understanding
of PCC and individual factors. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide an insight into
the competing agendas involved in implementing PCC education in both the
university and clinical component of audiology programmes. The findings can play
a role in refining and building the evidence-base for teaching and facilitating
patient-centred audiological care in future audiologists.
PMID- 28990796
TI - Homocysteine levels associate with subtle changes in leukocyte DNA methylation:
an epigenome-wide analysis.
AB - AIM: Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sensitive marker of one-carbon metabolism. Higher
Hcy levels have been associated with global DNA hypomethylation. We investigated
the association between plasma Hcy and epigenome-wide DNA methylation in
leukocytes. METHODS: Methylation was measured using Illumina 450 k arrays in 2035
individuals from six cohorts. Hcy-associated differentially methylated positions
and regions were identified using meta-analysis. RESULTS: Three differentially
methylated positions cg21607669 (SLC27A1), cg26382848 (AJUBA) and cg10701000
(KCNMA1) at chromosome 19, 14 and 10, respectively, were significantly associated
with Hcy. In addition, we identified 68 Hcy-associated differentially methylated
regions, the most significant of which was a 1.8-kb spanning domain (TNXB/ATF6B)
at chromosome 6. CONCLUSION: We identified novel epigenetic loci associated with
Hcy levels, of which specific role needs to be further validated.
PMID- 28990798
TI - A new highly oxygenated pregnane and two new 5-hydroxymethylfurfural derivatives
from the water decoction of Poria cocos.
AB - A new highly oxygenated pregnane steroid, pregn-7-ene-2beta,3alpha,15alpha,20
tetrol (1) and two new 5-hydroxymethylfurfural derivatives, (5-formylfuran-2
yl)methyl 2-hydroxypropanoate (2) and (5-formylfuran-2-yl)methyl 2-(4
hydroxyphenyl)acetate (3), together with four known compounds, were isolated from
the water decoction of Poria cocos. Their structures were established on the
basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 showed moderate inhibitory
activity and a known compound (3S,6S)-3-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-6-(phenylmethyl)
2,5-piperazinedione (5) showed weak inhibitory activity against alpha
glucosidase, respectively.
PMID- 28990799
TI - The effect of dietary energy:protein ratio, protein quality and food allocation
on the efficiency of utilisation of protein by broiler chickens.
AB - 1. Various theories have been proposed to explain the reduced performance of
broilers when given feeds excessively high in protein, but a satisfactory
solution to this problem had, up to now, not been found. Three experiments were
conducted to test the hypothesis that the efficiency of utilisation of protein
(ep) is a linear-plateau function of the ratio between the feed apparent
metabolisable energy and digestible crude protein contents (AMEn:DCP) and that
dietary protein quality, feed allocation and sex do not influence this
relationship. 2. A 'linear-plateau' model successfully described the efficiency
of protein utilisation (ep) as a function of AMEn:DCP in all three experiments.
In Experiment 1, with both sexes being both ad libitum and control fed, the
breakpoint was at 58.6 MJ AMEn/kg DCP. In Experiment 2, both sexes were fed
balanced and unbalanced protein series, and at different rates, the slopes of the
ascending part of the linear-plateau relationships for the different treatments
were the same for all treatments (0.0204), and the inflection point was at 71 MJ
AMEn/kg DCP. Using similar treatments in Experiment 3, the breakpoint for the
balanced protein was 72 MJ/kg and for the unbalanced, 64, with a combined slope
of 68 MJ AMEn/kg DCP. 3. The three experiments provide adequate evidence that ep
is a linear-plateau function of the dietary AMEn:DCP ratio with a breakpoint of
around 66.2 +/- 1.98 MJ AMEn/kg DCP. Below this critical ratio, food intake
declines as does protein and lipid retention. 4. That broilers, like pigs,
exhibit an energy-dependent phase when high-protein feeds are offered is of
practical importance when formulating pre-starter feeds for broilers and starter
feeds for turkey poults as the ep of such feeds may well fall below the maximum
due to the lack of dietary energy required to process the high dietary protein
contained in such feeds resulting in poorer performance than expected.
PMID- 28990795
TI - Postprogression survival in patients with glioblastoma treated with concurrent
chemoradiotherapy: a routine care cohort study.
AB - Glioblastoma is the commonest malignant brain tumor in adults. Most patients
develop progressive disease before they die. However, survival after developing
progressive disease is infrequently reported. We identified patients with
histologically proven disease who were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy
during 2006-2013. We analyzed overall survival (OS), progression-free survival
and postprogression survival (PPS) in relation to age, O6-methylguanine-DNA
methyltransferase promoter methylation and extent of surgical resection. We
identified 166 patients. Median survival was 13.5 months; 2-year OS was 21.7%.
Median progression-free survival and PPS were 7.03 and 4.53 months, respectively.
Age and extent of surgical resection were correlated with OS. Only the extent of
surgical resection was associated with PPS. Our work suggests that the
established prognostic factors for glioblastoma do not appear to help predict
PPS.
PMID- 28990800
TI - A robust analysis of hospital efficiency and factors affecting variability.
AB - The objectives of this paper are to use data envelopment analysis to measure
hospital inefficiency in a way that accounts for patient outcomes and to study
the association between organizational factors, such as hospital-physicians
integration level and teaching status, and market competition with hospital
inefficiency. We apply the robust data envelopment analysis approach to a sample
of private (both not-for-profit and for-profit) hospitals operating in the United
States. Our data envelopment analysis model includes mortality and readmission
rates as bad outputs and admissions, surgeries, emergency room, and other visits
as good outputs. Therefore, our measurement of hospital inefficiency accounts for
quality. We then use a subsampling regression analysis to determine the
predictors of hospital inefficiency. For-profit, fully integrated and teaching
hospitals were more efficient than their counterparts. Also hospitals located in
more competitive markets were more efficient than those located in less
competitive markets. Incorporating quality in the measurement of hospital
efficiency is key for producing valid efficiency scores. Hospitals in less
competitive markets need to improve their efficiency levels. Moreover, high
levels of hospital physician integration might be instrumental in ensuring that
hospitals achieve their efficiency goals.
PMID- 28990801
TI - Furanone derivative and sesquiterpene from Antarctic marine-derived fungus
Penicillium sp. S-1-18.
AB - A new furanone derivative, butanolide A (1), and a new sesquiterpene,
guignarderemophilane F (2), together with six known compounds, were isolated from
the fungus Penicillium sp. S-1-18 derived from Antarctic marine. The new
structures were determined by spectroscopic studies such as 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS
analyses. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the modified Mosher's
method, while the absolute configuration of 2 was determined by calculated ECD
spectroscopy. The isolated secondary metabolites were evaluated for their protein
tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity. Compound 1 showed moderate
inhibitory activity against PTP1B with IC50 value of 27.4 MUM.
PMID- 28990802
TI - Correction to: Cozzolino et al., Ovarian stimulation under the effect of
isotretinoin.
PMID- 28990804
TI - Effects of a blend of essential oils and overcrowding stress on the growth
performance, meat quality and heat shock protein gene expression of broilers.
AB - Overcrowding stress is common in the poultry industry. Chickens exposed to long
term stressful situations are characterised by welfare impairment and
immunosuppression. 1. The present study evaluated the effects of a blend of
essential oils (EOB; cinnamaldehyde and thymol) and stocking density on the
performance, gut microflora, meat quality and physiological stress markers of
broilers. 2. One-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens (n = 360) were allocated
to 4 experimental groups from d 22 to 42. Each treatment had 6 replicates of 15
chicks. Two groups were subjected to a high stocking density (HSD) of 20 birds/m2
and the other two groups were kept at a low stocking density (LSD) of 10
birds/m2. 3. The results of this study indicate that overcrowding stress
decreased growth performance parameters, blood immunoglobulin (Ig)G and
heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio but increased IgA and IgM levels. HSD reduced
water-loss rate and pH decline at 45 min post mortem in the breast muscle. 4.
Essential oils supplementation elevated H:L ratio but decreased breast meat
redness and pH24. 5. Significant interactions between EOB and stocking density
were observed for corticosterone (CS) level and mRNA levels of heat shock protein
70 (HSP70) in brain and heart. Although HSD increased CS and HSP70 when compared
to LSD, the effects of the former were inconsistent with EOB supplemented diets.
6. In conclusion, dietary EOB supplementation could improve some of the
biomarkers associated with overcrowding stress in broiler chickens.
PMID- 28990805
TI - Experimental evidence for weaker endogenous inhibition of trigeminal pain than
extra-trigeminal pain in healthy individuals.
AB - Background and objectives The prevalence of pain syndromes that affect the
territories innervated by the trigeminal nerve, such as headaches, is one of the
highest and ranks second only to low back pain. A potential mechanism underlying
this high prevalence may be a relatively weak endogenous pain modulation of
trigeminal pain. Here, we sought to systematically compare endogenous pain
modulation capabilities in the trigeminal region to those of extra-trigeminal
regions in healthy subjects. Methods Healthy, pain free subjects (n = 17)
underwent a battery of quantitative sensory testing to assess endogenous pain
inhibition and pain enhancement efficiencies within and outside the trigeminal
innervated region. Measurements included conditioned pain modulation (CPM),
temporal summation of pain (TSP) and spatial summation of pain (SSP). Results
Testing configurations that included trigeminal-innervated body regions displayed
significantly weaker CPM when compared to extra-trigeminal innervated areas. SSP
magnitude was smaller in the ophthalmic trigeminal innervation when compared to
other body regions. TSP magnitude was not different between the different body
regions tested. Conclusions Our findings point to regional differences in
endogenous pain inhibition and suggest that in otherwise healthy individuals, the
trigeminal innervation is subjected to a weaker inhibitory pain control than
other body regions. Such weaker endogenous pain control could play, at least in
part, a role in mediating the high prevalence of trigeminal-related pain
syndromes, including primary headaches and TMD pain.
PMID- 28990803
TI - New onset postoperative atrial fibrillation and early anticoagulation after
cardiac surgery.
AB - OBJECTIVES: New onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac
surgery is associated with increased risk for thromboembolic complications.
Compliance with anticoagulation treatment is prerequisite for successful outcome
after POAF. We hypothesized that a disciplined anticoagulation protocol initiated
instantly after POAF secures a long-term outcome. DESIGN: A total of 519
consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery were retrospectively analyzed.
Patients received anticoagulation using warfarin whenever POAF lasted longer than
five min. Postoperative outcome including mortality, myocardial infarction and
stroke were compared with patients on sinus rhythm (non-POAF). RESULTS: Mean age
of the study cohort was 64.3 +/- 9.0 years and median follow-up time was 76
months. There were 177 (34%) POAF and 342 (66%) non-POAF patients. At discharge,
144 (81%) POAF patients complied with warfarin, while 82 (24%) non-POAF patients
received warfarin for non-rhythm causes (p < .001). Mortality was higher in POAF
as compared with non-POAF patients (p = .03). After adjustment for comorbidities,
major adverse clinical events (MACE)- including a combination of late
cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke and late atrial
fibrillation- was independently associated with POAF (OR 2.73, 95%CI 1.69-4.45, p
< .0001). CONCLUSIONS: POAF after cardiac surgery was associated with high risk
of MACE. Early anticoagulation may be justified in POAF patients to secure a long
term outcome after cardiac surgery.
PMID- 28990806
TI - Optimizing the detection of biliary dysplasia in primary sclerosing cholangitis
before liver transplantation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have increased
risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We evaluated pre-transplant work-up in PSC
patients, to search for the most effective strategy for the detection of biliary
dysplasia or early CCA. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty five consecutive PSC
patients undergoing liver transplantation (LTx) in Sweden between 1999 and 2013
were studied. Patients with CCA or dysplasia in the explanted liver were compared
with those with benign histopathology. Measures of test performance were
calculated for patients having brush cytology on one endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) occasion, for those having repeated
examinations with or without cholangioscopy, and for fluorescence in situ
hybridization (FISH). Survival after LTx was analyzed. RESULTS: Brush cytology on
a single ERCP occasion had moderate sensitivity (57%) and high specificity (94%)
for the detection of CCA/high grade dysplasia (HGD) in the explanted liver. The
corresponding sensitivity and specificity for FISH were 84% and 90%,
respectively. Utilizing repeated ERCP and brush cytology to confirm the initial
finding improved sensitivity to 82%. Using single operator cholangioscopy (SOC)
for targeted examination at the second ERCP improved sensitivity (100%) and
specificity (97%) significantly. Mortality rate in patients with incidentally
discovered CCA (n = 16) in the explanted liver was significantly higher than in
patients with HGD or benign histopathology (HR 16.0; 95% CI, 5.6-45.4; p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS: Repeated brush cytology especially when combined with targeted
examination under SOC guidance is superior to single brush examinations. This
strategy improves the detection of malignancy in PSC and is of importance for
selection of patients for LTx.
PMID- 28990807
TI - Process evaluation of Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adults
with tinnitus in the context of a randomised control trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The research objective was to identify processes that could either
facilitate or hinder clinical implementation of an Internet-based cognitive
behavioural therapy intervention for tinnitus in the UK. This was done by
exploring the research context, the intervention components and the factors that
contributed to the outcomes obtained. DESIGN: This study investigated eight
processes including the recruitment strategies, reach, research context,
treatment dose delivered and received, implementation fidelity, barriers to
implementation and effectiveness of the intervention. STUDY SAMPLE: Of the 169
registered participants, 146 were randomly assigned to the experimental or
control groups (23 were excluded). The mean age was 55.57 years with an average
tinnitus duration of 11.63 years. RESULTS: The intended sample of people with
distressing tinnitus who were underserved with evidence-based tinnitus
interventions was reached. The full guided intervention was delivered. The
recommended modules were read more than the optional modules. Intervention
components such as the easily readable format and the benefits of the applied
relaxation programme facilitated significant positive post-intervention outcomes.
Barriers hampering the intervention application included time pressures and low
self-motivation. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this process evaluation together with
the outcome data can be used to facilitate translating this research into
clinical practice.
PMID- 28990808
TI - MicroRNA-205 Mediates Proteinase-Activated Receptor 2 (PAR2) -Promoted Cancer
Cell Migration.
AB - Activation of proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) promotes cell migration in
cancers, but the exact mechanism underlying this process remains largely unknown.
Here we report that activation of PAR2 reduced miR-205 expression, whereas
inhibition of miR-205 promoted cell migration in cancer cells. Overexpression of
miR-205 blocked PAR2-mediated stimulation of cell migration. BMPR1B was
identified as a downstream target gene of miR-205. In colorectal carcinoma
specimens from patients, the level of PAR2 was negatively correlated with that of
miR-205, but it was positively associated with BMPR1B expression. Taken together,
our findings indicate that PAR2 signaling promotes cancer cell migration through
miR-205/BMPR1B pathway in human colorectal carcinoma.
PMID- 28990810
TI - CNS metastasis secondary to malignant-mixed Mullerian tumor: case report and
review of therapeutics.
AB - This paper reviews CNS involvement secondary to malignant-mixed Mullerian tumor
or uterine carcinosarcoma, a rare aggressive biphasic Mullerian tumor. We report
a cerebellar metastasis with epithelial and mesenchymal components, demonstrating
heterologous rhabdomyogenic and chondroblastic differentiation. The patient had
undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for
palliation of symptomatic chemotherapy-resistant node-positive disease. CNS
involvement is rare, and prognostically poor, and suggestively poorer in
predominantly sarcomatous metastases. Multimodal therapy is indicated; in
solitary metastases, surgical resection or stereotactic radiosurgery is included,
followed by whole brain radiotherapy. In unresectable brain metastases,
stereotactic radiosurgery and whole brain radiotherapy warrant consideration in
up to 2-3 metastases. In multiple metastases, palliative steroid therapy or
cranial irradiation may be considered. Combination or platinum-based chemotherapy
(i.e., ifosfamide-paclitaxel or carboplatin-paclitaxel) is indicated in all
stages, with a role in both disease cure and control-directed management.
Targeted therapeutics have thus far not demonstrated significant clinical
efficacy.
PMID- 28990809
TI - Proteomic interrogation of HSP90 and insights for medical research.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) regulates protein homeostasis in
eukaryotes. As a 'professional interactor', HSP90 binds to and chaperones many
proteins and has both housekeeping and disease-related functions but its
regulation remains in part elusive. HSP90 complexes are a target for therapy,
notably against cancer, and several inhibitors are currently in clinical trials.
Proteomic studies have revealed the vast interaction network of HSP90 and, in
doing so, the extent of cellular processes the chaperone takes part in,
especially in yeast and human cells. Furthermore, small-molecule inhibitors were
used to probe the global impact of its inhibition on the proteome. Areas covered:
We review here recent HSP90-related interactomics and total proteome studies and
their relevance for research on cancer, neurodegenerative and pathogen diseases.
Expert commentary: Proteomics experiments are our best chance to identify the
context-dependent global proteome of HSP90 and thus uncover and understand its
disease-specific biology. However, understanding the complexity of HSP90 will
require multiple complementary, quantitative approaches and novel bioinformatics
to translate interactions into ordered functional networks and pathways.
Developing therapies will necessitate more knowledge on HSP90 complexes and
networks with disease relevance and on total proteome changes induced by their
perturbation. Most work has been done in cancer, thus a lot remains to be done in
the context of other diseases.
PMID- 28990811
TI - Evaluation of hospitalization costs and associated factors among maternity stays
involving low-risk and moderate- to high-risk childbirths in the United States.
AB - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the costs of childbirth and to identify
factors associated with such hospital costs for low- and moderate/high-risk
childbirth groups. METHODS: All hospitalizations for childbirth between 2010-2014
in the Premier Perspective Hospital Database were identified. Risk category for
each birth was defined by the age of the subject and/or presence of specific
maternal comorbidities and obstetric risk factors. Hospital childbirth costs were
determined and stratified by risk groups. Factors associated with costs for each
risk group were evaluated by multiple regression. RESULTS: Among 2,367,195
hospitalizations for childbirth, vaginal birth was the most common delivery
method (n = 1,596,757; 68%). Among women characterized as moderate/high-risk, 42%
(n = 642,495) had C-sections, while 11% (n = 90,211) of women categorized as low
risk had C-sections. The proportion of women with serious maternal morbidity
among moderate/high-risk vs. low-risk women was 2% (n = 29,496) vs. 0.3% (n =
2749), respectively. The mean costs for moderate/high-risk vs. low-risk
hospitalizations were $6145 (median = $5760) and $5397 (median = $5001),
respectively (p < 0.0001). Factors significantly associated with costs for
moderate/high-risk hospitalizations included delivery type (C-section vs. vaginal
birth), LOS, urban/rural hospital status, geographic regions, calendar year of
hospitalization, teaching status, payer types and serious maternal morbidity.
Similar factors were found to impact costs among low-risk hospitalizations.
CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics such as delivery type, LOS, geographical region,
teaching status, serious maternal morbidity and hospital urban/rural status were
shown to impact hospital costs of childbirth. Screening and prevention strategies
of factors that negatively impact costs may aid in reducing the hospitalization
costs associated with childbirths.
PMID- 28990812
TI - Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt treatment of variceal bleeding in
an unselected patient population.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in
variceal bleeding in a clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective
review of 131 patients (116 with liver cirrhosis) treated with TIPS with covered
stent grafts in a single centre from 2002 to 2016. RESULTS: Survival at 1 and 2
years was 70% and 57% in patents with, and 100% at 2 years in patients without
liver cirrhosis, respectively. A high Child-Pugh score and severe hepatic
encephalopathy (HE) within 12 months post-TIPS were related to increased
mortality. Re-bleeding occurred in 8% within 12 months and was related to TIPS
dysfunction and a post-TIPS portosystemic gradient (PSG) of >=5 mmHg. The main
cause of TIPS dysfunction was that the stent did not fully reach the inferior
vena cava. There was no correlation between the PSG and the occurrence of HE.
CONCLUSIONS: TIPS was safe and prevented re-bleeding in patients with variceal
bleeding, with or without liver cirrhosis, regardless of Child-Pugh class and of
how soon after bleeding onset, the TIPS procedure was performed. A post-TIPS PSG
of >=5 mmHg was associated with an increased risk for re-bleeding and there was
no correlation between the post-TIPS PSG and the occurrence of HE.
PMID- 28990813
TI - Glioblastoma of pineal region: report of four cases and literature review.
AB - We report four cases of glioblastoma in the pineal region. The patients presented
a severe headache and vomiting. Brain imaging showed a heterogeneously enhanced
tumor in the pineal region with obstructive hydrocephalus. Case 3 developed a
subependymal dissemination. The patient went to ventricular-peritoneal shunt and
subtotal or total resection and radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy. Cases 1
and 2 received radiation and died 8 and 11 later months. Cases 3 and 4 completed
radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and survived 28 and 31 months after the initial
diagnosis. Glioblastoma in the pineal region carry a poor prognosis and require
neurooncology teams.
PMID- 28990815
TI - Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract of spine, skin and rind of Jack
fruit peel - A comparative study.
AB - The present study was conducted to identify the chemical constituents and
evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of crude ethanolic extracts of spine,
skin and rind of jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) peel. Polyphenol and
flavonoid contents were assessed using Folin's Ciocalteu reagent and aluminium
chloride methods which revealed 316, 355 and 382 mg tannic acid equivalent/g of
polyphenol and 96.7, 131.6 and 164.6 mg quercetin equivalent/g of flavonoid in
spine, skin and rind, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity of all three
extracts was comparable to diclofenac in vitro and in vivo studies. Skin
exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory activity, rind had preferential inhibition on
Cyclooxygenase-2 and spine and skin inhibited both Cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 in
vitro.
PMID- 28990817
TI - A combined liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay for the
quantification of urinary oxalate and citrate in patients with nephrolithiasis.
AB - Background Analysis of citrate and oxalate in a 24-h urine sample is important in
the screening and monitoring of patients with nephrolithiasis. To streamline the
analytical process, it was decided to combine oxalate and citrate and analyse
them simultaneously in the same assay. Objective A highly sensitive and specific
assay for analysis of urine citrate and oxalate was developed using liquid
chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a simple weak anion
exchange solid phase extraction (WAX SPE) clean-up procedure. Method Premixed
calibrator/acidified urine (50 uL) was combined with mixed internal standard
(13C2 oxalate/citrate-d4) and 5% v/v formic acid in water and passed through a
Waters WAX SPE plate. After clean-up steps, the plate was eluted with 5% NH3 in
methanol, the eluent was dried down and re-constituted with 100 uL distilled
water. Separation was then performed on an HSS T3 2.1 * 50 mm column (Waters,
Manchester, UK), flow rate of 0.5 mL/min using a gradient of aqueous and organic
mobile phases. We detected multiple reaction monitoring transitions m/z citrate
191.1>110.9, citrate IS 195.1>112.9, oxalate 88.9>60.85, oxalate IS 90.9>61.9
using a Waters TQD in electrospray-negative mode. Results Oxalate and 13C2
oxalate were eluted at 0.29 min; citrate and citrate-d4 were eluted at 0.52 min.
Mean recovery was 100% for oxalate and 103% for citrate; lower limit of
quantification of oxalate was 60 umol/L and 50 umol/L for citrate. Oxalate was
linear up to 1388 umol/L; citrate was linear up to 4762.5 umol/L. Oxalate was
found to be affected by ion suppression (matrix effect: -23 to +65%) but was
compensated for by the internal standard used in all cases. The coefficient of
variation of the assay in urine for oxalate was <7% for oxalate and 5% for
citrate. Discussion We have developed a rapid assay for LC-MS/MS measurement of
urinary oxalate and citrate in a routine clinical laboratory. It is simple,
reproducible and easy to perform.
PMID- 28990814
TI - Induction of Anoikis in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells by Fucoxanthinol.
AB - Fucoxanthin (Fx), one of the major xanthophylls in brown algae, is known to be
effective for colorectal cancer (CRC) chemoprevention through inhibiting cell
growth, cell cycle and caspase activation. Recently, we observed fucoxanthinol
(FuOH), an anti-cancer active metabolite of Fx, treatment of human CRC cells
resulted in plenty of living floating cells several hours after exposure, and
induced apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated whether FuOH induced
anchorage-dependent apoptosis, that is "anoikis", along with integrin signal
suppression in human CRC cells. We found that cells exposed to 2.5 MUM FuOH
clearly showed anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects to DLD-1 cells, human CRC
cells. FuOH treatment of DLD-1 cells led to an increase in anoikis-like changes
represented by Calcein AM negative/ethidium homodimer-1 positive cell and living
floating cells. Moreover, FuOH decreased FAK activation, and altered integrin
beta1 expression and distribution after 6 h treatment. After 24 h, the cells
decreased PPARgamma expression and Akt activation and increased integrin beta1
expression. Our findings suggested that FuOH can induce anoikis in CRC cells
through suppression of integrin signals in human CRC cells.
PMID- 28990818
TI - Serum alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone may act as a protective biomarker for
non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
AB - Background The alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), an endogenous
neuropeptide derived from proopiomelanocortin (POMC), has been identified to
suppress inflammation and prevent osteoblast damage. Objective The present study
was aimed to investigate the role of serum alpha-MSH in non-traumatic
osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods Seventy-nine patients diagnosed
with non-traumatic ONFH and 79 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were
enrolled in the study. Serum alpha-MSH concentrations were examined with a double
antibody radioimmunoassay. The radiographic progression of ONFH was assessed by X
ray plain film according to the FICAT grading system. The symptomatic severity
was evaluated by visual analogue scale scores, Harris hip scores and Western
Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. The serum
concentrations of protective marker adiponectin and bone necrosis inflammation
factor IL-33 concentrations were also examined. The receiver operating
characteristic (ROC) analysis curve was performed to explore the diagnostic value
of alpha-MSH, adiponectin and IL-33 for radiographic progression. Results Serum
alpha-MSH concentrations were significantly lower in ONFH patients than in
healthy controls. The case group included 29 non-traumatic ONFH patients with
FICAT grade I/II, 27 with grade III and 23 with grade IV. ONFH patients with
grade I/II had significantly higher alpha-MSH concentrations in serum compared
with those with FICAT grades III and IV. ONFH patients with FICAT grade III
showed significantly elevated concentrations of alpha-MSH in serum compared with
those with FICAT grade IV. Serum alpha-MSH concentrations were negatively
associated with radiographic progression by FICAT grading system, and symptomatic
severity defined by visual analogue scale scores, Harris hip scores and WOMAC
scores. In addition, serum alpha-MSH concentrations were positively related to
the expression of adiponectin and negatively associated with IL-33. ROC analysis
curve demonstrated that alpha-MSH exhibited the equal value for the diagnosis of
ONFH radiographic progression compared with IL-33. Conclusions Serum alpha-MSH
may act as a protective biomarker for non-traumatic ONFH. Systematic application
of alpha-MSH serving as an adjunctive therapy for treating non-traumatic ONFH
deserves further investigation.
PMID- 28990819
TI - Evaluating the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule Standard
for Microbial Quality of Agricultural Water for Growing Produce.
AB - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has defined standards for the
microbial quality of agricultural surface water used for irrigation. According to
the FDA produce safety rule (PSR), a microbial water quality profile requires
analysis of a minimum of 20 samples for Escherichia coli over 2 to 4 years. The
geometric mean (GM) level of E. coli should not exceed 126 CFU/100 mL, and the
statistical threshold value (STV) should not exceed 410 CFU/100 mL. The water
quality profile should be updated by analysis of a minimum of five samples per
year. We used an extensive set of data on levels of E. coli and other fecal
indicator organisms, the presence or absence of Salmonella, and physicochemical
parameters in six agricultural irrigation ponds in West Central Florida to
evaluate the empirical and theoretical basis of this PSR. We found highly
variable log-transformed E. coli levels, with standard deviations exceeding those
assumed in the PSR by up to threefold. Lognormal distributions provided an
acceptable fit to the data in most cases but may underestimate extreme levels.
Replacing censored data with the detection limit of the microbial tests
underestimated the true variability, leading to biased estimates of GM and STV.
Maximum likelihood estimation using truncated lognormal distributions is
recommended. Twenty samples are not sufficient to characterize the
bacteriological quality of irrigation ponds, and a rolling data set of five
samples per year used to update GM and STV values results in highly uncertain
results and delays in detecting a shift in water quality. In these ponds, E. coli
was an adequate predictor of the presence of Salmonella in 150-mL samples, and
turbidity was a second significant variable. The variability in levels of E. coli
in agricultural water was higher than that anticipated when the PSR was
finalized, and more detailed information based on mechanistic modeling is
necessary to develop targeted risk management strategies.
PMID- 28990820
TI - Interleukin 2 Secretion by T Cells for Detection of Biologically Active
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Type E.
AB - Staphylococcus aureus is a significant worldwide source of clinical infections
and foodborne illnesses; it acts through the synthesis of a group of enterotoxins
(SEs) that cause gastroenteritis and also function as superantigens that activate
T cells, resulting in massive cytokine production, yielding life-threatening
toxicity. It is important that methods for detection and quantification of these
toxins respond to their activity and not just the presence of the toxin molecule,
which may be deactivated. Traditionally, live animals have been used to test for
emesis following administration of the toxin-containing sample. Here, we present
results studying cell-based alternatives for the assay of active staphylococcal
enterotoxin type E (SEE), a toxin subtype identified in foodborne outbreaks in
the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. We found that interleukin 2
production by T cells can be used as a specific biological marker for the
quantitative detection of SEE as compared with subtypes SEA and SEB. Our assay
shows a dose-response relationship between IL-2 secretion by Jurkat T-cell line
and SEE concentration as low as 1 pg/mL.
PMID- 28990821
TI - Enrichment Broth for the Detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli
in Fresh Produce and Poultry.
AB - Although campylobacteriosis caused by Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli
has been increasingly reported worldwide owing to the consumption of contaminated
poultry and fresh produce, the current detection protocols are not selective
enough to inhibit unspecific microbes other than these pathogens. Five
antibiotics were separately added to Bolton broth, and the survival rates of 18
Campylobacter spp. and 79 non-Campylobacter spp. were evaluated. The survival
rate of the non-Campylobacter spp. was the lowest in Bolton broth with rifampin
(6.3%), followed by cefsulodin (12.7%), novobiocin (16.5%), and potassium
tellurite and sulfamethozaxole (both 17.7%). Also the most effective
concentration of rifampin was found to be 12.5 mg/L, which markedly inhibited non
Campylobacter strains while not affecting the survival of Campylobacter strains.
After the Campylobacter spp. were enriched in Bolton broth supplemented with 12.5
mg/L rifampin (R-Bolton broth), CampyFood Agar (CFA) was found to be better in
selectively isolating the pathogens in the enrichment broth than the
International Organization for Standardization method of using modified charcoal
cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (mCCDA) for this step. When applied to natural
food samples-here, romaine lettuce, pepper, cherry tomato, Korean leek, and
chicken-the R-Bolton broth-CFA combination decreased the number of false-positive
results by 50.0, 4.2, 20.8, 50.0, and 94.4%, respectively, compared with the
International Organization for Standardization method (Bolton broth-mCCDA
combination). These results demonstrate that the combination of R-Bolton broth
and CFA is more efficient in detecting C. jejuni and C. coli in poultry and fresh
produce and thus should replace the Bolton broth-mCCDA combination.
PMID- 28990822
TI - Identification of Structural and Immunity Genes of a Class IIb Bacteriocin
Encoded in the Enterocin A Operon of Enterococcus faecium Strain MXVK29.
AB - The Enterococcus faecium strain MXVK29, isolated from fermented sausages,
produces a bacteriocin with a molecular mass of 3.5 kDa that belongs to the class
of enterocins II.1, according to the terminal amino acid sequence, and has been
identified as enterocin A. This bacteriocin is active against selected strains of
Listeria, Staphylococcus, Pediococcus, and Enterococcus. In this study, we
identified the genes adjacent to the structural gene for this bacteriocin, such
as the immunity gene (entI) and the inducer gene (entF). Accessory genes for this
bacteriocin, such as entK, entR, and entT, were identified as well, in addition
to the orf2 and orf3, showing a high identity with class IIb peptides
bacteriocins. The orf2 shows the consensus motif GxxxG, similar to those shown by
bacteriocins such as PlnNC8alpha, EntCalpha, and Ent1071A, whereas orf3 shows a
consensus motif SxxxS similar to that present in PlnNC8beta (AxxxA). PlnNC8 is
expressed only in bacterial cocultures, so there is the possibility that the
expression of this two-peptide bacteriocin can be induced by a similar mechanism.
So far, only the expression of enterocin A has been found in this strain;
however, the presence of the genes ent29alpha and ent29beta opens the possibility
for further research on its induction, functionality, and origin. Although there
are reports on this type of bacteriocin (EntX, EntC, and Ent1071) in other
strains of E. faecium, no report exists yet on an Enterococcus strain producing
two different classes of bacteriocin.
PMID- 28990823
TI - The Effectiveness of Suicide Prevention Education Programs for Nurses.
AB - BACKGROUND: Education to improve health professionals' responses to suicide is
considered an important suicide prevention strategy. However, the effectiveness
of this approach for nurses is unclear. AIM: To systematically review the peer
reviewed literature regarding the effectiveness of suicide prevention education
programs for nurses. METHOD: Nine academic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Reviews &
Trials, Embase, Informit Health Collection, Joanna Briggs Institute, Medline,
PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched in November 2016, utilizing
search terms related to suicide, education, and nurses, with no limits placed on
publication date or study design. RESULTS: The search yielded 5,456 identified
articles, 11 of which met the inclusion criteria. Studies were primarily
quantitative (RCTs n = 3; quasi-experimental n = 6; qualitative n = 2), and
involved nurses (range = 16-561) working in a diversity of settings, particularly
hospitals (n = 9). Studies revealed positive changes in nurses' competence,
knowledge, and attitudes associated with training over the short term.
LIMITATIONS: The heterogeneity of education programs and methodological
weaknesses of included studies limit the conclusions drawn. CONCLUSION: There is
a moderate body of evidence to support the effectiveness of suicide prevention
education programs for nurses. Future research should examine longer-term changes
in clinical practice and strategies for continuing education, with more rigorous
study designs.
PMID- 28990825
TI - Perceived Stress and Intent to Die in Young Soldiers Who Attempt Suicide.
AB - BACKGROUND: Intent to die is an important component of suicide risk assessment.
The authors compared the predictive effect of two forms of stress - military and
perceived - in intent to die by suicide among young adult Israeli soldiers with a
history of suicide attempts. Depression, suicide ideation, and
habituation/acquired capacity for suicidality served as covariates. METHODS:
Participants were 60 young adult soldiers in the Israeli Defense Force (ISF; aged
18-21 years), who made a suicide attempt during their military service. Study
variables were assessed using self-report measures. RESULTS: Intent to die by
suicide correlated with suicide ideation, habituation/acquired capacity,
depressive symptoms, and perceived stress. In a multiple regression analysis,
perceived stress predicted intent to die (b = .44, p = .002) over and above the
prediction by suicide ideation (b = .42, p = .013) and acquired
capacity/habituation (b = .28, p = .023). LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design
restricts causal inference. In addition, an exclusive reliance on self-report
measures might have inflated shared method variance. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived
stress captures a unique dimension of intent to die by suicide among young
suicide attempters.
PMID- 28990824
TI - Where Are They Now?
AB - BACKGROUND: While a history of suicide attempts has been identified as the most
powerful risk factor among adults, it is not clear if this is also true for the
adolescent population. Our aim was to examine the differences between attempters
and nonattempters in the years following a documented suicide attempt and to
investigate the adolescents' prognosis in terms of suicidal behavior and
adjustment. METHOD: Military records at induction and during active military
service were used to compare 105 adolescent suicide attempters with 105 matched
controls. All were rated on cognitive/educational performance and psychosocial
adaptation, psychological health diagnoses, and performance during their military
service. RESULTS: Suicide attempters had higher school dropout rates and lower
scores on educational indicators. They registered more incidents of disciplinary
and adjustment problems in the military. However, the overall prognosis of the
suicide attempters appeared surprisingly good. No significant differences were
found between the groups in suicide risk or in behavior in their military
service. LIMITATIONS: Data were derived from the computerized records and no
direct interviews were conducted with the participants. CONCLUSION: Attempted
suicide in adolescence appears to be different in nature from attempted suicide
in adulthood, and can be viewed as an indicator of social distress rather than as
major risk factor of completed suicide. Implications in terms of intervention and
prevention are discussed.
PMID- 28990826
TI - Undergraduate Students' Exposure, Knowledge, Utilization, and Intended Use of the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
AB - BACKGROUND: Suicide is a leading cause of death among college students. Crisis
hotlines play a role in linking suicidal individuals to help. Despite leading to
favorable outcomes, low utilization of crisis outlines has been reported. AIMS:
To explore exposure, knowledge, and utilization of the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) among a sample of university students; to determine if
knowledge and perceived helpfulness of NSPL predict intent to use NSPL. METHOD:
The researcher surveyed 560 students attending a Midwestern university to assess
knowledge of, and attitudes toward, the NSPL. RESULTS: Those who reported seeing
the NSPL advert (50%) perceived the NSPL to be more helpful than those who had
not seen the advert. Only 29% (n = 160) were able to identify who would answer
the NSPL (a trained, skilled counselor). Only 1% (n = 4) reported utilization.
Participants who reported past exposure to the NSPL advert reported higher levels
of perceived helpfulness of the NSPL. Perceived helpfulness of the NSPL was a
weak predictor of likelihood to use the NSPL. LIMITATIONS: The study limitations
include its small sample size; participants' likelihood to use the NSPL was
assessed using independent symptoms. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to
identify college students' underlying attitudes toward the NSPL.
PMID- 28990827
TI - Ural Eye and Medical Study: description of study design and methodology.
AB - PURPOSE: Since there is a scarcity on population-based health information
available for Russia, we conducted this project to assess the prevalence of major
ocular and systemic disorders and their associated risk factors. METHODS: A
population-based cross-sectional study (Ural Eye and Medical Study (UEMS)) was
performed in Bashkortostan 1300 km east of Moscow. The sampling frame consisted
of all inhabitants aged over 40 years and living in an urban study area in the
capital city Ufa and a rural region at 65 km outside of Ufa. The target sample
size was 2500 individuals for the urban region and 2500 persons for the rural
region. The study participants underwent a detailed interview, a detailed
ophthalmologic examination including biometry and optical coherence tomography,
and clinical examination including assessment of electrocardiography, hearing
test, blood sampling, spirometry, and hand grip dynamometry. RESULTS: After a
first study period, the study population included 4254 individuals with a mean
age of 60.3 +/- 11.1 years (range: 40-94 years), mean body weight of 74.8 +/-
14.4 kg (range: 31-170 kg), body height of 163.6 +/- 8.9 cm (range: 112-196),
body mass index of 28.0 +/- 5.1 kg/m2 (range: 13.96-60.96 kg/m2), mean systolic
blood pressure of 133.7 +/- 21.0 mmHg (range: 84-232 mmHg), and mean diastolic
blood pressure of 81.2 +/- 10.6 mmHg (range: 40-134 mmHg). Mean refractive error
was -0.21 +/- 1.94 D and mean intraocular pressure was 13.6 +/- 3.9 mmHg.
CONCLUSIONS: The UEMS provides population-based normative data for a Russian
region on the quantitative traits such as axial length, quality of life and
lifestyle including smoking and alcohol consumption, and prevalence and risk
factors of ocular and systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, arterial
hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and depression.
PMID- 28990828
TI - Radiologic features of vascular pulsatile tinnitus - suggestion of optimal
diagnostic image workup modalities.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal diagnostic workup
modalities for vascular pulsatile tinnitus through analysis of clinical and
radiologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 49 patients diagnosed with
vascular pulsatile tinnitus along with their medical records and radiologic
findings were thoroughly reviewed. RESULTS: Of these patients, 84% had venous
lesions. The jugular bulb variants (67%) were the most common venous lesions
followed by sigmoid sinus variants (12%). About 88% (43/49) of these lesions were
detected with computed tomography of the temporal bone (TBCT) alone and the
lesions were either venous or intratemporal artery in origin. Simple manual neck
compression test was 93% sensitive in predicting venous lesions. A high suspicion
for venous lesion coupled with manual neck compression test and selection of the
optimal imaging technique are useful for the proper evaluation of vascular
pulsatile tinnitus at the initial visit. CONCLUSION: Our stepwise strategy may
increase the cost-effectiveness of the chosen imaging workup by reducing
redundancy of multiple and simultaneous radiologic tests in patients with
vascular pulsatile tinnitus.
PMID- 28990829
TI - Diplopia after Cataract Extraction.
AB - Diplopia after cataract extraction is an unexpected outcome for the patient and
often a source of confusion for the physician, owing to its relative infrequency.
This article reviews the pertinent literature on the subject. Mechanisms include
anesthetic myotoxicity, surgical trauma, optical aberrations, cortical disorders
in patients with congenital strabismus, and the unmasking of previously unnoticed
ocular misalignment. As the population continues to age and cataract extraction
is performed in increasing volume, familiarity with this uncommon but important
outcome may help to clarify and effectively treat post-cataract-extraction
diplopia.
PMID- 28990831
TI - The patient-centered medical home model: healthcare services utilization and cost
for non-elderly adults with mental illness.
AB - BACKGROUND: The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model is designed to improve
health outcomes while containing the cost of care. However, the evidence is
inconclusive. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between
receipt of care consistent with the PCMH and healthcare services utilization and
expenditures for non-elderly adults with mental illness in the USA. METHOD: A
surveillance study was conducted using self-reported data for 6908 non-elderly
adults with mental illness participating in the 2007-2012 Medical Expenditure
Panel Survey. Healthcare services utilization and expenditures were compared for
study participants who received care consistent with the PCMH, participants with
a non-PCMH usual source of care (USC), and participants without a USC. RESULTS:
Differences in utilization and expenditures between participants who received
care consistent with the PCMH and participants who had a non-PCMH USC were not
statistically significant for any healthcare services category. CONCLUSIONS:
Receipt of care consistent with the PCMH was not significantly associated with
differences in healthcare services utilization or expenditures compared to having
a non-PCMH USC. Research assessing whether the PCMH is cost-effective for non
elderly adults with mental illness is needed.
PMID- 28990830
TI - Value of pulse oximetry watch for diagnosing pediatric obstructive sleep
apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of pulse oximetry watch (POW) for
diagnosing pediatric Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS:
We selected 32 children (boys: 25, 4-16 years old) who came to the hospital for
diagnosing OSAHS from July to October 2016. Polysomnography (PSG) and POW were
used simultaneously and recorded the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), LSpO2, and ODI4.
Pearson analysis, t test, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) were used
to analyze the correlation between PSG-AHI and other indicators, the diagnosis
accordance rate, and the sensitivity and specificity of POW, respectively.
RESULTS: According to PSG-AHI, 32 children were divided into two groups: primary
snoring (n = 5) and OSAHS (n = 27). There was no significant difference between
PSG-ODI4 and POW-ODI4 (p > .05). A statistically significant correlation between
PSG-AHI and POW-ODI4 was found (r = .719, p < .001). When PSG-AHI >1, 5, 10, 15,
and 20 events/h, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.685 (p > .05), 0.733,
0.798, 0.922, and 0.929 (p < .05), respectively. There were high levels of
sensitivity (83.33%) and specificity (92.31%) in the OSAHS with AHI >20 events/h
level, whereas the sensitivity and specificity were unacceptable (<75%) at the
level of AHI >1, 5, 10, and 15 events/h. CONCLUSIONS: POW cannot replace PSG to
diagnose pediatric OSAHS because of low sensitivity and specificity, but can be
used for screening severe OSAHS in children.
PMID- 28990832
TI - Complex interplays between phytosterols and plastid development.
AB - Isoprenoids comprise the largest class of natural compounds and are found in all
kinds of organisms. In plants, they participate in both primary and specialized
metabolism, playing essential roles in nearly all aspects of growth and
development. The enormous diversity of this family of compounds is extensively
exploited for biotechnological and biomedical applications as biomaterials,
biofuels or drugs. Despite their variety of structures, all isoprenoids derive
from the common C5 precursor isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP). Plants synthesize IPP
through two different metabolic pathways, the mevalonic acid (MVA) and the 2-C
methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathways that operate in the cytosol-RE and
plastids, respectively. MEP-derived isoprenoids include important compounds for
chloroplast function and as such, knock-out mutant plants affected in different
steps of this pathway display important alterations in plastid structure. These
alterations often lead to albino phenotypes and lethality at seedling stage. MVA
knock-out mutant plants show, on the contrary, lethal phenotypes already
exhibited at the gametophyte or embryo developmental stage. However, the recent
characterization of conditional knock-down mutant plants of farnesyl diphosphate
synthase (FPS), a central enzyme in cytosolic and mitochondrial isoprenoid
biosynthesis, revealed an unexpected role of this pathway in chloroplast
development and plastidial isoprenoid metabolism in post-embryonic stages. Upon
FPS silencing, chloroplast structure is severely altered, together with a strong
reduction in the levels of MEP pathway-derived major end products. This phenotype
is associated to misregulation of genes involved in stress responses
predominantly belonging to JA and Fe homeostasis pathways. Transcriptomic
experiments and analysis of recent literature indicate that sterols are the cause
of the observed alterations through an as yet undiscovered mechanism.
PMID- 28990833
TI - Prevalence of restless legs symptoms according to depressive symptoms and
depression type: a cross-sectional study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome is a sensorimotor disorder and it is
associated with several other diseases especially mental illnesses. AIMS: To
analyze the relationship between the symptoms of restless legs syndrome and the
severity of depressive symptoms and the prevalence of restless legs symptoms in
depression subtypes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of primary care patients in
the Central Finland Hospital District. The prevalence of restless legs symptoms
was studied in 706 patients with increased depressive symptoms and 426 controls
without a psychiatric diagnosis by using a structured questionnaire. The
depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and
the psychiatric diagnosis was confirmed by means of a diagnostic interview (Mini
International Neuropsychiatric Interview). The subjects with increased depressive
symptoms were divided into three groups (subjects with depressive symptoms
without a depression diagnosis, melancholic depression and non-melancholic
depression). RESULTS: In the whole study population, the prevalence of restless
legs symptoms increased with the severity of depressive symptoms. The prevalence
of restless legs symptoms was highest in the melancholic and non-melancholic
depressive patients (52 and 46%, respectively) and then in subjects with
depressive symptoms without a depression diagnosis (43.4%), but the prevalence
was also substantial (24.6%) in subjects without a psychiatric diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Restless legs symptoms are very common in primary care among
subjects with depression, regardless of the depression type. The prevalence of
restless legs symptoms increased with increasing severity of depressive symptoms,
regardless of the diagnosis. These findings should be considered in clinical
evaluation and treatment of patients visiting their physician due to restless
legs or depressive symptoms.
PMID- 28990834
TI - Eustachian tube evaluation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Investigate the presence of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) in
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Correlate the ET function and the
severity of the sleep apnea syndrome. Correlate nasal resistance and nasal
mucociliary clearance with the onset of ETD in these patients. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: Forty patients affected by OSA were enrolled in our clinical prospective
study. Thirty patients were also investigated as a control group. All of the
analyzed subjects underwent ENT examination, anterior rhinomanometry and test for
mucociliary transport time. To evaluate Eustachian tube function the Eustachian
tube score-7 (ETS-7) were employed. RESULTS: Twenty percent of the patients with
a diagnosis of OSA had a diagnosis of ETD (ETS-7 <= 7) with a statistical
difference with control group (p = .03). No differences regarding ETD in OSA sub
groups were found. CONCLUSION: This study showed that ET blockage or delayed
openings were found in most adult patients with OSA when evaluated by a sensible
score as the ETS-7. Our data suggest that an evaluation of the Eustachian tube
function should be performed in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea
syndrome.
PMID- 28990836
TI - Images from the Dental Illustration Unit at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
PMID- 28990835
TI - Children exposed to a natural disaster: psychological consequences eight years
after 2004 tsunami.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is a need for studies that follow up children and adolescents
for many years post disaster since earlier studies have shown that exposure
during natural disasters constitutes a risk factor for poor psychological health.
AIMS: The main aim was to examine whether there was an association between
severity of exposures during a natural disaster experienced in childhood or
adolescence and posttraumatic stress symptoms, psychological distress, self-rated
health, diagnosis of depression, anxiety or worry, thoughts about or attempted
suicide, physical symptoms or daily functioning eight years later in young
adulthood. A second aim was to compare psychological distress and self-rated
health of exposed young adults with a matched population-based sample. METHOD:
Young adults, who experienced the 2004 tsunami as children between 10 and 15
years of age, responded to a questionnaire eight years post disaster. The results
were compared to a matched population sample. RESULTS: The results showed that
the likelihood for negative psychological outcomes was higher for those who had
been exposed to several types of exposures during this natural disaster.
CONCLUSIONS: The negative psychological impact on children and adolescents can
still be present eight years post-disaster and seems to have association with the
type of exposure; loss, physical presence and subjective experience. It is
important for clinicians, who meet young adults seeking help, to be conscious
about the impact as long as eight years post disaster and to be aware of possible
clinical implications associated with severity of exposures.
PMID- 28990837
TI - Quercetin nanoparticles alter pharmacokinetics of bromocriptine, reflecting its
enhanced inhibitory action on liver and intestinal CYP 3A enzymes in rats.
AB - 1. Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid has extremely low water solubility and found
to possess CYP3A inhibitory activity. The purpose of the present study was to
evaluate the effect of quercetin and quercetin nanoparticles (NQC) on the
pharmacokinetics of bromocriptine (BRO) in rats. 2. NQC prepared by antisolvent
precipitation method and characterized by SEM and dissolution test. The following
methods were used in this study i.e. in vitro liver and intestinal CYP3A
microsomal activity and in vitro non-everted sac method. To confirm these
findings, an in vivo pharmacokinetic study was also performed. 3. The results
indicate that quercetin significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the CYP3A activity in
liver and intestinal microsomes. In non-everted sac study, the intestinal
transport and Papp of BRO were significantly increased in NQC and quercetin
groups. Furthermore, in vivo study revealed that the increased levels of Cmax and
AUC were comparatively high in NQC pretreated group than quercetin group. In
addition, pretreatment with quercetin and NQC significantly (p < 0.05) decreased
the mean CL/F and Vd/F of BRO. 4. NQC pretreatment might be result in higher
plasma levels of quercetin that could inhibit the CYP3A enzyme and enhanced the
bioavailability of BRO.
PMID- 28990838
TI - 3D Printing Calcaneal Fractures: Continuously Improving our Care by Making a
Complex Problem Tangible.
AB - Calcaneal fractures are amongst the most complex injuries known to man. Their
intricate anatomy and extensive damage after trauma make them difficult to
understand and treat. Most surgeons specialized in foot and ankle trauma agree
that in most patients surgical managements yields the best result. Functional
outcome is largely dependent on preventing complications and restoring anatomy.
Reconstruction of height and suntalar joint congruency for example are both
associated with improved outcome. Over the years insight in the complex (patho
)anatomy has increased. First by conventional radiographs, later with computed
tomography. Recently 3D scans and prints have been added to this armamentarium.
The study in the current issue of the Journal of Investigative Surgery explores
the use of 3D printed calcaneal fractures and the effect on restoring anatomy and
functional outcome. An invited short commentary was provided.
PMID- 28990839
TI - A review of intelligent systems for heart sound signal analysis.
AB - Intelligent computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems can enhance the diagnostic
capabilities of physicians and reduce the time required for accurate diagnosis.
CAD systems could provide physicians with a suggestion about the diagnostic of
heart diseases. The objective of this paper is to review the recent published
preprocessing, feature extraction and classification techniques and their state
of the art of phonocardiogram (PCG) signal analysis. Published literature
reviewed in this paper shows the potential of machine learning techniques as a
design tool in PCG CAD systems and reveals that the CAD systems for PCG signal
analysis are still an open problem. Related studies are compared to their
datasets, feature extraction techniques and the classifiers they used. Current
achievements and limitations in developing CAD systems for PCG signal analysis
using machine learning techniques are presented and discussed. In the light of
this review, a number of future research directions for PCG signal analysis are
provided.
PMID- 28990840
TI - Stereoselective in vitro metabolism of rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline
epimers of Uncaria rhynchophylla in rat liver microsomes.
AB - 1. The objective was to investigate the underlying mechanism of the
stereoselectivity in the metabolism of rhynchophylline (RIN) and
isorhynchophylline (IRN) epimers in rat liver microsomes (RLM). 2. After
incubation, eight metabolites of RIN (M1-5) and IRN (M6-8) reacted at A- and C
ring were identified using LC-Q-TOF/MS. Metabolic pathways included oxidation,
hydroxylation, N-oxidation and dehydrogenation. In addition, hydroxylation at A
ring was the major metabolic pathway for RIN whereas the oxidation at C-ring was
the major one for IRN. 3. Enzyme kinetics showed that the intrinsic clearance
(CLint) for IRN elimination was 1.9-fold higher than RIN and the degradation half
life (T1/2) of RIN was 4.7-fold higher than that of IRN, indicating IRN was more
favorable to be metabolized than RIN in RLM. 4. Data from chemical inhibition
study demonstrated CYP3A was the predominant isoform involved in the metabolic
elimination of both epimers, as well as the formation of M1-8. 5. In conclusion,
data revealed that due to the spatial configurations at C-7 position, RIN and IRN
epimers possessed different hepatic metabolic pathways and elimination rates
which were mainly mediated by CYP3A.
PMID- 28990841
TI - Utilization patterns of systemic corticosteroid use for chronic rhinosinusitis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize the utilization pattern and factors
associated with use of systemic corticosteroids for CRS. METHODS: This was a
cross-sectional study of 236 participants with CRS who were prospectively
recruited. Participants reported the number of CRS-related oral corticosteroid
courses taken in the last year. Baseline CRS symptomatology was measured using
the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and SNOT-22 sleep, nasal,
otologic/facial pain and emotional subdomain scores. Clinical and demographic
characteristics were also collected. Association was determined between patient
characteristics and oral corticosteroid use in the last year for CRS. RESULTS:
Sleep (p = .026), nasal (p < .001) and otologic/facial pain (p = .022) SNOT-22
subdomain scores, and nasal polyps (p = .007) were associated with CRS-related
oral corticosteroid use. In study participants without polyps, past CRS-related
oral corticosteroid use was associated with sleep (adjusted OR = 1.56, 95%CI:
1.01-2.40, p = .043), otologic/facial pain (adjusted OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.09-2.51,
p = .019) and nasal subdomain scores (adjusted OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.01-2.51, p =
.047). In study participants with polyps, past CRS-related oral corticosteroid
use was only associated with the nasal subdomain score (adjusted OR = 2.20,
95%CI: 1.40-3.45, p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Past CRS-related oral corticosteroid
use was associated with increased baseline severity of specific symptoms, which
were different depending on the presence of polyps.
PMID- 28990842
TI - MicroRNA-655-3p regulates Echinacea purpurea mediated activation of ABCG2.
AB - 1. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory effect of Echinacea
purpurea (EP) on efflux transporters ABCB1 and ABCG2 and to identify specific
microRNAs contributing to their post-transcriptional regulation. 2. ABCB1 and
ABCG2 levels were assessed in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells treated with 50
ug/mL methanolic extract of commercial EP capsules for different durations. The
microRNA expression profile of HepG2 cells after EP treatment was evaluated and
in silico target prediction was subsequently conducted to identify specific
microRNAs with binding sites in the 3'-UTR of ABCB1 and ABCG2. Luciferase
reporter gene assays and site-directed mutagenesis were used to confirm the
binding site of identified microRNA within the 3'-UTR of the target gene. 3. EP
increased ABCB1 (10-fold +/- 3.4, p < 0.001) and ABCG2 (2.7-fold +/- 0.5, p <
0.01) mRNA levels after 12 h exposure. Twenty-four microRNAs showed significant
expression differences at all durations of exposure to EP. MiR-655-3p showed a
6.79-fold decrease in expression after 12 h exposure compared to 0 h, was
predicted in silico to bind ABCG2 3'-UTR and showed a significant negative
correlation (p = 0.01) to ABCG2 expression level. The binding of miR-655-3p to
ABCG2 3'-UTR was confirmed by reporter gene assays (reduction of reporter gene
activity to 60%; p = 0.0001). 4. These results suggest that EP regulates ABCG2
expression via downregulation of miR-655-3p in the liver cells. Thus, miR-655-3p
downregulation could be applied to predict EP mediated drug interactions.
PMID- 28990843
TI - Tackling exam-induced anxiety at medical school.
PMID- 28990844
TI - Impact of nasal conditions on chronic otitis media: a cross-sectional study in
Koreans.
AB - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the relationship between pathological nasal conditions
and pathological middle ear conditions on a large-scale epidemiological basis,
conducted as a cross-sectional study at the population level using Korean
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. STUDY DESIGN: A
cross-sectional study. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data
from the KNHANES (2008-2012), which used a stratified, multi-stage, probability
cluster sampling method in a rolling sampling survey of South Korean citizens.
RESULTS: The prevalences of nasal and middle ear pathologies were evaluated.
Chronic postnasal drip, chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, and nasal polyps were
correlated with the presence of middle ear pathologies; allergic rhinitis was
negatively correlated. The prevalences of chronic otitis media and septal
deviation showed no relationship. Only nasal polyps showed a tendency to be
associated with cholesteatomatous otitis media in patients with COM. CONCLUSIONS:
Our results indicate the need for a nasal assessment when evaluating COM.
Additionally, correction of nasal pathologies may be useful with the surgical
treatment of COM to improve patient success rates and satisfaction.
PMID- 28990845
TI - The relationship between red cell distribution width and the risk of Henoch
Schonlein purpura nephritis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is elevated in various
inflammatory diseases, but its clinical significance in Henoch-Schonlein purpura
nephritis (HSPN) in unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the value of
RDW as a risk factor or marker for HSPN in children. METHODS: This was a case
control study of 105 Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) patients, 120 HSPN patients
and 192 healthy controls. The relationship between RDW-coefficient of variation
(RDW-CV) and the clinical characteristics of HSPN patients was determined by a
multiple logistic regression analysis (MVLRA). Receiver operating characteristic
(ROC) curves were applied to compare the diagnostic potential of the RDW-CV, a
panel of routine markers and combinations of these indices. RESULTS: The RDW-CV
values were significantly higher in the HSPN group than the HSP group and
controls (P < 0.001). Significant correlations were found between RDW-CV and ESR
(P = 0.001). A combination of RDW-CV and ESR in a ROC curve showed 80%
sensitivity and 84.9% specificity in the HSP patients, and 85.8% sensitivity and
93.8% specificity in the HSPN patients. The MVLRA revealed that RDW-CV (OR 1.69,
95% CI 1.16-2.48, P = 0.007) was an independent predictor of HSPN. CONCLUSIONS:
The RDW levels were highest in the HPSN group, suggesting that RDW, especially
the combination of RDW and ESR, may have value when assessing the risk of HSPN.
PMID- 28990846
TI - Aldehyde dehydrogenases may modulate signaling by lipid peroxidation-derived
bioactive aldehydes.
AB - Aldehyde molecules were shown to induce gene expression but because of their
toxicity, the cell expresses ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASES (ALDH, EC 1.2.1.3) that
oxidize them to carboxylic acids. To understand how the aldehydes may be both
toxic and gene activators, we expressed the ALDH7B4 gene promoter fused to the
beta-glucuronidase reporter gene in independent transgenic lines and found that
pentanal and trans-2-hexenal activated the promoter whereas trans-2-hexenal
induced the ALDH7B4 protein. Paraquat led to higher amounts of malondialdehyde
compared to trans-2-hexenal and H2O2, and only the treatment by Paraquat
activated the ALDH7B4 promoter, indicating that a threshold level of aldehydes is
required for gene activation. These findings suggest that ALDH activity may also
serve to fine-tune gene activation by the aldehydes.
PMID- 28990847
TI - Obstructive sleep apnoea: from respiratory events to coronary microvascular
dysfunction.
AB - Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an emerging and independent risk factor for
cardiovascular diseases; coronary artery disease (CAD) is higher in OSA patients,
even in the absence of other traditional cardiovascular risk factors. There is
little evidence to show abnormalities in coronary blood flow (CBF) and disorders
in coronary vascular resistance (CVR), occurring during the obstructive
respiratory event, suggesting coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) as a
potential mechanism of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) OSA-as a related
consequence.
PMID- 28990848
TI - Enhancement of the Therapeutic Effect of Albendazole on Cystic Echinococcosis
using a Herbal Product.
AB - PURPOSE: Albendazole is the drug of choice for chemotherapy of cystic
echinococcosis (CE) but 40% of patients do not respond to it satisfactorily. With
regard to the previously reported scolicidal activity of Zataria multiflora, this
study was done to evaluate the efficacy of the co-administration of albendazole
and Z. multiflora aromatic water (AW) on hydatid cysts in a murine model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laboratory mice were infected with 1,500 viable
protoscoleces. After development of hydatid cysts, the infected mice were
allocated into four treatment and one control group. The mice of groups 1, 2, 3,
and 4 were treated orally with albendazole (100 mg/kg), Z. multiform AW (100
ml/l), albendazole (100 mg/kg) - Z. multiform AW and albendazole ((50 mg/kg) - Z.
multiform AW respectively. Two months later, all the mice were euthanized and
necropsied and the number, size and weight of hydatid cysts were compared between
different groups. RESULTS: The size of the largest cysts, as well as the total
weight of cysts, were significantly lower (p < .05) in the mice treated with
albendazole (50 mg/kg) - Z. multiflora AW in comparison to those treated with
albendazole (100 mg/kg) alone. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed
the superiority of co-administration of albendazole and Z. multiflora AW to
albendazole alone in the treatment of CE in laboratory mice. Since Z. multiflora
AW is a safe and useful drink, it may be used successfully to enhance the
therapeutic effect of albendazole in the patients infected with hydatid disease.
PMID- 28990849
TI - How was hidden-curriculum teaching enhanced? A question to Zhang et al.
PMID- 28990851
TI - Stability study of a clonidine oral solution in a novel vehicle designed for
pediatric patients.
AB - Clonidine hydrochloride is administered to opioid-addicted mothers' neonates to
reduce neonatal abstinence syndrome. It is prescribed off-label to neonates at
0.5-1 ug/kg/6 h, alone or in combination. The commercially injectable form of
clonidine-Catapressan(r) 0.15 mg/mL-is being orally given after an appropriate
dilution in water. However, this practice is not suitable for a perfectly safe
and accurate administration. The objectives were to design a 10 ug/mL oral
solution of clonidine hydrochloride in Inorpha(r) and to study the stability of
this solution by a validated stability-indicating liquid chromatography (LC)
method. The chemical, physicochemical and microbiological stability of the
compounded formulation stored at 5 +/- 3 degrees C and 25 +/- 2 degrees C was
tested over 60 days. The LC method used is specific, linear, accurate and
precise. Upon storage between 2 and 8 degrees C according to classical and 'in
use' schedules, the concentrations of clonidine and potassium sorbate
(preservative) were found to be between 90.0 and 110.0% of the initial
concentration, the pH between 4.4 and 4.7 and no microbial growth was noted. The
stability of clonidine hydrochloride oral solution in Inorpha(r) sets the basis
for individualized, easy and safe administration of clonidine in pediatric
populations.
PMID- 28990850
TI - The relationship between Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies and generalized anxiety
disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: a new
approach.
AB - AIM: Toxoplasma gondii may play a role in the development of psychiatric diseases
by affecting the brain. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation
between serum toxoplasma IgG positivity and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in children and adolescents. METHOD: Sixty
patients diagnosed with OCD and 60 patients with GAD presenting to the pediatric
psychiatry clinic, together with 60 control group subjects with no psychiatric
diagnosis, were included in the study. The patients were administered the State
Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive
Compulsive Scale. Serum toxoplasma IgG levels were determined from blood
specimens collected from the study and control groups. The results were then
compared using statistical methods. RESULTS: State and trait anxiety levels were
significantly higher in the OCD and GAD patients than in the control group (p =
.0001/.0001). Serum toxoplasma IgG levels were positive in 21 (35%) of the OCD
patients, 19 (31.7%) of the GAD patients and 6 (10%) of the control group. A
significant relation was determined between IgG positivity and GAD (p = .003).
IgG-positive individuals were determined to have a 4.171-fold greater risk of GAD
compared to those without positivity (4.171[1.529-11.378]) (p = .005). A
significant relation was also determined between IgG positivity and OCD (p =
.001). IgG-positive individuals were determined to have a 4.846-fold greater risk
of OCD compared to those without positivity (4.846[1.789-13.126]) (p = .002).
CONCLUSION: This study shows that serum toxoplasma IgG positivity indicating
previous toxoplasma infection increased the risk of GAD 4.171-fold and the risk
of OCD 4.846-fold in children and adolescents. Further studies are now needed to
investigate the relation between T. gondii infection and GAD/OCD and to determine
the pathophysiology involved.
PMID- 28990852
TI - Using a situation awareness approach to determine decision-making behaviour in
squash.
AB - Situation awareness (SA) refers to the awareness of all relevant sources of
information, an ability to synthesise this information using domain knowledge
gained from past experiences and the ability to physically respond to a
situation. Expert-novice differences have been widely reported in decision-making
in complex situations although determining the small differences in expert
behaviour are more elusive. This study considered how expert squash players use
SA to decide on what shot to play. Matches at the 2010 (n = 14) and 2011 (n = 27)
Rowe British Grand Prix were recorded and processed using Tracker software. Shot
type, ball location, players' positions on court and movement parameters between
the time an opponent played a shot prior to the player's shot to the time of the
opponent's following shot were captured 25 times per second. Six SA clusters were
named to relate to the outcome of a shot ranging from a defensive shot played
under pressure to create time to an attempted winner played under no pressure
with the opponent out of position. This new methodology found fine-grained SA
differences in expert behaviour, even for the same shot type played from the same
court area, beyond the usual expert-novice differences.
PMID- 28990853
TI - Response to "Letter to the editor on the paper: The majority of natalizumab
treated MS patients have high natalizumab concentrations at time of re-dosing".
PMID- 28990854
TI - Impact of membrane partitioning on the spatial structure of an S-type cobra
cytotoxin.
AB - Cobra cytotoxins (CTs) belong to the three-fingered protein family. They are
classified into S- and P-types, the latter exhibiting higher membrane-perturbing
capacity. In this work, we investigated the interaction of CTs with phospholipid
bilayers, using coarse-grained (CG) and full-atom (FA) molecular dynamics (MD).
The object of this work is a CT of an S-type, cytotoxin I (CT1) from N.oxiana
venom. Its spatial structure in aqueous solution and in the micelles of
dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) were determined by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Then, via CG-
and FA MD-computations, we evaluated partitioning of CT1 molecule into
palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) membrane, using the toxin spatial
models, obtained either in aqueous solution, or detergent micelle. The latter
model exhibits minimal structural changes upon partitioning into the membrane,
while the former deviates from the starting conformation, loosing the tightly
bound water molecule in the loop-2. These data show that the structural changes
elicited by CT1 molecule upon incorporation into DPC micelle take place likely in
the lipid membrane, although the mode of the interaction of this toxin with DPC
micelle (with the tips of the all three loops) is different from its mode in POPC
membrane (primarily with the tip of the loop-1 and both the tips of the loop-1
and loop-2).
PMID- 28990855
TI - Alcohol Use and Frailty Risk among Older Adults over 12 Years: The Health and
Retirement Study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The primary goal was to examine the relationship between alcohol use
and frailty, a variable characterizing late-life decline, in a national,
longitudinal survey of older adults living in the United States. METHODS: The
sample drawn from the Health and Retirement Study included 9,499 stroke-free
participants over age 65 in 2000. The sample was 59.1% female, and had a mean age
of 74.25 years (SD = 6.99). Follow-up data was from 2004, 2008, and 2012. Frailty
was defined phenotypically using the Paulson-Lichtenberg Frailty Index (PLFI).
Alcohol use was measured via self-report. Control variables included age, race,
education, socio-economic status (SES), depressive symptomatology, medical burden
score, body mass index (BMI), and partner status. With abstinent participants as
the reference group, logistic regressions were conducted to determine prevalent
frailty at 2000, and Cox's proportional hazard models were utilized to determine
time to incident frailty over a 12-year period. RESULTS: Results revealed that
age, depressive symptomatology, and medical burden score were significant
positive correlates of prevalent and incident frailty (p < .05) for both males
and females. Logistic regressions revealed that consumption of 1-7 alcoholic
drinks per week was associated with reduced prevalent frailty (OR = .49, p <
.001) for females. Survival analysis results reveal that compared with
nondrinkers, males and females who reportedly consumed 1-7 drinks per week had a
decreased probability of incident frailty (HR = .78-081, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS:
Findings suggest that moderate alcohol use confers reduced frailty risk for both
older men and women. Future research should examine the mechanism(s) relating
alcohol consumption and frailty. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Findings support extant
literature suggesting some healthcare benefits may be associated with moderate
drinking.
PMID- 28990857
TI - The role of regional heterogeneity in age-related differences in functional
hemispheric asymmetry: an fMRI study.
AB - Neuroimaging literature has documented age-related hemispheric asymmetry
reduction in frontal regions during task performances. As most studies employed
working memory paradigms, it is therefore less clear if this pattern of neural
reorganization is constrained by working memory processes or it would also emerge
in other cognitive domains which are predominantly lateralized. Using blocked
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the present study used a homophone
judgment task and a line judgment task to investigate age-related differences in
functional hemispheric asymmetry in language and visuospatial processing
respectively. Young and older adults achieved similar task accuracy although
older adults required a significantly longer time. Age-related functional
hemispheric asymmetry reduction was found only in dorsal inferior frontal gyrus
and was associated with better performance when the homophone condition was
contrasted against fixation, and not line condition. Our data thus highlights the
importance of considering regional heterogeneity of aging effects together with
general age-related cognitive processes.
PMID- 28990856
TI - Gaining insight into plant gene transcription using smFISH.
AB - Single molecule RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) enables gene
transcription to be assessed at the cellular level. In this point of view
article, we describe our recent smFISH research in the model plant Arabidopsis
thaliana and discuss how this technique could further knowledge of plant gene
transcription in the future.
PMID- 28990858
TI - Quantitative Analysis Of User Interfaces For Large Electronic Home Appliances And
Mobile Devices Based On Lifestyle Categorization Of Older Users.
AB - : Background/Study Context: The increasing longevity and health of older users as
well as aging populations has created the need to develop senior-oriented product
interfaces. This study aims to find user interface (UI) priorities according to
older user groups based on their lifestyle and develop quality of UI (QUI) models
for large electronic home appliances and mobile products. METHODS: A segmentation
table designed to show how older users can be categorized was created through a
review of the literature to survey 252 subjects with a questionnaire. Factor
analysis was performed to extract six preliminary lifestyle factors, which were
then used for subsequent cluster analysis. The analysis resulted in four groups.
Cross-analysis was carried out to investigate which characteristics were included
in the groups. Analysis of variance was then applied to investigate the
differences in the UI priorities among the user groups for various electronic
devices. Finally, QUI models were developed and applied to those electronic
devices. RESULTS: Differences in UI priorities were found according to the four
lifestyles ("money-oriented," "innovation-oriented," "stability- and simplicity
oriented," and "innovation- and intellectual-oriented"). Twelve QUI models were
developed for four different lifestyle groups associated with different products.
Three washers and three smartphones were used as an example for testing the QUI
models. CONCLUSION: The UI differences of the older user groups by the
segmentation in this study using several key (i.e., demographic, socioeconomic,
and physical-cognitive) variables are distinct from earlier studies made by a
single variable. The differences in responses clearly indicate the benefits of
integrating various factors of older users, rather than single variable, in order
to design and develop more innovative and better consumer products in the future.
The results of this study showed that older users with a potentially high buying
power in the future are likely to have higher satisfaction when selecting
products customized for their lifestyle. Designers could also use the results of
UI evaluation for older users based on their lifestyle before developing products
through QUI modeling. This approach would save time and costs.
PMID- 28990859
TI - Hematoxylin Bodies in Pediatric Bone Marrow Aspirates and their Utility in the
Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
AB - In our recent case report, the finding of lupus erythematosus (LE) cells in a
bone marrow aspirate led to the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
and appropriate treatment, although the patient was not clinically suspected to
have SLE. To determine whether LE cells are present in the bone marrow aspirates
of SLE patients, but overlooked in routine bone marrow morphology review, bone
marrow aspirates from 30 pediatric patients (15 with SLE and 15 with other
diagnoses) evaluated by rheumatologists were reviewed. LE cells were found in the
bone marrow aspirates of only 1 SLE patient and none in non-SLE patients.
However, hematoxylin bodies were identified in 53% (8/15) of SLE patients.
Neither hematoxylin bodies nor LE cells were found in the aspirates from patients
with other disorders. Three additional pediatric patients identified
prospectively were found to have hematoxylin bodies in the bone marrow aspirates.
Although the diagnosis was not initially suspected, 2 of the 3 patients were
subsequently diagnosed with SLE. All patients with hematoxylin bodies and SLE had
antinuclear antibody titers >=1:640 with a homogeneous staining pattern. In
addition, bone marrow aspirates of 9 adult patients were reviewed, and neither LE
cells nor hematoxylin bodies were identified. In summary, hematoxylin bodies were
present in the bone marrow aspirates of many pediatric SLE patients, while LE
cells were rare. The finding of hematoxylin bodies in pediatric bone marrow
aspirates is a helpful and specific diagnostic clue that may lead to the
diagnosis of SLE when other clinical features are nonspecific.
PMID- 28990861
TI - Qualitative vs quantitative conceptions of homogeneity in nineteenth century
dimensional analysis.
AB - The emergence of dimensional analysis in the early nineteenth century involved a
redefinition of the pre-existing concepts of homogeneity and dimensions, which
entailed a shift from a qualitative to a quantitative conception of these
notions. Prior to the nineteenth century, these concepts had been used as
criteria to assess the soundness of operations and relations between geometrical
quantities. Notably, the terms in such relations were required to be homogeneous,
which meant that they needed to have the same geometrical dimensions. The latter
reflected the nature of the quantities in question, such as volume vs area. As
natural philosophy came to encompass non-geometrical quantities, the need arose
to generalize the concept of homogeneity. In 1822, Jean Baptiste Fourier
consequently redefined it to be the condition an equation must satisfy in order
to remain valid under a change of units, and the 'dimension' correspondingly
became the power of a conversion factor. When these innovations eventually found
an echo in France and Great Britain, in the second half of the century, tensions
arose between the former, qualitative understanding of dimensions as reflecting
the nature of physical quantities, and the new, quantitative conception based on
unit conversion and measurement. The emergence of dimensional analysis thus
provides a case study of how existing rules and concepts can find themselves
redefined in the context of wider conceptual changes; in the present case this
redefinition involved a generalization, but also a shift in meaning which led to
conceptual tensions.
PMID- 28990860
TI - In a Genomic Era, Placental Pathology Still Holds the Key in the Nondysmorphic
Stillbirth.
AB - Objective To explore the relative utility of genetic testing in contrast to
placental pathology in explaining causation of death in the structurally normal
stillborn population. Methods A retrospective review of a structurally normal
stillborn infant cohort in South East Scotland between 2011 and 2015, defined by
death at or after 24 weeks of gestation. We reviewed pathology reports and
collected demographic data on cases. This information was collated with genetic
test results (quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction and microarray
analysis) and placental pathology to create a database for analysis. Primary
Results Within the structurally normal population (n = 131), there were 125
genetic tests performed and 11 abnormal results. Sixty-six microarray analyses
were performed, and 2 (3%) of the results were thought likely to reflect cause of
stillbirth (1 case of incomplete trisomy 4 and 1 case of deletion of chromosome
Xp in a female). Analysis was significantly limited in 2 cases as parental
samples were not available. The placental pathology was available in a total of
129 cases; significant findings were identified in 100 cases; 79 (61%) showed
changes that were considered to have caused death (including cord "accidents"),
and a further 21 (16%) showed findings likely to influence the management of
subsequent pregnancies. Conclusions We reaffirm the utility of placental
examination in the investigation of stillbirth. In cases of nondysmorphic
stillbirth where placental pathology does not explain the cause of stillbirth,
microarray analysis of fetal DNA can add further diagnostic information in 3% of
cases but can add further diagnostic confusion, and it is important that parental
bloods are taken to minimize this risk.
PMID- 28990862
TI - Sleep and Caregiving Experiences among Caregivers of Veterans in an Adult Day
Health Care Program: A Pilot Study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: This pilot study explored caregivers' attitudes toward core elements
of a behavioral sleep intervention for managing sleep problems of older veteran
care recipients and the caregivers, as an initial step for developing a dyadic
sleep intervention program. METHODS: Five caregivers (all women; age range, 66-75
years) participated in a focus group discussion. Data were collected at one
Veterans Affairs, adult day health care program. RESULTS: Caregivers' poor sleep
was not necessarily explained by their caregiving responsibility. Caregivers felt
that behavioral recommendations regarding sleep compression scheduling, increased
indoor physical activity, and outdoor light exposure would be acceptable sleep
interventions for themselves and the care recipients. Some challenges to the
sleep recommendation were identified and they included limiting naptime of care
recipients and change of their current sleep schedule. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers
are receptive to some key components of behavioral approaches to improving sleep.
Tailored sleep recommendation strategy is needed to address potential challenges.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: If available within clinical care settings or delivered at
the patient's home, caregivers of older veterans are likely to engage in
behavioral sleep intervention programs.
PMID- 28990863
TI - When Doctors Struggle: Current Stressors and Evaluation Recommendations for
Physicians Contemplating Suicide.
AB - The objective of this study was to document current risk factors associated with
physicians' suicide ideation among a group of doctors enrolled in a Physician
Health Program. A retrospective cohort study was drawn from administrative data.
The study compared intake information between doctors who reported recent
thoughts of suicide (n = 70) and those who did not (n = 1,572) using adjusted
regression analysis. Current stressors included personal, financial, health, and
occupational problems; ideation was more likely with multiple stressors.
Physicians endorsing suicidal ideation lacked personal supports and scored
differently on Short Form-36 measures. Evaluators treating physicians should
assess enduring risks and current stressors, particularly multiple stressors, to
help detect suicidal patients. Current stressors should not be viewed as
transitory and it is critical to bring in collateral information.
PMID- 28990864
TI - A frosty disagreement: John Tyndall, James David Forbes, and the early formation
of the X-Club.
AB - How do glaciers move? This seemingly straightforward question provided the
backdrop for a heated debate between the physicists John Tyndall (1820-1893) and
James David Forbes (1809-1868) in the late 1850s and early 1860s. Forbes
described the motion of glaciers as that of a viscous fluid. After visiting the
Alps, Tyndall proposed an alternative theory that combined fracture and
regelation. The glacial controversy ensued. Yet the debate was never simply about
whether glaciers moved like honey, or if they moved by continuously breaking and
re-attaching. This paper shows that the glacial controversy formed an important
prelude to the strategies used by the X-Club in reforming science and
establishing cultural authority. There was a central difference in the way Forbes
and Tyndall presented their scientific arguments. Tyndall and his allies used the
changes in the periodical press as part of their strategy for establishing and
maintaining cultural and scientific authority. By contrast, Forbes and his
supporters, including the North British physicists, were not as quick to make use
of this new medium. This paper, therefore, examines in detail the significance of
these two publishing strategies in shaping the nature and results of the glacial
controversy.
PMID- 28990865
TI - Effects of physical randomness training on virtual and laboratory golf putting
performance in novices.
AB - External randomness exists in all sports but is perhaps most obvious in golf
putting where robotic putters sink only 80% of 5 m putts due to unpredictable
ball-green dynamics. The purpose of this study was to test whether physical
randomness training can improve putting performance in novices. A virtual random
physics golf-putting game was developed based on controlled ball-roll data.
Thirty-two subjects were assigned a unique randomness gain (RG) ranging from 0.1
to 2.0-times real-world randomness. Putter face kinematics were measured in 5 m
laboratory putts before and after five days of virtual training. Performance was
quantified using putt success rate and "miss-adjustment correlation" (MAC), the
correlation between left-right miss magnitude and subsequent right-left kinematic
adjustments. Results showed no RG-success correlation (r = -0.066, p = 0.719) but
mildly stronger correlations with MAC for face angle (r = -0.168, p = 0.358) and
clubhead path (r = -0.302, p = 0.093). The strongest RG-MAC correlation was
observed during virtual training (r = -0.692, p < 0.001). These results suggest
that subjects quickly adapt to physical randomness in virtual training, and also
that this learning may weakly transfer to real golf putting kinematics.
Adaptation to external physical randomness during virtual training may therefore
help golfers adapt to external randomness in real-world environments.
PMID- 28990866
TI - Neuroanatomical correlates of emotion-processing in children with unilateral
brain lesion: A preliminary study of limbic system organization.
AB - In this study, MRI and DTI were employed to examine subcortical volume and
microstructural properties (FA, MD) of the limbic network, and their
relationships with affect discrimination in 13 FL (6 right FL, M = 10.17 years; 7
left FL; M = 10.09) and 13 typically-developing children (TD; M = 10.16).
Subcortical volume of the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus and FA and MD of the
fornix and anterior thalamic radiation (ATR) were examined. Results revealed no
group differences across emotion-perception tasks or amygdalar volume. However,
contrasting neuroanatomical patterns were observed in right versus left FL youth.
Right FL participants showed increased left hippocampal and thalamic volume
relative to left FL participants; whereas, the latter group showed increased
right thalamic volume. DTI findings also indicated right FL children show greater
MD of right fornix than other groups, whereas, left FL youth showed greater MD of
left fornix. Right FL youth also showed lower FA of right fornix than left FL
children, whereby the latter showed greater FA of left fornix and ATR.
Differential associations between DTI indices and auditory/visual emotion
perception were observed across FL groups. Findings indicate diverging brain
behavioral relationships for emotion-perception among right and left FL children.
PMID- 28990868
TI - Prevention of recognition memory loss and moderation of mitochondrial dynamic
tendency toward fusion by flavone derivatives in Abeta-injected rats: a
comparison between two flavonoids with different polarity.
AB - Growing evidence sheds light on the use of flavonoids as the promising
alternatives for the treatment of chronic conditions, including cancer and
neurodegenerative disorders. Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed at
evaluating the effects of oral intake of two structurally different flavonoids 5
hydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (flavone 1) and 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone
(flavone 2) on recognition memory, hippocampal protein level of immediate early
gene cFos and mitochondrial dynamic markers in Amyloid beta (Abeta)-injected
rats. Recognition aspect of memory and level of proteins were measured using
novel object recognition test and Western blot, respectively. Our data indicated
that even though flavone 1 was more effective than flavone 2 to prevent memory
impairment, feeding with both flavones alleviated memory in Abeta-injected rats.
Furthermore, in flavones-administered rats, mitochondrial dynamic balancing
returned to the control level by the decline in Dynamin-related protein-1 protein
level, a known marker for mitochondrial fission, and elevation in protein level
of mitochondrial fusion factors Mitofusins 1 and 2. In parallel with behavior
results, flavone 1 was more effectual on mitochondrial dynamic moderating. The
more neuroprotective effects of flavone 1 could be attributed to its methylated
structure leading to crossing of the blood-brain barrier with ease and metabolic
stability and bioactivity.
PMID- 28990867
TI - Characterization of colchicine binding with normal and glycated albumin: In vitro
and molecular docking analysis.
AB - The transport of more than 90% of the drugs viz. anticoagulants, analgesics, and
general anesthetics in the blood takes place by albumin. Hence, albumin is the
prime protein needs to be investigated to find out the nature of drug binding.
Serum albumin molecules are prone to glycation at elevated blood glucose levels
as observed in diabetics. In this piece of work, glycation of bovine serum
albumin (BSA) was carried out with glyceraldehyde and characterized by molecular
docking and fluorometry techniques. Glycation of BSA showed 25% loss of free
amino groups and decreased protein fluorescence (60%) with blue shift of 6 nm.
The present study was also designed to evaluate the binding of colchicine (an
anti-inflammatory drug) to native and glycated BSA and its ability to displace 8
analino-1-nephthalene sulfonic acid (ANS), from the BSA-ANS complex. Binding of
ANS to BSA showed strong binding (Ka = 4.4 MUM) with native conformation in
comparison to glycated state (Ka = 8.4 MUM). On the other hand, colchicine was
able to quench the fluorescence of native BSA better than glycated BSA and also
showed weaker affinity (Ka = 23 MUM) for glycated albumin compared with native
state (Ka = 16 MUM). Molecular docking study showed that both glyceraldehyde and
colchicine bind to common residues located near Sudlow's site I that explain the
lower binding of colchicine in the glycated BSA. Based on our results, we believe
that reduced drugs-binding affinity to glycated albumin may lead to drugs
accumulation and precipitation in diabetic patients.
PMID- 28990869
TI - Similar results but not the same: because of the different ways.
PMID- 28990870
TI - Response to Brand and McEwen (2016) Editorial: Advocacy for violations of legal
rights is not advocacy for justice.
PMID- 28990872
TI - A Comparison of the Influence of Anticipated Death Trajectory and Personal Values
on End-of-Life Care Preferences: A Qualitative Analysis.
AB - OBJECTIVES: We examined anticipated preferences for end-of-life (EOL) care in
healthy older adults in the context of various terminal disease scenarios to
explore the relationship between personal values and diseases and conditions that
would influence EOL care choices. METHODS: Qualitative Descriptive Analysis was
used to derive themes and the relationship between EOL preference themes and
personal value themes in 365 respondents in a national sample of healthy older
adults who completed a survey on their anticipated preferences for end-of-life
(EOL) care. RESULTS: Reluctance to burden close others was the most frequently
voiced personal value across all conditions affecting EOL preferences, followed
by the personal value of quality of life. Concern about whether one's wishes
would be honored was more commonly voiced in the context of hypothetical,
prospective terminal cancer than in neurological conditions. Respondents who
voiced desire for autonomy in how they would die clearly attributed extreme pain
as the primary influence on EOL preferences. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive
assessment of patient personal values should include consideration of particular
chronic disease scenarios and death trajectories to fully inform EoL preferences.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Because personal values do influence EOL preferences, care
should be taken to ascertain patient values when presenting diagnoses, prognoses,
and treatment options. In particular, patients and families of patients with
progressive neurological diseases will likely face a time when the patient cannot
self-represent EOL wishes. Early discussion of values and preferences,
particularly in the context of cognitive disease is vital to assure patient
directed care.
PMID- 28990871
TI - Cultural Adaptation of a Dyadic Intervention for Korean Couples Coping with
Alzheimer's Disease.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The Couples Life Story Approach (CLSA) was recently developed in the
U.S. for older couples dealing with dementia to improve their quality of life.
The purpose of this article is to describe how the CLSA was adapted to be
culturally appropriate for older Korean couples and to discuss cultural themes
that emerged during the implementation process. METHODS: The intervention was
adapted using the Cultural Adaptation Process Model. The revised materials were
implemented on 56 Korean couples. A multiple case study method was used to
analyze the clinical data. RESULTS: Four cultural themes were identified: (1)
dealing with negative memories in early years of marriage; (2) communication
styles and patterns; (3) ways to incorporate difficult life events into the Life
Story Book; and (4) complex dynamics of heirarchy in the relationship between
older couples and the interventionist. With each theme, case examples are
described that illustrate relevant issues. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural adaptation can
be conducted systematically to improve the delivery of the CLSA for different
populations. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Cliniocians working with older Korean couples
affected by dementia should consider cultural uniqueness in a life-story
approach.
PMID- 28990873
TI - Third-line treatment with second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (dasatinib
or nilotinib) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia after two prior TKIs:
real-life data on a single center experience along with the review of the
literature.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Newer tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (bosutinib, ponatinib) and
allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) can be utilized as
a salvage therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who failed two
lines (imatinib -> nilotinib or imatinib -> dasatinib) of TKI therapy. However,
these TKIs are not available in many countries and not all patients can undergo
allo-HSCT. METHODS: In this study, CML patients who received dasatinib or
nilotinib as a third-line treatment were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Out
of 209 patients, third-line dasatinib/nilotinib was administered in 21. During
the follow-up, 16 out of 21 patients gained and/or maintained an optimal
response, and 4 patients died due to progression. Seventeen patients were alive
at the time of the analysis, of which 13 were still on TKI, whereas 4 patients
quit treatment. DISCUSSION: In patients failing two lines of TKI, dasatinib or
nilotinib can be beneficial and safely administered as a third-line treatment
especially in nations with restricted resources.
PMID- 28990874
TI - Intensive Gait Treatment Using a Robot Suit Hybrid Assistive Limb in Acute Spinal
Cord Infarction: Report of Two Cases.
AB - CONTEXT: Spinal cord infarction (SCI) causes gait disturbance because of paresis,
spasticity, and sensory disturbance of the lower limbs. There is no effective
medical treatment for SCI, and conventional rehabilitation alone is the main
approach to helping individuals work toward independent walking. The aim of this
study was to evaluate the effect of gait treatment using the Hybrid Assistive
Limb (HAL) on acute SCI. FINDINGS: A 61-year-old female and a 62-year-old male
with incomplete paraplegia participated in this study. Our study participants
received gait treatment with HAL 3-4 times per week, with a total of 7-8 sessions
(20 min), in addition to conventional physical therapy. The American Spinal
Injury Association Impairment Scale, Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS), Modified
Ashworth Scale (MAS), the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI II),
comfortable gait speed (CGS), stride, cadence, Barthel Index (BI), Functional
Independence Measure (FIM), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), joint angles, and
adverse effects were assessed prior to HAL treatment and post-HAL treatment. HAL
facilitated intensive gait treatment in people during the acute phase after SCI.
Improvements in LEMS, WISCI II, CGS, stride, cadence, BI, FIM, mRS, and joint
angles were observed in both study participants. Furthermore, decreased
spasticity in the gastrocnemius muscle was found in one participant as assessed
by MAS. CONCLUSION: Gait treatment using HAL may be beneficial for paraplegic,
non-ambulatory individuals with acute SCI. HAL may be useful for intensive gait
treatment without increasing spasticity.
PMID- 28990875
TI - Stress-buffering Effect of Coping Strategies on Interrole Conflict among Family
Caregivers of People with Dementia.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To examine the stress-buffering effect of coping strategies on the
adverse effects of interrole conflict on the mental health of employed family
caregivers, and clarify the moderating role of attentional control on this stress
buffering effect. METHODS: Data were drawn from a two-wave longitudinal online
survey of employed Japanese family caregivers of people with dementia (263 males,
116 females; age 51.54 +/- 9.07 years). We assessed interrole conflict, coping
strategies, attentional control, mental health variables (psychological strain
and quality of life), and confounding factors. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression
analyses controlled for sociodemographic factors found formal support seeking had
a stress-buffering effect for strain- and behavior-based caregiving interfering
with work (CIW) only on psychological strain, and was moderated by attentional
control. Single slope analysis showed higher CIW was related to higher
psychological strain in those with greater use of formal support seeking and
lower attentional control, but not in those with higher attentional control.
CONCLUSIONS: Greater use of formal support seeking weakens the adverse effects of
strain- and behavior-based CIW on psychological strain in people with high
attentional control. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Attentional control is a key factor
in the stress-buffering effect of formal support seeking on strain- and behavior
based CIW.
PMID- 28990876
TI - Coming In: Queer Narratives of Sexual Self-Discovery.
AB - Many models of queer sexuality continue to depict a linear narrative of sexual
development, beginning in repression/concealment and eventuating in coming out.
The present study sought to challenge this by engaging in a hermeneutically
informed thematic analysis of interviews with eight queer people living in
Western Australia. Four themes were identified: "searching for identity,"
"society, stigma, and self," "sexual self-discovery," and "coming in."
Interviewees discussed internalized homophobia and its impact on their life;
experiences and implications of finding a community and achieving a sense of
belonging; the concept of sexual self-discovery being a lifelong process; and
sexuality as fluid, dynamic, and situational rather than static. The article
concludes by suggesting that the idea of "coming in"-arriving at a place of
acceptance of one's sexuality, regardless of its fluidity or how it is viewed by
society-offers considerable analytic leverage for understanding the journeys of
sexual self-discovery of queer-identified people.
PMID- 28990878
TI - Polyvictimization in later life: Trauma-informed best practices.
AB - This article provides a summary of salient trauma findings and conveys the dearth
of research pertaining specifically to the trauma of elder abuse. This material,
in conjunction with information contained in other articles composing this
special issue, lays the foundation for advancing a trauma-informed approach to
assisting older adults who have experienced polyvictimization. Informed by the
findings presented and their extensive clinical experience with victims of
violence, the authors suggest steps for providing a trauma-informed and victim
centered response to older adults who have suffered polyvictimization. These
steps are then illustrated with an in-depth late-life polyvictimization case
analysis.
PMID- 28990877
TI - Parents' descriptions of young children's dissociative reactions after trauma.
AB - There is limited research on the phenomenology of how young children who have
been exposed to trauma express the intrusive symptom of dissociative reactions.
The current qualitative study utilized interviews from a semi-structured
diagnostic clinical interview with 74 caregivers of young children (ages 3 to 7)
who were exposed to trauma to identify parents' descriptions of their children's
dissociative reactions during a clinical interview. Based on results from the
interview, 45.9% of the children had dissociative reactions (8.5% had flashbacks
and 41.9% had dissociative episodes). Interviews were transcribed to identify
themes of dissociative reactions in young children. Common themes to flashbacks
and dissociative episodes included being triggered, being psychologically in
their own world (e.g., spaced out and shut down), and displaying visible signs
(e.g., crying and screaming). For flashbacks, caregivers reported that it seemed
as if the child was re-experiencing the trauma (e.g., yelling specific words and
having body responses). For dissociative episodes, caregivers noted that the
child not only seemed psychologically somewhere else (e.g., distant and not
there) but also would be physically positioned somewhere else (e.g., sitting and
not responding). Caregivers also expressed their own reactions to the child's
dissociative episode due to not understanding what was occurring, and trying to
interrupt the occurrences (e.g., calling out to the child). Themes, descriptions,
and phrases to describe dissociative reactions in young children after trauma can
be used to help parents and professionals more accurately identify occurrences of
dissociative reactions.
PMID- 28990879
TI - Shaping LGBTQ Identities: Western Media Representations and LGBTQ People's
Perceptions in Rural Spain.
AB - A growing academic discussion has focused on how, in a globalized world, LGBTQ
identities are shaped and influenced by different and international actors, such
as the media. This article analyzes how LGBTQ people from a rural region of a
Western country-Spain-feel toward their representations on TV series from English
speaking countries. Employing a qualitative approach, this research aims to
depict whether the academic conceptualizations to analyze these identity
conformation processes are accurate. In addition, it explores how dominating
media representations are being adapted in a region that, although within the
West, can serve a context of a very different nature. The results found that a
major rejection of the TV series representations among participants can suggest
both an inaccuracy of the conceptualizations used by some scholars to understand
LGBTQ flows and a problematic LGBTQ representation in media products that goes
beyond regions and spaces.
PMID- 28990880
TI - Older adults affected by polyvictimization: A review of early research.
AB - In contrast to work within the child-abuse field, polyvictimization of older
adults did not become a focus of professional attention until this decade.
Despite this lack of formal identification, a search of the research and practice
literature revealed that prior research investigating single forms of or other
elder abuse issues contained evidence of what was variously termed "multiple,"
"multi-faceted," "co-occurring," or "hybrid" elder abuse. A wide range of victims
(1.4%-89.7%) identified in existing elder abuse studies was found to have
experienced what constitutes "polyvictimization." This late-life
polyvictimization evidence, the contexts in which victims are harmed, and
information regarding the impact of multifaceted elder abuse are all presented
and discussed in this article. Selected published cases illustrate the clinical
dynamics operating in late-life polyvictimization situations.
PMID- 28990881
TI - Fear of Falling Restricts Activities of Daily Living after Total Hip
Arthroplasty: A One-Year Longitudinal Study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and time course in changes regarding the
fear of falling and whether there are consequent restrictions in activities of
daily living (ADL) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: This is 1-year
longitudinal observational study. We recruited ninety-eight patients before and
after THA. Fear of falling was assessed for 12 ADLs preoperatively and
postoperatively at 3, 6, and 12 months following THA. In addition, we asked
patients to answer whether they had refrained from performing each ADL because of
fear of falling. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were enrolled for the analysis. The
total fear of falling score during ADLs decreased with time after THA. The ADLs
in which many patients (over 20%) felt fear even at 12 months were using the
stairs (25%), sitting and standing from the floor (23%), and walking around the
neighborhood (21%). Approximately 10% of patients were restricted in performing
ADLs, such as sitting and standing from the floor, because of fear. CONCLUSIONS:
Patients undergoing THA frequently experience fear of falling during some ADLs
even at 1 year after the operation, which could cause ADL restrictions. CLINICAL
IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should evaluate fear of falling and institute
rehabilitation programs individually to decrease excessive fear that might lead
to ADL restrictions.
PMID- 28990882
TI - Sleep Schedule Regularity Is Associated with Sleep Duration in Older Australian
Adults: Implications for Improving the Sleep Health and Wellbeing of Our Aging
Population.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends 7 to 9 hours of sleep
per night for adults >= 65 years of age. Sleep duration below 7h per night has
been associated with negative health consequences, so enabling older adults to
obtain at least 7 hours per night is important for health and wellbeing. However,
little is known about behavioral factors that support sleep duration (>= 7h/24h)
in this group. Our aim was to determine factors associated with sleep duration in
older adults, and evaluate the utility of sleep schedule regularity in
particular, given the relationship between lifestyle regularity (of which sleep
is an important component) and health in this population. METHODS: A sample of
311 Australian adults (>= 65 years old; 156 male, 155 female) completed a
telephone survey assessing sleep history over the prior 24 hours, sleep schedule
regularity, demographic and health factors as part of a larger study of the
Australian population. RESULTS: Sleep schedules with variability in bed and rise
times of > 60 minutes were associated with increased odds of reporting sleep
duration below 7 hours per night (< 7h/24h; OR = 2.38, CI = 1.26-4.48, p = .007).
No other behaviors were associated with meeting sleep duration recommendations.
CONCLUSIONS: Sleep schedule regularity may be associated with sleep duration (>=
7h/24h) in older adults. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Empowering older adults to
maintain sleep schedule regularity may be a practical and efficacious strategy to
support sleep durations that are in line with recommendations (>= 7h/24h).
PMID- 28990883
TI - Learning to address multiple syndemics for people living with HIV through client
perspectives on CBT.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The mental health burden among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is
high and often involves multiple comorbid psychological and substance use-related
psychosocial problems. These co-occurring problems, or syndemics, additively
impair engagement in HIV disease management. Existing psychotherapies for mental
health and HIV health have generally focused on a single psychosocial problem and
little research exists to guide future psychotherapies that address multiple
mental health issues. METHOD: To address this gap in understanding, we conducted
qualitative interviews with multiply comorbid PLWHA (N = 30) who completed
cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression and medication adherence.
RESULTS: Themes emerged regarding participants' perspectives on how overlapping
substance use and mood disorders interacted to reduce the benefit of CBT.
Substance use was a dominant theme compared to other syndemics, highlighting the
need for integrated mental health and substance use interventions. Interviews
also suggested modifications of which psychosocial concerns participants felt
should be prioritized in treatment delivery. Finally, participants described
content they would want in a psychotherapy intervention, including intimacy and
sexual health. CONCLUSIONS: Future psychotherapeutic interventions for syndemic
problems and HIV self-care will need to comprehensively address complex concerns,
including issues salient to the overall well-being of PLWHA. This may improve
client engagement and, ultimately, mental, and physical health outcomes.
PMID- 28990885
TI - Evaluation and importance of different types of inhaler device in patients with
chronic obstructive lung disease.
AB - Introduction: Inhaled medications are used in chronic airway disease including
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and give the opportunity of low
doses, lower side effects, and fast effectiveness. Inhaler devices are frequently
used incorrectly by patients. Today, it is generally accepted that poor device
use is one of the reasons for poor disease control and low adherence. The aim of
the study was to investigate a sample of patients with COPD prescribed with
inhaled medication and to evaluate the frequency and pattern of incorrect inhaler
use as well as affecting factors. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty
consecutive patients who attended the outpatient clinic with the diagnosis of
COPD and were prescribed and receiving different types of inhaler drugs at least
for one month were included. The patient's ability to use the devices according
to steps was scored face to face after they had replied a questionnaire
consisting of 26 questions about their inhaler training and disease
specifications. The parameters that may affect incorrect use, pattern of
incorrect use, characteristics of the patients who experienced incorrect use, and
impact of training were evaluated. Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact test were used
for statistical analysis. Result: The rate of correct use including all steps was
26.3% for metered-dose inhaler (pressurized MDI), 30.4% for inhalation capsule
aerolizer, 40.5% for diskus, and 46.3% for turbuhaler. The parameters affecting
correct use and number of critical errors causing insufficient drug inhalation
were type and duration of initial training due to inhaler devices and also
duration and stage of the disease. Conclusions: COPD patients who were prescribed
an inhaler drug should be regularly checked and re-trained during out-patient
visits on how to use the inhaler device correctly step by step.
PMID- 28990886
TI - [Assessing the knowledge in primary health care following an educational course
structured in the context of GARD chronic airway diseases national control
program].
AB - Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are common causes of disease
in the community and account for considerable percent of the caseload in primary
health care facilities. For this reason, it is important to question and improve
the knowledge of primary health care physicians. This study is designed to assess
the level of knowledge for bronchial asthma and COPD of the primary healthcare
physicians, both before and immediately after an educational course structured in
the context of GARD Chronic Airway Diseases National Control Program. Materials
and Methods: The participating physicians attended an intensive educational
course on asthma and COPD. Twenty five item questionnaires for asthma and COPD
were administered to the participants both before and immediately after the end
of the course. Contribution of education to the level of knowledge was
investigated by comparing the percentages of the correct answers in the pre-and
post-test. Result: From 11 different cities, 1817 and 1788 primary health care
physician were attended to the asthma and COPD educations, respectively. The
accuracy rate of >= 75% was obtained from only 4 questions in pre-test asthma
questionnaire. On the contrary, in 15 questions the accuracy rate was < 50%. The
mean accuracy rate for the whole asthma test was 45.8%, and this rate raised to
69.6% after education course. The accuracy rate of >= 75% could not be obtained
from any of the questions in pre-test COPD questionnaire. On the contrary, in 19
questions the accuracy rate was < 50%. The mean accuracy rate for the whole
asthma test was 42.0%, and this rate raised to 71.3% after education course.
Conclusions: It has been shown that, in primary care settings, the level of
knowledge in asthma and COPD should be enhanced and that this increase can be
achieved with an education course.
PMID- 28990884
TI - Psychosocial Predictors of Anxiety in Nursing Home Staff.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Although research shows that nursing home staff experience
significant levels of stress and burnout, studies analyzing the relationship of
psychosocial variables on their feelings of anxiety are scarce. This study aims
to analyze the relationship between psychosocial variables and levels of anxiety
among staff. METHOD: Participants were 101 nursing home professionals. In
addition to anxiety, socio-demographic variables, depersonalization, burden,
relationship with families of the residents, and guilt about the care offered to
the residents were assessed. A hierarchical regression analysis was carried out
to analyze the contribution of the assessed variables to staff anxiety levels.
RESULTS: The obtained model explained 57% of the variance in anxious
symptomatology. Guilt about the care offered and poor quality of the relationship
with residents' family were associated with anxiety. Further, working at nursing
homes where the staff report higher levels of anxiety symptoms, the presence of
depersonalization and burden were also associated with anxiety. CONCLUSION: The
findings suggest that in addition to work-related variables (burden and burnout),
problems with family members and guilt about the care offered are relevant
variables for understanding staff's anxious symptomatology. CLINICAL
IMPLICATIONS: Interventions that address issues of guilt about the quality of
care, and problematic relationships with family members of residents, may have
potential to reduce staff anxiety and promote their well-being.
PMID- 28990887
TI - IL-1beta polymorphism in COPD patients in Turkish population.
AB - Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common
respiratory condition characterized by persistent airflow limitation and is
associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and the
lung to noxious particles or gases. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) is a major pro
inflammatory cytokine expressed by many cells such as macrophages, neutrophils
and monocytes and functions in cellular activities such as proliferation,
differentiation and apoptosis. Recent studies demonstrate controversial results
about the relationship between IL-1beta and COPD. The aim of this study is to
investigate the association between IL-1beta -511 (rs 16944) and +3954 (rs
1143634) gene polymorphisms and COPD in Turkish population. Materials and
Methods: A total of 152 subjects were recruited in the study and divided into
three groups: 72 COPD patients, 41 healthy smokers and 39 never-smokers. PCR-RFLP
method was used to determine the allele frequencies, genotype and haplotype
distributions. Result: We did not find any significant difference between the
gene polymorphisms and COPD by means of genotype frequencies, haplotype
association, stage, gender or smoking status (p< 0.05). Conclusions: Our results
do not show any evidence of association between COPD and IL-1beta -511 and +3954
gene polymorphisms in Turkish population.
PMID- 28990889
TI - [Role of quantitative perfusion scintigraphy evaluation in determination of the
efficiency of the procedure before lung volume reduction coil treatment for
severe emphysema].
AB - Introduction: Lung volume reduction coil (LVRC) is a new treatment method which
exercise capacities among the patients with severe emphysema. In order to
determine the emphysema distribution before LVRC treatment, we examined the
contribution of combination of the high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of
the lung and the quantitative perfusion scintigraphy to the efficiency of the
procedure. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively. The
densitometry analysis and scores of emphysema areas of the patients who were
found suitable for LVRC treatment in HRCT were determined. Before the procedure,
the quantitative lung perfusion scintigraphies were taken. Lobes which had high
emphysema score and in which a decrease perfusion was observed in quantitative
perfusion scintigraphy were determined as treatment areas. Result: A total of 22
patients were treated. In HRCT it was observed that perfusion decreased in lobes
in which the emphysema damage scoring was high. A significant statistical
difference was found between pre-and post- procedure measurements in terms of
FEV1, RV, and TLC (p<0.05). In six minute walk test, a statistically significant
difference was found as 45.4 +/- 23.9 m (p= 0.000). No significant difference was
determined between perfusion ratios before the procedure and perfusion ratios
after the procedure. Conclusions: The quantitative perfusion scintigraphy taken
before LVRC treatment in severe emphysema patients guides to determine the target
lobe for treatment and makes contribution to the efficiency of the procedure.
PMID- 28990888
TI - [Lung carcinoma patients aged eighty years over and prognostic factors affecting
survival].
AB - Introduction: Almost 50% of all cancers and 70% of cancer deaths occur in cases
aged 65 years and more. Thus diagnosis, treatment and follow up in old cases gain
importance. Since there a limited number of study that show age-mortality
relation in lung cancer cases aged 80 years and over, issues may arise in
diagnosis and treatment process of these cases. In this study, we aimed to
evaluate general characteristics of lung cancer cases aged 80 years or over and
factors that affect survey. Materials and Methods: Between 2010 and 2013, the
retrospective cohort study was done in Sureyyapasa Chest Diseases and Chest
Surgery Training and Research Hospital and 100 cases of lung carcinoma were
examined. Result: In the study, 70% of the cases were male and 30% were female.
Median age was 83 +/- 2.91 (80-92) years. 71% of the cases were found to be
suffering from a comorbid disease; 29% did not have any comorbid disease. Dyspnea
(56%), cough (50%) and chest pain (41%) were the most frequent symptoms.
Histopathologically, 41% of the patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and 40%
were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Median survival time was 2.73 months
(%95 CI 0.96-4.49) and 1-year survival rate was 17%. Length of time of the cases
with smoking history was found shorter than of cases without smoking history (p=
0.013). Life expectancy of the cases with advanced disease and performance score
of 3-4 was detected to be short (p= 0.006, p< 0.001). Compared to the cases who
operated on and had chemoradiotherapy, length of life who had symptomatic
treatment was shorter (p< 0.001). Conclusions: Despite the comorbidity in lung
cancer cases aged 80 years and over, life expectancy of the cases who had
surgical and/or chemoradiotherapy treatment is longer. While deciding on
treatment methods on these cases, patient's performance must be taken into
consideration.
PMID- 28990890
TI - Effect of reduction mammoplasty on the pulmonary function tests.
AB - Introduction: Bilateral breast reduction surgery is the surgical treatment of
bilateral breast hypertrophy. This is one of the most common breast surgery
requested by women, and performed by plastic surgeons. The reasons that patients
want this surgery are to re-size sagging breasts aesthetically, and to get rid of
somatic symptoms such as shoulder, chest, back, and neck pain. We believe that
the objective positive effects of breast reduction surgery exist beside
aesthetic. In our study, our aim is to elicit positive effects of surgery on
lungs, if there are, by making pulmonary function test and carbon monoxide
diffusion test before surgery and after 6 months of surgery. Materials and
Methods: Thirty patients agreed to participate in the study. Study is completed
with 19 patients. Pulmonary function test and carbon monoxide diffusion test were
made to all patients in preoperative and 6 months of postoperative period. Lung
roentgenogram of all patients was performed and height, weight, body mass index
were measured. Saturation level was measured. Result: There was a meaningful
increase in FEV1 and FVC values in the postoperative period in comparison with
pulmonary function test performed in preoperative period. DLCO in postoperative
period decreased meaningfully as compared to the preoperative period.
Conclusions: Breast reduction surgery seems to have positive effects on pulmonary
function test values and relaxes patients clinically. Patients with big breasts
should be evaluated from this perspective if they apply chest diseases clinic
with shortness of breath.
PMID- 28990891
TI - [Turkish Thoracic Society national spirometry and laboratory standards].
AB - The application quality of pulmonary function tests (PFT) carries high importance
since it affects the quality of health services. "Chronic Diseases and Risk
Factors in Turkey Study," which was published in 2013 showed that only 22.6% of
PFTs performed in the secondary care institutions in our country were compatible
with the standards. This finding reveals the standardization problem in
spirometry applications in our country. Currently, the criteria for the
application and evaluation of spirometer measurements were defined by American
and European Respiratory Societies standards. Several laboratories use these
standards in our country as in the world. But, national laboratory standards that
are suitable for the conditions in our country have not been defined yet. This
report was prepared to ensure the application of spirometry in optimal
conditions, to minimize intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory differences and
mistakes, and to standardize in our country. In this report, we focused on the
standards concerning laboratory conditions, equipment, and technician
specifications, test application, evaluation of test quality, infection control,
and reference values.
PMID- 28990892
TI - Hepatitis C and pulmonary fibrosis.
AB - Hepatitis C is one of the most important infectious agents worldwide. There are
conflicting results regarding the relationship between pulmonary fibrosis and
hepatitis C. It is thought that hepatitis C may play a role in the development or
exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but no clear link between
hepatitis C and pulmonary fibrosis development has been demonstrated yet to date.
In the recent era, indirect effects of hepatitis C rather than a direct effect
are more suspected on pulmonary fibrosis. These indirect effects could also been
documented only by a few case-based studies.
PMID- 28990893
TI - [Pollen food allergy syndrome].
AB - Pollen food allergy syndrome, is a type I cross-reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies between an aeroallergen and a plant-derived antigen. Main symptoms are
typically consist of localized oral symptoms such as numbness of the lip or
mouth, itching, tingling and swelling of lips, tongue, palate and pharynx without
systemic symptoms. Patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, asthma or both more
frequently experience pollen food allergy syndrome. Because most patients have
mild symptoms and the improvement by avoiding food, the true incidence is
unknown. In this review, we aimed to discuss characteristics, diagnosis and
treatment of pollen food allergy syndrome according to existing literature.
PMID- 28990894
TI - Red flag; wheezing with neck pain may be a clue to the early diagnosis of
spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
AB - Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon clinical condition in pediatric
field. We report two pediatric cases with first time wheezing episode complicated
by pneumomediastinum. Investigations failed to reveal any underlying cause for
secondary pneumomediastinum. Pneumomediastinum most commonly occurs in asthmatic
children. It can be explained by increased pressure gradient between the
intraalveolar and interstitial spaces. We conclude that high prevalence of
respiratory infections in children predisposes for spontaneous pneumomediastinum
due to increased pressure within obstructed airways, or by tissue necrosis from
parenchymal infection.
PMID- 28990895
TI - A rare synchronous tumor: primary squamous cell lung cancer and adenoid cystic
carcinoma of the tongue.
AB - Persence of multipl primary tumors in an organism is called as multiple primary
cancer (MPC). Multipl tumors that occur at the same time are synchronized tumors,
while those occuring at the different times called metachronous. MPCs are very
rare entities. Here in we report a 96-year-old man who presented with synchronous
MPC including squamous cell Lung cancer and tongue adenoid cystic carcinoma.
PMID- 28990896
TI - Acute eosinophilic pneumonia secondary to heroin inhalation.
AB - Smoking heroin (chasing the dragon), is a method of inhaling heroin via heating
the drug on a tin-foil above a flame. It also has been associated both with the
indirect effects of heroin overdose and with direct pulmonary toxicity. We
describe a case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia secondary to heroin inhalation in
our medical intensive care unit. She presented with fever, cough, dyspnea and
pleuritic chest pain. Chest radiograph showed bilateral infiltrations.
Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed significant eosinophilia.
She was diagnosed with acute eosinophilic pneumonia. After heroin abstinence and
corticosteroid therapy, remission was achieved rapidly and the patient was
discharge on the fourth day of her hospital stay.
PMID- 28990897
TI - Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient after
the surgery of hydatid cyst.
AB - Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) is a condition caused by the
ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus in non-immunocompromised individuals.
Numerous underlying conditions have been associated with CNPA. Tuberculosis, non
tuberculous mycobacterial infection and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
(ABPA) remain the predominant risk factors for development of CNPA. Development
of CNPA in echinococcal cyst cavities is very rare and the optimal therapeutic
regimen and treatment duration have not been established. Here, we present a case
of CNPA developed six years after the cystectomy operation of hydatid cyst and
treated with voriconazole successfully.
PMID- 28990898
TI - Lipoma adjacent to scapula in an elderly.
PMID- 28990899
TI - Cytomegalovirus pneumonia in an immunosuppressed child mimicking interstitial
lung disease.
PMID- 28990900
TI - Duodenal and pancreas metastasis from lung cancer.
PMID- 28990901
TI - Corrigendum: Association of codon 72 polymorphism of p53 with the severity of
cervical dysplasia, E6-T350G and HPV16 variant lineages in HPV16-infected women.
PMID- 28990902
TI - Advocating for the Fogarty International Center: An Unsung Hero for Global Health
Research and Development.
PMID- 28990903
TI - Congressman John E. Fogarty: A Champion for Global Health.
PMID- 28990905
TI - The Fogarty International Center is Essential to Global Health Security.
PMID- 28990906
TI - Plasmodium vivax Infection in Duffy-Negative People in Africa.
PMID- 28990907
TI - Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Nephropathy in Diabetic Patients
Attending an Outpatients Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe: Methodological Issues.
PMID- 28990908
TI - Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Nephropathy in Diabetic Patients
Attending an Outpatient Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe: Methodological Issues.
PMID- 28990909
TI - Let's Eliminate Diseases, Not Institutes: The Case for the Fogarty International
Center.
PMID- 28990910
TI - Pulmonary Cystic Echinococcosis.
PMID- 28990912
TI - Using Rainfall and Temperature Data in the Evaluation of National Malaria Control
Programs in Africa.
AB - Since 2010, the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, including National Malaria
Control Programs, donor agencies (e.g., President's Malaria Initiative and Global
Fund), and other stakeholders have been evaluating the impact of scaling up
malaria control interventions on all-cause under-five mortality in several
countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The evaluation framework assesses whether the
deployed interventions have had an impact on malaria morbidity and mortality and
requires consideration of potential nonintervention influencers of transmission,
such as drought/floods or higher temperatures. Herein, we assess the likely
effect of climate on the assessment of the impact malaria interventions in 10
priority countries/regions in eastern, western, and southern Africa for the
President's Malaria Initiative. We used newly available quality controlled
Enhanced National Climate Services rainfall and temperature products as well as
global climate products to investigate likely impacts of climate on malaria
evaluations and test the assumption that changing the baseline period can
significantly impact on the influence of climate in the assessment of
interventions. Based on current baseline periods used in national malaria impact
assessments, we identify three countries/regions where current evaluations may
overestimate the impact of interventions (Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda) and three
countries where current malaria evaluations may underestimate the impact of
interventions (Mali, Senegal and Ethiopia). In four countries (Rwanda, Malawi,
Mozambique, and Angola) there was no strong difference in climate suitability for
malaria in the pre- and post-intervention period. In part, this may be due to
data quality and analysis issues.
PMID- 28990911
TI - Plasmodium Species Infecting Children Presenting with Malaria in Uganda.
AB - Contributions of species other than Plasmodium falciparum to human malaria in sub
Saharan Africa are uncertain. We collected blood from children aged 6 months to
10 years diagnosed with malaria by Giemsa-stained blood smears (176 subjects) or
histidine rich protein-2-based rapid diagnostic tests (323 subjects) in 2016; 50
samples from each of 10 sites across Uganda were studied to identify infecting
species. Of 499 available samples, 474 demonstrated plasmodial infection by
polymerase chain reaction amplification of 18S ribosomal RNA genes, including P.
falciparum in 472, Plasmodium malariae in 22, Plasmodium ovale in 15, and
Plasmodium vivax in four; 435 were pure P. falciparum, two did not contain P.
falciparum, and the remainder were mixed infections including P. falciparum. The
prevalence of nonfalciparum species varied geographically. Stratifying based on
recent history of indoor residual spraying (IRS) of insecticides, nonfalciparum
infections were seen in 27/189 (14.8%) samples from sites that received and
13/285 (4.6%) samples from sites that did not receive IRS since 2010 (P =
0.0013). Overall, 39/474 (8.2%) samples from individuals diagnosed with malaria
included nonfalciparum infections. Thus, a substantial proportion of episodes of
malaria in Uganda include infections with plasmodial species other than P.
falciparum.
PMID- 28990913
TI - Declines in Malaria Burden and All-Cause Child Mortality following Increases in
Control Interventions in Senegal, 2005-2010.
AB - Malaria is endemic in Senegal. The national malaria control strategy focuses on
achieving universal coverage for major interventions, with a goal of reaching
preelimination status by 2018. Senegal began distribution of insecticide-treated
nets (ITNs) and introduced artemisinin-based combination therapy in 2006, then
introduced rapid diagnostic tests in 2007. We evaluated the impact of these
efforts using a plausibility design based on malaria's contribution to all-cause
under-five mortality (ACCM) and considering other contextual factors which may
influence ACCM. Between 2005 and 2010, household ownership of ITNs increased from
20% to 63%, and the proportion of people sleeping under an ITN the night prior to
the survey increased from 6% to 29%. Malaria parasite prevalence declined from 6%
to 3% from 2008 to 2010 among children under five. Some nonmalaria indicators of
child health improved, for example, increase of complete vaccination coverage
from 58% to 64%; however, nutritional indicators deteriorated, with an increase
in stunting from 16% to 26%. Although economic indicators improved, environmental
conditions favored an increase in malaria transmission. ACCM decreased 40%
between 2005 and 2010, from 121 (95% confidence interval [CI] 113-129) to 72 (95%
CI 66-77) per 1,000, and declines were greater among age groups, epidemiologic
zones, and wealth quintiles most at risk for malaria. After considering coverage
of malaria interventions, trends in malaria morbidity, effects of contextual
factors, and trends in ACCM, it is plausible that malaria control interventions
contributed to a reduction in malaria mortality and to the impressive gains in
child survival in Senegal.
PMID- 28990914
TI - Strengthening Routine Health Information Systems to Target Malaria Control
Implementation and Optimize Evaluation of Impact.
PMID- 28990916
TI - Increasing the Impact of Impact Evaluation.
PMID- 28990915
TI - Methodological Considerations for Use of Routine Health Information System Data
to Evaluate Malaria Program Impact in an Era of Declining Malaria Transmission.
AB - Coverage of malaria control interventions is increasing dramatically across
endemic countries. Evaluating the impact of malaria control programs and specific
interventions on health indicators is essential to enable countries to select the
most effective and appropriate combination of tools to accelerate progress or
proceed toward malaria elimination. When key malaria interventions have been
proven effective under controlled settings, further evaluations of the impact of
the intervention using randomized approaches may not be appropriate or ethical.
Alternatives to randomized controlled trials are therefore required for rigorous
evaluation under conditions of routine program delivery. Routine health
management information system (HMIS) data are a potentially rich source of data
for impact evaluation, but have been underused in impact evaluation due to
concerns over internal validity, completeness, and potential bias in estimates of
program or intervention impact. A range of methodologies were identified that
have been used for impact evaluations with malaria outcome indicators generated
from HMIS data. Methods used to maximize internal validity of HMIS data are
presented, together with recommendations on reducing bias in impact estimates.
Interrupted time series and dose-response analyses are proposed as the strongest
quasi-experimental impact evaluation designs for analysis of malaria outcome
indicators from routine HMIS data. Interrupted time series analysis compares the
outcome trend and level before and after the introduction of an intervention, set
of interventions or program. The dose-response national platform approach
explores associations between intervention coverage or program intensity and the
outcome at a subnational (district or health facility catchment) level.
PMID- 28990917
TI - Assessing the Health Impact of Malaria Control Interventions in the
MDG/Sustainable Development Goal Era: A New Generation of Impact Evaluations.
PMID- 28990918
TI - Impact Evaluation of Malaria Control Interventions on Morbidity and All-Cause
Child Mortality in Rwanda, 2000-2010.
AB - The impressive decline in child mortality that occurred in Rwanda from 1996-2000
to 2006-2010 coincided with a period of rapid increase of malaria control
interventions such as indoor residual spraying (IRS); insecticide-treated net
(ITN) distribution and use, and improved malaria case management. The impact of
these interventions was examined through ecological correlation analysis, and
robust decomposition analysis of contextual factors on all-cause child mortality.
Child mortality fell 61% during the evaluation period and prevalence of severe
anemia in children 6-23 months declined 71% between 2005 and 2010. These changes
in malaria morbidity and mortality occurred concurrently with a substantial
increase in vector control activities. ITN use increased among children under
five, from 4% to 70%. The IRS program began in 2007 and covered 1.3 million
people in the highest burden districts by 2010. At the same time, diagnosis and
treatment with an effective antimalarial expanded nationally, and included making
services available to children under the age of 5 at the community level. The
percentage of children under 5 who sought care for a fever increased from 26% in
2000 to 48% in 2010. Multivariable models of the change in child mortality
between 2000 and 2010 using nationally representative data reveal the importance
of increasing ITN ownership in explaining the observed mortality declines. Taken
as a whole, the evidence supports the conclusion that malaria control
interventions contributed to the observed decline in child mortality in Rwanda
from 2000 to 2010, even in a context of improving socioeconomic, maternal, and
child health conditions.
PMID- 28990919
TI - The Future of Measuring Impact against Malaria: From Saving Lives to Eliminating
Transmission.
PMID- 28990920
TI - Malaria Control Interventions Contributed to Declines in Malaria Parasitemia,
Severe Anemia, and All-Cause Mortality in Children Less Than 5 Years of Age in
Malawi, 2000-2010.
AB - Malaria control intervention coverage increased nationwide in Malawi during 2000
2010. Trends in intervention coverage were assessed against trends in malaria
parasite prevalence, severe anemia (hemoglobin < 8 g/dL), and all-cause mortality
in children under 5 years of age (ACCM) using nationally representative household
surveys. Associations between insecticide-treated net (ITN) ownership, malaria
morbidity, and ACCM were also assessed. Household ITN ownership increased from
27.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 25.9-29.0) in 2004 to 56.8% (95% CI = 55.6
58.1) in 2010. Similarly intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy
coverage increased from 28.2% (95% CI = 26.7-29.8) in 2000 to 55.0% (95% CI =
53.4-56.6) in 2010. Malaria parasite prevalence decreased significantly from
60.5% (95% CI = 53.0-68.0) in 2001 to 20.4% (95% CI = 15.7-25.1) in 2009 in
children aged 6-35 months. Severe anemia prevalence decreased from 20.4% (95% CI:
17.3-24.0) in 2004 to 13.1% (95% CI = 11.0-15.4) in 2010 in children aged 6-23
months. ACCM decreased 41%, from 188.6 deaths per 1,000 live births (95% CI =
179.1-198.0) during 1996-2000, to 112.1 deaths per 1,000 live births (95% CI =
105.8-118.5) during 2006-2010. When controlling for other covariates in random
effects logistic regression models, household ITN ownership was protective
against malaria parasitemia in children (odds ratio [OR] = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.72
0.92) and severe anemia (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.72-0.94). After considering the
magnitude of changes in malaria intervention coverage and nonmalaria factors, and
given the contribution of malaria to all-cause mortality in malaria-endemic
countries, the substantial increase in malaria control interventions likely
improved child survival in Malawi during 2000-2010.
PMID- 28990921
TI - Implementing Impact Evaluations of Malaria Control Interventions: Process,
Lessons Learned, and Recommendations.
AB - As funding for malaria control increased considerably over the past 10 years
resulting in the expanded coverage of malaria control interventions, so did the
need to measure the impact of these investments on malaria morbidity and
mortality. Members of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership undertook impact
evaluations of malaria control programs at a time when there was little guidance
in terms of the process for conducting an impact evaluation of a national-level
malaria control program. The President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), as a member of
the RBM Partnership, has provided financial and technical support for impact
evaluations in 13 countries to date. On the basis of these experiences, PMI and
its partners have developed a streamlined process for conducting the evaluations
with a set of lessons learned and recommendations. Chief among these are: to
ensure country ownership and involvement in the evaluations; to engage
stakeholders throughout the process; to coordinate evaluations among interested
partners to avoid duplication of efforts; to tailor the evaluation to the
particular country context; to develop a standard methodology for the evaluations
and a streamlined process for completion within a reasonable time; and to develop
tailored dissemination products on the evaluation for a broad range of
stakeholders. These key lessons learned and resulting recommendations will guide
future impact evaluations of malaria control programs and other health programs.
PMID- 28990922
TI - Impact of Insecticide-Treated Net Ownership on All-Cause Child Mortality in
Malawi, 2006-2010.
AB - Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been shown to be highly effective at
reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in children. However, there are limited
studies that assess the association between increasing ITN coverage and child
mortality over time, at the national level, and under programmatic conditions.
Two analytic approaches were used to examine this association: a retrospective
cohort analysis of individual children and a district-level ecologic analysis. To
evaluate the association between household ITN ownership and all-cause child
mortality (ACCM) at the individual level, data from the 2010 Demographic and
Health Survey (DHS) were modeled in a Cox proportional hazards framework while
controlling for numerous environmental, household, and individual confounders
through the use of exact matching. To evaluate population-level association
between ITN ownership and ACCM between 2006 and 2010, program ITN distribution
data and mortality data from the 2006 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and the
2010 DHS were aggregated at the district level and modeled using negative
binomial regression. In the Cox model controlling for household, child and
maternal health factors, children between 1 and 59 months in households owning an
ITN had significantly lower mortality compared with those without an ITN (hazard
ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62-90). In the district-level
model, higher ITN ownership was significantly associated with lower ACCM
(incidence rate ratio = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.60-0.98). These findings suggest that
increasing ITN ownership may have contributed to the decline in ACCM during 2006
2010 in Malawi and represent a novel use of district-level data from nationally
representative surveys.
PMID- 28990923
TI - Framework for Evaluating the Health Impact of the Scale-Up of Malaria Control
Interventions on All-Cause Child Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AB - Concerted efforts from national and international partners have scaled up malaria
control interventions, including insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual
spraying, diagnostics, prompt and effective treatment of malaria cases, and
intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
This scale-up warrants an assessment of its health impact to guide future efforts
and investments; however, measuring malaria-specific mortality and the overall
impact of malaria control interventions remains challenging. In 2007, Roll Back
Malaria's Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group proposed a theoretical
framework for evaluating the impact of full-coverage malaria control
interventions on morbidity and mortality in high-burden SSA countries. Recently,
several evaluations have contributed new ideas and lessons to strengthen this
plausibility design. This paper harnesses that new evaluation experience to
expand the framework, with additional features, such as stratification, to
examine subgroups most likely to experience improvement if control programs are
working; the use of a national platform framework; and analysis of complete birth
histories from national household surveys. The refined framework has shown that,
despite persisting data challenges, combining multiple sources of data,
considering potential contributions from both fundamental and proximate
contextual factors, and conducting subnational analyses allows identification of
the plausible contributions of malaria control interventions on malaria morbidity
and mortality.
PMID- 28990924
TI - Correction: The splicing regulator PTBP2 controls a program of embryonic splicing
required for neuronal maturation.
PMID- 28990925
TI - Tracking individual action potentials throughout mammalian axonal arbors.
AB - Axons are neuronal processes specialized for conduction of action potentials
(APs). The timing and temporal precision of APs when they reach each of the
synapses are fundamentally important for information processing in the brain. Due
to small diameters of axons, direct recording of single AP transmission is
challenging. Consequently, most knowledge about axonal conductance derives from
modeling studies or indirect measurements. We demonstrate a method to
noninvasively and directly record individual APs propagating along millimeter
length axonal arbors in cortical cultures with hundreds of microelectrodes at
microsecond temporal resolution. We find that cortical axons conduct single APs
with high temporal precision (~100 us arrival time jitter per mm length) and
reliability: in more than 8,000,000 recorded APs, we did not observe any
conduction or branch-point failures. Upon high-frequency stimulation at 100 Hz,
successive became slower, and their arrival time precision decreased by 20% and
12% for the 100th AP, respectively.
PMID- 28990927
TI - Frequency-dependent mobilization of heterogeneous pools of synaptic vesicles
shapes presynaptic plasticity.
AB - The segregation of the readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles (RRP) in sub
pools that are differentially poised for exocytosis shapes short-term plasticity.
However, the frequency-dependent mobilization of these sub-pools is poorly
understood. Using slice recordings and modeling of synaptic activity at
cerebellar granule cell to Purkinje cell synapses of mice, we describe two sub
pools in the RRP that can be differentially recruited upon ultrafast changes in
the stimulation frequency. We show that at low-frequency stimulations, a first
sub-pool is gradually silenced, leading to full blockage of synaptic
transmission. Conversely, a second pool of synaptic vesicles that cannot be
released by a single stimulus is recruited within milliseconds by high-frequency
stimulation and support an ultrafast recovery of neurotransmitter release after
low-frequency depression. This frequency-dependent mobilization or silencing of
sub-pools in the RRP in terminals of granule cells may play a role in the
filtering of sensorimotor information in the cerebellum.
PMID- 28990926
TI - IRAK2 directs stimulus-dependent nuclear export of inflammatory mRNAs.
AB - Expression of inflammatory genes is determined in part by post-transcriptional
regulation of mRNA metabolism but how stimulus- and transcript-dependent nuclear
export influence is poorly understood. Here, we report a novel pathway in which
LPS/TLR4 engagement promotes nuclear localization of IRAK2 to facilitate nuclear
export of a specific subset of inflammation-related mRNAs for translation in
murine macrophages. IRAK2 kinase activity is required for LPS-induced RanBP2
mediated IRAK2 sumoylation and subsequent nuclear translocation. Array analysis
showed that an SRSF1-binding motif is enriched in mRNAs dependent on IRAK2 for
nuclear export. Nuclear IRAK2 phosphorylates SRSF1 to reduce its binding to
target mRNAs, which promotes the RNA binding of the nuclear export adaptor ALYREF
and nuclear export receptor Nxf1 loading for the export of the mRNAs. In summary,
LPS activates a nuclear function of IRAK2 that facilitates the assembly of
nuclear export machinery to export selected inflammatory mRNAs to the cytoplasm
for translation.
PMID- 28990929
TI - Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Active Surveillance of Prostate
Cancer.
AB - Active surveillance has gained popularity as an acceptable management option for
men with low-risk prostate cancer. Successful utilization of this strategy can
delay or prevent unnecessary interventions - thereby reducing morbidity
associated with overtreatment. The usefulness of active surveillance primarily
depends on correct identification of patients with low-risk disease. However,
current population-wide algorithms and tools do not adequately exclude high-risk
disease, thereby limiting the confidence of clinicians and patients to go on
active surveillance. Novel imaging tools such as mpMRI provide information about
the size and location of potential cancers enabling more informed treatment
decisions. The term "multiparametric" in prostate mpMRI refers to the summation
of several MRI series into one examination whose initial goal is to identify
potential clinically-significant lesions suitable for targeted biopsy. The main
advantages of MRI are its superior anatomic resolution and the lack of ionizing
radiation. Recently, the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System has been
instituted as an international standard for unifying mpMRI results. The imaging
sequences in mpMRI defined by Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version
2 includes: T2-weighted MRI, diffusion-weighted MRI, derived apparent-diffusion
coefficient from diffusion-weighted MRI, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. The
use of mpMRI prior to starting active surveillance could prevent those with
missed, high-grade lesions from going on active surveillance, and reassure those
with minimal disease who may be hesitant to take part in active surveillance.
Although larger validation studies are still necessary, preliminary results
suggest mpMRI has a role in selecting patients for active surveillance. Less
certain is the role of mpMRI in monitoring patients on active surveillance, as
data on this will take a long time to mature. The biggest obstacles to routine
use of prostate MRI are quality control, cost, reproducibility, and access.
Nevertheless, there is great a potential for mpMRI to improve outcomes and
quality of treatment. The major roles of MRI will continue to expand and its
emerging use in standard of care approaches becomes more clearly defined and
supported by increasing levels of data.
PMID- 28990930
TI - Giant Bilateral Adrenal Myelolipoma.
PMID- 28990928
TI - Mouse embryonic stem cells can differentiate via multiple paths to the same
state.
AB - In embryonic development, cells differentiate through stereotypical sequences of
intermediate states to generate particular mature fates. By contrast, driving
differentiation by ectopically expressing terminal transcription factors (direct
programming) can generate similar fates by alternative routes. How
differentiation in direct programming relates to embryonic differentiation is
unclear. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to compare two motor neuron
differentiation protocols: a standard protocol approximating the embryonic
lineage, and a direct programming method. Both initially undergo similar early
neural commitment. Later, the direct programming path diverges into a novel
transitional state rather than following the expected embryonic spinal
intermediates. The novel state in direct programming has specific and
uncharacteristic gene expression. It forms a loop in gene expression space that
converges separately onto the same final motor neuron state as the standard path.
Despite their different developmental histories, motor neurons from both
protocols structurally, functionally, and transcriptionally resemble motor
neurons isolated from embryos.
PMID- 28990931
TI - Letter to the Editor concerning "Altered chondrocyte apoptosis status in
developmental hip dysplasia in rabbits".
PMID- 28990933
TI - Circulating osteocrin stimulates bone growth by limiting C-type natriuretic
peptide clearance.
AB - Although peptides are safe and useful as therapeutics, they are often easily
degraded or metabolized. Dampening the clearance system for peptide ligands is a
promising strategy for increasing the efficacy of peptide therapies. Natriuretic
peptide receptor B (NPR-B) and its naturally occurring ligand, C-type natriuretic
peptide (CNP), are potent stimulators of endochondral bone growth, and activating
the CNP/NPR-B system is expected to be a powerful strategy for treating impaired
skeletal growth. CNP is cleared by natriuretic peptide clearance receptor (NPR
C); therefore, we investigated the effect of reducing the rate of CNP clearance
on skeletal growth by limiting the interaction between CNP and NPR-C.
Specifically, we generated transgenic mice with increased circulating levels of
osteocrin (OSTN) protein, a natural NPR-C ligand without natriuretic activity,
and observed a dose-dependent skeletal overgrowth phenotype in these animals.
Skeletal overgrowth in OSTN-transgenic mice was diminished in either CNP- or NPR
C-depleted backgrounds, confirming that CNP and NPR-C are indispensable for the
bone growth-stimulating effect of OSTN. Interestingly, double-transgenic mice of
CNP and OSTN had even higher levels of circulating CNP and additional increases
in bone length, as compared with mice with elevated CNP alone. Together, these
results support OSTN administration as an adjuvant agent for CNP therapy and
provide a potential therapeutic approach for diseases with impaired skeletal
growth.
PMID- 28990932
TI - Uromodulin p.Cys147Trp mutation drives kidney disease by activating ER stress and
apoptosis.
AB - Uromodulin-associated kidney disease (UAKD) is caused by mutations in the
uromodulin (UMOD) gene that result in a misfolded form of UMOD protein, which is
normally secreted by nephrons. In UAKD patients, mutant UMOD is poorly secreted
and accumulates in the ER of distal kidney epithelium, but its role in disease
progression is largely unknown. Here, we modeled UMOD accumulation in mice by
expressing the murine equivalent of the human UMOD p.Cys148Trp point mutation
(UmodC147W/+ mice). Like affected humans, these UmodC147W/+ mice developed
spontaneous and progressive kidney disease with organ failure over 24 weeks.
Analysis of diseased kidneys and purified UMOD-producing cells revealed early
activation of the PKR-like ER kinase/activating transcription factor 4
(PERK/ATF4) ER stress pathway, innate immune mediators, and increased apoptotic
signaling, including caspase-3 activation. Unexpectedly, we also detected
autophagy deficiency. Human cells expressing UMOD p.Cys147Trp recapitulated the
findings in UmodC147W/+ mice, and autophagy activation with mTOR inhibitors
stimulated the intracellular removal of aggregated mutant UMOD. Human cells
producing mutant UMOD were susceptible to TNF-alpha- and TRAIL-mediated apoptosis
due to increased expression of the ER stress mediator tribbles-3. Blocking TNF
alpha in vivo with the soluble recombinant fusion protein TNFR:Fc slowed disease
progression in UmodC147W/+ mice by reducing active caspase-3, thereby preventing
tubule cell death and loss of epithelial function. These findings reveal a
targetable mechanism for disease processes involved in UAKD.
PMID- 28990934
TI - Mast cell hyperactivity underpins the development of oxygen-induced retinopathy.
AB - Mast cells are classically thought to play an important role in protection
against helminth infections and in the induction of allergic diseases; however,
recent studies indicate that these cells also contribute to neovascularization,
which is critical for tissue remodeling, chronic inflammation, and
carcinogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that mast cells are essential for sprouting
angiogenesis in a murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Although
mouse strains lacking mast cells did not exhibit retinal neovascularization
following hypoxia, these mice developed OIR following infusion of mast cells or
after injection of mast cell tryptase (MCT). Relative hypoxia stimulated mast
cell degranulation via transient receptor potential ankyrin 1. Subsequent surges
in MCT stimulated retinal endothelial cells to produce monocyte chemotactic
protein-1 (MCP1) and angiogenic factors, leading to sprouting angiogenesis. Mast
cell stabilizers as well as specific tryptase and MCP1 inhibitors prevented the
development of OIR in WT mice. Preterm infants with early retinopathy of
prematurity had markedly higher plasma MCT levels than age-matched infants
without disease, suggesting mast cells contribute to human disease. Together,
these results suggest therapies that suppress mast cell activity should be
further explored as a potential option for preventing eye diseases and subsequent
blindness induced by neovascularization.
PMID- 28990937
TI - [What is new in 2017 European Society of Cardiology ST Elevation Myocardial
Infarction guideline?]
PMID- 28990936
TI - Olfactory receptor 544 reduces adiposity by steering fuel preference toward fats.
AB - Olfactory receptors (ORs) are present in tissues outside the olfactory system;
however, the function of these receptors remains relatively unknown. Here, we
determined that olfactory receptor 544 (Olfr544) is highly expressed in the liver
and adipose tissue of mice and regulates cellular energy metabolism and obesity.
Azelaic acid (AzA), an Olfr544 ligand, specifically induced PKA-dependent
lipolysis in adipocytes and promoted fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and ketogenesis
in liver, thus shifting the fuel preference to fats. After 6 weeks of
administration, mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) exhibited a marked reduction in
adiposity. AzA treatment induced expression of PPAR-alpha and genes required for
FAO in the liver and induced the expression of PPAR-gamma coactivator 1-alpha
(Ppargc1a) and uncoupling protein-1 (Ucp1) genes in brown adipose tissue (BAT).
Moreover, treatment with AzA increased insulin sensitivity and ketone body
levels. This led to a reduction in the respiratory quotient and an increase in
the FAO rate, as indicated by indirect calorimetry. AzA treatment had similar
antiobesogenic effects in HFD-fed ob/ob mice. Importantly, AzA-associated
metabolic changes were completely abrogated in HFD-fed Olfr544-/- mice. To our
knowledge, this is the first report to show that Olfr544 orchestrates the
metabolic interplay between the liver and adipose tissue, mobilizing stored fats
from adipose tissue and shifting the fuel preference to fats in the liver and
BAT.
PMID- 28990938
TI - [The new changes in the European Society of Cardiology 2017 Guidelines for the
Management of Valvular Heart Disease].
PMID- 28990939
TI - Tenth categories of total and HDL cholesterol fail to independently predict death
risk in middle-aged Turkish adults.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to delineate in detail the longitudinal
association of total cholesterol (TC) and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol
(HDL-C) levels with overall mortality in middle-aged participants of the biennial
Turkish Adult Risk Factor study. METHODS: Baseline lipid variables were analyzed
in sex-specific deciles. A baseline age of 45 to 84 years as an inclusion
criterion led to the enrollment of 2121 men and women. Cox regression analyses
were performed. RESULTS: Deaths were recorded in 237 and 306 women and men,
respectively, during a mean 8.85+/-4.4 years of follow-up. After adjustment for
age, smoking status, lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drug usage, prevalent
diabetes, and coronary heart disease, and using the lowest decile as referent,
neither TC (p trend=0.94 and 0.96, respectively), nor HDL-C categories (p
trend=0.20 and 0.31, respectively) were significantly predictive of mortality in
either gender. TC deciles exhibited a gender difference insofar as hazard ratios
in females tended to be reciprocal to those in males in deciles 2 through 5.
CONCLUSION: The findings on TC deciles may be attributed to a comparatively
higher death rate in the female (compared with male) bottom decile, reflecting
the autoimmune process-induced elevated risk in the lowest decile. Observations
on HDLC confirmed presumed pro-inflammatory conversion in levels >50 mg/dL. These
results have important clinical implications.
PMID- 28990935
TI - Caspase-11-mediated endothelial pyroptosis underlies endotoxemia-induced lung
injury.
AB - Acute lung injury is a leading cause of death in bacterial sepsis due to the
wholesale destruction of the lung endothelial barrier, which results in protein
rich lung edema, influx of proinflammatory leukocytes, and intractable hypoxemia.
Pyroptosis is a form of programmed lytic cell death that is triggered by
inflammatory caspases, but little is known about its role in EC death and acute
lung injury. Here, we show that systemic exposure to the bacterial endotoxin
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes severe endothelial pyroptosis that is mediated by
the inflammatory caspases, human caspases 4/5 in human ECs, or the murine homolog
caspase-11 in mice in vivo. In caspase-11-deficient mice, BM transplantation with
WT hematopoietic cells did not abrogate endotoxemia-induced acute lung injury,
indicating a central role for nonhematopoietic caspase-11 in endotoxemia.
Additionally, conditional deletion of caspase-11 in ECs reduced endotoxemia
induced lung edema, neutrophil accumulation, and death. These results establish
the requisite role of endothelial pyroptosis in endotoxemic tissue injury and
suggest that endothelial inflammatory caspases are an important therapeutic
target for acute lung injury.
PMID- 28990940
TI - Are oxidative stress markers helpful for diagnosing the disease and determining
its complexity or extent in patients with stable coronary artery disease?
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between
oxidative/antioxidative stress markers and the diagnosis and complexity of
coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable CAD. METHODS: A total of
145 patients were enrolled in the study. Based on coronary angiography results,
the patients were categorized into 2 groups: those without CAD (Group 1) and
those with CAD (Group 2). The patients in Group 2 were also categorized into low
score and moderate/high score groups according to their SYNTAX score. The serum
malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) levels of Group 1 and
Group 2 were compared. Finally, MDA and TAOC levels were compared between the
moderate/high-risk and low-risk groups formed according to SYNTAX score. RESULTS:
There was a significant difference with respect to both serum TAOC and MDA levels
between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.036 and p=0.029, respectively). The groups with
a SYNTAX score 1-22 and with a SYNTAX score >22 were not significantly different
with respect to serum TAOC or MDA level (p=0.582 and p=0.85, respectively).
CONCLUSION: The serum MDA level was significantly higher and the TAOC level was
significantly lower in patients with stable CAD compared to those without;
however, these molecule levels failed to predict disease complexity in patients
with stable CAD.
PMID- 28990941
TI - Influence of coronary calcification patterns on hemodynamic outcome of coronary
stenoses and remodeling.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The histological characteristics of plaque may affect the hemodynamic
outcome of a given coronary stenosis. In particular, the potential effect of
volumetric calcium content and the topographical distribution in the lesion
segment on physiological outcome has not yet been investigated. The aim of this
study was to identify any potential correlation between patterns of calcification
and the fractional flow reserve (FFR) and the coronary remodeling index (RMI).
METHODS: A total of 26 stable angina pectoris and 34 acute coronary syndrome
patients without persistent ST-segment elevation constituted the study
population. FFR was used to assess 70 intermediate coronary stenosis lesions.
After obtaining hemodynamic measurements, quantitative grayscale and virtual
histology-intravascular ultrasound analyses were performed. The depth, length,
and circumferential distribution of calcification of the lesions were also
recorded. RESULTS: Within the analyzed segment (area of interest, lesion
segment), FFR was correlated with maximal thickness of deep calcification (r=
0.285; p=0.021) and calcification angle (r=-0.396; p=0.001). In lesions with a
calcification angle >180 degrees , the mean FFR value was significantly lower
compared with those <180 degrees (0.64+/-0.17 vs. 0.78+/-0.08; p=0.024). RMI was
correlated with maximal angle of superficial (r=-0.437; p<0.001) and deep
(r=0.425; p<0.001) calcification. RMI was correlated with maximal thickness of
superficial (r=-0.357; p=0.003) and deep (r=0.417; p<0.001) calcification. RMI
was also correlated with FFR (r=-0.477; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study
demonstrated that the geometry, location, and amount of calcification of a plaque
could affect hemodynamic and anatomical outcome measures in functionally
significant stenoses by affecting vessel wall compliance.
PMID- 28990942
TI - [Herbal supplement usage in cardiac patients].
AB - OBJECTIVE: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become more and more
widespread around the world. CAM is a broad term that refers to all medical
healthcare services, methods, and practices that are not part of standard medical
care, as well as the accompanying theories and beliefs. The aim of the present
study was to investigate the use of herbal medicinal products in cardiac
patients, as well as the methods of administration of the products. METHODS: This
descriptive cross-sectional study included 199 patients aged over 18 years who
were hospitalized in the Defne Hospital department of cardiology and volunteered
to participate in a 20-item survey between April 2016 and June 2016. RESULTS: The
study results indicated that 28.6% (n=57) of patients were using herbal products
and 71.6% (n=142) said they did not. Only 14.03% (n=8) of those who used herbal
products said they used them in consultation with their physician; 85.9% (n=49)
had used herbal medicine without consulting their doctor. Of the participants
with hypertension, 35.7% of them reported using herbal medicinal products. Of
these, 22.5% of them were consuming lemon, 17.5% pomegranate syrup, and 17.5%
green tea. Of the participants with cardiovascular diseases, 23.5% of them stated
that they were taking herbal products. Of these, 25% were consuming green tea,
25% ginger, and 18.8% sage. CONCLUSION: Herbal medicinal supplements were used by
a large portion of the cardiac patients in this study. Furthermore, most of the
patients stated that they were using these products without informing their
physician, a practice that can have unwanted consequences.
PMID- 28990943
TI - [Do Turkish reimbursement recommendations cover current European Lipid
Guidelines? A retrospective analysis of patients presenting with first acute
coronary syndrom].
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study was a comparison of the statin therapy protocol issued by
the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the Ministry of Health's Health
Implementation Directive (SUT) in Turkey, performed in order to assess the
adequacy of hyperlipidemia treatment indications for primary prevention. METHODS:
A total of 582 patients with first acute coronary syndrome were included in the
study. Patients with noncritical stenosis observed on coronary angiography or a
history of atherosclerotic disease were excluded. The risk calculation was
determined using age, sex, smoking status, presence of diabetes mellitus, total
cholesterol, and lipoprotein levels. Statin treatment indications were evaluated
according to the ESC guidelines (2016) and the SUT (2016). RESULTS: Statin
treatment was indicated for 96% of diabetic patients, and according to the ESC,
it was appropriate for 13.5% of nondiabetic patients, while the SUT
recommendation included 13.3% of nondiabetic patients (p<0.05). For patients
younger than 60 years of age, the SUT had more guidelines than the ESC; however,
for patients aged 70 to 90, the ESC had more guidelines than the SUT. For
patients over 90, the indications were the same. For patients with low-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) >190 mg/dL there was greater discrepancy between
the SUT and ESC guidelines. According to the SUT, all patients >190 mg/dL are to
receive treatment. The ESC had more guidelines than the SUT for cases of LDLC
<160b mg/dL. CONCLUSION: The scope of the SUT guidelines is generally not
narrower than the ESC indications. However, the indications for patients >60
years of age and those with LDL-C >160 mg/ dL should be reassessed, as they are
more limited than those of the ESC. A new treatment algorithm should be defined.
PMID- 28990944
TI - The opinion of Turkish cardiologists on current malpractice system and an
alternative patient compensation system proposal: PCS study group.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Cardiologists participate in the diagnosis and interventional
treatment of numerous high-risk patients. The goal of this study was to
investigate how the current malpractice system in Turkey influences
cardiologists' diagnostic and interventional behavior and to obtain their
opinions about an alternative patient compensation system. METHODS: The present
cross-sectional study assessed the practice of defensive medicine among
cardiologists who are actively working in various types of workplace within the
Turkish healthcare system. A 24-item questionnaire was distributed to cardiology
residents, specialists, and academics in Turkey in print format, by electronic
mail, or via cell phone message. RESULTS: A total of 253 cardiologists responded
to the survey. Among them, 29 (11.6%) had been sued for malpractice claims in the
past. Of the cardiologists who had been sued, 2 (6.9%) had been ordered to pay
financial compensation, and 1 (3.4%) was given a sentence of imprisonment due to
negligence. In all, 132 (52.8%) of the surveyed cardiologists reported that they
had changed their practices due to fear of litigation, and 232 (92.8%) reported
that they would prefer the new proposed patient compensation system to the
current malpractice system. Among the cardiologists surveyed, 78.8% indicated
that malpractice fear had affected their decision-making with regard to
requesting computed tomography angiography or thallium scintigraphy, 71.6% for
coronary angiography, 20% for stent implantation, and 83.2% for avoiding treating
high-risk patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this survey demonstrated that
cardiologists may request unnecessary tests and perform unneeded interventions
due to the fear of malpractice litigation fear. Many also avoid high-risk
patients and interventions. The majority indicated that they would prefer the
proposed alternative patient compensation system to the current malpractice
system.
PMID- 28990945
TI - An alternative treatment for iatrogenic right ventricular puncture in primary
percutaneous intervention.
AB - Right ventricle perforation is an uncommon, but potentially fatal, possible
complication of pericardiocentesis. We presented a case of right ventricular
perforation that developed during urgent pericardiocentesis due to tamponade.
This case was successfully treated with the incremental removal of the drainage
catheter, replacing it with a smaller catheter at 10-minute intervals. This may
be an alternative option to treat iatrogenic right ventricle puncture occurring
during pericardiocentesis without cardiac surgery or a vascular closure device.
PMID- 28990947
TI - Ablation of epicardial premature ventricular contractions in a patient with
ischemic cardiomyopathy and implementation of cardiac resynchronization therapy
in the same procedure.
AB - Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can cause clinical deterioration in
patients with heart failure and increase the frequency of shocks delivered by an
implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Epicardial PVC/ventricular
tachycardia (VT) is seen less often in ischemic cardiomyopathy. Radiofrequency
catheter ablation is the most effective treatment option for the management of
PVC/VT and can improve cardiac function. Presently described is a patient with
ischemic cardiomyopathy and frequent PVCs and VT runs with multiple ICD therapies
who was treated with simultaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation in the
anterior interventricular vein and cardiac resynchronization therapy
defibrillator upgrade in the same procedure.
PMID- 28990946
TI - Stent and implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation in medically
resistant vasospastic angina patient.
AB - Vasospastic angina, also known as Prinzmetal's angina, is thought to occur due to
vascular hyper-reactivity to various stimuli. Response to medical therapy is
usually good; however, 1 out of 5 patients has resistant symptoms. Rarely,
potentially lethal arrhythmias can occur due to vasospasm, and those patients are
reported to have a poorer prognosis. Presently described is a case of resistant
vasospastic angina with persistent symptoms under calcium channel blocker and
nitrate treatment. The patient presented with hemodynamically unstable rapid-rate
ventricular tachycardia, which was quite resistant to recurrent cardioversion.
She was treated with stent implantation for definite vasospastic segments of the
coronaries, in combination with medical therapy. An implantable cardioverter
defibrillator was also implanted for secondary prevention of ventricular
arrhythmia, as vasospasm was considered to be a diffuse disease without a certain
definitive treatment.
PMID- 28990948
TI - Case series of three different scenarios with drug-induced Brugada patterns: fact
or fiction?
AB - Brugada syndrome is an inherited cardiac arrhythmia condition characterized by
coved-type ST elevation and J point elevation of at least 2 mm in at least 2 of
the right precordial electrocardiogram (ECG) leads (V1-3). An increasing number
of noncardiac agents, including psychotropic and anesthetic drugs, have been
shown to induce a characteristic Brugada ECG pattern, predisposing the patient to
fatal ventricular arrhythmias. However, there are scarce data regarding the
clinical significance. In this case series, a typical Brugada pattern was
unmasked by lithium, valproic acid, and thiocolchicoside; however, the clinical
scenario was different in all 3 cases, ranging from an asymptomatic patient to
sudden cardiac arrest.
PMID- 28990949
TI - Exceptional cause of chest pain: idiopathic ascending aortitis.
AB - Idiopathic ascending aortitis is an insidious disease most often encountered
during an evaluation for other cardiovascular and connective tissue diseases. To
the best of our knowledge, admission to an emergency department with chest pain
due to idiopathic ascending aortitis has not been reported before. Herein, the
case of a 46-year-old man with chest and back pain symptoms that were discovered
to be secondary solely to idiopathic ascending aortitis is described.
PMID- 28990950
TI - A rare complication of chronic granulomatous disease in a child: constrictive
aspergillus pericarditis.
AB - A 3-year-old girl with the diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) was
hospitalized for bronchopneumonia and congestive heart failure. Her medical
history included methylprednisolone medication for autoimmune gastric outlet
obstruction. Computed tomography revealed pneumonic infiltrations and pericardial
thickening. A pulsed-wave Doppler recording revealed E/A >1. During a
pericardiectomy, multiple islands of thick, firm-walled, fibrinous exudate
containing, small abscess formations were observed. Histopathological evaluation
of pericardial tissue revealed granulomatous inflammation. Aspergillus fumigatus
was cultured from the abscess. In conclusion, development of constrictive
aspergillus pericarditis should be considered in patients with CGD because
immediate initiation of antifungal management with aggressive surgical treatment
is life-saving.
PMID- 28990951
TI - Testosterone replacement therapy and cardiovascular events.
AB - A low testosterone level and hypogonadism are associated with cardiovascular
disease. Aging, chronic health problems, and obesity are all associated with a
low testosterone level as well as the presence and severity of cardiovascular
disease. Testosterone is increasingly prescribed for patients with clinical
hypogonadism and a low testosterone level. The information we have is still
contradictory regarding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and its
association with adverse cardiovascular events. Older patients and patients who
are susceptible to cardiovascular diseases could be at risk with a testosterone
prescription. This is a review of the literature to discuss the cardiovascular
safety of TRT.
PMID- 28990952
TI - Case Image: Delayed therapy and syncope due to excessive charging time in a
patient with implantable defibrillator during a fast ventricular tachycardia
episode.
PMID- 28990953
TI - Case Image: Assessment of isolated cleft mitral valve by live/real-time three
dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.
PMID- 28990954
TI - Case Image: Cardiac metastasis of cervical cancer.
PMID- 28990955
TI - Case Image: Acute coronary syndrome accompanying transient ischemic attack: an
unusual presentation of myxoma.
PMID- 28990956
TI - To extract, or not to extract: that is the question.
PMID- 28990957
TI - Authors reply.
PMID- 28990958
TI - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the long-term care setting: current
practices, challenges, and unmet needs.
AB - : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent and disabling
disorder in the United States, especially affecting older individuals, women, and
those with a history of smoking. Studies show that COPD may be underrepresented,
underdiagnosed, and undertreated in elderly patients residing in long-term care
(LTC) facilities. The quality of care for LTC residents with COPD is
heterogeneous in regard to both the facility and the patient. For LTC facilities,
care should be driven by staff education, interstaff communication, and
interfacility communication. From the perspective of the LTC patient, choice of
medication and device should be based on appropriate diagnosis, comorbidities,
ability to perform treatment, and patient preferences. Nebulization is currently
underutilized in LTC settings, although it would benefit older patients with low
peak inspiratory flow, cognitive impairment, and/or physical impairment, which
may preclude them from using other inhalation devices. Authors developed a COPD
treatment algorithm that focuses on three primary patient aspects to consider
when deciding on respiratory device in patients in LTC facilities: inspiratory
flow, hand dexterity and coordination, and cognitive capacity.
PMID- 28990959
TI - Ethical and psychiatric boundaries in transplant psychiatry.
PMID- 28990960
TI - Anesthesia Simulator-Based Functional Capacity Evaluation of an Anesthesiologist
After Radial Fracture: A Case Report.
AB - We used simulation as a job-specific functional capacity evaluation method after
a distal radius fracture in an anesthesiologist. Treatment included open
reduction followed by an internal fixation with an arthrodesis plate. The patient
performed simulated anesthesia inductions to assess her response to endotracheal
intubation, bag-mask ventilation, and the manual opening of the airway. Data
collected helped to guide the rehabilitation protocol, and to assess pain and the
time to safely return to work. The patient began her clinical duties after 7
weeks of therapy and was able to fully perform her daily tasks with confidence,
and full functional capacity.
PMID- 28990961
TI - Six Month Follow-Up of a Patient With a Retained Fascia Iliaca Catheter: A Case
Report.
AB - Retained catheters are a rare but known complication of continuous peripheral
nerve block. To date there have been several case reports of retained catheters
but none that include longer-term follow-up of the patient experience and
outcomes. Here, we present the case of a retained fascia iliaca catheter used for
analgesia after total hip arthroplasty that fractured during removal and was
ultimately never retrieved. The patient initially experienced paresthesias
emanating from the site of continuous peripheral nerve block catheter placement,
but these issues resolved completely over several weeks. No infectious or serious
sequelae were encountered during 6 months of follow-up.
PMID- 28990962
TI - Two-Stage Technique Used to Manage Severe Upper Airway Obstruction and Avoid
Surgical Tracheostomy: A Case Report.
AB - Severe upper airway obstruction is commonly managed with surgical tracheostomy
under local anesthesia. We present a 49-year-old woman with postradiotherapy
laryngeal fixation and transglottic stenosis for dilation of a pharyngeal
stricture who refused elective tracheostomy. A 2-stage technique was used, which
involved an awake fiberoptic intubation, followed by the transtracheal insertion
of a Cricath needle and ventilation using an ejector-based Ventrain device. We
discuss management aspects of this clinical scenario and the principles by which
the Ventrain works.
PMID- 28990963
TI - Terrible Twos or Early Signs of Psychopathology? Developmental Patterns in Early
Identified Preschoolers With Cochlear Implants Compared With Hearing Controls.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Cochlear implants (CIs) have dramatically improved the lives of
children who are deaf or hard of hearing; however, little is known about its
implications for preventing the development of psychiatric symptoms in this at
risk population. This is the first longitudinal study to examine the early
manifestation of emotional and behavioral disorders and associated risk and
protective factors in early identified preschoolers with CIs compared with
hearing peers. DESIGN: Participants were 74 children with CIs and 190 hearing
controls between ages 1 and 5 years (mean age, 3.8 years). Hearing loss was
detected using the Newborn Hearing Screening in The Netherlands and Flanders.
Parents completed the Early Childhood Inventory-4, a well-validated measure, to
evaluate the symptoms of DSM-IV-defined psychiatric disorders, during three
consecutive years. Language scores were derived from each child's medical notes.
RESULTS: Children with CIs and hearing controls evidenced comparable levels of
disruptive behavior and anxiety/depression (which increased with age in both
groups). Greater proficiency in language skills was associated with lower levels
of psychopathology. Early CI and longer duration of CI use resulted in better
language development. In turn, higher early language skills served as a
protective factor against the development of disruptive behavior symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal study uniquely shows that improvement in language
skills mitigates the development of early signs of psychopathology. Early
identification of hearing loss and CIs help children improve their language
skills.
PMID- 28990964
TI - A Concept Analysis of Palliative Care Nursing: Advancing Nursing Theory.
AB - The American Association of Colleges of Nursing specifies that all nurses must be
prepared to deliver high-quality palliative care upon entry into practice. To
achieve this aim, a clear understanding of palliative care nursing is needed. The
Walker and Avant model for concept analysis was used to review and analyze
relevant literature from 2000 to 2016. The authors utilized findings of this
extensive review to develop a concept model and other practical resources for
guiding nurses, educators, and researchers in applying and evaluating competence
in the delivery of high-quality palliative nursing care.
PMID- 28990965
TI - Calling to Nursing: Concept Analysis.
AB - The aims of this article are (a) to analyze the concept of a calling as it
relates nursing and (b) to develop a definition of calling to nursing with the
detail and clarity needed to guide reliable and valid research. The classic steps
described by Walker and Avant are used for the analysis. Literature from several
disciplines is reviewed including vocational psychology, Christian career
counseling, sociology, organizational management, and nursing. The analysis
provides an operational definition of a calling to nursing and establishes 3
defining attributes of the concept: (a) a passionate intrinsic motivation or
desire (perhaps with a religious component), (b) an aspiration to engage in
nursing practice, as a means of fulfilling one's purpose in life, and (c) the
desire to help others as one's purpose in life. Antecedents to the concept are
personal introspection and cognitive awareness. Positive consequences to the
concept are improved work meaningfulness, work engagement, career commitment,
personal well-being, and satisfaction. Negative consequences of having a calling
might include willingness to sacrifice well-being for work and problems with work
life balance. Following the concept analysis, philosophical assumptions,
contextual factors, interdisciplinary work, research opportunities, and practice
implications are discussed.
PMID- 28990966
TI - "It Feels More Real": An Interpretive Phenomenological Study of the Meaning of
Video Games in Adolescent Lives.
AB - The pervasiveness of video gaming among adolescents today suggests a need to
understand how gaming affects identity formation. We interviewed 20 adolescents
about their experiences of playing, asking them to describe how they used games
and how game playing affected their real-world selves. Adolescents presented a
complicated developmental picture: gaming placed players into virtual worlds that
felt "real"; games were used to practice multiple identities; and gaming, often
undertaken within a world of hyperviolence, provided stress relief, feelings of
competence, and relaxation. Gaming occurred in complex "virtual" but "real"
social arenas where adolescents gathered to interact, emulate, and develop
identities.
PMID- 28990968
TI - Improvements in Radiation Monitoring Trending.
AB - One of the main goals for Radiation Safety Professionals is to help maintain
radiation worker doses below administrative control levels. In the radiation
safety field there is an increasing recognition of the value of dosimetry-related
data that can be used to enhance safety programs and regulatory compliance.
Mining radiation dosimetry data and rendering results in the form of dashboards
provides insights for the Radiation Safety Professionals that could help improve
the radiological protection programs effectiveness, enhances quality, and reduces
cost. Quite often the professionals spend more time assembling data than
analyzing for trends and acting to improve the radiation safety program. Data
analysis tools were developed allowing the radiation safety professionals to
perform surveillance on key parameters in the dosimetry program that can help
identifying risks and insure early intervention. More than 2,200 institutions
chosen from different industries were surveyed for more than 2 years after the
implementation of this tool. Four indicators: dose per participant, collective
dose, dosimeter return compliance, and number of workers exceeding ALARA levels
were chosen as meaningful parameters in characterizing the health of the program.
These parameters were tracked, analyzed, and compared to benchmarks developed
based on more than 1 million monitored workers.
PMID- 28990967
TI - The Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Parental Stress Model: Refinement Using
Directed Content Analysis.
AB - This descriptive, qualitative study used directed content analysis to explore and
clarify specific foci of parental stress for mothers of infants with complex
congenital heart disease in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU).
The PCICU Parental Stress Model was used as the guiding theoretical framework.
Three focus groups were conducted with 14 mothers of infants who were being cared
for in a PCICU at a large mid-Atlantic children's hospital. Data provided themes
to support and refine the PCICU Parental Stress Model that can be used to guide
practice, education, and future research in this unique population and setting.
PMID- 28990969
TI - Dosimetry in Radiosynoviorthesis: 90Y VS. 153Sm.
AB - Although there are several radionuclides suitable for radiosynoviorthesis (RSO),
not all of them can irradiate deeper synovium. Yttrium-90 (Y) is the beta
radionuclide with more penetration range; therefore, it is predominantly used to
treat knees. The aim of this paper is to highlight several dosimetry concepts to
compare Y and Sm, also discussing the feasibility of implementing a dose planning
methodology for both in RSO. The MCNPX Monte Carlo nuclear code version 2.6 was
used for calculating S-values from which the activity to be injected into the
joint was obtained. This activity is considered sufficient to deliver a 100-Gy
absorbed dose in 1 mm of synovial tissue. The simulated mathematical model
consisted of a system formed by several cylindrical slabs of 1-mm thickness,
aligned consecutively. The different areas of the cylinder base simulate several
synovial membrane sizes. The effective treatment range for each radionuclide was
also calculated. Quantification of the synovial joint features (synovial
thickness and synovial surface) by diagnostic imaging, such as magnetic resonance
(MRI) combined with a Monte Carlo simulation, can be used to achieve a treatment
planning strategy in RSO with the available radionuclides.
PMID- 28990970
TI - Impact of Mother-Daughter Relationship on Hypertension Self-management and
Quality of Life: Testing Dyadic Dynamics Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence
Model.
AB - BACKGROUND: Although hypertension (HTN) treatment rates are similar across age
groups of women, effective control is significantly worse among older women. Only
20% of hypertensive women aged 70 to 79 years have controlled blood pressure.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this longitudinal study was to test the effects of the
quality of mother-daughter relationship, inner strength, and control on HTN self
management and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for both members of the
dyad at 6 months. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was used to examine the
direct ("actor") and indirect ("partner") effects of 46 dyads. RESULTS: The
mothers' perceived relationship quality with daughters directly impacted their
own self-management of HTN and HRQOL while also indirectly affecting their
daughters' self-management. Similarly, the daughters' perceived strength of their
relationship with their mothers directly influenced their self-management and
HRQOL and indirectly affected their mothers' self-management and HRQOL.
PMID- 28990971
TI - A nonpharmacologic approach to managing insomnia in primary care.
AB - Insomnia, or inadequate or poor sleep leading to significant distress or
impairment in functioning, is a prevalent disorder treated by primary care
providers (PCPs). With millions of people across the United States suffering from
insomnia, PCPs must understand the disorder's pathophysiology, perpetuating
factors, and treatment, as well as its effect on patient health and the economy.
Although PCPs traditionally treat insomnia with pharmaceuticals, behavioral
measures are effective and should be used whenever possible. This article reviews
clinically relevant principles of diagnosing and treating insomnia, highlighting
nonpharmacologic treatments.
PMID- 28990972
TI - Managing chest pain in patients with concomitant left bundle-branch block.
AB - Diagnosis and timely management of acute myocardial infarction (MI) relies
heavily on the ST-segment elevation sum. Presence of concomitant left bundle
branch block (LBBB) in patients presenting with possible acute MI presents a
diagnostic dilemma. The LBBB pattern distorts ST-segment changes, delaying or
preventing accurate diagnosis. This article reviews the Sgarbossa criteria and
ST/S ratio and presents a treatment algorithm that may help improve patient care
and reduce morbidity and mortality.
PMID- 28990973
TI - The Issue of Gadolinium Retained in Tissues: Insights on the Role of Metal
Complex Stability by Comparing Metal Uptake in Murine Tissues Upon the
Concomitant Administration of Lanthanum- and Gadolinium
Diethylentriamminopentaacetate.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the role of the stability of
metal complexes in the processes that lead to the metal retention in the brain
and other tissues of mice administered with lanthanides-based contrast agents.
This issue was tackled by the simultaneous injection of gadolinium (Gd)
diethylentriamminopentaacetate (DTPA) and lanthanum-DTPA, which have the same
charge and structure but differ in their thermodynamic stability by 3 orders of
magnitude. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 healthy BALB/c mice were
administered by a single intravenous injection with a dose consisting of 0.6 mmol
La-DTPA/kg and 0.6 mmol Gd-DTPA/kg. Then the animals were killed at different
time points: 4, 24, 48, and 96 hours (5 mice each group).In an additional
protocol, 5 mice were administered with 9 doses of 0.3 mmol La-DTPA/kg and 0.3
mmol of Gd-DTPA/kg every 2 days over a period of 3 weeks. The sacrifice time was
set to 3 weeks after the last administration. After sacrifice, the Gd and La
content in liver, spleen, kidney, muscle, cerebrum, cerebellum, bone, eye, skin,
blood, and urine was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
RESULTS: A general decrease in the content of both the lanthanides was observed
upon delaying the sacrifice time. At relatively short times after the injection
(up to 96 hours), in the spleen, kidney, muscle, skin, and eye, almost the same
content of La and Gd was detected, whereas in the cerebrum, cerebellum, bones,
and liver, the amount of retained La decreased much slower than that of Gd,
yielding a progressive increase in La/Gd ratio. The amount of retained La in the
various tissues 21 days after the last of 9 administrations of La-DTPA and Gd
DTPA was always significantly higher than that of Gd. The concentration of both
La and Gd decreased rapidly both in blood and in urine samples. DISCUSSION: The
departure from the 1:1 ratio in the amounts of La and Gd determined in the
investigated tissues has been used to gain information on the role of the complex
stability and "wash-out" kinetics. The behavior of the less s' La-DTPA highlights
processes occurring for Gd-DTPA at a slower rate.The herein obtained results
support the view that most of the La/Gd retained in the brain arises from the
intact chelate that has extravasated immediately after the intravenous
administration. Long-term deposition of metal ions from internal reservoirs seems
particularly relevant for liver and spleen.
PMID- 28990974
TI - Iodine and Fat Quantification for Differentiation of Adrenal Gland Adenomas From
Metastases Using Third-Generation Dual-Source Dual-Energy Computed Tomography.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of third
generation dual-source dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) iodine and fat
quantification in differentiating adrenal gland adenomas from metastases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients (38 men and 24 women; mean age, 69.1
years) underwent clinically indicated DECT of the abdomen on a third-generation
dual-source scanner. Examinations were retrospectively included due to detected
adrenal masses. For each adrenal lesion, unenhanced and contrast-enhanced
attenuation values, as well as dual-energy iodine density and fat fraction, were
recorded. Additional magnetic resonance imaging data, positron emission
tomography/computed tomography scans, interval imaging follow-up, and
histopathological analysis were used as the reference standard for all adrenal
lesions. Mean values of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced attenuation, as well as
material densities, were compared between adenomas, metastases, and normal
adrenal glands. Furthermore, the diagnostic accuracy of unenhanced, contrast
enhanced, and material density analysis was assessed between adrenal adenomas and
metastases. RESULTS: Adrenal adenomas showed significant differences regarding
iodine density and fat fraction values (1.3 +/- 0.4 mg/mL and 34.2% +/- 12.6%) in
comparison with adrenal metastases (3.2 +/- 1.4 mg/mL and 10.7% +/- 7.8%) and
normal adrenal glands (1.7 +/- 0.6 mg/mL and 18.7% +/- 12.0%) (all P <= 0.004).
Analysis of unenhanced attenuation values revealed no significant differences
between healthy adrenal parenchyma (19.1 +/- 15.6 HU) and adrenal metastases
(26.9 +/- 16.2 HU) (P = 0.135). Iodine density and fat fraction analysis showed
significantly higher diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of adenomas
(sensitivity, 97% and 89%; specificity, 96% and 89%, respectively) compared with
unenhanced and contrast-enhanced evaluation (sensitivity, 65% and 58%;
specificity, 73% and 85%, respectively) (P <= 0.023). The combined diagnostic
value of iodine density and fat fraction analysis revealed a sensitivity of 97%
and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Third-generation dual-source DECT iodine
and fat quantification allow for differentiation between adrenal adenomas and
metastases with high diagnostic accuracy.
PMID- 28990975
TI - Endoscopic Features of Varices Involving Lacrimal Sac and Nasolacrimal Duct.
PMID- 28990976
TI - Orbital Inflammation as a Presenting Sign for CREST Syndrome.
AB - A 61-year-old male was referred with a week's history of a painful and swollen
left eye. Examination revealed normal visual acuities, left proptosis and global
restriction of ocular ductions, and subretinal fluid at the macula. CT imaging
confirmed thickening of the posterior scleral coat, with an associated choroidal
effusion. Serology revealed positive antinuclear antibodies with a centromere
staining pattern; subsequent rheumatology review revealed extensive
telangiectasia with digital ulceration in both hands, and a diagnosis of limited
cutaneous systemic sclerosis was made. Orbital inflammatory disease is often the
initial presentation of systemic diseases such as sarcoidosis, granulomatosis
with polyangiitis, and IgG4 disease. Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis is
rarely encountered in the context of orbital inflammation, but is a further
systemic association, reminding the clinician of the diagnostic importance of
peripheral symptoms and serological markers in patients presenting with orbital
inflammation and scleritis.
PMID- 28990977
TI - An Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth!
PMID- 28990978
TI - Bicanalicular Canaliculops and its Dacryoendoscopic Findings.
AB - Canaliculops is a noninflammatory ectasia of the canaliculus and so far only 7
histopathologically confirmed cases have been reported worldwide. The authors
present a middle aged female with right-sided bicanalicular cystic swellings
associated with punctal agenesis. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed a cystic
dilatation of the canaliculus and dacryoendoscopy showed a cavity lined by
whitish canalicular mucosa, thrown into numerous irregular folds with a blind
medial end. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of
canaliculops. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first description of
a bicanalicular canaliculops and its dacryoendoscopic findings.
PMID- 28990979
TI - Mortality After High-Energy Pelvic Fractures in Patients of Age 65 Years or
Older.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To document in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates after high-energy
pelvic fracture in patients 65 years of age or older as compared to a younger
cohort. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Urban Level 1 academic trauma
center. PATIENTS: Seventy consecutive patients 65 years of age and older treated
for pelvic fracture resulting from high-energy mechanism from 2008 to 2011. A
total of 140 patients 18-64 years of age were matched to the study population
based on mechanism of injury and OTA Code 61 subtype for comparison.
INTERVENTION: Review of demographics, injury characteristics, hospital
management, and mortality. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Mortality. RESULTS: The
overall inpatient mortality rate was 10%. The older cohort exhibited an inpatient
mortality rate 3 times higher than the younger cohort (18.6% vs. 5.7%, P =
0.003). There was no difference in mortality 1 year post discharge (5.3% vs.
3.8%, P = 0.699). No significant differences in initial Glasgow Coma Scale or
Injury Severity Score were identified (GCS 12.9 vs. 12.4, P = 0.363; ISS 24.7 vs.
23.4, P = 0.479). Multivariate analysis identified the Charlson Comorbidity Index
(CCI) (P = 0.012) and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)-chest (P = 0.005) as
independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, and CCI (0.005) and AIS-abdomen
(0.012) for 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for mechanism of
injury and pelvic fracture classification, we found that adults >=65 and those
with multiple comorbidities were more likely to die in the hospital than younger
adults. However, mortality within 1-year postdischarge was low and did not differ
between groups. This is in sharp contrast to the high rates of postdischarge
mortality observed in elderly patients with a hip fracture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of
levels of evidence.
PMID- 28990981
TI - Telemedicine Applications in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
AB - This article reviews principles to consider when setting up a telemedicine (TM)
program to provide care to women in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. There
are different types of TM encounters and clinical applications vary widely. The
consensus among patients and providers is that TM is convenient to provide needed
subspecialty medical care when it is not available locally. These programs are
clinically successful, but economic and cost-effectiveness data are lacking.
Federal reimbursement policy is limited for TM. State policy on coverage and
reimbursement varies significantly from state to state and is the main driver on
whether TM programs are successful.
PMID- 28990982
TI - Futuristic Look at Genetic and Birth Defect Diagnoses and Treatments.
AB - One aim of prenatal care is to provide information to prospective parents. The
information provided encompasses prenatal care, intrapartum and postpartum care.
Learning the genetic constitution of the parents pre-conception or the ongoing
pregnancy allows parents to make decisions and set expectations. Offering
screening and diagnostic testing has been the main in satisfying the desire for
prenatal genetic information. With rapid advances in genomics and genome
sequencing, screening during an ongoing pregnancy may become obsolete.
Preconception risk will be determined by whole exome sequencing and chromosomal
microarray of prospective parents and a number of approaches to alter pregnancy
outcome can be considered when genome variations are identified. Therapeutic
approaches include mitochondrial transfer and gene editing, two technologies that
are in early stages, but showing promise as tools to alter outcomes.
PMID- 28990983
TI - Pathology of Ovarian Cancer: Recent Insights Unveiling Opportunities in
Prevention.
AB - Ovarian carcinomas were formerly referred to as "surface epithelial carcinomas,"
reflecting the belief that they all arise from the ovarian surface epithelium. It
is now appreciated that most ovarian carcinomas originate from either fallopian
tube or endometriotic epithelium, and how we approach prevention will thus differ
between histotypes. The 5 histotypes of ovarian carcinoma (high-grade serous,
clear cell, endometrioid, mucinous, and low-grade serous, in descending order of
frequency) can be reproducibly diagnosed, and are distinct disease entities,
differing with respect to genetic risk factors, molecular events during
oncogenesis, patterns of spread, and response to chemotherapy.
PMID- 28990984
TI - Quality and Safety in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
AB - The discipline of obstetrics and gynecology has been a leader for quality and
safety in women's health for decades. Obstetrics is the leading cause for
admissions, triage, and hospital discharge with over 4 million hospitalizations
for births annually. Appropriately, safety initiatives and use of quality
measures particularly relevant to obstetrics and gynecology are essential to
patient satisfaction, safe and efficient evidence-based care.
PMID- 28990985
TI - Endometriosis-associated Ovarian Cancers.
AB - Endometriosis-associated cancers include clear cell and endometrioid ovarian
carcinoma. A history of endometriosis has long been considered to be a risk
factor for later development of these malignancies; however, recent molecular
genetic evidence has provided unequivocal evidence that these lesions are in fact
the precursors for endometriosis-associated cancers. Herein, we will explore the
relationship between endometriosis and ovarian carcinomas, similarities between
the premalignant lesions and their cancerous counterparts, and the potential role
of mutations and the ovarian microenvironment that may contribute to malignant
transformation.
PMID- 28990986
TI - The Role of Hereditary Factors in Ovarian Carcinoma.
AB - Cancer is a disease of the genome, in which mutations in particular genes and
pathways give rise to tissue-specific genotype-phenotype correlations. In tumors
associated with hereditary cancer syndromes, a person is generally born with the
first mutation relevant to the development of their cancer. In this chapter we
will discuss the genes that have been associated with germline mutations that
confer a moderate to high risk for ovarian carcinoma.
PMID- 28990987
TI - Standardization according to blood pressure lowering in meta-analyses of
antihypertensive trials: comparison of three methodological approaches.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Assess how standardization of relative risks (RRs) and standard errors
(SEs), according to blood pressure differences within trials, affects
heterogeneity, overall effect estimates and study weights in meta-analyses of
antihypertensive treatment. METHOD: Data from a previous systematic review were
used. Three sets of analyses were performed, using both random-effects and fixed
effects model for meta-analyses. First, we used raw data from the included
trials. Second, we standardized RRs as if SBP was reduced by 10 mmHg in all
trials. Third, we standardized both RRs and SEs. RESULTS: When RRs were
standardized according to blood pressure lowering, heterogeneity between trials
increased (I(2) = 36 vs. 93% for mortality). This conferred large differences in
treatment effect estimates using random-effects and fixed-effects model (RR 0.79,
95% confidence interval 0.70-0.89, respectively, 0.97, 0.94-0.99). When SEs were
standardized, confidence intervals for individual trials widened, resulting in
lower power to detect heterogeneity across trials. Study weights were dissociated
from number of events in trials (P < 0.0001, R(2) = 0.99 before standardization
vs. P = 0.063, R(2) = 0.05 after standardization). This induced a secondary shift
in weight from trials with lower baseline SBP to trials with higher baseline SBP,
resulting in exaggerated overall effect estimates. CONCLUSION: Standardization of
RRs exaggerates differences between trials and makes meta-analyses highly
sensitive to choice of statistical method. Standardization of SEs masks
heterogeneity and results in biased effect estimates.
PMID- 28990988
TI - Case Report: In Vivo Confocal Microscopic Appearance of Corneal Argyrosis.
AB - SIGNIFICANCE: This report details the natural history of corneal argyrosis over 3
years using in vivo confocal microscopy to document regression of hyperreflective
deposits, as well as effects on corneal nerves and endothelial cell morphology.
PURPOSE: To report the in vivo confocal microscopic features and clinical
characteristics of a case of bilateral corneal argyrosis. CASE REPORT: A 52-year
old man referred to us 3 months following cautery of the palpebral conjunctiva of
both eyes with a silver nitrate stick was observed over the course of 3 years,
during which slit-lamp photography and in vivo confocal microscopy were
performed. At the first visit, slit-lamp examination showed a light blue-green
discoloration and a thick, yellow, oval discoloration in the right and left
cornea, respectively. One year later, under slit-lamp examination, the right
cornea appeared nearly transparent, and the discoloration in the left cornea had
remarkably regressed. In vivo confocal microscopy done at that time showed highly
reflective deposits in Descemet membrane of the right cornea and throughout
Bowman layer, the stroma, and Descemet membrane of the left cornea. Three years
later, no accumulation of silver was observed during slit-lamp examination of
either eye. In vivo confocal microscopy of the right cornea did not reveal any
silver deposits, and the corneal structure appeared normal. In the left cornea,
some silver deposits were still evident in Descemet membrane, and alterations of
corneal nerve and endothelial cell morphology were also evident. CONCLUSIONS:
This report reviews the 3-year natural history of a patient with corneal
argyrosis. In vivo confocal microscopy demonstrates that over time the corneal
argyrosis gradually resolves without any treatment. However, the presence of
silver in the cornea may impact the corneal nerves and endothelial cells.
PMID- 28990989
TI - Enhancing Care of Aged and Dying Prisoners: Is e-Learning a Feasible Approach?
AB - BACKGROUND: Prisons and jails are facing sharply increased demands in caring for
aged and dying inmates. Our Toolkit for Enhancing End-of-life Care in Prisons
effectively addressed end-of-life (EOL) care; however, geriatric content was
limited, and the product was not formatted for broad dissemination. Prior
research adapted best practices in EOL care and aging; but, delivery methods
lacked emerging technology-focused learning and interactivity. PURPOSES: Our
purposes were to uncover current training approaches and preferences and to
ascertain the technological capacity of correctional settings to deliver computer
based and other e-learning training. METHODS: An environmental scan was conducted
with 11 participants from U.S. prisons and jails to ensure proper fit, in terms
of content and technology capacity, between an envisioned computer-based training
product and correctional settings. RESULTS: Environmental scan findings focused
on content of training, desirable qualities of training, prominence of
"homegrown" products, and feasibility of commercial e-learning.
CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This study identified qualities of training programs to
adopt and pitfalls to avoid and revealed technology-related issues to be mindful
of when designing computer-based training for correctional settings, and
participants spontaneously expressed an interest in geriatrics and EOL training
using this learning modality as long as training allowed for tailoring of
materials.
PMID- 28990990
TI - How 6 Organizations Developed Tools and Processes for Social Determinants of
Health Screening in Primary Care: An Overview.
AB - Little is known about how health care organizations are developing tools for
identifying/addressing patients' social determinants of health (SDH). We describe
the processes recently used by 6 organizations to develop SDH screening tools for
ambulatory care and the barriers they faced during those efforts. Common
processes included reviewing literature and consulting primary care staff. The
organizations prioritized avoiding redundant data collection, integrating SDH
screening into existing workflows, and addressing diverse clinic needs. This
article provides suggestions for others hoping to develop similar
tools/strategies for identifying patients' SDH needs in ambulatory care settings,
with recommendations for further research.
PMID- 28990991
TI - Brazilian Payment for Performance (PMAQ) Seen From a Global Health and Public
Policy Perspective: What Does It Mean for Research and Policy?
AB - This supplement of the Journal of Ambulatory Care Management on the Brazilian
National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ) reveals
a relevant gap in the Brazilian literature on pay for performance/PMAQ, and is
therefore an opportunity to bring contributions from global health and public
policy to the debate. We discuss the relevant gap in the light of developments in
evaluation and policy analysis. We afterward present the state of knowledge
regarding global health and public policy in pay for performance, giving
attention to diverse themes, methods, types of analyses, theoretical
contributions, and limitations. Finally, we suggest some possible implications
for research and policy in Brazil.
PMID- 28990992
TI - Comparing Patient-Centered Medical Home Implementation in Urban and Rural VHA
Clinics: Results From the Patient Aligned Care Team Initiative.
AB - Rural Veterans Health Administration (VHA) primary care clinics are smaller, have
fewer staff, and serve more rural patients compared with urban VHA primary care
clinics. This may lead to different challenges to implementation of the Patient
Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model, the Patient Aligned Care Team, in the VHAs'
large integrated health system. In this cross-sectional observational study of
905 VHA primary clinics in the United States and Puerto Rico, we found overall
PCMH implementation was greater in rural compared to urban primary care clinics.
Urban-rural differences in PCMH implementation may largely be related to clinic
organizational factors.
PMID- 28990993
TI - Rural Patients' and Primary Care Clinic Staffs' Perceptions of EHR
Implementation: An Ethnographic Exploration.
AB - This focused ethnographic research study explores patients' and clinic staffs'
experience of electronic health record (EHR) implementation in a small,
independent, rural primary care practice. On the basis of participant observation
of clinic staff, staff focus group, and patient interviews, results demonstrate
that both patients and clinic staff have distrust and disconnect from technology.
Yet, patients and clinic staff embrace patient-centered approaches and value team
based care. Understanding patients' and staffs' experience can facilitate the EHR
implementation in the rural primary care setting and facilitate online access,
patient portals, and other technologically based patient-centered approaches.
PMID- 28990994
TI - Long-Term Visual Outcomes, Complications, and Retention of the Boston Type I
Keratoprosthesis.
AB - PURPOSE: To report the long-term outcomes of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis
(KPro). METHODS: Data were collected regarding preoperative characteristics,
surgical procedure(s) performed, and postoperative outcomes of patients who
underwent KPro implantation from May 1, 2004, to May 1, 2011, and were followed
for 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: Seventy-four KPro procedures were performed
in 58 eyes (55 patients), with more than 1 KPro implanted in 10 eyes. The mean
follow-up duration was 82.8 +/- 20.5 months (range 57-145 months), and the most
common indication for keratoprosthesis implantation was corneal transplant
failure (50%). Preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was >=20/200
in 5%; between 1 and 8 years after surgery, the percentage of eyes with CDVA
>=20/200 varied between 57% (4 years) and 82% (8 years). Nineteen (25.7%) KPros
implanted were removed (retention failure rate 0.047/eye-year), although a KPro
was retained at final follow-up in 55 eyes (94.8%). The most common postoperative
complication was retroprosthetic membrane formation in 51.7% of eyes. The
incidence of each postoperative complication decreased significantly over the
first 10 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The KPro provides significant visual
improvement in most eyes, with more than 50% regaining and maintaining 20/200
CDVA each year through 8 years after surgery. The incidence of each postoperative
complication decreases significantly over the first 10 years after surgery.
Although almost one-quarter of implanted keratoprostheses were removed, over 90%
of eyes reaching 5 years of follow-up retain a keratoprosthesis at final follow
up.
PMID- 28990995
TI - Donor Tissue Preparation for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: An
Updated Review.
AB - PURPOSE: To provide an overview of the current literature on donor tissue
preparation for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). METHODS: A
comprehensive database search without date restrictions was performed in PubMed
and in The Cochrane Library in May, 2017. Keywords included Descemet membrane
endothelial keratoplasty, corneal transplantation, graft, harvest, dissection,
preparation, endothelial cell, and endothelial cell density. Articles aiming to
describe or evaluate a technique for DMEK graft preparation were considered
eligible and were included in this review. RESULTS: A graft dissection technique
that provides consistent tissue qualities and a low risk of preparation failure
is essential for surgeons and eye banks preparing DMEK tissue. Various techniques
have been described aiming to facilitate DMEK graft dissection, including manual
dissection, pneumatic dissection, and hydrodissection. All show a trend toward a
no-touch technique, for example, without direct physical tissue manipulation
during tissue harvesting, as a potential ideal approach to minimize graft damage.
CONCLUSIONS: An overview of the current harvesting techniques available for DMEK
may benefit corneal surgeons and eye banks in choosing the best approach for each
specific user.
PMID- 28990996
TI - Subbasal Nerve Plexus Changes in Chronic Migraine.
AB - PURPOSE: Migraine is a multifactorial disorder that presents with unilateral
headache and several sensory symptoms. Photophobia is one of the ophthalmic
manifestations that cause significant morbidity. The trigeminal pathway that
innervates the cornea in the form of afferents has been implicated in photophobia
associated with chronic migraine. This study investigates changes in the corneal
subbasal nerve plexus (SBNP) in chronic migraine patients with and without
photophobia. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with migraine and photophobia (group
1), 24 patients with migraine without photophobia (group 2), and 24 age- and sex
matched controls (group 3) were studied. A detailed history analysis and
ophthalmic evaluation were performed on all subjects. In vivo confocal microscopy
(IVCM) with automated CCMetrics software was used to quantify changes in the SBNP
in all 3 groups. Measured parameters were compared using analysis of variance.
RESULTS: Analysis of corneal SBNP features revealed a significant decrease in the
corneal nerve fiber length (14.76 +/- 3.98 mm/mm), total branch density (43.37 +/
21.63 branch points/mm), nerve branch density (30.19 +/- 15.76 number of
branches/mm), and fiber area (0.005 +/- 0.001 total nerve fiber area/mm) in
patients of group 1 compared with group 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Structural
changes in nociceptive corneal axons in the SBNP of patients with migraine with
photophobia lend further support to the hypothesis that the trigeminal system
plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of ocular symptoms in migraine. Our
observations demonstrate that SBNP changes on IVCM may serve as a potential
imaging marker for ocular symptoms of chronic migraine, and this warrants further
investigation.
PMID- 28990997
TI - Penetrating Keratoplasty at a Tertiary Referral Center in Ethiopia: Indications
and Outcomes.
PMID- 28990998
TI - Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Outcomes With the Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis
in Aniridia.
AB - PURPOSE: To report the intermediate- and long-term visual outcomes and
complications with the Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro) for the management
of aniridic keratopathy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 46 eyes of 34
patients (20 females and 14 males) with aniridic keratopathy who underwent Boston
type 1 KPro surgery by a single surgeon from 2004 to 2012 with minimum 2-year
follow-up was conducted. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative
parameters were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome was the change in
best-corrected visual acuity. Secondary outcomes included the rate of
retroprosthetic membrane formation, glaucoma progression, glaucoma tube
revisions, and KPro retention. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 43.5 +/-
19.8 years with a mean follow-up period of 4.5 +/- 1.6 years (range 2-7.4 years).
Thirty-four eyes (74%) had previously failed keratoplasty. Thirty-five eyes (76%)
previously underwent ocular surface stem cell transplantation, specifically a
keratolimbal allograft. Within the first 6 months postoperatively, 74% (34/46) of
patients experienced a gain of >=2 lines of vision. Overall, there was a gain of
>=2 lines of vision in 43.5% (20/46) of patients at last follow-up. The rate of
retroprosthetic membrane formation was 61%, the rate of glaucoma
onset/progression was 26%, the rate of tube revision was 31%, and the KPro
retention rate was 87%. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that initial visual
improvement in aniridic keratopathy cases occurs at a high rate with the Boston
type 1 KPro but also found progressive loss of these initial visual improvements.
PMID- 28991000
TI - Reply.
PMID- 28990999
TI - Reply.
PMID- 28991001
TI - Using Super Learner Prediction Modeling to Improve High-dimensional Propensity
Score Estimation.
AB - The high-dimensional propensity score is a semiautomated variable selection
algorithm that can supplement expert knowledge to improve confounding control in
nonexperimental medical studies utilizing electronic healthcare databases.
Although the algorithm can be used to generate hundreds of patient-level
variables and rank them by their potential confounding impact, it remains unclear
how to select the optimal number of variables for adjustment. We used plasmode
simulations based on empirical data to discuss and evaluate data-adaptive
approaches for variable selection and prediction modeling that can be combined
with the high-dimensional propensity score to improve confounding control in
large healthcare databases. We considered approaches that combine the high
dimensional propensity score with Super Learner prediction modeling, a scalable
version of collaborative targeted maximum-likelihood estimation, and penalized
regression. We evaluated performance using bias and mean squared error (MSE) in
effect estimates. Results showed that the high-dimensional propensity score can
be sensitive to the number of variables included for adjustment and that severe
overfitting of the propensity score model can negatively impact the properties of
effect estimates. Combining the high-dimensional propensity score with Super
Learner was the most consistent strategy, in terms of reducing bias and MSE in
the effect estimates, and may be promising for semiautomated data-adaptive
propensity score estimation in high-dimensional covariate datasets.
PMID- 28991002
TI - Estimating the Effect of Preventable Treatment Discontinuation on Health
Outcomes.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is increased interest in studying the effects of medication
adherence on health outcomes. However, if patients appropriately stop treatment
because of side effects and treatment failure, it is neither possible nor
clinically meaningful to estimate the effect of full medication adherence.
METHODS: We present an analysis designed to estimate the effect of nonmedical
(preventable) discontinuation of cinacalcet, an oral medication approved to treat
secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with end-stage renal disease on
dialysis on mortality and heart failure. The approach involves artificially
censoring patients who discontinue treatment for a reason that does not appear to
be related to an adverse effect of treatment. We address potential bias from
informative censoring through inverse-probability of censoring weighted
estimation. RESULTS: Although the analysis is subject to possible residual
confounding by the healthy adherer effect and other limitations, we find that
potentially preventable discontinuation associates with 2.9 excess deaths at 1
year per 100 patients treated (95% confidence interval, 2.4, 3.5), and 4.6 excess
deaths at 2 years (95% confidence interval, 3.5, 5.5). The association between
cinacalcet persistence and heart failure hospitalization risk was sensitive to
the outcome definition. CONCLUSIONS: Inverse-probability of censoring weighted
estimation can be used to estimate the effect of potentially preventable
treatment discontinuation in populations where treatment can be stopped for both
medical and nonmedical reasons. Estimates from such approaches may represent an
upper bound of what would be achievable by an adherence improvement intervention.
PMID- 28991004
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28991003
TI - Site-specific Solid Cancer Mortality After Exposure to Ionizing Radiation: A
Cohort Study of Workers (INWORKS).
AB - BACKGROUND: There is considerable scientific interest in associations between
protracted low-dose exposure to ionizing radiation and the occurrence of specific
types of cancer. METHODS: Associations between ionizing radiation and site
specific solid cancer mortality were examined among 308,297 nuclear workers
employed in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Workers were
monitored for external radiation exposure and follow-up encompassed 8.2 million
person-years. Radiation-mortality associations were estimated using a maximum
likelihood method and using a Markov chain Monte Carlo method, the latter used to
fit a hierarchical regression model to stabilize estimates of association.
RESULTS: The analysis included 17,957 deaths attributable to solid cancer, the
most common being lung, prostate, and colon cancer. Using a maximum-likelihood
method to quantify associations between radiation dose- and site-specific cancer,
we obtained positive point estimates for oral, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum,
pancreas, peritoneum, larynx, lung, pleura, bone and connective tissue, skin,
ovary, testis, and thyroid cancer; in addition, we obtained negative point
estimates for cancer of the liver and gallbladder, prostate, bladder, kidney, and
brain. Most of these estimated coefficients exhibited substantial imprecision.
Employing a hierarchical model for stabilization had little impact on the
estimated associations for the most commonly observed outcomes, but for less
frequent cancer types, the stabilized estimates tended to take less extreme
values and have greater precision than estimates obtained without such
stabilization. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide further evidence regarding
associations between low-dose radiation exposure and cancer.
PMID- 28991007
TI - The optimal approach to nutrition and cystic fibrosis: latest evidence and
recommendations.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive genetic disease that
affects multiple organ systems. Therapy is directed to maintain and optimize
nutritional status and pulmonary function, as these are key factors in survival.
In this review, the most recent findings regarding nutritional management
associated with pulmonary function and outcome will be explored. RECENT FINDINGS:
Evidence-based and expert-based guidelines emphasize the need for adequate
nutritional intake to improve nutritional status. For infants and young children,
the aim is to achieve the 50th percentile of weight and length for a healthy same
age population up to age 2 years. For older children and adolescents 2-18 years,
the target is a BMI of at or above the 50th percentile for healthy children. For
CF adults of at least 18 years, the target is a BMI of at or above 22 kg/m for
women and at or above 23 kg/m for men. Recently, new drugs are developed with the
aim to treat the malfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance
regulator gene. This potentiator/corrector therapy improves lung function and
nutritional status and decreases the number of infective exacerbations. As
survival is improving and the CF population is aging, it is important to focus on
micronutrient and macronutrient intake of CF patients in different age and
disease stages. SUMMARY: Recent evidence-based nutritional guidelines and
improved medical treatment support the nutritional monitoring and interventions
in CF patients. Nutritional care should be personalized and provided by a
specialized CF dietitian because patients' care needs may change dramatically
during their disease progress.
PMID- 28991006
TI - Autoimmunity in narcolepsy.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Summarize the recent findings in narcolepsy focusing on the
environmental and genetic risk factors in disease development. RECENT FINDINGS:
Both genetic and epidemiological evidence point towards an autoimmune mechanism
in the destruction of orexin/hypocretin neurons. Recent studies suggest both
humoral and cellular immune responses in the disease development. SUMMARY:
Narcolepsy is a severe sleep disorder, in which neurons producing
orexin/hypocretin in the hypothalamus are destroyed. The core symptoms of
narcolepsy are debilitating, extreme sleepiness, cataplexy, and abnormalities in
the structure of sleep. Both genetic and epidemiological evidence point towards
an autoimmune mechanism in the destruction of orexin/hypocretin neurons.
Importantly, the highest environmental risk is seen with influenza-A infection
and immunization. However, how the cells are destroyed is currently unknown. In
this review we summarize the disease symptoms, and focus on the immunological
findings in narcolepsy. We also discuss the environmental and genetic risk
factors as well as propose a model for disease development.
PMID- 28991008
TI - NACNS Newsletter: President's Message.
PMID- 28991009
TI - What Caregivers Need From Clinical Nurse Specialists.
PMID- 28991010
TI - Improving Triage: The Essential Information to Compare Different Approaches.
PMID- 28991011
TI - Creating a Credible and Ethical Curriculum Vitae.
PMID- 28991012
TI - "Gray Death"-The Trojan Horse of the Opioid Epidemic: Historical, Clinical, and
Safety Evidence for the Clinical Nurse Specialist.
PMID- 28991013
TI - Leadership in Nursing: The Importance of Influence.
PMID- 28991014
TI - Opportunities for the Advanced Practice Nurse to Enhance Hypertension Knowledge
and Self-management Among African American Women.
AB - PURPOSE: Despite increased awareness and the advent of methods to manage the
disease, hypertension is poorly controlled among African American women. This
study explored hypertension knowledge and blood pressure in a sample of African
American women. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to collect
survey data on hypertension knowledge. METHODS: African American women attending
a church conference were invited to complete a questionnaire, which included the
Check Your High Blood Pressure Prevention IQ survey, and had their blood
pressures measured. RESULTS: Of the 151 women who participated, 62% were
diagnosed with hypertension. Many of the women, even those not diagnosed with
hypertension, had elevated blood pressures. Although the average scores showed
that the women scored well on the survey, there were 4 items on the survey that a
percentage of the women had difficulty with: questions about (1) stress as a
cause of hypertension, (2) symptoms associated with high blood pressure, (3)
whether hypertension could be cured, and (4) the amount of exercise needed to
help reduce blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Despite efforts to increase awareness and
control of hypertension, considerable misconceptions about the disease were found
in this sample of African American women. To improve self-management of
hypertension among this group, advanced practice nurses need to directly address
these misconceptions.
PMID- 28991016
TI - Process of Transition for Congenital Heart Patients: Preventing Loss to Follow
up.
AB - PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to provide an overview of our nurse-led
transition clinic provided to congenital heart disease patients moving from
pediatric into adult care setting. DESCRIPTION OF THE SERVICE: Nurse-led
transition clinic was analyzed at various stages of young adult care from an
early stage of 12 to 14 years to entering adult setting at 16 years or older.
METHODS: Overview of current transition service for young adults being
transferred from pediatric into adult services highlights the integral role of
clinical nurse specialist as a coordinator of care. RESULTS: The result of the
service overview indicates that nurse-led transition service enables patients to
build on their knowledge. This is achieved by providing them time and the
opportunities to develop an understanding of their condition and the attitudes
required to engage with the adult care setting as indicated in the psychology
questionnaire from transition day. CONCLUSION: A nurse-led transition clinic
enhances long-term care of patients by supporting the young adults and their
family/carer through the transition and transfer of the care to promote the young
adult's understanding of their condition and to prevent any lost to follow-up.
PMID- 28991015
TI - Enhancing Outcomes for Outpatient Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.
AB - PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: A quality improvement project was conducted to create a
sustainable continuum of care for increased volumes of outpatients receiving
percutaneous coronary interventions. Dramatic growth exposed system
vulnerabilities and left staff overwhelmed. Four postinterventional project
objectives included reducing preprocedural preparation times, reducing bleeding
complications, reducing hospital length of stay, and collectively increasing
patient satisfaction. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: Amidst creating a specialized
postintervention coronary recovery area and acquiring and training existing
preregistration and recovery nurses, a fragmented system of care was united. The
clinical nurse specialist-led project used a systematic and evidence-based
implementation process to harmoniously acclimate perioperative staff. An
evaluation process further defined new opportunities to support a growing service
line. OUTCOMES: Postimplementation data were collected over a 3-month period. An
overall improvement was found in all targeted objectives, despite an upsurge in
case volumes. A moderately significant correlation (r [105] = 0.424, P < .001)
was found between bleeding occurrences and hospital length of stay. CONCLUSION:
The synergy between interdepartmental collaboration and strategic staffing
reallocation was shown to be invaluable to alleviate procedural areas of service,
such as the cardiac catheterization laboratory. As a project champion, the
clinical nurse specialist is an essential catalyst to identify and creatively
surmount system-level challenges.
PMID- 28991017
TI - Transitioning Into Practice: Reflections and Advice for the New Clinical Nurse
Specialist.
AB - PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this article are to explore the shared
experiences and feelings of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who were new to the
role and to identify strategies that were helpful in making the transition.
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT/PROGRAM: Transitioning to a CNS role may be challenging
and emotional, causing fear or anxiety. The authors reflected on their
experiences of transitioning into CNS practice. OUTCOME: Reflection on the
literature led to advice and helpful strategies for new CNSs as they transition
into practice. CONCLUSION: The strategies identified can be used to develop a
structured orientation that may ease the transition into the CNS role.
PMID- 28991018
TI - Clinical Nurse Specialist-Driven Practice Change: Standardizing Vital Sign
Monitoring.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to standardize vital sign (VS)
monitoring throughout a patient's stay in the hospital, including at admission,
following transitions to different levels of care, reassessment of abnormal VS
results, daily monitoring, and before dismissal. The population of focus was
adult general and progressive care patients. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT:
Standards for VS monitoring, documentation, and provider notification were
established. Unit routines, nursing procedural guidelines, and order sets were
updated with the new standards. Nursing staff received Web-based education.
Compliance with the new standards was monitored monthly, and data were shared
with nursing leadership. Leadership reviewed the data with nursing staff to
identify opportunities and recognize achievements. OUTCOMES: Overall, improvement
in VS documentation was achieved. Continued opportunities exist for monitoring
and reassessment of a full set of VSs after an abnormal result. CONCLUSION:
Establishing a minimum standard of VS frequency and documentation allows for all
healthcare providers to trend and monitor a patient's clinical status.
Variability in patient care can be diminished by establishing minimum standards
of VS monitoring.
PMID- 28991019
TI - Using Twitter to Teach Evidence-Based Practice in Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Program.
PMID- 28991020
TI - Reflections on an Ancient Islamic Myth: Herbert Mason?'s Poem "Finch".
PMID- 28991022
TI - "Gray Death" - The Trojan Horse of the Opioid Epidemic: Historical, Clinical, and
Safety Evidence for the Clinical Nurse Specialist.
PMID- 28991021
TI - Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Moral Competence Scale for
Public Health Nurses: A Methodological Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Moral competencies must be improved in nursing area practice. To
evaluate the moral competence seems necessary for nurses. AIM: The aims of this
study are to adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the moral
competence questionnaire for public health nurses in Turkey. METHOD: The moral
competence scale was translated into Turkish by a skilled translator, after which
it was back-translated into English by another translator. We then administered
the Turkish version of the moral competence scale to 138 public health nurses
working in family and public health centers in Erzurum, a city in eastern Turkey.
We analyzed the data using factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Three
factors were extracted, which together explained a total of 67.50% of the
variance. The Cronbach's alpha values were .83, .91, .87, and .88 for factors 1,
2, and 3 and for the whole scale, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version
of the moral competence scale for public health nurses is a valid and reliable
assessment tool.
PMID- 28991024
TI - Pretreatment integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance in North Carolina
from 2010-2016.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We sought to define the prevalence of pretreatment integrase strand
transfer inhibitor (INSTI) resistance and assess the transmission networks of
those with pretreatment INSTI resistance. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of
HIV-positive patients with genotypic resistance testing sent to a single referral
laboratory in North Carolina between 2010 and 2016. METHODS: We linked genotype
and public health data for in-care HIV-positive individuals to determine the
prevalence of INSTI resistance among treatment-naive (defined as those with a
first genotype <=3 months after diagnosis) and treatment-experienced (defined as
those with a first genotype >3 months after diagnosis) patients. We performed
molecular and phylogenetic analyses to assess whether pretreatment INSTI
resistance mutations represented clustered HIV transmission. RESULTS: Of 8825
individuals who contributed sequences for protease, reverse transcriptase, or
INSTI genotypic resistance testing during the study period, 2784 (31%)
contributed at least one sequence for INSTI resistance testing. Of these, 840
were treatment-naive individuals and 20 [2.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5,
3.6%] had INSTI mutations; only two (0.2%, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.9%) had major
mutations. Of 1944 treatment-experienced individuals, 9.6% (95% CI: 8.3, 11.0%)
had any INSTI mutation and 7.0% (95% CI: 5.9, 8.3%) had major mutations; the
prevalence of INSTI mutations among treatment-experienced patients decreased
overtime (P < 0.001). In total 12 of 20 individuals with pretreatment INSTI
mutations were part of 10 molecular transmission clusters; only one cluster
shared identical minor mutations. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of major
pretreatment INSTI resistance is very low. Pretreatment INSTI mutations do not
appear to represent clustered HIV transmission.
PMID- 28991023
TI - Pre-exposure prophylaxis for MSM and transgender persons in early adopting
countries.
AB - : Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a potent and underutilized HIV prevention
tool. In this paper we review the state of knowledge regarding PrEP
implementation for men who have sex with men and transgender persons in early
adopting countries. We focus on implementation of PrEP in demonstration projects
and clinical care, and describe the status of PrEP availability and uptake. We
report on approaches to identifying appropriate PrEP candidates in real-world
settings and on best practices for clinical monitoring. This includes the
exclusion of undiagnosed HIV infection prior to PrEP initiation and longitudinal
measurement of renal function, in light of safety data. Since adherence is the
primary factor moderating the effectiveness of PrEP, we discuss effective
adherence support interventions. Additionally, we review the evidence for risk
compensation with PrEP use and opportunities to provide PrEP as part of
comprehensive and inclusive preventive health programs. We summarize cost
effectiveness studies, including their variable conclusions because of differing
underlying assumptions, and discuss the importance of budgetary impact for public
health programs and health care insurers. Further, we emphasize a need for
greater engagement of health care providers in PrEP to increase access. We
conclude with recommendations for ways to improve future efforts at implementing
PrEP.
PMID- 28991025
TI - The costs of HIV treatment and care in Ghana.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine cost functions that describe the dynamics of costs of HIV
treatment and care in Ghana by CD4 cell count at treatment initiation and over
time on antiretroviral therapy (ART). DESIGN: We used detailed longitudinal
healthcare utilization data from clinical health records of HIV-infected patients
at seven Ghanaian ART clinics to estimate cost functions of treatment and care by
CD4 cell count at treatment initiation and time on ART. METHODS: We developed two
linear regression models; one with individual random effects to determine the
relationship between CD4 cell count at ART initiation and costs of treatment and
care, and one with individual fixed effects to determine the causal effect of
time in care on costs of treatment and care. RESULTS: Costs for treatment and
care were lowest (-7.9 US$) for patients with CD4 cell counts of at least 350
cells/MUl at ART initiation, compared with patients with 50 cells/MUl or less at
ART initiation, yet the difference was not significant. The per-patient costs
peaked during the first 6 months on ART at 112.6 US$, and significantly decreased
by 70% after 4 years on treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that an accurate
analysis of resource needs of HIV treatment and care should take into account
that healthcare costs for HIV-infected people are dynamic rather than constant.
The cost functions derived from our study are valuable input for cost
effectiveness analyses and research allocation exercises for HIV treatment in sub
Saharan Africa.
PMID- 28991028
TI - Predictive value of galectin-1 in the development and progression of HIV
associated lymphoma.
PMID- 28991029
TI - Successful treatment with tenofovir alafenamide of a HIV/hepatitis B virus
coinfected patient with HIV and hepatitis B virus drug resistance, end-stage
renal disease on haemodialysis.
PMID- 28991026
TI - Frailty is strongly associated with increased risk of recurrent falls among older
HIV-infected adults.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Both frailty and falls occur at earlier-than-expected ages among HIV
infected individuals, but the contribution of frailty-to-fall risk in this
population is not well understood. We examined this association among
participants enrolled in AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5322. DESIGN: A
prospective, multicenter cohort study of HIV-infected men and women aged at least
40 years. METHODS: Frailty assessment included a 4-m walk, grip strength, and
self-reported weight loss, exhaustion, and low physical activity. Multinomial
logistic regression assessed the association between baseline frailty, grip, and
4-m walk, and single and recurrent (2+) falls over the next 12 months; logistic
regression assessed effect modification by several factors on association between
frailty and any (1+) falls. RESULTS: Of 967 individuals, 6% were frail, 39%
prefrail, and 55% nonfrail. Eighteen percent had at least one fall, and 7% had
recurrent falls. In multivariable models, recurrent falls were more likely among
frail (odds ratio 17.3, 95% confidence interval 7.03-42.6) and prefrail (odds
ratio 3.80, 95% CI 1.87-7.72) than nonfrail individuals. Significant associations
were also seen with recurrent falls and slow walk and weak grip. The association
between frailty and any falls was substantially stronger among individuals with
peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Aging HIV-infected prefrail and frail
individuals are at significantly increased risk of falls. Incorporation of
frailty assessments or simple evaluations of walk speed or grip strength in
clinical care may help identify individuals at greatest risk for falls.
Peripheral neuropathy further increases fall risk among frail persons, defining a
potential target population for closer fall surveillance, prevention, and
treatment.
PMID- 28991027
TI - Risk factors for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-positive
MSM: is targeted screening possible?
AB - OBJECTIVE: HIV-positive MSM are at increased risk for developing anal squamous
cell carcinoma. Detection of precursor lesions of anal cancer [anal high-grade
squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL)] is cumbersome and expensive. Our
objective was to identify potential risk factors for anal HSIL in HIV-positive
MSM to develop more stringent screening criteria. DESIGN: We studied a cohort of
MSM screened by high-resolution anoscopy at three HIV clinics in Amsterdam, the
Netherlands. METHODS: For every first high-resolution anoscopy performed in a
patient, we analyzed five demographic and seven HIV-related potential risk
factors for four different outcome measures: histologically proven anal HSIL vs.
no squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), HSIL-anal intraepithelial neoplasia 2
vs. no SIL, HSIL-anal intraepithelial neoplasia 3 vs. no SIL, and HSIL vs. no
HSIL. We used univariable and multilevel, multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: From 2008 through 2015, 497 out of 1678 (30%) screened HIV-positive MSM
had anal HSIL. The mean age was 49 years (SD 9.6), 96% used combination
antiretroviral therapy, and median duration of combination antiretroviral therapy
use was 7.8 years (interquartile range 4.0-12.4). Increasing age [adjusted odds
ratio (aOR) 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-0.94, P = 0.006] and years
living with suppressed viral load [1-5 years suppressed aOR 0.52 (95% CI 0.34
0.80), 5.01-10 years aOR 0.47 (95% CI 0.29-0.74), >10 years aOR 0.54 [0.34-0.87],
all compared to less than 1 year suppressed, P = 0.009] were found to be
protective for HSIL vs. no SIL. CONCLUSION: Young HIV-positive MSM without viral
suppression are statistically at highest risk for anal HSIL, but given the high
prevalence among all virally suppressed men, we advise that all HIV-positive MSM
should be screened for HSIL.
PMID- 28991030
TI - Educational Model to Increase the Number and Diversity of RN to BSN Graduates
From a Resource-Limited Rural Community.
AB - Increasing the number of BSN-prepared nurses at the bedside is directly linked to
improved health care outcomes. However, employers are challenged to find enough
BSN graduates to meet workforce demands. This article presents an educational
model that uses evidence-based practices to increase enrollment, retention, and
graduation rates of RN students in a BSN program (RN-BSN) in a resource limited
rural community. This exemplar may equip nurse educators with strategies to adopt
in their own communities.
PMID- 28991031
TI - An Innovative Exchange Model for Global and Community Health Nursing Education.
AB - Understanding different cultures is important in the education of nursing
students who will become the health care workforce of our future interdependent
and globalized societies. International practicum courses help students and
nurses understand different cultures. This article describes an innovative
approach to nursing education and understanding diverse cultures, in the context
of a hybrid course (online course coupled with face-to-face practicum
experiences), which enrolled nursing students from opposite hemispheres.
PMID- 28991032
TI - Comparison of Nursing Student and Instructor Preferences for Block and Nonblock
Clinical Models.
AB - Clinical experiences are the hallmark of prelicensure nursing programs and assist
students with applying nursing theory into practice. The literature is limited
with respect to nursing student and instructor preferences for type of clinical
model to facilitate student learning. This article explores these perceptions in
the nursing programs of 5 universities located in 4 Western Canadian provinces.
Findings support the use of both nonblock and block clinical models throughout
nursing education programs.
PMID- 28991033
TI - Communication Simulation Using Laypersons as Standardized Patients: Preparing
Students for Their First Clinical Day.
PMID- 28991034
TI - A Retrospective Analysis of Nursing Students' Clinical Experience in an All-Male
Maximum Security Prison.
AB - Prisons provide an ideal learning experience to prepare prelicensure students
with the knowledge and skill set needed for practice in the 21st century.
Beginning descriptive evidence demonstrates that correctional health is an
innovative community resource to educate nursing students in today's changing
model of health care delivery and practice. This article shares results from a
retrospective analysis of the perceptions and experiences of nursing students
during their community clinical rotation in an all-male maximum security prison.
PMID- 28991035
TI - Substance Use Disorder Among Nurses: A Curriculum Improvement Initiative.
AB - Substance use disorder (SUD) among nurses is a serious practice issue that poses
a significant risk to patients and nurses. However, the topic of SUD is
inadequately addressed in nursing education. A comprehensive education strategy
was implemented and evaluated in 2 prelicensure nursing programs to improve
nursing students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes about SUD among nurses.
PMID- 28991036
TI - No Effect of beta-alanine on Muscle Function and Kayak Performance.
AB - PURPOSE: If beta-alanine supplementation counteracts muscular fatigue development
or improves athletic performance was investigated. METHODS: Elite kayak rowers
(10 men and 7 women) were supplemented with either 80 mg.kg body mass.d of beta
alanine or placebo for 8 wk. Muscular fatigue development was investigated by
applying a 2-min elbow flexor maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). EMG was
recorded continuously, and voluntary activation was determined 30, 60, 90, and
115 s into the 2-min MVC. In addition, performance was evaluated as 1000-m and 5
* 250-m kayak ergometer rowing. RESULTS: Force reduction during the 2-min MVC was
similar before and after supplementation with beta-alanine (30.9% +/- 10.3% vs
36.0% +/- 14.1%) and placebo (35.5% +/- 7.7% vs 35.1% +/- 8.0%). No time effect
was apparent in voluntary activation during the 2-min MVC. In addition, there was
no detectable effect of beta-alanine supplementation on 1000-m kayak ergometer
performance (beta-alanine: 0.26% +/- 0.02% vs placebo: -0.18% +/- 0.02%) or
accumulated 5 * 250-m time (beta-alanine: -1.0% +/- 0.3% vs placebo: -1.0% +/-
0.2%). In 5 * 250 m, mean power output was reduced to a similar extent from first
to fifth interval before and after supplementation with beta-alanine (23% +/- 11%
vs 22% +/- 10%) and placebo (26% +/- 13% vs 20% +/- 5%). CONCLUSIONS: Two-minute
MVC characteristics are unaffected by beta-alanine supplementation in elite
kayakers, and likewise, both a 1000-m kayak ergometer time trial lasting 4-5 min
and a 5 * 250-m repeated sprint ability were unaltered by supplementation.
PMID- 28991037
TI - Mechanisms of Fatigue and Recovery in Upper versus Lower Limbs in Men.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare the mechanisms of fatigue and recovery between upper and
lower limbs in the same subjects. METHODS: Twelve healthy young men performed a 2
min sustained maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors
(KE) and on another day a 2-min MVC of the elbow flexors (EF). Neuromuscular
function evaluations were performed with both transcranial magnetic and
peripheral stimulations before (PRE), at the end of the 2-min MVC, and five more
times within 8 min of recovery. RESULTS: Decreases in MVC and cortical voluntary
activation were approximately 12% (P < 0.001) and approximately 25% greater (P =
0.04) in KE than EF at end of the 2-min MVC. Conversely, twitch response
decreased approximately 29% more (P = 0.02) in EF than KE. Changes in motor
evoked potential with fatigue were not different between upper and lower limbs (P
> 0.05), whereas the increase in silent period duration was approximately 30%
greater in EF than KE (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Upper and lower limbs presented
different magnitudes of total, central and peripheral fatigue. Total
neuromuscular fatigue and central fatigue were greater in KE than EF. Conversely,
peripheral fatigue and corticospinal inhibition were greater in EF than KE.
PMID- 28991038
TI - Exercise Prescription and Adherence for Breast Cancer: One Size Does Not FITT
All.
AB - PURPOSE: To prospectively assess adherence to oncologist-referred, exercise
programming consistent with current recommendations for cancer survivors among
women with early breast cancer across the trajectory of adjuvant treatment.
METHODS: Sixty-eight women participated in supervised, hour-long, moderate
intensity, aerobic, and resistance exercise thrice per week during adjuvant
chemotherapy +/- radiation, with a step-down in frequency for 20 additional
weeks. Adherence to exercise frequency (i.e., attendance), intensity, and
time/duration, and barriers to adherence were tracked and compared during
chemotherapy versus radiation, and during treatment (chemotherapy plus radiation,
if received) versus after treatment. RESULTS: Attendance decreased with
cumulative chemotherapy dose (cycles 1-2 vs cycles 3-8, cycle 3 vs cycles 7-8,
all P <= 0.05) and was lower during chemotherapy than radiation (64% +/- 25% vs
71% +/- 32%, P = 0.02) and after treatment than during treatment (P < 0.01).
Adherence to exercise intensity trended toward being higher during chemotherapy
than radiation (69% +/- 23% vs 51% +/- 38%, P = 0.06) and was higher during than
after treatment (P = 0.01). Adherence to duration did not differ with treatment.
Overall adherence to the resistance prescription was poor, but was higher during
chemotherapy than radiation (57% +/- 23% vs 34% +/- 39%, P < 0.01) and was not
different during than after treatment. The most common barriers to attendance
during treatment were cancer-related (e.g., symptoms, appointments), and after
treatment were life-related (e.g., vacation, work). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to
supervised exercise delivered in a real-world clinical setting varies among
breast cancer patients and across the treatment trajectory. Behavioral strategies
and individualization in exercise prescriptions to improve adherence are
especially important for later chemotherapy cycles, after treatment, and for
resistance exercise.
PMID- 28991039
TI - Heavy-Load Lifting: Acute Response in Breast Cancer Survivors at Risk for
Lymphedema.
AB - PURPOSE: Despite a paucity of evidence, prevention guidelines typically advise
avoidance of heavy lifting in an effort to protect against breast cancer-related
lymphedema. This study compared acute responses in arm swelling and related
symptoms after low- and heavy-load resistance exercise among women at risk for
lymphedema while receiving adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy. METHODS: This is a
randomized, crossover equivalence trial. Women receiving adjuvant taxane-based
chemotherapy for breast cancer who had undergone axillary lymph node dissection
(n = 21) participated in low-load (60%-65% 1-repetition maximum, two sets of 15
20 repetitions) and heavy-load (85%-90% 1-repetition maximum, three sets of 5-8
repetitions) upper-extremity resistance exercise separated by a 1-wk wash-out
period. Swelling was determined by bioimpedance spectroscopy and dual-energy x
ray absorptiometry, with breast cancer-related lymphedema symptoms (heaviness,
swelling, pain, tightness) reported using a numeric rating scale (0-10). Order of
low- versus heavy-load was randomized. All outcomes were assessed before,
immediately after, and 24 and 72 h after exercise. Generalized estimating
equations were used to evaluate changes over time between groups, with
equivalence between resistance exercise loads determined using the principle of
confidence interval inclusion. RESULTS: The acute response to resistance exercise
was equivalent for all outcomes at all time points irrespective of loads lifted,
with the exception of extracellular fluid at 72 h after exercise with less
swelling after heavy loads (estimated mean difference, -1.00; 95% confidence
interval, -3.17 to 1.17). CONCLUSIONS: Low- and heavy-load resistance exercise
elicited similar acute responses in arm swelling and breast cancer-related
lymphedema symptoms in women at risk for lymphedema receiving adjuvant taxane
based chemotherapy. These represent important preliminary findings, which can be
used to inform future prospective evaluation of the long-term effects of repeated
exposure to heavy-load resistance exercise.
PMID- 28991041
TI - Quadriceps Function and Knee Joint Ultrasonography after ACL Reconstruction.
AB - PURPOSE: Individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are at
greater risk for knee osteoarthritis, partially because of chronic quadriceps
dysfunction. Articular cartilage is commonly assessed using magnetic resonance
imaging and radiography, but these methods are expensive and lack portability.
Ultrasound imaging may provide a cost-effective and portable alternative for
imaging the femoral cartilage. The purpose of this study was to compare
ultrasonography of the femoral cartilage between the injured and uninjured limbs
of individuals with unilateral ACLR, and to examine the association between
quadriceps function and ultrasonographic measures of femoral cartilage. METHODS:
Bilateral femoral cartilage thickness and quadriceps function were assessed in 44
individuals with unilateral ACLR. Quadriceps function was assessed using peak
isometric strength, and early (RTD100) and late (RTD200) rate of torque
development. RESULTS: Cartilage thickness at the medial femoral condyle (P <
0.001) and femoral cartilage cross-sectional area (P = 0.007) were smaller in the
injured compared with the uninjured limb. After accounting for time since ACLR,
quadriceps peak isometric strength was associated with cartilage thickness at the
medial femoral condyle (r = 0.35, P = 0.02) and femoral cartilage cross-sectional
area (r = 0.28, P = 0.04). RTD100 and RTD200 were not associated with femoral
cartilage thickness or cross-sectional area. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with ACLR
have thinner cartilage in their injured limb compared with uninjured limb, and
cartilage thickness is associated with quadriceps function. These results
indicate that ultrasonography may be useful for monitoring cartilage health and
osteoarthritis progression after ACLR.
PMID- 28991040
TI - Associations of Muscle Mass and Strength with All-Cause Mortality among US Older
Adults.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Recent studies suggested that muscle mass and muscle strength may
independently or synergistically affect aging-related health outcomes in older
adults; however, prospective data on mortality in the general population are
sparse. METHODS: We aimed to prospectively examine individual and joint
associations of low muscle mass and low muscle strength with all-cause mortality
in a nationally representative sample. This study included 4449 participants age
50 yr and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to
2002 with public use 2011 linked mortality files. Weighted multivariable logistic
regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI),
smoking, alcohol use, education, leisure time physical activity, sedentary time,
and comorbid diseases. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of low muscle mass was
23.1% defined by appendicular lean mass (ALM) and 17.0% defined by ALM/BMI, and
the prevalence of low muscle strength was 19.4%. In the joint analyses, all-cause
mortality was significantly higher among individuals with low muscle strength,
whether they had low muscle mass (odds ratio [OR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval
[CI], 1.27-3.24 for ALM; OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.64-3.88 for ALM/BMI) or not (OR,
2.66; 95% CI, 1.53-4.62 for ALM; OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.29-3.64 for ALM/BMI). In
addition, the significant associations between low muscle strength and all-cause
mortality persisted across different levels of metabolic syndrome, sedentary
time, and LTPA. CONCLUSIONS: Low muscle strength was independently associated
with elevated risk of all-cause mortality, regardless of muscle mass, metabolic
syndrome, sedentary time, or LTPA among US older adults, indicating the
importance of muscle strength in predicting aging-related health outcomes in
older adults.
PMID- 28991042
TI - Maximum Skin Wettedness after Aerobic Training with and without Heat Acclimation.
AB - PURPOSE: To quantify how maximum skin wettedness (omegamax); that is, the
determinant of the boundary between compensable and uncompensable heat stress, is
altered by aerobic training in previously unfit individuals and further augmented
by heat acclimation. METHODS: Eight untrained individuals completed an 8-wk
aerobic training program immediately followed by 8 d of hot/humid (38 degrees C,
65%RH) heat acclimation. Participants completed a humidity ramp protocol
pretraining (PRE-TRN), posttraining (POST-TRN), and after heat acclimation (POST
HA), involving treadmill marching at a heat production of 450 W for 105 min in
37.5 degrees C, 2.0 kPa (35%RH). After attaining a steady-state esophageal
temperature (Tes), humidity increased 0.04 kPa.min. An upward inflection in Tes
indicated the upper limit of physiological compensability (Pcrit), which was then
used to quantify omegamax. Local sweat rate, activated sweat gland density, and
sweat gland output on the back and arm were simultaneously measured throughout.
RESULTS: Peak aerobic capacity increased POST-TRN by approximately 14% (PRE-TRN:
45.8 +/- 11.8 mL.kg.min; POST-TRN: 52.0 +/- 11.1 mL.kg.min, P < 0.001). omegamax
values became progressively greater from PRE-TRN (0.72 +/- 0.06) to POST-TRN
(0.84 +/- 0.08; P = 0.02), to POST-HA (0.95 +/- 0.05; P = 0.03). These shifts in
omegamax were facilitated by a progressively greater local sweat rate and
activated sweat gland density from PRE-TRN (0.84 +/- 0.21 mg.cm.min; 67 +/- 20
glands per square centimeter) to POST-TRN (0.96 +/- 0.21 mg.cm.min, P = 0.03; 86
+/- 27 glands per square centimeter; P = 0.009), to POST-HA (1.15 +/- 0.21
mg.cm.min; P < 0.001; 98 +/- 35 glands per square centimeter; P < 0.001). No
differences in sweat gland output were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A greater omegamax
occurred after 8 wk of aerobic training, but omegamax was further augmented with
heat acclimation, indicating only a partially increased heat loss capacity with
training. These omegamax values may assist future predictions of heat stress risk
in untrained/trained unacclimated individuals and trained heat-acclimated
individuals.
PMID- 28991043
TI - Kinetic Compensations due to Chronic Ankle Instability during Landing and
Jumping.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Skeletal muscles absorb and transfer kinetic energy during landing
and jumping, which are common requirements of various forms of physical activity.
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is associated with impaired neuromuscular control
and dynamic stability of the lower extremity. Little is known regarding an
intralimb, lower-extremity joint coordination of kinetics during landing and
jumping for CAI patients. We investigated the effect of CAI on lower-extremity
joint stiffness and kinetic and energetic patterns across the ground contact
phase of landing and jumping. METHODS: One hundred CAI patients and 100 matched
able-bodied controls performed five trials of a landing and jumping task (a
maximal vertical forward jump, landing on a force plate with the test leg only,
and immediate lateral jump toward the contralateral side). Functional analyses of
variance and independent t-tests were used to evaluate between-group differences
for lower-extremity net internal joint moment, power, and stiffness throughout
the entire ground contact phase of landing and jumping. RESULTS: Relative to the
control group, the CAI group revealed (i) reduced plantarflexion and knee
extension and increased hip extension moments; (ii) reduced ankle and knee
eccentric and concentric power, and increased hip eccentric and concentric power,
and (iii) reduced ankle and knee joint stiffness and increased hip joint
stiffness during the task. CONCLUSIONS: CAI patients seemed to use a hip-dominant
strategy by increasing the hip extension moment, stiffness, and eccentric and
concentric power during landing and jumping. This apparent compensation may be
due to decreased capabilities to produce sufficient joint moment, stiffness, and
power at the ankle and knee. These differences might have injury risk and
performance implications.
PMID- 28991044
TI - Mountain Cycling Ultramarathon Effects on Inflammatory and Hemoglobin Responses.
AB - PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the cumulative physiological burden of
repetitive, strenuous exercise held during mountain cycling ultramarathon on
regulatory mechanisms of hemoglobin degradation. METHODS: Fifty-five
nonprofessional athletes (mean age, 44.8 +/- 7.1 yr) participating in a 9
consecutive-day mountain cycling ultramarathon (TransPortugal) underwent
anthropometric, hematological, and biochemical assessments before and immediately
after the race. Participants were further stratified as completers (nine courses)
or noncompleters and were divided according to the time they took to complete the
race. The heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) functional genetic polymorphism and
haptoglobin (HP) phenotypic variants were also analyzed. RESULTS: Total
leukocytes, neutrophil count, and monocyte count increased, whereas decreases in
erythrocyte counts and hemoglobin were found between pre- and postultramarathon.
Circulating haptoglobin (Hp) was increased, whereas its soluble receptor (sCD163)
decreased. Athletes who completed all nine courses presented with increased
leukocyte, neutrophil, and erythrocyte counts, as well as hemoglobin, red cell
distribution width, total bilirubin, and total cholesterol levels. High
sensitivity C-reactive protein and Hp decreased in comparison with noncompleters.
HMOX1 and HP genetic polymorphisms were associated with biochemical profile,
notably with Hp levels. Analysis of covariance showed a significant effect of HP
phenotype in Hp circulating levels at the end of race and on the magnitude of
variation from pre- to postrace. CONCLUSIONS: Present findings support a
comodulatory influence of genetic- and exercise-associated factors on resulting
inflammatory and hemoglobin catabolic marker Hp after highly demanding endurance
exercise.
PMID- 28991045
TI - Caffeine Ingestion Attenuates Fatigue-induced Loss of Muscle Torque Complexity.
AB - : The temporal structure, or complexity, of muscle torque output decreases with
neuromuscular fatigue. The role of central fatigue in this process is unclear.
PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that caffeine administration would attenuate
the fatigue-induced loss of torque complexity. METHODS: Eleven healthy
participants performed intermittent isometric contractions of the knee extensors
to task failure at a target torque of 50% maximal voluntary contraction, with a
60% duty factor (6-s contraction, 4-s rest), 60 min after ingesting 6 mg.kg
caffeine or a placebo. Torque and surface EMG signals were sampled continuously.
Complexity and fractal scaling of torque were quantified using approximate
entropy (ApEn) and the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) alpha scaling
exponent. Global, central, and peripheral fatigue was quantified using maximal
voluntary contractions with femoral nerve stimulation. RESULTS: Caffeine
ingestion increased endurance by 30% +/- 16% (mean +/- SD; P = 0.019). Complexity
decreased in both trials (decreased ApEn, increased DFA alpha; both P < 0.01), as
global, central, and peripheral fatigue developed (all P < 0.01). Complexity
decreased significantly more slowly after caffeine ingestion (ApEn, -0.04 +/-
0.02 vs -0.06 +/- 0.01 (P = 0.004); DFA alpha, 0.03 +/- 0.02 vs 0.04 +/- 0.03 (P
= 0.024)), as did the rates of global (-18.2 +/- 14.1 vs -23.0 +/- 17.4 N.m.min,
P = 0.004) and central (-3.5 +/- 3.4 vs -5.7 +/- 3.9 %.min, P = 0.02) but not
peripheral (-6.1 +/- 4.1 vs -7.9 +/- 6.3 N.m.min, P = 0.06) fatigue. CONCLUSIONS:
Caffeine ingestion slowed the fatigue-induced loss of torque complexity and
increased the time to task failure during intermittent isometric contractions,
most likely through central mechanisms.
PMID- 28991046
TI - Does a Prolonged Work Day in the Heat Impair Heat Loss on the Next Day in Young
Men?
AB - PURPOSE: Heat strain is known to be exacerbated on the second of consecutive work
days. We therefore evaluated whether prolonged work in the heat would impair
whole-body heat loss capacity on the next day. METHODS: To evaluate this
possibility, we assessed changes in whole-body heat exchange and heat storage in
eight young (26 +/- 4 yr) men during heat stress tests performed on the same day
before (day 1) and on the day after (day 2) a prolonged work simulation. Each
heat stress test involved three, 30-min bouts of semirecumbent cycling at fixed
rates of metabolic heat production (200 W.m (Ex1), 250 W.m (Ex2), and 300 W.m
(Ex3)), each separated by 15-min recovery, under hot, dry conditions (40 degrees
C, 20% relative humidity). The work simulation (7.5 h) involved three moderate
intensity intermittent work bouts (2 h), each separated by 30-min rest breaks,
under similarly hot, dry conditions (38 degrees C, 34% relative humidity). Total
heat loss (evaporative +/- dry heat exchange) and metabolic heat production were
measured using direct and indirect calorimetry, respectively. Body heat storage
was quantified as the temporal summation of heat production and loss. RESULTS:
Total heat loss did not differ between days 1 and 2 (P = 0.66) and averaged (mean
+/- 95% confidence interval) 185 +/- 7 W (Ex1), 233 +/- 7 W (Ex2), and 261 +/- 5
W (Ex3) across test days. Consequently, the change in body heat storage was also
similar between days 1 and 2 (P = 0.32), averaging 133 +/- 15 kJ (Ex1), 99 +/- 16
kJ (Ex2), and 184 +/- 15 kJ (Ex3) across test days. CONCLUSIONS: When assessed
under controlled laboratory conditions in young men, prolonged work in the heat
does not seem to impair whole-body heat loss or exacerbate heat storage on the
following day.
PMID- 28991047
TI - Vasopressors Do Not Influence Cerebral Critical Closing Pressure During Systemic
Inflammation Evoked by Experimental Endotoxemia and Sepsis in Humans.
AB - AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different
vasopressors on the cerebral vasculature during experimental human endotoxemia
and sepsis. We used the critical closing pressure (CrCP) as a measure of cerebral
vascular tone. METHODS: We performed a prospective pilot study, at the intensive
care department (ICU) of a tertiary care university hospital in the Netherlands,
in 40 healthy male subjects during experimental human endotoxemia (administration
of bacterial lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) and in 10 patients with severe sepsis or
septic shock.Subjects in the endotoxemia study were randomized to receive a 5 h
infusion of either 0.05 MUg/kg/min noradrenaline (n = 10, "LPS-nor"), 0.5
MUg/kg/min phenylephrine (n = 10, "LPS-phenyl"), 0.04 IU/min vasopressin (n = 10,
"LPS-AVP"), or saline (n = 10, "LPS-placebo") starting 1 h before intravenous
administration of 2 ng/kg LPS. In patients with sepsis, fluid resuscitation and
vasopressor use was at the discretion of the medical team, aiming at normovolemia
and a mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 65 mm Hg, using noradrenaline.The mean flow
velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MFVMCA) was measured by transcranial
Doppler (TCD) with simultaneously recording of heart rate, arterial blood
pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. CrCP was estimated using the
cerebrovascular impedance model. RESULTS: The CrCP decreased in the LPS-placebo
group from 52.6 [46.6-55.5] mm Hg at baseline to 44.1 [41.2-51.3] mm Hg at 270
min post-LPS (P = 0.03). Infusion of phenylephrine increased the CrCP in the
period before LPS administration from 46.9 [38.8-53.4] to 53.8 [52.9-60.2] mm Hg
(P = 0.02), but after LPS administration, a similar decrease was observed
compared with the LPS-placebo group. Noradrenaline or vasopressin prior to LPS
did not affect the CrCP. The decrease in CrCP after LPS bolus was similar in all
treatment groups. The CrCP in the sepsis patients equaled 35.7 [34.4-42.0] mm Hg,
and was lower compared with that in the LPS-placebo subjects from baseline until
90 min after LPS (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Experimental human endotoxemia results
in a decreased CrCP due to a loss of vascular resistance of the arterial bed.
Vasopressors did not prevent this decrease in CrCP. Findings in patients with
sepsis are comparable to those found in subjects after LPS
administration.Patients with sepsis, despite treatment with vasopressors, have a
risk for low cerebral blood flow and ischemia.
PMID- 28991048
TI - Is Inappropriate Response to Cosyntropin Stimulation Test an Indication of
Corticosteroid Resistance in Septic Shock?
AB - We recently published a comparison of two hydrocortisone dosage regimens in
patients with septic shock. We compare the results conferred by the two regimens
as a function of the response to cosyntropin stimulation test (CST). Patients
with septic shock were treated by one of two hydrocortisone regimens: either a 50
mg intravenous bolus every 6 h during 7 days (200 mg group; n = 49), or a 100-mg
initial bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 300 mg daily for 5 days (300
mg group; n = 50). Nonresponders was defined as a CST response of 9 MUg/dL or
less. Nonresponders had more severe septic shock, greater fluid resuscitation
needs, and greater vasopressor dependence than responders. When analyzed only as
a function of CST results, there was no difference in survival between responders
and nonresponders. However, analyses crossing CST results and the treatment
regimens showed that patients who were responders and in the 300 mg group had
significantly less intensive care unit mortality compared with responders in the
200 mg group (respective mortality of 24% vs. 55% [relative risk 0.43, 95%
confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.94, P = 0.018]). Multivariate analysis identified
baseline blood cortisol as an independent prognostic factor for 28-day mortality
in all groups (hazard ratio 1.002, 95% confidence interval, 1.001 to 1.002, P <=
0.0001). The results suggest that in patients who respond to CST, hydrocortisone
can provide a dose-dependent benefit. In contrast, nonresponse may indicate
corticosteroid resistance. This heterogeneity of response to hydrocortisone may
explain the difficulties encountered when trying to demonstrate its benefit in
septic shock.
PMID- 28991050
TI - Selective LPS Adsorption Using Polymyxin B-Immobilized Fiber Cartridges in Sepsis
Patients Following Cardiac Surgery.
AB - Sepsis remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care
units. The extracorporeal therapy in the complex treatment of sepsis seems to be
the most promising direction. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and
effectiveness of selective endotoxin adsorption on the basis of the analysis of
our own experience with the intensive therapy for sepsis in adult cardiac
surgical patients. Our single-center study included 143 patients with sepsis. One
hundred and three adult patients received lipopolysaccharide adsorption
procedures using Toraymyxin-PMX-20R columns. The historical control group
included 30 adult patients received only conservative therapy, and 10 children
(6.2-14 kg) received hemoperfusion with Toraymyxin-PMX-0.5R. After the
lipopolysaccharide-adsorption course, we noted improving of the hemodynamic and
respiratory parameters. A favorable effect of hemoperfusion was a decrease
procalcitonin and endotoxin activity assay, expressed by changes of leukocytosis,
a normalization of body temperature. The 28-day survival was 53% in the study
group and 30% in the control group (P = 0.037). The 28-day survival of children
who received selective hemoperfusion was 90%. Our own experience with the use of
selective hemoperfusion in a fairly large group of cardiovascular patients with
sepsis showed the safety and efficacy of these procedures.
PMID- 28991051
TI - Association Between Cardiac Surgery and Mortality Among Patients With Infective
Endocarditis Complicated by Sepsis and Septic Shock.
AB - BACKGROUND: Sepsis and septic shock are common presentations of infective
endocarditis (IE), but little is known about clinical characteristics in this
group of patients, use of surgical treatment, and their associations with
outcome. We sought to determine the influence of cardiac surgery (CS) on the
outcome of patients with IE in different stages of sepsis severity. METHODS: Two
hundred ninety four patients with definite IE native or prosthetic valve IE
admitted between 2000 and 2011. Prospective evaluation using multivariable
logistic regression to evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes (in
hospital and 1-year mortality) in surgically and medically treated patients
stratified by severity of sepsis and using new Sepsis-3 definitions. RESULTS: The
presence of sepsis or septic shock during IE showed a statistical relationship
with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 8.915, P < 0.001 and OR
35.969, P < 0.001, respectively) after adjusting for other risk factors of poor
outcomes (neurological complications, congestive heart failure, and
Staphylococcus aureus IE). Surgical treatment had a positive influence on in
hospital mortality in patients with sepsis or septic shock and IE (OR 5.157, P <
0.001) as well as on 1-year survival (hazard ratio 3.092, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The presence of sepsis or septic shock as defined in Sepsis-3
definitions is associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with IE. Surgical
treatment has a positive effect on outcomes (in-hospital mortality and 1-year
survival) in patients with IE and sepsis or septic shock.
PMID- 28991049
TI - Stearoyl Lysophosphatidylcholine Inhibits Endotoxin-Induced Caspase-11
Activation.
AB - Stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) exerts protective effect during
endotoxemia and in experimental sepsis, but the underlying mechanism is unclear.
Here, we demonstrated that stearoyl LPC could block caspase-11-mediated
macrophage pyroptosis. In vitro, stearoyl LPC significantly decreased caspase-11
activation and pyroptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus cholera toxin
subunit B independent of the receptor G2A. Stearoyl LPC did not affect LPS uptake
by mouse peritoneal macrophages but did significantly inhibit the interaction
between LPS and caspase-11. Moreover, stearoyl LPC treatment conferred
significant protection against lethal endotoxemia and significantly reduced the
release of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta. These findings identify stearoyl LPC as an
inhibitor of LPS-mediated caspase-11 activation. This mechanism could explain the
protective action of stearoyl LPC in experimental sepsis and endotoxemia.
PMID- 28991052
TI - Somatostatin 2 Receptor Activation in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Does Not
Mediate the Decompensatory Phase of Haemorrhage.
AB - Decompensation, a critical phase in the response to hemorrhage, is characterized
by profound sympathoinhibition and the overriding of baroreflex mediated
compensation. As sympathoexcitatory neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla
(RVLM) maintain vasomotor tone and are essential for sympathetic baroreceptor
reflex function, the RVLM is the likely mediator. However, how decompensation
occurs is a mystery. Our previous work demonstrated that the inhibitory
neuropeptide somatostatin (SST), evokes potent sympathoinhibition. Here we test
the hypothesis that, in response to hypovolemia, SST in the RVLM evokes
sympathoinhibition, driving decompensation and suppressing baroreflex
compensation. We evaluated neuronal activation at sites that contain SST mRNA and
project to the RVLM and, in SST2A expressing neurons in the RVLM. We determined
the effects on cardiovascular and sympathetic responses to haemorrhage, of
bilateral blockade of SST2 receptors in both the RVLM and A1 regions. Haemorrhage
in conscious rats evoked c-Fos immunoreactivity in the amygdala, periaqueductal
gray, and parabrachial nuclei, regions previously associated with hemorrhage,
shown to contain SST and project to the RVLM. Although c-Fos labeling was found
throughout the ventrolateral medulla, only a small subset of RVLM SST2A receptor
expressing neurons were activated, consistent with the idea that these neurons
are inhibited during hemorrhage. However, SST2 receptor antagonists bilaterally
injected in the RVLM or the A1 region did not affect the decompensation response
to hemorrhage. Thus somatostatin in the RVLM does not mediate decompensation. The
physiological role associated with somatostatin-induced sympathoinhibition in the
RVLM together with the central mechanisms responsible for decompensation remain
elusive.
PMID- 28991053
TI - Building Professionalism Through Management Training: New England Public Health
Training Center's Low-Cost, High-Impact Model.
AB - CONTEXT: Evolving practices, accreditation, and priorities established in Public
Health 3.0 are adding to the long-identified need for management training among
public health practitioners. PROGRAM: The New England Public Health Training
Center is addressing this need with a flexible, open-source, 16-topic training
program. The program is designed to build competencies for current and future
managers, preparing them for their day-to-day tasks and for the kinds of
adaptation suggested by Public Health 3.0 advocates. IMPLEMENTATION: The training
program uses live expert instructors for 10 webinars and 2 in-person trainings.
Experts have also created the content for multiple self-paced E-Learnings that
trainees undertake in addition to the instructor-led sessions. A webinar platform
with breakout rooms and an advanced learning management system allows for online
discussion and mentor interaction. The course has now been offered, evaluated,
and modified 3 times, and the materials are available for noncommercial use by
the public health community. EVALUATION: Using the Kirkpatrick training
evaluation model, the recent cohort was satisfied (87.5%) with the training,
reported identifying actions to apply information learned to their work (85.8%),
and experienced statistically significant knowledge gains. Earlier trainees
reported work-related behavior change. DISCUSSION: Management training offers the
hope of increasing professionalism; creating better, more effective workplaces
and programs; and preparing practitioners for an evolving public health
landscape. Early results indicate that NEPHTC's program, Managing Effectively in
Today's Public Health Environment, is a useful tool in realizing that hope.
PMID- 28991054
TI - Raising the Yellow Flag: State Variation in Quarantine Laws.
AB - Quarantine is an important but often misused tool of public health. An effective
quarantine requires a process that inspires trust in government, only punishes
noncompliance, and promotes a culture of social responsibility. Accomplishing
successful quarantine requires incentives and enabling factors, payments, job
security, and a tiered enforcement plan. In this article, we examine the
variation in state-level quarantine laws and assess the effectiveness of these
laws and regulations. We find that most states allow for an individual to have a
hearing (63%) and to have a voice in burial and cremation procedures (71%), yet
are weak on all other individual rights measures. Only 20% of states have
provisions to protect employment when an individual is under quarantine, and less
than half have plans for safe and humane quarantines. Decision makers at the
state and local levels must make a concerted effort to revise and update
quarantine laws and regulations. Ideally, these laws and regulations should be
harmonized so as to avoid confusion and disruption between states, and public
health officials should work with populations to identify and address the factors
that will support successful quarantines if they are ever required.
PMID- 28991055
TI - Keratoconus Progression in Patients With Allergy and Elevated Surface Matrix
Metalloproteinase 9 Point-of-Care Test.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess keratoconus (KC) progression in patients with allergies who
also tested positive to surface matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) point-of-care
test. METHODS: Prospective comparative study including 100 stage I-II keratoconic
patients, mean age 16.7+/-4.6 years. All patients underwent an anamnestic
questionnaire for concomitant allergic diseases and were screened with the MMP-9
point-of-care test. Patients were divided into two groups: patients KC with
allergies (KC AL) and patients KC without allergies (KC NAL). Severity of allergy
was established by papillary subtarsal response grade and KC progression assessed
by Scheimpflug corneal tomography, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA)
measurement in a 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: The KC AL group included 52
patients and the KC NAL group 48. In the KC AL group, 42/52 of patients (81%)
were positive to MMP-9 point-of-care test versus two positive patients in the KC
NAL group (4%). The KC AL group data showed a statistically significant decrease
of average CDVA, from 0.155+/-0.11 to 0.301+/-0.2 logarithm of the minimum angle
of resolution (P<0.005) at 12 months; Kmax value increased significantly, from
50.2 D+/-2.7 to 55.2 D+/-1.9 on average. The KC NAL group revealed a slight KC
progression without statistically significant changes. Pearson correlation test
showed a high correlation between Kmax worsening and severity of PSR in the KC AL
group. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a statistically significant
progression of KC in patients with concomitant allergies, positive to MMP-9 point
of-care test versus negative. A high correlation between severity of allergy and
KC progression was documented.
PMID- 28991056
TI - Ultrafast Track Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Surgical
Revascularization.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Contemporary anesthetic techniques have enabled shorter sedation and
early extubation in off-pump and minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (CABG)
surgery. Robotic-assisted CABG represents the optimal surgical approach for
ultrafast track anesthesia, with patients able to bypass the cardiac surgical
intensive care unit with recovery in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and
inpatient ward. METHODS: In-hospital postoperative outcomes from ninety patients
who underwent either elective or urgent robotically-assisted CABG at our
institution were reviewed. These patients were carefully selected by a
multidisciplinary team to undergo fast-track anesthesia: extubation in the
operating room, 4-hour recovery in the postanesthesia care unit and transfer to
the inpatient ward. Intrathecal, paravertebral local, and patient-controlled
anesthesia techniques were used to facilitate transition to oral analgesics.
RESULTS: Average patient age was 61 +/- 9 years. Sixty-six patients (73%) were
male. Seventy cases were elective, and 20 patients required urgent
revascularization. All patients underwent intraoperative angiography after graft
construction, which revealed Fitzgibbon class A grafts. There were no in-hospital
mortalities. One patient required re-exploration for bleeding, through the same
minimally invasive incision, did not require conversion to sternotomy for
bleeding, and was transferred to the intensive care unit postexploration for
bleeding for standard postoperative care. Postoperative complications were
limited to one superficial wound infection. The mean hospital length of stay was
3.5 +/- 1.17 days. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing robotic-assisted CABG,
ultrafast-track cardiac surgery with immediate postprocedure extubation and
transfer to the inpatient ward has been demonstrated to be safe with no increase
in perioperative morbidity or mortality. It requires a dedicated heart team with
a carefully selected group of patients. Avoiding cardiac surgical intensive care
unit expedites recovery, with possible avoidance of infection and early discharge
from hospital.
PMID- 28991057
TI - Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Annuloplasty With Realignment of Both Papillary
Muscles for Correction of Type IIIb Functional Mitral Regurgitation.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Pathophysiological background of type IIIb functional mitral
regurgitation (FMR) is a progressively increasing distance between papillary
muscle tips and mitral annular plane. Standard surgical treatment of such FMR by
means of undersized mitral annuloplasty is associated with a high recurrence
rate. METHODS: We propose a modified subannular maneuver to correct type IIIb FMR
while combining undersized annuloplasty with a controlled realignment of both
papillary muscles, thereby fixing the distance between mitral annular plane and
papillary muscle tips. The differences of this subannular maneuver as compared
with the previously published techniques are the following: (1) controlled
realignment of both papillary muscles, (2) fixation of the papillary muscles to
mitral annulus distance on an annuloplasty ring, and (3) application in a three
dimensional endoscopic minithoracotomy setting. RESULTS: We describe a surgical
technique of minimally invasive mitral valve repair performed due to severe type
IIIb FMR, which includes a modified subannular maneuver to realign both papillary
muscles. Preliminary results of the first 10 patients who underwent this
procedure at our institution are presented. There was no in-hospital mortality
and follow-up echocardiography (mean +/- SD echocardiographic follow-up = 10 +/-
6 months) demonstrated stable functional results. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial
experience indicates that adding of this subannular maneuver to the standard
annuloplasty and thereby fixing the distance between papillary muscles and mitral
annular plane have a potential to improve results of surgical FMR treatment.
PMID- 28991058
TI - Red Cell Distribution Width After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
AB - BACKGROUND: High red cell distribution width (RDW) values have been associated
with increased hospital mortality in critically ill patients, but few data are
available for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: We analyzed an
institutional database of adult (>18 y) patients admitted to the Department of
Intensive Care after nontraumatic SAH between January 2011 and May 2016. RDW
(normal value, 10.9% to 13.4%) was obtained daily from admission for a maximum of
7 days, from routine blood analysis. We recorded the occurrence of delayed
cerebral ischemia (DCI), and neurological outcome (assessed using the Glasgow
Outcome Scale [GOS]) at 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 270 patients were included
(median age 54 y-121/270 male [45%]), of whom 96 (36%) developed DCI and 109
(40%) had an unfavorable neurological outcome (GOS, 1 to 3). The median RDW on
admission was 13.8 [13.3 to 14.5]% and the highest value during the intensive
care unit (ICU) stay 14.2 [13.6 to 14.8]%. The RDW was high (>13.4%) in 177
patients (66%) on admission and in 217 (80%) at any time during the ICU stay.
Patients with a high RDW on admission were more likely to have an unfavorable
neurological outcome. In multivariable regression analysis, older age, a high
WFNS grade on admission, presence of DCI or intracranial hypertension, previous
neurological disease, vasopressor therapy and a high RDW (OR, 1.1618 [95% CI,
1.213-2.158]; P=0.001) during the ICU stay were independent predictors of
unfavorable neurological outcome. CONCLUSIONS: High RDW values were more likely
to result in an unfavorable outcome after SAH. This information could help in the
stratification of SAH patients already on ICU admission.
PMID- 28991059
TI - Analgesia Nociception Index Monitoring During Supratentorial Craniotomy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Objective monitoring of pain during and after surgery has been
elusive. Recently, Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI) monitor based on the high
frequency component of heart rate variability has been launched into clinical
practice. We monitored analgesia during craniotomy using ANI monitor and compared
it with cardiovascular parameters and response entropy (RE) of entropy monitor.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 21 patients undergoing a craniotomy for a
supratentorial lesion, we monitored ANI, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure
(MAP), state entropy, and RE throughout the surgery. Also, ANI, hemodynamic
variables and spectral entropy values were noted at the times of maximal
stimulation, such as induction, intubation, head pin fixation, skin incision,
craniotomy, durotomy, and skin closure. We also compared ANI with RE during
administration of bolus doses of fentanyl. RESULTS: There was an inverse
correlation between ANI values and the hemodynamic changes. When the HR and MAP
increased, ANI decreased suggesting a good correlation between hemodynamics and
ANI values during the times of maximal stimulation. State entropy and RE did not
change significantly in response to bolus doses of fentanyl administered during
the course of surgery, while ANI increased significantly. CONCLUSION: In
neurosurgical patients undergoing elective supratentorial craniotomy, ANI
measures response to noxious stimuli with at least as much reliability as
hemodynamic variables and changes in ANI parallel the changes in HR and MAP. ANI
is superior to RE for measurement of response to noxious stimuli.
PMID- 28991060
TI - Hemodynamic Instability and Cardiovascular Events After Traumatic Brain Injury
Predict Outcome After Artifact Removal With Deep Belief Network Analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic instability and cardiovascular events heavily affect the
prognosis of traumatic brain injury. Physiological signals are monitored to
detect these events. However, the signals are often riddled with faulty readings,
which jeopardize the reliability of the clinical parameters obtained from the
signals. A machine-learning model for the elimination of artifactual events shows
promising results for improving signal quality. However, the actual impact of the
improvements on the performance of the clinical parameters after the elimination
of the artifacts is not well studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The arterial blood
pressure of 99 subjects with traumatic brain injury was continuously measured for
5 consecutive days, beginning on the day of admission. The machine-learning deep
belief network was constructed to automatically identify and remove false
incidences of hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, tachycardia, and
alterations in cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). RESULTS: The prevalences of
hypotension and tachycardia were significantly reduced by 47.5% and 13.1%,
respectively, after suppressing false incidents (P=0.01). Hypotension was
particularly effective at predicting outcome favorability and mortality after
artifact elimination (P=0.015 and 0.027, respectively). In addition, increased
CPP was also statistically significant in predicting outcomes (P=0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of false incidents due to signal artifacts can be
significantly reduced using machine-learning. Some clinical events, such as
hypotension and alterations in CPP, gain particularly high predictive capacity
for patient outcomes after artifacts are eliminated from physiological signals.
PMID- 28991062
TI - Electron Microscopy of Dural and Arachnoid Disruptions After Subarachnoid Block.
AB - BACKGROUND: It has been customary to attribute postdural puncture headache (PDPH)
incidence and severity to size and nature of the dural hole produced during major
neuraxial blockade or diagnostic dural puncture. Needle orientation in relation
to the direction of dural fibers was thought to be of importance because of the
propensity for horizontal bevel placement to cause cutting rather than splitting
of the dural fibers. METHODS: In vitro punctures of stringently quality
controlled human dural sac specimens were obtained with 27-gauge (27G) Whitacre
needle (n = 33), with 29G Quincke used parallel to the spinal axis (n = 30), and
with 29G Quincke in perpendicular approach (n = 40). The samples were studied
with a scanning electron microscope, and the perimeter, appearance, and area (%)
of the lesion were calculated. RESULTS: When using small 27G to 29G needles,
neither needle tip characteristics nor needle orientation had a substantial
bearing on the damage to dural fibers in the dural lesion. Of ultimate importance
was the characteristic and size of the hole in the arachnoid. Arachnoid layer
lesions produced by different types of spinal needles were not markedly
different. CONCLUSIONS: Accepted theories of the etiology of PDPH need to be
revised. This article marks the first time that arachnoid layer damage has been
quantified. Dural fibers tend to have sufficient "memory" to close back the hole
created by a spinal needle, whereas arachnoid has diminished capacity to do so.
The pathogenesis of PDPH and its resolution algorithm are a far more complex
process that involves many more "stages" of development than hitherto imagined.
PMID- 28991061
TI - Determination of ED50 and ED95 of 0.5% Ropivacaine in Adductor Canal Block to
Produce Quadriceps Weakness: A Dose-Finding Study.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adductor canal block (ACB) is popular for knee
analgesia because of its favorable effect on quadriceps strength. The aim of this
study was to find the minimum volume of local anesthetic, which can be injected
into the ACB that would result in quadriceps weakness. METHODS: This
nonrandomized study used an up-and-down sequential allocation design. Twenty-six
patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery received an ultrasound
guided ACB preoperatively. The initial volume of ropivacaine 0.5% injected was 30
mL, which was subsequently increased or decreased by 2 mL, depending on whether
the previous subject had a 30% reduction in quadriceps function. The minimum
effective volume in 50% of patients was determined using Dixon-Massey up-and-down
method. The effective volume in 95% of patients was then calculated using probit
transformation. RESULTS: The ED50 (minimum effective anesthetic volume in 50% of
the subjects) needed for a 30% decrease in quadriceps power was 46.5 mL (95%
confidence interval, 45.01-50.43 mL), and estimated ED95 (minimum effective
anesthetic volume in 95% of the subjects) was 50.32 mL (95% confidence interval,
48.66-67.26 mL). The local anesthetic volume injected correlated with degree of
quadriceps weakness at 20 minutes postblock (P < 0.001) and in the postanesthesia
recovery unit (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Significant quadriceps weakness is
unlikely when clinically representative volumes of 0.5% ropivacaine is used for
ACB performed using sonographic landmarks. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This
study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02541552.
PMID- 28991064
TI - Improving Nurse Competencies for Using Evidence in Practice: A Pilot Study of the
Language of Data Program.
AB - Nursing professional development practitioners are in a key position to use tools
that foster nurses' interpretation of research findings for increased use of
evidence in practice. An online course was developed to teach statistics as
language. The feasibility and efficacy of this "Language of Data" program were
examined in a pilot study with a convenience sample from inpatient settings.
Recognition and interpretation of statistical symbols significantly improved
after the intervention. Knowledge, confidence, and accuracy also improved. The
Language of Data program may be used by nursing professional development
practitioners to improve nurses' adoption of evidence-based practice by
furthering their ability to translate science.
PMID- 28991063
TI - Dose-Response Curves for Intrathecal Bupivacaine, Levobupivacaine, and
Ropivacaine Given for Labor Analgesia in Nulliparous Women.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, and ropivacaine are
often given intrathecally for labor analgesia, but limited data are available for
their dose-response properties in this context. The objective of this study was
to describe the dose-response curves of these local anesthetics when given
intrathecally for labor analgesia, to determine values for D50 (dose producing a
50% response) and to compare the calculated values of D50 for levobupivacaine and
ropivacaine with those for bupivacaine. METHODS: With ethics approval and written
consent, we randomized 270 nulliparous laboring patients requesting neuraxial
analgesia at 5-cm cervical dilation or less to receive a single dose of
intrathecal local anesthetic without opioid as part of a combined spinal-epidural
technique. Patients received either bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, or ropivacaine
at a dose of 0.625, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0, or 6.25 mg (n = 15 per group). Visual
analog scale pain scores were measured for 15 minutes, after which further
analgesia and management were at the clinician's discretion. The primary end
point was percentage reduction of pain score at 15 minutes. Logistic sigmoidal
dose-response curves were fitted to the data using nonlinear regression, and D50
values were calculated for each drug. RESULTS: Data were analyzed from 270
patients. Patient characteristics were similar between groups. The calculated D50
and 95% confidence interval values were as follows: bupivacaine, 1.56 mg (1.25
1.94 mg); ropivacaine, 1.95 mg (1.57-2.43 mg); and levobupivacaine, 2.20 mg (1.76
2.73 mg). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support previous work showing
that intrathecal levobupivacaine and ropivacaine are less potent than
bupivacaine. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry
(identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-09000773) and Centre of Clinical Trials Clinical Registry
of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (identifier: CUHK_CCT00245).
PMID- 28991065
TI - Clinically Acceptable Optimized Dose Reduction in Computed Tomographic Imaging of
Necrotizing Pancreatitis Using a Noise Addition Software Tool.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine potential radiation dose reduction of
contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for imaging necrotizing pancreatitis
(NP) using a noise addition tool. METHODS: Eighty-four patients were identified
with at least 1 abdominopelvic CECT for NP within a 2-year period. Sixty
consecutive scans were selected as reference radiation dose data sets. A noise
addition software was used to simulate 4 data sets of increased noise. Readers
rated confidence for identifying (i) anatomic structures, (ii) complications of
NP, and (iii) diagnostic acceptability. Noise and dose levels were identified at
acceptability threshold where observer scores were statistically
indistinguishable from full-dose computed tomographies. RESULTS: Observers'
perception of image tasks decreased progressively with increasing noise (P <
0.05). Acceptability and statistical analysis indicated that noise can be
increased from 10 to 25 HU corresponding to an 84% reduction in dose without
change in observer perception (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher image noise levels
may be tolerated in CECT in patients with NP.
PMID- 28991066
TI - Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment Accurately Measures Cognition in
Patients Undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA) is an
electronic cognitive test battery. The present study compares DANA to the
standard Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in subjects undergoing
electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of major depressive disorder.
METHODS: Seventeen inpatient subjects in the Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of
Psychiatry were administered longitudinal paired DANA and MMSE tests (7.6 +/- 4.1
per patient) from January 10, 2014 to September 26, 2014. Regression analyses
were conducted (with or without MMSE scores of 30) to study the impact of the
MMSE upper limit, and within-subject regression analyses were conducted to
compare MMSE and DANA scores over time. RESULTS: Statistically significant
relationships were measured between DANA and MMSE scores. Relationships
strengthened when MMSE scores of 30 were omitted from analyses, demonstrating a
ceiling effect of the MMSE. Within-subject analyses revealed relationships
between MMSE and DANA scores over the duration of the inpatient stay.
CONCLUSIONS: Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment is an electronic,
mobile, repeatable, sensitive, and valid method of measuring cognition over time
in depressed patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy treatment. Automation
of the DANA allows for more frequent cognitive testing in a busy clinical setting
and enhances cognitive assessment sensitivity with a timed component to each
test.
PMID- 28991067
TI - A 6-Month Follow-up Case Study of Low-Frequency Right Prefrontal Repetitive
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression.
PMID- 28991068
TI - Regulation of Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Systematic Review of US State Laws.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to systematically review current US state
laws on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in order to provide a comprehensive
resource to educate practitioners, potential patients, and lawmakers. METHODS:
Individual state legislative Web sites were searched by 2 independent authors
using the following search terms: "electroconvulsive therapy," "convulsive
therapy," "electroconvulsant therapy," "electroshock therapy," and "shock
therapy" from March 2017 to May 2017. All sections of state law pertaining to ECT
were reviewed, and pertinent data regarding consent, age restrictions, treatment
limitations, required reporting, defined qualified professionals, fees, and other
information were extracted. RESULTS: State regulation on ECT widely varied from
none to stringent requirements. There were 6 states without any laws pertaining
to ECT. California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, South Dakota,
Tennessee, and Texas were noted to be the most regulatory on ECT. CONCLUSIONS:
There are no US national laws on ECT leaving individual state governments to
regulate treatment. Whereas some states have detailed restrictions on use, other
states have no regulation at all. This variation applies to multiple areas of ECT
practice, including who can receive ECT, who can provide informed consent, who
can prescribe or perform ECT, and what administrative requirements (eg, fees,
reporting) must be met by ECT practitioners. Knowledge of these state laws will
help providers not only to be aware of their own state's regulations, but also to
have a general awareness of what other states mandate for better patient care and
utilization of ECT.
PMID- 28991069
TI - Advocacy: The value of staying calm in the eye of the storm.
PMID- 28991070
TI - Looking into secondary lymphedema.
PMID- 28991071
TI - New Drugs 2017, part 3.
PMID- 28991072
TI - Surveillance of Duodenal Polyposis in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Should the
Spigelman Score Be Modified?
PMID- 28991073
TI - Spigelman Scoring System Underestimates the Risk of Ampullary and Duodenal
Carcinoma in Patients With Familial Adenomatous Polyposis With Duodenal
Polyposis.
PMID- 28991074
TI - Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Rectal Prolapse.
PMID- 28991075
TI - Rectal Prolapse.
PMID- 28991076
TI - Expert Commentary on Rectal Prolapse.
PMID- 28991077
TI - Surveillance of Duodenal Polyposis in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Should the
Spigelman Score Be Modified?
AB - BACKGROUND: Duodenal polyposis is a manifestation of adenomatous polyposis that
predisposes to duodenal or ampullary adenocarcinoma. Duodenal polyposis is
monitored by upper GI endoscopies and may require iterative resections and
prophylactic radical surgical treatment when malignancy is threatening.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate severity scoring for
surveillance and treatment in a large series of duodenal polyposis. DESIGN: From
1982 to 2014, every patient surveyed by upper GI endoscopies for duodenal
polyposis was included. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a single tertiary
care center. PATIENTS: We performed 1912 upper GI endoscopies in 437 patients
(median = 3; interquartile range, 2-6 endoscopies). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Conservative treatment was performed in 103 patients (159 endoscopic and 17
surgical resections), whereas radical surgical treatment (Whipple procedure or
duodenectomy) was required in 52 (median age, 47.5 y; range, 43.0-57.3 y) because
of high-grade dysplasia or unresectable lesions. RESULTS: Genes involved were APC
(n = 274; 62.7%) and MUTYH (n = 21; 4.8%). First upper GI endoscopies (median
age, 32 y; range, 21-44 y) revealed duodenal polyposis in 190 (43.5%). Rates of
low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and duodenal or ampulary
adenocarcinoma at 5 years were 65% (range, 61.7%-66.9%), 12.1% (range, 10.3%
13.9%), and 2.4% (range, 1.5%-3.3%), whereas 10-year rates were 75.8% (range,
73.1%-78.5%), 20.8% (range, 18.2%-23.4%), and 5.4% (range, 3.8%-7.0%). The rate
of ampullary abnormalities rose during surveillance from 18.3% at the first upper
GI endoscopies to 47.4% at the fourth. Predictive factors for high-grade
dysplasia were age at first upper GI endoscopy, type and age of colorectal
surgery, Spigelman score, presence of an ampullary abnormality, and number of
endoscopic treatments. In multivariate analysis, only age at first upper GI
endoscopy and presence of an ampullary abnormality were independent predictive
factors. Histologic analysis after radical surgical treatment showed high-grade
dysplasia in 30 patients and duodenal or ampulary adenocarcinoma in 11 (4
patients had lymph node involvement). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its
retrospective analysis of a prospective database. CONCLUSIONS: More than 20% of
patients developed high-grade dysplasia with duodenal polyposis after 10 years.
Iterative endoscopic resections allowed extended control, but surgery remained
necessary in 12% of the patients and happened too late in many cases; 20% of
those operated had developed duodenal or ampulary adenocarcinoma, whereas 8%
exhibited malignancy with lymph node involvement. The trigger for prophylactic
surgery required a more accurate predictive score leading to closer endoscopic
surveillance. Modifying the Spigelman score by accounting for ampullary
abnormalities should be considered as a means to increase compliance with closer
endoscopic follow-up in high-risk patients. See Video Abstract at
http://links.lww.com/DCR/A430.
PMID- 28991078
TI - Long-term Deleterious Impact of Surgeon Care Fragmentation After Colorectal
Surgery on Survival: Continuity of Care Continues to Count.
AB - BACKGROUND: Surgical care fragmentation at readmission impacts short-term
outcomes. However, the long-term impact of surgical care fragmentation is
unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate the impact of surgical care
fragmentation, encompassing both surgeon and hospital care, at readmission after
colorectal surgery on 1-year survival. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort
study. SETTING: The study included patients undergoing colorectal resection in
New York State from 2004 to 2014. PATIENTS: Included were 20,016 patients
undergoing colorectal resection who were readmitted within 30 days of discharge
and categorized by source-of-care fragmentation. Each readmission was classified
by the source of fragmentation: readmission to the index hospital and managed by
another provider, readmission to another hospital by the index surgeon, and
readmission to another hospital by another provider. Patients readmitted to the
index hospital and managed by the index surgeon served as controls. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: One-year overall survival and 1-year colorectal cancer-specific
survival were the outcomes measured. RESULTS: After propensity adjustment,
surgeon care fragmentation was independently associated with decreased survival.
In comparison with patients without surgical care fragmentation (patients
readmitted to the index hospital and managed by the index surgeon), patients
readmitted to the index hospital and managed by another provider had over a 2
fold risk (HR, 2.33; 95% CI, 2.10-2.60) and patients readmitted to another
hospital by another provider had almost a 2-fold risk (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.63
2.25) of 1-year mortality. Among 9545 patients with a colorectal cancer
diagnosis, surgical care fragmentation was once again associated with decreased
survival with patients readmitted to the index hospital and managed by another
provider having a HR of 2.12 (95% CI, 1.76-2.56) and patients readmitted to
another hospital by another provider having a HR of 1.57 (95% CI, 1.17-2.11)
compared with patients readmitted to the index hospital and managed by the index
surgeon. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include possible miscoding of data,
retrospective design, and selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: After accounting for
patient, index hospital, index surgeon, and readmission factors, there is a
significant 2-fold decrease in survival associated with surgeon care
fragmentation regardless of hospital continuity. See Video Abstract at
http://links.lww.com/DCR/A431.
PMID- 28991079
TI - Peritoneal Involvement Is More Common Than Nodal Involvement in Patients With
High-Grade Appendix Tumors Who Are Undergoing Prophylactic Cytoreductive Surgery
and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Right hemicolectomy is routinely recommended in patients with
histologic findings of high-grade appendix tumors after appendicectomy.
Undetected peritoneal disease may be encountered at surgery. In high-grade
appendix tumors with disease detected radiologically, complete cytoreduction may
not be possible and outcomes poor. For these reasons, we adopted a policy of
prophylactic cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the rates of peritoneal and
nodal metastatic disease in patients with high-grade appendix tumors without
obvious metastatic disease and to report the long-term outcomes of cytoreductive
surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in these patients. DESIGN:
Data regarding peritoneal and nodal metastatic disease were extracted from
surgical and histologic records. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a high
volume tertiary referral center for peritoneal malignancy. PATIENTS: Patients
referred with histologically high-grade appendix tumors at appendicectomy,
without detectable metastatic spread, between January 1994 and September 2016
were included MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: A total of 62 patients with high-grade
pathology at appendicectomy, without clinical or radiological peritoneal disease,
underwent complete cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
RESULTS: Thirty-five (57%) of 62 patients had peritoneal disease (median
peritoneal cancer index 5 (range, 1-28)). Eleven (31%) of 35 had microscopic
peritoneal disease. Overall, 23 (37%) of 62 had peritoneal disease beyond the
confines of a standard right hemicolectomy. Nine (15%) of 62 had nodal
involvement. Mean overall and disease-free survival were 110.9 (95% CI, 94.8
127.0 mo) and 102.1 months (95% CI, 84.3-119.9 mo), with 5-year overall and
disease-free survival of 83.2% and 76.0%. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature
limits the interpretation of these results. CONCLUSIONS: Complete cytoreduction
was achieved in all of the patients, with excellent long-term survival. The
incidence of peritoneal spread (57%) compared with nodal involvement (15%)
supports cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy as
definitive treatment rather than prophylaxis in patients with high-grade appendix
tumors, even without radiologically detectable disease. High-grade appendix
tumors benefit from early aggressive operative management to deal with potential
peritoneal and nodal spread and should be considered for cytoreductive surgery
and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. See Video Abstract at
http://links.lww.com/DCR/A360.
PMID- 28991080
TI - Prospective Trial Evaluating the Surgical Anastomosis at One-Year Colorectal
Cancer Surveillance: CT Colonography Versus Optical Colonoscopy and Implications
for Patient Care.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of CT colonography
versus optical colonoscopy for neoplastic involvement at the surgical anastomosis
1 year after curative-intent colorectal cancer resection. DESIGN, SETTING,
PATIENTS, AND INTERVENTIONS: Two hundred one patients (mean age, 58.6 years; 117
men, 84 women) underwent same-day contrast-enhanced CT colonography and
colonoscopy approximately 1 year (mean, 12.1 months; median, 11.9 months) after
colorectal cancer resection as part of a prospective, multicenter trial. All
patients enrolled were without clinical evidence of disease and considered low
risk for recurrence (stage I-III). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Suspected neoplastic
lesions within 5 cm of the colonic anastomosis were recorded at CT colonography,
with subsequent colonoscopy performed for the same, with segmental unblinding of
colonography findings. Anastomotic region biopsy or polypectomy was performed at
the endoscopist's discretion. RESULTS: None of the 201 patients had intraluminal
anastomotic cancer recurrence or advanced neoplasia (or metachronous cancers). CT
colonography detected extramural perianastomotic recurrence in 2 patients (1.0%);
neither was detected at colonoscopy. Only 2 patients (1.0%; 2/201) were called
positive at CT colonography for intraluminal anastomotic nondiminutive lesions (7
to 8-mm polyps), which were confirmed at colonoscopy but nonneoplastic at
histopathology. At optical colonoscopy, the anastomosis was deemed abnormal
and/or biopsied in 10.0% (20/201), yielding only 1 nondiminutive benign neoplasm
(7-mm tubular adenoma). LIMITATIONS: The lack of luminal cancer recurrence in our
lower-risk cohort precludes assessment of sensitivity for detection, rendering
the study underpowered in this regard. Potential cost savings of combined CT/CT
colonography over the standard CT/colonoscopy approach were not assessed.
CONCLUSIONS: Relevant intraluminal anastomotic pathology appears to be very
uncommon 1 year after colorectal cancer resection in lower-risk cohorts. Unlike
colonoscopy, diagnostic contrast-enhanced CT colonography effectively evaluates
both the intra- and extraluminal aspects of the anastomosis. See Video Abstract
at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A471.
PMID- 28991081
TI - A New Prediction Model for Local Recurrence After Curative Rectal Cancer Surgery:
Development and Validation as an Asian Collaborative Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Local recurrence is one of the remaining problems in rectal and
rectosigmoid cancer, and it is sometimes difficult to treat. OBJECTIVE: This
study aimed to explore various factors that are highly related to local
recurrence and to develop a new prediction model for local recurrence after
curative resection. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study SETTINGS:: This
study was conducted at 2 academic hospitals in Japan and Korea. PATIENTS: A total
of 2237 patients with stage I to III rectal and rectosigmoid cancer who underwent
a curative operation with a negative circumferential margin were selected.
INTERVENTIONS: Surgical treatment was the intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Local recurrence was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: A total of 1232
patients were selected, and rectosigmoid cancer with rare local recurrence
(2/221) was excluded. A different set of 792 patients with rectal cancer were
chosen for validation. Multivariate analysis showed the following factors as
significant for local recurrence: poorly differentiated tumor (HR, 11.2; 95% CI,
4.5-28.0), tumor depth (HR, 5.0), lymph node metastasis (HR, 4.1), operative
procedure (HR, 3.2), postoperative complications (HR, 2.9), tumor location (HR,
2.6), and CEA level (HR, 2.4); a new prediction score was created by using these
factors. A poorly differentiated tumor was assigned 2 points, and all other
factors were assigned 1 point each. Patients who scored more than 5 points (n =
21) were judged as "high risk," with a 2-year local recurrence rate of 66.5%. The
new predictive model could also separate the patients into different risk groups
in the validation set. The high-risk group had higher recurrence rates than
medium- and low-risk groups (2-year local recurrence rate: 41%, 15%, and 2.1%).
LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective nature and potential for
selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Seven factors were shown to be significantly
correlated with the local recurrence of rectal cancer, and the usefulness of this
new prediction model was demonstrated. See Video Abstract at
http://links.lww.com/DCR/A429.
PMID- 28991082
TI - A Distal Resection Margin of <=1 mm and Rectal Cancer Recurrence After Sphincter
Preserving Surgery: The Role of a Positive Distal Margin in Rectal Cancer
Surgery.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is little information about the prognostic value of a
microscopically positive distal margin in patients who have rectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the influence of a distal margin of <=1 mm on
oncologic outcomes after sphincter-preserving resection for rectal cancer.
DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted
at 2 hospitals. PATIENTS: A total of 6574 patients underwent anterior resection
for rectal cancer from January 1999 to December 2014; 97 (1.5%) patients with a
distal margin of <=1 mm were included in this study. For comparative analyses,
patients were matched with 194 patients with a negative distal margin (>1 mm)
according to sex, age, BMI, ASA score, neoadjuvant treatment, tumor location, and
stage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The oncologic outcomes of the 2 groups were
compared. RESULTS: Perineural and lymphovascular invasion rates were
significantly higher in patients with a positive distal margin (54.6% vs 28.9%;
67.0% vs 42.8%; both p < 0.001) compared with to patients with negative distal
margin. Comparison between microscopically positive and negative distal margin
showed worse oncologic outcomes in patients with a microscopically positive
distal margin, including 5-year local recurrence rate (24.1% vs 12.0%, p =
0.005); 5-year distant recurrence rate (35.5% vs 20.2%, p = 0.011); 5-year
disease-free survival (45.5% vs 69.5%, p < 0.001); and 5-year OS (69.2% vs 79.7%,
p = 0.004). Among the 97 patients with a microscopically positive distal margin,
the 5-year disease-free survival rate was higher in patients who received
adjuvant therapy (52.0% vs 30.7%, p = 0.089). LIMITATIONS: This is a
retrospective study; bias may exist. CONCLUSIONS: A distal margin of 1 mm is
associated with worse oncologic results. Our data indicate the importance of
achieving a clear distal margin in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer.
Adjuvant therapy should be used in these patients to reduce recurrence. See Video
Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A408.
PMID- 28991083
TI - Prediction of N0 Irradiated Rectal Cancer Comparing MRI Before and After
Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy.
AB - BACKGROUND: The prediction of lymph node status using MRI has an impact on the
management of rectal cancer, both before and after preoperative
chemoradiotherapy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to maximize the
negative predictive value and sensitivity of mesorectal lymph node imaging after
chemoradiotherapy because postchemoradiation node-negative patients may be
treated with rectum-sparing approaches. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study.
SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty
four patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent preoperative
chemoradiotherapy and MRI for staging and the assessment of response were
evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The sums of the sizes of all mesorectal lymph
nodes in each patient on both prechemoradiotherapy and postchemoradiotherapy
imaging data sets were calculated to determine the lymph node global size
reduction rates, taking these to be the outcomes of the histopathologic findings.
Other included measures were interobserver agreement regarding the prediction of
node status based on morphologic criteria and the diagnostic performance of
contrast-enhanced images. RESULTS: Using a cutoff value of a 70% lymph node
global size reduction rate with only 15 node-positive patients on histopathology,
the sensitivity in the prediction of nodal status and negative predictive value
were 93% (95% CI, 70.2%-98.8%) and 97% (95% CI, 82.9%-99.8%) for observer 1 and
100% (95% CI, 79.6%-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 62.9%-100%) for observer 2. The areas
under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the 2 observers were 0.90
(95% CI, 0.82-0.98; p < 0.0001) for observer 1 and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.50-0.79; p =
0.08) for observer 2. The efficacy of the morphologic criteria and contrast
enhanced images in predicting node status was limited after chemoradiotherapy.
LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its small sample size and retrospective
nature. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing the lymph node global size reduction rate value
reduces the risk of undetected nodal metastases and may be helpful in better
identifying suitable candidates for the local excision of early stage rectal
cancer. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A412.
PMID- 28991085
TI - Crohn's Disease of the Pouch: A True Diagnosis or an Oversubscribed Diagnosis of
Exclusion?
AB - BACKGROUND: After IPAA, 8% of patients with ulcerative colitis are later
diagnosed with Crohn's disease of the pouch, associated with an increased rate of
pouch failure. No study has reported on how often the clinical diagnosis is
correlated with histologic findings of Crohn's disease in the excised pouch.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the clinical
diagnosis is consistent with pathologic confirmation at pouch excision. SETTINGS:
The study was conducted at a tertiary IBD referral center. PATIENTS: Patients
with chronic ulcerative colitis who underwent pouch excision for presumed Crohn's
disease of the pouch were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative
evaluation and pathologic variables at the time of pouch excision were measured.
RESULTS: A total of 35 patients underwent pouch excision for Crohn's disease of
the pouch based on a combination of clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic
findings. Seven (20%) had surgical pathology consistent with Crohn's disease at
pouch excision. There were no differences in those 7 patients and the remaining
28 in terms of diagnosis at colectomy, primary pouch symptoms, prepouch
inflammation, ulceration, or granulomas at endoscopy. In the nonpathology
confirmed Crohn's disease, 40% (n = 11) had an anastomotic leak at time of IPAA
versus 0% in the Crohn's disease group, and 86% (n = 24) had symptoms of pouch
dysfunction within 5 months of ileostomy reversal versus 13 months in the Crohn's
disease group. Of 28 without pathology-confirmed Crohn's disease, 100% (n = 28)
were treated with antibiotics, 68% (n = 19) with steroids, 59% (n = 16) with
immunomodulators, and 57% (n = 15) with biologic therapy for Crohn's disease of
the pouch. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its single-center scope and lack
of an established definition for Crohn's disease of the pouch. CONCLUSIONS:
Pathologic confirmation of Crohn's disease was given to only one fifth of
patients who underwent pouch excision for Crohn's disease of the pouch. Given the
histologic variability in Crohn's disease, it may be unreasonable to expect
histologic confirmation in every case; still, the diagnosis of Crohn's disease of
the pouch may be overly ascribed, resulting in unnecessary immunosuppressive
medications and exclusion from consideration for pouch reconstructive surgery.
See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCRA432.
PMID- 28991084
TI - Association Among Obesity, Metabolic Health, and the Risk for Colorectal Cancer
in the General Population in Korea Using the National Health Insurance Service
National Sample Cohort.
AB - BACKGROUND: In Korea, the incidence of colorectal cancer has increased and
obesity is on a rising trend because of a Westernized lifestyle in men.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between
metabolic health status, as well as BMI, and the incidence of colorectal cancer.
DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted
with the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. PATIENTS: A
total of 408,931 Korean adults without cancer at baseline were followed up until
2013 (mean follow-up, 9 y). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, anthropometric,
and laboratory data at baseline were collected and categorized. The presence of
diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was defined using the criteria
of previous studies. The incidence of colorectal cancer was also defined
according to the International Classification of Disease, 10 Revision, codes and
the claim data on endoscopy with biopsy. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 5108 new
cases of colorectal cancer occurred. Being underweight (<18.5 kg/m) reduced the
risk for colorectal cancer among women (adjusted HR = 0.646 (95% CI, 0.484
0.863)), whereas high BMI significantly increased the risk in men and in the
elderly. Obesity (>=25 kg/m), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were identified
as risk factors for colorectal cancer in men but not for women. Although
metabolically unhealthy nonobese men had a higher risk for colorectal cancer than
metabolically healthy nonobese men (adjusted HR = 1.114 (95% CI, 1.004-1.236)),
the risk was lower than that in the obese men. LIMITATIONS: The study population
consisted of people who underwent health examinations, thus there could be
selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: In Korean adults, obesity contributes to the
incidence of colorectal cancer with a sex difference. Nonobese but metabolically
unhealthy men are considered to be a high-risk group for colorectal cancer, but
obesity itself is more important in colorectal carcinogenesis. See Video Abstract
at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A475.
PMID- 28991086
TI - Bowel Dysfunction Related to Spina Bifida: Keep It Simple.
AB - BACKGROUND: Although care of urological disorders in spina bifida is well
established, there is yet no agreement on a standardized approach to bowel
dysfunction in this population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
assess bowel dysfunction using validated instruments and the risk factors in
adults with spina bifida. DESIGN: A multidisciplinary team prospectively
collected patient data, focusing on anorectal and urological symptoms. SETTINGS:
The study was conducted with data from a French referral center for spina bifida.
PATIENTS: A total of 228 adults with spina bifida (sex ratio men:women, 92
(40%):136 (60%)) with a median age of 34.7 years (range, 26.8-44.7 y) were
assessed. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Factors associated with severe fecal
incontinence (Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score >=9) and severe bowel
dysfunction (Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction score >=14) were assessed in a
multivariate analysis model. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of severe fecal
incontinence and severe bowel dysfunction were 60% (130/217) and 42% (71/168).
Bowel dysfunction was the second most common major concern of patients after
lower urinary tract dysfunction. Male sex, obesity, urinary incontinence, and a
Knowles-Eccersley-Scott symptom constipation score >=10 were independently
associated with severe fecal incontinence. Patients with soft stools had
significantly less severe bowel dysfunction. Neither neurologic level nor other
neurologic features of spina bifida were associated with severe fecal
incontinence or severe bowel dysfunction. LIMITATIONS: The recruitment of
patients with spina bifida through a national referral center might have resulted
in selection bias, and some data were missing especially regarding BMI and
Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction score (21% and 26% of missing data). CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence rates of severe fecal incontinence and severe bowel dysfunction in
adults with spina bifida were high and were adequately perceived by the patients.
The present study emphasized the association of bowel dysfunction and fecal
incontinence with obesity, urologic disorders, and stool consistency rather than
neurologic features. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A394.
PMID- 28991087
TI - Robot-Assisted Ventral Mesh Rectopexy for Rectal Prolapse: A 5-Year Experience at
a Tertiary Referral Center.
AB - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy is being increasingly performed
internationally to treat rectal prolapse syndromes. Robotic assistance appears
advantageous for this procedure, but literature regarding robot-assisted ventral
mesh rectopexy is limited. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to
assess the safety and effectiveness of robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy in
the largest consecutive series of patients to date. DESIGN: This study is a
retrospective cross-sectional analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTINGS:
The study was conducted in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: All of the
patients undergoing robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy for rectal prolapse
syndromes between 2010 and 2015 were evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Preoperative and postoperative (mesh and nonmesh) morbidity and functional
outcome were analyzed. The actuarial recurrence rates were calculated using the
Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 258 patients underwent robot-assisted
ventral mesh rectopexy (mean +/- SD follow-up = 23.5 +/- 21.8 mo; range, 0.2 -
65.1 mo). There were no conversions and only 5 intraoperative complications
(1.9%). Mortality (0.4%) and major (1.9%) and minor (<30 d) early morbidity
(7.0%) were acceptably low. Only 1 (1.3%) mesh-related complication (asymptomatic
vaginal mesh erosion) was observed. A significant improvement in obstructed
defecation (78.6%) and fecal incontinence (63.7%) were achieved for patients
(both p < 0.0005). At final follow-up, a new onset of fecal incontinence and
obstructed defecation was induced or worsened in 3.9% and 0.4%. The actuarial 5
year external rectal prolapse and internal rectal prolapse recurrence rates were
12.9% and 10.4%. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study including patients
with minimal follow-up. No validated scores were used to assess function. The
study was monocentric, and there was no control group. CONCLUSIONS: Robot
assisted ventral mesh rectopexy is a safe and effective technique to treat rectal
prolapse syndromes, providing an acceptable recurrence rate and good symptomatic
relief with minimal morbidity. See Video Abstract at
http://links.lww.com/DCR/A427.
PMID- 28991088
TI - Totally Laparoscopic Retroileal Transverse Colon to Rectal Anastomosis Following
Extended Left Colectomy.
PMID- 28991089
TI - Retained Needle Following Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization.
AB - INTRODUCTION: A needle was retained during transanal hemorrhoidal
dearterialization. This rare complication has not been described before.
TECHNIQUE: A spinal needle was inserted from the perianal skin to localize the
retained foreign body that was located at 7 cm from the anal margin. A decision
was made to proceed to intersphincteric dissection, and a 3-cm incision was made
in the perianal skin from 2 to 4 o'clock. Deep pararectal dissection continued,
and the needle was eventually found lying in the muscular layer, parallel to the
plane of the dissection. RESULTS: The needle was retrieved intact, and repeat x
ray confirmed that no foreign body was retained. The patient made an uneventful
recovery and was discharged home on postoperative day 1 with a 5-day course of
oral antibiotics; she was examined in clinic 4 weeks following surgery and
reported significant symptomatic improvement with no perianal pain or rectal
bleeding. No anal fistula was found on the examination. CONCLUSIONS: X-ray
guidance is a helpful adjunct to facilitate 3-dimensional localization.
Intersphincteric dissection is a reliable alternative to the transanal approach,
particularly when the needle cannot be seen arising from the mucosa or felt on
palpation. Repeated attempts to palpate the needle should be avoided, because
there is a potential risk of displacing it deeper or higher, making retrieval
more difficult.
PMID- 28991090
TI - Single-Incision Laparoscopic Colectomy with Complete Mesocolic Excision Versus
Multiport Laparoscopic Colectomy for Colon Cancer.
PMID- 28991091
TI - The Author Replies.
PMID- 28991092
TI - Ileostomy Reversal: Length of Stay Can Be Safely Decreased Further to Same-Day
Discharge in Many.
PMID- 28991093
TI - The Authors Reply.
PMID- 28991097
TI - Reflections on 50 Years of Neuroscience Nursing: Publication Trends in
Neurotrauma.
AB - In 2018, the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses will celebrate its 50th
anniversary as the premier member organization for neuroscience nurses. In recent
decades, one of the highest rated member benefits has been the ability for
members to join special focus groups (SFGs). The SFGs were initiated to allow an
avenue for information sharing and communication for neuroscience nurses in a
variety of subspecialties. In this anniversary edition, the neurotrauma SFG
presents a review of trends in the publication of articles in the Journal of
Neuroscience Nursing related to neurotrauma. Findings from this article
illustrate how these publications have impacted the nursing care of patients who
have sustained traumatic injuries of the central and peripheral nervous system
and the integral role of neuroscience nurses throughout the decades.
PMID- 28991098
TI - Five-Year-Old Boy With Behavioral Changes and Papilledema.
AB - A 5-year-old boy had initial symptoms of behavioral changes, nausea, vomiting,
headache, weight loss, and progressive vision failure. Brain MRI revealed
abnormal signal intensity in both optic nerves, the optic chiasm, the right
medial temporal lobe, and tissues surrounding the right supraclinoid internal
carotid artery with associated leptomeningeal and spinal cord enhancement. After
nondiagnostic dural and spinal arachnoid biopsies, a temporal lobe biopsy was
diagnostic for a rare malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
PMID- 28991096
TI - Evaluation of Intervention Fidelity in a Multisite Clinical Trial in Persons With
Multiple Sclerosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Careful consideration of intervention fidelity is critical to
establishing the validity and reliability of research findings, yet such reports
are often lacking in the research literature. It is imperative that intervention
fidelity be methodically evaluated and reported to promote the translation of
effective interventions into sound evidence-based practice. PURPOSE: The purpose
of this article is to explore strategies used to promote intervention fidelity,
incorporating examples from a multisite clinical trial, that illustrate the
National Institutes of Health Behavior Change Consortium's 5 domains for
recommended treatment practices: (1) study design, (2) facilitator training, (3)
intervention delivery, (4) intervention receipt, and (5) intervention enactment.
A multisite randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of a computer-assisted
cognitive rehabilitation intervention for adults with multiple sclerosis is used
to illustrate strategies promoting intervention fidelity. METHODS: Data derived
from audiotapes of intervention classes, audits of computer exercises completed
by participants, participant class attendance, and goal attainment scaling
suggested relatively high fidelity to the intervention protocol. CONCLUSION: This
study illustrates how to report intervention fidelity in the literature guided by
best practice strategies, which may serve to promote fidelity monitoring and
reporting in future studies.
PMID- 28991099
TI - Nonsurgical Management of Retained Needlefish Jaw.
AB - While scuba diving, the left medial canthus of a 53-year-old man was pierced by a
needlefish. He immediately lost vision in his left eye. An orbital computed
tomographic scan showed the needlefish jaw in the left optic canal. The left
medial orbit was explored surgically but no foreign object was removed. One month
later, MRI confirmed the presence of the retained needlefish jaw. A conservative
approach was taken and the patient remained stable over 3 months of follow-up.
PMID- 28991100
TI - Laughter-Induced Transient Vision Loss in a Patient With Silent Sinus Syndrome.
AB - BACKGROUND: To report a patient with silent sinus syndrome (SSS) who experienced
transient ipsilateral monocular vision loss during intense laughter. METHODS:
Case report. RESULTS: Our patient's transient vision loss completely resolved
after maxillary sinus decompression and during 7 months of follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Although the precise mechanism of our patient's vision loss remains
undetermined, we suspect that the vascular supply to the eye and/or the optic
nerve was compromised as the result of the combination of laughter (causing
Valsalva maneuver and increased intrathoracic pressure) and SSS.
PMID- 28991101
TI - Why a One-Way Ticket to Mars May Result in a One-Way Directional Glymphatic Flow
to the Eye.
PMID- 28991102
TI - Why a One-Way Ticket to Mars May Result in One-Way Directional Glymphatic Flow to
the Eye: Response.
PMID- 28991103
TI - Clinical and Oculographic Analysis of Inferior Oblique Myokymia.
AB - A 63-year-old man experienced transient vertical oscillopsia lasting several
seconds for 2 months. Examination disclosed paroxysmal excyclotorsion of the
right eye, spontaneously or triggered by adduction. Eye movements using 3D video
oculography showed intermittent, monocular phasic movements which consisted of
excyclotorsion of the right eye mixed with a small amount of supraduction and
abduction, and a tonic movement with excyclotorsion and slight elevation. Orbital
and brain MRI was unremarkable. Administration of oxcarbazepine markedly
decreased the severity and frequency of the episodes. The oculographic
characteristics in our patient may indicate that inferior oblique myokymia may be
attributed to aberrant, spontaneous discharges in the inferior oblique motor
unit.
PMID- 28991104
TI - International Consensus Statement on the Clinical and Therapeutic Management of
Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.
AB - Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is currently estimated as the most
frequent mitochondrial disease (1 in 27,000-45,000). Its molecular pathogenesis
and natural history is now fairly well understood. LHON also is the first
mitochondrial disease for which a treatment has been approved (idebenone-Raxone,
Santhera Pharmaceuticals) by the European Medicine Agency, under exceptional
circumstances because of the rarity and severity of the disease. However, what
remains unclear includes the optimal target population, timing, dose, and
frequency of administration of idebenone in LHON due to lack of accepted
definitions, criteria, and general guidelines for the clinical management of
LHON. To address these issues, a consensus conference with a panel of experts
from Europe and North America was held in Milan, Italy, in 2016. The intent was
to provide expert consensus statements for the clinical and therapeutic
management of LHON based on the currently available evidence. We report the
conclusions of this conference, providing the guidelines for clinical and
therapeutic management of LHON.
PMID- 28991105
TI - Low-dose Aspirin Inhibits Cardiac Sympathetic Activation and Vagal Withdrawal
Response to Morning Rising.
AB - Aspirin is known to interfere with platelet function and can protect individuals
at risk of sudden death. However, this property of aspirin is less defined for
cardiac autonomic activity. We assessed pulse rate variability by spectral
analysis and measured plasma eicosanoid levels before and after administration of
81-mg aspirin to 12 healthy subjects over a 60-degree head-up tilt test in the
morning. In upright posture, low-dose aspirin decreased both the normalized unit
value of low-frequency (normalized LF) power (mean +/- SD, 82.5 +/- 4.5 vs. 77.5
+/- 6.5 nu, P = 0.01) and LF/HF ratio (6.0 +/- 2.1 vs. 4.7 +/- 2.7, P = 0.02) and
augmented the normalized unit value of high-frequency power (15.0 +/- 4.4 vs.
19.8 +/- 6.4 nu, P = 0.004). It simultaneously upregulated plasma 6-keto
PGF1alpha level (13.4 +/- 6.8 vs. 19.7 +/- 12.8 pg/mL, P = 0.04) and inhibited
plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) level (11.6 +/- 7.3 vs. 6.3 +/- 4.2 pg/mL, P =
0.003). In the upright posture, both before and after aspirin, there was a
significant direct correlation between plasma TXB2 levels and the normalized LF
power (r = 0.42, P = 0.04) as well as between the plasma TXB2/6-keto-PGF1alpha
ratio and the normalized LF power (r = 0.50, P = 0.01). Administration of low
dose aspirin in healthy people inhibits cardiac sympathetic activation and vagal
withdrawal response to morning rising through an alternation of the TXA2/PGI2
balance.
PMID- 28991106
TI - Pharmacological Therapies for Hepatorenal Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta
Analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a serious complication of advanced
chronic liver disease. Different pharmacological therapies have variable
efficacy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the
efficacy of various drugs in the treatment of HRS. STUDY: Randomized controlled
trials comparing active drug with placebo or comparing 2 different drugs were
included in this analysis. Primary study outcome was reversal of HRS. Secondary
outcomes were HRS relapse and patient survival. Subgroup analysis was performed
on patients with type 1 HRS. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trial were
eligible for analysis. Terlipressin plus albumin was more efficacious than
placebo plus albumin (odds ratio=4.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.72-12.93;
P=0.003) or midodrine plus albumin and octreotide (odds ratio=5.94; 95%
confidence interval, 1.69-20.85; P=0.005), for HRS reversal. However, no
significant difference was noted comparing terlipressin plus albumin versus
noradrenaline plus albumin, octreotide plus albumin versus placebo plus albumin
or noradrenaline plus albumin versus midodrine plus albumin and octreotide. None
of the comparisons showed difference on HRS relapse or patient survival. Subgroup
analysis revealed that terlipressin was more effective than placebo for type 1
HRS reversal, but no significant differences were noted between any other
comparisons, and none of the comparisons showed difference on HRS relapse or
patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous infusion of terlipressin is the most
effective medical therapy for reversing HRS. Intravenous infusion of
noradrenaline is an acceptable alternative. Studies are needed as basis for
developing pharmacological strategies to reduce relapse of HRS and improve
patient survival.
PMID- 28991107
TI - Discontinuation of Biological Treatments in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Concise
Pragmatic Review.
AB - Despite the proven efficacy of biological drugs for inflammatory bowel disease,
these therapies are costly and do carry some risks, providing incentive for
exploring strategies to discontinue therapy in patients with prolonged remission.
We presently review multiple cohort studies indicating the overall risk of
relapse after stopping an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in inflammatory bowel
disease patients is roughly 40% at 12 months after therapy cessation. Despite
methodological differences across studies, it appears that patients without deep
remission (ie, patients with endoscopic or biomarker evidence of inflammation)
are at increased risk of relapse after stopping anti-TNF, as are those with high
adequate levels of anti-TNF before stopping. In patients who relapse after anti
TNF cessation, retreatment with the same biological seems to reinduce clinical
response in most patients. Immunological reasons responsible for this high
success rate for retreatment are elucidated, but resorting to retreatment also
implies a small but finite risk of a severe flare leading to surgery, which
should be borne in mind. Thus, stopping attempts should probably be reserved for
patients with low risk for severe outcome should a relapse occur. Proactive
endoscopic monitoring after drug cessation is imperative to reduce these risks.
The recently introduced concept of treatment-cycles is discussed, along with a
pragmatic algorithm of decision tree for therapy discontinuation in the selected
appropriate patients.
PMID- 28991108
TI - Patient Harm in Cataract Surgery: A Series of Adverse Events in Massachusetts.
AB - Massachusetts state agencies received reports of 37 adverse events (AEs)
involving cataract surgery from 2011 to 2015. Fifteen were anesthesia related,
including 5 wrong eye blocks, 3 cases of hemodynamic instability, 2 retrobulbar
hematoma/hemorrhages, and 5 globe perforations resulting in permanent loss of
vision. While Massachusetts' reported AEs likely underrepresent the true number
of AEs that occur during cataract surgery, they do offer useful signal data to
indicate the types of patient harm occurring during these procedures.
PMID- 28991109
TI - Patient Blood Management in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Review.
AB - Efforts to reduce blood product transfusions and adopt blood conservation
strategies for infants and children undergoing cardiac surgical procedures are
ongoing. Children typically receive red blood cell and coagulant blood products
perioperatively for many reasons, including developmental alterations of their
hemostatic system, and hemodilution and hypothermia with cardiopulmonary bypass
that incites inflammation and coagulopathy and requires systemic anticoagulation.
The complexity of their surgical procedures, complex cardiopulmonary
interactions, and risk for inadequate oxygen delivery and postoperative bleeding
further contribute to blood product utilization in this vulnerable population.
Despite these challenges, safe conservative blood management practices spanning
the pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods are being developed and are
associated with reduced blood product transfusions. This review summarizes the
available evidence regarding anemia management and blood transfusion practices in
the perioperative care of these critically ill children. The evidence suggests
that adoption of a comprehensive blood management approach decreases blood
transfusions, but the impact on clinical outcomes is less well studied and
represents an area that deserves further investigation.
PMID- 28991110
TI - Photoplethysmography and Heart Rate Variability for the Diagnosis of
Preeclampsia.
AB - BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to determine a set of timing, shape, and
statistical features available through noninvasive monitoring of maternal
electrocardiogram and photoplethysmography that identifies preeclamptic patients.
METHODS: Pregnant women admitted to Labor and Delivery were monitored with pulse
oximetry and electrocardiogram for 30 minutes. Photoplethysmogram features and
heart rate variability were extracted from each data set and applied to a
sequential feature selection algorithm to discriminate women with preeclampsia
with severe features, from normotensive and hypertensive controls. The
classification boundary was chosen to minimize the expected misclassification
cost. The prior probabilities of the misclassification costs were assumed to be
equal. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients with clinically diagnosed preeclampsia with
severe features were compared with 43 normotensive controls; all were in early
labor or beginning induction. Six variables were used in the final model. The
area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.907 (standard error
[SE] = 0.004) (sensitivity 78.2% [SE = 0.3%], specificity 89.9% [SE = 0.1%]) with
a positive predictive value of 0.883 (SE = 0.001). Twenty-eight subjects with
chronic or gestational hypertension were compared with the same preeclampsia
group, generating a model with 5 features with an area under the curve of 0.795
(SE = 0.007; sensitivity 79.0% [SE = 0.2%], specificity 68.7% [SE = 0.4%]), and a
positive predictive value of 0.799 (SE = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular
parameters, as assessed noninvasively by photoplethysmography and heart rate
variability, may have a role in screening women suspected of having preeclampsia,
particularly in areas with limited resources.
PMID- 28991111
TI - An Intraplantar Hypertonic Saline Assay in Mice for Rapid Screening of
Analgesics.
AB - BACKGROUND: Development of new analgesics is limited by shortcomings of existing
preclinical screening assays such as wide variations in response, suitability for
a narrow range of analgesics, and propensity to induce tissue damage. Our aim was
to determine the feasibility of a new in vivo animal assay as an analgesic screen
based on nociceptive responses (licking and biting) after intraplantar (i.pl.)
injection of hypertonic saline (HS) in mice. METHODS: With approval from the
Institutional Animal Care Committee, we conducted a randomized, investigator
blinded in vivo study in adult CD-1 mice. We first studied the concentration
response relationship, time course, and sex difference of animals' nociceptive
responses to HS. Subsequently, we assessed the screening ability of the HS assay
to detect a range of established analgesics belonging to different classes.
Finally, we performed histopathologic studies to assess potential tissue damage.
RESULTS: The response produced by i.pl. HS was greater and longer in female than
in male mice. The responses to HS were concentration dependent with minimal
variance. Ten percent HS evoked a maximal response within the first 5 minutes.
Morphine dose-dependently attenuated animals' nociceptive responses (1-10 mg/kg
intraperitoneally [i.p.]). The peripherally restricted u-opioid receptor agonist,
loperamide, reduced nociceptive responses when injected locally (30-100 ug/paw,
i.pl.) but not systemically (1-10 mg/kg, i.p.). Acetylsalicylic acid (300 mg/kg,
i.p.), naproxen (150 mg/kg, i.p), and acetaminophen (300 mg/kg, i.p.) all
decreased nociceptive responses, as did i.pl. coinjections of lidocaine (0.003%
1%) with 10% HS. Histopathologic assessment revealed no tissue damage due to HS.
CONCLUSIONS: The i.pl. HS assay is easily performed, rapidly detects standard
analgesics, and produces minimal animal suffering without tissue damage. We
propose this assay as a useful addition to the armamentarium of existing
preclinical analgesic screens.
PMID- 28991112
TI - The Influence of Age on Sensitivity to Dexmedetomidine Sedation During Spinal
Anesthesia in Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgery.
AB - To investigate the influence of age on sensitivity to dexmedetomidine sedation in
adult patients, we selected 79 patients scheduled for lower limb orthopedic
surgery under spinal anesthesia to identify the dexmedetomidine ED50 for adequate
sedation among different age groups. After a spinal anesthetic was placed, a dose
of dexmedetomidine determined by the Dixon up-and-down method was administered
over 15 minutes. The ED50 in the elderly group was lower than in the other 2
groups (elderly: 0.88 +/- 0.07; middle aged: 1.16 +/- 0.08; young: 1.21 +/- 0.06
ug/kg; both P < .001). There was no difference between the young and middle-aged
groups (P = .160).
PMID- 28991113
TI - Pearls of Wisdom for High-Risk Laser Lead Extractions: A Focused Review.
AB - Due to new indications and improved technology, the incidence of laser lead
extraction (LLE) has significantly increased over the past years. While LLE has
been well studied and proven to be safe and effective, only few studies are
geared toward the anesthesiologist's role during high-risk LLEs. This article
utilized both a focused review and authors' experience to investigate anesthetic
protocols during LLEs. Through this review, we recommend best practices for the
anesthesiologist including appropriate procedure location, onsite availability of
a cardiac surgeon, availability of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, and
intraoperative use of echocardiography to detect and address potential
complications during high-risk LLEs.
PMID- 28991115
TI - Preventing Adverse Events in Cataract Surgery: Recommendations From a
Massachusetts Expert Panel.
AB - Massachusetts health care facilities reported a series of cataract surgery
related adverse events (AEs) to the state in recent years, including 5 globe
perforations during eye blocks performed by 1 anesthesiologist in a single day.
The Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety, a nonregulatory Massachusetts state
agency, responded by convening an expert panel of frontline providers, patient
safety experts, and patients to recommend strategies for mitigating patient harm
during cataract surgery. The purpose of this article is to identify contributing
factors to the cataract surgery AEs reported in Massachusetts and present the
panel's recommended strategies to prevent them. Data from state-mandated serious
reportable event reports were supplemented by online surveys of Massachusetts
cataract surgery providers and semistructured interviews with key stakeholders
and frontline staff. The panel identified 2 principal categories of contributing
factors to the state's cataract surgery-related AEs: systems failures and choice
of anesthesia technique. Systems failures included inadequate safety protocols
(48.7% of contributing factors), communication challenges (18.4%), insufficient
provider training (17.1%), and lack of standardization (15.8%). Choice of
anesthesia technique involved the increased relative risk of needle-based eye
blocks. The panel's surveys of Massachusetts cataract surgery providers show wide
variation in anesthesia practices. While 45.5% of surgeons and 69.6% of
facilities reported increased use of topical anesthesia compared to 10 years
earlier, needle-based blocks were still used in 47.0% of cataract surgeries
performed by surgeon respondents and 40.9% of those performed at respondent
facilities. Using a modified Delphi approach, the panel recommended several
strategies to prevent AEs during cataract surgery, including performing a
distinct time-out with at least 2 care-team members before block administration;
implementing standardized, facility-wide safety protocols, including a uniform
site-marking policy; strengthening the credentialing and orientation of new,
contracted and locum tenens anesthesia staff; ensuring adequate and documented
training in block administration for any provider who is new to a facility,
including at least 10 supervised blocks before practicing independently; using
the least invasive form of anesthesia appropriate to the patient; and finally,
adjusting anesthesia practices, including preferred techniques, as evidence-based
best practices evolve. Future research should focus on evaluating the impact of
these recommendations on patient outcomes.
PMID- 28991114
TI - A Survey Evaluating Burnout, Health Status, Depression, Reported Alcohol and
Substance Use, and Social Support of Anesthesiologists.
AB - BACKGROUND: Burnout affects all medical specialists, and concern about it has
become common in today's health care environment. The gold standard of burnout
measurement in health care professionals is the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human
Services Survey (MBI-HSS), which measures emotional exhaustion, depersonalization
(DP), and personal accomplishment. Besides affecting work quality, burnout is
thought to affect health problems, mental health issues, and substance use
negatively, although confirmatory data are lacking. This study evaluates some of
these effects. METHODS: In 2011, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and
the journal Anesthesiology cosponsored a webinar on burnout. As part of the
webinar experience, we included access to a survey using MBI-HSS, 12-item Short
Form Health Survey (SF-12), Social Support and Personal Coping (SSPC-14) survey,
and substance use questions. Results were summarized using sample statistics,
including mean, standard deviation, count, proportion, and 95% confidence
intervals. Adjusted linear regression methods examined associations between
burnout and substance use, SF-12, SSPC-14, and respondent demographics. RESULTS:
Two hundred twenty-one respondents began the survey, and 170 (76.9%) completed
all questions. There were 266 registrants total (31 registrants for the live
webinar and 235 for the archive event), yielding an 83% response rate. Among
respondents providing job titles, 206 (98.6%) were physicians and 2 (0.96%) were
registered nurses. The frequency of high-risk responses ranged from 26% to 59%
across the 3 MBI-HSS categories, but only about 15% had unfavorable scores in all
3. Mean mental composite score of the SF-12 was 1 standard deviation below
normative values and was significantly associated with all MBI-HSS components.
With SSPC-14, respondents scored better in work satisfaction and professional
support than in personal support and workload. Males scored worse on DP and
personal accomplishment and, relative to attending physicians, residents scored
worse on DP. There was no significant association between MBI-HSS and substance
use. CONCLUSIONS: Many anesthesiologists exhibit some high-risk burnout
characteristics, and these are associated with lower mental health scores.
Personal and professional support were associated with less emotional exhaustion,
but overall burnout scores were associated with work satisfaction and
professional support. Respondents were generally economically satisfied but also
felt less in control at work and that their job kept them from friends and
family. The association between burnout and substance use may not be as strong as
previously believed. Additional work, perhaps with other survey instruments, is
needed to confirm our results.
PMID- 28991116
TI - Incidence and Operative Factors Associated With Discretional Postoperative
Mechanical Ventilation After General Surgery.
AB - BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation after general surgery is associated with worse
outcomes, prolonged hospital stay, and increased health care cost.
Postoperatively, patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) may be
categorized into 1 of 3 groups: extubated patients (EXT), patients with objective
medical indications to remain ventilated (MED), and patients not meeting these
criteria, called "discretional postoperative mechanical ventilation" (DPMV). The
objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of DPMV in general
surgery patients and identify the associated operative factors. METHODS: At a
large, tertiary medical center, we reviewed all surgical cases performed under
general anesthesia from April 1, 2008 to February 28, 2015 and admitted to the
ICU postoperatively. Patients were categorized into 1 of 3 cohorts: EXT, MED, or
DPMV. Operative factors related to the American Society of Anesthesiologists
Physical Status (ASA PS), duration of surgery, surgery end time, difficult airway
management, intraoperative blood and fluid administration, vasopressor infusions,
intraoperative arterial blood gasses, and ventilation data were collected.
Additionally, anesthesia records were reviewed for notes indicating a reason or
rationale for postoperative ventilation. Categorical variables were compared by
chi test, and continuous variables by analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H
test. Categorical variables are presented as n (%), and continuous variables as
mean +/- standard deviation or median (interquartile range) as appropriate.
Significance level was set at P<= .05. RESULTS: Sixteen percent of the 3555
patients were categorized as DPMV and 12.2% as MED. Compared to EXT patients,
those classified as DPMV had received significantly less fluid (2757 +/- 2728 mL
vs 3868 +/- 1885 mL; P < .001), lost less blood during surgery (150 [20-625] mL
vs 300 [150-600] mL; P< .001), underwent a shorter surgery (199 +/- 215 minutes
vs 276 +/- 143 minutes; P< .001), but received more blood products, 900 (600
1800) mL vs 600 (300-900) mL. The DPMV group had more patients with high ASA PS
(ASA III-V) than the EXT group: 508 (90.4%) vs 1934 (75.6%); P< .001. Emergency
surgery (ASA E modifier) was more common in the DPMV group than the EXT group:
145 (25.8%) vs 306 (12%), P< .001, respectively. Surgery end after regular
working hours was not significantly higher with DPMV status compared to EXT. DPMV
cohort had fewer cases with difficult airway when compared to EXT or MED. When
compared to MED patients, those classified as DPMV received less fluid (2757 +/-
2728 mL vs 4499 +/- 2830 mL; P< .001), lost less blood (150 [20-625] mL vs 500
[200-1350] mL; P < .001), but did not differ in blood products transfused or
duration of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In our tertiary medical center, patients often
admitted to the ICU on mechanical ventilation without an objective medical
indication. When compared to patients admitted to the ICU extubated, those
mechanically ventilated but without an objective indication had a higher ASA PS
class and were more likely to have an ASA E modifier. A surgery end time after
regular working hours or difficult airway management was not associated with
higher incidence of DPMV.
PMID- 28991117
TI - Thermal A-delta Nociceptors, Identified by Transcriptomics, Express Higher Levels
of Anesthesia-Sensitive Receptors Than Thermal C-Fibers and Are More Suppressible
by Low-Dose Isoflurane.
AB - We investigated the effect of isoflurane on 2 main types of thermal nociceptors:
A-delta and C-fibers. Surprisingly, 1% inhaled isoflurane led to a hyperalgesic
response to C-fiber thermal stimulation, whereas responses to A-delta thermal
stimulation were blunted. We explored the hypothesis that differences in
withdrawal behavior are mediated by differential expression of isoflurane
sensitive proteins between these types of thermal nociceptors. Multiple
transcriptomic databases of peripheral neurons were integrated to reveal that
isoflurane-susceptible proteins Htr3a, Kcna2, and Scn8a were enriched in
thermosensitive A-delta neurons. This exploratory analysis highlights the
differing role that volatile anesthetics might have on nociceptors in the
peripheral nervous system.
PMID- 28991118
TI - Truncated MU-Opioid Receptors With 6 Transmembrane Domains Are Essential for
Opioid Analgesia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Most clinical opioids act through MU-opioid receptors. They
effectively relieve pain but are limited by side effects, such as constipation,
respiratory depression, dependence, and addiction. Many efforts have been made
toward developing potent analgesics that lack side effects. Three-iodobenzoyl
6beta-naltrexamide (IBNtxA) is a novel class of opioid active against thermal,
inflammatory, and neuropathic pain, without respiratory depression, physical
dependence, and reward behavior. The MU-opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene undergoes
extensive alternative precursor messenger ribonucleic acid splicing, generating
multiple splice variants that are conserved from rodents to humans. One type of
variant is the exon 11 (E11)-associated truncated variant containing 6
transmembrane domains (6TM variant). There are 5 6TM variants in the mouse OPRM1
gene, including mMOR-1G, mMOR-1M, mMOR-1N, mMOR-1K, and mMOR-1L. Gene-targeting
mouse models selectively removing 6TM variants in E11 knockout (KO) mice
eliminated IBNtxA analgesia without affecting morphine analgesia. Conversely,
morphine analgesia is lost in an exon 1 (E1) KO mouse that lacks all 7
transmembrane (7TM) variants but retains 6TM variant expression, while IBNtxA
analgesia remains intact. Elimination of both E1 and E11 in an E1/E11 double KO
mice abolishes both morphine and IBNtxA analgesia. Reconstituting expression of
the 6TM variant mMOR-1G in E1/E11 KO mice through lentiviral expression rescued
IBNtxA but not morphine analgesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the
effect of lentiviral expression of the other 6TM variants in E1/E11 KO mice on
IBNtxA analgesia. METHODS: Lentiviruses expressing 6TM variants were packaged in
HEK293T cells, concentrated by ultracentrifugation, and intrathecally
administered 3 times. Opioid analgesia was determined using a radiant-heat tail
flick assay. Expression of lentiviral 6TM variant messenger ribonucleic acids was
examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or quantitative PCR. RESULTS: All the
6TM variants restored IBNtxA analgesia in the E1/E11 KO mouse, while morphine
remained inactive. Expression of lentiviral 6TM variants was confirmed by PCR or
quantitative PCR. IBNtxA median effective dose values determined from cumulative
dose-response studies in the rescued mice were indistinguishable from wild-type
animals. IBNtxA analgesia was maintained for up to 33 weeks in the rescue mice
and was readily antagonized by the opioid antagonist levallorphan. CONCLUSIONS:
Our study demonstrated the pharmacological relevance of mouse 6TM variants in
IBNtxA analgesia and established that a common functional core of the receptors
corresponding to the transmembrane domains encoded by exons 2 and 3 is sufficient
for activity. Thus, 6TM variants offer potential therapeutic targets for a
distinct class of analgesics that are effective against broad-spectrum pain
models without many side effects associated with traditional opioids.
PMID- 28991119
TI - Higher Operating Table for Optimal Needle-Entry Angle and Less Discomfort During
Spinal Anesthesia.
AB - The aim of this study was to find the optimal table height to facilitate
insertion of the spinal needle at a 90 degrees angle and to reduce the
anesthesiologist's discomfort. Sixty patients were randomly allocated according
to landmarks on the anesthesiologist's body: umbilicus (group U), lowest rib
margin (R), xiphoid process (X), and nipple (N). The coronal insertion angle
between the patient's skin and the spinal needle was obtuse in groups U and R,
and 90 degrees in group X. We demonstrated that high operating tables at the
xiphoid and nipple level facilitate more optimal needle entry angles while
reducing the discomfort and joint flexion of anesthesiologists during spinal
anesthesia.
PMID- 28991120
TI - "Difficult Airway" Bibliometrics: Importance of Capturing the Correct Literature.
PMID- 28991122
TI - Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Hip Fractures: A Cochrane Review.
AB - BACKGROUND: This review focuses on the use of peripheral nerve blocks as
preoperative analgesia, as postoperative analgesia, or as a supplement to general
anesthesia for hip fracture surgery and tries to determine if they offer any
benefit in terms of pain on movement at 30 minutes after block placement, acute
confusional state, myocardial infarction/ischemia, pneumonia, mortality, time to
first mobilization, and cost of analgesic. METHODS: Trials were identified by
computerized searches of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2016,
Issue 8), MEDLINE (Ovid SP, 1966 to 2016 August week 1), Embase (Ovid SP, 1988 to
2016 August week 1), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
Literature (EBSCO, 1982 to 2016 August week 1), trials registers, and reference
lists of relevant articles. Randomized controlled trials involving the use of
nerve blocks as part of the care for hip fractures in adults aged 16 years and
older were included. The quality of the studies was rated according to the
Cochrane tool. Two authors independently extracted the data. The quality of
evidence was judged according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment,
Development, and Evaluations Working Group scale. RESULTS: Based on 8 trials with
373 participants, peripheral nerve blocks reduced pain on movement within 30
minutes of block placement: standardized mean difference, -1.41 (95% confidence
interval [CI], -2.14 to -0.67; equivalent to -3.4 on a scale from 0 to 10; I
statistic = 90%; high quality of evidence). The effect size was proportional to
the concentration of local anesthetic used (P < .00001). Based on 7 trials with
676 participants, no difference was found in the risk of acute confusional state:
risk ratio, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.38-1.27; I statistic = 48%; very low quality of
evidence). Based on 3 trials with 131 participants, the risk for pneumonia was
decreased: risk ratio, 0.41 (95% CI, 0.19-0.89; I statistic = 3%; number needed
to-treat for additional beneficial outcome, 7 [95% CI, 5-72]; moderate quality of
evidence). No difference was found for the risk of myocardial ischemia or death
within 6 months but the number of participants included was well below the
optimum information size for these 2 outcomes. Based on 2 trials with 155
participants, peripheral nerve blocks also reduced the time to first mobilization
after surgery: mean difference, -11.25 hours (95% CI, -14.34 to -8.15 hours; I
statistic = 52%; moderate quality of evidence). From 1 trial with 75
participants, the cost of analgesic drugs when used as a single-shot block was
lower: standardized mean difference, -3.48 (95% CI, -4.23 to -2.74; moderate
quality of evidence). CONCLUSIONS: There is high-quality evidence that regional
blockade reduces pain on movement within 30 minutes after block placement. There
is moderate quality of evidence for a decreased risk of pneumonia, reduced time
to first mobilization, and reduced cost of analgesic regimen (single-shot
blocks).
PMID- 28991123
TI - In Response.
PMID- 28991125
TI - Congenital Methemoglobinemia: It is Time for National Level Registry System.
PMID- 28991124
TI - Angiogenesis in the Transplanted Donor Graft After Living-Donor Liver
Transplantation.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is no direct evidence for the role of angiogenesis in liver
regeneration in humans. This study aimed to determine whether angiogenesis is
involved in the regeneration of transplanted donor grafts in human living-donor
liver transplantation (LDLT) and to examine the impact of donor graft volume on
angiogenesis. METHODS: Clinical data and liver tissue characteristics were
analyzed in 4 patients who received adult-to-adult LDLT with dual left lobe
grafts from 2 living donors. Liver tissues from transplanted donor grafts were
obtained and immunohistochemically examined at 3 to 4 weeks after transplantation
using the endothelial marker Ki67+ and CD31+. RESULTS: All recipients showed
recovery of normal liver function and a significant increase in the volume of
engrafted left lobes after transplantation. Immunohistochemistry showed a
remarkable increase in Ki67+ single hepatocyte proliferation, implying the role
of hepatocytes in liver reconstitution, and a high density of blood vessels and
proliferative endothelium, suggesting in vivo angiogenesis. Furthermore, we found
that Ki67+ nuclei in CD31+ sinusoidal endothelial cells were higher in recipients
with smaller donor grafts than in those with larger donor grafts. CONCLUSIONS:
Our results suggested that angiogenesis is involved in the regeneration of
transplanted liver in humans in inverse proportion to the donor graft volume.
PMID- 28991126
TI - Successful Treatment of Invasive Conidiobolus Infection During Therapy for Acute
Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
AB - Invasive fungal infections are a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in
patients with hematologic malignancies. Conidiobolus species are molds within the
order Entomophthorales and may disseminate to become rapidly fatal in
immunocompromised individuals. This species of fungal infections are often
multidrug resistant (MDR) and present unique therapeutic challenges. Reports of
Conidiobolus infections are rare in pediatric oncology. We report the successful
treatment of an adolescent male with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia and MDR
invasive sinopulmonary Conidiobolus infection with emphasis on early and
aggressive neutrophil support with surgical debridement. The strategies described
could be applied to other MDR fungal infections.
PMID- 28991127
TI - Safe Use of Low-Molecular-weight Heparin in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia and Lymphoma Around Lumbar Punctures.
AB - Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma (ALL) undergo multiple
lumbar punctures (LPs) and frequently require low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)
for thromboembolic complications. We evaluated if withholding LMWH 24 hours
before and after LPs prevented bleeding complications. Children (n=133) with ALL
from who were: (1) treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, (2) received
LMWH (2*/day of ~1 mg/kg) between January 2004 until December 2012, and (3)
underwent a LP were analyzed. Spinal hematoma was defined as a clinical suspicion
leading to diagnostic imaging. Traumatic LP was defined as >=10 red blood cells
per microliter of cerebrospinal fluid. In 1708 LPs, no hematomas occurred. For
each child treated with LMWH, the probability of experiencing a spinal hematoma
during the entire ALL treatment course was 0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0%
2.7%), and in each LP, assuming no intrapatient correlation, the probability of
spinal hematoma was 0% (95% CI, 0.0%-0.2%). Traumatic LPs were more common when
performed when children were not receiving LMWH therapy (odds ratio [OR], 1.5;
95% CI, 1.1-2.2) which may be explained by clinician optimization of known risk
factors for traumatic cerebrospinal fluid before the procedures. Withholding LMWH
for 24 hours before and after LPs in children being treated for ALL is safe.
PMID- 28991128
TI - Characterizing the Biotinidase Deficiency in a Child When Considering a Possible
Disease Association.
PMID- 28991130
TI - Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome Masquerading as Posttransplant
Lymphoproliferative Disorder.
AB - We present a case of a 2-year-old female presenting with diffuse lymphadenopathy
2 years following orthotopic heart transplant. Initially, she was diagnosed with
posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease based on clinical presentation and
pathology and she was treated accordingly. Because of persistent lymphadenopathy
following the completion of chemotherapy and new onset of autoimmune cytopenias,
repeat flow of the lymph node showed an elevated double negative T-cell
population prompting evaluation for autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
(ALPS). A complete workup was confirmative of a germline Fas mutation consistent
with ALPS-FAS. This case emphasizes the importance of considering ALPS-FAS in a
patient with lymphadenopathy of unknown cause.
PMID- 28991129
TI - A Heterozygous CFHR3-CFHR1 Gene Deletion in a Pediatric Patient With Transplant
associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy Who was Treated With Eculizumab.
AB - Complement system dysregulation, such as complement Factor H (CFH) autoantibodies
and deletions in CFH-related (CFHR) genes 3 and 1, might cause transplant
associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA). The use of eculizumab, a terminal
complement inhibitor, could be a targeted therapy for TA-TMA. We report a 1-year
old girl who developed TA-TMA, just after autologous peripheral blood stem cell
transplantation in neuroblastoma therapy. Eculizumab improved TA-TMA.
Investigation for the complement alternative pathway showed a heterozygous CFHR3
CFHR1 gene deletion, which is involved in complement activation. The patient
might develop TA-TMA as a result of complement regulatory gene mutation.
PMID- 28991131
TI - Recurrent Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia Undergoing Maintenance Chemotherapy.
AB - Chemotherapy-associated myelosuppression and renal dysfunction is not uncommon
during childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy. Here we report 2
cases of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) presenting with pancytopenia
and renal dysfunction that developed during maintenance chemotherapy
characterized by hypocomplementemia. Both cases experienced recurrence after
resolution of the initial aHUS episode upon resumption of chemotherapy, raising a
possible contributory role for chemotherapy in the disease pathogenesis.
PMID- 28991132
TI - A New Lease on Life: Preliminary Needs Assessment for the Development of a
Survivorship Program for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer in South Texas.
AB - Priorities for young adult survivorship care from the survivors' perspective are
not well documented. To address this within our patient population, we conducted
a multimethod needs assessment of young adult survivors of pediatric, adolescent,
and young adult cancer in South Texas to get a better understanding of the
ongoing challenges and priorities for their survivorship needs and related
services. Participants were 18 to 39 years at the time of the needs assessment
and predominately Hispanic. In an online survey, survivors most commonly cited
being concerned about their physical and mental health, long-term treatment
effects, recurrence, and health insurance issues. Participants stated that they
received critical support from family, friends, and medical staff, but they would
like to receive additional support from other cancer survivors through peer
mentorship opportunities and survivor retreats/social events.
PMID- 28991133
TI - Pleuropulmonary Blastoma: A Single-center Case Series of 6 Patients.
AB - Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare malignancy of childhood which when left
untreated often shows pathologic progression resulting in a more aggressive
neoplasm with an increasingly poor prognosis. Because of this it is important to
diagnose and initiate treatment early. However, early stage PPB can appear as a
cystic lung lesion on imaging and can be easily misdiagnosed given the rarity of
the malignancy. Moreover, current therapeutic guidelines for these lesions are
not well established, making treatment decisions and management difficult for
clinicians. DICER1 mutations are known to be present in a majority of PPBs with
or without a germline mutation and may be part of a familial tumor predisposition
syndrome. The clinical, pathologic, and genetic data of 6 patients are summarized
here. Two patients with type I PPB and 4 patients with type II PPB underwent
surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment and all are alive and without recurrence
1 to 13 years after treatment. With increasing awareness of PPB, it is important
for clinicians to consider this malignant entity in the evaluation and treatment
of patients presenting with a cystic lung abnormality, especially in cases with a
history strongly suggestive of a DICER1 mutation.
PMID- 28991134
TI - Isolated Testicular Recurrence of AML in Patients With Chronic GVHD >1 Year
Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) following
allogeneic transplant for myeloid leukemias seem to experience a reduced risk of
relapse than comparable patients without cGVHD. It is unclear to what extent
extramedullary sites are impacted by a graft-versus-leukemia effect.
DESIGN/METHOD: Case Series and review of the literature. RESULTS: We present 2
cases of pediatric patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia who developed
isolated testicular relapse more than a year following hematopoietic stem cell
transplantation despite having had extensive cGVHD. Both patients were off
immunosuppression and cGVHD medications when testicular relapse occurred. At time
of relapse, these patients were negative for minimal residual disease in the
marrow and the marrow contained all donor cells by engraftment studies. No
evidence was found for lymphocyte infiltration into the affected testicle in
either patient. CONCLUSIONS: Although a reduction of marrow relapse can be
appreciated in patients with myeloid leukemias and chronic GVHD, this graft
versus-leukemia process may be less robust in extramedullary sites and careful
surveillance should be maintained to allow early intervention before overt marrow
involvement.
PMID- 28991136
TI - Utilization Review in Worker's Compensation: Current Status and Opportunities for
Improvement.
PMID- 28991135
TI - Activity of Paraoxonase/Arylesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase in Peripheral
Blood of Gulf War Era Veterans With Neurologic Symptom Complexes or Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Two groups of Gulf War era veterans, one exhibiting blurred vision,
balance problems/dizziness, tremors/shaking, and speech difficulty and a second
group with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but not the neurologic
syndrome, were assessed for organophosphate-detoxifying enzyme
paraoxonase/arylesterase (PON1) and its Q/R isoforms, butyrylcholinesterase
(BuChE) and its U/A isoforms and cytokines. METHODS: Defibrinated peripheral
blood was evaluated for enzymes and cytokines. RESULTS: Trends toward elevation
of Th2 cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 were observed in subjects with
neurologic syndrome. Neither the activities nor isoforms of the enzyme, the
neurologic symptoms, nor PTSD had any relationship to wartime deployment to the
theater of combat. CONCLUSION: The negative outcomes described above suggest that
exposure to organophosphates or other agents normally detoxified by PON1 and
BuChE may not have contributed significantly to neurologic components of Gulf War
Illness.
PMID- 28991139
TI - Re: Mortality of Talc Miners and Millers From Val Chisone, Northern Italy.
PMID- 28991140
TI - Response to Letter to the Editor On the Mortality of Talc Miners and Millers From
Val Chisone, Northern Italy.
PMID- 28991141
TI - Long-term Oncologic Outcome After Laparoscopic Converted or Primary Open
Resection for Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
AB - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to critically review the current evidence
regarding the oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic converted or open resection
for colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed
in Pubmed. Study selection and data acquisition were independently performed by 2
reviewers. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded a total of 746 articles,
resulting in 7 studies eligible for inclusion. A total of 9190 (57 to 8307)
patients were included in the open and 238 (17 to 56) in the converted group. In
none of the studies, differences were found in disease stage between both groups.
There were no significant differences between both groups with regard to overall
survival, local recurrence and distant metastasis rate. CONCLUSIONS: There is
currently insufficient evidence that patients who had a laparoscopic resection
for colorectal cancer converted to open surgery have a worse oncologic outcome
than patients who were primarily treated by an open approach.
PMID- 28991143
TI - The Pitfalls of REBOA: Risk Factors and Mitigation Strategies.
AB - ABSTRACT: Despite technological advancements, REBOA is associated with
significant risks due to complications of vascular access and ischemia
reperfusion. The inherent morbidity and mortality of REBOA is often compounded by
coexisting injury and hemorrhagic shock. Additionally, the potential for REBOA
related injuries is exaggerated due to the growing number of interventions being
performed by providers who have limited experience in endovascular techniques,
inadequate resources, minimal training in the technique, and who are performing
this maneuver in emergency situations. In an effort to ultimately improve
outcomes with REBOA, we sought to compile a list of complications that may be
encountered during REBOA usage. To address the current knowledge gap, we
assembled a list of anecdotal complications from high-volume REBOA users
internationally. More importantly, through a consensus model, we identify
contributory factors that may lead to complications and deliberate on how to
recognize, mitigate, and manage such events. An understanding of the pitfalls of
REBOA and strategies to mitigate their occurrence is of vital importance to
optimize patient outcomes.
PMID- 28991144
TI - Colon-sparing surgery for Clostridium difficile.
AB - : There has been recent evidence from a large multi-center study sponsored by the
Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma that colon-sparing surgery reduces
mortality for patients with severe Clostridium difficile associated disease
(CDAD) when compared to total colectomy. Amoebic colitis shares many pathologic
and clinical features to CDAD, such as worsening diarrhoea, patchy colonic
ulceration and necrosis, toxic megacolon, pseudomembranous colitis, perforation,
and death. However, published research regarding amoebic colitis is sparse.
Surgical management of amoebic colitis may be required in Low Income Countries,
or at the geographical interface between more developed and less developed
nations, such as at the United States-Mexican border. The authors propose that
until further data are available, evidence from CDAD might be applied to the
management of amoebic colitis, and surgeons may wish to consider colon-sparing
surgery in this context. Large scale prospective studies are warranted, in order
to determine whether this practice is associated with similar improvements in
outcomes recently observed with CDAD. TYPE OF ARTICLE: Current opinion LEVEL OF
EVIDENCE: Not applicable.
PMID- 28991145
TI - Use of sarcopenia to predict risk of mortality after emergency abdominal surgery
in elderly patients.
PMID- 28991147
TI - Transition to College and Adherence to Prescribed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder Medication.
AB - OBJECTIVE: As youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
transition to adulthood, they must learn how to manage their ADHD treatment
independently. This may be challenging because many of the skills necessary to
adhere to treatment (e.g., organization, planning) are impaired in those with
ADHD. Using electronic monitoring, we examine trajectories of adherence to
medication in a cohort of college students with ADHD. Further, we examine the
effect of transitioning to college and executive functioning on adherence.
METHODS: Electronic monitors tracked adherence for 51 undergraduate students with
ADHD across an academic semester. Multilevel modeling examined individual
trajectories in monthly adherence and the role of transition status and self
reported executive functioning on these trajectories. RESULTS: Overall,
participants adhered to 53.53% of prescribed doses. Transition status predicted
the linear slope in adherence (beta = -8.95, standard error [SE] = 3.61, p <
.05), with lower initial adherence among undergraduates transitioning to
independence (34.17%) compared with post-transition undergraduates (67.63%; beta
= 33.46, SE = 8.00, p < .001). Adherence demonstrated a curvilinear change (beta
= -7.23, SE = 1.25, p < .001). It increased from the beginning of the semester to
midterms before subsequently declining through the rest of the semester,
including during final exams. Executive functioning did not predict adherence
(beta = -.10, SE = .02, p = .54). CONCLUSION: Only half of all doses were taken
as prescribed. Adolescents transitioning to independence demonstrated the lowest
levels of adherence, suggesting that the transition to independence is a high
risk period for poor self-management of ADHD.
PMID- 28991146
TI - Effect of Caregiver Training on the Neurodevelopment of HIV-Exposed Uninfected
Children and Caregiver Mental Health: A Ugandan Cluster-Randomized Controlled
Trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Early childhood development programs typically combine healthy
nutrition and cognitive stimulation in an integrated model. We separately
delivered these 2 components in a cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate
their comparative effectiveness in promoting healthy child development and
caregiver mental health. This is the first study to do so for HIV-affected
children and their infected mothers. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-one HIV-exposed
but uninfected child (2-3 years old) and caregiver dyads in 18 geographic
clusters in Eastern Uganda were randomized by cluster to receive biweekly
individualized sessions of either (1) Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing
Caregivers (MISC) training emphasizing cognitive stimulation or (2) Uganda
Community Based Association for Child Welfare (UCOBAC) program that delivered
health and nutrition training. Children were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, 1
year (training conclusion), and 1-year posttraining with the Mullen Scales of
Early Learning (MSEL), the Color-Object Association Test for memory, the Early
Childhood Vigilance Test of attention, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of
Executive Function (BRIEF-parent). The Caldwell Home Observation for the
Measurement of the Environment (HOME) was completed by observers to gauge
caregiving quality after training. Caregiver depression/anxiety (Hopkins Symptom
Checklist-25) and functionality (list of activities of daily living) were also
evaluated. Data collectors were blinded to trial arm assignment. RESULTS:
Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers resulted in significantly
better quality of caregiving compared with UCOBAC midintervention with an
adjusted mean difference (MadjDiff) of 2.34 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54
3.15, p < .01), postintervention (MadjDiff = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.61-3.25, p < .01),
and at 1-year follow-up (MadjDiff = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.23-2.90, p < .01). MISC
caregivers reported more problems on the BRIEF for their child at 1-year
posttraining only (p < .01). Caregiving quality (HOME) was significantly
correlated with MSEL composite performance 1-year posttraining for both the MISC
and the UCOBAC trial arms. Likewise, physical growth was significantly related to
child development outcomes even though it did not differ between trial arms.
CONCLUSION: Even though MISC demonstrated an advantage of improving caregiving
quality, it did not produce better child cognitive outcomes compared with health
and nutrition training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01640561.
PMID- 28991148
TI - Recollections of Emotional Abuse and Neglect in Childhood as Risk Factors for
Depressive Disorders and the Need for Psychotherapy in Adult Life.
AB - Theoretical and empirical works have pointed out that depression comes along with
adverse interpersonal experiences in childhood and adult life. The purpose of
this study was to explore whether past and current experiences differ in their
relevance for depression. A clinical group of 80 psychotherapy patients diagnosed
with a depressive disorder was contrasted with a control group of 111
nondepressed patients from somatic facilities. Child abuse, neglect, and adult
attachment dimensions were measured with self-report scales. Depression was
correlated with emotional abuse, neglect, and attachment anxiety. However, solely
emotional abuse and neglect significantly predicted the probability to be in the
group of depressed patients, whereas attachment anxiety did not contribute to
this prediction. The findings reveal that childhood variables, namely,
recollections of emotional traumas, are more closely associated with depression
than representations of adult attachment bonds and therefore need special
attention in the psychotherapeutic treatment of depressive disorders.
PMID- 28991149
TI - Decisional Informatics for Psychosocial Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Pilot on
Tailored and Fluid Treatment Algorithms for Serious Mental Illness.
AB - This study introduces a computerized clinical decision-support tool, the Fluid
Outpatient Rehabilitation Treatment (FORT), that incorporates individual and ever
evolving patient needs to guide clinicians in developing and updating treatment
decisions in real-time. In this proof-of-concept feasibility pilot, FORT was
compared against traditional treatment planning using similar behavioral
therapies in 52 adults with severe mental illness attending community-based day
treatment. At posttreatment and follow-up, group differences and moderate-to
large effect sizes favoring FORT were detected in social function, work
readiness, self-esteem, working memory, processing speed, and mental flexibility.
Of participants who identified obtaining a General Education Diploma as their
goal, 73% in FORT passed the examination compared with 18% in traditional
treatment planning. FORT was also associated with higher agency cost
effectiveness and a better average benefit-cost ratio, even when considering
diagnosis, baseline symptoms, and education. Although the comparison groups were
not completely equivalent, the findings suggest computerized decision support
systems that collaborate with human decision-makers to personalize psychiatric
rehabilitation and address critical decisions may have a role in improving
treatment effectiveness and efficiency.
PMID- 28991150
TI - Two-year Results After Deep Sclerectomy With Nonabsorbable Uveoscleral Implant
(Esnoper-Clip): Surgical Area Analysis Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence
Tomography.
AB - PURPOSE: To report 2-year results of deep sclerectomy (DS) with mitomycin C and
the uveoscleral implant Esnoper-Clip (AJL Ophthalmics, Alava, Spain), a
nonabsorbable hema implant, and the morphologic analysis of the surgical area
with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). MATERIALS AND
METHODS: In total, 41 eyes of 41 patients with medically uncontrolled open angle
glaucoma who underwent DS with the uveoscleral implant were included in this
prospective interventional study. Patients were recruited and selected
sequentially. All patients were followed at least for 12 months and 36 of them
for 24 months. Absolute success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP)<=18 mm
Hg and >=20% of IOP reduction without topical medication. Relative success was
defined with the same criteria but with the addition of any antihypertensive
medication. Primary outcomes were IOP decrease in the postoperative stage.
Secondary outcomes were number of medication, best-corrected visual acuity
changes, rate of goniopuncture, needle revision, and AS-OCT analysis of the bleb
area. AS-OCT analysis, using Visante OCT, was performed at 1, 12, and 24 months.
RESULTS: Absolute success rate was 68.3% at 12 months and 61.1% at 2 years.
Relative success was 78.0% and 71.4%, at 12 and 24 months, respectively. A
significant IOP decrease was observed, from 27.3+/-6.3 to 14.9+/-4.4 mm Hg at 12
months and 15.3+/-5.2 mm Hg at 24 months (P<0.001). There was also a significant
reduction in the number of medications, dropping from a mean of 2.5 to 0.28 one
year and 0.36 two years after the surgery (P<0.001). Main postoperative
complications were transient: 4 eyes with seidel phenomenon at 24 hours (10.3%),
3 hyphema (7.7%), and 1 choroidal detachment (2.6%). Mean intrascleral space
height, measured by AS-OCT, was 0.78 mm and it showed a significant positive
correlation with IOP at 12 months. Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser
goniopuncture was performed in 25 eyes (61%) at 12 months and in 27 (66.8%) by 24
months. CONCLUSIONS: DS with the uveoscleral implant is a safe and effective
procedure to lower IOP in open angle glaucoma patients. IOP reduction is
maintained over 2 years and is correlated to the postoperative height of the
intrascleral bleb. Supraciliary implantation reduces intrascleral lake
dependency, being a simultaneous drainage alternative to the subconjunctival
pathway.
PMID- 28991151
TI - Optic Disc Drusen and Family History of Glaucoma-Results of a Patient-directed
Survey.
AB - PURPOSE: Prospective evaluation of family history (FH) of glaucoma and FH of
optic disc drusen (ODD) in patients with sonographically confirmed ODD. PATIENTS
AND METHODS: A total of 87 patients with ODD interviewed all their first-degree
and second-degree relatives using a detailed questionnaire on whether an
ophthalmologist had diagnosed or excluded glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OH).
Using a second questionnaire, 62 of these patients also provided information
about ODD in their FH. Control groups for FH of glaucoma consisted of 2170
patients with glaucoma or OH evaluated with the same methods and identical
questions for FH of glaucoma in a previous study, and of 176 healthy individuals
without glaucoma or ODD who were interviewed on family history of glaucoma.
RESULTS: Glaucoma in FH was significantly more frequent in patients with ODD with
an incidence of 20.7% compared with healthy controls with an incidence of 2.8%,
and half as frequent as in glaucoma patients with an incidence of 40%. ODD in FH
were found in 9.7% of patients with ODD. CONCLUSIONS: As there is a high
frequency of family history of glaucoma in patients with ODD, evaluation of FH of
ODD and FH of glaucoma is essential in patients with ODD. Glaucoma in FH of ODD
patients requires intraocular pressure monitoring and whenever deemed beneficial
timely initiation of intraocular pressure-lowering therapy.
PMID- 28991152
TI - Two-Dimensional Capillary Electrophoresis with On-Line Sample Preparation and
Cyclodextrin Separation Environment for Direct Determination of Serotonin in
Human Urine.
AB - An advanced two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis method, based on on-line
combination of capillary isotachophoresis and capillary zone electrophoresis with
cyclodextrin additive in background electrolyte, was developed for effective
determination of serotonin in human urine. Hydrodynamically closed separation
system and large bore capillaries (300-800 um) were chosen for the possibility to
enhance the sample load capacity, and, by that, to decrease limit of detection.
Isotachophoresis served for the sample preseparation, defined elimination of
sample matrix constituents (sample clean up), and preconcentration of the
analyte. Cyclodextrin separation environment enhanced separation selectivity of
capillary zone electrophoresis. In this way, serotonin could be successfully
separated from the rest of the sample matrix constituents migrating in capillary
zone electrophoresis step so that human urine could be directly (i.e., without
any external sample preparation) injected into the analyzer. The proposed method
was successfully validated, showing favorable parameters of sensitivity (limit of
detection for serotonin was 2.32 ng.mL-1), linearity (regression coefficient
higher than 0.99), precision (repeatability of the migration time and peak area
were in the range of 0.02-1.17% and 5.25-7.88%, respectively), and recovery
(ranging in the interval of 90.0-93.6%). The developed method was applied for the
assay of the human urine samples obtained from healthy volunteers. The determined
concentrations of serotonin in such samples were in the range of 12.4-491.2 ng.mL
1 that was in good agreement with literature data. This advanced method
represents a highly effective, reliable, and low-cost alternative for the routine
determination of serotonin as a biomarker in human urine.
PMID- 28991154
TI - Self-Taught Learning Based on Sparse Autoencoder for E-Nose in Wound Infection
Detection.
AB - For an electronic nose (E-nose) in wound infection distinguishing, traditional
learning methods have always needed large quantities of labeled wound infection
samples, which are both limited and expensive; thus, we introduce self-taught
learning combined with sparse autoencoder and radial basis function (RBF) into
the field. Self-taught learning is a kind of transfer learning that can transfer
knowledge from other fields to target fields, can solve such problems that
labeled data (target fields) and unlabeled data (other fields) do not share the
same class labels, even if they are from entirely different distribution. In our
paper, we obtain numerous cheap unlabeled pollutant gas samples (benzene,
formaldehyde, acetone and ethylalcohol); however, labeled wound infection samples
are hard to gain. Thus, we pose self-taught learning to utilize these gas
samples, obtaining a basis vector theta. Then, using the basis vector theta, we
reconstruct the new representation of wound infection samples under sparsity
constraint, which is the input of classifiers. We compare RBF with partial least
squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA), and reach a conclusion that the
performance of RBF is superior to others. We also change the dimension of our
data set and the quantity of unlabeled data to search the input matrix that
produces the highest accuracy.
PMID- 28991155
TI - Flexible Piezoelectric Generators by Using the Bending Motion Method of Direct
Grown-PZT Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes.
AB - Recently, composite-type nanogenerators (NGs) formed from piezoelectric
nanostructures and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have become one of the
excellent candidates for future energy harvesting because of their ability to
apply the excellent electrical and mechanical properties of CNTs. However, the
synthesis of NG devices with a high proportion of piezoelectric materials and a
low polymer content, such as of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), continues to be
problematic. In this work, high-piezoelectric-material-content flexible films
produced from Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT)-atomically-interconnected CNTs and
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are presented. Various physical and chemical
characterization techniques are employed to examine the morphology and structure
of the materials. The direct growth of the piezoelectric material on the CNTs, by
stirring the PZT and CNT mixed solution, results in various positive effects,
such as a high-quality dispersion in the polymer matrix and addition of
flexoelectricity to piezoelectricity, resulting in the enhancement of the output
voltage by an external mechanical force. The NGs repeatedly generate an output
voltage of 0.15 V. These results present a significant step toward the
application of NGs using piezoelectric nanocomposite materials.
PMID- 28991153
TI - Vibrio Pathogens: A Public Health Concern in Rural Water Resources in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
AB - Members of the Vibrio genus are autochthonous inhabitants of aquatic environments
and play vital roles in sustaining the aquatic milieu. The genus comprises about
100 species, which are mostly of marine or freshwater origin, and their
classification is frequently updated due to the continuous discovery of novel
species. The main route of transmission of Vibrio pathogens to man is through
drinking of contaminated water and consumption inadequately cooked aquatic food
products. In sub-Saharan Africa and much of the developing world, some rural
dwellers use freshwater resources such as rivers for domestic activities,
bathing, and cultural and religious purposes. This review describes the impact of
inadequately treated sewage effluents on the receiving freshwater resources and
the associated risk to the rural dwellers that depends on the water. Vibrio
infections remain a threat to public health. In the last decade, Vibrio disease
outbreaks have created alertness on the personal, economic, and public health
uncertainties associated with the impact of contaminated water in the aquatic
environment of sub-Saharan Africa. In this review, we carried out an overview of
Vibrio pathogens in rural water resources in Sub-Saharan Africa and the
implication of Vibrio pathogens on public health. Continuous monitoring of Vibrio
pathogens among environmental freshwater and treated effluents is expected to
help reduce the risk associated with the early detection of sources of infection,
and also aid our understanding of the natural ecology and evolution of Vibrio
pathogens.
PMID- 28991156
TI - Baseline Assessment of a Healthy Corner Store Initiative: Associations between
Food Store Environments, Shopping Patterns, Customer Purchases, and Dietary
Intake in Eastern North Carolina.
AB - In 2016, the North Carolina (NC) Legislature allocated $250,000 to the NC
Department of Agriculture, to identify and equip small food retailers to stock
healthier foods and beverages in eastern NC food deserts (the NC Healthy Food
Small Retailer Program, HFSRP). The purpose of this study was to examine
associations between food store environments, shopping patterns, customer
purchases, and dietary consumption among corner store customers. We surveyed 479
customers in 16 corner stores regarding demographics, food purchased, shopping
patterns, and self-reported fruit, vegetable, and soda consumption. We
objectively assessed fruit and vegetable consumption using a non-invasive
reflection spectroscopy device to measure skin carotenoids. We examined
associations between variables of interest, using Pearson's correlation
coefficients and adjusted linear regression analyses. A majority (66%) of
participants were African American, with a mean age of 43 years, and a mean body
mass index (BMI) of 30.0 kg/m2. There were no significant associations between
the healthfulness of food store offerings, customer purchases, or dietary
consumption. Participants who said they had purchased fruits and vegetables at
the store previously reported higher produce intake (5.70 (4.29) vs. 4.60 (3.28)
servings per day, p = 0.021) versus those who had not previously purchased fresh
produce. The NC Legislature has allocated another $250,000 to the HFSRP for the
2018 fiscal year. Thus, evaluation results will be important to inform future
healthy corner store policies and initiatives.
PMID- 28991157
TI - Geranylgeranylacetone Ameliorates Intestinal Radiation Toxicity by Preventing
Endothelial Cell Dysfunction.
AB - Radiation-induced intestinal toxicity is common among cancer patients after
radiotherapy. Endothelial cell dysfunction is believed to be a critical
contributor to radiation tissue injury in the intestine. Geranylgeranylacetone
(GGA) has been used to treat peptic ulcers and gastritis. However, the protective
capacity of GGA against radiation-induced intestinal injury has not been
addressed. Therefore, we investigated whether GGA affects intestinal damage in
mice and vascular endothelial cell damage in vitro. GGA treatment significantly
ameliorated intestinal injury, as evident by intestinal crypt survival, villi
length and the subsequently prolonged survival time of irradiated mice. In
addition, intestinal microvessels were also significantly preserved in GGA
treated mice. To clarify the effect of GGA on endothelial cell survival, we
examined endothelial function by evaluating cell proliferation, tube formation,
wound healing, invasion and migration in the presence or absence of GGA after
irradiation. Our findings showed that GGA plays a role in maintaining vascular
cell function; however, it does not protect against radiation-induced vascular
cell death. GGA promoted endothelial function during radiation injury by
preventing the loss of VEGF/VEGFR1/eNOS signaling and by down-regulating TNFalpha
expression in endothelial cells. This finding indicates the potential impact of
GGA as a therapeutic agent in mitigating radiation-induced intestinal damage.
PMID- 28991158
TI - A Method for Enhancing the Sensing Distance of a Fingerprint Sensor.
AB - In this paper, we describe a method for improving the quality of fingerprint
images at long sensing distances by reducing the fringe capacitance formed
between a pixel and surrounding fingerprint patterns. Air-walls were applied to
the glass attached to a fingerprint sensor for reducing the edge capacitance.
Fingerprints and air-wall structures were modeled using a three-dimensional
capacitance analysis tool. A prototype was fabricated by stacking glass layers
with air-walls with a depth of 50 MUm and a pitch of 50 MUm on a silicon-type
capacitive sensor. Using the results of simulations and prototype experiments, we
confirmed that the proposed air-wall structure achieved high enough resolution to
distinguish 2.5-lp/mm fingerprint patterns at a sensing distance of 300 MUm or
longer, and its contrast improved from 0.59 to 0.98.
PMID- 28991159
TI - Rosmarinic Acid, a Rosemary Extract Polyphenol, Increases Skeletal Muscle Cell
Glucose Uptake and Activates AMPK.
AB - Skeletal muscle is a major insulin-target tissue and plays an important role in
glucose homeostasis. Impaired insulin action in muscles leads to insulin
resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. 5' AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is an
energy sensor, its activation increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and
AMPK activators have been viewed as a targeted approach in combating insulin
resistance. We previously reported AMPK activation and increased muscle glucose
uptake by rosemary extract (RE). In the present study, we examined the effects
and the mechanism of action of rosmarinic acid (RA), a major RE constituent, in
L6 rat muscle cells. RA (5.0 uM) increased glucose uptake (186 +/- 4.17% of
control, p < 0.001) to levels comparable to maximum insulin (204 +/- 10.73% of
control, p < 0.001) and metformin (202 +/- 14.37% of control, p < 0.001). Akt
phosphorylation was not affected by RA, while AMPK phosphorylation was increased.
The RA-stimulated glucose uptake was inhibited by the AMPK inhibitor compound C
and was not affected by wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase
(PI3K). The current study shows an effect of RA to increase muscle glucose uptake
and AMPK phosphorylation. RA deserves further study as it shows potential to be
used as an agent to regulate glucose homeostasis.
PMID- 28991160
TI - Cancer and the LGBTQ Population: Quantitative and Qualitative Results from an
Oncology Providers' Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Behaviors.
AB - BACKGROUND: Despite growing social acceptance, the LGBTQ population continues to
face barriers to healthcare including fear of stigmatization by healthcare
providers, and providers' lack of knowledge about LGBTQ-specific health issues.
This analysis focuses on the assessment of quantitative and qualitative responses
from a subset of providers who identified as specialists that treat one or more
of the seven cancers that may be disproportionate in LGBTQ patients. METHODS: A
32-item web-based survey was emailed to 388 oncology providers at a single
institution. The survey assessed: demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and
practice behaviors. RESULTS: Oncology providers specializing in seven cancer
types had poor knowledge of LGBTQ-specific health needs, with fewer than half of
the surveyed providers (49.5%) correctly answering knowledge questions. Most
providers had overall positive attitudes toward LGBTQ patients, with 91.7%
agreeing they would be comfortable treating this population, and would support
education and/or training on LGBTQ-related cancer health issues. CONCLUSION:
Results suggest that despite generally positive attitudes toward the LGBTQ
population, oncology providers who treat cancer types most prevalent among the
population, lack knowledge of their unique health issues. Knowledge and practice
behaviors may improve with enhanced education and training on this population's
specific needs.
PMID- 28991161
TI - Novel Semi-Parametric Algorithm for Interference-Immune Tunable Absorption
Spectroscopy Gas Sensing.
AB - One of the most common limits to gas sensor performance is the presence of
unwanted interference fringes arising, for example, from multiple reflections
between surfaces in the optical path. Additionally, since the amplitude and the
frequency of these interferences depend on the distance and alignment of the
optical elements, they are affected by temperature changes and mechanical
disturbances, giving rise to a drift of the signal. In this work, we present a
novel semi-parametric algorithm that allows the extraction of a signal, like the
spectroscopic absorption line of a gas molecule, from a background containing
arbitrary disturbances, without having to make any assumption on the functional
form of these disturbances. The algorithm is applied first to simulated data and
then to oxygen absorption measurements in the presence of strong fringes.To the
best of the authors' knowledge, the algorithm enables an unprecedented accuracy
particularly if the fringes have a free spectral range and amplitude comparable
to those of the signal to be detected. The described method presents the
advantage of being based purely on post processing, and to be of extremely
straightforward implementation if the functional form of the Fourier transform of
the signal is known. Therefore, it has the potential to enable interference
immune absorption spectroscopy. Finally, its relevance goes beyond absorption
spectroscopy for gas sensing, since it can be applied to any kind of
spectroscopic data.
PMID- 28991162
TI - Characterizing the Performance of Gas-Permeable Membranes as an Ammonia Recovery
Strategy from Anaerobically Digested Dairy Manure.
AB - Capturing ammonia from anaerobically digested manure could simultaneously
decrease the adverse effects of ammonia inhibition on biogas production, reduce
reactive nitrogen (N) loss to the environment, and produce mineral N fertilizer
as a by-product. In this study, gas permeable membranes (GPM) were used to
capture ammonia from dairy manure and digestate by the diffusion of gaseous
ammonia across the membrane where ammonia is captured by diluted acid, forming an
aqueous ammonium salt. A lab-scale prototype using tubular expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) GPM was used to (1) characterize the effect of
total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) concentration, temperature, and pH on the ammonia
capture rate using GPM, and (2) to evaluate the performance of a GPM system in
conditions similar to a mesophilic anaerobic digester. The GPM captured ammonia
at a rate between 2.2 to 6.3% of gaseous ammonia in the donor solution per day.
Capture rate was faster in anaerobic digestate than raw manure. The ammonia
capture rate could be predicted using non-linear regression based on the factors
of total ammonium nitrogen concentration, temperature, and pH. This use of
membranes shows promise in reducing the deleterious impacts of ammonia on both
the efficiency of biogas production and the release of reactive N to the
environment.
PMID- 28991163
TI - Investigation of Oxidation Methods for Waste Soy Sauce Treatment.
AB - To obtain a suitable oxidation method for removing the color and lowering the
chemical oxygen demand (COD) of waste soy sauce, Fenton (Fe2+), Fenton-like
(Fe3+), and ozone (O3) oxidation methods are used as the target reactions. In
experimental conditions for Fenton oxidation, the dose of Fe2+ and Fe3+ was
varied between 100 mg/L and 300 mg/L. The dose of hydrogen peroxide for the
reaction was injected from 100-1000 mg/L. For ozone oxidation, the pH was
increased from 3 to 14 and the O3-containing gas was supplied continuously for 30
min through a gas diffuser at the bottom of the reactor at different applied O3
doses (10-90 mg/L). We subjected it to a simple 1:20 dilution with deionized
water to identify the comparison result in detail. O3 oxidation shows the highest
efficiencies of color removal (81.1%) and COD lowering (64.9%) among the three
oxidation methods. This is mainly due to the fact that it has a relatively large
amount of hydroxyl radical, resulting in the degradation of organics. Thus, O3
oxidation could be a promising method for removing the color and lowering the COD
of waste soy sauce. The critical parameters (pH and applied O3 dose) were varied
systematically to optimize O3 oxidation. It was found that the optimum pH and
applied O3 dose are 11.0 mg/L and 50.0 mg/L, respectively (color removal = 34.2%,
COD removal = 27.4%).
PMID- 28991164
TI - Differential Expression Profile of lncRNAs from Primary Human Hepatocytes
Following DEET and Fipronil Exposure.
AB - While the synthesis and use of new chemical compounds is at an all-time high, the
study of their potential impact on human health is quickly falling behind, and
new methods are needed to assess their impact. We chose to examine the effects of
two common environmental chemicals, the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide
(DEET) and the insecticide fluocyanobenpyrazole (fipronil), on transcript levels
of long non-protein coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in primary human hepatocytes using a
global RNA-Seq approach. While lncRNAs are believed to play a critical role in
numerous important biological processes, many still remain uncharacterized, and
their functions and modes of action remain largely unclear, especially in
relation to environmental chemicals. RNA-Seq showed that 100 uM DEET
significantly increased transcript levels for 2 lncRNAs and lowered transcript
levels for 18 lncRNAs, while fipronil at 10 uM increased transcript levels for 76
lncRNAs and decreased levels for 193 lncRNAs. A mixture of 100 uM DEET and 10 uM
fipronil increased transcript levels for 75 lncRNAs and lowered transcript levels
for 258 lncRNAs. This indicates a more-than-additive effect on lncRNA transcript
expression when the two chemicals were presented in combination versus each
chemical alone. Differentially expressed lncRNA genes were mapped to chromosomes,
analyzed by proximity to neighboring protein-coding genes, and functionally
characterized via gene ontology and molecular mapping algorithms. While further
testing is required to assess the organismal impact of changes in transcript
levels, this initial analysis links several of the dysregulated lncRNAs to
processes and pathways critical to proper cellular function, such as the innate
and adaptive immune response and the p53 signaling pathway.
PMID- 28991165
TI - Synthesis of Novel Glycerol-Derived 1,2,3-Triazoles and Evaluation of Their
Fungicide, Phytotoxic and Cytotoxic Activities.
AB - The synthesis of a series of 1,2,3-triazoles using glycerol as starting material
is described. The key step in the preparation of these triazolic derivatives is
the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), also known as click
reaction, between 4-(azidomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane (3) and different
terminal alkynes. The eight prepared derivatives were evaluated with regard to
their fungicide, phytotoxic and cytotoxic activities. The fungicidal activity was
assessed in vitro against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the causative agent of
papaya anthracnose. It was found that the compounds 1-(1-((2,2-dimethyl-1,3
dioxolan-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-cyclo-hexanol (4g) and 2-(1-((2,2
dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol (4h)
demonstrated high efficiency in controlling C. gloeosporioides when compared to
the commercial fungicide tebuconazole. The triazoles did not present any
phytotoxic effect when evaluated against Lactuca sativa. However, five
derivatives were mitodepressive, inducing cell death detected by the presence of
condensed nuclei and acted as aneugenic agents in the cell cycle of L. sativa. It
is believed that glycerol derivatives bearing 1,2,3-triazole functionalities may
represent a promising scaffold to be explored for the development of new agents
to control C. gloeosporioides.
PMID- 28991166
TI - Impact of Living Alone on Depressive Symptoms in Older Korean Widows.
AB - We examined the relationship between living alone and the prevalence of
depressive symptoms in older Korean widows and assessed the individual
contributions of health, social ties, and socioeconomic factors to the
development of depressive symptoms. The study was a secondary analysis using data
from widows, 65 years of age and older, who participated in the Living Profiles
of Older People Survey (LPOPS). A logistic regression analysis was used to
evaluate the contributions of health, social ties, and socioeconomic factors to
the development of depressive symptoms. Working status and equivalent household
income were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in both those
living with others and those living alone. Adjustment for health status and
social ties did not change the impact of living alone on the prevalence of
depressive symptoms. However, adjustment for equivalent household income
eliminated the negative association between living alone and depressive symptoms.
Our findings indicate that economic resources are more important than health and
social ties for alleviating the negative impact of living alone on the
development of depressive symptoms in older widows.
PMID- 28991168
TI - Profitability Analysis of Soybean Oil Processes.
AB - Soybean oil production is the basic process for soybean applications. Cash flow
analysis is used to estimate the profitability of a manufacturing venture.
Besides capital investments, operating costs, and revenues, the interest rate is
the factor to estimate the net present value (NPV), break-even points, and
payback time; which are benchmarks for profitability evaluation. The positive NPV
and reasonable payback time represent a profitable process, and provide an
acceptable projection for real operating. Additionally, the capacity of the
process is another critical factor. The extruding-expelling process and hexane
extraction are the two typical approaches used in industry. When the capacities
of annual oil production are larger than 12 and 173 million kg respectively,
these two processes are profitable. The solvent free approach, known as enzyme
assisted aqueous extraction process (EAEP), is profitable when the capacity is
larger than 17 million kg of annual oil production.
PMID- 28991167
TI - Achiral Mannich-Base Curcumin Analogs Induce Unfolded Protein Response and
Mitochondrial Membrane Depolarization in PANC-1 Cells.
AB - Achiral Mannich-type curcumin analogs have been synthetized and assayed for their
cytotoxic activity. The anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activity of curcuminoids
has been tested on human non-small-cell lung carcinoma (A549), hepatocellular
carcinoma (HepG2) and pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC-1). Based on the highest
anti-proliferative activity nine drug candidates were further tested and proved
to cause phosphatidylserine exposure as an early sign of apoptosis. Curcumin
analogs with the highest apoptotic activity were selected for mechanistic studies
in the most sensitive PANC-1 cells. Cytotoxic activity was accompanied by
cytostatic effect since curcumin and analogs treatment led to G0/G1 cell cycle
arrest. Moreover, cytotoxic effect could be also detected via the accumulation of
curcuminoids in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the up-regulation of ER stress
related unfolded protein response (UPR) genes: HSPA5, ATF4, XBP1, and DDIT3. The
activated UPR induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization, caspase-3 activation
and subsequent DNA breakdown in PANC-1 cells. Achiral curcumin analogs, C509,
C521 and C524 possessed superior, 40-times more potent cytotoxic activity
compared to natural dihydroxy-dimetoxycurcumin in PANC-1 cells.
PMID- 28991169
TI - Analysis of Transmission and Control of Tuberculosis in Mainland China, 2005
2016, Based on the Age-Structure Mathematical Model.
AB - Tuberculosis (TB), an air-borne infectious disease, is a major public-health
problem in China. The reported number of the active tuberculosis cases is about
one million each year. The morbidity data for 2005-2012 reflect that the
difference in morbidity based on age group is significant, thus the role of age
structure on the transmission of TB needs to be further developed. In this work,
based on the reported data and the observed morbidity characteristics, we propose
a susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) epidemic model with age
groupings, involving three categories: children, the middle-aged, and senior to
investigate the role of age on the transmission of tuberculosis in Mainland China
from 2005 to 2016. Then, we evaluated the parameters by the Least Square method
and simulated the model and it had good alignment with the reported infected TB
data in Mainland China. Furthermore, we estimated the basic reproduction number
R0 of 1.7858, with an obtained 95% confidence interval for R0 of (1.7752, 1.7963)
by Latin hypercube sampling, and we completed a sensitivity analysis of R0 in
terms of some parameters. Our study demonstrates that diverse age groups have
different effects on TB. Two effective measures were found that would help reach
the goals of theWorld Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy: an increase in
the recovery rate and the reduction in the infectious rate of the senior age
group.
PMID- 28991170
TI - Diagnostic Accuracy of FebriDx: A Rapid Test to Detect Immune Responses to Viral
and Bacterial Upper Respiratory Infections.
AB - C-reactive protein (CRP) and myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) are associated
with bacterial and viral infections, respectively. We conducted a prospective,
multicenter, cross-sectional study of adults and children with febrile upper
respiratory tract infections (URIs) to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a
rapid CRP/MxA immunoassay to identify clinically significant bacterial infection
with host response and acute pathogenic viral infection. The reference standard
for classifying URI etiology was an algorithm that included throat bacterial
culture, upper respiratory PCR for viral and atypical pathogens, procalcitonin,
white blood cell count, and bandemia. The algorithm also allowed for physician
override. Among 205 patients, 25 (12.2%) were classified as bacterial, 53 (25.9%)
as viral, and 127 (62.0%) negative by the reference standard. For bacterial
detection, agreement between FebriDx and the reference standard was 91.7%, with
FebriDx having a sensitivity of 80% (95% CI: 59-93%), specificity of 93% (89
97%), positive predictive value (PPV) of 63% (45-79%), and a negative predictive
value (NPV) of 97% (94-99%). For viral detection, agreement was 84%, with a
sensitivity of 87% (75-95%), specificity of 83% (76-89%), PPV of 64% (63-75%),
and NPV of 95% (90-98%). FebriDx may help to identify clinically significant
immune responses associated with bacterial and viral URIs that are more likely to
require clinical management or therapeutic intervention, and has potential to
assist with antibiotic stewardship.
PMID- 28991172
TI - Improving the Accuracy and Training Speed of Motor Imagery Brain-Computer
Interfaces Using Wavelet-Based Combined Feature Vectors and Gaussian Mixture
Model-Supervectors.
AB - In this paper, we propose a set of wavelet-based combined feature vectors and a
Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-supervector to enhance training speed and
classification accuracy in motor imagery brain-computer interfaces. The proposed
method is configured as follows: first, wavelet transforms are applied to extract
the feature vectors for identification of motor imagery electroencephalography
(EEG) and principal component analyses are used to reduce the dimensionality of
the feature vectors and linearly combine them. Subsequently, the GMM universal
background model is trained by the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to
purify the training data and reduce its size. Finally, a purified and reduced GMM
supervector is used to train the support vector machine classifier. The
performance of the proposed method was evaluated for three different motor
imagery datasets in terms of accuracy, kappa, mutual information, and computation
time, and compared with the state-of-the-art algorithms. The results from the
study indicate that the proposed method achieves high accuracy with a small
amount of training data compared with the state-of-the-art algorithms in motor
imagery EEG classification.
PMID- 28991171
TI - Approaches and Perspectives for Development of African Swine Fever Virus
Vaccines.
AB - African swine fever (ASF) is a complex disease of swine, caused by a large DNA
virus belonging to the family Asfarviridae. The disease shows variable clinical
signs, with high case fatality rates, up to 100%, in the acute forms. ASF is
currently present in Africa and Europe where it circulates in different scenarios
causing a high socio-economic impact. In most affected regions, control has not
been effective in part due to lack of a vaccine. The availability of an effective
and safe ASFV vaccines would support and enforce control-eradication strategies.
Therefore, work leading to the rational development of protective ASF vaccines is
a high priority. Several factors have hindered vaccine development, including the
complexity of the ASF virus particle and the large number of proteins encoded by
its genome. Many of these virus proteins inhibit the host's immune system thus
facilitating virus replication and persistence. We review previous work aimed at
understanding ASFV-host interactions, including mechanisms of protective
immunity, and approaches for vaccine development. These include live attenuated
vaccines, and "subunit" vaccines, based on DNA, proteins, or virus vectors. In
the shorter to medium term, live attenuated vaccines are the most promising and
best positioned candidates. Gaps and future research directions are evaluated.
PMID- 28991173
TI - A Gas Chromatographic System for the Detection of Ethylene Gas Using Ambient Air
as a Carrier Gas.
AB - Ethylene gas is a naturally occurring gas that has an influence on the shelf life
of fruit during their transportation in cargo ships. An unintentional exposure of
ethylene gas during transportation results in a loss of fruit. A gas
chromatographic system is presented here for the detection of ethylene gas. The
gas chromatographic system was assembled using a preconcentrator, a printed 3D
printed gas chromatographic column, a humidity sensor, solenoid valves, and an
electrochemical ethylene gas sensor. Ambient air was used as a carrier gas in the
gas chromatographic system. The flow rate was fixed to 10 sccm. It was generated
through a mini-pump connected in series with a mass flow controller. The metal
oxide gas sensor is discussed with its limitation in ambient air. The results
show the chromatogram obtained from metal oxide gas sensor has low stability,
drifts, and has uncertain peaks, while the chromatogram from the electrochemical
sensor is stable and precise. Furthermore, ethylene gas measurements at higher
ppb concentration and at lower ppb concentration were demonstrated with the
electrochemical ethylene gas sensor. The system separates ethylene gas and
humidity. The chromatograms obtained from the system are stable, and the results
are 1.2% repeatable in five similar measurements. The statistical calculation of
the gas chromatographic system shows that a concentration of 2.3 ppb of ethylene
gas can be detected through this system.
PMID- 28991174
TI - Aquaporin-3 in Cancer.
AB - Increasing evidence suggests that the water/glycerol channel aquaporin-3 (AQP3)
plays a pivotal role in cancer metastasis. AQP3 knockout mice were resistant to
skin tumor formation and overexpression correlated with metastasis and poor
prognosis in patients with breast or gastric cancer. In cultured cancer cells,
increased AQP3 expression stimulated several intracellular signaling pathways and
resulted in increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion as well as
aggravation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Besides AQP facilitated
water transport at the leading edge of migrating cells, AQP3 signaling mechanisms
are beginning to be unraveled. Here, we give a thorough review of current
knowledge regarding AQP3 expression in cancer and how AQP3 contributes to cancer
progression via signaling that modulates cellular mechanisms. This review article
will expand our understanding of the known pathophysiological findings regarding
AQP3 in cancer.
PMID- 28991175
TI - Gyroscope Technology and Applications: A Review in the Industrial Perspective.
AB - This paper is an overview of current gyroscopes and their roles based on their
applications. The considered gyroscopes include mechanical gyroscopes and optical
gyroscopes at macro- and micro-scale. Particularly, gyroscope technologies
commercially available, such as Mechanical Gyroscopes, silicon MEMS Gyroscopes,
Ring Laser Gyroscopes (RLGs) and Fiber-Optic Gyroscopes (FOGs), are discussed.
The main features of these gyroscopes and their technologies are linked to their
performance.
PMID- 28991176
TI - Innate Immune Evasion Mediated by Flaviviridae Non-Structural Proteins.
AB - Flaviviridae-caused diseases are a critical, emerging public health problem
worldwide. Flaviviridae infections usually cause severe, acute or chronic
diseases, such as liver damage and liver cancer resulting from a hepatitis C
virus (HCV) infection and high fever and shock caused by yellow fever. Many
researchers worldwide are investigating the mechanisms by which Flaviviridae
cause severe diseases. Flaviviridae can interfere with the host's innate immunity
to achieve their purpose of proliferation. For instance, dengue virus (DENV)
NS2A, NS2B3, NS4A, NS4B and NS5; HCV NS2, NS3, NS3/4A, NS4B and NS5A; and West
Nile virus (WNV) NS1 and NS4B proteins are involved in immune evasion. This
review discusses the interplay between viral non-structural Flaviviridae proteins
and relevant host proteins, which leads to the suppression of the host's innate
antiviral immunity.
PMID- 28991177
TI - Antioxidants Potential of the Filamentous Fungi (Mucor circinelloides).
AB - Three important strains of Mucorcircinelloides grown in complete and minimal
media for specified period (72 h, 120 h and 168 h) under submerged fermentation
conditions were investigated for their potential antioxidants/secondary
metabolite production. All mycelial extracts demonstrated effective antioxidant
activities in terms of beta-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching, radical scavenging,
reduction of metal ions and chelating abilities against ferrous ions. Different
extraction methods and solvent systems affected the recovery yield and
antioxidant activities of the extracts significantly (p <= 0.05). Ethanolic
extracts were found to be rich source of antioxidant components and subsequently
more effective in antioxidant properties. Fermentation period and media used also
significantly affected (p <= 0.05) the antioxidant production and the resulting
antioxidant properties. The (ethanolic) extracts of all the strains from late
exponential growth phase (120 h) showed highest antioxidant production with
topmost reducing, chelating and radical scavenging capabilities. Strain MC277.49
was found to be the highest producer of antioxidants followed by MC108.16 and
WJ11. Phenolic compounds were detected significantly in higher (p <= 0.05) amount
succeeded by the condensed tannins and flavonoids. Total phenol content of each
extract was attributed to overall antioxidant capacity. Submerged fermentation
with nutritional stress conditions were found to be excellent way of producing
surplus amount of natural antioxidants/secondary metabolites with their vast
potential commercial application in food and pharmaceutical industries.
PMID- 28991178
TI - Polyprotein Processing as a Determinant for in Vitro Activity of Semliki Forest
Virus Replicase.
AB - Semliki Forest virus (SFV) is an arthropod-borne alphavirus that induces membrane
invaginations (spherules) in host cells. These harbor the viral replication
complexes (RC) that synthesize viral RNA. Alphaviruses have four replicase or
nonstructural proteins (nsPs), nsP1-4, expressed as polyprotein P1234. An early
RC, which synthesizes minus-strand RNA, is formed by the polyprotein P123 and the
polymerase nsP4. Further proteolytic cleavage results in a late RC consisting of
nsP1-4 and synthesizing plus strands. Here, we show that only the late RCs are
highly active in RNA synthesis in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrate that active
RCs can be isolated from both virus-infected cells and cells transfected with the
wild-type replicase in combination with a plasmid expressing a template RNA. When
an uncleavable polyprotein P123 and polymerase nsP4 were expressed together with
a template, high levels of minus-strand RNA were produced in cells, but RCs
isolated from these cells were hardly active in vitro. Furthermore, we observed
that the uncleavable polyprotein P123 and polymerase nsP4, which have previously
been shown to form spherules even in the absence of the template, did not
replicate an exogenous template. Consequently, we hypothesize that the replicase
proteins were sequestered in spherules and were no longer able to recruit a
template.
PMID- 28991179
TI - High-Accuracy Decoupling Estimation of the Systematic Coordinate Errors of an INS
and Intensified High Dynamic Star Tracker Based on the Constrained Least Squares
Method.
AB - Navigation accuracy is one of the key performance indicators of an inertial
navigation system (INS). Requirements for an accuracy assessment of an INS in a
real work environment are exceedingly urgent because of enormous differences
between real work and laboratory test environments. An attitude accuracy
assessment of an INS based on the intensified high dynamic star tracker (IHDST)
is particularly suitable for a real complex dynamic environment. However, the
coupled systematic coordinate errors of an INS and the IHDST severely decrease
the attitude assessment accuracy of an INS. Given that, a high-accuracy
decoupling estimation method of the above systematic coordinate errors based on
the constrained least squares (CLS) method is proposed in this paper. The
reference frame of the IHDST is firstly converted to be consistent with that of
the INS because their reference frames are completely different. Thereafter, the
decoupling estimation model of the systematic coordinate errors is established
and the CLS-based optimization method is utilized to estimate errors accurately.
After compensating for error, the attitude accuracy of an INS can be assessed
based on IHDST accurately. Both simulated experiments and real flight experiments
of aircraft are conducted, and the experimental results demonstrate that the
proposed method is effective and shows excellent performance for the attitude
accuracy assessment of an INS in a real work environment.
PMID- 28991180
TI - Robust Regression Analysis of GCMS Data Reveals Differential Rewiring of
Metabolic Networks in Hepatitis B and C Patients.
AB - About one in 15 of the world's population is chronically infected with either
hepatitis virus B (HBV) or C (HCV), with enormous public health consequences. The
metabolic alterations caused by these infections have never been directly
compared and contrasted. We investigated groups of HBV-positive, HCV-positive,
and uninfected healthy controls using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
analyses of their plasma and urine. A robust regression analysis of the
metabolite data was conducted to reveal correlations between metabolite pairs.
Ten metabolite correlations appeared for HBV plasma and urine, with 18 for HCV
plasma and urine, none of which were present in the controls. Metabolic
perturbation networks were constructed, which permitted a differential view of
the HBV- and HCV-infected liver. HBV hepatitis was consistent with enhanced
glucose uptake, glycolysis, and pentose phosphate pathway metabolism, the latter
using xylitol and producing threonic acid, which may also be imported by glucose
transporters. HCV hepatitis was consistent with impaired glucose uptake,
glycolysis, and pentose phosphate pathway metabolism, with the tricarboxylic acid
pathway fueled by branched-chain amino acids feeding gluconeogenesis and the
hepatocellular loss of glucose, which most probably contributed to hyperglycemia.
It is concluded that robust regression analyses can uncover metabolic rewiring in
disease states.
PMID- 28991181
TI - Association between Milk Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adults:
Results from the Health Examinees Study.
AB - It has been suggested that a greater dairy consumption, particularly of milk, may
have contributed in lowering the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). A cross
sectional analysis was conducted to examine the association between milk
consumption and MetS, and its components among Korean adults aged 40-69. A total
of 130,420 subjects (43,682 men and 86,738 women) from the Health Examinees Study
were selected for the final analysis. Milk consumption was estimated using a
validated 106-item food frequency questionnaire. MetS was defined using the
National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP III).
Logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs)
and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between milk consumption and MetS after
adjusting for potential confounders. In this study, the average milk consumption
was 77.9 g/day, with the overall prevalence of MetS being 26.1% (29.1% in men and
24.6% in women). We found that the prevalence of the MetS was significantly lower
in subjects with higher milk consumption (p < 0.0001). Adjusted OR for MetS was
significantly lower in the highest milk consumption category (>=1 serving/day
among men; >=2 serving/day among women) than those in the lowest milk consumption
category (OR: 0.92 95%CI: 0.86-0.99, p trend = 0.0160 in men; OR: 0.68, 95%CI:
0.60-0.76, p trend < 0.0001 in women). Overall, higher milk consumption was
inversely associated with the MetS components: elevated waist circumference,
elevated triglyceride, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
(all p trend < 0.05). This study concludes that higher milk consumption is
associated with the lower odds of MetS in Korean adults.
PMID- 28991182
TI - Near Retirement Age (>=55 Years) Self-Reported Physical Symptoms and Use of
Computers/Mobile Phones at Work and at Leisure.
AB - The aim of this research is to study the symptoms and use of computers/mobile
phones of individuals nearing retirement age (>=55 years). A questionnaire was
sent to 15,000 Finns (aged 18-65). People who were >=55 years of age were
compared to the rest of the population. Six thousand one hundred and twenty-one
persons responded to the questionnaire; 1226 of them were >=55 years of age.
Twenty-four percent of the >=55-year-old respondents used desktop computers daily
for leisure; 47.8% of them frequently experienced symptoms in the neck, and 38.5%
in the shoulders. Workers aged >=55 years had many more physical symptoms than
younger people, except with respect to symptoms of the neck. Female daily
occupational users of desktop computers had more physical symptoms in the neck.
It is essential to take into account that, for people aged >=55 years, the use of
technology can be a sign of wellness. However, physical symptoms in the neck can
be associated with the use of computers.
PMID- 28991183
TI - Orexin Receptor Multimerization versus Functional Interactions:
Neuropharmacological Implications for Opioid and Cannabinoid Signalling and
Pharmacogenetics.
AB - Orexins/hypocretins are neuropeptides formed by proteolytic cleavage of a
precursor peptide, which are produced by neurons found in the lateral
hypothalamus. The G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for these ligands, the OX1
and OX2 orexin receptors, are more widely expressed throughout the central
nervous system. The orexin/hypocretin system has been implicated in many
pathways, and its dysregulation is under investigation in a number of diseases.
Disorders in which orexinergic mechanisms are being investigated include
narcolepsy, idiopathic sleep disorders, cluster headache and migraine. Human
narcolepsy has been associated with orexin deficiency; however, it has only
rarely been attributed to mutations in the gene encoding the precursor peptide.
While gene variations within the canine OX2 gene hcrtr2 have been directly linked
with narcolepsy, the majority of human orexin receptor variants are weakly
associated with diseases (the idiopathic sleep disorders, cluster headache and
polydipsia-hyponatremia in schizophrenia) or are of potential pharmacogenetic
significance. Evidence for functional interactions and/or heterodimerization
between wild-type and variant orexin receptors and opioid and cannabinoid
receptors is discussed in the context of its relevance to depression and
epilepsy.
PMID- 28991184
TI - From Delivery to Adoption of Physical Activity Guidelines: Realist Synthesis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Evidence-based guidelines published by health authorities for the
promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (PA), continue to be implemented
unsuccessfully and demonstrate a gap between evidence and policies. This review
synthesizes evidence on factors influencing delivery, adoption and implementation
of PA promotion guidelines within different policy sectors (e.g., health,
transport, urban planning, sport, education). METHODS: Published literature was
initially searched using PubMed, EBSCO, Google Scholar and continued through an
iterative snowball technique. The literature review spanned the period 2002-2017.
The realist synthesis approach was adopted to review the content of 39 included
studies. An initial programme theory with a four-step chain from evidence
emersion to implementation of guidelines was tested. RESULTS: The synthesis
furthers our understanding of the link between PA guidelines delivery and the
actions of professionals responsible for implementation within health services,
school departments and municipalities. The main mechanisms identified for
guidance implementation were scientific legitimation, enforcement, feasibility,
familiarity with concepts and PA habits. Threats emerged to the successful
implementation of PA guidelines at national/local jurisdictional levels.
CONCLUSIONS: The way PA guidelines are developed may influence their adoption by
policy-makers and professionals. Useful lessons emerged that may inform synergies
between policymaking and professional practices, promoting win-win multisectoral
strategies.
PMID- 28991185
TI - Comparison of Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals and As in Sewage Sludge
from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) for Adults and Children in the Urban
District of Taiyuan, China.
AB - Abstract: To compare the human health risk of heavy metals and As in sewage
sludge between adults and children, samples were collected from five wastewater
treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the urban district of Taiyuan, the capital of
Shanxi. Heavy metals and As in sewage sludge can be ranked according to the mean
concentration in the following order: Cu > Cr > Zn > Pb > As > Hg > Cd. Compared
with the concentration limit set by different countries, the heavy metals
contents in sewage sludge were all within the standard limits, except for the
content of As, which was higher than the threshold limit established by Canada. A
health risk assessment recommended by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) was used to compare the non-cancer risk and cancer risk between
adults and children. Based on the mean and 95% upper confidence limit (UCL) of
the average daily dose (ADD), heavy metals and As can be ranked in the order of
Cu > Cr > Zn > Pb > As > Hg > Cd for adults, and Cu > Cr > Zn > Pb > Hg > As > Cd
for children. Moreover, results of ADDingest and ADDinhale indicated that
ingestion was the main pathway for heavy metals and As exposure for both adults
and children, and the sum of ADD implied that the exposure to all heavy metals
and As for children was 8.65 and 9.93 times higher, respectively, than that for
adults according to the mean and 95% UCL. For the non-carcinogenic risk,
according to the hazard quotient (HQ), the risk of Cu, Hg and Cr was higher than
the risk of Zn and Pb. The hazard index (HI) for adults was 0.144 and 0.208 for
the mean and 95% UCL, which was less than the limit value of 1; for children, the
HI was 1.26 and 2.25, which is higher than the limit value of 1. This result
indicated that children had non-carcinogenic risk, but adults did not.
Furthermore, ingestion was the main pathway for non-carcinogenic risk exposure by
the HQingest and HQinhale. For the carcinogenic risk, Cd and As were classified
as carcinogenic pollutants. The values of RISK for the mean and 95% UCL for
adults and children all exceeded the limit value of 1 * 10-5, which implied that
adults and children had a carcinogenic risk, and this risk was higher for
children than for adults. The results of RISK for As and Cd implied that As was
the main pollutant for carcinogenic risk. Moreover, the results of RISKingest and
RISKinhale indicated that ingestion was the main pathway. Uncertainty analysis
was performed, and the risk ranges of it were greater than certainty analysis,
which implied that uncertainty analysis was more conservative than certainty
analysis. A comparison of the non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk for
adults and children indicated that children were more sensitive and vulnerable
than adults when exposed to the same pollutant in the environment.
PMID- 28991186
TI - Relationships among Environment, Climate, and Longevity in China.
AB - Human longevity is influenced by environment and nutrition. We considered
environmental and nutritional factors relating to longevity in Chinese cities. We
found higher 85+/65+ distribution ratios, indicating enhanced longevity, in the
coastal and southern regions of China. These areas also featured higher humidity,
low standard deviation of monthly temperature, higher levels of selenium (Se)
distribution in soil, and greater sea fish consumption. Moderate climate is more
conducive to longevity, however, there is no significant difference in longevity
between different sub-climatic types within moderate climate; the relation
between humidity and longevity is not always positive, the relation between
altitude and longevity is not always negative. Nutritional factors like Se and
omega-3 fatty acids contained in sea fish were crucial to longevity. In contrast,
the consumption of meat and freshwater fish were less related to longevity. Taken
together, humidity, altitude, and per capita sea fish consumption, when evaluated
via geographically weighted regression, explained 66% and 68% of longevity among
Chinese individuals in 2000 and 2010, respectively. Other factors require further
discussion.
PMID- 28991187
TI - Peptides from Colochirus robustus Enhance Immune Function via Activating CD3zeta-
and ZAP-70-Mediated Signaling in C57BL/6 Mice.
AB - Colochirus robustus, a species of sea cucumber, has long been used in East and
Southeast Asia as nutritious food as well as for certain medicinal purpose.
Studies have shown a number of biological functions associated with consumption
of sea cucumber, many of which are attributed to its major component, sea
cucumber peptides (SCP). However, how SCP impacts immune system, which is
critical for host defense, has not been defined. To address this issue, in the
present study, we conducted comprehensive analysis of immune function after oral
administration of SCP (0, 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg body weigh) for eight weeks in
C57BL/6 mice. We found that SCP treatment significantly enhanced lymphocyte
proliferation, serum albumin (ALB) levels, and the natural killer (NK) cell
activity. Moreover, SCP promoted functions of helper T cells (Th) as indicated by
increased production of Th1 type cytokines of Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2,
Interferon (IFN)-gamma and TNF-alpha and Th2 type cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, and IL
10). To determine the effective components, SCP was hydrolyzed into 16 types of
constituent amino acids in simulated gastrointestinal digestion and these
hydrolytic amino acids (HAA) were used for the mechanistic studies in the in
vitro models. Results showed that HAA enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and
production of IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-gamma. Furthermore, CD3zeta (CD3zeta) and zeta
chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP-70), the signaling molecules essential
for activating T lymphocytes, were significantly up-regulated after HAA
treatment. In summary, our results suggest that SCP is effective in enhancing
immune function by activating T cells via impacting CD3zeta- and ZAP-70-mediated
signaling pathway.
PMID- 28991188
TI - Supporting the Development and Adoption of Automatic Lameness Detection Systems
in Dairy Cattle: Effect of System Cost and Performance on Potential Market
Shares.
AB - Most automatic lameness detection system prototypes have not yet been
commercialized, and are hence not yet adopted in practice. Therefore, the
objective of this study was to simulate the effect of detection performance
(percentage missed lame cows and percentage false alarms) and system cost on the
potential market share of three automatic lameness detection systems relative to
visual detection: a system attached to the cow, a walkover system, and a camera
system. Simulations were done using a utility model derived from survey responses
obtained from dairy farmers in Flanders, Belgium. Overall, systems attached to
the cow had the largest market potential, but were still not competitive with
visual detection. Increasing the detection performance or lowering the system
cost led to higher market shares for automatic systems at the expense of visual
detection. The willingness to pay for extra performance was ?2.57 per % less
missed lame cows, ?1.65 per % less false alerts, and ?12.7 for lame leg
indication, respectively. The presented results could be exploited by system
designers to determine the effect of adjustments to the technology on a system's
potential adoption rate.
PMID- 28991189
TI - Translational Implication of Galectin-9 in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of
Viral Infection.
AB - The interaction between galectin-9 and its receptor, Tim-3, triggers a series of
signaling events that regulate immune responses. The expression of galectin-9 has
been shown to be increased in a variety of target cells of many different
viruses, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), herpes simplex
virus (HSV), influenza virus, dengue virus (DENV), and human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV). This enhanced expression of galectin-9 following viral infection
promotes significant changes in the behaviors of the virus-infected cells, and
the resulting events tightly correlate with the immunopathogenesis of the viral
disease. Because the human immune response to different viral infections can
vary, and the lack of appropriate treatment can have potentially fatal
consequences, understanding the implications of galectin-9 is crucial for
developing better methods for monitoring and treating viral infections. This
review seeks to address how we can apply the current understanding of galectin-9
function to better understand the pathogenesis of viral infection and better
treat viral diseases.
PMID- 28991191
TI - Cooperative Localization for Multi-AUVs Based on GM-PHD Filters and Information
Entropy Theory.
AB - Cooperative localization (CL) is considered a promising method for underwater
localization with respect to multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (multi
AUVs). In this paper, we proposed a CL algorithm based on information entropy
theory and the probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter, aiming to enhance the
global localization accuracy of the follower. In the proposed framework, the
follower carries lower cost navigation systems, whereas the leaders carry better
ones. Meanwhile, the leaders acquire the followers' observations, including both
measurements and clutter. Then, the PHD filters are utilized on the leaders and
the results are communicated to the followers. The followers then perform
weighted summation based on all received messages and obtain a final positioning
result. Based on the information entropy theory and the PHD filter, the follower
is able to acquire a precise knowledge of its position.
PMID- 28991190
TI - Evolution Analysis of the Aux/IAA Gene Family in Plants Shows Dual Origins and
Variable Nuclear Localization Signals.
AB - The plant hormone auxin plays pivotal roles in many aspects of plant growth and
development. The auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family encodes short
lived nuclear proteins acting on auxin perception and signaling, but the
evolutionary history of this gene family remains to be elucidated. In this study,
the Aux/IAA gene family in 17 plant species covering all major lineages of plants
is identified and analyzed by using multiple bioinformatics methods. A total of
434 Aux/IAA genes was found among these plant species, and the gene copy number
ranges from three (Physcomitrella patens) to 63 (Glycine max). The phylogenetic
analysis shows that the canonical Aux/IAA proteins can be generally divided into
five major clades, and the origin of Aux/IAA proteins could be traced back to the
common ancestor of land plants and green algae. Many truncated Aux/IAA proteins
were found, and some of these truncated Aux/IAA proteins may be generated from
the C-terminal truncation of auxin response factor (ARF) proteins. Our results
indicate that tandem and segmental duplications play dominant roles for the
expansion of the Aux/IAA gene family mainly under purifying selection. The
putative nuclear localization signals (NLSs) in Aux/IAA proteins are
conservative, and two kinds of new primordial bipartite NLSs in P. patens and
Selaginella moellendorffii were discovered. Our findings not only give insights
into the origin and expansion of the Aux/IAA gene family, but also provide a
basis for understanding their functions during the course of evolution.
PMID- 28991192
TI - In-Season Yield Prediction of Cabbage with a Hand-Held Active Canopy Sensor.
AB - Efficient and precise yield prediction is critical to optimize cabbage yields and
guide fertilizer application. A two-year field experiment was conducted to
establish a yield prediction model for cabbage by using the Greenseeker hand-held
optical sensor. Two cabbage cultivars (Jianbao and Pingbao) were used and Jianbao
cultivar was grown for 2 consecutive seasons but Pingbao was only grown in the
second season. Four chemical nitrogen application rates were implemented: 0, 80,
140, and 200 kg.N.ha-1. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was
collected 20, 50, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, and 140 days after
transplanting (DAT). Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis were
performed to identify the relationship between the NDVI measurements and
harvested yields of cabbage. NDVI measurements obtained at 110 DAT were
significantly correlated to yield and explained 87-89% and 75-82% of the cabbage
yield variation of Jianbao cultivar over the two-year experiment and 77-81% of
the yield variability of Pingbao cultivar. Adjusting the yield prediction models
with CGDD (cumulative growing degree days) could make remarkable improvement to
the accuracy of the prediction model and increase the determination coefficient
to 0.82, while the modification with DFP (days from transplanting when GDD > 0)
values did not. The integrated exponential yield prediction equation was better
than linear or quadratic functions and could accurately make in-season estimation
of cabbage yields with different cultivars between years.
PMID- 28991193
TI - Sphingosine Kinase 1 and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling in Colorectal Cancer.
AB - Sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1) is a highly conserved lipid kinase that
phosphorylates sphingosine to form sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Growing studies
have demonstrated that Sphk1 is overexpressed in various types of solid cancers
and can be induced by growth factors, cytokines, and carcinogens, leading to the
increase of S1P production. Subsequently, the increased Sphk1/S1P facilitates
cancer cell proliferation, mobility, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.
Therefore, Sphk1/S1P signaling plays oncogenic roles. This review summarizes the
features of Sphk1/S1P signaling and their functions in colorectal cancer cell
growth, tumorigenesis, and metastasis, as well as the possible underlying
mechanisms.
PMID- 28991195
TI - A Microwave Thermostatic Reactor for Processing Liquid Materials Based on a Heat
Exchanger.
AB - Microwaves have been widely used in the treatment of different materials.
However, the existing adjustable power thermostatic reactors cannot be used to
analyze materials characteristics under microwave effects. In this paper, a
microwave thermostatic chemical reactor for processing liquid materials is
proposed, by controlling the velocity of coolant based on PLC (programmable logic
controller) in different liquid under different constant electric field
intensity. A nonpolar coolant (Polydimethylsiloxane), which is completely
microwave transparent, is employed to cool the liquid materials. Experiments are
performed to measure the liquid temperature using optical fibers, the results
show that the precision of temperature control is at the range of +/-0.5 degrees
C. Compared with the adjustable power thermostatic control system, the effect of
electric field changes on material properties are avoided and it also can be used
to detect the properties of liquid materials and special microwave effects.
PMID- 28991194
TI - PARP1 in Carcinomas and PARP1 Inhibitors as Antineoplastic Drugs.
AB - Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), the best-studied isoform of the nuclear
enzyme PARP family, plays a pivotal role in cellular biological processes, such
as DNA repair, gene transcription, and so on. PARP1 has been found to be
overexpressed in various carcinomas. These all indicate the clinical potential of
PARP1 as a therapeutic target of human malignancies. Additionally, multiple
preclinical research studies and clinical trials demonstrate that inhibition of
PARP1 can repress tumor growth and metastasis. Up until now, PARP1 inhibitors are
clinically used not only for monotherapy to suppress various tumors, but also for
adjuvant therapy, to maintain or enhance therapeutic effects of mature
antineoplastic drugs, as well as protect patients from chemotherapy and surgery
induced injury. To supply a framework for understanding recent research progress
of PARP1 in carcinomas, we review the structure, expression, functions, and
mechanisms of PARP1, and summarize the clinically mature PARP1-related anticancer
agents, to provide some ideas for the development of other promising PARP1
inhibitors in antineoplastic therapy.
PMID- 28991196
TI - Phaseolus acutifolius Lectin Fractions Exhibit Apoptotic Effects on Colon Cancer:
Preclinical Studies Using Dimethilhydrazine or Azoxi-Methane as Cancer Induction
Agents.
AB - Phaseolus acutifolius (Tepary bean) lectins have been studied as cytotoxic
molecules on colon cancer cells. The toxicological profile of a Tepary bean
lectin fraction (TBLF) has shown low toxicity in experimental animals; exhibiting
anti-nutritional effects such as a reduction in body weight gain and a decrease
in food intake when using a dose of 50 mg/kg on alternate days for six weeks.
Taking this information into account, the focus of this work was to evaluate the
effect of the TBLF on colon cancer using 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) or azoxy
methane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) as colon cancer inductors. Rats were
treated with DMH or AOM/DSS and then administered with TBFL (50 mg/kg) for six
weeks. TBLF significantly decreased early tumorigenesis triggered by DMH by 70%,
but without any evidence of an apoptotic effect. In an independent experiment,
AOM/DSS was used to generate aberrant cryptic foci, which decreased by 50% after
TBLF treatment. TBLF exhibited antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects related
to a decrease of the signal transduction pathway protein Akt in its activated
form and an increase of caspase 3 activity, but not to p53 activation. Further
studies will deepen our knowledge of specific apoptosis pathways and cellular
stress processes such as oxidative damage.
PMID- 28991197
TI - Differential Proteome Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles from Breast Cancer Cell
Lines by Chaperone Affinity Enrichment.
AB - The complexity of human tissue fluid precludes timely identification of cancer
biomarkers by immunoassay or mass spectrometry. An increasingly attractive
strategy is to primarily enrich extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from cancer
cells in an accelerated manner compared to normal cells. The Vn96 peptide was
herein employed to recover a subset of EVs released into the media from cellular
models of breast cancer. Vn96 has affinity for heat shock proteins (HSPs)
decorating the surface of EVs. Reflecting their cells of origin, cancer EVs
displayed discrete differences from those of normal phenotype. GELFrEE LC/MS
identified an extensive proteome from all three sources of EVs, the vast majority
having been previously reported in the ExoCarta database. Pathway analysis of the
Vn96-affinity proteome unequivocally distinguished EVs from tumorigenic cell
lines (SKBR3 and MCF-7) relative to a non-tumorigenic source (MCF-10a),
particularly with regard to altered metabolic enzymes, signaling, and chaperone
proteins. The protein data sets provide valuable information from material shed
by cultured cells. It is probable that a vast amount of biomarker identities may
be collected from established and primary cell cultures using the approaches
described here.
PMID- 28991198
TI - Gypmacrophin A, a Rare Pentacyclic Sesterterpenoid, Together with Three Depsides,
Functioned as New Chemical Evidence for Gypsoplaca macrophylla (Zahlbr.) Timdal
Identification.
AB - The phytochemical investigation on 1 g of materials from Gypsoplacamacrophylla
(Zahlbr.) Timdal resulted in the discovery of gypmacrophin A, a rare pentacyclic
sesterterpenoid; brialmontin III, a new polysubstituted depside and two known
ones, brialmontins I and II. The structure and absolute configurations of
gypmacrophin A were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and computational
methods. Gypmacrophin A showed weak inhibition of AchE with an IC50 value of
32.03 MUM. The four compounds provided new chemical evidence for G. macrophylla
identification.
PMID- 28991199
TI - Modelling the Ozone-Based Treatments for Inactivation of Microorganisms.
AB - The paper presents the development of a model for ozone treatment in a dynamic
bed of different microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, B. pumilus,
Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aspergillus niger, Eupenicillium
cinnamopurpureum) on a heterogeneous matrix (juniper berries, cardamom seeds)
initially treated with numerous ozone doses during various contact times was
studied. Taking into account various microorganism susceptibility to ozone, it
was of great importance to develop a sufficiently effective ozone dose to
preserve food products using different strains based on the microbial model. For
this purpose, we have chosen the Weibull model to describe the survival curves of
different microorganisms. Based on the results of microorganism survival
modelling after ozone treatment and considering the least susceptible strains to
ozone, we selected the critical ones. Among tested strains, those from genus
Bacillus were recognized as the most critical strains. In particular, B. subtilis
and B. pumilus possessed the highest resistance to ozone treatment because the
time needed to achieve the lowest level of its survival was the longest (up to
17.04 min and 16.89 min for B. pumilus reduction on juniper berry and cardamom
seed matrix, respectively). Ozone treatment allow inactivate microorganisms to
achieving lower survival rates by ozone dose (20.0 g O3/m3 O2, with a flow rate
of 0.4 L/min) and contact time (up to 20 min). The results demonstrated that a
linear correlation between parameters p and k in Weibull distribution, providing
an opportunity to calculate a fitted equation of the process.
PMID- 28991200
TI - Joint Power Charging and Routing in Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks.
AB - The development of wireless power transfer (WPT) technology has inspired the
transition from traditional battery-based wireless sensor networks (WSNs) towards
wireless rechargeable sensor networks (WRSNs). While extensive efforts have been
made to improve charging efficiency, little has been done for routing
optimization. In this work, we present a joint optimization model to maximize
both charging efficiency and routing structure. By analyzing the structure of the
optimization model, we first decompose the problem and propose a heuristic
algorithm to find the optimal charging efficiency for the predefined routing
tree. Furthermore, by coding the many-to-one communication topology as an
individual, we further propose to apply a genetic algorithm (GA) for the joint
optimization of both routing and charging. The genetic operations, including tree
based recombination and mutation, are proposed to obtain a fast convergence. Our
simulation results show that the heuristic algorithm reduces the number of
resident locations and the total moving distance. We also show that our proposed
algorithm achieves a higher charging efficiency compared with existing
algorithms.
PMID- 28991201
TI - An Evaluation of the Healthiness of the Indian Packaged Food and Beverage Supply.
AB - Availability of less-healthy packaged food and beverage products has been
implicated as an important driver of obesity and diet-related disease. An
increasing number of packaged foods and beverages are sold in India. Our
objective was to evaluate the healthiness of packaged foods sold by India's
largest manufacturers. Healthiness was assessed using the Australian Health Star
Rating (HSR) system and the World Health Organization's European Regional Office
(WHO Euro) Nutrient Profile Model. Sales-value-weighted mean healthiness and the
proportions of "healthy" products (using a validated HSR cut-off of >=3.5, and
products meeting WHO Euro criteria as healthy enough to market to children) were
calculated overall, by company and by food category. Nutrient information for 943
products sold by the 11 largest Indian manufacturers was obtained from nutrient
labels, company websites or directly from the manufacturer. Healthiness was low
overall (mean HSR 1.8 out of 5.0 stars) with a low proportion defined as
"healthy" by both HSR (17%) and also by WHO Euro criteria (8%). There were marked
differences in the healthiness of similar products within food categories.
Substantial variation between companies (minimum sales-value-weighted mean HSR
0.5 for Company G, versus maximum HSR 3.0 for Company F) was a result of
differences in the types of products sold and the nutritional composition of
individual products. There are clear opportunities for India's largest food
companies to improve both the nutritional quality of individual products and to
improve their product mix to include a greater proportion of healthy products.
PMID- 28991202
TI - Solid-State Form Characterization of Riparin I.
AB - Riparin I is an alkamide with potential anxiolytic activity in preclinical
studies. The characterization and understanding of solid-state properties play an
importance role in drug development. For this work, the solid state of five
riparin I batches (RIP-1, RIP-2, RIP-3, RIP-4, and RIP-5), obtained by the same
synthesis process, were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM),
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), DSC-photovisual, Thermogravimetry (TG),
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Pyrolysis (Pyr-GC/MS), X-ray Powder
Diffraction (PXRD), and Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR)
techniques. Batches of riparin I with different crystal habits resulting in
crystallization impurities were observed, which can be attributed to the presence
of triethylamine. The main differences were observed by DSC, PXRD, and ssNMR
analysis. DSC curves of RIP-2 and RIP-3 presented endothermic peaks at different
temperatures of fusion, which can be attributed to the mixture of different
crystalline forms. PXRD and ssNMR results confirmed crystallinity differences.
The results offer evidence of the importance of controlling the reproducibility
of the synthesis in order to obtain the adequate morphology for therapeutic
efficacy and avoiding future problems in quality control of riparin I products.
PMID- 28991203
TI - Pharmacy Practice and Education in the Czech Republic.
AB - The PHARMINE ("Pharmacy Education in Europe") project studied the organisation of
pharmacy education, practice and legislation in the European Union (EU) with the
objectives of evaluating to what degree harmonisation had taken place with the
EU, and producing documents on each individual EU member state. Part of this work
was in the form of a survey of pharmacy education, practice, and legislation in
the various member states. We will publish the individual member state surveys as
reference documents. This paper presents the results of the PHARMINE survey on
pharmacy education, training, and practice in the Czech Republic. Czech community
pharmacies sell and provide advice on Rx and Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines;
they also provide diagnostic services (e.g., blood pressure measurement).
Pharmacists (lekarnik in Czech) study for five years and graduate with a Magister
(Mgr., equivalent to M.Pharm.) degree. The Mgr. diploma is the only requirement
for registration as a pharmacist. Pharmacists can own and manage community
pharmacies, or work as responsible pharmacists in pharmacies. All practising
pharmacists must be registered with the Czech Chamber of Pharmacists. The
ownership of a community pharmacy is not restricted to members of the pharmacy
profession; the majority of pharmacies are organised into various pharmacy
chains. There are two universities providing higher education in pharmacy in the
Czech Republic: the Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University,
which was established in 1969, and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of
Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno, which was established in 1991.
The pharmacy curriculum is organized as a seamless, fully integrated, five-year
master degree course. There is a six-month traineeship supervised by the
university, which usually takes place during the fifth year. Thus, the pharmacy
curriculum is organised in accordance with the EU directive on sectoral
professions that lays down the imperatives for pharmacy education, training, and
practice in the various member states of the EU. Currently, no specialisation
courses are available at the university level. Specialisation is organised in the
form of postgraduate, continuing professional development by the Czech Chamber of
Pharmacists, and delivered by the Institute of Postgraduate Education for Health
Professions.
PMID- 28991204
TI - Influence of Plant Growth Retardants on Quality of Codonopsis Radix.
AB - Plant growth retardant (PGR) refers to organics that can inhibit the cell
division of plant stem tip sub-apical meristem cells or primordial meristem cell.
They are widely used in the cultivation of rhizomatous functional plants; such as
Codonopsis Radix, that is a famous Chinese traditional herb. However, it is still
unclear whether PGR affects the medicinal quality of C. Radix. In the present
study, amino acid analyses, targeted and non-targeted analyses by ultra
performance liquid chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry
(UPLC-TOF-MS) and gas chromatography-MS were used to analyze and compare the
composition of untreated C. Radix and C. Radix treated with PGR. The contents of
two key bioactive compounds, lobetyolin and atractylenolide III, were not
affected by PGR treatment. The amounts of polysaccharides and some internal
volatiles were significantly decreased by PGR treatment; while the free amino
acids content was generally increased. Fifteen metabolites whose abundance were
affected by PGR treatment were identified by UPLC-TOF-MS. Five of the up
regulated compounds have been reported to show immune activity, which might
contribute to the healing efficacy ("buqi") of C. Radix. The results of this
study showed that treatment of C. Radix with PGR during cultivation has economic
benefits and affected some main bioactive compounds in C. Radix.
PMID- 28991205
TI - Associations between Perceived Neighborhood Walkability and Walking Time,
Wellbeing, and Loneliness in Community-Dwelling Older Chinese People in Hong
Kong.
AB - This study examined the cross-sectional associations between perceived
neighborhood walkability and walking time, physical activity, wellbeing, and
loneliness, and examined which components of walkability were most strongly
associated with better wellbeing and less loneliness in older adults.
Participants were community-dwelling Chinese adults aged 60+ (n = 181).
Walkability was measured using nine items selected from the Chinese version of
the abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scales (NEWS) and NEWS for
Chinese Seniors. Outcomes were walking time, physical activity, wellbeing (life
satisfaction, happiness, sense of purpose and meaning in life), and loneliness.
The mean age of the participants was 71.7 +/- 7.8 years. Walkability was
positively associated with walking time (p = 0.001, p for trend <0.001) but not
with physical activity. After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics,
health conditions, lifestyle, and negative life events, those who perceived their
neighborhoods as walkable had higher scores for life satisfaction (p = 0.002) and
happiness (p = 0.002), and lower scores for loneliness (p = 0.019), compared with
those who perceived their neighborhoods as less walkable. However, perceived
neighborhood walkability was not associated with sense of purpose and meaning in
life. Among components of walkability, land use mix-access, infrastructure and
safety for walking, and traffic safety showed the strongest associations with the
measures of wellbeing. The results of this study support the importance of
neighborhood walkability for health behavior and wellbeing of older adults. The
wellbeing of older adults may be enhanced through the improvement of land use mix
access, infrastructure for walking, and traffic safety.
PMID- 28991206
TI - Systematic Identification of Machine-Learning Models Aimed to Classify Critical
Residues for Protein Function from Protein Structure.
AB - Protein structure and protein function should be related, yet the nature of this
relationship remains unsolved. Mapping the critical residues for protein function
with protein structure features represents an opportunity to explore this
relationship, yet two important limitations have precluded a proper analysis of
the structure-function relationship of proteins: (i) the lack of a formal
definition of what critical residues are and (ii) the lack of a systematic
evaluation of methods and protein structure features. To address this problem,
here we introduce an index to quantify the protein-function criticality of a
residue based on experimental data and a strategy aimed to optimize both,
descriptors of protein structure (physicochemical and centrality descriptors) and
machine learning algorithms, to minimize the error in the classification of
critical residues. We observed that both physicochemical and centrality
descriptors of residues effectively relate protein structure and protein
function, and that physicochemical descriptors better describe critical residues.
We also show that critical residues are better classified when residue
criticality is considered as a binary attribute (i.e., residues are considered
critical or not critical). Using this binary annotation for critical residues 8
models rendered accurate and non-overlapping classification of critical residues,
confirming the multi-factorial character of the structure-function relationship
of proteins.
PMID- 28991207
TI - Fe Core-Carbon Shell Nanoparticles as Advanced MRI Contrast Enhancer.
AB - The aim of this study is to fabricate a hybrid composite of iron (Fe) core-carbon
(C) shell nanoparticles with enhanced magnetic properties for contrast
enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These new classes of magnetic
core-shell nanoparticles are synthesized using a one-step top-down approach
through the electric plasma discharge generated in the cavitation field in
organic solvents by an ultrasonic horn. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
observations revealed the core-shell nanoparticles with 10-85 nm in diameter with
excellent dispersibility in water without any agglomeration. TEM showed the
structural confirmation of Fe nanoparticles with body centered cubic (bcc)
crystal structure. Magnetic multi-functional hybrid composites of Fe core-C shell
nanoparticles were then evaluated as negative MRI contrast agents, displaying
remarkably high transverse relaxivity (r2) of 70 mM-1.S-1 at 7 T. This simple one
step synthesis procedure is highly versatile and produces desired nanoparticles
with high efficacy as MRI contrast agents and potential utility in other
biomedical applications.
PMID- 28991208
TI - Wet-Chemical Preparation of TiO2-Based Composites with Different Morphologies and
Photocatalytic Properties.
AB - TiO2-based composites have been paid significant attention in the photocatalysis
field. The size, crystallinity and nanomorphology of TiO2 materials have an
important effect on the photocatalytic efficiency. The synthesis and
photocatalytic activity of TiO2-based materials have been widely investigated in
past decades. Based on our group's research works on TiO2 materials, this review
introduces several methods for the fabrication of TiO2, rare-earth-doped TiO2 and
noble-metal-decorated TiO2 particles with different morphologies. We focused on
the preparation and the formation mechanism of TiO2-based materials with unique
structures including spheres, hollow spheres, porous spheres, hollow porous
spheres and urchin-like spheres. The photocatalytical activity of urchin-like
TiO2, noble metal nanoparticle-decorated 3D (three-dimensional) urchin-like TiO2
and bimetallic core/shell nanoparticle-decorated urchin-like hierarchical TiO2
are briefly discussed.
PMID- 28991209
TI - Design, Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Psoralen Derivatives.
AB - A series of linear furanocoumarins with different substituents have been designed
and synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, high
resolution mass spectra (EI-MS), IR, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. All of
the target compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antifungal activity
against Rhizoctorzia solani, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria solani, Gibberella
zeae, Cucumber anthrax, and Alternaria leaf spot at 100 MUg/mL, and some of the
designed compounds exhibited potential antifungal activities. Compound 3a (67.9%)
exhibited higher activity than the control Osthole (66.1%) against Botrytis
cinerea. Furthermore, compound 4b (62.4%) represented equivalent antifungal
activity as Osthole (69.5%) against Rhizoctonia solani. The structure-activity
relationship (SAR) study demonstrates that linear furanocoumarin moiety has an
important effect on the antifungal activity, promoting the idea of the coumarin
ring as a framework that might be exploited in the future.
PMID- 28991210
TI - A Central Bioactive Region of LTBP-2 Stimulates the Expression of TGF-beta1 in
Fibroblasts via Akt and p38 Signalling Pathways.
AB - Latent transforming growth factor-beta-1 binding protein-2 (LTBP-2) belongs to
the LTBP-fibrillin superfamily of extracellular proteins. Unlike other LTBPs,
LTBP-2 does not covalently bind transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) but
appears to be implicated in the regulation of TGF-beta1 bioactivity, although the
mechanisms are largely unknown. In experiments originally designed to study the
displacement of latent TGF-beta1 complexes from matrix storage, we found that the
addition of exogenous LTBP-2 to cultured human MSU-1.1 fibroblasts caused an
increase in TGF-beta1 levels in the medium. However, the TGF-beta1 increase was
due to an upregulation of TGF-beta1 expression and secretion rather than a
displacement of matrix-stored TGF-beta1. The secreted TGF-beta1 was mainly in an
inactive form, and its concentration peaked around 15 h after addition of LTBP-2.
Using a series of recombinant LTBP-2 fragments, the bioactivity was identified to
a small region of LTBP-2 consisting of an 8-Cys motif flanked by four epidermal
growth factor (EGF)-like repeats. The LTBP-2 stimulation of TGF-beta expression
involved the phosphorylation of both Akt and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase
(MAPK) signalling proteins, and specific inactivation of each protein
individually blocked TGF-beta1 increase. The search for the cell surface receptor
mediating this LTBP-2 activity proved inconclusive. Inhibitory antibodies to
integrins beta1 and alphaVbeta5 showed no reduction of LTBP-2 stimulation of TGF
beta1. However, TGF-beta1 upregulation was partially inhibited by anti
alphaVbeta3 integrin antibodies, suggestive of a direct or indirect role for this
integrin. Overall, the study indicates that LTBP-2 can directly upregulate
cellular TGF-beta1 expression and secretion by interaction with cells via a short
central bioactive region. This may be significant in connective tissue disorders
involving aberrant TGF-beta1 signalling.
PMID- 28991211
TI - Determination of Cadmium in Brown Rice Samples by Fluorescence Spectroscopy Using
a Fluoroionophore after Purification of Cadmium by Anion Exchange Resin.
AB - Simple analytical methods are needed for determining the cadmium (Cd) content of
brown rice samples. In the present study, we developed a new analytical procedure
consisting of the digestion of rice using HCl, Cd purification using anion
exchange resin, and then determining the Cd content using fluorescence
spectroscopy. Digestion with 0.1 M HCl for 10 min at room temperature was
sufficient to extract Cd from the ground rice samples. The Cd in the extract was
successfully purified in preference to other metals using Dowex 1X8 chloride form
resin. Low concentrations of Cd in the eluate could be determined using
fluorescence spectroscopy with a fluoroionophore. Overall, the actual limit of
quantification value for the Cd content in rice was about 0.1 mg-Cd/kg-rice,
which was sufficiently low compared with the regulatory value (0.4 mg-Cd/kg-rice)
given by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. We analyzed authentic brown rice
samples using our new analytical procedure and the results agreed well with those
determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP
OES). Since the fluoroionophore recognized Zn2+ and Hg2+ as well as Cd2+, a
sample containing high concentration of Zn2+ or Hg2+ might cause a false positive
result.
PMID- 28991213
TI - Predictive QSAR Models for the Toxicity of Disinfection Byproducts.
AB - Several hundred disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water have been
identified, and are known to have potentially adverse health effects. There are
toxicological data gaps for most DBPs, and the predictive method may provide an
effective way to address this. The development of an in-silico model of
toxicology endpoints of DBPs is rarely studied. The main aim of the present study
is to develop predictive quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)
models for the reactive toxicities of 50 DBPs in the five bioassays of X
Microtox, GSH+, GSH-, DNA+ and DNA-. All-subset regression was used to select the
optimal descriptors, and multiple linear-regression models were built. The
developed QSAR models for five endpoints satisfied the internal and external
validation criteria: coefficient of determination (R2) > 0.7, explained variance
in leave-one-out prediction (Q2LOO) and in leave-many-out prediction (Q2LMO) >
0.6, variance explained in external prediction (Q2F1, Q2F2, and Q2F3) > 0.7, and
concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) > 0.85. The application domains and the
meaning of the selective descriptors for the QSAR models were discussed. The
obtained QSAR models can be used in predicting the toxicities of the 50 DBPs.
PMID- 28991212
TI - Evaluating the Effects of an Organic Extract from the Mediterranean Sponge Geodia
cydonium on Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines.
AB - Marine sponges are an excellent source of bioactive secondary metabolites for
pharmacological applications. In the present study, we evaluated the chemistry,
cytotoxicity and metabolomics of an organic extract from the Mediterranean marine
sponge Geodia cydonium, collected in coastal waters of the Gulf of Naples. We
identified an active fraction able to block proliferation of breast cancer cell
lines MCF-7, MDA-MB231, and MDA-MB468 and to induce cellular apoptosis, whereas
it was inactive on normal breast cells (MCF-10A). Metabolomic studies showed that
this active fraction was able to interfere with amino acid metabolism, as well as
to modulate glycolysis and glycosphingolipid metabolic pathways. In addition, the
evaluation of the cytokinome profile on the polar fractions of three treated
breast cancer cell lines (compared to untreated cells) demonstrated that this
fraction induced a slight anti-inflammatory effect. Finally, the chemical
entities present in this fraction were analyzed by liquid chromatography high
resolution mass spectrometry combined with molecular networking.
PMID- 28991214
TI - Polymethacrylate Coated Electrospun PHB Fibers as a Functionalized Platform for
Bio-Diagnostics: Confirmation Analysis on the Presence of Immobilized IgG
Antibodies against Dengue Virus.
AB - In this article, a combination of far field electrospinning (FFES) and free
radical polymerization has been used to create a unique platform for protein
immobilization via the physical attachment of biomolecules to the surface of the
fiber mats. The large specific surface area of the fibers with its tailored
chemistry provides a desirable platform for effective analyte-surface
interaction. The detailed analysis of protein immobilization on a newly developed
bio-receptive surface plays a vital role to gauge its advantages in bio
diagnostic applications. We relied on scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
diameter range analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), along with
thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), water-in-air contact angle analysis (WCA),
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM)
to study our developed platforms and to provide valuable information regarding
the presence of biomolecular entities on the surface. Detailed analyses of the
fiber mats before and after antibody immobilization have shown obvious changes on
the surface of the bioreceptive surface including: (i) an additional peak
corresponding to the presence of an antibody in TGA analysis; (ii) extra FTIR
peaks corresponding to the presence of antibodies on the coated fiber platforms;
and (iii) a clear alteration in surface roughness recorded by AFM analysis.
Confirmation analyses on protein immobilization are of great importance as they
underlay substantial grounds for various biosensing applications.
PMID- 28991216
TI - Adaptive Integration of the Compressed Algorithm of CS and NPC for the ECG Signal
Compressed Algorithm in VLSI Implementation.
AB - Compressed sensing (CS) is a promising approach to the compression and
reconstruction of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. It has been shown that
following reconstruction, most of the changes between the original and
reconstructed signals are distributed in the Q, R, and S waves (QRS) region.
Furthermore, any increase in the compression ratio tends to increase the
magnitude of the change. This paper presents a novel approach integrating the
near-precise compressed (NPC) and CS algorithms. The simulation results presented
notable improvements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and compression ratio (CR).
The efficacy of this approach was verified by fabricating a highly efficient low
cost chip using the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) 0.18-MUm
Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The proposed core has
an operating frequency of 60 MHz and gate counts of 2.69 K.
PMID- 28991215
TI - Exploring the Degradation of Ibuprofen by Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b): The
New Pathway and Factors Affecting Degradation.
AB - Ibuprofen is one of the most often detected pollutants in the environment,
particularly at landfill sites and in wastewaters. Contamination with
pharmaceuticals is often accompanied by the presence of other compounds which may
influence their degradation. This work describes the new degradation pathway of
ibuprofen by Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b), focusing on enzymes engaged in
this process. It is known that the key intermediate which transformation limits
the velocity of the degradation process is hydroxyibuprofen. As the degradation
rate also depends on various factors, the influence of selected heavy metals and
aromatic compounds on ibuprofen degradation by the B1(2015b) strain was examined.
Based on the values of non-observed effect concentration (NOEC) it was found that
the toxicity of tested metals increases from Hg(II) < Cu(II) < Cd(II) < Co(II) <
Cr(VI). Despite the toxic effect of metals, the biodegradation of ibuprofen was
observed. The addition of Co2+ ions into the medium significantly extended the
time necessary for the complete removal of ibuprofen. It was shown that Bacillus
thuringiensis B1(2015b) was able to degrade ibuprofen in the presence of phenol,
benzoate, and 2-chlorophenol. Moreover, along with the removal of ibuprofen,
degradation of phenol and benzoate was observed. Introduction of 4-chlorophenol
into the culture completely inhibits degradation of ibuprofen.
PMID- 28991217
TI - An Efficient and QoS Supported Multichannel MAC Protocol for Vehicular Ad Hoc
Networks.
AB - Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) employ multichannel to provide a variety of
safety and non-safety (transport efficiency and infotainment) applications, based
on the IEEE 802.11p and IEEE 1609.4 protocols. Different types of applications
require different levels Quality-of-Service (QoS) support. Recently, transport
efficiency and infotainment applications (e.g., electronic map download and
Internet access) have received more and more attention, and this kind of
applications is expected to become a big market driver in a near future. In this
paper, we propose an Efficient and QoS supported Multichannel Medium Access
Control (EQM-MAC) protocol for VANETs in a highway environment. The EQM-MAC
protocol utilizes the service channel resources for non-safety message
transmissions during the whole synchronization interval, and it dynamically
adjusts minimum contention window size for different non-safety services
according to the traffic conditions. Theoretical model analysis and extensive
simulation results show that the EQM-MAC protocol can support QoS services, while
ensuring the high saturation throughput and low transmission delay for non-safety
applications.
PMID- 28991218
TI - Furanones and Anthranilic Acid Derivatives from the Endophytic Fungus
Dendrothyrium variisporum.
AB - Extracts from an endophytic fungus isolated from the roots of the Algerian plant
Globularia alypum showed prominent antimicrobial activity in a screening for
novel antibiotics. The producer organism was identified as Dendrothyrium
variisporum by means of morphological studies and molecular phylogenetic methods.
Studies on the secondary metabolite production of this strain in various culture
media revealed that the major components from shake flasks were massarilactones D
(1) and H (2) as well as two new furanone derivatives for which we propose the
trivial names (5S)-cis-gregatin B (3) and graminin D (4). Scale-up of the
fermentation in a 10 L bioreactor yielded massarilactone D and several further
metabolites. Among those were three new anthranilic acid derivatives (5-7), two
known anthranilic acid analogues (8 and 9) and three cyclopeptides (10-12). Their
structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D-
and 2D-NMR), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), and the application of
the modified Mosher's method. The isolated metabolites were tested for
antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities against various bacteria, fungi, and two
mammalian cell lines. The new Metabolite 5 and Compound 9 exhibited antimicrobial
activity while Compound 9 showed cytotoxicity activity against KB3.1 cells.
PMID- 28991219
TI - Distributions and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Soils
around a Chemical Plant in Shanxi, China.
AB - Background: Yearly the Shanxi coal chemical industry extracts many coal
resources, producing at the same time many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) that are emitted as by-products of coal incomplete combustion. Methods:
Sixty-six soil samples collected from 0 to 100 cm vertical sections of three
different agricultural (AS), roadside (RS) and park (PS) functional soils around
a chemical plant in Shanxi, China were analyzed for the presence of the 16
priority control PAHs. Results: The total concentrations (?16PAHs) varied in a
range of 35.4-116 mg/kg, 5.93-66.5 mg/kg and 3.87-76.0 mg/kg for the RS, PS and
AS surface soil, respectively, and 5-ring PAHs were found to be dominant (44.4
49.0%), followed by 4-ring PAHs (15.9-24.5%). Moreover, the average value of
?16PAHs decreased with the depth, 7.87 mg/kg (0-25 cm), 4.29 mg/kg (25-50 cm),
3.00 mg/kg (50-75 cm), 2.64 mg/kg (75-100 cm) respectively, in PS and AS soil
vertical sections. Conclusions: The PAH levels in the studied soils were the
serious contamination level (over 1.00 mg/kg) according to the Soils Quality
Guidelines. The carcinogenic PAHs (SigmaBPAHsBapeq) were approximately 14.8 times
higher than the standard guideline level (0.60 mg/kg) and 90.3% of PAHs were
produced by coal/wood/grass combustion processes.
PMID- 28991220
TI - Wireless Biological Electronic Sensors.
AB - The development of wireless biological electronic sensors could open up
significant advances for both fundamental studies and practical applications in a
variety of areas, including medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and
defense applications. One of the major challenges in the development of wireless
bioelectronic sensors is the successful integration of biosensing units and
wireless signal transducers. In recent years, there are a few types of wireless
communication systems that have been integrated with biosensing systems to
construct wireless bioelectronic sensors. To successfully construct wireless
biological electronic sensors, there are several interesting questions: What
types of biosensing transducers can be used in wireless bioelectronic sensors?
What types of wireless systems can be integrated with biosensing transducers to
construct wireless bioelectronic sensors? How are the electrical sensing signals
generated and transmitted? This review will highlight the early attempts to
address these questions in the development of wireless biological electronic
sensors.
PMID- 28991222
TI - Nutrient-extraction blender preparation reduces postprandial glucose responses
from fruit juice consumption.
AB - Although whole-fruit consumption is regarded as protective against type 2
diabetes (T2DM), conventionally prepared fruit juice is associated with increased
T2DM risk, and current public health advice recommends its restriction. 'Nutrient
extractor' style blenders are increasing in popularity worldwide as an
alternative means of juicing fruit, but little is known about their effect on
postprandial glucose levels. The current study investigated the effect of
nutrient extraction on postprandial blood glucose response and glycemic index
(GI) compared with a glucose control for both mixed fruit and a high GI fruit
(mango). Remarkably, consumption of nutrient-extracted mixed fruit resulted in a
significant lowering of the GI (32.7+/-8.5) compared with whole mixed fruit
(66.2+/-8.2, P<0.05). For the high GI mango, there were no differences between
nutrient-extracted and whole fruit, indicating that even for a high GI fruit the
effect of nutrient extraction does not increase GI compared with the whole fruit.
These findings suggest that, in contrast to conventionally prepared fruit juice,
fruit juice prepared by nutrient extraction in some cases elicits a more
favorable postprandial glycemic response than whole fruit and even for high GI
fruits do not worsen the response. The mechanism responsible for this effect is
currently unclear. However, these results suggest that fruit homogenized by
nutrient extraction should be considered as a potential dietetic strategy for
glycemic control.
PMID- 28991221
TI - A non-coding function of TYRP1 mRNA promotes melanoma growth.
AB - Competition among RNAs to bind miRNA is proposed to influence biological systems.
However, the role of this competition in disease onset is unclear. Here, we
report that TYRP1 mRNA, in addition to encoding tyrosinase-related protein 1
(TYRP1), indirectly promotes cell proliferation by sequestering miR-16 on non
canonical miRNA response elements. Consequently, the sequestered miR-16 is no
longer able to repress its mRNA targets, such as RAB17, which is involved in
melanoma cell proliferation and tumour growth. Restoration of miR-16 tumour
suppressor function can be achieved in vitro by silencing TYRP1 or increasing miR
16 expression. Importantly, TYRP1-dependent miR-16 sequestration can also be
overcome in vivo by using small oligonucleotides that mask miR-16-binding sites
on TYRP1 mRNA. Together, our findings assign a pathogenic non-coding function to
TYRP1 mRNA and highlight miRNA displacement as a promising targeted therapeutic
approach for melanoma.
PMID- 28991223
TI - Merkel cell polyomavirus small T antigen induces genome instability by E3
ubiquitin ligase targeting.
AB - This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.277.
PMID- 28991224
TI - Resistin facilitates breast cancer progression via TLR4-mediated induction of
mesenchymal phenotypes and stemness properties.
AB - Growing evidence indicates that resistin-an obesity-related cytokine-is
upregulated in breast cancer patients, yet its impact on breast cancer behavior
remains to be ascertained. Similarly, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been
implicated in breast cancer progression, however, its clinically relevant
endogenous ligand remains elusive. In this study, we observed that high serum
resistin levels in breast cancer patients positively correlated with tumor stage,
size and lymph node metastasis. These findings were replicated in animal models
of breast cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis. Resistin was found to promote
epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness in breast cancer cells-mechanisms
critical to tumorigenesis and metastasis-through a TLR4/nuclear factor kappa
light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB)/signal transducer and
activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway and negated by TLR4
specific antibody and antagonist. These findings provide clear evidence that
resistin is a clinically relevant endogenous ligand for TLR4, which promotes
tumor progression via TLR4/NF-kappaB/STAT3 signaling, providing insights into a
novel therapeutic target in breast cancer.
PMID- 28991225
TI - Super-enhancers define a proliferative PGC-1alpha-expressing melanoma subgroup
sensitive to BET inhibition.
AB - Metabolic changes are linked to epigenetic reprogramming and play important roles
in several tumor types. PGC-1alpha is a transcriptional coactivator controlling
mitochondrial biogenesis and is linked to oxidative phosphorylation. We provide
evidence that melanoma models with elevated PGC-1alpha levels are characteristic
of the proliferative phenotype and are sensitive to bromodomain and extra
terminal domain (BET) inhibitor treatment. A super-enhancer region highly
occupied by the BET family member BRD4 was identified for the PGC-1alpha gene.
BET inhibitor treatment prevented this interaction, leading to a dramatic
reduction of PGC-1alpha expression. Accordingly, BET inhibition diminished
respiration and mitochondrial function in cells. In vivo, melanoma models with
high PGC-1alpha expression strongly responded to BET inhibition by reduction of
PGC-1alpha and impaired tumor growth. Altogether, our findings identify
epigenetic regulatory elements that define a subset of melanomas with high
sensitivity to BET inhibition, which opens up the opportunity to define melanoma
patients most likely to respond to this treatment, depending on their tumor
characteristics.
PMID- 28991226
TI - LSD1 promotes S-phase entry and tumorigenesis via chromatin co-occupation with
E2F1 and selective H3K9 demethylation.
AB - Histone H3 lysine-9 (H3K9) methylation is essential for retinoblastoma protein
(RB)-mediated heterochromatin formation, epigenetic silencing of S-phase genes
and permanent cell cycle arrest or cellular senescence. Besides as an H3K4
demethylase, lysine-specific demethylase-1 (LSD1) has been shown to promote H3K9
demethylation. However, it is unexplored whether LSD1 has a causal role in
regulating cell cycle entry and senescence. Here we demonstrate that genetic
depletion or pharmacological inhibition of LSD1 triggers G1 arrest and cellular
senescence. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing analysis reveals
that LSD1 binding sites overlap significantly with those bound by the S-phase
gene transcription factor E2F1. Gene ontology analysis demonstrates that a large
portion of E2F1 and LSD1 cotargeted genes are involved in cell cycle and
proliferation. Further analyses show that depletion of LSD1 increases the level
of H3K9me2 and thereby represses expression of the LSD1-E2F1 cotarget genes, but
has no effects on H3K4me2 level in those loci. In contrast, knockdown of the
H3K4me2 reader PHF8 decreases the H3K4me2 level at the LSD1-E2F1 cotargeted loci,
but this effect is rescued by codepletion of LSD1. Furthermore, the enzymatic
activity of LSD1 is essential for H3K9me2 demethylation at cell cycle gene loci.
Notably, cotreatment of chemotherapeutic agent camptothecin enhanced LSD1
inhibitor-induced senescence and growth inhibition of cancer cells in vitro and
in mice. Our data reveal LSD1 as a molecular rheostat selectively regulating H3K9
demethylation at cell cycle gene loci, thereby representing a key player in
oncogenesis and a viable target for cancer therapy.
PMID- 28991227
TI - Essential role of METTL3-mediated m6A modification in glioma stem-like cells
maintenance and radioresistance.
AB - Despite advances in biology and therapeutic modalities, existence of highly
tumorigenic glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) makes glioblastomas (GBMs) invincible.
N6-methyl adenosine (m6A), one of the abundant mRNA modifications catalyzed by
methyltransferase-like 3 and 14 (METTL3/14), influences various events in RNA
metabolism. Here, we report the crucial role of METTL3-mediated m6A modification
in GSC (neurosphere) maintenance and dedifferentiation of glioma cells. METTL3
expression is elevated in GSC and attenuated during differentiation. RNA
immunoprecipitation studies identified SOX2 as a bonafide m6A target of METTL3
and the m6A modification of SOX2 mRNA by METTL3 enhanced its stability. The
exogenous overexpression of 3'UTR-less SOX2 significantly alleviated the
inhibition of neurosphere formation observed in METTL3 silenced GSCs. METTL3
binding and m6A modification in vivo required intact three METTL3/m6A sites
present in the SOX2-3'UTR. Further, we found that the recruitment of Human
antigen R (HuR) to m6A-modified RNA is essential for SOX2 mRNA stabilization by
METTL3. In addition, we found a preferential binding by HuR to the m6A-modified
transcripts globally. METTL3 silenced GSCs showed enhanced sensitivity to gamma
irradiation and reduced DNA repair as evidenced from the accumulation of gamma
H2AX. Exogenous overexpression of 3'UTR-less SOX2 in METTL3 silenced GSCs showed
efficient DNA repair and also resulted in the significant rescue of neurosphere
formation from METTL3 silencing induced radiosensitivity. Silencing METTL3
inhibited RasV12 mediated transformation of mouse immortalized astrocytes. GBM
tumors have elevated levels of METTL3 transcripts and silencing METTL3 in U87/TIC
inhibited tumor growth in an intracranial orthotopic mouse model with prolonged
mice survival. METTL3 transcript levels predicted poor survival in GBMs which are
enriched for GSC-specific signature. Thus our study reports the importance of m6A
modification in GSCs and uncovers METTL3 as a potential molecular target in GBM
therapy.
PMID- 28991228
TI - Deletion of Menin in craniofacial osteogenic cells in mice elicits development of
mandibular ossifying fibroma.
AB - Ossifying fibroma (OF) is a rare benign tumor of the craniofacial bones that can
reach considerable and disfiguring dimensions if left untreated. Although the
clinicopathological characteristics of OF are well established, the underlying
etiology has remained largely unknown. Our work indicates that Men1-a tumor
suppressor gene responsible of Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-is critical
for OF formation and shows that mice with targeted disruption of Men1 in
osteoblasts (Men1Runx2Cre) develop multifocal OF in the mandible with a 100%
penetrance. Using lineage-tracing analysis, we demonstrate that loss of Men1
arrests stromal osteoprogenitors in OF at the osterix-positive pre-osteoblastic
differentiation stage. Analysis of Men1-lacking stromal spindle cells isolated
from OF (OF-derived MSCs (OFMSCs)) revealed a downregulation of the cyclin
dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor Cdkn1a, consistent with an increased
proliferation rate. Intriguingly, the re-expression of Men1 in Men1-deficient
OFMSCs restored Cdkn1a expression and abrogated cellular proliferation supporting
the tumor-suppressive role of Men1 in OF. Although our work presents the first
evidence of Men1 in OF development, it further provides the first genetic mouse
model of OF that can be used to better understand the molecular pathogenesis of
these benign tumors and to potentially develop novel treatment strategies.
PMID- 28991229
TI - Hypoxia activates cadherin-22 synthesis via eIF4E2 to drive cancer cell
migration, invasion and adhesion.
AB - Hypoxia is a driver of cell movement in processes such as development and tumor
progression. The cellular response to hypoxia involves a transcriptional program
mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors, but translational control has emerged as a
significant contributor. In this study, we demonstrate that a cell-cell adhesion
molecule, cadherin-22, is upregulated in hypoxia via mTORC1-independent
translational control by the initiation factor eIF4E2. We identify new functions
of cadherin-22 as a hypoxia-specific cell-surface molecule involved in cancer
cell migration, invasion and adhesion. Silencing eIF4E2 or cadherin-22
significantly impaired MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma and U87MG glioblastoma cell
migration and invasion only in hypoxia, while reintroduction of the respective
exogenous gene restored the normal phenotype. Cadherin-22 was evenly distributed
throughout spheroids and required for their formation and support of a hypoxic
core. Conversely, E-cadherin translation was repressed by hypoxia and only
expressed in the oxygenated cells of U87MG spheroids. Furthermore,
immunofluorescence on paraffin-embedded human tissue from 40 glioma and 40
invasive ductal breast carcinoma patient specimens revealed that cadherin-22
expression colocalized with areas of hypoxia and significantly correlated with
tumor grade and progression-free survival or stage and tumor size, respectively.
This study broadens our understanding of tumor progression and metastasis by
highlighting cadherin-22 as a potential new target of cancer therapy to disable
hypoxic cancer cell motility and adhesion.
PMID- 28991230
TI - Alu RNA accumulation induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by modulating
miR-566 and is associated with cancer progression.
AB - Alu sequences are the most abundant short interspersed repeated elements in the
human genome. Here we show that in a cell culture model of colorectal cancer
(CRC) progression, we observe accumulation of Alu RNA that is associated with
reduced DICER1 levels. Alu RNA induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
by acting as a molecular sponge of miR-566. Moreover, Alu RNA accumulates as
consequence of DICER1 deficit in colorectal, ovarian, renal and breast cancer
cell lines. Interestingly, Alu RNA knockdown prevents DICER1 depletion-induced
EMT despite global microRNA (miRNA) downregulation. Alu RNA expression is also
induced by transforming growth factor-beta1, a major driver of EMT. Corroborating
this data, we found that non-coding Alu RNA significantly correlates with tumor
progression in human CRC patients. Together, these findings reveal an unexpected
DICER1-dependent, miRNA-independent role of Alu RNA in cancer progression that
could bring mobile element transcripts in the fields of cancer therapeutic and
prognosis.
PMID- 28991231
TI - Slug/Pcad pathway controls epithelial cell dynamics in mammary gland and breast
carcinoma.
AB - Mammary gland morphogenesis results from the coordination of proliferation,
cohort migration, apoptosis and stem/progenitor cell dynamics. We showed earlier
that the transcription repressor Slug is involved in these functions during
mammary tubulogenesis. Slug is expressed by a subpopulation of basal epithelial
cells, co-expressed with P-cadherin (Pcad). Slug-knockout mammary glands showed
excessive branching, similarly to Pcad-knockout. Here, we found that Slug
unexpectedly binds and activates Pcad promoter through E-boxes, inducing Pcad
expression. We determined that Pcad can mediate several functions of Slug: Pcad
promoted clonal mammosphere growth, basal epithelial differentiation, cell-cell
dissociation and cell migration, rescuing Slug depletion. Pcad also promoted cell
migration in isolated cells, in association with Src activation, focal adhesion
reorganization and cell polarization. Pcad, similarly to Slug, was required for
in vitro 3D tubulogenesis. Therefore, Pcad appears to be responsible for
epithelial-mesenchymal transition-linked plasticity in mammary epithelial cells.
In addition, we found that genes from the Slug/Pcad pathway components were co
expressed and specifically correlated in human breast carcinomas subtypes,
carrying pathophysiological significance.
PMID- 28991232
TI - The extracellular matrix protein mindin attenuates colon cancer progression by
blocking angiogenesis via Egr-1-mediated regulation.
AB - Mindin, a secreted, highly conserved extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, exerts a
broad spectrum of effects on the innate immune system. However, its function in
colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is not well established, and its upstream
regulation mechanisms remain unclear. Contrary to previous reports, this study
used two different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits to show that
the serum level of mindin was significantly decreased in CRC patients and that
this decreased level is more significantly associated with the early stages of
the disease. To explore the regulation of mindin, we used a bioinformatics
approach to predict potential transcription factors and determined that early
growth response factor (Egr)-1 directly regulates mindin expression at the
transcriptional level using dual luciferase, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
DNA and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) methods. Egr-1 regulates
mindin mRNA and protein expression in CRC cells, and the protein expression of
both Egr-1 and mindin was significantly decreased in tumor lesions of patients
compared with adjacent control tissues. Mindin is essential for Egr-1-mediated
inhibition of endothelial cell tube formation, and mindin inhibits endotheliocyte
proliferation, migration and angiogenic sprouts in vitro. Overexpression of
mindin suppressed xenograft tumor growth by blocking angiogenesis instead of
directly suppressing CRC cell proliferation. Mechanically, mindin inhibits the
hypoxia-induced HIF-1a and VEGFA protein expression in CRC cells and the
phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in endothelial cells. The results suggest that the
serum level of mindin can be used as a novel biomarker for early detection of CRC
and that the Egr-1/mindin axis is a potential therapeutic target for the
inhibition of angiogenesis in CRC development.
PMID- 28991233
TI - DNA methylation aberrancies delineate clinically distinct subsets of colorectal
cancer and provide novel targets for epigenetic therapies.
AB - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a worldwide health concern with respect to both
incidence and mortality, and as a result, CRC tumorigenesis, progression and
metastasis have been heavily studied, especially with respect to identifying
genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of disease. DNA
methylation alterations are hallmarks of CRC, and epigenetic driver genes have
been identified that are thought to be involved in early stages of tumorigenesis.
Moreover, distinct CRC patient subgroups are organized based on DNA methylation
profiles. CRC tumors displaying CpG island methylator phenotypes (CIMPs), defined
as DNA hypermethylation at specific CpG islands in subsets of tumors, show high
concordance with specific genetic alterations, disease risk factors and patient
outcome. This review details the DNA methylation alterations in CRC, the
significance of CIMP status, the development of treatments based on specific
molecular profiles and the application of epigenetic therapies for CRC patient
treatment.
PMID- 28991234
TI - DHX15 promotes prostate cancer progression by stimulating Siah2-mediated
ubiquitination of androgen receptor.
AB - Androgen receptor (AR) activation is critical for prostate cancer (PCa)
development and progression, including castration resistance. The nuclear export
signal of AR (NESAR) has an important role in AR intracellular trafficking and
proteasome-dependent degradation. Here, we identified the RNA helicase DHX15 as a
novel AR co-activator using a yeast mutagenesis screen and revealed that DHX15
regulates AR activity by modulating E3 ligase Siah2-mediated AR ubiquitination
independent of its ATPase activity. DHX15 and Siah2 form a complex with AR,
through NESAR. DHX15 stabilized Siah2 and enhanced its E3 ubiquitin-ligase
activity, resulting in AR activation. Importantly, DHX15 was upregulated in PCa
specimens and its expression was correlated with Gleason scores and prostate
specific antigen recurrence. Furthermore, DHX15 immunostaining correlated with
Siah2. Finally, DHX15 knockdown inhibited the growth of C4-2 prostate tumor
xenografts in mice. Collectively, our data argue that DHX15 enhances AR
transcriptional activity and contributes to PCa progression through Siah2.
PMID- 28991236
TI - Corrigendum: An ethnically relevant consensus Korean reference genome is a step
towards personal reference genomes.
AB - This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13637.
PMID- 28991237
TI - Corrigendum: Engineering and optimising deaminase fusions for genome editing.
AB - This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13330.
PMID- 28991235
TI - Circular RNAs in cancer: opportunities and challenges in the field.
AB - Circular RNA (circRNA) is a novel member of the noncoding cancer genome with
distinct properties and diverse cellular functions, which is being explored at a
steadily increasing pace. The list of endogenous circRNAs involved in cancer
continues to grow; however, the functional relevance of the vast majority is yet
to be discovered. In general, circRNAs are exceptionally stable molecules and
some have been shown to function as efficient microRNA sponges with gene
regulatory potential. Many circRNAs are highly conserved and have tissue-specific
expression patterns, which often do not correlate well with host gene expression.
Here we review the current knowledge on circRNAs in relation to their
implications in tumorigenesis as well as their potential as diagnostic and
prognostic biomarkers and as possible therapeutic targets in future personalized
medicine. Finally, we discuss future directions for circRNA cancer research and
current caveats, which must be addressed to facilitate the translation of basic
circRNA research into clinical use.
PMID- 28991238
TI - The structure-energy landscape of NMDA receptor gating.
AB - N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are the main calcium-permeable excitatory
receptors in the mammalian central nervous system. The NMDA receptor gating is
complex, exhibiting multiple closed, open, and desensitized states; however,
central questions regarding the conformations and energetics of the transmembrane
domains as they relate to the gating states are still unanswered. Here, using
single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET), we map the energy
landscape of the first transmembrane segment of the Rattus norvegicus NMDA
receptor under resting and various liganded conditions. These results show
kinetically and structurally distinct changes associated with apo, agonist-bound,
and inhibited receptors linked by a linear mechanism of gating at this site.
Furthermore, the smFRET data suggest that allosteric inhibition by zinc occurs by
an uncoupling of the agonist-induced changes at the extracellular domains from
the gating motions leading to an apo-like state, while dizocilpine, a pore
blocker, stabilizes multiple closely packed transmembrane states.
PMID- 28991241
TI - Multifunctional high-performance van der Waals heterostructures.
AB - A range of novel two-dimensional materials have been actively explored for More
Moore and More-than-Moore device applications because of their ability to form
van der Waals heterostructures with unique electronic properties. However, most
of the reported electronic devices exhibit insufficient control of
multifunctional operations. Here, we leverage the band-structure alignment
properties of narrow-bandgap black phosphorus and large-bandgap molybdenum
disulfide to realize vertical heterostructures with an ultrahigh rectifying ratio
approaching 106 and on-off ratio up to 107. Furthermore, we design and fabricate
tunable multivalue inverters, in which the output logic state and window of the
mid-logic can be controlled by specific pairs of channel length and, most
importantly, by the electric field, which shifts the band-structure alignment
across the heterojunction. Finally, high gains over 150 are achieved in the
inverters with optimized device geometries, showing great potential for future
logic applications.
PMID- 28991242
TI - Hot carrier-enhanced interlayer electron-hole pair multiplication in 2D
semiconductor heterostructure photocells.
AB - Strong electronic interactions can result in novel particle-antiparticle
(electron-hole, e-h) pair generation effects, which may be exploited to enhance
the photoresponse of nanoscale optoelectronic devices. Highly efficient e-h pair
multiplication has been demonstrated in several important nanoscale systems,
including nanocrystal quantum dots, carbon nanotubes and graphene. The small
Fermi velocity and nonlocal nature of the effective dielectric screening in
ultrathin layers of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) indicates that e-h
interactions are very strong, so high-efficiency generation of e-h pairs from hot
electrons is expected. However, such e-h pair multiplication has not been
observed in 2D TMD devices. Here, we report the highly efficient multiplication
of interlayer e-h pairs in 2D semiconductor heterostructure photocells.
Electronic transport measurements of the interlayer I-VSD characteristics
indicate that layer-indirect e-h pairs are generated by hot-electron impact
excitation at temperatures near T = 300 K. By exploiting this highly efficient
interlayer e-h pair multiplication process, we demonstrate near-infrared
optoelectronic devices that exhibit 350% enhancement of the optoelectronic
responsivity at microwatt power levels. Our findings, which demonstrate efficient
carrier multiplication in TMD-based optoelectronic devices, make 2D semiconductor
heterostructures viable for a new class of ultra-efficient photodetectors based
on layer-indirect e-h excitations.
PMID- 28991239
TI - Stendomycin selectively inhibits TIM23-dependent mitochondrial protein import.
AB - Tim17 and Tim23 are the main subunits of the TIM23 complex, one of the two major
essential mitochondrial inner-membrane protein translocon machineries (TIMs). No
chemical probes that specifically inhibit TIM23-dependent protein import were
known to exist. Here we show that the natural product stendomycin, produced by
Streptomyces hygroscopicus, is a potent and specific inhibitor of the TIM23
complex in yeast and mammalian cells. Furthermore, stendomycin-mediated blockage
of the TIM23 complex does not alter normal processing of the major regulatory
mitophagy kinase PINK1, but TIM23 is required to stabilize PINK1 on the outside
of mitochondria to initiate mitophagy upon membrane depolarization.
PMID- 28991240
TI - Polypharmacology-based ceritinib repurposing using integrated functional
proteomics.
AB - Targeted drugs are effective when they directly inhibit strong disease drivers,
but only a small fraction of diseases feature defined actionable drivers.
Alternatively, network-based approaches can uncover new therapeutic
opportunities. Applying an integrated phenotypic screening, chemical and
phosphoproteomics strategy, here we describe the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)
inhibitor ceritinib as having activity across several ALK-negative lung cancer
cell lines and identify new targets and network-wide signaling effects. Combining
pharmacological inhibitors and RNA interference revealed a polypharmacology
mechanism involving the noncanonical targets IGF1R, FAK1, RSK1 and RSK2. Mutating
the downstream signaling hub YB1 protected cells from ceritinib. Consistent with
YB1 signaling being known to cause taxol resistance, combination of ceritinib
with paclitaxel displayed strong synergy, particularly in cells expressing high
FAK autophosphorylation, which we show to be prevalent in lung cancer. Together,
we present a systems chemical biology platform for elucidating multikinase
inhibitor polypharmacology mechanisms, subsequent design of synergistic drug
combinations, and identification of mechanistic biomarker candidates.
PMID- 28991243
TI - Third International workshop on the biology, prevention, and treatment of relapse
after stem cell transplantation.
PMID- 28991244
TI - Early consolidation with high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell
transplantation is a feasible and effective treatment option in HIV-associated
non-Hodgkin lymphoma at high risk.
PMID- 28991245
TI - Secondary solid cancer following hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients
with thalassemia major.
AB - Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients have a substantial risk of
developing secondary solid cancers (SSCs). The aim of this retrospective study
was to compare the incidence of SSC in a monocentric cohort of thalassemia major
(TM) patients (n=122) who received HCT versus an hematopoietic cell donor
monocentric cohort (n=122) and versus a large multicenter cohort of age- and sex
matched TM patients (n=244) who received conventional therapy. With a median
follow-up of 24 years, 8 transplanted patients were diagnosed with SSC at a
median of 18 years after HCT and at a median age of 33 years. Three patients died
of cancer progression and 5 are living after a follow-up ranging from 10 months
to 16 years after SSC diagnosis. The 30-year cumulative incidence of developing
SSC was 13.24%. The occurrence of solid cancers in the hematopoietic cell donor
cohort was limited to only one case for a significantly lower cumulative
incidence (3.23%, P=0.02) and to 3 cases in the cohort of nontransplant patients
for a significantly lower cumulative incidence (1.32%, P=0.005). This study shows
that the magnitude of increased risk of SST is fourfold to sixfold for patients
treated with HCT as compared with hematopoietic cell donors and nontransplant
patients.
PMID- 28991246
TI - Importance of conditioning regimen intensity, MRD positivity, and KIR ligand
mismatch in UCB transplantation.
PMID- 28991248
TI - Johannes Joseph van Rood: pioneer in immuno-genetics (7 April 1926-21 July 2017).
PMID- 28991249
TI - Donor cell-derived transient abnormal myelopoiesis as a specific complication of
umbilical cord blood transplantation.
PMID- 28991247
TI - Long-term prognosis for 1-year relapse-free survivors of CD34+ cell-selected
allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a landmark analysis.
AB - CD34+ cell selection significantly improves GvHD-free survival in allogeneic
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, specific
information regarding long-term prognosis and risk factors for late mortality
after CD34+ cell-selected allo-HSCT is lacking. We conducted a single-center
landmark analysis in 276 patients alive without relapse 1 year after CD34+ cell
selected allo-HSCT for AML (n=164), ALL (n=33) or myelodysplastic syndrome
(n=79). At 5 years' follow-up after the 1-year landmark (range 0.03-13 years),
estimated relapse-free survival (RFS) was 73% and overall survival (OS) 76%. The
5-year cumulative incidence of relapse and non-relapse mortality (NRM) were 11%
and 16%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, Hematopoietic Cell
Transplantation Comorbidity Index score?3 correlated with marginally worse RFS
(hazard ratio (HR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-3.28, P=0.06) and
significantly worse OS (HR 2.53, 95% CI 1.26-5.08, P=0.004). Despite only 24% of
patients with acute GvHD within 1 year, this also significantly correlated with
worse RFS and OS, with increasing grades of acute GvHD associating with
increasingly poorer survival on multivariate analysis (P<0.0001). Of 63 deaths
after the landmark, GvHD accounted for 27% of deaths and was the most common
cause of late mortality, followed by relapse and infection. Although prognosis is
excellent for patients alive without relapse 1 year after CD34+ cell-selected
allo-HSCT, risks of late relapse and NRM persist, particularly due to GvHD.
PMID- 28991250
TI - Assessment of TREC, KREC and telomere length in long-term survivors after
allogeneic HSCT: the role of GvHD and graft source and evidence for telomere
homeostasis in young recipients.
AB - Reconstitution of the adaptive immune system following allogeneic hematopoietic
stem cell transplantation is crucial for beneficial outcome and is affected by
several factors, such as GvHD and graft source. The impact of these factors on
immune reconstitution has been thoroughly investigated during the early phase
after transplantation. However, little is known about their long-term effect.
Similarly, leukocyte telomere length (TL) shortening has been reported shortly
after transplantation. Nevertheless, whether TL shortening continues in long-term
aspect is still unsettled. Here, we assessed T-cell receptor excision circle
(TREC), kappa deleting recombination excision circle (KREC) and leukocyte TL in
recipients and donors several years post transplantation (median 17 years). Our
analysis showed that, recipients who received bone marrow (BM) as the graft
source have higher levels of both TREC and KREC. Also, chronic GvHD affected TREC
levels and TL but not KREC levels. Finally, we show that recipient's TL was
longer than respective donors in a group of young age recipients with high KREC
levels. Our results suggest that BM can be beneficial for long-term adaptive
immune recovery. We also present supporting evidence for recipient telomere
homeostasis, especially in young age recipients, rather than telomere shortening.
PMID- 28991251
TI - Lack of association between relationship status and clinical outcome in
allogeneic stem cell transplantation-the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study.
PMID- 28991252
TI - Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mycophenolic acid using the
prospective data in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB - Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a prodrug of mycophenolic acid (MPA), is used to
suppress GvHD in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
(HCT). The purpose of this study was to construct a population pharmacokinetic
and pharmacodynamic model in HCT patients for individualized MPA therapy. Blood
samples were obtained from 49 HCT patients after starting MMF therapy. Population
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were obtained using the program
NONMEM. MPA was described via a one-compartment model with a first-order
elimination, and 30.9% of MPA glucuronide (MPAG) was found in the enterohepatic
circulation. Inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity was modeled
as a maximal inhibitory model with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)
of 3.59 MUg/mL against MPA concentrations. Simulations based on the obtained
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters revealed that decreased creatinine
clearance increases the MPAG concentration followed by an increased MPA
concentration; therefore, IMPDH activity decreases. Diarrhea decreases the
enterohepatic circulation of MPAG and consequently reduces MPA concentration. The
IC50 for MPA exhibited a positive association with C-reactive protein. Dosage
adjustment based on plasma MPA concentration is required especially for patients
with renal dysfunction and/or diarrhea.
PMID- 28991253
TI - Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for non-de novo AML or advanced
myelodysplastic syndromes: influence of GvHD and donor lymphocyte infusions on
long-term outcome.
PMID- 28991254
TI - The draft genome of tropical fruit durian (Durio zibethinus).
AB - Durian (Durio zibethinus) is a Southeast Asian tropical plant known for its
hefty, spine-covered fruit and sulfury and onion-like odor. Here we present a
draft genome assembly of D. zibethinus, representing the third plant genus in the
Malvales order and first in the Helicteroideae subfamily to be sequenced. Single
molecule sequencing and chromosome contact maps enabled assembly of the highly
heterozygous durian genome at chromosome-scale resolution. Transcriptomic
analysis showed upregulation of sulfur-, ethylene-, and lipid-related pathways in
durian fruits. We observed paleopolyploidization events shared by durian and
cotton and durian-specific gene expansions in MGL (methionine gamma-lyase),
associated with production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). MGL and the
ethylene-related gene ACS (aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase) were
upregulated in fruits concomitantly with their downstream metabolites (VSCs and
ethylene), suggesting a potential association between ethylene biosynthesis and
methionine regeneration via the Yang cycle. The durian genome provides a resource
for tropical fruit biology and agronomy.
PMID- 28991255
TI - Patient-derived xenografts undergo mouse-specific tumor evolution.
AB - Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) have become a prominent cancer model system, as
they are presumed to faithfully represent the genomic features of primary tumors.
Here we monitored the dynamics of copy number alterations (CNAs) in 1,110 PDX
samples across 24 cancer types. We observed rapid accumulation of CNAs during PDX
passaging, often due to selection of preexisting minor clones. CNA acquisition in
PDXs was correlated with the tissue-specific levels of aneuploidy and genetic
heterogeneity observed in primary tumors. However, the particular CNAs acquired
during PDX passaging differed from those acquired during tumor evolution in
patients. Several CNAs recurrently observed in primary tumors gradually
disappeared in PDXs, indicating that events undergoing positive selection in
humans can become dispensable during propagation in mice. Notably, the genomic
stability of PDXs was associated with their response to chemotherapy and targeted
drugs. These findings have major implications for PDX-based modeling of human
cancer.
PMID- 28991256
TI - Genome-wide association analysis identifies 30 new susceptibility loci for
schizophrenia.
AB - We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with replication in 36,180
Chinese individuals and performed further transancestry meta-analyses with data
from the Psychiatry Genomics Consortium (PGC2). Approximately 95% of the genome
wide significant (GWS) index alleles (or their proxies) from the PGC2 study were
overrepresented in Chinese schizophrenia cases, including ~50% that achieved
nominal significance and ~75% that continued to be GWS in the transancestry
analysis. The Chinese-only analysis identified seven GWS loci; three of these
also were GWS in the transancestry analyses, which identified 109 GWS loci, thus
yielding a total of 113 GWS loci (30 novel) in at least one of these analyses. We
observed improvements in the fine-mapping resolution at many susceptibility loci.
Our results provide several lines of evidence supporting candidate genes at many
loci and highlight some pathways for further research. Together, our findings
provide novel insight into the genetic architecture and biological etiology of
schizophrenia.
PMID- 28991258
TI - Vertical inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is synergistic in breast cancer.
AB - Deregulation and activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian
(or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway have a major role in
proliferation and cell survival in breast cancer. However, as single agents, mTOR
inhibitors have had modest antitumor efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the
effects of vertical inhibition of mTOR and Akt in breast cancer cell lines and
xenografts. We assessed the effects of mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and Akt inhibitor
MK-2206, given as single drugs or in combination, on cell signaling, cell
proliferation and apoptosis in a panel of cancer cell lines in vitro. The
antitumor efficacy was tested in vivo. We demonstrated that MK-2206 inhibited Akt
phosphorylation, cell proliferation and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in
breast cancer cell lines. Rapamycin inhibited S6 phosphorylation and cell
proliferation, and resulted in lower levels of apoptosis induction. Furthermore,
the combination treatment inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and S6,
synergistically inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis with a higher
efficacy. In vivo combination inhibited tumor growth more than either agent
alone. Our data suggest that a combination of Akt and mTOR inhibitors have
greater antitumor activity in breast cancer cells, which may be a viable approach
to treat patients.
PMID- 28991259
TI - Impaired p65 degradation by decreased chaperone-mediated autophagy activity
facilitates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
AB - Aberrant activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) has been observed in a
wide range of human cancers and is thought to promote tumorigenesis and
metastasis. As a central component of NF-kappaB pathway, p65 protein level is
tightly regulated and could be subjected to proteasome degradation. Here we
demonstrated that p65 can bind to HSC70 with four consensus recognition motif in
its RHD domain and be constitutively transported to the lysosome membrane to bind
with lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2A and degraded within the
lysosome in two epithelial cell lines, proposing that p65 can be degraded by
chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Of great importance, there is a decreased CMA
activity together with impaired degradation of p65 in a process of epithelial
mesenchymal transition (EMT). The resulted accumulation of p65 leads to higher NF
kappaB activity and contributes to the progression and maintenance of the EMT
program. Taken together, our results define a novel regulatory mechanism for the
important transcription factor p65, and these findings would shed new light on
the inhibition of EMT, as well as metastasis of cancer cells.
PMID- 28991260
TI - Protein and chemotherapy profiling of extracellular vesicles harvested from
therapeutic induced senescent triple negative breast cancer cells.
AB - Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with relatively
poor clinical outcomes and limited treatment options. Chemotherapy, while killing
cancer cells, can result in the generation of highly chemoresistant therapeutic
induced senescent (TIS) cells that potentially form stem cell niches resulting in
metastases. Intriguingly, senescent cells release significantly more
extracellular vesicles (EVs) than non-senescent cells. Our aim was to profile EVs
harvested from TIS TNBC cells compared with control cells to identify a potential
mechanism by which TIS TNBC cells maintain survival in the face of chemotherapy.
TIS was induced and confirmed in Cal51 TNBC cells using the chemotherapeutic
paclitaxel (PTX) (Taxol). Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of EVs harvested from
TIS compared with control Cal51 cells was performed using Ingenuity Pathway
Analysis and InnateDB programs. We demonstrate that TIS Cal51 cells treated with
75 nM PTX for 7 days became senescent (senescence-associated beta-galactosidase
(SA-beta-Gal) positive, Ki67-negative, increased p21 and p16, G2/M cell cycle
arrest) and released significantly more EVs (P=0.0002) and exosomes (P=0.0007)
than non-senescent control cells. Moreover, TIS cells displayed an increased
expression of the multidrug resistance protein 1/p-glycoprotein. MS analysis
demonstrated that EVs derived from senescent Cal51 cells contained 142 proteins
with a significant increased fold change compared with control EVs. Key proteins
included ATPases, annexins, tubulins, integrins, Rabs and insoluble senescence
associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. A fluorescent analogue of PTX
(Flutax-2) allowed appreciation of the removal of chemotherapy in EVs from
senescent cells. Treatment of TIS cells with the exosome biogenesis inhibitor
GW4869 resulted in reduced SA-beta-Gal staining (P=0.04). In summary, this study
demonstrates that TIS cells release significantly more EVs compared with control
cells, containing chemotherapy and key proteins involved in cell proliferation,
ATP depletion, apoptosis and the SASP. These findings may partially explain why
cancer senescent cells remain viable despite chemotherapeutic challenge.
PMID- 28991257
TI - Contribution of rare inherited and de novo variants in 2,871 congenital heart
disease probands.
AB - Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality from birth
defects. Here, exome sequencing of a single cohort of 2,871 CHD probands,
including 2,645 parent-offspring trios, implicated rare inherited mutations in
1.8%, including a recessive founder mutation in GDF1 accounting for ~5% of severe
CHD in Ashkenazim, recessive genotypes in MYH6 accounting for ~11% of Shone
complex, and dominant FLT4 mutations accounting for 2.3% of Tetralogy of Fallot.
De novo mutations (DNMs) accounted for 8% of cases, including ~3% of isolated CHD
patients and ~28% with both neurodevelopmental and extra-cardiac congenital
anomalies. Seven genes surpassed thresholds for genome-wide significance, and 12
genes not previously implicated in CHD had >70% probability of being disease
related. DNMs in ~440 genes were inferred to contribute to CHD. Striking overlap
between genes with damaging DNMs in probands with CHD and autism was also found.
PMID- 28991261
TI - ESRP1 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer and promotes switching from mesenchymal
to epithelial phenotype in ovarian cancer cells.
AB - Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) and 2 (ESRP2), epithelial cell
specific regulators of alternative splicing, are downregulated during the
epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These factors have roles in tumor
progression and metastasis in some cancers; however, their expression and
function in ovarian cancer (OC) remain unclear. We found that ESRP1 and ESRP2
mRNAs were expressed at higher levels in OC cells than in immortalized ovarian
surface epithelial (IOSE) cells, and confirmed their overexpression in OC tissues
at the protein level. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data analysis revealed
frequent gene amplification of ESRP1 in OC tissues; however, we detected no
significant correlation between ESRP1 gene copy number and gene expression in OC
cells. Importantly, expression of ESRP1 and ESRP2 was inversely correlated with
DNA methylation in OC cells, and ESRP2 overexpression in OC tissues was
significantly associated with DNA hypomethylation. Notably, survival analysis
using TCGA data from 541 OC tissues revealed that high ESRP1 expression was
significantly associated with shorter 5-year survival of patients. Ectopic ESRP1
expression in mesenchymal OC cells promoted cell proliferation but suppressed
cell migration. Furthermore, we found that ESRP1 drives a switch from mesenchymal
to epithelial phenotype characterized by reduced cell migration in association
with induction of epithelial cell-specific variant of CD44 and ENAH. Taken
together, our findings suggest that an epigenetic mechanism is involved in ESRP1
overexpression, and that ESRP1 has a role in OC progression.
PMID- 28991263
TI - Structural basis for GABAA receptor potentiation by neurosteroids.
AB - Type A gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAARs) are the principal mediators of
inhibitory neurotransmission in the human brain. Endogenous neurosteroids
interact with GABAARs to regulate acute and chronic anxiety and are potent
sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsant and anesthetic agents. Their mode of binding
and mechanism of receptor potentiation, however, remain unknown. Here we report
crystal structures of a chimeric GABAAR construct in apo and pregnanolone-bound
states. The neurosteroid-binding site is mechanically coupled to the helices
lining the ion channel pore and modulates the desensitization-gate conformation.
We demonstrate that the equivalent site is responsible for physiological,
heteromeric GABAAR potentiation and explain the contrasting modulatory properties
of 3a versus 3b neurosteroid epimers. These results illustrate how peripheral
lipid ligands can regulate the desensitization gate of GABAARs, a process of
broad relevance to pentameric ligand-gated ion channels.
PMID- 28991262
TI - NDPKA is not just a metastasis suppressor - be aware of its metastasis-promoting
role in neuroblastoma.
AB - NDPK-A, encoded by nm23-H1 (also known as NME1) was the first metastasis
suppressor discovered. Much of the attention has been focused on the metastasis
suppressing role of NDPK-A in human tumors, including breast carcinoma and
melanoma. However, compelling evidence points to a metastasis-promoting role of
NDPK-A in certain tumors such as neuroblastoma and lymphoma. To balance attention
on this contrariety of NDPK-A in different cancer types, this review addresses
the metastasis-promoting role of NDPK-A in neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is an
embryonic tumor, arising from neural crest cells that fail to differentiate into
the sympathetic nervous system. We summarize and discuss nm23-H1 genetics and the
prognosis of neuroblastoma, structural and functional changes associated with the
S120G mutation of NDPK-A, as well as the evidence supporting the role of NDPK-A
as a metastasis promoter. Also discussed are the NDPK-A relevant molecular
determinants of neuroblastoma metastasis, and metastasis-relevant neural crest
development. Because of NDPK-A's dichotomous role in tumor metastasis as both a
suppressor and a promoter, tumor genome/exome profiles are necessary to identify
the molecular drivers of metastasis in the NDPK-A network for developing tumor
specific therapies.
PMID- 28991264
TI - Architectural alterations of the fission yeast genome during the cell cycle.
AB - Eukaryotic genomes are highly ordered through various mechanisms, including
topologically associating domain (TAD) organization. We employed an in situ Hi-C
approach to follow the 3D organization of the fission yeast genome during the
cell cycle. We demonstrate that during mitosis, large domains of 300 kb-1 Mb are
formed by condensin. This mitotic domain organization does not suddenly dissolve,
but gradually diminishes until the next mitosis. By contrast, small domains of 30
40 kb that are formed by cohesin are relatively stable across the cell cycle.
Condensin and cohesin mediate long- and short-range contacts, respectively, by
bridging their binding sites, thereby forming the large and small domains. These
domains are inversely regulated during the cell cycle but assemble independently.
Our study describes the chromosomal oscillation between the formation and decay
phases of the large and small domains, and we predict that the condensin-mediated
domains serve as chromosomal compaction units.
PMID- 28991265
TI - A structural model for microtubule minus-end recognition and protection by CAMSAP
proteins.
AB - CAMSAP and Patronin family members regulate microtubule minus-end stability and
localization and thus organize noncentrosomal microtubule networks, which are
essential for cell division, polarization and differentiation. Here, we found
that the CAMSAP C-terminal CKK domain is widely present among eukaryotes and
autonomously recognizes microtubule minus ends. Through a combination of
structural approaches, we uncovered how mammalian CKK binds between two tubulin
dimers at the interprotofilament interface on the outer microtubule surface. In
vitro reconstitution assays combined with high-resolution fluorescence microscopy
and cryo-electron tomography suggested that CKK preferentially associates with
the transition zone between curved protofilaments and the regular microtubule
lattice. We propose that minus-end-specific features of the interprotofilament
interface at this site serve as the basis for CKK's minus-end preference. The
steric clash between microtubule-bound CKK and kinesin motors explains how CKK
protects microtubule minus ends against kinesin-13-induced depolymerization and
thus controls the stability of free microtubule minus ends.
PMID- 28991266
TI - MacroH2A1.1 regulates mitochondrial respiration by limiting nuclear NAD+
consumption.
AB - Histone variants are structural components of eukaryotic chromatin that can
replace replication-coupled histones in the nucleosome. The histone variant
macroH2A1.1 contains a macrodomain capable of binding NAD+-derived metabolites.
Here we report that macroH2A1.1 is rapidly induced during myogenic
differentiation through a switch in alternative splicing, and that myotubes that
lack macroH2A1.1 have a defect in mitochondrial respiratory capacity. We found
that the metabolite-binding macrodomain was essential for sustained optimal
mitochondrial function but dispensable for gene regulation. Through direct
binding, macroH2A1.1 inhibits basal poly-ADP ribose polymerase 1 (PARP-1)
activity and thus reduces nuclear NAD+ consumption. The resultant accumulation of
the NAD+ precursor NMN allows for maintenance of mitochondrial NAD+ pools that
are critical for respiration. Our data indicate that macroH2A1.1-containing
chromatin regulates mitochondrial respiration by limiting nuclear NAD+
consumption and establishing a buffer of NAD+ precursors in differentiated cells.
PMID- 28991269
TI - Engineered bacteria self-organize to sense pressure.
PMID- 28991268
TI - Programmable assembly of pressure sensors using pattern-forming bacteria.
AB - Biological systems can generate microstructured materials that combine organic
and inorganic components and possess diverse physical and chemical properties.
However, these natural processes in materials fabrication are not readily
programmable. Here, we use a synthetic-biology approach to assemble patterned
materials. We demonstrate programmable fabrication of three-dimensional (3D)
materials by printing engineered self-patterning bacteria on permeable membranes
that serve as a structural scaffold. Application of gold nanoparticles to the
colonies creates hybrid organic-inorganic dome structures. The dynamics of the
dome structures' response to pressure is determined by their geometry (colony
size, dome height, and pattern), which is easily modified by varying the
properties of the membrane (e.g., pore size and hydrophobicity). We generate
resettable pressure sensors that process signals in response to varying pressure
intensity and duration.
PMID- 28991267
TI - Cytotoxic and regulatory roles of mucosal-associated invariant T cells in type 1
diabetes.
AB - Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that results from the destruction
of pancreatic beta-cells by the immune system that involves innate and adaptive
immune cells. Mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells) are innate-like T
cells that recognize derivatives of precursors of bacterial riboflavin presented
by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related molecule MR1. Since
T1D is associated with modification of the gut microbiota, we investigated MAIT
cells in this pathology. In patients with T1D and mice of the non-obese diabetic
(NOD) strain, we detected alterations in MAIT cells, including increased
production of granzyme B, which occurred before the onset of diabetes. Analysis
of NOD mice that were deficient in MR1, and therefore lacked MAIT cells, revealed
a loss of gut integrity and increased anti-islet responses associated with
exacerbated diabetes. Together our data highlight the role of MAIT cells in the
maintenance of gut integrity and the control of anti-islet autoimmune responses.
Monitoring of MAIT cells might represent a new biomarker of T1D, while
manipulation of these cells might open new therapeutic strategies.
PMID- 28991270
TI - How job and family demands impact change in perceived stress: A dyadic study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this two-wave study has been to test the spillover and
crossover of job and family demands on changes in perceived stress at work and in
the family. Specifically, we proposed that demands from one domain (work or
family) spilled over to another domain through interrrole conflict (work
family/family-work conflict) and context-specific self-efficacy. Additionally, we
hypothesized that changes in perceived stress were impacted not only by a
person's own demands through interrole conflict but also by the demands of one's
significant other, in the process of crossover. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study
was of dyadic design and it was conducted online, among 130 heterosexual couples,
at 2 time points separated by 3 months interval. Hypotheses were verified by
means of the path analysis. RESULTS: No support was found for the spillover of
job and family demands on changes in perceived stress through interrole conflict
and self-efficacy, neither for women nor for men. With regard to the crossover,
no support was found for the actor effects, i.e., a person's demands did not
impact changes in one's own work- and family-related perceived stress but partial
support was found for the partner effects, i.e., women's job demands were
associated with men's changes in work and family-related stress through women's
work-family conflict, and men's family demands were associated with women's
change in family-related perceived stress through men's family-work conflict.
CONCLUSIONS: The study is a longitudinal test of the Spillover-Crossover model
and Work-Home Resources model demonstrating that job and family demands are
transmitted across domains and across partners in the intimate relationships
through the interrole conflict but the nature of this crossover is different for
men and women. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2)199-215.
PMID- 28991271
TI - Diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy: study of the Wolfram syndrome
AB - Background: Wolfram syndrome (WS), also known by the acronym DIDMOAD, is a rare
and progresive hereditary disease of autosomal recessive inheritance which
minimum ascertainment diagnostic criteria are the occurrence together of diabetes
mellitus and optic atrophy before 15 years of age. Objective: To describe the
clinical, biochemical and molecular profile of WS in a tertiary care hospital in
Mexico. Materials and Methods: We reviewed patients records who fulfill the
minimum ascertainment diagnostic criteria of WS presenting between January 1987
and May 2015 in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico. Results: Five patients
fulfill the inclusion criteria (three male and two female). Diabetes mellitus was
the first manifestation of the syndrome in all of them, with a mean age at
diagnosis of 5.8 +/- 2.71 years, while the WS diagnosis was established at a mean
age of 15.8 +/- 8.37 years. All the patients had optic atrophy and two of them
presented with the complete DIDMOAD spectrum. We found new associations with
autoimmune hepatitis and testicular cancer. Conclusions: This study shows the
variability of clinical presentation of WS, as well as two new associations.
PMID- 28991272
TI - Glycemic index and glycemic load in the Opuntia ficus-indica fruit
AB - : There is evidence that support the clinical usage of glycemic index (GI) and
glycemic load (GL) in the prevention of chronic disease. Objective: To determine
the GI and GL of the Opuntia ficus-indica fruit. Methodology: An analytic,
transversal study was made involving 25 healthy volunteers accepted by an
informed consent with a normal body mass index, glucose, glycoside hemoglobin,
cholesterol and serum triglycerides. The homogeneity of the population was
evaluated with anthropometrical and biochemical data using principal component
analysis (PCA). The equivalent of 50 g of carbohydrates test food (tuna) and 50 g
of dextrose as food standard was provided for the measure of the glucose curve.
The GI was determined by calculating the area under the curve by the
triangulation method. The CG was reported as the product of IG by carbohydrate
loading provided. Results and Conclusions: The IG of the tuna was 48.01 +/- 17.4,
classified as low, while the CG was 24.0 +/- 8.7 rated as high. The chemometric
analysis by PCA showed that the selection of the normal population for
determining the IG, it is important to consider the values of cholesterol and
triglycerides.
PMID- 28991273
TI - Educational and evaluation strategies in the training of physician specialists
AB - Background: Teaching strategies have been defined as procedures, means or
resources that teachers used to promote meaningful learning. Aim: Identify
teaching strategies and evaluation used by the professor with residents in
tertiary hospitals health care. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study
conducted with full, associate and assistant professors of various medical
specialties. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the strategies used by
professors to teach and evaluate students. Results: We included a sample of 90
professors in 35 medical specialties. The most frequent teaching activities were:
organizing students to develop presentations on specific subjects, followed by
asking questions on previously reviewed subjects, In terms of the strategies
employed, the most frequent "always" option was applied to case analyses. The
most frequent methods used for the evaluation of theoretical knowledge were:
participation in class, topic presentation and exams. Conclusions: Teaching
activities were primarily based on the presentation of specific topics by the
residents. The most commonly used educational strategies were clinical case
analyses followed by problem-based learning and the use of illustrations.
Evaluation of the residents' performance in theory knowledge, hinged on class
participation, presentation of assigned topics and exams.
PMID- 28991275
TI - Results of the Survey of Academics
PMID- 28991274
TI - Psychosocial risks and stress as predictors of burnout in junior doctors
performing emergency guards
AB - Objective: To study the stress, the psychosocial risks associated to the job and
the burnout, in a group of junior doctors working at the emergency ward; and to
analyze what of those variables could predict and are better related with
burnout. Methods: Cross-sectional study, with a sample of 42 junior doctors which
are on duty in the emergency ward of the University Hospital San Cecilio, Granada
(Spain). The Spanish adapted version of the Perceived Stress Scale was used to
evaluate stress, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to evaluate the professional
burnout and the adapted and scaled questionnaire for the self-evaluation of
psychosocial risks at work (CopSoQ-ISTAS21). Results: 78% of the junior doctors
are in the unfavorable or intermediate range for all CopSoQ-ISTAS21 dimensions,
being particularly relevant that 90% of them display unfavorable score in
psychological demands. In addition, MBI results show that 45% of our population
presents high emotional exhaustion simultaneously to high depersonalization.
ISTAS21 psychological demands dimensions (beta = 0.393; p < 0.003) and stress
scores (beta = 0.451; p < 0.001) significantly predict emotional exhaustion (r2 =
0.443). Finally, 38% of junior doctors experienced a threat/aggression during
their work in the emergency ward urgencies. Conclusion: Junior doctors develop
its professional activity under adverse circumstances probably due to the high
psychosocial risk associated to the job. Psychological demands are suggested as
the main predicting factor of burnout. These results indicate the need of
psychological and structural interventions in order to improve the professional
performance of junior doctors at the emergency ward.
PMID- 28991276
TI - Medical residency in Germany: an open option for Mexican physicians
PMID- 28991277
TI - Liver transplantation center in Mexico with low-volume and excellent results
AB - Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the treatment of choice for
end stage liver disease. Many studies show an inverse relationship between the
number of procedures and operative mortality. Objective: The objective of the
study is to show the results of our center and determine if it can have
comparable results to high volumen centers. Method: This is a retrospective study
which analyzed the information of patients with OLT at our institution from 1985
to December 31, 2012. Depending on date of transplantation, the study was divided
into three stages. Stage 1: from 1985 to 1999. Stage 2: from 2000 to 2007. Stage
3: from 2008 to 2012. In the 1, 2 and 3 stage 22, 37 and 56 OLT were performed
respectively. Results: Perioperative mortality was significantly lower between
Stage 3 vs. Stage 1 and 2 (3.5% vs. 50% and 21.7%, p = 0.001). Patient survival
was also better at 1 and 5 years at Stage 3 (94.4%, 87.8%) vs. era 2 (77.6%,
66.17%) and Stage 1 (47% and 29%) (p = 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, the
present results of OLT at our program are excellent despite being a low-volume
center.
PMID- 28991278
TI - Thrombophilia in Mexico
PMID- 28991279
TI - The role of gamma-aminobutyric acid in female depression
AB - Depression is a common psychiatric disorder and a leading cause of disability
worldwide. Multiple and diverse factors are involved in its cause although
biologic factors are prominent. The present study reviews the evidence about the
role that gamma-aminobutyric acid plays in the complex pathogenesis of
depression, particularly in women. The implication of gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA) is based mainly from animal models whereas clinical studies in depressed
patients show alterations of GABA levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.
Neuroimaging studies using spectroscopy indicate also decreased GABA levels in
different brain areas which in turn may normalize after antidepressant therapy,
and these findings translate into clinical response. It has been observed that
depression has a higher prevalence among women which suggests a link between
depression and hormonal changes. Similarly, gonadal hormones have a regulatory
effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis through GABA receptors making
women more vulnerable to suffer stress and depression. Therefore, the implication
of GABA in the neurobiology of depression should be explored in order to search
for new therapeutic strategies.
PMID- 28991281
TI - Splanchnic vein thrombosis as a first manifestation of Primary myelofibrosis
AB - Myeloproliferative neoplasms are chronic disorders of clonal hematopoietic stem
cells, characterized by an overproduction of functional granulocytes, red blood
cells and / or platelets, and one of the major complications is the occurrence of
venous and arterial thrombotic problems caused by increased platelet aggregation
and thrombin generation. In this study 11 cases of primary myelofibrosis (PM)
were evaluated and 2 debuted with splanchnic venous thrombosis (SVT); so after
seeing the results of this study and of world literature, it is suggested that in
patients with SVT, diagnostic methods for PM like the JAK2V617F mutation should
be included.
PMID- 28991280
TI - Platelet-rich plasma and its effect in bone regeneration in mandibular fractures.
Controlled clinical trial
AB - Background: Currently there is great interest in developing clinical applications
of platelet-rich plasma to enhance bone repair. Aim: To assess bone regeneration
in mandibular fractures, with the application of this adjuvant. Methods: Twenty
patients with mandibular fractures were included in a randomized clinical trial.
Patients of the experimental group (n = 10) were submitted to internal fracture
reduction and administration of platelet-rich plasma, and patients of the control
group (n = 10) were submitted to the same surgical procedure without plasma
application. Radiologic assessment was made before and at 1 and 3 months after
surgery. X-rays were digitalized for analyze intensity and density as reflection
of bone regeneration. Results: The average age was 32 +/- 11.3 years and 31.2 +/-
8.48 years respectively (p = 0.76). The radiographic intensity and density in the
experimental group at the 1st and 3rd month were higher in contrast to the
control group (p < 0.005). Bone regeneration time was 3.7 +/- 0.48 and 4.5 +/-
0.52 weeks respectively (p = 0.002). There was no morbidity related to the
application of the platelet-rich plasma. Conclusion: The platelet-rich plasma
increased the bone intensity and density in the fracture trace allowing bone
regeneration and recovery in shorter time than patients in which it was not used.
PMID- 28991283
TI - Death and bioetics in the intensive care unit
PMID- 28991282
TI - Knowledge and attitude towards organ donation of medicine students of a
Northwestern Mexico public university
AB - Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude towards organ donation of
medicine students of a Northwestern Mexico public university. Materials and
Methods: A prolective, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study. A
34 items cross-sectional survey evaluating knowledge and attitude towards organ
donation in 3,056 medicine students during 2013-2015. Descriptive statistics were
used as absolute frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation, as well
as the Chi-square test. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 74% of
students would donate their own organs, mainly due to reciprocity (41%). 26% of
students would not donate, 48% of them because of fear that their organs could be
taken before death. 86% would donate organs from a relative. 64% have spoken
about organ donation and transplantation with their family and 67% with friends.
50% said they had received no information about it. 68% understand the concept of
brain death. Conclusion: Students received little information about organ
donation during college. Despite that, most of them showed a positive attitude
and are willing to donate.
PMID- 28991284
TI - Thrombophilia
PMID- 28991285
TI - Influenza 2009: experience, lessons and pendings
PMID- 28991286
TI - The need to publish and the birth of medical predatory magazines
PMID- 28991287
TI - News in periodical medical publications. The case of free journals (Open
Journals)
PMID- 28991288
TI - Psoriasis and diabetes mellitus in the dermatological consultation.
PMID- 28991289
TI - Physical activity and its association with chronic diseases in the elderly in 11
cities of Peru
AB - Aim: To determine the frequency of physical activity and its association with
chronic diseases in the elderly in eleven cities of Peru. Methods: A cross
sectional study of secondary data was conducted; the dependent variable was not
the realization of physical activity, chronic disease and other physio
anthropometric variables were independent variables. For bivariate and
multivariate analysis generalized linear models were used. A confidence level of
95% and p < 0.05 as statistically significant was considered. Results: Of the
1030 elderly 68% (698) did not perform physical activity. When performing the
multivariate model was obtained for every year of age increased by 1.5% frequency
do physical activity (RPA: 1.015, 95% CI 1.006-1.024, p = 0.001) for each
additional centimeter waist decreased 0.6% performing physical activity (RPA:
0.994, 95% CI: 0.992-0.997, p < 0.001) and those suffering from other chronic
heart disease (RPA: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.02-1.30. p = 0.019) had higher frequencies of
no physical activity, adjusted for sex and city of residence. Conclusion: No
physical activity was associated with suffering from some heart disease, older
age and waist circumference. We need to consider these results from the study to
promote physical activity in this population.
PMID- 28991290
TI - Primary thrombosis of the anterior descending in a patient with antiphospholipid
antibody syndrome
AB - Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a heterogeneous clinical and biochemical
entity. We present the case of a young male with history of venous
thromboembolism. This time he presents because of chest ischemic pain associated
with ST segment elevation. He was taken to the cath lab to perform a primary
percutaneous coronary intervention and a total occlusion of the left anterior
descending artery was noted. Successful thrombus aspiration was performed. No
stent was deployed. He was taken to the cath lab for a second look angiography
and no atherosclerotic lesions were observed, which was confirmed by
intravascular ultrasound.
PMID- 28991291
TI - Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. Case report and literature review
AB - The present document is the report of a case of a very rare clinical entity,
which presents with acute multiorganic failure after a thrombotic storm related
to antiphospholipid antibodies, the so-called catastrophic antiphospholipid
syndrome, which began as a recurrent picture of mesenteric thrombosis, with a
previous history of venous insufficiency and distal ulcers probably associated
with an unidentified antiphospholipid; deserving management in intensive care and
the consultation by the world expert, Dr. Ricard Cervera who confirmed the
diagnosis and recommend treating as such entity, the patient's evolution was
satisfactory so far. Final recommendations for diagnosis and current treatment
options such as rituximab or eculizumab are made. The present case was added to
the international registry that currently houses around 500 cases worldwide
(International CAPS Registry).
PMID- 28991292
TI - Neutron diffraction and gravimetric study of the iron nitriding reaction under
ammonia decomposition conditions.
AB - Ammonia decomposition over iron catalysts is known to be affected by whether the
iron exists in elemental form or as a nitride. In situ neutron diffraction
studies with simultaneous gravimetric analysis were performed on the nitriding
and denitriding reactions of iron under ammonia decomposition conditions. The
gravimetric analysis agrees well with the Rietveld analysis of the neutron
diffraction data, both of which confirm that the form of the iron catalyst is
strongly dependent on ammonia decomposition conditions. Use of ammonia with
natural isotopic abundance as the nitriding agent means that the incoherent
neutron scattering of any hydrogen within the gases present is able to be
correlated to how much ammonia had decomposed. This novel analysis reveals that
the nitriding of the iron occurred at exactly the same temperature as ammonia
decomposition started. The iron nitriding and denitriding reactions are shown to
be related to steps that take place during ammonia decomposition and the optimum
conditions for ammonia decomposition over iron catalysts are discussed.
PMID- 28991293
TI - Alkene-assisted cis-to-trans isomerization of non-conjugated polyunsaturated
alkenes.
AB - Complex [Cp*Ru(NCMe)3][PF6], 1a, has been identified as a cis-to-trans
isomerization catalyst of various non-conjugated cis-polyalkenes under
exceptional kinetic control as no alkene conjugation was observed. According to
the experimental and theoretical data, the cis-trans isomerization occurred via
an alkene-assisted mechanism in which one cis-double bond always served as an
anchoring site. Using a combination of multinuclear NMR spectroscopic evidence
and mathematical methods it was possible to determine the extent of trans
isomerization.
PMID- 28991295
TI - Isomerization of methoxy radical in the troposphere: competition between acidic,
neutral and basic catalysts.
AB - A comprehensive investigation of the roles of acidic, neutral and basic catalysts
in isomerization of methoxy radical in the troposphere has been carried out by
quantum chemical calculations at the MP2 and CCSD(T) levels of theory. The effect
of basic catalysts, namely ammonia and an ammonia-water complex, on the
isomerization process has been studied for the very first time. In terms of rate
coefficients ammonia was found to be a better catalyst than a water monomer
whereas the ammonia-water complex was found to be more efficient over a water
dimer but marginally less efficient than formic acid. Based on the effective rate
constants under various tropospheric conditions, it was found that at 0 km
altitude water dimers and ammonia-water complexes could compete with acid
catalysts but at higher altitudes the acid catalysts would dominate their neutral
and basic counterparts by a long distance.
PMID- 28991294
TI - Multifaceted peptide assisted one-pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles for plectin
1 targeted gemcitabine delivery in pancreatic cancer.
AB - An astute modification of the plectin-1-targeting peptide KTLLPTP by introducing
a C-terminal cysteine preceded by a tyrosine residue imparted a reducing property
to the peptide. This novel property is then exploited to fabricate gold
nanoparticles (GNP) via an in situ reduction of gold(iii) chloride in a one-pot,
green synthesis. The modified peptide KTLLPTPYC also acts as a template to
generate highly monodispersed, spherical GNPs with a narrow size distribution and
improved stability. Plectin-1 is known to be aberrantly expressed in the surface
of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells while showing cytoplasmic
expression in normal cells. The synthesized GNPs are thus in situ surface
modified with the peptides via the cysteine residue leaving the N-terminal
KTLLPTP sequence free for targeting plectin-1. The visual molecular dynamics
based simulations support the experimental observations like particle size,
gemcitabine conjugation and architecture of the peptide-grafted nanoassembly.
Additionally, GNPs conjugated to gemcitabine demonstrate significantly higher
cytotoxicity in vitro in two established PDAC cell lines (AsPC-1 and PANC-1) and
an admirable in vivo antitumor efficacy in a PANC-1 orthotopic xenograft model
through selective uptake in PDAC tumor tissues. Altogether, this strategy
represents a unique method for the fabrication of a GNP based targeted drug
delivery platform using a multifaceted peptide that acts as reducing agent,
template for GNP synthesis and targeting agent to display remarkable selectivity
towards PDAC.
PMID- 28991296
TI - Synthesis of ultra - stable copper nanoclusters and their potential application
as a reversible thermometer.
AB - A new strategy for the synthesis of luminescent copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs), by
virtue of the reduction of Cu2+ using ascorbic acid and the protection of
polyvinylpyrrolidone at 75 degrees C, was reported. Blue emitting Cu NCs with
photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield of 12% and high stability up to at least 1
month were obtained. Moreover, the PL of Cu NCs showed a reversible response to
temperature, and a linear relationship between PL intensity and temperature even
after 10 cycles of repeated heating and cooling process was obtained, indicating
great potential application in thermal sensors.
PMID- 28991297
TI - On-chip polyelectrolyte coating onto magnetic droplets - towards continuous flow
assembly of drug delivery capsules.
AB - Polyelectrolyte (PE) microcapsules for drug delivery are typically fabricated via
layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of PE layers of alternating charge on sacrificial
template microparticles, which usually requires multiple incubation and washing
steps that render the process repetitive and time-consuming. Here, ferrofluid
droplets were explored for this purpose as an elegant alternative of templates
that can be easily manipulated via an external magnetic field, and require only a
simple microfluidic chip design and setup. Glass microfluidic devices featuring T
junctions or flow focusing junctions for the generation of oil-based ferrofluid
droplets in an aqueous continuous phase were investigated. Droplet size was
controlled by the microfluidic channel dimensions as well as the flow rates of
the ferrofluid and aqueous phases. The generated droplets were stabilised by a
surface active polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and then guided into a
chamber featuring alternating, co-laminar PE solutions and wash streams, and
deflected across them by means of an external permanent magnet. The extent of
droplet deflection was tailored by the flow rates, the concentration of magnetic
nanoparticles in the droplets, and the magnetic field strength. PVP-coated
ferrofluid droplets were deflected through solutions of polyelectrolyte and
washing streams using several iterations of multilaminar flow designs. This
culminated in an innovative "Snakes-and-Ladders" inspired microfluidic chip
design that overcame various issues of the previous iterations for the deposition
of layers of anionic poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and cationic
poly(fluorescein isothiocyanate allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH-FITC) onto the
droplets. The presented method demonstrates a simple and rapid process for PE
layer deposition in <30 seconds, and opens the way towards rapid layer-by-layer
assembly of PE microcapsules for drug delivery applications.
PMID- 28991298
TI - Exosomal delivery of berry anthocyanidins for the management of ovarian cancer.
AB - Despite optimal diagnosis and early therapeutic interventions, the prognosis for
ovarian cancer patients remains dismal because the efficacy of chemotherapy is
limited by the development of resistance and off-site toxicity. Berry bioactives
indicate preventive and therapeutic activities against various cancer types.
Here, we examined the antiproliferative activity of berry anthocyanidins (Anthos)
against drug-sensitive (A2780) and drug-resistant (A2780/CP70, OVCA432 and
OVCA433) ovarian cancer cells. These drug-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines
overexpress p-glycoproteins (PgP) and show >100-fold resistance to the
chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin compared to A2780. We observed a dose-dependent
growth inhibition of ovarian cancer cells with the Anthos. Furthermore, the
treatment of drug-resistant ovarian cancer (OVCA433) cells with cisplatin in
combination with the Anthos (75 MUM) resulted in significantly higher cell
killing. The cisplatin dose required to achieve this effect was 10 to 15-fold
lower than the IC50 of cisplatin alone. However, many plant bioactives including
Anthos face the challenge of poor oral bioavailability and stability. Recently,
we have developed strategies to overcome these limitations by delivering Anthos
via milk-derived exosomes. The exosomal Anthos (ExoAnthos) significantly enhanced
the antiproliferative activity against the growth of ovarian cancer cells and
inhibited tumor growth more efficiently compared to Anthos alone and a vehicle
control. Often patients with cisplatin-resistant tumors retain sensitivity to
paclitaxel (PAC). We prepared exosomal formulations of PAC (ExoPAC) for oral
delivery as the systemic administration of PAC has severe side effects. ExoPAC
delivered orally showed the same therapeutic efficacy as the free PAC delivered
intraperitoneally. Finally, we report that the combination of the Anthos and PAC
decreased the PgP level in a dose-dependent manner in OVCA432 cells. A
significantly enhanced antitumor activity was observed with the combination of
ExoPAC and ExoAnthos against A2780 tumor xenografts. Together, our data indicate
that the berry Anthos are highly effective against ovarian cancer and that the
milk exosomes serve as an excellent nano-carrier to enhance the drug's oral
bioavailability for the management of ovarian cancer.
PMID- 28991299
TI - Amidine functionalized phosphines: tuneable ligands for transition metals.
AB - Attachment of racemic 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,6-trioxa-8
phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane (alpha,beta-CgP) to (1R,5S)-1,8,8-trimethyl-2,4
diazabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene gave a diastereomeric mixture of a novel amidine
phosphine ligand, alpha,beta-CgPAm. The phosphination was completely selective
for the 4-position of the bicyclic amidine and there was no subsequent 1,2
migration of the alpha,beta-CgP group. Methylation of the non-phosphinated
nitrogen gave the amidinium salt [alpha,beta-CgPAmMe]BF4 as a diastereomeric
mixture. The donating ability of alpha,beta-CgPAm and [alpha,beta-CgPAmMe]+ has
been assessed through the synthesis and characterization of appropriate Rh(i),
Au(i) and Pt(ii) complexes. As expected alpha,beta-CgPAm is a better net donor
than the cationic derivative as shown by the magnitude of the nuCO stretches in
the IR spectra of the [Rh(L)(CO)(acac)]0/+ complexes and through determination of
the relative energies of the HOMO and LUMO orbitals for both ligands by DFT.
Attempts to resolve [Au(alpha,beta-CgPAmMe)Cl]BF4, [Pt(alpha,beta-CgPAmMe)Cl3],
[Rh(alpha,beta-CgPAmMe)(acac)(CO)]BF4 and [Rh(alpha,beta-CgPAmH)(acac)(CO)]BF4 by
fractional crystallization were unsuccessful as diastereomeric mixtures were
obtained in every case; the structures of the last three complexes have been
determined by single-crystal X-ray techniques and compared with related
literature complexes.
PMID- 28991300
TI - Crystal structure of a DNA duplex containing four Ag(i) ions in consecutive
dinuclear Ag(i)-mediated base pairs: 4-thiothymine-2Ag(i)-4-thiothymine.
AB - Herein, we determined a high-resolution crystal structure of a B-form DNA duplex
containing consecutive dinuclear metal ion-mediated base pairs, namely, 4
thiothymine-2Ag(i)-4-thiothymine (S-2Ag(i)-S), and four Ag(i) ions form a
rectangular network and the distances between the Ag(i) ions are 2.8-3.2 A, which
may indicate the existence of metallophilic attractions.
PMID- 28991301
TI - Mathematical models of cytotoxic effects in endpoint tumor cell line assays:
critical assessment of the application of a single parametric value as a standard
criterion to quantify the dose-response effects and new unexplored proposal
formats.
AB - The development of convenient tools for describing and quantifying the effects of
standard and novel therapeutic agents is essential for the research community, to
perform more precise evaluations. Although mathematical models and quantification
criteria have been exchanged in the last decade between different fields of
study, there are relevant methodologies that lack proper mathematical
descriptions and standard criteria to quantify their responses. Therefore, part
of the relevant information that can be drawn from the experimental results
obtained and the quantification of its statistical reliability are lost. Despite
its relevance, there is not a standard form for the in vitro endpoint tumor cell
lines' assays (TCLA) that enables the evaluation of the cytotoxic dose-response
effects of anti-tumor drugs. The analysis of all the specific problems associated
with the diverse nature of the available TCLA used is unfeasible. However, since
most TCLA share the main objectives and similar operative requirements, we have
chosen the sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay for cytotoxicity screening
of tumor cell lines as an experimental case study. In this work, the common
biological and practical non-linear dose-response mathematical models are tested
against experimental data and, following several statistical analyses, the model
based on the Weibull distribution was confirmed as the convenient approximation
to test the cytotoxic effectiveness of anti-tumor compounds. Then, the advantages
and disadvantages of all the different parametric criteria derived from the
model, which enable the quantification of the dose-response drug-effects, are
extensively discussed. Therefore, model and standard criteria for easily
performing the comparisons between different compounds are established. The
advantages include a simple application, provision of parametric estimations that
characterize the response as standard criteria, economization of experimental
effort and enabling rigorous comparisons among the effects of different compounds
and experimental approaches. In all experimental data fitted, the calculated
parameters were always statistically significant, the equations proved to be
consistent and the correlation coefficient of determination was, in most of the
cases, higher than 0.98.
PMID- 28991302
TI - The preparation and electrorheological behavior of bowl-like titanium oxide
nanoparticles.
AB - Bowl-like titanium oxide nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a simple
solvothermal method using absolute ethanol and isopropanol as the cosolvent.
Ostwald ripening coupled with the inner-stress-induce effect were assumed to play
an important role in the formation of this unique bowl-like morphology. The
morphological evolution from solid nanosphere to bowl-like nanoparticle was
investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron
microscopy (TEM). Besides, the structural characteristics of the as-synthesized
TiO2 nanoparticles were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform
infrared (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, a rotational
rheometer was operated to examine the electrorheological (ER) effect. Excellent
ER properties were achieved when the TiO2 particles were dispersed in silicone
oil under an external electric field.
PMID- 28991303
TI - In situ hybridization of enzymes and their metal-organic framework analogues with
enhanced activity and stability by biomimetic mineralisation.
AB - By incorporating Cytochrome c (peroxidase, Cyt c) into a skeleton of its
corresponding synthetic MOF analogue (peroxidase mimic, CuBDC), approximately 12
fold catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) enhancement is observed compared to free Cyt
c. Meanwhile, the shield endowed by CuBDC prevents encapsulated enzymes from
deactivation by trypsin digestion, thermal treatment and long-term storage in
vitro. This concept of combining enzymes and their MOF mimics with enhanced
enzymatic activity and stability may provide new insights into the design of
highly active, stable enzyme-MOF composite catalysts and holds promise for
applications in biocatalysis, biosensing and drug delivery systems.
PMID- 28991304
TI - Lamellar structures in fluorinated phosphonium ionic liquids: the roles of
fluorination and chain length.
AB - Ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit tunable behaviour and properties that are due to
their supramolecular structure. We synthesized a series of alkylated and
fluorinated phosphonium dicyanamide ILs to study the relation between molecular
structure and assembly with a focus on the roles of cation chain length and
fluorination. Small angle X-ray scattering indicated a lamellar structure with
long-range order for all fluorinated ILs, while alkylated ILs showed only the
general structures of ILs, i.e., alternating a polar ionic-zone and a nonpolar
alkyl-zone. "Fluorophobic" interactions caused microphase segregation between
perfluorinated and other molecular segments, "fluorophilic" interactions among
the perfluorinated segments stabilized the microphase structure, and the coupling
of "fluorophobic" and "fluorophilic" interactions resulted in a stable mesophase
structure. The perfluorinated segments packed more densely than the alkylated
analogues; the fluorinated versions (except for F2) liquefied at temperatures
considerably above that of alkylated ILs. The lamellar structures strongly
affected the rheology of the ILs. Fluorinated ILs had higher viscosities and
exhibited non-Newtonian shear thinning; the alkylated ILs of the same length had
an order of magnitude lower viscosities and were purely Newtonian. We propose
that the disruption of lamellar structure in the shear flow causes the non
Newtonian flow behaviour.
PMID- 28991305
TI - A modified molecular framework derived highly efficient Mn-Co-carbon cathode for
a flexible Zn-air battery.
AB - A controllable Co doping strategy is introduced to significantly activate more
catalytic sites for Mn-based materials and anchor Co-Mn nanoparticles on the N
doped carbon nanotube (N-CNT) substrates. The as-synthesized CoMn2O4/N-CNTs
exhibit excellent ORR catalytic performance with large limited current density
and positive half-wave potential, even outperforming the Pt/C catalysts. The
outstanding ORR activity allows the CoMn2O4/N-CNTs to directly serve as the
cathode electrode in a liquid/solid state Zn-air battery, demonstrating large
power density and robust stability.
PMID- 28991306
TI - Recent progress in layered double hydroxide based materials for electrochemical
capacitors: design, synthesis and performance.
AB - As representative two-dimensional (2D) materials, layered double hydroxides
(LDHs) have received increasing attention in electrochemical energy storage and
conversion because of the facile tunability between their composition and
morphology. The high dispersion of active species in layered arrays, the simple
exfoliation into monolayer nanosheets and chemical modification offer the LDHs an
opportunity as active electrode materials in electrochemical capacitors (ECs).
LDHs are favourable in providing large specific surface areas, good transport
features as well as attractive physicochemical properties. In this review, our
purpose is to provide a detailed summary of recent developments in the synthesis
and electrochemical performance of the LDHs. Their composites with carbon (carbon
quantum dots, carbon black, carbon nanotubes/nanofibers, graphene/graphene
oxides), metals (nickel, platinum, silver), metal oxides (TiO2, Co3O4, CuO, MnO2,
Fe3O4), metal sulfides/phosphides (CoS, NiCo2S4, NiP), MOFs (MOF derivatives) and
polymers (PEDOT:PSS, PPy (polypyrrole), P(NIPAM-co-SPMA) and PET) are also
discussed in this review. The relationship between structures and electrochemical
properties as well as the associated charge-storage mechanisms is discussed.
Moreover, challenges and prospects of the LDHs for high-performance ECs are
presented. This review sheds light on the sustainable development of ECs with LDH
based electrode materials.
PMID- 28991307
TI - An enzyme free electrochemical biosensor for sensitive detection of miRNA with a
high discrimination factor by coupling the strand displacement reaction and
catalytic hairpin assembly recycling.
AB - An isothermal, enzyme free, ultra-specific and ultra-sensitive protocol for
electrochemical detection of miRNAs is proposed based on the toehold-mediated
strand displacement reaction (SDR) and non-enzymatic catalytic hairpin reaction
(CHA) recycling. The SDR was first triggered only in the presence of target miRNA
and this process also affects other miRNA interferences having similar target
sequences, thus guaranteeing a high discrimination factor and could be used in
rare content miRNA detection with various amounts of interferences having similar
target sequences. The output protector strand then triggered enzyme free CHA
amplification and generates plenty of hairpin self-assembly products. This
process in turn influences SDR equilibrium to move to the right and generates
large amounts of protector output to ensure analysis sensitivity. Compared with
traditional CHA, our proposed method greatly improved the signal to noise ratio
and shows excellent performance in rare miRNA detection with miRNA analogue
interference. Under the optimal experimental conditions and using square wave
voltammetry, the established biosensor could detect target miRNA-21 down to 30 fM
(S/N = 3) with a dynamic range from 100 fM to 2 nM, and discriminate rare target
miRNA-21 from mismatched miRNA with high selectivity. This method holds great
promise in miRNA detection from human cancer cell lines and would be a versatile
and powerful tool for clinical molecular diagnostics.
PMID- 28991308
TI - Theory of the thermodynamic influence of solution-phase additives in shape
controlled nanocrystal synthesis.
AB - Though many experimental studies have documented that certain solution-phase
additives can play a key role in the shape-selective synthesis of metal
nanocrystals, the origins and mechanisms of this shape selectivity are still
unclear. One possible role of such molecules is to thermodynamically induce the
equilibrium shape of a nanocrystal by altering the interfacial free energies of
the facets. Using a multi-scheme thermodynamic integration method that we
recently developed [J. Chem. Phys., 2016, 145, 194108], we calculate the solid
liquid interfacial free energies gammasl and investigate the propensity to
achieve equilibrium shapes in such syntheses. We first apply this method to
Ag(100) and Ag(111) facets in ethylene glycol solution containing
polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), to mimic the environment in polyol synthesis of Ag
nanocrystals. We find that although PVP has a preferred binding to Ag(100), its
selectivity is not sufficient to induce a thermodynamic preference for {100}
faceted nanocubes, as has been observed experimentally. This indicates that PVP
promotes Ag nanocube formation kinetically rather than thermodynamically. We
further quantify the thermodynamic influence of adsorbed solution-phase additives
for generic molecules, by building a gammasl ratio/nanocrystal shape map as a
function of zero-temperature binding energies. This map can be used to gauge the
efficacy of candidate additive molecules for producing targeted thermodynamic
nanocrystal shapes. The results indicate that only additives with a strong facet
selectivity can impart significant thermodynamic-shape change. Therefore, many of
the nanocrystals observed in experiments are likely kinetic products.
PMID- 28991309
TI - Unprecedented 22,26-seco physalins from Physalis angulata and their anti
inflammatory potential.
AB - Two novel physalins, including a 22,26-seco physalin, physalin X (1), and a 11,15
cyclo-9(10),14(17),22(26)-triseco physalin with an unprecedented aromatic ring,
aromaphysalin B (2), were isolated from Physalis angulata L. Their structures
were determined by IR, UV, HRESIMS, and 2D NMR spectra as well as theoretical
calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited inhibitory activities on NO production
with IC50 values of 68.50 and 29.69 MUM, respectively. A plausible biosynthetic
pathway for 2 is also discussed.
PMID- 28991310
TI - A highly selective fluorescence turn-on detection of ClO- with 1-methyl-1,2
dihydropyridine-2-thione unit modified tetraphenylethylene.
AB - A new selective and sensitive fluorescence turn-on detection of ClO- is reported
by taking advantage of the specific reaction between a 1-methyl-1,2
dihydropyridine-2-thione unit and ClO- and the aggregation induced-emission (AIE)
behavior of the tetraphenylethylene unit.
PMID- 28991311
TI - Selenium fortification of infant formulas: does selenium form matter?
AB - Selenium is a trace element essential for the health and development of the
growing infant. It is a necessary component of proteins and enzymes required for
a variety of functions, including antioxidant defense, modulation of the
inflammatory response, and production of thyroid hormones. In breast-fed infants,
selenium stores depend on the selenium content of the mother's diet. In formula
fed infants, selenium levels are correlated to the residual selenium stores
accumulated in utero and the level and type of selenium fortification used in the
formula. Today, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends
that infant formulas contain selenium at levels between 2.0 and 7.0 MUg per 100
kcal. While the US FDA does not recommend a particular selenium form for
fortification, evidence indicates that organically bound selenium forms (e.g.,
selenomethionine and selenium-enriched yeast) are better absorbed and retained
than inorganic forms (e.g., selenite and selenate). Preliminary data from studies
in adults do suggest that fortification with standardized selenium-enriched yeast
may offer benefits compared to fortification with other organically bound
selenium forms. However, because most studies evaluating the impact of selenium
fortification of infant formula have assessed inorganic selenium supplements,
additional research into the bioavailability and outcomes associated with the use
of selenium-enriched yeast in infants is needed.
PMID- 28991312
TI - I2/CHP mediated [1 + 1 + 1 + 1] cyclization of aromatic isocyanides with amines
to construct 1,3-diazetidine-2,4-diimine derivatives.
AB - An I2/CHP (cumene hydroperoxide) mediated [1 + 1 + 1 + 1] cyclization of aromatic
isocyanides with readily accessible amines via the formation 4 new C-N bonds has
been developed to construct unsymmetric 1,3-diazetidine-2,4-diimine derivatives
under mild conditions.
PMID- 28991313
TI - Influence of lipid composition of model membranes on methacrylate antimicrobial
polymer-membrane interactions.
AB - Using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, the role of lipid composition in
the interactions of multiple methacrylate antimicrobial polymer agents with model
membranes, and the consequent response of the membranes is studied. In our
earlier study, methacrylate polymers were observed to induce phase demixing and
associated thickness mismatch in a POPE-POPG model microbial membrane. In this
work, we probe (1) the role of varying the degree of saturation in lipid acyl
chains in the membrane interactions of methacrylate polymers, and (2) whether
electrostatics (addition of anionic lipids) can influence the interactions of the
polymers with model mammalian membranes. Lipid composition is observed to
significantly modify membrane-polymer interactions, leading to differences in
both the mode of partitioning and the conformations adopted by the polymers, in
addition to impacting membrane properties differently. The results strongly
suggest that the oft-cited electrostatic interactions between the antimicrobial
agents and the microbial membranes do not fully account for the recognition and
subsequent partitioning of the antimicrobial agents. The ability of the
methacrylate polymers to sense interfacial lipid packing defects, determined by
the PE/PC head groups of lipids, is also found to be influential in their
membrane partitioning. Deliberate inclusion of charged anionic lipids into a
model mammalian membrane, leading to additional favorable electrostatics, does
not reproduce a similar polymer partitioning mechanism to that in its microbial
counterpart. The differences observed in the interactions of methacrylate
polymers with the various model membranes can be instrumental in extending our
understanding of underlying modes of membrane disruption by general antimicrobial
agents as well.
PMID- 28991314
TI - Asymmetric synthesis of dihydrocoumarins via the organocatalytic hetero-Diels
Alder reaction of ortho-quinone methides.
AB - Enantioselective organocatalytic inverse-electron-demand hetero-Diels-Alder
reactions of in situ generated ortho-quinone methides with azlactones have been
developed. This strategy could generate various chiral dihydrocoumarins bearing a
quaternary amino acid moiety in high yields (up to 94%) and stereoselectivities
(up to 99 : 1 e.r., >20 : 1 dr) in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid
catalyst. The useful transformation and mechanistic study of this process are
also presented.
PMID- 28991315
TI - [Impact of rational use of antibiotics in a third level clinic in Colombia].
AB - BACKGROUND: The increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics threatens the
survival of patients and health costs. AIM: To determine the impact of an
antimicrobial stewardship program in bacterial resistance and antibiotic
consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quasi experimental study in a third level
clinic in the city of Medellin, that evaluate in two time periods (pre
intervention between October 2012 and September 2013 and post intervention
between October 2013 and September 2014) the impact of an antimicrobial
stewardship program in terms of antibiotic consumption and bacterial ecology.
RESULTS: Adherence to institutional guidelines for management of infections in
the post-intervention period was 82%. Antibiotic consumption of meropenem,
ceftriaxone, vancomycin and colistin decreased, and imipenem, daptomycin and
linezolid was increased. A significant decrease in antibiotic resistance in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed, including carbapenems. An increase of
extended spectrum beta lactamase production (ESBL) in Enterobacteriaceae
(especially E. coli) and piperacillin/tazobactam resistance was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: The construction and implementation of a strategy in hospitals with
guidelines for managing infectious diseases, restrictions in antibiotic use, a
permanent monitoring system for the formulation of antibiotics, achieved a
positive impact on reducing antibiotic use and bacterial resistance.
PMID- 28991316
TI - [Epidemiological characterization of bites on people, as emergency care record:
Province of Los Andes, Chile].
AB - BACKGROUND: Bites constitute a public health problem worldwide. AIM: To
characterize epidemiologically bites by animals happened in the province of Los
Andes (2005-2007). METHOD: Descriptive, retrospective epidemiological study.
Studied variables: Bitten person (BP), accident by bite, biting animal and bite.
It was not feasible to obtain more updated information by law of patient
protection. RESULTS: 2,360 BP were assisted in the emergency unit of San Juan de
Dios Hospital and Rio Blanco clinic. An annual average rate of 729 BP/100,000
inhabitants and 1.99 daily average was recorded. The male gender was most
affected (53.5%) and the age group from 6 to 10 years old. (Rate: .521/100,000).
Most frequent topographic location was the lower limb, except in children under 5
year olds in whom predominated head and neck. The biting animal according to
frequency was: the dog (67.1%) spider (7.1%) and cat (3.9%). The animal property
was 35.6% known and 30.7% own. The most frequent problems were: nonspecific
allergy; toxic effect by spider bites and among the infections, the disease made
by cat?s scratch stands out. Regarding the record system, the biting animal
complaint was applied to 47.6% of the BP and the 92.8% of the recorded
information was incomplete. CONCLUSIONS: Bites reported higher rates in the
province of Los Andes than the average of the country (729 versus 188/100,000),
standing out the higher magnitude in 6 to 10 year-old-children. It is noticed
that the record is low and incomplete. In this province, no bite control programs
or updated studies have been carried out.
PMID- 28991317
TI - [Incidence and risk factors for bacteremia on pediatric patients with burns in a
specialized care center in Mexico].
AB - BACKGROUND: Bacteremia events are frequent cause of mortality in burn patients
and may originate from infected wounds, by bacterial translocation of endogenous
microorganisms, from invasive devices or contaminated intravenous solutions.
OBJECTIVE: To quantify the incidence of bacteremia in pediatric patients with
burns and to identify risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort
study was performed in pediatric patients with burns of Hospital Civil de
Guadalajara "Dr. Juan I. Menchaca". Bacteremia was diagnosed by blood cultures in
patients with clinical manifestations of sepsis. Risk factors were investigated
by multivariate analysis with Cox regression. RESULTS: Were included in the
cohort 260 patients, median age 3 years. The incidence of bacteremia was 9.6
events per 1,000 days patient. The most frequently isolated bacteria were
Enterobacteriaceae (41.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (22.6%) and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (22.6%). Factors associated with bacteremia were: bums >= 20% TBSA (HR
11.06; 95% CI 4.8-25.4), deep second degree bums or higher (HR 6.9; 95% CI 2.0
23.3) and have had two or less debridement (HR 26.4; 95% CI 8.0-87.7).
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with more extensive and deep burns with fewer debridement
are at increased risk of bacteremia.
PMID- 28991318
TI - [Risk factors for hydatid disease in high school students in the district of
Punitaqui, Chile].
AB - BACKGROUND: Hydatidosis is an endemic zoonosis in different areas of Chile,
including the Region of Coquimbo, this is linked to the slaughter of cattle and
presence of dogs. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors related to hydatidosis in
the home of high school students of Punitaqui. MATERIAL: A descriptive cross
sectional study was done by the application of a self-administered questionnaire
to 274 students of high school. The information was analyzed by urban/rural area
in five dimensions: knowledge, basic sanitation, keeping dogs, vegetable growing
and cattle slaughtering and possession. RESULTS: 84.6% of urban students reported
not having received hydatidosis education. In rural areas, 93.5% reported owning
dogs, with an average of 2.95 dogs/home (p < 0.001). In urban areas 44.4% of the
dogs had not been dewormed and 60.3% (p < 0.001) was fed with viscera in rural
areas. The 66.2% of cattle were goats and sheep and 64.5% (p < 0.001) of rural
households did slaught. The main way to eliminate viscera was feeding the dogs.
CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors that favor the presence of the parasite were present in
relation to keeping dogs and cattle breeding and slaughter, which occurred mostly
in rural areas, but being also present in urban areas.
PMID- 28991319
TI - [Etiology and evolution of the osteoarticular infections. 2009-2015: Pediatric
Hospital Pereira Rossell Uruguay].
AB - BACKGROUND: The most frequent osteoarticular infections (OAI) etiological agent
is Staphylococcus aureus. The prevalence of other microorganisms has changed
after the introduction of new vaccines. AIM: To describe the etiology and
evolution of the OAIs in children hospitalized in Pediatric Hospital Pereira
Rossell between 2009 and 2015. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Joint fluid and bone
puncture studies of hospitalized children suspected of OAI. Epidemiological
characteristics, isolated microorganisms, complementary tests, initial treatment,
complications, and days of hospitalization were analyzed. RESULTS: 335 patients;
the etiology was established in 113. Clinical data could be analyzed in 87 cases.
The average age was 6.1 years. They corresponded to: methicillin-sensitive S.
aureus (n: 47), community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) (n:
11), Streptococcus pyogenes (n: 6), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n: 1), Haemophilus
influenzae type b (n: 2), Gram-negative bacilli (n: 9), Kingella kingae (n: 1)
others (n: 6). In 4 cases, more than one microorganism was isolated. CA-MRSA
infections were more serious. DISCUSSION: A decrease is observed in the number of
CA-MRSA isolates. A fact to be highlighted is the impact of universal vaccination
against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b. It is a finding to be monitored
the increasing number of Gram-negative bacilli isolates.
PMID- 28991320
TI - [Brucellosis in Chile: Description of a series of 13 cases].
AB - INTRODUCTION: Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by Brucella spp. It may be
acquired by consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Brucellosis has a low
incidence in Chile, thus, we have a scarce data. AIM: To report and to
characterize the first series of clinical cases of adult patients diagnosed with
brucellosis in Chile. METHODS: We describe a series of 13 clinical cases in
patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 in three different centers in the
Metropolitan Region, Chile. A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical
presentation, laboratory, antibiotic treatment, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS:
The mean age was 50 years old. Eight cases had a record of consumption of
unpasteurized dairy products. The most frequently reported complaints were fever.
The most frequent focal point involved was the spine. Only one patient had a
positive blood culture, while the diagnosis was made using serological techniques
in the other part of the group. The most indicated antibiotic regimens were
doxycycline-rifampicin and doxycycline-gentamicin. The hospital stay was 20 days
approximately as an average. Clinical cure was achieved in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Brucellosis is an infrequent zoonosis in Chile, and it produces a
nonspecific clinical picture, so it is necessary to have high suspicion to make
the diagnosis based in the antecedent of consumption of unpasteurized dairy or
raw meat.
PMID- 28991321
TI - [Role of dendritic cells in infection by dengue virus: targets for replication
and immune response].
AB - Dengue fever, caused by dengue virus (DENV) infection, is one of the most
important diseases in the world, not only due to the high morbidity/mortality
rates it causes, but also because of its great economic and social impact in
tropical/subtropical countries. DENV infection has a wide range of clinical
manifestations ranging from asymptomatic infection or infection with mild
symptoms to severe dengue that can lead to death. At present, no etiological
treatment or effective globally distributed vaccine against the four DENV
serotypes exists. Despite great efforts made to understand the mechanism
associated with DENV disease pathogenesis the causes leading to severe dengue
presentation have not been clarified. Some hypotheses seek to give a biological
and physiological explanation to the clinical manifestations that appear during
the infection. Based on the evidence that after contact with dendritic cells DENV
alters the functionality of these cells, this review aims to describe the most
relevant findings regarding the importance of dendritic cells in the context of
DENV infection and progression of the illness.
PMID- 28991322
TI - [Rationale of ocular prophylaxis of neonatal ophtalmia in the newborn infant].
PMID- 28991323
TI - [Neonatal infection and universal screening for Streptococcus agalactiae (group B
beta-hemolytic Streptococcus) in the pregnant woman: Technical recommendation].
PMID- 28991324
TI - [Neisseria gonorrhoeae].
PMID- 28991325
TI - [About the origin of the term bacteria: a semantic paradox].
AB - This review analyzes the origin of the term "bacteria", which was created by the
biologist Christian G. Ehren-berg, initially to account for a single bacterial
genus of the Vibrionia family and finally, to explain how this name imposed
itself upon others as the formal denomination for the whole bacterial group.
PMID- 28991326
TI - [Cerebral hydatid disease: report of six pediatric cases].
AB - Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection whose etiologic agent is Echinococcus
granulosus. Human is an accidental intermediate host and the most common site is
the liver. The brain involvement is unusual and up to 75% of cases are described
in the pediatric population. We present six children with cerebral hydatid
disease admitted to the Pediatric Hospital J.P. Garrahan. All had neurological
involvement on admission. The images showed single cystic lesion in the brain.
They did not present involvement in other organs. Serology was negative in all
cases. Medical and surgical treatment in all cases. The clinical outcome was
favorable without sequelae in five of them and one had a residual paresis right
faciobrachiocrural. This infection should be considered in the differential
diagnosis of cystic tumor lesions of the central nervous system.
PMID- 28991327
TI - [Delusional parasitosis intestinal and dermatological: clinical cases].
AB - Illusory parasitosis, better known as delusional parasitosis, is a
neuropsychiatric syndrome in which patients have the belief of suffering a
parasitic disease, that can not be demonstrated after an exhaustive medical
study. These patients are characterized by being polyconsultants in different
medical specialties and, many of them, have antecedents of psychiatric disorders,
some of them undiagnosed. Knowing the existence of the clinical picture,
diagnosing early and empathizing with the patient, could give to clinician some
clues for a timely and assertive psychiatric referral, and improve patient
adherence to the proposed treatment.
PMID- 28991328
TI - [Nasal phaeohyphomycosis by Curvularia spicifera in pediatric patient with
neutropenia and acute myeloid leukemia].
AB - There are very few reports of pediatric patients with infections by dematiaceous
filamentous fungi. In this publication we report a case of invasive fungal
infection of the nasal septum by Curvularia spicifera in a pediatric patient with
acute myeloid leukemia. The patient presented with a painful scabby wound in the
nasal vestibule. Culture and universal PCR were consistent with Curvularia
spicifera. Early management with surgical debridement and bi-associated
antifungal therapy achieved complete resolution of the lesions, with no evidence
of dissemination and relapses. Clinical management of these fungal infections
represents a challenge as the antifungal selection and duration of therapy is not
yet well stablished.
PMID- 28991329
TI - [Surveillance fatigue (fatigatio vigilantiae) during epidemics].
AB - This manuscript presents the concept of "surveillance fatigue" (fatigatio
vigilantiae), to describe an epidemiological scenario of an evident
underreporting of cases during overwhelming epidemics. We revised past epidemics
and found that surveillance fatigue is a common pattern, thus, it may be a useful
concept in modern epidemiology.
PMID- 28991330
TI - [Longitudinal multicenter analysis of outcomes after cessation of control
measures for vancomycin-resistant Enterococci].
PMID- 28991331
TI - [Influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel by work setting and occupation].
PMID- 28991333
TI - Clinical Evaluation of an Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens With the
Salzburg Reading Desk.
AB - BACKGROUND: Clinical evaluation of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular
lens (IOL) regarding visual performance at various distances, reading performance
on an electronic reading desk, and depth of focus on the defocus curve. METHODS:
In this prospective study, 30 eyes of 15 patients who received the Tecnis Symfony
IOL (Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Santa Ana, CA) were examined 3.60 +/- 1.54
months postoperatively. Uncorrected and corrected distance (UDVA and CDVA),
uncorrected and distance-corrected intermediate (UIVA and DCIVA), and uncorrected
and distance-corrected near (UNVA and DCNVA) visual acuity were determined. The
defocus curve was performed with distance correction. Furthermore, the reading
acuity at the preferred near and intermediate distances was measured with
consideration of the reading distance, speed, and print size. A subjective
questionnaire was also administered. RESULTS: Results showed a median UDVA of
0.03 logMAR or 20/21.43 Snellen (range: 0.44 to -0.18 logMAR or 20/55.08 to
20/13.21 Snellen), UNVA of 0.20 logMAR or 20/31.70 Snellen (range: 0.46 to 0.00
logMAR or 20/57.68 to 20/20 Snellen), and UIVA of -0.03 logMAR or 20/18.67
Snellen (range: 0.14 to -0.18 logMAR or 20/27.61 to 20/13.21 Snellen). The
improved performance at intermediate distance was confirmed by an uncorrected
reading acuity of 0.09 logMAR or 20/24.61 Snellen (range: 0.36 to 0.00 logMAR or
20/45.82 to 20/20.00 Snellen) at a preferred intermediate distance of 64.10 cm
(range: 52.0 to 75.0 cm). The defocus curve showed an extended range of visual
acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better between 1.00 and -1.50 diopters. CONCLUSIONS: The
EDOF IOL design provided a wide range of improved visual and reading function
between far and intermediate distances and also improved near visual acuity.
Patients reported a high rate of satisfaction and spectacle independence at the
various distances. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):664-669.].
PMID- 28991332
TI - Visual Performance With Bifocal and Trifocal Diffractive Intraocular Lenses: A
Prospective Three-Armed Randomized Multicenter Clinical Trial.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare quality of vision and reading performance
outcomes after implantation of bifocal refractive-diffractive, bifocal apodized
diffractive, or trifocal diffractive-refractive intraocular lenses (IOLs).
METHODS: This randomized, prospective, three-armed multicenter (Spain, Germany,
and France) trial included 104 eyes of 52 patients (mean age: 63.2 +/- 7.7
years). Patients underwent cataract surgery with bilateral implantation of either
AT LISA 809M (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany: AT LISA group, 38 eyes), AT LISA
tri 839MP (Carl Zeiss Meditec: AT LISA tri group, 32 eyes), or ReSTOR SN6AD1
(Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX: ReSTOR group, 34 eyes) IOLs. Visual
and refractive outcomes, depth of focus, and reading performance were evaluated
at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The AT LISA tri group showed
significantly better 12-month uncorrected (UIVA) and binocular distance-corrected
(DCIVA) intermediate visual acuity (P <= .016) than the AT LISA group. The AT
LISA tri group showed a significantly better 3-month UIVA compared to the ReSTOR
group (P = .042). Binocular uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities
were not significantly different among groups (P >= .092) at the 12-month follow
up. A total of 85.3%, 90.0%, and 78.1% of eyes had a spherical equivalent within
+/-0.50 D in the AT LISA, AT LISA tri, and ReSTOR groups, respectively, at 12
months (P = .038). No statistically significant differences between the trifocal
and bifocal groups were detected for reading performance (P >= .055).
CONCLUSIONS: The trifocal diffractive-refractive IOL provides enhanced
intermediate visual restoration compared to bifocal diffractive-refractive or
apodized diffractive IOLs. The addition of an intermediate focal point did not
deteriorate far or near vision. A comparable reading performance was maintained
with the trifocal lens. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):655-662.].
PMID- 28991334
TI - Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Capsulotomy: Histological Comparison of Four Different
Laser Platforms.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare histological analyses of capsulotomies from different laser
systems with regard to tissue alteration, laser spot formation, and energy
settings. METHODS: Four femtosecond laser platforms approved for cataract surgery
were evaluated: LenSx (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX), Catalys (Abbott
Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA), Victus (Tecnolas/Bausch & Lomb, Munich, Germany),
and LensAR (Topcon, Gamagori, Japan). Ten human anterior lens capsulotomy disks
from each laser system were analyzed: five by means of light microscopy and five
by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM was used especially to examine the
cellular and stromal changes at the cutting edges. The cellular demarcation line
was measured at 15 points along the rim and statistically compared with the
findings from all laser platforms. Three capsules of each laser platform were
prepared for TEM to evaluate the cellular and tissue edges of the laser cuttings.
RESULTS: All capsulotomies revealed a circular demarcation zone of different
sizes along the cutting edges. Light microscopy showed a radial tissue damage of
36.0 +/- 12.3 MUm after Victus laser capsulotomy, 8.9 +/- 2.9 MUm after Catalys
laser capsulotomy, 25.2 +/- 5.6 MUm after LensAR laser capsulotomy, and 39.8 +/-
5.1 MUm after LenSx laser capsulotomy. Differences between the damaged tissue
zones correlated with the laser systems and their energy settings. CONCLUSIONS:
The use of less energy and larger spot separation led to smaller collateral
damaged tissue areas along the cutting edges. The aberrant laser spots along the
cutting edge may result in weakening of the remaining tissue, thereby enhancing
the risk for capsular ruptures during surgery. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):670
675.].
PMID- 28991335
TI - Customized Corneal Cross-linking Using Different UVA Beam Profiles.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of different customized corneal cross
linking (CXL) methods. METHODS: This was a single-center interventional,
prospective, longitudinal case series. Four different customized CXL methods were
evaluated in keratoconic eyes: (1) uniform (uniform intensity ultraviolet-A [UVA]
beam [9 mW/cm2] for 10 minutes) (n = 12 eyes); (2) sector axial map (sector-based
UVA irradiation) (n = 12 eyes); (3) ring axial map (concentric rings of UVA beam
intensity centered at the steepest curvature of the anterior axial map) (n = 12
eyes); and ring tangential map (same as the ring axial map but centered at the
steepest curvature of the anterior tangential map) (n = 14 eyes). Peak UVA energy
density in the sector and ring axial map (and ring tangential map) protocols did
not exceed 15.0 and 10.8 J/cm2, respectively. A 0.1% riboflavin solution was
applied after epithelium removal. Corneal tomography and visual acuity were
assessed before and 6 months after CXL. RESULTS: Average and peak energy density
was lowest in the ring tangential protocol and highest in the sector axial map
group (P < .001). Treated area was lowest in the ring tangential map group and
highest in the uniform group (P < .001). Decrease in curvature was similar among
the uniform, sector axial map, and ring axial map groups (P < .05). The ring
tangential map group had the greatest decrease in curvature per unit energy dose
to the cornea (P < .05). Improvement in uncorrected (0.081 +/- 0.056 logMAR) and
corrected (0.041 +/- 0.026 logMAR) distance visual acuity per unit energy density
was greatest in the ring tangential map group (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: When
normalized to the average energy density, the ring tangential map protocol
appeared to provide maximum flattening and improvement in visual acuity. Further
studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate the findings of this
pilot study. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):676-682.].
PMID- 28991337
TI - Accuracy of a New Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Biometer for IOL
Power Calculation and Comparison to IOLMaster.
AB - PURPOSE: To investigate the accuracy of the measurements provided by a new
optical biometer (OA-2000, Tomey Corporation, Nagoya, Japan) for calculating the
intraocular lens (IOL) power and to compare the refractive outcomes to those
obtained with the IOLMaster 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). METHODS: In
this interventional multicenter study, consecutive patients having cataract
surgery were enrolled. Only the IOL model used in the largest sample of patients
was selected and the eyes implanted with that IOL were subsequently analyzed. The
OA-2000, an optical biometer based on swept-source optical coherence tomography
(SS-OCT), was used to measure axial length and corneal power in all eyes. IOL
power was calculated with the Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, and SRK/T formulas. In a
subsample of eyes, the IOL power was also calculated with measurements obtained
by partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster 500). The median absolute error
and percentage of eyes with a prediction error of +/-0.50 diopters (D) or less
were calculated. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-nine eyes were analyzed. Using SS
OCT, the median absolute error ranged between 0.33 (Holladay 1) and 0.35 (SRK/T)
D. The rate of eyes with a prediction error of +/-0.50 D or less ranged between
71.5% (Hoffer Q) and 67.1% (SRK/T). In the subsample of 87 eyes with measurements
by both devices, the median absolute error was lower with the OA-2000 (Hoffer Q:
P = .0377; Holladay 1: P = .0191; SRK/T: P = .0087). CONCLUSIONS: The SS-OCT
based optical biometer investigated in the current study provides accurate
measurements for IOL power calculation and seems to offer more predictable
refractive results compared to the partial coherence interferometry IOLMaster. [J
Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):690-695.].
PMID- 28991336
TI - Four-Stage Procedure for Keratoconus: ICRS Implantation, Corneal Cross-linking,
Toric Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation, and Topography-Guided Photorefractive
Keratectomy.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate a four-stage combined treatment for keratoconus including
intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation followed by corneal cross
linking (CXL), toric phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and topography
guided photorefractive keratectomy (TG-PRK). METHODS: In this retrospective
interventional case series, 11 eyes of 7 patients with progressive keratoconus
were treated with a four-stage procedure including the following: Keraring ICRS
(Mediphacos Ltda, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) implantation followed by CXL, phakic
IOL implantation, and TG-PRK (minimum 6 months between each stage). Minimum
follow-up was 12 months after TG-PRK. RESULTS: Both mean uncorrected distance
visual acuity and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) improved from 0.025
decimal (20/800 Snellen) and 0.093 decimal (20/215 Snellen) preoperatively to
0.68 decimal (20/30 Snellen) and 0.73 decimal (20/27 Snellen), respectively,
after the combined treatment (P < .0001). Mean postoperative CDVA of 0.73 decimal
(20/27 Snellen) was similar to preoperative contact lens CDVA of 0.72 decimal
(20/28 Snellen). Mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent reduced from 16.78
+/- 3.58 to 0.59 +/- 0.89 diopters (P < .0001) and mean refractive astigmatism
reduced from 5.16 +/- 1.86 to 0.82 +/- 0.28 diopters (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS:
This four-stage procedure appears to be an effective and safe approach for
corneal stabilization and improvement of functional vision in patients with
keratoconus. Larger case series with a longer follow-up are required to
thoroughly evaluate the efficacy, safety, and stability of this combined
approach. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):683-689.].
PMID- 28991338
TI - Age-Related Changes in Corneal Astigmatism.
AB - PURPOSE: To analyze the changes in corneal astigmatism as a function of age and
develop a novel model to estimate corneal astigmatic change according to age.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of right eyes of 3,769 individuals.
Total corneal astigmatism, keratometric astigmatism, anterior corneal
astigmatism, and posterior corneal astigmatism were measured by a Scheimpflug
tomographer. Smoothing fitting curves of polar values of corneal astigmatism as a
function of age were drawn and average changes in corneal astigmatism at
different ages were calculated. RESULTS: Two turning points of age on total
corneal astigmatism were 36 and 69 years. The average change of total corneal
astigmatism toward against-the-rule astigmatism was 0.13 diopters (D)/10 years
from 18 to 35 years, 0.45 D/10 years from 36 to 68 years, and decreased after 69
years, mainly caused by anterior corneal astigmatism. The mean magnitude of
posterior corneal astigmatism was -0.33 D and exceeded 0.50 D in 14.27% of eyes.
The vectorial difference between total corneal astigmatism and keratometric
astigmatism was correlated with posterior corneal astigmatism, polar value of
anterior corneal astigmatism, age, and corneal higher order aberrations (r =
0.636; standard partial regression coefficients were 0.479, -0.466, 0.282, and
0.196, respectively; all P < .001). Based on the non-linear model to estimate
corneal astigmatic change with age, a formula was developed to calculate
recommended correction of astigmatism according to age and astigmatic type.
CONCLUSIONS: The rate of change of total corneal astigmatism showed a non-linear
trend toward against-the-rule astigmatism, which was low at young and old age,
high at middle age, and should be taken into account when performing surgery to
correct astigmatism. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):696-703.].
PMID- 28991339
TI - Pupil Dynamics Induced by Light Reflex After Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular
Lens Implantation.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess the light reflex of the pupil after Implantable Collamer Lens
(ICL) (KS-aquaPORT; STAAR Surgical, Nidau, Switzerland) implantation to determine
whether the ICL implantation might affect the pupil dynamics. METHODS: This study
examined 28 eyes of 28 consecutive patients who underwent implantation of the
posterior phakic ICL for the correction of myopia and astigmatism. Patient age at
the time of surgery was 31.1 +/- 6.8 years (range: 25 to 42 years). Preoperative
refraction was -7.38 +/- 2.26 diopters (D) (range: -3.25 to -11.80 D). Light
reflex was evaluated using the infrared pupillometer Iriscorder C7364 (Hamamatsu
Photonics, Hamamatsu, Japan). Measured parameters included pupil diameter (D1),
constriction ratio, maximum constriction velocity, maximum dilation velocity, and
the time required to recover 63% of the pupil diameter (T5). At 6 months
postoperatively, the authors also investigated the relationship with the amount
of vault using the Pentacam (Oculus Optikgerate, Wetzlar, Germany). Evaluations
with the instrument were performed before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after
surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant association found between any of the
parameters (analysis of variance, D1: P = .99, constriction ratio: P = .59,
maximum constriction velocity: P = .87, maximum dilation velocity: P = .13, T5: P
=.57). The vault of the ICL at 6 months postoperatively was 382.1 +/- 176.5 MUm.
There were no significant associations between the maximum constriction velocity,
maximum dilation velocity, and amount of vaulting (Spearman correlation
coefficient maximum constriction velocity: r = 0.07, P = .71, maximum dilation
velocity: r = 0.26, P = .28). CONCLUSIONS: The light reflex of the pupillary
dynamics continued to be maintained at 6 months after ICL implantation. Current
findings also verified that ICL implantation had little influence on the
postoperative function of the iris. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):704-707.].
PMID- 28991340
TI - Comparison of Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss Between Two Femtosecond Laser
Platforms and Standard Phacoemulsification.
AB - PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the changes in endothelial cell density (ECD) and
cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) in patients having cataract surgery with two
different femtosecond laser platforms and standard phacoemulsification. METHODS:
This prospective non-randomized comparative study included patients scheduled to
undergo cataract extraction using femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery
(FLACS) (60 eyes) or standard phacoemulsification (60 eyes) between September
2013 and March 2016. The main outcome measures were CDE and percentage of
endothelial cell loss. Comparative analysis of CDE and percentage of endothelial
cell loss between the two phacoemulsification platforms with respect to
conventional and FLACS techniques was performed. RESULTS: The CDE and the 1-month
mean percentage of endothelial cell loss was 6.11 +/- 3.52 and 9.06% +/- 8.77% in
the standard phacoemulsification group and 4.65 +/- 3.61 and 6.00% +/- 8.02% in
the FLACS group, respectively (P = .039). In the subgroup analysis based on
cataract grading, the CDE was significantly less in the FLACS group compared to
the standard phacoemulsification group in both the early and advanced cataract
group (P = .002). The percent decrease in endothelial cell loss was statistically
lower in the FLACS group when compared to the standard phacoemulsification group
in the advanced cataract subgroup (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: FLACS pretreatment
resulted in a decrease in CDE and less endothelial cell loss when compared to
standard phacoemulsification. The decrease in endothelial cell loss was more
prominent in the denser cataract group; thus, FLACS may be most beneficial in
those cases. There was no significant difference in results between the two laser
platforms. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):708-712.].
PMID- 28991341
TI - Repair of Irregularly Irregular Astigmatism by Transepithelial Phototherapeutic
Keratectomy.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy
(PTK) in the management of irregularly irregular astigmatism. METHODS: This was a
case series of two patients who underwent transepithelial PTK for irregularly
irregular astigmatism. In the first case, the patient complained of diplopia due
to corneal scarring caused by a metallic foreign body injury. The topography
demonstrated irregularly irregular astigmatism with significant asymmetry in the
inferotemporal to superonasal axis. In the second case, the patient complained of
blurred vision and ghosting caused by significant central epithelial ingrowth
through a buttonhole LASIK flap, which was causing a localized irregularity on
topography. Due to the localized nature of the irregularities, a transepithelial
PTK treatment was preferred to custom ablation given the degree of epithelial
masking present. RESULTS: Transepithelial PTK was performed in both cases using
the Schwind Amaris 500E excimer laser (Schwind eye-tech-solutions, Kleinostheim,
Germany) and an 8-mm optical zone. The ablation depth was planned to reach the
depth of the epithelium using a stepwise protocol, reviewing the pattern of the
remaining epithelium and regularity of the stromal surface between each ablation.
A marked improvement in the regularity of the topography was achieved in both
cases, with only regular astigmatism remaining. Both patients reported a
subjective improvement in quality of vision and the corrected distance visual
acuity improved by one and two lines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transepithelial
PTK was effective in treating these cases of localized irregularly irregular
astigmatism, achieving both objective and subjective improvement in vision.
Compensatory epithelial remodeling over the irregularities enabled the
transepithelial PTK approach to target the stromal surface irregularities. [J
Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):714-719.].
PMID- 28991342
TI - Reduction of Consecutive Esotropia Using Modified Contralateral Recession and
Resection for Recurrent Intermittent Exotropia.
AB - PURPOSE: To report consecutive esotropia in contralateral lateral rectus
recession and medial rectus resection for recurrent intermittent exotropia after
unilateral lateral rectus recession and medial rectus resection and to evaluate
the surgical outcome of modified contralateral lateral rectus recession and
medial rectus resection for exotropia after unilateral lateral rectus recession
and medial rectus resection. METHODS: A total of 36 patients were included in
this retrospective study. As a primary surgery for exotropia, all patients
underwent unilateral lateral rectus recession and medial rectus resection on the
non-dominant eye. Patients were subsequently assigned to either conventional
contralateral lateral rectus recession and medial rectus resection (surgical
dosages based on Wright's surgical table) (n = 19; conventional group) or
modified contralateral lateral rectus recession and medial rectus resection
(surgical dosages reduced by 5 prism diopters on Wright's surgical table) (n =
17; modified group) for recurrent exotropia. Surgical success rates were
evaluated. Reoperation or prism glasses prescription rates due to consecutive
esotropia were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up durations after reoperation
were 25.8 and 24.0 months in the conventional and modified groups, respectively.
The surgical success rates were 73.7% and 82.4% (P = .538, Fisher's exact test)
and the recurrence rates were 0% and 17.6% (P = .059, Fisher's exact test),
respectively. The reoperation or prism glasses prescription rates due to
consecutive esotropia were 26.3% and 0%, respectively (P = .025, Fisher's exact
test). CONCLUSIONS: Final outcomes were better in the modified group compared to
the conventional group. Consecutive esotropia was significantly more frequent in
the conventional group than in the modified group. In surgery for recurrent
exotropia, a reduction of the surgical dosage will reduce the incidence of
consecutive esotropia. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(1):53-58.].
PMID- 28991343
TI - Endophthalmitis Following Pediatric Cataract Surgery: An International Pediatric
Ophthalmology and Strabismus Council Global Perspective.
AB - PURPOSE: To compile international data on the risk factors, diagnosis, and
treatment of endophthalmitis following pediatric cataract surgery. METHODS: An e
mail containing a link to an online survey was sent to all members of the
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. The
questionnaire examined the incidence, risk factors, treatment, outcomes, and
prophylaxis of endophthalmitis following pediatric cataract surgery around the
world. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-seven ophthalmologists answered the
questionnaire. Eight ophthalmologists (3.4%) encountered 22 cases of
endophthalmitis following pediatric cataract surgery during their practice. Most
patients with endophthalmitis following pediatric cataract surgery were 2 to 4
years of age (36.4%). An intraocular lens was implanted in 59.1% of cases, most
of which were acrylic intraocular lenses (53.8%). The main presenting symptoms
were photophobia (50%) and pain (40.9%). The most common signs were conjunctival
injection (36.4%) and hypopyon (31.8%). The final visual acuity was counting
fingers or worse in 86% of cases. The most common cultured organism was
Staphylococcus aureus (31.8%). The most common management of endophthalmitis
following pediatric cataract surgery was a combination of intravitreal, systemic,
and topical antibiotics (36.4%). Most ophthalmologists (68.2%) administered
prophylactic intracameral antibiotic treatment during surgery and 50% used
vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS: Endophthalmitis following pediatric cataract surgery is
an uncommon, multifactorial complication with poor visual prognosis. Efforts
directed at minimizing its risk, such as treating potential predisposing systemic
conditions, improving sterilization techniques, optimizing operative conditions
to reduce complications and surgery duration, and using subconjunctival and
intracameral antibiotics, decrease its incidence. Early postoperative evaluation,
subsequent follow-up visits, and keeping a high index of suspicion should
facilitate the recognition of endophthalmitis following pediatric cataract
surgery to avoid delaying treatment. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2018;55(1):23-29.].
PMID- 28991344
TI - Combined Oral and Topical Beta Blockers for the Treatment of Early Proliferative
Superficial Periocular Infantile Capillary Hemangioma.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined oral and topical beta
blockers for the treatment of superficial periocular infantile hemangioma at the
early proliferative stage. METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled comparison
trial involving 25 patients. Patients were randomly enrolled into two groups: the
topical and systemic treatment and systemic treatment only groups. The topical
and systemic treatment group was treated with oral propranolol (1 mg/kg per day
initially, increased to 2 mg/kg per day gradually in 2 weeks) and timolol maleate
0.5% gel. The systemic treatment only group received oral propranolol (1 mg/kg
per day initially, increased to 2 mg/kg per day gradually in 2 weeks) and simple
eye ointment to be applied to the lesion. The Hemangioma Activity Score was used
to record the proliferative activity of the hemangioma. The main outcomes of the
study were the change in the hemangioma size, the proliferative activity, and the
treatment side effects. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment period, the
Hemangioma Activity Score was significantly improved in both groups from their
values before treatment. However, the score obtained after treatment was
significantly better in the topical and systemic treatment group (P < .05).
Regarding the response to treatment, 10 and 3 cases in the topical and systemic
treatment and systemic treatment only groups, respectively, showed a good
response, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < .50). There
were no recorded serious local or systemic complications during treatment in
either group. CONCLUSIONS: The results from combining topical with oral beta
blockers showed that topical beta blockers are of additive value in treating
superficial periocular infantile hemangioma in the early proliferative stage. [J
Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(1):37-42.].
PMID- 28991346
TI - Surgical Outcome of Intermittent Exotropia With Improvement in Control Grade
Subsequent to Part-time Preoperative Occlusion Therapy.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of improvement in the control grade of
intermittent exotropia using part-time occlusion therapy on the final
postoperative outcome. METHODS: Control of intermittent exotropia was graded as
good, fair, or poor in 89 consecutive patients with intermittent exotropia during
their first visit. The patients were reevaluated after part-time preoperative
occlusion therapy and divided into two groups (improvement and no improvement)
according to whether they showed improvement in control grade. The surgical
success rate was compared retrospectively between the two groups. RESULTS: The
mean angle of deviation on the first visit was 27.61 +/- 5.40 prism diopters (PD)
at distance and 29.82 +/- 5.28 PD at near. There were significant improvements in
the angles of deviation for distance (26.17 +/- 5.09 PD) and near (27.26 +/- 5.56
PD) after part-time occlusion (both P < .001). The 49 patients who had a
significantly improved control grade had a significantly better surgical success
rate (77.6%) than the 40 patients who did not (50%; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Part
time occlusion therapy improves the control grade of intermittent exotropia,
leading to a better likelihood of successful surgery and a reduction of the
angles of deviation for distance and near. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2018;55(1):59-64.].
PMID- 28991345
TI - The Efficacy of Bilateral Lateral Rectus Recession According to Secondary
Deviation Measurements in Unilateral Exotropic Duane Retraction Syndrome.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical results of asymmetric bilateral lateral rectus
recession in exotropic Duane retraction syndrome with abnormal face turn toward
the opposite side according to secondary deviation measurements. METHODS:
Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Seven cases of unilateral exotropic Duane
retraction syndrome were reviewed. All cases had globe retraction on adduction
and exotropia with limited adduction, five of which also had mild limitation of
abduction. Four cases had upshoot/downshoot on adduction and all patients had
face turn. Exotropia was measured in forced primary position. The average lateral
rectus recession was 6.36 mm (range: 5.5 to 7.5 mm) in the affected eye and 7.36
mm (range: 6.5 to 8.5 mm) in the healthy eye. The mean follow-up period was 282
days. Mean exotropia in the forced primary position improved from 27.9 +/- 5.7
prism diopters (PD) preoperatively to 7.9 +/- 16.8 PD postoperatively (P = .025).
Head position resolved completely in all but one case (P =.031). There were no
significant changes in ductions. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that asymmetric
bilateral lateral rectus recession in exotropic Duane retraction syndrome with
abnormal head turn posture successfully eliminates abnormal head turn posture and
exotropia in most cases. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(1):47-52.].
PMID- 28991347
TI - Medial Rectus Bridge Faden Operations in Accommodative and Partially
Accommodative Esotropia With Convergence Excess.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of the bilateral bridge Faden operation on the
medial rectus muscles with and without recession in the treatment of
accommodative and partially accommodative esotropia with convergence excess.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of 103
patients who underwent the bridge Faden operation on both medial rectus muscles,
with or without recession, for the treatment of accommodative and partially
accommodative esotropia with convergence excess. Preoperative and postoperative
near and distance deviations and near-distance disparities were evaluated.
RESULTS: The study population consisted of 38 (37%) girls and 65 (63%) boys. The
mean age was 9.32 +/- 5.83 years (range: 1 to 18 years) and the mean follow-up
period was 14.49 +/- 2.78 months. Fifty-one patients underwent the bridge Faden
operation on both medial rectus muscles with recession (recession group) and 52
patients underwent the bridge Faden operation on both medial rectus muscles
without recession (no recession group). The mean preoperative amount of esotropia
at near was 43.51 +/- 7.00 and 24.24 +/- 3.56 prism diopters (PD) for the
recession and no recession groups, respectively. The mean preoperative amount of
esotropia at distance was 26.63 +/- 6.86 and 9.22 +/- 2.09 PD for both groups,
respectively. The mean preoperative near-distance disparity was 17.14 +/- 3.00
and 14.05 +/- 4.14 PD for both groups, respectively. In both groups, there was a
statistically significant difference in the near and distance deviations and the
near-distance disparity between preoperative and postoperative values (P < .05).
Postoperatively, there was no significant difference between 1 month, 6 months,
and 1 year and between 6 months and 1 year (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The bridge
Faden operation on both medial rectus muscles either with or without recession
was a successful surgical procedure in patients with accommodative and partially
accommodative esotropia. During the follow-up period, the success rates did not
decrease. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2017;54(6):369-374.].
PMID- 28991348
TI - Inferior Oblique Belly Transposition for Small Angle Hypertropia With Inferior
Oblique Overaction: A Pilot Study.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of transposition of the belly of the inferior
oblique muscle in treating inferior oblique overaction with small angle
hypertropia. METHODS: The medical records of 10 patients who underwent inferior
oblique belly transposition from March 2014 to July 2016 were reviewed.
Transposition of the inferior oblique muscle belly consisted of suturing the
entire body of the muscle to the sclera 5 mm posterior to the temporal insertion
of the inferior rectus muscle. All patients had small hypertropias (< 5 prism
diopters) in the primary gaze position with associated inferior oblique
overaction. Deviations in both primary and lateral gazes, compensatory face turns
or head tilts, and the degree of inferior oblique overaction were evaluated
preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Nine of the 10 patients had a
complete resolution of inferior oblique overaction. In the remaining patient, the
inferior oblique overaction improved from +3 to +1. None of the patients had any
residual vertical deviation. There was elimination of compensatory head tilting
in 5 patients and correction of compensatory face turns in 4 patients. One
patient with mild up drifting of the involved eye also improved after the
procedure. All patients expressed subjective satisfaction with the surgical
outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Transposition of the inferior oblique muscle belly
effectively weakened mild to moderate inferior oblique overaction and corrected
small primary position hypertropias. This procedure may be a useful addition to
surgical treatment options in patients with small hypertropias associated with
inferior oblique overaction. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(1):43
46.].
PMID- 28991349
TI - Surgical Outcome of Congenital Cataract in Eyes With Microcornea.
AB - PURPOSE: To report the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of congenital
cataract surgery in eyes with microcornea. METHODS: In this retrospective,
interventional, comparative case series, the authors reviewed 47 eyes of 26
children with microcornea and congenital cataract (21 bilateral and 5 unilateral)
who underwent lens aspiration with primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior
vitrectomy between 2008 and 2014 with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months.
Demographic profiles and systemic and ocular features were documented.
Intraoperative and postoperative complications were studied separately for
bilateral and unilateral cases. Patients were also divided into two groups on the
basis of their ages at surgery (early surgery group: 3 months or younger; late
surgery group: older than 3 months) and postoperative complications were
compared. Visual outcome was analyzed in those with a follow-up period of more
than 1 year. RESULTS: Early surgery was performed in 24 eyes of 13 patients (11
bilateral and 2 unilateral) and late surgery in 23 eyes of 13 patients (10
bilateral and 3 unilateral). Intraoperatively, all eyes had poor pupillary
dilatation and 6 (12.8%) eyes needed iris hooks. Postoperatively, the most common
early complication was transient corneal edema observed in 22 (46.8%) eyes (13
and 8 eyes in the early and late surgery groups, respectively). Late
complications included visual axis opacification in 6 (12.76%) eyes (3 in each
group), and secondary glaucoma in 5 (10.64%) eyes (2 and 3 eyes in the early and
late surgery groups, respectively). Vision was normal for age in 18 (60%) of the
bilateral cases with a follow-up period of more than 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Early
surgical intervention for congenital cataract in eyes with microcornea can result
in favorable outcomes with an acceptable rate of postoperative complications. [J
Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(1):30-36.].
PMID- 28991350
TI - Neuroanatomical Structures in Human Extraocular Muscles and Their Potential
Implication in the Development of Oculomotor Disorders.
AB - The potential role of sensory feedback from human extraocular muscles has been
subjected to considerable speculation in the ophthalmic literature. Extraocular
muscles pull against a fairly even load and do not initiate a stretch reflex,
even when the eyes are directed toward the boundaries of their respective field
of action. These unique working conditions and physiological properties have led
to the notion that the sensory signal arising from receptors in extraocular
muscles differs from the conventional proprioceptive signal arising from their
somatic counterparts. The interest in the receptors at the myotendinous junction
of human extraocular muscles has been renewed due to their alleged role in the
development of binocular vision and their potential implication in the etiology
of binocular vision anomalies. The idea that extraocular muscles provide
knowledge of eye position and whether this function can be affected by surgical
intervention has initiated several clinical and neuroanatomical studies. Many of
these studies support this concept and suggest that surgical procedures that
impose only minimal interference with the proprioceptive signal will give a
better postoperative result. However, other studies contradict this view because
the afferent capacity of the receptors can be questioned and some uncertainties
remain. The purpose of this study was to review the related literature and
discuss the possible role of ocular proprioceptors in relation to binocular
vision and the development of eye motility disorders. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol
Strabismus. 2018;55(1):14-22.].
PMID- 28991351
TI - The Treatment of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Children: A
Retrospective Review.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare success and extrusion rates of the monocanalicular and
bicanalicular Crawford intubation systems (JEDMED Instrument Company, St. Louis,
MO). METHODS: A retrospective review of all children who were diagnosed as having
congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and treated with lacrimal intubation
from 2005 to 2014 was performed. The total number of eyes included was 168 (75
and 93 right and left eyes, respectively). Bicanalicular intubation was used in
80 eyes (bicanalicular group) and monocanalicular intubation was used in 88 eyes
(monocanalicular group). RESULTS: Success occurred in 63 (78.75%) and 82 (93.18%)
eyes in the bicanalicular and monocanalicular groups, respectively (P = .00653).
Extrusion occurred in 24 (30%) and 11 (12.5%) eyes, respectively (P = .00528).
CONCLUSIONS: Monocanalicular intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct
obstruction is superior to bicanalicular intubation. Extrusion and reoperation
rates are significantly lower. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(1):65
67.].
PMID- 28991352
TI - Optical Coherence Tomography-Assisted Limbal Dermoid Removal.
AB - This report and accompanying video show the novel use of intraoperative optical
coherence tomography (OCT) in the excision of a limbal dermoid. Examining for
residual opaque tissue in the cornea accompanied by OCT imaging is a useful
technique to confirm complete excision of the lesion. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol
Strabismus. 2017;54:e58-e59.].
PMID- 28991353
TI - Asymptomatic Leukemic Optic Nerve Infiltration as Presentation of Acute
Lymphoblastic Leukemia Relapse.
AB - The authors report a case of asymptomatic leukemic optic neuropathy as the first
sign of acute lymphoblastic leukemia relapse in a 4-year-old boy. Routine
ophthalmologic examination showed normal visual acuity and pupillary function in
the presence of a tumoral mass covering the left optic disc. The mass resolved
with preservation of vision after intrathecal chemotherapy. A routine
ophthalmological examination is recommended for all patients with a history of
acute lymphoblastic leukemia to exclude optic nerve involvement without systemic
symptoms or signs. Vision can be preserved and radiation avoided by using
targeted chemotherapy. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2017;54:e60-e62.].
PMID- 28991354
TI - Anteriorization of the Normally Acting Inferior Oblique Muscles to Treat
Dissociated Vertical Deviation Associated With Juvenile Glaucoma.
AB - A case of dissociated vertical deviation, ptosis, and juvenile glaucoma is
described. J deformity anteriorization of the normally acting inferior oblique
muscles was chosen to preserve the superior fornix for glaucoma surgeries by
avoiding superior rectus recession and to prevent narrowing of the palpebral
fissure by avoiding an inferior rectus tuck. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2017;54:e63-e66.].
PMID- 28991355
TI - A Case of Orbital Lipoblastoma: Temporal Evolution of Imaging Findings.
AB - Lipoblastoma is a rare tumor that is not commonly seen in the orbit. The authors
present clinical features, histopathologic findings, changes in the radiologic
findings over time, and the radiological-pathological correlation of orbital
lipoblastoma in an infant. A 3-month-old male infant presented with a palpable
mass on the left upper eyelid. The patient was observed for 1 year with magnetic
resonance imaging. At the age of 15 months, the patient underwent excisional
biopsy. Histopathologic examination showed features of hypocellular lobules with
a mixture of adipocytes of various stages of maturity and myxoid stroma separated
by prominent fibrous septa, confirming a diagnosis of orbital lipoblastoma. [J
Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2017;54:e67-e70.].
PMID- 28991356
TI - Antioxidant Capacity In Vitro and In Vivo of Various Ecotypes of Mexican Plum
(Spondias purpurea L.).
AB - Spondias purpurea L. is a fruit native to Mexico, however, it is found as far
away as Brazil. It possesses a high commercial potential owing to its sensorial
and nutritional qualities and its low cost of production. There exists a variety
of ecotypes that have not been characterized and their adequate selection
process, according to their strongest functional characteristics, will allow the
establishment of improvement programs for this genetic resource. The object of
this study was the chemical characterization and the determination of the in
vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacity of 7 Spondias purpurea L. ecotypes.
Differences were observed in the antioxidant capacity and the content of
functional compounds among all the ecotypes analyzed. A high total phenolic
content and a low flavonoid and carotenoid content were found, both in the
epicarp and in the pulp. In each ecotype, the hydrophilic phase presented up to
40 times greater antioxidant capacity compared to the lipophilic phase. The
hydrophilic phase of the epicarp of "Costena Tierra Colorada" had the greatest
antioxidant capacity and highest total phenolic content, whereas "Jocote"
presented the lowest antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. A positive
correlation was observed between phenol levels and the antioxidant capacity in
the epicarp. Regarding antioxidant activity in vivo, it was observed that in all
analyzed concentrations of hydrophilic extracts of the epicarp of "Costena Tierra
Colorada" and in the highest "Jocote" concentrations, they provided thermo
protection against heat stress as well as a general well-being to the worm as
evidenced by their high mobility.
PMID- 28991357
TI - The prevalence of psychological comorbidity in people with vitiligo: a systematic
review and meta-analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a chronic disorder causing skin depigmentation with
global prevalence varying from 0.2% to 1.8%. U.K. guidelines recommend assessment
of psychological state during clinical evaluation of vitiligo. However, the
prevalence of psychological comorbidity in people with vitiligo has not been
described. OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of psychological symptoms or
disorders in people with vitiligo and describe the outcome measures used.
METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and
PsycINFO to identify observational studies assessing the prevalence of
psychological symptoms or disorders (December 2016). DerSimonian and Lard random
effects models were used to estimate the overall pooled prevalence. RESULTS: We
identified 29 studies with 2530 people with vitiligo. Most studies included a
measure of either depression (n = 25) or anxiety (n = 13). The commonest tools
were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Centre for Epidemiology
Studies Depression Scale. Ten studies provided information on 13 other
psychological outcomes. Pooled prevalence using depression-specific and anxiety
specific questionnaires was 0.29 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21-0.38] and
0.33 (95% CI 0.18-0.49), respectively. Prevalence was lower for clinically
diagnosed depression (0.21, 95% CI 0.15-0.28) and anxiety (0.15, 95% CI 0.06
0.24). When nonspecific tools were used the prevalence remained similar for
depression (0.27, 95% CI 0.08-0.46) but increased for anxiety (0.46, 95% CI 0.39
0.52). High heterogeneity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A range of psychological
outcomes are common in people with vitiligo. The prevalence of anxiety was
influenced by type of screening tool, suggesting the need for validation of
psychological outcome screening tools in the field of dermatology.
PMID- 28991358
TI - An Expanded View of Joint Attention: Skill, Engagement, and Language in Typical
Development and Autism.
AB - This study provides an expanded view of joint attention and its relation to
expressive language development. A total of 144 toddlers (40 typically
developing, 58 with autism spectrum disorder [ASD], 46 with developmental delay
[DD]) participated at 24 and 31 months. Toddlers who screened positive for ASD
risk, especially those subsequently diagnosed with ASD, had poorer joint
attention skills, joint engagement during parent-toddler interaction, and
expressive language. Findings highlight the dynamic relation between joint
attention and language development. In the ASD and DD groups, joint engagement
predicted later expressive vocabulary, significantly more than predictions based
on joint attention skills. Joint engagement was most severely impacted when
toddlers did not talk initially and improved markedly if they subsequently began
to speak.
PMID- 28991359
TI - Association between the gut microbiota and mineral metabolism.
AB - The aim of this review is to present the most recent scientific evidence of
interactions between the intestinal microbiota and minerals, and the effect of
this interaction on the health of the host. The Web of Science database from the
years 2013-2017 on this topic was reviewed. Numerous in vitro studies have shown
that iron significantly affects the intestinal microbiota. However,
Bifidobacteriaceae are capable of binding iron in the large intestine, thereby
limiting the formation of free radicals synthesized in the presence of iron, and
thus reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. Animal studies have revealed that
supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics has a significant
effect on bone calcium, phosphate and bone metabolism. The dynamic interaction
between microbiota and zinc was shown. Human studies have provided evidence of
the influence of probiotic bacteria on parathormone, calcium and phosphate levels
and thus on bone resorption. Recent studies have produced new information mainly
on the impact of the intestinal bacteria on the metabolism of calcium and iron.
From a scientific perspective, the most urgent fields that remain to be
investigated are the identification of all human gut microbes and new therapies
targeting the interaction between intestinal bacteria and minerals. (c) 2017
Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28991360
TI - Low-dose naltrexone: a novel treatment for Hailey-Hailey disease.
AB - Hailey-Hailey disease (chronic benign familial pemphigus) is a rare inherited
dermatosis typically characterized by erosions at intertriginous sites preceded
by minor trauma or stress. We report a case of treatment-resistant Hailey-Hailey
disease having failed topical and oral steroids, prophylactic aciclovir and
doxycycline, and systemic therapies including dapsone, acitretin and ciclosporin.
Low-dose naltrexone 4.5 mg once daily was commenced following an incidental
benefit in this patient's similarly affected sister. The clinical and
psychological response to date has been considerable.
PMID- 28991361
TI - WITHDRAWN: Anticonvulsants for fibromyalgia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a clinically well-defined chronic condition of
unknown aetiology characterised by chronic widespread pain that often co-exists
with sleep problems and fatigue. People often report high disability levels and
poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Drug therapy focuses on reducing key
symptoms and disability, and improving HRQoL. Anticonvulsants (antiepileptic
drugs) are drugs frequently used for the treatment of chronic pain syndromes.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of anticonvulsants for treating FM
symptoms. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
Trials (CENTRAL) (Issue 8, 2013), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2013), PsycINFO (1966
to August 2013), SCOPUS (1980 to August 2013) and the reference lists of reviewed
articles for published studies and www.clinicaltrials.gov (to August 2013) for
unpublished trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: We selected randomised controlled trials
of any formulation of anticonvulsants used for the treatment of people with FM of
any age. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted
the data of all included studies and assessed the risks of bias of the studies.
We resolved discrepancies by discussion. MAIN RESULTS: We included eight studies:
five with pregabalin and one study each with gabapentin, lacosamide and
levetiracetam. A total of 2480 people were included into anticonvulsants groups
and 1099 people in placebo groups. The median therapy phase of the studies was 13
weeks. The amount and quality of evidence were insufficient to draw definite
conclusions on the efficacy and safety of gabapentin, lacosamide and
levetiracetam in FM. The amount and quality of evidence was sufficient to draw
definite conclusions on the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in FM. Therefore,
we focused on our interpretation of the evidence for pregabalin due to our
greater certainty about its effects and its greater relevance to clinical
practice. All pregabalin studies had a low risk of bias. Reporting a 50% or
greater reduction in pain was more frequent with pregabalin use than with a
placebo (risk ratio (RR) 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33 to 1.90; number
needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 12; 95% CI 9 to 21).
The number of people who reported being 'much' or 'very much' improved was higher
with pregabalin than with placebo (RR 1.38; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.55; NNTB 9; 95% CI 7
to 15). Pregabalin did not substantially reduce fatigue (SMD -0.17; 95% CI -0.25
to -0.09; 2.7% absolute improvement on a 1 to 50 scale) compared with placebo.
Pregabalin had a small benefit over placebo in reducing sleep problems by 6.2%
fewer points on a scale of 0 to 100 (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.35;
95% CI -0.43 to -0.27). The dropout rate due to adverse events was higher with
pregabalin use than with placebo use (RR 1.68; 95% CI 1.36 to 2.07; number needed
to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) 13; 95% CI 9 to 23). There was
no significant difference in serious adverse events between pregabalin and
placebo use (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.71 to 1.49). Dizziness was reported as an adverse
event more frequently with pregabalin use than with placebo use (RR 3.77; 95% CI
3.06 to 4.63; NNTH 4; 95% CI 3 to 5). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The anticonvulsant,
pregabalin, demonstrated a small benefit over placebo in reducing pain and sleep
problems. Pregabalin use was shown not to substantially reduce fatigue compared
with placebo. Study dropout rates due to adverse events were higher with
pregabalin use compared with placebo. Dizziness was a particularly frequent
adverse event seen with pregabalin use. At the time of writing this review,
pregabalin is the only anticonvulsant drug approved for treating FM in the US and
in 25 other non-European countries. However, pregabalin has not been approved for
treating FM in Europe. The amount and quality of evidence were insufficient to
draw definite conclusions on the efficacy and safety of gabapentin, lacosamide
and levetiracetam in FM.
PMID- 28991362
TI - Axillary tumour burden in women with a fine-needle aspiration/core biopsy-proven
positive node on ultrasonography compared to women with a positive sentinel node.
AB - BACKGROUND: The sensitivity of axillary ultrasonography (AUS) has increased in
recent years, enabling detection of even low-volume axillary nodal metastases.
The aim here was to evaluate the axillary tumour burden in women with a fine
needle aspiration/core biopsy-proven positive node on AUS and in those with a
positive sentinel node biopsy (SNB). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study
included all patients with early breast cancer who had AUS and axillary lymph
node dissection (ALND) between 2011 and 2014. RESULTS: A total of 332 patients
who had ALND were eligible for the study, 191 (57.5 per cent) in the AUS-positive
group and 141 (42.5 per cent) in the SNB-positive group. Patients in the AUS
positive group were older at diagnosis (P = 0.018), more likely to have larger
tumours (P = 0.002), higher tumour grade (P = 0.005), positive human epidermal
growth factor 2 status (P = 0.015), and negative oestrogen receptor status (P <
0.001). The AUS-positive group also had a larger number of lymph nodes with
macrometastases (P < 0.001) and were more likely to have extranodal invasion (P <
0.001). In the AUS-positive group, 40.3 per cent of patients (77 of 191) had only
one or two nodes with macrometastases identified at histology after ALND. Tumour
size no larger than 20 mm, invasive ductal or lobular histology and breast
conserving surgery were associated with the presence of two or fewer
macrometastases at ALND. Only tumour size and tumour histology remained
significant in multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with
AUS-detected metastases had a higher axillary tumour burden than those with SNB
detected metastases. Around 40 per cent of patients with AUS-detected nodal
disease had one or two nodes with macrometastases and were thus overtreated by
ALND.
PMID- 28991365
TI - Arterial stiffness, cognitive impairment and dementia: confounding factor or real
risk?
AB - Large artery stiffness is a frequent condition that arises with ageing, and is
accelerated by the presence of co-morbidities like hypertension, obesity and
diabetes. Although epidemiological studies have indicated an association between
arterial stiffness, cognitive impairment and dementia, the precise effects of
stiff arteries on the brain remains obscure. This is because, in humans, arterial
stiffness is often accompanied by other factors such as age, high blood pressure,
atherosclerosis and inflammation, which could themselves damage the brain
independently of stiffness. Therefore, the question remains: is arterial
stiffness a true risk for cognitive decline? Or, is it a confounding factor? In
this review, we provide an overview of arterial stiffness and its impact on brain
function based on human and animal studies. We summarize the evidence linking
arterial stiffness to cognitive dysfunction and dementia, and discuss the role of
new animal models to better understand the mechanisms by which arterial stiffness
affects the brain. We close with an overview of treatments to correct stiffness
and discuss the challenges to translate them to real patient care. This article
is part of the Special Issue "Vascular Dementia".
PMID- 28991363
TI - MicroRNA-495-3p functions as a tumor suppressor by regulating multiple epigenetic
modifiers in gastric carcinogenesis.
AB - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) engage in complex interactions with the machinery that
controls the transcriptome and concurrently target multiple mRNAs. Here, we
demonstrate that microRNA-495-3p (miR-495-3p) functions as a potent tumor
suppressor by governing ten oncogenic epigenetic modifiers (EMs) in gastric
carcinogenesis. From the large cohort transcriptome datasets of gastric cancer
(GC) patients available from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the National
Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), we
were able to recapitulate 15 EMs as significantly overexpressed in GC among the
51 EMs that were previously reported to be involved in cancer progression.
Computational target prediction yielded miR-495-3p, which targets as many as ten
of the 15 candidate oncogenic EMs. Ectopic expression of miRNA mimics in GC cells
caused miR-495-3p to suppress ten EMs, and inhibited tumor cell growth and
proliferation via caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death
processing. In addition, in vitro metastasis assays showed that miR-495-3p plays
a role in the metastatic behavior of GC cells by regulating SLUG, vimentin, and N
cadherin. Furthermore, treatment of GC cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxcytidine restored
miR-495-3p expression; sequence analysis revealed hypermethylation of the miR-495
3p promoter region in GC cells. A negative regulatory loop is proposed, whereby
DNMT1, among ten oncogenic EMs, regulates miR-495-3p expression via
hypermethylation of the miR-495-3p promoter. Our findings suggest that the
functional loss or suppression of miR-495-3p triggers overexpression of multiple
oncogenic EMs, and thereby contributes to malignant transformation and growth of
gastric epithelial cells. Copyright (c) 2017 Pathological Society of Great
Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID- 28991366
TI - Regularity of a renewal process estimated from binary data.
AB - Assessment of the regularity of a sequence of events over time is important for
clinical decision-making as well as informing public health policy. Our
motivating example involves determining the effect of an intervention on the
regularity of HIV self-testing behavior among high-risk individuals when exact
self-testing times are not recorded. Assuming that these unobserved testing times
follow a renewal process, the goals of this work are to develop suitable methods
for estimating its distributional parameters when only the presence or absence of
at least one event per subject in each of several observation windows is
recorded. We propose two approaches to estimation and inference: a likelihood
based discrete survival model using only time to first event; and a potentially
more efficient quasi-likelihood approach based on the forward recurrence time
distribution using all available data. Regularity is quantified and estimated by
the coefficient of variation (CV) of the interevent time distribution. Focusing
on the gamma renewal process, where the shape parameter of the corresponding
interevent time distribution has a monotone relationship with its CV, we conduct
simulation studies to evaluate the performance of the proposed methods. We then
apply them to our motivating example, concluding that the use of text message
reminders significantly improves the regularity of self-testing, but not its
frequency. A discussion on interesting directions for further research is
provided.
PMID- 28991367
TI - Elicitor and nitrogen applications to Garnacha, Graciano and Tempranillo vines:
effect on grape amino acid composition.
AB - BACKGROUND: Elicitors and nitrogen foliar applications to vineyards could
regulate grape nitrogen composition, which has an important effect on grape and
wine quality. Thus the aim of this research was to study the effect of foliar
elicitor treatments, methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and yeast extract (YE), and foliar
nitrogen applications, urea (Ur) and phenylalanine (Phe), to Garnacha, Graciano
and Tempranillo vines on grape amino acid composition. RESULTS: The results
showed that elicitor and nitrogen foliar applications to Garnacha and Tempranillo
grapevines decreased the must amino acid concentration. However, Phe application
to these two grapevines increased the must Phe content. The treatments applied to
Graciano grapevines barely effected the grape amino acid content. According to
the percentage of variance attributable, the variety had a higher impact on the
must amino acid composition than the treatments and their interaction, except in
certain amino acids such as Phe. CONCLUSION: The influence of elicitor and
nitrogen foliar applications to grapevines on grape amino acid concentration was
strongly conditioned by the variety. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28991368
TI - Predicting Discharge to Institutional Long-Term Care After Stroke: A Systematic
Review and Metaanalysis.
AB - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and a
significant proportion of stroke survivors require long-term institutional care.
Understanding who cannot be discharged home is important for health and social
care planning. Our aim was to establish predictive factors for discharge to
institutional care after hospitalization for stroke. DESIGN: We registered and
conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42015023497) of
observational studies. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL Plus to February
2017. Quantitative synthesis was performed where data allowed. SETTING: Acute and
rehabilitation hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Adults hospitalized for stroke who were
newly admitted directly to long-term institutional care at the time of hospital
discharge. MEASUREMENTS: Factors associated with new institutionalization.
RESULTS: From 10,420 records, we included 18 studies (n = 32,139 participants).
The studies were heterogeneous and conducted in Europe, North America, and East
Asia. Eight studies were at high risk of selection bias. The proportion of those
surviving to discharge who were newly discharged to long-term care varied from 7%
to 39% (median 17%, interquartile range 12%), and the model of care received in
the long-term care setting was not defined. Older age and greater stroke severity
had a consistently positive association with the need for long-term care
admission. Individuals who had a severe stroke were 26 times as likely to be
admitted to long-term care than those who had a minor stroke. Individuals aged 65
and older had a risk of stroke that was three times as great as that of younger
individuals. Potentially modifiable factors were rarely examined. CONCLUSION: Age
and stroke severity are important predictors of institutional long-term care
admission directly from the hospital after an acute stroke. Potentially
modifiable factors should be the target of future research. Stroke outcome
studies should report discharge destination, defining the model of care provided
in the long-term care setting.
PMID- 28991369
TI - Effects of late-stage nitrogen fertilizer application on the starch structure and
cooking quality of rice.
AB - BACKGROUND: With the rapid development of modern agriculture, high-quality rice
production and consumption has become the current urgent demand for the
development of rice production. In this paper, the effects of late-stage nitrogen
fertilizer application on rice quality were studied under the same genetic
background. Wx near-isogenic lines were used as test materials to study the
starch composition, amylopectin structure and cooking quality of rice. RESULTS:
Results showed that rice amylose content and gel consistency significantly
differed when different Wx genes were tranformed into waxy rice. The law of
apparent amylose content in rice is Wxa > Wxin > Wxb > wx at the same nitrogen
level, while the trend of gel consistency was opposite to that of apparent
amylose content, presenting obvious characteristics of Indica and Japonica
varieties. As the amount of fertilizer application increased, apparent amylose
content increased, gel consistency decreased, breakdown and peak viscosities
dropped and setback viscosity and peak time increased. Moreover, the cooking
quality of rice significantly decreased with the use of nitrogen fertilizer,
especially under low-level nitrogen fertilizer application. Amylopectin structure
varied significantly in different genotypes of the Wx gene, and the degree of
branching was as follows: wx > Wxb > Wxin > Wxa . This result indicated that the
closer to Indica rice, the fewer short chains of amylopectin. Starch
crystallinity and swelling potential were negatively correlated with amylose
content but significantly positively correlated with amylopectin branching
degree, decreasing with the increase of late-stage nitrogen fertilization.
CONCLUSION: Late-stage nitrogen fertilization reduced the cooking quality of rice
by increasing amylose content and reducing amylopectin branching degree, which
decreased starch crystallinity and aggravated pasting properties. Obviously,
controlling late nitrogen application is essential to optimize rice quality. (c)
2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28991370
TI - Ixekizumab treatment for psoriasis: integrated efficacy analysis of three double
blinded, controlled studies (UNCOVER-1, UNCOVER-2, UNCOVER-3).
AB - BACKGROUND: Ixekizumab, a high-affinity monoclonal antibody that selectively
targets interleukin (IL)-17A, is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe
psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: This analysis represents an overview of the efficacy
outcomes from three phase III psoriasis studies. METHODS: Data were integrated
from the 12-week induction period of three studies in which patients received
ixekizumab 80 mg every 2 weeks (IXE Q2W; n = 1169) or every 4 weeks (IXE Q4W; n =
1165) after an initial 160-mg dose for both; etanercept (50 mg biweekly; n = 740;
two studies) or placebo (n = 792). The coprimary end points were the percentages
of patients with response of static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA; score 0
or 1) and >= 75% improvement in baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI
75) at week 12. Response rates were compared between treatments using the Cochran
Mantel-Haenszel test stratified by study. Treatment comparisons with placebo
included data from three studies, whereas etanercept comparisons were based on
two studies. RESULTS: Ixekizumab treatment was superior to placebo (P < 0.001)
and etanercept (P < 0.001) on sPGA (0, 1) and PASI 75, with significant
differences in PASI improvement at week 1. With IXE Q2W, at week 12, the
frequencies of patients achieving PASI 75, 90 and 100 were nearly 90%, 70% and
40%, respectively. Ixekizumab-treated patients showed significantly greater
improvement vs. placebo and etanercept in percentage body surface area
involvement and fingernail psoriasis. IXE Q2W was superior to IXE Q4W on all
treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Ixekizumab therapy at both dosing regimens
demonstrated rapid onset and superior efficacy to placebo and etanercept, with
IXE Q2W providing better outcomes than IXE Q4W during the first 12 weeks of
treatment.
PMID- 28991371
TI - Protective effects of dietary polyphenols from black soybean seed coats on islet
and renal function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of
the crude polyphenol extract (BSCP) from black soybean seed coats (BSC) and the
whole flour of BSC and illustrate the mechanism in terms of islet and renal
protection. RESULTS: BSCP and BSC effectively controlled the increased blood
glucose level and impaired glucose tolerance in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
diabetic rats after 8 weeks of treatment. They increased the concentrations of
serum insulin, C-peptide and Glp-1 (P < 0.05) by improving the STZ-induced damage
of islet beta-cells and increasing their insulin expression (P < 0.05). Lipid
profiles and antioxidant activities were also improved. Moreover, BSCP and BSC
tended to decrease serum creatinine (0.05 < P < 0.1), and blood urea nitrogen was
decreased by BSC significantly (P < 0.05). They also led to significantly lower
glomerular volume (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Long-term intervention with BSC at a
low dose of polyphenols plays a role in controlling blood glucose and lipids
levels by promoting insulin secretion and restoring islet beta-cell function, the
same as BSCP. These benefits are accompanied by their potential protection of
diabetic renal dysfunction. BSCP is mainly responsible for the antidiabetic
effect of BSC. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28991372
TI - No elevated risk for depression, anxiety or suicidality with secukinumab in a
pooled analysis of data from 10 clinical studies in moderate-to-severe plaque
psoriasis.
PMID- 28991373
TI - Novel enriched pathways in superficial malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours
and spindle/desmoplastic melanomas.
AB - Superficial malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is a rare, soft
tissue neoplasm that shares morphological features and some molecular events with
spindle/desmoplastic melanoma (SDM). Herein, we sought to identify molecular
targets for therapy by using targeted RNA/DNA sequencing and gene expression of
key immunological players. DNA and RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded
tissue were extracted and processed. Massive high-throughput deep parallel
sequencing was performed with the Oncomine comprehensive panel, enabling
detection of relevant single-nucleotide variants, copy number variations, gene
fusions and indels for 143 unique genes on the Ion torrent sequencer for clinical
trial research programmes. Gene expression analysis was carried out with a
customized 770-gene expression panel combining markers for 24 different immune
cell types and 30 common cancer antigens, including key checkpoint blockade genes
analysed with the Ncounter system. Fifty-one patients (SDM, 16/11; MPNST, 24;
male, n = 37; female, n = 16) had sufficient DNA and RNA for testing. NF1
deleterious mutations and/or deep/homozygous deletions were identified in 73% of
MPNSTs and 67% of SDMs, with 50% of the mutations involving the RAS-binding
domain. Inactivating/deleterious mutations of TSC1/TSC2 were identified in 40%
and 41% of MPNSTs and SDMs, respectively. Activating mutations affecting the EGFR
like and the negative regulatory domains of NOTCH1 and KDR (VEGFR2) were
identified in 45% and 40% of SDMs and in 30% and 8% of MPNSTs, respectively.
Differential gene expression and gene clustering analysis showed significantly
perturbed immune pathway components, including nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB),
JAK-STAT, and CXCL12-CXCR4, and differentially expressed CD274 and CTLA4, in both
SDM and MPNST. Angiogenesis (KDR and NOTCH1) and mammalian target of rapamycin
complex (mTORC) pathways offer a rationale for anti-angiogenic and selective
mTORC inhibition as treatment strategies for MPNST and SDM. Cytokines and the JAK
STAT, TNF and NF-kappaB axes were perturbed in both SDM and MPNST. These pathways
have been targeted in haematological malignancies and present promising targets
for these tumours. Copyright (c) 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and
Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID- 28991374
TI - Synaptopodin-2 suppresses metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via
inhibition of YAP/TAZ activity.
AB - Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive subtype of
breast cancer, with a high incidence of distant metastasis; however, the
underlying mechanism for this frequent recurrence remains unclear. Herein, we
show that synaptopodin-2 (SYNPO2), a putative tumour suppressor in aggressive
cancer, is frequently downregulated in TNBC by methylation of the promoter of
SYNPO2. Low expression levels of SYNPO2 correlated significantly with 5-year
metastatic relapse, and predicted poorer prognosis in breast cancer patients.
Reintroduction of SYNPO2 inhibited the invasion and spontaneous metastasis of
TNBC cells in vivo. Strikingly, downregulation of SYNPO2 is essential for the
maintenance of stem cell-like properties in TNBC cells, leading to efficient
distant colonization and metastasis outgrowth. Moreover, we demonstrate that
SYNPO2 inhibits the activities of YAP and TAZ by stabilizing LATS2 protein, and
transduction of YAP-S127A abrogates the repressive role of SYNPO2 in metastasis.
Finally, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of breast cancer patient specimens
indicated that the SYNPO2-LATS2-YAP axis is clinically relevant. These findings
uncover a suppressive role of SYNPO2 in TNBC metastasis via inhibition of
YAP/TAZ, and suggest that SYNPO2 might provide a potential prognosis marker and
novel therapeutic strategy. Copyright (c) 2017 Pathological Society of Great
Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID- 28991375
TI - A GLM-based latent variable ordination method for microbiome samples.
AB - Distance-based ordination methods, such as principal coordinates analysis (PCoA),
are widely used in the analysis of microbiome data. However, these methods are
prone to pose a potential risk of misinterpretation about the compositional
difference in samples across different populations if there is a difference in
dispersion effects. Accounting for high sparsity and overdispersion of microbiome
data, we propose a GLM-based Ordination Method for Microbiome Samples (GOMMS) in
this article. This method uses a zero-inflated quasi-Poisson (ZIQP) latent factor
model. An EM algorithm based on the quasi-likelihood is developed to estimate
parameters. It performs comparatively to the distance-based approach when
dispersion effects are negligible and consistently better when dispersion effects
are strong, where the distance-based approach sometimes yields undesirable
results. The estimated latent factors from GOMMS can be used to associate the
microbiome community with covariates or outcomes using the standard multivariate
tests, which can be investigated in future confirmatory experiments. We
illustrate the method in simulations and an analysis of microbiome samples from
nasopharynx and oropharynx.
PMID- 28991376
TI - Sugar metabolism and developmental stages of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis L.)
seeds.
AB - Changes in the concentration of sugars and sucrose metabolism enzymes can
characterize the developmental stages of a seed. In recalcitrant species such as
Hevea brasiliensis L., little is known about these changes. We aimed to evaluate
the three main stages of development of rubber tree seeds - histodifferentiation,
cell elongation and accumulation of reserves. The activities of acid and neutral
invertases (E.C. 3.2.1.26) and sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13), and the
concentrations of reducing sugars (RS), total soluble sugars (TSS) and sucrose
(Suc) were determined concomitantly with the histochemical and anatomical
evaluation of seed structure. Histodifferentiation in rubber tree seeds occurs up
to 75 days after anthesis (DAA). The concentration of RS is high and of Suc is
low during seed histodifferentiation, which occurs along with a visible increase
in the number of cell divisions. After that period, there is an increase in the
concentration of Suc (mg g-1 ) and in the number and size of starch granules, and
a decrease in the concentration of RS (mg g-1 ). At that point, cell elongation
occurs. At 135 DAA, there is an inversion in the concentration of these two
sugars and an increase in reserve accumulation. Thus, in seeds of the evaluated
clone, the period up to 75 DAA is characterized as the histodifferentiation
stage, while from that time up to 120 DAA the cell elongation stage takes place.
The final stage of seed maturation and reserve accumulation begins at 135 DAA,
and the seed, including the embryo, is completely formed at 175 DAA.
PMID- 28991377
TI - EBSD investigation of Al/(Al13 Fe4 +Al2 O3 ) nanocomposites fabricated by
mechanical milling and friction stir processing.
AB - The application of ball-milling for reactant powders (Fe2 O3 +Al) to form in situ
nanosized reaction products in the stir zone of 1050 aluminium alloy was examined
and the evolution of microstructure, grain boundaries and microtexture of the
fabricated Al/(Al13 Fe4 +Al2 O3 ) nanocomposite was investigated. The mean matrix
grain size of the fabricated nanocomposites by the combination of ball milling
and friction stir processing were found to be ~3.2, 3.1 and 2.1 MUm for 1, 2 and
3 h milled powder mixtures, respectively. The fraction of high-angle grain
boundaries increased markedly in the stir zone indicating the occurrence of
dynamic restoration of the aluminium matrix. This was also associated with
increasing of the fraction of low ?CSL boundaries. In addition, the fraction of
high-angle grain boundaries increased as the reaction product increased. The
developed textures were compared with the most important deformation and
recrystallisation texture components of cubic close packed structure. Some of the
main texture components formed due to the restoration of aluminium in the stir
zone of the material with no powder addition were CubeND {001}<310>, BR
{236}<385> and R (or retained S{123} <634>); these are usually found in the
rolled materials. However, the presence of nanosized reaction products in the
fabricated nanocomposite changed the texture components to the dominant Goss
{011}<100>, P {011}<122> and R{124}<211> textures.
PMID- 28991378
TI - Accuracy and safety of pin placement during lateral versus dorsal stabilization
of lumbar spinal fracture-luxation in dogs.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and safety of pin placement for lateral
vertebral stabilization to the reference dorsal stabilization. STUDY DESIGN: A
randomized noninferiority trial. SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty Greyhound cadaveric
lumbar spines (L1-L6). METHODS: One hundred and fifty-nine lumbar vertebral pins
placed in 80 vertebrae were assessed; these pins were distributed approximately
equally between the dorsal and lateral approaches, and between 2 surgeons. Pin
angle accuracy, bone purchase distance, and distances from pin to the spinal
canal and the aorta were measured for each pin. RESULTS: The lateral approach was
superior for pin angle accuracy and bone purchase. The mean angle of deviation
was 15.3 degrees with the dorsal approach and 7.0 degrees with the lateral
approach. The mean bone purchase was 16.7 mm with the dorsal approach and 22.2 mm
with the lateral approach. Pins were placed at a mean of 2.3 mm from the spinal
canal with the dorsal approach and 1.7 mm with the lateral approach. Pins were
placed at a mean of 3.8 mm from the aorta with the dorsal approach and 8.0 mm
with the lateral approach. The percentage of pins breaching the spinal canal was
14% with the dorsal approach and 19% with the lateral approach. Fourteen percent
of pins placed via the dorsal approach breached the aorta, whereas no pins placed
via the lateral approach breached the aorta. CONCLUSION: Relative to the dorsal
approach, the lateral approach improves angle accuracy, bone purchase, and
distance between pins, and the aorta and is noninferior with regards to the
distance between pins and the spinal canal.
PMID- 28991379
TI - A target and nontarget strategy for identification or characterization of the
chemical ingredients in Chinese herb preparation Shuang-Huang-Lian oral liquid by
ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass
spectrometry.
AB - A target and nontarget strategy based on in-house chemical components library was
developed for rapid and comprehensive analysis of complicated components from
traditional Chinese medicine preparation Shuang-Huang-Lian oral liquid. The
sample was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of
flight mass spectrometry using generic acquisition parameters. Automated
detection and data filtering were performed on the UNIFITM software and the
detected peaks were evaluated against an in-house library. As a result, a total
of 170 chemical components (110 target compounds and 60 nontarget ones) were
identified or tentatively characterized, including 54 flavonoids, 30
phenylethanoid glycosides, 16 iridoid glycosides, 14 lignans, 32 organic acids,
19 triterpenoid saponins and five other types of compounds. Among them, 44
compounds were further confirmed by comparison with reference standards. It was
demonstrated that this systematical approach could be successfully applied for
rapid identification of multiple compounds in traditional Chinese medicine and
its preparations. Furthermore, this work established the foundation for the
further investigation on the metabolic fates of multiple ingredients in Shuang
Huang-Lian oral liquid.
PMID- 28991380
TI - Dental microwear textural analysis as an analytical tool to depict individual
traits and reconstruct the diet of a primate.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Dental microwear is a promising tool to reconstruct animals' diet
because it reflects the interplay between the enamel surface and the food items
recently consumed. This study examines the sources of inter-individual variations
in dietary habits in a free-ranging population of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)
using a combination of feeding monitoring and in vivo dental microwear textural
analysis (DMTA). METHODS: We investigated the impact of seasonality and
individual traits on four DMTA parameters. In parallel, we further studied the
influence of the physical properties of the food items consumed on these four
parameters, using three proxies (mechanical properties, estimates of phytolith
and external grit contents). RESULTS: We found that seasonality, age, and sex all
impact DMTA parameters but those results differ depending on the facet analyzed
(crushing vs. shearing facets). Three DMTA parameters (anisotropy, complexity,
and heterogeneity of complexity) appear sensitive to seasonal variations and
anisotropy also differs between the sexes while textural fill volume tends to
vary with age. Moreover, the physical properties of the food items consumed vary
seasonally and also differ depending on individual sex and age. CONCLUSION:
Considering the interplay between the tested variables and both dental microwear
and diet, we reaffirm that food physical properties play a major role in
microwear variations. These results suggest that DMTA parameters may provide
valuable hints for paleoecological reconstruction using fragmentary fossil dental
remains.
PMID- 28991381
TI - Rational In Silico Design of an Organic Semiconductor with Improved Electron
Mobility.
AB - Organic semiconductors find a wide range of applications, such as in organic
light emitting diodes, organic solar cells, and organic field effect transistors.
One of their most striking disadvantages in comparison to crystalline inorganic
semiconductors is their low charge-carrier mobility, which manifests itself in
major device constraints such as limited photoactive layer thicknesses. Trial-and
error attempts to increase charge-carrier mobility are impeded by the complex
interplay of the molecular and electronic structure of the material with its
morphology. Here, the viability of a multiscale simulation approach to rationally
design materials with improved electron mobility is demonstrated. Starting from
one of the most widely used electron conducting materials (Alq3 ), novel organic
semiconductors with tailored electronic properties are designed for which an
improvement of the electron mobility by three orders of magnitude is predicted
and experimentally confirmed.
PMID- 28991382
TI - Chemistry and Biology of Teixobactin.
AB - Bacterial resistance to existing drugs is becoming a serious public health issue,
urging extensive search for new antibiotics. Teixobactin, a cyclic depsipeptide
discovered in a screen of uncultured bacteria, shows potent activity against all
the tested Gram-positive bacteria. Remarkably, no teixobactin-resistant bacterial
strain has been obtained despite extensive efforts, highlighting the great
potential of teixobactin as a lead compound in the fight against antimicrobial
resistance (AMR). This review summarizes recent progresses in the understanding
of many aspects of teixobactin, including chemical structure, biological
activity, biosynthetic pathway, and mode of action. We also discuss the different
synthetic strategies in producing teixobactin and its analogues, and the
structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
PMID- 28991383
TI - Realization of Large Electric Polarization and Strong Magnetoelectric Coupling in
BiMn3 Cr4 O12.
AB - Magnetoelectric multiferroics have received much attention in the past decade due
to their interesting physics and promising multifunctional performance. For
practical applications, simultaneous large ferroelectric polarization and strong
magnetoelectric coupling are preferred. However, these two properties have not
been found to be compatible in the single-phase multiferroic materials discovered
as yet. Here, it is shown that superior multiferroic properties exist in the A
site ordered perovskite BiMn3 Cr4 O12 synthesized under high-pressure and high
temperature conditions. The compound experiences a ferroelectric phase transition
ascribed to the 6s2 lone-pair effects of Bi3+ at around 135 K, and a long-range
antiferromagnetic order related to the Cr3+ spins around 125 K, leading to the
presence of a type-I multiferroic phase with huge electric polarization. On
further cooling to 48 K, a type-II multiferroic phase induced by the special spin
structure composed of both Mn- and Cr-sublattices emerges, accompanied by
considerable magnetoelectric coupling. BiMn3 Cr4 O12 thus provides a rare example
of joint multiferroicity, where two different types of multiferroic phases
develop subsequently so that both large polarization and significant
magnetoelectric effect are achieved in a single-phase multiferroic material.
PMID- 28991384
TI - High-Performance Flexible Photodetectors based on High-Quality Perovskite Thin
Films by a Vapor-Solution Method.
AB - Organometal halide perovskites are new light-harvesting materials for lightweight
and flexible optoelectronic devices due to their excellent optoelectronic
properties and low-temperature process capability. However, the preparation of
high-quality perovskite films on flexible substrates has still been a great
challenge to date. Here, a novel vapor-solution method is developed to achieve
uniform and pinhole-free organometal halide perovskite films on flexible indium
tin oxide/poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrates. Based on the as-prepared high
quality perovskite thin films, high-performance flexible photodetectors (PDs) are
constructed, which display a nR value of 81 A W-1 at a low working voltage of 1
V, three orders higher than that of previously reported flexible perovskite thin
film PDs. In addition, these flexible PDs exhibit excellent flexural stability
and durability under various bending situations with their optoelectronic
performance well retained. This breakthrough on the growth of high-quality
perovskite thin films opens up a new avenue to develop high-performance flexible
optoelectronic devices.
PMID- 28991385
TI - An Ultrastable and High-Performance Flexible Fiber-Shaped Ni-Zn Battery based on
a Ni-NiO Heterostructured Nanosheet Cathode.
AB - Currently, the main bottleneck for the widespread application of Ni-Zn batteries
is their poor cycling stability as a result of the irreversibility of the Ni
based cathode and dendrite formation of the Zn anode during the charging
discharging processes. Herein, a highly rechargeable, flexible, fiber-shaped Ni
Zn battery with impressive electrochemical performance is rationally demonstrated
by employing Ni-NiO heterostructured nanosheets as the cathode. Benefiting from
the improved conductivity and enhanced electroactivity of the Ni-NiO
heterojunction nanosheet cathode, the as-fabricated fiber-shaped Ni-NiO//Zn
battery displays high capacity and admirable rate capability. More importantly,
this Ni-NiO//Zn battery shows unprecedented cyclic durability both in aqueous
(96.6% capacity retention after 10 000 cycles) and polymer (almost no capacity
attenuation after 10 000 cycles at 22.2 A g-1 ) electrolytes. Moreover, a peak
energy density of 6.6 uWh cm-2 , together with a remarkable power density of 20.2
mW cm-2 , is achieved by the flexible quasi-solid-state fiber-shaped Ni-NiO//Zn
battery, outperforming most reported fiber-shaped energy-storage devices. Such a
novel concept of a fiber-shaped Ni-Zn battery with impressive stability will
greatly enrich the flexible energy-storage technologies for future
portable/wearable electronic applications.
PMID- 28991386
TI - Enhanced Open-Circuit Voltage in Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics via
Reactivity-Controlled Solution-Phase Ligand Exchange.
AB - The energy disorder that arises from colloidal quantum dot (CQD) polydispersity
limits the open-circuit voltage (VOC ) and efficiency of CQD photovoltaics. This
energy broadening is significantly deteriorated today during CQD ligand exchange
and film assembly. Here, a new solution-phase ligand exchange that, via judicious
incorporation of reactivity-engineered additives, provides improved
monodispersity in final CQD films is reported. It has been found that increasing
the concentration of the less reactive species prevents CQD fusion and etching.
As a result, CQD solar cells with a VOC of 0.7 V (vs 0.61 V for the control) for
CQD films with exciton peak at 1.28 eV and a power conversion efficiency of 10.9%
(vs 10.1% for the control) is achieved.
PMID- 28991387
TI - Soft tissue rheology and its implications for elastography: Challenges and
opportunities.
AB - Magnetic resonance elastography and related shear wave ultrasound elastography
techniques can be used to estimate the mechanical properties of soft tissues in
vivo by using the relationships between wave propagation and the elastic
properties of materials. These techniques have found numerous clinical and
research applications, tracking changes in tissue properties as a result of
disease or other interventions. Most dynamic elastography approaches estimate
tissue elastic (or viscoelastic) properties from a simplified version of the
equations for the propagation of acoustic waves through a homogeneous linear
(visco)elastic medium. However, soft tissue rheology is complex and departs
significantly from this idealized picture. In particular, soft tissues are
nonlinearly viscoelastic, inhomogeneous and often anisotropic, and their apparent
stiffness can vary with the current loading state. All of these features have
implications for the reliability and reproducibility of elastography
measurements, from data acquisition to analysis and interpretation. New
developments in inversion algorithms for elastography are beginning to offer
solutions to account for the complex rheology of tissues, including inhomogeneity
and anisotropy. There remains considerable potential to further refine
elastography to capture the full spectrum of tissue rheology, and thus to better
understand the underlying tissue microstructural changes in a broad range of
clinical disorders.
PMID- 28991388
TI - Specific optical rotation is a versatile tool for the identification of critical
micelle concentration and micellar growth of tartaric acid-based diastereomeric
amphiphiles.
AB - Four novel tartaric acid-based diastereomeric chiral amphiphiles, two being
enantiomers of the other two, have been synthesized and investigated using
chiroptical spectroscopic methods, along with tensiometry and dynamic light
scattering experiments. We found that an inflection point in specific optical
rotation (SOR) values at ~0.32 mM corresponds to the critical micelle
concentration (CMC). The increase in magnitude of SOR values beyond CMC
corresponds to the growth of aggregates. For enantiomers, oppositely signed SOR
values were observed, ruling out the possibility for the presence of aggregation
size mediated artefacts. SOR values did not exhibit concentration dependence for
a chiral tartaric acid based non-aggregating analogue further establishing the
absence of artefacts or anomalous interaction of tartaric acid based head group
with solvent. Electronic circular dichroism spectra showed no significant changes
in band positions or intensities with concentration. Due to the requirement for
higher concentrations (~200 mM) needed to obtain vibrational circular dichroism
spectra, these measurements are not found to be useful for studying concentration
dependent properties of chiral amphiphiles.
PMID- 28991389
TI - Peroxidase-Mimicking Nanozyme with Enhanced Activity and High Stability Based on
Metal-Support Interactions.
AB - Peroxidase-mimicking nanozymes offer unique advantages in terms of high stability
and low cost over natural peroxidase for applications in bioanalysis,
biomedicine, and the treatment of pollution. However, the design of high
efficiency peroxidase-mimicking nanozymes remains a great challenge. In this
study, we adopted a structural-design approach through hybridization of cube-CeO2
and Pt nanoparticles to create a new peroxidase-mimicking nanozyme with high
efficiency and excellent stability. Relative to pure cube-CeO2 and Pt
nanoparticles, the as-hybridized Pt/cube-CeO2 nanocomposites display much
improved activities because of the strong metal-support interaction. Meanwhile,
the nanocomposites also maintain high catalytic activity after long-term storage
and multiple recycling. Based on their excellent properties, Pt/cube-CeO2
nanocomposites were used to construct high-performance colorimetric biosensors
for the sensitive detection of metabolites, including H2 O2 and glucose. Our
findings highlight opportunities for the development of high-efficiency
peroxidase-mimicking nanozymes with potential applications such as diagnostics,
biomedicine, and the treatment of pollution.
PMID- 28991390
TI - Magnetically Controlled Growth-Factor-Immobilized Multilayer Cell Sheets for
Complex Tissue Regeneration.
AB - The scaffold-free cell-sheet technique plays a significant role in stem-cell
based regeneration. Furthermore, growth factors are known to direct stem cell
differentiation and enhance tissue regeneration. However, the absence of an
effective means to incorporate growth factors into the cell sheets hinders
further optimization of the regeneration efficiency. Here, a novel design of
magnetically controlled "growth-factor-immobilized cell sheets" is reported. A
new Fe3 O4 magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) coated with nanoscale graphene oxide
(nGO@Fe3 O4 ) is developed to label stem cells and deliver growth factors. First,
the nGO@Fe3 O4 MNPs can be easily swallowed by dental-pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and
have no influence on cell viability. Thus, the MNP-labeled cells can be organized
via magnetic force to form multilayered cell sheets in different patterns.
Second, compared to traditional Fe3 O4 nanoparticles, the graphene oxide coating
provides plenty of carboxyl groups to bind and deliver growth factors. Therefore,
with these nGO@Fe3 O4 MNPs, bone-morphogenetic-protein-2 (BMP2) is successfully
incorporated into the DPSCs sheets to induce more bone formation. Furthermore, an
integrated osteochondral complex is also constructed using a combination of
DPSCs/TGFbeta3 and DPSCs/BMP2. All these results demonstrate that the new cell
sheet tissue-engineering approach exhibits promising potential for future use in
regenerative medicine.
PMID- 28991391
TI - Evaluation of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET-He) in the diagnosis of iron
deficient erythropoiesis in dogs.
AB - BACKGROUND: Reticulocyte hemoglobin content provided by the Siemens ADVIA (CHr)
is an established marker of iron deficiency. The IDEXX ProCyte Dx hematology
analyzer now provides a similar variable, reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET
He). OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate RET-He and its diagnostic utility
in dogs, and to calculate a cutoff value for diagnosing iron-deficient
erythropoiesis (IDE). Furthermore, the prevalence of RET-He values below this
cutoff value was established. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one CBCs of
healthy dogs were used to establish a RI. Stability of RET-He was evaluated by
repeated measurements over 48 hours (n = 10). The 25-run coefficient of variation
(CV) was calculated, and correlation and bias between measurements of RET-He and
CHr were assessed (n = 190). A cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was calculated.
The utility of RET-He in the detection of IDE was evaluated in 123 dogs. The
prevalence of low RET-He values was assessed retrospectively in a multicenter
study (2012-2014) under participation of 7 veterinary clinics. RESULTS:
Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent with an RI of 22.2 to 28.6 pg was
statistically stable over 48 hours (P = .10). The CV was 1.8%. A fair correlation
(rho = 0.74) between RET-He and CHr with a small bias of -0.6 pg was found. The
cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was 20.9 pg (sensitivity: 85%; specificity: 99%).
The prevalence of RET-He values below 20.9 pg was 10.3% (1084/10,553 dogs).
CONCLUSIONS: RET-He on the ProCyte Dx is a precise screening tool in dogs to
detect iron-deficient erythropoiesis.
PMID- 28991392
TI - Ambireactive (R3 P)2 BH2 Groups Facilitating Temperature-Switchable Bond
Activation by an Iron Complex.
AB - An iron pincer complex containing a hemi-labile (R3 P)2 BH2 group exhibits
temperature-switchable reactivity patterns: a reversible B-H activation
concomitant with a P-B bond cleavage is observed at room temperature. Below 4
degrees C, intra- and intermolecular C-H activation pathways are becoming faster
and more dominant. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the lability of the (R3
P)2 BH2 group in combination with the exothermic formation of sigma-bonded
complexes are responsible for the switchable bond activation. Finally, a protocol
for an iron-catalyzed H/D-exchange of organic solvents in the absence of oxidants
has been developed.
PMID- 28991393
TI - Screening of analgesic and anti-inflammatory active component in Fructus Alpiniae
zerumbet based on spectrum-effect relationship and GC-MS.
AB - Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet is widely used in Guizhou province as a miao folk herb
with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, protection against cardiovascular diseases,
antihypertension and antioxidant activities. To further investigate the chemical
material basis, the spectrum-effect relationship was established using gray
relational analysis between the chromatographic fingerprint and its
bioactivities. Herein, the fingerprints of essential oils from Fructus Alpiniae
zerumbet (EOFAZ) from various sources were determined by gas chromatography mass
spectrometry, and the analgesic and anti-inflammatory bioactivities were
investigated using the mouse model of acetic acid-induced writhing test and
dimethylbenzene-induced mouse ear edema test. Finally, 17 common peaks were
identified from nine batches of A. zerumbet, by comparison with the standard mass
spectra in Nist2005, Wiley275 library. Meanwhile, the results showed significant
analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in all of the different sources of EOFAZ.
In particularly, peak 1 (alpha-pipene), peak 3 (beta-pinene), peak 9 (camphor)
and peak 16 (alpha-cadinol) might be the main bioactive ingredients for analgesic
and anti-inflammatory activities. The model of the spectrum-effect relationships
of EOFAZ was successfully discovered, which provided a novel platform for finding
the bioactive components, a theoretical foundation for its further study and
helping to establish quality control of Fructus A. zerumbet.
PMID- 28991394
TI - Wrinkled 2D Materials: A Versatile Platform for Low-Threshold Stretchable Random
Lasers.
AB - A stretchable, flexible, and bendable random laser system capable of lasing in a
wide range of spectrum will have many potential applications in next- generation
technologies, such as visible-spectrum communication, superbright solid-state
lighting, biomedical studies, fluorescence, etc. However, producing an
appropriate cavity for such a wide spectral range remains a challenge owing to
the rigidity of the resonator for the generation of coherent loops. 2D materials
with wrinkled structures exhibit superior advantages of high stretchability and a
suitable matrix for photon trapping in between the hill and valley geometries
compared to their flat counterparts. Here, the intriguing functionalities of
wrinkled reduced graphene oxide, single-layer graphene, and few-layer hexagonal
boron nitride, respectively, are utilized to design highly stretchable and
wearable random laser devices with ultralow threshold. Using methyl-ammonium lead
bromide perovskite nanocrystals (PNC) to illustrate the working principle, the
lasing threshold is found to be ~10 uJ cm-2 , about two times less than the
lowest value ever reported. In addition to PNC, it is demonstrated that the
output lasing wavelength can be tuned using different active materials such as
semiconductor quantum dots. Thus, this study is very useful for the future
development of high-performance wearable optoelectronic devices.
PMID- 28991395
TI - Failures and long-term discontinuations of intradetrusor botulinum toxin
injections for neurogenic detrusor overactivity: A new challenge in neurourology.
PMID- 28991396
TI - [(CH3 )3 NH]3 Bi2 I9 : A Polar Lead-Free Hybrid Perovskite-Like Material as a
Potential Semiconducting Absorber.
AB - Perovskite hybrids of lead organometal halides, most notably CH3 NH3 PbI3 , have
shown extremely promising applications in the field of optoelectronics, because
of their remarkable semiconducting and light-absorbing properties. However, two
key issues-the toxicity of lead and the poor ambient instabilities-have
restrained their further commercialization. Herein, we have designed a new stable
polar lead-free hybrid material by utilizing the strategy of cation substitution,
[(CH3 )3 N]3 Bi2 I9 (1), which adopts the 0D inorganic perovskite-like
architecture by face-sharing BiI6 octahedra. It is interesting that 1 displays
excellent absorbing properties with a narrow optical band gap of ~2.0 eV, and
positive temperature-dependent conductivity confirms its semiconducting
behaviors. In addition, 1 has good phase stability against decomposition under
ambient conditions, much superior to that of CH3 NH3 PbI3 . This work suggests
the potential of 1 as a lead-free semiconducting absorber with high phase
stability for photoelectric applications.
PMID- 28991398
TI - In Situ TEM Studies of Nanostructured Thermoelectric Materials: An Application to
Mg-Doped Zn4 Sb3 Alloy.
AB - We demonstrate an advanced approach using state of the art in situ transmission
electron microscopy (TEM) to understand the interplay between nanostructures and
thermoelectric (TE) properties of high-performance Mg-doped Zn4 Sb3 TE systems.
By using the technique, microstructure and crystal evolutions of TE material have
been dynamically captured as a function of temperature from 300 K to 573 K. On
heating, we have clearly observed precipitation and growth of a Zn-rich secondary
phase as nanoinclusions in the matrix of primary Zn4 Sb3 phase. Elemental mapping
by STEM-EDX spectroscopy reveals enrichment of Zn in the secondary Zn6 Sb5
nanoinclusions during the thermal processing without decomposition. Such
nanostructures strongly enhances phonon scattering, resulting in a decrease in
the thermal conductivity leading to a zT value of 1.4 at 718 K.
PMID- 28991397
TI - Record linkage study of the pathogen-specific burden of respiratory viruses in
children.
AB - BACKGROUND: Reliance on hospital discharge diagnosis codes alone will likely
underestimate the burden of respiratory viruses. OBJECTIVES: To describe the
epidemiology of respiratory viruses more accurately, we used record linkage to
examine data relating to all children hospitalized in Western Australia between
2000 and 2012. PATIENTS/METHODS: We extracted hospital, infectious disease
notification and laboratory data of a cohort of children born in Western
Australia between 1996 and 2012. Laboratory records of respiratory specimens
collected within 48 hours of admission were linked to hospitalization records. We
calculated the frequency and rates of virus detection. To identify groups where
under-ascertainment for respiratory viruses was greatest, we used logistic
regression to determine factors associated with failure to test. RESULTS AND
CONCLUSIONS: Nine percentage of 484 992 admissions linked to a laboratory record
for respiratory virus testing. While 62% (n = 26 893) of laboratory-confirmed
admissions received respiratory infection diagnosis codes, 38% (n = 16 734) had
other diagnoses, notably viral infection of unspecified sites. Of those tested,
incidence rates were highest for respiratory syncytial virus (247 per 100 000
child-years) followed by parainfluenza (63 per 100 000 child-years). Admissions
among older children and those without a respiratory diagnosis were associated
with failure to test for respiratory viruses. Linked data can significantly
enhance diagnostic codes when estimating the true burden of disease. In contrast
to current emphasis on influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza
were the most common viral pathogens among hospitalized children. By
characterizing those failing to be tested, we can begin to quantify the under
ascertainment of respiratory viruses.
PMID- 28991399
TI - Soil carbon cycling proxies: Understanding their critical role in predicting
climate change feedbacks.
AB - The complexity of processes and interactions that drive soil C dynamics
necessitate the use of proxy variables to represent soil characteristics that
cannot be directly measured (correlative proxies), or that aggregate information
about multiple soil characteristics into one variable (integrative proxies).
These proxies have proven useful for understanding the soil C cycle, which is
highly variable in both space and time, and are now being used to make
predictions of the fate and persistence of C under future climate scenarios.
However, the C pools and processes that proxies represent must be thoughtfully
considered in order to minimize uncertainties in empirical understanding. This is
necessary to capture the full value of a proxy in model parameters and in model
outcomes. Here, we provide specific examples of proxy variables that could
improve decision-making, and modeling skill, while also encouraging continued
work on their mechanistic underpinnings. We explore the use of three common soil
proxies used to study soil C cycling: metabolic quotient, clay content, and
physical fractionation. We also consider how emerging data types, such as genome
sequence data, can serve as proxies for microbial community activities. By
examining some broad assumptions in soil C cycling with the proxies already in
use, we can develop new hypotheses and specify criteria for new and needed
proxies.
PMID- 28991400
TI - Resistance to cycloxaprid in Laodelphax striatellus is associated with altered
expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cycloxaprid is a new oxabridged cis-configuration neonicotinoid
insecticide, the resistance development potential and underlying resistance
mechanism of which were investigated in the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax
striatellus (Fallen), an important agricultural pest of rice. RESULTS: A
cycloxaprid-resistant strain (YN-CPD) only achieved 10-fold higher resistance, in
contrast to 106-fold higher resistance to buprofezin and 332-fold higher
resistance to chlorpyrifos achieved after exposure to similar selection pressure,
and the cycloxaprid selected line showed no cross-resistance to the buprofezin
and chlorpyrifos-selected resistance strains. Moreover, we identified 10
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits from the transcriptome of L.
striatellus, and six segments had open reading frames (ORFs). While we did not
find mutations in the nAChR genes of L. striatellus, subunits Lsalpha1 and
Lsbeta1 exhibited, respectively, 9.60-fold and 3.36-fold higher expression in the
resistant strain, while Lsalpha8 exhibited 0.44-fold lower expression.
Suppression of Lsalpha1 through ingestion of dsLsalpha1 led to an increase in
susceptibility to cycloxaprid. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that resistance
to cycloxaprid develops slowly compared with resistance to other chemicals and
without cross-resistance to chlorpyrifos or buprofezin; over-expressed Lsalpha1
is associated with low cycloxaprid resistance levels, but the importance of over
expressed Lsbeta1 and reduced expression of Lsalpha8 could not be excluded. (c)
2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28991401
TI - Recent Trends in Baccalaureate-Prepared Registered Nurses in U.S. Acute Care
Hospital Units, 2004-2013: A Longitudinal Study.
AB - PURPOSE: To examine the trends in baccalaureate (bachelor of science in nursing)
prepared registered nurses (BSN RNs) in U.S. acute care hospital units and to
project the growth in the number of BSN RNs by 2020. DESIGN: This is a
longitudinal study using the Registered Nurse Education Indicators data (2004
2013) from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. METHODS: The
level of BSN RNs in each unit was operationalized as the proportion of nurses
holding a baccalaureate degree or higher among all the nurses in a unit. Our
sample included 12,194 unit-years from 2,126 units of six cohorts in 377 U.S.
acute care hospitals. A hierarchical linear regression model was used to examine
the trends in BSN RNs and to project future growth in the number of BSN RNs when
controlling for hospital and unit characteristics and considering repeated
measures in units over time and clustering of units within hospitals. RESULTS:
The proportion of BSN RNs in U.S. acute care hospital units increased from 44% in
2004 to 57% in 2013 (a 30% increase); when combining all cohorts, this rate
increased from 44% in 2009 to 51% in 2013. On average, the proportion of BSN RNs
in a unit increased by 1.3% annually before 2010 and by 1.9% each year from 2010
on. The percentage of units having at least 80% of their nurses with a
baccalaureate degree or higher increased from 3% in 2009 to 7% in 2013. Based on
the current trends, 64% of the nurses working in a hospital unit will have a
baccalaureate degree by 2020, and 22% of the units will reach the 80% goal by
2020. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant increase in the proportion of BSN RNs
in U.S. acute care hospital units over the past decade, particularly after 2010.
However, given the current trends, it is unlikely that the goal of 80% nurses
with a baccalaureate degree will be achieved by 2020. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The
U.S. nursing workforce is under educational transformation in order to meet the
increasing healthcare needs. To help accelerate this transformation, further
advocacy, commitment, and investment are needed from all healthcare stakeholders
(e.g., policymakers, executives and managers of healthcare facilities, nursing
schools, etc.).
PMID- 28991402
TI - Self-Powered Nanoscale Photodetectors.
AB - Novel self-powered nanoscale photodetectors that can work without an external
power source, which have great application potential in next-generation
nanodevices that operate wirelessly and independently, are being widely studied.
This review aims to give a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art research
results on self-powered nanoscale photodetectors. An introduction of recent
progress on Schottky junction photodetectors is provided. Two types of Schottky
junctions are discussed in detail: metal-semiconductor and semiconductor-graphene
junctions. Next, recent developments of p-n junction photodetectors are
highlighted, including homojunction and heterojunction photodetectors. Then,
piezo-phototronic effect enhanced photodetection performances of Schottky
junctions and p-n junctions are discussed. Then, significant results on the
photoelectrochemical-cell-based photodetector and integrated self-powered
nanosystem are presented, followed by a systematic comparison of different types
of photodetectors. Finally, a summary of the previous results is given, and the
major challenges that need to be addressed in the future are outlined. The hope
is that this review can provide valuable insights into the current status of self
powered photodetectors and spur new structure and device designs to further
enhance photodetection performance.
PMID- 28991403
TI - Breaking the Limits in Analyzing Carbohydrate Recognition by NMR Spectroscopy:
Resolving Branch-Selective Interaction of a Tetra-Antennary N-Glycan with
Lectins.
AB - The biological recognition of complex-type N-glycans is part of many key
physiological and pathological events. Despite their importance, the structural
characterization of these events remains unsolved. The inherent flexibility of N
glycans hampers crystallization and the chemical equivalence of individual
branches precludes their NMR characterization. By using a chemoenzymatically
synthesized tetra-antennary N-glycan conjugated to a lanthanide binding tag, the
NMR signals under paramagnetic conditions discriminated all four N-acetyl
lactosamine antennae with unprecedented resolution. The NMR data revealed the
conformation of the N-glycan and permitted for the first time the direct
identification of individual branches involved in the recognition by two N
acetyllactosamine-binding lectins, Datura stramonium seed lectin (DSL) and
Ricinus Communis agglutinin (RCA120).
PMID- 28991405
TI - Improving models of photosynthetic thermal acclimation: Which parameters are most
important and how many should be modified?
AB - Photosynthetic temperature acclimation could strongly affect coupled vegetation
atmosphere feedbacks in the global carbon cycle, especially as the climate warms.
Thermal acclimation of photosynthesis can be modelled as changes in the
parameters describing the direct effect of temperature on photosynthetic capacity
(i.e., activation energy, Ea ; deactivation energy, Hd ; entropy parameter,
DeltaS) or the basal value of photosynthetic capacity (i.e., photosynthetic
capacity measured at 25 degrees C). However, the impact of acclimating these
parameters (individually or in combination) on vegetative carbon gain is
relatively unexplored. Here we compare the ability of 66 photosynthetic
temperature acclimation scenarios to improve the ability of a spatially explicit
canopy carbon flux model, MAESTRA, to predict eddy covariance data from a
loblolly pine forest. We show that: (1) incorporating seasonal temperature
acclimation of basal photosynthetic capacity improves the model's ability to
capture seasonal changes in carbon fluxes and outperforms acclimation of other
single factors (i.e., Ea or DeltaS alone); (2) multifactor scenarios of
photosynthetic temperature acclimation provide minimal (if any) improvement in
model performance over single factor acclimation scenarios; (3) acclimation of Ea
should be restricted to the temperature ranges of the data from which the
equations are derived; and (4) model performance is strongly affected by the Hd
parameter. We suggest that a renewed effort be made into understanding whether
basal photosynthetic capacity, Ea , Hd and DeltaS co-acclimate across broad
temperature ranges to determine whether and how multifactor thermal acclimation
of photosynthesis occurs.
PMID- 28991404
TI - Rapid changes in serum cytokines and chemokines in response to inactivated
influenza vaccination.
AB - BACKGROUND: The timing of host cytokine responses to influenza vaccination is
poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: We examined serum cytokine kinetics following
inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) to better understand potential
relationships between markers of inflammation and TIV-related side effects.
PATIENTS/METHODS: Twenty healthy adult subjects received TIV.
Cytokines/chemokines were assessed in intervals from 3 hours to 14 days. Antibody
titers were measured at baseline and Day 14. RESULTS: Serum cytokine responses to
TIV were evident as early as 3 hours post-immunization. Compared to baseline, IFN
gamma and IP-10 were significantly elevated 7 hours after TIV administration.
Both remained elevated and peaked between 16 and 24 hours before returning to
baseline by 44 hours post-vaccination. Although IL-8 levels were variable between
subjects during the first 24 hours after TIV, by 44 hours, IL-8 was significantly
lower compared to baseline. Interestingly, IL-8 levels remained significantly
lower for up to 2 weeks after receiving TIV. Fifteen of 20 subjects reported mild
adverse events. The one subject who reported moderate myalgias and injection site
pain after vaccination displayed a distinctive, early cytokine response profile
which included IL-6, IL-2, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, TNF-alpha, TARC, and MCP-4.
CONCLUSIONS: Serum cytokines changed rapidly following TIV and generally peaked
at 24 hours. Trivalent influenza vaccine-induced reductions in IL-8 occurred
later (44 hours) and were sustained for 2 weeks. An outlier response coincided
with the only moderate side effects to the vaccine. These data suggest that early
cytokine/chemokine responses may provide additional insight into the pathogenesis
of adverse events and immune reactivity to vaccination.
PMID- 28991407
TI - Hydrogen Peroxide Insular Dodecameric and Pentameric Clusters in Peroxosolvate
Structures.
AB - Peroxosolvates of 2-aminonicotinic acid (I) and lidocaine N-oxide (II) including
the largest insular hydrogen peroxide clusters were isolated and their crystal
structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. An unprecedented
dodecameric hydrogen peroxide insular cluster was found in I. An unusual cross
like pentameric cluster was observed in the structure of II. The topology of the
(H2 O2 )12 assembly was never observed for small-molecule clusters. In I and II
new double and triple cross-orientational disorders of H2 O2 were found. Cluster
II is the first example of a peroxosolvate crystal structure containing H2 O2
molecules with a homoleptic hydrogen peroxide environment. In II, a hydrogen bond
between an H2 O2 molecule and a peptide group -CONH???O2 H2 was observed for the
first time.
PMID- 28991406
TI - Burden of influenza among hospitalized febrile children in Ghana.
AB - BACKGROUND: Influenza surveillance data from Africa indicate a substantial
disease burden with high mortality. However, local influenza data from district
hospitals with limited laboratory facilities are still scarce. OBJECTIVES: To
identify the frequency and seasonal distribution of influenza among hospitalized
febrile children in a rural hospital in Ghana and to describe differential
diagnoses to other severe febrile infections. METHODS: Between January 2014 and
April 2015, all children with a temperature of >=38 degrees C admitted to a
district hospital in Ghana were screened for influenza A and B by RT-PCR and
differentiated to subtypes A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2). Malaria microscopy and blood
cultures were performed for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 1063 children with
a median age of 2 years (IQR: 1-4 years) were recruited. Of those, 271 (21%) were
classified as severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and 47 (4%) were positive
for influenza, namely 26 (55%) influenza B, 15 (32%) A(H1N1)pdm09, and 6 (13%)
A(H3N2) cases. Influenza predominantly occurred in children aged 3-5 years and
was more frequently detected in the major rainy season (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.47
6.19) during the first half of the year. Two (4%) and seven (15%) influenza
positive children were co-diagnosed with an invasive bloodstream infection or
malaria, respectively. CONCLUSION: Influenza contributes substantially to the
burden of hospitalized febrile children in Ghana being strongly dependent on age
and corresponds with the major rainy season during the first half-year.
PMID- 28991408
TI - Tipping point in plant-fungal interactions under severe drought causes abrupt
rise in peatland ecosystem respiration.
AB - Ecosystems are increasingly prone to climate extremes, such as drought, with long
lasting effects on both plant and soil communities and, subsequently, on carbon
(C) cycling. However, recent studies underlined the strong variability in
ecosystem's response to droughts, raising the issue of nonlinear responses in
plant and soil communities. The conundrum is what causes ecosystems to shift in
response to drought. Here, we investigated the response of plant and soil fungi
to drought of different intensities using a water table gradient in peatlands-a
major C sink ecosystem. Using moving window structural equation models, we show
that substantial changes in ecosystem respiration, plant and soil fungal
communities occurred when the water level fell below a tipping point of -24 cm.
As a corollary, ecosystem respiration was the greatest when graminoids and
saprotrophic fungi became prevalent as a response to the extreme drought.
Graminoids indirectly influenced fungal functional composition and soil enzyme
activities through their direct effect on dissolved organic matter quality, while
saprotrophic fungi directly influenced soil enzyme activities. In turn,
increasing enzyme activities promoted ecosystem respiration. We show that
functional transitions in ecosystem respiration critically depend on the degree
of response of graminoids and saprotrophic fungi to drought. Our results
represent a major advance in understanding the nonlinear nature of ecosystem
properties to drought and pave the way towards a truly mechanistic understanding
of the effects of drought on ecosystem processes.
PMID- 28991409
TI - Effects of seasonal and pandemic influenza on health-related quality of life,
work and school absence in England: Results from the Flu Watch cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Estimates of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work/school
absences for influenza are typically based on medically attended cases or those
meeting influenza-like-illness (ILI) case definitions and thus biased towards
severe disease. Although community influenza cases are more common, estimates of
their effects on HRQoL and absences are limited. OBJECTIVES: To measure quality
adjusted life days and years (QALDs and QALYs) lost and work/school absences
among community cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI), ILI and influenza A
and B and to estimate community burden of QALY loss and absences from influenza.
PATIENTS/METHODS: Flu Watch was a community cohort in England from 2006 to 2011.
Participants were followed up weekly. During respiratory illness, they
prospectively recorded daily symptoms, work/school absences and EQ-5D-3L data and
submitted nasal swabs for RT-PCR influenza testing. RESULTS: Average QALD lost
was 0.26, 0.93, 1.61 and 1.84 for ARI, ILI, H1N1pdm09 and influenza B cases,
respectively. 40% of influenza A cases and 24% of influenza B cases took time off
work/school with an average duration of 3.6 and 2.4 days, respectively. In
England, community influenza cases lost 24 300 QALYs in 2010/11 and had an
estimated 2.9 million absences per season based on data from 2006/07 to 2009/10.
CONCLUSIONS: Our QALDs and QALYs lost and work and school absence estimates are
lower than previous estimates because we focus on community cases, most of which
are mild, may not meet ILI definitions and do not result in healthcare
consultations. Nevertheless, they contribute a substantial loss of HRQoL on a
population level.
PMID- 28991410
TI - How much does climate change threaten European forest tree species distributions?
AB - Although numerous species distribution models have been developed, most were
based on insufficient distribution data or used older climate change scenarios.
We aimed to quantify changes in projected ranges and threat level by the years
2061-2080, for 12 European forest tree species under three climate change
scenarios. We combined tree distribution data from the Global Biodiversity
Information Facility, EUFORGEN, and forest inventories, and we developed species
distribution models using MaxEnt and 19 bioclimatic variables. Models were
developed for three climate change scenarios-optimistic (RCP2.6), moderate
(RCP4.5), and pessimistic (RPC8.5)-using three General Circulation Models, for
the period 2061-2080. Our study revealed different responses of tree species to
projected climate change. The species may be divided into three groups: "winners"
mostly late-successional species: Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus
excelsior, Quercus robur, and Quercus petraea; "losers"-mostly pioneer species:
Betula pendula, Larix decidua, Picea abies, and Pinus sylvestris; and alien
species-Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus rubra, and Robinia pseudoacacia, which may
be also considered as "winners." Assuming limited migration, most of the species
studied would face a significant decrease in suitable habitat area. The threat
level was highest for species that currently have the northernmost distribution
centers. Ecological consequences of the projected range contractions would be
serious for both forest management and nature conservation.
PMID- 28991411
TI - Structural insights into the nuclear import of the histone acetyltransferase
males-absent-on-the-first by importin alpha1.
AB - The histone acetyltransferase males-absent-on-the-first (MOF) acetylates the
histone H4, a modification important for many biological processes, including
chromatin organization, transcriptional regulation, DNA replication,
recombination and repair, as well as autophagy. Depletion of MOF induces serious
consequences because of the reduction of histone acetylation, such as nuclear
morphological defects and cancer. Despite the critical roles of MOF in the
nucleus, the structural or functional mechanisms of the nucleocytoplasmic
transport of MOF remain elusive. Here, we identified novel importin alpha1
specific nuclear localization signals (NLSs) in the N-terminal of human MOF. The
crystal structure of MOF NLSs in complex with importin alpha1 further revealed a
unique binding mode of MOF, with two independent NLSs binding to importin alpha1
major and minor sites, respectively. The second NLS of MOF displays an unexpected
alpha-helical conformation in the C-terminus, with more extensive contacts with
importin alpha1 not limited in the minor site. Mutations of the key residues on
MOF and importin alpha1 lead to the reduction of their interaction as well as the
nuclear import of MOF, revealing an essential role of NLS2 of MOF in interacting
with importin alpha1 minor site. Taken together, we provide structural mechanisms
underlying the nucleocytoplasmic transport of MOF, which will be of great
importance in understanding the functional regulation of MOF in various
biological processes.
PMID- 28991412
TI - Virtual Screening Approach of Bacterial Peptide Deformylase Inhibitors Results in
New Antibiotics.
AB - The increasing resistance of bacteria to antibacterial therapy poses an enormous
health problem, it renders the development of new antibacterial agents with novel
mechanism of action an urgent need. Peptide deformylase, a metalloenzyme which
catalytically removes N-formyl group from N-terminal methionine of newly
synthesized polypeptides, is an important target in antibacterial drug discovery.
In this study, we report the structure-based virtual screening of ZINC database
in order to discover potential hits as bacterial peptide deformylase enzyme
inhibitors with more affinity as compared to GSK1322322, previously known
inhibitor. After virtual screening, fifteen compounds of the top hits predicted
were purchased and evaluated in vitro for their antibacterial activities against
one Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and three Gram negative (Escherichia
coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella. pneumoniae) bacteria in different
concentrations by disc diffusion method. Out of these, three compounds,
ZINC00039650, ZINC03872971 and ZINC00126407, exhibited significant zone of
inhibition. The results obtained were confirmed using the dilution method. Thus,
these proposed compounds may aid the development of more efficient antibacterial
agents.
PMID- 28991413
TI - Ligand-based Modeling for the Prediction of Pharmacophore Features for Multi
targeted Inhibition of the Arachidonic Acid Cascade.
AB - The single-target drugs against the arachidonic acid inflammatory pathway are
associated with serious side effects, hence, as a first step towards multi-target
drugs, we have studied the pharmacophoric features common to the inhibitors of 5
lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP), microsomal prostaglandin E-synthase 1
(mPGES-1) and leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H). FLAP and mPGES-1 shared subfamily
specific positions (SSPs) and four mPGES-1 inhibitors binding to them mapped onto
the pharmacophore derived from FLAP inhibitors (Ph-FLAP). The reactions of mPGES
1 and LTA4H had high structural similarity. The pharmacophore derived from two
substrate mimic inhibitors of LTA4H (Ph-LTA4H) also mapped onto three mPGES-1
inhibitors. Screening of in-house database for Ph-FLAP and Ph-LTA4H identified
one compound, C1. It inhibited the production of the mPGES-1 product,
prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by 97.8+/-1.6 % at 50 MUM in HeLa cells and can be a
starting point for designing molecules inhibiting all three targets
simultaneously.
PMID- 28991414
TI - In Situ Spatial Complementation of Aptamer-Mediated Recognition Enables Live-Cell
Imaging of Native RNA Transcripts in Real Time.
AB - Direct cellular imaging of the localization and dynamics of biomolecules helps to
understand their function and reveals novel mechanisms at the single-cell
resolution. In contrast to routine fluorescent-protein-based protein imaging,
technology for RNA imaging remains less well explored because of the lack of
enabling technology. Herein, we report the development of an aptamer-initiated
fluorescence complementation (AiFC) method for RNA imaging by engineering a green
fluorescence protein (GFP)-mimicking turn-on RNA aptamer, Broccoli, into two
split fragments that could tandemly bind to target mRNA. When genetically encoded
in cells, endogenous mRNA molecules recruited Split-Broccoli and brought the two
fragments into spatial proximity, which formed a fluorophore-binding site in situ
and turned on fluorescence. Significantly, we demonstrated the use of AiFC for
high-contrast and real-time imaging of endogenous RNA molecules in living
mammalian cells. We envision wide application and practical utility of this
enabling technology to in vivo single-cell visualization and mechanistic analysis
of macromolecular interactions.
PMID- 28991415
TI - Refractive error, through the lens of the patient.
PMID- 28991416
TI - Differences in bleb morphology between trabeculectomy and deep sclerectomy.
PMID- 28991417
TI - Continuing Professional Development.
PMID- 28991418
TI - Agrochemical lead optimization by scaffold hopping.
AB - Scaffold hopping, the exchange of a specific portion of a potential active
ingredient with another substructure with the aim of finding isofunctional
molecular structures with significantly different molecular backbones, often
offers the chance in lead discovery or optimization to mitigate problems related
to toxicity, intellectual property, and insufficient potency or stability.
Scaffold hopping tools such as isosteric ring replacement including 1,3 nitrogen
shift and cyclic imine-amide isosterism, but also ring opening and ring closure
approaches, functional group isosterism, reversion of functional groups, chain
shortening, chain lengthening, and scaffolds delivered by natural products, have
become a permanent fixture of the innovation and optimization process in crop
protection research. Their appropriate use will be explained through examples of
success stories in the field of agrochemistry. Analogies to, but also differences
from, the main categories of scaffold hopping in medicinal drug discovery are
discussed. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28991419
TI - Synergistic interactions between a variety of insecticides and an ergosterol
biosynthesis inhibitor fungicide in dietary exposures of bumble bees (Bombus
terrestris L.).
AB - BACKGROUND: In recent years, concern has been raised over honey bee colony
losses, and also among wild bees there is evidence for extinctions and range
contractions in Europe and North America. Pesticides have been proposed as a
potential cause of this decline. Bees are exposed simultaneously to a variety of
agrochemicals, which may cause synergistically detrimental impacts, which are
incompletely understood. We investigated the toxicity of the fungicide imazalil
in mixture with four common insecticides: fipronil (phenylpyrazoid), cypermethrin
(pyrethroid), thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid (neonicotinoids). Ergosterol
biosynthesis inhibitor (EBI) fungicides like imazalil can inhibit P450
detoxification systems in insects and therefore fungicide - insecticide co
occurrence might produce synergistic toxicity in bees. We assessed the impact of
dietary fungicide - insecticide mixtures on the mortality and feeding rates of
laboratory bumble bees (Bombus terrestris L.). RESULTS: Regarding mortality,
imazalil synergised the toxicity of fipronil, cypermethrin and thiamethoxam, but
not imidacloprid. We found no synergistic effects on feeding rates. CONCLUSION:
Our findings suggest that P450-based detoxification processes are differentially
important in mitigating the toxicity of certain insecticides, even those of the
same chemical class. Our evidence that cocktail effects can arise in bumble bees
should extend concern about the potential impacts of agrochemical mixtures to
include wild bee species in farmland. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28991421
TI - Worth the Wait? The Effect of Early Term Birth on Maternal and Infant Health.
AB - Early term birth is defined as birth at 37 or 38 weeks gestation. While infants
born early term are not considered premature, the medical literature suggests
that they have an increased risk of serious adverse health outcomes compared to
infants born at term (39 or 40 weeks). Despite these known harms, we document a
rise in early term births in the United States from 1989 to the mid-2000s,
followed by a decline in recent years. We posit that the recent decline in early
term births has been driven by changes in medical practice advocated by the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, programs such as the March
of Dimes' "Worth the Wait" campaign, and by Medicaid policy. We first show that
this pattern cannot be attributed to changes in the demographic composition of
mothers, and provide some evidence that efforts to reduce early term elective
deliveries (EEDs) through Medicaid policy were effective. Wenext exploit county
level variation in the timing of these changes in medical practice to examine the
effect of early term inductions (our proxy for EEDs) on infant and maternal
health. We find that early term inductions lower birth weights and increase the
risks of precipitous labor, birth injury, and required ventilation. Our results
suggest that reductions in early term inductions can explain about one-third of
the overall increase in birth weights between 2010 and 2013 for births at 37
weeks gestation and above.
PMID- 28991422
TI - Emission Standards, Public Transit, and Infant Health.
AB - Transit buses are an integral part of urban life. They reduce externalities
generated from private vehicles and increase geographic mobility. However, unlike
most private vehicles in the United States, they use diesel fuel and emit higher
amounts of toxic pollutants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set
emission standards for transit buses starting in 1988 that have been continually
updated, but their public health and economic impacts are unclear due to scarce
emissions data. I construct a novel panel dataset for the New York City (NYC)
Transit bus fleet between 1990 and 2009 and examine the impact of bus pollution
on infant health by using bus vintage as a proxy for emissions. I exploit the
variation in vintage as older buses are retired and replaced with newer, lower
emitting buses forced to adhere to stricter emission standards. I then assign
maternal exposure to bus vintage at the census block level. Findings suggest that
maternal exposure to the oldest, unregulated buses is associated with modest
reductions in birth weight and gestational age relative to newer buses that abide
by emissions policies. I then conduct a back-of-the-envelope cost-benefit
calculation and find net economic benefits of $53.3 million resulting from
improved emission standards for the 2009 birth cohort in NYC. Since the treatment
in this study clearly maps to federal emissions policies, these results are the
first to provide credible evidence that transit bus emission standards had a
positive effect on infant health.
PMID- 28991423
TI - Child Health in Elementary School Following California's Paid Family Leave
Program.
AB - We evaluate changes in elementary school children health outcomes following the
introduction of California's Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, which provided
parents with paid time off following the birth of a child. Our health outcomes-
overweight, ADHD, and hearing-related problems--are characterized by diagnosis
rates that only pick up during early elementary school. Moreover, our health
outcomes have been found to be negatively linked with many potential implications
of extended maternity leave--increased breastfeeding, prompt medical checkups at
infancy, reduced prenatal stress, and reduced non-parental care during infancy.
Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Studies (ECLS) within a difference-in
differences framework, our results suggest improvements in health outcomes among
California elementary school children following PFL's introduction. Furthermore,
the improvements are driven by children from less advantaged backgrounds, which
is consistent with the notion that California's PFL had the greatest effect on
leave-taking duration after childbirth mostly for less advantaged mothers who
previously could not afford to take unpaid leave.
PMID- 28991424
TI - Do Higher Minimum Wages Benefit Health? Evidence From the UK.
AB - This study examines the link between minimum wages and health outcomes by using
the introduction of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in the United Kingdom in 1999
as an exogenous variation of earned income. A test for health effects by using
longitudinal data from the British Household Panel Survey for a period of ten
years was conducted. It was found that the NMW significantly improved several
measures of health, including self-reported health status and the presence of
health conditions. When examining potential mechanisms, it was shown that changes
in health behaviors, leisure expenditures, and financial stress can explain the
observed improvements in health.
PMID- 28991425
TI - The Economic Impact of Smoke-Free Policies on Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: Panel
Data Estimates From European Countries.
AB - In this paper, we investigate the extent to which the economic outcomes of
restaurants, bars, and cafes have been affected by the introduction of anti
smoking regulations in Europe. We use an unexploited panel database to collect a
comprehensive set of information on financial indicators regarding the balance
sheets of private and public companies in various economic sectors. The results
show that smoke-free policies did not significantly affect the firms' economic
performance, irrespective of the balance sheet indicators analyzed. Moreover, the
results are robust to various econometric specifications and suggest that the
recent enforcement of anti-smoking legislation in Europe has improved public
health without a corresponding negative impact on revenuesand employment in the
hospitality industry.
PMID- 28991426
TI - Scraping by: Income and Program Participation After the Loss of Extended
Unemployment Benefits.
AB - Many Unemployment Insurance (UI) recipients do not find new jobs before
exhausting their benefits, even when benefits are extended during recessions.
Using Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) panel data covering the
2001 and 2007 to 2009 recessions and their aftermaths, we identify individuals
whose jobless spells outlasted their UI benefits (exhaustees) and examine
household income, program participation, and health-related outcomes during the
six months following UI exhaustion. For the average exhaustee, the loss of UI
benefits is only slightly offset by increased participation in other safety net
programs (e.g., food stamps), and family poverty rates rise substantially. Self
reported disability also rises following UI exhaustion. These patterns do not
vary dramatically across household demographic groups, broad income level prior
to job loss, or the two business cycles. The results highlight the unique,
important role of UI in the U.S. social safety net.
PMID- 28991427
TI - Molecular Engineering of Platinum(II) Terpyridine Complexes with
Tetraphenylethylene-Modified Alkynyl Ligands: Supramolecular Assembly via Pt...Pt
and/or pi-pi Stacking Interactions and the Formation of Various Superstructures.
AB - A series of platinum(II) terpyridine complexes with tetraphenylethylene-modified
alkynyl ligands has been designed and synthesized. The introduction of the
tetraphenylethylene motif has led to aggregation-induced emission (AIE)
properties, which upon self-assembly led to the formation of metal-metal-to
ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) behavior stabilized by Pt...Pt and/or pi-pi
interactions. Tuning the steric bulk or hydrophilicity through molecular
engineering of the platinum(II) complexes has been found to alter their
spectroscopic properties and result in interesting superstructures (including
nanorods, nanospheres, nanowires, and nanoleaves) in the self-assembly process.
The eye-catching color and emission changes upon varying the solvent compositions
may have potential applications in chemosensing materials for the detection of
microenvironment changes. Furthermore, the importance of the directional Pt...Pt
and/or pi-pi interactions on the construction of distinctive superstructures has
also been examined by UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopy and
transmission electron microscopy. This work represents the interplay of both
inter- and intramolecular interactions as well as the energies of the two
different chromophoric/luminophoric systems that may open up a new route for the
development of platinum(II)-AIE hybrids as functional materials.
PMID- 28991429
TI - Drastically Enhancing Moduli of Graphene-Coated Carbon Nanotube Aerogels via
Densification while Retaining Temperature-Invariant Superelasticity and Ultrahigh
Efficiency.
AB - Lightweight open-cell foams that are simultaneously superelastic, possess
exceptionally high Young's moduli (Y), exhibit ultrahigh efficiency, and resist
fatigue as well as creep are particularly desirable as structural frameworks.
Unfortunately, many of these features are orthogonal in foams of metals,
ceramics, and polymers, particularly under large temperature variations. In
contrast, foams of carbon allotropes including carbon nanotubes and graphene
developed over the past few years exhibit these desired properties but have low Y
due to low density, rho = 0.5-10 mg/mL. Densification of these foams enhances Y
although below expectation and also dramatically degrades other properties
because of drastic changes in microstructure. We have recently developed size-
and shape-tunable graphene-coated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) aerogels
that display superelasticity at least up to a compressive strain (epsilon) = 80%,
fatigue and creep resistance, and ultrahigh efficiency over -100-500 degrees C.
Unfortunately, Y of these aerogels is only ~0.75 MPa due to low rho ~ 14 mg/mL,
limiting their competitiveness as structural foams. We report fabrication of
similar aerogels but with rho spanning more than an order of magnitude from 16
400 mg/mL through controlled isostatic compression in the presence of a polymer
coating circumventing any microstructural changes in stark contrast to other
foams of carbon allotropes. The compressive stress (sigma) versus epsilon
measurements show that the densification of aerogels from rho ~ 16 to 400 mg/mL
dramatically enhances Y from 0.9 to 400 MPa while maintaining superelasticity at
least up to epsilon = 10% even at the highest rho. The storage (E') and loss (E")
moduli measured in the linear regime show ultralow loss coefficient, tan delta =
E"/E' ~ 0.02, that remains constant over three decades of frequencies (0.628-628
rad/s), suggesting unusually high frequency-invariant efficiency. Furthermore,
these aerogels retain exceptional fatigue resistance for 106 loading-unloading
cycles to epsilon = 2% and creep resistance for at least 30 min under sigma =
0.02 MPa with rho = 16 mg/mL and sigma = 2.5 MPa with higher rho = 400 mg/mL.
Lastly, these robust mechanical properties are stable over a broad temperature
range of -100-500 degrees C, motivating their use as highly efficient structural
components in environments with extreme temperature variations.
PMID- 28991428
TI - Discovery of a Selective Allosteric Inhibitor Targeting Macrodomain 2 of
Polyadenosine-Diphosphate-Ribose Polymerase 14.
AB - Macrodomains are conserved protein interaction modules that can be found in all
domains of life including in certain viruses. Macrodomains mediate recognition of
sequence motifs harboring adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR) modifications,
thereby regulating a variety of cellular processes. Due to their role in cancer
or viral pathogenesis, macrodomains have emerged as potential therapeutic
targets, but the unavailability of small molecule inhibitors has hampered target
validation studies so far. Here, we describe an efficient screening strategy for
identification of small molecule inhibitors that displace ADPR from macrodomains.
We report the discovery and characterization of a macrodomain inhibitor, GeA-69,
selectively targeting macrodomain 2 (MD2) of PARP14 with low micromolar affinity.
Co-crystallization of a GeA-69 analogue with PARP14 MD2 revealed an allosteric
binding mechanism explaining its selectivity over other human macrodomains. We
show that GeA-69 engages PARP14 MD2 in intact cells and prevents its localization
to sites of DNA damage.
PMID- 28991430
TI - Charge Transfer in Ultrafine LDH Nanosheets/Graphene Interface with Superior
Capacitive Energy Storage Performance.
AB - Two-dimensional LDH nanosheets recently have generated considerable interest in
various promising applications because of their intriguing properties. Herein, we
report a facile in situ nucleation strategy toward in situ decorating
monodispersed Ni-Fe LDH ultrafine nanosheets (UNs) on graphene oxide template
based on the precise control and manipulation of LDH UNs anchored, nucleated,
grown, and crystallized. Anion-exchange behavior was observed in this Ni-Fe LDH
UNs@rGO composite. The Ni-Fe LDH UNs@rGO electrodes displayed a significantly
enhanced specific capacitance (2715F g-1 at 3 A g-1) and energy density (82.3 Wh
kg-1 at 661 W kg-1), which exceeds the energy densities of most previously
reported nickel iron oxide/hydroxides. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor,
with the Ni-Fe LDH UNs @rGO composite as the positive electrode material and
reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as the negative electrode material, exhibited a high
energy density (120 Wh kg -1) at an average power density of 1.3 kW kg -1. A
charge transfer from LDH layer to graphene layer, which means a built in electric
field directed from LDH to graphene can be established by DFT calculations, which
can significantly accelerate reaction kinetics and effectively optimize the
capacitive energy storage performance.
PMID- 28991431
TI - Steric-Hindrance-Functionalized Polydiarylfluorenes: Conformational Behavior,
Stabilized Blue Electroluminescence, and Efficient Amplified Spontaneous
Emission.
AB - Control of the hierarchical molecular organization of polydiarylfluorenes by
synthetic strategies is significant for optimizing photophysical properties as
well as the performance of light-emitting devices. Herein, for the suppression of
molecular aggregation and enhancement of luminescence efficiency, a series of
steric units were introduced into polydiarylfluorenes by copolymerization, with
the aim of integrating the advantages of the steric-hindrance effect and of the
beta-phase. Optical and Raman spectroscopies revealed a beta-phase conformation
for a polymer copolymerized with spiro[fluorene-9,9'-xanthene] (SFX), with
photoluminescence (PL) peaks at 454, 482, and 517 nm. Moreover, the morphological
stability and electroluminescence (EL) stability were also improved without
compromising the performance of the polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs).
Furthermore, three steric-hindrance-functionalized copolymers showed
significantly decreased thresholds for amplified spontaneous emission (EthASE)
and enhanced stability following thermal annealing treatment. These results
indicate that steric-hindrance functionalization is a superior approach to
improve the overall stability and optoelectronic properties for blue-light
emitting pi-conjugated polymers.
PMID- 28991432
TI - One-Pot Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Metal (Oxide) Composites.
AB - Graphene, one of the most attractive two-dimensional nanomaterials, has
demonstrated a broad range of applications because of its excellent electronic,
mechanical, optical, and chemical properties. In this work, a general,
environmentally friendly, one-pot method for the fabrication of reduced graphene
oxide (RGO)/metal (oxide) (e.g., RGO/Au, RGO/Cu2O, and RGO/Ag) composties was
developed using glucose as the reducing agent and the stabilizer. The glucose not
only reduced GO effectively to RGO but also reduced the metal precursors to form
metal (oxide) nanoparticles on the surface of RGO. Moreover, the RGO/metal
(oxide) composites were stabilized by gluconic acid on the surface of RGO. The
developed RGO/metal (oxide) composites were characterized using STEM, FE-SEM,
EDS, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, XRD, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy. Finally,
the developed nanomaterials were successfully applied as an electrode catalyst to
simultaneous electrochemical analysis of l-ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric
acid.
PMID- 28991433
TI - Selective Targeting of Vibrios by Fluorescent Siderophore-Based Probes.
AB - Siderophores are small molecules used to specifically transport iron into
bacteria via related receptors. By adapting siderophores and hijacking their
pathways, we may discover an efficient and selective way to target microbes.
Herein, we report the synthesis of a siderophore-fluorophore conjugate VF-FL
derived from vibrioferrin (VF). Using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy,
the probe selectively labeled vibrios, including V. parahaemolyticus, V.
cholerae, and V. vulnificus, even in the presence of other species such as S.
aureus and E. coli. The labeling is siderophore-related and both iron-limited
conditions and the siderophore moiety are required. The competitive relationship
between VF-FL and VF in vibrios implies an unreported VF-related transport
mechanism in V. cholerae and V. vulnificus. These studies demonstrate that the
siderophore scaffold provides a method to selectively target microbes expressing
cognate receptors under iron-limited conditions.
PMID- 28991434
TI - Biomimetic, Strong, Tough, and Self-Healing Composites Using Universal Sealant
Loaded, Porous Building Blocks.
AB - Many natural materials, such as nacre and dentin, exhibit multifunctional
mechanical properties via structural interplay between compliant and stiff
constituents arranged in a particular architecture. Herein, we present, for the
first time, the bottom-up synthesis and design of strong, tough, and self-healing
composite using simple but universal spherical building blocks. Our composite
system is composed of calcium silicate porous nanoparticles with unprecedented
monodispersity over particle size, particle shape, and pore size, which
facilitate effective loading and unloading with organic sealants, resulting in
258% and 307% increases in the indentation hardness and elastic modulus of the
compacted composite. Furthermore, heating the damaged composite triggers the
controlled release of the nanoconfined sealant into the surrounding area,
enabling moderate recovery in strength and toughness. This work paves the path
towards fabricating a novel class of biomimetic composites using low-cost
spherical building blocks, potentially impacting bone-tissue engineering,
insulation, refractory and constructions materials, and ceramic matrix
composites.
PMID- 28991435
TI - Space-Confined Earth-Abundant Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for High-Efficiency
Water Splitting.
AB - Hydrogen generation from water splitting could be an alternative way to meet
increasing energy demands while also balancing the impact of energy being
supplied by fossil-based fuels. The efficacy of water splitting strongly depends
on the performance of electrocatalysts. Herein, we report a unique space-confined
earth-abundant electrocatalyst having the bifunctionality of simultaneous
hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), leading to
high-efficiency water splitting. Outperforming Pt/C or RuO2 catalysts, this
mesoscopic, space-confined, bifunctional configuration is constructed from a
monolithic zeolitic imidazolate framework@layered double hydroxide (ZIF@LDH)
precursor on Ni foam. Such a confinement leads to a high dispersion of ultrafine
Co3O4 nanoparticles within the N-doped carbon matrix by temperature-dependent
calcination of the ZIF@LDH. We demonstrate that the OER has an overpotential of
318 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, while that of HER is -106 mV @ -10 mA
cm-2. The voltage applied to a two-electrode cell for overall water splitting is
1.59 V to achieve a stable current density of 10 mA cm-2 while using the
monolithic catalyst as both the anode and the cathode. It is anticipated that our
space-confined method, which focuses on earth-abundant elements with structural
integrity, may provide a novel and economically sound strategy for practical
energy conversion applications.
PMID- 28991436
TI - Aptamer-Modified Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructure for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery.
AB - Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) are considered promising drug delivery
carriers because they are able to permeate cellular membrane and are
biocompatible and biodegradable. Furthermore, they can be modified by functional
groups. To improve the drug-delivering ability of TDNs, we chose anticancer
aptamer AS1411 to modify TDNs for tumor-targeted drug delivery. AS1411 can
specifically bind to nucleolin, which is overexpressed on the cell membrane of
tumor cells. Furthermore, AS1411 can inhibit NF-kappaB signaling and reduce the
expression of bcl-2. In this study, we compared the intracellular localization of
AS1411-modified TDNs (Apt-TDNs) with that of TDNs in different cells under
hypoxic condition. Furthermore, we compared the effects of Apt-TDNs and TDNs on
cell growth and cell cycle under hypoxic condition. A substantial amount of Apt
TDNs entered and accumulated in the nucleus of MCF-7 cells; however, the amount
of Apt-TDNs that entered L929 cells was comparatively less. TDNs entered in much
lower quantity in MCF-7 cells than Apt-TDNs. Moreover, there was little
difference in the amount of TDNs that entered L929 cells and MCF-7 cells. Apt
TDNs can inhibit MCF-7 cell growth and promote L929 cell growth, while TDNs can
promote both MCF-7 and L929 cell growth. Thus, the results indicate that Apt-TDNs
are more effective tumor-targeted drug delivery vehicles than TDNs, with the
ability to specifically inhibit tumor cell growth.
PMID- 28991437
TI - Structural Insight into Acyl-ACP Thioesterase toward Substrate Specificity
Design.
AB - Acyl-ACP thioesterase (TE) catalyzes the hydrolysis of thioester bonds during
type II fatty acid synthesis and directly determines fatty acid chain length.
Most TEs are responsible for recognition of 16:0 and 18:1 substrates, while
specific TEs interrupt acyl-ACP elongation at C8-C14. However, the acyl selection
mechanism of TE has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this study, the
crystal structure of the C12-specific thioesterase FatB from Umbellularia
californica, which consists of two independent hotdog domains, was determined. An
uncanonical Asp-His-Glu catalytic network was identified on the C-terminal hotdog
domain, whereas the substrate binding pocket was determined to be on the N
terminal hotdog domain. Moreover, we elucidated UcFatB's substrate selection
mechanism, which is accommodated by several unconservative amino acids on the
beta5, beta2, and beta4 sheets and enclosed by T137 on the alpha1 helix. On this
basis, the C12-specific TE was rationally redesigned toward C14 selectivity by
tuning the substrate binding pocket capacity. The T137G mutant demonstrated
comparative relative activity on C14 substrates compared to C12 substrates in
vitro. Furthermore, the reconstructed UcFatB_T137G achieved C14 fatty acid
content up to 40% in contrast to 10% C14 from the wild type in engineered E. coli
cells. The unraveled substrate selection mechanism of TE provides a new strategy
for tailoring fatty acid synthesis.
PMID- 28991438
TI - Inkjet-Printed Electrodes on A4 Paper Substrates for Low-Cost, Disposable, and
Flexible Asymmetric Supercapacitors.
AB - Printed electronics is widely gaining much attention for compact and high
performance energy-storage devices because of the advancement of flexible
electronics. The development of a low-cost current collector, selection, and
utilization of the proper material deposition tool and improvement of the device
energy density are major challenges for the existing flexible supercapacitors. In
this paper, we have reported an inkjet-printed solid-state asymmetric
supercapacitor on commercial A4 paper using a low-cost desktop printer (EPSON
L130). The physical properties of all inks have been carefully optimized so that
the developed inks are within the printable range, i.e., Fromm number of 4 < Z <
14 for all inks. The paper substrate is made conducting (sheet resistance ~ 1.6
Omega/sq) by printing 40 layers of conducting graphene oxide (GO) ink on its
surface. The developed conducting patterns on paper are further printed with a GO
MnO2 nanocomposite ink to make a positive electrode, and another such structure
is printed with activated carbon ink to form a negative electrode. A combination
of both of these electrodes is outlaid by fabricating an asymmetric
supercapacitor. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor with poly(vinyl alcohol)
(PVA)-LiCl gel electrolyte shows a stable potential window of 0-2.0 V and
exhibits outstanding flexibility, good cyclic stability, high rate capability,
and high energy density. The fabricated paper-substrate-based flexible asymmetric
supercapacitor also displays an excellent electrochemical performances, e.g., a
maximum areal capacitance of 1.586 F/cm2 (1023 F/g) at a current density of 4
mA/cm2, highest energy density of 22 mWh/cm3 at a power density of 0.099 W/cm3, a
capacity retention of 89.6% even after 9000 charge-discharge cycles, and a low
charge-transfer resistance of 2.3 Omega. So, utilization of inkjet printing for
the development of paper-based flexible electronics has a strong potential for
embedding into the next generation low-cost, compact, and wearable energy-storage
devices and other printed electronic applications.
PMID- 28991439
TI - Mild Periodic Acid Flux and Hydrothermal Methods for the Synthesis of Crystalline
f-Element-Bearing Iodate Compounds.
AB - f-element-bearing iodate compounds are a large family mostly synthesized by
hydrothermal reactions starting with actinide/lanthanide ions and iodic acid or
iodate salt. In this work, we introduce melting periodic acid flux as a new
reaction medium and provide a safe way for single-crystal growth of a series of
new f-element iodate compounds including UO2(IO3)2.H2O (1), UO2(IO3)2(H2O).HIO3
(2), alpha-Th(IO3)2(NO3)(OH) (3), beta-Th(IO3)2(NO3)(OH) (4), and
(H3O)9Nd9(IO3)36.3HIO3 (5). The structures of these compounds deviate from those
afforded from hydrothermal reactions. Specifically, compounds 1 and 2 exhibit
pillared structures consisting of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and iodate
trigonal pyramids. Compounds 3 and 4 represent two new thorium iodate compounds
that are constructed from subunits of thorium dimers. Compound 5 exhibits a
flower-shaped trivalent lanthanide iodate structure with HIO3 molecules and H3O+
cations filled in the channels. The aliovalent replacement of f elements in 5 is
available from a hydrothermal process, further generating compounds of
Th2(IO3)8(H2O) (6) and Ce2(IO3)8(H2O) (7). The distinct absorption features are
observed in isotypic compounds 5-7, where 7 shows typical semiconductor behavior
with a band gap of 2.43 eV. Remarkably, noncentrosymmetric 1, 6, and 7 exhibit
strong second-harmonic-generation efficiencies of 1.3, 3.2, and 9.2 times,
respectively, that of the commercial material KH2PO4. Additionally, the
temperature-dependent emission spectra of 1 and 2 were also collected showing
typical emission features of uranyl units and a negative correlation between the
intensities of the emissions with temperature. Clearly, the presented low
temperature melting inorganic acid flux synthesis would provide a facile and
effective strategy to produce a large new family of structurally versatile and
multifunctional f-element inorganic compounds.
PMID- 28991440
TI - Correction to Hydrophilic Phage-Mimicking Membrane Active Antimicrobials Reveal
Nanostructure-Dependent Activity and Selectivity.
PMID- 28991441
TI - Electrochemical, Spectroscopic, and 1O2 Sensitization Characteristics of
Synthetically Accessible Linear Tetrapyrrole Complexes of Palladium and Platinum.
AB - The synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysical characterization of a 10,10
dimethyl-5,15-bis(pentafluorophenyl)biladiene (DMBil1) linear tetrapyrrole
supporting PdII or PtII centers is presented. Both of these nonmacrocyclic
tetrapyrrole platforms are robust and easily prepared via modular routes. X-ray
diffraction experiments reveal that the Pd[DMBil1] and Pt[DMBil1] complexes adopt
similar structures and incorporate a single PdII and PtII center, respectively.
Additionally, electrochemical experiments revealed that both Pd[DMBil1] and
Pt[DMBil1] can undergo two discrete oxidation and reduction processes.
Spectroscopic experiments carried out for Pd[DMBil1] and Pt[DMBil1] provide
further understanding of the electronic structure of these systems. Both
complexes strongly absorb light in the UV-visible region, especially in the 350
600 nm range. Both Pd[DMBil1] and Pt[DMBil1] are luminescent under a nitrogen
atmosphere. Upon photoexcitation of Pd[DMBil1], two emission bands are observed;
fluorescence is detected from ~500-700 nm and phosphorescence from ~700-875 nm.
Photoexcitation of Pt[DMBil1] leads only to phosphorescence, presumably due to
enhanced intersystem crossing imparted by the heavier PtII center.
Phosphorescence from both complexes is quenched under air due to energy transfer
from the excited triplet state to ground state oxygen. Accordingly, irradiation
with light of lambda >= 500 nm prompts Pd[DMBil1] and Pt[DMBil1] to
photosensitize the generation of 1O2 (singlet oxygen) with impressive quantum
yields of 80% and 78%, respectively. The synthetic accessibility of these
complexes coupled with their ability to efficiently photosensitize 1O2 may make
them attractive platforms for development of new agents for photodynamic therapy.
PMID- 28991442
TI - Ultrafine Particle Production from the Ozonolysis of Personal Care Products.
AB - Personal care products (PCP) might be a source of ultrafine particle exposure for
users owing to the reaction of ozone with terpene ingredients. The near-person
emissions associated with PCP may contribute to exposures that would not be
properly accounted for with indoor microenvironmental measurements. To better
understand this issue, screening experiments were conducted with 91 PCP to detect
the occurrence of ultrafine particle production from exposure to common indoor
levels of ozone (23 +/- 2 ppb). Twelve products generated measurable particle
emissions; quantification experiments were performed for these to determine total
particle production and peak particle production rate. A high-resolution, small
volume reaction chamber was used with a heated sample plate to simulate
conditions found in the human thermal plume. Ten of the quantified PCP exhibited
total emissions of less than 109 particles, suggesting that they may not be
significant sources of total ultrafine particle exposure. Two samples, a tea tree
oil-based scalp treatment and a white lavender body lotion, exhibited relatively
elevated peak particle emission rates, 6.2 * 107 min-1 and 2.0 * 107 min-1,
respectively. The use of such products in the presence of significant ozone
levels might materially influence personal exposure to ultrafine particles.
PMID- 28991443
TI - Renewable Alkenes from the Hydrothermal Treatment of Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Containing Sludge.
AB - Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are a key constituent of excess sludge produced by
Aerobic Sewage Sludge Treatment plants. The accumulation of significant amount of
PHA inside aerobic microbial cells occurs when a surplus of an easily degradable
carbon source (e.g., volatile fatty acids, VFA) is found in combination with
other nutrients limitation. Herein, hydrothermal treatment (HT) of PHA-containing
sludge at 300 and 375 degrees C was demonstrated to be effective in converting
most (>70% w/w) of the bacterial PHA stored inside microbial cells into
alkene/CO2 gas mixtures. Simultaneously, most of non-PHA biomass was converted
into water-soluble compounds (50% carbon yield) that were acidogenic fermented to
produce volatile fatty acids, ideal substrate to feed aerobic bacteria and
produce more PHA. According to results here presented, HT of excess sludge with
moderate (13%) PHA content can produce about 50 kg of alkenes per tonne of
suspended solids treated, with a significant reduction of sludge mass (80%
reduction of wet sludge volume) and consequent disposal cost.
PMID- 28991444
TI - Enhanced ~2 MUm Emission of Tm3+ in Lu2O3 by Addition of a Trace Amount of Er3.
AB - Er3+-induced intensity enhancement of ~2 MUm emission is observed in 2 atom %
Tm3+ doped Lu2O3 under 782 nm excitation. The maximum enhancement reaches 41.9%
with only 0.05 atom % Er3+. Er3+ introduces a new quantum cutting process which
is proved to be a Tm3+ -> Er3+ -> Tm3+ forward-backward energy transfer (FBET)
system. The FBET system is observed to work efficiently even at very low Er3+
concentration. Thus, energy loss due to energy migration among Tm3+ ions is
suggested to be suppressed by the FBET process. The Tm3+ -> Er3+ -> Tm3+ FBET
system may be a new route to improve the performance of Tm3+ lasers.
PMID- 28991445
TI - A Permanently Porous Yttrium-Organic Framework Based on an Extended Tridentate
Phosphine Containing Linker.
AB - The metal-organic framework [Y(tbpp)].nDMF (1) was synthesized from yttrium(III)
nitrate and the tritopic linker tris(4'-carboxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)phosphine
(H3tbpp). The distance between the coordinating atoms of the carboxylate groups
of the extended tridentate phosphine linker is more than 1.8 nm, resulting in an
average pore dimension of 0.9 nm in the noninterpenetrated metal-organic
framework. The material exhibits high thermal stability and permanent porosity
after removal of guest molecules from the one-dimensional pore system. The
desolvated compound adsorbs nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
Favorable adsorption of CO2 over N2 is predicted using ideal adsorbed solution
theory (IAST). The isosteric enthalpies of adsorption of H2 and CO2 of -7 and -22
kJ mol-1, respectively, are representative for metal-organic frameworks with no
accessible strong host-guest binding sites, despite the bifunctional nature of
the organic ligand. The absence of strong specific adsorption sites was confirmed
by in situ powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction of the reversible isobaric CO2
sorption process. Analysis of the diffraction data indicates that the CO2
molecules in the pores are disordered and nonlocalized. Despite this, it was
possible to quantify the evolution of the occupation of the pores. CO2 is
adsorbed at an approximately constant below 320 K from 10% loading to full
capacity at 195 K.
PMID- 28991446
TI - Photochemistry and Anion-Controlled Structure of Fe(III) Complexes with an alpha
Hydroxy Acid-Containing Tripodal Amine Chelate.
AB - The tripodal amine chelate with two pyridyl groups and an alpha-hydroxy acid
(AHA) group, Pyr-TPA-AHA, was synthesized. Different Fe(III) complexes form with
this chelate depending upon the counterion of the Fe(III) source used in the
synthesis. A dinuclear complex, Fe(III)2(Pyr-TPA-AHA)2(MU-O), 1, and mononuclear
complexes Fe(III)(Pyr-TPA-AHA)X (X = Cl- or Br-, 2 and 3, respectively) were
synthesized. 2 can be easily converted to 1 by addition of silver nitrate or a
large excess of water. The structure of 1 was solved by X-ray crystallography
(C32H34N6O7Fe2.13H2O, a = 14.1236(6) A, b = 14.1236(6) A, c = 21.7469(15) A,
alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees , tetragonal, P42212, Z = 4). 2 and 3 each have
simple quasireversible cyclic voltammograms with E1/2 (vs aqueous Ag/AgCl) = +135
mV for 2 and +470 for 3 in acetonitrile. The cyclic voltammogram for 1 in
acetonitrile has a quasireversible feature at E1/2 = -285 mV and an irreversible
cathodic feature at -1140 mV. All three complexes are photochemically active upon
irradiation with UV light, resulting in cleavage of the AHA group and reduction
of the iron to Fe(II). Photolysis of 1 results in reduction of both Fe(III) ions
in the dinuclear complex for each AHA group that is cleaved, while photolysis of
2 and 3 results in reduction of a single Fe(III) for each AHA cleavage. The
quantum yields for 2 and 3 are significantly higher than that of 1.
PMID- 28991447
TI - Rigid Oxazole Acinetobactin Analog Blocks Siderophore Cycling in Acinetobacter
baumannii.
AB - The emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial pathogens has
raised global concern. Nontraditional therapeutic strategies, including
antivirulence approaches, are gaining traction as a means of applying less
selective pressure for resistance in vivo. Here, we show that rigidifying the
structure of the siderophore preacinetobactin from MDR Acinetobacter baumannii
via oxidation of the phenolate-oxazoline moiety to a phenolate-oxazole results in
a potent inhibitor of siderophore transport and imparts a bacteriostatic effect
at low micromolar concentrations under infection-like conditions.
PMID- 28991448
TI - Structure Evolution and Spin-Glass Transition of Layered Compounds ALiFeSe2 (A =
Na, K, Rb).
AB - Three new layered compounds, namely NaLiFeSe2, KLiFeSe2, and RbLiFeSe2, have been
discovered. NaLiFeSe2 adopts a trigonal CaAl2Si2-type structure with space group
P3m1, while the other two possess a tetragonal ThCr2Si2-type structure with space
group I4/mmm. Structural refinements reveal that Li and Fe atoms randomly occupy
the same sites in all these compounds without ordering. It is found that the
radius of the alkali metals plays a vital role in determining the symmetry of
this series of compounds. The substitution of Li at the Fe site shortens the
layer spacing and elongates the A-Se bond length in the ThCr2Si2-type structure.
The elongated Na-Se bond length would destabilize the ThCr2Si2-type structure in
NaLiFeSe2, suggesting that NaxFe2-ySe2 lies at the border of ThCr2Si2-type and
CaAl2Si2-type structures. Magnetic and resistivity measurements demonstrate that
these compounds exhibit anisotropic spin-glass and narrow-band-gap semiconducting
characteristics. First-principles calculations indicate that the introduction of
Li enhances strong localization and weakens the correlation of the 3d electrons
of Fe, which are responsible for the observed spin-glass transition and
semiconducting conductions.
PMID- 28991449
TI - Metal-Involving Synthesis and Reactions of Oximes.
AB - This review classifies and summarizes the past 10-15 years of advancements in the
field of metal-involving (i.e., metal-mediated and metal-catalyzed) reactions of
oximes. These reactions are diverse in nature and have been employed for
syntheses of oxime-based metal complexes and cage-compounds, oxime
functionalizations, and the preparation of new classes of organic species, in
particular, a wide variety of heterocyclic systems spanning small 3-membered ring
systems to macroheterocycles. This consideration gives a general outlook of
reaction routes, mechanisms, and driving forces and underlines the potential of
metal-involving conversions of oxime species for application in various fields of
chemistry and draws attention to the emerging putative targets.
PMID- 28991450
TI - Nature-Inspired Structural Materials for Flexible Electronic Devices.
AB - Exciting advancements have been made in the field of flexible electronic devices
in the last two decades and will certainly lead to a revolution in peoples' lives
in the future. However, because of the poor sustainability of the active
materials in complex stress environments, new requirements have been adopted for
the construction of flexible devices. Thus, hierarchical architectures in natural
materials, which have developed various environment-adapted structures and
materials through natural selection, can serve as guides to solve the limitations
of materials and engineering techniques. This review covers the smart designs of
structural materials inspired by natural materials and their utility in the
construction of flexible devices. First, we summarize structural materials that
accommodate mechanical deformations, which is the fundamental requirement for
flexible devices to work properly in complex environments. Second, we discuss the
functionalities of flexible devices induced by nature-inspired structural
materials, including mechanical sensing, energy harvesting, physically
interacting, and so on. Finally, we provide a perspective on newly developed
structural materials and their potential applications in future flexible devices,
as well as frontier strategies for biomimetic functions. These analyses and
summaries are valuable for a systematic understanding of structural materials in
electronic devices and will serve as inspirations for smart designs in flexible
electronics.
PMID- 28991452
TI - Single-Mode Lasers Based on Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Submicron Spheres.
AB - Single-mode laser is realized in a cesium lead halide perovskite submicron sphere
at room temperature. All-inorganic cesium lead halide (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, I)
microspheres with tunable sizes (0.2-10 MUm) are first fabricated by a dual
source chemical vapor deposition method. Due to smooth surface and regular
geometry structure of microspheres, whispering gallery resonant modes make a
single-mode laser realized in a submicron sphere. Surprisingly, a single-mode
laser with a very narrow line width (~0.09 nm) was achieved successfully in the
CsPbX3 spherical cavity at low threshold (~0.42 MUJ cm-2) with a high cavity
quality factor (~6100), which are the best specifications of lasing modes in all
natural nano/microcavities ever reported. By modulating the halide composition
and sizes of the microspheres, the wavelength of a single-mode laser can be
continuously tuned from red to violet (425-715 nm). This work illustrates that
the well-controlled synthesis of metal cesium lead halide perovskite
nano/microspheres may offer an alternative route to produce a widely tunable and
greatly miniaturized single-mode laser.
PMID- 28991451
TI - Biomimetic Reactivity of Oxygen-Derived Manganese and Iron Porphyrinoid
Complexes.
AB - Heme proteins utilize the heme cofactor, an iron porphyrin, to perform a diverse
range of reactions including dioxygen binding and transport, electron transfer,
and oxidation/oxygenations. These reactions share several key metalloporphyrin
intermediates, typically derived from dioxygen and its congeners such as hydrogen
peroxide. These species are composed of metal-dioxygen, metal-superoxo, metal
peroxo, and metal-oxo adducts. A wide variety of synthetic metalloporphyrinoid
complexes have been synthesized to generate and stabilize these intermediates.
These complexes have been studied to determine the spectroscopic features,
structures, and reactivities of such species in controlled and well-defined
environments. In this Review, we summarize recent findings on the reactivity of
these species with common porphyrinoid scaffolds employed for biomimetic studies.
The proposed mechanisms of action are emphasized. This Review is organized by
structural type of metal-oxygen intermediate and broken into subsections based on
the metal (manganese and iron) and porphyrinoid ligand (porphyrin, corrole, and
corrolazine).
PMID- 28991453
TI - Active Site Structures of CYP11A1 in the Presence of Its Physiological Substrates
and Alterations upon Binding of Adrenodoxin.
AB - The rate-limiting step in the steroid synthesis pathway is catalyzed by CYP11A1
through three sequential reactions. The first two steps involve hydroxylations at
positions 22 and 20, generating 20(R),22(R)-dihydroxycholesterol (20R,22R
DiOHCH), with the third stage leading to a C20-C22 bond cleavage, forming
pregnenolone. This work provides detailed information about the active site
structure of CYP11A1 in the resting state and substrate-bound ferric forms as
well as the CO-ligated adducts. In addition, high-quality resonance Raman spectra
are reported for the dioxygen complexes, providing new insight into the status of
Fe-O-O fragments encountered during the enzymatic cycle. Results show that the
three natural substrates of CYP11A1 have quite different effects on the active
site structure, including variations of spin state populations, reorientations of
heme peripheral groups, and, most importantly, substrate-mediated distortions of
Fe-CO and Fe-O2 fragments, as revealed by telltale shifts of the observed
vibrational modes. Specifically, the vibrational mode patterns observed for the
Fe-O-O fragments with the first and third substrates are consistent with H
bonding interactions with the terminal oxygen, a structural feature that tends to
promote O-O bond cleavage to form the Compound I intermediate. Furthermore, such
spectral data are acquired for complexes with the natural redox partner,
adrenodoxin (Adx), revealing protein-protein-induced active site structural
perturbations. While this work shows that Adx has an only weak effect on ferric
and ferrous CO states, it has a relatively stronger impact on the Fe-O-O
fragments of the functionally relevant oxy complexes.
PMID- 28991456
TI - Functional and Biomimetic Materials for Engineering of the Three-Dimensional Cell
Microenvironment.
AB - The cell microenvironment has emerged as a key determinant of cell behavior and
function in development, physiology, and pathophysiology. The extracellular
matrix (ECM) within the cell microenvironment serves not only as a structural
foundation for cells but also as a source of three-dimensional (3D) biochemical
and biophysical cues that trigger and regulate cell behaviors. Increasing
evidence suggests that the 3D character of the microenvironment is required for
development of many critical cell responses observed in vivo, fueling a surge in
the development of functional and biomimetic materials for engineering the 3D
cell microenvironment. Progress in the design of such materials has improved
control of cell behaviors in 3D and advanced the fields of tissue regeneration,
in vitro tissue models, large-scale cell differentiation, immunotherapy, and gene
therapy. However, the field is still in its infancy, and discoveries about the
nature of cell-microenvironment interactions continue to overturn much early
progress in the field. Key challenges continue to be dissecting the roles of
chemistry, structure, mechanics, and electrophysiology in the cell
microenvironment, and understanding and harnessing the roles of periodicity and
drift in these factors. This review encapsulates where recent advances appear to
leave the ever-shifting state of the art, and it highlights areas in which
substantial potential and uncertainty remain.
PMID- 28991457
TI - Trifluoroacetophenone-Linked Nucleotides and DNA for Studying of DNA-Protein
Interactions by 19F NMR Spectroscopy.
AB - A series of 7-[4-(trifluoroacetyl)phenyl]-7-deazaadenine and -7-deazaguanine as
well as 5-substituted uracil and cytosine 2'-deoxyribonucleosides and mono- and
triphosphates were synthesized through aqueous Suzuki-Miyaura crosscoupling of
halogenated nucleosides or nucleotides with 4-(trifluoroacetyl)phenylboronic
acid. The modified nucleoside triphosphates were good substrates for DNA
polymerases applicable in primer extension or PCR synthesis of modified
oligonucleotides or DNA. Attempted cross-linking with a serine-containing protein
did not proceed, however the trifluoroacetophenone group was a sensitive probe
for the study of DNA-protein interactions by 19F NMR.
PMID- 28991458
TI - Homoleptic Trivalent Tris(alkyl) Rare Earth Compounds.
AB - Homoleptic tris(alkyl) rare earth complexes Ln{C(SiHMe2)3}3 (Ln = La, 1a; Ce, 1b;
Pr, 1c; Nd, 1d) are synthesized in high yield from LnI3THFn and 3 equiv of
KC(SiHMe2)3. X-ray diffraction studies reveal 1a-d are isostructural, pseudo-C3
symmetric molecules that contain two secondary Ln?HSi interactions per alkyl
ligand (six total). Spectroscopic assignments are supported by comparison with
Ln{C(SiDMe2)3}3 and DFT calculations. The Ln?HSi and terminal SiH exchange
rapidly on the NMR time scale at room temperature, but the two motifs are
resolved at low temperature. Variable-temperature NMR studies provide activation
parameters for the exchange process in 1a (DeltaH? = 8.2(4) kcal.mol-1; DeltaS? =
-1(2) cal.mol-1K-1) and 1a-d9 (DeltaH? = 7.7(3) kcal.mol-1; DeltaS? = -4(2)
cal.mol-1K-1). Comparisons of lineshapes, rate constants (kH/kD), and slopes of
ln(k/T) vs 1/T plots for 1a and 1a-d9 reveal that an inverse isotope effect
dominates at low temperature. DFT calculations identify four low-energy
intermediates containing five beta-Si-H?Ln and one gamma-C-H?Ln. The calculations
also suggest the pathway for Ln?HSi/SiH exchange involves rotation of a single
C(SiHMe2)3 ligand that is coordinated to the Ln center through the Ln-C bond and
one secondary interaction. These robust organometallic compounds persist in
solution and in the solid state up to 80 degrees C, providing potential for
their use in a range of synthetic applications. For example, reactions of
Ln{C(SiHMe2)3}3 and ancillary proligands, such as bis-1,1-(4,4-dimethyl-2
oxazolinyl)ethane (HMeC(OxMe2)2) give {MeC(OxMe2)2}Ln{C(SiHMe2)3}2, and reactions
with disilazanes provide solvent-free lanthanoid tris(disilazides).
PMID- 28991455
TI - Pyrazinoic Acid Inhibits Mycobacterial Coenzyme A Biosynthesis by Binding to
Aspartate Decarboxylase PanD.
AB - Previously, we showed that a major in vitro and in vivo mechanism of resistance
to pyrazinoic acid (POA), the bioactive component of the critical tuberculosis
(TB) prodrug pyrazinamide (PZA), involves missense mutations in the aspartate
decarboxylase PanD, an enzyme required for coenzyme A biosynthesis. What is the
mechanism of action of POA? Upon demonstrating that treatment of M. bovis BCG
with POA resulted in a depletion of intracellular coenzyme A and confirming that
this POA-mediated depletion is prevented by either missense mutations in PanD or
exogenous supplementation of pantothenate, we hypothesized that POA binds to PanD
and that this binding blocks the biosynthetic pathway. Here, we confirm both
hypotheses. First, metabolomic analyses showed that POA treatment resulted in a
reduction of the concentrations of all coenzyme A precursors downstream of the
PanD-mediated catalytic step. Second, using isothermal titration calorimetry, we
established that POA, but not its prodrug PZA, binds to PanD. Binding was
abolished for mutant PanD proteins. Taken together, these findings support a
mechanism of action of POA in which the bioactive component of PZA inhibits
coenzyme A biosynthesis via binding to aspartate decarboxylase PanD. Together
with previous works, these results establish PanD as a genetically,
metabolically, and biophysically validated target of PZA.
PMID- 28991459
TI - Methyl 3-(3-(4-(2,4,4-Trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy)-propanamido)benzoate as a
Novel and Dual Malate Dehydrogenase (MDH) 1/2 Inhibitor Targeting Cancer
Metabolism.
AB - Previously, we reported a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 inhibitor LW6
containing an (aryloxyacetylamino)benzoic acid moiety inhibits malate
dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2) using a chemical biology approach. Structure-activity
relationship studies on a series of (aryloxyacetylamino)benzoic acids identified
selective MDH1, MDH2, and dual inhibitors, which were used to study the
relationship between MDH enzyme activity and HIF-1 inhibition. We hypothesized
that dual inhibition of MDH1 and MDH2 might be a powerful approach to target
cancer metabolism and selected methyl-3-(3-(4-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2
yl)phenoxy)propanamido)-benzoate (16c) as the most potent dual inhibitor. Kinetic
studies revealed that compound 16c competitively inhibited MDH1 and MDH2.
Compound 16c inhibited mitochondrial respiration and hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha
accumulation. In xenograft assays using HCT116 cells, compound 16c demonstrated
significant in vivo antitumor efficacy. This finding provides concrete evidence
that inhibition of both MDH1 and MDH2 may provide a valuable platform for
developing novel therapeutics that target cancer metabolism and tumor growth.
PMID- 28991460
TI - A Smart Europium-Ruthenium Complex as Anticancer Prodrug: Controllable Drug
Release and Real-Time Monitoring under Different Light Excitations.
AB - A unique, dual-function, photoactivatable anticancer prodrug, RuEuL, has been
tailored that features a ruthenium(II) complex linked to a cyclen-europium
chelate via a pi-conjugated bridge. Under irradiation at 488 nm, the dark
inactive prodrug undergoes photodissociation, releasing the DNA-damaging
ruthenium species. Under evaluation-window irradiation (lambdairr = one-photon
350 nm or two-photon 700 nm), the drug delivery process can be quantitatively
monitored in real-time because of the long-lived red europium emission. Linear
relationships between released drug concentration and ESI-MS or luminescence
responses are established. Finally, the efficiency of the new prodrug is
demonstrated both in vitro RuEuL anticancer prodrug over some existing ones and
open the way for decisive improvements in multipurpose prodrugs.
PMID- 28991461
TI - Passive Adsorption of Volatile Monoterpene in Pest Control: Aided by Proximity
and Disrupted by Ozone.
AB - Plant volatiles mediate a range of interactions across and within trophic levels,
including plant-plant interactions. Volatiles emitted by a plant may trigger
physiological responses in neighboring plants or adhere to their surfaces, which,
in turn, may affect the responses of the neighboring plant to herbivory. These
volatiles are subject to chemical reactions during transport in air currents,
especially in a polluted atmosphere. We conducted a field experiment to test for
the adsorption of dispenser-released myrcene on the surfaces of cabbage plants
and the effects of distance from the dispenser and elevated ozone levels (1.4*
ambient) on the process. We also tested the effects of the same treatments on
oviposition on cabbage plants by naturally occurring Plutella xylostella. Under
low ambient ozone conditions of central Finland, there was evidence for the
adsorption and re-release of myrcene by cabbage plants growing at a distance of
50 cm from myrcene dispensers. This effect was absent at elevated ozone levels.
The number of eggs deposited by P. xylostella was generally lower in plots under
elevated ozone compared to ambient control plots. Our results indicate that
passive adsorption and re-release of a volatile monoterpene can occur in nature;
however, this process is dependent upon the distance between emitter source and
receiver plants as well as the concentration of atmospheric pollutants in the
air. We conclude that, in the development of field-scale use of plant volatiles
in modern pest control, the effects of distances and air pollution should be
considered.
PMID- 28991463
TI - Phase Change Transformations with Dynamically Addressable Aminal Metallogels.
AB - Dynamic polymers assembled through hemiaminal and aminal functionalities
reversibly fragment upon binding to trivalent metals. Gels produced with these
dynamic polymers are broken down to liquids after the addition of metal salts.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies and density functional theory
calculations of intermediates reveal that the presence of these metals causes
shifts in the energetic landscape of the intermediates in the condensation
pathway to render stable nonequilibrium products. These species remain stable in
the liquid phase at room temperature but convert to gels upon heating. With
thermal activation, the fragmented ligands transform catalytically into closed
ring hexahydrotriazine products, which are macroscopically observable as new gels
with distinct physical properties. The interplay between equilibrium and
nonequilibrium gels and liquids and the ligands responsible for these
transformations has been observed rheologically, giving controlled gel times
dictated by the thermodynamics and kinetics of the system. This constitutionally
dynamic macromolecular system offers the possibility of harnessing an
equilibrium/nonequilibrium system in tandem with its inherent self-healing
properties and triggered release functionality.
PMID- 28991462
TI - Structure-Activity Relationship, Pharmacological Characterization, and Molecular
Modeling of Noncompetitive Inhibitors of the Betaine/gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Transporter 1 (BGT1).
AB - N-(1-Benzyl-4-piperidinyl)-2,4-dichlorobenzamide 5 (BPDBA) is a noncompetitive
inhibitor of the betaine/GABA transporter 1 (BGT1). We here report the synthesis
and structure-activity relationship of 71 analogues. We identify 26m as a more
soluble 2,4-Cl substituted 3-pyridine analogue with retained BGT1 activity and an
improved off-target profile compared to 5. We performed radioligand-based uptake
studies at chimeric constructs between BGT1 and GAT3, experiments with site
directed mutated transporters, and computational docking in a BGT1 homology model
based on the newly determined X-ray crystal structure of the human serotonin
transporter (hSERT). On the basis of these experiments, we propose a binding mode
involving residues within TM10 in an allosteric site in BGT1 that corresponds to
the allosteric binding pocket revealed by the hSERT crystal structure. Our study
provides first insights into a proposed allosteric binding pocket in BGT1, which
accommodates the binding site for a series of novel noncompetitive inhibitors.
PMID- 28991464
TI - Crystal Structure of Faradaurate-279: Au279(SPh-tBu)84 Plasmonic Nanocrystal
Molecules.
AB - We report the discovery of an unprecedentedly large, 2.2 nm diameter, thiolate
protected gold nanocrystal characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography
(sc-XRD), Au279(SPh-tBu)84 named Faradaurate-279 (F-279) in honor of Michael
Faraday's (1857) pioneering work on nanoparticles. F-279 nanocrystal has a core
shell structure containing a truncated octahedral core with bulk face-centered
cubic-like arrangement, yet a nanomolecule with a precise number of metal atoms
and thiolate ligands. The Au279S84 geometry was established from a low
temperature 120 K sc-XRD study at 0.90 A resolution. The atom counts in core
shell structure of Au279 follows the mathematical formula for magic number
shells: Au@Au12@Au42@Au92@Au54, which is further protected by a final shell of
Au48. Au249 core is protected by three types of staple motifs, namely: 30
bridging, 18 monomeric, and 6 dimeric staple motifs. Despite the presence of such
diverse staple motifs, Au279S84 structure has a chiral pseudo-D3 symmetry. The
core-shell structure can be viewed as nested, concentric polyhedra, containing a
total of five forms of Archimedean solids. A comparison between the Au279 and
Au309 cuboctahedral superatom model in shell-wise growth is illustrated. F-279
can be synthesized and isolated in high purity in milligram quantities using size
exclusion chromatography, as evidenced by mass spectrometry. Electrospray
ionization-mass spectrometry independently verifies the X-ray diffraction study
based heavy atoms formula, Au279S84, and establishes the molecular formula with
the complete ligands, namely, Au279(SPh-tBu)84. It is also the smallest gold
nanocrystal to exhibit metallic behavior, with a surface plasmon resonance band
around 510 nm.
PMID- 28991454
TI - Synthetic Organic Electrochemical Methods Since 2000: On the Verge of a
Renaissance.
AB - Electrochemistry represents one of the most intimate ways of interacting with
molecules. This review discusses advances in synthetic organic electrochemistry
since 2000. Enabling methods and synthetic applications are analyzed alongside
innate advantages as well as future challenges of electroorganic chemistry.
PMID- 28991465
TI - Inhibitors to Overcome Secondary Mutations in the Stem Cell Factor Receptor KIT.
AB - In modern cancer therapy, the use of small organic molecules against receptor
tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has been shown to be a valuable strategy. The association
of cancer cells with dysregulated signaling pathways linked to RTKs represents a
key element in targeted cancer therapies. The tyrosine kinase mast/stem cell
growth factor receptor KIT is an example of a clinically relevant RTK. KIT is
targeted for cancer therapy in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and
chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, acquired resistance mutations within
the catalytic domain decrease the efficacy of this strategy and are the most
common cause of failed therapy. Here, we present the structure-based design and
synthesis of novel type II kinase inhibitors to overcome these mutations in KIT.
Biochemical and cellular studies revealed promising molecules for the inhibition
of mutated KIT.
PMID- 28991467
TI - Role of Solvation in Drug Design as Revealed by the Statistical Mechanics
Integral Equation Theory of Liquids.
AB - Recent developments and applications in theoretical methods focusing on drug
design and particularly on the solvent effect in molecular recognition based on
the three-dimensional reference interaction site model (3D-RISM) theory are
reviewed. Molecular recognition, a fundamental molecular process in living
systems, is known to be the functional mechanism of most drugs. Solvents play an
essential role in molecular recognition processes as well as in ligand-protein
interactions. The 3D-RISM theory is derived from the fundamental statistical
mechanics theory, which reproduces all solvation thermodynamics naturally and has
some advantages over conventional solvation methods, such as molecular simulation
and the continuum model. Here, we review the basics of the 3D-RISM theory and
methods of molecular recognition in its applications toward drug design.
PMID- 28991466
TI - Enantioselective Recognition of Ammonium Carbamates in a Chiral Metal-Organic
Framework.
AB - Chiral metal-organic frameworks have attracted interest for enantioselective
separations and catalysis because of their high crystallinity and pores with
tunable shapes, sizes, and chemical environments. Chiral frameworks of the type
M2(dobpdc) (M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn; dobpdc4- = 4,4'-dioxidobiphenyl-3,3'
dicarboxylate) seem particularly promising for potential applications because of
their excellent stability, high internal surface areas, and strongly polarizing
open metal coordination sites within the channels, but to date these materials
have been isolated only in racemic form. Here, we demonstrate that when appended
with the chiral diamine trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (dach), Mg2(dobpdc) adsorbs
carbon dioxide cooperatively to form ammonium carbamate chains, and the
thermodynamics of CO2 capture are strongly influenced by enantioselective
interactions within the chiral pores of the framework. We further show that it is
possible to access both enantiomers of Mg2(dobpdc) with high enantiopurity
(>=90%) via framework synthesis in the presence of varying quantities of d
panthenol, an inexpensive chiral induction agent. Investigation of dach
M2(dobpdc) samples following CO2 adsorption-using single-crystal and powder X-ray
diffraction, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and density
functional theory calculations-revealed that the ammonium carbamate chains
interact extensively with each other and with the chiral M2(dobpdc) pore walls.
Subtle differences in the non-covalent interactions accessible in each
diastereomeric phase dramatically impact the thermodynamics of CO2 adsorption.
PMID- 28991468
TI - Total Syntheses of (+)- and (-)-Tetrapetalones A and C.
AB - Described herein are syntheses of the naturally occurring polyketides (-)
tetrapetalones A and C and their respective enantiomers. The employed strategy
involves initial assembly of a masked N-aryl tetramic acid which is advanced via
a highly selective conjugate addition/intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation
sequence to deliver a key azepine intermediate. Application of recently developed
C-H activation chemistry and subsequent Heck cyclization delivers the aglycone
framework in an overall 12 steps. Resolution of the aglycone via stereospecific
glycosylation with an enantiopure glycosyl donor followed by separation of the
derived diastereomers enables further advancement to either (+)- or (-)
tetrapetalones A and C.
PMID- 28991469
TI - Non-Metal-Catalyzed Heterodehydrocoupling of Phosphines and Hydrosilanes:
Mechanistic Studies of B(C6F5)3-Mediated Formation of P-Si Bonds.
AB - Non-metal-catalyzed heterodehydrocoupling of primary and secondary phosphines
(R1R2PH, R2 = H or R1) with hydrosilanes (R3R4R5SiH, R4, R5 = H or R3) to produce
synthetically useful silylphosphines (R1R2P-SiR3R4R5) has been achieved using
B(C6F5)3 as the catalyst (10 mol %, 100 degrees C). Kinetic studies demonstrated
that the reaction is first-order in hydrosilane and B(C6F5)3 but zero-order in
phosphine. Control experiments, DFT calculations, and DOSY NMR studies suggest
that a R1R2HP.B(C6F5)3 adduct is initially formed and undergoes partial
dissociation to form an "encounter complex". The latter mediates frustrated Lewis
pair type Si-H bond activation of the silane substrates. We also found that
B(C6F5)3 catalyzes the homodehydrocoupling of primary phosphines to form cyclic
phosphine rings and the first example of a non-metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation of
P-P bonds to produce silylphosphines (R1R2P-SiR3R4R5). Moreover, the introduction
of PhCN to the reactions involving secondary phosphines with hydrosilanes allowed
the heterodehydrocoupling reaction to proceed efficiently under much milder
conditions (1.0 mol % B(C6F5)3 at 25 degrees C). Mechanistic studies, as well as
DFT calculations, revealed that PhCN plays a key mechanistic role in facilitating
the dehydrocoupling reactions rather than simply functioning as H2-acceptor.
PMID- 28991471
TI - Editorial: Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry from Australia.
PMID- 28991470
TI - Synthesis of Scyphostatin Analogues through Hypervalent Iodine-Mediated Phenol
Dearomatization.
AB - A concise synthesis of two scyphostatin analogues is achieved from readily
available ortho-substituted phenols. Key features include an asymmetric and
biomimetic hydroxylative phenol dearomatization (HPD) reaction promoted by a
chiral salen-type bis(lambda5-iodane) reagent, followed by an in situ regio- and
diastereocontrolled epoxidation.
PMID- 28991473
TI - INTerface Builder: A Fast Protein-Protein Interface Reconstruction Tool.
AB - INTerface Builder (INTBuilder) is a fast, easy-to-use program to compute protein
protein interfaces. It is designed to retrieve interfaces from molecular docking
software outputs in an empirically determined linear complexity. INTBuilder
directly reads the output formats of popular docking programs like ATTRACT, HEX,
MAXDo, and ZDOCK, as well as a more generic format and Protein Data Bank (PDB)
files. It identifies interacting surfaces at both residue and atom resolutions.
INTerface Builder is an open source software written in C and freely available
for noncommercial use (CeCILL license) at https://www.lcqb.upmc.fr/INTBuilder .
PMID- 28991472
TI - The Discovery of a Dual TTK Protein Kinase/CDC2-Like Kinase (CLK2) Inhibitor for
the Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Initiated from a Phenotypic
Screen.
AB - Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a serious unmet medical need with
discouragingly high relapse rates. We report here the synthesis and structure
activity relationship (SAR) of a novel series of 2,4,5-trisubstituted-7H
pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines with potent activity against TNBC tumor cell lines.
These compounds were discovered from a TNBC phenotypic screen and possess a
unique dual inhibition profile targeting TTK (mitotic exit) and CLK2 (mRNA
splicing). Design and optimization, driven with a TNBC tumor cell assay,
identified potent and selective compounds with favorable in vitro and in vivo
activity profiles and good iv PK properties. This cell-based driven SAR produced
compounds with strong single agent in vivo efficacy in multiple TNBC xenograft
models without significant body weight loss. These data supported the nomination
of CC-671 into IND-enabling studies as a single agent TNBC therapy.
PMID- 28991474
TI - Why Do Cumulene Ketones Kink?
AB - We employ ab initio and density functional methods to investigate the equilibrium
structure and vibrational frequencies of extended cumulene monoketones
[CH2?(C?)mO] and diketones [O?(C?)mO], in order to elucidate the electronic
origin of the curious "kinked'" spine geometries that are common in such species.
The dominant role of symmetry-breaking nO(pi)-sigma*CC interactions between the p
type lone pair of the terminal oxygen and adjacent unfilled CC antibonding
orbital is demonstrated by NBO second-order delocalization energies, Fock matrix
deletions, and natural resonance theory (NRT) descriptors, showing the general
connection between cumulene kinking and CC bond-breaking reactions that split off
CO. Our results provide simple rationalizations for (i) pronounced even/odd
alternation patterns in the magnitude or direction of kinking, (ii) the
nonexistence of O = C?C?O, (iii) the clear preference for trans-like over cis
like kinks, and (iv) the extreme sensitivity of kinking with respect to weak
perturbations, such as cage or solvent effects, remote chemical substituents,
improved treatments of electron correlation, and the like.
PMID- 28991475
TI - Cationic (Charge Shift) Exciplexes.
AB - Of the many known examples of exciplexes, those formed from bimolecular encounter
between a cationic, excited state electron acceptor and a neutral donor in fluid
media have not been previously reported. We now show that emissive exciplexes
formed from excited N-methyl isoquinolinium cation (NMiQ+) with alkyl benzene
donors are readily detected in acetonitrile. These cationic exciplexes result in
a charge shift (A+* + D -> A*D*+) with no net change in charge, which differs
fundamentally from the charge-generation of conventional exciplex formation (A* +
D -> A*-D*+). We find that cationic and conventional exciplexes show similar
trends, e.g., bathochromic shifts and decreases in fluorescence quantum yields
with decreasing oxidation potentials of the donors. In the presented examples of
NMiQ+ exciplexes, the fluorescence quantum yield decreases by a factor of 30 and
the radiative rate constant by 6.6 as the fractional CT character of the exciplex
increases from ~0.79 to ~0.95. Interestingly, the electronic coupling matrix
elements for the NMiQ+ exciplexes, derived from a correlation of the radiative
rate constants with the average emission frequencies, are similar to those of
related conventional exciplexes, in spite of the absence of Coulombic
stabilization in the cationic exciplexes.
PMID- 28991476
TI - Bridging Hydroxyls on Anatase TiO2(101) by Water Dissociation in Oxygen
Vacancies.
AB - Titanium dioxide is a promising candidate for photocatalytic H2 fuel production,
and understanding water splitting on TiO2 surfaces is vital toward explaining and
improving the generation of H2. In this work, we electron irradiate anatase
TiO2(101) at room temperature to create metastable surface oxygen vacancies in
order to investigate their ability to dissociate H2O. Our scanning tunneling
microscopy investigations suggest that the surface oxygen vacancies can
dissociate H2O by forming bridging OH species. This claim is supported by
theoretical calculations from the literature and our previously published
spectroscopic measurements.
PMID- 28991477
TI - Unsymmetrical Relaxation Paths of the Excited States in Cyanine Dyes Detected by
Time-Resolved Fluorescence: Polymethinic and Polyenic Forms.
AB - Novel applications of organic dyes and vast opportunities for their molecular
tailoring keep the focus of the scientific community on the issues of symmetry
breaking in the systems having different location of uncompensated charge, which
has tremendous impact on photoluminescent properties of the dyes. In this
article, we provide distinctive experimental evidence of three relaxation paths
(one symmetrical and two unsymmetrical) of excited states by analysis of lifetime
and spectra of time-resolved fluorescence at low temperature with strong support
of quantum-chemical modeling. Importantly, the studied cyanine dye (astraphloxin)
in aqueous solution has two different unsymmetrical relaxation paths of excited
states in the polymethinic and donor-acceptor polyenic forms, where the last form
strongly diminishes in less polar media. The experimental and computational
results provide essential fundamental knowledge of molecular electronic
relaxations substantially affected by matrix rigidity and polarity for design and
photonic applications of elongated pi-electronic systems.
PMID- 28991478
TI - Role of Terahertz (THz) Fluctuations in the Allosteric Properties of the PDZ
Domains.
AB - With the aim of investigating the relationship between the fast fluctuations of
proteins and their allosteric behavior, we perform molecular dynamics simulations
of two model PDZ domains with differential allosteric responses. We focus on
protein dynamics in the THz regime (0.1-3 THz) as opposed to lower frequencies.
By characterizing the dynamic modulation of the protein backbone induced by
ligand binding in terms of single residue and pairwise distance fluctuations, we
identify a response nucleus modulated by the ligand that is visible only at THz
frequencies. The residues of this nucleus undergo a significant stiffening and an
increase in mutual coordination upon binding. Additionally, we find that the
dynamic modulation is significantly more intense for the side chains, where it is
also redistributed to distal regions not immediately in contact with the ligand
allowing us to better define the response nucleus at THz frequencies. The overlap
between the known allosterically responding residues of the investigated PDZ
domains and the modulated region highlighted here suggests that fast THz dynamics
could play a role in allosteric mechanisms.
PMID- 28991479
TI - Breaking the Kasha Rule for More Efficient Photochemistry.
AB - This paper provides a systematic review and analysis of different phenomena that
violate a basic principle, Kasha's rule, when applied to photochemical reactions.
In contrast to the classical route of ultrafast transition to the lowest energy
excited state and photochemical reaction starting therein, in some cases, these
reactions proceed directly from high-energy excited states. Nowadays, this
phenomenon can be observed for a number of major types of excited-state
reactions: harvesting product via intersystem crossing; photoisomerizations; bond
breaking; and electron, proton, and energy transfers. We show that specific
conditions for their observation are determined by kinetic factors. They should
be among the fastest reactions in studied systems, competing with vibrational
relaxation and radiative or nonradiative processes occurring in upper excited
states. The anti-Kasha effects, which provide an important element that sheds
light on the mechanisms of excited-state transformations, open new possibilities
of selective control of these reactions for a variety of practical applications.
Efficient utilization of excess electronic energy should enhance performance in
the systems of artificial photosynthesis and photovoltaic devices. The modulation
of the reporting signal by the energy of excitation of light should lead to new
technologies in optical sensing and imaging.
PMID- 28991480
TI - CH4 Hydrate Formation between Silica and Graphite Surfaces: Insights from
Microsecond Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
AB - Microsecond simulations have been performed to investigate CH4 hydrate formation
from gas/water two-phase systems between silica and graphite surfaces,
respectively. The hydrophilic silica and hydrophobic graphite surfaces exhibit
substantially different effects on CH4 hydrate formation. The graphite surface
adsorbs CH4 molecules to form a nanobubble with a flat or negative curvature,
resulting in a low aqueous CH4 concentration, and hydrate nucleation does not
occur during 2.5 MUs simulation. Moreover, an ordered interfacial water bilayer
forms between the nanobubble and graphite surface thus preventing their direct
contact. In contrast, the hydroxylated-silica surface prefers to be hydrated by
water, with a cylindrical nanobubble formed in the solution, leading to a high
aqueous CH4 concentration and hydrate nucleation in the bulk region; during
hydrate growth, the nanobubble is gradually covered by hydrate solid and
separated from the water phase, hence slowing growth. The silanol groups on the
silica surface can form strong hydrogen bonds with water, and hydrate cages need
to match the arrangements of silanols to form more hydrogen bonds. At the end of
the simulation, the hydrate solid is separated from the silica surface by liquid
water, with only several cages forming hydrogen bonds with the silica surface,
mainly due to the low CH4 aqueous concentrations near the surface. To further
explore hydrate formation between graphite surfaces, CH4/water homogeneous
solution systems are also simulated. CH4 molecules in the solution are adsorbed
onto graphite and hydrate nucleation occurs in the bulk region. During hydrate
growth, the adsorbed CH4 molecules are gradually converted into hydrate solid. It
is found that the hydrate-like ordering of interfacial water induced by graphite
promotes the contact between hydrate solid and graphite. We reveal that the
ability of silanol groups on silica to form strong hydrogen bonds to stabilize
incipient hydrate solid, as well as the ability of graphite to adsorb CH4
molecules and induce hydrate-like ordering of the interfacial water, are the key
factors to affect CH4 hydrate formation between silica and graphite surfaces.
PMID- 28991481
TI - Development of a Superconducting Differential Double Contour Interferometer.
AB - We study operation of a new device, the superconducting differential double
contour interferometer (DDCI), in the application for the ultrasensitive
detection of magnetic flux and for digital read out of the state of the
superconducting flux qubit. DDCI consists of two superconducting contours weakly
coupled by Josephson junctions. In such a device a change of the critical
current, caused by an external magnetic flux or a nearby electric current,
happens in a step-like manner when the angular momentum quantum number changes by
one in one of the two contours. With a choice of parameters, the DDCI may
outperform traditional superconducting quantum interference devices.
PMID- 28991482
TI - Spontaneous Oscillations and Synchronization of Active Droplets on a Water
Surface via Marangoni Convection.
AB - Shape-oscillations and synchronization are intriguing phenomena in many
biological and physical systems. Here, we report the rhythmic mechanical
oscillations and synchronization of aniline oil droplets on a water phase, which
is induced by Marangoni convection during transfer of the solute. The repetitive
increase and decrease in the surface concentration in the vicinity of the contact
line leads to the oscillations of droplets through an imbalance in surface
tensions. The nature of the oscillations depends on the diameter of the droplet,
the depth of the bulk aqueous phase, and the concentration of the aqueous phase.
A numerical simulation reproduces the essential behaviors of active oscillations
of a droplet. Droplets sense each other through a surface tension gradient and
advection, and hydrodynamic coupling in the bulk solution induces the
synchronization of droplet oscillations.
PMID- 28991484
TI - Morphology Dynamics of Single-Layered Ni(OH)2/NiOOH Nanosheets and Subsequent Fe
Incorporation Studied by in Situ Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy.
AB - Nickel (oxy)hydroxide-based (NiOxHy) materials are widely used for energy storage
and conversion devices. Understanding dynamic processes at the solid-liquid
interface of nickel (oxy)hydroxide is important to improve reaction kinetics and
efficiencies. In this study, in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC
AFM) was used to directly investigate dynamic changes of single-layered Ni(OH)2
nanosheets during electrochemistry measurements. Reconstruction of Ni(OH)2
nanosheets, along with insertion of ions from the electrolyte, results in an
increase of the volume by 56% and redox capacity by 300%. We also directly
observe Fe cations adsorb and integrate heterogeneously into or onto the
nanosheets as a function of applied potential, further increasing apparent
volume. Our findings are important for the fundamental understanding of NiOxHy
based supercapacitors and oxygen-evolution catalysts, illustrating the dynamic
nature of Ni-based nanostructures under electrochemical conditions.
PMID- 28991485
TI - One-Pot Synthesis of Indolizines via Sequential Rhodium-Catalyzed [2 + 1]
Cyclopropanation, Palladium-Catalyzed Ring Expansion, and Oxidation Reactions
from Pyridotriazoles and 1,3-Dienes.
AB - An efficient, one-pot synthetic method for producing functionalized indolizine
derivatives was developed via a Rh-catalyzed [2 + 1]-cyclopropanation, Pd
catalyzed ring expansion, and subsequent oxidation using manganese dioxide from
pyridotriazoles and 1,3-dienes.
PMID- 28991483
TI - Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Nanomedicine for the Management of Inflammatory
Bowel Disease.
AB - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disorder of the
intestine, with increasing incidence worldwide. At present, the management of IBD
is an unmet medical need due to the ineffectiveness of currently available drugs
in treating all patients, and there is strong demand for novel therapeutics. In
this regard, vasoactive intestinal peptide, a potent anti-inflammatory endogenous
hormone, has shown promise in managing multiple immune disorders in animal
models. However, when administered in the free form, VIP undergoes rapid
degradation in vivo, and with continuous infusion, it causes severe dose limiting
side effects. To overcome these barriers, we have developed a superior mode to
deliver VIP in its native form, using sterically stabilized micelles (VIP-SSM).
Our previous studies demonstrated that, VIP, when administered in SSM, prevented
joint damage and inflammation in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis at a
significantly lower dose than the free peptide, completely abrogating the serious
side effect of hypotension associated with VIP. In the current study, we
demonstrate the therapeutic benefit of VIP-SSM over free peptide in reversing
severe colitis associated with IBD. First, we conducted preliminary studies with
dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colitis in mice, to determine the
effectiveness of VIP administered on alternate days in reducing disease severity.
Thereafter, a single intra peritoneal injection of VIP-SSM or the free peptide
was used to determine its therapeutic effect on the reversal of colitis and
associated diarrhea. The results demonstrated that when administered on alternate
days, both VIP-SSM and VIP were capable of alleviating DSS colitis in mice.
However, when administered as a single dose, in a therapeutic setting, VIP-SSM
showed superior benefits compared to the free peptide in ameliorating colitis
phenotype. Namely, the loss of solid fecal pellets and increased fluid
accumulation in colon resulting from DSS insult was abrogated in VIP-SSM treated
mice and not with free VIP. Furthermore, reduced protein and mRNA levels of the
major chloride bicarbonate exchanger, down regulated in adenoma (DRA), seen with
DSS was reversed with VIP-SSM, but not with the free peptide. Similarly, VIP-SSM
treatment significantly reduced the elevated mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory
cytokines and showed significant histologic recovery when compared to mice
treated with free VIP. Therefore, these results demonstrated that as a single
dose, the anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal effects of VIP can be achieved
effectively when administered as a nanomedicine. Therefore, we propose VIP-SSM to
be developed as a potential therapeutic tool for treating ulcerative colitis, a
type of IBD.
PMID- 28991486
TI - Cobalt-Catalyzed Decarboxylative C-H (Hetero)Arylation for the Synthesis of
Arylheteroarenes and Unsymmetrical Biheteroaryls.
AB - A cobalt-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction of (hetero)aryl
carboxylic acids with benzothiazoles or benzoxazoles is reported. This represents
a first example of metal-catalyzed decarboxylative C-H heteroarylation of benzo
fused heterocycles. The transformation provides a convenient route, with good
yields and functional group tolerance, to various important arylheteroaryl and
unsymmetrical biheteroaryl structural motifs.
PMID- 28991487
TI - Structural Characterization of Rh and RhAu Dendrimer-Encapsulated Nanoparticles.
AB - We report the structural characterization of 1-2 nm Rh and RhAu alloy dendrimer
encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) prepared by chemical reduction with NaBH4. In
contrast to previously reported results, in situ and ex situ X-ray absorption
spectroscopic experiments indicate that only a fraction of the Rh3+ present in
the precursors are reduced by NaBH4. Additional structural analysis of RhAu alloy
DENs using extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy leads to a model
in which there is significant segregation of Rh and Au within the nanoparticles.
In Rh-rich alloy DENs, Au atoms are segregated on the nanoparticle surface.
PMID- 28991488
TI - Solar Transparent Radiators by Optical Nanoantennas.
AB - Architectural windows are a major cause of thermal discomfort as the inner
glazing during cold days can be several degrees colder than the indoor air.
Mitigating this, the indoor temperature has to be increased, leading to
unavoidable thermal losses. Here we present solar thermal surfaces based on
complex nanoplasmonic antennas that can raise the temperature of window glazing
by up to 8 K upon solar irradiation while transmitting light with a color
rendering index of 98.76. The nanoantennas are directional, can be tuned to
absorb in different spectral ranges, and possess a structural integrity that is
not substrate-dependent, and thus they open up for application on a broad range
of surfaces.
PMID- 28991489
TI - Ripening of Semiconductor Nanoplatelets.
AB - Ostwald ripening describes how the size distribution of colloidal particles
evolves with time due to thermodynamic driving forces. Typically, small particles
shrink and provide material to larger particles, which leads to size defocusing.
Semiconductor nanoplatelets, thin quasi-two-dimensional (2D) particles with
thicknesses of only a few atomic layers but larger lateral dimensions, offer a
unique system to investigate this phenomenon. Experiments show that the
distribution of nanoplatelet thicknesses does not defocus during ripening, but
instead jumps sequentially from m to (m + 1) monolayers, allowing precise
thickness control. We investigate how this counterintuitive process occurs in
CdSe nanoplatelets. We develop a microscopic model that treats the kinetics and
thermodynamics of attachment and detachment of monomers as a function of their
concentration. We then simulate the growth process from nucleation through
ripening. For a given thickness, we observe Ostwald ripening in the lateral
direction, but none perpendicular. Thicker populations arise instead from nuclei
that capture material from thinner nanoplatelets as they dissolve laterally.
Optical experiments that attempt to track the thickness and lateral extent of
nanoplatelets during ripening appear consistent with these conclusions.
Understanding such effects can lead to better synthetic control, enabling further
exploration of quasi-2D nanomaterials.
PMID- 28991490
TI - Synthesis of Polyimides in Molecular-Scale Confinement for Low-Density Hybrid
Nanocomposites.
AB - In this work, we exploit a confinement-induced molecular synthesis and a
resulting bridging mechanism to create confined polyimide thermoset
nanocomposites that couple molecular confinement-enhanced toughening with an
unprecedented combination of high-temperature properties at low density. We
describe a synthesis strategy that involves the infiltration of individual
polymer chains through a nanoscale porous network while simultaneous imidization
reactions increase the molecular backbone stiffness. In the extreme limit where
the confinement length scale is much smaller than the polymer's molecular size,
confinement-induced molecular mechanisms give rise to exceptional mechanical
properties. We find that polyimide oligomers can undergo cross-linking reactions
even in such molecular-scale confinement, increasing the molecular weight of the
organic phase and toughening the nanocomposite through a confinement-induced
energy dissipation mechanism. This work demonstrates that the confinement-induced
molecular bridging mechanism can be extended to thermoset polymers with
multifunctional properties, such as excellent thermo-oxidative stability and high
service temperatures (>350 degrees C).
PMID- 28991491
TI - Nanowire Aptasensors for Electrochemical Detection of Cell-Secreted Cytokines.
AB - Cytokines are small proteins secreted by immune cells in response to
pathogens/infections; therefore, these proteins can be used in diagnosing
infectious diseases. For example, release of a cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma
from T-cells is used for blood-based diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Our lab has
previously developed an atpamer-based electrochemical biosensor for rapid and
sensitive detection of IFN-gamma. In this study, we explored the use of silicon
nanowires (NWs) as a way to create nanostructured electrodes with enhanced
sensitivity for IFN-gamma. Si NWs were covered with gold and were further
functionalized with thiolated aptamers specific for IFN-gamma. Aptamer molecules
were designed to form a hairpin and in addition to terminal thiol groups
contained redox reporter molecules methylene blue. Binding of analyte to aptamer
modified NWs (termed here nanowire aptasensors) inhibited electron transfer from
redox reporters to the electrode and caused electrochemical redox signal to
decrease. In a series of experiments we demonstrate that NW aptasensors responded
3* faster and were 2* more sensitive to IFN-gamma compared to standard flat
electrodes. Most significantly, NW aptasensors allowed detection of IFN-gamma
from as few as 150 T-cells/mL while ELISA did not pick up signal from the same
number of cells. One of the challenges faced by ELISA-based TB diagnostics is
poor performance in patients whose T-cell numbers are low, typically HIV
patients. Therefore, NW aptasensors developed here may be used in the future for
more sensitive monitoring of IFN-gamma responses in patients coinfected with
HIV/TB.
PMID- 28991492
TI - Self-Templated Synthesis of Porous Ni(OH)2 Nanocube and Its High Electrochemical
Performance for Supercapacitor.
AB - Porous Ni(OH)2 nanocubes were successfully fabricated by a simple self
sacrificial-template protocol using Ni-Co Prussian blue analogue (PBA) as
precursor. When treated with NaOH, the simultaneous corrosion of Ni-Co PBA
precursor and formation of amorphous Ni(OH)2 resulted in porous Ni(OH)2 nanocubes
with uniform size of about 100 nm. Due to the large specific surface area and
unique regular porous structure, the as-prepared materials showed large specific
capacitance, relatively stable rate capability and long cycle stability when used
as electrode materials for supercapacitors. With the voltage between 0.00 and
0.45 V versus Ag/AgCl, the specific capacitance can achieve 1842 F/g at a current
density of 1 A/g.
PMID- 28991493
TI - Silyl Ether as a Robust and Thermally Stable Dynamic Covalent Motif for Malleable
Polymer Design.
AB - Here we introduce silyl ether linkage as a novel dynamic covalent motif for
dynamic material design. Through introduction of a neighboring amino moiety, we
show that the silyl ether exchange rate can be accelerated by almost three orders
of magnitude. By incorporating such silyl ether linkages into covalently cross
linked polymer networks, we demonstrate dynamic covalent network polymers
displaying both malleability and reprocessability. The malleability of the
networks is studied by monitoring stress relaxation at varying temperature, and
their topology freezing temperatures are determined. The tunable dynamic
properties coupled with the high thermal stability and reprocessability of silyl
ether-based networks open doors to many potential applications for this family of
materials.
PMID- 28991494
TI - Unidirectional Doubly Enhanced MoS2 Emission via Photonic Fano Resonances.
AB - Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides like MoS2 monolayers exhibit
unique luminescent properties. However, weak quantum yield and low light
absorption hinder their practical applications in two-dimensional light emitting
devices. Here, we report 1300 times enhancement in photoluminescence emission
from a MoS2 monolayer via simultaneous Fano resonances in a dielectric photonic
crystal. The spatially extended double Fano resonance scheme allows resonant
enhancement of both the MoS2 absorption and emission. We also achieve
unidirectional emission within a narrow divergence angle of 5 degrees by
engineering the Fano resonance angular dispersion. Our approach provides a new
platform for efficient light sources with high directionality based on emerging
two-dimensional materials.
PMID- 28991495
TI - Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Polymer Nanocomposites with Controllable
Dispersion of Spherical Nanoparticles.
AB - Through coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation, we construct a novel kind
of end-linked polymer network by employing dual end-functionalized polymer chains
that chemically attach to the surface of nanoparticles (NPs), so that the NPs act
as large cross-linkers. We examine the effects of the length and flexibility of
polymer chains on the dispersion of NPs, and the effect of the chain length on
the stress-strain behavior and the segment orientation during the deformation
process. We find that the stress upturn becomes more prominent with the decrease
of the chain length, attributed to the limited extensibility of the chain strand
connecting two neighboring NPs. In addition, this end-linked polymer
nanocomposite (PNC) is shown to have a temperature-dependent stress-strain
behavior that is contrary to traditional physically mixed PNCs, whose mechanical
properties deteriorate with increasing temperature. This is due to the stability
of the dispersion of NPs and higher entropic elasticity at higher temperature for
the former, while the latter has poorer interfacial interaction at higher
temperature, leading to less reinforcing efficiency. By imposing a dynamic
oscillatory shear deformation, we obtain a dynamic hysteresis loop for end-linked
and physically mixed dispersions. Interestingly, the end-linked system possesses
a much smaller hysteresis loss than does the physically mixed system, with the
latter exhibiting a more prominent decrease with increasing temperature, due to
less interfacial contact. Our results demonstrate that end-linked PNCs combine
attractive static and dynamic mechanical properties and exhibit an unusual
response to temperature, which could find potential applications in the future.
PMID- 28991496
TI - Bed Bug Bites Limited to Exposed Skin.
PMID- 28991497
TI - Polymorphisms of DNA repair genes XRCC1 and LIG4 and idiopathic male infertility.
AB - Sperm DNA damage is one of the associated factors of idiopathic male infertility
and abnormal spermatogenesis. This study was conducted to assess possible
association between risk of male infertility with X-ray repair cross
complementing group 1 (XRCC1) Arg399Gln (G to A) and DNA ligase 4 (LIG4) Thr9Ile
(C to T) gene polymorphisms which are involved in different DNA repair pathways.
In this case-control study 191 fertile and 191 infertile men (29-40 years old)
were enrolled. The single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes and alleles of XRCC1
Arg399Gln and LIG4 Thr9Ile were assessed using the polymerase chain reaction
restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. There was no
significant association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and risk of male
infertility. The frequency of LIG4 Thr9Ile genotypes and alleles were
statistically different between fertile and infertile men (p<0.001). We found
that the CT genotype increased infertility risk more than threefold (OR, 3.12;
95% CI, 1.803-5.407). The LIG4 TT genotype carriers had decreased progressive
motile sperm (p<0.05) and increased non-progressive motile sperm (p<0.001)
compared with the CC genotype. Moreover, sperm concentration in subjects carrying
the CT genotype was lower than that observed in CC carriers (p<0.05). The results
revealed that the GG/CT and GA/CT combinations of genotypes increase the risk of
infertility 3.5 and fourfold, respectively (p=0.021 and 0.004, respectively).
This study demonstrated that there was an association between LIG4 Thr9Ile
polymorphism and male infertility and suggests CT genotype as a risk factor for
male infertility.
PMID- 28991498
TI - Spontaneous pneumomediastinum complicating severe acute asthma exacerbation in
adult patients.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The real incidence of pneumomediastinum (PNM) in adult patients with
severe acute asthma exacerbation continues to be unknown. The current study aims
to investigate the occurrence of PNM in an adult population of patients
presenting a severe asthma attack and to evaluate the risk factors associated to
its development. METHODS: The 45 consecutive subjects who were admitted to our
Division between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016 for severe acute asthma
exacerbation underwent a diagnostic protocol including a standard chest X-ray and
continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) during the first 24
hours following admission. The patients showing persistence or deterioration of
oxyhemoglobin desaturation were prescribed a chest Computed Tomographic (CT)
scan. RESULTS: Five out of the 45 patients (11.1%) with severe acute asthma
exacerbation were diagnosed with PNM, in one case on the basis of an X-ray image
and in four on the basis of a chest CT scan. Data analysis showed that the PNM
patients were younger [21 (17-21) vs 49.5 (20-73) yrs; p < 0.001] and more likely
to show sensitization to Alternaria (2/5 vs 0/40; p = 0.0101) with respect to
their non-PNM counterparts. The duration of hospital stay was similar in the two
groups [8 (4-12) vs 7 (3-15) days; p = 0.6939]. CONCLUSIONS: PNM is a common
clinical entity in young adults with severe acute asthma exacerbation,
particularly in those with unsatisfactory response to initial medical therapy.
Although generally benign, patients with suspected PNM should be closely
monitored because of the risk of developing severe hypoxemia.
PMID- 28991499
TI - Outcome of traumatic brain injury in patients on antiplatelet agents: a
retrospective 20-year observational study in a single neurosurgery unit.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in
patients taking Antiplatelet Agents (APAs). METHODS: We reviewed the clinical
records of 934 patients with TBI between 1995 and 2014. Multivariate analysis was
performed to correlate patient outcome with various factors, including pre-injury
APA intake. Cause of death was compared among groups stratified according to APA
dose. RESULTS: Increasing doses of APAs were positively associated with mortality
rates, however, differences were primarily due to non-traumatic causes. APA
therapy before injury was independent of both overall and non-traumatic
mortality. In multivariate analysis, mortality was significantly correlated with
the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), pupillary abnormalities, age, Glasgow Coma
Scale (GCS), head Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and additional AIS >2.
Conversely, non-traumatic mortality was associated with age, GCS, additional AIS
>2 and CCI, though only CCI was correlated with increasing APA dose. Furthermore,
no significant difference was observed when comparing mortalities according to
CCI score among APA groups. Thus, mortalities were associated with the severity
of pre-existing conditions rather than APA dose. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of
patients with TBI, who were on APAs may be determined by the severity of pre
existing conditions. Aggressive TBI treatment should be implemented when
tolerable, regardless of pre-existing APA treatment status.
PMID- 28991500
TI - Age estimation based on pulp/tooth volume ratio measured on cone-beam CT images.
AB - OBJECTIVES: After tooth eruption, the size of the pulp cavity decreases with age
owing to deposition of secondary dentine. The aim of this study was to
investigate the relation between the chronological age and the ratio of pulp
volume (PV) to tooth volume (TV) measurements using CBCT images of single rooted
teeth. METHODS: Maxillary anterior, canine and mandibular canine/premolar CBCT
scans of patients older than 15 years of age were collected from the archives
between 2013 and 2015 years. Patients with CBCT scans of teeth were seen in
detail and patients with known chronological age were included. Teeth with
caries, filling or crown restorations, periapical pathologies or pulps that could
not be identified were excluded. Consequently, 204 patients with 655 teeth were
evaluated. The PV and the TV of each tooth was measured and then the PV/TV ratio
was calculated. Simple linear regression analysis was performed in order to
predict age estimation by using PV/TV. RESULTS: The PV/TV of all teeth ranged
between 0.01 and 0.08. A negative correlation was found between the PV/TV ratio
and age (p < 0.05). The regression analysis showed the highest Pearson
correlation (0.532) for the maxillary central incisor tooth. Considering
measurements of the PV/TV of all assessed teeth, there was no significant
difference in the intercept between both gender (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This
study revealed that PV/TV ratio was not gender dependent and the strongest
correlation was found between the age and PV/TV ratio measured on maxillary
central incisors than other teeth.
PMID- 28991501
TI - Ocular Autoimmune Systemic Inflammatory Infectious Study - Report 3: Posterior
and Panuveitis.
AB - PURPOSE: To report the pattern of posterior and panuveitis at a tertiary referral
center in Singapore. METHODS: Subgroup retrospective analysis of 334 new
posterior and panuveitis cases, from the Ocular Autoimmune Systemic Inflammatory
Infectious Study (OASIS) database. Descriptive analysis was performed and visual
outcome and complications were reported. RESULTS: The etiology for posterior
uveitis and panuveitis was infectious in 162 patients (48.5%), non-infectious in
144 patients (43.1%), and idiopathic in 28 patients (8.4%). More patients with
bilateral disease had a non-infectious etiology (n = 82, 50.9%) (p = 0.012). The
most common complication was epiretinal membrane (n = 20, 12.3%) for the
infectious group and cystoid macular edema (n = 12, 8.3%) for the non-infectious
group. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of etiologies in our cohort varies from other
studies. Understanding the variations and demographic associations allows the
diagnosis and management of posterior and panuveitis to be further improved.
PMID- 28991502
TI - Sensitivity of Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Spontaneous Dermoid Cyst
Localized Rupture with Granulomatous Reaction.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess the sensitivity of computed tomography for the diagnosis of
spontaneous localized orbital dermoid cyst rupture with granulomatous reaction.
METHODS: The charts of 42 patients with dermoid cysts were reviewed
retrospectively. The data collected included demographics, clinical features, CT
imaging, and postoperative histopathological analysis of the lesions. The
association between radiological signs of inflammation and histopathological
evidence of an inflammatory reaction was tested by univariate logistic
regression. RESULTS: Localized spontaneous rupture with granulomatous reaction
occurred in 61.9% of patients. The median age of patients with spontaneous
rupture was significantly higher than the age of patients who had no
histopathological evidence of rupture. Bone scalloping was significantly
associated with preoperative rupture. Fat contents had a protective effect. Large
sizes increased the odds of rupture. CONCLUSION: Bone remodeling and
histopathological evidence of spontaneous preoperative rupture were significantly
associated. Since age, cyst size, and contents are factors contributing to
rupture, surgical removal is suggested for dermoids with liquid contents.
PMID- 28991503
TI - Current Clinical Application of Microperimetry: A Review.
AB - Microperimetry (MP) is a technology that allows the study of retinal sensitivity
at different foveal and parafoveal areas as well as eye fixation. It is a
technique of functional evaluation, providing a direct correlation between
anatomical and functional outcomes. There are a great variety of studies which
evaluate the repeatability or reliability of measurements obtained with this
technology and also describe and explore different clinical applications. MP has
been shown to be useful in the characterization of sensory and motor conditions,
such as amblyopia or nystagmus. Concerning ocular pathology, several studies have
confirmed the usefulness of MP for evaluating and analyzing different retinal
pathological conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma,
and for analyzing the effect of different medical or surgical treatments for
these conditions. MP has also been shown to be useful for visual training or
rehabilitation in some specific cases.
PMID- 28991504
TI - Changes in complementarity-determining regions significantly alter IgG binding to
the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and pharmacokinetics.
AB - A large body of data exists demonstrating that neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)
binding of an IgG via its Fc CH2-CH3 interface trends with the pharmacokinetics
(PK) of IgG. We have observed that PK of IgG molecules vary widely, even when
they share identical Fc domains. This led us to hypothesize that domains distal
from the Fc could contribute to FcRn binding and affect PK. In this study, we
explored the role of these IgG domains in altering the affinity between IgG and
FcRn. Using a surface plasmon resonance-based assay developed to examine the
steady-state binding affinity (KD) of IgG molecules to FcRn, we dissected the
contributions of IgG domains in modulating the affinity between FcRn and IgG.
Through analysis of a broad collection of therapeutic antibodies containing more
than 50 unique IgG molecules, we demonstrated that variable domains, and in
particular complementarity-determining regions (CDRs), significantly alter
binding affinity to FcRn in vitro. Furthermore, a panel of IgG molecules
differing only by 1-5 mutations in CDRs altered binding affinity to FcRn in
vitro, by up to 79-fold, and the affinity values correlated with calculated
isoelectric point values of both variable domains and CDR-L3. In addition,
tighter affinity values trend with faster in vivo clearance of a set of IgG
molecules differing only by 1-3 mutations in human FcRn transgenic mice.
Understanding the role of CDRs in modulation of IgG affinity to FcRn in vitro and
their effect on PK of IgG may have far-reaching implications in the optimization
of IgG therapeutics.
PMID- 28991505
TI - Modulation of SK channels regulates locomotor alternating bursting activity in
the functionally-mature spinal cord.
AB - The spinal cord contains specialized groups of cells called pattern generators,
which are capable of orchestrating rhythmic firing activity in an isolated
preparation. Different patterns of activity could be generated in vitro including
right-left alternating bursting and bursting in which both sides are
synchronized. The cellular and network mechanisms that enable these behaviors are
not fully understood. We have recently shown that Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK
channels) control the initiation and amplitude of synchronized bursting in the
spinal cord. It is unclear, however, whether SK channels play a similar role in
the alternating rhythmic pattern. In the current study, we used a spinal cord
preparation from functionally mature mice capable of weight bearing and walking.
The present results extend our previous work and show that SK channel inhibition
initiates and modulates the amplitude of alternating bursting. We also show that
addition of methoxamine, an alpha1-adrenergic agonist, to a cocktail of
serotonin, dopamine, and NMDA evokes robust and consistent alternating bursting
throughout the cord.
PMID- 28991506
TI - Reproduction Alters Hydration State but Does Not Impact the Positive Effects of
Dehydration on Innate Immune Function in Children's Pythons (Antaresia
childreni).
AB - Resource availability can impact immune function, with the majority of studies of
such influences focusing on the allocation of energy investment into immune
versus other physiological functions. When energy is a limited resource,
performance trade-offs can result, compromising immunity. Dehydration is also
considered a physiological challenge resulting from the limitation of a vital
resource, yet previous research has found a positive relationship between
dehydration and innate immune performance. However, these studies did not examine
the effects of dehydration on immunity when there was another concurrent,
substantial physiological challenge. Thus, we examined the impact of reproduction
and water deprivation, individually and in combination, on immune performance in
Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni). We collected blood samples from free
ranging A. childreni to evaluate osmolality and innate immune function (lysis,
agglutination, bacterial growth inhibition) during the austral dry season, when
water availability is limited and this species is typically reproducing. To
examine how reproduction and water imbalance, both separately and combined,
impact immune function, we used a laboratory-based 2 * 2 experiment. Our results
demonstrate that A. childreni experience significant dehydration during the dry
season and that, overall, osmolality, regardless of the underlying cause
(seasonal rainfall, water deprivation, or reproduction), is positively correlated
with increased innate immune performance.
PMID- 28991507
TI - A Mountain or a Plateau? Hematological Traits Vary Nonlinearly with Altitude in a
Highland Lizard.
AB - High-altitude organisms exhibit hematological adaptations to augment blood
transport of oxygen. One common mechanism is through increased values of blood
traits such as erythrocyte count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration.
However, a positive relationship between altitude and blood traits is not
observed in all high-altitude systems. To understand how organisms adapt to high
altitudes, it is important to document physiological patterns related to hypoxia
gradients from a greater variety of species. Here, we present an extensive
hematological description for three populations of Sceloporus grammicus living at
2,500, 3,400, and 4,300 m. We did not find a linear increase with altitude for
any of the blood traits we measured. Instead, we found nonlinear relationships
between altitude and the blood traits erythrocyte number, erythrocyte size,
hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration. Erythrocyte number and hematocrit
leveled off as altitude increased, whereas hemoglobin concentration and
erythrocyte size were highest at intermediate altitude. Additionally, lizards
from our three study populations are similar in blood pH, serum electrolytes,
glucose, and lactate. Given that the highest-altitude population did not show the
highest levels of the variables we measured, we suggest these lizards may be
using different adaptations to cope with hypoxia than lizards at low or
intermediate altitudes. We discuss future directions that research could take to
investigate such potential adaptations.
PMID- 28991508
TI - Responsible decision-making for plant research and breeding innovations in the
European Union.
AB - Plant research and breeding has made substantial technical progress over the past
few decades, indicating a potential for tremendous societal impact. Due to this
potential, the development of policies and legislation on plant breeding and the
technical progress should preferably involve all relevant stakeholders. However,
we argue here that there is a substantial imbalance in the European Union (EU)
regarding the influence of the various stakeholder groups on policy makers. We
use evidence from three examples in order to show that the role of science is
overlooked: 1) important delays in the decision process concerning the
authorization of genetically modified (GM) maize events, 2) the significance
attributed to non-scientific reasons in new legislation concerning the
prohibition of GM events in EU member states, and 3) failure of the European
Commission to deliver legal guidance to new plant breeding techniques despite
sufficient scientific evidence and advisory reports. We attribute this imbalance
to misinformation and misinterpretation of public perceptions and a
disproportionate attention to single outlier reports, and we present ideas on how
to establish a better stakeholder balance within this field.
PMID- 28991510
TI - Firearm-Related Injury and Death - A U.S. Health Care Crisis in Need of Health
Care Professionals.
PMID- 28991509
TI - Safety testing of monoclonal antibodies in non-human primates: Case studies
highlighting their impact on human risk assessment.
AB - Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are improving the quality of life for patients
suffering from serious diseases due to their high specificity for their target
and low potential for off-target toxicity. The toxicity of mAbs is primarily
driven by their pharmacological activity, and therefore safety testing of these
drugs prior to clinical testing is performed in species in which the mAb binds
and engages the target to a similar extent to that anticipated in humans. For
highly human-specific mAbs, this testing often requires the use of non-human
primates (NHPs) as relevant species. It has been argued that the value of these
NHP studies is limited because most of the adverse events can be predicted from
the knowledge of the target, data from transgenic rodents or target-deficient
humans, and other sources. However, many of the mAbs currently in development
target novel pathways and may comprise novel scaffolds with multi-functional
domains; hence, the pharmacological effects and potential safety risks are less
predictable. Here, we present a total of 18 case studies, including some of these
novel mAbs, with the aim of interrogating the value of NHP safety studies in
human risk assessment. These studies have identified mAb candidate molecules and
pharmacological pathways with severe safety risks, leading to candidate or target
program termination, as well as highlighting that some pathways with theoretical
safety concerns are amenable to safe modulation by mAbs. NHP studies have also
informed the rational design of safer drug candidates suitable for human testing
and informed human clinical trial design (route, dose and regimen, patient
inclusion and exclusion criteria and safety monitoring), further protecting the
safety of clinical trial participants.
PMID- 28991511
TI - Prevalence of Congenital Ocular Anomalies among Children with Genetic Disorders:
An Egyptian Study.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess the pattern and frequency of occurrence of ocular anomalies
among other genetic disorders in Egypt. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study
of 2500 cases presenting with genetic disorders. Cases were recruited from the
clinical genetics department of the National Research Centre (NRC) over a four
year period between January 2011 and December 2014. Ophthalmological examination
of the cases was performed in the pediatric ophthalmology department of Cairo
University Hospitals. RESULTS: Out of 2500 cases with congenital disorders, 2.4%
suffered one or more ocular anomalies with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1.
Consanguinity was reported in 76.7% and family history was positive in 35% of
ocular cases. The most common ocular anomalies were congenital cataract, retinal
dystrophies, glaucoma, and retinoblastoma in order of frequency. Chromosomal
aberrations were detected in two retinoblastoma cases and in one case of charge
association with cataract and iris coloboma. A truncating mutation in exon 8 of
OCRL1 was reported in a case of Lowe syndrome with cataract. A total of 51.7% of
ocular cases were non-isolated (associated with other genetic disorders).
CONCLUSION: In Egypt, ocular genetic disorders are not uncommon among other
genetic disorders. Consanguinity is high, suggesting high incidence of autosomal
recessive inheritance of genetic disorders with an ocular component. Proper
systemic assessment of all cases with ocular anomalies is a necessity due to the
high percentage of non-isolated ocular anomalies. Genetic counseling of parents
would help in reducing recurrence rates through prenatal diagnosis whenever
possible.
PMID- 28991512
TI - The Use of the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale in a Primary Care
Setting.
AB - Research has indicated that as many as 10% to 15% of primary care patients have
symptoms that are not well explained medically. These patients could be labeled
as "somatizers." This study assessed the extent to which underlying psychological
characteristics contribute to a person's level of somatization and service
utilization. The Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale-Global Rating Method
(SCORS-G; Stein, Hilsenroth, Slavin-Mulford, & Pinsker, 2011; Westen, 1995) was
used to rate early memory narratives of 100 patients in a suburban primary care
setting. Using principal axis factoring, the SCORS-G was divided into 2
components and these components (cognitive and affective) were used in subsequent
analyses. The affective component was significantly negatively correlated with 2
measures of somatization and positively related to physician ratings of global
health. The affective component also showed a trend toward significance on
overnight hospital stays and patient-rated health. The cognitive component showed
a trend toward significance with both measures of somatization, but it was not
correlated with other measures of health. This study demonstrates the value of
assessing underlying processes (via SCORS-G ratings of early memory narratives)
that contribute to increased rates of somatization and health care utilization.
Clinical implications for the relationship between affect and physical health are
explored.
PMID- 28991513
TI - Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With BRAF V600-Mutant Metastatic Melanoma Who
Received Dabrafenib Combined With Trametinib.
AB - Purpose To report 5-year landmark analysis efficacy and safety outcomes in
patients with BRAF V600-mutant metastatic melanoma (MM) who received BRAF
inhibitor dabrafenib (D) and MEK inhibitor trametinib (T) combination therapy
versus D monotherapy in the randomized phase II BRF113220 study part C. Patients
and Methods BRAF inhibitor-naive patients with BRAF V600-mutant MM were randomly
assigned 1:1:1 to receive D 150 mg twice a day, D 150 mg twice a day plus T 1 mg
once daily, or D 150 mg twice a day plus T 2 mg once daily (D + T 150/2).
Patients who received D monotherapy could cross over to D + T 150/2
postprogression. Efficacy and safety were analyzed 4 and 5 years after initiation
in patients with >= 5 years of follow-up. Results As of October 13, 2016, 18
patients who received D + T 150/2 remained in the study (13 [24%] of 54 enrolled
at this dose plus five [11%] of 45 initially administered D who crossed over to D
+ T). With D + T 150/2, overall survival (OS; 4 years, 30%; 5 years, 28%) and
progression-free survival (4 and 5 years, both 13%) appeared to stabilize with
extended follow-up. Increased OS was observed in patients who received D + T with
baseline normal lactate dehydrogenase (5 years, 45%) and normal lactate
dehydrogenase with fewer than three organ sites with metastasis (5 years, 51%).
With extended follow-up, one additional patient who received D + T 150/2 improved
from a partial to a complete response. No new safety signals were observed.
Conclusion This 5-year analysis represents the longest follow-up to date with
BRAF + MEK inhibitor combination therapy in BRAF V600-mutant MM. Consistent with
trends observed in landmark analyses with shorter follow-up, this therapy elicits
durable plateaus of long-term OS and progression-free survival that last >= 5
years in some patients with MM.
PMID- 28991515
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28991516
TI - Addressing substance use disorder in primary care: The role, integration, and
impact of recovery coaches.
AB - BACKGROUND: Only 10% of people with substance use disorder (SUD) receive
treatment, partially due to inadequate access to specialty SUD care and limited
management within primary care. "Recovery coaches" (RCs), peers sharing the lived
experience of addiction and recovery, are increasingly being integrated into
primary care to help reach and treat people experiencing SUD, yet little is known
about how their role should be defined or about their clinical integration and
impact. METHODS: Semistructured interviews with RCs (n = 5) and their patients (n
= 16) were used to explore patient and RC perspectives on the RC role. Maximum
variation sampling was employed to select patients who displayed diversity across
gender, RC, housing status, and number of contacts with an RC. Patients were
sampled until no new concepts emerged from additional interviews, and a
semistructured interview guide was used for data collection. To analyze interview
transcripts, the constant comparative method was used to develop and assign
inductively developed codes. Two coders separately coded all transcripts and
reconciled code assignments. RESULTS: Four core RC activities were identified:
system navigation, supporting behavior change, harm reduction, and relationship
building. Across these activities, benefits of the RC role emerged, including
accessibility, shared experiences, motivation of behavior change, and links to
social services. Challenges of the RC model were also evident: patient discomfort
with asking for help, lack of clarity in RC role, and tension within the care
team. CONCLUSIONS: These findings shed light on RCs in primary care. Many
patients and coaches perceived that RCs play a valuable role within primary care,
providing both tangible system navigation and intangible, social support that
promote recovery and might not otherwise be available. Enhanced communication
between RCs and health center leadership in defining the RC role may help resolve
ambiguity and related tensions between RCs and care team members.
PMID- 28991514
TI - Dacryocystectomy: Indications and Results at Tertiary Eye Hospital in Central
Saudi Arabia.
AB - PURPOSE: To report indications and success rates of dacryocystectomy (DCT) in a
tertiary hospital. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all
patients who underwent DCT at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Saudi
Arabia, from 2008 to 2015. Data included patient demographics, symptoms before
and after surgery, and complications. Univariate analysis using parametric and
non-parametric methods was performed. RESULTS: Forty-seven DCT surgeries were
performed over the study period. The median age of patients was 58.2 +/- 2 years
old, 63.8% were female, 60% of surgeries were performed on the left side, and 8%
of patients underwent bilateral simultaneous DCT. Chronic dacryocystitis was the
surgical indication for DCT for all of the patients and 23.5% of them had dry eye
preoperatively. Successful treatment was observed in 80.8% of patients and 8.5%
complained of tearing after DCT. CONCLUSION: The main indication for DCT in our
hospital was chronic dacryocystitis with good outcomes for elderly patients with
dry eyes.
PMID- 28991518
TI - Hospice Care: Nurses' Experience and Perception of Older Adult Patients'
Experience.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The current study sought to understand the differences hospice nurses
perceived in caring for older adult patients who utilize hospice for longer and
shorter periods, older adult patients' experience of hospice services, and if
length of hospice stays influenced the patients' end-of-life experience. METHODS:
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to extract themes and subthemes
from 10 interviews conducted with hospice nursing staff. RESULTS: Four major
themes were identified pertaining to nurses perspective on older adults' views of
hospice and how length of hospice use impacts end-of-life care. CONCLUSION: These
themes suggest hospice nursing staff believe longer hospice stays are more
positive and that older adults identify more positive aspects of hospice when
using it for longer periods of time. Results suggest that nurses believe length
of use directly impacts patient care and the experience of hospice services.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Participating nurses reported that older adults have a
lack of information on hospice services. It was suggested that more information
is needed and that providing such education may lead to longer hospice stays.
PMID- 28991519
TI - Association between binge drug use and suicide attempt among people who inject
drugs.
AB - BACKGROUND: People who inject drugs (PWID) have an elevated risk of suicide
attempt. Although different substances are associated with suicide attempt, the
overall risk posed by binge behavior, a high-risk pattern of drug use, remains
unclear. The objective of this study is to assess the association between binge
drug use and suicide attempt in a prospective cohort of PWID in Montreal, Canada.
METHODS: Participants answered a biannual interviewer-administered questionnaire
compiling information on sociodemographics, pattern of substance use (cocaine,
amphetamine, opioids, sedative-hypnotics, alcohol, and cannabis), and
psychosocial stressors and related markers. The relationship between suicide
attempt and binge behavior was modeled using generalized estimating equations
(GEEs), controlling for type and pattern of substance use, sociodemographic
characteristics, and significant mental health markers. RESULTS: Among 1240
participants (mean age +/- SD: 38.2 +/- 9.8) at baseline, 222 (17.9%) reported
binge during the past 6-months. PWID reporting binge were significantly younger
(P < .001), less educated (P = .012), less likely male (P = .047), and had
shorter history of injection (P < .001). In addition, they were younger at first
injection (P = .014), reported higher rates of prostitution and psychological
disorders (P = .003), and were more likely to use other drugs except cannabis and
alcohol. Binge was independently associated with attempted suicide in the GEE
multivariate model (adjusted odds ratio [aOR 95% CI] = 1.91 [1.38-2.65], P <
.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among PWID at high risk of suicide attempt, those who binge
represent a particularly vulnerable subgroup. Although the exact mechanisms
underlying this finding remain unresolved, several hypothesis pertaining to the
neurobiological and psychosocial consequences of binge, as well as common
personality traits, warrant further investigations.
PMID- 28991520
TI - Mortality risk in a sample of emergency department patients who use cocaine with
alcohol and/or cannabis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Illicit drug use is common among emergency department (ED) patients,
yet the association between drug use and subsequent mortality is not well
understood. This study examines 36-month mortality rates for a sample of ED
patients based on reported use of alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine, both
individually and in combination. METHODS: Patients (N = 1669) from 2 urban EDs
were surveyed at the time of the visit. The patient survey included the Alcohol
Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and information on
physical and mental health, health care utilization, and risk factors associated
with substance use. ASSIST scores were used to categorize patients into drug risk
groups. Mortality information from the National Death Index was used to calculate
mortality rates from 2009 to 2012. A Cox regression model identified associations
between drug risk groups and mortality while controlling for patient
demographics. RESULTS: The use of cocaine and cannabis both individually and in
combination was associated with significantly higher mortality risk compared with
other ED patients. CONCLUSIONS: ED patients who use cannabis and cocaine have
higher mortality risks than other patients. Further research is necessary to
determine whether this result is stable across racial/ethnic groups.
PMID- 28991521
TI - Exploring the bilingual advantage: manipulations of similarity and second
language immersion in a Stroop task.
AB - To explain varying previous results as to whether bilinguals show an advantage
over monolinguals in inhibitory control, two hypotheses have been suggested. The
Bilingual Inhibitory Control Advantage (BICA) hypothesis proposes a bilingual
advantage specific to the presence of conflict. In contrast, the Bilingual
Executive Processing Advantage (BEPA) hypothesis proposes a global advantage in
processing, across all contexts. The present research contrasts these hypotheses
by investigating the effects of second language immersion and similarity of
colour terms across languages on the bilingual Stroop task. Ten English and ten
German native speakers, residing in Munich, Germany, completed a bilingual Stroop
task using stimuli with colour terms which were similar or dissimilar between the
two languages. Event-related potentials were recorded alongside behavioural data.
Dissimilar stimuli showed greater costs, reflected by increased reaction times
(RTs), more negative N400 amplitudes and more positive Late Positive Component
(LPC) amplitudes, than similar stimuli. Participants who were immersed in a
second language environment experienced greater costs, which were specific to
conflict trials for RT and LPC measures, but occurred across all trial types
during the N400 window. It was concluded that in contrast to previous research
only supporting BEPA, there is also evidence for the BICA hypothesis.
PMID- 28991522
TI - Heterogeneity of state medical marijuana laws and adolescent recent use of
alcohol and marijuana: Analysis of 45 states, 1991-2011.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between enactment of state medical marijuana
laws (MMLs), MML restrictiveness, and past-30-day youth alcohol use overall, and
in relation to marijuana use. METHOD: This quasi-experimental difference-in
difference designed study used state-level Youth Risk Behavior Survey data of 9th
12th grade students in 45 states from 1991-2011 (N = 715,014). We conducted
bivariate (unadjusted) and multivariable (adjusted for state, year, individual
characteristics) logistic regression analyses to examine the effect of MML
enactment (yes/no) and less restrictive vs. more restrictive MMLs on five varying
measures of past 30-day alcohol use (i.e., any use or binge) and alcohol and
marijuana use behaviors. RESULTS: In the final adjusted analyses, MML enactment
was associated with lower odds of adolescent past 30-day (1) alcohol use (OR =
0.92, [0.87, 0.97], p < .01) and (2) use of both alcohol and marijuana (OR =
0.93, [0.87, 0.99], p < .05). States with less restrictive MMLs had lower odds of
past 30-day (1) alcohol use (OR = 0.94, [0.92, 0.97], p < .001), (2) binge
drinking (OR = 0.96, [0.93, 0.97], p < .05), (3) alcohol use without any
marijuana use (OR = 0.96, [0.93, 0.99], p < .01), and (4) use of both alcohol and
marijuana (OR = 0.96, [0.92, 0.99], p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that
enactment of any MML, and of less restrictive MMLs, was associated with lower
odds of past 30-day adolescent alcohol use among adolescents. With continued
change in state marijuana laws, it is important to monitor the effect of their
enactment and implementation, as well as their specific provisions (e.g.
dispensaries, home cultivation), which may differentially affect adolescent
behaviors.
PMID- 28991523
TI - The LSS Cohort of Atomic Bomb Survivors and LNT. Comments on ''Solid Cancer
Incidence among the Life Span Study of Atomic Bomb Survivors: 1958-2009" (Radiat
Res 2017; 187:513-37) and "Reply to the Comments by Mortazavi and Doss" (Radiat
Res 2017; 188:369-71).
PMID- 28991524
TI - Comments on "Cellular Therapies for Treatment of Radiation Injury after a Mass
Casualty Incident" (Radiat Res 2017; 188:242-45).
PMID- 28991525
TI - Research advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with polysaccharides
from traditional Chinese medicine.
AB - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the
loss of patients' memory and their cognitive abilities and the mechanism is not
completely clear. Although a variety of drugs have been approved for the AD
treatment, substances which can prevent and cure AD are still in great need. The
effect of polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on anti-AD has
gained great progress and attained more and more attention in recent years. In
this review, research advances in TCM-polysaccharides on AD made in this decade
are summarized.
PMID- 28991526
TI - Advance in quality assessment of Chinese materia medica using microscopic and
morphological methods.
AB - Quality evaluation plays a vital role in ensuring safety and effectiveness of
Chinese materia medica (CMM). Microscopic and morphological technologies can be
used to distinguish CMM's characteristics, such as shape, size, texture, section,
and smell, for authenticity and quality control of CMM. The microscopic and
morphological applications of novel micro-technology, colorimeter, and texture
analyzer for CMM identification are summarized and the future prospect is
discussed in this paper. Various styles and complex sources of CMM are
systemically reviewed, including cormophyte medicinal materials, fruit and seeds,
pollen grain, and spore materials.
PMID- 28991527
TI - Mangiferin ameliorates insulin resistance by inhibiting inflammation and
regulatiing adipokine expression in adipocytes under hypoxic condition.
AB - Adipose tissue hypoxia has been recognized as the initiation of insulin
resistance syndromes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects
of mangiferin on the insulin signaling pathway and explore whether mangiferin
could ameliorate insulin resistance caused by hypoxia in adipose tissue.
Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated under normal and hypoxic
conditions, respectively. Protein expressions were analyzed by Western blotting.
Inflammatory cytokines and HIF-1-dependent genes were tested by ELISA and q-PCR,
respectively. The glucose uptake was detected by fluorescence microscopy. HIF
1alpha was abundantly expressed during 8 h of hypoxic incubation. Inflammatory
reaction was activated by up-regulated NF-kappaB phosphorylation and released
cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Glucose uptake was inhibited and insulin
signaling pathway was damaged as well. Mangiferin substantially inhibited the
expression of HIF-1alpha. Lactate acid and lipolysis, products released by
glycometabolism and lipolysis, were also inhibited. The expression of
inflammatory cytokines was significantly reduced and the damaged insulin
signaling pathway was restored to proper functional level. The glucose uptake of
hypoxic adipocytes was promoted and the dysfunction of adipocytes was relieved.
These results showed that mangiferin could not only improve the damaged insulin
signaling pathway in hypoxic adipocytes, but also ameliorate inflammatory
reaction and insulin resistance caused by hypoxia.
PMID- 28991528
TI - Protosappanin A exerts anti-neuroinflammatory effect by inhibiting JAK2-STAT3
pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV2 microglia.
AB - Microglial activation and resultant neuroinflammatory response are implicated in
various brain diseases including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Treatment with anti-neuroinflammatory agents could provide therapeutic benefits
for such disorders. Protosappanin A (PTA) is a major bioactive ingredient
isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L.. In this work, the anti-neuroinflammatory
effects of PTA on LPS-stimulated BV2 cells were investigated and the underlying
mechanisms were explored. Results showed that PTA significantly inhibited the
production of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in LPS-activated BV2 microglia. Moreover,
the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-1beta, and MCP-1 were reduced by PTA in a dose
dependent manner. Furthermore, PTA suppressed JAK2/STAT3-dependent inflammation
pathway through down-regulating the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3, as well as
STAT3 nuclear translocation against LPS treatment. These observations suggested a
novel role for PTA in regulating LPS-induced neuroinflammatory injuries.
PMID- 28991529
TI - Two new phragmalin-type limonoids orthoesters from Entandrophragma candollei.
AB - Two new phragmalin-type limonoids orthoesters, encandollens A and B (1 and 2),
were isolated from the stem barks of Entandrophragma candollei collected in
Ghana. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of HR-ESI
MS, 1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY data. Compound 1 was a rare C-15 enolic
acyl phragmalin-type limonoid orthoester. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited weak
inhibitory effects on NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7
cells.
PMID- 28991530
TI - Combination of LC/MS and GC/MS based metabolomics to study the hepatotoxic effect
of realgar nanoparticles in rats.
AB - Realgar nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used as therapeutic agents for their
enhanced anti-proliferation effect and cytotoxicity on cancer cells. However, the
alteration of particle size may enhance biological reactivity as well as
toxicity. A LC/MS and GC/MS based metabolomics approach was employed to explore
the mechanism of realgar NPs-induced hepatotoxicity and identify potential
biomarkers. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administrated intragastrically with
realgar or realgar NPs at a dose of 1.0 g.kg-1.d-1 for 28 days and toxic effects
of realgar NPs on liver tissues were examined by biochemical indicator analysis
and histopathologic examination. Increased levels of serum enzymes and high
hepatic steatosis were discovered in the realgar NPs treated group. Multivariate
data analysis revealed that rats with realgar NPs-induced hepatotoxicity could be
distinctively differentiated from the animals in the control and realgar treated
groups. In addition, 21 and 32 endogenous metabolites were apparently changed in
the serum and live extracts, respectively. Realgar NPs might induce free fatty
acid and triglyceride accumulation, resulting in hepatotoxicity. In conclusion,
the present study represents the first comprehensive LC/MS- and GC/MS-based
metabolomics analysis of realgar NPs-induced hepatotoxicity, which may help
further research of nanotoxicity.
PMID- 28991531
TI - Identification of human cytochrome P450 and UGT enzymes involved in the
metabolism of ferulic acid, a major bioactive component in traditional Chinese
medicines.
AB - Ferulic acid (FA) is an active component of herbal medicines. One of the best
documented activities of FA is its antioxidant property. Moreover, FA exerts
antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the
metabolic pathways of FA in humans remain unclear. To identify whether human CYP
or UGT enzymes are involved in the metabolism of FA, reaction phenotyping of FA
was conducted using major CYP-selective chemical inhibitors together with
individual CYP and UGT Supersomes. The CYP- and/or UGT-mediated metabolism
kinetics were examined simultaneously or individually. Relative activity factor
and total normalized rate approaches were used to assess the relative
contributions of each major human CYPs towards the FA metabolism. Incubations of
FA with human liver microsomes (HLM) displayed NADPH- and UDPGA-dependent
metabolism with multiple CYP and UGT isoforms involved. CYPs and UGTs contributed
equally to the metabolism of FA in HLM. Although CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 appeared to be
the major contributors in the CYP-mediated clearance, their contributions to the
overall clearance are still minor (< 25%). As a constitute of many food and
herbs, FA poses low drug-drug interaction risk when co-administrated with other
herbs or conventional medicines because multiple phase I and phase II enzymes are
involved in its metabolism.
PMID- 28991532
TI - A new approach for identification of medicinal almonds by fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy and systematic clustering of characteristic peaks.
AB - Medicinal almonds have been used for over 2 000 years and its clinical efficacy
includes relieving cough and asthma. The domestic market in China is flooded with
different kinds of dried almonds, such as bitter almond (Armeniacae Semen Amarum,
AAS), sweet almond (Armeniacae Semen Dulce, ADS), salted almond (Armeniacae Semen
Salsa, ASS), and their sulfur-fumigating products (Armeniacae Semen Sulphur
Fumabat, ASFS). Wide varieties of almonds may lead to uncertain efficacy,
aberrant quality, and even increased safety risk. However, the authentication
method for medicinal almonds has not been reported, although imposters may lead
to ineffective medical response. In the present study, Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR) and the 2-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy were used
to identify different almonds, which were extracted with different solvents
including water, methanol, ethanol, chloroform and ethyl acetate, respectively. A
new simple FTIR method was developed in the present study. According to the
gradient solvent polarity, a new 2D IR method was first developed, and the
commodities of almonds in China were analyzed by using the FTIR spectroscopy
supported by hierarchical clustering of characteristic peaks. Moreover, 5
hydroxymethyl-2-furfural could be used as a detection index and control target in
the quality control of medicinal almonds.
PMID- 28991533
TI - An UHPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of quercetin 3-O-rutinoside,
kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, bilobalide and
ligustrazine in rat plasma, and its application to pharmacokinetic study of
Xingxiong injection.
AB - The present study was designed to develop and validate a rapid, sensitive, and
reliable ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass
spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of five
major active constituents in the traditional Chinese medicinal preparation
Xingxiong injection (XXI) in rat plasma, including quercetin 3-O-rutinoside
(QCR), kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (KFR), isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside (ISR),
bilobalide (BB), and ligustrazine (LGT). The plasma samples were pretreated by
protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The chromatographic separation was
achieved on a Waters Symmetry C18 analytical column (2.1 mm * 100 mm, 3.5 MUm)
with a mobile phase of 0.1% aqueous formic acid (A)-acetonitrile (B).
Quantitation of the five bioactive constituents was achieved. Naringin was used
as the internal standard (IS). All the calibration curves showed good linearity
(r > 0.996) over the concentration range, with the lowest limit of quantification
(LLOQ) between 2-18 ng.mL-1. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision of
the analytes were both within acceptable limits. Moreover, satisfactory
extraction recoveries (90.92%-104.03%) were obtained by protein precipitation.
The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of XXI
in rats after intravenous administration at three doses. The pharmacokinetic
parameters of the five compounds varied in a dose-dependent manner within the
tested dosage range. The present study was the first report of pharmacokinetic
study for XXI.
PMID- 28991534
TI - Another CARE Act.
PMID- 28991535
TI - Is it time for a magnetic resonance imaging-targeted only prostate biopsy
strategy?
PMID- 28991536
TI - Acute ischemic gastric ulcer.
PMID- 28991537
TI - Corrigendum to High load hepatitis B virus replication inhibits hepatocellular
carcinoma cell metastasis through regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal
transition: International Journal of Infectious Diseases [20 (2014)] 37-41.
PMID- 28991538
TI - Environmental management as a pillar for sustainable development.
AB - There is a growing concern about how to minimize the impact of human activities
on the environment. Already nowadays, in some places adaptation efforts are
needed in order to avoid the irreversibility of negative human activities. Due to
climate changes, and corresponding environmental and social changes, there is a
great need for a more sustainable development of mankind. Over the years,
research studies that analyzed the sustainable development of different
communities with a multi-disciplinary approach, stressed the necessity of
preserving the environment for next generations. Therefore, responsible and
conscientious management of the environment is a pillar of the sustainable
development concept. This review introduction article provides an overview of the
recent top scientific publications related to sustainable development that mostly
originated from previous SDEWES conferences.
PMID- 28991539
TI - Should the Ramped Position Be "Sniffed at" in the ICU?
PMID- 28991540
TI - Sex Differences in the Risk of Incident Hypertension With Sleep Apnea: Does
Postmenopausal Status Matter?
PMID- 28991541
TI - COPD National Action Plan: Addressing a Public Health Need Together.
PMID- 28991542
TI - GUNS AND KNIVES.
PMID- 28991543
TI - Potential Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogens in Idiopathic Interstitial Lung
Disease.
PMID- 28991544
TI - Response.
PMID- 28991545
TI - Can Meta-Analysis Provide an Exact Comparison of Video and Direct Laryngoscopes
for Intubation in Patients in the ICU?
PMID- 28991546
TI - Response.
PMID- 28991547
TI - Nonconsensual Determination of Neurologic (Brain) Death: Is It a Violation of
Constitutional Rights?
PMID- 28991548
TI - Response.
PMID- 28991549
TI - Vitamin C and Sepsis: Framing the Postpublication Discussion.
PMID- 28991550
TI - Response.
PMID- 28991551
TI - Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia.
PMID- 28991553
TI - A 71-Year-Old Woman Presenting With Abdominal Pain and Dyspnea.
PMID- 28991552
TI - A Platelet Factor 4-Dependent Platelet Activation Assay Facilitates Early
Detection of Pathogenic Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Antibodies.
AB - Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a dangerous complication of heparin
therapy. HIT diagnosis is established by recognizing thrombocytopenia and/or
thrombosis in an affected patient and from the results of serological tests such
as the platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin immunoassay (PF4 ELISA) and serotonin
release assay (SRA). Recent studies suggest that HIT antibodies activate
platelets by recognizing PF4 in a complex with platelet glycosaminoglycans
(and/or polyphosphates) and that an assay based on this principle, the PF4
dependent P-selectin expression assay (PEA), may be even more accurate than the
SRA for HIT diagnosis. Here, we demonstrate that the PEA detected pathogenic
antibodies before the SRA became positive in two patients with HIT studied
serially, in one case even before seropositivity in the PF4 ELISA. In one of the
patients treated with plasma exchange, persistent dissociation between the PEA
and SRA test results was observed. These results support a role for the PEA in
early HIT diagnosis.
PMID- 28991554
TI - A 17-Year-Old Male Adolescent With Shortness of Breath, Fever, and Right
Pleuritic Chest Pain.
PMID- 28991555
TI - A 63-Year-Old Woman With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Pulmonary Hypertension With
Worsening Hypoxemia.
AB - CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old woman with a history of neurofibromatosis type-1
(NF-1) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) thought to be secondary to the
NF-1 presented with a few weeks of worsening dyspnea on exertion. She took no
medications other than sildenafil for her pulmonary hypertension (PH). She denied
tobacco, alcohol, and illicit or anorectic drug use. She had previously worked as
a waitress. Her mother and her brother had NF-1 but no PH or lung disease.
PMID- 28991556
TI - A 58-Year-Old Woman With Pneumonia and Gram-Negative Diplococci.
AB - CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old woman with COPD, cor pulmonale, diabetes, and
hypertension had a productive cough of greenish and purulent sputum, low-grade
fever, and shortness of breath. Medications were metformin, losartan,
cholecalciferol, folic acid, a multivitamin, fluticasone by inhalation, and, as
needed, ipratropium by inhalation. She lived alone and worked as a physician, had
received that year's seasonal influenza vaccine, was a heavy smoker, did not
drink alcohol or use illicit drugs, and had no personal or family history of
allergy and autoimmunity.
PMID- 28991557
TI - Screening for Breast Cancer.
AB - The goal of screening is to detect breast cancers when still curable to decrease
breast cancer-specific mortality. Breast cancer screening in the United States is
routinely performed with mammography, supplemental digital breast tomosynthesis,
ultrasound, and/or MR imaging. This article aims to review the most commonly used
breast imaging modalities for screening, discuss how often and when to begin
screening with specific imaging modalities, and examine the pros and cons of
screening. By the article's end, the reader will be better equipped to have
informed discussions with patients and medical professionals regarding the
benefits and disadvantages of breast cancer screening.
PMID- 28991558
TI - Lung Cancer Screening: Why, When, and How?
AB - This article explains the rationale of lung cancer screening with low-dose
computed tomography and provides a practical approach to all relevant aspects of
a lung cancer screening program. Imaging protocols, patient eligibility criteria,
facility readiness, and reimbursement criteria are addressed step by step.
Diagnostic criteria and Lung-RADS (Lung Computed Tomography Screening Reporting
and Data System) nodule management pathways are illustrated with examples. Pearls
and pitfalls for interpretation of lung cancer screening low-dose chest computed
tomography are discussed.
PMID- 28991559
TI - Imaging and Screening for Colorectal Cancer with CT Colonography.
AB - Despite being readily preventable, colorectal cancer ranks second behind only
lung cancer in overall mortality. However, this situation could be reversed if
screening tests that effectively detect advanced adenomas and early cancers were
broadly applied. Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) reflects an ideal
balance of minimal invasiveness with high-level performance, assuming all facets
of the examination are appropriately addressed. Unfortunately, this promising
screening test remains grossly underused. This article details the technical and
interpretive approaches used by one successful CTC screening program.
PMID- 28991560
TI - Screening and Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Introduction to
Ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System.
AB - Given the high prevalence, increasing incidence, and significant morbidity and
mortality related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a robust and cost-effective
screening and surveillance program is needed. Most societies recommend ultrasound
for HCC screening, despite lack of standardization in imaging acquisition,
reporting content and language, and follow-up recommendations. The American
College of Radiology Ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (US LI
RADS) fills this unmet need by providing standardization in the use of US in at
risk patients. It is anticipated that US LI-RADS will improve the performance of
ultrasound for HCC screening and surveillance and unify management
recommendations.
PMID- 28991561
TI - Imaging and Screening of Cancer of the Gallbladder and Bile Ducts.
AB - Biliary cancers include gallbladder cancer (GBC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).
GBC may appear as a mass replacing the gallbladder, thickened gallbladder wall,
or polypoid lesion in the gallbladder. Gallbladder polyps with low risk of GBC
(eg, 6- to 10-mm polyps without other risk factors) are screened with sonography.
In general, polyps smaller than 5 mm are ignored and those larger than 10 mm
require surgical consideration. Screening for CCA is less well-established. On
imaging, CCA may be divided into mass-forming, periductal infiltrating, and
intraductal types. This review discusses the current state of screening and
diagnosis of GBC and CCA.
PMID- 28991562
TI - Imaging and Screening of Pancreatic Cancer.
AB - Given the low disease prevalence of both exocrine and endocrine cancers in the
general population, screening is not recommended. However, in as many as 25% of
cases there is a precursor lesion or an identifiable genetic predisposition. For
these patients at increased risk, screening with imaging is recommended.
Multidetector computed tomography, MR imaging or magnetic resonance
cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasound examination can be used as
screening modalities. Recent advances in dual energy CT and total body MR imaging
have increased the suitability of these noninvasive modalities as first-line
imaging screening options.
PMID- 28991564
TI - Imaging and Screening of Ovarian Cancer.
AB - Ovarian cancer has a high mortality, attributed to its typically advanced stage
at detection. Despite much effort to identify an effective approach for ovarian
cancer screening, to date no screening test has proven to reduce ovarian cancer
mortality. The natural history of ovarian cancer is reviewed as well as data from
the largest trials of ovarian cancer screening. Currently, no North American
society recommends routine ovarian cancer screening; some societies recommend
consideration of screening with pelvic ultrasound and CA-125 in women at high
risk, although its use in this setting is not supported by data demonstrating a
mortality benefit.
PMID- 28991565
TI - Imaging and Screening of Thyroid Cancer.
AB - Ultrasound is the first-line diagnostic tool for diagnosis of thyroid diseases.
The low aggressiveness of many thyroid cancers coupled with high sensitivity of
sonography can lead to cancer diagnosis and treatment with no effect on outcomes.
Ultrasound is recognized as the most important driver of thyroid cancer
overdiagnosis. Ultrasound should not be used as a general screening tool and
should be reserved for patients at high risk of thyroid cancer and in the
diagnostic management of incidentally discovered thyroid nodules. With
prescreening risk stratification and application of consensus criteria for nodule
biopsy, the value of the diagnostic ultrasound can be maximized.
PMID- 28991563
TI - Imaging and Screening of Kidney Cancer.
AB - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exhibits a diverse and heterogeneous disease spectrum,
but insight into its molecular biology has provided an improved understanding of
potential risk factors, oncologic behavior, and imaging features. Computed
tomography (CT) and MR imaging may allow the identification and preoperative
subtyping of RCC and assessment of a response to various therapies. Active
surveillance is a viable management option in some patients and has provided
further insight into the natural history of RCC, including the favorable
prognosis of cystic neoplasms. This article reviews CT and MR imaging in RCC and
the role of screening in selected high-risk populations.
PMID- 28991566
TI - Imaging and Screening of Cancer of the Small Bowel.
AB - Delayed diagnosis of small bowel cancers frequently occurs and may arise because
of many factors, including low incidence of disease, difficult endoscopic access,
lack of mucosal mass or abnormality, subtle radiologic features, and low index of
clinical suspicion. As small bowel cancers are rare and their causes are largely
unknown, routine population-based screening of asymptomatic patients to find
precursor lesions or early cancers is ineffective. However, targeted
screening/surveillance strategies are used in specific at-risk and symptomatic
patient populations. This article reviews issues regarding early diagnosis of
small bowel cancers, with focus on state-of-the-art cross-sectional imaging
techniques.
PMID- 28991568
TI - Imaging and Cancer Screening.
PMID- 28991567
TI - Imaging and Screening of Hereditary Cancer Syndromes.
AB - There is a wide spectrum of mendelian disorders that predispose patients to an
increased risk of benign as well as malignant tumors. Hereditary cancer syndromes
are characterized by the early onset of diverse, frequently advanced malignancies
in specific organ systems in multiple family members, posing significant
challenges to diagnosis and management. A better understanding of the genetic
abnormalities and pathophysiology that underlie these disorders has led to
contemporary paradigms to screen, allowing early diagnosis, and has improved
targeted therapies to aid in management. This article reviews select hereditary
cancer syndromes with an emphasis on imaging-based screening and surveillance
strategies.
PMID- 28991569
TI - Changing Priorities in Critical Care?
PMID- 28991570
TI - Diagnostic Wrist Arthroscopy.
AB - After reviewing this article, readers should have a comprehensive understanding
of the indications for diagnostic arthroscopy, technical considerations in
performing a systematic evaluation of the wrist, and limitations of this
technique.
PMID- 28991571
TI - Wrist Arthroscopy Under Portal Site Local Anesthesia Without Tourniquet and
Sedation.
AB - We had developed the technique of portal site local anaesthesia (PSLA) for wrist
arthroscopy. Two percent lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine is injected through
a 25G needle to various portal sites. The radiocarpal joint is then distended
with saline injection and portal is created with transverse superficial skin
incision followed by dilation with curved hemostat. The patient is neither
sedated, nor under general or regional anaesthesia. Tourniquet is not routinely
used. PSLA can achieve satisfactory comfort level in 88% of our 111 patients
without any complication. In well-selected patients, it is a safe and comfortable
procedure.
PMID- 28991573
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Peripheral Injury.
AB - Patients suffering from ulnar-sided wrist pain after trauma may develop
tenderness, clicking, a positive fovea sign, or instability of the distal
radioulnar joint. If the pain is persistent, conservative treatment does not
help, and the patient agrees to surgery, arthroscopy may reveal a triangular
fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury with capsular detachment, foveal avulsion,
or a combination thereof. Capsular reattachment is possible using an arthroscopic
assisted technique. The reattachment can be performed with an inside-out, outside
in, or all-inside technique, providing good to excellent results, which tend to
persist over time, in 60% to 90% of cases.
PMID- 28991572
TI - Chronologic and Geographic Trends of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Repair.
AB - This article shows trends in triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) repair
since 1990 by geographic area and year. The repair methods presented in the
literature were inside-out, outside-in, all-inside, and open repair. The outside
in technique was reported most often for ulnar-side tears, whereas the inside-out
technique was reported most frequently for radial-side tears. Recently, a foveal
reattachment technique for ulnar-side tears has garnered attention and has been
reported with increasing frequency, especially in Asia, because the deepest
portion of TFCC, attached to fovea, plays a key role in stabilizing the distal
radioulnar joint. Understanding these trends can help clinicians best treat TFCC
tears.
PMID- 28991574
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Foveal Injury.
AB - The deep component of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) inserts onto the
fovea of the ulnar head. This component is critical to provide distal radioulnar
joint stability. The surgical techniques and results of transosseous inside-out
TFCC foveal repair are discussed. The rewarding results encouraged the repair of
TFCC to the fovea arthroscopically. Although the results are good, the factors of
age (traumatic or degenerative) and quality of stump and TFCC proper, which
relate to the results should be considered in the future.
PMID- 28991576
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Ulnocarpal Impaction Syndrome and Ulnar Styloid
Impaction Syndrome.
AB - Both ulnocarpal impaction syndrome and ulnar styloid impaction syndrome can
produce ulnar wrist pain. The definition and clinical differentiation are
explained. The relevant anatomy, biomechanics, causes, diagnosis, and
arthroscopic treatments, as well as the surgical indications, techniques, and
outcomes of these syndromes are discussed in detail.
PMID- 28991575
TI - Arthroscopic-Assisted Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Reconstruction.
AB - Injury of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a common cause of ulnar
sided wrist pain. Volar and dorsal radioulnar ligaments and their foveal
insertion are the most important stabilizing components of the TFCC. In
irreparable tears, anatomic reconstruction of the TFCC aims to restore normal
biomechanics and stability of the distal radioulnar joint. We proposed a novel
arthroscopic-assisted technique using a palmaris longus tendon graft.
Arthroscopic-assisted TFCC reconstruction is a safe and effective approach with
outcomes comparable to conventional open reconstruction and may result in a
better range of motion from minimizing soft tissue dissection and subsequent
scarring.
PMID- 28991577
TI - Arthroscopic Evaluation of Associated Soft Tissue Injuries in Distal Radius
Fractures.
AB - The best outcome in distal radius fractures is achieved if anatomy is restored,
in particular the intra-articular congruity. This is achieved partly with
improved fixation, such as using volar locking plates, and partly by using an
arthroscopy-assisted reduction and fixation technique. In addition to improving
the intra-articular congruity, associated ligament and chondral injuries can be
detected and treated. This article outlines various associated injuries with
suggested management in a stepwise fashion. It is hoped that overall outcomes
will be improved once patient-related and treatment-related factors have been
evaluated and previously undetected associated ligament injuries have been found
and treated.
PMID- 28991578
TI - Arthroscopic-Assisted Reduction of Intra-articular Distal Radius Fracture.
AB - Wrist arthroscopy is an efficient adjunct for intra-articular distal radius
fracture fixation. However, performing wrist arthroscopy during the plate
fixation is troublesome with the vertical traction applied and released. To
facilitate the procedure, the authors developed a surgical technique, plate
presetting arthroscopic reduction technique (PART), using a palmar locking plate.
Since July 2005, they have performed PART for 248 intra-articular distal radius
fractures with good and excellent results. Arthroscopic-assisted reduction of
intra-articular fragments is superior to fluoroscopic assisted. PART also allows
detection of intra-articular migration of fracture fragments, screw protrusion,
and associated soft tissue injuries.
PMID- 28991579
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Intra-articular Malunion in Fractures of the Distal
Radius.
AB - Treatment of intra-articular malunion of the distal radius has evolved over the
past 20 years, from open treatment to wet then dry arthroscopic techniques that
provide excellent results with less morbidity than open approaches. Dry wrist
arthroscopy provides a well-visualized surgical space in treating intra-articular
malunion and results in less edema than wet techniques. The best results are
attained in the first 3 months after injury. Alternative methods for avoiding
total wrist arthrodesis in those who present later have been developed. The dry
arthroscopic "inside-out" osteotomy technique for intra-articular malunions
should be considered in patients with this condition.
PMID- 28991580
TI - Scaphoid Union: The Role of Wrist Arthroscopy.
AB - There are times when clinical examinations, radiographs, and computed tomography
scans do not provide sufficient information to know whether a scaphoid fracture
or scaphoid bone graft has united, partially united, or not united. When this
problem arises, arthroscopic examination of the scaphoid fracture or scaphoid
bone graft provides additional information to solve the problem and plan further
management in an evidence-based manner. The indications for the use of
arthroscopy and surgical technique are described.
PMID- 28991581
TI - Arthroscopic Scapholunate Ligament Reconstruction, Volar and Dorsal
Reconstruction.
AB - Arthroscopic scapholunate volar and dorsal ligament reconstruction achieves an
anatomic reconstruction, avoids an open approach and capsular detachment, and
provides a strong construct for early mobilization. Clinical results are
discussed. Detailed "surgical tips" and technical modifications are provided.
PMID- 28991582
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Perilunate Injuries.
AB - The key to successful treatment of perilunate injuries is to achieve early
anatomic reduction and maintain the carpal alignment. Open surgery may lead to
capsular scarring and joint stiffness. Furthermore, there is increased chance of
damage of the already tenuous blood supply to scaphoid and the torn ligaments.
Recently, arthroscopic-assisted management of perilunate injuries has been
suggested. This article describes the surgical technique and outcome of this
minimally invasive approach for perilunate injuries.
PMID- 28991583
TI - Midcarpal Instability: The Role of Wrist Arthroscopy.
AB - The evidence behind management options for midcarpal instability (MCI) is scarce,
relying solely on case series. Established treatments cause significant loss of
wrist motion. As understanding of the condition has progressed, surgeons have
been trying soft tissue techniques. The treatment option should be chosen for the
appropriate type and grade of MCI. The Hargreaves grading system for palmar MCI
aids treatment decision-making. A possible role for arthroscopy in treatment of
MCI has been developed using arthroscopic thermal capsular shrinkage, appropriate
for cases with dynamic instabilities. Static deformities require a soft tissue
reconstruction or a partial wrist fusion.
PMID- 28991584
TI - The Role of Wrist Arthroscopy in Kienbock Disease.
AB - Kienbock disease (KD) is a disease of uncertain etiology, leading to chondral and
osseous change in the lunate and wrist. Traditionally, Lichtman's classification
of KD, based on radiographic appearances, has been used to direct treatment.
Diagnostic wrist arthroscopy allows direct assessment of the lunate and
surrounding articulations. Wrist arthroscopy can also serve as a therapeutic tool
for performing debridement, resection, or arthrodesis procedures. The new
Lichtman-Bain algorithm takes into consideration the status of the lunate, the
effect on the wrist, and surgical and patient factors to guide management.
PMID- 28991585
TI - Arthroscopic-Assisted Partial Wrist Arthrodesis.
AB - Partial wrist arthrodesis (PWA) is a well-known procedure for treating
degenerative or posttraumatic wrist conditions. Four-corner fusion (4CF) is
mostly used for scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced
collapse. The author performed 39 procedures, including 4CFs, 2-corner fusions, 3
corner fusions, scaphoid-capitate/scaphoid-capitate-lunate fusions, scaphoid
trapezium-trapezoid arthrodeses, and radioscapholunate arthroscopic PWAs (A
PWAs). There were 8 revision cases including 4 partial nonunions. All A-PWAs
healed satisfactorily after revision surgery. This article discusses the surgical
techniques and tips to avoid mistakes. The pros and cons for open versus
arthroscopic techniques and for screws versus Kirschner wires are also discussed.
PMID- 28991586
TI - Arthroscopic Transplantation of Osteochondral Autograft for Treatment of
Cartilage Defects in the Wrist.
AB - Focal chondral lesions are a common cause of chronic wrist pain, with no ideal
treatment. The authors developed arthroscopic transplantation of osteochondral
autograft from lateral femoral condyle to distal radius with satisfactory outcome
in 4 consecutive patients between December 2006 and December 2010. In all cases,
graft incorporation was completed by 3 months to 4 months postoperation. All
patients showed improvement in wrist function with no pain at follow-up at an
average of 70.5 months (range 24-116 months). Second-look arthroscopy in 3
patients confirmed the preservation of normal articular cartilage. Patient
satisfaction was high with no complications.
PMID- 28991587
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Dorsal and Volar Wrist Ganglion.
AB - Dorsal and volar wrist ganglions are benign tumors; most of them are
asymptomatic. They can disappear spontaneously. Arthroscopic resection can be
performed for pain or cosmetic concern. Dorsal ganglion is more common (70%). The
hypothesis of the origin is the result of mucoid dysplasia in association with
intracapsular and extrasynovial ganglia that occur at the level of the dorsal
scapholunate complex. Volar wrist ganglia are less common (20%) and occur mainly
in the radiocarpal joint. They are due to capsular destruction at the volar
insertion of the SL ligament and arise from the interval between radio
scaphocapitate and long radiolunate ligament.
PMID- 28991588
TI - Arthroscopic Synovectomy of Wrist in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disorder affecting multiple
joints. Wrist involvement is common. Patients with persistent symptoms despite
medical management are candidates for surgery. Synovectomy can provide pain
relief and functional improvement for rheumatoid wrist. Arthroscopic synovectomy
is a safe and reliable method, with minimal postoperative morbidity. This article
reviews the role, technique, and results of arthroscopic synovectomy in the
rheumatoid wrist.
PMID- 28991589
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Bennett Fracture.
AB - Bennett fracture is the most common fracture of the thumb. Choosing the
appropriate approach to fracture fixation requires a thorough knowledge of the
anatomy surrounding the first carpometacarpal joint, which is necessary to
prevent injury to local sensory nerves and tendons. Although no study has shown
superior outcomes compared with open reduction internal fixation and
fluoroscopically guided closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, arthroscopic
assisted fixation allows for debridement of the carpometacarpal joint, direct
visualization of the articular surface during reduction, and has minimal
morbidity and associated complications.
PMID- 28991590
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis.
AB - The thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ1) is born to have good freedom of motion.
However, the excellent mobility at this joint also predisposes attenuation of
capsuloligamentous structures, joint incongruity, instability, and
osteoarthritis. The prevalence of radiographic CMCJ1 arthritis is high. There is
no single ideal surgery for all stages of CMCJ1 arthritis, and for all kinds of
patients. The arthroscopic approach seems to provide a better alternative with
rewarding preliminary results. It includes arthroscopic
synovectomy/debridement/thermal shrinkage, arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy and
suture button suspensionplasty, and arthroscopic CMCJ1 excision/suture button
suspensionplasty/K-wire fixation.
PMID- 28991591
TI - Arthroscopic Management of Scaphoid-Trapezium-Trapezoid Joint Arthritis.
AB - Scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid (STT) joint arthritis is a common condition
consisting of pain on the radial side of the wrist and base of the thumb,
swelling, and tenderness over the STT joint. Common symptoms are loss of grip
strength and thumb function. There are several treatments, from symptomatic
conservative treatment to surgical solutions, such as arthrodesis,
arthroplasties, and prosthesis implant. The role of arthroscopy has grown and is
probably the best treatment of this condition. Advantages of arthroscopic
management of STT arthritis are faster recovery, better view of the joint during
surgery, and possibility of creating less damage to the capsular and ligamentous
structures.
PMID- 28991592
TI - Progress and Role of Finger Joint Arthroscopy.
AB - This article describes the authors' experience with, and recent advancement in,
the techniques that have allowed the development of many new arthroscopic
procedures in the finger joints. It also describes the role and techniques of
arthroscopy in small finger joints. Because the intra-articular anatomy of the
first to the fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints is similar, this article
discusses the hand MCP joints without distinguishing thumb from fingers.
PMID- 28991593
TI - Complications of Wrist and Hand Arthroscopy.
AB - Arthroscopy of the wrist continues to evolve and advance as a valuable clinical
technique in hand surgery. This article aims to address safety of wrist
arthroscopy and provide an overview of the known iatrogenic complications.
Ultimately, the likelihood of associated injuries during wrist arthroscopy is
dependent on the surgeon's ability and understanding of the equipment. Case
volume and duration of experience directly correlate with mitigating iatrogenic
injury and optimizing patient outcomes.
PMID- 28991594
TI - Evolution and Inspiration from Hand and Wrist Arthroscopy.
PMID- 28991595
TI - Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of the Infertility Self-Efficacy
Scale.
AB - PURPOSE: The Infertility Self-Efficacy scale (ISE) is an instrument used to
identify infertility-related self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to
assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the ISE developed by
Cousineau et al. in 2006. METHODS: The translated instrument was pilot-tested and
administered to 314 women and men with a diagnosis of infertility. For estimating
reliability, test-retest and the internal consistency reliability coefficients
were calculated. Validity was evaluated through content validity, concurrent
validity, and construct validity with exploratory and confirmatory factor
analyses. RESULTS: The internal consistency reliability was satisfactory
(Cronbach's alpha = .92, item-total correlations = .44-.80), and the intra-class
correlation coefficient was .84 (p < .001). The overall content validity index
was 98.1%, and the concurrent validity coefficient (correlations between the ISE
scale and general self-efficacy scale) was .31 (p < .001). The final model's fit
indexes were acceptable (CFI = .96, NFI = .93, RMSEA = .07, GFI = .94, and SRMR =
.03), indicating good construct validity. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of the
ISE has high reliability (stability and homogeneity), and good content,
concurrent, and construct validity (EFA and CFA). Validated Korean version of the
ISE may help nurses identify infertility-related self-efficacy.
PMID- 28991596
TI - Community Capacity Building Exercise Maintenance Program for Frail Elderly Women.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of community
capacity building exercise maintenance program for frail elderly women. METHODS:
A quasiexperimental pretest-posttest design was used with nonequivalent control
group. The experimental group (n = 22) received community capacity building
exercise maintenance program, whereas the control group (n = 23) received health
physical exercise program for 16 sessions over 8 weeks. The data of physical
fitness, body compositions, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life
were collected three times for both group: before the intervention, immediately
after the intervention, and 8 weeks after the intervention. Analyses were
conducted using chi2 test, t test, Fisher's exact test, and repeated measures
analysis of variance. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, muscular strength
(p = .002), static balance (p = .013), muscular endurance (p = .003), self
efficacy (p < .001), and health-related quality of life (p = .030) were
significantly improved in the experimental group. In addition, body fat
percentage (p = .005) in this group was significantly decreased after the
community capacity building exercise maintenance program. CONCLUSION: Theses
results indicated that a community capacity building exercise maintenance program
is feasible, and associated with exercise maintenance among frail elderly women.
PMID- 28991597
TI - Protective Factors of Demoralization among Cancer Patients in Taiwan: An Age
matched and Gender-matched Study.
AB - PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the protective factors of demoralization in
cancer patients via investigation of cancer patients' demographic and disease
characteristics. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. We used a
structured questionnaire, which contained items on demographic and disease
characteristics, as well as the Demoralization Scale Mandarin Version (DS-MV),
with a cutoff of 30 or more indicating high demoralization. Data were analyzed
with age-matched and gender-matched conditional logistic regression analysis. For
the study, 428 questionnaires were delivered and 411 were recovered. After being
age-matched and gender-matched, 182 participants of high demoralization (DS-MV >
30) and low demoralization (DS-MV <= 30) were obtained respectively, for a total
of 364 participants. RESULTS: Cancer patients' demoralization was significantly
related to family support (p = .019), education (p = .049), and monthly income (p
= .001). Family support [odds ratio = 0.38; p = .028; 95% confidence interval
(0.16, 0.91)] and monthly income [odds ratio = 0.49; p = .009; 95% confidence
interval (0.29, 0.84)] were protective factors of demoralization in cancer
patients. CONCLUSION: Early and appropriate demoralization assessment of cancer
patients' demographic and disease characteristics is very important in clinical
settings. Healthcare providers might regularly monitor demoralization in cancer
patients, and develop related nursing care guidelines or treatment for
demoralization in cancer patients. The study results can be a reference for
healthcare providers who work with cancer patients.
PMID- 28991598
TI - Evaluating the Factor Structure of the Persian Version of Posttraumatic Growth
Inventory in Cancer Patients.
AB - PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the factor structure of the Persian version
of posttraumatic growth inventory (P-PTGI). METHODS: Participants included 272
Iranian people of Azari ethnicity (111 women and 161 men), aged between 21 and 91
years (mean 52.65 years), who were diagnosed with cancer and were referred to the
oncology department of the university hospital. The P-PTGI was assessed to
determine the construct validity, using various indices of confirmatory factor
analysis and standardized lambda coefficient, followed by further assessment of
the discriminant and convergent validities by using the structural equation
model. LISREL 8.8 for Windows and SPSS were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The
calculated values of comparative fit index, incremental fit index, normed fit
index, and non-normed fit index > .90 and the values of standardized root-mean
square residual < .08 indicate an acceptable fit for the original PTGI.
Considering that the values of average variance extracted (.52-.74) were greater
than the square of correlation coefficients between the five dimensions of P
PTGI, discriminant validity was approved. Convergent validity was confirmed
through a high value of standardized lambda coefficient (.52-.92) between the
items and their related factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that P-PTGI has
an acceptable validity and reliability for posttraumatic growth assessment in
Iranian cancer patients and its factor structure is similar to that of the
original form developed by Tedeschi and Calhoun.
PMID- 28991599
TI - Examination of a Nurse-led Community-based Education and Coaching Intervention
for Coronary Heart Disease High-risk Individuals in China.
AB - PURPOSE: Early detection and management of coronary heart disease (CHD) are
embedded into many community health service and primary care practices in western
countries. The Framingham CHD risk score has been used to predict CHD and
mortality for nearly 20 years, and it has predicted CHD event risk accurately in
multiethnic populations. The aim of this study was to access the effect of a 6
month community-based intervention on CHD risk in individuals at high risk.
METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of individuals with a high 10-year CHD
risk were recruited from two communities in China. Individuals in the
intervention group (n = 53) received a 3-month group education and a 3-month
coaching session. Physical examination and self-report questionnaires were used
to collect both pre- and postintervention data on blood pressure, glucose,
cholesterol, body mass index, smoking, depression, and health-related quality of
life (HRQoL). RESULTS: A total of 102 participants (85.0%) completed the 6-month
study. Compared with the usual care group, the intervention group had a 5 mmHg
greater reduction in systolic blood pressure (t = 2.01, p = .047), larger
declines in glucose (t = -2.49, p = .015), cholesterol (t = -2.44, p = .017),
body mass index (t = -2.58, p = .011), and depression (t = -2.05, p = .043), and
better reports of HRQoL (t = 3.36, p = .001). No significant group differences in
smoking behaviors were reported. CONCLUSION: A 6-month community-based
intervention in a CHD high-risk population improved disease-related risk factors,
depression, and HRQoL. Results provide preliminary evidence for primary
prevention of cardiovascular disease risk in a community high-risk population.
PMID- 28991600
TI - The Effects of Reflective Training on the Disposition of Critical Thinking for
Nursing Students in China: A Controlled Trial.
AB - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of reflective
trainings for nursing students on their critical thinking disposition. METHODS: A
total of 157 senior undergraduate nursing students sampled from Hainan Medical
University in China participated in this study in 2014. They were randomly
divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group students
were provided the reflective training during their entire 12-month clinical
internship, whereas students in the control group were requested to keep their
reflective diaries but without a formal training. Before and after the
intervention, nursing students' critical thinking disposition was rated using the
Chinese version of Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI-CV). RESULTS:
Before the start of the intervention, the critical thinking disposition scores of
the two groups had no significant differences. At the end of the intervention, it
was found that the experimental students performed better in each subscale of
CTDI-CV. These include the search for truth, open mind, analytical ability,
systematic ability, critical thinking, self-confidence, curiosity, and cognitive
maturity. By summing the scores of all categories, the results showed that the
experimental group had a significantly higher total score than that of the
control group (p <= .044). Evaluating the score difference in each function
indicated that there was a range of improvements on the critical thinking
disposition because of the reflective training intervention. CONCLUSION:
Reflective training during the internship period improves nursing students'
disposition of critical thinking and promotes their readiness for their clinical
practices in the rapidly increasing demands of the healthcare field.
PMID- 28991601
TI - Confrontation as a Mediator between Sense of Coherence and Self-management
Behaviors among Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease in North China.
AB - PURPOSE: Self-management is critical to improve health outcomes of elderly
patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Sense of coherence (SOC) is found to
be linked with self-management behaviors. However, their deeper relationship is
not clear. The purposes of this study were to investigate the association between
SOC and self-management behaviors among elderly CHD patients in China, and
whether confrontation mediates this association. METHODS: A cross-sectional
design was used. A total of 275 elderly patients with CHD recruited from the
cardiology department in a general hospital in North China were surveyed from
October 2015 to April 2016. SOC, confrontation, and self-management behaviors
were measured using the Chinese version of the SOC scale, subscale of Medical
Coping Modes Questionnaire-Confrontation, and the CHD self-management scale,
respectively. Correlation analysis and path analysis were conducted to analyze
the data. RESULTS: The mean (+/-standard deviation) scores of SOC, confrontation,
and self-management behaviors were 62.20 (+/-9.61), 19.55 (+/-3.15), and 76.17
(+/-10.63), respectively. Correlation analysis showed that SOC, confrontation,
and self-management behaviors were significantly correlated with each other. Path
analysis indicated that SOC exerted a direct effect on self-management behaviors,
whereas could affect self-management indirectly via confrontation. Bootstrap test
result showed that confrontation played a mediating role (beta = .20, p < .001)
in the relationship between SOC and self-management behaviors. CONCLUSION: SOC
was related to self-management behaviors, whereas confrontation mediated the
effect of SOC on self-management behaviors. In practice, the role of
confrontation coping should be valued when developing strategies to strengthen
SOC and to improve self-management practice among elderly CHD patients.
PMID- 28991602
TI - Nurses' Experiences of End-of-life Care in Long-term Care Hospitals in Japan:
Balancing Improving the Quality of Life and Sustaining the Lives of Patients
Dying at Hospitals.
AB - PURPOSE: In Japan, about 80% of deaths occur in hospitals, especially long-term
care beds. The purpose of this study was to clarify the nursing practices used
for such older patients at the end-of-life stage in long-termcare wards via the
modified grounded theory approach (M-GTA). METHODS: Data were obtained through
semi-structured interviews of nineteen nurses working in cooperating long-term
care wards, acute care wards, or hospice services (to allow for constant
comparison between these types of wards) in western Japan in 2014. We analyzed
the transcribed data using M-GTA. RESULTS: The core category that emerged from
the analysis was "Balancing enhancement of patients' daily life quality and life
sustaining care in the face of uncertainty about the patients' character." Eleven
categories emerged, such as Seeking older patients' character with their family,
Supporting families' decision making, Rebuilding patients' daily life in the
ward, and Sustaining patients' life span through medical care. CONCLUSIONS:
Nurses experienced uncertainty about the care needs of older patients, the
ethical problems of Enhancing the patients' QOL by using risky care, and the
evaluation criteria used to judge their own nursing care after the patients'
death. All nurses had the goal of ensuring a natural death for all patients.
Nurses' acceptance and evaluation of their own care was critically influenced by
the patient's family's responses to their care after patients' death. Further
research is necessary to develop evaluation criteria and educational programs for
end-of-life nursing care of older adults.
PMID- 28991603
TI - Nurses' Opinions of Patient Involvement in Relation to Patient-centered Care
During Bedside Handovers.
AB - PURPOSE: Advocates for societal change and consumerism have been instrumental in
popularizing patient involvement in various aspects of health care. Patient
involvement in bedside handovers during shift changes should facilitate patient
centered care. This study's purpose was to explore Malaysian nurses' opinions
about patient involvement during bedside handovers, and whether patient
involvement during bedside handovers reflected patient-centered care. METHODS: A
qualitative study with four focus-group discussions was conducted with 20
registered nurses from general wards in a Malaysian public hospital. Semi
structured interviews were used to elicit participants' opinions. NVivo 10
software was used for data management and content analysis was used to analyze
the data. RESULTS: Several participants used inconsistent methods to involve
patients in bedside handovers and others did not involve the patients at all. The
participants' interpretations of the concept of patient-centered care were
ambiguous; they claimed that patient involvement during bedside handovers was
impractical and, therefore, not reflective of patient-centered care. Some nurses'
subjective views of patient involvement as impractical during bedside handovers
were manifested in their deliberate exclusion of patients from the handover
process. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in patient involvement and nursing practices
congruent with patient-centered care require that nurse educators in hospital
settings reform nursing education to focus on fostering of communication skills
needed to function in nurse-patient partnerships. Guidelines for patient
involvement consistent with patient-centered values should be developed using
ward nurses' subjective views and introduced to all registered nurses in
practice.
PMID- 28991604
TI - Comparisons of Cardiometabolic Biomarkers, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Dietary
Sodium and Potassium Intake in a Representative Sample of Korean Adults with and
without Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare the cardiometabolic condition of obesity, blood pressure
(BP), cholesterol, dietary sodium and potassium intake, and lifestyle behaviors
of persons with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, with those who are disease-free
in Korea. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted using a representative
sample of Korean adults. RESULTS: Of 10,906 Korean adults (mean age 43.12 +/-
0.24 years, women 50.4%), 9,074 were disease-free and 1,520 had hypertension, 137
stroke, and 175 ischemic heart disease. Compared with the disease-free group,
obesity, BP, and total cholesterol were higher for the hypertensives. 25.5% of
ischemic heart disease group were still smoking; 14.9% of hypertensives were
heavy alcohol drinkers. Physical activity was lower in cardio-cerebrovascular
diseases than disease-free group. No significant association was found between
Na/K ratio adequacy and types of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. CONCLUSION: The
cardiometabolic condition varied, with hypertensives having a higher prevalence
for obesity, high BP, and cholesterol; poorer adherence to the behavioral
recommendations was also noted in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Such
variations in cardiovascular risks would provide implications for addressing
vulnerability across groups.
PMID- 28991606
TI - Zombie issues in ophthalmology.
PMID- 28991605
TI - Exploring Nursing Intention, Stress, and Professionalism in Response to
Infectious Disease Emergencies: The Experience of Local Public Hospital Nurses
During the 2015 MERS Outbreak in South Korea.
AB - PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine levels of stress and professionalism of
nurses who provided nursing care during the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome
outbreak based on their experience, to investigate the nurses' intention to
respond to possible future outbreaks in relation to their experience during the
outbreak, and to determine the relationship between the outbreak experience and
nursing intention considering stress and professionalism. METHODS: A self
administered questionnaire was designed based on modifications of related
questionnaires, and used to assess levels of stress, professionalism, and nursing
intention according to participants' experiences during the outbreak. Multiple
regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the outbreak
nursing experience and nursing intention considering stress and nursing
professionalism. RESULTS: The overall stress, professionalism, and nursing
intention scores for the firsthand experience group were 33.72, 103.00, and
16.92, respectively, whereas those of the secondhand experience group were 32.25,
98.99, and 15.60, respectively. There were significant differences in
professionalism and nursing intention scores between the groups (p = .001 and p <
.001, respectively). The regression analysis revealed that the regression
estimate between stress and nursing intention was B(SE) = -0.08(0.02), beta =
0.21, p < .001 and the regression estimate between professionalism in nursing and
nursing intention was B(SE) = 0.05(0.01), beta = 0.23, p < .001. CONCLUSION:
Prior outbreak nursing experience was importantly associated with intention to
provide care for patients with a newly emerging infectious disease in the future
considering stress and professionalism. Gathering information about nurses'
experience of epidemics and regular assessment of job stress and professionalism
are required.
PMID- 28991607
TI - Long-term effects of cataract surgery with topical levofloxacin on ocular
bacterial flora.
AB - PURPOSE: To clarify the long-term effect of topical antibiotics on the ocular
bacterial flora after cataract surgery. SETTING: Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyazaki,
Japan. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: Patients who had cataract
surgery between November 2014 and January 2015 were included. Levofloxacin 1.5%
was administered 4 times a day by topical instillation from 3 days before surgery
to 1 month postoperatively. The conjunctival sacs of patients were scraped before
the procedure and 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the last instillation. The
samples were cultured, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of
levofloxacin for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes were
evaluated using mixed-effects models. RESULTS: The study evaluated 50 patients.
Diverse bacterial species, predominantly S epidermidis and P acnes, were isolated
before the application of topical levofloxacin. Bacterial diversity was
substantially reduced after the final topical levofloxacin application and
subsequently increased after 3 months. However, the geometric mean levofloxacin
MICs for S epidermidis isolates were still significantly higher at 0 months and 3
months than before treatment (P < .01 and P = .03, respectively) and reached
pretreatment levels 6 months and 12 months after the last application.
Propionibacterium acnes did not show significant changes in the geometric mean
levofloxacin MIC over time. CONCLUSION: The restoration of the bacterial flora
required more than 6 months after cataract surgery and topical levofloxacin.
PMID- 28991608
TI - Effect of high-vacuum setting on phacoemulsification efficiency.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a high-vacuum setting versus a low-vacuum
setting on the efficiency of phacoemulsification. SETTING: Sunderland Eye
Infirmary, Sunderland, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial.
METHODS: Consecutive patients having cataract surgery in 2014 were recruited.
Cataract surgery was performed by 2 experienced surgeons using a
phacoemulsification machine with monitored forced infusion. The cataractous lens
was split into 2 heminuclei using the stop-and-chop technique; in 1 heminucleus,
phacoemulsification and aspiration used a high-vacuum setting (600 mm Hg;
treatment group) and in the other heminucleus, a low-vacuum setting (350 mm Hg;
control group). The high and low settings were alternated by case per the
operating list to reduce surgeon bias. The main outcome measures were cumulative
dissipated energy (CDE) and active heminucleus removal time. RESULTS: One hundred
sixty patients (160 eyes) were enrolled in the study, and 158 were included in
the analysis. The CDE per heminucleus was significantly lower with the high
vacuum setting than with the low-vacuum setting (mean 2.81 percent-seconds; 95%
confidence interval (CI), 2.44-3.21 versus 3.81 percent-seconds; 95% CI, 3.38
4.20; P < .001). The active heminucleus removal time was significantly shorter in
the high-vacuum group than the low-vacuum group (mean 27.77 seconds; 95% CI,
25.26-30.19 versus 33.59 seconds; 95% CI, 31.07-35.92; P < .001). The observed
differences were independent of the surgeon, patient age and sex, incision size,
and nucleus density. No intraoperative complications were observed in either
group. CONCLUSION: A high-vacuum setting improved phacoemulsification efficiency
using an active fluidics system and torsional phacoemulsification.
PMID- 28991609
TI - Optimized keratometry and total corneal astigmatism for toric intraocular lens
calculation.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare keratometric astigmatism (KA) and different modalities of
measuring total corneal astigmatism (TCA) for toric intraocular lens (IOL)
calculation and optimize corneal measurements to eliminate the residual
refractive astigmatism. SETTING: G.B. Bietti Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: Patients who had a toric IOL were
enrolled. Preoperatively, a Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam HR) was used to measure
TCA through ray tracing. Different combinations of measurements at a 3.0 mm
diameter, centered on the pupil or the corneal vertex and performed along a ring
or within it, were compared. Keratometric astigmatism was measured using the same
Scheimpflug camera and a corneal topographer (Keratron). Astigmatism was analyzed
with Naeser's polar value method. The optimized preoperative corneal astigmatism
was back-calculated from the postoperative refractive astigmatism. RESULTS: The
study comprised 62 patients (64 eyes). With both devices, KA produced an
overcorrection of with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism by 0.6 diopter (D) and an
undercorrection of against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism by 0.3 D. The lowest
meridional error in refractive astigmatism was achieved by the TCA pupil/zone
measurement in WTR eyes (0.27 D overcorrection) and the TCA apex/zone measurement
in ATR eyes (0.07 D undercorrection). In the whole sample, no measurement allowed
more than 43.75% of eyes to yield an absolute error in astigmatism magnitude
lower than 0.5 D. Optimized astigmatism values increased the percentage of eyes
with this error up to 57.81%, with no difference compared with the Barrett
calculator and the Abulafia-Koch calculator. CONCLUSION: Compared with KA, TCA
improved calculations for toric IOLs; however, optimization of corneal
astigmatism measurements led to more accurate results.
PMID- 28991610
TI - Intraocular lens power calculation for eyes with high and low average keratometry
readings: Comparison between various formulas.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of intraocular lens power prediction for eyes
with average keratometry (K) readings greater than 46.00 diopters (D) and lower
than 42.00 D. SETTING: Ein-Tal Eye Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel. DESIGN:
Retrospective case series. METHODS: Eyes having cataract extraction surgery with
steep and flat preoperative corneal curvatures determined with the Lenstar-LS900
device were enrolled. Refractive prediction errors for the Barrett Universal II,
Haigis, Hill-RBF, Hoffer-Q, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, Olsen, and SRK/T formulas
were compared. Optimized K values for the SRK/T formula were back-calculated for
each group. Validation was performed using an additional dataset. RESULTS: The
study comprised 171 eyes (79, K reading >46.00 D; 92, K reading <42.00 D). For K
readings greater than 46.00 D, myopic errors were noted using the SRK/T and Hill
RBF formulas and hyperopic errors using the Olsen C-constant and Haigis (-0.31 D,
-0.17 D, 0.18 D, and 0.17 D, respectively). The percentage of eyes with an
absolute error within +/-0.50 D from target refraction ranged from 60.8% (SRK/T)
to 83.0% (Hill-RBF). For K readings lower than 42.00 D, myopic errors were seen
using the Haigis, Hill-RBF, Hoffer-Q, and Olsen-C formulas (-0.31 D, -0.14 D,
0.22 D, and -0.17 D, respectively) and a hyperopic error using the SRK/T formula
(0.16 D). The refractive prediction within +/-0.50 D ranged between 75.0%
(Haigis) and 96.7% (Barrett Universal II). CONCLUSIONS: Power calculation for
eyes with flat corneas and steep corneas requires the use of specific formulas
for accurate postoperative results. An adjustment method of the SRK/T formula is
proposed.
PMID- 28991611
TI - Effect of fixation stability during biometry measurements on refractive
prediction accuracy in highly myopic eyes.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess the effect of preoperative biometry fixation stability on
postoperative refractive errors in highly myopic cataractous eyes. SETTING: Eye
and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. DESIGN: Prospective cohort
study. METHODS: Eyes of highly myopic patients and emmetropic controls were
included. Routine ophthalmologic examinations and measurement of fixation
stability in the 63% and 95% bivariate contour ellipse areas (BCEAs) were
conducted preoperatively. The refractive error from prediction was calculated 1
month postoperatively with the SRK/T and Holladay 1 formulas. Univariate and
multivariable analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with
postoperative refractive errors. RESULTS: The refractive errors were more widely
distributed in the 45 highly myopic eyes than in the 40 emmetropic control eyes:
SRK/T, +0.15 diopter [D] +/- 0.80 [SD] and -0.16 +/- 0.35 D, respectively;
Holladay 1, +0.54 +/- 0.79 D and -0.23 +/- 0.34 D, respectively. In the highly
myopic group, 63% BCEA was correlated with axial length (AL) (P = .021) and
posterior subcapsular opacity grade (P = .040). With both formulas, refractive
errors and absolute refractive errors were positively correlated with 63% BCEA:
SRK/T, P = .010 and P = .001, respectively; Holladay 1, P = .006 and P = .003,
respectively. Backward multiple linear regression analysis showed that with both
formulas, AL and 63% BCEA were significantly associated with postoperative
refractive errors. CONCLUSION: Poor preoperative biometry fixation stability
correlated with long AL and severe posterior subcapsular opacity contributed to
significant deviation of refractive errors after cataract surgery in highly
myopic eyes.
PMID- 28991613
TI - Safety of femtosecond laser-assisted primary posterior capsulotomy immediately
after cataract surgery.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of a new femtosecond laser
assisted method for posterior capsule opacification (PCO) prevention. SETTING:
University Eye Hospital Bochum, Bochum, Germany. DESIGN: Prospective randomized
intraindividual case series. METHODS: Eyes scheduled for bilateral cataract
surgery between April 2015 and January 2016 were enrolled in the study. In 1 eye,
routine manual cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was
performed with a primary posterior laser capsulotomy as the last step in the
procedure. For the laser treatment, the posterior capsule between the anterior
hyaloid surface and the posterior optic surface of the IOL was identified with
integrated 3-dimensional spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. In the
fellow eye, routine manual cataract surgery without posterior capsulotomy was
performed. Follow-up examinations were done 1 week, 2 months, and 6 months after
surgery. The main outcome measures were feasibility of the procedure and between
group difference in visual acuity, macular thickness, laser flare, intraocular
pressure (IOP), and PCO. RESULTS: Fifty-six eyes were included. No differences in
cataract density (P = .2), axial length (P = .8), or amount of ultrasound energy
used (P = .55) were found between the groups. In all cases, it was possible to
identify and target the posterior capsule. In 1 case, a minimal attachment of a
half-hour length was seen. No significant between-group differences in visual
acuity, macular thickness, laser flare, or IOP were seen. CONCLUSION: The
described off-label use of primary posterior laser capsulotomy was a safe,
feasible technique in preventing PCO over a 6-month follow-up.
PMID- 28991614
TI - Postoperative outcomes of intraocular lens implantation in the bag versus
posterior optic capture in pediatric cataract surgery.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare complications in children up to 4 years old having cataract
surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using 2 techniques: in-the-bag
IOL with anterior vitrectomy or optic capture of IOL with no anterior vitrectomy.
SETTING: Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India. DESIGN:
Prospective randomized control clinical trial. METHODS: The study included
children having cataract surgery with IOL implantation. Patients were randomized
to Group 1 (in-the-bag 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL [Acrysof MA60AC] with
anterior vitrectomy) or Group 2 (optic capture of the same IOL without anterior
vitrectomy). Intraoperative complications were documented. Postoperative visual
axis obscuration (VAO), glaucoma, cell deposits on the IOL, and posterior
synechiae were compared at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The study comprised
61 children (61 eyes). The mean ages were 14.8 months +/-11.47 (SD) in Group 1 (n
= 30) and 18.2 +/- 11.47 months in Group 2 (n = 31). Overall, only 1 eye in Group
1 developed a VAO requiring membranectomy 4 months postoperatively, and 2 eyes in
Group 1 developed glaucoma over 12 months (P = .49). Intraocular lens cell
deposits and posterior synechiae were comparable between groups. The IOL could
not be captured in 5 eyes (16.1%); no complications occurred in these eyes.
CONCLUSIONS: Optic capture of 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOLs could be achieved
in most eyes. The VAO, glaucoma, and inflammation were comparable 12 months
postoperatively. Thus, optic capture of an IOL is an alternative surgical
technique that can be used to avoid vitrectomy, even in children younger than 4
years.
PMID- 28991612
TI - Long-term safety follow-up of an anterior chamber angle-supported phakic
intraocular lens.
AB - PURPOSE: To report adverse device effects and annualized endothelial cell loss
rate for up to 10 years after implantation of the Acrysof L-series Cachet phakic
intraocular lens (pIOL). SETTING: Clinical centers in the United States, European
Union, and Canada. DESIGN: Nonrandomized clinical trial. METHODS: After
implantation of the pIOL, the endothelial cell density (ECD) at follow-up
evaluations was compared with the 6-month postoperative baseline. Adverse device
effects were assessed. RESULTS: This study assessed 638 patients (1087 eyes) from
previous clinical trials. The mean central ECD change from baseline was -9.6% +/-
8.3% (SD) (-1.7% annualized; 623 eyes) and -11.0% +/- 9.9% (-1.7% annualized; 703
eyes) at 6 years and 7 years, respectively. The mean peripheral ECD change from
baseline was -10.8% +/- 8.7% (-2.0% annualized; 615 eyes) and -11.9% +/- 10.0% (
1.8% annualized; 680 eyes), respectively. Endothelial cell loss greater than 30%
from the preoperative baseline at any time after implantation affected 8.0% of
all eyes. An ECD of 1500 cells/mm2 or less at any time after implantation
affected 2.7% of all eyes. The most common adverse device effects were peripheral
iris adhesions (57 eyes [5.2%]), corneal endothelial cell loss (42 eyes [3.9%]),
and pIOL explantation (37 eyes [3.4%]). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term evaluation of the
pIOL showed a persistent ECD decrease in some eyes that was numerically larger
than the annual rate expected with aging. Endothelial cell loss resulted in
explantation in 3.1% of all eyes with the pIOL. Patients had no permanent vision
loss. The manufacturer recommends that patients continue to be monitored and
their corneal endothelium evaluated semiannually.
PMID- 28991615
TI - Optimizing number of postoperative visits after cataract surgery: Safety
perspective.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate safety perspectives when the standard routine after cataract
surgery is no planned postoperative visit. SETTING: Eye Clinic, Sunderby
Hospital, Lulea, Norrbotten County, Sweden. DESIGN: Prospective case series.
METHODS: All cataract surgery cases during a 1-year period were included. The
study group had the standard routine at the clinic, that is, no planned
postoperative visit for patients without comorbidity and uneventful surgery. For
the control group, patients who had surgery during 1 month of the 1-year period
were chosen. All these patients had a planned postoperative visit. All surgeons
involved were experienced. The outcome measures were any planned postoperative
visit, any complication and/or adverse event, postoperative corrected distance
visual acuity (CDVA), and any postoperative control/contact initiated by the
patient. RESULTS: The study comprised 1249 patients (1115 in the study group and
134 in the control group). No significant differences in demographics,
postoperative CDVA, frequency of planned visits because of ocular comorbidity, or
postoperative patient-initiated contacts were found between the 2 groups. Of the
1249 patients, 9% (117 patients) initiated a postoperative contact, of whom 26%
(30 patients) also had a scheduled visit. The reasons for the patient-initiated
contacts were visual disturbance, redness and/or chafing, pain, and anxiety. An
evaluation of all medical records 2 years postoperatively found no reports of
missed adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to refrain from planned
postoperative visits for patients having uncomplicated cataract surgery. However,
preoperatively, patients with comorbidities should be provided with individual
planning of their postoperative follow-up. Preoperative counseling is important,
and the clinic must have resources to answer questions from patients and be
prepared for additional unplanned postoperative visits.
PMID- 28991616
TI - Refractive lens exchange and piggyback intraocular lens implantation in
nanophthalmos: Visual and structural outcomes.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the best piggyback intraocular lens (IOL) implantation
method and the outcomes in nanophthalmos eyes and to define the postoperative
structural changes. SETTING: Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran. DESIGN:
Prospective case series. METHODS: Candidates for refractive surgery who were
nanophthalmic were recruited. Patients had refractive lens exchange followed by
implantation of both IOLs in the bag or 1 IOL in the bag and 1 IOL in the sulcus.
The baseline and follow-up visual acuity, refractive status, and structural
Scheimpflug imaging were evaluated. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) was performed
6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The study comprised 9 nanophthalmic patients
(18 eyes) with a mean preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of
1.53 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) +/- 0.3 (SD), mean
corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 0.34 +/- 0.2 logMAR, and mean
spherical equivalent (SE) of +13.55 +/- 4.0 diopters (D). The mean postoperative
UDVA improved from baseline. There was no significant difference in the mean UDVA
and CDVA between the 2 IOL groups. Postoperatively, both groups had a significant
improvement in SE, a significant rise in anterior chamber depth and angle, and
similar UBM measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Piggyback IOL implantation was an
effective refractive procedure in nanophthalmic eyes. Both implantation methods
resulted in similar outcomes; however, the small number of patients in each group
made it less likely that possible differences would be found. The increase in
angle values might help prevent the development of closed-angle glaucoma.
PMID- 28991617
TI - Goniotomy with a single-use dual blade: Short-term results.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy and safety
of a single-use dual blade (Kahook) in patients with mild to end-stage glaucoma.
SETTING: International multicenter ophthalmic care centers. DESIGN: Prospective
interventional case series. METHODS: Consecutive patients with glaucoma who had
phacoemulsification plus goniotomy with the single-use dual blade were enrolled
in this study. Each center collected deidentified clinical data, including
preoperative and postoperative IOP, medication use, adverse events, and whether
additional surgery was required during a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 71
eyes included in this study, 70% had primary open-angle glaucoma. Other diagnoses
included angle-closure, pigmentary, pseudoexfoliative, and normal-tension
glaucoma. Sixty-five percent of eyes were classified as having mild to moderate
glaucoma and 35%, severe glaucoma. The mean baseline IOP decreased from 17.4 mm
Hg +/- 5.2 (SD) to 12.8 +/- 2.6 mm Hg 6 months postoperatively and the
hypotensive medication use decreased from 1.6 +/- 1.3 to 0.9 +/- 1.0,
respectively (P < .001 and P = .005, respectively). The most common observation
was blood reflux during surgery (39.4%). CONCLUSION: Single-use dual blade
goniotomy plus phacoemulsification resulted in a significant and sustained
reduction in IOP and a decrease in glaucoma medications after 6 months of follow
up.
PMID- 28991618
TI - Optimization of transversal phacoemulsification settings in peristaltic mode
using a new transversal ultrasound machine.
AB - PURPOSE: To determine the optimum bottle height, vacuum, aspiration rate, and
power settings in the peristaltic mode of the Whitestar Signature Pro machine
with Ellips FX tip action (transversal). SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center
Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Experimental
study. METHODS: Porcine lens nuclei were hardened with formalin and cut into 2.0
mm cubes. Lens cubes were emulsified using transversal and fragment removal time
(efficiency), and fragment bounces off the tip (chatter) were measured to
determine optimum aspiration rate, bottle height, vacuum, and power settings in
the peristaltic mode. RESULTS: Efficiency increased in a linear fashion with
increasing bottle height and vacuum. The most efficient aspiration rate was 50
mL/min, with 60 mL/min statistically similar. Increasing power increased
efficiency up to 90% with increased chatter at 100%. CONCLUSION: The most
efficient values for the settings tested were bottle height at 100 cm, vacuum at
600 mm Hg, aspiration rate of 50 or 60 mL/min, and power at 90%.
PMID- 28991619
TI - Light scattering levels from intraocular lenses extracted from donor eyes.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess light scatter levels of intraocular lenses (IOLs) extracted
from donor eyes to understand straylight elevation documented earlier in
pseudophakic population studies and identify potential sources of light
scattering in IOLs. SETTING: Rotterdam Ophthalmic Institute, Rotterdam, the
Netherlands. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Light scattering in 74 donor
IOLs was measured with the C-Quant device adapted for in vitro analysis of IOLs.
Straylight was assessed at a 2.5-degree and 7.0-degree scatter angle, and results
were compared with the straylight of a 20-year-old crystalline lens, a 70-year
old crystalline lens, and a lens with cataract. To identify potential changes to
the IOL material, the IOLs were examined with a light microscope and a slitlamp.
RESULTS: At 2.5 degrees and 7.0 degrees, the straylight parameter was 5.78
deg2/steradian (sr) +/- 4.70 (SD) and 5.06 +/- 4.01 deg2/sr, respectively. Forty
one percent of IOLs showed lower straylight than the 20-year-old lens. In 14%,
the scattering intensity was higher than in the 70-year-old lens; none showed
straylight comparable to that of the cataractous lens. Increased straylight was
associated with surface deposits, snowflake-like degeneration, and glistenings.
The incidence of IOL-related complications differed between the IOL groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Microscopic structural alterations of IOLs play a major role in
straylight elevations in pseudophakic eyes. A clear correlation with degeneration
and/or alteration of implanted IOLs was found. Although these IOL-related
complications would likely not affect visual acuity, they give rise to straylight
and thus can cause disability glare and other symptoms.
PMID- 28991620
TI - New perspectives on the detection and progression of keratoconus.
AB - Laser refractive surgery has increased markedly in recent years, making the
detection of corneal abnormalities extremely relevant. For this reason, an
accurate diagnosis of clinical or subclinical keratoconus is critical. Corneal
topography is the primary diagnostic tool for keratoconus detection, and
pachymetry data and corneal aberrations are also commonly used. Recently,
tomographic measurements using optical coherence tomography and corneal
biomechanical indices have been used. In incipient and subclinical keratoconus,
the use of a single parameter as a diagnostic factor is not sufficiently
accurate. In these cases, the use of algorithms and predictive models is
necessary. In addition, determining whether the disease will progress is crucial
to selecting the most appropriate treatment. Some factors, such as age,
keratometric indices, corneal elevation data, and corneal thickness, seem to be
useful in predicting keratoconus progression.
PMID- 28991621
TI - Central island formation after cataract surgery in a laser in situ keratomileusis
eye: New etiology.
AB - We report a case of central corneal steepness formation after cataract surgery in
a post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye. A 51-year-old woman with
traumatic cataract and a history of myopic LASIK surgery had uneventful
phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Postoperatively, the corneal topography
difference map showed a central island formation of 2.1 diopters (D) compared
with the preoperative level, which correlated with a clinical myopic shift of
2.00 D from the targeted emmetropia. At 4 months, most of the central island had
resolved spontaneously. At 15 months, topography returned to preoperative levels.
We speculate that wound hydration in the flap interface during surgery resulted
in a pond-like fluid accumulation in the center of the cornea, resulting in a
myopic refractive shift. We report this case because of the high probability that
this phenomenon could be confounded by an erroneous intraocular lens (IOL)
calculation and the potential for a serious iatrogenic complication from a
premature IOL exchange or touch-up procedure.
PMID- 28991622
TI - Presbyopia correction after previous refractive laser and cataract surgery:
September consultation #1.
PMID- 28991623
TI - September consultation #2.
PMID- 28991624
TI - September consultation #3.
PMID- 28991625
TI - September consultation #4.
PMID- 28991627
TI - September consultation #7.
PMID- 28991626
TI - September consultation #5.
PMID- 28991628
TI - September consultation #6.
PMID- 28991629
TI - September consultation #8.
PMID- 28991630
TI - Editor's Comment.
PMID- 28991631
TI - Primary femtosecond laser posterior capsulotomy: Without clinical outcomes,
caution should be exercised.
PMID- 28991632
TI - Reply.
PMID- 28991633
TI - Descemet-stripping endothelial keratoplasty and flange technique of scleral
fixation of intraocular lens: Making it easier and safer.
PMID- 28991634
TI - Reply.
PMID- 28991635
TI - Reply.
PMID- 28991637
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28991636
TI - Autologous blood as a sealant for conjunctival autografts.
PMID- 28991638
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28991639
TI - Haemanthamine alters sodium butyrate-induced histone acetylation, p21WAF1/Cip1
expression, Chk1 and Chk2 activation and leads to increased growth inhibition and
death in A2780 ovarian cancer cells.
AB - BACKGROUND: Haemanthamine (HA) and sodium butyrate (NaB) are promising candidates
for chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer. PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the
anticancer potential of HA and NaB, alone and in combination, in A2780 ovarian
cancer cells and concurrently investigated anticancer potential in contrast to
non-cancer human MRC-5 fibroblasts. METHODS: Antiproliferative effects were
determined by WST-1 assay and by Trypan blue exclusion staining. Cell cycle
distributions were studied by flow cytometry and protein levels were determined
by Western blotting. RESULTS: The combination of HA and NaB caused a significant
decrease in the proliferation of A2780 cells compared to the stand-alone
treatment of cells by HA or NaB. This effect was less pronounced in non-cancer
MRC-5 fibroblasts. In the later intervals, the number of A2780 living cells was
strongly decreased by treatment using a combination of NaB and HA. This
simultaneous application had no considerable effect in MRC-5 fibroblasts. The
combination of NaB and HA led to the suppression of cells in the G1 phase and
caused an accumulation of cells in the S and G2 phase in comparison to those
treated with NaB and HA alone. Treatment of cells with NaB alone led to the
activation of proteins regulating the cell cycle. Notably, p21WAF1/Cip1 was
upregulated in both A2780 and MRC-5 cells, while checkpoint kinases 1 and 2 were
activated via phosphorylation only in A2780 cells. Unexpectedly, NaB in
combination with HA suppressed the phosphorylation of Chk2 on threonine 68 and
Chk1 on serine 345 in A2780 cells and downregulated p21WAF1/Cip1 in both tested
cell lines. The sensitization of cells to HA and NaB treatment seems to be
accompanied by increased histone acetylation. NaB-induced acetylation of histone
H3 and H4 and histone acetylation increased markedly when a combination of NaB
and HA was applied. Whereas the most prominent hyperacetylation after HA and NaB
treatment was observed in A2780 cells, the acetylation of histones occurred in
both cell lines. CONCLUSION: In summary, we have demonstrated the enhanced
activity of HA and NaB against A2780 cancer cells, while eliciting no such effect
in non-cancer MRC-5 cells.
PMID- 28991640
TI - The isoflavonoid tectorigenin has better antiplatelet potential than
acetylsalicylic acid.
AB - BACKGROUND: One reason for the lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases in
Asian countries may be the high intake of isoflavonoids and their antiplatelet
effects may be an important factor. To date, there is limited comparison of a
range of isoflavonoids and knowledge of their effects at different levels of
platelet aggregation. PURPOSE: To screen the antiplatelet effects of a number of
isoflavonoids on the arachidonic acid based aggregation pathway and investigate
how the antiplatelet activity might occur. METHODS: The antiplatelet effects were
first screened in whole human blood where platelet aggregation was induced by
arachidonic acid. Further analysis was targeted at search of the mechanism of
action. RESULTS: Thirteen of the eighteen tested isoflavonoids had significant
inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation in whole human blood. Genistein had the
same potency as clinically used acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) while tectorigenin was
clearly stronger than ASA. Further analyses showed that the effect of
tectorigenin was not based on inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 in contrast to ASA
or thromboxane synthase but by competitive antagonism at thromboxane receptors.
CONCLUSION: Tectorigenin is a more potent antiplatelet compound than ASA and thus
an interesting substance for further testing.
PMID- 28991641
TI - Cardioprotection of stevioside on stunned rat hearts: A mechano-energetical
study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The sweetener and hypoglycemic properties of stevioside (STV) are
well known, as the main component of the plant Stevia rebaudiana. Given its
extensive use in diabetic patients, it was of interest to evaluate its effects on
the most frequent cardiovascular disease, the coronary insufficiency. PURPOSE: To
study whether STV could be cardioprotective against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in
a model of "stunning" in rat hearts. STUDY DESIGN: A preclinical study was
performed in isolated hearts from rats in the following groups: non-treated rats
whose hearts were perfused with STV 0.3 mg/ml and their controls (C) exposed to
either moderate stunning (20 min I/45 min R) or severe stunning (30 min I/45 min
R), and a group of rats orally treated with STV 25 mg/kg/day in the drink water
during 1 week before the experiment of severe stunning in the isolated hearts
were done. METHODS: The mechano-calorimetrical performance of isolated beating
hearts was recorded during stabilization period with control Krebs perfusion
inside a calorimeter, with or without 0.3 mg/ml STV before the respective period
of I/R. The left ventricular maximal developed pressure (P) and total heat rate
(Ht) were continuously measured. RESULTS: Both, orally administered and perfused
STV improved the post-ischemic contractile recovery (PICR, as % of initial
control P) and the total muscle economy (P/Ht) after the severe stunning, but
only improved P/Ht in moderate stunning. However, STV increased the diastolic
pressure (LVEDP) during I/R in both stunning models. For studying the mechanism
of action, ischemic hearts were reperfused with 10 mM caffeine-36 mM Na+-Krebs to
induce a contracture dependent on sarcorreticular Ca2+ content, whose relaxation
mainly depends on mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. STV at 0.3 mg/ml increased the area
under-curve of the caffeine-dependent contracture (AUC-LVP). Moreover, at room
temperature STV increased the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake measured by Rhod-2
fluorescence in rat cardiomyocytes, but prevented the [Ca2+]m overload assessed
by caffeine-dependent SR release. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that STV is
cardioprotective against I/R under oral administration or direct perfusion in
hearts. The mechanism includes the regulation of the myocardial calcium
homeostasis and the energetic during I/R in several sites, mainly reducing
mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and increasing the sarcorreticular Ca2+ store.
PMID- 28991642
TI - Retraction notice to "RETRACTED: 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial
dysfunction are mediated by early modulation of intracellular signals and
interaction of Nrf2 and NF-kappaB factors" [Toxicology (2013) 109 - 119].
PMID- 28991643
TI - The Effects of Aging on Lung Structure and Function.
AB - Growth of the segment of the population older than 65 years has led to
intensified interest in understanding the biology of aging. This article is
focused on age-related alterations in lung structure that produce predictable
changes in physiologic function, both at rest and during exercise. Increased
insight into the physiology of the healthy aging lung should ultimately lead to
improved methods of lung function assessment in the elderly (defined as those
older than 65 years) as well as better understanding of the manifestations and
possibly even the treatment of geriatric lung disease.
PMID- 28991645
TI - Lung Diseases of the Elderly: Cellular Mechanisms.
AB - Natural lung aging is characterized by molecular and cellular changes in multiple
lung cell populations. These changes include shorter telomeres, increased
expression of cellular senescence markers, increased DNA damage, oxidative
stress, apoptosis, and stem cell exhaustion. Aging, combined with the loss of
protective repair processes, correlates with the development and incidence of
chronic respiratory diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Ultimately, it is the interplay of age-related
changes in biology and the subsequent responses to environmental exposures that
largely define the physiology and clinical course of the aging lung.
PMID- 28991646
TI - Epidemiology of Lung Disease in Older Persons.
AB - Older persons frequently report respiratory risk factors and symptoms and have a
high prevalence of symptomatic lung disease, most commonly obstructive airway
disease, interstitial lung disease, and lung cancer. Notably, coexisting
nonrespiratory risk factors are also prevalent and may misidentify or modify
respiratory diagnoses and their clinical course.
PMID- 28991644
TI - Inflammaging and the Lung.
AB - With the coming of the "silver tsunami," expanding the knowledge about how
various intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect the immune system in the elderly
is timely and of immediate clinical need. The global population is increasing in
age. By the year 2030, more than 20% of the population of the United States will
be older than 65 years of age. This article focuses on how advanced age alters
the immune systems and how this, in turn, modulates the ability of the aging lung
to deal with infectious challenges from the outside world and from within the
host.
PMID- 28991647
TI - Evaluation of Dyspnea in the Elderly.
AB - Dyspnea is due to an imbalance between the demand to breathe and the ability to
breathe. The prevalence is ~30% for those 65 years or older with walking on a
level surface or up an incline. Dyspnea is a strong predictor of mortality in
elderly individuals. Anemia, cardiovascular disease, deconditioning,
psychological disorders, and respiratory diseases are common causes of dyspnea.
Initial treatments to relieve breathing discomfort should be directed toward
improving the pathophysiology of the underlying disease. Simple and inexpensive
strategies to relieve dyspnea are available. This article provides an update on
the evaluation of chronic dyspnea in elderly individuals.
PMID- 28991648
TI - Asthma in the Elderly.
AB - The older population has seen the greatest increase in the prevalence of current
asthma in recent years. Asthma may begin at any age and when it occurs at an
advanced as opposed to a young age, it is often nonatopic, severe, and
unremitting. Unfortunately, geriatric-specific guidelines are not available for
the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. However, with objective monitoring,
avoidance of asthma triggers, appropriate pharmacotherapy, and patient education,
the disease can be managed successfully.
PMID- 28991649
TI - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Elderly Patients.
AB - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prevalent in the elderly
population, with high impact on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. The
diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms and spirometry values that support
the presence of airflow obstruction. However, the condition is frequently
underdiagnosed. COPD is associated with premature aging and several other medical
conditions that can partially explain its underdiagnosis and management. There
are several pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions proven to be
effective in ameliorating the symptoms of COPD. Appropriate drug delivery and
reduction of side effects is also pivotal in the management of patients with
COPD.
PMID- 28991650
TI - Pulmonary Vascular Diseases in the Elderly.
AB - Pulmonary hypertension is a pathologic hemodynamic condition defined by a mean
pulmonary arterial pressure of 25 mm Hg or greater at rest. Because of age
associated stiffening of the heart and the pulmonary vasculature and the higher
prevalence in the elderly of comorbidities associated with the development of
pulmonary hypertension, it is an increasingly common finding in this patient
population. A right heart catheterization is necessary for the diagnosis and
characterization of pulmonary hypertension. The general management is to treat
the underlying conditions responsible for the development of the disorder.
Pulmonary vasodilators are indicated in patients with pulmonary arterial
hypertension.
PMID- 28991651
TI - Lung Cancer in the Older Patient.
AB - Cancers of the lung and bronchus are the leading cause of cancer deaths in men
and women in the United States, and two-thirds of new lung cancer cases are
diagnosed in patients over age 65. There are few dedicated clinical trials in the
elderly, leading to both undertreatment and overtreatment biases. Even fit older
adults experience age-related decline in physiologic reserve, and additional
issues of polypharmacy, geriatric syndromes, and inadequate social support are
not uncommon, leading to disparities in treatment and survival. This review
discusses the challenges in balancing benefits and harms in management of lung
cancer in elderly patients.
PMID- 28991652
TI - Sleep in the Elderly: Unanswered Questions.
AB - Sleep normally changes with aging, with implications for healthy elderly
individuals as well as for those with disease states. Less slow wave sleep (deep
sleep) is expected, along with more awakenings, and a tendency toward earlier
sleep times. Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder is seen primarily in
elderly individuals, and it often represents the earliest sign of a chronic and
progressive neurologic disease. Complaints of difficulty initiating and
maintaining sleep (insomnia) become more common with aging. Irregular breathing
with sleep also becomes more common, with an increased Apnea Hypopnea Index that
may not always be clinically important.
PMID- 28991653
TI - Comorbidities of Lung Disease in the Elderly.
AB - Comorbidities are common in elderly individuals with chronic respiratory
diseases. They can affect disease manifestations and severity and can even impact
management. Comorbidities can affect the treatment of the lung disease,
particularly because of the interaction with the respiratory drugs. Thus, a
multidimensional approach with multidisciplinary intervention is suggested for
elderly respiratory patients, switching from a disease-oriented scheme to a
dysfunction-oriented approach. Unfortunately, older individuals are often
excluded from clinical trials because of advanced age and comorbidities. This
article reviews the role of comorbidities in the management of respiratory
diseases in the elderly.
PMID- 28991654
TI - Pulmonary Disease in the Aging Patient.
PMID- 28991655
TI - Apparent diffusion coefficient reduction might be a predictor of poor outcome in
patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.
AB - It is thought that posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is both
clinically and radiologically reversible. However, its reversible nature has been
challenged based on reports of permanent neurological impairments. The factors
that predict the development of irreversible neurological impairment are still
unclear. In the present study, we investigated clinical manifestations,
laboratory findings, and neuroradiological images to identify predictors of
functional outcomes in PRES. We investigated 23 PRES patients. Apparent diffusion
coefficient (ADC) reduction was observed in 4 patients in the poor outcome group,
whereas no patients presented ADC reduction in the favourable outcome group
(p<0.01). Further studies are warranted to evaluate the association between ADC
reduction and functional outcome after PRES.
PMID- 28991656
TI - 18F-FDG PET/MRI in cryptogenic new-onset refractory status epilepticus: a
potential marker of disease location, activity and prognosis?
PMID- 28991658
TI - Highly asymmetric and subacutely progressive motor weakness with unilateral T2
weighted high intensities along the pyramidal tract in the brainstem in
adrenomyeloneuropathy.
PMID- 28991657
TI - Quantitative analysis of brain atrophy in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum
group A carrying the founder mutation in Japan.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an inherited congenital disease
presenting with dermatological and neurological manifestations. In Japan, XP
complementation group A (XP-A) is most frequently observed in eight clinical
subtypes, and the homozygous founder mutation, IVS3-1G>C in XPA, suffer from
severe manifestations including progressive brain atrophy since childhood. In
this study, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and applied volumetric
analysis to elucidate the start and the progression of the brain atrophy in these
patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve Japanese patients with XP-A carrying the
founder mutation and seven controls were included. MRI was performed for each
patient once or more. Three-dimensional T1 weighted images were segmented to gray
matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid, and each volume was calculated.
RESULTS: Conventional MRI demonstrated progressive whole brain atrophy in
patients with XP-A. Moreover, volumetric analysis showed that reductions of total
gray matter volumes (GMV) and total brain volumes (TBV) started at the age of
five. The slope of reduction was similar in all cases. The GMV and TBV values in
controls were higher than those in XP-A cases after the age of five. CONCLUSIONS:
This is the first quantitative report presenting with the progression of brain
atrophy in patients with XP-A. It is revealed that the brain atrophy started from
early childhood in Japanese patients with XP-A carrying the homozygous founder
mutation.
PMID- 28991659
TI - Proposed cut scores for tests of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment of
Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS).
AB - OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). An
international consensus committee developed the Brief International Cognitive
Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) to screen for CI commonly seen in MS.
BICAMS cut scores would allow clinicians to, efficiently and effectively,
identify patients with possible CI and could aid in clinical decision-making. The
aim of this study was to establish cut scores for the neuropsychological tests of
the BICAMS. METHODS: This study utilized data collected from MS Centers in the
United States. ROC curve analysis identified cut scores yielding the best balance
of sensitivity and specificity. We tested two definitions of impairment: 1.5 and
2 standard deviations (SD) below the normative mean. RESULTS: All cut scores
yielded excellent or good sensitivity and specificity for identifying impaired
cognitive performance. The following cut scores yielded the best balance between
sensitivity and specificity: On the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, 44 for 1.5 SD
below the mean and 38 for 2 SD below the mean; on the California Verbal Learning
Test - II learning trials, 39 (1.5 SD) and 35 (2 SD); and on the Brief
Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised learning trials, 17 (1.5 SD) and 16 (2 SD).
CONCLUSIONS: Cut scores can accurately identify cognitive impairment on all
subtests of the BICAMS. Use of cut scores may improve the efficiency of screening
for cognitive impairment by reducing administrative burden and simplifying
interpretation.
PMID- 28991660
TI - Effects of educational television commercial on pre-hospital delay in patients
with ischemic stroke wore off after the end of the campaign.
PMID- 28991661
TI - Behavioral and affective features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.
AB - Evaluating the cognitive and behavioral features in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) patients is important for therapy and care. Fifty-seven ALS, 5 ALS with the
behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (ALS-FTD), 12 FTD patients,
and 35 control subjects were evaluated by 10 different tests for cognitive and
behavioral (mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Hasegawa dementia rating scale
revised (HDS-R), frontal assessment battery (FAB), Montreal cognitive assessment
(MoCA), ALS-frontotemporal dementia-Questionnaire (ALS-FTD-Q), and anosognosia
scale), affective (depression, apathy, and behavioral and psychological symptoms
of dementia (BPSD)), and activities of daily living (ADL) assessments. The motor
functions of ALS patients were evaluated by ALS functional rating scale - revised
(ALSFRS-R) and modified Norris scale. ALS-FTD-Q scores showed intermediate
behavioral disturbances of ALS patients between ALS-FTD and FTD patients and
control subjects, but FAB, MoCA, and anosognosia scales did not. Both FAB and
MoCA scores were significantly correlated with MMSE and HDS-R in ALS patients,
but ALS-FTD-Q was not. ALS-FTD-Q score was significantly correlated with ALSFRS
R, apathy, BPSD, and ADL scores in ALS patients. Thus, in ALS patients, both FAB
and MoCA tests were useful to assess frontal cognitive impairments, while ALS-FTD
Q was useful to detect mild behavioral and affective disturbances.
PMID- 28991662
TI - Dissociation findings between short-term and long-term memory in autoimmune
limbic encephalitis.
PMID- 28991663
TI - A nationwide survey of familial syringomyelia in Japan.
PMID- 28991664
TI - IncobotulinumtoxinA treatment of facial nerve palsy after neurosurgery.
AB - BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the effect of incobotulinumtoxinA in the acute
and chronic phases of facial nerve palsy after neurosurgical interventions.
METHODS: Patients received incobotulinumtoxinA injections (active treatment
group) or standard rehabilitation treatment (control group). Functional efficacy
was assessed using House-Brackmann, Yanagihara System and Sunnybrook Facial
Grading scales, and Facial Disability Index self-assessment. RESULTS: Significant
improvements on all scales were seen after 1month of incobotulinumtoxinA
treatment (active treatment group, r<0.05), but only after 3months of
rehabilitation treatment (control group, r<0.05). At 1 and 2years post-surgery,
the prevalence of synkinesis was significantly higher in patients in the control
group compared with those receiving incobotulinumtoxinA treatment (r<0.05 and
r<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: IncobotulinumtoxinA treatment resulted in
significant improvements in facial symmetry in patients with facial nerve injury
following neurosurgical interventions. Treatment was effective for the correction
of the compensatory hyperactivity of mimic muscles on the unaffected side that
develops in the acute period of facial nerve palsy, and for the correction of
synkinesis in the affected side that develops in the long-term period.
Appropriate dosing and patient education to perform exercises to restore mimic
muscle function should be considered in multimodal treatment.
PMID- 28991665
TI - Spinal cord anteroposterior atrophy in HAM/TSP: Magnetic resonance imaging and
neuropathological analyses.
AB - To evaluate the spinal cord atrophy that occurs in HTLV-1-associated
myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), we conducted magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) and pathological analyses. In the MRI study, 15 patients
with HAM/TSP and 20 age-matched normal control subjects were enrolled.
Anteroposterior and transverse distances and cross-sectional areas were measured
and calculated at the C2, C4, C6, T2, and T6 vertebral levels. In the
pathological study, spinal cord autopsy specimens were compared between a HAM/TSP
case and an adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma case. In both the MRI and pathological
studies, HAM/TSP spinal cords demonstrated more severe atrophy in the
anteroposterior direction than those of controls. The spinal cord atrophy and
pathological changes in HAM/TSP occurred predominantly in the white matter,
especially in the lateral columns. This is the first report indicating spinal
cord atrophy in the anteroposterior direction using MRI. In pathological
analysis, atrophy and pathological changes were prominent in areas of the spinal
cord with slow blood flow. Hemodynamic and anatomical factors are speculated to
be among the main mechanisms of atrophy in the anteroposterior direction.
PMID- 28991666
TI - Educational attainment and motor burden in advanced Parkinson's disease - The
emerging role of education in motor reserve.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of motor burden and educational attainment
in patients with advanced stage PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 102
consecutive patients who underwent a complete evaluation for DBS surgery,
including detailed neuropsychological testing and UPDRSIII in a standardized
Levodopa challenge. Years of education (YoE) were calculated as the highest grade
attained in secondary school plus years for post-secondary training. RESULTS: The
OFF medication UPDRS-III score was associated with YoE (p=0.006; t=-2.82) and age
(p=0.007; t=-2.75) in our multivariable linear regression model even while
including disease duration (p=0.8; t=0.21), presence of mild cognitive impairment
(MCI) (p=0.9; t=0.16) or current IQ (p=0.2; t=1.25) as additional covariables. In
a subgroup of 60 patients two years after DBS, the ON/ON UPDRS score was
associated with YoE (p=0.01; t=-2.42) and diagnosis of PD dementia (p=0.05,
t=1.95), while age (p=0.08, t=1.75), disease duration (p=0.6t=0.48) and LEDD
(p=0.3; t=1.05) showed no significant association to ON/ON UPDRS score.
CONCLUSIONS: We found an inverse correlation between years of education and lower
(better) UPDRS -III motor score after adjusting for important covariables.
Education may lead to an increased ability to compensate disturbances in basal
ganglia circuits affecting not only for cognitive, but also for motor aspects of
PD. Thus, educational attainment may play an important role in the concept of
motor reserve.
PMID- 28991667
TI - Coexistence of transthyretin- and Abeta-type cerebral amyloid angiopathy in a
patient with hereditary transthyretin V30M amyloidosis.
PMID- 28991668
TI - SMART syndrome with cerebral angiographic abnormalities - A case report.
PMID- 28991669
TI - Noninvasive fractional flow in intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis:
Reproducibility, limitations, and perspectives.
PMID- 28991670
TI - Follow-on products for treatment of multiple sclerosis in Latin America: An
update.
AB - Both proprietary and non-proprietary medicines are expected to undergo rigorous
pre-approval testing and both should meet stringent health authority regulatory
requirements related to quality to obtain approval. Non-proprietary (also known
as copy or generic) medicines, which base their authorization and use on the
proprietary documentation and label, are often viewed as a means to help lower
cost and thus increase patient access. If these medicines fail to meet quality
standards, such as good manufacturing practice and bioequivalence (in humans),
they are then defined as substandard copies and can pose serious risks to
patients in terms of safety and efficacy. Availability of this type of compounds
is more prevalent in regions where health authorities do not enforce registration
regulations as stringent as those of the Food and Drug Administration, European
Medicines Agency, or World Health Organization, including preestablished quality
standard requirements. This article focuses on non-proprietary medicines for
multiple sclerosis, that are not identical to proprietary versions and could thus
fail to meet efficacy or have different impact on the safety of patients with
multiple sclerosis.
PMID- 28991671
TI - Delayed elevation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide as a cue to diagnosis of
atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke: A case report.
PMID- 28991672
TI - Clinical profiles associated with LRRK2 and GBA mutations in Brazilians with
Parkinson's disease.
AB - BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder
characterized by remarkable phenotypic variability. Accumulated evidence points
that the manifestation of PD clinical signs might be differentially modified by
genetic factors, as mutations in LRRK2 and GBA genes. In this sense, the
clarification of the genotype-phenotype correlations in PD has important
implications in predicting prognosis and can contribute to the development of
specific therapeutic approaches. METHODS: Here, we conducted the first
comparative analysis of motor and non-motor features in 17 LRRK2 and 22 GBA
mutation carriers and 93 non-carriers unrelated PD patients from Brazil, a highly
admixed population. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the three
groups. LRRK2 PD patients presented more occurrence of familiar history. Resting
tremor was observed in a lower frequency in GBA mutation carries. In contrast,
gait freezing and dysautonomia was present in lower frequencies in LRRK2
carriers. Besides that, LRRK2 and GBA mutation carriers showed a higher incidence
of depressive symptoms and a younger age at onset, when compared to non-carriers.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that specific mutations in GBA and LRRK2
influence the clinical signs of the disease, with significant implications for
handling of specific patient groups.
PMID- 28991673
TI - Mortality and morbidity among hospitalized adult patients with neurological
diseases in Cameroon.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is inadequate information on the morbidity and mortality (M&M)
from neurological diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE: To record the M&M
from neurological diseases in adults in Cameroon from 2013 to 2015 using a
registry and surveillance from two urban health care centers. METHODS: Records
from all adult admissions from two urban hospitals over a two year period were
reviewed. Adult cases with neurological diagnosis as the main cause for admission
were identified. The neurological diagnosis was made by a neurologist in all
cases. Variables analyzed were: demographics, neurological diagnosis, medical
history, medical center characteristics, morbidity and mortality (M&M).
Neurological diseases were classified according to ICD-10. RESULTS: Among the
2225 neurological admissions of adults, death from neurological disease was
recorded in 423 patients (19.01%), and disability in 819 of the survivors
(53.6%). The factors that were significantly associated with death in the
multivariate analysis were age, history of ischemic cardiac disease, and
neurological diagnoses of CNS infection, cerebrovascular disease, and CNS tumor.
Similarly, factors associated with disability were medical history of HIV, and
cerebrovascular disease, and neurological diagnoses of cerebrovascular disease
and CNS tumor. Higher educational level and epilepsy were associated with less
disability. CONCLUSIONS: As expected in this sample, older patients with
neurological diseases had more M&M. Morbidity was inversely associated with
education, which given that cerebrovascular disease is by far the most common
cause of morbidity, indicates the power of risk factor control in preventing
neurological disability.
PMID- 28991674
TI - Body composition and adipokines plasma levels in patients with myasthenia gravis
treated with high cumulative glucocorticoid dose.
AB - This study aimed to evaluate changes in body composition, i.e. overweight,
obesity, fat accumulation and low lean body mass and plasma levels of adipokines
in patients with MG. The study enrolled 80 patients with MG, and 62 controls.
Body fat mass and body lean mass was analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
technique (DXA). Plasma levels of leptin were analyzed by Luminex(r) and
adiponectin and resistin were analyzed by ELISA. The mean age of patients with MG
was 41.9years, with 13.5years of length of illness, and mean cumulative dose of
glucocorticoids 38,123mg. Our results showed that the frequency of obesity is
higher in MG patients than in controls, and patients with MG presented higher
body fat mass, android body adiposity and total body fat than controls. MG
patients presented lower levels of resistin and higher levels of leptin in
comparison with controls. There were no differences in the plasma levels of
adiponectin. Higher total body fat and lower body lean mass were associated with
increased severity of MG symptoms. This result points to the relevance of
estimation of body composition in planning long-term care of MG patients.
PMID- 28991675
TI - Sodium butyrate exerts protective effect against Parkinson's disease in mice via
stimulation of glucagon like peptide-1.
AB - Sodium butyrate (NaB) has exhibited protective activity in neurological
disorders. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effect and potential
mechanisms of NaB in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). A mouse was
intraperitoneally treated with MPTP (30mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days to induce PD
model and NaB (200mg/kg) was intragastrically treated for 3weeks. The behavioral
tests were then conducted. Dopaminergic degeneration was evaluated by western
blot and immunohistochemistry of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the SN. Brain
damage was assessed by histologic (Nissl staining for cell death), apoptosis
associated protein and tight junction (TJ) proteins studies. Meanwhile, the
levels of colonic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and cerebral GLP-1 receptor
(GLP-1R) expression were assessed. Our results showed that NaB improved
neurobehavioral impairment including cognitive behavior and coordination
performance. Moreover, NaB treatment prevented the MPTP-induced dopaminergic
degeneration and decreased expression level of TH in the striatum. NaB treatment
attenuated the PD-associated disruption of BBB by upregulation of Occludin and
zonula occludens (ZO)-1. In addition, NaB resulted in increased level of Bcl-2
and decreased level of Bax. Particularly, NaB-treated mice with PD exhibited
increased colonic GLP-1 level as well as upregulation of brain GLP-1R expression
compared with PD group. Our findings suggest that NaB has potential as a novel
therapeutic for treatment of PD, and its mechanism was associated with
stimulating colonic GLP-1secretion.
PMID- 28991676
TI - Sulfonylurea drug pretreatment and functional outcome in diabetic patients with
acute intracerebral hemorrhage.
AB - PURPOSE: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with poor clinical outcome
and high mortality. Sulfonylurea (SFU) use may be a viable therapy for inhibiting
sulfonylurea receptor-1 and NCCa-ATP channels and reducing perihematomal edema
and blood-brain barrier disruption. We sought to evaluate the effects of
prehospital SFU use with outcomes in diabetic patients with acute ICH. METHODS:
We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of diabetic patients presenting with acute
ICH at a tertiary care center. Study inclusion criteria included spontaneous ICH
etiology and age>18years. Baseline clinical severity was documented using ICH
score. Hematoma volumes (HV) on admission were calculated using ABC/2 formula.
Unfavorable functional outcome was documented as discharge modified Rankin Scale
scores 2-6. RESULTS: 230 diabetic patients with acute ICH fulfilled inclusion
criteria (mean age 64+/-13years, men 53%). SFU pretreatment was documented in 16%
of the study population. Patients with SFU pretreatment had significantly
(p<0.05) lower median ICH-scores (0, IQR: 0-2) and median admission HV (4cm3,
IQR: 1-12) compared to controls [ICH-score: 1 (IQR: 0-3); HV: 9cm3 (IQR: 3-20)].
SFU pretreatment was independently (p=0.033) and negatively associated with the
cubed root of admission HV (linear regression coefficient: -0.208; 95%CI: -0.398
to -0.017) in multiple linear regression analyses adjusting for potential
confounders. Pretreatment with SFU was also independently (p=0.033) associated
with lower likelihood of unfavorable functional outcome (OR=0.19; 95%CI: 0.04
0.88) in multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for potential
confounders. CONCLUSION: SFU pretreatment may be an independent predictor for
improved functional outcome in diabetic patients with acute ICH. This association
requires independent confirmation in a large prospective cohort study.
PMID- 28991677
TI - Hurst revisited: Are symptoms and signs of functional motor and sensory disorders
"dependent on idea"?
AB - INTRODUCTION: Symptoms and signs of functional (psychogenic) motor and sensory
disorder are often said to be dependent on the patients' idea of what symptoms
should be, rather than anatomy and physiology. This hypothesis has however rarely
been tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inspired by a brief experiment carried out in
1919 by neurologist Arthur Hurst we aimed to assess the views of healthy non
medical adults towards paralysis and numbness and their response to tests for
functional disorders when asked to pretend to have motor and sensory symptoms.
RESULTS: When subjects were asked to pretend they had a paralysed arm 80% thought
there would be sensory loss. Of these 60% thought it would have a circumferential
(functional) distribution at the wrist, elbow or shoulder. Hoover's sign of
functional weakness was only positive in 75% of patients pretending to have leg
paralysis with 23% maintaining weakness of hip extension in the feigned weak leg,
a rare finding in neurological practice. 20% of subjects managed to continue
having their feigned tremor during the entrainment test. 52% of subjects thought
there was asymmetry of a tuning fork across their forehead even when no prior
instruction had been given. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed Hurst's finding that
non-medical people generally expect sensory loss to go along with paralysis,
especially if the examiner suggests it. When present, it usually conforms to
functional patterns of sensory loss. Clinical tests for functional and motor
disorders appear to behave somewhat differently in patients asked to pretend to
have symptoms suggesting that larger more detailed studies would be worthwhile.
PMID- 28991678
TI - The Anna O. mystery: Hysteria or neuro-tuberculosis?
PMID- 28991679
TI - Brainstem cytokine changes in healthy ageing and Motor Neurone Disease.
AB - Neuroinflammation is linked to healthy ageing, but its role in the development of
age-related neurodegenerative diseases is unclear. In this pilot study we used a
multiplex assay approach to compare 27 cytokines in 6 young adult and 6 ageing
control brainstems with those in 6 MND brainstems. We report that healthy ageing
is associated with significantly increased brainstem levels of IL-1beta, IP-10
and MIP-1beta which co-localise immunocytochemically to astrocytes. MND brainstem
is also characterised by a general increase in both pro- and anti-cytokine
levels, but fails to show the expected age-related increase in MIP-1beta and IP
10. This pilot study is the first to show that MND is associated with a failure
of specific features of the normal age-related neuroinflammatory process. We
suggest that our pilot data indicates that neuroinflammation during healthy
ageing may not always be detrimental to motoneuronal survival and that age
related neurodegenerative diseases, such as MND, may instead result from
defective neuroinflammation.
PMID- 28991680
TI - Capsular warning syndrome: The role of blood pressure.
PMID- 28991681
TI - Successful treatment of recurrent primary CNS vasculitis with etanercept.
PMID- 28991682
TI - Potential role of tele-rehabilitation to address barriers to implementation of
physical therapy among West African stroke survivors: A cross-sectional survey.
AB - BACKGROUND: The greatest burden from stroke-related disability is borne by Low
and-Middle Income countries (LMICs) where access to rehabilitation after stroke
is severely challenged. Tele-rehabilitation could be a viable avenue to address
unmet rehabilitation needs in LMICs. OBJECTIVES: To assess the burden of post
stroke physical deficits, rates of utilization of physiotherapy services, and
perceptions of tele-rehabilitation among recent Ghanaian stroke survivors.
METHODS: Using a consecutive sampling strategy, 100 stroke survivors attending an
outpatient Neurology clinic in a Ghanaian tertiary medical center were enrolled
into this cross-sectional study. After collecting basic demographic data,
clinical history on stroke type, severity and level of disability, we
administered the validated 20-item Functional Independence Measure questionnaire
to evaluate functional status of study participants and an 8-item questionnaire
to assess participants' attitudes towards telemedicine administered
rehabilitation intervention. RESULTS: Mean+/-SD age of study participants was
57.2+/-13.3years of which 51.0% were males with a mean duration of stroke of
1.3+/-2.2years. 53% had Modified Rankin scores of >=3, 57% were fully independent
and only 27% reported utilizing any physiotherapy services. Barriers to access to
physiotherapy included financial constraints due to cost of physiotherapy
services and transportation as well as premature discharge from physiotherapy to
avoid overburdening of available physiotherapy services. These factors led to the
limited provision of rehabilitative therapy. Participants held positive views of
the potential for tele-rehabilitation interventions (80-93%). However, while 85%
owned mobile phones, only 35% had smart phones. CONCLUSION: Despite, a high
burden of residual disability, only about 1 out of 4 stroke patients in this
Ghanaian cohort was exposed to post-stroke physiotherapy services, largely due to
relatively high costs and limited health system resources. These Ghanaian stroke
patients viewed the potential role of Tele-rehabilitation as positive, but this
promising intervention needs to be formally tested for feasibility, efficacy and
cost-effectiveness.
PMID- 28991683
TI - A new PLA2G6 mutation in a family with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy.
AB - Phospholipase A2-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN), a syndrome of
Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA), is an autosomal recessive
disorder caused by mutations in PLA2G6 gene. This gene encodes a calcium
independent group VI phospholipase A2 (iPLA-VI) critical in cell membrane
homeostasis. PLAN syndrome encompasses a group of phenotypes with a different age
of onset: classic infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD), atypical neuroaxonal
dystrophy of childhood-onset (atypical NAD) and adult-onset PLA2G6-related
dystonia-parkinsonism (PARK14). INAD is a severe progressive psychomotor disorder
characterized by the presence of axonal spheroids throughout the central and
peripheral nervous system. Here we report clinical, genetic and histopathological
findings of an INAD consanguineous-family from Senegal. Sanger sequencing
analysis revealed a new homozygous PLA2G6-mutation in the proband (c.1483C>T) and
the co-segregation of the mutation in this family. Electron microscopy on skin
biopsy showed degenerated axons confirming the phenotype. This study contributes
to enrich the landscape of PLA2G6-associated INAD mutations and enforce the
genotype-phenotype correlation.
PMID- 28991684
TI - Vitamin D deficiency is associated with disability and disease progression in
multiple sclerosis patients independently of oxidative and nitrosative stress.
AB - The aim of this study was to assess vitamin D status in patients with multiple
sclerosis (MS) and to evaluate whether it was associated with oxidative and
nitrosative stress (O&NS) markers and disability. This study included 137
patients with MS and 218 healthy controls. The markers evaluated were serum
levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, lipid hydroperoxides, advanced oxidation protein
products (AOPP), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), and total radical-trapping
antioxidant parameter TRAP/UA. Patients with 25(OH)D<20ng/mL showed higher EDSS
(p=0.016), MSSS (p=0.005) and lower AOPP (p=0.046) than those with
25(OH)D>=20ng/mL. After the binary logistic regression analyses, EDSS and MSSS
remained significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency. We showed that lower
levels of 25(OH)D were associated with higher EDSS and MSSS independently of
variables such as O&NS, age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, MS therapy, use of
interferon beta, and clinical forms of MS (odds ratio: 1.380, 95% confidence
interval 1.030-1.843, p=0.031). Moreover, the study showed an association between
serum levels of 25(OH)D and EDSS (r2=0.115, p=0.002), demonstrating that 25(OH)D
may contribute with 11.5% of increase in EDSS. Our results suggest that vitamin D
deficiency may be considered one of the predictors of the disability in MS
patients, independently of their redox status and influence the progression of
disability in MS.
PMID- 28991685
TI - Polymyositis induced by PD-1 blockade in a patient in hepatitis B remission.
PMID- 28991686
TI - Period3 gene in disorder of consciousness: The role of neuroimaging in
understanding the relationship between genotype and sleep. A brief communication.
AB - BACKGROUND: Several methodologies including neuroimaging and sleep evaluation are
being developed to complement the clinical bedside examinations in patients with
disorder of consciousness (DOC). Recently, we demonstrated a possible association
between Period3 (Per3) variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism and
functional impairment of DOC patients, speculating a possible role of this gene
in sleep regulation. AIM: To assess whether the degree of structural and
metabolic damage of the main brain areas involved in the sleep generation and
homeostasis may influence the different outcome of DOC patients carrying the
Per35/5 genotype in comparison to Per34/4 ones. METHODS: For the present study,
we reviewed 44 DOC patients from the Coma Research Centre of the Fondazione IRCCS
Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta" of Milan. All patients underwent to
polysomnographic sleep evaluation, cerebral structural magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)
analysis. RESULTS: Our DOC patients presented a moderate anatomical (median score
2) and metabolic damage (median value 2.36 SUVmean) of the sleep areas at both
MRI and FDG-PET evaluation. Total sleep time seemed to be higher in 5/5 genotype
DOC patients (median value Per35/5, 221min, range 126-323min; median value
Per34/4, 167min, range 36-477min; and median value Per34/5, 187min, range 29
422min). However, the MRI scores and FDG-PET values of whole brain, overall sleep
areas, hypothalamus, midbrain and thalamus did not differ by genotype
distribution. CONCLUSION: Although limited by the small sample size, our data
might support the idea that Per3 genetic predisposition in DOC patients could
affect impairment and residual cognitive functions through sleep homeostasis
independently from structural and/or metabolic integrity of sleep areas.
PMID- 28991687
TI - Cerebrospinal fluid total protein in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between CSF total protein concentration
(CSF protein) and CSF opening pressure in idiopathic intracranial hypertension
(IIH), and to explore the association of age, gender, race, BMI, and Humphrey
visual field mean deviation (HVF MD) with CSF total protein. METHODS: The medical
records of all IIH patients seen between 1989 and 2016 at one institution were
systematically reviewed for demographics, CSF opening pressure, CSF contents, and
HVF MD (at initial evaluation and most recent follow-up). Linear regression of
CSF protein on CSF opening pressure was performed also considering BMI, age,
gender, race, HVF MD, and year of lumbar puncture. RESULTS: We included 266 IIH
patients (13 pre-pubertal children, 35 post-pubertal children, 218 adults). There
was a negative linear association between CSF opening pressure and CSF protein:
CSF protein decreased by 0.18mg/dL for each 1cm H2O increase in CSF opening
pressure (p<0.001). After controlling for CSF opening pressure, mean CSF protein
was 4.1mg/dL higher in white patients than in black patients (p<0.001).
Multivariable analysis found that CSF opening pressure (p=0.007), white race
(p<0.001), and HVF MD (most recent follow-up, worst eye, p=0.05) remained
independently associated with CSF protein controlling for year of lumbar puncture
and age. CONCLUSIONS: There was a negative association between CSF protein and
CSF opening pressure. After controlling for CSF opening pressure, CSF protein was
higher in white patients and unaffected by age, gender, or BMI. Our findings help
clarify inconsistent results of prior studies, but do not really help clarify IIH
pathophysiology.
PMID- 28991688
TI - Postvoid residual predicts the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy in
Parkinsonian syndrome.
AB - OBJECTIVE: It is difficult to differentiate multiple system atrophy (MSA) from
Parkinson's disease (PD) at least in the early stage. Urodynamic study (UDS) is
useful in differentiating MSA from PD. We aimed to clarify which UDS parameter
was useful in differentiating MSA from PD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
273 cases and performed UDS and external anal sphincter electromyography (EAS
EMG) in patients with MSA (n=182) and PD (n=91). We analyzed the utility of UDS
parameters, including postvoid residuals (PVR), detrusor overactivity (DO),
degree of bladder contraction, and mean duration of motor unit potentials (MUPs)
in EAS-EMG, for differentiating MSA from PD. RESULTS: PVR>150ml during free-flow
study strongly indicated MSA rather than PD (OR 8.723, 95% CI 2.612-29.130,
p<0.001). 'Weak detrusor' also suggested MSA, but it was not a statistically
significant indicator (OR 10.598, 95% CI 0.359-312.473, p=0.172). DO and
neurogenic changes in EAS-EMG (mean duration of MUPs>10ms) did not significantly
contribute to the differentiation of MSA from PD. CONCLUSIONS: PVR>150ml during
free-flow study might be more useful than other UDS parameters in clinically
differentiating MSA from PD.
PMID- 28991689
TI - Intraoperative neuromonitoring loss in abnormal magnetic resonance imaging signal
intensity from patients with cervical compressive myelopathy.
AB - PURPOSE: Our objective of this study was to evaluate if cervical compressive
myelopathy (CCM) patients with preoperative abnormal magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) might easily lead to intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) loss. METHOD: A
consecutive series of 152 CCM patients who underwent cervical cord decompression
were enrolled in this study between December 2013 and February 2017. All patients
with abnormal MRI signal intensity were divided into 2 groups (group 1: T2-WIs
hyperintensity; group 2: both T2-WIs hyperintensity and T1-WIs hypointensity).
Relevant IONM changes were identified as significant transcranial motor evoked
potentials (MEP) loss associated with surgical decompression of cervical cord.
RESULTS: There were 121 patients in group 1, and then 6 cases showed IONM
degeneration; 31 patients in group 2, and then 13 cases showed IONM degeneration
(6/121 versus 13/31, p=0.000). Moreover, one case presented transient new spinal
deficits after surgery, no permanent spinal deficit in group 1; 5 cases presented
transient new spinal deficits, 2 cases showed permanent spinal deficit in group
2. And in group 2 the MEP amplitude before and after decompression had
significant difference (134MUV+/-30.2 versus 65MUV+/-26.2, *p<0.05). CONCLUSION:
Our results suggest that the IONM degenerations or postoperative spinal deficits
are more likely to appear on patients with abnormal T2-WIs and T1-WIs.
Appropriate and timely interventions are probably useful for IONM recovery.
PMID- 28991690
TI - Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte
glycoprotein or aquaporin-4: Clinical and paraclinical characteristics in
Algerian patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe autoimmune inflammatory
disorder of the central nervous system. NMO and its abortive forms are referred
to as NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSD). NMOSD are mostly associated with antibodies
to aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG). However, recent studies have demonstrated antibodies
to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) in a subset of patients. Data on
NMOSD in North Africa are sparse. OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of MOG-IgG
and AQP4-IgG among patients with optic neuritis (ON) and/or myelitis in Algeria
as well as the clinical and paraclinical features associated with these
antibodies. METHODS: Retrospective testing of 42 patients with optic neuritis
and/or myelitis treated at the teaching hospital of TiziOuzou for MOG-IgG and
AQP4-IgG, and retrospective evaluation of the patients' medical records. RESULTS:
Six of 42 (14.3%) patients were positive for AQP4-IgG and 3/42 (7.1%) were
positive for MOG-IgG. No patient was positive for both AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG. All
antibody-positive patients were women. MOG-IgG was associated with severe
episodes of ON in all MOG-IgG-positive patients. Steroid treatment was followed
by complete remission in two patients. AQP4-IgG was associated with ON and/or
longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), often with severe onset.
While all six of the AQP4-IgG-positive patients met the 2015 IPND criteria for
NMOSD, only one of the three MOG-IgG-positive patients did so. Interestingly,
clinically silent extensive spinal cord or brain lesions were present in two of
the three MOG-IgG-positive patients, and altered visual evoked potentials without
clinical evidence of ON were found in three of the six AQP4-IgG-positive
patients. CONCLUSION: MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG are found in a substantial subset of
Algerian patients with ON and/or myelitis, are present predominantly in women,
and may be associated with differences in clinical presentation and, possibly,
outcome. Only a subset of MOG-IgG positive patients meets the current diagnostic
criteria for NMOSD.
PMID- 28991691
TI - Management of hypertrophied dural lesions: Is surgery a better option?
AB - It is often difficult to definitively diagnose dural lesions with hypertrophy as
they exhibit nonspecific imaging findings and clinical symptoms. Most cases
require histopathological evaluation with surgical intervention (such as biopsy).
However, complications related to surgical interventions remain as matter of
concern. Herein, we analyzed and verified the significance of surgery in 39
patients with hypertrophic dural lesions who were histopathologically diagnosed
with surgical interventions. Specimens of dural lesions were obtained
successfully, and it was possible to make a definitive diagnosis for each case
based on histopathological findings. All patients tolerate the procedures well,
and there were no evidences of surgery-related complications during surgical
approach to the dura mater. Preoperative and pathological diagnoses varied in
eight cases. Our results indicate that histopathological evaluation is important
for distinguishing diseases showing dural hypertrophy even if surgical
invasiveness is concerned. Neurosurgeons should not hesitate to perform surgery
for management of dural lesions with hypertrophy in order to achieve accurate
diagnosis.
PMID- 28991692
TI - Altered expression of circular RNAs in Moyamoya disease.
AB - Moyamoya disease (MMD) is the most common pediatric cerebrovascular disease in
Eastern Asian countries but the etiology is not well understood. Circular RNAs
(circRNAs) have been implicated in various biological processes, but their role
in the development of MMD remains unclear. To address this issue, we carried out
a comparative circRNA microarray analysis of blood samples obtained from patients
with MMD and healthy subjects and identified 146 circRNAs that were
differentially expressed between the two groups. Of these, 29 were upregulated
and 117 were downregulated in patients as compared to controls (fold change >=2.0
and P<0.05). The microarray results were validated by quantitative reverse
transcription PCR. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the differentially expressed circRNAs
were primarily involved in angiogenesis, metabolism, and immune responses in MMD.
In addition, the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway was found to
be the core regulatory pathway associated with disease pathogenesis. These
results indicate that specific circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in MMD and are
potential therapeutic targets for its treatment.
PMID- 28991693
TI - Magnetic resonance and computed tomography image fusion technology in patients
with Parkinson's disease after deep brain stimulation.
AB - Electrode position after deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease
(PD) needs to be confirmed, but there are concerns about the risk of
postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after DBS. These issues could be
avoided by fusion images obtained from preoperative MRI and postoperative
computed tomography (CT). This study aimed to investigate image fusion technology
for displaying the position of the electrodes compared with postoperative MRI.
This was a retrospective study of 32 patients with PD treated with bilateral
subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS between April 2015 and March 2016. The
postoperative (same day) CT and preoperative MRI were fused using the Elekta
Leksell 10.1 planning workstation (Elekta Instruments, Stockholm, Sweden). The
position of the electrodes was compared between the fusion images and
postoperative 1-2-week MRI. The position of the electrodes was highly correlated
between the fusion and postoperative MRI (all r between 0.865 and 0.996; all
P<0.001). The differences of the left electrode position in the lateral and
vertical planes was significantly different between the two methods (0.30 and
0.24mm, respectively, both P<0.05), but there were no significant differences for
the other electrode and planes (all P>0.05). The position of the electrodes was
highly correlated between the fusion and postoperative MRI. The CT-MRI fusion
images could be used to avoid the potential risks of MRI after DBS in patients
with PD.
PMID- 28991694
TI - Dilemmas in the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial tuberculomas.
AB - Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem across the globe. A
common form of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) with high mortality and morbidity is
neuro TB or tuberculosis of the nervous system. The management of brain TB
remains a big challenge due to the lack of specific diagnostic tools and
appropriate treatment guidelines. In this context, this manuscript discusses
clinical, diagnostic and treatment dilemmas in the management of intracranial
tuberculomas. Brain tuberculoma may occur at any site within the cranium, no part
of the brain substance or ventricular surface being exempt. The diagnosis of
tuberculoma is often based on imaging techniques such as CT brain and MRI/MRS,
even though, no radiological feature is confirmative or specific for tuberculoma.
In this regard, a promising development is a new MRS marker that is currently
being assessed. Based on a single peak at 3.8ppm, it may differentiate
tuberculoma from tumors. This lack of diagnostic tools results in an increased
cost to patient on average three times that for pulmonary TB. The increase in
cost stems from multiple laboratory tests with diagnosis often achieved only
after biopsy. As for treatment, the choice of drugs for treatment and the
duration for treatment is also not clearly understood. The recent increase in
drug resistant TB adds to the problem. The possible pitfalls during treatment
include paradoxical response, hyponatremia, and development of hydrocephalus.
These and other treatment related complications require follow-up and monitoring.
A fraction of patients may even require emergency surgery due to increased
intracranial tension. This can further increase cost to the patient and family.
Overall, there is a need for continued efforts to develop new diagnostic tools
for brain TB. Until such tools are available, high degree of awareness among
treatment providers is necessary to avoid delays in diagnosis and increased
costs.
PMID- 28991695
TI - Monozygotic twins with a new compound heterozygous SPG11 mutation and different
disease expression.
AB - BACKGROUND: A pair of monozygotic 22-year-old twins with complicated hereditary
spastic paraplegia caused by a novel SPG11 mutation is described. METHODS:
Genetic testing and thorough clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and MR-spectroscopy were performed. RESULTS: The twins were compound
heterozygous for a known frameshift as well as a novel splice site mutation in
the SPG11 gene. Clinically the patients showed a similar spectrum of symptoms but
different disease presentation. MRI studies including morphometry and regional
microstructural analysis by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the corpus callosum
(CC) by 3T MRI revealed marked thinning and corresponding increases of radial
diffusivity (RD) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and reduction of the
fractional anisotropy (FA) as compared to controls in all CC sections,
particularly in the anterior callosal body. There was marked mainly
supratentorial white matter reduction and to a lesser extent grey matter
reduction in both patients. Involvement of the cortico-spinal tracts was
reflected by FA and RD alterations. The more strongly affected patient showed a
higher degree of callosal microstructural damage and cervical cord atrophy.
CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a similar symptom spectrum, but distinct clinical
and imaging findings in monozygotic twins suffering from SPG 11, suggesting
individual downstream genetic effects and/or non-genetic modifiers.
PMID- 28991696
TI - Aseptic meningitis due to reperfusion injury after carotid artery stenting.
PMID- 28991697
TI - Zika virus disease-associated Guillain-Barre syndrome-Barranquilla, Colombia 2015
2016.
AB - BACKGROUND: An outbreak of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a disorder
characterized by acute, symmetric limb weakness with decreased or absent deep
tendon reflexes, was reported in Barranquilla, Colombia, after the introduction
of Zika virus in 2015. We reviewed clinical data for GBS cases in Barranquilla
and performed a case-control investigation to assess the association of suspect
and probable Zika virus disease with GBS. METHODS: We used the Brighton
Collaboration Criteria to confirm reported GBS patients in Barranquilla during
October 2015-April 2016. In April 2016, two neighborhood and age range-matched
controls were selected for each confirmed GBS case-patient. We obtained
demographics and antecedent symptoms in the 2-month period before GBS onset for
case-patients and the same period for controls. Sera were collected for Zika
virus antibody testing. Suspected Zika virus disease was defined as a history of
rash and >=2 other Zika-related symptoms (fever, arthralgia, myalgia, or
conjunctivitis). Probable Zika virus disease was defined as suspected Zika virus
disease with laboratory evidence of a recent Zika virus or flavivirus infection.
Conditional logistic regression adjusted for sex and race/ethnicity was used to
calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We
confirmed 47 GBS cases. Incidence increased with age (10-fold higher in those
>=60years versus those <20years). We interviewed 40 case-patients and 79
controls. There was no significant difference in laboratory evidence of recent
Zika virus or flavivirus infection between case-patients and controls (OR: 2.2;
95% CI: 0.9-5.1). GBS was associated with having suspected (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1
8.6) or probable Zika virus disease (OR: 4.6, CI: 1.1-19.0). CONCLUSIONS: Older
individuals and those with suspected and probable Zika virus disease had higher
odds of developing GBS. KEY POINTS: We confirmed a Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
outbreak in Barranquilla, Colombia, during October 2015-April 2016. A case
control investigation using neighborhood controls showed an association of
suspected and probable Zika virus disease with GBS.
PMID- 28991698
TI - PITX3 genotype and risk of dementia in Parkinson's disease: A population-based
study.
AB - Dementia is a devastating manifestation of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study
investigates whether a common polymorphism in the PITX3 gene (rs2281983), which
is of importance for the function of dopaminergic neurons, affects the risk of
developing dementia in PD and whether it affects dopamine transporter (DAT)
uptake. We PITX3 genotyped 133 patients with new-onset, idiopathic PD,
participating in a population-based study in Sweden. Patients were followed
prospectively during 6-11years with extensive investigations, including
neuropsychology and DAT-imaging with 123I FP-CIT. The primary outcome was the
incidence of PD dementia (PDD), diagnosed according to published criteria,
studied by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards. Performance in
individual cognitive domains, the incidence of visual hallucinations, disease
progression and striatal DAT uptake on imaging was also investigated. PD patients
carrying the PITX3 C allele had an increased risk of developing PDD (hazard
ratio: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.42-5.81, p=0.003), compared to the PD patients homozygous
for the T-allele. Furthermore, the PITX3 C allele carriers with PD had a poorer
cognitive performance in the visuospatial domain (p<0.001) and a higher incidence
of visual hallucinations. A trend towards a lower striatal DAT uptake in the
PITX3 C allele carriers was suggested, but could not be confirmed. Our results
show that a common polymorphism in the PITX3 gene affects the risk of developing
PDD and visuospatial dysfunction in idiopathic PD. If validated, these findings
can provide new insights into the neurobiology and genetics of non-motor symptoms
in PD.
PMID- 28991699
TI - Microglial/macrophage markers CHI3L1, sCD14, and sCD163 in CSF and serum of
pediatric inflammatory and non-inflammatory neurological disorders: A case
control study and reference ranges.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of microglia and macrophages in neuroinflammatory
disorders in children via biomarkers, and establish control reference ranges.
METHODS: In an IRB-approved case-control study of 98 children, the concentrations
of CSF/serum CHI3L1, sCD14, and sCD163 were measured by ELISA. Groups were
controls (non-inflammatory neurological disorders, NIND, n=37), opsoclonus
myoclonus syndrome (OMS, n=37), and other inflammatory neurological disorders
(OIND, n=24). RESULTS: In control CSF, median concentrations (ng/ml) were 25 (IQR
16,41) for CHI3L1 and 42 (26,160) for sCD14; in serum, 16 (12,22) for CHI3L1, and
431 (270,957) for sCD163. The median CSF concentration of CHI3L1 in OIND was
significantly higher than controls (2.9-fold, P<0.0001) and OMS (1.6-fold higher
than controls, NS). The CSF sCD14 concentration was 1.9-fold higher in OIND
(P=0.008) and 1.4-fold higher in OMS than controls. sCD163, below detection
limits in CSF, was not significantly increased in OIND or OMS sera. CONCLUSIONS:
CSF CHI3L1 and sCD14 elevations hold promise as immunomarkers in pediatric OIND,
especially in high-expression individuals. These results provide evidence of
innate immune system involvement in several pediatric neuroinflammatory
disorders. Pediatric control data on CSF microglia/macrophage activation markers
are hereby available for other investigators.
PMID- 28991700
TI - Cardiac sympathetic denervation and dementia in de novo Parkinson's disease: A 7
year follow-up study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Postganglionic cardiac sympathetic denervation is evident in patients
with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). Cardiac iodine-123-meta
iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake is correlated with the non-motor symptoms of
PD, suggesting that low cardiac MIBG uptake may reflect wider alpha-synuclein
pathology. In addition, low cardiac MIBG could be related to orthostatic
hypotension in PD, which may affect cognition. However, the prognostic validity
of baseline MIBG scintigraphy in terms of the risk of subsequent dementia remains
unclear. We investigated whether cardiac MIBG uptake was associated with a later
risk of dementia. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 93 drug-naive patients
with de novo PD who underwent MIBG scanning on initial evaluation. The patients
visited our outpatient clinic every 3-6months and were followed-up for a minimum
of 4years from the time they were begun on dopaminergic medication. The
predictive powers of baseline MIBG cardiac scintigraphic data in terms of
dementia development were evaluated using Cox's proportional hazard models.
RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 6.7years, 27 patients with PD (29.0%)
developed dementia. These patients had less baseline MIBG uptake than did others
(delayed H/M ratios: 1.19 vs. 1.31). Multivariate Cox's proportional hazard
modeling revealed that both MIBG uptake (hazard ratio [HR] 3.40; p=0.004) and age
(HR 1.08, p=0.01) significantly predicted dementia development. CONCLUSION: A
reduction in cardiac MIBG uptake by PD patients may be associated with a
subsequent risk of dementia; reduced uptake may reflect wider extension of alpha
synuclein pathology in PD.
PMID- 28991701
TI - Merkel cell carcinoma in a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
treated with fingolimod.
PMID- 28991702
TI - Cerebral autoregulation is preserved in multiple sclerosis patients.
AB - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease that may also be associated
with vascular dysfunction. One master component of vascular regulation is
cerebral autoregulation (CA). We aimed to investigate the integrity of CA in MS
patients and study its relationship with autonomic dysfunction (AD), magnetic
resonance-imaging (MRI) lesion load and hemodynamic parameters. We enrolled 20
relapsing-remitting MS and 20 healthy subjects. CA was assessed by transfer
function analysis parameters (coherence, gain and phase), as obtained in the very
low, low and high-frequency domains (VLF, LF, HF, respectively). We evaluated the
autonomic parameters heart rate variability and spontaneous baroreflex
sensitivity (BRS). There were no significant differences in CA parameters between
MS and controls (p>0.05). Lesion load was not correlated with any CA parameter.
LF gain was positively correlated with BRS in both groups (MS: p=0.017; controls:
p=0.025). Brainstem lesion load in MS was associated with higher systolic blood
pressure (SBP; p=0.009). Our findings suggest that CA is preserved in our MS
cohort. On the other hand, AD in MS patients with brainstem lesions could
contribute to the increase of supine SBP. Whether this systemic deregulation
could contribute to disease burden remains to be investigated.
PMID- 28991703
TI - Klotho gene expression decreases in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of
patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: we recently showed that a hypothesized anti-aging and anti
inflammatory protein, namely Klotho, may contribute to the etiology and/or
pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, Klotho function and its
gene expression are dependent on inflammatory pathways. Accordingly, the aim of
this study was to investigate the Klotho gene expression within peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with MS. METHODS: Altogether, 30 patients
with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) along with 30 age and sex-matched healthy
individuals were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were obtained from all
participants and then PBMCs were isolated. The quantitative Real-Time PCR was
carried out for Klotho mRNA derived from PBMCs. RESULTS: The results showed that
klotho gene expression in the PBMCs of patients with RRMS is nearly 2.5-fold less
than healthy individuals (P=0.0006). CONCLUSION: This is the first study
demonstrating a possible role of Klotho in the PBMCs of MS patients.
PMID- 28991704
TI - Neuroinflammation - A major cause for striatal dopaminergic degeneration in
Parkinson's disease.
AB - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder
characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
pars compacta (SNPc). Growing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a
critical role in the pathogenesis of PD. Activation of proinflammatory pathways
have a deleterious effect on dopaminergic neurons and are key factors
contributing to the development of disease pathology. Clinical and preclinical
evidence show microglial activation, infiltration of lymphocyte, elevated levels
of pro inflammatory cytokines in various regions of the brain. In this review, we
have discussed the possible mechanisms which are responsible for
neuroinflammatoin and the therapeutic strategies to rescue dopaminergic neurons
from these deleterious events.
PMID- 28991705
TI - Primary glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris with leptomeningeal
metastasis.
PMID- 28991706
TI - Apixaban for the treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis: A case series.
AB - BACKGROUND: Venous thrombosis affecting cerebral veins and sinuses (CVT) is an
uncommon neurological condition. Traditionally patients are treated with
intravenous heparin followed by an oral vitamin K antagonist like warfarin.
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may offer advantages over warfarin. There is
evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of both dabigatran and rivaroxaban. No
data, however, has been published describing the use of apixaban in patients with
CVT. METHODS: Report of three cases of CVT and review literature on available
treatment options; efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants in patients
with systemic thrombosis. RESULTS: All patients presented with typical features
of CVT. After confirming the diagnosis, they were acutely treated with heparin
and later discharged on apixaban. During follow up visits, they tolerated
apixaban well and did not have any bleeding complications. Follow up scans showed
resolution of the thrombus and recanalization. CONCLUSION: CVT is an uncommon
neurological condition and is often complicated by associated intraparenchymal
hemorrhage. Although not recommended in current guidelines, apixaban may be a
safe and effective option for the treatment of CVT.
PMID- 28991707
TI - Tumefactive demyelinating lesions of 15 patients: Clinico-radiological features,
management and review of the literature.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs) are large
inflammatory lesions that can mimic tumors or other space-occupying lesions.
Differential diagnosis and management of these lesions remain challenging for
neurologists. We aim to review the clinico-radiological features of patients with
TDLs, as well as their management. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review
of cases of TDLs treated in our center from January 2010 to February 2017. We
reviewed the literature. RESULTS: Out of 711 patients, we found 15 with TDLs (12
women and 3 men), with a mean age of TDL onset of 36years. Out of the 15
patients, 9 had TDLs as a first demyelinating event and 44% (4/15) of these
converted to MS by McDonald 2010 criteria in a mean time of 8months (SD 3.10).
Clinical presentation was polysymptomatic and the most common radiological
findings included solitary lesions (66.66%), located primarily in the frontal
(40%) or parietal (33%) lobes, showing mostly an infiltrative morphological
pattern (50%) and an open-ring enhancement (43%). Multiple Sclerosis was the most
common diagnosis (67%, 10/15). Acute treatment included steroids, plasmapheresis,
rituximab and cyclophosphamide. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of tumefactive
demyelination in MS was higher than expected in MS patients, according to
literature. Time to conversion to MS was significantly shorter than other
published series. Clinical presentation was polysymptomatic and the most common
radiological findings were isolated frontal lesions with an open-ring
enhancement.
PMID- 28991708
TI - Post-cART progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy era in a Brazilian center.
AB - Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is lytic infection of
oligodendrocytes caused by JC virus (JCV). While PML incidence in developing
countries has decreased after the introduction of combination antiretroviral
therapy (cART), data in developing countries is scarce and limited to few
cohorts. We described the epidemiological and clinical profile of a group of
Brazilian HIV infected patients with PML in the cART era. A total of 27 patients
were included in the study. The median age at PML onset was 42years (range: 27
67years) and 18 (66.7%) were men. The median CD4+ T cell count at the time of
diagnosis was 67cells/mm3 and the median HIV viral load was 27,000copies/ml.
Motor deficits were the most common early manifestations (44%). Seizures occurred
in 37% of the patients and 9 (33.3%) had PML associated with immune
reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Mortality was 33% and lower age at
PML onset was associated with survival (p: 0.013). Our results are in accordance
with previous published series of PML cases. Factors such as genetic background,
regional JCV subtype differences, death from other diseases and underdiagnosis
may explain the low prevalence of reported PML cases in developing countries.
PMID- 28991709
TI - Five-year history of dysphagia as a sole initial symptom in inclusion body
myositis.
PMID- 28991710
TI - Yield of combined MRI sequences in isolated cortical vein thrombosis diagnosis.
PMID- 28991711
TI - Tremor's glove-an innovative electrical muscle stimulation therapy for
intractable tremor in Parkinson's disease: A randomized sham-controlled trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Medically refractory resting tremor is a debilitating symptom of
Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. In our pilot study, modulation of peripheral
reflex mechanism by electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) temporarily suppressed
tremor. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of EMS, delivered using Tremor's
glove, as a treatment of resting hand tremor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty PD
patients with medically refractory resting tremor were randomly allocated to a
Tremor's glove group (n=15) or a sham glove group (n=15). Gloves were placed on
the most tremulous hand for 30min per testing session. Demographics, clinical
rating scales, and tremor parameters (RMS of angular velocity and angular
displacement, peak magnitude, and frequency) were assessed before and during
stimulation. Correlations with validated clinical rating scales were performed.
RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups in
demographics, rating scales, or tremor parameters. During stimulation,
significant reduction in RMS angular velocity (as percentage) in every axis and
peak magnitude in axis (x-, y-) and UPDRS tremor score, were found with Tremor's
glove compared to the sham groups (p<0.05, each). Significant moderate
correlations were observed between a percentage reduction of RMS angular velocity
in every axis and UPDRS tremor scores. Mean duration of tremor reduction after
stimulation was 107.78+/-104.15s. No serious adverse events were observed.
CONCLUSION: In this study, EMS-based Tremor's glove was effective in suppressing
resting hand tremor in PD patients. Tremor's glove is light-weight with a good
safety profile, making it a future potential therapeutic option for PD patients
with medically refractory tremor.
PMID- 28991712
TI - Myasthenia gravis with systemic and neurological polyautoimmunity.
PMID- 28991713
TI - Slowed abduction during smooth pursuit eye movement in episodic ataxia type 2
with a novel CACNA1A mutation.
PMID- 28991714
TI - The pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for the management of
fatigue related multiple sclerosis.
AB - AIM: The clinical aim was to provide up-to-date evidence-based recommendations
for the treatment of MS-related fatigue (MSRF). The scientific aim was to
prioritise topics for future randomised clinical trials with sufficient power.
METHODS: A systematic search of review based research that considered MSRF in
adults (18years and over) was undertaken in May 2016. Data from reviews was
extracted, critically appraised and synthesised using four specific techniques.
RESULTS: A total of 24 reviews were identified (17 non-pharmacological, 5
pharmacological, 2 combining both), which contained 339 studies on interventions
deigned to improve MSRF. The methodological quality of the reviews was identified
by an average AMSTAR score of 6.5 (SD=1.87: 95% CI=5.75-7.25). No pharmacological
intervention had strong evidence for improving MSRF. Limited/conflicting evidence
was found for Amantadine and Prokarin and potential benefits for Modafinil were
identified. Pemoline and Carnitine contained unclear/no evidence for fatigue
management. Non-pharmacological interventions produced mixed conclusions
regarding the effectiveness of the intervention to improve MSRF. Education
(energy conservation and fatigue management) and exercise had supporting evidence
for reducing MSRF but mixed conclusions gathered from subtypes of exercise.
Reviews considering psycho-behavioural interventions (CBT and mindfulness) had
limited information considering effectiveness. Finally, a single intervention
combining physical and cognitive strategies showed more promising results.
CONCLUSION: Further research into Pharmacological interventions for MSRF is
required notably considering the potential of Modafinil. Yoga and energy
conservation/fatigue management programs had strong evidence supporting use in
management of MSRF. Due to the dissimilar interventions used in combined training
the subtype of exercise cannot be recommended. Future research into Amantadine,
psycho-behavioural interventions is vital to justify the current National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. The methodological quality
of studies inhibited the ability of this review to provide other recommendations.
PMID- 28991715
TI - Clinical and pathological findings in familial amyloid polyneuropathy caused by a
transthyretin E61K mutation.
AB - Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is an autosomal dominant hereditary
systemic amyloidosis caused by mutation of the transthyretin (TTR) gene, and
usually shows sensory-dominant polyneuropathy and autonomic neuropathy at the
initial stage. The pathogenesis of this neuropathy remains unknown, although
several mechanisms, including mechanical compression, vessel occlusion, TTR
toxicity and Schwann cell dysfunction have been proposed. We describe a patient
with late-onset FAP caused by a TTR E61K mutation. Amyloid deposits were not
detected in the endoneurium or perineurium of the sural nerve 7years after the
onset of the disease, but a marked loss of nerve fibers was observed in the sural
nerve. TTR-derived amyloid deposits were confirmed in the peroneus brevis muscle,
salivary gland and heart tissue. DNA analysis revealed a heterozygous mutation in
TTR. These findings suggest that proximal parts of the peripheral nervous system
might be strongly affected by TTR aggregates or amyloid fibrils, and that the
blood-nerve barrier in distal parts of peripheral nerves are initially preserved
in this patient. This case indicates that several biopsy sites other than nerves
may be helpful and necessary for the diagnosis of TTR amyloidosis in mild or late
onset FAP.
PMID- 28991716
TI - Utility of CISS sequence in detecting anteroinferior temporal encephalocele.
PMID- 28991717
TI - New diagnostic criteria for cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with
subcortical infarcts and leukocencephalopathy in Japan.
AB - PURPOSE: Definite diagnosis of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with
subcortical infarcts and leukocencephalopathy (CADASIL) is mostly done by
identification of NOTCH3 mutations. We aimed to develop criteria for selecting
patients suspected for CADASIL to undergo genetic testing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
All subjects were Japanese. We recruited CADASIL patients genetically diagnosed
up until 2011 (n=37, Group 1) or after 2011 (n=65, Group 2), 67 young stroke
patients (<=55 years old), and 53 NOTCH3-negative CADASIL-like patients. The
members of Japanese research committee for hereditary cerebral small vessel
disease discussed and generated the new criteria to maximize positive rate in
Group 1 CADASIL patients, followed by validation of sensitivity and specificity.
RESULTS: In Group 1 CADASIL patients, the ages at onset excluding migraine were
distributed widely (37-74 years old) and bimodal (<55 and >55 years old).
Frequencies of an autosomal dominant family history and vascular risk factor(s)
were 73 and 65%, respectively. From these findings, the panel considered
appropriate cut-off values and weighting for each item. In CADASIL Group 1 versus
young stroke controls, the sensitivity and specificity of the new criteria were
97.3% and 80.6%, respectively. However, in CADASIL Group 2 versus NOTCH3-negative
controls, the sensitivity and specificity were 96.9% and 7.5%, respectively.
Forty mutations of NOTCH3 distributed in exons 2-8, 11, 14, 18, 19, and 21 were
identified in this study. Ten mutations were unreported ones. CONCLUSION: We
propose the new criteria of high sensitivity, which will help physicians to
assess the need for genetic testing.
PMID- 28991719
TI - Neuroimaging and cognitive functions in temporal lobe epilepsy: A review of the
literature.
AB - Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of refractory focal
epilepsy. Neuroimaging researches have demonstrated structural abnormalities in
several cerebral regions. Cognitive impairment has been frequently described as a
potential comorbidity of long-term TLE. This review investigated the state of
research regarding neuropsychological impairment and neuroimaging studies in TLE
patients. Studies were found on PubMed and Web of Sciences databases, 412
publications were selected: only 20 articles met search criteria. Results showed
significant alterations in multiple cognitive domains, particularly memory,
executive functions and language. The reported findings showed that the
involvement of various factors, including neurobiological abnormalities and
clinical features, is responsible for the onset of cognitive impairment in
epileptic patients.
PMID- 28991718
TI - Improving treatment times for patients with in-hospital stroke using a
standardized protocol.
AB - BACKGROUND: Previous reports have shown significant delays in treatment of in
hospital stroke (IHS). We developed and implemented our IHS alert protocol in
April 2014. We aimed to determine the influence of implementation of our IHS
alert protocol. METHODS: Our implementation processes comprise the following four
main steps: IHS protocol development, workshops for hospital staff to learn about
the protocol, preparation of standardized IHS treatment kits, and obtaining
feedback in a monthly hospital staff conference. We retrospectively compared
protocol metrics and clinical outcomes of patients with IHS treated with
intravenous thrombolysis and/or endovascular therapy between before (January 2008
March 2014) and after implementation (April 2014-December 2016). RESULTS: Fifty
five patients were included (pre, 25; post, 30). After the implementation,
significant reductions occurred in the median time from stroke recognition to
evaluation by a neurologist (30 vs. 13.5min, p<0.01) and to first neuroimaging
(50 vs. 26.5min, p<0.01) and in the median time from first neuroimaging to
intravenous thrombolysis (45 vs. 16min, p=0.02). The median time from first
neuroimaging to endovascular therapy had a tendency to decrease (75 vs. 53min,
p=0.08). There were no differences in the favorable outcomes (modified Rankin
scale score of 0-2) at discharge or the incidence of symptomatic intracranial
hemorrhage between the two periods. CONCLUSION: Our IHS alert protocol
implementation saved time in treating patients with IHS without compromising
safety.
PMID- 28991720
TI - Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome and intracranial hemorrhage after carotid
endarterectomy or carotid stenting: A meta-analysis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) and intracranial hemorrhage
(ICH) after carotid revascularization have been associated with significant
morbidity and mortality, although pooled data comparing these outcomes between
open and endovascular treatment are lacking. Aim of this meta-analysis is to
compare CHS and ICH risk between carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid
angioplasty with stenting (CAS). METHODS: A systematic literature review was
conducted conforming to established criteria, in order to identify eligible
articles published prior to February 2017. Eligible studies compared CHS and/or
ICH between patients undergoing CEA and CAS. Other outcomes evaluated in this
review included stroke and death due to ICH. Outcome risks are presented as odds
ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Overall, 6 studies (5
studies reporting on CHS and 4 studies reporting on ICH) included 236,537
procedures (218,144 CEA; 18,393 CAS) in total. CEA was associated with a higher
risk for CHS compared to CAS (pooled OR=1.432 [95% CI=1.078-1901]; P=0.015),
although this difference was generated mainly from older studies (prior to 2012).
However, no difference was found regarding ICH risk between the two methods
(pooled OR=0.544 [95% CI=0.111-2.658]; P=0.452). Regarding stroke incidence, no
difference was found between the two methods as well, although this resulted
mainly from studies with a higher volume of CAS procedures (pooled OR=0.964 [95%
CI=0.741-1.252]; P=0.833). Finally, death rate was significantly higher among
patients with ICH compared to patients without ICH (pooled OR=386.977 [95%
CI=246.746-606.906]; P<0.0001). Pooled data were not adequate to calculate
potential risk factors for CHS/ICH after CEA compared to CAS. CONCLUSIONS: CEA
seems to be associated with a higher risk for CHS compared to CAS, although this
difference was generated mainly from older studies. However, there seems to be no
difference regarding ICH risk between the two methods, with ICH being associated
with a significantly higher risk for death.
PMID- 28991722
TI - Risk of psychiatric disorders in Guillain-Barre syndrome: A nationwide,
population-based, cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare immune-related neurological
disorder with high mortality and morbidity, but the comorbid psychiatric
disorders garnered little attention in the GBS patients. This study aimed to
investigate the association between GBS and the risk of developing psychiatric
disorders. METHODS: A total of 18,192 enrolled patients, with 4548 study subjects
who had suffered GBS, and 13,644 controls matched for gender and age, from the
Inpatient Dataset of 2000-2013 in Taiwan, and selected from the National Health
Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). After adjusting for confounding factors, Cox
proportional hazards analysis was used to compare the risk of developing
psychiatric disorders during the 13years of follow-up. RESULTS: Of the study
subjects, 471 (10.35%) developed psychiatric disorders when compared to 1023
(7.50%) in the control group. Fine and Gray's competing risk model analysis
revealed that the study subjects were more likely to develop psychiatric
disorders (crude hazard ratio [HR]: 4.281 (95% CI=3.819-4.798, p<0.001). After
adjusting for gender, age, monthly income, urbanization level, geographic region,
and comorbidities, the adjusted HR was 4.320 (95% CI=3.852-4.842, p<0.001).
Dementia, depressive disorders, sleep disorders, and psychotic disorders
predominate in these psychiatric disorders. Mechanical ventilation and
hemodialysis are associated with a lower risk of dementia when compared to the
control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who suffered from GBS had a higher risk of
developing psychiatric disorders, and this finding should act as a reminder to
the clinicians that a regular psychiatric follow-up might well be needed for
those patients.
PMID- 28991721
TI - Clinical and imaging correlation in patients with pathologically confirmed
tumefactive demyelinating lesions.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To characterize clinical and imaging features in patients with
pathologically confirmed demyelinating lesions. METHODS: In this retrospective
chart review, we analyzed clinical-radiological-pathological correlations in
patients >15years old who underwent brain biopsy at our institution between 2000
and 2015 and had inflammatory demyelination on neuropathology. RESULTS: Of 31
patients, the mean age was 42years (range 16 to 69years) and 55% were female. All
but one of the biopsied lesions were considered tumefactive demyelinating lesions
(TDLs) by imaging criteria, measuring >2cm on contrast-enhanced brain MRI. On
clinical follow-up, the final diagnosis was a CNS malignancy in 2 patients
(6.5%). In patients without malignant tumor, the TDL was solitary in 12 (41%) and
multifocal in 17 (59%), with contrast enhancement in all but one case, primarily
in an incomplete rim enhancement pattern (75.9%). Of 16 patients with at least
12months of clinical follow-up, 7 (43.8%) had a clinical relapse. Of patients
without a prior neurologic history, relapse occurred in 2/7 (29%) in solitary TDL
and 2/6 (33%) in multifocal lesions at initial presentation. Recurrent TDLs
occurred in 3 patients, all with initially solitary TDLs. Stratifying by CSF
analysis, 4 of 6 patients (67%) with either an elevated IgG Index or >2
oligoclonal bands suffered a clinical relapse compared to 2/8 (25%) with non
inflammatory CSF. CONCLUSIONS: Pathologically confirmed TDLs call for careful
clinical correlation, clinical follow-up and imaging surveillance. Although
sometimes clinically monophasic, tumefactive demyelinating lesions carried nearly
a 45% risk of near-term clinical relapse in our study, even when presenting
initially as a solitary mass lesion.
PMID- 28991723
TI - Infections and Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies influence the functional outcome
in thrombolysed strokes.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Thrombolysis is effective in ischemic stroke patients, but some
factors influence its benefit. Previous infections could increase the risk of
ischemic stroke by an activation of systemic inflammation. We analysed the
influence of previous infections and Chlamydia pneumoniae serology on functional
outcome in thrombolysed stroke patients. METHODS: Consecutive thrombolysed stroke
patients admitted during calendar year 2011 were analysed. Demographics, vascular
risk factors, clinical and aetiological data were registered. Standardised blood
tests were collected acutely for each patient, including inflammatory factors.
Primary outcome was the functional outcome at 6months follow-up. t-test, Mann
Withney U test and chi-square test were applied for univariate analysis, while a
logistic regression was performed for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of
142 patients were included in the analysis. Median onset-to-needle time was
156min. A previous infection occurred in 16.9% of patients, while a positive IgA
antiChlamydia was detected in 40 cases. Good functional outcome was achieved by
72.5% of patients. At multivariate analysis poor outcome was associated to
clinical severity, delay treatment time, haemorrhagic transformation and large
artery etiological stroke type (p<0.01). Also IgA antiChlamydia pneumonia
seropositivity (OR: 3.699; 95%CI: 1.094-12.512; p: 0.035) and poststroke
infections (OR: 6.031; 95%CI: 2.485-11.301; p: 0.037) were predictors of poor
outcome. INTERPRETATION: In this study IgA antiChlamydia pneumonia seropositivity
represents a negative predictor of functional outcome in thrombolysed stroke
patients. Further and larger studies are required to confirm these observations
and to plan a prompt administration of antibiotics or immunomodulant agents.
PMID- 28991724
TI - A Sparse Learning Framework for Joint Effect Analysis of Copy Number Variants.
AB - Copy number variants (CNVs), including large deletions and duplications,
represent an unbalanced change of DNA segments. Abundant in human genomes, CNVs
contribute to a large proportion of human genetic diversity, with impact on many
human phenotypes. Although recent advances in genetic studies have shed light on
the impact of individual CNVs on different traits, the analysis of joint effect
of multiple interactive CNVs lags behind from many perspectives. A primary reason
is that the large number of CNV combinations and interactions in the human genome
make it computationally challenging to perform such joint analysis. To address
this challenge, we developed a novel sparse learning framework that combines
sparse learning with biological networks to identify interacting CNVs with joint
effect on particular traits. We showed that our approach performs well in
identifying CNVs with joint phenotypic effect using simulated data. Applied to a
real human genomic dataset from the 1,000 Genomes Project, our approach
identified multiple CNVs that collectively contribute to population
differentiation. We found a set of multiple CNVs that have joint effect in
different populations, and affect gene expression differently in distinct
populations. These results provided a collection of CNVs that likely have
downstream biomedical implications in individuals from diverse population
backgrounds.
PMID- 28991725
TI - Learning Parameter-Advising Sets for Multiple Sequence Alignment.
AB - While the multiple sequence alignment output by an aligner strongly depends on
the parameter values used for the alignment scoring function (such as the choice
of gap penalties and substitution scores), most users rely on the single default
parameter setting provided by the aligner. A different parameter setting,
however, might yield a much higher-quality alignment for the specific set of
input sequences. The problem of picking a good choice of parameter values for
specific input sequences is called parameter advising. A parameter advisor has
two ingredients: (i) a set of parameter choices to select from, and (ii) an
estimator that provides an estimate of the accuracy of the alignment computed by
the aligner using a parameter choice. The parameter advisor picks the parameter
choice from the set whose resulting alignment has highest estimated accuracy. In
this paper, we consider for the first time the problem of learning the optimal
set of parameter choices for a parameter advisor that uses a given accuracy
estimator. The optimal set is one that maximizes the expected true accuracy of
the resulting parameter advisor, averaged over a collection of training data.
While we prove that learning an optimal set for an advisor is NP-complete, we
show there is a natural approximation algorithm for this problem, and prove a
tight bound on its approximation ratio. Experiments with an implementation of
this approximation algorithm on biological benchmarks, using various accuracy
estimators from the literature, show it finds sets for advisors that are
surprisingly close to optimal. Furthermore, the resulting parameter advisors are
significantly more accurate in practice than simply aligning with a single
default parameter choice.
PMID- 28991727
TI - A Time-Varying Nonparametric Methodology for Assessing Changes in QT Variability
Unrelated to Heart Rate Variability.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To propose and test a novel methodology to measure changes in QT
interval variability (QTV) unrelated to RR interval variability (RRV) in
nonstationary conditions. METHODS: Time-frequency coherent and residual spectra
representing QTV related (QTVrRRV) and unrelated (QTVuRRV) to RRV, respectively,
are estimated using time-frequency Cohen's class distributions. The proposed
approach decomposes the nonstationary output spectrum of any two-input one-output
model with uncorrelated inputs into two spectra representing the information
related and unrelated to one of the two inputs, respectively. An algorithm to
correct for the bias of the time-frequency coherence function between QTV and RRV
is proposed to provide accurate estimates of both QTVuRRV and QTVrRRV. Two
simulation studies were conducted to assess the methodology in challenging
nonstationary conditions and data recorded during head-up tilt in 16 healthy
volunteers were analyzed. RESULTS: In the simulation studies, QTVuRRV changes
were tracked with only a minor delay due to the filtering necessary to estimate
the nonstationary spectra. The correlation coefficient between theoretical and
estimated patterns was even for extremely noisy recordings (signal to noise ratio
(SNR) in QTV dB). During head-up tilt, QTVrRRV explained the largest proportion
of QTV, whereas QTVuRRV showed higher relative increase than QTV or QTVrRRV in
all spectral bands ( for most pairwise comparisons). CONCLUSION: The proposed
approach accurately tracks changes in QTVuRRV. Head-up tilt induced a slightly
greater increase in QTVuRRV than in QTVrRRV. SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed index
QTVuRRV may represent an indirect measure of intrinsic ventricular repolarization
variability, a marker of cardiac instability associated with sympathetic
ventricular modulation and sudden cardiac death.
PMID- 28991726
TI - Pathway Analysis with Signaling Hypergraphs.
AB - Signaling pathways play an important role in the cell's response to its
environment. Signaling pathways are often represented as directed graphs, which
are not adequate for modeling reactions such as complex assembly and
dissociation, combinatorial regulation, and protein activation/inactivation. More
accurate representations such as directed hypergraphs remain underutilized. In
this paper, we present an extension of a directed hypergraph that we call a
signaling hypergraph. We formulate a problem that asks what proteins and
interactions must be involved in order to stimulate a specific response
downstream of a signaling pathway. We relate this problem to computing the
shortest acyclic B-hyperpath in a signaling hypergraph-an NP-hard problem-and
present a mixed integer linear program to solve it. We demonstrate that the
shortest hyperpaths computed in signaling hypergraphs are far more informative
than shortest paths, Steiner trees, and subnetworks containing many short paths
found in corresponding graph representations. Our results illustrate the
potential of signaling hypergraphs as an improved representation of signaling
pathways and motivate the development of novel hypergraph algorithms.
PMID- 28991728
TI - Screening for Cognitive Impairment by Model-Assisted Cerebral Blood Flow
Estimation.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and debilitating
neurodegenerative disease; a major health concern in the ageing population with
an estimated prevalence of 46 million dementia cases worldwide. Early diagnosis
is therefore crucial so mitigating treatments can be initiated at an early stage.
Cerebral hypoperfusion has been linked with blood-brain barrier dysfunction in
the early stages of AD, and screening for chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in
individuals has been proposed for improving the early diagnosis of AD. However,
ambulatory measurements of cerebral blood flow are not routinely carried out in
the clinical setting. In this study, we combine physiological modeling with
Holter blood pressure monitoring and carotid ultrasound imaging to predict 24-h
cerebral blood flow (CBF) profiles in individuals. One hundred and three
participants [53 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 50 healthy controls]
underwent model-assisted prediction of 24-h CBF. Model-predicted CBF and
neuropsychological tests were features in lasso regression models for MCI
diagnosis. RESULTS: A CBF-enhanced classifier for diagnosing MCI performed
better, area-under-the-curve (AUC) = 0.889 (95%-CI: 0.800 to 0.978), than a
classifier based only on the neuropsychological test scores, AUC = 0.818 (95%-CI:
0.643 to 0.992). An additional cohort of 25 participants (11 MCI and 14 healthy)
was recruited to perform model validation by arterial spin-labeling magnetic
resonance imaging, and to establish a link between measured CBF that predicted by
the model. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound imaging and ambulatory blood pressure
measurements enhanced with physiological modeling can improve MCI diagnosis
accuracy.
PMID- 28991729
TI - Automatic Identification of Human Blastocyst Components via Texture.
AB - Choosing the most viable embryo during human in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a
prime factor in maximizing pregnancy rate. Embryologists visually inspect
morphological structures of blastocysts under microscopes to gauge their health.
Such grading introduces subjectivity amongst embryologists and adds to the
difficulty of quality control during IVF. In this paper, we introduce an
algorithm for automatic segmentation of two main components of human blastocysts
named: Trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM). We utilize texture
information along with biological and physical characteristics of day-5 human
embryos (blastocysts) to identify TE or ICM regions according to their intrinsic
properties. Both these regions are highly textured and very similar in the
quality of their texture, and they often look connected to each other when
imaged. These attributes make their automatic identification and separation from
each other a difficult task even for an expert embryologist. By automatically
identifying TE and ICM regions, we offer the opportunity to perform more detailed
assessment of blastocysts. This could help in analyzing, in a quantitative way,
various visual/geometrical characteristics of these regions that when combined
with the pregnancy outcome can determine the predictive values of such
attributes. Our work aids future research in understanding why certain embryos
have higher pregnancy success rates. This paper is tested on a set of 211
blastocyst images. We report an accuracy of 86.6% for identification of TE and
91.3% for ICM.
PMID- 28991731
TI - Automatic Temporal Segmentation of Vessels of the Brain Using 4D ASL MRA Images.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Automatic vessel segmentation can be used to process the considerable
amount of data generated by four-dimensional arterial spin labeling magnetic
resonance angiography (4D ASL MRA) images. Previous segmentation approaches for
dynamic series of images propose either reducing the series to a temporal average
(tAIP) or maximum intensity projection (tMIP) prior to vessel segmentation, or a
separate segmentation of each image. This paper introduces a method that combines
both approaches to overcome the specific drawbacks of each technique. METHODS:
Vessels in the tAIP are enhanced by using the ranking orientation responses of
path operators and multiscale vesselness enhancement filters. Then, tAIP
segmentation is performed using a seed-based algorithm. In parallel, this
algorithm is also used to segment each frame of the series and identify small
vessels, which might have been lost in the tAIP segmentation. The results of each
individual time frame segmentation are fused using an or boolean operation.
Finally, small vessels found only in the fused segmentation are added to the tAIP
segmentation. RESULTS: In a quantitative analysis using ten 4D ASL MRA image
series from healthy volunteers, the proposed combined approach reached an average
Dice coefficient of 0.931, being more accurate than the corresponding tMIP, tAIP,
and single time frame segmentation methods with statistical significance.
CONCLUSION: The novel combined vessel segmentation strategy can be used to obtain
improved vessel segmentation results from 4D ASL MRA and other dynamic series of
images. SIGNIFICANCE: Improved vessel segmentation of 4D ASL MRA allows a fast
and accurate assessment of cerebrovascular structures.
PMID- 28991730
TI - Closed-Loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation Based on State Transition Models.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a potential therapeutic approach in a
number of clinical applications. Although VNS is commonly delivered in an open
loop approach, it is now recognized that closed-loop stimulation may be necessary
to optimize the therapy. In this paper, we propose an original generic closed
loop control system that can be readily integrated into an implantable device and
allows for the adaptive modulation of multiple VNS parameters. METHODS: The
proposed control method consists of a state transition model (STM), in which each
state represents a set of VNS parameters, and a state transition algorithm that
optimally selects the best STM state, minimizing the error between an observed
physiological variable and a given target value. The proposed method has been
integrated into a real-time adaptive VNS prototype system and has been applied
here to the regulation of the instantaneous heart rate, working synchronously
with cardiac cycles. A quantitative performance evaluation is performed on seven
sheep by computing classical control performance indicators. A comparison with a
proportional-integral (PI) controller is also performed. RESULTS: The STM
controller presents a median mean square error, overshoot, and settling time,
respectively, equal to 622.21 ms , 72.8%, and 7.5 beats. CONCLUSION: The proposed
control method yields satisfactory accuracy and time response, while presenting a
number of benefits over classical PI controllers. It represents a feasible
approach for multiparametric VNS control on implantable devices. SIGNIFICANCE:
Closed-loop multiparametric stimulation may improve response and minimize side
effects on current pathologies treated by VNS.
PMID- 28991732
TI - Feasibility of a Biomechanically-Assistive Garment to Reduce Low Back Loading
During Leaning and Lifting.
AB - GOAL: The purpose of this study was: 1) to design and fabricate a biomechanically
assistive garment which was sufficiently lightweight and low-profile to be worn
underneath, or as, clothing, and then 2) to perform human subject testing to
assess the ability of the garment to offload the low back muscles during leaning
and lifting. METHODS: We designed a prototype garment which acts in parallel with
the low back extensor muscles to reduce forces borne by the lumbar musculature.
We then tested eight healthy subjects while they performed common leaning and
lifting tasks with and without the garment. We recorded muscle activity, body
kinematics, and assistive forces. RESULTS: The biomechanically-assistive garment
offloaded the low back muscles, reducing erector spinae muscle activity by an
average of 23-43% during leaning tasks, and 14-16% during lifting tasks.
CONCLUSION: Experimental findings in this study support the feasibility of using
biomechanically-assistive garments to reduce low back muscle loading, which may
help reduce injury risks or fatigue due to high or repetitive forces.
SIGNIFICANCE: Biomechanically-assistive garments may have broad societal appeal
as a lightweight, unobtrusive, and cost-effective means to mitigate low back
loading in daily life.
PMID- 28991733
TI - Isometric Non-Rigid Shape-from-Motion with Riemannian Geometry Solved in Linear
Time.
AB - We study Isometric Non-Rigid Shape-from-Motion (Iso-NRSfM): given multiple
intrinsically calibrated monocular images, we want to reconstruct the time
varying 3D shape of a thin-shell object undergoing isometric deformations. We
show that Iso-NRSfM is solvable from local warps, the inter-image geometric
transformations. We propose a new theoretical framework based on the Riemmanian
manifold to represent the unknown 3D surfaces as embeddings of the camera's
retinal plane. This allows us to use the manifold's metric tensor and Christoffel
Symbol (CS) fields. These are expressed in terms of the first and second order
derivatives of the inverse-depth of the 3D surfaces, which are the unknowns for
Iso-NRSfM. We prove that the metric tensor and the CS are related across images
by simple rules depending only on the warps. This forms a set of important
theoretical results. We show that current solvers cannot solve for the first and
second order derivatives of the inverse-depth simultaneously. We thus propose an
iterative solution in two steps. 1) We solve for the first order derivatives
assuming that the second order derivatives are known. We initialise the second
order derivatives to zero, which is an infinitesimal planarity assumption. We
derive a system of two cubics in two variables for each image pair. The sum-of
squares of these polynomials is independent of the number of images and can be
solved globally, forming a well-posed problem for $N?geq 3$ images. 2) We solve
for the second order derivatives by initialising the first order derivatives from
the previous step. We solve a linear system of $4N-4$ equations in three
variables. We iterate until the first order derivatives converge. The solution
for the first order derivatives gives the surfaces' normal fields which we
integrate to recover the 3D surfaces. The proposed method outperforms existing
work in terms of accuracy and computation cost on synthetic and real datasets.
PMID- 28991734
TI - Characterization of Color Images with Multiscale Monogenic Maxima.
AB - Can we build a feature-based analysis that fully characterizes images? The
literature answers with edge-based reconstruction methods inspired by Marr's
paradigm but limited to the greyscale case. This paper studies the color case. A
new sparse representation is carried out with the monogenic concept and the
Mallat-Zhong wavelet maxima method. Our monogenic maxima provide efficient
contour shape and color characterization, as a sparse set of local features
including amplitude, phase, orientation and ellipse parameters. This rich
description takes the wavelet maxima representation further towards the wide
topic of keypoint analysis. We propose a reconstruction process that retrieves
the image from its monogenic maxima. While known works all rely on constrained
optimization, implying an iterative use of the filterbank, we propose to
interpolate the data in the feature domain by exploiting the visual knowledge
from the feature-set. This direct retrieval is accurate enough so that no
iteration is required. The main question is finally answered with comparative
experiments. It is shown that a reasonably small amount of features is
sufficiently informative for visually appealing image retrieval. The features
appear numerically stable to rotation, and can be intuitively simplified to
perform image regularization.
PMID- 28991735
TI - ARIES: Enabling Visual Exploration and Organization of Art Image Collections.
AB - Art historians have traditionally used physical light boxes to prepare exhibits
or curate collections. On a light box, they can place slides or printed images,
move the images around at will, group them as desired, and visual-ly compare
them. The transition to digital images has rendered this workflow obsolete. Now,
art historians lack well-designed, unified interactive software tools that
effectively support the operations they perform with physi-cal light boxes. To
address this problem, we designed ARIES (ARt Image Exploration Space), an
interactive image manipulation system that enables the exploration and
organization of fine digital art. The system allows images to be compared in
multiple ways, offering dynamic overlays analogous to a physical light box, and
sup-porting advanced image comparisons and feature-matching functions, available
through computational image processing. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our
system to support art historians tasks through real use cases.
PMID- 28991736
TI - Quasi-Random Single-Point Imaging Using Low-Discrepancy $k$ -Space Sampling.
AB - Magnetic resonance imaging of short relaxation time spin systems has been a
widely discussed topic with serious clinical applications and led to the
emergence of fast imaging ultra-short echo-time sequences. Nevertheless, these
sequences suffer from image blurring, due to the related sampling point spread
function and are highly prone to imaging artefacts arising from, e.g., chemical
shifts or magnetic susceptibilities. In this paper, we present a concept of
spherical quasi-random single-point imaging. The approach is highly
accelerateable, due to intrinsic undersampling properties and capable of strong
metal artefact suppression. Imaging acceleration is achieved by sampling of quasi
random points in -space, based on a low-discrepancy sequence, and a combination
with non-linear optimization reconstruction techniques [compressed sensing (CS)].
The presented low-discrepancy trajectory shows ideal noise like undersampling
properties for the combination with CS, leading to denoised images with excellent
metal artefact reduction. Using eightfold undersampling, acquisition time of a
few minutes can be achieved for volume acquisitions.
PMID- 28991737
TI - Exact Calculation of Noise Maps and ${g}$ -Factor in GRAPPA Using a ${k}$ -Space
Analysis.
AB - Characterization of the noise distribution in magnetic resonance images has
multiple applications, including quality assurance and protocol optimization.
Noise characterization is particularly important in the presence of parallel
imaging acceleration with multi-coil acquisitions, where the noise distribution
can contain severe spatial heterogeneities. If the parallel imaging
reconstruction is a linear process, an accurate noise analysis can be carried out
by taking into account the correlations between all the samples involved.
However, for -space-based techniques such as generalized autocalibrating
partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA), the exact analysis has been considered
computationally prohibitive due to the very large size of the noise covariance
matrices required to characterize the noise propagation from -space to image
space. Previously proposed methods avoid this computational burden by formulating
the GRAPPA reconstruction as a pixel-wise linear operation performed in the image
space. However, these methods are not exact in the presence of non-uniform
sampling of -space (e.g., containing a calibration region). For this reason, in
this paper, we develop an accurate characterization of the noise distribution for
self-calibrated parallel imaging in the presence of arbitrary Cartesian sampling
patterns. By exploiting the symmetries and separability in the noise propagation
process, the proposed method is computationally efficient and does not require
large matrices. Under the assumption of a fixed reconstruction kernel, this
method provides the precise distribution of the noise variance for each coil's
image. These coil-by-coil noise maps are subsequently combined according to the
coil combination approach used in image reconstruction, and therefore can be
applied with both complex coil combination and root-sum-of-squares approaches. In
this paper, we present the proposed noise characterization method and compare it
to previous techniques using Monte Carlo simulations as well as phantom
acquisitions.
PMID- 28991738
TI - FoCUS: Fourier-Based Coded Ultrasound.
AB - Modern imaging systems typically use single-carrier short pulses for transducer
excitation. Coded signals together with pulse compression are successfully used
in radar and communication to increase the amount of transmitted energy. Previous
research verified significant improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and
imaging depth for ultrasound imaging with coded signals. Since pulse compression
needs to be applied at each transducer element, the implementation of coded
excitation (CE) in array imaging is computationally complex. Applying pulse
compression on the beamformer output reduces the computational load but degrades
both the axial and lateral point spread function, compromising image quality. In
this paper, we present an approach for efficient implementation of pulse
compression by integrating it into frequency domain beamforming. This method
leads to significant reduction in the amount of computations without affecting
axial resolution. The lateral resolution is dictated by the factor of savings in
computational load. We verify the performance of our method on a Verasonics
imaging system and compare the resulting images to time-domain processing. The
computational savings are evaluated for a minimal sampling rate of four times the
central frequency. We show that from 4- to 33-fold reduction is achieved as a
function of the resulting lateral resolution, with no degradation of axial
resolution. For an imaging system operating at a higher sampling rate, e.g., 10
times the central frequency, the savings can be as high as 77-fold. The efficient
implementation makes CE a feasible approach in array imaging with the potential
to enhance SNR as well as improve imaging depth and frame rate.
PMID- 28991739
TI - Online Low-Rank Representation Learning for Joint Multi-Subspace Recovery and
Clustering.
AB - Benefiting from global rank constraints, the low-rank representation (LRR) method
has been shown to be an effective solution to subspace learning. However, the
global mechanism also means that the LRR model is not suitable for handling large
scale data or dynamic data. For large-scale data, the LRR method suffers from
high time complexity, and for dynamic data, it has to recompute a complex rank
minimization for the entire data set whenever new samples are dynamically added,
making it prohibitively expensive. Existing attempts to online LRR either take a
stochastic approach or build the representation purely based on a small sample
set and treat new input as out-of-sample data. The former often requires multiple
runs for good performance and thus takes longer time to run, and the latter
formulates online LRR as an out-of-sample classification problem and is less
robust to noise. In this paper, a novel online LRR subspace learning method is
proposed for both large-scale and dynamic data. The proposed algorithm is
composed of two stages: static learning and dynamic updating. In the first stage,
the subspace structure is learned from a small number of data samples. In the
second stage, the intrinsic principal components of the entire data set are
computed incrementally by utilizing the learned subspace structure, and the LRR
matrix can also be incrementally solved by an efficient online singular value
decomposition algorithm. The time complexity is reduced dramatically for large
scale data, and repeated computation is avoided for dynamic problems. We further
perform theoretical analysis comparing the proposed online algorithm with the
batch LRR method. Finally, experimental results on typical tasks of subspace
recovery and subspace clustering show that the proposed algorithm performs
comparably or better than batch methods, including the batch LRR, and
significantly outperforms state-of-the-art online methods.
PMID- 28991740
TI - Duplex Metric Learning for Image Set Classification.
AB - Image set classification has attracted much attention because of its broad
applications. Despite the success made so far, the problems of intra-class
diversity and inter-class similarity still remain two major challenges. To
explore a possible solution to these challenges, this paper proposes a novel
approach, termed duplex metric learning (DML), for image set classification. The
proposed DML consists of two progressive metric learning stages with different
objectives used for feature learning and image classification, respectively. The
metric learning regularization is not only used to learn powerful feature
representations but also well explored to train an effective classifier. At the
first stage, we first train a discriminative stacked autoencoder (DSAE) by layer
wisely imposing a metric learning regularization term on the neurons in the
hidden layers and meanwhile minimizing the reconstruction error to obtain new
feature mappings in which similar samples are mapped closely to each other and
dissimilar samples are mapped farther apart. At the second stage, we
discriminatively train a classifier and simultaneously fine-tune the DSAE by
optimizing a new objective function, which consists of a classification error
term and a metric learning regularization term. Finally, two simple voting
strategies are devised for image set classification based on the learnt
classifier. In the experiments, we extensively evaluate the proposed framework
for the tasks of face recognition, object recognition, and face verification on
several commonly-used data sets and state-of-the-art results are achieved in
comparison with existing methods.
PMID- 28991741
TI - Variational Decompression of Image Data From DjVu Encoded Files.
AB - The DjVu file format and image compression techniques are widely used in the
archival of digital documents. Its key ingredients are the separation of the
document into fore- and background layers and a binary switching mask, followed
by a lossy, transform-based compression of the former and a dictionary-based
compression of the latter. The lossy compression of the layers is based on a
wavelet decomposition and bit truncation, which leads, in particular at higher
compression rates, to severe compression artifacts in the standard decompression
of the layers. The aim of this paper is to break ground for the variational
decompression of DjVu files. To this aim, we provide an in-depth analysis and
discussion of the compression standard with a particular focus on modeling data
constraints for decompression. This allows to carry out DjVu decompression as
regularized inversion of the compression procedure. As particular example, we
evaluate the performance of such a framework using total variation and total
generalized variation regularization. Furthermore, we provide routines for
obtaining the necessary data constraints from a compressed DjVu file and for the
forward and adjoint transformation operator involved in DjVu compression.
PMID- 28991742
TI - A Physics-Based Deep Learning Approach to Shadow Invariant Representations of
Hyperspectral Images.
AB - This paper proposes the Relit Spectral Angle-Stacked Autoencoder, a novel
unsupervised feature learning approach for mapping pixel reflectances to
illumination invariant encodings. This work extends the Spectral Angle-Stacked
Autoencoder so that it can learn a shadow-invariant mapping. The method is
inspired by a deep learning technique, Denoising Autoencoders, with the
incorporation of a physics-based model for illumination such that the algorithm
learns a shadow invariant mapping without the need for any labelled training
data, additional sensors, a priori knowledge of the scene or the assumption of
Planckian illumination. The method is evaluated using datasets captured from
several different cameras, with experiments to demonstrate the illumination
invariance of the features and how they can be used practically to improve the
performance of high-level perception algorithms that operate on images acquired
outdoors.
PMID- 28991743
TI - Curvature Integration in a 5D Kernel for Extracting Vessel Connections in Retinal
Images.
AB - Tree-like structures, such as retinal images, are widely studied in computer
aided diagnosis systems for large-scale screening programs. Despite several
segmentation and tracking methods proposed in the literature, there still exist
several limitations specifically when two or more curvilinear structures cross or
bifurcate, or in the presence of interrupted lines or highly curved blood
vessels. In this paper, we propose a novel approach based on multi-orientation
scores augmented with a contextual affinity matrix, which both are inspired by
the geometry of the primary visual cortex (V1) and their contextual connections.
The connectivity is described with a 5D kernel obtained as the fundamental
solution of the Fokker-Planck equation modeling the cortical connectivity in the
lifted space of positions, orientations, curvatures, and intensity. It is further
used in a self-tuning spectral clustering step to identify the main perceptual
units in the stimuli. The proposed method has been validated on several easy as
well as challenging structures in a set of artificial images and actual retinal
patches. Supported by quantitative and qualitative results, the method is capable
of overcoming the limitations of current state-of-the-art techniques.
PMID- 28991744
TI - Convolutional Dictionary Learning: Acceleration and Convergence.
AB - Convolutional dictionary learning (CDL or sparsifying CDL) has many applications
in image processing and computer vision. There has been growing interest in
developing efficient algorithms for CDL, mostly relying on the augmented
Lagrangian (AL) method or the variant alternating direction method of multipliers
(ADMM). When their parameters are properly tuned, AL methods have shown fast
convergence in CDL. However, the parameter tuning process is not trivial due to
its data dependence and, in practice, the convergence of AL methods depends on
the AL parameters for nonconvex CDL problems. To moderate these problems, this
paper proposes a new practically feasible and convergent Block Proximal Gradient
method using a Majorizer (BPG-M) for CDL. The BPG-M-based CDL is investigated
with different block updating schemes and majorization matrix designs, and
further accelerated by incorporating some momentum coefficient formulas and
restarting techniques. All of the methods investigated incorporate a boundary
artifacts removal (or, more generally, sampling) operator in the learning model.
Numerical experiments show that, without needing any parameter tuning process,
the proposed BPG-M approach converges more stably to desirable solutions of lower
objective values than the existing state-of-the-art ADMM algorithm and its memory
efficient variant do. Compared with the ADMM approaches, the BPG-M method using a
multi-block updating scheme is particularly useful in single-threaded CDL
algorithm handling large data sets, due to its lower memory requirement and no
polynomial computational complexity. Image denoising experiments show that, for
relatively strong additive white Gaussian noise, the filters learned by BPG-M
based CDL outperform those trained by the ADMM approach.
PMID- 28991745
TI - Multiple-Level Feature-Based Measure for Retargeted Image Quality.
AB - Objective image retargeting quality assessment aims to use computational models
to predict the retargeted image quality consistent with subjective perception. In
this paper, we propose a multiple-level feature (MLF)-based quality measure to
predict the perceptual quality of retargeted images. We first provide an in-depth
analysis on the low-level aspect ratio similarity feature, and then propose a mid
level edge group similarity feature, to better address the shape/structure
related distortion. Furthermore, a high-level face block similarity feature is
designed to deal with sensitive region deformation. The multiple-level features
are complementary as they quantify different aspects of quality degradation in
the retargeted image, and the MLF measure learned by regression is used to
predict the perceptual quality of retargeted images. Extensive experimental
results performed on two public benchmark databases demonstrate that the proposed
MLF measure achieves higher quality prediction accuracy than the existing
relevant state-of-the-art quality measures.
PMID- 28991746
TI - Compensation for Magnetic Disturbances in Motion Estimation to Provide Feedback
to Wearable Robotic Systems.
AB - The direction of the Earth's magnetic field is used as a reference vector to
determine the heading in orientation estimation with wearable sensors. However,
the magnetic field strength is weak and can be easily disturbed in the vicinity
of ferromagnetic materials, which may result in inaccurate estimate of
orientation. This paper presents a novel method for estimating and compensating
for magnetic disturbances. The compensation algorithm is implemented within a
kinematic-based extended Kalman filter and is based on an assessment of the
magnetic disturbance and the change of orientation in each time step. The
proposed algorithm was experimentally validated by measuring the orientation of a
simple mechanical system with three degrees of freedom in an artificially
disturbed magnetic field. The results of the experimental evaluation show that an
Kalman filter algorithm that incorporates compensating for magnetic disturbances
is capable of estimating the orientation with moderate error (the absolute median
errors , ) when the Earth's magnetic field is disturbed by magnetic disturbance
with a magnitude equal to twice the magnitude of the Earth's own magnetic field
in different directions.
PMID- 28991747
TI - DNA Implementation of Fuzzy Inference Engine: Towards DNA Decision-Making
Systems.
AB - Decision-making systems are an integral part of any autonomous device. With the
recent developments in bio-nanorobots, smart drugs, and engineered viruses, there
is an immediate need of decision-making systems which are bio-compatible in
nature. DNA is considered a perfect candidate for designing the computing systems
in such decision-making systems because of their bio-compatibility and
programmability. Complex biological systems can be easily modeled/controlled
using fuzzy logic operations with the help of linguistic rules. In this paper, we
propose an enzyme-free DNA strand displacement-based architecture of fuzzy
inference engine using the fuzzy operators, such as fuzzy intersection and union.
The basic building blocks of this architecture are minimum, maximum, and fan-out
gates. All these gates are analog in nature, which means that the input/output
values of the gates are represented by the concentration of the input/output DNA
strands. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed architecture, a detailed
design, analysis, and kinetic simulation of each gate were carried out. Finally,
the minimum and maximum gates are cascaded according to the pre-defined rules to
design the fuzzy inference engine. All these DNA circuits are implemented and
simulated in Visual DSD software.
PMID- 28991748
TI - Cell Population Tracking in a Honeycomb Structure Using an IMM Filter Based 3D
Local Graph Matching Model.
AB - Developing algorithms for plant cell population tracking is very critical for the
modeling of plant cell growth pattern and gene expression dynamics. The tracking
of plant cells in microscopic image stacks is very challenging for several
reasons: (1) plant cells are densely packed in a specific honeycomb structure;
(2) they are frequently dividing; and (3) they are imaged in different layers
within 3D image stacks. Based on an existing 2D local graph matching algorithm,
this paper focuses on building a 3D plant cell matching model, by exploiting the
cells' 3D spatiotemporal context. Furthermore, the Interacting Multi-Model filter
(IMM) is combined with the 3D local graph matching model to track the plant cell
population simultaneously. Because our tracking algorithm does not require the
identification of "tracking seeds", the tracking stability and efficiency are
greatly enhanced. Last, the plant cell lineages are achieved by associating the
cell tracklets, using a maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) method. Compared with the 2D
matching method, the experimental results on multiple datasets show that our
proposed approach does not only greatly improve the tracking accuracy by 18
percent, but also successfully tracks the plant cells located at the high
curvature primordial region, which is not addressed in previous work.
PMID- 28991749
TI - Novel Consensus Gene Selection Criteria for Distributed GPU Partial Least Squares
based Gene Microarray Analysis in Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and
related findings.
AB - This paper proposes novel consensus gene selection criteria for partial least
squares-based gene microarray analysis. By quantifying the extent of consistency
and distinctiveness of the differential gene expressions across different double
cross validations (CV) or randomizations in terms of occurrence and randomization
p-values, the proposed criteria are able to identify a more comprehensive genes
associated with the underlying disease. A Distributed GPU implementation has been
proposed to accelerate the gene selection problem and about 8-11 times speed up
has been achieved based on the microarray datasets considered. Simulation results
using various cancer gene microarray datasets show that the proposed approach is
able to achieve highly comparable classification accuracy in comparing with many
conventional approaches. Furthermore, enrichment analysis on the selected genes
for Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and Prostate Cancer datasets and show
that only the proposed approach is able to identify gene lists enriched in
different pathways with significant p-values. In contrast, sufficient statistical
significance cannot be found for conventional SVM-RFE and the t-test. The
reliability in identifying and establishing statistical significance of the gene
findings makes the proposed approach an attractive alternative for cancer related
researches based on gene expression profiling or other similar data.
PMID- 28991750
TI - Kmerind: A Flexible Parallel Library for K-mer Indexing of Biological Sequences
on Distributed Memory Systems.
AB - Counting and indexing fixed length substrings, or k-mers, in biological sequences
is a key step in many bioinformatics tasks including genome alignment and
mapping, genome assembly, and error correction. While advances in next generation
sequencing technologies have dramatically reduced the cost and improved latency
and throughput, few bioinformatics tools can efficiently process the datasets at
the current generation rate of 1.8 terabases every 3 days. We present Kmerind, a
high performance parallel k-mer indexing library for distributed memory
environments. The Kmerind library provides a set of simple and consistent APIs
with sequential semantics and parallel implementations that are designed to be
flexible and extensible. Kmerind's k-mer counter performs similarly or better
than the best existing k-mer counting tools even on shared memory systems. In a
distributed memory environment, Kmerind counts k-mers in a 120 GB sequence read
dataset in less than 13 seconds on 1024 Xeon CPU cores, and fully indexes their
positions in approximately 17 seconds. Querying for 1% of the k-mers in these
indices can be completed in 0.23 seconds and 28 seconds, respectively. Kmerind is
the first k-mer indexing library for distributed memory environments, and the
first extensible library for general k-mer indexing and counting. Kmerind is
available at https://github.com/ParBLiSS/kmerind.
PMID- 28991751
TI - Unified Deep Learning Architecture for Modeling Biology Sequence.
AB - Prediction of the spatial structure or function of biological macromolecules
based on their sequences remains an important challenge in bioinformatics. When
modeling biological sequences using traditional sequencing models, long-range
interaction, complicated and variable output of labeled structures, and variable
length of biological sequences usually lead to different solutions on a case-by
case basis. This study proposed a unified deep learning architecture based on
long short-term memory or a gated recurrent unit to capture long-range
interactions. The architecture designs the optional reshape operator to adapt to
the diversity of the output labels and implements a training algorithm to support
the training of sequence models capable of processing variable-length sequences.
The merging and pooling operators enhances the ability of capturing short-range
interactions between basic units of biological sequences. The proposed deep
learning architecture and its training algorithm might be capable of solving
currently variable biological sequence-modeling problems under a unified
framework. We validated the model on one of the most difficult biological
sequence-modeling problems, protein residue interaction prediction. The results
indicate that the accuracy of obtaining the residue interactions of the model
exceeded popular approaches by 10 percent on multiple widely-used benchmarks.
PMID- 28991752
TI - Linear time algorithms to construct populations fitting multiple constraint
distributions at genomic scales.
AB - Computer simulations can be used to study population genetic methods, models and
parameters, as well as to predict potential outcomes. For example, in plant
populations, predicting the outcome of breeding operations can be studied using
simulations. In-silico construction of populations with pre-specified
characteristics is an important task in breeding optimization and other
population genetic studies. We present two linear time Simulation using Best-fit
Algorithms (SimBA) for two classes of problems where each co-fits two
distributions: SimBA-LD fits linkage disequilibrium and minimum allele frequency
distributions, while SimBA-hap fits founder-haplotype and polyploid allele dosage
distributions. An incremental gap-filling version of previously introduced SimBA
LD is here demonstrated to accurately fit the target distributions, allowing
efficient large scale simulations. SimBA-hap accuracy and efficiency is
demonstrated by simulating tetraploid populations with varying numbers of founder
haplotypes, we evaluate both a linear time greedy algoritm and an optimal
solution based on mixed-integer programming. SimBA is available on
http://researcher.watson.ibm.com/project/5669.
PMID- 28991753
TI - A Survey on Computer Vision for Assistive Medical Diagnosis From Faces.
AB - Automatic medical diagnosis is an emerging center of interest in computer vision
as it provides unobtrusive objective information on a patient's condition. The
face, as a mirror of health status, can reveal symptomatic indications of
specific diseases. Thus, the detection of facial abnormalities or atypical
features is at upmost importance when it comes to medical diagnostics. This
survey aims to give an overview of the recent developments in medical diagnostics
from facial images based on computer vision methods. Various approaches have been
considered to assess facial symptoms and to eventually provide further help to
the practitioners. However, the developed tools are still seldom used in clinical
practice, since their reliability is still a concern due to the lack of clinical
validation of the methodologies and their inadequate applicability. Nonetheless,
efforts are being made to provide robust solutions suitable for healthcare
environments, by dealing with practical issues such as real-time assessment or
patients positioning. This survey provides an updated collection of the most
relevant and innovative solutions in facial images analysis. The findings show
that with the help of computer vision methods, over 30 medical conditions can be
preliminarily diagnosed from the automatic detection of some of their symptoms.
Furthermore, future perspectives, such as the need for interdisciplinary
collaboration and collecting publicly available databases, are highlighted.
PMID- 28991754
TI - Temporal Analysis of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Complexity by Multiscale
Entropy Based on Symbolic Dynamics.
AB - The effect of an orthostatic stress on cardiovascular and respiratory complexity
was investigated to detect impaired autonomic regulation in patients with
vasovagal syncope (VVS). A total of 16 female patients and 12 age-matched healthy
female subjects were enrolled in a passive 70 degrees head-up tilt test. Also,
12 age-matched healthy male subjects were enrolled to study gender differences.
Analysis was performed dynamically using various short-term (5 min) windows
shifted by 1 min as well as by 20 min of orthostatic phase (OP) to evaluate local
and global complexity. Complexity was determined over multiple time scales by the
established method of refined composite multiscale entropy (RCMSE) and by a new
proposed method of multiscale entropy based on symbolic dynamics (MSE-SD).
Concerning heart rate variability (HRV) during OP, both methods revealed the
highest complexity for female controls followed by lower complexity in male
controls (p < 0.01) and by the lowest complexity in female patients (p < 0.01).
For blood pressure variability (BPV), no gender differences in controls were
shown by any method. However, MSE-SD demonstrated highly significantly increased
BPV complexity in patients during OP (p < 0.01 on 4 time-scales after 7 min, p <
0.001 on 5 time-scales after 11 min) while RCMSE did not reveal considerable
differences (p < 0.05 on 2 time scales after 7 min). Respiratory complexity was
further increased in patients primary shown by MSE-SD. Findings indicated
impaired autonomic regulation in VVS patients characterized by predominantly
increased BPV complexity accompanied with decreased HRV complexity. In addition,
results suggested extending the concept of complexity loss with disease.
PMID- 28991755
TI - Robust Discriminant Regression for Feature Extraction.
AB - Ridge regression (RR) and its extended versions are widely used as an effective
feature extraction method in pattern recognition. However, the RR-based methods
are sensitive to the variations of data and can learn only limited number of
projections for feature extraction and recognition. To address these problems, we
propose a new method called robust discriminant regression (RDR) for feature
extraction. In order to enhance the robustness, the L2,1-norm is used as the
basic metric in the proposed RDR. The designed robust objective function in
regression form can be solved by an iterative algorithm containing an
eigenfunction, through which the optimal orthogonal projections of RDR can be
obtained by eigen decomposition. The convergence analysis and computational
complexity are presented. In addition, we also explore the intrinsic connections
and differences between the RDR and some previous methods. Experiments on some
well-known databases show that RDR is superior to the classical and very recent
proposed methods reported in the literature, no matter the L2-norm or the L2,1
norm-based regression methods. The code of this paper can be downloaded from
http://www.scholat.com/laizhihui.
PMID- 28991756
TI - Person Reidentification via Discrepancy Matrix and Matrix Metric.
AB - Person reidentification (re-id), as an important task in video surveillance and
forensics applications, has been widely studied. Previous research efforts toward
solving the person re-id problem have primarily focused on constructing robust
vector description by exploiting appearance's characteristic, or learning
discriminative distance metric by labeled vectors. Based on the cognition and
identification process of human, we propose a new pattern, which transforms the
feature description from characteristic vector to discrepancy matrix. In
particular, in order to well identify a person, it converts the distance metric
from vector metric to matrix metric, which consists of the intradiscrepancy
projection and interdiscrepancy projection parts. We introduce a consistent term
and a discriminative term to form the objective function. To solve it
efficiently, we utilize a simple gradient-descent method under the alternating
optimization process with respect to the two projections. Experimental results on
public datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed pattern as compared
with the state-of-the-art approaches.
PMID- 28991757
TI - An Adaptive Primal-Dual Subgradient Algorithm for Online Distributed Constrained
Optimization.
AB - In this paper, we consider the problem of solving distributed constrained
optimization over a multiagent network that consists of multiple interacting
nodes in online setting, where the objective functions of nodes are time-varying
and the constraint set is characterized by an inequality. Through introducing a
regularized convex-concave function, we present a consensus-based adaptive primal
dual subgradient algorithm that removes the need for knowing the total number of
iterations in advance. We show that the proposed algorithm attains an [where ]
regret bound and an bound on the violation of constraints; in addition, we show
an improvement to an regret bound when the objective functions are strongly
convex. The proposed algorithm allows a novel tradeoffs between the regret and
the violation of constraints. Finally, a numerical example is provided to
illustrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
PMID- 28991758
TI - Adaptive Gradient Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization.
AB - An adaptive gradient multiobjective particle swarm optimization (AGMOPSO)
algorithm, based on a multiobjective gradient (stocktickerMOG) method and a self
adaptive flight parameters mechanism, is developed to improve the computation
performance in this paper. In this AGMOPSO algorithm, the stocktickerMOG method
is devised to update the archive to improve the convergence speed and the local
exploitation in the evolutionary process. Meanwhile, the self-adaptive flight
parameters mechanism, according to the diversity information of the particles, is
then established to balance the convergence and diversity of AGMOPSO. Attributed
to the stocktickerMOG method and the self-adaptive flight parameters mechanism,
this AGMOPSO algorithm not only has faster convergence speed and higher accuracy,
but also its solutions have better diversity. Additionally, the convergence is
discussed to confirm the prerequisite of any successful application of AGMOPSO.
Finally, with regard to the computation performance, the proposed AGMOPSO
algorithm is compared with some other multiobjective particle swarm optimization
algorithms and two state-of-the-art multiobjective algorithms. The results
demonstrate that the proposed AGMOPSO algorithm can find better spread of
solutions and have faster convergence to the true Pareto-optimal front.
PMID- 28991759
TI - The Importance of Perioperative Prophylaxis with Cefuroxime or Ceftriaxone in the
Surgical Site Infections Prevention after Cranial and Spinal Neurosurgical
Procedures.
AB - Introduction Surgical site infections pose a significant problem in the treatment
of neurosurgical procedures, regardless of the application of perioperative
prophylaxis with systemic antibiotics. The infection rate in these procedures
ranges from less than 1% to above 15%. Different antibiotics and administration
regimes have been used in the perioperative prophylaxis so far, and there are
numerous comparative studies regarding their efficiency, however, it is generally
indicated that the choice thereof should be based on information and local
specifics connected to the most probable bacterial causers, which would possibly
contaminate the surgical site and cause infection, and moreover, the mandatory
compliance with the principles of providing adequate concentration of the drug at
the time of the anticipated contamination. Objective Comparing the protective
effect of two perioperative prophylactic antibiotic regimes using cefuroxime
(second generation cephalosporin) and ceftriaxone (third generation
cephalosporin) in the prevention of postoperative surgical site infections after
elective and urgent cranial and spinal neurosurgical procedures at the University
Clinic for Neurosurgery in Skopje in the period of the first three months of
2016. Design of the study Prospective randomized comparative study. Outcome
measures Establishing the clinical outcome represented as prevalence of
superficial and deep incision and organ/space postoperative surgical site
infections. Material and method We analyzed prospectively 40 patients who
received parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis with two antibiotic regimes one hour
before the routine neurosurgical cranial and spinal surgical procedures; the
patients were randomized in two groups, according to the order of admission and
participation in the study, alternately, non-selectively, those persons who
fulfilled inclusion criteria were placed in one of the two programmed regimes
with cefuroxime in the first, and cefotaxime in the second compared group. All
relevant demographic and perioperative patient data were analyzed for both
comparative groups, especially the factors known to cause disposition
(predisposition) to infections. The prevalence of postoperative infections was
evaluated as the primary outcome in both comparative groups, while the secondary
outcome was the postoperative infection rate after cranial and spinal
neurosurgical procedures at the Neurosurgical clinic in Skopje (having in
consideration that so far no data have been published in this context), as well
as the prevalence of the risk factors for occurrence of postoperative infections,
pre-surgically in patients undergoing neurosurgical interventions locally in the
Republic of Macedonia. Results A total of three cases of postoperative infections
were registered, two of which classified as superficial incisional, while one
case organ/space infection - meningitis (elective intervention) without
etiological confirmation. Both comparative groups were statistically similar,
without any statistically significant differences in the basic demographic and
perioperative characteristics, especially in relation to the incidence of the
factors, which, regardless of the antibiotic prophylaxis, show predisposition to
postoperative infections. All three cases with infections were registered in the
group of persons who received prophylaxis with ceftriaxone preoperatively, with
isolated etiological S. aureus agent (elective intervention) in one of them, and
methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in another (urgent
intervention) with superficial incisional SSI. There was no case of SSI in the
group of patients who received cefuroxime before surgery. Conclusion
Administration of parenteral antibiotics before surgery reduces the incidence of
postoperative infections after neurosurgical procedures, especially in cases with
increased risk factors for SSI, such as ACA score of >= 2/3, the duration of the
surgical intervention >= 4 hours, contaminated wound and comorbidities.
Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis should be directed to better coverage of the
S.aureus arrays.
PMID- 28991760
TI - Centenary of the Birth of Academician Prof. Dr. Isak Tadzer, Founder of the
Pathophysiology and Nuclear Medicine in Macedonia.
AB - Academician Prof. Dr. Isak Tadzer was born a hundred years ago on December 24,
1916 in Sofia. He completed the primary and secondary education at the German
College in Sofia. In 1935 he began his studies at the Medical Faculty in Vienna,
which he had to stop because of the annexation of Austria to Germany in 1938. He
returned to Bulgaria where he continued his studies and graduated from the
Medical Faculty in Sofia in 1941. During the War, 1941-1944, he was forcedly
mobilized and he worked as a doctor in several villages. He was twice interned in
camps in Bulgaria. In 1944 he joined the National Liberation Army and the
Partisan Groups of Yugoslavia. After the liberation in 1945 he started
specialization in internal medicine at the famous clinic of Prof. Chilov in
Sofia. In 1946 he applied to the call by the Yugoslav government to the doctors
in Bulgaria to come in aid of temporary work in our country. On the advice of the
current Federal Minister of Public Health Dr. Dimitar Nestorov, Dr. Tadzer came
to Skopje and was assigned to work in the Country hospital. He started
specialization in internal medicine at the famous professor Ignjatovski, he
established a family and decided to stay in Skopje. In 1949 Prof. Tadzer ended
his specialization and he was elected an Assistant at the Department of Internal
Medicine. In 1951 he left the Internal Clinic and he was elected an Assistant,
and in 1952 he was elected a Docent in the subject of Pathological Physiology. In
1959 he was elected, and in 1964 he was re-elected as an Associate Professor, and
in 1967 he was elected a Professor of pathophysiology at the Medical Faculty in
Skopje. In the period from 1952 to 1978 he was Head of the Department and
Director of the Institute of Pathophysiology. He was elected a Corresponding
Member of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts in 1969, and a Full Member
in 1974. In the period from 1984 to 1988 he was a Secretary of the Department of
Medicine and Biology of the Academy. Prof. Tadzer has published over 300
scientific papers in the field of clinical medicine and pathological physiology,
of which about 200 in journals in English, French, German and Serbo-Croatian, as
well as 15 books, which include him among the most prolific pathophysiologists on
the territory of former Yugoslavia and beyond. In the period from 1950 to 1966
several times he was on a vocational training in similar institutions and centers
in Europe, and in 1972 he was on a study stay at many nuclear and medical
laboratories in the USA. In addition to his great research activities his
contribution as a teacher was of substantial influence and importance to the
faculty. He was one of the greatest lectures at the Medical Faculty, the Faculty
of Stomatology and the Pharmaceutical Faculty. Prof. Tadzer co-authored in most
of the textbooks on pathophysiology for students of medicine, stomatology and
pharmacy. He was an extraordinary physician, one of the pillars of the Macedonian
medicine, he possessed universal, encyclopedic knowledge and is one of the most
renowned medical workers in the second half of the 20th century in Macedonia. In
addition to the scientific, medical and educational work Prof. Tadzer has
especially rich social activity. He was President of the Faculty Council in 1975
76, he was Vice Dean of the Medical Faculty in 1958-60, Dean of the Faculty from
1963 to 1965, Dean of the Pharmaceutical Faculty and Vice Rector of the
University from 1965 to 1967. Especially it should be noted his long-lasting
activity at the Macedonian Medical Association of more than 50 years. Also,
significant is his creative work within the Editorial board of the journal
"Macedonian Medical Review", where for more than 15 years he was Editor in Chief
or member of the Editorial board. For his complete activity Prof. Tadzer has won
numerous diplomas, plaques and awards, and among them the following are
emphasized: National Award of October 11, Order of Labor of Second Degree, the
Award of the City of Skopje - November 13, the Charter of Dr. Trifun Panovski and
the Certificate of Acknowledgement awarded by the Macedonian Medical Association
for the outstanding results in advancing the medical science, practice and
development of the health care and the long-term contribution and promotion of
the MMA.
PMID- 28991761
TI - Dimensional Stability and Acuracy of Silicone - Based Impression Materials Using
Different Impression Techniques - A Literature Review.
AB - A quality-made dental impression is a prerequisite for successful fixed
prosthodontic fabrication and is directly dependent on the dimensional stability,
accuracy and flexibility of the elastomeric impression materials, as well as on
the appropriately used impression techniques. The purpose of this paper is to
provide a literature review of relevant scientific papers which discuss the use
of various silicone impression materials, different impression techniques and to
evaluate their impact on the dimensional stability and accuracy of the obtained
impressions. Scientific papers and studies were selected according to the
materials used, the sample size, impression technique, storage time, type of
measurements and use of spacer for the period between 2002 and 2016. In the
reviewed literature several factors that influence the dimensional stability and
accuracy of silicone impression molds, including the choice of the type of
viscosity, impression material thickness, impression technique, retention of the
impression material on the tray, storage time before the casting, number of
castings, hydrophilicity of the material, release of byproducts, contraction
after polymerization, thermal contraction and incomplete elastic recovery were
presented. The literature review confirmed the lack of standardization of
methodologies applied in the research and their great diversity. All findings
point to the superiority of the addition silicone compared to the condensation
silicone.
PMID- 28991762
TI - Hemodynamic and Bispectral Changes During Pin Insertion in Craniotomy - Effect of
Locally Infiltrated Bupivacaine.
AB - Introduction Cranial pins insertion is a method for head stabilization and
together with the scalp incision is one of the biggest noxious stimulus
associated with arousal and rapid increase of the blood pressure leading to
pathological increase of the intracranial pressure. The aim of this investigation
is to study the superiority of the locally infiltrated anesthetic bupivacaine
just before the skull pin insertion and the scalp incision in craniotomy under
general anesthesia. Methods In the study thirty patients of both genders aged 24
72 years were included. They were categorized as ASA 1 and 2 and divided into two
group of 15 patients each, group B (bupivacaine) and group S (saline). We
recorded the bispectral (BIS) index, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the
pulse rate (PR) in five time intervals: t 0-2 min before pin insertion; t 1-2 min
after pin insertion; t 2-5 min after; t 3-10 min after and t 4-15 min after.
Results Significant difference p<0.05 was achieved in group S for all three
followed parameters: blood pressure, heart rate and bispectral index. The
difference is present in all four time intervals compared to the initial one
before the pin insertion. With further analysis it was demonstrated that the
investigated BIS index participates the most in the overall significance in group
F. Conclusion The scalp infiltration with local anesthetic bupivacaine results
with stable hemodynamic parameters and stable intracranial pressure during the
painful procedures as craniotomy.
PMID- 28991763
TI - Normal Values of Tissue-Muscle Perfusion Indexes of Lower Limbs Obtained with a
Scintigraphic Method.
AB - Introduction Muscle perfusion is a physiologic process that can undergo
quantitative assessment and thus define the range of normal values of perfusion
indexes and perfusion reserve. The investigation of the microcirculation has a
crucial role in determining the muscle perfusion. Materials and method The study
included 30 examinees, 24-74 years of age, without a history of confirmed
peripheral artery disease and all had normal findings on Doppler ultrasonography
and pedo-brachial index of lower extremity (PBI). 99mTc-MIBI tissue muscle
perfusion scintigraphy of lower limbs evaluates tissue perfusion in resting
condition "rest study" and after workload "stress study", through quantitative
parameters: Inter-extremity index (for both studies), left thigh/right thigh
(LT/RT) left calf/right calf (LC/RC) and perfusion reserve (PR) for both thighs
and calves. Results In our investigated group we assessed the normal values of
quantitative parameters of perfusion indexes. Indexes ranged for LT/RT in rest
study 0.91-1.05, in stress study 0.92-1.04. LC/RC in rest 0.93-1.07 and in stress
study 0.93-1.09. The examinees older than 50 years had insignificantly lower
perfusion reserve of these parameters compared with those younger than 50, LC
(p=0.98), and RC (p=0.6). Conclusion This non-invasive scintigraphic method
allows in individuals without peripheral artery disease to determine the range of
normal values of muscle perfusion at rest and stress condition and to clinically
implement them in evaluation of patients with peripheral artery disease for
differentiating patients with normal from those with impaired lower limbs
circulation.
PMID- 28991764
TI - Hypoglycaemia in the Newborn.
AB - AIM: Severe neonatal hypoglycaemia (HG) leads to neurologic damage, mental
retardation, epilepsy, impaired cardiac performance and muscle weakness. The aim
was to assess the frequency and severity of HG in a population of newborns.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated 739 patients with neonatal hypoglycaemia
(HG) (M:F=370:369) born at the University Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetritics
in Skopje in the period 2014-2016 and treated at the neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU). 1416 babies were treated in the same period in NICU, and HG was observed
in 52.18%. The birth weight was dominated by children with low birth weight: very
low birth weight (VLBW)(<1500g) 253 children, (34,23%), low birth weight (1500
2500g) 402 (54.39%), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) 78(10.55%), and high
birth weight (>4000g) 6 babies (0.81%). The gestational age was also dominated by
children with low gestational age: gestational week (GW) 20-25 four children
(0.54%), 26-30 GW 133 babies (17.99%), 31-35 GW472 (63.87%), and 36-40 GW130
neonates (17.59 %). 241 mothers (32.61%) have had an infection during pregnancy,
82 preeclampsia or eclampsia (11.09%), 20 diabetes mellitus (2.70%), 78 placental
situations (placenta previa, abruption) (10.55%). In this study 47 babies (6.35%)
with HG and co-morbidities died. There was a significant positive correlation
between HG birth weight (p<0.01), gestational age (p<0.05), and the lowest Apgar
score (p<0.01). Neonatal deaths were significantly correlated with GA (r>0,01),
co-morbidities of the mothers (r>0,05) but not with the birth weight (r>0,05). In
contrast, a significant positive correlation was found between convulsions and
body weight (r<0.05). The lowest Apgar score was positively correlated with the
gestational age (0.01), but not with the birth weight (0.05). CONCLUSION: Low
birth weight, low gestational age, maternal risk factors, hypoxic-ischemic
encephalopathy and neonatal infections are associated with HG and are a
significant factor in overall neonatal mortality. Those results indicate that
diminishing the frequency of the neonatal HG and the rates of neonatal mortality
requires complex interaction of prenatal and postnatal interventions.
PMID- 28991765
TI - Effects of Serenoa repens Alcohol Extract on Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.
AB - An increasing tendency has recently emerged for the use of phytotherapeutic
agents as alternative to commercial pharmacological agents for the treatment of
benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the
effects of Serenoa repens alcohol extract treatment on BPH patients' symptoms and
major parameters during one-year follow-up. The study was performed on 70 men
aged 40 - 79 years (mean 60.58) with symptomatic BPH that were divided into a
group of 40 patients treated with Serenoa repens extract (SRT) and a control
group of 30 patients that received no treatment and were observed only. The
following parameters were determined at the time of diagnosis (baseline), and
after 6 and 12 months: prostate size, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and
uroflowmetry parameters including maximum flow rate (MFR), average flow rate
(AFR) and post-voiding residual volume (PVRV). In addition, the relevant patient
symptoms were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
system. The patients in the SRT group showed a statistically significant
increment of the average MFR and AFR values and reduction of PV relative to the
control group (p<0.05). The significant differences between the proportion of
patients with prostate volume >40 ml in the SRE treated group vs. control group
was observed (p<0.05). The mean IPSS score was highly significantly reduced in
the SRT group (p<0.01). The mild improvements of the urine flow, prostate size
and IPSS score during 12 months treatment with the Serenoa repens extract
indicate possible efficiency of this phytotherapeutic agent in patients with BPH.
PMID- 28991766
TI - Comparative Analysis of Ultrasound Guided Central Venous Catheterization Compared
to Blind Catheterization.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Central venous catheterization is performed by the landmark method
and ultrasound guided method. The purpose of the study was to compare the
success, average number of attempts, average time to return of blood, and
complication rate between the two methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a
prospective study done in the Intensive Care Unit of the Acibadem Sistina
Clinical Hospital, in Skopje. There were 400 patients in need of central venous
catheter and they were prospectively randomized in two groups. The patients
randomized in the examined-ultrasound group underwent real-time ultrasound-guided
catheterization and the patients randomized in the control-landmark group were
catheterized using the landmark method. Internal Jugular, Subclavian and Femoral
vein were catheterized in both groups. The Overall success, success on the first
attempt, time to the return of blood, number of attempts and complications at the
moment of catheterization such as arterial puncture, pneumothorax and hematoma
formation were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: The catheterization using the
landmark method was successful in 90.5% of patients, 60.5% of which during the
first attempt. The cannulation using real-time ultrasound guidance was successful
in 98% of patients with a first pass success of 77%. The complication rate with
the landmark method was 14.5% versus 4% with real-time ultrasound guidance
p<0.05(p=0.0008). CONCLUSION: Real-time ultrasound guidance improves success,
decreases number of attempts, decreases average time to the return of blood and
reduces mechanical complications rate.
PMID- 28991767
TI - Anorexia: Anormal Phobia of Normal Weight.
AB - Anorexia nervosa is a disorder of feeding behavior associated with distortion of
body image, mood disturbance and a wide variety of hormonal and metabolic
abnormalities. It is supposed that the disease could be the consequence of a
combination of cultural-social, psychological and biological factors. Our study
confirmed that anorexia mentalis is a serious, life threatening disorder which in
our country appears earlier than it was expected and that is strongly related to
environmental factors (family, school, fashion, society). We showed that specific
personality traits are characteristic for both, young patients and mothers.
Sublimation of emotional stress by exceptional performances, accompanied by food
restrictive consumption together with hypersensitivity, oppositional behavior and
aggression are specific for this disorder. High levels of self-imposed standards
increase the risk for psychological distress, especially for eating disorder
symptomatology. Both genders could be involved as patients. Boys must be
especially followed for possible psychiatric manifestation. We confirmed that the
biofeedback as additional therapeutic modality is very useful.
PMID- 28991768
TI - Peripheral Arterial Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease.
AB - There are two points of interplay of chronic kidney (CKD) and peripheral arterial
disease (PAD): CKD has been recognized as one of the main factors for presence of
PAD, and PAD has been defined as a useful tool for risk stratification of CKD
population. Peripheral arterial disease in patients with CKD is a frequent
finding, even in those without symptoms. This review tends to describe
determinants for occurrence of arterial disease in chronic kidney disease
patients and necessity for its screening.
PMID- 28991769
TI - Let's Go Bananas! Gren Bananas and their Health Benefits.
AB - Bananas have enormous health benefits as a food for both animals and humans. They
have been used as a complimentary medicine to treat pathological conditions since
ancient times. Recently, there has been increased interest in the scientific
validity of the beneficial effects of bananas in alleviating and treating disease
conditions including, ulcers, infections, diabetes, diarrhea, colitis and blood
pressure. Herein, we write on the potential therapeutic and functional benefits
of certain species of bananas when consumed green as well as considering the
properties of extracts from the non-fruit parts of the plant. We conclude that
green bananas appear to deliver an array of health and therapeutic benefits.
PMID- 28991770
TI - Transition Towards Transradial Approach Improves Outcomes of Acute Myocardial
Infarction PCI.
AB - INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Transradial (TRA) instead of transfemoral (TFA) approach
strategy has been presented in research literature as superior access strategy
especially for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) primary
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is a paucity of registry-based
data of outcomes from default TRA strategy compared to TFA. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: All-comers STEMI PCI institutional Registry identified 1808 consecutive
patients in time-frame of 40 months from 2007 to 2010, without making any
exclusions. Moreover, we applied Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to replace
randomization, address the potential confounding and selection bias. PSM derived
565 congruent pairs of patients from the groups. RESULTS: After 30 days the
primary composite endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was in
favor of TRA 6.5% vs. 12.4% in TFA group, simultaneously secondary endpoints of
death in TRA with rate of 4.8% and with rate of 10.1% in TFA. Moreover, the rate
of major access related bleeding was 1.1% in TRA vs. 8.5% in TFA, in contrast the
major non-access related bleeding was 1.8% and 2.4% respectively showed no
significant difference. One year Kaplan Meier survival plots were in favor of
TRA. CONCLUSIONS: Default transradial access strategy is associated with improved
STEMI PCI outcomes.
PMID- 28991771
TI - Surgical Treatment of Pleural Empyema - Our Results.
AB - : Pleural infection is a frequent clinical condition. Prompt treatment has been
shown to reduce morbidity, mortality and duration of hospital stay.
Unfortunately, advanced stages of empyema need to use extensive surgery -
decortications or thoracoplasty. Early recognition of the parapneumonic effusion
and the adequate treatment with thoracentesis or pleural drainage, which is
minimally invasive, is possible not to prograde the process and not to become
empyema. AIM: To analyze the results of the surgical treatment in patients with
empyema treated at Clinic for thoracic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the
retrospective study we analyzed 234 patients with empyema which were treated at
the Clinic for Thoracic Surgery in 5 year period (2011-2015). The mean age of the
patients was 51.94 years. They were treated with pleural drainage, decortications
or thoracoplasty. RESULTS: With pleural drainage were treated 165/234 (70.51%)
patients, of which successfully were finished 124/165 (75.15%), but 41/165
(24.85%) were indicated after the decortications. A total of 108/234 (46.15%)
were treated with decortications from which, primary decortications were
indicated in 67/234 (28.63%) patients. 5/234 (2.14%) patients were treated with
thoracoplasty - 3 of the patients with decortications and 2 with primary
indicated thoracoplasty according to the local findings, long term untreated
empyema and bad general condition. The Mean hospitalization was 17.4 days, of
which 13.4 days after surgery. In the group with primary drainage it was detected
a lethal outcome in 7/124 (5.64%) patients, 5/105 (4.76%) in the group with
decortications and 2/5 (40%) in the group with thoracoplasty. CONCLUSION: Early
detection of the parapneumonic effusion and the adequate treatment will prevent
the appearance of empyema. If the empyema is detected it is necessary as early as
possible to start the treatment with minimally invasive pleural drainage. In
earlier stages it is possible to use less invasive decortications, using VATS
than the open thoracotomy decortication which is more extensive surgical
intervention.
PMID- 28991772
TI - Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
and their Co-Relation with the Demographic Variables.
AB - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging health problem in both
developed and developing countries. Depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances
are highly prevalent in patients with chronic disease, but remain undertreated
despite significant negative consequences on patients' health. Assessment of key
components of mental health early in disease course will help to identify high
risk subjects in whom modifying these predictors will help in providing active
and healthy life in CKD patients. METHODS: We did a cross sectional study in 200
patients of CKD stage III to V-D fulfilling the eligibility criteria who were on
follow up in a single tertiary care center in the state of Haryana, India. We
assessed the prevalence of anxiety, depression and insomnia and their correlation
with demographic variables in these patients. The structured questionnaire used
in this study gathered information on respondent demographic and disease
characteristics, and information obtained from the HADS and PSQI questionnaire.
Factors associated with anxiety, depression and insomnia were examined by a
multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety,
depression and insomnia were found to be 71%, 69% and 86.5% respectively. As the
CKD stage advanced, the prevalence as well as severity of these parameters
increased. Anxiety, depression and sleep quality were found to be significantly
correlated to unemployment, low income, low education, urban residence and
presence of co-morbidities. The anxiety, depression and insomnia scores were
found to have a strong negative correlation with eGFR, hemoglobin, serum calcium
(p <0.01) and a positive correlation with TLC, blood urea, serum creatinine and
serum phosphate (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: We observed a high prevalence of anxiety,
depression and insomnia in CKD patients. There is a need to develop strategies to
accurately identify "high risk" subjects who may benefit from preventive measures
before complications occur. By identifying CKD patients with high risk of
developing these mental health related issues, healthcare provider may be better
able to ensure the provision of appropriate rehabilitation to this population.
PMID- 28991773
TI - Fibroblast Growth Factor-23: A Novel Biomarker for Cardiovascular Disease in
Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.
AB - Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)-23 increase is considered one of the earliest
biochemical abnormalities in chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD
MBD). Furthermore, accumulating data have provided evidence of a link between
increased FGF-23 levels and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in CKD
patients as well as in several other populations including cardiology patients
and general population. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the
deleterious effect of FGF-23 on the cardiovascular system are not yet completely
defined and are the focus of intense research. However, animal and human studies
have demonstrated important actions of FGF-23 in the heart and vessels through
which could promote the development of cardiovascular complications in uremia.
Moreover, significant interactions have been reported between FGF-23 and other
well recognized cardiovascular risk factors such as renin-angiotensin system and
inflammation which could account, at least in part, for the observed associations
between FGF-23 and adverse clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to
clarify the mechanisms responsible for the pleiotropic actions of FGF-23 and
moreover to identify whether it is a modifiable risk factor and a potential
target of therapeutic interventions which could probably help to reduce the
unacceptably high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of CKD patients.
PMID- 28991774
TI - Giant Mediastinal Thymic Cyst.
AB - The authors present a rare case of giant mediastinal cyst which arises from the
thymus gland, and goes down in both pleural spaces, especially in the right chest
cavity where a dominant part of the cyst was present. The cyst was full with 2.5
liters of transparent fluid, and compressed surrounding structures - heart and
both lungs, especially the right one which was partially collapsed. The patient
was a 52 years old woman, without any clinical symptoms. Accidentally, on the
screened chest X-ray a shading in the distal third of the right chest was
detected. The case was well documented with a CT of the chest, and an indication
for surgical treatment was made. The surgery was done successfully in general
anesthesia according to the small right anterior thoracotomy from which a giant
part of the cyst was mobilized, which was in the right pleural cavity, but, also,
the thymus with the origin of the cyst in the anterior and superior mediastinum
was completely removed. In the end, a part of the cyst which was in the left
pleural cavity was removed.
PMID- 28991775
TI - Evidence Based Practice in Using Antibiotics for Acute Tonsillitis in Primary
Care Practice.
AB - The increased use of antibiotics for acute tonsillitis is a public health
problem. 80% of the antibiotic prescriptions for acute tonsillitis are done in
the Primary Care practice (PCP). The inappropriate use of the antibiotic causes
bacterial resistance and treatment failure. Only patients with acute tonsillitis
caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) have benefit of the
antibiotic treatment, which is a predict cause in 5-20%. In order to assess the
antibiotic prescribing for acute tonsillitis by the doctors in the PCP in
Macedonia we use the data from the national project about antibiotic prescribing
for acute respiratory tract infections which was conducted in November 2014
during a period of 4 weeks as part of the E-quality program sponsored by the
IPCRG. 86 general practitioners from Macedonia have participated. The group of
1768 patients, from 4 months to 88 years of age, with diagnosis of acute
tonsillitis was analyzed. The antibiotic prescriptions according to the Centor
score criteria were compared to the Cochran's guidelines which are translated and
recommended as national guidelines. 88.8% of the patients with acute tonsillitis
were treated with antibiotics, of which 52.9% with Centor score 0 to 2 were
treated inappropriate. The diagnosis is mostly made based on the clinical picture
and the symptoms. Only (23.6%) of the patients were treated with antibiotics
(Penicillin V and cephalexin) according to the guidelines. We concluded that
there is a low adherence to the national guidelines. The clinical assessment is
not accurate in determining the etiology. Also, there is a high nonadherence in
prescribing the first choice of antibiotics. We emphasize the need to change the
general practitioners' prescription behavior according to the guidelines.
PMID- 28991776
TI - Serum and alveolar procalcitonin had a weak diagnostic value for ventilator
associated pneumonia in patients with pulmonary infection score >= 6.
AB - BACKGROUND: Measuring the serum and alveolar procalcitonin level as inflammatory
marker in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been taken
into account. In this study, serum and alveolar procalcitonin levels in patients
with suspected VAP and patients with confirmed VAP were compared. METHODS: This
cross-sectional study was conducted using 50 intubated intensive care unit (ICU)
patients, connected to ventilator, from October 2014 to April 2015. 50 patients
with clinical pulmonary infection score >=6 were divided into two groups.
Patients whose bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has shown the growth of more than 104
CFU/mL were included in confirmed VAP group and other patients were included in
suspected VAP group. Serum and alveolar procalcitonin levels were measured and
compared between both groups. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 69.10 +/- 42.13
with a range of 16-90 years, out of which 23 patients were male (46%) and 27
patients were female (54%). Moreover, patients' mean clinical pulmonary infection
score was reported to be 7.02 +/- 1.07. There was a significant relationship
between serum and alveolar procalcitonin in suspected patients and patients with
an approved form of pneumonia (p = 0.001 and 0.027). Area under the curve for
alveolar procalcitonin was 0.683 (sensitivity = 57%; specificity = 80%) and for
serum procalcitonin 0.751 (sensitivity = 71%; specificity = 73%) for the
diagnosis of VAP. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, we
can diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia earlier and more accurately by
measuring procalcitonin level (particularly alveolar type) in intensive care unit
patients.
PMID- 28991777
TI - Reverse flexing as a physical/mechanical treatment to mitigate fouling of fine
bubble diffusers.
AB - Achieving energy neutrality has shifted focus towards aeration system
optimization, due to the high energy consumption of aeration processes in modern
advanced wastewater treatment plants. A study on fine bubble diffuser fouling and
mitigation, quantified by dynamic wet pressure (DWP), oxygen transfer efficiency
and alpha was carried out in Blue Plains, Washington, DC. Four polyurethane fine
bubble diffusers were installed in a pilot reactor column fed with high rate
activated sludge from a full scale system. A mechanical cleaning method, reverse
flexing (RF), was used to treat two diffusers (RF1, RF2), while two diffusers
were kept as a control (i.e., no reverse flexing). There was a 45% increase in
DWP of the control diffuser after 17 months of operation, an indication of
fouling. RF treated diffusers (RF1 and RF2) did not show significant increase in
DWP, and in comparison to the control diffuser prevented about 35% increase in
DWP. Hence, reverse flexing potentially saves blower energy, by reducing the
pressure burden on the air blower which increases blower energy requirement.
However, no significant impact of the RF treatment in preventing a decrease in
alpha-fouling (alphaF) of the fine pore diffusers, over time in operation was
observed.
PMID- 28991778
TI - Optimization of hydrometric monitoring network in urban drainage systems using
information theory.
AB - Regular and continuous monitoring of urban runoff in both quality and quantity
aspects is of great importance for controlling and managing surface runoff. Due
to the considerable costs of establishing new gauges, optimization of the
monitoring network is essential. This research proposes an approach for site
selection of new discharge stations in urban areas, based on entropy theory in
conjunction with multi-objective optimization tools and numerical models. The
modeling framework provides an optimal trade-off between the maximum possible
information content and the minimum shared information among stations. This
approach was applied to the main surface-water collection system in Tehran to
determine new optimal monitoring points under the cost considerations.
Experimental results on this drainage network show that the obtained cost
effective designs noticeably outperform the consulting engineers' proposal in
terms of both information contents and shared information. The research also
determined the highly frequent sites at the Pareto front which might be important
for decision makers to give a priority for gauge installation on those locations
of the network.
PMID- 28991779
TI - Estimation of hydraulic jump characteristics of channels with sudden diverging
side walls via SVM.
AB - Sudden diverging channels are one of the energy dissipaters which can dissipate
most of the kinetic energy of the flow through a hydraulic jump. An accurate
prediction of hydraulic jump characteristics is an important step in designing
hydraulic structures. This paper focuses on the capability of the support vector
machine (SVM) as a meta-model approach for predicting hydraulic jump
characteristics in different sudden diverging stilling basins (i.e. basins with
and without appurtenances). In this regard, different models were developed and
tested using 1,018 experimental data. The obtained results proved the capability
of the SVM technique in predicting hydraulic jump characteristics and it was
found that the developed models for a channel with a central block performed more
successfully than models for channels without appurtenances or with a negative
step. The superior performance for the length of hydraulic jump was obtained for
the model with parameters F1 (Froude number) and (h2-h1)/h1 (h1 and h2 are
sequent depth of upstream and downstream respectively). Concerning the relative
energy dissipation and sequent depth ratio, the model with parameters F1 and h1/B
(B is expansion ratio) led to the best results. According to the outcome of
sensitivity analysis, Froude number had the most significant effect on the
modeling. Also comparison between SVM and empirical equations indicated the great
performance of the SVM.
PMID- 28991780
TI - Influence of chemically enhanced primary treatment on anaerobic digestion and
dewaterability of waste sludge.
AB - To lower energy consumption at a sewage treatment plant (STP), primary settling
could be enhanced to direct more chemical oxygen demand (COD) to anaerobic
digestion (AD) for increased biogas production and decreased aeration. Primary
settling can be chemically enhanced by applying flocculation aids (FAs). FAs are
refractory compounds that may affect all sludge treatment facilities. In this
study the consequences are investigated of the application of FAs for chemically
enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) on AD and subsequent dewatering of digested
sludge in a conventional STP. It was found that FAs maintain their effect
throughout all sludge processing facilities. With CEPT, more readily degradable
solids were removed, resulting in a higher bio methane potential of the primary
sludge. In AD, FAs lowered the viscosity; meanwhile an increased hydrolysis rate
was observed. But FAs also partially irreversibly bound substrate in such way
that it is not available for biological degradation anymore. In subsequent
dewatering of digested sludge, a higher dry solids concentration was observed
with CEPT. A computer simulation showed that in a conventional STP, CEPT would
not be economically feasible. However, several benefits were discussed that can
make CEPT an interesting option for future low COD/N-tolerant STPs with, for
example, Anammox processes for N removal.
PMID- 28991781
TI - A heterogeneous computing accelerated SCE-UA global optimization method using
OpenMP, OpenCL, CUDA, and OpenACC.
AB - The shuffled complex evolution optimization developed at the University of
Arizona (SCE-UA) has been successfully applied in various kinds of scientific and
engineering optimization applications, such as hydrological model parameter
calibration, for many years. The algorithm possesses good global optimality,
convergence stability and robustness. However, benchmark and real-world
applications reveal the poor computational efficiency of the SCE-UA. This
research aims at the parallelization and acceleration of the SCE-UA method based
on powerful heterogeneous computing technology. The parallel SCE-UA is
implemented on Intel Xeon multi-core CPU (by using OpenMP and OpenCL) and NVIDIA
Tesla many-core GPU (by using OpenCL, CUDA, and OpenACC). The serial and parallel
SCE-UA were tested based on the Griewank benchmark function. Comparison results
indicate the parallel SCE-UA significantly improves computational efficiency
compared to the original serial version. The OpenCL implementation obtains the
best overall acceleration results however, with the most complex source code. The
parallel SCE-UA has bright prospects to be applied in real-world applications.
PMID- 28991782
TI - rGO/MnO2 nanowires for ultrasonic-combined Fenton assisted efficient degradation
of Reactive Black 5.
AB - Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) coated manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanowires (NWs) were
prepared by the hydrothermal method. Raman spectra confirmed the presence of rGO
and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of rGO/MnO2 NWs was found to be 59.1
m2g-1. The physico-chemical properties of prepared catalysts for the degradation
of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye were investigated. 84% of RB5 dye in hydrogen
peroxide solution was successfully degraded using rGO/MnO2 NWs, while only 63%
was successfully degraded with pristine alpha-MnO2 NWs in 60 min owing to the
smaller crystallite size and large surface area. Further, the ultrasonic-combined
Fenton process significantly enhanced the degradation rate to 95% of RB5 by the
catalyst rGO/MnO2 NWs due to synergistic effects. The decomposition products
identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a higher
production rate of fragments in the ultrasonic-combined Fenton process.
Therefore, rGO/MnO2 NWs with the ultrasonic-combined Fenton process is an
efficient catalyst for the degradation of RB5, and may be used for environmental
protection.
PMID- 28991783
TI - Difficulties and modifications in the use of available methods for hydraulic
conductivity measurements in highly clogged horizontal subsurface flow
constructed wetlands.
AB - Despite the fact that several authors consider the available measurement methods
of hydraulic conductivity (ks) suitable for a good representation of the bed
condition and clogging potential in horizontal subsurface flow constructed
wetlands, others have questioned their adequacy. In this work, hydraulic
conductivity measurements with conventional and modified methods were undertaken
in two small full-scale units, one planted with cattail (Typha latifolia) and the
other unplanted. Both units had already been operating for seven years and showed
a high degree of clogging. It was observed that the use of the falling head
method, with the introduction of the tubes during the test, provided results
without a clear spatial trend. On the other hand, tests done on monitoring wells
inserted during construction time showed, as expected, ks increasing with the
horizontal distance from the inlet, but without reflecting actual field
conditions. It was observed that, as the bed became more clogged, the use of the
reported methods became more complex, suggesting the need of other methodologies.
The use of planted fixed reactors (removable baskets installed in the bed) with
evaluation of ks at constant head in the laboratory showed potential for the
characterization of the hydrodynamic properties of the porous medium.
PMID- 28991784
TI - Preparation of magnetic imprinted graphene oxide composite for catalytic
degradation of Congo red under dark ambient conditions.
AB - Magnetic imprinted N-doped P25/Fe3O4-graphene oxide (MIGNT) was prepared with
methyl orange as the dummy template and pyrrole as functional monomer for
catalytic degradation of Congo red (CR). Hummers method and the hydrothermal
method were used to synthesize Fe3O4-GO and N-doped P25, respectively. The
results of adsorption and degradation experiments showed that the adsorption
capacity and catalytic degradation ability of the imprinted composite for CR were
obviously higher than those of a non-imprinted one. Moreover, the effect factors
on degradation efficiency of CR, such as the initial concentration of CR,
catalysis time, pH of the solution and temperature, were investigated. The MIGNT
was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,
transmission electron microscopy, a physical property measurement system and a
thermal gravimetric analyzer. The degradation products of CR were detected with
high performance liquid chromatography and a mass spectrometer. The MIGNT was a
brand-new imprinted composite and had high degradation efficiency for CR under
dark ambient conditions. The MIGNT could be recycled conveniently, due to its
magnetic property, and could be used as an effective, environmentally friendly
and low-cost catalytic degradation material for the treatment of water
contaminated by CR.
PMID- 28991785
TI - Superheated water pretreatment combined with CO2 activation/regeneration of the
exhausted activated carbon used in the treatment of industrial wastewater.
AB - This paper examines a novel method of regenerating saturated activated carbon
after adsorption of complex phenolic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with low
energy consumption by using superheated water pretreatment combined with CO2
activation. The effects of the temperature of the superheated water, liquid-solid
ratio, soaking time, activation temperature, activation time, and CO2 flow rate
of regeneration and adsorption of coal-powdered activated carbon (CPAC) were
studied. The results show that the adsorption capacity of iodine values on CPAC
recovers to 102.25% of the fresh activated carbon, and the recovery rate is 79.8%
under optimal experimental conditions. The adsorption model and adsorption
kinetics of methylene blue on regenerated activated carbon (RAC) showed that the
adsorption process was in accordance with the Langmuir model and the pseudo
second-order kinetics model. Furthermore, the internal diffusion process was the
main controlling step. The surface properties, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)
surface area, and pore size distribution were characterized by Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and BET, which show that the RAC possesses more
oxygen-containing functional groups with a specific surface area of 763.39 m2 g-1
and a total pore volume of 0.3039 cm3 g-1. Micropores account for 79.8% and
mesopores account for 20.2%.
PMID- 28991786
TI - Characteristics and adsorption study of the activated carbon derived from
municipal sewage sludge.
AB - Sewage sludge-based activated carbon is proved to be an efficient and low-cost
adsorbent in treatment of various industrial wastewaters. The produced carbon had
a well-developed pore structure and relatively low Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)
surface area. Adsorptive capacity of typical pollutants, i.e. copper Cu(II) and
methylene blue (MB) on the carbon was studied. Adsorptions were affected by the
initial solution pH, contact time and adsorbent dose. Results showed that
adsorption of Cu(II) and MB on the produced carbon could reach equilibrium after
240 min. The average removal rate for Cu(II) on the carbon was high, up to 97% in
weak acidic conditions (pH = 4-6) and around 98% for MB in a very wide pH range
(pH = 2-12). The adsorption kinetics were well fitted by the pseudo-second order
model, and both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models could well describe the
adsorption process at room temperature. The theoretical maximum adsorption
capacities of Cu(II) and MB on sewage sludge-based activated carbon were 114.94
mg/g and 125 mg/g, respectively. Compared with commercial carbon, the sewage
sludge-based carbon was more suitable for heavy metal ions' removal than dyes'.
PMID- 28991787
TI - Biosurfactant production by Mucor circinelloides on waste frying oil and possible
uses in crude oil remediation.
AB - Biosurfactants are biocompatible surface active agents which many microorganisms
produce. This study investigated the production of biosurfactants by Mucor
circinelloides. The effects of different factors on biosurfactant production,
including carbon sources and concentrations, nitrogen sources, and iron (II)
concentration, were studied and the optimum condition determined. Finally, the
strain's ability to remove the crude oil and its relationship with biosurfactant
production was evaluated. The results showed that M. circinelloides could reduce
the surface tension of the culture medium to 26.6 mN/m and create a clear zone of
12.9 cm diameter in an oil-spreading test. The maximum surface tension reduction
was recorded 3 days after incubation. The optimum condition for biosurfactant
production was achieved in the presence of 8% waste frying oil as a carbon
source, 2 g/L yeast extract as a nitrogen source, and 0.01 mM FeSO4. M.
circinelloides could consume 8% waste frying oil in 5 days of incubation, and
87.6% crude oil in 12 days of incubation. A direct correlation was observed
between oil degradation and surface tension reduction in the first 3 days of
fungal growth. The results showed that the waste frying oil could be recommended
as an inexpensive oily waste substance for biosurfactant production, and M.
circinelloides could have the potential to treat waste frying oil. According to
the results, the produced crude biosurfactant or fungal strain could be directly
used for the mycoremediation of crude oil contamination in oil fields.
PMID- 28991788
TI - The investigation of paper mill industry wastewater treatment and activated
sludge properties in a submerged membrane bioreactor.
AB - The paper mill industry produces high amounts of wastewater and, for this reason,
stringent discharge limits are applied for sustainable reclamation and reuse of
paper mill industry wastewater in many countries. Submerged membrane bioreactor
(sMBR) systems can create new opportunities to eliminate dissolved substances
present in paper mill wastewater including. In this study, a sMBR was operated
for the treatment of paper mill industry wastewater at 35 h of hydraulic
retention time (HRT) and 40 d of sludge retention time (SRT). The chemical oxygen
demand (COD), NH3-N and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies were found to
be 98%, 92.99% and 96.36%. The results demonstrated that sMBR was a suitable
treatment for the removal of organic matter and nutrients for treating paper mill
wastewater except for the problem of calcium accumulation. During the
experimental studies, it was noted that the inorganic fraction of the sludge
increased as a result of calcium accumulation in the reactor and increased
membrane fouling was observed on the membrane surface due to the calcification
problem encountered. The properties of the sludge, such as extracellular
polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP), relative
hydrophobicity, zeta potential and floc size distribution were also monitored.
According to the obtained results, the total EPS was found to be 43.93 mg/gMLSS
and the average total SMP rejection by the membrane was determined as 66.2%.
PMID- 28991789
TI - The role of Arthrobacter viscosus in the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous
solutions.
AB - The aim of this paper was to establish the optimum parameters for the biosorption
of Pb(II) by dead and living Arthrobacter viscosus biomass from aqueous solution.
It was found that at an initial pH of 4 and 26 degrees C, the dead biomass was
able to remove 97% of 100 mg/L Pb(II), while the living biomass removed 96% of
100 mg/L Pb(II) at an initial pH of 6 and 28 +/- 2 degrees C. The results were
modeled using various kinetic and isotherm models so as to find out the mechanism
of Pb(II) removal by A. viscosus. The modeling results indicated that Pb(II)
biosorption by A. viscosus was based on a chemical reaction and that sorption
occurred at the functional groups on the surface of the biomass. Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy coupled
with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX) analyses confirmed these
findings. The suitability of living biomass as biosorbent in the form of a
biofilm immobilized on star-shaped polyethylene supports was also demonstrated.
The results suggest that the use of dead and living A. viscosus for the removal
of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions is an effective alternative, considering that up
to now it has only been used in the form of biofilms supported on different
zeolites.
PMID- 28991790
TI - Prediction of biochemical oxygen demand at the upstream catchment of a reservoir
using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system.
AB - The aim of this study is to examine the potential of adaptive neuro fuzzy
inference system (ANFIS) to estimate biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). To
illustrate the applicability of ANFIS method, the upstream catchment of Feitsui
Reservoir in Taiwan is chosen as the case study area. The appropriate input
variables used to develop the ANFIS models are determined based on the t-test.
The results obtained by ANFIS are compared with those by multiple linear
regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Simulated results show
that the identified ANFIS model is superior to the traditional MLR and nonlinear
ANNs models in terms of the performance evaluated by the Pearson coefficient of
correlation, the root mean square error, the mean absolute percentage, and the
mean absolute error. These results indicate that ANFIS models are more suitable
than ANNs or MLR models to predict the nonlinear relationship within the
variables caused by the complexity of aquatic systems and to produce the best fit
of the measured BOD concentrations. ANFIS can be seen as a powerful predictive
alternative to traditional water quality modeling techniques and extended to
other areas to improve the understanding of river pollution trends.
PMID- 28991791
TI - Kinetic study of Reactive Black 5 degradation by Fe2+/S2O82- process via
interactive model-based response surface methodology.
AB - This study aimed to kinetically discover optimal conditions on characteristics of
Reactive Black 5 decolorization/degradation via ferrous (Fe2+)-activated
potassium persulfate (PS). Monod-like kinetics and interactive model-based
response surface methodology (RSM) were applied to fitting and predict optimize
treatment. Biodegradability of the intermediates was also tested by shaking
culture with two species (Proteus hauseri ZMd44 and Shewanella sp. WLP72).
Results showed that the optimal degradation efficiency was predicted (through
RSM) as pH 3.72, (PS) = 0.39 mM, and (Fe2+) = 0.29 mM. The transformation
products (dl-4-hydroxymandelic acid, benzoic acid, benzene, formic acid, oxalic
acid and acetic acid) were less toxic than the original dye solution. According
to those results, clean-up of dye pollutants by the Fe2+/S2O82- process is
feasible as a pre-processing for the biodegradation, and the predicted optimal
conditions are meaningful for further industry utilization.
PMID- 28991792
TI - Automatic control of the effluent turbidity from a chemically enhanced primary
treatment with microsieving.
AB - For chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) with microsieving, a feedback
proportional integral controller combined with a feedforward compensator was used
in large pilot scale to control effluent water turbidity to desired set points.
The effluent water turbidity from the microsieve was maintained at various set
points in the range 12-80 NTU basically independent for a number of studied
variations in influent flow rate and influent wastewater compositions. Effluent
turbidity was highly correlated with effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD). Thus,
for CEPT based on microsieving, controlling the removal of COD was possible.
Thereby incoming carbon can be optimally distributed between biological nitrogen
removal and anaerobic digestion for biogas production. The presented method is
based on common automation and control strategies; therefore fine tuning and
optimization for specific requirements are simplified compared to model-based
dosing control.
PMID- 28991793
TI - Biotic manganese oxidation coupled with methane oxidation using a continuous-flow
bioreactor system under marine conditions.
AB - Biogenic manganese oxides (BioMnOx) can be applied for the effective removal and
recovery of trace metals from wastewater because of their high adsorption
capacity. Although a freshwater continuous-flow system for a nitrifier-based Mn
oxidizing microbial community for producing BioMnOx has been developed so far, a
seawater continuous-flow bioreactor system for BioMnOx production has not been
established. Here, we report BioMnOx production by a methanotroph-based microbial
community by using a continuous-flow bioreactor system. The bioreactor system was
operated using a deep-sea sediment sample as the inoculum with methane as the
energy source for over 2 years. The BioMnOx production became evident after 370
days of reactor operation. The maximum Mn oxidation rate was 11.4 mg L-1 day-1.
An X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the accumulated BioMnOx was birnessite.
16S rRNA gene-based clone analyses indicated that methanotrophic bacterial
members were relatively abundant in the system; however, none of the known Mn
oxidizing bacteria were detected. A continuous-flow bioreactor system coupled
with nitrification was also run in parallel for 636 days, but no BioMnOx
production was observed in this bioreactor system. The comparative experiments
indicated that the methanotroph-based microbial community, rather than the
nitrifier-based community, was effective for BioMnOx production under the marine
environmental conditions.
PMID- 28991794
TI - Microbiological and physicochemical evaluation of the effluent quality in a
membrane bioreactor system to meet the legislative limits for wastewater reuse.
AB - The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and effluent quality of a pilot
scale intermittently aerated and fed, externally submerged membrane bioreactor
(MBRes) treating municipal wastewater. The effluent quality of the MBRes was
evaluated regarding system ability to comply with the Greek legislative limits
for restricted and unrestricted wastewater reuse. The average permeate flux was
13.9 L m-2 h-1, while the transmembrane pressure remained above the level of -110
mbar. Experimental data showed that biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen
demand, total nitrogen, PO43-- P and total suspended solids removal efficiencies
were 97.8, 93.1, 89.6, 93.2 and 100%, respectively, whereas turbidity was reduced
by 94.1%. Total coliforms and Escherichia coli were fully eliminated by
ultrafiltration and disinfection methods, such as chlorination and ultraviolet
radiation. In agreement with the Greek legislation (Joint Ministerial Decree
145116/11) and the guidelines recommended for the Mediterranean countries, the
disinfected effluent of the MBRes system can be safely reused directly for urban
purposes.
PMID- 28991795
TI - Nonspontaneous and multilayer adsorption of malachite green dye by Acacia
nilotica waste with dominance of physisorption.
AB - Adsorption of the hazardous dye malachite green (MG) by Acacia nilotica (AN)
waste was investigated. Batch process variables for the adsorption of MG by AN
were optimized. The mechanisms involved in the adsorption of MG by AN were
explored using isotherms and kinetic models. The thermodynamic parameters were
calculated to determine the spontaneity and thermal nature of the MG adsorption
reaction. The maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity of AN was found to be
113.26 mg/g at 30 degrees C. The MG adsorption data revealed that AN adsorbs MG
by multilayer adsorption, as shown by the better fit of the data to the
Freundlich and Halsey models (R2 = 0.99) rather than to the Langmuir model.
Multilayer adsorption involves physisorption, which was confirmed by the E value
(mean free energy of adsorption) of the Dubinin-Radushkevich model (6.52 kJ/mol).
Surface diffusion was found to be the main driving force for MG adsorption by AN.
The MG adsorption reaction was endothermic, based on the enthalpy, and was
controlled by the entropy of the system in the T1 temperature range (30 to 40
degrees C), while the opposite trend was observed in the T2 range (40 to 50
degrees C). Moreover, MG adsorption by AN was found to be nonspontaneous at all
temperatures.
PMID- 28991796
TI - Continuous transformation of chiral pharmaceuticals in enzymatic membrane
bioreactors for advanced wastewater treatment.
AB - This study demonstrates continuous enantiomeric inversion and further
biotransformation of chiral profens including ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen
by an enzymatic membrane bioreactor (EMBR) dosed with laccase. The EMBR showed
non-enantioselective transformations, with high and consistent transformation of
both (R)- and (S)-ibuprofen (93 +/- 6%, n = 10), but lower removals of both
enantiomers of naproxen (46 +/- 16%, n = 10) and ketoprofen (48 +/- 17%, n = 10).
Enantiomeric analysis revealed a bidirectional but uneven inversion of the
profens, for example 14% inversion of (R)- to (S)- compared to 4% from (S)- to
(R)-naproxen. With redox-mediator addition, the enzymatic chiral inversion of
both (R)- and (S)-profens remained unchanged, although the overall conversion
became enantioselective; except for (S)-naproxen, the addition of redox mediator
promoted the degradation of (R)-profens only.
PMID- 28991797
TI - Ochrobactrum anthropi used to control ammonium for nitrate removal by starch
stabilized nanoscale zero valent iron.
AB - In this study, the hydrogenotrophic denitrifying bacterium Ochrobactrum anthropi
was added in to the process of nitrate removal by starch-stabilized nanoscale
zero valent iron (nZVI) to minimize undesirable ammonium. The ammonium control
performance and cooperative mechanism of this combined process were investigated,
and batch experiments were conducted to discuss the effects of starch-stabilized
nZVI dose, biomass, and pH on nitrate reduction and ammonium control of this
system. The combined system achieved satisfactory performance because the
anaerobic iron corrosion process generates H2, which is used as an electron donor
for the autohydrogenotrophic bacterium Ochrobactrum anthropi to achieve the
autohydrogenotrophic denitrification process converting nitrate to N2. When
starch-stabilized nZVI dose was increased from 0.5 to 2.0 g/L, nitrate reduction
rate gradually increased, and ammonium yield also increased from 9.40 to 60.51
mg/L. Nitrate removal rate gradually decreased and ammonium yield decreased from
14.93 to 2.61 mg/L with initial OD600 increasing from 0.015 to 0.080. The abiotic
Fe0 reduction process played a key role in nitrate removal in an acidic
environment and generated large amounts of ammonium. Meanwhile, the nitrate
removal rate decreased and ammonium yield also reduced in an alkaline
environment.
PMID- 28991798
TI - Iron removal in highly contaminated acid mine drainage using passive biochemical
reactors.
AB - Passive biochemical reactors (PBRs) are a viable alternative to neutralization
plants for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) because they require lower
investment costs and use residual materials. However, high iron (Fe)
concentrations (>=0.5 g/L) in AMD are challenging for their long-term efficiency.
Sorption and precipitation are the main Fe removal mechanisms, but the relative
importance of each is mostly unknown. In this study, locally available natural
materials (organic and inorganic) were characterized and tested for their
performance in Fe removal from highly contaminated AMD (pH 3.5, 4 g/L of Fe, and
9 g/L of sulfate). Iron retention capacity of the materials was then evaluated
and the efficiency of eight mixtures of materials was compared through 40-day
laboratory batch tests. All batch-type PBRs increased the pH up to 6.5 and
decreased dissolved metals concentrations, including Fe, up to 99%. Results
showed that organic residual materials (manures, municipal wastewater sludge, and
compost) were the best substrates for Fe removal.These findings allowed for the
selection of three reactive mixtures with distinct characteristics (mixture #1 -
30% organic wastes; mixture #4 - 50% calcite; and mixture #7 - 50% sand) to be
further evaluated in column type PBRs.
PMID- 28991799
TI - Application of leaching tests on phosphogypsum by infiltration-percolation.
AB - The phosphoric acid production obtained by attacking phosphate rock by sulphuric
acid cogenerates considerable quantities of phosphogypsum. The world cogeneration
is estimated about 100-280 Mt per year. In another context of sustainable
development, the phosphate chemical industry develops different ways of
phosphogypsum valorization, which makes its storage stack in a suitable way for
its potential use as an industrial by-product. Although, this storage can cause
an environmental impact largely due to the transfer of trace elements (TEs) to
groundwater by leaching. It is therefore important to evaluate the impact linked
to the storage in order to limit this transfer. The evaluation is usually
performed through leaching tests in columns or reactor. In this work, leaching
tests were performed in columns by infiltration-percolation on two filter
mediums: phosphogypsum and synthetic sandy soils. The results showed that the
phosphogypsum is acting as a filter, which retains and releases the TEs. Most of
these TEs (Pb, Se, Ag, Zn and Cu) were highly retained in the synthetic soils
surfaces and their contents in waters were considerably lower than the maximum
contaminant levels (MCLs). Although As, Cd, Cr and Ni were strongly transferred
to groundwater, their respective contents were higher than the MCLs.
PMID- 28991801
TI - Migration and speciation of heavy metal in salinized mine tailings affected by
iron mining.
AB - The negative effects of heavy metals have aroused much attention due to their
high toxicity to human beings. Migration and transformation trend of heavy metals
have a close relationship with soil safety. Researching on migration and
transformation of heavy metals in tailings can provide a reliable basis for
pollution management and ecosystem restoration. Heavy metal speciation plays an
important role in risk assessment. We chose Anshan tailings for our study,
including field investigations and laboratory research. Four typical heavy metal
elements of mine tailings {Fe (373.89 g/kg), Mn (2,303.80 mg/kg), Pb (40.99
mg/kg) and Cr (199.92 mg/kg)} were studied via Tessier test in vertical and
horizontal direction. The main speciation of heavy metals in Anshan tailings was
the residual. However, heavy metals have a strong ability for migration and
transformation in vertical and horizontal directions. Its tendency to change from
stable to unstable speciation results in increasing bioavailability and potential
bioavailability. Fe, Mn, Pb and Cr showed different ability in the migration and
transformation process (Mn > Pb > Fe > Cr) depending on the characteristics of
heavy metals and physicochemical properties of the environment.
PMID- 28991800
TI - Pretreatment of brewery effluent to cultivate Spirulina sp. for nutrients removal
and biomass production.
AB - Due to the low concentration of nitrate and high contents of organics, brewery
effluent was not suitable for the cultivation of Spirulina sp. This work changed
the nutrient profile of brewery effluent effectively by dilution, addition of
nitrate, and anaerobic digestion. The result showed that the optimum dilution
rate and NaNO3 addition for brewery effluent were 20% and 0.5 g/L, respectively.
Spirulina sp. grown in pretreated brewery effluent produced 1.562 mg/L biomass
and reduced concentrations of nutrients to reach the permissible dischargeable
limits. In addition, Spirulina sp. grown in pretreated brewery effluent had much
higher protein content and oil content. So the appropriate treatment converted
brewery effluent into a nutrient balanced medium for algae cultivation and
alleviated the potential environmental problems. Pretreatment procedure developed
in this work is an effective way to realize the sustainable utilization of
brewery effluent and produce algal biomass with valuable nutrients.
PMID- 28991802
TI - Cactus Opuntia as natural flocculant for urban wastewater treatment.
AB - The cactus tree, species Opuntia ficus-indica, is a primary material of many
products in various domains such as cosmetics, medicine and nutrition. In the
present work, we assess its potential as a flocculant. We tried a technique which
adopts three sequential treatments that used coagulation, flocculation and
sedimentation processes under certain operating conditions. For this purpose, we
used the aluminum sulfate (AS) as coagulant and fresh cladodes juice (FCJ) as
bioflocculant. All tests were carried out on high turbid urban wastewater
collected from the Metlaoui's Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWTP) (in Gafsa in
southwest Tunisia). Experiments with this couple AS/FCJ show very interesting
results: a high-removal of turbidity (TUR), suspended solids (SS) and chemical
oxygen demand (COD). The percentages of abatement of these parameters are
respectively 93.65%, 82.75% and 64.30%. The experimental results of the present
study prove that the turbidity, SS and COD removal efficiency of new technique is
superior to that of conventional process (with only AS). By this technique, we
save 50% in AS dose. Moreover, flocs formed by the treatment using AS/FCJ are
coarse and readily settleable.
PMID- 28991803
TI - Enhanced flux performance of polyamide composite membranes prepared via
interfacial polymerization assisted with ethyl formate.
AB - A novel thin film composite (TFC) polyamide reverse osmosis membrane was prepared
via the interfacial polymerization of m-phenylene diamine (MPD) in aqueous phase
and 1,3,5-trimesoyl chloride (TMC) in organic phase on a polysulfone
ultrafiltration support by assisting with ethyl formate as a co-solvent added in
the organic phase. The ethyl formate added in the organic phase is intended to
form a narrow miscibility zone, which leads to the thicker reaction zone. The
multi-layered loose polyamide structure with larger pore size was formed due to
the thicker reaction zone and lower content of MPD. The enhanced hydrophilicity
of the membrane was proved by the decreased water contact angle. Water flux was
measured at 1.6 MPa with 2,000 ppm NaCl aqueous solution. Compared to the TFC
membrane prepared without ethyl formate, the water flux across the TFC membrane
with ethyl formate in the organic phase increased with the increased ethyl
formate content (from 23 to 45 L/(m2 h)) and the salt rejection remained at a
high level (>90%). The ethyl formate can be used as a co-solvent to effectively
enhance the performance of the TFC membrane.
PMID- 28991804
TI - Continuous biosorption of nickel from aqueous solution using Chrysanthemum
indicum derived biochar in a fixed-bed column.
AB - The biosorption capability of Chrysanthemum indicum to remove nickel ions from
aqueous solution in a fixed-bed column was examined in this study. Native C.
indicum flower waste was improved for its biosorptive potential by pyrolysis to
obtain its biochar form and, thereby, both raw (CIF-R) and biochar (CIF-BC) forms
of the flower were used for Ni(II) removal. Fixed bed column studies were
conducted to examine the influence of bed height (1.0-3.0 cm), flow rate (1.0-5.0
mL min-1) and initial metal ion concentration (25-75 mg L-1). The breakthrough
curves (Cout/Cin vs time) were modelled using different dynamic adsorption
models, viz. Adams-Bohart, Thomas and Yoon-Nelson model. Interpretation of the
data revealed a favorable correlation with the Thomas model with higher R2 values
and closer model-predicted and experimental biosorption capacity values. The
equilibrium uptake capacity of CIF-R and CIF-BC for Ni(II) were found to be 14.02
and 29.44 mg g-1, respectively. Further, the column was regenerated using HCl as
eluent, to desorb the adsorbed Ni(II) ions. The experimental results implied and
affirmed the suitability of the biosorbents for nickel ion biosorption with its
nature being favorable, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
PMID- 28991805
TI - A bio-electrochemical membrane system for more sustainable wastewater treatment
with MnO2/PANI modified stainless steel cathode and photosynthetic provision of
dissolved oxygen by algae.
AB - A competitive sewage treatment technology should meet the standard of water
quality requirement and accomplish recovery of potential energy. This study
presents such a new system, with coupled membrane bioreactor-microbial fuel cell
features, which can not only treat wastewater, but also recovers energy from
wastewater by electricity generation, and form a new resource by photosynthesis
while providing the dissolved oxygen by algae. Specifically, in the system, the
MnO2/polyaniline is used to modify the stainless steel mesh and to function well
as system membrane and cathode, with satisfactory filtration and catalysis
performance. The system enables continuous wastewater treatment with stable
pollutant removal and electricity generation. Under the membrane flux of 119.4 Lm
2 h-1, a maximum power density of 1.2 W m-3 can be achieved, the algae multiply
6.1 times, and satisfactory wastewater treatment effect is achieved.
PMID- 28991806
TI - Preparation of a novel chloromethylated polystyrene-2-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole
chelating resin and its adsorption properties and mechanism for separation and
recovery of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions.
AB - With an efficient methodology, a novel chloromethylated polystyrene-g-2-mercapto
1,3,4-thiadiazole chelating resin (MTR resin) was prepared via a one-step
reaction. The structure of MTR resin was characterized by elements analysis,
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning
electron microscopy. Meanwhile, the adsorption properties of the resin for Hg(II)
were investigated by batch and column experiments. The results showed that the
resin possessed much better adsorption capability for Hg(II) than for other metal
ions. The statically and the dynamic saturated adsorption capacities were 343.8
mg/g and 475.1 mg/g. The adsorption kinetic and equilibrium data were well fitted
to the second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm model, respectively.
Desorption of mercury from the resin can be achieved using 30 mL of 2 mol/L HCl
5% thiourea solution with a desorption ratio of 92.3%. Compared with other
absorbents, MTR resin was greatly conserve natural resources and reduce the cost.
PMID- 28991807
TI - Assessment of Ambient Exposures Firefighters Encounter While at the Fire Station:
An Exploratory Study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Firefighters are at an increased risk for many types of cancer.
Although most studies on this topic focus on exposures encountered while fighting
fires, exposures at the fire station are also cause for concern. This pilot study
aimed to describe air quality within a few fire stations in and around Boston,
Massachusetts, and to investigate physical and organizational factors that may
influence levels of contaminants in stations. METHODS: Air sampling of
particulate matter less than 2.5 MUm in diameter (PM2.5) and particle-bound
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was completed at four fire stations in
Spring, 2016. Sampling occurred in the kitchen, truck bay, and just outside the
station. Data were analyzed to assess differences between and within stations.
Interviews (n =7) were conducted with officers at each station to explore health
and safety-related organizational policies and practices. Interviews were
transcribed and analyzed for thematic content. RESULTS: At each station, levels
of contaminants were higher in the truck bays than either the outdoors or
kitchen, and varied the most throughout the day. The station with the highest
exposures in the truck bay had the lowest levels in the kitchen, which was
possibly explained by new building materials and effective separation between
building zones. The age and layout of the stations appeared to determine the
extent to which policies favoring exhaust capture were implemented. CONCLUSION:
Levels of PM2.5 and PAH inside fire stations may contribute to firefighter cancer
risk. Through understanding contaminant variability, we can begin to design and
test interventions that improve cancer prevention.
PMID- 28991809
TI - A Novel Presentation of Bladder Mass: Self-palpation by a Patient With Cystocele.
AB - INTRODUCTION: This case describes diagnosis of a T2 transitional cell carcinoma
in an 89-year-old woman with known cystocele and urinary retention managed with
clean intermittent self-catheterization. CASE: While self-catheterizing, the
patient noted a palpable mass in her cystocele. She eventually pursued urologic
evaluation of this mass, which ultimately led to her diagnosis. This is the first
reported case of transitional cell carcinoma being found on self-examination by
palpating a cystocele.
PMID- 28991808
TI - Are Workplace Psychosocial Factors Associated With Work-Related Injury in the US
Workforce?: National Health Interview Survey, 2010.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Psychosocial hazards in the workplace may adversely impact
occupational and general health, including injury risk. METHODS: Among 16,417
adult workers in the 2010 National Health Interview Survey Occupational Health
Supplement, weighted prevalence estimates were calculated for work-related
injuries (WRI) and any injuries. The association between injury and psychosocial
occupational hazards (job insecurity, work-family imbalance, hostile work
environment) was assessed adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational
factors. RESULTS: WRI prevalence was 0.65% (n = 99); any injury prevalence was
2.46% (n = 427). In multivariable models job insecurity, work-family imbalance,
and hostile work environment were each positively associated with WRI prevalence
(odds ratio [OR]: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.97-2.65; OR: 1.69, 95% CI 0.96-2.89; and 2.01,
95% CI 0.94-4.33, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Stressful working conditions may
contribute to injuries. There is need for ongoing surveillance of occupational
psychosocial risk factors and further study of their relationship with injury.
PMID- 28991810
TI - Inferior Transplant Outcomes of Adolescents and Young Adults Bridged with a
Ventricular Assist Device.
AB - Adolescents, who are thought to have compliance issues, are well known to have
poor heart transplant (HTx) outcomes. This "effect" has recently been
demonstrated to extend to age 29. The study sought to investigate whether the
poor outcomes for HTx related to adolescent age are also observed in recipients
who are bridged to transplant (BTT) with a ventricular assist device (VAD) and
whether this effect extends beyond the standard definition of adolescent age 12
18 years. All HTx BTT with a VAD in recipients 8-39 years were identified in the
United States Organ Sharing (UNOS) database (1 January 2005 to 30 June 2016).
Based on the Kaplan-Meier survival comparison for age year, patients were divided
into three groups: Group 1 (8-14 years), group 2 (15-29 years), and group 3 (30
39 years). A total of 1,848 HTx were bridged with a VAD. A decline in post-HTx 5
years survival was noted after 14 years of age, which improved at around 30 years
of age. Group 1 had 237 (13%) HTx, group 2 had 787 (43%) HTx, and group 3 had 823
(44%) HTx. Group 2 (15-29 years) had worse post-HTx survival compared with group
1 (p < 0.001) and group 3 (p = 0.005). On subdividing group 2 (15-29 years) into
"older adolescents" (15-17 years) and "young adults" (18-29 years), post-HTx
survival was similar between the two subgroups (p = 0.353). In conclusion, older
adolescents and young adults, both, have similarly poor post-HTx survival when
BTT with a VAD compared with other age groups. These groups are generally
categorized into different broad pediatric and adult age groups; however, these
similarities should be carefully considered when formulating treatment protocols
for older adolescents and young adults.
PMID- 28991811
TI - Vertical Maxillary Measurements using a Virtual External Reference Point in
Orthognathic Surgery: Technical Innovation.
AB - It is extremely important to achieve vertical position of the upper jaw in
orthognathic surgery. A common method used is measuring distances at surgery
using external reference points. Unfortunately, surgeons have been making
mistakes when calculating the goal distance of our external reference systems. A
possible explanation is that when the author measure the baseline and goal
vertical distances, the author usually do not consider the variations produced by
the triangulation effect generated due the horizontal or/and transverse movements
of the maxilla. A method is proposed to fix this phenomenon in an easy way
through the virtual customization of the ERP in computer-assisted surgical
simulation. The technique entails creating, in the planning software, the same
reference system one will use at surgery. In this virtual system, one measures
the difference between the baseline and target distances, and then uses them at
surgery.
PMID- 28991813
TI - Using Discrete-Event Simulation to Promote Quality Improvement and Efficiency in
a Radiation Oncology Treatment Center.
AB - BACKGROUND: To meet demand for radiation oncology services and ensure patient
centered safe care, management in an academic radiation oncology department
initiated quality improvement efforts using discrete-event simulation (DES).
Although the long-term goal was testing and deploying solutions, the primary aim
at the outset was characterizing and validating a computer simulation model of
existing operations to identify targets for improvement. METHODS: The adoption
and validation of a DES model of processes and procedures affecting patient flow
and satisfaction, employee experience, and efficiency were undertaken in 2012
2013. Multiple sources were tapped for data, including direct observation,
equipment logs, timekeeping, and electronic health records. RESULTS: During their
treatment visits, patients averaged 50.4 minutes in the treatment center, of
which 38% was spent in the treatment room. Patients with appointments between 10
AM and 2 PM experienced the longest delays before entering the treatment room,
and those in the clinic in the day's first and last hours, the shortest (<5
minutes). Despite staffed for 14.5 hours daily, the clinic registered only 20% of
patients after 2:30 PM. Utilization of equipment averaged 58%, and utilization of
staff, 56%. CONCLUSION: The DES modeling quantified operations, identifying
evidence-based targets for next-phase remediation and providing data to justify
initiatives.
PMID- 28991814
TI - Management of Traumatic Brain Injury in the Emergency Department: Guideline
Adherence and Patient Safety.
AB - BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury is a common reason not only for emergency
visits worldwide but also for significant morbidity and mortality. Several
clinical guidelines exist but adherence is generally low. AIM: To study attitudes
toward computed tomography of the head among emergency department Change to
physicians throughout the article who manage patients with trauma to the head and
doctors' adherence to guidelines. METHODS: Quantitative questionnaire study with
questionnaires collected over 3 months before introduction of new guidelines.
After introduction, intermission of 8 months passed when information and
education were given. Thereafter, questionnaires were collected for another 3
months. RESULTS: A total of 694 patients were registered at the emergency
department. A total of 161 questionnaires were analyzed; 50.9% did not use
guidelines, 39% before intermission, and 60.5% after. When Canadian CT Head Rule
was applied, 30.4% of patients with no loss of consciousness were referred to
computed tomography, violating guideline recommendation. CONCLUSION: Guidelines
are designed to improve performance but are not always applied correctly or as
frequently as intended. Information and education did not increase guideline
adherence. To improve guideline adherence, more innovative measures than formal
guidelines must be undertaken. To find out what these measures are, we suggest
qualitative studies to elucidate interventions that will have bigger impact on
performance.
PMID- 28991812
TI - The Affordable Care Act and Its Effects on Physician Leadership: A Qualitative
Systematic Review.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) shifted the focus in medical care from
quantity to quality. This qualitative systematic review aimed to determine the
key skills necessary for effective physician leaders after the implementation of
the ACA, and to compare them with key skills identified prior to its
implementation. METHODS: A qualitative systematic review was conducted. A
systematic literature search on leadership skills for physicians returned 26
articles published between 2009 and 2016. Thematic analysis was used to
categorize the data presented in each article. The results from the thematic
analysis were then compared with a similar article published before the
implementation of the ACA. RESULTS: Teamwork and team-building, communication,
and self-awareness skills were mentioned most often. The percentage of articles
mentioning teamwork and team-building skills (61.5%) was significantly greater
than the percentage (25%) reported before the implementation of the ACA (P <=
.04). CONCLUSION: With the shift toward quality of patient care, health care
workers at all levels should strive to work as a team to provide the best quality
of care at all stages of patient care.
PMID- 28991815
TI - Gap Between Clinical Practice and Guidelines: A National Survey of the Knowledge
of Recommended Heart Failure Guidelines Among Chinese Physicians.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We investigated the current level of knowledge of Chinese heart
failure (HF) guidelines among physicians, as a reference for the promotion and
transformation of HF knowledge. METHODS AND RESULTS: Physicians from 88 hospitals
in 27 provinces of China completed our survey between July and December 2014. The
questions covered the main points included in the Chinese HF diagnosis and
treatment guidelines (2014). A total of 2146 physicians, aged 20 to 62 years
(35.6 +/- 7.6 years), completed the survey. The correctness rate of their answers
to the 15 multiple-choice questions in the HF questionnaire was generally low
(mean 32.6%). The mean correctness rate for 10 blank-filling questions about the
target doses of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor
antagonists, and beta-blockers was 42.5%. On the basis of their responses,
physicians whose knowledge of the guidelines was "excellent," "good," "medium,"
and "bad" accounted for 1.1%, 11.4%, 14.2%, and 73.4%, respectively. Physicians
who possessed a higher level of qualifications had significantly greater
awareness of HF guidelines than those with relatively low qualifications (P <
.001). A statistically significant association was found between hospital level
and adherence to treatment guidelines (P < .001). A significant difference was
also observed among physicians in different practice scopes (P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS: The survey found an obvious deficiency in physicians' mastery of
fundamental knowledge about HF. There is a need to improve physicians' education
about HF in China.
PMID- 28991816
TI - Does Hospital Size Affect Patient Satisfaction?
AB - BACKGROUND: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reimbursement is now
contingent on quality measures such as patient satisfaction as determined by
Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). In
providing patient-centered care that is guided by patient satisfaction measures,
it is critical to understand system-level factors that may influence how patients
assess their care experiences. One important system-level influence to consider
is hospital size. METHODS: HCAHPS scores, number of hospital beds, and nursing
magnet status were obtained from publically available Hospital Compare, American
Hospital Directory, and Magnet Hospitals Web sites, respectively. An aggregate
score for patient satisfaction was created across all domains of the HCAHPS.
Multilevel regression modeling was performed to examine the associations between
hospital size and HCAHPS aggregate and individual dimensions. RESULTS: Hospital
size was significantly associated with patient satisfaction such that larger size
was associated with lower satisfaction (beta = -.312, P < .001). Hospital size
was most strongly associated with less patient satisfaction on the following
HCAHPS items: "receiving help as soon as needed" (beta = -.441, P < .001), "room
and bathroom cleanliness" (beta = -.286, P < .001), and doctor communication
(beta = -.213, P < .001), whereas nurse communication (beta = .194, P < .001) was
the one modifiable dimension that was associated with more favorable ratings in
larger hospitals. Magnet nursing designation was significantly associated with
larger hospital size (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Patient satisfaction scores may be
lower in large hospitals because of patients' perceptions of hospital
cleanliness, receiving help on time, and doctor communication. Focusing on
improving these factors may improve patient satisfaction scores for larger
hospitals.
PMID- 28991817
TI - The Moderating Role of Hospital Size on the Relationship Between Patient
Experience and Patient Safety.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Previous examinations of the relationship between patient experience
and patient safety initiatives find that higher patient experience evaluations
correspond to reduced incidence of adverse events. Little is known, however,
about the impact of hospital organizational characteristics on this relationship.
The purpose of this study is to examine the degree to which hospital size
moderates the relationship between patient experience and patient safety.
METHODS: A lagged cross-sectional ordinary least squares regression tests a
hypothesis of a diminishing effect of hospital size on the relationship between
patient evaluations of their interpersonal care experience and hospital's central
line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is tested on a sample of 1740 US
hospitals using data compiled from Hospital Compare and the American Hospital
Association. RESULTS: The results find that the magnitude of the relationship
between patient experience and patient safety initiatives is diminished as
hospital size increases and suggest that care providers' ability to deliver care
in a manner that is simultaneously responsive to individual patient needs and
preferences and reliable in its avoidance of adverse events is influenced by
hospital size. An additional fractional logit is presented, which accounts for
restrictions in the dependent variable further support study findings.
PMID- 28991818
TI - From Clinic to Community: A Framework for Providing Diabetes Prevention Services
That Cross the Care Continuum.
PMID- 28991822
TI - Respiratory Viruses in Invasively Ventilated Critically Ill Patients-A
Prospective Multicenter Observational Study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The presence of respiratory viruses and the association with outcomes
were assessed in invasively ventilated ICU patients, stratified by admission
diagnosis. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Five ICUs in the
Netherlands. PATIENTS: Between September 1, 2013, and April 30, 2014, 1,407
acutely admitted and invasively ventilated patients were included. INTERVENTIONS:
None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Nasopharyngeal swabs and tracheobronchial
aspirates were collected upon intubation and tested for 14 respiratory viruses.
Out of 1,407 patients, 156 were admitted because of a severe acute respiratory
infection and 1,251 for other reasons (non-severe acute respiratory infection).
Respiratory viruses were detected in 28.8% of severe acute respiratory infection
patients and 17.0% in non-severe acute respiratory infection (p < 0.001). In one
third, viruses were exclusively detected in tracheobronchial aspirates.
Rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus were more prevalent in severe acute
respiratory infection patients (9.6% and 2.6% vs 4.5 and 0.2%; p = 0.006 and p <
0.001). In both groups, there were no associations between the presence of
viruses and the number of ICU-free days at day 28, crude mortality, and mortality
in multivariate regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory viruses are
frequently detected in acutely admitted and invasively ventilated patients.
Rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus are more frequently found in severe acute
respiratory infection patients. Detection of respiratory viruses is not
associated with worse clinically relevant outcomes in the studied cohort of
patients.
PMID- 28991824
TI - The beta-Blocker Esmolol Restores the Vascular Waterfall Phenomenon After Acute
Endotoxemia.
AB - BACKGROUND: A vascular waterfall occurs when the critical closing pressure is
greater than the mean systemic filling pressure. Because the waterfall phenomenon
likely exists in the microcirculation, beta1-receptor blockers such as esmolol
could have some effect on microcirculation and vascular waterfall. OBJECTIVES: To
determine whether a vascular waterfall exists during septic shock and to assess
the effects of vasopressors and beta-blockers on vascular waterfall. DESIGN:
Sixteen mongrel dogs were mounted with ultrasonic flow probes to measure renal
blood flow. The hemodynamic variables of 16 animals were measured at baseline,
after induction of acute endotoxemia; then, they underwent volume expansion, and
norepinephrine was used to achieve baseline. After achieving septic myocardial
depression, the animals were randomly divided into two groups (esmolol vs control
groups) after reaching septic myocardial depression. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
RESULTS: There was a pressure gap of 41.9 +/- 13.9 mm Hg between the arterial
critical closing pressure and the mean systemic filling pressure, indicating that
a vascular waterfall was present under baseline conditions. Endotoxemia caused a
decrease in cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, and critical closing
pressure. Endotoxemia also caused the vascular waterfall to disappear. Neither
volume expansion nor norepinephrine had any effect on the vascular waterfall.
Esmolol infusion restored the vascular waterfall effect following endotoxemia and
resuscitation. The 24-hour survival was 75% in the esmolol group versus 12.5% in
controls (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular pressure gradients in renal
vasculature suggest the presence of a vascular waterfall at baseline. Although
this phenomenon disappeared in endotoxemic dogs, it could be restored with beta
blocker therapy (esmolol).
PMID- 28991823
TI - Mortality Benefit of Recombinant Human Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist for
Sepsis Varies by Initial Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Plasma Concentration.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Plasma interleukin-1 beta may influence sepsis mortality, yet
recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist did not reduce mortality in
randomized trials. We tested for heterogeneity in the treatment effect of
recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist by baseline plasma
interleukin-1 beta or interleukin-1 receptor antagonist concentration. DESIGN:
Retrospective subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trial. SETTING:
Multicenter North American and European clinical trial. PATIENTS: Five hundred
twenty-nine subjects with sepsis and hypotension or hypoperfusion, representing
59% of the original trial population. INTERVENTIONS: Random assignment of placebo
or recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist * 72 hours. MEASUREMENTS
AND MAIN RESULTS: We measured prerandomization plasma interleukin-1 beta and
interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and tested for statistical interaction between
recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist treatment and baseline plasma
interleukin-1 receptor antagonist or interleukin-1 beta concentration on 28-day
mortality. There was significant heterogeneity in the effect of recombinant human
interleukin-1 receptor antagonist treatment by plasma interleukin-1 receptor
antagonist concentration whether plasma interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was
divided into deciles (interaction p = 0.046) or dichotomized (interaction p =
0.028). Interaction remained present across different predicted mortality levels.
Among subjects with baseline plasma interleukin-1 receptor antagonist above 2,071
pg/mL (n = 283), recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist therapy
reduced adjusted mortality from 45.4% to 34.3% (adjusted risk difference, -0.12;
95% CI, -0.23 to -0.01), p = 0.044. Mortality in subjects with plasma interleukin
1 receptor antagonist below 2,071 pg/mL was not reduced by recombinant human
interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (adjusted risk difference, +0.07; 95% CI, -0.04
to +0.17), p = 0.230. Interaction between plasma interleukin-1 beta concentration
and recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist treatment was not
statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We report a heterogeneous effect of
recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist on 28-day sepsis mortality
that is potentially predictable by plasma interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in
one trial. A precision clinical trial of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor
antagonist targeted to septic patients with high plasma interleukin-1 receptor
antagonist may be worthy of consideration.
PMID- 28991825
TI - Evaluation of Vasopressin for Septic Shock in Patients on Chronic Renin
Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To compare the hemodynamic response in septic shock patients
receiving vasopressin who were on chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
inhibitor therapy with those who were not. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective
cohort study. SETTING: Medical and surgical ICUs at a 1,100-bed academic medical
center. PATIENTS: Medical and surgical ICU patients with septic shock who
received vasopressin infusion added to at least one concomitant vasopressor agent
between January 2014 and December 2015, then divided into two cohorts: 1)
patients who were on chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor
therapy as outpatients and 2) patients who were not on chronic renin-angiotensin
aldosterone system inhibitor therapy as outpatients. INTERVENTIONS: None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure at 6 hours was 72.2 mm Hg
in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor group versus 69.7 mm Hg in
the non-renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor group (p = 0.298). There
was no difference in mean arterial pressure at 1, 24, or 48 hours between groups.
Total concomitant vasopressor requirements, based on norepinephrine equivalents
excluding vasopressin, were significantly lower at 24 hours in the renin
angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor group versus the non-renin-angiotensin
aldosterone system inhibitor group (10.7 vs 18.1 ug/min, respectively; p =
0.007), but no significant differences were seen at the other time points
assessed. There were no significant differences in ICU or hospital length of stay
or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the primary
outcome of 6-hour mean arterial pressure in septic shock patients receiving
vasopressin who were on chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor
therapy versus those receiving vasopressin who were not on chronic renin
angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor therapy. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
system inhibitor patients had lower total concomitant vasopressor requirements at
24 hours compared with non-renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor
patients.
PMID- 28991826
TI - Relationship of at Admission Lactate, Unmeasured Anions, and Chloride to the
Outcome of Critically Ill Patients.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between the concentration of the
causative anions responsible for the main types of metabolic acidosis and the
outcome. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Teaching ICU.
PATIENTS: All patients admitted from January 2006 to December 2014.
INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Four thousand nine hundred
one patients were admitted throughout the study period; 1,609 met criteria for
metabolic acidosis and 145 had normal acid-base values. The association between
at admission lactate, unmeasured anions, and chloride concentration with outcome
was assessed by multivariate analysis in the whole cohort and in patients with
metabolic acidosis. We also compared the mortality of patients with lactic,
unmeasured anions, and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis with that of patients
without acid-base disorders. In the whole population, increased lactate and
unmeasured anions were independently associated with increased mortality, even
after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio [95% CI], 1.14 (1.08-1.20);
p < 0.0001 and 1.04 (1.02-1.06); p < 0.0001, respectively). In patients with
metabolic acidosis, the results were similar. Patients with lactic and unmeasured
anions acidosis, but not those with hyperchloremic acidosis, had an increased
mortality compared to patients without alterations (17.7%, 12.7%, 4.9%, and 5.8%,
respectively; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of critically ill
patients, increased concentrations of lactate and unmeasured anions, but not
chloride, were associated with increased mortality. In addition, increased
unmeasured anions were the leading cause of metabolic acidosis.
PMID- 28991827
TI - Sepsis Survivors Admitted to Skilled Nursing Facilities: Cognitive Impairment,
Activities of Daily Living Dependence, and Survival.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Severe sepsis survivors frequently experience cognitive and physical
functional impairment. The degree of impairment and its association with
mortality is understudied, particularly among those discharged to a skilled
nursing facility. Our objective was to quantify the cognitive and physical
impairment among severe sepsis survivors discharged to a skilled nursing facility
and to investigate the relationship between impairment and long-term mortality.
DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: United States. SUBJECTS: Random 5%
sample of Medicare patients discharged following severe sepsis hospitalization,
2005-2009 (n = 135,370). MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Medicare data were linked
with the Minimum Data Set; Minimum Data Set-Cognition Scale was used to assess
cognitive function, and the Minimum Data Set activities of daily living
hierarchical scale was used to assess functional dependence. Associations were
evaluated using multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox
proportional hazards regression. Of 66,540 beneficiaries admitted to a skilled
nursing facility following severe sepsis, 34% had severe or very severe cognitive
impairment, and 72.5% had maximal, dependence, or total dependence in activities
of daily living. Median survival was 19.4 months for those discharged to a
skilled nursing facility without having been in a skilled nursing facility in the
preceding 1 year and 10.4 months for those discharged to a skilled nursing
facility who had spent time in a skilled nursing facility in the prior year. The
adjusted hazard ratio for death was 3.1 for those with very severe cognitive
impairment relative to those who were cognitively intact (95% CI, 2.9-3.2; p <
0.001) and 4.3 for those with "total dependence" in activities of daily livings
relative to those who were independent (95% CI, 3.8-5.0; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
Discharge to a skilled nursing facility following severe sepsis hospitalization
among Medicare beneficiaries was associated with shorter survival, and cognitive
impairment and activities of daily living dependence were each strongly
associated with shortened survival. These findings can inform decision-making by
patients and physicians and underscores high palliative care needs among sepsis
survivors discharged to skilled nursing facility.
PMID- 28991828
TI - Pediatric Sepsis Endotypes Among Adults With Sepsis.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Recent transcriptomic studies describe two subgroups of adults with
sepsis differentiated by a sepsis response signature. The implied biology and
related clinical associations are comparable with recently reported pediatric
sepsis endotypes, labeled "A" and "B." We classified adults with sepsis using the
pediatric endotyping strategy and the sepsis response signature and determined
how endotype assignment, sepsis response signature membership, and age interact
with respect to mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of publically available
transcriptomic data representing critically ill adults with sepsis from which the
sepsis response signature groups were derived and validated. SETTING: Multiple
ICUs. PATIENTS: Adults with sepsis. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
RESULTS: Transcriptomic data were conormalized into a single dataset yielding 549
unique cases with sepsis response signature assignments. Each subject was
assigned to endotype A or B using the expression data for the 100 endotyping
genes. There were 163 subjects (30%) assigned to endotype A and 386 to endotype
B. There was a weak, positive correlation between endotype assignment and sepsis
response signature membership. Mortality rates were similar between patients
assigned endotype A and those assigned endotype B. A multivariable logistic
regression model fit to endotype assignment, sepsis response signature
membership, age, and the respective two-way interactions revealed that endotype
A, sepsis response signature 1 membership, older age, and the interactions
between them were associated with mortality. Subjects coassigned to endotype A,
and sepsis response signature 1 had the highest mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Combining
the pediatric endotyping strategy with sepsis response signature membership might
provide complementary, age-dependent, biological, and prognostic information.
PMID- 28991829
TI - Sepsis Reduces Bone Strength Before Morphologic Changes Are Identifiable.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Survivors of critical illness have an increased prevalence of bone
fractures. However, early changes in bone strength, and their relationship to
structural changes, have not been described. We aimed to characterize early
changes in bone functional properties in critical illness and their relationship
to changes in bone structure, using a sepsis rodent model. DESIGN: Experimental
study. SETTING: Animal research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats.
INTERVENTIONS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to cecal ligation and
puncture or sham surgery. Twenty rodents (10 cecal ligation and puncture, 10
sham) were killed at 24 hours, and 20 more at 96 hours. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
RESULTS: Femoral bones were harvested for strength testing, microCT imaging,
histologic analysis, and multifrequency scanning probe microscopy. Fracture loads
at the femoral neck were significantly reduced for cecal ligation and puncture
exposed rodents at 24 hours (83.39 +/- 10.1 vs 103.1 +/- 17.6 N; p = 0.014) and
96 hours (81.60 +/- 14.2 vs 95.66 +/- 14.3 N; p = 0.047). Using multifrequency
scanning probe microscopy, collagen elastic modulus was lower in cecal ligation
and puncture-exposed rats at 24 hours (1.37 +/- 0.2 vs 6.13 +/- 0.3 GPa; p =
0.001) and 96 hours (5.57 +/- 0.5 vs 6.13 +/- 0.3 GPa; p = 0.006). Bone mineral
elastic modulus was similar at 24 hours but reduced in cecal ligation and
puncture-exposed rodents at 96 hours (75.34 +/- 13.2 vs 134.4 +/- 8.2 GPa; p <
0.001). There were no bone architectural or bone mineral density differences by
microCT. Similarly, histologic analysis demonstrated no difference in collagen
and elastin staining, and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4, nuclear factor kappa
beta, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase immunostaining. CONCLUSIONS: In a
rodent sepsis model, trabecular bone strength is functionally reduced within 24
hours and is associated with a reduction in collagen and mineral elastic modulus.
This is likely to be the result of altered biomechanical properties, rather than
increased bone mineral turnover. These data offer both mechanistic insights and
may potentially guide development of therapeutic interventions.
PMID- 28991831
TI - Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Is Not First-Line Therapy for the Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
PMID- 28991830
TI - Development and Validation of an Empiric Tool to Predict Favorable Neurologic
Outcomes Among PICU Patients.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To create a novel tool to predict favorable neurologic outcomes
during ICU stay among children with critical illness. DESIGN: Logistic regression
models using adaptive lasso methodology were used to identify independent factors
associated with favorable neurologic outcomes. A mixed effects logistic
regression model was used to create the final prediction model including all
predictors selected from the lasso model. Model validation was performed using a
10-fold internal cross-validation approach. SETTING: Virtual Pediatric Systems
(VPS, LLC, Los Angeles, CA) database. PATIENTS: Patients less than 18 years old
admitted to one of the participating ICUs in the Virtual Pediatric Systems
database were included (2009-2015). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
RESULTS: A total of 160,570 patients from 90 hospitals qualified for inclusion.
Of these, 1,675 patients (1.04%) were associated with a decline in Pediatric
Cerebral Performance Category scale by at least 2 between ICU admission and ICU
discharge (unfavorable neurologic outcome). The independent factors associated
with unfavorable neurologic outcome included higher weight at ICU admission,
higher Pediatric Index of Morality-2 score at ICU admission, cardiac arrest,
stroke, seizures, head/nonhead trauma, use of conventional mechanical ventilation
and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, prolonged hospital length of ICU
stay, and prolonged use of mechanical ventilation. The presence of chromosomal
anomaly, cardiac surgery, and utilization of nitric oxide were associated with
favorable neurologic outcome. The final online prediction tool can be accessed at
https://soipredictiontool.shinyapps.io/GNOScore/. Our model predicted 139,688
patients with favorable neurologic outcomes in an internal validation sample when
the observed number of patients with favorable neurologic outcomes was among
139,591 patients. The area under the receiver operating curve for the validation
model was 0.90. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed prediction tool encompasses 20 risk
factors into one probability to predict favorable neurologic outcome during ICU
stay among children with critical illness. Future studies should seek external
validation and improved discrimination of this prediction tool.
PMID- 28991832
TI - Adaptation of a Biomarker-Based Sepsis Mortality Risk Stratification Tool for
Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The original Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model and revised
(Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model-II) biomarker-based risk prediction models
have demonstrated utility for estimating baseline 28-day mortality risk in
pediatric sepsis. Given the paucity of prediction tools in pediatric acute
respiratory distress syndrome, and given the overlapping pathophysiology between
sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, we tested the utility of
Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model and Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model
II for mortality prediction in a cohort of pediatric acute respiratory distress
syndrome, with an a priori plan to revise the model if these existing models
performed poorly. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING:
University affiliated PICU. PATIENTS: Mechanically ventilated children with acute
respiratory distress syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: Blood collection within 24 hours of
acute respiratory distress syndrome onset and biomarker measurements.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In 152 children with acute respiratory distress
syndrome, Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model performed poorly and Pediatric
Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model-II performed modestly (areas under receiver operating
characteristic curve of 0.61 and 0.76, respectively). Therefore, we randomly
selected 80% of the cohort (n = 122) to rederive a risk prediction model for
pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. We used classification and
regression tree methodology, considering the Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk
Model biomarkers in addition to variables relevant to acute respiratory distress
syndrome. The final model was comprised of three biomarkers and age, and more
accurately estimated baseline mortality risk (area under receiver operating
characteristic curve 0.85, p < 0.001 and p = 0.053 compared with Pediatric Sepsis
Biomarker Risk Model and Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model-II, respectively).
The model was tested in the remaining 20% of subjects (n = 30) and demonstrated
similar test characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: A validated, biomarker-based risk
stratification tool designed for pediatric sepsis was adapted for use in
pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. The newly derived Pediatric Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome Biomarker Risk Model demonstrates good test
characteristics internally and requires external validation in a larger cohort.
Tools such as Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Biomarker Risk Model
have the potential to provide improved risk stratification and prognostic
enrichment for future trials in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.
PMID- 28991833
TI - Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Vessel Density Measurements in Eyes With
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Disc Hemorrhage.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare the vessel density measurements of optic nerve head,
peripapillary and macular regions in severity-matched primary open-angle glaucoma
(POAG) eyes with and without disc hemorrhage (DH) using optical coherence
tomography (OCT) angiography, and to compare their diagnostic abilities with that
of the rim area, retinal nerve fiber layer and the ganglion cell complex
thickness measurements on OCT. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 66 eyes of 46
control subjects, 34 eyes of 33 POAG patients with DH (median mean deviation=-3.7
dB) and 63 eyes of 43 POAG patients without DH (median mean deviation=-3.8 dB)
underwent imaging with spectral domain OCT. Area under receiver operating
characteristic curves (AUC) and 5sensitivities at 90% specificity of vessel
density and structural measurements in POAG eyes with DH were compared with those
in POAG eyes without DH. RESULTS: Most of the vessel density and structural
measurements were similar (P>0.05) in POAG eyes with and without DH. Whole enface
vessel density of the disc scan and inferotemporal peripapillary vessel density
showed the best AUC and sensitivity at 90% specificity both in POAG eyes with DH
(0.82, 56% and 0.75, 59%) and without DH (0.91, 73% and 0.83, 67%). AUCs and
sensitivities of vessel density and structural measurements of POAG eyes with and
without DH were statistically similar (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OCT angiography
measured vessel densities and their diagnostic abilities in POAG eyes with and
without DH were similar. This suggests that the cause of DH in POAG is unlikely
to be vascular abnormality.
PMID- 28991834
TI - Spontaneous Retinal Venous Pulsation in Unilateral Primary Open-angle Glaucoma
With Low Intraocular Pressure.
AB - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of spontaneous
retinal venous pulsation (SVP) in patients with unilateral primary open-angle
glaucoma (POAG) and low intraocular pressure (IOP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
SVP of 93 POAG patients with unilateral glaucoma and untreated IOP of <=21 mm Hg
was assessed using the movie tool of a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope
(Spectralis HRA; Heidelberg Engineering). The frequency of SVP was compared
between the glaucomatous and fellow eyes. Intereye differences in the frequency
of SVP were assessed using McNemar test. A linear mixed-effect model was used to
determine the factors associated with glaucomatous eyes, taking into account
clustering of eyes within subjects. RESULTS: Forty-five patients had SVP in both
eyes and 15 had SVP in neither eye. Of the remaining 33 patients who showed SVP
only in 1 eye, 31 had SVP only in the fellow eye, and 2 had SVP only in the
glaucomatous eye. The SVP was significantly less prevalent in glaucomatous eyes
(50.5%) than in fellow control eyes (81.7%) (P<0.001). In the linear mixed-effect
model, the presence of SVP (P<0.001) and higher untreated IOP (P=0.001) were the
significant predictors for glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: SVP was less frequently found
in glaucomatous eyes than healthy fellow eyes in unilateral POAG patients with
low IOP.
PMID- 28991835
TI - Celiac Disease Diagnosis Without Biopsy: Is a 10* ULN Antitransglutaminase Result
Suitable for a Chemiluminescence Method?
AB - OBJECTIVES: 2012 European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and
Nutrition guidelines allow to establish a celiac disease diagnosis without
duodenal biopsy in symptomatic pediatric patients with antitissue
transglutaminase (anti-tTG) titers >10 times the upper limit of normal. For some
years now, new chemiluminescence immunoassays have been made available: it is
important to establish the clinical performance of anti-tTG and to determine the
cut-off best suited to predict Marsh >=2 to avoid gastrointestinal endoscopy not
only in children, but also in the adult population. METHODS: A total of 2565
patients performed duodenal biopsy from July 2012 to September 2016; we selected
all the patients who had undergone QUANTA Flash anti-tTG immunoglobulin A (IgA)
within -3 months of duodenal biopsy and before the start of gluten-free diet. A
total of 827 patients fulfilled the criteria for selection. RESULTS: Using a cut
off of 20 chemiluminescent unit (CU; area under the curve: 0.995), sensitivity,
specificity, positive, and negative predictive value were 98.2%, 98.4%, 97.9%,
and 98.6%, respectively. For the correlation with Marsh >=2, in the pediatric
population, positive predictive values (PPV) were 92.1%, 99%, and 100% at 200 CU
(10*), 560 CU (28*), and 1000 CU (50*), respectively. In the adult population PPV
was 94.2%, 98.2%, and 100% at 200 CU (10*), 350 CU (15*), and 400 CU (20*).
CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value of
QUANTA Flash h-tTG IgA were excellent. The cut-off providing an optimized PPV for
histological lesions compatible for celiac disease (Marsh >=2) for the QUANTA
Flash h-tTG IgA is 350 CU (15*) in adult and 560 CU (28*) in children.
PMID- 28991836
TI - Direct Acting Antiviral Treatment Selection in a Child With Hepatitis C Virus
Infection and Compensated Cirrhosis.
PMID- 28991837
TI - Serum Osteocalcin Levels in Children With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between
osteocalcin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with
obesity. METHOD: 60 obese children with NAFLD were taken as a patient group and
60 obese children and normal liver with matching age, sex, and body mass index
were taken as a control group. Anthropometric measurements, abdominal
ultrasonography for diagnosis and grading of NAFLD, and laboratory investigations
in the form of liver function tests, lipid profile, fasting serum glucose and
insulin, and serum osteocalcin levels were done for all children. Patients with
NAFLD were further divided into patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and
patients without MS. RESULTS: Age of NAFLD children was (10.55 +/- 2.71), 20 boys
and 40 girls, whereas age of children in control group was (10.05 +/- 3.51), 24
boys and 36 girls (P > 0.05). Patients with NAFLD showed significant increase in
waist and hip circumference, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase,
total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin resistance (IR), fasting serum glucose,
and insulin, but lower serum osteocalcin level than control group. Serum
osteocalcin level is inversely correlated with waist circumference, triglyceride,
liver enzymes, fasting serum insulin, fasting serum glucose, IR, and grades of
fatty liver. Increase in alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol,
triglycerides, fasting insulin, and IR went with increase in degree of hepatic
steatosis. Serum osteocalcin level <44.5 ng/mL is a good predictor for severity
of hepatic steatosis with sensitivity and specificity of 80%. CONCLUSIONS:
Osteocalcin plays an important role in glucose and lipid metabolism for
protection against NAFLD occurrence and progression. Moreover, it could be a
useful marker for progression of NAFLD in children with obesity.
PMID- 28991838
TI - The Relation Between Malnutrition and the Exocrine Pancreas: A Systematic Review.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The relation between malnutrition and exocrine pancreatic
insufficiency (EPI) has been described previously, but it is unclear if
malnutrition leads to EPI or vice versa. We systematically synthesized current
evidence evaluating the association between malnutrition and EPI in children.
METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception
until February 2017. We included cohort or case-controlled studies in children
reporting on prevalence or incidence of EPI and malnutrition. Data generation was
performed independently by 2 authors. Quality was assessed by using quality
assessment tools from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. RESULTS:
Nineteen studies were divided into 2 groups: 10 studies showing EPI leading to
malnutrition, and 9 studies showing malnutrition leading to EPI. Because of
heterogeneity in design, definitions, and outcome measures, pooling of results
was impossible. Quality was good in 4 of 19 studies. Pancreatic insufficiency was
linked to decreased nutritional status in 8 of 10 articles, although this link
was not specified properly in most articles. In malnourished children,
improvement was seen in pancreatic function in 7 of 9 articles after nutritional
rehabilitation. The link between the 2 was not further specified. Heterogeneity
exists with respect to definitions, outcome measures, and study design.
CONCLUSIONS: There is sufficient evidence for an association between EPI and
malnutrition. We could not confirm whether there is a correlation or causality
between EPI or malnutrition. It was therefore not possible to draw firm
conclusions from this systematic review on underlying pathophysiological
mechanisms between EPI and malnutrition. More observational clinical trials are
crucially needed.
PMID- 28991839
TI - Fecal Microbial Transplant In Children With Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized,
Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study: Retracted.
PMID- 28991840
TI - Granulomatous Upper Gastrointestinal Inflammation in Pediatric Ulcerative
Colitis.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Differentiating ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD) can be
clinically challenging, especially in children. Granulomatous inflammation has
traditionally been attributed to CD. Crypt-associated giant cells and granulomas,
however, have been observed in colonic biopsies of patients with UC. This
phenomenon has not been described in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract with
UC. METHODS: Seven pediatric patients with UC with granulomatous UGI (gUGI)
lesions were identified. Diagnosis of UC was based on symptoms, clinical course,
laboratory results, imaging, and endoscopy. We compared the gUGI patients to a
large cohort of pediatric patients with UC (n = 149). RESULTS: All fully
evaluated cases were associated with bloody diarrhea and moderate to severe
pancolitis. Gastric and/or duodenal biopsies demonstrated giant cells or
granulomas near gland destruction. Small bowel imaging did not reveal any
involvement. The majority of cases responded to standard medical therapies,
except for 2 patients (28.6%) who required total colectomy. Acute severe,
refractory colitis (ie, colectomy within 1 month of presentation) was
significantly more common in the gUGI group than the large pediatric UC group
(28.6% vs 1.3%, Fisher exact P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of
pediatric UC-associated granulomatous inflammation in the UGI tract. We speculate
that these lesions represent extracolonic manifestations of intense colonic
disease. These atypical findings expand the diagnostic considerations that should
be incorporated during the differentiation between UC and CD in the pediatric age
group.
PMID- 28991841
TI - Leading by Example: Role Modeling Resilience Helps Our Learners and Ourselves.
AB - The issues of burnout and its consequences are some of the most prevalent topics
in conversations about the practice of medicine today. Many reports have focused
on the contributors that fuel this epidemic, but the time has come to begin to
focus on solutions. Prominent national efforts, including a National Academy of
Medicine collaborative task force and the 2017 Accreditation Council for Graduate
Medical Education common program requirements' focus on wellness, are presenting
opportunities for academic medicine faculty to take the lead in turning this
tide. While solutions to the burnout crisis are complex, the foundations of
improving this epidemic lie in restoring a sense of purpose and balance in the
lives of those who work in academic medicine. The inherent value of academic
medicine to improve others' lives through patient care, the advancement of
knowledge, and the education of the next generation is a unique opportunity that
many other professions do not share. On the best days, academic medicine faculty
must remember to look for that joy and to express it to learners, and, on the
worst, they must demonstrate to learners how to practice self-care and how to
create personal resilience. By taking on the role of becoming resilient, faculty
start to foster a culture of well-being rather than burnout and can begin to find
solutions instead of continuing to describe the problem.
PMID- 28991842
TI - Medical School Factors That Prepare Students to Become Leaders in Medicine.
AB - PURPOSE: To identify medical school factors graduates in major leadership
positions perceive as contributing to their leadership development. METHOD: Using
a phenomenological, qualitative approach, in August-November 2015 the authors
conducted semistructured interviews with 48 medical leaders who were 1976-1999
baccalaureate-MD graduates of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of
Medicine (UMKC). At UMKC, they participated in longitudinal learning communities,
the centerpiece for learning professional values and behaviors plus clinical
skills, knowledge, and judgment, but received no formal leadership instruction.
The authors subjected interview comments to directed, largely qualitative content
analysis with iterative coding cycles. RESULTS: Most graduates said their
experiences and the people at UMKC positively influenced their leadership growth.
Medical school factors that emerged as contributing to that growth were the
longitudinal learning communities including docents, junior-senior partners, and
team experiences; expectations set for students to achieve; a clinically oriented
but integrated curriculum; admission policies seeking students with academic and
nonacademic qualifications; supportive student-student and student-faculty
relationships; and a positive overall learning environment. Graduates viewed a
combination of factors as best preparing them for leadership and excellence in
clinical medicine; together these factors enabled them to assume leadership
opportunities after graduation. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds medical leaders'
perspective to the leadership development literature and offers guidance from
theory and practice for medical schools to consider in shaping leadership
education: Namely, informal leadership preparation coupled with extensive
longitudinal clinical education in a nurturing, authentic environment can develop
students effectively for leadership in medicine.
PMID- 28991843
TI - Beyond "Dr. Feel-Good": A Role for the Humanities in Medical Education.
AB - Although educators embrace the values that are nominally included in the idea of
"the art and science of medicine," the arts and humanities have remained at the
edges of medical education. One reason for this exile is the overwhelming
emphasis in the curriculum on biomedical science over the social sciences and
humanities. Other causes are self-inflicted-a frequent lack of theoretical rigor
in the design of educational offerings and, more important, no clear answer to
the question of how the humanities can make better physicians. A common
justification for including the arts and humanities in medical education-that
spending time with literature, music, and the visual arts contributes to student
and faculty reflection and well-being-is compelling; however, it risks further
marginalizing the field as a soft, feel-good supplement to training.In this
Invited Commentary, the author proposes several unique ways in which the arts and
humanities contribute to the development of physicians who practice with
excellence, compassion, and justice.These ways include disrupting taken-for
granted beliefs and assumptions; introducing a pause in perceiving, thinking, and
acting; encouraging engagement with complexity and ambiguity; seeing past the
surface to historical and societal influences and causes; and encouraging an
awareness of the multiple, unique voices and perspectives of patients.
Ultimately, the humanities prompt awareness of the space in which physicians care
for human beings in their moments of greatest need and bear witness to
fundamental changes in their patients and in themselves.
PMID- 28991844
TI - Criterion-Based Assessment in a Norm-Based World: How Can We Move Past Grades?
AB - In the United States, the medical education community has begun a shift from the
Flexnerian time-based model to a competency-based medical education model. The
graduate medical education (GME) community is substantially farther along in this
transition than is the undergraduate medical education (UME) community.GME has
largely adopted the use of competencies and their attendant milestones and
increasingly is employing the framework of entrustable professional activities
(EPAs) to assess trainee competence. The UME community faces several challenges
to successfully navigating a similar transition. First is the reliance on norm
based reference standards in the UME-GME transition, comparing students'
performance versus their peers' with grades, United States Medical Licensing
Examination Step 1 and Step 2 score interpretation, and the structured Medical
School Performance Evaluation, or dean's letter. Second is the reliance on proxy
assessments rather than direct observation of learners. Third is the emphasis on
summative rather than formative assessments.Educators have overcome a major
barrier to change by establishing UME outcomes assessment criteria with the
advent and general acceptance of the physician competency reference set and the
Core EPAs for Entering Residency in UME. Now is the time for the hard work of
developing assessments steeped in direct observation that can be accepted by
learners and faculty across the educational continuum and can be shown to predict
clinical performance in a much more meaningful way than the current measures of
grades and examinations. The acceptance of such assessments will facilitate the
UME transition toward competency-based medical education.
PMID- 28991845
TI - A Purpose-Driven Fourth Year of Medical School.
AB - The fourth year of medical school has been repeatedly found to be ineffective,
and concerns exist about its purpose and academic quality, as well as grade
inflation. Since Flexner, the purpose of undergraduate medical training has moved
from readiness for independent practice to readiness for postgraduate training.
However, training directors report that medical graduates are inadequately
prepared to enter residency. The authors propose a fourth year with two
components: first, a yearlong, longitudinal ambulatory experience of at least
three days each week on an interprofessional team with consistent faculty
supervision and mentoring, increasing independence, and a focus on education; and
second, rigorous clinical-scales-based assessment of meaningful outcomes.In the
proposed model, the medical student has generous time with a limited panel of
patients, and increasing autonomy, with faculty moving from supervising
physicians to collaborating physicians. There is regular assessment and formative
feedback. This more independent, longitudinal clinical experience uniquely allows
assessment of the most meaningful work-based performance outcomes-that is,
patient outcomes assessed by validated clinical scales. The proposed fourth year
will require a realignment of resources and faculty time; however, models already
exist. Barriers and possible solutions are discussed.A purpose-driven, assessment
rich fourth year with patient and supervisor continuity will provide real-world
experience, making medical graduates more competent and confident on the first
day of residency. Use of clinical scales will also allow educators new confidence
that the performance-based competence of these more experienced and expert
graduates leads to demonstrable collaboration, healing, and good patient
outcomes.
PMID- 28991847
TI - Medical Humanities: The Rx for Uncertainty?
AB - While medical students often fear the avalanche of knowledge they are required to
learn during training, it is learning to translate that knowledge into wisdom
that is the greatest challenge of becoming a doctor. Part of that challenge is
learning to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty, a difficult feat for doctors who
are taught to question anything that is not evidence based or peer reviewed. The
medical humanities specialize in this ambiguity and uncertainty, which are
hallmarks of actual clinical practice but rarely addressed in medical education.
The humanities also force reflection and contemplation-skills that are crucial to
thoughtful decision making and to personal wellness. Beyond that, the humanities
add a dose of joy and beauty to a training process that is notoriously frugal in
these departments. Well integrated, the humanities can be the key to transforming
medical knowledge into clinical wisdom.
PMID- 28991846
TI - A Multi-Institutional Longitudinal Faculty Development Program in Humanism
Supports the Professional Development of Faculty Teachers.
AB - The authors describe the first 11 academic years (2005-2006 through 2016-2017) of
a longitudinal, small-group faculty development program for strengthening
humanistic teaching and role modeling at 30 U.S. and Canadian medical schools
that continues today. During the yearlong program, small groups of participating
faculty met twice monthly with a local facilitator for exercises in humanistic
teaching, role modeling, and related topics that combined narrative reflection
with skills training using experiential learning techniques. The program focused
on the professional development of its participants. Thirty schools participated;
993 faculty, including some residents, completed the program.In evaluations,
participating faculty at 13 of the schools scored significantly more positively
as rated by learners on all dimensions of medical humanism than did matched
controls. Qualitative analyses from several cohorts suggest many participants had
progressed to more advanced stages of professional identity formation after
completing the program. Strong engagement and attendance by faculty participants
as well as the multimodal evaluation suggest that the program may serve as a
model for others. Recently, most schools adopting the program have offered the
curriculum annually to two or more groups of faculty participants to create
sufficient numbers of trained faculty to positively influence humanistic teaching
at the institution.The authors discuss the program's learning theory, outline its
curriculum, reflect on the program's accomplishments and plans for the future,
and state how faculty trained in such programs could lead institutional
initiatives and foster positive change in humanistic professional development at
all levels of medical education.
PMID- 28991848
TI - The Feedback Tango: An Integrative Review and Analysis of the Content of the
Teacher-Learner Feedback Exchange.
AB - PURPOSE: To conduct an integrative review and analysis of the literature on the
content of feedback to learners in medical education. METHOD: Following
completion of a scoping review in 2016, the authors analyzed a subset of articles
published through 2015 describing the analysis of feedback exchange content in
various contexts: audiotapes, clinical examination, feedback cards, multisource
feedback, videotapes, and written feedback. Two reviewers extracted data from
these articles and identified common themes. RESULTS: Of the 51 included
articles, about half (49%) were published since 2011. Most involved medical
students (43%) or residents (43%). A leniency bias was noted in many (37%), as
there was frequently reluctance to provide constructive feedback. More than one
quarter (29%) indicated the feedback was low in quality (e.g., too general,
limited amount, no action plans). Some (16%) indicated faculty dominated
conversations, did not use feedback forms appropriately, or provided inadequate
feedback, even after training. Multiple feedback tools were used, with some
articles (14%) describing varying degrees of use, completion, or legibility. Some
articles (14%) noted the impact of the gender of the feedback provider or
learner. CONCLUSIONS: The findings reveal that the exchange of feedback is
troubled by low-quality feedback, leniency bias, faculty deficient in feedback
competencies, challenges with multiple feedback tools, and gender impacts. Using
the tango dance form as a metaphor for this dynamic partnership, the authors
recommend ways to improve feedback for teachers and learners willing to partner
with each other and engage in the complexities of the feedback exchange.
PMID- 28991849
TI - U.S. Physician-Scientist Workforce in the 21st Century: Recommendations to
Attract and Sustain the Pipeline.
AB - The U.S. physician-scientist (PS) workforce is invaluable to the nation's
biomedical research effort. It is through biomedical research that certain
diseases have been eliminated, cures for others have been discovered, and medical
procedures and therapies that save lives have been developed. Yet, the U.S. PS
workforce has both declined and aged over the last several years. The resulting
decreased inflow and outflow to the PS pipeline renders the system vulnerable to
collapsing suddenly as the senior workforce retires. In November 2015, the
Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine hosted a consensus conference on the PS
workforce to address issues impacting academic medical schools, with input from
early-career PSs based on their individual experiences and concerns. One of the
goals of the conference was to identify current impediments in attracting and
supporting PSs and to develop a new set of recommendations for sustaining the PS
workforce in 2016 and beyond. This Perspective reports on the opportunities and
factors identified at the conference and presents five recommendations designed
to increase entry into the PS pipeline and nine recommendations designed to
decrease attrition from the PS workflow.
PMID- 28991850
TI - Aligning Education With Health Care Transformation: Identifying a Shared Mental
Model of "New" Faculty Competencies for Academic Faculty.
AB - PURPOSE: To develop a potential competency framework for faculty development
programs aligned with the needs of faculty in academic health centers (AHCs).
METHOD: In 2014 and 2015, the authors interviewed 23 health system leaders and
analyzed transcripts using constant comparative analysis and thematic analysis.
They coded competencies and curricular concepts into subcategories. Lead
investigators reviewed drafts of the categorization themes and subthemes related
to gaps in faculty knowledge and skills, collapsed and combined competency
domains, and resolved disagreements via discussion. RESULTS: Through analysis,
the authors identified four themes. The first was core functional competencies
and curricular domains for conceptual learning, including patient-centered care,
health care processes, clinical informatics, population and public health, policy
and payment, value-based care, and health system improvement. The second was the
need for foundational competency domains, including systems thinking, change
agency/management, teaming, and leadership. The third theme was paradigm shifts
in how academic faculty should approach health care, categorized into four areas:
delivery, transformation, provider characteristics and skills, and education. The
fourth theme was the need for faculty to be aware of challenges in the culture of
AHCs as an influential context for change. CONCLUSIONS: This broad competency
framework for faculty development programs expands existing curricula by
including a comprehensive scope of health systems science content and skills. AHC
leaders can use these results to better align faculty education with the real
time needs of their health systems. Future work should focus on optimal
prioritization and methods for teaching.
PMID- 28991851
TI - Quantitative Analysis of Endothelial Cell Loss in Preloaded Descemet Membrane
Endothelial Keratoplasty Grafts.
AB - PURPOSE: Availability of preloaded Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
(pDMEK) tissue may increase acceptance of DMEK in surgical management of
endothelial disease. The goal of this study was to determine the safety of pDMEK
grafts for 24 hours before surgery by analyzing endothelial cell loss (ECL) using
2 image analysis software programs. METHODS: A total of 18 cadaveric corneas were
prepared for DMEK using a standardized technique and loaded in a modified Jones
tube injector. Nine of the corneas were injected into Calcein AM vital dye after
1 minute (controls), and the remaining 9 corneas were left preloaded for 24 hours
before injection into vital dye for staining. The stained corneas were imaged
using an inverted confocal microscope. ECL was then analyzed and quantified by 2
different graders using 2 image analysis software programs. RESULTS: The control
DMEK tissue resulted in 22.0% +/- 4.0% ECL compared with pDMEK tissue, which
resulted in 19.2% +/- 7.2% ECL (P = 0.31). Interobserver agreement was 0.93 for
MetaMorph and 0.92 for Fiji. The average time required to process images with
MetaMorph was 2 +/- 1 minutes and with Fiji was 20 +/- 10 minutes. Intraobserver
agreement was 0.97 for MetaMorph and 0.93 for Fiji. CONCLUSIONS: Preloading DMEK
tissue is safe and may provide an alternative technique for tissue distribution
and surgery for DMEK. The use of MetaMorph software for quantifying ECL is a
novel and accurate imaging method with increased efficiency and reproducibility
compared with the previously validated Fiji.
PMID- 28991852
TI - Preparation and Biomechanical Properties of an Acellular Porcine Corneal Stroma.
AB - PURPOSE: To construct an acellular porcine corneal stroma (aPCS) as a human
corneal stroma alternative and to further explore its biomechanical properties.
METHODS: A combination of DNA-RNA enzymes and ultrasound technology was used to
strip the native porcine corneal cells. The microstructure of aPCS was observed
by H&E staining, DAPI staining, and alpha-Gal tests. The mechanical properties
were detected by a tension machine. Cytotoxicity of aPCS was measured by the MTT
assay. The subcutaneous embedding experiment in rats was also used to detect
immunity and degradation. The aPCS was transplanted into the rabbit cornea by
lamellar keratoplasty, general observations were made at 3 days, 1 week, 1 month,
and 3 months after implantation, respectively. RESULTS: The microstructure and
mechanical properties of aPCS were not damaged during the decellularization
process. The aPCS extracts had no significant cytotoxicity on human corneal
stroma cells. Moreover, the subcutaneous embedding experiment in rats
demonstrated that aPCS could not be degraded and induced no immune reaction in
and around the transplanted discs. More important is that the aPCS reconstructed
normal corneal stroma and maintained corneal transparency and thickness, with
almost no neovascularization and inflammation at 3 months after surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: The aPCS prepared in this study had good biocompatibility, safety,
and low antigenicity, which has great potential for corneal disease treatment.
PMID- 28991853
TI - Simulated Keratometry Versus Total Corneal Power by Ray Tracing: A Comparison in
Prediction Accuracy of Intraocular Lens Power.
AB - PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between corneal powers measured by
simulated keratometry (Sim-K) and ray tracing and understand whether their
difference influences intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation. METHODS: In a
first sample of healthy eyes, corneal curvature was measured using a rotating
Scheimpflug camera (Sirius, CSO). Sim-K was obtained from anterior corneal
curvature using the 1.3375 keratometric index. Ray tracing was performed through
both corneal surfaces to calculate the total corneal power (TCP). The difference
between Sim-K and TCP was correlated with various parameters. In a second sample
of patients undergoing cataract surgery, IOL power was subsequently calculated
using both Sim-K and TCP. RESULTS: In the first sample (114 eyes), Sim-K (43.64
+/- 1.44 D) was higher than TCP (43.07 +/- 1.41 D, P < 0.0001); the difference
ranged between 0.07 and 1.95 D and correlated with the anterior/posterior (A/P)
ratio (r = 0.7292, P < 0.0001), which ranged between 1.10 and 1.30. In the second
sample (107 eyes), the A/P ratio influenced the outcomes of the Holladay 1 and
SRK/T, but not Haigis and Hoffer Q formulas. However, using TCP, which takes the
A/P ratio into account, did not improve the prediction error of any formula.
CONCLUSIONS: Sim-K provides a higher corneal power compared with TCP. This
difference is not constant but depends on the A/P ratio and can influence the
refractive outcome of IOL power calculation by theoretical formulas. However, TCP
values do not improve the results of these formulas, as they were developed for
keratometric values such as Sim-K.
PMID- 28991854
TI - Alkali Burn Induced Corneal Spontaneous Pain and Activated Neuropathic Pain
Matrix in the Central Nervous System in Mice.
AB - PURPOSE: To explore whether alkali burn causes corneal neuropathic pain and
activates the neuropathic pain matrix in the central nervous system in mice.
METHODS: A corneal alkali burn mouse model (grade II) was used. The mechanical
threshold in the cauterized area was tested using Von Frey hairs. Spontaneous
pain behavior was investigated with conditioned place preference. Phosphor
extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is a marker for neuronal
activation in chronic pain processing, was investigated in several representative
areas of the neuropathic pain matrix: the 2 regions of the spinal trigeminal
nucleus (subnucleus interpolaris/caudalis, Vi/Vc; subnucleus caudalis/upper
cervical cord, Vc/C1), insular cortex, anterior cingulated cortex (ACC), and the
rostroventral medulla (RVM). Furthermore, pharmacologically blocking pERK
activation in the ACC of alkali burn mice was performed in a separate study.
RESULTS: Corneal alkali burn caused long-lasting damage to the corneal subbasal
nerve fibers, and mice exhibited spontaneous pain behavior. By testing in several
representative areas of the neuropathic pain matrix in the higher nervous system,
phosphor ERK was significantly activated in Vc/C1, but not in Vi/Vc. Also, ERK
was activated in the insular cortex, ACC, and RVM. Furthermore, pharmacologically
blocking ERK activation in the ACC abolished alkali burn induced corneal
spontaneous pain. CONCLUSIONS: Alkali burn could cause corneal spontaneous pain
and activate the neuropathic pain matrix in the central nervous system.
Furthermore, activation of ERK in the ACC is required for alkali burn induced
corneal spontaneous pain.
PMID- 28991857
TI - Impact of Histological and Endoscopic Remissions on Clinical Recurrence and
Recurrence-free Time in Ulcerative Colitis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Clinical and endoscopic remissions constitute the therapeutic goals
in ulcerative colitis (UC). Histological healing is currently not a target in UC.
This study aims to determine the impact of the definition of endoscopic remission
(Mayo endoscopic subscore [MSe] 0-1) and histological activity in the recurrence
of UC and recurrence-free survival time. METHODS: Patients with UC in clinical
remission (partial Mayo score <= 1) and endoscopic remission (MSe <= 1) who
underwent colonoscopy with biopsies between March 2010 and December 2013 were
included. The validated Nancy score was used to evaluate histological activity,
which considers inactivity if 0 to 1 and activity if 2 to 4. The recurrence-free
time was evaluated and recurrence was defined as partial Mayo score >= 2, therapy
to induce remission, hospitalization, or colectomy. Predictive factors associated
with recurrence and time to recurrence were determined. RESULTS: Sixty patients
were included; 58.3% (n = 35) were women, with a mean age of 52.7 years. MSe = 1
was observed in 46.7% (n = 28) and histological activity in 38.3% (n = 23).
Clinical recurrence occurred in 31.7% (n = 19) of patients, with a cumulative
risk of 17.1%/24.5%/26.7%/40.1% at 12/24/36/48 months, respectively. MSe = 1 (P =
0.02) and histological activity (P = 0.007) were significantly associated with
recurrence. Of these, only histological activity (P = 0.03) was an independent
predictive factor of recurrence. Patients with MSe = 1 (P = 0.02) and with
histological activity (P = 0.01) had a significantly shorter recurrence-free time
in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only histological activity (P =
0.02) was an independent predictive factor of lower recurrence-free time.
CONCLUSION: The presence of histological activity represents an independent
predictive factor of recurrence and time to recurrence, which was not verified
with MSe 0 to 1.
PMID- 28991855
TI - Cancer Risk in 2621 Chinese Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A
Population-based Cohort Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Studies on cancer risk in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have
yielded inconsistent results. We conducted a population-based study to determine
the risk of cancer in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis
(UC). METHODS: Using a territory-wide IBD registry in Hong Kong, we identified
2621 patients with IBD and no history of cancer from 1990 to 2016. We followed
them from diagnosis until either September 2016, cancer development,
proctocolectomy, or death. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of overall cancer
and site-specific cancers were calculated. RESULTS: Of 2621 patients with IBD
(1108 CD; 1603 UC; median age, 49 yr; 59.5% men) followed for 26,234 person
years, 88 patients developed cancer after IBD diagnosis. Patients with CD had an
increased risk of anorectal cancers (SIR 4.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.84
9.14) and hematological cancers (SIR 3.86, 95% CI, 1.61-9.27) including leukemia
(SIR 5.98; 95% CI, 1.93-18.54). Nonmelanoma skin cancer was significantly
increased in both CD and UC (CD: SIR 13.88; 95% CI, 1.95-98.51; UC: SIR 9.05; 95%
CI, 2.26-36.19). Patients with CD had a higher risk of renal-cell carcinoma (SIR
6.89; 95% CI, 2.22-21.37), and patients with UC had a higher risk of prostate
cancer (SIR 2.47; 95% CI, 1.24-4.95). CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based study,
Chinese patients with CD are at an increased risk of anorectal cancers and
hematological cancers compared with the general population. A higher risk of
nonmelanoma skin cancer was also observed in CD and UC. Cancer surveillance
should be considered.
PMID- 28991858
TI - Large Registry Epidemiology in IBD.
AB - There are different types of large registries which can be harnessed for
inflammatory bowel disease research. Not one registry can answer all types of
research questions. It is important for both the researchers using the registries
and readers of the reports generated, to be aware of the different strengths and
weaknesses of each registry and whether the questions posed can reliably be
answered. In this review, the use of large administrative databases/registries
are discussed in the context of studying descriptive epidemiology, outcomes of
inflammatory bowel disease, pharmacoepidemiology, and etiologic research.
PMID- 28991856
TI - Genetic Polymorphisms in Fatty Acid Metabolism Modify the Association Between
Dietary n3: n6 Intake and Risk of Ulcerative Colitis: A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: High intake of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is
associated with a decreased risk of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease
(CD). However, results have been heterogeneous suggesting that genetic variations
in PUFA metabolism may modify this risk. METHODS: We conducted a case-control
study nested within 2 prospective cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHS
II. Among women providing blood (n = 62,437) or buccal cells (n = 59,543) for
genotyping, we confirmed new diagnoses of CD or UC. Dietary intake was assessed 4
years before diagnosis. Confirmed cases were matched 1:2 to controls. Subjects
were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms at CYP4F3, FADS1, and FADS2
loci. Conditional logistic regression models examined the interaction between
genotype, n3:n6 PUFA intake and risk of CD and UC. RESULTS: Our study included
101 CD and 139 UC patients matched to 495 controls. On multivariable analysis,
high intake of n3:n6 PUFA (above median) demonstrated a trend toward reduced risk
of UC (Odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-1.09, P = 0.11).
High n3:n6 PUFA intake was associated with a reduced risk of UC in individuals
with the GG/AG genotype at a single nucleotide polymorphism in CYP4F3 (OR 0.57,
95% CI, 0.32-0.99) but not those with the AA genotype (OR 0.95, 95% CI, 0.47
1.93) (P-interaction = 0.049). No gene-diet interactions were noted for CD.
CONCLUSIONS: The association between dietary n3:n6 PUFA intake and risk of UC may
be modified variants at CYP4F3. Further gene-environment studies of the
association between diet and IBD risk are warranted.
PMID- 28991859
TI - PUFAs and IBD: Is There a Relationship?
PMID- 28991860
TI - How to Avoid Primary Nonresponders to Infliximab in Crohn's Disease.
PMID- 28991861
TI - Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges.
PMID- 28991862
TI - Isolated Retinal Metastasis From Breast Cancer.
PMID- 28991863
TI - Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges.
PMID- 28991864
TI - Bilateral Large Colloid Drusen in a Young Adult.
PMID- 28991865
TI - Intraoperative Injection of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant Using a Vitrectomy
Trocar-Assisted Technique.
PMID- 28991866
TI - RETINAL LASER AND PHOTOGRAPHY PRACTICE EYE MODEL: A Cost-Effective Innovation to
Improve Training Through Simulation.
PMID- 28991868
TI - Type 2 Diabetes in the Older Adult: The Need for Assessment of Frailty.
PMID- 28991869
TI - Mesenteric Artery Growth Improves Circulation (MAGIC) in Midaortic Syndrome.
PMID- 28991870
TI - Saline Solution (1.25%) for Septic Patients With Active Stroke.
PMID- 28991871
TI - Treatment of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the Setting of Infective
Endocarditis: A Need for Treatment Guidelines.
PMID- 28991872
TI - Comparison of an Updated Risk Stratification Index to Hierarchical Condition
Categories.
AB - BACKGROUND: The Risk Stratification Index and the Hierarchical Condition
Categories model baseline risk using comorbidities and procedures. The
Hierarchical Condition categories are rederived yearly, whereas the Risk
Stratification Index has not been rederived since 2010. The two models have yet
to be directly compared. The authors thus rederived the Risk Stratification Index
using recent data and compared their results to contemporaneous Hierarchical
Condition Categories. METHODS: The authors reimplemented procedures used to
derive the original Risk Stratification Index derivation using the 2007 to 2011
Medicare Analysis and Provider review file. The Hierarchical Condition Categories
were constructed on the entire data set using software provided by the Center for
Medicare and Medicaid Services. C-Statistics were used to compare discrimination
between the models. After calibration, accuracy for each model was evaluated by
plotting observed against predicted event rates. RESULTS: Discrimination of the
Risk Stratification Index improved after rederivation. The Risk Stratification
Index discriminated considerably better than the Hierarchical Condition
Categories for in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-yr mortality and for hospital length-of
stay. Calibration plots for both models demonstrated linear predictive accuracy,
but the Risk Stratification Index predictions had less variance. CONCLUSIONS:
Risk Stratification discrimination and minimum-variance predictions make it
superior to Hierarchical Condition Categories. The Risk Stratification Index
provides a solid basis for care-quality metrics and for provider comparisons.
PMID- 28991874
TI - TO THE EDITOR.
PMID- 28991876
TI - Sensitizing Surgeons to Their Outcome Has No Measurable Short-term Benefit.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Investigate if involving surgeons in outcome prediction-research and
having them use a dedicated Electronic-Health-Record that provides feedback,
improves patients' outcome. BACKGROUND: Improvement of clinical outcome mainly
relies on the declaration of adverse events, identification of their predictors,
self-assessment, and feedback. METHODS: Thirteen French Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary
centers made commitment to include all patients undergoing elective hepatectomies
in an observational study. Each center was given access to a dedicated website,
where perioperative data were prospectively collected. The website provided real
time individual and comparative feedback of outcome and was also intended to
perform prognostication studies. The hypothesis was that by using this strategy,
the length-of-stay would be reduced by 10%. Power-calculation implied the
inclusion of 1720 patients. Secondary endpoints were 90-day mortality, severe
morbidity, and the comprehensive-complication index. RESULTS: Only 5 of the 13
participating centers were fully compliant in enrolling their patients and the
inclusion period was extended by 1-year (October 2012-October 2015) to meet the
objective. During this period, the collaborative group published 9 studies based
on the study data (median impact factor = 8.327) that identified quantitative
clinical variables, qualitative clinical variables, and nonclinical variables
influencing outcome. For patients enrolled by the 5 active centers (n = 1752),
there was no improvement in length of stay (13.3 vs 12.4 days, P = 0.287), severe
complications (23.6 vs 20.5%, P = 0.134), the complication comprehensive index
(24.0 vs 24.9, P = 0.448), mortality (4.1 vs 3.9%, P = 0.903), or unplanned
readmissions (7.2 vs 8.4%, P = 0.665), even after adjusting for confounders.
CONCLUSION: Simply sensitizing surgeons to their outcome has no measurable short
term clinical benefit.
PMID- 28991879
TI - Risks Versus Benefits of Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation in Cirrhotic
Patients.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: To evaluate the clinical benefits and risks of anticoagulation
with warfarin in cirrhotic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: A
total of 465 cirrhotic patients diagnosed with nonvalvular AF were
retrospectively analyzed. We compared incidences of ischemic stroke and major
bleeding events between the 2 groups and examined the factors predicting ischemic
stroke or major bleeding events. RESULTS: Of 465 patients with AF, 113 (24.3%)
received warfarin. Warfarin users had a lower mean Child-Pugh score (6.1 +/- 1.5
vs. 7.6 +/- 2.6) and a higher mean CHA2DS2VASc score (2.0 +/- 2.5 vs. 1.7 +/-
1.3) than nonusers (P's < 0.05). Overall, the incidence of ischemic stroke was
low in cirrhotic patients with AF. It was not dependent on the CHA2DS2VASc score
(hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-2.05; P = 0.081), and was
comparable in warfarin users (0.9%/person-year) and nonusers (1.2%/person-year).
However, the incidence of major bleeding events was significantly higher in
warfarin users (5.9% vs. 2.6%; P < 0.05). A multivariate analysis identified
warfarin use (2.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-5.12) and Child-Pugh score
(1.25; 1.04-1.49) as independently associated with bleeding events in these
cirrhotic patients (P's < 0.05). There was no correlation between HAS-BLED score
and risk of major bleeding (1.20; 0.95-1.52; P = 0.123). CONCLUSIONS:
Anticoagulation with warfarin in cirrhotic patients with AF may not significantly
reduce the risk of ischemic stroke, whereas it increases hemorrhagic
complications.
PMID- 28991878
TI - Fatty Acid-Mediated Stromal Reprogramming of Pancreatic Stellate Cells Induces
Inflammation and Fibrosis That Fuels Pancreatic Cancer.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest diseases
worldwide. Fatty acids (FAs) have properties that affect both cancer cells and
tumor environment. We assessed the effects of FAs on malignant characteristics in
a pancreatic cancer and pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) coculture model. This
study aimed to clarify the FA signature of PSC-derived inflammation and fibrosis
in vitro and in a clinicopathological analysis. METHODS: The in vitro model
involved coculture of the human pancreatic cancer cell lines PANC-1 and MIA PaCa
2 with human PSCs. Clinical histological samples were analyzed to characterize
the surgical margins of samples from patients who received distal
pancreatectomies. RESULTS: The pancreatic cancer cells took up lipids from the
culture media. Saturated and unsaturated FAs were required to induce inflammatory
responses in human PSCs, and the cocultures showed fibrotic changes. Clinical
samples from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients had more fatty and
fibrotic changes in the normal tissue in the surgical margins than samples from
noncancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation and fibrosis levels were increased
in pancreatic cancer specimens, supporting the in vitro observations and
suggesting that PSCs contribute to pancreatic carcinogenesis. Pancreatic stellate
cells thus represent a potential therapeutic target for suppressing stromal
changes in pancreatic cancer.
PMID- 28991877
TI - Cell Cycle Protein Expression in Neuroendocrine Tumors: Association of CDK4/CDK6,
CCND1, and Phosphorylated Retinoblastoma Protein With Proliferative Index.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Dysregulation of the cell cycle has been observed and implicated as
an etiologic factor in a range of human malignancies, but remains relatively
unstudied in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We evaluated expression of key
proteins involved in cell cycle regulation in a large cohort of NETs. METHODS: We
evaluated immunohistochemical expression of CDKN1B, CDKN1A, CDKN2A, CDK2, CDK4,
CDK6, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (phospho
RB1) in a cohort of 267 patients with NETs. We then explored associations between
cell cycle protein expression, mutational status, histologic features, and
overall survival. RESULTS: We found that high expression of CDK4, CDK6, CCND1,
and phospho-RB1 was associated with higher proliferative index, as defined by
MKI67. We additionally observed a trend toward shorter overall survival
associated with low expression of CDKN1B. This association seemed strongest in
SINETs (multivariate hazards ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-3.93; P =
0.03). We found no clear association between CDKN1B mutation and protein
expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that dysregulation and activation of
the CDK4/CDK6-CCND1-phospho-RB1 axis is associated with higher proliferative
index in NETs. Investigation of the therapeutic potential of CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors
in higher grade NETs is warranted.
PMID- 28991880
TI - Folic Acid Impairs the Uptake of 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate in Human Umbilical
Vascular Endothelial Cells.
AB - BACKGROUND: Adequate folate status supports endothelial structure and function.
Folic acid (FA), an oxidized synthetic folate, which is present in the plasma of
patients consuming fortified food or FA supplements, may impair cellular uptake
of physiological, reduced folates. We studied the effect of FA on uptake of the
dominant circulatory folate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5MTHF) in endothelial
cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: For short-term effects of FA, primary human umbilical
vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were maintained in growth medium containing 200
nM 5MTHF and preincubated with 20 nM FA 10 minutes before the 5MTHF uptake
assessment. For long-term effects, HUVECs were cultured for 3 passages in growth
medium containing either 200 nM 5MTHF, or a combination of 100 nM 5MTHF and 100
nM FA. 5MTHF uptake was assessed after exposing cells to 200 nM [C5]-5MTHF, after
which intracellular [C5]-5MTHF was quantified using liquid chromatography/tandem
mass spectrometry. Acute FA exposure caused a 57% reduction in 5MTHF uptake
compared with control conditions (51 +/- 12 vs. 22 +/- 7 fmol.min.mg protein; P =
0.01). Long-term exposure to FA reduced 5MTHF uptake by 41% (51 +/- 12 vs. 30 +/-
11 fmol.min.mg protein; P = 0.05) and reduced total cellular 5MTHF levels by 47
+/- 21% in HUVEC (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Unmetabolized FA, which appears in the
plasma after consumption of fortified food or FA supplements, may impair uptake
of 5MTHF, the dominant bioactive form of folate, in HUVEC.
PMID- 28991881
TI - Scaling up Pediatric HIV Testing by Incorporating Provider-Initiated HIV Testing
Into all Child Health Services in Hurungwe District, Zimbabwe.
AB - BACKGROUND: Practical ways are needed to scale-up pediatric HIV testing in sub
Saharan Africa, where testing is usually limited to HIV-exposed children in
maternal and child health clinics. METHODS: We implemented an enhanced pediatric
HIV testing program in 33 health facilities in Zimbabwe by integrating HIV
testing into all pediatric health services. We collected individual data on
children tested by having health care workers complete a program-specific child
health booklet. We compared numbers of children tested before and during the
program using routinely collected aggregate program data reported by health
facilities. RESULTS: A total of 12,556 children aged 0-5 years were recorded in
child health booklets; 9431 (75.1%) had information on HIV testing, of whom 7326
(77.7%) were tested; 7167 had test results of whom 122 (1.7%) were HIV-infected.
Among children seen in outpatient clinics, 82.1% were tested compared with 66.5%
tested among children seen in maternal/child health clinics. Of the 122 HIV
infected children identified, 77 (63.1%) could be missed under existing pediatric
testing guidelines. The number of HIV-infected children identified during the 6
month program increased by 55% compared with the prior 6-month period (RR = 1.55,
95% CI: 1.22 to 1.96). Factors independently associated with HIV infection
included being malnourished (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.7, 95% CI: 2.1 to
28.6), being exposed to TB (AOR = 8.1, 95% CI: 2.0 to 32.2), and having an HIV
infected mother (AOR = 41.6, 95% CI: 15.9 to 108.8). CONCLUSIONS: Integrating HIV
testing into all pediatric health services is feasible and can assist in
identifying HIV-infected children who could be missed in current testing
guidelines.
PMID- 28991882
TI - Belief in Treatment as Prevention and Its Relationship to HIV Status and
Behavioral Risk.
AB - BACKGROUND: We evaluated attitudes toward treatment as prevention (TasP) among
gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Vancouver, Canada.
METHODS: Sexually active GBM, aged >=16 years, were recruited between 2012 and
2015 using respondent-driven sampling. At each 6-month follow-up, participants
completed a computer-administered questionnaire and nursing visit. Repeated
measures latent class analysis, grouped by self-reported serostatus, identified
patterns of TasP endorsement by considering TasP-related awareness, attitudes,
and behavior. Binary logistic regression identified covariates of class
membership. Bivariate interactions with visit number identified factors
associated with longitudinal changes in class membership. RESULTS: A total of 774
men provided 2590 observations. Of these, 698 enrolled in the cohort, 575 had at
least 1 follow-up visit. Among these, the median follow-up time was 1.98 years
(Q1-Q2: 1.49-2.49 years). Repeated-measures latent class analysis identified 3
classes: "unaware" (64.2% HIV negative/unknown vs. 29.2% of HIV positive),
"skeptical" (29.7% vs. 23.1%), and "believing" (6.1% vs. 47.7%). Membership in
classes representing higher TasP endorsement was associated with greater odds of
condomless anal sex and having more sexual partners. Age, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, substance use, and social time spent with other GBM were also
associated with class membership. Longitudinally, class membership was stable
among HIV-positive men but shifted toward greater TasP endorsement among HIV
negative/unknown men. For HIV-negative/unknown men, increasing endorsement was
positively associated with greater education, being employed, being in a
relationship, and substance use and inversely associated with recent
serodiscordant condomless anal sex or sexually transmitted infection diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Over time, disparities in TasP diffusion by HIV status have
lessened, although continue to persist across other key social strata.
PMID- 28991883
TI - Inflammation-Related Morbidity and Mortality Among HIV-Positive Adults: How
Extensive Is It?
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of grade 4, potentially life-threatening events
not attributable to AIDS, cardiovascular disease (CVD), or non-AIDS cancer among
participants on antiretroviral therapy and to describe associations of these
events with interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: HIV
infected participants on antiretroviral therapy (N = 3568) with an HIV-RNA level
<= 500 copies/mL were followed for grade 4, AIDS, CVD, non-AIDS cancer, and all
cause mortality events. Grade 4 events were further classified masked to
biomarker levels as reflecting chronic inflammation-related disease (ChrIRD) or
not (non-ChrIRD). Associations of baseline IL-6 and D-dimer with events were
studied using Cox models. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 339
participants developed a grade 4 event (22.9 per 1000 person-years); 165
participants developed a ChrIRD grade 4 event (10.7 per 1000 person-years). Grade
4 events were more common than AIDS (54 participants), CVD (132), and non-AIDS
cancer (80) events, any of which developed in 252 participants (17.1 per 1000
person-years). Grade 4 and AIDS events were associated with similar risks of
death. Higher IL-6 [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.19 per doubling of biomarker; P =
0.003] and D-dimer (HR = 1.23; P < 0.001) levels were associated with an
increased risk of grade 4 events. IL-6 associations were stronger for ChrIRD (HR
= 1.38; P < 0.001) than non-ChrIRD grade 4 events (HR = 1.11; P = 0.21).
CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and mortality associated with activation of inflammatory
and coagulation pathways include conditions other than AIDS, CVD, and non-AIDS
cancer events. Effective inflammation-dampening interventions could greatly
affect the health of people with HIV.
PMID- 28991884
TI - HIV Continuum of Care for Youth in the United States.
AB - BACKGROUND: Beneficial HIV treatment outcomes require success at multiple steps
along the HIV Continuum of Care. Youth living with HIV are a key population, and
sites in the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN)
are known for modeling optimum HIV adolescent care. METHODS: A longitudinal
cohort study conducted at 14 network sites across the United States assessed how
the later steps of the Continuum of Care were achieved among the youth:
engagement, treatment, and viral load (VL) suppression. Youth aged 13-24 who were
behaviorally infected with HIV and linked to care at an ATN-affiliated site were
eligible to participate. RESULTS: A total of 467 youth were enrolled and had 1
year of available data. Most were aged 22-24 (57%), male (79%), and black/non
Hispanic (71%). Most used alcohol (81%) and marijuana (61%) in the 3 months
before enrollment, and 40% had a history of incarceration. Among this cohort of
youth, 86% met criteria for care engagement; among these, 98% were prescribed
antiretroviral therapy and 89% achieved VL suppression. Sustained VL suppression
at all measured time points was found among 59% with initial suppression. Site
characteristics were notable for the prevalence of adherence counseling (100%),
case management (100%), clinic-based mental health (93%), and substance use (64%)
treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Youth living with HIV in the United States can be
successfully treated at health care sites with experience, excellence, and
important resources and services. Sustained VL suppression may be an important
step to add to the Continuum of Care for youth.
PMID- 28991885
TI - Predictors of HIV, HIV Risk Perception, and HIV Worry Among Adolescent Girls and
Young Women in Lilongwe, Malawi.
AB - BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa have
high HIV prevalence and incidence. We sought to understand which HIV risk factors
individually and in combination contribute to risk, and whether these factors are
associated with HIV worry and risk perception. SETTING: This study is ongoing at
4 public health centers in Lilongwe, Malawi (2016-2017). METHODS: AGYW of 15-24
years old were recruited to participate in a study assessing 4 models of service
delivery. At each health center, participants completed a baseline survey
assessing socioeconomic, behavioral, biomedical, and partnership characteristics;
self-reported HIV status; and, if HIV-uninfected, HIV risk perception (high
versus low or none) and HIV worry (any versus none). We analyzed associations
between baseline characteristics and HIV prevalence, risk perception, and worry.
RESULTS: Among 1000 AGYW, median age was 19 years (IQR: 17-21). Thirty-three
participants reported being HIV-infected. Fifteen characteristics were associated
with HIV infection. Having more risk factors was associated with higher HIV
prevalence (<=4 factors, 0.5%; 5-8 factors, 6%; >8 factors, 21%). Having more
risk factors was also associated with higher risk perception (P < 0.001) and
higher worry (P < 0.001). However, among those with >=8 risk factors, 52% did not
consider themselves to be at high risk and 21% did not report any HIV worry.
CONCLUSIONS: Most AGYW perceive little risk of HIV acquisition, even those at
highest risk. As a critical gap in the HIV prevention cascade, accurate risk
perception is needed to tailor effective and sustained combination prevention
strategies for this vulnerable population.
PMID- 28991886
TI - Brief Report: Estimated Incidence of Perinatally Acquired HIV Infection in the
United States, 1978-2013.
AB - BACKGROUND: An incidence of perinatally acquired HIV infection less than
1:100,000 live births is one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) goals of the United States. Such an estimate has only been possible in
recent years because regular nationwide data were lacking. METHOD: Using
previously published CDC estimates of the number of infants born with HIV
infection in the United States (interpolating for years for which there was no
published estimate), and census data on the annual number of live-born infants,
estimated incidence was calculated for 1978-2013. Exact 95% confidence intervals
(CIs) were calculated using the Poisson distribution. RESULTS: Estimated
incidence of perinatally acquired HIV infection peaked at 43.1 (95% CI: 41.1 to
45.1) in 1992 and declined rapidly after the use of zidovudine prophylaxis was
recommended in 1994. In 2013, estimated incidence of perinatally acquired HIV
infection in the United States was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.4 to 2.2), a 96% decline since
the peak. CONCLUSION: Estimated incidence of perinatally acquired HIV infection
in the United States in 2013 was 1.8/100,000 live births.
PMID- 28991887
TI - Changes in Kidney Function Associated With Daily Tenofovir Disoproxil
Fumarate/Emtricitabine for HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Use in the United States
Demonstration Project.
AB - BACKGROUND: HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using daily oral tenofovir
disoproxil-fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is effective for preventing HIV
acquisition, but concerns remain about its potential kidney toxicity. This study
examined kidney function in individuals using PrEP in real-world clinical
settings. SETTING: Demonstration project in 2 sexually transmitted infection
clinics and a community health center. METHODS: We evaluated kidney function
among men who have sex with men and transgender women taking tenofovir-disoproxil
fumarate/emtricitabine PrEP for up to 48 weeks. Serum creatinine and urine
dipstick for protein were obtained at 12-week intervals. Kidney function was
estimated using creatinine clearance (CrCl) (Cockcroft-Gault) and estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (CKD-EPI). RESULTS: From October 2012 to
January 2014, we enrolled 557 participants (median age 33). Mean creatinine
increased from baseline to week 12 by 0.03 mg/dL (4.6%) (P < 0.0001); mean CrCl
decreased by 4.8 mL/min (3.0%) (P < 0.0001). These changes remained stable
through week 48 (P = 0.81, P = 0.71 respectively). There were 75/478 (15.7%)
participants who developed worsening proteinuria at week 12 compared with
baseline (P < 0.0001), and this percent remained stable through week 48 (P =
0.73). Twenty-five participants (5.1%) developed new-onset eGFR <70 mL/min/1.73
m; independent predictors of this outcome were age >=40 years (OR 3.79, 95% CI:
1.43 to 10.03) and baseline eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m (OR 9.59, 3.69-24.94).
CONCLUSIONS: In a demonstration setting, daily tenofovir-disoproxil
fumarate/emtricitabine PrEP leads to reduced CrCl and eGFR; however, these eGFR
changes are based on very small changes in serum creatinine and seem to be
nonprogressive after the first 12 weeks. Future studies are needed to understand
the prognostic significance of these small changes.
PMID- 28991889
TI - Trends in Drug Resistance Prevalence, HIV-1 Variants and Clinical Status in HIV-1
infected Pediatric Population in Madrid: 1993 to 2015 Analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: The expanded use of long-term antiretroviral treatments in infected
children may exacerbate the problem of drug resistance mutations selection, which
can compromise treatment efficiency. OBJECTIVE: We describe the temporal trends
of HIV drug resistance mutations and the HIV-1 variants during 23 years (1993 to
March 2016) in the Madrid cohort of HIV-infected children and adolescents.
METHODS: We selected patients with at least one available HIV-1 pol
sequence/genotypic resistance profile, establishing different groups according to
the sampling year of first resistance data. We determined the prevalence of
transmitted drug resistance mutations or acquired drug resistance mutations
(DRM), the drug susceptibility among resistant viruses and HIV-1 variants
characterized by phylogeny across time. RESULTS: A total of 245 pediatric
patients were selected, being mainly female, Spanish native, perinatally infected
and carrying HIV-1 subtype B. At first sampling, most pediatric patients were on
antiretroviral therapy and heavily pretreated. During 1993 to 2016, transmitted
drug resistance mutations was found in 13 (26%) of 50 naive children [non
nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI), 14.6%; nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), 10.4%; protease inhibitors, 8.7%]. DRM appeared
in 139 (73.2%) of 190 pretreated patients (NRTI, 64.5%; NNRTI, 36%; protease
inhibitors, 35.1%). DRM to NNRTI was higher in last 5 years. Non-B variants
infected 14.5% of children and adolescents of the Madrid Cohort, being mainly
intersubtype recombinants (76.5%), including complex unique recombinant strains.
They caused 3.4% infections before 2000, rising to 85.7% during 2011 to 2016.
CONCLUSIONS: Periodic surveillance resistance and molecular epidemiology studies
in long-term pretreated HIV-infected pediatric populations are required to
optimize treatment regimens. Results will permit a better understanding of long
time dynamics of viral resistance and HIV-1 variants in Spain.
PMID- 28991888
TI - Commonly Prescribed Antiretroviral Therapy Regimens and Incidence of AIDS
Defining Neurological Conditions.
AB - BACKGROUND: The differential effects of commonly prescribed combined
antiretroviral therapy (cART) regimens on AIDS-defining neurological conditions
(neuroAIDS) remain unknown. SETTING: Prospective cohort studies of HIV-positive
individuals from Europe and the Americas included in the HIV-CAUSAL
Collaboration. METHODS: Individuals who initiated a first-line cART regimen in
2004 or later containing a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor backbone
and either atazanavir, lopinavir, darunavir, or efavirenz were followed from cART
initiation until death, lost to follow-up, pregnancy, the cohort-specific
administrative end of follow-up, or the event of interest, whichever occurred
earliest. We evaluated 4 neuroAIDS conditions: HIV dementia and the opportunistic
infections toxoplasmosis, cryptococcal meningitis, and progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy. For each outcome, we estimated hazard ratios for atazanavir,
lopinavir, and darunavir compared with efavirenz via a pooled logistic model. Our
models were adjusted for baseline demographic and clinical characteristics.
RESULTS: Twenty six thousand one hundred seventy-two individuals initiated
efavirenz, 5858 initiated atazanavir, 8479 initiated lopinavir, and 4799
initiated darunavir. Compared with efavirenz, the adjusted HIV dementia hazard
ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.72 (1.00 to 2.96) for atazanavir, 2.21
(1.38 to 3.54) for lopinavir, and 1.41 (0.61 to 3.24) for darunavir. The
respective hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the combined end point
were 1.18 (0.74 to 1.88) for atazanavir, 1.61 (1.14 to 2.27) for lopinavir, and
1.36 (0.74 to 2.48) for darunavir. The results varied in subsets defined by
calendar year, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor backbone, and age.
CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with an increased risk of neuroAIDS after
initiating lopinavir compared with efavirenz, but temporal changes in prescribing
trends and confounding by indication could explain our findings.
PMID- 28991890
TI - Delayed Diagnosis is Associated with Early and Emergency Need for First Crohn's
Disease-Related Intestinal Surgery.
AB - BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests that delayed diagnosis in Crohn's disease
is associated with a complicated disease course. The aim of this study was to
explore the association between delayed diagnosis and the timing of the first
Crohn's disease-related intestinal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective
study included 215 Crohn's disease patients with previous surgical history in the
Department of General Surgery of Jinling Hospital, China, between January 2013
and March 2016. Data were collected on demographics, clinical characteristics,
medication history, and operation history. RESULTS The time from the first
appearance of Crohn's disease-related symptoms to the first intestinal surgery in
the delayed diagnosis group was obviously shorter than in the non-delayed
diagnosis group (26.4+/-28.7 months vs. 42.6+/-58.4 months, respectively,
p=0.032). Patients in the delayed diagnosis group tended to receive more ileal
resections (47.8% vs. 26.4%, respectively, p=0.002) and less ileocecal resections
(22.4% vs. 37.2%, respectively, p=0.032). More patients in the delayed diagnosis
group received the first Crohn's disease-related intestinal surgery as an
emergency one (20.9% vs. 4.7%, respectively, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Delayed
diagnosis is associated with early and emergency need for the first Crohn's
disease-related intestinal surgery.
PMID- 28991891
TI - Achieving better-than-3-A resolution by single-particle cryo-EM at 200 keV.
AB - Nearly all single-particle cryo-EM structures resolved to better than 4-A
resolution have been determined using 300-keV transmission electron microscopes
(TEMs). We demonstrate that it is possible to obtain reconstructions of
macromolecular complexes of different sizes to better than 3-A resolution using a
200-keV TEM. These structures are of sufficient quality to unambiguously assign
amino acid rotameric conformations and identify ordered water molecules.
PMID- 28991892
TI - SCENIC: single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering.
AB - We present SCENIC, a computational method for simultaneous gene regulatory
network reconstruction and cell-state identification from single-cell RNA-seq
data (http://scenic.aertslab.org). On a compendium of single-cell data from
tumors and brain, we demonstrate that cis-regulatory analysis can be exploited to
guide the identification of transcription factors and cell states. SCENIC
provides critical biological insights into the mechanisms driving cellular
heterogeneity.
PMID- 28991893
TI - Treatment patterns and costs of care for patients with relapsed and refractory
Hodgkin lymphoma treated with brentuximab vedotin in the United States: A
retrospective cohort study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Although brentuximab vedotin (BV) has changed the management of
patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (RRHL), little information
is available on routine clinical practice. We identified treatment patterns and
costs of care among RRHL patients in the United States (US) treated with BV.
METHODS: A retrospective observational study of adults initiating BV for RRHL
from 2011-2015, with >=6 months of data prior to and following BV initiation, was
conducted. Treatments were classified based on dispensations and chemotherapy
administration. Median total and monthly costs were estimated based on all-cause
healthcare resource use in 2015 US dollars (USD). RESULTS: The cohort comprised
289 patients (59% male; mean age at diagnosis, 42 years) with a mean follow-up of
250 weeks. Eleven percent had BV salvage therapy prior to ASCT, and 32% had BV
for a relapse post-ASCT. 43% received treatment post-BV, most commonly allogeneic
stem cell transplant (SCT) and bendamustine (both 10.2%). Median (IQR) total
costs from BV initiation to censoring were 294,790 (142,110-483,360) USD; and
were highest among those treated with BV prior to ASCT (up to 421,900 [300,940
778,970] USD). Median monthly costs were almost 20,000 USD per month, and up to
25,000 USD per month among those with BV and ASCT. Medications were the greatest
driver of median monthly costs. CONCLUSIONS: Median total all-cause costs were
almost 300,000 USD, and median monthly costs approximately 20,000 USD, per
patient treated. Patients requiring treatment following BV continue to incur high
costs, highlighting the economic burden associated with managing patients in the
RRHL setting.
PMID- 28991894
TI - Sanitation, hookworm, anemia, stunting, and wasting in primary school children in
southern Ethiopia: Baseline results from a study in 30 schools.
AB - BACKGROUND: Inadequate nutrition; neglected topical diseases; and insufficient
water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are interrelated problems in schools in low
income countries, but are not routinely tackled together. A recent three-year
longitudinal study investigated integrated school health and nutrition approaches
in 30 government primary schools in southern Ethiopia. Here, we report on
baseline associations between sanitation, hookworm infection, anemia, stunting,
and wasting. METHODS: In each school, the Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium,
and soil-transmitted helminth infection intensities; blood hemoglobin
concentrations; heights; and weights of approximately 125 students were assessed.
Of these 125 students, approximately 20 were randomly selected for student WASH
surveys. Of these 20, approximately 15 were randomly selected for household
sanitation observations. School WASH was also assessed through a combination of
observations and questions to the headteacher. Mixed-effects logistic regression
was used to compare household sanitation with hookworm infection (the other
parasites being much less prevalent); and hookworm infection with anemia,
stunting, and wasting. FINDINGS: Blood, stool, and urine samples were provided by
3,729 children, and student WASH and household WASH surveys were conducted with
596 and 448 of these students, respectively. Hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides,
Trichuris trichiura, and S. mansoni infections had prevalences of 18%, 4.8%,
0.6%, and 0.3%, respectively, and no S. haematobium infections were found.
Anemia, stunting, and wasting had prevalences of 23%, 28%, and 14%, respectively.
No statistically significant associations were found between latrine absence or
evidence of open defecation at home, and hookworm infection (adjusted odds ratio,
OR = 1.28, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.476-3.44; and adjusted OR = 1.21, 95%
CI: 0.468-3.12; respectively); or between hookworm infection and anemia,
stunting, or wasting (adjusted OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.988-1.57; adjusted OR =
0.992, 95% CI: 0.789-1.25; and adjusted OR = 0.969, 95% CI: 0.722-1.30;
respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this setting, no statistically significant
associations were found between sanitation and hookworm; or between hookworm and
anemia, stunting, or wasting. More evidence on best practices for integrated
school health interventions will be gathered from the follow-up surveys in this
study.
PMID- 28991895
TI - Multi-site cholera surveillance within the African Cholera Surveillance Network
shows endemicity in Mozambique, 2011-2015.
AB - BACKGROUND: Mozambique suffers recurrent annual cholera outbreaks especially
during the rainy season between October to March. The African Cholera
Surveillance Network (Africhol) was implemented in Mozambique in 2011 to generate
accurate detailed surveillance data to support appropriate interventions for
cholera control and prevention in the country. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
Africhol was implemented in enhanced surveillance zones located in the provinces
of Sofala (Beira), Zambezia (District Mocuba), and Cabo Delgado (Pemba City).
Data were also analyzed from the three outbreak areas that experienced the
greatest number of cases during the time period under observation (in the
districts of Cuamba, Montepuez, and Nampula). Rectal swabs were collected from
suspected cases for identification of Vibrio cholerae, as well as clinical,
behavioral, and socio-demographic variables. We analyzed factors associated with
confirmed, hospitalized, and fatal cholera using multivariate logistic regression
models. A total of 1,863 suspected cases and 23 deaths (case fatality ratio
(CFR), 1.2%) were reported from October 2011 to December 2015. Among these
suspected cases, 52.2% were tested of which 23.5% were positive for Vibrio
cholerae O1 Ogawa. Risk factors independently associated with the occurrence of
confirmed cholera were living in Nampula city district, the year 2014, human
immunodeficiency virus infection, and the primary water source for drinking.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Cholera was endemic in Mozambique during the study
period with a high CFR and identifiable risk factors. The study reinforces the
importance of continued cholera surveillance, including a strong laboratory
component. The results enhanced our understanding of the need to target priority
areas and at-risk populations for interventions including oral cholera vaccine
(OCV) use, and assess the impact of prevention and control strategies. Our data
were instrumental in informing integrated prevention and control efforts during
major cholera outbreaks in recent years.
PMID- 28991896
TI - T-cell regulation in Erythema Nodosum Leprosum.
AB - Leprosy is a disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae where the clinical spectrum
correlates with the patient immune response. Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) is
an immune-mediated inflammatory complication, which causes significant morbidity
in affected leprosy patients. The underlying cause of ENL is not conclusively
known. However, immune-complexes and cell-mediated immunity have been suggested
in the pathogenesis of ENL. The aim of this study was to investigate the
regulatory T-cells in patients with ENL. Forty-six untreated patients with ENL
and 31 non-reactional lepromatous leprosy (LL) patient controls visiting ALERT
Hospital, Ethiopia were enrolled to the study. Blood samples were obtained
before, during and after prednisolone treatment of ENL cases. Peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and used for immunophenotyping of
regulatory T-cells by flow cytometry. Five markers: CD3, CD4 or CD8, CD25, CD27
and FoxP3 were used to define CD4+ and CD8+ regulatory T-cells. Clinical and
histopathological data were obtained as supplementary information. All patients
had been followed for 28 weeks. Patients with ENL reactions had a lower
percentage of CD4+ regulatory T-cells (1.7%) than LL patient controls (3.8%) at
diagnosis of ENL before treatment. After treatment, the percentage of
CD4+regulatory T-cells was not significantly different between the two groups.
The percentage of CD8+ regulatory T-cells was not significantly different in ENL
and LL controls before and after treatment. Furthermore, patients with ENL had
higher percentage of CD4+ T-ells and CD4+/CD8+ T-cells ratio than LL patient
controls before treatment. The expression of CD25 on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells was
not significantly different in ENL and LL controls suggesting that CD25
expression is not associated with ENL reactions while FoxP3 expression on CD4+ T
cells was significantly lower in patients with ENL than in LL controls. We also
found that prednisolone treatment of patients with ENL reactions suppresses CD4+
T-cell but not CD8+ T-cell frequencies. Hence, ENL is associated with lower
levels of T regulatory cells and higher CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio. We suggest that
this loss of regulation is one of the causes of ENL.
PMID- 28991897
TI - The influence of different diets on metabolism and atherosclerosis processes-A
porcine model: Blood serum, urine and tissues 1H NMR metabolomics targeted
analysis.
AB - The global epidemic of cardiovascular diseases leads to increased morbidity and
mortality caused mainly by myocardial infarction and stroke. Atherosclerosis is
the major pathological process behind this epidemic. We designed a novel model of
atherosclerosis in swine. Briefly, the first group (11 pigs) received normal pig
feed (balanced diet group-BDG) for 12 months, the second group (9 pigs) was fed a
Western high-calorie diet (unbalanced diet group-UDG) for 12 months, the third
group (8 pigs) received a Western type high-calorie diet for 9 months later
replaced by a normal diet for 3 months (regression group-RG). Clinical
measurements included zoometric data, arterial blood pressure, heart rate and
ultrasonographic evaluation of femoral arteries. Then, the animals were
sacrificed and the blood serum, urine and skeletal muscle tissue were collected
and 1H NMR based metabolomics studies with the application of fingerprinting PLS
DA and univariate analysis were done. Our results have shown that the molecular
disturbances might overlap with other diseases such as onset of diabetes, sleep
apnea and other obesity accompanied diseases. Moreover, we revealed that once
initiated, molecular changes did not return to homeostatic equilibrium, at least
for the duration of this experiment.
PMID- 28991898
TI - Insights and efforts to control rabies in Zambia: Evaluation of determinants and
barriers to dog vaccination in Nyimba district.
AB - BACKGROUND: The current rabies control strategy in Zambia is based on dog
vaccination, dog population control and dog movement restrictions. In Nyimba
district of Zambia, dog vaccination coverage is low but the incidence of dog
bites is high which places the community at risk of rabies infection. The renewed
global interest eliminating rabies in developing countries has spurred interest
to identify determinants and barriers of dog vaccination in an effort to reduce
the overall disease burden. METHODOLOGY: A mixed methods cross sectional design
was used in the study. This consisted of three parts: Evaluation of medical
records regarding dog bite injuries, implementation and analysis of a household
survey and in-depth review of key informant interviews. Data was collected into a
Microsoft Excel database and subsequently transferred to STATA for descriptive,
inferential and thematic analysis. RESULTS: Dog vaccination coverage overall was
8.7% (57/655), with 3.4% (22/655) in urban areas, 1.8% (12/655) in peri-urban and
3.5 (23/655) in the rural regions. Financially stable households were more likely
to have their dogs vaccinated. Only 10.3% (31/300) of the respondents had
vaccinated their dogs and these had a reliable source of income as 6% (18/300)
were peasant farmers, 2% (6/300) were dependants whose guardians were financially
stable and 2.3% (7/300) were in steady employment. Important barriers to dog
vaccination included cost, limited awareness of vaccination program and access.
CONCLUSION: Current rabies control strategies in Nyimba district, Zambia, appear
quite limited. Improvements in the regional dog vaccination program may provide
benefits. Enhancement of educational efforts targeting behavioural factors may
also prove useful. Finally, the cost of dog vaccination can be reduced with
scaled up production of a local vaccine.
PMID- 28991899
TI - Albendazole and ivermectin for the control of soil-transmitted helminths in an
area with high prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworm in
northwestern Argentina: A community-based pragmatic study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Recommendations for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control give a
key role to deworming of school and pre-school age children with albendazole or
mebendazole; which might be insufficient to achieve adequate control,
particularly against Strongyloides stercoralis. The impact of preventive
chemotherapy (PC) against STH morbidity is still incompletely understood. The aim
of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a community-based program with
albendazole and ivermectin in a high transmission setting for S. stercoralis and
hookworm. METHODOLOGY: Community-based pragmatic trial conducted in Tartagal,
Argentina; from 2012 to 2015. Six communities (5070 people) were enrolled for
community-based PC with albendazole and ivermectin. Two communities (2721 people)
were re-treated for second and third rounds. STH prevalence, anemia and
malnutrition were explored through consecutive surveys. Anthropometric assessment
of children, stool analysis, complete blood count and NIE-ELISA serology for S.
stercoralis were performed. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: STH infection was associated with
anemia and stunting in the baseline survey that included all communities and
showed a STH prevalence of 47.6% (almost exclusively hookworm and S.
stercoralis). Among communities with multiple interventions, STH prevalence
decreased from 62% to 23% (p<0.001) after the first PC; anemia also diminished
from 52% to 12% (p<0.001). After two interventions S. stercoralis seroprevalence
declined, from 51% to 14% (p<0.001) and stunting prevalence decreased, from 19%
to 12% (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Hookworm' infections are associated with anemia
in the general population and nutritional impairment in children. S. stercoralis
is also associated with anemia. Community-based deworming with albendazole and
ivermectin is effective for the reduction of STH prevalence and morbidity in
communities with high prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis.
PMID- 28991900
TI - Intra-individual variability and circadian rhythm of vascular endothelial growth
factors in subjects with normal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.
AB - : Increased levels of systemic vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) in
patients with diabetes are associated with increased risk of microvessel disease.
On the other hand, low VEGF levels after intravitreal antibody application may be
associated with acute cardiovascular complications and treatment failure.
Individual levels of systemic VEGF vary in a wide range depending on analytical
methods and quality of diabetes control. So far only limited information exists
on intraindividual fluctuations over longer periods and circadian rhythms. We
analysed the intraindividual variance of VEGF-A, VEGF-C and placental growth
factor (PLGF) in CTAD (citrate-theophylline-adenine-dipyridamol) plasma as well
as VEGF-A in serum over a period of 6 months in patients with stable controlled
type 2 diabetes (10 M, 10 F) and age and sex matched subjects with normal glucose
tolerance (NGT). Furthermore, circadian levels of VEGFs were controlled hourly
from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. under standardized metabolic ward conditions. In
addition, the relationship to metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory biomarkers was
analyzed. VEGF-A, VEGF-C and PLGF remained stable in plasma and VEGF-A in serum
over 6 months in both groups. No circadian change was observed in VEGF-A serum
and plasma concentrations. A minor decrease of VEGF-C plasma levels was evident
after 5 p.m. in both groups and a significant peak of PLGF concentrations
occurred after lunch, which was more pronounced in T2DM. In multivariate
analysis, only serum VEGF-A correlated to diabetes duration, whereas VEGF-C only
correlated to HbA1c and fasting blood glucose. We did not observe significant
intraindividual variances for VEGF-A in serum and VEGF-A, VEGF-C and PLGF in CTAD
plasma over a period of 6 months. Taken together, a single morning measurement of
systemic VEGF levels after 7:30 am appears to be a reliable parameter for the
individual risk associated with abnormal VEGF concentrations in blood. TRIAL
REGISTRATION: NCT02325271.
PMID- 28991901
TI - The blue light-induced interaction of cryptochrome 1 with COP1 requires SPA
proteins during Arabidopsis light signaling.
AB - Plants constantly adjust their growth, development and metabolism to the ambient
light environment. Blue light is sensed by the Arabidopsis photoreceptors CRY1
and CRY2 which subsequently initiate light signal transduction by repressing the
COP1/SPA E3 ubiquitin ligase. While the interaction between cryptochromes and SPA
is blue light-dependent, it was proposed that CRY1 interacts with COP1
constitutively, i.e. also in darkness. Here, our in vivo co-immunoprecipitation
experiments suggest that CRY1 and CRY2 form a complex with COP1 only after
seedlings were exposed to blue light. No association between COP1 and CRY1 or
CRY2 was observed in dark-grown seedlings. Thus, our results suggest that
cryptochromes bind the COP1/SPA complex after photoactivation by blue light. In a
spa quadruple mutant that is devoid of all four SPA proteins, CRY1 and COP1 did
not interact in vivo, neither in dark-grown nor in blue light-grown seedlings.
Hence, SPA proteins are required for the high-affinity interaction between CRY1
and COP1 in blue light. Yeast three-hybrid experiments also show that SPA1
enhances the CRY1-COP1 interaction. The coiled-coil domain of SPA1 which is
responsible for COP1-binding was necessary to mediate a CRY1-SPA1 interaction in
vivo, implying that-in turn-COP1 may be necessary for a CRY1-SPA1 complex
formation. Hence, SPA1 and COP1 may act cooperatively in recognizing and binding
photoactivated CRY1. In contrast, the blue light-induced association between CRY2
and COP1 was not dependent on SPA proteins in vivo. Similarly, DeltaCC-SPA1
interacted with CRY2, though with a much lower affinity than wild-type SPA1. In
total, our results demonstrate that CRY1 and CRY2 strongly differ in their blue
light-induced interaction with the COP1/SPA complex.
PMID- 28991902
TI - How does competition among wild type mosquitoes influence the performance of
Aedes aegypti and dissemination of Wolbachia pipientis?
AB - BACKGROUND: Wolbachia has been deployed in several countries to reduce
transmission of dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. During releases, Wolbachia
infected females are likely to lay their eggs in local available breeding sites,
which might already be colonized by local Aedes sp. mosquitoes. Therefore, there
is an urgent need to estimate the deleterious effects of intra and interspecific
larval competition on mosquito life history traits, especially on the duration of
larval development time, larval mortality and adult size. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL
FINDINGS: Three different mosquito populations were used: Ae. aegypti infected
with Wolbachia (wMelBr strain), wild Ae. aegypti and wild Ae. albopictus. A total
of 21 treatments explored intra and interspecific larval competition with varying
larval densities, species proportions and food levels. Each treatment had eight
replicates with two distinct food levels: 0.25 or 0.50 g of Chitosan and fallen
avocado leaves. Overall, overcrowding reduced fitness correlates of the three
populations. Ae. albopictus larvae presented lower larval mortality, shorter
development time to adult and smaller wing sizes than Ae. aegypti. The presence
of Wolbachia had a slight positive effect on larval biology, since infected
individuals had higher survivorship than uninfected Ae. aegypti larvae.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In all treatments, Ae. albopictus outperformed both
wild Ae. aegypti and the Wolbachia-infected group in larval competition,
irrespective of larval density and the amount of food resources. The major force
that can slow down Wolbachia invasion is the population density of wild
mosquitoes. Given that Ae. aegypti currently dominates in Rio, in comparison with
Ae. albopictus frequency, additional attention must be given to the population
density of Ae. aegypti during releases to increase the likelihood of Wolbachia
invasion.
PMID- 28991903
TI - The effect of electronic monitoring feedback on medication adherence and clinical
outcomes: A systematic review.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the efficacy of Electronic Monitoring
Feedback (EMF) as an intervention to improve medication adherence (i.e. dose- or
full adherence) and clinical outcomes in adult patients. METHODS: A systematic
search was performed in Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science and reported
according to the PRISMA guidelines. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing
EMF with usual care were identified to systematically summarise the evidence for
use of EMF in improving medication adherence and clinical outcomes. The GRADE
approach was used to assess the quality of the body of evidence. RESULTS: Of
9,993 initially-identified studies, ten studies (four of high-quality and six of
low-quality) were included. The sample size of the studies included varied from
18 to 205 patients. Four of the six studies (66.7%) reported a significant
positive effect of EMF on mean dose adherence levels, whereas a significant
positive effect of EMF on mean full adherence levels was found in all of the
included studies (100%, five out of five of the studies included). A significant
positive effect of EMF on clinical outcomes was reported in one of the seven
studies included. The overall effect of EMF on mean dose- and full adherence was
positive and the overall effect of EMF on clinical outcomes was inconclusive.
CONCLUSION: Considering the positive effect of EMF on medication adherence, EMF
might be a promising intervention to enhance medication adherence. However, the
effect of EMF on clinical outcomes was inconclusive. Prior to implementing EMF in
clinical practice, future research with high-quality studies (e.g. adequate
sample sizes, follow-up periods and no interfering co-interventions) is required
to examine the (long-term) efficacy of EMF.
PMID- 28991904
TI - Epidemiological consequences of immune sensitisation by pre-exposure to vector
saliva.
AB - Blood-feeding arthropods-like mosquitoes, sand flies, and ticks-transmit many
diseases that impose serious public health and economic burdens. When a blood
feeding arthropod bites a mammal, it injects saliva containing immunogenic
compounds that facilitate feeding. Evidence from Leishmania, Plasmodium and
arboviral infections suggests that the immune responses elicited by pre-exposure
to arthropod saliva can alter disease progression if the host later becomes
infected. Such pre-sensitisation of host immunity has been reported to both
exacerbate and limit infection symptoms, depending on the system in question,
with potential implications for recovery. To explore if and how immune pre
sensitisation alters the effects of vector control, we develop a general model of
vector-borne disease. We show that the abundance of pre-sensitised infected hosts
should increase when control efforts moderately increase vector mortality rates.
If immune pre-sensitisation leads to more rapid clearance of infection,
increasing vector mortality rates may achieve greater than expected disease
control. However, when immune pre-sensitisation prolongs the duration of
infection, e.g., through mildly symptomatic cases for which treatment is unlikely
to be sought, vector control can actually increase the total number of infected
hosts. The rising infections may go unnoticed unless active surveillance methods
are used to detect such sub-clinical individuals, who could provide long-lasting
reservoirs for transmission and suffer long-term health consequences of those sub
clinical infections. Sensitivity analysis suggests that these negative
consequences could be mitigated through integrated vector management. While the
effect of saliva pre-exposure on acute symptoms is well-studied for
leishmaniasis, the immunological and clinical consequences are largely uncharted
for other vector-parasite-host combinations. We find a large range of plausible
epidemiological outcomes, positive and negative for public health, underscoring
the need to quantify how immune pre-sensitisation modulates recovery and
transmission rates in vector-borne diseases.
PMID- 28991905
TI - The presence and severity of cerebral small vessel disease increases the
frequency of stroke in a cohort of patients with large artery occlusive disease.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) commonly coexists with large
artery atherosclerosis (LAA). AIM: We evaluate the effect of SVD on stroke
recurrence in patients for ischemic stroke with LAA. METHODS: We consecutively
collected first-ever ischemic stroke patients who were classified as LAA
mechanism between Jan 2010 and Dec 2013. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses
were performed to evaluate the association between the 2-year recurrence and
demographic, clinical, and radiological factors. To evaluate the impact of SVD
and its components on recurrent stroke, we used the Kaplan-Meier analysis. SVD
was defined as the presence of severe white matter hyperintensity (WMH) or old
lacunar infarction (OLI) or cerebral microbleeds (CMB). We also compared
frequency and burden of SVD among recurrent stroke groups with different
mechanisms. RESULTS: Among a total of 956 participants, 92 patients had recurrent
events. Recurrence group showed a higher frequency of severe WMH, OLI,
asymptomatic territorial infarction, and severe stenosis on the relevant vessel
in multivariate analysis. The impact of SVD and its components on recurrent
stroke was significant in any ischemic recurrent stroke, and the presence of SVD
was continuously important in stroke recurrence regardless of its mechanism,
including recurrent LAA stroke, recurrent small vessel occlusion stroke, and even
recurrent cardioembolic stroke. Additionally, the recurrence rate increased in
dose-response manner with the increased number of SVD components. CONCLUSIONS:
Cerebral SVD is associated with recurrent stroke in patients with LAA.
Additionally, it may affect any mechanisms of recurrent stroke and even with a
dose response manner.
PMID- 28991906
TI - Object detection through search with a foveated visual system.
AB - Humans and many other species sense visual information with varying spatial
resolution across the visual field (foveated vision) and deploy eye movements to
actively sample regions of interests in scenes. The advantage of such varying
resolution architecture is a reduced computational, hence metabolic cost. But
what are the performance costs of such processing strategy relative to a scheme
that processes the visual field at high spatial resolution? Here we first focus
on visual search and combine object detectors from computer vision with a recent
model of peripheral pooling regions found at the V1 layer of the human visual
system. We develop a foveated object detector that processes the entire scene
with varying resolution, uses retino-specific object detection classifiers to
guide eye movements, aligns its fovea with regions of interest in the input image
and integrates observations across multiple fixations. We compared the foveated
object detector against a non-foveated version of the same object detector which
processes the entire image at homogeneous high spatial resolution. We evaluated
the accuracy of the foveated and non-foveated object detectors identifying 20
different objects classes in scenes from a standard computer vision data set (the
PASCAL VOC 2007 dataset). We show that the foveated object detector can
approximate the performance of the object detector with homogeneous high spatial
resolution processing while bringing significant computational cost savings.
Additionally, we assessed the impact of foveation on the computation of bottom-up
saliency. An implementation of a simple foveated bottom-up saliency model with
eye movements showed agreement in the selection of top salient regions of scenes
with those selected by a non-foveated high resolution saliency model. Together,
our results might help explain the evolution of foveated visual systems with eye
movements as a solution that preserves perceptual performance in visual search
while resulting in computational and metabolic savings to the brain.
PMID- 28991907
TI - Effects of the Healthy Start randomized intervention trial on physical activity
among normal weight preschool children predisposed to overweight and obesity.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of primary
interventions aiming to prevent excess weight gain among young children.
Evaluating behavioral changes, such as physical activity (PA), may add to future
development of efficient interventions. The objective was to evaluate the effect
on PA outcomes of the 15 month Healthy Start intervention that focused on
changing diet, PA, sleep and stress management among normal weight but obesity
prone preschool children. Children were defined as obesity-prone if they had a
birth weight > 4,000 g, mothers with a pre-pregnancy body mass index of > 28
kg/m2, or mothers with <= 10 years of schooling. METHOD: From a baseline study
population of 635 normal weight 2-6 year old preschool children from the greater
Copenhagen area, parents of 307 children had given information on PA at both the
baseline and follow-up examinations. PA was obtained from a 7 days recording in
the Children's Physical Activity Questionnaire. Time used for sport activities
were combined with outdoor playing time to achieve a proxy of total PA level of
moderate to vigorous intensity. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses revealed that
at follow-up the intervention group spent more time on sports and outdoor
activities combined per week than the control group (ITT analyses: intervention:
400 min/week; 95% confidence interval (CI): 341, 459 versus control: 321
min/week; 95% CI: 277, 366; p = 0.02), although no significant intervention
effects were seen for each of the subcategories, e.g. sports participation,
outdoor activities, screen time, or commuting frequency. CONCLUSION: Our results
suggest that the overall time spent on sports and outdoor activities combined was
increased at follow-up among normal weight obesity-prone children, as a result of
the Healthy Start intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT01583335.
PMID- 28991908
TI - Mitochondrial dual-coding genes in Trypanosoma brucei.
AB - Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted between mammalian hosts by the tsetse fly. In
the mammal, they are exclusively extracellular, continuously replicating within
the bloodstream. During this stage, the mitochondrion lacks a functional electron
transport chain (ETC). Successful transition to the fly, requires activation of
the ETC and ATP synthesis via oxidative phosphorylation. This life cycle leads to
a major problem: in the bloodstream, the mitochondrial genes are not under
selection and are subject to genetic drift that endangers their integrity.
Exacerbating this, T. brucei undergoes repeated population bottlenecks as they
evade the host immune system that would create additional forces of genetic
drift. These parasites possess several unique genetic features, including RNA
editing of mitochondrial transcripts. RNA editing creates open reading frames by
the guided insertion and deletion of U-residues within the mRNA. A major question
in the field has been why this metabolically expensive system of RNA editing
would evolve and persist. Here, we show that many of the edited mRNAs can alter
the choice of start codon and the open reading frame by alternative editing of
the 5' end. Analyses of mutational bias indicate that six of the mitochondrial
genes may be dual-coding and that RNA editing allows access to both reading
frames. We hypothesize that dual-coding genes can protect genetic information by
essentially hiding a non-selected gene within one that remains under selection.
Thus, the complex RNA editing system found in the mitochondria of trypanosomes
provides a unique molecular strategy to combat genetic drift in non-selective
conditions.
PMID- 28991909
TI - Prevalence, intensity and risk factors of tungiasis in Kilifi County, Kenya: I.
Results from a community-based study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by female sand fleas
(Tunga penetrans) embedded in the skin. The disease is associated with important
morbidity. Tungiasis is endemic along the Coast of Kenya with a prevalence
ranging from 11% to 50% in school-age children. Hitherto, studies on
epidemiological characteristics of tungiasis in Africa are scanty. METHODS: In a
cross-sectional study 1,086 individuals from 233 households in eight villages
located in Kakuyuni and Malanga Sub-locations, Kilifi County, on the Kenyan
Coast, were investigated. Study participants were examined systematically and the
presence and severity of tungiasis were determined using standard methods.
Demographic, socio-economic, environmental and behavioral risk factors of
tungiasis were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed
using bivariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall
prevalence of tungiasis was 25.0% (95% CI 22.4-27.5%). Age-specific prevalence
followed an S-shaped curve, peaking in the under-15 year old group. In 42.5% of
the households at least one individual had tungiasis. 15.1% of patients were
severely infected (>= 30 lesions). In the bivariate analysis no specific animal
species was identified as a risk factor for tungiasis. Multivariate analysis
showed that the occurrence of tungiasis was related to living in a house with
poor construction characteristics, such as mud walls (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.71-6.58),
sleeping directly on the floor (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.03-2.74), the number of people
per sleeping room (OR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.07-2.93) and washing the body without soap
(OR = 7.36; 95% CI 3.08-17.62). The odds of having severe tungiasis were high in
males (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.18-44.6) and were very high when only mud puddles were
available as a water source and lack of water permitted washing only once a day
(OR 25.48 (95% CI 3.50-185.67) and OR 2.23 (95% CI 1.11-4.51), respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that in rural Kenya characteristics
of poverty determine the occurrence and the severity of tungiasis. Intra
domiciliary transmission seems to occur regularly.
PMID- 28991910
TI - Loss of Xist RNA from the inactive X during B cell development is restored in a
dynamic YY1-dependent two-step process in activated B cells.
AB - X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in female lymphocytes is uniquely regulated, as
the inactive X (Xi) chromosome lacks localized Xist RNA and heterochromatin
modifications. Epigenetic profiling reveals that Xist RNA is lost from the Xi at
the pro-B cell stage and that additional heterochromatic modifications are
gradually lost during B cell development. Activation of mature B cells restores
Xist RNA and heterochromatin to the Xi in a dynamic two-step process that differs
in timing and pattern, depending on the method of B cell stimulation. Finally, we
find that DNA binding domain of YY1 is necessary for XCI in activated B cells, as
ex-vivo YY1 deletion results in loss of Xi heterochromatin marks and up
regulation of X-linked genes. Ectopic expression of the YY1 zinc finger domain is
sufficient to restore Xist RNA localization during B cell activation. Together,
our results indicate that Xist RNA localization is critical for maintaining XCI
in female lymphocytes, and that chromatin changes on the Xi during B cell
development and the dynamic nature of YY1-dependent XCI maintenance in mature B
cells predisposes X-linked immunity genes to reactivation.
PMID- 28991911
TI - Associations between an IgG3 polymorphism in the binding domain for FcRn,
transplacental transfer of malaria-specific IgG3, and protection against
Plasmodium falciparum malaria during infancy: A birth cohort study in Benin.
AB - BACKGROUND: Transplacental transfer of maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) to the
fetus helps to protect against malaria and other infections in infancy. Recent
studies have emphasized the important role of malaria-specific IgG3 in malaria
immunity, and its transfer may reduce the risk of malaria in infancy. Human IgGs
are actively transferred across the placenta by binding the neonatal Fc receptor
(FcRn) expressed within the endosomes of the syncytiotrophoblastic membrane.
Histidine at position 435 (H435) provides for optimal Fc-IgG binding. In contrast
to other IgG subclasses, IgG3 is highly polymorphic and usually contains an
arginine at position 435, which reduces its binding affinity to FcRn in vitro.
The reduced binding to FcRn is associated with reduced transplacental transfer
and reduced half-life of IgG3 in vivo. Some haplotypes of IgG3 have histidine at
position 435. This study examines the hypotheses that the IgG3-H435 variant
promotes increased transplacental transfer of malaria-specific antibodies and a
prolonged IgG3 half-life in infants and that its presence correlates with
protection against clinical malaria during infancy. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In
Benin, 497 mother-infant pairs were included in a longitudinal birth cohort. Both
maternal and cord serum samples were assayed for levels of IgG1 and IgG3 specific
for MSP119, MSP2 (both allelic families, 3D7 and FC27), MSP3, GLURP (both
regions, R0 and R2), and AMA1 antigens of Plasmodium falciparum. Cord:maternal
ratios were calculated. The maternal IgG3 gene was sequenced to identify the IgG3
H435 polymorphism. A multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the
association between maternal IgG3-H435 polymorphism and transplacental transfer
of IgG3, adjusting for hypergammaglobulinemia, maternal malaria, and infant
malaria exposure. Twenty-four percent of Beninese women living in an area highly
endemic for malaria had the IgG3-H435 allele (377 women homozygous for the IgG3
R435 allele, 117 women heterozygous for the IgG3-R/H alleles, and 3 women
homozygous for the IgG3-H435 allele). Women with the IgG3-H435 allele had a 78%
(95% CI 17%, 170%, p = 0.007) increased transplacental transfer of GLURP-R2 IgG3
compared to those without the IgG3-H435 allele. Furthermore, in infants born to
mothers with the IgG3-H435 variant, a 28% longer IgG3 half-life was noted (95% CI
4%, 59%, p = 0.02) compared to infants born to mothers homozygous for the IgG3
R435 allele. Similar findings were observed for AMA1, MSP2-3D7, MSP3, GLURP-R0,
and GLURP-R2 but not for MSP119 and MSP2-FC27. Infants born to women with IgG3
H435 had a 32% lower risk of symptomatic malaria during infancy (incidence rate
ratio [IRR] = 0.68 [95% CI 0.51, 0.91], p = 0.01) compared to infants born to
mothers homozygous for IgG3-R435. We did not find a lower risk of asymptomatic
malaria in infants born to women with or without IgG3-H435. Limitations of the
study were the inability to determine (i) the actual amount of IgG3-H435 relative
to IgG-R435 in serum samples and (ii) the proportion of malaria-specific IgG
produced by infants versus acquired from their mothers. CONCLUSIONS: An arginine
to-histidine replacement at residue 435 in the binding domain of IgG3 to FcRn
increases the transplacental transfer and half-life of malaria-specific IgG3 in
young infants and is associated with reduced risk of clinical malaria during
infancy. The IgG3-H435 allele may be under positive selection, given its
relatively high frequency in malaria endemic areas.
PMID- 28991912
TI - The CodY-dependent clhAB2 operon is involved in cell shape, chaining and
autolysis in Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579.
AB - The Gram-positive pathogen Bacillus cereus is able to grow in chains of rod
shaped cells, but the regulation of chaining remains largely unknown. Here, we
observe that glucose-grown cells of B. cereus ATCC 14579 form longer chains than
those grown in the absence of glucose during the late exponential and transition
growth phases, and identify that the clhAB2 operon is required for this chain
lengthening phenotype. The clhAB2 operon is specific to the B. cereus group
(i.e., B. thuringiensis, B. anthracis and B. cereus) and encodes two membrane
proteins of unknown function, which are homologous to the Staphylococcus aureus
CidA and CidB proteins involved in cell death control within glucose-grown cells.
A deletion mutant (DeltaclhAB2) was constructed and our quantitative image
analyses show that DeltaclhAB2 cells formed abnormal short chains regardless of
the presence of glucose. We also found that glucose-grown cells of DeltaclhAB2
were significantly wider than wild-type cells (1.47 MUm +/-CI95% 0.04 vs 1.19 MUm
+/-CI95% 0.03, respectively), suggesting an alteration of the bacterial cell
wall. Remarkably, DeltaclhAB2 cells showed accelerated autolysis under autolysis
inducing conditions, compared to wild-type cells. Overall, our data suggest that
the B. cereus clhAB2 operon modulates peptidoglycan hydrolase activity, which is
required for proper cell shape and chain length during cell growth, and down
regulates autolysin activity. Lastly, we studied the transcription of clhAB2
using a lacZ transcriptional reporter in wild-type, ccpA and codY deletion-mutant
strains. We found that the global transcriptional regulatory protein CodY is
required for the basal level of clhAB2 expression under all conditions tested,
including the transition growth phase while CcpA, the major global carbon
regulator, is needed for the high-level expression of clhAB2 in glucose-grown
cells.
PMID- 28991913
TI - Diagnosis disclosure to adolescents living with HIV in rural Kenya improves
antiretroviral therapy adherence and immunologic outcomes: A retrospective cohort
study.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Emphasis on adolescent HIV has increased worldwide as
antiretroviral treatment has greatly extended life expectancies of HIV-positive
children. Few evidence-based guidelines exist on the optimal time to disclose to
an adolescent living with HIV (ALHIV); little is known about the medical effects
of disclosure. This study looked to determine whether disclosure is associated
with improved medical outcomes in ALHIV. Prior work has tended to be qualitative,
cross-sectional, and with an emphasis on psychosocial outcomes. This paper
addresses the adolescent cohort retrospectively (longitudinally), building upon
what is already known about disclosure. METHODS: Retrospective, longitudinal
clinical record reviews of ALHIV seen at Kericho District Hospital between April
2004 and November 2012 were performed. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes
were systematically extracted. The student's t-test was used to calculate changes
in mean CD4 count, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and cotrimoxazole adherence pre-
vs. post-disclosure. Linear regression modelling assessed for trends in those
clinical outcomes associated with age of disclosure. RESULTS: Ninety-six ALHIV
(54 female, 42 male) were included; most (73%) entered care through the
outpatient department. Nearly half were cared for by parents, and 20% experienced
a change in their primary caregiver. The mean time in the study was 2.47 years;
mean number of visits 10.97 per patient over the mean time in the study. Mean
disclosure age was 12.34 years. An increase in mean ART adherence percentage was
found with disclosure (0.802 vs. 0.917; p = 0.0015). Younger disclosure age was
associated with significantly higher mean CD4 counts over the course of the study
(p = 0.001), and a nonsignificant trend toward a higher mean ART adherence
percentage (p = 0.055). CONCLUSION: ART adherence and improved immunologic status
are both associated with disclosure of HIV infection to adolescent patients.
Disclosure of an HIV diagnosis to an adolescent is an important means to improve
HIV care.
PMID- 28991915
TI - Analysing published global Ebola Virus Disease research using social network
analysis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The 2014/2015 West African Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak
attracted global attention. Numerous opinions claimed that the global response
was impaired, in part because, the EVD research was neglected, although
quantitative or qualitative studies did not exist. Our objective was to analyse
how the EVD research landscape evolved by exploring the existing research network
and its communities before and during the outbreak in West Africa. METHODS/
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Social network analysis (SNA) was used to analyse
collaborations between institutions named by co-authors as affiliations in
publications on EVD. Bibliometric data of publications on EVD between 1976 and
2015 was collected from Thomson Reuters' Web of Science Core Collection (WoS).
Freely available software was used for network analysis at a global-level and for
10-year periods. The networks are presented as undirected-weighted graphs.
Rankings by degree and betweenness were calculated to identify central and
powerful network positions; modularity function was used to identify research
communities. Overall 4,587 publications were identified, of which 2,528 were
original research articles. Those yielded 1,644 authors' affiliated institutions
and 9,907 connections for co-authorship network construction. The majority of
institutions were from the USA, Canada and Europe. Collaborations with research
partners on the African continent did exist, but less frequently. Around six
highly connected organisations in the network were identified with powerful and
broker positions. Network characteristics varied widely among the 10-year periods
and evolved from 30 to 1,489 institutions and 60 to 9,176 connections
respectively. Most influential actors are from public or governmental
institutions whereas private sector actors, in particular the pharmaceutical
industry, are largely absent. CONCLUSION/ SIGNIFICANCE: Research output on EVD
has increased over time and surged during the 2014/2015 outbreak. The overall EVD
research network is organised around a few key actors, signalling a concentration
of expertise but leaving room for increased cooperation with other institutions
especially from affected countries. Finding innovative ways to maintain support
for these pivotal actors while steering the global EVD research network towards
an agenda driven by agreed, prioritized needs and finding ways to better
integrate currently peripheral and newer expertise may accelerate the translation
of research into the development of necessary live saving products for EVD ahead
of the next outbreak.
PMID- 28991914
TI - Topiramate modulates trigeminal pain processing in thalamo-cortical networks in
humans after single dose administration.
AB - Migraine is the sixth most common cause of disability in the world. Preventive
migraine treatment is used to reduce frequency, severity and duration of attacks
and therefore lightens the burden on the patients' quality of life and reduces
disability. Topiramate is one of the preventive migraine treatments of proven
efficacy. The mechanism of action underlying the preventive effect of topiramate
in migraine remains largely unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI) we examined the central effects of a single dose of topiramate (100mg) on
trigeminal pain in humans, compared to placebo (mannitol). In this prospective,
within subject, randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind study, 23 healthy
participants received a standardized nociceptive trigeminal stimulation and
control stimuli whilst being in the scanner. No differences in the subjective
intensity ratings of the painful stimuli were observed between topiramate and
placebo sessions. In contrast, topiramate significantly decreased the activity in
the thalamus and other pain processing areas. Additionally, topiramate increased
functional coupling between the thalamus and several brain regions such as the
bilateral precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex and secondary somatosensory
cortex. These data suggest that topiramate exhibits modulating effects on
nociceptive processing in thalamo-cortical networks during trigeminal pain and
that the preventive effect of topiramate on frequent migraine is probably
mediated by an effect on thalamo-cortical networks.
PMID- 28991916
TI - The essential role of optical flow in the peripheral visual field for stable
quiet standing: Evidence from the use of a head-mounted display.
AB - It has long been thought that vision is the most essential factor in maintaining
stable quiet standing compared to other sources (i.e., vestibular and
somatosensory inputs) of information. Specifically, several vision studies on
postural control have shown evidence for the importance of the visual system,
particularly peripheral vision rather than central vision, and optical flow.
Nevertheless, to date, no study has manipulated both visual field and optical
flow concurrently. In the present study, we experimentally manipulated both the
visual field (the central and peripheral visual fields) and the occurrence of
optical flow during quiet standing, examining the effects of the visual field and
optical flow on postural sway measured in terms of the center of pressure (CoP).
Stationary random dot stimuli were presented exclusively in either the central or
peripheral visual field, while the occurrence of optical flow was manipulated
using a desktop (DTD) or a head-mounted (HMD) display. The optical flow that
occurred while using the DTD was a function of the postural sway during quiet
standing, while for the HMD, no optical flow occurred even when the body/head
swayed during quiet standing. Our results show that the extent of postural sway
(e.g., CoP area) was smaller when visual stimuli were presented in the peripheral
visual field than that in the central visual field; this was the case while using
the DTD alone, with no effects of the peripheral vision on the extent of postural
sway while using the HMD. It is therefore suggested that the optical flow
occurring in the peripheral visual field is essential for stable quiet standing.
PMID- 28991917
TI - Characterization of the catalytic center of the Ebola virus L polymerase.
AB - BACKGROUND: Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and
non-human primates. While no licensed therapeutics are available, recently there
has been tremendous progress in developing antivirals. Targeting the
ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) proteins, which facilitate genome replication and
transcription, and particularly the polymerase L, is a promising antiviral
approach since these processes are essential for the virus life cycle. However,
until now little is known about L in terms of its structure and function, and in
particular the catalytic center of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of L,
which is one of the most promising molecular targets, has never been
experimentally characterized. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using multiple
sequence alignments with other negative sense single-stranded RNA viruses we
identified the putative catalytic center of the EBOV RdRp. An L protein with
mutations in this center was then generated and characterized using various life
cycle modelling systems. These systems are based on minigenomes, i.e. miniature
versions of the viral genome, in which the viral genes are exchanged against a
reporter gene. When such minigenomes are coexpressed with RNP proteins in
mammalian cells, the RNP proteins recognize them as authentic templates for
replication and transcription, resulting in reporter activity reflecting these
processes. Replication-competent minigenome systems indicated that our L
catalytic domain mutant was impaired in genome replication and/or transcription,
and by using replication-deficient minigenome systems, as well as a novel RT-qPCR
based genome replication assay, we showed that it indeed no longer supported
either of these processes. However, it still showed similar expression to wild
type L, and retained its ability to be incorporated into inclusion bodies, which
are the sites of EBOV genome replication. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We have
experimentally defined the catalytic center of the EBOV RdRp, and thus a
promising antiviral target regulating an essential aspect of the EBOV life cycle.
PMID- 28991919
TI - Optimal coordinated voltage control in active distribution networks using
backtracking search algorithm.
AB - The growing interest in distributed generation (DG) in recent years has led to a
number of generators connected to a distribution system. The integration of DGs
in a distribution system has resulted in a network known as active distribution
network due to the existence of bidirectional power flow in the system. Voltage
rise issue is one of the predominantly important technical issues to be addressed
when DGs exist in an active distribution network. This paper presents the
application of the backtracking search algorithm (BSA), which is relatively new
optimisation technique to determine the optimal settings of coordinated voltage
control in a distribution system. The coordinated voltage control considers power
factor, on-load tap-changer and generation curtailment control to manage voltage
rise issue. A multi-objective function is formulated to minimise total losses and
voltage deviation in a distribution system. The proposed BSA is compared with
that of particle swarm optimisation (PSO) so as to evaluate its effectiveness in
determining the optimal settings of power factor, tap-changer and percentage
active power generation to be curtailed. The load flow algorithm from MATPOWER is
integrated in the MATLAB environment to solve the multi-objective optimisation
problem. Both the BSA and PSO optimisation techniques have been tested on a
radial 13-bus distribution system and the results show that the BSA performs
better than PSO by providing better fitness value and convergence rate.
PMID- 28991918
TI - Rapid enteric testing to permit targeted antimicrobial therapy, with and without
Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics, for paediatric acute diarrhoeal disease in
Botswana: A pilot, randomized, factorial, controlled trial.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Diarrhoeal disease is the second-leading cause of death in young
children. Current guidelines recommend treating children with acute non-bloody
diarrhea with oral rehydration solutions and zinc, but not antimicrobials.
However, in many resource-limited settings, infections with treatable enteric
bacterial and protozoan pathogens are common. Probiotics have shown promise as an
adjunct treatment for diarrhoea but have not been studied in sub-Saharan Africa.
METHODS: We conducted a pilot, factorial, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of
children aged 2-60 months hospitalized in Botswana for acute non-bloody
diarrhoea. A rapid test-and-treat intervention, consisting of multiplex PCR
testing of rectal swabs taken at enrolment, accompanied by targeted antimicrobial
therapy if treatable pathogens were detected, was compared to the reference
standard of no stool testing. Additionally, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 x 60
days was compared to placebo treatment. The main objective of this pilot study
was to assess feasibility. The primary clinical outcome was the increase in age
standardized height (HAZ) at 60 days adjusted for baseline HAZ. RESULTS: Seventy
six patients were enrolled over a seven-month study period. We judged that the
recruitment rate, lab processing times, communication protocols, provision of
specific antimicrobials, and follow-up rates were acceptable. Compared to the
reference arm (no stool testing and placebo treatment), the combination of the
rapid test-and-treat strategy plus L. reuteri DSM 17938 was associated with an
increase of 0.61 HAZ (95% CI 0.09-1.13) and 93% lower odds of recurrent diarrhoea
(OR 0.07, 95%CI 0.01-0.61) at 60 days. DISCUSSION: We demonstrated that it was
feasible to evaluate the study interventions in Botswana. Despite the small
sample size, we observed a statistically significant increase in HAZ at 60 days
and significantly lower odds of recurrent diarrhoea in children receiving both
rapid test-and-treat and L. reuteri. There is sufficient evidence to warrant
proceeding with a larger follow-up trial in a similar setting.
PMID- 28991920
TI - Health-related impact on quality of life and coping strategies for chikungunya: A
qualitative study in Curacao.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Chikungunya is an emerging public health problem in tropical and
subtropical regions, due to ongoing transmission and its incapacitating acute
disease phase, and chronic sequelae. The disease is responsible for a major
impact on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), which may last several years.
To our knowledge, this study is the first qualitative examination of HRQoL and
coping strategies of chikungunya-infected individuals. METHODS: Qualitative
research methods consisted of 20 in-depth interviews and seven Focus Group
Discussions (FGDs), n = 50. Analysis was based on the principles of the grounded
theory. RESULTS: Different impacts on HRQoL were reported. The physical and
emotional domains of the HRQoL were mainly affected by chikungunya, while social
and individual financial consequences were limited. Individual financial impact
was limited through the universal health care program of Curacao. Long-term
lingering musculoskeletal and other manifestations caused significant pain and
limited mobility. Hence, participants experienced dependency, impairment of
normal daily life activities, moodiness, hopelessness, a change of identity, and
insecurity about their future. The unpredictable nature and consequences of
chikungunya gave rise to various coping strategies. Problem-focused coping styles
led to higher uptake of medical care and were linked to more negative impact of
HRQoL, whereas emotional coping strategies focusing on acceptance of the
situation were linked to less uptake of medical care and more positive impact on
HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an in-depth understanding of acute and
long-term HRQoL impact of chikungunya. The results can better inform health
promotion policies and interventions. Messages to the public should focus on
promoting healthy and efficient coping strategies, in order to prevent additional
stress in affected individuals.
PMID- 28991921
TI - The impact of nutritional supplement intake on diet behavior and obesity
outcomes.
AB - After decades-old efforts to nudge consumers towards healthier lifestyles through
dietary guidelines, diet-related diseases are on the rise. In addition, a growing
share of U.S. consumers proactively chooses nutritional supplements as an
alternative preventative way of maintaining good health, a $25.5 billion industry
in the United States. This paper investigates possible linkages between the
economics of consumer supplement choices and the relationship to important
dietary and health outcomes. We use National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey (NHANES) data to estimate the impact of nutritional supplements intake on
respondent's body weight outcomes, controlling for diet quality.: The focus of
this article is to determine whether nutritional supplements takers differ from
non-takers with regard to their health outcomes when controlling for differences
in diet quality, based on individual Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) score. The
analysis applies treatment effects estimators that account for the selection bias
and endogeneity of self-reported behavior and diet-health outcomes. The analysis
demonstrates a negative association between supplement intake and BMI but no
significant effect on an individual's diet quality. Our findings suggest that
individuals proactively invest into their health by taking nutritional
supplements instead of improving diet quality through more nutritious food
choices. Our results provide important contributions to the literature on a key
food policy issue. Knowledge of the determinants of supplement demand in the
context of strong diet-health trends should also be helpful to stakeholders in
the U.S. produce sector in their competition over consumer market share.
PMID- 28991922
TI - Clonal dominance and transplantation dynamics in hematopoietic stem cell
compartments.
AB - Hematopoietic stem cells in mammals are known to reside mostly in the bone
marrow, but also transitively passage in small numbers in the blood. Experimental
findings have suggested that they exist in a dynamic equilibrium, continuously
migrating between these two compartments. Here we construct an individual-based
mathematical model of this process, which is parametrised using existing
empirical findings from mice. This approach allows us to quantify the amount of
migration between the bone marrow niches and the peripheral blood. We use this
model to investigate clonal hematopoiesis, which is a significant risk factor for
hematologic cancers. We also analyse the engraftment of donor stem cells into non
conditioned and conditioned hosts, quantifying the impact of different treatment
scenarios. The simplicity of the model permits a thorough mathematical analysis,
providing deeper insights into the dynamics of both the model and of the real
world system. We predict the time taken for mutant clones to expand within a
host, as well as chimerism levels that can be expected following transplantation
therapy, and the probability that a preconditioned host is reconstituted by donor
cells.
PMID- 28991923
TI - Relations between mental health team characteristics and work role performance.
AB - Effective mental health care requires a high performing, interprofessional team.
Among 79 mental health teams in Quebec (Canada), this exploratory study aims to
1) determine the association between work role performance and a wide range of
variables related to team effectiveness according to the literature, and to 2)
using structural equation modelling, assess the covariance between each of these
variables as well as the correlation with other exogenous variables. Work role
performance was measured with an adapted version of a work role questionnaire.
Various independent variables including team manager characteristics, user
characteristics, team profiles, clinical activities, organizational culture,
network integration strategies and frequency/satisfaction of interactions with
other teams or services were analyzed under the structural equation model. The
later provided a good fit with the data. Frequent use of standardized procedures
and evaluation tools (e.g. screening and assessment tools for mental health
disorders) and team manager seniority exerted the most direct effect on work role
performance. While network integration strategies had little effect on work role
performance, there was a high covariance between this variable and those directly
affecting work role performance among mental health teams. The results suggest
that the mental healthcare system should apply standardized procedures and
evaluation tools and, to a lesser extent, clinical approaches to improve work
role performance in mental health teams. Overall, a more systematic
implementation of network integration strategies may contribute to improved work
role performance in mental health care.
PMID- 28991924
TI - Application of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting
cox1 gene for the detection of Clonorchis sinensis in human fecal samples.
AB - BACKGROUND: Clonorchiasis is prevalent in the Far East, and a major health
problem in endemic areas. Infected persons may experience, if not treated,
serious complications such as bile stone formation, pyogenic cholangitis, and
even cholangiocarcinoma. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent
serious complications and, therefore, the simple and reliable diagnostic method
is necessary to control clonorchiasis in endemic areas, where resources for the
diagnosis are limited. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS: The loop-mediated
isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay has been applied for the detection of
Clonorchis sinensis DNA. Six primers targeting eight locations on the cytochrome
c oxidase subunit 1 gene of C. sinensis were designed for species-specific
amplification using the LAMP assay. The LAMP assay was sensitive enough to detect
as little as 100 fg of C. sinensis genomic DNA and the detection limit in 100 mg
of stool was as low as one egg. The assay was highly specific because no cross
reactivity was observed with the DNA of other helminths, protozoa or Escherichia
coli. Then, LAMP assay was applied to human fecal samples collected from an
endemic area of clonorchiasis in Korea. Using samples showing consistent results
by both Kato-Katz method and real-time PCR as reference standards, the LAMP assay
showed 97.1% (95% CI, 90.1-99.2) of sensitivity and 100% (95% CI, 92.9-100) of
specificity. In stool samples with more than 100 eggs per gram of feces, the
sensitivity achieved 100%. CONCLUSIONS: To detect C. sinensis in human fecal
samples, the LAMP assay was applied and achieved high sensitivity and
specificity. The LAMP assay can be utilized in field laboratories as a powerful
tool for diagnosis and epidemiological survey of clonorchiasis.
PMID- 28991926
TI - Image-based model of the spectrin cytoskeleton for red blood cell simulation.
AB - We simulate deformable red blood cells in the microcirculation using the immersed
boundary method with a cytoskeletal model that incorporates structural details
revealed by tomographic images. The elasticity of red blood cells is known to be
supplied by both their lipid bilayer membranes, which resist bending and local
changes in area, and their cytoskeletons, which resist in-plane shear. The
cytoskeleton consists of spectrin tetramers that are tethered to the lipid
bilayer by ankyrin and by actin-based junctional complexes. We model the
cytoskeleton as a random geometric graph, with nodes corresponding to junctional
complexes and with edges corresponding to spectrin tetramers such that the edge
lengths are given by the end-to-end distances between nodes. The statistical
properties of this graph are based on distributions gathered from three
dimensional tomographic images of the cytoskeleton by a segmentation algorithm.
We show that the elastic response of our model cytoskeleton, in which the
spectrin polymers are treated as entropic springs, is in good agreement with the
experimentally measured shear modulus. By simulating red blood cells in flow with
the immersed boundary method, we compare this discrete cytoskeletal model to an
existing continuum model and predict the extent to which dynamic spectrin network
connectivity can protect against failure in the case of a red cell subjected to
an applied strain. The methods presented here could form the basis of disease-
and patient-specific computational studies of hereditary diseases affecting the
red cell cytoskeleton.
PMID- 28991925
TI - Next-generation ELISA diagnostic assay for Chagas Disease based on the
combination of short peptidic epitopes.
AB - Chagas Disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major health and
economic problem in Latin America for which no vaccine or appropriate drugs for
large-scale public health interventions are yet available. Accurate diagnosis is
essential for the early identification and follow up of vector-borne cases and to
prevent transmission of the disease by way of blood transfusions and organ
transplantation. Diagnosis is routinely performed using serological methods, some
of which require the production of parasite lysates, parasite antigenic fractions
or purified recombinant antigens. Although available serological tests give
satisfactory results, the production of reliable reagents remains laborious and
expensive. Short peptides spanning linear B-cell epitopes have proven ideal
serodiagnostic reagents in a wide range of diseases. Recently, we have conducted
a large-scale screening of T. cruzi linear B-cell epitopes using high-density
peptide chips, leading to the identification of several hundred novel sequence
signatures associated to chronic Chagas Disease. Here, we performed a serological
assessment of 27 selected epitopes and of their use in a novel multipeptide-based
diagnostic method. A combination of 7 of these peptides were finally evaluated in
ELISA format against a panel of 199 sera samples (Chagas-positive and negative,
including sera from Leishmaniasis-positive subjects). The multipeptide
formulation displayed a high diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 96.3%
and a specificity of 99.15%. Therefore, the use of synthetic peptides as
diagnostic tools are an attractive alternative in Chagas' disease diagnosis.
PMID- 28991927
TI - Current status of indwelling urinary catheter utilization and catheter-associated
urinary tract infection throughout hospital wards in Korea: A multicenter
prospective observational study.
AB - To evaluate the frequency and appropriateness of indwelling urinary catheters
(IUC) use and the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA
UTI), and explore the risk factors for CA-UTI in hospitals as a whole, we
conducted a study. This study was divided into two parts; a point-prevalence
study on Dec 12th 2012 and a prospective cohort study from Dec 13th 2012 to Jan
9th 2013 were performed in six hospitals in Korea. All hospitalized patients with
newly-placed IUCs were enrolled and monitored weekly for 28 days after IUC
placement. In the point-prevalence study, the IUCs were present in median
14.9/100 hospitalized patients (1Q 14, 3Q 16) across the six hospitals. In the
prospective cohort study, the median IUC-days per patient was 5 (1Q 3, 3Q 10) and
the median CA-UTI prevalence per 1,000 catheter days was 1.9 (1Q 0.7, 3Q 3.8)
with significant inter-hospital variation. The proportion of patients with
inappropriate IUC maintenance increased with number of IUC-days (8.5% on day 7,
9.4% on day 14, 16.3% on day 21, and 23.1% on day 28). Urinary output monitoring
(23/36, 63.9%) was the most common indication for inappropriate use after 1 week
of ICU placement. In multivariate analysis, IUC-days was significantly associated
with the development of CA-UTI (odds ratio 1.122, 95% confidence interval 1.074
1.173, P< 0.001). IUC-days and CA-UTI rates vary between hospitals. IUC-days is a
risk factor for CA-UTI, and is correlated with inappropriate use.
PMID- 28991928
TI - Clinical significance of pretreatment serum levels of VEGF and its receptors, IL-
8, and their prognostic value in type I and II endometrial cancer patients.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the usefulness of the determination of
cytokines: IL-8, VEGF and its soluble receptors: VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2 in patients
with endometrial cancer (EC). MATERIAL/METHODS: The study group consisted of 118
patients with EC subjected to surgical treatment. Before the treatment we
determined the serum levels of cytokines IL-8, and VEGF as well as VEGFR1 and
VEGFR2 receptors. For comparison, the concentration of CA 125 was also measured.
VEGFR1 and CA 125 were determined in the COBAS e601 system using Roche
Diagnostics kits, while IL-8, VEGF and VEGFR2 were measured by ELISA assay using
R&D Systems kits. RESULTS: The concentrations of IL-8, VEGF, VEGFR1 and CA 125
allowed to distinguish patients for the control group. The highest diagnostic
sensitivity has been shown for the concentrations of VEGF (AUC = 0.904) and IL-8
(AUC = 0.818). Among all studied parameters only CA125 concentrations increased
with the clinical stage; being significantly higher in patients in FIGO III-IV,
than FIGO I-IB. In patients at the FIGO stage I-IB, complementary determinations
of CA 125 and VEGF resulted in the largest increase of diagnostic sensitivity.
Patients with metastases to the para-aortic lymph nodes had significantly higher
levels of VEGF compared to subjects without such lesions. The concentrations of
IL-8 were an independent prognostic factor in the assessment of overall survival
in patients with type I endometrial cancer, while the concentrations of VEGFR2 in
those with type II. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with endometrial cancer, the
clinical usefulness of IL-8 and VEGFR2 measurements as the potential prognostic
factors has been demonstrated. In type I, the concentrations of IL-8 determined
before treatment can be helpful in predicting overall survival. In patients
qualified to type II EC, the concentrations of VEGFR2 have the value of an
independent prognostic factor for overall survival, this requires research on
larger groups of patients. The increased levels of VEGF may be useful in the
preoperative assessment of the status of para-aortic lymph nodes.
PMID- 28991929
TI - Addressing Unmet Needs With Injectable Medications in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment:
Medications for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Work in Progress.
AB - Many factors contribute to poor adherence to medications. Some involve the
patient, others the health care provider, while others concern limitations with
the medications themselves.
PMID- 28991930
TI - Addressing Unmet Needs With Injectable Medications in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment:
Role of Injectable Medications in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment.
AB - This article describes the roles of injectable glucose-lowering medications,
specifically basal insulin and GLP-1RAs, as recommended in current guidelines and
the evidence supporting these recommendations.
PMID- 28991931
TI - Addressing Unmet Needs With Injectable Medications in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment:
Basal insulins.
AB - In healthy humans, the timing and amount of insulin release are exquisitely tied
to the body's metabolic demands. Insulin is released at a relatively constant
rate over 24 hours to meet the body's basal metabolic needs. In addition, insulin
is released in short bursts in response to nutrient intake, as well as in
response to changes in peripheral utilization, sensitivity, and endogenous
production.To approximate this physiologic state, 2 general types of insulin
formulations have been developed. Basal insulins are intended to address the
body's basal metabolic needs over 24 hours, and prandial (or bolus) insulins to
address the rapid rise in blood glucose in the postprandial state. The quest for
a basal insulin with a constant physiologic effect over 24 hours has been
challenging, in part because the subcutaneous route of administration remains the
most practical, yet physiologically unnatural route for administering insulin.
PMID- 28991932
TI - Addressing Unmet Needs With Injectable Medications in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment:
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists.
AB - Since 2005, four new GLP-1RAs (liraglutide, albiglutide, dulaglutide, and
lixisenatide) and a once-weekly formulation of exenatide were approved for the
treatment of persons with T2DM. Another GLP-1RA, semaglutide, is under review by
the FDA, as is exenatide administered via an osmotic mini-pump.
PMID- 28991933
TI - Addressing Unmet Needs With Injectable Medications in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment:
Using Combinations of a Basal Insulin and a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
Agonist.
AB - This article presents the rationale and data for combining a basal insulin with a
GLP-1RA, including as fixed-ratio products.
PMID- 28991934
TI - Is obesity a disease?
PMID- 28991936
TI - 8 viral exanthems of childhood.
AB - Some share features, making them difficult to distinguish. Others may not be on
your radar. Here we review 8 you're likely to see or need to exclude.
PMID- 28991935
TI - Obesity: When to consider medication.
AB - These 4 cases illustrate how weight loss drugs--including the 4 newest--can be
integrated into a treatment plan that includes diet, exercise, and behavior
modification.
PMID- 28991937
TI - Effectively engaging patients in everyday health-care decisions.
AB - You can improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction--without increasing the
length of the patient visit--by employing the tenets of shared decision-making.
PMID- 28991938
TI - Intraoral lesion . history of cirrhosis and smoking . Dx?
AB - A 56-year-old white man presented at our dental clinic for routine care. The
intraoral examination revealed an asymptomatic red lesion with white vesicle-like
areas on the right side of the soft palate. The extraoral examination was normal,
and regional lymph nodes were nonpalpable. The patient's medical history included
liver cirrhosis and pancreatitis. He also had a 30-year history of alcohol misuse
(1-5 drinks per day) and a 30-pack-year smoking history. (The patient had stopped
drinking at the time of presentation, and had quit smoking 2 years earlier.) We
instructed him to gargle with warm salt water at home and return in 2 weeks. At
follow-up, the lesion was unresolved, so a biopsy was performed.
PMID- 28991939
TI - PURLs: When to "CAP" off treatment for pneumonia.
AB - Prescribe 5 days of antibiotic treatment for inpatients with community-acquired
pneumonia because it produces the same clinical success rates as longer treatment
regimens, but is associated with fewer negative patient outcomes.
PMID- 28991940
TI - Posttraumatic stress disorder: Often missed in primary care.
AB - DeSean W, a 47-year-old man, returned to his primary care clinic with a new
complaint of epigastric burning that had been bothering him for the past 4
months. He had tried several over-the-counter remedies, which provided no relief.
He also remained concerned--despite assurances to the contrary at previous clinic
visits--that he had contracted a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) after going
to a bar one night 4 to 5 months ago. At 2 other clinic visits since that time,
STD test results were negative. At this current visit, symptoms and details of
sexual history were unchanged since the last visit, with the exception of the
epigastric pain. When asked if he thought he had contracted an STD through a
sexual encounter the night he went to the bar, he emphatically said he would not
cheat on his wife. Surprisingly, given his concern, he avoided further discussion
on modes of contracting an STD. The physician prescribed ranitidine 150 mg bid
for the epigastric burning and explained, once more, the significance of the STD
test results. However, he also decided to further examine Mr. W's concern about
STDs and the night he may have contracted one. HOW WOULD YOU PROCEED WITH THIS
PATIENT?
PMID- 28991941
TI - Fever, rash, and leukopenia in a 32-year-old man . Dx?
AB - A 32-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever, chills, malaise,
leukopenia, and a rash. About 3 weeks earlier, he'd had oral maxillofacial
surgery and started a 10-day course of prophylactic amoxicillin/clavulanic acid.
Fifteen days after the surgery, he developed a fever (temperature, 103 degrees
F), chills, arthralgia, myalgia, cough, diarrhea, and malaise. He was seen by his
physician, who obtained a chest x-ray showing a lingular infiltrate. The
physician diagnosed influenza and pneumonia in this patient, and prescribed
oseltamivir, azithromycin, and an additional course of amoxicillin/clavulanic
acid. Upon admission to the hospital, laboratory tests revealed a white blood
cell count (WBC) of 3.1 k/mcL (normal: 3.2-10.8 k/mcL). The patient's physical
examination was notable for lip edema, white mucous membrane plaques,
submandibular and inguinal lymphadenopathy, and a morbilliform rash across his
chest. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated for presumed sepsis. On hospital
day (HD) 1, tests revealed a WBC count of 1.8 k/mcL, an erythrocyte sedimentation
rate of 53 mm/hr (normal: 20-30 mm/hr for women, 15-20 mm/hr for men), and a C
reactive protein level of 6.7 mg/dL (normal: <0.5 mg/dL). A repeat chest x-ray
and orofacial computerized tomography scan were normal. By HD 3, all bacterial
cultures were negative, but the patient was positive for human herpesvirus-6 on
viral cultures. His leukopenia persisted and he had elevated levels of alanine
transaminase ranging from 40 to 73 U/L (normal: 6-43 U/L) and aspartate
aminotransferase ranging from 66 to 108 U/L (normal range: 10-40 U/L), both
downtrending during his hospitalization. He also had elevated levels of
antinuclear antibodies and anti-Smith antibody titers. A posterior-auricular
biopsy was consistent with lymphocytic perivasculitis. The rash continued to
progress, involving his chest, abdomen, and face. Bacterial and viral cultures
remained negative and on HD 4, broad-spectrum antibiotics were discontinued.
PMID- 28991942
TI - Confusion recurs 2 weeks after fall.
AB - A 77-year-old woman presented to the emergency department complaining of a
headache following a syncopal episode (while standing) earlier that day. She said
that she'd lost consciousness for several minutes, and then experienced several
minutes of mild confusion that resolved spontaneously. On physical exam, she was
oriented to person and place, but not time. She had a contusion in her left
occipitoparietal region without extensive bruising or deformity. The patient had
normal cardiopulmonary, abdominal, and neurologic exams. Her past medical history
included hypertension and normal pressure hydrocephalus, and her vital signs were
within normal limits. She was taking aspirin once daily. The patient's initial
head and neck computerized tomography (CT) scans were normal, but she was
hospitalized because of her confusion. During her hospitalization, the patient
had mild episodic headaches that resolved with acetaminophen. The next day, her
confusion resolved, and repeat CT scans were unchanged. She was discharged within
24 hours. Two weeks later, the patient returned to the hospital after her
daughter found her on the toilet, unable to stand up from the sitting position.
She was confused and experienced a worsening of headache during transport to the
hospital. No recurrent falls or additional episodes of trauma were reported. A CT
scan was performed. WHAT IS YOUR DIAGNOSIS? HOW WOULD YOU TREAT THIS PATIENT?
PMID- 28991943
TI - Are oral emergency contraceptives a safe and effective form of long-term birth
control?
AB - Yes, but not as effective as some other methods. Annual pregnancy rates in women
using pericoital levonorgestrel 150 mcg to 1 mg range from 4.9% to 8.9%;
menstrual irregularity is the most common adverse effect (strength of
recommendation [SOR]: B, Cochrane review of lower-quality trials). In women
younger than 35 years who have sexual intercourse 6 or fewer times per month,
correct and consistent use of pericoital levonorgestrel 1.5 mg results in an
annual pregnancy rate of 11% (SOR: B, one large prospective, open-label trial).
Pericoital contraception is less effective than long-acting reversible
contraceptives (annual pregnancy rates of 0.05%-0.8%) or perfect use of combined
oral contraceptives (0.3% annual pregnancy rate), but similar to, or better than,
typical use of combined oral contraception (9%) and condoms (18%).
PMID- 28991944
TI - Sound and Light Levels Are Similarly Disruptive in ICU and non-ICU Wards.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare ambient sound and light levels, including SLCs, in ICU and
non-ICU environments. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Tertiary-care
hospital. MEASUREMENTS: Sound measurements of 0.5 Hz were analyzed to provide
average hourly sound levels, sound peaks, and SLCs =17.5 decibels (dB). For light
data, measurements taken at 2-minute intervals provided average and maximum light
levels. RESULTS: The ICU rooms were louder than non-ICU wards; hourly averages
ranged from 56.1 +/- 1.3 dB to 60.3 +/- 1.7 dB in the ICU, 47.3 +/- 3.7 dB to
55.1 +/- 3.7 dB on the telemetry floor, and 44.6 +/- 2.1 dB to 53.7 +/- 3.6 dB on
the general ward. However, SLCs = 17.5 dB were not statistically different (ICU,
203.9 +/- 28.8 times; non-ICU, 270.9 +/- 39.5; P = 0.11). In both ICU and non-ICU
wards, average daytime light levels were <250 lux, and peak light levels occurred
in the afternoon and early evening. CONCLUSIONS: Quieter, non-ICU wards have as
many SLCs as ICUs do, which has implications for quality improvement
measurements. Efforts to further reduce average noise levels might be
counterproductive. Light levels in the hospital (ICU and non-ICU) may not be
optimal for maintenance of a normal circadian rhythm for most people.
PMID- 28991945
TI - Associations of Physician Empathy with Patient Anxiety and Ratings of
Communication in Hospital Admission Encounters.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between the frequency of empathic physician
responses with patient anxiety, ratings of communication, and encounter length
during hospital admission encounters. DESIGN: Analysis of coded audio-recorded
hospital admission encounters and pre- and postencounter patient survey data.
SETTING: Two academic hospitals. PATIENTS: Seventy-six patients admitted by 27
attending hospitalist physicians. MEASUREMENTS: Recordings were transcribed and
analyzed by trained coders, who counted the number of empathic, neutral, and
nonempathic verbal responses by hospitalists to their patients' expressions of
negative emotion. We developed multivariable linear regression models to test the
association between the number of these responses and the change in patients'
State Anxiety Scale (STAI-S) score pre- and postencounter and encounter length.
We used Poisson regression models to examine the association between empathic
response frequency and patient ratings of the encounter. RESULTS: Each additional
empathic response from a physician was associated with a 1.65-point decline in
the STAI-S anxiety scale (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-2.82). Frequency of
empathic responses was associated with improved patient ratings for covering
points of interest, feeling listened to and cared about, and trusting the doctor.
The number of empathic responses was not associated with encounter length
(percent change in encounter length per response 1%; 95% CI, -8%-10%).
CONCLUSIONS: Responding empathically when patients express negative emotion was
associated with less patient anxiety and higher ratings of communication but not
longer encounter length.
PMID- 28991946
TI - A Concise Tool for Measuring Care Coordination from the Provider's Perspective in
the Hospital Setting.
AB - BACKGROUND: To support hospital efforts to improve coordination of care, a tool
is needed to evaluate care coordination from the perspective of inpatient
healthcare professionals. OBJECTIVES: To develop a concise tool for assessing
care coordination in hospital units from the perspective of healthcare
professionals, and to assess the performance of the tool in measuring dimensions
of care coordination in 2 hospitals after implementation of a care coordination
initiative. METHODS: We developed a survey consisting of 12 specific items and 1
global item to measure provider perceptions of care coordination across a variety
of domains, including teamwork and communication, handoffs, transitions, and
patient engagement. The questionnaire was distributed online between October 2015
and January 2016 to nurses, physicians, social workers, case managers, and other
professionals in 2 tertiary care hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 841 inpatient
care professionals completed the survey (response rate = 56.6%). Among
respondents, 590 (75%) were nurses and 37 (4.7%) were physicians. Exploratory
factor analysis revealed 4 subscales: (1) Teamwork, (2) Patient Engagement, (3)
Handoffs, and (4) Transitions (Cronbach's alpha 0.84-0.90). Scores were fairly
consistent for 3 subscales but were lower for patient engagement. There were
minor differences in scores by profession, department, and hospital. CONCLUSIONS:
The new tool measures 4 important aspects of inpatient care coordination with
evidence for internal consistency and construct validity, indicating that the
tool can be used in monitoring, evaluating, and planning care coordination
activities in hospital settings.
PMID- 28991947
TI - Regional Variation in Standardized Costs of Care at Children's Hospitals.
AB - OBJECTIVE: (1) To evaluate regional variation in costs of care for 3 inpatient
pediatric conditions, (2) assess potential drivers of variation, and (3) estimate
cost savings from reducing variation. DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective cohort study
of hospitalizations for asthma, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and acute
gastroenteritis (AGE) at 46 children 35) comprised the high psychiatric
comorbidity group. Patients with 1 to 2 positive screens were labeled the low to
moderate (low-moderate) psychiatric comorbidity group. Patients with 3 negative
screens were labeled the no psychiatric morbidity group. Thirty-one percent of
patients met the criteria for high psychiatric comorbidity. After adjusting for
age, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index, discharge status, and prior history of
depression and anxiety, patients who had high psychiatric comorbidity were more
likely to have a poorer QoL compared with the low-moderate comorbidity and no
morbidity groups, as measured by a lower EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire 3
level Index (no, 0.69 +/- 0.25; low-moderate, 0.70 +/- 0.19; high, 0.48 +/- 0.24;
P = 0.017). Future studies should confirm these findings and examine whether
survivors of ICU delirium with high psychiatric comorbidity have different
treatment needs from survivors with lower psychiatric comorbidity.
PMID- 28991953
TI - Dust in the Wind.
PMID- 28991954
TI - Tools, Clinical Prediction Rules, and Algorithms for the Insertion of Peripheral
Intravenous Catheters in Adult Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Scoping Review
of Literature.
AB - BACKGROUND: First-time peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion success
is dependent on patient, clinician, and product factors. Failed PIVC insertion
are an under-recognized clinical phenomenon. OBJECTIVE: To provide a scoping
review of decision aids for PIVC insertion including tools, clinical prediction
rules, and algorithms (TRAs) and their findings on factors associated with
insertion success. METHODS: In June 2016, a systematic literature search was
performed using the medical subject heading of peripheral catheterization and
tool* or rule* or algorithm*. Data extraction included clinician, patient, and/or
product variables associated with PIVC insertion success. Information about TRA
reliability, validity, responsiveness, and utility was also extracted. RESULTS:
We screened 36 studies, and included 13 for review. Seven papers reported
insertion success ranging from 61%-90% (4030 insertion attempts), 6 on validity,
and 5 on reliability, with none reporting on responsiveness and utility. Failed
insertions were associated with obesity (odds ratio [OR], 0.71-1.7; 2 studies)
and smaller gauge PIVCs (OR, 6.4; 95% Confidence Interval [CI}, 3.4-11.9).
Successful inser tions were associated with visible veins (OR, 0.87-3.63; 3
studies) or palpable veins (OR, 0.79-5.05; 3 studies) and inserters with greater
procedural volume (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.6-12.1) or who predicted that insertion
would be successful (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04-1.07). Definitions of insertion
difficulty are heterogeneous such as time to insert to a number of failed
attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Few well-validated reliable TRAs exist for PIVC insertion.
Patients would benefit from a validated, clinically pragmatic TRA that matches
insertion difficulty with clinician competency.
PMID- 28991955
TI - A Search for Tools to Support Decision-Making for PIVC Use.
PMID- 28991956
TI - Noise and Light Pollution in the Hospital: A Call for Action.
PMID- 28991957
TI - Planned, Related or Preventable: Defining Readmissions to Capture Quality of
Care.
PMID- 28991958
TI - From supramolecular polymers to multi-component biomaterials.
AB - The most striking and general property of the biological fibrous architectures in
the extracellular matrix (ECM) is the strong and directional interaction between
biologically active protein subunits. These fibers display rich dynamic behavior
without losing their architectural integrity. The complexity of the ECM taking
care of many essential properties has inspired synthetic chemists to mimic these
properties in artificial one-dimensional fibrous structures with the aim to
arrive at multi-component biomaterials. Due to the dynamic character required for
interaction with natural tissue, supramolecular biomaterials are promising
candidates for regenerative medicine. Depending on the application area, and
thereby the design criteria of these multi-component fibrous biomaterials, they
are used as elastomeric materials or hydrogel systems. Elastomeric materials are
designed to have load bearing properties whereas hydrogels are proposed to
support in vitro cell culture. Although the chemical structures and systems
designed and studied today are rather simple compared to the complexity of the
ECM, the first examples of these functional supramolecular biomaterials reaching
the clinic have been reported. The basic concept of many of these supramolecular
biomaterials is based on their ability to adapt to cell behavior as a result of
dynamic non-covalent interactions. In this review, we show the translation of one
dimensional supramolecular polymers into multi-component functional biomaterials
for regenerative medicine applications.
PMID- 28991959
TI - A novel explanation for the increased conductivity in annealed Al-doped ZnO: an
insight into migration of aluminum and displacement of zinc.
AB - A combined experimental and first-principles study is performed to study the
origin of conductivity in ZnO:Al nanoparticles synthesized under controlled
conditions via a reflux route using benzylamine as a solvent. The experimental
characterization of the samples by Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and
conductivity measurements indicates that upon annealing in nitrogen, the Al atoms
at interstitial positions migrate to the substitutional positions, creating at
the same time Zn interstitials. We provide evidence for the fact that the formed
complex of AlZn and Zni corresponds to the origin of the Knight shifted peak (KS)
we observe in 27Al NMR. As far as we know, the role of this complex has not been
discussed in the literature to date. However, our first-principles calculations
show that such a complex is indeed energetically favoured over the isolated Al
interstitial positions. In our calculations we also address the charge state of
the Al interstitials. Further, Zn interstitials can migrate from AlZn and
possibly also form Zn clusters, leading to the observed increased conductivity.
PMID- 28991960
TI - Delocalized triplet state in porphyrin J-aggregates revealed by EPR spectroscopy.
AB - In this work, the electronic structure of the triplet state of self-assembled J
aggregates of tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) has been characterized
by means of time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Several
insights into the triplet properties of the aggregate have been gained through
comparison with the corresponding monomeric unit in both free base and acidified
forms. Molecular distortions in the monomeric acidified TPPS cause variation in
its zero-field splitting parameters and a redirection of triplet spin sublevel
activity. The aggregation process does not alter the mechanism of triplet state
population compared to the acidified monomer but it is accompanied by a further
reduction in the zero-field splitting parameter D, which is possibly indicative
of the formation of a delocalized triplet state species. The detection of a long
lived spin-polarized radical species also proves polaron generation and movement
to a trap site in the J-aggregates.
PMID- 28991961
TI - B(OH)4- hydration and association in sodium metaborate solutions by X-ray
diffraction and empirical potential structure refinement.
AB - X-ray diffraction is used to study the structure of aqueous sodium metaborate
solutions at salt concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 (oversaturated) mol dm-3. The X
ray structure factors are subjected to empirical potential structure refinement
(EPSR) modelling to extract the individual site-site pair correlation functions,
the coordination numbers, and the spatial density functions (three-dimensional
structure) of ion hydration and association as well as solvent water in the
borate solutions. The sodium ion is surrounded on average by (5.4 +/- 0.7), (4.6
+/- 1.0), and (3.7 +/- 1.2) water molecules at 1, 3, and 5 mol dm-3,
respectively, with the Na-O (H2O) distance of 2.34 A. The decrease in hydration
number of the sodium ion is compensated by direct binding of the oxygen atom of
the borate ion, B(OH)4-, with the average coordination number of (0.2 +/- 0.5),
(1.0 +/- 0.8), and (2.1 +/- 1.3) at the Na-O(B) distance of 2.34 A to keep the
octahedral hydration shell of the sodium ion. The average number of water
molecules around the borate ion is (13.9 +/- 1.8), (14.2 +/- 1.8), and (16.1 +/-
2.4) per borate ion with increasing salt concentration with the B-O(H2O) distance
of 3.72 A. The number of nearest-neighbour water molecules around a central water
molecule in a solvent decreases as (4.8 +/- 1.2), (3.8 +/- 1.1), and (2.8 +/-
1.1) with an increase in salt concentration with the O(H2O)-O(H2O) distance of
2.79 A. The Na+-B(OH)4- ion association is characterized by the Na-O(B) and Na-B
pair correlation functions. The Na-B interactions are observed at 3.00 A as a
shoulder and 3.57 A as a main peak in the site-site pair correlation function,
suggesting two occupancy sites of Na+ with one for the edge-shared bidentate
bonding and the other for the corner-shared monodentate bonding. The total number
of Na-B interactions at 3.00 and 3.57 A is consistent with that of the Na-O(B)
interactions. The detailed three-dimensional structure of the ion hydration and
association is visualized as a function of salt concentration. The structure and
stability of [NaB(OH)4(H2O)6]0 clusters are further investigated by DFT
calculations, and the most likely structure is proposed and cross-checked.
PMID- 28991963
TI - Orthogonal enzymatic reactions for rapid crosslinking and dynamic tuning of PEG
peptide hydrogels.
AB - Stiffening of the extracellular matrix is a hallmark in cancer progression,
embryonic development, and wound healing. To mimic this dynamic process, our work
explored orthogonal enzymatic reactions capable of modulating the properties of
poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-peptide hydrogels. A hepta-mutant bacterial
transpeptidase sortase A (SrtA7M) was used to ligate two PEG-peptide macromers
(i.e., PEG-YLPRTG and NH2-GGGG-PEG) into a primary hydrogel network. The
hydrogels were dynamically stiffened using mushroom tyrosinase (MT), which
oxidized tyrosine residues into di-tyrosine and led to increased matrix
stiffness. After confirming the expression and enhanced catalytic activity of
SrtA7M, we investigated the cytocompatibility of the enzymatic reaction with a
mouse insulinoma cell line, MIN6. In addition, we altered peptide substrate
concentrations and evaluated their influence on primary hydrogel network
properties and MT-triggered stiffening. Using a pancreatic cancer cell line, COLO
357, the effect of MT-triggered stiffening on spheroid formation was
investigated. We found that cell spheroids formed in hydrogels that were exposed
to MT were significantly smaller than spheroids formed without MT incubation,
suggesting that matrix stiffening played a crucial role in the sizes of cancer
cell spheroids. Through utilizing highly specific and orthogonal enzymatic
reactions, this hydrogel platform permits rapid and mild in situ cell
encapsulation, as well as dynamic control of matrix stiffness for investigating
the role of matrix stiffening on cell fate processes.
PMID- 28991964
TI - Visible-light induced di- and trifluoromethylation of N-benzamides with
fluorinated sulfones for the synthesis of CF2H/CF3-containing isoquinolinediones.
AB - A general visible light induced direct difluoromethylation of N-methacryloyl
benzamides by using difluoromethyl sulfone was developed. In addition, photoredox
catalyzed trifluoromethylation of N-methacryloyl benzamides with trifluoromethyl
sulfone via a similar radical process was also achieved. This method allows for
an efficient and practical synthesis of a variety of CF2H/CF3-containing
isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones in moderate to good yields. The reaction features
mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, and a broad substrate scope.
PMID- 28991965
TI - Meta-Analysis of Phosphorus Loss from No-Till Soils.
AB - Agriculture is a significant contributor to phosphorus (P) enrichment in aquatic
ecosystems. No-till (NT) farming has been proposed as an alternative approach to
conventional tillage (CT) in reducing soil P export, but published data have
shown contrasting impacts, likely due to the interacting effects of different
physical (climate region, rainfall variability, transport pathway, slope
gradient) and management variables (NT duration, crop species). We conducted a
meta-analysis to understand the extent to which each of these variables controls
the concentration and load of different P fractions (dissolved P, particulate P)
in agricultural runoff and leaching. In comparison with CT, particulate P loss
was significantly lower with NT adoption (45 and 55% reduction in concentration
and load, respectively), but an increase in dissolved P loss was observed. The
extent of the reduction or increase, however, varied with different physical and
management variables. In comparison with CT, for example, NT was not effective in
reducing particulate P concentration during wet years and particulate P load on
steep slopes (4-9%). Total P concentration was also similar with CT at sites
under prolonged NT duration (~10 yr) and at NT fields planted with soybean [ (L.)
Merr.]. Our results underscore the need to consider the covarying physical and
management factors when assessing the potential of NT farming in controlling P
loss in the environment. The limited impact of NT on dissolved P loss remains a
serious impediment toward harnessing the water quality benefits of this
management practice.
PMID- 28991966
TI - Greenhouse Gas Emissions after Application of Landfilled Paper Mill Sludge for
Land Reclamation of a Nonacidic Mine Tailings Site.
AB - Large areas of mine tailings are reclaimed by applying organic amendments such as
paper mill sludge (PMS). Although mining industries can use PMS freshly generated
by paper mills, operational constraints on paper industries make temporary
landfilling of this material an unavoidable alternative for the paper industries,
creating the most prominent PMS source for mining industries. This study aimed to
quantify soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (NO, CO, and CH) after application
of landfilled PMS (LPMS; i.e., excavated from a landfill site at a paper mill)
and LPMS combined with a seeding treatment of white clover ( L.) on nonacidic
mine tailings site prior to reforestation. Soil NO, CO, and CH fluxes were
measured after applications of 50 and 100 Mg dry LPMS ha during two consecutive
snow-free seasons on two adjacent sites; LPMS was applied once in the first
season. The LPMS application increased NO emissions (7.6 to 34.7 kg NO-N ha,
comprising 1.04 to 2.43% of applied N) compared with the unamended control during
the first season; these emissions were negligible during the second season. The
LPMS application increased CO emissions (~5800 to 11,400 kg CO-C ha, comprising 7
to 27% of applied C) compared with the unamended control on both sites and in
both seasons. Fluxes of CH were negligible. White clover combined with LPMS
treatments did not affect soil GHG emissions. These new GHG emission factors
should be integrated into life-cycle analyses to evaluate the C footprint of
potential symbioses between the mining and paper industries. Future research
should focus on the effect of PMS applications on soil GHG emissions from a
variety of mine tailings under various management practices and climatic
conditions to plan responsible and sustainable land reclamation.
PMID- 28991968
TI - Assessing the Yield and Load of Contaminants with Stream Order: Would Policy
Requiring Livestock to Be Fenced Out of High-Order Streams Decrease Catchment
Contaminant Loads?
AB - Catchment contaminant loads vary with stream order as catchment characteristics
influence inputs and in-stream processing. However, the relative influence and
policy significance of these characteristics across a number of contaminants and
at a national scale is unclear. We modeled the significance of catchment
characteristics (e.g., climate, topography, geology, land cover), as captured by
a national-scale River Environment Classification (REC) system, and stream order
in the estimation of contaminant yields. We used this model to test if potential
regulation in New Zealand requiring livestock to be fenced off from large (high)
order streams would substantially decrease catchment contaminant loads.
Concentration and flow data for 1998 to 2009 were used to calculate catchment
load and yields of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) species, suspended sediment,
and at 728 water quality monitoring sites. On average, the yields of all
contaminants increased with increasing stream order in catchments dominated by
agriculture (generally lowland and pastoral REC land cover classes). Loads from
low-order small streams (<1 m wide, 30 cm deep, and in flat catchments dominated
by pasture) exempt from potential fencing regulations accounted for an average of
77% of the national load (varying from 73% for total N to 84% for dissolved
reactive P). This means that to substantially reduce contaminant losses, other
mitigations should be investigated in small streams, particularly where fencing
of larger streams has low efficacy.
PMID- 28991967
TI - Within-House Spatial Distribution of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Poultry Litter.
AB - Land application of poultry litter is often considered to be a major source of
water pollutants in poultry-producing regions. However, reported levels of fecal
indicator microorganisms in litter vary widely, with considerable variation
possible within houses and across farms, depending on management practices.
Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the levels and distribution of
indicator microorganisms within 12 broiler farms representing three companies.
Within each house, litter samples were collected from around the feed line, water
line, north wall, cool pad end, middle, and fan end. Litter moisture content was
significantly different within the houses, with the litter being driest around
the feed line (19.8%) and wettest around the water line (40.7%). Mean levels of
total coliforms, , enterococci, and were 3.7, 3.3, 6.4, and 4.0 log colony
forming units g dry litter, respectively. Levels of total coliforms, , and were
positively correlated with litter moisture content, but enterococci levels were
not. Consequently, levels of total coliforms, , and , as well as enterococci,
were highest around the water line and lowest around the feed line. These results
indicate that areas with higher litter water content are more likely to contain
higher levels of most fecal indicator microorganisms. Approaches to reduce litter
water content in these areas would not only benefit the microbial quality of
litter for land application but would also likely improve in-house disease
control.
PMID- 28991969
TI - Photosensitized Degradation of Amitriptyline and Its Active Metabolite
Nortriptyline in Aqueous Fulvic Acid Solution.
AB - Amitriptyline is a frequently prescribed tricyclic antidepressant. Although
amitriptyline and its active metabolite, nortriptyline, have been widely detected
in natural waters, their environmental fate due to photodegradation is poorly
understood. Here we describe a study conducted to investigate the
photodegradation of amitriptyline and its active metabolite under simulated
sunlight. Neither amitriptyline nor nortriptyline underwent direct
photodegradation, but rapid photosensitized degradation did occur in fulvic acid
(FA) solutions. The photodegradation of amitriptyline and nortriptyline followed
pseudo-first-order kinetics with rate constants 0.24 and 0.16 h, respectively, at
pH 8.0 in air-saturated FA solutions. The photodegradation of the substrates
increased markedly with pH. The deprotonation of amitriptyline and nortriptyline
facilitated the availability of nonbonding electrons on nitrogen (N-electrons).
The excited triplet state of FA (FA*) was verified as the main reactive species
responsible for the photosensitized degradation. An electron transfer mechanism
for the interaction between substrates and FA* was proposed on the basis of a
series of quenching experiments, kinetic model and photoproducts determination.
Demethylation at the alpha-carbon of amine and hydroxylation were two primary
photochemical processes initiated by the electron transfer reaction in the air
saturated FA solution; these were followed by generation of demethyl amine and
mono-hydroxylation isomers. Our results suggest that indirect photodegradation is
an important elimination process for amitriptyline and its active metabolite in
natural waters.
PMID- 28991970
TI - Identification of Factors Affecting Fecal Pollution in Beaver Lake Reservoir.
AB - Standard methods for the evaluation of recreational water quality rely on generic
bacterial indicators such as . However, does not provide enough information to
determine fecal source or public health risk. The stsudy objective was to
determine factors influencing the presence of and host-specific markers (HSM)
from upstream to downstream in Beaver Lake Reservoir (BLR). From February 2014 to
September 2015, 420 base flow and rain event samples were collected from seven
sites-two sites from streams (White River [WR] and War Eagle Creek) draining into
BLR and five sites from within BLR. Each sample was analyzed for and by
quantitative polymerase chain reaction for HSM related to human, bovine, and
poultry. The data indicate that overall levels of were significantly greater in
the WR and significantly lower at the most downstream sampling location in BLR.
is more likely present during spring (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.86), at the
WR sampling site (aOR = 3.39), or during a rain event (aOR = 2.73). Moreover, the
HSM HumM2 is more likely present (aOR = 1.99) when is present. These same factors
were associated with concentrations >126 most probable number 100 mL (aOR = 2.76
12.48), except the poultry marker CL was more likely associated (aOR = 3.81) than
HumM2. This study revealed that both seasonal and locational factors are
important variables for fecal pollution in BLR. Moreover, these same factors may
apply to fecal pollution in manmade reservoirs within similar types of watersheds
across the United States, as well as internationally.
PMID- 28991962
TI - Redox-active nanomaterials for nanomedicine applications.
AB - Nanomedicine utilizes the remarkable properties of nanomaterials for the
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Many of these nanomaterials have
been shown to have robust antioxidative properties, potentially functioning as
strong scavengers of reactive oxygen species. Conversely, several nanomaterials
have also been shown to promote the generation of reactive oxygen species, which
may precipitate the onset of oxidative stress, a state that is thought to
contribute to the development of a variety of adverse conditions. As such, the
impacts of nanomaterials on biological entities are often associated with and
influenced by their specific redox properties. In this review, we overview
several classes of nanomaterials that have been or projected to be used across a
wide range of biomedical applications, with discussion focusing on their unique
redox properties. Nanomaterials examined include iron, cerium, and titanium metal
oxide nanoparticles, gold, silver, and selenium nanoparticles, and various
nanoscale carbon allotropes such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and
their derivatives/variations. Principal topics of discussion include the chemical
mechanisms by which the nanomaterials directly interact with biological entities
and the biological cascades that are thus indirectly impacted. Selected case
studies highlighting the redox properties of nanomaterials and how they affect
biological responses are used to exemplify the biologically-relevant redox
mechanisms for each of the described nanomaterials.
PMID- 28991971
TI - Effects of Positively Charged Dicyandiamide and Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources on
Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Irrigated Corn.
AB - Synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer formulations vary in their effects as
substrates on nitrous oxide (NO) emissions. Mitigation of NO emissions can
potentially be achieved through appropriate choice of N fertilizer sources
combined with stabilizers. The effects of three N fertilizers and urease and
nitrification inhibitors on NO emissions, crop N uptake, and yields were
determined in a furrow-irrigated corn ( L.) system in Reiff loam soil in the
Sacramento Valley of California for one growing season. Aqua ammonia (Aq. NH),
urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), and calcium nitrate were sidedressed at the rate of
202 kg N ha. The control treatment received only starter fertilizer (20 kg N ha).
Total seasonal emissions were in the order Aq. NH > UAN > calcium nitrate =
control with 1.38, 0.97, 0.35, and 0.27 kg NO-N ha, respectively. A novel,
positively charged form of dicyandiamide, KAS-771G77 (G77), was combined with Aq.
NH and UAN to test the effectiveness of this nitrification inhibitor in reducing
NO emissions. When combined with Aq. NH, G77 did not reduce the emissions, but
G77 significantly lowered them in the UAN treatment. A similar reduction of NO
emissions in the UAN treatment was achieved with the urease and nitrification
inhibitor AgrotainPlus. Yields and N use efficiency did not differ among the
fertilized treatments. Ammoniacal fertilizers had higher NO emissions than
nitrate-based fertilizers, which could imply nitrification pathways as a source
of NO emissions. The use of G77 or AgrotainPlus, when applied with UAN, was an
effective NO mitigation practice.
PMID- 28991972
TI - Comparison of N2O Emissions and Gene Abundances between Wastewater Nitrogen
Removal Systems.
AB - Biological nitrogen removal (BNR) systems are increasingly used in the United
States in both centralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and decentralized
advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) to reduce N discharged in
wastewater effluent. However, the potential for BNR systems to be sources of
nitrous oxide (NO), a potent greenhouse gas, needs to be evaluated to assess
their environmental impact. We quantified and compared NO emissions from BNR
systems at a WWTP (Field's Point, Providence, RI) and three types of advanced
OWTS (Orenco Advantex AX 20, SeptiTech Series D, and Bio-Microbics MicroFAST) in
nine Rhode Island residences ( = 3 per type) using cavity ring-down spectroscopy.
We also used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the abundance of
genes from nitrifying () and denitrifying () microorganisms that may be producing
NO in these systems. Nitrous oxide fluxes ranged from -4 * 10 to 3 * 10 umol NO m
s and in general followed the order: centralized WWTP > Advantex > SeptiTech >
FAST. In contrast, when NO emissions were normalized by population served and
area of treatment tanks, all systems had overlapping ranges. In general, the
emissions of NO accounted for a small fraction (<1%) of N removed. There was no
significant relationship between the abundance of or genes and NO emissions. This
preliminary analysis highlights the need to evaluate NO emissions from wastewater
systems as a wider range of technologies are adopted. A better understanding of
the mechanisms of NO emissions will also allow us to better manage systems to
minimize emissions.
PMID- 28991975
TI - The Relationship between Land Use and Vulnerability to Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Pollution in an Urban Watershed.
PMID- 28991973
TI - Determining the Effect of Drying Time on Phosphorus Solubilization from Three
Agricultural Soils under Climate Change Scenarios.
AB - Climate projections for the future indicate that the United Kingdom will
experience hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters, bringing longer dry
periods followed by rewetting. This will result in changes in phosphorus (P)
mobilization patterns that will influence the transfer of P from land to water.
We tested the hypothesis that changes in the future patterns of drying-rewetting
will affect the amount of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) solubilized from
soil. Estimations of dry period characteristics (duration and temperature) under
current and predicted climate were determined using data from the UK Climate
Projections (UKCP09) Weather Generator tool. Three soils (sieved <2 mm),
collected from two regions of the United Kingdom with different soils and farm
systems, were dried at 25 degrees C for periods of 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20,
25, 30, 60, and 90 d, then subsequently rewetted (50 mL over 2 h). The
solubilized leachate was collected and analyzed for SRP. In the 2050s, warm
period temperature extremes >25 degrees C are predicted in some places and dry
periods of 30 to 90 d extremes are predicted. Combining the frequency of
projected dry periods with the SRP concentration in leachate suggests that this
may result overall in increased mobilization of P; however, critical breakpoints
of 6.9 to 14.5 d dry occur wherein up to 28% more SRP can be solubilized
following a rapid rewetting event. The precise cause of this increase could not
be identified and warrants further investigation as the process is not currently
included in P transfer models.
PMID- 28991974
TI - Laboratory Column Evaluation of High Explosives Attenuation in Grenade Range
Soils.
AB - High explosives (HEs) deposited on military ranges can leach through the soil and
contaminate groundwater. We examined the transport and fate of HEs in laboratory
columns containing soils from two hand grenade bays (Bays C and T) and the impact
of organic amendments on biodegradation. Soil characteristics were similar;
however, Bay C had somewhat higher clay and organic C. Experimental treatments
included addition of crude glycerin and lignosulfonate, and parallel control
columns. Experimental results showed extensive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)
degradation with minimal leaching, consistent with prior batch microcosm results.
Amendment addition enhanced TNT degradation in both Bays C and T compared with
controls. Although hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (Royal Demolition
Explosive, or RDX) did not biodegrade in prior aerobic batch microcosms, 64 to
77% of RDX biodegraded in untreated soil columns with O present in the mobile
soil gas. The RDX biodegradation was likely associated with short-term anoxic
conditions or anoxic micro-niches. In nearly saturated Bay C columns, RDX removal
increased to >92%. Amendment addition to unsaturated Bay T columns increased RDX
removal to >86%. In one column, the soil remained anoxic (O < 5% by volume) for
about a year after amendment addition, significantly reducing RDX leaching.
Nitroso degradation products were produced equivalent to 9 to 39% of the RDX
degraded, with most retained in the soil (9-37%) and 0 to 3% in the effluent.
These results demonstrate that RDX biodegradation can occur in soils with
measurable O, and that amendment addition can reduce RDX leaching by stimulating
anaerobic biodegradation.
PMID- 28991976
TI - Combining Urease and Nitrification Inhibitors with Incorporation Reduces Ammonia
and Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Increases Corn Yields.
AB - Less than 50% of applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer is typically recovered by corn (
L.) due to climatic constraints, soil degradation, overapplication, and losses to
air and water. Two application methods, two N sources, and two inhibitors were
evaluated to reduce N losses and enhance crop uptake. The treatments included
broadcast urea (BrUrea), BrUrea with a urease inhibitor (BrUrea+UI), BrUrea with
a urease and a nitrification inhibitor (BrUrea+UI+NI), injection of urea ammonium
nitrate (InjUAN), and injected with one or both inhibitors (InjUAN+UI,
InjUAN+UI+NI), and a control. The BrUrea treatment lost 50% (64.4 kg N ha) of the
applied N due to ammonia volatilization, but losses were reduced by 64% with
BrUrea+UI+NI (23.0 kg N ha) and by 60% with InjUAN (26.1 kg N ha). Ammonia losses
were lower and crop yields were greater in 2014 than 2013 as a result of the more
favorable weather when N was applied in 2014. When ammonia volatilization was
reduced by adding a urease inhibitor, NO emissions were increased by 30 to 31%
with BrUrea+UI and InjUAN+UI compared with BrUrea and InjUAN, respectively.
Pollution swapping was avoided when both inhibitors were used (BrUrea+UI+NI,
InjUAN+UI+NI) as both ammonia volatilization and NO emissions were reduced, and
corn grain yields increased by 5% with BrUrea+UI+NI and by 7% with InjUAN+UI+NI
compared with BrUrea and InjUAN, respectively. The combination of two N
management strategies (InjUAN+UI+NI) increased yields by 19% (12.9 t ha) compared
with BrUrea (10.8 t ha).
PMID- 28991977
TI - Structural Equation Model of Total Phosphorus Loads in the Red River of the North
Basin, USA and Canada.
AB - Attribution of the causes of trends in nutrient loading is often limited to
correlation, qualitative reasoning, or references to the work of others. This
paper represents efforts to improve causal attribution of water-quality changes.
The Red River of the North basin provides a regional test case because of
international interest in the reduction of total phosphorus loads and the
availability of long-term total phosphorus data and ancillary geospatial data
with the potential to explain changes in water quality over time. The objectives
of the study are to investigate structural equation modeling methods for
application to water-quality problems and to test causal hypotheses related to
the drivers of total phosphorus loads over the period 1970 to 2012. Multiple
working hypotheses that explain total phosphorus loads and methods for estimating
missing ancillary data were developed, and water-quality related challenges to
structural equation modeling (including skewed data and scaling issues) were
addressed. The model indicates that increased precipitation in season 1 (November
February) or season 2 (March-June) would increase total phosphorus loads in the
basin. The effect of agricultural practices on total phosphorus loads was
significant, although the effect is about one-third of the effect of season 1
precipitation. The structural equation model representing loads at six sites in
the basin shows that climate and agricultural practices explain almost 60% of the
annual total phosphorus load in the Red River of the North basin. The modeling
process and the unexplained variance highlight the need for better ancillary long
term data for causal assessments.
PMID- 28991978
TI - Solute Transport Properties of Fen Peat Differing in Organic Matter Content.
AB - There is a limited understanding of solute transport properties of degraded peat
soils as compared to mineral substrates. A lower organic matter (OM) content is
often the result of peat degradation and mineralization following artificial
drainage. In this study, we aimed at deducing changes in solute transport
properties of peat soils differing in OM content. Miscible displacement
experiments were conducted on 70 undisturbed soil columns with OM contents
ranging from 11 to 86% w/w under saturated steady-state conditions using tritium
and bromide as conservative tracers. Measured breakthrough curves (BTCs) were
subjected to model analysis using three different approaches: single-porosity
model (SPM), mobile-immobile model (MIM), and two-flow region model (TFRM). The
results indicated that (i) nonequilibrium solute transport processes are common
in peat soils; (ii) the TFRM improved predictions of BTCs with heavy tailing or
two peaks; (iii) applied tracers, tritium and bromide, were retarded in peat
soils with higher OM content; and (iv) pronounced preferential flow mainly
occurred in peat soils with lower OM content. This type of strong preferential
flow had a small ratio of measured to fitted pore water velocity and a greater
ratio of velocities (/ > 3.0) in the fast and slow transport region as obtained
from the TFRM. We conclude that shallow groundwater resources are more likely to
become polluted in drained and degraded fen peats that are used for agricultural
purposes.
PMID- 28991979
TI - Pathogen Survey of Pulp and Paper Mill Biosolids Compared with Soils, Composts,
and Sewage Biosolids.
AB - Regulatory policies to manage land application of organic materials are risk
based, with focus on the quality of these residuals. The Ontario Ministry of the
Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) determined that limited information was
available on pulp and paper biosolids (PPB) with respect to human enteric
pathogens. To address this data gap, MOECC conducted an extensive survey (2005
2006) across Ontario to characterize the microbiological quality of PPB.
Quantitative testing was performed for fecal indicators (, enterococci, ) and
enteric pathogens (, , , and ) using matrix-validated methods. Comparative
benchmark materials (soils and soil amendments) were analyzed concurrently for
risk comparison. Results showed that detection rates in PPB were low, 5 to 25%
for pathogens and <55% for . , and were found at low frequency (6-8% of samples)
and at low mean concentrations (2 most probable number g dry wt., 9 oocysts g dry
wt., and 7 cells g dry wt., respectively). was more frequently observed (19% of
samples), with a mean of 30 cysts g dry wt. Pathogen concentrations in PPB were
generally equivalent to or higher than those in soils, composts, and pelletized
sewage biosolids but significantly lower than in sewage biosolids. levels
exceeded standards (1000 colony-forming units g dry wt.) in one-third of samples,
most often in fresh PPB rather than stored and lagoon solids. Microbial quality
of PPB across all surveyed mills tended to be variable and sector- and/or site
specific but in many cases would not consistently meet Canadian federal
fertilizers standards. These findings were important to inform Ontario's nutrient
management regulations, supporting classification of PPB as higher pathogen risk
than compost and commercial fertilizers.
PMID- 28991980
TI - Biogas Digester Hydraulic Retention Time Affects Oxygen Consumption Patterns and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions after Application of Digestate to Soil.
AB - Knowledge about environmental impacts associated with the application of
anaerobic digestion residue to agricultural land is of interest owing to the
rapid proliferation of biogas plants worldwide. However, virtually no information
exists concerning how soil-emitted NO is affected by the feedstock hydraulic
retention time (HRT) in the biogas digester. Here, the O planar optode technique
was used to visualize soil O dynamics following the surface application of
digestates of the codigestion of pig slurry and agro-industrial waste. We also
used NO isotopomer analysis of soil-emitted NO to determine the NO production
pathways, i.e., nitrification or denitrification. Two-dimensional images of soil
O indicated that anoxic and hypoxic conditions developed at 2.0- and 1.5-cm soil
depth for soil amended with the digestate produced with 15-d (PO15) and 30-d
(PO30) retention time, respectively. Total NO emissions were significantly lower
for PO15 than PO30 due to the greater expansion of the anoxic zone, which
enhanced NO reduction via complete denitrification. However, cumulative CO
emissions were not significantly different between PO15 and PO30 for the entire
incubation period. During incubation, NO emissions came from both nitrification
and denitrification in amended soils. Increasing the HRT of the biogas digester
appears to induce significant NO emissions, but it is unlikely to affect the NO
production pathways after application to soil.
PMID- 28991981
TI - Denitrification along the Stream-Riparian Continuum in Restored and Unrestored
Agricultural Streams.
AB - Although floodplain restoration may improve stream-riparian connectivity and
increase channel stability through cross-vane installation, stream bank
regrading, and buffer revegetation, the impact of these geomorphic alterations on
denitrification across the aquatic-terrestrial interface is poorly understood.
Seasonal denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) was compared in stream-riparian
ecotones of four streams with varying hydrologic connection, riparian vegetation
composition, and agricultural influence. Riparian and stream DEA was generally
higher in sites adjacent to agricultural fields due to proximity to nitrate
source. Mean DEA was higher in the dormant season (riparian: 928 +/- 116 ng N g
dry mass [DM] h, stream: 108 +/- 149 ng N g DM h) than in the growing season
(riparian: 355 +/- 55 ng N g DM h, stream: 45 +/- 40 ng N g DM h) and was
influenced by antecedent precipitation, soil texture, and landscape
characteristics (land use, vegetation type, topography) in multivariate models.
Hot spots of denitrification occurred at the confluence of fine soil textures
with high organic matter and moisture, often at low-lying areas of the landscape.
At the restored site, we observed enhanced denitrification in the reconnected
floodplain but decreased stream denitrification capacity in pools. Across all
sites, streams had lower DEA than riparian zones, stressing the importance of
restoration approaches designed to conserve riparian areas and maintain
hydrologic connectivity. Easily obtainable data including precipitation, adjacent
land use, vegetation, and stream and floodplain geomorphology reasonably
predicted denitrification potential compared with more complex models, showing
potential for application in water resources and nitrogen management.
PMID- 28991982
TI - Ammonia Oxidizers in a Grazing Land with a History of Poultry Litter Application.
AB - Poultry litter (PL) is widely applied on grazing lands in Georgia. However, it is
not clear how its long-term use affects soil microorganisms and their function.
We examined changes in activity and community structure of ammonia-oxidizing
archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) in a grazing land with a history of PL
application and compared it to treatment with urea ammonium nitrate (UAN). Soil
samples (0-15 cm) were collected in 2009 (after 15 yr of PL application) and in
2013 (after 2 yr of no application). The abundance and community composition of
ammonia oxidizers (AO) were determined with molecular techniques that targeted
Nitrification potential (NP) was used for measuring their activity. Abundance of
AO was significantly higher in PL (7.41 and 7.10 log copies g soil for AOB and
AOA, respectively) than in UAN plots (6.82 and 6.50 log copies g soil for AOB and
AOA, respectively) in 2009. This is consistent with NP, which was higher in PL
(0.78 mg NO -N kg h) than in UAN (0.50 mg NO-N kg h) plots in 2009. The abundance
of AO and NP decreased in 2013. There was no treatment effect on the composition
of AO. Correlation analysis suggested that AOB were functionally more important
than AOA, indicating the need to target AOB for efficient management of N in PL
receiving soils. Overall, the difference in nitrification between PL and UAN was
mainly caused by the change in AO abundance rather than composition, and AO were
not negatively affected by an increase in PL-derived trace metal concentrations.
PMID- 28991983
TI - Natural and Enhanced Attenuation of Explosives on a Hand Grenade Range.
AB - 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (Royal
Demolition Explosive, or RDX) deposited on hand grenade training ranges can leach
through the soil and impact shallow groundwater. A 27-mo field monitoring project
was conducted to evaluate the transport and attenuation of high explosives in
variably saturated soils at an active grenade range located at Fort Bragg, NC.
Two approaches were evaluated: (i) natural attenuation in grenade Bay C; and (ii)
enhanced attenuation in Grenade Bay T. There was no evidence of TNT accumulation
or leaching in surface soils or pore water in either bay, consistent with
parallel laboratory studies showing aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of TNT.
In the untreated Bay C, the low saturated hydraulic conductivity () combined with
high rainfall and warm summer temperatures resulted in reducing conditions (low
oxidation-reduction potential), an increase in dissolved Mn, and a rapid decline
in nitrate and RDX. In Bay T, the somewhat greater and lower soil organic C level
resulted in more oxidizing conditions with greater RDX leaching. A single-spray
application of glycerin and lignosulfonate to the soil surface in Bay T was
effective in generating reducing conditions and stimulating RDX biodegradation
for ~1 yr.
PMID- 28991984
TI - Role of Dissolved Organic Matter in the Release of Chromium from Schwertmannite:
Kinetics, Repartition, and Mechanisms.
AB - Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an important factor influencing mineral
biogeochemistry, although the role of labile DOM in the release of chromium (Cr)
from schwertmannite, a mineral with high surface area, is unclear. In this study,
the interaction of DOM with synthetic CrO-schwertmannite was investigated to
better understand the potential fate of Cr in high-DOM environments. Minerals and
their products were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray
diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Experiments were conducted at pH 3.2 or 6.5 for
different lengths of time, with a shrinking core model developed to describe
kinetic processes. The concentration of total Cr in solution reached a maximum
when the pH was 6.5 and the concentration of L-tryptophan was 5 mM. The newly
formed minerals were confirmed to be mixtures involving residual schwertmannite,
goethite, ferrihydrite, and jarosite. A possible mechanism is proposed to be a
ligand-controlled binary system, accompanied by possible reduction at acidic pH
conditions (3.2), including mass transfer and charge transfer processes. This
study gives a new perspective for understanding the reactivity and stability of
schwertmannite in the environment; it also provides some predictions on the
mobility and fate of Cr. These findings will help design remediation strategies
for Cr contamination.
PMID- 28991986
TI - Tile Drainage Nitrate Losses and Corn Yield Response to Fall and Spring Nitrogen
Management.
AB - Nitrogen (N) management strategies that maintain high crop productivity with
reduced water quality impacts are needed for tile-drained landscapes of the US
Midwest. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of N
application rate, timing, and fall nitrapyrin addition on tile drainage nitrate
losses, corn ( L.) yield, N recovery efficiency, and postharvest soil nitrate
content over 3 yr in a corn-soybean [ (L.) Merr.] rotation. In addition to an
unfertilized control, the following eight N treatments were applied as anhydrous
ammonia in a replicated, field-scale experiment with both corn and soybean phases
present each year in Illinois: fall and spring applications of 78, 156, and 234
kg N ha, fall application of 156 kg N ha + nitrapyrin, and sidedress (V5-V6)
application of 156 kg N ha. Across the 3-yr study period, increases in flow
weighted NO concentrations were found with increasing N rate for fall and spring
N applications, whereas N load results were variable. At the same N rate, spring
vs. fall N applications reduced flow-weighted NO concentrations only in the corn
soybean-corn rotation. Fall nitrapyrin and sidedress N treatments did not
decrease flo8w-weighted NO concentrations in either rotation compared with fall
and spring N applications, respectively, or increase corn yield, crop N uptake,
or N recovery efficiency in any year. This study indicates that compared with
fall N application, spring and sidedress N applications (for corn-soybean-corn)
and sidedress N applications (for soybean-corn-soybean) reduced 3-yr mean flow
weighted NO concentrations while maintaining yields.
PMID- 28991985
TI - Frequent Prescribed Burning as a Long-term Practice in Longleaf Pine Forests Does
Not Affect Detrital Chemical Composition.
AB - The O horizon, or detrital layer, of forest soils is linked to long-term forest
productivity and health. Fuel reduction techniques, such as prescribed fire, can
alter the thickness and composition of this essential ecosystem component.
Developing an understanding of the changes in the chemical composition of forest
detritus due to prescribed fire is essential for forest managers and stakeholders
seeking sustainable, resilient, and productive ecosystems. In this study, we
evaluated fuel quantity, fuel structure, and detrital chemical composition in
longleaf pine ( Miller) forests that have been frequently burned for the last 40
yr at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center in Georgetown, SC. Our results suggest that
frequent prescribed fire reduces forest fuel quantity ( < 0.01) and vertical
structure ( = 0.01). Using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry as a
molecular technique to analyze detrital chemical composition, including aromatic
compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, we found that the chemical
composition of forest detritus was nearly uniform for both unburned and burned
detritus. Our burning activities varied in the short term, consisting of annual
dormant, annual growing, and biennial dormant season burns. Seasonal distinctions
were present for fuel quantity and vertical fuel structure, but these differences
were not noted for the benzene/phenol ratio. These results are significant as
more managers consider burning existing longleaf stands while determining
effective management practices for longleaf stands yet to be established.
Managers of such stands can be confident that frequent, low-intensity, low
severity prescribed burns in longleaf pine forests do little to affect the long
term chemical composition of forest detritus.
PMID- 28991987
TI - Predictors of Phosphorus Leaching from Bioretention Soil Media.
AB - The phosphorus saturation index (PSI) and P saturation ratio (PSR) were tested
across a wide range of bioretention soil mixtures (BSMs) for their relationship
to total and dissolved P in column leachate. The BSMs tested were made using
different feedstocks including sand alone, food and yard waste compost, biosolids
and yard compost, and high Fe biosolids. The PSI of the mixtures ranged from 0.23
+/- 0.03 (biosolids and yard waste compost 15%, oyster shells 5%) to 1.26 +/-
0.02 (biosolids and yard waste compost 80%). The PSR of the mixtures ranged from
0.05 +/- 0 (100% sand) to 3.12 +/- 0.12 (biosolids and yard waste compost 80%). A
total of 12 storm events were staged using both synthetic rainwater (total P =
1.71 +/- 0.3 mg L) and actual stormwater (total P = 0.08 +/- 0.03 mg L).
Excluding the sand-only mixture, all treatments were a source of P for the
duration of the study. However both total and dissolved P concentrations
decreased over time. Effluent concentrations of total P in the first event ranged
from 0.59 to 75.55 mg L but decreased by the final event to between 0.15 and
10.73 mg L. The PSR was found to be a good predictor of P leaching from all BSMs
with an of 0.73 for total mass of P leached across all leaching events. The PSI
was a poor predictor ( < 0.3). The PSR also predicted total P in leachate for
individual events more effectively than the PSI. Total P in the BSMs had no
relationship to P in the leachate.
PMID- 28991988
TI - Citrate Addition Increased Phosphorus Bioavailability and Enhanced Gasoline
Bioremediation.
AB - Phosphorus (P) bioavailability often limits gasoline biodegradation in calcareous
cold-region soils. One possible method to increase P bioavailability in such
soils is the addition of citrate. Citrate addition at the field scale may
increase hydrocarbon degradation by: (i) enhancing inorganic and organic P
dissolution and desorption, (ii) increasing hydrocarbon bioavailability, and/or
(iii) stimulating microbial activity. Alternatively, citrate addition may inhibit
activity due to competitive effects on carbon metabolism. Using a field-scale in
situ biostimulation study, we evaluated if citrate could stimulate gasoline
degradation and what the dominant mechanism of this stimulation will be. Two
large bore injectors were constructed at a site contaminated with gasoline, and a
biostimulation solution of 11 mM MgSO, 1 mM HPO, and 0.08 mM HNO at pH 6.5 in
municipal potable water was injected at ~5000 L d for about 4 mo. Following this,
10 mM citric acid was incorporated into the existing biostimulation solution and
the site continued to be stimulated for 8 mo. After citrate addition, the
bioavailable P fraction in groundwater and soil increased. Iron(II) groundwater
concentrations increased and corresponded to decreases in benzene, toluene,
ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) in groundwater, as well as a decrease in F1 in the
soil saturated zone. Overall, citrate addition increased P bioavailability and
may stimulate anaerobic microbial activity, resulting in accelerated anaerobic
gasoline bioremediation in cold-region calcareous soils.
PMID- 28991989
TI - Impact of Roadway Stormwater Runoff on Microbial Contamination in the Receiving
Stream.
AB - Stormwater runoff from roadways has increasingly become a regulatory concern for
water pollution control. Recent work has suggested roadway stormwater runoff as a
potential source of microbial pollutants. The objective of this study was to
determine the impact of roadway runoff on the microbiological quality of
receiving streams. Microbiological quality of roadway stormwater runoff and the
receiving stream was monitored during storm events with both cultivation
dependent fecal bacteria enumeration and cultivation-independent high-throughput
sequencing techniques. Enumeration of total coliforms as a measure of fecal
microbial pollution found consistently lower total coliform counts in roadway
runoff than those in the stream water, suggesting that roadway runoff was not a
major contributor of microbial pollutants to the receiving stream. Further
characterization of the microbial community in the stormwater samples by 16S
ribosomal RNA gene-based high-throughput amplicon sequencing revealed significant
differences in the microbial composition of stormwater runoff from the roadways
and the receiving stream. The differences in microbial composition between the
roadway runoff and stream water demonstrate that roadway runoff did not appear to
have a major influence on the stream in terms of microbiological quality. Thus,
results from both fecal bacteria enumeration and high-throughput amplicon
sequencing techniques were consistent that roadway stormwater runoff was not the
primary contributor of microbial loading to the stream. Further studies of
additional watersheds with distinct characteristics are needed to validate these
findings. Understanding gained in this study could support the development of
more effective strategies for stormwater management in sensitive watersheds.
PMID- 28991990
TI - Narasin effects on energy, nutrient, and fiber digestibility in corn-soybean meal
or corn-soybean meal-dried distillers grains with solubles diets fed to 16-, 92-,
and 141-kg pigs.
AB - Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of narasin on growth
performance and on GE and nutrient digestibility in nursery, grower, and
finishing pigs fed either a corn-soybean meal (CSBM) diet or a CSBM diet
supplemented with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), in combination
with either 0 or 30 mg narasin/kg of diet. In Exp. 1 (64 gilts, initial BW = 9.0
kg, SD = 1.0 kg) and Exp. 2 (60 gilts. initial BW = 81.1 kg, SD = 6.1 kg), gilts
were allotted into individual pens and fed their experimental diets for 24 and 21
d, respectively. On the last 2 d of each experiment, fecal samples were collected
to assess apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE and various nutrients.
In Exp. 3, 2 separate groups of 24 gilts (initial BW = 145.1 kg, SD = 7.8 kg)
were allotted to individual metabolism crates and fed their experimental diets
for 30 d prior to a time-based 6-d total fecal collection period to assess GE and
nutrient digestibility. In Exp. 1, there was an interaction between diet type and
narasin addition for G:F and for many of the ATTD coefficients measured. When
narasin was supplemented to the CSBM diet, ATTD of GE, DM, C, S, phosphorus, NDF,
and ADF was either not changed or reduced, while when narasin was supplemented to
DDGS diets, these same ATTD parameters were increased (interaction, <= 0.05).
Even though ADG and ADFI were not affected, G:F was improved in pigs fed the CSBM
diet with supplemental narasin, but was reduced in pigs fed the DDGS diet with
supplemental narasin (interaction, < 0.05). In Exp. 2, there was an interaction
between diet type and narasin supplementation only for ATTD of Ca (interaction, <
0.01), in that narasin supplementation did not change the ATTD of Ca in pigs fed
the CSBM diet, while narasin supplementation reduced the ATTD of Ca in pigs fed
the DDGS containing diet. In Exp. 3, there was an interaction between diet and
narasin only for ATTD of C (interaction, < 0.01) in that narasin supplementation
resulted in an increased ATTD of C in pigs fed the CSBM diet, while narasin
supplementation to the DDGS containing diet resulted in a reduced ATTD of Ca. In
general, the data indicate that narasin interacted with and had its largest
effect on pig performance and GE or nutrient digestibility in 9 to 23 kg pigs
compared to pigs weighing greater than 80 kg. The data also indicate that the
addition of DDGS reduced GE, DM, Ca, and N digestibility, regardless of BW.
PMID- 28991991
TI - Effects of ghrelin on nocturnal melatonin secretion in sheep: An in vitro and in
vivo approach.
AB - Recent studies confirmed that pineal melatonin (MEL) secretion is regulated by
ghrelin (GHRL) in seasonally reproductive sheep. The first in vivo experiment
investigated whether the effect of GHRL on nocturnal secretion of MEL in sheep is
mediated by type 2 serotonin receptors. Sheep ( = 16) were intravenously injected
with GHRL (2.5 MUg/kg of BW) and meta-Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP; a mixed
agonist of 5-HT2B/5-HT2C receptors; 1 mg/kg BW), either combined or individually,
during the short-day (SDS) and long-day (LDS) seasons. Blood samples were
collected at 15-min intervals for 4 h. The second in vitro experiment examined
the effect of GHRL (10 ng/mL) on MEL secretion by pineal gland (PG) explants
incubated for 5 h. The expression levels and/or concentrations of tryptophan 5
hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT), and the
phosphorylated form of AA-NAT (p31T-AA-NAT) were determined at selected time
points during the SDS and LDS seasons. The experiments demonstrated that GHRL
reduced MEL secretion ( < 0.01) during the SDS season. Administration of mCPP or
a combination of GHRL + mCPP stimulated MEL secretion ( < 0.01) regardless of the
season. Furthermore, GHRL regulated nightly MEL secretion in a TPH1-independent
manner. However, during the SDS season, GHRL reduced p31T-AA-NAT expression and
the AA-NAT concentration ( < 0.01) and inhibited MEL secretion ( < 0.001),
whereas during the LDS season, GHRL had no effect on MEL secretion or on the
expression of the examined enzymes. These findings indicate that GHRL directly
and indirectly affects PG activity in sheep and that the photoperiod modulates
the effects of GHRL.
PMID- 28991992
TI - Sheep from low-methane-yield selection lines created on alfalfa pellets also have
lower methane yield under pastoral farming conditions.
AB - Selection lines of sheep with low and high CH yield (g/kg DMI; CH/DMI) are being
developed on the basis of feeding pelleted alfalfa hay at 2.0 times maintenance
ME requirements in respiration chambers, but their divergence under predominant
grazing conditions, as in New Zealand, is not known. The objectives of this study
were to determine CH emissions and rumen fermentation characteristics in sheep
from low and high CH/DMI selection lines while grazing pasture. Two grazing
experiments were conducted with 42 selection line ewes in March 2013 (Exp. 1) and
98 selection line progeny ewe hoggets in October/November 2014 (Exp. 2), with CH
emissions estimated by the SF tracer technique and DMI estimated by titanium
oxide in combination with natural long-chain -alkanes. Total daily CH production
(g/d) was similar between high and low CH/DMI selection line sheep in Exp. 1 and
lower for low CH/DMI progeny compared with high CH/DMI progeny in Exp. 2 ( <
0.05). The CH/DMI tended to be 20% lower for low CH/DMI line sheep compared with
high CH/DMI selection line sheep in Exp. 1 ( < 0.10) and was 15% lower for the
low CH/DMI line in Exp. 2 ( < 0.01). Total VFA concentration and concentrations
(m) of acetate, butyrate, and isobutyrate plus isovalerate were lower ( < 0.05)
for low CH/DMI line sheep compared with high CH/DMI selection line sheep in both
experiments. The current study indicates that differences in CH/DMI and VFA
concentrations in selection line sheep, previously established on alfalfa
pellets, are also present to a similar magnitude when grazing pasture.
PMID- 28991993
TI - Use of the spectrophotometric color method for the determination of the age of
skin lesions on the pig carcass and its relationship with gene expression and
histological and histochemical parameters.
AB - The presence of lesions on the pig carcass is an indicator of poor animal welfare
and has economic impact as it downgrades the carcass value. The assessment of the
age of lesions on the carcass may help identify risk factors and ultimately
prevent their occurrence. The aim of this study was to assess the age of lesions
on pig carcasses through spectrophotometric color evaluation and to relate the
results with gene expression and histological and histochemical parameters. A
total of 96 barrows were mixed 4 times over 3 d before slaughter and 80 lesions
were selected after skin lesion observations to define 4 age categories: < 7 h
(T1), 7-25 h (T2), 25-30 h (T3), and 49-54 h (T4). A nonlesioned skin area was
used as a control. At slaughter, 3 biopsies per lesion and control skin were
taken immediately after bleeding for analyses of gene expression (, , , , , , , ,
, ), skin histological characteristics (inflammation, erosion or ulceration, and
necrosis), and enzyme activity (alkaline phosphatase and adenosine
triphosphatase). The number of lesions was counted on each carcass, and the color
was assessed visually by a pictorial chart and instrumentally through a
spectrophotometer. Delta values (Delta) were calculated as the difference between
the value of the lesion and the value of the control for all measures, except for
the histological analysis. Results indicated that visual color observation was
not sufficiently accurate to discriminate lesions by time of infliction ( >
0.10), while the spectrophotometer DeltaL* and Deltaa* values variation allowed
the identification of < 7 h or > 25 h old lesions ( < 0.05). Similarly, the
expression of , , , , and genes was higher ( < 0.05) in < 7 h old lesions, while
gene expression was higher ( < 0.05) in < 25 h old lesions. As for the
histological analysis, the severity of inflammation was correlated with the age
of the lesion (lower score in < 7 h old lesions and higher score in > 25 h old
lesions; < 0.05). To conclude, the spectrophotometric color assessment of the
carcass lesions at slaughter appears to be a reliable method to discriminate
between fresh and older lesions on the carcass at the abattoir.
PMID- 28991994
TI - Technical note: Validation of an automated system for monitoring and restricting
water intake in group-housed beef steers.
AB - The Insentec Roughage Intake Control (RIC) system has been validated for the
collection of water intake; however, this system has not been validated for water
restriction. The objective of this validation was to evaluate the agreement
between direct observations and automated intakes collected by the RIC system
under both ad libitum and restricted water conditions. A total of 239 crossbred
steers were used in a 3-d validation trial, which assessed intake values
generated by the RIC electronic intake monitoring system for both ad libitum
water intake ( = 122; BASE) and restricted water intake ( = 117; RES). Direct
human observations were collected on 4 Insentec water bins for three 24-h periods
and three 12-h periods for BASE and RES, respectively. An intake event was noted
by the observer when the electronic identification of the animal was read by the
transponder and the gate lowered, and starting and ending bin weights were
recorded for each intake event. Data from direct observations across each
validation period were compared to automated observations generated from the RIC
system. Missing beginning or ending weight values for visual observations
occasionally occurred due to the observer being unable to capture the value
before the monitor changed when bin activity was high. To estimate the impact of
these missing values, analyses denoted as OBS were completed with the incomplete
record coded as missing data. These analyses were contrasted with analyses where
observations with a single missing beginning or end weight (but not both) were
assumed to be identical to that which was recorded by the Insentec system (OBS).
Difference in mean total intake across BASE steers was 0.60 +/- 2.06 kg OBS (0.54
+/- 1.99 kg OBS) greater for system observations than visual observations. The
comparison of mean total intake across the 3 RES validation days was 0.53 +/-
2.30 kg OBS (0.13 +/- 1.83 kg OBS) greater for system observations than direct
observations. Day was not a significant source of error in this study ( > 0.05).
These results indicate that the system was capable of limiting water of
individual animals with reasonable accuracy, although errors are slightly higher
during water restriction than during ad libitum access. The Insentec system is a
suitable resource for monitoring individual water intake of growing, group-housed
steers under ad libitum and restricted water conditions.
PMID- 28991995
TI - Energy and protein requirements for maintenance of dairy goats during pregnancy
and their efficiencies of use.
AB - It has been suggested that maintenance requirements are similar among animals of
different physiological stages; however, important physiological changes occur in
the maternal body during pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to
determine the energy and protein requirements for the maintenance of pregnant
dairy goats and to estimate their efficiency of energy and protein utilization
for maintenance and pregnancy. We used 66 multiparous pregnant goats having 49.0
+/- 1.59 kg initial BW (around the third or fourth parturition) arranged in a
randomized block design with a 3 * 3 factorial scheme including slaughter at
different days of pregnancy (DOP; 80, 110, and 140 d) and feed restriction (0,
20, and 40% feed restriction). The comparative slaughter technique was used to
estimate energy and protein maintenance requirements. Goats slaughtered at 140
DOP were subjected to digestibility trials at around 80, 110, and 140 DOP to
estimate diet metabolizability and N balance (NBAL). Metabolizability decreased
with feed restriction and was 63.3 +/- 2.16, 55.7 +/- 2.35, and 58.2 +/- 2.30% at
0, 20, and 40% of feed restriction, respectively ( < 0.01). There was no effect
of DOP on NE or the requirements of ME for maintenance (ME), which were 197 and
315 kJ/kg empty body weight (EBW), respectively, and the efficiency of ME
utilization for maintenance (k) was 0.63. Similarly, DOP did not affect thedaily
net protein requirements for maintenance (NP) estimated using the comparative
slaughter technique (1.38 +/- 0.512 g/kg EBW; = 0.003) or the NP estimated using
NBAL (2.49 +/- 0.594 g/kg EBW; < 0.01). The MP requirement for maintenance (MP)
estimated using the comparative slaughter technique was not affected by DOP and
was 3.22 g MP/kg EBW ( < 0.01). The efficiency of MP utilization for maintenance
(k) was 0.43. The efficiency of ME utilization for pregnancy (k) increased with
the progress of pregnancy and was 0.058, 0.10, and 0.19 at 80, 110, and 140 DOP,
respectively. Similarly, the efficiency of MP utilization for pregnancy (k)
increased with DOP and was 0.12, 0.21, and 0.43 at 80, 110, and 140 DOP,
respectively. There was no evidence that pregnancy affected NE, ME, NP, and MP or
k and k, which were also unaffected by DOP. However, k and k increased with
pregnancy progress as a response to the physiological changes that pregnant
females are subjected to.
PMID- 28991996
TI - Effect of trace mineral source on mineral status and performance of beef steers
fed low- or high-sulfur diets.
AB - A 2 * 2 factorial assessed the effect of trace mineral (TM) sources fed within
low- or high-S diets on the mineral status and performance of cattle. Angus
crossbred steers ( = 48; 6/pen) were blocked by BW (316 +/- 16.6 kg), assigned to
low-S (0.27%; LS) or high-S (0.54%; HS; added as CaSO) diets, and supplemented TM
at 10 mg Cu, 30 mg Zn, and 20 mg Mn/kg DM from hydroxy (HYD; IntelliBond;
Micronutrients USA LLC, Indianapolis, IN) or inorganic (sulfates; ING) sources (
= 12 steers/treatment). Steers were fed corn silage and corn-based diets via
GrowSafe bunks in the growing period (GP; 84 d) and finishing period (FP; 77 d),
respectively. Plasma and liver were collected at trial initiation and end of GP
and FP for mineral concentrations. End of GP and FP red blood cell lysate
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Mn-SOD activity and liver glutathione
concentrations were measured. Data were used as a 2 * 2 factorial using Proc
Mixed of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with initial plasma and liver status
analyzed as covariates. High S decreased ( < 0.01) liver Cu and tended ( <= 0.10)
to decrease plasma Cu concentrations. Liver Cu concentrations were lower in HYD
than ING in the FP ( < 0.01). High S decreased ( = 0.04) GP plasma Zn
concentrations and tended to decrease ( = 0.10) GP liver Zn. There were GP ( =
0.05) and FP ( = 0.02) S * TM effects for liver Mn concentrations where GP LS-HYD
was greater than all other treatments, whereas FP LS-HYD was lower than HS-HYD
and LS-ING and FP HS-ING was less than LS-ING. Glutathione, SOD, and Mn-SOD were
not different ( >= 0.13) in the GP, but S * TM tended to affect FP Mn-SOD ( =
0.10), where LS-HYD tended to be lower than LS-ING. Oxidized glutathione in FP
tended to be lower ( = 0.06) for HYD than ING. In the GP, there were S * TM
effects on performance where LS-HYD had greater ADG and G:F ( <= 0.05) than HS
HYD, whereas LS and HS-ING were intermediate. For FP performance S * TM effects
were noted where LS-HYD and HS-ING tended ( = 0.10) to gain more than HS-HYD and
HS-HYD had lower G:F ( = 0.04) than HS-ING. There were no effects of S * TM on
final BW, DMI, or ADG ( >= 0.11); however, HS-HYD had lower G:F than other
treatments overall ( = 0.05). High S decreased back fat and yield grade ( =
0.03), and rib eye area was smaller for HYD than ING ( = 0.02). In this study HS
decreased markers of Cu and Zn status, and differential effects of HYD vs. ING
minerals were noted across dietary phases, although all steers maintained
adequate TM status.
PMID- 28991997
TI - Substituting ground woody plants for cottonseed hulls in lamb feedlot diets:
Growth performance, blood serum chemistry, and rumen fluid parameters.
AB - Effects of using ground woody plants in Rambouillet wether lamb feedlot diets on
growth performance, blood serum, and rumen parameters were evaluated. A
randomized design study was used with 2 feeding periods (70% concentrate diet
from d 0 to 27 [Period 1] and 86% concentrate diet from d 28 to 57 [Period 2]);
the concentrate portion of the diets mainly consisted of dried distiller's grains
with solubles and sorghum grain. Lambs were individually fed 6 diets that
differed only by roughage source ( = 8 animals/treatment; 32.9 +/- 3.2 kg initial
BW): either cottonseed hulls (CSH; control) or ground wood consisting of redberry
juniper (RED), blueberry juniper (BLUE), one-seeded juniper (ONE), or eastern red
cedar (ERC) spp. or honey mesquite (MESQ; ). Using ground wood vs. CSH as the
roughage source did not affect ( > 0.12) BW. There tended to be a treatment * day
interaction ( = 0.07) for lamb DMI, attributed to Period 1 when DMI was greater (
< 0.05) for lambs fed CSH vs. RED, ONE, ERC, or MESQ during the first 14 d and
greater ( < 0.05) during d 14 to 28 vs. lambs fed ERC. Overall, ADG was less for
lambs fed ERC ( < 0.10) or MESQ ( < 0.05) vs. lambs fed CSH, but G:F was similar
( > 0.10) among all lambs. Dietary treatments did not affect ( > 0.15) ruminal
pH, but treatment * day interactions ( < 0.05) were observed for rumen fluid
ammonia N or molar proportions of propionate and butyrate; few differences were
observed within day. However, overall, lambs fed RED or MESQ had greater ( <
0.05) total rumen VFA than lambs fed CSH. A treatment * day interaction ( = 0.04)
was observed for the acetate:propionate ratio, but no differences ( > 0.10) were
observed within day. Treatment * day interactions ( < 0.05) were observed for
blood serum glucose, gamma-glutamyl transferase, the albumin:globulin ratio,
total bilirubin, beta-hydroxybutyrate, P, Cl, and Mg, with most results being
less for lambs fed the wood-based diets than for lambs fed the CSH diets. Results
suggested that even though lamb DMI was reduced during the growing period when
diets contained 30% ground woody products (RED, ONE, ERC, and MESQ), animal
health and rumen fluid parameters were not negatively affected by ground woody
plants.
PMID- 28991998
TI - Effects of feeding ground redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii) to gestating
ewes on pre- and postpartum performance, serum metabolites and hormones, milk
fatty acid composition, and progeny preweaning performance.
AB - The objective of this research was to evaluate effects of replacing sorghum *
Sudangrass hay with ground juniper in gestating ewe supplements on pre- and
postpartum growth performance, serum metabolites and hormonal concentrations,
milk fatty acid composition, and progeny preweaning performance. In a completely
randomized design, commercial Rambouillet ewes (age = 3 to 5 yr; initial BW =
65.2 +/- 1.6 kg) on a base diet of long-stem sorghum * Sudangrass hay were
assigned to 1 of 4 dietary supplements in which ground juniper replaced 0%
(CNTL), 33% (18JUN), 66% (36JUN), or 100% (54JUN) of the ground sorghum *
Sudangrass hay in a pelleted supplement with ground juniper from d 38 +/- 4 of
gestation to 2 d postpartum. Treatment DM diet intake overall (g/kg BW) in ewes
receiving no juniper was similar ( >= 0.38) to that of those receiving increasing
concentrations of juniper. Changes in ewe BW and BCS were similar ( >= 0.24) in
ewes throughout gestation. All serum metabolites and hormones were within normal
clinical ranges; however, serum IGF-1 decreased linearly ( = 0.003), alanine
increased (linear; = 0.003), and serum Na decreased (linear; = 0.049) as the
percentage of juniper increased in the diet. Ewe milk fatty acid composition was
similar ( > 0.05) for the majority of fatty acids across treatment groups, with
the exception of arachidonic acid (C20:4n6) being greater ( < 0.02) in 54JUN vs.
CNTL ewe milk. Lamb birth weights were similar ( = 0.13), whereas lamb ADG tended
to differ (quadratic; = 0.06) from d 0 to 14, with 18JUN being the least. At
weaning, BW tended ( = 0.09) to linearly decrease in lambs born to ewes consuming
greater concentrations of juniper but were not different ( = 0.26) between CNTL
and 18JUN, 36JUN, and 54JUN. Results indicated that feeding increasing levels of
ground juniper in supplements did not negatively alter ewe performance or serum
metabolites and hormones measured pre- and postpartum. Lamb birth weight and
preweaning performance appeared unaffected by maternal consumption of ground
juniper containing supplements. Results also provide novel information regarding
the effects of plant secondary compound consumption throughout pregnancy on ewe
and progeny performance and health.
PMID- 28991999
TI - Effect of combined xylanase and phytase on growth performance, apparent total
tract digestibility, and carcass characteristics in growing pigs fed corn-based
diets containing high-fiber coproducts.
AB - Phytate has been shown to be an antinutrient, and the feeding of high levels of
phytase can break down phytate to improve nutrient utilization and pig
performance. Dietary xylanase targets arabinoxylan breakdown, thereby improving
energy utilization in pigs. However, the effects of simultaneous supplementation
have not been clearly determined. Crossbred pigs ( = 45; mean initial weight,
26.4 +/- 0.2 kg) were allotted to 1 of 9 treatments to evaluate the effects of
both xylanase (endo-1,4-beta xylanase [EC 3.2.1.8]) and phytase (6-phytase [EC
3.1.3.26]) supplementation as follows: 1) positive control (PC), a corn-soybean
meal-based diet with 15% corn distillers dried grains with solubles, 15% wheat
middlings, and 13% corn germ meal; 2) negative control (NC), ME was reduced by
103 kcal/kg from the PC diet by replacement of fat with corn starch; 3) NC +
phytase (500 phytase units (FTU)/kg diet); 4) NC + phytase (1,000 FTU/kg diet);
5) NC + phytase (2,000 FTU/kg diet); 6) NC + xylanase (24,000 xylanase units
[BXU]/kg diet); 7) NC + phytase (500 FTU/kg diet) + xylanase (24,000 BXU/kg
diet); 8) NC + phytase (1,000 FTU/kg diet) + xylanase (24,000 BXU/kg diet); and
9) NC + phytase (2,000 FTU/kg diet) + xylanase (24,000 BXU/kg diet). All diets
were formulated to meet nutrient requirements before phytase and xylanase
addition to the diets. There were no significant interactions between xylanase
and phytase supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and
apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). The ADG ( < 0.01, quadratic) and G:F (
< 0.05, linear) for the overall period increased as phytase level increased. The
ATTD of P increased as phytase supplementation level increased ( < 0.05, linear
and quadratic). The ATTD of DM, NDF, ether extract ( < 0.05), and hemicellulose (
= 0.05) increased quadratically as phytase level increased. Estimated carcass
lean percentage and lean gain increased ( < 0.05, linear) as phytase level
increased. Xylanase supplementation had no effect on growth performance, ATTD,
and carcass characteristics. The results demonstrated an improved nutrient
digestibility, performance, and carcass response to phytase supplementation
beyond P provision because all diets exceeded current P requirement estimates
based on standardized total tract digestible P.
PMID- 28992000
TI - Differential expression of neuregulin 1 (NRG1) and candidate miRNA regulating
NRG1 transcription in the chicken oviduct in response to hormonal changes.
AB - Neuregulin 1 (NRG1), a signaling protein that binds to members of the
erythroblastoma (ErbB) family, is known to play essential biological roles in
mediating cell-cell interactions and orchestrating vital cell functions in the
heart and nervous system. NRG1 is closely associated with developmental processes
in various organs and expression of several NRG1 isoforms are regulated by
estrogen. However, expression and its hormonal regulation during development of
the female reproductive tract remain unknown. The reproductive system of chickens
undergoes dynamic morphological and functional changes in response to estrogen
and the molting process. Therefore, in the current study, we found differential
expression of and candidate microRNA regulating chicken transcription in response
to estrogen stimulation and/or the molting process. The results revealed that
relative expression of mRNA increased in the oviducts of chicks treated with
diesthylstilbestrol (DES; a synthetic non-steroidal estrogen). Additionally,
abundant NRG1 mRNA expression was primarily in the glandular (GE) and luminal
(LE) epithelia of the magnum in the developing chick oviduct in response to
exogenous estrogen. Also, expression decreased during regression of the oviduct
following induced molting by feeding high levels of zinc in the diet, and then
gradually resurged as the oviduct underwent remodeling and recrudescence in
laying hens. In addition, the present results revealed changes in relative
expression of candidate chicken microRNA (, and ) targeting transcription in
chicken oviducts in response to exogenous estrogen. In conclusion, these results
provide the first evidence that is a novel estrogen-responsive gene closely
correlated with the estrogen-dependent development of the oviduct of chicks and
regeneration of the oviduct after molting. Further, regulation of expression
involving at least 3 chicken miRNA is likely a prerequisite for those estrogen
regulated developmental events.
PMID- 28992001
TI - Genomic inbreeding depression for climatic adaptation of tropical beef cattle.
AB - Inbreeding has the potential to negatively impact animal performance. Strategies
to monitor and mitigate inbreeding depression require that it can be accurately
estimated. Here, we used genomewide SNP data to explore 3 alternative measures of
genomic inbreeding: the diagonal elements of the genomic relationship matrix
(FGRM), the proportion of homozygous SNP (FHOM), and the proportion of the genome
covered by runs of homozygosity (FROH). We used 2,111 Brahman (BR) and 2,550
Tropical Composite (TC) cattle with phenotypes recorded for 10 traits of
relevance to tropical adaptation. We further explored 3 marker densities ranging
from a high-density chip (729,068 SNP), a medium-density chip (71,726 SNP)
specifically designed for cattle, and a low-density chip (18,860 SNP) associated
with the measures of inbreeding. Measures of FGRM were highly correlated across
the 3 SNP densities and negatively correlated with FHOM and FROH in the BR
population. In both populations, there was a strong positive correlation for each
measure of inbreeding across the 3 SNP panels. We found significant ( < 0.01)
inbreeding depression for various traits, particularly when using the highest
density SNP chip in the BR population, where inbreeding was negatively associated
with coat color and coat type such that inbred animals presented shorter,
slicker, and lighter coats. Based on FGRM using the medium-density chip, we found
that a 1% increase in inbreeding in the BR and TC populations was associated with
a decrease of 0.514 and 0.579 kg BW, respectively, in yearlings. In the TC
population, a 1% increase in FHOM was associated with a decrease in BCS of
0.636% ( < 0.001). The low-density chip, comprising SNP associated with
inbreeding, captured genes, and regions with pleiotropic effects ( < 0.001).
However, it did not improve our ability to identify inbreeding depression,
relative to the use of higher-density panels. We conclude that where
heterogeneous populations are present, such as in tropical environments where
composite animals abound, measures of inbreeding that do not depend on allele
frequencies, such as FHOM and FROH, are preferable for estimating genomic
inbreeding. Finally, the sustainable intensification of livestock systems in
tropical regions will rely on genetic safeguards to ensure that productivity is
improved while also adapting animals to cope with climate change. The results of
this study are a step toward achieving that goal.
PMID- 28992003
TI - Rearing in captivity affects spermatogenesis and sperm quality in greater
amberjack, Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810).
AB - The greater amberjack, (Risso, 1810), is a promising candidate for the
diversification of European aquaculture production, but inconsistent reproduction
in captivity prevents commercial production. Recent studies showed that greater
amberjack confined in sea cages exhibited scarce gonad development and early
interruption of gametogenic activity during the reproductive season. The aim of
the present study was to improve our understanding of the observed impairment of
spermatogenesis. Adult wild and captive-reared males were sampled during 3
different phases of the reproductive cycle: early gametogenesis (EARLY; late
April to early May), advanced gametogenesis (ADVANCED; late May to early June),
and spawning (SPAWNING; late June to July). Spermatogonial stem cells and
proliferating germ cells were identified through the immunohistochemical
localization of and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, respectively. Apoptotic
germ cells were identified throughout the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase
mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick end labeling method. Sperm quality
of captive-reared fish was evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis.
Captive-reared males exhibited seminiferous lobules of a smaller diameter, a
precocious and progressive decrease of spermatogonial mitosis, and a high level
of apoptosis at the beginning of the reproductive season, concomitant with a many
fold higher 17beta-estradiol plasma concentration. The motile spermatozoa
percentage of captive greater amberjack was lower than in other teleosts, and a
drastic decrease of spermatozoa motility duration, velocity, and ATP content
occurred along the reproductive season. An abnormal increase of sperm
concentration as well as an increase of dead spermatozoa occurred during the
SPAWNING phase, probably because of lack of sperm hydration and ejaculation and
consequent sperm ageing. The present study demonstrates the extreme
susceptibility of greater amberjack to rearing stress and underscores the need
for improvement of the rearing and handling procedures to ameliorate
gametogenesis dysfunctions in commercial aquaculture production.
PMID- 28992004
TI - The effects of copper source and concentration on growth performance, carcass
characteristics, and pen cleanliness in finishing pigs.
AB - A total of 1,143 pigs (PIC 337 * 1050, initially 25.1 +/- 0.03 kg BW) were used
in a 111-d study to determine the effects of copper sulfate (CuSO; Prince Agri
Products, Quincy, IL) or tribasic copper chloride (TBCC; IntelliBond C;
Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) on growth performance, carcass characteristics,
and pen cleanliness. Pens of pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments,
balanced on average pen weight in a randomized complete block design with 25 to
28 pigs per pen and 7 replications per treatment. Treatments included a corn
soybean meal-based diet (corn-soy), a high-by-product diet with 30% distillers
dried grains with solubles and 15% bakery meal (by-product diet), and the by
product diet with 75 or 150 mg/kg added Cu from CuSO or TBCC. All diets contained
20 mg/kg Cu from CuSO in the trace mineral premix. At the conclusion of the
trial, a digital photo of each pen was taken to allow 3 independent observers to
score manure texture and buildup and to assess pen cleanliness prior to power
washing. Furthermore, the time required to power wash each pen was also measured.
Overall, pigs fed the by-product diet tended to have increased ADFI ( = 0.083)
and had decreased G:F ( = 0.005) compared to those fed the corn-soy diet. No Cu
source * level interactions or Cu source differences were observed ( > 0.05).
From d 0 to 71, pigs fed increasing Cu had increased (quadratic, < 0.05) ADG, d
71 BW, and ADFI. From d 71 to 111, pigs fed increasing Cu tended to have
increased ADFI (linear, = 0.068) and decreased G:F (quadratic, = 0.056). Overall
(d 0 to 111), increasing Cu increased (linear, < 0.01) ADG, final BW, and ADFI
(quadratic, = 0.026). Hot carcass weight increased (linear, = 0.023) by 2.4 kg
with increasing Cu. Increasing Cu also increased loin depth (linear, = 0.019) and
percentage lean (quadratic, = 0.024). Manure buildup and wash time (s/pen)
increased ( < 0.05) for by-product diet pens compared to corn-soy pens; however,
neither wash time nor pen cleanliness were influenced by added Cu. In summary,
increasing dietary Cu in high-by-product diets improved growth and feed intake,
resulting in increased final BW and HCW for pigs fed both Cu sources, without
influencing pen wash time.
PMID- 28992005
TI - Characterization of exosomes from body fluids of dairy cows.
AB - Exosomes are a specific subpopulation of extracellular vesicles that are widely
released by cells of different origins with divergent functions that make their
way into body fluids that can be conveniently sampled. In the current study, we
isolated and evaluated exosomes from concurrently collected samples of milk,
plasma, saliva, and urine from a group of 6 pregnant Holstein-Friesian dairy cows
(aged 7 mo, 174 to 203 d of gestation). The cows had BCS of 3.5 to 5.25 (on a
scale of 1 to 10), and the milk production for the season to the time of sampling
ranged between 5,118 and 6,959 kg. The low levels of extracellular vesicles in
saliva and urine (more than 86% fewer compared to the extracellular vesicles in
milk and plasma) precluded further detailed evaluation since utility for
diagnostics was deemed unlikely. In exosomes isolated from milk and plasma, size
distribution, morphology, and the presence of exosome markers was confirmed by
nanoparticle tracking analysis, electron microscopy, and Western blot. In
addition, a targeted proteomic approach using the quadrupole ion trap mass
spectrometer was also used in the study to screen for the exosome marker (e.g.,
Tumor susceptibility gene 101). Following confirmation of the presence of
exosomes, the proteomic profiles of milk and plasma exosomes were evaluated using
information-dependent acquisition-mediated liquid chromatography-tandem mass
spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The milk exosomes contain proteins that differed greatly
from the plasma exosomes, with only 8 similar proteins harbored in both the milk
and plasma exosomes. The milk and plasma exosomes were found to contain proteins
(e.g., immunoglobulin J chain and alpha2 macroglobulin) associated with specific
biological processes and molecular functions. Hence, the fluid of origin required
for exosome analysis will be dependent on the specific information needed. In
conclusion, isolated exosomes from milk and plasma samples collected at the same
time point from the same dairy cows encapsulated different profiles of proteins
associated with different biological processes and molecular functions.
PMID- 28992007
TI - Effects of diet complexity and multicarbohydrase supplementation on growth
performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, intestinal morphology, and
fecal score in newly weaned pigs.
AB - To study the effects of diet complexity and multicarbohydrase (MC)
supplementation, 144 piglets (6.70 +/- 0.81 kg of BW) weaned at 21 +/- 2 d of age
(1:1 male to female ratio) were assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a 3 * 2
factorial arrangement based on diet complexity (complex1, complex2, and simple)
and MC addition (0 vs. 0.1% of MC). Diets were provided in a 2-phase feeding
program with phase I (d 1 to 14) and phase II diets (d 15 to 28). Complex1 was
formulated to mimic a conventional weaner diet with blood plasma, fish meal,
dried whey, and skim milk powder, whereas complex2 partially or totally replaced
these ingredients with various plant-based ingredients. The simple diet primarily
comprised corn, wheat, and soybean meal. No interactions were found between diet
complexity and MC supplementation ( > 0.10), except for apparent total tract
digestibility (ATTD) of ash and globulin concentration on d 28 ( < 0.05). Pigs
fed the complex1 diet had greater ( < 0.01) ADG, ADFI, and G:F than those fed the
other diets during the first week after weaning. However, no differences in ADG
or ADFI were observed for pigs fed the complex1 and simple diets throughout the
28-d experimental period ( > 0.10), whereas the complex2 diet led to lower ADG
and ADFI compared with the complex1 diet ( < 0.05). Overall, G:F was greater for
pigs fed the simple diet compared with those fed the complex1 diet ( < 0.01).
Pigs fed the simple diet showed ATTD of DM, OM, GE, and ash comparable to those
fed the complex1 diet on d 14 ( > 0.10). In contrast, greater ATTD of DM, OM,
NDF, GE, and ash was observed ( < 0.05) in pigs fed the complex1 diet than in
those fed the complex2 diet or the simple diet on d 28. The simple diet increased
the lymphocyte proportion in serum compared with the complex1 diet ( < 0.01) on d
14. Pigs fed the complex1 diet had a greater ( < 0.05) ratio of villus height
(VH) to crypt depth (CD) in the ileum compared with the other diets. The complex2
diet decreased ( < 0.05) the fecal score during 3 wk of the postweaning period
compared with the complex1 diet. Dietary MC supplementation increased ( < 0.05)
G:F during the overall experimental period, VH in the ileum, VH:CD ratio in the
duodenum, and ATTD of DM and GE but it reduced fecal score ( < 0.05). In
conclusion, feeding a simple diet resulted in BW comparable to feeding the
complex1 diet, but it led to inferior intestinal morphology and ATTD of nutrients
on d 28. Also, MC supplementation could be beneficial regardless of diet
complexity.
PMID- 28992006
TI - Does microbial nitrogen contamination affect the estimation of crude protein
degradability of concentrate feeds?
AB - The effects of microbial contamination (MC) on CP degradability of concentrate
feeds are still controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use N to
estimate the impact of MC on estimations of CP fractions (the soluble fraction of
CP [a], the insoluble but potentially degradable fraction of CP [b], and the rate
of digestion of fraction b [kd]) of concentrate feeds. Twelve types of feed were
evaluated: 6 energy concentrates-wheat bran ( L.), rice meal ( L.), ground corn (
L.), ground sorghum ( Pers.), ground corn cob ( L.), and soybean hulls [ (L.)
Merr.]-and 6 protein concentrates-cottonseed meal ( L.), soybean meal [ (L.)
Merr.], ground bean ( L.), peanut meal ( L.), sunflower meal ( L.), and corn
gluten meal ( L.). The feeds were divided into 4 groups and were incubated in the
rumen of 4 crossbred bulls. The samples were incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24,
48, and 72 h. To estimate the MC of the incubated residues, the ruminal bacteria
were labeled with N via continuous intraruminal infusion of (NH)SO. There was no
difference ( = 0.738) between corrected and uncorrected parameters a, b, and kd
for all feeds that were evaluated. All of the feed tests followed an exponential
model of degradation, and the model fitted well to the data, except for corn
gluten meal, probably because the maximum incubation time that was used (72 h)
was not long enough to allow for an accurate estimation of the degradation
profile. Therefore, correction of ruminal protein degradation to MC is irrelevant
with regards to the concentrates that were studied.
PMID- 28992008
TI - Effects of dietary l-methionine supplementation on the growth performance,
carcass characteristics, meat quality, and muscular antioxidant capacity and
myogenic gene expression in low birth weight pigs.
AB - The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary Met
supplementation on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality,
and muscular antioxidant capacity and myogenic gene expression in low birth
weight (LBW) pigs. Thirty normal birth weight (NBW) and 60 LBW female piglets
were selected at birth. In each litter, after weaning, 1 of the LBW piglets (LBW
CON group) and 1 of the NBW piglets (NBW-CON group) were fed the basal diets and
1 LBW littermate was fed the basal diet supplemented with Met (LBW-MET group).
Thus, all pigs were distributed into groups of 3 treatments * 6 replicates (pens)
* 5 piglets per replicate up to 180 d of age. Compared with NBW-CON pigs, LBW-CON
pigs had decreased ADG ( = 0.004) and ADFI ( < 0.001) during the postweaning
period and greater backfat thickness ( = 0.015) at slaughter. In addition, LBW
CON pigs exhibited compromised meat quality, as evidenced by a greater drip loss
at 24 h postmortem( = 0.037) and a lower pH at 45 min postmortem ntents of
malondialdehyde (MDA; = 0.046) and protein carbonyl ( = 0.028) in the LM. The LBW
pigs fed the Met-supplemented diets had a greater amount of reduced glutathione
(GSH; = 0.009) but a lower level of MDA ( = 0.015) in the LM compared with the
LBW-CON pigs. Methionine supplementation increased the pH at 24 h postmortem (pH)
value ( = 0.004) but reduced the drip loss at both 24 ( = 0.016) and 48 h ( =
0.005) postmortem of LBW-MET pigs in comparison with the LBW-CON pigs. The Met
supplemented diets increased the -adenosyl-methionine content ( = 0.006), DNA
methyltransferase activity ( = 0.007), and CpG methylation levels of the sites
+27 ( = 0.008) and +160 ( = 0.009) of myostatin (MSTN) exon 1 but decreased the
mRNA expression of MSTN ( = 0.011) in the LM of the LBW-MET group compared with
the LM of the LBW-CON group. Additionally, when compared with the LBW-CON group,
the area of LM ( = 0.037) was significantly increased in the LBW-MET group, in
parallel with the upregulated mRNA abundance of myogenin ( = 0.025), myocyte
enhancer factor 2A ( = 0.036), and myocyte enhancer factor 2D ( = 0.015). In
conclusion, Met supplementation increases pH and decreases drip loss in the LM of
LBW-MET pigs, along with a greater GSH content but a lower MDA accumulation.
Also, the LBW-MET pigs showed a greater LM area, which may be associated with the
improved expression of myogenic genes.
PMID- 28992009
TI - Technical note: Relationship between in situ NDF degradability and enzymatic NDF
hydrolysis in forages, nonforage fibrous feeds, and crop residues.
AB - The study was performed on forages ( = 8), nonforage fibrous feeds ( = 10), and
crop residues ( = 2). Samples were characterized for in situ NDF degradability
(NDFD) at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 240 h of ruminal
incubation. Then, samples were characterized for enzymatic NDFD by adopting a
multistep enzymatic method consisting of a preincubation (PreInc) phase followed
by enzymatic incubation (EnzInc) steps. In the PreInc phase, samples were
incubated in a NaOH solution for 0, 30, 60, or 90 min. Then, in the EnzInc phase,
samples were first incubated in a buffered enzymatic solution containing
hemicellulase, cellulase, and Viscozyme L enzymes. Then, samples were incubated
in a xylanase-buffered enzymatic solution. These 2-step EnzInc lasted for a total
of 16 (8 h for the first enzymatic step + 8 h for the second enzymatic step), 32
(16 + 16 h), or 48 h (24 + 24 h). The enzymatic NDFD coefficients were increased
by increasing both PreInc and EnzInc incubation times, and no PreInc * EnzInc
interaction was observed, except for ryegrass hay. On average, enzymatic NDFD
increased ( < 0.05) by 0.35, 0.54, or 0.68, respectively, for 30-, 60-, or 90-min
PreInc compared with 0-min PreInc. The enzymatic NDFD increased ( < 0.05), on
average, by 0.11 in 32-h EnzInc or 0.16 in 48-h EnzInc with respect to 16-h
EnzInc. Enzymatic NDFD were used to predict in situ NDFD coefficients by adopting
single regression equations. High coefficients of regression ( > 0.80, < 0.05)
and low errors of prediction were measured when specific enzymatic conditions
were performed to predict in situ NDFD at intermediate (from 24 to 48 h) ruminal
incubation. Generally, worse regression performances were obtained when enzymatic
NDFD were used to predict in situ NDFD evaluated after shorter or longer
incubation times. The direct prediction of the rate of NDF degradation was not
possible using enzymatic NDFD coefficients. Even if the proposed multistep
enzymatic method appeared promising, further studies are required to improve
enzymatic NDFD prediction ability within specific forage types or nonforage
fibrous feeds.
PMID- 28992010
TI - Genotype by environment interaction effects in genetic evaluation of preweaning
gain for Line 1 Hereford cattle from Miles City, Montana.
AB - It has long been recognized that genotype * environment interaction potentially
influences genetic evaluation of beef cattle. However, this recognition has
largely been ignored in systems for national cattle evaluation. The objective of
this investigation was to determine if direct and maternal genetic effects on
preweaning gain would be reranked depending on an environmental gradient as
determined by year effects. Data used were from the 76-yr selection experiment
with the Line 1 Hereford cattle raised at Miles City, MT. The data comprised
recorded phenotypes from 7,566 animals and an additional 1,862 ancestral records
included in the pedigree. The presence of genotype * environment interaction was
examined using reaction norms wherein year effects on preweaning gain were
hypothesized to linearly influence the EBV. Estimates of heritability for direct
and maternal effects, given the average environment, were 10 +/- 2 and 26 +/- 3%,
respectively. In an environment that is characterized by the 5th (95th)
percentile of the distribution of year effects, the corresponding estimates of
heritability were 18 +/- 3 (22 +/- 3%) and 30 +/- 3% (30 +/- 3%), respectively.
Rank correlations of direct and maternal EBV appropriate to the 5th and 95th
percentiles of the year effects were 0.67 and 0.92, respectively. In the average
environment, the genetic trends were 255 +/- 1 g/yr for direct effects and 557 +/
3 g/yr for maternal effects. In the fifth percentile environment, the
corresponding estimates of genetic trend were 271 +/- 1 and 540 +/- 3 g/yr,
respectively, and in the 95th percentile environment, they were 236 +/- 1 and 578
+/- 3 g/yr, respectively. Linear genetic trends in environmental sensitivity were
observed for both the direct (-8.06 * 10 +/- 0.49 * 10) and maternal (8.72 * 10
+/- 0.43 * 10) effects. Therefore, changing systems of national cattle evaluation
to more fully account for potential genotype * environment interaction would
improve the assessment of breeding stock, particularly for direct effects.
Estimates of environmental sensitivity parameters could also facilitate
identification of genetic limitations to production.
PMID- 28992011
TI - Is shade for horses a comfort resource or a minimum requirement?
AB - Shade or shelter as protection from extremes of weather is required for horses at
agricultural research and teaching facilities and is recommended or required by
many states, professional organizations, and industry groups. The focus of this
paper is the recent research on the responses of horses to hot, sunny weather,
which has begun to provide scientific evidence that characterizes how and when
shade is used and any benefits shade confers on horses. These behavioral and
physiological findings support provision of shade as a resource for thermal
comfort and the expression of normal behavior that should be included as a
standard of best care practices for healthy adult horses living in the
environmental conditions reviewed, rather than an absolute minimum care
requirement. Additional research is required for horses living under other
environmental conditions, for very young or old horses, horses in very poor body
condition, or those with compromised health to determine if their responses to
hot, sunny weather differ from those presented here.
PMID- 28992012
TI - Rapid Communication: Evaluation of methane inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol and
monensin in a high-grain diet using the rumen simulation technique (Rusitec).
AB - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol
(NOP), a known methane (CH) inhibitor; the ionophore monensin (MON); and their
combination on in vitro CH production in a high-grain diet (85% barley grain, 10%
barley silage, and 5% vitamin-mineral supplement; DM basis) using a rumen
simulation technique (Rusitec). Sixteen fermentation vessels in 2 Rusitec
apparatuses (blocks) were used in a completely randomized block design with 4
treatments: Control, NOP (200 ug/g DM), MON (200 ug/g DM), and the combination of
200 ug NOP/g DM and 200 ug MON/g DM (NOP + MON). Two fermenters within each
apparatus were randomly assigned to a treatment. Treatments were mixed with 10 g
of substrate and supplied on a daily basis. The study included an 8-d adaptation
period without treatment supplementation and a 6-d period for addition of
treatments. Dry matter disappearance, pH, and total VFA were not affected by
treatment ( >= 0.34). Acetate proportion was decreased by 8.3% and 14.9% with NOP
and NOP + MON ( < 0.01), respectively; however, propionate proportion was not
affected by treatment ( = 0.44). The acetate to propionate ratio was lowered by
21.1% with the combination of NOP and MON ( = 0.02), whereas ammonia-N
concentration was not affected by treatment ( = 0.50). Total gas production was
unaffected ( = 0.50), but CH production decreased by 77.7% and 75.95% ( < 0.01)
with NOP and NOP + MON addition, respectively. Concurrently, H gas production
increased by 131.3% and 185.6% ( = 0.01) with NOP and NOP + MON treatments,
respectively. The copy number of methanogens was decreased in both solid and
liquid phases ( < 0.01) with NOP and NOP + MON treatments. Despite the
combination of NOP + MON showing the greatest decrease in acetate molar
proportion and acetate to propionate ratio, it did not further inhibit CH beyond
the effect of NOP alone. The decrease in CH emissions with treatments that
included NOP occurred along with a decrease in the copy number of methanogens
associated with the solid and liquid phases, confirming the inhibitory effects of
NOP on these microorganisms. In conclusion, the combined effects of NOP and MON
on CH mitigation did not exceed the effect of NOP alone when using a high-grain
diet in vitro.
PMID- 28992014
TI - The digestible energy, metabolizable energy, and net energy content of dietary
fat sources in thirteen- and fifty-kilogram pigs.
AB - The objective was to determine the energy concentration of a diverse array of
dietary fat sources and, from these data, develop regression equations that
explain differences based on chemical composition. A total of 120 Genetiporc 6.0
* Genetiporc F25 (PIC, Inc., Hendersonville, TN) individually housed barrows were
studied for 56 d. These barrows (initial BW of 9.9 +/- 0.6 kg) were randomly
allotted to 1 of 15 dietary treatments. Each experimental diet included 95% of a
corn-soybean meal basal diet plus 5% either corn starch or 1 of 14 dietary fat
sources. The 14 dietary fat sources (animal-vegetable blend, canola oil, choice
white grease source A, choice white grease source B, coconut oil, corn oil source
A, corn oil source B, fish oil, flaxseed oil, palm oil, poultry fat, soybean oil
source A, soybean oil source B, and tallow) were selected to provide a diverse
and robust range of unsaturated fatty acid:SFA ratios (U:S). Pigs were limit-fed
experimental diets from d 0 to 10 and from d 46 to 56, providing a 7-d adaption
for fecal collection on d 7 to 10 (13 kg BW) and d 53 to 56 (50 kg BW). At 13 kg
BW, the average energy content of the 14 sources was 8.42 Mcal DE/kg, 8.26 Mcal
ME/kg, and 7.27 Mcal NE/kg. At 50 kg BW, the average energy content was 8.45 Mcal
DE/kg, 8.28 Mcal ME/kg, and 7.29 Mcal NE/kg. At 13 kg BW, the variation of
dietary fat DE content was explained by DE (Mcal/kg) = 9.363 + [0.097 * (FFA, %)]
- [0.016 * omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids ratio] - [1.240 * (arachidic acid, %)] -
[5.054 * (insoluble impurities, %)] + [0.014 * (palmitic acid, %)] ( = 0.008, =
0.82). At 50 kg BW, the variation of dietary fat DE content was explained by DE
(Mcal/kg) = 8.357 + [0.189 * U:S] - [0.195 * (FFA, %)] - [6.768 * (behenic acid,
%)] + [0.024 * (PUFA, %)] ( = 0.002, = 0.81). In summary, the chemical
composition of dietary fat explained a large degree of the variation observed in
the energy content of dietary fat sources at both 13 and 50 kg BW.
PMID- 28992015
TI - More feed efficient sheep produce less methane and carbon dioxide when eating
high-quality pellets.
AB - The Australian sheep industry aims to increase the efficiency of sheep production
by decreasing the amount of feed eaten by sheep. Also, feed intake is related to
methane production, and more efficient (low residual feed intake) animals eat
less than expected. So we tested the hypothesis that more efficient sheep produce
less methane by investigating the genetic correlations between feed intake,
residual feed intake, methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. Feed intake, methane,
oxygen, and carbon dioxide were measured on Merino ewes at postweaning (1,866 at
223 d old), hogget (1,010 sheep at 607 d old), and adult ages (444 sheep at 1,080
d old). Sheep were fed a high-energy grower pellet ad libitum for 35 d.
Individual feed intake was measured using automated feeders. Methane was measured
using portable accumulation chambers up to 3 times during this feed intake
period. Heritabilities and phenotypic and genotypic correlations between traits
were estimated using ASReml. Oxygen (range 0.10 to 0.20) and carbon dioxide
(range 0.08 to 0.28) were generally more heritable than methane (range 0.11 to
0.14). Selecting to decrease feed intake or residual feed intake will decrease
methane (genetic correlation [] range 0.76 to 0.90) and carbon dioxide ( range
0.65 to 0.96). Selecting to decrease intake ( range 0.64 to 0.78) and methane (
range 0.81 to 0.86) in sheep at postweaning age would also decrease intake and
methane in hoggets and adults. Furthermore, selecting for lower residual feed
intake ( = 0.75) and carbon dioxide ( = 0.90) in hoggets would also decrease
these traits in adults. Similarly, selecting for higher oxygen ( = 0.69) in
hoggets would also increase this trait in adults. Given these results, the
hypothesis that making sheep more feed efficient will decrease their methane
production can be accepted. In addition, carbon dioxide is a good indicator trait
for feed intake because it has the highest heritability of the gas traits
measured; is cheaper, faster, and easier to measure than feed intake and has
strong phenotypic and genetic correlations with feed intake. Furthermore,
selection for feed intake, feed efficiency, methane, and carbon dioxide can be
done early in sheep at postweaning age or hoggets. This early selection reduces
the generation interval for breeding, thereby increasing response to selection.
PMID- 28992016
TI - Determining the effects of early gestation in utero heat stress on postnatal
fasting heat production and circulating biomarkers associated with metabolism in
growing pigs.
AB - The study objective was to characterize effects of early gestation in utero heat
stress (IUHS) on postnatal fasting heat production (FHP) and blood biomarkers
associated with metabolism in growing pigs. Based on previous observation of
increased postnatal core body temperature set point in IUHS pigs, we hypothesized
that FHP would be altered during postnatal life because of IUHS. Pregnant first
parity gilts were exposed to thermoneutral (TN; = 4; 17.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C) or
heat stress (HS; = 4; cyclical 28 to 38 degrees C) conditions from d 30 to 60 of
gestation. At weaning (21 d of age), 2 median-weight male pigs (1 barrow and 1
boar) were selected from each litter ( = 8 in utero TN [IUTN] and 8 IUHS pigs)
and then housed in TN conditions based on age. Blood samples were collected at 8,
9, and 10 wk of age when pigs were in a fed state to analyze thyroxine (T4) and
triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. Pigs were trained to enter an indirect
calorimeter from wk 8 through 10 of life and then acclimated over a 24-h period 1
wk prior to testing. At 12 wk of age, pigs were fasted for 24 h, and then
indirect calorimetry was performed on individual pigs over a 23-h testing period
to determine FHP and the respiratory quotient in 3 intervals (0900 to 1700 h,
1700 to 0000 h, and 0000 to 0800 h). Body weight was determined before and after
testing and was similar for all pigs ( = 0.77; 37.0 +/- 0.5 kg BW). Data were
analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4. No boar vs. barrow differences were
observed with any analysis. Overall, FHP per kilogram BW was greater ( = 0.03;
12.1%) in IUHS pigs compared with IUTN pigs. Fasting heat production per kilogram
BW was greater ( < 0.01; 19.8%) from 0900 to 1700 h compared with 1700 to 0000 h
and 0000 to 0800 h and was greater (10.9%) from 1700 to 0000 h compared with 0000
to 0800 h. The RQ did not differ by in utero treatment ( = 0.51; 0.72 +/- 0.01);
however, the RQ was increased ( < 0.01; 13.0%) from 1700 to 0000 h compared with
0900 to 1700 h and 0000 to 0800 h. No other FHP and RQ differences were detected.
Although no in utero treatment differences were observed for T4 ( = 0.11; 52.2 +/
6.2 ng/mL), T3 was greater overall ( = 0.04; 19.5%) in IUHS pigs than in IUTN
pigs. In summary, FHP and circulating T3 were increased in IUHS pigs, and this
may have implications for postnatal production efficiency in pigs gestated during
hot summer months.
PMID- 28992017
TI - Digestible, metabolizable, and net energy of camelina cake fed to growing pigs
and additivity of energy in mixed diets.
AB - This experiment was conducted to determine the DE, ME, and NE contents of
camelina cake (CC) and to test the hypothesis that dietary glucosinolates
originating from CC will affect the additivity of energy in mixed diets
containing different inclusion levels of corn, soybean meal (SBM), and CC. A
total of 30 growing barrows ([Yorkshire * Landrace] * Duroc) with a mean BW of
16.8 kg (SD 1.4) were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 treatments with 6 replicates
per treatment. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 16 d, including 10 d for
adaptation and 6 d for total collection of feces and urine. The 5 experimental
diets consisted of 3 corn-based diets to determine the DE, ME, and NE of the 3
ingredients (corn, SBM, and CC) and 2 mixed diets to test the additivity of DE,
ME, and NE. The corn diet contained 97.52% corn; the SBM diet contained 67.52%
corn and 30.0% SBM; the CC diet contained 67.52% corn and 30.0% CC; the Mixed
diet 1 contained 67.52% corn, 20.0% SBM, and 10.0% CC; and the Mixed diet 2
contained 67.25% corn, 10.0% SBM, and 20.0% CC. Vitamins and minerals were
included in the diets to meet or exceed the requirements for growing pigs ().
Pigs were fed their assigned diets at 550 kcal ME/kg BW per day on the basis of
BW on d 1, 5, and 10, which was close to ad libitum intake. Pigs had free access
to water. Determined DE, ME, and NE contents of corn were 3,348, 3,254, and 2,579
kcal/kg, respectively; those of SBM were 3,626, 3,405, and 2,129 kcal/kg,
respectively; and those of CC were 3,755, 3,465, and 2,383 kcal/kg, respectively.
No differences between the predicted and determined DE, ME, and NE were observed
in the 2 mixed diets. In conclusion, DE, ME, and calculated NE content of CC fed
to growing pigs were 3,755, 3,465, and 2,383 kcal/kg (as-fed basis),
respectively. In addition, additivity of DE, ME, and calculated NE was observed
in the mixed diets containing corn, SBM, and CC, which indicates that dietary
glucosinolates originating from up to 30% of CC inclusion do not affect DE, ME,
and calculated NE of diets.
PMID- 28992018
TI - Technical Note: Evaluation of individual ultraviolet radiation dosimeter
sensitivity and specificity for assessing shade use.
AB - The effects of solar or UV radiation on livestock are often evaluated in research
focused on heat stress, dermatological conditions, and other topics, with
radiation measurements recorded by instrumentation at a field or local weather
station for a general geographical location. Individual sensors would be valuable
for quantifying an individual animal's exposure, especially as they move about in
a heterogeneous environment. Individual commercially available UV dosimeters were
evaluated for specificity and sensitivity and found to be potentially valuable
research tools for assessing and comparing the UV radiation exposure of
individual animals.
PMID- 28992019
TI - Composition of the microbiota in forestomach fluids and feces of Japanese Black
calves with white scours.
AB - The objective of this study was to characterize the composition of the
forestomach and fecal microbiota in Japanese Black calves with white scours.
Forestomach fluid, feces, and peripheral blood were collected from healthy calves
( = 5; age 10 +/- 2 d) and scouring calves ( = 5; age 10 +/- 1 d) on the day on
which white scours occurred. The pH and concentrations of VFA, lactic acid, and
ammonia nitrogen (NH-N) of the forestomach fluids were determined. Microbiota
composition and gene copy numbers in the forestomach fluid and feces were
analyzed by 454 pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR),
respectively. The cytokine mRNA level in peripheral leukocytes was evaluated by
qPCR. The pH of the forestomach fluid of the scouring calves tended to be higher
than that of the healthy calves ( = 0.056). No significant difference was
detected in the total VFA, lactic acid, or NH-N concentrations in the forestomach
fluids of the 2 groups. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were the
predominant phyla in the forestomach fluid and feces. At the genus level, the
relative abundance of in the forestomach fluid was significantly higher in the
scouring calves ( < 0.05) and the relative abundance of in the feces was
significantly higher than that in the forestomach in the healthy calves ( <
0.05). Furthermore, the bacterial diversity indices of feces were lower in the
scouring calves. Quantitative PCR amplification using some of the primer pairs
failed in the forestomach fluid and feces in both groups. These results suggested
that fermentation in the forestomach may affect the occurrence of white scours,
resulting in changes in the composition and diversity of the forestomach fluid
and fecal microbiota in Japanese Black calves.
PMID- 28992020
TI - Rapid Communication: Dietary selenium improves skeletal muscle mitochondrial
biogenesis in young equine athletes.
AB - Exercise is known to promote mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle as well
as enhance mitochondrial function and efficiency in human and rodent models.
These adaptations help to decrease exercise-associated production of reactive
oxygen species, which can negatively affect health and performance if antioxidant
mechanisms are overwhelmed. Little is known about the adaptations of mitochondria
in response to exercise training in the growing horse or if supplementation with
a dietary antioxidant can improve mitochondrial function. To evaluate the
separate and combined effects of selenium (Se) supplementation, training, and an
acute strenuous exercise bout on mitochondrial adaptations in young horses, 30
American Quarter Horse yearlings were randomly assigned to an exercise training
group or a no-training group and, within each group, received either 0.1 or 0.3
mg Se/kg DM for 14 wk. The study was split into 2 phases (wk 0 to 8 and wk 9 to
14), with half of the trained horses switched to the opposite dietary treatment
in Phase 2. At the end of each phase, all horses underwent a 120-min submaximal
exercise test (SET; SET 1 and SET 2). Biopsies of the middle gluteal muscle were
collected before and after each phase of the study and in response to each SET
and analyzed for markers of mitochondrial number and function. At rest, horses
receiving 0.3 mg Se/kg DM had higher citrate synthase activity ( = 0.021) than
horses receiving 0.1 mg Se/kg DM, indicating higher mitochondrial content. In
contrast, cytochrome oxidase (CCO) activity was not affected by dietary Se
overall, but horses that were dropped from 0.3 mg Se/kg DM to 0.1 mg Se/kg DM
during Phase 2 showed a decrease ( = 0.034) in integrated CCO activity from wk 9
to 14, suggesting impaired mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial enzyme
activities were unaffected by an acute, strenuous exercise bout (SET 1 and SET
2). Our relatively low-intensity exercise training protocol did not appear to
induce functional mitochondrial adaptations. However, elevated dietary Se may
impart beneficial effects on mitochondrial biogenesis during growth and training.
A more strenuous exercise training protocol should be investigated to determine
the potential benefits of elevated dietary Se for elite equine athletes.
PMID- 28992021
TI - Evaluation of Rambouillet, Polypay, and Romanov-White Dorper * Rambouillet ewes
mated to terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: Lamb
production.
AB - Ewe productivity (i.e., total number or weight of lambs weaned per breeding ewe)
is a key indicator of lamb production efficiency. This study compared various
measures of ewe productivity and ewe and lamb performance among ewes of 3 breed
types mated to rams of 4 terminal-sire breed types in an extensive rangeland
production system. Purebred Rambouillet ( = 212), purebred Polypay ( = 236), and
crossbred Romanov-White Dorper * Rambouillet (RW-RA; = 231) ewes were produced
from locally adapted Polypay and Rambouillet ewes and then annually mated to
Columbia, Suffolk, Columbia * Suffolk, or Suffolk * Columbia sires for up to 4
yr, beginning at 1 yr of age. The cumulative number and weight of lambs weaned
through 4 yr were greater for RW-RA (5.9 lambs and 153 kg, respectively) and
Polypay ewes (4.9 lambs and 123 kg, respectively) than for Rambouillet ewes (2.9
lambs and 99 kg, respectively) and also were greater for RW-RA ewes than for
Polypay ewes (all < 0.001). Greater productivity of RW-RA and Polypay ewes,
compared with Rambouillet ewes, was driven by greater lambing rates (ewes lambing
per ewe exposed) as ewe lambs (87 and 77 vs. 31%, respectively; < 0.001) and
greater ( < 0.001) litter sizes as ewe lambs (1.3, 1.3, and 1.0, respectively)
and adult ewes (2.1, 2.0, and 1.6, respectively). The RW-RA ewes also had greater
longevity ( < 0.01) and cumulative lambing rates ( < 0.001) than Polypay and
Rambouillet ewes. Lamb BW at birth and weaning in adult ewes favored less
prolific Rambouillet ewes ( < 0.001), but after adjustment for type of birth and
rearing and weaning age, differences in weaning BW among ewe breed types were
small and not significant ( = 0.08). Effects of sire breed type on measures of
cumulative ewe productivity were not significant ( > 0.74), but Suffolk-sired
lambs had the heaviest adjusted birth weights ( = 0.01) and Columbia-sired lambs
tended to have the lightest adjusted weaning weights ( = 0.12). Combined effects
of heterosis and additive breed effects were associated with greater lambing
rates in ewe lambs, larger litters at all ages, and substantially greater number
and weight of lambs weaned for Polypay and RW-RA ewes than for Rambouillet ewes.
PMID- 28992022
TI - Fiber digestion kinetics and protein degradability characteristics of stockpiled
Tifton 85 bermudagrass.
AB - A 2-yr study was conducted to determine effects of N fertilization level on fiber
digestion kinetics and protein degradability characteristics of stockpiled Tifton
85 bermudagrass (T85). Six 0.76-ha pastures of stockpiled T85 were cut to a 10-cm
stubble height on August 1 of each yr and fertilized with 56 (56N), 112 (112N),
or 168 (168N) kg N/ha (2 pastures/treatment). Fiber digestion kinetics included
the 72-hr potential extent of NDF digestion (PED), rate of NDF digestion, and lag
time. In yr 1 and 2, PED decreased over the stockpile season. Rates of NDF
digestion did not differ ( > 0.05) among N fertilization treatments in either yr.
In yr 1, rate of NDF digestion was greatest ( < 0.05) in October/November, and
decreased beginning in December. In yr 2, rate of NDF digestion decreased ( <
0.05) in January compared with November, but digestion rates were similar for
November and January 21 sampling dates. Lag time was greater ( < 0.05) for the
112N than 56N and 168N treatments, and increased ( < 0.05) across sampling dates
in yr 1. In yr 2, lag time increased ( < 0.05) from 9.0 to 17.7 h across the
season. In yr 1 and 2, a negative correlation ( < 0.05) between forage lignin
concentration and both PED ( = -0.91 and -0.87 in yr 1 and 2, respectively) and
rate of NDF digestion ( = -0.60 and -0.25 in yr 1 and 2, respectively) was
observed. There was a trend ( = 0.06) for lignin concentration to be positively
correlated with lag time ( = 0.39) in yr 1, and a strong relationship was
observed in yr 2 ( = 0.91; < 0.05). The RDP fraction as a % of CP was >= 90%
throughout both years. Concentration of RDP (% of total DM) decreased across the
stockpiling season through January in yr 1 and 2. Results suggest that kinetic
parameters of NDF digestion in stockpiled T85 were influenced more by temporal
changes over the stockpile season than by N fertilization level. Supplement
formulations based on kinetic parameters of fiber digestion may require periodic
adjustment to insure that energy-yielding components of NDF are sufficient to
meet animal requirements throughout the stockpile season. The CP fraction in
stockpiled T85 contains sufficient RDP to support fibrolytic activity and growth
of ruminal microorganisms throughout the stockpile season. Toward the latter end
of the season, supplementation with sources of digestible fiber and RDP could be
expected to increase MP supply to the host animal.
PMID- 28992023
TI - Garlic diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide mitigates effects of pro-oxidant
induced cellular stress and has immune modulatory function in LPS-stimulated
porcine epithelial cells.
AB - The objective of the current study was to determine if garlic-derived diallyl
disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) could mitigate oxidative and
endotoxin stress, using an intestinal porcine epithelial cell (IPEC-J2) model.
The experiment was arranged as a 2 * 2 * 2 factorial of DADS + DATS (0 or 18 uM),
pro-oxidant stressor (hydrogen peroxide at 0 or 100 uM), and endotoxin stressor
(lipopolysaccharide [LPS] at 0 or 10 ug/mL) with 8 replicates per treatment.
Cells were incubated with DADS + DATS for 18 h, LPS for 6 h, then with hydrogen
peroxide for 3 h. Gene expression was measured by RT-PCR for cytokines,
interleukin 8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and tight
junction proteins, claudin 1 (CL-1), occludin (OC), and zonula occludens 1 (ZO
1). Trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER), the antioxidant enzyme
catalase, and apical secretion of IL-8 protein into the incubation medium was
also measured. There was an increase ( < 0.01) in TNF-alpha and IL-8 gene
expression due to LPS, although there was no effect of hydrogen peroxide or DADS
+ DATS. Furthermore, there was a tendency for an increase ( = 0.08) in ZO-1 gene
expression due to DADS + DATS. Treatment with DADS + DATS and hydrogen peroxide
did not affect TEER, although there was a decrease ( = 0.02) in TEER with LPS
incubation. Treatment of cells with hydrogen peroxide reduced catalase activity (
< 0.01), which was restored with pre-incubation of DADS + DATS ( < 0.10). There
was an increase ( < 0.01) in IL-8 secretion due to LPS, which was further
augmented ( < 0.01) by pre-incubation with DADS + DATS. Based on the results from
the current study, DADS + DATS can ameliorate oxidative effects of hydrogen
peroxide, as well as alter IL-8 secretion in LPS-treated IPEC-J2 cells.
PMID- 28992025
TI - Temporal proteomic response to acute heat stress in the porcine muscle
sarcoplasm.
AB - Heat stress (HS) is an important topic in the swine industry, costing hundreds of
millions of dollars in economic losses annually, figures that could easily rise
in light of global climate change. Muscle biology during HS is particularly
important given skeletal muscle's large proportion to the body and its ultimate
conversion to meat. Here we report the proteomic changes that occur during acute
HS (37 degrees C and 40% relative humidity) lasting 2, 4, or 6 h in the muscle
sarcoplasm of growing pigs in comparison with 6 h of thermal neutral (TN; 21
degrees C and 70% relative humidity) conditions ( = 8 per treatment). The red and
white areas of the semitendinosus muscle were used to compare the differential
effects of HS on oxidative or glycolytic muscles. The results support the
hypothesis of proteomic profile differences between the acute HS and TN groups.
Altered abundance ( < 0.05) of several proteins occurred in as little as 2 h of
HS, affecting metabolism, cell structure, and chaperone, antioxidant, and
proteolytic activity. We determined that the muscle HS response is both fiber
type and time specific. Overall, more differences were observed in the red
semitendinosus than in the white semitendinosus, although the time point at which
differences were observed varied. These data show that as little as 2 h of HS has
measurable effects on muscle proteins, indicating that acute HS has the potential
to impair muscle function and growth.
PMID- 28992027
TI - GENOMICS SYMPOSIUM: Translational genomics to improve fertility of animals.
PMID- 28992026
TI - Amino acid and phosphorus digestibility of fermented corn-soybean meal mixed feed
with Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium fed to pigs.
AB - In the present study, a 2-stage solid-state fermentation process using followed
by was performed with the purpose of improving the nutritional quality of corn
and soybean meal (SBM) mixed feed (MF). The matrix of native MF and fermented MF
(FMF) was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy to determine external
structures after solid-state fermentation. Results of the present study indicated
that the FMF had a greater concentration of CP and total P compared with the
unfermented feed, whereas the contents of beta-conglycinin, glycinin, phytate P,
raffinose, stachyose, and NDF in FMF declined by 77.6, 86.7, 41.2, 47.2, 36.6,
and 38.9%, respectively. The content of trichloroacetic acid-soluble protein,
particularly those of small peptides and free AA, increased more than 3 times
after fermentation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that irregular shapes
and a lot of porous structures were observed in the SBM of FMF, the cell wall of
corn in FMF was destroyed, and the number of starch granules was decreased after
2-stage fermentation. Two animal experiments were conducted to evaluate the
digestibility of CP and P in FMF when fed to pigs. In Exp. 1, 6 barrows (15.20 +/
1.27 kg initial BW) fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted to
a replicated 3 * 3 Latin square with 3 diets and 3 periods per square. Two diets
containing unfermented MF or FMF as the only source of protein and a N-free diet
were formulated. Results indicated that the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of
total AA and Lys in FMF (74.98 and 75.34%) were greater ( < 0.05) than in
untreated MF (69.66 and 68.56%). The standard ileal digestibility (SID) of Lys in
FMF (82.17%) was also greater ( < 0.05) than in MF (75.91%). In Exp. 2, 16
barrows (17.57 +/- 1.08 kg initial BW) were allotted to 2 diets formulated to
contain MF or FMF as the sole source of P to determine the digestibility of P.
The apparent total tract digestibility and standardized total tract digestibility
of P in FMF were 58.14 and 64.72%, respectively. These values were greater ( <
0.01) than in untreated MF (37.11 and 44.89%, respectively). Our results indicate
that a solid-state fermentation process using followed by offers an effective
approach to improving the quality of corn and SBM MF.
PMID- 28992028
TI - GENOMICS SYMPOSIUM: Using genomic approaches to uncover sources of variation in
age at puberty and reproductive longevity in sows.
AB - Genetic variants associated with traits such as age at puberty and litter size
could provide insight into the underlying genetic sources of variation impacting
sow reproductive longevity and productivity. Genomewide characterization and gene
expression profiling were used using gilts from the University of Nebraska
Lincoln swine resource population ( = 1,644) to identify genetic variants
associated with age at puberty and litter size traits. From all reproductive
traits studied, the largest fraction of phenotypic variation explained by the
Porcine SNP60 BeadArray was for age at puberty (27.3%). In an evaluation data
set, the predictive ability of all SNP from high-ranked 1-Mb windows (1 to 50%),
based on genetic variance explained in training, was greater (12.3 to 36.8%)
compared with the most informative SNP from these windows (6.5 to 23.7%). In the
integrated data set ( = 1,644), the top 1% of the 1-Mb windows explained 6.7% of
the genetic variation of age at puberty. One of the high-ranked windows detected
(SSC2, 12-12.9 Mb) showed pleiotropic features, affecting both age at puberty and
litter size traits. The RNA sequencing of the hypothalami arcuate nucleus
uncovered 17 differentially expressed genes (adjusted < 0.05) between gilts that
became pubertal early (<155 d of age) and late (>180 d of age). Twelve of the
differentially expressed genes are upregulated in the late pubertal gilts. One of
these genes is involved in energy homeostasis (), a function in which the arcuate
nucleus plays an important contribution, linking nutrition with reproductive
development. Energy restriction during the gilt development period delayed age at
puberty by 7 d but increased the probability of a sow to produce up to 3 parities
( < 0.05). Identification of pleotropic functional polymorphisms may improve
accuracy of genomic prediction while facilitating a reduction in sow replacement
rates and addressing welfare concerns.
PMID- 28992029
TI - Genetic co-variance functions for live weight, feed intake, and efficiency
measures in growing pigs.
AB - The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic co-variance parameters
pertaining to live weight, feed intake, and 2 efficiency traits (i.e., residual
feed intake and residual daily gain) in a population of pigs over a defined
growing phase using Legendre polynomial equations. The data set used consisted of
51,893 live weight records and 903,436 feed intake, residual feed intake (defined
as the difference between an animal's actual feed intake and its expected feed
intake), and residual daily gain (defined as the difference between an animal's
actual growth rate and its expected growth rate) records from 10,201 growing
pigs. Genetic co-variance parameters for all traits were estimated using random
regression Legendre polynomials. Daily heritability estimates for live weight
ranged from 0.25 +/- 0.04 (d 73) to 0.50 +/- 0.03 (d 122). Low to moderate
heritability estimates were evident for feed intake, ranging from 0.07 +/- 0.03
(d 66) to 0.25 +/- 0.02 (d 170). The estimated heritability for residual feed
intake was generally lower than those of both live weight and feed intake and
ranged from 0.04 +/- 0.01 (d 96) to 0.17 +/- 0.02 (d 159). The heritability for
feed intake and residual feed intake increased in the early stages of the test
period and subsequently sharply declined, coinciding with older ages.
Heritability estimates for residual daily gain ranged from 0.26 +/- 0.03 (d 188)
to 0.42 +/- 0.03 (d 101). Genetic correlations within trait were strongest
between adjacent ages but weakened as the interval between ages increased;
however, the genetic correlations within all traits tended to strengthen between
the extremes of the trajectory. Moderate to strong genetic correlations were
evident among live weight, feed intake, and the efficiency traits, particularly
in the early stage of the trial period (d 66 to 86), but weakened with age.
Results from this study could be implemented into the national genetic evaluation
for pigs, providing comprehensive information on the profile of growth and
efficiency throughout the growing period of the animal's life, thus helping
producers identify genetically superior animals.
PMID- 28992030
TI - Monensin and a blend of castor oil and cashew nut shell liquid used in a high
concentrate diet abruptly fed to Nellore cattle.
AB - Monensin and functional oils (FO) were supplemented to a high-concentrate diet
abruptly fed to 12 ruminally cannulated Zebu steers to study their effects on
rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and , , and relative population. A
randomized complete block design with repeated measures over time within 2
experimental periods of 21 d each was used. Treatments were a control (CTR; with
no additives), FO (included at 400 mg/kg), and monensin included at 30 mg/kg
(M30) or 40 mg/kg (M40). All steers were fed the same high-concentrate basal
diet, which consisted of 92.25% concentrate. The first 60 h after transition
showed a treatment and hour interaction for ruminal propionate proportion ( =
0.028), and no change in acetate molar proportion ( = 0.633), rumen pH ( =
0.370), and time the rumen pH remained below 5.6 ( = 0.242) were observed. The
acetate:propionate ratio decreased ( = 0.020) when monensin was fed in both
concentrations (2.30 for the M30 treatment and 2.32 for the M40 treatment)
compared with when the CTR was fed (2.85), without being different when the FO
(2.71) treatment was fed. Only the M30 treatment did not show pH below 5.2
(P=0.047) over the 60 h after the abrupt transition. Within the entire period,
DMI ( = 0.008) and mean ruminal pH ( = 0.040) as well as molar proportions of
propionate ( = 0.034) and valerate ( = 0.031) had significant interactions
between treatment and day. Total VFA concentration was greater ( = 0.017) for the
M30 (117.36 m) and CTR treatments (115.77 m) compared with the M40 treatment
(105.02 m), without being different for the FO treatment (111.55 m). Treatments
did not change feed behavior parameters. Blood HCO ( = 0.006) and total carbon
dioxide ( = 0.003) were greater for the M30 (27.8 and 29.3 mmol/L, respectively)
and FO treatments (28.3 and 29.7 mmol/L, respectively) compared with the CTR
treatment (25.7 and 26.9 mmol/L, respectively). ( < 0.0001) and ( < 0.0001)
decreased their population throughout days, whereas ( = 0.026) increased its
population. Independent of ciliated protozoa genera, the greatest ( < 0.0001)
protozoa counts were observed for the CTR treatment (52.7 * 10/mL), intermediate
for the FO treatment (35.3 x10/mL), and least for steers fed monensin in both
concentrations (15 * 10/mL for the M30 treatment and 14 * 10/mL for the M40
treatment). Feed additives had different effects to reduce the subacute acidosis.
The use of the FO and M40 treatments did not change most of the rumen
fermentation variables, especially in the first week after abrupt transition,
when the M30 treatment provided higher protection against acidosis.
PMID- 28992031
TI - Prediction of the chemical body composition of Nellore and crossbreed bulls.
AB - Young Nellore and crossbreed bulls were comparatively slaughtered to generate
equation models for predicting the chemical composition of the empty body and
carcass from the chemical composition of the Hankins and Howe section (; ). Data
were collected from 236 animals from different genetic groups: Nellore, one-half
Canchim + one-half Nellore, one-half Angus + one-half Nellore, and one-half
Simmental + one-half Nellore, with 48 baseline animals (BW range from 218 to 433
kg) and 188 animals finished in the feedlot (BW range from 356 to 618 kg). The
chemical composition prediction equation model was developed for all genetic
groups using stepwise regression analysis. Across all animals, the percentages of
water and ether extract in the HH section were highly correlated ( < 0.001) with
the percentages in the carcass ( = 0.911 and = 0.901, respectively, for water
content of the carcass [HOC] and = 0.921 and = 0.921, respectively, for ether
extract content of the carcass [EEC]) and empty body ( = 0.937 and = 0.926,
respectively, for water content of the empty body [HOEB] and = 0.935 and = 0.939,
respectively, for ether extract content of the empty body [EEEB]). The best
prediction models were for the traits of empty body weight, HOEB, EEEB, HOC, and
EEC. Determination coefficients for predicting the dependent variables obtained
from the carcass composition were lower than those obtained from the empty body
composition. It was concluded that the chemical composition of the empty body and
the carcass can be predicted from the composition of the HH section, using a
general equation for different genetic groups.
PMID- 28992032
TI - Effects of a multi-strain Bacillus spp. direct-fed microbial and a protease
enzyme on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics,
fecal microbiota, and noxious gas emissions of grower pigs fed corn-soybean-meal
based diets-A meta-analysis.
AB - Three studies involving 352 grower pigs were conducted to determine the effects
of dietary supplementation with multistrain spp. direct-fed microbial (DFM) and
protease, alone or in combination, on growth performance, nutrient digestibility,
blood characteristics, fecal microbiota, and noxious gas emissions, and to use a
meta-analysis to increase the reliability of the findings. Treatments ( = 4) were
set up as a 2 * 2 factorial design with 2 levels of protease (0 and 5.000/6.000
units/kilogram of feed [U/KG]) and 2 levels of DFM (0 and 1.5 * 10 colony forming
units/gram of feed [CFU/G]), plus a protease + DFM combination. Pigs were housed
in groups of 3 or 4/pen with 8 replicate pens/treatment. Experimental diets were
fed for 42 d and feed intake and BW were measured weekly. Fecal samples were
collected at d 42 and analyzed to determine apparent total tract digestibility
(ATTD). Fecal counts of and coliforms, and noxious gas emissions were measured.
Blood samples were taken by anterior vena cava puncture to measure blood urea
nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Data from the 3 studies were pooled and analyzed
as a 2 * 2 factorial using the Fit Model platform of JMP 11 (SAS Inst. Inc.,
Cary, NC). Means separation was determined using Tukey's honest significant
difference test. The main effect of protease and DFM increased: BW at 42 d,
overall ADG, and overall G:F compared to the control ( < 0.04). There were no
interactions between protease and DFM ( > 0.05); however, the protease + DFM
combination was the only treatment to improve ADG and G:F in all phases compared
to the control. The main effect of protease increased ATTD of DM, nitrogen (N),
and ADF ( < 0.04). The main effect of DFM increased ATTD of DM, N, GE, DE, ADF,
and fat ( < 0.02). There was a trend for an interaction between protease and DFM
for ATTD of GE and DE ( < 0.08) because the protease + DFM combination increased
energy digestibility more than the additive effects of the protease and DFM
alone. The main effects of protease and DFM decreased fecal ammonia emissions ( <
0.01), but the protease + DFM combination was the only treatment to decrease
ammonia emissions compared to the control. In conclusion, the main effects of
protease and DFM improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility compared
to the control, but there was a greater additive effect of the protease + DFM
combination on energy and N digestibility.
PMID- 28992033
TI - Veal calf health on the day of arrival at growers in Ohio.
AB - Veal calves are at high risk for disease and mortality in early life. Calves face
a number of stressors before arriving at the grower, including long transport
times, which may contribute to poor health. Our objectives were to 1) estimate
the prevalence of poor health outcomes in veal calves on arrival at growers in
Ohio; 2) determine risk factors for health outcomes on arrival, including BW and
auction site (spread across 5 states in the Northeastern United States); and 3)
determine if health outcomes on arrival predict early mortality. A physical
examination was conducted on approximately 30 calves (mean of 45.9 kg [SD 3.0])
from 12 cohorts ( = 383 calves). Exams included a blood sample to determine
packed cell volume (an estimate of dehydration using a cutoff > 46%) and total
protein (an estimate failure of passive transfer using a cutoff < 5.5 g/dL and
6.0 g/dL to account for dehydration). Diarrhea, respiratory disease, depression,
navel inflammation, and a skin tent test (a second indicator of dehydration) were
also recorded. Mortality within 4 wk of age was collected from farm records.
Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence of calves with poor
health outcomes on arrival. Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify
risk factors for poor health on arrival and assess if poor health increased the
incidence risk of mortality. Upon arrival, 6% (95% confidence interval 4.4 to
7.6%) of calves had failure of passive transfer using a cut-off of 5.5 g/dL, and
22.5% (18.1 to 26.8%) had failure of passive transfer using a cut-off of 5.5
g/dL, and 22.5% (18.1 to 26.8%) had failure of passive transfer using a cut-off
of 6.0%; 14% (9.1 to 18.8%) had diarrhea, 0.5% (0 to 1.3%) had respiratory
disease, 14% (8.5 to 19.3%) were depressed, and 27% (22.7 to 30.7%) had inflamed
navels. In addition, 35.1% (23.5 to 46.6%) of calves were dehydrated using a skin
tent test, but only 1.3% (0.0 to 2.9%) were dehydrated based on the packed cell
volume threshold. Auction site was associated with depression on arrival ( =
0.008) and tended to be associated with skin tent on arrival ( = 0.08). None of
the health variables were predictors of early mortality; however, mortality was
generally low for all cohorts (4.3%; range 1.7 to 6.8%). These results estimate
the prevalence of dehydration, diarrhea, navel inflammation, and depression in
veal calves on arrival at growers and demonstrate that some health outcomes are
dependent on auction site. We conclude that there are many opportunities to
intervene to improve their health and welfare before the calves arrive at the
grower.
PMID- 28992034
TI - The effect of energy restriction on fatty acid profiles of longissimus dorsi and
tissue adipose depots in sheep.
AB - Sheep production systems in northwest China depend mostly on natural grasslands.
Seasonal growth and maturity fluctuations can cause periodical restrictions in
food quality and quantity. These fluctuations, in turn, result in variability in
fat deposition and fatty acid profiles in different fat depots. Consequently, the
study objective was to compare fat deposition, intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage
and fatty acid profiles of the longissimus dorsi (LD), kidney fat (KF), tail fat
(TF), and subcutaneous fat (SF) in lambs under ME restrictions similar to
seasonal changes observed in the natural grasslands of northwest China. Nineteen
male Dorper * Small Tailed Han lambs were assigned to 2 treatments, a control
(CON) fed at 1.0 MJ / W * d and restricted (RES) by restricting ME sequentially
every 30 d (0.56 MJ / W * d, 0.84 / W * d, 1.0 MJ / W * d, 0.84 MJ / W * d, 0.56
MJ / W * d, 0.28 MJ / W * d). All lambs were harvested at the end of the 180 d
experimental period. Compared to CON fed lambs, restricting ME resulted in lesser
IMF, fat deposition indexes ( < 0.05) except testicular and heart fat and greater
( < 0.05) SFA in LD, KF, and TF depots. The RES fed lambs had greater ( < 0.05)
3 PUFA, eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3n3), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n3, EPA), and
trans-linolelaidic acid (C18:2n6t) in LD muscle. The conjugated linoleic acids
(CLA) content was greater in the SF depots of the CON fed lambs compared to the
RES fed lambs. Fatty acid ratios (unsaturated fatty acid; USFA:SFA, MUFA:SFA,
PUFA:SFA), and percentage USFA in RES fed lambs were lesser in muscle and adipose
tissue compared to CON fed lambs ( < 0.05), except SF depots. In RES fed lambs,
EFA were less ( < 0.05) in LD and KF depots and the ratios of functional fatty
acids were lesser in LD and some adipose tissues ( < 0.05), including lesser n
6:n-3 in KF and SF ( < 0.05) depots, lesser USFA, SFA, MUFA, SFA in LD, KF, and
TF ( < 0.05) depots, and lesser PUFA and SFA in LD and TF ( < 0.05) depots.
Results from this research demonstrate that sequential energy restriction, as
might be experience during seasonal forage quality and quantity changes in
natural grasslands, result in lesser intramuscular fat with associated lesser
quality, as well as, changes in fatty acid composition in different fat depots,
which has implications for both meat quality and animal physiological functions.
PMID- 28992035
TI - Does Type of Residential Housing Matter for Depressive Symptoms in the Aftermath
of a Disaster? Insights From the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
AB - The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami resulted in widespread property
destruction and over 250,000 displaced residents. We sought to examine whether
the type of housing arrangement available to the affected victims was associated
with a differential incidence of depressive symptoms. In this prospective cohort
study, which comprised participants aged >=65 years from Iwanuma as a part of the
Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, we had information about the residents'
mental health both before the disaster in 2010 and 2.5 years afterward. The
Geriatric Depression Scale was used. Type of accommodation after the disaster was
divided into 5 categories: no move, prefabricated housing (temporary housing),
existing private accommodations (temporary apartment), newly established housing,
and other. Poisson regression analysis was adopted, with and without multiple
imputation. Among the 2,242 participants, 16.2% reported depressive symptoms at
follow-up. The adjusted rate ratio for depressive symptoms among persons moving
into prefabricated housing, compared with those who did not, was 2.07 (95%
confidence interval: 1.45, 2.94). Moving into existing private accommodations or
other types of accommodations was not associated with depression. The
relationship between living environment and long-term mental health should be
considered for disaster recovery planning.
PMID- 28992036
TI - Associations Between Sedentary Behaviors and Cognitive Function: Cross-Sectional
and Prospective Findings From the UK Biobank.
AB - We investigated the cross-sectional and prospective associations between
different sedentary behaviors and cognitive function in a large sample of adults
with data stored in the UK Biobank. Baseline data were available for 502,643
participants (2006-2010, United Kingdom). Cognitive tests included prospective
memory (baseline only: n = 171,585), visual-spatial memory (round 1: n = 483,832;
round 2: n = 482,762), fluid intelligence (n = 165,492), and short-term numeric
memory (n = 50,370). After a mean period of 5.3 years, participants (numbering
from 12,091 to 114,373, depending on the test) also provided follow-up cognitive
data. Sedentary behaviors (television viewing, driving, and nonoccupational
computer-use time) were measured at baseline. At baseline, both television
viewing and driving time were inversely associated with cognitive function across
all outcomes (e.g., for each additional hour spent watching television, the total
number of correct answers in the fluid intelligence test was 0.15 (99% confidence
interval: 0.14, 0.16) lower. Computer-use time was positively associated with
cognitive function across all outcomes. Both television viewing and driving time
at baseline were positively associated with the odds of having cognitive decline
at follow-up across most outcomes. Conversely, computer-use time at baseline was
inversely associated with the odds of having cognitive decline at follow-up
across most outcomes. This study supports health policies designed to reduce
television viewing and driving in adults.
PMID- 28992038
TI - Understanding Female Receiver Psychology in Reproductive Contexts.
AB - Mate choice decision-making requires four components: sensory, cognitive,
motivation, and salience. During the breeding season, the neural mechanisms
underlying these components act in concert to radically transform the way a
female perceives the social cues around her as well as the way in which cognitive
and motivational processes influence her decision to respond to courting males.
The role of each of these four components in mate choice responses will be
discussed here as well as the brain regions involved in regulating each
component. These components are not independent, modular systems. Instead, they
are dependent on one another. This review will discuss the many ways in which
these components interact and affect one another. The interaction of these
components, however, ultimately leads back to a few key neuromodulators that
thread motivation, sensory, salience, and cognitive components into a set of
inter-dependent processes. These neuromodulators are estrogens and
catecholamines. This review will highlight the need to understand estrogens in
reproductive contexts not just as simply a 'sexual motivation modulator' or
catecholamines as 'cognitive regulators' but as neuromodulators that work
together to fully transform a non-breeding female into a completely reproductive
female displaying: heightened sexual interest in courting males, greater arousal
and selective attention toward courtship signals, improved signal detection and
discrimination abilities, enhanced contextual signal memory, and increased
motivation to respond to signals assigned incentive salience. The aim of this
review is to build a foundation in which to understand the brain regions
associated with cognitive, sensory, motivational, and signal salience not as
independently acting systems but as a set of interacting processes that function
together in a context-appropriate manner.
PMID- 28992037
TI - Selecting Shrinkage Parameters for Effect Estimation: The Multi-Ethnic Study of
Atherosclerosis.
AB - We present a method for improving estimation in linear regression models in
samples of moderate size, using shrinkage techniques. Our work connects the
theory of causal inference, which describes how variable adjustment should be
performed with large samples, with shrinkage estimators such as ridge regression
and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), which can
perform better in sample sizes seen in epidemiologic practice. Shrinkage methods
reduce mean squared error by trading off some amount of bias for a reduction in
variance. However, when inference is the goal, there are no standard methods for
choosing the penalty "tuning" parameters that govern these tradeoffs. We propose
selecting the penalty parameters for these shrinkage estimators by minimizing
bias and variance in future similar data sets drawn from the posterior predictive
distribution. Our method provides both the point estimate of interest and
corresponding standard error estimates. Through simulations, we demonstrate that
it can achieve better mean squared error than using cross-validation for penalty
parameter selection. We apply our method to a cross-sectional analysis of the
association between smoking and carotid intima-media thickness in the Multi
Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (multiple US locations, 2000-2002) and compare it
with similar analyses of these data.
PMID- 28992039
TI - Environmental Causation of Turtle Scute Anomalies in ovo and in silico.
AB - The turtle shell is often described as an evolutionary novelty that facilitated
the radiation of the clade Testudines. The scutes, or keratinous plates, of the
turtle shell are hypothesized to be patterned by reaction-diffusion dynamics, and
this property of their development provides explanatory power to mechanisms of
anomalous variation. A mathematical model of scute development predicts that
anomalous variation in the phylogenetically stable pattern of scutes is achieved
by environmental influence on the developmental program. We test this prediction
with data on patterns of scute variation from natural nests and controlled
incubation of sea turtle eggs in Florida and Western Australia. We find that high
temperatures are sufficient to produce anomalous patterns in turtle scutes, and
that this correlation is even stronger when conditions are dry. Furthermore, we
find that the patterns of variation are not random; greater anomalous variation
is found in the midline vertebral scutes and during a critical period of turtle
development.
PMID- 28992040
TI - Changing MADS-Box Transcription Factor Protein-Protein Interactions as a
Mechanism for Generating Floral Morphological Diversity.
AB - Flowers display fantastic morphological diversity. Despite extreme variability in
form, floral organ identity is specified by a core set of deeply conserved
proteins-the floral MADS-box transcription factors. This indicates that while
core gene function has been maintained, MADS-box transcription factors have
evolved to regulate different downstream genes. Thus, the evolution of gene
regulation downstream of the MADS-box transcription factors is likely central to
the evolution of floral form. Gene regulation is determined by the combination of
transcriptional regulators present at a particular cis-regulatory element at a
particular time. Therefore, the interactions between transcription factors can be
of profound importance in determining patterns of gene regulation. Here, after a
short primer on flowers and floral morphology, I discuss the centrality of
protein-protein interactions to MADS-box transcription factor function, and
review the evidence that the evolution of MADS-box protein-protein interactions
is a key driver in the evolution of gene regulation downstream of the MADS-box
genes.
PMID- 28992041
TI - Peripheral tissue levels and molecular species compositions of N-acyl
phosphatidylethanolamine and its metabolites in mice lacking N-acyl
phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D.
AB - N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), a class of lipid mediators, are produced from N-acyl
phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) by several pathways, including the direct release
by NAPE-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) or the multistep pathway via sn
glycero-3-phospho-N-acylethanolamine (Gp-NAE). Using liquid chromatography-tandem
mass spectrometry, we compared peripheral tissue levels of NAPE, Gp-NAE and NAE
in NAPE-PLD-deficient (NAPE-PLD-/-) and wild type (WT) mice. NAPE-PLD was
suggested to play a major role in the NAPE degradation in heart, kidney, and
liver, but not in jejunum, because the NAPE levels except jejunum were
significantly higher in NAPE-PLD-/- mice than in WT mice. The deletion of NAPE
PLD failed to alter the NAE levels of these tissues, suggesting its limited role
in the NAE production. The enzyme assays with tissue homogenates confirmed the
presence of NAPE-PLD-independent pathways in these peripheral tissues. Gp-NAE
species having an acyl moiety with 22 carbons and 6 double bonds was enriched in
these peripheral tissues. As for sn-2 acyl species of NAPE, 18:2-acyl-containing
NAPE species were predominant over 18:1-containing species in heart, liver, and
jejunum. Our results show that both molecular species composition of NAPE, NAE
and Gp-NAE and their dependencies on Napepld are different among the peripheral
tissues, suggesting that each tissue has distinct metabolic pathways and these
NAE-containing lipids play tissue-specific roles.
PMID- 28992042
TI - Prominent IgE-binding and cytokine-inducing capacities of a newly cloned N
terminal region of Der f 14, an apolipophorin-like house dust mite allergen.
AB - We previously characterized a 177-kDa allergen, M-177, from Dermatophagoides
farinae. Thereafter, a counterpart to M-177 for Euroglyphus maynei was cloned as
Eur m 14, and its sequence revealed that two environmental allergens, Mag 1 and
Mag 3, are digested fragments of M-177. The aims of this study were to clone the
cDNA of Der f 14 corresponding to M-177 and to elucidate the allergenic
capacities of the N-terminal fragment of Der f 14 (Der f 14-N). Recombinant
allergens were produced as trigger-factor-fused proteins in Escherichia coli. Der
f 14-N showed the highest IgE-binding frequency among Der f 14-derived fragments
in patients allergic to house dust mite by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Der
f 14-N showed the highest capacity to induce cell proliferation in murine
lymphocyte and human peripheral mononuclear cells among Der f 14-derived
fragments. Der f 14-N induced IL-13, IFN-gamma and IL-17 production more than Der
f 1 and Der f 2 in mouse, and induced IL-5 and IFN-gamma production at levels
comparable to those of Der f 1 and Der f 2 in some patients. The high prevalence
of IgE binding to the Der f 14-N indicates that it could be an important mite
allergen.
PMID- 28992043
TI - Conjugation of two RNA aptamers improves binding affinity to AML1 Runt domain.
AB - To develop a high-affinity aptamer against AML1 Runt domain, two aptamers were
conjugated based on their structural information. The newly designed aptamer
Apt14 was generated by the conjugation of two RNA aptamers (Apt1 and Apt4)
obtained by SELEX against AML1 Runt domain, resulting in improvement in its
binding performance. The residues of AML1 Runt domain in contact with Apt14 were
predicted in silico and confirmed by mutation and NMR analyses. It was suggested
that the conjugated internal loop renders additional contacts and is responsible
for the enhancement in the binding affinity. Conjugation of two aptamers that
bind to different sites of the target protein is a facile and robust strategy to
develop an aptamer with higher performance.
PMID- 28992044
TI - Formation of metastable phases in Zr-ion-irradiated Al2O3 upon thermal annealing.
AB - Formation of metastable phases in Zr-ion-irradiated corundum alumina (Al2O3) upon
thermal annealing was examined using transmission electron microscopy. A
metastable cubic spinel phase was formed in the topmost layer of the as
irradiated microstructure. During thermal annealing at temperatures ranging from
1073 to 1273 K, this spinel layer grew in extent via an unusual corundum-to
spinel phase transformation. A normal spinel-to-corundum phase transformation was
observed at post-irradiation annealing temperatures greater than 1473 K. In
addition, ZrO2 nanocrystals embedded in alpha-Al2O3 were observed to form at
these higher temperatures. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy
observations and electron diffraction experiments revealed that the structure of
the ZrO2 precipitates observed in this study are consistent with a high-pressure
metastable orthorhombic phase of ZrO2 known as the Ortho-I phase.
PMID- 28992045
TI - A Descriptive Analysis of the Educational Perceptions, Professional Identity, and
Professional Practices of Dual-Trained Music Therapists as Counselors.
AB - Background: Given the rise in music therapy master's programs that offer dual
degrees in music therapy and counseling or programs that satisfy state mental
health counseling licensure laws, the professional counseling field is playing an
increased role in the advanced education and professional practices of music
therapists. Objective: To identify factors that lead music therapists to pursue
advanced education with an emphasis in professional counseling, perceptions about
benefits and drawbacks for three advanced degree options (i.e., music therapy,
counseling, and music therapy/counseling dual degree), and describe the
professional practices and identity of dual-trained music therapists as
counselors. Methods: A convenience sample of music therapists (n = 123) who held
board certification, and held a master's degree or higher that emphasized
professional counseling, completed an online survey. We used descriptive
statistics to analyze categorical and numeric survey data. Results: Eligibility
for licensure as a professional counselor was the most important decisional
factor in selecting a specific master's degree program. Respondents also reported
favorable perceptions of the dual degree in music therapy and counseling. With
regard to professional practice and identity, respondents reported high use of
verbal processing techniques alongside music therapy interventions, and dual
trained music therapists retained their professional identity as a music
therapist. Conclusions: The reported view of licensure in a related field as
beneficial and frequent use of verbal processing techniques warrants future study
into the role of counseling in the advanced training of music therapists. Given
contradictory findings across studies, we recommend investigators also explore
how a degree in a related field affects career longevity of music therapists.
PMID- 28992046
TI - Phosphorylated E2F1 is stabilized by nuclear USP11 to drive Peg10 gene expression
and activate lung epithelial cells.
AB - Phosphorylation affects ubiquitination, stability, and activity of
transcriptional factors, thus regulating various cellular functions. E2F
transcriptional factor 1 (E2F1) regulates paternally expressed imprinted gene 10
(Peg10) expression, thereby promoting cell proliferation. However, the effect of
E2F1 stability on Peg10 expression and the molecular regulation of E2F1 stability
by its phosphorylation have not been well demonstrated. Here, we describe a new
pathway in which phosphorylation of E2F1 by GSK3beta increases E2F1 association
with the deubiquitinating enzyme, ubiquitin-specific protease 11 (USP11), which
removes K63-linked ubiquitin chains thereby preventing E2F1 degradation in the
nuclei. Downregulation of USP11 increases E2F1 ubiquitination and reduces E2F1
stability and protein levels, thereby decreasing Peg10 mRNA levels.
Physiologically, USP11 depletion suppresses cell proliferation and wound healing
in lung epithelial cells, and these effects are reversed by E2F1 and PEG10
overexpression. Thus, our study reveals a new molecular model that
phosphorylation promotes substrate stability through increasing its association
with a deubiquitinating enzyme. The data suggest that GSK3beta and USP11 act in
concert to modulate E2F1 abundance and PEG10 expression in lung epithelial cells
to affect cell wound healing. This study provides new therapeutic targets to
lessen lung injury by improving lung epithelial cell repair and remodeling after
injury.
PMID- 28992047
TI - Preliminary comparison of the registration effect of 4D-CBCT and 3D-CBCT in image
guided radiotherapy of Stage IA non-small-cell lung cancer.
AB - In this study, we compared the registration effectiveness of 4D cone-beam
computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D-CBCT for image-guided radiotherapy in 20 Stage
IA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Patients underwent 4D-CBCT and 3D
CBCT immediately before radiotherapy, and the X-ray Volume Imaging software
system was used for image registration. We performed automatic bone registration
and soft tissue registration between 4D-CBCT or 3D-CBCT and 4D-CT images; the
regions of interest (ROIs) were the vertebral body on the layer corresponding to
the tumor and the internal target volume region. The relative displacement of the
gross tumor volume between the 4D-CBCT end-expiratory phase sequence and 4D-CT
was used to evaluate the registration error. Among the 20 patients (12 males, 8
females; 35-67 years old; median age, 52 years), 3 had central NSCLC and 17 had
peripheral NSCLC, 8 in the upper or middle lobe and 12 in the lower lobe (maximum
tumor diameter range, 18-27 mm). The internal motion range in three-dimensional
space was 12.52 +/- 2.65 mm, accounting for 47.8 +/- 15.3% of the maximum
diameter of each tumor. The errors of image-guided registration using 4D-CBCT and
3D-CBCT on the x (left-right), y (superior-inferior), z (anterior-posterior)
axes, and 3D space were 0.80 +/- 0.21 mm and 1.08 +/- 0.25 mm, 2.02 +/- 0.46 mm
and 3.30 +/- 0.53 mm, 0.52 +/- 0.16 mm and 0.85 +/- 0.24 mm, and 2.25 +/- 0.44 mm
and 3.59 +/- 0.48 mm (all P < 0.001), respectively. Thus, 4D-CBCT is preferable
to 3D-CBCT for image guidance in small pulmonary tumors because 4D-CBCT can
reduce the uncertainty in the tumor location resulting from internal motion
caused by respiratory movements, thereby increasing the image-guidance accuracy.
PMID- 28992049
TI - Relations of Demographic and Clinical Factors With Cardiovascular Autonomic
Function in a Population-Based Study: An Assessment By Quantile Regression.
AB - BACKGROUND: The relationships of many factors with cardiovascular autonomic
function (CVAF) outcome parameters may not be uniform across the entire
distribution of the outcome. We examined how demographic and clinical factors
varied with different subgroups of CVAF parameters. METHODS: Quantile regression
was applied to a cross-sectional analysis of 4,167 adults (56% male; age range,
50-84 years) from 4 ethnic groups (3,419 New Zealand European, 303 Pacific, 227
Maori, and 218 South Asian) and without diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia. Pulse rate
variability (root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and SD of pulse
intervals) and baroreflex sensitivity were response variables. Independent
variables were age, sex, ethnicity, brachial and aortic blood pressure (BP)
variables, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes. RESULTS: Ordinary linear
regression showed that age, sex, Pacific and Maori ethnicity, BP variables, BMI,
and diabetes were associated with CVAF parameters. But quantile regression
revealed that, across CVAF percentiles, the slopes for these relationships: (i)
varied by more than 10-fold in several cases and sometimes changed direction and
(ii) noticeably differed in magnitude often (by >3-fold in several cases)
compared to ordinary linear regression coefficients. For instance, age was
inversely associated with RMSSD at the 10th percentile of this parameter (beta =
0.12 ms/year, 95% confidence interval = -0.18 to -0.09 ms/year) but had a
positive relationship at the 90th percentile (beta = 3.17 ms/year, 95% confidence
interval = 2.50 to 4.04 ms/year). CONCLUSIONS: The relationships of demographic
and clinical factors with CVAF parameters are, in many cases, not uniform.
Quantile regression provides an improved assessment of these associations.
PMID- 28992048
TI - Comparative whole-genome analysis reveals artificial selection effects on
Ustilago esculenta genome.
AB - Ustilago esculenta, infects Zizania latifolia, and induced host stem swollen to
be a popular vegetable called Jiaobai in China. It is the long-standing
artificial selection that maximizes the occurrence of favourable Jiaobai, and
thus maintaining the plant-fungi interaction and modulating the fungus evolving
from plant pathogen to entophyte. In this study, whole genome of U. esculenta was
sequenced and transcriptomes of the fungi and its host were analysed. The 20.2 Mb
U. esculenta draft genome of 6,654 predicted genes including mating, primary
metabolism, secreted proteins, shared a high similarity to related Smut fungi.
But U. esculenta prefers RNA silencing not repeat-induced point in defence and
has more introns per gene, indicating relatively slow evolution rate. The fungus
also lacks some genes in amino acid biosynthesis pathway which were filled by up
regulated host genes and developed distinct amino acid response mechanism to
balance the infection-resistance interaction. Besides, U. esculenta lost some
surface sensors, important virulence factors and host range-related effectors to
maintain the economic endophytic life. The elucidation of the U. esculenta
genomic information as well as expression profiles can not only contribute to
more comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanism underlying artificial
selection but also into smut fungi-host interactions.
PMID- 28992051
TI - New insights into the regulation of leaf senescence in Arabidopsis.
AB - Plants undergo developmental changes throughout their life history. Senescence,
the final stage in the life history of a leaf, is an important and unique
developmental process whereby plants relocate nutrients from leaves to other
developing organs, such as seeds, stems, or roots. Recent attempts to answer
fundamental questions about leaf senescence have employed a combination of new
ideas and advanced technologies. As senescence is an integral part of a plant's
life history that is linked to earlier developmental stages, age-associated leaf
senescence may be analysed from a life history perspective. The successful
utilization of multi-omics approaches has resolved the complicated process of
leaf senescence, replacing a component-based view with a network-based molecular
mechanism that acts in a spatial-temporal manner. Senescence and death are
critical for fitness and are thus evolved characters. Recent efforts have begun
to focus on understanding the evolutionary basis of the developmental process
that incorporates age information and environmental signals into a plant's
survival strategy. This review describes recent insights into the regulatory
mechanisms of leaf senescence in terms of systems-level spatiotemporal changes,
presenting them from the perspectives of life history strategy and evolution.
PMID- 28992050
TI - Clinical outcomes of 125I brachytherapy with and without external-beam radiation
therapy for localized prostate cancer: results from 300 patients at a single
institution in Japan.
AB - The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes and adverse events for 300
men with prostate cancer treated with 125iodine (125I) brachytherapy with and
without external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) at a single institution in Japan.
Between February 2005 and November 2011, 300 consecutive patients with clinically
localized prostate cancer were treated with 125I brachytherapy at the Nagoya
University Hospital. A total of 271 men were treated with implants with doses of
145 Gy, and 29 men were treated with implants with doses of 110 Gy combined with
EBRT (40-50 Gy/20-25 fractions). The median patient age was 69 years (range, 53
83 years). The median follow-up period was 53 months (range, 5-99 months).
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk classification, 132
men (44%) had low-risk, 147 men (29%) had intermediate-risk and 21 men (7%) had
high-risk disease. The 5-year overall survival rate, biochemical relapse-free
survival rate, and disease-specific survival rates were 93.5%, 97.3% and 98.5%,
respectively. Two men (0.6%) died of prostate cancer and 10 men (3.3%) died of
other causes. Seventeen men (5.6%) experienced Grade 2 rectal bleeding in all: 12
(41.4%) of 29 in brachytherapy with EBRT, and 5 (1.8%) of 271 in brachytherapy
alone. The rates of Grade 2 and 3 genitourinary toxicity were 1.0% and 1.7%,
respectively. Excellent local control was achieved at our hospital for localized
prostate cancer with 125I brachytherapy with and without EBRT. Gastrointestinal
and genitourinary toxicities were acceptable.
PMID- 28992052
TI - Dose-rate effect of ultrashort electron beam radiation on DNA damage and repair
in vitro.
AB - Laser-generated electron beams are distinguished from conventional accelerated
particles by ultrashort beam pulses in the femtoseconds to picoseconds duration
range, and their application may elucidate primary radiobiological effects. The
aim of the present study was to determine the dose-rate effect of laser-generated
ultrashort pulses of 4 MeV electron beam radiation on DNA damage and repair in
human cells. The dose rate was increased via changing the pulse repetition
frequency, without increasing the electron energy. The human chronic myeloid
leukemia K-562 cell line was used to estimate the DNA damage and repair after
irradiation, via the comet assay. A distribution analysis of the DNA damage was
performed. The same mean level of initial DNA damages was observed at low (3.6
Gy/min) and high (36 Gy/min) dose-rate irradiation. In the case of low-dose-rate
irradiation, the detected DNA damages were completely repairable, whereas the
high-dose-rate irradiation demonstrated a lower level of reparability. The
distribution analysis of initial DNA damages after high-dose-rate irradiation
revealed a shift towards higher amounts of damage and a broadening in
distribution. Thus, increasing the dose rate via changing the pulse frequency of
ultrafast electrons leads to an increase in the complexity of DNA damages, with a
consequent decrease in their reparability. Since the application of an ultrashort
pulsed electron beam permits us to describe the primary radiobiological effects,
it can be assumed that the observed dose-rate effect on DNA damage/repair is
mainly caused by primary lesions appearing at the moment of irradiation.
PMID- 28992053
TI - Molecular and Neuroendocrine Approaches to Understanding Trade-offs: Food, Sex,
Aggression, Stress, and Longevity-An Introduction to the Symposium.
AB - Life history strategies are composed of multiple fitness components, each of
which incurs costs and benefits. Consequently, organisms cannot maximize all
fitness components simultaneously. This situation results in a dynamic array of
trade-offs in which some fitness traits prevail at the expense of others, often
depending on context. The identification of specific constraints and trade-offs
has helped elucidate physiological mechanisms that underlie variation in
behavioral and physiological life history strategies. There is general
recognition that trade-offs are made at the individual and population level, but
much remains to be learned concerning the molecular neuroendocrine mechanisms
that underlie trade-offs. For example, we still do not know whether the
mechanisms that underlie trade-offs at the individual level relate to trade-offs
at the population level. To advance our understanding of trade-offs, we organized
a group of speakers who study neuroendocrine mechanisms at the interface of
traits that are not maximized simultaneously. Speakers were invited to represent
research from a wide range of taxa including invertebrates (e.g., worms and
insects), fish, nonavian reptiles, birds, and mammals. Three general themes
emerged. First, the study of trade-offs requires that we investigate traditional
endocrine mechanisms that include hormones, neuropeptides, and their receptors,
and in addition, other chemical messengers not traditionally included in
endocrinology. The latter group includes growth factors, metabolic intermediates,
and molecules of the immune system. Second, the nomenclature and theory of
neuroscience that has dominated the study of behavior is being re-evaluated in
the face of evidence for the peripheral actions of so-called neuropeptides and
neurotransmitters and the behavioral repercussions of these actions. Finally,
environmental and ecological contexts continue to be critical in unmasking
molecular mechanisms that are hidden when study animals are housed in enclosed
spaces, with unlimited food, without competitors or conspecifics, and in constant
ambient conditions.
PMID- 28992054
TI - Metabolomics of laminae and midvein during leaf senescence and source-sink
metabolite management in Brassica napus L. leaves.
AB - Leaf senescence is a long developmental process important for nutrient management
and for source to sink remobilization. Constituents of the mesophyll cells are
progressively degraded to provide nutrients to the rest of the plant. Up to now,
studies on leaf senescence have not paid much attention to the role of the
different leaf tissues. In the present study, we dissected leaf laminae from the
midvein to perform metabolite profiling. The laminae mesophyll cells are the
source of nutrients, and in C3 plants they contain Rubisco as the most important
nitrogen storage pool. Veins, rich in vasculature, are the place where all the
nutrients are translocated, and sometimes interconverted, before being exported
through the phloem or the xylem. The different metabolic changes we observed in
laminae and midvein with ageing support the idea that the senescence programme in
these two tissues is different. Important accumulations of metabolites in the
midvein suggest that nutrient translocations from source leaves to sinks are
mainly controlled at this level. Carbon and nitrogen long-distance molecules such
as fructose, glucose, aspartate, and asparagine were more abundant in the midvein
than in laminae. In contrast, sucrose, glutamate, and aspartate were more
abundant in laminae. The concentrations of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) compounds
were also lower in the midvein than in laminae. Since nitrogen remobilization
increased under low nitrate supply, plants were grown under two nitrate
concentrations. The results revealed that the senescence-related differences were
mostly similar under low and high nitrate conditions except for some pathways
such as the TCA cycle.
PMID- 28992055
TI - Amphotericin B concentrations in healthy mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)
following a single intratracheal dose of liposomal amphotericin B using an
atomizer.
AB - Aspergillosis is a fungal infection that primarily affects the respiratory tract.
Amphotericin B has broad antifungal activity and is commonly used to treat
aspergillosis, a fungal pneumonia that is a common sequela in oiled waterfowl as
well as other birds in wildlife rehabilitation. Pharmacokinetic parameters of
nebulized amphotericin B in an avian model have been reported, but those of
direct intratracheal delivery have yet to be established. The objective of this
study was to evaluate if a single 3 mg/kg dose of liposomal amphotericin B
delivered intratracheally using a commercial atomizer would achieve plasma and
lung tissue concentrations exceeding targeted minimum inhibitory concentrations
(MIC) for Aspergillus species in adult mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).
Following intratracheal delivery, amphotericin B was present in lung parenchyma
at concentrations above the targeted MIC of 1 MUg/g for up to 9 days post
administration; however, distribution of the drug was uneven, with the majority
of the drug concentrated in one lung lobe. Concentrations in the contralateral
lung lobe and the kidneys were above the targeted MIC 1 day after administration
but declined exponentially with a half-life of approximately 2 days. Plasma
concentrations were never above the targeted MIC. Histological examination of the
trachea, bronchi, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys did not reveal any toxic
changes. Using a commercial atomizer, intratracheal delivery of amphotericin B at
3 mg/kg resulted in lung parenchyma concentrations above 1 MUg/ml with no
discernable systemic effects. Further studies to establish a system of drug
delivery to both sides of the pulmonary parenchyma need to be performed, and the
efficacy of this treatment for disease prevention remains to be determined.
PMID- 28992056
TI - A world of opportunities with nanopore sequencing.
AB - Oxford Nanopore Technologies' MinION sequencer was launched in pre-release form
in 2014 and represents an exciting new sequencing paradigm. The device offers
multi-kilobase reads and a streamed mode of operation that allows processing of
reads as they are generated. Crucially, it is an extremely compact device that is
powered from the USB port of a laptop computer, enabling it to be taken out of
the lab and facilitating previously impossible in-field sequencing experiments to
be undertaken. Many of the initial publications concerning the platform focused
on provision of tools to access and analyse the new sequence formats and then
demonstrating the assembly of microbial genomes. More recently, as throughput and
accuracy have increased, it has been possible to begin work involving more
complex genomes and metagenomes. With the release of the high-throughput GridION
X5 and PromethION platforms, the sequencing of large genomes will become more
cost efficient, and enable the leveraging of extremely long (>100 kb) reads for
resolution of complex genomic structures. This review provides a brief overview
of nanopore sequencing technology, describes the growing range of nanopore
bioinformatics tools, and highlights some of the most influential publications
that have emerged over the last 2 years. Finally, we look to the future and the
potential the platform has to disrupt work in human, microbiome, and plant
genomics.
PMID- 28992058
TI - Species distribution, virulence factors, and antifungal susceptibility among
Candida parapsilosis complex isolates from clinical specimens at Siriraj
Hospital, Thailand, from 2011 to 2015.
AB - The Candida parapsilosis complex has been described as the second or third most
common yeast species isolated from patients with bloodstream infections
worldwide. This complex consists of three species: C. parapsilosis sensu stricto,
C. orthopsilosis, and C. metapsilosis. The distribution of species in this
complex has never been studied in Thailand. Here we investigated the molecular
epidemiology, in vitro on virulence factors, and antifungal susceptibility
profiles of isolates of these three species collected from patients in Siriraj
Hospital, Thailand, from 2011 to 2015. Of the 96 C. parapsilosis complex isolates
analyzed, 66 (68.75%) were identified as C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, 28
(29.17%) as C. orthopsilosis, and two (2.08%) as C. metapsilosis. Most strains
were isolated from blood (81.25%). Proteinase activity was only detected in four
(6.06%) and two (7.14%) isolates of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto and C.
orthopsilosis, respectively. Sixty (90.91%) isolates of C. parapsilosis sensu
stricto, 12 (42.86%) isolates of C. orthopsilosis, and all C. metapsilosis
isolates showed phospholipase activity. Psuedohyphae formation was only detected
in 33 (50%) and 15 (53.57%) isolates of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto and C.
orthopsilosis, respectively. All isolates were susceptible to caspofungin. Most
(85-100%) isolates were susceptible to antifungal drugs, but 3.13 - 6.25% were
resistant to voriconazole and fluconazole. In conclusion, our findings revealed
that C. parapsilosis sensu stricto was the most common species among clinical
isolates of the C. parapsilosis complex, and the most commonly used antifungal
agents generally exhibited good in vitro activity against these strains.
PMID- 28992059
TI - The human NAIP-NLRC4-inflammasome senses the Pseudomonas aeruginosa T3SS inner
rod protein.
AB - While NLRC4-dependent sensing of intracellular Gram-negative pathogens such as
Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium is a beneficial host response, NLRC4
dependent sensing of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type 3 secretion system (T3SS)
has been shown to be involved in pathogenicity. In mice, different pathogen
associated microbial patterns are sensed by the combination of the NLRC4
inflammasome with different neuronal apoptosis inhibitory proteins (NAIPs). NAIP2
is involved in sensing PscI, an inner-rod protein of the P. aeruginosa T3SS.
Surprisingly, only a single human NAIP (hNAIP) has been found. Moreover, there is
no description of hNAIP-NLRC4 inflammasome recognition of T3SS inner-rod proteins
in humans. Here, we show that the P. aeruginosa T3SS inner-rod protein PscI and
needle protein PscF are both sensed by the hNAIP-NLRC4 inflammasome in human
macrophages and PBMCs from healthy donors, allowing caspase-1 and IL-1beta
maturation and resulting in a robust inflammatory response. TLR4 and TLR2 are
involved in redundantly sensing these two T3SS components.
PMID- 28992060
TI - Heterozygosity of mitogen-activated protein kinase organizer 1 ameliorates
diabetic nephropathy and suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like
changes in db/db mice.
AB - Background: Progressive diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by
tubulointerstitial fibrosis that is caused by accumulation of extracellular
matrix. Induced by several factors, matrix-producing myofibroblasts may to some
extent originate from tubular cells by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
(EMT). Although previous data document that activation of hypoxia-inducible
factor (HIF) signalling can be renoprotective in acute kidney disease, this issue
remains controversial in chronic kidney injury. Here, we studied whether DN and
EMT-like changes are ameliorated in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus
with increased stability and activity of the HIF. Methods: We used db/db mice
that were crossed with transgenic mice expressing reduced levels of mitogen
activated protein kinase organizer 1 (MORG1), a scaffold protein interacting with
prolyl hydroxylase domain 3 (PHD3), because of deletion of one MORG1 allele.
Results: We found significantly reduced nephropathy in diabetic MORG1+/-
heterozygous mice compared with the diabetic wild-types (db/dbXMORG1+/+).
Furthermore, we demonstrated that EMT-like changes in the tubulointerstitium of
diabetic wild-type MORG1+/+ mice are present, whereas diabetic mice with reduced
expression of MORG1 showed significantly fewer EMT-like changes. Conclusions:
These findings reveal that a deletion of one MORG1 allele inhibits the
development of DN in db/db mice. The data suggest that the diminished
interstitial fibrosis in these mice is a likely consequence of suppressed EMT
like changes.
PMID- 28992057
TI - Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II promotes neurodegeneration caused by
tau phosphorylated at Ser262/356 in a transgenic Drosophila model of tauopathy.
AB - Abnormal deposition of the microtubule-associated protein tau is a common
pathological feature of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including
Alzheimer's disease (AD), and plays critical roles in their pathogenesis.
Disruption of calcium homeostasis and the downstream kinase Ca2+/calmodulin
dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) coincides with pathological phosphorylation
of tau in AD brains. However, it remains unclear whether and how dysregulation of
CaMKII affects tau toxicity. Using a Drosophila model, we found that CaMKII
promotes neurodegeneration caused by tau phosphorylated at the AD-associated
sites Ser262/356. Overexpression of CaMKII promoted, while RNA-mediated knockdown
of CaMKII and inhibition of CaMKII activity by expression of an inhibitory
peptide suppressed, tau-mediated neurodegeneration. Blocking tau phosphorylation
at Ser262/356 by alanine substitutions suppressed promotion of tau toxicity by
CaMKII, suggesting that tau phosphorylation at these sites is required for this
phenomenon. However, neither knockdown nor overexpression of CaMKII affected tau
phosphorylation levels at Ser262/356, suggesting that CaMKII is not directly
involved in tau phosphorylation at Ser262/356 in this model. These results
suggest that a pathological cascade of events, including elevated levels of tau
phosphorylated at Ser262/356 and aberrant activation of CaMKII, work in concert
to promote tau-mediated neurodegeneration.
PMID- 28992061
TI - GLP inhibits heterochromatin clustering and myogenic differentiation by
repressing MeCP2.
AB - Myogenic differentiation is accompanied by alterations in the chromatin states,
which permit or restrict the transcriptional machinery and thus impact
distinctive gene expression profiles. The mechanisms by which higher-order
chromatin remodeling is associated with gene activation and silencing during
differentiation is not fully understood. In this study, we provide evidence that
the euchromatic lysine methyltransferase GLP regulates heterochromatin
organization and myogenic differentiation. Interestingly, GLP represses
expression of the methyl-binding protein MeCP2 that induces heterochromatin
clustering during differentiation. Consequently, MeCP2 and HP1gamma localization
at major satellites are altered upon modulation of GLP expression. In GLP
knockdown cells, depletion of MeCP2 restored both chromatin organization and
myogenic differentiation. These results identify a novel regulatory axis between
a histone methylation writer and DNA methylation reader, which is important for
heterochromatin organization during differentiation.
PMID- 28992062
TI - Epidemiology of human dermatophytoses in Africa.
AB - In this critical literature review, we summarize the epidemiological trends of
dermatophytoses reported in Africa. Our findings clearly emphasize the heavy
burden of dermatophytosis in Africa. Tinea capitis is the primary clinical
presentation of dermatophytosis in African children throughout the entire African
continent. The disease affects more than 20% of school-age children in West
Africa, while the prevalence ranges from 10% to more than 70% in other regions of
Africa. In African adults, the presence of tinea corporis is the most frequent
indicator of dermatophytosis. However, epidemiological studies have been
primarily conducted on particular patient groups that are not representative of
the general population. We examined dermatophyte species distribution patterns.
We observed a predominance of anthropophilic dermatophytes, mainly T. violaceum,
in the North and East of Africa and both T. soudanense and M. audouinii in the
Western and Central regions of the continent. Interestingly, the zoophilic
species, M. canis, has recently emerged in North and East Africa. Optimization of
both mycology diagnosis capacities and epidemiological methodology would provide
insight into the role that climate and other global aspects of the human
environment play in dermatophyte epidemiology. We advocate that using a
multisectoral and collaborative strategy would strengthen such future studies.
PMID- 28992063
TI - The evolutionary history of Saccharomyces species inferred from completed
mitochondrial genomes and revision in the 'yeast mitochondrial genetic code'.
AB - The yeast Saccharomyces are widely used to test ecological and evolutionary
hypotheses. A large number of nuclear genomic DNA sequences are available, but
mitochondrial genomic data are insufficient. We completed mitochondrial DNA
(mtDNA) sequencing from Illumina MiSeq reads for all Saccharomyces species. All
are circularly mapped molecules decreasing in size with phylogenetic distance
from Saccharomyces cerevisiae but with similar gene content including regulatory
and selfish elements like origins of replication, introns, free-standing open
reading frames or GC clusters. Their most profound feature is species-specific
alteration in gene order. The genetic code slightly differs from well-established
yeast mitochondrial code as GUG is used rarely as the translation start and CGA
and CGC code for arginine. The multilocus phylogeny, inferred from mtDNA, does
not correlate with the trees derived from nuclear genes. mtDNA data demonstrate
that Saccharomyces cariocanus should be assigned as a separate species and
Saccharomyces bayanus CBS 380T should not be considered as a distinct species due
to mtDNA nearly identical to Saccharomyces uvarum mtDNA. Apparently, comparison
of mtDNAs should not be neglected in genomic studies as it is an important tool
to understand the origin and evolutionary history of some yeast species.
PMID- 28992065
TI - The longer the better: follow-up in seemingly 'benign' immunoglobulin A
nephropathy.
PMID- 28992064
TI - Estimating the Comparative Effectiveness of Feeding Interventions in the
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Demonstration of Longitudinal Targeted Maximum
Likelihood Estimation.
AB - Longitudinal data sources offer new opportunities for the evaluation of
sequential interventions. To adjust for time-dependent confounding in these
settings, longitudinal targeted maximum likelihood based estimation (TMLE), a
doubly robust method that can be coupled with machine learning, has been
proposed. This paper provides a tutorial in applying longitudinal TMLE, in
contrast to inverse probability of treatment weighting and g-computation based on
iterative conditional expectations. We apply these methods to estimate the causal
effect of nutritional interventions on clinical outcomes among critically ill
children in a United Kingdom study (Control of Hyperglycemia in Paediatric
Intensive Care, 2008-2011). We estimate the probability of a child's being
discharged alive from the pediatric intensive care unit by a given day, under a
range of static and dynamic feeding regimes. We find that before adjustment,
patients who follow the static regime "never feed" are discharged by the end of
the fifth day with a probability of 0.88 (95% confidence interval: 0.87, 0.90),
while for the patients who follow the regime "feed from day 3," the probability
of discharge is 0.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.62, 0.66). After adjustment for
time-dependent confounding, most of this difference disappears, and the
statistical methods produce similar results. TMLE offers a flexible estimation
approach; hence, we provide practical guidance on implementation to encourage its
wider use.
PMID- 28992066
TI - TFIIA transcriptional activity is controlled by a 'cleave-and-run' Exportin
1/Taspase 1-switch.
AB - Transcription factor TFIIA is controlled by complex regulatory networks including
proteolysis by the protease Taspase 1, though the full impact of cleavage remains
elusive. Here, we demonstrate that in contrast to the general assumption, de novo
produced TFIIA is rapidly confined to the cytoplasm via an evolutionary conserved
nuclear export signal (NES, amino acids 21VINDVRDIFL30), interacting with the
nuclear export receptor Exportin-1/chromosomal region maintenance 1 (Crm1).
Chemical export inhibition or genetic inactivation of the NES not only promotes
TFIIA's nuclear localization but also affects its transcriptional activity.
Notably, Taspase 1 processing promotes TFIIA's nuclear accumulation by NES
masking, and modulates its transcriptional activity. Moreover, TFIIA complex
formation with the TATA box binding protein (TBP) is cooperatively enhanced by
inhibition of proteolysis and nuclear export, leading to an increase of the cell
cycle inhibitor p16INK, which is counteracted by prevention of TBP binding. We
here identified a novel mechanism how proteolysis and nuclear transport
cooperatively fine-tune transcriptional programs.
PMID- 28992067
TI - The uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate interferes with iron metabolism by regulating
hepcidin in chronic kidney disease.
AB - Background: Hepcidin secreted by hepatocytes is a key regulator of iron
metabolism throughout the body. Hepcidin concentrations are increased in chronic
kidney disease (CKD), contributing to abnormalities in iron metabolism. Levels of
indoxyl sulfate (IS), a uremic toxin, are also elevated in CKD. However, the
effect of IS accumulation on iron metabolism remains unclear. Methods: We used
HepG2 cells to determine the mechanism by which IS regulates hepcidin
concentrations. We also used a mouse model of adenine-induced CKD. The CKD mice
were divided into two groups: one was treated using AST-120 and the other
received no treatment. We examined control mice, CKD mice, CKD mice treated using
AST-120 and mice treated with IS via drinking water. Results: In the in vitro
experiments using HepG2 cells, IS increased hepcidin expression in a dose
dependent manner. Silencing of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) inhibited IS
induced hepcidin expression. Furthermore, IS induced oxidative stress and
antioxidant drugs diminished IS-induced hepcidin expression. Adenine-induced CKD
mice demonstrated an increase in hepcidin concentrations; this increase was
reduced by AST-120, an oral adsorbent of the uremic toxin. CKD mice showed renal
anemia, decreased plasma iron concentration, increased plasma ferritin and
increased iron content in the spleen. Ferroportin was decreased in the duodenum
and increased in the spleen. These changes were ameliorated by AST-120 treatment.
Mice treated by direct IS administration showed hepatic hepcidin upregulation.
Conclusions: IS affects iron metabolism in CKD by participating in hepcidin
regulation via pathways that depend on AhR and oxidative stress.
PMID- 28992068
TI - Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Chlamydia trachomatis Vaccine Program in Adolescent
Girls in the United States.
AB - Background: With >1.4 million cases in the United States reported to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention in 2012, Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a
major public health concern. We examined the impact of a C trachomatis
vaccination program using a decision-analysis model to estimate the effects of
vaccination on C trachomatis-associated costs and morbidity. Methods: We
developed a Markov model considering a cohort of 2158117 US females aged 9 to 26
years. Morbidity, death, and healthcare-associated costs associated with
chlamydial infection of mothers and fetuses/neonates were calculated over a 17
year time frame. We developed 2 major comparison arms, namely, a C trachomatis
vaccination program and no C trachomatis vaccination program. Base-case efficacy
and coverage were set to those of human papillomavirus in the United States with
all variables, including efficacy and coverage, ranged in sensitivity analyses.
Results: On the basis of a base-case analysis, a vaccination program would cost
an estimated $710 million for a cohort of 2158117 women over a 17-year period, an
increase of $41 million over having no vaccination program. A vaccination program
would prevent 34000 cases of C trachomatis infection and 5976 cases of pelvic
inflammatory disease. Conclusions: A C trachomatis vaccination program results in
increased cost to the healthcare system but averts significant morbidity and
death.
PMID- 28992069
TI - Local delivery of liposomal prednisolone leads to an anti-inflammatory profile in
renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the rat.
AB - Background: Treatment of inflammatory kidney diseases with systemic high-dose
glucocorticoids (GCs) has severe side effects. Liposomal encapsulation could
facilitate local delivery of GCs to the inflamed kidney, as liposomes encapsulate
their payload until extravasation at sites of inflammation, potentially resulting
in local bioactivity. Our aim was to evaluate the ability of liposomes to
accumulate locally after renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the rat and to
study its effect on macrophages. Methods: In vitro, human macrophages were
incubated with fluorescent liposomes, liposomal prednisolone, prednisolone, empty
liposomes or saline. Uptake was studied microscopically and treatment effect was
assessed by interkeukin 6 (IL-6) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism
of action was evaluated by analysing GC receptor activation by microscopy and
quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In vivo, rats were subjected to
ischaemia-reperfusion injury and were injected intravenously with fluorescent
liposomes, liposomal prednisolone, prednisolone, empty liposomes or saline.
Uptake was measured by the FLARE camera and the treatment effect by
immunohistochemistry for myeloid cells and qPCR for inflammatory markers.
Results: In vitro, macrophages internalized liposomes after 8 hours. Prednisolone
or liposomal prednisolone treatment reduced IL-6 production and both compounds
induced translocation of the GC receptor to the nucleus and upregulation of PER1
messenger RNA (mRNA), indicating a similar mechanism of action. In vivo,
fluorescent liposomes accumulated in the inflamed kidney. Liposomal prednisolone
treatment increased the presence of ED2-positive anti-inflammatory macrophages
and both prednisolone and liposomal prednisolone reduced monocyte chemoattractant
protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA production, indicating a reduced pro-inflammatory profile
in the kidney. Conclusions: Liposomal encapsulation is a promising strategy for
local delivery of glucocorticoids to the inflamed kidney.
PMID- 28992070
TI - Changing While Staying the Same: Preservation of Structural Continuity During
Limb Evolution by Developmental Integration.
AB - More than 150 years since Charles Darwin published "On the Origin of Species",
gradual evolution by natural selection is still not fully reconciled with the
apparent sudden appearance of complex structures, such as the bat wing, with
highly derived functions. This is in part because developmental genetics has not
yet identified the number and types of mutations that accumulated to drive
complex morphological evolution. Here, we consider the experimental manipulations
in laboratory model systems that suggest tissue interdependence and mechanical
responsiveness during limb development conceptually reduce the genetic complexity
required to reshape the structure as a whole. It is an exciting time in the field
of evolutionary developmental biology as emerging technical approaches in a
variety of non-traditional laboratory species are on the verge of filling the
gaps between theory and evidence to resolve this sesquicentennial debate.
PMID- 28992071
TI - Prenatal Screening for and Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Pregnant
Women and Prevention of Transmission to Infants Born to Infected Mothers-Guam,
2014.
AB - Background: Perinatal transmission is the major mode of hepatitis B virus (HBV)
transmission and drives HBV endemicity in the US territory of Guam. We assessed
correlates of prenatal hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening and HBsAg
positivity among pregnant women and evaluated the care of infants of HBsAg
positive women. Methods: Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from the
maternal medical records of 966 randomly selected live infants born in 2014.
Frequencies were calculated, and prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence
intervals (CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression. Results: Among the
mothers of the 966 infants, 78.2% were Pacific Islanders, 56.9% were >25 years
old (born before universal infant hepatitis B vaccination in Guam), 89.0%
received prenatal care (PNC), 96.7% underwent prenatal HBsAg screening, and 2.0%
were HBsAg positive. Approximately 15% of the women who did not have PNC were not
screened for HBsAg. Receipt of PNC was associated with HBsAg screening (adjusted
PR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.04-1.23]), and HBsAg positivity was associated with a
maternal age of >25 years (adjusted PR, 6.80 [95% CI, 1.32-35.08]). All 18
infants of the HBsAg-positive mothers received hepatitis B vaccine, and 17
(94.4%) received hepatitis B immunoglobulin. Conclusion: Although the prenatal
HBsAg screening prevalence in this sample was high, the maternal HBsAg prevalence
among women in this sample was more than 14 times and 2 times the prevalence
among US-born Pacific Islander/Asian women and all women in the continental
United States, respectively. Improving access to PNC, ensuring that all pregnant
women in Guam (especially those born before universal hepatitis B vaccination)
are screened for HBsAg, and adopting postexposure prophylaxis for infants of
HBsAg-positive mothers as standard clinical practice are important for preventing
perinatal HBV transmission and reducing HBV endemicity.
PMID- 28992073
TI - Urinary peptide biomarker panel associated with an improvement in estimated
glomerular filtration rate in chronic kidney disease patients.
AB - Background: An improvement in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of chronic
kidney disease patients has been an underestimated clinical outcome. Although
this may be considered as an unexpected disease course, it may provide some
insights into possible mechanisms underlying disease remission and/or regression.
Therefore, our aim was to identify urinary peptide biomarkers associated with an
improvement in estimated GFR (eGFR) over time and to improve patient
stratification. Methods: Capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry
(CE-MS) was employed to evaluate the urine peptidome of patients with different
types of renal diseases. In total, 376 patients with a slope/year between -1.5%
and +1.5% were designated as non-progressors or stable, while 177 patients with a
> 5% slope/year were designated as patients with an improved eGFR for state-of
art biomarker discovery and validation. Results: We detected 384 significant
peptide fragments by comparing the CE-MS data of the stable patients and those
with improved renal function in our development cohort. Of these 384, a set of
141 peptides with available amino acid sequence information were used to generate
a support vector machine-based classification panel. The biomarker panel was
applied to our validation cohort, achieving a moderate area under the curve (AUC)
value of 0.85 (81% sensitivity and 81% specificity). The majority of the peptides
(78%) from the diagnostic panel arose from different types of collagen.
Conclusions: We have developed a panel of urinary peptide markers able to
discriminate those patients predisposed to improve their kidney function over
time and possibly be treated with more specific or less aggressive therapy.
PMID- 28992072
TI - Attention and Motivated Response to Simulated Male Advertisement Call Activates
Forebrain Dopaminergic and Social Decision-Making Network Nuclei in Female
Midshipman Fish.
AB - Little is known regarding the coordination of audition with decision-making and
subsequent motor responses that initiate social behavior including mate
localization during courtship. Using the midshipman fish model, we tested the
hypothesis that the time spent by females attending and responding to the
advertisement call is correlated with the activation of a specific subset of
catecholaminergic (CA) and social decision-making network (SDM) nuclei underlying
auditory- driven sexual motivation. In addition, we quantified the relationship
of neural activation between CA and SDM nuclei in all responders with the goal of
providing a map of functional connectivity of the circuitry underlying a
motivated state responsive to acoustic cues during mate localization. In order to
make a baseline qualitative comparison of this functional brain map to
unmotivated females, we made a similar correlative comparison of brain activation
in females who were unresponsive to the advertisement call playback. Our results
support an important role for dopaminergic neurons in the periventricular
posterior tuberculum and ventral thalamus, putative A11 and A13 tetrapod
homologues, respectively, as well as the posterior parvocellular preoptic area
and dorsomedial telencephalon, (laterobasal amygdala homologue) in auditory
attention and appetitive sexual behavior in fishes. These findings may also offer
insights into the function of these highly conserved nuclei in the context of
auditory-driven reproductive social behavior across vertebrates.
PMID- 28992074
TI - Auxin-mediated developmental control in the moss Physcomitrella patens.
AB - The signalling molecule auxin regulates many fundamental aspects of growth and
development in plants. We review and discuss what is known about auxin-regulated
development in mosses, with special emphasis on the model species Physcomitrella
patens. It is well established that mosses and other early diverging plants
produce and respond to auxin. By sequencing the P. patens genome, it became clear
that it encodes many core proteins important for auxin homeostasis, perception,
and signalling, which have also been identified in flowering plants. This
suggests that the auxin molecular network was present in the last common ancestor
of flowering plants and mosses. Despite fundamental differences in their life
cycles, key processes such as organ initiation and outgrowth, branching, tropic
responses, as well as cell differentiation, division, and expansion appear to be
regulated by auxin in the two lineages. This knowledge paves the way for studies
aimed at a better understanding of the origin and evolution of auxin function and
how auxin may have contributed to the evolution of land plants.
PMID- 28992075
TI - Does Kidney Donor Risk Index implementation lead to the transplantation of more
and higher-quality donor kidneys?
AB - Background: The Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI) is a quantitative evaluation of
the quality of donor organs and is implemented in the US allocation system. This
single-centre study investigates whether the implementation of the KDRI in our
decision-making process to accept or decline an offered deceased donor kidney,
increases our acceptance rate. Methods: From April 2015 until December 2016, we
prospectively calculated the KDRI for all deceased donor kidney offers allocated
by Eurotransplant to our centre. The number of the transplanted versus declined
kidney offers during the study period were compared to a historical set of donor
kidney offers. Results: After implementation of the KDRI, 26.1% (75/288) of all
offered donor kidneys were transplanted, compared with 20.7% (136/657) in the
previous period (P < 0.001). The median KDRI of all transplanted donor kidneys
during the second period was 0.97 [Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) 47%], a
value significantly higher than the median KDRI of 0.85 (KDPI 34%) during the
first period (P = 0.047). A total of 68% of patients for whom a first-offered
donor kidney was declined during this period were transplanted after a median
waiting time of 386 days, mostly with a lower KDRI donor kidney. Conclusions:
Implementing the KDRI in our decision-making process increased the
transplantation rate by 26%. The KDRI can be a supportive tool when considering
whether to accept or decline a deceased donor kidney offer. More data are needed
to validate this score in other European centres.
PMID- 28992077
TI - Merging roads: chemical tools and cell biology to study unconventional protein
secretion.
AB - The endomembrane trafficking network is highly complex and dynamic, with both
conventional and so-called unconventional routes which are in essence recently
discovered pathways that are poorly understood in plants. One approach to
dissecting endomembrane pathways that we have pioneered is the use of chemical
biology. Classical genetic manipulations often deal with indirect pleiotropic
phenotypes resulting from the perturbation of key players of the trafficking
routes. Many of these difficulties can be circumvented using small molecules to
modify or disrupt the function or localization of key proteins regulating these
pathways. In this review, we summarize how small molecules have been used as
probes to define these pathways, and how they could be used to increase current
knowledge of unconventional protein secretion pathways.
PMID- 28992076
TI - Autoimmunity associated with chemically induced thymic dysplasia.
AB - Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions are frequent complications in patients
with reduced numbers of T cells. Here, we describe a mouse model of thymic
stromal dysplasia resulting in peripheral T-cell lymphopenia. In Foxn1:CFP-NTR
transgenic mice, the bacterial nitroreductase enzyme is expressed in thymic
epithelial cells and converts the prodrug CB1954 into a cytotoxic agent. This
strategy enables titratable and durable destruction of thymopoietic tissue in
early embryogenesis. Our results indicate that the resulting low levels of thymic
capacity for T-cell production create a predisposition for the development of a
complex autoimmune syndrome, chiefly characterized by inflammatory bowel disease
and lymphocytic organ infiltrations. We conclude that the Foxn1:CFP-NTR
transgenic mouse strain represents a suitable animal model to optimize
established clinical protocols, such as thymus transplantation, to correct
various forms of thymic dysplasia and to explore novel treatment options.
PMID- 28992078
TI - Auxin transport, metabolism, and signalling during nodule initiation:
indeterminate and determinate nodules.
AB - Most legumes can form a unique type of lateral organ on their roots: root
nodules. These structures host symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria called
rhizobia. Several different types of nodules can be found in nature, but the two
best-studied types are called indeterminate and determinate nodules. These two
types differ with respect to the presence or absence of a persistent nodule
meristem, which consistently correlates with the cortical cell layers giving rise
to the nodule primordia. Similar to other plant developmental processes, auxin
signalling overlaps with the site of organ initiation and meristem activity.
Here, we review how auxin contributes to early nodule development. We focus on
changes in auxin transport, signalling, and metabolism during nodule initiation,
describing both experimental evidence and computer modelling. We discuss how
indeterminate and determinate nodules may differ in their mechanisms for
generating localized auxin response maxima and highlight outstanding questions
for future research.
PMID- 28992080
TI - Naphthylphthalamic acid and the mechanism of polar auxin transport.
AB - Our current understanding of how plants move auxin through their tissues is
largely built on the use of polar auxin transporter inhibitors. Although the most
important proteins that mediate auxin transport and its regulation have probably
all been identified and the mapping of their interactions is well underway,
mechanistically we are still surprisingly far away from understanding how auxin
is transported. Such an understanding will only emerge after new data are placed
in the context of the wealth of physiological data on which they are founded.
This review will look back over the use of a key inhibitor called
naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) and outline its contribution to our understanding
of the molecular mechanisms of polar auxin transport, before proceeding to
speculate on how its use is likely still to be informative.
PMID- 28992079
TI - Sustained activation of P2X7 induces MMP-2-evoked cleavage and functional
purinoceptor inhibition.
AB - P2X7 purinoceptor promotes survival or cytotoxicity depending on extracellular
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stimulus intensity controlling its ion channel or
P2X7-dependent large pore (LP) functions. Mechanisms governing this operational
divergence and functional idiosyncrasy are ill-understood. We have discovered a
feedback loop where sustained activation of P2X7 triggers release of active
matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), which halts ion channel and LP responses via
the MMP-2-dependent receptor cleavage. This mechanism operates in cells as
diverse as macrophages, dystrophic myoblasts, P2X7-transfected HEK293, and human
tumour cells. Given that serum-born MMP-2 activity also blocked receptor
functions, P2X7 responses in vivo may decrease in organs with permeable
capillaries. Therefore, this mechanism represents an important fine-tuning of
P2X7 functions, reliant on both cell-autonomous and extraneous factors. Indeed,
it allowed evasion from the ATP-induced cytotoxicity in macrophages and human
cancer cells with high P2X7 expression levels. Finally, we demonstrate that P2X7
ablation eliminated gelatinase activity in inflamed dystrophic muscles in vivo.
Thus, P2X7 antagonists could be used as an alternative to highly toxic MMP
inhibitors in treatments of inflammatory diseases and cancers.
PMID- 28992081
TI - Apical secretion of Wnt1 in polarized epithelial cells is regulated by exocyst
mediated trafficking.
AB - Wnts are glycosylated proteins secreted from various cell types including
mesenchymal, hematopoietic and epithelial cells. Directional secretion of Wnts in
polarized epithelial cells is unique; Wnt11 is secreted apically, whereas Wnt5a
and Wnt3a are secreted basolaterally. Here, we found that Wnt1 is equivalently
secreted both apically and basolaterally in MDCK cells. Wnt1 was modified with a
complex- or hybrid-type glycan at Asn29 and Asn359 and the high-mannose- or
hybrid-type glycan at Asn316. Although glycosylation of Wnt11 at the N-terminal
site was shown to be essential for its apical secretion, glycosylation of Asn29
of Wnt1 was not required. Instead, the apical secretion of Wnt1 was inhibited by
knockdown of Sec6 and Sec8, suggesting that Wnt1 is secreted apically via exocyst
mediated transport. Basolateral secretion of Wnt1 was mediated by clathrin and AP
1, in mechanism similar to that used by Wnt5a and Wnt3a. Although Wingless was
reported to be transcytosed to the basolateral region in the Drosophila wing
disc, transcytosis was not involved in the basolateral secretion of Wnt1. Thus,
the polarized secretion of Wnt1 is regulated by different mechanisms than other
Wnts.
PMID- 28992082
TI - Frequency of micronuclei among persons resident in the vicinity of a mineral sand
processing factory in Pulmoddai, Sri Lanka.
AB - Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd (LMS), a government-owned company, has been mining
mineral sands including monazite which contains thorium (Th) at Pulmoddai, Sri
Lanka since 1957. Th emits alpha particles on decay and gamma rays are emitted by
the daughter products. The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (MN) assay is popular
for large scale radiation exposure studies as it is an easy, fast and reliable
method of biodosimetry. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency
of micronuclei among persons residing in the vicinity of LMS. A cross-sectional
study was conducted from November 2012 to September 2016 among persons 35-45
years of age to evaluate the frequency of micronuclei in peripheral blood
lymphocytes. Fifty-three employees of LMS factory, 25 residents within 5 km from
LMS, 25 residents 20-25 km from LMS and 29 residents from >50 km away from LMS
were included in the study. The highest median frequency of micronuclei per 1000
binucleated (BN) cells was in the group residing within 5 km from LMS with a
median (IQ range) of 0.67 (0.17-2.17). The median (IQ range) of MN frequency of
employees of LMS, residents 20-25 km from LMS and residents >50 km from LMS were
0.66 (0.16-1.16), 0.33 (0.00-0.67) and 0.33 (0.33-0.67), respectively. There was
no significant difference in the MN frequency between employees of LMS and the
group residing within 5 km from LMS. Being a resident of Pulmoddai and being
exposed to X-rays were significant predictors of MN frequency. Persons residing
within 5 km from LMS had a higher risk of MN formation irrespective of being
employed at LMS.
PMID- 28992083
TI - Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis Complicated by Subdural Empyema in an 8-Year-Old
Girl With Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease Syndrome: A Rare
Sequela.
PMID- 28992084
TI - AMPK regulates anaphase central spindle length by phosphorylation of KIF4A.
AB - AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an energy sensor that couples the cellular
energy state with basic biological processes. AMPK is thought to be linked with
cell division although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we
show that AMPK functionally participates throughout cell division and that AMPK
catalytic subunits, especially alpha2, are sequentially associated with separate
mitotic apparatus. Using quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis, we found that
the strong direct substrate KIF4A is phosphorylated by AMPK at Ser801. Further
analysis revealed that AMPK and Aurora B competitively phosphoregulates KIF4A
during mitotic phase due to overlapping recognition motifs, resulting in the
elaborate phosphoregulation for KIF4A-dependent central spindle length control.
Given the intrinsic energy-sensing function of AMPK, our study links the KIF4A
dependent control of central spindle length with cellular glucose stress.
PMID- 28992085
TI - Assessment of DNA damage in ceramic workers.
AB - It is known that ceramic workers are potentially exposed to complex mixture of
chemicals such as silica, inorganic lead, lime, beryllium and aluminum that can
be associated with an increased risk of several diseases. All operations in the
ceramic industries such as mixing, moulding, casting, shaking out and finishing
jobs, have been associated with the higher exposure levels and in most of the
silica-related industries, average overall exposure exceeded permissible exposure
levels for respirable crystalline silica. The aim of this study was to evaluate
the possible genotoxic damage in ceramic workers exposed to complex mixture of
chemicals mainly crystalline silica. For this purpose, the blood and buccal
epithelial cell samples were taken from the ceramic workers (n = 99) and their
controls (n = 81). The genotoxicity was assessed by the alkaline comet assay in
isolated lymphocytes and whole blood. Micronucleus (MN), binucleated (BN),
pyknotic (PYC), condensed chromatin (CC), karyolytic (KYL), karyorrhectic (KHC)
and nuclear bud (NBUD) frequencies in buccal epithelial cells and plasma 8-oxo
7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) levels were also evaluated. In the study,
38 workers were diagnosed with silicosis, 9 workers were suspected to have
silicosis, whereas 52 workers were found to be healthy. DNA damage in blood and
lymphocytes; MN, CC + KHC, PYC frequencies in buccal epithelial cells and 8-oxodG
levels in plasma were increased in workers compared to their controls. These
results showed that occupational chemical mixture exposure in ceramic industry
may cause genotoxic damage that can lead to important health problems in the
workers.
PMID- 28992087
TI - Fine-tuning timing: natural variation informs the mechanistic basis of the switch
to flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB - The evolution of diverse life history strategies has allowed Arabidopsis thaliana
to adapt to worldwide locations, spanning a range of latitudinal and
environmental conditions. Arabidopsis thaliana accessions are either
vernalization-requiring winter annuals or rapid cyclers, with extensive natural
variation in vernalization requirement and response. Genetic and molecular
analysis of this variation has enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms
involved in life history determination, with translation to both natural and crop
systems in the Brassicaceae and beyond.
PMID- 28992086
TI - Measured (and estimated) glomerular filtration rate: reference values in West
Africa.
AB - Background: Establishment of normal reference values for glomerular filtration
rate (GFR) is mandatory in nephrology. However, no data are available for
measured GFR (mGFR) in Africa. Methods: GFR was measured in 237 healthy adult
subjects (103 women and 134 men, mean age 34 +/- 10 years) by iohexol plasma
clearance. Results: The mean mGFR was 103 +/- 17 mL/min/1.73 m2 and the median
value was 103 mL/min/1.73 m2 (2.5th and 97.5th percentiles are 76 and 137
mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). No significant difference in mGFR results was
observed in patients < 40 years of age, whereas a significant decline in mGFR was
observed after 40 years of age. There was no significant difference between mGFR
in men and women. Conclusions: Normal GFR values and descriptions of percentiles
are now available for West Africa. As in Caucasians, no significant difference
was observed between men and women. Moreover, the same age-associated decline in
mGFR is also observed after 40 years of age, as in Caucasians.
PMID- 28992088
TI - Carbon-ion radiotherapy for patients with advanced stage non-small-cell lung
cancer at multicenters.
AB - Carbon-ion radiation therapy (CIRT) for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
(NSCLC) has not been well studied to date. This paper aimed to analyze a
retrospective multicenter survey for detecting problems with the use of CIRT for
Stage II and III NSCLC (7th UICC TNM Staging System). Inclusion was restricted to
patients with Stage II and III NSCLC who received CIRT from November 2003 to
December 2014. We gathered the data from three CIRT operating centers on July
2015. Patients with radiotherapy history, patients with cancers other than lung
cancer, and those receiving palliative therapies were excluded. The patient
characteristics, prescribed dose/fraction, survival rates, and adverse effects
were analyzed. The total number of patients was 64 (male: 49, female: 15). Of
these, 53 patients were medically inoperable. The median age was 76 years (range
46-91), and the median follow-up period was 18.5 months (range 3.2-121.5). The
clinical staging consisted of 10 Stage IIA, 30 Stage IIB, 23 Stage IIIA and 1
Stage IIIB. The median prescribed dose was 72.0 Gy (RBE) (range 52.8-72.0) in 16
fractions (range 4-16). The 2-year overall survival, progression-free survival,
and local control rates were 62.2% [confidence interval (CI): 47.5-76.9], 42.3%
(CI: 28.8-55.8) and 81.8% (CI: 69.9-94.0), respectively. There were no higher
than Grade 2 adverse effects observed. CIRT for inoperable Stage II and III NSCLC
could be implemented without severe adverse effects, but the clinical staging
(including lymph node status) was inhomogeneous. In addition, the prescribed dose
and fractionation were not standardized. Further data accumulation and a multiple
centers prospective trial for evaluating clinical stage-based results are
required.
PMID- 28992089
TI - p-Cresyl glucuronide is a major metabolite of p-cresol in mouse: in contrast to p
cresyl sulphate, p-cresyl glucuronide fails to promote insulin resistance.
AB - Background: The role of uraemic toxins in insulin resistance associated with
chronic kidney disease (CKD) is gaining interest. p-Cresol has been defined as
the intestinally generated precursor of the prototype protein-bound uraemic
toxins p-cresyl sulphate (p-CS) as the main metabolite and, at a markedly lower
concentration in humans, p-cresyl glucuronide (p-CG). The objective of the
present study was to evaluate the metabolism of p-cresol in mice and to decipher
the potential role of both conjugates of p-cresol on glucose metabolism. Methods:
p-CS and p-CG were measured by high performance liquid chromatography
fluorescence in serum from control, 5/6 nephrectomized mice and mice injected
intraperitoneously with either p-cresol or p-CG. The insulin sensitivity in vivo
was estimated by insulin tolerance test. The insulin pathway in the presence of p
cresol, p-CG and/or p-CS was further evaluated in vitro on C2C12 muscle cells by
measuring insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and the insulin signalling pathway
(protein kinase B, PKB/Akt) by western blot. Results: In contrast to in humans,
where p-CS is the main metabolite of p-cresol, in CKD mice both conjugates
accumulated, and after chronic p-cresol administration with equivalent
concentrations but a substantial difference in protein binding (96% for p-CS and
<6% for p-CG). p-CG exhibited no effect on insulin sensitivity in vivo or in
vitro and no synergistic inhibiting effect in combination with p-CS. Conclusions:
The relative proportion of the two p-cresol conjugates, i.e. p-CS and p-CG, is
similar in mouse, in contrast to humans, pinpointing major inter-species
differences in endogenous metabolism. Biologically, the sulpho- (i.e. p-CS) but
not the glucuro- (i.e. p-CG) conjugate promotes insulin resistance in CKD.
PMID- 28992090
TI - Mechanical properties of cuticles and their primary determinants.
AB - Cuticles envelope primary surfaces of the above-ground portion of plants. They
function as barriers to water movement and to gas exchange, and in pathogen
defense. To serve as a barrier on growing organs, cuticles must remain intact but
at the same time must accommodate ongoing growth. Minimizing cuticle failure has
stimulated significant research on the cuticle's mechanical properties. The
objective here is to review the literature on the mechanical properties of
isolated fruit and leaf cuticles. Cuticles are viscoelastic polymers.
Viscoelasticity results mainly from the cutin matrix. Impregnation by waxes,
flavonoids, and cutan increases stiffness and strength but decreases
extensibility. On the inner side, the cutin matrix is impregnated by cell wall
polysaccharides, which are responsible for its elastic behavior. Across species,
the maximum forces sustainable by hydrated cuticles in uniaxial tensile tests
averaged 0.82 N (range 0.15-1.63 N), the maximum stresses averaged 13.2 MPa
(range 2.0-29.0 MPa), the maximum strains averaged 8.8% (range 1.6-28.0%), and
the moduli of elasticity averaged 224 MPa (range 60-730 MPa). Among the
environmental factors, high temperature and hydration both decreased stiffness.
Therefore, the mechanical properties of cuticles in vivo depend largely on the
relative proportions of their constituents. These proportions change during
development and are also affected by environmental factors such as temperature.
PMID- 28992092
TI - The influence of exogenous metabolism on the specificity of in vitro mammalian
genotoxicity tests.
AB - A two-part study was designed to determine whether the inclusion of the rodent
liver 'S9' exogenous metabolic activating system contributes to the generation of
misleading positive results by the regulator-required in vitro mammalian
genotoxicity tests. The mono-oxygenase enzymes in S9 produce direct-acting DNA
reactive electrophiles, and are included in in vitro genotoxicity tests to
enhance the detection of substances which only become genotoxic following
metabolism. However, as the S9 system lacks 'detoxifying' phase 2 factors it was
hypothesised that increased chemical metabolism per se may lead to an increase in
irrelevant S9 test outcomes in safety assessment. To test this, 89 compounds with
positive or negative carcinogenicity data were identified, which produced
negative Ames test data (+/- S9), and only produced positive in vitro mammalian
test data in the presence of S9. This allowed a determination of whether or not
misleading predictions of carcinogenicity by the in vitro mammalian tests were
more or less prevalent in the presence of S9. A subset of these compounds was
then tested with and without S9 in the GADD45a-GFP genotoxicity test, in order to
determine whether misleading in vitro mammalian positive results were generally
more prevalent with S9, or reflected particular tests' liabilities. This study
suggests that the use of S9 metabolic activation in in vitro genotoxicity tests
does not increase the prevalence of misleading positive results in in vitro
mammalian genotoxicity assays, at least amongst Ames negative compounds.
PMID- 28992091
TI - Roles for IBA-derived auxin in plant development.
AB - The plant hormone auxin is a central regulator of plant growth and development.
Because auxin plays critical roles in cell division and cell expansion, plants
use a number of cellular mechanisms to regulate auxin levels and response. Among
these mechanisms is regulated input from the auxin precursor indole-3-butyric
acid (IBA) toward the pool of active auxin [indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)]. In this
review, we cover the mechanisms of IBA transport and conversion, and discuss
specific roles for IBA-derived auxin in driving certain developmental events. We
further discuss multiple open questions remaining for the IBA field.
PMID- 28992093
TI - Voriconazole treatment in adults and children with hematological diseases: can it
be used without measurement of plasma concentration?
AB - Indication and timing of trough plasma-voriconazole (VCZ)-concentration (t-PVC)
measurement during VCZ treatment is a debated issue. Patterns of t-PVC were
prospectively evaluated in pediatric (50 courses) and adult (95 courses)
hematologic patients. Efficacy patterns were defined: adequate, t-PVC always >=1
mcg/ml; borderline, at least one t-PVC measurement <1 mcg/ml but median value of
the measurements >=1 mcg/ml; inadequate, median value of the measurements <1
mcg/ml. Toxicity patterns were defined: favorable, t-PVC always <=5 mcg/ml;
borderline, one or more t-PVC measurements >5 mcg/ml but median value of the
measurements <=5 mcg/ml; unfavorable, median value of the measurements >5 mcg/ml.
In children and adults the mean t-PVCs were higher during intravenous treatments.
The t-PVC efficacy pattern was adequate, borderline and inadequate in 48%, 12%,
and 40% of courses, respectively, in children, and in 66.3%, 16.8%, and 16.8% of
courses, respectively, in adults. Adequate efficacy pattern was more frequent in
children with body weight above the median (>=25 kg) (OR 4.8; P = .011) and in
adults with active hematological disease receiving intravenous therapy (OR 3.93;
P = .006). Favorable toxicity pattern was more frequent in children receiving VCZ
daily dosage below the median (<14 mg/kg) (OR 4.18; P = .027) and in adults with
body weight below the median (<68 kg) (OR 0.22; P = .004). T-PVC measurement is
generally needed, however, a non t-PVC guided approach may be considered in
heavier adults receiving intravenous VCZ. The risk of supratherapeutic levels
does not seem an absolute indication for t-PVC monitoring.
PMID- 28992094
TI - Association between conversion to in-center nocturnal hemodialysis and right
ventricular remodeling.
AB - Background: In-center nocturnal hemodialysis (INHD) is associated with favorable
left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Although right ventricular (RV) structure and
function carry prognostic significance, the impact of dialysis intensification on
RV is unknown. Our objectives were to evaluate changes in RV mass index (MI), end
diastolic volume index (EDVI), end-systolic volume index (ESVI) and ejection
fraction (EF) after conversion to INHD and their relationship with LV remodeling.
Methods: Of 67 conventional hemodialysis (CHD, 4 h/session, three times/week)
patients, 30 continued on CHD and 37 converted to INHD (7-8 h/session, three
times/week). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and 1
year using a standardized protocol; an experienced and blinded reader performed
RV measurements. Results: At 1 year there were significant reductions in RVMI {
2.1 g/m2 [95% confidence interval (CI) -3.8 to - 0.4], P = 0.017}, RVEDVI [-9.5
mL/m2 (95% CI - 16.3 to - 2.6), P = 0.008] and RVESVI [-6.2 mL/m2 (95% CI - 10.9
to - 1.6), P = 0.011] in the INHD group; no significant changes were observed in
the CHD group. Between-group comparisons showed significantly greater reduction
of RVESVI [-7.9 mL/m2 (95% CI - 14.9 to - 0.9), P = 0.03] in the INHD group, a
nonsignificant trend toward greater reduction in RVEDVI and no significant
difference in RVMI and RVEF changes. There was significant correlation between LV
and RV in terms of changes in mass index (MI) (r = 0.46), EDVI (r = 0.73), ESVI
(r = 0.7) and EF (r = 0.38) over 1 year (all P < 0.01). Conclusions: Conversion
to INHD was associated with a significant reduction of RVESVI. Temporal changes
in RV mass, volume and function paralleled those of LV. Our findings support the
need for larger, longer-term studies to confirm favorable RV remodeling and
determine its impact on clinical outcomes.
PMID- 28992095
TI - The reduction of heparan sulphate in the glomerular basement membrane does not
augment urinary albumin excretion.
AB - Background: Heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) is present in the glomerular
basement membrane (GBM) and is thought to play a major role in the glomerular
charge barrier. Reductions and structural alterations of HSPG are observed in
different types of kidney diseases accompanied by proteinuria. However, their
causal relations remain unknown. Methods: We generated podocyte-specific
exostosin-like 3 gene (Extl3) knockout mice (Extl3KO) using a Cre-loxP
recombination approach. A reduction of HSPG was expected in the GBM of these
mice, because EXTL3 is involved in its synthesis. Mice were separated into three
groups, according to the loads on the glomeruli: a high-protein diet group, a
high-protein and high-sodium diet group and a hyperglycaemic group induced by
streptozotocin treatment in addition to maintenance on a high-protein and high
sodium diet. The urinary albumin:creatinine ratio was measured at 7, 11, 15 and
19 weeks of age. Renal histology was also investigated. Results: Podocyte
specific expression of Cre recombinase was detected by immunohistochemistry.
Moreover, immunofluorescent staining demonstrated a significant reduction of HSPG
in the GBM. Electron microscopy showed irregularities in the GBM and effacement
of the foot processes in Extl3KO. The values of the urinary albumin:creatinine
ratio were within the range of microalbuminuria in all groups and did not
significantly differ between the control mice and Extl3KO. Conclusions: The
reduction of HSPG in the GBM did not augment urinary albumin excretion. HSPG's
anionic charge appears to contribute little to the glomerular charge barrier.
PMID- 28992096
TI - Evaluating the Population Impact on Racial/Ethnic Disparities in HIV in Adulthood
of Intervening on Specific Targets: A Conceptual and Methodological Framework.
AB - Reducing racial/ethnic disparities in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease
is a high priority. Reductions in HIV racial/ethnic disparities can potentially
be achieved by intervening on important intermediate factors. The potential
population impact of intervening on intermediates can be evaluated using
observational data when certain conditions are met. However, using standard
stratification-based approaches commonly employed in the observational HIV
literature to estimate the potential population impact in this setting may yield
results that do not accurately estimate quantities of interest. Here we describe
a useful conceptual and methodological framework for using observational data to
appropriately evaluate the impact on HIV racial/ethnic disparities of
interventions. This framework reframes relevant scientific questions in terms of
a controlled direct effect and estimates a corresponding proportion eliminated.
We review methods and conditions sufficient for accurate estimation within the
proposed framework. We use the framework to analyze data on 2,329 participants in
the CFAR [Centers for AIDS Research] Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (2008
2014) to evaluate the potential impact of universal prescription of and >=95%
adherence to antiretroviral therapy on racial disparities in HIV virological
suppression. We encourage the use of the described framework to appropriately
evaluate the potential impact of targeted interventions in addressing HIV
racial/ethnic disparities using observational data.
PMID- 28992097
TI - Association of serum albumin levels with kidney function decline and incident
chronic kidney disease in elders.
AB - Background: Previous studies in HIV-infected individuals have demonstrated serum
albumin to be strongly associated with kidney function decline, independent of
urine albumin and inflammatory markers. Lower serum albumin concentrations may be
an under-appreciated risk factor for kidney function decline in elders. Methods:
We performed a cohort analysis in the Health Aging and Body Composition Study, a
cohort of well-functioning, bi-racial, community-dwelling elders between the age
of 70 and 79 years. We examined the associations of serum albumin concentration
with longitudinal kidney function decline by estimated glomerular filtration rate
(eGFR). Outcomes included linear eGFR decline, rapid kidney function decline
defined as >30% decrease in eGFR, defined as a final eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in
those with an eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline. Cystatin C-based eGFR was
calculated at baseline, Year 3 and Year 10. Results: Mean age was 74 years, and
mean eGFR was 73 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline. The mean rate of eGFR change was
1.81 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. After multivariate adjustment, lower serum albumin
concentrations were strongly and independently associated with kidney function
decline (-0.11 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year for each standard deviation decrease serum
albumin; -0.01 to - 0.20) with no attenuation after adjustment for urine albumin
and inflammatory markers (-0.12, -0.03 to - 0.22). When divided into quartiles,
serum albumin levels <=3.80 g/dL were associated with increased odds of rapid
kidney function decline (odds ratio 1.59; 1.12-2.26) and increased risk of
incident chronic kidney disease (incident rate ratio 1.29; 1.03-1.62) relative to
levels >4.21g/dL. Urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) was also significantly
and independently associated with kidney function decline (-0.08 mL/min/1.73 m2
per year for urine ACR >30 mg/g; -0.82 to - 0.13). Conclusions: Lower serum
albumin levels are strongly and independently associated with kidney function
decline in elders, independent of clinical risk factors, urine albumin and
measured inflammatory markers.
PMID- 28992098
TI - With a Little Help from My Friends: Microbial Partners in Integrative and
Comparative Biology-An Introduction to the Symposium.
AB - The role that host-associated microbes play in animal biology is gaining
attention in comparative biology. Numerous research groups study the roles that
microbes play in human health and nutrition, or in enhancing the production of
agricultural animals. However, inclusion of host-associated microbes into
research questions of integrative and comparative biology has lagged behind. We
hosted a symposium to bring together top researchers in the field of host
associated microbes who also incorporate aspects of integrative and comparative
biology. In this introduction, we highlight recent research demonstrating the
profound roles that host-associated microbes play in many aspects of animal
biology, such as immune function, endocrinology, and even behavior. It is our
hope that integrative and comparative biologists will begin to include aspects of
host-associated microbes into their research programs, enhancing both the fields
of comparative biology and host-microbe interactions.
PMID- 28992100
TI - Prenatal Exposure to LPS Alters The Intrarenal RAS in Offspring, Which Is
Ameliorated by Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB - BACKGROUND: Prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure causes hypertension in rat
offspring through an unknown mechanism. Here, we investigated the role of the
intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in hypertension induced by prenatal LPS
exposure and also explored whether adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells
(ADSCs) can ameliorate the effects of prenatal LPS exposure in rat offspring.
METHODS: Sixty-four pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 16 in
each), namely, a control group and an LPS group, which were intraperitoneally
injected with vehicle and 0.79 mg/kg LPS, respectively, on the 8th, 10th, and
12th days of gestation; an ADSCs group, which was intravenously injected with 1.8
* 107 ADSCs on the 8th, 10th, and 12th days of gestation; and an LPS + ADSCs
group, which received a combination of the treatments administered to the LPS and
ADSCs groups. RESULTS: Prenatal LPS exposure increased blood pressure, Ang II
expression, Ang II-positive, monocyte and lymphocyte, apoptotic cells in the
kidney, and induced renal histological changes in offspring; however, the LPS and
control groups did not differ significantly with respect to plasma renin activity
levels, Ang II levels, or renal function. ADSCs treatment attenuated the blood
pressure and also ameliorated the other effects of LPS-treated adult offspring.
CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to LPS activates the intrarenal RAS but not the
circulating RAS and thus induces increases in blood pressure in adult offspring;
however, ADSCs treatment attenuates the blood pressure increases resulting from
LPS exposure and also ameliorates the other phenotypic changes induced by LPS
treatment by inhibiting intrarenal RAS activation.
PMID- 28992101
TI - Low-Resolution Vision-at the Hub of Eye Evolution.
AB - Simple roles for photoreception are likely to have preceded more demanding ones
such as vision. The driving force behind this evolution is the improvement and
elaboration of animal behaviors using photoreceptor input. Because the basic role
for all senses aimed at the external world is to guide behavior, we argue here
that understanding this "behavioral drive" is essential for unraveling the
evolutionary past of the senses. Photoreception serves many different types of
behavior, from simple shadow responses to visual communication. Based on minimum
performance requirements for different types of tasks, photoreceptors have been
argued to have evolved from non-directional receptors, via directional receptors,
to low-resolution vision, and finally to high-resolution vision. Through this
sequence, the performance requirements on the photoreceptors have gradually
changed from broad to narrow angular sensitivity, from slow to fast response, and
from low to high contrast sensitivity during the evolution from simple to more
advanced and demanding behaviors. New behaviors would only evolve if their
sensory performance requirements to some degree overlap with the requirements of
already existing behaviors. This need for sensory "performance continuity" must
have determined the order by which behaviors have evolved and thus been an
important factor guiding animal evolution. Naturally, new behaviors are most
likely to evolve from already existing behaviors with similar neural processing
needs and similar motor responses, pointing to "neural continuity" as another
guiding factor in sensory evolution. Here we use these principles to derive an
evolutionary tree for behaviors driven by photoreceptor input.
PMID- 28992099
TI - Co-adaption of tRNA gene copy number and amino acid usage influences translation
rates in three life domains.
AB - Although more and more entangled participants of translation process were
realized, how they cooperate and co-determine the final translation efficiency
still lacks details. Here, we reasoned that the basic translation components,
tRNAs and amino acids should be consistent to maximize the efficiency and
minimize the cost. We firstly revealed that 310 out of 410 investigated genomes
of three domains had significant co-adaptions between the tRNA gene copy numbers
and amino acid compositions, indicating that maximum efficiency constitutes
ubiquitous selection pressure on protein translation. Furthermore, fast-growing
and larger bacteria are found to have significantly better co-adaption and
confirmed the effect of this pressure. Within organism, highly expressed proteins
and those connected to acute responses have higher co-adaption intensity. Thus,
the better co-adaption probably speeds up the growing of cells through
accelerating the translation of special proteins. Experimentally, manipulating
the tRNA gene copy number to optimize co-adaption between enhanced green
fluorescent protein (EGFP) and tRNA gene set of Escherichia coli indeed lifted
the translation rate (speed). Finally, as a newly confirmed translation rate
regulating mechanism, the co-adaption reflecting translation rate not only
deepens our understanding on translation process but also provides an easy and
practicable method to improve protein translation rates and productivity.
PMID- 28992102
TI - Invited Commentary: "Bedroom Light Exposure at Night and the Incidence of
Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study of the HEIJO-KYO Cohort".
AB - In modern society, we are increasingly disconnected from natural light/dark
cycles and beset by round-the-clock exposure to artificial light. Light has
powerful effects on physical and mental health, in part via the circadian system,
and thus the timing of light exposure dictates whether it is helpful or harmful.
In their compelling paper, Obayashi et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2018;187(3):427-434.)
offer evidence that light at night can prospectively predict an elevated
incidence of depressive symptoms in older adults. Strengths of the study include
the longitudinal design and direct, objective assessment of light levels, as well
as accounting for multiple plausible confounders during analyses. Follow-up
studies should address the study's limitations, including reliance on a global
self-report of sleep quality and a 2-night assessment of light exposure that may
not reliably represent typical light exposure. In addition, experimental studies
including physiological circadian measures will be necessary to determine whether
the light effects on depression are mediated through the circadian system or are
so-called "direct" effects of light. In any case, these exciting findings could
inform novel approaches to preventing depressive disorders in older adults.
PMID- 28992103
TI - Maternal Programming of Body Weight in Syrian Hamsters.
AB - Maternal programming of offspring energy balance has been viewed as an adaptation
in which the gestational environment prepares the offspring to thrive and
reproduce in that same postnatal environment. Programming might have the opposite
effect, however, when gestational and postnatal environments are mismatched.
Gestational programming would represent a trade-off if the mother can maximize
fitness in one possible energetic future but cannot maximize fitness in another.
The vast majority of research concerns rats, mice, or sheep, and dams are
typically food restricted by 30-70% of ad libitum intake resulting in low birth
weight and adult obesity in offspring. Few previous studies have used a lower
level of food restriction, and no experiments, to the best of our knowledge, were
designed to determine whether the effects of gestational restriction have
postgestational effects independent of the effects that occurred during
gestation. In the present experiment, Syrian hamsters were either restricted to
90% of their ad libitum food intake or fed ad libitum during pregnancy. All
litters were cross-fostered at birth and all were fed ad libitum during
lactation. Half of the litters from ad libitum-fed pregnant dams were fostered to
dams that had been food restricted during pregnancy and half of the litters from
food-restricted pregnant dams were fostered to ad libitum-fed dams. The latter
group allowed us to test the hypothesis that the effects of having a
gestationally food-restricted mother affects offspring characteristics
independent of the prenatal programming. First, we found significant increases in
the postnatal body weight of the offspring of ad libitum-fed mothers fostered to
food-restricted dams, supporting the hypothesis that the effects of gestational
restriction carry over to postnatal maternal ability (e.g., milk yield, milk
content, or parental behavior). Second, the carry-over effects of gestational
food restriction on offspring postnatal body weight were significant in male but
not female offspring. This occurred even though this group had significantly
lower food intake than offspring of ad libitum-fed mothers with ad libitum-fed
foster mothers. In addition, and contrary to expectation, gestational food
restriction had no significant effect on adult baseline food hoarding or food
hoarding in response to food restriction. These results suggest that even mild
energetic challenges during gestation can have postgestational effects on
maternal ability, and the effects on offspring are sex-specific.
PMID- 28992104
TI - A simplified and sensitive method to identify Alzheimer's disease biomarker
candidates using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
AB - We developed a simplified and sensitive method to identify Alzheimer's disease
(AD) biomarker candidates by a quantitative and targeted proteomic analysis
(combination of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and multiplexed
multiple reaction monitoring/selected reaction monitoring analysis) of culture
media from neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
established from AD patients. We found that alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (ORM1) was
decreased in the culture media of AD-iPSC-derived neurons, consistent with
previous observations for AD patient cerebrospinal fluid, thus validating our new
strategy. Moreover, our method is applicable for identifying biomarker candidates
for other neurodegenerative disorders using patient-derived iPSCs.
PMID- 28992105
TI - The Effects of Food Availability on the Sexual Behavior of Meadow Voles.
AB - Two competing hypotheses have been used to explain species and sex differences in
the effects of food availability on the sexual behavior of mammals. One
hypothesis, the metabolic fuels hypothesis, posits that individuals, primarily
females, forgo reproduction when faced with food deprivation and invest their
limited resources in behaviors not associated with reproduction. The other
hypothesis, the reproduction at all costs hypothesis, states that individuals,
males and females, continue to reproduce or increase their reproductive behavior
when faced with food deprivation. Results show female voles followed the
predictions of the metabolic fuels hypothesis. That is, food-deprived female
meadow voles were less attractive, proceptive, and receptive toward males than
were female voles that had continuous access to food. Dams that were food
deprived late in lactation failed to enter postpartum estrus, a period of
heightened sexual receptivity that occurs immediately after parturition. Females
that were food deprived during the first or second week of lactation spent less
time involved in maternal care compared to dams that were not food deprived. In
contrast, male voles mainly followed the reproduction at all costs hypothesis.
Food-deprived male voles were as attractive, as proceptive, and as sexually
receptive toward females as were males that had continuous access to food.
PMID- 28992106
TI - A simple method for environmental cell depressurization for use with an electron
microscope.
AB - With the aid of the environmental cell (EC) in electron microscopy, hydrated
specimens have been observed at high resolutions that optical microscopy cannot
attain. Due to the ultra-high vacuum conditions of the inner column of the
electron microscope, the EC requires sealing films that are sufficiently thin to
allow electron transmission and that are sufficiently tough to withstand the
pressure difference between the inside and outside of the EC. However, most
hydrated specimens can be observed at low vacuum because the saturated vapor
pressure of water is known to be 0.02 atm at room temperature. These concepts
have been used in the differential pumping system, but it is complicated and
relatively expensive. In this work, we propose a simple method for
depressurization of the EC using a 'balloon structure' and demonstrate the
theoretical benefits and practical improvement for specimen observations in low
vacuum conditions.
PMID- 28992107
TI - Flow in the anterior chamber of the eye with an implanted iris-fixated artificial
lens.
AB - Flow in the aqueous humour that fills the anterior chamber of the eye occurs in
response to the production and drainage of the aqueous humour, and also due to
buoyancy effects produced by thermal gradients. Phakic intraocular lenses are
manufactured lenses that are surgically inserted in the eyes of patients to
correct refractive errors. Their presence has a dramatic effect on the
circulation of the aqueous humour, resulting a very different flow in the
anterior chamber, the effects of which have not been extensively investigated. In
this article we use a simplified mathematical model to analyse the flow, in order
to assess the effect of the implanted lens on the pressure drop required to drive
the flow and also on the wall shear stress experienced by the corneal endothelial
cells and the cells of the iris. A high pressure drop could result in an
increased risk of glaucoma, whilst raised shear stress on the cornea could result
in a reduction in the density of endothelial cells there, and on the iris it
could result in the detachment of pigment cells, which block the outflow of the
eye, also leading to glaucoma. Our results confirm those of previous fully
numerical studies, and show that, although the presence of the lens causes
significant differences in the flow topology and direction, the typical
magnitudes of the shear stress are not significantly changed from the natural
case. Our semi-analytical solution allows us to perform a thorough study of the
dependence of the results on the controlling parameters and also to understand
the basic physical mechanisms underlying flow characteristics.
PMID- 28992108
TI - Defining the Role of the MADS-Box Gene, Zea Agamous-like1, a Target of Selection
During Maize Domestication.
AB - Genomic scans for genes that show the signature of past selection have been
widely applied to a number of species and have identified a large number of
selection candidate genes. In cultivated maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) selection
scans have identified several hundred candidate domestication genes by comparing
nucleotide diversity and differentiation between maize and its progenitor,
teosinte (Z. mays ssp. parviglumis). One of these is a gene called zea agamous
like1 (zagl1), a MADS-box transcription factor, that is known for its function in
the control of flowering time. To determine the trait(s) controlled by zagl1 that
was (were) the target(s) of selection during maize domestication, we created a
set of recombinant chromosome isogenic lines that differ for the maize versus
teosinte alleles of zagl1 and which carry cross-overs between zagl1 and its
neighbor genes. These lines were grown in a randomized trial and scored for
flowering time and domestication related traits. The results indicated that the
maize versus teosinte alleles of zagl1 affect flowering time as expected, as well
as multiple traits related to ear size with the maize allele conferring larger
ears with more kernels. Our results suggest that zagl1 may have been under
selection during domestication to increase the size of the maize ear.
PMID- 28992109
TI - Integrin beta1 is bound to galectin-1 in human trophoblast.
AB - Interaction of sugar binding proteins-galectins, with glycoconjugates is
considered relevant for various reproductive processes. Galectin-1 (gal-1) is a
molecule involved in trophoblast cell invasion, which is accomplished through
interaction with cell surface and/or extracellular matrix glycoproteins. A
possibility of interaction of endogenous gal-1 and trophoblast beta1 integrins,
both previously shown relevant for trophoblast invasion, was investigated.
Confocal microscopy showed overlap in gal-1 and beta1 integrin localization at
the plasma membrane of isolated cytotrophoblast, HTR-8/SVneo extravillous
trophoblast cell line and JAr choriocarcinoma cells. Immunoprecipitation
confirmed an interaction of gal-1 with integrin beta1, but not with alpha1 or
alpha5 integrin subunits. Nondenaturing electrophoresis and subcellular
fractionation suggested association of gal-1 with beta1 integrin in intracellular
and plasma membrane compartments of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Gal-1/beta1 integrin
complex was sensitive to chemical and enzyme treatments, indicating carbohydrate
dependent interaction. Down-regulation of gal-1 by siRNA, however, had no effect
on level or distribution of beta1 integrin, as determined by qPCR and flow
cytometry. These results suggest complex lectin type interaction of gal-1 with
beta1 integrin at the trophoblast cell membrane, which could influence
trophoblast cell adhesion, migration and invasion.
PMID- 28992111
TI - Refractory Pseudomonas Bacteremia in a 2-Year-Old Sterilized by Bacteriophage
Therapy.
AB - Here, we report a complex case that involved a pediatric patient who experienced
recalcitrant multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection complicated by
bacteremia/sepsis; our antibacterial options were limited because of resistance,
allergies, and suboptimal source control. A cocktail of 2 bacteriophages
targeting the infectious organism introduced on 2 separate occasions sterilized
the bacteremia.
PMID- 28992110
TI - NFAT3/c4-mediated excitotoxicity in hippocampal apoptosis during radiation
induced brain injury.
AB - Whole brain irradiation (WBI) has become an indispensible tool in the treatment
of head and neck cancer, and it has greatly improved patient survival rate and
total survival time. In addition, prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has
dramatically decreased the incidence of brain metastatic carcinoma. However, WBI
may induce temporary functional deficits or even progressive, irreversible
cognitive dysfunction that compromises the quality of life for survivors.
Unfortunately, the exact molecular mechanisms for cognitive damage remain
elusive, and no treatment or preventative measures are available for use in the
clinic. In the present study, the nuclear factor of activated T cells isoform 4
(NFAT3/c4) was found to play a vital role in excitotoxic hippocampus cell
apoptosis induced by radiation. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received 20 Gy WBI,
after which we detected NFAT3/c4-mediated excitotoxicity. We found that radiation
caused hippocampus excitotoxicity, resulting from overactivation of the N-methyl
D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and always accompanied by subsequent elevation of
the intracellular calcium level and activation of calcineurin (CaN). P-NFAT3/c4
was the principal downstream target of CaN, including regulation of its nuclear
translocation as well as transcriptional activities. Radiation recruited
NMDAR/NFAT3/c4 activation and subsequent Bax induction in hippocampus cells. Once
treated with the NFAT3/c4 inhibitor 11R-VIVIT peptide pre-irradiation,
hippocampal proliferation and neuron survival (dentate gyrus cells in particular)
were protected from radiation-induced injury, resulting in inhibition of the
apoptosis marker Bax. Our principal aim was to illuminate the role of NFAT3/c4
mediated excitotoxicity in hippocampal apoptosis during radiation-induced brain
injury. This study is the first time that radiation-induced activation of
NFAT3/c4 has been recorded, and our results suggest that NFAT3/c4 may be a novel
target for prevention and treatment of radiation-induced brain injury.
PMID- 28992112
TI - Comparison of Optimal Diagnostic Thresholds of Hypertension With Home Blood
Pressure Monitoring and 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring.
AB - BACKGROUND: Differences between the recently suggested outcome-driven diagnostic
threshold of home blood pressure (HBP) measurements and the currently recommended
diagnostic threshold of HBP measurements may cause a disagreement between 24-hour
ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and HBP measurements in the diagnosis of
hypertension. We evaluated the agreement of various HBP diagnostic thresholds
(135/85, 130/85, and 130/80 mm Hg) to ABP measurements, as a reference method.
METHODS: Patients who were confirmed to have high BP (>=140/90 mm Hg) at the
outpatient clinic were referred. HBP measurement was performed for 7 days in
triplicates every morning and evening. The 24-hour ABP measurement was performed
on the 8th day. Using 24-hour ABP measurement as a reference method, we analyzed
HBP diagnostic thresholds at 135/85, 130/85, and 130/80 mm Hg. RESULTS: Among 319
patients, 256 patients (mean age, 51.8 +/- 9.7 years; 119 men) with valid HBP
measurements and 24-hour ABP measurements were enrolled. The threshold of 130/80
mm Hg showed the highest diagnostic sensitivity (P = 0.001) with diagnostic
agreement by Kappa statistics. Using 130/80 mm Hg as a diagnostic threshold of
hypertension, the prevalence of masked hypertension was significantly lower than
130/85 and 135/85 mm Hg (7.8, 15.2, and 18.4%, respectively, P = 0.002).
CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that lowering the diagnostic thresholds
of HBP measurement from 135/85 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg may improve diagnostic
accuracy for hypertension.
PMID- 28992113
TI - Two transcriptional activators of N-acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase 2 and
melatonin biosynthesis in cassava.
AB - Similar to the situation in animals, melatonin biosynthesis is regulated by four
sequential enzymatic steps in plants. Although the melatonin synthesis genes have
been identified in various plants, the upstream transcription factors of them
remain unknown. In this study on cassava (Manihot esculenta), we found that
MeWRKY79 and heat-shock transcription factor 20 (MeHsf20) targeted the W-box and
the heat-stress elements (HSEs) in the promoter of N-acetylserotonin O
methyltransferase 2 (MeASMT2), respectively. The interaction between MeWRKY79,
MeHsf20, and the MeASMT2 promoter was evidenced by the activation of promoter
activity and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) in cassava protoplasts, and by
an in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The transcripts of
MeWRKY79, MeHsf20, and MeASMT2 were all regulated by a 22-amino acid flagellin
peptide (flg22) and by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv manihotis (Xam). In common with
the phenotype of MeASMT2, transient expression of MeWRKY79 and MeHsf20 in
Nicotiana benthamiana leaves conferred improved disease resistance. Through virus
induced gene silencing (VIGS) in cassava, we found that MeWRKY79- and MeHsf20
silenced plants showed lower transcripts of MeASMT2 and less accumulation of
melatonin, which resulted in disease sensitivity that could be reversed by
exogenous melatonin. Taken together, these results indicate that MeASMT2 is a
target of MeWRKY79 and MeHsf20 in plant disease resistance. This study identifies
novel upstream transcription factors of melatonin synthesis genes in cassava,
thus extending our knowledge of the complex modulation of melatonin synthesis in
plant defense.
PMID- 28992114
TI - Feasibility of Using the Helping Alliance Questionnaire II as a Self-Report
Measure for Individuals with a Psychiatric Disorder Receiving Music Therapy.
AB - Background: No specific instrument has been developed for measuring alliance
during music therapy. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of using the Helping
Alliance Questionnaire II (HAq-II) as a self-report measure for individuals
receiving treatment for a psychiatric disorder. Specifically, we examined the
percent of patients who filled out the questionnaire, and when completed, whether
there were any missing items. We also examined internal consistency and
associations between patient variables and HAq-II scores. Methods: Between
October 2013 and April 2014, we invited 45 individuals with a psychiatric
disorder, who were also receiving music therapy, to fill out the HAq-II. We also
collected clinical data from each person's record. Results: Thirty-one (69%) of
the 45 invited patients filled out the HAq-II, and of those completed, only three
had missing items. Of the 45 invited patients, thirty (67%) had a diagnosis of
schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, and 11 (24%) were diagnosed with
other psychiatric disorders. In terms of diagnosis and other clinical variables,
no statistically significant differences were found between the 31 patients who
filled out the HAq-II and the 14 patients who did not return the questionnaire.
The median HAq-II score was 5.11 (range 3.74-6.00), indicating a relatively high
alliance. We did not find any statistically significant associations between the
HAq-II scores and potential predictors of interest. The Cronbach's alpha was
0.85. Conclusions: Completion of the HAq-II was fairly high in this group of
individuals with psychiatric diagnoses who were receiving music therapy. Internal
consistency of the HAq-II was acceptable. Relatively high HAq-II scores suggest a
high degree of therapeutic alliance, but the external validity of the HAq-II and
the relationship between scores and therapy needs further evaluation.
PMID- 28992115
TI - How Song Experience Affects Female Mate-Choice, Male Song, and Monoaminergic
Activity in the Auditory Telencephalon in Lincoln's Sparrows.
AB - A sexual signal can indicate not only the signaler's attractiveness as a
potential mate but also the signaler's competitiveness relative to rivals. As the
attractiveness or competitiveness of the prevailing signaling environment
increases, individuals prospecting for mates should change their choice
threshold, whereas competing individuals should shift resources toward elevating
their own competitiveness. Previous studies show that experimental elevations of
song competition increase male competitive behavior in Lincoln's sparrows
(Melospiza lincolnii) and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Through a series
of experimental manipulations using laboratory-housed Lincoln's sparrows, we have
also discovered that females change the strength of their song preferences
depending on the attractiveness of the song environment to which they have
recently been exposed; compared to a less-attractive environment, a highly
attractive environment elevates the threshold for releasing phonotaxis behavior
toward male song. These behavioral adjustments are associated with changes in
forebrain monoaminergic activity that are triggered by experimental manipulations
of the quality of the song environment. Findings from these studies suggest
possible neural mechanisms for the regulation of adaptive behavioral plasticity
associated with dynamic sexual signaling environments.
PMID- 28992116
TI - In vitro activity of echinocandins against 562 clinical yeast isolates from a
Romanian multicentre study.
AB - The study presents the echinocandin susceptibility profile of a multi-centre
collection of pathogenic yeast isolates from Romanian tertiary hospitals. The 562
isolates were identified using ID32C strips, MALDI-TOF MS and DNA sequencing.
Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of caspofungin (CAS), micafungin (MCA),
and anidulafungin (ANI) were assessed and interpreted according to EUCAST
guidelines. Minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were determined by plating
content from the clear MIC wells. The activity was considered fungicidal at
MFC/MIC <= 4. The three echinocandins had strongly correlated MICs and high
percentages of MIC essential agreement. Most often, MCA had the lowest MICs,
followed by CAS and ANI. Against C. parapsilosis and C. kefyr, CAS had the lowest
MIC values. The MIC50 values were between 0.03 and 0.25 mg/l, except C.
parapsilosis. The MIC90 values were usually one dilution higher. MFCs and MICs
were weakly correlated. ANI and MCA had the lowest MFC values. The MFC50 values
were between 0.06 and 0.5 mg/l, except C. parapsilosis, C. guilliermondii, and C.
dubliniensis. The MFC90 values were usually two dilutions higher. Based on EUCAST
breakpoints, 47 isolates (8.4%) were resistant to at least one echinocandin, most
often ANI. Most resistant isolates were of C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C.
krusei. There were 17 isolates (3%) resistant to echinocandins and fluconazole
and most belonged to the same three species. MCA and ANI had the highest rates of
fungicidal activity. The high rates of echinocandin resistance and significant
multidrug resistance make prophylaxis and empiric therapy difficult.
PMID- 28992118
TI - Integration of multiple signaling pathways shapes the auxin response.
AB - The phytohormone auxin is a pivotal signaling molecule that functions throughout
the plant lifecycle. Proper regulation of the auxin response is critical for
optimizing plant growth under ever-changing environmental conditions. Recent
studies have demonstrated that the signaling components that modulate auxin
sensitivity and responses are functionally and mechanically diverse. In addition
to auxin itself, various environmental and hormonal signals are integrated to
modulate the auxin response through directly controlling auxin signaling
components. This review explores the non-canonical mechanisms that modulate auxin
signaling components, including transcriptional, translational, and post
translational regulation. All of these contribute to the wide range in
sensitivity and complexity in auxin responses to various signaling cues.
PMID- 28992117
TI - Diversity of cis-regulatory elements associated with auxin response in
Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB - The phytohormone auxin regulates virtually every developmental process in land
plants. This regulation is mediated via de-repression of DNA-binding auxin
response factors (ARFs). ARFs bind TGTC-containing auxin response cis-elements
(AuxREs), but there is growing evidence that additional cis-elements occur in
auxin-responsive regulatory regions. The repertoire of auxin-related cis-elements
and their involvement in different modes of auxin response are not yet known.
Here we analyze the enrichment of nucleotide hexamers in upstream regions of
auxin-responsive genes associated with auxin up- or down-regulation, with early
or late response, ARF-binding domains, and with different chromatin states.
Intriguingly, hexamers potentially bound by basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and
basic leucine zipper (bZIP) factors as well as a family of A/T-rich hexamers are
more highly enriched in auxin-responsive regions than canonical TGTC-containing
AuxREs. We classify and annotate the whole spectrum of enriched hexamers and
discuss their patterns of enrichment related to different modes of auxin
response.
PMID- 28992119
TI - A reproducible and scalable procedure for preparing bacterial extracts for cell
free protein synthesis.
AB - Cell-free protein synthesis is a useful method for preparing proteins for
functional or structural analyses. However, batch-to-batch variability with
regard to protein synthesis activity remains a problem for large-scale production
of cell extract in the laboratory. To address this issue, we have developed a
novel procedure for large-scale preparation of bacterial cell extract with high
protein synthesis activity. The developed procedure comprises cell cultivation
using a fermentor, harvesting and washing of cells by tangential flow filtration,
cell disruption with high-pressure homogenizer and continuous diafiltration. By
optimizing and combining these methods, ~100 ml of the cell extract was prepared
from 150 g of Escherichia coli cells. The protein synthesis activities, defined
as the yield of protein per unit of absorbance at 260 nm of the cell extract,
were shown to be reproducible, and the average activity of several batches was
twice that obtained using a previously reported method. In addition,
combinatorial use of the high-pressure homogenizer and diafiltration increased
the scalability, indicating that the cell concentration at disruption varies from
0.04 to 1 g/ml. Furthermore, addition of Gam protein and examinations of the N
terminal sequence rendered the extract prepared here useful for rapid screening
with linear DNA templates.
PMID- 28992121
TI - Auxin and above-ground meristems.
AB - In contrast to animals, plants maintain life-long post-embryonic organogenesis
from specialized tissues termed meristems. Shoot meristems give rise to all
aerial tissues and are precisely regulated to balance stem cell renewal and
differentiation. The phytohormone auxin has a dynamic and differential
distribution within shoot meristems and during shoot meristem formation. Polar
auxin transport and local auxin biosynthesis lead to auxin maxima and minima to
direct cell fate specification, which are critical for meristem formation,
lateral organ formation, and lateral organ patterning. In recent years, feedback
regulatory loops of auxin transport and signaling have emerged as major
determinants of the self-organizing properties of shoot meristems. Systems
biology approaches, which involve molecular genetics, live imaging, and
computational modeling, have become increasingly important to unravel the
function of auxin signaling in shoot meristems.
PMID- 28992120
TI - Relationships between iron dose, hospitalizations and mortality in incident
haemodialysis patients: a propensity-score matched approach.
AB - Background: Intravenous iron management is common in the haemodialysis
population. However, the safest dosing strategy remains uncertain, in terms of
the risk of hospitalization and mortality. We aimed to determine the effects of
cumulative monthly iron doses on mortality and hospitalization. Methods: This
multicentre observational retrospective propensity-matched score study included
1679 incident haemodialysis patients. We measured baseline demographic variables,
haemodialysis clinical parameters and laboratory analytical values. We compared
outcomes among quartiles of cumulative iron dose (mg/kg/month). We implemented
propensity-score matching (PSM) to reduce confounding due to indication. In the
PSM cohort (330 patients), we compared outcomes between groups that received
cumulative iron doses above and below 5.66 mg/kg/month. Results: Kaplan-Meier
analyses showed that the high iron dose group had significantly worse survival
than the low iron dose group. A univariate analysis indicated that the monthly
iron dose could significantly predict mortality. However, a multivariate
regression did not confirm that finding. The multivariate regression analysis
revealed that iron doses >5.58 mg/kg/month were not associated with elevated
mortality risk, but they were associated with elevated risks of all-cause and
cardiovascular-related hospitalizations. These results were ratified in the PSM
population. Conclusions: Intravenous iron administration is advisable for
maintaining haemoglobin levels in patients that receive haemodialysis. Our data
suggested that large monthly iron doses, adjusted for body weight, were
associated with more hospitalizations, but not with mortality or infection
related hospitalizations.
PMID- 28992122
TI - A cheminformatics review of auxins as herbicides.
AB - Herbicides are an important asset in ensuring food security, especially when
faced with an ever-increasing demand on food production to feed the global
population. The current selection of herbicides is increasingly encountering
resistance in agricultural weeds they once targeted effectively. It is imperative
that new compounds or more effective modes of action are discovered in order to
overcome this resistance. This cheminformatics review looks at current herbicides
and evaluates their physiochemical properties on a class-by-class basis. We focus
in particular on the synthetic auxin herbicides, Herbicide Resistance Action
Committee class O, analyzing these against herbicides more generally and for
class-specific features such as mobility in plant vasculature. We summarise the
physiochemical properties of all 24 compounds used commercially as auxins and
relate these results to ongoing approaches to novel auxin discovery. We introduce
an interactive, open source cheminformatics tool known as DataWarrior for
herbicide discovery, complete with records for over 300 herbicidal compounds. We
hope this tool helps researchers as part of a rational approach to not only auxin
discovery but agrochemical discovery in general.
PMID- 28992123
TI - Whole-exome sequencing identifies a novel INS mutation causative of maturity
onset diabetes of the young 10.
AB - Monogenic diabetes is often misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to overlapping
characteristics. This study aimed to discover novel causative mutations of
monogenic diabetes in patients with clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes and to
explore potential molecular mechanisms. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on
31 individuals clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. One novel heterozygous
mutation (p.Ala2Thr) in INS was identified. It was further genotyped in an
additional case-control population (6523 cases and 4635 controls), and this
variant was observed in 0.09% of cases. Intracellular trafficking of insulin
proteins was assessed in INS1-E and HEK293T cells. p.Ala2Thr preproinsulin-GFP
was markedly retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in INS1-E cells.
Activation of the PERK-eIF2alpha-ATF4, IRE1alpha-XBP1, and ATF6 pathways as well
as upregulated ER chaperones were detected in INS1-E cells transfected with the
p.Ala2Thr mutant. In conclusion, we identified a causative mutation in INS
responsible for maturity-onset diabetes of the young 10 (MODY10) in a Chinese
population and demonstrated that this mutation affected beta cell function by
inducing ER stress.
PMID- 28992124
TI - Impact of trajectories of abdominal aortic calcification over 2 years on
subsequent mortality: a 10-year longitudinal study.
AB - Background: Although both the presence and progression over time of vascular
calcification have been shown to independently predict cardiovascular disease and
mortality in chronic dialysis patients, the impact of the pattern of accumulation
of abdominal aortic calcification on mortality has not yet been investigated.
Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study at a dialysis hospital in Hokkaido,
Japan from 2005 to 2014. An abdominal calcification index (ACI) was generated for
396 patients from their annual abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. The
trajectories of ACIs during the first 2 years were classified using group-based
trajectory modeling into four groups; stable (29.0%), slow increase (29.2%),
rapid nonlinear increase (24.4%) and advanced with slow increase (17.4%).
Incidence rates by group of all-cause mortality during the follow-up period (mean
of 4.5 years) were investigated using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results:
Compared with the stable trajectory, both the rapid nonlinear increase and the
advanced with slow increase trajectories were associated with an increased risk
of death [adjusted hazard ratios (HR) 1.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02
3.58 and adjusted HR 2.79; 95% CI: 1.44-5.11, respectively]. Sensitivity analyses
indicated that ACI trajectories were associated with subsequent mortality, while
ACI at individual time points was not. Conclusions: Chronic hemodialysis patients
with a trajectory of longitudinal high or rapid accumulation of vascular
calcification over time were at a higher risk of death. Individual trajectories
of vascular calcification may be suggested to allow for more accurate mortality
risk calculations than one-time assessment.
PMID- 28992125
TI - A new method for studying cryptococcosis in a murine model using 99mTc
Cryptococcus gattii.
AB - Cryptococcus gattii is one of the etiologic agents of cryptococcosis, a systemic
mycosis that occurs in healthy and immunosuppressed humans and animals worldwide.
Primary pulmonary infection caused by C. gattii is usually followed by fungal
dissemination to the central nervous system, resulting in high mortality rates.
In this context, animal models of cryptococcosis are useful in the study of
fungal pathogenesis and host response against the pathogen, and for testing novel
therapeutic options. The most frequently applied method to study fungal
dissemination from the lungs to other organs is by culturing tissues, which is
not accurate for the detection and quantification of fungal load at early stages
of the infection. To overcome this problem, the purpose of this study was to
develop a new method for the quantification of Cryptococcus dissemination. One C.
gattii strain was efficiently radiolabeled with technetium-99m (99mTc), without
affecting viability of the cells. Further, the 99mTc-C. gattii (111 MBq) strain
was used to infect mice by intratracheal and intravenous route for
biodistribution studies. 99mTc-C. gattii was successfully used in detection of
the yeast in the brain of mice 6 hours postinoculation, while the detection using
colony forming units was possible only 24 hours postinfection. Our results
provided an alternative method that could be applied in further investigations
regarding the efficacy of antifungals, fungal virulence, and host-pathogen
interactions.
PMID- 28992126
TI - Association Between Vancomycin Trough Concentrations and Duration of Methicillin
Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Children.
AB - In a multicenter retrospective study, we sought to determine the optimal
vancomycin trough concentration that would impact the duration of methicillin
resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in children. We found that a median
vancomycin trough concentration of <10 ug/mL within the first 72 hours may be
associated with a longer duration of bacteremia compared to a median trough
concentration of >=10 ug/mL.
PMID- 28992127
TI - Can we further enrich autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease clinical
trials for rapidly progressive patients? Application of the PROPKD score in the
TEMPO trial.
AB - Background: The PROPKD score has been proposed to stratify the risk of
progression to end-stage renal disease in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney
disease (ADPKD) subjects. We aimed to assess its prognostic value in a genotyped
subgroup of subjects from the Tolvaptan Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety Study in
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (TEMPO3/4) trial. Methods: In the
post hoc analysis, PKD1 and PKD2 were screened in 770 subjects and the PROPKD
score was calculated in mutation-positive subjects (male: 1 point; hypertension
<35 years: 2 points; first urologic event <35 years: 2 points; nontruncating PKD1
mutation: 2 points; truncating PKD1 mutation: 4 points). Subjects were classified
into low-risk (LR; 0-3 points), intermediate-risk (IR; 4-6 points) and high-risk
(HR; 7-9 points) groups. Results: The PROPKD score was calculated in 749 subjects
(LR = 132, IR = 344 and HR = 273); age was inversely related to risk (LR = 43.6
years, IR = 39.5 years, HR = 36.2 years; P < 0.001). Subjects from the HR group
had significantly higher height-adjusted total kidney volume (TKV) and rates of
TKV growth. While baseline renal function was similar across all risk groups, the
rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline significantly
increased from LR to HR in the placebo group. Tolvaptan treatment effectiveness
to reduce TKV growth was similar in all three risk categories. While tolvaptan
significantly slowed eGFR decline in the IR (tolvaptan = -2.34 versus placebo =
3.33 mL/min/1.73 m 2 /year; P = 0.008) and HR groups (tolvaptan = -2.74 versus
placebo = -3.94 mL/min/1.73 m 2 /year; P = 0.002), there was no difference in the
LR group (tolvaptan = -2.35 versus placebo = -2.50 mL/min/1.73 m 2 /year; P =
0.72). Excluding the LR subjects from the analysis improved the apparent
treatment effect of tolvaptan on eGFR decline. Conclusion: This study confirms
the prognostic value of the PROPKD score and suggests that it could reduce costs
and enhance endpoint sensitivity by enriching future study populations for
rapidly progressing ADPKD subjects.
PMID- 28992128
TI - Peroxisomal CuAOzeta and its product H2O2 regulate the distribution of auxin and
IBA-dependent lateral root development in Arabidopsis.
AB - Root system architecture depends on endogenous and environmental signals,
including polar transport of the phytohormone auxin, reactive oxygen species
(ROS), nutrient availability, and stresses. In our study, we describe a novel
Arabidopsis thaliana peroxisome-localized copper amine oxidase zeta (CuAOzeta),
which is highly expressed in cortical cells, and the ROS derived from CuAOzeta
are essential for lateral root (LR) development. Loss of CuAOzeta results in
retarded auxin-induced ROS generation, PINFORMED2 (PIN2)-mediated auxin
transport, and LR development in response to added indole-3-butyric acid. Auxins
enhance CuAOzeta protein levels and their cellular translocation toward the
plasma membrane in the cortex. CuAOzeta interacts physically with PEROXINS5 via
an N-terminal signal tag, Ser-Lys-Leu, and is transported into the peroxisome
upon this interaction, which is required for the functions of CuAOzeta in the
auxin response. Together, our results suggest a peroxisomal ROS-based auxin
signaling pathway involving spatiotemporal-dependent CuAOzeta functional
regulation of PIN2 homeostasis, auxin distribution, and LR development.
PMID- 28992129
TI - Development and validation of a prediction model for loss of physical function in
elderly hemodialysis patients.
AB - Background: Among aging hemodialysis patients, loss of physical function has
become a major issue. We developed and validated a model of predicting loss of
physical function among elderly hemodialysis patients. Methods: We conducted a
cohort study involving maintenance hemodialysis patients >=65 years of age from
the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Pattern Study in Japan. The derivation cohort
included 593 early phase (1996-2004) patients and the temporal validation cohort
included 447 late-phase (2005-12) patients. The main outcome was the incidence of
loss of physical function, defined as the 12-item Short Form Health Survey
physical function score decreasing to 0 within a year. Using backward stepwise
logistic regression by Akaike's Information Criteria, six predictors (age,
gender, dementia, mental health, moderate activity and ascending stairs) were
selected for the final model. Points were assigned based on the regression
coefficients and the total score was calculated by summing the points for each
predictor. Results: In total, 65 (11.0%) and 53 (11.9%) hemodialysis patients
lost their physical function within 1 year in the derivation and validation
cohorts, respectively. This model has good predictive performance quantified by
both discrimination and calibration. The proportion of the loss of physical
function increased sequentially through low-, middle-, and high-score categories
based on the model (2.5%, 11.7% and 22.3% in the validation cohort,
respectively). The loss of physical function was strongly associated with 1-year
mortality [adjusted odds ratio 2.48 (95% confidence interval 1.26-4.91)].
Conclusions: We developed and validated a risk prediction model with good
predictive performance for loss of physical function in elderly hemodialysis
patients. Our simple prediction model may help physicians and patients make more
informed decisions for healthy longevity.
PMID- 28992130
TI - Stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance, and transpiration efficiency in
relation to leaf anatomy in rice and wheat genotypes under drought.
AB - Increasing leaf transpiration efficiency (TE) may provide leads for growing rice
like dryland cereals such as wheat (Triticum aestivum). To explore avenues for
improving TE in rice, variations in stomatal conductance (gs) and mesophyll
conductance (gm) and their anatomical determinants were evaluated in two
cultivars from each of lowland, aerobic, and upland groups of Oryza sativa, one
cultivar of O. glaberrima, and two cultivars of T. aestivum, under three water
regimes. The TE of upland rice, O. glaberrima, and wheat was more responsive to
the gm/gs ratio than that of lowland and aerobic rice. Overall, the explanatory
power of the particular anatomical trait varied among species. Low stomatal
density mostly explained the low gs in drought-tolerant rice, whereas rice
genotypes with smaller stomata generally responded more strongly to drought.
Compared with rice, wheat had a higher gm, which was associated with thicker
mesophyll tissue, mesophyll and chloroplasts more exposed to intercellular
spaces, and thinner cell walls. Upland rice, O. glaberrima, and wheat cultivars
minimized the decrease in gm under drought by maintaining high ratios of
chloroplasts to exposed mesophyll cell walls. Rice TE could be improved by
increasing the gm/gs ratio via modifying anatomical traits.
PMID- 28992131
TI - Continent-Wide Climatic Variation Drives Local Adaptation in North American White
Clover.
AB - Climate-associated clines in adaptive polymorphisms are commonly cited as
evidence of local adaptation within species. However, the contribution of the
clinally varying trait to overall fitness is often unknown. To address this
question, we examined survival, vegetative growth, and reproductive output in a
central US common garden experiment using 161 genotypes of white clover
(Trifolium repens L.) originating from 15 locations across North America. White
clover is polymorphic for cyanogenesis (hydrogen cyanide release upon tissue
damage), a chemical defense against generalist herbivores, and climate-associated
cyanogenesis clines have repeatedly evolved across the species range. Over a 12
month experiment, we observed striking correlations between the population of
origin and plant performance in the common garden, with climatic distance from
the common garden site predicting fitness more accurately than geographic
distance. Assessments of herbivore leaf damage over the 2015 growing season
indicated marginally lower herbivory on cyanogenic plants; however, this effect
did not result in increased fitness in the common garden location. Linear mixed
modeling suggested that while cyanogenesis variation had little predictive value
for vegetative growth, it is as important as climatic variation for predicting
reproductive output in the central United States. Together, our findings suggest
that knowledge of climate similarity, as well as knowledge of locally favored
adaptive traits, will help to inform transplantation strategies for restoration
ecology and other conservation efforts in the face of climate change.
PMID- 28992132
TI - DNA strand breaks in peripheral blood leucocytes of Polish blood donors.
AB - Knowledge about the basal level of DNA damage in leucocytes of healthy control
populations is essential before estimation of the effects of exposure to external
agents in biomonitoring studies. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects
of some lifestyle factors on baseline DNA damage in leucocytes of humans. The
material consisted of the peripheral blood from 276 healthy volunteer blood
donors. In addition to the standard blood donation questionnaire, they were asked
about age, gender, occupation, radiological history, smoking habit, alcohol
consumption, medicine use and pet ownership. The results showed marked intra
individual variability. Significant differences in DNA damage levels were
observed between individuals in different age and sex groups, between smokers and
non-smokers and between samples taken in different seasons of the year, with the
highest DNA damage in those obtained in the summer. Significantly higher levels
of DNA damage were noted in leucocytes of donors older than 29 years, in men
compared with women and in male smokers. Significantly higher DNA strand breaks
were observed in heavy smokers. A non-significantly higher level of DNA damage
was observed in individuals subjected to radiological investigation and in those
drinking alcohol, whereas lower levels were observed in leucocytes of pet owners
and in donors taking medicines. Pet ownership influences the level of DNA damage
and there is an interaction between this effect and that of smoking. The
smoker/pet owners showed almost half the level of DNA damage of smokers without
pets. The current results confirmed high intra-individual variability between the
levels of DNA damage of individuals. The significant factors that influence the
DNA damage in leucocytes are age, sex and smoking habit, especially in men and in
heavy smokers. The finding of reduced DNA damage in the leucocytes of pet owners
suggests the tendency towards a beneficial effect of such company.
PMID- 28992134
TI - Risk of new-onset diabetes in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing
dialysis: analysis from registry data of Taiwan.
AB - Background: This study compared the risk of developing new-onset diabetes between
hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We further investigated
the effectiveness of icodextrin in reducing the risk of new-onset diabetes in PD
patients. Methods: From the Taiwan health insurance database, 36 879 incident HD
patients and 6382 incident PD patients from 2000 to 2010 were identified as study
cohorts. We further selected an additional HD cohort matched by propensity scores
(PSs) of PD patients. Incidence rates and hazard ratios (HRs) of new-onset
diabetes were assessed among cohorts and between icodextrin users and nonusers by
the end of 2011. Results: For the unmatched cohorts, the incidence of new-onset
diabetes was higher in PD patients than in HD patients (9.16 versus 8.18 per 1000
person-years), with an adjusted HR of 1.51 (95% CI 1.30-1.75) for PD patients.
For the PS-matched cohorts, the corresponding incidence rates were 9.43 and 5.90
per 1000 person-years, respectively, with an adjusted HR of 1.61 (95% CI 1.32
1.97). Among PD patients, the incidence was lower in icodextrin users than in
nonusers (6.22 versus 12.1 per 1000 person-years), with an adjusted HR of 0.66
(95% CI 0.50-0.88) for users. Conclusions: Our study suggests that PD patients
are at a higher risk of developing new-onset diabetes than HD patients.
Icodextrin is recommended for PD patients to reduce the risk of new-onset
diabetes.
PMID- 28992135
TI - Auxin Response Factors: output control in auxin biology.
AB - The phytohormone auxin is involved in almost all developmental processes in land
plants. Most, if not all, of these processes are mediated by changes in gene
expression. Auxin acts on gene expression through a short nuclear pathway that
converges upon the activation of a family of DNA-binding transcription factors.
These AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORS (ARFs) are thus the effector of auxin response and
translate the chemical signal into the regulation of a defined set of genes.
Given the limited number of dedicated components in auxin signaling, distinct
properties among the ARF family probably contribute to the establishment of
multiple unique auxin responses in plant development. In the two decades
following the identification of the first ARF in Arabidopsis, much has been
learnt about how these transcription factors act, and how they generate unique
auxin responses. Progress in genetics, biochemistry, genomics, and structural
biology has helped to develop mechanistic models for ARF action. However, despite
intensive efforts, many central questions are yet to be addressed. In this
review, we highlight what has been learnt about ARF transcription factors, and
identify outstanding questions and challenges for the near future.
PMID- 28992133
TI - Intestinal Carriage of Third-Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant and Extended
Spectrum beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Healthy US Children.
AB - Background: The epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
intestinal carriage in healthy US children has not been well characterized.
Methods: Children between 14 days and 14 years of age were enrolled during well
child visits in Oakland, California, Kansas City, Kansas, and Nashville,
Tennessee, between December 2013 and March 2015. Data on recent antibiotic use by
the child and travel and hospitalization history of all members of each child's
household were obtained with a risk-factor survey. Stool specimens collected from
the subjects were screened for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL
P) bacteria using CHROMagar ESBL medium. Putative ESBL-P Escherichia coli and
Klebsiella colonies underwent phenotypic confirmation by double-disk synergy
testing; confirmed third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCR) isolates
underwent additional antibiotic-susceptibility testing. Results: In 519 subjects,
the overall 3GCR Enterobacteriaceae carriage rate was 4.4% (n = 23) and ranged
from 3.4% to 5.1% among the study sites. The ESBL-P Enterobacteriaceae carriage
rate was 3.5% (n = 18). The rates of 3GCR Enterobacteriaceae carriage was highest
in 1 to <2 year olds at 6.5%, and was 5.2% in <5 year-olds vs 1.7% in >=5-year
olds (P = .11). 3GCR and ESBL-P Enterobacteriaceae carriage was associated with
international travel within the previous year; 11.1% of ESBL-P Enterobacteriaceae
carriers reported this history compared with 1.6% of noncarriers (P = .004). No
other queried factor was found to increase risk. Of the 24 analyzed 3GCR
isolates, 58% were multidrug resistant. Conclusions: The 3GCR Enterobacteriaceae
carriage rate exceeds 5% in healthy US children <5 years of age. International
travel within the previous year increased the risk of 3GCR and ESBL-P
Enterobacteriaceae carriage. In contrast, we found no differences in the rates of
hospitalization or recent antibiotic exposure between carriers and noncarriers.
Young children, who have the highest prevalence of colonization, might be a
sentinel population to study to gain a better understanding of community sources
of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
PMID- 28992136
TI - Shaping intercellular channels of plasmodesmata: the structure-to-function
missing link.
AB - Plasmodesmata (PD) are a hallmark of the plant kingdom and a cornerstone of plant
biology and physiology, forming the conduits for the cell-to-cell transfer of
proteins, RNA and various metabolites, including hormones. They connect the
cytosols and endomembranes of cells, which allows enhanced cell-to-cell
communication and synchronization. Because of their unique position as
intercellular gateways, they are at the frontline of plant defence and signalling
and constitute the battleground for virus replication and spreading. The
membranous organization of PD is remarkable, where a tightly furled strand of
endoplasmic reticulum comes into close apposition with the plasma membrane, the
two connected by spoke-like elements. The role of these structural features is,
to date, still not completely understood. Recent data on PD seem to point in an
unexpected direction, establishing a close parallel between PD and membrane
contact sites and defining plasmodesmal membranes as microdomains. However, the
implications of this new viewpoint are not fully understood. Aided by available
phylogenetic data, this review attempts to reassess the function of the different
elements comprising the PD and the relevance of membrane lipid composition and
biophysics in defining specialized microdomains of PD, critical for their
function.
PMID- 28992137
TI - Molecular identification of chromoblastomycosis clinical isolates in Guangdong.
PMID- 28992138
TI - Antifungal susceptibilities to amphotericin B, triazoles and echinocandins of 77
clinical isolates of cryptic Aspergillus species in multicenter surveillance in
Korea.
AB - We investigated the in vitro antifungal susceptibilities of cryptic Aspergillus
species from nine Korean hospitals. Based on the CLSI epidemiological cutoff
values, resistance rates to amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole,
posaconazole and caspofungin were as follows: A. awamori (34 isolates; all 0%),
A. tubingensis (22; 0%, 4.5%, 0%, 0%, and 0%, respectively), A. sydowii (16; 0%,
6.3%, 0%, 0%, and 6.3%), A. lentulus (2; 50%, 0%, 100%, 50%, and 0%), and A.
tamarii (2; all 0%). A. calidoustus (one isolate) showed resistance to multiple
drugs. Thus, cryptic species identification can be mandatory for clinically
important Aspergillus isolates, with their susceptibility data.
PMID- 28992139
TI - Concentrations of representative uraemic toxins in a healthy versus non-dialysis
chronic kidney disease paediatric population.
AB - Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in childhood is poorly explained by
routine markers (e.g. urea and creatinine) and is better depicted in adults by
other uraemic toxins. This study describes concentrations of representative
uraemic toxins in non-dialysis CKD versus healthy children. Methods: In 50
healthy children and 57 children with CKD Stages 1-5 [median estimated glomerular
filtration rate 48 (25th-75th percentile 24-71) mL/min/1.73 m2; none on
dialysis], serum concentrations of small solutes [symmetric and asymmetric
dimethyl-arginine (SDMA and ADMA, respectively)], middle molecules [beta2
microglobuline (beta2M), complement factor D (CfD)] and protein-bound solutes [p
cresylglucuronide (pCG), hippuric acid (HA), indole-acetic acid (IAA), indoxyl
sulphate (IxS), p-cresyl sulphate (pCS) and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl
furanpropionic acid (CMPF)] were measured. Concentrations in the CKD group were
expressed as z-score relative to controls and matched for age and gender.
Results: SDMA, CfD, beta2M, IxS, pCS, IAA, CMPF and HA concentrations were higher
in the overall CKD group compared with controls, ranging from 1.7 standard
deviations (SD) for IAA and HA to 11.1 SD for SDMA. SDMA, CfD, beta2M, IxS and
CMPF in CKD Stages 1-2 with concentrations 4.8, 2.8, 4.5, 1.9 and 1.6 SD higher,
respectively. In contrast, pCS, pCG and IAA concentrations were only higher than
controls from CKD Stages 3-4 onwards, but only in CKD Stage 5 for ADMA and HA (z
score 2.6 and 20.2, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study to
establish reference values for a wide range of uraemic toxins in non-dialysis CKD
and healthy children. We observed an accumulation of multiple uraemic toxins,
each with a particular retention profile according to the different CKD stages.
PMID- 28992140
TI - Inflammation induces osteoclast differentiation from peripheral mononuclear cells
in chronic kidney disease patients: crosstalk between the immune and bone
systems.
AB - Background: Inflammation and immune system alterations contribute to bone damage
in many pathologies by inducing the differentiation of osteoclasts (OCs), the
bone resorbing cells. This link is largely unexplored in chronic kidney disease
(CKD) and haemodialysis (HD) patients, in which reduced renal function is
accompanied by an increased inflammatory state and skeletal abnormality. Methods:
We used ex vivo culture experiments to investigate the osteoclastogenic potential
of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of CKD and HD patients, focusing on
immune cell subsets and inflammatory cytokines such as LIGHT and receptor
activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL). Results: We observed
spontaneous osteoclastogenesis with a significant increase in OC formation and
bone resorbing activity in late-stage CKD and HD patients when compared with
early-stage CKD patients and healthy donors, likely due to an increased
expression of RANKL and LIGHT (homologous to Lymphotoxins exhibiting Inducible
expression and competing with herpes simplex virus Glycoprotein D for herpes
virus entry mediator [HVEM], a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes) in PBMCs.
Specific inhibition of these cytokines in PBMCs isolated from CKD stages 3b-5 and
HD patients induced the reduction of OC formation in vitro. The phenotypic
characterization of peripheral blood cells revealed a significant increase of OC
precursors (CD14+CD11b+CD51/61+) and CD14+CD16+ monocytes in advanced CKD and HD
patients compared with the control group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that
circulating inflammatory monocytes from advanced CKD or HD patients trans
differentiate into OCs in vitro and play a relevant role in mineral bone
disorders and that LIGHT and RANKL represent new potential therapeutic targets in
these settings.
PMID- 28992141
TI - Metabolic imaging of fatty kidney in diabesity: validation and dietary
intervention.
AB - Background: Obesity and type 2 diabetes have not only been linked to fatty liver,
but also to fatty kidney and chronic kidney disease. Since non-invasive tools are
lacking to study fatty kidney in clinical studies, we explored agreement between
proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and enzymatic assessment of renal
triglyceride content (without and with dietary intervention). We further studied
the correlation between fatty kidney and fatty liver. Methods: Triglyceride
content in the renal cortex was measured by 1H-MRS on a 7-Tesla scanner in 27
pigs, among which 15 minipigs had been randomized to a 7-month control diet,
cafeteria diet (CAF) or CAF with low-dose streptozocin (CAF-S) to induce insulin
independent diabetes. Renal biopsies were taken from corresponding MRS-voxel
locations. Additionally, liver biopsies were taken and triglyceride content in
all biopsies was measured by enzymatic assay. Results: Renal triglyceride content
measured by 1H-MRS and enzymatic assay correlated positively (r = 0.86, P <
0.0001). Compared with control diet-fed minipigs, renal triglyceride content was
higher in CAF-S-fed minipigs (137 +/- 51 nmol/mg protein, mean +/- standard error
of the mean, P < 0.05), but not in CAF-fed minipigs (60 +/- 10 nmol/mg protein)
compared with controls (40 +/- 6 nmol/mg protein). Triglyceride contents in liver
and kidney biopsies were strongly correlated (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). Conclusions:
Non-invasive measurement of renal triglyceride content by 1H-MRS closely predicts
triglyceride content as measured enzymatically in biopsies, and fatty kidney
appears to develop parallel to fatty liver. 1H-MRS may be a valuable tool to
explore the role of fatty kidney in obesity and type 2 diabetic nephropathy in
humans in vivo.
PMID- 28992142
TI - Researching safety culture: deliberative dialogue with a restorative lens.
AB - Safety culture is a key component of patient safety. Many patient safety
strategies in health care have been adapted from high-reliability organizations
(HRO) such as aviation. However, to date, attempts to transform the cultures of
health care settings through HRO approaches have had mixed results. We propose a
methodological approach for safety culture research, which integrates the theory
and practice of restoration science with the principles and methods of
deliberative dialogue to support active engagement in critical reflection and
collective debate. Our aim is to describe how these two innovative approaches in
health services research can be used together to provide a comprehensive
effective method to study and implement change in safety culture. Restorative
research in health care integrates socio-ecological theory of complex adaptive
systems concepts with collaborative, place-sensitive study of local practice
contexts. Deliberative dialogue brings together all stakeholders to collectively
develop solutions on an issue to facilitate change. Together these approaches can
be used to actively engage people in the study of safety culture to gain a better
understanding of its elements. More importantly, we argue that the synergistic
use of these approaches offers enhanced potential to move health care
professionals towards actionable strategies to improve patient safety within
today's complex health care systems.
PMID- 28992143
TI - A qualitative study of sign-out processes between primary and on-call residents:
relationships in information exchange, responsibility and accountability.
AB - Objective: To review a quality improvement event on the process of sign-outs
between the primary and on-call residents. Design: A retrospective qualitative
study using semi-structured interviews. Setting: A tertiary academic medical
center in Singapore with 283 inpatient Medicine beds served by 28 consultants, 29
registrars, 45 residents and 30 interns during the day but 5 residents and 3
interns at night. Participants: Residents, registrars and consultants.
Intervention: Quality improvement event on sign-out. Main outcome: Effectiveness
of sign-out comprises exchange of patient information, professional
responsibility and task accountability. Results: The following process of sign
outs was noted. Primary teams were accountable to the on-call resident by
selecting at-risk patients and preparing contingency plans for sign-out.
Structured information exchanged included patient history, active problems and
plans of care. On-call residents took ownership of at-risk patients by actively
asking questions during sign-out and reporting back the agreed care plan. On-call
residents were accountable to the primary team by reporting back at-risk patients
the next day. Conclusion: A structured information exchange at sign-out increased
the on-call resident's ability to care for at-risk patients when it was supported
by two-way transfers of responsibility and accountability.
PMID- 28992144
TI - Hospital survey on patient safety culture (HSOPS): variability of scoring
strategies.
AB - Objective: To assess the variability of safety culture dimension scores and their
associated rankings depending on three different scoring strategies using the
Hospital Survey On Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS). Design: Cross-sectional study
using a self-administered questionnaire. Setting: The study was conducted in an
1836-bed acute-care French university hospital with an annual volume of 135 999
stays, between April 2013 and November 2014. Participants: All caregivers and
technical-administrative staff with at least 6 months of employment, spending at
least half of their working time in the hospital, were asked to participate.
Intervention: None. Main outcome measure: The variability of the HSOPS results
using three different scoring methods: the percentage of positive responses
recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the averaged
individual means and the averaged individual sums. Results: The response rate was
78.6% (n = 3978). The percentage of positive responses resulted in lower scores
compared to averaged individual means and averaged individual sums in the six
least developed dimensions, and gave more widely spread scores and greater 95CIs
in the six most developed dimensions. Department rankings also varied greatly
depending on the scoring methods. Conclusion: The values of the HSOPS scores and
their corresponding rankings greatly depended on the computation method. This
finding shows how important it is to agree on the use of the same scoring
strategies, before broadly comparing results within and across organizations.
PMID- 28992145
TI - Burnout syndrome among non-consultant hospital doctors in Ireland: relationship
with self-reported patient care.
AB - Objective: Intensive workload and limited training opportunities for Irish non
consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) has a negative effect on their health and
well-being, and can result in burnout. Burnout affects physician performance and
can lead to medical errors. This study examined the prevalence of burnout
syndrome among Irish NCHDs and its association with self-reported medical error
and poor quality of patient care. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey
based design. Setting: All teaching hospitals affiliated with University College
Cork. Participants: NCHDs of all grades and specialties. Intervention(s): The
following instruments were completed by all participants: Maslach Burnout
Inventory-Human Service Survey (MBI-HSS), assessing three categories of burnout
syndrome: Emotional exhaustion (EE), Personal Achievement (PA) and
Depersonalization (DP); questions related to self-reported medical errors/poor
patient care quality and socio-demographic information. Main outcome measure(s):
Self-reported measures of burnout and poor quality of patient care. Results:
Prevalence of burnout among physicians (n = 265) was 26.4%. There was a
significant gender difference for EE and DP, but none for PA. A positive weak
correlation was observed between EE and DP with medical error or poor patient
care. A negative association was reported between PA and medical error and
reduced quality of patient care. Conclusions: Burnout is prevalent among NCHDs in
Ireland. Burnout syndrome is associated with self-reported medical error and
quality of care in this sample population. Measures need to be taken to address
this issue, with a view to protecting health of NCHDs and maintaining quality of
patient care.
PMID- 28992146
TI - Conceptualizing and assessing improvement capability: a review.
AB - Purpose: The literature is reviewed to examine how 'improvement capability' is
conceptualized and assessed and to identify future areas for research. Data
sources: An iterative and systematic search of the literature was carried out
across all sectors including healthcare. The search was limited to literature
written in English. Data extraction: The study identifies and analyses 70
instruments and frameworks for assessing or measuring improvement capability.
Information about the source of the instruments, the sectors in which they were
developed or used, the measurement constructs or domains they employ, and how
they were tested was extracted. Results of data synthesis: The instruments and
framework constructs are very heterogeneous, demonstrating the ambiguity of
improvement capability as a concept, and the difficulties involved in its
operationalisation. Two-thirds of the instruments and frameworks have been
subject to tests of reliability and half to tests of validity. Many instruments
have little apparent theoretical basis and do not seem to have been used widely.
Conclusion: The assessment and development of improvement capability needs
clearer and more consistent conceptual and terminological definition, used
consistently across disciplines and sectors. There is scope to learn from
existing instruments and frameworks, and this study proposes a synthetic
framework of eight dimensions of improvement capability. Future instruments need
robust testing for reliability and validity. This study contributes to practice
and research by presenting the first review of the literature on improvement
capability across all sectors including healthcare.
PMID- 28992147
TI - The degree of severity and trends in hospital standardized mortality ratios in
Japan between 2008 and 2012: a retrospective observational study.
AB - Objectives: Hospital standardized mortality ratio (HSMR), an indicator that
adjusts hospital mortality for case-mix differences, is used as a hospital
performance measure. The aim of this study is to build a new HSMR model in Japan
and examine HSMR trends according to the degree of severity. Design:
Observational retrospective study. Settings: Data from the Japanese
Administrative Database. Participants: A total of 3 813 492 admissions from 278
Japanese acute-care hospitals were extracted from the database (patients between
2008 and 2012, from July to December in each year). Main Outcome Measures: We
estimated the probability of in-hospital death by fitting a logistic regression
model, and assessed the performance of the models with the c-index. In each year,
HSMRs were obtained by calculating the ratio of the number of observed deaths to
the number of expected deaths. The HSMR trends, including trends in comorbidity
subgroups defined by the Charlson comorbidity index, were analysed. Results: The
c-index value was 0.871 for the HSMR model. The HSMR followed a constant
decreasing trend over time; it fell by 18.8% from 110.3 in 2008 to 91.5 in 2012.
The reduction in HSMR was not present in the severe comorbidity group, while the
reduction trend was observed in the mild comorbidity group. Conclusions: Our
model demonstrated excellent discrimination without detailed clinical data. The
Japanese HSMR followed a constant decreased trend, while the reduction trend was
not present in the severe patients. Our study implies the need to consider severe
patients for assessing hospital quality by HSMR.
PMID- 28992148
TI - Inappropriate hospital days of a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China.
AB - Objective: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of inappropriate hospital
stays in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, identify the causes for the
inappropriateness and analyze the predictors. Design: A retrospective review of
medical records. Setting: The cardiology and the orthopedics departments of a
tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. Participants: About 806 patients discharged
from the cardiology or the orthopedics department of a tertiary hospital from
March 2013 to February 2014. Interventions: Two reviewers audited 8396 hospital
days of the cardiology department (n = 3606) and the orthopedics department (n =
4790) by adopting the Chinese Version of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol.
Univariate and multivariate analysis were adopted to identify the predictors of
higher levels of inappropriateness produced by internal causes. Main outcome
measure: The prevalence of inappropriate hospital days. Results: It was found
that 910 (25.2%) and 1940 (40.5%) hospital days were judged to be inappropriate
in the cardiology and the orthopedics departments, respectively; and 753 (20.9%)
and 1585 (33.1%) of these inappropriate hospital days were due to internal
reasons, respectively. Awaiting tests, surgery or discharge were determined to
constitute the main causes of inappropriateness for both departments. The
predictors of higher levels of inappropriateness in the cardiology department
were younger age, self-pay, outpatient admission and inappropriate admission.
Self-pay, surgical and/or first-time admission patients exhibited the highest
levels of inappropriateness in the orthopedics department. Conclusions: The rates
of inappropriateness in the involved departments were relatively high. Further
interventions should be designed and implemented, accordingly.
PMID- 28992149
TI - Using an online quiz-based reinforcement system to teach healthcare quality and
patient safety and care transitions at the University of California.
AB - Quality issue: Implementing quality improvement (QI) education during clinical
training is challenging due to time constraints and inadequate faculty
development in these areas. Initial assessment: Quiz-based reinforcement systems
show promise in fostering active engagement, collaboration, healthy competition
and real-time formative feedback, although further research on their
effectiveness is required. Choice of solution: An online quiz-based reinforcement
system to increase resident and faculty knowledge in QI, patient safety and care
transitions. Implementation: Experts in QI and educational assessment at the 5
University of California medical campuses developed a course comprised of 3
quizzes on Introduction to QI, Patient Safety and Care Transitions. Each quiz
contained 20 questions and utilized an online educational quiz-based
reinforcement system that leveraged spaced learning. Evaluation: Approximately
500 learners completed the course (completion rate 66-86%). Knowledge acquisition
scores for all quizzes increased after completion: Introduction to QI (35-73%),
Patient Safety (58-95%), and Care Transitions (66-90%). Learners reported that
the quiz-based system was an effective teaching modality and preferred this type
of education to classroom-based lectures. Suggestions for improvement included
reducing frequency of presentation of questions and utilizing more questions that
test learners on application of knowledge instead of knowledge acquisition.
Lessons learned: A multi-campus online quiz-based reinforcement system to train
residents in QI, patient safety and care transitions was feasible, acceptable,
and increased knowledge. The course may be best utilized to supplement classroom
based and experiential curricula, along with increased attention to optimizing
frequency of presentation of questions and enhancing application skills.
PMID- 28992150
TI - Are children presenting with non-IMCI complaints at greater risk for suboptimal
screening? An analysis of outpatient visits in Afghanistan.
AB - Objective: To determine if children presenting without complaints related to the
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) are at greater risk for
suboptimal screening for IMCI conditions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting:
Thirty-three provinces in Afghanistan. Participants: Observation of 3072 sick
child visits selected by systematic random sampling. Main outcome measure(s): A
10 point IMCI assessment index. Results: One hundred and thirty-one (4.3%) of the
3072 sick child visits involved no IMCI-related complaints. The mean assessment
index for all sick child visits was 4.81 (SD 2.41). Visits involving any IMCI
related complaint were associated with a 1.02 point higher mean assessment index
than those without IMCI-related complaints (95% CI, 0.52-1.53; P < 0.001). After
adjusting for relevant covariates including patient age, caretaker gender,
provider type, provider gender, provider IMCI training status and IMCI guideline
availability, we found that children with IMCI-related presenting complaints had
a significantly better quality of IMCI screening, than those without IMCI
presenting complaints (by 0.75 points; 95% CI, 0.25-1.26; P = 0.003).
Conclusions: Our study indicates that children with non-IMCI presenting
complaints are at greater risk of suboptimal screening compared to children with
IMCI-related presenting complaints. The premise of IMCI is to routinely screen
all children for conditions responsible for the major burden of childhood disease
in countries like Afghanistan. The study illustrates an important finding that
facility and provider capacity needs to be improved, particularly during
training, supervision and guideline dissemination to ensure that all children
receive routine screening for common IMCI conditions.
PMID- 28992152
TI - Evaluating the impact of accreditation on Brazilian healthcare organizations: A
quantitative study.
AB - Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of accreditation
programs on Brazilian healthcare organizations. Design: A web-based questionnaire
survey was undertaken between February and May 2016. Setting: Healthcare
organizations from the Federal District and from 18 Brazilian states.
Participants: The quality managers of 141 Brazilian healthcare organizations were
the main respondents of the study. Intervention: The questionnaire was applied to
not accredited and accredited organizations. Main Outcome Measures: The main
outcome measures were patient safety activities, quality management activities,
planning activities-policies and strategies, patient involvement, involvement of
professionals in the quality programs, monitoring of patient safety goals,
organizational impact and financial impacts. Results: The study identified 13
organizational impacts of accreditation. There was evidence of a significant and
moderate correlation between the status of accreditation and patient safety
activities, quality management activities, planning activities-policies and
strategies, and involvement of professionals in the quality programs. The
correlation between accreditation status and patient involvement was significant
but weak, suggesting that this issue should be treated with a specific policy.
The impact of accreditation on the financial results was not confirmed as
relevant; however, the need for investment in the planning stage was validated.
Conclusions: The impact of accreditation is mainly related to internal processes,
culture, training, institutional image and competitive differentiation.
PMID- 28992151
TI - A comparison of in-hospital acute myocardial infarction management between
Portugal and the United States: 2000-2010.
AB - Objective: To compare healthcare in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treatment
between contrasting health systems using comparable representative data from
Europe and USA. Design: Repeated cross-sectional retrospective cohort study.
Setting: Acute care hospitals in Portugal and USA during 2000-2010. Participants:
Adults discharged with AMI. Interventions: Coronary revascularizations procedures
(percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
surgery). Main Outcome Measures: In-hospital mortality and length of stay.
Results: We identified 1 566 601 AMI hospitalizations. Relative to the USA, more
hospitalizations in Portugal presented with elevated ST-segment, and fewer had
documented comorbidities. Age-sex-adjusted AMI hospitalization rates decreased in
USA but increased in Portugal. Crude procedure rates were generally lower in
Portugal (PCI: 44% vs. 47%; CABG: 2% vs. 9%, 2010) but only CABG rates differed
significantly after standardization. PCI use increased annually in both countries
but CABG decreased only in the USA (USA: 0.95 [0.94, 0.95], Portugal: 1.04 [1.02,
1.07], odds ratios). Both countries observed annual decreases in risk-adjusted
mortality (USA: 0.97 [0.965, 0.969]; Portugal: 0.99 [0.979, 0.991], hazard
ratios). While between-hospital variability in procedure use was larger in USA,
the risk of dying in a high relative to a low mortality hospital (hospitals in
percentiles 95 and 5) was 2.65 in Portugal when in USA was only 1.03.
Conclusions: Although in-hospital mortality due to an AMI improved in both
countries, patient management in USA seems more effective and alarming
disparities in quality of care across hospitals are more likely to exist in
Portugal.
PMID- 28992153
TI - Reporting of medication administration errors by nurses in South Korean
hospitals.
AB - Objective: To identify differences in what nurses consider as medication
administration errors, to examine their willingness to report these errors and to
identify barriers to reporting medication errors by hospital type. Design: Cross
sectional, descriptive design. The questionnaire comprised six medication
administration error scenarios and items related to the reasons for not reporting
medication errors. Setting: Two tertiary and three general hospitals in a
metropolitan area, and five general hospitals in K province, in South Korea.
Participants: Registered nurses working at tertiary and general hospitals in
South Korea (n = 467). Main outcome measures: Consideration of medication
administration errors, intention to report medication errors and reasoning for
not file an incident report. Results: There were no significant differences in
what nurses considered as medication administration errors between nurses working
different in hospital types. The rate of incident reporting was very low; it
ranged from 6.3% to 29.9%, regardless of hospital type. Korean nurses were more
likely to report an error to a physician than file an incident report. The
primary reason for not reporting medication errors was fear of the negative
consequences of reporting the error and subsequent legal action. Conclusions: The
rate of filing an incident report among nurses was very low, regardless of
hospital type or whether nurses perceived the incident as a medication
administration error. These results may have significant implications for
improving medication safety in hospitals, and more efforts are needed at the
organizational level to improve incident reporting by nurses.
PMID- 28992154
TI - The patient-centered medical home: a reality for HIV care in Nigeria.
AB - Objective: HIV care delivery in resource-limited settings (RLS) may serve as a
paradigm for chronic disease care, but comprehensive measurement frameworks are
lacking. Our objective was to adapt the patient-centered medical home (PCMH)
framework for use in RLS, and evaluate the performance of HIV treatment programs
within this framework. Design and setting: Cross-sectional survey administered
within the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) network. Participants:
Medical directors at APIN clinics. Main outcome measures: We adapted the 2011 US
National Committee on Quality Assurance's PCMH standard to develop a survey
measuring five domains of HIV care: (i) enhancing access and continuity, (ii)
identifying and managing patient populations, (iii) planning and managing care,
(iv) promoting self-care and support and (v) measuring and improving performance.
Results: Thirty-three of 36 clinics completed the survey. Most were public (73%)
and urban/semi-urban (64%); 52% had >500 patients in care. On a 0-100 scale,
clinics scored highest in self-care and support, 91% (63-100%); managing patient
populations, 80% (72-81%) and improving performance, 72% (44-78%). Clinics scored
lowest with the most variability in planning/managing care, 65% (22-89%), and
access and continuity, 61% (33-80%). Average score across all domains was 72% (58
81%). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the modified PCMH tool is feasible,
and likely has sufficient performance variation to discriminate among clinics.
Consistent with extant literature, clinics showed greatest room for improvement
on access and continuity, supporting the tool's face validity. The modified PCMH
tool may provide a powerful framework for evaluating chronic HIV care in RLS.
PMID- 28992155
TI - Attitudes towards accreditation among hospital employees in Denmark: a cross
sectional survey.
AB - Objective: To evaluate attitudes towards accreditation and the Danish Quality
Model (DDKM) among hospital employees in Denmark. Negative attitudes led the
Danish Government to abolish accreditation in 2015. Design: A cross-sectional
survey was carried out via web-based questionnaire. Setting: All hospital
managers, quality improvement staff (quality managers and employees), and
hospital surveyors in Denmark; and clinicians (doctors and nurses) within nine
selected specialties. Participants: Overall response rate was 29% with 5055 of 17
646 valid responses included in the data analysis. The response rate was 82%
(5055/6188) among respondents who clicked on the link in the mail containing the
questionnaire. Methods: A short questionnaire was designed using a 7-point Likert
scale ranging from 1 'strongly disagree' to 7 'strongly agree'. To compare mean
values between respondent groups, regression analysis using dummy coding of
respondent groups and calculation of standardized mean difference effect sizes
were performed. Results: Overall attitudes were supportive, with physicians more
skeptical. There were different patterns of attitudes in the five Danish regions
and between medical professions. A small group of physicians was extremely
negative. Conclusion: Clinical attitudes are important, and can affect Government
decisions. On the basis of our study, future attention should be paid to
attitudes towards accreditation (and attitudes towards other means of quality
improvement). Attitudes may reflect political agendas and impede the take-up of
improvement programs, cause their demise, or reduce their effectiveness.
PMID- 28992157
TI - A multi-state, multi-site, multi-sector healthcare improvement model:
implementing evidence for practice.
AB - Quality problem or issue: Healthcare is complex and we know that evidence takes
nearly 20 years to find its way into clinical practice. Initial assessment: The
slow process of translating research points to the need for effective
translational research models to ensure patient care quality and safety are not
compromised by such an epistemic failure. Choice of solution: Our model to
achieve reasonably rapid and enduring improvements to clinical care draws on that
developed and promulgated by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in the
United States of America model as well as that developed by the Johns Hopkins
Quality and Safety Group known as the Translating Research into Practice
implementation model. Implementation: The core principle of our hybrid model was
to engage those most likely to be affected by the changes being introduced
through a series of face-to-face and web-enabled meetings that act both as
drivers of information but also as a means of engaging all stakeholders across
the healthcare system involved in the change towards their pre-established goals.
Evaluation: The model was piloted on the focused topic of the management of
inadvertent perioperative hypothermia across nine hospitals within Australia
(four sites in Victoria, three sites in New South Wales and two sites in
Queensland). Improvement in management of hypothermia in these patients was
achieved and sustained over time. Lessons learned: Our model aims to engage the
hearts and minds of healthcare clinicians, and others in order to empower them to
make the necessary improvements to enhance patient care quality and safety.
PMID- 28992158
TI - Avoidable emergency department visits: a starting point.
AB - Objective: To better characterize and understand the nature of a very
conservative definition of 'avoidable' emergency department (ED) visits in the
United States to provide policymakers insight into what interventions can target
non-urgent ED visits. Design/setting: We performed a retrospective analysis of a
very conservative definition of 'avoidable' ED visits using data from the
National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2005 to 2011. Participants:
We examined a total of 115 081 records, representing 424 million ED visits made
by patients aged 18-64 years who were seen in the ED and discharged home. Main
outcome measures: We defined 'avoidable' as ED visits that did not require any
diagnostic or screening services, procedures or medications, and were discharged
home. Results: In total, 3.3% (95% CI: 3.0-3.7) of all ED visits were
'avoidable.' The top five chief complaints included toothache, back pain,
headache, other symptoms/problems related to psychosis and throat soreness.
Alcohol abuse, dental disorders and depressive disorders were among the top three
ICD-9 discharge diagnoses. Alcohol-related disorders and mood disorders accounted
for 6.8% (95% CI: 5.7-8.0) of avoidable visits, and dental disorders accounted
for 3.9% (95% CI: 3.0-4.8) of CCS-grouped discharge diagnoses. Conclusions: A
significant number of 'avoidable' ED visits were for mental health and dental
conditions, which the ED is not fully equipped to treat. Our findings provide a
better understanding of what policy initiatives could potentially reduce these
'avoidable' ED visits to address the gaps in our healthcare system, such as
increased access to mental health and dental care.
PMID- 28992156
TI - What works in implementation of integrated care programs for older adults with
complex needs? A realist review.
AB - Purpose: A realist review of the evaluative evidence was conducted on integrated
care (IC) programs for older adults to identify key processes that lead to the
success or failure of these programs in achieving outcomes such as reduced
healthcare utilization, improved patient health, and improved patient and
caregiver experience. Data sources: International academic literature was
searched in 12 indexed, electronic databases and gray literature through internet
searches, to identify evaluative studies. Study selection: Inclusion criteria
included evaluative literature on integrated, long-stay health and social care
programs, published between January 1980 and July 2015, in English. Data
extraction: Data were extracted on the study purpose, period, setting, design,
population, sample size, outcomes, and study results, as well as explanations of
mechanisms and contextual factors influencing outcomes. Results of data
synthesis: A total of 65 articles, representing 28 IC programs, were included in
the review. Two context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOcs) were identified:
(i) trusting multidisciplinary team relationships and (ii) provider commitment to
and understanding of the model. Contextual factors such as strong leadership that
sets clear goals and establishes an organizational culture in support of the
program, along with joint governance structures, supported team collaboration and
subsequent successful implementation. Furthermore, time to build an
infrastructure to implement and flexibility in implementation, emerged as key
processes instrumental to success of these programs. Conclusions: This review
included a wide range of international evidence, and identified key processes for
successful implementation of IC programs that should be considered by program
planners, leaders and evaluators.
PMID- 28992159
TI - Compliance with accreditation and recommended hospital care-a Danish nationwide
population-based study.
AB - Objective: To examine the association between compliance with accreditation and
recommended hospital care. Design: A Danish nationwide population-based follow-up
study based on data from six national, clinical quality registries between
November 2009 and December 2012. Setting: Public, non-psychiatric Danish
hospitals. Participants: Patients with acute stroke, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart failure, hip fracture and bleeding/perforated
ulcers. Interventions: All hospitals were accredited by the first version of The
Danish Healthcare Quality Programme. Compliance with accreditation was defined by
level of accreditation awarded the hospital after an announced onsite survey;
hence, hospitals were either fully (n = 11) or partially accredited (n = 20).
Main Outcome Measures: Recommended hospital care included 48 process performance
measures reflecting recommendations from clinical guidelines. We assessed
recommended hospital care as fulfilment of the measures individually and as an
all-or-none composite score. Results: In total 449 248 processes of care were
included corresponding to 68 780 patient pathways. Patients at fully accredited
hospitals had a significantly higher probability of receiving care according to
clinical guideline recommendations than patients at partially accredited
hospitals across conditions (individual measure: adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.20,
95% CI: 1.01-1.43, all-or-none: adjusted OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02-1.58). For five
of the six included conditions there were an association; the pattern appeared
particular strong among patients with acute stroke and hip fracture (all-or-none;
acute stroke: adjusted OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.05-1.83, hip fracture: adjusted OR =
1.57, 95% CI: 1.00-2.49). Conclusion: High compliance with accreditation
standards was associated with a higher level of evidence-based hospital care in
Danish hospitals.
PMID- 28992160
TI - Physicians' and pharmacists' perceptions on real-time drug utilization review
system: a nationwide survey.
AB - Objective: To identify healthcare providers' experience and satisfaction for the
drug utilization review (DUR) system, their impact on prescription changes
following alerts, and difficulties experienced in the system by surveying primary
healthcare centers and pharmacies. Design: A cross-sectional nationwide survey.
Setting and participants: Approximately 2000 institutions were selected for the
survey by a simple random sampling of nationwide primary healthcare centers and
community pharmacy approximately practices, and 358 replied. Main outcomes
measures: The questionnaire included questions on experience and recognition of
DUR alerts, personal attitude and respondents' biographical information. Space
was included for respondents to suggest improvements of the DUR system. Results:
The DUR system scored 71.5 out of 100 points for satisfaction by physicians and
pharmacists, who reported that the alerts prevent medication-related errors; most
respondents (96.6%) received the alerts. Several respondents (10.9%) replied that
they prescribe or dispense prescriptions as they are without following the
alerts. Physicians (adjusted odds ratio, 8.334; 95% confidence interval, 3.449
20.139) are more likely to change the prescription than pharmacists and persons
with alert experience (4.605; 1.080-19.638). However, current practice in
metropolitan areas (0.478; 0.228-1.000) and frequent alerts regarding co
administration incompatibilities within prescriptions (0.135; 0.031-0.589)
negatively influence adherence to DUR alerts. Conclusions: Although most surveyed
physicians and pharmacists receive the alerts, some do not or reported that they
would not follow the alerts. To increase adherence, the DUR system should be
improved to ensure a preferential and intensive approach to detecting potentially
high-risk drug combinations.
PMID- 28992162
TI - Healthcare quality improvements through hospital accreditation compliance and
effective procedure use.
PMID- 28992161
TI - The role of patient perception of crowding in the determination of real-time
patient satisfaction at Emergency Department.
AB - Objective: To evaluate the associations between real-time overall patient
satisfaction and Emergency Department (ED) crowding as determined by patient
percepton and crowding estimation tool score in a high-volume ED. Design: A
prospective observational study. Setting: A tertiary acute hospital ED and a
Level 1 trauma center. Participants: ED patients. Intervention(s): Crowding
status was measured by two crowding tools [National Emergency Department
Overcrowding Scale (NEDOCS) and Severely overcrowded-Overcrowded-Not overcrowded
Estimation Tool (SONET)] and patient perception of crowding surveys administered
at discharge. Main outcome measure(s): ED crowding and patient real-time
satisfaction. Results: From 29 November 2015 through 11 January 2016, we enrolled
1345 participants. We observed considerable agreement between the NEDOCS and
SONET assessment of ED crowding (bias = 0.22; 95% limits of agreement (LOAs):
1.67, 2.12). However, agreement was more variable between patient perceptions of
ED crowding with NEDOCS (bias = 0.62; 95% LOA: -5.85, 7.09) and SONET (bias =
0.40; 95% LOA: -5.81, 6.61). Compared to not overcrowded, there were overall
inverse associations between ED overcrowding and patient satisfaction (Patient
perception OR = 0.49, 95% confidence limit (CL): 0.38, 0.63; NEDOCS OR = 0.78,
95% CL: 0.65, 0.95; SONET OR = 0.82, 95% CL: 0.69, 0.98). Conclusions: While
heterogeneity exists in the degree of agreement between objective and patient
perceived assessments of ED crowding, in our study we observed that higher
degrees of ED crowding at admission might be associated with lower real-time
patient satisfaction.
PMID- 28992164
TI - Functional disability and other health-related quality-of-life domains: points to
consider for clinical trials in systemic sclerosis.
AB - Patients with SSc have the highest mortality among the rheumatic diseases. In
addition, SSc is associated with disfigurement, hand contractures, fatigue, poor
sleep, severe RP with numbness and tingling of the fingers can lead to decrements
in quality of life. This Points to Consider article provides practical
considerations for design of trials for functional disability and other health
related quality-of-life issues.
PMID- 28992165
TI - Points to consider for designing trials in systemic sclerosis patients with
arthritic involvement.
AB - Although musculoskeletal involvement is quite common in SSc (arthritic in
particular), there have been few trials and even fewer controlled trials of
therapeutic agents in arthritis in SSc. In addition, there have been only three
outcome measures that have been validated for use in trials of SSc arthritis: the
HAQ Disability Index, the Cochin Hand Function Scale and the Hand Mobility in SSc
scale. The purpose of this article is to present evidence-based points to
consider for the design of trials in SSc patients with musculoskeletal
involvement (joints in particular). In addition, we make an argument for
including outcome variables that can be validated within a given trial for use in
future trials.
PMID- 28992163
TI - Pak1 mediates the stimulatory effect of insulin and curcumin on hepatic ChREBP
expression.
AB - Insulin can stimulate hepatic expression of carbohydrate-responsive element
binding protein (ChREBP). As recent studies revealed potential metabolic
beneficial effects of ChREBP, we asked whether its expression can also be
regulated by the dietary polyphenol curcumin. We also aimed to determine
mechanisms underlying ChREBP stimulation by insulin and curcumin. The effect of
insulin on ChREBP expression was assessed in mouse hepatocytes, while the effect
of curcumin was assessed in mouse hepatocytes and with curcumin gavage in mice.
Chemical inhibitors for insulin signaling molecules were utilized to identify
involved signaling molecules, and the involvement of p21-activated protein kinase
1 (Pak1) was determined with its chemical inhibitor and Pak1-/- hepatocytes. We
found that both insulin and curcumin-stimulated ChREBP expression in Akt
independent but MEK/ERK-dependent manner, involving the inactivation of the
transcriptional repressor Oct-1. Aged Pak1-/- mice showed reduced body fat
volume. Pak1 inhibition or its genetic deletion attenuated the stimulatory effect
of insulin or curcumin on ChREBP expression. Our study hence suggests the
existence of a novel signaling cascade Pak1/MEK/ERK/Oct-1 for both insulin and
curcumin in exerting their glucose-lowering effect via promoting hepatic ChREBP
production, supports the recognition of beneficial functions of ChREBP, and
brings us a new overview on dietary polyphenols.
PMID- 28992166
TI - Points to consider for clinical trials of the gastrointestinal tract in systemic
sclerosis.
AB - The pathogenesis of gastrointestinal tract involvement in SSc is not fully
understood. However, gastrointestinal signs and symptoms are very common. Trials
to test therapies, with rare exceptions, should be double-blind, randomized
trials with either active therapy or placebo as comparators. Trial duration will
vary dependent on the anticipated therapy and should usually be 6-24 weeks long,
although some motility trials may need to be 52 weeks. As in any well-controlled
trial, inclusion and exclusion criteria should encourage relatively uniform
patients with sufficiently active disease to discern response, importantly
considering disease duration. Previous therapy, co-morbid conditions, potentially
confounding and/or concomitant therapy should be considered. Outcome measures
should include both objective/semi-objective and subjective measures, although
validated measures are not frequent and design needs to consider using only
validated measures. Unvalidated measures can be included to validate them for
future use. A full analysis plan should be completed before study commencement,
including the method to account for missing data.
PMID- 28992167
TI - Muscle involvement in systemic sclerosis: points to consider in clinical trials.
AB - SSc is clinically and pathogenetically heterogeneous. Consensus standards for
trial design and outcome measures are needed. International experts experienced
in SSc clinical trial design and a researcher experienced in systematic
literature review screened the PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
Trials in order to develop points to consider when planning a clinical trial for
muscle involvement in SSc. The experts conclude that SSc-associated muscle
involvement is heterogeneous and lacks a universally accepted gold-standard for
measuring therapeutic response. Although outcome studies are currently limited by
the inability to clearly distinguish active, reversible muscle inflammation from
irreversible muscle damage and extramuscular organ involvement, strong
consideration should be given to enrolling patients with a myopathy that features
several elements of likely reversibility such as muscle weakness, biopsy-proven
active inflammation, an MRI indicating muscle inflammation and a baseline serum
creatinine kinase above three times the upper limit of normal to prevent floor
effect. Randomized controlled trials are preferred, with a duration of at least
24 weeks. Outcome measures should include a combination of elements that are
likely to be reversible, such as muscle weakness, biopsy-proven active
inflammation, creatinine kinase/aldolase and a quality of life questionnaire. The
individual measurements might require a short pre-study for further validation. A
biological sample repository is recommended.
PMID- 28992168
TI - Pulmonary hypertension related to systemic sclerosis: points to consider for
clinical trials.
AB - There are proven successful approaches to clinical trial design in pulmonary
arterial hypertension (PAH), which in turn have led to the licensing of a number
of effective therapies. SSc has been included in trials of World Health
Organization Group 1 PAH but has been under-represented. Responses in outcomes as
diverse as exercise capacity, quality of life, durability of drug effect and
survival have been reduced in comparison with those seen in idiopathic PAH. The
PAH community has achieved international and interdisciplinary consensus
guidelines for future studies. We consider the diverse outcome measures used in
trials in the context of the complexities of scleroderma. An argument is advanced
in favour of future trials focused exclusively on SSc but with adaptations of the
core outcome measures and trial design templates applicable to more general
studies of PAH.
PMID- 28992169
TI - Points to consider when doing a trial primarily involving the heart.
AB - Cardiac involvement contributes to the severity of SSc and should carefully be
investigated and managed in SSc patients. Although it is commonly sub-clinical,
once symptomatic it has a poor prognosis. Several complementary tools
(circulating biomarkers, electrocardiography, echocardiography, scintigraphy or
MRI) allow the assessment of all the various cardiac structures (endocardium,
myocardium and pericardium) and heart function. Treatment remains empirical but
cardiac trials in SSc can add data to the treatment of this complication.
PMID- 28992170
TI - Points to consider-Raynaud's phenomenon in systemic sclerosis.
AB - RP is an exaggerated vasospastic response to cold or emotion. Randomized, double
blind, placebo-controlled trials with either parallel group or cross-over trials
should be mainly considered. Cross-over design, which is good for early phase
trials of immediate or very short-term outcomes, is important in a condition as
heterogeneous as RP: a wash-out period between treatment arms should always be
included to minimize the possibility of a period (carry-over) effect. Duration of
RP trials is usually constrained by the need to complete these over a single
season, usually winter when the weather is colder. For cross-over trials, each
treatment arm tends to be 4 weeks or less. Frequency and duration of attacks, and
the Raynaud's Condition Score are widely used outcome measures. There is
increasing interest in physiological laboratory endpoints, for example laser
Doppler imaging at least for early phase trials.
PMID- 28992171
TI - Points to consider for skin ulcers in systemic sclerosis.
AB - This article discusses points to consider when undertaking a clinical trial to
test therapy for skin ulcers in SSc. A validated definition of skin ulcers should
be used if available. Defining a uniform SSc patient population, including
consideration of disease duration, history of digital ulcers and capillaroscopic
patterns, is important. Excluding confounding factors such as infection,
calcinosis and trauma should be strongly considered, or at least accounted for,
in defining patients. Outcome measures such as time to healing, prevention of new
ulcers, function, pain and objective measures such as US, laser Doppler and
thermography can be considered as outcome measures, although their validation has
not yet been achieved and efforts may be needed to validate them before use.
Likewise, biomarkers should be considered or consideration should be given to
storing serum, plasma or cells for possible future analysis. A pre-planned
analysis is important and should include consideration of missing data.
PMID- 28992172
TI - Points to consider in renal involvement in systemic sclerosis.
AB - This article discusses points to consider when undertaking a clinical trial to
test therapy for renal involvement in SSc, not including scleroderma renal
crisis. Double-blind, randomized controlled trials vs placebo or standard
background therapy should be strongly considered. Inclusion criteria should
consider a pre-specified range of renal functions or stratification of renal
function. Gender and age limitations are probably not necessary. Concomitant
medications including vasodilators, immunosuppressants and endothelin receptor
antagonists and confounding illnesses such as diabetes, kidney stones,
hypertension and heart failure need to be considered. A measure of renal function
should be strongly considered, while time to dialysis, mortality, prevention of
scleroderma renal crisis and progression of renal disease can also be considered,
although they remain to be validated. Detailed, pre-planned analysis should be
strongly considered and should include accounting for missing data.
PMID- 28992175
TI - Trial methodology in scleroderma: Avoiding a shot in the dark.
PMID- 28992173
TI - Assessment of skin involvement in systemic sclerosis.
AB - Skin involvement in SSc is an important marker of disease activity, severity and
prognosis, making the assessment of skin a key issue in SSc clinical research. We
reviewed the published data assessing skin involvement in clinical trials and
summarized the major conclusions important in SSc clinical research. A systematic
literature review identified randomized controlled trials using skin outcomes in
SSc. Analysis examined the validity of the different skin measures based on
literature findings. Twenty-two randomized controlled trials were found. The
average study duration was 10.2 (s.d. 4.5) months, mean (s.d.) sample size 32.4
(32.6) and 26.7 (27.8) in intervention and control arms, respectively. The 17
site modified Rodnan skin score is a fully validated primary outcome measure in
diffuse cutaneous SSc. Skin histology seems to be an appropriate method for
evaluation of skin thickness. These findings have important implications for
clinical trial design targeting skin involvement in SSc.
PMID- 28992174
TI - Interstitial lung disease points to consider for clinical trials in systemic
sclerosis.
AB - Interstitial lung disease causes major morbidity and mortality in patients with
systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD). Large randomized clinical trials in SSc-ILD have
provided important information regarding the feasibility, reliability and
validity of outcome measures. Forced vital capacity percentage predicted should
be considered as a primary outcome measure, with inclusion of appropriate
radiological and patient-reported measures. We provide practical recommendations
for trial design in SSc-ILD.
PMID- 28992176
TI - Disproportionate Exposure to Antibiotics in Children at Risk for Invasive
Pneumococcal Disease: Potential for Emerging Resistance and Opportunity for
Antibiotic Stewardship.
AB - We compared antibiotic prescribing for children with and those without an
underlying chronic condition associated with increased risk for invasive
pneumococcal disease. Children with a chronic condition had significantly greater
cumulative exposure to antibiotics and higher rates of prescriptions per person
year than those without a chronic condition; this population is at increased risk
for the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens.
PMID- 28992177
TI - Cutin from agro-waste as a raw material for the production of bioplastics.
AB - Cutin is the main component of plant cuticles constituting the framework that
supports the rest of the cuticle components. This biopolymer is composed of
esterified bi- and trifunctional fatty acids. Despite its ubiquity in terrestrial
plants, it has been underutilized as raw material due to its insolubility and
lack of melting point. However, in recent years, a few technologies have been
developed to obtain cutin monomers from several agro-wastes at an industrial
scale. This review is focused on the description of cutin properties,
biodegradability, chemical composition, processability, abundance, and the state
of art of the fabrication of cutin-based materials in order to evaluate whether
this biopolymer can be considered a source for the production of renewable
materials.
PMID- 28992178
TI - Tadalafil Improves L-NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester-Induced Preeclampsia With
Fetal Growth Restriction-Like Symptoms in Pregnant Mice.
AB - BACKGROUND: We investigated the efficacy and mechanisms of tadalafil, a selective
phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, in treating preeclampsia (PE) with fetal growth
restriction (FGR) using L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced PE with
FGR in pregnant mice as our experimental model. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were
divided into 2 groups 11 days postcoitum (d.p.c.). A control group of dams (C
dam) received 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). A L-NAME-treated group received
1 mg/ml L-NAME dissolved in CMC. The L-NAME-treated dams were divided into 2
subgroups 13 d.p.c. One subgroup continued to receive L-NAME (L dams). The other
subgroup received L-NAME with 0.08 mg/ml tadalafil suspended in CMC (TL dams).
Maternal systolic blood pressure (SBP) and proteinuria were assessed 16 d.p.c.
Fetal weight was recorded, and placentas and maternal kidneys were collected 17
d.p.c. RESULTS: Maternal SBP, proteinuria, and fetal weight were improved for TL
dams compared to L dams. The placental concentration of placental growth factor
(PlGF) was higher for TL dams than for the C and L dams. The placental maternal
blood sinuses of L dams were narrower than those of C dams, but those of TL dams
improved to a similar width as C dams. Glomerular oxidative stress was
ameliorated in TL dams compared to L dams. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil dilates the
placental maternal blood sinuses, which leads to increase PlGF production, and
contributes to facilitate fetal growth and improve maternal SBP. Moreover,
tadalafil ameliorates glomerular damage by reducing oxidative stress. These
results suggest that tadalafil is a candidate for treatment of PE with FGR.
PMID- 28992179
TI - Overexpression of the class D MADS-box gene Sl-AGL11 impacts fleshy tissue
differentiation and structure in tomato fruits.
AB - MADS-box transcription factors are key elements of the genetic networks
controlling flower and fruit development. Among these, the class D clade gathers
AGAMOUS-like genes which are involved in seed, ovule, and funiculus development.
The tomato genome comprises two class D genes, Sl-AGL11 and Sl-MBP3, both
displaying high expression levels in seeds and in central tissues of young
fruits. The potential effects of Sl-AGL11 on fruit development were addressed
through RNAi silencing and ectopic expression strategies. Sl-AGL11-down-regulated
tomato lines failed to show obvious phenotypes except a slight reduction in seed
size. In contrast, Sl-AGL11 overexpression triggered dramatic modifications of
flower and fruit structure that include: the conversion of sepals into fleshy
organs undergoing ethylene-dependent ripening, a placenta hypertrophy to the
detriment of locular space, starch and sugar accumulation, and an extreme
softening that occurs well before the onset of ripening. RNA-Seq transcriptomic
profiling highlighted substantial metabolic reprogramming occurring in sepals and
fruits, with major impacts on cell wall-related genes. While several Sl-AGL11
related phenotypes are reminiscent of class C MADS-box genes (TAG1 and TAGL1),
the modifications observed on the placenta and cell wall and the Sl-AGL11
expression pattern suggest an action of this class D MADS-box factor on early
fleshy fruit development.
PMID- 28992180
TI - Integrating "Evo" and "Devo": The Limb as Model Structure.
AB - Reconciling the origins of morphological diversity with the deep homology of
underlying mechanisms is a question fundamental to the goals of evolutionary
developmental biology ("evo-devo" or EDB). In this paper I argue that differing
research agendas in evolutionary and developmental biology have hindered how we
address this question, but that the limb provides ideal "common ground" for their
fuller integration. To support this idea, I review two previous analyses of limb
variation in mammal, bird, and reptile taxa that offer complementary approaches
to explaining diversity. Specifically, I present evidence suggesting that: (1) a
shared genetic architecture affects the pattern of between limb developmental
integration, while their functional dissociation is linked to both increased
phenotypic evolvability and diversity of interlimb proportions, and (2) within
limb proportional diversity is biased such that proximal and distal segments
function as tradeoffs while the middle segment is more conservative, a signal
that is both evident from early in morphogenesis and suggestive of an "inhibitory
cascade" model of limb proximo-distal axis development. In the first case, shared
genetic mechanisms predict both observed developmental integration between limbs
and patterns of clade-specific diversity. In the second case, underappreciated
patterns of phenotypic diversity suggest novel insights into the underlying
developmental mechanisms by which variation is generated. These studies show how
insights from both evolutionary and developmental biology of the limb may be used
to generate novel testable hypotheses into the origins of diversity that are
broadly applicable to the integration of EDB.
PMID- 28992181
TI - Requirement of glycosylation machinery in TLR responses revealed by CRISPR/Cas9
screening.
AB - The Toll family of receptors sense microbial products and activate a defense
response. The molecular machinery required for the TLR response is not yet fully
understood. In the present study, we used a clustered, regularly interspaced,
short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CAS9 screening system to study TLR responses.
We employed a cell line expressing TLR with an NF-kappaB-driven GFP reporter. The
cell line was transduced with a guide RNA (gRNA) library and stimulated with TLR
ligands. The cells impaired in GFP induction were sorted, and gRNAs were
sequenced. Identified genes were ranked according to the count of sequence reads
and the number of gRNA target sites. The screening system worked correctly, as
molecules that were already known to be required for the TLR response were
identified by the screening. Furthermore, this system revealed that the
oligosaccharide transferase complex (OSTC) mediating co-translational
glycosylation was required for TLR5, 7 and 9 responses. Protein expression of
TLR5, but not an irrelevant molecule (CD44), was abolished by the lack of OSTC,
suggesting the essential role of glycosylation in TLR5 protein stability. These
results demonstrate that the screening system established here is able to reveal
molecular mechanisms underlying the TLR response.
PMID- 28992182
TI - Association of DNA repair gene polymorphisms with genotoxic stress in underground
coal miners.
AB - In underground coal mining, numerous harmful substances and ionising radiation
pose a major threat to the occupational safety and health of workers. Because
cell DNA repair machinery eliminates genotoxic stress conferred by these agents,
we examined whether single nucleotide polymorphisms in hOGG1 (rs1052133), XRCC1
(rs25487), ADPRT (rs1136410), XRCC4 (rs6869366) and LIG4 (rs1805388) genes
modulate the genotoxic damage assessed by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus
assay in lymphocytes from 143 underground coal miners and 127 healthy non-exposed
males. We also analyzed models of gene-gene interactions associated with
increased cytogenetic damage in coal miners and determined 'protective' and
'risk' combinations of alleles. We showed that miners with the G/G genotype of
the hOGG1 (rs1052133) gene had a significantly increased frequency of binucleated
lymphocytes with micronuclei (13.170/00, 95% CI = 10.78-15.56) compared to the
C/C genotype carriers (10.350/00, 95% CI = 9.59-11.18). In addition, in the
exposed group this indicator was significantly increased in carriers of the T/T
genotype of the LIG4 (rs1805388) gene compared to miners harbouring the C/T
genotype (13.000/00, 95% CI = 10.96-15.04 and 9.690/00, 95% CI = 8.32-11.06,
respectively). Using the multifactor dimensionality reduction method, we found
the three-locus model of gene-gene interactions hOGG1 (rs1052133) * ADPRT
(rs1136410) * XRCC4 (rs6869366) associated with high genotoxic risk in coal
miners. These results indicate that the studied polymorphisms and their
combinations are associated with cytogenetic status in miners and may be used as
molecular predictors of occupational risks in underground coal mines.
PMID- 28992185
TI - Accuracy of Administrative Data for Antimicrobial Administration in Hospitalized
Children.
AB - Administrative data are often used as a proxy for medication-administration
record (MAR) data. Multicenter MAR data were compared retrospectively with
administrative data from January 2010 through June 2013 from the Pediatric Health
Information Systems database. We found that administrative data were more
concordant with bill-upon-administration than bill-upon-dispense data.
PMID- 28992184
TI - Immune complexes containing serum B-cell activating factor and immunoglobulin G
correlate with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB - Methods: Levels of serum BAFF, IgG anti-BAFF and BAFF-IgG complexes were
quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgG anti-BAFF and BAFF-IgG
complexes were further characterized using serum fractions obtained by fast
protein liquid chromatography. To study the association of serum BAFF, IgG anti
BAFF and BAFF-IgG complex levels with SLE manifestations, 373 visits from 178
patients prospectively included in the Swiss SLE Cohort Study were analysed.
Results: While IgG anti-BAFF levels were not associated with clinical
manifestations of SLE, serum BAFF levels correlated with disease activity and
were higher in patients with renal involvement. Interestingly, we could also
demonstrate the occurrence of BAFF-IgG complexes of different sizes in the sera
of SLE patients, which were not due to treatment with belimumab and differed from
complexes constructed in vitro. Most strikingly, the levels of these BAFF-IgG
complexes were found to strongly correlate with overall disease activity, low
complement levels and a history of lupus nephritis. Conclusion: BAFF-IgG
complexes strongly correlate with disease activity in SLE patients, suggesting a
pathogenic role in SLE.
PMID- 28992186
TI - Evolution of nuclear auxin signaling: lessons from genetic studies with basal
land plants.
AB - Auxin plays critical roles in growth and development through the regulation of
cell differentiation, cell expansion, and pattern formation. The auxin signal is
mainly conveyed through a so-called nuclear auxin pathway involving the receptor
TIR1/AFB, the transcriptional co-repressor AUX/IAA, and the transcription factor
ARF with direct DNA-binding ability. Recent progress in sequence information and
molecular genetics in basal plants has provided many insights into the
evolutionary origin of the nuclear auxin pathway and its pleiotropic roles in
land plant development. In this review, we summarize the latest knowledge of the
nuclear auxin pathway gained from studies using basal plants, including
charophycean green algae and two major model bryophytes, Marchantia polymorpha
and Physcomitrella patens. In addition, we discuss the functional implication of
the increase in genetic complexity of the nuclear auxin pathway during land plant
evolution.
PMID- 28992183
TI - ER stress-induced aggresome trafficking of HtrA1 protects against proteotoxicity.
AB - High temperature requirement A1 (HtrA1) belongs to an ancient protein family that
is linked to various human disorders. The precise role of exon 1-encoded N
terminal domains and how these influence the biological functions of human HtrA1
remain elusive. In this study, we traced the evolutionary origins of these N
terminal domains to a single gene fusion event in the most recent common ancestor
of vertebrates. We hypothesized that human HtrA1 is implicated in unfolded
protein response. In highly secretory cells of the retinal pigmented epithelia,
endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress upregulated HtrA1. HtrA1 co-localized with
vimentin intermediate filaments in highly arborized fashion. Upon ER stress,
HtrA1 tracked along intermediate filaments, which collapsed and bundled in an
aggresome at the microtubule organizing center. Gene silencing of HtrA1 altered
the schedule and amplitude of adaptive signaling and concomitantly resulted in
apoptosis. Restoration of wild-type HtrA1, but not its protease inactive mutant,
was necessary and sufficient to protect from apoptosis. A variant of HtrA1 that
harbored exon 1 substitutions displayed reduced efficacy in rescuing cells from
proteotoxicity. Our results illuminate the integration of HtrA1 in the toolkit of
mammalian cells against protein misfolding and the implications of defects in
HtrA1 in proteostasis.
PMID- 28992188
TI - Strengthening public health capacity through a health promotion lens.
PMID- 28992187
TI - Sorting of SEC translocase SCY components to different membranes in chloroplasts.
AB - Membrane proteins that are imported into chloroplasts must be accurately routed
in order to establish and maintain the highly differentiated membranes
characteristic of these organelles. Little is known about the targeting
information or pathways involved, especially in the case of proteins with
multiple transmembrane domains. We have studied targeting of the SCY components
of the two SEC translocases in chloroplasts. SCY1 and SCY2 share a similar,
highly conserved structure with 10 transmembrane domains, but are targeted to
different membranes: the thylakoids and inner envelope, respectively. We used
protoplast transfections and a confocal microscopy imaging assay in combination
with a domain-swapping approach to investigate sorting pathways and identify
important targeting elements in these proteins. We show that the N-terminal
region of SCY1 contains targeting determinants that allow SCY1 to be recruited to
the signal-recognition particle pathway. In addition, substituting the N-terminal
region of SCY1 for the N-terminal region of SCY2 causes SCY2 to be displaced out
of the inner envelope. The region of SCY2 that contains transmembrane domains 3
and 4 is necessary for localization to the inner envelope and may serve as a
membrane anchor, enhancing the integration of other transmembrane domains via
either stop-transfer or post-import mechanisms.
PMID- 28992189
TI - Vitamin K antagonist use and mortality in dialysis patients.
AB - Background: The risk-benefit ratio of vitamin K antagonists for different CHA2DS2
VASc scores in patients with end-stage renal disease treated with dialysis is
unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between vitamin
K antagonist use and mortality for different CHA2DS2-VASc scores in a cohort of
end-stage renal disease patients receiving dialysis treatment. Methods: We
prospectively followed 1718 incident dialysis patients. Hazard ratios were
calculated for all-cause and cause-specific (stroke, bleeding, cardiovascular and
other) mortality associated with vitamin K antagonist use. Results: Vitamin K
antagonist use as compared with no vitamin K antagonist use was associated with a
1.2-fold [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0-1.5] increased all-cause mortality
risk, a 1.5-fold (95% CI 0.6-4.0) increased stroke mortality risk, a 1.3-fold
(95% CI 0.4-4.2) increased bleeding mortality risk, a 1.2-fold (95% CI 0.9-1.8)
increased cardiovascular mortality risk and a 1.2-fold (95% CI 0.8-1.6) increased
other mortality risk after adjustment. Within patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score
<=1, vitamin K antagonist use was associated with a 2.8-fold (95% CI 1.0-7.8)
increased all-cause mortality risk as compared with no vitamin K antagonist use,
while vitamin K antagonist use within patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score >=2 was
not associated with an increased mortality risk after adjustment. Conclusion:
Vitamin K antagonist use was not associated with a protective effect on mortality
in the different CHA2DS2-VASc scores in dialysis patients. The lack of knowledge
on the indication for vitamin K antagonist use could lead to confounding by
indication.
PMID- 28992191
TI - Obayashi et al. Respond to "Light at Night Predicts Depression-What Next?"
PMID- 28992190
TI - Identification of novel splicing variants of protein tyrosine phosphatase
receptor type Z.
AB - Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ, also known as PTPzeta or
RPTPbeta) is preferentially expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). PTPRZ
plays important roles during development and adulthood in CNS myelination,
learning and memory. Three splicing isoforms for PTPRZ have been identified to
date: two receptor type isoforms, PTPRZ-A and PTPRZ-B, and one secretory isoform,
PTPRZ-S. We herein identified novel PTPRZ receptor sub-isoforms without a seven
amino acid sequence encoded by exon 16. This sequence forms a part of the helix
turn-helix segment called the 'wedge' structure, which is located at the N
terminal region in the membrane-proximal protein tyrosine phosphatase domain. In
contrast to conventional receptor isoforms with uniform expression, the deleted
isoforms were expressed in the brain, but not in the retina, indicating the
tissue-specific splicing of exon 16. Biochemical analyses of PTPRZ intracellular
regions revealed differences in the characteristics of the deleted form, namely,
stronger binding activity to postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and greater
enrichment in the postsynaptic density fraction than the full-length form.
Furthermore, the exon 16-deleted form exhibited higher catalytic efficiency in
vitro. These results suggest that sub-isoforms of PTPRZ have different functions
because of variations in the wedge structure.
PMID- 28992192
TI - Association of Blood Pressure Variability Ratio With Glomerular Filtration Rate
Independent of Blood Pressure and Pulse Wave Velocity.
AB - BACKGROUND: Blood pressure variability ratio (BPVR)(derived from within-subject
SD of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure [BP]) predicts all-cause mortality
independent of BP and has a similar prognostic ability to ambulatory arterial
stiffness (AASI). Whether BPVR, and AASI, offer prognostic information beyond
measurements of arterial stiffness at a given pressure, as indexed by pulse wave
velocity (PWV), is not known. METHODS: We assessed whether BPVR and AASI were
associated with indices of subclinical organ damage (TOD) [estimated glomerular
filtration rate (eGFR), left ventricular mass index, early-to-late transmitral
velocity (E/A), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)] independent of BP, and
whether BPVR-TOD and AASI-TOD relations were independent of PWV (applanation
tonometry) in 772 randomly selected participants from an urban, developing
community. AASI was derived from 24-hour diastolic BP vs. systolic BP standard
linear regression. RESULTS: On bivariate analyses, BPVR, AASI, and PWV were
correlated with all indices of TOD (P < 0.0005). However, after adjustments for
potential confounders including age and 24-hour mean BP, BPVR, and PWV (P < 0.005
to P < 0.0001), but not AASI (P > 0.25), were independently associated with eGFR,
but not other indices of TOD. Importantly, the BPVR-eGFR relation was independent
of BP variability (P < 0.005) and PWV (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: BPVR was
negatively associated with eGFR independent of mean BP, BP variability, and PWV.
Therefore, in the prediction of cardiovascular risk, measurements of arterial
stiffening (BPVR) may provide information beyond the impact of arterial
stiffness.
PMID- 28992193
TI - Pulse Pressure Within 3 Months After Ischemic Stroke Is Associated With Long-Term
Stroke Outcomes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pulse pressure (PP) is a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness.
Studies on baseline PP and long-term outcomes in patients with stroke are
limited. We aimed to evaluate whether PP within 3 months after ischemic stroke
was associated with long-term stroke outcomes. METHODS: A total of 4,195 patients
(61.2 +/- 11.6 years, 68.4% men) with first-ever ischemic stroke in 3 months had
baseline blood pressure (BP) measured. Study end-points were the combined end
points (recurrent vascular events and all-cause mortality) and recurrent stroke.
RESULTS: In the group <60 years of age, the BP components of systolic BP (SBP),
diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), or PP did not significantly
correlate with long-term stroke outcomes. In the group >=60 years of age, PP was
significantly associated with combined end-points (hazards ratio [HR] = 1.35; 95%
confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.54) and recurrent stroke (HR = 1.46; 95% CI,
1.24-1.72). Combination of SBP and PP, DBP and PP, or MAP and PP, respectively,
showed no incremental value of SBP, DBP, or MAP in predicting long-term stroke
outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: PP was significantly associated with long-term stroke
outcomes, and this association was prominent in patients with stroke older than
60 years of age.
PMID- 28992194
TI - A Novel Display System Reveals Anisotropic Polarization Perception in the Motion
Vision of the Butterfly Papilio xuthus.
AB - While the linear polarization of light is virtually invisible to humans, many
invertebrates' eyes can detect it. How this information is processed in the
nervous system, and what behavioral function it serves, are in many cases
unclear. One reason for this is the technical difficulty involved in presenting
images or video containing polarization contrast, particularly if intensity
and/or color contrast is also required. In this primarily methods-focused
article, we present a novel technique based on projecting video through a
synchronously rotating linear polarizer. This approach allows the intensity,
angle of polarization, degree of linear polarization, and potentially also color
of individual pixels to be controlled independently. We characterize the
performance of our system, and then use it to investigate the relationship
between polarization and motion vision in the swallowtail butterfly Papilio
xuthus. Although this animal has photoreceptors sensitive to four different
polarization angles, we find that its motion vision cannot distinguish between
diagonally-polarized and unpolarized light. Furthermore, it responds more
strongly to vertically-polarized moving objects than horizontally-polarized ones.
This implies that Papilio's polarization-based motion detection employs either an
unbalanced two-channel (dipolatic) opponent architecture, or possibly a single
channel (monopolatic) scheme without opponent mechanisms.
PMID- 28992195
TI - Neural Versus Gonadal GnIH: Are they Independent Systems? A Mini-Review.
AB - Based on research in protochordates and basal vertebrates, we know that
communication across the first endocrine axes likely relied on diffusion. Because
diffusion is relatively slow, rapid responses to some cues, including stress
related cues, may have required further local control of axis outputs (e.g.,
steroid hormone production by the gonads). Despite the evolution of much more
efficient circulatory systems and complex nervous systems in vertebrates,
production of many "neuro"transmitters has been identified outside of the
hypothalamus across the vertebrate phylogeny and these neurotransmitters are
known to locally regulate endocrine function. Our understanding of tissue
specific neuropeptide expression and their role coordinating
physiological/behavioral responses of the whole organism remains limited, in
part, due to nomenclature and historic dogma that ignores local regulation of
axis output. Here, we review regulation of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH)
across the reproductive axis in birds and mammals to bring further attention to
context-dependent disparities and similarities in neuropeptide production by the
brain and gonads. We find that GnIH responsiveness to cues of stress appears
conserved across species, but that the response of specific tissues and the
direction of GnIH regulation varies. The implications of differential regulation
across tissues remain unclear in most studies, but further work that manipulates
and contrasts function in different tissues has the potential to inform us about
both organism-specific function and endocrine axis evolution.
PMID- 28992196
TI - Canalization of Seasonal Phenology in the Presence of Developmental Variation:
Seed Dormancy Cycling in an Annual Weed.
AB - Variation in the developmental timing in one life stage may ramify within and
across generations to disrupt optimal phenology of other life stages. By focusing
on a common mechanism of developmental arrest in plants-seed dormancy-we
investigated how variation in flowering time influenced seed germination behavior
and identified potential processes that can lead to canalized germination
behavior despite variation in reproductive timing. We quantified effects of
reproductive timing on dormancy cycling by experimentally manipulating the
temperature during seed maturation and the seasonal timing of seed
dispersal/burial, and by assessing temperature-dependent germination of un
earthed seeds over a seasonal cycle. We found that reproductive timing, via both
seed-maturation temperature and the timing of dispersal, strongly influenced
germination behavior in the weeks immediately following seed burial. However,
buried seeds subsequently canalized their germination behavior, after losing
primary dormancy and experiencing natural temperature and moisture conditions in
the field. After the complete loss of primary dormancy, germination behavior was
similar across seed-maturation and dispersal treatments, even when secondary
dormancy was induced. Maternal effects themselves may contribute to the
canalization of germination: first, by inducing stronger dormancy in autumn
matured seeds, and second by modifying the responses of those seeds to their
ambient environment. Genotypes differed in dormancy cycling, with functional
alleles of known dormancy genes necessary for the suppression of germination at
warm temperatures in autumn through spring across multiple years. Loss of
function of dormancy genes abolished almost all dormancy cycling. In summary,
effects of reproductive phenology on dormancy cycling of buried seeds were
apparent only as long as seeds retained primary dormancy, and a combination of
genetically imposed seed dormancy, maternally induced seed dormancy, and
secondary dormancy can mitigate variation in germination behavior imposed by
variation in reproductive phenology.
PMID- 28992198
TI - Analysing the dynamics of a model for alopecia areata as an autoimmune disorder
of hair follicle cycling.
AB - Alopecia areata (AA) is a CD8$^{+}$ T cell-dependent autoimmune disease that
disrupts the constantly repeating cyclic transformations of hair follicles (HFs).
Among the three main HF cycle stages-growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and
relative quiescence (telogen)-only anagen HFs are attacked and thereby forced to
prematurely enter into catagen, thus shortening active hair growth substantially.
After having previously modelled the dynamics of immune system components
critically involved in the disease development (Dobreva et al., 2015), we here
present a mathematical model for AA which incorporates HF cycling and illustrates
the anagen phase interruption in AA resulting from an inflammatory autoimmune
response against HFs. The model couples a system describing the dynamics of
autoreactive immune cells with equations modelling the hair cycle. We illustrate
states of health, disease and treatment as well as transitions between them. In
addition, we perform parameter sensitivity analysis to assess how different
processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis and input from stem cells, impact
anagen duration in healthy versus AA-affected HFs. The proposed model may help in
evaluating the effectiveness of existing treatments and identifying new potential
therapeutic targets.
PMID- 28992199
TI - Retention of Core Meiotic Genes Across Diverse Hymenoptera.
AB - The cellular mechanisms of meiosis are critical for proper gamete formation in
sexual organisms. Functional studies in model organisms have identified genes
essential for meiosis, yet the extent to which this core meiotic machinery is
conserved across non-model systems is not fully understood. Moreover, it is
unclear whether deviation from canonical modes of sexual reproduction is
accompanied by modifications in the genetic components involved in meiosis. We
used a robust approach to identify and catalogue meiosis genes in Hymenoptera, an
insect order typically characterized by haplodiploid reproduction. Using newly
available genome data, we searched for 43 genes involved in meiosis in 18 diverse
hymenopterans. Seven of eight genes with roles specific to meiosis were found
across a majority of surveyed species, suggesting the preservation of core
meiotic machinery in haplodiploid hymenopterans. Phylogenomic analyses of the
inventory of meiosis genes and the identification of shared gene duplications and
losses provided support for the grouping of species within Proctotrupomorpha,
Ichneumonomorpha, and Aculeata clades, along with a paraphyletic Symphyta. The
conservation of meiosis genes across Hymenoptera provides a framework for
studying transitions between reproductive modes in this insect group.
PMID- 28992200
TI - Effects of Radiation From Contaminated Soil and Moss in Fukushima on
Embryogenesis and Egg Hatching of the Aphid Prociphilus oriens.
AB - Radiation-contaminated soils are widespread around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Power Plant, and such soils raise concerns over its harmful effect on soil
dwelling organisms. We evaluated the effects of contaminated soil and moss
sampled in Fukushima on the embryogenesis and hatching of aphid eggs, along with
the measurement of the egg exposure dose. Cs-137 concentration in soil and moss
from Fukushima ranged from 2200 to 3300 Bq/g and from 64 to 105 Bq/g,
respectively. Eggs of the eriosomatine aphid Prociphilus oriens that were
collected from a non-contaminated area were directly placed on the soil and moss
for 4 or 3 months during diapause and then incubated until hatching. The total
exposure dose to the eggs was estimated as ca. 100-200 mGy in the 4-month soil
experiment and 4-10 mGy in the 4-month moss experiment. There was no significant
difference in egg hatchability between the contaminated soil treatment and the
control. No morphological abnormalities were detected in the first instars that
hatched from the contaminated soil treatment. However, we found weak effects of
radiation on egg hatching; eggs placed on the contaminated moss hatched earlier
than did the control eggs. On the contaminated soil, the effects of radiation on
egg hatching were not obvious because of uncontrolled environmental differences
among containers. The effects of radiation on egg hatching were detected only in
containers where high hatchability was recorded. Through the experiments, we
concluded that the aphid eggs responded to ultra-low-dose radiation by advancing
embryogenesis.
PMID- 28992197
TI - Relating cell shape and mechanical stress in a spatially disordered epithelium
using a vertex-based model.
AB - Using a popular vertex-based model to describe a spatially disordered planar
epithelial monolayer, we examine the relationship between cell shape and
mechanical stress at the cell and tissue level. Deriving expressions for stress
tensors starting from an energetic formulation of the model, we show that the
principal axes of stress for an individual cell align with the principal axes of
shape, and we determine the bulk effective tissue pressure when the monolayer is
isotropic at the tissue level. Using simulations for a monolayer that is not
under peripheral stress, we fit parameters of the model to experimental data for
Xenopus embryonic tissue. The model predicts that mechanical interactions can
generate mesoscopic patterns within the monolayer that exhibit long-range
correlations in cell shape. The model also suggests that the orientation of
mechanical and geometric cues for processes such as cell division are likely to
be strongly correlated in real epithelia. Some limitations of the model in
capturing geometric features of Xenopus epithelial cells are highlighted.
PMID- 28992201
TI - Progress Toward Rice Seed OMICS in Low-Level Gamma Radiation Environment in
Iitate Village, Fukushima.
AB - Here, we present an update on the next level of experiments studying the impact
of the gamma radiation environment, created post-March, 2011 nuclear accident at
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on rice plant and its next generation-the
seed. Japonica-type rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Koshihikari) plant was exposed to
low-level gamma radiation (~4 MUSv/h) in the contaminated Iitate Farm field in
Iitate village (Fukushima). Seeds were harvested from these plants at maturity,
and serve as the treated group. For control group, seeds (cv. Koshihikari) were
harvested from rice grown in clean soil in Soma city, adjacent to Iitate village,
in Fukushima. Focusing on the multi-omics approach, we have investigated the dry
mature rice seed transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome following cultivation of
rice in the radionuclide contaminated soil and compared it with the control group
seed (non-radioactive field-soil environment). This update article presents an
overview of both the multi-omics approach/technologies and the first findings on
how rice seed has changed or adapted its biology to the low-level radioactive
environment.
PMID- 28992203
TI - Music Therapy Practice Status and Trends Worldwide: An International Survey
Study.
AB - Background: The field of music therapy is growing worldwide. While there is a
wealth of country-specific information available, only a few have databased
workforce censuses. Currently, little to no descriptive data exists about the
global development of the profession. Objectives: The purpose of this study was
to obtain descriptive data about current demographics, practice status, and
clinical trends to inform worldwide advocacy efforts, training needs, and the
sustainable development of the field. Method: Music therapists (N = 2,495) who
were professional members of organizations affiliated with the World Federation
of Music Therapy (WFMT) served as a sample for this international cross-sectional
survey study. A 30-item online questionnaire was designed, pilot tested by key
partners, and translated into seven languages. Researchers and key partners
distributed the online survey through e-mail invitations and social media
announcements. Results: Professional music therapists worldwide are well
educated, mature professionals with adequate work experience, who are confident
in providing high-quality services primarily in mental health, school, and
geriatric settings. Due to ongoing challenges related to recognition and
government regulation of the field as an evidence-based and well-funded
healthcare profession, most individuals work part-time music therapy jobs and
feel underpaid. Yet, many music therapists have a positive outlook on the field's
future. Conclusions: Continued research and advocacy efforts, as well as
collaborations with lobbyists, business consultants, and credentialing/licensure
experts to develop progressive strategies, will be crucial for global development
and sustainability of the field.
PMID- 28992204
TI - Quality Improvement Feature Series Article 1: Introduction to Quality
Improvement.
AB - Quality improvement methods offer a rigorous approach to designing and
disseminating improvement efforts. This report is the first in a series to
introduce QI methodology, effective data display, and considerations in the
review of QI manuscripts.
PMID- 28992205
TI - National Estimates of Reductions in Acute Gastroenteritis-Related
Hospitalizations and Associated Costs in US Children After Implementation of
Rotavirus Vaccines.
AB - We compared acute gastroenteritis (AGE)-related hospitalization rates among
children <5 years of age during the pre-rotavirus vaccine (2000-2006) and post
rotavirus vaccine (2008-2013) periods to estimate national reductions in AGE
related hospitalizations and associated costs. We estimate that between 2008 and
2013, AGE-related hospitalizations declined by 382000, and $1.228 billion in
medical costs were averted.
PMID- 28992202
TI - Kruppel-like factors and vascular wall homeostasis.
AB - Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are major causes of death worldwide.
Identification of promising targets for prevention and treatment of CVDs is
paramount in the cardiovascular field. Numerous transcription factors regulate
cellular function through modulation of specific genes and thereby are involved
in the physiological and pathophysiological processes of CVDs. Although Kruppel
like factors (KLFs) have a similar protein structure with a conserved zinc finger
domain, they possess distinct tissue and cell distribution patterns as well as
biological functions. In the vascular system, KLF activities are regulated at
both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Growing in vitro, in vivo,
and genetic epidemiology studies suggest that specific KLFs play important roles
in vascular wall biology, which further affect vascular diseases. KLFs regulate
various functional aspects such as cell growth, differentiation, activation, and
development through controlling a whole cluster of functionally related genes and
modulating various signaling pathways in response to pathological conditions.
Therapeutic targeting of selective KLF family members may be desirable to achieve
distinct treatment effects in the context of various vascular diseases. Further
elucidation of the association of KLFs with human CVDs, their underlying
molecular mechanisms, and precise protein structure studies will be essential to
define KLFs as promising targets for therapeutic interventions in CVDs.
PMID- 28992206
TI - Dose escalation via brachytherapy boost for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the era
of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and combined chemotherapy.
AB - To investigate if dose escalation using intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT)
improves local control for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the era of intensity
modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemoradiation treatment
(CCRT). We retrospectively analyzed 232 patients with Stage T1-3 N0-3 M0 NPC who
underwent definitive IMRT with or without additional ICBT boost between 2002 and
2013. For most of the 124 patients who had ICBT boost, the additional
brachytherapy was given as 6 Gy in 2 fractions completed within 1 week after IMRT
of 70 Gy. CCRT with or without adjuvant chemotherapy was used for 176 patients,
including 88 with and 88 without ICBT boost, respectively. The mean follow-up
time was 63.1 months. The 5-year overall survival and local control rates were
81.5% and 91.5%, respectively. ICBT was not associated with local control
prediction (P = 0.228). However, in a subgroup analysis, 75 T1 patients with ICBT
boost had significantly better local control than the other 71 T1 patients
without ICBT boost (98.1% vs 85.9%, P = 0.020), despite having fewer patients who
had undergone chemotherapy (60.0% vs 76.1%, P = 0.038). Multivariate analysis
showed that both ICBT (P = 0.029) and chemotherapy (P = 0.047) influenced local
control for T1 patients. Our study demonstrated that dose escalation with ICBT
can improve local control of the primary tumor for NPC patients with T1 disease
treated with IMRT, even without chemotherapy.
PMID- 28992207
TI - Propensity Score-Based Methods in Comparative Effectiveness Research on Coronary
Artery Disease.
AB - This review examines the conduct and reporting of observational studies using
propensity score-based methods to compare coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG),
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or medical therapy for patients with
coronary artery disease. A systematic selection process identified 48 studies: 20
addressing CABG versus PCI; 21 addressing bare-metal stents versus drug-eluting
stents; 5 addressing CABG versus medical therapy; 1 addressing PCI versus medical
therapy; and 1 addressing drug-eluting stents versus balloon angioplasty. Of 32
studies reporting information on variable selection, 7 relied exclusively on
statistical criteria for the association of covariates with treatment, and 5 used
such criteria to determine whether product or nonlinear terms should be included
in the propensity score model. Twenty-five (52%) studies reported assessing
covariate balance using the estimated propensity score, but only 1 described
modifications to the propensity score model based on this assessment. The over
400 variables used in the 48 propensity score models were classified into 12
categories and 60 subcategories; only 17 subcategories were represented in at
least half of the propensity score models. Overall, reporting of propensity score
based methods in observational studies comparing CABG, PCI, and medical therapy
was incomplete; when adequately described, the methods used were often
inconsistent with current methodological standards.
PMID- 28992208
TI - Recent advances in auxin research in rice and their implications for crop
improvement.
AB - Auxin is essential for various aspects of plant development, and modulation of
auxin pathways has great potential for crop improvement. Although the current
understanding of auxin biology including auxin biosynthesis, transport, and
signaling mainly originated from studies in Arabidopsis, several key auxin genes
were first discovered in rice, indicating that it is useful to employ several
plant systems for auxin research. In this review, we summarize the recent
advances in auxin biology in rice, highlight the main contributions of rice
research to auxin biology, and discuss the potential for crop improvement through
modulating auxin pathways.
PMID- 28992209
TI - Protein secretion in plants: conventional and unconventional pathways and new
techniques.
AB - Protein secretion is an essential process in all eukaryotic cells and its
mechanisms have been extensively studied. Proteins with an N-terminal leading
sequence or transmembrane domain are delivered through the conventional protein
secretion (CPS) pathway from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi
apparatus. This feature is conserved in yeast, animals, and plants. In contrast,
the transport of leaderless secretory proteins (LSPs) from the cytosol to the
cell exterior is accomplished via the unconventional protein secretion (UPS)
pathway. So far, the CPS pathway has been well characterized in plants, with
several recent studies providing new information about the regulatory mechanisms
involved. On the other hand, studies on UPS pathways in plants remain
descriptive, although a connection between UPS and the plant defense response is
becoming more and more apparent. In this review, we present an update on CPS and
UPS. With the emergence of new techniques, a more comprehensive understanding of
protein secretion in plants can be expected in the future.
PMID- 28992211
TI - Using Sensitivity Analyses for Unobserved Confounding to Address Covariate
Measurement Error in Propensity Score Methods.
AB - Propensity score methods are a popular tool with which to control for confounding
in observational data, but their bias-reduction properties-as well as internal
validity, generally-are threatened by covariate measurement error. There are few
easy-to-implement methods of correcting for such bias. In this paper, we describe
and demonstrate how existing sensitivity analyses for unobserved confounding
propensity score calibration, VanderWeele and Arah's bias formulas, and
Rosenbaum's sensitivity analysis-can be adapted to address this problem. In a
simulation study, we examine the extent to which these sensitivity analyses can
correct for several measurement error structures: classical, systematic
differential, and heteroscedastic covariate measurement error. We then apply
these approaches to address covariate measurement error in estimating the
association between depression and weight gain in a cohort of adults in
Baltimore, Maryland. We recommend the use of VanderWeele and Arah's bias formulas
and propensity score calibration (assuming it is adapted appropriately for the
measurement error structure), as both approaches perform well for a variety of
propensity score estimators and measurement error structures.
PMID- 28992212
TI - The biochemistry and molecular biology of chlorophyll breakdown.
AB - Chlorophyll breakdown is one of the most obvious signs of leaf senescence and
fruit ripening. The resulting yellowing of leaves can be observed every autumn,
and the color change of fruits indicates their ripening state. During these
processes, chlorophyll is broken down in a multistep pathway, now termed the
'PAO/phyllobilin' pathway, acknowledging the core enzymatic breakdown step
catalysed by pheophorbide a oxygenase, which determines the basic linear
tetrapyrrole structure of the products of breakdown that are now called
'phyllobilins'. This review provides an update on the PAO/phyllobilin pathway,
and focuses on recent biochemical and molecular progress in understanding
phyllobilin-modifying reactions as the basis for phyllobilin diversity, on the
evolutionary diversity of the pathway, and on the transcriptional regulation of
the pathway genes.
PMID- 28992210
TI - The plasma membrane H+-ATPase gene family in Solanum tuberosum L. Role of PHA1 in
tuberization.
AB - This study presents the characterization of the plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPases
in potato, focusing on their role in stolon and tuber development. Seven PM H+
ATPase genes were identified in the Solanum tuberosum genome, designated PHA1
PHA7. PHA genes show distinct expression patterns in different plant tissues and
under different stress treatments. Application of PM H+-ATPase inhibitors arrests
stolon growth, promotes tuber induction, and reduces tuber size, indicating that
PM H+-ATPases are involved in tuberization, acting at different stages of the
process. Transgenic potato plants overexpressing PHA1 were generated (PHA1-OE).
At early developmental stages, PHA1-OE stolons elongate faster and show longer
epidermal cells than wild-type stolons; this accelerated growth is accompanied by
higher cell wall invertase activity, lower starch content, and higher expression
of the sucrose-H+ symporter gene StSUT1. PHA1-OE stolons display an increased
branching phenotype and develop larger tubers. PHA1-OE plants are taller and also
present a highly branched phenotype. These results reveal a prominent role for
PHA1 in plant growth and development. Regarding tuberization, PHA1 promotes
stolon elongation at early stages, and tuber growth later on. PHA1 is involved in
the sucrose-starch metabolism in stolons, possibly providing the driving force
for sugar transporters to maintain the apoplastic sucrose transport during
elongation.
PMID- 28992213
TI - Repression of TERMINAL FLOWER1 primarily mediates floral induction in pear (Pyrus
pyrifolia Nakai) concomitant with change in gene expression of plant hormone
related genes and transcription factors.
AB - Floral induction is an important event in the annual growth cycle of perennial
fruit trees. For pear, this event directly affects fruit production in the
following year. The flower buds in many species are induced by FLOWERING LOCUS T
(FT), whose effect is repressed by the meristem-expressed gene TERMINAL FLOWER1
(TFL1). In this study, we investigated the functions of pear FT and TFL1 genes
during floral development. Expression of pear FTs (PpFT1a and PpFT2a) in
reproductive meristems was not obviously induced prior to floral initiation,
while expression of TFL1s (PpTFL1-1a and PpTFL1-2a) rapidly decreased. The
induction of the productive meristem identity MADS-box gene AP1 after repression
of PpTFL1s suggested a primary role for PpTFL1 in floral induction. RNA-seq
analysis suggested that plant hormone-related genes and several transcription
factors that were coexpressed with PpTFL1 were potentially involved in the PpTFL1
mediated floral induction. Our data indicate the essential function of TFL1 in
pear floral induction and add another species in the family Rosaceae in addition
to strawberry and rose that shows a role for TFL1 in floral induction.
PMID- 28992214
TI - Differential production of interleukin-1 family cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-18, IL-33
and IL-37) in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis: correlation with clinical
form and antifungal therapy.
AB - Besides interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18, the newly described cytokines of IL-1
family IL-33 and IL-37 can contribute to the differentiation and maintenance of
different population of T cells. IL-33 acts as an allarmin and promotes a
predominant Th2 inflammatory response, whereas IL-37 plays an important role as
an antagonist of inflammation. In paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by the
dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii, it has been shown
that the acquired immune responses are associated with the diverse clinical
manifestations. The severe and disseminated forms (acute form [AF] and multifocal
chronic form [CF-MF]) are characterized by high Th2 cytokines and antibody
production, impaired cellular immune response, and eosinophilia. In contrast, in
the localized form (unifocal chronic form [CF-UF]), the cellular immune response
is preserved, with high production of Th1 and Th17 cytokines, and low antibody
titers. This study aimed to quantify interleukin-1 family cytokines (IL-1beta, IL
18, IL-37, IL-33, and the soluble IL-33 receptor sST2) in sera of patients
presenting different clinical forms of PCM before, during, and after antifungal
treatment, as well as to analyze the expression of these cytokines in lesions of
PCM patients. We found that AF patients presented high serum levels of IL-1beta,
IL-18, IL-33, sST2, and IL-37, and that these cytokines are strongly expressed in
lymph nodes lesions. Furthermore, antifungal therapy resulted in the diminution
of circulating cytokines and sST2 levels in all groups of patients. These results
indicate that, besides IL-1beta and IL-18, IL-33, IL-37, and sST2 can be
associated with the disease activity and severity.
PMID- 28992215
TI - Thermal Performance Curves Reveal Variation in the Seasonal Niche of a Short
Lived Annual.
AB - An organism's environment can vary over spatial and temporal scales. Seasonal
variation is an important but overlooked source of environmental variation that
often shapes the ranges of organisms. The seasonal niche is a description of the
spatiotemporal range of an organism resulting from spatial variation in seasonal
conditions. In this study, I describe the seasonal niche of a short-lived annual
plant, and variation within the species in seasonal niche breadth. I construct a
seasonal species distribution model (SDM) for the species, and using thermal
performance curves (TPCs), construct mechanistic SDMs (MSDMs) for individual
genotypes. I quantify the correlation between the suitability scores generated in
the SDM and the predicted dry weight generated by the MSDMs for each genotype, to
estimate variation in seasonal niche breadth among genotypes. Thus, the
parameters of TPCs reflect generalist/specialist strategies. I detected
significant relationships between thermal performance breadth and maximum
predicted fitness and significant correlations between optimal growth temperature
and thermal performance breadth. There were large positive correlations between
predictions of the SDM and MSDMs based on growth within individual genotypes. The
variation in these correlations suggests variation in the degree of
specialization. Genotypes with the broadest TPCs had the largest correlations
between their MSDMs and the SDM, suggesting that they were generalists. The
results show that correlative and MSDMs make similar predictions over the
seasonal range, and that ecological specialization can vary dramatically within
species.
PMID- 28992216
TI - Links between Natural Variation in the Microbiome and Host Fitness in Wild
Mammals.
AB - Recent studies in model organisms have shown that compositional variation in the
microbiome can affect a variety of host phenotypes including those related to
digestion, development, immunity, and behavior. Natural variation in the
microbiome within and between natural populations and species may also affect
host phenotypes and thus fitness in the wild. Here, I review recent evidence that
compositional variation in the microbiome may affect host phenotypes and fitness
in wild mammals. Studies over the last decade indicate that natural variation in
the mammalian microbiome may be important in the assistance of energy uptake from
different diet types, detoxification of plant secondary compounds, protection
from pathogens, chemical communication, and behavior. I discuss the importance of
combining both field observations and manipulative experiments in a single system
to fully characterize the functions and fitness effects of the microbiome.
Finally, I discuss the evolutionary consequences of mammal-microbiome
associations by proposing a framework to test how natural selection on hosts is
mediated by the microbiome.
PMID- 28992217
TI - Closing the mycetoma knowledge gap.
AB - On 28th May 2016, mycetoma was recognized as a neglected tropical disease by the
World Health Organization. This was the result of a 4-year journey starting in
February 2013 with a meeting of global mycetoma experts. Knowledge gaps were
identified and included the incidence, prevalence, and mapping of mycetoma; the
mode of transmission; the development of methods for early diagnosis; and better
treatment. In this review, we review the road to recognition, the ISHAM working
group meeting in Argentina, and we address the progress made in closing the
knowledge gaps since 2013. Progress included adding another 9000 patients to the
literature, which allowed us to update the prevalence map on mycetoma.
Furthermore, based on molecular phylogeny, species names were corrected and four
novel mycetoma causative agents were identified. By mapping mycetoma causative
agents an association with Acacia trees was found. For early diagnosis, three
different isothermal amplification techniques were developed, and novel antigens
were discovered. To develop better treatment strategies for mycetoma patients, in
vitro susceptibility tests for the coelomycete agents of black grain mycetoma
were developed, and the first randomized clinical trial for eumycetoma started
early 2017.
PMID- 28992218
TI - Long-term consequences of renal insufficiency in children: lessons learned from
the Dutch LERIC study.
AB - Few data exist on the prospects in adulthood for children on chronic renal
replacement therapy (RRT). This article summarizes the results of a comprehensive
Dutch long-term follow-up study performed in 2000 and 2010 of patients with RRT
onset at age <15 years between 1972 and 1992. After a median of 25.5 RRT years,
patients had stayed 23% of RRT time on dialysis. We observed a 30 times greater
mortality risk compared with age-matched peers with cardiovascular disease (CVD)
as the main cause of death during 1972-2000 and infections during 2000-10. The
observed shift towards infections was associated with more RRT time with a graft
and receiving a stricter CVD protective treatment. For patients >40 years of age,
motor disabilities affecting routine activities, skin cancer and severe fatigue
were the most disabling sequelae. After 30 years of transplantation, 41% of the
survivors had developed cancer, a life-threatening form of squamous cell skin
carcinoma being most prevalent. Important delays in autonomy development and
educational attainment and a relatively high level of unemployment were observed.
Transplanted patients reported a good mental and physical quality of life, but
the latter tended to decrease over time. A long period of dialysis was associated
with all adverse somatic and psychosocial outcomes. Paediatric nephrologists
should aim for transplantation at the earliest possible time and focus on
autonomy and educational attainment. Nephrologists should focus on strict CVD
prevention, adjustment of immunosuppression to the lowest possible dose and
surveillance of malignancy-associated viral infections in patients with childhood
end-stage renal disease.
PMID- 28992219
TI - Childhood Health Outcomes in Term, Large-for-Gestational-Age Babies With
Different Postnatal Growth Patterns.
AB - Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) babies have a higher risk of metabolic disease
later in life, and their postnatal growth in early childhood may be associated
with long-term adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine childhood health
outcomes of term LGA babies with different growth patterns. Data were obtained
from the US Collaborative Perinatal Project for the years between 1959 and 1976.
The growth trajectories of 3,316 term LGA babies were identified and odds ratios
of obesity, growth restriction, low intelligence quotient (IQ), and high blood
pressure (HBP) were calculated by logistic regression. Compared with term
appropriate-for-gestational-age infants, term LGA babies without catch-down
growth had increased risks of obesity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 6.37, 95%
confidence interval (CI): 5.24, 7.73) and HBP (aOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.03).
Those with high catch-down growth had higher risks of growth restriction (aOR =
2.21, 95% CI: 1.66, 2.95) and low IQ (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.49).
Nevertheless, infants with small catch-down growth had lower risks of obesity
(aOR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.95), growth restriction (aOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.17,
0.46), low IQ (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.41, 1.06), and HBP (aOR = 0.89, 95% CI:
0.77, 1.04). According to our data, term LGA infants with small catch-down growth
had no increased risks of adverse outcomes.
PMID- 28992221
TI - The diabetes pandemic suggests unmet needs for 'CKD with diabetes' in addition to
'diabetic nephropathy'-implications for pre-clinical research and drug testing.
AB - Curing 'diabetic nephropathy' is considered an unmet medical need of high
priority. We propose to question the concept of 'diabetic nephropathy' that
implies diabetes as the predominant cause of kidney disease, which may not apply
to the majority of type 2 diabetics approaching end-stage kidney disease. With
the onset of diabetes, hyperglycaemia/sodium-glucose co-transporter-2-driven
glomerular hyperfiltration promotes nephron hypertrophy, which, however, on its
own, causes proteinuria not before a decade later, probably because podocyte
hypertrophy can usually accommodate an increase in the filtration surface. In
contrast, precedent chronic kidney disease (CKD), that is, few nephrons per body
mass, e.g. due to poor nephron endowment from birth, obesity, pregnancy, or renal
ageing or injury-related nephron loss, usually precedes the onset of type 2
diabetes. This applies in particular in older adults, and each on its own, but
especially in combination, further aggravates single nephron hyperfiltration and
glomerular hypertrophy. Whenever this additional hyperglycaemia-driven
enlargement of the glomerular filtration surface exceeds the capacity of
podocytes for hypertrophy, podocytes detachment leads to glomerulosclerosis and
nephron loss, i.e. CKD progression. Animal models of 'diabetic nephropathy' based
only on hyperglycaemia do not mimic this aspect and therefore poorly predict
outcomes of clinical trials usually performed on elderly CKD patients with type 2
diabetes. Thus, we advocate the use of renal mass (nephron) ablation in type 2
diabetic animals to better mimic the pathophysiology of 'CKD with diabetes' in
the target patient population and the use of the glomerular filtration rate as a
primary endpoint to more reliably predict trial outcomes.
PMID- 28992220
TI - Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Kenyan Adolescents With the Sickle Cell
Trait.
AB - The potential association between sickle cell trait (SCT) and increased arterial
stiffness/blood pressure (BP) has not been evaluated in detail despite its
association with stroke, sudden death, and renal disease. We performed 24-hour
ambulatory BP monitoring and arterial stiffness measurements in adolescents
raised in a malaria-free environment in Kenya. Between December 2015 and June
2016, 938 randomly selected adolescents (ages 11-17 years) who had been
continuous residents of Nairobi from birth were invited to participate in the
study. Standard clinic BP measurement was performed, followed by 24-hour
ambulatory BP monitoring and arterial stiffness measurement using an
Arteriograph24 (TensioMed Ltd., Budapest, Hungary) device. SCT status was
determined using DNA genotyping in contemporaneously collected blood samples. Of
the 938 adolescents invited to participate, 609 (65%) provided complete data for
analysis. SCT was present in 103 (15%). Mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic BPs
were 116 (standard deviation (SD), 11.5) mm Hg and 64 (SD, 7) mm Hg,
respectively, in children with SCT and 117 (SD, 11.4) mm Hg and 64 (SD, 6.8) mm
Hg, respectively, in non-SCT children. Mean pulse wave velocity (PWV) was 7.1
(SD, 0.8) m/second and 7.0 (SD, 0.8) m/second in SCT and non-SCT children,
respectively. We observed no differences in PWV or in any clinic or ambulatory BP
derived measures between adolescents with and without SCT. These data suggest
that SCT does not independently influence BP or PWV.
PMID- 28992222
TI - Affinity labelling in situ of the bL12 protein on E. coli 70S ribosomes by means
of a tRNA dialdehyde derivative.
AB - In this report, we have used periodate-oxidized tRNA (tRNAox) as an affinity
laleling reagent to demonstrate that: (i) the bL12 protein contacts the CCA-arm
of P-site bound tRNA on the Escherichia coli 70S ribosomes; (ii) the
stoichiometry of labelling is one molecule of tRNAox bound to one polypeptide
chain of endogenous bL12; (iii) cross-linking in situ of bL12 with tRNAox on the
ribosomes provokes the loss of activity; (iv) intact tRNA protects bL12 in the
70S ribosomes against cross-linking with tRNAox; (v) both tRNAox and pyridoxal 5'
phosphate (PLP) compete for the same or for proximal cross-linking site(s) on
bL12 inside the ribosome; (vi) the stoichiometry of cross-linking of PLP to the
recombinant E. coli bL12 protein is one molecule of PLP covalently bound per
polypeptide chain; (vii) the amino acid residue of recombinant bL12 cross-linked
with PLP is Lys-65; (viii) Lys-65 of E. coli bL12 corresponds to Lys-53 of eL42
which was previously shown to cross-link with P-site bound tRNAox on human 80S
ribosomes in situ; (ix) finally, E. coli bL12 and human eL42 proteins display
significant primary structure similarities, which argues for evolutionary
conservation of these two proteins located at the tRNA-CCA binding site on
eubacterial and eukaryal ribosomes.
PMID- 28992223
TI - Etiology and renal outcomes of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis: a single
center prospective cohort study in China.
AB - Background: The aim of this study was to explore the etiology, long-term renal
outcomes and affecting factors of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN).
Methods: Patients with biopsy-proven ATIN from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2013
at Peking University First Hospital were enrolled in the study and received
scheduled follow-up for at least 24 months. The causes of ATIN were defined at
biopsy and reclassified during follow-up. Factors affecting renal recovery at 6
months post-biopsy and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 12 months
post-biopsy and at the end of follow-up were analyzed. Results: A total of 157
ATIN patients were enrolled, with an average follow-up of 48 months (range 24-108
months). A modified etiology spectrum was identified, with a decreased proportion
of drug-induced ATIN (D-ATIN, 64% at biopsy to 50% after follow-up) and an
increase in autoimmune-related ATIN (22-41%) with late-onset systemic
manifestations in patients who had been classified as D-ATIN or ATIN of unknown
cause. Recurrent kidney injury was observed in 51% of the patients with
tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU), 53% of those with an
autoimmune disease and 8% of those with D-ATIN, resulting in prolonged
immunosuppressive treatment. By 12 months, decreased eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2)
was observed in 47% of the patients with D-ATIN, 74% of those with TINU and 57%
of those with other autoimmune diseases. In multivariable analysis, female sex,
older age, presence of hypertension and recurrent kidney injury were independent
risk factors for worse renal outcomes. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that
autoimmune-related ATIN may present with systemic manifestations after kidney
injury and is, therefore, commonly misdiagnosed. Repeated kidney injury is not
uncommon in patients with ATIN. Scheduled follow-up is, therefore, critical for
defining the exact etiology and proper management of ATIN.
PMID- 28992225
TI - A guideline for leaf senescence analyses: from quantification to physiological
and molecular investigations.
AB - Leaf senescence is not a chaotic breakdown but a dynamic process following a
precise timetable. It enables plants to economize with their resources and
control their own viability and integrity. The onset as well as the progression
of leaf senescence are co-ordinated by a complex genetic network that
continuously integrates developmental and environmental signals such as biotic
and abiotic stresses. Therefore, studying senescence requires an integrative and
multi-scale analysis of the dynamic changes occurring in plant physiology and
metabolism. In addition to providing an automated and standardized method to
quantify leaf senescence at the macroscopic scale, we also propose an analytic
framework to investigate senescence at physiological, biochemical, and molecular
levels throughout the plant life cycle. We have developed protocols and suggested
methods for studying different key processes involved in senescence, including
photosynthetic capacities, membrane degradation, redox status, and genetic
regulation. All methods presented in this review were conducted on Arabidopsis
thaliana Columbia-0 and results are compared with senescence-related mutants.
This guideline includes experimental design, protocols, recommendations, and the
automated tools for leaf senescence analyses that could also be applied to other
species.
PMID- 28992224
TI - Modulation of leucocytic angiotensin-converting enzymes expression in patients
maintained on high-permeable haemodialysis.
AB - Background: High mortality of haemodialysis patients is associated with systemic
chronic inflammation and overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS).
Insufficient elimination of pro-inflammatory immune mediators, especially in the
molecular weight range of 15-45 kDa, may be one of the reasons for this.
Employment of haemodialysis membranes with increased permeability was shown to
ameliorate the inflammatory response and might modulate the effects of local RAS.
In this study, we tested the impact of high cut-off (HCO), medium cut-off (MCO)
and high-flux (HF) dialysis on leucocytic transcripts of angiotensin-converting
enzymes (ACE and ACE2). Additionally, the impact of HCO, MCO and HF sera and
dialysates on local ACEs and inflammation markers was tested in THP-1 monocytes.
Methods: Patients' leucocytes were obtained from our recent clinical studies
comparing HCO and MCO dialysers with HF. The cells were subjected to quantitaive
polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses with TaqMan probes specific for ACE,
ACE2 and angiotensin II (AngII) and Ang1-7 receptors. Sera and dialysates from
the clinical trials as well as samples from in vitro dialysis were tested on THP
1 monocytic cells. The cells were subjected to qPCR analyses with TaqMan probes
specific for ACE, ACE2, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha and
immunocytochemistry with ACE and ACE2 antibodies. Results: Leucocytes obtained
from patients treated with HCO or MCO demonstrated decreased transcript
expression of ACE, while ACE2 was significantly upregulated as compared with HF.
Receptors for AngII and Ang1-7 remained unchanged. THP-1 monocytes preconditioned
with HCO and MCO patients' or in vitro dialysis sera reflected the same
expressional regulation of ACE and ACE2 as those observed in HCO and MCO
leucocytes. As a complementary finding, treatment with HCO and MCO in vitro
dialysates induced a pro-inflammatory response of the cells as demonstrated by
elevated messenger RNA expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin
6, as well as upregulation of ACE and decreased levels of ACE2. Conclusions:
Taken together, these data demonstrate that employment of membranes with high
permeability eliminates a spectrum of mediators from circulation that affect the
RAS components in leucocytes, especially ACE/ACE2.
PMID- 28992226
TI - Arginine Vasotocin and Neuropeptide Y Vary with Seasonal Life-History Transitions
in Garter Snakes.
AB - Transitions between life-history stages are often accompanied by dramatic
behavioral switches that result from a shift in motivation to pursue one resource
over another. While the neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate such behavioral
transitions are poorly understood, arginine vasotocin (AVT) and neuropeptide Y
(NPY) are excellent candidates because they modulate reproductive and feeding
behavior, respectively. We asked if seasonal changes in AVT and NPY are
concomitant with the seasonal migration to and from the feeding grounds in red
sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis). Male and female snakes were
collected in different migratory states during both the spring and fall. The
total number of AVT- and NPY-immunoreactive (ir) cells was then quantified in
each brain region of interest. To correct for potential variation in region
volume related to sexually dimorphic body size in this species, we first
determined that snout-vent length is an accurate proxy for regional brain volume.
We then corrected each individual's ir cell number by its SVL to directly compare
seasonal changes in AVT and NPY between males and females. Within the supraoptic
nucleus, both males and females had more AVT-ir cells during the fall compared
with spring. As predicted, males had significantly more AVT-ir cells during the
spring mating season in the hypothalamus (HYP) and bed nucleus of the stria
terminalis, brain regions important in regulating reproductive behavior. Females
also had significantly more AVT-ir cells in the HYP during the spring, as well as
a significantly higher number of hypothalamic AVT cells than males. During the
fall, males had significantly more NPY-ir cells in the cortex and posterior HYP
compared with spring, possibly reflecting increased feeding behavior during
summer foraging. Females did not exhibit significant main effects of season on
NPY-ir cell number in any region. Neither AVT- nor NPY-ir cell number varied
significantly with migratory status, but we did observe significant changes
related to seasonal transitions in reproductive state. Our results indicate that
changes in brain AVT and NPY are associated with seasonal transitions in
reproductive and foraging behaviors, and may be involved in mediating sex
differences in the timing of life-history events.
PMID- 28992227
TI - Pluripotency and a secretion mechanism of Drosophila transglutaminase.
AB - Transglutaminase (TG) catalyses the formation of an isopeptide bond between
glutamine and lysine residues and amine incorporation into specific glutamine
residues. TG is conserved in all metazoans and functions both intracellularly and
extracellularly. Here we review the existing knowledge of Drosophila TG with an
emphasis on its pluripotency: Drosophila TG (i) plays a key role in cuticular
morphogenesis, haemolymph coagulation, and entrapment against invading pathogens,
(ii) suppresses the immune deficiency pathway to enable immune tolerance against
commensal bacteria through the incorporation of polyamines into the nuclear
factor-kappaB-like transcription factor Relish as well as through the protein
protein cross-linking of Relish, (iii) forms a physical matrix in the gut through
cross-linking of chitin-binding proteins and (iv) is involved in the maintenance
of homeostasis in microbiota in the gut. Moreover, we review the evidence that TG
A, one of alternative splicing-derived isoforms of Drosophila TG, is secreted
through an endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi-independent pathway involving exosomes and
fatty acylations.
PMID- 28992228
TI - Three-dimensional observations of morphology of low-angle boundaries in ultra-low
carbon lath martensite.
AB - The lath martensite structure contains hierarchical substructures, such as
blocks, packets and prior austenite grains. Generally, high-angle grain
boundaries in the lath martensite structure, i.e. block boundaries, are
correlated to mechanical properties. On the other hand, low-angle grain
boundaries play an important role in morphological development. However, it is
difficult to understand their nature because of the difficulty associated with
the characterization of the complex morphologies by two-dimensional techniques.
This study aims to identify the morphologies of low-angle boundaries in ultra-low
carbon lath martensite. A serial-sectioning method and electron backscatter
diffraction analysis are utilized to reconstruct three-dimensional objects and
analyse their grain boundaries. A packet comprizes two low-angle grain boundaries
- sub-block and fine packet boundaries. Sub-blocks exhibit porous morphology,
with two large sub-blocks predominantly occupying a block. Several fine packets
with different habit planes from the surrounding regions are observed. Fine
packets are present in blocks, which frequently share a close-packed direction
with the neighbouring fine packets. In addition, fine packets are in contact with
the sub-block boundaries.
PMID- 28992230
TI - Social Cognition and the Neurobiology of Rodent Mate Choice.
AB - Various aspects of sociality, including mate choice, are dependent on social
information. Mate choice is a social cognitive process that encompasses
mechanisms for acquiring, processing, retaining and acting on social information.
Social cognition includes the acquisition of social information about others
(i.e., social recognition) and social information from others (i.e., social
learning). Social cognition involves both assessing other individuals and their
condition (e.g., health, infection status) and deciding about when and how to
interact with them, thus, providing a frame-work for examining mate choice and
its associated neurobiological mechanisms. In vertebrates, and in particular
rodents, odors are an essential source of direct and indirect social information
not only from others but also for others. Here, we briefly consider the relations
between social cognition and olfactory-mediated mate choice in rodents. We
briefly discuss aspects of: (1) social recognition of potential mates and the
impact of infection threat on mate choice; (2) social learning and the
utilization of the mate choices of others ("mate-choice copying") including in
the context of infection; and (3) the neurobiological mechanisms, with particular
focus on particular the roles of the nonapeptide, oxytocin and the steroid
hormones, estrogens, associated with social cognition and mate choice.
PMID- 28992229
TI - Meta-analysis of cognitive functioning in patients following kidney
transplantation.
AB - Background: There is mixed evidence regarding the nature of cognitive function in
patients who have undergone renal transplantation. The aim of this meta-analysis
was to examine which cognitive domains are impacted following kidney
transplantation and how performance compares with non-transplanted patients or
healthy controls/normative data. Method: A systematic search was conducted using
keywords within three databases (Embase, MEDLINE and PsychINFO), yielding 458
unique studies, 10 of which met the inclusion criteria. Neuropsychological tests
were grouped into nine cognitive domains and three separate analyses were
undertaken within each domain: (i) within subjects pre- versus post-transplant,
(ii) transplanted versus non-transplanted patients and (iii) transplanted versus
healthy matched controls and standardized normative data. Results: Transplanted
patients showed moderate to large improvements in the domains of general
cognitive status (g = 0.526), information and motor speed (g = 0.558), spatial
reasoning (g = 0.376), verbal memory (g = 0.759) and visual memory (g = 0.690)
when compared with their pre-operative scores. Test scores in the same five
domains were significantly better in post-transplanted patients when compared
with dialysis-dependant or conservatively managed chronic kidney disease
patients. However, post-transplanted patients' performance was significantly low
compared with that of healthy controls (and standardized normative data) in the
domains of executive functioning (g = -0.283), verbal fluency (g = -0.657) and
language (g = -0.573). Conclusions: Two key issues arise from this review. First,
domain-specific cognitive improvement occurs in patients after successful
transplantation. Nevertheless, transplanted patients still performed
significantly below healthy controls in some domains. Second, there are important
shortcomings in existing studies; the length of follow-up is typically short and
only limited neuropsychological test batteries are employed. These factors are
important in order to support the recovery of cognitive function among patients
following renal transplant.
PMID- 28992231
TI - Triacylglycerol is produced from starch and polar lipids in the green alga
Dunaliella tertiolecta.
AB - The halotolerant green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta accumulates starch and
triacylglycerol (TAG) amounting to 70% and 10-15% of total cellular carbon,
respectively, when exposed to nitrogen (N) deprivation. The purpose of this study
was to clarify the inter-relationships between the biosynthesis of TAG, starch,
and polar lipids (PLs) in this alga. Pulse labeling with [14C]bicarbonate was
utilized to label starch and [14C]palmitic acid (PlA) to label lipids. Transfer
of 14C into TAG was measured and used to calculate rates of synthesis. About two
thirds of the carbon in TAG originates from starch, and one-third is made de novo
by direct CO2 assimilation. The level made from degradation of pre-formed PLs is
estimated to be very small. Most of the de novo synthesis involves fatty acid
transfer through PLs made during the first day of N deprivation. The results
suggest that starch made by photosynthetic carbon assimilation at the early
stages of N deprivation is utilized for synthesis of TAG. Trans-acylation from
PLs is the second major contributor to TAG biosynthesis. The utilization of
starch for TAG biosynthesis may have biotechnological applications to optimize
TAG biosynthesis in algae.
PMID- 28992232
TI - Development of a minipig physical phantom from CT data.
AB - Quantification of pathological progression of radiation-induced injury is
essential in development of treatment methods, and a proper animal model is
necessary for relevant radiological and medical studies. A minipig is a current
animal model selected because of its similarities to humans in anatomy and
pathology. In the present study, a minipig physical phantom was developed using
computed tomography (CT) data. For dosimetry purposes, the minipig physical
phantom was constructed on a slice-by-slice basis, with an array of holes to
accommodate dosimeters. The phantom is constituted of three major organs, i.e.
bone, lung, and remaining soft tissue, and the organs are clearly distinguishable
on each 20-mm-thick axial slice. The quality of the tissue-equivalent (TE)
substitutes was analyzed in terms of the atomic compositions and Hounsfield units
(HUs). The density (in g/cm3) and effective atomic number of TE substitutes for
the bone, lung, and soft tissue are 1.4 and 7.9, 0.5 and 10.0, and 1.0 and 5.9,
respectively. Although the TE substitutes have slightly different physical
properties, we think the phantom is acceptable because the HU values of the TE
substitutes lie in the HU range of real tissues.
PMID- 28992233
TI - Boundary-artifact-free determination of potential distribution from differential
phase contrast signals.
AB - The differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging in STEM was mainly used for a study
of magnetic material in a medium resolution. An ideal DPC signals give the center
of mass of the diffraction pattern, which is proportional to an electric field.
Recently, the possibility of the DPC imaging at atomic resolution was
demonstrated. Thus, the DPC imaging opens up the possibility to observe the
object phase that is proportional to the electrostatic potential.In this report
we investigate the numerical procedures to obtain the object phase from the two
perpendicular DPC signals. Specifically, we demonstrate that the discrete cosine
transform (DCT) is the method to solve the Poisson equation, since we can use the
Neumann boundary condition directly specified by the DPC signals. Furthermore,
based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of an extended DPC signal we introduce
the scheme that gives an equivalent result that is obtained with the DCT. The
results obtained with the DCT and extended FFT method are superior to the results
obtained with commonly used FFT. In addition, we develop real-time integration
schemes that update the result with the progress of the scan. Our real-time
integration gives the reasonable result, and can be used in a view mode. We
demonstrate that our numerical procedures work excellently with the experimental
DPC signals obtained from SrTiO3 single crystal.
PMID- 28992234
TI - Pharmacologic management of diabetic retinopathy.
AB - Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss in working-age
populations, primarily attributable to retinal vascular hyperpermeability,
hypoperfusion, and neoangiogenesis. In the past decade, laser photocoagulation
and surgical interventions to treat DR have been replaced by topical
administrations of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs and
corticosteroids. Although these drugs have revolutionized clinical management of
DR, their limited efficacy and adverse effects have raised an increasing demand
for new drug development. Meanwhile, mouse retinas have been prevalently employed
as an experimental model system for angiogenic research, which has greatly
contributed to the understanding of general principles in vascular biology.
Therefore, clinical ophthalmology and basic research have complimentarily
accumulated invaluable information for DR drug discovery. This review highlights
the current pharmacologic management of DR, the utility of experimental mouse
retinal models, and the perspectives on new drugs targeting the angioepoitin-Tie2
signals.
PMID- 28992235
TI - Treatment by immunoadsorption for recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
after paediatric kidney transplantation: a multicentre French cohort.
AB - Background: Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) frequently recurs
after kidney transplantation (KTx) in children. This can lead to delayed graft
loss. As the management of children with recurrent FSGS is not well established,
apheresis strategies could be a cornerstone to control the disease.
Immunoadsorption (IA) is a recent apheresis therapy. There have been few studies
examining IA in this setting. We report the results of IA for management of
recurrent FSGS after KTx in children in France. Methods: We included all children
treated with IA for early FSGS recurrence after KTx between January 2011 and June
2014 in France. We excluded genetic forms of FSGS. Patients' characteristics and
technical data on IA were retrospectively collected. Recurrence was defined as
nephrotic proteinuria during the post-transplantation period. Partial and
complete remissions were defined when urine protein:creatinine ratios were less
than 0.2 and 0.05 g/mmol, respectively. Results: Twelve patients, from six
paediatric KTx units, presenting with FSGS recurrence between 0 and 21 days after
KTx were treated with IA. Ten of 12 children were responders: 2 achieved partial
remission and 8 complete remission. The decrease of proteinuria rapidly occurred
within the first 10 sessions after initiating IA. After 3 months of IA, two
patients maintained remission without IA and eight became IA dependent. No severe
side effects were reported. Conclusions: Our study reports on the efficacy of IA
in the recurrence of FSGS after KTx in children. Further prospective controlled
studies are required to confirm these results and to optimize the management of
FSGS recurrence after paediatric KTx.
PMID- 28992236
TI - Bedroom Light Exposure at Night and the Incidence of Depressive Symptoms: A
Longitudinal Study of the HEIJO-KYO Cohort.
AB - Previous studies have indicated that minimal exposure to light at night (LAN)
increases depression risk, even at 5 lux, in nocturnal and diurnal mammals.
Although such low-level LAN may affect human circadian physiology, the
association between exposure to LAN and depressive symptoms remains uncertain. In
the present study, bedroom light intensity was measured objectively, and
depressive symptoms were assessed, during 2010-2014 in Nara, Japan. Of 863
participants (mean age = 71.5 years) who did not have depressive symptoms at
baseline, 73 participants reported development of depressive symptoms during
follow-up (median, 24 months). Compared with the "dark" group (average of <5 lux;
n = 710), the LAN group (average of >=5 lux; n = 153) exhibited a significantly
higher depression risk (hazard ratio = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.13, 3.14), according to a
Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and
economic status. Further, the significance remained in a multivariable model
adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, and sleep parameters (hazard ratio = 1.72;
95% CI: 1.03, 2.89). Sensitivity analyses using bedroom light data with a cutoff
value of >=10 lux suggested consistent results. In conclusion, these results
indicated that exposure to LAN in home settings was independently associated with
subsequent depression risk in an elderly general population.
PMID- 28992238
TI - Anti-adhesive effects of plant wax coverage on insect attachment.
AB - The long period of reciprocal antagonistic coevolution between some insect and
plant species has led to the development of plant surface attributes that reduce
insect attachment. These features serve as a defence against herbivores, sap
sucking insects and nectar robbers, contribute to a temporary capture of insect
pollinators, and prevent the escape of insects from traps of carnivorous plants.
This review summarises the literature on attachment-mediated insect-plant
interactions. A short introduction to attachment systems of insects is presented
and the effect of three-dimensional epicuticular waxes on insect attachment is
illustrated by many examples. Special attention is given to the mechanisms of the
anti-attachment properties of plant wax structures (the roughness hypothesis, the
contamination hypothesis, the fluid-adsorption hypothesis, and the wax-dissolving
hypothesis) and their ecological implications.
PMID- 28992237
TI - Impacts of Metabolic Syndrome Scores on Cerebrovascular Conductance Are Mediated
by Arterial Stiffening.
AB - BACKGROUND: Individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) exhibit reduced cerebral
blood flow. The mechanisms of this reduction remain unknown but arterial
stiffening has been implicated as a contributor. We determined if MetS was
associated with reduced cerebral blood flow at midlife, and if so, whether
arterial stiffness was responsible for mediating their relation. METHODS: Middle
aged (40-60 years) community dwelling adults (n = 83) were studied. MetS score
was calculated for each subject. Middle cerebral artery hemodynamics was measured
using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Indices of aortic, systemic, and carotid
artery stiffness were derived. RESULTS: Subjects had subclinical MetS pathology
(MetS score = 19.8 +/- 10.4) that was inversely associated with cerebrovascular
conductance (CVC: r = -0.261, P = 0.02). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity
(cfPWV) (r = -0.188, P = 0.09), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) (r =
0.161, P = 0.15), and carotid artery distensibility (r = -0.10, P = 0.37)
abrogated the direct association of MetS score and CVC, demonstrating full
mediation. Nonparametric bootstrapping further indicated significant indirect
effects of cfPWV, baPWV, and carotid artery distensibility, fully mediating
reductions of CVC exerted from sublcinical MetS. Carotid artery distensibility
demonstrated the greatest effect on CVC (B = -0.0019, SE = 0.0012, -0.0050 to
0.0002 95% confidence interval). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial stiffness, particularly
the stiffness of the carotid artery, mediated reductions in CVC related to MetS.
PMID- 28992239
TI - Investigation of the efficacy and safety of CyberKnife hypofractionated
stereotactic radiotherapy for brainstem metastases using a new evaluation
criterion: 'symptomatic control'.
AB - The treatment of brainstem metastases remains a challenge as the brainstem itself
is considered a neurological organ at risk. We aimed to investigate the efficacy
and safety of CyberKnife hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HFSRT) for
brainstem metastases, and to examine the balance between efficacy and safety for
the management of neurological symptoms. A total of 26 lesions [pons (n = 18),
medulla (n = 4) and midbrain (n = 4)] in 20 patients treated with CyberKnife
hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The
total radiation doses (18-30 Gy) were delivered in 3 or 5 equal fractions. The
median follow-up was 6.5 (range, 0.5-38.0) months. The 6- and 12-month local
control rates were 100% and 90%, respectively. Symptomatic failures, defined as
the worsening and appearance of neurological symptoms due to the brainstem lesion
after CyberKnife HFSRT, were observed in 6 patients [local failure (n = 1) and
adverse events (n = 5). The symptomatic control and overall survival rates were
90% and 72% (after 6 months), respectively, and 76% and 53% (after 12 months),
respectively. Longer symptomatic control was associated with site of lesion
origin, and longer overall survival was associated with a graded prognostic
assessment score of >2. To our knowledge, this is the second study to investigate
the efficacy and safety of CyberKnife HFSRT for brainstem metastases. The local
control rate was comparable with that of prior stereotactic radiosurgery studies.
We propose a new evaluation criterion-'symptomatic control'-to evaluate the
efficacy and safety of brainstem radiotherapy.
PMID- 28992241
TI - Applicability of non-linear imaging in high-resolution transmission electron
microscopy.
AB - According to transmission cross-coefficient theory, the information limit of non
linear imaging in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy is, under
certain conditions, far beyond that of linear imaging, which suggests the
possibility of using high-frequency information for structural determination. In
this article, we studied the information beyond the linear information limit by
means of multislice method simulation, with AlN as an example, and more
structural information was obtained by using part of the high-frequency
information.
PMID- 28992240
TI - Alteration of molecular assembly of peroxiredoxins from hyperthermophilic
archaea.
AB - Peroxiredoxin from Pyrococcus horikoshii (PhPrx) is a decameric protein formed by
ring-type assembly of five dimers. To engineer the quaternary structure of PhPrx,
we created a mutant PhPrx (PhPrx6m) by introducing six point mutations designed
to dissociate PhPrx into dimers. Although PhPrx6m was a dimer in solution, the
six dimers assembled into a dodecamer following crystallization. In the crystal
structure, PhPrx6m was overoxidized, and the peroxidatic cysteine was in sulfonic
acid form and two cysteines in the C-terminal region were linked by an
intramolecular disulfide bond. Thus, we characterized the wild-type PhPrx
overoxidized by hydrogen peroxide (PhPrxPer). Analytical ultracentrifugation
showed that PhPrxPer had a higher molecular mass in solution than PhPrx. This was
confirmed by analysis of the crystal structure of PhPrxPer, which was found to
form a ring-type dodecamer composed of six dimers. The monomeric structures of
PhPrx6m and PhPrxPer differed from that of PhPrx in the relative orientation of
two domains, reflecting the number of dimers in the ring-type assembly. Unlike
PhPrx, homologous peroxiredoxin from Aeropyrum pernix (ApPrx) did not undergo
hexameric association. This property can be explained by the stronger connection
between the two domains in ApPrx due to its C-terminal extension relative to
PhPrx.
PMID- 28992242
TI - The Origin and Evolutionary Consequences of Skeletal Traits Shaped by Embryonic
Muscular Activity, from Basal Theropods to Modern Birds.
AB - Embryonic muscular activity (EMA) is involved in the development of several
distinctive traits of birds. Modern avian diversity and the fossil record of the
dinosaur-bird transition allow special insight into their evolution. Traits
shaped by EMA result from mechanical forces acting at post-morphogenetic stages,
such that genes often play a very indirect role. Their origin seldom suggests
direct selection for the trait, but a side-effect of other changes such as
musculo-skeletal rearrangements, heterochrony in skeletal maturation, or
increased incubation temperature (which increases EMA). EMA-shaped traits like
sesamoids may be inconstant, highly conserved, or even disappear and then
reappear in evolution. Some sesamoids may become increasingly influenced in
evolution by genetic-molecular mechanisms (genetic assimilation). There is also
ample evidence of evolutionary transitions from sesamoids to bony eminences at
tendon insertion sites, and vice-versa. This can be explained by newfound
similarities in the earliest development of both kinds of structures, which
suggest these transitions are likely triggered by EMA. Other traits that require
EMA for their formation will not necessarily undergo genetic assimilation, but
still be conserved over tens and hundreds of millions of years, allowing
evolutionary reduction and loss of other skeletal elements. Upon their origin,
EMA-shaped traits may not be directly genetic, nor immediately adaptive.
Nevertheless, EMA can play a key role in evolutionary innovation, and have
consequences for the subsequent direction of evolutionary change. Its role may be
more important and ubiquitous than currently suspected.
PMID- 28992243
TI - Mp1p homologues as virulence factors in Aspergillus fumigatus.
AB - Recently, we showed that Mp1p is an important virulence factor of Talaromyces
marneffei, a dimorphic fungus phylogenetically closely related to Aspergillus
fumigatus. In this study, we investigated the virulence properties of the four
Mp1p homologues (Afmp1p, Afmp2p, Afmp3p, and Afmp4p) in A. fumigatus using a
mouse model. All mice died 7 days after challenge with wild-type A. fumigatus
QC5096, AFMP1 knockdown mutant, AFMP2 knockdown mutant and AFMP3 knockdown mutant
and 28 days after challenge with AFMP4 knockdown mutant (P<.0001). Only 11% of
mice died 30 days after challenge with AFMP1-4 knockdown mutant (P<.0001). For
mice challenge with AFMP1-4 knockdown mutant, lower abundance of fungal elements
was observed in brains, kidneys, and spleens compared to mice challenge with
QC5096 at day 4 post-infection. Fungal counts in brains of mice challenge with
QC5096 or AFMP4 knockdown mutant were significantly higher than those challenge
with AFMP1-4 knockdown mutant (P<.01 and P<.05). Fungal counts in kidneys of mice
challenge with QC5096 or AFMP4 knockdown mutant were significantly higher than
those challenge with AFMP1-4 knockdown mutant (P<.001 and P<.001) and those of
mice challenge with QC5096 were significantly higher than those challenge with
AFMP4 knockdown mutant (P<.05). There is no difference among the survival rates
of wild-type A. fumigatus, AFMP4 knockdown mutant and AFMP1-4 knockdown mutant,
suggesting that Mp1p homologues in A. fumigatus do not mediate its virulence via
improving its survival in macrophage as in the case in T. marneffei. Afmp1p,
Afmp2p, Afmp3p, and Afmp4p in combination are important virulence factors of A.
fumigatus.
PMID- 28992244
TI - LincRNA-1614 coordinates Sox2/PRC2-mediated repression of developmental genes in
pluripotency maintenance.
AB - Large-intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) cooperate with core transcription
factors to coordinate the pluripotency network of embryonic stem cells. The
mechanisms by which lincRNAs affect chromatin structure and gene transcription
remain mostly unknown. Here, we identified that a lincRNA (linc1614), occupied by
pluripotency factors at its promoter, was indispensable for both maintenance and
acquisition of pluripotency. Linc1614 served as a specific partner of core factor
Sox2 in maintaining pluripotency, primarily by mediating the function of Sox2 in
the repression of developmental genes. Moreover, Ezh2, an essential subunit of
polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), physically interacted with linc1614 and
contributed to lincRNA-mediated transcriptional silencing. Thus, we propose that
the interplay of linc1614 with Sox2 implicates this lincRNA as a recruitment
platform that mediates transcriptional silencing by guiding the PRC2 complex to
the loci of developmental genes.
PMID- 28992245
TI - A Complex Lens for a Complex Eye.
AB - A key innovation for high resolution eyes is a sophisticated lens that precisely
focuses light onto photoreceptors. The eyes of holometabolous larvae range from
very simple eyes that merely detect light to eyes that are capable of high
spatial resolution. Particularly interesting are the bifocal lenses of
Thermonectus marmoratus larvae, which differentially focus light on spectrally
distinct retinas. While functional aspects of insect lenses have been relatively
well studied, little work has explored their molecular makeup, especially in
regard to more complex eye types. To investigate this question, we took a
transcriptomic and proteomic approach to identify the major proteins contributing
to the principal bifocal lenses of T. marmoratus larvae. Mass spectrometry
revealed 10 major lens proteins. Six of these share sequence homology with
cuticular proteins, a large class of proteins that are also major components of
corneal lenses from adult compound eyes of Drosophila melanogaster and Anopheles
gambiae. Two proteins were identified as house-keeping genes and the final two
lack any sequence homologies to known genes. Overall the composition seems to
follow a pattern of co-opting transparent and optically dense proteins, similar
to what has been described for other animal lenses. To identify cells responsible
for the secretion of specific lens proteins, we performed in situ hybridization
studies and found some expression differences between distal and proximal
corneagenous cells. Since the distal cells likely give rise to the periphery and
the proximal cells to the center of the lens, our findings highlight a possible
mechanism for establishing structural differences that are in line with the
bifocal nature of these lenses. A better understanding of lens composition
provides insights into the evolution of proper focusing, which is an important
step in the transition between low-resolution and high-resolution eyes.
PMID- 28992246
TI - Dietary Protein Intake and Early Menopause in the Nurses' Health Study II.
AB - Early menopause, which is the cessation of ovarian function before age 45 years,
affects 5%-10% of Western women and is associated with an increased risk of
adverse health outcomes. Literature suggests that high levels of vegetable
protein intake may prolong female reproductive function. We evaluated the
association of long-term intake of vegetable protein, animal protein, and
specific protein-rich foods with incidence of early natural menopause in the
Nurses' Health Study II cohort. Women included in analyses (n = 85,682) were
premenopausal at baseline (1991) and followed until 2011 for onset of natural
menopause. Protein intake was assessed via food frequency questionnaire. In Cox
proportional hazard models that were adjusted for age, smoking, body mass index,
and other factors, women in the highest quintile of cumulatively averaged
vegetable protein intake (median, 6.5% of calories) had a significant 16% lower
risk of early menopause compared with women in the lowest quintile (3.9% of
calories; 95% confidence interval: 0.73, 0.98; P for trend = 0.02). Intake of
specific foods, including pasta, dark bread, and cold cereal, was also associated
with lower risk (P < 0.05). Conversely, animal protein intake was unrelated to
risk. High consumption of vegetable protein, equivalent to 3-4 servings per day
of protein-rich foods, is associated with lower incidence of early menopause in
US women.
PMID- 28992247
TI - Physico-chemical properties of plant cuticles and their functional and ecological
significance.
AB - Most aerial plant surfaces are covered with a lipid-rich cuticle, which is a
barrier for the bidirectional transport of substances between the plant and the
surrounding environment. This review article provides an overview of the
significance of the leaf cuticle as a barrier for the deposition and absorption
of water and electrolytes. After providing insights into the physico-chemical
properties of plant surfaces, the mechanisms of foliar absorption are revised
with special emphasis on solutes. Due to the limited information and relative
importance of the leaf cuticle of herbaceous and deciduous cultivated plants, an
overview of the studies developed with Alpine conifers and treeline species is
provided. The significance of foliar water uptake as a phenomenon of
ecophysiological relevance in many areas of the world is also highlighted. Given
the observed variability in structure and composition among, for example, plant
species and organs, it is concluded that it is currently not possible to
establish general permeability and wettability models that are valid for
predicting liquid-surface interactions and the subsequent transport of water and
electrolytes across plant surfaces.
PMID- 28992249
TI - Association of dipstick hematuria with all-cause mortality in the general
population: results from the specific health check and guidance program in Japan.
AB - Background: Dipstick urine tests are used for general health screening in Japan.
The effects of this screening on mortality have not been examined, especially
with regard to hematuria. Methods: Subjects were those who participated in the
2008 Tokutei-Kenshin (nationwide specific health check and guidance program) in
six districts in Japan. Using the national database of death certificates from
2008 to 2012, we identified subjects who might have died. We verified the
candidates in collaboration with the regional National Health Insurance agency
and public health nurses. Data were released to the research team supported by
the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan. Dipstick results of 1+ and
higher were defined as hematuria (+). Hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval
(CI)] was calculated using the Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results: Among
112 115 subjects, we identified that 1290 had died by the end of 2012. In
hematuria (-) subjects, the crude mortality rates were 1.2% (1.8% in men, 0.7% in
women), whereas in hematuria (+) subjects, they were 1.1% (2.9% in men, 0.7% in
women). After adjusting for age, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration
rate, proteinuria, comorbid condition (diabetes mellitus, hypertension and
dyslipidemia), past history (stroke, heart disease and kidney disease) and
lifestyle (smoking, drinking, walking and exercise), the HR (95% CI) for dipstick
hematuria (+) in men was 1.464 (1.147-1.846; P = 0.003), whereas that for
hematuria (-) was 0.820 (0.617-1.073; P = 0.151). Conclusions: Dipstick hematuria
is significantly associated with mortality in men among Japanese community-based
screening participants.
PMID- 28992248
TI - Region-specific irradiation system with heavy-ion microbeam for active
individuals of Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB - Radiation may affect essential functions and behaviors such as locomotion,
feeding, learning and memory. Although whole-body irradiation has been shown to
reduce motility in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the detailed mechanism
responsible for this effect remains unknown. Targeted irradiation of the nerve
ring responsible for sensory integration and information processing would allow
us to determine whether the reduction of motility following whole-body
irradiation reflects effects on the central nervous system or on the muscle cells
themselves. We therefore addressed this issue using a collimating microbeam
system. However, radiation targeting requires the animal to be immobilized, and
previous studies have anesthetized animals to prevent their movement, thus making
it impossible to assess their locomotion immediately after irradiation. We
developed a method in which the animal was enclosed in a straight, microfluidic
channel in a polydimethylsiloxane chip to inhibit free motion during irradiation,
thus allowing locomotion to be observed immediately after irradiation. The head
region (including the central nervous system), mid region around the intestine
and uterus, and tail region were targeted independently. Each region was
irradiated with 12 000 carbon ions (12C; 18.3 MeV/u; linear energy transfer =
106.4 keV/MUm), corresponding to 500 Gy at a phi20 MUm region. Motility was
significantly decreased by whole-body irradiation, but not by irradiation of any
of the individual regions, including the central nervous system. This suggests
that radiation inhibits locomotion by a whole-body mechanism, potentially
involving motoneurons and/or body-wall muscle cells, rather than affecting motor
control via the central nervous system and the stimulation response.
PMID- 28992251
TI - Resolving the Trade-off Between Visual Sensitivity and Spatial Acuity-Lessons
from Hawkmoths.
AB - The visual systems of many animals, particularly those active during the day, are
optimized for high spatial acuity. However, at night, when photons are sparse and
the visual signal competes with increased noise levels, fine spatial resolution
cannot be sustained and is traded-off for the greater sensitivity required to see
in dim light. High spatial acuity demands detectors and successive visual
processing units whose receptive fields each cover only a small area of visual
space, in order to reassemble a finely sampled and well resolved image. However,
the smaller the sampled area, the fewer the photons that can be collected, and
thus the worse the visual sensitivity becomes-leading to the classical trade-off
between sensitivity and resolution. Nocturnal animals usually resolve this trade
off in favour of sensitivity, and thus have lower spatial acuity than their
diurnal counterparts. Here we review results highlighting how hawkmoths, a highly
visual group of insects with species active at different light intensities,
resolve the trade-off between sensitivity and spatial resolution. We compare
adaptations both in the optics and retina, as well as at higher levels of neural
processing in a nocturnal and a diurnal hawkmoth species, and also give a
perspective on the behavioral consequences. We broaden the scope of our review by
drawing comparisons with the adaptive strategies used by other nocturnal and
diurnal insects.
PMID- 28992250
TI - Equivalency of the quality of sublethal lesions after photons and high-linear
energy transfer ion beams.
AB - The quality of the sublethal damage (SLD) after irradiation with high-linear
energy transfer (LET) ion beams was investigated with low-LET photons. Chinese
hamster V79 cells and human squamous carcinoma SAS cells were first exposed to a
priming dose of different ion beams at different LETs at the Heavy Ion Medical
Accelerator in the Chiba facility. The cells were kept at room temperature and
then exposed to a secondary test dose of X-rays. Based on the repair kinetics
study, the surviving fraction of cells quickly increased with the repair time,
and reached a plateau in 2-3 h, even when cells had received priming
monoenergetic high-LET beams or spread-out Bragg peak beams as well as X-ray
irradiation. The shapes of the cell survival curves from the secondary test X
rays, after repair of the damage caused by the high-LET irradiation, were similar
to those obtained from cells exposed to primary X-rays only. Complete SLD repairs
were observed, even when the LET of the primary ion beams was very high. These
results suggest that the SLD caused by high-LET irradiation was repaired well,
and likewise, the damage caused by the X-rays. In cells where the ion beam had
made a direct hit in the core region in an ion track, lethal damage to the domain
was produced, resulting in cell death. On the other hand, in domains that had
received a glancing hit in the low-LET penumbra region, the SLD produced was
completely repaired.
PMID- 28992252
TI - Uromodulin-SlpA binding dictates Lactobacillus acidophilus uptake by intestinal
epithelial M cells.
AB - Bacterial access to the gut immune system is a crucial process to promote host
immune responses. The probiotic L-92 strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus exerts
anti-allergic immunomodulatory effects upon oral administration in mice. Here, we
show that microfold cells (M cells) are responsible for L-92 internalization for
evoking L-92-mediated immune responses. L-92 specifically bound to uromodulin, a
glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein expressed exclusively on M cells
among intestinal epithelial cells. Internalization of L-92 into M cells was
significantly reduced in uromodulin-deficient (Umod-/-) mice compared to Umod+/+
mice. Furthermore, the binding of L-92 to uromodulin was significantly decreased
after removal of surface layer protein A (SlpA) from the bacteria. Our study thus
revealed a crucial role of uromodulin on the M-cell surface for the uptake of
SlpA-positive lactic acid bacteria into M cells, possibly leading to subsequent
delivery of the bacteria to dendritic cells closely associated with M cells for
immunomodulation. Our study also shed light on the possibility that SlpA and
uromodulin could be used as vehicle and target, respectively, for efficient
mucosal vaccine delivery.
PMID- 28992253
TI - In vitro antifungal susceptibility patterns of planktonic and sessile Candida
kefyr clinical isolates.
AB - The activity of fluconazole, amphotericin B, caspofungin and micafungin was
determined using XTT-based fungal damage assays against planktonic cells, early
and mature biofilms of Candida kefyr. Median MICs of planktonic cells were 0.25
mg/l, 0.25 mg/l, 0.5 mg/l, and 0.06 mg/l for fluconazole, amphotericin B,
caspofungin, and micafungin, respectively. Fluconazole showed at least 50% fungal
damage at >=4 mg/l (51.5% +/- 6.63% to 78.38% +/- 1.44%) and at >=128 mg/l
(57.88% +/- 9.2% to 67.25% +/- 9.59%), while amphotericin B produced an even
higher anti-biofilm effect at >=0.5 mg/l (64.63% +/- 6.79% to 79.5% +/- 5.9%) and
at >=0.12 mg/l (77.63% +/- 8.43% to 92.75% +/- 1.89%) against early and mature
biofilms, respectively. In case of micafungin, 50% fungal damage was observed at
>=0.06 mg/l (66.88% +/- 10.16% to 98.63% +/- 1.24%) and >=0.25 mg/l (74.13% +/-
10.77% to 99.38% +/- 0.38%) for early and mature biofilms, respectively.
Caspofungin-exposed cells showed an unexpected susceptibility pattern, that is,
planktonic cells showed significantly decreased susceptibility at concentrations
ranging from 0.015 mg/l to 1 mg/l compared to biofilms (P < .05-.01). The damage
in planktonic cells and biofilms was comparable at higher concentrations. For
planktonic cells and biofilms, 50% fungal damage was observed first at 0.5 mg/l
(59.75% +/- 3.16%) and at 0.06 mg/l (70.25% +/- 10.95%), respectively. This
unexpected pattern was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy. The unusual
susceptibility pattern observed at lower caspofungin concentrations may explain
the poorer outcome of caspofungin-treated C. kefyr infections documented in
certain patient populations. As this phenomenon was markedly less apparent in
case of micafungin, these data suggest that micafungin may be a more reliable
option than caspofungin for the treatment of C. kefyr infections.
PMID- 28992254
TI - Latitudinal Clines in Temperature and Salinity Tolerance in Tidepool Copepods.
AB - Local adaptation has been understudied in marine systems, but might be expected
to be pronounced in the tidepool copepod Tigriopus californicus, which has a
broad geographic range and extremely restricted dispersal. Tolerance to
temperature and salinity was assessed in 14 populations over a 20 degrees
latitudinal range. Adaptive differentiation to temperature and salinity was found
at scales as low as 5.6 km. Latitudinal clines were significant, with northern
populations being more tolerant of low salinity and less tolerant of high
temperature and high salinity. Both temperature and salinity tolerance were more
closely associated with long-term thermal maxima than with long-term
precipitation data. Hyperthermal and hyposmotic tolerance were inversely
correlated, a pattern that could potentially slow adaptation to future
conditions. Together, these studies of intraspecific geographic patterns in
resistance to multiple stressors are important in predicting how environmental
change may effect range shifts and local extinctions.
PMID- 28992255
TI - Plasma membrane-associated cation-binding protein 1-like protein negatively
regulates intercellular movement of BaMV.
AB - To establish a successful infection, a virus needs to replicate and move cell-to
cell efficiently. We investigated whether one of the genes upregulated in
Nicotiana benthamiana after Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) inoculation was involved
in regulating virus movement. We revealed the gene to be a plasma membrane
associated cation-binding protein 1-like protein, designated NbPCaP1L. The
expression of NbPCaP1L in N. benthamiana was knocked down using Tobacco rattle
virus-based gene silencing and consequently the accumulation of BaMV increased
significantly to that of control plants. Further analysis indicated no
significant difference in the accumulation of BaMV in NbPCaP1L knockdown and
control protoplasts, suggesting NbPCaP1L may affect cell-to-cell movement of
BaMV. Using a viral vector expressing green fluorescent protein in the knockdown
plants, the mean area of viral focus, as determined by fluorescence, was found to
be larger in NbPCaP1L knockdown plants. Orange fluorescence protein (OFP)-fused
NbPCaP1L, NbPCaP1L-OFP, was expressed in N. benthamiana and reduced the
accumulation of BaMV to 46%. To reveal the possible interaction of viral protein
with NbPCaP1L, we performed yeast two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation
experiments. The results indicated that NbPCaP1L interacted with BaMV replicase.
The results also suggested that NbPCaP1L could trap the BaMV movement RNP complex
via interaction with the viral replicase in the complex and so restricted viral
cell-to-cell movement.
PMID- 28992256
TI - On the relationship between epistasis and genetic variance heterogeneity.
AB - Epistasis and genetic variance heterogeneity are two non-additive genetic
inheritance patterns that are often, but not always, related. Here we use
theoretical examples and empirical results from earlier analyses of experimental
data to illustrate the connection between the two. This includes an introduction
to the relationship between epistatic gene action, statistical epistasis, and
genetic variance heterogeneity, and a brief discussion about how genetic
processes other than epistasis can also give rise to genetic variance
heterogeneity.
PMID- 28992257
TI - Glomerular function in relation to circulating adhesion molecules and
inflammation markers in a general population.
AB - Background: Inflammation is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and
stimulates glomerular expression of vascular adhesion molecules (VCAMs). We
investigated in a general population whether estimated glomerular filtration rate
(eGFR) is associated with circulating adhesion molecules, inflammation markers or
both. Methods: We measured serum levels of five adhesion molecules [VCAM-1,
intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), P-selectin, E-selectin and monocyte
chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)] and seven inflammation markers [C-reactive
protein (CRP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), tumour necrosis
factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1), TNF-alpha, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8 and vascular
endothelial growth factor] in 1338 randomly recruited people (50.8% women, mean
age 51.7 years, eGFR 79.9 mL/min/1.73 m2). Results: In multivariable-adjusted
analyses, eGFR decreased (P <= 0.004) with higher VCAM-1 (association size
expressed in mL/min/1.73 m2 for a doubling of the marker, -2.99), MCP-1 (-1.19),
NGAL (-1.19), TNF receptor 1 (-2.78), TNF-alpha (-2.28) and IL-6 (-0.94). The
odds ratios of having eGFR <60 versus >=60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 138 versus 1200)
were significant (P <= 0.001) for VCAM-1 (1.77), MCP-1 (1.32), NGAL (1.26), TNF
R1 (1.49), TNF-alpha (1.45) and IL-6 (1.20). Compared with 24-h albuminuria, VCAM
1 increased (P <0.0001) the area under the curve from 0.57 to 0.65, MCP-1 to 0.67
and TNF-R1 to 0.79, but TNF-R1 outperformed both adhesion molecules (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: In a general population, eGFR is inversely associated with
circulating adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and MCP-1 and several inflammation markers,
but inflammation markers, in particular TNF-R1 and TNF-alpha, identify patients
with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 more accurately.
PMID- 28992258
TI - Risk and complications of venous thromboembolism in dialysis patients.
AB - Background: Contemporary data on venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in dialysis
patients are limited. Our objective was to determine the risk and complications
of VTE among incident maintenance dialysis patients. Methods: We performed a
retrospective cohort study using administrative databases. We included adult
incident dialysis patients from 2004 to 2010 (n = 13 315). Dialysis patients were
age- and sex-matched to individuals of the general population using a 1:4 ratio
(n = 53 260). We determined the 3-year cumulative incidence and incidence rate
(IR) of VTE, pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). We
examined outcomes of bleeding and all-cause mortality following a VTE event among
matched dialysis patients who did and did not experience a VTE. We used Cox
proportional hazards regression models, stratified on matched sets, to calculate
the hazard ratios (HRs) for all outcomes of interest. Results: VTE occurred in
1114 (8.4%) dialysis patients compared with 1233 (2.3%) individuals in the
general population {IR 37.1 versus 8.1 per 1000 person-years; HR 4.5 [95%
confidence interval (CI) 4.1-4.9]; adjusted HR 2.9 (95% CI 2.6-3.4)}. Both
components of VTE [PE and DVT; adjusted HR 4.0 (95% CI 2.9-5.6) and HR 2.8 (95%
CI 2.4-3.2), respectively] occurred more frequently in dialysis patients.
Compared with dialysis patients without a VTE, those with a VTE had a higher risk
of bleeding [adjusted HR 2.0 (95% CI 1.3-2.9)] and all-cause mortality [adjusted
HR 2.4 (95% CI 2.0-2.8)]. Conclusions: VTE is common in dialysis patients and
confers a high risk of major bleeding and all-cause mortality. Thromboprophylaxis
and VTE treatment studies in dialysis patients are needed.
PMID- 28992259
TI - WGSSAT: A High-Throughput Computational Pipeline for Mining and Annotation of SSR
Markers From Whole Genomes.
AB - Mining and characterization of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers from whole
genomes provide valuable information about biological significance of SSR
distribution and also facilitate development of markers for genetic analysis.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS)-SSR Annotation Tool (WGSSAT) is a graphical user
interface pipeline developed using Java Netbeans and Perl scripts which
facilitates in simplifying the process of SSR mining and characterization. WGSSAT
takes input in FASTA format and automates the prediction of genes, noncoding RNA
(ncRNA), core genes, repeats and SSRs from whole genomes followed by mapping of
the predicted SSRs onto a genome (classified according to genes, ncRNA, repeats,
exonic, intronic, and core gene region) along with primer identification and
mining of cross-species markers. The program also generates a detailed
statistical report along with visualization of mapped SSRs, genes, core genes,
and RNAs. The features of WGSSAT were demonstrated using Takifugu rubripes data.
This yielded a total of 139 057 SSR, out of which 113 703 SSR primer pairs were
uniquely amplified in silico onto a T. rubripes (fugu) genome. Out of 113 703
mined SSRs, 81 463 were from coding region (including 4286 exonic and 77 177
intronic), 7 from RNA, 267 from core genes of fugu, whereas 105 641 SSR and 601
SSR primer pairs were uniquely mapped onto the medaka genome. WGSSAT is tested
under Ubuntu Linux. The source code, documentation, user manual, example dataset
and scripts are available online at https://sourceforge.net/projects/wgssat
nbfgr.
PMID- 28992261
TI - Randomized Trial of 2 Versus 1 Dose of Measles Vaccine: Effect on Hospital
Admission of Children After 9 Months of Age.
AB - Background: Two doses of measles vaccine (MV) might reduce the nonmeasles
mortality rate more than 1 dose of MV does. The effect of 2 versus 1 dose on
morbidity has not been examined. Within a randomized trial of the effect of 2
doses versus 1 dose of MV on mortality in Guinea-Bissau, we investigated the
effect on hospital admissions. Methods: Children were randomly assigned 1:2 to
receive MV at 4.5 and 9 months of age or the currently recommended dose at 9
months. We compared hospital admission rates among children between 9 and 18
months of age in a Cox regression model with age as the underlying time scale.
Half of the children had received neonatal vitamin A supplementation (NVAS) in
another trial. The beneficial effect of MV at 4.5 and 9 months on mortality was
limited to children who had not received NVAS; therefore, we investigated the
interaction of MV with NVAS on admission rates. Results: Among 5626 children (2
doses of MV, 1960 children; 1 dose of MV, 3666), we identified 311 hospital
admissions of children between 9 and 18 months of age. Overall, compared to 1
dose of MV, 2 doses reduced the risk of hospital admission for children who had
not received NVAS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.47
0.93]), but we found no effect among NVAS recipients (HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 0.82
1.63]) (P = .02 for interaction). Conclusions: The benefit of 2 doses of MV was
limited to children who had not received NVAS. NVAS is not generally recommended;
hence, an early 2-dose measles vaccination policy might reduce hospital
admissions more than the current policy of providing the first MV at 9 months of
age. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00168558.
PMID- 28992260
TI - Simulations of CYP51A from Aspergillus fumigatus in a model bilayer provide
insights into triazole drug resistance.
AB - Azole antifungal drugs target CYP51A in Aspergillus fumigatus by binding with the
active site of the protein, blocking ergosterol biosynthesis. Resistance to azole
antifungal drugs is now common, with a leucine to histidine amino acid
substitution at position 98 the most frequent, predominantly conferring
resistance to itraconazole, although cross-resistance has been reported in
conjunction with other mutations. In this study, we create a homology model of
CYP51A using a recently published crystal structure of the paralog protein
CYP51B. The derived structures, wild type, and L98H mutant are positioned within
a lipid membrane bilayer and subjected to molecular dynamics simulations in order
improve the accuracy of both models. The structural analysis from our simulations
suggests a decrease in active site surface from the formation of hydrogen bonds
between the histidine substitution and neighboring polar side chains, potentially
preventing the binding of azole drugs. This study yields a biologically relevant
structure and set of dynamics of the A. fumigatus Lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase
enzyme and provides further insight into azole antifungal drug resistance.
PMID- 28992262
TI - A matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry
reference database for the identification of Histoplasma capsulatum.
AB - The isolation of the pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum from cultures
together with the visualization of typical intracellular yeast in tissues are the
gold standard methods for diagnosis of histoplasmosis. However, cultures are time
consuming, require level 3 containment and experienced personnel, and usually
call for an additional confirmation test. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption
Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) has been established
as a suitable tool for microbial identification in several clinical laboratories.
A reference database has been constructed for the identification of H. capsulatum
by MALDI-ToF MS by using six H. capsulatum strains previously identified by
molecular methods. For validation, 63 fungal strains belonging to the Collection
of the Spanish National Centre for Microbiology were tested against the new
reference database combined with other commercial and in-house databases. In a
blind assay, all H. capsulatum strains (n = 30) were correctly identified by the
database and 86.6% had scores above 1.7. Considering both phases of the fungus
for the same strain, the most reliable results were obtained with the mycelial
phase, with only 13.3% of isolates having scores below 1.7. The new database was
able to identify both morphological phases of the fungus. MALDI-ToF technology
yields a prompt and simple identification from H. capsulatum yeast forms and
early mycelial cultures. It allows for reducing response time and decreasing risk
in fungus manipulation.
PMID- 28992263
TI - Desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein is a novel circulating biomarker
predicting deterioration of renal function in the general population.
AB - Background: Recent studies showing an inverse association between estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a microvascular trait, and inactive desphospho
uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) support the hypothesis that after
vitamin K-dependent activation, matrix Gla protein (MGP) is renoprotective, but
these were limited by their cross-sectional design. Methods: In 1009 randomly
recruited Flemish (50.6% women), we assessed the association between eGFR and
plasma dp-ucMGP, using multivariable-adjusted analyses. Results: From baseline to
follow-up 8.9 years later (median), dp-ucMGP increased by 23.0% whereas eGFR
decreased by 4.05 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.001). In 938 participants with baseline
eGFR >=60 mL/min/1.73 m2, the incidence of eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at follow-up
was 8.0% versus 4.1% in the top versus the bottom halve of baseline dp-ucMGP. For
a 5-fold higher plasma dp-ucMGP at baseline, eGFR at follow-up decreased by 3.15
mL/min/1.73 m2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-5.05; P = 0.001]. The hazard
ratio expressing the risk of progression to eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 3.49 (95%
CI 1.45-8.40; P = 0.005). The hazard ratio relating the presence of
microalbuminuria at follow-up to baseline dp-ucMGP was 4.70 (95% CI 1.57-14.1; P
= 0.006). Conclusions: In conclusion, circulating inactive dp-ucMGP, a biomarker
of poor vitamin K status, predicts renal dysfunction. Possible underlying
mechanisms include protection by activated MGP against calcification and
inhibition of the bone morphogenetic protein-signalling pathway.
PMID- 28992264
TI - Proteasome 26S subunit PSMD1 regulates breast cancer cell growth through p53
protein degradation.
AB - Endocrine therapy using antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitors is usually
efficient to treat patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Many patients
with endocrine therapy, however, often acquire resistance. In the present study,
we performed functional screening using short hairpin RNA library to dissect
genes involved in antiestrogen tamoxifen resistance in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
We identified seven candidate genes that are associated with poor prognosis of
breast cancer patients based on clinical dataset. The expression levels of six
out of seven genes were higher in 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) resistant MCF-7 (OHTR)
cells compared with parental MCF-7 cells. Among the six selected genes, siRNA
mediated knockdown of PSMD1 and TSPAN12 markedly reduced the proliferation of
OHTR cells. Notably, the knockdown of proteasome 26S subunit PSMD1 exhibited cell
cycle arrest and the accumulation of p53 protein through inhibiting p53 protein
degradation. In accordance with p53 accumulation, its target genes p21 and SFN
were also upregulated by PSMD1 silencing. Taken together, PSMD1 was identified as
a potential gene that plays a role in the development of tamoxifen resistance in
breast cancer cells. These findings will provide a new insight for the mechanism
underlying endocrine therapy resistance and a prognostic and therapeutic
molecular target for advanced breast cancer.
PMID- 28992265
TI - Treatment With Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine for Juvenile-Onset
Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB - Although juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JoRRP) generally
involves a benign tumor on the larynx and other respiratory tract areas, almost
all patients with this disease require repeated surgical intervention (to prevent
airway obstruction during the course of illness) and various adjuvant therapies
such as interferon, cidofovir, acyclovir, ribavirin, indole-3-carbinol, HspE7,
mumps vaccine, photodynamic therapy, propranolol, cimetidine, and bevacizumab.
Some case reports recently described the effectiveness of the quadrivalent human
papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4) as an adjuvant therapy. On the basis of these
reports, we administered HPV4 to a 2-year-old boy with JoRRP. However, no
therapeutic effect was found. A review of the available literature revealed that
current evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic HPV4 and other adjuvant
therapies for JoRRP is inconsistent. Therefore, the prophylactic use of currently
available HPV vaccine for adolescents is the most effective strategy for
preventing not only anogenital cancers but also genital warts, which might be a
risk factor for JoRRP among their children in the future.
PMID- 28992266
TI - Lateral root formation and the multiple roles of auxin.
AB - Root systems can display variable architectures that contribute to survival
strategies of plants. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana possesses a tap root
system, in which the primary root and lateral roots (LRs) are major architectural
determinants. The phytohormone auxin fulfils multiple roles throughout LR
development. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of
four aspects of LR formation: (i) LR positioning, which determines the spatial
distribution of lateral root primordia (LRP) and LRs along primary roots; (ii) LR
initiation, encompassing the activation of nuclear migration in specified lateral
root founder cells (LRFCs) up to the first asymmetric cell division; (iii) LR
outgrowth, the 'primordium-intrinsic' patterning of de novo organ tissues and a
meristem; and (iv) LR emergence, an interaction between LRP and overlaying
tissues to allow passage through cell layers. We discuss how auxin signaling,
embedded in a changing developmental context, plays important roles in all four
phases. In addition, we discuss how rapid progress in gene network identification
and analysis, modeling, and four-dimensional imaging techniques have led to an
increasingly detailed understanding of the dynamic regulatory networks that
control LR development.
PMID- 28992267
TI - White blood cell fractions correlate with lesions of diabetic kidney disease and
predict loss of kidney function in Type 2 diabetes.
AB - Background: Inflammation linked to diabetic kidney disease (DKD) may affect white
blood cell (WBC) counts and differentials. We examined the cross-sectional
associations of total WBC count and WBC fractions with structural lesions of DKD
in 108 Pima Indians with Type 2 diabetes who underwent research kidney biopsies.
We also examined the longitudinal association of these WBC variables with renal
function loss (RFL) in 941 Europeans with Type 2 diabetes from the SURDIAGENE
study. Methods: Associations of WBC variables with morphometric parameters were
assessed by linear regression. RFL was defined as>=40% loss of estimated
glomerular filtration rate from baseline. Associations with RFL were evaluated by
Cox regression. Hazard ratios (HRs) were reported per standard deviation
increment of each WBC variable. Results: After multivariable adjustment,
lymphocyte (r = -0.20, P = 0.043) and eosinophil (r = 0.21, P = 0.032) fractions
in the Pima Indians correlated with glomerular basement membrane width.
Eosinophil fraction also correlated with glomerular filtration surface density (r
= -0.21, P = 0.031). Lymphocyte fraction (r = 0.25, P = 0.013), neutrophil
fraction (r = -0.23, P = 0.021) and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (r = -0.22,
P = 0.024) correlated with percentage of normally fenestrated endothelial cells.
During median follow-up of 4.5 years, 321 SURDIAGENE participants developed RFL.
Lower lymphocyte fraction [HR = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.60-0.76]
and higher neutrophil fraction (HR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.20-1.52), total WBC count (HR
= 1.20, 95% CI 1.08-1.35) and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (HR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.28
1.62) each predicted RFL in this cohort. Conclusions: WBC fractions associate
with morphometric lesions of DKD and predict RFL in individuals with Type 2
diabetes.
PMID- 28992268
TI - Propranolol reduces reference-dependence in intertemporal choice.
AB - In intertemporal choices between immediate and delayed rewards, people tend to
prefer immediate rewards, often even when the delayed reward is larger. This is
known as temporal discounting. It has been proposed that this tendency emerges
because immediate rewards are more emotionally arousing than delayed rewards.
However, in our previous research, we found no evidence for this but instead
found that arousal responses (indexed with pupil dilation) in intertemporal
choice are context-dependent. Specifically, arousal tracks the subjective value
of the more variable reward option in the paradigm, whether it is immediate or
delayed. Nevertheless, people tend to choose the less variable option in the
choice task. In other words, their choices are reference-dependent and depend on
variance in their recent history of offers. This suggests that there may be a
causal relationship between reference-dependent choice and arousal, which we
investigate here by reducing arousal pharmacologically using propranolol. Here,
we show that propranolol reduces reference-dependence, leading to choices that
are less influenced by recent history and more internally consistent.
PMID- 28992269
TI - White matter correlates of psychopathic traits in a female community sample.
AB - Psychopathy comprises interpersonal, affective, lifestyle and antisocial facets
that vary dimensionally in the population and are associated with criminal
offending and adverse psychosocial outcomes. Evidence associating these facets
with white matter microstructure of the uncinate fasciculus and the cingulum
tracts is inconsistent and derives principally from studies of male offenders. In
a sample of 99 young women presenting a range of scores on the Psychopathy
Checklist: Screening Version, we used Diffusion Tensor Imaging, tractography and
Tract-Based Spatial Statistics to investigate microstructure across the brain and
of the uncinate fasciculus and cingulum. Right uncinate fasciculus microstructure
was negatively associated with the interpersonal facet, while cingulum integrity
was not associated with any facet of psychopathy. Whole-brain analyses revealed
that both affective and lifestyle facets were negatively correlated with white
matter microstructure adjacent to the fusiform gyrus, and the interpersonal facet
correlated negatively with the integrity of the fornix. Findings survived
adjustment for the other facet scores, and age, verbal and performance IQ. A
similar negative association between the interpersonal facet and uncinate
fasciculus integrity was previously observed in male offenders. Thus, previous
evidence showing that psychopathic traits are associated with functional and
structural abnormalities within limbic networks may also apply to females.
PMID- 28992270
TI - Neural activity during affect labeling predicts expressive writing effects on
well-being: GLM and SVM approaches.
AB - Affect labeling (putting feelings into words) is a form of incidental emotion
regulation that could underpin some benefits of expressive writing (i.e. writing
about negative experiences). Here, we show that neural responses during affect
labeling predicted changes in psychological and physical well-being outcome
measures 3 months later. Furthermore, neural activity of specific frontal regions
and amygdala predicted those outcomes as a function of expressive writing. Using
supervised learning (support vector machines regression), improvements in four
measures of psychological and physical health (physical symptoms, depression,
anxiety and life satisfaction) after an expressive writing intervention were
predicted with an average of 0.85% prediction error [root mean square error
(RMSE) %]. The predictions were significantly more accurate with machine learning
than with the conventional generalized linear model method (average RMSE: 1.3%).
Consistent with affect labeling research, right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex
(RVLPFC) and amygdalae were top predictors of improvement in the four outcomes.
Moreover, RVLPFC and left amygdala predicted benefits due to expressive writing
in satisfaction with life and depression outcome measures, respectively. This
study demonstrates the substantial merit of supervised machine learning for real
world outcome prediction in social and affective neuroscience.
PMID- 28992271
TI - Preschool negative emotionality predicts activity and connectivity of the
fusiform face area and amygdala in later childhood.
AB - Negative emotionality (NE) refers to individual differences in the propensity to
experience and react with negative emotions and is associated with increased risk
of psychological disorder. However, research on the neural bases of NE has
focused almost exclusively on amygdala activity during emotional face processing.
This study broadened this framework by examining the relationship between
observed NE in early childhood and subsequent neural responses to emotional faces
in both the amygdala and the fusiform face area (FFA) in a late childhood/early
adolescent sample. Measures of NE were obtained from children at age 3 using
laboratory observations, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data
were collected when these children were between the ages of 9 and 12 while
performing a visual stimulus identity matching task with houses and emotional
faces as stimuli. Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher NE at age 3
is associated with significantly greater activation in the left amygdala and left
FFA but lower functional connectivity between these two regions during the face
conditions. These findings suggest that those with higher early NE have
subsequent alterations in both activity and connectivity within an extended
network during face processing.
PMID- 28992272
TI - Neural predictors of emotional inertia in daily life.
AB - Assessing emotional dynamics in the brain offers insight into the fundamental
neural and psychological mechanisms underlying emotion. One such dynamic is
emotional inertia-the influence of one's emotional state at one time point on
one's emotional state at a subsequent time point. Emotion inertia reflects
emotional rigidity and poor emotion regulation as evidenced by its relationship
to depression and neuroticism. In this study, we assessed changes in cerebral
blood flow (CBF) from before to after an emotional task and used these changes to
predict stress, positive and negative emotional inertia in daily life events.
Cerebral blood flow changes in the lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC) predicted
decreased non-specific emotional inertia, suggesting that the lPFC may feature a
general inhibitory mechanism responsible for limiting the impact that an
emotional state from one event has on the emotional state of a subsequent event.
CBF changes in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and lateral occipital cortex
were associated with positive emotional inertia and negative/stress inertia,
respectively. These data advance the blossoming literature on the temporal
dynamics of emotion in the brain and on the use of neural indices to predict
mental health-relevant behavior in daily life.
PMID- 28992273
TI - Neural correlates of moral judgment in pedophilia.
AB - Pedophilia is a sexual preference that is often associated with child sex
offending (CSO). Sexual urges towards prepubescent children and specifically
acting upon those urges are universally regarded as immoral. However, up until
now, it is completely unknown whether moral processing of sexual offenses is
altered in pedophiles. A total of 31 pedophilic men and 19 healthy controls were
assessed by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in combination
with a moral judgment paradigm consisting of 36 scenarios describing different
types of offenses.Scenarios depicting sexual offenses against children compared
to those depicting adults were associated with higher pattern of activation in
the left temporo-parietal-junction (TPJ) and left posterior insular cortex, the
posterior cingulate gyrus as well as the precuneus in controls relative to
pedophiles, and vice versa. Moreover, brain activation in these areas were
positively associated with ratings of moral reprehensibility and negatively
associated with decision durations, but only in controls. Brain activation, found
in key areas related to the broad network of moral judgment, theory of mind and
(socio-)moral disgust - point to different moral processing of sexual offenses in
pedophilia in general. The lack of associations between brain activation and
behavioral responses in pedophiles further suggest a biased response pattern or
dissected implicit valuation processes.
PMID- 28992275
TI - Cautionary note: propensity score matching does not account for bias due to
censoring.
AB - This article gives a review of the limitations of propensity score matching as a
tool for confounding control in the presence of censoring. Using an illustrative
simulation study, we emphasize the importance of explicit adjustment for
selective loss to follow-up and explain how this may be achieved.
PMID- 28992274
TI - Nucleus accumbens shell moderates preference bias during voluntary choice
behavior.
AB - The nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell lies anatomically at a critical intersection
within the brain's reward system circuitry, however, its role in voluntary choice
behavior remains unclear. Rats with electrolytic lesions in the NAc shell were
tested in a novel foraging paradigm. Over a continuous two-week period they
freely chose among four nutritionally identical but differently flavored food
pellets by pressing corresponding levers. We examined the lesion's effects on
three behavioral dynamics components: motivation (when to eat), preference bias
(what to choose) and persistence (how long to repeat the same choice). The lesion
led to a marked increase in the preference bias: i.e., increased selection of the
most-preferred choice option, and decreased selection of the others. We found no
effects on any other behavioral measures, suggesting no effect on motivation or
choice persistence. The results implicate the NAc shell in moderating the
instrumental valuation process by inhibiting excessive bias toward preferred
choice options.
PMID- 28992276
TI - The Potential Role of Primary Care in Case Detection/Screening of Primary
Aldosteronism.
AB - Endocrine hypertension, particularly primary aldosteronism (PA), was previously
considered to account for less than 1% of all hypertension and was suspected only
when patients presented with spontaneous hypokalemia. However, the last 20 years
of PA research has now clearly shown that PA is not a rarity, but rather, may
account for up to 13% of unselected hypertensive individuals and between 10% and
20% of those with resistant hypertension. Most of these patients do not have
spontaneous hypokalemia. The population prevalence of PA likely far exceeds
actual detection rates in routine clinical care. As PA represents one of the most
common, potentially reversible causes of hypertension, and is associated with
significant cardiovascular complications over the long term, it is clear that a
pragmatic strategy for targeted case detection in primary care is needed.
PMID- 28992277
TI - Advances in abscission signaling.
AB - Abscission is a process in plants for shedding unwanted organs such as leaves,
flowers, fruits, or floral organs. Shedding of leaves in the fall is the most
visually obvious display of abscission in nature. The very shape plants take is
forged by the processes of growth and abscission. Mankind manipulates abscission
in modern agriculture to do things such as prevent pre-harvest fruit drop prior
to mechanical harvesting in orchards. Abscission occurs specifically at
abscission zones that are laid down as the organ that will one day abscise is
developed. A sophisticated signaling network initiates abscission when it is time
to shed the unwanted organ. In this article, we review recent advances in
understanding the signaling mechanisms that activate abscission. Physiological
advances and roles for hormones in abscission are also addressed. Finally, we
discuss current avenues for basic abscission research and potentially lucrative
future directions for its application to modern agriculture.
PMID- 28992278
TI - Auxin production as an integrator of environmental cues for developmental growth
regulation.
AB - Being sessile organisms, plants have evolved mechanisms allowing them to control
their growth and development in response to environmental changes. This occurs by
means of complex interacting signalling networks that integrate diverse
environmental cues into co-ordinated and highly regulated responses. Auxin is an
essential phytohormone that functions as a signalling molecule, driving both
growth and developmental processes. It is involved in numerous biological
processes ranging from control of cell expansion and cell division to tissue
specification, embryogenesis, and organ development. All these processes require
the formation of auxin gradients established and maintained through the combined
processes of biosynthesis, metabolism, and inter- and intracellular directional
transport. Environmental conditions can profoundly affect the plant developmental
programme, and the co-ordinated shoot and root growth ought to be fine-tuned to
environmental challenges such as temperature, light, and nutrient and water
content. The key role of auxin as an integrator of environmental signals has
become clear in recent years, and emerging evidence implicates auxin biosynthesis
as an essential component of the overall mechanisms of plants tolerance to
stress. In this review, we provide an account of auxin's role as an integrator of
environmental signals and, in particular, we highlight the effect of these
signals on the control of auxin production.
PMID- 28992279
TI - Targeting new cellular disease pathways in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney
disease.
AB - Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited
cause of end-stage renal failure. Understanding the molecular and cellular
pathogenesis of ADPKD could help to identify new targets for treatment. The
classic cellular cystic phenotype includes changes in proliferation, apoptosis,
fluid secretion, extracellular matrix and cilia function. However, recent
research, suggests that the cellular cystic phenotype could be broader and that
changes, such as altered metabolism, autophagy, inflammation, oxidative stress
and epigenetic modification, could play important roles in the processes of cyst
initiation, cyst growth or disease progression. Here we review these newer
cellular pathways, describe evidence for their possible links to cystic
pathogenesis or different stages of disease and discuss the options for
developing novel treatments.
PMID- 28992280
TI - Plasma biomarkers improve prediction of diabetic kidney disease in adults with
type 1 diabetes over a 12-year follow-up: CACTI study.
AB - Background: The objective of the study was to determine whether plasma biomarkers
of kidney injury improve the prediction of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) over a period of 12 years. Methods:
Participants (n = 527, 53% females) in the Coronary Artery Calcification in T1D
(CACTI) Study were examined during 2002-04, at a mean (+/- standard deviation)
age of 39.6 +/- 9.0 years with 24.8 years as the median duration of diabetes.
Urine albumin-to-creatinine (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
by CKD-EPI (chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration) creatinine were
measured at the baseline and after mean follow-up of 12.1 +/- 1.5 years.
Albuminuria was defined as ACR >=30 mg/g and impaired GFR as eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73
m2. Kidney injury biomarkers (Meso Scale Diagnostics) were measured on stored
baseline plasma samples. A principal component analysis (PCA) identified two
components: (i) kidney injury molecule-1, calbindin, osteoactivin, trefoil factor
3 and vascular endothelial growth factor; and (ii) beta-2 microglobulin, cystatin
C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and osteopontin that were used in
the multivariable regression analyses. Results: Component 2 of the PCA was
associated with increase in log modulus ACR [beta +/- standard error (SE): 0.16
+/- 0.07, P = 0.02] and eGFR (beta +/- SE: -2.56 +/- 0.97, P = 0.009) over a
period of 12 years after adjusting for traditional risk factors (age, sex, HbA1c,
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic blood pressure and baseline
eGFR/baseline ACR). Only Component 2 of the PCA was associated with incident
impaired GFR (odds ratio 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.18-3.67, P = 0.01),
adjusting for traditional risk factors. The addition of Component 2 to
traditional risk factors significantly improved C-statistics and net
reclassification improvement for incident-impaired GFR (DeltaAUC: 0.02 +/- 0.01,
P = 0.049, and 29% non-events correctly reclassified, P < 0.0001). Conclusions:
Plasma kidney injury biomarkers can help predict development of DKD in T1D.
PMID- 28992282
TI - Intraspecies variation in the efficacy of adjunctive recombinant interferon-gamma
therapy against cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in mice.
AB - The efficacy of recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) for cryptococcal
meningoencephalitis has been poorly understood. Compared to Cryptococcus gattii,
rIFN-gamma significantly improved the survival in experimental
meningoencephalitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans. The number of phagocytic
macrophages and the levels of inflammatory cytokines production for ex vivo co
incubation with C. neoformans were increased after rIFN-gamma stimulation but not
C. gattii. Intraspecies differences of phagocytosis by the rIFN-gamma-activated
macrophages might be associated to the severity of cryptococcal infection.
PMID- 28992281
TI - A Return to Wisdom: Using Sickness Behaviors to Integrate Ecological and
Translational Research.
AB - Sickness is typically characterized by fever, anorexia, cachexia, and reductions
in social, pleasurable, and sexual behaviors. These responses can be displayed at
varying intensities both within and among individuals, and the adaptive nature of
sickness responses can be demonstrated by the context-dependent nature of their
expression. The study of sickness has become an important area of investigation
for researchers in a wide range of areas, including psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
and ecoimmunology (EI). The general goal of PNI is to identify key interactions
among the nervous, endocrine and immune systems and behavior, and how disruptions
in these processes might contribute to disease states. EI, in turn, has been
established more recently within the perspectives of ecology and evolutionary
biology, and is aimed more at understanding natural variation in immune function
and sickness responses within a broadly integrative, organismal, and evolutionary
context. The goal of this review is to examine the literature on sickness from
both basic and biomedical perspectives within PNI and EI and to demonstrate how
the integrative study of sickness behavior can serve as an integrating agent to
connect ecological and translational approaches to the study of disease. By
focusing on a set of specific exemplars, including the energetics of sickness,
social context, and environmental influences on sickness, we hope to accomplish
the larger goal of developing a common synthetic framework to understand sickness
from multiple levels of analysis and varying perspectives across the fields of
PNI and EI. By applying this integrative approach to sickness, we will be able to
develop a more comprehensive view of sickness as a suite of adaptive responses
rather than the simply deleterious consequences of illness.
PMID- 28992283
TI - The roles of the cuticle in plant development: organ adhesions and beyond.
AB - Cuticles, which are composed of a variety of aliphatic molecules, impregnate
epidermal cell walls forming diffusion barriers that cover almost all the aerial
surfaces in higher plants. In addition to revealing important roles for cuticles
in protecting plants against water loss and other environmental stresses and
aggressions, mutants with permeable cuticles show major defects in plant
development, such as abnormal organ formation as well as altered seed germination
and viability. However, understanding the mechanistic basis for these
developmental defects represents a significant challenge due to the pleiotropic
nature of phenotypes and the altered physiological status/viability of some
mutant backgrounds. Here we discuss both the basis of developmental phenotypes
associated with defects in cuticle function and mechanisms underlying
developmental processes that implicate cuticle modification. Developmental
abnormalities in cuticle mutants originate at early developmental time points,
when cuticle composition and properties are very difficult to measure.
Nonetheless, we aim to extract principles from existing data in order to pinpoint
the key cuticle components and properties required for normal plant development.
Based on our analysis, we will highlight several major questions that need to be
addressed and technical hurdles that need to be overcome in order to advance our
current understanding of the developmental importance of plant cuticles.
PMID- 28992284
TI - Plasma Homocysteine Levels Are Associated With Circadian Blood Pressure Variation
in Chinese Hypertensive Adults.
AB - BACKGROUND: Homocysteine-lowering intervention with folate was recently shown to
be able to increase day-night difference of blood pressure (BP) in humans
indicating a potential relationship between homocysteine and circadian BP
variation. We thus sought to investigate the association between plasma total
homocysteine level (tHcy) and circadian BP variation in hypertensive adults.
METHODS: We enrolled 244 eligible dipping and 249 nondipping BP status adults
from 560 adults who were randomly sampled from 5,233 Chinese hypertensive adults
who received ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). We further enrolled 390 adults with
CC/CT genotypes of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and 79 TT
genotype who received ABPM at the same time from 1858 hypertensive adults with
MTHFR polymorphisms detection. RESULTS: Plasma tHcy in nondippers was
significantly higher than dippers (P < 0.001). Simple linear analysis revealed
that tHcy significantly correlated with nocturnal systolic BP fall (r = -0.145, P
= 0.001) and diastolic BP fall (r = -0.141, P = 0.002). Multivariate logistic
regression analysis further identified tHcy as an independent factor correlated
with the presence of nondipping BP status in hypertensive adults (odds ratio:
1.873, 95% confidence interval: 1.171-2.996, P = 0.009). The percentage of
dipping BP status was 19.49% or 8.86% and the percentage of nondipping BP status
was 80.51% or 91.14% in CC/CT or TT genotypes, respectively. The above different
between CC/CT and TT genotypes was significant (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: These
results indicated that high homocysteine levels associate with disturbed
circadian BP variation in Chinese hypertensive adults.
PMID- 28992285
TI - Remote ischaemic preconditioning for renal and cardiac protection in adult
patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: systematic
review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB - Background: The main aim of this systematic review was to assess whether remote
ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) protects kidneys and the heart in cardiac
surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to investigate a possible role of
anaesthetic agents. Methods: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the effects of
RIPC through limb ischaemia in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB
were searched (1965-October 2016) in PubMed, Cochrane Library and article
reference lists. A random effects model on standardized mean difference (SMD) for
continuous outcomes and the Peto odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous outcomes were
used to meta-analyse data. Subgroup analyses to evaluate the effects of different
anaesthetic regimens were pre-planned. Results: Thirty-three RCTs (5999
participants) were included. In the whole group, RIPC did not significantly
reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), acute myocardial infarction,
atrial fibrillation, mortality or length of intensive care unit (ICU) and
hospital stays. On the contrary, RIPC significantly reduced the area under the
curve for myocardial injury biomarkers (MIBs) {SMD -0.37 [95% confidence interval
(CI) -0.53 to - 0.21]} and the composite endpoint incidence [OR 0.85 (95% CI 0.74
0.97)]. In the volatile anaesthetic group, RIPC significantly reduced AKI
incidence [OR 0.57 (95% CI 0.41-0.79)] and marginally reduced ICU stay.
Conversely, except for MIBs, RIPC had fewer non-significant effects under
propofol with or without volatile anaesthetics. Conclusions: RIPC did not
consistently reduce morbidity and mortality in adults undergoing cardiac surgery
with CPB. In the subgroup on volatile anaesthetics only, RIPC markedly and
significantly reduced the incidence of AKI and composite endpoint as well as
myocardial injury.
PMID- 28992286
TI - Intracellular Recordings of Spectral Sensitivities in Stomatopods: a Comparison
across Species.
AB - Stomatopods (mantis shrimps) possess one of the most complex eyes in the world
with photoreceptors detecting up to 12 different colors. It is not yet understood
why stomatopods have almost four times the number of spectral photoreceptors
compared with most other animals. It has, however, been suggested that these
seemingly redundant photoreceptors could encode color through a new mechanism.
Here we compare the spectral sensitivities across five species of stomatopods
within the superfamily Gonodactyloidea using intracellular electrophysiological
recordings. The results show that the spectral sensitivities across species of
stomatopods are remarkably similar apart from some variation in the long
wavelength receptors. We relate these results to spectral sensitivity estimates
previously obtained using microspectrophotometry and discuss the variation in the
spectral sensitivity maxima (lambdamax) of the long-wavelength receptors in
regard to the previous findings that stomatopods are able to tune their spectral
sensitivities according to their respective light environment. We further discuss
the similarities of the spectral sensitivities across species of stomatopods in
regard to how color information might be processed by their visual systems.
PMID- 28992287
TI - New Insights into the Evolution of the W Chromosome in Lepidoptera.
AB - Moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) represent the most diverse group of animals
with heterogametic females. Although the vast majority of species has a WZ/ZZ
(female/male) sex chromosome system, it is generally accepted that the ancestral
system was Z/ZZ and the W chromosome has evolved in a common ancestor of
Tischeriidae and Ditrysia. However, the lack of data on sex chromosomes in lower
Lepidoptera has prevented a formal test of this hypothesis. Here, we performed a
detailed analysis of sex chromosomes in Tischeria ekebladella (Tischeriidae) and
3 species representing lower Ditrysia, Cameraria ohridella (Gracillariidae),
Plutella xylostella (Plutellidae), and Tineola bisselliella (Tineidae). Using
comparative genomic hybridization we show that the first 3 species have well
differentiated W chromosomes, which vary considerably in their molecular
composition, whereas T. bisselliella has no W chromosome. Furthermore, our
results suggest the presence of neo-sex chromosomes in C. ohridella. For Z
chromosomes, we selected 5 genes evenly distributed along the Z chromosome in
ditrysian model species and tested their Z-linkage using qPCR. The tested genes
(Henna, laminin A, Paramyosin, Tyrosine hydroxylase, and 6-Phosphogluconate
dehydrogenase) proved to be Z-linked in all species examined. The conserved
synteny of the Z chromosome across Tischeriidae and Ditrysia, along with the W
chromosome absence in the lower ditrysian families Psychidae and Tineidae,
suggests a possible independent origin of the W chromosomes in these 2 lineages.
PMID- 28992288
TI - Erlotinib attenuates the progression of chronic kidney disease in rats with
remnant kidney.
AB - Background: Increasing evidence indicates that epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR) has a pathogenic role in renal fibrosis. Currently no effective treatment
can completely halt the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study
was undertaken to investigate the renoprotective effects of erlotinib, a tyrosine
kinase inhibitor that can block EGFR activity in the progression of CKD and the
mechanisms involved. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats with 5/6 nephrectomy were
administered either erlotinib or vehicle from 2 weeks after surgery and for a
period of 8 weeks. Blood pressure, proteinuria and serum creatinine were measured
periodically. Renal morphological investigations were performed at sacrifice. In
vitro , we used normal human mesangial cells (NHMCs) and human proximal tubular
cells to investigate the inhibitory effects of erlotinib on renal fibrosis
associated signaling pathways by western blotting. Results: Erlotinib treatment
significantly blunted the progression of CKD as evidenced by reduced levels of
serum creatinine, proteinuria and renal cortical profibrogenic genes and scores
of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial damage. Tubulointerstitial
macrophage infiltration and multiple pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression
levels were also attenuated by erlotinib treatment. In vitro , heparin-binding
epidermal growth factor-like growth factor-induced Akt and extracellular
regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 activation in normal human mesangial cells and human
proximal tubular cells was inhibited by pretreatment with erlotinib. Conclusions:
EGFR blocking by erlotinib protected against renal fibrosis in 5/6 nephrectomized
rats via inhibition of Akt and ERK 1/2 signaling pathways, which are associated
with renal fibrosis. Erlotinib also has anti-inflammatory properties, which may
contribute to its renoprotective effects. Erlotinib represents a potential novel
therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CKD.
PMID- 28992289
TI - Transcriptomics in kidney biopsy is an untapped resource for precision therapy in
nephrology: a systematic review.
AB - Background: The diagnosis of glomerular diseases is based on the evaluation of
histological lesions in renal tissue by means of light and electronic microscopy,
and immunofluorescence technique. Frozen and archival formalin-fixed paraffin
embedded kidney biopsies represent a stored resource for high-throughput
technologies. Transcriptomics makes it possible to study the whole gene
expression profile of cells and tissues in a specific period and/or condition.
The results, whether considered alone or integrated with other omics data, could
help to improve existing knowledge about the pathogenetic mechanisms of
glomerulopathies. Methods: This review describes the molecular analysis of
histological lesions obtained by transcriptomics in glomerular diseases, such as
minimal change disease, focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis, IgA
nephropathy, lupus nephritis and diabetic nephropathy. Results: Of 716 articles
obtained through database searches, 19 relevant articles were considered for the
systematic review. Transcriptomics in kidney biopsy from patients with glomerular
diseases have generated new insights on a few promising genes, illustrated in
each disease section, which may be considered important targets for the care of
these diseases. Conclusions: Transcriptomics is an untapped resource for
precision nephrology. Moreover, the integration of transcriptomics and systems
pharmacology could predict the best drug combination to revert a pathological
condition by targeting disease-specific molecular networks.
PMID- 28992290
TI - Invasive Fungal Disease in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.
AB - Background: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at risk for invasive
fungal disease (IFD). Data on IFD burden in pediatric patients are limited. We
aimed to determine the incidence and outcome of IFD in a large cohort of
pediatric patients who underwent SOT. Methods: A single-center cohort of
pediatric patients who underwent SOT between 2000 and 2013 was assembled
retrospectively. The patients were followed for 180 days after transplant or
until death to determine the presence or absence of IFD. The 2008 European
Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections
Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Mycoses Study Group Consensus Group criteria were used to define IFD as proven or
probable. The incidence of IFD, all-cause mortality rate, and case-fatality rate
at 180 days were calculated. Results: Among 584 pediatric patients who underwent
SOT, 13 patients sustained 14 episodes of IFD (candidiasis, aspergillosis, and
mucormycosis). The overall incidence was 2.2% (14.3 IFD events per 100000 patient
days). The IFD rates according to transplant type were 12.5% (1 of 8)
(heart/lung), 11.4% (4 of 35) (lung), 4.7% (8 of 172) (liver), 0% (0 of 234)
(kidney), and 0% (0 of 135) (heart). Three patients with IFD (2 lung and 1
heart/lung) died, and all these deaths were deemed likely attributable to the
IFD; the case-fatality rate was 21.4% (3 of 14). Conclusions: The overall
incidence of IFD in these pediatric SOT recipients was low but varied across
transplant type, with heart/lung and lung recipients having the highest IFD rate.
Given the attributable case-fatality rate, the risk of death resulting from IFD
is potentially high. More data on groups at higher risk, such as lung transplant
recipients, are needed to guide targeted antifungal prophylaxis.
PMID- 28992292
TI - MacroH2A1.1 cooperates with EZH2 to promote adipogenesis by regulating Wnt
signaling.
AB - White adipocytes play important roles in many physiological processes, including
energy storage, endocrine signaling, and inflammatory responses. Understanding
the molecular mechanisms of adipocyte formation (adipogenesis) provides insights
into therapeutic approaches against obesity and its related diseases. Many
transcriptional factors and epigenetic enzymes are known to regulate
adipogenesis; however, whether histone variants play a role in this process is
unknown. Here we found that macroH2A1.1 (mH2A1.1), a variant of histone H2A, was
upregulated during adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and in the white
adipose tissue of obese mice. Ablation of mH2A1.1 activated Wnt/beta-catenin
signaling pathway, while overexpression of mH2A1.1 showed opposite effects. We
further found that mH2A1.1 regulated Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway by
cooperating with EZH2, a histone H3K27 methyltransferase, thus led to
accumulation of H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 on the promoters of Wnt genes. Mutations in
the macro-domain, mH2A1.1G224E, and mH2A1.1G314E, not only impaired adipogenesis,
but also impaired the binding ability of mH2A1.1 to EZH2 and the enrichments of
H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 on the promoters of Wnt genes. Together, our study reveals
a novel regulatory role of mH2A1.1 in adipogenesis and obesity, which provides
new insights in white fat development.
PMID- 28992294
TI - New insights into stem cells.
PMID- 28992291
TI - Retinoic acid inhibits white adipogenesis by disrupting GADD45A-mediated Zfp423
DNA demethylation.
AB - Retinoic acid (RA), a bioactive metabolite of vitamin A, is a critical mediator
of cell differentiation. RA blocks adipogenesis, but mechanisms remain to be
established. ZFP423 is a key transcription factor maintaining white adipose
identity. We found that RA inhibits Zfp423 expression and adipogenesis via
blocking DNA demethylation in the promoter of Zfp423, a process mediated by
growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible protein alpha (GADD45A). RA induces the
partnering between retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and tumor suppressor inhibitor of
growth protein 1 (ING1), which prevents the formation of GADD45A and ING1 complex
necessary for locus-specific Zfp423 DNA demethylation. In vivo, vitamin A
supplementation prevents obesity, downregulates Gadd45a expression, and reduces
GADD45A binding and DNA demethylation in the Zfp423 promoter. Inhibition of
Zfp423 expression due to RA contributes to the enhanced brown adipogenesis. In
summary, RA inhibits white adipogenesis by inducing RAR and ING1 interaction and
inhibiting Gadd45a expression, which prevents GADD45A-mediated DNA demethylation.
PMID- 28992293
TI - Inducible overexpression of RUNX1b/c in human embryonic stem cells blocks early
hematopoiesis from mesoderm.
AB - RUNX1 is absolutely required for definitive hematopoiesis, but the function of
RUNX1b/c, two isoforms of human RUNX1, is unclear. We established inducible
RUNX1b/c-overexpressing human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, in which RUNX1b/c
overexpression prevented the emergence of CD34+ cells from early stage, thereby
drastically reducing the production of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.
Simultaneously, the expression of hematopoiesis-related factors was
downregulated. However, such blockage effect disappeared from day 6 in hESC/AGM
S3 cell co-cultures, proving that the blockage occurred before the generation of
hemogenic endothelial cells. This blockage was partially rescued by RepSox, an
inhibitor of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling pathway,
indicating a close relationship between RUNX1b/c and TGF-beta pathway. Our
results suggest a unique inhibitory function of RUNX1b/c in the development of
early hematopoiesis and may aid further understanding of its biological function
in normal and diseased models.
PMID- 28992295
TI - Phylogenetic Relationships, Breeding Implications, and Cultivation History of
Hawaiian Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) Through Genome-Wide SNP Genotyping.
AB - Taro, Colocasia esculenta, is one of the world's oldest root crops and is of
particular economic and cultural significance in Hawai'i, where historically more
than 150 different landraces were grown. We developed a genome-wide set of more
than 2400 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from 70 taro
accessions of Hawaiian, South Pacific, Palauan, and mainland Asian origins, with
several objectives: 1) uncover the phylogenetic relationships between Hawaiian
and other Pacific landraces, 2) shed light on the history of taro cultivation in
Hawai'i, and 3) develop a tool to discriminate among Hawaiian and other taros. We
found that almost all existing Hawaiian landraces fall into 5 monophyletic groups
that are largely consistent with the traditional Hawaiian classification based on
morphological characters, for example, leaf shape and petiole color. Genetic
diversity was low within these clades but considerably higher between them.
Population structure analyses further indicated that the diversification of taro
in Hawai'i most likely occurred by a combination of frequent somatic mutation and
occasional hybridization. Unexpectedly, the South Pacific accessions were found
nested within the clades mainly composed of Hawaiian accessions, rather than
paraphyletic to them. This suggests that the origin of clades identified here
preceded the colonization of Hawai'i and that early Polynesian settlers brought
taro landraces from different clades with them. In the absence of a sequenced
genome, this marker set provides a valuable resource towards obtaining a genetic
linkage map and to study the genetic basis of phenotypic traits of interest to
taro breeding such as disease resistance.
PMID- 28992297
TI - Vacuolar degradation of chloroplast components: autophagy and beyond.
AB - Chloroplast degradation during natural or stress-induced senescence requires the
participation of both plastidic and extraplastidic degradative pathways. As part
of the extraplastidic pathways, chloroplasts export stroma, envelope, and
thylakoid proteins in membrane-bound organelles that are ultimately degraded in
vacuoles. Some of these pathways, such as the formation of senescence-associated
vacuoles (SAVs) and CV-containing vesicles (CCVs), do not depend on autophagy,
whereas delivery of Rubisco-containing bodies (RCBs), ATI1-PS (ATG8-interacting
Protein 1) bodies, and small starch-like granule (SSLG) bodies is autophagy
dependent. In addition, autophagy of entire chloroplasts delivers damaged
chloroplasts into the vacuolar lumen for degradation. This review summarizes the
autophagy-dependent and independent trafficking mechanisms by which plant cells
degrade chloroplast components in vacuoles.
PMID- 28992296
TI - Efficacy and Safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan (LCZ696) Compared With Olmesartan in
Elderly Asian Patients (>=65 Years) With Systolic Hypertension.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Systolic hypertension is common in elderly patients and remains a
challenge to treat effectively. The efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan
(LCZ696), a first-in-class angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, vs.
olmesartan was evaluated in elderly Asian patients (>=65 years) with systolic
hypertension. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, 14-week study, patients
initially received once-daily sacubitril/valsartan 100 mg or olmesartan 10 mg,
increased to sacubitril/valsartan 200 mg or olmesartan 20 mg at week 4. At week
10, for patients with blood pressure (BP) >140/90 mm Hg, the doses were up
titrated to sacubitril/valsartan 400 mg or olmesartan 40 mg. The primary
assessment was superiority of sacubitril/valsartan vs. olmesartan in reducing
office mean sitting (ms) systolic BP (msSBP) from baseline at week 10. Secondary
efficacy assessments included changes from baseline in ms diastolic BP (msDBP),
ms pulse pressure (msPP), 24-hour mean ambulatory (ma) BP (maBP), and maPP at
week 10; msBP and msPP at weeks 4 and 14. RESULTS: Overall, 588 patients were
randomized (mean age, 70.7 years; baseline msBP, 160.3/84.9 mm Hg; msPP, 75.4 mm
Hg). At week 10, sacubitril/valsartan provided superior msSBP reductions vs.
olmesartan (22.71 vs. 16.11 mm Hg, respectively; P < 0.001); similarly,
reductions from baseline in other BP and PP assessments were significantly
greater with sacubitril/valsartan. At week 14, despite more patients requiring up
titration in the olmesartan group, msBP and msPP reductions from baseline were
significantly greater with sacubitril/valsartan. Both treatments were generally
well-tolerated. CONCLUSION: Sacubitril/valsartan is more effective than
olmesartan in reducing BP in elderly Asian patients with systolic hypertension.
PMID- 28992298
TI - Incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii and Adverse Events Associated With
Pneumocystis Prophylaxis in Children Receiving Glucocorticoids.
AB - Background: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is indicated to prevent Pneumocystis
jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in profoundly immunosuppressed children. The incidence
of PJP infection in children with chronic glucocorticoid exposure is unknown, and
PJP prophylaxis has been associated with adverse events. We hypothesized that PJP
infection is rare in children without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), cancer, or a transplant history who are using
chronic glucocorticoids and that those exposed to PJP prophylaxis are more likely
to experience a cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction or myelosuppression than
unexposed patients. Methods: This study involved a retrospective cohort from the
Clinformatics Data Mart Database (OptumInsight, Eden Prairie, MN). We identified
patients <=18 years of age who received at least 2 prescriptions for a systemic
glucocorticoid within a 60-day period and excluded patients with a history of PJP
infection, an oncologic diagnosis, transplant, or HIV/AIDS. PJP prophylaxis
exposure was identified by using national drug codes. Cutaneous hypersensitivity
reaction or myelosuppression was identified by using International Classification
of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9), codes. We used a discrete time-failure model
to examine the association between exposure and outcome. Results: We identified
119399 children on glucocorticoids, 10% of whom received PJP prophylaxis. The
incidences of PJP were 0.61 and 0.53 per 10000 patient-years in children exposed
and those unexposed to PJP prophylaxis, respectively. In a multivariable model,
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was associated with cutaneous hypersensitivity
reaction (odds ratio, 3.20; 95% confidence interval, 2.62-3.92) and
myelosuppression (odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-2.20).
Conclusions: PJP infection was rare in children using glucocorticoids
chronically, and PJP prophylaxis-associated cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions
and myelosuppression are more common. The use of PJP chemoprophylaxis in children
without HIV/AIDS, cancer, or a transplant history who are taking glucocorticoids
chronically should be considered carefully.
PMID- 28992299
TI - Fracture after radiation therapy for femoral metastasis: incidence, timing and
clinical features.
AB - We analyzed 428 femoral metastases initially treated with radiotherapy between
2002 and 2011 to clarify the clinical details of post-irradiation fractures of
femoral metastasis. Patients included 161 men and 167 women, with a mean age of
62 years. Fracture incidence, fracture site, fracture risk based on X-ray images
before radiotherapy, and interval from completion of radiotherapy to fracture
occurrence were assessed. In addition, 24 pathological specimens obtained during
27 surgeries for these fractures were examined. Fractures occurred in 7.7% of 428
femoral metastases (total 33: 28 actual fractures and five virtual fractures with
progressive pain and bone destruction). The fracture rate was 7.8% in the
proximal femur and 1.5% in the shaft (P = 0.001). Fractures occurred a median of
4.4 months after radiotherapy, with 39.4% occurring within 3 months and 63.6%
within 6 months. Among femurs with high fracture risk according to Harrington's
criteria or Mirels' score, the fracture rate was 13.9% and 11.8%, respectively.
Viable tumor cells were detected in all five patients with painful virtual
fracture, in 85.7% of femurs with actual fractures that occurred within 3 months,
and in only 25.0% of actual fractures occurring after 3 months. Post-irradiation
fractures of femoral metastasis most frequently occurred within 3 months after
radiotherapy, and were more common in the peritrochanteric area than in the
shaft. Radiological evidence of impending fracture did not correlate with a high
fracture rate. Actual fractures occurring after more than 3 months were likely
caused by post-irradiation fragility of the femur, without viable tumor cells.
PMID- 28992300
TI - COP1 regulates plant growth and development in response to light at the post
translational level.
AB - Photoreceptors perceive different wavelengths of light and transduce light
signals downstream via a range of proteins. COP1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase,
regulates light signaling by mediating the ubiquitination and subsequent
proteasomal degradation of photoreceptors such as phytochromes and cryptochromes,
as well as various development-related proteins including other light-responsive
proteins. COP1 is itself regulated by direct interactions with several signaling
molecules that modulate its activity. The control of photomorphogenesis by COP1
is also regulated by its localization to the cytoplasm in response to light. COP1
thus acts as a tightly regulated switch that determines whether development is
skotomorphogenic or photomorphogenic. In this review, we discuss the effects of
COP1 on the abundance and activity of various development-related proteins,
including photoreceptors, and summarize the regulatory mechanisms that influence
COP1 activity and stability in plants.
PMID- 28992301
TI - Sensory Biology of Starfish-With Emphasis on Recent Discoveries in their Visual
Ecology.
AB - Asteroidea, starfish, constitutes a major part of the macrobenthos in most marine
environments. Being members of the echinoderms, they have a nervous system with
no well-defined central nervous system. Accordingly, starfish are assumed to pick
up rather limited information from the surroundings, and it is also often assumed
that most of their behaviors are guided by olfaction. Here, the sensory biology
of starfish is reviewed in order to evaluate these assumptions. There is a vast
amount of behavioral data dealing with mechanoreception, chemoreception, and
combinations of the two (chemosensory-mediated rheotaxis), but the receptors have
not yet been identified and almost nothing is known about the physiology behind
these senses. What can be concluded from the available data is that starfish
possess a sense of touch, some are able to sense gravity and many display
positive rheotaxis, moving up currents. A number of starfish species use
olfaction during foraging and prey localization. Interestingly, eyes are also
present in most starfish, and recent studies have documented that in Linckia
laevigata and Acanthaster planci vision plays a major role in seeking out their
feeding grounds. The physiology and structure of the eyes filter out small moving
objects while optimizing the contrast between the large stationary objects (e.g.,
coral boulders in the habitat) and the surrounding water. These new results
demonstrate the importance of controlling the visual environment when conducting
experiments on starfish behavior.
PMID- 28992303
TI - Dominant Allele Phylogeny and Constitutive Subgenome Haplotype Inference in
Bananas Using Mitochondrial and Nuclear Markers.
AB - Cultivated bananas (Musa spp.) have undergone domestication patterns involving
crosses of wild progenitors followed by long periods of clonal propagation.
Majority of cultivated bananas are polyploids with different constitutive
subgenomes and knowledge on phylogenies to their progenitors at the species and
subspecies levels is essential. Here, the mitochondrial (NAD1) and nuclear
(CENH3) markers were used to phylogenetically position cultivated banana
genotypes to diploid progenitors. The CENH3 nuclear marker was used to identify a
minimum representative haplotype number in polyploids and diploid bananas based
on single nucleotide polymorphisms. The mitochondrial marker NAD1 was observed to
be ideal in differentiating bananas of different genomic constitutions based on
size of amplicons as well as sequence. The genotypes phylogenetically segregated
based on the dominant genome; AAB genotypes grouped with AA and AAA, and the ABB
together with BB. Both markers differentiated banana sections, but could not
differentiate subspecies within the A genomic group. On the basis of CENH3
marker, a total of 13 haplotypes (five in both diploid and triploid, three in
diploids, and rest unique to triploids) were identified from the genotypes
tested. The presence of haplotypes, which were common in diploids and triploids,
stipulate possibility of a shared ancestry in the genotypes involved in this
study. Furthermore, the presence of multiple haplotypes in some diploid bananas
indicates their being heterozygous. The haplotypes identified in this study are
of importance because they can be used to check the level of homozygozity in
breeding lines as well as to track segregation in progenies.
PMID- 28992302
TI - Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) Genome: Divergence with the
Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Characterization of Light-Associated Genes.
AB - We report here the assembly of a northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis
caurina) genome. We generated Illumina paired-end sequence data at 90* coverage
using nine libraries with insert lengths ranging from ~250 to 9,600 nt and read
lengths from 100 to 375 nt. The genome assembly is comprised of 8,108 scaffolds
totaling 1.26 * 109 nt in length with an N50 length of 3.98 * 106 nt. We
calculated the genome-wide fixation index (FST) of S. o. caurina with the closely
related barred owl (Strix varia) as 0.819. We examined 19 genes that encode
proteins with light-dependent functions in our genome assembly as well as in that
of the barn owl (Tyto alba). We present genomic evidence for loss of three of
these in S. o. caurina and four in T. alba. We suggest that most light-associated
gene functions have been maintained in owls and their loss has not proceeded to
the same extent as in other dim-light-adapted vertebrates.
PMID- 28992304
TI - Pherotype Polymorphism in Streptococcus pneumoniae Has No Obvious Effects on
Population Structure and Recombination.
AB - Natural transformation in the Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae
occurs when cells become "competent," a state that is induced in response to high
extracellular concentrations of a secreted peptide signal called competence
stimulating peptide (CSP) encoded by the comC locus. Two main CSP signal types
(pherotypes) are known to dominate the pherotype diversity across strains. Using
4,089 fully sequenced pneumococcal genomes, we confirm that pneumococcal
populations are highly genetically structured and that there is significant
variation among diverged populations in pherotype frequencies; most carry only a
single pherotype. Moreover, we find that the relative frequencies of the two
dominant pherotypes significantly vary within a small range across geographical
sites. It has been variously proposed that pherotypes either promote genetic
exchange among cells expressing the same pherotype, or conversely that they
promote recombination between strains bearing different pherotypes. We attempt to
distinguish these hypotheses using a bioinformatics approach by estimating
recombination frequencies within and between pherotypes across 4,089 full
genomes. Despite underlying population structure, we observe extensive
recombination between populations; additionally, we found significantly higher
(although marginal) rates of genetic exchange between strains expressing
different pherotypes than among isolates carrying the same pherotype. Our results
indicate that pherotypes do not restrict, and may even slightly facilitate,
recombination between strains; however, these marginal effects suggest the more
likely possibility that the cause of CSP polymorphism lies outside of its effects
on transformation. Our results suggest that the CSP balanced polymorphism does
not causally underlie population differentiation. Therefore, when strains
carrying different pherotypes encounter one another during cocolonization,
genetic exchange can occur without restriction.
PMID- 28992305
TI - Persulfidation proteome reveals the regulation of protein function by hydrogen
sulfide in diverse biological processes in Arabidopsis.
AB - Hydrogen sulfide-mediated signaling pathways regulate many physiological and
pathophysiological processes in mammalian and plant systems. The molecular
mechanism by which hydrogen sulfide exerts its action involves the post
translational modification of cysteine residues to form a persulfidated thiol
motif, a process called protein persulfidation. We have developed a comparative
and quantitative proteomic analysis approach for the detection of endogenous
persulfidated proteins in wild-type Arabidopsis and L-CYSTEINE DESULFHYDRASE 1
mutant leaves using the tag-switch method. The 2015 identified persulfidated
proteins were isolated from plants grown under controlled conditions, and
therefore, at least 5% of the entire Arabidopsis proteome may undergo
persulfidation under baseline conditions. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that
persulfidated cysteines participate in a wide range of biological functions,
regulating important processes such as carbon metabolism, plant responses to
abiotic and biotic stresses, plant growth and development, and RNA translation.
Quantitative analysis in both genetic backgrounds reveals that protein
persulfidation is mainly involved in primary metabolic pathways such as the
tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, and the Calvin cycle, suggesting that this
protein modification is a new regulatory component in these pathways.
PMID- 28992307
TI - Attempted molecular detection of the thermally dimorphic human fungal pathogen
Emergomyces africanus in terrestrial small mammals in South Africa.
AB - The ecological niche of Emergomyces africanus (formerly Emmonsia species), a
dimorphic fungus that causes an AIDS-related mycosis in South Africa, is unknown.
We hypothesized that natural infection with E. africanus occurs in wild small
mammals. Using molecular detection with primers specific for E. africanus, we
examined 1402 DNA samples from 26 species of mole-rats, rodents, and insectivores
trapped in South Africa that included 1324 lung, 37 kidney, and 41 liver
specimens. DNA of E. africanus was not detected in any animals. We conclude that
natural infection of wild small mammals in South Africa with E. africanus has not
been proven.
PMID- 28992306
TI - Delaying chloroplast turnover increases water-deficit stress tolerance through
the enhancement of nitrogen assimilation in rice.
AB - Abiotic stress-induced senescence in crops is a process particularly affecting
the photosynthetic apparatus, decreasing photosynthetic activity and inducing
chloroplast degradation. A pathway for stress-induced chloroplast degradation
that involves the CHLOROPLAST VESICULATION (CV) gene was characterized in rice
(Oryza sativa) plants. OsCV expression was up-regulated with the age of the
plants and when plants were exposed to water-deficit conditions. The down
regulation of OsCV expression contributed to the maintenance of the chloroplast
integrity under stress. OsCV-silenced plants displayed enhanced source fitness
(i.e. carbon and nitrogen assimilation) and photorespiration, leading to water
deficit stress tolerance. Co-immunoprecipitation, intracellular co-localization,
and bimolecular fluorescence demonstrated the in vivo interaction between OsCV
and chloroplastic glutamine synthetase (OsGS2), affecting source-sink
relationships of the plants under stress. Our results would indicate that the
OsCV-mediated chloroplast degradation pathway is involved in the regulation of
nitrogen assimilation during stress-induced plant senescence.
PMID- 28992308
TI - Relationship between intracranial pressure and antifungal agents levels in the
CSF of patients with cryptococcal meningitis.
AB - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of intracranial
hypertension in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amphotericin B and
fluconazole levels of patients with cryptococcal meningitis. CSF samples and
intracranial pressure were obtained by means of routine punctures performed at
days 1, 7, and 14 of therapy, respectively. Amphotericin B and fluconazole CSF
levels were measured by HPLC method as previously described. The minimum
inhibitory concentration for amphotericin B, fluconazole, 5?flucytosine, and
voriconazole of each Cryptococcus isolate was performed according to CLSI. The
predominant Cryptococcus species found was C. neoformans, and the major
underlying condition was AIDS. Only one CSF sample had a detectable level for
amphotericin B during the 14 days of therapy. Fluconazole CSF levels
progressively increased from day 1 to day 14 of therapy for most cases.
Fluconazole levels in the CSF were above the minimum inhibitory concentrations
(MICs) for Cryptococcus during the initial 14 days of antifungal therapy.
Variations of intracranial pressure did not affect amphotericin B and fluconazole
levels in the CSF. The generalized estimating correlation (GEE) and Spearman
correlation test (SCT) showed no significant correlation between the amphotericin
B or fluconazole concentrations in the CSF and intracranial pressure (P = .953
and P = .093, respectively for GEE test and P = .477 and P = .847, respectively,
for SCT). Combination therapy of amphotericin B with fluconazole was effective in
60% of the patients considering CSF cultures were negative in 9 of 15 patients
after 14 days of therapy. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the role of
intracranial hypertension on the therapeutic efficacy of different antifungal
agents in patients with cryptococcal meningitis.
PMID- 28992310
TI - Genetic Costs of Domestication and Improvement.
AB - The "cost of domestication" hypothesis posits that the process of domesticating
wild species can result in an increase in the number, frequency, and/or
proportion of deleterious genetic variants that are fixed or segregating in the
genomes of domesticated species. This cost may limit the efficacy of selection
and thus reduce genetic gains in breeding programs for these species.
Understanding when and how deleterious mutations accumulate can also provide
insight into fundamental questions about the interplay of demography and
selection. Here we describe the evolutionary processes that may contribute to
deleterious variation accrued during domestication and improvement, and review
the available evidence for "the cost of domestication" in animal and plant
genomes. We identify gaps and explore opportunities in this emerging field, and
finally offer suggestions for researchers and breeders interested in
understanding or avoiding the consequences of an increased number or frequency of
deleterious variants in domesticated species.
PMID- 28992309
TI - A genome-wide survey with different rapeseed ecotypes uncovers footprints of
domestication and breeding.
AB - Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop. Despite a short period
of domestication and breeding, rapeseed has formed three diverse ecotype groups,
namely spring, winter, and semi-winter. However, the genetic changes among the
three ecotype groups have remained largely unknown. To detect selective signals,
a set of 327 accessions from a worldwide collection were genotyped using a
Brassica array, producing 33 186 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) was unevenly distributed across the genome. A
total of 705 (78.2%) weak LD regions were found in the A subgenome, whereas 445
(72.6%) strong LD regions were in the C subgenome. By calculating the nucleotide
diversity and population differentiation indices, a total of 198 selective sweeps
were identified across ecotype groups, spanning 5.91% (37.9 Mb) of the genome.
Within these genome regions, a few known functional genes or loci were found to
be in association with environmental adaptability and yield-related traits. In
particular, all 12 SNPs detected in significant association with flowering time
among accessions were in the selection regions between ecotype groups. These
findings provide new insights into the structure of the B. napus genome and
uncover the footprints of domestication and breeding.
PMID- 28992311
TI - Pairing Increases Activation of V1aR, but not OTR, in Auditory Regions of Zebra
Finches: The Importance of Signal Modality in Nonapeptide-Social Behavior
Relationships.
AB - Social relationships are complex, involving the production and comprehension of
signals, individual recognition, and close coordination of behavior between two
or more individuals. The nonapeptides oxytocin and vasopressin are widely
believed to regulate social relationships. These findings come largely from
prairie voles, in which nonapeptide receptors in olfactory neural circuits drive
pair bonding. This research is assumed to apply to all species. Previous reviews
have offered two competing hypotheses. The work of Sarah Newman has implicated a
common neural network across species, the Social Behavior Network. In contrast,
others have suggested that there are signal modality-specific networks that
regulate social behavior. Our research focuses on evaluating these two competing
hypotheses in the zebra finch, a species that relies heavily on vocal/auditory
signals for communication, specifically the neural circuits underlying singing in
males and song perception in females. We have demonstrated that the quality of
vocal interactions is highly important for the formation of long-term monogamous
bonds in zebra finches. Qualitative evidence at first suggests that nonapeptide
receptor distributions are very different between monogamous rodents (olfactory
species) and monogamous birds (vocal/auditory species). However, we have
demonstrated that social bonding behaviors are not only correlated with
activation of nonapeptide receptors in vocal and auditory circuits, but also
involve regions of the common Social Behavior Network. Here, we show increased
Vasopressin 1a receptor, but not oxytocin receptor, activation in two auditory
regions following formation of a pair bond. To our knowledge, this is the first
study to suggest a role of nonapeptides in the auditory circuit in pair bonding.
Thus, we highlight converging mechanisms of social relationships and also point
to the importance of studying multiple species to understand mechanisms of
behavior.
PMID- 28992312
TI - Long-chain fatty acids inhibit human members of the aldo-keto reductase 1C
subfamily.
AB - Four human hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in the aldo-keto reductase (AKR)
superfamily, AKR1C1-AKR1C4, are involved in the metabolism of steroids and other
carbonyl compounds including drugs, and altered expression of AKRs (1C1, 1C2
and/or 1C3) is related to the pathogenesis of several extrahepatic cancers. Here,
we report that unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) are potent competitive inhibitors of
the AKR enzymes. The sensitivities to the FAs were different among the enzymes,
especially between AKR1C1 and AKR1C2. The most potent inhibitors for AKR1C1,
AKR1C2 and AKR1C4 were docosahexaenoic acid (Ki 0.77 uM), palmitoleic acid (Ki
0.41 uM) and linoleic acid (Ki 0.33 uM), respectively. AKR1C3 was the most
sensitive to FA inhibition, showing low Ki values (0.23-0.29 uM) for oleic,
linoleic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Linoleic and oleic acids
also inhibited AKR1C3-mediated metabolism of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone in colon
DLD1 cells. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis studies suggested
upon FA binding to AKR1C1 and AKR1C3: (i) the carboxyl group of the FA binds to
the oxyanion-binding site in the active site; (ii) the difference in FA
sensitivity between AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 is due to their residue difference at
position 54; (iii) Ser118, Phe306 and Phe311 of AKR1C3 are important for
determining the inhibitory potency of FAs.
PMID- 28992313
TI - Secular trends in the incidence of end-stage renal disease and its risk factors
in Japanese patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
AB - Background: There are limited data on secular trends in the incidence of end
stage renal disease (ESRD) and frequencies of its risk factors or treatment
modalities in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). Methods: This
study divided 1255 patients with IgAN into three groups according to the timing
of renal biopsy: 1979-89 (n = 232), 1990-99 (n = 574) and 2000-10 (n = 449). The
age-adjusted incidence rates, incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals
(CIs) for ESRD were calculated by the person-year method and compared using
Poisson regression analysis. Results: A total of 63 patients (5.0%) developed
ESRD. The age-adjusted incidence of ESRD decreased significantly over time, i.e.
11.5 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 5.4-24.6) in 1979-89, 6.5 per 1000 person
years (95% CI 1.0-25.2) in 1990-99 and 4.2 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 1.0
17.7) in 2000-10. The proportions of patients with preserved renal function and
acute-stage inflammatory histologic changes (i.e. endocapillary hypercellularity
and extracapillary proliferation) at the timing of biopsy increased over time, as
did the rates of prescriptions of renin-angiotensin system blockers and
corticosteroids (all P for trend <0.05). The effect of acute inflammatory
histologic lesions on renal prognosis was drastically reduced over time.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that early diagnosis in the acute
inflammatory phase and subsequent aggressive treatment may have contributed to
the significant downward trend in the incidence of ESRD in patients with IgAN
over three decades.
PMID- 28992314
TI - Nutritional therapy reduces protein carbamylation through urea lowering in
chronic kidney disease.
AB - Background: Protein carbamylation is one of the non-enzymatic reactions involved
in protein molecular ageing. We sought to investigate the relationship between
urea levels and protein carbamylation, and whether a Mediterranean diet (MD) and
a very low protein diet (VLPD) reduce protein carbamylation through reduction in
urea levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: This is a
prospective, randomized, crossover controlled trial that investigated 60 patients
with CKD grades 3B-4 (46 males, mean age of 67 years). The enrolled CKD patients
were randomly assigned (1:1) to two different nutritional treatment arms: (i) 3
months of free diet (FD), 6 months of VLPD, 3 months of FD and 6 months of MD;
and (ii) 3 months of FD, 6 months of MD, 3 months of FD and 6 months of VLPD.
Blood levels of lysine (Lys) and homocitrulline (Hcit) and their ratio were used
as markers of cyanate levels. Due to a lack of pre-existing data on the potential
effects of different dietary regimens and in light of the exploratory nature of
the study, no formal sample size estimation was carried out. Results: At study
completion, lower diastolic blood pressure and decreased serum levels of urea,
sodium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone, but higher serum levels of
bicarbonate and haemoglobin, were noted with MD and VLPD. When compared with FD,
both MD and VLPD were also associated with a decrease in serum Hcit levels and
Hcit/Lys ratios (P < 0.001). Notably, reductions in urea levels correlated with
substantial reductions in Hcit levels (R2 = 0.16 and 0.17 for VLPD and MD,
respectively). Conclusion: In conclusion, nutritional treatments that
significantly decrease serum levels of urea are associated with reduced protein
carbamylation.
PMID- 28992315
TI - Amphotericin B and terbinafine but not the azoles prolong survival in Galleria
mellonella larvae infected with Madurella mycetomatis.
AB - Mycetoma is a tropical neglected disease characterized by large subcutaneous
lesions in which the causative organisms reside in the form of grains. The most
common causative agent is Madurella mycetomatis. Antifungal therapy often fails
due to these grains, but to identify novel treatment options has been difficult
since grains do not form in vitro. We recently used Galleria mellonella larvae to
develop an in vivo grain model. In the current study, we set out to determine the
therapeutic efficacy of commonly used antifungal agents in this larval model.
Pharmacokinetics of ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole,
amphotericin B, and terbinafine were determined in the hemolymph of G. mellonella
larvae. Antifungal therapy was given either therapeutically or prophylactic on
three consecutive days in therapeutically equivalent dosages. Survival was
monitored for 10 days and colony-forming units (cfu) and melanization were
determined on day 3. Measurable concentrations of antifungal agents were found in
the hemolymph of the larvae. None of the azole antifungal agents prolonged
survival when given therapeutically or prophylactically. Amphotericin B and
terbinafine did prolong survival, even at concentrations below the minimal
inhibitory concentration of M. mycetomatis. The cfu and melanization did not
differ between any of the treated groups and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)
treated groups. Grains were still present in surviving larvae but appeared to be
encapsulated. This study demonstrated for the first time a comparison between the
efficacy of different antifungal agents toward grains of M. mycetomatis. It
appeared that amphotericin B and terbinafine were able to prolong larval
survival.
PMID- 28992316
TI - Phosphorylation of CBX2 controls its nucleosome-binding specificity.
AB - Chromobox 2 (CBX2), a component of polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), binds
lysine 27-methylated histone H3 (H3K27me3) via its chromodomain (CD) and plays a
critical role in repressing developmentally regulated genes. The phosphorylation
of CBX2 has been described in several studies, but the biological implications of
this modification remain largely elusive. Here, we show that CBX2's
phosphorylation plays an important role in its nucleosome binding. CBX2 is stably
phosphorylated in vivo, and domain analysis showed that residues in CBX2's serine
rich (SR) region are the predominant phosphorylation sites. The serine residues
in an SR region followed by an acidic-residue (AR) cluster coincide with the
consensus target of casein kinase II (CK2), and CK2 efficiently phosphorylated
the SR region in vitro. A nucleosome pull-down assay revealed that CK2
phosphorylated CBX2 had a high specificity for H3K27me3-modified nucleosomes. An
electrophoretic mobility-shift assay showed that CK2-mediated phosphorylation
diminished CBX2's AT-hook-associated DNA-binding activity. Mutant CBX2 lacking
the SR region or its neighboring AR cluster failed to repress the transcription
of p21, a gene targeted by PRC1. These results suggest that CBX2's
phosphorylation is critical for its transcriptional repression of target genes.
PMID- 28992317
TI - Mycoplasma hominis Empyema in an 18-Year-old Stem Cell and Lung Transplant
Recipient: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB - Mycoplasma hominis has been identified as a rare cause of respiratory infections
in immunocompromised adults. Here, we describe a case of Mycoplasma hominis
empyema in an 18-year-old immunocompromised patient with a review of the
literature highlighting diagnostic challenges associated with this infection.
PMID- 28992318
TI - The deubiquitinase UCHL5/UCH37 positively regulates Hedgehog signaling by
deubiquitinating Smoothened.
AB - The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays important roles in developmental
processes including pattern formation and tissue homeostasis. The seven-pass
transmembrane receptor Smoothened (Smo) is the pivotal transducer in the pathway;
it, and thus the pathway overall, is regulated by ubiquitin-mediated degradation,
which occurs in the absence of Hh. In the presence of Hh, the ubiquitination
levels of Smo are decreased, but the molecular basis for this outcome is not well
understood. Here, we identify the deubiquitinase UCHL5 as a positive regulator of
the Hh pathway. We provide both genetic and biochemical evidence that UCHL5
interacts with and deubiquitinates Smo, increasing stability and promoting
accumulation at the cell membrane. Strikingly, we find that Hh enhances the
interaction between UCHL5 and Smo, thereby stabilizing Smo. We also find that
proteasome subunit RPN13, an activator of UCHL5, could enhance the effect of
UCHL5 on Smo protein level. More importantly, we find that the mammalian
counterpart of UCHL5, UCH37, plays the same role in the regulation of Hh
signaling by modulating hSmo ubiquitination and stability. Our findings thus
identify UCHL5/UCH37 as a critical regulator of Hh signaling and potential
therapeutic target for cancers.
PMID- 28992319
TI - Atrial fibrillation in kidney transplant recipients: is there a place for the
novel drugs?
AB - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia of high
clinical importance, occurring in 2% of the general population and in 19-24% in
patients with chronic kidney disease. It is a well-known risk factor for
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Kidney transplant recipients with a
history of AF were associated with significantly higher rate of ischaemic
strokes, graft failure and post-transplant mortality. AF occurs in over 7% of
kidney transplant recipients in the first 3 years after transplantation and is
associated with reduced graft and patient survival. The incidence of stroke in
patients after kidney transplantation (KTx) is higher than the general
population, but markedly lower than those on dialysis. Oral anticoagulation (OAC)
therapy is recommended in AF patients at high risk of stroke. There are no
randomized studies assessing OAC in patients after KTx and there are no specific
recommendations and guidelines on therapeutic strategies in these patients. KTx
recipients are a vulnerable population, exposed to variations in renal function,
being at higher risk of bleeding and thrombotic complications, with possible
interactions with immunosuppression. Surely, there is a place for novel oral
anticoagulants (NOACs) in this group of patients as long as the summary of
product characteristics is followed, as they are a valuable anticoagulation
therapy. On one hand, they are at least as effective as warfarin; on the other
hand NOACs are safer, especially when it comes to intracranial haemorrhages.
However, NOACs seem to be underused in this population as they are excreted via
kidney, may interact with immunosuppressive therapy and physicians need more
experience and confidence in their administration. Percutaneous left atrial
appendage occlusion procedure may also be considered as an opportunity for this
group of patients, in particular in the presence of contraindications to
anticoagulation.
PMID- 28992321
TI - Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A predicts survival in end-stage renal
disease-confounding and modifying effects of cardiovascular disease, body
composition and inflammation.
AB - Background: High pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) levels are linked
to atherosclerosis and associate with increased mortality in prevalent dialysis
patients. We investigated associations of PAPP-A, measured at dialysis
initiation, with cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD risk factors and mortality in
incident dialysis patients, and explored if body composition and inflammation
modulated these associations. Methods: Baseline plasma PAPP-A levels,
inflammation biomarkers and body composition, using dual-energy X-ray
absorptiometry, were measured in 286 incident dialysis patients. Primary outcome
was survival during 60 months follow-up. Quantile (median) regression was used
for cross-sectional analysis and Kaplan-Meier diagrams and Cox proportional
hazards regression for survival analysis. Results: In cross-sectional analysis
adjusted for age and sex, PAPP-A levels were associated with lean tissue index
(LTI) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) but not with fat tissue
index (FTI) or history of CVD. In a model also including diabetes mellitus (DM),
the association with LTI did not remain statistically significant. When adjusted
for cardiovascular risk factors and body composition, higher PAPP-A levels showed
a moderate but significant association [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.2, 95% confidence
interval (CI): 1-1.4, P = 0.04] with mortality. When also including hsCRP the
association was attenuated (HR = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.99-1.4, P = 0.06). In survival
analysis, interactions with PAPP-A on the multiplicative scale were found for
hsCRP (HR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.2, P = 0.004) and DM (HR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.2, P
= 0.01) and with DM and FTI on the additive scale. Conclusions: Higher PAPP-A
levels are associated with worse survival in incident dialysis patients following
adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors and body composition
indices, but not clearly so when adjusted for hsCRP. Inflammation, body
composition (FTI) and DM were found to be potential effect modifiers for the
observed moderate association of PAPP-A with survival.
PMID- 28992320
TI - Effect of human leukocyte antigen mismatching on the outcomes of pediatric kidney
transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB - Background: Kidney transplantation is regarded as the optimal treatment for
pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease. Here, we address a controversial
topic in pediatric kidney transplantation by performing a quantitative evaluation
of the effect of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatching on the outcomes of
pediatric kidney transplantation. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed,
EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from their inception to 31 December 2016 for
cohort studies assessing the risk ratio (RR) of HLA mismatching on pediatric
kidney transplantation. Outcome measures included graft failure, rejection and
all-cause mortality. RRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as
estimates of effect size in random-effect models. Results: Eighteen studies
comprising a total of 26 018 pediatric recipients were included in the
evaluation. Compared with 0-1 HLA-DR mismatch, 2 mismatches significantly
increased the risk of graft failure at 1 year (RR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.11-1.80), 3
years (RR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.08-1.52), 5 years (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04-1.41) and 10
years (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.02-1.67). For HLA-A + B, the 5-year graft failure risk
was higher for 2-4 mismatches compared with 0-1 mismatch (RR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.20
8.36), but not for 3-4 compared with 0-2 mismatches (RR: 1.49, 95% CI: 0.79
2.80). Conclusions: Based on pooled analysis, HLA-DR and HLA-A + B are important
factors affecting post-transplant outcomes, especially graft failure, in
pediatric recipients. Additional randomized controlled trials with higher quality
evidence are needed for further investigation.
PMID- 28992323
TI - Stress-induced senescence and plant tolerance to abiotic stress.
AB - Senescence is an age-dependent process, ultimately leading to plant death, that
in annual crop plants overlaps with the reproductive stage of development.
Research on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of leaf senescence has
revealed a multi-layered regulatory network operating to control age-dependent
processes. Abiotic stress-induced senescence challenges source-sink relationships
and results in significant reduction in crop yields. Although processes
associated with plant senescence are well studied, the mechanisms regulating
stress-induced senescence are not well known. Here, we discuss the effects of
abiotic stress on crop productivity, mechanisms associated with stress-induced
senescence, and the possible use of these mechanisms for the generation of plant
stress tolerance. We emphasize the involvement of source strength and stability
of the photosynthetic apparatus in this process, and suggest a possible role of a
perennial plant life strategy for the amelioration of stress-induced senescence.
PMID- 28992324
TI - Zbed3 participates in the subcortical maternal complex and regulates the
distribution of organelles.
AB - We previously identified a subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) that is essential
for early embryogenesis and female fertility in mice. However, the molecular
mechanism by which the SCMC affects female fertility remains largely
uncharacterized. Here, we report that a novel maternal protein, zinc finger BED
type containing 3 (Zbed3), participates in the SCMC. Depletion of maternal Zbed3
results in reduced fecundity of females, because of the impaired and delayed
development in a proportion of mutant embryos. The loss of maternal Zbed3 results
in asymmetric zygotic division and abnormal distributions of organelles in the
affected oocytes and zygotes, similar to the phenotypes observed in females with
disrupted core SCMC genes. Further investigation revealed that these phenotypes
are associated with disrupted dynamics of microtubules and/or formation of
cytoplasmic lattices (CPLs). The stability and localization of Zbed3 depend on,
but are not required for, the formation of the SCMC. Thus, our data suggest Zbed3
as one of downstream proteins mediating SCMC functions and provide further
insights into the roles of the SCMC and CPLs in female fertility.
PMID- 28992322
TI - Human Cytosolic Sulphotransferase SULT1C3: genomic analysis and functional
characterization of splice variant SULT1C3a and SULT1C3d.
AB - The cytosolic sulphotransferase SULT1C3 remained the most poorly understood human
SULT. The SULT1C3 gene has been shown to contain alternative exons 7 and 8,
raising the question concerning their evolutionary origin and implying the
generation of multiple SULT1C3 variants. Two SULT1C3 splice variants, SULT1C3a
and SULT1C3d, were investigated to verify the impact of alternative C-terminal
sequences on their sulphating activity. Sequence homology and gene location
analyses were performed to verify the orthology of the SULT1C3 gene. The SULT1C3
gene appears to be present only in humans and other primates, but alternative
exons 7b and 8b share high degrees of homology with corresponding regions of
rodent SULT1C1 genes, implying their evolutionary origin being from a defunct
human SULT1C1 gene. Purified recombinant SULT1C3a and SULT1C3d were analyzed for
sulphating activities toward a variety of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds.
While SULT1C3a displayed weaker activities and strict substrate specificity
toward hydroxyl-chlorinated biphenyls, SULT1C3d exhibited broader substrate
specificity toward bile acids and thyroid hormones as well as hydroxyl
chlorinated biphenyls. Molecular docking simulation suggested that Tyr249 and
Met257 may play an important role in substrate recognition by SULT1C3d.
Alternative splicing of exons 7 and 8 sequences resulted in differential
catalytic properties of SULT1C3 variants.
PMID- 28992325
TI - Congenital Babesiosis After Maternal Infection With Borrelia burgdorferi and
Babesia microti.
AB - We describe the cases of 2 infants with congenital babesiosis born to mothers
with prepartum Lyme disease and subclinical Babesia microti infection. The
infants both developed anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, and 1 infant
required red blood cell transfusion. Both infants recovered with treatment.
Additional studies are warranted to define the optimal management strategy for
pregnant women with early Lyme disease in geographic areas in which B microti
infection is endemic.
PMID- 28992327
TI - The steady-state level of CDK4 protein is regulated by antagonistic actions
between PAQR4 and SKP2 and involved in tumorigenesis.
AB - CDK4 is crucial for G1-to-S transition of cell cycle. It is well established that
ubiquitin-mediated degradations of CDK inhibitors and cyclins are pivotal for the
timely and unidirectional progression of cell cycle. However, how CDK4 itself is
modulated by ubiquitin-mediated degradation has been elusive. Here we report that
the steady-state level of CDK4 is controlled by PAQR4, a member of the progestin
and adipoQ receptor family, and SKP2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Knockdown of PAQR4
leads to reduction of cell proliferation, accompanied by reduced protein level of
CDK4. PAQR4 reduces polyubiquitination and degradation of CDK4. PAQR4 interacts
with the C-terminal lobe of CDK4. On the other hand, SKP2 also interacts with the
C-terminal lobe of CDK4 and enhances polyubiquitination and degradation of CDK4.
Importantly, PAQR4 and SKP2 bind to the same region in CDK4, and PAQR4 competes
with SKP2 for the binding, thereby abrogating SKP2-mediated ubiquitination of
CDK4. Using a two-stage DMBA/TPA-induced skin cancer model, we find that PAQR4
deleted mice are resistant to chemical carcinogen-induced tumor formation.
Collectively, our findings reveal that the steady-state level of CDK4 is
controlled by the antagonistic actions between PAQR4 and SKP2, contributing to
modulation of cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.
PMID- 28992328
TI - What Parents Think About the Risks and Benefits of Antibiotics for Their Child's
Acute Respiratory Tract Infection.
AB - Background: Parental pressure is often cited as a reason for why pediatricians
overuse antibiotics for children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI).
We sought to capture parent perceptions of antibiotics at the time of their
child's presentation with an ARTI. Methods: We conducted semistructured
interviews with parents of children who presented with ARTI symptoms to 1 of 4
diverse practices in a large hospital-affiliated network of pediatric primary
care practices. Parents were interviewed before their child was seen by the
pediatrician and asked about their perceptions of antibiotics. Results:
Interviews were conducted with 109 parents. None of the parents said they planned
to ask the pediatrician for antibiotics but instead expected to gain reassurance
and a plan to minimize symptoms. Three perceptions about antibiotics were
identified: parents have a sense of wariness when their child is prescribed
antibiotics, they have an understanding that antibiotic overuse is a problem but
that it is driven by the demands of other parents, and they have a preference for
alternative treatment. The majority of the parents were not concerned about
antibiotic resistance. In response to closed-ended questions designed to assess
their level of concern with adverse effects, parents were most concerned with
their child developing an upset stomach, having an allergic reaction, and
experiencing diarrhea. The parents were not concerned with antibiotic treatment
failure. Conclusions: Parents in our study expressed a sense of caution about
antibiotics and an awareness that they should be used judiciously. Our findings
indicate that parents are aware of the downsides of antibiotics and might be
willing to partner with healthcare providers to improve appropriate use.
PMID- 28992326
TI - Neurological complications of new chemotherapy agents.
AB - This last decade has yielded more robust development of cancer treatments and
first-in-class agents than ever before. Since 2006, nearly one hundred new drugs
have received regulatory approval for the treatment of hematological and solid
organ neoplasms. Moreover, older conventional therapies have received approval
for new clinical indications and are being used in combination with these newer
small-molecule targeted treatments. The nervous system is vulnerable to many of
the traditional cancer therapies, manifesting both already well-described acute
and chronic toxicities. However, newer agents may produce toxicities that may
seem indistinguishable from the underlying cancer. Early recognition of
neurotoxicities from new therapeutics is vital to avoid irreversible neurological
injury. This review focuses on cancer therapies in use in the last 10 years and
approved by the FDA from January 2006 through January 1, 2017.
PMID- 28992330
TI - Quantitative characterization of cuticular barrier properties: methods,
requirements, and problems.
AB - The interface between the atmosphere and leaves and fruits is formed by the
lipophilic plant cuticle, which seals the outer epidermal cell walls, thus
significantly reducing water loss and uptake of dissolved solutes deposited on
the cuticle surface. Different experimental and theoretical approaches for
quantifying barrier properties of cutinized leaf and fruit surfaces are presented
and discussed in this review. Quantitative characterization of cuticle barrier
properties requires (i) the measurement of diffusion kinetics, namely the amount
diffusing versus time, (ii) accurate knowledge of driving forces, namely
concentration gradients, acting across the barrier, and (iii) the calculation of
permeances, namely diffusion velocity. We suggest that on the basis of
permeances, which are independent from experimental boundary conditions such as
driving forces, the time period of measurement, and area, cuticle barrier
properties of different plant organs, different plant species, and different
lines, as well as barrier properties of suberized root tissue or synthetic
membranes, can be directly compared. This review provides a short and easy to
understand manual on what should be kept in mind when quantifying barrier
properties of cutinized and suberized transport barriers. This could be helpful
for scientists working on cuticle biosynthesis and its regulation.
PMID- 28992329
TI - Transcription factor CitERF71 activates the terpene synthase gene CitTPS16
involved in the synthesis of E-geraniol in sweet orange fruit.
AB - The unique flavor of Citrus fruit depends on complex combinations of soluble
sugars, organic acids, and volatile compounds. The monoterpene E-geraniol is an
important volatile, contributing to flavor in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis
Osbeck). Moreover, antifungal activity of E-geraniol has also been observed.
However, the terpene synthase (TPS) responsible for its synthesis has not been
identified in sweet orange. Terpene synthase 16 (CitTPS16) was shown to catalyze
synthesis of E-geraniol in vitro, and transient overexpression of CitTPS16 in
fruits and leaves of Newhall sweet orange resulted in E-geraniol accumulation in
vivo. Having identified the responsible enzyme, we next examined transcriptional
regulation of CitTPS16 in the fruit. Among cloned members of the AP2/ERF
transcription factor gene family, CitERF71 showed a similar expression pattern to
CitTPS16. Moreover, CitERF71 was able to activate the CitTPS16 promoter based on
results from transient dual-luciferase assays and yeast one-hybrid assays. EMSAs
showed that CitERF71 directly binds to ACCCGCC and GGCGGG motifs in the CitTPS16
promoter. These results indicate an important role for CitERF71 in
transcriptional regulation of CitTP16 and, therefore, in controlling production
of E-geraniol in Citrus fruit.
PMID- 28992331
TI - Role of DNA polymerase beta oxidized nucleotide insertion in DNA ligation
failure.
AB - Production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS), such as hydrogen
peroxide, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, has been linked to cancer, and these
oxidative molecules can damage DNA. Base excision repair (BER), a major repair
system maintaining genome stability over a lifespan, has an important role in
repairing oxidatively induced DNA damage. Failure of BER leads to toxic
consequences in ROS-exposed cells, and ultimately can contribute to the
pathobiology of disease. In our previous report, we demonstrated that oxidized
nucleotide insertion by DNA polymerase beta (pol beta) impairs BER due to
ligation failure and leads to formation of a cytotoxic repair intermediate.
Biochemical and cytotoxic effects of ligation failure could mediate genome
stability and influence cancer therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the
importance of coordination between pol beta and DNA ligase I during BER, and how
this could be a fundamental mechanism underlying human diseases such as cancer
and neurodegeneration. A summary of this work was presented in a symposium at the
International Congress of Radiation Research 2015 in Kyoto, Japan.
PMID- 28992332
TI - L-tyrosine induces the production of a pyomelanin-like pigment by the parasitic
yeast-form of Histoplasma capsulatum.
AB - Melanization of Histoplasma capsulatum remains poorly described, particularly in
regards to the forms of melanin produced. In the present study, 30 clinical and
environmental H. capsulatum strains were grown in culture media with or without L
tyrosine under conditions that produced either mycelial or yeast forms. Mycelial
cultures were not melanized under the studied conditions. However, all strains
cultivated under yeast conditions produced a brownish to black soluble pigment
compatible with pyomelanin when grew in presence of L-tyrosine. Sulcotrione
inhibited pigment production in yeast cultures, strengthening the hyphothesis
that H. capsulatum yeast forms produce pyomelanin. Since pyomelanin is produced
by the fungal parasitic form, this pigment may be involved in H. capsulatum
virulence.
PMID- 28992333
TI - Rapid detection of fluconazole resistance in Candida tropicalis by MALDI-TOF MS.
AB - With the changing epidemiology and emergence of antifungal resistance among
Candida species, rapid antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is crucial for
optimization of antifungal therapy. This study was conducted to standardize a
matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry
(MALDI -TOF MS) based AFST method (ms-AFST) for susceptibility of Candida
tropicalis isolates. Clinical isolates of C. tropicalis were confirmed for
fluconazole resistance by the CLSI (M27-A3) method. The incubation period and
drug concentration were optimized to determine the minimal profile change
concentration (MPCC) by MALDI-TOF MS. The data were analyzed first by direct
visual observation of the spectra followed by composite correlation index (CCI)
matrix analysis, virtual gel analysis, and cluster analysis for confirmation.
Finally, the correlation between minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and
MPCCs was evaluated. A total of 15 fluconazole resistant (MICs ranging from 16 to
128 MUg/ml) and 19 fluconazole susceptible C. tropicalis isolates (MIC <=1
MUg/ml) were included in this study. All C. tropicalis isolates had significant
spectral changes after 4h incubation with fluconazole. Of 34 isolates, MPCCs and
MICs were equivalent for 16 isolates, and the MPCC was one dilution lower than
the respective MIC in the remaining 18 isolates. This finding was further
supported by visual analysis, CCI matrix analysis, virtual gel and principal
component analysis dendrogram analysis. The correlation between MPCC and MIC was
significant (P < .05). Therefore, a MALDI-TOF MS based AFST assay may be used as
a rapid screening technique for fluconazole resistance in C. tropicalis.
PMID- 28992335
TI - How to set the stage for a full-fledged clinical trial testing 'incremental
haemodialysis'.
AB - Most people who make the transition to maintenance haemodialysis (HD) therapy are
treated with a fixed dose of thrice-weekly HD (3HD/week) regimen without
consideration of their residual kidney function (RKF). The RKF provides an
effective and naturally continuous clearance of both small and middle molecules,
plays a major role in metabolic homeostasis, nutritional status and
cardiovascular health, and aids in fluid management. The RKF is associated with
better patient survival and greater health-related quality of life. Its
preservation is instrumental to the prescription of incremental (1HD/week to
2HD/week) HD. The recently heightened interest in incremental HD has been
hindered by the current limitations of the urea kinetic model (UKM), which tend
to overestimate the needed dialysis dose in the presence of a substantial RKF. A
recent paper by Casino and Basile suggested a variable target model (VTM), which
gives more clinical weight to the RKF and allows less frequent HD treatments at
lower RKF as opposed to the fixed target model, based on the wrong concept of the
clinical equivalence between renal and dialysis clearance. A randomized
controlled trial (RCT) enrolling incident patients and comparing incremental HD
(prescribed according to the VTM) with the standard 3HD/week schedule and focused
on hard outcomes, such as survival and health-related quality of life of
patients, is urgently needed. The first step in designing such a study is to
compute the 'adequacy lines' and the associated fitting equations necessary for
the most appropriate allocation of the patients in the two arms and their correct
and safe follow-up. In conclusion, the potentially important clinical and
financial implications of the incremental HD render it highly promising and
warrant RCTs. The UKM is the keystone for conducting such studies.
PMID- 28992334
TI - GmPHR25, a GmPHR member up-regulated by phosphate starvation, controls phosphate
homeostasis in soybean.
AB - As an essential nutrient element, phosphorus (P) plays an important role in plant
growth and development. Low P availability is a limiting factor for crop
production, especially for legume crops (e.g. soybean), which require additional
P to sustain nitrogen fixation through symbiotic associations with rhizobia.
Although PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 (PHR1) or PHR1-like is considered as a
central regulator of phosphate (Pi) homeostasis in several plant species, it
remains undefined in soybean. In this study, 35 GmPHR members were cloned from
the soybean genome and expression patterns in soybean were assayed under nitrogen
(N) and P deficiency conditions. GmPHR25, which is up-regulated in response to Pi
starvation, was then overexpressed in soybean hairy roots in vitro and in vivo to
investigate its functions. The results showed that overexpressing GmPHR25
increased Pi concentration in transgenic soybean hairy roots under normal
conditions, accompanied with a significant decrease in hairy root growth.
Furthermore, transcripts of 11 out of 14 high-affinity Pi transporter (GmPT)
members as well as five other Pi starvation-responsive genes were significantly
increased in soybean hairy roots with GmPHR25 overexpression. Taken together,
this study suggests that GmPHR25 is a vital regulator in the P signaling network,
and controls Pi homeostasis in soybean.
PMID- 28992336
TI - Molecular and cytogenetic effects of Thai royal jelly: modulation through c-MYC,
h-TERT, NRF2, HO-1, BCL2, BAX and cyclins in human lymphocytes in vitro.
AB - Royal jelly (RJ) is widely used as a food supplement for anti-aging and beauty.
However, its use has been linked to asthma and hemorrhagic colitis. Since its
mechanisms of toxicity have not been fully identified, we conducted an
investigation to elucidate its molecular and cytogenetic effects. Using human
lymphocytes in vitro, treatments with RJ (0.0005-5 mg/ml) for 3 h did not induce
sister chromatid exchanges until 5 mg/ml was used. Treatments for 24 h showed a
dose-dependent reduction in BCL2/BAX, c-MYC/BAX and HO-1/BAX ratios. The
exception was the NRF2/BAX ratio, showing a dose-dependent reduction at low
doses, but a marked increase at the highest dose. The hTERT/BAX ratio was
maintained at approximately a 1.2-fold increase but decreased to nearly normal at
the highest dose. Our findings indicated that the lowest dose of RJ treatment
provided maximum benefits, mainly through hTERT activation relating to prolonged
lifespan. The highest dose of RJ inhibited cell survival, cell proliferation and
an antioxidative enzyme; nevertheless, it still activated an antioxidative
response through NRF2 and maintained telomeres during cell crisis. RJ treatment
at 0.05 mg/ml increased cyclin E, BCL2 and BAX to maximum levels indicating that
throughout the active cell cycle, both cell survival and cell apoptosis
increased. Using the gene expression ratios over BAX, similar to BCL2/BAX,
provided more informative data than using individual protein levels alone. With
these informative ratios, our results confirm the potential benefits of RJ in
enhancing lifespan and activation antioxidative power. Further, in vivo
mechanistic studies will be useful in validating these results.
PMID- 28992337
TI - Occurrence and species distribution of pathogenic Mucorales in unselected soil
samples from France.
AB - Mucormycosis is a life-threatening invasive fungal disease that affects a variety
of patient groups. Although Mucorales are mostly opportunistic pathogens
originating from soil or decaying vegetation, there are currently few data on
prevalence of this group of fungi in the environment. The aim of the present
study was to assess the prevalence and diversity of species of Mucorales from
soil samples collected in France. Two grams of soil were homogenized in sterile
saline and plated on Sabouraud dextrose agar and RPMI agar supplemented with
itraconazole or voriconazole. Both media contained chloramphenicol and
gentamicin. The plates were incubated at 35 +/- 2 degrees C and checked daily
for fungal growth for a maximum of 7 d. Mucorales were subcultured for purity.
Each isolate was identified phenotypically and molecular identification was
performed by ITS sequencing. A total of 170 soil samples were analyzed. Forty-one
isolates of Mucorales were retrieved from 38 culture-positive samples. Among the
recovered isolates, 27 Rhizopus arrhizus, 11 Mucor circinelloides, one
Lichtheimia corymbifera, one Rhizopus microsporus and one Cunninghamella
bertholletiae were found. Positive soil samples came from cultivated fields but
also from other types of soil such as flower beds. Mucorales were retrieved from
samples obtained in different geographical regions of France. Voriconazole
containing medium improved the recovery of Mucorales compared with other media.
The present study showed that pathogenic Mucorales are frequently recovered from
soil samples in France. Species diversity should be further analyzed on a larger
number of soil samples from different geographic areas in France and in other
countries.
PMID- 28992338
TI - The association of donor and recipient age with graft survival in paediatric
renal transplant recipients in a European Society for Paediatric
Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplantation
Association Registry study.
AB - Background: The impact of donor age in paediatric kidney transplantation is
unclear. We therefore examined the association of donor-recipient age
combinations with graft survival in children. Methods: Data for 4686 first kidney
transplantations performed in 13 countries in 1990-2013 were extracted from the
ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry. The effect of donor and recipient age combinations on 5
year graft-failure risk, stratified by donor source, was estimated using Kaplan
Meier survival curves and Cox regression, while adjusting for sex, primary renal
diseases with a high risk of recurrence, pre-emptive transplantation, year of
transplantation and country. Results: The risk of graft failure in older living
donors (50-75 years old) was similar to that of younger living donors {adjusted
hazard ratio [aHR] 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-1.47]}. Deceased donor
(DD) age was non-linearly associated with graft survival, with the highest risk
of graft failure found in the youngest donor age group [0-5 years; compared with
donor ages 12-19 years; aHR 1.69 (95% CI 1.26-2.26)], especially among the
youngest recipients (0-11 years). DD age had little effect on graft failure in
recipients' ages 12-19 years. Conclusions: Our results suggest that donations
from older living donors provide excellent graft outcomes in all paediatric
recipients. For young recipients, the allocation of DDs over the age of 5 years
should be prioritized.
PMID- 28992339
TI - STAT3 inhibition attenuates the progressive phenotypes of Alport syndrome mouse
model.
AB - Background: Alport syndrome (AS) is a hereditary, progressive nephritis caused by
mutation of type IV collagen. Previous studies have shown that activation of
signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) exacerbates other
renal diseases, but whether STAT3 activation exacerbates AS pathology is still
unknown. Here we aim to investigate the involvement of STAT3 in the progression
of AS. Method: Phosphorylated STAT3 expression was assessed by immunoblotting
analysis of kidneys and glomeruli of an AS mouse model (Col4a5 G5X mutant). To
determine the effect of blocking STAT3 signaling, we treated AS mice with the
STAT3 inhibitor stattic (10 mg/kg i.p., three times per week for 10 weeks; n =
10). We assessed the renal function [proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen (BUN),
serum creatinine] and analyzed the glomerular injury score, fibrosis and
inflammatory cell invasion by histological staining. Moreover, we analyzed the
gene expression of nephritis-associated molecules. Results: Phosphorylated STAT3
was upregulated in AS kidneys and glomeruli. Treatment with stattic ameliorated
the progressive renal dysfunction, such as increased levels of proteinuria, BUN
and serum creatinine. Stattic also significantly suppressed the gene expression
levels of renal injury markers (Lcn2, Kim-1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il-6,
KC), pro-fibrotic genes (Tgf-beta, Col1a1, alpha-Sma) and Mmp9. Stattic treatment
decreased the renal fibrosis congruently with the decrease of transforming growth
factor beta (TGF-beta) protein and increase of antifibrosis-associated markers p
Smad1, 5 and 8, which are negative regulators of TGF-beta signaling. Conclusion:
STAT3 inhibition significantly ameliorated the renal dysfunction in AS mice. Our
finding identifies STAT3 as an important regulator in AS progression and provides
a promising therapeutic target for AS.
PMID- 28992340
TI - Gremlin and renal diseases: ready to jump the fence to clinical utility?
AB - The current therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic kidney diseases
only ameliorates disease progression. During renal injury, developmental genes
are re-expressed and could be potential therapeutic targets. Among those genes
reactivated in the adult damaged kidney, Gremlin is of particular relevance since
recent data suggest that it could be a mediator of diabetic nephropathy and other
progressive renal diseases. Earlier studies have shown that Gremlin is
upregulated in trans-differentiated renal proximal tubular cells and in several
chronic kidney diseases associated with fibrosis. However, not much was known
about the mechanisms by which Gremlin acts in renal pathophysiology. The role of
Gremlin as a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist has clearly been demonstrated
in organogenesis and in fibrotic-related disorders. Gremlin binds to vascular
endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in endothelial and tubular
epithelial cells. Activation of the Gremlin-VEGFR2 axis was found in several
human nephropathies. We have recently described that Gremlin activates the VEGFR2
signaling pathway in the kidney, eliciting a downstream mechanism linked to renal
inflammatory response. Gremlin deletion improves experimental renal damage,
diminishing fibrosis. Overall, the available data identify the Gremlin-VEGFR2
axis as a novel therapeutic target for kidney inflammation and fibrosis and
provide a rationale for unveiling new concepts to investigate in several clinical
conditions.
PMID- 28992342
TI - The endoplasmic reticulum is a hub to sort proteins toward unconventional traffic
pathways and endosymbiotic organelles.
AB - The discovery that much of the extracellular proteome in eukaryotic cells
consists of proteins lacking a signal peptide, which cannot therefore enter the
secretory pathway, has led to the identification of alternative protein secretion
routes bypassing the Golgi apparatus. However, proteins harboring a signal
peptide for translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum can also be transported
along these alternative routes, which are still far from being well elucidated in
terms of the molecular machineries and subcellular/intermediate compartments
involved. In this review, we first try to provide a definition of all the
unconventional protein secretion pathways in eukaryotic cells, as those pathways
followed by proteins directed to an 'external space' bypassing the Golgi, where
'external space' refers to the extracellular space plus the lumen of the
secretory route compartments and the inner space of mitochondria and plastids.
Then, we discuss the role of the endoplasmic reticulum in sorting proteins toward
unconventional traffic pathways in plants. In this regard, various unconventional
pathways exporting proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the vacuole, plasma
membrane, apoplast, mitochondria, and plastids are described, including the short
routes followed by the proteins resident in the endoplasmic reticulum.
PMID- 28992341
TI - A Prospective Study of Inflammatory Markers and Risk of Endometriosis.
AB - Much evidence suggests a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of
endometriosis. Although investigators in numerous case-control studies have found
elevation of inflammatory markers in patients with endometriosis, results were
not consistent, and no prior prospective study is known to exist. We conducted a
case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study II in which we examined
associations between levels of plasma inflammatory markers (interleukin-1 beta,
interleukin-6, soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptors 1 and 2, and high
sensitivity C-reactive protein) and the risk of laparoscopically confirmed
endometriosis. From blood collections in 1996-1999 and 2007, we ascertained 350
cases patients with incident endometriosis and 694 matched controls. Women with
interleukin-1 beta levels in quintiles 2-4 had a higher risk of endometriosis
(for the second quintile, relative risk (RR) = 3.30, 95% confidence interval
(CI): 1.06, 10.3; for the third quintile, RR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.09, 10.4; and for
the fourth quintile, RR = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.58, 13.6; P for trend = 0.62), which
suggested an association beginning at 0.47 pg/mL or greater. A significant
nonlinear association with levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor
2 was observed, with elevated risk of endometriosis at concentrations greater
than 3,400 pg/mL. Plasma interleukin-6, soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha
receptor 1, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were not associated
with endometriosis risk. Further research in larger studies with younger age at
blood collection and longer time from blood to surgical diagnosis are required to
confirm these associations.
PMID- 28992343
TI - Serum-to-dialysate potassium gradient and its association with short-term
outcomes in hemodialysis patients.
AB - Background: A high serum-to-dialysate potassium (K+) gradient at the start of
dialysis leads to rapid lowering of serum K+ and may confer a greater risk of
adverse events. Here, we examined the near-term association of K+ gradient with
clinical outcomes. Methods: This retrospective (2010-11) event-based study
considered 830 741 patient-intervals, each defined by a pre-dialysis measurement
of serum K+ made among adult Medicare Parts A and B enrollees who received in
center hemodialysis on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule at a large US dialysis
organization. K+ gradient was considered based on the difference in K+
concentration (serum-dialysate) on the date of measurement; analyses accounted
for multiple observations per patient. Outcomes considered were: all-cause and
cardiovascular hospital admissions, emergency department (ED) visits and deaths.
Results: Higher K+ gradient was associated with younger age, greater fistula use,
lower comorbidity scores and better nutritional indices. Adjusting for patient
differences, there was a dose-response relationship between higher K+ gradient
and greater risks of all-cause hospitalization and ED visit. A similar trend was
seen for cardiovascular hospitalization but did not achieve statistical
significance. No associations were observed with mortality, potentially due to a
low number of events. Conclusions: Higher K+ gradient is independently associated
with greater risk of all-cause hospitalizations and ED visits. Further research
is needed to determine whether interventions that reduce the K+ gradient
ameliorate this risk.
PMID- 28992344
TI - Neural Circuitry That Mediates Behavior Governing the Tradeoffs Between Survival
and Reproduction in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB - In all outcrossing sexual species there is a mechanism that brings two parents
together. For animals, this reproductive requirement may at times conflict with
other needs, such as foraging for food. This tension has been studied using the
tiny (1 mm) nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. In a trade off between
certainty of survival and possibility of reproduction, the C. elegans male will
abandon a food patch lacking mates and explore its environment to find one where
mates are present. A quantitative behavioral assay has been used to study the
behavioral mechanism of mate searching and nutritional, sexual, and neurohormonal
pathways that influence the underlying drive state. Taking advantage of the known
connectivity of the C. elegans nervous system, neural pathways have been
identified that influence the male's behavior in the presence of food with and
without mates.
PMID- 28992345
TI - EjNAC3 transcriptionally regulates chilling-induced lignification of loquat fruit
via physical interaction with an atypical CAD-like gene.
AB - Lignin is an important component of many plant secondary cell walls. In the fruit
of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), lignification of cell walls in the fleshy tissue
occurs when fruit are subjected to low-temperature storage, which is commonly
used to avoid the rapid senescence that occurs at room temperature. In this
study, two NAC domain genes, EjNAC3 and EjNAC4, were isolated and shown to be
significantly induced at 0 degrees C, which was concomitant with an increase in
the fruit lignification index. Lignification and expression of both EjNAC3 and
EjNAC4 were inhibited by low-temperature conditioning and by heat treatment. In
addition, EjNAC3 trans-activated the lignin biosynthesis-related EjCAD-like
promoter, which was measured using a dual-luciferase assay. Further analysis with
yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that EjNAC3
could physically bind to the promoter of the EjCAD-like gene. Thus, EjNAC3 is a
direct regulator of loquat chilling-induced lignification, via regulations of
EjCAD-like.
PMID- 28992346
TI - Searching for assay controls for the Fpg- and hOGG1-modified comet assay.
AB - The formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and human 8-oxoguanine DNA
glycosylase (hOGG1)-modified comet assays have been widely used in human
biomonitoring studies. The purpose of this article is to assess differences in
reported levels of Fpg- and hOGG1-sensitive sites in leukocytes and suggest
suitable assay controls for the measurement of oxidatively damaged DNA. An
assessment of the literature showed a large variation in the reported levels of
Fpg-sensitive sites (range 0.05-1.31 lesions/106 bp). The levels of Fpg-sensitive
sites are lower in studies where Fpg has been obtained from commercial suppliers
or unknown sources as compared to Fpg from one particular non-commercial source
(chi2 = 7.14, P = 0.028). The levels of hOGG1-sensitive sites are lower (range:
0.04-0.18 lesions/106 bp in leukocytes) compared to the Fpg-sensitive sites.
Surprisingly, few publications have reported the use of oxidising agents as assay
controls, with the exception of hydrogen peroxide. This may be due to a lack of
consensus about suitable controls for the Fpg- and hOGG1-modified comet assay. A
major challenge is to find an oxidising agent that only oxidises nucleobases and
does not generate DNA strand breaks because this reduces the dynamic range of Fpg
and hOGG1-sensitive sites in the comet assay. Based on a literature search we
selected the photosensitiser Ro19-8022 plus light, KBrO3, 4-nitroquinoline-1
oxide, Na2Cr2O7 and ferric nitrilotriacetate as possible assay controls. A
subsequent assessment of these compounds for generating cryopreserved assay
controls in mononuclear blood cells showed that Ro19-8022 plus light, KBrO3 and 4
nitroquinoline-1-oxide provided suitable assay controls. We recommend these
compounds as comet assay controls for oxidatively damaged DNA.
PMID- 28992347
TI - Common molecular pathogenesis of disease-related intrinsically disordered
proteins revealed by NMR analysis.
AB - Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are either completely unstructured or
contain large disordered regions in their native state; they have drawn much
attention in the field of molecular pathology. Some of them substantially tend to
form protein self-assemblies, such as toxic or non-toxic aggregates and fibrils,
and have been postulated to relate to diseases. These disease-related IDPs
include Abeta(1-42) [Alzheimer's disease (AD)], Tau (AD and tauopathy), alpha
synuclein (Parkinson's disease) and p53 (cancer). Several studies suggest that
these aggregation and/or fibril formation processes are often initiated by
transient conformational changes of the IDPs prior to protein self-assembly.
Interestingly, the pathological molecular processes of these IDPs share multiple
common features with those of protein misfolding diseases, such as transmissible
spongiform encephalopathy (PrPsc) and AL-amyloidosis (VL-domain of gamma
immunoglobulin). This review provides an overview of solution NMR techniques that
can help analyse the early and transient events of conformational equilibrium of
IDPs and folded proteins.
PMID- 28992348
TI - Location of glomerular immune deposits, not codeposition of immunoglobulin G,
influences definitive renal outcomes in immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
AB - Background: It has been suggested that the prognosis of immunoglobulin (IgA)
nephropathy (IgAN) is adversely affected if there is codeposition of IgG in the
glomeruli or if immune deposits are present in the glomerular capillary walls. We
sought to understand how these variables affect clinical outcome. Methods: A
total of 80 IgAN biopsies were retrospectively divided into groups: (i) IgA
without IgG deposition versus IgA + IgG and (ii) immune deposits restricted to
the mesangium versus mesangium and peripheral capillary walls (PCWs). The
association of these groups with the composite primary outcome of renal
replacement therapy, renal transplant, death or doubling of serum creatinine
(SCr) concentration was determined. The change in estimated glomerular filtration
rate (eGFR) was also assessed. Covariates examined were age, sex, race, SCr and
proteinuria level at biopsy and at follow-up, duration of follow-up, treatment,
Oxford score and presence of crescents. Results: IgG codeposition showed a trend
toward endocapillary hypercellularity (P = 0.082); there were no other baseline
differences between the IgA (n = 55) and IgA + IgG (n = 25) groups. At a median
follow-up time of 29 months, the combined primary outcome was reached in 24
patients, 16 with IgA and 8 with IgA + IgG (P = 0.82). Patients with immune
deposits in the PCWs (n = 21) presented with higher baseline proteinuria than
those with deposits limited to the mesangium (n = 59; P = 0.025), were more
likely to have crescents/segmental glomerular necrosis on biopsy (P = 0.047) and
were more likely to reach the combined primary outcome (P = 0.026). Biopsies with
crescents/segmental glomerular necrosis were associated with endocapillary
hypercellularity (P < 0.001). Conclusions: In this multicenter IgAN cohort, IgG
co-deposition and the location of glomerular immune deposits in the PCWs were
both associated with greater histologic activity on renal biopsy, but only the
location of glomerular immune deposits in the PCWs was associated with a
significantly increased risk for end-stage renal disease, transplant, death
and/or doubling of SCr.
PMID- 28992349
TI - Singing and Vocal Interventions in Palliative and Cancer Care: Music Therapists'
Perceptions of Usage.
AB - Background: Music therapists in palliative and cancer care settings often use
singing and vocal interventions. Although benefits for these interventions are
emerging, more information is needed on what type of singing interventions are
being used by credentialed music therapists, and what goal areas are being
addressed. Objective: To assess music therapists' perceptions on how they use
singing and vocal interventions in palliative and cancer care environments.
Method: Eighty credentialed music therapists from Canada and the United States
participated in this two-part convergent mixed-methods study that began with an
online survey, followed by individual interviews with 50% (n = 40) of the survey
participants. Results: In both palliative and cancer care, singing client
preferred music and singing for relaxation were the most frequently used
interventions. In palliative care, the most commonly addressed goals were to
increase self-expression, improve mood, and create a feeling of togetherness
between individuals receiving palliative care and their family. In cancer care,
the most commonly addressed goals were to support breathing, improve mood, and
support reminiscence. Seven themes emerged from therapist interviews: containing
the space, connection, soothing, identity, freeing the voice within, letting go,
and honoring. Conclusions: Music therapists use singing to address the physical,
emotional, social, and spiritual goals of patients, and described singing
interventions as accessible and effective. Further research is recommended to
examine intervention efficacy and identify factors responsible that contribute to
clinical benefit.
PMID- 28992350
TI - Radon inhalation induces manganese-superoxide dismutase in mouse brain via
nuclear factor-kappaB activation.
AB - Although radon inhalation increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in
mouse organs, the mechanisms and pathways have not yet been fully clarified. The
aim of this study was to determine the details of SOD activation in mouse brain
tissue following the inhalation of radon at concentrations of 500 or 2000 Bq/m3
for 24 h. After inhalation, brains were removed quickly for analysis. Radon
inhalation increased the manganese (Mn)-SOD level and mitochondrial SOD activity.
However, the differences were not significant. There were no changes in the Cu/Zn
SOD level or cytosolic SOD activity. Radon inhalation increased the brain nuclear
factor (NF)-kappaB content, which regulates the induction of Mn-SOD, in the
nuclear and cytosolic compartments. The level of inhibitor of nuclear factor
kappaB kinase subunit beta (IKK-beta), which activates NF-kappaB, was slightly
increased by radon inhalation. The expression of cytoplasmic ataxia
telangiectasia mutated kinase in mice inhaling radon at 500 Bq/m3 was 50% higher
than in control mice. In addition, NF-kappaB-inducing kinase was slightly
increased after inhaling radon at 2000 Bq/m3. These findings suggest that radon
inhalation might induce Mn-SOD protein via NF-kappaB activation that occurs in
response to DNA damage and oxidative stress.
PMID- 28992351
TI - Modification of meiotic recombination by natural variation in plants.
AB - Meiosis is a specialized cell division that produces haploid gametes required for
sexual reproduction. During the first meiotic division, homologous chromosomes
pair and undergo reciprocal crossing over, which recombines linked sequence
variation. Meiotic recombination frequency varies extensively both within and
between species. In this review, we will examine the molecular basis of meiotic
recombination rate variation, with an emphasis on plant genomes. We first
consider cis modification caused by polymorphisms at the site of recombination,
or elsewhere on the same chromosome. We review cis effects caused by mismatches
within recombining joint molecules, the effect of structural hemizygosity, and
the role of specific DNA sequence motifs. In contrast, trans modification of
recombination is exerted by polymorphic loci encoding diffusible molecules, which
are able to modulate recombination on the same and/or other chromosomes. We
consider trans modifiers that act to change total recombination levels, hotspot
locations, or interactions between homologous and homeologous chromosomes in
polyploid species. Finally, we consider the significance of genetic variation
that modifies meiotic recombination for adaptation and evolution of plant
species.
PMID- 28992352
TI - In vivo pathogenicity of Trichosporon asahii isolates with different in vitro
enzymatic profiles in an immunocompetent murine model of systemic
trichosporonosis.
AB - Trichosporon asahii is an opportunistic yeastlike fungus that colonizes the
gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and human skin. Although it is an
important cause of disseminated infections by non-Candida species, there are a
few reports related to its virulence factors and their possible role in in vivo
pathogenicity. We developed a murine model of disseminated trichosporonosis in
immunocompetent mice for the evaluation of the in vivo pathogenicity of 6 T.
asahii isolates with different in vitro virulence factor profiles. Tissue fungal
burden was determined on days 1, 3, 7, 15, and 25 post-challenge. Overall, the
largest fungal load was detected in the kidney on the 5 experimental days, while
brain, spleen, and liver displayed a comparatively low fungal count. We observed
a fungal burden decrease in most experimental groups from day 15. Histological
analysis showed the presence of T. asahii in tissue and a generalized
inflammatory infiltrate of polymorphonuclear cells in the kidney, liver, red pulp
of the spleen, and the hippocampus. Even though our isolates showed different in
vitro virulence factors profiles, we did not detect relevant differences when
assayed in vivo, except for a higher persistence of a protease- and biofilm
producing strain in kidney, liver, and brain.
PMID- 28992353
TI - Glomerular mannose-binding lectin deposition in intrinsic antigen-related
membranous nephropathy.
AB - Background: The M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and thrombospondin type
1 domain-containing 7A (THSD7A) were identified as intrinsic antigens in primary
membranous nephropathy (MN). Complement activation via the lectin pathway in
intrinsic antigen-related MN is still unclear. Methods: We retrospectively
enrolled 60 primary Japanese MN patients and detected activated complement
pathways by staining complement proteins in glomerular deposition. According to
the findings of PLA2R and THSD7A staining in glomeruli, they were classified into
intrinsic antigen-related or -unrelated MN. We evaluated clinicopathological
characteristics and predictors of clinical outcomes in intrinsic antigen-related
MN. Results: Thirty-nine (65%) patients had PLA2R in glomerular deposits and two
(3.3%) patients had THSD7A. One of them had both PLA2R and THSD7A (double
positive). Forty patients were classified into the intrinsic antigen-related
group. The other 20 patients were negative for both antigens (unrelated group).
The prevalence and staining intensity of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deposits
were much higher in the intrinsic antigen-related group [55% versus 20%, P <
0.010, 1.0 (interquartile range 1.0-2.0) versus 1.0 (0.0-1.0), P = 0.01,
respectively]. The staining intensity of MBL in glomeruli also correlated with
the IgG4 staining intensity. In intrinsic antigen-related MN, MBL staining
intensity was an unfavorable predictor for remission of proteinuria [hazard ratio
(HR) 0.40, P < 0.01] and renal dysfunction (HR 3.81, P = 0.01) in Cox
proportional hazards analysis. Moreover, the glomerular MBL-positive group showed
more severe interstitial fibrosis and worse clinical outcomes. Conclusions:
Intrinsic antigen-related MN was more strongly associated with complement
activation by the lectin pathway, which may contribute to a less favorable
clinical outcome.
PMID- 28992355
TI - Severe obesity is a limitation for the use of body mass index standard deviation
scores in children and adolescents.
AB - AIM: We analysed the distribution of the body mass index standard deviation
scores (BMI-SDS) in children and adolescents seeking treatment for severe
obesity, according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), World Health
Organization (WHO) and the national Norwegian Bergen Growth Study (BGS) BMI
reference charts and the percentage above the International Obesity Task Force 25
cut-off (IOTF-25). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 396 children aged
four to 17 years, who attended a tertiary care obesity centre in Norway from 2009
to 2015. Their BMI was converted to SDS using the three growth references and
expressed as the percentage above IOTF-25. The percentage of body fat was
assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: Regardless of which BMI
reference chart was used, the BMI-SDS was significantly different between the age
groups, with a wider range of higher values up to 10 years of age and a more
narrow range of lower values thereafter. The distributions of the percentage
above IOTF-25 and percentage of body fat were more consistent across age groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that it may be more appropriate to use the
percentage above a particular BMI cut-off, such as the percentage above IOTF-25,
than the IOTF, WHO and BGS BMI-SDS in paediatric patients with severe obesity.
PMID- 28992354
TI - Obesity and synergistic risk factors for chronic kidney disease in African
American adults: the Jackson Heart Study.
AB - Background: African Americans are at high risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Obesity may increase the risk for CKD by exacerbating features of the metabolic
syndrome and promoting glomerular hyperfiltration. Whether other factors also
affecting these pathways may amplify or mitigate obesity-CKD associations has not
been investigated. Methods: We studied interactions between obesity and these
candidate factors in 2043 African Americans without baseline kidney disease
enrolled in the Jackson Heart Study. We quantified obesity as body mass index
(BMI), sex-normalized waist circumference and visceral adipose volume measured by
abdominal computed tomography at an interim study visit. Interactions were
hypothesized with (i) metabolic risk factors (dietary quality and physical
activity, both quantified by concordance with American Heart Association
guidelines) and (ii) factors exacerbating or mitigating hyperfiltration (dietary
protein intake, APOL1 risk status and use of renin-angiotensin system blocking
medications). Using multivariable regression, we evaluated associations between
obesity measures and incident CKD over the follow-up period, as well as
interactions with metabolic and hyperfiltration factors. Results: Assessed after
a median of 8 years (range 6-11 years), baseline BMI and waist circumference were
not associated with incident CKD. Higher visceral adipose volume was
independently associated with incident CKD (P = 0.008) in a nonlinear fashion,
but this effect was limited to those with lower dietary quality (P = 0.001; P
interaction = 0.04). In additional interaction models, higher waist circumference
was associated with greater risk of incident CKD among those with the low-risk
APOL1 genotype (P = 0.04) but not those with a high-risk genotype (P-interaction
= 0.02). Other proposed factors did not modify obesity-CKD associations.
Conclusions. Higher risks associated with metabolically active visceral adipose
volume and interactions with dietary quality suggest that metabolic factors may
be key determinants of obesity-associated CKD risk. Interactions between obesity
and APOL1 genotype should be considered in studies of African Americans.
PMID- 28992356
TI - UPLC-HR-MS/MS-based determination study on the metabolism of four synthetic
cannabinoids, ADB-FUBICA, AB-FUBICA, AB-BICA and ADB-BICA, by human liver
microsomes.
AB - Since 2012, several cannabimimetic indazole and indole derivatives with valine
amino acid amide residue have emerged in the illicit drug market, and have
gradually replaced the old generations of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) with
naphthyl or adamantine groups. Among them, ADB-FUBICA [N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1
oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide], AB-FUBICA [N-(1-amino
3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide], AB-BICA [N
(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-benzyl-1H-indole-3-carboxamide] and ADB-BICA
[N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-benzyl-1H-indole-3-carboxamide] were
detected in China recently, but unfortunately no information about their in vitro
human metabolism is available. Therefore, biomonitoring studies to screen their
consumption lack any information about the potential biomarkers (e.g.
metabolites) to target. To bridge this gap, we investigated their phase I
metabolism by incubating with human liver microsomes, and the metabolites were
identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution-tandem mass
spectrometry. Metabolites generated by N-dealkylation and hydroxylation on the 1
amino-alkyl moiety were found to be predominant for all these four substances,
and others which underwent hydroxylation, amide hydrolysis and dehydrogenation
were also observed in our investigation. Based on our research, we recommend that
the N-dealkylation and hydroxylation metabolites are suitable and appropriate
analytical markers for monitoring their intake.
PMID- 28992357
TI - Estimated depth of apatite and collagen degradation in human dentine by
sequential exposure to sodium hypochlorite and EDTA: a quantitative FTIR study.
AB - AIM: To characterize chemical degradation of the principal constituents of
dentine after exposure to NaOCl and EDTA using Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR).
METHODOLOGY: Ground dentine particles, from extracted permanent human molars,
were passed through sieves of 38 to 1 000 MUm to provide six size ranges.
Portions (250 mg) of each size range were reacted with 5 mL of 2.5% NaOCl for 2
10 min; or 17% EDTA for 5-1440 min. Powders larger than 75 MUm were also
sequentially exposed to NaOCl/EDTA/NaOCl each for 10 min. All experiments were
repeated five times. Reacted and unreacted powders were washed and dried.
Particles larger than 75 MUm were then reground. FTIR spectra of unground and
reground reacted particles enabled assessment of particle surface versus bulk
chemistry, respectively, plus estimation of reaction depth. Changes in the ratio
of the 1 640 cm-1 collagen: 1 010 cm-1 phosphate peak height or its inverse were
obtained. These were used to estimate surface and bulk fraction reacted and thus
depth to which collagen or phosphate was reduced following immersion in NaOCl or
EDTA, respectively. The data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Surface
collagen fraction declined by ~40% within 2 min of NaOCl exposure, and plateaued
at ~60% between 6-10 min. Bulk spectra showed average depth of collagen loss at
10 min was 16 +/- 13 MUm. Ten minute EDTA exposure caused ~60% loss of surface
phosphate. Average depth of phosphate loss was 19 +/- 12 MUm and 89 +/- 43 MUm
after 10 and 1 440 min EDTA immersion, respectively. Sequential NaOCl/EDTA
immersion yielded a 62 +/- 28 MUm thick phosphate-depleted surface. Sequential
NaOCl/EDTA/NaOCl treatment resulted in approximately 85 MUm of collagen loss.
CONCLUSIONS: Data revealed the sequential depletion of collagen by NaOCl and
apatite by EDTA in dentine, simultaneously exposing the other moieties. Alternate
exposure to NaOCl and EDTA therefore enhances the depth of erosion.
PMID- 28992359
TI - A study of CDR3 loop dynamics reveals distinct mechanisms of peptide recognition
by T-cell receptors exhibiting different levels of cross-reactivity.
AB - T-cell receptors (TCRs) can productively interact with many different peptides
bound within the MHC binding groove. This property varies with the level of cross
reactivity of TCRs; some TCRs are particularly hyper cross-reactive while others
exhibit greater specificity. To elucidate the mechanism behind these differences,
we studied five TCRs in complex with the same class II MHC (1Ab )-peptide (3K),
that are known to exhibit different levels of cross-reactivity. Although these
complexes have similar binding affinities, the interface areas between the TCR
and the peptide-MHC (pMHC) differ significantly. We investigated static and
dynamic structural features of the TCR-pMHC complexes and of TCRs in a free
state, as well as the relationship between binding affinity and interface area.
It was found that the TCRs known to exhibit lower levels of cross-reactivity
bound to pMHC using an induced-fitting mechanism, forming large and tight
interfaces rich in specific hydrogen bonds. In contrast, TCRs known to exhibit
high levels of cross-reactivity used a more rigid binding mechanism where non
specific pi-interactions involving the bulky Trp residue in CDR3beta dominated.
As entropy loss upon binding in these highly degenerate and rigid TCRs is smaller
than that in less degenerate TCRs, they can better tolerate changes in residues
distal from the major contacts with MHC-bound peptide. Hence, our dynamics study
revealed that differences in the peptide recognition mechanisms by TCRs appear to
correlate with the levels of T-cell cross-reactivity.
PMID- 28992358
TI - Role of Galectin-3 in the pathophysiology underlying allergic lung inflammation
in a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 knockout model of murine asthma.
AB - Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease characterized by airway
inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction.
Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the various endotypes of asthma could
lead to novel and more personalized therapies for individuals with asthma. Using
a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) knockout murine allergic
asthma model, we previously showed that TIMP-1 deficiency results in an asthma
phenotype, exhibiting airway hyperreactivity, enhanced eosinophilic inflammation
and T helper type 2 cytokine gene and protein expression following sensitization
with ovalbumin. In the current study, we compared the expression of Galectins and
other key cytokines in a murine allergic asthma model using wild-type and TIMP-1
knockout mice. We also examined the effects of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) inhibition on a
non-T helper type 2 cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) to evaluate the relationship
between Gal-3 and the IL-17 axis in allergic asthma. Our results showed a
significant increase in Gal-3, IL-17 and transforming growth factor-beta1 gene
expression in lung tissue isolated from an allergic asthma murine model using
TIMP-1 knockout. Gal-3 gene and protein expression levels were also significantly
higher in lung tissue from an allergic asthma murine model using TIMP-1 knockout.
Our data show that Gal-3 may regulate the IL-17 axis and play a pivotal role in
the modulation of inflammation during experimental allergic asthma.
PMID- 28992361
TI - Editorial: Thank you.
PMID- 28992360
TI - Genetic diversity and worldwide distribution of the deltavirus genus: A study of
2,152 clinical strains.
AB - : Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is responsible for the most severe form of acute
and chronic viral hepatitis. We previously proposed that the Deltavirus genus is
composed of eight major clades. However, few sequences were available to confirm
this classification. Moreover, little is known about the structural and
functional consequences of HDV variability. One practical consequence is the
failure of most quantification assays to properly detect or quantify plasmatic
HDV RNA. Between 2001 and 2014, 2,152 HDV strains were prospectively collected
and genotyped in our reference laboratory by means of nucleotide sequencing and
extensive phylogenetic analyses of a 400-nucleotide region of the genome (R0)
from nucleotides 889 to 1289 encompassing the 3' end of the delta protein-coding
gene. In addition, the full-length genome sequence was generated for 116 strains
selected from the different clusters, allowing for in-depth characterization of
the HDV genotypes and subgenotypes. This study confirms that the HDV genus is
composed of eight genotypes (HDV-1 to HDV-8) defined by an intergenotype
similarity >85% or >80%, according to the partial or full-length genome sequence,
respectively. Furthermore, genotypes can be segregated into two to four
subgenotypes, characterized by an intersubgenotype similarity >90% (>84% for HDV
1) over the whole genome sequence. Systematic analysis of genome and protein
sequences revealed highly conserved functional nucleotide and amino acid motifs
and positions across all (sub)genotypes, indicating strong conservatory
constraints on the structure and function of the genome and the protein.
CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into the genetic diversity of HDV and a
clear view of its geographical localization and allows speculation as to the
worldwide spread of the virus, very likely from an initial African origin.
(Hepatology 2017;66:1826-1841).
PMID- 28992362
TI - The Editor recommends this issue's article to the reader: Long-term treatment
outcomes in immature permanent teeth by revascularisation using MTA and GIC as
canal-sealing materials: a retrospective study.
PMID- 28992363
TI - Revisiting the challenge of intentional value shift: reply to Ives and Fischer.
PMID- 28992364
TI - Behavioral Changes in Children After Emergency Department Procedural Sedation.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of children
undergoing procedural sedation for fracture reduction in the emergency department
(ED) observed to experience negative postdischarge behaviors. Predictors of
negative behaviors were evaluated, including anxiety. METHODS: This was a
prospective cohort study of children receiving intravenous ketamine sedation for
ED fracture reduction. The child's anxiety prior to sedation was measured with
the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale. Negative behavioral changes were
measured with the Post-Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire 1 to 2 weeks after
discharge. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Chi
square test was used for comparisons between groups. Multivariable logistic
regression models evaluated predictors of negative behavioral change after
discharge. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were enrolled; 82 (85%) completed
follow-up. Overall, 33 (40%) children were observed to be highly anxious
presedation and 18 (22%) had significant negative behavior changes after ED
discharge. Independent predictors for negative behaviors were high anxiety (OR =
9.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.3-35.7) and nonwhite race (OR = 6.5, 95% CI
= 1.7-25.0). CONCLUSION: For children undergoing procedural sedation in the ED,
two in five children have high preprocedure anxiety and almost one in four have
significant negative behaviors 1 to 2 weeks after discharge. Highly anxious and
nonwhite children have increased risk of negative behavioral changes that have
not been previously recognized in the ED setting.
PMID- 28992365
TI - Familial Mediterranean Fever and Incidence of Cancer: An Analysis of 8,534
Israeli Patients With 258,803 Person-Years.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease
manifested as recurrent serosal inflammation. An association between FMF and
malignancy has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to estimate cancer
risk in a large cohort of FMF patients from a single institution. METHODS: The
study cohort consisted of 8,534 FMF patients registered at the National FMF
Center in Tel Hashomer, Israel. We linked the study cohort to the database of the
Israel National Cancer Registry using the national identity number. Cancer
incidence in FMF patients was determined and then stratified by age and sex.
Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for cancers were calculated. RESULTS: Among
8,534 FMF patients (4,400 men, 4,134 women), 350 developed cancer during the
years 1970-2011. The overall cancer risk among patients with FMF was
significantly lower than was expected in specific sex and ethnic groups of the
Israeli population: for males of Jewish ethnicity, SIR 0.66 (95% confidence
interval [95% CI] 0.55-0.77), P < 0.001; for females of Jewish ethnicity, SIR
0.75 (95% CI 0.64-0.86), P < 0.001; and for males of Arab ethnicity, SIR 0.34
(95% CI 0.07-0.99), P = 0.024. CONCLUSION: FMF patients have a significantly
lower incidence of cancer than the general population of Israel. This pattern was
demonstrated in 2 ethnic populations: Jewish and Arab. We speculate that the
lower cancer incidence could be attributed to a direct physiologic effect of FMF
or to its treatment.
PMID- 28992368
TI - Unilateral plantar erythema nodosum in sarcoidosis.
PMID- 28992366
TI - Possible involvement of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and selected NR3C1
gene variants in regulation of human testicular function.
AB - Perceived stress has been associated with decreased semen quality but the
mechanisms have not been elucidated. It is not known whether cortisol, the major
stress hormone in humans, can act directly via receptors in the testis, and
whether variants in the gene encoding the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) can
possibly modulate the effect. To address these questions, we investigated the
expression of the glucocorticoid receptor in human testicular tissue, including
adult and fetal samples (n = 20) by immunohistochemical staining, and in silico
analysis of publicly available datasets. In the adult testis NR3C1 protein was
detected in peritubular cells, a subset of Leydig cells, Sertoli cells (weak),
and spermatogonia, but not in spermatids. The NR3C1 expression pattern in fetal
testis samples differed by a notably stronger reaction in Sertoli cells, lack of
staining in gonocytes but the presence in a subset of pro-spermatogonia, and the
almost absent reaction in nascent peritubular cells. In parallel, we explored the
association between adult testicular function and three single nucleotide NR3C1
polymorphisms (BcII [rs41423247], 9beta [rs6198], and Tth111I [rs10052957])
affecting glucocorticoid sensitivity. Testicular function was determined by semen
analysis and reproductive hormone profiling in 893 men from the general
population. The NR3C1 SNP BclI was associated with semen quality in an over
dominant manner with heterozygotes having better semen parameters compared to
both homozygote constellations, and with sperm motility showing the strongest
association. This association was supported by a higher inhibin B and inhibin
B/FSH ratio, as well as a lower FSH in BclI heterozygotes. The SNPs 9beta and
Tth111I were not associated with semen parameters. Although the clinical impact
of the findings is limited, the results substantiate a suggested link between
stress and testicular function. Hence this investigation should be regarded as a
discovery study generating hypotheses for future studies.
PMID- 28992367
TI - Visualization of Peripheral Neuron Sensitization in a Surgical Mouse Model of
Osteoarthritis by In Vivo Calcium Imaging.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for analyzing sensory neuron responses to
mechanical stimuli in vivo, and to evaluate whether these neuronal responses
change after destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). METHODS: DMM or sham
surgery was performed in 10-week-old male C57BL/6 wild-type or Pirt-GCaMP3+/-
mice. All experiments were performed 8 weeks after surgery. Knee and hind paw
hyperalgesia were assessed in wild-type mice. The retrograde label DiI was
injected into the ipsilateral knee to quantify the number of knee-innervating
neurons in the L4 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in wild-type mice. In vivo calcium
imaging was performed on the ipsilateral L4 DRG of Pirt-GCaMP3+/- mice as
mechanical stimuli (paw pinch, knee pinch, or knee twist) were applied to the
ipsilateral hind limb. RESULTS: Eight weeks after surgery, mice subjected to DMM
had more hyperalgesia in the knee and hind paw compared to mice subjected to sham
surgery. Intraarticular injection of DiI labeled similar numbers of neurons in
the L4 DRG of mice subjected to sham surgery and mice subjected to DMM. Increased
numbers of sensory neurons responded to all 3 mechanical stimuli in mice
subjected to DMM, as assessed by in vivo calcium imaging. The majority of
responses in mice subjected to sham surgery and mice subjected to DMM were in
small to medium-sized neurons, consistent with the size of nociceptors. The
magnitude of responses was similar between mice subjected to sham surgery and
mice subjected to DMM. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that increased numbers
of small to medium-sized DRG neurons respond to mechanical stimuli 8 weeks after
DMM surgery, suggesting that nociceptors have become sensitized by lowering the
response threshold.
PMID- 28992369
TI - Predictive value of pre-operative inflammation-based prognostic scores
(neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-to
eosinophil ratio) in testicular sperm extraction: a pilot study.
AB - To investigate the ability of some hematologic prognostic scores demonstrating
inflammation in predicting sperm presence in testicular sperm extraction (TESE).
We retrospectively investigated the medical data of 430 patients with the
diagnosis of non-obstruc tive azoospermia (NOA) who had undergone TESE operation
consecutively in our institution between the dates of January 2009 and February
2017. In all, 352 patients with the diagnosis of NOA, with bilaterally palpable
vas deferens, who had undergone TESE for the first time, were included in the
study. Patients with genetic anomalies, genital infection, history of surgery or
vasectomy, chronic diseases, history of inflammatory, metabolic, rheumatologic,
or malignant diseases, morbid obesity, with the diagnosis of clinical varicocele,
or patients who had undergone TESE for the second time were excluded from the
study. According to the results of TESE, the patients were divided into two
groups as those with sperm retrieval and those without sperm retrieval. These
groups were compared in terms of age, infertility duration, body mass index,
hormone profile, hematologic parameters, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NRL),
monocyte-to-eosinophil ratio (MER), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The
NLR and PLR levels were found to be significantly higher in patients without
sperm retrieval at TESE compared to those with sperm retrieval. The logistic
regression analysis showed NLR as an independent factor that showed the presence
of spermatozoa at TESE (odds ratio: 4.786, %95 confidence interval: 2.667-8.589,
p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the PLR was determined to be
0.574. As the calculated AUC value of the PLR was below 0.6, there was
insufficient evidence determined at TESE to say that it was a reliable marker to
indicate the presence of spermatozoa. The area of the MER value under the ROC
curve was not statistically significant. It has been demonstrated that systemic
inflammation negatively affects the probability of extracting spermatozoa in TESE
and NLR is an independent factor indicating the presence of spermatozoa in TESE.
PMID- 28992370
TI - Response to Afshar and Albrecht's (2017) Letter to the Editor.
PMID- 28992371
TI - The impact of the omics era on the knowledge and use of Lysobacter species to
control phytopathogenic micro-organisms.
AB - Omics technologies have had a tremendous impact on underinvestigated genera of
plant disease biocontrol agents such as Lysobacter. Strong evidence of the
association between Lysobacter spp. and the rhizosphere has been obtained through
culture-independent methods, which has also contributed towards highlighting the
relationship between Lysobacter abundance and soil suppressiveness. It is
conceivable that the role played by Lysobacter spp. in soil suppressiveness is
related to their ability to produce an impressive array of lytic enzymes and
antibiotics. Indeed, genomics has revealed that biocontrol Lysobacter strains
share a vast number of genes involved in antagonism activities, and the molecular
pathways underlying how Lysobacter spp. interact with the environment and other
micro-organisms have been depicted through transcriptomic analysis. Furthermore,
omics technologies shed light on the regulatory pathways governing cell motility
and the biosynthesis of antibiotics. Overall, the results achieved so far through
omics technologies confirm that the genus Lysobacter is a valuable source of
novel biocontrol agents, paving the way for studies aimed at making their
application in field conditions more reliable.
PMID- 28992372
TI - The role of C4d deposition in the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection after
lung transplantation.
AB - Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is an increasingly recognized form of lung
rejection. C4d deposition has been an inconsistent finding in previous reports
and its role in the diagnosis has been controversial. We conducted a
retrospective single-center study to characterize cases of C4d-negative probable
AMR and to compare these to cases of definite (C4d-positive) AMR. We identified
73 cases of AMR: 28 (38%) were C4d-positive and 45 (62%) were C4d-negative. The
two groups had a similar clinical presentation, and although more patients in the
C4d-positive group had neutrophilic capillaritis (54% vs. 29%, P = .035), there
was no significant difference in the presence of other histologic findings.
Despite aggressive antibody-depleting therapy, 19 of 73 (26%) patients in the
overall cohort died within 30 days, but there was no significant difference in
freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) or survival between the
two groups. We conclude that AMR may cause allograft failure, but that the
diagnosis requires a multidisciplinary approach and a high index of suspicion.
C4d deposition does not appear to be a necessary criterion for the diagnosis, and
although some cases may respond initially to therapy, there is a high incidence
of CLAD and poor survival after AMR.
PMID- 28992373
TI - Variations in yield and gluten proteins in durum wheat varieties under late
season foliar versus soil application of nitrogen fertilizer in a northern
Mediterranean environment.
AB - BACKGROUND: With the increasing demand for high-quality foodstuffs and concern
for environmental sustainability, late-season nitrogen (N) foliar fertilization
of common wheat is now an important and widespread practice. This study
investigated the effects of late-season foliar versus soil N fertilization on
yield and protein content of four varieties of durum wheat, Aureo, Ariosto,
Biensur and Liberdur, in a three-year field trial in northern Italy. RESULTS:
Variations in low-molecular-weight glutenins (LMW-GS), high-molecular-weight
glutenins (HMW-GS) and gliadins were assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). It was found that N applied to the
canopy did not improve protein rate compared with N application to the soil
(general mean 138 mg g-1 ), but moderately increased productivity in the high
yielding varieties Liberdur and Biensur (three-year means 7.23 vs 7.13 and 7.53
vs 7.09 t ha-1 respectively). Technological quality was mainly related to variety
choice, Aureo and Ariosto having higher protein rates and glutenin/gliadin
ratios. Also found was a strong 'variety * N application method' interaction in
the proportions of protein subunits within each class, particularly LMW-GS and
gliadins. A promising result was the higher N uptake efficiency, although as
apparent balance, combined with higher HMW/LMW-GS ratio in var. Biensur.
CONCLUSION: Late-season foliar N fertilization allows N fertilizer saving,
potentially providing environmental benefits in the rainy climate of the northern
Mediterranean area, and also leads to variety-dependent up-regulation of
essential LMW-GS and gliadins. Variety choice is a key factor in obtaining high
technological quality, although it is currently associated with modest grain
yield. This study provides evidence of high quality in the specific high-yielding
variety Biensur, suggesting its potential as a mono-varietal semolina for pasta
production. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28992374
TI - Male accessory gland inflammation, infertility, and sexual dysfunctions: a
practical approach to diagnosis and therapy.
AB - The role of urogenital inflammation in causing infertility and sexual
dysfunctions has long been a matter of debate in the international scientific
literature. The most recent scientific evidences show that male accessory gland
infection/inflammation could alter, with various mechanisms, both conventional
and biofunctional sperm parameters, and determine worst reproductive outcome. At
the same time, the high prevalence of erectile dysfunction and premature
ejaculation in patients with male accessory gland infection/inflammation
underlines the close link between these diseases and sexual dysfunctions. The aim
of this review was to provide the reader the basis for a correct diagnosis of
male accessory gland infection/inflammation and a subsequent appropriate
therapeutic approach, particularly in patients with infertility and/or sexual
dysfunction.
PMID- 28992375
TI - Numerical Analysis of Groundwater Ridging Processes Considering Water-Air Flow in
a Hillslope.
AB - In this study, a water-air two-phase flow model was employed to investigate the
formation, extension, and dissipation of groundwater ridging induced by recharge
events in a hypothetical hillslope-riparian zone, considering interactions
between the liquid and gas phases in soil voids. The simulation results show
that, after a rain begins, the groundwater table near the stream is elevated
instantaneously and significantly, thereby generating a pressure gradient driving
water toward both the stream (the discharge of groundwater to the stream) and
upslope (the extension of groundwater ridging into upslope). Meanwhile, the
airflow upslope triggered by the advancing wetting front moves downward
gradually. Therefore, the extension of groundwater ridging into upslope and the
downward airflow interact within a certain region. After the rain stops,
groundwater ridging near the stream declines quickly while the airflow in the
lower part of upslope is still moving into the hillslope. Thus, the airflow
upslope mitigates the dissipation of groundwater ridging. Additionally, the
development of groundwater ridging under different conditions, including rain
intensity, intrinsic permeability, capillary fringe height, and initial
groundwater table, was analyzed. Changes in intrinsic permeability affect the
magnitude of groundwater ridging near the stream, as well as the downward speed
of airflow, thereby generating highly complex responses. The capillary fringe is
not a controlling factor but an influence factor on the formation of groundwater
ridging, which is mainly related to the antecedent moisture. It was demonstrated
that groundwater ridging also occurs where an unsaturated zone occurs above the
capillary fringe with a subsurface lateral flow.
PMID- 28992376
TI - Technologies of cryoprotectant-free vitrification of human spermatozoa:
asepticity as criterion of effectiveness.
AB - This review describes 120 years history of technology for cryoprotectant-free
cryopreservation of human spermatozoa by direct plunging into liquid nitrogen
(vitrification). It is presented an explanation why cryoprotectant-free
vitrification for some human ejaculates is better than conventional freezing and
vitrification with the presence of cryoprotectants. Special attention is given to
the extremely high viability of viruses, bacteria and micoplasmas after
cryoprotectant-free cryopreservation in culture medium and even in distilled
water. This fact increases the potential risk of disease transmission through
liquid nitrogen. It is concretized the concept "asepticity" as obvious parameter
for any medical assisted reproduction technology which includes the cooling of
cells in liquid nitrogen. It is described the role of nonpermeable compounds of
mediums for cryoprotectant-free vitrification: carbohydrates, proteins,
lipoproteins, antioxidants. This review summarizes concerned data regarding two
groups of different current technologies for cryoprotectant-free vitrification of
human spermatozoa: with direct contact of spermatozoa with liquid nitrogen as
well as with full isolation of these cells from liquid nitrogen (aseptic
technologies).
PMID- 28992378
TI - GREM2 nucleotide variants and the risk of tooth agenesis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The etiology of tooth agenesis (TA) is multifactorial and still not
fully understood. The aim of the study was to test whether variants of GREM2,
encoding a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist, are associated with the
risk of this common dental anomaly in a Polish population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
Direct sequencing of the GREM2 coding sequence including exon/intron boundaries
was performed in 95 patients with both hypodontia and oligodontia. All identified
GREM2 variants were then further tested in an independent group of patients (n =
163) and controls (n = 184). RESULTS: The previously described, functional GREM2
mutation (c.226C > G, p.Gln76Glu) was identified in two patients with hypodontia
and associated dental anomalies, including taurodontism and microdontia. This
mutation generating an allele with increased inhibitory activity was not detected
in the control group. The second identified GREM2 variant, c.-1-21C > T
(rs11806449), was not associated with the risk TA. The polymorphism allele
frequency in both patients and controls was 0.21 (OR = 1.0, 95%CI: 0.76-1.46).
The rs11806449 did not correlate either with the overall TA phenotype or
hypodontia/oligodontia phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that GREM2 is
a candidate gene for tooth agenesis, which mutations can explain, however, only a
small fraction of the genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of this anomaly.
PMID- 28992377
TI - A Single Session of Attentional Bias Modification Reduces Alcohol Craving and
Implicit Measures of Alcohol Bias in Young Adult Drinkers.
AB - BACKGROUND: Attentional bias modification (ABM) techniques for reducing
problematic alcohol consumption hold promise as highly accessible and cost
effective treatment approaches. A growing body of literature has examined ABM as
a potentially efficacious intervention for reducing drinking and drinking-related
cognitions in alcohol-dependent individuals as well as those at-risk of
developing problem drinking habits. METHODS: This study tested the effectiveness
of a single session of visual probe-based ABM training in a cohort of 60 non
treatment-seeking young adult drinkers, with a focus on examining mechanisms
underlying training efficacy. Participants were randomly assigned to a single
session of active ABM training or a sham training condition in a laboratory
setting. Measures of implicit drinking-related cognitions (alcohol Stroop and an
Implicit Association Task) and attentional bias (AB; alcohol visual probe) were
administered, and subjective alcohol craving was reported in response to in vivo
alcohol cues. RESULTS: Results showed that active ABM training, relative to sham,
resulted in significant differences in measures of implicit alcohol-related
cognition, alcohol-related AB, and self-reports of alcohol craving. Mediation
analysis showed that reductions in craving were fully mediated by ABM-related
reductions in alcohol-Stroop interference scores, suggesting a previously
undocumented relationship between the 2 measures. CONCLUSIONS: Results document
the efficacy of brief ABM to reduce both implicit and explicit processes related
to drinking, and highlight the potential intervention-relevance of alcohol
related implicit cognitions in social drinkers.
PMID- 28992380
TI - Outcomes of organ transplants when the donor is a prior recipient.
AB - Organ shortage continues to challenge the field of transplantation. One potential
group of donors are those who have been transplant recipients themselves, or
Organ Donation After Transplant (ODAT) donors. We conducted a retrospective
cohort study to describe ODAT donors and to compare outcomes of ODAT grafts
versus conventional grafts. From October 1, 1987 to June 30, 2015, 517 former
recipients successfully donated 803 organs for transplant. Former kidney
recipients generally survived a median of approximately 4 years before becoming
an ODAT donor whereas liver, lung, and heart recipients generally survived less
than a month prior to donation. In the period June 1, 2005 to December 31, 2014,
liver grafts from ODAT donors had a significantly higher risk of graft failure
compared to non-ODAT liver transplants (P = .008). Kidney grafts donated by ODAT
donors whose initial transplant occurred >1 year prior were associated with
significantly increased graft failure (P = .012). Despite increased risk of graft
failure amongst certain ODAT grafts, 5-year survival was still high. ODAT donors
should be considered another form of expanded criteria donor under these
circumstances.
PMID- 28992379
TI - Association Between Anti-Citrullinated Fibrinogen Antibodies and Coronary Artery
Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Antibodies against citrullinated fibrinogen (anti-Cit-fibrinogen) have
been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and associated with cardiovascular
risk in RA. The objective of this study was to examine the association between
anti-Cit-fibrinogens and coronary artery disease (CAD) outcomes. METHODS: We
performed the study in an RA cohort based in a large academic institution linked
with electronic medical record data containing information on CAD outcomes from
medical record review. Using a published bead-based assay method, we measured 10
types of anti-Cit-fibrinogens. We applied a score test to determine the
association between the anti-Cit-fibrinogens as a group with CAD outcomes.
Principal components analysis (PCA) was performed to assess whether the anti-Cit
fibrinogens clustered into groups. Each group was then additionally tested for
association with CAD. Sensitivity analyses were also performed using a published
International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision code group for ischemic
heart disease (IHD) as the outcome. RESULTS: We studied 1,006 RA subjects (mean
+/- SD age 61.0 +/- 13.0 years; 72.2% anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide
positive). As a group, anti-Cit-fibrinogen was associated with CAD (P = 1.1 * 10
4 ). From the PCA analysis, we observed 3 main groups, of which only 1 group,
containing 7 of the 10 anti-Cit-fibrinogens, was significantly associated with
CAD outcomes (P = 0.015). In the sensitivity analysis, all anti-Cit-fibrinogens
as a group remained significantly associated with IHD (P = 2.9 * 10-4 ).
CONCLUSION: Anti-Cit-fibrinogen antibodies as a group were associated with CAD
outcomes in our RA cohort, with the strongest signal for association arising from
a subset of the autoantibodies.
PMID- 28992381
TI - The self-sabotage of conservation: reply to Manfredo et al.
PMID- 28992382
TI - Arterial Inflammation Detected With 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission
Tomography in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: In addition to traditional risk factors, excess cardiovascular disease
(CVD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is attributed to enhanced vascular and/or
systemic inflammation. In several small studies using 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose
positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18 F-FDG-PET/CT) to directly
assess vascular inflammation, FDG uptake was higher in RA patients than in
controls. Using a substantially larger sample of RA patients, we sought to
identify RA disease characteristics independently associated with vascular FDG
uptake. METHODS: RA patients underwent cardiac FDG-PET/CT, with aortic
inflammation assessed by quantification of FDG uptake in the ascending aorta,
calculated as the mean and maximum (max) standardized uptake value (SUV) of the
entire ascending aorta and of its most diseased segment (SUV MDS). Univariate and
multivariable regression models were constructed to model the associations of
patient characteristics with aortic FDG uptake. RESULTS: Ninety-one RA patients
were scanned. In multivariable models, in addition to the independent
associations of hypertension and body mass index with increased aortic FDG
uptake, the prevalence of rheumatoid nodules correlated with the SUV mean and SUV
MDS mean measures, while anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies
correlated inversely with these measures and with the SUV max and SUV MDS max (P
< 0.05). A significant association of RA disease activity with aortic FDG uptake
was observed but was restricted to anti-CCP seropositivity. CONCLUSION:
Traditional CV risk factors and RA disease characteristics (rheumatoid nodules
and the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C-reactive protein level in
anti-CCP antibody-positive individuals) were independently associated with
ascending aortic FDG uptake in RA patients without clinical CVD.
PMID- 28992383
TI - Evaluation of a Trauma-Focused Group Intervention for Unaccompanied Young
Refugees: A Pilot Study.
AB - Recent research has shown that unaccompanied young refugees (UYR) encounter a
wide range of traumatic events during preflight, flight, and resettlement.
Although many UYR are resourceful, many develop posttraumatic stress symptoms
(PTSS). However, only a small number of vulnerable UYR have access to trauma
focused interventions. Trauma-focused group interventions, adapted to the needs
of UYR, may be one way of improving their mental health. A total of 29 male UYR
between 14 and 18 years of age, mainly from Afghanistan, participated in the
evaluation study of a trauma-focused group intervention entitled Mein Weg (My
Way). The intervention included six sessions of psychoeducation, relaxation,
trauma narrative, and cognitive restructuring. Pre-post comparisons of PTSS
assessed by the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) were used. At study
entry, participants endorsed, on average, eight traumatic events. After the group
intervention, the participants reported significantly fewer overall PTSS
preintervention mean = 27.6, SD = 7.9; postintervention mean = 20.7, SD = 6.3;
t(28) = 4.2, p = .001, Cohen's d = 0.97. Improvement was especially pronounced in
the domains of reexperiencing and avoidance, as well as negative alterations in
cognitions and mood. There were 14 participants preintervention and 7
postintervention who fulfilled the PTSD criteria. This pilot study presented
initial evidence of the efficacy of the trauma-focused group intervention with
regard to PTSS reduction.
PMID- 28992384
TI - Invited letter in response to "Predicted indirectly recognizable HLA epitopes
(PIRCHE): Only the tip of the iceberg?"
PMID- 28992385
TI - Synthesis of Mono- and Bis(fluoroalkyl)pyrimidines from FARs, Fluorinated
Acetoacetates, and Malononitrile Provides Easy Access to Novel High-Value
Pyrimidine Scaffolds.
AB - A new strategy was developed using fluorinated acetoacetates, malononitrile, and
fluoroalkyl amino reagents (FARs) to access unprecedented 4,6
bis(fluoroalkyl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylates, their carboxylic acid analogues, and 4
amino-6-(fluoroalkyl)pyrimidine-5-carbonitriles. An efficient cyclization step
using suitable amidines was developed under microwave irradiation, providing the
desired pyrimidines rapidly and efficiently. Standard saponification conditions
were applied from carboxylate derivatives to access to the corresponding
carboxylic acids. These new valuable building blocks, bearing either a single or
two emergent fluorinated substituents, hold strong potential for medicinal and
agrochemical research.
PMID- 28992386
TI - Interaction Between the MU-Opioid Receptor Gene and the Number of Heavy-Drinking
Peers on Alcohol Use.
AB - BACKGROUND: The presence of heavy-drinking peers may trigger genetic
vulnerabilities to alcohol use. Limited correlational findings, albeit mixed as a
function of age, suggest that carriers of a MU-opioid receptor (OPRM1) G allele
may be more vulnerable than noncarriers to alcohol-promoting perceived peer
environments. However, research has not yet examined such genetic susceptibility
to actual (rather than perceived) peer environments through an experimental, ad
libitum alcohol administration design. This study examined whether OPRM1
modulates the effects of heavy-drinking group size on alcohol consumption and
explored potential mediators of such OPRM1-based differences. METHODS: Caucasian
young adult moderate to heavy drinkers (N = 116; mean age = 22 years [SD = 2.21],
49% female) were randomly assigned to consume alcohol in the presence of none, 1,
or 3 heavy-drinking peer confederates. RESULTS: Results showed no significant
moderating effects of OPRM1 in the relationship between the number (or presence)
of heavy-drinking peers and voluntary alcohol consumption (partial eta2 = 0.01).
This result remained the same after controlling for sex, age, and typical
drinking quantity as well as their 2-way interactions with OPRM1 and social
drinking condition. In addition, OPRM1 did not moderate the peer influence on any
proposed mediating variables, including craving for alcohol and subjective
responses to alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest no OPRM1-based susceptibility
to the number of heavy-drinking peers, adding to the existing mixed findings from
correlational studies. Future research on OPRM1-related susceptibility to alcohol
promoting peer environments through meta-analytic synthesis and both experimental
and prospective, multiwave designs is needed to resolve these mixed findings.
PMID- 28992387
TI - Nationwide Experience With Off-Label Use of Interleukin-1 Targeting Treatment in
Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Approximately 30-45% of patients with familial Mediterranean fever
(FMF) have been reported to have attacks despite colchicine treatment. Currently,
data on the treatment of colchicine-unresponsive or colchicine-intolerant FMF
patients are limited; the most promising alternatives seem to be anti-interleukin
1 (anti-IL-1) agents. Here we report our experience with the off-label use of
anti-IL-1 agents in a large group of FMF patients. METHODS: In all, 21 centers
from different geographical regions of Turkey were included in the current study.
The medical records of all FMF patients who had used anti-IL-1 treatment for at
least 6 months were reviewed. RESULTS: In total, 172 FMF patients (83 [48%]
female, mean age 36.2 years [range 18-68]) were included in the analysis; mean
age at symptom onset was 12.6 years (range 1-48), and the mean colchicine dose
was 1.7 mg/day (range 0.5-4.0). Of these patients, 151 were treated with anakinra
and 21 with canakinumab. Anti-IL-1 treatment was used because of colchicine
resistant disease in 84% and amyloidosis in 12% of subjects. During the mean 19.6
months of treatment (range 6-98), the yearly attack frequency was significantly
reduced (from 16.8 to 2.4; P < 0.001), and 42.1% of colchicine-resistant FMF
patients were attack free. Serum levels of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, and 24-hour urinary protein excretion (5,458.7 mg/24 hours
before and 3,557.3 mg/24 hours after) were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION:
Anti-IL-1 treatment is an effective alternative for controlling attacks and
decreasing proteinuria in colchicine-resistant FMF patients.
PMID- 28992389
TI - Characterizing Stream-Aquifer Exchanges with Self-Potential Measurements.
AB - Characterizing the interactions between streams and aquifers is a major challenge
in hydrology. Electrical self-potential (SP) is sensitive to groundwater flow
through the electrokinetic effect, which is proportional to Darcy velocity. SP
surveys have been extensively used for the characterization of seepage flow in a
variety of contexts. But to our knowledge, a model coupling SP and groundwater
flow has never been implemented for the study of stream-aquifer interactions. To
address the issue, we first implemented a two-dimensional model to a synthetic
stream-aquifer cross section. Results underline the very distinct nature of SP
profiles in gaining or losing stream conditions. Second, we presented a field
application in a transect crossing a stream in losing conditions. The coupled
model successfully reproduced the observed SP profile. This inverse modeling of
the SP signal provides quantitative data on hydrodynamic parameters (hydraulic
conductivity, hydraulic heads) and geophysical parameters (coupling coefficient).
Nevertheless, all relevant parameters cannot be uniquely estimated without
precise prior information on at least some of these parameters. Our results
confirm the potential of SP surveys on the characterization of stream-aquifer
exchanges. Recommendations on the collection of high-quality data are also
provided, along with a description of the contexts in which the methodology is
likely to perform well.
PMID- 28992388
TI - Impact of nutrition interventions on pediatric mortality and nutrition outcomes
in humanitarian emergencies: A systematic review.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition contributes to paediatric morbidity and mortality in
disasters and complex emergencies, but summary data describing specific
nutritional interventions in these settings are lacking. This systematic review
aimed to characterise such interventions and their effects on paediatric
mortality, anthropometric measures and serum markers of nutrition. METHODS: A
systematic search of OVID MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and relevant grey literature
was conducted. We included all randomised controlled trials and observational
controlled studies evaluating effectiveness of nutritional intervention(s) on
defined health outcomes in children and adolescents (0-18 years) within a
disaster or complex emergency. We extracted study characteristics, interventions
and outcomes data. Study quality was assessed using Grading of Recommendations
Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. RESULTS: A total of 31
studies met inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in Africa (17), during
periods of conflict or hunger gaps (14), and evaluated micronutrient
supplementation (14) or selective feeding (10). Overall study quality was low,
with only two high and four moderate quality studies. High- and medium-quality
studies demonstrated positive impact of fortified spreads, ready-to-use
therapeutic foods, micronutrient supplementation, and food and cash transfers.
CONCLUSION: In disasters and complex emergencies, high variability and low
quality of controlled studies on paediatric malnutrition limit meaningful data
aggregation. If existing research gaps are to be addressed, the inherent
unpredictability of humanitarian emergencies and ethical considerations regarding
controls may warrant a paradigm shift in what constitutes adequate methods.
Periodic hunger gaps may offer a generalisable opportunity for robust trials, but
consensus on meaningful nutritional endpoints is needed.
PMID- 28992390
TI - Response of MG63 osteoblasts on bacterial challenge is dependent on the state of
differentiation.
AB - The present in vitro study examines molecular processes that are relevant during
bone homeostasis after Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas
gingivalis infection with a focus on the differentiation level of osteoblasts.
Regenerative processes are often hindered by the recurrence of bacterial
infections, which can ultimately provoke a severe destruction of bone tissue. To
obtain more detailed insights into such a complex scenario, we have used
undifferentiated MG63 osteoblast-like cells as an experimental paradigm to
examine the impact of two oral pathogens, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P.
gingivalis, on proliferation, cytotoxicity and osteogenic differentiation. Cell
culture experiments were performed to analyze cellular behavior. The level of
genes interfering with bone tissue integrity (matrix metalloproteinases and their
tissue inhibitors) and osteogenic markers (alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, human
beta-defensin-2) was compared in undifferentiated versus differentiated MG63
cells using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Functional activity of matrix
metalloproteinases was quantified by zymography. Western blot analysis was used
to verify the phosphorylation state of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 and
extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2. When co-cultured with
undifferentiated MG63 cells, oral pathogens provoked distinct cellular effects.
Only A. actinomycetemcomitans reduced cell proliferation, increased cell death,
and induced osteogenic differentiation. A comparison of matrix metalloproteinase
network stability in the presence of oral pathogens revealed a partial
sensitivity towards P. gingivalis but not A. actinomycetemcomitans. So, beside
the proof of concept that MG63 cells co-cultured with oral pathogens can serve as
an in vitro model for mimicking destructive and regenerative events after
bacterial infections, our data indicate that double infections might
counterbalance otherwise positive effects.
PMID- 28992392
TI - Norepinephrine infusion improves haemodynamics in the preterm infants during
septic shock.
AB - AIM: This study evaluated the clinical and haemodynamic effects of norepinephrine
infusion in preterm infants. METHODS: The effects of norepinephrine therapy for
refractory hypotension were evaluated in preterm infants between April 2009 and
April 2011 at the neonatal intensive care unit of Sainte-Justine Hospital,
Montreal, Quebec. Changes in haemodynamics and clinical parameters were analysed
eight hours before and eight hours after the start of norepinephrine infusion,
and eight hours after its cessation. RESULTS: During the study, 30 preterm
infants at a mean gestational age of 26.5 +/- 2.6 weeks (median: 25.7, 23.4-34)
and birthweight of 903 +/- 437 g (median 827, 450-2550) received norepinephrine
infusion for neonatal septic shock. After eight hours of treatment, mean blood
pressure, urine output and FiO2 significantly improved. Eight hours after
cessation of norepinephrine infusion, the number of patients treated with other
inotropes decreased significantly, 24 patients (80%) had normal mean blood
pressure and 27 patients (90%) had normal urine output. CONCLUSION:
Norepinephrine therapy could be considered to improve blood pressure and urine
output during neonatal septic shock in preterm infants. Further studies are
needed to prove the efficacy and safety of norepinephrine infusion in neonates.
PMID- 28992391
TI - Four years of case-based surveillance of meningitis following the introduction of
MenAfriVac in Moissala, Chad: lessons learned.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Case-based surveillance of bacterial meningitis in sentinel districts
has been recommended after the introduction of the conjugated vaccine against
Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A (NmA), MenAfriVac, in the African meningitis
belt. Here we report data and lessons learnt from four years of surveillance in
the district of Moissala, Chad. METHODS: All suspected cases of meningitis were
referred free of charge to the district hospital for lumbar puncture and
treatment. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were tested with Pastorex latex
agglutination in Moissala, and inoculated trans-isolate media were used for
culture and PCR at the national reference laboratory and/or at the Norwegian
Institute of Public Health. RESULTS: From July 2012 to December 2016, 237
suspected cases of meningitis were notified, and a specimen was collected from
224. Eighty-three samples were positive for a bacterial pathogen by culture, PCR
or Pastorex, including 58 cases due to Streptococcus pneumoniae with only 28 of
49 pneumococcal meningitis confirmed by culture or PCR correctly identified by
Pastorex. Four cases of NmA were detected by Pastorex, but none were confirmed by
PCR. CONCLUSION: Implementation of case-based surveillance for meningitis is
feasible in Chad, but has required political and technical engagement. Given the
high proportion of S. pneumoniae and its poor detection by Pastorex, continued
use of PCR is warranted for surveillance outside of outbreaks, and efforts to
accelerate the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are needed.
Introduction of MenAfriVac in routine immunisation and future availability of a
pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine will be key elements for the
sustained reduction in meningitis outbreaks in the area.
PMID- 28992393
TI - "On-Droplet" Chemistry: The Cycloaddition of Diethyl Azodicarboxylate and
Quadricyclane.
AB - Sharpless and co-workers previously studied the [2sigma+2sigma+2pi] cycloaddition
of diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) and quadricyclane and reported that the
addition of water to the neat reagents caused an acceleration in the reaction
rate, giving birth to what has been called "on-water" chemistry. We have examined
the same reaction in aqueous microdroplets (ca. 5 MUm diameter) and find that the
cycloaddition reaction is accelerated even further (by a factor of 102 ) compared
to that of the "on-water" reaction reported previously. The trends of
acceleration in solvents other than water demonstrated by Sharpless and
colleagues were replicated in the corresponding microdroplet experiments. We also
find that DEAD reacts with itself to form a variety of hydrazine carboxylates and
intercept intermediates of this reaction in microdroplets to validate a mechanism
proposed herein. We suggest that "on-droplet" chemistry, similar to "on-water"
chemistry, may be a general process of synthetic interest.
PMID- 28992394
TI - Brief Report: Loss of Muscle Strength Prior to Knee Replacement: A Question of
Anatomic Cross-Sectional Area or Specific Strength?
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether loss in thigh muscle strength prior to knee
replacement is caused by reductions of muscle strength in the anatomic cross
sectional area or by reductions of specific strength. METHODS: All 100 of the
participants in the Osteoarthritis Initiative who underwent knee replacement and
whose medical records included data on thigh isometric muscle strength and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (58 women, and 42 men, mean +/- SD age 65 +/- 8
years, mean +/- SD body mass index [BMI] 29 +/- 5 kg/m2 ) were matched with a
control (no knee replacement) for age, sex, height, BMI, and radiographic
severity. Thigh muscle anatomic cross-sectional area was determined by MRI at the
research visit before knee replacement (time 0) and 2 years before time 0 (time
2). Specific strength (strength/anatomic cross-sectional area) was calculated,
and the measures were compared by conditional logistic regression (i.e., odds
ratio [OR] per standard deviation). ORs adjusted for pain (ORadj ) and 95%
confidence intervals (95% CIs) were also calculated. RESULTS: Knee replacement
cases had significantly smaller extensor (but not flexor) anatomic cross
sectional areas than controls at time 0 (women, ORadj 1.89 [95% CI 1.05-3.90];
men, ORadj 2.22 [95% CI 1.04-4.76]), whereas no significant differences were
found at time -2. Women who had knee replacement showed lower levels of extensor
specific strength than controls at time 0 (OR 1.59 [95% CI 1.02-2.50]), although
this difference was not observed in men and did not maintain significance after
adjustment for pain (ORadj 1.22 [95% CI 0.71-2.08]). Female cases lost
significantly more extensor specific strength between time -2 and time 0 than
controls (ORadj 3.76 [95% CI 1.04-13.60]), whereas no significant differences
were noted at time -2, or in men. CONCLUSION: Prior to knee replacement, a
significant reduction in knee extensor strength appears to occur in women through
2 mechanisms: one driven by pain (loss of specific strength) and one independent
of pain (loss of muscle anatomic cross-sectional area). Men who underwent knee
replacement showed significantly reduced levels of extensor anatomic cross
sectional area, but not significantly lower strength or specific strength.
PMID- 28992395
TI - Changes in white matter microstructure predict lithium response in adolescents
with bipolar disorder.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether response to lithium treatment in pediatric
bipolar disorder can be predicted by changes in white matter microstructure in
key cortico-limbic tracts involved in emotion regulation. METHODS: Eighteen
clinically referred lithium-naive patients (mean age 15.5 years) were
administered clinical rating scales and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
examinations at baseline and following 4 weeks of lithium treatment. Clinical
ratings were repeated following 8 weeks of treatment. Patients with Clinical
Global Impressions (CGI) ratings of 1 ("very much improved") or 2 ("much
improved") were classified as responders. Ten healthy volunteers received
baseline and follow-up DTI examinations. Using the ENIGMA pipeline, we
investigated the relationship between changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) in
the cingulum hippocampus (CGH) and clinical response to lithium. RESULTS:
Patients demonstrated significantly lower FA compared to healthy volunteers in
the left and right CGH white matter at baseline. Following 4 weeks of lithium
treatment, FA in the left CGH increased in patients, but no significant changes
in FA were observed among the untreated healthy volunteers. Lithium responders
had a significantly greater increase in FA compared to non-responders. Moreover,
baseline (pre-treatment) FA in the left CGH white matter significantly predicted
week 8 overall CGI severity score, with post hoc analyses indicating that these
effects were evident for both severity of depression and mania. CONCLUSIONS: Our
findings suggest that response to lithium treatment in pediatric bipolar disorder
is associated with normalization of white matter microstructure in regions
associated with emotion processing.
PMID- 28992397
TI - Prognostic Significance of Cavitary Lung Nodules in Granulomatosis With
Polyangiitis (Wegener's): A Clinical Imaging Study of 225 Patients.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA) is a systemic
necrotizing vasculitis in which pulmonary nodules are a common manifestation. Our
study examined whether pulmonary nodules, and nodule type (solid versus
cavitary), are associated with different disease manifestations and outcomes.
METHODS: Demographic, clinical, biologic, and radiologic data at diagnosis and
during followup and treatments of GPA patients followed at the Mount Sinai
Hospital (Canada) Vasculitis Clinic were analyzed. Patients were separated by the
absence of lung nodules, presence of solid nodules only, and presence of cavitary
nodules (+/- solid nodules). The study outcomes included followup lung imaging,
relapses, and deaths. RESULTS: Of 225 patients with GPA, 46 had solid nodules
only and 44 had cavitary nodules at diagnosis. Demographic and clinical
manifestations were similar in the patient subgroups at diagnosis.
Cyclophosphamide (CYC) was used for induction after diagnosis in 76.7% of
patients with cavitary nodules, compared with 64.7% of patients without nodules
and 51.1% of patients with solid nodules (P = 0.04). The mean +/- SD followup
after diagnosis was 106.6 +/- 92.6 months, and 6 of the patients died. In
multivariable analysis, diagnosis before 2000 or pulmonary nodule cavitation at
diagnosis were associated with relapse, with a hazard ratio of 0.38 (95%
confidence interval [95% CI] 0.22-0.65; P < 0.001) and 1.53 (95% CI 1.00-2.33; P
= 0.05), respectively, after adjustment for CYC use. CONCLUSION: The presence of
cavitary nodules led to increased use of CYC but had no impact on survival.
Relapse occurred more often, however, in patients with cavitary nodules than in
those with solid nodules or no nodules, and should be studied in other cohorts.
PMID- 28992398
TI - Impact of Social Cognition on Alcohol Dependence Treatment Outcome: Poorer Facial
Emotion Recognition Predicts Relapse/Dropout.
AB - BACKGROUND: Despite growing evidence for neurobehavioral deficits in social
cognition in alcohol use disorder (AUD), the clinical relevance remains unclear,
and little is known about its impact on treatment outcome. This study
prospectively investigated the impact of neurocognitive social abilities at
treatment onset on treatment completion. METHODS: Fifty-nine alcohol-dependent
patients were assessed with measures of social cognition including 3 core
components of empathy via paradigms measuring: (i) emotion recognition (the
ability to recognize emotions via facial expression), (ii) emotional perspective
taking, and (iii) affective responsiveness at the beginning of inpatient
treatment for alcohol dependence. Subjective measures were also obtained,
including estimates of task performance and a self-report measure of empathic
abilities (Interpersonal Reactivity Index). According to treatment outcomes,
patients were divided into a patient group with a regular treatment course (e.g.,
with planned discharge and without relapse during treatment) or an irregular
treatment course (e.g., relapse and/or premature and unplanned termination of
treatment, "dropout"). RESULTS: Compared with patients completing treatment in a
regular fashion, patients with relapse and/or dropout of treatment had
significantly poorer facial emotion recognition ability at treatment onset.
Additional logistic regression analyses confirmed these results and identified
poor emotion recognition performance as a significant predictor for
relapse/dropout. Self-report (subjective) measures did not correspond with
neurobehavioral social cognition measures, respectively objective task
performance. Analyses of individual subtypes of facial emotions revealed poorer
recognition particularly of disgust, anger, and no (neutral faces) emotion in
patients with relapse/dropout. CONCLUSIONS: Social cognition in AUD is clinically
relevant. Less successful treatment outcome was associated with poorer facial
emotion recognition ability at the beginning of treatment. Impaired facial
emotion recognition represents a neurocognitive risk factor that should be taken
into account in alcohol dependence treatment. Treatments targeting the
improvement of these social cognition deficits in AUD may offer a promising
future approach.
PMID- 28992400
TI - Letter to the Editor: Ding Q, Wang Z, Shen M, Su Z, and Shen L (2017) Acute
Alcohol Exposure and Risk of Mortality of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
PMID- 28992396
TI - Alcohol Feeding in Mice Promotes Colonic Hyperpermeability and Changes in Colonic
Organoid Stem Cell Fate.
AB - BACKGROUND: Alcohol increases intestinal permeability to proinflammatory
microbial products that promote liver disease, even after a period of sobriety.
We sought to test the hypothesis that alcohol affects intestinal stem cells using
an in vivo model and ex vivo organoids generated from jejunum and colon from mice
fed chronic alcohol. METHODS: Mice were fed a control or an alcohol diet.
Intestinal permeability, liver steatosis-inflammation, and stool short-chain
fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured. Jejunum and colonic organoids and tissue were
stained for stem cell, cell lineage, and apical junction markers with assessment
of mRNA by PCR and RNA-seq. ChIP-PCR analysis was carried out for Notch1 using an
antibody specific for acetylated histone 3. RESULTS: Alcohol-fed mice exhibited
colonic (but not small intestinal) hyperpermeability, steatohepatitis, and
decreased butyrate/total SCFA ratio in stool. Stem cell, cell lineage, and apical
junction marker staining in tissue or organoids from jejunum tissue were not
impacted by alcohol. Only chromogranin A (Chga) was increased in jejunum
organoids by qPCR. However, colonic tissue and organoid staining exhibited an
alcohol-induced significant decrease in cytokeratin 20+ (Krt20+) absorptive
lineage enterocytes, a decrease in occludin and E-cadherin apical junction
proteins, an increase in Chga, and an increase in the Lgr5 stem cell marker. qPCR
revealed an alcohol-induced decrease in colonic organoid and tissue Notch1, Hes1,
and Krt20 and increased Chga, supporting an alteration in stem cell fate due to
decreased Notch1 expression. Colonic tissue ChIP-PCR revealed alcohol feeding
suppressed Notch1 mRNA expression (via deacetylation of histone H3) and decreased
Notch1 tissue staining. CONCLUSIONS: Data support a model for alcohol-induced
colonic hyperpermeability via epigenetic effects on Notch1, and thus Hes1,
suppression through a mechanism involving histone H3 deacetylation at the Notch1
locus. This decreased enterocyte and increased enteroendocrine cell colonic stem
cell fate and decreased apical junctional proteins leading to hyperpermeability.
PMID- 28992399
TI - Comparison of the Lupus Foundation of America-Rapid Evaluation of Activity in
Lupus to More Complex Disease Activity Instruments As Evaluated by Clinical
Investigators or Real-World Clinicians.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Lupus disease measures such as the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group
(BILAG) index are challenging to interpret. The Lupus Foundation of America-Rapid
Evaluation of Activity in Lupus (LFA-REAL) is intended to provide an efficient
application of anchored visual analog scores, each representing the individual
severity of active symptoms, with the sum of individual scores deriving an
overall disease activity assessment. Our objective was to compare the performance
of LFA-REAL to systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity assessments and
compare scores between trained lupus clinical investigators and clinicians.
METHODS: Investigators scored the SLEDAI, BILAG, physician's global assessment
(PGA), and LFA-REAL, while the clinicians scored the LFA-REAL. The level of
agreement between physicians and instruments was determined. RESULTS: The study
included 99 patients (93% women, 31% white, mean +/- SD ages 43.4 +/- 13.2
years). At the first visit, the mean +/- SD SLEDAI score was 5.5 +/- 4.5, BILAG
score 6.7 +/- 7.8, and PGA score 33.6 +/- 24.5. The mean +/- SD investigator LFA
REAL score was 46.2 +/- 42.9, and clinician LFA-REAL score 56.1 +/- 53.6. At the
second visit, the mean +/- SD investigator LFA-REAL score was 41.3 +/- 36.7, and
clinician LFA-REAL score 48.3 +/- 42.6. Total LFA-REAL scores correlated
positively with PGA, SLEDAI, and BILAG (rho = 0.58-0.88, P < 0.001). LFA-REAL
scores produced correlation coefficients of rho > 0.7 for musculoskeletal,
mucocutaneous, and renal BILAG domains. The intraclass correlation coefficient
between the LFA-REAL scores of investigators and clinicians was 0.79 for visit 1
(P < 0.001) and 0.86 for visit 2 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The LFA-REAL provides a
reliable surrogate for more complicated disease activity measures when used by
lupus clinical investigators or clinicians.
PMID- 28992401
TI - Serum and sputum calprotectin, a reflection of neutrophilic airway inflammation
in asthmatics after high-altitude exposure.
PMID- 28992402
TI - Anomalous Polarized Raman Scattering and Large Circular Intensity Differential in
Layered Triclinic ReS2.
AB - The Raman tensor of a crystal is the derivative of its polarizability tensor and
is dependent on the symmetries of the crystal and the Raman-active vibrational
mode. The intensity of a particular mode is determined by the Raman selection
rule, which involves the Raman tensor and the polarization configurations. For
anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) layered crystals, polarized Raman scattering has
been used to reveal the crystalline orientations. However, due to its complicated
Raman tensors and optical birefringence, the polarized Raman scattering of
triclinic 2D crystals has not been well studied yet. Herein, we report the
anomalous polarized Raman scattering of 2D layered triclinic rhenium disulfide
(ReS2) and show a large circular intensity differential (CID) of Raman scattering
in ReS2 of different thicknesses. The origin of CID and the anomalous behavior in
polarized Raman scattering were attributed to the appearance of nonzero off
diagonal Raman tensor elements and the phase factor owing to optical
birefringence. This can provide a method to identify the vertical orientation of
triclinic layered materials. These findings may help to further understand the
Raman scattering process in 2D materials of low symmetry and may indicate
important applications in chiral recognition by using 2D materials.
PMID- 28992403
TI - Wearable Fabrics with Self-Branched Bimetallic Layered Double Hydroxide Coaxial
Nanostructures for Hybrid Supercapacitors.
AB - We report a flexible battery-type electrode based on binder-free nickel cobalt
layered double hydroxide nanosheets adhered to nickel cobalt layered double
hydroxide nanoflake arrays on nickel fabric (NC LDH NFAs@NSs/Ni fabric) using
facile and eco-friendly synthesis methods. Herein, we utilized discarded
polyester fabric as a cost-effective substrate for in situ electroless deposition
of Ni, which exhibited good flexibility, light weight, and high conductivity.
Subsequently, the vertically aligned NC LDH NFAs were grown on Ni fabric by means
of a hot-air oven-based method, and fluffy-like NC LDH NS branches are further
decorated on NC LDH NFAs by a simple electrochemical deposition method. The as
prepared core-shell-like nanoarchitectures improve the specific surface area and
electrochemical activity, which provides the ideal pathways for electrolyte
diffusion and charge transportation. When the electrochemical performance was
tested in 1 M KOH aqueous solution, the core-shell-like NC LDH NFAs@NSs/Ni fabric
electrode liberated a maximum areal capacity of 536.96 MUAh/cm2 at a current
density of 2 mA/cm2 and excellent rate capability of 78.3% at 30 mA/cm2 (420.5
MUAh/cm2) with a good cycling stability. Moreover, a fabric-based hybrid
supercapacitor (SC) was assembled, which achieves a stable operational potential
window of 1.6 V, a large areal capacitance of 1147.23 mF/cm2 at 3 mA/cm2, and a
high energy density of 0.392 mWh/cm2 at a power density of 2.353 mW/cm2.
Utilizing such high energy storage abilities and flexible properties, the
fabricated hybrid SC operated the wearable digital watch and electric motor fan
for real-time applications.
PMID- 28992404
TI - Trace Na2CO3 Addition to Limestone Inducing High-Capacity SO2 Capture.
AB - Although the literature has reported enhanced indirect sulfation of limestone by
adding Na2CO3, the amount of Na2CO3 additive required to achieve high CaO
conversion is typically high (~4.0 mol %), which commonly results in adverse
effects in fluidized-bed combustion boiler systems and increased cost of
sorbents. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that trace Na2CO3 (0.1
mol %) can significantly enhance the sulfate conversion of limestone. This
enhanced sulfation is attributed to the increased surface area and optimized pore
size distribution. The trace Na2CO3 additive splits the pores of the original
sorbents peaking at ~70 nm into pores peaking at ~4 nm and ~140 nm due to the
slight promotion of sintering. This well-developed pore structure results in a
relatively high reactivity for sulfation. Thus, the Na2CO3 additive influences
the sorbent reactivity in two ways: (1) at less than 0.5 mol %, tuning its pore
structure; (2) at more than 0.5 mol %, promoting the product layer diffusion. We
also find that trace amount of other metal salts, such as CaCl2 and NaCl, clearly
enhance the sulfation of limestone. The strategy of enhancing limestone sulfation
by the addition of trace amount of metal salts offers evident engineering and
economic advantage.
PMID- 28992405
TI - High-Strength Films Consisted of Oriented Chitosan Nanofibers for Guiding Cell
Growth.
AB - Chitosan has biocompatibility and biodegradability; however, the practical use of
the bulk chitosan materials is hampered by its poor strength, which can not
satisfy the mechanical property requirement of organs. Thus, the construction of
highly strong chitosan-based materials has attracted much attention. Herein, the
high strength nanofibrous hydrogels and films (CS-E) were fabricated from the
chitosan solution in LiOH/KOH/urea aqueous system via a mild regenerating
process. Under the mild condition (ethanol at low temperature) without the severe
fluctuation in the system, the alkaline-urea shell around the chitosan chains was
destroyed, and the naked chitosan molecules had sufficient time for the orderly
arrangement in parallel manner to form relatively perfect nanofibers. The
nanofibers physically cross-linked to form CS-E hydrogels, which could be easily
oriented by drawing to achieve a maximum orientation index of 84%, supported by
the scanning electron microscopy and two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray
diffraction. The dried CS-E films could be bent and folded arbitrarily to various
complex patterns and shapes. The oriented CS-E films displayed even ultrahigh
tensile strength (282 MPa), which was 5.6* higher than the chitosan films
prepared by the traditional acid dissolving method. The CS-E hydrogels possessed
hierarchically porous structure, beneficial to the cell adhesion, transportation
of nutrients, and removal of metabolic byproducts. The cell assay results
demonstrated that the CS-E hydrogels were no cytotoxicity, and osteoblastic cells
could adhere, spread, and proliferate well on their surface. Furthermore, the
oriented CS-E hydrogels could regulate the directional growth of osteoblastic
cells along the orientation direction, on the basis of the filopodia of the cells
to extend and adhere on the nanofibers. This work provided a novel approach to
construct the oriented high strength chitosan hydrogels and films.
PMID- 28992406
TI - Constructing an Anisotropic Triple-Pass Tubular Framework within a Lyophilized
Porous Gelatin Scaffold Using Dexamethasone-Loaded Functionalized Whatman Paper
To Reinforce Its Mechanical Strength and Promote Osteogenesis.
AB - In bone tissue engineering (BTE), most of the currently developed scaffolds still
lack the ability to demonstrate high porosity and high mechanical strength
simultaneously or the ability to maintain bioactivity and sustained release of
loaded biofactors. In this work, we constructed an anisotropic triple-pass
tubular framework within a lyophilized porous GEL scaffold using FP, which was
prepared by coating DEX-covered Whatman paper (WP) using the silk fibroin (SF)
membrane with beta-sheet conformation. This novel structural design endowed the
functionalized paper frame (FPF)/scaffold implant high porosity, high mechanical
strength, and sustained DEX delivery capability. Specifically, its porosity was
as high as 88.2%, approximating that of human cancellous bone. The pore diameters
of the implant ranged from 50 to 350 MUm with an average pore diameter of 127.7
MUm, indicating proper pore sizes for successful diffusion of essential
nutrients/oxygen and bone tissue-ingrowth. Owing to the construction of double
network-like structure, the FPF/scaffold implant demonstrated excellent
mechanical properties both in dry (174.7 MPa in elastic modulus and 14.9 MPa in
compressive modulus) and wet states (59.0 MPa in elastic modulus and 3.3 MPa in
compressive modulus), indicating its feasibility for in vivo implantation.
Besides, the FPF/scaffold implant exhibited long-term DEX releasing behavior
(over 50 days) with constant release rate in phosphate buffered saline (PBS).
Murine osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 cultured in the porous FPF/scaffold implant had
excellent viability. Furthermore, the cells cocultured with the FPF/scaffold
implant showed positive proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and calcium
deposition. Twenty-eight days after implantation, extensive osteogenesis was
observed in the rats treated with the FPF/scaffold implants. The anisotropic
triple-pass tubular framework of the FPF/scaffold implant demonstrates structural
similarities to the long bone. Therefore, this novel FPF/scaffold implant could
be a better alternative for long bone defect repair.
PMID- 28992408
TI - Analysis and Sensory Evaluation of Volatile Constituents of Fresh Blackcurrant
(Ribes nigrum L.) Fruits.
AB - Volatile constituents of fresh blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) berries were
isolated via vacuum-headspace extraction and analyzed by capillary gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry. In agreement with previous studies with frozen
fruits, short-chain esters and terpenes were major compound classes. However,
rather high concentrations of C6-compounds (e.g., (E)-hex-2-enal, (Z)-hex-3-enal)
constituted a striking difference to data reported for frozen fruits. Frozen
storage of blackcurrant berries was shown to result in drastically reduced
concentrations of C6-compounds and a shift of the volatile profile in favor of
terpenes. The time-dependent enzymatic formation and isomerization of C6
compounds adds an additional element of variability to the spectrum of fresh
blackcurrant volatiles. Nevertheless, blackcurrant cultivars can be classified
according to the major classes of the volatiles of the fresh fruits, if
prerequisites, such as the same growing location and the same state of ripeness,
are met. The sensory contributions of volatiles of blackcurrant berries were
assessed by gas chromatography-olfactometry in combination with aroma extract
dilution analysis. 4-Methoxy-2-methyl-2-butanethiol, (Z)-3-hexenal, ethyl
butanoate, 1,8-cineole, oct-1-en-3-one, and alkyl-substituted 3-methoxypyrazines
were among the volatiles showing the highest aroma activity values.
PMID- 28992407
TI - Perfluoroarene-Based Peptide Macrocycles to Enhance Penetration Across the Blood
Brain Barrier.
AB - Here we describe the utility of peptide macrocyclization through perfluoroaryl
cysteine SNAr chemistry to improve the ability of peptides to cross the blood
brain barrier. Multiple macrocyclic analogues of the peptide transportan-10 were
investigated that displayed increased uptake in two different cell lines and
improved proteolytic stability. One of these analogues (M13) exhibited
substantially increased delivery across a cellular spheroid model of the blood
brain barrier. Through ex vivo imaging of mouse brains, we demonstrated that this
perfluoroarene-based macrocycle of TP10 exhibits increased penetration of the
brain parenchyma following intravenous administration in mice. Finally, we
evaluated macrocyclic analogues of the BH3 domain of the BIM protein to assess if
our approach would be applicable to a peptide of therapeutic interest. We
identified a BIM BH3 analogue that showed increased penetration of the brain
tissue in mice.
PMID- 28992409
TI - Hypoxia-Targeting, Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Nanocluster Bomb for Radical
Enhanced Radiotherapy.
AB - Although ultrasmall metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been used as radiosensitizers
to enhance the local damage to tumor tissues while reducing injury to the
surrounding organs, their rapid clearance from the circulatory system and the
presence of hypoxia within the tumor continue to hamper their further application
in radiotherapy (RT). In this study, we report a size tunable nanocluster bomb
with a initial size of approximately 33 nm featuring a long half-life during
blood circulation and destructed to release small hypoxia microenvironment
targeting NPs (~5 nm) to achieve deep tumor penetration. Hypoxic profiles of
solid tumors were precisely imaged using NP-enhanced computed tomography (CT)
with higher spatial resolution. Once irradiated with a 1064 nm laser, CT-guided,
local photothermal ablation of the tumor and production of radical species could
be achieved simultaneously. The induced radical species alleviated the hypoxia
induced resistance and sensitized the tumor to the killing efficacy of radiation
in Akt-mTOR pathway-dependent manner. The therapeutic outcome was assessed in
animal models of orthotopical breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, supporting the
feasibility of our combinational treatment in hypoxic tumor management.
PMID- 28992410
TI - Product Release Mechanism Associated with Structural Changes in Monomeric l
Threonine 3-Dehydrogenase.
AB - A short chain dehydrogenase like l-threonine 3-dehydrogenase (SDR-TDH) from
metagenome data (mtTDH) was identified by database mining. Its enzymatic
properties suggested that mtTDH has unique characteristics relative to other SDR
TDHs, including two mesophilic and thermophilic SDR-TDHs identified in this
study. The activation energy of mtTDH was the lowest (29.6 kJ/mol) of those of
the SDR-TDHs, indicating that it is a psychrophilic enzyme. Size-exclusion
chromatography analysis revealed mtTDH is a monomer. Crystal structures of mtTDH
in apo, binary, and two ternary complexes (l-Ser- and l-Thr-soaked forms) were
determined at resolutions of 1.25-1.9 A. Structural and computational analysis
revealed the molecular mechanism of switching between the open and closed states
induced by substrate binding and product release. Furthermore, six residues and
two water molecules at the active site contributing to product release were
assigned. The residues could be categorized into two groups on the basis of the
enzymatic properties of their variants: S111, Y136, and T177 and S74, T178, and
D179. The former group appeared to affect l-Thr dehydrogenation directly, because
the kcat value of their variants was >80-fold lower than that of wild-type mtTDH.
On the other hand, the latter group contributes to switching between the open and
closed states, which is important for the high substrate specificity of SDR-TDH
for l-Thr: the kcat and Km toward l-Thr values of variants in these residues
could not be determined because the initial velocity was unsaturated at high
concentrations of l-Thr. On the basis of these findings, we proposed a product
release mechanism for SDR-TDH associated with specific structural changes.
PMID- 28992411
TI - Genome Editing: Insights from Chemical Biology to Support Safe and Transformative
Therapeutic Applications.
AB - Programmable nuclease-based genome editing technologies, including the clustered,
regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system, are
becoming an essential component of many applications ranging from agriculture to
medicine. However, fundamental limitations currently prevent the widespread,
safe, and practical use of genome editors, especially for human disease
interventions. These limitations include off-target effects, a lack of control
over editing activity, suboptimal DNA repair outcomes, insufficient target
conversion, and inadequate delivery performance. This perspective focuses on the
potential for biological chemistry to address these limitations such that newly
developed genome editing technologies can enable the broadest range of potential
future applications. Equally important will be the development of these powerful
technologies within a relevant ethical framework that emphasizes safety and
responsible innovation.
PMID- 28992412
TI - Protein Science by DNA Sequencing: How Advances in Molecular Biology Are
Accelerating Biochemistry.
AB - A fundamental goal of protein biochemistry is to determine the sequence-function
relationship, but the vastness of sequence space makes comprehensive evaluation
of this landscape difficult. However, advances in DNA synthesis and sequencing
now allow researchers to assess the functional impact of every single mutation in
many proteins, but challenges remain in library construction and the development
of general assays applicable to a diverse range of protein functions. This
Perspective briefly outlines the technical innovations in DNA manipulation that
allow massively parallel protein biochemistry and then summarizes the methods
currently available for library construction and the functional assays of protein
variants. Areas in need of future innovation are highlighted with a particular
focus on assay development and the use of computational analysis with machine
learning to effectively traverse the sequence-function landscape. Finally,
applications in the fundamentals of protein biochemistry, disease prediction, and
protein engineering are presented.
PMID- 28992413
TI - Phenotypic Optimization of Urea-Thiophene Carboxamides To Yield Potent, Well
Tolerated, and Orally Active Protective Agents against Aminoglycoside-Induced
Hearing Loss.
AB - Hearing loss is a major public health concern with no pharmaceutical intervention
for hearing protection or restoration. Using zebrafish neuromast hair cells, a
robust model for mammalian auditory and vestibular hair cells, we identified a
urea-thiophene carboxamide, 1 (ORC-001), as protective against aminoglycoside
antibiotic (AGA)-induced hair cell death. The 50% protection (HC50) concentration
conferred by 1 is 3.2 MUM with protection against 200 MUM neomycin approaching
100%. Compound 1 was sufficiently safe and drug-like to validate otoprotection in
an in vivo rat hearing loss model. We explored the structure-activity
relationship (SAR) of this compound series to improve otoprotective potency,
improve pharmacokinetic properties and eliminate off-target activity. We present
the optimization of 1 to yield 90 (ORC-13661). Compound 90 protects
mechanosensory hair cells with HC50 of 120 nM and demonstrates 100% protection in
the zebrafish assay and superior physiochemical, pharmacokinetic, and toxicologic
properties, as well as complete in vivo protection in rats.
PMID- 28992414
TI - Synthesis of Spirolactams and Fused Bicyclic Lactams via Acid-Promoted
Cyclolactamization of (Ethynyl(tosyl)amino)methyl-Tethered Cyclohex-2-enols.
AB - A simple synthetic method to construct the spirolactam framework from TfOH
catalyzed spirolactamization of cyclohex-2-enols bearing a tethered
(arylethynyl(tosyl)amino)methyl moiety is described. The reaction proceeded
through a keteniminium-allylic carbocation intermediate. Hydration of the
keteniminium ion, followed by attack of the resulting enolate onto the tethered
allylic carbocation, provided the spirolactam ring skeleton. This strategy could
also be employed in the synthesis of fused bicyclic lactams from BF3.OEt2
assisted cyclolactamization of TBS-protected 2
(ethynyl(tosyl)amino)methylcyclohex-2-enols.
PMID- 28992416
TI - Evaluation and Optimization of Interface Force Fields for Water on Gold Surfaces.
AB - The structure and dynamics of water at gold surfaces are important for a variety
of applications, including lab on a chip and electrowetting. Classical molecular
dynamics (MD) simulations are frequently used to investigate systems with water
gold interfaces, such as biomacromolecules in gold nanoparticle dispersions, but
the accuracy of the simulations depends on the suitability of the force field.
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of a water molecule on gold were
used as a benchmark to assess force field accuracy. It was found that Lennard
Jones potentials did not reproduce the DFT water-gold configurational energy
landscape, whereas the softer Morse and Buckingham potentials allowed for a more
accurate representation. MD simulations with different force fields exhibited
rather different structural and dynamic properties of water on a gold surface.
This emphasizes the need for experimental data and further effort on the
validation of a realistic force field for water-gold interactions.
PMID- 28992415
TI - Weakly Trapped, Charged, and Free Excitons in Single-Layer MoS2 in the Presence
of Defects, Strain, and Charged Impurities.
AB - Few- and single-layer MoS2 host substantial densities of defects. They are
thought to influence the doping level, the crystal structure, and the binding of
electron-hole pairs. We disentangle the concomitant spectroscopic expression of
all three effects and identify to what extent they are intrinsic to the material
or extrinsic to it, i.e., related to its local environment. We do so by using
different sources of MoS2-a natural one and one prepared at high pressure and
high temperature-and different substrates bringing varying amounts of charged
impurities and by separating the contributions of internal strain and doping in
Raman spectra. Photoluminescence unveils various optically active excitonic
complexes. We discover a defect-bound state having a low binding energy of 20 meV
that does not appear sensitive to strain and doping, unlike charged excitons.
Conversely, the defect does not significantly dope or strain MoS2. Scanning
tunneling microscopy and density functional theory simulations point to
substitutional atoms, presumably individual nitrogen atoms at the sulfur site.
Our work shows the way to a systematic understanding of the effect of external
and internal fields on the optical properties of two-dimensional materials.
PMID- 28992417
TI - Smart Antibacterial Surfaces with Switchable Bacteria-Killing and Bacteria
Releasing Capabilities.
AB - The attachment and subsequent colonization of bacteria on the surfaces of
synthetic materials and devices lead to serious problems in both human healthcare
and industrial applications. Therefore, antibacterial surfaces that can prevent
bacterial attachment and biofilm formation have been a long-standing focus of
considerable interest and research efforts. Recently, a promising "kill-release"
strategy has been proposed and applied to construct so-called smart antibacterial
surfaces, which can kill bacteria attached to their surface and then undergo on
demand release of the dead bacteria and other debris to reveal a clean surface
under an appropriate stimulus, thereby maintaining effective long-term
antibacterial activity. This Review focuses on the recent progress (particularly
over the past 5 years) on such smart antibacterial surfaces. According to the
different design strategies, these surfaces can be divided into three categories:
(i) "K + R"-type surfaces, which have both a killing unit and a releasing unit;
(ii) "K -> R"-type surfaces, which have a surface-immobilized killing unit that
can be switched to perform a releasing function; and (iii) "K + (R)"-type
surfaces, which have only a killing unit but can release dead bacteria upon the
addition of a release solution. In the end, a brief perspective on future
research directions and the major challenges in this promising field is also
presented.
PMID- 28992418
TI - Nitrogen Fixation via a Terminal Fe(IV) Nitride.
AB - Terminal iron nitrides (Fe=N) have been proposed as intermediates of
(bio)catalytic nitrogen fixation, yet experimental evidence to support this
hypothesis has been lacking. In particular, no prior synthetic examples of
terminal Fe=N species have been derived from N2. Here we show that a nitrogen
fixing Fe-N2 catalyst can be protonated to form a neutral Fe(NNH2) hydrazido(2-)
intermediate, which, upon further protonation, heterolytically cleaves the N-N
bond to release [FeIV=N]+ and NH3. These observations provide direct evidence for
the viability of a Chatt-type (distal) mechanism for Fe-mediated N2-to-NH3
conversion. The physical oxidation state range of the Fe complexes in this
transformation is buffered by covalency with the ligand, a feature of possible
relevance to catalyst design in synthetic and natural systems that facilitate
multiproton/multielectron redox processes.
PMID- 28992419
TI - Solution-Processed Ultrathin TiO2 Compact Layer Hybridized with Mesoporous TiO2
for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB - The electron transport layer (ETL) is a key component of perovskite solar cells
(PSCs) and must provide efficient electron extraction and collection while
minimizing the charge recombination at interfaces in order to ensure high
performance. Conventional bilayered TiO2 ETLs fabricated by depositing compact
TiO2 (c-TiO2) and mesoporous TiO2 (mp-TiO2) in sequence exhibit resistive losses
due to the contact resistance at the c-TiO2/mp-TiO2 interface and the series
resistance arising from the intrinsically low conductivity of TiO2. Herein, to
minimize such resistive losses, we developed a novel ETL consisting of an
ultrathin c-TiO2 layer hybridized with mp-TiO2, which is fabricated by performing
one-step spin-coating of a mp-TiO2 solution containing a small amount of titanium
diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) (TAA). By using electron microscopies and
elemental mapping analysis, we establish that the optimal concentration of TAA
produces an ultrathin blocking layer with a thickness of ~3 nm and ensures that
the mp-TiO2 layer has a suitable porosity for efficient perovskite infiltration.
We compare PSCs based on mesoscopic ETLs with and without compact layers to
determine the role of the hole-blocking layer in their performances. The hybrid
ETLs exhibit enhanced electron extraction and reduced charge recombination,
resulting in better photovoltaic performances and reduced hysteresis of PSCs
compared to those with conventional bilayered ETLs.
PMID- 28992420
TI - Improved Chondrotoxic Profile of Liposomal Bupivacaine Compared With Standard
Bupivacaine After Intra-articular Infiltration in a Porcine Model.
AB - BACKGROUND: Increasingly, liposomal bupivacaine is being used with multimodal
pain management strategies. In vitro investigations have shown decreased
chondrotoxicity profiles for liposomal bupivacaine; however, there is no evidence
regarding its in vivo effects. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study sought to
investigate the in vivo chondrotoxicity of liposomal bupivacaine, hypothesizing
that there would be increased chondrocyte viability after exposure to liposomal
bupivacaine when compared with standard bupivacaine. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled
laboratory study. METHODS: Eight juvenile, female Yorkshire cross piglets
underwent a lateral stifle joint injection with either 1.3% liposomal bupivacaine
or 0.5% bupivacaine. Injections were performed on one joint per animal with no
injection to the contralateral knee, which served as the control. Chondrocyte
viability was assessed 1 week after injection with a live-dead staining protocol
and histologic examination. RESULTS: Significant chondrocyte death was seen with
the live-dead staining in the bupivacaine group (33% nonviable cells) in
comparison with liposomal bupivacaine (6.2%) and control (5.8%) groups ( P <
.01). However, histologic examination showed no differences in chondral surface
integrity, fibrillation, and chondrocyte viability. CONCLUSION: Liposomal
bupivacaine was found to be safe for intra-articular injection in this animal
model. Although bupivacaine demonstrated decreased chondrocyte viability on a
cellular level, histologically there were no changes. This study highlights the
dichotomy between fluorescent staining and histologic appearance of articular
chondrocytes in short-term analyses of viability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study
supports the peri-articular application of liposomal bupivacaine in the setting
of preserved articular cartilage. A single injection of standard bupivacaine did
not produce histologic changes in the articular cartilage.
PMID- 28992421
TI - Functional Hypoxia in Insects: Definition, Assessment, and Consequences for
Physiology, Ecology, and Evolution.
AB - Insects can experience functional hypoxia, a situation in which O2 supply is
inadequate to meet oxygen demand. Assessing when functional hypoxia occurs is
complex, because responses are graded, age and tissue dependent, and
compensatory. Here, we compare information gained from metabolomics and
transcriptional approaches and by manipulation of the partial pressure of oxygen.
Functional hypoxia produces graded damage, including damaged macromolecules and
inflammation. Insects respond by compensatory physiological and morphological
changes in the tracheal system, metabolic reorganization, and suppression of
activity, feeding, and growth. There is evidence for functional hypoxia in eggs,
near the end of juvenile instars, and during molting. Functional hypoxia is more
likely in species with lower O2 availability or transport capacities and when O2
need is great. Functional hypoxia occurs normally during insect development and
is a factor in mediating life-history trade-offs.
PMID- 28992422
TI - Confidence intervals for the common intraclass correlation in the analysis of
clustered binary responses.
AB - In cluster randomized trials, it is often of interest to estimate the common
intraclass correlation at the design stage for sample size and power
calculations, which are greatly affected by the value of a common intraclass
correlation. In this article, we construct confidence intervals (CIs) for the
common intraclass correlation coefficient of several treatment groups. We
consider the profile likelihood (PL)-based approach using the beta-binomial
models and the approach based on the concept of generalized pivots using the
ANOVA estimator and its asymptotic variance. We compare both approaches with a
number of large sample procedures as well as both parametric and nonparametric
bootstrap procedures in terms of coverage and expected CI length through a
simulation study, and illustrate the methodology with two examples from
biomedical fields. The results support the use of the PL-based CI as it holds the
preassigned confidence level very well and overall gives a very competitive
length.
PMID- 28992423
TI - Housekeeping and tissue-specific cis-regulatory elements: Recipes for specificity
and recipes for activity.
AB - Cell type-specific and housekeeping enhancers and promoters collectively control
the transcriptional output of mammalian cells. Recent data clarify how DNA
sequence features on the one hand control functional coupling of promoters with
selected enhancers, and on the other impart high level of activity to a broad
range of regulatory elements.
PMID- 28992425
TI - Statistical planning in confirmatory clinical trials with multiple treatment
groups, multiple visits, and multiple endpoints.
AB - Multiplicity issues can be multidimensional: A confirmatory clinical trial may be
designed to have efficacy assessed with two or more primary endpoints, for
multiple dose groups, and at several post-baseline visits. Controlling for
multiplicity in this situation is challenging because there can be a hierarchy
with respect to some but not all measurements. If the higher dose is considered
more efficacious, multiplicity approach may evaluate the higher dose with higher
priority through a fixed sequential testing framework for dose assessments in
combination with a Hochberg approach for endpoints. The lower dose is only
assessed when the higher dose has significant results, which reduces the power
for detecting signals in the lower dose group. However, in some instances the
higher dose may associate with tolerability or safety concerns that preclude
regulatory approval. A real confirmatory clinical trial with such challenges is
provided as an illustrative example. We discuss closed testing procedures based
on multi-way averages of comparisons for this complex multiplicity situation
through illustrative case analyses and a simulation study. Such strategies manage
the higher dose and the lower dose with equal priority, and they enable
evaluation of the multiple endpoints at multiple visits collectively with power
being reasonably high.
PMID- 28992424
TI - Long-Term Outcome of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Followed by Ahmed Valve
Implantation in the Management of Neovascular Glaucoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: To report the outcome of intravitreal Bevacizumab followed by Ahmed
valve implantation in the management of neovascular glaucoma in a patient group
with extended follow-up. METHODS: The records of 16 patients (18 eyes) with
neovascular glaucoma refractory to medical therapy who presented to a single
surgeon between 2006-2008 were reviewed. Patients received pan-retinal
photocoagulation and then intravitreal Bevacizumab followed by Ahmed valve
implantation. The main outcome measures were: control of IOP (with or without
additional medication), visual acuity (VA) and failure (IOP >21 mmHg or <6 mmHg,
reoperation for glaucoma, or loss of light perception). RESULTS: Pre-operatively,
all patients received pan-retinal photocoagulation followed by IVB at a mean of
15.9 (range 4-60) days prior to AGV. The mean pre-operative IOP was 37.1 mmHg (+/
13.4) on 3.2 (+/-0.87) medications. Of the 18 eyes, 14 eyes (78%) were treated
with AGV alone and 4 eyes (22%) with AGV combined with cataract extraction.
Sixteen eyes (89%) received mitomycin C treatment intraoperatively. Post
operatively, the mean follow-up period was 63 months (24-84). At final follow-up,
the success rate was 50% (33.3% complete, 16.7% qualified) with a mean IOP of
18.1 mmHg (+/-9.5) on a mean number of 1.5 (+/-1.6) medications. The failure rate
was 50%, with five eyes (27.8%) not meeting the IOP criteria for success (of
these, three eyes required additional surgery to lower the IOP) and five eyes
(22.2%) lost light perception. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal Bevacizumab followed by
AGV offers long-term control of IOP without additional surgical intervention in
the majority of cases.
PMID- 28992426
TI - Predictors of Poor Clinical Outcome After Arthroscopic Labral Preservation,
Capsular Plication, and Cam Osteoplasty in the Setting of Borderline Hip
Dysplasia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Borderline developmental dysplasia of the hip (BDDH) is frequently
diagnosed concurrently with cam impingement. While hip arthroscopy has advanced
the treatment of hip joint pathology, including femoroacetabular impingement
(FAI), arthroscopic treatment for FAI in the setting of BDDH remains a challenge
amid a subset of patients. The risk factors of poor clinical results after hip
arthroscopic labral preservation and FAI corrections in the setting of BDDH
patients have not been well established. HYPOTHESIS: Pre- and intraoperative
findings can predict the poor clinical outcomes after hip arthroscopic surgery
for FAI in the setting of BDDH. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study; Level of
evidence, 3. METHODS: Of patients with BDDH (defined as lateral center edge [LCE]
angle between 20 degrees and 25 degrees ) who underwent arthroscopic procedures
for FAI between 2009 and 2014, 45 met inclusion criteria (45 hips: 15 males and
30 females). Their mean age was 31.4 years (range, 12-65 years), and the mean LCE
angle was 23.2 degrees . Clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluations up to a
minimum of 2 years after surgery were performed for all patients. Failure of the
procedure was defined as conversion to subsequent surgery or having a Tonnis
osteoarthritis grade of 2, and success was defined as patients who did not need
subsequent surgery. Univariate analysis and Cox hazard proportional analysis were
performed for both cohorts. RESULTS: Of 45 patients, 11 (24%) had revision
surgery (endoscopic shelf acetabuloplasty for 5 patients, total hip arthroplasty
for 2, and revision hip arthroscopy for 2) or advanced to Tonnis grade >=2
osteoarthritis and thus constituted the failure group. In the success group,
modified Harris Hip Score (median, pre- vs postoperative: 72.1 vs 100, P< .001,
Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and nonarthritic hip score (58.8 vs 98.8, P< .001)
were significantly improved at the minimum 2-year follow-up. The median age of
the failure group was significantly higher than that of the success group (47.0
vs 20.0, P< .001, Mann-Whitney Utest). Risk factors of poor clinical outcomes
were identified as follows: age >=42 years (hazard ratio [HR], 11.6; 95% CI, 2.5
53.9; P= .002, Cox hazard model), broken Shenton line (HR, 6.4; 95% CI, 1.9-22.3;
P= .003), Tonnis angle >=15 degrees (HR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.2-12.9; P= .03),
vertical center anterior (VCA) angle <=17 degrees (HR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.5-17.1; P=
.01), Tonnis grade 1 at preoperative radiograph (HR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-11.7; P=
.04), severe cartilage delamination at acetabulum (HR, 11.8; 95% CI, 3.0-46.1; P<
.001), and mild cartilage damage at femoral head (HR, 8.1; 95% CI, 2.1-30.8; P=
.002). CONCLUSION: Preoperative predictors of poorer outcomes from hip
arthroscopic labral preservation, capsular plication, and cam osteoplasty in the
setting of BDDH are age >=42 years old, broken Shenton line, osteoarthritis,
Tonnis angle >=15 degrees , and VCA angle <=17 degrees on preoperative
radiographs. Intraoperative predictors of poorer outcomes are severe acetabular
chondral damage and even mild femoral chondral damage. Although the patients in
the setting of BDDH may have good outcomes from isolated hip arthroscopy, caution
is suggested for those with the aforementioned risk factors.
PMID- 28992429
TI - Adverse Effects of Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements.
AB - Over 70% of Americans take some form of dietary supplement every day, and the
supplement industry is currently big business, with a gross of over $28 billion.
However, unlike either foods or drugs, supplements do not need to be registered
or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to production or
sales. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the FDA is
restricted to adverse report monitoring postmarketing. Despite widespread
consumption, there is limited evidence of health benefits related to
nutraceutical or supplement use in well-nourished adults. In contrast, a small
number of these products have the potential to produce significant toxicity. In
addition, patients often do not disclose supplement use to their physicians.
Therefore, the risk of adverse drug-supplement interactions is significant. An
overview of the major supplement and nutraceutical classes is presented here,
together with known toxic effects and the potential for drug interactions.
PMID- 28992427
TI - Effects of cannabinoid receptor type 2 in respiratory syncytial virus infection
in human subjects and mice.
AB - An accumulating body of evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system plays a
significant role in pathophysiological processes and impacts disease severity.
Here we investigate the possible role of a cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2)
functional variant in determining disease severity and the potential
pharmacological therapeutic effects of CB2 activation in viral respiratory
infection. The common missense variant (CAA/CGG; Q63R) of the gene-encoding CB2
receptor (CNR2) was evaluated in 90 inpatient and 90 outpatient children with
acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). The frequency distribution of
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-the main cause of severe cases of bronchiolitis
and pneumonia in children-was studied in all collected samples. The mechanism
through which CB2 affects clinical outcomes in case of RSV infection was studied
in Balb/c mice model using AM630 as a CB2 antagonist. The potential therapeutic
effect of CB2 activation during RSV infection was studied using a selective
agonist, JWH133. The CB2 Q63R variation was associated with increased risk of
hospitalization in children with ARTI. Children carrying the QQ genotype were
more prone to developing severe ARTI (OR = 3.275, 95% CI: 1.221-8.705; p =
0.019). Of all the children enrolled in the study, 83 patients (46.1%) were found
positive for RSV infection. The associated risk of developing severe ARTI
following RSV infection increased more than two-fold in children carrying the Q
allele (OR = 2.148, 95% CI: 1.092-4.224; p = 0.026). In mice, the blockade of CB2
by AM630 during RSV infection enhanced the influx of BAL cells and production of
cytokines/chemokines while exaggerating lung pathology. CB2 activation by JWH133
reduces the influx of BAL cells and production of cytokines/chemokines while
alleviating lung pathology. Collectively, CB2 is associated with RSV severity
during infancy and may serve as a therapeutic target in RSV infection through the
alleviation of virus-associated immunopathology.
PMID- 28992430
TI - Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC)-Derived Cells to Assess Drug
Cardiotoxicity: Opportunities and Problems.
AB - Billions of US dollars are invested every year by the pharmaceutical industry in
drug development, with the aim of introducing new drugs that are effective and
have minimal side effects. Thirty percent of in-pipeline drugs are excluded in an
early phase of preclinical and clinical screening owing to cardiovascular safety
concerns, and several lead molecules that pass the early safety screening make it
to market but are later withdrawn owing to severe cardiac side effects. Although
the current drug safety screening methodologies can identify some cardiotoxic
drug candidates, they cannot accurately represent the human heart in many
aspects, including genomics, transcriptomics, and patient- or population-specific
cardiotoxicity. Despite some limitations, human induced pluripotent stem cell
derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are a powerful and evolving technology that
has been shown to recapitulate many attributes of human cardiomyocytes and their
drug responses. In this review, we discuss the potential impact of the inclusion
of the hiPSC-CM platform in premarket candidate drug screening.
PMID- 28992428
TI - Inflammatory Mediators in Mood Disorders: Therapeutic Opportunities.
AB - Mood disorders such as depression are among the most prevalent psychiatric
disorders in the United States, but they are inadequately treated in a
substantial proportion of patients. Accordingly, neuropsychiatric research has
pivoted from investigation of monoaminergic mechanisms to exploration of novel
mediators, including the role of inflammatory processes. Subsets of mood disorder
patients exhibit immune-related abnormalities, including elevated levels of
proinflammatory cytokines, monocytes, and neutrophils in the peripheral
circulation; dysregulation of neuroglia and blood-brain barrier function; and
disruption of gut microbiota. The field of psychoneuroimmunology is one of great
therapeutic opportunity, yielding experimental therapeutics for mood disorders,
such as peripheral cytokine targeting antibodies, microglia and astrocyte
targeting therapies, and probiotic treatments for gut dysbiosis, and producing
findings that identify therapeutic targets for future development.
PMID- 28992431
TI - Model-Informed Drug Development for Malaria Therapeutics.
AB - Malaria is a critical public health problem resulting in substantial morbidity
and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Owing to the development of
resistance toward current therapies, novel approaches to accelerate the
development efforts of new malaria therapeutics are urgently needed. There have
been significant advancements in the development of in vitro and in vivo
experiments that generate data used to inform decisions about the potential merit
of new compounds. A comprehensive disease-drug model capable of integrating
discrete data from different preclinical and clinical components would be a
valuable tool across all stages of drug development. This could have an enormous
impact on the otherwise slow and resource-intensive process of traditional
clinical drug development.
PMID- 28992432
TI - The Mystery of the Interstitial Cells in the Urinary Bladder.
AB - Intrinsic mechanisms to restrain smooth muscle excitability are present in the
bladder, and premature contractions during filling indicate a pathological
phenotype. Some investigators have proposed that c-Kit+ interstitial cells (ICs)
are pacemakers and intermediaries in efferent and afferent neural activity, but
recent findings suggest these cells have been misidentified and their functions
have been misinterpreted. Cells reported to be c-Kit+ cells colabel with vimentin
antibodies, but vimentin is not a specific marker for c-Kit+ cells. A recent
report shows that c-Kit+ cells in several species coexpress mast cell tryptase,
suggesting that they are likely to be mast cells. In fact, most bladder ICs
labeled with vimentin antibodies coexpress platelet-derived growth factor
receptor alpha (PDGFRalpha). Rather than an excitatory phenotype, PDGFRalpha+
cells convey inhibitory regulation in the detrusor, and inhibitory mechanisms are
activated by purines and stretch. PDGFRalpha+ cells restrain premature
development of contractions during bladder filling, and overactive behavior
develops when the inhibitory pathways in these cells are blocked. PDGFRalpha+
cells are also a prominent cell type in the submucosa and lamina propria, but
little is known about their function in these locations. Effective
pharmacological manipulation of bladder ICs depends on proper identification and
further study of the pathways in these cells that affect bladder functions.
PMID- 28992433
TI - KCNQ-Encoded Potassium Channels as Therapeutic Targets.
AB - Kv7 channels are voltage-gated potassium channels encoded by KCNQ genes that have
a considerable physiological impact in many cell types. This reliance upon Kv7
channels for normal cellular function, as well as the existence of hereditary
disorders caused by mutations to KCNQ genes, means that pharmacological targeting
of these channels has broad appeal. Consequently, a plethora of chemical entities
that modulate Kv7 channel activity have been developed. Moreover, Kv7 channels
are influenced by many disparate intracellular mediators and trafficking
processes, making upstream targeting an appealing prospect for therapeutic
development. This review covers the main characteristics of these multifunctional
and versatile channels with the aim of providing insight into the therapeutic
value of targeting these channels.
PMID- 28992435
TI - Introduction: The Challenge to Science in the Arena of Public Policy.
PMID- 28992436
TI - Sex and Gender Differences in the Outcomes of Vaccination over the Life Course.
AB - Both sex (i.e., biological differences) and gender (i.e., social or cultural
influences) impact vaccine acceptance, responses, and outcomes. Clinical data
illustrate that among children, young adults, and aged individuals, males and
females differ in vaccine-induced immune responses, adverse events, and
protection. Although males are more likely to receive vaccines, following
vaccination, females typically develop higher antibody responses and report more
adverse effects of vaccination than do males. Human, nonhuman animal, and in
vitro studies reveal numerous immunological, genetic, hormonal, and environmental
factors that differ between males and females and contribute to sex- and gender
specific vaccine responses and outcomes. Herein, we address the impact of sex and
gender variables that should be considered in preclinical and clinical studies of
vaccines.
PMID- 28992434
TI - Targeting Epigenetics in Cancer.
AB - Alterations of genes regulating epigenetic processes are frequently found as
cancer drivers and may cause widespread alterations of DNA methylation, histone
modification patterns, or chromatin structure that disrupt normal patterns of
gene expression. Because of the inherent reversibility of epigenetic changes,
inhibitors targeting these processes are promising anticancer strategies. Small
molecules targeting epigenetic regulators have been developed recently, and
clinical trials of these agents are under way for hematologic malignancies and
solid tumors. In this review, we describe how the writers, readers, and erasers
of epigenetic marks are dysregulated in cancer and summarize the development of
therapies targeting these mechanisms.
PMID- 28992437
TI - Assessing the Contributions of Motor Enzymes and Microtubule Dynamics to Mitotic
Chromosome Motions.
AB - During my graduate work with Keith Porter, I became fascinated by the mitotic
spindle, an interest that has motivated much of my scientific work ever since. I
began spindle studies by using electron microscopes, instruments that have made
significant contributions to our understanding of spindle organization. Such
instruments have helped to elucidate the distributions of spindle microtubules,
the interactions among them, their molecular polarity, and their associations
with both kinetochores and spindle poles. Our lab has also investigated some
processes of spindle physiology: microtubule dynamics, the actions of microtubule
associated proteins (including motor enzymes), the character of forces generated
by specific spindle components, and factors that control mitotic progression.
Here, I give a personal perspective on some of this intellectual history and on
what recent discoveries imply about the mechanisms of chromosome motion.
PMID- 28992439
TI - Temporal Patterning in the Drosophila CNS.
AB - A small pool of neural progenitors generates the vast diversity of cell types in
the CNS. Spatial patterning specifies progenitor identity, followed by temporal
patterning within progenitor lineages to expand neural diversity. Recent work has
shown that in Drosophila, all neural progenitors (neuroblasts) sequentially
express temporal transcription factors (TTFs) that generate molecular and
cellular diversity. Embryonic neuroblasts use a lineage-intrinsic cascade of five
TTFs that switch nearly every neuroblast cell division; larval optic lobe
neuroblasts also use a rapid cascade of five TTFs, but the factors are completely
different. In contrast, larval central brain neuroblasts undergo a major
molecular transition midway through larval life, and this transition is regulated
by a lineage-extrinsic cue (ecdysone hormone signaling). Overall, every
neuroblast lineage uses a TTF cascade to generate diversity, illustrating the
widespread importance of temporal patterning.
PMID- 28992440
TI - Coping with Protein Quality Control Failure.
AB - Cells and organisms have evolved numerous mechanisms to cope with and to adapt to
unexpected challenges and harsh conditions. Proteins are essential to perform the
vast majority of cellular and organismal functions. To maintain a healthy
proteome, cells rely on a network of factors and pathways collectively known as
protein quality control (PQC) systems, which not only ensure that newly
synthesized proteins reach a functional conformation but also are essential for
surveillance, prevention, and rescue of protein defects. The main players of PQC
systems are chaperones and protein degradation systems: the ubiquitin-proteasome
system and autophagy. Here we provide an integrated overview of the diverse PQC
systems in eukaryotic cells in health and diseases, with an emphasis on the key
regulatory aspects and their cross talks. We also highlight how PQC regulation
may be exploited for potential therapeutic benefit.
PMID- 28992441
TI - Mechanisms of Tail-Anchored Membrane Protein Targeting and Insertion.
AB - Proper localization of membrane proteins is essential for the function of
biological membranes and for the establishment of organelle identity within a
cell. Molecular machineries that mediate membrane protein biogenesis need to not
only achieve a high degree of efficiency and accuracy, but also prevent off
pathway aggregation events that can be detrimental to cells. The
posttranslational targeting of tail-anchored proteins (TAs) provides tractable
model systems to probe these fundamental issues. Recent advances in understanding
TA-targeting pathways reveal sophisticated molecular machineries that drive and
regulate these processes. These findings also suggest how an interconnected
network of targeting factors, cochaperones, and quality control machineries
together ensures robust membrane protein biogenesis.
PMID- 28992438
TI - Proteostatic Tactics in the Strategy of Sterol Regulation.
AB - In eukaryotes, the synthesis and uptake of sterols undergo stringent multivalent
regulation. Both individual enzymes and transcriptional networks are controlled
to meet changing needs of the many sterol pathway products. Regulation is
tailored by evolution to match regulatory constraints, which can be very
different in distinct species. Nevertheless, a broadly conserved feature of many
aspects of sterol regulation is employment of proteostasis mechanisms to bring
about control of individual proteins. Proteostasis is the set of processes that
maintain homeostasis of a dynamic proteome. Proteostasis includes protein quality
control pathways for the detection, and then the correction or destruction, of
the many misfolded proteins that arise as an unavoidable feature of protein-based
life. Protein quality control displays not only the remarkable breadth needed to
manage the wide variety of client molecules, but also extreme specificity toward
the misfolded variants of a given protein. These features are amenable to
evolutionary usurpation as a means to regulate proteins, and this approach has
been used in sterol regulation. We describe both well-trod and less familiar
versions of the interface between proteostasis and sterol regulation and suggest
some underlying ideas with broad biological and clinical applicability.
PMID- 28992442
TI - Cell Sheet Morphogenesis: Dorsal Closure in Drosophila melanogaster as a Model
System.
AB - Dorsal closure is a key process during Drosophila morphogenesis that models cell
sheet movements in chordates, including neural tube closure, palate formation,
and wound healing. Closure occurs midway through embryogenesis and entails
circumferential elongation of lateral epidermal cell sheets that close a dorsal
hole filled with amnioserosa cells. Signaling pathways regulate the function of
cellular structures and processes, including Actomyosin and microtubule
cytoskeletons, cell-cell/cell-matrix adhesion complexes, and endocytosis/vesicle
trafficking. These orchestrate complex shape changes and movements that entail
interactions between five distinct cell types. Genetic and laser perturbation
studies establish that closure is robust, resilient, and the consequence of
redundancy that contributes to four distinct biophysical processes: contraction
of the amnioserosa, contraction of supracellular Actomyosin cables, elongation
(stretching?) of the lateral epidermis, and zipping together of two converging
cell sheets. What triggers closure and what the emergent properties are that give
rise to its extraordinary resilience and fidelity remain key, extant questions.
PMID- 28992443
TI - Expressive Writing in Psychological Science.
AB - The 1997 Psychological Science paper "Writing About Emotional Experiences as a
Therapeutic Process" summarized the results of several expressive writing
studies. Since the publication of the first expressive writing study in 1986, a
number of discoveries had emerged that had both theoretical and clinical
implications. The scientific and personal backstories of the research are
discussed. Finally, several possible reasons are advanced to explain why this
particular paper has been cited as much as it has.
PMID- 28992444
TI - Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of Cathepsin A in
the Chinese Giant Salamander Andrias davidianus.
AB - Cathepsin A (CTSA) is serine carboxypeptidase, an important protease in the
lysosome. In this study, the full complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of CTSA in
Chinese giant salamanders Andrias davidianus was cloned, and its sequence
features were analyzed. Tissue expression patterns of CTSA in healthy and
Aeromonas hydrophila-infected salamanders were also investigated. The full cDNA
sequence of salamander CTSA was 1,620 base pairs in length, encoding 472 amino
acids. Salamander CTSA shared high sequence identities with other vertebrates'
CTSAs, ranging from 62.7% to 68.9%. In healthy salamanders, CTSA was highly
expressed in spleen, followed by brain, intestine, and stomach. After A.
hydrophila infection, salamander CTSA was significantly upregulated in lung,
heart, muscle, and kidney; was downregulated in liver, spleen, and intestine; and
exhibited no significant changes in stomach and skin, indicating that salamander
CTSA might play defense roles in multiple tissues during bacterial infection.
These results provide a solid basis for further study of the immune function of
amphibian CTSA. Received September 18, 2016; accepted June 18, 2017.
PMID- 28992445
TI - The human auditory brainstem response to running speech reveals a subcortical
mechanism for selective attention.
AB - Humans excel at selectively listening to a target speaker in background noise
such as competing voices. While the encoding of speech in the auditory cortex is
modulated by selective attention, it remains debated whether such modulation
occurs already in subcortical auditory structures. Investigating the contribution
of the human brainstem to attention has, in particular, been hindered by the tiny
amplitude of the brainstem response. Its measurement normally requires a large
number of repetitions of the same short sound stimuli, which may lead to a loss
of attention and to neural adaptation. Here we develop a mathematical method to
measure the auditory brainstem response to running speech, an acoustic stimulus
that does not repeat and that has a high ecological validity. We employ this
method to assess the brainstem's activity when a subject listens to one of two
competing speakers, and show that the brainstem response is consistently
modulated by attention.
PMID- 28992446
TI - Effects of benzophenone-3 on the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the
cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.
AB - Effects of benzophenone-3 (BP-3) on the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii,
and the cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, were investigated. The tested
organisms were exposed to environmental levels of BP-3 for 10 days, at nominal
concentrations from 0.01 to 5000MUgL-1. Specific growth rate and photosynthetic
pigments were employed to evaluate the toxic responses. The two tested algae had
distinct toxic responses towards BP-3 stress, with the green alga C. reinhardtii
being more sensitive than the cyanobacterium M. aeriginosa, based on EC20 and
EC50 values. Uptake of BP-3 from the medium occurred in both species, with M.
aeruginosa showing greater overall uptake (27.2-77.4%) compared to C. reinhardtii
(1.1-58.4%). The effects of BP-3 on C. reinhardtii were variable at
concentrations lower than 100MUgL-1. At higher concentrations, the specific
growth rate of C. reinhardtii decreased following a reduction in chlorophyll a
(chl-a) content. Further experiments showed that BP-3 regulated the growth of C.
reinhardtii by affecting the production of chl-a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids.
In M. aeruginosa, specific growth rate was only moderately affected by BP-3.
Additionally, the production of chl-a was significantly inhibited over the
different exposure concentrations, while the production of carotenoids was
stimulated. These results indicate a potential detrimental effect on prokaryotes
and eukaryotes and that the mechanism of action varies with species.
PMID- 28992447
TI - Magnetic hyperthermia efficiency and MRI contrast sensitivity of colloidal
soft/hard ferrite nanoclusters.
AB - The use of magnetic nanostructures as theranostic agents is a multiplex task as
physiochemical and biochemical properties including excellent magneto-responsive
properties, low toxicity, colloidal stability and facile surface engineering
capability are all required. Nonetheless, much progress has been made in recent
years synthesis of "all-in-one" MNPs remain unambiguously challenging. Towards
this direction, in this study is presented a facile incorporation of a soft
magnetic phase (MnFe2O4 NPs) with a hard phase (CoFe2O4 NPs) in the presence of
the biocompatible polymer sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), into spherical and
compact bi-magnetic nanoclusters (NCs) with modulated magnetic properties that
critically enhance hyperthermic efficiency and MRI contrast effect. Hydrophobic
MnFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 NPs coated with oleylamine of the same size (9 nm) were used
as primary building units for the formation of the bi-magnetic NCs through a
microemulsion approach where a set of experiments were conducted to identify the
optimal concentration of SDS (19.5 mM) for the cluster formation. Additionally,
homo-magnetic NCs of MnFe2O4 NPs and CoFe2O4 NPs, respectively were synthesized
for comparative studies. The presence of distinct magnetic phases within the bi
magnetic NCs resulting in synergistic behavior, where the soft phase offers
moderate coercivity Hc and the hard one high magnetization Ms. Increased specific
loss power (SLP) value was obtained for the bi-magnetic system (525 W/g) when
compared with the homo-magnetic NCs (104 W/g for MnNCs and 223 W/g for CoNCs)
under field conditions of 25 kA/m and 765 kHz. Relaxivities (r2) of the bi
magnetic NCs were also higher (81.8 mM-1 s-1) than those of the homo-magnetic NCs
(47.4 mM-1 s-1 for MnNCs and 3.1 mM-1 s-1 for CoNCs), while the high r2/r1 value
renders the system suitable for T2-weighted MRI imaging.
PMID- 28992448
TI - Plasmon enhanced electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol and organic contaminants
on gold/copper iodide composites under visible light irradiation.
AB - In this paper, plasmonic photoelectroncatalyst of gold/copper iodide (Au/CuI) was
synthesized and fully characterized. Compared to traditional electrocatalytic
procedure under dark condition, the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) activities of
Au/CuI towards ethanol oxidation and organic pollutant degradation were
distinctly enhanced under visible light irradiation. The advantages of the PEC
process were investigated by photocurrent responses, linear sweep voltammetry,
chronoamperometric and chronopotentiometry curves, and electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy spectra. Finally, the mechanism of plasmon enhanced PEC performance
in ethanol oxidation and organic contaminant degradation under visible light
irradiation was proposed. The current studies open a new possibility in the
application of ethanol oxidation and organic contaminant degradation by using
plasmonic photoelectrocatalysts under visible light irradiation.
PMID- 28992449
TI - Advances in the use of biologics and other novel drugs for managing inflammatory
bowel disease.
AB - For the ultimate aim of preventing intestinal disability in inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD), the treatment goal has moved from symptom control towards
inflammation control (i.e., 'deep remission'). Furthermore, the concept of 'treat
to-target' has been adopted to assist in treatment escalation and better control.
Although deep remission is possible with current biologics, there are still unmet
needs in IBD management. Biosimilars of several biologics will be an increasingly
common option in the near future. In this review, we review the current status of
novel drugs for IBD, focusing on recent phase 2 and 3 randomized controlled
trials, and address the issues of biosimilars. Recent studies of the 'treat-to
target' strategy and therapeutic drug monitoring are summarized.
PMID- 28992450
TI - Multilevel analysis of the role of human factors in regional disparities in crash
outcomes.
AB - A growing body of research has examined the disparities in road traffic safety
among population groups and geographic regions. These studies reveal disparities
in crash outcomes between people and regions with different socioeconomic
characteristics. A critical aspect of the road traffic crash epidemic that has
received limited attention is the influence of local characteristics on human
elements that increase the risk of getting into a crash. This paper applies
multilevel logistic regression modeling techniques to investigate the influence
of driver residential factors on driver behaviors in an attempt to explain the
area-based differences in the severity of road crashes across the State of
Alabama. Specifically, the paper reports the effects of characteristics
attributable to drivers and the geographic regions they reside on the likelihood
of a crash resulting in serious injuries. Model estimation revealed that driver
residence (postal code or region) accounted for about 7.3% of the variability in
the probability of a driver getting into a serious injury crash, regardless of
driver characteristics. The results also reveal disparities in serious injury
crash rate as well as significant proportions of serious injury crashes involving
no seatbelt usage, driving under influence (DUI), unemployed drivers, young
drivers, distracted driving, and African American drivers among some regions. The
average credit scores, average commute times, and populations of driver postal
codes are shown to be significant predictors for risk of severe injury crashes.
This approach to traffic crash analysis presented can serve as the foundation for
evidence-based policies and also guide the implementation of targeted
countermeasures.
PMID- 28992451
TI - Driver compliance to take-over requests with different auditory outputs in
conditional automation.
AB - Conditionally automated driving (CAD) systems are expected to improve traffic
safety. Whenever the CAD system exceeds its limit of operation, designers of the
system need to ensure a safe and timely enough transition from automated to
manual mode. An existing visual Human-Machine Interface (HMI) was supplemented by
different auditory outputs. The present work compares the effects of different
auditory outputs in form of (1) a generic warning tone and (2) additional
semantic speech output on driver behavior for the announcement of an upcoming
take-over request (TOR). We expect the information carried by means of speech
output to lead to faster reactions and better subjective evaluations by the
drivers compared to generic auditory output. To test this assumption, N=17
drivers completed two simulator drives, once with a generic warning tone
('Generic') and once with additional speech output ('Speech+generic'), while they
were working on a non-driving related task (NDRT; i.e., reading a magazine). Each
drive incorporated one transition from automated to manual mode when yellow
secondary lanes emerged. Different reaction time measures, relevant for the take
over process, were assessed. Furthermore, drivers evaluated the complete HMI
regarding usefulness, ease of use and perceived visual workload just after
experiencing the take-over. They gave comparative ratings on usability and
acceptance at the end of the experiment. Results revealed that reaction times,
reflecting information processing time (i.e., hands on the steering wheel,
termination of NDRT), were shorter for 'Speech+generic' compared to 'Generic'
while reaction time, reflecting allocation of attention (i.e., first glance
ahead), did not show this difference. Subjective ratings were in favor of the
system with additional speech output.
PMID- 28992452
TI - Safety analysis of the new synchronized and milwaukee B interchanges in
comparison to existing designs.
AB - Interchanges have high crash rates and large impacts on traffic operations. The
main objective of this research is to analyze the safety performance of two new
interchanges, the synchronized interchange and the Milwaukee B interchange. The
primary method of study was microscopic simulation modeling using the Surrogate
Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) program to estimate the quantity and type of
conflicting interactions in each interchange. A comprehensive series of
simulation scenarios were considered to include different conditions of traffic
volumes, traffic turning ratios, traffic distribution, and heavy vehicles
percentages. Afterward, outcomes were analyzed with two-way Analyses of Variance
(ANOVAs) to compare the mean values of conflicts. Based on the results, the
diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and Milwaukee B were the safest designs
regarding observed conflicting interactions in the simulation models; however,
the DDI did not seem as reliable from the viewpoint of wrong way movements. The
new synchronized interchange, the parclo B, and the Milwaukee A (an existing
interchange in Milwaukee, WI) showed the same rate of conflicts. The synchronized
interchange may be advantageous because it was estimated to reduce the severity
of crashes due to fewer crossing conflicts, a lower speed of conflicts, and a
higher time to collision. The conventional diamond was the most dangerous design
based on our measures. The DDI and the synchronized interchange look like
plausible substitutes for reconstructing an unsafe diamond interchange due to the
similarities in their required space.
PMID- 28992453
TI - FIFS: A data mining method for informative marker selection in high dimensional
population genomic data.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) are, nowadays,
becoming the marker of choice for biological analyses involving a wide range of
applications with great medical, biological, economic and environmental interest.
Classification tasks i.e. the assignment of individuals to groups of origin based
on their (multi-locus) genotypes, are performed in many fields such as forensic
investigations, discrimination between wild and/or farmed populations and others.
Tauhese tasks, should be performed with a small number of loci, for computational
as well as biological reasons. Thus, feature selection should precede
classification tasks, especially for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)
datasets, where the number of features can amount to hundreds of thousands or
millions. METHODS: In this paper, we present a novel data mining approach, called
FIFS - Frequent Item Feature Selection, based on the use of frequent items for
selection of the most informative markers from population genomic data. It is a
modular method, consisting of two main components. The first one identifies the
most frequent and unique genotypes for each sampled population. The second one
selects the most appropriate among them, in order to create the informative SNP
subsets to be returned. RESULTS: The proposed method (FIFS) was tested on a real
dataset, which comprised of a comprehensive coverage of pig breed types present
in Britain. This dataset consisted of 446 individuals divided in 14 sub
populations, genotyped at 59,436 SNPs. Our method outperforms the state-of-the
art and baseline methods in every case. More specifically, our method surpassed
the assignment accuracy threshold of 95% needing only half the number of SNPs
selected by other methods (FIFS: 28 SNPs, Delta: 70 SNPs Pairwise FST: 70 SNPs,
In: 100 SNPs.) CONCLUSION: Our approach successfully deals with the problem of
informative marker selection in high dimensional genomic datasets. It offers
better results compared to existing approaches and can aid biologists in
selecting the most informative markers with maximum discrimination power for
optimization of cost-effective panels with applications related to e.g. species
identification, wildlife management, and forensics.
PMID- 28992454
TI - Tracking the leaving group in the remote activation of O-2-[(propan-2
yl)sulfinyl]benzyl (OPSB) glycoside.
AB - In our recently developed interrupted Pummerer reaction mediated glycosylation
with O-2-[(propan-2-yl)sulfinyl]benzyl (OPSB) glycosides as glycosyl donors, the
anomeric leaving group was recovered as a benzyl alcohol which didn't affect the
glycosylation efficiency. To investigate the mechanism of the occurrence of this
alcohol, an 18O isotopic labeling reaction was carried out to track the leaving
group. It was found that the benzyl alcohol was generated during the aqueous work
up process from an inactive cyclic oxo-sulfonium ion intermediate. It was also
proved that H2O prefer to attack the sulfur atom position during the hydrolysis
of the intermediate.
PMID- 28992455
TI - 1H NMR studies of molecular interaction of D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D
glucosamine with capsaicin in aqueous and non-aqueous media.
AB - Complex formation of D-glucosamine (Gl) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (AGl) with
capsaicin (Cp) were studied by 1H NMR titrations in H2O-d2 and DMSO-d6; capsaicin
is the major bioactive component of chili peppers. Every titration curve has been
interpreted by formulating a suitable model for the reaction equilibrium, to
elucidate intermolecular interactions. In DMSO, glucosamine cations associate
with each other to yield linear aggregates, and undergo pseudo-1:1-complexation
with capsaicin, the formation constant being ca. 30 M-1. N-Acetylglucosamine,
without self-association, forms a 2:1-complex AGl2Cp with the stability of ca. 70
M-2. These complexations are achieved by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In D2O,
glucosamine undergoes reversible protonation equilibrium between Gl0 and GlH+
with the logarithmic protonation constants log KD = 8.63 for alpha-glucosamine
and 8.20 for beta-isomer. Both anomeric isomers of deprotonated glucosamine form
Gl0Cp-type complexes of capsaicin, in a competitive manner, with a formation
constant of 1040 M-1 for the alpha-glucosamine complex and 830 M-1 for the beta
complex; the anomeric carbons result in the difference in thermodynamic
stability. The reactant molecules are closed up by the solvent-exclusion effect
and/or the van der Waals interaction; the resulting pair is stabilized by
intermolecular hydrogen bonding within a local water-free space between the
component molecules. By contrast, neither protonated glucosamine (GlH+) nor N
acetylglucosamine yields a capsaicin complex with the definite stoichiometry. The
monosaccharides recognize capsaicin under only a controlled condition; the same
phenomena are predicted for biological systems and nanocarriers based on
polysaccharides such as chitosan.
PMID- 28992456
TI - Prediction of new chromene-based inhibitors of tubulin using structure-based
virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation methods.
AB - Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the serious problems in cancer research that
causes failure in chemotherapy. Chromene-based compounds have been proven to be
the novel anti-MDR agents for inhibiting proliferation of tumor cells through
tubulin polymerization inhibition of by binding at the colchicine binding site.
In this study, we screened a chromene-based database of small molecules using
physicochemical, ADMET properties and molecular docking to identify potential hit
compounds. In order to validate our hit compounds, molecular dynamics simulations
and related analysis were carried out and the results suggest that our hit
compounds (PubChem CIDs: 16814409, 17594471, 57367244 and 69899719) can prove to
be potential inhibitors of tubulin. The in silico results show that the present
hits, like colchicine, effectively suppressed the dynamic instability of
microtubules and induced microtubule-depolymerization and cell cycle arrest.
PMID- 28992457
TI - A parameter for the assessment of the segmentation of TEM tomography
reconstructed volumes based on mutual information.
AB - A method is proposed and verified for selecting the optimum segmentation of a TEM
reconstruction among the results of several segmentation algorithms. The
selection criterion is the accuracy of the segmentation. To do this selection, a
parameter for the comparison of the accuracies of the different segmentations has
been defined. It consists of the mutual information value between the acquired
TEM images of the sample and the Radon projections of the segmented volumes. In
this work, it has been proved that this new mutual information parameter and the
Jaccard coefficient between the segmented volume and the ideal one are
correlated. In addition, the results of the new parameter are compared to the
results obtained from another validated method to select the optimum
segmentation.
PMID- 28992458
TI - Quantitative analysis of actin filament assembly in yeast and plant by live cell
fluorescence microscopy.
AB - Eukaryotic cells depend on a dynamic actin cytoskeleton to regulate many
conserved intracellular events such as endocytosis, morphogenesis, polarized cell
growth, and cytokinesis (Engqvist-Goldstein and Drubin, 2003; Salbreux et al.,
2012; Pruyne et al., 2004; Pollard, 2010). These activities depend on a precise
and well-organized spatiotemporal actin assembly that involves many conserved
processes found in eukaryotic cells ranging from a unicellular organism, such as
yeast, to multicellular organisms, such as plants and human. In particular, both
budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and plant Arabidopsis thaliana have been
proven to be the powerful and great model organisms to study the molecular
mechanisms of the polymerization of the actin cytoskeleton and the actin-driven
processes in walled-cells. Here we describe the methods in imaging and image
processing to analyze dynamic actin filament assembly in budding yeast and
Arabidopsis using a wide-field fluorescent microscope.
PMID- 28992459
TI - Smart operation of nitritation/denitritation virtually abolishes nitrous oxide
emission during treatment of co-digested pig slurry centrate.
AB - The implementation of nitritation/denitritation (Nit/DNit) as alternative to
nitrification/denitrification (N/DN) is driven by operational cost savings, e.g.
1.0-1.8 EUR/ton slurry treated. However, as for any biological nitrogen removal
process, Nit/DNit can emit the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O).
Challenges remain in understanding formation mechanisms and in mitigating the
emissions, particularly at a low ratio of organic carbon consumption to nitrogen
removal (CODrem/Nrem). In this study, the centrate (centrifuge supernatant) from
anaerobic co-digestion of pig slurry was treated in a sequencing batch reactor.
The process removed approximately 100% of ammonium a satisfactory nitrogen
loading rate (0.4 g N/L/d), with minimum nitrite and nitrate in the effluent.
Substantial N2O emission (around 17% of the ammonium nitrogen loading) was
observed at the baseline operational condition (dissolved oxygen, DO, levels
averaged at 0.85 mg O2/L; CODrem/Nrem of 2.8) with ~68% of the total emission
contributed by nitritation. Emissions increased with higher nitrite accumulation
and lower organic carbon to nitrogen ratio. Yet, higher DO levels (~2.2 mg O2/L)
lowered the aerobic N2O emission and weakened the dependency on nitrite
concentration, suggesting a shift in N2O production pathway. The most effective
N2O mitigation strategy combined intermittent patterns of aeration, anoxic
feeding and anoxic carbon dosage, decreasing emission by over 99% (down to ~0.12%
of the ammonium nitrogen loading). Without anaerobic digestion, mitigated
Nit/DNit decreases the operational carbon footprint with about 80% compared to
N/DN. With anaerobic digestion included, about 4 times more carbon is
sequestered. In conclusion, the low CODrem/Nrem feature of Nit/DNit no longer
offsets its environmental sustainability provided the process is smartly
operated.
PMID- 28992460
TI - Lipid chain saturation and the cholesterol in the phospholipid membrane affect
the spectroscopic properties of lipophilic dye nile red.
AB - We have studied the effect of composition and the phase state of phospholipid
membranes on the emission spectrum, anisotropy and lifetime of a lipophilic
fluorescence probe nile red. Fluorescence spectrum of nile red in membranes
containing cholesterol has also been investigated in order to get insights into
the influence of cholesterol on the phospholipid membranes. Maximum emission
wavelength (lambdaem) of nile red in the fluid phase of saturated and unsaturated
phospholipids was found to differ by ~10nm. The lambdaem was also found to be
independent of chain length and charge of the membrane. However, the lambdaem is
strongly dependent on the temperature in the gel phase. The lambdaem and
rotational diffusion rate decrease, whereas the anisotropy and lifetime increase
markedly with increasing cholesterol concentration for saturated phosoholipids,
such as, dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) in the liquid ordered phase.
However, these spectroscopic properties do not alter significantly in case of
unsaturated phospholipids, such as, dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) in liquid
disordered phase. Interestingly, red edge excitation shift (REES) in the presence
of lipid-cholesterol membranes is the direct consequences of change in rotational
diffusion due to motional restriction of lipids in the presence of cholesterol.
This study provides correlations between the membrane compositions and
fluorescence spectral features which can be utilized in a wide range of
biophysical fields as well the cell biology.
PMID- 28992461
TI - Highly sensitive "turn-on" fluorescent chemical sensor for trace analysis of Cr3+
using electro-synthesized poly(N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-l-histidine).
AB - Trivalent chromium (Cr3+) can cause severely environment pollution, declining
quality of edible agro-products in plants and animals, and human diseases. Poly(N
(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-l-histidine) (PFLH) synthesized by the direct
electro-polymerization of its corresponding commercially available monomer in
both boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and dichloromethane mixed system. The
"turn-on" type fluorescent sensor based on PFLH displayed high sensitivity and
selectivity for Cr3+ detecting. The structure of PFLH was rationally proved by 1H
NMR spectra, FT-IR spectra, quantum chemical calculations, and its optical
properties were characterized. The electro-synthesized PFLH exhibited a "turn-on"
fluorescent response towards Cr3+, which was employed as a sensing platform for
the "turn-on" fluorescent analysis of Cr3+ in a wide linear range from 5.1nM to
25MUM with a low limit of detection as low as 1.7nM. The possible mechanism of
fluorescent "turn-on" sensor based on PFLH for Cr3+ was proposed. The sensor
displayed high sensitivity, good selectivity, satisfactory practicability,
suggesting that PFLH has potential fluorescent application for "turn-on" sensing
Cr3+ in agricultural environments and edible agro-products of plants and animals.
PMID- 28992462
TI - A non-destructive spectroscopic study of the decoration of archaeological
pottery: from matt-painted bichrome ceramic sherds (southern Italy, VIII-VII
B.C.) to an intact Etruscan cinerary urn.
AB - A study is presented based on the use of entirely non-destructive spectroscopic
techniques to analyze the chemical composition of the painted surface layer of
archaeological pottery. This study aims to define both the raw materials and the
working technology of ancient potters. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, micro
Raman spectroscopy, visible and near infrared (NIR) diffuse reflection
spectroscopy and external reflection Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR)
spectroscopy were applied to matt-painted bichrome pottery sherds (VIII-VII
century B.C.) from the site of Incoronata near Metaponto in southern Italy. Two
different raw materials, ochre and iron-rich clay, were recognized for the red
decoration, while the dark areas resulted to have been obtained by the so-called
manganese black technique. In any case, it was demonstrated that the decoration
was applied before firing, in spite of its sometimes grainy aspect that could
suggest a post-firing application. For the samples with a more sophisticated
decorative pattern a red/black/white polychromy was recognized, as the lighter
areas correspond to an "intentional white" obtained by the firing of a calcium
rich clay. Reflection spectroscopy in the visible-NIR and mid-IR as well as micro
Raman spectroscopy were then employed to characterize the decoration of an intact
ceramic urn from the Etruscan town of Chiusi, evidencing a post-firing painting
based on the use of red ochre, carbon black and lime, possibly imitating the
"fresco" technique used in wall paintings.
PMID- 28992463
TI - Use of zero order diffraction of a grating monochromator towards convenient and
sensitive detection of fluorescent analytes in multi fluorophoric systems.
AB - White light excitation fluorescence (WLEF) is known to possess analytical
advantage in terms of enhanced sensitivity and facile capture of the entire
fluorescence spectral signature of multi component fluorescence systems. Using
the zero order diffraction of the grating monochromator on the excitation side of
a commercial spectrofluorimeter, it has been shown that WLEF spectral
measurements can be conveniently carried out. Taking analyte multi-fluorophoric
systems like (i) drugs and vitamins spiked in urine sample, (ii) adulteration of
extra virgin olive oil with olive pomace oil and (iii) mixture of fabric dyes, it
was observed that there is a significant enhancement of measurement sensitivity.
The total fluorescence spectral response could be conveniently analysed using
PLS2 regression. This work brings out the ease of the use of a conventional
fluorimeter for WLEF measurements.
PMID- 28992465
TI - A novel frameshift mutation in the fibrinogen gammaC terminal region, FGG
c.1169_1170 del AT, leading to hypofibrinogenemia.
PMID- 28992464
TI - Pathogenesis of infections in HIV-infected individuals: insights from primary
immunodeficiencies.
AB - Following infection with almost any given microorganism other than an emerging
pathogen, only a minority of individuals develop life-threatening clinical
disease, implying that these individuals have some form of immunodeficiency. A
growing number of inherited and acquired immunodeficiencies have been deciphered
over the last 50 years. HIV infection is probably the best-known acquired
immunodeficiency. It emerged about 40 years ago and precipitates various severe
infections, the occurrence of which is associated with a fall in circulating CD4+
T cells. However, despite the strength of this correlation, infection rates
differ between patients with similar levels and durations of CD4+ T lymphopenia
in the presence or absence of antiretroviral treatment. Moreover, a few
infections seem to be less dependent on total CD4+ T-cell levels. The fine detail
of the mechanisms underlying these infections is unknown. We discuss here how
studies of the human genetics and immunology of some of these infections in
patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) have provided unique insights
into their molecular and cellular basis. Defects of specific CD4+ Th-cell subsets
account for some of these infections, as best exemplified by Th1* for
mycobacteriosis and Th17 for candidiasis. PIDs are individually rare, but
collectively much more common than initially thought, with new disorders being
discovered at an ever-increasing pace and a global prevalence worldwide
approaching that of HIV infection. Studies of known and new PIDs should make it
possible to dissect the pathogenesis of most human infections at an unprecedented
level of molecular and cellular precision. The predictive, preventive, and
therapeutic implications of studies of immunity to infection in PIDs may extend
to HIV-infected patients and patients with infectious diseases in other settings.
PMID- 28992466
TI - Increased risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation in heterozygous familial
hypercholesterolemia.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) are
important causes of morbidity and mortality. Subjects with familial
hypercholesterolemia (FH) carry a high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) but
it is not known if the risk of HF and AF is increased in FH. The present study
investigated the incidence of hospitalization for HF and AF in a genetically
verified FH cohort, age 25 years and older, compared to the general population.
METHODS: Incidence rates of hospitalization for HF and AF were estimated from
national registry data. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated.
RESULTS: 4273 genotyped FH patients (51.7% women) with a total observation period
of 18,300 patient years were studied. Overall, the expected number of FH patients
with HF was 27.7 and the observed number of cases was 54 (SIR (95% CI) 2.0 (1.5
2.6)). The highest excess risk was observed in the age group 25-49 years, where
SIRs were 3.8 (1.2-11.8) and 4.2 (2.0-8.8) in women and men, respectively. The
total expected number of FH patients with AF was 39.4 while the observed number
of cases was 77 (SIR 2.0 (1.6-2.4)). Among FH patients with an incident event of
HF, nearly 90% had a previous diagnosis of CAD, and nearly 40% had suffered from
a myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a doubling of the risk of
hospitalization for HF or AF in patients with FH. This is could have an important
prognostic impact for patients and economic impact for the society.
PMID- 28992468
TI - Dronedarone exerts anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects independently of its
antiarrhythmic actions.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dronedarone reduced the rate of stroke and transient
ischemic attack in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in the
ATHENA trial. This cannot be explained by its antiarrhythmic effect alone and may
involve alternative mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate any direct effect
of dronedarone on blood thrombogenicity, independent of its antiarrhythmic
effects. METHODS: Blood samples from patients with cardiovascular disease (n =
30) taking no anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication except aspirin were
incubated with dronedarone's active metabolite (SR35021A) at 66 ng/ml (am-L) and
119 ng/ml (am-H), i.e., minimum and maximum mean Cmax reported after repeated 400
mg BID dosing. A third aliquot of blood was incubated with vehicle (Control).
Antithrombotic effects of dronedarone were assessed using Coagulation Time (CT),
Clot Formation Rate (CFR) and Maximum Clot Firmness (MCF) in ThromboElastoMetry
and whole blood platelet aggregation in response to ADP, collagen and TRAP.
RESULTS: Compared to Control, mean CT was prolonged by am-L and am-H (164 +/- 25
s vs. 180 +/- 22 and 182 +/- 32 s, respectively, p<0.01 for both). Small but
statistically significant reductions were observed in CFR (am-L and am-H) and MCF
(am-H). Platelet aggregation induced by ADP and TRAP was also reduced (p<0.05 for
both) by am-H. CONCLUSIONS: Dronedarone exerts direct anticoagulant and
antiplatelet effects on human blood in vitro that are independent of its
antiarrhythmic actions. This suggests the reductions in ischemic events reported
with dronedarone may not be due to amelioration of AF itself. Additional clinical
studies are required to further improve understanding of the mechanisms involved.
PMID- 28992467
TI - Effect of statin on arginine metabolites in treated HIV-infection.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an inhibitor of nitric
oxide and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We examined the
effect of statin on ADMA in HIV + patients on stable ART, and whether such an
effect contributes to the favorable changes on carotid intima media thickness.
METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of SATURN-HIV, in which HIV + adults on
stable ART with HIV-1 RNA< 1000 copies/mL and LDL-cholesterol <130 mg/dL were
randomized to 10 mg daily rosuvastatin or placebo. Arginine metabolites, ADMA,
and markers of inflammation were assessed at baseline and 48 weeks. Carotid
intima media thickness (c-IMT) was measured at baseline, 48 and 96 weeks.
Spearman correlations, and linear mixed-effect models were used to study
relationships among variables. RESULTS: Overall, 79% were male, 68% African
Americans, with a median age of 46 years. In the statin arm, no change in ADMA
levels was observed at 48 weeks (0.70%), whereas a trend towards an increase in
ADMA levels (23.78%) was observed in the placebo group (p = 0.06). Elevated
baseline ADMA (highest tertile) was associated with a 0.04 mm increase in c-IMT
(p = 0.03) after adjusting for statin and study duration. No interaction was seen
between baseline ADMA and statin randomization on change in c-IMT (p = 0.21).
CONCLUSIONS: In HIV + subjects on ART, rosuvastatin suppressed the increase over
time in ADMA levels. Elevated baseline levels of ADMA were associated with
increases in c-IMT, regardless of statin assignment. The favorable effect of
rosuvastatin on c-IMT appears to be independent of the arginine pathway.
PMID- 28992469
TI - Consumption of fish and vascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta
analysis of intervention studies.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Epidemiological evidence of the beneficial health effects of
fish consumption is strong, but the evidence from intervention trials is less
documented. Our aim was to evaluate the state of the evidence on the potential
effects of fish consumption on vascular risk factors arising from intervention
trials. METHODS: A systematic literature search was undertaken in OVID MEDLINE,
Scopus, and EMBASE, which were searched from inception to June 2017. A meta
analysis of intervention trials was performed to estimate the effect of fish
consumption on vascular risk factors in adults (age >18 years). Primary outcomes
included lipid biomarkers such as triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL
cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, and also novel biomarkers of vascular risk.
Secondary outcomes were related to feasibility and acceptability aspects of these
interventions. Random-effects models were used to determine the pooled effect
sizes. RESULTS: 14 trials, including a total of 1378 individuals, fulfilled the
inclusion criteria for this study. Consuming oily fish was associated with
significant reductions in plasma triglycerides (-0.11 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.18 to
0.04; p = 0.002). While a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol was observed
(0.06 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.02 to -0.11; p = 0.008). No significant effect could be
observed on other vascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that
there is evidence indicating that consuming oily fish led to significant
improvements in two important biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, such as
triglycerides and HDL levels. These results strongly support the important role
for oily fish as part of a healthy diet.
PMID- 28992470
TI - The potential effects of efavirenz on Oreochromis mossambicus after acute
exposure.
AB - Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are hazardous therapeutic pharmaceuticals present in
South African surface water. Efavirenz is an ARV commonly used in human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment in South Africa. Although little is known
about the toxic effects of efavirenz on fish health, threats of toxicity to the
aquatic environment have been reported. Oreochromis mossambicus were exposed
under controlled conditions to environmentally-relevant efavirenz concentrations
(10.3ng/l) as measured in rivers that flow into the Nandoni Dam in the Vhembe
District, South Africa. Acute (96h) exposures were conducted using efavirenz
concentrations of 10.3ng/l and 20.6ng/l. The overall health of exposed fish was
determined using a histology-based fish health assessment index. Necropsies and
haematology were conducted and somatic indices calculated after which the liver,
kidney, heart, gills and gonads were microscopically quantitatively assessed.
Results indicated that fish exposed to 20.6ng/l efavirenz had significantly
(p<0.02) higher liver indices than the control fish, indicating increased liver
damage including steatosis and frank necrosis. Fish exposed to 20.6ng/l efavirenz
presented with significantly (p<0.02) higher total fish indices, representative
of declined overall health compared to control fish. It was concluded that the
exposure of O. mossambicus to efavirenz resulted in liver damage and overall
decline in fish health. These novel findings may indicate a health risk for O.
mossambicus and other biota exposed to efavirenz in aquatic ecosystems. Thus,
ARV's in water sources of South Africa pose a definite threat to wildlife and
ultimately human health.
PMID- 28992471
TI - Parkia speciosa empty pod prevents hypertension and cardiac damage in rats given
N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester.
AB - Parkia speciosa Hassk is a plant found abundantly in Southeast Asia region. Its
seeds with or without pods and roots have been used in traditional medicine in
this region to treat hypertension. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the
potential effect of the plant empty pod extract on hypertension development and
changes in heart induced by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)
administration in rats. Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into
four groups. Groups 1 to 3 were given l-NAME (25mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for 8
weeks. Groups 2 and 3 were also given Parkia speciosa empty pods methanolic
extract (800mg/kg, orally) and nicardipine (3mg/kg, orally), concurrently with l
NAME. The last group served as the control. l-NAME reduced plasma nitric oxide
level and therefore, increased systolic blood pressure, angiotensin-converting
enzyme and NADPH oxidase activities as well as lipid peroxidation in the heart.
Parkia speciosa extract and nicardipine treatments had significantly prevented
the elevations of blood pressure, angiotensin-converting enzyme, NADPH oxidase
activities and lipid peroxidation in the heart induced by the l-NAME. Parkia
speciosa extract but not nicardipine prevented the reduction in plasma nitric
oxide level caused by l-NAME. In conclusion, Parkia speciosa empty pods
methanolic extract has a potential to prevent the development of hypertension
possibly by preventing the loss of plasma nitric oxide, as well as has
cardioprotective effects by reducing angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and
oxidative stress in the heart in rats administered l-NAME.
PMID- 28992472
TI - LncRNA ZEB2-AS1 promotes bladder cancer cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis
by regulating miR-27b.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the role of lncRNA zinc finger E
box binding homeobox 2 antisense RNA 1 (ZEB2-AS1), as a new tumor-associated
lncRNA, in bladder cancer (BC) pathogenesis. METHODS: BC tissues and tumor
adjacent normal bladder tissues were collected for detection of the expression
profile of ZEB2-AS1 and miR-27b in BC. The endogenous expression of ZEB2-AS1 and
miR-27b was modulated by the recombinant expression vector in vitro. The
interaction between ZEB2-AS1 and miR-27b was identified by luciferase report gene
assays and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The proliferation and apoptosis
of BC cells was determined using CCK-8 assays and flow cytometric analysis.
RESULTS: The expression of ZEB2-AS1 was significantly increased in both BC
tissues and BC cells (J82, 5637, T24); while miR-27b was down-regulated in BC
tissues. More importantly, ZEB2-AS1 was significantly negative correlated with
miR-27b expression in BC tissues (R2=0.1688, P<0.05). ZEB2-AS1 silencing
inhibited BC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Further studies confirmed
that miR-27b was negatively regulated by ZEB2-AS1 in BC cells 5637 and T24, and
the effects of ZEB2-AS1 on BC cells was mediated by miR-27b. CONCLUSION: Our data
provided strong evidence that ZEB2-AS1 promoted tumorigenesis and development of
BC through down-regulating tumor-suppressive miR-27b.
PMID- 28992473
TI - Chronic toxicity in Ceriodaphnia dubia induced by graphene oxide.
AB - The unique physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials have allowed their
application in different areas including electronics, energy storage,
nanomedicine, environmental remediation and biotechnology. Graphene and its
derivatives, in particular, have been commercially available, with prediction for
increasing their production in the next years, in a way that their release into
aquatic environments is very likely to occur, and the impacts of such situation
on organisms are still not completely understood. In this context, we evaluated
graphene oxide (GO) effects on the freshwater cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia
through acute and chronic toxicity, feeding rates, and reactive oxygen species
(ROS) generation. The mean effective concentration (EC50) estimated during acute
exposure was 1.25 mg L-1 of GO. The chronic exposure resulted in significant
decrease in the number of neonates. The feeding rates were also decreased by GO
exposure. Sub-lethal concentrations of GO caused an increase in ROS generation in
the organisms. Our results indicated that GO cause acute and chronic effects to
C. dubia. In the presence of GO there was a shift in the available energy for
self-maintenance rather than feeding or reproduction activities. This study
provides useful information on GO concentrations that might impair the aquatic
biota, and supports regulatory efforts concerning the environmental safety of
this product.
PMID- 28992474
TI - UV-driven hydroxyl radical oxidation of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate:
Intermediate products and residual toxicity.
AB - Organophosphorus esters (OPEs) are emerging contaminants widely applied as
annexing agents in a variety of industrial products, and they are robust against
conventional wastewater treatments. Ultraviolet-driven (UV) radical-based
advanced oxidation processes have a potential to become cost-effective treatment
technologies for the removal of OPEs in water matrix, but residual and newly
generated toxicities of degradation products are a concern. This study is a
comprehensive attempt to evaluate UV/H2O2 for the degradation of a water
dissolved OPE, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). In ultrapure water, a pseudo
first order reaction was observed, and the degradation rate constant reached
0.155 min-1 for 3.5 MUM TCEP using 7.0 mW cm-2 UV irradiation with 44.0 MUM H2O2.
Hydroxyl radicals were involved in the oxidative degradation of TCEP, as
demonstrated by the quenching of the degradation reaction in the presences of
tertiary butanol or ethanol. High resolution mass spectroscopy data showed a
partial transformation of TCEP to a series of hydroxylated and dechlorinated
products e.g., C4H9Cl2O4P, C6H13Cl2O5P and C2H6ClO4P. Based on proteomics data at
molecular and metabolic network levels, the toxicity of TCEP products was reduced
obviously as the reaction proceeded, which was confirmed by the up-regulated
tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism and amino acid metabolism in
Escherichia coli cells exposed to degradation products mixture. In conclusion,
incomplete hydroxylation and dechlorination of TCEP likewise are effective for
its detoxification, indicating that UV/H2O2 can be a promising treatment method
for OPEs removal.
PMID- 28992475
TI - Nickel phytoextraction through bacterial inoculation in Raphanus sativus.
AB - A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of two plant growth
promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) viz. Bacillus sp. CIK-516 and Stenotrophomonas sp.
CIK-517Y for improving the growth and Ni uptake of radish (Raphanus sativus) in
the presence of four different levels of Ni contamination (0, 50, 100, 150 mg Ni
kg-1 soil). Plant growth, dry biomass, chlorophyll and nitrogen contents were
significantly reduced by the exogenous application of Ni, however, bacterial
inoculation diluted the negative impacts of Ni stress on radish by improving
these parameters. PGPR strain CIK-516 increased root length (9-27%), shoot length
(8-27%), root dry biomass (2-32%), shoot dry biomass (9-51%), root girth (6-48%),
total chlorophyll (4-38%) and shoot nitrogen contents (11-15%) in Ni contaminated
and non-contaminated soils. Positive regulation of chlorophyll and nitrogen
contents by the inoculated plants shows plant tolerance mechanism of Ni stress.
Bacterial strain (CIK-516) exhibited indole acetic acid and 1-amino-cyclopropane
1-carboxylate deaminase potentials which would have helped radish plant to
stabilize in Ni contaminated soil and thereby increased Ni uptake (24-257 in
shoot and 58-609 in root mg kg-1 dry biomass) and facilitated accumulation in
radish (bioaccumulation factor = 0.6-1.7) depending upon soil Ni contamination.
Based on the findings of this study, it might be suggested that inoculation with
bacterial strain CIK-516 could be an efficient tool for enhanced Ni
phytoextraction in radish.
PMID- 28992476
TI - Pharmacokinetics and effects of tetrabromobisphenol a (TBBPA) to early life
stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio).
AB - In silico and in vivo approaches were combined in an aggregate exposure pathway
(AEP) to assess accumulation and effects of waterborne exposures of early life
stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). Three
metabolites, two of which were isomers, were detected in fish. Two additional
metabolites were detected in the exposure solution. Based on kinetics modeling,
proportions of TBBPA that were bioaccumulated and metabolized were 19.33% and
8.88%, respectively. Effects of TBBPA and its metabolites were predicted by use
of in silico, surflex-Dock simulations that they were capable of interacting with
ThRalpha and activating associated signaling pathways. TBBPA had a greater toxic
contribution than its metabolites did when we evaluated the toxicity of these
substances based on the toxicity unit method. The half of the internal lethal
dose (ILD50) was 18.33 MUg TBBPA/g at 74 hpf. This finding was further confirmed
by changes in expressions of ThRalpha and other NRs as well as associated genes
in their signal pathways. Specifically, exposure to 1.6 * 102, 3.3 * 102 or 6.5 *
102 MUg TBBPA/L significantly down-regulated expression of ThRalpha and
associated genes, ncor, c1d, ncoa2, ncoa3, and ncoa4, in the AR pathway and of
er2a and er2b genes in the ER pathway.
PMID- 28992477
TI - Cell cycle regulation and apoptosis mediated by p53 in response to hypoxia in
hepatopancreas of the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.
AB - Although hypoxic aquatic environments cause negative effects on shrimp, these
animals can withstand somewhat hypoxia, but the cellular mechanisms underlying
this capacity are still poorly understood. In humans, mild hypoxia causes the
induction of many proteins to allow cell survival. In contrast, apoptosis is
induced during severe hypoxia leading to cell death. p53 is a key transcription
factor that determines cells fate towards cell cycle arrest or induction of
apoptosis in humans. The aim of this work was to study the role of p53 in cell
cycle regulation and apoptosis in response to hypoxia in hepatopancreas of the
white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. p53 was silenced by RNAi and afterwards the
shrimp were exposed to hypoxia. Cdk-2 was used as indicator of cell cycle
progression while caspase-3 expression and caspase activity were analyzed as
indicators of apoptosis. p53 levels in hepatopancreas were significantly higher
at 48 h after hypoxic treatment. Increased expression levels of Cdk-2 were found
in p53-silenced shrimp after 24 and 48 h in the normoxic treatments as well as 48
h after hypoxia, indicating a possible role of p53 in cell cycle regulation. In
response to hypoxia, unsilenced shrimp showed an increase in caspase-3 expression
levels, however an increase was also observed in caspase activity at 24 h of
normoxic conditions in p53-silenced shrimps. Taken together these results
indicate the involvement of p53 in regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in the
white shrimp in response to hypoxia.
PMID- 28992478
TI - Mechanisms of biochar assisted immobilization of Pb2+ by bioapatite in aqueous
solution.
AB - Bioapatite (BAp) is regarded as an effective material to immobilize lead (Pb2+)
via the formation of stable pyromorphite. However, when applied in contaminated
soil, due to its low surface area and low adsorption capacity, BAp might not
sufficiently contact and react with Pb2+. Biochar, a carbon storage material,
typically has high surface area and high adsorption capacity. This study
investigated the feasibility of using biochar as a reaction platform to enhance
BAp immobilization of Pb2+. An alkaline biochar produced from wheat straw pellets
(WSP) and a slightly acidic biochar produced from hardwood (SB) were selected.
The results of aqueous adsorption showed the combination of biochar (WSP or SB)
and BAp effectively removed Pb2+ from the aqueous solution containing 1000 ppm
Pb2+. XRD, ATR-IR, and SEM/EDX results revealed the formation of
hydroxypyromorphite on both biochars' surfaces. This study demonstrates that
biochars could act as an efficient reaction platform for BAp and Pb2+ in aqueous
solution due to their high surface area, porous structure, and high adsorption
capacity. Therefore, it is mechanistically feasible to apply biochar to enhance
BAp immobilization of Pb2+ in contaminated soil.
PMID- 28992479
TI - Bioaccumulation of UV filters in Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel.
AB - In this study the bioaccumulation kinetics of organic UV filters, such as 4-MBC,
BP-3, BP-4, OC and OD-PABA in wild Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels was
investigated. The uptake and accumulation of waterborne 4-MBC, BP-4 and OC was
very rapid, and after only 24 h of exposure to 1 MUg L-1, the tissular
concentrations were 418, 263 and 327 MUg kg-1d.w., respectively. The kinetics of
bioaccumulation of BP-4 and OC significantly fitted to an asymptotic model with
BCF values of 905 L kg-1 and 2210 L kg-1, respectively. Measured bioaccumulation
of the hydrophilic chemical BP-4 was much higher than predicted by Kow-based
bioconcentration models, which would lead to a marked underestimation of actual
risk. On the other hand, the patterns of uptake found for BP-3 and OD-PABA
suggest biotransformation ability of mussels for these two chemicals.
PMID- 28992480
TI - Zearalenone (ZEA)-induced intestinal inflammation is mediated by the NLRP3
inflammasome.
AB - To ascertain whether zearalenone (ZEA) could induce intestinal inflammation and
investigate its possible mechanism, we investigated inflammatory cytokine release
and the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome after ZEA treatment both in vitro or
in vivo. First, intestinal porcine enterocyte cell line (IPEC-J2) cells and mouse
peritoneal macrophages were treated with ZEA to detect NLRP3 inflammasome
activation, and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ZEA-induced
inflammation was investigated. Then, Balb/c mice were fed a gavage of ZEA, and
the disease activity indices (DAIs) and histological analysis were used to assess
intestinal inflammation. Our study showed that the mRNA expression of NLRP3
inflammasome, pro-interleukin-1beta (pro-IL-1beta), and pro-interleukin-18 (pro
IL-18) was up-regulated 0.5- to 1-fold and that the release of IL-1beta and IL-18
increased from 48 pg mL-1 to 55 pg mL-1 and 110 pg mL-1 to 145 pg mL-1,
respectively. However, ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) reduced IL-1beta
and IL-18 release to 45 pg mL-1 and 108 pg mL-1. Moreover, the same phenomenon
was observed in intestinal tissues of ZEA-treated mice. In addition, clinical
parameters of treated mice showed stools became loose and contained mucous. In
addition, the presence of gross blood stool was found in the last 2 d.
Histological analysis showed obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue
damage in the colon. These findings uncovered a possible mechanism of intestinal
mucosal innate immunity in response to mycotoxin ZEA that ZEA could activate the
ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome and, in turn, contribute to the caspase-1
dependent activation of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-18.
PMID- 28992481
TI - Evaluation of the sorption mechanism of ionic liquids onto multi-walled carbon
nanotubes.
AB - The knowledge of the sorption mechanism of different chemicals onto third
generation carbon sorbents such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is needed in order to
project systems for the effective removal of pollutants from the environment.
This paper reports evaluation of the sorption mechanism of selected ionic liquids
(ILs), being considered as potential pollutant in environment, onto various CNTs.
CNTs characterized by the smallest diameter and the biggest surface area showed
the highest sorption capacity to isolate ILs from an aqueous solution. CNTs with
a bigger diameter, a functionalized surface and particularly a helical shape
showed a lower sorption capacity. The sorption mechanism has been defined as
complex, including van der Waals, pi-pi and electrostatic interactions with
dominating pi-pi interactions. Due to the relatively high sorption coefficient
(355.98 +/- 20.69-6397.10 +/- 355.42 L kg-1 depending on the IL) the study showed
that multi-walled carbon nanotubes can potentially be used to effectively isolate
ILs from an aqueous solution. Moreover, proved in this study, the fast sorption
kinetic, and uncomplicated regeneration process, leading to an even higher
sorption capacity, means that CNTs are promising material which could find
potential applications in the treatment of water contaminated by ILs.
PMID- 28992482
TI - Bisphenol A in artificial soil: Effects on growth, reproduction and immunity in
earthworms.
AB - The application of biosolids in agricultural fields is increasing annually. They
contain not only nutrients but also xenobiotics, such as Bisphenol A (BPA). These
compounds are not regulated in the use of biosolids in agriculture, which
highlights the need to assess their effects on soil life, of which earthworms are
most abundant of the animal representatives. In this study the effect of BPA on
life-history parameters, such as mortality, growth and reproduction, and on
immunity, is evaluated for Dendrobaena veneta and Eisenia fetida. Sublethal
concentrations were evaluated by a modified OECD artificial soil test. Decline in
growth with increasing concentration of BPA was detected during the first two
weeks and the opposite effect for the next two, although these differences were
only significant at the highest concentration. Reproduction traits were only
significantly different for E. fetida, for which the number of juveniles
decreased at higher concentrations, thus showing different sensitivity in both
species. By using a contact test, the potentially harmful effect of direct
contact with BPA was shown to be much higher than in soil (resembling natural)
conditions. Finally, results indicate that BPA may not affect the immune system
of these animals, at least in terms of coelomocyte viability.
PMID- 28992483
TI - Impacts of inorganic anions and natural organic matter on thermally activated
persulfate oxidation of BTEX in water.
AB - The present study investigated the impacts of water matrix constituents (CO32-,
HCO3-, Cl-, Br-, PO43-, HPO42-, H2PO4-, NO3-, SO42- and natural organic matters
(NOM) on the oxidation of a mixture of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and
xylenes (BTEX) by thermally activated persulfate (PS). In the absence of matrix
constituents, the BTEX oxidation rates decreased in the following order: xylenes
> toluene ~ ethylbenzene > benzene. HCO3-/CO32- and NOM inhibited the BTEX
oxidation and the inhibiting effects became more pronounced as the HCO3-/CO32
/NOM concentration increased. SO42-, NO3-, PO43- and H2PO4- did not affect the
BTEX oxidation while HPO42- slightly inhibited the reaction. The impacts of Cl-
and Br- were complex. Cl- inhibited the benzene oxidation while 100 mM and 500 mM
of Cl- promoted the oxidation of m-xylene and p-xylene. Br- completely suppressed
the benzene oxidation while 500 mM of Br- strongly promoted the oxidation of
xylenes. Detailed explanations on the influence of each matrix constituent were
discussed. In addition, various halogenated degradation byproducts were detected
in the treatments containing Cl- and Br-. Overall, this study indicates that some
matrix constituents such as NOM, HCO3-, CO32-, H2PO4-, Cl- and Br- may reduce the
BTEX removal efficiency of sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation process (SR
AOP) and the presence of Cl- and Br- may even lead to the formation of toxic
halogenated byproducts.
PMID- 28992484
TI - Emerging contaminants in Indian environmental matrices - A review.
AB - The emergence of issues related to environment from ECs is a topic under serious
discussions worldwide in recent years. Indian scenario is not an exception as it
is tremendously growing in its rate of production and consumption of compounds
belongs to ECs categories. However, a comprehensive documentation on the
occurrence of ECs and consequent ARGs as well as their toxic effects on
vertebrates on Indian context is still lacking. In the present study, an
extensive literature survey was carried out to get an idea on the geographical
distribution of ECs in various environmental matrices (water, air, soil, sediment
and sludge) and biological samples by dividing the entire subcontinent into six
zones based on climatic, geographical and cultural features. A comprehensive
assessment of the toxicological effects of ECs and the consequent antibiotic
resistant genes has been included. It is found that studies on the screening of
ECs are scarce and concentrated in certain geological locations. A total of 166
individual compounds belonging to 36 categories have been reported so far.
Pharmaceuticals and drugs occupy the major share in these compounds followed by
PFASs, EDCs, PCPs, ASWs and flame retardants. This review throws light on the
alarming situation in India where the highest ever reported values of
concentrations of some of these compounds are from India. This necessitates a
national level monitoring system for ECs in order to assess the magnitude of
environmental risks posed by these compounds.
PMID- 28992485
TI - Reaction kinetics and mechanisms of organosilicon fungicide flusilazole with
sulfate and hydroxyl radicals.
AB - Flusilazole is an organosilane fungicide used for treatments in agriculture and
horticulture for control of diseases. The reaction kinetics and mechanism of
flusilazole with sulfate and hydroxyl radicals were studied. The rate constant of
the radicals with the fungicide were determined by laser flash photolysis of
peroxodisulfate and hydrogen peroxide. The results were 2.0 * 109 s-1M-1 for the
reaction of the fungicide with HO and 4.6 * 108 s-1 M-1 for the same reaction
with SO4- radicals. The absorption spectra of organic intermediates detected by
laser flash photolysis of S2O82- with flusilazole, were identified as alpha
aminoalkyl and siloxyl radicals and agree very well with those estimated
employing the time-dependent density functional theory with explicit account for
bulk solvent effects. In the continuous photolysis experiments, performed by
photo-Fenton reaction of the fungicide, the main degradation products were:
(bis(4-fluorophenyl)-hydroxy-methylsilane) and the non-toxic silicic acid,
diethyl bis(trimethylsilyl) ester, in ten and twenty minutes of reaction,
respectively.
PMID- 28992486
TI - Emotion differentiation predicts likelihood of initial lapse following substance
use treatment.
AB - BACKGROUND: An estimated 40% to 70% of individuals treated for a substance use
disorder relapse within one year following treatment (Walitzer and Dearing,
2006). Relapse is often driven by the need to cope with intense negative affect
(Koob, 2013). Emotion differentiation, defined as the ability to distinguish
among various emotion states, has been linked to better behavioral control in the
face of negative affect (Kashdan et al., 2015). The aim of the current study was
to determine if higher levels of emotion differentiation are associated with the
risk of experiencing an initial lapse following entry into residential substance
use treatment. METHODS: A total of 213 substance users (69.5% male, 94.4% African
American, M age=43.01+/-11.35years) entering residential treatment were assessed
on study variables at pre- and post-treatment, and at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month
post-treatment. Emotion differentiation was calculated using ratings on five
negative affect items derived from the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule
(PANAS; Watson et al., 1988) at five assessment points. RESULTS: A Cox
proportional-hazards regression model adjusting for age and negative affect
intensity demonstrates that for every unit increase in emotion differentiation,
there is a 27% reduction in the likelihood of initial lapse on any given day
(OR=0.73; 95% CIs [0.56, 0.95]). CONCLUSIONS: The ability to differentiate among
negative emotion states protects against initial lapse following treatment.
PMID- 28992487
TI - AgNPs-decorated 3D printed PEEK implant for infection control and bone repair.
AB - Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is an ideal substitute material for bone tissue
engineering, which can avoid the stress shielding phenomenon due to its similar
mechanical properties to natural human bone. Complex bone defect and
postoperative infection are still two enormous challenges in orthopedic clinics.
It's well-known that additive manufacturing possesses the merits of high
precision and rapid prototyping, thus it easily meets the needs of mold
processing. In the present study, we developed a novel Ag-decorated 3D printed
PEEK via catecholamine chemistry. SEM image showed that silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs) were evenly anchored on the surface. The following antibacterial tests,
including bacterial inhibition ring, bacterial dynamics curves and antibiofilm
test, indicated that the Ag-decorated 3D PEEK scaffolds displayed significant
antibacterial effect towards Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Then MG-63
cells were seeded on samples for cell proliferation and ALP activity tests. The
results demonstrated the scaffold modified with AgNPs could support cell
proliferation, and enhanced higher alkaline phosphatase activity compared with
pure PEEK scaffold. Expectedly, this dual functional 3D material holds great
potential application in clinical bone tissue repair.
PMID- 28992488
TI - Hydroxyapatite functionalization to trigger adsorption and release of
risedronate.
AB - Bisphosphonates are widely employed drugs for the treatment of pathologies
characterized by excessive bone resorption, and display a great affinity for
apatitic supports. In this work we investigate how hydroxyapatite
functionalization can influence the processes of adsorption and release of a
bisphosphonate, namely risedronate. To this aim, pure hydroxyapatite (HA),
hydroxyapatite with a partial substitution of Zn to Ca (ZnHA) and poly
ethylenimine-functionalized hydroxyapatite (HAPEI) were submitted to interaction
with risedronate solution. The results indicate that the mechanisms of adsorption
and release are greatly influenced by the type of the apatitic support. All the
apatitic supports display Langmuir isotherms for risedronate adsorption. However
in the case of HAPEI the plateau is not reached even at high equilibrium
concentrations in solution. The data suggest that risedronate adsorption on HAPEI
mineral-organic support occurs not only through chemisorption on apatitic phase,
as on HA and ZnHA, but also through physisorption involved by PEI coating, which
modulates also bisphosphonate release. These properties of tailor-made
hydroxyapatite supports could be exploited to develop delivery systems for
antiresorptive agents directly on osteoporotic sites.
PMID- 28992489
TI - Methotrexate induces high level of apoptosis in canine lymphoma/leukemia cell
lines.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Methotrexate is an antimetabolite used in the treatment of cancer
and non-malignant diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and graft
vs. host disease. Combination therapy with methotrexate was successful in the
treatment of canine lymphoma, mammary tumor and invasive urinary bladder cancer.
Lymphoma, the most common hematopoietic cancer in dogs, and leukemia are
sensitive to chemotherapy, which is why methotrexate may be an important
treatment option for these diseases. Although methotrexate is already used in
veterinary oncology its effects on canine cancer cells has not been tested. The
aim of the study was to evaluate for the first time methotrexate concentration
dependent cytotoxicity and its capability of inducing apoptosis in selected
canine lymphoma/leukemia cell lines: CLBL-1, GL-1 and CL-1 as a first step before
the in vitro development of new therapeutic options with the use of methotrexate.
RESULTS: Methotrexate exhibited concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on
proliferation of all the examined cell lines with different degree of apoptosis
induction. The most methotrexate sensitive cells belonged to CL-1 cell line
derived from T cell neoplasia and previously characterized by high resistance to
the majority of anticancer drugs used in the therapy of lymphoma/leukemia in
dogs. Canine lymphoma and leukemia cell lines are sensitive to methotrexate, and
this drug may be useful in effective treatment of canine neoplasms and especially
of T-type leukemia/lymphoma.
PMID- 28992490
TI - Does the presence of caffeine in the marine environment represent an
environmental risk? A regional and global study.
AB - Caffeine is an emerging contaminant considered to be an indicator of human
contamination that has been widely detected in various aquatic systems,
especially in continental waters. Nevertheless, the extent of its possible
environmental impact is yet to be determined. This study determined the presence
of caffeine, and evaluated the environmental hazard posed by this substance, in
the "Rias Gallegas", a series of costal inlets in north-west Spain which are of
great ecological value and in which fishing and bivalve farming, are a
significant source of income. Caffeine was found to be present at concentrations
higher than the limit of quantification (LOQ=3.07ngL-1) in 15 of the 23 samples
analysed, with the highest seawater concentration being 857ngL-1 (the highest
measured in seawater in Spain). Six out of 22 seawater samples resulted in a
hazard quotient (HQ) from chronic exposure higher than 1 with the highest being
17.14, indicating a high probability of adverse effects in the aquatic
environment. Environmental Exposure Distributions (EEDs) generated from a
literature review of caffeine levels reported previously in four out of the five
continents, showed that 28% of all seawater samples, and 69% of all estuary water
samples where caffeine has ever been measured resulted in HQ>1 for chronic
exposure. Further studies into the potential adverse effects that may arise from
exposure to caffeine in aquatic systems are still required. Indeed, the need to
gain a more in-depth understanding of the long-term ecotoxicological effects of
caffeine is essential to ensure the quality of our health and environment.
PMID- 28992491
TI - Photolysis of clethodim herbicide and a formulation in aquatic environments: Fate
and ecotoxicity assessment of photoproducts by QSAR models.
AB - The photochemical fate of the herbicide clethodim in natural waters was
investigated under simulated and natural sunlight radiation. This herbicide
exhibited a rapid degradation rate in simulated aquatic environment with half
lives ranged from 27.9min to 4.6h. The commercial formulation of clethodim showed
a faster degradation with half-lives from 19.3min to 1.4h. It has also been
demonstrated that the photolytic behavior of clethodim was affected by the water
composition and the radiation intensity. Nine major photoproducts were identified
and their distribution was dependent on the experimental conditions.
Photodegraded solutions of clethodim were shown to be more toxic to the bacteria
Vibrio fischeri than the herbicide itself, reaching the maximum toxicity when the
herbicide is completely degraded. QSAR analysis of the fate, ecotoxicological and
physicochemical endpoints of the degradation products provided positive alerts
for several identified by-products. Environmental fate and transport estimates
showed that all photoproducts, unlike the active substance, are potential
leachers. Moreover, predicted vapor pressures suggested that dermal contact and
ingestion are the most probable exposure routes for workers and general
population to both clethodim and its photoproducts. These results highlight the
importance of the degradation products in attaining a complete knowledge of the
fate and behavior of an herbicide in the environment. To our knowledge, this is
the first study to report a detailed QSAR study on clethodim photoproducts under
environmental conditions. These results provide a very valuable information that
will guide further experimental studies leading to a better pesticide risk
assessment.
PMID- 28992492
TI - Tracing platinum accumulation kinetics in oyster Crassostrea gigas, a sentinel
species in coastal marine environments.
AB - Platinum Group Elements (PGEs) are extremely scarce in the Earth's Crust and of
strong interest for high-end technologies due to their specific properties. They
belong to the Technology Critical Elements (TCEs) for which use is forecast to
increase, implying growing emissions into the environment in the following years.
In particular, with the intensive use of platinum (Pt) in car catalytic
converters, the anthropogenic geochemical cycle of this element has surpassed the
natural cycle. Yet, environmental Pt levels are still in the sub picomolar range,
making its analytical detection a challenge. Few studies cover the behavior of Pt
in marine waters in terms of speciation, reactivity and possible transfer to the
biota. In this study, oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from an unpolluted estuary were
exposed to the stable isotope 194Pt in seawater at a range of concentrations
during 35days. Seawater was renewed daily and spiked to three nominal Pt
concentrations (50, 100, and 10,000ng.L-1) for two replicate series. In addition,
control conditions were monitored. Five oysters from each tank were dissected
after 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35days of Pt exposure, and analyzed by ICP-MS. Accuracy
of this analytical method applied to biological matrix was checked by an inter
method comparison with a voltammetrical technique. A concentration-dependent
accumulation of Pt in oysters increasing with exposure time occurred. After
28days, oyster Pt accumulation from low and intermediate exposure conditions
reached a plateau. This was not the case of the highest exposure condition for
which oyster tissues showed increasing concentrations until the last day of the
experiment. A linear correlation exists between seawater concentrations and Pt
content in oysters for low and intermediate exposure concentrations i.e. closer
to environmental concentrations. By showing high Pt accumulation potential,
oysters may serve as sentinels, ensuring biomonitoring of Pt concentrations in
marine coastal waters.
PMID- 28992493
TI - Long-term impact of wildfire on soils exposed to different fire severities. A
case study in Cadiretes Massif (NE Iberian Peninsula).
AB - Wildfires affect ecosystems depending on the fire regime. Long-term studies are
needed to understand the ecological role played by fire, especially as regards
its impact on soils. The aim of this study is to monitor the long-term effects
(18years) of a wildfire on soil properties in two areas affected by low and high
fire severity regimes. The properties studied were total nitrogen (TN), total
carbon (TC), C/N ratio, soil organic matter (SOM) and extractable calcium (Ca),
magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K). The study was carried out in three
phases: short- (immediately after the wildfire), medium- (seven years after the
wildfire) and long-term (18years after the wildfire). The results showed that in
both fire regimes TN decreased with time, TC and SOM were significantly lower in
the burned plots than they were in the control in the medium- and long-terms. C/N
ratio was significantly lower at short-term in low wildfire severity area.
Extractable Ca and Mg were significantly higher in control plot than in the
burned plots in the medium-term. In the long-term, extractable Ca and Mg were
significantly lower in the area exposed to a high severity burning. No
differences were identified in the case of extractable Na between plots on any of
the sampling dates, while extractable K was significantly higher in the plot
exposed to low wildfire than it was in the control. Some restoration measures may
be required after the wildfire, especially in areas affected by high severity
burning, to avoid the long-term impacts on the essential soil nutrients of TC,
SOM, extractable Ca and Mg. This long-term nutrient depletion is attributable to
vegetation removal, erosion, leaching and post-fire vegetation consumption. Soils
clearly need more time to recover from wildfire disturbance, especially in areas
affected by high severity fire regimes.
PMID- 28992494
TI - Rural settlements transition (RST) in a suburban area of metropolis: Internal
structure perspectives.
AB - Rural settlements transition (RST) is one of the most significant indices for
understanding the phenomena of rural reconstruction and urban-rural
transformation in China. However, a systematic overview of RST is missing, and
there is a lack of evidence regarding its characteristics from the internal
structure perspectives. In this paper, we systematically explore the RST
regarding spatio-temporal change characteristics of internal structure, patterns
and impacts on rural environment and development by using practical survey
internal land-use data from 2005 to 2015. The results show that the temporal
change characteristics of the internal structure of rural settlements demonstrate
a tendency for housing land to decrease and other land-use types to increase. The
spatial change characteristics reveal that the structure inclines to more
complexity and diversity from an exurban area to an urban-rural fringe area.
Based on this finding, we identify that rapid development of rural
industrialization, more agglomerate and effective industrial land-use, and
improved public infrastructure construction are the general RST patterns.
Spatially, there exists a physical decay pattern in the exurban area, thereby
resulting in the hollowing-out of rural industries and of the population. In
addition, the extensive and disorderly pattern in the suburban area causes low
efficiency output and serious environmental pollution. The RST pattern in the
urban hinterland promoted the "men-environment" compatible development. The study
concludes that regional differentiation in patterns and impacts are significant
in the process of RST. Future adaptive strategies for rural settlements
adjustment should be conducted according to regional characteristics, including
socio-economic status, physical geography condition and economic location to
improve the rural environmental sustainability.
PMID- 28992496
TI - Micro-Raman and SEM-EDS analyses to evaluate the nature of salt clusters present
in secondary marine aerosol.
AB - Marine aerosol is a complex inorganic and organic chemistry system which contains
several salts, mainly forming different type of salt clusters. Different
meteorological parameters have a key role in the formation of these aggregates.
The relative humidity (%RH), temperature, CO, SO2 and NOx levels and even the O3
levels can promote different chemical reactions giving rise to salt clusters with
different morphology and sizes. Sulfates, nitrates and chlorides and even mixed
chlorosulfates or nitrosulfates are the final compounds which can be found in
environments with a direct influence of marine aerosol. In order to collect and
analyze these types of compounds, the use of adequate samplers is crucial. In
this work, salt clusters were collected thanks to the use of a self-made passive
sampler (SMPS) installed in a 20th century historic building (Punta Begona
Galleries, Getxo, Basque Country, Spain) which is surrounded by a beach and a
sportive port. These salt clusters were finally analyzed directly by micro-Raman
spectroscopy and Scanning Electron microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive X-ray
spectrometry (SEM-EDS).
PMID- 28992495
TI - Application of enzyme-hydrolyzed cassava dregs as a carbon source in aquaculture.
AB - As a kind of tropical agricultural solid waste, cassava dregs had become a thorny
nonpoint source pollution problem. This study investigated the feasibility of
applying cassava dregs as a substitute for sucrose in biofloc technology (BFT)
systems. Three types of biofloc systems (using three different carbon sources
sucrose (BFT1), cassava dregs (BFT2) and enzyme-hydrolyzed cassava dregs (BFT3)
respectively), and the control were constructed in this experiment in 200L tanks
with a C/N ratio of 20/1. The comparison of the water quality indicators (The
total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite (NO2--N), nitrate (NO3--N), chemical oxygen
demand (COD)), biofloc for the above four groups was performed, and the results
indicated that BFT3 showed greater potential to the formation of biofloc, which
was beneficial for the water quality control. So the shrimp survival rate was the
highest and the feed conversion rate was the lowest in BFT3. Besides, the high
throughput sequencing results showed that the relative abundance of heterotrophic
bacteria in the top 30 dominant microbial communities in BFT3 was higher than
those in BFT1 and BFT2 by 20.70% and 1.19%, respectively, which could decrease
TAN to improve the water quality. Overall, the results had proved that the
cassava dregs of enzymes hydrolysis could be used as an ideal and cheap carbon
source in BFT.
PMID- 28992497
TI - Rice straw-based biochar beads for the removal of radioactive strontium from
aqueous solution.
AB - Biochars from agricultural residues have recently attracted significant attention
as adsorbents for purifying contaminated water and wastewater. In this study, the
removal of strontium from aqueous solutions was investigated using rice straw
based biochar (RSBC) beads in both batch and continuous fixed-bed column systems.
The RSBC beads had negatively charged surfaces and exhibited a large surface area
(71.53m2/g) with high micro-porosity. The synthesized beads showed a maximum
adsorption capacity of 175.95mg/g at an initial strontium concentration of 10g/L
at 35 degrees C and pH7. Furthermore, they showed a good selectivity toward
strontium ions in the presence of competing ions such as Al3+, Mg2+, and K+. The
effects of different operating conditions like flow rate and initial strontium
concentration were investigated in the fixed-bed column reactor. The Thomas,
Adams-Bohart, and Yoon-Nelson models were applied to the experimental data to
predict the breakthrough curves using non-linear regression. Both the Thomas and
the Yoon-Nelson models were appropriate for describing entire breakthrough curves
under different operating conditions. Overall, RSBC beads demonstrate great
potential as efficient adsorbents for the treatment of wastewater polluted with
strontium in a continuous operation mode.
PMID- 28992498
TI - Assessing bioavailability of complex chemical mixtures in contaminated soils:
Progress made and research needs.
AB - Understanding the distribution, behaviour and interactions of complex chemical
mixtures is key for providing the evidence necessary to make informed decisions
and implement robust remediation strategies. Much of the current risk assessment
frameworks applied to manage land contamination are based on total contaminant
concentrations and the exposure assessments embedded within them do not
explicitly address the partitioning and bioavailability of chemical mixtures.
These oversights may contribute to an overestimation of both the eco
toxicological effects of the fractions and the mobility of contaminants. In turn,
this may limit the efficacy of risk frameworks to inform targeted and
proportionate remediation strategies. In this review we analyse the science
surrounding bioavailability, its regulatory inclusion and the challenges of
incorporating bioavailability in decision making process. While a number of
physical and chemical techniques have proven to be valuable tools for estimating
bioavailability of organic and inorganic contaminants in soils, doubts have been
cast on its implementation into risk management soil frameworks mainly due to a
general disagreement on the interchangeable use of bioavailability and
bioaccessibility, and the associated methods which are still not standardised.
This review focuses on the role of biotic and abiotic factors affecting
bioavailability along with soil physicochemical properties and contaminant
composition. We also included advantages and disadvantages of different
extraction techniques and their implications for bioavailability quantitative
estimation. In order to move forward the integration of bioavailability into site
specific risk assessments we should (1) account for soil and contaminant
physicochemical characteristics and their effect on bioavailability; (2) evaluate
receptor's potential exposure and uptake based on mild-extraction; (3) adopt a
combined approach where chemical-techniques are used along with biological
methods; (4) consider a simplified and cost-effective methodology to apply at
regulatory and industry setting; (5) use single-contaminant exposure assessments
to inform and predict complex chemical mixture behaviour and bioavailability.
PMID- 28992499
TI - Contributions of dioxins and furans to the urban sediment signature: The role of
atmospheric particles.
AB - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans
(PCDF) are widely distributed in the environment. The diverse production
processes that form these compounds lead to a range of chemical signatures
although weathering may cause changes to these signature over time and with
increasing distance from their origin. Chemical signatures in sediments based on
17 PCDD/Fs were developed in Concepcion, a Chilean city in the middle of a
complex hydrological system which contains several small urban freshwater bodies
and the River Bio-Bio. The region has numerous industrial and domestic activities
that may contribute PCDD/Fs to the environment. Sediments from urban lakes had
higher concentrations of dioxins and furans (mean=941ng.kg-1) than either a
remote lake (335ng.kg-1) located 32km from the city or marine samples
(mean=124ng.kg-1). Up to 85% of the compounds present in all sediment samples
could be explained by the chemical signature associated with airborne
particulates leaving only 15-30% of the chemical signature potentially arising
from other sources. The remote lake had higher proportions of the less
chlorinated compounds compared to the urban samples.
PMID- 28992500
TI - Plastic bag and facial cleanser derived microplastic do not affect feeding
behaviour and energy reserves of terrestrial isopods.
AB - Current data regarding the effects of microplastic (MP) on terrestrial organisms
are very scarce. Isopods play an important role in plant litter decomposition
processes and are commonly used test species in terrestrial ecotoxicity studies.
Their altered feeding behaviour and energy reserves are established biomarkers of
adverse effects upon stressor exposure. For this study we assessed the effects of
MP derived from plastic bag film (mean size 183+/-93MUm) and particles from a
facial cleanser (mean size 137+/-51MUm) on the terrestrial isopod, Porcellio
scaber. Isopods were exposed to MP via feeding on food pellets (4mgg-1 dry
weight; 0.4% w w-1) for 14days under laboratory conditions. A control group was
exposed to food pellets with no MP added. In line with previously suggested modes
of MP action on animal ingestion, we assessed the food ingestion rate, defecation
rate, food assimilation rate and efficiency, body mass change, mortality and
energy reserves (proteins, carbohydrates, and triglycerides) in the digestive
glands (hepatopancreas) of individual isopods. Contrary to our expectations, no
effects on either end-point were observed under the given exposure conditions.
Further work should be carried out to investigate the potential longer-term
effects of such exposure. We conclude that 14days exposure to plastic bag and
facial cleanser MP is not severely hazardous to isopods.
PMID- 28992501
TI - The new Green Revolution: Sustainable intensification of agriculture by
intercropping.
AB - Satisfying the nutritional needs of a growing population whilst limiting
environmental repercussions will require sustainable intensification of
agriculture. We argue that intercropping, which is the simultaneous production of
multiple crops on the same area of land, could play an essential role in this
intensification. We carried out the first global meta-analysis on the
multifaceted benefits of intercropping. The objective of this study was to
determine the benefits of intercropping in terms of energetic, economic and land
sparing potential through the framework of the stress-gradient hypothesis. We
expected more intercropping benefits under stressful abiotic conditions. From 126
studies that were retrieved from the scientific literature, 939 intercropping
observations were considered. When compared to the same area of land that was
managed in monoculture, intercrops produced 38% more gross energy (mean relative
land output of 1.38) and 33% more gross incomes (mean relative land output of
1.33) on average, whilst using 23% less land (mean land equivalent ratio of
1.30). Irrigation and the aridity index in non-irrigated intercrops did not
affect land equivalent ratio, thereby indicating that intercropping remains
beneficial, both under stressful and non-stressful contexts concerning moisture
availability. Fertilisation and intercropping patterns (rows and strips vs.
mixed) did not affect land equivalent ratio. Although intercropping offers a
great opportunity for intensification of existing agricultural lands, many
challenges need to be tackled by experts from multiple disciplines to ensure its
feasible implementation.
PMID- 28992502
TI - Tomography of anthropogenic nitrate contribution along a mesoscale river.
AB - Elevated nitrate concentrations are a thread for water supply and ecological
integrity in surface water. Nitrate fluxes obtained by standard monitoring
protocols at the catchment outlet strongly integrate spatially and temporally
variable processes such as mobilization and turnover. Consequently, inference of
dominant nitrate sources is often problematic and challenging in terms of
effective river management and prioritization of measures. Here, we combine a
spatially highly resolved assessment of nitrate concentration and fluxes along a
mesoscale catchment with four years of monitoring data at two representative
sites. The catchment is characterized by a strong land use gradient from pristine
headwaters to lowland sub-catchments with intense agricultural land use and
wastewater sources. We use nitrate concentrations in combination with hydrograph
separation and isotopic fingerprinting methods to characterize and quantify
nitrate source contribution. The hydrological analysis revealed a clear dominance
of base flow during both campaigns. However, the absolute amounts of discharge
differed considerably from one another (outlet: 1.42m3s-1 in 2014, 0.43m3s-1 in
2015). Nitrate concentrations are generally low in the pristine headwaters (<3mgL
1) and increase downstream (15 to 16mgL-1) due to the contribution of
agricultural and wastewater sources. While the agricultural contribution did not
vary in terms of nitrate concentration and isotopic signature between the years,
the wastewater contribution strongly increased with decreasing discharge.
Wastewater-borne nitrate load in the entire catchment ranged between 19% (2014)
and 39% (2015). Long-term monitoring of nitrate concentration and isotopic
composition in two sub-catchment exhibits a good agreement with findings from
spatially monitoring. In both datasets, isotopic composition indicates that
denitrification plays only a minor role. The spatially highly resolved monitoring
approach helped to pinpoint hot spots of nitrate inputs into the stream while the
long-term information allowed to place results into the context of intra-annual
variability.
PMID- 28992503
TI - The effect of operational parameters on the biodegradation of bisphenols by
Trametes versicolor laccase immobilized on Hippospongia communis spongin
scaffolds.
AB - Due to the rapid growth in quantities of phenolic compounds in wastewater, the
development of efficient and environmentally friendly methods for their removal
becomes a necessity. Thus, in a presented work, for the first time, a novel
material, Hippospongia communis spongin-based scaffold, was used as a
biopolymeric support for the immobilization of laccase from Trametes versicolor.
The resulting biocatalytic systems were used for the biodegradation of three
bisphenols: bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF) and bioremoval-resistant
bisphenol S (BPS). Optimization of the immobilization and biodegradation
methodologies was performed to increase bisphenols removal. The effect of
temperature, pH and initial pollutant concentration was evaluated. It was shown
that under optimal conditions, almost 100% of BPA (pH5, 30 degrees C) and BPF
(pH5, 40 degrees C), and over 40% of BPS (pH4, 30 degrees C) was removed from the
solution at a concentration of 2mg/mL. Furthermore, the immobilized laccase
exhibited good reusability and storage stability, retaining over 80% of its
initial activity after 50days of storage. In addition, the main biodegradation
products of BPA and BPF were identified. It was shown that mainly dimers and
trimers were formed following the oxidation of bisphenols by the immobilized
laccase.
PMID- 28992504
TI - Benefits of adding forestry clearance residues for the soil and vegetation of a
Mediterranean mountain forest.
AB - Desertification is occurring throughout the mountainous areas of the
Mediterranean. These processes lead to reduced soil fertility, increased soil
loss, and reduced vegetation cover and species richness. To prevent further
damage, it is recommendable to use low-cost approaches that are compatible with
the European Strategy of Circular Economy guidelines. We investigated the
systemic benefits from recycling of forest clearance residue by adding it to a
dry Mediterranean mountainous area. More specifically, we performed afforestation
without addition of residue in two control plots (C plots), and afforestation
with addition of 10Mgha-1 of clearance residue from a nearby region dominated by
Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) in two other plots (PM plots). We conducted
the experiments throughout 30months after the afforestation process. Eighteen
months after the intervention, the PM plots had significant increases in the soil
organic carbon (SOC), and related increases in ecosystem productivity and
stability. More generally, addition of clearance residues improved soil and
vegetation recovery, and contributed to more successful afforestation. The
improvements may be explained by an increase of infiltration process due to the
physical changes in the soil following bio-waste addition. Addition of the forest
residues increased the formation of soil macrochannels, and also increased the
sink area, thereby improving the hydrodynamics of the ecosystem. Thus, soil loss
was reduced by 98.2% in the PM plots relative to the C plots. Our study indicates
that application of forest clearance residues to Mediterranean mountainous areas
is an effective land management practice that produces very little waste, and it
is in accordance with European policy.
PMID- 28992505
TI - Sorption of ionic and nonionic organic solutes onto giant Miscanthus-derived
biochar from methanol-water mixtures.
AB - The sorption of naphthalene (NAP) and 1-naphthoic acid (1-NAPA) onto giant
Miscanthus-derived biochar was investigated in methanol volume fractions (fc) of
0-0.6 as a function of ionic composition (5mM CaCl2 and 10mM KCl) and liquid pH
(2 and 7). The sorption onto biochar was nonlinear with 0.42<=N<=0.95; thus, a
concentration-specific sorption constant (Km) was compared. The Km log linearly
decreased with increasing fc, except for 1-NAPA from a CaCl2 mixture at pH7.
Isotherm data was fitted with a cosolvency sorption model through which the slope
(alphasigma) of the inverse log linear Km-fc plot and empirical constant (alpha)
were obtained. NAP sorption was well described by the cosolvency model with the
alpha value being 0.41-0.53, indicating a methanol-biochar interaction favoring
more sorption than the cosolvency based prediction. In particular, the slope
(alphasigma) of 1-NAPA was lower than that of NAP, indicating less reduction of 1
NAPA sorption (i.e., lower alpha value) by methanol. In comparison with other
sorbents, the alpha value was approximately intermediate between a humic
substance and kaolinite clay. An analysis of FT-IR spectra suggested the
transformation of O-containing functional groups by methanol, which will
subsequently boost the pi-pi interaction between an organic solute and biochar.
Moreover, Ca2+-induced sorption between anionic 1-NAPA and a negatively charged
biochar surface was also fortified in the methanol mixture. The results revealed
unexplored cosolvent effects on organic solute sorption onto biochar and
identified the hydrophobic and hydrophilic sorption moieties of biochar as
affected by the cosolvent.
PMID- 28992506
TI - Organic speciation of ambient quasi-ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.36) in
Augsburg, Germany: Seasonal variability and source apportionment.
AB - To investigate the organic composition and their sources of very fine atmospheric
particulate matter (PM), size-segregated PM was sampled using rotating drum
impactor (RDI) in series with a sequential filter sampler in Augsburg, Germany,
from April 2014 to February 2015. Organic speciation analysis and organic
carbon/elemental carbon (OC/EC) analysis was performed for the smallest size
fraction PM0.36 (PM<360nm). Different OC fractions were determined by thermal
optical EC/OC analyzer, and OC2, OC3 and OC4 refer to OC fractions that were
derived at 280, 480 and 580 degrees C, respectively. Positive matrix
factorization (PMF) analysis was applied for source apportionment study. PMF
resolved 5 sources including biogenic dominated secondary organic aerosol
(bioSOA), isoprene dominated SOA (isoSOA), traffic, biomass burning (BB) and
biomass burning originated SOA (bbSOA). On annual average, PMF results indicate
the largest contribution of biogenic originated SOA (bioSOA plus isoSOA) to OC,
followed by traffic and then BB related sources (BB plus bbSOA). Traffic was
found to be associated with the smallest particles; whereas bioSOA and BB are
associated with larger particles. Secondary organic marker compounds from
biogenic precursors, OC2, OC3 and bioSOA, isoSOA source factors show summer
maximum. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), biomass burning markers, OC4
and BB, bbSOA source factors show winter maximum. Hopanes and the traffic source
factor show little seasonal variation. Summer peaks of OC3 and OC2 are well
modeled by PMF and are attributed mainly to biogenic SOA. OC4 was generally
poorly modeled due to lack of characteristic low volatile markers. Summer maxima
of biogenic SOA related compounds and source factors are positively correlated
with temperature, global radiation, O3 concentration and mixing layer height
(MLH). Winter maxima of BB related compounds and source factors are negatively
correlated with temperature and MLH; whereas positively correlated with NO2
level.
PMID- 28992507
TI - Antimicrobial edible coatings and films from micro-emulsions and their food
applications.
AB - This study focused on the use of antimicrobial edible coatings and films from
micro-emulsions to reduce populations of foodborne pathogens in foods. Corn-Bio
fiber gum (C-BFG) was used as an emulsifier with chitosan. Allyl isothiocyanate
(AIT) and lauric arginate ester (LAE) served as antimicrobials. Micro-emulsions
were obtained from a solution consisting of 1% chitosan, 0.5% C-BFG, and 1-4% AIT
or LAE which was subject to high pressure homogenization (HPH) processing at
138MPa for 3cycles. Coatings and films produced from the micro-emulsions had
micro-pores with sizes ranging from 100 to 300nm and micro-channels that hold
antimicrobials effectively and facilitate the release of antimicrobials from the
center to the surface of the films or coatings, thus enhancing their
antimicrobial efficacy. The coatings and films with 1% AIT reduced populations of
Listeria innocua by over 5, 2, and 3 log CFU in culture medium (Tryptic soy
broth, TSB), ready-to-eat meat, and strawberries, respectively. The coatings and
films with 1% LAE reduced populations of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella
spp. by over 5 and 2 log CFU in TSB and strawberries, respectively. This study
provides an innovative approach for the development of effective antimicrobial
materials to reduce food borne pathogenic contaminants on ready-to-eat meat,
strawberries, or other food.
PMID- 28992508
TI - IL-37 and 38 signalling in gestational diabetes.
AB - Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still a clinical challenge around world.
Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of GDM, the precise underlying
mechanism remains to be explored. IL-37 and 38 play important role in
autoimmunity, but their role in the development of GDM is unclear. Using
histopathology and immunohistochemistry, the thickness of the umbilical artery,
the area of capillaries within the placental chorionic villi, and the production
of IL-37/38 were determined. Placental mRNA of IL-37/IL-38 from GDM and Non-GMD
was measured using qRT-PCR. serum IL-37/IL38 levels were evaluated, using ELISA.
IL-37 was reduced 49%, 48% or 57% in chorionic villi of placentas (P<0.05),
umbilical artery (P<0.05), or umbilical vein (P<0.05) from GDM women,
respectively, compared to that from non-GDM women. In contrast, IL-38 was
increased 3.3, 2.6, or 2.6 fold in chorionic villi (P<0.01), umbilical artery
(P<0.05), umbilical vein (P<0.05) from GDM women, respectively, compared to that
from non-GDM women. IL-37 in GDM placentas or serum was reduced ~52% or 33%,
compared to that from Non-GDM subjects, respectively; whereas IL-38 in the GDM
placentas or serum was increased by 1.6 fold or 1.3 fold, compare to that from
Non-GDM, respectively. Our data suggest that IL-37 protect pregnant women from
the development of GDM. IL-38 produced in the chorionic villi and umbilical cords
may be a response to local inflammation during the development of GDM. Such a
dysregulated micro-environment may contribute to the development of GDM via an
immune-mediated mechanism. These data may provide useful information for the
intervention for GDM.
PMID- 28992510
TI - Three-dimensional piezoelectric fibrous scaffolds selectively promote mesenchymal
stem cell differentiation.
AB - The discovery of electric fields in biological tissues has led to efforts in
developing technologies utilizing electrical stimulation for therapeutic
applications. Native tissues, such as cartilage and bone, exhibit piezoelectric
behavior, wherein electrical activity can be generated due to mechanical
deformation. Yet, the use of piezoelectric materials have largely been unexplored
as a potential strategy in tissue engineering, wherein a piezoelectric
biomaterial acts as a scaffold to promote cell behavior and the formation of
large tissues. Here we show, for the first time, that piezoelectric materials can
be fabricated into flexible, three-dimensional fibrous scaffolds and can be used
to stimulate human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and corresponding
extracellular matrix/tissue formation in physiological loading conditions.
Piezoelectric scaffolds that exhibit low voltage output, or streaming potential,
promoted chondrogenic differentiation and piezoelectric scaffolds with a high
voltage output promoted osteogenic differentiation. Electromechanical stimulus
promoted greater differentiation than mechanical loading alone. Results
demonstrate the additive effect of electromechanical stimulus on stem cell
differentiation, which is an important design consideration for tissue
engineering scaffolds. Piezoelectric, smart materials are attractive as scaffolds
for regenerative medicine strategies due to their inherent electrical properties
without the need for external power sources for electrical stimulation.
PMID- 28992509
TI - Liposomes-coated gold nanocages with antigens and adjuvants targeted delivery to
dendritic cells for enhancing antitumor immune response.
AB - For nanovaccine-based cancer immunotherapy, dendritic cells (DCs) are one of the
most powerful antigen presenting cells (APCs) that initiate and promote the
maturation of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (e.g., CD8+ T cells) to
induce the local and systemic antitumor immunity and further suppress the tumor
metastasis and produce long-term protection against tumor. Thus, the activation
and maturation of DCs is the prerequisite for efficient CD8+ T cell-based
antitumor immune responses, which is considered as a primary and promising task
for nanovaccine engineering. Herein, we introduce a versatile nanovaccine of
liposomes-coated gold nanocages (Lipos-AuNCs) modified with DCs specific antibody
aCD11c for targeted delivery of adjuvant MPLA and melanoma antigen peptide TRP2
to promote the activation and maturation of DCs, and enhance tumor specific T
lymphocytes responses. Moreover, AuNCs accumulation and AuNCs-engulfed DCs
migration to regional lymph nodes (RLNs) became real-time visualization through
in vivo fluorescence and photoacoustic (PA) imaging to monitor the immunity
process. In vivo experimental results demonstrated that the targeted
antigen/adjuvants-loaded AuNCs exhibited enhanced antitumor immune response to
inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in both B16-F10 prophylactic and lung
metastasis models, which may act as a promising nanoplatform for antitumor
immunotherapy and in vivo tracking.
PMID- 28992512
TI - Predictors of having a first child taken into care at birth: A population-based
retrospective cohort study.
AB - The objective of this study is to determine which maternal events and diagnoses
in the two years before childbirth are associated with higher risk for having a
first child taken into care at birth by child protection services. A population
based retrospective cohort of women whose first child was born in Manitoba,
Canada between 2002 and 2012 and lived in the province at least two years before
the birth of their first child (n=53,565) was created using linkable
administrative data. A logistic regression model determined the adjusted odds
ratios (AOR) of having a child taken into care at birth. Characteristics having
the strongest association with a woman's first child being taken into care at
birth were mother being in care at the birth of her child (AOR=11.10; 95% CI=8.38
14.71), substance abuse (AOR=8.94; 95% CI=5.08-15.71), schizophrenia (AOR=6.69;
95% CI=3.89-11.52) developmental disability (AOR=6.45; 95% CI=2.69-14.29), and no
prenatal care (AOR=5.47; 95% CI=3.56-8.41). Most characteristics of women deemed
to be at high risk for having their child taken into care at birth are modifiable
or could be mitigated with appropriate services.
PMID- 28992511
TI - Plant mitochondrial membranes: adding structure and new functions to respiratory
physiology.
AB - The membranes of mitochondria are focal points of cellular physiology and
respiratory energy transformation. Recent discoveries have started painting a
refined picture of plant mitochondrial membranes as platforms in which structure
and function have evolved in an interconnected and dynamically regulated manner.
Hosting ancillary functions that interact with other mitochondrial properties
gives mitochondria the characteristics of multitasking and integrated molecular
mega machines. We review recent insights into the makeup and the plasticity of
the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes, their intimate relationship with
respiratory function and regulation, and their properties in mediating solute
transport. Synthesizing recent research advances we hypothesize that plant
mitochondrial membranes are a privileged location for incorporation of a wide
range of processes, some of which collaborate with respiratory function,
including plant immunity, metabolic regulation and signal transduction, to
underpin flexibility in the acclimation to changing environments.
PMID- 28992513
TI - Evaluation of second step child protection videos: A randomized controlled trial.
AB - This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined the effects of the Second Step
Child Protection Unit videos on parents' knowledge, motivation, and self-reported
communication with their child about personal safety and childhood sexual abuse
prevention. Parents of children between the ages of 3-11 years were randomly
assigned to the intervention (watching the Second Step videos) or the control
(watching videos on child obesity) groups. They completed measures assessing
their knowledge of child sexual abuse (CSA), motivation to discuss CSA, self
reported discussions of CSA, child history of victimization, parent exposure to
CSA, and comparable measures on topics of health and nutrition at pre-test.
Participants viewed the videos one week later and immediately completed post-test
1, and then two months later completed the measures again. Multivariate Analyses
of Covariance (MANCOVAs) and serial mediation analyses were conducted with the
final sample of 438. The intervention group, compared to the control group, had
significant increases in knowledge (specifically, less restrictive stereotype
beliefs about CSA) and motivation to talk with their children about CSA both
immediately after the intervention and at the two-month follow-up. Although the
intervention did not have a direct effect on parent self-reported conversations
with their children about CSA, it had a mediated effect. The intervention
increased knowledge regarding CSA, which then predicted motivation, which in turn
predicted conversations. The most pronounced effect was the intervention's direct
effect of increasing motivation immediately after the intervention, which then
increased self-reported conversations with children about personal safety and CSA
two months later.
PMID- 28992514
TI - Profile of and expenditure on morbidity and hospitalizations among elderly
Analysis of a nationally representative sample survey in India.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Understanding morbidity pattern and associated expenditure is
essential for implementation of appropriate healthcare and social security
measures for the elderly. This study aims to assess the proportion of ailing
persons (PAP) in the last 15days, the utilization of hospitalization services in
the last 365days and the expenditure incurred for hospitalizations among the
elderly in India. METHODS: This study analysed data from a nationally
representative survey by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in 2014-15 on
36,480 rural and 29,452 urban households. Distribution of morbidity and in
patient health care utilisation were analysed by subgroups of sex, residence,
wealth quintile and type of health care provider. All estimates were weighted to
account for the complex sampling design. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Among 27,245
elderly persons, 30.3% reported having suffered an ailment in the past 15days and
8% reported at least one hospitalisation episode in the last 365days. All
quintiles, except the lowest, utilized private sector more than the public sector
for hospitalisations. The distribution of PAP (Concentration Index (CI)=+0.11;
+0.07,+0.15) and the utilization of hospitalisation services (CI=+0.18;
+0.11,+0.25) were found to be significantly pro-rich. The median (IQR)
expenditure on hospitalization was INR 7370 (2600, 18,060). The wealthiest
quintile spent 3.1 times more than the poorest quintile on hospitalisation.
CONCLUSION: Efforts to reduce inequity among elderly persons in health status and
healthcare utilization should be integral to any strategy targeting achievement
of third sustainable development goal- "ensuring healthy lives and promoting well
being for all at all ages".
PMID- 28992515
TI - Molecular characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from
vegetables in Argentina.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli
strains in vegetables from the humid Pampa region, Argentina, and to determine
the occurrence of serotypes and virulence genes in the isolates. A total of 373
fresh vegetable samples obtained from 41 different geographical points were
examined. E. coli was detected in 38.6% of the samples. Ten isolates could be
obtained from 14 samples presumptively positive for diarrheagenic E. coli: 8 were
identified as atypical Enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) and 2 as
Verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC). Lettuce and beet were the vegetables most
frequently contaminated with pathogenic E. coli. The isolates belonged to
serotypes O1:H7, O28:H19, O39:H40, O86:H31, O132:H8, O139:H20, O178:H7 and
O178:H19, some of which reportedly have caused human illness, and one isolate
resulted non typeable. Taking into account the distribution of 16 nle genes, 7
profiles were detected. On the other hand, all tested isolates harbored the gene
encoding for the adhesin HcpA. Other adhesion related genes were also identified:
ecpA and elfA were detected in 90%, lpfA0113 in 60%, and ehaA in 50% of the
isolates meanwhile ihaA was only observed in O178:H19 isolate. This VTEC isolate
harbored, also, Cdt-V toxin and megaplasmid encoding genes such as espP, subA and
epeA and exhibited a strong cytotoxic effect. These data is the first molecular
E. coli report that confirms the presence of E. coli pathotypes circulating among
vegetables in Argentina. Genetic characterization showed that in addition to eae
or vtx genes, isolates obtained from vegetables harbored genes encoding other
toxins, adhesins, and components related to the type III secretion system that
could contribute to their virulence. In conclusion, this research shows that
vegetables in Argentina may be the source of VTEC and EPEC infections in the
community and therefore, they should be considered as vehicles for transmission
of these potentially pathogenic bacteria.
PMID- 28992516
TI - Production of the Sicilian distillate "Spiritu re fascitrari" from honey by
products: An interesting source of yeast diversity.
AB - The "Spiritu re fascitrari" (SRF) is a typical Sicilian distillate obtained from
the by-products of traditional process of honey production. Although some
alcoholic fermentation of honey based products have been described, the present
research represents the first investigation on the yeast ecology and the physico
chemical characteristics of honey by-products subjected to an alcoholic
fermentation followed by distillation. All samples collected during manufacturing
process were analysed for the count of total, osmophilic and osmotolerant yeasts.
The honeycombs and equipment surfaces showed the presence of yeasts that was 1.7
and 1.1 Log (CFU/mL), respectively. After enrichment, yeast populations increased
and a significant increase of yeasts was registered during the alcoholic
fermentation (AF), reaching loads higher than 7LogCFU/mL after day 6. A total of
2816 colonies of yeasts were isolated from the count plates and the following
species were genetically identified: Lachancea fermentati, Pichia anomala, Pichia
kudriavzevii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus,
Zygosaccharomyces bailii and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii. During the spontaneous AF
process, the species S. cerevisiae, Z. bailii and Z. rouxii were mainly isolated
and the feed conversion ratio of sugars into ethanol was about 53%; high contents
of acetic acid and glycerol were also found. The highest concentrations of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were registered for esters, alcohols and
aldehydes (346.55, 331.041 and 13.65MUg/L, respectively). Many VOCs identified as
"specific floral markers" such as nonanal and 1-hexanol, 1-octanal and linalool
oxide were found. Although more studies are needed, our results suggested that
the S. cerevisiae strains isolated in this study must be evaluated in situ for
their potential to act as starters for the continuous production of SRF. This
because these strains are expected to drive the fermentation process reducing the
risk of off-odour and off-flavour formation.
PMID- 28992517
TI - Application of next generation sequencing toward sensitive detection of enteric
viruses isolated from celery samples as an example of produce.
AB - Next generation sequencing (NGS) holds promise as a single application for both
detection and sequence identification of foodborne viruses; however, technical
challenges remain due to anticipated low quantities of virus in contaminated
food. In this study, with a focus on data analysis using several bioinformatics
tools, we applied NGS toward amplification-independent detection and
identification of norovirus at low copy (<103 copies) or within multiple strains
from produce. Celery samples were inoculated with human norovirus (stool
suspension) either as a single norovirus strain, a mixture of strains (GII.4 and
GII.6), or a mixture of different species (hepatitis A virus and norovirus).
Viral RNA isolation and recovery was confirmed by RT-qPCR, and optimized for
library generation and sequencing without amplification using the Illumina MiSeq
platform. Extracts containing either a single virus or a two-virus mixture were
analyzed using two different analytic approaches to achieve virus detection and
identification. First an overall assessment of viral genome coverage for samples
varying in copy numbers (1.1*103 to 1.7*107) and genomic content (single or
multiple strains in various ratios) was completed by reference-guided mapping.
Not unexpectedly, this targeted approach to identification was successful in
correctly mapping reads, thus identifying each virus contained in the inoculums
even at low copy (estimated at 12 copies). For the second (metagenomic) approach,
samples were treated as "unknowns" for data analyses using (i) a sequence-based
alignment with a local database, (ii) an "in-house" k-mer tool, (iii) a
commercially available metagenomics bioinformatic analysis platform cosmosID, and
(iv) an open-source program Kraken. Of the four metagenomics tools applied in
this study, only the local database alignment and in-house k-mer tool were
successful in detecting norovirus (as well as HAV) at low copy (down to <103
copies) and within a mixture of virus strains or species. The results of this
investigation provide support for continued investigation into the development
and integration of these analytical tools for identification and detection of
foodborne viruses.
PMID- 28992518
TI - Comprehensive detection of viruses in pediatric patients with acute liver failure
using next-generation sequencing.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a rare and severe syndrome
that frequently requires liver transplantation. Viruses are one of the most
frequent causes of this disease, however, pathogenic viruses are not determined
in many patients. Recently next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been applied to
comprehensively detect pathogens of infectious diseases of unknown etiology.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an NGS-based approach for detecting pathogenic viruses in
patients with PALF or acute hepatitis of unknown etiology. STUDY DESIGN: To
detect virus-derived DNA and RNA sequences existing in sera/plasma from patients,
both DNA and RNA sequencing were performed. First, we validated the ability of
NGS to detect viral pathogens in clinical serum/plasma samples, and compared
different commercial RNA library preparation methods Then, serum/plasma of
fourteen patients with PALF or acute hepatitis of unknown etiology were evaluated
using NGS. RESULTS: Among three RNA library preparation methods, Ovation RNA-Seq
System V2 had the highest sensitivity to detect RNA viral sequences. Among
fourteen patients, sequence reads of torque teno virus, adeno-associated virus,
and stealth virus were found in the sera of one patient each, however, the
pathophysiological role of these three viruses was not clarified. Significant
virus reads were not detected in the remaining 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: This
finding might be due to low virus titer in blood at the time of referral or a non
infectious cause might be more frequent. These results suggest an NGS-based
approach has potential to detect viral pathogens in clinical samples and would
contribute to clarification of the etiology of PALF.
PMID- 28992519
TI - Posterior atlantoaxial fusion with a screw-rod system: Allograft versus iliac
crest autograft.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of allograft and iliac crest autograft in
atlantoaxial fusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and December
2012, 41 consecutive patients underwent posterior atlantoaxial fusion with a
screw-rod fixation system in our spine center. The choice to use allograft or
iliac crest autograft was made by the patient himself or herself after being
informed about the advantages and disadvantages of both methods. In the allograft
group, we used mixed material of morcellized demineralized freeze-dried bone
allograft and local autograft for posterior atlantoaxial fusion. In the autograft
group, we used the morcellized iliac crest autograft for fusion. Patients
underwent regular follow up including CT scans and dynamic radiographs 6 months
postoperatively and every 6 months thereafter until study completion or
confirmation of fusion. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients underwent posterior
atlantoaxial fusion with allograft, and 17 underwent fusion with autograft. All
patients were followed up for at least 24 months. At the final follow-up visit,
only two (8.3%) patients in the allograft group had confirmed posterior bony
fusion on CT imaging while 15 (88.2%) patients in the autograft group had
confirmed posterior bony fusion. None of the 41 patients had movement on the
dynamic radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Allograft is not reliable for posterior
atlantoaxial fusion even with the rigid internal fixation of modern constructs.
Autograft remains the first choice for atlantoaxial fusion despite the donor-site
morbidity. The assessment of fusion based on a lack of movement on dynamic
radiographs is not reliable. The confirmation of fusion should be based on the
presence of bridging bone on CT imaging.
PMID- 28992520
TI - Native and introduced squirrels in Italy host different Cryptosporidium spp.
AB - The present study was undertaken to describe Cryptosporidium spp. infection in
tree squirrels from 17 locations in Northern Italy. A total of 357 squirrels were
examined, including species native to Europe (Sciurus vulgaris; n=123), and
species introduced from North America (Sciurus carolinensis; n=162) and Southeast
Asia (Callosciurus erythraeus; n=72). Faecal samples of all squirrels were
examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium infection by microscopy (flotation
method) and PCR/sequence analysis of the Cryptosporidium 18S rRNA, actin, and
gp60 genes. Despite the overlapping ranges of native and introduced tree squirrel
species in the study area, they host different Cryptosporidium spp. Sciurus
vulgaris were exclusively infected with Cryptosporidium ferret genotype (n=13)
belonging to three novel gp60 subtypes, VIIIb-VIIId. Sciurus carolinensis hosted
C. ubiquitum subtype XIIb (n=2), Cryptosporidium skunk genotype subtype XVIa
(n=3), and chipmunk genotype I subtype XIVa (n=1). Cryptosporidium chipmunk
genotype I subtype XIVa was also found in two C. erythraeus. Comparing data from
this and previous studies, we propose that Cryptosporidium skunk genotype and
possibly C. ubiquitum subtype XIIb were introduced to Europe with eastern grey
squirrels. Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I and ferret genotype were
associated with high intensity infections, but there was no association with
diarrhoea.
PMID- 28992521
TI - Morphology and phylogeny of the testate amoebae Euglypha bryophila Brown, 1911
and Euglypha cristata Leidy, 1874 (Rhizaria, Euglyphida).
AB - The genus Euglypha contains the largest number of filose testate amoeba taxa
which were mainly described based on the morphological characteristics of shells.
Despite the increasing amount of molecular data, the phylogenetic relationships
within the genus Euglypha remain unresolved. In this work we provide new data on
SSU rRNA gene sequences, light and electron microscopy for the two euglyphid
species Euglypha bryophilaBrown, 1911 and Euglypha cristataLeidy, 1874. Both
species are characterised by the presence of a turf of spines on the aboral pole
of the shells but differ in shell cross sections (elliptical and circular,
respectively). A newly revealed feature of E. bryophila is a three-lobed
thickening at the anterior margin and an elongated lobe at the posterior margin
of apertural plates. The phylogenetic analysis shows that the species group
together with the previously sequenced taxa of the genus Euglypha according to
the shell cross-section. The subdivision of the genus based on the shell symmetry
may reflect evolutionary trends to complication of the shell from radial to
biradial symmetry. We also suggest that the shape of the anterior thickening of
apertural plates and the lobe at the posterior margin can be used to distinguish
Euglypha at the species level.
PMID- 28992522
TI - What is the optimum sample size for the study of peatland testate amoeba
assemblages?
AB - Testate amoebae are widely used in ecological and palaeoecological studies of
peatlands, particularly as indicators of surface wetness. To ensure data are
robust and comparable it is important to consider methodological factors which
may affect results. One significant question which has not been directly
addressed in previous studies is how sample size (expressed here as number of
Sphagnum stems) affects data quality. In three contrasting locations in a Russian
peatland we extracted samples of differing size, analysed testate amoebae and
calculated a number of widely-used indices: species richness, Simpson diversity,
compositional dissimilarity from the largest sample and transfer function
predictions of water table depth. We found that there was a trend for larger
samples to contain more species across the range of commonly-used sample sizes in
ecological studies. Smaller samples sometimes failed to produce counts of testate
amoebae often considered minimally adequate. It seems likely that analyses based
on samples of different sizes may not produce consistent data. Decisions about
sample size need to reflect trade-offs between logistics, data quality, spatial
resolution and the disturbance involved in sample extraction. For most common
ecological applications we suggest that samples of more than eight Sphagnum stems
are likely to be desirable.
PMID- 28992523
TI - Two new species of Ripella (Amoebozoa, Vannellida) and unusual intragenomic
variability in the SSU rRNA gene of this genus.
AB - Two new species, Ripella decalvata and R. tribonemae (Amoebozoa, Vannellida), are
described and the diversity of known strains assigned to the genus analyzed.
Ripella spp. are closely similar to each other in the light microscopic
characters and sequences of small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA gene, but
differences in the cell coat structure and cytochrome oxidase (COI) gene
sequences are more prominent. SSU rRNA in R. platypodia CCAP1589/2, R. decalvata
and R. tribonemae demonstrates an unusual pattern of intragenomic variation.
Sequencing of multiple molecular clones of this gene produced numerous sequence
variants in a number of specific sites. These sites were usually terminal parts
of several variable helices in all studied strains. Analysis of all known Ripella
strains shows that SSU rRNA sites differing between strains of different origin
are mainly restricted to these areas of the gene. There are only two sites, which
differ between strains, but not within genomes. This intragenomic variability of
the SSU rRNA gene, seemingly characteristic of all Ripella spp., was never
reported to be so extensive in Amoebozoa. The data obtained show another example
of complex organization of rRNA gene cluster in protists and emphasize caution
needed when interpreting the metagenomic data based on this marker.
PMID- 28992524
TI - Early reduction of serum TARC levels may predict for success of ABVD as frontline
treatment in patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: Many efforts have been made to predict prognosis of newly diagnosed
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients. Objective of this study was to investigate the
association between early reduction of Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine
after the first ABVD cycle (TARC-1) and prognosis of HL patients. METHODS: Serum
samples of 116 HL patients were collected at baseline, after every ABVD cycle and
during follow-up. The 99th centile of TARC distribution in a group of 156
independent healthy subjects (800pg/ml) was considered as cut-off for
discriminating between abnormal and normal TARC values. FINDINGS: 101 patients
out of 116 had baseline TARC above 800pg/ml (median value 27515pg/ml (IQR, 11001
68139)) and were the object of this analysis. TARC-1 significantly decreased to a
median value of 556pg/ml (IQR, 378-977pg/ml). TARC-1 values below 800pg/ml were
associated with success of therapy (p=0.0003) and PET-2 negativity (p=0.001).
TARC-1<=800pg/ml identified a population with a significantly higher 5-years PFS
in the whole cohort (90.1% vs 55.6%; p<0.0001) and in both subgroups of advanced
(p=0.003) and early stage patients (p=0.021). At multivariable analysis, TARC-1
was significant independent predictor of PFS (p=0.0035). INTERPRETATION: Early
reduction of TARC serum levels can predict success of treatment, being associated
with achievement of interim PET-2 negative and favorable long-term outcome in HL
patients receiving ABVD as front-line therapy.
PMID- 28992525
TI - Have we pushed the needle for treatment of Type 1 diabetes?
AB - Studies with immunologics have shown that the natural history of Type 1 diabetes
can be modified. These studies have targeted key mediators of the disease and
recent analyses, together with studies in preclinical models have identified
mechanisms that may be involved in the clinical effects. Several issues remain
including specificity of the interventions, adverse effects of the treatments,
and duration of their effects. Future studies are likely to include more specific
approaches with agents such as cell therapies with selected immune regulatory
subsets, antigen specific therapies, and combinations of agents with
complementary mechanisms of activity.
PMID- 28992526
TI - Improved efficacy with targeted pharmacogenetic-guided treatment of patients with
depression and anxiety: A randomized clinical trial demonstrating clinical
utility.
AB - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacogenetics-guided
treatment on patients diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety, in a diverse set
of clinical settings, as compared to the standard of care. The trial design
followed a prospective, randomized, subject- and rater-blinded approach enrolling
685 patients from clinical providers specializing in Psychiatry, Internal
Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Family Medicine. The NeuroIDgenetix(r)
test uses a genetic variant panel of ten genes, along with concomitant
medications, to make medication management recommendations based on gene-drug and
drug-drug interactions for over 40 medications used in the treatment of
depression and anxiety. Pharmacogenetic testing was performed at the initial
screening visit and baseline patient assessments were determined using the 17
item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17) and the Hamilton Rating Scale
for Anxiety (HAM-A). Following enrollment and randomization, pharmacogenetic
results for subjects assigned to the experimental group were provided to
physicians to guide treatment selection, while control subjects were treated
according to the usual standard of care. HAM-D17 and HAM-A assessments were
collected at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after baseline to assess the efficacy
of therapeutic selection. In patients diagnosed with depression, response rates
(p = 0.001; OR: 4.72 [1.93-11.52]) and remission rates (p = 0.02; OR: 3.54 [1.27
9.88]) were significantly higher in the pharmacogenetics-guided group as compared
to the control group at 12 weeks. In addition, patients in the experimental group
diagnosed with anxiety showed a meaningful improvement in HAM-A scores at both 8
and 12 weeks (p = 0.02 and 0.02, respectively), along with higher response rates
(p = 0.04; OR: 1.76 [1.03-2.99]). From these results, we conclude that
pharmacogenetic-guided medication selection significantly improves outcomes of
patients diagnosed with depression or anxiety, in a variety of healthcare
settings.
PMID- 28992527
TI - Sex differences in the mediators of functional disability in Major Depressive
Disorder.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in discrete domains of
psychopathology as mediators of functional disability among individuals with
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Adults (ages 18-65) with moderate-to-severe MDD
(n = 100) and age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HC; n = 100)
participated in a clinical trial validating the THINC-integrated tool, a newly
developed cognitive assessment tool for patients with MDD. Variables assessed as
possible mediators included depression symptom severity, anxiety symptoms, sleep
disturbance, perceived cognitive deficits, and objective cognitive performance.
Functional disability was assessed using the total score on the Sheehan
Disability Scale. Separate mediation analyses were conducted for men and women.
No significant differences were detected between men and women on the assessed
domains of psychopathology or functional disability (ps > 0.05). However, the
mediation analyses demonstrated different patterns with respect to determinants
of functional disability in MDD between men and women. Functional disability was
mediated by anxiety (95% CI: -3.17, -0.28) and sleep disturbance (95% CI: -0.69,
0.05) among men and by depressive symptom severity (95% CI: -7.82, -0.32) among
women. These preliminary results instantiate the need to dimensionalize
psychopathology in MDD. Our results at least in part support the hypothesis that,
consistent with the sex differences in the prevalence and illness presentation of
MDD, determinants of functional outcomes also differ between men and women,
underscoring the need to consider sex differences in order to improve functional
outcomes in the treatment of MDD.
PMID- 28992529
TI - A comprehensive structural model for the human KCNQ1/KCNE1 ion channel.
AB - The voltage-gated KCNQ1/KCNE1 potassium ion channel complex, forms the slow
delayed rectifier (IKs) current in the heart, which plays an important role in
heart signaling. The importance of KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel's function is further
implicated by the linkage between loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations
in KCNQ1 or KCNE1, and long QT syndromes, congenital atrial fibrillation, and
short QT syndrome. Also, KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels are an off-target for many non
cardiovascular drugs, leading to fatal cardiac irregularities. One solution to
address and study the mentioned aspects of KCNQ1/KNCE1 channel would be the
structural studies using a validated and accurate model. Along the same line in
this study, we have used several top-notch modeling approaches to build a
structural model for the open state of KCNQ1 protein, which is both accurate and
compatible with available experimental data. Next, we included the KCNE1 protein
components using data-driven protein-protein docking simulations, encompassing a
4:2 stoichiometry to complete the picture of the channel complex formed by these
two proteins. All the protein systems generated through these processes were
refined by long Molecular Dynamics simulations. The refined models were analyzed
extensively to infer data about the interaction of KCNQ1 channel with its
accessory KCNE1 beta subunits.
PMID- 28992528
TI - Adjuvant therapy in renal cell carcinoma.
AB - Several drugs have demonstrated clinical activity in metastatic renal cell
carcinoma (mRCC). The identification of key metabolic pathways has led to the
development of novel targeted therapies which have drastically changed the
treatment paradigm of mRCC. Moreover, immune-checkpoint inhibitors have recently
shown significant activity in advanced disease. Despite these advancements, the
role of adjuvant therapy in localized, non-metastatic RCC remains unclear. The
utility of many of these agents in the adjuvant setting is currently being
actively explored. In this review, we will summarize the main clinical trials
investigating adjuvant therapy in renal cell carcinoma, focusing primarily on
immunotherapy and targeted agents.
PMID- 28992531
TI - Orbitofrontal structural markers of negative affect in alcohol dependence and
their associations with heavy relapse-risk at 6 months post-treatment.
AB - BACKGROUND: Alcohol relapse is often occurring to regulate negative affect during
withdrawal. On the neurobiological level, alcoholism is associated with gray
matter (GM) abnormalities in regions that regulate emotional experience such as
the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). However, no study to our knowledge has
investigated the neurobiological unpinning of affect in alcoholism at early
withdrawal and the associations of OFC volume with long-term relapse risk.
METHODS: One hundred and eighty-two participants were included, 95 recently
detoxified alcohol dependent patients (ADP) and 87 healthy controls (HC). We
measured affective states using the positive and negative affect schedule
(PANAS). We collected T1-weighted brain structural images and performed Voxel
based morphometry (VBM). RESULTS: Findings revealed GM volume decrease in
alcoholics in the prefrontal cortex (including medial OFC), anterior cingulate
gyrus, and insula. GM volume in the medial OFC was positively associated with NA
in the ADP group. Cox regression analysis predicted that risk to heavy relapse at
6 months increases with decreased GM volume in the medial OFC. CONCLUSIONS:
Negative affect during alcohol withdrawal was positively associated with OFC
volume. What is more, increased GM volume in the OFC also moderated risk to heavy
relapse at 6 months. Reduced GM in the OFC poses as risk to recovery from alcohol
dependence and provides valuable insights into transient negative affect states
during withdrawal that can trigger relapse. Implications exist for therapeutic
interventions signifying the OFC as a neurobiological marker to relapse and could
explain the inability of ADP to regulate internal negative affective states.
PMID- 28992530
TI - Effects of different antihypertensive medication groups on cognitive function in
older patients: A systematic review.
AB - BACKGROUND: Chronic hypertension has been associated with an increased risk of
cognitive decline. Although a link between hypertension and cognitive decline has
been established, there is less evidence supported by systematic reviews. The
main aim was to compare different antihypertensive drug groups in relation to
their effect on cognition in older patients without established dementia using a
systematic review. METHOD: A systematic search in Medline and Embase through to
January 2017 was used to identify randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs)
studying the impact of different antihypertensives on cognition in older patients
without dementia. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting
enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), beta-blockers (BBs), diuretics, and calcium channel
blockers (CCBs) were included in this review. RESULTS: The systematic search
identified 358 studies. The full text of 31 RCTs was reviewed and a total of 15
RCTs were included in the review. Most studies reported an improvement in
episodic memory in patients treated with ARBs versus placebo or other types of
antihypertensive drugs. No study showed an improvement in cognition in patients
who received diuretics, BBs, or CCBs. Heterogeneity was high in most trials
(predominantly in the blinding of participants and investigators). CONCLUSION:
This review suggests that ARBs can improve cognitive functions in the elderly,
especially episodic memory. ACE-Is, diuretics, BBs and CCBs did not seem to
improve cognitive function in the elderly but were similarly effective in blood
pressure lowering as ARBs.
PMID- 28992532
TI - Commentary on "Neuropsychological deficits in adults age 60 and above with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder".
PMID- 28992533
TI - Neural correlates of affective and non-affective cognition in obsessive
compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis of functional imaging studies.
AB - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts and
repetitive ritualistic behaviors and has been associated with diverse functional
brain abnormalities. We sought to synthesize current evidence from functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies and examine their alignment to
pathogenetic models of OCD. Following systematic review, we identified 54 task
fMRI studies published in the last decade comparing adults with OCD (n=1186) to
healthy adults (n=1159) using tasks of affective and non-affective cognition. We
used voxel-based quantitative meta-analytic methods to combine primary data on
anatomical coordinates of case-control differences, separately for affective and
non-affective tasks. We found that functional abnormalities in OCD cluster within
cortico-striatal thalamic circuits. Within these circuits, the abnormalities
identified showed significant dependence on the affective or non-affective nature
of the tasks employed as circuit probes. In studies using affective tasks,
patients overactivated regions involved in salience, arousal and habitual
responding (anterior cingulate cortex, insula, caudate head and putamen) and
underactivated regions implicated in cognitive and behavioral control (medial
prefrontal cortex, posterior caudate). In studies using non-affective cognitive
tasks, patients overactivated regions involved in self-referential processing
(precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex) and underactivated subcortical regions
that support goal-directed cognition and motor control (pallidum, ventral
anterior thalamus, posterior caudate). The overall pattern suggests that OCD
related brain dysfunction involves increased affective and self-referential
processing, enhanced habitual responding and blunted cognitive control.
PMID- 28992534
TI - The association between metacognitive abilities and outcome measures among people
with schizophrenia: A meta-analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Deficits in metacognition are one of the major causes of the
difficulties experienced by individuals with schizophrenia. Studies have linked
these deficits to symptom exacerbation and deterioration in psychosocial
functioning. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to examine the extensive
existing literature regarding metacognitive deficits among persons with
schizophrenia; a further aim was to assess the extent to which metacognitive
abilities are linked to outcome measures of symptoms and psychosocial
functioning. METHOD: We conducted a systematic literature search of studies
examining the relationship between metacognitive abilities and outcome measures
among people with schizophrenia. We then analyzed the data using a random-effects
meta-analytic model with Cohen's d standardized mean effect size. RESULTS:
Heterogeneity analyses (k=32, Cohen's d=-.12, 95% CI.-1.92 to 1.7) produced a
significant Q-statistic (Q=456.89) and a high amount of heterogeneity, as
indicated by the I2 statistic (93.04%), suggesting that moderator analyses were
appropriate. As hypothesized, measure type moderated the metacognitive deficit
with homogenous effect for psychosocial functioning measures (Q=9.81, I2=19.47%,
d=.94. 95% CI .58 to 1.2) and symptoms (Q=19.87, I2=0%, d=-1.07, 95% CI -1.18 to
.75). Further analysis found homogenous effects for MAS-A subscales as well as
PANSS factors of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis results illustrated a
significant association between metacognitive deficits and both symptomatic and
psychosocial functioning measures. These links suggest that the associations
between metacognitive abilities and symptomatic outcomes are different from those
between metacognitive abilities and psychosocial functioning measures. Intriguing
hypotheses are raised regarding the role that metacognitive abilities play in
both symptoms and psychosocial functioning measures of people diagnosed with
schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
PMID- 28992535
TI - Quality of life in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: The impact of symptomatic
remission and resilience.
AB - BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is significantly affected in
individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder (BD-I). The current study
investigated whether symptomatic remission and resilience might differently
impact HRQOL in these patients. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with schizophrenia
and 60 patients suffering from BD-I from outpatient mental health services as
well as 77 healthy control subjects from the general community were included into
a cross-sectional study. HRQOL and resilience were assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF
and the Resilience Scale. In patients, psychopathology was quantified by the
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale or the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating
Scale and the Young Mania Rating Scale, respectively. RESULTS: Notably, both
patient groups showed lower HRQOL and resilience compared to control subjects,
non-remitted patients indicated lower HRQOL than remitted ones. The effect of
remission on HRQOL was significantly larger in patients with BD-I than in those
with schizophrenia but did not explain the difference in HRQOL between groups.
Resilience predicted HRQOL in all three groups. When accounting for the effect of
resilience among remitted patients, only the difference in HRQOL between
schizophrenia patients and control subjects was significant. CONCLUSION: These
findings demonstrate the impact of symptomatic remission and resilience on HRQOL
of both patients suffering from schizophrenia and BD-I and indicate that these
factors are especially relevant for HRQOL of patients with BD-I.
PMID- 28992536
TI - How many receptor-like kinases are required to operate a pollen tube.
AB - Successful fertilization depends on active molecular dialogues that the male
gametophyte can establish with the pistil and the female gametophyte. Pollen
grains and stigmas must recognize each other; pollen tubes need to identify the
pistil tissues they will penetrate, follow positional cues to exit the
transmitting tract and finally, locate the ovules. These molecular dialogues
directly affect pollen tube growth rate and orientation. Receptor-like kinases
(RLKs) are natural candidates for the perception and decoding of extracellular
signals and their transduction to downstream cytoplasmic interactors. Here, we
update knowledge regarding how RLKs are involved in pollen tube growth, cell wall
integrity and guidance. In addition, we use public data to build a pollen tube
RLK interactome that might help direct experiments to elucidate the function of
pollen RLKs and their associated proteins.
PMID- 28992537
TI - What is not, but might be: The disnarrated in parents' stories of their child's
cancer treatment.
AB - The study of illness narratives is based on the premise that stories are told for
a reason and storytellers make narrative decisions on what to include and leave
out of a story, the style of narration, the place where the story is told and the
audience. Through this narrative work, they situate themselves in particular ways
and make sense of the illness and the world around them. In this article, we
explore the disnarrated, a style of narration that features events that do not
happen, but are nonetheless referred to in the story. The aim of the article is
to illustrate the additional layers of meaning that can be uncovered from illness
stories when attention is paid to what did not happen, but, yet, is still part of
the story. We draw from a qualitative study carried out with 17 parents whose
children were diagnosed with cancer and were receiving medical care in Argentina.
We carried out narrative interviews with the parents and participant-observation
in hospital areas and the hotels where they resided during treatment. The
analysis of the interview transcripts was carried out using a holistic
understanding of the narratives and focusing on the identification of themes that
appeared disnarrated. The fieldnotes from the observations were used to
contextualize the narrative analysis. The disnarrated, in its many
manifestations, produced a layer of analysis of parents' stories of treatment
patterned by parents' desires, hopes and fears. The disnarrated was used by
parents to discuss alternative care trajectories and express fears regarding what
the future would bring for the child and family. The disnarrated is a useful
analytical tool for examining illness stories as it points to storytellers' views
of what is acceptable or desirable in their world and their hopes and preferences
for alternative realities.
PMID- 28992539
TI - Cross-lagged associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms and coping self
efficacy in long-term recovery: A four-wave comparative study.
AB - RATIONALE: Trauma-related coping self-efficacy (CSE) - in brief, the perceived
ability to cope with the aftermath of a traumatic event - has been shown to
affect psychological outcomes. A previous study showed that CSE affects
subsequent PTSS levels, but not vice versa among a sample exposed 0-6 months ago.
OBJECTIVE: In this four-wave follow-up study we examined the cross-lagged
relationships between CSE and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among those
exposed to PTEs (potentially traumatic events) 1-2 years before T1 in order to
examine direction of influence. Research questions were: 1) what are the cross
lagged associations between CSE and PTSS levels among those exposed to PTE in the
relatively long-term (1-2 years ago, called PTE long-term group), and 2) to what
extent do these associations differ from the cross lagged associations among
those exposed to PTE in the relatively short-term (0-6 months ago)? METHOD: Study
samples consist of adult respondents of a representative internet panel who
experienced a PTE between 1 and 2 years before T1, and did not experience any new
PTE between T1 and T3 (long-term group, N = 438) and those exposed in the six
months before T1, and not exposed to any additional PTE (short-term group, N =
400). Levels of CSE and PTSS were measured with 4-month intervals. In addition,
prospectively assessed personality traits and peritraumatic distress were entered
in the analyses. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling showed that CSE
perceptions will continue to influence subsequent PTSS levels in the long-term,
just as they did in the short-term. Contrary to the more short-term post-exposure
period however, CSE levels do not just influence recovery from PTSS. Over time,
degree of PTSS experienced also influences subsequent CSE perceptions.
CONCLUSION: Results suggest that while trauma-related CSE perceptions are
relatively robust in the short-term recovery period, they can be affected by
posttraumatic stress in the long-term.
PMID- 28992538
TI - Health lifestyles across the transition to adulthood: Implications for health.
AB - Research has long established the importance of individual health behaviors such
as cigarette smoking for adult morbidity and mortality. However, we know little
about how health behaviors cluster into health lifestyles among adolescents and
young adults in the United States, or in turn, how such health lifestyles are
associated with young adult health outcomes. This study establishes health
lifestyles as distinct group phenomena at three developmental time points in a
single cohort: late adolescence (ages 15-17), early adulthood (ages 20-24), and
young adulthood (ages 26-31). We then identify the associations between these
health lifestyles and young adult health outcomes. We use the National
Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a nationally
representative sample of U.S. adolescents followed into adulthood, and latent
class analysis and regression models. We uncover diverse health lifestyles among
adolescents, early adults, and young adults; however, few individuals engaged in
a consistently salubrious lifestyle at any developmental stage. People with less
healthy lifestyles also tended to exhibit poorer health in young adulthood. Our
results showed that young adult health lifestyles were significantly associated
with young adult cardiovascular risk. Moreover, health lifestyles in each of the
three developmental stages were associated with young adult self-rated health,
and accounting for lifestyles in later stages explained some of these
associations. Overall, this study suggests a portrait of problematic health
lifestyles among a nationally representative cohort of young Americans, with
associated patterns of relatively poor physical health among those with poor
health lifestyles.
PMID- 28992540
TI - Kids in space: Measuring children's residential neighborhoods and other
destinations using activity space GPS and wearable camera data.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Defining the boundary of children's 'neighborhoods' has important
implications for understanding the contextual influences on child health.
Additionally, insight into activities that occur outside people's neighborhoods
may indicate exposures that place-based studies cannot detect. This study aimed
to 1) extend current neighborhood research, using data from wearable cameras and
GPS devices that were worn over several days in an urban setting; 2) define the
boundary of children's neighborhoods by using leisure time activity space data;
and 3) determine the destinations visited by children in their leisure time,
outside their neighborhoods. METHOD: One hundred and fourteen children (mean age
12y) from Wellington, New Zealand wore wearable cameras and GPS recorders.
Residential Euclidean buffers at incremental distances were paired with GPS data
(thereby identifying time spent in different places) to explore alternative
definitions of neighborhood boundaries. Children's neighborhood boundary was at
500 m. A newly developed software application was used to identify 'destinations'
visited outside the neighborhood by specifying space-time parameters. Image data
from wearable cameras were used to determine the type of destination. RESULTS:
Children spent over half of their leisure time within 500 m of their homes.
Children left their neighborhood predominantly to visit school (for leisure
purposes), other residential locations (e.g. to visit friends) and food retail
outlets (e.g. convenience stores, fast food outlets). Children spent more time at
food retail outlets than at structured sport and in outdoor recreation locations
combined. CONCLUSION: Person-centered neighborhood definitions may serve to
better represent children's everyday experiences and neighborhood exposures than
previous methods based on place-based measures. As schools and other residential
locations (friends and family) are important destinations outside the
neighborhood, such destinations should be taken into account. The combination of
image data and activity space GPS data provides a more robust approach to
understanding children's neighborhoods and activity spaces.
PMID- 28992541
TI - Pastoral power in HIV prevention: Converging rationalities of care in Christian
and medical practices in Papua New Guinea.
AB - In his conceptualisation of pastoral power, Michel Foucault argues that modern
healthcare practices derive a specific power technique from pastors of the early
Christian church. As experts in a position of authority, pastors practise the
care of others through implicitly guiding them towards thoughts and actions that
effect self-care, and towards a predefined realm of acceptable conduct, thus
having a regulatory effect. This qualitative study of healthcare workers from two
Christian faith-based organisations in Papua New Guinea examines the pastoral
rationalities of HIV prevention practices which draw together globally circulated
modern medical knowledge and Christian teachings in sexual morality for implicit
social regulation. Community-based HIV awareness education, voluntary counselling
and testing services, mobile outreach, and economic empowerment programs are
standardised by promoting behavioural choice and individual responsibility for
health. Through pastoral rationalities of care, healthcare practices become part
of the social production of negative differences, and condemn those who become
ill due to perceived immorality. This emphasis assumes that all individuals are
equal in their ability to make behavioural choices, and downplays social
inequality and structural drivers of HIV risk that are outside individual
control. Given healthcare workers' recognition of the structural drivers of HIV,
yet the lack of language and practical strategies to address these issues,
political commitment is needed to enhance structural competency among HIV
prevention programs and healthcare workers.
PMID- 28992542
TI - De novo transcriptome sequencing of Camellia sasanqua and the analysis of major
candidate genes related to floral traits.
AB - Camellia sasanqua is one of the most famous horticultural plants in Camellia
(Theaceae) due to its aesthetic appeal as landscape plant. Knowledge regarding
the genetic basis of flowering time, floral aroma and color in C. sasanqua is
limited, but is essential to breed new varieties with desired floral traits.
Here, we described the de novo transcriptome of young leaves, flower buds and
flowers of C. sasanqua. A total of 60,127 unigenes were functionally annotated
based on the sequence similarity. After analysis, we found that two floral
integrator genes, SOC1 and AP1, in flowering time pathway showed evidence of gene
family expansion. Compared with 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate pathway, some
genes in the mevalonate pathway were most highly expressed, suggesting that this
might represent the major pathway for terpenoid biosynthesis related to floral
aroma in C. sasanqua. In flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, PAL, CHI, DFR and ANS
showing significantly higher expression levels in flowers and flower buds might
have important role in regulation of floral color. The top five most
transcription factors (TFs) families in C. sasanqua transcriptome were MYB, MIKC,
C3H, FAR1 and HD-ZIP, many of which have a direct relationship with floral
traits. In addition, we also identified 33,540 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in
the C. sasanqua transcriptome. Collectively, the C. sasanqua transcriptome
dataset generated from this study along with the SSR markers provide a new
resource for the identification of novel regulatory transcripts and will
accelerate the genetic improvement of C. sasanqua breeding programs.
PMID- 28992543
TI - Seasonal dynamics of photosynthetic activity in the representive brown macroalgae
Sagrassum thunbergii (Sargassaceae Phaeophyta).
AB - The present study evaluates the seasonal photosynthetic performances of Sargassum
thunbergii via chlorophyll fluorescence technique. During summer and early
winter, no significant change was observed in maximum photochemical efficiency
(Fv/Fm), and performance index (PIabs). During late winter and early spring,
Fv/Fm, and PIabs decreased significantly, implying that S. thunbergii photosystem
II (PSII) suffered apparent photoinhibition. Subsequently, PSII gradually
recovered during late spring and summer, as evidenced by an increase of both
parameters. Throughout the year, the maximum decrease in the slope of MR/MR0
maintained low values indicated that photosystem I (PSI) was incative, the
initial rate of P700+ re-reduction maintained low value indicated that cyclic
electron transport (CET) were inactive; nevertheless, a seasonal down-regulation
of both PSI and CET during late winter and early spring could be detected. The
weak performance of PSI and CET can potentially limit the flexibility in response
to winter stress and result in a delayed recovery of PSII. In conclusion, the
seasonal variability of S. thunbergii photosynthetic activity was characterized
by three periods: active state, down-regulation and restoration. The rapid growth
during early spring was accompanied by weak photosynthetic performance,
indicating that the carbohydrates consumed during this period were derived from
previously stored starch.
PMID- 28992544
TI - The influence of different light quality and benzene on gene expression and
benzene degradation of Chlorophytum comosum.
AB - Benzene, a carcinogenic compound, has been reported as a major indoor air
pollutant. Chlorophytum comosum (C. comosum) was reported to be the highest
efficient benzene removal plant among other screened plants. Our previous studies
found that plants under light conditions could remove gaseous benzene higher than
under dark conditions. Therefore, C. comosum exposure to airborne benzene was
studied under different light quality at the same light intensity. C. comosum
could remove 500 ppm gaseous benzene with the highest efficiency of 68.77% under
Blue:Red = 1:1 LED treatments and the lowest one appeared 57.41% under white
fluorescent treatment within 8 days. After benzene was uptaken by C. comosum,
benzene was oxidized to be phenol in the plant cells by cytochrome P450
monooxygenase system. Then, phenol was catalyzed to be catechol that was
confirmed by the up-regulation of phenol 2-monooxygenase (PMO) gene expression.
After that, catechol was changed to cic, cis-muconic acid. Interestingly, cis,cis
muconic acid production was found in the plant tissues higher than phenol and
catechol. The result confirmed that NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR),
cytochrome b5 (cyt b5), phenol 2-monooxygenase (PMO) and cytochrome P450 90B1
(CYP90B1) in plant cells were involved in benzene degradation or detoxification.
In addition, phenol, catechol, and cis,cis-muconic acid production were found
under the Blue-Red LED light conditions higher than under white fluorescent light
conditions due to under LED light conditions gave higher NADPH contents. Hence,
C. comosum under the Blue-Red LED light conditions had a high potential to remove
benzene in a contaminated site.
PMID- 28992545
TI - Downregulation of SIRT2 Inhibits Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by
Inhibiting Energy Metabolism.
AB - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common neoplasms, and
metastasis is the most important feature for HCC-related deaths. Mounting
evidence implies the dynamic regulatory role of SIRT2, a histone deacetylase, in
cancer cells. Unfortunately, the role of SIRT2 and the antitumor activity of its
inhibition are not known in HCC. The present study aims to evaluate the
biological function of SIRT2 in HCC and identify the target of SIRT2 as well as
evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. We found that SIRT2 was upregulated in HCC
tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and this was correlated with reduced
patient survival. Although CCK8 and colony-formation assays showed that SIRT2
inhibiton marginally promotes proliferation in HCC cell lines, SIRT2 knockdown
decreased the invasion of HCC cells. We demonstrated that downregulation of SIRT2
could inhibit its downstream target phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 and
glutaminase, which is related to mitochondrial metabolism and the E-Cadherin
pathway. These results demonstrate, for the first time that downregulation of
SIRT2 decreases migration as well as invasion in human HCC cells, indicating that
inhibiting SIRT2 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating HCC.
PMID- 28992546
TI - Differences in posttraumatic stress characteristics by duration of exposure to
trauma.
AB - Ongoing exposure of civilian populations to war and terror is associated with
adverse responses beyond those specified in DSM-5 for PTSD. Current PTSD
assessment practices are not fully sensitive to the complex symptomatic picture
observed among individuals exposed to ongoing stress and are therefore limited
for use in these situations. The current survey aimed to portray the
posttraumatic characteristics most salient to ongoing exposure to political
conflict. A questionnaire enquiring about various aspects of the posttraumatic
consequences of ongoing exposure to political conflict as compared with those
associated with a single exposure to trauma was disseminated to therapists
throughout the country. Participants were asked to rank 75 posttraumatic
characteristics for their relevance to each trauma type (about the symptom
frequency and severity) and item mean scores were compared. The sample consisted
of 66 responses valid for analysis. Our findings pinpoint some of the
posttraumatic characteristics most salient to ongoing exposure to political
conflict and highlight the complexity of the posttraumatic picture observed in
these situations. Incorporating these in post trauma assessment tools will allow
for the development of standardized, reliable definitions, which in turn will
allow for more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment protocols.
PMID- 28992547
TI - Medical students' attitudes to mental illnesses and to psychiatry before and
after the psychiatric clerkship: Training in a specialty and a general hospital.
AB - Medical students' attitudes to mental illnesses and psychiatry may be reshaped
during the psychiatric training, with important implications in their future
practice of the profession. Therefore, the present study set out to explore the
impact of the psychiatric clerkship in students' attitudes, while taking into
consideration the site of their practical training. To this end, a total of 678
final-year medical students were recruited. Students completed a self-reported
questionnaire entailing the Attitudes to Psychiatry scale, the Attitudes to
Mental Illness scale and the Greek Social Distance scale before and after their
placement. Findings indicate that the psychiatric clerkship had a positive effect
in reducing stigma towards both psychiatry and mental illnesses, with the effect
being more pronounced in the general hospital with respect to the former, while
in the specialty hospital was more marked regarding the latter. A further
exploration of the determinants of change revealed that the improvement discerned
in the general hospital was only among those without professional experience of
mental illnesses. Therefore, the psychiatric clerkship may exert a substantial
influence on shaping favourable attitudes towards mental illnesses and
psychiatry; however, other elements should also be taken into consideration, if
the clerkship is to tackle stigma in healthcare.
PMID- 28992548
TI - The relative contributions of social cognition and self-reflectiveness to
clinical insight in enduring schizophrenia.
AB - Poor clinical insight represents a major barrier to recovery in schizophrenia.
Research suggests that higher-order social cognitive abilities such as theory of
mind (TOM) and metacognition contribute to levels of clinical insight. However,
few studies have examined whether social cognitive abilities other than TOM are
related to clinical insight. Moreover, to date, no investigation has attempted to
determine whether the contribution of metacognitive ability to clinical insight
can be differentiated from the contribution of higher-order social cognition,
despite their conceptual similarity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to
examine the relative contribution of different social cognitive abilities, as
well as metacognition, to clinical insight in a large sample of 139 enduring
schizophrenia patients, and controlling for established predictors of clinical
insight. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to evaluate the portion of
variance explained by 3 social cognitive abilities: emotion recognition, TOM, and
affective empathy, and the metacognitive ability of self-reflectiveness. Clinical
insight levels were assessed using the Schedule for the Assessment of Insight
Expanded version. Results indicated that affective empathy and self
reflectiveness are the strongest predictors of clinical insight. These results
provide insights on the development of targeted interventions for improving
clinical insight in this population.
PMID- 28992549
TI - How does maternal oxytocin influence children's mental health problem and
maternal mental health problem?
AB - This study aims to explore the interrelationship among maternal oxytocin (OT)
responsiveness, maternal mental health, maternal parenting behavior, and mental
health of children under a free-play interaction. 61 mother-child dyads were
recruited for the study. Maternal mental health problem and parenting self
efficacy were measured using self-reported questionnaires. The mental health
problems of children were also evaluated using a mother-reported questionnaire.
Furthermore, salivary OT was collected before and after a standardized 10min free
play interaction. Parenting behaviors, including eye gaze and touch, were
measured during the free-play interaction. Maternal OT responsiveness was
significantly associated with less maternal mental health problem, touch
frequency, and mental health problem of children but not with parenting self
efficacy. In the multivariate linear regression analysis that considers maternal
OT responsiveness and maternal and children's mental health problems, maternal OT
responsiveness was not associated with the mental health problems of children.
This result suggested that maternal mental health problem played a mediational
role between maternal OT responsiveness and the mental health problem of
children. Results supported the assertion that maternal OT responsiveness
contributed to the increased risk of maternal mental health problems and,
subsequently, the risk of mental health problems of their children.
PMID- 28992550
TI - Gender differences of suicides in children and adolescents: Analysis of 167
suicides in a Mexican population from 2003 to 2013.
AB - Suicide is the second cause of death in youth population. The aim of the present
study was to analyze demographic characteristics and suicide methods used, as
well as to identify gender differences among Mexican children and adolescents
(aged 10-17 years) that committed suicide. Between January 2003 and December
2013, 167 suicides of children and adolescents between 10 and 17 years of age
were documented by the Secretary of Health of the state of Tabasco, Mexico. All
sociodemographic characteristics were compared according to gender. Our sample
included 67.7% males and 32.3% females (male to female 2.1:1). The predominant
marital status was single (89.6%) and hanging (93.7%) was the principal method of
suicide used. Both female and male adolescents were predominantly students (50%);
however, female adolescents were more frequently married (17%) and were
housewives (26.4%). Our results identified that hanging is the principal suicide
method used by children and adolescents in Mexican population; we also detected
main gender differences in terms of poisoning/drug toxicity as the method used,
occupation and marital status. These results should be taken into consideration
when designing suicide prevention programs due to the differences found by
gender.
PMID- 28992551
TI - Practical capability: The impact of handgun ownership among suicide attempt
survivors.
AB - Suicide is a leading cause of death and represents a serious public health
concern. However, our ability to predict its occurrence has not improved over the
last 50 years and we continue to rely on past suicidal behavior as the most
robust predictor of future suicidal behavior. Recent theories have emphasized the
role of contextual factors that increase capability to act on suicidal thoughts,
including access to and familiarity with lethal means. We sought to examine the
impact of handgun ownership, a component of practical capability as defined by
the Three-Step Theory, on the relationship between past week suicidal ideation
and perceived likelihood of making a future suicide attempt within a community
sample of previous suicide attempters. Results indicate that, among suicide
attempt survivors who are currently suicidal, handgun ownership increases the
likelihood of predicting engagement in future suicidal behavior. As self-reported
predictions about suicidal behavior have been found to be uniquely predictive of
actual suicidal behavior, handgun ownership may facilitate the transition from
ideation to action. The relevance of these findings to means safety strategies is
discussed.
PMID- 28992552
TI - Comparison of clinician-rated and self-report insight in Korean patients with
schizophrenia using VAGUS insight scale.
AB - This study was aimed to explore self-report auditory verbal hallucinations to
provide unique and valuable information in addition to clinician-rated assessment
in patients with schizophrenia. The VAGUS (http://www.vagusonline.com) is a
recently developed insight scale that includes both clinician-rated (CR) and self
report (SR) versions. Insight measures obtained by the two versions of the VAGUS
from the clinicians and the patients, respectively, in forty-one patients
diagnosed with schizophrenia by DSM-IV-TR criteria were compared. Correlation
coefficients for inter-scale convergence and 3-D biplots for multivariate
relationship were derived from the subscales of the VAGUS. For external
validation, correlation analyses with abridged version of Scale to Assess
Unawareness in Mental Disorder (SUMD-A) and PANSS G12 item were conducted. Total
scores of VAGUS-CR and -SR were 5.2 +/- 2.6 and 4.9 +/- 2.2, respectively. There
was a strong correlation between them along with moderate pairwise correlations
among the subscales. The 3-D biplots demonstrated that most subscales were
clustered as a single factor apart from self-report Symptom Attribution separated
as an independent factor. The VAGUS-CR, not -SR correlated significantly with the
SUMD-A and PANSS G12. The utility of the VAGUS in reaching more overall
understanding of the elusive phenomenon of insight in patients with schizophrenia
is discussed.
PMID- 28992553
TI - Validity of instruments for measuring the satisfaction of a woman and her partner
with care received during labour and childbirth: Systematic review.
AB - BACKGROUND: patient satisfaction as an indicator of quality of care is becoming
more and more important. The use of questionnaires is the most common method to
evaluate satisfaction with maternity care. Despite the extensive variety of
instruments available for this purpose, they vary widely in terms of their
content and quality. OBJECTIVES: to identify, assess and summarize the most
recent and robust instruments available to measure woman and partner satisfaction
with the overall package of care during the labour and birth of their baby within
a hospital setting. DESIGN: systematic review. METHODS: sixteen electronic
databases were consulted. The research also included hand searching references of
identified articles. Studies were assessed by two independent reviewers.
Inclusion criteria were that participants were mothers and their respective
partners and that the questionnaire was a multidimensional instrument used for
measuring satisfaction with care during the labour and birth of a baby.
Furthermore, the psychometric properties related to construction, reliability and
validity of the questionnaire had to be reported. FINDINGS: seventeen studies
were included. The majority of the questionnaires was developed within Europe and
was disparate in terms of sample, items, dimensions and collection time. Most of
them were limited to healthy women with low obstetric risk pregnancies. Only one
instrument included partners as the subject of study. All questionnaires reported
at least one aspect of reliability, content and construct validity. CONCLUSIONS:
there are a moderate number of instruments capable of measuring maternal
satisfaction with the care received during labour and birth within a hospital
setting. Our study provides an overview of the most up-to-date, valid and
reliable tools available. Further investigations are needed in order to improve
existing instruments by performing additional psychometric tests, considering
more specific populations and assessing the satisfaction of the partner and
mother jointly. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: assessments of satisfaction with care
during labour and birth are relevant to healthcare professionals, administrators
and policy makers. Therefore, these instruments are able to assist them according
to their specific needs.
PMID- 28992554
TI - Stress in fathers in the perinatal period: A systematic review.
AB - BACKGROUND: despite the evidence that fatherhood has a long-term positive and
protective effect on men's health, there is also evidence that fatherhood in the
perinatal period can be complex and demanding. Due to the potential increase in
stressors in the perinatal period, there is reason to hypothesise that it is a
time of increased stress for fathers. However, it is not clear how significant a
problem stress is for fathers during this stage of life. This is in part, due to
the fact that the available research has not been systematically reviewed.
PURPOSE: the purpose of this systematic review was to critically appraise the
empirical evidence that examined stress in fathers in the perinatal period.
DESIGN: systematic review. METHODS: a systematic review protocol was developed
and registered with PROSPERO (Reference number: CRD42016035821). The review was
guided by the PRISMA reporting process. Electronic databases Medline, CINAHL, the
Cochrane Library, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences
Collections were searched to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria.
Studies that researched fathers in the perinatal period were included if stress
was the principal focus of the research, if stress was in the title and/or aim of
the study or if stress was an outcome or dependent variable. Data were extracted
and presented in narrative form including tables and figures. FINDINGS: eighteen
studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicate that fathers experience
stress in the perinatal period, particularly at the time of birth. Stress levels
were found to increase from the antenatal period to the time of birth, with a
decrease in stress levels from the time of birth to the later postnatal period.
There are a number of factors that contribute to stress in fathers in the
perinatal period and these included negative feelings about the pregnancy, role
restrictions related to becoming a father, fear of childbirth and feelings of
incompetence related to infant care. The review found that stress has a negative
impact on fathers, with higher stress levels contributing to mental health issues
such as anxiety, depression, psychological distress and fatigue. KEY CONCLUSION:
during the perinatal period fathers experience stress and face unique stressors
that can impact negatively on their health and social relationships.
PMID- 28992555
TI - The role of multisensory interplay in enabling temporal expectations.
AB - Temporal regularities can guide our attention to focus on a particular moment in
time and to be especially vigilant just then. Previous research provided evidence
for the influence of temporal expectation on perceptual processing in unisensory
auditory, visual, and tactile contexts. However, in real life we are often
exposed to a complex and continuous stream of multisensory events. Here we tested
- in a series of experiments - whether temporal expectations can enhance
perception in multisensory contexts and whether this enhancement differs from
enhancements in unisensory contexts. Our discrimination paradigm contained near
threshold targets (subject-specific 75% discrimination accuracy) embedded in a
sequence of distractors. The likelihood of target occurrence (early or late) was
manipulated block-wise. Furthermore, we tested whether spatial and modality
specific target uncertainty (i.e. predictable vs. unpredictable target position
or modality) would affect temporal expectation (TE) measured with perceptual
sensitivity (d') and response times (RT). In all our experiments, hidden temporal
regularities improved performance for expected multisensory targets. Moreover,
multisensory performance was unaffected by spatial and modality-specific
uncertainty, whereas unisensory TE effects on d' but not RT were modulated by
spatial and modality-specific uncertainty. Additionally, the size of the temporal
expectation effect, i.e. the increase in perceptual sensitivity and decrease of
RT, scaled linearly with the likelihood of expected targets. Finally, temporal
expectation effects were unaffected by varying target position within the stream.
Together, our results strongly suggest that participants quickly adapt to novel
temporal contexts, that they benefit from multisensory (relative to unisensory)
stimulation and that multisensory benefits are maximal if the stimulus-driven
uncertainty is highest. We propose that enhanced informational content (i.e.
multisensory stimulation) enables the robust extraction of temporal regularities
which in turn boost (uni-)sensory representations.
PMID- 28992556
TI - Incidence and risk factors of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment: 10 years
of follow-up.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of lymphedema 10 years after
surgical treatment for breast cancer. METHODS: Prospective observational hospital
based cohort of women undergoing axillary lymph node dissection. Lymphedema was
assessed by indirect volume, measured by circumference, and diagnosed if there
was a difference of 200 mL between the arms or if the patient was treated for it.
Independent variables were patient, tumour and treatment characteristics.
Descriptive statistics were conducted as survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier
estimate. Cox regression was performed, considering a 95% confidence interval
(95%CI). RESULTS: The study evaluated 964 women. The cumulative incidence of
lymphedema observed was 13.5% at two years of follow-up, 30.2% at five years and
41.1% at 10 years. Final model showed an increased risk for lymphedema among
women that underwent radiotherapy (HR = 2.19; 95%CI 1.63-2.94), were obese (HR =
1.52; 95%CI 1.20-1.92), had seroma formation after surgery (HR = 1.46; 95%CI 1.14
1.87), underwent chemotherapy infusion in the affected limb (HR = 1.45; 95%CI
1.12-1.87) or advanced disease staging (HR = 1.41; 95%CI 1.11-1.80). CONCLUSIONS:
Cumulative incidence of lymphedema was 41.1%. Women undergoing axillary
radiotherapy, obese, who developed seroma, underwent chemotherapy infusion in the
affected limb and with advanced disease had a higher risk of lymphedema.
PMID- 28992557
TI - Natural and surfactant modified zeolites: A review of their applications for
water remediation with a focus on surfactant desorption and toxicity towards
microorganisms.
AB - The objective of this review is to highlight the need for further investigation
of microbial toxicity caused by desorption of surfactant from Surfactant Modified
Zeolite (SMZ). SMZ is a low cost, versatile permeable reactive media which has
the potential to treat multiple classes of contaminants. With this combination of
characteristics, SMZ has significant potential to enhance water and wastewater
treatment processes. Surfactant desorption has been identified as a potential
issue for the ongoing usability of SMZ. Few studies have investigated the
toxicity of surfactants used in zeolite modification towards microorganisms and
fewer have drawn linkages between surfactant desorption and surfactant toxicity.
This review provides an overview of natural zeolite chemistry, characteristics
and practical applications. The chemistry of commonly used surfactants is
outlined, along with the kinetics that drive their adsorption to the zeolite
surface. Methodologies to characterise this surfactant loading are also
described. Applications of SMZ in water remediation are highlighted, giving focus
to applications which deal with biological pollutants and where microorganisms
play a role in the remediation process. Studies that have identified surfactant
desorption from SMZ are outlined. Finally, the toxicity of a commonly used
cationic surfactant towards microorganisms is discussed. This review highlights
the potential for surfactant to desorb from the zeolite surface and the need for
further research into the toxicity of this desorbed surfactant towards
microorganisms, including pathogens and environmental microbes.
PMID- 28992558
TI - Practical application of direct electron detectors to EBSD mapping in 2D and 3D.
AB - The use of a direct electron detector for the simple acquisition of 2D electron
backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps and 3D EBSD datasets with a static sample
geometry has been demonstrated in a focused ion beam scanning electron
microscope. The small size and flexible connection of the Medipix direct electron
detector enabled the mounting of sample and detector on the same stage at the
short working distance required for the FIB. Comparison of 3D EBSD datasets
acquired by this means and with conventional phosphor based EBSD detectors
requiring sample movement showed that the former method with a static sample gave
improved slice registration. However, for this sample detector configuration,
significant heating by the detector caused sample drift. This drift and ion beam
reheating both necessitated the use of fiducial marks to maintain stability
during data acquisition.
PMID- 28992559
TI - Charging of carbon thin films in scanning and phase-plate transmission electron
microscopy.
AB - A systematic study on charging of carbon thin films under intense electron-beam
irradiation was performed in a transmission electron microscope to identify the
underlying physics for the functionality of hole-free phase plates. Thin
amorphous carbon films fabricated by different deposition techniques and single
layer graphene were studied. Clean thin films at moderate temperatures show small
negative charging while thin films kept at an elevated temperature are stable and
not prone to beam-generated charging. The charging is attributed to electron
stimulated desorption (ESD) of chemisorbed water molecules from the thin-film
surfaces and an accompanying change of work function. The ESD interpretation is
supported by experimental results obtained by electron-energy loss spectroscopy,
hole-free phase plate imaging, secondary electron detection and x-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy as well as simulations of the electrostatic potential
distribution. The described ESD-based model explains previous experimental
findings and is of general interest to any phase-related technique in a
transmission electron microscope.
PMID- 28992560
TI - Effectiveness and tolerability of Perampanel in children, adolescents and young
adults with refractory epilepsy: A UK national multicentre study.
AB - PURPOSE: Perampanel is one of the latest antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) approved for
the treatment of focal and generalised epilepsy in individuals with epilepsy aged
12 years and older. There is sparse data on the use of Perampanel in children
under 12. We conducted a study amongst paediatric neurologists in the United
Kingdom to investigate its effectiveness and tolerability as an adjunctive
therapy in children of all ages with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: Data was
collected via an online questionnaire sent to paediatric neurologists in the UK.
Data gathered, prospective in 62 (64.5%) and retrospective in 34 (35.5%)
patients, included changes in seizure frequency from baseline and unwanted
effects at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Only patients with a minimum follow-up
of six months were included. RESULTS: Ninety six patients (48 females) with
refractory epilepsy from 11 of 29 tertiary centres were included. Median [IQR]
(range) age was 14 years 11 months [12 years, 16 years 6 months] (11 months-24
years 5 months). Seventy three (76%) had focal epilepsy, sixteen (17%)
generalised, and seven (7%) patients both generalised and focal epilepsy. The
responder rate, >=50% seizure reduction from baseline, was 19% for all seizure
types at both 6 and 12 months, 19% and 24% for focal seizures, and 25% and 7% for
generalised seizures at these time points respectively. The retention rate was
42% at 12 months. Treatment was discontinued due to unwanted effects in 29
(36.7%) of the 79 patients with follow-up data available up to 12 months: 30% due
to challenging behaviour, 14% dizziness, and 7.6% somnolence. CONCLUSION:
Perampanel was fairly effective in a heterogeneous group of 96 children and
adolescents with very refractory epilepsy. The rate of adverse events leading to
discontinuation was considerable in this group.
PMID- 28992561
TI - Bridging the gap between the randomised clinical trial world and the real world
by combination of population-based registry and electronic health record data: A
case study in haemato-oncology.
AB - Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) are considered the basis of evidence-based
medicine. It is recognised more and more that application of RCT results in daily
practice of clinical decision-making is limited because the RCT world does not
correspond with the clinical real world. Recent strategies aiming at substitution
of RCT databases by improved population-based registries (PBRs) or by improved
electronic health record (EHR) systems to provide significant data for clinical
science are discussed. A novel approach exemplified by the HemoBase haemato
oncology project is presented. In this approach, a PBR is combined with an
advanced EHR, providing high-quality data for observational studies and support
of best practice development. This PBR + EHR approach opens a perspective on
randomised registry trials.
PMID- 28992562
TI - A phase IB dose-escalation study of the safety and pharmacokinetics of pictilisib
in combination with either paclitaxel and carboplatin (with or without
bevacizumab) or pemetrexed and cisplatin (with or without bevacizumab) in
patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
AB - AIM: The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is a potential therapeutic
target in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to evaluate the
pan-PI3K inhibitor pictilisib in combination with first-line treatment regimens
that were the standard of care at the time of study, in patients with NSCLC.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 3 + 3 dose-escalation study was performed using a
starting daily dose of 60 mg pictilisib on days 1-14 of a 21-day cycle. Depending
on bevacizumab eligibility and NSCLC histology, patients also received either
paclitaxel + carboplatin or pemetrexed + cisplatin, +/- bevacizumab every 3
weeks. The primary objectives of the study were to assess safety and tolerability
and to identify dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)
and a recommended phase II dose (RP2D), for each combination. RESULTS: All 66
treated patients experienced at least one adverse event (AE). Grade >=III AEs,
serious AEs and deaths occurred in 57 (86.4%), 56 (84.8%) and 9 (13.6%) patients,
respectively. Three patients reported DLTs across the four arms of the study. The
MTD was not reached in any arm and the RP2D of pictilisib was determined to be
330 mg (capsules) or 340 mg (tablets) on a '14 days on, 7 days off' schedule. The
best confirmed response was partial response in 29 (43.9%) patients and stable
disease in 20 (30.9%) patients. CONCLUSION: Combining pictilisib with various
standard-of-care first-line treatment regimens is feasible from a safety
perspective in patients with NSCLC, and encouraging preliminary anti-tumour
activity was observed.
PMID- 28992564
TI - Evaluation of synthetic aluminum silicate modified by magnesia for the removal of
137Cs, 60Co and 152+154Eu from low-level radioactive waste.
AB - The present study concerns the preparation, characterization and testing of an
inorganic ion exchanger Aluminum Silicate Modified Magnesia (ASMM). The ASMM
composite was prepared using sol-gel technique and characterized by XRD, XRF,
FTIR, TGA, DTA, SEM and surface area analysis. The capability of the prepared
composite for the removal of (Cs+, Co2+ and Eu3+) from aqueous solution was
evaluated. Sorption studies were carried out taking into account important
parameters such as (pH, initial concentration, contact time and temperature).
Kinetic and isotherm models were applied to the prepared composite, kinetic data
is well fitted with pseudo-second order kinetic model, Dubinin-Radushkevich
isotherm model indicates that sorption was controlled by chemisorption process.
The removal efficiency found to be 80% for Cs+, 90% for Co2+ and 95% for Eu3+.
PMID- 28992565
TI - Modeling and experimental data of zirconium-89 production yield.
AB - The radionuclide zirconium-89 can be employed for the positron emission
tomography (PET). In this study 89Zr excitation function via 89Y(p,n)89Zr
reaction was calculated by the TALYS-1.8 code based on microscopic level density
model. The formation of 89Zr was simulated using the Monte Carlo simulation code
MCNPX to calculate the integral yield in the 89Y target body for threshold up to
40MeV incident-proton energy. The target thickness was based on calculation of
the stopping power using the SRIM-2013 code matched to any incident-proton
energy. The production yield of the 89Zr simulated with the Monte Carlo method
for the 89Y(p,n)89Zr, 89Y(d,2n)89Zr, natSr(alpha,xn)89Zr and natZr(p,pxn)89Zr
reactions and the results were in good agreement with published experimental
results for the optimum energy range. An experimental yield of 53.1MB/uA for the
15MeV proton-induced on Y2O3 powder as a disk-target obtained for 1h irradiation
at the AMIRS cyclotron.
PMID- 28992563
TI - Potential role of polymorphisms in the transporter genes ENT1 and MATE1/OCT2 in
predicting TAS-102 efficacy and toxicity in patients with refractory metastatic
colorectal cancer.
AB - BACKGROUND: Trifluridine (FTD) is an active cytotoxic component of the metastatic
colorectal cancer (mCRC) drug TAS-102, and thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor
(TPI) inhibits the rapid degradation of FTD. We tested whether single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in FTD metabolism and TPI excretion could
predict outcome in patients with mCRC treated with TAS-102. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
We investigated three different cohorts: a training cohort (n = 52) and a testing
cohort (n = 129) both receiving TAS-102 and a control cohort (n = 52) receiving
regorafenib. SNPs of TK1, ENT1, CNT1, MATE1, MATE2 and OCT2 were analysed by
polymerase chain reaction-based direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: In the training
cohort, patients with any ENT1 rs760370 G allele had a significantly longer
progression-free survival (PFS; 3.5 versus 2.1 months, respectively, hazard ratio
[HR] 0.44, P = 0.004) and overall survival (OS; 8.7 versus 5.3 months,
respectively, HR 0.27, P = 0.003) than the A/A genotype. These findings were
validated in the testing cohort (P = 0.021 and 0.009 for PFS and OS,
respectively). In addition, the combination of ENT1 rs760370, MATE1 rs2289669 and
OCT2 rs316019 SNPs significantly stratified patients with the risk of PFS and OS
in both cohorts (P < 0.001 for PFS and OS in the training cohort; P = 0.053 and
0.025 for PFS and OS, respectively, in the testing cohort). No significant
differences were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of
ENT1, MATE1 and OCT2 SNPs may serve as a predictive and prognostic marker in mCRC
patients treated with TAS-102.
PMID- 28992566
TI - Quantification of xanthine- and uric acid-related compounds in urine using a
"dilute-and-shoot" technique coupling ultra-high-performance liquid
chromatography and high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry.
AB - Quantitative analysis of relevant metabolites in biofluids such as urine is often
a tedious procedure, since it usually requires extraction, purification or
preconcentration. For instance, in the analysis of methylxanthines in urine, a
solid-phase extraction is often required. In the current work, a rapid and highly
sensitive "dilute-and-shoot" method combining ultra-high-performance liquid
chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC/HRMS) was validated
for urinary determination of twelve analytes: uric acid, hypoxanthine, xanthine,
1-methyluric acid, 1,3-dimethyluric acid, 1-methylxanthine, 3-methylxanthine, 7
methylxanthine, theophylline, theobromine, paraxanthine and caffeine. These
analytes are the major physiological metabolites of caffeine, theobromine or
theophylline, or final products of purine catabolism. The separation was carried
out on a core-shell Kinetek EVO C18 column coupled to a Q Exactive Orbitrap high
resolution mass spectrometer equipped with a heated electrospray ionization
(HESI) probe, that operated both in positive and negative ionization modes. The
twelve analytes eluted from between 1.5 and 10.5min. The lower limit of
quantification (LLOQ) values ranged from 0.25 to 2.5ng/mL, and the calibration
curves were linear from the LLOQ to 100ng/mL. The only pretreatment needed was to
dilute each urine sample (typically to 1/500) with 0.1% formic acid solution, and
then filter the diluted sample before injecting it into the UHPLC system. With
this high dilution, there were no significant matrix effects, and the intra- and
inter-day precision and accuracy values were acceptable (coefficients of variance
and relative errors below 15%, except for the LLOQ, for which they were below
20%). Furthermore, the analysis of spiked urine samples with 25ng/mL of the
target analytes showed excellent recoveries and precision levels for the twelve
analytes. To our knowledge, there is no other published method that allows for
the simultaneous determination of the concentrations of these twelve compounds,
nor has a previously reported method been indicated to show such low LLOQ values
as we have for the majority of the analytes. We expect our protocol to be useful
for nutritional assessments, interventional studies, kidney stone research, and
purine metabolism studies.
PMID- 28992567
TI - Conditional survival of pediatric, adolescent, and young adult soft tissue
sarcoma and bone tumor patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: Survival estimates for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and malignant bone
tumors (BT) diagnosed in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients are not
easily available. We present survival estimates based on a patient having
survived a defined period of time (conditional survival). Conditional survival
estimates for the short-term were calculated for patients from diagnosis to the
first five years after diagnosis and for patients surviving in the long-term (up
to 20 years after diagnosis). METHODS: We identified 703 patients who were
diagnosed with a STS or BT at age <=25 years from January 1, 1986 to December 31,
2012 at a large pediatric oncology center in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.
We obtained cancer type, age at diagnosis, primary site, and demographic data
from medical records, and vital status through the National Death Index. Cancer
stage was available for a subset of the cohort through the Utah Cancer Registry.
Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age and sex, calculated survival
estimates for all analyses. RESULTS: Short-term survival improves over time for
both sarcomas. Short-term survival for STS from diagnosis (Year 0) did not differ
by sex, but short-term survival starting from 1-year post diagnosis was
significantly worse for male patients (Survival probability 1-year post-diagnosis
[SP1]:77% [95% CI:71-83]) than female patients (SP1:86% [81-92]). Survival for
patients who were diagnosed at age <=10 years (Survival probability at diagnosis
[SP0]:85% [79-91]) compared to diagnosis at ages 16-25 years (SP0:67% [59-75])
was significantly better at all time-points from diagnosis to 5-years post
diagnosis. Survival for axial sites (SP0:69% [63-75]) compared to extremities
(SP0:84% [79-90]) was significantly worse from diagnosis to 1-year post
diagnosis. Survival for axial BT (SP0: 64% [54-74] was significantly worse than
BT in the extremities (SP0:73% [68-79]) from diagnosis to 3-years post diagnosis.
Relapsed patients of both sarcoma types had significantly worse short-term
survival than non-relapsed patients. Long-term survival for STS in this cohort is
65% at diagnosis, and improves to 86% 5-years post-diagnosis. BT survival
improves from 51% at diagnosis to 78% at 5-years post-diagnosis. CONCLUSION:
Conditional survival for short- and long-term STS and BT improve as time from
diagnosis increases. Short-term survival was significantly affected by patients'
sex, age at diagnosis, cancer site, and relapse status.
PMID- 28992568
TI - Self-rated health and associated factors in elderly patients with non-Hodgkin
lymphoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: Self-rated health is a useful indicator for understanding health
issues in elderly populations and considered to be a predictor of adverse health
outcomes in this group. This study aims to identify factors associated with self
rated health in elderly people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. METHODS: Cross
sectional study performed at a cancer referral hospital in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, included 162 patients, aged 60 or more years. All patients received a
Multidimensional Geriatric Assessment, including seven health dimensions, and
socio-demographic, epidemiological and it were collected clinical data.
Descriptive analyses were performed and prevalence ratios were calculated to
assess associations between self-rated health and the independent variables.
Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson's regression, to a <=0.05 level
of statistical significance. RESULTS: The study population mean age was 68.8
(SD=7.1) years; most were women, lived with a partner and had little education.
Prevalence of fair/poor self-rated health was 33.6%. Being female, not living
with a partner, functional dependence, depressive symptoms and nutritional
risk/malnutrion showed associations with fair/poor self-rated health. In the
multiple model, dependence in instrumental activities of daily living (PR 2.96;
95%CI 1.66-5.30) and presence of depressive symptoms (PR 1.78; 95%CI 1.15-2.75)
remained associated with fair/poor health. CONCLUSION: Variation in perceived
health status supports the hypothesis that self-rated health is related to
multiple issues, regardless of disease status. The risk profile for poor self
rated health identified may be a useful tool in care for older cancer patients,
as it points to those at higher risk of adverse health outcomes.
PMID- 28992569
TI - 4-Alkyliden-azetidinones modified with plant derived polyphenols: Antibacterial
and antioxidant properties.
AB - Antimicrobial resistance is one of the major and growing concerns in hospital-
and community acquired infections, and new antimicrobial agents are therefore
urgently required. It was reported that oxidative stress could contribute to the
selection of resistant bacterial strains, since reactive oxygen species (ROS)
revealed to be an essential driving force. In the present work 4-alkylidene
azetidinones, a new class of antibacterial agents, were functionalized with
phytochemical polyphenolic acids such as protocatechuic, piperonyl, caffeic,
ferulic, or sinapic acids and investigated as dual target antibacterial
antioxidant compounds. The best candidates showed good activities against
multidrug resistant clinical isolates of MRSA (MICs 2-8 MUg/mL). Among the new
compounds, two revealed the best antioxidant capacity with TEAC-DPPH and TEAC
ABTS being significantly more active than Trolox(r).
PMID- 28992570
TI - The use of new chemically modified cellulose for heavy metal ion adsorption.
AB - We have developed a simple one-step method to synthesize novel supramolecular
polysaccharide composite from cellulose (CEL) and dibenzo-18-crown 6 using ceric
ammonium nitrate as initiator. The [CEL+DB18C6] composites obtained retain
properties of their components, namely superior mechanical strength (from CEL),
excellent adsorption capability for heavy metal ions from DB18C6. More
importantly, the [CEL+DB18C6] composites exhibit truly supramolecular properties.
By itself CEL and DB18C6 can adsorb heavy metals. However, adsorption capability
of the composite was substantially and synergistically enhanced by adding DB18C6
to CEL. That is, the removal percentage value for Cd2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+
by [CEL+DB18C6] composites are much higher than removal percentage values of
individual CEL and DB18C6 composites. It seems that DB18C6 synergistically
interact with CEL to form more stable complexes with heavy metals, and as a
consequence, the [CEL+DB18C6] composite can adsorb relatively larger amount heavy
metals. The adsorption parameters, such as pH, adsorbent dose, contact time,
initial metal ion concentration and temperature were optimized. Desorption
studies revealed that the regeneration of modified cellulose saturated with these
metallic ions depends on the type and concentration of the regenerating solution
(NH4Cl, HNO3, NaCl and CaCl2).
PMID- 28992571
TI - Rhamnolipid stabilized nano-chlorapatite: Synthesis and enhancement effect on Pb
and Cd-immobilization in polluted sediment.
AB - Phosphate (P) compounds are usually used as chemical amendment for in situ
remediation of heavy metal polluted sediment. However, the low deliverability,
weak utilization and potential risk of eutrophication inhibit the application of
most P materials. Therefore, rhamnolipid (Rha), a kind of anionic biosurfactant
which has algicidal activity, was employed in this study to synthesize a new kind
of nano-chlorapatite (nClAP) for Pb and Cd immobilization. Characterization
results showed that the Rha stablized nClAP (Rha-nClAP) was uniformly distributed
in suspensions within about 5nm. Experimental data demonstrated that the
combination of Rha and nClAP could greatly enhance the Pb- and Cd-immobilization
efficiencies, promoting their transformation from labile fractions to stable
fractions through precipitation or adsorption processes, especially when the Rha
approached to its critical micelle concentration. And Rha-nClAP could also
decrease both the TCLP-leachable Pb and Cd with maximum reduction efficiencies of
98.12% and 96.24%, respectively, which also presented concentration dependence of
Rha. Changes of available phosphorus implied the dissolution of nClAP during the
treatment and the detection of organic matter demonstrated that the
microorganisms may involve in the remediation.
PMID- 28992572
TI - Ecotoxicity of the insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one
(NTO) and its reduced metabolite 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO).
AB - The insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) was recently
approved by the U.S. Army to replace cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) in
conventional explosives. As its use becomes widespread, concern about the
potential toxicity of NTO increases. NTO can undergo microbial reduction to 3
amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO), which is recalcitrant in waterlogged soils. In
this study, the acute toxicity of NTO and ATO towards various organisms,
including microorganisms (i.e., methanogenic archaea, aerobic heterotrophs, and
Aliivibrio fischeri (Microtox assay)), the microcrustacean Daphnia magna (ATO
only), and zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio), was assessed. NTO was notably more
inhibitory to methanogens than ATO (IC50=1.2mM,>62.8mM, respectively). NTO and
ATO did not cause noteworthy inhibition on aerobic heterotrophs even at the
highest concentrations tested (32.0mM). High concentrations of both NTO and ATO
were required to inhibit A. fischeri (IC20=19.2, 22.4mM, respectively). D. magna
was sensitive to ATO (LC50=0.27mM). Exposure of zebrafish embryos to NTO or ATO
(750MUM) did not cause lethal or developmental effects (22 endpoints tested).
However, both compounds led to swimming behavior abnormalities at low
concentrations (7.5MUM). The results indicate that the reductive
biotransformation of NTO could enhance or lower its toxicity according to the
target organism.
PMID- 28992573
TI - Rethinking indicators of problematic cannabis use in the era of medical cannabis
legalization.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Recent rapid changes in medical cannabis policies and increases in
medical use of cannabis have raised new research questions related to potential
effects of medical cannabis legalization on cannabis use problems. In order to
investigate such effects there is a need for screening tools that are sensitive
to the fact that people may be using for medical and/or recreational purposes.
This article critically assesses whether screening tools designed to measure
cannabis use problems in recreational users are meaningful as measures of
problems resulting from medical use. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that
existing cannabis problem screening tools are not equally valid across medical
and recreational users, since individual screening items have different
implications for recreational and medical users. For instance, items that measure
use that deviates from common patterns of recreational use (use before midday and
use alone) reflect normative assumptions that non-problematic recreational use
will occur in contexts of parties or social gatherings. However, use before
midday and alone are how people typically take medication for chronic medical
health problems. There is thus a need to develop and validate criteria for
problematic use in medical cannabis patients.
PMID- 28992574
TI - Emerging role for the medial prefrontal cortex in alcohol-seeking behaviors.
AB - The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays an important role in high-order
executive processes and sends highly organized projections to sub-cortical
regions controlling mood, motivation and impulsivity. Recent preclinical and
clinical studies have demonstrated alcohol-induced effects on the activity and
composition of the PFC which are implicated in associative learning processes and
may disrupt executive control over impulsivity, leading to an inability to self
limit alcohol intake. Animal studies have begun to dissect the role of the mPFC
circuitry in alcohol-seeking behavior and withdrawal, and have identified a key
role for projections to sub-cortical sites including the extended amygdala and
the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Importantly, these studies have highlighted that
alcohol can have contrasting effects on the mPFC compared to other addictive
substances and also produce differential effects on the structure and activity of
the mPFC following short-term versus long-term consumption. Because of these
differences, how the mPFC influences the initial aspects of alcohol-seeking
behavior and how we can better understand the long-term effects of alcohol use on
the activity and connectivity of the mPFC need to be considered. Given the lack
of preclinical data from long-term drinking models, an increased focus should be
directed towards identifying how long-term alcohol use changes the mPFC, in order
to provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the transition to
dependence.
PMID- 28992575
TI - Organizational downsizing and alcohol use: A national study of U.S. workers
during the Great Recession.
AB - Organizational downsizing, which represents the reduction of an organization's
workforce, results in a stressful work environment for those who survive the
downsizing. However, we know little about the association between surviving an
organizational downsizing and employee alcohol use. This study explored the
association between exposure to organizational downsizing and four dimensions of
alcohol use during the Great Recession. Also explored were the moderating
influences of length of recession exposure, state drinking culture, gender, age,
education, family income, and financial demands. Data for this study came from a
national telephone survey of U.S. workers that was conducted from December 2008
to April 2011 (N=2296). The results revealed that exposure to organizational
downsizing was positively associated with usual frequency of drinking, number of
drinks consumed per usual drinking occasion, and both the frequency of binge
drinking and drinking to intoxication. Length of exposure to the recession
moderated the association between organizational downsizing exposure and usual
number of drinks consumed. The conditional effects revealed that this association
became stronger as length of exposure to the recession increased. Furthermore,
age moderated the associations between organizational downsizing exposure and the
usual number of drinks consumed and the frequency of binge drinking and
intoxication. The conditional effects revealed that these associations were
positive and significant among young survivors (ages 40 or younger), but were
nonsignificant among middle-aged survivors (over 40years of age). State drinking
culture, gender, education, family income, and financial demands did not moderate
the associations between organizational downsizing exposure and alcohol use.
PMID- 28992576
TI - When the party continues: Impulsivity and the effect of employment on young
adults' post-college alcohol use.
AB - BACKGROUND: The transition from college to work is both an exciting and
potentially high risk time for young adults. As students transition from academic
settings to full-time employment, they must navigate new social demands, work
demands, and adjust their drinking behaviors accordingly. Research has shown that
there are both protective factors and risk factors associated with starting a new
job when it comes to alcohol use, and individual differences can moderate these
factors. METHOD: 1361 students were recruited from 4 geographically diverse
universities and followed 1month pre- and 1month post-graduation. Drinking
frequency, quantity, consequences, and impulsivity were assessed. RESULTS: Full
time employment was related to increased drinking quantity but not related to
changes in other drinking outcomes. However, impulsivity moderated the
relationship between employment and drinking. For those reporting higher levels
of impulsivity at baseline, full-time employment was associated with an increase
in drinking variables (quantity and frequency), whereas drinking was unaffected
by full-time employment status among those reporting lower levels of impulsivity.
Implications for future research are discussed.
PMID- 28992577
TI - Smoking and drinking behaviors of military spouses: Findings from the Millennium
Cohort Family Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The associations between stressful military experiences and tobacco
use and alcohol misuse among Service members are well documented. However, little
is known about whether stressful military experiences are associated with tobacco
use and alcohol misuse among military spouses. METHODS: Using 9872 Service member
spouse dyads enrolled in the Millennium Cohort Family Study, we employed logistic
regression to estimate the odds of self-reported cigarette smoking, risky
drinking, and problem drinking among spouses by Service member deployment status,
communication regarding deployment, and stress associated with military-related
experiences, while adjusting for demographic, mental health, military
experiences, and Service member military characteristics. RESULTS: Current
cigarette smoking, risky drinking, and problem drinking were reported by 17.2%,
36.3%, and 7.3% of military spouses, respectively. Current deployment was not
found to be associated with spousal smoking or drinking behaviors. Communication
about deployment experiences with spouses was associated with lower odds of
smoking, but not with risky or problem drinking. Spouses bothered by communicated
deployment experiences and those who reported feeling very stressed by a combat
related deployment or duty assignment had consistently higher odds of both risky
and problem drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that contextual
characteristics about the deployment experience, as well as the perceived stress
of those experiences, may be more impactful than the simple fact of Service
member deployment itself. These results suggest that considering the impact of
deployment experiences on military spouses reveals important dimensions of
military community adaptation and risk.
PMID- 28992578
TI - Testing weight motives and guilt/shame as mediators of the relationship between
alcohol use and physical activity.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Test whether weight motives and guilt/shame mediate the positive
relationship between physical activity and alcohol use among college-attending
young adults. DESIGN: A longitudinal design was employed. METHOD: Young adults
who were attending college (N=371) completed two self-administered questionnaires
separated by approximately one month. Heavy episodic drinking was assessed at
Time 1. Vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, weight motives,
and guilt/shame were assessed at Time 2. RESULTS: Results are consistent with
weight motives as a mediator of the positive relationship between heavy episodic
drinking and vigorous physical activity. Results were inconsistent with
guilt/shame as a mediator of this relationship. There was no statistically
significant relationship between heavy episodic drinking and moderate physical
activity. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy episodic drinking was related to vigorous but not to
moderate physical activity in the subsequent 30-days. Furthermore, the results
are consistent with weight motives as a mediator of the relationship between
alcohol use and vigorous physical activity.
PMID- 28992579
TI - E-cigarette use among treatment-seeking smokers: Moderation of abstinence by use
frequency.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Emerging literature suggests that frequency of use of electronic
cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be an important moderating variable in the
relationship between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation. However, few studies
have focused specifically on treatment-seekers, a group that may differ in
important ways from smokers in the general population. This study looks at the
relationship between e-cigarette use frequency and abstinence among a sample of
treatment-seeking tobacco users. METHODS: Seven-month follow-up survey data from
N=2760 treatment-seeking tobacco users who utilized statewide tobacco quitlines
in three states were used to assess the relationship between 30-day point
prevalence abstinence and e-cigarette use frequency at follow-up. E-cigarette use
was examined in two ways. First, we looked at any use in the past 30days versus
no use. Additionally, past 30-day e-cigarette use frequency was categorized into
four groups: 0days, 1-5days - infrequent, 6-29days - intermediate, 30days -
daily. Logistic regression models were constructed predicting 30-day point
prevalence tobacco abstinence. RESULTS: Both infrequent (AOR=0.35; CI=0.20-0.59)
and intermediate (AOR=0.50; CI=0.32-0.80) past 30-day e-cigarette use were
associated with lower rates of tobacco abstinence versus no past 30-day use.
However, daily e-cigarette users (AOR=1.16; CI=0.71-1.70) had similar 30-day
abstinence when compared to non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study of
treatment-seekers support findings from studies of general population tobacco
users that suggest frequency of e-cigarette use is an important moderating
variable in the relationship between e-cigarette use and tobacco cessation.
Future studies should employ more refined measures of e-cigarette use.
PMID- 28992580
TI - Efficacy and outcomes of a mobile app targeting alcohol use in young people.
AB - Mobile apps provide a highly accessible way of reducing alcohol use in young
people. This paper determines the 1-month efficacy and 2, 3 and 6month outcomes
of the Ray's Night Out app, which aims to increase alcohol knowledge and reduce
alcohol use in young people. User-experience design and agile development
processes, informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills model and
evidence-based motivational interviewing treatment approaches guided app
development. A randomized controlled trial comparing immediate versus 1-month
delayed access to the app was conducted in 197 young people (16 to 25years) who
drank alcohol in the previous month. Participants were assessed at baseline, 1,
2, 3 and 6months. Alcohol knowledge, alcohol use and related harms and the
severity of problematic drinking were assessed. App quality was evaluated after 1
month of app use. Participants in the immediate access group achieved a
significantly greater increase in alcohol knowledge than the delayed access group
at 1-month, but no differences in alcohol use or related problems were found.
Both groups achieved significant reductions in the typical number of drinks on a
drinking occasion over time. A reduction in maximum drinks consumed was also
found at 1month. These reductions were most likely to occur in males and problem
drinkers. Reductions in alcohol-related harm were also found. The app received a
high mean quality (M=3.82/5, SD=0.51). The Ray app provides a youth-friendly and
easily-accessible way of increasing young people's alcohol knowledge but further
testing is required to determine its impact on alcohol use and related problems.
PMID- 28992582
TI - Fat or fiction? Effects of body size, eating pathology, and sex upon the body
schema of an undergraduate population.
AB - Although there is a growing consensus that women with anorexia nervosa have a
distorted body schema, the origins of this disturbance remain uncertain. The
present investigation examined the effects of body size, eating pathology, and
sex upon the body schema of an at-risk, undergraduate population. In Study 1, 98
participants mentally simulated their passage through apertures. When aperture
width was manipulated, narrow and broad women over- and under-estimated their
spatial requirements for passage, respectively. This relationship was exacerbated
by dietary restraint. When aperture height was manipulated, short and tall men
over- and under-estimated their spatial requirements for passage, respectively.
Study 2 (N=32) replicated the association between women's veridical and
internally-represented widths, although no significant effects of eating
pathology were observed. Our findings suggest that body schema enlargement is not
necessarily pathological, and may be driven by normal perceptual biases and
internalised sociocultural body ideals.
PMID- 28992581
TI - Simultaneous alcohol & tobacco use expectancies in young adult co-users.
PMID- 28992583
TI - Autonomic dysfunction of gastric motility in major depression.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) often
complain about somatic symptoms. Cardiac complaints have been examined
predominantly. However, gastrointestinal complaints are also reported frequently
and are associated with worse outcomes. The research concerning changes in
gastric motility of these patients is rather sparse. The aim of our study was to
determine dysfunction of gastric motility and gastrointestinal symptoms in MDD.
The duration and severity of MDD were examined regarding its influence over
gastric emptying. METHODS: Gastric emptying was determined by a 13C-acetate
breath test in patients with MDD (n = 29) and healthy control subjects (n = 51).
Prior to this, depressive illness was operationalized using external and self
assessment scales (HAMD-21, MADRS, BDI, CGI). Whether the severity or duration of
MDD influenced the gastric emptying parameters was examined using Spearman's
correlation. In addition, autonomic complaints were recorded by means of an ANS
score. Each ANS score item was determined using a Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal
Wallis test concerning the gastric emptying parameters. RESULTS: There was a
significant difference in the parameters of the maximum gastric emptying rate
(Tmax) and gastric half emptying time T1/2b between patients with MDD and healthy
control subjects (Tmax 66.21min vs 53.35min, p < 0.006, T1/2b 207.59min vs
133.27min, p < 0.005). There was a significant negative correlation between Tmax
and the severity of MDD determined with the depression rating scales BDI
(Spearman's rank - 0.521, p = 0.013) and HAMD-21 (r - 0.384, p = 0.048). No
correlation was found between the duration of MDD and the maximum gastric
emptying rate (r - 0.125, p = 0.519) and gastric half emptying time (r - 0.62, p
= 0.749). CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal motility is significantly impaired in
patients with MDD compared to healthy control subjects. Autonomic complaints were
indicated frequently in MDD patients. The duration of MDD had no influence over
the time of gastric emptying. There was a significant negative correlation
between the severity of MDD and Tmax, indicating that the Tmax was reached
earlier with the progression of MDD. The slowing of gastric motility in MDD
patients is likely a result of a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.
PMID- 28992585
TI - Video game play and anxiety during late adolescence: The moderating effects of
gender and social context.
AB - BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined factors that moderate the relationship
between playing video games and adolescent psychological adjustment. Therefore,
the primary goal of this study was to examine the relationship between playing
video games and anxiety symptomatology in a sample of 441 11th and 12th grade
students, while considering both gender and the social context (whether they
played alone or with others). METHODS: Participants (66% non-Hispanic White) were
administered a survey (including measures of technology use and anxiety
symptomatology) in school at baseline and one year later. RESULTS: Both gender
and the social context moderated the relationship between playing video games and
anxiety symptomatology. Boys who played video games the most had the lowest
levels of anxiety, whereas girls who played video games the most had the highest
levels of anxiety. This relationship was exacerbated in the context of playing
with others. LIMITATIONS: Although the study has a number of strengths including
the longitudinal design and the diverse sample, the study relied on self-report
data. In addition, the sample was limited to adolescents residing in the Mid
Atlantic United States. Therefore, caution should be taken in regard to
generalizing the results. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study underscore the
need to consider both gender and the social context when examining the
relationship between playing video games and adolescent psychological adjustment.
PMID- 28992584
TI - OGT-related mitochondrial motility is associated with sex differences and
exercise effects in depression induced by prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids.
AB - BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs) has been found to trigger
abnormal behaviors and deleterious neurological effects on offspring both in
animals and in humans. The sex differences in depression have been replicated in
numerous studies across cultures, persisting throughout the reproductive years.
As an X-linked gene in rodents and in humans, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) may
provide a novel perspective for the sex differences in depression. METHODS: In
the last third of pregnancy (gestational day 14-21), rats were subcutaneously
administered either 0.13mg/kg dexamethasone-21-phosphate disodium salt (0.1mg/kg
DEX) or vehicle (0.9% saline) once a day for 7 days. Adolescent (4 weeks)
offspring were then trained in a swimming program or not. RESULTS: Here we found
that adult offspring rats exposed to DEX prenatally exhibited sex-specific
depression-like behaviors, males being more vulnerable than females. Swimming
exercise ameliorated the above-mentioned depressive syndromes, which may be a
compensatory effect for male disadvantage suffering from prenatal stress.
Furthermore, the effects of prenatal DEX exposure and swimming exercise on
depression were associated with OGT-related mitochondrial motility, including
PINK1/Parkin pathway and AKT/GSK3beta pathway. LIMITATIONS: Representative
kymographs of mitochondrial motility were not detected and no causal effects were
obtained by OGT gene overexpression or gene knockout in this study. CONCLUSIONS:
Our results provide a new perspective for better understanding sex differences
and exercise effects in depression and may offer new mechanism-based therapeutic
targets for depression.
PMID- 28992586
TI - Self-compassion is more effective than acceptance and reappraisal in decreasing
depressed mood in currently and formerly depressed individuals.
AB - BACKGROUND: Self-compassion has recently been discussed as an effective affect
regulation strategy for reducing negative affective states. The primary aim of
the current study was to compare the efficacy of self-compassion to the more
established strategies of acceptance and reappraisal. METHODS: For this purpose,
we induced depressed mood in formerly, currently and never depressed individuals
(n=30 each) at four different time-points. Participants were instructed to
regulate their emotions after each mood induction by either waiting, employing
self-compassion, accepting their emotions or reappraising the situation. Level of
depressed mood was assessed before and after each mood induction and regulation
phase. RESULTS: Across groups, decreases in depressed mood were greater in the
self-compassion compared to the waiting and acceptance conditions. In recovered
and never depressed participants, self-compassion was also more effective than
reappraisal. LIMITATIONS: Our results rely solely on self-report data.
CONCLUSIONS: Our finding that self-compassion is superior to acceptance and
equally or more effective than reappraisal encourages future research on how self
compassion interventions can be used to enhance the efficacy and stability of
current depression treatments.
PMID- 28992587
TI - Aberrant resting-state cerebellar blood flow in major depression.
AB - BACKGROUND: Abnormal cortical cerebral blood flow and gray matter volume have
been frequently reported in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In
contrast, although the role of the cerebellum in MDD pathophysiology has
attracted considerable interest more recently, studies investigating both
functional and structural aspects of cerebellar integrity are scarce. METHODS: In
this study, we used structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to
investigate cerebellar volume and regional cerebellar blood flow (rCBF) at rest
in clinically acute MDD patients (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 18). We
acquired high-resolution structural images at 3 T together with perfusion images
obtained with continuous arterial spin labeling. Cerebellar structure and
function were investigated using cerebellum-optimized analysis techniques.
RESULTS: Markedly increased rCBF was found in bilateral cerebellar areas VIIa and
VIIIb (p < 0.05 family-wise-error [FWE] corrected). Significant differences in
cerebellar volume between patients and controls were not found (p < 0.05, FWE
corrected). Left cerebellar area VIIa perfusion was significantly associated with
depressive symptoms, as measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.
LIMITATIONS: Potential limitations of this study include the modest sample size,
the cross-sectional design, the lack of task-related imaging and the
heterogeneity of drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest contributions of
"affective" cerebellar regions to MDD pathophysiology and symptom expression.
While cerebellar perfusion at rest is compromised in MDD, cerebellar volume seems
to be less affected.
PMID- 28992588
TI - Comments on "Predictive factors for the outcome of high flow nasal cannula
therapy in a pediatric intensive care unit: Is the SpO2/FiO2 ratio useful?"
PMID- 28992589
TI - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate promotes healthy lifespan through mitohormesis during
early-to-mid adulthood in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB - The green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is widely consumed as
a dietary supplement. Its potential properties include slowing aging and
extending lifespan, although how exactly this is achieved remains unclear. Here,
we report that EGCG promoted healthy lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans when
administered throughout or only at early-to-mid adulthood. Specifically, EGCG
extended lifespan in an inverted U-shaped dose-response manner. The life
extending mechanism was stimulated by EGCG-induced production of reactive oxygen
species (ROS). Additionally, EGCG triggered mitochondrial biogenesis to restore
mitochondrial function. The EGCG-induced increase in lifespan depends on known
energy sensors such as AMPK/AAK-2, as well as SIRT1/SIR-2.1 and FOXO/DAF-16.
Interestingly, aging decreased the response to EGCG and progressively neutralized
its beneficial effects on longevity. Collectively, our findings link EGCG to the
process of mitohormesis and suggest an inducible, AMPK/SIRT1/FOXO-dependent redox
signaling module that could be invoked in different contexts to extend healthy
lifespan. Its effectiveness is higher in younger adults and declines with age.
PMID- 28992590
TI - La3+/La(OH)3 loaded magnetic cationic hydrogel composites for phosphate removal:
Effect of lanthanum species and mechanistic study.
AB - In this study, La3+(ion)/La(OH)3-W/La(OH)3-EW-loaded magnetic cationic hydrogel
(MCH) composites were fabricated in situ and characterized to investigate the
effects of lanthanum species on phosphate adsorption. The corresponding maximum P
adsorption capacities of MCH-loaded La3+(ion) (MCH-La3+(ion)), La(OH)3-W (MCH
La(OH)3-W), and La(OH)3-EW (MCH-La(OH)3-EW) were 70.5 +/- 2.67, 69.2 +/- 3.5, and
90.2 +/- 2.9 mg P/g, respectively. Furthermore, for MCH-La(OH)3-EW, the P
adsorption capacity was maintained relatively stable and high at pH 4.5-11
because of the ligand exchange, electrostatic interactions, and Lewis acid-base
interactions. The enhanced adsorption of P was achieved over a wide pH range, as
well as in the presence of competing anions (including Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, HCO3-
and SiO44-). Moreover, the exhausted MCH-La(OH)3-EW could be easily regenerated
by a NaOH-NaCl desorption agent with above 72% adsorption capacity remained
during five recycles. The column adsorption capacity of MCH-La(OH)3-EW reached
~3500 bed volumes (BV) (~67.7 mg P/g) as the concentration of P decreased from 5
mg/L to 0.1 mg/L. The ATR-IR, Raman, and XPS deconvolution results revealed that
both MCH and lanthanum compounds, including La3+(ion), La(OH)3-W and La(OH)3-EW,
contributed to the phosphate adsorption because of the electrostatic interactions
between -N+(CH3)3 and phosphate, as well as the formation of LaPO4.xH2O.
PMID- 28992591
TI - Nutrient loading impacts on culturable E. coli and other heterotrophic bacteria
fate in simulated stream mesocosms.
AB - Understanding fecal indicator bacteria persistence in aquatic environments is
important when making management decisions to improve instream water quality.
Routinely, bacteria fate and transport models that rely on published kinetic
decay constants are used to inform such decision making but may not adequately
represent instream conditions. The objective of this work was to evaluate
bacterial responses to applied nutrient amendments and provide additional
information regarding bacterial response to applied changes that can be
incorporated into future modeling efforts. Re-created stream mesocosms were
established in laboratory-based, repurposed algae raceways filled with water and
sediment from a small, 3rd order Southeast Texas stream. Mesocosm treatments
consisted of low (10x) or high (50x) nutrient doses above ambient water
concentrations operated at low (0.032 m/s) or high (0.141 m/s) flow rates.
Escherichia coli and heterotrophic bacterial concentrations were quantified in
water and sediment over 22 days. No significant differences in kinetic constants
were observed among E. coli in water or sediment, and only E. coli in sediment
showed any growth response. Heterotrophic plate counts revealed a pronounced
growth response in water and sediment within 24 h of nutrient addition but did
not differ significantly from control mesocosms. Significant kinetic constant
differences between E. coli and heterotrophic bacteria in water were identified
(p < 0.01) but did not differ significantly in sediment (p > 0.48). Results
indicate that nutrient addition does affect microbial numbers instream, but
competition from heterotrophic bacteria may prevent an E. coli growth response.
PMID- 28992592
TI - Inactivation of microbiota from urban wastewater by single and sequential
electrocoagulation and electro-Fenton treatments.
AB - This work aims at comparing the ability of two kinds of electrochemical
technologies, namely electrocoagulation (EC) and electro-Fenton (EF), to
disinfect primary and secondary effluents from municipal wastewater treatment
plants. Heterotrophic bacteria, Escherichia coli, enterococci, Clostridium
perfringens spores, somatic coliphages and eukaryotes (amoebae, flagellates,
ciliates and metazoa) were tested as indicator microorganisms. EC with an Fe/Fe
cell at 200 A m-2 and natural pH allowed >5 log unit removal of E. coli and final
concentration below 1 bacteria mL-1 of coliphages and eukaryotes from both
effluents in ca. 60 min, whereas heterotrophic bacteria, enterococci and spores
were more resistant. A larger removal was obtained for the primary effluent,
probably because the flocs remove higher amount of total organic carbon (TOC),
entrapping more easily the microbiota. EF with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode
and an air-diffusion cathode that produces H2O2 on site was first performed at pH
3.0, with large or even total inactivation of microorganisms within 30 min. A
more effective microorganism removal was attained as compared to EC thanks to *OH
formed from Fenton's reaction. A quicker disinfection was observed for the
secondary effluent owing to its lower TOC content, allowing the attack of greater
quantities of electrogenerated oxidants on microorganisms. Wastewater
disinfection by EF was also feasible at natural pH (~7), showing similar
abatement of active microorganisms as a result of the synergistic action of
generated oxidants like active chlorine and coagulation with iron hydroxides. A
sequential EC/EF treatment (30 min each) was more effective for a combined
decontamination and disinfection of urban wastewater.
PMID- 28992593
TI - Small, mobile, persistent: Trifluoroacetate in the water cycle - Overlooked
sources, pathways, and consequences for drinking water supply.
AB - Elevated concentrations of trifluoroacetate (TFA) of more than 100 MUg/L in a
major German river led to the occurrence of more than 20 MUg/L TFA in bank
filtration based tap waters. Several spatially resolved monitoring programs were
conducted and discharges from an industrial company were identified as the point
source of TFA contamination. Treatment options for TFA removal were investigated
at full-scale waterworks and in laboratory batch tests. Commonly applied
techniques like ozonation or granulated activated carbon filtration are
inappropriate for TFA removal, whereas TFA was partly removed by ion exchange and
completely retained by reverse osmosis. Further investigations identified
wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as additional TFA dischargers into the
aquatic environment. TFA was neither removed by biological wastewater treatment,
nor by a retention soil filter used for the treatment of combined sewer
overflows. WWTP influents can even bear a TFA formation potential, when
appropriate CF3-containing precursors are present. Biological degradation and
ozonation batch experiments with chemicals of different classes (flurtamone,
fluopyram, tembotrione, flufenacet, fluoxetine, sitagliptine and 4:2
fluorotelomer sulfonate) proved that there are yet overlooked sources and
pathways of TFA, which need to be addressed in the future.
PMID- 28992594
TI - Electrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of cytochrome c
and its heme-disrupted analogs.
AB - Cytochrome c (cyt c) is one of the most studied conjugated proteins due to its
electron-transfer properties and ability to regulate the processes involved in
homeostasis or apoptosis. Here we report an electrochemical strategy for
investigating the electroactivity of cyt c and its analogs with a disrupted heme
moiety, i.e. apocytochrome c (acyt c) and porphyrin cytochrome c (pcyt c). The
electrochemical data are supplemented with low-temperature and spin-probe
electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The main contribution of this
report is a complex evaluation of cyt c reduction and oxidation at the level of
surface-localized amino acid residues and the heme moiety in a single
electrochemical scan. The electrochemical pattern of cyt c is substantially
different to both analogs acyt c and pcyt c, which could be applicable in further
studies on the redox properties and structural stability of cytochromes and other
hemeproteins.
PMID- 28992595
TI - Electrical current generation in microbial electrolysis cells by
hyperthermophilic archaea Ferroglobus placidus and Geoglobus ahangari.
AB - Few microorganisms have been examined for current generation under thermophilic
(40-65 degrees C) or hyperthermophilic temperatures (>=80 degrees C) in microbial
electrochemical systems. Two iron-reducing archaea from the family
Archaeoglobaceae, Ferroglobus placidus and Geoglobus ahangari, showed electro
active behavior leading to current generation at hyperthermophilic temperatures
in single-chamber microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). A current density (j) of
0.68+/-0.11A/m2 was attained in F. placidus MECs at 85 degrees C, and 0.57+/
0.10A/m2 in G. ahangari MECs at 80 degrees C, with an applied voltage of 0.7V.
Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed that both strains produced a sigmoidal catalytic
wave, with a mid-point potential of -0.39V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for F. placidus and
0.37V for G. ahangari. The comparison of CVs using spent medium and turnover CVs,
coupled with the detection of peaks at the same potentials in both turnover and
non-turnover conditions, suggested that mediators were not used for electron
transfer and that both archaea produced current through direct contact with the
electrode. These two archaeal species, and other hyperthermophilic
exoelectrogens, have the potential to broaden the applications of microbial
electrochemical technologies for producing biofuels and other bioelectrochemical
products under extreme environmental conditions.
PMID- 28992596
TI - Deciphering the electric code of Geobacter sulfurreducens in cocultures with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa via SWATH-MS proteomics.
AB - Interspecies electron transfer (IET) occurs in many microbial communities,
enabling extracellular electron exchange for syntrophic utilization of mixed
resources. Various mechanisms of IET have been characterized including direct IET
(DIET) and hydrogen IET (HIT) but their evolution throughout syntrophic
adaptation has not been investigated through an omics approach. A syntrophic
coculture of Geobacter sulfurreducens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was established
and evolved in restricted medium. The medium required cooperative metabolism due
to preferential utilization of formate and fumarate by P. aeruginosa and G.
sulfurreducens respectively. Pure cultures did not yield significant growth while
substantial growth was observed in cocultures. The syntrophy was not reliant on
phenazine, since Deltaphz mutant strain cocultures grew, however appeared to rely
on cytochromes as evidenced from the stunted growth G. sulfurreducens DeltaomcZ
and DeltaomcS mutant cocultures. SWATH (sequential window acquisition of all
theoretical spectra) MS (mass spectrometry) proteomic analysis of initial
cocultures revealed upregulation in DIET-associated cytochromes, whereas adapted
cocultures revealed upregulation in HybA, a G. sulfurreducens uptake hydrogenase
critical to HIT. This suggests DIET plays a critical role in the establishment of
syntrophy between G. sulfurreducens and P. aeruginosa but is later consolidated
with HIT as the cocultures adapt. This is the first instance to show a temporal
distribution of DIET and HIT within the same coculture.
PMID- 28992597
TI - Phytoplankton growth and PSII efficiency sensitivity to a glyphosate-based
herbicide (Factor 540(r)).
AB - The use of glyphosate-based herbicides in agriculture has increased steadily
since the mid 90's and there is now evidence of glyphosate leaching and
contamination of aquatic ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide (Factor 540(r)) on growth and
photosynthetic capacity of algae and cyanobacteria. Six algal and three
cyanobacterial species/strains, of three different taxonomic groups, were exposed
to five glyphosate concentrations (10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000MUgl-1) during 48h.
All species have significant growth inhibition at concentrations varying between
50 and 500MUgl-1. The photosynthetic response, after glyphosate exposure, varied
among species, but a general pattern has emerged. There was an increase in the
amount of photons absorbed (ABS/RC), in dissipated (DIO/RC) and trapped (TRO/RC)
energy in the photosystem II reaction centers, along with a decreased of the
maximum photosystem II quantum yield (FV/FM) and electron transport per reaction
center (ETO/RC). The EC50 and LOEC values for growth and photosynthesis were
calculated and established that growth was the most affected parameter by
glyphosate-based herbicide, while parameter TRO/RC was the least affected. All
species showed reduced growth at glyphosate concentrations lower than the
Canadian standard for the protection of aquatic life, set at 800MUgl-1 or the
American aquatic life benchmark for acute toxicity in non vascular plants of 12
100MUgl-1 questioning the validity of these thresholds in assessing the risks
related to the presence of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in aquatic
systems.
PMID- 28992598
TI - Global transcriptomic analysis of zebrafish in response to embryonic exposure to
three antidepressants, amitriptyline, fluoxetine and mianserin.
AB - Antidepressants are among the most commonly detected pharmaceuticals in aqueous
systems, and, as emerging organic pollutants, may exert negative effects on non
target aquatic organisms. Previously, it has been revealed that antidepressant
exposure significantly inhibits the growth and development of fish during their
early developmental stages. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to identify and
compare the underlying mechanisms of action of different antidepressants at the
transcriptional level using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Through high
throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data analysis, 32, 34, and 130 differentially
expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from zebrafish larvae after 120h of
embryonic exposure to sublethal concentrations of amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and
mianserin, respectively. The expression profiles of the identified DEGs showed
similar trends in response to the three antidepressant treatments, suggesting
consistent toxic effects of low concentrations of these three drugs on the
regulation of gene expression in fish. Several metabolic and signaling pathways,
including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and the insulin pathway, were affected in
the exposed fish larvae. The expression profiles of selected DEGs were then
verified by the qRT-PCR method, which indicated significant positive correlations
with the RNA-Seq results. Next, we determined the concentration-dependent
expression patterns of 6 selected DEGs in fish larvae exposed to three
antidepressants at a series of environmentally relevant concentrations. The
results revealed a significant concentration-dependent reduction in the levels of
dual-specificity phosphatase 5 (dusp5) mRNA, as well as a non-concentration
dependent gene expression inhibition of prostaglandin D2 synthase b (ptgdsb); the
circadian rhythm-related genes, i.e. those encoding nuclear receptor subfamily 1,
group D, member 1 (nr1d1) and period 2 (per2); and genes encoding early growth
response factors (egr1 and egr4), in the antidepressant-treated fish larvae. In
summary, to our knowledge, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that the
three different categories of antidepressants have common effects on the gene
expression involved in multiple biological processes and signaling pathways
during the early development of fish and thus provide information for
characterizing the adverse outcome pathways and on the ecological risk assessment
of these pharmaceutical pollutants in the aquatic environment.
PMID- 28992599
TI - The effect of restorative materials on cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Composition of the restorative materials may cause inflammatory
responses by monocyte activation and changes in the levels of cytokine released
from different cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and Tumor
necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are important cytokine for evaluating of the
inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different
restorative materials used in class V cavities effect on gingival crevicular
fluid inflammatory cytokine levels. DESIGN: 60 individuals having Class V carious
cavities participated in the study. Cavities were restored with FiltekZ250,
DyractXP, Fuji IX, Cavex avalloy restorative materials. Changes in clinical and
biochemical parameters were evaluated before restorations, seven and 21days after
restorations. Contralateral tooth intact enamel surface was determined as control
side. Periotron8000 device was used for detection of GCF volume. Cytokine level
of GCF was evaluated by Human ELISA kits. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U
test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The correlations between clinical parameters
and biochemical parameters were examined by Spearman's rank correlation analysis.
RESULTS: After restorative treatments PI and GI scores were decreased compared
with baseline evaluations. There was a significant difference in GCF levels
between experimental and control sites in all groups. GCF IL-6 levels in all
groups except Filtek Z250, GCF IL-8 levels in all groups except Fuji IX, GCF TNF
alpha level in only Fuji IX showed significant differences between experimental
and control sites. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data supported that all of the
tested materials caused changes in GCF cytokine levels.
PMID- 28992600
TI - Association of tongue brushing with the number of fungiform taste buds and taste
perception: A preliminary study using confocal laser scanning microscopy in
combination with a filter-paper disc method.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of tongue
brushing with the number of fungiform taste buds and taste perception using a
confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with a filter-paper disc method
(FPDM). METHODS: Twenty-four subjects with or without a habit of tongue brushing
(11 males and 13 females, 20-46 years old) participated in this study. Nine of
the 24 subjects had no habit of tongue brushing (Group 1, n=9). Fifteen subjects
had a habit of tongue brushing, and the brushing regions of the tongue were as
follows: central region (Group 2, n=7), or entire region (Group 3, n=8) of the
tongue dorsum. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, the average number of
taste buds per fungiform papilla (FP) was counted. Taste perception was evaluated
using an FPDM. These observations were performed in the midlateral region of the
tongue since the distribution of fungiform papillae is large in the midlateral
region compared to that in the central region. RESULTS: The subjects in Group 3
showed a significantly decreased number of fungiform taste buds compared to Group
1 and Group 2. Group 3 also showed significantly higher FPDM scores than the
other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive tongue brushing of the entire tongue
dorsum, including the midlateral region, may have an association with the
decreased number of FP and taste buds and decreased taste sensation. To avoid
these conditions, instituting proper tongue brushing methods, such as limiting it
to the central region of the tongue and using a light touch, is suggested and is
important for the subjects who are eager to participate in tongue brushing.
PMID- 28992601
TI - Tooth damage in captive orcas (Orcinus orca).
AB - OBJECTIVES: Tooth damage as a result of oral stereotypies is evident in captive
orca, yet little research on the topic exists. This study examines the
associations between dental pathology, sex, facility, duration of captivity and
other factors in captive orca. DESIGN: We evaluated mandibular and maxillary
teeth from dental images of 29 captive orca owned by a US-based theme park. Each
tooth was scored for coronal wear, wear at or below gum line and bore holes.
Fractured and missing teeth were also noted. Summary statistics described the
distribution and severity of pathologies; inferential statistics examined how
pathologies differed between sexes, between wild-captured and captive-born orcas
and between captive orca at four facilities. We also evaluated how dental
pathology and duration of captivity were related. RESULTS: Approximately 24% of
whales exhibited "major" to "extreme" mandibular coronal tooth wear, with coronal
wear and wear at or below gum line highly correlated. More than 60% of mandibular
teeth 2 and 3 exhibited fractures. Bore holes were observed primarily among
anterior mandibular teeth, with more than 61% of teeth 2 and 3 bearing evidence
of having been drilled. Four of five orca with the highest age-adjusted tooth
pathology indices were captive-born. CONCLUSIONS: Various dental pathologies were
observed across all whales, with pathologies beginning at a young age. Oral
stereotypies exhibited by captive orca contributed to the observed dental damage.
By making dental and health records of captive whales publicly available, the
theme park industry is uniquely positioned to provide further insight into dental
pathology and resultant health consequences in captive orca.
PMID- 28992602
TI - The viscoelastic response of electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) mats.
AB - Native biological tissues are viscoelastic materials that undergo time-dependent
loading in vivo. It is therefore crucial to ensure that biomedical materials have
a suitable viscoelastic response for a given application. In this study, the
viscoelastic properties of electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) are investigated using
tensile load relaxation testing. A five-parameter generalised Maxwell
constitutive model is found to characterise the experimental response. The effect
of polymer concentration and electrospinning voltage on model parameters is
investigated in detail. The stiffness coefficients for the relaxation process
appear to be dependent on the electrospinning conditions used whereas the time
constants remain relatively unchanged. It is also observed that the stiffness
parameters are linearly correlated with the equilibrium modulus, indicating that
a single underlying material property dictates the relaxation moduli. Lastly, it
is found that the viscoelastic model parameters are not predicted by the fibre
diameter. These results provide an important understanding in designing
electrospun mats with desired time-dependent properties.
PMID- 28992603
TI - Sex steroid hormones and sex hormone binding globulin levels, CYP17 MSP AI (
34T:C) and CYP19 codon 39 (Trp:Arg) variants in children with developmental
stuttering.
AB - Developmental stuttering is known to be a sexually dimorphic and male-biased
speech motor control disorder. In the present case-control study, we investigated
the relationship between developmental stuttering and steroid hormones. Serum
levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA),
oestradiol, progesterone, cortisol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), as
well as the 2nd/4th digit ratio (2D:4D), an indicator of prenatal testosterone
level, were compared between children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not
stutter (CWNS). Moreover, two SNPs (CYP17 -34 T:C (MSP AI) and CYP19 T:C
(Trp:Arg)) of cytochrome P450, which is involved in steroid metabolism pathways,
were analysed between the groups. Our results showed significantly higher levels
of testosterone, DHT, and oestradiol in CWS in comparison with CWNS. The severity
of stuttering was positively correlated with the serum levels of testosterone,
DHEA, and cortisol, whereas no association was seen between the stuttering and
digit ratio, progesterone, or SHBG. The CYP17CC genotype was significantly
associated with the disorder.
PMID- 28992604
TI - Photodynamic effects on Fonsecaea monophora conidia and RAW264.7 in vitro.
AB - Chromoblastomycosis (CBM), one of the neglected tropical diseases, is hard to
cure and easy to be recurrent. Many studies suggest that macrophage is involved
in the pathogenesis of chromoblastomycosis and the fungicidal effect of 5
Aminolaevulinic Acid-Based Photodynamic Therapy (ALA-PDT) against F. monophora
(one of the main causative agent of chromoblastomycosis) has shown great promise.
However, the fungicidal ability of ALA-PDT to F. monophora is still controversial
and the molecular mechanism and immune mechanism of ALA-PDT against F. monophora
remains poorly documented. In the present work, ALA (5-Aminolaevulinic Acid) was
employed as photosensitizer and a LED device was served as light source to
investigate photodynamic effect on F. monophora conidia under different ALA-PDT
conditions in a direct way. RAW264.7 was stimulated by conidia treated with ALA
PDT to study the photodynamic effect on F. monophora conidia in an indirect way.
It was observed that ALA-PDT can inactivate F. monophora conidia directly in a
concentration-dependent and dose-dependent manner. RAW264.7 was activated
indirectly by photodynamically treated conidia. ALA-PDT can enhance the
fungicidal ability of RAW264.7 and protect it from Infection-induced apoptosis in
an indirect way. ROS generated by photodynamic treated conidia is associated with
mitochondrial-related apoptosis in RAW264.7.The results of this investigation
demonstrated that ALA-PDT inactivate F. monophora through two way: directly
killing F. monophora conidia through ROS-dependent Oxidative damage; activating
RAW264.7 in an indirect way.
PMID- 28992605
TI - Prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical study to evaluate the clinical
efficacy and tolerability of long term mixed ultraviolet and visible light
phototherapy in eosinophil nasal polyps.
PMID- 28992606
TI - Apoptotic mechanism behind the testicular atrophy in photorefractory and
scotosensitive quail: Involvement of GnIH induced p-53 dependent Bax-Caspase-3
mediated pathway.
AB - In most of the avian species, daylength or photoperiod is the main environmental
factor regulating reproduction. During their annual gonadal cycle, birds once
sensitive to short or long day effect develop refractoriness to the same
daylength and gonad develop or regress accordingly. The present study
investigated the effects of photoperiodic alterations on apoptosis mediated
testicular responses of photosensitive/photorefractory and
scotosensitive/scotorefractory quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Testicular
apoptosis in the quail of different photoperiodic conditions was assessed by
monitoring the alterations in the local testicular expression of GnRH-I, GnIH,
pro-apoptotic proteins (p53 and Bax), inactive caspase (pro-Caspase-3),
executioner active-Caspase-3 and inactive/uncleaved PARP-1 (DNA repair enzyme)
and TUNEL analysis. Alterations in these parameters indicate that testicular
quiescence/regression in scotosensitive and photorefractory quail is mediated by
apoptosis of testicular cells and hence apoptosis appears to be the key mechanism
of testicular regression in Japanese quail. Present findings demonstrated the
underlying molecular mechanism of how avian testes respond differentially to same
photoperiodic conditions and exhibit scoto-/photo-sensitivity and refractoriness.
It is concluded that photoperiod induced testicular stimulation in
photosensitive/scotorefractory quail may be due to apoptotic inhibition and
testicular regression in scotosensitive/photorefractory quail is guided by
apoptosis, an effect invariably regulated by local action of GnRH and GnIH.
PMID- 28992607
TI - Effect of UV radiation and its implications on carotenoid pathway in Bixa
orellana L.
AB - The current study was undertaken to analyse the effect of short-term UV-B and UV
C radiations in provoking carotenoid biosynthesis in Bixa orellana. Seeds of B.
orellana were germinated and exposed to the short term UV pre-treatment under
controlled environmental condition for 5days. The UV treated young seedlings
response in pigment contents; antioxidant enzyme activity and mRNA gene
expression level were analysed. The pigment content such as chlorophyll was
increased in both UV-B and UV-C treated seedlings, but the total carotenoid level
was decreased when compared to the control seedlings this can be attributed to
the plant adaptability to survive in a stressed condition. The beta-carotene
level was increased in UV-B, and UV-C treated young seedlings. No significant
changes have occurred in the secondary pigment such as bixin and ABA. The
activity of the antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide
dismutase was significantly increased in UV-B treated seedlings when compared to
the UV-C treated seedlings and control. The mRNA expression of the genes involved
in bixin biosynthesis pathways such as DXS, PSY, PDS, LCY-beta, LCY-epsilon, CMT,
LCD, ADH and CCD genes showed different expression pattern in UV-B and UV-C
treated young seedlings. Further we analysed the gene co-expression network to
identify the genes which are mainly involved in carotenoid/bixin biosynthesis
pathway. Form our findings the CCD, LCY, PDS, ZDS and PSY showed a close
interaction. The result of our study shows that the short term UV-B and UV-C
radiations induce pigment content, antioxidant enzyme activity and different gene
expression pattern allowing the plant to survive in the oxidative stress
condition.
PMID- 28992608
TI - Where are we with transformational therapies for patients with cystic fibrosis?
AB - The disease cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a disturbance in the synthesis or
function of the CFTR anion channel. Several types of small molecules geared to
overcome the underlying defect in specific patient groups are in the clinical
pipeline. Two drugs have obtained regulatory approval. The potentiator ivacaftor
brings major clinical benefit in patients with CFTR protein expression at the
cell membrane; the combination ivacaftor plus corrector lumacaftor brings a
modest benefit for patients homozygous for the most common mutation F508del. The
busy drug pipeline puts pressure on the finite CF patient population. Improving
CFTR function in patients has at times yielded unexpected findings. The initial
success with ivacaftor has set high expectations, has pushed drug prices sky high
and has resulted in inequity in drug access.
PMID- 28992609
TI - Type D personality in patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal illness:
Internal consistency, structural validity and relationship to pain interference.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Type D personality - the joint tendency toward negative affectivity
(NA) and social inhibition (SI) - is associated with greater symptom perception
and negative health outcomes among various patient populations. We investigated
Type D personality among patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal illness.
METHOD: In cross-sectional design, we estimated the prevalence of Type D
personality in this population and explored the associations of two different
Type D conceptualizations (i.e., categorical and dimensional as the NA*SI
interaction) and the individual NA and SI traits with pain interference as well
as structural-internal validity of DS14. RESULTS: The categorical Type D
personality and greater NA and SI were associated with pain interference above
and beyond descriptive variables, but the interaction term between NA and SI was
not. NA explained a larger proportion of the variance in pain interference than
SI. DS14 showed a two-factor structure and high internal consistency in this
sample. CONCLUSIONS: The categorical Type D allows for identifying individuals
who struggle with recovery from musculoskeletal injury. Although the dimensional
conceptualization didn't prove to be associated with pain interference, NA and SI
appear to have individual effects on pain interference, with most variance being
accounted for by NA. Implications for clinical care are discussed.
PMID- 28992610
TI - A fully automated microfluidic-based electrochemical sensor for real-time
bacteria detection.
AB - A fully automated microfluidic-based electrochemical biosensor was designed and
manufactured for pathogen detection. The quantification of Escherichia coli was
investigated with standard and nanomaterial amplified immunoassays in the
concentration ranges of 0.99 * 1043.98 * 109 cfu mL-1 and 103.97 * 107 cfu mL-1
which resulted in detection limits of 1.99 * 104 cfu mL-1 and 50 cfu mL-1,
respectively. The developed methodology was then applied for E. coli
quantification in water samples using nanomaterial modified assay. Same detection
limit for E. coli was achieved for real sample analysis with a little decrease on
the sensor signal. Cross-reactivity studies were conducted by testing Shigella,
Salmonella spp., Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus on E. coli
specific antibody surface that confirmed the high specificity of the developed
immunoassays. The sensor surface could be regenerated multiple times which
significantly reduces the cost of the system. Our custom-designed biosensor is
capable of detecting bacteria with high sensitivity and specificity, and can
serve as a promising tool for pathogen detection.
PMID- 28992612
TI - Type of iconicity influences children's comprehension of gesture.
AB - Children produce iconic gestures conveying action information earlier than the
ones conveying attribute information (Ozcaliskan, Gentner, & Goldin-Meadow,
2014). In this study, we ask whether children's comprehension of iconic gestures
follows a similar pattern, also with earlier comprehension of iconic gestures
conveying action. Children, ages 2-4years, were presented with 12 minimally
informative speech+iconic gesture combinations, conveying either an action (e.g.,
open palm flapping as if bird flying) or an attribute (e.g., fingers spread as if
bird's wings) associated with a referent. They were asked to choose the correct
match for each gesture in a forced-choice task. Our results showed that children
could identify the referent of an iconic gesture conveying characteristic action
earlier (age 2) than the referent of an iconic gesture conveying characteristic
attribute (age 3). Overall, our study identifies ages 2-3 as important in the
development of comprehension of iconic co-speech gestures, and indicates that the
comprehension of iconic gestures with action meanings is easier than, and may
even precede, the comprehension of iconic gestures with attribute meanings.
PMID- 28992611
TI - Co-viewing supports toddlers' word learning from contingent and noncontingent
video.
AB - Social cues are one way young children determine that a situation is pedagogical
in nature-containing information to be learned and generalized. However, some
social cues (e.g., contingent gaze and responsiveness) are missing from
prerecorded video, a potential reason why toddlers' language learning from video
can be inefficient compared with their learning directly from a person. This
study explored two methods for supporting children's word learning from video by
adding social-communicative cues. A sample of 88 30-month-olds began their
participation with a video training phase. In one manipulation, an on-screen
actress responded contingently to children through a live video feed (similar to
Skype or FaceTime "video chat") or appeared in a prerecorded demonstration. In
the other manipulation, parents either modeled responsiveness to the actress's on
screen bids for participation or sat out of their children's view. Children then
viewed a labeling demonstration on video, and their knowledge of the label was
tested with three-dimensional objects. Results indicated that both on-screen
contingency and parent modeling increased children's engagement with the actress
during training. However, only parent modeling increased children's subsequent
word learning, perhaps by revealing the symbolic (representational) intentions
underlying this video. This study highlights the importance of adult co-viewing
in helping toddlers to interpret communicative cues from video.
PMID- 28992613
TI - Is the reliability of 3D kinematics of young obese participants dependent on the
hip joint center localization method used?
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate if the test-retest reliability for three
dimensional (3D) gait kinematics in a young obese population is affected by using
either a predictive (Davis) or a functional (SCoRE) hip joint center (HJC)
localization approach. A secondary goal was to analyze how consistent both
methods perform in estimating the HJC position. A convenience sample of ten
participants, two females and eight males with an age-based body mass index (BMI)
above the 97th percentile (mean+/-SD: 34.2+/-3.9kg/m2) was recruited.
Participants underwent two 3D gait analysis sessions separated by a minimum of
one day and a maximum of seven days. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and
the root mean square error (RMSE) of key kinematic parameters along with the root
mean square deviation (RMSD) of the entire waveforms were used to analyze the
test-retest reliability. To get an estimate of the consistency of both HJC
localization methods, the HJC positions determined by both methods were compared
to each other. SEM, RMSE, and RMSD results indicate that the HJC position
estimations between both methods are not different and demonstrate moderate to
good reliability to estimate joint kinematics. With respect to the localization
of the HJC, notable inconsistencies ranging from 0 to 5.4cm were observed. In
conclusion, both approaches appear equally reliable. However, the inconsistent
HJC estimation points out, that accuracy seems to be a big issue in these
methods. Future research should attend to this matter.
PMID- 28992614
TI - Serum and Glucocorticoid Inducible Kinase 1-Sensitive Survival, Proliferation and
Migration of Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma,
may show an intrinsic refractoriness to standard chemotherapy in advanced tumor
stages, which is associated with poor prognosis. Cellular mechanisms conferring
tumor cell survival and therapy resistance in many tumor types include the serum
& glucocorticoid inducible kinase (SGK) 1 pathway, a kinase expressed
ubiquitously with particularly strong expression in skeletal muscle and some
tumor types. The present study explored whether SGK1 is expressed in
rhabdomyosarcoma and, if so, whether this kinase impacts on tumor cell survival,
proliferation and migration. Multiple in vitro techniques were used to study the
role of SGK1 in rhabdomyosarcoma. METHODS: The Gene Chip(r) Human Genome U133
Plus 2.0 Array were employed to examine SGK1 transcriptional activity in healthy
muscle and rhabdomyosarcoma tissue. SGK1 transcript levels were quantified in
rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines RD (embryonal subtype) and RH30 (alveolar subtype) by
RT-PCR, cell viability was measured using MTT assays. Clonal cell growth was
assessed via colony forming assays and migration experiments were performed in a
transwell system. RESULTS: SGK1 is expressed in embryonal and alveolar
rhabdomyosarcoma tissue samples and in RD and RH30 rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines.
Administration of EMD638683 - an inhibitor specific for SGK1 - decreased
viability of RD and RH30 cells, enhanced the effects of the cytotoxic drug
doxorubicin leading to reduced migration and decreased cell proliferation.
CONCLUSIONS: SGK1 is expressed in rhabdomyosarcoma cells where it contributes to
survival, therapy resistance, cell proliferation and migration. Thus, SGK1
inhibitors may be considered a therapeutic option for the treatment of therapy
resistant rhabdomyosarcoma.
PMID- 28992615
TI - Contributions and Future Directions for Structural Biology in the Study of
Allergens.
AB - Allergy is defined as an inappropriate immune response to something normally
considered harmless. The symptomatic immune response is driven by IgE antibodies
directed against allergens. The study of allergens has contributed significantly
to our understanding of allergic disease in 3 main areas. First, identifying
allergens as the cause of symptoms and developing allergen standards has led to
many advances in exposure assessment and patient diagnostics. Second, a
biochemical understanding of allergens has suggested a number of hypotheses
related to the mechanisms of allergic sensitization. And finally, studies of
allergen-antibody interactions have contributed to understanding the cross
reactivity of allergens, mapping patient epitopes, and the development of
hypoallergens. In this review, a few select cases are highlighted where
structural biology, in particular, has contributed significantly to allergen
research and provided new avenues for investigation.
PMID- 28992616
TI - NS1 of H7N9 Influenza A Virus Induces NO-Mediated Cellular Senescence in Neuro2a
Cells.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The novel avian H7N9 influenza A virus has been detected in
brain tissues and associated with central nervous system (CNS) symptoms in
infected human and mice. Roles of its virulence factor, NS1 protein in influenza
virus infected neuron has yet to be explored. METHODS: Nitric oxide (NO) release
and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in H7N9/NS1-expressed
Neuro2a cells were detected by Griess test and western blotting. Cell
proliferation rate of H7N9/NS1-expressing cells was recorded by Cell Counting Kit
8. Effects of H7N9/NS1 on cellular senescence were investigated by senescence
associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) staining, immunofluorescent staining
of phosphorylated heterochromatin protein 1gamma (pHP1gamma) and qPCR analysis of
IL-6 and IL-8. RESULTS: H7N9/NS1 in Neuro2a cells and primary cultured mouse
cortical neurons increased the expression of iNOS and boosted NO release. Neuro2a
cells constitutively expressing NS1 displayed a reduced proliferative ability,
enhanced SA-beta-gal staining, increased level of IL-6 and IL-8 and a typical
punctuate structure of pHP1gamma in nuclei. In addition, p38 MAPK was elevated in
NS1-expressing Neuro2a cells. Reduced iNOS expression and subdued cellular
senescence effect was found in p38 MAPK inhibitor-treated NS1-expressing Neuro2a
cells. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that H7N9/NS1 protein increases the iNOS
expression and NO release in Neuro2a cells, which can induce cell growth arrest
and cellular senescence.
PMID- 28992617
TI - Iodine Promotes Tumorigenesis of Thyroid Cancer by Suppressing Mir-422a and Up
Regulating MAPK1.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Iodine may trigger tumorigenesis and development of thyroid
carcinoma, but the mechanisms involved remained elusive. MicroRNA (MiRNAs) are
known to be involved in each stage of cancer development; however, the role of
miRNAs in iodine-induced tumorigenesis of thyroid carcinoma remained unknown. In
this study, we aimed at investigating miRNA related signaling pathway in thyroid
cancer cells. METHODS: Levels of miRNAs and mRNAs were determined using RT-qPCR
and proteins were quantified by western blotting. Cell migration and
proliferation were checked using Transwell assay and CCK8 assay respectively.
Tumor xenografts in nude mice were established by subcutaneous injection of
cancer cells. RESULTS: Mitogen activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) was
significantly up-regulated, while miR-422a was down-regulated in thyroid cancer
cells cultured with high iodine; miR-422a directly bound to the 3'UTR of MAPK1
mRNA. Moreover, miR-422a negatively regulated MAPK1 expression, and down
regulated miR-422a promoted proliferation and migration of TPC-1 cells. In vivo
studies also confirmed that iodine promoted tumor growth by suppressing miR-422a
and up-regulating MAPK1. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illustrates a new pathway
comprising iodine, miRNA and MAPK1, and defines a novel mechanism in thyroid
cancer.
PMID- 28992618
TI - Pregnancy Outcome among Women with Beta-Thalassemia Major in North Sardinia.
PMID- 28992619
TI - Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induces HRD1 to Protect Alveolar Type II Epithelial
Cells from Apoptosis Induced by Cigarette Smoke Extract.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. This study aimed to examine the effects of cigarette smoke
extract (CSE) on alveolar type II epithelial cells (AECII) and investigate the
underlying mechanism. METHODS: Primary AECII were isolated from rat lung tissues
and exposed to CSE. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Protein expression
was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Primary rat AECII maintained
morphological and physiological characteristic after 3 passages. CSE increased
the expression of ER specific pro-apoptosis factors CHOP and caspase 12, and the
phosphorylation of JNK in AECII. CSE activated ER stress signaling and increased
the phosphorylation of PERK, eIF2alpha and IRE1. Furthermore, CSE induced the
expression of Hrd1, a key factor of ER-associated degradation, in AECII.
Knockdown of Hrd1 led to more than 2 fold increase of apoptosis, while
overexpression of Hrd1 attenuated CSE induced apoptosis of AECII. CONCLUSIONS:
Our results suggest that ER stress induces HRD1 to protect alveolar type II
epithelial cells from apoptosis induced by CSE.
PMID- 28992620
TI - Potential Ameliorative Effects of Qing Ye Dan Against Cadmium Induced Prostatic
Deficits via Regulating Nrf-2/HO-1 and TGF-beta1/Smad Pathways.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant with reproductive
toxicity. Swertia mileensis is used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of
prostatic deficits and named as Qing Ye Dan (QYD). This study was undertaken to
investigate the potential protective effects of QYD against Cd-induced prostatic
deficits. METHOD: Rat model of prostatic deficits was induced by 0.2 mg/kg/d
CdCl2 subcutaneous injection for 15 days. The prostatic oxidative stress was
evaluated by detecting the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced/
oxidized glutathione, total sulfhydryl groups and enzymatic antioxidant status.
The prostatic inflammation was estimated by testing the levels of pro
inflammatory cytokines. The levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
markers E-cadherin, fibronectin, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin were
measured by qPCR analysis. Additionally, the prostatic expressions of
transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), type I TGF-beta receptor (TGF
betaRI), Smad2, phosphorylation-Smad2 (p-Smad2), Smad3, p-Smad3, Smad7, nuclear
related factor-2 (Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), B-cell CLL/lymphoma (Bcl)-2
and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by western blot assay.
RESULTS: It was found that QYD ameliorated the Cd-induced prostatic oxidative
stress and inflammation, attenuated prostatic EMT, inhibited the TGF-beta1/Smad
pathway, increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and enhanced the activity of Nrf-2/HO-1
pathway. CONCLUSION: These results showed that QYD could ameliorate Cd-induced
prostatic deficits via modulating Nrf-2/HO-1 and TGF-beta1/Smad pathways.
PMID- 28992621
TI - Protective Effects of Microrna-22 Against Endothelial Cell Injury by Targeting
NLRP3 Through Suppression of the Inflammasome Signaling Pathway in a Rat Model of
Coronary Heart Disease.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to identify the role of microRNA-22 (miR-22) in
endothelial cell (EC) injury in coronary heart disease (CHD) by targeting NLRP3
through the inflammasome signaling pathway. METHODS: A total of 24 healthy male
Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normal and atherosclerosis groups. The
atherosclerosis rats were assigned into blank, negative control (NC), miR-22
mimic, miR-22 inhibitor and miR-22 inhibitor + siNLRP3 groups. A luciferase
reporter gene assay was used to detect the relationship between miR-22 and NLRP3.
MiR-22 expression as well as NLRP3 and caspase-1 mRNA and protein expression were
measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and
Western blotting. The activity and apoptosis of coronary arterial endothelial
cells (CAECs) were determined by MTT and Hoechst 33258. CAEC lumen formation was
detected by a lumen formation assay. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
was used to detect IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-18 levels. RESULTS: The results
indicated that the atherosclerosis group significantly decreased miR-22
expression but increased NLRP3 and caspase-1 mRNA and protein expression. The
cell survival rate was significantly increased in the miR-22 mimic group and
significantly reduced in the miR-22 inhibitor group. The miR-22 mimic group
displayed a lower apoptosis rate and more cells with obvious lumen walls and
numerous tubular structures, while cells in the miR-22 inhibitor group were
unable to form lumen walls and had a scattered distribution compared to the blank
group. The ELISA showed that IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-18 levels were markedly
decreased, while IL-10 was clearly increased in the miR-22 mimic group. In
contrast, in the miR-22 inhibitor group, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-18 levels were
significantly increased, and IL-10 levels were decreased. CONCLUSION: Our
findings indicated that miR-22 could lower the levels of pro-inflammatory
cytokines by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, which suppresses CAEC
apoptosis and protects CAECs in rats with CHD.
PMID- 28992622
TI - A Subjective Rating Scale for Initial Assessment of Sudden Unilateral
Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine the value of a subjective numerical rating scale (NRS) in
the initial evaluation of patients suspected of suffering from unilateral sudden
sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) until a formal audiogram is available. STUDY
DESIGN: Prospective noncontrolled clinical study. METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive
patients referred to the emergency department due to suspected unilateral SSNHL
and with no other aural pathology by history or physical examination were
enrolled. Patients were asked to characterize the severity of their hearing loss
using an NRS of 1 (normal hearing) to 6 (complete deafness). SSNHL was defined as
an SNHL of at least 30 dB over 3 consecutive frequencies that occurred in 3 days
or less. A formal audiogram was obtained subsequently as soon as available.
RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were treated with steroids and met the audiometric
criteria of SSNHL. All scored their NRS as 3 or more. None of the 7 patients
whose NRS grades were <=2.5 met the criteria for SSNHL. Two patients were treated
with steroids although their hearing did not meet the audiometric criteria for
SSNHL as the hearing loss was limited to 2 consecutive frequencies. The NRS score
for both was <3. CONCLUSION: In addition to the patient's history and physical
examination, a NRS can be a useful tool in the preliminary assessment of patients
suspected of having SSNHL until audiometry becomes available. In the scale of 1
6, an NRS score of 3 or more reliably predicts the need to treat the patient with
steroids according to the accepted criteria.
PMID- 28992623
TI - Salvianolic Acid B Ameliorates Cognitive Deficits Through IGF-1/Akt Pathway in
Rats with Vascular Dementia.
AB - : BackgroundAims: Salvianolic acid B (SalB) is a natural polyphenolic compound
enriched in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Our study was designed to explore the role
of Sal B on cognitive impairment in vascular dementia (VD) model rats, as well as
its possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four
groups (n = 15 for each group): Control group, Sal B group (normal Sprague Dawley
rats treated with Sal B), VD group and VD + Sal B group. The VD group rats were
established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO).
Animals in the Control and Sal B group received the same operation without
bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion. The animals in Sal B group and VD +
Sal B group received Sal B (20 mg/kg) orally once a day for consecutive 6 weeks.
We investigated the effects of SalB on BCCAO-induced cognitive deficits rats
models via the Morris water maze experiment. To explore the mechanisms of Sal B
on cognitive function, we detected the expression of IGF-1, Akt and p-Akt, and
the rate of cell apoptosis in CA1 region. RESULTS: Our results observed that
hippocampal IGF-1 was decreased in VD model rats, while SalB reversed the
alteration of IGF-1 levels. The expression of hippocampal Akt showed no
significant difference between control and VD group, however, p-Akt level was
significantly decreased in VD group. After 6 weeks of SalB treatment, p-Akt level
was significantly increased. A large number of apoptotic neurons were found in VD
model rats, while SalB prevented apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in CA1 region
in VD model rats. CONCLUSION: SalB significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits
in BCCAO-induced VD model rats. The potential mechanism underlying the protective
effects may be mediated through IGF-1/Akt pathway.
PMID- 28992624
TI - How to Train to Discharge a Dermatology Outpatient: A Review.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The decision to discharge is a critical and common outpatient
consultation event. However, little guidance exists over how discharge decision
making can be taught. We aimed to provide educational recommendations concerning
outpatient discharge decision-making. METHODS: Recommendations were drawn from
prior interviews with 40 consultant dermatologists and 56 dermatology
outpatients, and from the "traffic light" design discharge information checklist,
developed using the Delphi technique. RESULTS: The key strategies to follow to
appropriately manage the outpatient discharge process are: to warn patients in
advance, to understand patients' agendas, to allow extra time for the discharge
process, to prepare patients to self-manage, to provide a "safety net" and
provide the GP with a clear management plan. Aspects to be considered include
patient mobility, presence of carer, type of employment, diagnostic certainty,
and use of the checklist or guidelines. Key training aspects include teaching
structured thought processes when discharging, discharging according to context,
developing communication and negotiation skills, avoiding decision biases and
encouraging good interprofessional collaboration. Training should include the
consideration of the possibility of discharge at each consultation. Novel
training strategies have been developed on how to appropriately manage the
outpatient discharge process, including involving and informing patients. These
strategies focus on safe decision-making, being patient-centred and organizing an
efficient health care service framework. CONCLUSION: Structured outpatient
discharge training for dermatologists is now possible, based on information from
detailed doctor- and patient-based qualitative studies.
PMID- 28992625
TI - B Chromosome Variants of the Grasshopper Xyleus discoideus angulatus Are
Potentially Derived from Pericentromeric DNA.
AB - B chromosomes, extra elements present in the karyotypes of some eukaryote
species, have been described in the grasshopper Xyleus discoideus angulatus.
Although some studies have proposed an autosomal origin of the B chromosome in X.
d. angulatus, little is known about its repetitive DNA composition and
evolutionary dynamics. The aim of the present work was to shed light on the B
chromosome evolution in X. d. angulatus by cytogenetic analysis of 27 populations
from Pernambuco and Ceara states (Brazil). The frequency of B chromosomes in the
different populations was determined, and chromosome measurements and
fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with C0t-DNA and telomeric and B
chromosome sequences were performed in cells from B-carrying individuals. The
results revealed variations in B chromosome prevalence among the populations and
showed that some B chromosomes were smaller in certain populations. FISH produced
similar patterns for the C0t-DNA probe in all hybridized individuals, whereas
telomeric and B chromosome probes, obtained by microdissection, exhibited
variations in their distribution. These results indicate the presence of 3
morphotypes of B chromosomes in X. d. angulatus, with variation in repetitive DNA
composition during their evolution. In this species, B chromosomes have an
intraspecific origin and probably arose from the pericentromeric region of A
chromosomes.
PMID- 28992626
TI - Multiple Sclerosis and Clinical Gait Analysis before and after Fampridine: A
Systematic Review.
AB - BACKGROUND: Gait impairment is one of the most disabling symptoms in people with
multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Fampridine, has demonstrated a positive effect on gait
speed in PwMS after 14 days of treatment but the long-term effects have not yet
been demonstrated. This study reviews the long-term effects of fampridine on gait
in PwMS. SUMMARY: This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA
statement. Studies were considered long term if treatment exceeded 28 days. From
the 498 studies identified, 18 (2,200 patients) fulfilled all eligibility
criteria. Only 3 studies followed-up patients for >1 year and one of these showed
a non-significant improvement in the gait speed. Key Messages: Fampridine seems
to be beneficial at improving gait speed in PwMS in the long term. Further long
term studies are needed on related gait and functional parameters.
PMID- 28992627
TI - H3 Relaxin Protects Against Myocardial Injury in Experimental Diabetic
Cardiomyopathy by Inhibiting Myocardial Apoptosis, Fibrosis and Inflammation.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Apoptosis, fibrosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation are
involved in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Human recombinant
relaxin-3 (H3 relaxin) is a novel bioactive peptide that inhibits cardiac injury;
however, whether H3 relaxin prevents cardiac injury in rats with DCM and the
underlying mechanisms are unknown. METHODS: To investigate the effect of H3
relaxin on DCM, we performed a study using H3 relaxin treatment in male Sprague
Dawley (SD) rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (DM). We measured
apoptosis, fibrosis and NLRP3 inflammasome markers in the rat hearts four and
eight weeks after the rats were injected with STZ (65 mg/kg) by western blot
analysis. Subsequently, 2 or 6 weeks after the STZ treatment, the rats were
treated with H3 relaxin [2 ug/kg/d (A group) or 0.2 ug/kg/d (B group)] for 2
weeks. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography to determine the extent
of myocardial injury in the DM rats. The protein levels of apoptosis, fibrosis
and NLRP3 inflammasome markers were used to assess myocardial injury. In
addition, we determined the plasma levels of IL-1beta and IL-18 using a Milliplex
MAP Rat Cytokine/Chemokine Magnetic Bead Panel kit. RESULTS: The protein
expression of cleaved caspase-8, caspase-9 and caspase-3 as well as fibrosis
markers increased at 4 and 8 weeks in the STZ-induced diabetic hearts compared
with the levels in the control group. Furthermore, the NLRP3 inflammasome was
substantially activated in STZ-induced diabetic hearts, leading to increased IL
1beta and IL-18 levels. Compared with the DM group, the A group exhibited
substantially better cardiac function. The protein levels of apoptosis markers
were attenuated by H3 relaxin, indicating that H3 relaxin inhibited myocardial
apoptosis in the hearts of diabetic rats. The protein expression of fibrosis
markers was inhibited by H3 relaxin. Additionally, the protein expression and
activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome were also effectively attenuated by H3
relaxin. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to demonstrate that H3 relaxin
plays an anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory role in DCM.
PMID- 28992628
TI - Ultrastructural, Confocal and Viscoelastic Characteristics of Whole Blood and
Plasma After Exposure to Cadmium and Chromium Alone and in Combination: An Ex
Vivo Study.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Heavy metal pollution is increasing in the environment,
contaminating water, food and air supplies. This can be linked to many
anthropogenic activities. Heavy metals are absorbed through the skin, inhalation
and/or orally. Irrespective of the manner of heavy metal entry in the body, the
blood circulatory system is potentially the first to be affected following
exposure and adverse effects on blood coagulation can lead to associated
thrombotic disease. Although the plasma levels and the effects of cadmium (Cd)
and chromium (Cr) on erythrocytes and lymphocytes have been described, the
environmental exposure to heavy metals are not limited to a single metal and
often involves metal mixtures, with each metal having different rates of
absorption, different cellular, tissue, and organ targets. Therefore the aim of
this study is to investigate the effects of the heavy metals Cd and Cr alone and
whether Cr synergistically increases the effect of Cd on physiological important
processes such as blood coagulation. METHODS: Human blood was exposed to the
heavy metals ex vivo, and thereafter morphological analysis was performed with
scanning electron- and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in conjunction
with thromboelastography(r). RESULTS: The erythrocytes, platelets and fibrin
networks presented with ultrastructural changes, including varied erythrocytes
morphologies, activated platelets and significantly thicker fibrin fibres in the
metal-exposed groups. CLSM analysis revealed the presence of phosphatidylserine
on the outer surface of the membranes of the spherocytic erythrocytes exposed to
Cd and Cr alone and in combination. The viscoelastic analysis revealed only a
trend that indicates that clots that will form after heavy metal exposure, will
likely be fragile and unstable especially for Cd and Cr in combination.
CONCLUSION: This study identified the blood as an important target system of Cd
and Cr toxicity.
PMID- 28992631
TI - Methodological Quality Assessment of Meta-Analyses of Hyperthyroidism Treatment.
AB - Hyperthyroidism is a common condition that is associated with increased morbidity
and mortality. A number of meta-analyses (MAs) have assessed the therapeutic
measures for hyperthyroidism, including antithyroid drugs, surgery, and
radioiodine, however, the methodological quality has not been evaluated. This
study evaluated the methodological quality and summarized the evidence obtained
from MAs of hyperthyroidism treatments for radioiodine, antithyroid drugs, and
surgery. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and
Chinese Biomedical Literature Database databases. Two investigators independently
assessed the meta-analyses titles and abstracts for inclusion. Methodological
quality was assessed using the validated AMSTAR (Assessing the Methodological
Quality of Systematic Reviews) tool. A total of 26 MAs fulfilled the inclusion
criteria. Based on the AMSTAR scores, the average methodological quality was
8.31, with large variability ranging from 4 to 11. The methodological quality of
English meta-analyses was better than that of Chinese meta-analyses. Cochrane
reviews had better methodological quality than non-Cochrane reviews due to better
study selection and data extraction, the inclusion of unpublished studies, and
better reporting of study characteristics. The authors did not report conflicts
of interest in 53.8% meta-analyses, and 19.2% did not report the harmful effects
of treatment. Publication bias was not assessed in 38.5% of meta-analyses, and
19.2% did not report the follow-up time. Large-scale assessment of methodological
quality of meta-analyses of hyperthyroidism treatment highlighted methodological
strengths and weaknesses. Consideration of scientific quality when formulating
conclusions should be made explicit. Future meta-analyses should improve on
reporting conflict of interest.
PMID- 28992629
TI - alpha-Lipoic Acid Promotes Neurological Recovery After Ischemic Stroke by
Activating the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway to Attenuate Oxidative Damage.
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) has been demonstrated to be
protective against cerebral ischemia injury. Herein, we investigate the
neuroprotective effect and underlying mechanisms of alpha-LA. METHODS: In vivo
study, alpha-LA was administered intravenously upon reperfusion of transient
middle cerebral artery occlusion. Garcia score was used to evaluate neurologic
recovery. Infarct volume was examined by TTC staining, and oxidative damage was
evaluated by ELISA assay. In an in vitro study, neurons were pretreated with
alpha-LA at different doses and then subjected to OGD. Lentiviral vectors were
applied to knockdown nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) or heme
oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Cell viability was measured using CCK8. Protein expression
was evaluated using western blot, and immunofluorescence staining was assessed.
RESULTS: alpha-LA significantly reduced the infarct volume, brain edema, and
oxidative damage and promoted neurologic recovery in rats. Pretreatment of alpha
LA caused an obvious increase in cell viability and a decrease in intracellular
reactive oxygen species. Western blot analyses and immunofluorescence staining
demonstrated a distinct increase in Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. Conversely,
knockdown of Nrf2 or HO-1 resulted in the down-regulation of HO-1 protein and
inhibited the neuroprotective effect of alpha-LA. CONCLUSION: alpha-LA treatment
is neuroprotective and promotes functional recovery after ischemic stroke by
attenuating oxidative damage, which is partially mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1
pathway.
PMID- 28992630
TI - Ion sieving in graphene oxide membranes via cationic control of interlayer
spacing.
AB - Graphene oxide membranes-partially oxidized, stacked sheets of graphene-can
provide ultrathin, high-flux and energy-efficient membranes for precise ionic and
molecular sieving in aqueous solution. These materials have shown potential in a
variety of applications, including water desalination and purification, gas and
ion separation, biosensors, proton conductors, lithium-based batteries and super
capacitors. Unlike the pores of carbon nanotube membranes, which have fixed
sizes, the pores of graphene oxide membranes-that is, the interlayer spacing
between graphene oxide sheets (a sheet is a single flake inside the membrane)-are
of variable size. Furthermore, it is difficult to reduce the interlayer spacing
sufficiently to exclude small ions and to maintain this spacing against the
tendency of graphene oxide membranes to swell when immersed in aqueous solution.
These challenges hinder the potential ion filtration applications of graphene
oxide membranes. Here we demonstrate cationic control of the interlayer spacing
of graphene oxide membranes with angstrom precision using K+, Na+, Ca2+, Li+ or
Mg2+ ions. Moreover, membrane spacings controlled by one type of cation can
efficiently and selectively exclude other cations that have larger hydrated
volumes. First-principles calculations and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy
reveal that the location of the most stable cation adsorption is where oxide
groups and aromatic rings coexist. Previous density functional theory
computations show that other cations (Fe2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Cr2+ and Pb2+)
should have a much stronger cation-pi interaction with the graphene sheet than
Na+ has, suggesting that other ions could be used to produce a wider range of
interlayer spacings.
PMID- 28992632
TI - The Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism and Lipid Profiles
Among Patients with Metabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of
Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB - This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
was conducted to summarize the effect of selenium administration on glucose
metabolism and lipid profiles among patients with diseases related to metabolic
syndrome (MetS). We searched the following databases up to May 2017: MEDLINE,
EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The
relevant data were extracted and assessed for quality of the studies according to
the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data were pooled using the inverse variance
method and expressed as standardized mean difference (MDs) with 95% confidence
intervals (95% CI). Five studies were included in the meta-analyses. The results
showed that selenium supplementation significantly reduced insulin levels (SMD
0.42; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.01) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity
check index (QUICKI) (SMD 0.83; 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.09). Selenium supplementation
had no beneficial effects on other glucose homeostasis parameters, such as
fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (SMD -0.29; 95% CI, -0.73 to 0.15), homeostasis
model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (SMD -0.80; 95% CI, -1.58 to
0.03), and lipid profiles, such as triglycerides (SMD -0.42; 95% CI, -0.83 to
0.01), VLDL- (SMD -0.42; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.01), total- (SMD -0.42; 95% CI,
0.83 to -0.01), LDL- (SMD 0.02; 95% CI, -0.20 to 0.24), and HDL-cholesterol (SMD
0.16; 95% CI, -0.06 to -0.38). Overall, this meta-analysis showed that selenium
administration may lead to an improvement in insulin and QUICKI, but did not
affect FPG, HOMA-IR, and lipid profiles.
PMID- 28992633
TI - Endoscopic mucosa-submucosal clip closure method.
PMID- 28992634
TI - Deep endoscopic submucosal dissection of a refractory tracheoesophageal fistula
using clip-and-line traction: a successful closure.
PMID- 28992635
TI - Anchoring the snare tip using a small incision in the submucosa facilitates en
bloc endoscopic mucosal resection for sporadic duodenal adenomas.
PMID- 28992636
TI - Endoscopic removal of a proximally migrated biliary stent using a novel gooseneck
snare: the "EndoCowboy".
PMID- 28992637
TI - Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage to facilitate biliary
rendezvous for the management of cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis.
PMID- 28992638
TI - Percutaneous cecostomy with fully covered self-expandable metal stent for initial
management of severe malignant colon obstruction.
PMID- 28992639
TI - Open peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia with sigmoid-shaped esophagus.
PMID- 28992640
TI - Electronic hydraulic lithotripsy by antegrade digital cholangioscopy through
endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticojejunostomy.
PMID- 28992641
TI - Circumferential rectal laterally spreading tumor resected by endoscopic
submucosal dissection in a Western center.
PMID- 28992642
TI - Endoscopic drainage of an infected post-surgical abdominal fluid collection using
a lumen-apposing metal stent.
PMID- 28992643
TI - [Treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in adult age].
AB - Ureteropelvic stenosis, also known as ureteropelvic junction obstruction, is an
obstruction in the region of the pyeloureteral junction resulting in a urinary
discharge disorder of the renal pelvis, which requires treatment.Since the first
description of pyeloplasty by Trendelenburg in 1886 and the successful
establishment of open pyeloplasty by Anderson and Hynes in 1949, the treatment
strategies for ureteropelvic junction obstruction have developed considerably,
especially in the last two decades. Although open pyeloplasty is still considered
to be the gold standard, this concept is supplemented by modern minimally
invasive techniques today. These include laparoscopic pyeloplasty, laparoscopic
single-site pyeloplasty, robot-assisted pyeloplasty, robot-assisted single-site
pyeloplasty, and endopyelotomy. This article provides an overview of the
different treatment strategies for ureteropelvic junction obstruction as well as
the complication management of pyeloplasty in adult age.
PMID- 28992644
TI - Neurovisual Assessment in Children with Ataxia Telangiectasia.
AB - AIM: Visual impairment is present in almost all patients with ataxia
telangiectasia (AT) and, due to their early onset, constitute an important
disabling aspect of the syndrome: the quality of vision is limited by dyspraxia
and oculomotor abnormal movements. The purpose of this observational study was to
describe visual disorders, notably oculomotor impairment, in a sample of children
with AT. METHODS: Fifteen AT patients (mean age 12 years and 4 months) underwent
a neurovisual evaluation, particularly focused on oculomotor functions (fixation,
smooth pursuit, saccades, and abnormal ocular movements). We compared the visual
profile obtained with that described using the International Cooperative Ataxia
Rating Scale (ICARS) subscale of oculomotor dysfunction. RESULTS: Refractive
errors were seen in eight patients and strabismus in three. Major oculomotor
findings were fixation abnormalities (6/15), saccadic impairment (15/15), and
abnormal smooth pursuit (14/15). Abnormal ocular movements were seen in 13/15
(saccadic intrusion in 8 and nystagmus in 5). Using ICARS scale, 13/15 children
presented gaze-evoked nystagmus, 4/15 a clearly saccadic pursuit, and 11/15
dysmetria of saccades. DISCUSSION: We propose a clinical neurovisual evaluation,
which could be integrated with ICARS scores in the study of oculomotor
involvement in AT pediatric patients. We strongly recommend the empowerment of
visual functions to slow down progressive global disability of these patients.
PMID- 28992645
TI - Effects of Tirofiban on Random Skin Flap Survival in Rats.
AB - BACKGROUND: Tirofiban is a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist that is
widely used clinically. In the present study, we investigated whether tirofiban
promotes flap survival in rat random skin flap model. METHODS: "McFarlane flaps"
models were developed in 60 male rats. The rats were divided into a tirofiban
treated group (n = 30) and a saline-treated group (n = 30). The flap surviving
rate was calculated 7 days after surgery. Tissue samples were collected and
subjected to histopathological evaluation. Lead oxide-gelatin angiography and
immunohistochemical staining analysis were taken to evaluate angiogenesis.
Analysis of oxidative stress was performed by measuring the activity of
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS: Compared with
controls, the tirofiban-treated groups exhibited significantly larger mean areas
of flap survival, significantly increased SOD activity, and vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF) expression, and significantly reduced MDA level. Hematoxylin
and eosin staining revealed that naringin promoted angiogenesis and inhibited
inflammation. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that tirofiban increases
flap survival of random skin flaps in rats.
PMID- 28992646
TI - First Experiences with Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in a High-Risk
Poststernotomy Patient Population treated with Pectoralis Major Muscle Flap for
Deep Sternal Wound Infection.
AB - BACKGROUND: Radical debridement and wound closure with vascularized flaps has
become a standard procedure in the treatment of deep sternal wound infections.
Negative pressure incision management systems have been proven to diminish wound
infections after sternotomy. In this study, the utility of Prevena Incision
Management System (KCI Licensing Inc.) was evaluated in obese patients who
received unilateral pectoralis major flap for the treatment of deep sternal wound
infections. METHODS: The outcome and wound-related complication rates of 19
obese patients (mean body mass index, 33.7) treated for deep sternal wound
infection with pectoralis major muscle flap in combination with Prevena between
2011 and 2016 were compared with 28 obese patients treated with conventional
wound dressing only between 2000 and 2010. RESULTS: In patients additionally
treated with Prevena, significantly fewer surgical revisions due to wound-related
complications were necessary as compared with patients who received conventional
wound dressing (5.3 vs. 32.1%, p = 0.034). A significantly shorter ICU length of
stay (median 0 vs. 3.5 days, p < 0.001) and a trend toward shorter length of
hospitalization (median 14 vs. 19.5 days after pectoralis major flap) could be
observed. CONCLUSION: The application of Prevena significantly reduced revision
surgery rates in obese patients treated with unilateral pectoralis major flap for
deep sternal wound infections.
PMID- 28992647
TI - Surgical Duration Impacts Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Microsurgical Breast
Reconstruction.
AB - BACKGROUND: Increased surgical duration can impact patient outcomes and
operative efficiency metrics. In particular, there are studies suggesting that
increased surgical duration can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism
(VTE). One of the longer duration plastic surgery procedures commonly performed
is microsurgical breast reconstruction. With the widening indications for
multiple and "stacked" free flaps to reconstruct breasts, we endeavored to assess
(1) the relationship between duration of microsurgical breast reconstruction and
VTE; and (2) determine if a threshold operative time exists that connotes VTE
higher risk. METHODS: Patients from the American College of Surgeons National
Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) between 2005 and 2014 who
underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction were identified by Current
Procedural Terminology code. Three models of multivariate logistic regression
were used to characterize the adjusted risk for VTE by operative duration,
bilaterality, the length of stay, and patient demographics. RESULTS: A total of
4,782 patients who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction were identified.
Overall VTE incidence was 1.13%. The mean operative duration was 8:31
hours:minutes (standard deviation: 2:59). Operative duration was statistically
associated with VTE in continuous, quintile, and dichotomized risk models. Beyond
an operative duration of 11 hours, adjusted VTE risk increases fourfold
corresponding to a number needed to harm of 45.8. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing
surgical duration heightens the risk of VTE in microsurgical breast
reconstruction. Increasing body mass index and age enhances this VTE risk.
Moreover, limiting surgical duration to 11 hours or less can decrease VTE risk by
fourfold vis-a-vis baseline. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.
PMID- 28992648
TI - Application of Indocyanine Green in Flap Surgery: A Systematic Review.
AB - BACKGROUND: The vascularization of the distal portions of transferred tissue
represents the most critical factor in the success of reconstructive surgery. In
recent years, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging techniques have been
applied during surgery to evaluate flap perfusion. However, this investigation
has found that there is little consensus regarding the standard dose of ICG as
well as the pre-operative requirements of ICG allergy testing. The aim of this
study is to summarize the applications of ICG to tissue transfers and safe dosing
practices and to provide insight to the possible adverse effects of ICG on flap
surgery with the goal of helping clinicians apply ICG safely and efficiently to
tissue transfer procedures. METHODS: A literature search was performed using,
Wiley InterScience, and Springer with the key words, 'Flap,' 'indocyanine green,'
'surgery,' and related mesh words for all publications between 2005 and 2015.
Title and abstract screening was performed using predefined in- and exclusion
criteria. RESULTS: Seventy-three articles were included. These were classified
as "application of ICG in flap surgery" and "the security of applying ICG in flap
surgery". CONCLUSIONS: ICG fluorescence imaging preoperatively facilitates the
detection of perforators in tissue flaps with thickness <20 mm, aids in the
evaluation of flap microcirculation and perfusion, and allows surgeons to select
dominant cutaneous nerves while evaluating the quality of vascular anastomoses
and locating thromboses. The literature also concluded that potential allergic
reactions to ICG should be taken into consideration.
PMID- 28992649
TI - Stent Thrombosis.
AB - The most dreaded complication with percutaneous coronary intervention with
stents, either bare-metal or drug-eluting stents is stent thrombosis (ST) and it
has a significant detrimental effect on the outcome for the patient. The initial
attempts at intervention with bare-metal stents had much higher rates of ST
compared with what is currently prevailing in the modern interventional world.
Significant changes with respect to the stent technology, pharmacology, and most
importantly our understanding of this phenomenon have decreased the risk of ST.
There are many factors that can be performed to minimize the risk of ST and this
review will describe the incidence, pathophysiology, and contributing risk
factors to ST.
PMID- 28992650
TI - Platelet CLEC-2: Roles Beyond Hemostasis.
AB - C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2) has been identified on the surface of
platelets as a receptor for a platelet activating snake venom,
rhodocytin/aggretin. CLEC-2 belongs to a C-type lectin superfamily and binds to a
sialoglycoprotein, podoplanin, in vivo. Platelets play a crucial role in
hemostasis and thrombosis, but recent studies have uncovered multiple roles of
platelets beyond hemostasis in physiology and pathology. The interaction between
platelet CLEC-2 and podoplanin is the key to several roles of platelets beyond
hemostasis. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of podoplanin regulate
vascular/lymphatic development, maintenance of vascular integrity, tissue
regeneration, and some pathological processes including tumor metastasis and
thromboinflammation. CLEC-2 facilitates blood/lymphatic vessel separation during
embryonic development by binding to podoplanin on lymphatic endothelial cells.
The leakage of platelets from hyperpermeable vessels for maintaining vascular
integrity during inflammation depends on CLEC-2. During wound healing, the
expression of podoplanin in keratinocytes is upregulated, which helps in the
process. Podoplanin is expressed on the surface of tumor cells and facilitates
hematogenous metastasis by inducing platelet aggregation through CLEC-2. During
thrombotic processes, such as development of deep vein thrombosis, podoplanin is
upregulated on unknown cells in the vessel wall in the area of inflammation,
facilitates thrombus formation, and promotes further inflammation by binding to
CLEC-2. In this article, the roles of platelets beyond hemostasis are
comprehensively reviewed.
PMID- 28992651
TI - Localization of Exogenous Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Pig Model of Lung
Transplantation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a great potential for the
treatment of acute lung injury. This study provides a detailed
immunohistochemical and stereological analysis of the localization and
distribution of exogenous MSC in a pig model of lung transplantation after
intravascular or endobronchial application. METHODS: MSC derived from human bone
marrow were labeled by DiI and administered intravascularly or endobronchially to
the lungs of donor pigs after a period of 3 hours warm and 3 hours cold ischemia.
The left lung was transplanted to a recipient pig and reperfused for 4 hours
before fixation. The right donor lung was fixed for microscopic analysis directly
after the ischemia time. RESULTS: After both administration routes, a similar
number of exogenous MSC was found in the lungs. Within each animal, the
heterogeneity of MSC distribution was high both with respect to left and right
lung as well as to the different lobes of each lung. After endobronchial
application, MSC were found in alveolar and bronchial/bronchiolar lumen, whereas
after intravascular administration, they were mainly observed in blood vessels.
CONCLUSION: Although the administration of exogenous MSC is possible by
endobronchial or intravascular application, it yields a heterogeneous
distribution in the lungs which may warrant strategies to improve a more
homogeneous distribution.
PMID- 28992653
TI - Surgical Outcome of Colon Interposition in Esophageal Cancer Surgery: Analysis of
Risk Factors for Conduit-Related Morbidity.
AB - BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the feasibility, surgical outcomes, and conduit
related complications of colon interposition in patients with esophageal cancer.
METHODS: Patients with esophageal cancer who underwent colon interposition for
esophageal reconstruction between June 2000 and June 2013 were retrospectively
reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 67 consecutive patients (mean age, 62.2 +/- 7.9
years) were enrolled. During this time period, 944 patients underwent esophageal
reconstruction using gastric conduit. Twelve patients (17.9%) also received
neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). The median follow-up duration was 44 months
(range, 1-168 months); median survival duration was 63 months (range, 1-168
months); and 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 61.6 and 49.4%,
respectively. A total of 43 patients (64.2%) experienced at least 1 postoperative
morbidity. According to the Clavien-Dindo grading system, 36 patients (54%)
experienced postoperative morbidity of higher than Grade III. Pulmonary
complications were most commonly observed complications among the patients (18
patients, 26.9%). Anastomosis site leakage developed in 11 patients (16.4%), and
3 of these patients (6.0%) eventually experienced graft failure. On multivariate
analysis, nCRT was determined as a significant risk factor for conduit-related
complications (leakage, graft failure, fistula, and stricture). CONCLUSION: Colon
interposition is associated with relatively high complication rates, whereas nCRT
is associated with conduit morbidity.
PMID- 28992652
TI - Chemoradiation Therapy Followed by Surgery in the Treatment of Locoregionally
Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of surgery after
two induction cycles of cisplatin-docetaxel followed by concomitant 40 Gy
chemoradiation in the treatment of initially unresectable stage III non-small
cell lung cancer (NSCLC; TAXCIS protocol), and to evaluate overall survival (OS)
and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and recurrence risk factors over a larger
cohort of patients with a subgroup analysis of patients treated by pneumonectomy.
METHODS: Between 2004 and 2014, a total of 37 patients were treated. Only
patients responding to induction treatment were included. RESULTS: We operated on
32 stage IIIA and 5 stage IIIB patients. We performed 12 pneumonectomies, 1
bilobectomy, and 23 lobectomies. Status ypT0N0 was obtained for 35% of the
patients. Surgery was considered R0 in 86% of the cases. Postoperative morbidity
was 21.6% with a mortality of 10.8% (25% after pneumonectomy). OS was 50% at 5
years. The median RFS was 50 months. RFS was 47% at 5 years. Local or
locoregional recurrence was diagnosed in 10.8% of the patients, and distant
metastasis in 35.1%. Recurrence risk factors were pneumonectomy (p = 0.001) and a
histologically incomplete response (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The TAXCIS protocol
followed by surgery is feasible for initially unresectable NSCLC stage IIIA and B
patients. Benefit was noted in responding lesions with better OS and PFS, except
after pneumonectomy.
PMID- 28992655
TI - ?
PMID- 28992654
TI - Long-Term Survival after Salvage Surgery for Local Failure after Definitive
Chemoradiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB - BACKGROUND: The incidence of local failure and residual tumor after definitive
chemoradiation therapy (dCRT) for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
remains high, irrespective of applied radiation dose (>59 Gy). So-called salvage
surgery has been suggested as a feasible treatment option after failure of
definitive chemoradiation for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC). Experience with salvage lung surgery (SLS) is limited, and long-term
survival is rarely reported. Patient selection criteria for surgical lung salvage
are not defined. The aim of this study was to assess postoperative survival and
perioperative morbidity/mortality to identify prognostic factors and to define
patient selection criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of 13 consecutive
patients with locally advanced NSCLC, who underwent SLS at a single institution
between March 2011 and November 2016, were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were
applied for patient characteristics and surgical and oncological outcome.
Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared
with the long-rank test. RESULTS: All patients initially received curative-intent
definitive chemoradiation with median radiation doses of 66 Gy (range 59.4-72)
and concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy. Clinical tumor stage before
definitive chemoradiation was IIIA in 9, IIIB in 3, IV in 1 patients. Median
interval between definitive chemoradiation and salvage surgery was 6.7 months.
Perioperative morbidity and 30-days-mortality was 38% and 7.7%, respectively. The
median postoperative survival and estimated 5-year survival rate were 29.7 months
and 46%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SLS in patients with locally advanced non
small cell lung surgery following dCRT is feasible, prolongs long-term survival
and allows local tumor control. Selection criteria remain undefined and patients
should be considered surgical candidates during multidisciplinary team
conference.
PMID- 28992656
TI - [SOP - Standarized procedures in diagnostics and therapies of periocular basal
cell carcinoma].
AB - The basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the malignant eye tumor with the highest
incidence. The aim of this article is to present a systematic and standardized
approach to diagnose, treat and care periocular basal cell carcinoma.
Interpretation of clinical signs, diagnostic tools to identify periocular BCC and
interpretation lead to the appropriate choice of therapy. Surgical removal with a
histological R0 resection is an important component of therapy options in this
disease and includes the microsurgical excision into healthy tissue and the
subsequent covering of the defect. Alternative treatment options are targeted
therapies with hedgehog inhibitors and beam radiation in excessive basal cell
carcinoma. Also, aftercare of patients with basal cell carcinoma follows the
treatment. A special focus of this article is the treatment of locally extensive
and metastasized BCC and the national S2 guidelines of this tumor.
PMID- 28992657
TI - [Competing Validity of Developmental Diagnostic in School Entry Examination:
Results of a Census in an Upper Bavarian District].
AB - AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluation of the concurrent validity of a modified Bavarian
model (BM) compared to the social-paediatric screening of developmental status
for school entry (SOPESS) as a reference tool. METHODS: A total of 407
preschoolers to be enrolled for the school year 2015 in an Upper Bavarian
District were examined by BM and SOPESS. As a measure of the concurrent validity,
the Kappa by Cohen (K) was used. RESULTS: The agreement of both instruments was
moderate and was less pronounced for single dimensions than globally. The
agreement in the dimensions of "prepositions" vs. "grammatism" (K=0.46) was
highest and for the dimensions "numbers and quantities" vs. "calculus" (K=0.05).
Stratification by age, gender, nationality and mode of the study programs had no
significant influence on the strength of the effects. CONCLUSION: The moderate
agreement between the 2 instruments raises the question of the validity of BM
used so far in school enrollment examinations.
PMID- 28992658
TI - [The Ploner Model for the School Entry Screening is a Role Model for the Future].
AB - BACKGROUND: The Ploner Model is a stepwise-selective model, similar to the one
practised in all of Bavaria since 2008. It was already developed in 2002/2003 for
the school entry screening and has been in use since then. Such models are
intermittently criticized since not each child is seen by a doctor. METHODS: The
procedure and data of the Ploner Model are analyzed and put into a wider context
within Germany and beyond. The current programs in place are therefore
categorized into 3 groups and compared with regard to public heath ethics
criteria. The primary endpoint is the need for special schooling or assistance.
RESULTS: From 2003 to 2016, 1475-1045 children per year before school entry were
checked by the pediatric health team of the county health department consisting
of 2.1 full time equivalents of medical assistants and 1.5 fulltime equivalent
pediatricians having other routine duties. Applying a stepwise-selective model,
for children with special needs, 45-60 min instead of the usual 15 min per child
were available. The roster consisting of a questionnaire for parents with a
comment section for the daycare staff, a health and developmental check by the
medical assistants and a detailed catalogue of inclusion criteria allowed to only
examine 28-41% of the cohort by a pediatrician. The percentage of children
needing further special care was within the mean of the entire cohort of the
federal state of Schleswig-Holstein. CONCLUSION: A stepwise-selective procedure
is warranted for the sake of efficiency and public health ethics. The required
certainty (true positive and true negative) is guaranteed by the Ploner Model.
Any program, either to examine all children by a doctor or moving parts of the
school entry screening into the fourth year of life, require a continued critical
evaluation and professional guidance.
PMID- 28992659
TI - Monte Carlo Method Based QSAR Studies of Mer Kinase Inhibitors in Compliance with
OECD Principles.
AB - Monte Carlo method based QSAR studies for inhibitors of Mer kinase, a potential
novel target for cancer treatment, has been carried out using balance of
correlation technique. The data was divided into three random and dissimilar
splits and hybrid optimal descriptors derived from SMILES and hydrogen filled
graphs based notations were used for construction of QSAR models. The generated
models have good fitting ability, robustness, generalizability and internal
predictive ability. The external predictive ability has been tested using
multiple criteria and described models exhibited good performance in all of these
tests. The values of R2, Q2, R2test, Q2test, R2m and ?R2m for the best model are
0.9502, 0.9388, 0.9469, 0.9083, 0.7534 and 0.0894 respectively. Also, the
structural characteristics responsible for enhancement and reduction of activity
have been extracted. Further, the agreement with the OECD rules for QSAR model
has been discussed.
PMID- 28992660
TI - Alpha mangostin Inhibits Hepatic Stellate Cells Activation Through TGF-beta/Smad
and Akt Signaling Pathways: An in vitro Study in LX2.
AB - BACKGROUND: Alpha mangostin has been reported to have activity for the treatment
of liver fibrosis in the rats. However, the mechanisms of action are poorly
understood. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of alpha mangostin on
hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation and proliferation through TGF-beta/Smad
and Akt signaling pathways. METHODS: Immortalized HSC, LX2 cells, were incubated
with TGF-beta with or without alpha mangostin (5 or 10 MUM). Sorafenib 10 uM was
used as positive control. LX2 viability was counted using trypan blue exclusion
method. The effect of alpha mangostin on TGF-beta concentrations, and the
expressions of proliferation and fibrogenic markers were evaluated. RESULTS:
Alpha mangostin treatment resulted in a reduced proliferation of HSC, decreased
Ki-67 and p-Akt expressions. These findings were followed with decreased
concentrations of TGF-beta in the medium of cells treated with alpha mangostin,
decreased expressions of COL1A1, TIMP1, PAI1, alpha-SMA, and p-Smad3 as
fibrogenic markers. These effects were shown to be dose-dependent. CONCLUSIONS:
Alpha mangostin inhibits hepatic stellate cells proliferation and activation
through TGF-beta/Smad and Akt signaling pathways in dose dependent manner.
PMID- 28992661
TI - The Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Following Experimental
Colitis: Role of COX-2 and TNF-Alpha Expression.
AB - The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive and/or protective action of
Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (M. caesalpiniifolia) following experimental colitis in
rats. The rats were randomized into ten groups (n=10 per group), as follows: G1 -
Sham group:; G2 - TNBS group; G3, G4 -colitis and treated with hydroalcoholic
extract of M. caesalpiniifolia 250 mg/kg/day after and before/after inducing
colitis, respectively; G5, G6 - colitis and treated with hydroalcoholic extract
of M. caesalpiniifolia at 125 mg/kg/day after and before/after inducing colitis
respectively; G7,G8 - colitis and treated with ethylacetate fraction of M.
caesalpiniifolia at 50 mg/kg/day after and before/after inducing colitis,
respectively; G9,G10 - colitis and treated with ethylacetate fraction of M.
caesalpiniifolia at 50 mg/kg/day after and before/after inducing colitis,
respectively. Rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract of M. caesalpiniifolia for
both doses showed lower tissue damage in the distal colon. Ethylacetate fraction
was effective at the highest dose only when administrated after inducing colitis.
A downregulation of COX-2 was detected to rats suffering colitis and treated with
M. caesalpiniifolia at high dose. On the other hand, TNF-alpha immunoexpression
decreased in groups treated with M. caesalpiniifolia at low dose after inducing
colitis. In summary, our results suggest that M. caesalpiniifolia attenuated the
lesions of the colon, reduced inflammation, and modulates the expression of COX-2
and TNF-alpha during chronic colitis induced by TNBS when using for therapeutic
purposes on a dose-dependent manner.
PMID- 28992662
TI - Sample preparation method for the combined extraction of ethyl glucuronide and
drugs of abuse in hair.
AB - Often in hair analysis, a small hair sample is available while the analysis of a
multitude of structurally diverse substances with different concentration ranges
is demanded. The analysis of the different substances often requires different
sample preparation methods, increasing the amount of required hair sample. When
segmental hair analysis is necessary, the amount of hair sample needed is further
increased. Therefore, the required sample amount for a full analysis can quickly
exceed what is available. To combat this problem, a method for the combined hair
sample preparation using a single extraction procedure for analysis of ethyl
glucuronide with liquid chromatography-multistage fragmentation mass
spectrometry/multiple reaction monitoring (LC-MS3 /MRM) and common drugs of abuse
with LC-MRM was developed. The combined sample preparation is achieved by
separating ethyl glucuronide from the drugs of abuse into separate extracts by
fractionation in the solid-phase extraction step during sample clean-up. A full
validation for all substances for the parameters selectivity, linearity, limit of
detection, limit of quantification, accuracy, precision, matrix effects, and
recovery was successfully completed. The following drugs of abuse were included
in the method: Amphetamine; methamphetamine; 3,4-methylenedioxy-N
methylamphetamine (MDMA); 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA); 3,4-methylenedioxy
N-ethylamphetamine (MDE); morphine; 6-monoacetylmorphine; codeine; acetylcodeine;
cocaine; benzoylecgonine; norcocaine; cocaethylene; methadone; 2-ethylidene-1,5
dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) and methylphenidate. In conclusion, as
only 1 sample preparation is needed with 1 aliquot of hair, the presented sample
preparation allows an optimal analysis of both ethyl glucuronide and of the drugs
of abuse, even when the sample amount is a limiting factor.
PMID- 28992663
TI - Metabolic analysis of the antidepressive effects of Yangxinshi Tablet in a
vascular depression model in mice.
AB - In recent years, vascular depression has become the focus of international
attention. Yangxinshi Tablet (YXST) is usually used in cthe linic for the
treatment of arrhythmia and heart failure, but we found that it also has
antidepressive effects. The objective of the study was to identify biomarkers
related to vascular depression in hippocampus and explore the antidepressive
effects of YXST on the mouse model. Untargeted metabolomics based on UHPLC-Q
TOF/MS was applied to identify significantly differential biomarkers between the
model group and control group. Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA)
was used to scan the tendency of groups and partial least squares-discriminant
analysis (PLS-DA) to distinguish between the vascular depressive mice and the
sham. PCA stores showed clear differences in metabolism between the vascular
depressive mice and sham groups. The PLS-DA model exhibited 38 metabolites as the
biomarkers to distinguish the vascular depressive mice and the sham. Further,
YXST significantly regulated 22 metabolites to normal levels. The results
suggested that YXST has a comprehensive antidepressive effect on vascular
depression via regulation of multiple metabolic pathways including amino acid,
the tricarboxylic acid cycle and phosphoglyceride metabolisms. These findings
provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanism underlying vascular
depression and the mechanism of YXST.
PMID- 28992664
TI - [Clinical Study on the Efficacy and Continuous Docetaxel Based Chemotherapy
Treatment for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer].
AB - We report a retrospective study on the efficacy, adverse events and the factors
for continuous docetaxel (DOC) therapy for patients with castration-resistant
prostate cancer (CRPC). Between April 2007 and April 2015, 37 CRPC patients were
treated with DOC therapy at Kanazawa Medical University Hospital. DOC was
administered every 3 weeks at 70 mg/m2. Prostatic specific antigen (PSA) level,
adverse events, cycles of DOC therapy, survival time and clinical passage were
examined. Fifteen patients showed a decrease in PSA level of 50% or more, 9
patients showed less than 50% decrease in PSA level and 13 patients showed no
decrease in PSA level. Adverse effect of grade 3 consisted of neutropenia in
29.7% and leukocytopenia in 10.8%. The median number of treatment cycles was 11.7
courses. The patients were divided into two groups ; the first group comprised of
26 patients who received short-term DOC therapy (<=10 cycles) and the second
group comprised of 11 patients who received long-term DOC therapy (>=11 cycles).
The 1-year survival rate was 59 and 100% for the short-term and long-term groups,
respectively. Long-term treatment was related to pretreatment PSA nadir, time to
progression of CRPC and serum lactate dehydrogenase level.
PMID- 28992665
TI - [Clinical Study of Bladder Tamponade at Takeda Hospital].
AB - This retrospective study examined bladder tamponade in 58 patients (male, n=36 ;
female, n=22 ; average age, 78.5 years old) at Takeda Hospital between 2006 and
2016. Twenty-four of the patients were prescribed anticoagulants, and 18 had an
indwelling urethral catheter. The underlying diseases comprised of cystitis
(male, n=7; female, n=19), iatrogenic lower urinary tract injury (male, n=13),
bladder neoplasms (male, n=6 ; female, n=1), prostatic hemorrhage (male, n=7),
renal cell carcinoma (male, n=1 ; female, n=1), and bladder stone (male, n=2 ;
female, n=1). The ratios of cystitis and iatrogenic injury were significantly
higher in females and males, respectively (p<0.0001). Elderly women in particular
might be more in need of care due to a tendency towards bladder tamponade.
Continuous bladder irrigation and transurethral coagulation were required more
frequently for males than females. Radiation cystitis was not the cause of
bladder tamponade in any of our patients, indicating that the incidence of
bladder tamponade due to radiation cystitis has sharply decreased in Japan over
the past 10 years.
PMID- 28992666
TI - [An Increase in Cases of Bladder Tamponade Due to Cystitis Among Elderly Women
and Clinical Background Factors].
AB - Bladder tamponade is thought to be caused mainly by bladder cancer or radiation
cystitis. However, in women, it may often be caused by cystitis in clinical
settings. This has not been noted in previous reports of bladder tamponade in
Japan. Thus, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical features of 83 male and 41
female patients with bladder tamponade. Seventy-four patients were treated at
Nishi-Kobe Medical Center between April 2005 and March 2015, and 50 were treated
at Shizuoka City Shizuoka Hospital between November 2008 and March 2015. The
patients'median age was 80 years. The cause of bladder tamponade was urological
malignancies in 33 of the 83 male patients (40%), benign prostatic hyperplasia in
20 of the 83 male patients (24%), and cystitis in 33 of the 41 female patients
(80%). Compared with the men, the women with bladder tamponade were significantly
older and the proportion of patients with cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and
dementia was higher. In addition, more women were nursing home residents, with a
higher rate of voiding with diapers and antithrombotic use than men. Causative
strains of cystitis were diverse, and some were antibiotic resistant. Most of the
cases of bladder tamponade in the women occurred in the elderly and were caused
by cystitis. In an aging society, increases in the incidences of chronic,
complicated cystitis due to impaired independent micturition, dysuria, and
systemic diseases such as diabetes, and increased use of antithrombotic drugs may
contribute to bladder tamponade in women.
PMID- 28992667
TI - [A Case Report of Splenic Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma].
AB - A 64-year-old female patient underwent radical left nephrectomy in 2005 after
being diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma. The pathological diagnosis was pT2b
pN0 M0 clear cell carcinoma. Three years postoperatively, metastatic recurrence
in the para-aortic lymph node was noted, and the patient underwent
retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in 2008. The pathological diagnosis was
renal cell carcinoma (a combination of clear cell carcinoma and type 2 papillary
cell carcinoma). Five years later, she exhibited splenic metastasis on computed
tomography, but no other distant metastases were observed. She underwent
splenectomy in 2013, and the pathological diagnosis was splenic metastasis of
renal cell carcinoma (type 2 papillary cell carcinoma). Three months after the
splenectomy, she developed multiple bone metastases but refused to undergo
treatment with molecularly targeted drugs ; hence, she was transferred to
palliative care services. Fourteen months after the splenectomy, she died of
cancer. Most metastatic splenic tumors occur as part of multiple organ metastases
in the terminal stage of renal cell carcinoma. If splenic metastasis of renal
cell carcinoma is observed, further imaging studies should be performed, and
splenectomy should only be considered if a definitive diagnosis of sporadic
splenic metastasis is made.
PMID- 28992668
TI - [Spontaneous Remission of Everolimus-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease in
Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma : An Autopsy Case Report].
AB - Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common side effect of the mechanistic target
of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus. Most cases of everolimus-induced ILD are mild
and reversible. As per guidelines, even if Common Terminology Criteria for
Adverse Events grade 1 or 2 everolimus-induced ILD occurs, either continuation of
everolimus without dose reduction or readministration at a low dose is possible.
However, the pathophysiology of everolimus-induced ILD is unknown. We present a
case of everolimus-induced ILD with spontaneous remission during treatment in a
patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. At autopsy, there was no evidence
of remodeling or chronic inflammation in the lungs. Cryptogenic interstitual
pneumonia and broncholitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia can be suspected
as a pattern of mild everolimus-induced ILD. This case report provides evidence
that everolimus-induced ILD is reversible fromthe pathological perspective.
PMID- 28992669
TI - [A Case of Secondary Extramammary Paget's Disease Aroundthe Cutaneous Stoma after
Radical Cystectomy].
AB - We present a case of secondary extramammary Paget's disease around the cutaneous
ureterostomy stoma after radical cystectomy. An 85-year-old man with bacillus
calmette-guerin refractory high-grade urothelial carcinoma underwent radical
cystectomy and cutaneous ureterostomy construction. After right ureter cancer
diagnosis, he underwent right nephroureterectomy 3 years after the cystectomy. He
developed refractory dermatitis around the cutaneous stoma 1 year after the
nephroureterectomy. Skin biopsy revealed secondary extramammary Paget's disease,
cured by skin excision around the cutaneous stoma and skin grafting. Multiple
urothelial carcinoma metastases were detected 6 months later ; he died of
urothelial cancer 1 month later.
PMID- 28992670
TI - [Segmental Testicular Infarction in a Patient with Epididymitis].
AB - Testicular nodules are occasionally palpable in patients with acute epididymitis.
In these patients, we need to rule out testicular tumors. Advancement in imaging
technology such as doppler ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has
enabled us to distinguish segmental testicular infarction from testicular tumor
and refrain from orchiectomy. However, careful diagnosis is necessary and we
should not hesitate to perform orchiectomy in case testicular tumor is not ruled
out. Since segmental testicular infarction in the presence of epididymitis may
occur, we should consider the disease in a case of hard testis in the presence of
epididymitis. Herein we report a rare case of segmental testicular infarction
after epididymitis, in which testicular tumor was difficult to rule out.
PMID- 28992671
TI - Can Acute Stress Cause Esophageal Hypersensitivity in Healthy Individuals?
PMID- 28992672
TI - The Clinical Implications of Overlap Between Constipation and Common Functional
Gastrointestinal Disorders.
PMID- 28992673
TI - Reflux Hypersensitivity: A New Functional Esophageal Disorder.
AB - Reflux hypersensitivity, recently introduced by Rome IV as a new functional
esophageal disorder, is currently considered as the presence of typical heartburn
symptoms in patients with normal upper endoscopy and esophageal biopsies, normal
esophageal pH test and with evidence of a close correlation between patients'
heartburn and reflux events. Reflux hypersensitivity is very common and together
with functional heartburn accounts for more than 90% of the heartburn patients
who failed treatment with proton pump inhibitor twice daily. In addition, reflux
hypersensitivity affects primarily young to middle aged women, commonly overlaps
with another functional gastrointestinal disorders, and is often associated with
some type of psychological comorbidity. Diagnosis is made by using endoscopy with
esophageal biopsies, pH-impedance, and high-resolution esophageal manometry.
Reflux hypersensitivity is primarily treated with esophageal neuromodulators,
such as tricyclic anti-depressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
among others. Surgical anti-reflux management may also play an important role in
the treatment of reflux hypersensitivity.
PMID- 28992674
TI - Is Helicobacter pylori Associated Functional Dyspepsia Correlated With Dysbiosis?
AB - Background/Aims: To assess the long-term effect of Helicobacter pylori
eradication on symptomatic improvement according to the type of antibiotic and
the duration of treatment in H. pylori-associated functional dyspepsia. Methods:
We searched Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane library databases for
randomized controlled trials written in English and undertaken up to August 2016
that met our eligibility criteria. The search methodology used combinations of
the following keywords: Helicobacter pylori OR H. pylori OR HP; dyspepsia OR
functional dyspepsia OR non-ulcer dyspepsia; eradication OR cure OR treatment.
The study outcome was the summary odds ratio (OR) for symptomatic improvement in
H. pylori-associated functional dyspepsia with successful eradication therapy.
Subgroup analyses were performed based on the type of antibiotic, and the
duration of treatment, whether or not patients had symptoms of irritable bowel
syndrome, and on race. Results: Sixteen randomized controlled trials met the
inclusion criteria. The summary OR for symptomatic improvement in patients in our
eradication group was 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.54; P < 0.01).
In a subgroup analysis on type of antibiotic, symptomatic improvement with
metronidazole-containing regimen (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.26-2.77) was better than
treatment with clarithromycin (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.11-1.50). H. pylori
eradication therapy given for 10-14 days was the more effective for symptom
improvement than 7-day therapy. When the studies excluding irritable bowel
syndrome cases were analyzed, there were no therapeutic effects of H. pylori
eradication on symptomatic improvement. Conclusions: In the clinical setting, the
most effective H. pylori eradication regimen for functional dyspepsia to provide
relief of symptoms is a metronidazole-based treatment regimen for at least 10
days. The explanation for this is that H. pylori-associated functional dyspepsia
could be associated with dysbiosis.
PMID- 28992675
TI - Relationship Between Salivary Pepsin Concentration and Esophageal Mucosal
Integrity in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
AB - Background/Aims: Increased salivary pepsin could indicate an increase in gastro
esophageal reflux, however, previous studies failed to demonstrate a correlation
between salivary pepsin concentrations and 24-hour esophageal acid exposure. This
study aims to detect the salivary pepsin and to evaluate the relationship between
salivary pepsin concentrations and intercellular spaces (IS) in different
gastroesophageal reflux disease phenotypes in patients. Methods: A total of 45
patients and 11 healthy volunteers were included in this study. All subjects
underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 24-hour ambulatory multichannel
impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring, and salivary sampling at 3-time points during
the 24-hour MII-pH monitoring. IS were measured by transmission electron
microscopy, and salivary pepsin concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. Results: The IS measurements were greater in the esophagitis
(EE), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and hypersensitive esophagus (HO) groups
than in the functional heartburn (FH) and healthy volunteer groups, and
significant differences were indicated. Patients with NERD and HO had higher
average pepsin concentrations compared with FH patients. A weak correlation was
determined between IS and salivary pepsin among patients with NERD (r = 0.669, P
= 0.035). Conclusions: We confirmed the presence of a higher level of salivary
pepsin in patients with NERD than in patients with FH. Salivary pepsin
concentrations correlated with severity of mucosal integrity impairment in the
NERD group. We suggest that in patients with NERD, low levels of salivary pepsin
can help identify patients with FH, in addition the higher the pepsin
concentration, the more likely the severity of dilated IS.
PMID- 28992676
TI - Intravenous Corticotropin-releasing Hormone Administration Increases Esophageal
Electrical Sensitivity in Healthy Individuals.
AB - Background/Aims: When a person is experiencing stress, corticotropin-releasing
hormone (CRH) can modulate gut physiologies, such as visceral sensation or
gastrointestinal motility, and its intravenous administration mimics stress
induced physiological changes. However, the influence of CRH on the esophagus is
yet unknown. Accordingly, we investigated whether intravenous CRH administration
increases esophageal sensitivity to electrical stimulation in healthy Japanese
subjects. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were recruited. We quantified the
initial perception threshold (IPT) every 15 minutes after CRH injection. Venous
blood was collected with a cannula, and both plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH) and cortisol were measured at pre-stimulation, 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120
minutes. The results from each time point were compared against a baseline IPT
obtained before electrical stimulation was initiated. Results: When compared to
the baseline IPT value (16.9 +/- 4.5), CRH significantly decreased electrical
threshold of the esophagus at 30, 45, 60, 75 minutes (14.1 +/- 4.2, 13.1 +/- 5.0,
12.1 +/- 5.7, 14.0 +/- 5.8 minutes, P < 0.01, respectively) after CRH injection,
suggesting that CRH increased esophageal sensitivity to the electrical stimulus.
CRH also significantly increased plasma ACTH levels at 30 minutes (50.3 +/- 17.7,
P < 0.01), and cortisol levels at 30 minutes (22.0 +/- 6.7 minutes, P < 0.01) and
60 minutes (20.3 +/- 6.7 minutes, P < 0.01) after CRH injection, when compared to
the pre-stimulation ACTH and cortisol values. Conclusion: Intravenous CRH
administration increased esophageal electrical sensitivity in normal subjects,
emphasizing the important role of stress in esophageal sensitivity.
PMID- 28992677
TI - Nationwide Multicenter Study for Overlaps of Common Functional Gastrointestinal
Disorders in Korean Patients With Constipation.
AB - Background/Aims: In spite of increased concerns about the overlaps among the
various functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), studies for the overlap
between constipation and other common FGIDs are rare. Therefore, we investigated
the patterns of overlaps between constipation and other common FGIDs. Methods:
This study was designed as a prospective nationwide multi-center questionnaire
study using Rome III questionnaires for functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS), and functional constipation (FC), as well as various
questionnaires about patients' information, degree of symptoms, and quality of
life. For the evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), GERD-Q was
used. Results: From 19 centers, 759 patients with constipation were enrolled. The
proportions of FC and IBS subtypes of constipation (IBS-C) were 59.4% and 40.6%,
respectively. Among them, 492 (64.8%) showed no overlap. One hundred and thirty
six patients (17.9%) presented overlapping GERD, and 80 patients (10.5%)
presented overlapping FD. Fifty one (6.7%) of patients were overlapped by both
GERD and FD. Coincidental herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) (P = 0.026) or
pulmonary diseases (P = 0.034), reduced fiber intake (P = 0.013), and laxative
use (P < 0.001) independently affected the rate of overlaps. These overlapping
conditions negatively affected the constipation-associated quality of life,
general quality of life, and degree of constipation. Conclusions: The overlap of
GERD or FD was common in patients with constipation. Coincidental HNP or
pulmonary diseases, reduced fiber intake, and laxatives use were found to be
independent associated factors for overlapping common FGIDs in Korean patients
with constipation.
PMID- 28992678
TI - Alterations of Food-specific Serum IgG4 Titers to Common Food Antigens in
Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
AB - Background/Aims: The role of dietary factors in the pathogenesis of irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) is still unclear. The aim of this study was to compare IgG4
levels to common food antigens between patients with IBS and healthy controls.
Methods: Thirty-two patients diagnosed as IBS according to the Rome III criteria
(12 diarrhea subgroup; 20 non-diarrhea subgroup) and 32 sex and age-matched
healthy controls participated in the study. Serum IgG4 titers to 90 common foods
were measured in each subject. The number of subjects with positivity defined as
the cut-off value >= 0.7 U/mL was compared. Results: Patients with IBS had
significantly higher IgG4 titers to wheat, leek and taro compared to those of
controls. Serum IgG4 titers to ginger, cocoa, walnut, white radish, onion, and
lettuce in IBS patients tended to be higher than controls. IgG4 titers to wheat,
gluten and gliadin in the diarrhea subgroup, and lettuce, leek and taro in the
non-diarrhea subgroup tended to be higher compared with controls. The number of
subjects with positivity to apple, orange, lettuce, and leek was significantly
higher in IBS patients than controls. The number of subjects with positivity to
apple, orange, gluten, and gliadin in the diarrhea subgroup, and egg white,
pineapple, soybean, lettuce, and leek in the non-diarrhea subgroup was
significantly higher compared with controls. Conclusions: Serum IgG4 antibody
levels to some common foods are abnormally elevated in IBS patients. The type of
foods with abnormally elevated serum IgG4 titers in the diarrhea subgroup may be
different from that in the non-diarrhea subgroup.
PMID- 28992679
TI - A Rare Cause of Acute Colonic Pseudo-obstruction: Ogilvie's Syndrome Caused by
Herpes Zoster.
PMID- 28992680
TI - Application of computer-aided diagnosis in breast ultrasound interpretation:
improvements in diagnostic performance according to reader experience.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of applying
computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) to breast ultrasound (US), depending on the
operator's experience with breast imaging. METHODS: Between October 2015 and
January 2016, two experienced readers obtained and analyzed the grayscale US
images of 200 cases according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI
RADS) lexicon and categories. They additionally applied CAD (S-Detect) to analyze
the lesions and made a diagnostic decision subjectively, based on grayscale US
with CAD. For the same cases, two inexperienced readers analyzed the grayscale US
images using the BI-RADS lexicon and categories, added CAD, and came to a
subjective diagnostic conclusion. We then compared the diagnostic performance
depending on the operator's experience with breast imaging. RESULTS: The
sensitivity values for the experienced readers, inexperienced readers, and CAD
(for experienced and inexperienced readers) were 91.7%, 75%, 75%, and 66.7%,
respectively. The specificity values for the experienced readers, inexperienced
readers, and CAD (for experienced and inexperienced readers) were 76.6%, 71.8%,
78.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. When diagnoses were made subjectively in
combination with CAD, the specificity significantly improved (76.6% to 80.3%)
without a change in the sensitivity (91.7%) in the experienced readers. After
subjective combination with CAD, the sensitivity and specificity improved in the
inexperienced readers (75% to 83.3% and 71.8% to 77.1%). In addition, the area
under the curve improved for both the experienced and inexperienced readers (0.84
to 0.86 and 0.73 to 0.8) after the addition of CAD. CONCLUSION: CAD is more
useful for less experienced readers. Combining CAD with breast US led to improved
specificity for both experienced and inexperienced readers.
PMID- 28992681
TI - Ofatumumab Monoclonal Antibody Affinity Maturation Through in silico Modeling
AB - Background: Ofatumumab, an anti-CD20 mAb, was approved in 2009 for the treatment
of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This mAb acts through immune-mediated
mechanisms, in particular complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody
dependent cellular cytotoxicity by natural killer cells as well as antibody
dependent phagocytosis by macrophages. Apoptosis induction is another mechanism
of this antibody. Computational docking is the method of predicting the
conformation of an antibody-antigen from its separated elements. Validation of
the designed antibodies is carried out by docking tools. Increased affinity
enhances the biological action of the antibody, which in turn improves the
therapeutic effects. Furthermore, the increased antibody affinity can reduce the
therapeutic dose of the antibody, resulting in lower toxicity and handling cost.
Methods: Considering the importance of this issue, using in silico analysis such
as docking and molecular dynamics, we aimed to find the important amino acids of
the Ofatumumab antibody and then replaced these amino acids with others to
improve antibody-binding affinity. Finally, we examined the binding affinity of
antibody variants to antigen. Results: Our findings showed that variant 3
mutations have improved the characteristics of antibody binding compared to
normal Ofatumumab antibodies. Conclusion: In the present study, the designed anti
CD20 antibodies showed to have potential for improved affinity compared to
commercial Ofatumumab.
PMID- 28992683
TI - Synchronous metastasis from double primary cancers in a single left
supraclavicular lymph node.
PMID- 28992682
TI - Nanocurcumin-Mediated Down-Regulation of Telomerase Via Stimulating TGFbeta1
Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
AB - Background: Curcumin, extracted from turmeric, represents enormous potential to
serve as an anticancer agent. Telomerase is viewed as a prominent molecular
target of curcumin, and Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) has proven to
be a major inhibitory signaling pathway for telomerase activity. In the current
study, we aimed to explore suppressive effects of nanocurcumin on telomerase
expression through TGFbeta1 pathway in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line
(Huh7). Methods: MTT assay was used to determine the effect of nonocurcumin on
viability of Huh7 cells. RT-PCR was used to analyze the gene expression patterns.
Results: MTT assay revealed that nanocurcumin acts in a dose- and time-dependent
manner to diminish the cell viability. RT-PCR analysis indicated that
nanocurcumin results in augmentation of TGFbeta1 72 hours post treatment and
leads to the reduction of telomerase expression 48 and 72 hours post exposure.
Also, up-regulation of Smad3 and E2F1 and down-regulation of Smad7 confirmed the
effect of nanocurcumin on intermediate components of TGFbeta1 pathway.
Furthermore, transfection of the proximal promoter of telomerase triggered a
significant reduction in luciferase activity. Conclusion: The data from the
present study lead us to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanisms
underlying nanocurcumin-mediated regulation of telomerase expression, thereby
presenting a new perspective to the landscape of using nanocurcumin as a cancer
oriented therapeutic agent.
PMID- 28992684
TI - Paricalcitol attenuates indoxyl sulfate-induced apoptosis through the inhibition
of MAPK, Akt, and NF-kB activation in HK-2 cells.
AB - Background/Aims: Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a uremic toxin and an important
causative factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease. Recently,
paricalcitol (19-nor-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2) was shown to exhibit protective
effects in kidney injury. Here, we investigated the effects of paricalcitol
treatment on IS-induced renal tubular injury. Methods: The fluorescent dye 2',7'
dichlorofluorescein diacetate was used to measure intracellular reactive oxygen
species (ROS) following IS administration in human renal proximal tubular
epithelial (HK-2) cells. The effects of IS on cell viability were determined
using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays
and levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2-associated protein X [Bax] and B
cell lymphoma 2 [Bcl-2]), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF- kappaB) p65, and
phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase B
(Akt) were determined by semiquantitative immunoblotting. The promoter activity
of NF-kappaB was measured by luciferase assays and apoptosis was determined by f
low cytometry of cells stained with f luorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated
Annexin V protein. Results: IS treatment increased ROS production, decreased cell
viability and induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells. IS treatment increased the
expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and
activated phosphorylation of MAPK, NF-kappaB p65, and Akt. In contrast,
paricalcitol treatment decreased Bax expression, increased Bcl-2 expression, and
inhibited phosphorylation of MAPK, NF-kappaB p65, and Akt in HK-2 cells. NF
kappaB promoter activity was increased following IS, administration and was
counteracted by pretreatment with paricalcitol. Additionally, flow cytometry
analysis revealed that IS-induced apoptosis was attenuated by paricalcitol
treatment, which resulted in decreased numbers of fluorescein isothiocyanate
conjugated Annexin V positive cells. Conclusions: Treatment with paricalcitol
inhibited IS-induced apoptosis by regulating MAPK, NF-kappaB, and Akt signaling
pathway in HK-2 cells.
PMID- 28992685
TI - Is There a Change in Patient Preference for a Female Colonoscopist during the
Last Decade in Korea?
AB - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients may feel embarrassed during colonoscopy. Our study
aimed to assess changes in patient preference, over the past decade, for the sex
of their colonoscopist. METHODS: Prospective studies were performed at a single
health center from July to September 2008, and from July to September 2016.
Subjects included colonoscopy patients (2008: 354, 2016: 304) who were asked to
complete a questionnaire before colonoscopy. RESULTS: In 2016, 69 patients
(24.9%) expressed a sex preference, compared with 46 patients (14.6%) in 2008. By
2016, female patient preference for a female colonoscopist had significantly
increased to 95% (odds ratio [OR], 2.678; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.418-
5.057; P=0.002). In multivariate analysis, patient sex (OR, 4.404; P=0.000),
patient age (OR, 0.977; 95% CI, 0.961-0.992; P=0.004), and year of procedure (OR,
1.674; 95% CI, 1.028-2.752) were statistically significant factors in sex
preference. Between 2008 and 2016, female patients preferred a female
colonoscopist because of embarrassment. Male patients also preferred a male
colonoscopist, and the primary reason shifted from expertise to patient
embarrassment (2008: 29%, 2016: 63%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients have an increased
gender preference for the colonoscopist because of embarrassment. Taking this
into account can increase patient satisfaction during colonoscopy.
PMID- 28992687
TI - Through-Space Activation Can Override Substituent Effects in Electrophilic
Aromatic Substitution.
AB - Electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) represents one of the most important
classes of reactions in all of chemistry. One of the "iron laws" of EAS is that
an electron-rich aromatic ring will react more rapidly than an electron-poor ring
with suitable electrophiles. In this report, we present unique examples of
electron-deficient arenes instead undergoing preferential substitution in
intramolecular competition with more electron-rich rings. These results were made
possible by exploiting the heretofore unknown propensity of a hydrogen-bonding OH
arene interaction to switch to the alternative HO-arene interaction in order to
provide activation. In an extreme case, this through-space HO-arene activation is
demonstrated to overcome the deactivating effect of a trifluoromethyl
substituent, making an otherwise highly electron-deficient ring the site of
exclusive reactivity in competition experiments. Additionally, the HO-arene
activation promotes tetrabromination of an increasingly more electron-deficient
arene before the unactivated "control" ring undergoes monobromination. It is our
hope that these results will shed light on biological interactions as well as
provide new strategies for the electrophilic substitution of aromatic rings.
PMID- 28992686
TI - General, Auxiliary-Enabled Photoinduced Pd-Catalyzed Remote Desaturation of
Aliphatic Alcohols.
AB - A general, efficient, and site-selective visible light-induced Pd-catalyzed
remote desaturation of aliphatic alcohols into valuable allylic, homoallylic, and
bis-homoallylic alcohols has been developed. This transformation operates via a
hybrid Pd-radical mechanism, which synergistically combines the favorable
features of radical approaches, such as a facile remote C-H HAT step, with that
of transition-metal-catalyzed chemistry (selective beta-hydrogen elimination
step). This allows achieving superior degrees of regioselectivity and yields in
the desaturation of alcohols compared to those obtained by the state-of-the-art
desaturation methods. The HAT at unactivated C(sp3)-H sites is enabled by the
easily installable/removable Si-auxiliaries. Formation of the key hybrid alkyl Pd
radical intermediates is efficiently induced by visible light from alkyl iodides
and Pd(0) complexes. Notably, this method requires no exogenous photosensitizers
or external oxidants.
PMID- 28992688
TI - Differential-Concentration Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy.
AB - Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is a nanopipette-based scanning probe
microscopy technique that utilizes the ionic current flowing between an electrode
inserted inside a nanopipette probe containing electrolyte solution and a second
electrode placed in a bulk electrolyte bath, to provide information on a
substrate of interest. For most applications to date, the composition and
concentration of the electrolyte inside and outside the nanopipette is identical,
but it is shown herein that it can be very beneficial to lift this restriction.
In particular, an ionic concentration gradient at the end of the nanopipette,
generates an ionic current with a greatly reduced electric field strength, with
particular benefits for live cell imaging. This differential concentration mode
of SICM (DeltaC-SICM) also enhances surface charge measurements and provides a
new way to carry out reaction mapping measurements at surfaces using the tip for
simultaneous delivery and sensing of the reaction rate. Comprehensive finite
element method (FEM) modeling has been undertaken to enhance understanding of
SICM as an electrochemical cell and to enable the interpretation and optimization
of experiments. It is shown that electroosmotic flow (EOF) has much more
influence on the nanopipette response in the DeltaC-SICM configuration compared
to standard SICM modes. The general model presented advances previous treatments,
and it provides a framework for quantitative SICM studies.
PMID- 28992689
TI - Combining Explicit Quantum Solvent with a Polarizable Continuum Model.
AB - A promising approach for accurately modeling both short-range and long-range
solvation effects is to combine explicit quantum mechanical (QM) solvent with a
classical polarizable continuum model (PCM), but the best PCM for these combined
QM/classical calculations is relatively unexplored. We find that the choice of
the solvation cavity is very important for obtaining physically correct results
since unphysical double counting of solvation effects from both the QM solvent
and the classical dielectric can occur with a poor choice of cavity. We
investigate the dependence of electronic excitation energies on the definition of
the PCM cavity and the self-consistent reaction field method, comparing results
to large-scale explicit QM solvent calculations. For excitation energies, we
identify the difference between the ground and excited state dipole moments as
the key property determining the sensitivity to the PCM cavity. Using a linear
response PCM approach combined with QM solvent, we show that excitation energies
are best modeled by a solvent excluded surface or a scaled van der Waals surface.
For the aqueous solutes studied here, we find that a scaled van der Waals surface
defined by universal force field radii scaled by a factor of 1.5 gives reasonable
excitation energies. When using an external iteration state-specific PCM
approach, however, the excitation energies are most accurate with a larger PCM
cavity, such as a solvent accessible surface.
PMID- 28992690
TI - Atmospheric Chemistry of E- and Z-CF3CH?CHF (HFO-1234ze): OH Reaction Kinetics as
a Function of Temperature and UV and IR Absorption Cross Sections.
AB - We report here the rate coefficients for the OH reactions (kOH) with E-CF3CH?CHF
and Z-CF3CH?CHF, potential substitutes of HFC-134a, as a function of temperature
(263-358 K) and pressure (45-300 Torr) by pulsed laser photolysis coupled to
laser-induced fluorescence techniques. For the E-isomer, the existing discrepancy
among previous results on the T dependence of kOH needs to be elucidated. For the
Z-isomer, this work constitutes the first absolute determination of kOH. No
pressure dependence of kOH was observed, while kOH exhibits a non-Arrhenius
behavior: kOH(E) = [Formula: see text] and kOH(Z) = [Formula: see text] cm3
molecule-1 s-1, where uncertainties are 2sigma. UV absorption cross sections,
sigmalambda, are reported for the first time. From sigmalambda and considering a
photolysis quantum yield of 1, an upper limit for the photolysis rate
coefficients and lifetimes due to this process in the troposphere are estimated:
3 * 10-8 s-1 and >1 year for the E-isomer and 2 * 10-7 s-1 and >2 months for Z
CF3CH?CHF, respectively. Under these conditions, the overall estimated
tropospheric lifetimes are 15 days (for the E-isomer) and 8 days (for the Z
isomer), the major degradation pathway being the OH reaction, with a contribution
of the photolytic pathway of less than 3% (for E) and 13% (for Z). IR absorption
cross sections were determined both experimentally (500-4000 cm-1) and
theoretically (0-2000 cm-1). From the theoretical IR measurements, it is
concluded that the contribution of the 0-500 cm-1 region to the total integrated
cross sections is appreciable for the E-isomer (9%) but almost negligible for the
Z-isomer (0.5%). Nevertheless, the impact on their radiative efficiency and
global warming potential is negligible.
PMID- 28992691
TI - A Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Monitoring Leucine Aminopeptidase in Living
Cells and Zebrafish Model.
AB - Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) is an important cancer-related biomarker, which
shows significant overexpression in malignant tumor cells like liver cancer.
Developing an effective method to monitor LAP in tumor cells holds great
potential for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management. In this work, we
report a novel BODIPY-based fluorescent probe (BODIPY-C-Leu) capable of
monitoring LAP in vitro and in vivo in both ratiometric and turn-on model. BODIPY
C-Leu contains an asymmetrical BODIPY dye for fluorescent signaling and a
dipeptide (Cys-Leu) as the triggered moiety. Activation occurs by cleavage of the
amide bond in dipeptides and subsequently an intramolecular S -> N conversion to
convert sulfur-substituted BODIPY to amino-substituted BODIPY, resulting in a
dramatic fluorescence variation to realize the detection of LAP. Furthermore, we
have successfully employed BODIPY-C-Leu to monitor LAP activity in different
cancer cells, indicating that HeLa cells have a higher level of LAP activity than
A549 cells. Importantly, we demonstrated the capability of the probe for real
time monitoring the drug-induced LAP level changes in zebrafish.
PMID- 28992692
TI - Rare Hybrid Dimers with Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activities from a Safflower
(Carthamus tinctorius L.) Seed Oil Cake.
AB - Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil
extracted from the seeds. However, during the production process of seed oil, a
large amount of the oil cake is thrown away or fermented as fertilizer to improve
the homing rate of pigeons. Therefore, to solve the ecological problem and
develop its new function, we investigated the chemical constituents of a
safflower seed oil cake, and six new hybrid dimers, (+/-)-carthatins A-F (1-6,
respectively), with a phenylpropanoid and a feruloylserotonin fused via a
dihydrofuran ring, together with four known compounds, including sinapyl alcohol
(7), coniferyl alcohol (8), serotobenine (9), and feruloylserotonin (10), were
isolated. The extensive nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, combined with
electronic circular dichroism analysis and chiral high-performance liquid
chromatography, allowed the complete structural assignments of (+/-)-carthatins A
F. Moreover, we evaluated their anti-acetylcholinesterase activities. Racemic
carthatins A and B (1 and 2, respectively) showed anti-acetylcholinesterase
effects with IC50 values of 17.96 and 66.83 MUM, respectively. To some extent,
our findings provide a new scaffold of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which
could be beneficial for developing therapeutic molecules for the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease and supporting folk application of a safflower seed oil cake.
PMID- 28992693
TI - Pinpoint Diagnostic Kit for Heat Stroke by Monitoring Lysosomal pH.
AB - Heat stroke is one of the most serious causes of mortality. To prevent the
situation, it is fundamental to research the mechanism of heat cytotoxicity. The
preliminary results revealed that heat stroke and the change of lysosome acidity
had some certain correlation. To further clarify their relationship, herein, we
report a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence probe (NT1) for turn-on
sensing of the pH value. NT2 was synthesized as control compound. Compared to
NT2, NT1 showed accurate lysosome target ability. In addition, the suitable pKa
value (5.67) allows NT1 to response to the changes of lysosomal pH values. Most
importantly, NT1 could be used to study the correlation between the change of
lysosomal pH and heat stroke. It was shown that the lysosomal pH value increasing
with temperature during heat stroke. Thus, NT1 was an excellent candidate for
research of the complex biological mechanism of heat stroke.
PMID- 28992694
TI - SURPASS Low-Resolution Coarse-Grained Protein Modeling.
AB - Coarse-grained modeling of biomolecules has a very important role in molecular
biology. In this work we present a novel SURPASS (Single United Residue per Pre
Averaged Secondary Structure fragment) model of proteins that can be an
interesting alternative for existing coarse-grained models. The design of the
model is unique and strongly supported by the statistical analysis of structural
regularities characteristic for protein systems. Coarse-graining of protein chain
structures assumes a single center of interactions per residue and accounts for
preaveraged effects of four adjacent residue fragments. Knowledge-based
statistical potentials encode complex interaction patterns of these fragments.
Using the Replica Exchange Monte Carlo sampling scheme and a generic version of
the SURPASS force field we performed test simulations of a representative set of
single-domain globular proteins. The method samples a significant part of
conformational space and reproduces protein structures, including native-like,
with surprisingly good accuracy. Future extension of the SURPASS model on large
biomacromolecular systems is briefly discussed.
PMID- 28992695
TI - Formation, Aggregation, and Deposition Dynamics of NOM-Iron Colloids at Anoxic
Oxic Interfaces.
AB - The important role of natural organic matter (NOM)-Fe colloids in influencing
contaminant transport, and this role can be influenced by the formation,
aggregation, and particle deposition dynamics of NOM-Fe colloids. In this work,
NOM-Fe colloids at different C/Fe ratios were prepared by mixing different
concentrations of humic acid (HA) with 10 mg/L Fe(II) under anoxic conditions.
The colloids were characterized by an array of techniques and their aggregation
and deposition behaviors were examined under both anoxic and oxic conditions. The
colloids are composed of HA-Fe(II) at anoxic conditions, while they are made up
of HA-Fe(III) at oxic conditions until the C/Fe molar ratio exceeds 1.6. For C/Fe
molar ratios above 1.6, the aggregation and deposition kinetics of HA-Fe(II)
colloids under anoxic conditions are slower than those of HA-Fe(III) colloids
under oxic conditions. Further, the aggregation of HA-Fe colloids under both
anoxic and oxic conditions decreases with increasing C/Fe molar ratio from 1.6 to
23.3. This study highlights the importance of the redox transformation of Fe(II)
to Fe(III) and the C/Fe ratio for the formation and stability of NOM-Fe colloids
that occur in subsurface environments with anoxic-oxic interfaces.
PMID- 28992697
TI - An Accurate Model for the Ion Current-Distance Behavior in Scanning Ion
Conductance Microscopy Allows for Calibration of Pipet Tip Geometry and Tip
Sample Distance.
AB - The scanning ion conductance microscope (SICM) is an emerging tool for noncontact
topography imaging and multiphysical investigation of soft samples in aqueous
environments such as living cells. Despite the increasing popularity of SICM,
several aspects of the imaging process are still unknown; for example, there is
still no accurate description of the behavior of the ion current for a varying
tip-sample distance. To predict this ion current-distance behavior, we provide a
new numerical model based on finite element modeling. The model allows, for the
first time, accurately determining the tip-sample distance during an SICM
experiment. Furthermore, we present a nondestructive method for calibrating the
pipet tip geometry by fitting the numerical model to the experimental ion current
distance data and verify this method using pipets with opening radii between 30
and 300 nm.
PMID- 28992696
TI - Hybrid All-Atom/Coarse-Grained Simulations of Proteins by Direct Coupling of
CHARMM and PRIMO Force Fields.
AB - Hybrid all-atom/coarse-grained (AA/CG) simulations of proteins offer a
computationally efficient compromise where atomistic details are only applied to
biologically relevant regions while benefiting from the speedup of treating the
remaining parts of a given system at the CG level. The recently developed CG
model, PRIMO, allows a direct coupling with an atomistic force field with no
additional modifications or coupling terms and the ability to carry out dynamic
simulations without any restraints on secondary or tertiary structures. A hybrid
AA/CG scheme based on combining all-atom CHARMM and coarse-grained PRIMO
representations was validated via molecular dynamics and replica exchange
simulations of soluble and membrane proteins. The AA/CG scheme was also tested in
the calculation of the free energy profile for the transition from the closed to
the open state of adenylate kinase via umbrella sampling molecular dynamics
method. The overall finding is that the AA/CG scheme generates dynamics and
energetics that are qualitatively and quantitatively comparable to AA simulations
while offering the computational advantages of coarse-graining. This model opens
the door to challenging applications where high accuracy is required only in
parts of large biomolecular complexes.
PMID- 28992698
TI - Monitoring of Heparin Activity in Live Rats Using Metal-Organic Framework
Nanosheets as Peroxidase Mimics.
AB - Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets are a class of two-dimensional (2D)
porous and crystalline materials that hold promise for catalysis and
biodetection. Although 2D MOF nanosheets have been utilized for in vitro assays,
ways of engineering them into diagnostic tools for live animals are much less
explored. In this work, a series of MOF nanosheets are successfully engineered
into a highly sensitive and selective diagnostic platform for in vivo monitoring
of heparin (Hep) activity. The iron-porphyrin derivative is selected as a ligand
to synthesize a series of archetypical MOF nanosheets with intrinsic heme-like
catalytic sites, mimicking peroxidase. Hep-specific AG73 peptides as recognition
motifs are physically adsorbed onto MOF nanosheets, blocking active sites from
nonspecific substrate-catalyst interaction. Because of the highly specific
interaction between Hep and AG73, the activity of AG73-MOF nanosheets is restored
upon the binding of Hep, but not Hep analogues and other endogenous biomolecules.
Furthermore, by taking advantages of biocompatibility and diagnostic property
enabled by AG73-MOF nanosheets, the elimination process of Hep in live rats is
quantitatively monitored by coupling with microdialysis technology. This work
expands the biomedical applications of 2D MOF nanomaterials and provides access
to a promising in vivo diagnostic platform.
PMID- 28992699
TI - Determination of Benzyl-hexadecyldimethylammonium 1,4-Bis(2
ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate Vesicle Permeability by Using Square Wave Voltammetry
and an Enzymatic Reaction.
AB - This report describes the studies performed to determine the permeability
coefficient value (P) of 1-naphthyl phosphate (1-NP) through the benzyl
hexadecyldimethylammonium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT-BHD) vesicle
bilayer. 1-NP was added in the external phase and must cross the bilayer of the
vesicle to react with the encapsulated enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) to yield 1
naphtholate (NPh-), the product of the enzymatic hydrolysis. This product is
electrochemically detected, at basic pH value, by a square wave voltammetry
technique, which can be a good alternative over the spectroscopic one, to measure
the vesicle solutions because scattering (due to its turbidity) does not make any
influence in the electrochemical signal. The experimental data allow us to
propose a mathematical model, and a value of P = (1.00 +/- 0.15) * 10-9 cm s-1
was obtained. Also, a value of P = (2.0 +/- 0.5) * 10-9 cm s-1 was found by using
an independent technique, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, for comparison. It is
evident that the P values obtained from both the techniques are comparable
(within the experimental error of both techniques) under the same experimental
conditions. This study constitutes the first report of the 1-NP permeability
determination in this new vesicle. We want to highlight the importance of the
introduction of a new method and the electrochemical response of the product
generated through an enzymatic reaction that occurs in the inner aqueous phase of
the vesicle, where the enzyme is placed.
PMID- 28992700
TI - Flexibility vs Preorganization: Direct Comparison of Binding Kinetics for a
Disordered Peptide and Its Exact Preorganized Analogues.
AB - Many intrinsically disordered proteins, which are prevalent in nature, fold only
upon binding their structured partner proteins. Such proteins have been
hypothesized to have a kinetic advantage over their folded, preorganized
analogues in binding their partner proteins. Here we determined the effects of
ligand preorganization on the kon for a biomedically important system: an
intrinsically disordered p53 peptide ligand and the MDM2 protein receptor. Based
on direct simulations of binding pathways, computed kon values for fully
disordered and preorganized p53 peptide analogues were within error of each
other, indicating little if any kinetic advantage to being disordered or
preorganized for binding the MDM2 protein. We also examined the effects of
increasing the concentration of MDM2 on the extent to which its mechanism of
binding to the p53 peptide is induced fit vs conformational selection. Results
predict that the mechanism is solely induced fit if the unfolded state of the
peptide is more stable than its folded state; otherwise, the mechanism shifts
from being dominated by conformational selection at low MDM2 concentration to
induced fit at high MDM2 concentration. Taken together, our results are relevant
to any protein binding process that involves a disordered peptide of a similar
length that forms a single alpha-helix upon binding a partner protein. Such
disorder-to-helix transitions are common among protein interactions of disordered
proteins and are therefore of fundamental biological interest.
PMID- 28992701
TI - Exclusive Ni-N4 Sites Realize Near-Unity CO Selectivity for Electrochemical CO2
Reduction.
AB - Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to value-added carbon products
is a promising approach to reduce CO2 levels and mitigate the energy crisis.
However, poor product selectivity is still a major obstacle to the development of
CO2 reduction. Here we demonstrate exclusive Ni-N4 sites through a topo-chemical
transformation strategy, bringing unprecedentedly high activity and selectivity
for CO2 reduction. Topo-chemical transformation by carbon layer coating
successfully ensures preservation of the Ni-N4 structure to a maximum extent and
avoids the agglomeration of Ni atoms to particles, providing abundant active
sites for the catalytic reaction. The Ni-N4 structure exhibits excellent activity
for electrochemical reduction of CO2 with particularly high selectivity,
achieving high faradaic efficiency over 90% for CO in the potential range from
0.5 to -0.9 V and gives a maximum faradaic efficiency of 99% at -0.81 V with a
current density of 28.6 mA cm-2. We anticipate exclusive catalytic sites will
shed new light on the design of high-efficiency electrocatalysts for CO2
reduction.
PMID- 28992702
TI - Open Boundary Simulations of Proteins and Their Hydration Shells by Hamiltonian
Adaptive Resolution Scheme.
AB - The recently proposed Hamiltonian adaptive resolution scheme (H-AdResS) allows
the performance of molecular simulations in an open boundary framework. It allows
changing, on the fly, the resolution of specific subsets of molecules (usually
the solvent), which are free to diffuse between the atomistic region and the
coarse-grained reservoir. So far, the method has been successfully applied to
pure liquids. Coupling the H-AdResS methodology to hybrid models of proteins,
such as the molecular mechanics/coarse-grained (MM/CG) scheme, is a promising
approach for rigorous calculations of ligand binding free energies in low
resolution protein models. Toward this goal, here we apply for the first time H
AdResS to two atomistic proteins in dual-resolution solvent, proving its ability
to reproduce structural and dynamic properties of both the proteins and the
solvent, as obtained from atomistic simulations.
PMID- 28992703
TI - Influence of Frozen Residues on the Exploration of the PES of Enzyme Reaction
Mechanisms.
AB - In this work, we studied one of the very widely used approximations in the
prediction of an enzyme reaction mechanism with computational methods, that is,
fixing residues outside a given radius surrounding the active site. This avoids
the unfolding of truncated models during MD calculations, avoids the expansion of
the active site in cluster model calculations (albeit here only specific atoms
are frozen), and prevents drifting between local minima when adiabatic mapping
with large QM/MM models is used. To test this, we have used the first step of the
reaction catalyzed by HIV-1 protease, as the detrimental effects of this
approximation are expected to be large here. We calculated the PES with shells of
frozen residues of different radii. Models with free regions under a 6.00 A
radius showed signs of being overconstrained. The QM/MM energy barrier for the
remaining models was only slightly sensitive to this approximation (average of
0.8 kcal.mol-1, maximum of 1.6 kcal.mol-1). The influence over the energy of
reaction was almost negligible. This widely used approximation seems safe and
robust. The resulting error is on average below 1.6 kcal.mol-1, which is small
when compared with others deriving from, for example, the choice of the density
functional or semiempirical MO/SCC-DFTB method, the basis set used, or even the
lack of sampling or incomplete sampling.
PMID- 28992704
TI - Mutants of the Flavoprotein iLOV as Prospective Red-Shifted Fluorescent Markers.
AB - We report on novel variants of the flavin-based fluorescent protein iLOV with
absorption and emission optical bands shifted to the longer wavelengths relative
to their precursor. First attempts (J. Phys. Chem. B 2015, 119, 5176; 2016, 120,
3344) to improve spectral properties of iLOV, a fluorescent marker in living
cells, showed that single point mutation Q489K could lead to a promising variant,
but its realization was not successful due to unfavorable conformation of the
flexible lysine side chain pointing away from the chromophore. The results of
molecular simulations presented in this work evidence that location of the
charged lysine residue near the chromophore isoalloxazine ring can be fixed by
introducing additional mutations in iLOV. Several suggested protein variants are
characterized by using classical and QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations
followed by optimization of structures in the ground and excited states.
Transition energies between the S0 and S1 states are computed by using the
advanced quantum chemical methods TD-DFT, SOS-CIS(D), and XMCQDPT2. According to
our simulations, the chromophore-containing pockets for the red-shifted iLOV
variants containing lysine either at position 392 (V392K/F410V/A426S) or at
position 489 (Q489K/L470T) should be stable and exhibit absorption and emission
bands red-shifted by 40-50 nm relative to iLOV.
PMID- 28992705
TI - Importance of Scaffold Flexibility/Rigidity in the Design and Directed Evolution
of Artificial Metallo-beta-lactamases.
AB - We describe the design and evolution of catalytic hydrolase activity on a
supramolecular protein scaffold, Zn4:C96RIDC14, which was constructed from
cytochrome cb562 building blocks via a metal-templating strategy. Previously, we
reported that Zn4:C96RIDC14 could be tailored with tripodal (His/His/Glu),
unsaturated Zn coordination motifs in its interfaces to generate a variant termed
Zn8:A104AB34, which in turn displayed catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of
activated esters and beta-lactam antibiotics. Zn8:A104AB34 was subsequently
subjected to directed evolution via an in vivo selection strategy, leading to a
variant Zn8:A104/G57AB34 which displayed enzyme-like Michaelis-Menten behavior
for ampicillin hydrolysis. A criterion for the evolutionary utility or
designability of a new protein structure is its ability to accommodate different
active sites. With this in mind, we examined whether Zn4:C96RIDC14 could be
tailored with alternative Zn coordination sites that could similarly display
evolvable catalytic activities. We report here a detailed structural and
functional characterization of new variant Zn8:AB54, which houses similar,
unsaturated Zn coordination sites to those in Zn8:A104/G57AB34, but in completely
different microenvironments. Zn8:AB54 displays Michaelis-Menten behavior for
ampicillin hydrolysis without any optimization. Yet, the subsequent directed
evolution of Zn8:AB54 revealed limited catalytic improvement, which we ascribed
to the local protein rigidity surrounding the Zn centers and the lack of
evolvable loop structures nearby. The relaxation of local rigidity via the
elimination of adjacent disulfide linkages led to a considerable structural
transformation with a concomitant improvement in beta-lactamase activity. Our
findings reaffirm previous observations that the delicate balance between protein
flexibility and stability is crucial for enzyme design and evolution.
PMID- 28992706
TI - Binding Free Energies of Host-Guest Systems by Nonequilibrium Alchemical
Simulations with Constrained Dynamics: Theoretical Framework.
AB - The fast-switching decoupling method is a powerful nonequilibrium technique to
compute absolute binding free energies of ligand-receptor complexes (Sandberg et
al., J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2014, 11, 423-435). Inspired by the theory of
noncovalent binding association of Gilson and co-workers (Biophys. J. 1997, 72,
1047-1069), we develop two approaches, termed binded-domain and single-point
alchemical-path schemes (BiD-AP and SiP-AP), based on the possibility of
performing alchemical trajectories during which the ligand is constrained to
fixed positions relative to the receptor. The BiD-AP scheme exploits a recent
generalization of nonequilibrium work theorems to estimate the free energy
difference between the coupled and uncoupled states of the ligand-receptor
complex. With respect to the fast-switching decoupling method without
constraints, BiD-AP prevents the ligand from leaving the binding site, but still
requires an estimate of the positional binding-site volume, which may not be a
simple task. On the other side, the SiP-AP scheme allows avoidance of the
calculation of the binding-site volume by introducing an additional equilibrium
simulation of ligand and receptor in the bound state. In the companion article
(DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.7b00595), we show that the extra computational effort
required by SiP-AP leads to a significant improvement of accuracy in the free
energy estimates.
PMID- 28992707
TI - [Overgrowth in children and in adults: novel clinical view, novel genes, novel
phenotypes].
AB - Novel genetic findings allow to more reliably elucidate the aetiology and
pathogenesis of overgrowth syndromes in children and in adults. The relatively
prevalent overgrowth syndromes in foetuses and neonates include Beckwith
Wiedemann (BWS) and Sotos syndromes; in addition, several rare conditions may
occur e.g. Simpson-Golabi-Behmel and Weaver syndromes. These syndromes are not
connected with overproduction of growth hormone. Their carriers are at risk of
hypoglycaemia (in BWS), of congenital malformations and of childhood tumours.
Targeted oncologic screening may improve the outcomes. Despite rapid growth even
postnatally, the final height is mostly normal. In childhood and adolescence, the
increased growth velocity results from hormonal overproduction - of precocious
production of sexual hormones, hyperthyroidism, or of growth hormone
overproduction due to pituitary adenoma that may lead to gigantism or
acrogigantism and may be familiar (familiar isolated pituitary adenoma; FIPA). In
15-25 % of affected families, FIPA is caused by autosomal dominantly inherited
mutations of AIP gene encoding a tumour suppressor protein named AIP (aryl
hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein). X-linked acrogigantism (X-LAG) is due
to GPR101 gene mutations or microduplications of Xq26 chromosomal region. GPR101
encodes G-protein coupled receptor with unknown ligand. X-LAG is associated with
recurrent and highly-penetrant pituitary macroadenomas. Mutations of additional
at least 10 genes may lead to pituitary tumour with growth hormone
overproduction. Gigantism in adults results from untreated or insufficiently
treated pituitary adenoma in childhood. Some of the well-known current or past
giants were found to carry pathogenic genetic variants of GPR101 or AIP.
PMID- 28992708
TI - [Management of patients with thyroid nodules: American Thyroid Association
guidelines in the setting of Czech Republic].
AB - Thyroid nodules are common finding. Most of them are of benign origin without
thyroid dysfunction. Diagnosis is based on evaluation of thyroid function by
assessment of serum thyroid stimulating hormone, and ultrasound for the purpose
to identify the nodules which should be referred to fine needle aspiration biopsy
(FNAB). The nodule size, ultrasound pattern and clinical risk factors should be
considered before the FNAB is performed. The FNAB results should be categorized
based on the risk of malignancy to improving a standardization of the patients
management and minimizing number of false negative and false positive FNAB
results. The most appropriate categorizing system seems to be Bethesda
classification, although it is not completely optimal mainly because of
controversial Bethesda III category.
PMID- 28992709
TI - [Adrenal insufficiency].
AB - Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is an endocrine disorder characterized by a decrease
in cortisol secretion in adrenal cortex. AI even if properly diagnosed and
treated is connected with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality and a
decrease in quality of life. This review article summarizes basics of clinical
presentation, diagnosis, differential diagnostic and treatment necessary for
physicians of nearly all specialties and for improvement of the prognosis of
patient suffering from AI.
PMID- 28992710
TI - [Male hypogonadism and its treatment].
AB - Male hypogonadism can be of various etiology and that reflects its clinical
manifestation, diagnostics and treatment. Male hypogonadism leads not only to
decreased fertility, but influences the cardiovascular system, mood changes, bone
fragility, lipids and other metabolic functions. Diagnosis of hypogonadism can be
cumbersome, as well as the choice of optimal hormonal supplementation. The aim of
this article is to summarize the basics from symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of
male hypogonadism.
PMID- 28992711
TI - [Treatment of pituitary adenomas].
AB - Pituitary adenomas are the most common tumours of the sellar region. A
combination of neurosurgery, radiation and pharmacological approaches are applied
for the treatment of pituitary adenomas. In certain cases, patient observation is
another option. Neurosurgery is the first-choice treatment for acromegaly,
Cushing's disease and TSH secreting adenomas. Leksell gamma knife irradiation is
used in the treatment of tumour residues. Until the effect of the irradiation is
evident, pharmacological treatment must be administered. Large and/or growing non
functioning pituitary adenomas are operated. Irradiation is possible if there is
sufficient distance between the margin of the adenoma and the optic pathway. The
primary therapy for prolactinomas is pharmacological treatment with dopamine
agonists. Multidisciplinary collaboration among endocrinologists, neurosurgeons
and radiosurgeons is necessary in the treatment of pituitary adenomas.
PMID- 28992712
TI - [Biologic aspects of ADHD and conduct disorders in childhood and adolescence,
selected preventive aspects].
AB - Next to environmental factors and problems with interpersonal interaction in
family represent developmental findings the basic of understanding these
disorders (ADHD, conduct disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, tic disorders
etc.). Knowledges of neurodevelopment disorders represent new possibilities of
prevention and treatment.
PMID- 28992714
TI - A review of the availability and cost effectiveness of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) management interventions in rural Australia and New
Zealand.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic,
progressive disease, which consumes a significant proportion of the Australian
and New Zealand healthcare budget. Studies have shown that people living with
COPD outside of urban areas have higher rates of hospitalisations. Two
international reviews have demonstrated reduced hospital admissions and length of
stay in people with COPD who participate in an integrated disease management
program. However, most studies included in these reviews are in urban settings.
The purpose of this review is to explore the type and cost-effectiveness of COPD
management interventions located in rural or remote settings of Australia and New
Zealand in order to inform planning and ongoing service development in the
authors' local health district. METHOD: Six databases and Google scholar were
searched to find literature relating to the availability and cost-effectiveness
of non-pharmaceutical interventions for the management of COPD in rural and
remote areas of Australia and New Zealand. RESULTS: Two studies were found that
met the inclusion criteria. Both studies had small sample sizes, were single
intervention studies and showed a positive influence on variables such as number
of hospital admissions and length of stay at 12 months post-intervention.
However, because of the limited number of studies and the lack of homogeneity of
interventions, no conclusions regarding availability and cost-effectiveness of
COPD interventions in rural and remote areas of Australia and New Zealand could
be drawn. CONCLUSIONS: Limited literature exists to inform planning and
development of services for people with COPD living in rural and remote areas of
Australia and New Zealand. Approximately 50% of pulmonary rehabilitation programs
are situated in rural and remote locations in Australia and New Zealand. Outcomes
from existing programs need to be reported in a consistent and coordinated manner
to allow evaluation of health resource utilisation.
PMID- 28992713
TI - Household resources as determinants of child mortality in Ghana.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Although the association between child mortality and socioeconomic
status is well established, the role of household assets as predictors of child
mortality, over and above other measures of socioeconomic status, is not well
studied in developing nations. This study investigated the contribution of
several household resources to child mortality, beyond the influence of maternal
education as a measure of socioeconomic status. METHODS: This secondary analysis
used data from the 2007 Ghana Maternal Health Survey to explore the relationship
of child mortality to household resources. The analysis of 7183 parous women aged
15-45 years examined household resources for their association with maternal
reports of any child's death for children aged less than 5 years using a survey
weighted logistic regression model while controlling for sociodemographic and
health covariates. RESULTS: The overall household resources index was
significantly associated with the death of one or more child in the entire sample
(adjusted odd ratios (OR)=0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92, 0.98]. In
stratified analysis, this finding held for women living in rural but not in urban
areas. Having a refrigerator at the time of interview was associated with lower
odds of reporting child mortality (OR=0.63; 95%CI: 0.48, 0.83). Having a kerosene
lantern (OR=1.40; 95%CI: 1.06, 1.85) or flush toilet (OR=1.84; 95%CI: 1.23, 2.75)
was associated with higher odds of reporting child mortality. Adjusted regression
models showed only possession of a refrigerator retained significance.
CONCLUSIONS: Possession of a refrigerator may play a role in child mortality.
This finding may reflect unmeasured socioeconomic status or the importance of
access to refrigeration in preventing diarrheal disease or other proximal causes
of child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
PMID- 28992715
TI - "My Future is Now": A Qualitative Study of Persons Living With Advanced Cancer.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Advance care planning (ACP) enables individuals to deliberate about
future preferences for care based upon their values and beliefs about what is
important in life. For many patients with advanced cancer, however, these
critical conversations do not occur. A growing body of literature has examined
the end-of-life wishes of seriously ill patients. Few studies have explored what
is important to persons as they live with advanced cancer. The aim of the current
study was to address this gap and to understand how clinicians can support
patients' efforts to live in the present and plan for the future. METHODS:
Transcriptions of interviews conducted with 36 patients diagnosed with advanced
cancer were analyzed using immersion-crystallization, a qualitative research
technique. RESULTS: Four overarching themes were identified: (I) living in the
face of death, (II) who I am, (III) my experience of cancer, and (IV) impact of
my illness on others. Twelve subthemes are also reported. SIGNIFICANCE OF
RESULTS: These findings have significant implications for clinicians as they
partner with patients to plan for the future. Our data suggest that clinicians
consider the following 4 prompts: (1) "What is important to you now, knowing that
you will die sooner than you want or expected?" (2) "Tell me about yourself." (3)
"Tell me in your own words about your experience with cancer care and treatment."
(4) "What impact has your illness had on others?" In honoring patients' lived
experiences, we may establish the mutual understanding necessary to providing
high-quality care that supports patients' priorities for life.
PMID- 28992716
TI - The short-term effect of smoking on fetal ECG.
AB - BACKGROUND: The number of women who smoke during pregnancy is significant even
today. The harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy are well known but there
are no data on the effects of smoking on fetal electrocardiography (ECG). The
lack of data is in connection with the difficulties of recording fetal ECG
through the maternal abdomen. METHOD: Third trimester pregnant women who were not
able to give up the harmful passion of smoking despite repeated attempts of
persuasion were recruited in the study on voluntary basis. The fetal ECG was
recorded non-invasively through the maternal abdomen before, during and after
smoking, then the data were processed offline. The electrophysiological
measurements were performed by a self developed ECG device, which allowed the
examination of the morphological differences in "true-to-form" fetal ECG in
addition to studying the variability of fetal heart rate. The study involved nine
pregnant women. The observed changes are presented through case studies of those
pregnant women who showed the most significant anomalies. RESULTS: Compared with
the resting state fetal heart rate was increased during smoking. The short-term
variability of fetal heart rate was narrowed, while the mother's heart rate did
not change significantly - which was an indication of direct fetal stress. No
explicit ischemic signs were detected in fetal ECG during smoking, however, in
the increasing period of the fetal heart rate, the T wave morphology changed
slightly, then it returned to normal. CONCLUSIONS: Demonstrable by the
electrophysiological methods, smoking has a direct effect on fetal cardiac
function. The fetal heart rate variability shows a pattern during smoking which
is a typical sign of stress conditions among adults. The results may have
educational consequences as well. Understanding those, hopefully will help
pregnant women give up this harmful addiction.
PMID- 28992717
TI - Accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry in the preterm infants: a
comprehensive meta-analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurement is widely used in term
babies. But its effectiveness till debated in preterm infants. So, our objective
was to pool data to see the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry in preterm
infants. METHOD: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library database were searched from
2000 to July 2017. The included studies had compared TcB with total serum
bilirubin (TSB) in preterm infants before phototherapy and data were presented as
correlation coefficients. Data were extracted by two reviewers and checked for
accuracy by the third reviewer. The risk bias assessments were done by an
assessment quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies tool. Pooled
correlation coefficient assed after Fisher's z transformation and then converted
to r. RESULTS: We included 28 studies; all those studies reported results as
correlation coefficients. In combination of both sternal and forehead site
measurement, our pooled estimates of r = 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78-0.85) in random
effect and r = 0.803 (95% CI: 0.78-0.81) in fixed effect model. For separate
sites of measurement of TcB pooled r for forehead and sternum were comparable, r
= 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78-0.85), and pooled correlation coefficient for the two
devices JM103 and Bilicheck the estimated pooled r were also comparable (Pooled r
= 0.83). CONCLUSION: Our study found that TcB measurement is well related with
TSB values and can represent a reliable method for evaluating preterm infants
with possible hyperbilirubinemia. Our findings support the use of investigated
devices at both forehead and sternum sites in preterm infants.
PMID- 28992718
TI - Advanced maternal age and risk of non-chromosomal anomalies: data from a tertiary
referral hospital in Turkey.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship
between non-chromosomal fetal anomalies of various organ systems and advanced
maternal age. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was conducted in 387 women aged 20
53 years who underwent fetal karyotype testing due to positive prenatal test
results or advanced maternal age at the Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and
Research Hospital between September 2011 and March 2015. Fetuses with chromosomal
anomalies were excluded from the study. The relationship between non-chromosomal
anomalies and maternal age of women aged <35 or >=35 years was studied. RESULTS:
More than 80% (81.7%) of non-chromosomal anomalies were detected in patients aged
<35 years, and 18.3% were found in those >=35 years. There were no statistically
significant differences found between the incidence of non-chromosomal anomalies
in women aged over 35 years and those under 35 years. When congenital major
anomalies were evaluated with respect to various organ systems, the risk of
musculo-skeletal system anomalies decreased with advancing maternal age. However,
there was no statistically significant difference between the <35 and >=35-year
age groups in the incidence of central nervous system, craniofacial, cardiac,
gastrointestinal system, urogenital, respiratory, and limb anomalies. CONCLUSION:
The incidence of non-chromosomal anomalies does not increase in fetuses of
pregnant women aged over 35 years, in contrast to chromosomal anomalies.
PMID- 28992719
TI - Incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in Olmsted County, Minnesota: a
population-based study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The rate of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) varies, but most
reports estimate the incidence to be less than three per 10,000 births. Our
objective was to document the incidence of CDH in a geographically well-defined
population using available resources for highly accurate incident case
ascertainment. METHODS: We ascertained CDH cases in Olmsted County, Minnesota,
United States of America, from 1981 through 2014 using resources of the Rochester
Epidemiology Project. Overall and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated,
and hospital survival was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 26 incident CDH cases
were identified; the overall incidence of 3.6 (95% CI, 2.2-5.0) per 10,000 did
not differ significantly over the 34-year study period (p = .28). The estimated
incidence was 4.3 (95% CI, 2.2-6.5) for male infants and 2.9 (95% CI, 1.1-4.6)
for female infants. The percentage of cases diagnosed prenatally was 33% from
1981 through 2000 and 50% from 2001 through 2014. The rate of survival to
discharge in the two periods was 50% and 88%. CONCLUSION: The incidence of CDH in
Olmsted County exceeds the majority of published rates, which most likely can be
attributed to our comprehensive case ascertainment.
PMID- 28992720
TI - Accuracy and Time Delay of Glucose Measurements of Continuous Glucose Monitoring
and Bedside Artificial Pancreas During Hyperglycemic and Euglycemic
Hyperinsulinemic Glucose Clamp Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Glucose values of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) have time
delays compared with plasma glucose (PG) values. The artificial pancreas (STG-55,
Nikkiso, Japan) (AP), which measures venous blood glucose directly, also has a
time delay because of the long tubing lines from sampling vessel to the glucose
sensor. We investigate accuracy and time delay of CGM and AP in comparison with
PG values during 2-step glucose clamp study. METHODS: Seven patients with type 2
diabetes and 2 healthy volunteers were included in this study. CGM (Enlite
sensor, Medtronic, Northridge, CA, USA) was attached on the day before the
experiment. Hyperglycemic (200 mg/dL) clamp was performed for 90 minutes,
followed by euglycemic (100 mg/dL) hyperinsulinemic (100 MUU/mL) clamp for 90-120
minutes using AP. CGM sensor glucose was calibrated just before and after the
clamp study. AP and CGM values were compared with PG values. RESULTS: AP values
were significantly lower than PG values at 5, 30 minute during hyperglycemic
clamp. In comparison, CGM value at 0 minute was significantly higher, and its
following values were almost significantly lower than PG values. The time delay
of AP and CGM values to reach maximum glucose levels were 5.0 +/- 22.3 (NS) and
28.6 +/- 32.5 ( P < .05) min, respectively. Mean absolute rate difference of CGM
was significantly higher than AP (24.0 +/- 7.6 vs 15.3 +/- 4.6, P < .05) during
glucose rising period (0-45 min); however, there were no significant differences
during other periods. CONCLUSIONS: Both CGM and AP failed to follow plasma
glucose values during nonphysiologically rapid glucose rising, but indicated
accurate values during physiological glucose change.
PMID- 28992721
TI - Correlation of Hallux Rigidus Grade With Motion, VAS Pain, Intraoperative
Cartilage Loss, and Treatment Success for First MTP Joint Arthrodesis and
Synthetic Cartilage Implant.
AB - BACKGROUND: Grading systems are used to assess severity of any condition and as
an aid in guiding treatment. This study examined the relationship of baseline
motion, pain, and observed intraoperative cartilage loss with hallux rigidus
grade. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study examining outcomes of arthrodesis
compared to synthetic cartilage implant was performed. Patients underwent
preoperative clinical examination, radiographic assessment, hallux rigidus grade
assignment, and intraoperative assessment of cartilage loss. Visual analog scale
(VAS) score for pain was obtained preoperatively and at 24 months. Correlation
was made between active peak dorsiflexion, VAS pain, cartilage loss, and hallux
rigidus grade. Fisher's exact test was used to assess grade impact on clinical
success ( P < .05). RESULTS: In 202 patients, 59 (29%), 110 (55%), and 33 (16%)
were classified as Coughlin grades 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There was no
correlation between grade and active peak dorsiflexion (-0.069, P = .327) or VAS
pain (-0.078, P = .271). Rank correlations between grade and cartilage loss were
significant, but correlations were small. When stratified by grade, composite
success rates between the 2 treatments were nearly identical. CONCLUSIONS:
Irrespective of the grade, positive outcomes were demonstrated for both fusion
and synthetic cartilage implant. Clinical symptoms and signs should be used to
guide treatment, rather than a grade consisting of radiographic, symptoms, and
range of motion factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, randomized clinical trial.
PMID- 28992722
TI - The treatment of pseudoaneurysms with flow diverters after malignant otitis
externa.
AB - Background We report a case of bilateral malignant otitis externa complicated
with bilateral petrous internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms and their
successful treatment with a flow diverter. Case report A 68-year-old woman with
serious complications of type II diabetes mellitus had malignant otitis externa
on the right side. She was treated with combined antibiotic therapy and underwent
mastoidectomy for mastoiditis. She presented at our hospital with acute
hemorrhage from the right external auditory canal. The emergency computed
tomography (CT) angiography revealed a multiobulated pseudoaneurysm at the
petrous segment of the right internal carotid artery. The pseudoaneurysm was
treated with a 5 * 40-mm Surpass flow diverter. Three months later, she developed
a malignant external otitis on the left side. As the infection progressed, a left
sided mastoiditis, a brain abscess, and a pseudoaneurysm at the petrous segment
of the left internal carotid artery developed. The pseudoaneurysm caused bleeding
from the left ear, and was treated with a 5 * 50-mm Surpass flow diverter. No
recurrent bleeding was observed. Four months later, a follow-up angiography
showed complete occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm on the left side, but a residual
aneurysm could be detected on the right side. One year after the first
intervention, the follow-up CT and magnetic resonance angiography revealed the
complete occlusion of the aneurysms bilaterally. Conclusion The use of a flow
diverter appears to be an efficient and safe method to occlude carotid
pseudoaneurysms even in an inflammatory milieu.
PMID- 28992723
TI - Severe cerebellar hemorrhage following transverse sinus stenting for idiopathic
intracranial hypertension.
AB - We report a severe adverse event occurring in the course of a cohort study
(ISRCTN13784335) aimed at measuring the efficacy and safety of venous stenting in
the treatment of patients with medically refractory idiopathic intracranial
hypertension (IIH). The patient was a 41-year-old woman who was not overweight,
who presented with severe headache, grade 1 bilateral papilledema and transient
tinnitus, refractory to medical treatment. Right transverse sinus stenting was
successfully performed. Following surgery, the patient's state of consciousness
decreased acutely with rapid and progressive loss of brainstem reflex. CT scan
revealed acute cerebellar and intraventricular hemorrhage with obstructive
hydrocephalus. Angioscan revealed normal venous sinus patency and cerebral MRI
showed acute mesencephalic ischemia. Mechanical impairment of cerebellar venous
drainage by the stent or venous perforation with the large guidewire used in this
technique are two logical ways to explain the cerebellar hemorrhage seen in our
patient. The risk of such a complication could probably be reduced using
alternative tools and technique. However, given the low level of evidence around
the safety of transverse sinus stenting in IIH, its formal assessment in clinical
trials is required.
PMID- 28992724
TI - Educational inequality in cardiovascular diseases: a sibling approach.
AB - AIMS: Educational inequality in diseases in the circulatory system (here termed
cardiovascular disease) is well documented but may be confounded by early life
factors. The aim of this observational study was to examine whether the
associations between education and all cardiovascular diseases, ischaemic heart
disease and stroke, respectively, were explained by family factors shared by
siblings. METHODS: The study population included all individuals born in Denmark
between 1950 and 1979 who had at least one full sibling born in the same period.
Using Cox regression, data were analysed in conventional cohort and within
sibship analyses in which the association was examined within siblings discordant
on education. Assuming that attenuation of associations in the within-sibship as
compared with the cohort analyses would indicate confounding from factors shared
within families. RESULTS: A lower educational status was associated with a higher
risk of cardiovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease and stroke. All
associations attenuated in the within-sibship analyses, in particular in the
analyses on ischaemic heart disease before age 45 years. For instance, in the
cohort analyses, the hazard rate of ischaemic heart disease among women less than
45 years who had a primary school education was 94% (hazard ratio 1.94 (1.78
2.12) higher than among those with a vocational education, while it attenuated to
51% (hazard ratio 1.51 (1.34-1.71)) in the within-sibship analysis. CONCLUSIONS:
Confounding from factors shared by siblings explained the associations between
education and the cardiovascular disease outcomes but to varying degrees. This
should be taken into account when planning interventions aimed at reducing
educational inequalities in the development of cardiovascular disease, ischaemic
heart disease and stroke.
PMID- 28992725
TI - Correction to: Olubajo F et al., Cranial subarachnoid and subdural haemorrhage
caused by spinal melanoma metastasis.
PMID- 28992726
TI - Middle Ear Histopathology Following Magnetic Delivery to the Cochlea of
Prednisolone-loaded Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Rats.
AB - Delivery of therapy to the cochlea is a challenge and limits the efficacy of
therapies meant to treat hearing loss, reverse tinnitus, and protect hearing from
chemotherapy regimens. Magnetic injection is a technique that uses magnetic
fields to inject nanoparticles from the middle ear into the cochlea, where they
can then elute therapy to treat hearing disorders. To evaluate the safety of this
treatment in the middle ear, 30 rats were subdivided into 6 groups and treated by
single or multiple intratympanic injections of saline, prednisolone,
nanoparticles, or nanoparticles loaded with prednisolone. A specially designed
magnet array was used to magnetically inject the particles from the middle ear to
the cochlea. Treatment began at study day 0, and animals were euthanized on study
day 2, 30, or 90. Temporal bones were collected and prepared for
histopathological examination. Intratympanic administration of magnetic
nanoparticles and/or prednisolone resulted in minimal to mild inflammatory
changes in all treated groups. The incidence and severity of the inflammatory
changes observed appeared slightly increased in animals administered
nanoparticles, with or without prednisolone, when compared to animals
administered prednisolone alone. At study day 90, there was partial reversibility
of the findings noted at study day 2 and 30. Repeat administration did not appear
to cause greater inflammatory changes.
PMID- 28992727
TI - Neuroendoscopic and histopathological correlation in 13 cases of cystic fluid
filled brain tumours.
AB - Neuroendoscopical images of fluid-filled cavity walls within encephalic tumours
in thirteen adult patients were correlated with histopathology results of samples
harvested during surgery. Extensive vascular proliferation, with mesh-like
formations in a 3D pattern, as well as onionskin appearance, were observed in
malignant tumours, as opposed to normal or slightly increased vascular pattern,
observed in benign neoplasms. Medical facilities lacking sufficient technical
resources where limited pathologist experience is expected, and can be associated
with intraoperative histological misdiagnosis. Detailed high quality endoscopical
observations of tumour cavity walls may be helpful to differentiate between
benign and malignant lesions, and therefore, immediate surgical decisions can be
made.
PMID- 28992728
TI - Use of ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure in fetal neck and high airway
anomalies - report of four clinical cases.
AB - PURPOSE: To present antenatal management and use of ex utero intrapartum
treatment (EXIT) in different fetal neck and high airway anomalies. MATERIAL AND
METHODS: We have presented four different cases of fetal neck or airway pathology
which were indications for EXIT, at our department. RESULTS: In three cases of
fetal neck tumors, the primary precise antenatal diagnoses of tumors were
confirmed after birth. The airways of all three fetuses were properly secured
during EXIT by laryngologist. All these newborns survived. In the fourth case, a
primary, antenatal diagnosis of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome due
to severe trachea obstruction was not confirmed after birth. Finally, due to
complete trachea dysgenesis, neither tracheoscopy nor tracheostomy was done
during EXIT and the baby died. CONCLUSION: Despite a failure of intrapartum
treatment in the fourth case, we strongly recommend this procedure for deliveries
of fetuses with a suspicion of airway obstruction.
PMID- 28992729
TI - Vessel wall MRI revealing inflammation on brain aneurysm associated to chronic
mucocutaneous candidiasis.
AB - Some authors have reported the association between CMC and brain aneurysms. In
this paper it is reported a fusiform brain aneurysm associated to CMC and the
vessel wall MRI findings.
PMID- 28992736
TI - Reversal of Warfarin-Associated Life-Threatening Bleed With an Attenuated Dose of
4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate.
PMID- 28992735
TI - I'm still standing: A longitudinal study on the effect of a default nudge.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of a default nudge to reduce sedentary
behaviour at work over time. DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A field study was
conducted at a governmental organisation. In the present study, the default
setting of sit-stand desks (SSDs) was changed from sitting to standing height
during a two-week intervention. Stand-up working rates were calculated based on
observations that were done prior to, during, two weeks after and two months
after the intervention. Additionally, a pre-measure survey (n = 606) and post
measure survey (n = 354) were completed. Intention and social norms concerning
stand-up working were compared for the 183 employees who completed both pre- and
post-assessments (45.4% female, Mage = 44.21). RESULTS: Stand-up working rates
raised from 1.82% in the baseline to 13.13% during the intervention. After the
nudge was removed the percentage was 10.01% after two weeks and 7.78% after two
months. A multilevel analysis indicated a significant increase in both intention
and social norms after the nudge intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that
a default nudge can increase stand-up working rates in offices with SSDs at least
until two months after the nudge intervention.
PMID- 28992737
TI - Asenapine, iloperidone and lurasidone exposures in young children reported to
U.S. poison centers.
AB - CONTEXT: Asenapine, iloperidone and lurasidone are relatively new atypical
antipsychotics. There is limited information on toxicity on pediatric exposures
to these drugs. The objective of this study was to compare toxicity associated
with asenapine, iloperidone and lurasidone exposures in young children. METHODS:
A retrospective study of U.S. National Poison Data System from 2010 to 2015 of
single substance exposures to asenapine, iloperidone or lurasidone in children <6
years of age that were followed to known outcome was performed. RESULTS: There
were 95 asenapine, 64 iloperidone and 124 lurasidone cases that met inclusion
criteria. Reason was exploratory for 96% of cases. Drowsiness/lethargy occurred
most frequently with iloperidone (45%) and least often with lurasidone (8%). Two
iloperidone cases had respiratory depression. For asenapine, iloperidone and
lurasidone, respectively, management sites were on-site non-health care facility
(non-HCF) (32%, 16%, 26%), treated/discharged from emergency department (ED)
(46%, 47%, 63%), admitted to noncritical care (9%, 14%, 10%) and admitted to
critical care (10%, 22%, 2%). Clinical effect duration was 8 h or less for the
majority of non-HCF cases (80%) and for children treated/discharged from the ED
(72%). For asenapine, iloperidone and lurasidone, coded outcomes were no effect
(50%, 41%, 81%), minor effect (43%, 39%, 17%), moderate (6%, 19%, 2%) and major
(0, 2%, 0). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in children
under 6 years of age, lurasidone exposures were least serious and iloperidone
exposures were most serious based on clinical effects, management sites and coded
outcomes. Observation of symptomatic children in the ED for 8 h should be
sufficient to make triage decisions based on persistence or resolution of
clinical effects.
PMID- 28992738
TI - Preliminary Validation of the HS-QoL: A Quality-of-Life Measure for Hidradenitis
Suppurativa.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease
with adverse physical and psychosocial impacts. The development of an HS quality
of-life measure, HS-QoL, has been recently described. OBJECTIVE: This study was
designed to validate the HS-QoL. METHOD: Fifty-five patients with HS from 4
dermatology clinics completed the 30-minute online survey. Item reduction,
reliability (internal consistency), and correlation analysis (to assess
convergent validity) were conducted. RESULTS: The HS-QoL was reduced from 53
items to 44 items, resulting in a 7-subscale questionnaire. All subscales
demonstrated excellent internal consistency, except for the support subscale,
which had adequate internal consistency. All 7 HS-QoL subscales were related to
other measures of QoL, life satisfaction, and mental health, which demonstrates
convergent validity. CONCLUSION: The 44-item HS-QoL demonstrated strong
preliminary evidence of reliability (internal consistency) and convergent
validity.
PMID- 28992739
TI - Pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic considerations of asthma treatment.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic approaches are already utilized
in some areas, such as oncology and cardiovascular disease, for selecting
appropriate patients and/or establishing treatment and dosing guidelines. This is
not true in asthma although many patients have different responses to drug
treatment due to genetic factors. Areas covered: Several genetic factors that
affect the pharmacotherapeutic responses to asthma medications, such as beta2-AR
agonists, corticosteroids, and leukotriene modifiers and could contribute to
significant between-person variability in response are described. Expert opinion:
An expanding number of genetic loci have been associated with therapeutic
responses to asthma drugs but the individual effect of one single-nucleotide
polymorphism is partial. In fact, epigenetic changes can modify genetic effects
in time-, environment-, and tissue-specific manners, genes interact together in
networks, and nongenetic components such as environmental exposures, gender,
nutrients, and lifestyle can significantly interact with genetics to determine
the response to therapy. Therefore, well-designed randomized controlled trials or
observational studies are now mandatory to define if response to asthma
medications in individual patients can be improved by using pharmacogenetic
predictors of treatment response. Meanwhile, routine implementation of
pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics into clinical practice remains a
futuristic, far-off challenge for many clinical practices.
PMID- 28992740
TI - Apoplexy of a collision tumour composed of subependymoma and cavernous-like
malformation in the lateral ventricle: a case report.
AB - Subependymomas are rare benign tumours arising from subependymal glial precursors
that usually remain asymptomatic or may present due to obstruction of
cerebrospinal fluid pathways. We describe the first report of intraventricular
haemorrhage from subependymoma and cavernous-like malformation collision tumour
in a 74-year-old male presented with an impaired level of consciousness.
PMID- 28992741
TI - Neuropsychology and emotion processing in violent individuals with antisocial
personality disorder or schizophrenia: The same or different? A systematic review
and meta-analysis.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess whether there are shared or divergent (a) cognitive and (b)
emotion processing characteristics among violent individuals with antisocial
personality disorder and/or schizophrenia, diagnoses which are commonly
encountered at the interface of mental disorder and violence. Cognition and
emotion processing are incorporated into models of violence, and thus an
understanding of these characteristics within and between disorder groups may
help inform future models and therapeutic targets. METHODS: Relevant databases
(OVID, Embase, PsycINFO) were searched to identify suitable literature. Meta
analyses comparing cognitive function in violent schizophrenia and antisocial
personality disorder to healthy controls were conducted. Neuropsychological
studies not comparing these groups to healthy controls, and emotion processing
studies, were evaluated qualitatively. RESULTS: Meta-analyses indicated lower IQ,
memory and executive function in both violent schizophrenia and antisocial
personality disorder groups compared to healthy controls. The degree of deficit
was consistently larger in violent schizophrenia. Both antisocial personality
disorder and violent schizophrenia groups had difficulties in aspects of facial
affect recognition, although theory of mind results were less conclusive.
Psychopathic traits related positively to experiential emotion deficits across
the two disorders. Very few studies explored comorbid violent schizophrenia and
antisocial personality disorder despite this being common in clinical practice.
CONCLUSION: There are qualitatively similar, but quantitatively different,
neuropsychological and emotion processing deficits in violent individuals with
schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder which could be developed into
transdiagnostic treatment targets for violent behaviour. Future research should
aim to characterise specific subgroups of violent offenders, including those with
comorbid diagnoses.
PMID- 28992742
TI - The Effect of Peroneal Muscle Strength on Functional Outcomes After the Modified
Brostrom Procedure for Chronic Ankle Instability.
AB - BACKGROUND: Although the peroneal muscles are known to be the major dynamic
lateral stabilizers of the ankle, little information is available regarding the
change in muscle strength and relation with the outcomes after lateral ligament
repair surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of peroneal
strength on the validated functional outcome measures after the modified Brostrom
procedure (MBP) for chronic ankle instability. METHODS: Forty-one patients (41
ankles) who underwent MBP using suture anchors were eligible and followed up to 2
years postoperatively. Functional evaluation consisted of the Foot and Ankle
Outcome Score (FAOS), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). The changes of
peroneal strength were evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer. Differences in
the functional outcomes between the 3 groups divided according to the recovery
rate of peroneal strength were analyzed. RESULTS: Peak torque and total work for
eversion in 60 degrees/s angular velocity significantly improved from a mean 8.1
and 5.2 Nm preoperatively to 11.4 and 6.9 Nm at postoperative 2 years,
respectively ( P < .001, P = .038). The deficit ratio of peak torque for eversion
significantly improved from a mean 38.6% to 17.4%, and a significant side-to-side
difference was found ( P = .011). There were no significant differences in FAOS,
FAAM, and measurements of stress radiograph between the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS:
Although restoration of peroneal strength postoperatively was about 82.6% of the
unaffected ankle, patient-reported function in daily and sport activities were
satisfactorily improved. Postoperative isokinetic strength of the peroneals
demonstrated no statistically significant effects on the functional outcomes
after MBP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prospective comparative case series.
PMID- 28992743
TI - The knowledge and beliefs regarding practical aspects of cochlear implants: A
study of otorhinolaryngologists in a secondary setting in a multi-country study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this study was to determine the knowledge and beliefs
of otorhinolaryngologists in a secondary setting in selected economically
advanced European countries concerning severe hearing loss, hearing aids, and
cochlear implants (CIs). Secondary goals of the study looked into the information
sources of the otorhinolaryngologists and into key topics of importance for these
professionals. In Europe, many adults, who could benefit from a CI, do not have
one despite their availability via national health care systems. This lack of
coverage might be due, in part, to the knowledge and beliefs of
otorhinolaryngologists. METHODS: Otorhinolaryngologists in a secondary setting in
Germany, England, France, Austria, and Sweden were emailed a custom-made
questionnaire on their knowledge and beliefs regarding hearing loss and its
treatments. Results were presented in relative frequencies (%) according to each
nation. RESULTS: Two-hundred and forty otorhinolaryngologists responded (50 from
each nation except Sweden). Each nation regarded rehabilitation and hearing
preservation as particularly important in CIs. National and international
conferences and conversations with colleagues were much more popular methods of
keeping abreast of medical issues than other information sources such as online
media or company information. CONCLUSION: The otorhinolaryngologists of the
surveyed nations share many common beliefs about hearing loss, hearing aids, and
CIs, although some national variation in opinion is present. The
otorhinolaryngologists of each nation are knowledgeable, but could still benefit
from an increased knowledge and awareness of hearing loss treatment modalities.
PMID- 28992744
TI - Physician communication via Internet-enabled technology: A systematic review.
AB - The use of Internet-enabled technology (information and communication technology
such as smartphone applications) may enrich information exchange among providers
and, consequently, improve health care delivery. The purpose of this systematic
review was to gain a greater understanding of the role that Internet-enabled
technology plays in enhancing communication among physicians. Studies were
identified through a search in three electronic platforms: the Association for
Computing Machinery Digital Library, ProQuest, and Web of Science. The search
identified 5140 articles; of these, 21 met all inclusion criteria. In general,
physicians were satisfied with Internet-enabled technology, but consensus was
lacking regarding whether Internet-enabled technology improved efficiency or made
a difference to clinical decision-making. Internet-enabled technology can play an
important role in enhancing communication among physicians, but the extent of
that benefit is influenced by (1) the impact of Internet-enabled technology on
existing work practices, (2) the availability of adequate resources, and (3) the
nature of institutional elements, such as privacy legislation.
PMID- 28992745
TI - Are consistent juror decisions related to fast and frugal decision making?
Investigating the relationship between juror consistency, decision speed and cue
utilisation.
AB - The aim of this study was to establish whether more consistent/accurate juror
decision making is related to faster decision-making processes which use fewer
cues - that is, fast and frugal heuristic processes. A correlational design was
implemented with the co-variables: consistency of verdict decisions (participant
decisions compared to the actual court verdicts), decision speed, and cue
utilisation (the number of cues used to make a final verdict decision). Sixty
participants read information about six murder trials which were based on real
cases and whose outcome verdicts were deemed to be correct by the Scottish legal
institution. Three of the cases had been handed down 'not guilty' verdicts, and
three had been handed down 'guilty' verdicts. Participants read opening
statements and were then presented with a block of prosecution evidence, followed
by a block of defence evidence. They were then asked to make a final verdict. All
three co-variables were significantly related. Cue utilisation and speed were
positively correlated, as would be expected. Consistency was negatively and
significantly related to both speed and cue utilisation. Partial correlations
highlighted that cue utilisation was the only variable to have a significant
relationship with consistency, and that the relationship between speed and
consistency was a by-product of how frugal the juror was. Findings support the
concept of frugal decisional processes being optimal within a juror context. The
more frugal a decision is, the more likely jurors are to be to be
accurate/consistent.
PMID- 28992746
TI - Changes in sleep habits between 1985 and 2013 among children and adolescents in
Sweden.
AB - AIMS: The aim was to investigate changes in child and adolescent sleep habits in
Sweden over time. This had not been done previously. METHODS: Cross-sectional
questionnaire data over three decades of investigations of the Health Behaviours
of School Children study (1985/1986, 2005/2006 and 2013/2014) were used. The
sample included 18,682 children and adolescents, aged 11, 13 and 15. Empirically
based age-specific sleep duration recommendations were used to operationalise
sleep duration. RESULTS: The results showed that, over time, fewer go to bed
early and more go to bed late. Regarding sleep duration, there have been
decreases in the proportion of children and adolescents that sleep as much as is
recommended for their age. Sleep onset difficulties have increased for all ages
and increase the odds of sleeping less than recommended as well as having late
bedtimes. Boys were more likely than girls to have later bedtimes and to sleep
less than recommended. A vocational educational track, not planning to study
further or being unsure of which track to choose increased the odds for 15 year
olds to have late bedtimes and to sleep less than recommended compared with a
college preparatory track. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that over time,
fewer children and adolescents attain sufficient sleep duration. This may have
implications for study results, mental health and cognitive abilities.
PMID- 28992747
TI - Predictors and Moderators of Quality of Life Among College Students With ADHD.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The current study examines (a) whether ADHD among college students is
associated with differences in perceptions of quality of life (QoL); (b) the
moderating roles of comorbidity, drug use, psychopharmacological treatment, and
psychosocial treatment; and (c) the total impact of these variables on QoL.
METHOD: Participants were college students with and without ADHD ( N = 372) in a
longitudinal study. RESULTS: College students with ADHD were more likely to
assert negative global QoL evaluations relative to non-ADHD peers. The
relationship between ADHD and QoL was not altered as a function of medication
treatment, comorbid psychopathology, psychosocial treatment, or drug use.
CONCLUSION: College students with ADHD behave similarly to other adults with ADHD
in that they make lower subjective global evaluations of their QoL relative to
their non-ADHD agemates. Other factors associated with ADHD and QoL do not appear
to moderate this relationship.
PMID- 28992749
TI - A review of privacy and usability issues in mobile health systems: Role of
external factors.
AB - The increased penetration of mobile devices has created opportunities in the
health sector and led to emerging of mobile health systems. As much as the mobile
health systems have registered tremendous progress, they have been faced with
privacy and usability issues. Due to the sensitivity of health information, there
is an ethical need to equip mobile health systems with adequate privacy measures.
However, these systems should also be useable by the intended users. Even though
many researchers are working on solutions, the issues still persist. External
factors such as cultural differences have also contributed to the issues, yet
they have been under researched. In this article, we conduct a systematic
literature review of 22 articles, categorize and present privacy and usability
issues and possible solutions. We then discuss the relevance and implications of
external factors to the findings on privacy and usability. We end with
recommendations to address these external factors.
PMID- 28992748
TI - Composition of the Stroma in the Human Endometrium and Endometriosis.
AB - To analyze whether the endometrial and endometriotic microenvironment is involved
in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, we characterized the stromal composition.
We used CD90 for fibroblasts, alpha-smooth muscle actin for myofibroblasts as
well as CD10 and CD140b for mesenchymal stromal cells. Quantification of eutopic
endometrial stroma of cases without endometriosis showed a high percentage of
stromal cells positive for CD140b (80.7%) and CD10 (67.4%), a moderate number of
CD90-positive cells (57.9%), and very few alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive
cells (8.5%). These values are highly similar to cases with endometriosis showing
only minor changes: CD140b (76.7%), CD10 (63%), CD90 (53.9%), and alpha-smooth
muscle actin (6.9%). There are no significant differences in the composition of
CD140b- and CD10-positive stromal cells between the eutopic endometrial stroma
and the 3 different endometriotic entities (ovarian, peritoneal, and deep
infiltrating endometriosis), except for a significant difference between CD10
positive stromal cells in peritoneal lesions compared to ovarian lesions.
However, the percentage of CD90-positive stromal cells was reduced in the 3
different endometriotic entities compared to the endometrium, especially
significant in the ovarian lesions. In contrast, the percentage of alpha-smooth
muscle actin-positive cells in the ovary was moderately increased. Taken
together, the marker signature of eutopic endometrial and endometriotic stromal
cells resembles mostly mesenchymal stromal cells. Our results show clearly that
the proportion of the different stromal cell types in the endometrium with or
without endometriosis does not differ significantly, thus suggesting that the
stromal eutopic endometrial microenvironment does not contribute to the
pathogenesis of endometriosis.
PMID- 28992750
TI - Acute Hypotension After MitraClip Implantation due to Acute Left Ventricular
Failure.
AB - The MitraClip is a percutaneously implanted device approved for the treatment of
symptomatic organic mitral regurgitation in poor surgical candidates. Despite its
proven efficacy and safety for mitral regurgitation treatment, the MitraClip may
unmask the true afterload of the left ventricle by removing the low-pressure left
atrial system and may cause acute left ventricular systolic failure (afterload
mismatch). Rapid diagnosis and treatment of afterload mismatch is crucial to
ensure optimal patient outcomes. The authors present a case of acute hemodynamic
deterioration after MitraClip implantation in a patient with chronic severe left
ventricular systolic dysfunction. Transesophageal echocardiography was pivotal
for the rapid recognition of acute left ventricular failure and aided in the
intraoperative decision-making process and therapy.
PMID- 28992751
TI - The care needs of postpartum women taking their first time of doing the month: a
qualitative study.
AB - BACKGROUND: In contemporary Taiwan, after giving birth, many women undertake a
traditional postpartum practice called 'doing the month', which occurs in the
medical context of postpartum nursing centres instead of at home. Thus,
healthcare workers must identify and address the care needs of new mothers in
this setting to improve the care of new mothers and their baby and family. AIM:
To explore new mothers' care needs from their own perspectives during the period
of doing the month. METHODS: A qualitative study was performed. Eligible
participants recruited through purposive sampling were interviewed
comprehensively. RESULTS: Twenty-seven primiparous women participated (mean age:
32 years; mean marriage length: 3.4 years). Four themes were identified: the need
to increase energy to gain more yang force, the need to internalise mothering,
the need to be supported by the family and friends, and the need to be
understood. CONCLUSIONS: For effective care, sufficient support and guidance must
be provided to first-time mothers and their families, especially when mother-baby
rooming-in is the standard of care.
PMID- 28992752
TI - Comorbid Internalizing and Externalizing Disorders Predict Lability of Negative
Emotions Among Children With ADHD.
AB - OBJECTIVE: A subset of children with ADHD experience more frequent, sudden, and
intense shifts toward negative emotions. The current study utilized ecological
momentary assessment (EMA) to provide a valid assessment of the impact of
comorbid internalizing and externalizing disorders on negative emotional lability
(EL) among children with ADHD. METHOD: Parents of 58, 8- to 12-year-old children
with ADHD were administered a diagnostic interview to assess for ADHD and for the
presence of comorbid disorders. Parents completed EMA-based ratings of their
child's negative emotions three times daily for a total of 28 days. RESULTS:
Children with a comorbid internalizing disorder or children with comorbid
oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) experienced significantly greater EMA-derived
negative EL than children without comorbid disorders over time. Children with
multiple comorbidities experienced greater EL than children with single
comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study suggested that both comorbid ODD
and comorbid internalizing disorders contribute to negative EL among children
with ADHD.
PMID- 28992753
TI - Pelvic vein embolisation of gonadal and internal iliac veins can be performed
safely and with good technical results in an ambulatory vein clinic, under local
anaesthetic alone - Results from two years' experience.
AB - Objectives Pelvic vein embolisation is increasing in venous practice for the
treatment of conditions associated with pelvic venous reflux. In July 2014, we
introduced a local anaesthetic "walk-in walk-out" pelvic vein embolisation
service situated in a vein clinic, remote from a hospital. Methods Prospective
audit of all patients undergoing pelvic vein embolisation for pelvic venous
reflux. All patients had serum urea and electrolytes tested before procedure.
Embolisation coils used were interlock embolisation coils (Boston Scientific,
USA) as they can be repositioned after deployment and before release. We noted
(1) complications during or post-procedure (2) successful abolition of pelvic
venous reflux on transvaginal duplex scanning (3) number of veins (territories)
treated and number of coils used. Results In 24 months, 121 patients underwent
pelvic vein embolisation. Three males were excluded as transvaginal duplex
scanning was impossible and six females excluded due to lack of complete data.
None of these nine had any complications. Of 112 females analysed, mean age 45
years (24-71), 104 were for leg varices, 48 vulval varices and 20 for pelvic
congestion syndrome (some had more than one indication). There were no deaths or
serious complications to 30 days. Two procedures were abandoned, one completed
subsequently and one was technically successful on review. One more had transient
bradycardia and one had a coil removed by snare during the procedure. The mean
number of venous territories treated was 2.9 and a mean of 3.3 coils was used per
territory. Conclusion Pelvic vein embolisation under local anaesthetic is safe
and technically effective in a remote out-patient facility outside of a hospital.
PMID- 28992754
TI - Suicidal Ideation and Related Factors Among Korean High School Students: A Focus
on Cyber Addiction and School Bullying.
AB - The purpose of the study was to explore the association among suicidal ideation,
cyber addiction, and school bullying of Korean high school students. This
descriptive cross-sectional study included 416 students. The data were collected
using structured questionnaires on suicidal ideation, Internet and smartphone
addiction, experiences of school bullying, impulsiveness, and depression.
Students who were bullied (odds ratio [ OR] = 3.0, 95% CI [1.1, 8.4]) and more
depressed ( OR = 10.8, 95% CI [2.4, 48.2]) were more likely to have higher scores
for suicidal ideation; however, when a lower stringency was used, female gender (
OR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.3, 4.0]) and addiction to smartphones ( OR = 2.4, 95% CI
[1.1, 5.4]) were also statistically significant contributors to the presence of
suicidal ideation. Students with suicidal ideation that is higher than average,
but lower than the classical thresholds for risk group designation, should also
be carefully assessed for early detection and intervention. Cyber addiction may
be a particularly significant contributor to suicidal ideation, in addition to
bullying and depressive mood, among Korean adolescents.
PMID- 28992756
TI - The Paradox of Safety in Medication Management.
AB - The reduction of medication errors is largely dependent upon the structure of the
medication management system and the role of the pharmacist in the acute care
setting. The significance of this claim became evident in an ethnographic study
of nurses' work in which data were generated from extensive observations, formal
interviews, and document reviews. Each step of medication management-from
ordering to administering-was microanalyzed, and spaces and places for error
emerged. Results revealed medication errors defined by proximity to the patient.
Pharmacists became a surprising "stop-gap" between the physicians and patients in
the recognition and interception of medication errors occurring far removed from
the bedside and did not formally support the reporting of these errors.
Understanding the complexity of this process and the roles of involved personnel
reminds us that there is presently no fool-proof plan for the reduction of
medication errors and implies a culture of safety remains elusive.
PMID- 28992755
TI - Drug-Mediated Shortening of Action Potentials in LQTS2 Human Induced Pluripotent
Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes.
AB - Cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)
are now a well-established modality for modeling genetic disorders of the heart.
This is especially so for long QT syndrome (LQTS), which is caused by
perturbation of ion channel function, and can lead to fainting, malignant
arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. LQTS2 is caused by mutations in KCNH2, a
gene whose protein product contributes to IKr (also known as HERG), which is the
predominant repolarizing potassium current in CMs. beta-blockers are the mainstay
treatment for patients with LQTS, functioning by reducing heart rate and
arrhythmogenesis. However, they are not effective in around a quarter of LQTS2
patients, in part, because they do not correct the defining feature of the
condition, which is excessively prolonged QT interval. Since new therapeutics are
needed, in this report, we biopsied skin fibroblasts from a patient who was both
genetically and clinically diagnosed with LQTS2. By producing LQTS-hiPSC-CMs, we
assessed the impact of different drugs on action potential duration (APD), which
is used as an in vitro surrogate for QT interval. Not surprisingly, the patient's
own beta-blocker medication, propranolol, had a marginal effect on APD in the
LQTS-hiPSC-CMs. However, APD could be significantly reduced by up to 19% with
compounds that enhanced the IKr current by direct channel binding or by indirect
mediation through the PPARdelta/protein 14-3-3 epsilon/HERG pathway. Drug-induced
enhancement of an alternative potassium current, IKATP, also reduced APD by up to
21%. This study demonstrates the utility of LQTS-hiPSC-CMs in evaluating whether
drugs can shorten APD and, importantly, shows that PPARdelta agonists may form a
new class of therapeutics for this condition.
PMID- 28992757
TI - Newborn cystic fibrosis screening in southeastern Mexico: Birth prevalence and
novel CFTR gene variants.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To use the results of the first five years of a cystic fibrosis
newborn screening program to estimate the cystic fibrosis birth prevalence and
spectrum of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR) gene
variants in Yucatan, Mexico. METHODS: Screening was performed from 2010 to 2015,
using two-tier immunoreactive trypsinogen testing, followed by a sweat test. When
sweat test values were >30 mmol/L, the CFTR gene was analyzed. RESULTS: Of 96,071
newborns screened, a second sample was requested in 119 cases. A sweat test was
performed in 30 newborns, and 9 possible cases were detected (seven confirmed
cystic fibrosis and two inconclusive). The most frequently detected CFTR
pathogenic variant (5/14 cystic fibrosis alleles, 35.7%) was p.(Phe508del); novel
p.(Ala559Pro) and p.(Thr1299Hisfs*29) pathogenic variants were found.
CONCLUSIONS: Cystic fibrosis birth prevalence in southeastern Mexico is 1:13,724
newborns. Immunoreactive trypsinogen blood concentration is influenced by
gestational age and by the time of sampling. The spectrum of CFTR gene variants
in Yucatan is heterogeneous.
PMID- 28992758
TI - Aldosterone breakthrough does not alter central hemodynamics.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor
blockers are widely used in congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease,
but up to 40% of patients will experience aldosterone breakthrough, with
aldosterone levels rising above pre-treatment levels after 6-12 months of renin
angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade. Aldosterone breakthrough has been
associated with worsening congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease,
yet the pathophysiology remains unclear. Breakthrough has not been associated
with elevated peripheral blood pressure, but no studies have assessed its effect
on central blood pressure. METHODS: Nineteen subjects with well-controlled
peripheral blood pressure on stable doses of angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker had aldosterone levels checked and central
blood pressure parameters measured using the SphygmoCor system. The central blood
pressure parameters of subjects with or without breakthrough, defined as serum
aldosterone >15 ng/dl, were compared. RESULTS: Of the 19 subjects, six had
breakthrough with a mean aldosterone level of 33.8 ng/dl, and 13 were without
breakthrough with a mean level of 7.1 ng/dl. There was no significant difference
between the two groups in any central blood pressure parameter. CONCLUSIONS: We
found no correlation between aldosterone breakthrough and central blood pressure.
The clinical impact of aldosterone breakthrough likely depends on its non
genomic, pro-fibrotic, pro-inflammatory effects rather than its regulation of
extracellular volume.
PMID- 28992759
TI - A Qualitative Evaluation of an Online Expert-Facilitated Course on Tobacco
Dependence Treatment.
AB - Qualitative evaluations of courses prove difficult due to low response rates.
Online courses may permit the analysis of qualitative feedback provided by health
care providers (HCPs) during and after the course is completed. This study
describes the use of qualitative methods for an online continuing medical
education (CME) course through the analysis of HCP feedback for the purpose of
quality improvement. We used formative and summative feedback from HCPs about
their self-reported experiences of completing an online expert-facilitated course
on tobacco dependence treatment (the Training Enhancement in Applied Cessation
Counselling and Health [TEACH] Project). Phenomenological, inductive, and
deductive approaches were applied to develop themes. QSR NVivo 11 was used to
analyze the themes derived from free-text comments and responses to open-ended
questions. A total of 277 out of 287 participants (96.5%) completed the course
evaluations and provided 690 comments focused on how to improve the program. Five
themes emerged from the formative evaluations: overall quality, content, delivery
method, support, and time. The majority of comments (22.6%) in the formative
evaluation expressed satisfaction with overall course quality. Suggestions for
improvement were mostly for course content and delivery method (20.4% and 17.8%,
respectively). Five themes emerged from the summative evaluation: feedback
related to learning objectives, interprofessional collaboration, future topics of
relevance, overall modifications, and overall satisfaction. Comments on course
content, website function, timing, and support were the identified areas for
improvement. This study provides a model to evaluate the effectiveness of online
educational interventions. Significantly, this constructive approach to
evaluation allows CME providers to take rapid corrective action.
PMID- 28992760
TI - 'Cochlear view' plain radiograph: A simple reliable positioning method.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The plain 'cochlear view' radiograph for checking cochlear implant
electrode coiling and depth of insertion is strongly influenced by positioning.
The best accuracy and inter-observer agreement are achieved with the X-ray beam
passing through the axis of the modiolus, which is perpendicular to the plane of
the basal turn of the cochlea. The basal turn of the cochlea generally is 45 from
the head's sagittal plane. OBJECTIVE: To describe a simple reliable technique of
patient positioning to maximize the accuracy of postoperative radiographs in the
evaluation of cochlear electrode insertion. METHODS: This is a description of
patient positioning and radiographic technique for intra-operatively checking the
position of the electrode array of a cochlear implant. For the surgery, the
patient's head is rolled 60 degrees to the side, and the head stabilized in/on a
Mayfield horseshoe headrest. For the X-ray, the operating table is rolled 15
degrees toward the operated ear. The central X-ray beam from the C-arm is
directed from near the floor toward the ceiling, aiming for a mark 2 cm anterior
to the external auditory meatus. DISCUSSION: Several plain radiograph views have
been described to assess cochlear implant electrode array coiling in the cochlea
and the depth of insertion of the electrodes. Images away from the 'cochlear
view' not only are difficult to interpret but also falsely suggest malposition of
the electrode array. The 'cochlear view' radiograph most accurately assessed the
depth of insertion. CONCLUSION: This technique of getting the 'cochlear view' is
simple and reliable.
PMID- 28992761
TI - KRAS mutation testing in borderline ovarian tumors and low-grade ovarian
carcinomas with a rapid, fully integrated molecular diagnostic system.
AB - Epithelial ovarian neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of tumors, including
various malignancies with distinct clinicopathologic and molecular features.
Mutations in BRAF and KRAS genes are the most frequent genetic aberrations found
in low-grade serous ovarian carcinomas and serous and mucinous borderline tumors.
Implementation of targeted therapeutic strategies requires access to highly
specific and highly sensitive diagnostic tests for rapid determination of
mutation status. One candidate for such test is fully integrated, real-time
polymerase chain reaction-based IdyllaTM system for quick and simple detection of
KRAS mutations in formaldehyde fixed-paraffin embedded tumor samples. The primary
aim of this study was to verify whether fully integrated real-time polymerase
chain reaction-based Idylla system may be useful in determination of KRAS
mutation status in patients with borderline ovarian tumors and low-grade ovarian
carcinomas. The study included tissue specimens from 37 patients with
histopathologically verified ovarian masses, operated on at the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in
Bydgoszcz (Poland) between January 2009 and June 2012. Based on histopathological
examination of surgical specimens, 30 lesions were classified as low-grade
ovarian carcinomas and 7 as borderline ovarian tumors. Seven patients examined
with Idylla KRAS Mutation Test tested positive for KRAS mutation. No
statistically significant association was found between the incidence of KRAS
mutations and histopathological type of ovarian tumors. Mean survival of the
study subjects was 48.51 months (range 3-60 months). Presence of KRAS mutation
did not exert a significant effect on the duration of survival in our series. Our
findings suggest that Idylla KRAS Mutation Test may be a useful tool for rapid
detection of KRAS mutations in ovarian tumor tissue.
PMID- 28992762
TI - Mutations in TET2 and DNMT3A genes are associated with changes in global and gene
specific methylation in acute myeloid leukemia.
AB - Acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by its high biological and clinical
heterogeneity, which represents an important barrier for a precise disease
classification and accurate therapy. While epigenetic aberrations play a pivotal
role in acute myeloid leukemia pathophysiology, molecular signatures such as
change in the DNA methylation patterns and genetic mutations in enzymes needed to
the methylation process can also be helpful for classifying acute myeloid
leukemia. Our study aims to unveil the relevance of DNMT3A and TET2 genes in
global and specific methylation patterns in acute myeloid leukemia. Peripheral
blood samples from 110 untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia and 15
healthy control individuals were collected. Global 5-methylcytosine and 5
hydroxymethylcytosine in genomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes were
measured by using the MethylFlashTM Quantification kits. DNMT3A and TET2
expression levels were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain
reaction. The R882A hotspot of DNMT3A and exons 6-10 of TET2 were amplified by
polymerase chain reaction and sequenced using the Sanger method. Methylation
patterns of 16 gene promoters were evaluated by pyrosequencing after treating DNA
with sodium bisulfite, and their transcriptional products were measured by real
time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Here, we demonstrate altered levels
of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and highly variable transcript
levels of DNMT3A and TET2 in peripheral blood leukocytes from acute myeloid
leukemia patients. We found a mutation prevalence of 2.7% for DNMT3A and 11.8%
for TET2 in the Mexican population with this disease. The average overall
survival of acute myeloid leukemia patients with DNMT3A mutations was only 4
months. In addition, we showed that mutations in DNMT3A and TET2 may cause
irregular DNA methylation patterns and transcriptional expression levels in 16
genes known to be involved in acute myeloid leukemia pathogenesis. Our findings
suggest that alterations in DNMT3A and TET2 may be associated with acute myeloid
leukemia prognosis. Furthermore, alterations in these enzymes affect normal
methylation patterns in acute myeloid leukemia- specific genes, which in turn,
may influence patient survival.
PMID- 28992763
TI - Hyperosmolar Potassium (K+) Treatment Suppresses Osteoarthritic Chondrocyte
Catabolic and Inflammatory Protein Production in a 3-Dimensional In Vitro Model.
AB - Objective The main goal of this study was to provide a proof-of-concept
demonstrating that hyperosmolar K+ solutions can limit production of catabolic
and inflammatory mediators in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes (OACs). Methods A
3-dimensional in vitro model with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)
hydrogels was used. Catabolic and pro-inflammatory protein production from
encapsulated OACs was assessed following culture for 1 or 7 days in the presence
or absence of 80 mM K+ gluconate, 80 mM sodium (Na+) gluconate, or 160 mM
sucrose, each added to culture media (final osmolarity ~490 mOsm). Results
Relative to untreated controls, OACs treated with hyperosmolar (80 mM Na+
gluconate or 160 mM sucrose) solutions produced lower levels of catabolic and
inflammatory mediators in a marker- and time-dependent manner (i.e., MMP-9 after
1 day; MCP-1 after 7 days ( P <= 0.015)). In contrast, OAC treatment with 80 mM
K+ gluconate reduced catabolic and inflammatory mediators to a greater extent
(both the number of markers and degree of suppression) relative to untreated, Na+
gluconate, or sucrose controls (i.e., MMP-3, -9, -13, TIMP-1, MCP-1, and IL-8
after 1 day; MMP-1, -3, -9, -13, TIMP-1, MCP-1, and IL-8 after 7 days ( P <=
0.029). Conclusions Hyperosmolar K+ solutions are capable of attenuating protein
production of catabolic and inflammatory OA markers, providing the proof-of
concept needed for further development of a K+-based intra-articular injection
for OA treatment. Moreover, K+ performed significantly better than Na+- or
sucrose-based solutions, supporting the application of K+ toward improving
irrigation solutions for joint surgery.
PMID- 28992765
TI - Phenotyping of CYP 4501A2 Activity by Total Overnight Salivary Caffeine
Assessment (TOSCA) in Patients on Warfarin Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB - Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant, commonly used for primary and secondary
prevention of venous and arterial thromboembolic events. The drug is
characterized by narrow therapeutic index, widespread individual variability in
clinical response, and high rates of adverse events, particularly bleeding
complications. For these reasons, a close monitoring of the dosage, using the
frequent assessment of coagulation status by means of International Normalized
Ratio value, is mandatory. Warfarin is metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P-450.
High CYP 450 activity may lead to low drug concentration and requires high
warfarin doses to reach efficacy; conversely, low CYP 450 activity is responsible
for high drug concentration and needs for low doses to avoid potential toxicity
risks. The major isoforms of CYP involved in the metabolism of warfarin sodium
are CYP1A2 (for the R-warfarin) and CYP2C9 (for the S-warfarin). The probes for
testing CYP1A2 are phenacetin and caffeine while for CYP2C9 tolbutamide. Although
S-warfarin has major activity, it was decided to exclude its phenotyping for
ethical issues, being mandatory to use a drug (tolbutamide). Instead, it was
chosen to test the 1A2 isoform, as the activity of the latter isoform could be
investigated by using caffeine contained in the caffeinated beverages.
Specifically, a single-point concentration of salivary caffeine (total overnight
salivary caffeine assessment [TOSCA]) after an overnight period of the
caffeinated beverages abstinence was utilized. In the present study, 75 nonsmoker
patients regularly receiving warfarin sodium were enrolled. The results have
showed a significant association of the warfarin dose with TOSCA values
(coefficient = -0.15, standard error = 0.04, 95% confidence interval = -0.24 to
0.06, t = -3.23, P = .002). In conclusion, the phenotyping of CYP1A2 by TOSCA
could be useful, if further proven, to help manage patients on warfarin in order
to lessen severe adverse events.
PMID- 28992764
TI - Use of Guidelines for Reducing Stroke Risk in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial
Fibrillation: A Review From a Latin American Perspective.
AB - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prominent risk factor for stroke and a leading
cause of death and disability throughout Latin America. Contemporary evidence
based guidelines for the management of AF and stroke incorporate the use of
practical and relatively simple scoring methods to estimate both stroke and
bleeding risk, in order to assist in matching patients with appropriate
interventions. This review examines consistencies and differences among
guidelines for reducing stroke risk in patients with AF, assessing the role of
user-friendly scoring methods to determine appropriate patients for
anticoagulation and other treatment options. Current options include warfarin and
direct oral anticoagulants such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and
edoxaban. These agents have been found to be superior or noninferior to standard
vitamin K antagonist anticoagulation in large randomized trials. Potential
benefits of these agents mainly include lower ischemic stroke rates, reduced
intracranial bleeding, no need for regular monitoring, and fewer drug-drug and
drug-food interactions. Expert opinions regarding clinical situations for which
data are presently lacking, such as emergency bleeding and stroke in
anticoagulated patients, are also provided. Enhanced attention and adherence to
evidence-based guidelines are essential components for a strategy to reduce
stroke morbidity and mortality across Latin America.
PMID- 28992766
TI - Health-Related Quality of Life and Association With Arthropathy in Greek Patients
with Hemophilia.
AB - Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is increasingly implicated in contemporary
hemophilia management. This study focuses on the assessment of HRQoL in Greek
patients with hemophilia and the comparison with normative data from the general
population, as well as on the extent arthropathy may affect the patients' HRQoL.
One hundred and nine adult patients completed the Greek social functioning (SF
36) and Haem-A-QoL questionnaires. Arthropathy was assessed by both the World
Federation of Hemophilia clinical score and Pettersson radiological score. The
most impaired domains of Haem-A-QoL were sports/leisure (SL) and physical health
(PH; mean scores 61.2 and 42.2, respectively). The patients experienced
statistically significant lower mean scores in all SF-36 domains than the
normative sample, especially in role physical (RPH), bodily pain (BP), and
general health (GH) subscales. Among Haem-A-QoL subscales, SL and PH were found
strongly associated with severity of arthropathy using both orthopedic scores ( P
< .001), and maintained the statistical significance after adjustment for age ( P
< .05). A poor orthopedic status was also negatively associated with certain SF
36 subscales. However, none of these correlations remained after adjustment with
age. Compared to normative data from Greece, patients with hemophilia showed
deterioration in all HRQoL subscales, with a more pronounced effect in RPH, BP,
and GH subscales. Health-related quality of life was strongly influenced by
arthropathy, mainly in the physical aspects of HRQoL. The use of the disease
specific Haem-A-QoL tool can capture additional associations between HRQoL and
hemophilic arthropathy.
PMID- 28992767
TI - Sensitivity of expressive linguistic domains to surgery age and audibility of
speech in preschoolers with cochlear implants.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether relative delays among domains exist in the
conversational use of vocabulary, syntax, and morphology by children with
cochlear implants (CIs) and whether these were differentially affected by age of
implantation (AOI) and the audibility of speech. METHODS: Participants in this
short-term longitudinal study were 126 children with AOI of 6-38 months and a
matched group of 30 children without hearing loss. Language samples of the same
children at ages 3.5 and 4.5 were analyzed for the breadth of vocabulary and
bound morphemes used, and sentence length. RESULTS: At both test ages, expressive
language domains were delayed equally. Higher performance across domains was
independently associated with younger AOI and better pre-implant-aided
thresholds. No domain was affected differently by very early implantation, but
bound morpheme breadth was associated with better CI-aided thresholds. Between 63
and 78% of children with AOI of 6-11 months scored close to hearing age-mates by
4.5, a level achieved by fewer than 25% of those with AOI of 19-24 months or
later ages. DISCUSSION: Previous studies indicated greater language delays in the
areas of morphology and syntax than those of vocabulary, with the earliest ages
of implantation conferring the greatest benefit to those domains. The current
design addressed inconsistency across studies in modes of communication used,
presence/absence of other disabilities, and differences in language domains
chosen as outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Linguistic domains benefitted equally
from early implantation, regardless of the duration of auditory stimulation.
Better pre-CI-aided hearing often compensated for later AOI. Bound morpheme use
was greater with better CI-aided thresholds.
PMID- 28992768
TI - Peripheral Artery Disease: What You Need to Know.
AB - Synopsis Claudication from peripheral artery disease (PAD) may mimic or coexist
with musculoskeletal conditions and represents an important diagnostic
consideration in patients over 50 years of age. Physical therapists are optimally
positioned to recognize this condition by incorporating a vascular history and
physical examination in appropriately selected patients. Recognition of PAD is
important both from the standpoint of addressing the ischemic risk to the limb
and because PAD is associated with high cerebrovascular and cardiovascular risk.
Therefore, multidisciplinary management of patients with PAD is essential.
Extensive evidence supports treatment of PAD-related claudication with supervised
exercise, and physical therapists are well positioned to play an important role
in this treatment. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(12):957-964. Epub 9 Oct
2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7442.
PMID- 28992769
TI - Knee Extensor Rate of Torque Development Before and After Arthroscopic Partial
Meniscectomy, With Analysis of Neuromuscular Mechanisms.
AB - Study Design Descriptive, prospective single-cohort longitudinal study.
Background Though rapid torque development is essential in activities of daily
living and sports, it hasn't been specifically tested by most physical therapists
or incorporated into rehabilitation programs until late in the treatment process.
Little evidence is available on quadriceps torque development capacity before and
after arthroscopic knee surgery. Objectives To study knee extensor rate of torque
development, contributing mechanisms, and associations with strength and patient
reported outcomes before and during the first 6 weeks after arthroscopic partial
meniscectomy. Methods Twenty subjects (mean +/- SD age, 42.3 +/- 13.7 years; body
mass index, 26.6 +/- 3.1 kg/m2) were tested before surgery, and at 2 and 5 weeks
after surgery. Quadriceps muscle volume, strength, activation, rate of torque
development, and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated across the study
period. Results Significant side-to-side differences in quadriceps strength and
voluntary rate of torque development were observed at each time point (P<.05).
Changes in muscle activity were associated with changes in rapid torque
development capacity. Side-to-side rate of torque development deficits after
surgery were associated with lower patient-reported outcomes scores. Conclusion
Diminished rapid torque development capacity is common in arthroscopic meniscal
debridement patients. This reduced capacity is associated with an inability to
quickly recruit and drive the quadriceps muscles (neural mechanisms) and not
muscle atrophy or other peripheral factors tested. Patient-reported outcomes are
associated with quadriceps rate of torque development, but not strength or muscle
size. Rapid torque development warrants greater attention in rehabilitation. J
Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(12):945-956. Epub 9 Oct 2017.
doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7310.
PMID- 28992770
TI - Influence of Demographics and Utilization of Physical Therapy Interventions on
Clinical Outcomes and Revision Rates Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Reconstruction.
AB - Study Design Retrospective cohort from the Intermountain Healthcare system,
January 2007 to December 2014. Background Recent evolutions in health care
delivery are putting physical therapists in the forefront to be more responsible
for providing high-quality rehabilitation care in a more cost-effective manner.
Studies investigating the association between physical therapy visit utilization
and outcomes in vulnerable patient populations following anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) reconstruction may provide useful insights. Objectives To examine
the relationship between patient age, sex, physical therapy visit utilization,
and physical therapy intervention charges with revision rates and patient
reported outcomes in individuals following primary ACL reconstruction. Methods A
sample of 660 patients who had an ACL reconstruction was identified through an
electronic medical record database. Age and physical therapy visit utilization
were categorized to examine effects between groups (20 years of age or younger,
21 to 34 years of age, 35 years of age or older; fewer than 9 visits, 9 to 14
visits, 15 or more visits). Multilevel mixed-effects linear models were conducted
to compare differences between revision rates and patient-reported outcomes
during the episode of care. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were
also used to determine visit-number and charge-per-visit cut points to
discriminate patients who achieved at least a minimal clinically important
difference on the patient-reported outcomes. Results Of 660 patients, 22 (3.3%)
had revision surgery. Compared with patients 20 years and younger, the incidence
rate ratio of ACL reconstruction revision was lower in patients who were 35 years
and older (85%) and 21 to 34 years (59%). Of 470 patients who attended physical
therapy for longer than 3 months, change in Knee Outcome Survey activities of
daily living subscale score was significantly lower among patients 20 years of
age and younger and in the lowest visit category. Conclusion Achievement of
favorable outcomes following ACL reconstruction may require categorization of
patients beyond surgical diagnosis alone. Younger patients (aged 20 years or
less) attending fewer physical therapy visits (fewer than 9) were more likely to
have ACL revision surgery and had inferior patient-reported outcomes compared to
older patients and those with higher physical therapy visit utilization. The
study design of a retrospective cohort limits the ability to identify causal
relationships. Additionally, this study was conducted in only 1 geographic region
within a single health care delivery system, which may limit the generalizability
of the results. Level of Evidence Prognosis, level 2c. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther
2017;47(11):834-844. Epub 9 Oct 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7048.
PMID- 28992771
TI - Reliability and Validity of the Hip Stability Isometric Test (HipSIT): A New
Method to Assess Hip Posterolateral Muscle Strength.
AB - Study Design Cross-sectional study. Background The Hip Stability Isometric Test
(HipSIT) evaluates the strength of the hip posterolateral stabilizers in a
position that favors greater activation of the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius
and lower activation of the tensor fascia lata. Objectives To check the validity
and reliability of the HipSIT and to evaluate the HipSIT in women with
patellofemoral pain (PFP). Methods The HipSIT was evaluated with a handheld
dynamometer. During testing, the participants were sidelying, with their legs
positioned at 45 degrees of hip flexion and 90 degrees of knee flexion.
Participants were instructed to raise the knee of the upper leg while keeping the
upper and lower heels in contact. To establish reliability and validity, 49 women
were tested with the HipSIT by 2 different evaluators on day 1, and then again 7
days later. The strength of the hip extensors, abductors, and external rotators
was also evaluated. Twenty women with unilateral PFP were also evaluated. Results
The HipSIT has excellent intrarater and interrater reliability. The standard
error of measurement was 0.01 kgf/kg, and the minimal detectable change was 0.036
kgf/kg. The HipSIT showed good validity in isolated hip abduction, external
rotation, and extension (P<.01). Women with PFP showed a 10% deficit in the
HipSIT results for the symptomatic limb (P = .01). Conclusion The HipSIT showed
excellent interrater and intrarater reliability, moderate to good validity in
women, and was able to identify strength deficits in women with PFP. J Orthop
Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(12):906-913. Epub 9 Oct 2017.
doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7274.
PMID- 28992773
TI - Clinical Decision Making in the Management of Patients With Cervicogenic
Dizziness: A Case Series.
AB - Study Design Case series. Background Although growing recognition of cervicogenic
dizziness (CGD) is emerging, there is still no gold standard for the diagnosis of
CGD. The purpose of this case series is to describe the clinical decision making
utilized in the management of 7 patients presenting with CGD. Case Description
Patients presenting with neck pain and accompanying subjective symptoms,
including dizziness, unsteadiness, light-headedness, and visual disturbance, were
selected. Clinical evidence of a temporal relationship between neck pain and
dizziness, with or without sensorimotor disturbances, was assessed. Clinical
decision making followed a 4-step process, informed by the current available best
evidence. Outcome measures included the numeric rating scale for dizziness and
neck pain, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Patient-Specific Functional Scale,
and global rating of change. Outcomes Seven patients (mean age, 57 years; range,
31-86 years; 7 female) completed physical therapy management at an average of 13
sessions (range, 8-30 sessions) over a mean of 7 weeks. Clinically meaningful
improvements were observed in the numeric rating scale for dizziness (mean
difference, 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.0, 7.5), neck pain (mean
difference, 5.4; 95% CI: 3.8, 7.1), and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (mean
difference, 32.6; 95% CI: 12.9, 52.2) at discontinuation. Patients also
demonstrated overall satisfaction via the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (mean
difference, 9) and global rating of change (mean, +6). Discussion This case
series describes the physical therapist decision making, management, and outcomes
in patients with CGD. Further investigation is warranted to develop a valid
clinical decision-making guideline to inform management of patients with CGD.
Level of Evidence Diagnosis, therapy, level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther
2017;47(11):874-884. Epub 9 Oct 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7425.
PMID- 28992772
TI - Hip Abductor Muscle Volume and Strength Differences Between Women With Chronic
Hip Joint Pain and Asymptomatic Controls.
AB - Study Design Secondary analysis, cross-sectional study. Background Chronic hip
joint pain (CHJP) can lead to limitations in activity participation, but the
musculoskeletal factors associated with the condition are relatively unknown.
Understanding the factors associated with CHJP may help develop rehabilitation
strategies to improve quality of life of individuals with long-term hip pain.
Objectives To compare measures of hip abductor muscle volume and hip abductor
muscle strength between women with CHJP and asymptomatic controls. Methods Thirty
women, 15 with CHJP and 15 matched asymptomatic controls (age range, 18-40
years), participated in this study. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to
determine the volume of the primary hip abductor muscles, consisting of the
gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, a small portion of the gluteus maximus, and the
tensor fascia latae, within a defined region of interest. Break tests were
performed using a handheld dynamometer to assess hip abductor strength. During
the strength test, the participant was positioned in sidelying with the involved
hip in 15 degrees of abduction. Independent-samples t tests were used to compare
muscle volume and strength values between those with CHJP and asymptomatic
controls. Results Compared to asymptomatic controls, women with CHJP demonstrated
significantly increased gluteal muscle volume (228 +/- 40 cm3 versus 199 +/- 29
cm3, P = .032), but decreased hip abductor strength (74.6 +/- 16.8 Nm versus 93.6
+/- 20.2 Nm, P = .009). There were no significant differences in tensor fascia
lata muscle volume between the 2 groups (P = .640). Conclusion Women with CHJP
appear to have larger gluteal muscle volume, but decreased hip abductor strength,
compared to asymptomatic controls. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(12):923-930.
Epub 9 Oct 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7380.
PMID- 28992774
TI - Treatment of a burn animal model with functionalized tridimensional electrospun
biomaterials.
AB - Laminin-functionalized poly-d,l-lactic acid scaffolds were produced. Following
this, mesenchymal stem cells and keratinocytes were seeded on biomaterials for
the in vivo experiments, where the biomaterials with or without cells were
implanted. The analysis is comprised of the visual aspect and mean size of the
lesion plus the histology and gene expression. The results showed that the cells
occupied all the structure of the scaffolds in all the groups. After nine days of
in vivo experiments, the defect size did not show statistical difference among
the groups, although the groups with the poly-d,l-lactic acid/Lam biomaterial had
the lowest lesion size and presented the best visual aspect of the wound. Gene
expression analysis showed considerable increase of tumor growth factor beta 1
expression, increased vascular endothelial growth factor and balance of the
BAX/Bcl-2 ratio when compared to the lesion group. Histological analysis showed
well-formed tissue in the groups where the biomaterials and biomaterials plus
cells were used. In some animals, in which biomaterials and cells were used, the
epidermis was formed throughout the length of the wound. In conclusion, these
biomaterials were found to be capable of providing support for the growth of
cells and stimulated the healing of the skin, which was improved by the use of
cells.
PMID- 28992775
TI - Evaluation of N-phosphonium chitosan as a novel vaccine carrier for intramuscular
immunization.
AB - Chitosan, as a potential vaccine delivery material, has obtained much attention
for immunization prevention and therapy. However, its poor water solubility
brings inconvenience for the practical applications. To address this issue,
researchers have carried out many chemical modifications to prepare water-soluble
chitosan derivatives for vaccine delivery. In this work, we prepared a chitosan
derivative N-phosphonium chitosan with excellent water solubility and explored
its potential as an intramuscular vaccine delivery system by using ovalbumin as a
model antigen. Different vaccine formulations were intramuscularly injected into
test mice. Through an immunohistochemistry assay, N-phosphonium chitosan-based
antigen formulation could promote antigen arrival from injection site to the
secondary lymph organ spleen. Further immunization results showed that 1 mg/ml N
phosphonium chitosan-based vaccine formulation could contribute to significantly
higher level of antigen-specific immune responses, including higher antigen
specific IgG antibody titer, splenocyte proliferation, and cytokines secretion
(interferon-gamma, interleukin-10, and interleukin-4) by the splenocytes of the
immunized mice. From the results, the water-soluble chitosan derivative N
phosphonium chitosan could be developed as a potential antigen carrier for
immunization prevention and therapy.
PMID- 28992776
TI - RANZCP Congress 2017 - 'An invaluable experience' says PIF scholarship recipient,
Sumana Thomson.
PMID- 28992778
TI - Talking with Dr Warren Kealy-Bateman.
PMID- 28992780
TI - Obituary: Professor Basil James.
PMID- 28992781
TI - From the President.
PMID- 28992782
TI - Upcoming RANZCP conferences.
PMID- 28992783
TI - Getting 'back on the wagon' following clozapine-induced septuple whammy.
PMID- 28992784
TI - An interview with Frances Dark on peer workers in the mental health setting.
PMID- 28992786
TI - Migration and risk of psychosis in Australia.
PMID- 28992788
TI - Pharmacological considerations related to smoke-free inpatient environments.
PMID- 28992790
TI - Human exposure to polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate from humidifiers in
residential settings: Cause of serious lung disease.
AB - Exposure to the humidifier disinfectant, polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate
(PHMG), in mists generated from ultrasonic humidifiers was studied in a
simulation chamber and apartment rooms. PHMG is suspected as a causative agent of
lung disease in Korea residences. In the simulation-chamber study, the amount of
disinfectant discharged from three different ultrasonic humidifiers was measured.
Mists generated at 1, 2, and 4 times the recommended amount of disinfectant were
sampled with an impinger, and the effect of relative humidity (RH) on airborne
disinfectant concentration was studied by changing RH from 60%-70% to 90%-100%.
In addition, particle size distribution (PSD) in mists was measured by scanning
mobility particle sizer (SMPS), aerodynamic particle sizer (APS), and
Mastersizer. In the apartment study, mists generated from ultrasonic humidifiers
were sampled for 6 h in small and large rooms during fall ( n = 10) and winter (
n = 15). In the simulation study, the humidifiers discharged 205 +/- 24.6 ml/h of
mist at maximum capacity. Concentrations of airborne disinfectant increased with
increasing concentration of disinfectant. RH affected airborne disinfectant
concentration in the chamber, with increasing concentration with increasing RH.
Below RH 70%, no airborne PHMG was detected. PHMG-containing mists generated from
ultrasonic humidifier showed various sizes ranging from 149-157 nm to 690-740 nm
to larger than 5.4 um by SMPS, APS, and Mastersizer, respectively. Surface area
mean diameter measured by Mastersizer ranged from 5.39 um to 5.72 um. In the
apartment study conducted during the fall, the geometric mean (GM) and geometric
standard deviation (GSD) and arithmetic mean (AM) and standard deviation (SD) of
airborne PHMG concentration were 3.22 + 5.13 ug/m3 and 8.26 +/- 12.18 ug/m3,
respectively. In the winter, GM + GSD and AM +/- SD of airborne PHMG
concentration were 0.21 + 2.11 ug/m3 and 0.35 +/- 0.62 ug/m3, respectively. RH
and temperature in the apartment rooms for fall and winter were 22.5 +/- 1.7
degrees C, 74.5 +/- 15.6% and 22.0 +/- 2 degrees C, 51.1 +/- 12.9%, respectively.
Different RHs in the fall and winter resulted in very different airborne
concentrations of disinfectant in the apartment rooms. Exposure levels and PSD of
mists generated from ultrasonic humidifiers in apartments are not sufficient to
conclude that PHMG causes lung disease in Korean residences.
PMID- 28992791
TI - Bisphenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exert divergent effects on apoptosis
and the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in zebrafish embryos: A possible mechanism of
endocrine disrupting chemical action.
AB - Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) are the most commonly
used plastics in water bottles. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is used as a
plasticizer in PET plastics, and bisphenol A (BPA) is used to produce PC. Both
DEHP and BPA are known for their potential endocrine disrupting effects. The
Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway has important roles in cell proliferation,
cell specification and cell fate determination during embryonic development.
Recent reports suggest a link between the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway and
apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between Wnt/beta
catenin signaling and apoptosis in the case of BPA and DEHP exposure in zebrafish
embryos. Accordingly, in vivo cell death was assessed using acridine orange
staining, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to
determine the expressions of wnt3a, gsk3beta and ccnd1. Proliferative cell
nuclear antigen, beta-catenin and Wnt3a expressions were determined
immunohistochemically. Vitellogenin levels were determined using Enzyme Linked
ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). Increased vitellogenin levels, apoptosis, and wnt3a
and gsk3beta expressions were observed in BPA-exposed zebrafish embryos.
Increased apoptosis in the BPA-exposed embryos may be due to the pro-apoptotic
changes induced by Wnt3a, whereas DEHP might be suggested to have a minor effect
as Wnt3a expression; vitellogenin levels and apoptosis did not increase
significantly following exposure to DEHP.
PMID- 28992792
TI - Evaluation of gamma radiation-induced DNA damage in Aedes aegypti using the comet
assay.
AB - The study was undertaken to evaluate gamma radiation-induced DNA damage in Aedes
aegypti. The comet assay was employed to demonstrate the extent of DNA damage
produced in adult male A. aegypti exposed to seven different doses of gamma
radiation, ranging from 1 Gy to 50 Gy. DNA damage was measured as the percentage
of comet tail DNA. A significant linear increase in DNA damage was observed in
all samples; the extent of damage being proportional to the dose of gamma
radiation the organism received, except in those treated with 1 Gy. The highest
amount of DNA damage was noticed at 1 h postirradiation, which decreased
gradually with time, that is, at 3, 6 and 12 h postirradiation. This may indicate
repair of the damaged DNA and/or loss of heavily damaged cells as the
postirradiation time increased. The comet assay serves as a sensitive and rapid
technique to detect gamma radiation-induced DNA damage in A. aegypti. This could
be used as a potential biomarker for environmental risk assessment.
PMID- 28992794
TI - Medication adherence across the lifespan: Theory, methods, interventions and six
grand challenges.
PMID- 28992793
TI - The Short-Chain Fatty Acid Propionate Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation of
Human Chorion-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through the Free Fatty Acid Receptor
2.
AB - Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2, also known as GPR43) is a G-protein-coupled
receptor activated by short-chain fatty acids that are produced by gut microbiota
through fermentation of nondigestible carbohydrates. FFAR2 functions as a
metabolic sensor and is expressed in metabolically active tissues, such as
adipose tissue. Earlier studies proved the connection between FFAR2 and adipocyte
differentiation in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the implication
of FFAR2 receptor in adipogenesis in human chorion-derived mesenchymal stem cells
(cMSCs). The short-chain fatty acid, propionate, and phenylacetamide a selective
FFAR2 agonist resulted in a marked suppression of lipid droplet accumulation
during the adipogenic differentiation of cMSCs. Western blot studies revealed
that FFAR2 was detectable at any time point of the differentiation period. The
direct involvement of FFAR2 in the differentiation into adipocytes was proven by
the downregulation of its gene expression in cMSCs by lentiviral messenger RNA
(mRNA) silencing transduction particles. Our results showed that a significant
suppression in lipid accumulation upon FFAR2 agonist treatments was elicited by
FFAR2-silencing. Based on these results we suggest that propionate inhibits the
formation of adipocytes from MSCs and acts on adipogenesis predominantly via
FFAR2.
PMID- 28992795
TI - Role of disease and demographic factors as determinants of return migration: A
nationwide register-based cohort study.
AB - AIMS: A number of aspects of the health status of migrants who return to their
country of origin have been explored in the literature; however, a more general
description of the incidence of disease and demographic characteristics is
lacking. The aim of this research was to contribute such a description. METHODS:
A nationwide cohort study was conducted of 114,331 migrants who obtained
residence in Denmark between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 2010. Demographic
characteristics and ten disease groups were included as explanatory variables and
hazards ratios for the association between return migration and disease
incidence, as well as demographic characteristics, were estimated using Cox
regressions. RESULTS: The tendency to return-migrate when ill was not the same
among younger and elderly migrants; migrants <55 years of age had a significantly
smaller propensity to return-migrate if they had suffered from a disease during
the 18 years of follow-up compared with those who had not had a disease, whereas
migrants >=55 years of age were more prone to return if ill. The likelihood of
returning decreased with increasing comorbidity in both age groups. Among those
who were <55 years of age, the tendency to return increased with age at
obtainment of residence; among those who were >=55 years, more men than women
return-migrated. CONCLUSIONS: In Denmark, younger migrants are less inclined to
return-migrate if they are ill compared with healthy migrants, whereas elderly
migrants are more inclined to return if ill. The returnees also differ
demographically from non-returnees in various ways.
PMID- 28992796
TI - Subcortical gray matter atrophy is associated with cognitive deficit in multiple
sclerosis but not in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
AB - Cognitive impairment is a significant clinical problem both in multiple sclerosis
(MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In MS cognitive dysfunction
has been associated with brain atrophy and total demyelinating lesion volume. In
SLE cognitive impairment is much less understood, and its link to structural
brain damage remains to be established. The aim of this study was to identify the
relationship between subcortical gray matter volume and cognitive impairment in
MS and SLE. We recruited 37 MS and 38 SLE patients matched by age, disease
duration and educational level. Patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and a battery of psychometric tests. Severity of cognitive impairment was
similar in both cohorts despite larger white matter lesion load in MS patients.
Psychometric scores were associated with global and subcortical gray matter
atrophy measures and lesion load in MS, but not in SLE. In SLE, the lack of a
relationship between cognitive impairment and structural damage, defined either
as atrophy or white matter lesions, indicates a different causal mechanism of
cognitive deficit.
PMID- 28992797
TI - Hydroxychloroquine desensitization, an effective method to overcome
hypersensitivity-a multicenter experience.
AB - Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is widely used to treat autoimmune/rheumatic diseases
such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The immune modulation effects of HCQ
have been highlighted as beneficial for maintaining remission of SLE as well as
ameliorating skin, joint and other manifestations. Moreover, HCQ exposure for
prolonged periods as well as during pregnancy is considered safe, therefore it is
recommended for the vast majority of SLE patients. Although HCQ therapy requires
follow-up by a specialist, its most common side effects are mild gastrointestinal
disturbances, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Of these side effects,
hypersensitivity skin reactions have been suggested to play a role in reduced
compliance to HCQ therapy. In the current study we present a two-stage HCQ
desensitization protocol that was successfully implemented among 12 out of 13
patients. We exhibit that prolonged HCQ oral desensitization is an effective
method for overcoming mild to moderate late hypersensitivity reactions and
thoroughly address possible mechanisms of action.
PMID- 28992798
TI - TLR9 (rs187084) polymorphism is neither under selection pressure and nor
predisposed to systemic lupus erythematosus.
PMID- 28992799
TI - Significant symptomatic improvement of subacute cutaneous lupus after
testosterone therapy in a female-to-male transgender subject.
PMID- 28992801
TI - Time trend and risk factors of avascular bone necrosis in patients with systemic
lupus erythematosus: methodological issues.
PMID- 28992800
TI - Antimalarial-induced cardiomyopathy: a systematic review of the literature.
AB - Background Antimalarials (AMs) are widely used in the treatment of connective
tissue diseases. Their main side effect is retinal damage, while heart disease
has been described in isolated cases. The aim of this study is to systematically
review the existing literature on AM-induced cardiomyopathy (AMIC). Methods The
PubMed database was searched for heart biopsy-confirmed AMIC cases. Information
on demographics, clinical presentation, concomitant AM-related toxicity,
cardiological investigations, treatment and outcome were collected. Descriptive
statistics were used. Results Forty-seven cases (42 females) were identified with
a mean age at diagnosis 56.4 +/- 12.6 and mean AM treatment duration 12.7 +/- 8.2
years. Systemic lupus erythematosus ( n = 19) and rheumatoid arthritis ( n = 18)
were the most common primary diseases. Clinical presentation was that of
congestive heart failure in 77%, while eight patients presented with syncope
(17%). Complete atrioventricular block was reported in 17 patients; 24 received a
permanent pacemaker (51%). Impaired systolic function was detected in 52.8%, bi
ventricular hypertrophy in 51.4% and restrictive filling pattern of the left
ventricle in 18 patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed late gadolinium
enhancement in seven cases, with a non-vascular pattern in the interventricular
septum. Cardiomyocyte vacuolation was reported in all cases; intravacuolar
lamellar and curvilinear bodies were observed in 46 (98%) and 42 (89.4%)
respectively. Mortality rate was 45% (18/40). Conclusion AMIC is a rare, probably
under-recognized, complication of prolonged AM treatment. It presents as a
hypertrophic, restrictive cardiomyopathy with or without conduction
abnormalities. Early recognition and drug withdrawal are critical with a survival
rate of almost 55%.
PMID- 28992802
TI - Preputial diverticulum dilation in a Goettingen minipig.
AB - Preputial dilation is an infrequently reported condition in pigs. The
pathophysiology and etiology is unclear. Causes for diverticulum dilation are
proposed to be chronic preputial diverticulitis with subsequent fibrosis of the
preputial cavity, phimosis of the preputial orifice or the preputial
diverticulum, but the large majority of cases are reportedly idiopathic in
nature. Surgical interventions include ablative procedures, but many cases are
not treated because of an assumed lack of clinical relevance in pigs not used for
breeding. We report a case of progressive preputial dilation that recurred after
surgical intervention. Histopathological examination revealed no primary
inflammatory condition, contrary to literature suggesting a role for inflammatory
mediators in pathogenesis. Phimosis of the preputial orifice was noted post
mortem and might be a contributing factor. These findings partially contradict
the current assumptions in regards to pathophysiology and treatment choices in
the literature and warrant further investigation into alternative therapeutic
interventions for this condition.
PMID- 28992803
TI - Collagen sponge functionalized with chimeric anti-BMP-2 monoclonal antibody
mediates repair of nonunion tibia defects in a nonhuman primate model: An
exploratory study.
AB - Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 is an FDA-approved therapy
for nonunion tibia fracture, though it has a number of biological and practical
disadvantages. Our research group has developed a novel tissue engineering
strategy termed antibody-mediated osseous regeneration. This entails application
of anti-BMP-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to capture endogenous BMP's to mediate
in vivo bone formation. This has been documented in a number of animal models.
The present exploratory study sought to investigate the application of antibody
mediated osseous regeneration for repair of nonunion tibia defect in a nonhuman
primate model. A 20 mm segmental osteotomy was performed in tibia of 6 Macaca
fascicularis and was implanted with absorbable collagen sponge that was
functionalized with chimeric anti-BMP-2 or isotype matched control mAb. Cone beam
computed tomography (CBCT), histologic and histomorphometric analyses were
performed 12 weeks post-operatively. CBCT analyzed by quantitative 3D volumetric
analysis revealed that sites implanted with absorbable collagen sponge
functionalized with anti-BMP-2 mAb demonstrated numerically higher mineralized
tissue (408 +/- 127 mm3) compared with sites implanted with isotype matched
control mAb (214 +/- 81 mm3), though the difference was not statistically
significant ( p = 0.09). Histologic and histomorphometric analysis showed de novo
bone formation with greater ( p < 0.01) percentage of bone volume in sites
implanted with anti-BMP-2 (41.3 +/- 4.4%), compared with isotype matched control
mAb (14.6 +/- 5.6%). Results from the present exploratory study provide evidence
for the potential of anti-BMP-2 mAb to mediate repair of a large segmental tibia
defects in a nonhuman primate model. Therapeutic antibodies have generally been
shown to have great safety and efficacy profile, though their application in
tissue engineering has been limited in the past. Following further investigation,
anti-BMP-2 mAbs immobilized on appropriate scaffold may have application in
repair of large skeletal defects without the need for exogenous growth factors.
PMID- 28992804
TI - Surface modification of model hydrogel contact lenses with hyaluronic acid via
thiol-ene "click" chemistry for enhancing surface characteristics.
AB - Discontinuation of contact lens wear as a result of ocular dryness and discomfort
is extremely common; as many as 26% of contact lens wearers discontinue use
within the first year. While patients are generally satisfied with conventional
hydrogel lenses, improving on-eye comfort continues to remain a goal. Surface
modification with a biomimetic, ocular friendly hydrophilic layer of a wetting
agent is hypothesized to improve the interfacial interactions of the contact lens
with the ocular surface. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of
poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) surfaces grafted with a hydrophilic layer of
hyaluronic acid are described. The immobilization reaction involved the covalent
attachment of thiolated hyaluronic acid (20 kDa) on acrylated poly(2-hydroxyethyl
methacrylate) via nucleophile-initiated Michael addition thiol-ene "click"
chemistry. The surface chemistry of the modified surfaces was analyzed by Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance and X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy. The appearance of N (1s) and S (2p) peaks on the low
resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra confirmed successful
immobilization of hyaluronic acid. Grafting hyaluronic acid to the poly(2
hydroxyethyl methacrylate) surfaces decreased the contact angle, the dehydration
rate, and the amount of nonspecific sorption of lysozyme and albumin in
comparison to pristine hydrogel materials, suggesting the development of more
wettable surfaces with improved water-retentive and antifouling properties, while
maintaining optical transparency (>92%). In vitro testing also showed excellent
viability of human corneal epithelial cells with the hyaluronic acid-grafted
poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) surfaces. Hence, surface modification with
hyaluronic acid via thiol-ene "click" chemistry could be useful in improving
contact lens surface properties, potentially alleviating symptoms of contact lens
related dryness and discomfort during wear.
PMID- 28992805
TI - The effects of liquid crystal-based composite substrates on cell functional
responses of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells by mechano
regulatory process.
AB - Physical properties of extracellular matrix, including elasticity and
microstructure, have been considered as important factors inducing stem cell
differentiation. This study developed a novel type of liquid crystal-based matrix
by combining the elastic property of polyurethane with viscoelastic liquid
crystal to generate a soft elastic response resembling physical microenvironment
of stem cell niche, and explored the mechano-driving cell behaviors. Addition of
varying liquid crystal concentration (10 wt%, 30 wt% and 50 wt%) had great
effects on surface morphology and elastic modulus of liquid crystal/ polyurethane
composite substrates. Changes in microstructure and elastic modulus of the
substrates could cause intense cell responses that influenced cell properties,
including proliferation, adhesion, and osteogenic differentiation. Human
umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) cultured on both liquid
crystal-10/polyurethane and liquid crystal-30/polyurethane substrates exhibited
higher viability, more actin filament, and larger spreading area while liquid
crystal-50/polyurethane substrates seemed not to favor cell attachment and
spreading. Alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition were
significantly improved with hUC-MSCs on both liquid crystal-10/ polyurethane and
liquid crystal-30/ polyurethane substrates, and the maximal alkaline phosphatase
activity was observed in liquid crystal-10/ polyurethane while the lowest in
liquid crystal-50/ polyurethane. Osteopontin was upregulated to a high level in
both liquid crystal-10/ polyurethane and liquid crystal-30/ polyurethane groups
after 14 days culturing; the maximal expression of osteocalcin and related
transcription factor 2 were found in liquid crystal-10/ polyurethane group on day
21. Our findings revealed that hUC-MSCs could intensely sense the bioactive
patterns and soft-matter feature of liquid crystal domains and subsequently
modulated cell behaviors, which may prove useful in the development of new class
of biomaterials for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
PMID- 28992806
TI - In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the duck's feet collagen sponge for hemostatic
applications.
AB - Recently different hemostatic agents have been developed, but most of them are
ineffective in severe bleeding and expensive or cause safety concerns. In this
study, we fabricated duck's feet collagen-based porous sponges and investigated
its use as a hemostatic agent. We determined the sponge's physical and biological
characteristics and compared with Avitene via scanning electron microscope
analysis, water-uptake abilities and porosity test, and cytotoxicity assay. The
duck's feet collagen/silk sponge showed a larger interconnected porous structure
compared to others sponges. The duck's feet collagen/silk sponge also exhibited
significantly higher porosity than Avitene. Hemostatic properties of the sponges
were evaluated by whole blood clotting and rat femoral artery hemorrhage
experiment. The addition of silk to duck's feet collagen showed better blood
clotting ability than Avitene in vitro. However, rat femoral artery hemorrhage
test showed a similar hemostatic property between the duck's feet collagen-based
sponges and Avitene. We suggest that duck's feet collagen-based sponge can be
effectively used for hemostatic applications.
PMID- 28992807
TI - Associations between vitamin D, adiposity, and respiratory symptoms in chronic
spinal cord injury.
AB - Context/Objective Persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) have an increased
risk of respiratory-related morbidity and mortality and chronic respiratory
symptoms are clinical markers of future respiratory disease. Therefore, we sought
to assess potentially modifiable factors associated with respiratory symptoms,
with a focus on circulating vitamin D and measures of body fat. Design Cross
sectional study. Setting Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Participants Three
hundred forty-three participants (282 men and 61 women) with chronic SCI
participating in an epidemiologic study to assess factors influencing respiratory
health recruited from VA Boston and the community. Methods Participants provided
a blood sample, completed a respiratory health questionnaire, and underwent dual
x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess % body fat. Logistic regression was used to
assess cross-sectional associations between respiratory symptoms and plasma
vitamin D and measures of body fat with adjustment for a number of potential
confounders. Outcome Measures Chronic cough, chronic phlegm, any wheeze,
persistent wheeze. Results After adjustment for a number of confounders
(including smoking), participants with greater %-android, gynoid, trunk, or total
body fat had increased odds ratios for any wheeze and suggestive associations
with persistent wheeze, but not with chronic cough or phlegm. Vitamin D levels
were not associated with any of the respiratory symptoms. Conclusion Increased
body fat, but not vitamin D, was associated with wheeze in chronic SCI
independent of a number of covariates.
PMID- 28992808
TI - Editorial:Role of Proteins and Peptides in the Virulence and Pathogenesis of
Human and Plant Pathogens - PART I.
PMID- 28992809
TI - Editorial:Nutrition Transition in Developing Countries: Focus on South Asia.
PMID- 28992810
TI - Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health
inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methods.
AB - BACKGROUND: In the funding of health research and public health research it is
vital that research questions posed are important and that funded research meets
a research need or a gap in evidence. Many methods are used in the identification
of research priorities, however, these can be resource intensive, costly and
logistically challenging. Identifying such research priorities can be
particularly challenging for complex public health problems as there is a need to
consult a number of experts across disciplines and with a range of expertise.
This study investigated the use of Delphi-like survey methods in identifying
important research priorities relating to health inequalities and framing
tractable research questions for topic areas identified. METHODS: The study was
conducted in two phases, both using Delphi-like survey methods. Firstly, public
health professionals with an interest in health inequalities were asked to
identify research priorities. Secondly academic researchers were asked to frame
tractable research questions relating to the priorities identified. These
research priorities identified using Delphi-like survey methods were subsequently
compared to those identified using different methods. RESULTS: A total of 52
public health professionals and 21 academics across the United Kingdom agreed to
take part. The response rates were high, from public health professionals across
three survey rounds (69%, 50% and 40%) and from academics across one round (52%),
indicating that participants were receptive to the method and motivated to
respond. The themes identified as encompassing the most important research
priorities were mental health, healthy environment and health behaviours. Within
these themes, the topic areas that emerged most strongly included community
interventions for prevention of mental health problems and the food and alcohol
environment. Some responses received from academic researchers were (as
requested) in the form of tractable research questions, whereas others
contributed further potential topic areas instead. CONCLUSIONS: Delphi-like
survey methods are practical and productive as a means of obtaining opinions from
a wide number of relevant experts identifying potential priority topic areas for
research; however, this method is less appropriate for framing tractable research
questions.
PMID- 28992811
TI - Cholera outbreak caused by drinking lake water contaminated with human faeces in
Kaiso Village, Hoima District, Western Uganda, October 2015.
AB - BACKGROUND: On 12 October 2015, a cholera outbreak involving 65 cases and two
deaths was reported in a fishing village in Hoima District, Western Uganda.
Despite initial response by the local health department, the outbreak persisted.
We conducted an investigation to identify the source and mode of transmission,
and recommend evidence-led interventions to control and prevent cholera outbreaks
in this area. METHODS: We defined a suspected case as the onset of acute watery
diarrhoea from 1 October to 2 November 2015 in a resident of Kaiso Village. A
confirmed case was a suspected case who had Vibrio cholerae isolated from stool.
We found cases by record review and active community case finding. We performed
descriptive epidemiologic analysis for hypothesis generation. In an unmatched
case-control study, we compared exposure histories of 61 cases and 126 controls
randomly selected among asymptomatic village residents. We also conducted an
environmental assessment and obtained meteorological data from a weather station.
RESULTS: We identified 122 suspected cases, of which six were culture-confirmed,
47 were confirmed positive with a rapid diagnostic test and two died. The two
deceased cases had onset of the disease on 2 October and 10 October,
respectively. Heavy rainfall occurred on 7-11 October; a point-source outbreak
occurred on 12-15 October, followed by continuous community transmission for two
weeks. Village residents usually collected drinking water from three lakeshore
points - A, B and C: 9.8% (6/61) of case-persons and 31% (39/126) of control
persons were found to usually use point A, 21% (13/61) of case-persons and 37%
(46/126) of control-persons were found to usually use point B (OR = 1.8, 95% CI:
0.64-5.3), and 69% (42/61) of case-persons and 33% (41/126) of control-persons
were found to usually use point C (OR = 6.7; 95% CI: 2.5-17) for water
collection. All case-persons (61/61) and 93% (117/126) of control-persons
reportedly never treated/boiled drinking water (OR = infinity, 95% CI Fisher: 1.0
- infinity). The village's piped water system had been vandalised and open
defecation was common due to a lack of latrines. The lake water was found to be
contiminated due to a gully channel that washed the faeces into the lake at point
C. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak was likely caused by drinking lake water
contaminated by faeces from a gully channel. We recommend treatment of drinking
water, fixing the vandalised piped-water system and constructing latrines.
PMID- 28992812
TI - The Team to Address Bariatric Care in Canadian Children (Team ABC3): Team Grant
Research Proposal.
AB - BACKGROUND: Severe obesity (SO) in Canadian children remains poorly understood.
However, based on international data, the prevalence of SO appears to be
increasing and is associated with a number of psychosocial, bio-mechanical, and
cardiometabolic health risks. The purpose of our national Team to Address
Bariatric Care in Canadian Children (Team ABC3) is to develop and lead a series
of inter-related studies to enhance the understanding and management of SO in
Canadian children and adolescents (0-18 years). METHODS/DESIGN: From 2015 to
2019, Team ABC3 will conduct a series of projects at the regional, provincial,
and national levels using multiple methods and study designs to respond to key
knowledge gaps by (i) generating evidence on the prevalence of SO and its impact
on health services utilization in children using existing Canadian data sources
from primary care settings, (ii) exploring contemporary definitions of SO that
link with health outcomes, (iii) comparing and contrasting health risks across
the continuum of SO, (iv) understanding potential barriers to and facilitators of
treatment success in children with SO, and (v) examining innovative lifestyle and
behavioral interventions designed to successfully manage SO in children and their
families. Furthermore, to examine the impact of innovative interventions on the
management SO, we will (vi) evaluate whether adding a health coach, who provides
support via text, email, and/or phone, improves children's ability to adhere to a
web-based weight management program and (vii) test the feasibility and impact of
a community-based weight management program for pre-school children with SO and
their parents that combines group-based parenting sessions with in-home visits.
DISCUSSION: Our research aligns with national priorities in obesity research,
brings together leading scientists, clinicians, and stakeholders from across
Canada, and will inform health services delivery throughout the country to
provide the best care possible for children with SO and their families.
PMID- 28992813
TI - Erratum to: costs of major intracranial, gastrointestinal and other bleeding
events in patients with atrial fibrillation - a nationwide cohort study.
PMID- 28992814
TI - Field efficacy and safety of fluralaner solution for administration in drinking
water for the treatment of poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) infestations
in commercial flocks in Europe.
AB - BACKGROUND: Welfare concerns, production losses caused by Dermanyssus gallinae,
the poultry red mite (PRM), and widespread mite resistance to environmentally
applied acaricides continue to drive an urgent need for new and effective control
measures. Fluralaner is a novel systemic acaricide developed to address that
need. A series of field studies was initiated to investigate the safety and
efficacy of a fluralaner solution (10 mg/ml) administered in drinking water at a
dose rate of 0.5 mg/kg on two occasions with a 7-day interval, for treatment of
natural PRM infestations in chickens. METHODS: Blinded, negative-controlled
studies were completed in Europe across eight layer, two breeder, and two
replacement chicken farms. At each farm, two similar flocks were housed in
similar PRM-infested units (either rooms within a building, or separate
buildings) varying from 550 to 100,000 birds per unit. One unit at each farm was
allocated to fluralaner treatment, administered in drinking water on Days 0 and
7. One unit remained untreated. Mite traps were placed throughout each unit on
Days -1, 0 or 1, 3, 6, 9, and 13 or 14, then at weekly or two-weekly intervals,
retrieved after 24 h and processed for mite counts. Efficacy at each farm was
assessed by mean PRM count reductions from traps in treated units compared with
those from control units. Production parameters and safety were also monitored.
RESULTS: Efficacy was 95.3 to 99.8% on Day 3 and 97.8 to 100% on Day 9,
thereafter remaining above 90% for 56 to 238 days after treatment initiation.
Post-treatment improvement in egg-laying rate was greater by 0.9 to 12.6% in the
treated group at 9 of the 10 layer or breeder farms. There were no treatment
related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Fluralaner administered at 0.5 mg/kg via
drinking water twice, 7 days apart, was well tolerated and highly efficacious
against the PRM in naturally infested chickens representing a range of production
types and management systems. The results indicate that this novel treatment has
potential to be the cornerstone of an integrated approach to reducing or
eliminating the welfare and productivity costs of this increasingly threatening
pest.
PMID- 28992815
TI - Correction to: Expression of factors involved in apoptosis and cell survival is
correlated with enzymes synthesizing lysophosphatidic acid and its receptors in
granulosa cells originating from different types of bovine ovarian follicles.
PMID- 28992816
TI - A Theoretical Model of the Wnt Signaling Pathway in the Epithelial Mesenchymal
Transition.
AB - BACKGROUND: Following the formation of a primary carcinoma, neoplastic cells
metastasize by undergoing the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is
triggered by cues from inflammatory and stromal cells in the microenvironment.
EMT allows epithelial cells to lose their highly adhesive nature and instead
adopt the spindle-like appearance, as well as the invasive and migratory
behavior, of mesenchymal cells. We hypothesize that a bistable switch between the
epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes governs EMT, allowing the cell to maintain
its mesenchymal phenotype even after it leaves the primary tumor microenvironment
and EMT-inducing extracellular signal. RESULTS: This work presents a simple
mathematical model of EMT, specifically the roles played by four key proteins in
the Wnt signaling pathway: Dishevelled (Dvl), E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and Slug.
The model predicts that following activation of the Wnt pathway, an epithelial
cell in the primary carcinoma must attain a threshold level of membrane-bound Dvl
to convert to the mesenchymal-like phenotype and maintain that phenotype once it
has migrated away from the primary tumor. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis of
the model suggests that in both the epithelial and the mesenchymal states, the
steady state behavior of E-cadherin and the transcription factor Slug are
sensitive to changes in the degradation rate of Slug, while E-cadherin is also
sensitive to the IC50 (half-maximal) concentration of Slug necessary to inhibit E
cadherin production. The steady state behavior of Slug exhibits sensitivity to
changes in the rate at which it is induced by beta-catenin upon activation of the
Wnt pathway. In the presence of sufficient amount of Wnt ligand, E-cadherin
levels are sensitive to the ratio of the rate of Slug activation via beta-catenin
to the IC50 concentration of Slug necessary to inhibit E-cadherin production.
CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of E-cadherin to the degradation rate of Slug, as
well as the IC50 concentration of Slug necessary to inhibit E-cadherin
production, shows how the adhesive nature of the cell depends on finely-tuned
regulation of Slug. By highlighting the role of beta-catenin in the activation of
EMT and the relationship between E-cadherin and Slug, this model identifies
critical parameters of therapeutic concern, such as the threshold level of Dvl
necessary to inactivate the GSK-3beta complex mediating beta-catenin degradation,
the rate at which beta-catenin translocates to the nucleus, and the IC50
concentration of Slug needed to inhibit E-cadherin production.
PMID- 28992819
TI - TB-PCR and drug resistance pattern in BALF in smear-negative active pulmonary TB.
AB - SETTING: A tertiary referral hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. OBJECTIVES: To
evaluate the efficacy of a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) tuberculosis (TB)
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the diagnosis of sputum smear-negative
pulmonary TB (PTB) and the usefulness of a drug-resistant (DR) TB-PCR assay
compared with standard drug susceptibility testing (DST). DESIGN: BALF samples
from 918 patients with acid-fast bacilli (AFB) negative sputum smears who
underwent bronchoscopy for diagnostic evaluations of pulmonary diseases were
prospectively determined for specific genetic elements of TB using the AnyplexTM
MTB/NTM Real-Time Detection kit. Positive TB-PCR samples were subsequently
evaluated for DR-TB using the Anyplex II MTB/MDR Detection kit. RESULTS: A total
of 224 patients were finally diagnosed with PTB. The sensitivity, specificity,
positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the TB-PCR assay were
respectively 38.8%, 100%, 100%, and 83.5%. The TB-PCR assay was more sensitive
than culture (30.4%) and smear (6.7%). Of the 68 TB-positive culture samples,
three cases with either isoniazid (INH) or rifampicin (RMP) resistance were
detected by DST. The Anyplex II MTB/MDR assay provided similar results.
CONCLUSIONS: The BALF TB-PCR assay is a useful tool in the diagnosis of sputum
smear-negative PTB. It can also provide INH and RMP susceptibility patterns
similar to those of standard DST.
PMID- 28992818
TI - A Model on the Contribution of School Assets to the Achievement of Adolescents'
Well-Being and Academic Performance.
AB - The aim of this study was to examine a model on the contribution of school assets
on the development of adolescent's well-being and school success. The sample
comprised 1944 adolescents (893 girls and 1051 boys) aged between 12 and 17 years
(M = 14.4; SD = 1.13), from secondary schools in Western Andalusia, which
completed some self-report questionnaires. The results of structural equation
modeling showed the goodness of fit of the initial theoretical model. This model
confirmed the importance of school connectedness as a key factor in the
relationships between other school assets (social climate; clarity of the rules
and values, and positive opportunities and empowerment) and commitment to
learning, academic performance and life satisfaction. However, the re
specification of the initial model considered two complementary paths with
theoretical sense: first, a direct influence between clarity of the rules and
values and commitment to learning, and second, between academic performance and
life satisfaction. This model obtained better goodness of fit indices than the
first one: chi2 = 16.32; gl = 8; p = .038; chi2/gl = 2.04; SRMR = .018; RSMEA =
.023 (95% C.I. = .005; 040); NNFI = .98; CFI = .99. From our study, the need to
invest in initiatives focused on the promotion of adolescents' links with their
school emerges as a key goal to contribute towards, at the same time, both a good
academic performance and a better life satisfaction.
PMID- 28992820
TI - Lauren DePaul: Providing Remote Health Care.
PMID- 28992821
TI - 2017 American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Annual Meeting & Exhibition
Abstracts of Posters.
PMID- 28992822
TI - Therapy Update for Insomnia in the Elderly.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To offer an update on insomnia in older adults and treatment options.
DATA SOURCES: A search of PubMed using the terms "insomnia" and "older adults"
was performed. Current guidelines, review articles, and drug database and
manufacturer package inserts were utilized to provide relevant information. STUDY
SELECTION: All English-language articles from 2012 to February 2017 and their
bibliographies were reviewed for relevance. Current guidelines from the American
College of Physicians, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American
Geriatrics Society's Beers criteria were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Insomnia is a
frequent complaint in the elderly. Treatment guidelines for this specific
population are lacking. Anticholinergics, doxepin > 6 mg, benzodiazepines (BZDs),
and non BZD receptor agonists (BzDRAs) are potentially inappropriate drugs for
older adults. For adults with chronic insomnia, sleep hygiene practices and
cognitive behavioral therapy should be considered as the initial treatments. If
drug therapy is required or desired, the guidelines recommend short-term uses of
BZDs (triazolam or temazepam), BzDRAs, low-dose doxepin (<= 6 mg), ramelteon, or
suvorexant. Risks and benefits of pharmacotherapy should be discussed with
patients and caregivers prior to treatment initiation. Frequent and regular
monitoring for adverse events is warranted to prevent detrimental outcomes.
CONCLUSION: Nonpharmacologic interventions are the first-line therapy for adults
with chronic insomnia. Short-term drug therapy may be considered as an
alternative or add-on treatment. Hypnotic use is associated with harm and
requires close monitoring, especially in older adults.
PMID- 28992817
TI - Clinical recommendations for cardiovascular magnetic resonance mapping of T1, T2,
T2* and extracellular volume: A consensus statement by the Society for
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) endorsed by the European Association for
Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI).
AB - Parametric mapping techniques provide a non-invasive tool for quantifying tissue
alterations in myocardial disease in those eligible for cardiovascular magnetic
resonance (CMR). Parametric mapping with CMR now permits the routine spatial
visualization and quantification of changes in myocardial composition based on
changes in T1, T2, and T2*(star) relaxation times and extracellular volume (ECV).
These changes include specific disease pathways related to mainly intracellular
disturbances of the cardiomyocyte (e.g., iron overload, or glycosphingolipid
accumulation in Anderson-Fabry disease); extracellular disturbances in the
myocardial interstitium (e.g., myocardial fibrosis or cardiac amyloidosis from
accumulation of collagen or amyloid proteins, respectively); or both (myocardial
edema with increased intracellular and/or extracellular water). Parametric
mapping promises improvements in patient care through advances in quantitative
diagnostics, inter- and intra-patient comparability, and relatedly improvements
in treatment. There is a multitude of technical approaches and potential
applications. This document provides a summary of the existing evidence for the
clinical value of parametric mapping in the heart as of mid 2017, and gives
recommendations for practical use in different clinical scenarios for scientists,
clinicians, and CMR manufacturers.
PMID- 28992823
TI - Impact of Music Therapy on Dementia Behaviors: A Literature Review.
AB - Worldwide, dementia is the most important contributor to disability in elderly
patients. Treating patients with dementia can be challenging for clinicians
because of the numerous behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
The Dementia Action Alliance and American Geriatrics Society Beers criteria
promote nonpharmacological and behavioral treatments as first-line therapy to
manage BPSD to avoid adverse events associated with antipsychotic medications.
Some of the nonpharmacologic therapies proposed for BPSD include: music therapy
(MT), light therapy, acupressure, aromatherapy, massage, and animal-assisted
therapy. However, several are supported with only limited literature findings.
Among these, MT has the most substantial data. MT has demonstrated benefit
throughout mild-severe stages of dementia. The extended impact is attributed to
associated brain pathology. MT's mode of delivery is essential to the
evidencebased use of music interventions and delivery methods. The literature
citations show that adequately trained individuals should ideally conduct several
forms of MT to obtain optimal benefit. There are several studies investigating
the impact of the various forms of MT on alleviating BPSD. Among the numerous
reviewed studies, six trials and three meta-analyses were included in this
article. While the literature conflicts, MT is noninvasive, poses little to no
risk to patients, requires minimal training, and offers large potential for
implementation in the patient-care setting. In addition, MT can have an important
role in fostering student pharmacist development, because an emphasis on the
aging demographic is becoming increasingly important.
PMID- 28992824
TI - A Nationwide Study of Pharmacists' Perception of the Impact of Medicare Part D on
the Pharmacist-Patient Relationship.
AB - BACKGROUND: Medicare Part D was implemented in 2006, introducing change to the
community pharmacy marketplace, with profound disruption to independent pharmacy
operations across the United States. AIMS: To understand pharmacist perceptions
about Part D and their perceived obligation to address Part D issues on behalf of
their beneficiaries. METHODS: A nationwide, cross-sectional survey of pharmacists
was conducted between April and July 2013. The 43-item online survey collected
information about demographics, implications of Part D on community pharmacy and
patients, and beliefs about ideal pharmacy practice. RESULTS: Pharmacists
reported more responsibility to address prior authorization issues (55.3%
strongly agree or agree) than dispensing preferred medications (43.5%) or
addressing patient copayment issues (38.1%). Predictors of the perceived
responsibility to assist patients varied and included practice site, pharmacist
age, pharmacy prescription volume, and pharmacy financial performance.
DISCUSSION: Financial concerns continue to be the most significant issue
following Part D implementation. The degree to which pharmacists feel responsible
for addressing patient Part D concerns is variable and dependent on a variety of
factors. Pharmacists who felt a personal responsibility to address patient
copayment issues reported a better pharmacy financial performance, a larger
increase in prescription volume, and a better pharmacist-patient relationship
since Part D implementation. CONCLUSION: Nationwide, Part D financial concerns
remain significant. Pharmacists can assist patients with managing cost issues,
which can help alleviate pharmacy financial concerns. Many pharmacists practicing
at independent locations do not feel responsible for addressing patient cost
concerns, which may inadvertently impart a negative financial effect upon their
pharmacy.
PMID- 28992825
TI - Pharmacist Role in Transitions of Care.
PMID- 28992827
TI - Improving Sleep Quality Assessment Using Wearable Sensors by Including
Information From Postural/Sleep Position Changes and Body Acceleration: A
Comparison of Chest-Worn Sensors, Wrist Actigraphy, and Polysomnography.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To improve sleep quality assessment using a single chest-worn
sensor by extracting body acceleration and sleep position changes. METHODS: Sleep
patterns of 21 participants (50.8 +/- 12.8 years, 47.8% female) with self
reported sleep problems were simultaneously recorded using a chest sensor
(Chest), an Actiwatch (Wrist), and polysomnography (PSG) during overnight sleep
laboratory assessment. An algorithm for Chest was developed to detect sleep/wake
epochs based on body acceleration and sleep position/postural changes data, which
were then used to estimate sleep parameters of interest. Comparisons between
Chest and Wrist with respect to PSG were performed. Identification of sleep/wake
epochs was assessed by estimating sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
Agreement between sensor-derived sleep parameters and PSG was assessed using
correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Chest identified
sleep/wake epochs with an accuracy of on average 6% higher than Wrist (85.8%
versus 79.8%). Similar trends were observed for sensitivity/specificity values.
Correlation between Wrist and PSG was poor for most of the sleep parameters of
interest (r = 0.0-0.3); however, Chest and PSG correlation showed moderate to
strong agreement (r = 0.4-0.8) with relatively low bias and high precision bias
(precision): 9.2 (13.2) minutes for sleep onset latency; 17.3(34.8) minutes for
total sleep time; 7.5 (29.8) minutes for wake after sleep onset; and 2.0 (7.3)%
for sleep efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of sleep postural/position changes
and body acceleration improved detection of sleep/wake epochs compared to wrist
acceleration alone. The chest sensors also improved estimation of sleep
parameters of interest with stronger agreement with PSG. Our findings may expand
the application of wearable sensors to clinically assess sleep outside of a sleep
laboratory.
PMID- 28992828
TI - Differences in Sleep Patterns and Problems by Race in a Clinical Sample of Black
and White Preschoolers.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Community-based research indicates that Black preschoolers tend
to have more bedtime difficulties and are at higher risk for obstructive sleep
apnea (OSA) compared to White preschoolers. This study examined differences in
sleep patterns and problems by race among a clinical sample of Black and White
preschoolers at an outpatient sleep clinic. METHODS: Data were collected from
electronic medical records for 125 children ages 2-5 years (mean = 3.37 years,
64.0% White, 36.0% Black; 59.2% male) presenting at a pediatric sleep clinic in
an academic medical center. Neighborhood income data were based on ZIP codes
entered into the United States Census Bureau's American Fact Finder. RESULTS:
Black patients (51.1%) were significantly more likely than White patients (20.0%)
to bed-share with a caregiver (chi2 = 12.99, P <= .001). There were no other
significant differences in presenting sleep patterns (bed/wake times, sleep onset
latency, naps, night awakenings, or sleep opportunity). Logistic regressions
showed that White patients were more likely to present with difficulty
falling/staying asleep and receive an insomnia diagnosis, and Black patients were
more likely to present with OSA-related concerns and receive a diagnosis of
suspected OSA, even when controlling for relevant sociodemographic covariates.
CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to community-based research, Black and White children
showed similar sleep patterns. However, there were differences by race in
referral questions and diagnoses. Findings suggest the need to consider caregiver
perceptions and other sociocultural factors that may contribute to differential
rates of presentation for sleep services, as well as potential health disparities
in this regard.
PMID- 28992829
TI - Night-to-Night Sleep Variability in Older Adults With Chronic Insomnia: Mediators
and Moderators in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Brief Behavioral Therapy (BBT
I).
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep variability is a clinically significant variable in
understanding and treating insomnia in older adults. The current study examined
changes in sleep variability in the course of brief behavioral therapy for
insomnia (BBT-I) in older adults who had chronic insomnia. Additionally, the
current study examined the mediating mechanisms underlying reductions of sleep
variability and the moderating effects of baseline sleep variability on treatment
responsiveness. METHODS: Sixty-two elderly participants were randomly assigned to
either BBT-I or self-monitoring and attention control (SMAC). Sleep was assessed
by sleep diaries and actigraphy from baseline to posttreatment and at 3-month
follow-up. Mixed models were used to examine changes in sleep variability (within
person standard deviations of weekly sleep parameters) and the hypothesized
mediation and moderation effects. RESULTS: Variabilities in sleep diary-assessed
sleep onset latency (SOL) and actigraphy-assessed total sleep time (TST)
significantly decreased in BBT-I compared to SMAC (Pseudo R2 = .12, .27; P =
.018, .008). These effects were mediated by reductions in bedtime and wake time
variability and time in bed. Significant time * group * baseline sleep
variability interactions on sleep outcomes indicated that participants who had
higher baseline sleep variability were more responsive to BBT-I; their actigraphy
assessed TST, SOL, and sleep efficiency improved to a greater degree (Pseudo R2 =
.15 to .66; P < .001 to .044). CONCLUSIONS: BBT-I is effective in reducing sleep
variability in older adults who have chronic insomnia. Increased consistency in
bedtime and wake time and decreased time in bed mediate reductions of sleep
variability. Baseline sleep variability may serve as a marker of high treatment
responsiveness to BBT-I. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov,
Identifier: NCT02967185.
PMID- 28992830
TI - Perfectionism and Polysomnography-Determined Markers of Poor Sleep.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Perfectionism has been suggested to represent a predisposing
factor for poor sleep. However, previous studies have relied on self-reported
measures. The association between perfectionism and poor sleep measured by
polysomnography (PSG) warrants further investigation. METHODS: The current
retrospective exploratory study used the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism
Scale and PSG in an unselected sample of 334 consecutive sleep laboratory
patients (140 males, 194 females, 44.6 +/- 15.9 years). Data were analyzed using
linear regression analyses. RESULTS: High levels of perfectionism were associated
with PSG-determined markers of poor sleep in the first sleep laboratory night.
The total Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale score was significantly
associated with the number of nocturnal awakenings in the first sleep laboratory
night. The subscales "concern over mistakes" and "personal standards" of
perfectionism were significantly associated with markers of poor sleep. In
contrast, there were only a few associations between perfectionism and PSG
variables of the second sleep laboratory night. CONCLUSIONS: This pattern of
results suggests that high levels of perfectionism may predispose individuals to
sleep disturbances in the context of acute stressors. Thus, the influence of
perfectionism on poor sleep should be further investigated to improve treatment.
PMID- 28992831
TI - Rate My Sleep: Examining the Information, Function, and Basis in Empirical
Evidence Within Sleep Applications for Mobile Devices.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep applications (apps) have proliferated in online spaces,
but few studies have examined the validity of the information contained within
the apps. This study aimed to examine the information and functions found within
sleep apps, determine if the information is based on empirical evidence, and
whether or not user ratings were affected by these factors. METHODS: Sleep apps
found in the Google Play store (n = 76) were coded using content analysis to
examine the types of information, functions, and evidence base of each app.
RESULTS: Only 32.9% of sleep apps contained empirical evidence supporting their
claims, 15.8% contained clinical input, and 13.2% contained links to sleep
literature. Apps also contained information on how sleep is affected by alcohol
or drugs (23.7%), food (13.2%), daily activities (13.2), and stress (13.2%). A
mean difference in average user rating was found between apps that contained at
least one source of information compared those that did not. App user ratings
were not associated with an app having multiple functions, or from an app drawing
on multiple sources of evidence (except for sleep literature only). Last, there
was a higher average user rating among apps that contained a sleep tip function.
CONCLUSIONS: Sleep apps are increasingly popular, demonstrated by the large
number of downloads in the Google Play store. Users favored apps that contained
sleep tips; however, these tips and other information in the apps were generally
not based on empirical evidence. Future research in the area of sleep apps should
consider constructing sleep apps derived from empirical evidence and examining
their effectiveness.
PMID- 28992832
TI - Impact of Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treatment on Quality of Life Measures in a
Large Clinic-Based Cohort.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study aims to report the effect of positive airway
pressure (PAP) therapy on quality of life (QoL) measures in the clinical sleep
disordered breathing (SDB) population. METHODS: We examined general QoL measures
assessed by European Quality of Life-5D (EQ-5D) and sleep-specific QoL by
examining Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) scores before and
after PAP therapy retrospectively in a clinical SDB population using paired and
two-sample t tests. Age and socioeconomic status (SES) effect modification on pre
PAP QoL measures were investigated utilizing the interaction terms. RESULTS: A
total of 2,027 patients with SDB initiated PAP therapy between January 1, 2010
and December 31, 2014. The mean age of the cohort was 56.2 years (standard
deviation = 13.2), with 45.8% female and 76.9% Caucasians. EQ-5D change after
exclusion of those with normal QoL was 0.042 (0.152) in all patients, 0.051
(0.150) in patients who were PAP adherent by self-report, and 0.050 (0.132) in
patients who were objectively PAP adherent (n = 704 of 1,011 with available
objective adherence data, 69.6%). Change in FOSQ after excluding those with
normal FOSQ was 1.9 (2.9) in all patients, 2.2 (2.9) in patients who were PAP
adherent by self-report, and 2.3 (2.9) in patients who were objectively PAP
adherent. Those with (1) worse QoL at baseline and younger age and (2) worse QoL
at baseline and residing in lower SES strata had worse outcomes after PAP therapy
(P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: We found consistent improvement in global and sleep
specific QoL measures after PAP therapy, hence providing evidence of PAP benefit
in the clinical population and rationale for targeted efforts to optimize QoL in
younger and lower SES subgroups.
PMID- 28992833
TI - Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder and Melatonin Secretion Impairment in a
Patient With Pineal Cyst.
AB - ABSTRACT: We report the case of a 14-year-old girl with a wide non-compressive
pineal cyst, associated with the inability to control her sleep-wake schedule.
Actigraphic monitoring showed a 24-hour free-running disorder (tau 26.96 hours).
A 24-hour serum melatonin curve assay, with concomitant video-polysomnographic
and body-core temperature monitoring, was performed. Melatonin curve showed a
blunted nocturnal peak, lower total quantity of melatonin, and prolonged
melatonin secretion in the morning, with normal temperature profile and sleep
parameters. Treatment with melatonin up to 14 mg at bedtime was initiated with
complete realignment of the sleep-wake rhythm (tau 23.93 hours). The role of the
pineal cyst in the aforementioned alteration of melatonin secretion and free
running disorder remains controversial, but our case supports the utility of
monitoring sleep/wake, temperature, and melatonin rhythms in the diagnostic work
up of pineal cysts associated with free-running disorder.
PMID- 28992835
TI - A Patient With Rapidly Progressing Early-Onset Dementia and Insomnia.
PMID- 28992834
TI - Prevalence of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Asian Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
A Singapore Sleep Center Experience.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiac arrhythmias are common in
patients with OSA. However, the prevalence and significance of cardiac
arrhythmias in Asian patients with OSA are not well studied. The aim of this
study is to determine the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with OSA
in Singapore and to evaluate possible factors that may predispose patients with
OSA to arrhythmias. METHODS: A retrospective study of 2,019 patients was carried
out from January 2011 to December 2012 at a sleep center in a tertiary medical
center. Of the population, 1,457 patients were found to have OSA and 144 patients
were found to have cardiac arrhythmias. Data collected included patient
demographics, comorbidities, and polysomnogram parameters. RESULTS: The
prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in our OSA population is 8.0%, compared to that
of primary snorers at 4.8% (P = .015). The univariate analysis revealed that
older age, higher body mass index, comorbidities, and severity of OSA, including
apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) and hypoxic time were
correlated with a higher prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias (P < .05). However,
the multivariate analysis showed that only age and body mass index were
significantly correlated with arrhythmias. AHI, LSAT, and hypoxic time were no
longer statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that
cardiac arrhythmias are common in patients with OSA in Singapore. It also
suggests that given the different demographics of our population, ethnicity may
play a significant role in the development of cardiovascular disease among
patients with OSA. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this article appears in this issue
on page 1229.
PMID- 28992837
TI - Infants Sleep for Brain.
PMID- 28992836
TI - Carbamazepine Improves Apneic Episodes in Congenital Central Hypoventilation
Syndrome (CCHS) With a Novel PHOX2B Exon 1 Missense Mutation.
AB - ABSTRACT: Pathogenic variants in Paired-Like Homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) gene cause
congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS), a rare disorder of the
nervous system characterized by absent or reduced ventilatory response to hypoxia
and hypercapnia. The focus of management in CCHS is optimizing ventilation. Thus
far, no medication has proved effective in improving ventilation. Most CCHS cases
are caused by polyalanine repeat expansion mutations. Non-polyalanine repeat
expansion mutations are the cause in 8% of cases and result in a more severe
clinical presentation. PHOX2B has 3 exons. Exon 3 of PHOX2B is the most common
location for CCHS-causing mutations. Thus far, only 9 CCHS-causing mutations have
been reported in exon 1, 8 of which were nonsense mutations. We report a child
with CCHS who was found to have a novel heterozygous missense variant in exon 1;
c.95A > T. Improvement in his apneic episodes was observed following treatment
with carbamazepine.
PMID- 28992838
TI - [Sparse knowledge about patient-reported outcomes after major emergency abdominal
surgery].
AB - Little is known about patient-reported outcomes after major emergency abdominal
surgery. Studies on patients undergoing major elective abdominal surgery and
patients in the intensive care unit report significant challenges with chronic
pain, functional impairment, quality of life, depression and post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). Approximately one out of three patients experience
chronic pain and functional impairment after major emergency abdominal surgery.
The magnitude of depression and PTSD after major emergency abdominal surgery have
not been studied before.
PMID- 28992839
TI - [Symptomatic zinc deficiency in a breast-fed infant].
AB - Nutrition containing zinc is of special practical importance in infants and
children. Perinatal zinc deficiency manifestations include erosive dermatitis,
alopecia, diarrhoea, central nervous system dysfunction and immune system
deficiency. We present a case story of an ex-preterm, exclusively breast-fed
infant who presented with irritability, clinical signs of infection, an atypical
rash and signs of oral candidiasis. Blood tests showed low plasma levels of zinc
and subsequent analysis showed reduced zinc levels in the breast milk.
PMID- 28992840
TI - [Compression is important in erysipelas treatment].
AB - Erysipelas is a common skin infection involving the lymphatic vessels, which
induces an oedema. This has a tendency of persisting after infection is treated.
The lymphatic system plays an important role in the immune system, and the
impaired lymph drainage leads to a state of local immune deficiency. This is
essential to the pathogenesis of recurrent erysipelas, as each episode of
erysipelas further damages the lymphatic system and increases the risk of a new
infection. This vicious circle makes it important to treat both erysipelas and
oedema appropriately to reduce recurrence and morbidity.
PMID- 28992841
TI - [Umbilical endometriosis and tumours in umbilicus].
AB - Umbilical endometriosis is rare, representing only 0.5-1% of all cases of
extragenital endometriosis. In infertile women, endometriosis may be as prevalent
as 50%. Numerous differential diagnoses are present, hence the clinical diagnosis
of umbilical tumours is intricate. In a 33-year-old woman, an umbilical tumour
presented 12 months prior to referral. On referral, no cyclic bleeding was
noticed, although intermittent bleeding and soreness of the element were present.
Dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, intermittent pelvic pain, and three years of
infertility were noted. A biopsy showed endometriosis.
PMID- 28992842
TI - [Overtreatment and undertreatment of depression].
AB - The aim of this study was to examine what we know about the general
practitioners' ability to diagnose and treat depression. Some studies suggest
that clinicians might have considerable difficulty identifying depressions
correctly, but that diagnostics become more accurate with increased severity of
the disease. Several studies suggest that patients diagnosed with depression are
undertreated, and some studies suggest that patients might receive
antidepressants, even though they do not fulfil the International Classification
of Diseases 10 criterion for depression.
PMID- 28992843
TI - [Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in chronic Achilles tendinopathy].
AB - Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has shown promising results in treating
epicondylitis lateralis humeri and fasciitis plantaris. This study investigates
whether the evidence supports ESWT as part of the conservative treatment regime
of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. The differences in diagnosing chronic Achilles
tendinopathy, the use of different ESWT-machines and the difference in the
evaluating methods for pain make it difficult to compare the studies. There is,
however, a clear tendency toward ESWT having a positive treatment effect on
chronic Achilles tendinopathy at both the insertion and the mid-portion.
PMID- 28992844
TI - [Immunotherapy is cancer treatment with a novel side-effect profile].
AB - Within the last few years we have treated still more types of cancer with immune
checkpoint inhibitors - anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated-4 antibodies and
anti-program-med cell death 1/anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 antibodies. A
unique set of side effects called immune related adverse events irAEs may occur
during treatment. Although severe irAEs remain rare they can become life
threatening. Early detection of irAEs and initiation of relevant treatment are
therefore crucial to reduce the risk of long-term seque-lae. We provide a
detailed overview of irAEs and recommendations for treatment according to
established guidelines.
PMID- 28992845
TI - [Correct diagnostic of traumatic renal trauma is important for the treatment].
AB - Renal trauma is injury to the kidney because of either blunt or penetrating
trauma. The condition must be diagnosed quickly and correctly in order to
preserve kidney function. This article describes classification, diagnostics,
treatment and follow-up. It is important to do a CT-urography to classify the
injury properly. The majority of the patients with renal injury can be managed
conservatively. Surgical exploration is primarily for the control of haemorrhage.
Complications may require additional imaging or inter-ventions. Follow-up is
focused on renal function and blood pressure.
PMID- 28992846
TI - [Idiopathic oedema may cause many different clinical visits].
AB - Two patients with idiopathic oedema are presented describing their chronic
tendency to accumulate fluid in the body and associated clinical features. One
patient also tended to develop spontaneous purpura, which has been described in
this condition. The other patient had an Odyssey in the healthcare system, before
a final diagnosis of idiopathic oedema was reached and explained her different
symptoms. Non-pharmacological interventions and various diuretics worked
insufficiently, while ephedrine had an excellent efficacy in the second patient.
PMID- 28992847
TI - [Rhabdomyolysis after isotretinoin treatment in a 17-year-old male].
AB - Rhabdomyolysis is a rare, but known complication to treat-ment with systemic
isotretinoin in patients with acne and can lead to severe kidney damage. In our
case report a 17-year-old male, exercising moderately, developed rhab-domyolysis
without kidney injury after two-month treatment with isotretinoin 20 mg daily. He
complained of some muscle pain and was treated according to guidelines for
rhabdomyolysis with no sequelae. Frequent monitoring of muscle complaints and
control of serum creatine kinase in patients with affected liver and kidney
function is essential.
PMID- 28992848
TI - The first report of human primary thoracic spine mast cell sarcoma: a case
report.
AB - In this report, we present a 53-year-old woman with primary mast cell sarcoma of
the thoracic spine vertebrae. Mast cell sarcoma is an aggressive and rare cancer.
To date, no cases of primary mast cell sarcoma have been reported in the spinal
vertebrae. The patient initially presented with a 1-month history of pelvic and
abdominal pain. Inconclusive gynecological evaluation resulted in a CT of the
abdomen and pelvis, demonstrating a destructive lesion centered at the
11th thoracic vertebral body. The patient underwent a two-stage spine
operation for T11 corpectomy and T7-L3 posterior spinal fusion.
Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometry studies of the
resection specimens showed the tumor to be mostly composed of CD117-positive and
mast cell tryptase-positive cells with features consistent with mast cell
sarcoma. This is the first reported case of primary vertebral mast cell sarcoma,
which may mimic other destructive lesions of the spine including osteomyelitis,
vertebral tuberculosis, or plasmacytoma.?.
PMID- 28992849
TI - Severe myoglobinuric acute kidney injury in a kidney recipient: rapid recovery
after hemodialysis with the super high-flux membrane Theralite(r)?.
AB - Myoglobinuric acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe condition requiring early
therapeutic strategies. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to reduce
morbidity and mortality rate. Here, we report a kidney recipient with severe
rhabdomyolysis and AKI secondary to parvovirus B19 infection. Initiation of
hemodialysis with the super high-flux filter Theralite(r) (Gambro, cut
off 45 kDa, 2.1 m2) resulted in the clearance of myoglobin from 61 to
71% after 3 hours. Elimination rates of IL-6 and beta2-microglobulin were ~ 30 -
64% and 55 - 71% after 3 hours, respectively. Renal graft function rapidly
recovered. The place of this effective but expensive procedure still needs to be
defined and validated in high-risk patients.?.
PMID- 28992850
TI - Association of single-nucleotide polymorphism in the FKBP5 gene with response to
steroids in pediatric patients with primary nephrotic syndrome?.
AB - AIM: This study aimed to assess the association of single-nucleotide polymorphism
(SNP) of FKBP5 with response to steroids in children with primary nephrotic
syndrome (NS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 66 primary NS patients (cases)
and 68 healthy individuals (controls) were enrolled in this study. The FKBP5
polymorphism rs4713916 (T/C) was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and
sequencing after amplification of regions that potentially contain the SNP. The
frequency of the FKBP5 (rs4713916) SNP as well as its relationship with response
to steroids was investigated. RESULTS: The frequencies of the "TT" genotype
starkly differed between the cases and controls (p = 0.024). The TT genotype
showed overtly different frequency in the steroid-dependent NS group compared
with controls (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: The current data indicate that assessment
of FKBP5 mutations could provide a basis for the identification of primary NS
patients more likely to be efficiently treated with steroids.?.
PMID- 28992852
TI - Beta-tricalcium phosphate and bone surgery: Editorial.
PMID- 28992851
TI - Initiation of peritoneal dialysis in the first weeks after catheter insertion: A
comparison of a neutral-pH, low-GDP PD fluid and a conventional PD fluid?.
AB - BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure to peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid is associated with
development of functional and structural alterations of the peritoneal membrane.
The exact time point at which these changes actually occur is not known. Whether
changes to the peritoneum occur immediately after installation of PD fluids and
whether there is a difference between neutral-pH, low glucose degradation product
(low-GDP) PD fluids and conventional PD fluids is not known either. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: We performed an observational study. Markers related to inflammation,
fibrosis, mesothelial activation, and cytokines/growth factors were measured in
effluents immediately after PD-catheter insertion and during the first days and
weeks of PD treatment in patients using either dianeal(r) or
physioneal(r). RESULTS: Peritoneal response was observed instantly
upon insertion of the PD catheter and instillation of PD fluids and persisted
during daily PD therapy. Particularly during the first contacts of the peritoneum
with PD fluids, high levels of cytokines and biomarkers were observed. In
general, CA125 is slightly higher with dianeal. There is no difference between
the fluids in hyaluronic acid (HA), IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, VEGF, and TGFbeta-1
levels. CONCLUSION: Implantation of the Tenckhoff catheter and installation of PD
fluids induce inflammation, which in the first days resembles an acute
inflammatory response. More continuous infusion of PD fluids further enhances
peritoneal inflammation. The use of the bicarbonate/lactate-buffered, neutral-pH,
low-GDP PD fluid physioneal exerts lower CA125 levels, lower D/P4 creatinine, but
similar inflammatory response compared to conventional dianeal PD fluids in this
early stage of PD therapy.?.
PMID- 28992853
TI - Care Coordination and Transitions of Care.
AB - Care coordination and effective transitions of care are essential for high
quality care in cancer survivors. Aspects of care that require coordination
include cancer surveillance, managing the effects of cancer and its treatment,
and preventive care, including screening for new cancers, with the clinician
responsible for each aspect of care clearly defined. There are many barriers to
transitioning and coordinating care across cancer specialists and primary care
physicians; possible solutions include survivorship care plans and certain care
models. Improving these areas, along with survivorship care training and
education, may lead to more effective care coordination and transitions in the
future.
PMID- 28992855
TI - Survivorship Issues in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
AB - Adolescent and young adult (AYA) individuals with a history of cancer make up a
fraction of the total number of cancer survivors in the United States, but they
represent a population with needs distinct from either the childhood or the older
adult cancer populations. Fertility concerns, psychosocial factors, and health
care access are just a few of the distinguishing characteristics. Caring for AYA
cancer survivors presents unique opportunities for primary care providers to
collaborate with oncology colleagues to minimize the long-term cancer burden.
PMID- 28992854
TI - Long-Term and Latent Side Effects of Specific Cancer Types.
AB - Although many cancer survivors diagnosed with early-stage disease will outlive
their cancer, they may continue to experience long-term and/or latent side
effects due to cancer treatment. Many of these side effects are common and
contribute to worse quality of life, morbidity, and mortality for cancer
survivors. This article summarizes the treatment side effects for several of the
most prevalent cancers in the United States.
PMID- 28992856
TI - Cancer-Related Fatigue in Cancer Survivorship.
AB - Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) significantly interferes with usual functioning
because of the distressing sense of physical, emotional, and cognitive
exhaustion. Assessment of CRF is important and should be performed during the
initial cancer diagnosis, throughout cancer treatment, and after treatment using
a fatigue scoring scale (mild-severe). The general approach to CRF management
applies to cancer survivors at all fatigue levels and includes education,
counseling, and other strategies. Nonpharmacologic interventions include
psychosocial interventions, exercise, yoga, physically based therapy, dietary
management, and sleep therapy. Pharmacologic interventions include
psychostimulants. Antidepressants may also benefit when CRF is accompanied by
depression.
PMID- 28992858
TI - Cognitive Changes Related to Cancer Therapy.
AB - A growing population of cancer survivors is at risk for acute and long-term
consequences resulting from cancer and its treatment. Cancer-related cognitive
impairment (CRCI) typically manifests as modest deficits in attention, processing
speed, executive functioning, and memory, which may persist for decades after
treatment. Although some risk factors for CRCI are largely immutable (eg,
genetics and demographic factors), there are many other contributors to CRCI that
when appropriately addressed can result in improved cognitive functioning and
quality of life. Neuropsychological assessment can help identify patient
cognitive strengths and weaknesses, target psychological and behavioral
contributors to CRCI, and guide treatment interventions.
PMID- 28992859
TI - Hormonal Changes and Sexual Dysfunction.
AB - Sexual dysfunction is a common concern for many patients with cancer after
treatment. Hormonal changes as a result of cancer-directed therapy can affect
both male and female sexual health. This has the potential to significantly
impact patients' quality of life, but is underreported and undertreated in the
oncology setting. This review discusses commonly reported sexual issues and the
role that hormonal changes play in this dysfunction. Although medical and
psychosocial intervention strategies exist, there is a clear need for further
research to formally develop programming that can assist people whose sexual
health has been impacted by cancer treatment.
PMID- 28992857
TI - Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Survivors.
AB - Most cancer survivors adjust well to life after cancer but some experience
persisting negative mood, such as cancer-related fears, posttraumatic stress,
anxiety, or depression. Mood fluctuations may not reach criteria for a clinical
diagnosis but subclinical symptoms can interfere with quality of life. Women,
adolescents, and young adults are particularly at risk for mood disturbances.
Behavioral interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacologic
treatments, can effectively treat these distressing emotions. Much of the
research on managing emotional needs after cancer has been completed with breast
cancer survivors and more work is needed with diverse groups of survivors.
PMID- 28992860
TI - Diet, Physical Activity, and Body Weight in Cancer Survivorship.
AB - Diet, physical activity, and body weight have been shown to play an important
role in cancer survivorship. The impact of each of these lifestyle factors
differs slightly among cancer types, and adherence to recommended diet and
physical activity guidelines has been associated with positive outcomes,
including decrease in the risk of cancer recurrence and improvement of quality of
life. Although there are compelling data that appropriate diet, physical
activity, and body weight have beneficial effects in cancer survivorship,
additional trials are needed to understand the relationship.
PMID- 28992861
TI - Screening for Recurrence and Secondary Cancers.
AB - The population of adult cancer survivors is increasing over time and they are at
risk of developing recurrent and secondary cancers, even years after completion
of treatment. Post-treatment care of survivors is increasingly the responsibility
of primary care providers. Surveillance for recurrence and screening for
secondary malignancies related to treatment depend largely on the primary
malignancy, treatment regimen, and presence of a hereditary cancer syndrome, such
as a BRCA mutation. This article presents surveillance strategies for the most
common malignancies.
PMID- 28992863
TI - A Lifelong Battle.
PMID- 28992862
TI - Palliative Care for Cancer Survivors.
AB - The palliative care approach for survivors begins with comprehensive assessment
of communication and advance care planning needs and the physical, psychological
and psychiatric, social, spiritual and religious, and cultural domains.
Communication and decision-making about difficult issues should include
responding to emotions, planning for future communication needs, and considering
reasons for miscommunication. Key palliative approaches to symptom management
include addressing physical and psychosocial concerns, and using nonpharmacologic
approaches first or together with medications. Physicians should address advance
care planning in older cancer survivors and those at significant risk of
recurrence and mortality, ideally through ongoing conversations in a longitudinal
care relationship.
PMID- 28992864
TI - The Many Facets of Cancer Survivorship.
PMID- 28992865
TI - My Approach to evaluating chest pain in the patient with no obstructive coronary
artery disease.
PMID- 28992866
TI - MY APPROACH to the patient with an infected implantable cardioverter
defibrillator (ICD).
PMID- 28992867
TI - Early Exclusion of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Emergency Department Chest
Pain Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The current evaluation of patients with chest pain presenting to an
emergency department (ED) with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a
lengthy process involving serial measurements of troponin. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to
validate the diagnostic accuracy of a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction
(TIMI) score with single high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) for early
rule out of 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE), and to compare the TIMI
score with combinations of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) and a
modified HEART (history, electrocardiogram, age, risk factors, troponin) score.
METHODS: We recruited 602 consecutive adult patients with chest pain and
suspected ACS in the ED. Each patient had TIMI and HEART scores, and a point-of
care H-FABP test. RESULTS: MACE occurred in 42 (7.0%) patients within 30 days. A
low risk for 30-day MACE was identified by a modified TIMI score of 0 in 65 (11%)
patients, and by a HEART score <= 2 in 96 (16%) patients. No MACE occurred in
these groups, giving both scores a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval
[CI] 91.6-100%), and specificity of 11.6% (95% CI 9.2-14.5%) and 17.1% (95% CI
14.2-20.5%), respectively. Use of combined TIMI and HEART scores improved the
specificity further to 22.0% (95% CI 18.7-25.6%) without lowering sensitivity.
Early H-FABP measurement > 7 MUg/L had a sensitivity of 41.5% (95% CI 27.8-56.6%)
and a specificity of 91.1% (95% CI 88.4-93.2%) for predicting 30-day MACE.
CONCLUSIONS: A modified TIMI score of 0 or a HEART score of <= 2, incorporating a
single hs-cTnT level, will identify patients with low risk of 30-day MACE for
early discharge within 2 h of ED arrival.
PMID- 28992868
TI - Definitive Diagnosis of Children Presenting to A Pediatric Emergency Department
With Fever and Extremity Pain.
AB - BACKGROUND: Children who present to the emergency department (ED) with complaint
of fever and new-onset joint or extremity pain can be a diagnostic dilemma for
many emergency and consulting physicians. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study
was to identify the etiologies of pediatric fever and extremity pain presenting
to a tertiary care pediatric ED and to define factors that were associated with
advanced imaging, admission, and surgical intervention. METHODS: The electronic
medical records of children presenting to our institution's pediatric ED with
fever and extremity pain were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included
demographic characteristics, laboratory studies, diagnostic imaging, need for
admission, and surgical procedures. RESULTS: The initial ED diagnosis was
consistent with the definitive diagnosis 42% of the time. Children with the
inability to bear weight on the affected limb were more likely to have a
bacterial infection, such as osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, or intramuscular
abscess (p = 0.016). An erythrocyte sedimentation rate >36 mm/hour and C-reactive
protein levels >60 mg/L were found in children with osteomyelitis or septic
arthritis (p = 0.043 and <0.001, respectively). Magnetic resonance imaging was
ordered in 63% of children with multiple visits compared to 34% of children with
a single visit (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to a thorough history and
physical examination, a complete set of laboratory studies and diagnostic imaging
is necessary to reach an accurate diagnosis. The inability to bear weight,
elevated C-reactive protein levels, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation
rate are associated with bacterial infection. Magnetic resonance imaging is a
useful imaging modality in determining an accurate diagnosis.
PMID- 28992869
TI - Valproic Acid Overdose Review of a Case With Electrocardiographic Changes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Valproic acid (VPA) is increasingly used to treat a variety of
medical disorders, such as seizures, psychiatric disorders, and headaches.
Therefore, accidental and intentional ingestions with valproic acid are
increasing. OBJECTIVES: A case is presented in an adolescent with ischemic
electrocardiographic changes after an acute overdose with VPA. DISCUSSION: Major
features of a valproic acid overdose include respiratory depression, progressive
coma, hepatotoxicity, thrombocytopenia, and hemodynamic instability.
Electrocardiographic abnormalities usually consist of tachycardia and nonspecific
changes. Supportive care is indicated in most overdoses and involves the
monitoring and correction of electrolyte abnormalities, coagulopathies, and acid
base imbalances. Treatment may include activated charcoal, naloxone, l-carnitine,
and extracorporeal detoxification. CONCLUSIONS: Valproic acid overdose is a
relatively rare and electrocardiographic changes usually consist of tachycardia
and nonspecific changes, but ischemic changes may occur and usually transient and
require only recognition.
PMID- 28992870
TI - Evaluating Clinical Effectiveness and Pharmacokinetic Profile of Atomized
Intranasal Midazolam in Children Undergoing Laceration Repair.
AB - BACKGROUND: Atomized intranasal midazolam is a common adjunct in pediatrics for
procedural anxiolysis. There are no previous studies of validated anxiety scores
with pharmacokinetic data to support optimal procedure timing. OBJECTIVES: We
describe the clinical and pharmacokinetic profile of atomized intranasal
midazolam in children presenting for laceration repair. METHODS: Children 11
months to 7 years of age and weighing <26 kg received 0.4 mg/kg of atomized
intranasal midazolam for simple laceration repair. Blood samples were obtained at
3 time points in each patient, and the data were fit with a 1-compartment model.
Patient anxiety was rated with the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress.
Secondary outcomes included use of adjunctive medications, successful completion
of procedure, and adverse events. RESULTS: Sixty-two subjects were enrolled, with
a mean age of 3.3 years. The median time to peak midazolam concentration was 10.1
min (interquartile range 9.7-10.8 min), and the median time to the procedure was
26 min (interquartile range 21-34 min). There was a trend in higher Observational
Scale of Behavioral Distress scores during the procedure. We observed a total of
2 adverse events, 1 episode of vomiting (1.6%) and 1 paradoxical reaction (1.6%).
Procedural completion was successful in 97% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Atomized
intranasal midazolam is a safe and effective anxiolytic to facilitate laceration
repair. The plasma concentration was >90% of the maximum from 5 to 17 min,
suggesting this as an ideal procedural timeframe after intranasal midazolam
administration.
PMID- 28992871
TI - Emergency Decompression of Orbital Emphysema with Elevated Intraorbital Pressure.
AB - BACKGROUND: A case of orbital emphysema associated with elevated intraorbital
pressure, presenting as a complication of a paranasal sinus "blow-out" fracture
after trauma to the orbit and globe is presented. CASE REPORT: A 45-year-old man
developed left globe rupture with orbital emphysema after blunt trauma. A large
air pocket in the superior orbit with medial wall fracture and globe tenting was
identified on noncontrast computed tomography. Direct needle drainage was
performed using a 23-gauge needle attached to a saline-filled syringe with the
plunger removed. Rapid release of air bubbles with prompt alleviation of pressure
symptoms was observed. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Early
diagnosis and management of orbital emphysema can salvage useful function of the
globe. The knowledge of this clinical entity and its management can prevent delay
and unnecessary referral.
PMID- 28992872
TI - Eczema Herpeticum.
PMID- 28992873
TI - The Rapid Disaster Evaluation System (RaDES): A Plan to Improve Global Disaster
Response by Privatizing the Assessment Component.
AB - BACKGROUND: Emergency medicine personnel frequently respond to major disasters.
They expect to have an effective and efficient management system to elegantly
allocate available resources. Despite claims to the contrary, experience
demonstrates this rarely occurs. OBJECTIVES: This article describes privatizing
disaster assessment using a single-purposed, accountable, and well-trained
organization. The goal is to achieve elegant disaster assessment, rather than
repeatedly exhorting existing groups to do it. DISCUSSION: The Rapid Disaster
Evaluation System (RaDES) would quickly and efficiently assess a postdisaster
population's needs. It would use an accountable nongovernmental agency's teams
with maximal training, mobility, and flexibility. Designed to augment the Inter
Agency Standing Committee's 2015 Emergency Response Preparedness Plan, RaDES
would provide the initial information needed to avoid haphazard and overlapping
disaster responses. Rapidly deployed teams would gather information from multiple
sources and continually communicate those findings to their base, which would
then disseminate them to disaster coordinators in a concise, coherent, and
transparent way. CONCLUSIONS: The RaDES concept represents an elegant, minimally
bureaucratic, and effective rapid response to major disasters. However, its
implementation faces logistical, funding, and political obstacles. Developing and
maintaining RaDES would require significant funding and political commitment to
coordinate the numerous agencies that claim to be performing the same tasks.
Although simulations can demonstrate efficacy and deficiencies, only field tests
will demonstrate RaDES' power to improve interagency coordination and decrease
the cost of major disaster response. At the least, the RaDES concept should serve
as a model for discussing how to practicably improve our current chaotic disaster
responses.
PMID- 28992874
TI - Poisoning after Ingestion of Spartium junceum Seeds: Dose-Dependent Effects in
Three Boys.
AB - BACKGROUND: Spanish broom (Spartium junceum L.) is an ornamental, medicinal, and
potentially poisonous plant. CASE REPORT: Three children, aged 5-6 years, were
accidentally poisoned from ingesting a variable number of seeds of Spanish broom.
This plant contains several quinolizidine alkaloids as cytisine, which act as an
agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The potential danger varies,
depending on the dose. After having ingested one to two seeds, one of the boys
was asymptomatic. A second boy ingested four to five seeds and presented some
digestive problems with favorable clinical evolution. A third boy ingested seven
to eight seeds, and presented with digestive and neurologic symptoms, as well as
minor metabolic acidosis. In this case there was vomiting with remains of the
seeds. He responded well to a gastric lavage and activated charcoal. He was
discharged 24 h post ingestion. The intake within one to eight seeds was
accompanied by moderate symptoms, with good response to treatment. Children
poisoned by plants with nicotine-like symptomatology usually fully recover, but
some fatal cases have been reported. Prevention is always a key aspect to
consider so as to reduce the risk of poisoning. There is a lack of legislative
measures, based on lists provided by experts, to regulate real or potentially
poisonous plants in children's areas. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE
OF THIS?: This case serves as an example of accidental plant poisoning. For
emergency physicians, it is usually complicated to identify the specific plant
involved, so initial treatment often starts with basic measures (airway,
breathing, and circulation).
PMID- 28992875
TI - The Sound of Free Air.
PMID- 28992876
TI - Sparks of the CRISPR explosion: Applications in medicine and agriculture.
PMID- 28992877
TI - Perioperative fluid management in major hepatic resection: an integrative review.
AB - BACKGROUND: Fluid intervention and vasoactive pharmacological support during
hepatic resection depend on the preference of the attending clinician,
institutional resources, and practice culture. Evidence-based recommendations to
guide perioperative fluid management are currently limited. Therefore, we provide
a contemporary clinical integrative overview of the fundamental principles
underpinning fluid intervention and hemodynamic optimization for adult patients
undergoing major hepatic resection. DATA SOURCES: A literature review was
performed of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled
Trials using the terms "surgery", "anesthesia", "starch", "hydroxyethyl starch
derivatives", "albumin", "gelatin", "liver resection", "hepatic resection",
"fluids", "fluid therapy", "crystalloid", "colloid", "saline", "plasma-Lyte",
"plasmalyte", "hartmann's", "acetate", and "lactate". Search results for MEDLINE
and EMBASE were additionally limited to studies on human populations that
included adult age groups and publications in English. RESULTS: A total of 113
articles were included after appropriate inclusion criteria screening.
Perioperative fluid management as it relates to various anesthetic and surgical
techniques is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should have a fundamental
understanding of the surgical phases of the resection, hemodynamic goals, and
anesthesia challenges in attempts to individualize therapy to the patient's
underlying pathophysiological condition. Therefore, an ideal approach for
perioperative fluid therapy is always individualized. Planning and designing
large-scale clinical trials are imperative to define the optimal type and amount
of fluid for patients undergoing major hepatic resection. Further clinical trials
evaluating different intraoperative goal-directed strategies are also eagerly
awaited.
PMID- 28992878
TI - Peginterferon alfa-2a for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in the era of
direct-acting antivirals.
AB - BACKGROUND: The availability of novel direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) represents
a new era of curative hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, with over 95% of
patients infected with HCV genotype 1 achieving sustained virological response
(SVR). Nevertheless, the majority of patients globally are unable to access these
treatments because of cost and infrastructure constraints and, thus, remain
untreated and uncured. DATA SOURCE: Relevant articles of peginterferon (PegIFN)
based treatments in HCV and sofosbuvir-based treatments, simeprevir,
daclatasvir/asunaprevir, ritonavir-boosted paritaprevir/ombitasvir/dasabuvir, and
grazoprevir/elbasvir, were searched in PubMed database, including general
population and special population. RESULTS: PegIFN in combination with ribavirin
remains an important and relevant option for some patients, achieving SVR rates
of up to 79% in genotype 1 and 89% in genotype 2 or 3 infections, which increases
for patients with favorable IL28B genotypes. Triple therapy of DAA plus
PegIFN/ribavirin is effective in treating difficult-to-cure patients infected
with HCV genotype 3 or with resistance-associated variants. Owing to its long
history in HCV management, the efficacy, tolerability and long-term outcomes
associated with PegIFN alfa-2a are well established and have been validated in
large-scale studies and in clinical practice for many populations. Furthermore,
emerging data show that IFN-induced SVR is associated with lower incidences of
hepatocellular carcinoma compared with DAAs. On the contrary, novel DAAs have yet
to be studied in special populations, and long-term outcomes, particularly tumor
development and recurrence in patients with cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular
carcinoma, and reactivation of HBV in dually infected patients, are still
unclear. CONCLUSION: In this interferon-free era, PegIFN-based regimens remain a
safe and effective option for selected HCV patients.
PMID- 28992879
TI - Surgical resection versus liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
within the Hangzhou criteria: a preoperative nomogram-guided treatment strategy.
AB - BACKGROUND: With the expansion of surgical criteria, the comparative efficacy
between surgical resection (SR) and liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular
carcinoma is inconclusive. This study aimed to develop a prognostic nomogram for
predicting recurrence-free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after
resection and explored the possibility of using nomogram as treatment algorithm
reference. METHODS: From 2003 to 2012, 310 hepatocellular carcinoma patients
within Hangzhou criteria undergoing resection or liver transplantation were
included. Total tumor volume, albumin level, HBV DNA copies and portal
hypertension were included for constructing the nomogram. The resection patients
were stratified into low- and high-risk groups by the median nomogram score of
116. Independent risk factors were identified and a visually orientated nomogram
was constructed using a Cox proportional hazards model to predict the recurrence
risk for SR patients. RESULTS: The low-risk SR group had better outcomes compared
with the high-risk SR group (3-year recurrence-free survival rate, 71.1% vs
35.9%; 3-year overall survival rate, 89.8% vs 78.9%, both P<0.001). The high-risk
SR group was associated with a worse recurrence-free survival rate but similar
overall survival rate compared with the transplantation group (3-year recurrence
free survival rate, 35.9% vs 74.1%, P<0.001; 3-year overall survival rate, 78.9%
vs 79.6%, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This nomogram offers individualized recurrence
risk evaluation for hepatocellular carcinoma patients within Hangzhou criteria
receiving resection. Transplantation should be considered the first-line
treatment for high-risk patients.
PMID- 28992880
TI - Delayed introduction of immunosuppressive regimens in critically ill patients
after liver transplantation.
AB - BACKGROUND: The manipulation of immunosuppression therapy remains challenging in
patients who develop infectious diseases or multiple organ dysfunction after
liver transplantation. We evaluated the outcomes of delayed introduction of
immunosuppression in the patients after liver transplantation under immune
monitoring with ImmuKnow assay. METHODS: From March 2009 to February 2014, 225
consecutive liver recipients in our institute were included. The delayed
administration of immunosuppressive regimens was attempted in 11 liver recipients
with multiple severe comorbidities. RESULTS: The median duration of non
immunosuppression was 12 days (range 5-58). Due to the infectious complications,
the serial ImmuKnow assay showed a significantly low ATP level of 64+/-35 ng/mL
in the early period after transplantation. With the development of comorbidities,
the ImmuKnow value significantly increased. However, the acute allograft
rejection developed when a continuous distinct elevation of both ATP and
glutamyltranspeptidase levels was detected. The average ATP level measured just
before the development of acute rejection was 271+/-115 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The
delayed introduction of immunosuppressive regimens is safe and effective in
management of critically ill patients after liver transplantation. The serial
ImmuKnow assay could provide a reliable depiction of the dynamics of functional
immunity throughout the clinical course of a given patient.
PMID- 28992881
TI - Cost-effectiveness analysis of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with or
without sorafenib for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and TACE in
combination with sorafenib (TACE-sorafenib) have shown a significant survival
benefit for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Adopting either as a first-line therapy carries major cost and resource
implications. The objective of this study was to estimate the relative cost
effectiveness of TACE against TACE-sorafenib for unresectable HCC using a
decision analytic model. METHODS: A Markov cohort model was developed to compare
TACE and TACE-sorafenib. Transition probabilities and utilities were obtained
from systematic literature reviews, and costs were obtained from West China
Hospital, Sichuan University, China. Survival benefits were reported in quality
adjusted life-years (QALYs). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was
calculated. Sensitive analysis was performed by varying potentially modifiable
parameters of the model. RESULTS: The base-case analysis showed that TACE cost
$26 951 and yielded survival of 0.71 QALYs, and TACE-sorafenib cost $44 542 and
yielded survival of 1.02 QALYs in the entire treatment. The ICER of TACE
sorafenib versus TACE was $56 745 per QALY gained, which was above threshold for
cost-effectiveness in China. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the major driver
of ICER was the cost post TACE-sorafenib therapy with stable state. CONCLUSION:
TACE is a more cost-effective strategy than TACE-sorafenib for the treatment of
unresectable HCC.
PMID- 28992882
TI - Bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical features and prognostic
factors.
AB - BACKGROUND: Bone metastases (BMs) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an
increasingly common disease in Asia. We assessed the clinical features,
prognostic factors, and differences in outcomes related to BMs among patients
with different treatments for HCC. METHODS: Forty-three consecutive patients who
were diagnosed with BMs from HCC between January 2010 and December 2014 were
retrospectively enrolled. The clinical features were identified, the impacts of
prognostic factors on survival were statistically analyzed, and clinical data
were compared. RESULTS: The median patient age was 54 years; 38 patients were
male and 5 female. The most common site for BMs was the trunk (69.3%). BMs with
extension to the soft tissue were found in 14 patients (32.5%). Most (90.7%) of
the lesions were mixed osteolytic and osteoblastic, and most (69.8%) patients
presented with multiple BMs. The median survival after BMs diagnosis was 11
months. In multivariate analyses, survival after BM diagnosis was correlated with
Karnofsky performance status (P=0.008) and the Child-Pugh classification
(P<0.001); BM-free survival was correlated with progression beyond the University
of California San Francisco criteria (P<0.001) and treatment of primary tumors
(P<0.001). BMs with extension to soft tissue were less common in liver
transplantation patients. During metastasis, the control of intrahepatic tumors
was improved in liver transplantation and hepatectomy patients, compared to
conservatively treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The independent prognostic factors
of survival after diagnosis of BMs were the Karnofsky performance status and
Child-Pugh classification. HCC patients developed BMs may also benefit from liver
transplantation or hepatectomy.
PMID- 28992883
TI - Comparative study of the effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver
regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats.
AB - BACKGROUND: Post-hepatectomy liver failure as a result of insufficient liver
remnant is a feared complication in liver surgery. Efforts have been made to find
new strategies to support liver regeneration. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on postoperative liver
function and liver regeneration in rats undergoing 70% partial hepatectomy.
METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups
(n=24 in each group): 70% partial hepatectomy as control (PHC), 70% partial
hepatectomy with splenectomy (PHS) or 70% partial hepatectomy with a micropump
for terlipressin administration (PHT). Eight rats in each group were sacrificed
on postoperative day (POD) 1, 3 and 7. To assess liver regeneration,
immunohistochemical analysis of liver tissue using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and
Ki-67 labeling was performed. Portal venous pressure, serum concentrations of
creatinine, urea, albumin, bilirubin and prothrombin time as well as liver-, body
weight and their ratio were determined on POD 1, 3 and 7. RESULTS: The liver-,
body-weight and their ratio were not statistically different among the groups. On
POD 1, 3 and 7 portal venous pressure in the intervention groups (PHT: 8.13+/
1.55, 10.38+/-1.30, 6.25+/-0.89 cmH2O and PHS: 7.50+/-0.93, 8.88+/-2.42, 5.75+/
1.04 cmH2O) was lower compared to the control group (PHC: 8.63+/-2.06, 10.50+/
2.45, 6.50+/-2.67 cmH2O). Hepatocyte proliferation in the intervention groups was
delayed, especially after splenectomy on POD 1 (BrdU: PHS vs PHC, 20.85%+/-13.05%
vs 28.11%+/-10.10%; Ki-67, 20.14%+/-14.10% vs 23.96%+/-11.69%). However, none of
the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the
administration of terlipressin nor splenectomy improved liver regeneration after
70% partial hepatectomy in rats. Further studies assessing the regulation of
portal venous pressure as well as extended hepatectomy animal models and liver
function tests will help to further investigate mechanisms of liver regeneration.
PMID- 28992885
TI - Helicobacter pylori and 17beta-estradiol induce human intrahepatic biliary
epithelial cell abnormal proliferation and oxidative DNA damage.
AB - BACKGROUND: Biliary cancers are more common in females, and previous studies have
suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) exists in the biliary system.
However, the effects of H. pylori infection and estrogen on the biological
behaviors of human biliary epithelium mucosa remain unknown. The present study
aimed to clarify their effects on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and
oxidative DNA damage of a human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cell (HIBEC) line
in vitro. METHODS: HIBECs were co-cultured with 17beta-estradiol (at 10-9 mol/L,
10-7 mol/L, and 10-5 mol/L) and H. pylori (at MOI=0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1) and
continuously passaged until the 15th generation (approximately 45 days). Then,
the following assays were performed. HIBEC proliferation was measured using the
CCK-8 assay, plate clone-formation assay and by determining Ki-67 expression with
immunocytochemistry; cell apoptosis and migration were investigated using Annexin
V/PI and transwell assays, respectively; and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 8
hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) production were detected by flow cytometry and
immunofluorescence staining combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy,
respectively. The results were the basis for evaluating the level of oxidative
stress and the related DNA damage in HIBECs. RESULTS: HIBECs maintained a normal
morphology and vitality when treated with 17beta-estradiol (at 10-9 mol/L) and H.
pylori (at MOI=0.5:1 and 1:1). 17beta-estradiol at 10-7 mol/L and 10-5 mol/L and
H. pylori at MOI=2:1, by contrast, caused cell death. Compared with controls,
HIBECs treated with 17beta-estradiol (10-9 mol/L) and H. pylori (MOI=1:1) had a
higher up-regulation of proliferation, Ki-67 expression, clone formation,
migration activity and the expression of ROS and 8-OHdG and exhibited a down
regulation of apoptosis. The above effects were further increased when 17beta
estradiol and H. pylori were combined (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori and 17beta
estradiol, separately or in combination, promoted cell proliferation and
suppressed apoptosis of HIBECs in vitro. The above phenomena might be related to
oxidative stress and its subsequent DNA damage with H. pylori and 17beta
estradiol.
PMID- 28992884
TI - Prospective comparison of prophylactic antibiotic use between intravenous
moxifloxacin and ceftriaxone for high-risk patients with post-ERCP cholangitis.
AB - BACKGROUND: The use of prophylactic antibiotics before endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is recommended by all major international
gastroenterological societies, especially in the presence of an obstructed
biliary system. This study compared the occurrence rate of post-procedural
complications, including cholangitis and septicemia, between prophylactic
intravenous moxifloxacin and ceftriaxone in patients with bile duct obstruction
scheduled for therapeutic ERCP. METHODS: From November 2013 to July 2015, 86
consecutive patients with biliary obstruction with one or more factors predicting
benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis prior to ERCP were included in the current
randomized open-label non-inferiority trial (ClinicalTrial.gov identifier
NCT02098486). Intravenous moxifloxacin (400 mg/day) or ceftriaxone (2 g/day) were
given 90 minutes before ERCP, and were administered for more than 3 days if the
patient developed symptoms and signs of cholangitis or septicemia. Recalcitrant
cholangitis was defined as persistence of cholangitis for more than 5 days after
ERCP or recurrence of cholangitis within 30 days after ERCP. RESULTS:
Recalcitrant cholangitis occurred in 1 (2.3%) and 2 (4.8%) patients receiving
intravenous moxifloxacin and ceftriaxone group, respectively (P=0.612).
Septicemia was noted in 1 (2.3%) and 1 (2.4%) patient in intravenous moxifloxacin
and ceftriaxone group, respectively (P=1.0). The mean hospital stay was also not
significantly different between the moxifloxacin and ceftriaxone groups (8.8+/
7.2 vs 9.1+/-9.4 days, P=0.867). Antibiotic resistance of the isolated pathogens
by in vitro activity assay was noted in 1 (2.3%) and 2 (4.8%) patients in the
moxifloxacin and ceftriaxone group, respectively (P=0.612). CONCLUSION:
Intravenous moxifloxacin is not inferior to intravenous ceftriaxone for the
prophylactic treatment of post-ERCP cholangitis and cholangitis-associated
morbidity.
PMID- 28992886
TI - Tailored pancreatic reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a single-center
experience of 892 cases.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic reconstruction following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is
still debatable even for pancreatic surgeons. Ideally, pancreatic reconstruction
after PD should reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and
its severity if developed with preservation of both exocrine and endocrine
pancreatic functions. It must be tailored to control the morbidity linked to the
type of reconstruction. This study was to show the best type of pancreatic
reconstruction according to the characters of pancreatic stump. METHODS: We
studied all patients who underwent PD in our center from January 1993 to December
2015. Patients were categorized into three groups depending on the presence of
risk factors of postoperative complications: low-risk group (absent risk factor),
moderate-risk group (presence of one risk factor) and high-risk group (presence
of two or more risk factors). RESULTS: A total of 892 patients underwent PD for
resection of periampullary tumor. BMI >25 kg/m2, cirrhotic liver, soft pancreas,
pancreatic duct diameter <3 mm, and pancreatic duct location from posterior edge
<3 mm are risk variables for development of postoperative complications. POPF
developed in 128 (14.3%) patients. Delayed gastric emptying occurred in 164
(18.4%) patients, biliary leakage developed in 65 (7.3%) and pancreatitis
presented in 20 (2.2%). POPF in low-, moderate- and high-risk groups were 26
(8.3%), 65 (15.7%) and 37 (22.7%) patients, respectively. Postoperative morbidity
and mortality were significantly lower with pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) in high
risk group, while pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) decreases incidence of
postoperative steatorrhea in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Selection of proper
pancreatic reconstruction according to the risk factors of patients may reduce
POPF and postoperative complications and mortality. PG is superior to PJ as
regards short-term outcomes in high-risk group but PJ provides better pancreatic
function in all groups and therefore, PJ is superior in low- and moderate-risk
groups.
PMID- 28992887
TI - Risk factors and managements of hemorrhage associated with pancreatic fistula
after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Post-pancreaticoduodenectomy pancreatic fistula associated hemorrhage
(PPFH) is one of the leading lethal complications. Our study was to analyze the
risk factors and managements of hemorrhage associated with pancreatic fistula
after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and to evaluate treatment options. METHOD: We
analyzed 445 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy or pylorus-preserving
pancreaticoduodenectomy and evaluated the relevance between clinical data and
PPFH. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) was
27.42% (122/445), and the incidence of PPFH was 4.49% (20/445). Among the 20
patients with PPFH, 7 died and 13 were cured. Interventional angiographic therapy
was performed for 10 patients and 5 were successfully treated. Relaparotomy was
performed for 5 patients and 2 were successfully cured. Univariate logistic
regression analysis indicated that several risk factors were related to PPFH: the
nature of tumor (carcinoid/low-grade or high-grade malignancy), preoperative day
1 serum prealbumin, preoperative day 1 total bilirubin (TBIL), operative time,
blood loss in the operation, operative method (vascular resection and
revascularization), postoperative day 3 TBIL, biliary fistula, and the grade of
POPF. The multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that
the nature of tumor and the grade of POPF were independently risk factors of
PPFH. Receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that preoperative day 1
serum prealbumin level <173 mg/L and postoperative day 3 TBIL level >=168 umol/L
were the risk factors of PPFH. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of PPFH was found to be
increased with high potential malignancy and high grade of POPF. Angiography
embolization is one of the major and effective therapies for PPFH. Extraluminal
intraluminal PPFH is more serious and needs more aggressive treatments.
PMID- 28992888
TI - The "Colonial Wig" pancreaticojejunostomy: zero leaks with a novel technique for
reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains common and morbid
after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). A major advance in the study of POPF is the
fistula risk score (FRS). METHODS: We analyzed 48 consecutive patients undergoing
PD. The "Colonial Wig" pancreaticojejunostomy (CWPJ) technique was used in the
last 22 PDs, we compared 22 CWPJ to 26 conventional PDs. RESULTS: Postoperative
morbidity was 49% (27% Clavien grade >2). The median length of hospital stay was
11 days. In the first 26 PDs, the PJ was performed according to standard
techniques and the clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) rate was 15%, similar to
the FRS-predicted rate (14%). In the next 22 PJs, the CWPJ was employed. Although
the FRS-predicted rates were similar in these two groups (14% vs 13%), the CR
POPF rate in the CWPJ group was 0 (P=0.052). CONCLUSION: Early experience with
the CWPJ is encouraging, and this anastomosis may be a safe and effective way to
lower POPF rates.
PMID- 28992889
TI - Polymorphic multiple hepatocellular adenoma including a non-steatotic HNF1alpha
inactivated variant.
PMID- 28992890
TI - Gastrointestinal tract post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after liver
transplantation.
PMID- 28992891
TI - Patterns of medical utilization before the first hospitalization for women with
anorexia nervosa in Taiwan.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to analyze medical utilization patterns of
female patients with anorexia nervosa before their first inpatient care visit for
anorexia nervosa using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of
Taiwan. METHOD: We selected female anorexia nervosa patients (n=239) and control
participants hospitalized for peptic ulcers (n=478) or appendectomy (n=478) who
were matched by age and incident year from two subsets of the NHIRD. The number
of visits, specialists, diagnosis distribution, and selected procedures used in
ambulatory services during the 2-year period before the index admission were
identified and compared. Healthcare service expenditures were also analyzed.
RESULTS: Compared to the control groups, the female anorexia nervosa patients
used more outpatient services (anorexia nervosa, 58.6+/-45.0 visits; peptic
ulcers, 45.3+/-37.3 visits; appendectomy, 32.5+/-26.0 visits), mainly due to
psychiatric visits. Anorexia nervosa patients were more likely to have received a
diagnosis of digestive, endocrine/metabolic, and mental disorders than patients
in the control groups. Although nearly equal percentages of patients in the three
groups had obtained a diagnosis of a digestive disease, anorexia nervosa patients
received digestive disease diagnoses with greater frequency. CONCLUSIONS: We
posit that the various physical symptoms of anorexia nervosa patients and
physicians' low level of suspicion of anorexia nervosa led to delayed diagnoses
and greater medical utilization than that of the controls groups. Education to
raise awareness of anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders among physicians
is warranted.
PMID- 28992892
TI - Obstetric risk factors for depression during the postpartum period in South
Korea: a nationwide study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Postpartum depression is related to many adverse effects in both
mothers and their children; therefore, proper screening and early interventions
are needed. This study aims to identify the risk factors of postpartum
depression. Our primary focus is on obstetric risk factors. METHODS: This study
is a cross-sectional study which we extracted the data of women who gave birth
between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2012 from the Health Insurance
Review and Assessment service (HIRA) database. We analyzed the data using
multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 17,483 (1.4%) women
suffered from depression during the postpartum period. Younger (<20years) and
advanced maternal age (>=35years), primiparity, previous depression, peripartum
hysterectomy, uterine artery embolization, preterm delivery, placental abruption,
cesarean delivery, induced labor, and preeclampsia were found to increase the
likelihood of having depression after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest
that there are several risk factors that lead women to postpartum depression.
Therefore, early detection and well-management of the symptoms and risk factors
for postpartum depression along with social support can help both physical and
psychological conditions of women after childbirth.
PMID- 28992893
TI - Translation and validation of the Dutch version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence
Inventory (FCRI-NL).
AB - OBJECTIVE: The study objectives are to translate the FCRI in Dutch, and to
explore the factor structure and the psychometric qualities of the Dutch
translation of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI-NL). METHOD: The
original French-Canadian FCRI had been forward-backward translated into English
by the developers, and this method was also used to translate the English version
of the FCRI into Dutch. Patients were recruited via patient organizations between
July 2011 and October 2013. To replicate the original 7-factor structure of the
FCRI, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. To examine the
psychometric qualities, reliability (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability
(intra-class correlations; ICC), and convergent and divergent validity
(Spearman's correlations) were calculated. RESULTS: From 290 cancer patients, 255
(88%) were eligible for analysis (aged 51.0+/-9.8years, 88.6% women). CFA showed
a reasonable yet suboptimal fit of the hypothesized model to the data. The FCRI
NL has good reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.93 for the total scale and alpha=0.75
0.92 for the subscales) and test-retest reliability (ICC=0.84 for the total scale
and ICC=0.56-0.87 for the subscales). Convergent (r=0.53-0.66 for the FCRI-NL and
r=0.48-0.57 for the FCRI-SF-NL) and divergent (r=-0.20--0.07 for the FCRI-NL and
r=-0.28--0.17 for the FCRI-SF-NL) validity was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The FCRI
NL seems to have sufficient psychometric properties. However, the FCRI-NL total
score should be interpreted with caution. The Severity subscale (FCRI-SF-NL) may
be a valuable screening tool for fear of cancer recurrence severity in clinical
care.
PMID- 28992894
TI - Chronic prostatitis and comorbid non-urological overlapping pain conditions: A co
twin control study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is
characterized by pain and voiding symptoms in the absence of an obvious infection
or other cause. CP/CPPS frequently occurs with non-urological chronic overlapping
pain conditions (COPCs) of unknown etiology. We conducted a co-twin control study
in men discordant for chronic prostatitis (CP), an overarching diagnosis of which
approximately 90% is CP/CPPS. The primary aim was to investigate the contribution
of familial factors, including shared genetic and common environmental factors,
to the comorbidity of CP and COPCs. METHODS: Data from 6824 male twins in the
Vietnam Era Twin Registry were examined to evaluate the association between self
reported lifetime physician diagnosis of CP with COPCs including fibromyalgia,
chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular disorder,
tension headaches, and migraine headaches. Random effects logistic regression
models were used and within-pair analyses evaluated confounding effects of
familial factors on the associations. RESULTS: There were significant
associations between CP and all 6 examined COPCs. After adjusting for shared
familial influences in within twin pair analyses, the associations for all COPCs
diminished but remained significant. Familial confounding was strongest for the
association of CP with fibromyalgia and temporomandibular disorder and smallest
for irritable bowel syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: CP and COPCs are highly comorbid.
These associations can be partially explained by familial factors. The mechanisms
underlying these relationships are likely diverse and multifactorial. Future
longitudinal research can help to further elucidate specific genetic and
environmental mechanisms and determine potentially causal relationships between
CP and its comorbidities.
PMID- 28992895
TI - Body-scaled action in obesity during locomotion: Insights on the nature and
extent of body representation disturbances.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Conscious perception of our own body, also known as body image, can
influence body-scaled actions. Certain conditions such as obesity are frequently
accompanied by a negative body image, leaving open the question if body-scaled
actions are distorted in these individuals. METHODS: To shed light on this issue,
we asked individuals affected by obesity to process dimensions of their own body
in a real action: they walked in a straight-ahead direction, while avoiding
collision with obstacles represented by door-like openings that varied in width.
RESULTS: Participants affected by obesity showed a body rotation behavior similar
to that of the healthy weighted, but differences emerged in parameters such as
step length and velocity. CONCLUSION: When participants with obesity walk through
door-like openings, their body parts rotation is scaled according to their
physical body dimensions; however, they might try to minimize risk of collision.
Our study is in line with the hypothesis that unconscious body-scaled actions are
related to emotional, cognitive and perceptual components of a negative body
image.
PMID- 28992896
TI - Psychological stress as a measure for treatment response prediction in idiopathic
sudden hearing loss.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Early prediction of therapeutic outcomes could reduce exposure to
ineffective treatments and optimize clinical outcomes. However, none of the known
otologic predictors is amenable to therapeutic intervention for idiopathic sudden
sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). The aims of this study were to investigate
psychological stress as a potential predictor to discriminate outcomes in ISSNHL.
METHODS: Various psychological measures were conducted including structured
interview assessment tools in patients with recently diagnosed ISSNHL before
initiating treatment. Using logistic regression analysis, we identified the
predictors of treatment response and estimated the probability of treatment
response in 50 ISSNHL patients who participated in a clinical trial. RESULTS:
Treatment non-responders were significantly differentiated from responders by
various psychological problems. The depression subscore of Modified form of
Stress Response Inventory (SRI-MF) (p=0.007) and duration of hearing loss
(p=0.045) significantly predicted treatment response after controlling other
clinical correlates. The same predictors were identified from different treatment
response measured using Siegel's criteria. The most discriminative measure for
treatment response was SRI-MF depression score with an overall classification
accuracy of 73%. CONCLUSIONS: We found depressive stress response to be the
strong predictor of treatment response in patients with ISSNHL. Our results
highlight the potential use of the psychiatric approach as a tool for enhancing
therapeutic outcomes. Future stress intervention studies with larger number of
ISSNHL patients are needed.
PMID- 28992897
TI - Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Eating Disorders: A systematized review of
comorbidity.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Research has shown that there is an association between Inflammatory
Bowel Disease, anxiety and mood disorders, however little is known about their
association with Eating Disorders. In this paper we will present a case of a
young female with a comorbid diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Eating
Disorder, and then discuss the results from a systematic review of the
literature, describing published cases of patients with the same condition.
METHODS: A systematized review of the literature was conducted according to MOOSE
guidelines. A computerized literature search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE, and
a manual search through reference lists of selected original articles were
performed to identify all published case-reports, case series and studies of
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Eating Disorders. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were
included, encompassing 219 cases, including ours. The vast majority were females
ranging from 10 to 44years old. Anorexia Nervosa (n=156) and Crohn's Disease
(n=129) was the most frequent combination (n=90) reported in the literature.
These cases present a poor prognosis because of corticoid refusal, medication
abandon and/or deliberate exacerbation of IBD symptoms, in the context of trying
to lose weight. CONCLUSION: Recent evidence suggests there is a possible
association between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Eating Disorders, although the
mechanisms involved in its ethiopathogenesis are still unknown. To be aware of
this association is important because a delayed diagnosis of this comorbidity may
lead to worse prognosis. Further research and a multidisciplinary approach could
facilitate earlier diagnosis and provide therapeutic interventions.
PMID- 28992898
TI - The trait and occasion components of fatigue and their association with sickness
absence.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Fatigue is an important health outcome in public and occupational
health care. To correctly understand and treat high levels of (prolonged) fatigue
it is important to disentangle the state of fatigue into a time-varying
(occasion) and -invarying (trait) component. Not only for understanding of the
construct itself over time but also for its relation with (health) outcomes such
as sickness absence. METHODS: Longitudinal data (n=2316) from the Maastricht
Cohort Study (MCS) study was used, which assessed fatigue across 4-month
intervals using the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS). RESULTS: It was found
that the occasion component explains 27.60% (95%-CI [25.80%; 29.40%]) of the
variance of fatigue and the trait component 71.00% (95%-CI [69.00%; 72.90%]). The
trait component was, furthermore, found to be a significant predictor of sickness
absence. CONCLUSION: Fatigue has a considerable time-invariant component. As this
component is also related with other adverse health outcomes, preventive measures
and interventions should take the difference between the occasion and trait
component of fatigue into account.
PMID- 28992899
TI - Tailored online cognitive behavioural therapy with or without therapist support
calls to target psychological distress in adults receiving haemodialysis: A
feasibility randomised controlled trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Psychological distress is prevalent in haemodialysis (HD) patients
yet access to psychotherapy remains limited. This study assessed the feasibility
and acceptability of online cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) tailored for HD
patients, with or without therapist support, for managing psychological distress.
METHODS: This feasibility randomised controlled trial recruited patients from a
UK HD centre. Following psychological distress screens, patients with mild
moderate psychological distress (Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9; score: 5-19
and/or Generalised Anxiety Disorder; GAD-7 score: 5-14) who met remaining
inclusion criteria were approached for consent. Consenters were individually
randomised (1:1) to online-CBT or online-CBT plus three therapist support calls.
Outcomes included recruitment, retention, and adherence rates. Exploratory change
analyses were performed for: psychological distress, quality of life (QoL),
illness perceptions, and costs. The statistician was blinded to allocation.
RESULTS: 182 (44%) out of 410 patients approached completed psychological
distress screens. 26% found screening unacceptable; a further 30% found it
unfeasible. Psychological distress was detected in 101 (55%) patients, 60 of
these met remaining inclusion criteria. The primary reason for ineligibility was
poor computer literacy (N=17, 53%). Twenty-five patients were randomised to the
supported (N=18) or unsupported arm (N=7); 92% were retained at follow-up. No
differences in psychological distress or cost-effectiveness were observed. No
trial adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: Online CBT appears feasible but only
for computer literate patients who identify with the label psychological
distress. A definitive trial using the current methods for psychological distress
screening and online care delivery is unfeasible. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT02352870.
PMID- 28992900
TI - Cultural differences in symptom representation for depression and somatization
measured by the PHQ between Vietnamese and German psychiatric outpatients.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Despite an extensive body of research on somatic symptom presentation
among people of East- and Southeast-Asian descent, results are still
inconclusive. Examining and comparing symptom presentation in clinically and
ethnically well-characterized populations may constitute a step towards
understanding symptom presentation between patients with a different cultural
background. This study aims to compare Vietnamese and German patients regarding
cultural dynamics of symptom presentation upon first admission to a psychiatric
outpatient service. METHODS: 110 Vietnamese and 109 German patients seeking
psychiatric treatment at two outpatient clinics completed the Patient Health
Questionnaire (PHQ). The somatic symptom subscale (PHQ-15), the depression
subscale (PHQ-9) and PHQ-subscales examining anxiety and psychosocial stress
levels were analyzed and compared for both groups using multivariate analysis of
covariance. Regression analysis was utilized to examine the influences of
sociodemographic and migration specific factors. RESULTS: Vietnamese and German
patients showed comparable Cronbach's alpha for all subscales. Vietnamese
patients endorsed significantly higher levels of somatic symptoms overall and on
certain items (as pain-related items, dizziness, and fainting spells) despite
similar levels of depression severity in comparison with German patients.
Vietnamese patients with poor German language skills showed a significantly
higher focus on somatic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Raising awareness for cultural
dynamics of symptom presentation in patients with depression is indispensable.
Cross-cultural symptom assessment using the PHQ seems feasible and expands our
understanding of depressive and psychosomatic symptoms when assessed by
clinicians.
PMID- 28992902
TI - Lynn Margulis and the origin of the eukaryotes.
PMID- 28992901
TI - Prenatal stress perception and coping strategies: Insights from a longitudinal
prospective pregnancy cohort.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Prenatal distress has been linked to pregnancy complications and poor
offspring's health, despite the fact that longitudinal assessments of various
stress dimensions are still lacking. Hence, we aimed to assess perceived stress
over the course of pregnancy. Moreover, we examined whether social support and
coping styles are linked to prenatal stress trajectories. METHODS: Data from 543
women participating in the PRINCE (Prenatal Identification of Children Health)
study, a prospective population-based cohort study, was used for the present
analyses. Once per trimester the women completed questionnaires regarding
different psychometric measures, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
Linear mixed regression models were used to examine perceived stress development
longitudinally and to relate social support and coping styles to stress
trajectories during pregnancy. RESULTS: A significant decrease of perceived
stress was observed over the course of pregnancy. Stratifying the study sample
according to parity, women delivering their first child had continuously lower
perceived stress scores compared to women having already one or more children,
and a significant decrease during pregnancy was exclusively observed in
primiparous women. Both, positive coping strategies and higher perceived and
received social support were independently associated with lower perceived
stress, while evasive coping strategies were associated with higher levels of
perceived stress. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals stress perception trajectories
during pregnancies in primi- and multiparous women. Our findings underscore the
need for intervention strategies aiming to improve social support and positive
coping strategies especially in multiparous women in order to reduce the risks
for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
PMID- 28992903
TI - Use of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet UR Urinary St/Ox to Dissolve Struvite
Cystoliths.
AB - The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of feeding the
commercially available diet, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary St/Ox,
for the dissolution of struvite cystoliths in cats with naturally occurring
disease. Twelve cats with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease and
cystoliths confirmed via radiographs were enrolled. The cats were fed the study
diet ad libitum and assessed by abdominal radiographs weekly. Cats with
cystoliths that resolved based on radiographs and confirmatory ultrasound
examination were considered diet successes. Cats with no change in cystolith size
after 2-6 weeks underwent cystotomy for stone removal, aerobic culture and
antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and analysis. All cats accepted the study
diet, and weight loss was not noted over the course of the study. Total cystolith
dissolution was achieved by week 2 for 5 cats, which were presumed to have
struvite cystoliths. All other cats underwent cystotomy for stone removal after
radiographic evidence of cystoliths were still present at 2 weeks (1 cat with
severe signs), 4 weeks (5 cats), or 6 weeks (1 cat). The cystoliths that were
surgically removed were calcium oxalate (5 cats) and mixed (2 cats) and would not
be expected to dissolve with this diet. Follow-up radiographs from 6 cats fed the
diet long term (3 presumed struvite and 3 with other cystoliths removed
surgically) were collected from 1 to 6 months after beginning the study and
showed no evidence of cystolith recurrence. While larger case numbers are needed,
these results suggest that feeding Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary
St/Ox can successfully dissolve cystoliths that are likely struvite and may
lessen the risk of recurrence of struvite and calcium oxalate cystoliths.
PMID- 28992904
TI - Submucosal Collagen Injection for Management of Urinary Incontinence Following
Urethral Stent Placement.
AB - An 8-year-old, entire, male British Bulldog was referred for a week-long history
of severe stranguria and dysuria. A prostatic wash was diagnostic of prostatic
carcinoma. A transluminal urethral stent was placed in the proximal urethra,
which resulted in resolution of the urinary obstruction, however, the dog
developed severe urinary incontinence after the procedure. Cystoscopically-guided
submucosal collagen injections were performed immediately proximal to the os
penis. The dog's incontinence resolved with a single collagen injection for the
10-month follow-up period.
PMID- 28992905
TI - Perioperative Occlusion of a Subcutaneous Ureteral Bypass Secondary to a Severe
Pyonephrosis in a Birman Cat.
AB - A subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) was placed in a 10-year-old Birman cat for
management of unilateral ureterolithiasis. Perioperative occlusion of the
nephrostomy tube of the SUB device happened secondary to a severe pyonephrosis.
Flushing of the system throught the subcutaneous shunting port was made with
saline solution after clamping the urinary bladder catheter. Repetitive flushing
of the device was performed daily for 3 days to be sure of the remanent patency
of the catheter. Repetitive flushing of the SUB device is a successful renal
sparing treatment for pyonephrosis in a cat and may be considered as an effective
treatment option for this condition.
PMID- 28992906
TI - Renal Amyloidosis Associated With Kartagener Syndrome in a Dog.
AB - A 4-year-old cocker spaniel, male, of 12kg body weight was presented because of
the onset of polyuria or polydipsia. From the first months of its life, the dog
had exhibited constant serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge, productive cough,
sneezing, reverse sneezing, otitis, and recurrent episodes of fever. The
respiratory signs had been treated several times with antibiotics, without ever
achieving a complete resolution. Clinical examination revealed normal rectal
temperature (38.3 degrees C), increased respiratory rate (40breaths/min), a
copious mucous nasal discharge and right deviation of the heart apex beat (ictus
cordis). Increased respiratory sounds with moist rales and crackles were found on
chest auscultation. An increase in serum creatinine, urea and phosphorus,
hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria were found. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs
of the thorax and of the abdomen showed the transposition of the heart, with the
cardiac apex pointing toward the right (dextrocardia), bronchointerstitial lung
pattern, areas of consolidation, lesions consistent with bronchiectasis caves and
a mirror-image of abdominal organs, confirming the diagnosis of complete situs
inversus (CSI). Respiratory signs, combined with CSI, suggested the diagnosis of
Kartagener syndrome (KS). Abdominal ultrasound showed an increase in the
echogenicity of the renal parenchyma, a loss of definition of the
corticomedullary line, slight bilateral pyelectasis, and decreased cortical
perfusion. The dog died 2 months later because of a further worsening of the
clinical condition. Necroscopy demonstrated the existence of CSI, rhinosinusitis,
bronchitis, and bronchiectasis, so confirming the diagnosis of KS, and renal
amyloidosis. This is the first case reported in veterinary medicine of the
presence of renal amyloidosis together with KS in a dog.
PMID- 28992907
TI - Scaling Relationships Among Heart Rate, Electrocardiography Parameters, and Body
Weight.
AB - Although heart rate (HR) is one of the most important clinical parameters
determined via physical examinations, little information is available on the
normal HR in dogs, which may be related to the high variability of body weight
(BW) in this species. HR is determined by the discharge rate of the sinus node,
which is dependent on the autonomic nervous system and the release of
catecholamines. The allometric relationship between BW and HR in different
species has been described as inversely proportional; however, this relationship
has been refuted. Certain authors have reported that the relationship between HR
and BW in dogs is based on temperament as well as sympathetic autonomic
stimulation of the sinus node in small breeds compared with large breeds. The aim
of this study was to analyze the effects of weight, sex, age and temperament on
the HR, heart rate variability and serum catecholamine (epinephrine and
norepinephrine) levels in dogs. We evaluated 48 adult dogs of both sexes and
various breeds and ages and divided the dogs into 5 BW groups: <5kg (n = 8), 5
10kg (n = 10), 10-25kg (n = 10), 25-45kg (n = 10), and >45kg (n = 10). The
measured parameters were HR, breath rate (BR) and body temperature. We also
performed an ambulatory electrocardiogram and electrocardiography (ECG) test for
24 hours (Holter monitor) and determined the serum levels of the catecholamines
epinephrine and norepinephrine. We observed correlations between HR and sex;
differences among the weight groups with respect to ECG variables and epinephrine
levels; and differences among the temperament categories for certain clinical
parameters, such as HR and BR. Age affected the R wave amplitude, and an
allometric relationship was not observed between HR and BW in the dogs. Our
results indicated that weight was associated with variations in the ECG
variables; age and sex were associated with variations in HR; and temperament had
a significant influence on the HR and BR of the dogs.
PMID- 28992908
TI - Evaluation of Pericardial Effusion in Dogs and Successful Treatment Using a
Hemodialysis Fistula Needle: A Retrospective Study.
AB - The aim of this retrospective study was to assess epidemiology and
echocardiographic findings of pericardial effusion in canine patients and to
determine the clinical usefulness and safety of a new pericardiocentesis
technique, using a "fistula needle" for hemodialysis. A database of 5304 dogs of
different breeds, age, gender, type, and severity of the cardiac disease,
referred for a specialist cardiology and echocardiographic examination from 2009
2016, was reviewed. All the dogs were subjected to echocardiography; when
possible and required, an echo-guided pericardiocentesis was performed by mean of
a 17G "fistula needle" commonly used for hemodialysis. Complete echocardiography
was repeated at the end of each pericardiocentesis. Pericardial effusion was
identified by echocardiography in 91 dogs (1.71%), 20 were female (21.98%) and 71
were male (78.02%). PE caused cardiac tamponade in 38/91 cases (41.76%). A clear
evidence of a neoplasm was found in 33 cases (36.26%). In 32 cases (35.16%)
severe degenerative mitral and tricuspid valve disease was detected as the cause
of the pericardial effusion. Echo-guided pericardiocentesis was performed in 28
cases (30.77%) with cardiac tamponade. No adverse effects were found in any of
the patients during the 48 hours of follow up after pericardiocentesis. This
study showed the high incidence of pericardial effusion due to severe bilateral
degenerative valve disease in adult to elderly dogs of different breeds.
Moreover, the use of a "fistula needle" for pericardiocentesis in dogs showed no
adverse effects.
PMID- 28992909
TI - Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery in a Beagle Puppy With a Persistent Right Aortic
Arch. Use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography to Diagnose a Vascular Ring Anomaly.
AB - A 7-week-old, 1.045kg female beagle dog was referred to investigate a supposed
vascular ring anomaly. Cone beam computed tomography with contrast enhanced
arterial phase accomplished by a rapid manual intravenous injection of iodinated
agent during the scanning process revealed a persistent right aortic arch and an
aberrant left subclavian artery that compressed dorsally the esophagus in the
cranial mediastinum. Third left intercostal thoracotomy was performed to transect
the left subclavian artery. This is the first description of a vascular ring
anomaly that was diagnosed with a cone beam computed tomography in veterinary
medicine.
PMID- 28992910
TI - Extreme Tetralogy of Fallot With Polycythemia in a Ferret (Mustela putorius
furo).
AB - A 5-month-old, intact male ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with
apathy, tachypnea and exercise intolerance. On initial physical examination,
tachypnea and cyanosis were the two primary clinical signs detected. The complete
blood count also revealed a severe polycythemia, with lymphopenia, neutrophilia
and eosinophilia. Further diagnostic imaging tests were performed. The thoracic
radiographs revealed cardiomegaly and a diffuse alveolar pulmonary pattern.
Consequently, an echocardiography was performed and showed an interventricular
septal defect, pulmonic artery occlusion, overriding of the aorta and right
ventricle hypertrophy. All abnormalities were compatible with a tetralogy of
Fallot (TOF). As a treatment plan, a phlebotomy was performed and the ferret was
posteriorly maintained with oxygen and fluid therapy. The following day, the
hematocrit decreased 11% and the respiratory distress improved. Four days later,
the ferret got clinically worse and was euthanized. A necropsy was performed and
confirmed the presence of an extreme TOF with a diffused interstitial pneumonia
secondary to Pneumocystis carinii. To the author's knowledge, this is the first
report of an extreme tetralogy of Fallot with polycythemia in a ferret.
PMID- 28992911
TI - Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Hematology and Serum Biochemistry in Healthy
Dogs.
AB - The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of whole-body vibration (WBV)
exercise on hematology and serum biochemistry in healthy dogs. Ten intact beagle
dogs, 3 females, and 7 males, with a mean age of 3 years, and mean body mass of
14.3kg, body condition score between 4.0/9 and 4.5/9 were evaluated. The WBV
sessions were done with the dog standing up on all 4 feet on a vibrating
platform. Daily session of 30Hz for 5 minutes, followed by 50Hz for 5 minutes and
finishing with 30Hz for 5 minutes was accomplished for 5 days. The velocity and
amplitude of the vibrating platform were 12-40m/s2 and 1.7-2.5mm, respectively.
Blood samples were collected, before and immediately after the WBV platform
exercise session, and 1 and 6 hours after the end of each session for 5 days. In
addition, blood samples were collected 24 hours and 48 hours after the last WBV
platform exercise session. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry (alanine
aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, blood urea
nitrogen, creatinine, and serum total protein) were the data analyzed. The
erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and packet cell volume values decreased, whereas the
leukocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils values increased after WBV platform
exercise sessions; however, all values were within the reference range. Other
hematological and serum biochemical parameters did not show important variations.
In conclusion, the WBV exercise sessions attended for 5 consecutive days did not
adversely affect the hematology and serum biochemistry of adult healthy dogs.
PMID- 28992912
TI - Voluntary monitoring systems for pig health and welfare in the UK: Comparative
analysis of prevalence and temporal patterns of selected non-respiratory post
mortem conditions.
AB - Collection of abattoir data related to public health is common worldwide.
Standardised on-going programmes that collect information from abattoirs that
inform producers about the presence and frequency of disease that are important
to them rather than public health hazards are less common. The three voluntary
pig health schemes, implemented in the United Kingdom, are integrated systems
which capture information on different macroscopic disease conditions detected in
slaughtered pigs. Many of these conditions have been associated with a reduction
in performance traits and consequent increases in production costs. The schemes
are the Wholesome Pigs Scotland in Scotland, the British Pig Health Scheme in
England and Wales and the Pig Regen Ltd. health and welfare checks in Northern
Ireland. In this study, four post mortem conditions (pericarditis, milk spots,
papular dermatitis and tail damage) were surveyed and analysed over a ten and
half year period, with the aim to compare the prevalence, monthly variations, and
yearly trends between schemes. Liver milk spot was the most frequently recorded
condition while tail damage was the least frequently observed condition. The
prevalence of papular dermatitis was relatively low compared to liver milk spot
and pericarditis in the three schemes. A general decreasing trend was observed
for milk spots and papular dermatitis for all three schemes. The prevalence of
pericarditis increased in Northern Ireland and England and Wales; while Scotland
in recent years showed a decreasing trend. An increasing trend of tail damage was
depicted in Scotland and Northern Ireland until 2013/2014 followed by a decline
in recent years compared to that of England and Wales with a decreasing trend
over the full study period. Monthly effects were more evident for milk spots and
papular dermatitis. Similarity of the modus operandi of the schemes made the
comparison of temporal variations and patterns in gross pathology between
countries possible over time, especially between countries with similar pig
production profile. This study of temporal patterns enables early detection of
prevalence increases and alerts industry and researchers to investigate the
reasons behind such changes. These schemes are, therefore, valuable assets for
endemic disease surveillance, early warning for emerging disease and also for
monitoring of welfare outcomes.
PMID- 28992913
TI - Reliability of techniques used in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis
by the national control program in Brazil: A survey in an area of recent
transmission.
AB - One of the key components of the Brazilian Program for the Control of Visceral
Leishmaniasis (PCLV) is the euthanasia of Leishmania-infected canine reservoirs,
the detection of which depends on a screening procedure involving a Dual Path
Platform(r) (DPP) immunoassay and a confirmatory enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). The aims of the present study were to evaluate the reliability of
these techniques in a region of recent transmission of canine VL, to follow up
the seroconversion 3-4 months after the initial diagnosis of DPP reactive but
ELISA indeterminate or non-reactive dogs, and to identify the species of
Leishmania in circulation in the area. Each animal was submitted to DPP under
field conditions, performed by municipal health workers using peripheral blood
(DPP-field), to DPP under laboratory conditions using serum (DPP-lab) and to
ELISA using serum. The agreements between the tests were determined using
McNemar's chi2 test, Cohen's kappa coefficient (k) at the 95% confidence interval
and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK). Of the 1130 dogs examined,
74.2% were non-reactive in all three tests applied. Based on the PCLV positive
infection criterion, seroprevalence was 8.9% (101/1130) with 83.2% (84/101) of
infected animals showing reactivity in all three tests while 7.8% (8/101) were
reactive in DPP-field and ELISA and 8.9% (9/101) in DPP-lab and ELISA. The
proportions of disagreements were substantial in all comparisons. Inter-rater
reliability between DPP-field and ELISA (k=0.55; PABAK=0.78) and DPP-lab and
ELISA (k=0.59; PABAK=0.81) were considered moderate, while that between DPP-field
and DPP-lab (k=0.61; PABAK=0.79) was classified as marginally good. The
proportion of seroconversions in DPP reactive animals that were initially ELISA
indeterminate was significantly higher than in those that were DPP reactive but
initially ELISA non-reactive. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis
revealed the presence of Leishmania infantum, the etiologic agent of VL, in bone
marrow samples from VL-infected animals. Our data showed that the techniques and
protocols currently employed in the PCLV screening approach are not entirely
reliable. Further consideration should be given to monitoring dogs with
undetermined results in ELISA and a better training should be provided for health
workers responsible for performing DPP tests applied under field conditions.
PMID- 28992914
TI - A quantitative risk-analysis for introduction of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus in
the Netherlands through cattle imports.
AB - Many countries have implemented control programmes aiming to eradicate Bovine
Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV). After obtaining the free status, a risk of re
introduction of the virus through import may remain. Therefore the risk of
introduction of BVDV through cattle imports in the Netherlands was quantified and
the effectiveness of subsequent intervention measures was assessed. Data,
literature and expert opinion were used to estimate values for input parameters
to feed a stochastic simulation model. The probability that BVDV was imported was
differentiated into persistently infected (PI) cattle, trojan cows that
transmitted the virus vertically resulting in a PI foetus (TR) and transient
infected cattle (TI). The import risk was stratified to beef, dairy, small scale,
suckler, trade, veal and young stock herds. The intervention scenarios that were
evaluated consisted of virus testing, a combination of virus testing and antibody
testing in pregnant cows, abolishment of imports from high risk countries (i.e.
countries with a BVDV prevalence >15%) and a combination of import restrictions
and testing prior to import. Each year, 334 (5th and 95th percentile: 65-902)
Dutch cattle herds were estimated to be infected with BVDV through import. Veal
herds account for most infections associated with import (87%), whereas in the
other herd types, only 9 beef, 6 dairy, 2 small scale, 16 suckler, 10 trade and 2
young stock herds are infected through imports per year. Import of PI cattle is
the most important risk for introduction in veal herds, while import of TR cows
is the main source of BVDV introduction in dairy, small scale and suckler herds.
With the intervention scenarios, the number of BVDV infected herds in the
Netherlands could be reduced to 81 and 58 herds per year when respectively virus
testing or a combination of virus and antibody testing was applied or to 108
herds when import from high risk countries was abolished. With the scenario in
which both import from high risk countries was abolished combined with virus and
antibody testing, the number of BVDV infected herds could be reduced to 17 herds
per year. The risk assessment showed that BVDV is regularly imported in the
Netherlands. The import risk can effectively be reduced by implementing
diagnostic testing prior to import and only import cattle with a favourable
result, eventually combined with certain trade restrictions.
PMID- 28992915
TI - A cross-sectional study for predicting tail biting risk in pig farms using
classification and regression tree analysis.
AB - Tail biting in pigs has been an identified behavioural, welfare and economic
problem for decades, and requires appropriate but sometimes difficult on-farm
interventions. The aim of the paper is to introduce the Classification and
Regression Tree (CRT) methodologies to develop a tool for prevention of acute
tail biting lesions in pigs on-farm. A sample of 60 commercial farms rearing
heavy pigs were involved; an on-farm visit and an interview with the farmer
collected data on general management, herd health, disease prevention, climate
control, feeding and production traits. Results suggest a value for the CRT
analysis in managing the risk factors behind tail biting on a farm-specific
level, showing 86.7% sensitivity for the Classification Tree and a correlation of
0.7 between observed and predicted prevalence of tail biting obtained with the
Regression Tree. CRT analysis showed five main variables (stocking density,
ammonia levels, number of pigs per stockman, type of floor and timeliness in feed
supply) as critical predictors of acute tail biting lesions, which demonstrate
different importance in different farms subgroups. The model might have reliable
and practical applications for the support and implementation of tail biting
prevention interventions, especially in case of subgroups of pigs with higher
risk, helping farmers and veterinarians to assess the risk in their own farm and
to manage their predisposing variables in order to reduce acute tail biting
lesions.
PMID- 28992916
TI - Association of clinical signs after acute Schmallenberg virus infection with milk
production and fertility in Swiss dairy cows.
AB - Since its first occurrence in August 2011 in Germany and the Netherlands, the
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) spread rapidly across Europe, where it caused
production losses and abortions in ruminants as well as congenital malformations
in the offspring of affected animals. Several studies have investigated the
impact of SBV on fertility and production parameters in dairy cows at herd level.
However, the impact of clinical disease at the animal level remained
undetermined. This study aimed at estimating the impact of clinical disease
during and after an infection with SBV on production and fertility parameters in
individual Swiss dairy cows. Sixty-seven case and twenty-four control herds were
selected according to whether cows had been showing clinical signs indicative of
SBV during the epidemic from July to December 2012 in Switzerland. Of these 91
farms, production and fertility data from 388 cows with clinical signs from case
herds were collected over a time period of four years, and compared to data from
932 cows without clinical signs originating from case or control herds. Milk
yield, somatic cell count, number of inseminations and non-return at day 56 were
analysed by means of hierarchical multivariable regression analysis. A
significant drop in milk yield was observed in all groups during the SBV epidemic
compared to the time before the infection, which amounted to 1.9kg per test day
for clinical animals, 1.1kg for non-clinical animals from case herds and 0.6kg
for non-clinical animals from control herds. A prolonged effect on milk yield was
observed in clinical cows for about one year, suggesting that animals with
clinical disease might not return to their previous milk production level in the
current lactation after an acute infection with SBV. Clinical animals showed a
significantly higher somatic cell count during the epidemic compared to the time
before the infection. The number of inseminations per cow and production cycle
was higher for clinical animals during the epidemic compared to the time periods
before and after, but not significantly higher than for non-clinical animals from
case and control herds. No difference regarding non-return at day 56 was found.
Although the overall impact of the SBV epidemic in Switzerland was limited, the
consequences could be substantial in farms with a high prevalence of clinical
disease.
PMID- 28992917
TI - The use of large databases to inform the development of an intestinal scoring
system for the poultry industry.
AB - There is increasing interest among the poultry industry to develop a
comprehensive index that can be used to evaluate overall intestinal health and
impact on production performance. The Intestinal Integrity (I2) index is a
quantitative measurement tool used to assess the intestinal health of flocks that
use the Health Tracking System (HTSi), a global surveillance system developed by
Elanco Animal Health that captures flock-level information on health and
performance. To generate an I2 index score for a flock, the presence of 23
intestinal health conditions is assessed and recorded, then entered into a
mathematical equation. The objective of this study was to use data from the HTSi
dataset to investigate the association between health conditions contained within
the I2 index and five performance outcomes: average daily gain (ADG), mortality
during the first week, feed conversion ratio (FCR), European Production
Efficiency Factor (EPEF), and percent livability. At the time of analysis, the
HTSi dataset contained information from the years 2006-2015 on 921,646 individual
bird necropsy records from over 153,576 flocks at 1,570 broiler production flows
across 53 countries. Flock-level production data used for this study were
available for a subset of this population, 33,212 total flocks representing 6 US
and 4 UK production flows. A separate multivariable linear or logistic regression
model, with farm as a random effect, was built for each of the five outcomes
mentioned above. All models controlled for clustering of flocks within production
flows. Significant associations were found between key performance indicators and
ten intestinal conditions (gross E. acervulina, gross E. maxima, microscopic E.
maxima, gizzard erosions, roundworms, excessive intestinal fluid, thin
intestines, excessive intestinal mucus, feed passage, and necrotic enteritis) and
two management parameters (production flow and down time). Results from this
study demonstrate that large databases, such as the HTSi database, can be used to
inform and evaluate changes that can optimize intestinal health, and hence
welfare, productivity, and sustainability of the poultry industry. In addition,
large databases can be used for monitoring and benchmarking intestinal health of
poultry and informing the development of innovative indices such as the I2 index
for scoring intestinal health and providing routine data for its calculation.
PMID- 28992918
TI - Assessing the impact of different persuasive messages on the intentions and
behaviour of cat owners: A randomised control trial.
AB - Owners of free-ranging domestic cats (Felis catus) are under increasing pressure
to keep their pet contained within their house or yard, in an effort to reduce
adverse impacts on cat welfare, ecosystem biodiversity and neighbourhoods. We
conducted a randomised online experiment to assess the effectiveness of two
persuasive messages to encourage cat owners to contain their pets. A total of 512
Australian cat owners, who currently do not contain their cats, were randomly
assigned to view one of three short video messages: one framed to highlight the
negative impact of cats' on wildlife and biodiversity ('wildlife protection'
frame), one framed to highlight the health and safety benefits of keeping cats
contained ('cat benefit' frame), and a control message focused on general
information about cats ('neutral' frame). We assessed the impact of these video
messages on two post-treatment outcome variables: (1) the intention of owners to
contain their cat; and (2) the adoption of containment practices, based on a 4
week follow-up survey. Mediation analysis revealed both the 'wildlife protection'
and 'cat benefit' messages increased owners' motivation to contain their cat and
their beliefs that they could effectively contain their cat to achieve the
desired outcomes (response efficacy). In turn, higher levels of motivation and
response efficacy predicted increased cat containment intentions and increased
adoption of cat containment. In addition, the response efficacy effects of the
'cat benefit' message were strengthened by the cat owner's bond to their pet,
suggesting audience segmentation may improve the effectiveness of interventions.
Implications for future intervention development are discussed.
PMID- 28992919
TI - Genotypic and epidemiologic characterization of extended-spectrum cephalosporin
resistant Salmonella enterica from US beef feedlots.
AB - In the US, nontyphoidal Salmonellae are a common foodborne zoonotic pathogen
causing gastroenteritis. Invasive Salmonella infections caused by extended
spectrum cephalosporin resistant (ESCR) phenotypes are more likely to result in
treatment failure and adverse health outcomes, especially in severe pediatric
Salmonella infections where the extended-spectrum beta-lactams are the therapy of
choice. To examine the genetic and epidemiologic characteristics of ESCR
Salmonellae which may enter the food chain, we characterized 44 ceftiofur
resistant Salmonella isolates from the National Animal Health Monitoring System
(NAHMS) 2011 beef cattle feedlot health and management study. As part of the
NAHMS Feedlot 2011 study, 5050 individual fecal samples from 68 large (1000+ head
capacity) feedlots were cultured for Salmonella spp. The resulting 460 positive
samples yielded 571 Salmonella isolates with 44 (8%) expressing an AmpC beta
lactamase phenotype. These phenotypic blaCMY-2Salmonella isolates represented 8
serotypes, most commonly S. Newport (n=14, 32%), S. Typhimurium (n=13, 30%), and
S. Reading (n=5, 11%), followed by S. Dublin, S. Infantis, S. Montevideo, S.
Rough O:i;v:1;7, and S. Uganda. Carriage of the blaCMY-2 gene was confirmed for
all isolates expressing an AmpC beta-lactamase phenotype by PCR. Additionally,
all 44 isolates were shown to carry the blaCMY-2 gene on a large IncA/C plasmid,
a gene/plasmid combination which has been previously reported in multiple
species. Other plasmids, including IncN, FIC, and FIIA, were also detected in
some isolates. Cattle fed chlortetracycline were less likely to be positive for a
blaCMY-2Salmonella isolate in their enteric flora compared to those not receiving
chlortetracycline during the feeding period. Carriage of blaCMY-2 was more
prevalent in Salmonella isolates originating from lighter weight cattle, cattle
fed tylosin and dairy breeds. Our characterization of the NAHMS Feedlot 2011
study Salmonella isolates with ESCR phenotype shows that while other
cephalosporin resistance mechanisms have been reported in US cattle, specific
serotypes harboring blaCMY-2 on IncA/C plasmids may be the dominant resistance
genotype.
PMID- 28992920
TI - Animal tuberculosis maintenance at low abundance of suitable wildlife reservoir
hosts: A case study in northern Spain.
AB - Animal tuberculosis (TB), which is caused by infection with members of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), is a typical multi-host infection that
flourishes at the livestock-wildlife interface. TB epidemiology is well
characterized in the Mediterranean woodland habitats and Atlantic regions of
southwestern Europe. However, much less is known about huge regions that do not
form part of the two abovementioned settings, which have a low abundance of wild
reservoirs. We hypothesized that MTC would be maintained in multi- rather than
single-host communities in which wildlife would make a relatively low
contribution to the maintenance of TB. Between 2011 and 2015, 7729 Eurasian wild
boar (Sus scrofa) and 1729 wild ruminants were sampled for culture during hunting
events on unfenced sites. In addition, 1058 wild ungulates were sampled on 23
fenced hunting estates. Infection prevalence data were modeled along with
official data on cattle and goat TB, on livestock distribution and management,
and on wild boar abundance. The mean individual MTC infection prevalence was
4.28% in wild boar, while the cattle skin test reactor percent was 0.17%. The
prevalence of MTC infection in wild ungulates (mostly wild boar) from the fenced
hunting estates was 11.6%. Modeling revealed that the main driver of TB in cattle
was their management (beef; communal pastures). However, wild boar abundance, the
prevalence of MTC infection in wild boar and the presence of fenced hunting
estates also contributed to explaining cattle TB. The model used for goat TB
identified communal pastures as a risk factor. The model for the prevalence of
MTC infection in wild boar included wild boar abundance and communal pastures. We
conclude that the MTC maintenance host community is most likely of a multi-host
nature. While cattle and communal pastures pose the main risk regarding TB, it is
also necessary to consider increasing wild boar densities and specific risks
owing to fenced wildlife. We infer several management implications regarding
wildlife management, the wildlife sampling strategy and laboratory testing, the
peculiarities of fenced hunting estates, and the wildlife-livestock interface.
PMID- 28992921
TI - Seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle and selected wildlife species at selected
livestock/wildlife interface areas of the Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe.
AB - A study was conducted to investigate seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella
species infection in cattle and some wildlife species in communities living at
the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in south
eastern Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock
wildlife interface: porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted); non
porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing); and livestock
wildlife non-interface (totally absent or control). Sera were collected from
cattle aged>=2years representing both female and intact male animals. Sera were
also collected from selected wild ungulates from Mabalauta (porous interface) and
Chipinda (non-interface) areas of the Gonarezhou National Park. Samples were
screened for Brucellaantibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test and confirmed by
the complement fixation test. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and
multivariate logistic regression modelling. In cattle, brucellosis seroprevalence
from all areas was 16.7% (169/1011; 95% CI: 14.5-19.2%). The porous interface
recorded a significantly (p=0.03) higher seroprevalence (19.5%; 95% CI: 16.1
23.4%) compared to the non-interface area (13.0%; 95% CI: 9.2-19.9%).The odds of
Brucellaseropositivity increased progressively with parity of animals and were
also three times higher (OR=3.0, 2.01, 5 and 10%)
were located in the same direction as lower enrichment use ratio, liquid feed,
trough feeding, floor feeding, restricted feed and in&outdoor pens. Results
suggested that higher prevalences were not specifically connected to a particular
system, but that all welfare outcomes were connected to several inappropriate
features in the environment. This study highlights individual risk factors which
can be considered to improve animal welfare, but also indicates the need to
consider the environment as a whole because of potential factor combinations and
confounds. Understanding of these requires a large scale database, which can be
drawn from assessments carried out as part of farm assurance and support evidence
based advice and future formulation of standards for good practice.
PMID- 28992927
TI - First study on domestic dog ecology, demographic structure and dynamics in
Bamako, Mali.
AB - BACKGROUND: For the planning of an effective dog mass vaccination campaign
against rabies in Africa, it is crucial to know more about the dog population. In
this paper we describe for the first time the dog ecology, demographic structure
and population dynamics of a domestic dog population in Bamako, Mali. In 2010 and
2011, we visited 2956 randomly selected compounds. Questionnaire data was
collected on the compound and household level and on each dog individually. Dog
owning households were followed every six months during one (dog-owning
households identified in 2011) or two years (dog-owning households identified in
2010) for the successive collection of dog demography data. RESULTS: We recorded
379 dogs in 279 compounds. The dog human ratio was estimated at 1:121, and the
extrapolation of the domestic dog population in Bamako results in an estimate of
14 906 dogs (95% CI 13 041-17 037). The female male ratio was 1:2.8. A high
proportion of young dogs was found as a result of a high turnover rate in the
population. Mortality within the first year of life was high, and dogs had a life
expectancy at birth of 2.5 years. Using a Leslie matrix, we estimated the annual
dog population growth to be 20%. Christians were more likely to be dog owners
than Muslims. Another factor favouring dog ownership was belonging to the ethnic
group of Bobo or Malinke. Dogs were mainly used as watchdogs and fed with
household leftovers and garbage. They were most often obtained and given away
without remuneration. CONCLUSIONS: This work contributes vital information
towards planning effective and sustainable dog rabies control programmes for the
district of Bamako. Due to the high turnover rate, we recommend repeated mass
vaccination campaigns of at least 70% of the owned dogs at yearly intervals. In
addition, dog-owners need to be educated on good dog management.
PMID- 28992928
TI - Domestic dog roaming patterns in remote northern Australian indigenous
communities and implications for disease modelling.
AB - Although Australia is canine rabies free, the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA),
Queensland and other northern Australian communities are at risk of an incursion
due to proximity to rabies infected islands of Indonesia and existing disease
spread pathways. Northern Australia also has large populations of free-roaming
domestic dogs, presenting a risk of rabies establishment and maintenance should
an incursion occur. Agent-based rabies spread models are being used to predict
potential outbreak size and identify effective control strategies to aid
incursion preparedness. A key component of these models is knowledge of dog
roaming patterns to inform contact rates. However, a comprehensive understanding
of how dogs utilise their environment and the heterogeneity of their movements to
estimate contact rates is lacking. Using a novel simulation approach - and GPS
data collected from 21 free-roaming domestic dogs in the NPA in 2014 and 2016 -
we characterised the roaming patterns within this dog population. Multiple
subsets from each individual dog's GPS dataset were selected representing
different monitoring durations and a utilisation distribution (UD) and derived
core (50%) and extended (95%) home ranges (HR) were estimated for each duration.
Three roaming patterns were identified, based on changes in mean HR over
increased monitoring durations, supported by assessment of maps of daily UDs of
each dog. Stay-at-home dogs consolidated their HR around their owner's residence,
resulting in a decrease in mean HR (both core and extended) as monitoring
duration increased (median peak core and extended HR 0.336 and 3.696ha,
respectively). Roamer dogs consolidated their core HR but their extended HR
increased with longer monitoring durations, suggesting that their roaming
patterns based on place of residence were more variable (median peak core and
extended HR 0.391 and 6.049ha, respectively). Explorer dogs demonstrated large
variability in their roaming patterns, with both core and extended HR increasing
as monitoring duration increased (median peak core and extended HR 0.650 and
9.520ha, respectively). These findings are likely driven by multiple factors that
have not been further investigated within this study. Different roaming patterns
suggest heterogeneous contact rates between dogs in this population. These
findings will be incorporated into disease-spread modelling to more realistically
represent roaming patterns and improve model predictions.
PMID- 28992929
TI - Antibiotic use by farmers to control mastitis as influenced by health advice and
dairy farming systems.
AB - Mastitis is a bacterial disease common in dairy farms. Although knowledge about
mastitis and its optimal technical management and treatment is now available,
some dairy farmers still use antibiotics in inappropriate ways. Antibiotic use by
farmers can be influenced by personal restraints and motivations, but it can be
assumed that external drivers are also influential. The main purpose of this
article is thus to analyse the choices of antibiotic and alternative medicine use
for mastitis treatment and investigate the possible influence of two unexplored
external drivers in dairy farms: (i) the health advice offered to farmers by farm
advisors and veterinarians, (ii) the dairy farming system, as defined by
combining the market valuation chosen for the milk, the level of intensification,
and the perceived pressure related to investments. Research was based on 51
individual semi-structured interviews with farmers and their corresponding
veterinarians and farm advisors. Based on verbatim, the use of antibiotics and
alternative medicine by farmers for mastitis treatment, the vet-farmers
interactions, and the dairy farming systems are described. The advisory
relationships between farmers and farm advisors and between farmers and
veterinarians influenced the implementation of selective dry cow therapy, but had
very little effect on the use of alternative medicines by farmers, who were more
willing to experiment alternative medicines than their advisors. The dairy
farming system had very little influence on antibiotic use: some misuse of
antibiotics was found whatever the farming system. Systematic dry cow therapy was
also a widespread habit in all dairy farming systems except organic. The use of
alternative medicine was common in all farming systems.
PMID- 28992930
TI - Risk for zoonotic Salmonella transmission from pet reptiles: A survey on
knowledge, attitudes and practices of reptile-owners related to reptile
husbandry.
AB - Reptiles are becoming increasingly popular as pets. Those animals are reservoirs
of a wide variety of Salmonella serotypes, that may be transmitted to warm
blooded animals, including humans. Accordingly, good hygiene practices related to
husbandry are important for prevention of Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS).
A cross-sectional study was conducted among reptile owners, by administration of
a detailed questionnaire. In addition, the cloacal swabs of the sampled reptiles
were screened for Salmonella spp. and the husbandry management practices were
evaluated in order to assess any possible link between the presence of Salmonella
spp. and the hygiene practices. The response rate to the questionnaire was 66.6%
(100 out of 150 contacted owners). In 26 out of 100 families, members at risk of
RAS (children and elderly) were present. One hundred animals were screened for
the presence of Salmonella spp. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. carriers was
57% (Confidence interval 47-66%). Co-habitation of the animals with other
reptiles in the same terrarium was associated with a 2-fold increase in the risk
of infection by Salmonella spp.(Odds ratio=2.3, CI 1.2;13, p=0.02). Animals
handled by owners that did not report washing their hands after the cleaning
procedures or the handling were exposed to a 3-fold increase in the risk of
infection (OR=3.1, CI 1.1;16, p=0.019). When drinking water was not replaced
regularly, the animals were 7 times more exposed to infection (OR=6.8, CI 1.8;25,
p=0.005). When the diet was constituted by rodents, 27 out of 48 reptiles (56.3%)
were fed with live animals. In the present survey the typical reptile owner was a
person, aware of ethological aspects of reptile husbandry but ignorant of some
ethical recommendations and poorly informed about the health risks for himself
and for the other family members. Prevention of RAS must rely mainly on
information and education, with the veterinarian health bodies primarily involved
in this difficult task.
PMID- 28992931
TI - Livestock mortality and offtake in sheep and goat flocks of livestock owners
making use of services offered by paravets in West Afghanistan.
AB - In the present study, we quantified the effect of livestock services provided
through paravets (intermediate-level training in veterinary medicine) on
mortality and offtake of small ruminants in Western Afghanistan for the years
2010, 2011 and 2013. We compared mortality in adult and in young stock, and
offtake of young stock of 120 livestock owners that made use of the paravet
services (Users) with 120 livestock owners who did not make use of these services
(Non-users). Security issues in the districts under study influenced the choice
of villages. Within villages, livestock owners were purposively selected based on
their known use of the services, including the provision of biologicals such as
anthelmintics and vaccines. In addition, we subdivided both categories into
'partial' and 'full' based on the intensity of use of biologicals. Paravets were
not only trained on preventive and curative veterinary medicine, they were also
trained in extension and trained on adhering to a cold-chain and applying quality
biologicals. For Non-users there was the possibility to buy biologicals through a
local market or bazaar. In Afghanistan, local markets have an extensive supply of
vaccines, anthelmintics, and medicines from a variety of sources, often not
handled appropriately and therefore of varying quality. The results indicated
that livestock owners making partial or full use of the paravet services had
statistically significant better animal health and production results. The
mortalities in adult stock, expressed as Incidence Rate Ratios (IRRs), for the
partial-Users and full-Users categories were estimated to be respectively 0.80
and 0.73 times the mortality observed in the partial Non-users', the reference
category. A similar result was observed for young stock mortality with estimated
IRRs of 0.81 and 0.77 for partial and full-Users category respectively. The
offtake for partial- and full-Users category livestock owners were 1.24 and 1.21
times higher compared with the reference category. In conclusion, we demonstrated
significant improvement of health and production parameters in small ruminants'
flocks of owners making use of the services of the DCA-trained paravets,
emphasizing the importance of this sustainable and effective system of private
veterinary service delivery in Afghanistan.
PMID- 28992932
TI - A financial cost-benefit analysis of eradicating virulent footrot.
AB - In 2008, virulent footrot was detected in sheep in south-west Norway. Footrot is
caused by Dichelobacter nodosus, and the outbreak was linked to live sheep
imported from Denmark in 2005. A large-scale program for eradicating the disease
was implemented as a joint industry and governmental driven eradication project
in the years 2008-2014, and continued with surveillance and control measures by
the Norwegian Food Safety Authority from 2015. The cost of the eradication
program including surveillance and control measures until 2032 was assumed to
reach approximately ?10.8 million (NOK 90 million). A financial cost-benefit
analysis, comparing costs in the eradication program with costs in two simulated
scenarios, was carried out. In the scenarios, designated ModerateSpread
(baseline) and SlowSpread, it was assumed that the sheep farmers would undertake
some voluntary measures on their own that would slow the spread of the disease.
The program obtained a positive NPV after approximately 12 years. In a stochastic
analysis, the probabilities of a positive NPV were estimated to 1.000 and to
0.648 after 15 years and to 0.378 and 0.016 after ten years, for the
ModerateSpread and SlowSpread scenarios respectively. A rapid start-up of the
program soon after the detection of the disease was considered crucial for the
economic success as the disease would have become more widespread and probably
raised the costs considerably at a later start-up.
PMID- 28992933
TI - Early life indicators predict mortality, illness, reduced welfare and carcass
characteristics in finisher pigs.
AB - The objective of this study was to investigate associations between early life
indicators, lactation management factors and subsequent mortality, health,
welfare and carcass traits of offspring. A total of 1016 pigs from a batch born
during one week were used. During lactation, number of liveborn piglets,
stillborn and mummies, sow parity, number of times cross-fostered, weaning age,
birth and weaning body weight (BW) were collected. Mortality was recorded
throughout the offspring production cycle. Prior to slaughter, pigs were scored
for lameness (1=non-lame to 3=severely lame). At slaughter, tail lesions were
scored (0=no lesion to 4=severe lesion) and cold carcass weight (CCW), lean
meat%, presence of pericarditis and heart condemnations were recorded.
Additionally, lungs were scored for pleurisy (0=no lesions to 4=severely extended
lesions) and enzootic pneumonia (EP) like lesions. There was an increased risk of
lameness prior to slaughter for pigs born to first parity sows (P<0.05) compared
with pigs born to older sows. Sow parity was a source of variation for cold
carcass weight (P<0.05) and lean meat% (P<0.05). Pigs born in litters with more
liveborn pigs were at greater risk of death and to be lame prior to slaughter
(P<0.05). Pigs that were cross-fostered once were 11.69 times, and those that
were cross-fostered >=2 times were 7.28, times more likely to die compared with
pigs that were not cross-fostered (P<0.05). Further, pigs that were cross
fostered once were at greater risk of pericarditis and heart condemnations
compared with pigs that were not cross-fostered (P<0.05). Pigs with a birth BW of
<0.95kg were at higher mortality risk throughout the production cycle. There was
an increased risk of lameness, pleurisy, pericarditis and heart condemnations
(P<0.05) for pigs with lower weaning weights. Additionally, heavier pigs at
weaning also had higher carcass weights (P<0.05). There was an increased risk of
lameness for pigs weaned at a younger age (P<0.05). Males were 2.27 times less
likely to receive a score of zero for tail biting compared with female pigs.
Results from this study highlight the complex relationship between management,
performance and disease in pigs. They confirm that special attention should be
given to lighter weight pigs and pigs born to first parity sows and that cross
fostering should be minimised.
PMID- 28992934
TI - Subtrochanteric fractures: Issues and challenges.
PMID- 28992935
TI - Initial Experience in the Treatment of "Borderline Resectable" Pancreatic
Adenocarcinoma.
AB - INTRODUCTION: A borderline resectable group (APBR) has recently been defined in
adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The objective of the study is to evaluate the
results in the surgical treatment after neoadjuvancy of the APBR. METHOD: Between
2010 and 2014, we included patients with APBR in a neoadjuvant and surgery
protocol, staged by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Treatment with
chemotherapy was based on gemcitabine and oxaliplatin. Subsequently, MDCT was
performed to rule out progression, and 5-FU infusion and concomitant radiotherapy
were given. MDCT and resection were performed in absence of progression. A
descriptive statistical study was performed, dividing the series into: surgery
group (GR group) and progression group (PROG group). RESULTS: We indicated
neoadjuvant treatment to 22 patients, 11 of them were operated, 9
pancreatoduodenectomies, and 2 distal pancreatectomies. Of the 11 patients, 7
required some type of vascular resection; 5 venous resections, one arterial and
one both. No postoperative mortality was recorded, 7 (63%) had any complications,
and 4 were reoperated. The median postoperative stay was 17 (7-75) days. The
pathological study showed complete response (ypT0) in 27%, and free microscopic
margins (R0) in 63%. At study clossure, all patients had died, with a median
actuarial survival of 13 months (9,6-16,3). The median actuarial survival of the
GR group was higher than the PROG group (25 vs. 9 months; p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: The neoadjuvant treatment of APBR allows us to select a group of
patients in whom resection achieves a longer survival to the group in which
progression is observed. Post-adjuvant pancreatic resection requires vascular
resection in most cases.
PMID- 28992936
TI - [Short-term exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation induced changes in
cardiorespiratory, mechanical and neuromuscular responses to progressive exercise
testing].
AB - : Previous studies showed that changes in peak of oxygen uptake value (VO2peak)
with training were poorly related to changes in Maximal Tolerated Power output
(MTP) among patients with cardiovascular disease. This result could be due to a
difference between cardiopulmonary adaptation to training and the skeletal muscle
conditioning. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the responses to
exercise training of electromyographic activities of vastus lateralis (rms-EMG)
and respiratory parameters. METHODS: Nine cardiac patients (64.0+/-3.1y, 172.9+/
4.8cm, 83.4+/-16.3kg, BMI: 27.8+/-4.5) performed an incremental cycling exercise
test to determine MTP, VO2peak and peak values of heart rate, before and after an
aerobic training. Ventilatory thresholds were respectively determined as the
breakpoint in the curve of carbon dioxide output against oxygen uptake plot (VT1)
and the point at which the ratio of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide output
starts to increase (VT2). EMGth1 and EMGth2 were defined as the first and the
second breakpoints in the rms-EMG - power output relationship. RESULTS: Short
term exercise training (23.7+/-8.8 days) induced a significant increase in
VO2peak (P=0.004), MTP (P=0.015), VT1 (P=0.001) and VT2 (P=0.001). Changes in
VO2peak only attained the survival criteria (3.5+/-2.9mLmin-1kg-1). No
significant differences (P>0.05) existed between mean power values of VT1 and
EMGth1 (60.5+/-4.1 vs. 59.2+/-9.6% of MTP, respectively), or between VT2 and
EMGth2 (78.3+/-5.7 vs. 80.2+/-5.2% of MTP). After training, EMGth1 occurred
significantly before VT1 (60.5+/-6.2 vs. 64.8+/-4.8% of MTP, P=0.049).
CONCLUSION: This might be taken into account for prescribing exercise
rehabilitation according initial clinical limitations of patients.
PMID- 28992938
TI - Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome - A review.
AB - Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common upper extremity compressive
neuropathy, with a prevalence of 3%-5% in the general population, and 6% in the
group of females over the age of 40. It occurs about five times more common in
females, with 2 peaks observed, in the 6th and 8th decades of life. Bilateral
manifestation is more common than unilateral (60%), but significantly more often
begins or is more strongly expressed in the dominant hand. Possible anatomical
abnormalities underlying the development of CTS account for about 5% of cases.
More and more scientific data confirm the significant role of central nervous
system processes (including central sensitization) in the development of carpal
tunnel syndrome, and changes in central nervous system body somatotopic
representation, resulting from prolonged median nerve pathology, are described in
consistence with the brain plasticity concept. This central involvement of
bilateral CTS may explain that a proportion of patients following surgery for one
hand experience improvement also in the non-operated hand.
PMID- 28992937
TI - Substrate Specificity of the Kinase P-TEFb towards the RNA Polymerase II C
Terminal Domain.
AB - The positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) promotes transcription
elongation through phosphorylation of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain.
This process is not well understood, partly due to difficulties in determining
the specificity of P-TEFb toward the various heptad repeat motifs within the C
terminal domain. A simple assay using mass spectrometry was developed to identify
the substrate specificity of the Drosophila melanogaster P-TEFb (DmP-TEFb) in
vitro. This assay demonstrated that DmP-TEFb preferentially phosphorylates Ser5
and, surprisingly, that pre-phosphorylation or conserved amino acid variation at
the 7-position in the heptad can alter DmP-TEFb specificity, leading to the
creation of distinct double-phosphorylation marks.
PMID- 28992940
TI - Clinical and scientific debates on atherosclerosis: The truth lies somewhere in
the middle.
PMID- 28992941
TI - Corrigendum to "Chemical, biological, and DNA markers for tracing slaughterhouse
effluent" [Environ. Res. 156 (2017) 534-541].
PMID- 28992939
TI - Kidney function, bone-mineral metabolism markers, and future risk of peripheral
artery disease.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Reduced kidney function is a risk factor for lower-extremity
peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, the associations of novel filtration
markers with PAD are yet to be quantified. Moreover, little is known on whether
bone-mineral metabolism (BMM) markers are related to incident PAD beyond kidney
function. METHODS: Using data from 12,472 participants at baseline (1990-1992) of
the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, we comprehensively
quantified the associations of kidney related markers with incident PAD (defined
as hospitalizations with diagnosis of lower-extremity atherosclerosis,
revascularization, or amputation). Kidney related markers of interest included
estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (based on creatinine, cystatin C, and
both), cystatin C, beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), and BMM markers (serum fibroblast
growth factor 23, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus). RESULTS: During
a median follow-up of 21 years, 471 participants developed incident PAD. Low eGFR
was significantly associated with future PAD risk, with slightly stronger
relationship when cystatin C was used (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 6.3-8.3 for
eGFR <30 and 2.4-3.5 for eGFR 30-59 vs. eGFR >=90 mL/min/1.73 m2). Among all
filtration markers, B2M had the strongest association with incident PAD (HR for
top vs. bottom quartile 2.60 [95% CI: 1.91-3.54] for B2M vs. 1.20 [0.91-1.58] for
creatinine-based eGFR). Among BMM markers, only phosphorus remained significant
for PAD risk beyond potential confounders, including kidney function (HR 1.47
[1.11-1.94] in top quartile). CONCLUSIONS: Kidney dysfunction was independently
associated with future PAD risk, particularly when assessed with cystatin C and
B2M. Among the BMM markers tested, phosphorus was most robustly associated with
incident PAD beyond kidney function. Our results suggest the potential usefulness
of novel filtration markers for PAD risk assessment and the possible role of
phosphorus in the pathophysiology of PAD.
PMID- 28992942
TI - Erratum to "A watershed model of individual differences in fluid intelligence"
[Neuropsychologia 91 (2016) 186-198].
PMID- 28992943
TI - Perturbed cooperative-state feedback strategy for model predictive networked
control of interconnected systems.
AB - A perturbed cooperative-state feedback (PSF) strategy is presented for the
control of interconnected systems in this paper. The subsystems of an
interconnected system can exchange data via the communication network that has
multiple connection topologies. The PSF strategy can resolve both issues, the
sensor data losses and the communication network breaks, thanks to the two
components of the control including a cooperative-state feedback and a
perturbation variable, e.g., ui=Kijxj+wi. The PSF is implemented in a
decentralized model predictive control scheme with a stability constraint and a
non-monotonic storage function (DeltaV(x(k))>=0), derived from the dissipative
systems theory. Numerical simulation for the automatic generation control problem
in power systems is studied to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented PSF
strategy.
PMID- 28992944
TI - Response by Sarfo and Ovbiagele to letter regarding "potential role of tele
rehabilitation to address barriers to implementation of physical therapy among
West African stroke survivors: A cross-sectional survey".
PMID- 28992945
TI - Pathogenicity of the LHON variant m.3472T>C is uncertain.
PMID- 28992946
TI - Author reply: "MtDNA m.3472T>C could be classified as a primary mutation of
Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy".
PMID- 28992947
TI - Optimizing oil spill cleanup efforts: A tactical approach and evaluation
framework.
AB - Although anthropogenic oil spills vary in size, duration and severity, their
broad impacts on complex social, economic and ecological systems can be
significant. Questions pertaining to the operational challenges associated with
the tactical allocation of human resources, cleanup equipment and supplies to
areas impacted by a large spill are particularly salient when developing
mitigation strategies for extreme oiling events. The purpose of this paper is to
illustrate the application of advanced oil spill modeling techniques in
combination with a developed mathematical model to spatially optimize the
allocation of response crews and equipment for cleaning up an offshore oil spill.
The results suggest that the detailed simulations and optimization model are a
good first step in allowing both communities and emergency responders to
proactively plan for extreme oiling events and develop response strategies that
minimize the impacts of spills.
PMID- 28992949
TI - SH3 dependent cell death signaling of the avian chB6 alloantigen.
AB - In chickens, B cells develop in the bursa of Fabricius, a unique organ for B cell
development. Most B cells will die within the bursa, mirroring cell losses seen
in mammalian bone marrow as central tolerance is enforced at the transition to
mature cells. B cell responses are shaped by a complex interplay of signals.
Signals in addition to BCR that impact central tolerance have recently been
described. We have been interested in chB6, a novel alloantigen on B cells in the
chicken. chB6 is found in close proximity to the BCR and can trigger apoptosis
after cross-linking by antibody. chB6 has two Ig domains, placing it within the
CD2/SLAM family of molecules, but its cytoplasmic domain is unique. We have used
a site-specific mutagenesis approach to show that an SH3 binding site in chB6 is
required for the induction of apoptosis, suggesting parallels to CD2 signaling.
PMID- 28992950
TI - Future Horizons in Allergy.
AB - There are several advances in diagnosis and management for the otolaryngologist
treating allergy. These include new technologies and the refinement of current
techniques, and reflect overall trends in health care toward personalized
medicine. Local immunoglobulin, urinary leukotriene E4, lipidomics, microRNA
within extracellular vesicles, and optical rhinometry all offer to improve the
diagnostic accuracy of allergy and related nonallergic conditions. New delivery
systems for intranasal steroids and antihistamines, recombinant allergens,
advances in allergen immunotherapy delivery, and biologics will improve current
management options. These developments will aid the otolaryngologist in
diagnosing and treating allergy and related diseases.
PMID- 28992951
TI - The Role of Allergy in Otologic Disease.
AB - Allergy is commonly associated with conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, and
asthma, but the relationship between allergy and otologic diseases is less clear.
This article examines the evidence for a relationship between allergic disease
and several common otologic conditions, including otitis media with effusion,
eosinophilic otitis media, and Meniere's disease.
PMID- 28992952
TI - Ruminants (Giraffidae and Bovidae) from Kanapoi.
AB - We update here our recent revision of the Kanapoi ruminants and describe recently
collected material. We now regard the occurrence of reduncins as doubtful, we
revise the identification of a large raphicerin as being more probably Gazella,
and we add Gazella cf. janenschi and the Cephalophini to the faunal list. New
material of Tragelaphus kyaloi suggests that this species held its head unlike
other tragelaphins, and was not an exclusive dedicated browser, but Kanapoi pre
dates the Pliocene change of Sivatherium, Aepyceros, Alcelaphini, and even
Tragelaphini toward more grazing diets. Kanapoi shares several ruminant taxa with
sites in Ethiopia and Tanzania, attesting to latitudinal exchanges.
PMID- 28992948
TI - The potential of real-time fMRI neurofeedback for stroke rehabilitation: A
systematic review.
AB - Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback aids the
modulation of neural functions by training self-regulation of brain activity
through operant conditioning. This technique has been applied to treat several
neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, but its effectiveness for
stroke rehabilitation has not been examined yet. Here, we systematically review
the effectiveness of rt-fMRI neurofeedback training in modulating motor and
cognitive processes that are often impaired after stroke. Based on predefined
search criteria, we selected and examined 33 rt-fMRI neurofeedback studies,
including 651 healthy individuals and 15 stroke patients in total. The results of
our systematic review suggest that rt-fMRI neurofeedback training can lead to a
learned modulation of brain signals, with associated changes at both the neural
and the behavioural level. However, more research is needed to establish how its
use can be optimized in the context of stroke rehabilitation.
PMID- 28992953
TI - [Anterior uveitis as the presenting sign of chronic lymphocytic leukemia].
PMID- 28992954
TI - [Eyelid hematomas secondary to acute promyelocytic leukemia].
PMID- 28992955
TI - [Hyperviscosity syndrome in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia].
PMID- 28992956
TI - Is manual ultrasonographic measurement of carotid intima-media thickness a
reproducible cardiovascular biomarker?
AB - To establish the ability of a potential biomarker to discriminate between
diseased and healthy subjects, it is essential to know the intrinsic variability
of the methods used to measure the biomarker. This aspect is especially important
in the ultrasonographic measurement of carotid intima-media thickness, where
submillimetric variations due largely to the unrecognized lack of precision in
the ultrasonographic technique can have a significant clinical impact on the
classification of cardiovascular risk. This article aims to present the evidence
about the reproducibility of carotid intima-media thickness measured by
ultrasonography to discuss whether the variability inherent in the technique can
influence the potential of this parameter as a biomarker.
PMID- 28992957
TI - Clozapine-Associated Aspiration Pneumonia: Case Series and Review of the
Literature.
PMID- 28992958
TI - Positive childhood experiences predict less psychopathology and stress in
pregnant women with childhood adversity: A pilot study of the benevolent
childhood experiences (BCEs) scale.
AB - This pilot study examined the psychometric properties of the Benevolent Childhood
Experiences (BCEs) scale, a new instrument designed to assess positive early life
experiences in adults with histories of childhood maltreatment and other
adversities. A counterpart to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
questionnaire, the BCEs was developed to be multiculturally-sensitive and
applicable regardless of socioeconomic position, urban-rural background, or
immigration status. Higher levels of BCEs were hypothesized to predict lower
levels of psychopathology and stress beyond the effects of ACES in a sample of
ethnically diverse, low-income pregnant women. BCEs were also expected to show
adequate internal validity across racial/ethnic groups and test-retest stability
from the prenatal to the postnatal period. Participants were 101 pregnant women
(M=29.10years, SD=6.56, range=18-44; 37% Latina, 22% African-American, 20% White,
21% biracial/multiracial/other; 37% foreign-born, 26% Spanish-speaking) who
completed the BCEs and ACEs scales; assessments of prenatal depression and post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, perceived stress, and exposure to
stressful life events (SLEs) during pregnancy; and demographic information.
Higher levels of BCEs predicted less PTSD symptoms and SLEs, above and beyond
ACEs. The BCEs showed excellent test-retest reliability, and mean levels were
comparable across racial/ethnic and Spanish-English groups of women. Person
oriented analyses also showed that higher levels of BCEs offset the effects of
ACEs on prenatal stress and psychopathology. The BCEs scale indexes promising
promotive factors associated with lower trauma-related symptomatology and stress
exposure during pregnancy and illuminates how favorable childhood experiences may
counteract long-term effects of childhood adversity.
PMID- 28992959
TI - A national survey of characteristics of child advocacy centers in the United
States: Do the flagship models match those in broader practice?
AB - Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) emphasize developing effective cross-agency
collaborations between workers involved in serious abuse investigations to foster
improvements in agency outcomes, and to minimize distress, confusion and
uncertainty for children and families. This study examined the characteristics of
CACs, whether models in practice match the predominant model presented in the
research literature. Directors of CACs in the United States that were members of
the National Children's Alliance (NCA) mailing list (n=361) completed an online
survey in 2016. While some core characteristics were ubiquitous across CACs, the
data suggests that different types of CACs exist defined by characteristics that
are not prescribed under NCA principles, but which are arguably relevant to the
quality of the response. From the results of a cluster analysis, the researchers
propose a typology of CACs that reflects the development and integration of
centers: (a) core CAC services (i.e. interviewing & cross-agency case review);
(b) an aggregator of external services, and (c) a more centralized full-service
CAC. Further research is needed to understand how these variations may impact
practice and outcomes; this is particularly important considering many CACs do
not match the full-service models most commonly examined in the research
literature, which limits the degree to which these findings apply to CACs
generally. This article proposes further research framed by the need to better
understand how different parts of the response impact on outcomes for children
and families affected by abuse.
PMID- 28992960
TI - Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with celiac disease.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Celiac disease is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the small
intestine. It has been known that dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic coronary
artery disease have become more frequent in patients with celiac disease. The aim
of the study was to assess Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with
celiac disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted at a single center
in collaboration with gastroenterology and cardiology clinics. Between January
2014 and June 2015, a total of 76 consecutive patients were enrolled (38 patients
with celiac disease and 38 control subjects). Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc
ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Tp-e interval
(64.2+/-11.0 vs. 44.5+/-6.0; p<0.001), Tp-e/QT ratio (0.18+/-0.02 vs. 0.13+/
0.02; p<0.001) and Tp-e/QTc ratio (0.16+/-0.02 vs. 0.11+/-0.01; p<0.001) were
significantly higher in patients with celiac disease than control subjects. There
was a significant positive correlation between Tp-e/QTc ratio and disease
duration in patients with celiac disease (r=0.480, p=0.003) and also there was a
significant positive correlation between Tp-e/QTc ratio and erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (r=0.434, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that Tp-e
interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were increased in patients with celiac
disease. Whether these changes increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia
deserve further studies.
PMID- 28992961
TI - The effectiveness of fish feeding behaviour in mirroring trawling-induced
patterns.
AB - The ability to observe and predict trawling-induced patterns at spatial and
temporal scales that are relevant to inform realistic management strategies is a
challenge which scientists have consistently faced in recent decades. Here, we
use fish feeding behaviour, a biological trait easily impaired by trawling
disturbance, to depict alterations in fish condition (i.e. individual fitness)
and feeding opportunities. The benthivorous fish Mullus barbatus barbatus was
selected as a model species. The observed trends of responses to trawling in prey
species confirmed the effectiveness of a non-trawled zone in sustaining higher
levels of diet diversity (e.g. quantity and quality of ingested prey) and fish
condition values (e.g. morphometric and physiological Condition Index). Changes
observed in fish prey selection confirmed the role of trawling disturbance in
modifying the local soft bottoms community, producing alterations of prey
availability that trigger shifts in fish diet. Trawling-induced feeding patterns,
mirrored through stomach contents, can positively or negatively affect fish
condition, the main driver of population dynamics in maintaining carrying
capacity levels. Due to the widespread socio-economic value of the red mullet
fishery, and the current exploitation status, evidence gathered by the proposed
bottom-up trait based approach might inform future trawling adaptation
strategies, and tailor spatial conservation measures supporting an Ecosystem
Based Fisheries Management.
PMID- 28992962
TI - The long- and short-term variability of breathing induced tumor motion in lung
and liver over the course of a radiotherapy treatment.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the short and long-term variability of breathing induced
tumor motion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D tumor motion of 19 lung and 18 liver
lesions captured over the course of an SBRT treatment were evaluated and compared
to the motion on 4D-CT. An implanted fiducial could be used for unambiguous
motion information. Fast orthogonal fluoroscopy (FF) sequences, included in the
treatment workflow, were used to evaluate motion during treatment. Several motion
parameters were compared between different FF sequences from the same fraction to
evaluate the intrafraction variability. To assess interfraction variability,
amplitude and hysteresis were compared between fractions and with the 3D tumor
motion registered by 4D-CT. Population based margins, necessary on top of the ITV
to capture all motion variability, were calculated based on the motion captured
during treatment. RESULTS: Baseline drift in the cranio-caudal (CC) or anterior
poster (AP) direction is significant (ie. >5 mm) for a large group of patients,
in contrary to intrafraction amplitude and hysteresis variability. However, a
correlation between intrafraction amplitude variability and mean motion amplitude
was found (Pearson's correlation coefficient, r = 0.72, p < 10-4). Interfraction
variability in amplitude is significant for 46% of all lesions. As such, 4D-CT
accurately captures the motion during treatment for some fractions but not for
all. Accounting for motion variability during treatment increases the PTV margins
in all directions, most significantly in CC from 5 mm to 13.7 mm for lung and 8.0
mm for liver. CONCLUSION: Both short-term and day-to-day tumor motion variability
can be significant, especially for lesions moving with amplitudes above 7 mm.
Abandoning passive motion management strategies in favor of more active ones is
advised.
PMID- 28992963
TI - Transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a novel transcatheter
aortic valve replacement system in high-risk patients with severe aortic valve
diseases.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The clinical experience of a novel transapical transcatheter aortic
valve replacement system, the J-Valve (JC Medical Inc, Burlingame, Calif), in
high-risk patients with severe aortic valve diseases is limited. METHODS: A total
of 107 high-risk patients (mean age, 74.4 +/- 5.2 years) underwent transcatheter
aortic valve replacement with the J-Valve from March 2014 to July 2015, which
included 63 patients with aortic stenoses and 44 patients with aortic
regurgitation. Echocardiography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography were
used to evaluate patients' baseline characteristics and their follow-up
conditions. RESULTS: The J-Valve was successfully implanted in 102 patients
(95.3%). Five patients (4.7%) underwent conversion to open surgery. The overall
mortality was 4.7% (n = 5) at both 30 days and 6 months, whereas subgroup
mortality was 6.3% (n = 4) in the aortic stenosis group and 2.3% (n = 1) in the
aortic regurgitation group. Permanent pacemakers were implanted in 5 patients
(4.7%). In the aortic stenosis group, paravalvular regurgitation was observed as
none or trace in 54.2% of patients (n = 32), mild in 42.4% of patients (n = 25),
and moderate in 3.4% of patients (n = 2) postprocedure. The mean aortic gradient
decreased from 56.7 +/- 15.2 mm Hg to 14.4 +/- 7.8 mm Hg (P < .01). The peak
aortic valve velocity declined from 4.76 +/- 0.6 m/s to 2.45 +/- 0.57 m/s (P <
.01). In the patients with aortic regurgitation, paravalvular regurgitation was
none or trace in 74.4% (n = 32), mild in 23.3% (n = 10), and 2.3% (n = 1) after
the procedure. Mean aortic gradient was 7.1 +/- 2.9 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS:
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement by the J-Valve is an adequate clinical
option to treat high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis or aortic
regurgitation.
PMID- 28992964
TI - When in doubt, look to see what works in nature.
PMID- 28992965
TI - Can we live without P values? The answer.
PMID- 28992966
TI - To bleed or not to bleed? That is the question.
PMID- 28992967
TI - Aortopexy for left pulmonary vein obstruction.
PMID- 28992968
TI - Functional survival: Alive and better.
PMID- 28992969
TI - Serial images demonstrating progression of type A intramural hematoma to type B
aortic dissection.
PMID- 28992970
TI - Can robot-assisted mitral repairs be super good?
PMID- 28992971
TI - Diabetes mellitus adversely affects mortality and recurrence after valve surgery
for infective endocarditis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Although diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the incidence of infective
endocarditis (IE), little is known about the outcome of valve surgery for active
IE in patients with DM. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of valve surgery for
IE in patients with DM. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2016, 470 patients underwent
valve surgery for definitive left-sided active IE at 12 affiliated hospitals. We
compared the preoperative variables and clinical outcomes between patients
without (n = 374) and with DM (n = 96). RESULTS: Staphylococcus and chronic
hemodialysis were more prevalent in patients with DM, and these patients had
greater preoperative inflammation levels and worse renal function than patients
without DM. In-hospital mortality was 8% in patients without DM and 13% in
patients with DM (P = .187). The overall survival rate at 1 and 5 years was 87%
and 81% in patients without DM and 72% and 59% in patients with DM (P < .001).
The incidence of infection-related death was greater in patients with DM than in
patients without DM (P < .001; hazard ratio 3.74 [1.78-7.71]). Freedom from the
recurrence of endocarditis at 1 and 5 years postoperatively was 98% and 95% in
patients without DM, and 89% and 78% in patients with DM (P < .001),
respectively. The Cox hazard analysis revealed that the presence of DM was the
only independent risk for recurrence (hazard ratio 3.74 [1.45-9.54], P = .007).
CONCLUSIONS: The short- and mid-term outcome after valve surgery for active IE in
patients with DM is worse because of the greater prevalence of infection-related
death and IE recurrence.
PMID- 28992972
TI - Atrioventricular valve regurgitation in patients undergoing total cavopulmonary
connection: Impact of valve morphology and underlying mechanisms on survival and
reintervention.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine the mechanisms of
atrioventricular valve regurgitation in single-ventricle physiology and their
influence on outcomes after total cavopulmonary connection. METHODS: Among 460
patients who underwent a total cavopulmonary connection, 101 (22%) had
atrioventricular valve surgery before or coincident with total cavopulmonary
connection. RESULTS: Atrioventricular valve morphology showed 2 separated in 33
patients, mitral in 11 patients, tricuspid in 41 patients, and common in 16
patients. Patients with a tricuspid and a common atrioventricular valve underwent
atrioventricular valve surgery frequently, 27% and 36%, respectively.
Atrioventricular valve regurgitation was due to 1 or more of the following
mechanisms: dysplastic leaflet (62), prolapse (53), annular dilation (27), cleft
(22), and chordal anomaly (14). Structural anomalies were observed in 89 patients
(88%). The procedure was atrioventricular valve repair in 81 patients,
atrioventricular valve closure in 16 patients, and atrioventricular valve
replacement in 4 patients. Among 81 patients who underwent initial repair, repeat
repair was required in 20 patients, atrioventricular valve replacement was
required in 7 patients, and atrioventricular valve closure was required in 3
patients. Among patients undergoing atrioventricular valve surgery, overall
survival after total cavopulmonary connection (88% vs 95% at 15 years, P = .01),
freedom from atrioventricular valve reoperation after total cavopulmonary
connection (75% vs 99% at 15 years, P < .01), and grade of atrioventricular valve
regurgitation at a median follow-up of 6.6 years (P < .01) were worse than in
those who did not require atrioventricular valve surgery. CONCLUSIONS:
Atrioventricular valve regurgitation in univentricular heart is more frequently
associated with a tricuspid or a common atrioventricular valve, and structural
anomalies are the primary cause. Significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation
requiring surgery influences survival after total cavopulmonary connection,
especially when atrioventricular valve replacement was needed. Surgical
management based on mechanisms of regurgitation is mandatory.
PMID- 28992973
TI - Rivaroxaban ameliorates disease course in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.
AB - Recent studies have implicated an important role for coagulation factors in
neuroinflammatory disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we investigate
the role of factor X (FX) in neuroinflammation by using rivaroxaban the selective
inhibitor of activated FX (FXa) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
(EAE, an animal model of MS). Rivaroxaban-treated rats were less susceptible to
EAE compared to the untreated control group. This finding was accompanied by
reduced T-cell infiltration and microglia activation. Our study identifies FX as
a possible target in neuroinflammatory diseases. As FXa inhibitors are approved
for other disorders, FXa blockade could serve as a fast available medication.
PMID- 28992974
TI - Diazepam treatment reduces inflammatory cells and mediators in the central
nervous system of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
AB - Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs and some of them also affect immune cells.
We here characterized the inflammatory and infiltrating immune cells in the
central nervous system (CNS) during the acute phase of experimental autoimmune
encephalomyelitis (EAE) in animals treated with Diazepam. Also, we evaluated the
expression of Translocator Protein (18kDa) (TSPO), which is a biomarker of
neuroinflammatory diseases. The results indicate that Diazepam exerts protective
effects on EAE development, decreasing the incidence of the disease and reducing
the number of inflammatory cells in CNS, with a concomitant decrease of TSPO
levels in brain tissue and CNS inflammatory CD11b+ cells.
PMID- 28992976
TI - A Mixed Methods Evaluation of the Feasibility and Acceptability of an Adapted
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for Home Care Patients.
AB - Home care clinicians have an opportunity to improve care for post-hospitalization
patients with cardiovascular disease. This mixed methods study examined the
feasibility and acceptability of an adapted cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program
for the home care setting. Surveys measuring patient self-care and knowledge were
administered to patients (n = 46) at baseline and at 30-day follow-up. Semi
structured interviews were conducted with patients (n = 28) and home care
clinicians (n = 11) at completion of the program. All survey indicators
demonstrated a trend towards improvement, with a statistically significant
increase in the self-care management subscale (p = 0.002). Qualitative analyses
identified three patient themes (self-awareness, nutrition, motivation) and three
clinician themes (systematic approach, motivation, patient selection process).
Incorporating CR into the home care setting proved to be a feasible and
acceptable approach to increasing access to CR services among elderly patients.
PMID- 28992977
TI - Special Issue on Social Determinants of Health.
PMID- 28992975
TI - A prospective, placebo controlled study on the humoral immune response to and
safety of tetanus revaccination in myasthenia gravis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the humoral immune response to and safety of a tetanus
revaccination in patients with myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton myasthenic
syndrome. METHODS: A tetanus revaccination was administered to 66 patients.
Before and 4weeks after revaccination a blood sample and clinical outcome scores
were obtained. Anti-tetanus IgG total, IgG1 and IgG4 titres were measured with an
ELISA and disease-specific antibody titres (AChR, MuSK or VGCC) with a radio
immunoprecipitation assay. A historic healthy control group was used for
comparing tetanus antibody titres with that of our patients. A placebo (saline)
vaccination group was used to investigate the variability of clinical outcome
scores with a 4weeks interval. RESULTS: In 60 of 65 patients, a significant
increase of the anti-tetanus antibody response was measured. Thymectomy did not
have an impact on this responsiveness. Patients with immunosuppressive medication
had a significantly lower pre and post titre compared to healthy controls, but
their response was still significant. The titres of disease-specific antibodies
were unchanged 4weeks after revaccination. The clinical outcome scores showed no
exacerbation of symptoms of the disease. CONCLUSION: A tetanus revaccination in
patients with myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome is safe and
induces a significant immune response, irrespectively of their immunosuppressive
medication. We observed neither immunological nor clinical relevant exacerbations
associated with the tetanus revaccination. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: The tetanus
trial is listed on clinicaltrialsregister.eu under 2014-004344-35. The placebo
AChR MG group was part of another clinical trial, investigating influenza
vaccination in myasthenic patients. This trial is listed on
clinicaltrialsregister.eu under 2016-003138-26.
PMID- 28992978
TI - Quantification of Prostate-Specific Antigen determination in usual clinical
practice.
PMID- 28992979
TI - Hypoparathyroidism and disorder of sex development: A rare association.
PMID- 28992980
TI - Adherence to recommendations of the Therapeutic Positioning Report about
treatment with oral anticoagulants in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.
The ESPARTA study.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adherence to the recommendations in
clinical practice performed by the Therapeutic Positioning Report (TPR) of the
Spanish Agency of Medicines and Sanitary Products about the treatment with oral
anticoagulants in patients aged>=75 years old with nonvalvular atrial
fibrillation (NVAF) treated in Internal Medicine departments in Spain. PATIENTS
AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional and multicenter study in which 837
patients aged>=75 years old with NVAF, with stable treatment with oral
anticoagulants at least 3 months before inclusion, and that had started treatment
with oral anticoagulants before the inclusion period were included. RESULTS: Mean
age was 83.0+/-5.0 years old, mean CHADS2 score 3.2+/-1.2, mean CHA2DS2-VASc
score 5.0+/-1.4, and mean HAS-BLED score 2.1+/-0.9. A percentage of 70.8 of
patients were treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and the rest of patients
with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). A percentage of 65.6 of patients treated
with VKA did not follow the recommendations made by the TPR compared with 43.0%
of patients treated with DOACs (P<.0001). In the case of VKA, the main reason for
being considered as not appropriate according to the TPR was having poor control
of anticoagulation and not switching to DOACs, whereas in the case of DOACs, it
was not receiving the adequate dose according to the TPR. CONCLUSIONS: In a high
proportion of anticoagulated elderly patients with NVAF in Spain, the
recommendations performed by the TPR are not followed, particularly with VKA,
since patients are not switched to DOACs despite time in therapeutic range.
PMID- 28992981
TI - Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella
pneumoniae from urinary tract infections: Evolution of antimicrobial resistance
and treatment options.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A study of the susceptibility to antimicrobials of the
extended spectrum beta-lactamase phenotypes (ESBL) in Escherichia coli and
Klebsiella spp. was performed to discover the evolution of this type of
resistance from urinary tract infections. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective
study was carried out between 2012 and 2016. Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin,
tobramycin, cefoxitin, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, co-trimoxazole, and
carbapenems was analyzed using MicroScan(r) system. RESULTS: A total of 95,399
samples were processed and 9,772 E. coli, 1,784 Klebsiella pneumoniae and 248
Klebsiella oxytoca were isolated. ESBL strains were more frequent in women,
although they decreased during 2015 and 2016 (65.7-67.2%). The prevalence of K.
pneumoniae ESBL increased annually (28.1% in 2016). The average prevalence of E.
coli ESBL was 10.5% with few oscillations. Higher resistance occurred to
ciprofloxacin and cotrimoxazole, 89.5 and 94.7% in 2015, respectively, and there
was lesser resistance to imipenem. Fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin were very active
on E. coli ESBL. CONCLUSIONS: ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae were
prevalent, especially the latter, with a significant resistance to ciprofloxacin
and cotrimoxazole. Susceptibility to imipenem was high.
PMID- 28992982
TI - Associated factors with depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.
PMID- 28992983
TI - Primary hyperparathyroidism.
AB - Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrinological process,
characterized by chronic elevation of serum concentrations of calcium and
parathyroid hormone (PTH). Many years ago, the most frequent forms of clinical
presentation were symptomatic renal or skeletal disease with moderate or severe
hypercalcemia; however, currently, most patients have few symptoms and mild
hypercalcemia. A new form of presentation called normocalcemic PHPT has also been
described but clinical consequences are not well established. The biochemical
profile of PHPT is characterized by hypercalcemia and high or inappropriately
normal PTH concentrations. Parathyroidectomy is the only definitive cure. Medical
treatment with the calcimimetic cinacalcet has been shown to normalize calcemia
in a high percentage of cases.
PMID- 28992984
TI - Avoidable hospitalizations due to adverse drug reactions in an acute geriatric
unit. Analysis of 3,292 patients.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of admissions due to an adverse drug reaction
(ADR) and determine whether or not admission was avoidable, and what drugs and
risk factors were implicated. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. STUDY
SAMPLE: All patients hospitalized in an acute geriatric unit during the period
January 2001 to December 2010 were studied. MEASUREMENT: To determine whether
admissions were due toADR, we used the World Health Organization-Uppsala
Monitoring Centre criteria and the Naranjo scale. Beers criteria were used to
detect potentially inappropriate medication. RESULTS: A total of 3,292 patients
(mean age 84.7 years, 60.1% women) were studied. Of these, 197 (6%) were
admissions for ADR and nearly three quarters (76.4%, 152 cases) were considered
avoidable admissions. The 5 most frequent drugs associated with admissions for
ADR were digoxin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, benzodiazepines,
diuretics and antibiotics. Independent risk factors for admissions for ADR were
being female (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.30-2.61), inappropriate medication according to
Beers criteria (OR 4.20; 95% CI 2.90-6.03), polypharmacy (>5 drugs) (OR 1.50; 95%
CI 1.04-2.13), glomerular filtration rate<30mL/min (OR 3; 95% CI 2.12-4.23) and
sedative use (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1-1.91). CONCLUSION: ADR were responsible for 6% of
admissions to an acute geriatric unit, and over 75% of these admissions were
considered avoidable. Associated risk factors were being female, inappropriate
medication, polypharmacy, renal insufficiency and sedative use.
PMID- 28992985
TI - APOA1 and APOB polymorphisms and apolipoprotein concentrations as biomarkers of
risk in acute coronary syndrome: Relationship with lipid-lowering therapy
effectiveness.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lipid metabolism alterations contribute to acute
coronary syndrome (ACS). rs670, rs5070 and rs693 polymorphisms have shown to
modify the risk of cardiovascular disease. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) plays a
major role in reverse cholesterol transport; apolipoprotein B (ApoB) contributes
to accumulation of cholesterol in the plaque. The aim of this study was to
investigate the association of rs670 and rs5070 polymorphisms of APOA1 and rs693
polymorphism of APOB with ACS and circulating levels of its proteins and find if
ApoB/ApoA-I could be implemented as an independent parameter of risk for
cardiovascular disease and as a biomarker of lipid-lowering therapy effectiveness
in Mexican population. METHODS: Three hundred patients with ACS and 300 control
subjects (CS) were included. RESULTS: Neither genotype nor allele frequencies of
rs670, rs5070 and rs693 polymorphisms showed statistical differences between
groups. Serum levels of ApoA-I (195 vs. 161.4mg/dL; P<.001) and ApoB (167 vs.
136.9mg/dL; P<.001) were significantly higher in CS compared with ACS; however,
there was no genetic association. Unstable angina patients showed the highest
ApoA-I levels (males: 176.3mg/dL; females: 209.1mg/dL). CONCLUSION: The rs670,
rs5070 and rs693 polymorphisms are not genetic susceptibility factors for ACS in
Mexican population and had no effect on their apolipoprotein concentrations. In
our population, ApoA-I, ApoB and HDL-C could be better biomarkers of
cardiovascular risk and could indicate if statins doses reduce atherogenic
particles properly.
PMID- 28992986
TI - Pros and cons of vaccination against serogroup B meningococcal disease.
AB - A vaccine has recently been approved in the EU against meningococcal serogroup B,
the main cause of meningococcal disease. There is a fierce debate about the
decision regarding a universal vaccination in infants older than 2 months, as
recommended by the majority of scientific societies. In western Europe the only
country to have included the universal vaccination is the United Kingdom, with a
lower incidence of the disease than Ireland. Other countries have also adopted
it, such as the Czech Republic, Cuba and certain regions of Italy. Numerous cost
effectiveness studies have been published regarding the vaccination with
different assumptions, which have supported the decision not to implant the
universal vaccination because it exceeds the will to pay for a health benefit. We
discuss the pros and cons of the universal vaccination against meningococcal B,
recommended by the Sociedad Espanola de Pediatria (Spanish Society of
Paediatrics), which as yet has not been implemented.
PMID- 28992988
TI - Study of the influence of surfactants on the activity coefficients and mass
transfer coefficients of methanol in aqueous mixtures by reversed-flow gas
chromatography.
AB - This work focuses on the influences of surfactants on the activity coefficients,
gamma, of methanol in binary mixtures with water, as well as on the mass transfer
coefficients, kc, for the evaporation of methanol, which is a ubiquitous
component in the troposphere, from mixtures of methanol with water at various
surfactant's and methanol's concentrations. The technique used is the Reversed
Flow Gas Chromatography (R.F.G.C.), a version of Inverse Gas Chromatography,
which allows determining both parameters by performing only one experiment for
the kc parameter and two experiments for the gamma parameter. The kc and gamma
values decrease in the presence of the three surfactants used (CTAB, SDS, TRITON
X-100) at all methanol's and surfactant's concentrations. The decrease in the
methanol's molar fraction, at constant number of surfactant films leads to a
decrease in the kc and gamma values, while the decrease in the surfactant's
concentration, at constant methanol's molar fraction leads to an increase in both
the kc and gamma parameters. Mass transfer coefficients for the evaporation of
methanol at the surfactant films, are also calculated which are approximately
between 4 and 5 orders of magnitude larger than the corresponding mass transfer
coefficients at the liquid films. Finally, thicknesses of the boundary layer of
methanol in the mixtures of methanol with water were determined. The quantities
found are compared with those given in the literature or calculated theoretically
using various empirical equations. The precision of the R.F.G.C. method for
measuring gamma and kc parameters is approximately high (94.3-98.0%), showing
that R.F.G.C. can be used with success not only for the thermodynamic study of
solutions, but also for the interphase transport.
PMID- 28992987
TI - The resting perfusion pattern associates with functional decline in type 2
diabetes.
AB - We investigated the relationships between cerebral blood flow (CBF), cognitive,
and mobility decline in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) over a 2-year period.
Seventy-three participants (41 T2DM and 32 controls) were evaluated using
volumetric CBF with arterial spin labeling perfusion magnetic resonance imaging
at baseline and at the 2-year follow-up. Regions with significant CBF differences
between T2DM participants and controls at baseline were detected using voxel-wise
analysis. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the association
between regional CBF and cognitive or mobility performance over the 2-year span.
Compared to controls, participants with T2DM had decreased CBF in the resting
state default mode, visual, and cerebellum networks. Greater decrease in
longitudinal CBF values at these regions over a 2-year span was associated with
worse gait, memory and executive functions, and higher baseline insulin
resistance and worse baseline cognitive performance. In T2DM, impairment of
resting regional perfusion is closely related to worse cognitive and mobility
performance. Insulin resistance may further contribute to regional perfusion
deficit in T2DM.
PMID- 28992989
TI - Fully compatible and ultra-sensitive micellar electrokinetic chromatography
tandem mass spectrometry using sheathless porous-tip interfacing.
AB - The on-line coupling of micellar electrokinetic chromatography and mass
spectrometry (MEKC-MS) is often hampered by incompatibility problems leading to
reduced separation performance and unfavorable limits of detection (LODs). Here
we propose a new selective and highly sensitive MEKC-MS/MS method employing a
sheathless porous-tip interface in combination with a micellar phase comprised of
semi-volatile surfactant molecules. Carbamate pesticides (CRBs) were selected as
representative model compounds being neutral toxic pollutants potentially present
at trace levels in environmental water samples. A background electrolyte of 75mM
perfluorooctanoic acid adjusted to pH 9.0 with ammonium hydroxide allowed
efficient separation of 15 CRBs and appeared fully compatible with electrospray
ionization (ESI)-MS. Interfacing parameters, such as the distance between the
capillary tip and mass-spectrometer inlet, ESI voltage, and dry gas temperature
and flow were optimized in order to attain good spray stability and high analyte
signal-to-noise ratios. For CRBs the LODs ranged from 0.2 to 3.9ngL-1 (13nL
injected, i.e., 2% of capillary volume), representing an improvement for certain
CRBs of more than 300-fold when compared with conventional sheath-liquid
interfacing. Good linearity (R2>0.99) and satisfactory reproducibility were
obtained for all CRBs with interday RSD values for peak area and migration time
of 4.0-11.3% and below 1.5%, respectively. Analysis of spiked mineral water
showed that the new MEKC-MS/MS method allows selective and quantitative
determination of CRB concentrations below the maximum residue limit of 100ngL-1
without the need for sample preconcentration.
PMID- 28992990
TI - One-step targeted accumulation and detection of camptothecin analogues from
fruits of Camptotheca acuminata Decne using bilayer solid-phase extraction
coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
spectrometry.
AB - Camptothecins, a kind of monoterpene-quinoline alkaloids from Camptotheca
acuminata Decne, have long attracted much attention worldwide as an anti-cancer
drug. However, there is still a lack of effective methods for the accumulation
and discovery of camptothecin analogues from botanic resources for camptothecin
based drug research. This work develops a one-step method for the targeted
accumulation, quick detection, and identification of camptothecin analogues from
C. acuminata fruit using bilayer solid-phase extraction coupled with ultra-high
performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (bilayer-SPE-UHPLC-Q
TOF-MS/MS). The bilayer-SPE cartridge, with polyamide (PA) as the upper layer and
octadecyl silane (ODS) as the lower layer, was designed for the removal of
flavonoid and ellagic acid impurities and the enrichment of camptothecins for
further MS analysis. Subsequently, the mass spectrometry fragmentations,
especially multistage retro-Diels-Alder cleavage, were summarized based on the
MS/MS data of 10 reference camptothecins. The UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS conditions were
optimized, and the MS/MS data of the potential camptothecin analogues in the
bilayer-SPE enriched fractions were analyzed. A total of 30 camptothecin
analogues, including 15 new compounds, were identified from the fruit according
the fragmentation pathways of the reference standards. The proposed structure of
peak 20 was confirmed using its NMR data through rapid enrichment and
purification. Overall, the bilayer-SPE enrichment and reliable mass spectrometry
fragmentation in our work could provide an effective and simple method for the
exploration of the biosynthesis pathway and metabolomics of camptothecin
analogues.
PMID- 28992991
TI - Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for biogas and biomethane
analysis.
AB - The gas industry is going to be revolutionized by being able to generate
bioenergy from biomass. The production of biomethane - a green substitute of
natural gas - is growing in Europe and the United-States of America. Biomethane
can be injected into the gas grid or used as fuel for vehicles after compression.
Due to various biomass inputs (e.g. agricultural wastes, sludges from sewage
treatment plants, etc.), production processes (e.g. anaerobic digestion,
municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills), seasonal effects and purification
processes (e.g. gas scrubbers, pressure swing adsorption, membranes for biogas
upgrading), the composition and quality of biogas and biomethane produced is
difficult to assess. All previous publications dealing with biogas analysis
reported that hundreds of chemicals from ten chemical families do exist in trace
amounts in biogas. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study reported a
detailed analysis or the implementation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas
chromatography (GC*GC) for biogas matrices. This is the reason why the benefit of
implementing two-dimensional gas chromatography for the characterization of
biogas and biomethane samples was evaluated. In a first step, a standard mixture
of 89 compounds belonging to 10 chemical families, representative of those likely
to be found, was used to optimize the analytical method. A set consisting of a
non-polar and a polar columns, respectively in the first and the second
dimension, was used with a modulation period of six seconds. Applied to ten
samples of raw biogas, treated biogas and biomethane collected on 4 industrial
sites (two MSW landfills, one anaerobic digester on a wastewater treatment plant
and one agricultural biogas plant), this analytical method provided a
"fingerprint" of the gases composition at the molecular level in all biogas and
biomethane samples. Estimated limits of detection (far below the MUgNm-3) coupled
with the resolution of GC*GC allowed the comparison of the real samples
considered. This first implementation of GC*GC for the analysis of biogas and
biomethane demonstrated unambiguously that it is a promising tool to provide a
"fingerprint" of samples, and to monitor trace compounds by families.
PMID- 28992992
TI - Corrigendum to "Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling in animal reproductive
system development and function" [Dev. Biol. 427(2) (2017) 258-269].
PMID- 28992993
TI - Risk prediction model for in-hospital mortality in women with ST-elevation
myocardial infarction: A machine learning approach.
AB - BACKGROUND: Studies had shown that mortality due to ST-elevation myocardial
infarction (STEMI) is higher in women compared with men. The purpose of this
study is to develop and validate prediction models for all-cause in-hospital
mortality in women admitted with STEMI using logistic regression and random
forest, and to compare the performance and validity of the different models.
METHODS: Data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data years 2011-2013 were
used to identify women admitted with STEMI. The main outcome was all-cause in
hospital mortality. Patients were divided into development and validation
cohorts, and trained models were internally validated using 20% of the 2012 data,
and externally validated using 2011 and 2013 NIS data. RESULTS: Three main models
were developed and compared; multivariate logistic regression, full and reduced
random forest models. In the multivariate logistic regression, 11 variables were
included in the final model based on backward elimination. The full random forest
model contained 32 variables, and the reduced model contained 17 variables
selected based on individual variable importance. In the internal validation
cohort, the C-index was 0.84, 0.81, and 0.80 for the multivariate logistic
regression, full, and reduced random forest models, respectively. The models
showed good stability in the external validation cohorts with a C-index for the
logistic regression, full, and reduced random forest models of 0.84, 0.85, and
0.81 for year 2011, and 0.82, 0.81, and 0.81 for year 2013, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Random forest was comparable to logistic regression in predicting in
hospital mortality in women with STEMI, and can be a useful and accurate tool in
clinical practice.
PMID- 28992994
TI - Erratum to "Ethnic density, immigrant enclaves, and Latino health risks: A
propensity score matching approach" [Soc. Sci. Med. 189 (2017) 44e52].
PMID- 28992995
TI - Transfer of radionuclides to plants of natural ecosystems at the Semipalatinsk
Test Site.
AB - A systematic study devoted to 137Cs, 90Sr, 241Am, 239+240Pu radionuclides in
vegetation cover from several spots of the Semipalatinsk test site (STS) is
summarised in this paper, highlighting the main findings obtained. The analysed
spots are characterized by various types of radioactive contamination. Transfer
factors (Tf) required for the quantitative description of the radionuclides
transition from the soil to aboveground plant parts were determined, being found
that, on average, the minimum Tf for all the radionuclides concerned were
determined on the "Experimental Field" ground, followed by the determined ones in
the "plumes" of radioactive fallout and in the conditionally "background"
territories analysed. The highest transfer factors were characteristic of zones
of radioactive streamflows and places of warfare radioactive agent (WRA) tests.
On the other hand, ordering the radionuclide transferring factors in descending
order, the following sequence was obtained: 90Sr Tf > Cs Tf > 239+240Pu Tf >
241Am Tf, with the 90Sr Tf, on the average, exceeding the 137Cs Tf by 8 times and
exceeding the 239+240Pu Tf by up 16 times. 239+240Pu Tf values were up to 3 times
higher than the 241Am Tf. The exception to the indicated radionuclide Tf
descending order corresponded to places of WRA tests where Tf of radionuclides of
interest by plants follows the sequence 90Sr > 239+240Pu > 137Cs.
PMID- 28992996
TI - Attention profiles in childhood absence epilepsy compared with attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the attention profiles of subjects with
childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) to those of children with attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and controls. METHOD: We retrospectively
reviewed the medical records of 20 children (age 7.2 +/- 1.6 years, 5 boys) in
whom CAE was diagnosed at the Department of Pediatric Neurology of Asan Medical
Center, Seoul, Korea. ADHD and control subjects were selected from children who
visited the Department of Pediatric Psychiatry and were confirmed as having or
not having ADHD based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-IV) and the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School
Age Children-Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL). The 20 children with CAE,
20 with ADHD and 20 controls completed the Advanced Test of Attention (ATA),
which is a computerized continuous performance task. RESULTS: The CAE subjects
without ADHD showed increased Omission errors (p=.013) on the visual ATA and
Response time (p=0.044) on the auditory ATA than the controls, although these
differences did not remain significant after multiple comparison correction. The
CAE subjects without ADHD had significantly decreased Response time variability
on the visual ATA than the ADHD group (p<0.001). The CAE subjects with comorbid
ADHD showed increased Commission errors (p=0.020) and Response time variability
(p=0.016) on the visual ATA and increased Commission errors (p=0.022) on the
auditory ATA than the CAE subjects without ADHD, although statistical
significance disappeared after multiple comparison adjustments. CONCLUSION: These
findings suggest that selective attention is impaired in children with CAE and
comorbid ADHD contributes to further impairment of sustained attention and
response inhibition.
PMID- 28992997
TI - Association of Tibial Plateau Fracture Morphology With Ligament Disruption in the
Context of Multiligament Knee Injury.
AB - BACKGROUND: We identified common morphologies of tibial plateau fractures that
arise with multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs), and investigated the relationship
of the fracture with ligament tears. We also evaluated the correlation of 3
tibial plateau fracture classification systems (Schatzker, AO, and Duparc).
METHODS: Over a 2-year period, a single orthopaedic surgeon at our institution
managed 90 MLKIs. Images of those knees with a tibial plateau fracture were
retrospectively reviewed and classified per Schatzker, AO, and Duparc systems.
Correlation among the 3 systems was evaluated using Spearman nonparametric
correlation coefficient. Associations between fracture grading system and
ligament tears were estimated using logistic regression. Associations between
ligament tears and tibial plateau fracture location (medial vs lateral) were
estimated using exact logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 19 of 90 knees
suffered tibial plateau fractures. There was reasonable correlation among the 3
tibial plateau classification systems. Increasing grade under the Schatzker
system showed statistically significant associations with medial collateral
ligament (MCL) (P = 0.056) and posterolateral corner (PLC) (P = 0.035) tears.
Increasing grade under the Duparc system showed statistically significant
associations with MCL (P = 0.032) and PLC (P = 0.058) tears. PLC tears had a
statistically significant association with medial plateau fractures (P = 0.003);
odds ratio of 121.1 (95% CI: 2.2-infinity). MCL tears had a statistically
significant association with lateral plateau fractures (P = 0.004); odds ratio of
18.4 (95% CI: 2.1-infinity). Although not statistically significant, 8 out of 9
knees with a lateral plateau fracture demonstrated tear of the anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL). CONCLUSIONS: As the grade of designation increases within the
Schatzker and Duparc tibial plateau fracture classifications, as does the
likelihood of MCL and PLC tear. The majority of tibial plateau fractures that
occur in the context of MLKI are either isolated to the medial or lateral tibial
plateau. Medial tibial plateau fractures are associated with PLC tears. Lateral
tibial plateau fractures are associated with MCL tears, and although not
statistically significant in our small sample size, 8 out of 9 knees also
demonstrated a tear of the ACL.
PMID- 28992998
TI - Predictive value of depression and anxiety for long-term mortality: differences
in outcome between acute coronary syndrome and stable angina pectoris.
AB - BACKGROUND: Since the early 2000s the treatment of choice for an acute myocardial
infarction has moved from thrombolytic therapy to primary PCI (pPCI). As a
result, the majority of patients undergoing PCI shifted from stable angina
pectoris (SA) to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Additionally the previously
observed association between depression and anxiety and long-term outcome in
patients who underwent a PCI may have been changed. The main objective of this
study was to investigate the predictive value of depression and anxiety for 10
year mortality, in a cohort with post-PCI patients treated for SA versus patients
treated for ACS. METHODS: This prospective single center cohort consists of a
consecutive series of patients (n=528) treated with PCI. At 1month post-PCI,
patients completed the Dutch version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
(HADS). RESULTS: After adjustment for baseline characteristics depression was
associated with higher 10-year mortality post-PCI (HR 1.58 95% Confidence
Interval [95% CI] 1.04-2.40). In the ACS population no association between
depression and 10-year mortality was found (HR 1.05 95% CI 0.62-1.79), in
contrast to the SA population (HR 1.97 95% CI 1.09-3.57). After additional
adjustment for anxiety, depression was no longer associated with higher
mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety at baseline was associated with an increased 10
year mortality rate after PCI. Depression was also associated with higher 10-year
mortality, however the association disappeared after additional adjustment for
anxiety. This finding was more pronounced in patients presenting with SA as
compared to those presenting with ACS, which might be a result of the increasing
number of ACS patients treated with pPCI.
PMID- 28992999
TI - Provisional versus elective two-stent strategy for unprotected true left main
bifurcation lesions: Insights from a FAILS-2 sub-study.
AB - BACKGROUND: This study sought to investigate the optimal percutaneous coronary
intervention (PCI) strategy for true unprotected left main coronary artery
(ULMCA) bifurcations. METHODS: The FAILS-2 was a retrospective multi-center study
including patients with ULMCA disease treated with second-generation drug-eluting
stents. Of these, we compared clinical outcomes of a provisional strategy (PS;
n=216) versus an elective two-stent strategy (E2S; n=161) for true ULMCA
bifurcations. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac
events (MACEs) at 3-years. We further performed propensity-score adjustment for
clinical outcomes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the
groups in terms of patient and lesion characteristics. 9.7% of patients in the PS
group crossed over to a provisional two-stent strategy. MACEs were not
significantly different between groups (MACE at 3-year; PS 28.1% vs. E2S 28.9%,
adjusted p=0.99). The rates of target lesion revascularization (TLR) on the
circumflex artery (LCX) were numerically high in the E2S group (LCX-TLR at 3
years; PS 11.8% vs. E2S 16.6%, adjusted p=0.51). CONCLUSIONS: E2S was associated
with a comparable MACE rate to PS for true ULMCA bifurcations. The rates of LCX
TLR tended to be higher in the E2S group although there was no statistical
significance. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: This study sought to compare the clinical
outcomes of a provisional strategy (PS) with an elective two-stent strategy (E2S)
for the treatment of true unprotected left main coronary artery bifurcations. 377
Patients (PS 216 vs. E2S 161 patients) were evaluated, and 9.7% in the PS group
crossed over to a two-stent strategy. E2S was associated with a similar major
adverse cardiac event rate at 3-years when compared to the PS strategy (PS 28.1%
vs. E2S 28.9%, p=0.99). However, the left circumflex artery TLR rate at 3-year
tended to be higher in the E2S group (PS 11.8% vs. E2S 16.6%, p=0.51).
PMID- 28993000
TI - Incidence and impact of renal dysfunction on clinical outcomes after
transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
AB - BACKGROUND: The impact of baseline renal dysfunction on early and late clinical
outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains to be
defined. METHODS: 927 patients included in the prospective Bern TAVI registry
were classified on the basis of the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate
(eGFR), as having none or mild (eGFR >=60mL/min/1.73m2, n=284, 30.6%), moderate
(eGFR between 30 and 59mL/min/1.73m2, n=535, 57.7%) and severe (eGFR
<30mL/min/1.73m2, n=108, 11.7%) renal dysfunction. RESULTS: A graded relationship
between stages of renal dysfunction and increasing risk profile was observed with
higher STS score and lower left ventricular ejection fraction among patients with
eGFR<30 (p<0.001 across groups). In patients with none or mild, moderate, and
severe renal dysfunction the rate of all-cause mortality was 1.8%, 5.2% and 8.3%
at 30-day and 11.0%, 15.0% and 19.5% at 1-year, respectively. After adjusting for
relevant confounders, severe renal dysfunction was associated with an increased
risk of cardiovascular death (adjusted Hazard Ratio, HRadj, 3.90, 95% Confidence
Interval, CI 1.15-13.2) and stage 3 acute kidney injury (HRadj 5.15, 95% CI 1.72
15.5) at 30-day follow-up, however no significant association was found for
clinical outcomes at 1-year follow-up. Moreover, moderate and severe renal
dysfunction were found to be associated with bleeding at 1-year follow-up (HRadj,
1.36, 95% CI 1.04-1.78 and HRadj 1.49, 95% CI 1.00-2.21, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Pre-procedural renal dysfunction differentially affects early
clinical outcomes, although the magnitude of this association is diluted over
time by the overriding effect of underlying risk and comorbidities.
PMID- 28993001
TI - Absence of adventitial vasa vasorum formation at the coronary segment with
myocardial bridge - An optical coherence tomography study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridge (MB) is a myocardial bundle through which coronary
segment tunnels and could compress coronary arteries causing myocardial ischemia.
However, the characteristic structural findings of MB remain to be fully
elucidated. Recently, we demonstrated that optical coherence tomography (OCT)
enables us to visualize adventitial vasa vasorum (VV) formation in humans. In
this study, we examined adventitial VV formation at the coronary segment with MB
in humans using OCT. METHODS: We examined 15 consecutive patients with suspected
angina pectoris and MB in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary arteries
but no angiographic coronary stenosis. MB was detected on coronary angiography as
a segment with milking effect. We performed intracoronary OCT imaging along the
entire LAD. Morphometric analysis was performed at MB and proximal/distal
segments at every 1mm. RESULTS: OCT examination showed the absence of adventitial
VV formation at MB in the LAD, while VV was clearly noted at both the proximal
and distal reference segments. Adventitial VV area was significantly less at MB
compared with the proximal or distal references. CONCLUSIONS: These results with
OCT imaging indicate that coronary segments with MB lack adventitial VV formation
in humans, suggesting that MB could influence morphological and functional
changes of the coronary artery.
PMID- 28993002
TI - Recovery patterns over 4 years after distal radius fracture: Descriptive changes
in fracture-specific pain/disability, fall risk factors, bone mineral density,
and general health status.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive/Longitudinal cohort. INTRODUCTION: Distal radius
fracture (DRF) is a common fall related fragility fracture that is known to be an
early and independent predictor of secondary osteoporotic (OP) fractures. Changes
in falls risk status, bone status and general health has not been evaluated
prospectively in a population that has sustained a DRF. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The
purpose of our study was to describe the status of fracture-specific
pain/disability, fall risk factors such as physical activity (PA) and fear of
falling (FOF), bone mineral density (BMD) and general health status (HS) in
people with a DRF and how these variables change over four years with respect to
sex, age, incidence of secondary falls and secondary OP fractures. METHODS:
Patients (n = 94) self-reported their fracture-specific pain and disability
(Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation), PA (Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity), FOF
(Modified Fall Efficacy Scale), HS (12-item Short Form Health Survey) and
completed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan based BMD assessment (lumbar
spine and total hip) at baseline (1-2 weeks post-fracture), six months and four
years after DRF. Descriptive statistics and general linear models were used to
describe changes in recovery patterns over four years. RESULTS: There was
significant (p<0.001) improvement in fracture-specific pain/disability (60
points), FOF (1 point) and physical HS (11 points) between baseline and 4 year
follow-up. There were no significant changes in PA and BMD. When stratified with
respect to age, sex, presence of subsequent falls and OP fractures, there were no
significant differences in fracture-specific pain/disability, PA, FOF, and BMD at
baseline, six months or four years after DRF. The physical HS was significantly
(p<0.05) less/poorer among those with secondary falls (lower by 2-6 points) and
fractures (lower by 5-6 points) compared to those without. Similarly, mental HS
was significantly (p<0.05) poorer among people with secondary falls (lower by 2-6
points) and in 50-64 year age group (lower by 3-5 points) than those without
secondary falls and in 65-80 year age group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Post DRF,
the majority of the improvement in fracture-specific pain/disability, FOF and HS
was completed at six months and very small changes were observed between the six
month and four year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.
PMID- 28993003
TI - The fasting serum triglyceride levels of elderly population with different
progression stages of diabetes mellitus in China.
AB - AIMS: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate triglyceride level among
Chinese elderly population with different diabetic progressions and related
factors of triglyceride. METHODS: Study participants (>=65years) were recruited
from a nationwide cross-sectional surveillance and were divided into four
subgroups according to diabetic progression. Their information was obtained via
questionnaire and physical examination. Their lipids in fasting serum samples
were analyzed. RESULTS: The serum triglyceride levels (mmol/L, mean+/-SD) were
1.3+/-0.8 (subgroup of no prediabetes and no DM), 1.5+/-1.0 (subgroup of
prediabetes), 1.6+/-1.1 (subgroup of newly diagnosed DM) and 1.7+/-1.1 (subgroup
of previously diagnosed DM), respectively. Only one female participant had a
higher triglyceride than upper limit for prevention of acute pancreatitis
(11.0mmol/L). However, 23.1% of participants and 34.8% of DM participants had
higher triglyceride than upper limit for prevention of cardiovascular diseases
(1.7mmol/L). Triglyceride level was positively correlated with diabetic
progression (rs=0.17, p<0.01). Age, gender, waist-to-height ratio (rather than
BMI), systolic pressure, serum total cholesterol and HDL-C levels were
statistically correlated with triglyceride level for total participants (R2=0.39,
p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Aggravation of serum triglyceride level was related to
diabetic progression in Chinese elderly population. Triglyceride control was
unsatisfactory in Chinese elderly population, especially in elderly population
with DM.
PMID- 28993004
TI - Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related cognitive impairment: The search for a
specific neuropsychological pattern.
AB - Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is diagnosed in stroke units after lobar
intracerebral hemorrhage. CAA can also be diagnosed in memory clinics when
patients are referred for cognitive impairment assessment, and may be a reason
for admission to emergency or neurology departments because of rapidly
progressive cognitive or neurological decline, or a transient focal neurological
episode. CAA may even be observed in older community-dwelling individuals.
Neuropsychological impairment in CAA has been described over the past 20 years.
The symptoms most commonly reported are perceptual speed, episodic memory,
semantic memory, attention and executive function, and global cognitive
impairments. Psychiatric symptoms, such as personality changes, behavioral
disturbances and depression, have been more recently described. CAA is also a
risk factor for the development of dementia, and its relationship with
Alzheimer's disease has been demonstrated in post-mortem studies. Yet, despite
the increase in literature on CAA-related cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, the
specific characteristics of symptoms in CAA are difficult to assess because of
the substantial prevalence of comorbidities such as small vessel disease due to
high blood pressure, Lewy body disease and, of course, AD, all of which act as
important confounding factors. Also, within the entity of CAA itself, the
additive and perhaps synergistic effects of each lesion on cognition remain to be
assessed. In the present paper, the focus is on the latest evidence of
neuropsychological impairment observed in CAA patients, and the emergence of a
possible specific neuropsychological profile due to CAA is also discussed.
PMID- 28993005
TI - Adalimumab for nail psoriasis: Efficacy and safety from the first 26 weeks of a
phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Previous clinical trials have not evaluated improvement in nail
psoriasis as a primary end point. OBJECTIVE: This phase 3 trial evaluated the
safety and efficacy of adalimumab in patients with moderate-to-severe fingernail
psoriasis and moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: Patients were
randomized 1:1 to 40 mg adalimumab every other week or placebo. The primary
efficacy end point was at least 75% improvement in total-fingernail modified Nail
Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI75) response rate at week 26. Ranked secondary end
point scores evaluated at week 26 were total-fingernail NAPSI and modified NAPSI,
nail pain, Nail Psoriasis Physical Functioning Severity, Brigham Scalp Nail
Inverse Palmo-Plantar Psoriasis Index, and Physician's Global Assessment
(fingernail psoriasis). RESULTS: Of the 217 randomized patients (108 received
placebo and 109 received adalimumab), 188 (86.6%) completed 26 weeks of treatment
(period A) or escaped early to the open-label period. The study met the primary
end point (response rate of 3.4% with placebo vs 46.6% with adalimumab [P <
.001]) and all ranked secondary end points. The serious adverse event rates
(placebo vs adalimumab) in period A were 4.6% versus 7.3%; the serious infections
rates were 1.9% versus 3.7%. LIMITATIONS: Patients with less than 5% BSA
involvement were not eligible for enrollment. CONCLUSIONS: After 26 weeks of
adalimumab treatment, significant improvements were seen in the primary and all
ranked secondary end points and in signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe nail
psoriasis versus with placebo and no new safety risks were identified.
PMID- 28993006
TI - Promoting sunscreen use and sun-protective practices in NCAA athletes: Impact of
SUNSPORT educational intervention for student-athletes, athletic trainers, and
coaches.
AB - BACKGROUND: Student-athletes (SAs) have an increased skin cancer risk on account
of significant ultraviolet exposure; however, their sun-protective practices are
suboptimal. A novel program, Stanford University Network for Sun Protection,
Outreach, Research, and Teamwork (SUNSPORT), was designed to target SAs, coaches,
and athletic trainers (ATs). OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact of educational
intervention on sun protection beliefs and practices of SAs. METHODS: A survey of
sun protection beliefs and practices was administered to National Collegiate
Athletic Association athletes before and after intervention. SUNSPORT
dermatologists educated SAs, coaches, and ATs regarding skin cancer risk and
prevention methods. The main outcome was frequency of sunscreen use by SAs before
versus after intervention. RESULTS: A total of 846 National Collegiate Athletic
Association athletes were surveyed between September 23, 2012, and September 20,
2015. After intervention, significant increases were observed in sunscreen use 4
or more days per week by SAs (from 26% to 39% [P = .02]), SAs spoken to by their
coach about sun safety (from 26% to 57% [P = .0001]), and SA recognition of
higher skin cancer risk (from 54% to 67% [P = .04]). LIMITATIONS: Intervention in
only 1 West Coast university and no paired data. CONCLUSIONS: Following the
SUNSPORT intervention, SAs were significantly more likely to use sunscreen,
especially if encouraged by their coach. This study emphasizes that education
directed to SAs, ATs, and coaches can improve sun-protective practices in SAs.
PMID- 28993007
TI - Poor early response to methotrexate portends inadequate long-term outcomes in
patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: Evidence from 2 phase 3 clinical
trials.
AB - BACKGROUND: Most methotrexate-treated psoriasis patients do not achieve a long
term PASI75 (75% reduction from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score)
response. Indications of nonresponse can be apparent after only 4 weeks of
treatment. OBJECTIVE: To develop a prediction rule to identify patients unlikely
to respond adequately to methotrexate. METHODS: Patient-level data from CHAMPION
(NCT00235820, N = 110) was used to construct a prediction model for week 16
PASI75 by using patient baseline characteristics and week 4 PASI25. A prediction
rule was determined on the basis of the sensitivity and specificity and validated
in terms of week 16 PASI75 response in an independent validation sample from
trial M10-255 (NCT00679731, N = 163). RESULTS: PASI25 achievement at week 4 (odds
ratio = 8.917) was highly predictive of response with methotrexate at week 16.
Patients with a predicted response probability <30% were recommended to
discontinue methotrexate. The rates of week 16 PASI75 response were 65.8% and
21.1% (P < .001) for patients recommended to continue and discontinue
methotrexate, respectively. LIMITATIONS: The CHAMPION trial excluded patients
previously treated with biologics, and the M10-255 trial had no restrictions.
CONCLUSION: A prediction rule was developed and validated to identify patients
unlikely to respond adequately to methotrexate. The rule indicates that 4 weeks
of methotrexate might be sufficient to predict long-term response with limited
safety risk.
PMID- 28993008
TI - PIWI family emerging as a decisive factor of cell fate: An overview.
AB - PIWI proteins and piRNAs primarily functions as a safeguard of germline cells by
activating epigenetic regulations, silencing transposons and maintaining
chromatin structure. Increasing evidences reveal that PIWI proteins and piRNAs
have broader functions in many vital biological processes including cell
proliferation, differentiation and survival. They have been recognized as a
crucial factor in the cellular events due their role in controlling mRNA
expression, turnover and translation. PIWIs, with or without its partner non
coding RNA (piRNA), govern the expression and activity of many transcription
factors and signaling molecules by mastering their expression and/or post
translational modifications by directly interacting with them. In this review, we
focus on the functional role of PIWI family of proteins and piRNA in
physiological and pathological conditions. We compile the current knowledge about
the impact of alterations of PIWI and/or piRNA on expression and activities of
signaling mediators and transcriptional networks associated with cell
differentiation, proliferation and survival.
PMID- 28993009
TI - Fenugreek galactomannan and citrus pectin improve several parameters associated
with glucose metabolism and modulate gut microbiota in mice.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Galactomannans derived from fenugreek confer known health benefits;
however, there is little information regarding health benefits of citrus pectin
(CP) and its association with gut microbiome metabolites. The aim of this study
was to examine links between galactomannan and CP consumption, microbiota
development, and glucose metabolism. DESIGN: Male C57 BL/6 J mice ages 7 to 8 wk
were fed ad libitum with a normal diet or one supplemented with 15% of either
galactomannan or CP. At 3 wk, an oral glucose tolerance test was performed.
Animals were sacrificed at 4 wk and relevant organs were harvested. RESULTS:
Fiber enrichment led to reductions in weight gain, fasting glucose levels, and
total serum cholesterol (P < 0.05). Compared with mice fed the normal diet,
microbiota populations were altered in both fiber groups and were found to be
richer in Bacteroidetes rather than Firmicutes (P < 0.05). The modification was
significantly greater in galactomannan-fed than in CP-fed mice (P < 0.0001).
Also, enhanced levels of the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) propionate were found
in the cecal contents of CP-fed animals (P < 0.05). Protein expression levels of
monocarboxylate transporter 1, which may promote transport of SCFA, were measured
in the large intestines after fiber consumption. Enhanced adenosine monophosphate
activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation was observed in livers of
galactomannan-fed mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Consumption of diets containing
soluble fibers, as used in this study, resulted in gut microbiota comprising a
healthier flora, and led to positive effects on weight, glycemic control, and
liver beta oxidation via AMPK.
PMID- 28993010
TI - Early and Late Retinal Pigment Epithelium Tears after Anti-Vascular Endothelial
Growth Factor Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
AB - PURPOSE: To investigate when retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears occur and
their associated treatment patterns and long-term visual outcomes in patients
with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) during anti-vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. DESIGN: Case-control analysis from a
prospectively designed observational database. PARTICIPANTS: Treatment-naive eyes
enrolled in the Fight Retina Blindness! observational study that commenced anti
VEGF treatment for nAMD between January 2006 and January 2017 were identified.
Cases were defined as eyes in which an RPE tear developed during treatment. Three
control eyes per case were matched for age, baseline visual acuity (VA), lesion
size, treatment duration before tearing, and duration of follow-up. METHODS:
Cases were classified as having early or late tears using a segmented regression
model. Baseline characteristics were compared between the 2 groups. Comparisons
of VA and injections received between tear eyes and control eyes were performed
at baseline, before and immediately after the tear, and then 12 and 24 months
later. Visual acuity also was compared among different visits within each group.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity, time to tear, and injections received.
RESULTS: Fifty-five cases and 165 matched control eyes were included. The
segmented regression estimated a breakpoint for the time to tear at 182 days. We
therefore defined eyes as having early tears if they tore before the breakpoint
(38/55 eyes [69%]), and as late tears if they tore afterward (17/55 eyes [31%]).
Baseline VA was significantly lower in early compared with late tears (53.6 vs.
63.4 letters; P = 0.009). Visual acuity had improved in early tears before the
tear (+5.6 letters from baseline; P = 0.01), decreased immediately after the tear
(-8.3 letters; P = 0.002), then recovered with no difference compared with
control eyes 12 and 24 months later (P > 0.05 for both). Late tear eyes had
significantly lower VA than control eyes before tearing (55.5 vs. 66.9 letters; P
< 0.001). Visual acuity did not decrease significantly after the tear, but
continued to decline compared with control eyes at all end points. Both early and
late tear eyes received more injections than control eyes after tearing.
CONCLUSIONS: Retinal pigment epithelium tears act differently depending on when
they occur. Long-term visual outcomes in eyes affected by RPE tearing may be
related more to the patient's response to therapy than to the tear itself.
PMID- 28993011
TI - Risk Factors for Developing Choroidal Neovascular Membrane and Visual Loss in
Punctate Inner Choroidopathy.
AB - PURPOSE: To examine a large cohort of subjects with punctate inner choroidopathy
(PIC) looking at risk factors for development of choroidal neovascular membrane
(CNVM) and visual loss. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total
of 203 participants (318 eyes) with PIC seen at Moorfields Eye Hospital between
1996 and 2016. METHODS: Information was gathered from the clinical notes of all
subjects identified with PIC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development of CNVM,
moderate visual loss (MVL) (<=20/50), and severe visual loss (SVL) (<=20/200).
RESULTS: Participants were predominantly young (median age at presentation, 32.9
years; interquartile range [IQR], 26.1-42.2), myopic (91.5%), female (87.2%), and
white (75.9%). Disease was bilateral at presentation in 115 participants (56.7%),
and CNVM was present at presentation in 152 eyes (47.8%). Median follow-up was
8.4 years. New CNVM occurred in 58 eyes (33.5% of affected eyes and 4.3% of
initially unaffected eyes). An increased risk of developing CNVM was associated
with the presence of a CNVM in the fellow eye (P < 0.0005; hazard ratio [HR],
2.73), and previous oral corticosteroid treatment was associated with halving of
the risk of developing CNVM (P = 0.035; HR, 0.45). No difference was observed in
visual outcome with oral corticosteroids, but subjects treated with anti-VEGF had
better visual outcomes (12-month median visual acuity, logarithm of the minimum
angle of resolution [logMAR] 0.00 with anti-VEGF and 0.20 without; P = 0.018).
Median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/30 at presentation (IQR, 0.00
0.50) and remained at 20/30 throughout all follow-up periods. Moderate visual
loss occurred in 40 eyes (12.6%), with an incidence of 0.01 per eye-year, and SVL
occurred in 49 eyes (15.4%), with an incidence of 0.01 per eye-year. Female
participants were half as likely as male participants to develop MVL (P = 0.030;
HR, 0.448), and participants with CNVM had a higher risk of MVL (P = 0.003; HR,
21.074). CONCLUSIONS: Visual loss is common in subjects with PIC, predominantly
secondary to late development of CNVM. Treatment with oral corticosteroids may
help to reduce the risk of CNVM development, and anti-VEGF therapy for CNVM was
associated with better clinical outcomes.
PMID- 28993012
TI - Can Microalgae Remove Pharmaceutical Contaminants from Water?
AB - The increase in worldwide water contamination with numerous pharmaceutical
contaminants (PCs) has become an emerging environmental concern due to their
considerable ecotoxicities and associated health issues. Microalgae-mediated
bioremediation of PCs has recently gained scientific attention, as microalgal
bioremediation is a solar-power driven, ecologically comprehensive, and
sustainable reclamation strategy. In this review, we comprehensively describe the
current research on the possible roles and applications of microalgae for
removing PCs from aqueous media. We summarize several novel approaches including
constructing microbial consortia, acclimation, and cometabolism for enhanced
removal of PCs by microalgae, which would improve practical feasibility of these
technologies. Some novel concepts for degrading PCs using integrated processes
and genetic modifications to realize algal-based bioremediation technologies are
also recommended.
PMID- 28993013
TI - Right cerebral hemisphere specialization for quiet and perturbed body balance
control: Evidence from unilateral stroke.
AB - Our aim in this investigation was to assess the relative importance of each
cerebral hemisphere in quiet and perturbed balance, based on uni-hemispheric
lesions by stroke. We tested the hypothesis of right cerebral hemisphere
specialization for balance control. Groups of damage either to the right (RHD,
n=9) or the left (LHD, n=7) cerebral hemisphere were compared across tasks
requiring quiet balance or body balance recovery following a mechanical
perturbation, comparing them to age-matched nondisabled individuals (controls,
n=24). They were evaluated in conditions of full and occluded vision. In
Experiment 1, the groups were compared in the task of quiet standing on (A) rigid
and (B) malleable surfaces, having as outcome measures center of pressure (CoP)
amplitude and velocity sway. In Experiment 2, we evaluated the recovery of body
balance following a perturbation inducing forward body oscillation, having as
outcome measures CoP displacement, peak hip and ankle rotations and muscular
activation of both legs. Results from Experiment 1 showed higher values of CoP
sway velocity for RHD in comparison to LHD and controls in the anteroposterior
(rigid surface) and mediolateral (malleable surface) directions, while LHD had
lower balance stability than the controls only in the mediolateral direction when
supported on the rigid surface. In Experiment 2 results showed that RHD led to
increased values in comparison to LHD and controls for anteroposterior CoP
displacement and velocity, time to CoP direction reversion, hip rotation, and
magnitude of muscular activation in the paretic leg, while LHD was found to
differ in comparison to controls in magnitude of muscular activation of the
paretic leg and amplitude of mediolateral sway only. These results suggest that
damage to the right as compared to the left cerebral hemisphere by stroke leads
to poorer postural responses both in quiet and perturbed balance. That effect was
not altered by manipulation of sensory information. Our findings suggest that the
right cerebral hemisphere plays a more prominent role in efferent processes
responsible for balance control.
PMID- 28993015
TI - [An unusual presentation of mantle cell lymphoma].
PMID- 28993014
TI - (R)-alpha-Lipoyl-Gly-l-Pro-l-Glu dimethyl ester as dual acting agent for the
treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
AB - In this study, effects of LA-GPE (R-alpha-Lipoyl-Gly-l-Pro-l-Glu dimethyl ester)
and GPE (Gly-L-Pro-L-Glu) on the cytotoxic action of Abeta1-42 were tested with
differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells as cellular Alzheimer model via
measurements of mitochondrial viability (MTT assay) and lactate dehydrogenase
release (LDH assay). Effects of LA-GPE and GPE on acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS)
levels, and neural cell apoptosis and necrosis were also determined. In addition,
biological safety of these novel formulations was evaluated in human blood cells
using different cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays. Our results indicated that
both compounds could block Abeta1-42 induced cell death. LA-GPE reduced Abeta
induced AChE activity and oxidative stress, suggesting it as a multifunctional
compound potentially valuable for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
PMID- 28993016
TI - [Cosmetics and topical medications in acne: Where is the boundary?]
AB - Acne is a chronic disease that may cause sequels such as atrophic or hypertrophic
scars or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Topical and systemic medications
with proven pharmacologic activity and which have received marketing
authorization are the key actors in the treatment of acne. However, these topical
or systemic treatments frequently cause adverse effects related to impairment of
the skin barrier, and cosmetics must therefore be used in combination to help
protect the skin barrier. Nowadays, new cosmetic products containing active
ingredients tested in vitro or in a small number of subjects have changed the
world of cosmetics. In being described as "dermo-cosmetic" and in integrating
active ingredients in their formulations, these cosmetics are now being presented
as being specifically adapted for a given disease, and no longer limited to skin
care and hygiene but suitable as an adjunctive or even an alternative to current
medications. The aim of this article is to provide a better understanding of the
respective roles of medications and cosmetics in the management of acne.
PMID- 28993017
TI - Environmental non-governmental organizations and urban environmental governance:
Evidence from China.
AB - Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) play an increasingly
important role in the process of urban environmental governance, especially in
some developing countries such as China. However, existing studies pay little
attention to such an issue in China. In this paper, we consider 113 cities in
China from the pollution information transparency index (PITI) list released by
ENGOs as the treatment group and some other cities as the control group, and use
the difference-in-differences (DID) model and propensity score matching DID (PSM
DID) model to explore the role of ENGOs in China's urban environmental
governance. The results show that ENGOs play a significantly positive and robust
role in China's urban environmental governance. Furthermore, using regression
analysis for eastern, central, and western China, we find that the influence of
ENGOs exists in eastern and central China rather than in western China. In
addition, the results of the Placebo test indicate that the effect of ENGOs shows
an upward trend since 2008. We suggest that ENGOs' role should be strengthened in
China, and governments at various levels should take into account environmental
information released by ENGOs and consider appropriate measures to improve local
environment quality using the obtained information.
PMID- 28993018
TI - Functional correlates of the position of the axis of rotation of the mandible
during chewing in non-human primates.
AB - The location of the axis of rotation (AoR) of the mandible was quantified using
the helical axis (HA) in eight individuals from three species of non-human
primates: Papio anubis, Cebus apella, and Macaca mulatta. These data were used to
test three hypotheses regarding the functional significance of anteroposterior
condylar translation - an AoR located inferior to the temporomandibular joint
(TMJ) - during chewing: minimizing impingement of the gonial region on cervical
soft tissue structures during jaw opening; avoiding stretching of the inferior
alveolar neurovascular bundle (IANB); and increasing jaw-elevator muscle torques.
The results reveal that the HA is located near the occlusal plane in Papio and
Cebus, but closer to the condyle in Macaca; is located anteroinferior to the TMJ
during both opening and closing in Papio, as well as during opening in Macaca and
Cebus; and varies in its location during closing in Macaca and Cebus. The
impingement hypothesis is not supported by interspecific variation in HA
location: species with larger gonial angles like Cebus do not have more
inferiorly located HAs than species with more obtuse mandibular angles like
Papio. However, intraspecific variation provides some support for the impingement
hypothesis. The HA seldom passes near or through the lingula, falsifying the
hypothesis that its location is determined by the sphenomandibular ligament, and
the magnitudes of strain associated with a HA at the TMJ would not be large
enough to cause problematic stretching of the IANB. HA location does affect
muscle moment arms about the TMJ, with implications for the torque generation
capability of the jaw-elevator muscles. In Cebus, a HA farther away from the TMJ
is associated with larger jaw-elevator muscle moment arms about the joint than if
it were at the TMJ. The effects of HA location on muscle strain and muscle moment
arms are largest at large gapes and smallest at low gapes, suggesting that if HA
location is of functional significance for primate feeding system performance, it
is more likely to be in relation to large gape feeding behaviors than chewing.
Its presence in humans is most parsimoniously interpreted as a primitive
retention from non-human primate ancestors and explanations for the presence of
anteroposterior condylar translation in humans need not invoke either the
uniqueness of human speech or upright posture.
PMID- 28993020
TI - Corrigendum to "Crystal structure of human transglutaminase 2 in complex with
adenosine triphosphate" [Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 47 (2010) 190-195].
PMID- 28993019
TI - A modified formula for dose calculations of stereotactic ablative body
radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.
AB - To provide a modified formula consistent with the Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm for
dose calculations during stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for non-small
cell lung cancer. Seventy CyberKnife treatment plans were calculated and analyzed
by MC and ray-tracing (RT) algorithms, separately. Parameters of treatment plans
were compared, and those associated with differences of dose distributions were
analyzed to establish a modified formula. Gross tumor volume and tumor tracking
volume (TTV) were defined as the evident disease on the sequences of the window
width and level of the lung and the mediastinum. Additionally, the formula was
validated by another 20 plans. The prescription dose of the 90 patients was 60
Gy/5f. The RT algorithm overestimated the planning target volume (PTV) D95 by an
average of 8.59 Gy and the gross tumor volume D99 by an average of 5.84 Gy. The
homogeneity index of PTV was underestimated by 0.11 on average, whereas the
conformity index and new conformity index was underestimated by 0.05. The RT
algorithm overestimated the dose distribution to the spinal cord by 2.23 Gy, the
esophagus by 1.96 Gy, the trachea by 1.89 Gy, the left-sided bronchus by 1.77 Gy,
the right-sided bronchus by 1.64 Gy, and the heart by 2.16 Gy. The average whole
lung dose volumes of lung tissues and dose volumes of V5 were overestimated by
2.69 Gy and 7.52%, respectively. A power function distribution (R2 = 0.8626) was
confirmed between PTV D95 and TTV volumes. PTV D95 calculated by the MC algorithm
could be computed easily with TTV and PTV D95 calculated by the RT algorithm
based on the formula. The modified equation was more consistent with MC algorithm
than with other formula, which could be a reference to those not accessible to
the MC algorithm.
PMID- 28993021
TI - Regulation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) locomotor behavior and circadian rhythm
network by environmental steroid hormones.
AB - Environmental exposure of fish to steroid hormones through wastewater and
agricultural runoff may pose a health risk. Thus far, ecotoxicological studies
have largely been focused on the disruption of the sex hormone system, but
additional effects have been poorly investigated. Here we report on the effects
of a series of different natural and synthetic steroid hormones on the locomotor
behavior and the transcriptional levels of core clock genes in zebrafish
eleuthero-embryos (Danio rerio). Of the 20 steroids analyzed, progestins and
corticosteroids, including progesterone and cortisol, significantly decreased the
locomotor activities of eleuthero-embryos at concentrations as low as 16 ng/L,
while estrogens such as 17beta-estradiol led to an increase. Consistently,
progestins and corticosteroids displayed similar transcriptional effects on core
clock genes, which were remarkably different from those of estrogens. Of these
genes, per1a and nr1d2a displayed the most pronounced alterations. They were
induced upon exposure to various progestins and corticosteroids and could be
recovered using the progesterone receptor/glucocorticoid receptor antagonist
mifepristone; this, however, was not the case for estrogens and the estrogen
receptor antagonist 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. Our results suggest that steroid
hormones can modulate the circadian molecular network in zebrafish and provide
novel insights into their mode of actions and potential environmental risks.
PMID- 28993022
TI - Atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Yangtze River basin: Spatial pattern and
source attribution.
AB - The Yangtze River basin is one of the world's hotspots for nitrogen (N)
deposition and likely plays an important role in China's riverine N output. Here
we constructed a basin-scale total dissolved inorganic N (DIN) deposition (bulk
plus dry) pattern based on published data at 100 observational sites between 2000
and 2014, and assessed the relative contributions of different reactive N (Nr)
emission sectors to total DIN deposition using the GEOS-Chem model. Our results
show a significant spatial variation in total DIN deposition across the Yangtze
River basin (33.2 kg N ha-1 yr-1 on average), with the highest fluxes occurring
mainly in the central basin (e.g., Sichuan, Hubei and Hunan provinces, and
Chongqing municipality). This indicates that controlling N deposition should
build on mitigation strategies according to local conditions, namely,
implementation of stricter control of Nr emissions in N deposition hotspots but
moderate control in the areas with low N deposition levels. Total DIN deposition
in approximately 82% of the basin area exceeded the critical load of N deposition
for semi-natural ecosystems along the basin. On the basin scale, the dominant
source of DIN deposition is fertilizer use (40%) relative to livestock (11%),
industry (13%), power plant (9%), transportation (9%), and others (18%, which is
the sum of contributions from human waste, residential activities, soil, lighting
and biomass burning), suggesting that reducing NH3 emissions from improper
fertilizer (including chemical and organic fertilizer) application should be a
priority in curbing N deposition. This, together with distinct spatial variations
in emission sector contributions to total DIN deposition also suggest that, in
addition to fertilizer, major emission sectors in different regions of the basin
should be considered when developing synergistic control measures.
PMID- 28993023
TI - Spatial distribution and exposure risks of ambient chlorinated polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons in Tokyo Bay area and network approach to source impacts.
AB - Chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs) receive increasing
attention as hazardous pollutants in terms of the high environmental persistence
and toxicities. Ambient concentrations of 24 ClPAHs and 24 PAHs were investigated
at 14 sites in the Tokyo Bay area of Japan. Twelve of 18 ClPAH species were
detected in air samples, in spite of small sampling volumes. Mean concentrations
of total PAHs in gas and particle phases were 5400 and 1400 pg/m3, and mean
concentrations of total ClPAHs in gas and particle phases were 40 and 14 pg/m3,
respectively. The spatial distributions of both total ClPAH and PAH
concentrations indicated heavy pollution at sites in industrial activity areas.
Principal component analysis suggested that the dominant sources of gaseous and
particulate ClPAHs differed substantially from each other. In particular, gaseous
ClPAHs could be produced by specific sources different from those of particulate
ClPAHs. However, the dominant sources of particulate ClPAHs could be the same as
those of particulate PAHs, including industrial activities such as steel and gas
production plants and natural gas-fired power plants. The influences of spatial
relationships among sampling sites were represented using a network analysis. The
constructed network showed that ambient ClPAHs and PAHs were dominated by local
rather than regional pollution, because there were weaker relationships among
nearby sites. Finally, exposure risks for ClPAHs were dominated by 7
chlorobenz[a]anthracene, followed by 9-chlorophenanthrene and 6
chlorobenzo[a]pyrene, and total risk was ~1/200 that of PAHs.
PMID- 28993024
TI - Exposure to cocaine and its main metabolites altered the protein profile of
zebrafish embryos.
AB - Illicit drugs have been identified as emerging aquatic pollutants because of
their widespread presence in freshwaters and potential toxicity towards aquatic
organisms. Among illicit drug residues, cocaine (COC) and its main metabolites,
namely benzoylecgonine (BE) and ecgonine methyl ester (EME), are commonly
detected in freshwaters worldwide at concentration that can induce diverse
adverse effects to non-target organisms. However, the information of toxicity and
mechanisms of action (MoA) of these drugs, mainly of COC metabolites, to aquatic
species is still fragmentary and inadequate. Thus, this study was aimed at
investigating the toxicity of two concentrations (0.3 and 1.0 MUg/L) of COC, BE
and EME similar to those found in aquatic ecosystems on zebrafish (Danio rerio)
embryos at 96 h post fertilization through a functional proteomics approach.
Exposure to COC and both its metabolites significantly altered the protein
profile of zebrafish embryos, modulating the expression of diverse proteins
belonging to different functional classes, including cytoskeleton, eye
constituents, lipid transport, lipid and energy metabolism, and stress response.
Expression of vitellogenins and crystallins was modulated by COC and both its
main metabolites, while only BE and EME altered proteins related to lipid and
energy metabolism, as well as to oxidative stress response. Our data confirmed
the potential toxicity of low concentrations of COC, BE and EME, and helped to
shed light on their MoA on an aquatic vertebrate during early developmental
period.
PMID- 28993025
TI - Distribution and predictors of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
metabolites in two pregnancy cohort studies.
AB - Pregnant women and their fetuses represent susceptible populations to
environmental contaminants. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
among pregnant women may contribute to adverse birth outcomes such as preterm
birth. Multiple previous studies have assessed airborne sources of PAHs among
pregnant women but few have measured urinary PAH metabolites which can capture
total exposure through multiple routes. The aim of this study was to bridge this
knowledge gap by assessing longitudinal urinary PAH metabolite concentrations
over two time points in pregnancy cohorts in Boston (N = 200) and Puerto Rico (N
= 50) to better understand exposure distributions throughout pregnancy and how
they relate to demographic factors. Urine samples were analyzed for 1-NAP, 2-NAP,
2-FLU, 1-PHE, 2,3-PHE, 4-PHE, 9-PHE, and 1-PYR. Concentrations of 2-NAP, 1-PYR,
and 4-PHE were higher in Puerto Rico, while all other metabolites were present in
higher concentrations in Boston. In Puerto Rico, intraclass correlation
coefficients (ICC) were weak to moderate, ranging from 0.06 to 0.42. PAH
metabolite concentrations were significantly higher among younger, heavier
(except 1-NAP and 9-PHE), and less educated individuals in Boston only.
Consistent significant associations between PAH concentrations and measured
covariates were not found in Puerto Rico. Our results suggest that potentially
important differences in PAH exposure exist between these two populations.
Additionally, our results indicate that multiple urinary measurements are
required to accurately assess PAH exposure throughout pregnancy.
PMID- 28993026
TI - Effects of physical characteristics of carbon black on metabolic regulation in
mice.
AB - Potential adverse effects of human exposure to carbon black (CB) have been
reported, but limited knowledge regarding CB-regulated metabolism is currently
available. To evaluate how physical parameters of CB influence metabolism, we
investigated CB and diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) and attempted to relate
various physical parameters, including the hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential,
and particle number concentrations, to lung energy metabolism in female BALB/c
mice. A body weight increase was arrested by 3 months of exposure to CB of
smaller-size fractions, which was negatively correlated with pyruvate in plasma.
There were no significant differences in cytotoxic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or
total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after 3 months of CB
exposure. However, we observed alterations in acetyl CoA and the NADP/NADPH ratio
in lung tissues with CB exposure. Additionally, the NADP/NADPH ratio was
associated with the zeta potential of CB. Mild peribronchiovascular and
interstitial inflammation and multinucleated giant cells (macrophages) with a
transparent and rhomboid appearance and containing foreign bodies were observed
in lung sections. We suggest that physical characteristics of CB, such as the
zeta potential, may disrupt metabolism after pulmonary exposure. These results,
therefore, provide the first evidence of a link between pulmonary exposure to CB
and metabolism.
PMID- 28993027
TI - Methylmercury photodemethylation is inhibited in lakes with high dissolved
organic matter.
AB - Photodemethylation can be one of the primary processes for loss of neurotoxic
methylmercury (MeHg) in freshwater lakes. Few studies have quantified seasonal
variations in photodemethylation rate constants as a function of dissolved
organic matter (DOM). We conducted 1-week irradiation experiments in two seasons
to test for spatial and temporal differences in photodemethylation potential in
temperate lake waters. Six study lakes in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia
were sampled in summer and fall to include a range of naturally occurring DOM
concentrations (4.4-13.4 and 3.9-16.4 mg C L-1, respectively). A negative linear
relationship (R2 = 0.76, p = 0.01) was found between DOM concentration and
photodemethylation rate constant across seasons, indicating that DOM is a strong
predictor of MeHg photodemethylation independent of seasonal effects. The two
highest carbon lakes (BDW and PEB) had significantly higher energy-normalized
photodemethylation rate constants in summer compared to fall corresponding with
lower DOM concentrations in summer relative to fall. Additionally, there were
negative linear relationships between MeHg photodemethylation and DOM
photomineralization (R2s = 0.58-0.72) and DOM photobleaching (R2s = 0.83-0.90).
This key finding suggests that competition for photons within DOM structures may
reduce the potential for MeHg photodemethylation in high carbon waters and that
this relationship persists across seasons.
PMID- 28993028
TI - The case for DNA methylation based molecular profiling to improve diagnostic
accuracy for central nervous system embryonal tumors (not otherwise specified) in
adults.
AB - Central nervous system primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors (CNS-PNETs), have
recently been re-classified in the most recent 2016 WHO Classification into a
standby catch all category, "CNS Embryonal Tumor, not otherwise specified" (CNS
embryonal tumor, NOS) based on epigenetic, biologic and histopathologic criteria.
CNS embryonal tumors (NOS) are a rare, histologically and molecularly
heterogeneous group of tumors that predominantly affect children, and
occasionally adults. Diagnosis of this entity continues to be challenging and the
ramifications of misdiagnosis of this aggressive class of brain tumors are
significant. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a
central nervous system embryonal tumor (NOS) based on immunohistochemical
analysis of the patient's tumor at diagnosis. However, later genome-wide
methylation profiling of the diagnostic tumor undertaken to guide treatment,
revealed characteristics most consistent with IDH-mutant astrocytoma. DNA
sequencing and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of IDH1 and ATRX
mutations resulting in a revised diagnosis of high-grade small cell astrocytoma,
and the implementation of a less aggressive treatment regime tailored more
appropriately to the patient's tumor type. This case highlights the inadequacy of
histology alone for the diagnosis of brain tumours and the utility of methylation
profiling and integrated genomic analysis for the diagnostic verification of
adults with suspected CNS embryonal tumor (NOS), and is consistent with the
increasing realization in the field that a combined diagnostic approach based on
clinical, histopathological and molecular data is required to more accurately
distinguish brain tumor subtypes and inform more effective therapy.
PMID- 28993029
TI - Water depollution using metal-organic frameworks-catalyzed advanced oxidation
processes: A review.
AB - This paper presents a review on the environmental applications of metal-organic
frameworks (MOFs), which are inorganic-organic hybrid highly porous crystalline
materials, prepared from metal ion/clusters and multidentate organic ligands. The
emphases are made on the enhancement of the performance of advanced oxidation
processes (AOPs) (photocatalysis, Fenton reaction methods, and sulfate radical
(SO4-)-mediated oxidations) using MOFs materials. MOFs act as adsorption and
light absorbers, leading to superior performance of photocatalytic processes.
More recent examples of photocatalytic degradation of dyes are presented.
Additionally, it is commonly shown that Fe-based MOFs exhibited excellent
catalytic performance on the Fenton-based and SO4*--mediated oxidations of
organic pollutants (e.g., dyes, phenol and pharmaceuticals). The significantly
enhanced generation of reactive species such as OH and/or SO4- by both
homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis was proposed as the possible mechanism
for water depollution. Based on the existing literature, the challenge and future
perspectives in MOF-based AOPs are addressed.
PMID- 28993030
TI - A Maternal Functional Module in the Mammalian Oocyte-To-Embryo Transition.
AB - Prior to zygotic genome activation, early mammalian development relies on
maternal-effect genes to orchestrate the oocyte-to-embryo transition. Recently, a
subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) was identified to be essential for mouse
preimplantation development. The SCMC integrates multiple proteins encoded by
maternal-effect genes and appears to be functionally conserved across mammalian
species. In addition, mutations in human SCMC genes are associated with certain
human reproductive disorders. Here, we highlight recent advances in the biology
of the SCMC and propose that this complex may be a representative example of
maternal functional modules in mammalian oocyte-to-embryo transition. These
findings may provide further insights into the molecular regulation of mammalian
early embryogenesis, with possible implications for human early embryonic
development and reproduction medicine.
PMID- 28993031
TI - Targeting ATP-Citrate Lyase in Hyperlipidemia and Metabolic Disorders.
AB - Chronic overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle promote imbalances in metabolism,
often manifesting as risk factors for life-threating diseases such as
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD). Nucleocytosolic acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) has emerged as a central
signaling node used to coordinate metabolic adaptations in response to a changing
nutritional status. ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) is the enzyme primarily responsible
for the production of extramitochondrial acetyl-CoA and is thus strategically
positioned at the intersection of nutrient catabolism and lipid biosynthesis.
Here, we discuss recent findings from preclinical studies, as well as Mendelian
and clinical randomized trials, demonstrating the importance of ACL activity in
metabolism, and supporting its inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach to
treating ASCVD, NAFLD, and other metabolic disorders.
PMID- 28993032
TI - [Hydropneumothorax revealing Mycobacterium intracellulare pleural infection].
PMID- 28993033
TI - CA 19-9 to peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) ratio is prognostic in patients
with epithelial appendiceal mucinous neoplasms and peritoneal dissemination
undergoing cytoreduction surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A
retrospective cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Serum tumour levels have been shown to be prognostic in patients with
epithelial appendiceal mucinous neoplasms with peritoneal dissemination
(pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)). A singular index which incorporates both tumour
activity (as depicted by serum tumour marker levels) and tumour volume (as
depicted by peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI)), may give a more precise
surrogate of tumour biological behaviour. The prognostic implication of this
index has not yet been reported. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all
patients with PMP managed from 1996 to 2016 with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and
intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) was performed by analysing the survival effect
of the ratio of preoperative serum CEA, CA19.9 and CA125 to PCI. RESULTS: Three
hundred and eighty-six patients were included. In patients with low-grade PMP,
elevated CA19-9/PCI ratio resulted in poorer median overall survival times (104
months vs NR, 95%CI 83 - NR, log-rank p < 0.001) and was an independent predictor
of reduced overall survival on multivariable analysis (adjusted HR 5.60, 95%CI
1.60-19.68, p = 0.007). In patients with high-grade PMP, no statistically
significant difference in survival was recognised. CONCLUSION: CA19-9/PCI ratio
is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with low
grade PMP undergoing CRS and IPC. By accounting for both tumour activity and
tumour volume simultaneously, this novel index behaves as a surrogate of tumour
biology and provides a useful adjunct for decisions regarding treatment
allocation in this patient group.
PMID- 28993034
TI - [Massive left atrial calcification].
PMID- 28993035
TI - Outcomes of hybrid procedure for type B aortic dissection with an aberrant right
subclavian artery.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To report our single-center experience of the hybrid procedure for
type B aortic dissection (TBAD) with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA)
and the early to midterm outcomes in these patients. METHODS: From December 2011
to February 2016, 16 patients (12 males; median age, 51 years; range, 40-66
years) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair and extraanatomic bypass
hybrid procedure for TBAD with an ARSA in our center. Demographics, coexisting
medical conditions, imaging features, operation details, and follow-up outcomes
of these patients were collected retrospectively and analyzed. RESULTS: Duration
from onset to hybrid procedure ranged from 5 to 57 days, with a median duration
of 17 days. The median duration of stay in the intensive care unit and duration
of in-hospital stay was 126 hours (range, 14-450 hours) and 21 days (range, 11-31
days), respectively. The overall technique success rate was 100%. No
perioperative death, major stroke, or spinal cord ischemia was registered.
Immediate type Ia endoleak was detected in three patients (18.8%) and immediate
type II endoleak was detected in one patient (6.3%). One access-related
complication occurred, which was a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm requiring
compression bandage. Brachial plexus injury was observed in two patients (12.5%)
with weakness of the upper extremity. The median follow-up was 33 months (range,
11-59 months). During follow-up, a retrograde type A aortic dissection was found
in one patient (6.3%) 3 months after procedure. The occlusion of left common
carotid artery to left subclavian artery bypasses were confirmed by computed
tomography angiography in two patients (12.5%). They were left untreated for no
symptoms. Reintervention was required in one patient (6.3%) for persistent type
II endoleak by using Amplatzer plugs to seal the origin of the ARSA 20 months
after the operation. There was no recorded death or stroke during the study
period. CONCLUSIONS: Our limited experience demonstrates that a hybrid procedure
is a viable and relatively safe treatment strategy for patients with TBAD and an
ARSA. A larger series of cases with a longer follow-up is needed to substantiate
these results.
PMID- 28993036
TI - The Association of Emergency Department Treatments for Hyperglycemia with Glucose
Reduction and Emergency Department Length of Stay.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is frequently encountered in the emergency department
(ED), and insulin and intravenous fluid are commonly administered to reduce
glucose prior to discharge. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the magnitude of
the association between glucose-lowering therapies and 1) actual glucose
reduction and 2) ED length of stay (LOS). METHODS: We performed a retrospective
chart review study of patients with any glucose level >= 400 mg/dL who were
discharged from the ED between January 2010 and December 2011. Generalized
estimating equation models were created for the ED outcomes of glucose reduction
and ED LOS with primary predictors of insulin and intravenous fluids
administered. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 422 patients with 566 encounters.
Median arrival and discharge glucose were 473 mg/dL and 326 mg/dL, respectively,
with median glucose reduction of 144 mg/dL. Median length of stay was 253 min.
After adjustment, 10 units of subcutaneous insulin and 1 liter of intravenous
fluid were associated with 33 mg/dL and 27 mg/dL glucose reduction, respectively.
Every liter of intravenous fluid administered was associated with a 45-min
increase in ED LOS; insulin administration was not associated with ED LOS.
CONCLUSION: In patients with type 2 diabetes who present with moderate to severe
hyperglycemia, both insulin and intravenous fluids are associated with a modest
glucose reduction. Intravenous fluids were associated with a significant increase
in ED LOS, but insulin was not. These results should be considered when
determining whether to administer therapies that reduce glucose in the ED.
PMID- 28993037
TI - Reversible Stress Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage:
A Case Report.
AB - BACKGROUND: Acute cerebral incidents have been correlated with cardiac
manifestations. Specifically, subarachnoid hemorrhage has been correlated with a
syndrome described as neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy and mimics acute coronary
syndrome. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old woman presented at the Emergency Department
of our hospital complaining of vomiting and headache of sudden onset. Computed
tomography angiography revealed a ruptured aneurysm at the tip of the basilar
artery and the patient underwent a successful complete embolism of the sac of the
aneurysm. During hospitalization, the patient developed electrocardiographic
alterations and elevation of cardiac biomarkers, and echocardiography showed an
impairment of left ventricular systolic function. The patient was diagnosed with
neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy and she was treated conservatively. WHY SHOULD
AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Clinicians should be aware of
neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy because early diagnosis and treatment are the
cornerstones for achieving a better outcome.
PMID- 28993039
TI - Aortic Intramural Hematoma, Stanford Type A.
PMID- 28993038
TI - Capnography in the Emergency Department: A Review of Uses, Waveforms, and
Limitations.
AB - BACKGROUND: Capnography has many uses in the emergency department (ED) and
critical care setting, most commonly cardiac arrest and procedural sedation.
OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW: This review evaluates several indications concerning
capnography beyond cardiac arrest and procedural sedation in the ED, as well as
limitations and specific waveforms. DISCUSSION: Capnography includes the
noninvasive measurement of CO2, providing information on ventilation, perfusion,
and metabolism in intubated and spontaneously breathing patients. Since the
1990s, capnography has been utilized extensively for cardiac arrest and
procedural sedation. Qualitative capnography includes a colorimetric device,
changing color on the amount of CO2 present. Quantitative capnography provides a
numeric value (end-tidal CO2), and capnography most commonly includes a waveform
as a function of time. Conditions in which capnography is informative include
cardiac arrest, procedural sedation, mechanically ventilated patients, and
patients with metabolic acidemia. Patients with seizure, trauma, and respiratory
conditions, such as pulmonary embolism and obstructive airway disease, can
benefit from capnography, but further study is needed. Limitations include use of
capnography in conditions with mixed pathophysiology, patients with low tidal
volumes, and equipment malfunction. Capnography should be used in conjunction
with clinical assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Capnography demonstrates benefit in
cardiac arrest, procedural sedation, mechanically ventilated patients, and
patients with metabolic acidemia. Further study is required in patients with
seizure, trauma, and respiratory conditions. It should only be used in
conjunction with other patient factors and clinical assessment.
PMID- 28993040
TI - Severe Pulmonary Cement Embolism.
PMID- 28993041
TI - Diarrhoea during checkpoint blockade, not always colitis.
PMID- 28993043
TI - Corrigendum to "Lack of glutathione peroxidase-1 facilitates a pro-inflammatory
and activated vascular endothelium" [Vasc. Pharmacol. 79 (2016) 32-42].
PMID- 28993042
TI - Effect of sacroiliac manipulation on postural sway in quiet standing: a
randomized controlled trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Sacroiliac joint manipulation can alter joint and muscle control
mechanisms through local and remote effects. Postural balance is controlled by
supraspinal (rambling) and spinal-peripheral (trembling) mechanisms. A
manipulation may interfere with postural control in quiet standing. OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the immediate effects of sacroiliac joint manipulation on postural
control in patients with (1) sacroiliac dysfunction and (2) to determine whether
rambling and trembling are affected by sacroiliac joint manipulation. METHODS: 32
patients aged between 20 and 50 years old were selected by convenience after
confirmation of sacroiliac joint dysfunction by clinical examination. These
patients were randomly allocated either to manipulation or sham manipulation
group. Displacement, velocity and frequency of the center of pressure, rambling
and trembling in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions were our
primary outcomes and analyzed immediately before and after the intervention in
quiet standing. The physical therapists who performed the physical, biomechanical
and statistical examinations, were all blinded to the patients' grouping.
RESULTS: No differences were found between the two groups but trembling velocity
(0.14 and -0.11 for intervention and sham group, respectively) and frequency
(0.17 and 0.11 for intervention and sham group respectively) increased after
intervention in the treatment group in the anterior-posterior direction.
CONCLUSION: Generally, sacroiliac joint manipulation had no superiority than sham
treatment regarding postural control as measured by rambling-trembling analysis
of center of pressure. Manipulation may increase muscle activation in the
treatment group due to increased trembling parameters. Trial number:
IRCT2014072715932N8 -
http://www.irct.ir/searchresult.php?keyword=%D8%B3%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%87&id=15932&fie
d=&number=8&prt=13&total=10&m=1.
PMID- 28993044
TI - Risk factors for early readmission after total pancreatectomy and islet auto
transplantation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Little published data exist examining causes of hospital readmission
following total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). METHODS: A
retrospective analysis was performed of a prospectively collected institutional
TPIAT database. Primary outcome was unplanned readmission to the hospital within
30 days from discharge. Reasons and risk factors for readmission as well as islet
function were evaluated and compared by univariate and multivariate analysis.
RESULTS: 83 patients underwent TPIAT from 2006 to 2014. 21 patients (25.3%) were
readmitted within 30 days. Gastrointestinal problems (52.4%) and surgical site
infection (42.8%) were the most common reasons for readmission. Initial LOS and
reoperation were risk factors for early readmission. Patients with delayed
gastric emptying (DGE) were three times more likely to get readmitted. In
multivariate analysis, patients undergoing pylorus preservation surgery were nine
times more likely to be readmitted than the antrectomy group. CONCLUSION: Early
readmission after TPIAT is common (one in four patients), underscoring the
complexity of this procedure. Early readmission is not detrimental to islet graft
function. Patients undergoing pylorus preservation are more likely to get
readmitted, perhaps due to increased incidence of delayed gastric emptying.
Decision for antrectomy vs. pylorus preservation needs to be individualized.
PMID- 28993045
TI - [The pharmaceutical industry and specialised medical training: Residents'
perceptions in Madrid, Spain].
AB - OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of exposure and attitudes to the
pharmaceutical industry (PI) of residents in the Region of Madrid (RM), Spain,
and to analyse the association with specialty, professional environment and
training. METHODS: Cross-sectional electronic survey in May and June 2015 of all
medical residents in RM. We collected sociodemographic variables and those of
interaction with the PI in four blocks: frequency of interactions, attitudes and
perceptions, environment and regulatory framework, and skills; with the first two
blocks we created a Synthetic PI Interaction Index (SPIII). Bivariate and
multivariate analysis of logistic regression. RESULTS: 350 resident's responses
(28% family and community medicine [FCM], 57% hospital, 15% others). Ninety-eight
percent reported interacting with the PI. Twenty percent believed their
prescribing was influenced by the PI and 48% believed it was influenced by other
doctors. Sixty-five precent considered more training necessary. Ninety-six
percent had received no information from their college of physicians, 80% did not
know the regulations in their medical society and 50% were unaware of those of
their institution. Hospital specialty residents showed more likelihood of SPIII
>= percentile 75 than those of FCM (odds ratio [OR]: 3.96; 95% confidence
interval [95%CI]: 1.88-8.35). Training in informal settings was associated with
SPIII <= percentile 25 (OR: 2.83; 95%CI: 1.32-6.07). CONCLUSIONS: The medical
residents in RM had a high level of interaction with the PI and believed its
influence low. Hospital specialty residents showed more interaction with the PI.
Regulations were not well known by residents and they consideredmore training
necessary.
PMID- 28993046
TI - The experience of intensive care nurses caring for patients with delirium: A
phenomenological study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to seek to understand the lived
experience of intensive care nurses caring for patients with delirium. The
objectives of this inquiry were: 1) To examine intensive care nurses' experiences
of caring for adult patients with delirium; 2) To identify factors that
facilitate or hinder intensive care nurses caring for these patients. RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY: This study utilised an interpretive phenomenological approach as
described by van Manen. SETTING: Individual conversational interviews were
conducted with eight intensive care nurses working in a tertiary level,
university-affiliated hospital in Canada. FINDINGS: The essence of the experience
of nurses caring for patients with delirium in intensive care was revealed to be
finding a way to help them come through it. Six main themes emerged: It's
Exhausting; Making a Picture of the Patient's Mental Status; Keeping Patients
Safe: It's aReally Big Job; Everyone Is Unique; Riding It Out With Families and
Taking Every Experience With You. CONCLUSION: The findings contribute to an
understanding of how intensive care nurses help patients and their families
through this complex and distressing experience.
PMID- 28993047
TI - The Minimally Invasive Approach to Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation:
Is Smaller Better?
PMID- 28993049
TI - Prestroke Mobility and Dementia as Predictors of Stroke Outcomes in Patients Over
65 Years of Age: A Cohort Study From The Swedish Dementia and Stroke Registries.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between prestroke mobility dependency and
dementia on functioning and mortality outcomes after stroke in patients>65 years
of age. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study based on SveDem, the Swedish Dementia
Registry and Riksstroke, the Swedish Stroke Registry. PARTICIPANTS: A total of
1689 patients with dementia >65 years of age registered in SveDem and suffering a
first stroke between 2007 and 2014 were matched with 7973 controls without
dementia with stroke. MEASUREMENTS: Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence
intervals (CIs) for intrahospital mortality, and functioning and mortality
outcomes at 3 months were calculated. Functioning included level of residential
assistance (living at home without help, at home with help, or nursing home) and
mobility dependency (independent, needing help to move outdoors, or needing help
indoors and outdoors). RESULTS: Prestroke dependency in activities of daily
living and mobility were worse in patients with dementia than controls without
dementia. In unadjusted analyses, patients with dementia were more often
discharged to nursing homes (51% vs 20%; P < .001). Mortality at 3 months was
higher in patients with dementia (31% vs 23% P < .001) and fewer were living at
home without help (21% vs 55%; P < .001). In adjusted analyses, prestroke
dementia was associated with higher risk of 3-month mortality (OR 1.34; 95% CI
1.18-1.52), requiring a higher level of residential assistance (OR 4.07; 3.49
.75) and suffering from more dependency in relation to mobility (OR 2.57; 2.20
3.02). Patients with dementia who were independent for mobility prestroke were
more likely to be discharged to a nursing home compared with patients without
dementia with the same prestroke mobility (37% vs 16%; P < .001), but there were
no differences in discharge to geriatric rehabilitation (19% for both; P = .976).
Patients, who moved independently before stroke, were more often discharged home
(60% vs 28%) and had lower mortality. In adjusted analyses, prestroke mobility
limitations were associated with higher odds for poorer mobility, needing more
residential assistance, and death. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mobility
impairments and/or dementia present a high burden of disability after a stroke.
There is a need for research on stroke interventions among these populations.
PMID- 28993048
TI - Total Physical Activity, Exercise Intensity, and Walking Speed as Predictors of
All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Over 7 Years in Older Men: The Concord
Health and Aging in Men Project.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to examine the contemporaneous temporal association
between changes in total physical activity, sports intensity, muscle
strengthening exercise, and walking speed as predictors of all-cause,
cardiovascular, cancer and other cause-specific mortality in older men. DESIGN,
SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, MEASUREMENTS: Community-dwelling men aged 70 years and
older from Concord Health and Aging in Men Project were assessed at baseline
(2005-2007, n = 1705), 2 years (n = 1367), and 5 years follow-up (n = 958). At
all time points, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly questionnaire, walking
speed over a 6-m walk, and potential confounders were assessed. Mortality was
ascertained through the state death registry with a median follow-up of 7 years.
RESULTS: As the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly score increased by 1
standard deviation over the follow-up period, the relative risk (RR) for
mortality was 0.78 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.88] for all-cause, 0.66
(95% CI 0.55-0.79) for cardiovascular and 0.75 (95% CI 0.61-0.94) for other cause
specific mortality, but no association was observed in cancer mortality. The RR
for undertaking strenuous sports during follow-up was 0.44 (95% CI 0.26-0.72) for
all-cause mortality and 0.31 (95% CI 0.13-0.70) for cancer mortality when
compared with no sports participation. Increases in walking speed per standard
deviation over time were also associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality
(RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.61-0.78), with similar associations for cardiovascular (RR
0.60, 95% CI 0.48-0.74), but not cancer mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Older men who
engage in strenuous sports and those who increase their walking speed over time
may have lower risk of all-cause and some cause-specific mortality.
PMID- 28993050
TI - Sulfonamido-derivatives of unsubstituted carbazoles as BACE1 inhibitors.
AB - A novel series of variously substituted N-[3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl]
arylsulfonamides has been synthesized and assayed for beta-Secretase (BACE1)
inhibitory activity. BACE1 is a widely recognized drug target for the prevention
and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The introduction of benzyl
substituents on the nitrogen atom of the arylsulfonamide moiety has so far led to
the best results, with three derivatives showing IC50 values ranging from 1.6 to
1.9 MUM. Therefore, a significant improvement over the previously reported series
of N-carboxamides (displaying IC50's >= 2.5 MUM) has been achieved, thus
suggesting an active role of the sulfonamido-portion in the inhibition process.
Preliminary molecular modeling studies have been carried out to rationalize the
observed structure-activity relationships.
PMID- 28993051
TI - Isolating automatic photism generation from strategic photism use in grapheme
colour synaesthesia.
AB - Grapheme-colour synaesthesia is a phenomenon in which ordinary black numbers and
letters (graphemes) trigger the experience of highly specific colours (photisms).
The Synaesthetic Stroop task has been used to demonstrate that graphemes trigger
photisms automatically. In the standard Stroop task, congruent trial probability
(CTP) has been manipulated to isolate effects of automaticity from higher-order
strategic effects, with larger Stroop effects at high CTP attributed to
participants strategically attending to the stimulus word to facilitate
responding, and smaller Stroop effects at low CTP reflecting automatic word
processing. Here we apply this logic for the first time to the Synaesthetic
Stroop task. At high CTP we showed larger Stroop effects due to synaesthetes
using their synaesthetic colours strategically. At low CTP Stroop effects were
reduced but were still significant. We directly isolate automatic processing of
graphemes from strategic effects and conclusively show that, in synaesthesia,
viewing black graphemes automatically triggers colour experiences.
PMID- 28993052
TI - Nivolumab in patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer
refractory to, or intolerant of, at least two previous chemotherapy regimens (ONO
4538-12, ATTRACTION-2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3
trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer
refractory to, or intolerant of, two or more previous regimens of chemotherapy
have a poor prognosis, and current guidelines do not recommend any specific
treatments for these patients. We assessed the efficacy and safety of nivolumab,
a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody inhibitor of programmed death-1 (PD-1), in
patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer who had been
previously been treated with two or more chemotherapy regimens. METHODS: In this
randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial done at 49 clinical
sites in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, eligible patients (aged >=20 years with
unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer
refractory to, or intolerant of, standard therapy [including two or more previous
chemotherapy regimens], with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG]
performance status of 0-1, and naive to anti-PD-1 therapy or other therapeutic
antibodies and pharmacotherapies for the regulation of T cells) were recruited.
Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) using an interactive web response system to
receive 3 mg/kg nivolumab or placebo intravenously every 2 weeks, stratified by
country, ECOG performance status, and number of organs with metastases. Study
treatment was continued until progressive disease per investigator assessment or
onset of toxicities requiring permanent discontinuation. Patients and
investigators were masked to group assignment. The primary endpoint was overall
survival in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was analysed in all
patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. This study is ongoing
but not recruiting new patients, and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov,
number NCT02267343. FINDINGS: Between Nov 4, 2014, and Feb 26, 2016, we randomly
assigned 493 patients to receive nivolumab (n=330) or placebo (n=163). At the
data cutoff (Aug 13, 2016), median follow-up in surviving patients was 8.87
months (IQR 6.57-12.37) in the nivolumab group and 8.59 months (5.65-11.37) in
the placebo group. Median overall survival was 5.26 months (95% CI 4.60-6.37) in
the nivolumab group and 4.14 months (3.42-4.86) in the placebo group (hazard
ratio 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.78; p<0.0001). 12-month overall survival rates were
26.2% (95% CI 20.7-32.0) with nivolumab and 10.9% (6.2-17.0) with placebo. Grade
3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 34 (10%) of 330 patients who
received nivolumab and seven (4%) of 161 patients who received placebo; treatment
related adverse events led to death in five (2%) of 330 patients in the nivolumab
group and two (1%) of 161 patients in the placebo group. No new safety signals
were observed. INTERPRETATION: In this phase 3 study, the survival benefits
indicate that nivolumab might be a new treatment option for heavily pretreated
patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer. Ongoing
trials that include non-Asian patients are investigating nivolumab for advanced
gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer in various settings and earlier
treatment lines. FUNDING: Ono Pharmaceutical and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
PMID- 28993053
TI - Checkpoint inhibition: an ATTRACTION in advanced gastric cancer?
PMID- 28993054
TI - Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for a real time monitoring of the biogas
process.
AB - In this research project Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was applied to monitor
the content of specific process parameters in anaerobic digestion. A laboratory
scaled biogas digester was constantly fed every four hours with maize- and grass
silage to keep a base load with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 2.5 kg oDM/m3 *
d. Daily impact loads with shredded wheat up to an OLR of 8 kg oDM/m3 * d were
added in order to generate peaks at the parameters tested. The developed
calibration models are capable to show changes in process parameters like
volatile fatty acids (VFA), propionic acid, total inorganic carbon (TIC) and the
ratio of the volatile fatty acids to the carbonate buffer (VFA/TIC). Based on the
calibration of the models for VFA and TIC, the values could be predicted with an
R2 of 0.94 and 0.97, respectively. Moreover, the residual prediction deviations
were 4.0 and 6.0 for VFA and TIC, respectively.
PMID- 28993055
TI - Lignocellulosic biorefinery as a model for sustainable development of biofuels
and value added products.
AB - A constant shift of society's dependence from petroleum-based energy resources
towards renewable biomass-based has been the key to tackle the greenhouse gas
emissions. Effective use of biomass feedstock, particularly lignocellulosic, has
gained worldwide attention lately. Lignocellulosic biomass as a potent
bioresource, however, cannot be a sustainable alternative if the production cost
is too high and/ or the availability is limited. Recycling the lignocellulosic
biomass from various sources into value added products such as bio-oil, biochar
or other biobased chemicals in a bio-refinery model is a sensible idea.
Combination of integrated conversion techniques along with process integration is
suggested as a sustainable approach. Introducing 'series concept' accompanying
intermittent dark/photo fermentation with co-cultivation of microalgae is
conceptualised. While the cost of downstream processing for a single type of
feedstock would be high, combining different feedstocks and integrating them in a
bio-refinery model would lessen the production cost and reduce CO2 emission.
PMID- 28993056
TI - Role of 18F-PET/CT in Predicting Prognosis of Patients With Breast Cancer After
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer can be assessed preoperatively and postoperatively
using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed
tomography (PET/CT). We prospectively analyzed the maximum baseline standardized
uptake value (SUVmax) derived from FDG PET/CT to predict the outcomes after
neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
assessed 130 consecutive female patients with primary breast cancer (mean age,
53.9 years) using PET/CT before and after NAC. The SUVmax before (pre-SUVmax) and
after (post-SUVmax) NAC and the SUVmax reduction rates (DeltaSUVmax) after NAC
with sequential anthracyclines and a taxane were assessed to predict the
pathologic complete response (pCR) and prognosis. RESULTS: Of the 130 patients,
30 (23.1%) achieved a pCR. The pCR rate of the patients with human epidermal
growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) and triple-negative (TN) breast cancer
was 52.8% and 40.0%, respectively. In contrast, only 1.4% of those with estrogen
receptor-positive and HER2- cancer achieved a pCR. The post-SUVmax correlated
closely with the pCR (area under the curve, 0.700) but not with the pre-SUVmax
and DeltaSUVmax (area under the curve, 0.414 and 0.589, respectively) in patients
with HER2+ and TN breast cancer. The post-SUVmax was associated with the pCR (P =
.019), and multivariate analysis selected post-SUVmax as a significant prognostic
factor (P = .014). The post-SUVmax correlated significantly with recurrence-free
survival and recurrence (P = .026, log-rank test). CONCLUSION: The SUVmax
determined after NAC using FDG PET/CT can predict for the pCR and the prognosis
of patients with operable HER2+ and TN breast cancer. In the future, additional
chemotherapy will be applied according to the post-SUVmax after standard NAC to
achieve a pCR or omit surgery.
PMID- 28993057
TI - Solitary pancreatic lesion as the initial metastasis from osteosarcoma: Report of
a rare case.
PMID- 28993058
TI - Pathological heterogeneity in sporadic synchronous renal tumors: Is the
histological concordance predictable?
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pathological concordance rate of multiple synchronous
renal masses (MSRM) presumed to be sporadic and to analyze predictive factors of
concordance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified from our institutional database
patients with sporadic MSRM treated at our center between January 2000 and
December 2015. All tumors were reviewed by a dedicated uropathologist.
Pathological concordance rate was analyzed regarding clinical characteristics and
preoperative imaging. RESULTS: We included 112 patients: 50 had unilateral
synchronous renal masses and 62 bilateral synchronous renal masses. A total of
291 tumors were analyzed, with an average of 2.6 tumors per patient. Overall, the
malignant concordance rate was 91.6%, the pathological concordance rate was 67.3%
and the grade concordance rate was 62.5%. In univariate analysis, predictive
factors of histological concordance were bilateral synchronous renal masses (odds
ratio [OR] = 3.39; 95% CI: 1.06-10.8; P = 0.04), age<60 years (OR = 3.04; 95% CI:
1.2-7.7; P = 0.02) and >=3 lesions (OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.03-5.68; P = 0.04). In
multivariate analysis, age<60 remained significantly associated with histological
concordance (OR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.24-11.9; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The
histological concordance rate of MSRM is low. Age at diagnosis <60 years,
bilateral lesions and >=3 tumors are predictive factors of histological
concordance, but the pathological diagnosis remains difficult to predict. This
heterogeneity is important to take into account, particularly when choosing the
treatment upon the renal biopsy results from a single lesion.
PMID- 28993059
TI - Perioperative blood transfusion adversely affects prognosis after nephrectomy for
renal cell carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: It has been previously suggested that perioperative blood transfusion
(PBT) may induce adverse oncological outcomes following cancer surgery. The aim
of the current study is to evaluate the effect of PBT on the prognosis of
patients who underwent nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS:
Study included 1,159 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy or partial
nephrectomy (PN) between the years 1987 and 2013. Univariate and multivariate
models were used to evaluate the association of PBT with cancer-specific survival
(CSS), disease-free survival, and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of 1,159
patients undergoing nephrectomy, 198 patients (17.1%) received a PBT. The median
follow-up was 63.2 months. Risk factors for PBT included: lower preoperative
hemoglobin (P<0.01), size of the renal mass (P<0.05), open surgical approach
(P<0.01), and capsular invasion. Receipt of a PBT was associated with
significantly adverse disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.1, P = 0.02),
metastatic progression (HR = 2.4, P= 0.007), CSS (HR = 2.5, P = 0.02), and OS (HR
= 2.2, P = 0.001). In the current study, 582 patients underwent PN; of these, 87
(14.9%) required PBT. The association of PBT with outcome remained significant in
this subgroup after controlling for patient and tumor-related variables with
respect to metastatic progression (HR = 5.9, P = 0.006), CSS (HR = 5.8, P =
0.007) and OS (HR = 2.1, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: PBT is associated with reduced
recurrence-free survival, CSS, and OS in patients undergoing nephrectomy for RCC.
Worse oncological outcomes are also found in a separate analysis for patients
undergoing PN.
PMID- 28993060
TI - Routine bladder cancer treatment dictates divergence from trial-derived regimens:
Results of treatment at 44 radiotherapy centers.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess characteristics and outcome of patients treated with
radiotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer at 44 community-based
radiotherapy centers and compare these to those on clinical trials. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: We reviewed 155 patients who had been treated from 2010 to 2014. Overall
survival and progression-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier
method. Results were compared to a pooled analysis of 6 Radiation Therapy
Oncology Group (RTOG) protocols. RESULTS: What stood out was that our patients'
characteristics were significantly inferior than those on RTOG studies: lower
rate of complete transurethral resection of bladder tumor: 36.8% vs. 70%
(P<0.0001), higher median age: 79 years vs. 66 (P<0.0001), more medically
inoperable: (51.0%) vs. 0% in RTOG (P<0.001), and 46.9% had refused surgery.
Fewer patients underwent concurrent chemotherapy: 56.1% vs. 100% (P<0.0001). It
was also striking that at median follow-up 12.6 months (range: 3.1-49.2), the 36
month overall survival was 51.3% for those who refused surgery vs. 24.5% for
medically inoperable (P = 0.009); 58.1% with complete transurethral resection of
bladder tumor vs. 29.8% if incomplete (P = 0.07); 54.3% with chemoradiotherapy
(CRT) vs. 17.2% without (P = 0.03); 66.3% for those who refused surgery and had
CRT vs. 38.9% for medically inoperable who had CRT (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The
cohort at community-based centers was older, more medically inoperable, and less
likely to receive CRT than clinical trial patients. This suggests that we may not
be able to apply trial-derived regimens for many patients in this setting. There
is a pressing need to find treatment options for such patients, especially given
the aging population. Survival of medically operable CRT patients was comparable
to results of RTOG protocols notwithstanding this study's smaller sample size,
retrospective nature and suboptimal documentation of patient characteristics.
PMID- 28993062
TI - Chronic spontaneous urticaria and the extrinsic coagulation system.
AB - Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin disorder characterized by
daily or almost daily recurring skin edema and flare with itch. Recently, the
activation of the blood coagulation cascade has been suggested to be involved in
CSU, but the trigger of the coagulation cascade remains unclear. In this article,
we review recent understanding of the relationship between the pathogenesis of
CSU and extrinsic coagulation reactions. In CSU, vascular endothelial cells and
eosinophils may play a role as TF-expressing cells for activating the extrinsic
coagulation pathway. Moreover, the expression of TF on endothelial cells is
synergistically enhanced by the activation of Toll-like receptors and histamine
H1 receptors. The activated coagulation factors may induce plasma extravasation
followed by degranulation of skin mast cells and edema formation recognized as
wheal in CSU. Molecules involved in this cascade could be a target for new and
more effective treatments of urticaria.
PMID- 28993063
TI - Comparison of sporadic cases of Salmonella Typhimurium with other Salmonella
serotypes in Castellon (Spain): case-case study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Salmonella infections (SI) are common in Spain. The aim of this
study was to appraise risk factors and the clinical characteristics of sporadic
Salmonella Typhimurium infections compared with other sporadic salmonella
serotype infections (OSI). METHODS: From September 2014 to August 2015, a case
case study was carried out by the Epidemiology Division of the Public Health
Centre of Castellon. Case 1 consisted of patients with sporadic S. Typhimurium
infections, while case 2 comprised OSI patients, assessed according to the stool
cultures analyzed by the Microbiology Laboratories of Hospital General de
Castellon and Hospital de La Plana in Vila-real. Patients from detected outbreaks
were not included. The salmonella serotype was identified by the National Centre
of Microbiology (Madrid). RESULTS: The total number of SI patients reported was
327, 242 of whom were studied (74.0%). 148 patients had sporadic S. Typhimurium
infection and 64 had OSI, with median ages of 4 and 8.5 years, respectively.
Sporadic S. Typhimurium infection patients presented more blood in feces and
diarrhea episodes. Consumption of pork meat (OR=2.22; 95% CI 1.12-4.43), cold
pork meats (OR=2.49; 95% CI 1.32-4.68) and playing in the dirt (OR=3.02; 95% CI
1.55-5.88), were associated with sporadic S. Typhimurium infection. In the 0-4
year-old group, the associated factors were consumption of cold pork meats,
omelets and female gender. In the 5-year-old and over group, only playing in soil
was associated with sporadic S. Typhimurium infection. CONCLUSIONS: The
consumption of pork and omelets, as well as playing in the dirt, were the main
factors associated with infection. Children were most affected by sporadic S.
Typhimurium infection.
PMID- 28993064
TI - Antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms that cause urinary tract
infections in pediatric patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Cumulative susceptibility reports are a valuable tool for the
empirical treatment of urinary tract infections, especially in the current
context of increasing resistance rates. Our objective was to analyze the
antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates in urine cultures of pediatric
patients during a five-year period. METHODS: Retrospective study of urine
cultures from 2011 to 2015. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests
were performed using the Vitek-2 system (BioMerieux(r)) and categorized according
to EUCAST criteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility data were analyzed by gender and
age groups (neonates, 1 month to 5 years, 5-15 years) before being compared with
data obtained from patients over the age of 15 years. RESULTS: During the study
period, 17164 urine cultures were processed from 7924 patients under 16 years of
age. Antimicrobial susceptibility rates in these patients were: ampicillin 36.3%,
amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 75.3%, cefuroxime 83.2%, co-trimoxazole 68.9%,
ciprofloxacin 85.3%, fosfomycin 85.5%, nitrofurantoin 84.4% and 3rd generation
cephalosporins 89-91%. Aminoglycosides (>92%) and carbapenems (95%) maintained
the highest susceptibility rates. The prevalence of ESBL-producing isolates was
significantly lower in children under the age of 16 years (1.5% vs. 4.1%). In
patients under the age of 16 years, Escherichia coli isolates in girls were
significantly more sensitive (p<0.0001) to ampicillin (41% vs. 30%) and
amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (82% vs. 72%) than in boys. CONCLUSIONS: The
compilation of cumulative susceptibility reports disaggregated by age or gender
reveals significant differences. In our setting, cefuroxime may be considered the
first-line empirical treatment in pediatric patients.
PMID- 28993061
TI - Risk comparison for prenatal use of analgesics and selected birth defects,
National Birth Defects Prevention Study 1997-2011.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
and/or opioids to the use of acetaminophen without NSAIDs or opioids with respect
to associations with birth defects. METHODS: We used data from the National Birth
Defects Prevention Study (1997-2011). Exposure was self-reported maternal
analgesic use from the month before through the third month of pregnancy
(periconceptional). Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated to examine
associations with 16 birth defects. RESULTS: Compared to acetaminophen, mothers
reporting NSAIDs were significantly more likely to have offspring with
gastroschisis, hypospadias, cleft palate, cleft lip with cleft palate, cleft lip
without cleft palate, anencephaly, spina bifida, hypoplastic left heart syndrome,
pulmonary valve stenosis, and tetralogy of Fallot (aOR range, 1.2-1.6). Opioids
were associated with tetralogy of Fallot, perimembranous ventricular septal
defect, and ventricular septal defect with atrial septal defect (aOR range, 1.8
2.3), whereas use of both opioids and NSAIDs was associated with gastroschisis,
cleft palate, spina bifida, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and pulmonary valve
stenosis (aOR range, 2.0-2.9). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to periconceptional use of
acetaminophen, selected birth defects occurred more frequently among infants of
women using NSAIDs and/or opioids. However, we could not definitely determine
whether these risks relate to the drugs or to indications for treatment.
PMID- 28993065
TI - Percutaneous bone biopsy is different to per-wound bone biopsy. Comments on
"Diabetic foot osteomyelitis: Is conservative treatment possible?".
PMID- 28993066
TI - Clinical and microbiological profile of infectious keratitis in an area of
Madrid, Spain.
AB - INTRODUCTION: To study antibiotic susceptibility in bacterial keratitis (BK), its
profile over 10 years and its influence on ophthalmological practice. METHODS:
Retrospective review of BK with positive corneal scraping over a 10-year period.
Risk factors for keratitis, visual acuity (VA), empirical topical treatment,
corneal infection characteristics and outcomes were analyzed for BK due to
Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Propionibacterium acnes. RESULTS: 389 positive corneal
scrapings were collected. All Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to
vancomycin. P. aeruginosa demonstrated >90% sensitivity to the most-commonly-used
topical antibiotics. Susceptibility to methicillin was 90.2% for S. aureus and
66.3% for S. epidermidis. The results of 215 patients were available. 1.9%
required enucleation and 2.8% required surgical treatments. Final VA improved
after treatment in keratitis due to S. aureus (p=0.026) and S. epidermidis
(p=0.005). There was a correlation between S. aureus resistance to methicillin
(p=0.002) and levofloxacin (p=0.043) and enucleation (20% and 10%, respectively)
compared with a 0% rate of enucleation in S. aureus-susceptible keratitis.
CONCLUSIONS: BK due to S. pneumoniae is very aggressive irrespective of
antibiotic sensitivity. S. aureus was frequently isolated in patients with
systemic diseases. It causes severe keratitis and remains moderately resistant to
methicillin and levofloxacin. For this reason, keeping vancomycin in empirical
regimens is believed to be necessary.
PMID- 28993067
TI - The use of co-trimoxazole in catheter lock therapy. A report on a difficult case.
PMID- 28993068
TI - Indicator condition based HIV testing: Missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis
in men who have sex with men.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Contact with the healthcare system by a sample of seropositive men
who have sex with men (MSM) prior to their HIV diagnosis are analysed, and missed
opportunities (MO) for an earlier HIV diagnosis are identified. METHODOLOGY:
Between 2012-2013, an online survey was conducted among HIV-positive MSM, mainly
recruited from gay websites. Those who were diagnosed with HIV between 2010-2013
were analysed. MO were defined as episodes prior to the HIV diagnosis in which
the healthcare system was contacted due to an indicator condition of HIV
infection and the test was not suggested. The proportion of missed opportunities
were compared according to the type of indicator condition, the department
consulted and the healthcare professional's knowledge that the patient was MSM.
RESULTS: Overall, 639 participants (66% of 966) reported 1,145 episodes with some
indicator condition, the majority of these being identified in primary care
(n=527; 46%). The highest percentage of MOs is also observed in primary care
(63%). Although the indicator condition with the highest number of MOs was STIs
(n=124), the highest percentage of MOs was observed in consultations due to
diarrhoea with no known cause (69.8%). The percentage of MOs when the doctor knew
that the patient was MSM was 40 vs. 70% when the doctor did not know. CONCLUSION:
The majority of HIV-positive MSM analysed in this study went to healthcare
services for HIV-infection indicator conditions prior to their HIV diagnosis.
Primary care was the most-frequently-visited department and is also where the
most opportunities were missed to perform an HIV test, even when it was known
that the patient was a MSM.
PMID- 28993069
TI - Discrimination of subjective responses between contact lenses with a novel
questionnaire.
AB - PURPOSE: To describe a ranked symptoms scale (RSS) discriminating subjective
responses in contact lens (CL) wear in various situations. METHOD: Forty
experienced clinical trial participants were interviewed for their perceptions of
ocular comfort scales, resulting in a numerical RSS. For further evaluation, 20
CL wearers enrolled into a prospective, randomised, crossover trial. Two silicone
hydrogel CLs and a lens care solution (LCS) [Combinations A & B] were selected
based on prior performance identifying best/worst combinations for end-of-day
comfort. The RSS and a numerical rating scale (NRS) were administered at two time
points (insertion/removal) on alternating days for 6 days. RESULTS: Both NRS and
RSS showed acceptable internal consistency for comfort, vision and handling
(Cronbach alpha=0.71 for both scales) and similar repeatability for comfort and
handling (coefficients-of-repeatability within 0.1 and 0.2 units, respectively,
for each scale). The NRS and RSS discriminated differences between combinations
for comfort (p<=0.031) and vision (p<=0.026) at both time-points. Additionally,
the RSS showed lens/edge awareness influenced discomfort the most, ranking higher
at insertion (p=0.038) and higher for Combination-B at both time-points
(p<=0.002). Symptoms of dryness and tired eyes increased for both combinations at
removal (p<0.02). The RSS also showed haziness and blurred distance vision
influenced vision dissatisfaction with Combination-B at lens removal (p<=0.038)
while eye strain/headache increased for both combinations by time of removal
(p<=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The RSS is able to discriminate subjective responses
between combinations and time-of-day. The RSS's ability to rank symptoms may be a
useful tool in understanding perceptions of discomfort or dissatisfaction with CL
wear.
PMID- 28993070
TI - The effect of soft contact lens thickness in visual function after intracorneal
ring segments surgery.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of soft contact lens (SCL) central thickness
and material in keratoconus on visual function after intracorneal ring segment
(ICRS) surgery. METHODS: A pilot, experimental, prospective, cross-sectional and
double-blind study was performed. Fourteen keratoconus patients with age range of
34.75+/-9.22years (7 males and 7 females) with ICRS implanted were involved in
the study. Two different SCL materials [Hioxifilcon A (G-5X/p-GMA/HEMA) and
Lucifilcon A (silicone-hydrogel)] with four different central thicknesses (0.1,
0.2, 0.3 and 0.4mm) were fitted in one eye per patient, selected randomly. High
and low corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and contrast sensitivity (CS),
corneal topography and corneal and total aberrometry were measured. RESULTS:
Corneal spherical like, coma like and root mean square (RMS) decreased
significantly for 0.3 and 0.4mm in both SCL materials (p<0.05). Total RMS
decreased significantly for 0.4mm with both SCL materials (p<0.05). High and low
CDVA improved for 0.4mm of thickness for both materials (p<0.05). Statistically
increasing were found in all thicknesses studied for CS in both materials
(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A central thickness of the SCL equal or superior to 0.4mm
seems to decrease the ocular high order aberration (HOA) and to improve the
visual function in keratoconus patients implanted with ICRS. However, the modulus
of rigidity of the SCL would not influence the HOA correction.
PMID- 28993071
TI - RE: Park YM. Park YK. Lee JE & Lee JS. Effect of orthokeratology in patients with
myopic regression after refractive surgery. CLAE (2016; 39(2):167-71).
PMID- 28993072
TI - A rare cause of recurrent intestinal obstruction.
PMID- 28993073
TI - The use of cannabis in response to the opioid crisis: A review of the literature.
AB - BACKGROUND: A staggering number of Americans are dying from overdoses attributed
to prescription opioid medications (POMs). In response, states are creating
policies related to POM harm reduction strategies, overdose prevention, and
alternative therapies for pain management, such as cannabis (medical marijuana).
However, little is known about how the use of cannabis for pain management may be
associated with POM use. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to examine state
medical cannabis (MC) use laws and policies and their potential association with
POM use and related harms. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted
to explore United States policies related to MC use and the association with POM
use and related harms. Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were
searched to identify peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2017.
Using the search criteria, 11,513 records were identified, with 789 abstracts
reviewed, and then 134 full-text articles screened for eligibility. FINDINGS: Of
134 articles, 10 articles met inclusion criteria. Four articles were cross
sectional online survey studies of MC substitution for POM, six were secondary
data analyses exploring state-level POM overdose fatalities, hospitalizations
related to MC or POM harms, opioid use disorder admissions, motor vehicle
fatalities, and Medicare and Medicaid prescription cost analyses. The literature
suggests MC laws could be associated with decreased POM use, fewer POM-related
hospitalizations, lower rates of opioid overdose, and reduced national health
care expenditures related to POM overdose and misuse. However, available
literature on the topic is sparse and has notable limitations. CONCLUSIONS:
Review of the current literature suggests states that implement MC policies could
reduce POM-associated mortality, improve pain management, and significantly
reduce health care costs. However, MC research is constrained by federal policy
restrictions, and more research related to MC as a potential alternative to POM
for pain management, MC harms, and its impact on POM-related harms and health
care costs should be a priority of public health, medical, and nursing research.
PMID- 28993075
TI - Call to action: APRNs in U.S. nursing homes to improve care and reduce costs.
AB - BACKGROUND: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center sponsored the
initiative to reduce avoidable hospitalizations among nursing facility residents.
PURPOSE: Missouri Quality Initiative (MOQI) designed inter-professional model in
nursing homes with advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). METHOD: MOQI APRN
model was implemented for 4 years in 16 nursing homes in a metro area of the
Midwest. Hospitalizations were reduced (40% all-cause, 58% potentially
avoidable), emergency room visits (54% all-cause, 65% potentially avoidable),
Medicare expenditures for hospitalizations (34% all-cause, 45% potentially
avoidable), and Medicare expenditures for emergency room visits (50% all-cause,
60% potentially avoidable) for long-stay nursing home residents. DISCUSSION:
Success of the MOQI model reinforces decades of research demonstrating that care
provided by APRNs is cost-effective, safe, and associated with positive health
outcomes and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Nursing homes can implement and
benefit by hiring APRNs. However, changes in the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR
483.40) are necessary to improve patient access to care and encourage hiring
APRNs in US nursing homes.
PMID- 28993076
TI - Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Achieves Greater Flexion With No Difference in
Functional Outcome, Quality of Life, and Satisfaction vs Total Knee Arthroplasty
in Patients Younger Than 55 Years. A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Improvements in surgical techniques, implant design, and adherence to
indications have resulted in favorable outcomes after unicompartmental knee
arthroplasty (UKA), particularly in an older population. However, no studies have
compared the performance of contemporary UKA and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in
a young population. METHODS: Prospectively collected registry data of 160 UKAs
performed in 160 patients younger than 55 years were reviewed. Propensity scores
generated using logistic regression were used to adjust for confounding variables
of age, gender, body mass index, preoperative range of motion, Knee Society
Score, Oxford Knee Score, and Short-Form 36, allowing matching of the TKA cohort
to the UKA cohort in a 1:1 ratio using the nearest-neighbor method. RESULTS: The
UKA group had significantly greater flexion at 6 months and 2 years (P < .001).
There was no significant difference in Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score, and
Short-Form 36. At 2 years, 89.4% and 88.8% of the TKA and UKA groups were
satisfied (P = 1.00) while 86.9% and 86.3% had their expectations fulfilled (P =
1.00). At a mean follow-up of 7 years, there were 2 revisions in each group
(2.2%). CONCLUSION: Although native knee biomechanics are preserved, younger
patients do not seem to perceive this oft-cited benefit of UKA, as this did not
translate into greater health-related quality of life or patient satisfaction
compared to TKA. The theoretical advantages of UKA were not borne out by our
findings, other than greater flexion up to 2 years postoperatively.
PMID- 28993074
TI - Obtaining waivers of parental consent: A strategy endorsed by gay, bisexual, and
queer adolescent males for health prevention research.
AB - BACKGROUND: Requiring parental consent in studies with sexual minority youth
(SMY) can sometimes be problematic as participants may have yet to disclose their
sexual orientation, may not feel comfortable asking parents' permission, and may
promote a self-selection bias. PURPOSE: We discuss rationale for waiving parental
consent, strategies to secure waivers from review boards, and present
participants' feedback on research without parents' permission. METHODS: We share
our institutional review board proposal in which we made a case that excluding
SMY from research violates ethical research principles, does not recognize their
autonomy, and limits collection of sexuality data. DISCUSSION: Standard consent
policies may inadvertently exclude youth who are at high risk for negative health
outcomes or may potentially put them at risk because of forced disclosure of
sexual orientation. Securing a waiver addresses these concerns and allows for
rich data, which is critical for providers to have a deeper understanding of
their unique sexual health needs. CONCLUSION: To properly safeguard and encourage
research informed by SMY, parental consent waivers may be necessary.
PMID- 28993077
TI - Are We Appropriately Compensated by Relative Value Units for Primary vs Revision
Total Hip Arthroplasty?
AB - BACKGROUND: Relative value units (RVUs) are used to evaluate the effort required
for providing a service to patients in order to determine compensation. Thus,
more complicated cases, like revision arthroplasty cases, should yield a greater
compensation. However, there are limited data comparing RVUs to the time required
to complete the service. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the
(1) mean RVUs, (2) mean operative times, and (3) mean RVU/minute between primary
and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) and (4) perform an individualized
idealized surgeon annual cost difference analysis. METHODS: A total of 103,702
patients who underwent primary (current procedural terminology code 27130) and
7273 patients who underwent revision THA (current procedural terminology code
27134) were identified using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program
database. Mean RVUs, operative times (minutes), and RVU/minute were calculated
and compared using Student t-test. Dollar amount per minute, per case, per day,
and year was calculated to find an individualized idealized surgeon annual cost
difference. RESULTS: The mean RVU was 21.24 +/- 0.53 (range, 20.72-21.79) for
primary and 30.27 +/- 0.03 (range, 30.13-30.28) for revision THA (P < .001). The
mean operative time for primary THA was 94 +/- 38 minutes (range, 30-480 minutes)
and 152 +/- 75 minutes (range, 30-475 minutes) for revision THA (P < .001). The
mean RVU/minute was 0.260 +/- 0.10 (range, 0.04-0.73) for primary and 0.249 +/-
0.12 (range, 0.06-1.0) for revision cases (P < .001). The dollar amounts
calculated for primary vs revision THA were as follows: per minute ($9.33 vs
$8.93), per case ($877.12 vs $1358.32), per day ($6139.84 vs $5433.26), and a
projected $113,052.28 annual cost difference for an individual surgeon.
CONCLUSION: Maximizing the RVU/minute provides the greatest "hourly rate." The
RVU/minute for primary (0.260) being significantly greater than revision THA
(0.249) and an annualized $113,052.28 cost difference reveal that although
revision THAs are more complex cases requiring longer operative time, greater
technical skill, and aftercare, compensation per time is not greater.
PMID- 28993078
TI - Response to Letter to the Editor on "Effectiveness of Bupivacaine Liposome
Injectable Suspension for Postoperative Pain Control in Total Knee Arthroplasty:
A Prospective, Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Study".
PMID- 28993079
TI - Lateral Femoral Epicondylar Osteotomy for Correction of Fixed Valgus Deformity in
Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Technical Note.
AB - BACKGROUND: Multiple surgical techniques exist to restore limb alignment and to
balance soft tissues in valgus knees during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One
technique is to perform a lateral femoral epicondylar osteotomy. METHODS: A
retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with a fixed valgus
deformity that was corrected with a lateral femoral epicondylar osteotomy during
TKA. Preoperative and postoperative Knee Society Knee Scores, knee stability,
range of motion, and radiographic alignment were recorded. RESULTS: Ten patients
(3 male and 7 female) underwent 12 TKAs by a single surgeon using a lateral
femoral epicondylar osteotomy to correct a fixed valgus deformity. Implants used
included 7 posterior stabilized, 3 constrained posterior stabilized, and 2
constrained condylar knees. Average age was 68 years (range 48-89) and average
follow-up was 34.7 months (4-109). Average postoperative range of motion was 125
degrees of flexion (range 95 degrees -145 degrees ). The mean radiographic
preoperative and postoperative anatomic tibiofemoral angles were 16.4 degrees of
valgus (range 12 degrees -26 degrees ) and 5.5 degrees of valgus (range 4
degrees -7 degrees ), respectively. The mean preoperative knee society objective,
satisfaction, expectation, and functional activity scores were 71, 20, 11, and
30, respectively. The mean postoperative knee society objective, satisfaction,
expectation, and functional activity scores were 88, 34, 13, and 64,
respectively. There was 1 postoperative deep vein thrombosis and 1 temporary
peroneal nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Lateral femoral epicondylar osteotomy is a
useful technique to restore mechanical alignment in fixed valgus deformities in
TKA.
PMID- 28993080
TI - The Effect of Previous Coronary Artery Revascularization on the Adverse Cardiac
Events Ninety days After Total Joint Arthroplasty.
AB - BACKGROUND: Although coronary artery revascularization therapies are effective
for treating coronary artery disease (CAD), these patients may be more
susceptible to adverse cardiac events during later non-cardiac surgeries. The
purpose of this study is to evaluate post-operative 90-day complications of total
joint arthroplasty (TJA) in CAD patients with a history of CAD and to study the
risk factors for cardiac complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective
analysis of TJA patients between 2005 and 2015 at our institute by summarizing
the history of CAD, cardiac revascularization, and cardiac complications within
90 days after the operation. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to
identify the factors that predicted cardiac complications within 90 days after
the operation. RESULTS: A total of 4414 patients were included; of these, 64
underwent cardiac revascularization and 201 CAD patients underwent medical
therapy other than revascularization. All the revascularization had history of
myocardial infarction (MI). The rate of cardiac complications within 90 days for
the CAD with revascularization was 18.7%, 18.4% for the CAD without
revascularization, and 2.0% for the non-CAD group. A history of CAD and
revascularization, bilateral TJA, general anesthesia, body mass index >=30 kg/m2,
and history of MI were associated with a higher risk of cardiac complications.
Patients who underwent TJA within 2 years after cardiac revascularization had a
significantly higher cardiac complication rate, and the risk decreased with time.
CONCLUSION: There is an increased risk of cardiac complications within 90 days
after the operation among TJA patients with a history of CAD. Revascularization
cannot significantly reduce the risk of cardiac complications after TJA for CAD
patients. However, the risk decreased as the interval between revascularization
and TJA increased.
PMID- 28993081
TI - Letter to the Editor on "Effectiveness of Bupivacaine Liposome Injectable
Suspension for Postoperative Pain Control in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A
Prospective, Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Study".
PMID- 28993082
TI - Noncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty in Sickle-Cell Disease: Long-Term Results.
AB - BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a well-known sequela of
sickle-cell disease (SCD) requiring a surgical intervention that comes with
technical challenges. METHODS: Uncemented hip arthroplasty for avascular necrosis
of the femoral head due to SCD was carried out for 101 patients (133 hips)
between 2000 and 2012. The duration of follow-up ranged from 5 to 17 years (mean,
14.59 years). All patients received a noncemented femoral stem and a noncemented
acetabular shell. RESULTS: After surgery, all patients showed improvement in
their hip scores for pain, range of motion, and function. The 10-year
survivorship was 98%. There were 6 intraoperative fractures of the proximal femur
(4.5%), 4 superficial and 5 deep infections (6.77%), 1 aseptic shell failure
(0.75%), and 1 aseptic femoral stem failure (0.75%). Brooker grade IV heterotopic
ossification developed in 5 hips (3.76%). CONCLUSION: Hip arthroplasty in SCD is
now a safe and effective procedure when the high rate of complications associated
with this disease is given full consideration. With careful preoperative and
postoperative planning, a highly successful outcome can be achieved. Noncemented
shells and noncemented stems have shown durable long-term results.
PMID- 28993083
TI - Acetabular Revision Arthroplasty Using an Uncemented Deep Profile Jumbo
Component: A Ten to Sixteen Year Follow-Up Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of revision
total hip arthroplasty using an uncemented deep profile jumbo acetabular
component in patients who had been followed for a minimum of 10 years
postoperatively. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2001, 61 revision total hip
arthroplasties were performed in 58 patients, with use of the +5 Deep Profile
acetabular shell. The outcome with regard to retention vs re-revision of the
acetabular component was determined for every hip. At a mean of 13 years (range
10-16) postoperatively, 30 patients (32 hips) were living. The Harris hip score,
radiographic results, complications, and Kaplan-Meier survivorship were
evaluated. RESULTS: In the entire cohort of 61 hips, 4 acetabular components have
been re-revised. Two shells were re-revised for sepsis: 1 shell was re-revised
for aseptic loosening and 1 for recurrent dislocation. In the 32 hips followed
for a minimum of 10 years postoperatively, 2 cups have been re-revised: 1 for
aseptic loosening and 1 for recurrent dislocation. One additional shell was loose
by radiographic criteria. With failure defined as re-revision for any reason,
implant survival (95% confidence interval) was 92.6% (81.0-97.2) at 16 years.
With failure defined as re-revision for aseptic loosening, implant survival was
97.4% (82.8-99.6) at 16 years. CONCLUSION: Revision total hip arthroplasty with
the +5 Deep Profile acetabular component was associated with a good rate of
survival at 16 years.
PMID- 28993084
TI - Perioperative Fractures in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty Using the Direct
Anterior Minimally Invasive Approach: Reduced Risk With Short Stems.
AB - BACKGROUND: The direct minimally invasive anterior approach (DMIAA) and the use
of uncemented stems demonstrated an increase in intraoperative fractures in
recent literature. Whether the different design of the stems additionally
influences the incidence of perioperative local complications, was the goal of
this study. METHODS: From January 2008 until June 2010, all patients undergoing
primary cementless total hip arthroplasty, using a DMIAA, were consecutively
included. The choice of the implant was defined by the day of operation. Age,
gender, body mass index, type of prosthesis, and the practical experience of the
performing surgeon were retrospectively analyzed. Of main interest were
intraoperative fractures, postoperative hematoma, and wound healing. RESULTS: Six
hundred forty consecutive patients (64 years [18-94], 339 female, 53%, body mass
index 26) have been included. A Quadra-H stem (Medacta) was used in 457 patients
(71%). In 183 (29%) patients, a short stem designed for the DMIAA (130 Fitmore,
Zimmer and 53 AMIStem, Medacta) was used. We counted 34 (5.3%) intraoperative
fractures (16 at the greater trochanter, 18 proximal shaft fractures), 20 (4%)
hematomas, and 8 (2%) wound healing problems. The standard length stem showed
more local complications (11.8% vs 4.4%) (P = .014, odds ratio 1.63, confidence
interval 1.1-2.4) and significantly more (6.8% vs 1.6%) intraoperative fractures
(P = .027, odds ratio 1.98, confidence interval 1.1-3.6). CONCLUSION: The
standard length stem showed more perioperative complications, especially
periprosthetic fractures. It seems that these implants not only put more stress
to proximal osseous structures, but there might also be more traction and
irritation to the soft tissue while preparing, resulting in more hematomas and
wound healing problems.
PMID- 28993085
TI - Can Anatomic Measurements of Stem Anteversion Angle Be Considered as the
Functional Anteversion Angle?
AB - BACKGROUND: Stem anteversion angle is important in the combined anteversion
theory to avoid implant impingement after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However,
anatomic measurements of stem anteversion angle may not represent functional
anteversion of the femur if the femur undergoes axial rotation. Herein, the
femoral rotational angle (FRA) was measured in supine and standing positions
before and after THA to evaluate the difference between anatomic and functional
measurements. METHODS: A total of 191 hips (174 patients) treated with THA for
osteoarthritis were analyzed in this retrospective, case-controlled study. The
FRA was measured as the angle between the posterior condylar line and the line
through the bilateral anterior superior iliac spines (positive for external
rotation) and was measured preoperatively and postoperatively in supine and
standing positions with computed tomography segmentation and landmark
localization of the pelvis and the femur followed by intensity-based 2D-3D
registration. The number of cases in which the absolute FRA remained <15 degrees
in both positions was also calculated. RESULTS: The average +/- standard
deviation preoperative FRA was 0.3 degrees +/- 8.3 degrees in the supine
position and -4.5 degrees +/- 8.8 degrees during standing; the postoperative
FRA was -3.8 degrees +/- 9.0 degrees in supine and -14.3 degrees +/- 8.3
degrees during standing. There were 134 cases (70%) in which the preoperative
absolute FRA remained <15 degrees in both positions while only 85 hips (45%)
remained <15 degrees , postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Substantial variability was
seen in the FRA, especially during the postoperative period. These results
suggest that the anatomic stem anteversion angle may not represent the functional
anteversion of the femur.
PMID- 28993086
TI - Chronological Changes in Axial Alignment of the Ipsilateral Hip and Knee After
Total Hip Arthroplasty.
AB - BACKGROUND: Internal rotation of the hip and lateral patellar tilt increases
after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, it remains unknown whether these
parameters change with time after the index THA. METHODS: A total of 91 patients
undergoing 2-stage bilateral primary THAs between January 2008 and May 2014 were
included to assess the association of chronological changes in internal rotation
of the hip or lateral patellar tilt with anthropometric and perioperative
parameter and changes in alignment after the index THA. Chronological changes
were assessed as changes between postoperative computed tomography on the index
surgery and the preoperative computed tomography on the contralateral THA.
Internal rotation of the hip was defined as the angle between the posterior
intercondylar line and a line passing through the posterior inferior iliac
spines. Lateral patellar tilt was defined as the angle between the posterior
intercondylar line and a line joining the medial and lateral edges of the
patella. RESULTS: Internal rotation of the hip and lateral patellar tilt changed
until 2 years after the index surgery by a mean of -2 degrees (range -17.3
degrees to 17.7 degrees ) and -2 degrees (range -18.2 degrees to 5.3 degrees
), respectively. Adductor tenotomy was associated with increasing internal
rotation of the hip with time (adjusted R2 0.076); leg lengthening and larger
preoperative femorotibial angle were associated with decreasing lateral patellar
tilt with time (adjusted R2 0.159). CONCLUSION: Both internal rotation of the hip
at rest and lateral patellar tilt decreased by approximately 2 degrees until 2
years after surgery and there was a large variation in chronological change.
PMID- 28993087
TI - The Influence of Patient Gender on Morbidity Following Total Hip or Total Knee
Arthroplasty.
AB - BACKGROUND: Little research has focused on the influence of gender on
postoperative morbidity following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee
arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to compare operative time, length of stay,
30-day complications, and readmissions based on patient gender. METHODS: The
prospectively collected National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry
from 2005 to 2014 was queried to identify primary elective THA and TKA patients.
Multivariate regression was used to compare the rates of 30-day adverse events,
rates of readmission, operative time, and postoperative length of stay between
men and women. Multivariate analyses were controlled for baseline patient
characteristics and procedure type. RESULTS: A total of 173,777 patients were
included (63.5% TKA and 36.5% THA). Male gender increased the risk of multiple
adverse events, including death (relative risk [RR] 1.1, P < .001), surgical site
infection (RR 1.2, P < .001), sepsis (RR 1.4, P < .001), cardiac arrest (RR 1.8,
P < .001), and return to the operating room (RR 1.3, P < .001). Men had decreased
overall adverse events (RR 0.8, P < .001) secondary to a lower risk of urinary
tract infection (RR 0.5, P < .001) and blood transfusion (RR 0.7, P < .001),
which were prevalent adverse events. Men had an increased risk of 30-day
readmission (RR 1.2, P < .001), slightly increased operative time (+6 minutes, P
< .001), and slightly decreased length of stay (-0.2 days, P < .001). CONCLUSION:
Men had increased risk of multiple individual adverse events including death,
surgical site infection, cardiac arrest, return to the operating room, and
readmission. Conversely, women had increased risk of urinary tract infection and
blood transfusion.
PMID- 28993088
TI - Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Orthopedic Literature in Medical Journals-Is It
Negatively Biased?
AB - BACKGROUND: Healthcare policy is often determined by well-designed studies most
often published in high-impact medical journals. However, concern about the
presence of publication bias against lower-extremity arthroplasty-related studies
has called into question some of the validity of certain reports. There are only
a few studies investigating the presence of the bias in high-impact medical
journals against lower-extremity arthroplasty intervention, particularly in the
Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), New England Journal of Medicine
(NEJM), and the Lancet. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess (1) the
distribution of positive, neutral, and negative results; (2) the number of
reports focused on lower-extremity arthroplasty complications among these 3
journals; and (3) difference in bias between 2 time periods (1975 to 1990 and
2000 to 2016). METHODS: A review of the literature from 3 major medical journals
(NEJM, Lancet, and JAMA) was performed using PubMed electronic databases, which
retrieved articles between January 1976 and December 2016. Studies were
categorized as being positive, neutral, and negatively biased by 2 reviewers.
Studies were categorized as reporting on lower-extremity arthroplasty-related
complications if they were based on complications including deep vein thrombosis,
infection, metal-related complication, fat embolism, readmission, or mortality.
In addition, we have compared the journal bias between 2 different time points
(1975 to 1990 and 2000 to 2016). Descriptive analyses were performed to assess
frequencies. Chi-squared analysis was conducted for categorical variables,
whereas a z-test was performed for dichotomous data. RESULTS: When assessing all
3 journals, there were 46 positive (30.3%), 46 negative (30.3%), and 60 neutral
reports (39.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in
classification proportions between the 3 groups (P = .905). There was a higher
percentage of medical literature reporting on the complications of arthroplasty
(55.9%); however, this was not statistically significant (z-score = 1.38; 95%
confidence interval, 0.48-0.64; P = .17). There was no difference in overall
journal reporting between 1975 to 1990 and 2000 to 2016 (P = .548). CONCLUSION:
There was no evidence of publication bias of lower-extremity arthroplasty reports
in the major medical journals (JAMA, NEJM, and Lancet). However, there were more
published studies reporting on complications of lower-extremity arthroplasty.
This may be due to systematic bias among journal editors in these journals, or
due to low journal submission reporting noncomplications after arthroplasty
intervention. We did not find the time period to be a factor in bias reporting of
orthopedic literature in major medical journals. More work is needed to verify
the results of this study.
PMID- 28993089
TI - A two-cohort feasibility study on polyglycolic acid yarn implantation for
abolition of saphenous vein reflux.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety
of a polyglycolic acid (PGA) yarn implant for nonthermal ablation of saphenous
vein reflux. METHODS: In two consecutive cohort studies (TAHOE I and TAHOE II),
the feasibility of abolition of great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux by implantation
of a PGA yarn was tested under ultrasound guidance in 51 and 30 patients,
respectively. The use of tumescent local anesthesia was not required. Graduated
compression stockings and thrombosis prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight
heparin were used for 2 weeks after intervention in the first study only.
RESULTS: Of 81 enrolled patients, 77 (95%) were available at 6-month follow-up.
Complete occlusion of the treated GSV was confirmed by duplex ultrasound in all
patients except one patient at day 1. In TAHOE II, closure was preserved in a
higher percentage of patients at 6 weeks, with 96.4% vs 82.0% in TAHOE I. The 6
month Kaplan-Meier estimated occlusion rates for TAHOE I and TAHOE II were 68%
(95% confidence interval [CI], 54%-79%) and 69% (95% CI, 49%-82%), respectively,
with an estimated combined occlusion rate of 69% (95% CI, 57%-76%). Kaplan-Meier
analysis yielded a combined reflux-free rate of 85% (95% CI, 75%-91%) at 3 months
of follow-up and a rate of 81% (95% CI, 71%-88%) at 6 months of follow-up. Venous
Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) improved from a combined mean of 4.6 +/- 3.1 at
baseline to 2.1 +/- 2.2 and 1.6 +/- 1.9 at 3 and 6 months, respectively (P <
.0001 for 3- and 6-month results). In TAHOE II, four patients with venous ulcers
healed at an average of 1.3 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: First-in-human
use of an endovenous PGA yarn implant for occlusion of refluxing GSVs proved to
be feasible, with no serious adverse events. However, recanalization was observed
during a period of 6 months in 31% of patients.
PMID- 28993090
TI - Possible role of rivaroxaban in attenuating pressure-overload-induced atrial
fibrosis and fibrillation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Coagulation factor Xa (FXa) promotes thrombus formation and
exacerbates inflammation via activation of protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2.
We tested the hypothesis of whether administration of direct oral anticoagulant,
rivaroxaban, would attenuate transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced atrial
inflammatory fibrosis and vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (AF) in mice.
METHODS: Ten-week-old male CL57/B6 mice were divided into a sham-operation (CNT)
group and TAC-surgery group. These two groups were then subdivided into vehicle
(VEH) and rivaroxaban (RVX) treatment (30MUg/g/day) groups. We assessed PAR-2
expression in response to TAC-related stimulation using rat cultured cells.
RESULTS: TAC-induced left atrial thrombus formation was not observed in the TAC
RVX group. Cardiac PAR-2 upregulation was observed in both TAC groups. In the
quantitative analysis of mRNA levels, cardiac PAR-2 upregulation was attenuated
in the TAC-RVX group compared to TAC-VEH group. In histological evaluation, the
TAC-VEH group showed cardiac inhomogeneous interstitial fibrosis and abundant
infiltration of macrophages, which were attenuated by RVX administration.
Electrophysiological examination revealed that AF duration in the TAC group was
shortened by RVX administration. TAC-induced protein overexpression of monocyte
chemoattractant protein-1, and mRNA overexpression of tumor necrosis factor
alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 in the left atrium was suppressed by RVX
treatment. In cardiac fibroblasts, persistent intermittent stretch upregulated
PAR-2, which was suppressed by RVX pre-incubation. CONCLUSIONS: These
observations demonstrate that coagulation FXa inhibitor probably has a
cardioprotective effect against pressure-overload-induced atrial remodeling.
PMID- 28993091
TI - Socio-economics perspectives of healthcare in sleep apnea.
PMID- 28993092
TI - Raman spectroscopy reveals the lipid phase transition in preimplantation mouse
embryos during freezing.
AB - Although lipid phase transition is believed to be among the major damaging
factors in oocytes and preimplantation embryos cryopreservation, lack of the
appropriate experimental methods limits investigation of this phenomenon. Herein,
we demonstrate the capabilities of Raman spectroscopy to detect the lipid phase
transition within the freezing preimplantation mouse embryos. We exploit the
sensibility of antisymmetric CH2 Raman peak to the phase state of lipids. It is
shown that during the freezing of the mouse embryos the lipid phase transition
occurs at the temperatures between -7 and 0 degrees C. Similar temperature
dependences of CH2 mode intensities are found for lipids in the preimplantation
embryos and a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, implying the
similarity in the occupation rules of conformational states. Raman spectroscopy
is considered as a method of choice to study the lipid phase transition during
preimplantation mammalian embryos freezing and cryopreservation.
PMID- 28993093
TI - Hypersexual Disorder According to the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory in
Help-Seeking Swedish Men and Women With Self-Identified Hypersexual Behavior.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory (HDSI) was developed
by the American Psychiatric Association for clinical screening of hypersexual
disorder (HD). AIMS: To examine the distribution of the proposed diagnostic
entity HD according to the HDSI in a sample of men and women seeking help for
problematic hypersexuality and evaluate some psychometric properties. METHODS:
Data on sociodemographics, the HDSI, the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS), and the
Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes of Sexual Behavior were collected online from
16 women and 64 men who self-identified as hypersexual. Respondents were
recruited by advertisements offering psychological treatment for hypersexual
behavior. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The HDSI, covering the proposed criteria for HD.
RESULTS: Of the entire sample, 50% fulfilled the criteria for HD. Compared with
men, women scored higher on the HDSI, engaged more often in risky sexual
behavior, and worried more about physical injuries and pain. Men primarily used
pornography, whereas women had sexual encounters. The HD group reported a larger
number of sexual specifiers, higher scores on the SCS, more negative effects of
sexual behavior, and more concerns about consequences compared with the non-HD
group. Sociodemographics had no influence on HD. The HDSI's core diagnostic
criteria showed high internal reliability for men (alpha = 0.80) and women (alpha
= 0.81). A moderate correlation between the HDSI and the SCS was found (0.51).
The vast majority of the entire sample (76 of 80, 95%) fulfilled the criteria for
sexual compulsivity according to the SCS. CONCLUSION: The HDSI could be used as a
screening tool for HD, although further explorations of the empirical
implications regarding criteria are needed, as are refinements of cutoff scores
and specific sexual behaviors. Hypersexual problematic behavior causes distress
and impairment and, although not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, HD should be endorsed as a diagnosis
to develop evidence-based treatment and future studies on its etiology. Oberg KG,
Hallberg J, Kaldo V, et al. Hypersexual Disorder According to the Hypersexual
Disorder Screening Inventory in Help-Seeking Swedish Men and Women With Self
Identified Hypersexual Behavior. Sex Med 2017;5:e229-e236.
PMID- 28993094
TI - Characterization of diplopia in non-demented patients with Parkinson's disease.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Although diplopia is considered a frequent symptom of Parkinson's
disease (PD), little is known about its clinical manifestation, associated
mechanisms and treatment. Here we characterized binocular diplopia in non
demented PD patients in an interdisciplinary setting. METHODS: PD patients were
prospectively screened for diplopia, visual hallucinations, problems with spatial
perception, contrast sensitivity, presence of blurred vision, and history of
ophthalmological comorbidities via interview. Two groups of PD patients, one with
and one without diplopia, underwent clinical and ophthalmological assessment to
characterize diplopia in these patients. Clinical features were investigated
using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Non-Motor Symptoms
Scale. RESULTS: The frequency of binocular diplopia was 29.6% (n = 37) in our
cohort of 125 Parkinson's disease patients. Related mechanisms were heterogeneous
including convergence insufficiency, strabismus, and motor fluctuations, as well
as symptoms related to visual hallucinations. Diplopia was associated with other
visual disturbances like visual hallucinations, blurred vision and problems with
spatial perception. Beyond that, diplopia was found to be a predictive factor
(3.2, odds ratio) for the occurrence of visual hallucinations in PD. CONCLUSION:
Binocular diplopia represents a frequent and relevant symptom in PD patients.
Different subtypes should be considered due to different associated mechanisms
including ophthalmic pathology and motor fluctuation, as well as intermediate to
higher level visual processes. Diplopia seems to be part of a continuous spectrum
of positive visual symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
PMID- 28993095
TI - Comparison of the brainstem auditory evoked responses during sevoflurane or
alfaxalone anaesthesia in adult cats.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of general anaesthesia using sevoflurane or
alfaxalone on the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test in adult healthy
cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, clinical, 'blinded', crossover study. ANIMALS:
Ten feral adult healthy cats. METHODS: Premedication consisted of dexmedetomidine
(0.01 mg kg-1) intramuscularly (IM). The first general anaesthesia was induced
and maintained with sevoflurane (treatment S) for physical examination, BAER
test, complete blood tests, thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound. The
second general anaesthesia was induced with alfaxalone (treatment A) IM (2 mg kg
1) and maintained with alfaxalone (10 mg kg-1 hour-1) for the BAER test, followed
by neutering surgery. The BAER recordings were compared for differences in
latencies, amplitudes and waveform morphology. Data were analysed using Student's
t test and Wilcoxon rank test for paired samples for parametric and non
parametric data, respectively. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: General anaesthesia was uneventful; normal BAER comprising five peaks
could be identified in both treatments. Mean +/- SD latencies were 1.05 +/- 0.09,
1.83 +/- 0.11, 2.52 +/- 0.19, 3.43 +/- 0.17 and 4.39 +/- 0.15 ms and 1.03 +/-
0.04, 1.81 +/- 0.73, 2.53 +/- 0.15, 3.37 +/- 0.13 and 4.33 +/- 0.13 ms in
treatments S and A, respectively. Median (interquartile range) amplitudes were
2.83 (0.67), 1.27 (0.41), 0.30 (0.40), 1.05 (0.82), 0.61 (0.38) microvolts and
2.84 (1.21), 1.49 (1.18), 0.26 (0.32), 0.91 (0.50) and 0.92 (0.64) microvolts in
treatments S and A, respectively. There were no statistically significant
differences in mean latencies or median amplitudes between both the anaesthetics.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates that there were no
statistically significant differences between both the anaesthetics on the BAER
test in adult healthy cats. Moreover, two possible anaesthetic protocols are
described for cats undergoing this electrodiagnostic test.
PMID- 28993097
TI - Prognostic value of early warning scores in the emergency department (ED) and
acute medical unit (AMU): A narrative review.
AB - BACKGROUND: A wide array of early warning scores (EWS) have been developed and
are used in different settings to detect which patients are at risk of
deterioration. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of studies
conducted on the value of EWS on predicting intensive care (ICU) admission and
mortality in the emergency department (ED) and acute medical unit (AMU). METHODS:
A literature search was conducted in the bibliographic databases PubMed and
EMBASE, from inception to April 2017. Two reviewers independently screened all
potentially relevant titles and abstracts for eligibility. RESULTS: 42 studies
were included. 36 studies reported on mortality as an endpoint, 13 reported ICU
admission and 9 reported the composite outcome of mortality and ICU admission.
For mortality prediction National Early Warning Score (NEWS) was the most
accurate score in the general ED population and in those with respiratory
distress, Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis score (MEDS) had the best
accuracy in patients with an infection or sepsis. ICU admission was best
predicted with NEWS, however in patients with an infection or sepsis Modified
Early Warning Score (MEWS) yielded better results for this outcome. CONCLUSION:
MEWS and NEWS generally had favourable results in the ED and AMU for all
endpoints. Many studies have been performed on ED and AMU populations using
heterogeneous prognostic scores. However, future studies should concentrate on a
simple and easy to use prognostic score such as NEWS with the aim of introducing
this throughout the (pre-hospital and hospital) acute care chain.
PMID- 28993096
TI - Altered expression of MALAT1 lncRNA in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis fibrosis
regulates CXCL5 in hepatic stellate cells.
AB - In the present study, we sought to identify long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)
expression profiles in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients with
histologic evidence of lobular inflammation and advanced fibrosis. We profiled
lncRNA expression using RNA-sequencing of wedge liver biopsies from 24
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with normal liver histology, 53
NAFLD patients with lobular inflammation, and 65 NAFLD patients with advanced
fibrosis. Transcript profiling identified 4432 and 4057 differentially expressed
lncRNAs in comparisons of normal tissue with lobular inflammation and fibrosis
samples, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis revealed lncRNA
participation in transforming growth factor beta 1 and tumor necrosis factor
signaling, insulin resistance, and extracellular matrix maintenance. Several
lncRNAs were highly expressed in fibrosis relative to normal tissue, including
nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1, hepatocellular carcinoma upregulated
lncRNA, and metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1). Two
potential target mRNAs, syndecan 4 (SDC4), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5
(CXCL5) were identified for hepatocellular carcinoma upregulated lncRNA and
MALAT1, respectively, but only CXCL5 showed differential expression among the
different histologic classes. Knockdown of MALAT1 expression reduced CXCL5
transcript and protein levels by 50% and 30%, respectively, in HepG2 cells. The
expression of MALAT1 and CXCL5 was upregulated in activated hepatic stellate (LX
2) cells compared to cells in the quiescent state, and MALAT1 expression was
regulated by hyperglycemia and insulin in HepG2 cells, but only by insulin in LX
2 cells. Dysregulated lncRNA expression is associated with inflammation and
fibrosis in NASH. Functionally relevant differences in MALAT1 expression may
contribute to the development of fibrosis in NASH through mechanisms involving
inflammatory chemokines.
PMID- 28993098
TI - Acute Oncology Care: A narrative review of the acute management of neutropenic
sepsis and immune-related toxicities of checkpoint inhibitors.
AB - Cancer care has become increasingly specialized and advances in therapy have
resulted in a larger number of patients receiving care. There has been a
significant increase in the number of patients presenting with cancer related
emergencies including treatment toxicities and those directly related to the
malignancy. Suspected neutropenic sepsis is an acute medical emergency and
empirical antibiotic therapy should be administered immediately. The goal of
empirical therapy is to cover the most likely pathogens that will cause life
threatening infections in neutropenic patients. Patients with febrile neutropenia
are a heterogeneous group with only a minority of treated patients developing
significant medical complications. Outpatient management of low risk febrile
neutropenia patients identified by the MASCC score is a safe and effective
strategy. Immunotherapy with "checkpoint inhibitors" has significantly improved
outcomes for patients with metastatic melanoma and evidence of benefit in a wide
range of malignancies is developing. Despite these clinical benefits a number of
immune related adverse events have been recognised which can affect virtually all
organ systems and are potentially fatal. The timing of the onset of the adverse
events is dependent on the organ system affected and unlike anti-neoplastic
therapy can be delayed significantly after initiation or completion of therapy.
The field of Acute Oncology is changing rapidly. Alongside, the traditional
challenge of neutropenic sepsis there are many emerging toxicities. Further
research into the optimal management, strategies and pathways of acutely unwell
patients with cancer is required.
PMID- 28993099
TI - Recognising older frail patients near the end of life: What next?
AB - Frailty is a state of vulnerability resulting from cumulative decline in many
physiological systems during a lifetime. It is progressive and considered largely
irreversible, but its progression may be controlled and can be slowed down and
its precursor -pre-frailty- can be treated with multidisciplinary intervention.
The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the different ways
of measuring frailty in community settings, hospital, emergency, general practice
and residential aged care; suggest occupational groups who can assess frailty in
various services; discuss the feasibility of comprehensive geriatric assessments;
and summarise current evidence of its management guidelines. We also suggest
practical recommendations to recognise frail patients near the end of life, so
discussions on goals of care, advance care directives, and shared decision-making
including early referrals to palliative and supportive care can take place before
an emergency arises. We acknowledge the barriers to systematically assess frailty
and the absence of consensus on best instruments for different settings.
Nevertheless, given its potential consequences including prolonged suffering,
disability and death, we recommend identification of frailty levels should be
universally attempted in older people at any health service, to facilitate care
coordination, and honest discussions on preferences for advance care with
patients and their caregivers.
PMID- 28993100
TI - Introduction: Towards a global history of paleontology: The paleontological
reception of Darwin's thought.
PMID- 28993101
TI - Representations and motivations of blood donation in adolescence through a mixed
method approach.
AB - BACKGROUND: Scientific literature on blood donation is prevalently concentrated
on adults, leaving out adolescents almost completely. While the latter represents
"ideal" candidates, they constitute, however, the segment of the population least
present among blood donors. OBJECTIVES: The present work, composed of two
studies, proposes looking into the representations that the adolescents have of
blood donation and give voice to the motivations that could persuade them to
becoming donors once they reach the legal age for donation. Study I aims to
investigate adolescents' representations about the world of blood donation. Study
II aims to investigate a) the underlying motivations for blood donations and b)
the relationship between motivations and propensity to donate. MATERIALS/METHODS:
This paper is based on a mixed methods research design. In Study I, five focus
groups were conducted comprising a total of 25 adolescents; for Study II, a self
report questionnaire was administered to 285 adolescents. RESULTS: Study I
reveals a lack of information for everything regarding donation, something that
produces fear, false beliefs, and an idealized image of the donor. Study II shows
that for males, social motivations are fundamental while ego-protective
motivations are deterrents, and that females are most impacted by understanding.
CONCLUSION: The study shows how the adolescent population cannot be recruited in
the same way as adults, and presents valuable points for those who finalize
advertising campaigns for donor recruitment recruitment.
PMID- 28993102
TI - Examining the role of sex in self-injurious thoughts and behaviors.
AB - Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs), including nonsuicidal self-injury,
suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide death exhibit substantial sex
differences. Across most countries, men die by suicide more frequently than
women; yet, women think about and attempt suicide more frequently than men.
Research on sex differences in nonsuicidal self-injury is less developed;
however, nonsuicidal self-injury is historically understood as a primarily female
phenomenon. This review describes current research on sex differences across
SITBs with a focus on factors that moderate these effects, such as age, race,
geographic region, and time. Additionally, this review describes factors that may
help to explain why sex differences across SITBs exist, including differences in
culture, access to lethal suicide methods, rates of mental illness, and
utilization of health care. The role of gender, and particularly non-binary
gender, is also discussed. Current understanding of these sex differences is
described with an eye toward future research on this topic.
PMID- 28993103
TI - The long-term effects of bibliotherapy in depression treatment: Systematic review
of randomized clinical trials.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Literature shows bibliotherapy can be helpful for moderate depression
treatment. The aim of this systematic review is to verify the long-term effects
of bibliotherapy. METHODS: After bibliographic research, we included RCTs
articles about bibliotherapy programme treatment of depression published in
English language between 1990 and July 2017. All RCTs were assessed with
Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool. RESULTS: Ten articles (reporting 8 studies
involving 1347 subjects) out of 306 retrieved results were included. All studies
analyze the effects of bibliotherapy after follow-up periods ranging from 3months
to 3years and show quiet good quality in methods and analyses. The treatment was
compared to standard treatments or no intervention in all studies. After long
term period follow-ups, six studies, including adults, reported a decrease of
depressive symptoms, while four studies including young people did not show
significant results. CONCLUSION: Bibliotherapy appears to be effective in the
reduction of adults depressive symptoms in the long-term period, providing an
affordable prompt treatment that could reduce further medications. The results of
the present review suggest that bibliotherapy could play an important role in the
treatment of a serious mental health issue. Further studies should be conducted
to strengthen the evidence of bibliotherapy's efficacy.
PMID- 28993104
TI - Understanding patient adherence to inhaled medication: The social representations
of COPD.
PMID- 28993105
TI - Dual trigger of final oocyte maturation in poor ovarian responders undergoing
IVF/ICSI cycles.
AB - Previous studies show that a dual trigger ovulation regimen significantly
improves number and maturity of retrieved oocytes for normal ovarian responders
or patients with history of low oocyte yield. The current retrospective cohort
study investigated whether dual trigger of final oocyte maturation may benefit
IVF outcomes for poor ovarian responders fulfilling the Bologna criteria.
Undertaken between May 2014 and August 2016, the study involved 1350 patients
undergoing 1389 IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles. Patients
triggered with 5000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) alone (328 cycles)
were compared with those undergoing dual triggering with 5000 IU HCG plus 0.1 mg
gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) (386 cycles) and patients
triggered with 10,000 IU HCG (363 cycles) were compared with those undergoing
dual triggering with 10,000 IU HCG plus 0.1 mg GnRHa (312 cycles). The dual
trigger groups showed significantly higher number of oocytes collected and number
of mature oocytes compared with their respective HCG trigger group (P < 0.001).
Oocyte retrieval rate and percentage of mature oocytes retrieved were also both
significantly higher in the dual trigger groups (P < 0.001). Fertilization rate,
number of viable embryos, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and
miscarriage rate were not significantly different between groups.
PMID- 28993107
TI - Diagnostic flaws in oral lichen planus and related lesions.
PMID- 28993106
TI - The antitubercular activity of various nitro(triazole/imidazole)-based compounds.
AB - Twenty three 3-nitrotriazole- and five nitroimidazole-based compounds, mostly
amides, were screened for antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium
tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb H37Rv) under aerobic or low oxygen conditions,
intracellular activity in murine J774 macrophages or THP-1 cells, activity
against resistant Mtb strains as well as cytotoxicity in normal cells. Compounds
with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) less than 10MUM and 10-50MUM were
characterized as active and moderately active, respectively, whereas compounds
with a MIC >50MUM were characterized inactive. Fifteen 3-nitrotriazole-based
compounds were active or moderately active against aerobic Mtb and thirteen of
them were bactericidal, however, only four 3-nitrotriazoles were moderately
active against anaerobic Mtb. All examined 2-nitroimidazole-based compounds were
inactive against aerobic Mtb, and from the ones examined against anaerobic Mtb,
only one was found moderately active. All examined compounds demonstrated
intracellular activity and lack of cross-resistance. The five active 3
nitrotriazoles demonstrated good selectivity for Mtb. In conclusion, these
classes of 3-nitrotriazole-based compounds merit further investigation as
potential antitubercular agents.
PMID- 28993109
TI - Utilization of Computer-Aided Detection for Digital Screening Mammography in the
United States, 2008 to 2016.
AB - PURPOSE: Computer-aided detection (CAD) for screening mammography is a software
technology designed to improve radiologists' reading performance. Since 2007,
multiple Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium research papers have shown that
CAD decreases performance by increasing recalls and decreasing the detection of
invasive cancer while increasing the detection of ductal carcinoma in situ. The
aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that CAD use by digital mammography
facilities would decrease over time. METHODS: In August 2007, August 2011, and
March 2016, the FDA database of certified mammography facilities was accessed,
and a random sample of 400 of approximately 8,500 total facilities was generated.
In 2008 and 2011, a telephone survey was conducted of the facilities regarding
digital mammography and CAD use. In 2016, facility websites were reviewed before
calling the facilities. Bonferroni-corrected P values were used to assess
statistical differences in the proportion of CAD at digital facilities for the
three surveys. RESULTS: The mean proportion of digital facilities using CAD was
91.4%, including 91.4% (128 of 140) in 2008, 90.2% (238 of 264) in 2011, and
92.3% (358 of 388) in 2016. The difference for 2008 versus 2011 was 1.3% (95%
confidence interval [CI], -0.5% to 7.7%), for 2011 versus 2016 was -2.1% (95% CI,
-6.9% to 2.7%), and for 2008 versus 2016 was -0.8% (95% CI, -6.7% to 5.0%).
CONCLUSIONS: In three national surveys, it was found that CAD use at US digital
screening mammography facilities was stable from 2008 to 2016. This persistent
utilization is relevant to the debate on the value of targeting ductal carcinoma
in situ in screening.
PMID- 28993108
TI - Evaluation of interfractional variation of organs and displacement of catheters
during high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for gynecologic malignancies.
AB - PURPOSE: To investigate the dosimetric effects due to interfractional changes in
catheter position and variation in patient's anatomy during the course of
interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total
of 15 patients with either cervical or vaginal cancer underwent interstitial HDR
brachytherapy. Interstitial catheters and fiducials were placed under fluoroscopy
and intraoperative 3T MRI to confirm the desired catheter placement for adequate
target volume coverage. Single plan was generated from first-fraction CT fused
with the MRI and used for all fractions of treatment. CT image was acquired
before each treatment and registered to the first-fraction CT. Displacement of
fiducials and catheters was calculated for each fraction and its effects on
dosimetric parameters such as dose covering 90% for high-risk clinical target
volume and intermediate-risk clinical target volume and dose to the 2 cm3 of the
volume for bladder, rectum, sigmoid, and bowel were studied. RESULTS: Average
movements of fiducials and catheters were 1.6 mm (range: 0.1-7.1 mm) and 1.7 mm
(range: 0.1-4.5 mm), respectively. Overall, deviation of the delivered dose to
the target in each fraction was insignificant for all patients (p-value: 0.66 for
high-risk clinical target volume and 0.87 for intermediate-risk clinical target
volume). The mean dose to organs at risk showed maximum difference up to 0.9,
2.7, 1.6, and 2.1 Gy for bladder, rectum, sigmoid, and bowel, respectively (p
value: 0.88, 0.34, 0.68, and 0.85 for bladder, rectum, sigmoid, and bowel,
respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The interfractional dosimetric variation for both
target and organs at risk was within clinically acceptable limit throughout the
entire course of interstitial HDR-Syed brachytherapy. Only 6% of cases performed
replanning, which could be readily identified using CT imaging.
PMID- 28993110
TI - Chlorhexidine gluconate bathing practices and skin concentrations in intensive
care unit patients.
AB - In this 2-phase real-world evaluation of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) skin
concentrations in intensive care unit patients, we found lower skin CHG
concentrations when rinsing with water after CHG solution bath (compared with no
rinse), but no significant difference in concentrations between the use of CHG
solution without rinse and preimpregnated CHG wipes. CHG concentration audits
could be useful in assessing the quality of bathing practice, and CHG solution
without rinsing may be an alternative to preimpregnated CHG wipes.
PMID- 28993111
TI - The annular ligament-revisited.
AB - BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the annular ligament have presented confusing
information about its anatomy and nomenclature. Cadaver elbow dissections were
used to clarify the anatomy and terminology of the annular ligament. METHODS:
Nineteen elbows were dissected (7 fresh frozen and 12 embalmed). Target
structures were identified, photographed, and measured by independent observers.
RESULTS: There are 3 layers to the lateral elbow ligaments: the superficial
lateral ulnar collateral and radial collateral ligament; a deeper layer of the
superior oblique band (SOB) and inferior oblique band (IOB) of the annular
ligament; and the deepest capsular layer. The annular ligament measured 9.5 +/-
1.4 mm anteriorly. The SOB (15/19) was 3.9 +/- 1.0 mm wide by 10.5 +/- 3.8 mm
long. The IOB (13/19) was 3.6 +/- 1.1 mm wide by 11.4 +/- 4.2 mm long. The IOB
inserts onto the anterior proximal ulna rather than the supinator crest. The
anterior oblique band (8/19) was 3.8 +/- 1.7 mm wide. CONCLUSION: The SOB and IOB
were present in the majority of specimens. The previously described accessory
lateral collateral ligament is a localized thickening on the lateral ligament
complex arising from the supinator insertion independent of the IOB that attaches
to the annular ligament inferiorly and distally and attaches onto the proximal
anterior ulna at the bicipital fossa floor, medial to the supinator crest.
PMID- 28993112
TI - Hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of chronic pain: An intervention study
in a university hospital.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hospitalization as a result of acute exacerbation of complex
chronic pain is a largely hidden problem, as patients are often admitted to
hospital under a variety of specialities, and there is frequently no overarching
inpatient chronic pain service dedicated to their management. Our institution had
established an inpatient acute pain service overseen by pain physicians and
staffed by specialist nurses that was intended to focus on the management of
perioperative pain. We soon observed an increasing number of nurse-to-nurse
referrals of non-surgical inpatients admitted with chronic pain. Some of these
patients had seemingly intractable and highly complex pain problems, and
consequently we initiated twice-weekly attending physician-led inpatient pain
rounds to coordinate their management. From these referrals, we identified a
cohort of 20 patients who were frequently hospitalized for long periods with
exacerbations of chronic pain. We sought to establish whether the introduction of
the physician-led inpatient pain ward round reduced the number and duration of
hospitalizations, and costs of treatment. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective,
observational, intervention cohort study. We recorded acute Emergency Department
(ED) attendances, hospital admissions, and duration and costs of hospitalization
of the cohort of 20 patients in the year before and year after introduction of
the inpatient pain service. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 38.2 years (+/
standard deviation 13.8 years, range 18-68 years); 13 were women (65.0%). The
mode number of ED attendances was 4 (range 2-15) pre-intervention, and 3 (range 0
9) afterwards (p=0.116). The mode bed occupancy was 32 days (range 9-170 days)
pre-intervention and 19 days (range 0-115 days) afterwards (p=0.215). The total
cost of treating the cohort over the 2-year study period was L733,010 (US$1.12m),
comprising L429,479 (US$656,291) of bed costs and L303,531 (US$463,828) of
investigation costs. The intervention did not achieve significant improvements in
the total costs, bed costs or investigation costs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite our
attending physician-led intervention, the frequency, duration and very
substantial costs of hospitalization of the cohort were not significantly
reduced, suggesting that other strategies need to be identified to help these
complex and vulnerable patients. IMPLICATIONS: Frequent hospitalization with
acute exacerbation of chronic pain is a largely hidden problem that has very
substantial implications for patients, their carers and healthcare providers.
Chronic pain services tend to focus on outpatient management. Breaking the cycle
of frequent and recurrent hospitalization using multidisciplinary chronic pain
management techniques has the potential to improve patients' quality of life and
reduce hospital costs. Nonetheless, the complexity of these patients' chronic
pain problems should not be underestimated and in some cases are very challenging
to treat.
PMID- 28993114
TI - Reflections on research competence in Family and Community Nursing.
PMID- 28993113
TI - The cognitive impact of chronic low back pain: Positive effect of
multidisciplinary pain therapy.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the affected cognitive problems in chronic low
back pain patients. For this patient cohort research mostly focused on memory of
pain, rather than cognitive difficulties related to pain. Chronic pain may be
associated with specific (yet undefined) cognitive deficits that affect everyday
behaviour. We set out to compare the cognitive function of patients with chronic
low back pain (cLBP) in the course of multidisciplinary pain treatments before
and after therapy. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with cLBP and 25 healthy
controls between 20 and 70 years were recruited into the study. The inclusion
criteria for patients were: (1) a history of at least 12 weeks of chronic
myofascial low back pain without radicular pain sensation before enrolment; (2)
grade II and higher chronicity according to von Korff; (3) no opioid medication.
The patients recruited had a mean pain duration of 7.13+/-7.16 years and reported
a mean pain intensity of 6.62+/-2.04 (visual analogue score, VAS). Their mean
back function according to the Funktionsfragebogen Hannover (FFbH, a
questionnaire comparable with the Health Assessment Questionnaire) was 52.39+/
20.23%. At three time points (before therapy, 3 weeks and 6 months after therapy)
the study subjects were assessed prospectively with a battery of visual memory
tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).
These included choice reaction time (CRT), pattern recognition memory (PRM) and
spatial span (SSP). In parallel, the Trail-Making Test (TMT-A, TMT-B) and the
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) were used to evaluate intelligence
and cognitive flexibility. RESULTS: At the beginning of MDPT (T1), it took
patients with cLBP significantly longer than HC to complete TMT-A (38.29+/-19.99s
vs 30.25+/-14.19s, p=0.047) and TMT-B (72.10+/-26.98s vs 55.99+/-22.14s,
p=0.034). There were no significant differences between patients and HC in CRT,
PRM and SSP. Three weeks (T2) and 6 months (T3) after MDPT, TMT-A reaction time
of patients significantly improved by 6.5s and 8.1ms (38.3 +/-19.9s vs 31.8+/
12.3s, p=0.02 and 31.8+/-12.3s vs 30.2+/-8.9s, p=0.021, respectively). The
patients' working memory was also better 6 months after MDPT (48.8+/-11.1% at T1,
51.2+/-11.9% at T2, 57.1+/-10.9% at T3, p=0.008). Significant correlations among
pain, depression/anxiety, medication and neuropsychological tests were found.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that patients with cLBP have slowed speeds of
information processing and working memory, but no alteration in attention and
recognition memory. There are clearly interactions of cognitive function with
pain, depression, anxiety, and medication. MDPT may improve the impaired
cognitive function of patients with cLBP. IMPLICATION: Health professionals
should contemplate the results from this study when planning therapy strategies
especially when prescribing pain medications such opioids to patients with
chronic low back pain.
PMID- 28993115
TI - Recurrent exposure to ferric oxide nanoparticles alters myocardial oxidative
stress, apoptosis and necrotic markers in male mice.
AB - The cardiotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) in mice was
investigated. The mice were intraperitoneally administered with Fe2O3-NPs at the
dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg bw for 30 days at seven days interval. In vivo MRI
analysis reveals the Fe2O3-NPs accumulation in the cardiac system. Also, serum
iron estimation and Prussian blue staining confirms the iron deposition in
circulatory system. Cardiac dysfunction was assessed by ECG analysis and further
validated by evaluating the functional markers such as cardiac Troponin-1 (cTnI)
expression, AChE activity and levels of LDH and CK-MB in cardiac tissue. Fe2O3
NPs exposure disturbs the balance between the oxidants and antioxidants resulting
in oxidative myocardial damages. In consequence, damaged mitochondria, diminished
ATP level and NOX4 over expression were observed in the intoxicated groups
indicating the role of Fe2O3-NPs in oxidative stress. A dose dependant increase
in oxidative stress mediates apoptosis through upregulation of Bax, cytochrome c
and cleaved caspase 3 in the 25 mg/kg treated group. Sustained oxidative stress
suggest the occurrence of necrosis in addition to apoptosis in 50 mg/kg treated
group evidenced by altered expression pattern of cleaved PARP, cytochrome c, Bax
and cleaved caspase 3. In addition, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining
confirms cardiac necrosis in 50 mg/kg Fe2O3-NPs treated group.
PMID- 28993116
TI - Right Ventricular Epicardial Vascularisation in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial
Hypertension.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to a haemodynamic
overload and ischaemia of the right ventricle (RV), which are important triggers
of an arterial growth. Thus, we aimed to assess whether patients with PAH have
altered epicardial vasculature of the RV, and how it corresponds to RV
haemodynamic stress. METHODS: We enrolled consecutive patients with PAH diagnosed
in a single pulmonary hypertension centre, who underwent coronary angiography.
The control group consisted of patients with normal coronary arteries. Artery
branches from segments I-III of the right coronary artery (RCAB) and branches of
the left coronary artery (LCAB) were assessed. The sum of the diameters of RCABs
(RCAB_sum) was used as a marker of RV epicardial vascularisation. Linear
regression models were used to investigate associations between the RCAB_sum and
markers of RV dysfunction. RESULTS: We recruited 37 PAH patients (idiopathic,
n=25; associated with connective tissue disease, n=12) and 37 control subjects of
similar age (56+/-18 vs. 56+/-13 years, p=0.99) and sex (73% vs. 73% of women,
p=0.99). Pulmonary arterial hypertension patients as compared with control
subjects had more RCABs (7 [6-8] vs. 6 [5-7], p<0.001) and increased RCAB_sum
(9.4 [8.2-10.5] vs. 7.3 [6.6-7.40] mm; p<0.001) although comparable LCAB count (4
[4-5] vs. 4 [4-5]; p=0.50). In a stepwise multivariable linear regression model,
RA area (beta=0.152 [0.062-0.242]; p=0.002) and diastolic wall stress (beta=0.025
[0.005-0.045]; p=0.02) were significant predictors of RCAB_sum (model R2=0.65;
p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricular epicardial vasculature is more
extensive in PAH patients as compared with control subjects, and it is in linear
relation to potential markers of RV diastolic dysfunction.
PMID- 28993117
TI - Getting to the Heart of the Matter: What is the Landscape of Exercise
Rehabilitation for People With Heart Failure in Australia?
AB - BACKGROUND: The benefits of exercise rehabilitation for people with heart failure
(HF) are well established. In Australia, little is known about how the guidelines
around exercise rehabilitation for people with HF are being implemented in
clinical practice. Furthermore, it is unknown what organisational barriers are
faced in providing exercise rehabilitation programs for this population. The aim
of this study is to provide an updated review of exercise rehabilitation services
for people with HF in Australia and to identify perceived organisational barriers
to providing these services. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of cardiac
rehabilitation centres in Australia, investigating the number and characteristics
of services providing exercise rehabilitation for people with HF. RESULTS: A
total of 334 of 457 identified services responded to the survey. Of these, 251
reported providing a supervised group-based exercise rehabilitation program for
people with HF. These services were mapped, showing their distribution across
Australia. Services which were unable to provide group-based exercise training
for HF patients reported organisational barriers including insufficient funding
(60%), staffing (56%) and clinical resources (53%). Of the 78 services that
reported patients in their local area were unable to access appropriate exercise
guidance, 81% were located in regional or remote areas. We found that reported
exercise practices align with current best-practice guidelines with 99% of group
based exercise programs reportedly including endurance training and 89% including
resistance training. CONCLUSIONS: In Australia, exercise practices for people
with HF align with current best-practice guidelines for this condition. Limited
resources, funding and geographic isolation are reported as the major
organisational barriers to providing these programs. Future endeavours should
include the development of alternative and flexible delivery models such as
telerehabilitation and other home-based therapies to improve access for these
individuals to such services.
PMID- 28993118
TI - Th17/Treg Ratio in Serum Predicts Onset of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to identify whether the balance between T
helper 17 (Th17) cells and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells could
predict the postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass
graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: We enrolled 88 patients from Xinhua Hospital who
received off-pump CABG (OPCABG) surgery. The baseline characteristics of patients
were recorded. The preoperative variables C-reactive protein (CRP) level, left
atrial (LA) volume, EuroSCORE I score, CHADS2 score, and CHA2DS2-VASc score were
calculated at enrolment. Circulating Th17 and Treg cell frequencies were
determined by flow cytometry, and expressions of Th17- and Treg-related cytokines
were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared to
patients without POAF, the CRP level and peripheral circulating Th17 cell were
significantly increased in POAF patients. Th17/Treg ratio was positively
correlated with CRP level, LA volume, CHADS2 score, and CHA2DS2-VASc score. The
areas under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUC) curves of Th17/Treg ratio
for predicting POAF occurrence was higher than that of CRP level, LA volume,
CHADS2 score and CHA2DS2-VASc score. Th17/Treg ratio combined with CRP level has
the highest AUC and a greater balance between sensitivity and specificity for
predicting POAF. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that a Th17/Treg imbalance due to
a Th17 shift, representing a pro-inflammatory tendency, participates in the
development of POAF. Combining the Th17/Treg ratio with CRP level may provide a
more accurate, sensitive, and specific indicator for prediction of POAF.
PMID- 28993119
TI - Plant Phospholipid Diversity: Emerging Functions in Metabolism and Protein-Lipid
Interactions.
AB - Phospholipids are essential components of biological membranes and signal
transduction cascades in plants. In recent years, plant phospholipid research was
greatly advanced by the characterization of numerous mutants affected in
phospholipid biosynthesis and the discovery of a number of functionally important
phospholipid-binding proteins. It is now accepted that most phospholipids to some
extent have regulatory functions, including those that serve as constituents of
biological membranes. Phospholipids are more than an inert end product of lipid
biosynthesis. This review article summarizes recent advances on phospholipid
biosynthesis with a particular focus on polar head group synthesis, followed by a
short overview on protein-phospholipid interactions as an emerging regulatory
mechanism of phospholipid function in arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).
PMID- 28993120
TI - Coronary lumen volume to myocardial mass ratio in primary microvascular angina.
AB - BACKGROUND: Microvascular angina (MVA) is an incompletely understood clinical
entity. Computational analysis of coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)
has shown an association between low coronary lumen volume to myocardial mass
(V/M) ratio and lower Fractional Flow Reserve values, independent of plaque
measures. We hypothesized that low V/M ratio may be present in patients with MVA.
METHODS: A retrospective case-control analysis was performed using patients
fulfilling guideline criteria for MVA with controls matched for age, gender,
coronary risk factors and atherosclerotic plaque burden. V/M was extracted off
site (Heartflow Inc; Redwood City, CA) employing allometric scaling laws that
allow the definition of the coronary circulation beyond the epicardium. FFRCT
values were calculated in the major epicardial coronary arteries for each group.
RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with MVA and 32 matched controls were included in
the study. Mean total coronary lumen volume (2302 mm3 +/- 109 vs 2978 mm3 +/-
134, p < 0.001) and mean myocardial mass (90.4 g +/- 13.7 vs 100.4 g +/- 20.1, p
= 0.029) were lower in MVA patients compared to controls. Mean V/M ratio was
significantly lower in MVA compared to controls (25.6 mm3/g +/- 5.9 vs 30.0 mm3/g
+/- 6.5, p = 0.007; c-statistic 0.69). V/M ratio did not differ significantly
between subclasses of angina severity (p = 0.747). No difference in mean nadir
FFRCT values was found between MVA and control groups in the LAD (0.86 +/- 0.07
vs 0.83 +/- 0.07, p = 0.154), LCX (0.90 +/- 0.05 vs 0.90 +/- 0.06, p = 0.240) and
RCA (0.90 +/- 0.04 vs 0.90 +/- 0.03, p = 0.773) vessels. CONCLUSION: Patients
with microvascular angina demonstrate a significantly lower coronary CTA-derived
coronary volume/myocardial mass ratio than asymptomatic controls.
PMID- 28993121
TI - Evaluating Surgical Residents' Patient-Centered Communication Skills: Practical
Alternatives to the "Apprenticeship Model".
AB - OBJECTIVES: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
requires residency programs to assess communication skills and provide feedback
to residents. We aimed to develop a feasible data collection process that
generates objective clinical performance information to guide training
activities, inform ACGME milestone evaluations, and validate assessment
instruments. DESIGN: Residents care for patients in the surgical clinic and in
the hospital, and participate in a communication curriculum providing practice
with standardized patients (SPs). We measured perception of resident
communication using the 14-item Communication Assessment Tool (CAT), collecting
data from patients at the surgery clinic and surgical wards in the hospital, and
from SP encounters during simulated training scenarios. We developed a handout of
CAT example behaviors to guide patients completing the communication assessment.
SETTING: Independent academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: General surgery
residents. RESULTS: The primary outcome is the percentage of total items patients
rated "excellent;" we collected data on 24 of 25 residents. Outpatient
evaluations resulted in significantly higher scores (mean 84.5% vs. 68.6%, p <
0.001), and female patients provided nearly statistically significantly higher
ratings (mean 85.2% vs. 76.7%, p = 0.084). In multivariate analysis, after
controlling for patient gender, visit reason, and race, (1) residents' CAT scores
from SPs in simulation were independently associated with communication
assessments in their concurrent patient population (p = 0.017), and (2) receiving
CAT example instructions was associated with a lower percentage of excellent
ratings by 9.3% (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Our data collection process provides a
model for obtaining meaningful information about resident communication
proficiency. CAT evaluations of surgical residents by the inpatient population
had not previously been described in the literature; our results provide
important insight into relationships between the evaluations provided by
inpatients, clinic patients, and SPs in simulation. Our example behaviors guide
shows promise for addressing a common concern, minimizing ceiling effects when
measuring physician-patient communication.
PMID- 28993122
TI - Characterization of novel monoclonal antibodies against the MERS-coronavirus
spike protein and their application in species-independent antibody detection by
competitive ELISA.
AB - Since discovering the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) as
a causative agent of severe respiratory illness in the Middle East in 2012,
serological testing has been conducted to assess antibody responses in patients
and to investigate the zoonotic reservoir of the virus. Although the virus
neutralization test is the gold standard assay for MERS diagnosis and for
investigating the zoonotic reservoir, it uses live virus and so must be performed
in high containment laboratories. Competitive ELISA (cELISA), in which a labeled
monoclonal antibody (MAb) competes with test serum antibodies for target
epitopes, may be a suitable alternative because it detects antibodies in a
species-independent manner. In this study, novel MAbs against the spike protein
of MERS-CoV were produced and characterized. One of these MAbs was used to
develop a cELISA. The cELISA detected MERS-CoV-specific antibodies in sera from
MERS-CoV-infected rats and rabbits immunized with the spike protein of MERS-CoV.
The MAb-based cELISA was validated using sera from Ethiopian dromedary camels.
Relative to the neutralization test, the cELISA detected MERS-CoV-specific
antibodies in 66 Ethiopian dromedary camels with a sensitivity and specificity of
98% and 100%, respectively. The cELISA and neutralization test results correlated
well (Pearson's correlation coefficients=0.71-0.76, depending on the cELISA serum
dilution). This cELISA may be useful for MERS epidemiological investigations on
MERS-CoV infection.
PMID- 28993123
TI - Single mutation in the matrix gene of seasonal influenza A viruses critically
affects the performance of diagnostic molecular assay.
AB - Reduced intensity of the fluorescence signal in the amplification curve was
observed when using a WHO recommended real time RT-PCR for influenza virus
detection. A single mutation, G189T, in the conserved region of influenza virus
matrix gene was detected by Sanger sequencing. The mutation is located in the
probe binding region, hence we speculated it could be the reason for the atypical
shape of amplification curve. The mutation was first noted in Slovenia in 2011
and 2013 for seasonal influenza A virus types A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2),
respectively. In the following years, 2014 and 2015, the majority of influenza
A(H3N2) viruses alone carried the mutation. The amplification of matrix gene for
these influenza A(H3N2) viruses continuously resulted in the atypically shaped
amplification curves. The performance of the particular assay was critically
affected; therefore, the assay was no longer usable as diagnostic tool for
influenza virus detection. Mutations in the conserved region of influenza virus
genome are more common than expected and this would need to be considered when
targeting matrix gene.
PMID- 28993124
TI - Learning ensemble classifiers for diabetic retinopathy assessment.
AB - Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common comorbidities of diabetes.
Unfortunately, the recommended annual screening of the eye fundus of diabetic
patients is too resource-consuming. Therefore, it is necessary to develop tools
that may help doctors to determine the risk of each patient to attain this
condition, so that patients with a low risk may be screened less frequently and
the use of resources can be improved. This paper explores the use of two kinds of
ensemble classifiers learned from data: fuzzy random forest and dominance-based
rough set balanced rule ensemble. These classifiers use a small set of attributes
which represent main risk factors to determine whether a patient is in risk of
developing diabetic retinopathy. The levels of specificity and sensitivity
obtained in the presented study are over 80%. This study is thus a first
successful step towards the construction of a personalized decision support
system that could help physicians in daily clinical practice.
PMID- 28993125
TI - Psychoneuroimmunology of mental disorders.
AB - The immune system is a key element in the organism's defence system and
participates in the maintenance of homeostasis. There is growing interest in the
aetiopathogenic and prognostic implications of the immune system in mental
disorders, as previous studies suggest the existence of a dysregulation of the
immune response and a pro-inflammatory state in patients with mental disorders,
as well as an increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients
suffering from autoimmune diseases or receiving immune treatments. This study
aims to conduct a narrative review of the scientific literature on the role of
Psychoneuroimmunology in mental disorders, with special focus on diagnostic,
prognostic and therapeutic issues. The development of this body of knowledge may
bring in the future important advances in the vulnerability, aetiopathogenic
mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of some mental disorders.
PMID- 28993127
TI - Retrospective cohort study of combined approach for trunk reconstruction using
arteriovenous loops and free flaps.
AB - Defect reconstruction of the trunk can be performed using microsurgical free flap
transplantation. In cases of missing or inappropriate recipient vessels,
microsurgical defect reconstruction of the trunk can be achieved by combining
free flaps with arteriovenous loops. Here we present our 5-year experience of
trunk reconstruction using AV loops and free flaps in a retrospective evaluation.
We analyzed 32 cases of trunk reconstruction using a combined approach of free
flap transplantation and arteriovenous loops between 2011 and 2016 regarding
postoperative complications and perioperative course. Twenty-one patients
suffered from sternal defects, 4 from presacral defects, 3 patients presented
with lateral chest wall defects, 2 patients suffered from lumbosacral defects, 1
patient had a gluteal defect and 1 patient a defect at the clavicle. In all
cases, free flap transplantation and arteriovenous loop creation were performed
in a two-stage procedure. There were 8 thromboses of the arteriovenous loops with
4 flap failures. Only 1 flap loss was located in the sternal region, whereas one
presacral flap and both lumbosacral flaps were lost. Reconstruction of large soft
tissue defects of the trunk by a combined approach with an arteriovenous loop
creation and consecutive free flap transplantation represents a reliable
procedure in ventral and posterior cranial localization, whereas in the caudal
posterior region, AV loop thrombosis can occur. Therefore, to minimize flap loss,
a two-stage procedure should be performed.
PMID- 28993126
TI - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in sera from children 3 to 11 years of age
participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014.
AB - Several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been measured in U.S.
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants 12 years
of age and older since 1999-2000, but PFAS data using NHANES individual samples
among children younger than 12 years do not exist. To obtain the first nationally
representative PFAS exposure data in U.S. children, we quantified serum
concentrations of 14 PFAS including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS),
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and
perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), in a nationally representative subsample of 639 3
11year old participants in NHANES 2013-2014. We used on-line solid-phase
extraction coupled to isotope dilution-high performance liquid chromatography
tandem mass spectrometry; limits of detection were 0.1ng/mL for all analytes. We
calculated geometric mean concentrations, determined weighted Pearson
correlations, and used linear regression to evaluate associations of sex, age (3
5 vs 6-11 years), race/ethnicity (Hispanic vs non-Hispanic), household income,
and body mass index with concentrations of PFAS detected in more than 60% of
participants. We detected PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA in all children at
concentrations similar to those of NHANES 2013-2014 adolescents and adults,
suggesting prevalent exposure to these PFAS or their precursors among U.S. 3
11year old children, most of whom were born after the phase out of PFOS in the
United States in 2002. PFAS concentration differences by sex, race/ethnicity, and
age suggest lifestyle differences that may impact exposure, and highlight the
importance of identifying exposure sources and of studying the environmental fate
and transport of PFAS.
PMID- 28993130
TI - Gait retraining versus foot orthoses for patellofemoral pain: a pilot randomised
clinical trial.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of a clinical trial that compares a 6
week, physiotherapist-guided gait retraining program with a foot orthoses
intervention in runners with patellofemoral pain. DESIGN: Pilot randomised
controlled trial. METHODS: Runners aged 18-40 years with clinically diagnosed
patellofemoral pain were randomly allocated to either a 6-week gait retraining
intervention of increasing cadence and use of a minimalist shoe or prefabricated
foot orthoses. Outcomes at baseline and 12-weeks included recruitment, retention,
adherence, adverse events, global improvement, anterior knee pain scale, worst
and average pain on a 100mm visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Of the 16 randomised
participants, two withdrew prior to commencing treatment due to non-trial related
matters (n=1 from each group) and 14 completed the pilot trial. Minor calf muscle
soreness was reported by 3 participants in the gait retraining group while no
adverse events were reported in the foot orthoses group. There were no deviations
from the treatment protocols. There was a large between-group difference
favouring gait retraining at 12-weeks in the anterior knee pain scale and the
worst pain in the past week, which was reflected in the number needed-to-treat of
2. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the feasibility of a trial comparing gait
retraining with foot orthoses and provides point estimates of effect that informs
the design and planning of a larger clinical trial. It appears that a 6-week gait
retraining program has a clinically meaningful effect on runners with
patellofemoral pain when compared to an evidence-based treatment of foot
orthoses.
PMID- 28993129
TI - Separating the agony from ecstasy: R(-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine has
prosocial and therapeutic-like effects without signs of neurotoxicity in mice.
AB - S,R(+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (SR-MDMA) is an amphetamine derivative
with prosocial and putative therapeutic effects. Ongoing clinical trials are
investigating it as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and
other conditions. However, its potential for adverse effects such as hyperthermia
and neurotoxicity may limit its clinical viability. We investigated the
hypothesis that one of the two enantiomers of SR-MDMA, R-MDMA, would retain the
prosocial and therapeutic effects but with fewer adverse effects. Using male
Swiss Webster and C57BL/6 mice, the prosocial effects of R-MDMA were measured
using a social interaction test, and the therapeutic-like effects were assessed
using a Pavlovian fear conditioning and extinction paradigm relevant to PTSD.
Locomotor activity and body temperature were tracked after administration, and
neurotoxicity was evaluated post-mortem. R-MDMA significantly increased murine
social interaction and facilitated extinction of conditioned freezing. Yet,
unlike racemic MDMA, it did not increase locomotor activity, produce signs of
neurotoxicity, or increase body temperature. A key pharmacological difference
between R-MDMA and racemic MDMA is that R-MDMA has much lower potency as a
dopamine releaser. Pretreatment with a selective dopamine D1 receptor antagonist
prevented SR-MDMA-induced hyperthermia, suggesting that differential dopamine
signaling may explain some of the observed differences between the treatments.
Together, these results indicate that the prosocial and therapeutic effects of SR
MDMA may be separable from the stimulant, thermogenic, and potential neurotoxic
effects. To what extent these findings translate to humans will require further
investigation, but these data suggest that R-MDMA could be a more viable
therapeutic option for the treatment of PTSD and other disorders for which SR
MDMA is currently being investigated.
PMID- 28993131
TI - Impact of physical fitness and body composition on injury risk among active young
adults: A study of Army trainees.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To determine the combined effects of physical fitness and body
composition on risk of training-related musculoskeletal injuries among Army
trainees. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Rosters of soldiers
entering Army basic combat training (BCT) from 2010 to 2012 were linked with data
from multiple sources for age, sex, physical fitness (heights, weights (mass),
body mass index (BMI), 2 mile run times, push-ups), and medical injury diagnoses.
Analyses included descriptive means and standard deviations, comparative t-tests,
risks of injury, and relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Fitness and BMI were divided into quintiles (groups of 20%) and stratified for
chi-square (chi2) comparisons and to determine trends. RESULTS: Data were
obtained for 143,398 men and 41,727 women. As run times became slower, injury
risks increased steadily (men=9.8-24.3%, women=26.5-56.0%; chi2 trends
(p<0.00001)). For both genders, the relationship of BMI to injury risk was
bimodal, with the lowest risk in the average BMI group (middle quintile). Injury
risks were highest in the slowest groups with lowest BMIs (male trainees=26.5%;
female trainees=63.1%). Compared to lowest risk group (average BMI with fastest
run-times), RRs were significant (male trainees=8.5%; RR 3.1, CI: 2.8-3.4; female
trainees=24.6%; RR 2.6, CI: 2.3-2.8). Trainees with the lowest BMIs exhibited
highest injury risks for both genders and across all fitness levels. CONCLUSIONS:
While the most aerobically fit Army trainees experience lower risk of training
related injury, at any given aerobic fitness level those with the lowest BMIs are
at highest risk. This has implications for recruitment and retention fitness
standards.
PMID- 28993132
TI - Screen Failure Rates in Contemporary Randomized Clinical Phase II/III Therapeutic
Trials in Genitourinary Malignancies.
AB - BACKGROUND: Screen failures, defined as individuals who undergo screening but are
not enrolled in a clinical trial, incur significant costs without contributing
valuable data to the study. Despite these costs, there are few published data
about the rate or reasons for screen failures in advanced genitourinary cancer
clinical trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 50 phase II and III trials in
advanced genitourinary cancers conducted between 1999 and 2016. RESULTS: Of the
50 trials, only 48% (24 of 50) published screen failure rates: 68% (13 of 19) of
those in prostate cancer, 33% (6 of 18) in kidney cancer, and 58% (5 of 13) in
bladder cancer. Among the phase III trials in prostate cancer, the mean screen
failure rate was 26% (range, 12%-45%). The main reason for screen failure was
reported as ineligibility. Among the phase III trials in kidney cancer, the mean
screen failure rate was 25% (range, 21%-29%), with the most frequent reasons
being ineligibility and patient refusal. Among the phase II/III trials in bladder
cancer, the mean screen failure rate was 19% (range, 4%-28%), with the main
reasons being ineligibility and patient refusal. CONCLUSION: Contemporary trials
in genitourinary cancer reported screen failure rates of approximately 20% to
30%. Many trials did not report on the numbers of, and reasons for, screen
failures. Greater standardization of definitions, methods, and reporting are
needed to better understand and decrease screen failure rates in genitourinary
cancer clinical trials.
PMID- 28993133
TI - Physics responsible for heating efficiency and self-controlled temperature rise
of magnetic nanoparticles in magnetic hyperthermia therapy.
AB - Magnetic nanoparticles as heat-generating nanosources in hyperthermia treatment
are still faced with many drawbacks for achieving sufficient clinical potential.
In this context, increase in heating ability of magnetic nanoparticles in a
biologically safe alternating magnetic field and also approach to a precise
control on temperature rise are two challenging subjects so that a significant
part of researchers' efforts has been devoted to them. Since a deep understanding
of Physics concepts of heat generation by magnetic nanoparticles is essential to
develop hyperthermia as a cancer treatment with non-adverse side effects, this
review focuses on different mechanisms responsible for heat dissipation in a
radio frequency magnetic field. Moreover, particular attention is given to
ferrite-based nanoparticles because of their suitability in radio frequency
magnetic fields. Also, the key role of Curie temperature in suppressing undesired
temperature rise is highlighted.
PMID- 28993134
TI - Sepsis caused by bloodstream infection in patients in the intensive care unit:
the impact of inactive empiric antimicrobial therapy on outcome.
AB - BACKGROUND: Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in the UK. AIMS: To
identify the rate of inactive antimicrobial therapy (AMT) in the intensive care
unit (ICU) and whether inactive AMT has an effect on in-hospital mortality, ICU
mortality, 90-day mortality and length of hospital stay. A further aim was to
identify risk factors for receiving inactive AMT. METHODS: This was a
retrospective observational study conducted at Glasgow Royal Infirmary ICU
between January 2010 and December 2013. In total, 12,000 blood cultures were
taken over this time period, of which 127 were deemed clinically significant.
Multi-variate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors independently
associated with mortality. Univariate analysis followed by multi-variate analysis
was performed to identify risk factors for receiving inactive AMT. RESULTS: The
rate of inactive AMT was 47% (N = 60). Multi-variate analysis showed that
receiving antibiotics within the first 24h of ICU admission led to reduced
mortality [relative risk 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-2.44].
Furthermore, it showed that severity of illness (as defined by SIRS criteria
sepsis vs septic shock) increased mortality [odds ratio (OR) 9.87, 95% CI 1.73
55.5]. However, inactive AMT did not increase mortality (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.47
2.41) or length of hospital stay (53.2 vs 69.1 days, P = 0.348). Fungal
bloodstream infection was found to be a risk factor for receiving inactive AMT
(OR 5.10, 95% CI 1.29-20.14). CONCLUSION: Mortality from sepsis is influenced by
multiple factors. This study was unable to demonstrate that inactive AMT had an
effect on mortality in sepsis.
PMID- 28993135
TI - Laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus transvaginal natural orifice transluminal
endoscopic surgery cholecystectomy: results of a prospective comparative single
center study.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in female individuals has
been challenged recently by transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic
surgery cholecystectomy (TVC). TVC has not been widely accepted as a standard
procedure, even though it is reported to be a safe and painless alternative to
LC. This prospective comparative study aims to not only prove equality of TVC and
LC but to underline the advantages of TVC over LC with regard to postoperative
pain. METHODS: This study presents an analysis of a single-center and single
surgeon study with 226 unselected consecutive cholecystectomies performed as
either TVC or LC. RESULTS: A total of 226 female patients underwent surgery with
either LC (136 cases) or TVC (90 cases). There were no postoperative adverse
events. Twenty-two patients (24.2%) in the TVC group indicated 0 (no pain) on a
visual analog scale postoperatively, whereas only 5 patients (3.7%) did so in the
LC group (P = < .0001). Overall consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs was significantly less (P < .0001; t test) in the TVC group (mean, 1.2 +/-
0.11 g) compared with the LC group (mean, 2.1 +/- 0.1 g). Twenty-three patients
(25.5%) in the TVC group needed no postoperative analgesics at all. CONCLUSIONS:
TVC is a safe and painless procedure for patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis
who are from various ethnic and cultural origins. This benefit, along with an
equal safety profile compared with LC, should pave the way for wider application
of TVC in women.
PMID- 28993136
TI - Rebamipide solution: a novel submucosal injection material to promote healing
speed and healing quality of ulcers induced by endoscopic submucosal dissection.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Rebamipide is administered perorally to protect the gastric
mucosa. We assessed the efficacy and safety of a novel rebamipide solution as a
submucosal injection material for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using an
in vivo porcine model. METHODS: An endoscopist blinded to the test agents
performed ESDs of hypothetical 30 mm lesions using a 2% rebamipide solution at 2
sites (rebamipide group) and a saline solution at 2 other sites (control group)
in the stomachs of 8 pigs. The technical outcomes were compared between the 2
groups. The gastric ulcer stages were evaluated by endoscopy once weekly for 4
weeks after the ESD to determine the healing score (1-6). The pigs were killed at
1 week (n = 2), 2 weeks (n = 2), and 4 weeks (n = 4) after the ESD for pathologic
evaluation of ESD-induced ulcers and scarring. RESULTS: There were no significant
differences in any of the technical outcomes between the 2 groups, and no adverse
events related to the ESD in any of the animals. The healing score was
significantly higher in the rebamipide group than in the control group at 2 weeks
(P = .027), 3 weeks (P = .034), and 4 weeks (P = .012). In the histopathologic
assessment, fibrosis was significantly less extensive in the rebamipide group
than in the control group at 2 weeks (P = .02) and 4 weeks (P = .04).
CONCLUSIONS: The rebamipide solution appeared to promote both the speed and
quality of healing of ESD-induced ulcers by suppressing fibrosis.
PMID- 28993137
TI - Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early Barrett's neoplasia: a meta-analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The role of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in
Barrett's esophagus (BE) is not well established. This meta-analysis aimed to
evaluate the safety and efficacy of ESD for the management of early BE neoplasia.
METHODS: Three online databases were searched. The Cochran Q test and I2 were
used to test for heterogeneity. Pooling was conducted using either fixed- or
random-effects models depending on heterogeneity across studies. For the main
outcomes, potential sources of heterogeneity were evaluated via linear regression
analysis. RESULTS: Eleven studies (501 patients, 524 lesions) were included. Mean
lesion size was 27 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.9-33.1). Pooled estimate
for en bloc resection was 92.9% (95% CI, 90.3%-95.2%). The pooled R0 (complete)
and curative resection rates were 74.5% (95% CI, 66.3%-81.9%) and 64.9% (95% CI,
55.7%-73.6%), respectively. There was no association between R0 or curative
resection rates and study setting (Asia vs West), length of BE, lesion
characteristics, procedural time, or length of follow-up. The pooled estimates
for perforation and bleeding were 1.5% (95% CI, .4%-3.0%) and 1.7% (95% CI, .6%
3.4%), respectively. Esophageal stricture rate was 11.6% (95% CI, .9%-29.6%).
Incidence of recurrence after curative resection was .17% (95% CI, 0%-.3%) at a
mean follow-up 22.9 months (95% CI, 17.5-28.3). CONCLUSIONS: ESD for early BE
neoplasia is associated with a high en bloc resection rate, acceptable safety
profile, and low recurrence after curative resection. ESD should be considered as
part of the armamentarium for the management of BE neoplasia.
PMID- 28993139
TI - Rapid quantification of glutaminase 2 (GLS2)-related metabolites by HILIC-MS/MS.
AB - Glutamine, glutamate and glutathione are key modulators of excessive oxidative
stress in tumor cells. In this study, we developed a rapid and accurate HILIC
MS/MS method to simultaneously determine concentrations of cellular glutamine,
glutamate and glutathione. A bared silica HILIC column was employed to analyze
these polar metabolites. The LC-MS parameters were optimized to achieve high
sensitivity and selectivity. The analysis can be completed within 4 min under
optimal conditions. The method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision, and
linearity. Intra-day (n = 9) precision was within 2.68-6.24% among QCs. Inter-day
precision (n = 3) was below 12.4%. The method accuracy was evaluated by the
recovery test, and the accuracy for three analytes were between 91.6 and 110%.
The developed method was applied to study antioxidant function of GLS2 in non
small cell lung cancer cells. Changes in concentrations of glutamine, glutamate
and glutathione revealed that the overexpression of GLS2 could effectively
decrease oxidative stress. In summary, this study developed a rapid HILIC-MS/MS
method for quantification of GLS2-related metabolites that could facilitate
elucidation of the role of GLS2 in tumor development.
PMID- 28993138
TI - The impact of imaging modality (CT vs MRI) and patient position (supine vs prone)
on tangential whole breast radiation therapy planning.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) versus computed tomography (CT)-derived planning target
volumes (PTVs), in both supine and prone positions, for whole breast (WB)
radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Four WB radiation therapy plans were
generated for 28 patients in which PTVs were generated based on CT or MRI data
alone in both supine and prone positions. A 6-MV tangential intensity modulated
radiation therapy technique was used, with plans designated as ideal, acceptable,
or noncompliant. Dose metrics for PTVs and organs at risk were compared to
analyze any differences based on imaging modality (CT vs MRI) or patient position
(supine vs prone). RESULTS: With respect to imaging modality 2/11 whole breast
planning target volume (WB_PTV) dose metrics (percentage of PTV receiving 90% and
110% of prescribed dose) displayed statistically significant differences;
however, these differences did not alter the average plan compliance rank. With
respect to patient positioning, the odds of having an ideal plan versus a
noncompliant plan were higher for the supine position compared with the prone
position (P = .026). The minimum distance between the seroma cavity planning
target volume (SC_PTV) and the chest wall was increased with prone positioning (P
< .001, supine and prone values 1.1 mm and 8.7 mm, respectively). Heart volume
was greater in the supine position (P = .005). Heart doses were lower in the
supine position than prone (P < .01, mean doses 3.4 +/- 1.55 Gy vs 4.4 +/- 1.13
Gy for supine vs prone, respectively). Mean lung doses met ideal dose constraints
in both positions, but were best spared in the prone position. The contralateral
breast maximum dose to 1cc (D1cc) showed significantly lower doses in the supine
position (P < .001, 4.64 Gy vs 9.51 Gy). CONCLUSIONS: Planning with PTVs
generated from MRI data showed no clinically significant differences from
planning with PTVs generated from CT with respect to PTV and doses to organs at
risk. Prone positioning within this study reduced mean lung dose and whole heart
volumes but increased mean heart and contralateral breast doses compared with
supine.
PMID- 28993140
TI - Application of RT-PCR and MALDI-TOF MS for the detection of RNA luteovirus.
AB - There is a need for rapid and less expensive methods to identify RNA viruses,
including luteoviruses, for practical use in agriculture and quarantine. The mass
spectrometric cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (MS-CAPS) method, which
detects enzymatically cleaved amplicons by matrix-assisted laser
desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, was herein used together with a short RT
PCR to detect luteovirus in only 90 min. In addition, the matrixes 2',4',6'
trihydroxyacetophene and 3-hydroxypicolinic acid were compared for their
effectiveness in the analysis of short single-stranded biotinylated DNA obtained
by a MS-CAPS reaction.
PMID- 28993141
TI - Therapeutic inertia amongst general practitioners with interest in diabetes.
AB - INTRODUCTION: As the therapeutic options in the management of type 2 diabetes
increase, there is an increase confusion among health care professionals, thus
leading to the phenomenon of therapeutic inertia. This is the failure to escalate
or de-escalate treatment when the clinical need for this is required. It has been
studied extensively in various settings, however, it has never been reported in
any studies focusing solely on primary care physicians with an interest in
diabetes. This group is increasingly becoming the focus of managing complex
diabetes care in the community, albeit with the support from specialists.
METHODS: In this retrospective audit, we assessed the prevalence of the
phenomenon of therapeutic inertia amongst primary care physicians with an
interest in diabetes in UK. We also assessed the predictive abilities of various
patient level characteristics on therapeutic inertia amongst this group of
clinicians. RESULTS: Out of the 240 patients reported on, therapeutic inertia was
judged to have occurred in 53 (22.1%) of patients. The full model containing all
the selected variables was not statistically significant, p=0.59. So the model
was not able to distinguish between situations in which therapeutic inertia
occurred and when it did not occur. None of the patient level characteristics on
its own was predictive of therapeutic inertia. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic inertia
was present only in about a fifth of patient patients with diabetes being managed
by primary care physicians with an interest in diabetes.
PMID- 28993142
TI - Ghrelin upregulates the phosphorylation of the GluN2B subunit of the NMDA
receptor by activating GHSR1a and Fyn in the rat hippocampus.
AB - Ghrelin and its receptor GHSR1a have been shown to exert numerous physiological
functions in the brain, in addition to the well-established orexigenic role in
the hypothalamus. Earlier work indicated that ghrelin stimulated the
phosphorylation of the GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) and enhanced
synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. In the present study, we report that
the exogenous application of ghrelin increased GluN2B phosphorylation. This
increase was independent of GluN2B subunit activity or NMDAR channel activity.
However, it depended on the activation of GHSR1a and Fyn as it was blocked by D
Lys3-GHRP-6 and PP2, respectively. Inhibitors for G-protein-regulated second
messengers, such as Rp-cAMP, H89, TBB, ryanodine, and thapsigargin, unexpectedly
enhanced GluN2B phosphorylation, suggesting that cAMP, PKA, casein kinase II, and
cytosolic calcium signaling may oppose to the effect of ghrelin on the
phosphorylation of GluN2B. Our findings suggest that 1) GluN2B is likely a
molecular target of ghrelin and GHSR1a-driven signaling cascades, and 2) the
ghrelin-mediated phosphorylation of GluN2B depends on Fyn activation under
complex negative regulation by other second messengers.
PMID- 28993143
TI - Ceftolozane/tazobactam activity against drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing healthcare-associated infections in the Asia
Pacific region (minus China, Australia and New Zealand): report from an
Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (2013-2015).
AB - The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of
ceftolozane/tazobactam and comparator agents tested against Enterobacteriaceae
and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from patients in the Asia-Pacific (APAC)
region with healthcare-associated infections. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is an
antipseudomonal cephalosporin combined with a well-established beta-lactamase
inhibitor. A total of 1963 Gram-negative organisms (489 P. aeruginosa and 1474
Enterobacteriaceae) were consecutively collected using a prevalence-based
approach from 14 medical centres in the APAC region. Antimicrobial susceptibility
testing was performed by broth microdilution method as described by the CLSI and
the results were interpreted according to EUCAST and CLSI breakpoint criteria.
Ceftolozane/tazobactam [MIC50/90, 0.25/4 ug/mL; 89.2/85.8% susceptible
(CLSI/EUCAST)] and meropenem [MIC50/90, <=0.06/<=0.06 ug/mL; 96.3/96.5%
susceptible (CLSI/EUCAST)] were the most active compounds tested against
Enterobacteriaceae. Isolates displayed susceptibility rates to other beta-lactam
agents ranging from 85.8/81.0% for piperacillin/tazobactam to 74.4/72.7% for
cefepime and 72.8/68.1% for ceftazidime using CLSI/EUCAST breakpoints. Among the
Enterobacteriaceae isolates, 3.6% were carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
(CRE) and 25.6% exhibited an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) non-CRE
phenotype. Ceftolozane/tazobactam showed good activity against ESBL non-CRE
phenotype strains of Enterobacteriaceae (MIC50/90, 0.5/16 ug/mL), but not against
isolates with a CRE phenotype (MIC50/90, >32/>32 ug/mL). Ceftolozane/tazobactam
was the most potent (MIC50/90, 0.5/4 ug/mL) beta-lactam agent tested against P.
aeruginosa isolates, inhibiting 90.8% at an MIC of <=4 ug/mL. Pseudomonas
aeruginosa exhibited high rates of susceptibility to amikacin [91.2/89.4%
(CLSI/EUCAST)] and colistin [98.4/100.0% (CLSI/EUCAST)]. Ceftolozane/tazobactam
was the most active beta-lactam agent tested against P. aeruginosa and
demonstrated higher in vitro activity than available cephalosporins when tested
against Enterobacteriaceae.
PMID- 28993144
TI - MicroRNA-139 inhibits the proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma cells via
targeting forkhead-box P2.
AB - AIMS: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy that affects
adolescents. Although great attention has been paid to the diagnosis of and
therapy for OS, the 5-year survival rate of patients with this disease remains
poor. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in pathogenesis and
progression of human malignancies. MiR-139 has been implicated in several human
cancers. However, the role played by miR-139 in pathogenesis of human OS has
remained largely unknown. MAIN METHODS: Realtime PCR was used to detect the
expression of miR-139. CCK-8, BrdU-ELISA and ApoTox-GloTM Triplex assay was
employed to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells.
Realtime PCR, Western Blotting and luciferase report assays were conducted for
the target genes analysis. KEY FINDINGS: The expression of miR-139 was reduced
while the expression of forkhead-box P2 (FOXP2) was induced in both OS tissue and
cell lines. The reduced level of miR-139 was correlated with tumor size, clinical
stage and distant metastasis. Overexpression of miR-139 inhibited the expression
of FOXP2, which suppressed cell growth, but induced apoptosis. Further, we
confirmed that FOXP2 was a direct target of miR-139 by luciferase reporter assay.
Knockdown of FOXP2 resulted in reduced levels of cell proliferation, but
increased levels of apoptosis in vitro. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that
miR-139 plays a suppressive role in the regulation of OS cell proliferation and
migration via directly targeting FOXP2, which might be a potential clinical
diagnostic or predictive biomarker for human OS.
PMID- 28993145
TI - An inhibitory mechanism of action of a novel syringic-acid derivative on alpha
melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)-induced melanogenesis.
AB - AIMS: To report the effects of a novel syringic-acid derivative, (R)-ethyl-2
acetamido-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoylthio)propanoate (EABTO), on melanin
synthesis and to identify its mechanism of action in B16F1 melanoma cells.
METHODS: The effects of EABTO on melanin synthesis in B16F1 cells and human
epidermal melanocytes and the influence on cell-free tyrosinase activity were
evaluated. EABTO-induced cellular signaling cascades were studied by western
blotting. KEY FINDINGS: EABTO effectively decreased melanin synthesis in a dose
dependent manner but had no effect on cell-free tyrosinase activity. EABTO
significantly decreased the expression of melanogenic enzymes such as tyrosinase,
tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2. EABTO decreased the amounts of
phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and cyclic adenosine
monophosphate (cAMP), thereby inhibiting expression of microphthalmia-associated
transcription factor (MITF). Moreover, EABTO upregulated phosphorylated ERK. A
specific ERK pathway inhibitor, PD98059, reduced EABTO-induced ERK
phosphorylation and restored the expression of MITF and melanin content.
SIGNIFICANCE: EABTO inhibits melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells via
suppression of the cAMP-CREB pathway and activation of ERK, thus decreasing
expression of MITF and of melanogenic enzymes.
PMID- 28993146
TI - Exercise training reverses the negative effects of chronic L-arginine
supplementation on insulin sensitivity.
AB - L-Arginine has emerged as an important supplement for athletes and non-athletes
in order to improve performance. Arginine has been extensively used as substrate
for nitric oxide synthesis, leading to increased vasodilatation and hormonal
secretion. However, the chronic consumption of arginine has been shown to impair
insulin sensitivity. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate whether chronic
arginine supplementation associated with exercise training would have a
beneficial impact on insulin sensitivity. We, therefore, treated Wistar rats for
4weeks with arginine, associated or not with exercise training (treadmill). We
assessed the somatotropic activation, by evaluating growth hormone (GH) gene
expression and protein content in the pituitary, as well is GH concentration in
the serum. Additionally, we evaluate whole-body insulin sensitivity, by
performing an insulin tolerance test. Skeletal muscle morpho-physiological
parameters were also assessed. Insulin sensitivity was impaired in the arginine
treated rats. However, exercise training reversed the negative effects of
arginine. Arginine and exercise training increased somatotropic axis function,
muscle mass and body weight gain. The combination arginine and exercise training
further decreased total fat mass. Our results confirm that chronic arginine
supplementation leads to insulin resistance, which can be reversed in the
association with exercise training. We provide further evidence that exercise
training is an important tool to improve whole-body metabolism.
PMID- 28993147
TI - Techniques of Ectopic Reservoir Placement and Their Pitfalls.
AB - BACKGROUND: Ectopic placement of penile prosthesis reservoirs has become more
common in patients whose space of Retzius has been compromised. AIM: To describe
techniques and instruments used to place penile prosthesis reservoirs
ectopically. METHODS: We present our method of placing ectopic reservoirs and
review the literature for other techniques. We also catalog the instruments used
for this purpose. OUTCOMES: Similar to traditional reservoir placement,
successful ectopic reservoir implantation requires good cosmetic and functional
success and low complication rates. RESULTS: Ectopic reservoir placement has been
shown to be effective, to safely avoid bowel, bladder, and vascular injury, and
to maintain excellent function and cosmesis. Multiple tools for ectopic placement
have been described, but no data exist comparing their effectiveness and
complications. Examples include dissection of the space anterior to the
transversalis muscle using the surgeon's finger, a pediatric Yankauer suction
tip, or a Foerster lung clamp. Instruments described to grasp and advance the
reservoir include a sponge stick, a Foerster lung clamp, and the ectopic
reservoir insertion tool (Sontec, Centennial, CO, USA). The effect of different
instruments on the integrity of reservoir has not been extensively studied.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Attention to technique and the instruments used to dissect
the ectopic space and grasp the reservoir are crucial to successful ectopic
reservoir placement. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Reports of vascular, bowel, or
bladder injuries during ectopic placement are exceedingly rare, as are reports of
injury to reservoirs caused by traumatic grasping. However, no methods or tools
have been compared in head-to-head trials. CONCLUSION: Ectopic placement is safe
and effective, but differences between methods and instruments have not been
delineated. Thirumavalavan N, Gross MS, Munarriz R. Techniques of Ectopic
Reservoir Placement and Their Pitfalls. J Sex Med 2017;14:1451-1454.
PMID- 28993148
TI - The Sexual Event Diary (SED): Development and Validation of a Standardized
Questionnaire for Assessing Female Sexual Functioning During Discrete Sexual
Events.
AB - BACKGROUND: The efficacy of on-demand drugs for hypoactive sexual desire disorder
(HSDD) or female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) should be assessed
using a validated instrument that assesses the discrete sexual events during
which the on-demand drug is taken. AIM: To develop and validate an event log for
measuring sexual satisfaction and sexual functioning of discrete sexual events.
METHODS: Psychometric assessment was carried out on data of 10,959 Sexual Event
Diaries (SEDs) collected during three clinical trials in a total of 421 women
with HSDD. Cognitive debriefing interviews were held with 16 women with HSDD.
OUTCOMES: Item scores of the SED at the event level and at the subject level,
summarized item scores of women during the baseline establishment and active
treatment periods, and score changes in women from baseline establishment to
active treatment. RESULTS: Several items of the initial 16-item SED items showed
weak validity. The 16-item SED was refined to the 11-item SED. The reliability,
content, and convergent validity of the 11-item SED were confirmed. For most 11
item SED item scores, the ability to discriminate between known groups was
confirmed. Larger mean score changes from the baseline establishment period were
found in those with than in those without known benefit from the medication, and
Guyatt effect sizes ranged from 0.73 to 1.58, thereby demonstrating the ability
to detect change. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: The SED is a good tool for assessing
sexual function during a discrete sexual event and for assessing the sexual
function of women over longer periods. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The validation
of the SED was performed on data from nearly 11,000 sexual events, gathered as
part of a drug development program for HSDD and FSIAD. This amount of data
provides very robust results when related to drug use for HSDD and FSIAD, but
caution is advised when generalizing the validity of the SED directly to other
areas of research (eg, recreational drug use and sexual risky behaviors), because
such data were not used in this validation. CONCLUSIONS: The 11-item SED is a
reliable, valid, and responsive instrument and suitable for use in evaluating the
effects of on-demand drugs in women with HSDD or FSIAD. van Nes Y, Bloemers J,
van der Heijden PGM, et al. The Sexual Event Diary (SED): Development and
Validation of a Standardized Questionnaire for Assessing Female Sexual
Functioning During Discrete Sexual Events. J Sex Med 2017;14:1438-1450.
PMID- 28993149
TI - Relationship of Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction in Men Without Previously
Diagnosed Hypertension.
AB - BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common male sexual disorder
that affects all age groups and has a close association with essential
hypertension. AIM: To characterize the relation of blood pressure and ED in
detail. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study of 45- to 70-year-old
men without previously diagnosed hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, renal
disease, or diabetes was conducted from 2005 to 2007 in southwestern Finland. A
total of 665 men with at least one cardiovascular risk factor were studied. ED
was defined by the five-item International Index of Erectile Function. OUTCOMES:
We found a U-shaped association between diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and
prevalence of ED. RESULTS: The average age of the study subjects was 56 +/- 6
years and 52% had ED. After adjustment for age, cohabitation status, education,
fasting plasma glucose level, waist circumference, and prevalence of depressive
symptoms, the curve relating DBP to the prevalence of ED was U-shaped with a
nadir of DBP 90 mm Hg. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our findings emphasize the
importance of blood pressure measurement in the physical examination of men with
ED. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This was a cross-sectional study, which prevents
the evaluation of causality between ED and hypertension. However, this community
based study population is well defined and the anthropologic measurements were
made by trained medical staff. CONCLUSION: We found a U-shaped correlation
between ED and DBP, which confirms the link between ED and hypertension. Heikkila
A, Kaipia A, Venermo M, et al. Relationship of Blood Pressure and Erectile
Dysfunction in Men Without Previously Diagnosed Hypertension. J Sex Med
2017;14:1336-1341.
PMID- 28993152
TI - Phenytoin repositioned in wound healing: clinical experience spanning 60 years.
AB - Drug repositioning is hot, and much development time and money can be spared if
one selects an old drug and explores the efficacy and safety in a new indication.
Phenytoin is studied and repositioned in many disorders after the initial
indication epilepsy (from 1937). Its repositioning in depression was put in the
spotlight by the Wall Street icon Jack Dreyfus, already in the 1970s. Innovations
in the field of phenytoin still appear to be possible for a number of indications
such as wound healing, bipolar disorder and aggression, and via a topical
formulation for neuropathic pain. We will discuss wound healing and identified a
number of critical issues related to its repositioning in this indication.
PMID- 28993151
TI - Using a SMALP platform to determine a sub-nm single particle cryo-EM membrane
protein structure.
AB - The field of membrane protein structural biology has been revolutionized over the
last few years with a number of high profile structures being solved using cryo
EM including Piezo, Ryanodine receptor, TRPV1 and the Glutamate receptor. Further
developments in the EM field hold the promise of even greater progress in terms
of greater resolution, which for membrane proteins is still typically within the
4-7A range. One advantage of a cryo-EM approach is the ability to study membrane
proteins in more "native" like environments for example proteoliposomes,
amphipols and nanodiscs. Recently, styrene maleic acid co-polymers (SMA) have
been used to extract membrane proteins surrounded by native lipids (SMALPs)
maintaining a more natural environment. We report here the structure of the
Escherichia coli multidrug efflux transporter AcrB in a SMALP scaffold to sub-nm
resolution, with the resulting map being consistent with high resolution crystal
structures and other EM derived maps. However, both the C-terminal helix (TM12)
and TM7 are poorly defined in the map. These helices are at the exterior of the
helical bundle and form the greater interaction with the native lipids and SMA
polymer and may represent a more dynamic region of the protein. This work shows
the promise of using an SMA approach for single particle cryo-EM studies to
provide sub-nm structures.
PMID- 28993150
TI - Applications of sequence coevolution in membrane protein biochemistry.
AB - Recently, protein sequence coevolution analysis has matured into a predictive
powerhouse for protein structure and function. Direct methods, which use global
statistical models of sequence coevolution, have enabled the prediction of
membrane and disordered protein structures, protein complex architectures, and
the functional effects of mutations in proteins. The field of membrane protein
biochemistry and structural biology has embraced these computational techniques,
which provide functional and structural information in an otherwise
experimentally-challenging field. Here we review recent applications of protein
sequence coevolution analysis to membrane protein structure and function and
highlight the promising directions and future obstacles in these fields. We
provide insights and guidelines for membrane protein biochemists who wish to
apply sequence coevolution analysis to a given experimental system.
PMID- 28993153
TI - TFEB activation protects against cardiac proteotoxicity via increasing autophagic
flux.
AB - Insufficient lysosomal removal of autophagic cargoes in cardiomyocytes has been
suggested as a main cause for the impairment of the autophagic-lysosomal pathway
(ALP) in many forms of heart disease including cardiac proteinopathy and may play
an important pathogenic role; however, the molecular basis and the correcting
strategy for the cardiac ALP insufficiency require further investigation. The
present study was sought to determine whether myocardial expression and activity
of TFEB, the recently identified ALP master regulator, are impaired in a cardiac
proteinopathy mouse model and to determine the effect of genetic manipulation of
TFEB expression on autophagy and proteotoxicity in a cardiomyocyte model of
proteinopathy. We found that increased myocardial TFEB mRNA levels and a TFEB
protein isoform switch were associated with marked decreases in the mRNA levels
of representative TFEB target genes and increased mTORC1 activation, in mice with
cardiac transgenic expression of a missense (R120G) mutant alphaB-crystallin
(CryABR120G), a well-established model of cardiac proteinopathy. Using neonatal
rat ventricular cardiomyocyte cultures, we demonstrated that downregulation of
TFEB decreased autophagic flux in cardiomyocytes both at baseline and during
CryABR120G overexpression and increased CryABR120G protein aggregates.
Conversely, forced TFEB overexpression increased autophagic flux and remarkably
attenuated the CryABR120G overexpression-induced accumulation of ubiquitinated
proteins, caspase 3 cleavage, LDH leakage, and decreases in cell viability.
Moreover, these protective effects of TFEB were dramatically diminished by
inhibiting autophagy. We conclude that myocardial TFEB signaling is impaired in
cardiac proteinopathy and forced TFEB overexpression protects against
proteotoxicity in cardiomyocytes through improving ALP activity.
PMID- 28993154
TI - Uric acid and diabetes risk among Chinese women with a history of gestational
diabetes mellitus.
AB - AIMS: To assess the association of uric acid (UA) with the risks of postpartum
type 2 diabetes and prediabetes among women with prior gestational diabetes
mellitus (GDM). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 1262 GDM women
at 1-5 years after delivery using the baseline data from the Tianjin Gestational
Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Program. Logistic regression models were used to
estimate the association of different levels of serum UA with the risks of type 2
diabetes and prediabetes. RESULTS: The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs)
across quartiles of serum UA were 1.00, 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55
2.78), 2.05 (95% CI 0.96-4.39), and 3.17 (95% CI 1.54-6.55) (Ptrend < 0.001) for
type 2 diabetes, and 1.00, 1.50 (95% CI 1.03-2.19), 2.28 (95% CI 1.58-3.30), and
2.88 (95% CI 1.99-4.17) (Ptrend < 0.001) for prediabetes, respectively.
Restricted cubic splines models showed positive linear associations of serum UA
as a continuous variable with the risks of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. This
positive association was significant when stratified by healthy weight and
overweight participants. CONCLUSIONS: Serum UA levels have a graded positive
association with the risks of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes among Chinese with
a history of GDM.
PMID- 28993155
TI - Cardiac autonomic neuropathy may play a role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
AB - AIMS: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a frequent and severe complication of
type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). CAN diagnosis is associated with increased
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, often due to progressive atherosclerosis.
Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of the
atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between
CIMT and CAN in T1DM patients. METHODS: Total of 49 T1DM patients and 45 healthy
controls were examined for CAN presence and CIMT. CAN was diagnosed based on the
results of Ewing test battery and spectral analysis of heart rate variability.
CIMT was measured by two-dimensional ultrasound. Biochemical, anthropometric and
anamnestic risk markers of atherosclerosis were evaluated. We used logistic types
of generalized additive models (GAM) for statistical analysis. RESULTS: CAN was
detected in 22 out of 49 T1DM patients (45%). All 45 healthy controls had normal
cardiovascular autonomic tests results. CIMT was significantly positively
associated with T1DM diagnosis (p=0.0251), CAN diagnosis (p=0.007), age
(p<0.0001), BMI (p=0.0435) and systolic blood pressure (p=0.0098). CAN effect on
CIMT interacted with the effect of T1DM. The combination of both factors
significantly increased CIMT more than the sum of the individual T1DM and CAN
status. CONCLUSIONS: CAN is significantly associated with higher CIMT in T1DM
patients. CAN may play a role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in type 1
diabetes mellitus.
PMID- 28993156
TI - Association between hemoglobin glycation index and hepatic steatosis in non
diabetic individuals.
AB - AIMS: Hemoglobin glycation index (HGI), which is the difference between the
observed value of HbA1 and the predicted HbA1c based on plasma glucose levels,
represents a measure of the degree of non-enzymatic glycation of hemoglobin and
it has been found to be positively associated with diabetic complications. Herein
we investigated whether HGI is associated with hepatic steatosis and related
biomarkers in subjects without diabetes. METHODS: 1120 White individuals without
diabetes were stratified in quartiles according to HGI levels. Hepatic steatosis
was diagnosed by ultrasonography. RESULTS: As compared with subjects in the
lowest quartile of HGI those in the intermediate and high HGI groups displayed an
unfavorable cardio-metabolic risk profile having significantly higher values of
body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, % fat mass, total cholesterol,
triglycerides, inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C reactive protein,
erythrocytes sedimentation rate, complement C3, platelets and white blood cell
count, hepatic insulin resistance assessed by the liver IR index and lower
concentrations of high-density lipoprotein. HGI was positively associated with
the biomarker of liver damage alanine aminotransferase, and fatty liver index, an
indicator of hepatic steatosis. In a logistic regression analysis adjusted for
age, gender and BMI individuals in the highest quartile of HGI exhibited a 1.6
fold increased odd of having hepatic steatosis (95% CI: 1.03-2.41; p=0.03) as
compared with subjects in the lowest quartile of HGI. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels
of HGI may identify subjects without diabetes at increased risk of having hepatic
steatosis.
PMID- 28993157
TI - Cardiorespiratory fitness, fatness and incident diabetes.
AB - AIMS: Increases in prevalence have led to a diabetes pandemic. Obesity and low
cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are considered to be central mechanisms. We
investigated if the effect of CRF on diabetes risk was equivalent across levels
of fatness among healthy men. METHODS: In total 4988 middle-aged Caucasian
employed men free of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer were included
from the Copenhagen Male Study starting in 1970-71. CRF was assessed using a sub
maximal bicycle ergometer test and body mass index (BMI) was measured by height
and weight. Their interaction and stratified associations with diabetes incidence
were estimated in multivariable Cox-models including conventional risk factors
and social class. Diabetes incidence was assessed through a national register.
RESULTS: During 44 years of follow-up, 518 (10.4%) incident cases of diabetes
occurred. In the multi-adjusted model, the obese had a significantly higher risk
of diabetes compared to normal weight men (Hazard Ratio (HR):4.89; 95% CI: 3.62
6.61) and CRF was significantly inversely associated with diabetes (HR:0.86; 95%
CI: 0.75-0.98 per 10-unit increase in ml/kg/min1 CRF). A significant multi
adjusted interaction between CRF, BMI and diabetes was found (p=0.009). The
stratified multi-adjusted analyses on BMI showed a significantly stronger reduced
risk of diabetes per 10-unit increase in ml/kg/min1 of CRF among the obese
(HR:0.58; CI: 0.38-0.89), but a weaker association among overweight (HR:0.86; CI:
0.71-1.03) and normal weight (HR:0.97; CI: 0.76-1.23). CONCLUSION: High CRF has a
stronger protective effect on diabetes among obese than among normal weight men,
supporting the recommendation of fitness-enhancing physical activity for
preventing diabetes among the obese.
PMID- 28993158
TI - High-potency block of Kir4.1 channels by pentamidine: Molecular basis.
AB - Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels are expressed in almost all mammalian
tissues and contribute to a wide range of physiological processes. Kir4.1 channel
expression is found in the brain, inner ear, eye, and kidney. Loss-of-function
mutations in the pore-forming Kir4.1 subunit cause an autosomal recessive
disorder characterized by epilepsy, ataxia, sensorineural deafness and
tubulopathy (SeSAME/EST syndrome). Despite its importance in physiological and
pathological conditions, pharmacological research of Kir4.1 is limited. Here, we
characterized the effect of pentamidine on Kir4.1 channels using
electrophysiology, mutagenesis and computational methods. Pentamidine potently
inhibited Kir4.1 channels when applied to the cytoplasmic side under inside-out
patch clamp configuration (IC50 = 97nM). The block was voltage dependent.
Molecular modeling predicted the binding of pentamidine to the transmembrane pore
region of Kir4.1 at aminoacids T127, T128 and E158. Mutation of each of these
residues reduced the potency of pentamidine to block Kir4.1 channels. A
pentamidine analog (PA-6) inhibited Kir4.1 with similar potency (IC50 = 132nM).
Overall, this study shows that pentamidine blocks Kir4.1 channels interacting
with threonine and glutamate residues in the transmembrane pore region. These
results can be useful to design novel compounds with major potency and
specificity over Kir4.1 channels.
PMID- 28993159
TI - Prevention of cholesterol gallstone disease by schaftoside in lithogenic diet
induced C57BL/6 mouse model.
AB - Schaftoside (SS) is a bioactive compound present in the Herba Desmodii
Styracifolii (DS), a herb that has been used to treat cholelithiasis and
urolithiasis in Chinese medicine. Whether SS inhibits cholesterol (Ch) gallstone
formation has not been investigated. This study examined the effects of oral
intake of SS on Ch gallstone formation in C57BL/6 mice fed a lithogenic diet. The
rate of gallstone formation was recorded. Levels of Ch, triglycerides (TG) and
bile salts (BS) were measured in the bile and serum. Liver histopathology was
examined microscopically, and mRNA expression levels of key genes involved in
cholesterol and bile metabolism were determined by qPCR. Mice fed SS were
protected against gallstone formation, had increased biliary levels of BS, and
reduced biliary Ch levels, resulting in a lower Ch saturation index (CSI). In
addition, mice fed SS had lower serum TG and Ch levels, increased mRNA expression
of liver X receptor alpha, ATP binding cassette transporter 5/8 (ABCG5/8), and
ileal bile acid binding protein (IBABP) in the ileum, and of farnesoid X receptor
and bile salt export protein (BSEP) in the liver and ileum. SS also protected
against histologically determined liver damage. Overall, these data indicate that
SS protects against Ch gallstone formation in mice, and that the effect is
mediated by activation of ileal liver X receptor alpha and hepatic farnesoid X
receptor.
PMID- 28993160
TI - Inhibition of morphine tolerance by MrgC receptor via modulation of interleukin
1beta and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in dorsal root ganglia in rats.
AB - Opiate tolerance is a critical issue in pain management. Previous studies show
that activation of Mas-related gene (Mrg) C receptor can modulate the development
of morphine tolerance. This study was designed to investigate the underlying
mechanism(s). Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of morphine (20ug) increased the
expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)
in small- and medium-sized neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Co
administration of bovine adrenal medulla 8-22 (BAM8-22), a selective MrgC
receptor agonist, via i.t. route inhibited the increase of IL-1beta and MMP-9 in
the DRG. Exposure of DRG cultures to morphine (3.3MUM) for 3 or 5 days, but not
for 1 day, induced an increase in MMP-9 mRNA expression. The treatment with BAM8
22 (10nM) for 20, 40 or 60min abolished chronic (5 days) morphine-induced
increase of MMP-9 mRNA in the cultured DRG. The treatment with BAM8-22 for 1h
inhibited chronic morphine-induced increase of MMP-9 and IL-1beta mRNA in DRG but
these effects were abolished by MrgC receptor antibody. The treatment with BAM8
22 for 24 and 72h respectively inhibited and enhanced morphine-induced expression
of MMP-9 and IL-1beta mRNA in the cultured DRG. The BAM8-22-induced inhibition
and enhancement were abolished by MrgC receptor antibody. The results suggest
that the inhibition of IL-1beta and MMP-9 expressions in DRG underlain the
modulation of morphine tolerance by the acute activation of MrgC receptors. The
chronic activation of MrgC receptors can facilitate morphine-induced increase of
MMP-9 and IL-1beta expressions in DRG.
PMID- 28993161
TI - New class of early-stage enterovirus inhibitors with a novel mechanism of action.
AB - 4-dimethylamino benzoic acid (compound 12, synonym: 4EDMAB) was identified as an
in vitro inhibitor of Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) replication in CPE-based assays
(EC50 of 9.1 +/- 1.5 MUM). Next, the activity of twenty-three analogues was
assessed, their structure-activity relationship was deduced and a more potent
analogue was identified (EC50 of 2.6 +/- 0.5 MUM). The antiviral activity of
4EDMAB was further confirmed by quantifying viral RNA yield. Time-of-drug
addition assay revealed that 4EDMAB exerts its antiviral activity at the early
stages of virus replication. Six compound-resistant viruses were selected and
genotyped and all the mutations appeared to be in the capsid protein VP1. Reverse
engineering showed that single mutants Y75C, A88V, A98V, D133N and R219K were
respectively 15-, 2-, 4-, 17- and 76-fold resistant to 4EDMAB. The compound
protected both wild type (WT) CVB3 and the five resistant mutants from heat
inactivation. The plaque size produced by the A88V, D133N and R219K mutants was
smaller than that of WT and these mutants were also more heat-sensitive than WT
in the absence of the compound. These findings suggest that these three mutations
increase virion capsid flexibility and compensate for the stabilizing effects of
4EDMAB. Molecular modelling suggests that the compound binds to a small cavity in
VP1, which is different from the hydrophobic pocket in the canyon where typical
capsid binders (such as pleconaril) bind. Modelling studies also suggest a direct
ionic interaction between the negatively charged carboxylic group of 4EDMAB and
the positively charged guanidino group of arginine 219. Moreover, the in vitro
combination of 4EDMAB and pleconaril resulted in synergistic antiviral effect. In
conclusion, 4EDMAB is a novel early-stage inhibitor, which targets VP1 with a
mechanism that is different from that of known capsid binders.
PMID- 28993162
TI - Stability of Spinal Bone Lesions in Patients With Multiple Myeloma After
Radiotherapy-A Retrospective Analysis of 130 Cases.
AB - BACKGROUND: The objective of the present retrospective analysis was the response
evaluation regarding bone density and stability of patients with osteolytic
spinal bone lesions due to multiple myeloma after palliative radiotherapy (RT).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with multiple myeloma who had undergone spinal RT
from March 2003 to May 2016 were analyzed before and 3 and 6 months after RT.
Assessment of spinal stability and bone density was performed using the
internationally recognized Taneichi scoring system and measurement of bone
density using computed tomography imaging-based Hounsfield units. For statistical
analysis, we used the Bowker test, McNemar test, and kappa statistics to detect
possible asymmetries in the distribution of the Taneichi score over time. We used
the Student t test for comparison of the density values (Hounsfield units) before
and after treatment. Toxicity was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria
for Adverse Events, version 4.0. Additionally, overall survival was calculated
using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: We evaluated 130 patients (69% male; 31%
female) with multiple myeloma and a median age of 58 years. The median follow-up
period was 41 months. Before treatment, 51% of the lesions were classified as
unstable. At 3 and 6 months after RT, this rate had decreased to 41% (P = .0047)
and 24% (P = .2393), respectively. The computed tomography measurements showed a
significant increase in bone density at 3 and 6 months after RT. Acute RT-related
grade 1 and 2 complications were detected in 34% of patients. Late side effects
(grade 1-2) were detected in 23% of the patients. No severe grade 3 or 4 acute or
late toxicities were identified. The median overall survival was 19.7 months for
all patients and 6.6 months for patients with a Karnofsky performance score of <=
70%. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first report to
analyze the bone density and stability in patients with multiple myeloma after RT
using a validated scoring system and computed tomography imaging. Palliative RT
is an effective method resulting in a significant increase in bone density for
local response and stability without severe RT-related toxicity. Furthermore,
recalcification could already be detected at 3 months after treatment.
PMID- 28993163
TI - TLL1 rs17047200 Increases the Risk of Fibrosis Progression in Caucasian Patients
With Chronic Hepatitis C.
PMID- 28993164
TI - Pre-emptive ketorolac for prevention of intraoperative shoulder pain in patients
undergoing cesarean section: A double blind randomized clinical trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain is a commonly observed but mostly neglected consequence
of cesarean section and little is known as well as explored about intraoperative
shoulder pain. We conducted this randomized prospective double-blinded study to
evaluate the efficacy of ketorolac in reducing the incidence and severity of
intraoperative shoulder pain in patients undergoing cesarean section. METHODS:
Two hundred ASA I and II patients scheduled to undergo elective cesarean section
under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive either intravenous ketorolac
30 mg (ketorolac group) or normal saline (control group). The primary outcome was
the incidence of intraoperative shoulder pain. Secondary outcomes were severity
of intraoperative shoulder pain, amount of intraoperative blood loss, incidence
of hypotension, bradycardia and request for intraoperative rescue analgesia.
RESULTS: The incidence of intraoperative shoulder pain in the control group was
significantly higher than the ketorolac group (P = 0.003). Severity of shoulder
pain and requests for intraoperative analgesia was significantly higher in the
control group (P = 0.012, P = 0.006 respectively). Patients in the Ketorolac
group experienced significantly higher incidences of bradycardia (P = 0.037).
CONCLUSION: 30 mg ketorolac administered intravenously just before the operation
could decrease incidence and severity of intraoperative shoulder pain in patients
undergoing cesarean section. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov
(Registration number: NCT02380898, first registered in 01/03/2015).
PMID- 28993165
TI - Motor-sparing continuous median nerve block for hand surgery: A pediatric case.
AB - Here is described a successful perioperative pain control with continuous median
nerve block after flexor tendon repair surgery on 2nd finger of a child. A 9-year
old patient was admitted for reconstruction surgery. The combination of median
nerve block and lateral/medial antecubital cutaneous nerve blocks were performed
before the surgery to cover all the surgical incision including the 2nd finger,
palm, the graft site proximal to the wrist, and Kleinert traction at the nail
bed. At the end of the surgery, the infusion catheter was inserted at the distal
one-third to spare the muscle strength of flexor digitorum muscles. Continuous
bupivacaine infusion provided complete analgesia until the postoperative day 4
without interfering the postoperative physiotherapy. The continuous median nerve
block at the distal one-third of the forearm spared finger flexion, and supported
effective postoperative early mobilization after zone 2 flexor tendon repair
surgery.
PMID- 28993166
TI - Heating treatments affect the thermal behaviour of doxorubicin loaded in
PEGylated liposomes.
AB - Doxil(r) is a stealth marketed PEGylated liposomal formulation, containing the
anticancer drug doxorubicin. After loading via a pH gradient, fibrillar
supramolecular structures of doxorubicin sulfate originates inside the core of
the liposomes. Recently, the crystallinity of doxorubicin sulfate has been
confirmed by high-resolution calorimetry. However, no detailed information are
available on the nature of doxorubicin sulfate nanocrystals and on the effect of
different thermal treatments. Thus, the aim of this work was to characterize the
thermal behaviour of Doxil(r) in comparison to the unloaded liposomes using
microcalorimetry, dynamic light scattering and high-resolution ultrasound
spectroscopy (HR-US). Different thermal programmes were applied with the aim to
highlight the effect of the treatments on the formulation. The used techniques
confirmed the ordered state of doxorubicin nanocrystals inside PEGylated
liposomes. Particularly, microcalorimetry and HR-US highlighted the changes in
the thermal behaviour of the drug under different heating programmes. Doxorubicin
nanocrystals were found to be stable after heating up to 80 degrees C, but an
irreversible thermal behaviour was observed after a prolonged heating at elevated
temperature (2h at 80 degrees C). The non-reversibility could be related to the
formation of a different ordered structure and enhanced by the slight leakage of
the drug occurring after a prolonged heating.
PMID- 28993167
TI - Enhanced solubility and bioavailability of simvastatin by mechanochemically
obtained complexes.
AB - In the present work, complexes of simvastatin (SIM) with polysaccharide
arabinogalactan (AG) or disodium salt of glycyrrhizin acid (Na2GA) have been
prepared using mechanochemical technique to improve the solubility of SIM and
enhance its oral bioavailability. The interactions of SIM with AG or Na2GA were
investigated by FTIR, DSC, XRD and SEM. Self-association of SIM in various
solvents was investigated by UV/Vis and NMR techniques. The molecular masses of
supramolecular systems-inclusion complexes and micelles, which are the "hosts"
for SIM molecules were measured. The parallel artificial membrane permeability
assay (PAMPA) revealed a strong increasing of SIM permeability in the presence of
Na2GA in comparison with pure SIM used as a control. On the other hand, the rapid
storage assay (+40 degrees C for 3 months) showed that the chemical stability of
SIM/AG complexes was similar to pure SIM, but SIM/Na2GA complexes had an enhanced
stability. Pharmacokinetic tests in vivo on laboratory animals showed a
significant increase in SIM's bioavailability after its introduction as a complex
with Na2GA or AG. Moreover, SIM/AG inclusion complex performed better than SIM in
reducing total cholesterol level. Therefore, the mechanochemically synthesized
complexes of SIM with AG or Na2GA might have a promising future as novel
formulations for hyper-cholesterolemia treatment.
PMID- 28993168
TI - Selective digestive and oropharyngeal decontamination in medical and surgical ICU
patients: authors' reply.
PMID- 28993169
TI - Anti-tuberculosis drug combination for controlled oral delivery using 3D printed
compartmental dosage forms: From drug product design to in vivo testing.
AB - The design and production of an oral dual-compartmental dosage unit (dcDU) was
examined in vitro and in vivo with the purpose of physically isolating and
modulating the release profile of an anti-tuberculosis drug combination.
Rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (ISO) are first line combination drugs for
treatment of tuberculosis (TB) that negatively interact with each other upon
simultaneous release in acidic environment. The dcDUs were designed in silico by
computer aided design (CAD) and fabricated in two steps; first three-dimensional
(3D) printing of the outer structure, followed by hot-melt extrusion (HME) of the
drug-containing filaments. The structure of the fabricated dcDUs was visualized
by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The 3D printed compartmentalized shells
were loaded with filaments containing active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and
selectively sealed to modulate drug dissolution. The drug release profile of the
dcDUs was characterized by pH-transfer dissolution in vitro and pharmacokinetics
studies in rats, and resulted in modified release of the APIs from the dcDUs as
compared to the free filaments. Furthermore, the selective physical sealing of
the compartments resulted in an effective retardation of the in vitro API
release. The findings of this study support the development of controllable-by
design dcDU systems for combination therapies to enable efficient therapeutic
translation of oral dosage forms.
PMID- 28993170
TI - College women, HPV genotyping and sexual behavior before HPV vaccination: Results
from samples stored for a long time.
AB - HPV is the sexually transmitted agent most common among young people, like
college students. The aim of study was to associate sexual behavior
characteristics of women with HPV, detected in genital samples taken before the
introduction of the HPV vaccine. Female students during 2001-2005 donated genital
samples and the samples were re-analyzed in 2013 for HPV genotyping by RT-PCR.
The frozen storage of the students' genital samples allowed the detection of HPV
DNA and its genotyping after years of sample collection. HPV prevalence was 22%,
HPV16 3.9%, and HPV18 1.1%. Age, multiple sexual partners and the partner's age
at first sexual intercourse were significantly associated to HPV. Students with
>= 3 sexual partners and who did not use condom had 12.8 higher odds of being HPV
positive. These results made possible the analysis of HPV prevalence changes,
before HPV vaccine introduction.
PMID- 28993171
TI - Cross-sectional study of MERS-CoV-specific RNA and antibodies in animals that
have had contact with MERS patients in Saudi Arabia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a newly
emerged coronavirus that is associated with a severe respiratory disease in
humans in the Middle East. The epidemiological profiles of the MERS-CoV
infections suggest zoonotic transmission from an animal reservoir to humans.
METHODS: This study was designed to investigate animal herds associated with
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-infected patients in Saudi Arabia, during
the last three years (2014-2016). Nasal swabs and serum samples from 584
dromedary camels, 39 sheep, 51 goats, and 2 cattle were collected. Nasal samples
from camels, sheep, goats, and cattle were examined by real-time reverse
transcription PCR (RT-PCR) to detect MERS-CoV RNA, and the Anti-MERS ELISA assay
was performed to detect camel humeral immune response (IgG) to MERS-CoV S1
antigen infection. The complete genome sequencing of ten MERS-CoV camel isolates
and phylogenetic analysis was performed. RESULTS: The data indicated that seventy
five dromedary camels were positive for MERS-CoV RNA; the virus was not detected
in sheep, goats, and cattle. MERS-CoV RNA from infected camels was not detected
beyond 2 weeks after the first positive result was detected in nasal swabs
obtained from infected camels. Anti-MERS ELISA assays showed that 70.9% of camels
related to human cases had antibodies to MERS-CoV. The full genome sequences of
the ten MERS-CoV camel isolates were identical to their corresponding patients
and were grouped together within the larger MERS-CoV sequences cluster for human
and camel isolates reported form the Arabian Peninsula. CONCLUSIONS: These
findings indicate that camels are a significant reservoir for the maintenance of
MERS-CoVs, and they are an important source of human infection with MERS.
PMID- 28993172
TI - Hidden burden of chikungunya in North India; A prospective study in a tertiary
care centre.
AB - BACKGROUND: Arboviral diseases, such as chikungunya, dengue and now zika
represent a public health problem, especially in tropical countries. Epidemiology
of chikungunya and dengue is well known, including its social and climatic
factors associated, but only few data and reports of chikungunya are available
from North India. The clinical differentiation of chikungunya from dengue is no
doubt challenging since both diseases can share clinical signs and symptoms
leading to potential misdiagnosis of chikungunya in areas where dengue is
endemic. The aim of this study was to know the seroprevalence, seasonal trends,
clinical presentations of chikungunya and its co-infection with dengue virus.
METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted in Varanasi, from January to
December 2016. All serum samples were tested for both chikungunya and dengue IgM
antibodies by MAC ELISA test. RESULTS: Total of 186 samples, out of which 108
(58%) samples were total seropositive, 23 (12.37%) samples positive for
chikungunya IgM antibodies, 57 (30.65%) samples positive for dengue and 28
(15.05%) samples positive for both chikungunya and dengue. The most affected age
group was 20-30 years and males were more affected than females. A seasonal peak
for chikungunya and its co-infection with dengue were seen in November.
CONCLUSION: In India, the seroprevalence of chikungunya is increasing. India is a
rapidly developing country where adequate sanitation is required. More aggressive
intervention and vigilance by health authorities is needed to decrease vector
born diseases.
PMID- 28993173
TI - Role of MexAB-OprM and MexXY-OprM efflux pumps and class 1 integrons in
resistance to antibiotics in burn and Intensive Care Unit isolates of Pseudomonas
aeruginosa.
AB - BACKGROUND: The overexpression of efflux pumps and existence of class 1 integrons
are the most important mechanisms that contribute to antimicrobial resistance in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa especially in burn and Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The
present study evaluated the role of MexAB-OprM and MexXY-OprM efflux pumps and
class 1 integrons in resistance to antibiotics in burn and ICU isolates of P.
aeruginosa. METHODS: Fifteen burn and forty-two ICU isolates were obtained from
four hospitals in Northwest Iran. The isolates were identified and evaluated by
the disk diffusion and agar dilution methods for determining antibiotic
resistances. The presence of class 1 integrons and associated resistance gene
cassettes were detected by PCR and sequencing of the products. The expression
levels of efflux pumps were evaluated by phenotypic and genotypic (Quantitative
Real-time PCR) methods. The isolates were genotyped by Random Amplified
Polymorphic DNA Typing (RAPD-PCR). RESULTS: All burn isolates were integron
positive and Multi-drug resistant (MDR), while 78.5% and 69% of ICU isolates were
found as MDR and integron positive, respectively. The aadB gene was the most
prevalent gene cassette (63.6%) followed by aacA4 (47.7%). Thirty-nine (68.4%)
and 43 (75.4%) isolates exhibited an overexpression of MexAB-OprM and MexXY-OprM.
Among burn isolates, 80% and 86.6% of them were mexB and mexY overexpressed,
while 64.2% and 71.4% of ICU isolates exhibited mexB and mexY overexpression,
correspondingly. The isolates were genotyped as 24 different RAPD profiles and
were grouped into 15 clusters. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggested that class 1
integron had a more significant role than efflux pumps in resistance to beta
lactams and aminoglycosides in burn and ICUs except for gentamicin in burn
isolates. Based on our data, it is possible that efflux pumps were not the main
cause of high-level resistance to antibiotics.
PMID- 28993174
TI - Meningovascular neurosyphilis with basilar artery thrombosis in HIV patient.
AB - Currently, neurosyphilis is an uncommon disease and may occur at any stage of
syphilis. Co-infection of syphilis with HIV can affect the clinical course. We
report a case of meningovascular neurosyphilis in a patient with HIV in whom
basilar artery thrombosis and reactive VDRL in CSF were detected. Treatment with
penicillin was instituted with adequate response showing clinical improvement.
Neurosyphilis is a differential diagnosis in young patients with cerebral
infarction, especially in HIV patients.
PMID- 28993175
TI - Research to knowledge: promoting the training of physician-scientists in the
biology of pregnancy.
AB - Common disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and fetal
growth abnormalities, continue to challenge perinatal biologists seeking insights
into disease pathogenesis that will result in better diagnosis, therapy, and
disease prevention. These challenges have recently been intensified with
discoveries that associate gestational diseases with long-term maternal and
neonatal outcomes. Whereas modern high-throughput investigative tools enable
scientists and clinicians to noninvasively probe the maternal-fetal genome,
epigenome, and other analytes, their implications for clinical medicine remain
uncertain. Bridging these knowledge gaps depends on strengthening the existing
pool of scientists with expertise in basic, translational, and clinical tools to
address pertinent questions in the biology of pregnancy. Although PhD researchers
are critical in this quest, physician-scientists would facilitate the inquiry by
bringing together clinical challenges and investigative tools, promoting a
culture of intellectual curiosity among clinical providers, and helping transform
discoveries into relevant knowledge and clinical solutions. Uncertainties related
to future administration of health care, federal support for research, attrition
of physician-scientists, and an inadequate supply of new scholars may jeopardize
our ability to address these challenges. New initiatives are necessary to attract
current scholars and future generations of researchers seeking expertise in the
scientific method and to support them, through mentorship and guidance, in
pursuing a career that combines scientific investigation with clinical medicine.
These efforts will promote breadth and depth of inquiry into the biology of
pregnancy and enhance the pace of translation of scientific discoveries into
better medicine and disease prevention.
PMID- 28993176
TI - Comparing parents' and overweight adolescents' reports on parent mealtime
actions.
AB - This study aimed to compare answers given by parents and their adolescent
children to the Portuguese version of the Parent Mealtime Action Scale (PMAS) and
to assess associations among the reported behaviors. To compare these answers, a
cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 72 patients of the Obesity
Clinic of the Division of Nutrology of the Pediatrics Department at the Federal
University of Sao Paulo (Unifesp), Brazil. These patients were aged from 10 years
to 19 years and 11 months, and their parents or legal guardians also
participated. First, parents were interviewed and instructed to answer how often
they perform each behavior measured by the PMAS (never, sometimes or always).
Next, the same questions were answered by the adolescents. The general linear
model (GLM) showed the effects of the interviewees and of the interaction between
interviewees and sex. We also observed a triple interaction effect (sex x
interviewees x categorized age). The internal reliability of the PMAS was higher
for parental answers than for those given by the children. This finding is
probably observed because the scale has been developed and validated to evaluate
the pattern of parental responses concerning their eating practices during their
children's meals. In addition, although parents believe they are engaging in
certain behaviors, the effectiveness of these strategies may not be recognized by
their children. Very low intraclass correlation coefficients were observed
between parents' and children's answers to the original domains of the PMAS (ICC:
0.130-0.578), suggesting that the factorial structure of the PMAS may only be
used to assess parental behavior, as it is not sufficiently accurate to assess
the children's understanding of parent mealtime actions.
PMID- 28993177
TI - DKK1 and sclerostin are early markers of relapse in multiple myeloma.
AB - Recent studies have shown that Dickkopf-related protein (DKK1) and sclerostin
decrease when a complete response (CR) is obtained after chemotherapy in myeloma
multiple (MM). To study variations in DKK1, sclerostin and P1NP in patients
treated for MM, between complete response (CR) and relapse, we carried out a
prospective study ancillary to the IFM 2009 protocol (IFM). The aim of IFM was to
compare progression-free survival between patients treated with chemotherapy with
or without transplantation. We selected 69 patients who reached CR and relapsed.
We assayed by ELISA: DKK1, sclerostin and P1NP at 3 end points T1: CR, T2: 4
months before relapse and T3: relapse. There was a significant increase in DKK1
and sclerostin between T1, T2 and T3. (DKK1 medians (IQR): T1 = 30 pmol/l (20.4
41.1), T2 = 37.4 pmol/l (29.8-49.4), p < 0.0001, T3 = 42 pmol/l (33.8-55.5), p <
0.0001 sclerostin medians (IQR): T1 = 0.57 (0.47-0.69), T2 = 0.62 ng/ml (0.53
0.79), p < 0.0001, T3 = n0.64 ng/ml (0.56-0.79), p = 0.005). No significant
variation was detected in the levels of P1NP. No association was observed between
the characteristics of the MM, or the treatment received and the variation
between T1-T3 for DKK1, sclerostin or P1NP. A significant increase in DKK1 and
sclerostin was observed four months before relapse.
PMID- 28993178
TI - A user-friendly risk-score for predicting in-hospital cardiac arrest among
patients admitted with suspected non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome - The
SAFER-score.
AB - AIM: To develop a simple risk-score model for predicting in-hospital cardiac
arrest (CA) among patients hospitalized with suspected non-ST elevation acute
coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). METHODS: Using the Swedish Web-system for
Enhancement and Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated
According to Recommended Therapies (SWEDEHEART), we identified patients (n=242
303) admitted with suspected NSTE-ACS between 2008 and 2014. Logistic regression
was used to assess the association between 26 candidate variables and in-hospital
CA. A risk-score model was developed and validated using a temporal cohort (n=126
073) comprising patients from SWEDEHEART between 2005 and 2007 and an external
cohort (n=276 109) comprising patients from the Myocardial Ischaemia National
Audit Project (MINAP) between 2008 and 2013. RESULTS: The incidence of in
hospital CA for NSTE-ACS and non-ACS was lower in the SWEDEHEART-derivation
cohort than in MINAP (1.3% and 0.5% vs. 2.3% and 2.3%). A seven point, five
variable risk score (age >=60 years (1 point), ST-T abnormalities (2 points),
Killip Class >1 (1 point), heart rate <50 or >=100bpm (1 point), and systolic
blood pressure <100mmHg (2 points) was developed. Model discrimination was good
in the derivation cohort (c-statistic 0.72) and temporal validation cohort (c
statistic 0.74), and calibration was reasonable with a tendency towards
overestimation of risk with a higher sum of score points. External validation
showed moderate discrimination (c-statistic 0.65) and calibration showed a
general underestimation of predicted risk. CONCLUSIONS: A simple points score
containing five variables readily available on admission predicts in-hospital CA
for patients with suspected NSTE-ACS.
PMID- 28993179
TI - The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation-Review of the last 25 years
and vision for the future.
AB - 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the International Liaison Committee on
Resuscitation (ILCOR). ILCOR was formed in 1992 to create a forum for
collaboration among principal resuscitation councils worldwide. Since then, ILCOR
has established and distinguished itself for its pioneering vision and leadership
in resuscitation science. By systematically assessing the evidence for
resuscitation standards and guidelines and by identifying national and regional
differences, ILCOR reached consensus on international resuscitation guidelines in
2000, and on international science and treatment recommendations in 2005, 2010
and 2015. However, local variation and contextualization of guidelines are
evident by subtle differences in regional and national resuscitation guidelines.
ILCOR's efforts to date have enhanced international cooperation, and
progressively more transparent and systematic collection and analysis of
pertinent scientific evidence. Going forward, this sets the stage for ILCOR to
pursue its vision to save more lives globally through resuscitation.
PMID- 28993181
TI - Towards a universal second-line fixed-dose combination ART.
PMID- 28993182
TI - Spatial and temporal distribution of Pfmsp1 and Pfmsp2 alleles and genetic
profile change of Plasmodium falciparum populations in Gabon.
AB - Plasmodium population dynamics analysis may help to assess the impact of malaria
control strategies deployment. In Gabon, new strategies have been introduced, but
malaria is still a public health problem marked by a rebound of the prevalence in
2011. The aim of the study was to investigate the spatial and temporal
distribution of P. falciparum strains in different areas in Gabon during a period
of malaria transmission transition, between 2008 and 2011. A total of 109P.
falciparum isolates were genotyped using nested-PCR of Pfmsp1 and Pfmsp2 genes.
3D7, FC27 and K1 allele frequencies were comparable between sites (p=0.9); those
of Ro33 (93.6%; 44/47) and Mad20 (60%; 12/20) were significantly higher in
isolates from Oyem (p<0.01) and Port-Gentil (p=0.02), respectively. The frequency
of multiples infections (77%) and the complexity of infection (2.66+/-1.44) were
the highest at Oyem. Pfmsp1 gene analysis highlighted a trend of a decreasing
frequency of K1 family, in Libreville and Oyem between 2008 and 2011; while that
of Ro33 (p<0.01) and Mad20 (p<0.01) increased. The prevalence of multiple
infections was comparable between both periods in each site: 42.2% vs 47.6%
(p=0.6) in Libreville and 57.7% vs 61.7% in Oyem (p=0.8). In contrast, in 2011,
the COI tends to be higher in Libreville and did not vary in Oyem. These data
confirm an extended genetic diversity of P. falciparum isolates over time and
according to geographic location in Gabon. Nevertheless, the impact of the
deployment of malaria control strategies on the parasites genetic profile is not
clearly established here.
PMID- 28993183
TI - Nucleos(t)ide analogue interruption: Alternative approach to intrahepatic set
point for spontaneous control of HBV replication?
PMID- 28993180
TI - Efficacy and safety of switching from boosted protease inhibitors plus
emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate regimens to single-tablet
darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide at 48 weeks in
adults with virologically suppressed HIV-1 (EMERALD): a phase 3, randomised, non
inferiority trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Simplified regimens with reduced pill burden and fewer side-effects
are desirable for people living with HIV. We investigated the efficacy and safety
of switching to a single-tablet regimen of darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine,
and tenofovir alafenamide versus continuing a regimen of boosted protease
inhibitor, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. METHODS: EMERALD was
a phase-3, randomised, active-controlled, open-label, international, multicentre
trial, done at 106 sites across nine countries in North America and Europe. HIV-1
infected adults were eligible to participate if they were treatment-experienced
and virologically suppressed (viral load <50 copies per mL for >=2 months; one
viral load of 50-200 copies per mL was allowed within 12 months before
screening), and patients with a history of virological failure on non-darunavir
regimens were allowed. Randomisation was by computer-generated interactive web
response system and stratified by boosted protease inhibitor use at baseline.
Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to switch to the open-label study regimen
or continue the control regimen. The study regimen consisted of a fixed-dose
tablet containing darunavir 800 mg, cobicistat 150 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg, and
tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg, which was taken once per day for 48 weeks. The
primary outcome was the proportion of participants with virological rebound
(confirmed viral load >=50 copies per mL or premature discontinuations, with last
viral load >=50 copies per mL) cumulative through week 48; we tested non
inferiority (4% margin) of the study regimen versus the control regimen in the
intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov,
number NCT02269917. FINDINGS: The study began on April 1, 2015, and the cutoff
date for the week 48 primary analysis was Feb 24, 2017. Of 1141 patients (763 in
the study group and 378 in the control group), 664 (58%) had previously received
five or more antiretrovirals, including screening antiretrovirals, and 169 (15%)
had previous virological failure on a non-darunavir regimen. The study regimen
was non-inferior to the control for virological rebound cumulative through week
48 (19 [2.5%] of 763 patients in the study group vs eight (2.1%) of 378 patients
in the control group; difference 0.4%, 95% CI -1.5 to 2.2; p<0.0001). No
resistance to any study drug was observed. Numbers of discontinuations related to
adverse events (11 [1%] of 763 patients in the study group vs four [1%] of 378
patients in the control group) and grade 3-4 adverse events (52 [7%] patients vs
31 [8%] patients) were similar between the two groups. There was a small non
clinically relevant but statistically significant (0.2 [SD 1.1] vs 0.1 [1.1],
p=0.010) difference between the two groups in change from baseline in total
cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio. Only one serious adverse event
(pancreatitis in the study group) was deemed as possibly related to the study
regimen. INTERPRETATION: Our findings show the safety and efficacy of single
tablet darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide as a
potential switch option for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults with viral
suppression. FUNDING: Janssen.
PMID- 28993184
TI - Pitfalls in the non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis with eLIFT-FMVCTE
algorithm.
PMID- 28993185
TI - Reply to: "Nucleos(t)ide analogue interruption: Alternative approach to
intrahepatic set point for spontaneous control of HBV replication?"
PMID- 28993186
TI - Experimental oral iron administration: Histological investigations and
expressions of iron handling proteins in rat retina with aging.
AB - Iron is implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this
study was to see if long-term, experimental iron administration with aging
modifies retinal and choroidal structures and expressions of iron handling
proteins, to understand some aspects of iron homeostasis. Male Wistar rats were
fed with ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (500mg/kg body weight/week, oral;
elemental iron availability: 20%) from 2 months of age onward until they were
19.5 month-old. At 8, 14 and 20 months of age, they were sacrificed and serum and
retinal iron levels were detected by HPLC. Oxidative stress was analyzed by TBARS
method. The retinas were examined for cell death (TUNEL), histology (electron
microscopy) and the expressions of transferrin, transferrin receptor-1 [TFR-1], H
and L-ferritin. In control animals, at any age, there was no difference in the
serum and retinal iron levels, but the latter increased significantly in 14- and
20 month-old iron-fed rats, indicating that retinal iron accumulation proceeds
with progression of aging (>14 months). The serum and retinal TBARS levels
increased significantly with progression of aging in experimental but not in
control rats. There was significant damage to choriocapillaris, accumulation of
phagosomes in retinal pigment epithelium and increased incidence of TUNEL+ cells
in outer nuclear layer and vacuolation in inner nuclear layer (INL) of 20 month
aged experimental rats, compared to those in age-matched controls. Vacuolations
in INL could indicate a long-term effect of iron accumulation in the inner
retina. These events paralleled the increased expression of ferritins and
transferrin and a decrease in the expression of TFR-1 in iron-fed rats with
aging, thereby maintaining iron homeostasis in the retina. As some of these
changes mimic with those happening in eyes with AMD, this model can be utilized
to understand iron-induced pathophysiological changes in AMD.
PMID- 28993187
TI - Inpatient Glucose Values: Determining the Nondiabetic Range and Use in
Identifying Patients at High Risk for Diabetes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Many individuals with diabetes remain undiagnosed, leading to delays
in treatment and higher risk for subsequent diabetes complications. Despite
recommendations for diabetes screening in high-risk groups, the optimal approach
is not known. We evaluated the utility of inpatient glucose levels as an
opportunistic screening tool for identifying patients at high risk for diabetes.
METHODS: We retrospectively examined 462,421 patients in the US Department of
Veterans Affairs healthcare system, hospitalized on medical/surgical services in
2000-2010, for >=3 days, with >=2 inpatient random plasma glucose (RPG)
measurements. All had continuity of care: >=1 primary care visit and >=1 glucose
measurement within 2 years before hospitalization and yearly for >=3 years after
discharge. Glucose levels during hospitalization and incidence of diabetes within
3 years after discharge in patients without diabetes were evaluated. RESULTS:
Patients had a mean age of 65.0 years, body mass index of 29.9 kg/m2, and were
96% male, 71% white, and 18% black. Pre-existing diabetes was present in 39.4%,
1.3% were diagnosed during hospitalization, 8.1% were diagnosed 5 years after
discharge, and 51.3% were never diagnosed (NonDM). The NonDM group had the lowest
mean hospital RPG value (112 mg/dL [6.2 mmol/L]). Having at least 2 RPG values
>140 mg/dL (>7.8 mmol/L), the 95th percentile of NonDM hospital glucose, provided
81% specificity for identifying incident diabetes within 3 years after discharge.
CONCLUSIONS: Screening for diabetes could be considered in patients with at least
2 hospital glucose values at/above the 95th percentile of the nondiabetic range
(141 mg/dL [7.8 mmol/L]).
PMID- 28993188
TI - The effect of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genotype on outcome of
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from matched sibling.
AB - The alloreactivity of natural killer (NK) cell after allogeneic hematopoietic
stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is regulated by the interaction between donor
killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and recipient human leukocyte antigen
(HLA)-class I molecules. The aim was to identify KIR genes, haplotypes and their
HLA-class I ligands and to investigate their association with transplantation
outcome. The study included 65 patient/donor pairs who received AHSCT from HLA
matched identical siblings. KIR genotyping was done for donors using reverse
sequence specific oligonucleotide probes (rSSO) coupled with luminex technology,
while HLA-C genotyping was performed in patients using rSSO strip assay. In
multivariate analysis, KIR2DS4 was associated with significant reduced incidence
of relapse (p = .002). A trend towards reduced incidence of relapse was also
observed with more than two KIR B motifs (p = .09), whereas a significant
increased relapse was associated with homozygous HLA-C2 ligand compared to
combined C1/C2 and C1/C1 (p = .04). Activating KIR2DS3 was associated with rapid
leukocyte engraftment (p = .02). While, KIR 2DL5 was associated with decreased
CMV infection (p = .03) and better platelets engraftment (p = .05). KIR genes,
haplotypes and HLA-C alleles have an impact on HSCT outcome. Better selection of
donors with favorable KIR genotype can improve HLA-matched sibling HSCT outcome
especially for AML patients.
PMID- 28993189
TI - Effect of genetic variants of OPTN in the pathophysiology of Paget's disease of
bone.
AB - Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is the second most frequent metabolic bone disease
after osteoporosis. Genetic factors play an important role in PDB, but to date
PDB causing mutations were identified only in the Sequestosome 1 gene at the PDB3
locus. OPTN has been recently associated with PDB, however little is known about
the effect of genetic variants in this gene in PDB pathophysiology. By sequencing
OPTN in SQSTM1 non-carriers PDB patients we found 16 SNPs in regulatory, coding
and non-coding regions. One of those was found to be associated with PDB in our
cohort - rs2234968. Our results show that rs2238968 effect may be explained by a
change in OPTN splicing that give rise to a predicted truncated protein. We also
performed functional studies on the variants located in OPTN promoter - rs3829923
and the rare variant -9906 - to investigate putative regulators of OPTN. Our
results show that OPTN expression seems to be regulated by SP1, RXR, E47, and the
E2F family. In conclusion, our work suggests a potential pathophysiological role
of SNPs in OPTN, giving a new perspective about the regulatory mechanisms of this
gene. Ultimately we discovered a new variant associated with PDB in OPTN,
reinforcing the relevance of this gene for the development of this bone disease.
PMID- 28993190
TI - Secretome from hypoxia-conditioned adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
promotes the healing of gastric mucosal injury in a rodent model.
AB - Studies have indicated that the definitive engraftment and transdifferentiation
potential of stem cells do not seem crucial for its property of tissue repair.
Our previous study showed that transplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal
stem cells (ADMSCs) enhanced the healing of sutured gastric perforation. This
study aimed to investigate the paracrine role of ADMSCs in the experimental
gastric mucosal injury. Normoxia-conditioned medium (Nor CM) and hypoxia (HPO) CM
were obtained after culturing ADMSCs in 20% O2 and 5% O2 for 48h. Cell migration,
proliferation, viability, and angiogenesis in vitro were significantly enhanced
upon incubation with CM, especially the HPO CM. Experiments in vivo using a
rodent model of gastric ulcer demonstrated that HPO CM treatment significantly
accelerated wound healing by suppressing inflammation and promoting
neovascularization and re-epithelization. Meanwhile, the infusion of HPO CM
activated the COX2-PGE2 axis both in vitro and in vivo. And the upregulation of
COX2 was further dependent on the activation of ErK1/2-MAPK pathway. In addition,
vascular endothelial growth factor, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1,
and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL-20) were analyzed as being highly
abundant factors secreted by ADMSCs under hypoxic condition. Notably, the
blockade of CCL-20 abrogated the HPO CM-induced COX2 signaling in the primary
gastric mucosal epithelial cells, while incubation with recombinant CCL-20
increased the expression of COX2. In conclusion, the secretome from hypoxia
conditioned ADMSCs facilitates the repair of gastric mucosal injury through the
enhancement of angiogenesis and re-epithelization, as well as the activation of
COX2-PGE2 axis with a paracrine activity involving CCL-20 factor.
PMID- 28993191
TI - The anti-aging protein Klotho is induced by GABA therapy and exerts protective
and stimulatory effects on pancreatic beta cells.
AB - Systemic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) therapy prevents or ameliorates type 1
diabetes (T1D), by suppressing autoimmune responses and stimulating pancreatic
beta cells. In beta cells, it increases insulin secretion, prevents apoptosis,
and induces regeneration. It is unclear how GABA mediates these effects. We
hypothesized that Klotho is involved. It is a multi-functional protein expressed
in the kidneys, brain, pancreatic beta cells, other tissues, and is cell-bound or
soluble. Klotho knockout mice display accelerated aging, and in humans Klotho
circulating levels decline with age, renal disease and diabetes. Here, we report
that GABA markedly increased circulating levels of Klotho in streptozotocin (STZ)
induced diabetes. GABA also increased Klotho in the islet of Langerhans of normal
mice, as well as the islets and kidneys of STZ-treated mice. In vitro, GABA
stimulated production and secretion of Klotho by human islet cells. Knockdown
(KD) of Klotho with siRNA in INS-1E insulinoma cells abrogated the protective
effects of GABA against STZ toxicity. Following KD, soluble Klotho reversed the
effects of Klotho deficiency. In human islet cells soluble Klotho protected
against cell death, and stimulated proliferation and insulin secretion. NF-kappaB
activation triggers beta-cell apoptosis, and both GABA and Klotho suppress this
pathway. We found Klotho KD augmented NF-kappaB p65 expression, and abrogated the
ability of GABA to block NF-kappaB activation. This is the first report that
GABAergic stimulation increases Klotho expression. Klotho protected and
stimulated beta cells and lack of Klotho (KD) was reversed by soluble Klotho.
These findings have important implications for the treatment of T1D.
PMID- 28993192
TI - WITHDRAWN: Up-regulation of RIP3 alleviates cervical cancer progression through
inducing necroptosis.
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 https://www.elsevier.com/about/our
business/policies/article-withdrawal.
PMID- 28993193
TI - alpha-Lipoic acid inhibits human lung cancer cell proliferation through Grb2
mediated EGFR downregulation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Alpha lipoic acid (alpha -LA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant
and metabolic enzyme co-factor. Recently, alpha -LA has been reported to inhibit
the growth of various cancer cells, but the precise signaling pathways that
mediate the effects of alpha -LA on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
development remain unclear. METHODS: The CCK-8 assay was used to assess cell
proliferation in NSCLC cell lines after alpha -LA treatment. The expression of
growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2), cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-2,
CDK4, CDK6, Cyclin D3, Cyclin E1, Ras, c-Raf, epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR), ERK1/2 and activated EGFR and ERK1/2 was evaluated by western blotting.
Grb2 levels were restored in alpha-LA-treated cells by transfection of a plasmid
carrying Grb2 and were reduced in NSCLC cells via specific siRNA-mediated
knockdown. RESULTS: alpha -LA dramatically decreased NSCLC cell proliferation by
downregulating Grb2; in contrast, Grb2 overexpression significantly prevented
alpha-LA-induced decrease in cell growth in vitro. Western blot analysis
indicated that alpha-LA decreased the levels of phospho-EGFR, CDK2/4/6, Cyclins
D3 and E1, which are associated with the inhibition of G1/S-phase transition.
Additional experiments indicated that Grb2 inhibition partially abolished EGF
induced phospho-EGFR and phospho-ERK1/2 activity. In addition, alpha-LA exerted
greater inhibitory effects than gefitinib on NSCLC cells by preventing EGF
induced EGFR activation. CONCLUSION: For the first time, these findings provide
the first evidence that alpha-LA inhibits cell proliferation through Grb2 by
suppressing EGFR phosphorylation and that MAPK/ERK is involved in this pathway.
PMID- 28993194
TI - Identification of a selective inhibitor of human monocarboxylate transporter 4.
AB - The human monocarboxylate transporters (hMCTs/SLC16As) mediate the uptake of
various monocarboxylates. Several isoforms of hMCTs are expressed in cancerous
tissue as well as in normal tissue. In cancerous tissue, hypoxia induces the
expression of hMCT4, which transports the energetic metabolite l-lactate across
the plasma membrane. Since hMCT4 is involved in pH regulation and the transport
of l-lactate in cancer cells, an hMCT4 inhibitor could function as an anticancer
agent. Although several non specific hMCT inhibitors have been developed, a
selective hMCT4 inhibitor has not yet been identified. The aim of this study was
therefore to identify a selective hMCT4 inhibitor for use as a pharmacological
tool for studying hMCT4. The heterologous expression system of the Xenopus oocyte
was used to assess the effects of test compounds on hMCT4, whereupon isobutyrate
derivatives, fibrates, and bindarit (2-[(1-benzyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)methoxy]-2
methylpropanoic acid) were demonstrated to exhibit selective inhibitory effects
against this transporter. It is suggested that the structure formed from the
joining of an isobutyrate moiety and two aromatic rings by appropriate linkers is
important for acquiring the selective hMCT4-inhibiting activity. These findings
provide novel insights into the ligand recognition of hMCT4, and contribute to
the development of novel anticancer agents.
PMID- 28993195
TI - Effect of Trichostatin A on radiation induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition
in A549 cells.
AB - Radiotherapy is used to treat tumors of different origins and nature, but often
lead to development of radioresistance and metastasis of cells. Interestingly,
radiation induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process by which
epithelial cells undergo mesenchymal phenotype and stimulates tumor progression
capability. Our study investigated the effect of Trichostatin A (TSA), a natural
derivate isolated from Streptomyces, upon radiation-induced lung EMT and we tried
to understand the role of signaling molecules in irradiated lung cancer cells
(A549). The cells were categorized into four groups: untreated control, radiation
alone (R; 8Gy, X-ray), radiation combined with TSA (R + T) and TSA (100nM).
Radiation-induced lung EMT were evidenced by decreased expression of epithelial
marker like E-cadherin, Zona occluden1 (ZO-1) and increased expression of N
cadherin and Vimentin. The Snail protein, a master regulator of EMT, was observed
to be elevated after radiation treatment. In addition, TGF-beta1 signaling
(smad2, 3, and 4) proteins were activated upon irradiation. Western blot data
were supported by the altered m-RNA expression of E-cadherin, TGF-beta and Snail
genes and this effect were reversed by TSA treatment. In addition to this, as
supportive evidence, we performed docking studies between snail protein and TSA
using Auto docking software and results suggested that less binding energy was
needed for the putative binding of TSA on C-terminal domain of Snail protein.
Based on our report, we suggest that TSA can effectively inhibit radiation
induced EMT (i) by altering epithelial and mesenchymal markers (ii) by modulating
signaling molecules of TGFbeta1 pathway (iii) by inhibiting cancer cell migratory
potential in A549 cells (iv)by effectively binding to Snail which is an enhancer
of EMT.
PMID- 28993196
TI - Long non-coding RNA expression profiles in different severity EV71-infected hand
foot and mouth disease patients.
AB - Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is associated with the severe hand foot and mouth disease
(HFMD) outcomes, however the host-virus interaction mechanism and the
pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are
involved in variety physiological and pathological processes, but the functions
of lncRNAs in EV71 infection remain elusive. Here we profiled the expression of
lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from EV71-infected mild
patients, severe patients as well as the healthy controls, and identified 8541
lncRNAs were differentially expressed. Focused on the dynamic changed lncRNAs, we
performed systematic bioinformatics analysis with Series Test of Cluster (STC)
algorithm, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, pathway analysis and lncRNA-mRNA co
expression network analysis, and revealed the potential functions and related
pathways of these lncRNAs were associated with immunity and inflammation during
the clinical process of EV71-infected HFMD. Among the significant dynamic changed
lncRNAs, ten lncRNAs were screened whose expression were further validated in
EV71-infected mild patients, severe patients and healthy control. These results
shed light on the potential roles of lncRNAs in EV71-infected HFMD, especially in
distinguishing the mild and severe cases for early diagnose and treatment,
moreover, provide deeper insight into the mechanism of EV71-induced immune and
inflammatory responses, as well as the pathogenesis of the imbalanced
inflammation in severe EV71 infection.
PMID- 28993197
TI - Increased cellular uptake of peptide-modified PEGylated gold nanoparticles.
AB - Gold nanoparticles are promising drug delivery vehicles for nucleic acids, small
molecules, and proteins, allowing various modifications on the particle surface.
However, the instability and low bioavailability of gold nanoparticles compromise
their clinical application. Here, we functionalized gold nanoparticles with CPP
fragments (CALNNPFVYLI, CALRRRRRRRR) through sulfhydryl PEG to increase their
stability and bioavailability. The resulting gold nanoparticles were
characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light
scattering (DLS), UV-visible spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS), and the stability in biological solutions was evaluated. Comparing to
PEGylated gold nanoparticles, CPP (CALNNPFVYLI, CALRRRRRRRR)-modified gold
nanoparticles showed 46 folds increase in cellular uptake in A549 and B16 cell
lines, as evidenced by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission
spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The interactions between gold nanoparticles and liposomes
indicated CPP-modified gold nanoparticles bind to cell membrane more effectively
than PEGylated gold nanoparticles. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used to
measure interactions between nanoparticles and the membrane. TEM and uptake
inhibitor experiments indicated that the cellular entry of gold nanoparticles was
mediated by clathrin and macropinocytosis. Other energy independent endocytosis
pathways were also identified. Our work revealed a new strategy to modify gold
nanoparticles with CPP and illustrated the cellular uptake pathway of CPP
modified gold nanoparticles.
PMID- 28993198
TI - Wright-Fisher diffusion bridges.
AB - The trajectory of the frequency of an allele which begins at x at time 0 and is
known to have frequency z at time T can be modelled by the bridge process of the
Wright-Fisher diffusion. Bridges when x=z=0 are particularly interesting because
they model the trajectory of the frequency of an allele which appears at a time,
then is lost by random drift or mutation after a time T. The coalescent genealogy
back in time of a population in a neutral Wright-Fisher diffusion process is well
understood. In this paper we obtain a new interpretation of the coalescent
genealogy of the population in a bridge from a time t?(0,T). In a bridge with
allele frequencies of 0 at times 0 and T the coalescence structure is that the
population coalesces in two directions from t to 0 and t to T such that there is
just one lineage of the allele under consideration at times 0 and T. The
genealogy in Wright-Fisher diffusion bridges with selection is more complex than
in the neutral model, but still with the property of the population branching and
coalescing in two directions from time t?(0,T). The density of the frequency of
an allele at time t is expressed in a way that shows coalescence in the two
directions. A new algorithm for exact simulation of a neutral Wright-Fisher
bridge is derived. This follows from knowing the density of the frequency in a
bridge and exact simulation from the Wright-Fisher diffusion. The genealogy of
the neutral Wright-Fisher bridge is also modelled by branching Polya urns,
extending a representation in a Wright-Fisher diffusion. This is a new very
interesting representation that relates Wright-Fisher bridges to classical urn
models in a Bayesian setting.
PMID- 28993199
TI - Unraveling the role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha and HIF-2alpha in
the adaption process of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) to
hypoxia: Redundant HIF-dependent regulation of macrophage migration inhibitory
factor.
AB - Hypoxia driven angiogenesis is a prominent feature of tissue regeneration,
inflammation and tumor growth and is regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)
1 and -2. The distinct functions of HIFs in the hypoxia-induced angiogenesis and
metabolic switch of endothelial cells are still unknown and therefore aim of this
study. We investigated the role of HIF-1 and -2 in the adaptation of immortalized
human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) to hypoxic conditions (1% O2) in
terms of angiogenesis, cytokine secretion, gene expression and ATP/ADP-ratio
using shRNA-mediated reduction of the oxygen sensitive alpha-subunits of either
HIF-1 or HIF-2 or the combination of both. Reduction of HIF-1alpha diminished
cellular energy, hypoxia-induced glycolytic gene expression, and angiogenesis not
altering pro-angiogenic factors. Reduction of HIF-2alpha diminished hypoxia
induced pro-angiogenic factors, enhanced anti-angiogenic factors and attenuated
angiogenesis not altering glycolytic gene expression. Reduction of both HIFs
reduced cell survival, gene expression of glycolytic enzymes and pro-angiogenic
factors as compared to the corresponding control. Finally, we identified the
macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) to be redundantly regulated by HIF-1
and HIF-2 and to be essential in the process of hypoxia-driven angiogenesis. Our
results demonstrate a major impact of HIF-1 and HIF-2 on hypoxia-induced
angiogenesis indicating distinct but also overlapping functions of HIF-1 and HIF
2. These findings open new possibilities for therapeutic approaches by
specifically targeting the HIF-1 and HIF-2 or their target MIF.
PMID- 28993200
TI - Pax6 is essential for the generation of late-born retinal neurons and for
inhibition of photoreceptor-fate during late stages of retinogenesis.
AB - In the developing retina, as in other regions of the CNS, neural progenitors give
rise to individual cell types during discrete temporal windows. Pax6 is expressed
in retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) throughout the course of retinogenesis, and
has been shown to be required during early retinogenesis for generation of most
early-born cell types. In this study, we examined the function of Pax6 in
postnatal mouse retinal development. We found that Pax6 is essential for the
generation of late-born interneurons, while inhibiting photoreceptor
differentiation. Generation of bipolar interneurons requires Pax6 expression in
RPCs, while Pax6 is required for the generation of glycinergic, but not for
GABAergic or non-GABAergic-non-glycinergic (nGnG) amacrine cell subtypes. In
contrast, overexpression of either full-length Pax6 or its 5a isoform in RPCs
induces formation of cells with nGnG amacrine features, and suppresses generation
of other inner retinal cell types. Moreover, overexpression of both Pax6 variants
prevents photoreceptor differentiation, most likely by inhibiting Crx expression.
Taken together, these data show that Pax6 acts in RPCs to control differentiation
of multiple late-born neuronal cell types.
PMID- 28993201
TI - Ancient genetic redundancy of eyeless and twin of eyeless in the arthropod ocular
segment.
AB - Pax6 transcription factors are essential upstream regulators in the developing
anterior brain and peripheral visual system of most bilaterian animals. While a
single homolog is in charge of these functions in vertebrates, two Pax6 genes are
in Drosophila: eyeless (ey) and twin of eyeless (toy). At first glance, their co
existence seems sufficiently explained by their differential involvement in the
specification of two types of insect visual organs: the lateral compound eyes
(ey) and the dorsal ocelli (toy). Less straightforward to understand, however, is
their genetic redundancy in promoting defined early and late growth phases of the
precursor tissue to these organs: the eye-antennal imaginal disc. Drawing on
comparative sequence, expression, and gene function evidence, I here conclude
that this gene regulatory network module dates back to the dawn of arthropod
evolution, securing the embryonic development of the ocular head segment. Thus,
ey and toy constitute a paradigm to explore the organization and functional
significance of longterm conserved genetic redundancy of duplicated genes.
Indeed, as first steps in this direction, recent studies uncovered the shared use
of binding sites in shared enhancers of target genes that are under redundant
(string) and, strikingly, even subfunctionalized control by ey and toy (atonal).
Equally significant, the evolutionarily recent and paralog-specific function of
ey to repress the transcription of the antenna fate regulator Distal-less offers
a functionally and phylogenetically well-defined opportunity to study the
reconciliation of shared, partitioned, and newly acquired functions in a
duplicated developmental gene pair.
PMID- 28993202
TI - Temporal expression profiling of plasma proteins reveals oxidative stress in
early stages of Type 1 Diabetes progression.
AB - : Blood markers other than islet autoantibodies are greatly needed to indicate
the pancreatic beta cell destruction process as early as possible, and more
accurately reflect the progression of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D). To this
end, a longitudinal proteomic profiling of human plasma using TMT-10plex-based LC
MS/MS analysis was performed to track temporal proteomic changes of T1D patients
(n=11) across 9 serial time points, spanning the period of T1D natural
progression, in comparison with those of the matching healthy controls (n=10). To
our knowledge, the current study represents the largest (>2000 proteins measured)
longitudinal expression profiles of human plasma proteome in T1D research. By
applying statistical trend analysis on the temporal expression patterns between
T1D and controls, and Benjamini-Hochberg procedure for multiple-testing
correction, 13 protein groups were regarded as having statistically significant
differences during the entire follow-up period. Moreover, 16 protein groups,
which play pivotal roles in response to oxidative stress, have consistently
abnormal expression trend before seroconversion to islet autoimmunity.
Importantly, the expression trends of two key reactive oxygen species-decomposing
enzymes, Catalase and Superoxide dismutase were verified independently by ELISA.
BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The temporal changes of >2000 plasma proteins (at least
quantified in two subjects), spanning the entire period of T1D natural
progression were provided to the research community. Oxidative stress related
proteins have consistently different dysregulated patterns in T1D group than in
age-sex matched healthy controls, even prior to appearance of islet
autoantibodies - the earliest sign of islet autoimmunity and pancreatic beta cell
stress.
PMID- 28993203
TI - Preparation of polysomal fractions from mouse brain synaptoneurosomes and
analysis of polysomal-bound mRNAs.
AB - BACKGROUND: Here we describe a detailed, reliable protocol for isolation of
polysomal fractions from mouse brain synaptoneurosomes. This method is an
important tool to study local protein synthesis in neurons. NEW METHOD: We
combined rapid preparation of synaptoneurosomes by filtration with polysome
profiling. We provide a detailed protocol highlighting difficulties and critical
steps of: i) preparation of synaptoneurosomes; ii) polyribosome fractionation
from synaptoneurosomes; iii) extraction of proteins and RNA from sucrose gradient
fractions. RESULTS: and Comparison with Existing Methods We fractionated
polyribosomes from synaptoneurosomes and detected the association of Mmp9, Camk2a
and Stx1B mRNA with polysomes in the unstimulated conditions. Synaptic
stimulation led to increased levels of Mmp9 and Camk2a mRNA in the heavy
polysomal fractions. We compared our protocol with existing methods CONCLUSIONS:
We have developed a reliable, effective method to prepare polyribosomal fractions
from synaptoneurosomes to study polyribosomal binding of mRNAs as an aspect of
synaptic translation in vitro.
PMID- 28993205
TI - A novel technology to model pressure-induced cellular injuries in the brain.
AB - BACKGROUND: Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) accompanying a number of
neurological emergencies is poorly understood, and lacks a model to determine
cellular pathophysiology. This limits our ability to identify cellular and
molecular biomarkers associated with the pathological progression from
physiologic to pathologic ICP. NEW METHOD: We developed an ex vivo model of
pressure-induced brain injury, which combines 3D neural cell cultures and a newly
developed Pressure Controlled Cell Culture Incubator (PC3I). Human astrocytes and
neurons maintained in 3D peptide-conjugated alginate hydrogels were subjected to
pressures that mimic both physiologic and pathologic levels of ICP for up to 48h
to evaluate the earliest impacts of isolated pressure on cellular viability and
quantify early indicators of pressure-induced cellular injury. RESULTS: Compared
to control cell cultures grown under physiologic pressure, sustained pathologic
pressure exposure increased the release of intracellular ATP in a cell-specific
manner. Eighteen hours of sustained pressure resulted in increased ATP release
from neurons but not astrocytes. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Cell culture
incubators maintain cultures at normal atmospheric pressure. Based on multiple
literature searches, we are not aware of any other cell culture incubator systems
that modify the pressure at which primary CNS cells are maintained. CONCLUSION:
This model simulates the clinical features of elevated ICP encountered in
patients with hydrocephalus, and provides a first estimate of the pathological
signaling encountered during the earliest perid of progression in neonatal
hydrocephalus. This model should provide a means to better understand the
pathological biomarkers associated with the earliest stages of elevated ICP.
PMID- 28993206
TI - Targeting receptor tyrosine kinase EphB4 in cancer therapy.
AB - Eph receptors and their Eph receptor-interacting (ephrin) ligands together form
an important cell communication system with diverse roles. Experimental evidence
demonstrated Eph receptor bidirectional signaling with both tumor-suppressing and
tumor-promoting activities in cancer cells. The tyrosine kinase EphB4, a member
of the Eph receptor family, has been associated with tumor angiogenesis, growth
and metastasis, thus making it a valuable and attractive target for drug design
for therapeutic applications. In the past decade, many studies have focused on
elucidating the structure and function of EphB4 in complex with its ligand
ephrinB2 for their role in carcinogenesis. Meanwhile, an array of compounds
targeting EphB4 have been studied and several selective inhibitors have been
tested in clinical studies. This review discusses the structure and function of
the EphB4 receptor, analyzes its potential as a target for anticancer therapy,
and summarizes the information about inhibitors of EphB4 kinase activity.
Conclusively, EphB4 is a challenging but promising therapeutic target in cancer.
PMID- 28993204
TI - A stepwise neuron model fitting procedure designed for recordings with high
spatial resolution: Application to layer 5 pyramidal cells.
AB - BACKGROUND: Recent progress in electrophysiological and optical methods for
neuronal recordings provides vast amounts of high-resolution data. In parallel,
the development of computer technology has allowed simulation of ever-larger
neuronal circuits. A challenge in taking advantage of these developments is the
construction of single-cell and network models in a way that faithfully
reproduces neuronal biophysics with subcellular level of details while keeping
the simulation costs at an acceptable level. NEW METHOD: In this work, we develop
and apply an automated, stepwise method for fitting a neuron model to data with
fine spatial resolution, such as that achievable with voltage sensitive dyes
(VSDs) and Ca2+ imaging. RESULT: We apply our method to simulated data from layer
5 pyramidal cells (L5PCs) and construct a model with reduced neuronal morphology.
We connect the reduced-morphology neurons into a network and validate against
simulated data from a high-resolution L5PC network model. COMPARISON WITH
EXISTING METHODS: Our approach combines features from several previously applied
model-fitting strategies. The reduced-morphology neuron model obtained using our
approach reliably reproduces the membrane-potential dynamics across the dendrites
as predicted by the full-morphology model. CONCLUSIONS: The network models
produced using our method are cost-efficient and predict that interconnected
L5PCs are able to amplify delta-range oscillatory inputs across a large range of
network sizes and topologies, largely due to the medium after hyperpolarization
mediated by the Ca2+-activated SK current.
PMID- 28993207
TI - Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on time limit and ratings of
perceived exertion in physically active women.
AB - The limiting factors of maximum performance in humans have been extensively
investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the acute effects of
transcranial direct current stimulation on time limit (i.e., the time by which an
individual is able to sustain a certain intensity of effort) at 100% of peak
power (tlim@100%PP) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Eleven moderately
active women underwent an anthropometric evaluation and a maximal incremental
test in the cycle ergometer, in order to obtain peak power (PP). At the two
subsequent visits, which were separated by 48-72h, participants were randomly
assigned to two experimental conditions: anodal stimulation (a-tDCS) and sham. In
the a-tDCS condition, the stimulus was applied in the left dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with intensity of 2mA for 20min. In the sham
condition, the equipment was switched off after 30s of stimulation. Immediately
after the conditions, participants performed the tlim@100%PP. Immediately after
the tlim@100%PP test, the RPE scale was applied. The results demonstrated that
the tlim@100%PP was higher in a-tDCS condition compared to sham condition
(p=0.005). No difference was found between the conditions (a-tDCS vs sham) for
the RPE (p=0.52). The anodal stimulus increased the tolerance to the exercise
performed in the cycloergometer with maximum load, having some ergogenic effect
in exercises of cyclic characteristics.
PMID- 28993208
TI - Intestinal microbiota impact sepsis associated encephalopathy via the vagus
nerve.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE) remains
poorly understood. Vagus nerve plays an important role in gut-microbiota-brain
axis. This study aimed to investigate whether vague nerve is a key mediator of
the impact of intestinal microbiota on SAE. METHODS: Male rats were randomly
divided into four groups (n=20): SHAM (SH) group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group,
fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) +LPS group, and vagotomy (VGX)+LPS+FMT
group. The left cervical vagotomy was performed 30min before LPS administration
in LPS+FMT+VGX group. LPS+ FMT and LPS+FMT+VGX groups received nasogastric
infusion of feces from healthy donor three times a day. Fecal samples were
collected every two days to monitor changes in microbiota composition by 16S rDNA
analysis. Brain function was evaluated by behavioral tests and EEG. The levels of
tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 in
brain cortex were detected by ELISA. The expression of Iba-1 in brain cortex was
assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Significant
modification of microbiota composition, characterized by a profound increase of
commensals in the Firmicutes phylum and depletion of opportunistic organisms in
the Proteobacteria phylum, was observed in FMT groups compared to LPS group.
Furthermore, we identified a reconstituted bacterial community enriched in
Firmicutes and depleted of Proteobacteria. In both FMT groups the diversity of
the fecal microbiota and the microbiota composition were similar to SH group. LPS
mice treated with FMT demonstrated a better spatial memory and less EEG
abnormalities, significantly attenuated levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and
decreased number of Iba-1 positive microglia in the cortex, but these beneficial
effects of FMT were reversed by VGX. CONCLUSIONS: FMT can change intestinal
microbiota in sepsis patients, and vagus nerve is a key mediator between
intestinal microbiota and SAE. These findings suggest that FMT and vagus nerve
are potential therapy targets for treating SAE.
PMID- 28993209
TI - Rotigotine, a dopamine receptor agonist, increased BDNF protein levels in the rat
cortex and hippocampus.
AB - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) critically controls the fate and
function of the neuronal network and has received much attention as a target of
many brain diseases. Dopaminergic system dysfunction has also been implicated in
a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases. Rotigotine, a non-ergot dopamine receptor
agonist, is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs
syndrome. To investigate the effects of rotigotine on neuronal functions both in
vivo and in vitro, rats and primary cortical neurons were administered
rotigotine, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of BDNF, its receptor TrkB
and downstream signaling molecules, and synaptic proteins were determined. We
found that BDNF protein was increased in the cortex and hippocampus of rats after
7days of rotigotine treatment. In contrast, BDNF mRNAs were reduced 6h after
rotigotine treatment in cultured neurons presumably through the transient
suppression of neuronal activity. We identified differential expression of D1,
D2, and D3 receptors in the rat brain and cultured neurons. The observed increase
in the expression of BDNF protein in the cortex and hippocampus after subchronic
administration of rotigotine suggests that it may exert its medical effect in
part through improving BDNF function in the brain. In addition, our results
highlight the complex relationships between rotigotine and BDNF expression, which
depend on the brain region, time course, and dose of the drug.
PMID- 28993210
TI - Telomere length, sibling competition and development of antioxidant defense in
wild house mice.
AB - Antioxidants and telomere length are potential biomarkers for individuals'
exposure and ability to cope with environmental stressors. However, intraspecific
variations in antioxidant alterations due to natural, life cycle related stress,
have been rarely estimated. We investigated those changes in wild-derived house
mice in a longitudinal study with natural sibling competition as a stressor.
Blood was used for telomere length measurements at 8-weeks age and for several
selected antioxidants at 8-weeks and 6-months age. Our results show that most of
the antioxidants increase during that time, indicating that antioxidant-system
continues to develop after early development and sexual maturation. In addition
females had higher antioxidant-levels than males. Mice with longer telomeres had
also higher superoxide dismutase-activity and more glutathione than mice with
shorter telomeres, meaning that long telomeres are associated with better
antioxidant defense at maturation and during later life. Sibling competition at
early age affected superoxide dismutase-levels at 6-months, but only in females.
Females, which were lighter than the average of the litter had low superoxide
dismutase -activity in later adulthood, indicating delayed negative effect of
sibling competition on antioxidant defense. Our results highlight that sex and
developmental stage are crucial in intraspecific comparisons of the antioxidant
status and its alterations.
PMID- 28993211
TI - Global cognitive profile and different components of reaction times in
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: Effects of continuous positive airway pressure
over time.
AB - Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been recurrently associated with
cognitive and psychomotor impairments. However, the occurrence and possible
reversibility of these deficits are still extremely controversial, also as a
result of different methodologies adopted used by scholars. The aim of the
present study was to compare over time the global cognitive profile of patients
with OSAS undergoing the continuous positive airway pressure treatment (CPAP;
N=23) with that of patients with OSAS who were not (N=10). A group of healthy
participants (N=30) was also included. This study adopted a specific
methodological approach allowing the researchers to distinguish between the
cognitive and the motor component of reaction times (RTs). After baseline
assessment, the same tests were administered after three and six months. No
significant differences emerged between groups at each time point. On the other
hand, the analysis of cognitive score trajectory over time revealed differences
between groups. While healthy controls and OSAS patients undergoing CPAP showed
increased MoCA test scores after three months, patients not undergoing CPAP
improved their scores only after six months. In addition, patients treated with
CPAP also showed significantly faster psychomotor response in motor RTs over
time. Results seem to conceivably support a global cognitive vulnerability of non
treated OSAS patients. Conversely, the RT response of treated patients can be
increased over time by CPAP, at least in the motor component of RTs. Therefore,
our study suggests that CPAP may play an important role by slowing down the
negative effects of OSAS, and by fostering sufficient cognitive functioning and
adequate psychomotor speed.
PMID- 28993212
TI - Biocatalytic, one-pot diterminal oxidation and esterification of n-alkanes for
production of alpha,omega-diol and alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acid esters.
AB - Direct and selective terminal oxidation of medium-chain n-alkanes is a major
challenge in chemistry. Efforts to achieve this have so far resulted in low
specificity and overoxidized products. Biocatalytic oxidation of medium-chain n
alkanes - with for example the alkane monooxygenase AlkB from P. putida GPo1- on
the other hand is highly selective. However, it also results in overoxidation.
Moreover, diterminal oxidation of medium-chain n-alkanes is inefficient. Hence,
alpha,omega-bifunctional monomers are mostly produced from olefins using energy
intensive, multi-step processes. By combining biocatalytic oxidation with
esterification we drastically increased diterminal oxidation upto 92mol% and
reduced overoxidation to 3% for n-hexane. This methodology allowed us to convert
medium-chain n-alkanes into alpha,omega-diacetoxyalkanes and esterified
alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acids. We achieved this in a one-pot reaction with
resting-cell suspensions of genetically engineered Escherichia coli. The
combination of terminal oxidation and esterification constitutes a versatile
toolbox to produce alpha,omega-bifunctional monomers from n-alkanes.
PMID- 28993213
TI - Consumer purchase behaviour of foods with added phytosterols in six European
countries: Data from a post-launch monitoring survey.
AB - A variety of foods with added phytosterols (plant sterols and stanols, PS) known
to lower elevated blood cholesterol is available on the European market. This
paper reports findings from a 2015 post-launch monitoring survey on consumer
purchase behaviour of foods with added PS in UK, Germany, France, Netherlands,
Belgium and Greece. Data from 80,825 households were included. Households were
divided into categories depending on number of purchases, household size, age of
primary shopper and presence of children <5 years. Penetration rates of
households purchasing foods with added PS ranged between 3 and 34%. Of households
purchasing PS, 34-61% purchased infrequently (<=2 times/year), 29-36%
occasionally (=35
years and <=1% by households with children <5 years. Median PS intakes ranged
from 0.11 to 0.30 g/d for all purchasers, from 0.26 to 0.37 g/d for occasional
purchasers and from 0.91 to 1.44 g/d for regular purchasers and are hence well
below recommended intakes. Intakes exceeding 3 g/d only occurred in 2.5% of
purchasing households in UK and Belgium.
PMID- 28993214
TI - A comprehensive review on biological properties of citrinin.
AB - Citrinin (CIT) is a mycotoxin which causes contamination in the food and is
associated with different toxic effects. A web search on CIT has been conducted
covering the timespan since 1946. The accumulated data indicate that CIT is
produced by several fungal strains belonging to Penicillium, Aspergillus and
Monascus genera, and is usually found together with another nephrotoxic
mycotoxin, ochratoxin A. Although, it is evident that CIT exposure can exert
toxic effects on the heart, liver, kidney, as well as reproductive system, the
mechanism of CIT-induced toxicity remains largely elusive. It is still
controversial what are the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of CIT. Until now, its
toxic effect has been linked to the CIT-mediated oxidative stress and
mitochondrial dysfunction in biological systems. However, the toxicity strongly
depends on its concentration, route, frequency and time of exposure, as well as
from the used test systems. Besides the toxic effects, CIT is also reported to
possess a broad spectrum of bioactivities, including antibacterial, antifungal,
and potential anticancer and neuro-protective effects in vitro. This systematic
review presents the current state of CIT research with emphasis on its
bioactivity profile.
PMID- 28993216
TI - Atypical Epithelioid Angiomyolipoma: A Rare Variant With Malignant Potential.
PMID- 28993215
TI - Surveying selected European feed and livestock production chains for features
enabling the case-specific post-market monitoring of livestock for intake and
potential health impacts of animal feeds derived from genetically modified crops.
AB - This review, which has been prepared within the frame of the European Union (EU)
funded project MARLON, surveys the organisation and characteristics of specific
livestock and feed production chains (conventional, organic, GM-free) within the
EU, with an emphasis on controls, regulations, traceability, and common
production practices. Furthermore, an overview of the origin of animal feed used
in the EU as well as an examination of the use of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) in feed is provided. From the data, it shows that livestock is traceable
at the herd or individual level, depending on the species. Husbandry practices
can vary widely according to geography and animal species, whilst controls and
checks are in place for notifiable diseases and general health symptoms (such as
mortality, disease, productive performance). For feeds, it would be possible only
to make coarse estimates, at best, for the amount of GM feed ingredients that an
animal is exposed to. Labeling requirements are apparently correctly followed.
Provided that confounding factors are taken into account, practices such as
organic agriculture that explicitly involve the use of non-GM feeds could be used
for comparison to those involving the use of GM feed.
PMID- 28993218
TI - Novel therapeutic targets in diabetic macular edema: Beyond VEGF.
AB - The leading cause of major vision loss in diabetic persons is diabetic macular
edema (DME). The hallmark feature of diabetic retinopathy is the alteration of
the blood-retinal barrier (BRB). Inflammation plays a crucial role in DME with
involvement of several chemokines and cytokines including vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a potent cytokine and vaso-permeability factor that
has been targeted in multiple, large clinical trials. Multiple anti-VEGF drugs
are widely used in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) as the first
line of treatment, and have been shown to be effective in vision improvement and
prevention of vision loss. However, many DME patients do not show complete
response to anti-VEGF drugs despite multiple intravitreal injections with these
drugs. Also, the effect seems to be transient in those responders, and many
patients do not show complete resolution of fluid. This article summarizes the
mechanisms other than VEGF, and how these novel factors can be targeted as
promising therapies of DME.
PMID- 28993217
TI - Mechanistic Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of the Dissolution and
Food Effect of a Biopharmaceutics Classification System IV Compound-The
Venetoclax Story.
AB - Venetoclax, a selective B-cell lymphoma-2 inhibitor, is a biopharmaceutics
classification system class IV compound. The aim of this study was to develop a
physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to mechanistically describe
absorption and disposition of an amorphous solid dispersion formulation of
venetoclax in humans. A mechanistic PBPK model was developed incorporating
measured amorphous solubility, dissolution, metabolism, and plasma protein
binding. A middle-out approach was used to define permeability. Model predictions
of oral venetoclax pharmacokinetics were verified against clinical studies of fed
and fasted healthy volunteers, and clinical drug interaction studies with strong
CYP3A inhibitor (ketoconazole) and inducer (rifampicin). Model verification
demonstrated accurate prediction of the observed food effect following a low-fat
diet. Ratios of predicted versus observed Cmax and area under the curve of
venetoclax were within 0.8- to 1.25-fold of observed ratios for strong CYP3A
inhibitor and inducer interactions, indicating that the venetoclax elimination
pathway was correctly specified. The verified venetoclax PBPK model is one of the
first examples mechanistically capturing absorption, food effect, and exposure of
an amorphous solid dispersion formulated compound. This model allows evaluation
of untested drug-drug interactions, especially those primarily occurring in the
intestine, and paves the way for future modeling of biopharmaceutics
classification system IV compounds.
PMID- 28993219
TI - Involvement of posterior cingulate cortex in ketamine-induced psychosis relevant
behaviors in rats.
AB - The involvement of posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) on ketamine-induced psychosis
relevant behaviors was investigated in rats. Bilateral infusion of muscimol, a
GABAA receptor agonist, into the PCC significantly antagonized ketamine-induced
deficit in prepulse inhibition of a startle reflex (PPI), deficit in gating of
hippocampal auditory evoked potentials, and behavioral hyperlocomotion in a dose
dependent manner. Local infusion of ketamine directly into the PCC also induced a
PPI deficit. Systemic injection of ketamine (3mg/kg,s.c.) induced an increase in
power of electrographic activity in the gamma band (30-100Hz) in both the PCC and
the hippocampus; peak theta (4-10Hz) power was not significantly altered, but
peak theta frequency was increased by ketamine. In order to exclude volume
conduction from the hippocampus to PCC, inactivation of the hippocampus was made
by local infusion of muscimol into the hippocampus prior to ketamine
administration. Muscimol in the hippocampus effectively blocked ketamine-induced
increase of gamma power in the hippocampus but not in the PCC, suggesting
independent generation of gamma waves in PCC and hippocampus. It is suggested
that the PCC is part of the brain network mediating ketamine-induced psychosis
related behaviors.
PMID- 28993220
TI - Silk fibroin/hydroxyapatite composites for bone tissue engineering.
AB - Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural fibrous polymer with strong potential for many
biomedical applications. SF has attracted interest in the field of bone tissue
engineering due to its extraordinary characteristics in terms of elasticity,
flexibility, biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, low osteogenic
capacity has limited applications for SF in the orthopedic arena unless suitably
functionalized. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a well-established bioceramic with
biocompatibility and appropriate for constructing orthopedic and dental
substitutes. However, HAp ceramics tend to be brittle which can restrict
applications in the repair of load-bearing tissues such as bones. Therefore,
blending SF and HAp combines the useful properties of both materials as bone
constructs for tissue engineering, the subject of this review.
PMID- 28993221
TI - Recent advances in polysaccharide bio-based flocculants.
AB - Natural polysaccharides, derived from biomass feedstocks, marine resources, and
microorganisms, have been attracting considerable attention as benign and
environmentally friendly substitutes for synthetic polymeric products. Besides
many other applications, these biopolymers are rapidly emerging as viable
alternatives to harmful synthetic flocculating agents for the removal of
contaminants from water and wastewater. In recent years, a great deal of effort
has been devoted to improve the production and performance of polysaccharide bio
based flocculants. In this review, current trends in preparation and chemical
modification of polysaccharide bio-based flocculants and their flocculation
performance are discussed. Aspects including mechanisms of flocculation,
biosynthesis, classification, purification and characterization, chemical
modification, the effect of physicochemical factors on flocculating activity, and
recent applications of polysaccharide bio-based flocculants are summarized and
presented.
PMID- 28993222
TI - The Chikungunya epidemic in the Caribbean did not impact tourism.
PMID- 28993223
TI - International travelers with infectious diseases determined by pathology results,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - United States, 1995-2015.
AB - BACKGROUND: The failure to consider travel-related diagnoses, the lack of
diagnostic capacity for specialized laboratory testing, and the declining number
of autopsies may affect the diagnosis and management of travel-related
infections. Pre- and post-mortem pathology can help determine causes of illness
and death in international travelers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective
review of biopsy and autopsy specimens sent to the Infectious Diseases Pathology
Branch laboratory (IDPBL) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
for diagnostic testing from 1995 through 2015. Cases were included if the
specimen submitted for diagnosis was from a traveler with prior international
travel during the disease incubation period and the cause of illness or death was
unknown at the time of specimen submission. RESULTS: Twenty-one travelers, six
(29%) with biopsy specimens and 15 (71%) with autopsy specimens, met the
inclusion criteria. Among the 15 travelers who underwent autopsies, the most
common diagnoses were protozoal infections (7 travelers; 47%), including five
malaria cases, followed by viral infections (6 travelers; 40%). CONCLUSIONS:
Biopsy or autopsy specimens can assist in diagnosing infectious diseases in
travelers, especially from pathogens not endemic in the U.S. CDC's IDPBL provides
a useful resource for clinicians considering infectious diseases in returned
travelers.
PMID- 28993224
TI - Differences between observed and estimated by hematocrit hemoglobin and its
implications in the diagnosis of anemia: Analysis of data derived from the PERU
MIGRANT study (PEru's rural to urban MIGRANTs study).
PMID- 28993225
TI - Treatment Approach and Prognosis of Pediatric and Adolescent Nonepithelial
Malignant Ovarian Tumors: A Retrospective Prognosis Analysis.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Nonepithelial malignant ovarian tumors are rare in the pediatric
and adolescent population. The aim of this study was to observe the spectrum of
pathology, presentation, outcome, and risk factors for survival of pediatric
nonepithelial malignant ovarian tumors in a Chinese pediatric population. DESIGN,
SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This was a
retrospective study of 171 girls (median age at presentation of 14 years)
diagnosed with primary malignant ovarian tumors between 1990 and 2014 at the Yat
Sen Memorial Hospital and Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University. Symptoms,
pathological data, treatments, and outcomes were obtained retrospectively from
the medical records. RESULTS: Most (85.96%, 147/171) tumors occurred in patients
aged 10-18 years and most cases were International Federation of Gynecology and
Obstetrics stage I (68.42%, 117/171). The predominant pathological type was germ
cell tumors (87.13%, 149/171). All patients underwent surgery, and 87 (50.88%,
87/171) underwent conservative incomplete staging surgery (unilateral salpingo
oophorectomy or tumor excision). The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was
59.2%. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 88.7%. Surgical hospital (hazard
ratio, 0.388; 95% confidence interval, 0.213-0.706; P = .002) was independently
associated with PFS. Recurrence state (hazard ratio, 163.26; 95% confidence
interval, 1.321-20,181.875; P = .038) was independently associated with OS.
CONCLUSION: Ovarian cancers in children and adolescents have features of good
prognosis. Girls who received their first surgery in a tertiary hospital had
better PFS. Patients who did not suffer recurrence had better OS.
PMID- 28993226
TI - Vulvar Lesions in an 8-Year-Old Girl: Cutaneous Manifestations of Multisystem
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare localized or systemic
disease characterized by proliferation of myeloid-derived dendritic cells. Vulvar
lesions might be the herald symptom of LCH and might mimic other cutaneous
lesions. Prognosis varies widely on the basis of the extent and spread of
disease. CASE: An 8-year-old girl with a 4-month history of vulvar lesions
resistant to topical steroids was referred by her pediatrician. Vulvar biopsy was
diagnostic for LCH. Imaging studies revealed a left hip lesion consistent with
LCH. The patient was subsequently treated for multisystem LCH with vinblastine
and prednisone. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Although rare, LCH might be diagnosed by
gynecologic providers and should be included in the differential diagnosis of
genital lesions. We recommend having a low threshold for performing biopsy of
vulvar lesions.
PMID- 28993227
TI - Adverse glycaemic effects of cancer therapy: indications for a rational approach
to cancer patients with diabetes.
AB - Diabetes and cancer are common, chronic, and potentially fatal diseases that
frequently co-exist. Observational studies have reported an increased risk of
cancer in patients with diabetes. Furthermore, many patients with cancer already
have diabetes, or develop hyperglycaemia as a consequence of the tumor or of
cancer therapies, and coexisting diabetes confers a greater risk of mortality for
many malignancies. Managing oncologic patients with diabetes is often
complicated, since the co-existence of diabetes and cancer poses several complex
clinical questions: what level of glycaemic control to achieve, which therapy to
use, how to deal with glucocorticoid therapies and artificial nutrition, how
diabetes complications can affect cancer management, which drug-drug interactions
should be taken into account, or even how to manage diabetes at the end of life.
In the clinical setting, both at hospital and at home, there are little agreed,
evidence-based guidelines on the best management and criteria upon which clinical
decisions should be based. A practical solution lies in the implementation of
care networks based on communication and ongoing collaboration between
Oncologists, Endocrinologists, and the nursing staff, with the patient at the
centre of the care process. This manuscript aims to review the current evidence
on the effect of cancer therapies on glucose metabolism and to address some of
the more common challenges of diabetes treatment in patients with cancer.
PMID- 28993229
TI - Combating flu in China.
AB - China is a major source of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) with bird-to-human
transmissibility. Thus, understanding these viruses and treating infections at
their source should decrease spread of AIVs to other countries in the world. This
special issue focuses on the molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of influenza
viruses, and provides results on current efforts to develop vaccines against
AIVs.
PMID- 28993230
TI - The importance of blood platelet lipid signaling in thrombosis and in sepsis.
AB - Blood platelets are the first line of defense against hemorrhages and are also
strongly involved in the processes of arterial thrombosis, a leading cause of
death worldwide. Besides their well-established roles in hemostasis, vascular
wall repair and thrombosis, platelets are now recognized as important players in
other processes such as inflammation, healing, lymphangiogenesis, neoangiogenesis
or cancer. Evidence is accumulating they are key effector cells in immune and
inflammatory responses to host infection. To perform their different functions
platelets express a wide variety of membrane receptors triggering specific
intracellular signaling pathways and largely use lipid signaling systems. Lipid
metabolism is highly active in stimulated platelets including the
phosphoinositide metabolism with the phospholipase C (PLC) and the
phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways but also other enzymatic systems
producing phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, platelet activating factor,
sphingosine 1-phosphate and a number of eicosanoids. While several of these
bioactive lipids regulate intracellular platelet signaling mechanisms others are
released by activated platelets acting as autocrine and/or paracrine factors
modulating neighboring cells such as endothelial and immune cells. These
bioactive lipids have been shown to play important roles in hemostasis and
thrombosis but also in vessel integrity and dynamics, inflammation, tissue
remodeling and wound healing. In this review, we will discuss some important
aspects of platelet lipid signaling in thrombosis and during sepsis that is an
important cause of death in intensive care unit. We will particularly focus on
the implication of the different isoforms of PI3Ks and on the generation of
eicosanoids released by activated platelets.
PMID- 28993228
TI - Kinase-independent role of nuclear RIPK1 in regulating parthanatos through
physical interaction with PARP1 upon oxidative stress.
AB - Regulated necrosis occurs in various pathophysiological conditions under
oxidative stress. Here, we report that receptor-interacting protein kinase 1
(RIPK1), a key player in one type of regulated necrosis (necroptosis), also
participates in another type of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1)-dependent
regulated necrosis (parthanatos). Various biological signatures of parthanatos
were significantly attenuated in Ripk1-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts, including
PARylation, nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor, and PARP1
dependent cell death under H2O2 exposure. Hence, we investigated whether RIPK1
regulates the activity of PARP1. RIPK1 activated PARP1 via an interaction with
the catalytic domain of PARP1 in the nucleus. Of note, both wild type and kinase
dead mutant RIPK1 induced PARP1 activation and led to PARP1-mediated cell death
upon H2O2 insult, demonstrating the kinase-independent regulation of RIPK1 in
PARP1 activation. Collectively, our results demonstrate the existence of a kinase
independent role of nuclear RIPK1 in the regulation of PARP1.
PMID- 28993231
TI - Decoding spoken phonemes from sensorimotor cortex with high-density ECoG grids.
AB - For people who cannot communicate due to severe paralysis or involuntary
movements, technology that decodes intended speech from the brain may offer an
alternative means of communication. If decoding proves to be feasible,
intracranial Brain-Computer Interface systems can be developed which are designed
to translate decoded speech into computer generated speech or to instructions for
controlling assistive devices. Recent advances suggest that such decoding may be
feasible from sensorimotor cortex, but it is not clear how this challenge can be
approached best. One approach is to identify and discriminate elements of spoken
language, such as phonemes. We investigated feasibility of decoding four spoken
phonemes from the sensorimotor face area, using electrocorticographic signals
obtained with high-density electrode grids. Several decoding algorithms including
spatiotemporal matched filters, spatial matched filters and support vector
machines were compared. Phonemes could be classified correctly at a level of over
75% with spatiotemporal matched filters. Support Vector machine analysis reached
a similar level, but spatial matched filters yielded significantly lower scores.
The most informative electrodes were clustered along the central sulcus. Highest
scores were achieved from time windows centered around voice onset time, but a
500 ms window before onset time could also be classified significantly. The
results suggest that phoneme production involves a sequence of robust and
reproducible activity patterns on the cortical surface. Importantly, decoding
requires inclusion of temporal information to capture the rapid shifts of robust
patterns associated with articulator muscle group contraction during production
of a phoneme. The high classification scores are likely to be enabled by the use
of high density grids, and by the use of discrete phonemes. Implications for use
in Brain-Computer Interfaces are discussed.
PMID- 28993232
TI - MR elastography of the brain and its application in neurological diseases.
AB - Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an imaging technique for noninvasively
and quantitatively assessing tissue stiffness, akin to palpation. MRE is further
able assess the mechanical properties of tissues that cannot be reached by hand
including the brain. The technique is a three-step process beginning with the
introduction of shear waves into the tissue of interest by applying an external
vibration. Next, the resulting motion is imaged using a phase-contrast MR pulse
sequence with motion encoding gradients that are synchronized to the vibration.
Finally, the measured displacement images are mathematically inverted to compute
a map of the estimated stiffness. In the brain, the technique has demonstrated
strong test-retest repeatability with typical errors of 1% for measuring global
stiffness, 2% for measuring stiffness in the lobes of the brain, and 3-7% for
measuring stiffness in subcortical gray matter. In healthy volunteers, multiple
studies have confirmed that stiffness decreases with age, while more recent
studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between viscoelasticity and
behavioral performance. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated the
sensitivity of brain stiffness to neurodegeneration, as stiffness has been shown
to decrease in multiple sclerosis and in several forms of dementia. Moreover, the
spatial pattern of stiffness changes varies among these different classes of
dementia. Finally, MRE is a promising tool for the preoperative assessment of
intracranial tumors, as it can measure both tumor consistency and adherence to
surrounding tissues. These factors are important predictors of surgical
difficulty. In brief, MRE demonstrates potential value in a number of
neurological diseases. However, significant opportunity remains to further refine
the technique and better understand the underlying physiology.
PMID- 28993234
TI - Epidemiology of hyperhidrosis in 2 population-based health care databases.
AB - BACKGROUND: Population-based and clinical case reports of hyperhidrosis (HH)
provide prevalence estimates that vary widely across reported studies because of
differences in case ascertainment. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we specify
diagnostic, symptom, and prescription codes for HH to estimate incidence and
prevalence for the United Kingdom and the United States. METHODS: Data from UK
and US health care databases were analyzed to ascertain HH cases and estimate
incidence and prevalence from health care records during calendar years 2011
through 2013. RESULTS: On the basis of 2013 data for the United States and United
Kingdom, between 1.0% and 1.6% of these populations have health care records
indicating diagnosis or treatment of HH. Women accounted for approximately 60% of
incident and prevalent cases in both databases. LIMITATIONS: Because the case
ascertainment methods rely on available data for those seeking health care, we
may have underestimated the number of HH cases in both countries. CONCLUSIONS:
The findings represent a plausible estimate for incidence and prevalence of HH
among persons seeking medical care for excessive sweating. Improved practices for
identifying HH in clinical settings may increase the sensitivity and specificity
of future studies and improve characterization and quantification of the
population burden of this significant disease.
PMID- 28993233
TI - The distribution of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in healthy aging:
An in vivo positron emission tomography study with [18F]ASEM.
AB - : Altered function of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7-nAChR)
is implicated in several neuropsychiatric diseases. Nevertheless, studies of the
human cerebral alpha7-nAChR even in healthy aging are limited in number and to
postmortem tissue. METHODS: The distribution of the cerebral alpha7-nAChR was
estimated in nine brain regions in 25 healthy volunteers (ages 21-86 years;
median 57 years, interquartile range 52 years) using [18F]ASEM with positron
emission tomography (PET) imaging. Regional total distribution volume (VT)
measurements were calculated using the Logan method from each subject's 90 min
dynamic PET data and their metabolite-corrected plasma input function. Spearman's
rank or Pearson's correlation analysis was used depending on the normality of the
data. Correlation between age and regional 1) volume relative to intracranial
volume (volume ratio) and 2) [18F]ASEM VT was tested. Correlation between
regional volume ratio and [18F]ASEM VT was also evaluated. Finally, the
relationship between [18F]ASEM VT and neuropsychological measures was
investigated in a subpopulation of 15 elderly healthy participants (those 50
years of age and older). Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was
applied to statistical analyses. RESULTS: A negative correlation between tissue
volume ratio and age was observed in six of the nine brain regions including
striatum and five cortical (temporal, occipital, cingulate, frontal, or parietal)
regions. A positive correlation between [18F]ASEM VT and age was observed in all
nine brain regions of interest (ROIs). There was no correlation between [18F]ASEM
VT and volume ratio in any ROI after controlling for age. Regional [18F]ASEM VT
and neuropsychological performance on each of eight representative subtests were
not correlated among the well-performing subpopulation of elderly healthy
participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an increase in cerebral alpha7
nAChR distribution over the course of healthy aging that should be tested in
future longitudinal studies. The preservation of the alpha7-nAChR in the aging
human brain supports the development of therapeutic agents that target this
receptor for use in the elderly. Further study of the relationship between alpha7
nAChR availability and cognitive impairment over aging is needed.
PMID- 28993235
TI - Wood's lamp as a tool in the evaluation of morphea.
PMID- 28993236
TI - Affective blindsight relies on low spatial frequencies.
AB - The human brain can process facial expressions of emotions rapidly and without
awareness. Several studies in patients with damage to their primary visual
cortices have shown that they may be able to guess the emotional expression on a
face despite their cortical blindness. This non-conscious processing, called
affective blindsight, may arise through an intact subcortical visual route that
leads from the superior colliculus to the pulvinar, and thence to the amygdala.
This pathway is thought to process the crude visual information conveyed by the
low spatial frequencies of the stimuli. In order to investigate whether this is
the case, we studied a patient (TN) with bilateral cortical blindness and
affective blindsight. An fMRI paradigm was performed in which fearful and neutral
expressions were presented using faces that were either unfiltered, or filtered
to remove high or low spatial frequencies. Unfiltered fearful faces produced
right amygdala activation although the patient was unaware of the presence of the
stimuli. More importantly, the low spatial frequency components of fearful faces
continued to produce right amygdala activity while the high spatial frequency
components did not. Our findings thus confirm that the visual information present
in the low spatial frequencies is sufficient to produce affective blindsight,
further suggesting that its existence could rely on the subcortical colliculo
pulvino-amygdalar pathway.
PMID- 28993237
TI - Sonic hedgehog induces GLT-1 degradation via PKC delta to suppress its
transporter activities.
AB - GLT-1 is mainly expressed in astrocytes and has a crucial role in glutamate
uptake. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) can inhibit glutamate uptake and its pathway is
activated in many brain diseases related with glutamate excitotoxicity. However,
whether SHH regulates GLT-1 to affect glutamate uptake is not clear. Here, we use
pharmacological and genetic methods to show that SHH induces GLT-1 degradation in
astrocytes in a manner that is dependent on PKC delta (PKCdelta) to regulate GLT
1 activities. GLT-1 protein levels are reduced as early as 2 hs in astrocytes
after incubation with SHH, whereas its mRNA levels are not changed. This
reduction is recapitulated when astrocytes are transfected with SmoA1, a
constitutively active form of Smoothened (Smo), the mediator of SHH pathway. The
reduction of GLT-1 and inhibition of aspartate current are not observed when
staurosporine (STP) and BisindolylmaleimideII (BisII), agents known as PKC
inhibitors, are present. Further, when PKCdelta is knocked down in astrocytes,
SHH cannot reduce GLT-1 protein levels. Therefore, SHH induces degradation of GLT
1 through PKCdelta to regulate its activities.
PMID- 28993238
TI - Thalamo-insular pathway conveying orofacial muscle proprioception in the rat.
AB - Little is known about how proprioceptive signals arising from muscles reach to
higher brain regions such as the cerebral cortex. We have recently shown that a
particular thalamic region, the caudo-ventromedial edge (VPMcvm) of ventral
posteromedial thalamic nucleus (VPM), receives the proprioceptive signals from
jaw-closing muscle spindles (JCMSs) in rats. In this study, we further addressed
how the orofacial thalamic inputs from the JCMSs were transmitted from the
thalamus (VPMcvm) to the cerebral cortex in rats. Injections of a retrograde and
anterograde neuronal tracer, wheat-germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish
peroxidase (WGA-HRP), into the VPMcvm demonstrated that the thalamic pathway
terminated mainly in a rostrocaudally narrow area in the dorsal part of granular
insular cortex rostroventrally adjacent to the rostralmost part of the secondary
somatosensory cortex (dGIrvs2). We also electrophysiologically confirmed that the
dGIrvs2 received the proprioceptive inputs from JCMSs. To support the anatomical
evidence of the VPMcvm-dGIrvs2 pathway, injections of a retrograde neuronal
tracer Fluorogold into the dGIrvs2 demonstrated that the thalamic neurons
projecting to the dGIrvs2 were confined in the VPMcvm and the parvicellular part
of ventral posterior nucleus. In contrast, WGA-HRP injections into the lingual
nerve area of core VPM demonstrated that axon terminals were mainly labeled in
the core regions of the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices, which were
far from the dGIrvs2. These results suggest that the dGIrvs2 is a specialized
cortical region receiving the orofacial proprioceptive inputs. Functional
contribution of the revealed JCMSs-VPMcvm-dGIrvs2 pathway to Tourette syndrome is
also discussed.
PMID- 28993239
TI - Regulation of NADPH oxidase NOX4 by delta iodolactone (IL-delta) in thyroid
cancer cells.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Iodine is not used only by the thyroid to synthesize thyroid
hormones but also directly influences a number of thyroid parameters such as
thyroid proliferation and function. Several iodinated lipids, biosynthesized by
the thyroid, were postulated as intermediaries in the action of iodide. Among
these, iodolactone (IL-delta) and 2-iodohexadecanal (2-IHDA) have shown to
inhibit several thyroid parameters. The antiproliferative effect of IL-delta is
not restricted to the thyroid gland. IL-delta exhibits anti-tumor properties in
breast cancer, neuroblastoma, glioblastoma, melanoma and lung carcinoma cells
suggesting that IL-delta could be used as a chemotherapeutic agent. Moreover in a
colon cancer cell line (HT-29), IL-delta induced cell death, and this effect was
mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The aim of the present
study was to analyze the sources of reactive oxygen species induced by IL-delta
and to explore the contribution of ROS induced by IL-delta on cell proliferation
and apoptosis. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: Cancer thyroid follicular (WRO) and
papilar (TPC-1) cells lines were treated with IL-delta. Proliferation and
apoptosis was analyzed. IL-delta caused a significant loss of cell viability on
WRO and TPC-1 cells in a concentration dependent manner and induced apoptosis
after 3 h of treatment. Furthermore, IL-delta (10 MUM) increased ROS production
(39% WRO and 20% TPC-1). The concomitant treatment of WRO and TPC-1 cells with
Trolox or NAC plus IL-delta abrogated the augment of ROS induced by IL-delta
exposure. Additionally Trolox and NAC reversed the effect of IL-delta on cell
proliferation and apoptosis. Only in WRO cells IL-delta upregulates NADPH oxidase
NOX4 expression, and siRNA targeted knock-down of NOX4 attenuates ROS production,
apoptosis (p < 0.05) and the inhibitory effect of IL-delta on cell proliferation
and PCNA expression (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The antiproliferative and pro
apoptotic effect of IL-delta is mediated by different mechanisms and pathway
involving different sources of ROS generation depending on the cellular context.
PMID- 28993240
TI - The oximes HI-6 and MMB-4 fail to reactivate soman-inhibited human and guinea pig
AChE: A kinetic in vitro study.
AB - Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibited by the organophosphorus nerve (OP) agent
soman underlies a spontaneous and extremely rapid dealkylation ("aging") reaction
which prevents reactivation by oximes. However, in vivo studies in various, soman
poisoned animal species showed a therapeutic effect of oximes, with the exact
mechanism of this effect remaining still unclear. In order to get more insight
and a basis for the extrapolation of animal data to humans, we applied a dynamic
in vitro model with continuous online determination of AChE activity. This model
allows to simulate the in vivo toxico- and pharmacokinetics between human and
guinea pig AChE with soman and the oximes HI-6 and MMB-4 in order to unravel the
species dependent kinetic interactions. It turned out that only HI-6 was able to
slow down the ongoing inhibition of human AChE by soman without preventing final
complete inhibition of the enzyme. Continuous perfusion of AChE with soman and
simultaneous or delayed (8, 15 or 40min) oxime perfusion did not result in a
relevant reactivation of AChE (less than 2%). In conclusion, the results of the
present study indicate a negligible reactivation of soman-inhibited AChE by
oximes at conditions simulating the in vivo poisoning by soman. The observed
therapeutic effect of oximes in soman poisoned animals in vivo must be attributed
to alternative mechanisms which may not be relevant in humans.
PMID- 28993241
TI - Discoid Resection of Rectosigmoid Endometriotic Nodules.
AB - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To show various techniques to perform laparoscopic anterior
discoid resection of rectosigmoid endometriotic nodules. DESIGN: A step-by-step
explanation of the techniques using video with narration (educational video).
SETTING: Segmental bowel resection and reanastomosis are treatment options for
larger rectosigmoid endometriotic nodules. However, laparoscopic anterior discoid
resection of rectosigmoid endometriotic nodules is feasible and potentially less
morbid in the appropriate candidate. Detailed knowledge of the avascular planes
of the pelvis, particularly the pararectal and rectovaginal spaces, is crucial
when approaching these nodules, which may initially present within an obliterated
posterior cul-de-sac. Resection begins with determination of the nodule size
followed by enucleation of the nodule itself. A 2-layer closure with barbed
suture is then performed using a rectal probe as a template. Our institution
previously demonstrated that barbed suture is safe to use in bowel repair and did
not result in major complications [1]. An air leak test assesses the integrity of
the repair and may be completed with air insufflation or with a methylene blue or
povidone-iodine enema. With larger nodules, a V-shaped closure may be necessary.
The patients provided consent to use images and videos of the procedure.
Institutional review board approval was not required for this procedure.
INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic anterior discoid resection of a rectosigmoid
endometriotic nodule. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic anterior discoid resection avoids
the need for segmental bowel resection and reanastomosis. Barbed suture is a safe
option for 2-layer bowel closure [1].
PMID- 28993242
TI - A distinct microRNA expression profile is associated with alpha[11C]-methyl-L
tryptophan (AMT) PET uptake in epileptogenic cortical tubers resected from
patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.
AB - Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is characterized by hamartomatous lesions in
various organs and arises due to mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. TSC
mutations lead to a range of neurological manifestations including epilepsy,
cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and brain lesions that
include cortical tubers. There is evidence that seizures arise at or near
cortical tubers, but it is unknown why some tubers are epileptogenic while others
are not. We have previously reported increased tryptophan metabolism measured
with alpha[11C]-methyl-l-tryptophan (AMT) positron emission tomography (PET) in
epileptogenic tubers in approximately two-thirds of patients with tuberous
sclerosis and intractable epilepsy. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to
seizure onset in TSC remain poorly characterized. MicroRNAs are enriched in the
brain and play important roles in neurodevelopment and brain function. Recent
reports have shown aberrant microRNA expression in epilepsy and TSC. In this
study, we performed microRNA expression profiling in brain specimens obtained
from TSC patients undergoing epilepsy surgery for intractable epilepsy.
Typically, in these resections several non-seizure onset tubers are resected
together with the seizure-onset tubers because of their proximity. We directly
compared seizure onset tubers, with and without increased tryptophan metabolism
measured with PET, and non-onset tubers to assess the role of microRNAs in
epileptogenesis associated with these lesions. Whether a particular tuber was
epileptogenic or non-epileptogenic was determined with intracranial
electrocorticography, and tryptophan metabolism was measured with AMT PET. We
identified a set of five microRNAs (miR-142-3p, 142-5p, 223-3p, 200b-3p and 32
5p) that collectively distinguish among the three primary groups of tubers: non
onset/AMT-cold (NC), onset/AMT-cold (OC), and onset/AMT-hot (OH). These microRNAs
were significantly upregulated in OH tubers compared to the other two groups, and
microRNA expression was most significantly associated with AMT-PET uptake. The
microRNAs target a group of genes enriched for synaptic signaling and epilepsy
risk, including SLC12A5, SYT1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, KCNB1, SCN2A, TSC1, and MEF2C. We
confirmed the interaction between miR-32-5p and SLC12A5 using a luciferase
reporter assay. Our findings provide a new avenue for subsequent mechanistic
studies of tuber epileptogenesis in TSC.
PMID- 28993245
TI - Testing a cue outside the training context increases attention to the contexts
and impairs performance in human predictive learning.
AB - One experiment in human predictive learning explored the impact of a context
change on attention to contexts and predictive ratings controlled by the cue. In
Context A: cue X was paired with an outcome four times, while cue Y was presented
without an outcome four times in Context B:. In both contexts filler cues were
presented without the outcome. During the test, target cues X and Y were
presented either in the context where they were trained, or in the alternative
context. With the context change expectation of the outcome X, expressed as
predictive ratings, decreased in the presence of X and increased in the presence
of Y. Looking at the contexts, expressed as a percentage of the overall gaze
dwell time on a trial, was high across the four training trials, and increased
with the context change. Results suggest that the presentation of unexpected
information leads to increases in attention to contextual cues. Implications for
contextual control of behavior are discussed.
PMID- 28993244
TI - Effects of reinforcement value on instruction following under schedules of
negative reinforcement.
AB - The effects of reinforcement value and social control on instruction following
under a negative-reinforcement (escape) schedule were studied. Initially,
responding produced timeouts from pressing a force cell under a low and a high
force requirement on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement. Next,
participants were reexposed to the low and high force requirements, but were
instructed that the experimenter expected them to decrease the number of timeouts
relative to the previous exposures to the procedure. Even though following the
instruction led to a decrease in number of timeouts and to an increase in effort
(i.e., was non-efficient), instruction following occurred consistently for each
participant and was modulated by reinforcement value. That is, the decrease in
the number of timeouts (i.e., instruction following) was lower under the high
force requirement than under the low force requirement. These results replicate
and extend previous findings that instructions interact with social and nonsocial
contingencies in controlling human behavior.
PMID- 28993243
TI - Diagnosis and staging of caries using spectral factors derived from the blue
laser-induced autofluorescence spectrum.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the factors derived from the
405nm laser-induced autofluorescence (AF) spectra that could be used to diagnose
and stage caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Teeth (20 teeth per stage) were
classified as sound, stage II, III, and IV based on a visual and tactile
inspection. The specimens were re-examined and reclassified based on micro-CT
analysis. From the teeth, the AF was obtained using a 405nm laser. Three spectral
factors (spectral slope at 550-600nm, area under the curve at 500-590nm, and two
peak ratio between 625 and 667nm) were derived from the AF spectra. Using these
factors, the diagnosis and staging of caries were tested, and the results were
compared with those of DIAGNOdent. RESULTS: After micro-CT analysis, only 13, 11,
and 13 teeth were reclassified as stages II, III, and IV, respectively. The
reclassified groups showed less data overlap between the stages, and the spectral
slope was 40.1-74.6, 27.5-39.6, 11.1-27.4, and 1.0-9.7 for sound, stage II, III,
and IV, respectively. The differentiation of stages III and IV using DIAGNOdent
appeared to be difficult due to the considerable data overlap. CONCLUSION: Among
the factors tested, the spectral slope at 550-600nm showed the best match with
the caries specimens, in which their stage had been identified precisely.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The 405nm laser-induced AF spectra can be applied to the
diagnosis and staging of caries alone or in conjunction with conventional
methods, such as visual, tactile, and X-ray inspection.
PMID- 28993246
TI - Vitamin D and the paraventricular nucleus: Relevance for type 2 diabetes.
AB - Vitamin D deficiency is linked to type 2 diabetes and we recently showed this may
be through action of vitamin D in the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) in the
hypothalamus of the brain. This review focuses on the known roles of the PVN in
glucose control and how previously discovered actions of vitamin D in other
tissues may translate to action in the PVN. Specifically, we focus on the role of
insulin and inflammation in the hypothalamus and how these may be modified
through vitamin D action.
PMID- 28993247
TI - The evolution of the Glycomic Codes of extracellular matrices.
AB - The extracellular matrices (ECMs) of living organisms are compartments
responsible for maintenance of cell shape, cell adhesion, and cell communication.
They are also involved in cell signaling and defense against the attack of
pathogens. The plant cell walls have been recently defined as encoded structures
that combine polysaccharides with other encoded structures (proteins and phenolic
compounds). The term Glycomic Code has been used to define the set of mechanisms
that generate cell wall architecture (the combination of polymers of different
types) and biological function. Here, the composition of the extracellular
matrices of archaea, bacteria, animals, fungi, algae, and plants was compared to
understand how the Glycomic Code of these different organisms operate to produce
polysaccharides and therefore how the Glycomic Code may have evolved in nature.
It was found that the heterotrophs display EMC polysaccharides containing
aminosugars (nitrogen-based polysaccharides) whereas the photosynthetic organisms
have cellulose-based walls, with polymers that hardly present aminosugars in its
composition. Another subgroup is of the organisms containing EMCs with sulfated
polysaccharides (animals and red algae). The main hemicellulose found in plants
(xyloglucan) is used as a case study along with other seed cell wall storage
polysaccharides of plants to exemplify the evolution of the Glycomic Code in
plants. Overall, the trends observed in this work shows for the first time how
the Glycomic Code in ECMs of living organisms may have evolved and diversified in
nature.
PMID- 28993248
TI - What is code biology?
AB - Various independent discoveries have shown that many organic codes exist in
living systems, and this implies that they came into being during the history of
life and contributed to that history. The genetic code appeared in a population
of primitive systems that has been referred to as the common ancestor, and it has
been proposed that three distinct signal processing codes gave origin to the
three primary kingdoms of Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya. After the genetic code
and the signal processing codes, on the other hand, only the ancestors of the
eukaryotes continued to explore the coding space and gave origin to splicing
codes, histone code, tubulin code, compartment codes and many others. A first
theoretical consequence of this historical fact is the idea that the Eukarya
became increasingly more complex because they maintained the potential to bring
new organic codes into existence. A second theoretical consequence comes from the
fact that the evolution of the individual rules of a code can take an extremely
long time, but the origin of a new organic code corresponds to the appearance of
a complete set of rules and from a geological point of view this amounts to a
sudden event. The great discontinuities of the history of life, in other words,
can be explained as the result of the appearance of new codes. A third
theoretical consequence comes from the fact that the organic codes have been
highly conserved in evolution, which shows that they are the great invariants of
life, the sole entities that have gone intact through billions of years while
everything else has changed. This tells us that the organic codes are fundamental
components of life and their study - the new research field of Code Biology - is
destined to become an increasingly relevant part of the life sciences.
PMID- 28993249
TI - Spider acetylcholine binding proteins: An alternative model to study the
interaction between insect nAChRs and neonicotinoids.
AB - Acetylcholine binding proteins (AChBPs) are homologs of extracellular domains of
nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and serve as models for studies on
nAChRs. Particularly, studies on invertebrate nAChRs that are limited due to
difficulties in their heterologous expression have benefitted from the discovery
of AChBPs. Thus far, AChBPs have been characterized only in aquatic mollusks,
which have shown low sensitivity to neonicotinoids, the insecticides targeting
insect nAChRs. However, AChBPs were also found in spiders based on the sequence
and tissue expression analysis. Here, we report five AChBP subunits in Pardosa
pseudoannulata, a predator enemy against rice insect pests. Spider AChBP subunits
shared higher sequence similarities with nAChR subunits of both insects and
mammals compared with mollusk AChBP subunits. The AChBP1 subunit of P.
pseudoannulata (Pp-AChBP) was then expressed in Sf9 cells. The Ls-AChBP from
Lymnaea stagnalis was also expressed for comparison. In both AChBPs, one ligand
site per subunit was present at each interface between two adjacent subunits.
Neonicotinoids had higher affinities (7.9-18.4 times based on Kd or Ki values)
for Pp-AChBP than for Ls-AChBP, although epibatidine and alpha-bungarotoxin
showed higher affinities for Ls-AChBP. These results indicate that spider AChBP
could be used as an alternative model to study the interaction between insect
nAChRs and neonicotinoids.
PMID- 28993250
TI - Monoaminergic descending pathways contribute to modulation of neuropathic pain by
increasing-intensity treadmill exercise after peripheral nerve injury.
AB - This study characterizes the impact of increasing-intensity treadmill exercise
(iTR) on noradrenergic (NE) and serotonergic (5HT) modulation of neuropathic
pain. Following sciatic nerve transection and repair (SNTR) rats developed
significant mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia that was partially prevented by
iTR performed during the first 2weeks after injury. Marked decrease in the
expression of 5HT2A and alpha1A and beta-, but not alpha2A adrenergic receptors
in the spinal cord dorsal horn was associated to SNTR and recovered by iTR,
particularly in lamina II. iTR significantly increased 5HT2A in periaqueductal
grey (PAG), raphe magnus (RM) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), with a pattern
suggesting reorganization of serotonergic excitatory interconnections between PAG
and DRN. iTR also increased the expression of alpha1A in locus coeruleus (LC) and
DRN, and beta2 in LC, indicating that exercise enhanced activity of NE neurons,
likely by activating autologous projections from DRN and PAG. iTR hypoalgesia was
antagonized by blockade of beta2 and 5HT2A receptors with administration of
butoxamine and ketanserin. The neurotoxin DSP4 was injected to induce depletion
of NE projections from LC before starting iTR. DSP4 treatment worsened mechanical
hyperalgesia, but iTR hypoalgesia was similarly produced. Moreover, 5HT2A
expression in LC further increased after DSP4 injection, all these results
suggesting an intrinsic regulation of 5HT and NE activity between PAG, DRN and LC
neurons activated by iTR. Finally, iTR significantly reduced microglial
reactivity in LC and increased non-microglial BDNF expression, an effect that was
reverted by butoxamine, implicating BDNF regulation in central 5HT/NE actions on
neuropathic pain.
PMID- 28993253
TI - Regulation and functional diversification of root hairs.
AB - Root hairs result from the polar outgrowth of root epidermis cells in vascular
plants. Root hair development processes are regulated by intrinsic genetic
programs, which are flexibly modulated by environmental conditions, such as
nutrient availability. Basic programs for root hair development were present in
early land plants. Subsequently, some plants developed the ability to utilize
root hairs for specific functions, in particular, for interactions with other
organisms, such as legume-rhizobia and host plants-parasites interactions. In
this review, we summarize the molecular regulation of root hair development and
the modulation of root hairs under limited nutrient supply and during
interactions with other organisms.
PMID- 28993252
TI - H/D exchange mass spectrometry and statistical coupling analysis reveal a role
for allostery in a ferredoxin-dependent bifurcating transhydrogenase catalytic
cycle.
AB - Recent investigations into ferredoxin-dependent transhydrogenases, a class of
enzymes responsible for electron transport, have highlighted the biological
importance of flavin-based electron bifurcation (FBEB). FBEB generates
biomolecules with very low reduction potential by coupling the oxidation of an
electron donor with intermediate potential to the reduction of high and low
potential molecules. Bifurcating systems can generate biomolecules with very low
reduction potentials, such as reduced ferredoxin (Fd), from species such as
NADPH. Metabolic systems that use bifurcation are more efficient and confer a
competitive advantage for the organisms that harbor them. Structural models are
now available for two NADH-dependent ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase (Nfn)
complexes. These models, together with spectroscopic studies, have provided
considerable insight into the catalytic process of FBEB. However, much about the
mechanism and regulation of these multi-subunit proteins remains unclear. Using
hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and statistical coupling
analysis (SCA), we identified specific pathways of communication within the model
FBEB system, Nfn from Pyrococus furiosus, under conditions at each step of the
catalytic cycle. HDX-MS revealed evidence for allosteric coupling across protein
subunits upon nucleotide and ferredoxin binding. SCA uncovered a network of co
evolving residues that can provide connectivity across the complex. Together, the
HDX-MS and SCA data show that protein allostery occurs across the ensemble of
iron-sulfur cofactors and ligand binding sites using specific pathways that
connect domains allowing them to function as dynamically coordinated units.
PMID- 28993254
TI - Editorial Comment.
PMID- 28993251
TI - Hypoxia-ischemia modifies postsynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor complexes
in the neonatal mouse brain.
AB - The N-methyl-d-aspartate-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR)-associated multiprotein
complexes are indispensable for synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions.
While purification and proteomic analyses of these signaling complexes have been
performed in adult rodent and human brain, much less is known about the protein
composition of NMDAR complexes in the developing brain and their modifications by
neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. In this study, the postsynaptic
density proteins were prepared from postnatal day 9 naive, sham-operated and HI
injured mouse cortex. The GluN2B-containing NMDAR complexes were purified by
immunoprecipitation with a mouse GluN2B antibody and subjected to mass
spectrometry analysis for determination of the GluN2B binding partners. A total
of 71 proteins of different functional categories were identified from the naive
animals as native GluN2B-interacting partners in the developing mouse brain.
Neonatal HI reshaped the postsynaptic GluN2B interactome by recruiting new
proteins, including multiple kinases, into the complexes; and modifying the
existing associations within 1h of reperfusion. The early responses of
postsynaptic NMDAR complexes and their related signaling networks may contribute
to molecular processes leading to cell survival or death, brain damage and/or
neurological disorders in term infants with neonatal encephalopathy.
PMID- 28993255
TI - Relations of mitochondrial genetic variants to measures of vascular function.
AB - Mitochondrial genetic variation with resultant alterations in oxidative
phosphorylation may influence vascular function and contribute to cardiovascular
disease susceptibility. We assessed relations of peptide-encoding variants in the
mitochondrial genome with measures of vascular function in Framingham Heart Study
participants. Of 258 variants assessed, 40 were predicted to have functional
consequences by bioinformatics programs. A maternal pattern of heritability was
estimated to contribute to the variability of aortic stiffness. A putative
association with a microvascular function measure was identified that requires
replication. The methods we have developed can be applied to assess the relations
of mitochondrial genetic variation to other phenotypes.
PMID- 28993256
TI - Biochemical characterization and low-resolution SAXS structure of an exo
polygalacturonase from Bacillus licheniformis.
AB - Among the structural polymers present in the plant cell wall, pectin is the main
component of the middle lamella. This heterogeneous polysaccharide has an alpha
1,4 galacturonic acid backbone, which can be broken by the enzymatic action of
pectinases, such as exo-polygalacturonases, that sequentially cleave pectin from
the non-reducing ends, releasing mono or di-galacturonic acid residues. Constant
demand for pectinases that better suit industrial requirements has motivated
identification and characterization of novel enzymes from diverse sources.
Bacillus licheniformis has been used as an important source for bioprospection of
several industrial biomolecules, such as surfactants and enzymes, including
pectate lyases. Here we cloned, expressed, purified, and biochemically and
structurally characterized an exo-polygalacturonase from B. licheniformis
(BlExoPG). Its low-resolution molecular envelope was derived from experimental
small-angle scattering data (SAXS). Our experimental data revealed that BlExoPG
is a monomeric enzyme with optimum pH at 6.5 and optimal temperature of
approximately 60 degrees C, at which it has considerable stability over the broad
pH range from 5 to 10. After incubation of the enzyme for 30min at pH ranging
from 5 to 10, no significant loss of the original enzyme activity was observed.
Furthermore, the enzyme maintained residual activity of greater than 80% at 50
degrees C after 15h of incubation. BlExoPG is more active against
polygalacturonic acid as compared to methylated pectin, liberating mono
galacturonic acid as a unique product. Its enzymatic parameters are
Vmax=4.18MUM.s-1,Km=3.25mgmL-1 and kcat=2.58s-1.
PMID- 28993257
TI - Fecobionics: Integrating Anorectal Function Measurements.
PMID- 28993258
TI - Twenty-Year Comparative Analysis of Patients With Autoimmune Liver Diseases on
Transplant Waitlists.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The rarity of autoimmune liver disease poses challenges to
epidemiology studies. However, waitlists for liver transplantation can be used to
study patients with end-stage liver diseases. We used these waitlists to assess
trends in numbers and demographics of patients awaiting liver transplant for
primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), or
autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). METHODS: We collected data from UK and US national
registries for all adults on liver transplant waitlists, from January 1, 1995,
through December 31, 2014. We analyzed data from patients with PBC (n = 1434 in
the United Kingdom and n = 5598 in the United States), PSC (n = 1093 in the
United Kingdom and n = 6820 in the United States), and AIH (n = 538 in the United
Kingdom and n = 4949 in the United States). Numbers of listings per year were
adjusted to the estimated populations during each year. Regression analyses were
used to examine trends and comparative statistics were used to evaluate
differences in individual characteristics among groups. RESULTS: Over the total
study period, listings for PBC were 1.2 and 1.0 per million population per year
in the United Kingdom and United States, respectively; for PSC, 0.9 and 1.2 per
million population per year; and for AIH, 0.5 and 0.8 per million population per
year. Over the period studied, numbers of listings for PBC decreased by 50% in
both countries; changes in numbers of listings for PSC and AIH were smaller and
not consistent between countries. By 2014, PSC had become the leading indication
for liver transplantation among patients with autoimmune liver diseases in both
countries. Median patient ages at time of listing were lower than those reported
as median age of diagnosis for AIH and PBC. The ratio of women:men with PBC
decreased by almost 50% from 1995 through 2014. Men with PSC were placed on the
waitlist with higher disease severity scores than women in both countries. Among
patients with PBC, those of black race were under-represented on waitlists from
both countries. Among patients with PSC, Hispanics were under-represented on
waitlists in the United States. Patients of non-white races were placed on
waitlists at younger ages for all diseases; age differences in waitlist placement
varied by up to 10 years, depending on race, among patients with PBC.
CONCLUSIONS: In an analysis of data collected from UK and US national liver
transplant registries over 20 years, we found that PSC has become the leading
indication for liver transplantation among patients with autoimmune liver
diseases. Numbers of patients with PBC placed on waitlists, and the ratio of
women:men with PBC, each decreased by almost 50%, possibly due to increased
treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid. Within groups of patients on the transplant
waitlist for PBC, PSC, or AIH, we found differences in age, sex, disease severity
scores, and ethnicity between diseases and countries that require further study.
PMID- 28993259
TI - Regional Patterns of Olmesartan Prescription and the Prevalence of Duodenal
Villous Atrophy Throughout the United States.
PMID- 28993260
TI - Improved Bone Microarchitecture in Patients With Celiac Disease After 3 Years on
a Gluten-Free Diet.
PMID- 28993261
TI - Volatile Organic Compounds in Feces Associate With Response to Dietary
Intervention in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Dietary interventions are effective in management of patients
with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although responses vary. We investigated
whether fecal levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associate with response
to dietary interventions in patients with IBS. METHODS: Adults who fulfilled the
Rome III criteria for IBS were recruited to a 2x2 factorial randomized controlled
trial. Patients were randomly assigned to a group counselled to follow a diet low
in fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides, lactose, fructose, and polyols (low-FODMAP
diet, n = 46) or a group that received placebo dietary advice (sham diet, n = 47)
for 4 weeks. Patients from each group were also given either a multi-strain
probiotic or placebo supplement. Response was defined as a reduction of 50 points
or more on the validated IBS symptom scoring system. Fecal samples were collected
from participants at baseline and end of the 4-week study period; VOCs were
analyzed by a gas-chromatography sensor device. VOC profiles were determined
using a pipeline involving wavelet transformation followed by feature selection
based on random forest. A partial least squares classifier was constructed to
classify VOC profiles by response and accuracies were determined using 10-fold
cross-validation. RESULTS: Data from 93 patients who completed the study (63
female) were used in the final analysis. More patients responded to the low
FODMAP diet (37/46, 80%) than the sham diet (21/47, 45%) (P < .001), but there
was no difference in response between patients given the probiotic (31/49, 63%)
vs the placebo (27/44, 61%) (P = .850), with no interaction between the diet and
supplement interventions. At baseline, VOC profiles contained 15 features that
classified response to the low-FODMAP diet with a mean accuracy of 97% (95% CI,
96%-99%) and 10 features that classified response to probiotic with a mean
accuracy of 89% (95% CI, 86%-92%). End of treatment models achieved similar
predictive powers and accuracies. CONCLUSION: Fecal VOC profiling is a low cost,
non-invasive tool that might be used to predict responses of patients with IBS to
low-FODMAP diet and probiotics and identify their mechanisms of action. ISRCTN
registry no: 02275221.
PMID- 28993262
TI - Outcomes 7 Years After Infliximab Withdrawal for Patients With Crohn's Disease in
Sustained Remission.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Little is known about long-term outcomes of patients with
Crohn's disease (CD) after infliximab withdrawal. We aimed to describe the long
term outcomes of patients with CD in clinical remission after infliximab
treatment was withdrawn. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data
from the 115 patients included in the infliximab discontinuation in patients with
CD in stable remission on combined therapy with antimetabolites (STORI) study,
performed at 20 centers in France and Belgium from March 2006 through December
2009. The STORI cohort was a prospective analysis of risk and factors associated
with relapse following withdrawal of maintenance therapy with infliximab,
maintained on antimetabolites, while in clinical remission. We collected data
from the end of the study until the last available follow-up examination on
patient surgeries, new complex perianal lesions (indicating major complications),
and need for and outcomes of restarting therapy with infliximab or another
biologic agent. The de-escalation strategy was considered to have failed when a
major complication or infliximab restart failure occurred. RESULTS: Of the 115
patients initially included, data from 102 patients (from 19 of the 20 study
centers) were included in the final analysis. The median follow-up time was 7
years. Twenty-one percent of the patients did not restart treatment with
infliximab or another biologic agent and did not have a major complication 7
years after infliximab withdrawal (95% CI, 13.1-30.3). Among patients who
restarted infliximab, treatment failed for 30.1% 6 years after restarting (95%
CI, 18.5-42.5). Overall, at 7 years after stopping infliximab therapy, major
complications occurred in 18.5% of patients (95% CI, 10.2-26.8) whereas 70.2% of
patients had no failure of the de-escalation strategy (95% CI, 60.2-80.1).
Factors independently associated with major complications were upper
gastrointestinal location of disease, white blood cell count >= 5.0 * 109/L, and
hemoglobin level <=12.5 g/dL at the time of infliximab withdrawal. Patients with
at least 2 of these factors had a more than 40% risk of major complication in the
7 years following infliximab withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: In a long-term follow-up of
the STORI cohort (7 years) one fifth of the patients did not restart infliximab
or another biologic agent and did not develop major complications. Seventy
percent of patients had no failure of the de-escalation strategy (no major
complication and no failure of infliximab restart).
PMID- 28993263
TI - Angiotensin 1-7 in the rostro-ventrolateral medulla increases blood pressure and
splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity in anesthetized rats.
AB - Angiotensin 1-7 (ANG-(1-7)), a derivative of angiotensin I or II, is involved in
the propagation of sympathetic output to the heart and vasculature, and the
receptor for ANG-(1-7), the Mas receptor, is expressed on astrocytes in the
rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). We recorded blood pressure (BP) and
splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) before and after focal injection of
ANG-(1-7) into the RVLM of rats. Unilateral injection of ANG-(1-7) into the RVLM,
acting through the Mas receptor, increased SSNA and BP, and glutamate receptor
antagonists, CNQX and D-AP5, partially reduced the ANG-(1-7) effect. ATP is often
co-released with glutamate, and blocking ATP with PPADS also reduced the pressor
response to microinjection of ANG-(1-7) within the RVLM. The effects of ANG-(1-7)
were blocked by the MAS receptor antagonist, A-779 (which had no consistent
effect on blood pressure or sympathetic nerve activity when injected on its own).
We conclude that astrocytes in the RVLM participate in central, angiotensin
dependent regulation of blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity, and the
Mas receptor, when activated by ANG-(1-7), elicits the release of the
gliotransmitters, glutamate and ATP. These gliotransmitters then cause an
increase in sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure by interacting with
AMPA/kainate and P2X receptors in the RVLM.
PMID- 28993264
TI - Sensory-mechanical effects of a dual bronchodilator and its anticholinergic
component in COPD.
AB - This randomized, double-blind, crossover study examined the physiological
rationale for using a dual long-acting bronchodilator (umeclidinium/vilanterol
(UME/VIL)) versus its muscarinic-antagonist component (UME) as treatment for
dyspnea and exercise intolerance in moderate COPD. After each 4-week treatment
period, subjects performed pulmonary function and symptom-limited constant-work
rate cycling tests with diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi), esophageal (Pes),
gastric (Pga) and transdiaphragmatic (Pdi) pressure measurements. Fourteen
subjects completed the study. Both treatments improved spirometry and airway
resistance. UME/VIL had larger increases in FEV1 (+0.14+/-0.23L, p<0.05) but no
added reduction in lung hyperinflation compared with UME. Isotime during exercise
after UME/VIL versus UME (p<0.05): "unpleasantness of breathing" fell 0.8+/-1.3
Borg units; mean expiratory flow and ventilation increased; Pdi and Pga
decreased. There were no treatment differences in endurance time, breathing
pattern, operating lung volumes, inspiratory neural drive (EMGdi) or respiratory
muscle effort (Pes swings) during exercise. UME/VIL compared with UME was
associated with reduced breathing unpleasantness reflecting improved airway and
respiratory muscle function during exercise.
PMID- 28993265
TI - The Concept of Contexts in Pain: Generalization of Contextual Pain-Related Fear
Within a de Novo Category of Unique Contexts.
AB - : The experience of unpredictable pain fluctuations can trigger anticipatory pain
related fear. When discrete predictors for pain are lacking, fear typically
accrues to the broader environmental context: a phenomenon referred to as
contextual pain-related fear. We examined whether conceptual similarity between
discrete contexts facilitates pain-related fear generalization; this mechanism is
known as category-level fear generalization. Using a voluntary joystick movement
paradigm, pain-free participants performed movements in 2 contexts (within
subjects design); context was manipulated by varying background color screens. In
the predictable context, one movement predicted pain and another did not. In the
unpredictable context, 2 other movements never predicted pain but pain was
unpredictably delivered during the context. Participants subsequently learned to
categorize novel background colors (ie, generalization contexts) as being similar
to either the unpredictable or predictable pain context. Then we tested fear
generalization to these novel contexts. We measured self-reported pain-related
fear, expectancy, and eyeblink startle. Results indicated higher pain-related
fear reports, but no elevated startle responses, for generalization contexts that
were trained to be similar to the original unpredictable context rather than the
predictable pain context. This highlights a potential pathway through which
neutral contexts can elicit pain-related fear and motivate avoidance behavior
associated with chronic pain disability. PERSPECTIVE: Self-reported pain-related
fear and expectancy of painful outcome in response to a context associated with
unpredictable pain generalizes to perceptually distinct contexts that are trained
to be conceptually similar to the unpredictable pain context. Category-level
generalization may be a pathway contributing to spreading of fear and avoidance
in chronic pain.
PMID- 28993266
TI - A "protective umbrella" nanoplatform for loading ICG and multi-modal imaging
guided phototherapy.
AB - In order to prevent the aggregation of ICG and enhance its stability, a novel
nanoplatform (TiO2:Yb,Ho,F-beta-CD@ICG/HA) was designed for NIR-induced
phototherapy along with multi-mode imaging(UCL/MRI/Flu). In this nanosysytem:
TiO2:Yb,Ho,F was used as upconversion materials and applied in vivo for the first
time; beta-CD acted as a "protective umbrella" to load separated ICG and avoid
the low phototherapy efficiency because of its aggregation; HA was the capping
agent of beta-CD to prevent ICG unexpected leaking and a target to recognize CD44
receptor. The nanosystem exhibited excellent size (~200 nm) and photo- and
thermal-stability, preferable reactive oxygen yield and temperature response
(50.4 degrees C) under 808 nm laser. It could efficiently target and suppress
tumor growth. The imaging ability (UCL/MRI) of TiO2:Yb,Ho,F could facilitate
diagnosis of the tumor, especially for deep tissues. Altogether, our work
successfully improved the phototherapy efficacy through incorporating the ICG
into the cavity of beta-CD and applied TiO2:Yb,Ho,F for upconversion imaging in
vivo.
PMID- 28993267
TI - On selecting a minimal set of in vitro assays to reliably determine estrogen
agonist activity.
AB - The US EPA is charged with screening chemicals for their ability to be endocrine
disruptors through interaction with the estrogen, androgen and thyroid axes. The
agency is exploring the use of high-throughput in vitro assays to use in the
Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), potentially as replacements for
lower-throughput in vitro and in vivo tests. The first replacement is an
integrated computational and experimental model for estrogen receptor (ER)
activity, to be used as an alternative to the EDSP Tier 1 in vitro ER binding and
transactivation assays and the in vivo uterotrophic bioassay. The ER agonist
model uses a set of 16 in vitro assays that incorporate multiple technologies and
cell lines and probe multiple points in the ER pathway. Here, we demonstrate that
subsets of assays with as few as 4 assays can predict the activity of all 1811
chemicals tested with accuracy equivalent to that of the full 16-assay model. The
prediction accuracy against reference chemicals is higher than that of the full
chemical set, partly because the larger set contains many chemicals that can
cause a variety of types of assay interference There are multiple accurate assay
subsets, allowing flexibility in the construction of a multiplexed assay battery.
We also discuss the issue of challenging chemicals, i.e. those that can give
false positive results in certain assays, and could hence be more problematic
when only a few assays are used.
PMID- 28993268
TI - Nanotoxicological and teratogenic effects: A linkage between dendrimer surface
charge and zebrafish developmental stages.
AB - This article reports novel results about nanotoxicological and teratogenic
effects of the PAMAM dendrimers DG4 and DG4.5 in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Zebrafish embryos and larvae were used as a rapid, high-throughput, cost
effective whole-animal model. The objective was to provide a more comprehensive
and predictive developmental toxicity screening of DG4 and DG4.5 and test the
influence of their surface charge. Nanotoxicological and teratogenic effects were
assessed at developmental, morphological, cardiac, neurological and hepatic
level. The effect of surface charge was determined in both larvae and embryos.
DG4 with positive surface charge was more toxic than DG4.5 with negative surface
charge. DG4 and DG4.5 induced teratogenic effects in larvae, whereas DG4 also
induced lethal effects in both zebrafish embryos and larvae. However, larvae were
less sensitive than embryos to the lethal effects of DG4. The platform of assays
proposed and data obtained may contribute to the characterization of hazards and
differential effects of these nanoparticles.
PMID- 28993269
TI - Hydrogen peroxide resistance in Strigomonas culicis: Effects on mitochondrial
functionality and Aedes aegypti interaction.
AB - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are toxic molecules involved in several biological
processes such as cellular signaling, proliferation, differentiation and cell
death. Adaptations to oxidative environments are crucial for the success of the
colonization of insects by protozoa. Strigomonas culicis is a monoxenic
trypanosomatid found in the midgut of mosquitoes and presenting a life cycle
restricted to the epimastigote form. Among S. culicis peculiarities, there is an
endosymbiotic bacterium in the cytoplasm, which completes essential biosynthetic
routes of the host cell and may represent an intermediary evolutive step in
organelle origin, thus constituting an interesting model for evolutive
researches. In this work, we induced ROS resistance in wild type S. culicis
epimastigotes by the incubation with increasing concentrations of hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2), and compared the oxidative and energetic metabolisms among wild
type, wild type-H2O2 resistant and aposymbiotic strains. Resistant protozoa were
less sensitive to the oxidative challenge and more dependent on oxidative
phosphorylation, which was demonstrated by higher oxygen consumption and
mitochondrial membrane potential, increased activity of complexes II-III and IV,
increased complex II gene expression and higher ATP production. Furthermore, the
wild type-H2O2 resistant strain produced reduced ROS levels and showed lower
lipid peroxidation, as well as an increase in gene expression of antioxidant
enzymes and thiol-dependent peroxidase activity. On the other hand, the
aposymbiotic strain showed impaired mitochondrial function, higher H2O2
production and deficient antioxidant response. The induction of H2O2 resistance
also led to a remarkable increase in Aedes aegypti midgut binding in vitro and
colonization in vivo, indicating that both the pro-oxidant environment in the
mosquito gut and the oxidative stress susceptibility regulate S. culicis
population in invertebrates.
PMID- 28993270
TI - Reduced silent information regulator 1 signaling exacerbates sepsis-induced
myocardial injury and mitigates the protective effect of a liver X receptor
agonist.
AB - Myocardial injury and dysfunction are critical manifestations of sepsis. Previous
studies have reported that liver X receptor (LXR) activation is protective during
sepsis. However, whether LXR activation protects against septic heart injury and
its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study was designed to determine
the role of LXR activation in the septic heart with a focus on SIRT1 (silent
information regulator 1) signaling. Male cardiac-specific SIRT1 knockout mice
(SIRT1-/-) and their wild-type littermates were subjected to sepsis by cecal
ligation and puncture (CLP) in the presence or absence of LXR agonist T0901317.
The survival rate of mice was recorded during the 7-day period post CLP. Our
results demonstrated that SIRT1-/- mice suffered from exacerbated mortality and
myocardial injury in comparison with their wild-type littermates. Meanwhile,
T0901317 treatment improved mice survival, accompanied by significant
ameliorations of myocardial injury and dysfunction in wild-type mice but not in
SIRT1-/- mice. Furthermore, the levels of myocardial inflammatory cytokines (TNF
alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta, MCP-1, MPO and HMGB1), oxidative stress (ROS generation,
MDA), endoplasmic-reticulum (ER) stress (protein levels of CHOP, GRP78, GRP94,
IRE1alpha, and ATF6), and cardiac apoptosis following CLP were inhibited by
T0901317 treatment in wild-type mice but not in SIRT1-/- mice. Mechanistically,
T0901317 enhanced SIRT1 signaling and the subsequent deacetylation and activation
of antioxidative FoxO1 and anti-ER stress HSF1, as well as the deacetylation and
inhibition of pro-inflammatory NF-KappaB and pro-apoptotic P53, thereby
alleviating sepsis-induced myocardial injury and dysfunction. Our data support
the promise of LXR activation as an effective strategy for relieving heart septic
injury.
PMID- 28993272
TI - GABAergic over-inhibition, a promising hypothesis for cognitive deficits in Down
syndrome.
AB - Down syndrome (DS), also known as trisomy 21, is the most common genetic cause of
intellectual disability. It is also a model human disease for exploring
consequences of gene dosage imbalance on complex phenotypes. Learning and memory
impairments linked to intellectual disabilities in DS could result from synaptic
plasticity deficits and excitatory-inhibitory alterations leading to changes in
neuronal circuitry in the brain of affected individuals. Increasing number of
studies in mouse and cellular models converge towards the assumption that
excitatory-inhibitory imbalance occurs in DS, likely early during development.
Thus increased inhibition appears to be a common trend that could explain
synaptic and circuit disorganization. Interestingly using several potent
pharmacological tools, preclinical studies strongly demonstrated that cognitive
deficits could be restored in mouse models of DS. Clinical trials have not yet
provided robust data for therapeutic application and additional studies are
needed. Here we review the literature and our own published work emphasizing the
over-inhibition hypothesis in DS and their links with gene dosage imbalance
paving the way for future basic and clinical research.
PMID- 28993271
TI - Temporal changes in glutathione biosynthesis during the lipopolysaccharide
induced inflammatory response of THP-1 macrophages.
AB - How macrophages maintain redox homeostasis in the inflammatory process, in which
a large amount of oxidants are produced, remains elusive. In this study, we
investigated the temporal changes in the intracellular glutathione (GSH), the
master antioxidant, and the expression of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), the
rate-limiting enzyme for GSH biosynthesis, in the inflammatory response of human
macrophages (THP1 cells) to lipopolysaccharide. Intracellular GSH concentration
was decreased significantly in the early phase (~6h) of LPS exposure, and then
gradually went back to the basal level in the late phase (9-24h). The expression
level of the catalytic subunit of GCL (GCLC) followed a similar pattern of change
as GSH: its mRNA and protein levels were reduced in the early phase and then back
to basal level in the late phase. In contrast, the expression of the modifier
subunit of GCL (GCLM) was significantly increased in the phase of LPS exposure.
Activation Nrf2, the transcription factor involved in the induction of both GCLC
and GCLM, occurred at as early as 3h after LPS exposure; whereas the activation
of NF-kappaB occurred at as early as 30min. Inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling
with SN50 prevented the decrease of GCLC and inhibited Nrf2 activation in
response to LPS. These data demonstrate time-dependent changes in the expression
of GCL and Nrf2 signaling during the inflammatory response, and that the
regulation of GCLC and GCLM might be through different pathways in this process.
PMID- 28993274
TI - In situ hybridization detection methods for HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA in identifying
transcriptionally active HPV infection of oropharyngeal carcinoma: an updating.
AB - The aim of this study is to compare 2 in situ hybridization (ISH) detection
methods for human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 E6/E7 mRNA, that is, the RNAscope 2.0
High Definition (HD) and the upgraded RNAscope 2.5 HD version. The RNAscope 2.5
HD has recently replaced the RNAscope 2.0 HD detection kit. Therefore, this
investigation starts from the need to analytically validate the new mRNA ISH
assay and, possibly, to refine the current algorithm for HPV detection in
oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with the final goal of applying it to daily
laboratory practice. The study was based on HPV status and on generated data,
interpreted by a scoring algorithm. The results highlighted that the compared
RNAscope HPV tests had a good level of interchangeability and enabled to identify
oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma that are truly driven by high-risk HPV
infection. This was also supported by the comparison of the RNAscope HPV test
with HPV E6/E7 mRNA real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in
a fraction of cases where material for HPV E6/E7 mRNA real-time reverse
transcription polymerase chain reaction was available. Furthermore, the algorithm
that associates p16 immunohistochemistry with the identification of HPV mRNA by
RNAscope was more effective than the one that associated p16 immunohistochemistry
with the identification of HPV DNA by ISH.
PMID- 28993273
TI - Acute mental stress induces mitochondrial bioenergetic crisis and hyper-fission
along with aberrant mitophagy in the gut mucosa in rodent model of stress-related
mucosal disease.
AB - Psychological stress, depression and anxiety lead to multiple organ dysfunctions
wherein stress-related mucosal disease (SRMD) is common to people experiencing
stress and also occur as a side effect in patients admitted to intensive care
units; however the underlying molecular aetiology is still obscure. We report
that in rat-SRMD model, cold restraint-stress severely damaged gut mitochondrial
functions to generate superoxide anion (O2*-), depleted ATP and shifted
mitochondrial fission-fusion dynamics towards enhanced fission to induce mucosal
injury. Activation of mitophagy to clear damaged and fragmented mitochondria was
evident from mitochondrial translocation of Parkin and PINK1 along with enhanced
mitochondrial proteome ubiquitination, depletion of mitochondrial DNA copy number
and TOM 20. However, excess and sustained accumulation of O2*--generating
defective mitochondria overpowered the mitophagic machinery, ultimately
triggering Bax-dependent apoptosis and NF-kappaB-intervened pro-inflammatory
mucosal injury. We further observed that stress-induced enhanced serum
corticosterone stimulated mitochondrial recruitment of glucocorticoid receptor
(GR), which contributed to gut mitochondrial dysfunctions as documented from
reduced ETC complex 1 activity, mitochondrial O2*- accumulation, depolarization
and hyper-fission. GR-antagonism by RU486 or specific scavenging of mitochondrial
O2*- by a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant mitoTEMPO ameliorated stress
induced mucosal damage. Gut mitopathology and mucosal injury were also averted
when the perception of mental stress was blocked by pre-treatment with a sedative
or antipsychotic. Altogether, we suggest the role of mitochondrial GR-O2*-
fission cohort in brain-mitochondria cross-talk during acute mental stress and
advocate the utilization of this pathway as a potential target to prevent
mitochondrial unrest and gastropathy bypassing central nervous system.
PMID- 28993275
TI - The CD4/CD8 ratio of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes at the tumor-host interface
has prognostic value in triple-negative breast cancer.
AB - Compelling evidence has demonstrated the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating
lymphocytes (TILs), especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However,
only a limited number of studies to investigate the importance of the subsets of
T cells in TILs have been carried out, less so the significance of the location
of these TILs. In this study, we explored in a cohort of 42 consecutive TNBC
cases the prognostic significance of TIL subsets at the tumor-host interface
(within 1 high-power field [0.5 mm] of the invasive front) and compared them with
TILs within the intratumoral stroma. Given the reported importance of TILs in
HER2-overexpressing breast cancer, a subset of such tumors was also included for
comparison. The range was wide in both locations; nevertheless, the mean CD4+ and
CD8+ T cell count was significantly higher at the tumor-host interface than that
found within the intratumoral stroma (both P<.0001). The number of CD4+ or CD8+ T
cells at either location was not significantly associated with distant relapse
free or overall survival. However, the CD4/CD8 ratio at the tumor-host interface
was significantly associated with both relapse-free survival (hazard ratio 0.2,
P=.002) and overall survival (hazard ratio 0.13, P=.002), whereas this
association was not seen for the CD4/CD8 ratio within the intratumoral stroma. As
expected, both tumor size and nodal status were significantly associated with
survival outcomes. The findings further support the contention that TILs, as
markers of regional immune escape, are of prognostic importance in TNBC
progression and that the CD4/CD8 ratio of TILs at the tumor-host interface plays
a distinctive role, thus appearing to be of clinical relevance.
PMID- 28993276
TI - A distinctive subgroup of oral EBV+ B-cell neoplasm with polymorphous features is
potentially identical to EBV+ mucocutaneous ulcer.
AB - Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer (EBVMCU) is a newly recognized
provisional entity included in mature B-cell neoplasm in the latest 2016 World
Health Organization Classification. It has a self-limited growth potential with a
high predilection for oral cavities and occurs in age-related or iatrogenic
immunodeficiency with indolent clinical courses. However, it shares histological
features with EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and this often
leads to diagnostic challenges and controversies in patients with an oral EBV
positive B-cell neoplasm. The aim of this study was to better characterize and
comprehend the pathophysiology of DLBCL and EBVMCU in the oral cavity. We
conducted clinicopathologic and recurrent gene mutation analysis of 49 cases (14
EBV positive, 35 EBV negative), including cases diagnosed as DLBCL or B-cell
lymphoproliferative disorders with high-grade morphology in the oral cavity. All
EBV-positive cases matched the criteria of EBVMCU, with significantly earlier
clinical stages than the EBV-negative group (P=.0006). Besides, histological
analysis showed that all EBV-positive cases presented polymorphous features,
whereas 91.4% (32/35) of the EBV-negative cases showed diffuse and monotonous
proliferation (P<.0001). Furthermore, EBV-positive cases presented favorable
clinical outcomes without disease-related death or recurrence. Gene mutation
analysis (MYD88, CD79A, CD79B, CARD11, and EZH2) revealed that 33.3% (9/27) of
EBV-negative cases harbored at least 1 gene mutation, whereas no gene mutation
was observed in the EBV-positive group (0/11). These results suggest that oral
EBV-positive B-cell lymphoid proliferation with polymorphous features often
fulfill the criteria for EBVMCU, with clinicopathologically and genetically
distinctive properties.
PMID- 28993278
TI - Glutathione salts of O,O-diorganyl dithiophosphoric acids: Synthesis and study as
redox modulating and antiproliferative compounds.
AB - Reactions of glutathione (GSH) with O,O-diorganyl dithiophosphoric acids (DTPA)
were studied to develop bioactive derivatives of GSH. Effective coupling reaction
of GSH with DTPA was proposed to produce the ammonium dithiophosphates (GSH-DTPA)
between the NH2 group in gamma-glutamyl residue of GSH and the SH group in DTPA.
A series of the GSH-DTPA salts based on O-alkyl or O-monoterpenyl substituted
DTPA were synthesized. Enhanced radical scavenging activity of the GSH-DTPA over
GSH was established with the use of DPPH assay and improved fluorescent assay
which utilizes Co/H2O2 Fenton-like reaction. Similarly to GSH, the
dithiophosphates induced both pro- and antioxidant effects in vitro attributed to
different cellular availability of the compounds. Whereas extracellularly applied
GSH greatly stimulated proliferation of cancer cells (PC-3, vinblastine-resistant
MCF-7 cells), the GSH-DTPA exhibited antiproliferative activity, which was
pronounced for the O-menthyl and O-isopinocampheolyl substituted compounds 3d and
3e (IC50>=1MUM). Our results show that the GSH-DTPA are promising redox
modulating and antiproliferative compounds. The approach proposed can be extended
to modification and improvement of bioactivity of various natural and synthetic
peptides.
PMID- 28993277
TI - Structure, folding and stability of a minimal homologue from Anemonia sulcata of
the sea anemone potassium channel blocker ShK.
AB - Peptide toxins elaborated by sea anemones target various ion-channel sub-types.
Recent transcriptomic studies of sea anemones have identified several novel
candidate peptides, some of which have cysteine frameworks identical to those of
previously reported sequences. One such peptide is AsK132958, which was
identified in a transcriptomic study of Anemonia sulcata and has a cysteine
framework similar to that of ShK from Stichodactyla helianthus, but is six amino
acid residues shorter. We have determined the solution structure of this novel
peptide using NMR spectroscopy. The disulfide connectivities and structural
scaffold of AsK132958 are very similar to those of ShK but the structure is more
constrained. Toxicity assays were performed using grass shrimp (Palaemonetes sp)
and Artemia nauplii, and patch-clamp electrophysiology assays were performed to
assess the activity of AsK132958 against a range of voltage-gated potassium (KV)
channels. AsK132958 showed no activity against grass shrimp, Artemia nauplii, or
any of the KV channels tested, owing partly to the absence of a functional Lys
Tyr dyad. Three AsK132958 analogues, each containing a Tyr in the vicinity of
Lys19, were therefore generated in an effort to restore binding, but none showed
activity against any of KV channels tested. However, AsK132958 and its analogues
are less susceptible to proteolysis than that of ShK. Our structure suggests that
Lys19, which might be expected to occupy the pore of the channel, is not
sufficiently accessible for binding, and therefore that AsK132958 must have a
distinct functional role that does not involve KV channels.
PMID- 28993279
TI - Anti-scorpion venom activity of Thapsia garganica methanolic extract:
Histopathological and biochemical evidences.
AB - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Thapsia garganica, is a herbal medicine
traditionally used as diuretic, emetic and purgative. It is also used as anti
scorpion venom in Morocco; however, its protective effects against scorpion venom
remain elusive. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was undertaken to evaluate
anti-venom activity of T. garganica in vivo through histological and biochemical
studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanolic leaves extract of T. garganica was
evaluated for anti-venom activity against buthus. occitanus under in vivo
conditions. Histopathological and biochemical changes in envenomed and treated
mice were also examined. Phytochemical screening was conducted to estimate the
major constituents whereas DPPH, beta -Carotene-linoleic acid and reducing power
assays were performed to evaluate the anti-oxidant activity of T. garganica
extract. RESULTS: Methanolic leaves extract of T. garganica (2g/kg) increased the
survival time (> 18h) of mice injected with lethal doses of B. occitanus venom,
with remarkable recovery of histology damage. Furthermore T. garganica induced a
significant decreased of biochemical markers of kidney, liver and heart function.
Phytochemistry screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids,
tannins and steroids/terpenoids, which might explain the bioactivity of the
extract. It was also shown that the extract has an exceptionally high antioxidant
activity compared to well-known antioxidants used as standards. CONCLUSION: The
present study provides strong evidence that support the use of T. garganica as
anti-scorpion venom in traditional medicine in Morocco. However, additional
studies are required to isolate and identify the metabolites responsible for the
activity.
PMID- 28993280
TI - Antidiabetic activities of entagenic acid in type 2 diabetic db/db mice and L6
myotubes via AMPK/GLUT4 pathway.
AB - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Entada phaseoloides (L.) Merr., a traditional
Chinese folk medicine, has been used in treating diabetes and other inflammatory
disorders. Our previous study revealed that the triterpene saponins in
E.Phaseoloides possessed an antidiabetic effect in type 2 diabetic rats by
activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Entagenic acid, the principal
aglycon, isolated from the seed kernels of E. phaseoloides, has been proposed to
possess a significant role in the antidiabetic effect, however, its actual effect
and pertinent mechanisms are still unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the
present study was to investigate the antidiabetic effect of entagenic acid in a
type 2 diabetic animal model (C57BIKsj db/db mice) and its role in the regulation
of glucose uptake in L6 myotubes, and to explore the possible molecular
mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo, average weekly body weight, daily
water, food intake and postprandial blood glucose levels, the intraperitoneal
insulin tolerance test, glucose tolerance test, serum lipid profiles and
pancreatic histopathological changes in db/db mice treated with entagenic acid
orally at different doses (5, 10 and 20mg/kg) were assessed and compared with
wild-type littermates or vehicle- and metformin-treated db/db mice. In vitro,
effects of entagenic acid on the glucose consumption and the phosphorylation of
protein kinase B (AKT) and AMPK in L6 myotubes were evaluated. RESULTS: In vivo,
entagenic acid significantly lowered postprandial blood glucose levels but not
the body weight, normalized the serum lipid imbalance, improved the impaired
glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, as well as the pathological changes in
pancreatic islets. In vitro, entagenic acid dose-dependently promoted glucose
utilization and enhanced the translocation and expression of glucose transporter
4 (GLUT4), and phosphorylation of AMPK but not AKT. CONCLUSIONS: The present
study demonstrated that entagenic acid can markedly maintain the glucose
homeostasis, improve insulin resistance and ameliorate dyslipidemia. Its
antihyperglycemic effect could be caused by promoting AMPK mediated cellular
signaling and GLUT4 translocation in muscles.
PMID- 28993281
TI - Two miscarriages, consecutive or non-consecutive, does it change something?
AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess the rate of anomalies in the etiological evaluation of
patients presenting recurrent early miscarriages (RM) according to miscarriage
chronology (number of miscarriages, history of live birth and succession of RM).
METHODS: Retrospective single centre study including RM, defined as at least 2
miscarriages at less than 14 weeks of gestation (WG) between the 1st January 2012
and the 31st December 2015. Clinical data and etiological evaluation include
blood glucose levels, screening for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), endocrine
assessment, vitamin levels, pelvic imaging, karyotyping of both partners, chronic
endometritis and thrombophilia screening. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-eight
patients were included over this period, 118 (41%) patients had no history of
live birth. Two hundred and twenty-three (77%) patients had consecutive RM and 65
(22%) patients had non-consecutive RM. For consecutive RM, 62,8% had
thrombophilic disorders versus 69,8% for non-consecutive RM (P>0,05); 44,7% had
endocrine disorders or vitamin deficiencies versus 39,7%; 34,6% of patients with
consecutive RM had uterine anomalies versus 45,5% respectively. No difference was
found depending on the recurrence of RM or the history of live birth (P>0.05)
apart from the age of the patient. Fifty-nine (17.4%) patients had uterine
anomalies. There are 24 chronic endometritis on 31 biospsies performed. Seventy
eight (27%) patients were offered treatment. Ninety-four (90%) patients showed
good therapy compliance. Eighty-one (78%) patients became pregnant. CONCLUSION:
An etiological evaluation provides, for over half of the cases, an etiology or
the identification of risk factors responsible for RM, as well as in some cases
offering an adapted, efficient, therapeutic approach. This evaluation should be
offered regardless of the obstetric history of the patient.
PMID- 28993282
TI - Surgical management for lumbar disc herniation in pregnancy.
AB - Lumbar disc herniation is a common surgical spine pathology that may be presented
during pregnancy. The state of pregnancy complicates the diagnosis and
therapeutical management of this entity. Specific considerations rule the
decision for surgical intervention, the optimal timing of it and the type of
selected procedure in a pregnant patient, due to the potential risks for the
fetus. In the last 30 years, evolution in the field of spine surgery has provided
options other than open standard discectomy. The well-established concept of
"minimal intervention" has led to the development of microdiscectomy and other
innovative, full-endoscopic techniques for lumbar discectomy. The aim of the
present study is to review the surgical management of lumbar disc herniation in
pregnancy and investigate the potential role of minimally invasive spine surgery
in this specific population.
PMID- 28993283
TI - Identification of berberrubine metabolites in rats by using ultra-high
performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass
spectrometry.
AB - Berberrubine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from many medicinal plants,
possesses diverse pharmacological activities, including glucose-lowering, lipid
lowering, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. This study aimed to
investigate the metabolic profile of berberrubine in vivo. Therefore, a rapid and
reliable method using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled
with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and metabolynxTM
software with mass defect filter (MDF) technique was developed. Plasma, bile,
urine and feces samples were collected from rats after oral administration of
berberrubine with a dose of 30.0mg/kg and analyzed to characterize the
metabolites of berberrubine in vivo for the first time. A total of 57 metabolites
were identified, including 54 metabolites in urine, 39 metabolites in plasma, 28
metabolites in bile and 18 metabolites in feces. The results indicated that
demethylenation, reduction, hydroxylation, demethylation, glucuronidation, and
sulfation were the major metabolic pathways of berberrubine in vivo.
PMID- 28993284
TI - Babesia microti infection and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an
immunocompetent patient.
AB - Babesiosis is a rare and potentially severe tick-borne illness endemic to the
Northeastern and upper Midwestern regions of the USA. Hemophagocytic
lymphohistiocytosis is an uncommon condition resulting from over-activation of
the immune system. The first known case of babesiosis and hemophagocytic
lymphohistiocytosis in an immunocompetent patient is reported here.
PMID- 28993285
TI - Insulin-like peptides and DNA/tRNA methyltransferases are involved in the
nutritional regulation of female reproduction in Nilaparvata lugens (Stal).
AB - Insulin-like peptides (ILPs) sense and transduce nutritional information and are
linked to female reproduction in many insect species. Our previous studies have
shown that "Target of rapamycin" (TOR) pathway functions through juvenile hormone
(JH) to regulate amino acids-mediated vitellogenesis in the brown planthopper,
Nilaparvata lugens, one of the most destructive rice pests in Asia. Recent
reports have demonstrated that DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) are also involved
in female reproduction of N. lugens. However, the roles of ILPs and Dnmts in the
nutritional regulation of female reproduction have not been fully elucidated.
ILPs and Dnmts are highly expressed in the adult females after a supplement of
amino acids, indicating nutrition-stimulated expression patterns of these genes.
RNA interference-mediated depletion of NlILP2 or NlILP4 dramatically decreased
the expression levels of NlDnmt1 and NlDnmt2 (tRNA methyltransferase), and
resulted in severely impaired ovary growth as well as the substantial reduction
of fecundity. Notably, NlILP2 or NlILP4 knockdown led to reduced mRNA
accumulation of S6 kinase (S6K), a downstream target of the nutritional TOR
pathway, and decreased vitellogenin content in the fat body. Silencing NlDnmt1 or
NlDnmt2 effectively suppressed ovary development and decreased female fecundity.
However, NlDnmt1 or NlDnmt2 knockdown did not influence the expression of NlILP2
and NlILP4. We infer that amino acids act on ILPs and Dnmts to regulate
vitellogenesis and oocyte maturation in N. lugens.
PMID- 28993286
TI - SPIRIT trial: A phase III pragmatic trial of an advance care planning
intervention in ESRD.
AB - : Advance care planning (ACP) is a central tenet of dialysis care, but the vast
majority of dialysis patients report never engaging in ACP discussions with their
care providers. Over the last decade, we have developed and iteratively tested
SPIRIT (Sharing Patient's Illness Representation to Increase Trust), a theory
based, patient- and family-centered advance care planning intervention. SPIRIT is
a six-step, two-session, face-to-face intervention to promote cognitive and
emotional preparation for end-of-life decision making for patients with ESRD and
their surrogates. In these explanatory trials, SPIRIT was delivered by trained
research nurses. Findings consistently revealed that patients and surrogates in
SPIRIT showed significant improvement in preparedness for end-of-life decision
making, and surrogates in SPIRIT reported significantly improved post-bereavement
psychological outcomes after the patient's death compared to a no treatment
comparison condition. As a critical next step, we are conducting an effectiveness
implementation study. This study is a multicenter, clinic-level cluster
randomized pragmatic trial to evaluate the effectiveness of SPIRIT delivered by
dialysis care providers as part of routine care in free-standing outpatient
dialysis clinics, compared to usual care plus delayed SPIRIT implementation.
Simultaneously, we will evaluate the implementation of SPIRIT, including
sustainability. We will recruit 400 dyads of patients at high risk of death in
the next year and their surrogates from 30 dialysis clinics in four states. This
trial of SPIRIT will generate novel, meaningful insights about improving ACP in
dialysis care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.govNCT03138564, registered
05/01/2017.
PMID- 28993287
TI - Effectiveness of certified diabetes educators following pre-approved protocols to
redesign diabetes care delivery in primary care: Results of the REMEDIES 4D
trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDLc levels in
participants from practices where certified diabetes educators (CDEs) implemented
standardized protocols to intensify treatment compared with those receiving usual
care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This clustered, randomized, clinical trial was
implemented in community-based primary care practices. Fifteen primary care
practices and 240 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to the
intervention (n=175) or usual care (n=65). Participants had uncontrolled HbA1c,
blood pressure, or LDLc. The one-year intervention included CDEs implementing pre
approved protocols to intensify treatment. Diabetes self-management education was
also provided in both study groups. RESULTS: The population was 50.8% male with a
mean age of 61years. The HbA1c in the intervention group decreased from 8.8% to
7.8%, (p=0.001) while the HbA1c in the usual care group increased slightly from
8.2% to 8.3%. There was also a significant difference in HbA1c between the two
groups (p=0.004). There was not a significant difference between groups for
systolic blood pressure (SBP) or LDLc at the end of the intervention. Those in
the intervention group were more likely to have glucose-lowering medications
intensified and were more likely to have their HbA1c (35% vs 15%), SBP (80% vs
77%) and HbA1c, SBP, and LDLc at goal (11% vs 1.5%) compared with the usual care
group. There was no significant difference in intensification of blood pressure
or cholesterol medication. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that CDEs following
standardized protocols in primary care is feasible and can effectively intensify
treatment and improve glycemic control.
PMID- 28993288
TI - The Relationship Between Sacral Slope and Symptomatic Isthmic Spondylolysis in a
Cohort of High School Athletes: A Retrospective Analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Spondylolysis with and without anterolisthesis is the most common
cause of structural back pain in children and adolescents, but few predictive
factors have been confirmed. An association between abnormal sacropelvic
orientation and both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis has been supported in
the literature. Sacral slope and other sacropelvic measurements are easily
accessible variables that could aid clinicians in assessing active adolescents
with low back pain, particularly when the diagnosis of spondylolysis is
suspected. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between sacral slope and
symptomatic spondylolysis in a cohort of active adolescents. DESIGN: Case-control
retrospective study. SETTING: Academic outpatient physiatry practice. PATIENTS:
Seventy-four patients of primarily adolescent age (between 12 and 22 years old)
with a chief complaint of low back pain and presence of lateral radiographs of
the lumbar spine were enrolled. Cases (n = 37) were defined as subjects with
evidence of spondylolysis on both radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging of
the lumbar spine. Controls (n = 37) were defined as subjects without
spondylolysis. METHODS: Using a single sagittal radiograph, taken with the
patient standing, a fellowship-trained interventional spine physiatrist measured
the sacral slope of each subject (angle between the superior plate of S1 and a
horizontal reference on sagittal imaging of the lumbosacral spine). Ages and
genders were collected from medical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The
primary outcome was mean sacral slope. Mean sacral slope of cases was compared
with mean sacral slope of controls with the Student t-test. RESULTS: Ages ranged
from 12 to 22 for both groups, with no significant differences in age between the
groups (cases: 16.8 +/- 2.3 years; controls: 17.7 +/- 2.7 years). The patients
with spondylolysis (cases) consisted of 29 male and 8 female patients, whereas
those without spondylolysis (controls) consisted of 15 male and 21 female
patients (gender details for 1 patient were not available). The mean sacral slope
among cases was 42.4 degrees , whereas the mean sacral slope among controls was
37.4 degrees . The difference achieved significance (P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: The
interdependence of positional parameters, such as sacral slope, with anatomic
parameters, such as pelvic incidence, can affect lumbar lordosis and therefore
upright positioning and loading of the spine. Sacral slope may be an important
variable for clinicians to consider when caring for young athletes with low back
pain, particularly when the index of suspicion for spondylolysis is high. LEVEL
OF EVIDENCE: IV.
PMID- 28993289
TI - Sirt1 and Parp1 as epigenome safeguards and microRNAs as SASP-associated signals,
in cellular senescence and aging.
AB - Cellular senescence (CS) is underlying mechanism of organism aging and is closely
interconnected with age-related diseases (ARDs). Thus, any attempt that
influences CS, may be undertaken to reverse or inhibit senescence, whereby could
prolong healthy life span. Until now, two main proposes are epigenetic and
genetic modifications of cell fate. The first one concerns rejuvenation through
effective reprogramming in cells undergoing senescence, or derived from very old
or progeroid patients, by which is effective in vitro in induced pluripotent stem
cells (iPSCs). The second approach concerns modification of senescence signaling
pathways like as IGF-induced agents. However, senescence research has experienced
an unprecedented advance over recent years, particularly with the discovery that
the rate of senescence is controlled, at least to some extent, by epigenetic
pathways and biochemical processes conserved in evolution. In this review we try
to concentrate on very specific pathways (DNA damage response, DDR, and
epigenetic modifiers) and very specific determinants (senescence-associated
secretory phenotype, SASP-miRNAs) of human premature aging. A major challenge is
to dissect the interconnectedness between the candidate elements and their
relative contributions to aging, with the final goal of identifying new
opportunities for design of novel anti-aging treatments or avoidance of age
associated manifestations. While knowing that aging is unavoidable and we cannot
expect its elimination, but prolonging healthy life span is a goal worth serious
consideration.
PMID- 28993290
TI - Spinal cord injury associated with cervical spinal canal stenosis: Outcomes and
prognostic factors.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To specify outcomes and identify prognostic factors of neurologic and
functional recovery in patients with an acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI)
associated with cervical spinal canal stenosis (SCS), without spinal instability.
METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using data from a Regional
Department for SCI rehabilitation in France. A description of the population
characteristics, clinical data and neurological and functional outcomes of all
patients treated for acute SCI due to cervical trauma associated with SCS was
performed. A statistical analysis provided insights into the prognostic factors
associated with the outcomes. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (mean age 60.1 years)
were hospitalized for traumatic SCI with SCS and without instability between
January 2000 and December 2012. Falls were the most frequent cause of trauma
(77.8%). At admission, most patients had an American Spinal Injury Association
Impairment Scale (AIS) grade of C (43.3%) or D (41.7%) and the most frequent
neurological levels of injury were C4 (35.7%) and C5 (28.6%). Clinical syndromes
were frequently identified (78.6%), with the most frequent being the Brown
Sequard plus syndrome (BSPS) (30.9%), followed by central cord syndrome (CCS,
23.8%). Almost 80% of survivors returned to the community, 60% were able to walk
and 75% recovered complete voluntary control of bladder function. Identified
prognostic factors of favourable functional outcomes were higher AIS at
admission, age under 60 years and presence of BSPS or CCS. CONCLUSION: Traumatic
SCI, associated with SCS results mostly in incomplete injuries, can cause various
syndromes and is associated with favourable functional outcomes.
PMID- 28993292
TI - Inter-individual and intragenomic variations in the ITS region of Clonorchis
sinensis (Trematoda: Opisthorchiidae) from Russia and Vietnam.
AB - Here we examined the intraspecific genetic variability of Clonorchis sinensis
from Russia and Vietnam using nuclear DNA sequences (the 5.8S gene and two
internal transcribed spacers of the ribosomal cluster). Despite the low level of
variability in the ITS1 region, this marker has revealed some features of C.
sinensis across multiple geographic regions. The genetic diversity levels for the
Russian and Vietnamese populations were similar (0.1 and 0.09%, respectively) but
were significantly lower than the C. sinensis from China (0.31%). About half of
the sequences of the Chinese (53%) and Korean (47%) populations and about a tenth
of the Vietnamese (12%) and Russian (8%) sequences included a 5bp insertion. No
sequences with nucleotide substitutions both upstream and downstream of the 5bp
insertion were found within the whole data set. The population of northern China
had both sequence variants (with substitutions either upstream or downstream of
the insertion), while only one of these variants was presented at the other
localities. The Vietnamese population had a higher frequency of intragenomic
polymorphism than the Russian population (69% vs. 46% and 23% vs. 3% at the 114bp
and 339bp positions, respectively). These data are discussed in connection with
parasite origin and adaptation, and also its invasive capacity and drug
resistance.
PMID- 28993291
TI - PAK4 crystal structures suggest unusual kinase conformational movements.
AB - : In order for protein kinases to exchange nucleotide they must open and close
their catalytic cleft. These motions are associated with rotations of the N-lobe,
predominantly around the 'hinge region'. We conducted an analysis of 28 crystal
structures of the serine-threonine kinase, p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4),
including three newly determined structures in complex with staurosporine,
FRAX486, and fasudil (HA-1077). We find an unusual motion between the N-lobe and
C-lobe of PAK4 that manifests as a partial unwinding of helix alphaC. Principal
component analysis of the crystal structures rationalizes these movements into
three major states, and analysis of the kinase hydrophobic spines indicates
concerted movements that create an accessible back pocket cavity. The
conformational changes that we observe for PAK4 differ from previous descriptions
of kinase motions, and although we observe these differences in crystal
structures there is the possibility that the movements observed may suggest a
diversity of kinase conformational changes associated with regulation. AUTHOR
SUMMARY: Protein kinases are key signaling proteins, and are important drug
targets, therefore understanding their regulation is important for both basic
research and clinical points of view. In this study, we observe unusual
conformational 'hinging' for protein kinases. Hinging, the opening and closing of
the kinase sub-domains to allow nucleotide binding and release, is critical for
proper kinase regulation and for targeted drug discovery. We determine new
crystal structures of PAK4, an important Rho-effector kinase, and conduct
analyses of these and previously determined structures. We find that PAK4 crystal
structures can be classified into specific conformational groups, and that these
groups are associated with previously unobserved hinging motions and an unusual
conformation for the kinase hydrophobic core. Our findings therefore indicate
that there may be a diversity of kinase hinging motions, and that these may
indicate different mechanisms of regulation.
PMID- 28993293
TI - Association between Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage and site of disease in
Florida, 2009-2015.
AB - BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is characterized into four global lineages
with strong geographical restriction. To date one study in the United States has
investigated M. tuberculosis lineage association with tuberculosis (TB) disease
presentation (extra-pulmonary versus pulmonary). We update this analysis using
recent (2009-2015) data from the State of Florida to measure lineage association
with pulmonary TB, the infectious form of the disease. METHODS: M. tuberculosis
lineage was assigned based on the spacer oligonucleotide typing (spoligotyping)
patterns. TB disease site was defined as exclusively pulmonary or extra
pulmonary. We used ORs to measure the association between M. tuberculosis
lineages and pulmonary compared to extra-pulmonary TB. The final multivariable
model was adjusted for patient socio-demographics, HIV and diabetes status.
RESULTS: We analyzed 3061 cases, 83.4% were infected with a Euro-American
lineage, 8.4% Indo-Oceanic and 8.2% East-Asian lineage. The majority of the cases
(86.0%) were exclusively pulmonary. Compared to the Indo-Oceanic lineage,
infection with a Euro-American (AOR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.91) or an East-Asian
(AOR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.50) lineage favored pulmonary disease compared to
extra-pulmonary. In a sub-analysis among pulmonary cases, strain lineage was not
associated with sputum smear positive status, indicating that the observed
association with pulmonary disease is independent of host contagiousness.
CONCLUSION: As an obligate pathogen, M. tuberculosis' fitness is directly
correlated to its transmission potential. In this analysis, we show that M.
tuberculosis lineage is associated with pulmonary disease presentation. This
association may explain the predominance in a region of certain lineages compared
to others.
PMID- 28993294
TI - Structural elucidation and antiaging activity of polysaccharide from Paris
polyphylla leaves.
AB - To optimize the use of Paris polyphylla resources, a homogenous polysaccharide
(PPLP) was obtained from P. polyphylla leaves. Its average molecule weight was
2.95*104Da, and the analysis of monosaccharide composition shown that PPLP
consisted of l-arabinose and d-galactose with a molar ratio of 4.2:5.8.
Methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy data revealed that
the backbone of PPLP was comprised of (1->6)-beta-d-galactan, and the branched
chains mainly consisted of arabinosyl residues which was linked to backbone via
(1->3)-linkages. In addition, the antiaging effect of PPLP was investigated in a
d-galactose induced mouse aging model. Compared with model group, the formations
of malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly prevented, and the levels of
antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were significantly
improved in serum and liver in PPLP dose groups. These results demonstrated that
PPLP possessed potent antiaging capacity.
PMID- 28993295
TI - Design, synthesis and collagenase inhibitory activity of some novel phenylglycine
derivatives as metalloproteinase inhibitors.
AB - Metalloproteases are a class of proteases having metal ion(s) at their catalytic
sites. Bacterial collagenases are involved in human gas gangrene, periodontal
diseases, food etc. The Clostridium collagenase occurs in two isoforms COL_G and
Col_H. The present work is based on the protein structure-based approach for the
development of collagenase inhibitors. The sequence analysis and structural
alignment of both isoforms showed significant similarity in active site except
aspartate switch present in Col_H. The homology model was developed and validated
for Col_H peptidase domain with open aspartate switch followed by the docking of
designed ligands. Compound 8b showed better interaction due to the presence of
the nitro group. The N-benzyl-arylsulfonyl-phenylglycine derivatives were
synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral
analysis. The compounds were evaluated for C. histolyticum collagenase inhibitory
activity using gelatin-ninhydrin based assay. Compounds 5b, 3b, 11b, 6b and 8b
with IC50 of 24.34MUM, 29.61MUM, 28.39MUM, 31.4 and 32.11MUM respectively were
found to be more active. Further, The Ki of most active compound 5b was found to
be 22.02MUM showing the competitive mode of inhibition of the enzyme. The
activity of the derivatives showed correlation with the docking results.
PMID- 28993296
TI - Poly(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate/sodium alginate multilayers and their
interaction with proteins/enzymes.
AB - The aim of the present work is to construct and investigate the properties of
novel polyelectrolyte multilayers consisting of poly(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl
methacrylate (PDMAEMA) and sodium alginate (SA). The influence of PDMAEMA's pH
dependent ionization degree on the charge balance, thickness and roughness of the
multilayer films was assessed by potentiometric titrations, dye sorption and
atomic force microscopy. Moreover, the cross-linking of PDMAEMA/SA films with a
dihalogenated aromatic derivative with high reactivity (alpha,alpha'-dichloro-p
xylene) by means of Menshutkin reaction and the stability of the multilayer
architecture to repeated treatments with NaOH are demonstrated. Also, the
interaction of the obtained films with various proteins/enzymes (pepsin, bovine
serum albumin, haemoglobin and lysozyme) is investigated. It was found that
biomolecules with the isoelectric point in the acidic region of pH were adsorbed
in a higher amount than the biomolecules with the isoelectric point in the basic
region of pH.
PMID- 28993297
TI - Facile synthesis of high performance porous magnetic chitosan - polyethylenimine
polymer composite for Congo red removal.
AB - A new porous magnetic chitosan-polyethylenimine (Fe3O4/CS-PEI) polymer composite
was synthesized by crosslinking chitosan (CS) with polyethylenimine (PEI) in the
present of FeCl3.6H2O and FeCl2.4H2O in alkaline condition and applied to remove
congo red (CoR) from aqueous solutions. The Fe3O4/CS-PEI composite was
characterized by SEM, XRD, TGA and FT-IR analysis. The polymer composite owned
high positive charge, large surface area, multi-level pore distribution and
magnetic responsiveness. The porous magnetic Fe3O4/CS-PEI composite showed
ultrahigh capacity (1876mg/g) for CoR removal. It removed over 99.3% of CoR
(100mg/L) when the dosage was over 1.4g/L. A higher temperature was benefit to
CoR removal. The Fe3O4/CS-PEI composite was effective for CoR removal in a wide
pH range (3-13). Kinetics studies suggested that the adsorption mechanism of CoR
followed the pseudo-second model and it was also affected by the boundary layer
diffusion. The adsorption process followed the Redlich-Peterson isotherm
equation. Thermodynamic studies also demonstrated that this adsorption process
was spontaneous, favorable and endothermic. The activation energy (Ea) of the
adsorption process was 34.08kJ/mol, indicating that chemisorption existed in the
process. The results demonstrated that the porous magnetic Fe3O4/CS-PEI polymer
composite is a promising adsorbent for the efficient removal of dye pollutants
from aqueous solution.
PMID- 28993298
TI - Microstructure and physical properties of nano-biocomposite films based on
cassava starch and laponite.
AB - The aim of this research was to study the effects of laponite concentrations on
some properties of nano-biocomposite films based on cassava starch, focusing
mainly the relation between the properties of the surface microstructure and
roughness, water contact angle and gloss. Nano-biocomposite films were produced
by casting. We analyzed gloss, color, opacity, water contact angle, crystallinity
by X-ray diffraction, and microstructure by scanning electron microscopy and
atomic force microscopy. Texture parameters (energy, entropy and fractal
dimension) were extracted from micrographs. We observed a great impact of
laponite in the morphology of nano-biocomposite films. Texture parameters
correlated with surface heterogeneity and roughness. Finally, surface roughness
affected the surface hydrophilicity of nano-biocomposite films. Laponite
platelets were exfoliated and/or intercalated with amylose and amylopectin
chains. This research reports new information on the effects of laponite
concentrations on the morphological, optical and wetting properties of nano
biocomposite films aiming future industrial applications.
PMID- 28993300
TI - Analysis of isoniazid and rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates in Morocco using GenoType(r) MTBDRplus assay.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The number of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases is
rising worldwide. The present investigation aimed to evaluate, using the
GenoType(r) MTBDRplus assay, the most common mutations associated with rifampicin
(RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistance among resistant strains in Morocco. METHODS:
A total of 319 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates sent to the National
Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory between 2013 and 2015 were subjected to
GenoType(r) MTBDRplus for detecting M. tuberculosis and determination of drug
susceptibility. Correlation of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of
INH with genotypic assay results was carried out for 97 MDR-TB strains. Various
concentrations of INH were tested. RESULTS: The most frequent mutations observed
were rpoBS531L (67.2%) and katGS315T1/2 (66.5%). Isolates with inhA gene
mutation, katG gene mutation, and dual mutations in katG and inhA had MICs
ranging from 0.5-1MUg/mL, 2-10MUg/mL and >=12MUg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: In
Morocco, 66.5% and 76.7% of M. tuberculosis strains carried mutations causing
high-level resistance to INH and RIF, respectively.
PMID- 28993299
TI - Circulating microRNAs as a biomarker to predict therapy efficacy in hepatitis C
patients with different genotypes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype exerts a major influence on
therapeutic response; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim
of the study is to investigate the circulating microRNAs as the biomarkers to
predict the response to therapy in chronic hepatitisC patients (HepC) with
different genotypes. METHODS: HepC patients were separated into 4 groups by
genotype, healthy individuals were enrolled as the control. microRNA-122 (miR
122), microRNA-155 (miR-155) and HCV RNA in serum and exosome were measured,
associations between microRNAs, viral load and other conventional biomarkers were
analyzed. RESULTS: Serum and exosomal HCV RNA in genotype 6a group was highest,
followed by genotype 3a/2a, and in genotype 1b were the lowest. The significant
correlations existed between exosomal HCV RNA and serum HCVRNA. MiR-122, both in
serum (miR-122ser) and in exosome (miR-122exo), was higher in normal control than
in HCV group. Specifically, miR-122exo were significantly higher in genotype 1b
than other genotype groups (p < 0.05). On the contrary, miR-155exowas
significantly lower in genotype 1b than in other groups (p < 0.05 for both). A
strongly positive association was found between miR-122/155 and HCV viral load in
patients with various genotypes. Higher miR-122ser at the start of therapy
predicts a better outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of miR-122/155 differ in each
genotypes, miR-122ser could be independent factor affecting the therapy efficacy,
which had higher diagnostic value in predicting HCV outcome.
PMID- 28993301
TI - Using a UK Virtual Supermarket to Examine Purchasing Behavior Across Different
Income Groups in the United Kingdom: Development and Feasibility Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The majority of food in the United Kingdom is purchased in
supermarkets, and therefore, supermarket interventions provide an opportunity to
improve diets. Randomized controlled trials are costly, time-consuming, and
difficult to conduct in real stores. Alternative approaches of assessing the
impact of supermarket interventions on food purchases are needed, especially with
respect to assessing differential impacts on population subgroups. OBJECTIVE: The
aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of using the United Kingdom
Virtual Supermarket (UKVS), a three-dimensional (3D) computer simulation of a
supermarket, to measure food purchasing behavior across income groups. METHODS:
Participants (primary household shoppers in the United Kingdom with computer
access) were asked to conduct two shopping tasks using the UKVS and complete
questionnaires on demographics, food purchasing habits, and feedback on the UKVS
software. Data on recruitment method and rate, completion of study procedure,
purchases, and feedback on usability were collected to inform future trial
protocols. RESULTS: A total of 98 participants were recruited, and 46 (47%) fully
completed the study procedure. Low-income participants were less likely to
complete the study (P=.02). Most participants found the UKVS easy to use (38/46,
83%) and reported that UKVS purchases resembled their usual purchases (41/46,
89%). CONCLUSIONS: The UKVS is likely to be a useful tool to examine the effects
of nutrition interventions using randomized controlled designs. Feedback was
positive from participants who completed the study and did not differ by income
group. However, retention was low and needs to be addressed in future studies.
This study provides purchasing data to establish sample size requirements for
full trials using the UKVS.
PMID- 28993302
TI - User Participation and Engagement With the See Me Smoke-Free mHealth App:
Prospective Feasibility Trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: The See Me Smoke-Free (SMSF) mobile health (mHealth) app was
developed to help women quit smoking by targeting concerns about body weight,
body image, and self-efficacy through cognitive behavioral techniques and guided
imagery audio files addressing smoking, diet, and physical activity. A
feasibility trial found associations between SMSF usage and positive treatment
outcomes. This paper reports a detailed exploration of program use among eligible
individuals consenting to study participation and completing the baseline survey
(participants) and ineligible or nonconsenting app installers (nonparticipants),
as well as the relationship between program use and treatment outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether (1) participants were
more likely to set quit dates, be current smokers, and report higher levels of
smoking at baseline than nonparticipants; (2) participants opened the app and
listened to audio files more frequently than nonparticipants; and (3)
participants with more app usage had a higher likelihood of self-reported smoking
abstinence at follow up. METHODS: The SMSF feasibility trial was a single arm,
within-subjects, prospective cohort study with assessments at baseline and 30 and
90 days post enrollment. The SMSF app was deployed on the Google Play Store for
download, and basic profile characteristics were obtained for all app installers.
Additional variables were assessed for study participants. Participants were
prompted to use the app daily during study participation. Crude differences in
baseline characteristics between trial participants and nonparticipants were
evaluated using t tests (continuous variables) and Fisher exact tests
(categorical variables). Exact Poisson tests were used to assess group-level
differences in mean usage rates over the full study period using aggregate Google
Analytics data on participation and usage. Negative binomial regression models
were used to estimate associations of app usage with participant baseline
characteristics after adjustment for putative confounders. Associations between
app usage and self-reported smoking abstinence were assessed using separate
logistic regression models for each outcome measure. RESULTS: Participants
(n=151) were more likely than nonparticipants (n=96) to report female gender
(P<.02) and smoking in the 30 days before enrollment (P<.001). Participants and
nonparticipants opened the app and updated quit dates at the same average rate
(rate ratio [RR] 0.98; 95% CI 0.92-1.04; P=.43), but participants started audio
files (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.00-1.13; P<.04) and completed audio files (RR 1.11; 95%
CI 1.03-1.18; P<.003) at significantly higher rates than nonparticipants. Higher
app usage among participants was positively associated with some smoking
cessation outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests potential efficacy of the
SMSF app, as increased usage was generally associated with higher self-reported
smoking abstinence. A planned randomized controlled trial will assess the SMSF
app's efficacy as an intervention tool to help women quit smoking.
PMID- 28993303
TI - The Lived Experience of "Being Evaluated" for Organ Donation: Focus Groups with
Living Kidney Donors.
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Comprehensive evaluations are required to safeguard
voluntarism and minimize harm to living kidney donors. This process is lengthy,
invasive, and emotionally challenging, with up to one fifth of potential donors
opting out. We aimed to describe donors' experiences of the evaluation process.
DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We conducted 14 focus groups
involving 123 kidney donors who completed donation from three transplant centers
(Australia and Canada). Transcripts were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: We
identified six themes reflecting donors' experiences of evaluation. The themes
that related to perseverance included emotional investment (prioritizing the
recipient's health, desperation for a normal life, protecting eligibility, shame
of disappointing others, and overcoming opposition), undeterred by low risks
(medical confidence and protection, worthwhile gamble, inherent invincibility,
and normalizing risks), and mental preparation (avoiding regret, resolving
decisional ambivalence, and managing expectations of recovery). The challenges
included underlying fears for health (processing alarming information, unsettling
uncertainty, and preoperative panic), system shortfalls (self-advocacy in driving
the process, stressful urgency, inconsistent framing of safety, unnerving bodily
scrutiny, questioning risk information, and draining finances); and lifestyle
interference (living in limbo, onerous lifestyle disruption, and valuing
flexibility). CONCLUSIONS: Previous donors described an emotional investment in
donating and determination to protect their eligibility, despite having concerns
for their health, financial and lifestyle disruption, and opposition from their
family or community. Our findings suggest the need to prepare donors for surgery
and recovery, minimize anxiety and lifestyle burdens, ensure that donors feel
comfortable expressing their fears and concerns, reduce unnecessary delays, and
make explicit the responsibilities of donors in their assessment process.
PMID- 28993304
TI - Barriers and facilitators to integration of physician associates into the general
practice workforce: a grounded theory approach.
AB - BACKGROUND: Physician associates (PAs) are described as one solution to workforce
capacity in primary care in the UK. Despite new investment in the role, how
effective this will be in addressing unmet primary care needs is unclear. AIM: To
investigate the barriers and facilitators to the integration of PAs into the
general practice workforce. DESIGN AND SETTING: A modified grounded theory study
in a region unfamiliar with the PA role. METHOD: No a priori themes were assumed.
Themes generated from stakeholder interviews informed a literature review and
theoretical framework, and were then tested in focus groups with GPs, advanced
nurse practitioners (ANPs), and patients. Recorded data were transcribed
verbatim, and organised using NVivo version 10.2.2, with iterative analysis of
emergent themes. A reflexive diary and independent verification of coding and
analysis were included. RESULTS: There were 51 participants (30 GPs, 11 ANPs, and
10 patients) in eight focus groups. GPs, ANPs, and patients recognised that
support for general practice was needed to improve access. GPs expressed concerns
regarding PAs around managing medical complexity and supervision burden, non
prescriber status, and medicolegal implications in routine practice. Patients
were less concerned about specific competencies as long as there was effective
supervision, and were accepting of a PA role. ANPs highlighted their own negative
experiences entering advanced clinical practice, and the need for support to
counteract stereotypical and prejudicial attitudes CONCLUSION: This study
highlights the complex factors that may impede the introduction of PAs into UK
primary care. A conceptual model is proposed to help regulators and
educationalists support this integration, which has relevance to other proposed
new roles in primary care.
PMID- 28993305
TI - Effectiveness of UK provider financial incentives on quality of care: a
systematic review.
AB - BACKGROUND: Provider financial incentives are being increasingly adopted to help
improve standards of care while promoting efficiency. AIM: To review the UK
evidence on whether provider financial incentives are an effective way of
improving the quality of health care. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review of UK
evidence, undertaken in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. METHOD: MEDLINE and Embase
databases were searched in August 2016. Original articles that assessed the
relationship between UK provider financial incentives and a quantitative measure
of quality of health care were included. Studies showing improvement for all
measures of quality of care were defined as 'positive', those that were
'intermediate' showed improvement in some measures, and those classified as
'negative' showed a worsening of measures. Studies showing no effect were
documented as such. Quality was assessed using the Downs and Black quality
checklist. RESULTS: Of the 232 published articles identified by the systematic
search, 28 were included. Of these, nine reported positive effects of incentives
on quality of care, 16 reported intermediate effects, two reported no effect, and
one reported a negative effect. Quality assessment scores for included articles
ranged from 15 to 19, out of a maximum of 22 points. CONCLUSION: The effects of
UK provider financial incentives on healthcare quality are unclear. Owing to this
uncertainty and their significant costs, use of them may be counterproductive to
their goal of improving healthcare quality and efficiency. UK policymakers should
be cautious when implementing these incentives - if used, they should be subject
to careful long-term monitoring and evaluation. Further research is needed to
assess whether provider financial incentives represent a cost-effective
intervention to improve the quality of care delivered in the UK.
PMID- 28993306
TI - Experiences with online consultation systems in primary care: case study of one
early adopter site.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is a strong policy drive towards implementing alternatives to
face-to-face consultations in general practice to improve access, efficiency, and
cost-effectiveness. These alternatives embrace novel technologies that are
assumed to offer potential to improve care. AIM: To explore the introduction of
one online consultation system (Tele-Doc) and how it shapes working practices.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Mixed methods case study in an inner-city general practice.
METHOD: The study was conducted through interviews with IT developers,
clinicians, and administrative staff, and scrutiny of documents, websites, and
demonstrator versions of Tele-Doc, followed by thematic analysis and discourse
analysis. RESULTS: Three interrelated themes were identified: online consultation
systems as innovation, managing the 'messiness' of general practice
consultations, and redistribution of the work of general practice. These themes
raise timely questions about what it means to consult in contemporary general
practice. Uptake of Tele-Doc by patients was low. Much of the work of the
consultation was redistributed to patients and administrators, sometimes causing
misunderstandings. The 'messiness' of consultations was hard to eliminate. In
house training focused on the technical application rather than associated
transformations to practice work that were not anticipated. GPs welcomed varied
modes of consulting, but the aspiration of improved efficiency was not realised
in practice. CONCLUSION: Tele-Doc offers a new kind of consultation that is still
being worked out in practice. It may offer convenience for patients with
discrete, single problems, and a welcome variation to GPs' workload. Tele-Doc's
potential for addressing more complex problems and achieving efficiency is less
clear, and its adoption may involve unforeseeable consequences.
PMID- 28993307
TI - Improving access to allied health professionals through the Champlain BASETM
eConsult service: a cross-sectional study in Canada.
AB - BACKGROUND: Allied health services are an important part of providing effective
team-based care. The Champlain BASETM (Building Access to Specialists through
eConsultation) eConsult service facilitates quick and secure communication
between primary care providers (PCPs) and allied health professionals (AHPs).
AIM: To assess the eConsult service's ability to improve access to advice from
AHPs. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was carried out on all cases
submitted to AHPs through the eConsult service between April 2011 and May 2016.
The service covers Ottawa, Canada, and its surrounding rural communities. METHOD:
A descriptive overview of all cases submitted to allied health services was
conducted. Utilisation and survey metrics for AHP eConsults were compared with
those sent to medical specialties, in order to understand the potential
differences and generalisability of eConsult access beyond the traditional
medical specialty referral. RESULTS: PCPs submitted 127 cases to nine allied
health specialties during the study period. The most popular specialty was
clinical pharmacist, which received an average of 1.5 cases per month. The median
specialist response time was 2.1 days (interquartile range [IQR] 0.7-5.3 days,
range 0.01-14.2 days) versus 0.9 days (IQR 0.2-3.4 days, range 0-49.5 days) for
medical specialties. PCPs received advice for a new or additional course of
action in 70% (versus 58% for medical specialties) of cases. They rated the
service as being of high or very high value for their patients in 88% of cases
(versus 93% for medical specialties), and for themselves in 89% (94% for medical
specialties) of cases. CONCLUSION: The eConsult service has demonstrated the
ability to support prompt communication between PCPs and AHPs, improving
patients' access to AHP care. Given the importance of AHPs in providing primary
care, allied health services should be offered in the menu of specialties
available through electronic consultation services.
PMID- 28993308
TI - Safe handover.
PMID- 28993309
TI - Clinical peer review of GP referrals might be construed as peer pressure.
PMID- 28993313
TI - Checkpoint Inhibitors Spur Changes in Trial Design.
AB - Given the success of checkpoint inhibitors and the desire to test them in
combination with other immunotherapies and targeted therapies, hundreds of
clinical trials have been launched. To most efficiently study these agents,
researchers and the FDA are exploring the use of novel endpoints, the use of new
preclinical models, and adaptive trial designs. However, the cost and demands
associated with the conduct of increasingly sophisticated early-phase clinical
trials are putting smaller companies and some academic medical centers at a
disadvantage.
PMID- 28993312
TI - MMP-14 overexpression correlates with the neurodegenerative process in familial
amyloidotic polyneuropathy.
AB - Levels of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) can be differentially regulated in
response to injury or neurological diseases. For instance, it is known that
selective and short-term inhibition of MMP-14, a membrane-type 1 MMP, accelerates
axon regeneration. Because axon growth and regeneration is impaired in familial
amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
misfolding and deposition of mutant transthyretin (TTR) in the peripheral nervous
system (PNS), we presently investigated the expression levels and the potential
role for MMP-14 in this condition. By using cell culture studies, a mouse model
of disease and human clinical samples, we observed that MMP-14: (i) is
overexpressed in FAP nerves, correlating with TTR deposition; (ii) is upregulated
in sciatic nerves from a preclinical transgenic mouse model, increasing with TTR
deposition; (iii) levels in the PNS and plasma are rescued upon treatment of mice
with anakinra or TTR siRNA, drugs acting over the IL-1 signaling pathway or TTR
liver synthesis, respectively; (iv) increases in Schwann cells upon incubation
with amyloid-like aggregates; and, finally, (v) is increased in plasma of FAP
patients, correlating with disease progression. These results highlight the
relevance of MMP-14 in the pathophysiology of FAP, suggesting not only a
potential role for this molecule as a novel biomarker for therapy follow up, but
also as a new potential therapeutic target.
PMID- 28993315
TI - Fear of missing out on conferences.
PMID- 28993316
TI - Father loses appeal for L1m damages against IVF clinic to raise daughter.
PMID- 28993314
TI - Mecp2 regulates tnfa during zebrafish embryonic development and acute
inflammation.
AB - Mutations in MECP2 cause Rett syndrome, a severe neurological disorder with
autism-like features. Duplication of MECP2 also causes severe neuropathology.
Both diseases display immunological abnormalities that suggest a role for MECP2
in controlling immune and inflammatory responses. Here, we used mecp2-null
zebrafish to study the potential function of Mecp2 as an immunological regulator.
Mecp2 deficiency resulted in an increase in neutrophil infiltration and
upregulated expression of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines Il1b and Il10
as a secondary response to disturbances in tissue homeostasis. By contrast,
expression of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfa) was
consistently downregulated in mecp2-null animals during development, representing
the earliest developmental phenotype described for MECP2 deficiency to date.
Expression of tnfa was unresponsive to inflammatory stimulation, and was
partially restored by re-expression of functional mecp2 Thus, Mecp2 is required
for tnfa expression during zebrafish development and inflammation. Finally, RNA
sequencing of mecp2-null embryos revealed dysregulated processes predictive for
Rett syndrome phenotypes.
PMID- 28993318
TI - Junior doctor is struck off after trying to arrange sex with minor.
PMID- 28993317
TI - Proportionate methods for evaluating a simple digital mental health tool.
AB - BACKGROUND: Traditional evaluation methods are not keeping pace with rapid
developments in mobile health. More flexible methodologies are needed to evaluate
mHealth technologies, particularly simple, self-help tools. One approach is to
combine a variety of methods and data to build a comprehensive picture of how a
technology is used and its impact on users. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to
demonstrate how analytical data and user feedback can be triangulated to provide
a proportionate and practical approach to the evaluation of a mental well-being
smartphone app (In Hand). METHODS: A three-part process was used to collect data:
(1) app analytics; (2) an online user survey and (3) interviews with users.
FINDINGS: Analytics showed that >50% of user sessions counted as 'meaningful
engagement'. User survey findings (n=108) revealed that In Hand was perceived to
be helpful on several dimensions of mental well-being. Interviews (n=8) provided
insight into how these self-reported positive effects were understood by users.
CONCLUSIONS: This evaluation demonstrates how different methods can be combined
to complete a real world, naturalistic evaluation of a self-help digital tool and
provide insights into how and why an app is used and its impact on users' well
being. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This triangulation approach to evaluation provides
insight into how well-being apps are used and their perceived impact on users'
mental well-being. This approach is useful for mental healthcare professionals
and commissioners who wish to recommend simple digital tools to their patients
and evaluate their uptake, use and benefits.
PMID- 28993319
TI - Sixty seconds on . . . NHS Property Services.
PMID- 28993320
TI - Retraction.
PMID- 28993311
TI - Central and peripheral circadian clocks and their role in Alzheimer's disease.
AB - Molecular and cellular oscillations constitute an internal clock that tracks the
time of day and permits organisms to optimize their behaviour and metabolism to
suit the daily demands they face. The workings of this internal clock become
impaired with age. In this review, we discuss whether such age-related
impairments in the circadian clock interact with age-related neurodegenerative
disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Findings from mouse and fly models of
Alzheimer's disease have accelerated our understanding of the interaction between
neurodegeneration and circadian biology. These models show that neurodegeneration
likely impairs circadian rhythms either by damaging the central clock or by
blocking its communication with other brain areas and with peripheral tissues.
The consequent sleep and metabolic deficits could enhance the susceptibility of
the brain to further degenerative processes. Thus, circadian dysfunction might be
both a cause and an effect of neurodegeneration. We also discuss the primary role
of light in the entrainment of the central clock and describe important,
alternative time signals, such as food, that play a role in entraining central
and peripheral circadian clocks. Finally, we propose how these recent insights
could inform efforts to develop novel therapeutic approaches to re-entrain
arrhythmic individuals with neurodegenerative disease.
PMID- 28993321
TI - Figures show big increase in outstanding general practice premises fees.
PMID- 28993310
TI - Rodent models in Down syndrome research: impact and future opportunities.
AB - Down syndrome is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. To date, a multiplicity of
mouse models with Down-syndrome-related features has been developed to understand
this complex human chromosomal disorder. These mouse models have been important
for determining genotype-phenotype relationships and identification of dosage
sensitive genes involved in the pathophysiology of the condition, and in
exploring the impact of the additional chromosome on the whole genome. Mouse
models of Down syndrome have also been used to test therapeutic strategies. Here,
we provide an overview of research in the last 15 years dedicated to the
development and application of rodent models for Down syndrome. We also speculate
on possible and probable future directions of research in this fast-moving field.
As our understanding of the syndrome improves and genome engineering technologies
evolve, it is necessary to coordinate efforts to make all Down syndrome models
available to the community, to test therapeutics in models that replicate the
whole trisomy and design new animal models to promote further discovery of
potential therapeutic targets.
PMID- 28993323
TI - Letter to the editor: Comments on Wette et al. (2017): "Characterization of
muscle ankyrin repeat proteins in human skeletal muscle".
PMID- 28993324
TI - Reply to "Letter to the editor: Comments on Wette et al. (2017):
'Characterization of muscle ankyrin repeat proteins in human skeletal muscle'".
PMID- 28993325
TI - CORRIGENDUM.
PMID- 28993322
TI - Comparative study of expression and activity of glucose transporters between stem
cell-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells and hCMEC/D3 cells.
AB - Glucose constitutes a major source of energy of mammalian brains. Glucose uptake
at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) occurs through a facilitated glucose transport,
through glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), although other isoforms have been
described at the BBB. Mutations in GLUT1 are associated with the GLUT1 deficiency
syndrome, yet none of the current in vitro models of the human BBB maybe suited
for modeling such a disorder. In this study, we investigated the expression of
glucose transporters and glucose diffusion across brain microvascular endothelial
cells (BMECs) derived from healthy patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells
(iPSCs). We investigated the expression of different glucose transporters at the
BBB using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry and measured glucose uptake and
diffusion across BMEC monolayers obtained from two iPSC lines and from hCMEC/D3
cells. BMEC monolayers showed expression of several glucose transporters, in
particular GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4. Diffusion of glucose across the monolayers
was mediated via a saturable transcellular mechanism and partially inhibited by
pharmacological inhibitors. Taken together, our study suggests the presence of
several glucose transporters isoforms at the human BBB and demonstrates the
feasibility of modeling glucose across the BBB using patient-derived stem cells.
PMID- 28993326
TI - A Dynamic Stress Model Explains the Delayed Drug Effect in Artemisinin Treatment
of Plasmodium falciparum.
AB - Artemisinin resistance constitutes a major threat to the continued success of
control programs for malaria, particularly in light of developing resistance to
partner drugs. Improving our understanding of how artemisinin-based drugs act and
how resistance manifests is essential for the optimization of dosing regimens and
the development of strategies to prolong the life span of current first-line
treatment options. Recent short-drug-pulse in vitro experiments have shown that
the parasite killing rate depends not only on drug concentration but also the
exposure time, challenging the standard pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD)
paradigm in which the killing rate depends only on drug concentration. Here, we
introduce a dynamic stress model of parasite killing and show through application
to 3D7 laboratory strain viability data that the inclusion of a time-dependent
parasite stress response dramatically improves the model's explanatory power
compared to that of a traditional PK-PD model. Our model demonstrates that the
previously reported hypersensitivity of early-ring-stage parasites of the 3D7
strain to dihydroartemisinin compared to other parasite stages is due primarily
to a faster development of stress rather than a higher maximum achievable killing
rate. We also perform in vivo simulations using the dynamic stress model and
demonstrate that the complex temporal features of artemisinin action observed in
vitro have a significant impact on predictions for in vivo parasite clearance.
Given the important role that PK-PD models play in the design of clinical trials
for the evaluation of alternative drug dosing regimens, our novel model will
contribute to the further development and improvement of antimalarial therapies.
PMID- 28993327
TI - In Vitro Activities of Pexiganan and 10 Comparator Antimicrobials against 502
Anaerobic Isolates Recovered from Skin and Skin Structure Infections.
AB - Pexiganan, a cationic peptide, exhibited a broad range of anti-anaerobic
antimicrobial activity. The MIC90s of studied isolates were as follows:
Bacteroides fragilis, 16 MUg/ml; other B. fragilis group spp., 4 MUg/ml;
Prevotella and Fusobacterium spp., 32 MUg/ml; Porphyromonas spp., 64 MUg/ml;
Propionibacterium acnes, 4 MUg/ml; Eggerthella lenta and Peptostreptococcus
anaerobius, 32 MUg/ml; other Gram-positive rods and cocci, 4 MUg/ml; Clostridium
perfringens, 128 MUg/ml; and other clostridia, 256 MUg/ml. Pexiganan cream shows
potential as adjunctive therapy for skin and skin structure infections (SSSIs)
involving anaerobes.
PMID- 28993329
TI - Inhibition of Fosfomycin Resistance Protein FosA by Phosphonoformate (Foscarnet)
in Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens.
AB - FosA proteins confer fosfomycin resistance to Gram-negative pathogens via
glutathione-mediated modification of the antibiotic. In this study, we assessed
whether inhibition of FosA by sodium phosphonoformate (PPF) (foscarnet), a
clinically approved antiviral agent, would reverse fosfomycin resistance in
representative Gram-negative pathogens. The inhibitory activity of PPF against
purified recombinant FosA from Escherichia coli (FosA3), Klebsiella pneumoniae
(FosAKP), Enterobacter cloacae (FosAEC), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (FosAPA) was
determined by steady-state kinetic measurements. The antibacterial activity of
PPF against FosA in clinical strains of these species was evaluated by
susceptibility testing and time-kill assays. PPF increased the Michaelis constant
(Km ) for fosfomycin in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting the maximum
rate (Vmax) of the reaction, for all four FosA enzymes tested, indicating a
competitive mechanism of inhibition. Inhibitory constant (Ki ) values were 22.6,
35.8, 24.4, and 56.3 MUM for FosAKP, FosAEC, FosAPA, and FosA3, respectively.
Addition of clinically achievable concentrations of PPF (~667 MUM) reduced the
fosfomycin MICs by >=4-fold among 52% of the K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae, and P.
aeruginosa clinical strains tested and led to a bacteriostatic or bactericidal
effect in time-kill assays among representative strains. PPF inhibits FosA
activity across Gram-negative species and can potentiate fosfomycin activity
against the majority of strains with chromosomally encoded fosA These data
suggest that PPF may be repurposed as an adjuvant for fosfomycin to treat
infections caused by some FosA-producing, multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative
pathogens.
PMID- 28993328
TI - Molecular Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa of
Czech Origin and Evidence for Clonal Spread of Extensively Resistant Sequence
Type 357 Expressing IMP-7 Metallo-beta-Lactamase.
AB - The objective of this study was to perform molecular surveillance for assessing
the spread of carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Czech hospitals.
One hundred thirty-six carbapenemase-producing isolates were recovered from 22
hospitals located throughout the country. Sequence type 357 (ST357) dominated (n
= 120) among carbapenemase producers. One hundred seventeen isolates produced IMP
type (IMP-7 [n = 116] and IMP-1 [n = 1]) metallo-beta-lactamases (MbetaLs), 15
produced the VIM-2 MbetaL, and the remaining isolates expressed the GES-5 enzyme.
The blaIMP-like genes were located in three main integron types, with In-p110
like being the most prevalent (n = 115). The two other IMP-encoding integrons
(In1392 and In1393) have not been described previously. blaVIM-2-carrying
integrons included In59-like, In56, and a novel element (In1391). blaGES-5 was
carried by In717. Sequencing data showed that In-p110-like was associated with a
Tn4380-like transposon inserted in genomic island LESGI-3 in the P. aeruginosa
chromosome. The other integrons were also integrated into the P. aeruginosa
chromosome. These findings indicated the clonal spread of ST357 P. aeruginosa,
carrying the IMP-7-encoding integron In-p110, in Czech hospitals. Additionally,
the sporadic emergence of P. aeruginosa producing different carbapenemase types,
associated with divergent or novel integrons, punctuated the ongoing evolution of
these bacteria.
PMID- 28993330
TI - Impact of Morphological Sectors on Antifungal Susceptibility Testing and
Virulence Studies.
AB - Morphological heterogeneity of Aspergillus terreus cultures was observed during
continued cultivation of amphotericin B (AMB)-resistant isolates on drug-free
medium. Outgrowth leads to the emergence of multiple sectors that might result
from increased growth rates at drug-free conditions. We evaluated the differences
in AMB susceptibility and virulence between sector subcultures (ATSec), AMB
resistant (ATR) strains, and AMB-susceptible (ATS) strains. By comparing A.
terreus AMB-resistant (ATR) strains and A. terreus sector (ATSec) cultures we
observed a highly significant reduction of AMB MICs in ATSec (ATR MIC, 2 to 32
MUg/ml; ATSec MIC, 0.12 to 5 MUg/ml). Furthermore, Galleria mellonella survival
studies revealed an enhanced virulence of ATSec, which was comparable with that
of AMB-sensitive Aspergillus terreus strains (median survival rates for ATS
isolates, 72 h; for ATSec isolate ATSecG1, 84 h; for ATR isolates, 144 h). Our
findings clearly demonstrate that spontaneous culture degeneration occurs in A.
terreus and, most importantly, crucially impacts drug efficacy and virulence.
PMID- 28993331
TI - Evaluation of Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model-Based Optimized Combination
Regimens against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Murine Thigh
Infection Model by Using Humanized Dosing Schemes.
AB - We previously optimized imipenem and tobramycin combination regimens against a
double-resistant clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate by using in vitro
infection models, mechanism-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling (MBM),
and Monte Carlo simulations. The current study aimed to evaluate these regimens
in a neutropenic murine thigh infection model and to characterize the time course
of bacterial killing and regrowth via MBM. We studied monotherapies and
combinations of imipenem with tobramycin in vivo against the double-resistant
clinical P. aeruginosa isolate by using humanized dosing schemes. Viable count
profiles of total and resistant populations were quantified over 24 h. Tobramycin
monotherapy (7 mg/kg every 24 h [q24h] as a 0.5-h infusion) was ineffective.
Imipenem monotherapies (continuous infusion of 4 or 5 g/day with a 1-g loading
dose) yielded 2.47 or 2.57 log10 CFU/thigh killing at 6 h. At 24 h, imipenem at 4
g/day led to regrowth up to the initial inoculum (4.79 +/- 0.26 log10 CFU/thigh),
whereas imipenem at 5 g/day displayed 1.75 log10 killing versus the initial
inoculum. The combinations (i.e., imipenem at 4 or 5 g/day plus tobramycin)
provided a clear benefit, with bacterial killing of >=2.51 or >=1.50 log10
CFU/thigh compared to the respective most active monotherapy at 24 h. No colonies
were detected on 3*MIC agar plates for combinations, whereas increased resistance
(at 3*MIC) emerged for monotherapies (except imipenem at 5 g/day). MBM suggested
that tobramycin considerably enhanced the imipenem target site concentration up
to 2.6-fold. The combination regimens, rationally optimized via a translational
modeling approach, demonstrated substantially enhanced bacterial killing and
suppression of regrowth in vivo against a double-resistant isolate and are
therefore promising for future clinical evaluation.
PMID- 28993332
TI - Amikacin Pharmacokinetics To Optimize Dosing in Neonates with Perinatal Asphyxia
Treated with Hypothermia.
AB - Aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics (PK) is expected to change in neonates with
perinatal asphyxia treated with therapeutic hypothermia (PATH). Several amikacin
dosing guidelines have been proposed for treating neonates with (suspected)
septicemia; however, none provide adjustments for cases of PATH. Therefore, we
aimed to quantify the differences in amikacin PK between neonates with and
without PATH to propose suitable dosing recommendations. Based on amikacin
therapeutic drug monitoring data collected retrospectively from neonates with
PATH, combined with a published data set, we assessed the impact of PATH on
amikacin PK by using population modeling. Monte Carlo and stochastic simulations
were performed to establish amikacin exposures in neonates with PATH after dosing
according to the current guidelines and according to proposed model-derived
dosing guidelines. Amikacin clearance was decreased 40.6% in neonates with PATH,
with no changes in volume of distribution. Simulations showed that increasing the
dosing interval by 12 h results in a decrease in the percentage of neonates
reaching toxic trough levels (>5 mg/liter), from 40 to 76% to 14 to 25%, while
still reaching efficacy targets compared to the results of current dosing
regimens. Based on this study, a 12-h increase in the amikacin dosing interval in
neonates with PATH is proposed to correct for the reduced clearance, yielding
safe and effective exposures. As amikacin is renally excreted, further studies
into other renally excreted drugs may be required, as their clearance may also be
impaired.
PMID- 28993334
TI - Choosing Optimal Antifungal Agents To Prevent Fungal Infections in Nonneutropenic
Critically Ill Patients: Trial Sequential Analysis, Network Meta-analysis, and
Pharmacoeconomic Analysis.
AB - The use of antifungal interventions in critically ill patients prior to invasive
fungal infection (IFI) being microbiologically confirmed and the preferred drug
are still controversial. A systematic literature search was performed to identify
randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared untargeted antifungal
treatments applied to nonneutropenic critically ill patients. The primary
outcomes were all-cause mortality and proven IFI rates. A random-effects model
was used with trial sequential analyses (TSA), a network meta-analysis (NMA) was
conducted to obtain indirect evidence, and a cost-effectiveness analysis using a
decision-analytic model was completed from the patient perspective over a
lifetime horizon. In total, 19 RCTs involving 2,556 patients (7 interventions)
were included. Untargeted antifungal treatment did not significantly decrease the
incidence of all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.89, 95% confidence interval
[95%CI] = 0.70 to 1.14), but it did reduce the incidence of proven IFI (OR =
0.45, 95%CI = 0.29 to 0.71) relative to placebo/no intervention. The TSA showed
that there was sufficient evidence supporting these findings. In the NMA, the
only significant difference found for both primary outcomes was between
fluconazole and placebo/no intervention in preventing proven IFI (OR = 0.35,
95%CI = 0.19 to 0.65). Based on drug and hospital costs in China, the incremental
cost-effectiveness ratios per life-year saved for fluconazole, caspofungin, and
micafungin relative to placebo/no intervention corresponded to US$889, US$9,994,
and US$10,351, respectively. Untargeted antifungal treatment significantly
reduced proven IFI rates in nonneutropenic critically ill patients but with no
mortality benefits relative to placebo/no intervention. Among the well-tolerated
antifungals, fluconazole remains the only one that is effective for IFI
prevention and significantly cheaper than echinocandins.
PMID- 28993333
TI - Antibiotics Promote Escherichia coli-Pseudomonas aeruginosa Conjugation through
Inhibiting Quorum Sensing.
AB - The effect of antibiotics on horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is controversial, and
the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, using Escherichia coli
SM10lambdapi as the donor strain, which carries a chromosomally integrated RP4
plasmid, we investigated the effect of antibiotics on conjugational transfer of a
mobilizable gentamicin (Gm) resistance plasmid. The results showed that an
exposure to gentamicin that restricted the survival of recipient cells
significantly enhanced SM10lambdapi-Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 conjugation,
which was attenuated by a deficiency of lasI-rhlI, genes associated with the
generation of the quorum sensing signals N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in
PAO1, or the deletion of the AHL receptor SdiA in SM10lambdapi. Subsequent
mechanistic investigations revealed that a treatment with Gm repressed the mRNA
expression of lasI and rhlI in PAO1 and upregulated traI expression in
SM10lambdapi. Moreover, PAO1 treated with other quorum sensing (QS)-inhibiting
antibiotics such as azithromycin or chloramphenicol also showed a conjugation
promoting ability. On the other hand, when using non-AHL-producing E. coli strain
EC600 as the recipient cells, the promoting effect of Gm on conjugation could not
be observed. These data suggest that AHL-SdiA contributes to the effectiveness of
antibiotics on plasmid conjugation. Collectively, our findings highlight the HGT
promoting effect of antibiotics and suggest quorum sensing as a promising target
for controlling antibiotic resistance dissemination. These findings have
implications for assessing the risks of antibiotic use and developing advisable
antibiotic treatment protocols.
PMID- 28993335
TI - Effects of Maraviroc versus Efavirenz in Combination with Zidovudine-Lamivudine
on the CD4/CD8 Ratio in Treatment-Naive HIV-Infected Individuals.
AB - A low CD4/CD8 ratio during treated HIV infection reflects heightened immune
activation and predicts death. The effects of different antiretroviral therapy
regimens on CD4/CD8 ratio recovery remains unclear. We performed a post hoc
analysis of the MERIT study, a randomized, double-blind trial of maraviroc versus
efavirenz in combination with zidovudine-lamivudine in treatment-naive HIV
infected individuals. We found higher rates of CD4/CD8 ratio normalization with
efavirenz, which was driven by a greater CD8+ T-cell decline.
PMID- 28993336
TI - Emergence of Various NDM-Type-Metallo-beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli
Clinical Isolates in Nepal.
AB - Of 250 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli obtained in Nepal, 38 were
carbapenem resistant, with MICs of imipenem or meropenem of >=4 MUg/ml. All 38
isolates harbored the following blaNDMs: blaNDM-1, blaNDM-3, blaNDM-4, blaNDM-5,
blaNDM-7, blaNDM-12, and blaNDM-13 Most of these isolates also harbored the 16S
rRNA methylase gene(s) armA, rmtB, and/or rmtC.
PMID- 28993338
TI - Activity of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam and Ceftazidime-Avibactam against Beta-Lactam
Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates.
AB - Ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) and ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) MICs were evaluated
for a collection of 309 beta-lactam-resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
recovered from three institutions in the area of Los Angeles, CA. Overall, 12.0%
of isolates were susceptible to imipenem, 15.9% were susceptible to meropenem,
20.7% were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam, 24.6% were susceptible to
ceftazidime, 25.9% were susceptible to cefepime, 72.5% were susceptible to C/T,
and 61.8% were susceptible to CZA. Among C/T-resistant isolates, 9.1% were CZA
susceptible, whereas 36.4% of CZA-resistant isolates were susceptible to C/T.
PMID- 28993340
TI - Erratum. DDB1-Mediated CRY1 Degradation Promotes FOXO1-Driven Gluconeogenesis in
Liver. Diabetes 2017;66:2571-2582.
PMID- 28993337
TI - Whole-Transcriptome and -Genome Analysis of Extensively Drug-Resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Clinical Isolates Identifies Downregulation of ethA as
a Mechanism of Ethionamide Resistance.
AB - Genetics-based drug susceptibility testing has improved the diagnosis of drug
resistant tuberculosis but is limited by our lack of knowledge of all resistance
mechanisms. Next-generation sequencing has assisted in identifying the principal
genetic mechanisms of resistance for many drugs, but a significant proportion of
phenotypic drug resistance is unexplained genetically. Few studies have formally
compared the transcriptomes of susceptible and resistant Mycobacterium
tuberculosis strains. We carried out comparative whole-genome transcriptomics of
extensively drug-resistant (XDR) clinical isolates using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)
to find novel transcription-mediated mechanisms of resistance. We identified a
promoter mutation (t to c) at position -11 (t-11c) relative to the start codon of
ethA that reduces the expression of a monooxygenase (EthA) that activates
ethionamide. (In this article, nucleotide changes are lowercase and amino acid
substitutions are uppercase.) Using a flow cytometry-based reporter assay, we
show that the reduced transcription of ethA is not due to transcriptional
repression by ethR Clinical strains harboring this mutation were resistant to
ethionamide. Other ethA promoter mutations were identified in a global genomic
survey of resistant M. tuberculosis strains. These results demonstrate a new
mechanism of ethionamide resistance that can cause high-level resistance when it
is combined with other ethionamide resistance-conferring mutations. Our study
revealed many other genes which were highly up- or downregulated in XDR strains,
including a toxin-antitoxin module (mazF5 mazE5) and tRNAs (leuX and thrU). This
suggests that global transcriptional modifications could contribute to resistance
or the maintenance of bacterial fitness have also occurred in XDR strains.
PMID- 28993339
TI - The Alternative Sigma Factors SigE and SigB Are Involved in Tolerance and
Persistence to Antitubercular Drugs.
AB - The emergence and spread of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains
possibly threaten our ability to treat this disease in the future. Even though
two new antitubercular drugs have recently been introduced, there is still the
need to design new molecules whose mechanisms of action could reduce the length
of treatment. We show that two alternative sigma factors of M. tuberculosis (SigE
and SigB) have a major role in determining the level of basal resistance to
several drugs and the amount of persisters surviving long-duration drug
treatment. We also demonstrate that ethambutol, a bacteriostatic drug, is highly
bactericidal for M. tuberculosis mutants missing either SigE or SigB. We suggest
that molecules able to interfere with the activity of SigE or SigB not only could
reduce M. tuberculosis virulence in vivo but also could boost the effect of other
drugs by increasing the sensitivity of the organism and reducing the number of
persisters able to escape killing.
PMID- 28993341
TI - Insights From Molecular Characterization of Adult Patients of Families With
Multigenerational Diabetes.
AB - Multigenerational diabetes of adulthood is a mostly overlooked entity,
simplistically lumped into the large pool of type 2 diabetes. The general aim of
our research in the past few years is to unravel the genetic causes of this form
of diabetes. Identifying among families with multigenerational diabetes those who
carry mutations in known monogenic diabetes genes is the first step to then allow
us to concentrate on remaining pedigrees in which to unravel new diabetes genes.
Targeted next-generation sequencing of 27 monogenic diabetes genes was carried
out in 55 family probands and identified mutations verified among their relatives
by Sanger sequencing. Nine variants (in eight probands) survived our
filtering/prioritization strategy. After likelihood of causality assessment by
established guidelines, six variants were classified as "pathogenetic/likely
pathogenetic" and two as "of uncertain significance." Combining present results
with our previous data on the six genes causing the most common forms of maturity
onset diabetes of the young allows us to infer that 23.6% of families with
multigenerational diabetes of adulthood carry mutations in known monogenic
diabetes genes. Our findings indicate that the genetic background of
hyperglycemia is unrecognized in the vast majority of families with
multigenerational diabetes of adulthood. These families now become the object of
further research aimed at unraveling new diabetes genes.
PMID- 28993343
TI - Statins in systemic lupus erythematosus.
PMID- 28993342
TI - In Vivo Detection of HSP90 Identifies Breast Cancers with Aggressive Behavior.
AB - Purpose: Hsp90, a chaperone to numerous molecular pathways in malignant cells, is
elevated in aggressive breast cancers. We hypothesized that identifying breast
cells with elevated Hsp90 activity in situ could result in early detection of
aggressive breast cancers.Experimental Design: We exploited the uptake of an
Hsp90 inhibitor by malignant cells to create an imaging probe (HS131) of Hsp90
activity by linking it to a near-infrared (nIR) dye. HS131 uptake into cells
correlated with cell membrane expression of Hsp90 and was used to image molecular
subtypes of murine and human breast cancers in vitro and in murine
models.Results: HS131 imaging was both sensitive and specific in detecting the
murine 4T1 breast cancer cell line, as well as subclones with differing
metastatic potential. Highly metastatic subclones (4T07) had high HS131 uptake,
but subclones with lower metastatic potential (67NR, 168FARN) had low HS131
uptake. We generated isogenic cell lines to demonstrate that overexpression of a
variety of specific oncogenes resulted in high HS131 uptake and retention.
Finally, we demonstrated that HS131 could be used to detect spontaneous tumors in
MMTV-neu mice, as well as primary and metastatic human breast cancer xenografts.
HS131 could image invasive lobular breast cancer, a histologic subtype of breast
cancer which is often undetectable by mammography.Conclusions: An HSP90-targeting
nIR probe is sensitive and specific in imaging all molecular subtypes of murine
and human breast cancer, with higher uptake in aggressive and highly metastatic
clones. Clinical studies with Hsp90-targeting nIR probes will be initiated
shortly. Clin Cancer Res; 23(24); 7531-42. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993344
TI - Chondroitin sulfate is superior to placebo in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
PMID- 28993345
TI - Response to eLetter: 'Discussion of methotrexate dosage' by Maguire et al.
PMID- 28993347
TI - Interrupted aortic arch complicated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy mimicking
aortic dissection.
AB - A 50-year-old man presented to the emergency department with interscapular pain,
diaphoresis and restlessness. Initial examination raised the possibility of
aortic dissection; however, the CT scan did not concur with the diagnosis. An ECG
showed ST segment elevation in leads V1-V6 and echocardiography showed severe
left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Coronary angiography through the right
femoral artery was attempted but the diagnostic catheter could not be advanced to
the ascending aorta. Radiocontrast injection showed complete obstruction of the
descending aorta. Coronary angiography through right radial approach showed mild
left anterior descending disease. The aortogram showed complete interruption of
the ascending aorta with extensive collateral network. Left ventricle gram was
consistent with stress-induced cardiomyopathy. We noticed intermittent confusion
and agitation. MRI of the brain showed areas of deep white matter ischaemia as
well as microhaemorrhages, suggesting posterior reversible leucoencephalopathy
syndrome. He unfortunately went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived.
PMID- 28993346
TI - Abatacept in the treatment of adult dermatomyositis and polymyositis: a
randomised, phase IIb treatment delayed-start trial.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of abatacept on disease activity and on muscle
biopsy features of adult patients with dermatomyositis (DM) or polymyositis (PM).
METHODS: Twenty patients with DM (n=9) or PM (n=11) with refractory disease were
enrolled in a randomised treatment delayed-start trial to receive either
immediate active treatment with intravenous abatacept or a 3 month delayed-start.
The primary endpoint was number of responders, defined by the International
Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group definition of improvement (DOI),
after 6 months of treatment. Secondary endpoints included number of responders in
the early treatment arm compared with the delayed treatment arm at 3 months.
Repeated muscle biopsies were investigated for cellular markers and cytokines.
RESULTS: 8/19 patients included in the analyses achieved the DOI at 6 months. At
3 months of study, five (50%) patients were responders after active treatment but
only one (11%) patient in the delayed treatment arm. Eight adverse events (AEs)
were regarded as related to the drug, four mild and four moderate, and three
serious AEs, none related to the drug. There was a significant increase in
regulatory T cells (Tregs), whereas other markers were unchanged in repeated
muscle biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, treatment of patients with DM
and PM with abatacept resulted in lower disease activity in nearly half of the
patients. In patients with repeat muscle biopsies, an increased frequency of
Foxp3+ Tregs suggests a positive effect of treatment in muscle tissue.
PMID- 28993348
TI - Delayed spinal cord infarction following anterior cervical surgical
decompression.
AB - Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cord compression is a safe and
effective procedure with good outcomes. However, worsening of myelopathy is the
most feared adverse event of the surgery. We report the case of a 36-year-old
male patient who presented with an acute non-traumatic C5-6 cervical disc
herniation causing incomplete quadriparesis. He underwent an uncomplicated ACDF
at C5-6, and after an initial period of improvement, he developed a delayed onset
of an anterior cord syndrome on day 3, without any discerning cause. We have
reviewed similar cases reported in the literature and believe that our patient's
postsurgical course is consistent with a delayed ischaemic/reperfusion injury to
the cord following surgical decompression and restoration of blood flow through
the anterior spinal artery and we make suggestions for management of such
clinical events.
PMID- 28993349
TI - Aspirin safety in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency patients with
acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
AB - The use of aspirin, as part of a dual antiplatelet therapy regimen, is an
established standard following coronary stenting in patients suffering from acute
coronary syndrome (ACS). However, in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
deficient patients, precaution is always taken with aspirin use, due to the risk
of haemolysis. We reviewed all previous cases of G6PD deficient patients with
ACS, in addition to a review of the available literature, to better understand
the safety of aspirin use in this population. To date, there are no reported
cases of haemolysis following aspirin use in this patient group and no guideline
is established to date.
PMID- 28993350
TI - Nodular fasciitis of soft tissue over the mandible.
AB - Nodular fasciitis (NF) is an unusual, benign condition which can mimic more
sinister, sarcomatous lesions both clinically and histologically. This case
report presents a 35-year-old male, with a rapidly growing mass on the border of
his left mandible, referred to a specialist head and neck unit. The initial
presentation, radiology and cytology were initially inconclusive and the
possibility of a malignant process was considered. Final histology was that of
NF, the treatment of which is complete surgical excision. Therefore, NF is an
important differential to consider when assessing similar clinical presentations,
as highlighted in this case report.
PMID- 28993351
TI - Haematuria in ADPKD: not always benign. Be aware!
AB - Haematuria in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)
is a very common manifestation. The cause of haematuria is often benign with the
most common cause being haemorrhage within the renal cyst. But haematuria may
also be caused by a coincident malignancy, the diagnosis of which may be missed
if not investigated thoroughly. Herein, we present a case of ADPKD who presented
to us with haematuria and was later found to have bladder cancer.
PMID- 28993352
TI - Delays in diagnosis and treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Guatemala.
AB - A 23-year-old indigenous Guatemalan man presented in 2016 to our clinic in
Solola, Guatemala, with 10 months of recurrent neck swelling, fevers, night
sweats and weight loss. Previously, he had sought care in three different medical
settings, including a private physician-run clinic, a tertiary private cancer
treatment centre and, finally, a rural government health post. With assistance
from our institution's accompaniment staff, the patient was admitted to a public
tertiary care hospital for work-up. Rifampin-susceptible tuberculosis was
diagnosed, and appropriate treatment was begun. The case illustrates how low
tuberculosis recognition among community health workers and health system
segmentation creates obstacles to appropriate care, especially for patients with
limited means. As a result, significant diagnostic and treatment delays can
occur, increasing the public health burden of tuberculosis.
PMID- 28993353
TI - Lipoedematous scalp: is there an association with fatty infiltration of the
parotid?
AB - Lipoedematous scalp (LS) is an extremely rare condition characterised by a soft
and boggy consistency in the scalp due to an increased layer of subcutaneous
tissue.In this report, we present a case of LS in a 64-year-old Indian woman.
Clinical examination revealed only vague boggy lumpiness involving the whole of
occipital scalp extending to parietal scalp. MRI scalp showed diffuse fatty
infiltration of the scalp, particularly at the posterior parietal and occipital
convexity extending to both lateral aspects of the cranium, with homogeneous
signal in keeping with fat. Incidentally MRI also found diffuse fatty
infiltration of the parotids.The aethiopathogenesis of LS is still unknown,
however it is believed that the hormone leptin could be the key hormone in the
dysregulation of fat deposition and distribution. This case report highlights the
subtle features with which these cases can present and explores the literature on
reported cases of LS.
PMID- 28993354
TI - Endoscopic shaving of hair in a gastric bypass patient with a large bezoar.
AB - Trichotillomania can be associated with the formation of trichobezoars (hair
ball) usually located in the stomach. Trichobezoars may lead to complications
including bowel obstruction, and perforation. Patients with a history of
diabetes, certain psychiatric disorders, prior gastric surgery and poor
mastication ability are at an increased risk of developing bezoars. We are
presenting a case of patient who suffered from a large, recurrent trichobezoar,
who had a history of gastric bypass surgery as well as trichotillophagia. The
endoscopic method used to remove the large bezoar will also be discussed. We have
reviewed the cases published, in which patients developed bezoars after
undergoing gastric bypass surgery. The purpose of this study is to raise
awareness among clinicians that patients with certain psychiatric issues who had
prior gastric surgeries, are at eminent risk of bezoar formation. A
multidisciplinary approach including cognitive behavioural therapy, dietary
education and pharmacotherapy should be taken to prevent complications.
PMID- 28993356
TI - Life-threatening parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscess in an infant.
AB - Severe extensive deep neck abscess in an infant is uncommon. We share the case of
a previously well 4-month old infant who was referred for a 4-day history of
fever, lethargy and left lateral neck swelling. Contrast-enhanced CT scan
revealed a large 5.3*8 cm collection involving the left parapharyngeal and
retropharyngeal space, causing significant airway narrowing. 40 mL of frank pus
was drained via intraoral incision and drainage with the aid of endoscope, and
undesirable complications from an external approach were averted. The infant was
extubated 48 hours postsurgery and was discharged home well after completion of 1
week of intravenous antibiotics. The child was discharged well from our follow-up
at 1 month review. We discuss the pathophysiology of deep neck space abscesses,
its incidence in the paediatric population and the various management options.
PMID- 28993355
TI - Bilateral fungal keratitis with ring infiltrates: a rare scenario.
AB - A 12-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with chief complaints of
pain, redness, discharge and diminution of vision in both eyes over the previous
20 days. There was no history of preceding trauma, contact lens use, any eye drop
usage or ocular surgery. Systemic history was not significant. Presenting
uncorrected visual acuity in his right eye was counting fingers at 1 m and 20/200
in the left eye, with accurate projection of rays in both eyes. Slit lamp
biomicroscopy showed the presence of bilateral diffuse conjunctival congestion,
corneal ring infiltrates and epithelial defect with corneal oedema. Potassium
hydroxide wet mount showed the presence of septate fungal hyphae. The patient was
treated with topical 5% natamycin and 1% voriconazole over a period of 6 weeks.
Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/600 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left
eye at 6-month follow-up.
PMID- 28993357
TI - RUNX1-RUNX1T1-positive acute myeloid leukaemia presenting as bilateral proptosis
and multiple cranial nerve palsy.
AB - We describe a unique presentation of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with myeloid
sarcoma (MS), manifested as proptosis with multiple cranial nerve palsies in a 9
year-old boy. MRI of the brain revealed multiple enhancing lesions and bilateral
mastoiditis, in addition to sagittal sinus thrombosis. Peripheral blood smear
demonstrated blasts showing Auer rods. Bone marrow examination confirmed the
diagnosis of AML. PCR was positive for RUNX1-RUNX1T1. Neurological deficits
improved with induction chemotherapy for AML. Extramedullary MS can present
simultaneously with or antedate AML. Common genetic aberrations include t(8;21)
and inv(16). Therapy is akin to AML. An effect of MS on survival outcomes is
variable.
PMID- 28993358
TI - Novel management of a giant cervical myoma in a premenopausal patient.
AB - Cervical myomas are rare and account for <1% of uterine leiomyomas. Clinical
complications include bulk-related symptoms of pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding and
infertility. While hysterectomies may be readily performed for postmenopausal
women; the management of women with cervical myomas of childbearing age remains a
challenge.Traditionally described fertility-preserving procedures such as
myomectomy, endometrial ablation or myolysis may only be applied to leiomyomas
within the uterine corpus. Little is known about the surgical management of its
cervical counterpart.Radical abdominal trachelectomy has been described as a
potential fertility-preserving procedure in the management of women with early
cervical cancer. As such, we present a case of a giant cervical myoma that was
treated with an abdominal trachelectomy in an attempt to preserve fertility.
PMID- 28993359
TI - Hoarseness as a presentation of mycosis fungoides infiltrating the larynx.
AB - Laryngeal involvement is a rare manifestation of mycosis fungoides (MF), with
only nine reported cases of cutaneous T cell lymphoma with laryngeal or vocal
cord involvement. Herein, we report the case of a patient with a 7-year history
of MF who presented to the emergency department with hoarseness, throat tightness
and cough, as well as erythroderma and skin tumours. Laryngoscopy and CT imaging
were concerning for lymphomatous involvement of the left false vocal cord. A
biopsy was taken of the false vocal cord lesion, which revealed an aberrant
immunophenotype consistent with MF. The patient was started on doxorubicin with
initial rapid improvement in symptoms. Within 2 months, her respiratory status
and skin involvement worsened. Subsequent studies showed bone marrow involvement.
The patient expired 4 months after original presentation. This report describes
the patient's presentation and clinical course, and reviews the literature on
vocal cord and laryngeal involvement of MF.
PMID- 28993360
TI - Pertussis manifesting as recurrent cough and wheezing in an incompletely
vaccinated 8-month-old infant.
AB - Pertussis is an acute respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis, showing
a re-emergence in developed countries. However, it is probably under-recognised
and, as a consequence, its burden is underestimated. Here, we report the clinical
case of an infant diagnosed with pertussis, despite a regular schedule of
vaccination, thanks to a careful clinical evaluation, including personal and
family history. In addition to pointing the attention on a precocious diagnosis
of atypical cases of pertussis, this case report further raised the issue of
modifying and/or implementing the immunisation strategy, considering the ongoing
changes of social (eg, immigration) and sanitary (eg, vaccine coverage)
background in Italy and all over the Europe.
PMID- 28993361
TI - A rare case of extra-adrenal bilateral perirenal and periureteric myelolipoma.
AB - A 30-year-old immunocompetent female presented with right flank pain since 3
years. MRI revealed a large well-defined T1 and T2 hypointense mildly enhancing
lesion in the right anterior pararenal space displacing the right kidney and
encasing the right ureter with T2 hyperintense wall thickening of the left renal
pelvis and ureter. A provisional diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumour was kept.
Bilateral double J stenting was done for hydronephrosis. Surgical debulking of
the lesion was done with biopsy from the left periureteral wall thickening and
was found to be myelolipoma on histopathological examination. This case is a
novel variety of myelolipoma which is lipid poor, extra-adrenal and in bilateral
perirenal and periureteric location.
PMID- 28993362
TI - Unusual case of urethral steinstrasse following laser cystolitholapaxy.
AB - Urethral steinstrasse is a rare finding. This case describes a 35-year-old man
presenting with urethral steinstrasse 4 weeks following laser cystolitholapaxy of
a large bladder stone.
PMID- 28993363
TI - Rare postoperative complication: Clostridium perfringens septic shock following
elective abdominal surgery.
AB - Postoperative infections are one of the most common complications in general
surgery, and while rates have reduced with the routine administration of
perioperative antibiotics, around 5% of patients undergoing a surgical procedure
will develop an infective complication.1 The Gram-positive, obligate anaerobe,
Clostridium perfringens, is a well-known pathogen that forms part of both the
environmental and gastrointestinal flora.2 While more commonly associated with
food poisoning, anaerobic cellulitis and traumatic gas gangrene, rare cases of
spontaneous non-traumatic gas gangrene of abdominal viscera have also been
recorded.3 Although potentially treatable with appropriate antibiotic cover,
cases of C. perfringens can rapidly progress into fulminant and fatal sepsis.4
Moreover, the timing of symptom onset postoperatively can vary significantly,
reports ranging from hours to days.5 6 We report a case of C. perfringens-induced
septic shock following elective bowel resection.
PMID- 28993364
TI - Durable complete remission with combination chemotherapy and bortezomib in HIV
associated plasmablastic lymphoma.
AB - Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
(NHL) classically seen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency
virus, but can also be seen in other immunocompromised states such as transplant
recipients, autoimmune diseases and the elderly. PBL is generally associated with
a poor prognosis despite chemotherapy. There is evidence supporting the use of
bortezomib in combination with standard chemotherapy to achieve durable responses
in patients with PBL. We describe a patient with acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome who presented with rectal pain and bright red blood per rectum. He was
diagnosed with stage IVA PBL with anorectal, nodal, calvarial and hepatic
involvement. Along with highly active antiretroviral therapy, he was treated with
six cycles of dose adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide
and doxorubicin (DA-EPOCH) plus bortezomib resulting in durable complete
remission 30 months after diagnosis.
PMID- 28993365
TI - Videoscopic-assisted removal of a left ventricular mass in an octogenarian.
PMID- 28993366
TI - Mitral valve prosthesis implanted in the atrial position in a patient with
extensive calcification extending from epicardium to mitral annulus.
PMID- 28993367
TI - Isolated adductor myocysticercosis in a 6-year-old girl.
PMID- 28993368
TI - Complete Kawasaki disease (KD) with peculiar skin manifestations.
PMID- 28993370
TI - Who Would Be Branded With Failure?
PMID- 28993369
TI - Spontaneous bilateral carpopedal spasm in a bulimic patient.
PMID- 28993371
TI - "Pumping Iron" to Improve Exercise Performance in Heart Failure: New Data and New
Guidelines.
PMID- 28993372
TI - Spatial Gene Profiling in the Ischemic Heart: Fibroblasts Put on Their SOX.
PMID- 28993373
TI - Wine and Cardiovascular Health: A Comprehensive Review.
AB - Alcoholic beverages have been consumed for thousands of years, attracting great
human interest for social, personal, and religious occasions. In addition, they
have long been debated to confer cardioprotective benefits. The French Paradox is
an observation of a low prevalence of ischemic heart disease, with high intakes
of saturated fat, a phenomenon accredited to the consumption of red wine.
Although many epidemiological investigations have supported this view, others
have attributed it to beer or spirits, with many suggesting that the drink type
is not important. Although excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages is
commonly regarded to be detrimental to cardiovascular health, there is a debate
as to whether light-to-moderate intake is cardioprotective. Although there is
extensive epidemiological support for this drinking pattern, a consensus has not
been reached. On the basis of published work, we describe the composition of wine
and the effects of constituent polyphenols on chronic cardiovascular diseases.
PMID- 28993374
TI - Scientists Correct a Pathogenic Gene Mutation in Human Embryos.
PMID- 28993375
TI - Sedentary Behavior and Subclinical Cardiac Injury: Results From the Dallas Heart
Study.
PMID- 28993376
TI - Letter by Vos et al Regarding Article, "Primary Prevention With Statin Therapy in
the Elderly: New Meta-Analyses From the Contemporary JUPITER and HOPE-3
Randomized Trials".
PMID- 28993377
TI - Letter by Kleipool et al Regarding Article, "Primary Prevention With Statin
Therapy in the Elderly: New Meta-Analyses From the Contemporary JUPITER and HOPE
3 Randomized Trials".
PMID- 28993378
TI - Characterisation of the rural indigent population in Burkina Faso: a screening
tool for setting priority healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa.
AB - BACKGROUND: In Africa, health research on indigent people has focused on how to
target them for services, but little research has been conducted to identify the
social groups that compose indigence. Our aim was to identify what makes someone
indigent beyond being recognised by the community as needing a card for free
healthcare. METHODS: We used data from a survey conducted to evaluate a state-led
intervention for performance-based financing of health services in two districts
of Burkina Faso. In 2015, we analysed data of 1783 non-indigents and 829 people
defined as indigents by their community in 21 villages following community-based
targeting processes. Using a classification tree, we built a model to select
socioeconomic and health characteristics that were likely to distinguish between
non-indigents and indigents. We described the screening performance of the tree
using data from specific nodes. RESULTS: Widow(er)s under 45 years of age,
unmarried people aged 45 years and over, and married women aged 60 years and over
were more likely to be identified as indigents by their community. Simple rules
based on age, marital status and gender detected indigents with sensitivity of
75.6% and specificity of 55% among those 45 years and over; among those under 45,
sensitivity was 85.5% and specificity 92.2%. For both tests combined, sensitivity
was 78% and specificity 81%. CONCLUSION: In moving towards universal health
coverage, Burkina Faso should extend free access to priority healthcare services
to widow(er)s under 45, unmarried people aged 45 years and over, and married
women aged 60 years and over, and services should be adapted to their health
needs. ETHICS CONSIDERATIONS: The collection, storage and release of data for
research purposes were authorised by a government ethics committee in Burkina
Faso (Decision No. 2013-7-066). Respondent consent was obtained verbally.
PMID- 28993379
TI - Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and habits towards antibiotics dispensed
without medical prescription: a qualitative study of Spanish pharmacists.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes,
perceptions and habits with regard to antibiotic dispensing without medical
prescription in Spain. METHODS: A qualitative research using focus group method
(FG) in Galicia (north-west Spain). FG sessions were conducted in the presence of
a moderator. A topic script was developed to lead the discussions, which were
audiorecorded to facilitate data interpretation and transcription. Proceedings
were transcribed by an independent researcher and interpreted by two researchers
working independently. We used the Grounded Theory approach. SETTING: Community
pharmacies in Galicia, region Norwest of Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty pharmacists
agreed to participate in the study, and a total of five FG sessions were
conducted with 2-11 pharmacists. We sought to ensure a high degree of
heterogeneity in the composition of the groups to improve our study's external
validity. Pharmacists' participation had no gender or age restrictions, and an
effort was made to form FGs with pharmacists who were both owners and non-owners,
provided in all cases that they were Official Colleges of Pharmacists-registered
community pharmacists. For the purpose of conducting FG discussions, the basic
methodological principle of allowing groups to attain their 'own structural
identity' was applied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Community pharmacists' habits
and knowledge with regard to antibiotics and identification of the attitudes
and/or factors that influence antibiotic dispensing without medical prescription.
RESULTS: Pharmacists attributed the problem of antibiotics dispensed without
medical prescription and its relationship to antibiotic resistance to the
following attitudes: external responsibility (doctors, dentists and the National
Health Service (NHS)); acquiescence; indifference and lack of continuing
education. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being a problem, antibiotic dispensing without a
medical prescription is still a common practice in community pharmacies in
Galicia, Spain. This practice is attributed to acquiescence, indifference and
lack of continuing education. The problem of resistance was ascribed to external
responsibility, including that of patients, physicians, dentists and the NHS.
PMID- 28993380
TI - Factors related to the development of health-promoting community activities in
Spanish primary healthcare: two case-control studies.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Spanish primary healthcare teams have the responsibility of performing
health-promoting community activities (CAs), although such activities are not
widespread. Our aim was to identify the factors related to participation in those
activities. DESIGN: Two case-control studies. SETTING: Performed in primary care
of five Spanish regions. SUBJECTS: In the first study, cases were teams that
performed health-promoting CAs and controls were those that did not. In the
second study (on case teams from the first study), cases were professionals who
developed these activities and controls were those who did not. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Team, professional and community characteristics collected through
questionnaires (team managers/professionals) and from secondary sources. RESULTS:
The first study examined 203 teams (103 cases, 100 controls). Adjusted factors
associated with performing CAs were percentage of nurses (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to
1.14), community socioeconomic status (higher vs lower OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.18 to
3.95) and performing undergraduate training (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.93). In
the second study, 597 professionals responded (254 cases, 343 controls). Adjusted
factors were professional classification (physicians do fewer activities than
nurses and social workers do more), training in CAs (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1),
team support (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 5.7), seniority (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to
1.09), nursing tutor (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.5), motivation (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.8
to 7.5), collaboration with non-governmental organisations (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to
3.1) and participation in neighbourhood activities (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 5.1).
CONCLUSIONS: Professional personal characteristics, such as social sensitivity,
profession, to feel team support or motivation, have influence in performing
health-promoting CAs. In contrast to the opinion expressed by many professionals,
workload is not related to performance of health-promoting CAs.
PMID- 28993381
TI - Prevalence of and factors associated with fewer than 20 remaining teeth in
Taiwanese adults with disabilities: a community-based cross-sectional study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of and the factors associated with a number
of remaining teeth (NRT) <20 among adults with disabilities. DESIGN: A community
based, cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTING: This study was part of a
health promotion programme designed for community-dwelling adults with
disabilities. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 549 adults with disabilities, aged 20-80
years, living in the community in Chiayi County in Taiwan. OUTCOME MEASURES:
Various parameters, including NRT, oral health behaviours (ie, oral hygiene,
dietary habits and substance use), comorbidities, disability classification and
capability for performing activities of daily living, were measured. Data were
statistically analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic
regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean NRT was 18.1 (SD=10.9); 44.8% of
participants had NRT <20 (including 13.7% edentulous participants). Most
participants had poor oral hygiene: 83.4% reported seldom using dental floss, 78%
did not undergo regular 6-monthly dental check-ups and 77.4% seldom brushed their
teeth after meal. After adjusting for potentially confounding variables, the
intellectual disability group had a significantly higher risk of an NRT <20 than
the physical disability group (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.30 to 4.08). Additionally, the
rare use of dental floss and hypertension significantly increased the possibility
of an NRT <20 (OR 1.73-2.12, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.71). CONCLUSIONS: An NRT <20 and
edentulism were highly prevalent among adults with disabilities, who displayed
poor oral hygiene behaviours. Adults with intellectual disabilities had a greater
likelihood of having an NRT <20 than did those with physical disability. In
addition to unmodifiable factors, the poor use of dental floss was significantly
associated with an NRT <20.
PMID- 28993382
TI - Comparison of two methods to estimate adverse events in the IBEAS Study (Ibero
American study of adverse events): cross-sectional versus retrospective cohort
design.
AB - BACKGROUND: Adverse events (AEs) epidemiology is the first step to improve
practice in the healthcare system. Usually, the preferred method used to estimate
the magnitude of the problem is the retrospective cohort study design, with
retrospective reviews of the medical records. However this data collection
involves a sophisticated sampling plan, and a process of intensive review of
sometimes very heavy and complex medical records. Cross-sectional survey is also
a valid and feasible methodology to study AEs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study
is to compare AEs detection using two different methodologies: cross-sectional
versus retrospective cohort design. SETTING: Secondary and tertiary hospitals in
five countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru. PARTICIPANTS:
The IBEAS Study is a cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 11 379
patients. The retrospective cohort study was obtained from a 10% random sample
proportional to hospital size from the entire IBEAS Study population. METHODS:
This study compares the 1-day prevalence of the AEs obtained in the IBEAS Study
with the incidence obtained through the retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: The
prevalence of patients with AEs was 10.47% (95% CI 9.90 to 11.03) (1191/11 379),
while the cumulative incidence of the retrospective cohort study was 19.76% (95%
CI 17.35% to 22.17%) (215/1088). In both studies the highest risk of suffering
AEs was seen in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Comorbid patients and
patients with medical devices showed higher risk. CONCLUSION: The retrospective
cohort design, although requires more resources, allows to detect more AEs than
the cross-sectional design.
PMID- 28993383
TI - Impacts of undetected and inadequately treated hypertension on incident stroke in
China.
AB - OBJECTIVES: China carries the greatest burden of stroke given its largest volume
of people with hypertension. This study assessed the impacts of suboptimal
controls of hypertension on incident stroke and projected the number of patients
with stroke saved after the control of blood pressure improved in population.
SETTING: Anhui, China. PARTICIPANTS: We examined data from the Anhui cohort of
2001-2011, consisting of 3336 participants aged >=60 years who were randomly
recruited from the urban and rural Anhui. 2852 participants (89.2%) had
hypertensive status measured and no stroke at baseline, and were followed up
until 2011 in three surveys using a standard method of interview. RESULTS: At
baseline, 1646 participants (57.7%) were identified to have hypertension, among
whom 912 (55.4%) were previously undetected, 115 (7.0%) detected but not treated,
452 (27.5%) treated but not controlled and only 127 (7.7%) controlled. During the
10-year follow-up, 211 incident stroke cases (12.8/1000 person-years) occurred.
Compared with normotensive individuals at baseline, multivariate adjusted HR for
having stroke increased in those with undetected hypertension by 1.63 (95%CI 1.15
to 2.32), untreated by 2.21 (1.26-3.85) and uncontrolled hypertension by 3.34
(2.28-4.88), but did not differ from those with controlled hypertension (1.34;
0.60-2.99). Based on a two-fold increase in the detection and management of
current levels of hypertension and algorithms on the current situation in China,
approximately 250 000 incident stroke cases could be prevented annually.
CONCLUSIONS: In China, hypertension is frequently undetected or inadequately
treated. With appropriate management of hypertension, a substantial number of
people could be saved form stroke.
PMID- 28993384
TI - Can coenzyme Q10 supplementation effectively reduce human tumour necrosis factor
alpha and interleukin-6 levels in chronic diseases? Protocol for a systematic
review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Inflammation, as a critical factor, can cause numerous chronic
diseases by creating various proinflammatory cytokines. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can
potentially exert an anti-inflammatory agent; in turn, this agent can reduce the
systemic inflammatory response. The aims of this study are to conduct a
comprehensive systematic review and a meta-analysis for the determination of the
CoQ10 efficacy on the changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the tumour
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in unhealthy subjects. METHOD AND
ANALYSIS: We will conduct an electronic search for articles published between
January 1990 and January 2017 using a prespecified search strategy in MEDLINE,
SCOPUS, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Web of Science.Our search will focus only on
randomised controlled clinical trials in unhealthy subjects that employ either a
parallel or a crossover design; this search will involve concurrent control
groups. The primary outcomes of the literature are to determine the CoQ10
efficacy on the changes in the serum IL-6 and the TNF-alpha levels in unhealthy
subjects. Secondary outcomes such as body mass index, serum adiponectin and high
sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, lipid profile and the heterogeneity
assessment of the primary studies will be evaluated. The stages of screen
articles, the extracts of relevant data and the assessment of study quality using
the Cochrane risk of bias tool will be conducted independently by the two
reviewers. Any disagreement will be resolved by discussion with a third person.
If the number of eligible studies is sufficient, we will carry out a meta
analysis according to both outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study is the
protocol for a systematic review and no ethics approval is needed. The findings
from the full systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and
they will also be exhibited at national/international academic and clinical
conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016052200.
PMID- 28993385
TI - Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection and protozoan load in South African
women: a cross-sectional study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Trichomonas vaginalis is thought to be the most common non-viral
sexually transmitted infection worldwide. We investigated the prevalence, risk
factors and protozoan load of T. vaginalis infection in South African women.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 604 women was conducted at 25 primary
healthcare facilities in rural South Africa (Mopani district). T. vaginalis DNA
was detected in vaginal and rectal swabs. In univariate and multivariate
analyses, the T. vaginalis infection was investigated in relation to demographic
characteristics, medical history and behavioural factors. The T. vaginalis load
was determined as the logarithm of DNA copies per microlitre sample solution.
RESULTS: Collected vaginal and rectal swabs were tested for T. vaginalis DNA.
Prevalence of vaginal T. vaginalis was 20% (95% CI 17.0% to 23.4%) and rectal
1.2% (95% CI 0.6% to 2.4%). Most women (66%) with a vaginal infection were
asymptomatic. Factors associated with T. vaginalis infection were a relationship
status of single (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.5 to 4.0; p<0.001) and HIV positive infection
(OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0 to 2.6; p=0.041). Women with vaginal T. vaginalis infection
were more likely to have concurrent Chlamydia trachomatis rectal infection than
those without vaginal infection (12%vs3%; p<0.001; OR 4.1). A higher median T.
vaginalis load was observed among women with observed vaginal discharge compared
with those without vaginal discharge (p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal
trichomoniasis is highly prevalent in rural South Africa, especially among single
women and those with HIV infection, and often presents without symptoms.
PMID- 28993386
TI - Patterns and correlates of active commuting in adults with type 2 diabetes: cross
sectional evidence from UK Biobank.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To describe the active commuting (AC) patterns of adults with type 2
diabetes and how these relate to physical activity and sedentary behaviour in UK
Biobank. Social and environmental correlates of AC will also be explored. DESIGN:
Cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study. SETTINGS: This is a population cohort
of over 500 000 people recruited from 22 centres across the UK. Participants aged
between 37 and 73 years were recruited between 2006 and 2010. PARTICIPANTS: 6896
participants with a self-reported type 2 diabetes diagnosis who reported
commuting to work and had complete covariate data were included in the analysis.
EXPOSURE MEASURES: Exposure measures were AC to work, measured as usual mode of
transport. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures were weekly minutes of moderate to
vigorous physical activity (MVPA), hours/day of sedentary time and participation
in active travel. RESULTS: AC (reporting walking or cycling to work only) was
reported by 5.5% of participants, with the great majority using the car to
commute (80%). AC was associated with an additional 73 (95% CI 10.8 to 134.9) and
105 (95% CI 41.7 to 167.2) weekly minutes of MVPA for men and women,
respectively. AC was associated with reduced sedentary time (beta -1.1, 95% CI
1.6 to -0.7 hours/day for men; and beta -0.8, 95% CI -1.2 to -0.3 hours/day for
women). Deprivation and distance from home to work were identified as correlates
of AC behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of AC are very low in adults with type 2
diabetes. However, AC offers a potentially sustainable solution to increasing
physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour. Therefore, strategies to
improve the environment and encourage AC may help to increase population levels
of physical activity and reduce the disease burden associated with type 2
diabetes.
PMID- 28993387
TI - Risk and adverse outcomes of fractures in patients with liver cirrhosis: two
nationwide retrospective cohort studies.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate fracture risk and post-fracture
outcomes in patients with and without liver cirrhosis (LC). DESIGN: Retrospective
cohort study and nested fracture cohort study. SETTING: This study was based on
Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database that included information
on: (1) 3941 patients aged 20 years and older newly diagnosed with LC between
2000 and 2003; (2) 688290 hospitalised fracture patients aged 20 years and older
between 2006 and 2013. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Followed-up events
of fracture from 2000 to 2008 were noted from medical claims to evaluate adjusted
hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of fracture associated
with LC. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs of adverse events after fracture
were compared among patients with and without LC RESULTS: The incidences of
fracture for people with and without LC were 29.1 and 17.2 per 1000 person-years,
respectively. Compared with controls, the adjusted HR of fracture was 1.83 (95%
CI 1.67 to 2.01) for patients with LC. Previous LC was associated with risks of
septicaemia (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.60 to 1.96), acute renal failure (OR 1.63, 95% CI
1.33 to 1.99), and 30-day in-hospital mortality (OR 1.61, 95 %CI 1.37 to 1.89)
after fracture. CONCLUSION: LC was associated with higher risk of fracture;
patients with LC in particular had more complications and 30-day in-hospital
mortality after fracture. Fracture prevention and attention to post-fracture
adverse events are needed for these susceptible populations.
PMID- 28993388
TI - MEDication reminder APPs to improve medication adherence in Coronary Heart
Disease (MedApp-CHD) Study: a randomised controlled trial protocol.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The growing number of smartphone health applications available in
the app stores makes these apps a promising tool to help reduce the global
problem of non-adherence to long-term medications. However, to date, there is
limited evidence that available medication reminder apps are effective. This
study aims to determine the impact of medication reminder apps on adherence to
cardiovascular medication when compared with usual care for people with coronary
heart disease (CHD) and to determine whether an advanced app compared with a
basic app is associated with higher adherence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Randomised
controlled trial with follow-up at 3 months to evaluate the feasibility and
effectiveness of medication reminder apps on medication adherence compared with
usual care. An estimated sample size of 156 patients with CHD will be randomised
to one of three groups (usual care group, basic medication reminder app group and
advanced medication reminder app group). The usual care group will receive
standard care for CHD with no access to a medication reminder app. The basic
medication reminder app group will have access to a medication reminder app with
a basic feature of providing simple daily reminders with no interactivity. The
advanced medication reminder app group will have access to a medication reminder
app with additional interactive and customisable features. The primary outcome is
medication adherence measured by the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence
Scale at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include clinical measurements of blood
pressure and cholesterol levels, and medication knowledge. A process evaluation
will also be performed to assess the feasibility of the intervention by
evaluating the acceptability, utility and engagement with the apps. ETHICS AND
DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained from the Western Sydney Local
Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee (AU/RED/HREC/1/WMEAD/3). Study
findings will be disseminated via usual scientific forums. TRIAL REGISTRATION
NUMBER: ACTRN12616000661471; Pre-results.
PMID- 28993390
TI - Thermal clothing to reduce heart failure morbidity during winter: a randomised
controlled trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether providing thermal clothing improved the health of
patients with heart failure during winter. DESIGN: Parallel group randomised
controlled trial. SETTING: Large public hospital in Brisbane during winter 2016.
PARTICIPANTS: 91 patients with systolic or diastolic heart failure who were over
50 years old. INTERVENTION: 47 patients were randomised to receive thermal
clothes (socks, top and hat) and 44 received usual care. Patients could not be
blinded to their randomised group. All patients' data were available for the
primary outcome which was collected blind to randomised group. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: The primary outcome was the mean number of days in hospital during
winter. Secondary outcomes included quality of life and sleep, and blood tests
were collected for cardiovascular risk factors. Participants completed clothing
diaries in midwinter which were used to estimate their overall clothing
insulation using the 'clo'. Monitors inside the participants' homes recorded
indoor temperatures throughout winter. RESULTS: The mean number of days in
hospital during winter was 4.2 in the usual care group and 3.0 in the thermal
clothing group (mean difference -1.2 days, 95% CI -4.8 to 2.5 days). Most
participants (85%) in the thermal clothing group reported using the thermals.
There was an increase in overall clothing insulation at night in the thermal
clothing group (mean difference 0.13 clo, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.23). Most participants
in both groups did not wear sufficient clothing (defined as a clo below 1) and
regularly experienced indoor temperatures below 18 degrees C during midwinter.
CONCLUSIONS: There was no clear statistical improvement in health in the thermal
clothing group. Efforts to improve health during winter may need to focus on
passive interventions such as home insulation rather than interventions that
target behaviour change. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12615001023549; Results.
PMID- 28993389
TI - Innovative Telemonitoring Enhanced Care Programme for Chronic Heart Failure (ITEC
CHF) to improve guideline compliance and collaborative care: protocol of a
multicentre randomised controlled trial.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a life-threatening chronic disease
characterised by periodic exacerbations and recurrent hospitalisations. In the
management of CHF, patient compliance with evidence-based clinical guidelines is
essential, but remains difficult practically. The objective of this study is to
examine whether an Innovative Telemonitoring Enhanced Care Programme for CHF
(ITEC-CHF) improves patients' compliance, and associated health and economic
outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: An open multicentre randomised controlled trial
has been designed. Patients will be recruited and randomised to receive either
ITEC-CHF (n=150) or usual care CHF (n=150) for at least 6 months. ITEC-CHF
combines usual care and an additional telemonitoring service including remote
weight monitoring, structured telephone support and nurse-led collaborative care.
The primary outcomes are the compliance rates with the best-practice guidelines
for daily weight monitoring. The secondary outcomes include the compliance with
other guideline recommendations (health maintenance, medication, diet and
exercise), health (health-related quality of life, risk factors, functional
capacity and psychological states) and economic outcomes related to the use of
healthcare resources such as hospital readmissions and general
practitioner/emergency department visits. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The clinical
trial has been approved by Peninsula Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC
Reference: HREC/14/PH/27), Royal Perth Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee
(Reference: 15-081) and the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee
(Reference: HR 181/2014). We will disseminate the final results to the public via
conferences and journal publications. A final study report will also be provided
to the ethics committees. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Registered with Australian
New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12614000916640).
PMID- 28993391
TI - Evaluating a novel Integrated Community of Care (ICoC) for patients from an
urbanised low-income community in Singapore using the participatory action
research (PAR) methodology: a study protocol.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Poorer health outcomes and disproportionate healthcare use in
socioeconomically disadvantaged patients is well established. However, there is
sparse literature on effective integrated care interventions that specifically
target these high-risk individuals. The Integrated Community of Care (ICoC) is a
novel care model that integrates hospital-based transitional care with health and
social care in the community for high-risk individuals living in socially
deprived communities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the ICoC
in reducing acute hospital use and investigate the implementation process and its
effects on clinical outcomes using a mixed-methods participatory action research
(PAR) approach. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a single-centre prospective,
controlled, observational study performed in the SingHealth Regional Health
System. A total of 250 eligible patients from an urbanised low-income community
in Singapore will be enrolled during their index hospitalisation. Our PAR model
combines two research components: quantitative and qualitative, at different
phases of the intervention. Outcomes of acute hospital use and health-related
quality of life are compared with controls, at 30 days and 1 year. The
qualitative study aims at developing a more context-specific social ecological
model of health behaviour. This model will identify how influences within one's
social environment: individual, interpersonal, organisational, community and
policy factors affect people's experiences and behaviours during care transitions
from hospital to home. Knowledge on the operational aspects of ICoC will enrich
our evidence-based strategies to understand the impact of the ICoC. The blending
of qualitative and quantitative mixed methods recognises the dynamic
implementation processes as well as the complex and evolving needs of community
stakeholders in shaping outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was
granted by the SingHealth Centralised Institutional Review Board (CIRB
2015/2277). The findings from this study will be disseminated by publications in
peer-reviewed journals, scientific meetings and presentations to government
policy-makers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02678273.
PMID- 28993392
TI - Implementation outcome assessment instruments used in physical healthcare
settings and their measurement properties: a systematic review protocol.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Over the past 10 years, research into methods that promote the
uptake, implementation and sustainability of evidence-based interventions has
gathered pace. However, implementation outcomes are defined in different ways and
assessed by different measures; the extent to which these measures are valid and
reliable is unknown. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and
appraise studies that assess the measurement properties of quantitative
implementation outcome instruments used in physical healthcare settings, to
advance the use of precise and accurate measures. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The
following databases will be searched from inception to March 2017: MEDLINE,
EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. Grey literature will be sought
via HMIC, OpenGrey, ProQuest for theses and Web of Science Conference Proceedings
Citation Index-Science. Reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews
will be hand searched. Three search strings will be combined to identify eligible
studies: (1) implementation literature, (2) implementation outcomes and (3)
measurement properties. Screening of titles, abstracts and full papers will be
assessed for eligibility by two reviewers independently and any discrepancies
resolved via consensus with the wider team. The methodological quality of the
studies will be assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of
health Measurement INstruments checklist. A set of bespoke criteria to determine
the quality of the instruments will be used, and the relationship between
instrument usability and quality will be explored. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:
Ethical approval is not necessary for systematic review protocols. Researchers
and healthcare professionals can use the findings of this systematic review to
guide the selection of implementation outcomes instruments, based on their
psychometric quality, to assess the impact of their implementation efforts. The
findings will also provide a useful guide for reviewers of papers and grants to
determine the psychometric quality of the measures used in implementation
research. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: International Prospective Register of
Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42017065348.
PMID- 28993393
TI - Recurrent wheeze and its relationship with lung function and airway inflammation
in preschool children: a cross-sectional study in South Korea.
AB - BACKGROUND: Relationship between recurrent wheeze and airway function and
inflammation in preschool children is not fully known. OBJECTIVE: To investigate
the relationship between recurrent wheeze and airway inflammation, lung function,
airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and atopy in preschool children. DESIGN:
Observational study, comparing forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced
vital capacity (FVC) and mid-forced expiratory flow (FEF25%-75%), dose-response
slope (DRS), exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and atopic sensitisation between children
with recurrent wheeze and those without. SETTING: Population-based, cross
sectional study in Seoul and the Gyeonggi province of Korea conducted as a
government-funded programme to perform standardised measurement of the prevalence
of allergic diseases, and related factors, in preschool children. PARTICIPANTS:
900 children aged 4-6 years. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: eNO,
FEV1/FVC, FEF25%-75%, DRS, atopic sensitisation and allergic diseases. METHODS:
Children completed the modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in
Childhood questionnaire and underwent eNO assessments, spirometry, methacholine
bronchial provocation tests and skin prick tests. Recurrent wheeze was defined as
having a lifetime wheeze of more than three episodes, based on the questionnaire.
The frequency of hospitalisation and emergency room visits was also obtained by
means of the questionnaire. 'Current' wheeze was defined as having symptoms or
treatments within the past 12 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of recurrent wheeze
was 13.4%. Children with recurrent wheeze showed a higher prevalence of lifetime
or current allergic rhinitis (p=0.01 and p=0.002, respectively) and lifetime
atopic dermatitis (p=0.007). Children with recurrent wheeze showed lower FEV1/FVC
(p=0.033) and FEF25%-75% (p=0.004), and higher eNO levels (p=0.013) than those
without recurrent wheeze. However, the DRS, prevalence of atopic sensitisation
and serum IgE levels were not significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent wheeze in preschool children may be associated with airway
inflammation and diminished airway function, but not with AHR or atopy.
PMID- 28993394
TI - Recruitment, adherence, and retention of endometrial cancer survivors in a
behavioural lifestyle programme: the Diet and Exercise in Uterine Cancer
Survivors (DEUS) parallel randomised pilot trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Healthy eating and physical activity may help endometrial cancer
survivors (ECS) improve their quality of life. However, most ECS do not meet the
relevant guidelines. This pilot trial aimed to test the study feasibility
procedures for a definitive trial of a behavioural lifestyle programme. DESIGN
AND SETTING: This 24-week parallel two-arm randomised pilot trial took place in
two hospitals in London, UK (April 2015-June 2016). PARTICIPANTS: Sixty disease
free ECS within 3 years of diagnosis. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomised
using minimisation to receive the intervention or care as usual. The 'Shape-Up
following cancer treatment' programme used self-monitoring, goal-setting, self
incentives, problem-solving and group social support for 12 hours over 8 weeks to
help survivors improve their eating and physical activity. OUTCOME MEASURES: The
main outcome measures were recruitment, adherence, and retention rates. Further
outcomes included barriers to participation and feedback on programme
satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the 296 potentially eligible ECS, 20% (n=60) were
randomly allocated to the active intervention (n=29) or control group (n=31).
Three participants in each arm were deemed ineligible after randomisation and
excluded from analysis. Twenty participants (77%; 95% CI 61% to 93%) adhered to
the intervention and provided generally favourable feedback. At 24 weeks, 25/26
(96%; 95% CI 89% to 100%) intervention and 24/28 (86%; 95% CI 73% to 99%) control
participants completed their assessment. No intervention-related adverse events
were reported. Among eligible survivors who declined study participation (n=83),
inconvenience (78%; 95% CI 69% to 87%) was the most common barrier. CONCLUSIONS:
The trial was feasible to deliver based on the a priori feasibility criteria.
Enhancing recruitment and adherence in a definitive trial will require designs
that promote convenience and consider ECS-reported barriers. TRIAL REGISTRATION
NUMBER: NCT02433080; Pre-results. TRIAL FUNDING: University College London, St.
Bartholomew's Hospital Nurses League, and NIHR University College London
Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre.
PMID- 28993395
TI - Single-centre retrospective analysis of growth hormone supplementation in IVF
patients classified as poor-prognosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) receive various
adjuvant therapies in order to enhance success rates, but the true benefit is
actively debated. Growth hormone (GH) supplementation was assessed in poor
prognosis women undergoing fresh IVF transfer cycles. METHODS: Data were
retrospectively analysed from 400 IVF cycles, where 161 women received GH and 239
did not. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy, live birth rates and corresponding ORs and
CIs were significantly greater with GH, despite patients being significantly
older with lower ovarian reserve. Patient's age, quality of transferred embryo
and GH were the only significant independent predictors of clinical pregnancy
(OR: 0.90, 5.00 and 2.49, p<0.002, respectively) and live birth chance (OR: 0.91,
3.90 and 4.75, p<0.014, respectively). GH increased clinical pregnancy chance by
3.42-fold (95% CI 1.82 to 6.44, p<0.0005) and live birth chance by 6.16-fold (95%
CI 2.83 to 13.39, p<0.0005) after adjustment for maternal age, antral follicle
count and transferred embryo quality. CONCLUSION: These data provided further
evidence to indicate that GH may support more live births, particularly in
younger women. It also appears that embryos generated under GH have a better
implantation potential, but whether the biological mechanism is embryo-mediated
or endometrium-mediated is unclear.
PMID- 28993396
TI - Sensing interstitial glucose to nudge active lifestyles (SIGNAL): feasibility of
combining novel self-monitoring technologies for persuasive behaviour change.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Increasing physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of developing
diabetes, highlighting the role of preventive medicine approaches. Changing
lifestyle behaviours is difficult and is often predicated on the assumption that
individuals are willing to change their lifestyles today to reduce the risk of
developing disease years or even decades later. The self-monitoring technologies
tested in this study will present PA feedback in real time, parallel with acute
physiological data. Presenting the immediate health benefits of being more
physically active may help enact change by observing the immediate consequences
of that behaviour. The present study aims to assess user engagement with the self
monitoring technologies in individuals at moderate-to-high risk of developing
type 2 diabetes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 45 individuals with a moderate-to-high
risk, aged >=40 years old and using a compatible smartphone, will be invited to
take part in a 7-week protocol. Following 1 week of baseline measurements,
participants will be randomised into one of three groups: group 1- glucose
feedback followed by biobehavioural feedback (glucose plus PA); group 2-PA
feedback followed by biobehavioural feedback; group 3-biobehavioural feedback. A
PA monitor and a flash glucose monitor will be deployed during the intervention.
Participants will wear both devices throughout the intervention but blinded to
feedback depending on group allocation. The primary outcome is the level of
participant engagement and will be assessed by device use and smartphone usage.
Feasibility will be assessed by the practicality of the technology and screening
for diabetes risk. Semistructured interviews will be conducted to explore
participant experiences using the technologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
ISRCTN17545949. Registered on 15/05/2017.
PMID- 28993397
TI - Graf regulates hematopoiesis through GEEC endocytosis of EGFR.
AB - GTPase regulator associated with focal adhesion kinase 1 (GRAF1) is an essential
component of the GPI-enriched endocytic compartment (GEEC) endocytosis pathway.
Mutations in the human GRAF1 gene are associated with acute myeloid leukemia, but
its normal role in myeloid cell development remains unclear. We show that Graf,
the Drosophila ortholog of GRAF1, is expressed and specifically localizes to GEEC
endocytic membranes in macrophage-like plasmatocytes. We also find that loss of
Graf impairs GEEC endocytosis, enhances EGFR signaling and induces a plasmatocyte
overproliferation phenotype that requires the EGFR signaling cascade.
Mechanistically, Graf-dependent GEEC endocytosis serves as a major route for EGFR
internalization at high, but not low, doses of the predominant Drosophila EGFR
ligand Spitz (Spi), and is indispensable for efficient EGFR degradation and
signal attenuation. Finally, Graf interacts directly with EGFR in a receptor
ubiquitylation-dependent manner, suggesting a mechanism by which Graf promotes
GEEC endocytosis of EGFR at high Spi. Based on our findings, we propose a model
in which Graf functions to downregulate EGFR signaling by facilitating Spi
induced receptor internalization through GEEC endocytosis, thereby restraining
plasmatocyte proliferation.
PMID- 28993398
TI - The African Zika virus MR-766 is more virulent and causes more severe brain
damage than current Asian lineage and dengue virus.
AB - The Zika virus (ZIKV) has two lineages, Asian and African, and their impact on
developing brains has not been compared. Dengue virus (DENV) is a close family
member of ZIKV and co-circulates with ZIKV. Here, we performed intracerebral
inoculation of embryonic mouse brains with dengue virus 2 (DENV2), and found that
DENV2 is sufficient to cause smaller brain size due to increased cell death in
neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons. Compared with the currently
circulating Asian lineage of ZIKV (MEX1-44), DENV2 grows slower, causes less
neuronal death and fails to cause postnatal animal death. Surprisingly, our side
by-side comparison uncovered that the African ZIKV isolate (MR-766) is more
potent at causing brain damage and postnatal lethality than MEX1-44. In
comparison with MEX1-44, MR-766 grows faster in NPCs and in the developing brain,
and causes more pronounced cell death in NPCs and neurons, resulting in more
severe neuronal loss. Together, these results reveal that DENV2 is sufficient to
cause smaller brain sizes, and suggest that the ZIKV African lineage is more
toxic and causes more potent brain damage than the Asian lineage.
PMID- 28993401
TI - Diagnosis and Management of Noncardiac Complications in Adults With Congenital
Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
AB - Life expectancy and quality of life for those born with congenital heart disease
(CHD) have greatly improved over the past 3 decades. While representing a great
advance for these patients, who have been able to move from childhood to
successful adult lives in increasing numbers, this development has resulted in an
epidemiological shift and a generation of patients who are at risk of developing
chronic multisystem disease in adulthood. Noncardiac complications significantly
contribute to the morbidity and mortality of adults with CHD. Reduced survival
has been documented in patients with CHD with renal dysfunction, restrictive lung
disease, anemia, and cirrhosis. Furthermore, as this population ages,
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its risk factors are becoming
increasingly prevalent. Disorders of psychosocial and cognitive development are
key factors affecting the quality of life of these individuals. It is incumbent
on physicians who care for patients with CHD to be mindful of the effects that
disease of organs other than the heart may have on the well-being of adults with
CHD. Further research is needed to understand how these noncardiac complications
may affect the long-term outcome in these patients and what modifiable factors
can be targeted for preventive intervention.
PMID- 28993399
TI - Myc cooperates with beta-catenin to drive gene expression in nephron progenitor
cells.
AB - For organs to achieve their proper size, the processes of stem cell renewal and
differentiation must be tightly regulated. We previously showed that in the
developing kidney, Wnt9b regulates distinct beta-catenin-dependent
transcriptional programs in the renewing and differentiating populations of the
nephron progenitor cells. How beta-catenin stimulated these two distinct programs
was unclear. Here, we show that beta-catenin cooperates with the transcription
factor Myc to activate the progenitor renewal program. Although in multiple
contexts Myc is a target of beta-catenin, our characterization of a cell type
specific enhancer for the Wnt9b/beta-catenin target gene Fam19a5 shows that Myc
and beta-catenin cooperate to activate gene expression controlled by this
element. This appears to be a more general phenomenon as we find that Myc is
required for the expression of every Wnt9b/beta-catenin progenitor renewal target
assessed as well as for proper nephron endowment in vivo This study suggests
that, within the developing kidney, tissue-specific beta-catenin activity is
regulated by cooperation with cell type-specific transcription factors. This
finding not only provides insight into the regulation of beta-catenin target
genes in the developing kidney, but will also advance our understanding of
progenitor cell renewal in other cell types/organ systems in which Myc and beta
catenin are co-expressed.
PMID- 28993400
TI - Talin regulates integrin beta1-dependent and -independent cell functions in
ureteric bud development.
AB - Kidney collecting system development requires integrin-dependent cell
extracellular matrix interactions. Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane
receptors consisting of alpha and beta subunits; crucial integrins in the kidney
collecting system express the beta1 subunit. The beta1 cytoplasmic tail has two
NPxY motifs that mediate functions by binding to cytoplasmic signaling and
scaffolding molecules. Talins, scaffolding proteins that bind to the membrane
proximal NPxY motif, are proposed to activate integrins and to link them to the
actin cytoskeleton. We have defined the role of talin binding to the beta1
proximal NPxY motif in the developing kidney collecting system in mice that
selectively express a Y-to-A mutation in this motif. The mice developed a
hypoplastic dysplastic collecting system. Collecting duct cells expressing this
mutation had moderate abnormalities in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation
and growth factor-dependent signaling. In contrast, mice lacking talins in the
developing ureteric bud developed kidney agenesis and collecting duct cells had
severe cytoskeletal, adhesion and polarity defects. Thus, talins are essential
for kidney collecting duct development through mechanisms that extend beyond
those requiring binding to the beta1 integrin subunit NPxY motif.
PMID- 28993403
TI - Cognitive and contextual factors to optimise clinical outcomes in tendinopathy.
PMID- 28993402
TI - Exercise Intolerance in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction:
Diagnosing and Ranking Its Causes Using Personalized O2 Pathway Analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common
syndrome with a pressing shortage of therapies. Exercise intolerance is a
cardinal symptom of HFpEF, yet its pathophysiology remains uncertain. METHODS: We
investigated the mechanism of exercise intolerance in 134 patients referred for
cardiopulmonary exercise testing: 79 with HFpEF and 55 controls. We performed
cardiopulmonary exercise testing with invasive monitoring to measure
hemodynamics, blood gases, and gas exchange during exercise. We used these
measurements to quantify 6 steps of oxygen transport and utilization (the O2
pathway) in each patient with HFpEF, identifying the defective steps that impair
each one's exercise capacity (peak Vo2). We then quantified the functional
significance of each O2 pathway defect by calculating the improvement in exercise
capacity a patient could expect from correcting the defect. RESULTS: Peak Vo2 was
reduced by 34+/-2% (mean+/-SEM, P<0.001) in HFpEF compared with controls of
similar age, sex, and body mass index. The vast majority (97%) of patients with
HFpEF harbored defects at multiple steps of the O2 pathway, the identity and
magnitude of which varied widely. Two of these steps, cardiac output and skeletal
muscle O2 diffusion, were impaired relative to controls by an average of 27+/-3%
and 36+/-2%, respectively (P<0.001 for both). Due to interactions between a given
patient's defects, the predicted benefit of correcting any single one was often
minor; on average, correcting a patient's cardiac output led to a 7+/-0.5%
predicted improvement in exercise intolerance, whereas correcting a patient's
muscle diffusion capacity led to a 27+/-1% improvement. At the individual level,
the impact of any given O2 pathway defect on a patient's exercise capacity was
strongly influenced by comorbid defects. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic analysis of the
O2 pathway in HFpEF showed that exercise capacity was undermined by multiple
defects, including reductions in cardiac output and skeletal muscle diffusion
capacity. An important source of disease heterogeneity stemmed from variation in
each patient's personal profile of defects. Personalized O2 pathway analysis
could identify patients most likely to benefit from treating a specific defect;
however, the system properties of O2 transport favor treating multiple defects at
once, as with exercise training.
PMID- 28993404
TI - An internet-supported school physical activity intervention in low socioeconomic
status communities: results from the Activity and Motivation in Physical
Education (AMPED) cluster randomised controlled trial.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Quality physical education (PE) is the cornerstone of comprehensive
school physical activity (PA) promotion programmes. We tested the efficacy of a
teacher professional learning intervention, delivered partially via the internet,
designed to maximise opportunities for students to be active during PE lessons
and enhance adolescents' motivation towards PE and PA. METHODS: A two-arm cluster
randomised controlled trial with teachers and Grade 8 students from secondary
schools in low socioeconomic areas of Western Sydney, Australia. The Activity and
Motivation in Physical Education (AMPED) intervention for secondary school PE
teachers included workshops, online learning, implementation tasks and mentoring
sessions. The primary outcome was the proportion of PE lesson time that students
spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), measured by
accelerometers at baseline, postintervention (7-8 months after baseline) and
maintenance (14-15 months). Secondary outcomes included observed PE teachers'
behaviour during lessons, students' leisure-time PA and students' motivation.
RESULTS: Students (n=1421) from 14 schools completed baseline assessments and
were included in linear mixed model analyses. The intervention had positive
effects on students' MVPA during lessons. At postintervention, the adjusted mean
difference in the proportion of lesson time spent in MVPA was 5.58% (p<0.001,
approximately 4 min/lesson). During the maintenance phase, this effect was 2.64%
(p<0.001, approximately 2 min/lesson). The intervention had positive effects on
teachers' behaviour, but did not impact students' motivation. CONCLUSIONS: AMPED
produced modest improvements in MVPA and compares favourably with previous
interventions delivered exclusively face-to-face. Online teacher training could
help facilitate widespread dissemination of professional learning interventions.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12614000184673.
PMID- 28993405
TI - Do physical conditioning programmes reduce work absenteeism related to back pain?
(PEDro synthesis).
PMID- 28993407
TI - Heterozygous Null LDLR Mutation in a Familial Hypercholesterolemia Patient With
an Atypical Presentation Because of Alcohol Abuse.
PMID- 28993406
TI - Heritability of Mitral Regurgitation: Observations From the Framingham Heart
Study and Swedish Population.
AB - BACKGROUND: Familial aggregation has been described for primary mitral
regurgitation (MR) caused by mitral valve prolapse. We hypothesized that
heritability of MR exists across different MR subtypes including nonprimary MR.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Study participants were FHS (Framingham Heart Study)
Generation 3 (Gen 3) and Gen 2 cohort participants and all adult Swedish siblings
born after 1932 identified in 1997 and followed through 2010. MR was defined as
>= mild regurgitation on color Doppler in FHS and from International
Classification of Diseases codes in Sweden. We estimated the association of
sibling MR with MR in Gen 2/Gen 3/Swedish siblings. We also estimated
heritability of MR in 539 FHS pedigrees (7580 individuals). Among 5132 FHS Gen
2/Gen 3 participants with sibling information, 1062 had MR. Of siblings with
sibling MR, 28% (500/1797) had MR compared with 17% (562/3335) without sibling MR
(multivariable-adjusted odds ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01
1.43; P=0.04). When we combined parental and sibling data in FHS pedigrees,
heritability of MR was estimated at 0.15 (95% CI, 0.07-0.23), 0.12 (95% CI, 0.04
0.20) excluding mitral valve prolapse, and 0.44 (95% CI, 0.15-0.73) for >=
moderate MR only (all P<0.05). In Sweden, sibling MR was associated with a hazard
ratio of 3.57 (95% CI, 2.21-5.76; P<0.001) for development of MR. CONCLUSIONS:
Familial clustering of MR exists in the community, supporting a genetic
susceptibility common to primary and nonprimary MR. Further studies are needed to
elucidate the common regulatory pathways that may lead to MR irrespective of its
cause.
PMID- 28993408
TI - Inheritance Impacts Mitral Valve Insufficiency.
PMID- 28993409
TI - MALT1 Inhibition Is Efficacious in Both Naive and Ibrutinib-Resistant Chronic
Lymphocytic Leukemia.
AB - The clinical efficacy displayed by ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
(CLL) has been challenged by the frequent emergence of resistant clones. The
ibrutinib target, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), is essential for B-cell
receptor signaling, and most resistant cases carry mutations in BTK or PLCG2, a
downstream effector target of BTK. Recent findings show that MI-2, a small
molecule inhibitor of the para-caspase MALT1, is effective in preclinical models
of another type of BCR pathway-dependent lymphoma. We therefore studied the
activity of MI-2 against CLL and ibrutinib-resistant CLL. Treatment of CLL cells
in vitro with MI-2 inhibited MALT1 proteolytic activity reduced BCR and NF-kappaB
signaling, inhibited nuclear translocation of RelB and p50, and decreased Bcl-xL
levels. MI-2 selectively induced dose and time-dependent apoptosis in CLL cells,
sparing normal B lymphocytes. Furthermore, MI-2 abrogated survival signals
provided by stromal cells and BCR cross-linking and was effective against CLL
cells harboring features associated with poor outcomes, including 17p deletion
and unmutated IGHV Notably, MI-2 was effective against CLL cells collected from
patients harboring mutations conferring resistance to ibrutinib. Overall, our
findings provide a preclinical rationale for the clinical development of MALT1
inhibitors in CLL, in particular for ibrutinib-resistant forms of this disease.
Cancer Res; 77(24); 7038-48. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993410
TI - PACE4 Undergoes an Oncogenic Alternative Splicing Switch in Cancer.
AB - Inhibition of PACE4, a proprotein convertase that is overexpressed in prostate
cancer, has been shown to block cancer progression in an androgen-independent
manner. However, the basis for its overexpression and its growth-inhibitory
effects are mitigated and uncertain. Here, we report that PACE4 pre-mRNA
undergoes DNA methylation-sensitive alternative splicing of its terminal exon 3'
untranslated region, generating an oncogenic, C-terminally modified isoform
(PACE4-altCT). We found this isoform to be strongly expressed in prostate cancer
cells, where it displayed an enhanced autoactivating process and a distinct
intracellular routing that prevented its extracellular secretion. Together, these
events led to a dramatic increase in processing of the progrowth differentiation
factor pro-GDF15 as the first PACE4 substrate to be identified in prostate
cancer. We detected robust expression of PACE4-altCT in other cancer types,
suggesting that an oncogenic switch for this proenzyme may offer a therapeutic
target not only in advanced prostate cancer but perhaps also more broadly in
human cancer. Cancer Res; 77(24); 6863-79. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993413
TI - Moonshot Acceleration Factor: Medical Imaging.
AB - Medical imaging is essential to screening, early diagnosis, and monitoring
responses to cancer treatments and, when used with other diagnostics, provides
guidance for clinicians in choosing the most effective patient management plan
that maximizes survivorship and quality of life. At a gathering of agency
officials, patient advocacy organizations, industry/professional stakeholder
groups, and clinical/basic science academicians, recommendations were made on why
and how one should build a "cancer knowledge network" that includes imaging.
Steps to accelerate the translation and clinical adoption of cancer discoveries
to meet the goals of the Cancer Moonshot include harnessing computational power
and architectures, developing data sharing policies, and standardizing medical
imaging and in vitro diagnostics. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5717-20. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993411
TI - Sleeping Beauty Insertional Mutagenesis in Mice Identifies Drivers of Steatosis
Associated Hepatic Tumors.
AB - Hepatic steatosis is a strong risk factor for the development of hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC), yet little is known about the molecular pathology associated
with this factor. In this study, we performed a forward genetic screen using
Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon insertional mutagenesis in mice treated to induce
hepatic steatosis and compared the results to human HCC data. In humans, we
determined that steatosis increased the proportion of female HCC patients, a
pattern also reflected in mice. Our genetic screen identified 203 candidate
steatosis-associated HCC genes, many of which are altered in human HCC and are
members of established HCC-driving signaling pathways. The protein kinase
A/cyclic AMP signaling pathway was altered frequently in mouse and human
steatosis-associated HCC. We found that activated PKA expression drove steatosis
specific liver tumorigenesis in a mouse model. Another candidate HCC driver, the
N-acetyltransferase NAT10, which we found to be overexpressed in human steatosis
associated HCC and associated with decreased survival in human HCC, also drove
liver tumorigenesis in a steatotic mouse model. This study identifies genes and
pathways promoting HCC that may represent novel targets for prevention and
treatment in the context of hepatic steatosis, an area of rapidly growing
clinical significance. Cancer Res; 77(23); 6576-88. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993412
TI - IL10 Release upon PD-1 Blockade Sustains Immunosuppression in Ovarian Cancer.
AB - Ligation of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) in the tumor microenvironment is known
to inhibit effective adaptive antitumor immunity. Blockade of PD-1 in humans has
resulted in impressive, durable regression responses in select tumor types.
However, durable responses have been elusive in ovarian cancer patients. PD-1 was
recently shown to be expressed on and thereby impair the functions of tumor
infiltrating murine and human myeloid dendritic cells (TIDC) in ovarian cancer.
In the present work, we characterize the regulation of PD-1 expression and the
effects of PD-1 blockade on TIDC. Treatment of TIDC and bone marrow-derived
dendritic cells (DC) with IL10 led to increased PD-1 expression. Both groups of
DCs also responded to PD-1 blockade by increasing production of IL10. Similarly,
treatment of ovarian tumor-bearing mice with PD-1 blocking antibody resulted in
an increase in IL10 levels in both serum and ascites. While PD-1 blockade or IL10
neutralization as monotherapies were inefficient, combination of these two led to
improved survival and delayed tumor growth; this was accompanied by augmented
antitumor T- and B-cell responses and decreased infiltration of immunosuppressive
MDSC. Taken together, our findings implicate compensatory release of IL10 as one
of the adaptive resistance mechanisms that undermine the efficacy of anti-PD-1
(or anti-PD-L1) monotherapies and prompt further studies aimed at identifying
such resistance mechanisms. Cancer Res; 77(23); 6667-78. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993414
TI - A Collaborative Model for Accelerating the Discovery and Translation of Cancer
Therapies.
AB - Preclinical studies using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) have the
potential to expedite the development of effective new therapies; however, they
are not routinely integrated into drug development pipelines. GEMMs may be
particularly valuable for investigating treatments for less common cancers, which
frequently lack alternative faithful models. Here, we describe a multicenter
cooperative group that has successfully leveraged the expertise and resources
from philanthropic foundations, academia, and industry to advance therapeutic
discovery and translation using GEMMs as a preclinical platform. This effort,
known as the Neurofibromatosis Preclinical Consortium (NFPC), was established to
accelerate new treatments for tumors associated with neurofibromatosis type 1
(NF1). At its inception, there were no effective treatments for NF1 and few
promising approaches on the horizon. Since 2008, participating laboratories have
conducted 95 preclinical trials of 38 drugs or combinations through
collaborations with 18 pharmaceutical companies. Importantly, these studies have
identified 13 therapeutic targets, which have inspired 16 clinical trials. This
review outlines the opportunities and challenges of building this type of
consortium and highlights how it can accelerate clinical translation. We believe
that this strategy of foundation-academic-industry partnering is generally
applicable to many diseases and has the potential to markedly improve the success
of therapeutic development. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5706-11. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993415
TI - Targeting either GH or IGF-I during somatostatin analogue treatment in patients
with acromegaly: a randomized multicentre study.
AB - CONTEXT: Discordant GH and IGF-I values are frequent in acromegaly. The clinical
significance and its dependence on treatment modality and of glucose-suppressed
GH (GHnadir) measurements remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of
targeting either IGF-I or GH during somatostatin analogue (SA) treatment.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: 84 patients with controlled acromegaly after surgery (n =
23) or SA (n = 61) underwent a GH profile including an OGTT, at baseline and
after 12 months. SA patients were randomized to monitoring according to either
IGF-I (n = 33) or GHnadir (n = 28). SA dose escalation was allowed at baseline
and 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GHnadir and IGF-I at baseline and 12 months,
and disease-specific Quality of Life (QoL). RESULTS: IGF-I and fasting GH levels
were comparable between the surgery and the SA group, whereas GHnadir (ug/L) was
lower in the surgery group (GHnadir 0.7 +/- 0.1 vs 0.3 +/- 0.1, P < 0.01). SA
dose increase was performed in 20 patients in the GH group and in 8 patients in
the IGF-I group (P = 0.02), which increased the number of concordantly controlled
patients (P = 0.01). QoL was only mildly affected at baseline in all groups and
did not changed consistently during the study. CONCLUSION: (1) Discordant values
in terms of high GH levels are prevalent in SA patients and more so if applying
glucose-suppressed GHnadir; (2) targeting discordant levels of either GH or IGF-I
translates into SA dose increase and improved biochemical control; (3) even
though QoL was not improved in this study, we suggest biochemical assessment of
disease activity to include glucose-suppressed GHnadir also in SA patients.
PMID- 28993417
TI - Proton pump inhibitor use associated with changes in gut microbiota composition.
PMID- 28993416
TI - Regulation of Axon Guidance by the Wnt Receptor Ror/CAM-1 in the PVT Guidepost
Cell in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB - The Caenorhabditis elegans ventral nerve cord (VNC) consists of two asymmetric
bundles of neurons and axons that are separated by the midline. How the axons are
guided to stay on the correct sides of the midline remains poorly understood.
Here we provide evidence that the conserved Wnt signaling pathway along with the
Netrin and Robo pathways constitute a combinatorial code for midline guidance of
PVP and PVQ axons that extend into the VNC. Combined loss of the Wnts CWN-1, CWN
2, and EGL-20 or loss of the Wnt receptor CAM-1 caused >70% of PVP and PVQ axons
to inappropriately cross over from the left side to the right side. Loss of the
Frizzled receptor LIN-17 or the planar cell polarity (PCP) protein VANG-1 also
caused cross over defects that did not enhance those in the cam-1 mutant,
indicating that the proteins function together in midline guidance. Strong cam-1
expression can be detected in the PVQs and the guidepost cell PVT that is located
on the midline. However, only when cam-1 is expressed in PVT are the crossover
defects of PVP and PVQ rescued, showing that CAM-1 functions nonautonomously in
PVT to prevent axons from crossing the midline.
PMID- 28993418
TI - A genetic roadmap of pancreatic cancer: still evolving.
AB - A diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is often fatal. PDA is
widely recognised as one of the 'incurable cancers' because therapies against
this tumour type are generally ineffective. The fatal nature of this tumour is
due to its aggressive clinical course. Pancreatic cancer commonly presents at the
metastatic stage; even in cases where tumours are localised to the pancreas at
diagnosis, metastatic seeds have often been invariably been spawned off,
frustrating surgical attempts to cure the cancer. The key principles of
pancreatic cancer mutational development were outlined nearly two decades ago
using the genetics of precursor lesions to position the various stages of tumour
progression. Since then, there has been a cavalcade of new data. How these recent
studies impact the classical perceptions of pancreatic cancer development is a
work in progress. Given that significant improvements in patient outcomes are not
in sight for this disease, it is likely that broadening the current perspectives
and acquiring deeper biological insights into the morphogenetic route of tumour
development will be needed to foster new strategies for more effective cancer
control.
PMID- 28993419
TI - Quantitative Profiling of N-linked Glycosylation Machinery in Yeast Saccharomyces
cerevisiae.
AB - Asparagine-linked glycosylation is a common posttranslational protein
modification regulating the structure, stability and function of many proteins.
The N-linked glycosylation machinery involves enzymes responsible for the
assembly of the lipid-linked oligosaccharide (LLO), which is then transferred to
the asparagine residues on the polypeptides by the enzyme
oligosaccharyltransferase (OST). A major goal in the study of protein
glycosylation is to establish quantitative methods for the analysis of site
specific extent of glycosylation. We developed a sensitive approach to examine
glycosylation site occupancy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by coupling stable
isotope labeling (SILAC) approach to parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mass
spectrometry (MS). We combined the method with genetic tools and validated the
approach with the identification of novel glycosylation sites dependent on the
Ost3p and Ost6p regulatory subunits of OST. Based on the observations that
alternations in LLO substrate structure and OST subunits activity differentially
alter the systemic output of OST, we conclude that sequon recognition is a direct
property of the catalytic subunit Stt3p, auxiliary subunits such as Ost3p and
Ost6p extend the OST substrate range by modulating interfering pathways such as
protein folding. In addition, our proteomics approach revealed a novel regulatory
network that connects isoprenoid lipid biosynthesis and LLO substrate assembly.
PMID- 28993420
TI - Two-Step Sequential Approach for Concomitant Skin and Soft Tissue Infection and
Osteomyelitis Complicating the Diabetic Foot.
PMID- 28993422
TI - Comments on Durante's account of multiculturalism.
PMID- 28993421
TI - Burden of Mortality Attributable to Diagnosed Diabetes: A Nationwide Analysis
Based on Claims Data From 65 Million People in Germany.
AB - OBJECTIVE: In Germany, as in many other countries, nationwide data on mortality
attributable to diagnosed diabetes are not available. This study estimated the
absolute number of excess deaths associated with diabetes (all types) and type 2
diabetes in Germany. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A prevalence approach that
included nationwide routine data from 64.9 million people insured in the German
statutory health insurance system in 2010 was used for the calculation. Because
nationwide data on diabetes mortality are lacking in Germany, the mortality rate
ratio from the Danish National Diabetes Register was used. The absolute number of
excess deaths associated with diabetes was calculated as the number of deaths due
to diabetes minus the number of deaths due to diabetes with a mortality that was
as high as in the population without diabetes. Furthermore, the mortality
population-attributable fraction was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 174,627
excess deaths were due to diabetes in 2010, including 137,950 due to type 2
diabetes. Overall, 21% of all deaths in Germany were attributable to diabetes and
16% were attributable to type 2 diabetes. Most of the excess deaths (34% each)
occurred in the 70- to 89-year-old age-group. CONCLUSIONS: In this first
nationwide calculation of excess deaths related to diabetes in Germany, the
results suggest that the official German estimates that rely on information from
death certificates are grossly underestimated. Countries without national cohorts
or diabetes registries could easily use this method to estimate the number of
excess deaths due to diabetes.
PMID- 28993423
TI - Against lifetime QALY prioritarianism.
AB - Lifetime quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) prioritarianism has recently been
defended as a reasonable specification of the prioritarian view that benefits to
the worse off should be given priority in health-related priority setting. This
paper argues against this view with reference to how it relies on implausible
assumptions. By referring to lifetime QALY as the basis for judgments about who
is worse off lifetime QALY prioritarianism relies on assumptions of strict
additivity, atomism and intertemporal separability of sublifetime attributes.
These assumptions entail that a health state at some period in time contributes
with the same amount to how well off someone is regardless of intrapersonal and
interpersonal distributions of health states. The paper argues that this is
implausible and that prioritarians should take both intrapersonal and
interpersonal distributions of goods into account when they establish who is
worse off. They should therefore not accept that lifetime QALY is a reasonable
ground for ascribing priority and reject lifetime QALY prioritarianism.
PMID- 28993424
TI - Competition, cooperation and human flourishing: commentary on Koch.
PMID- 28993425
TI - Wrist mass in a 93-year-old woman.
AB - CLINICAL INTRODUCTION: A 93-year-old woman presented electively for transaortic
valve implantation (TAVI), for severe aortic stenosis. She had a history of
hypertension and hypothyroidism, and she was taking clopidogrel,
antihypertensives and levothyroxine. In preparation for her TAVI procedure she
underwent coronary angiography 4 months previously. Her coronary angiogram
revealed severe three vessel disease, however, the consensus from the
multidisciplinary team meeting, at that time, was to manage the coronary disease
medically. Physical examination revealed a large, non-tender swelling on the
volar aspect of her wrist (figure 1). The swelling had progressively enlarged in
size over the preceding 4 months. Duplex ultrasonography was performed, but was
technically difficult. Turbulent bidirectional flow was seen within the wrist
swelling, however the connecting tract from which the flow originated was not
adequately visualised. The greyscale ultrasound is shown (figure
1).heartjnl;104/5/437/F1F1F1Figure 1The panel on the left shows the swelling on
the volar aspect of the wrist. The panel on the right shows the grey scale
ultrasound image of the swelling at the wrist. QUESTION : What is the next most
appropriate management step?Antibiotics and drainageUrgent ultrasound guided
thrombin injectionNon-emergent vascular surgeryConservative management, with
observation and follow-upUltrasound guided compression.
PMID- 28993426
TI - Effect of diabetes status and hyperglycemia on global DNA methylation and
hydroxymethylation.
AB - Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by oxidative stress that could
lead to chronic micro- and macrovascular complications. We hypothesized that some
of the target organ damage is mediated by oxidative alterations in epigenetic
mechanisms involving DNA methylation (5mC) and DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC). We
analyzed global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in peripheral blood cells
in well-controlled and poorly controlled patients with T2DM and compared them
with healthy controls. We also analyzed microarrays of DNA methylation and gene
expression of other important tissues in the context of diabetes from the GEO
database repository and then compared these results with our experimental gene
expression data. DNA methylation and, more importantly, DNA hydroxymethylation
levels were increased in poorly controlled patients compared to well-controlled
and healthy individuals. Both 5mC and 5hmC measurements were correlated with the
percentage of glycated hemoglobin, indicating a direct impact of hyperglycemia on
changes over the epigenome. The analysis of methylation microarrays was
concordant, and 5mC levels were increased in the peripheral blood of T2DM
patients. However, the DNA methylation levels were the opposite of those in other
tissues, such as the pancreas, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. We hypothesize
that a process of DNA oxidation associated with hyperglycemia may explain the DNA
demethylation in which the activity of ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins is
not sufficient to complete the process. High levels of glucose lead to cellular
oxidation, which triggers the process of DNA demethylation aided by TET enzymes,
resulting in epigenetic dysregulation of the damaged tissues.
PMID- 28993427
TI - Fate and the clinic: a multidisciplinary consideration of fatalism in health
behaviour.
AB - The role of fatalism in health behaviour has stirred significant controversy in
literature across several disciplines. Some researchers have demonstrated a
negative correlation between fatalistic beliefs and healthy behaviours such as
cancer screening, arguing that fatalism is a barrier to health-seeking
behaviours. Other studies have painted a more complicated picture of fatalistic
beliefs and health behaviours that ultimately questions fatalism's causality as a
distinct factor. Unpacking this debate raises thought-provoking questions about
how epistemological and methodological frameworks present particular pictures
about the connections between belief, race, class and behaviour. The discussion
surrounding fatalism illuminates larger tensions between structural and cultural
determinants of health behaviour. This article argues for a more rigorous
delineation of culture and structure and suggests that future theory-informed and
ethnographic research may more precisely parse the role of fatalism in health
attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.
PMID- 28993430
TI - Baby-led weaning did not significantly impact body mass index when compared with
traditional spoon-feeding.
PMID- 28993431
TI - Quick-Wee is an effective technique for urine collection in infants.
PMID- 28993429
TI - TGF-beta1 secreted by Tregs in lymph nodes promotes breast cancer malignancy via
up-regulation of IL-17RB.
AB - Lymph node (LN) metastasis is commonly associated with systemic distant organ
metastasis in human breast cancer and is an important prognostic predictor for
survival of breast cancer patients. However, whether tumor-draining LNs (TDLNs)
play a significant role in modulating the malignancy of cancer cells for distant
metastasis remains controversial. Using a syngeneic mouse mammary tumor model, we
found that breast tumor cells derived from TDLN have higher malignancy and
removal of TDLNs significantly reduced distant metastasis. Up-regulation of
oncogenic Il-17rb in cancer cells derived from TDLNs contributes to their
malignancy. TGF-beta1 secreted from regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the TDLNs
mediated the up-regulation of Il-17rb through downstream Smad2/3/4 signaling.
These phenotypes can be abolished by TGF-beta1 neutralization or depletion of
Tregs. Consistently, clinical data showed that the up-regulation of IL-17RB in
cancer cells from LN metastases correlated with the increased prevalence of Tregs
as well as the aggressive growth of tumors in mouse xenograft assay. Together,
these results indicate that Tregs in TDLNs play an important role in modulating
the malignancy of breast cancer cells for distant metastasis. Blocking IL-17RB
expression could therefore be a potential approach to curb the process.
PMID- 28993432
TI - Embedding electronic growth charts into clinical practice at a children's
hospital.
AB - Embedding electronic growth charts (EGCs) into clinical practice in a children's
hospital. We employed initial implementation in the outpatient setting and
subsequently extended this across inpatients with the growth chart following the
child's records through both settings and significantly increasing growth data
documentation.
PMID- 28993428
TI - Disease-modifying effects of ganglioside GM1 in Huntington's disease models.
AB - Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder
characterized by motor, cognitive and psychiatric problems. Previous studies
indicated that levels of brain gangliosides are lower than normal in HD models
and that administration of exogenous ganglioside GM1 corrects motor dysfunction
in the YAC128 mouse model of HD In this study, we provide evidence that
intraventricular administration of GM1 has profound disease-modifying effects
across HD mouse models with different genetic background. GM1 administration
results in decreased levels of mutant huntingtin, the protein that causes HD, and
in a wide array of beneficial effects that include changes in levels of DARPP32,
ferritin, Iba1 and GFAP, modulation of dopamine and serotonin metabolism, and
restoration of normal levels of glutamate, GABA, L-Ser and D-Ser. Treatment with
GM1 slows down neurodegeneration, white matter atrophy and body weight loss in
R6/2 mice. Motor functions are significantly improved in R6/2 mice and restored
to normal in Q140 mice, including gait abnormalities that are often resistant to
treatments. Psychiatric-like and cognitive dysfunctions are also ameliorated by
GM1 administration in Q140 and YAC128 mice. The widespread benefits of GM1
administration, at molecular, cellular and behavioural levels, indicate that this
ganglioside has strong therapeutic and disease-modifying potential in HD.
PMID- 28993433
TI - Management of thromboembolism-in-transit with pulmonary embolism.
AB - : We present a rare complication of deep venous thrombosis with pulmonary
embolism that threatened the patient with systemic embolization. A 36-year-old
female was referred to the hospital after five days of progressive shortness of
breath and chest pain. Preceding onset of symptoms, she had undergone surgery
leading to reduced physical activity and had just returned from vacation by a
long flight. Investigations with transthoracic and transesophageal
echocardiography revealed a thromboembolism-in-transit across a patent foramen
ovale. Thoracic CT showed submassive bilateral pulmonary embolism. Hemodynamic
parameters were stable. The patient was treated surgically with extraction of the
thrombus, closure of the foramen ovale and removal of the bilateral pulmonary
emboli. She was discharged after an uneventful hospital stay. LEARNING POINTS:
Thromboembolism-in-transit across a patent foramen ovale usually occurs in the
presence of deep venous thrombosis with pulmonary embolism. The abrupt rise in
pulmonary arterial pressure may contribute to the migration of the thrombus
across the atrial septum to the systemic circulation.If any abnormal structures
are seen in the left atrium by TTE in a patient with pulmonary embolism, a TEE
should be performed to rule out an embolus entrapped in a patent foramen
ovale.When acute pulmonary hypertension cannot be assessed by conventional
methods, additional parameters such as shortened right ventricular outflow tract
acceleration time and a mid-systolic notching of the pulse wave Doppler profile
in the right ventricular outflow tract may be useful.Mortality is highest during
the initial 24 h after onset of chest symptoms; thus, optimal treatment must
commence urgently.The choice of treatment in each individual patient must be made
after a thorough discussion in a multidisciplinary heart team.
PMID- 28993434
TI - Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in an unselected multiethnic cohort of
Asian patients with breast cancer and healthy controls from Malaysia.
AB - BACKGROUND: Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 is offered typically to selected
women based on age of onset and family history of cancer. However, current
internationally accepted genetic testing referral guidelines are built mostly on
data from cancer genetics clinics in women of European descent. To evaluate the
appropriateness of such guidelines in Asians, we have determined the prevalence
of germ line variants in an unselected cohort of Asian patients with breast
cancer and healthy controls. METHODS: Germ line DNA from a hospital-based study
of 2575 unselected patients with breast cancer and 2809 healthy controls were
subjected to amplicon-based targeted sequencing of exonic and proximal splice
site junction regions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 using the Fluidigm Access Array system,
with sequencing conducted on a Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. Variant calling was
performed with GATK UnifiedGenotyper and were validated by Sanger sequencing.
RESULTS: Fifty-five (2.1%) BRCA1 and 66 (2.6%) BRCA2 deleterious mutations were
identified among patients with breast cancer and five (0.18%) BRCA1 and six
(0.21%) BRCA2 mutations among controls. One thousand one hundred and eighty-six
(46%) patients and 97 (80%) carriers fulfilled the National Comprehensive Cancer
Network guidelines for genetic testing. CONCLUSION: Five per cent of unselected
Asian patients with breast cancer carry deleterious variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
While current referral guidelines identified the majority of carriers, one in two
patients would be referred for genetic services. Given that such services are
largely unavailable in majority of low-resource settings in Asia, our study
highlights the need for more efficient guidelines to identify at-risk individuals
in Asia.
PMID- 28993435
TI - Impact of intercurrent illness on calcium homeostasis in children with
hypoparathyroidism: a case series.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hypoparathyroidism is characterised by hypocalcaemia, and standard
management is with an active vitamin D analogue and adequate oral calcium intake
(dietary and/or supplements). Little is described in the literature about the
impact of intercurrent illnesses on calcium homeostasis in children with
hypoparathyroidism. METHODS: We describe three children with hypoparathyroidism
in whom intercurrent illnesses led to hypocalcaemia and escalation of treatment
with alfacalcidol (1-hydroxycholecalciferol) and calcium supplements. RESULTS:
Three infants managed with standard treatment for hypoparathyroidism (two with
homozygous mutations in GCMB2 gene and one with Sanjad-Sakati syndrome) developed
symptomatic hypocalcaemia (two infants developed seizures) following respiratory
or gastrointestinal illnesses. Substantial increases in alfacalcidol doses (up to
three times their pre-illness doses) and calcium supplementation were required to
achieve acceptable serum calcium concentrations. However, following resolution of
illness, these children developed an increase in serum calcium and
hypercalciuria, necessitating rapid reduction to pre-illness dosages of
alfacalcidol and oral calcium supplementation. CONCLUSION: Intercurrent illness
may precipitate symptomatic hypocalcaemia in children with hypoparathyroidism,
necessitating increase in dosages of alfacalcidol and calcium supplements. Close
monitoring is required on resolution of the intercurrent illness, with timely
reduction of dosages of active analogues of vitamin D and calcium supplements to
prevent hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis.
PMID- 28993436
TI - Efficacy of resveratrol to supplement oral nifedipine treatment in pregnancy
induced preeclampsia.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complication affecting pregnant women
worldwide, which usually manifests as severe maternal hypertension. Resveratrol
(RESV), a naturally existing polyphenol, is known to exhibit beneficial effects
in cardiovascular disease including hypertension. We evaluated the outcome of
treatment combining oral nifedipine (NIFE) and RESV against PE. DESIGN AND
METHODS: Using a randomized group assignment, 400 PE patients were enrolled and
received oral treatments of either NIFE + RESV or NIFE + placebo. Primary
endpoints were defined as time to control blood pressure and time before a new
hypertensive crisis. Secondary endpoints were defined as the number of doses
needed to control blood pressure, maternal and neonatal adverse effects. RESULTS:
Compared with the NIFE + placebo group, the time needed to control blood pressure
was significantly reduced in NIFE + RESV group, while time before a new
hypertensive crisis was greatly delayed in NIFE + RESV group. The number of
treatment doses needed to control blood pressure was also categorically lower in
NIFE + RESV group. No differences in maternal or neonatal adverse effects were
observed between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Our data support the
potential of RESV as a safe and effective adjuvant of oral NIFE to attenuate
hypertensive symptoms among PE patients.
PMID- 28993437
TI - Thyroid hormone regulates protease expression and activation of Notch signaling
in implantation and embryo development.
AB - A clinical association between thyroid dysfunction and pregnancy complications
has been extensively reported; however, the molecular mechanisms through which TH
might regulate key events of pregnancy have not been elucidated yet. In this
respect, we performed in vivo studies in MMI-induced hypothyroid pregnant mice,
evaluating the effect of hypothyroidism on the number of implantation sites,
developing embryos/resorptions and pups per litter, at 4.5, 10.5, 18.5 days post
coitum (dpc) and at birth. We also studied the expression of major molecules
involved in implantation and placentation, such as the proteases ISPs, MMPs,
TIMPs and Notch pathway-related genes. Our results demonstrate that
hypothyroidism may have a dual effect on pregnancy, by initially influencing
implantation and by regulating placental development at later stages of
gestation. To further elucidate the role of TH in implantation, we performed in
vitro studies by culturing 3.5 dpc blastocysts in the presence of TH, with or
without endometrial cells used as the feeder layer, and studied their ability to
undergo hatching and outgrowth. We observed that, in the presence of endometrial
feeder cells, TH is able to anticipate blastocyst hatching by upregulating the
expression of blastocyst-produced ISPs, and to enhance blastocyst outgrowth by
upregulating endometrial ISPs and MMPs. These results clearly indicate that TH is
involved in the bidirectional crosstalk between the competent blastocyst and the
receptive endometrium at the time of implantation.
PMID- 28993439
TI - Intraoperative non-technical skills: a critical target for improving surgical
outcomes.
PMID- 28993440
TI - Postmarket medical device safety: moving beyond voluntary reporting.
PMID- 28993438
TI - Architecture and Distribution of Introns in Core Genes of Four Fusarium Species.
AB - Removal of introns from transcribed RNA represents a crucial step during the
production of mRNA in eukaryotes. Available whole-genome sequences and expressed
sequence tags (ESTs) have increased our knowledge of this process and revealed
various commonalities among eukaryotes. However, certain aspects of intron
structure and diversity are taxon-specific, which can complicate the accuracy of
in silico gene prediction methods. Using core genes, we evaluated the
distribution and architecture of Fusarium circinatum spliceosomal introns, and
linked these characteristics to the accuracy of the predicted gene models of the
genome of this fungus. We also evaluated intron distribution and architecture in
F. verticillioides, F. oxysporum, and F. graminearum, and made comparisons with
F. circinatum Results indicated that F. circinatum and the three other Fusarium
species have canonical 5' and 3' splice sites, but with subtle differences that
are apparently not shared with those of other fungal genera. The polypyrimidine
tract of Fusarium introns was also found to be highly divergent among species and
genes. Furthermore, the conserved adenosine nucleoside required during the first
step of splicing is contained within unique branch site motifs in certain
Fusarium introns. Data generated here show that introns of F. circinatum, as well
as F. verticillioides, F. oxysporum, and F. graminearum, are characterized by a
number of unique features such as the CTHAH and ACCAT motifs of the branch site.
Incorporation of such information into genome annotation software will
undoubtedly improve the accuracy of gene prediction methods used for Fusarium
species and related fungi.
PMID- 28993441
TI - Providing feedback following Leadership WalkRounds is associated with better
patient safety culture, higher employee engagement and lower burnout.
AB - BACKGROUND: There is a poorly understood relationship between Leadership
WalkRounds (WR) and domains such as safety culture, employee engagement, burnout
and work-life balance. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey study evaluated
associations between receiving feedback about actions taken as a result of WR and
healthcare worker assessments of patient safety culture, employee engagement,
burnout and work-life balance, across 829 work settings. RESULTS: 16 797 of 23
853 administered surveys were returned (70.4%). 5497 (32.7% of total) reported
that they had participated in WR, and 4074 (24.3%) reported that they
participated in WR with feedback. Work settings reporting more WR with feedback
had substantially higher safety culture domain scores (first vs fourth quartile
Cohen's d range: 0.34-0.84; % increase range: 15-27) and significantly higher
engagement scores for four of its six domains (first vs fourth quartile Cohen's d
range: 0.02-0.76; % increase range: 0.48-0.70). CONCLUSION: This WR study of
patient safety and organisational outcomes tested relationships with a
comprehensive set of safety culture and engagement metrics in the largest sample
of hospitals and respondents to date. Beyond measuring simply whether WRs occur,
we examine WR with feedback, as WR being done well. We suggest that when WRs are
conducted, acted on, and the results are fed back to those involved, the work
setting is a better place to deliver and receive care as assessed across a broad
range of metrics, including teamwork, safety, leadership, growth opportunities,
participation in decision-making and the emotional exhaustion component of
burnout. Whether WR with feedback is a manifestation of better norms, or a cause
of these norms, is unknown, but the link is demonstrably potent.
PMID- 28993442
TI - In-room assessment of intravascular velocity from time-resolved rotational
angiography in patients with arteriovenous malformation: a pilot study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Time-resolved rotational angiography (t-RA) enables interventionists
to better comprehend complex arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), thereby
facilitating endovascular treatment. However, its use in evaluating hemodynamic
changes has rarely been explored. OBJECTIVE: This study uses t-RA to estimate
intravascular flow in patients with AVM to compare this with flow in the normal
population. METHODS: Patients with available t-RA scans were prospectively
categorized into one of three groups: hemorrhagic AVM, non-hemorrhagic AVM and
control. Pulsatile time-density curves (TDCs) for C1, C6 and VOIMCA were used for
amplitude and velocity estimation. C1 was at the cervical internal carotid artery
(ICA), 2-3 cm below the carotid canal, C6 was at the paraclinoid segment of the
ICA, and VOIMCA was at the junction of the first and second segment of the middle
cerebral artery (MCA). A waveform amplitude ratio was defined as (peak -
trough)/trough contrast intensity. VICA was defined as the distance between C6
and C1 divided by the time required for the wave to pass, and correspondingly,
the average velocity of MCA (VMCA) was defined as the distance between C6 and
VOIMCA divided by the duration for the same peak to travel from C6 and VOIMCA,
AVM volume was estimated by MR angiography. RESULTS: Amplitude ratios AC1 and
AC6, and average flow velocities VICA and VMCA were significantly larger in the
non-hemorrhagic group than in the control group, while the hemorrhagic AVM group
was not significantly different from the controls. VICA and VMCA showed moderate
to good correlations with AVM volume (r=0.51 and 0.73, respectively). VMCA
(33.0+/-9.1) was significantly lower than VICA (41.3+/-13.2) in the control
group, but not in the two AVM groups. CONCLUSION: TDC waveform propagation
derived from t-RA can quantify hemodynamic differences between AVM and the
control group. t-RA provides both real-time anatomic and hemodynamic evaluation,
and can thus potentially improve the interventional workflow.
PMID- 28993444
TI - Immigrant Latino Children and the Limits of Questionnaires in Capturing Adverse
Childhood Events.
PMID- 28993443
TI - CRISPR/Cas9 screening using unique molecular identifiers.
AB - Loss-of-function screening by CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout with pooled, lentiviral
guide libraries is a widely applicable method for systematic identification of
genes contributing to diverse cellular phenotypes. Here, Random Sequence Labels
(RSLs) are incorporated into the guide library, which act as unique molecular
identifiers (UMIs) to allow massively parallel lineage tracing and lineage
dropout screening. RSLs greatly improve the reproducibility of results by
increasing both the precision and the accuracy of screens. They reduce the number
of cells needed to reach a set statistical power, or allow a more robust screen
using the same number of cells.
PMID- 28993445
TI - Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Hispanic Children in Immigrant Families
Versus US-Native Families.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of child and family characteristics
associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Hispanic children in
immigrant families compared with Hispanic children in US-native families.
METHODS: Data were from the nationally representative 2011-2012 National Survey
of Children's Health. Parent-reported child ACE exposure was classified as no
ACEs (0), low ACEs (1), or high ACEs (>=2). By using multinomial logistic
regression, we evaluated the odds of low or high ACE exposure versus no ACE
exposure by immigrant family status and child and family characteristics (eg,
insurance status, child health status, or household-to-income ratio). RESULTS:
The study sample included 12 162 Hispanic children. More children in immigrant
families lived <=200% of the federal poverty level compared with children in US
native families (80% vs 47%, respectively; P < .001). Thirty percent of children
in US-native families reported high ACEs compared with only 16% of children in
immigrant families (P < .001). The odds of high ACE exposure versus no ACE
exposure for children in immigrant families compared with US-native children was
0.46 (95% confidence interval: 0.34-0.61). Child and family characteristics did
not explain the difference in odds of ACE exposure by immigrant family status.
CONCLUSIONS: Children in immigrant families had significantly lower odds of ACE
exposure despite higher prevalence of poverty. This may not reflect a true health
advantage in this population. There may be unmeasured factors that buffer
children in immigrant families from ACE exposure, or ACE questions may not
capture the adverse experiences specific to immigrant families.
PMID- 28993446
TI - A Dream Deferred: Ending DACA Threatens Children, Families, and Communities.
PMID- 28993447
TI - Background Dietary Patterns and the Time Course of the Blood Pressure Response to
Low Sodium Intake.
PMID- 28993448
TI - Aberrant Splicing Induced by Dysregulated Rbfox2 Produces Enhanced Function of
CaV1.2 Calcium Channel and Vascular Myogenic Tone in Hypertension.
AB - Calcium influx from activated voltage-gated calcium channel CaV1.2 in vascular
smooth muscle cells is indispensable for maintaining myogenic tone and blood
pressure. The function of CaV1.2 channel can be optimized by alternative
splicing, one of post-transcriptional modification mechanisms. The splicing
factor Rbfox2 is known to regulate the CaV1.2 pre-mRNA alternative splicing
events during neuronal development. However, Rbfox2's roles in modulating the key
function of vascular CaV1.2 channel and in the pathogenesis of hypertension
remain elusive. Here, we report that the proportion of CaV1.2 channels with
alternative exon 9* is increased by 10.3%, whereas that with alternative exon 33
is decreased by 10.5% in hypertensive arteries. Surprisingly, the expression
level of Rbfox2 is increased ~3-folds, presumably because of the upregulation of
a dominant-negative isoform of Rbfox2. In vascular smooth muscle cells, we find
that knockdown of Rbfox2 dynamically increases alternative exon 9*, whereas
decreases exon 33 inclusion of CaV1.2 channels. By patch-clamp studies, we show
that diminished Rbfox2-induced alternative splicing shifts the steady-state
activation and inactivation curves of vascular CaV1.2 calcium channel to
hyperpolarization, which makes the window current potential to more negative.
Moreover, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Rbfox2 increases the pressure-induced
vascular myogenic tone of rat mesenteric artery. Taken together, our data
indicate that Rbfox2 modulates the functions of vascular CaV1.2 calcium channel
by dynamically regulating the expressions of alternative exons 9* and 33, which
in turn affects the vascular myogenic tone. Therefore, our work suggests a key
role for Rbfox2 in hypertension, which provides a rational basis for designing
antihypertensive therapies.
PMID- 28993449
TI - Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability in Young Adulthood and Hippocampal
Volume and Integrity at Middle Age: The CARDIA Study (Coronary Artery Risk
Development in Young Adults).
AB - The aims of this study are to assess the relationships of visit-to-visit blood
pressure (BP) variability in young adulthood to hippocampal volume and integrity
at middle age. We used data over 8 examinations spanning 25 years collected in
the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) of black and
white adults (age, 18-30 years) started in 1985 to 1986. Visit-to-visit BP
variability was defined as by SDBP and average real variability (ARVBP, defined
as the absolute differences of BP between successive BP measurements).
Hippocampal tissue volume standardized by intracranial volume (%) and integrity
assessed by fractional anisotropy were measured by 3-Tesla magnetic resonance
imaging at the year-25 examination (n=545; mean age, 51 years; 54% women and 34%
African Americans). Mean systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP levels were 110/69 mm Hg
at year 0 (baseline), 117/73 mm Hg at year 25, and ARVSBP and SDSBP were 7.7 and
7.9 mm Hg, respectively. In multivariable-adjusted linear models, higher ARVSBP
was associated with lower hippocampal volume (unstandardized regression
coefficient [standard error] with 1-SD higher ARVSBP: -0.006 [0.003]), and higher
SDSBP with lower hippocampal fractional anisotropy (-0.02 [0.01]; all P<0.05),
independent of cumulative exposure to SBP during follow-up. Conversely,
cumulative exposure to SBP and diastolic BP was not associated with hippocampal
volume. There was no interaction by sex or race between ARVSBP or SDSBP with
hippocampal volume or integrity. In conclusion, visit-to-visit BP variability
during young adulthood may be useful in assessing the potential risk for
reductions in hippocampal volume and integrity in midlife.
PMID- 28993450
TI - Blood Pressure Genetic Risk Score Predicts Blood Pressure Responses to Dietary
Sodium and Potassium: The GenSalt Study (Genetic Epidemiology Network of Salt
Sensitivity).
AB - We examined the association between genetic risk score (GRS) for blood pressure
(BP), based on single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in previous BP genome
wide association study meta-analyses, and salt and potassium sensitivity of BP
among participants of the GenSalt study (Genetic Epidemiology Network of Salt
Sensitivity). The GenSalt study was conducted among 1906 participants who
underwent a 7-day low-sodium (51.3 mmol sodium/d), 7-day high-sodium (307.8 mmol
sodium/d), and 7-day high-sodium plus potassium (60 mmol potassium/d)
intervention. BP was measured 9* at baseline and at the end of each intervention
period using a random zero sphygmomanometer. Associations between systolic BP
(SBP), diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure GRS and respective SBP, diastolic
BP, and mean arterial pressure responses to the dietary interventions were
assessed using mixed linear regression models that accounted for familial
dependencies and adjusted for age, sex, field center, body mass index, and
baseline BP. As expected, baseline SBP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure
significantly increased per quartile increase in GRS (P=2.7*10-8, 9.8*10-8, and
6.4*10-6, respectively). In contrast, increasing GRS quartile conferred smaller
SBP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure responses to the low-sodium
intervention (P=1.4*10-3, 0.02, and 0.06, respectively) and smaller SBP responses
to the high-sodium and potassium interventions (P=0.10 and 0.05). In addition,
overall findings were similar when examining GRS as a continuous measure.
Contrary to our initial hypothesis, we identified an inverse relationship between
BP GRS and salt and potassium sensitivity of BP. These data may provide novel
implications on the relationship between BP responses to dietary sodium and
potassium and hypertension.
PMID- 28993452
TI - Macrolides Blunt Aldosterone Biosynthesis: A Proof-of-Concept Study in KCNJ5
Mutated Adenoma Cells Ex Vivo.
AB - Aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), a major subtype of primary
hyperaldosteronism, the main curable cause of human endocrine hypertension,
involves somatic mutations in the potassium channel Kir3.4 (KCNJ5) in 30% to 70%
of cases, typically the more florid phenotypes. Because KCNJ5 mutated channels
were reported to be specifically sensitive to inhibition by macrolide
antibiotics, which concentration dependently blunts aldosterone production in
HAC15 transfected with the G151R and L168R mutated channel, we herein tested the
effect of clarithromycin on aldosterone synthesis and secretion in a pure
population of aldosterone-secreting cells obtained by immunoseparation (CD56+
cells) from APA tissues with/without the 2 most common KCNJ5 mutations. From a
large cohort of patients with an unambiguous APA diagnosis, we recruited those
who were wild type (n=3) or had G151R (n=2) and L168R (n=2) mutations. We found
that clarithromycin concentration dependently lowered CYP11B2 gene expression (by
60%) and aldosterone secretion (by 70%; P<0.001 for both) in CD56+ cells isolated
ex vivo from KCNJ5 mutated APAs, although it was ineffective in CD56+ cells from
wild-type APAs. By proving the principle that the oversecretion of aldosterone
can be specifically blunted in APA cells ex vivo with G151R and L168R mutations,
these results provide compelling evidence of the possibility of specifically
correcting aldosterone excess in patients with APA carrying the 2 most common
KCNJ5 somatic mutations.
PMID- 28993453
TI - Antidiabetic therapies and male reproductive function: where do we stand?
AB - Diabetes mellitus has been increasing at alarming rates in recent years, thus
jeopardizing human health worldwide. Several antidiabetic drugs have been
introduced in the market to manage glycemic levels, and proven effective in
avoiding, minimizing or preventing the appearance or development of diabetes
mellitus-related complications. However, and despite the established association
between such pathology and male reproductive dysfunction, the influence of these
therapeutic interventions on such topics have been scarcely explored.
Importantly, this pathology may contribute toward the global decline in male
fertility, giving the increasing preponderance of diabetes mellitus in young men
at their reproductive age. Therefore, it is mandatory that the reproductive
health of diabetic individuals is maintained during the antidiabetic treatment.
With this in mind, we have gathered the available information and made a critical
analysis regarding the effects of several antidiabetic drugs on male reproductive
function. Unlike insulin, which has a clear and fundamental role on male
reproductive function, the other antidiabetic therapies' effects at this level
seem incoherent. In fact, studies are highly controversial possibly due to the
different experimental study approaches, which, in our opinion, suggests caution
when it comes to prescribing such drugs to young diabetic patients. Overall, much
is still to be determined and further studies are needed to clarify the safety of
these antidiabetic strategies on male reproductive system. Aspects such as the
effects of insulin levels variations, consequent of insulin therapy, as well as
what will be the impact of the side effect hypoglycemia, common to several
therapeutic strategies discussed, on the male reproductive system are still to be
addressed.
PMID- 28993451
TI - Time Course of Change in Blood Pressure From Sodium Reduction and the DASH Diet.
AB - : Both sodium reduction and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
diet lower blood pressure (BP); however, the patterns of their effects on BP over
time are unknown. In the DASH-Sodium trial, adults with pre-/stage 1
hypertension, not using antihypertensive medications, were randomly assigned to
either a typical American diet (control) or DASH. Within their assigned diet,
participants randomly ate each of 3 sodium levels (50, 100, and 150 mmol/d, at
2100 kcal) over 4-week periods. BP was measured weekly for 12 weeks; 412
participants enrolled (57% women; 57% black; mean age, 48 years; mean systolic BP
[SBP]/diastolic BP [DBP], 135/86 mm Hg). For those assigned control, there was no
change in SBP/DBP between weeks 1 and 4 on the high-sodium diet (weekly change,
0.04/0.06 mm Hg/week) versus a progressive decline in BP on the low-sodium diet (
0.94/-0.70 mm Hg/week; P interactions between time and sodium <0.001 for SBP and
DBP). For those assigned DASH, SBP/DBP changed -0.60/-0.16 mm Hg/week on the high
versus -0.42/-0.54 mm Hg/week on the low-sodium diet (P interactions between
time and sodium=0.56 for SBP and 0.10 for DBP). When comparing DASH to control,
DASH changed SBP/DBP by -4.36/-1.07 mm Hg after 1 week, which accounted for most
of the effect observed, with no significant difference in weekly rates of change
for either SBP (P interaction=0.97) or DBP (P interaction=0.70). In the context
of a typical American diet, a low-sodium diet reduced BP without plateau,
suggesting that the full effects of sodium reduction are not completely achieved
by 4 weeks. In contrast, compared with control, DASH lowers BP within a week
without further effect thereafter. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00000608.
PMID- 28993454
TI - Dynamics of cytoplasm and cleavage divisions correlates with preimplantation
embryo development.
AB - In vitro fertilization has become increasingly popular as an infertility
treatment. In order to improve efficiency of this procedure, there is a strong
need for a refinement of existing embryo assessment methods and development of
novel, robust and non-invasive selection protocols. Studies conducted on animal
models can be extremely helpful here, as they allow for more extensive research
on the potential biomarkers of embryo quality. In the present paper, we subjected
mouse embryos to non-invasive time-lapse imaging and combined the Particle Image
Velocimetry analysis of cytoplasmic dynamics in freshly fertilized oocytes with
the morphokinetic analysis of recordings covering 5 days of preimplantation
development. Our results indicate that parameters describing cytoplasmic dynamics
and cleavage divisions independently correspond to mouse embryo's capacity to
form a high-quality blastocyst. We also showed for the first time that these
parameters are associated with the percentage of abnormal embryonic cells with
fragmented nuclei and with embryo's ability to form primitive endoderm, one of
the cell lineages differentiated during preimplantation development. Finally, we
present a model that links selected cytoplasmic and morphokinetic parameters
reflecting frequency of fertilization-induced Ca2+-oscillations and timing of 4
cell stage and compaction with viability of the embryo assessed as the total
number of cells at the end of its preimplantation development. Our results
indicate that a combined analysis of cytoplasmic dynamics and morphokinetics may
facilitate the assessment of embryo's ability to form high-quality blastocysts.
PMID- 28993455
TI - Ehrlichia Activation of Wnt-PI3K-mTOR Signaling Inhibits Autolysosome Generation
and Autophagic Destruction by the Mononuclear Phagocyte.
AB - In multicellular organisms, autophagy is induced as an innate defense mechanism.
Notably, the obligate intracellular bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis resides in
early endosome-like vacuoles and circumvents lysosomal fusion through an unknown
mechanism, thereby avoiding destruction in the autophagolysosome. In this report,
we reveal that Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in inhibition of lysosomal
fusion and autolysosomal destruction of ehrlichiae. During early infection,
autophagosomes fuse with ehrlichial vacuoles to form an amphisome indicated by
the presence of autophagy markers such as LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1
light chain 3), Beclin-1, and p62. LC3 colocalized with ehrlichial morulae on
days 1, 2, and 3 postinfection, and increased LC3II levels were detected during
infection, reaching a maximal level on day 3. Ehrlichial vacuoles did not
colocalize with the lysosomal marker LAMP2, and lysosomes were redistributed and
dramatically reduced in level in the infected cells. An inhibitor specific for
the Wnt receptor signaling component Dishevelled induced lysosomal fusion with
ehrlichial inclusions corresponding to p62 degradation and promoted transcription
factor EB (TFEB) nuclear localization. E. chaffeensis infection activated the
phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin)
pathway, and activation was induced by three ehrlichial tandem repeat protein
(TRP) effectors, with TRP120 inducing the strongest activation. Moreover,
induction of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) performed using a Wnt inhibitor
and small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of critical components of PI3K-GSK3
mTOR signaling decreased ehrlichial survival. This report reveals Ehrlichia
exploitation of the evolutionarily conserved Wnt pathway to inhibit autolysosome
generation, thereby leading to evasion of this important innate immune defense
mechanism.
PMID- 28993456
TI - Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate-Dependent Oligomerization of the
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cytotoxin ExoU.
AB - The Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system delivers effector proteins
directly into target cells, allowing the bacterium to modulate host cell
functions. ExoU is the most cytotoxic of the known effector proteins and has been
associated with more severe infections in humans. ExoU is a patatin-like A2
phospholipase requiring the cellular host factors phosphatidylinositol 4,5
bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] and ubiquitin for its activation in vitro We
demonstrated that PI(4,5)P2 also induces the oligomerization of ExoU and that
this PI(4,5)P2-mediated oligomerization does not require ubiquitin. Single amino
acid substitutions in the C-terminal membrane localization domain of ExoU reduced
both its activity and its ability to form higher-order complexes in transfected
cells and in vitro Combining inactive truncated ExoU proteins partially restored
phospholipase activity and cytotoxicity, indicating that ExoU oligomerization may
have functional significance. Our results indicate that PI(4,5)P2 induces the
oligomerization of ExoU, which may be a mechanism by which this coactivator
enhances the phospholipase activity of ExoU.
PMID- 28993457
TI - The Electron Transport Chain Sensitizes Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus
faecalis to the Oxidative Burst.
AB - Small-colony variants (SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus typically lack a functional
electron transport chain and cannot produce virulence factors such as
leukocidins, hemolysins, or the antioxidant staphyloxanthin. Despite this, SCVs
are associated with persistent infections of the bloodstream, bones, and
prosthetic devices. The survival of SCVs in the host has been ascribed to
intracellular residency, biofilm formation, and resistance to antibiotics.
However, the ability of SCVs to resist host defenses is largely uncharacterized.
To address this, we measured the survival of wild-type and SCV S. aureus in whole
human blood, which contains high numbers of neutrophils, the key defense against
staphylococcal infection. Despite the loss of leukocidin production and
staphyloxanthin biosynthesis, SCVs defective for heme or menaquinone biosynthesis
were significantly more resistant to the oxidative burst than wild-type bacteria
in human blood or the presence of purified neutrophils. Supplementation of the
culture medium of the heme-auxotrophic SCV with heme, but not iron, restored
growth, hemolysin and staphyloxanthin production, and sensitivity to the
oxidative burst. Since Enterococcus faecalis is a natural heme auxotroph and
cause of bloodstream infection, we explored whether restoration of the electron
transport chain in this organism also affected survival in blood. Incubation of
E. faecalis with heme increased growth and restored catalase activity but
resulted in decreased survival in human blood via increased sensitivity to the
oxidative burst. Therefore, the lack of functional electron transport chains in
SCV S. aureus and wild-type E. faecalis results in reduced growth rate but
provides resistance to a key immune defense mechanism.
PMID- 28993458
TI - Dairy Heifers Naturally Exposed to Fasciola hepatica Develop a Type 2 Immune
Response and Concomitant Suppression of Leukocyte Proliferation.
AB - Fasciola hepatica is a parasitic trematode of global importance in livestock.
Control strategies reliant on anthelmintics are unsustainable due to the
emergence of drug resistance. Vaccines are under development, but efficacies are
variable. Evidence from experimental infection suggests that vaccine efficacy may
be affected by parasite-induced immunomodulation. Little is known about the
immune response to F. hepatica following natural exposure. Hence, we analyzed the
immune responses over time in calves naturally exposed to F. hepatica infection.
Cohorts of replacement dairy heifer calves (n = 42) with no prior exposure to F.
hepatica, on three commercial dairy farms, were sampled over the course of a
grazing season. Exposure was determined through an F. hepatica-specific serum
antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluke egg counts.
Concurrent changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations, lymphocyte
proliferation, and cytokine responses were measured. Relationships between fluke
infection and immune responses were analyzed by using multivariable linear mixed
effect models. All calves from one farm showed evidence of exposure, while
cohorts from the remaining two farms remained negative over the grazing season. A
type 2 immune response was associated with exposure, with increased interleukin-4
(IL-4) production, IL-5 transcription, and eosinophilia. Suppression of parasite
specific peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation was evident,
while decreased mitogen-stimulated gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production
suggested immunomodulation, which was not restricted to parasite-specific
responses. Our findings show that the global immune response is modulated toward
a nonproliferative type 2 state following natural challenge with F. hepatica This
has implications in terms of the timing of the administration of vaccination
programs and for host susceptibility to coinfecting pathogens.
PMID- 28993459
TI - Acquired Protective Immunity in Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar against the Myxozoan
Kudoa thyrsites Involves Induction of MHIIbeta+ CD83+ Antigen-Presenting Cells.
AB - The histozoic myxozoan parasite Kudoa thyrsites causes postmortem myoliquefaction
and is responsible for economic losses to salmon aquaculture in the Pacific
Northwest. Despite its importance, little is known about the host-parasite
relationship, including the host response to infection. The present work sought
to characterize the immune response in Atlantic salmon during infection,
recovery, and reexposure to K. thyrsites After exposure to infective seawater,
infected and uninfected smolts were sampled three times over 4,275 degree-days.
Histological analysis revealed infection severity decreased over time in exposed
fish, while in controls there was no evidence of infection. Following a secondary
exposure of all fish, severity of infection in the controls was similar to that
measured in exposed fish at the first sampling time but was significantly reduced
in reexposed fish, suggesting the acquisition of protective immunity. Using
immunohistochemistry, we detected a population of MHIIbeta+ cells in infected
muscle that followed a pattern of abundance concordant with parasite prevalence.
Infiltration of these cells into infected myocytes preceded destruction of the
plasmodium and dissemination of myxospores. Dual labeling indicated a majority of
these cells were CD83+/MHIIbeta+ Using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, we
detected significant induction of cellular effectors, including
macrophage/dendritic cells (mhii/cd83/mcsf), B cells (igm/igt), and cytotoxic T
cells (cd8/nkl), in the musculature of infected fish. These data support a role
for cellular effectors such as antigen-presenting cells (monocyte/macrophage and
dendritic cells) along with B and T cells in the acquired protective immune
response of Atlantic salmon against K. thyrsites.
PMID- 28993460
TI - Evaluation of a Plasmodium-Specific Carrier Protein To Enhance Production of
Recombinant Pfs25, a Leading Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Candidate.
AB - Challenges with the production and suboptimal immunogenicity of malaria vaccine
candidates have slowed the development of a Plasmodium falciparum multiantigen
vaccine. Attempting to resolve these issues, we focused on the use of highly
immunogenic merozoite surface protein 8 (MSP8) as a vaccine carrier protein.
Previously, we showed that a genetic fusion of the C-terminal 19-kDa fragment of
merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119) to P. falciparum MSP8 (PfMSP8) facilitated
antigen production and folding and the induction of neutralizing antibodies to
conformational B cell epitopes of MSP119 Here, using the PfMSP1/8 construct, we
further optimized the recombinant PfMSP8 (rPfMSP8) carrier by the introduction of
two cysteine-to-serine substitutions (CDeltaS) to improve the yield of the
monomeric product. We then sought to test the broad applicability of this
approach using the transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pfs25. The production
of rPfs25-based vaccines has presented challenges. Antibodies directed against
the four highly constrained epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains of Pfs25
block sexual-stage development in mosquitoes. The sequence encoding mature Pfs25
was codon harmonized for expression in Escherichia coli We produced a rPfs25
PfMSP8 fusion protein [rPfs25/8(CDeltaS)] as well as unfused, mature rPfs25.
rPfs25 was purified with a modest yield but required the incorporation of
refolding protocols to obtain a proper conformation. In comparison, chimeric
rPfs25/8(CDeltaS) was expressed and easily purified, with the Pfs25 domain
bearing the proper conformation without renaturation. Both antigens were
immunogenic in rabbits, inducing IgG that bound native Pfs25 and exhibited potent
transmission-reducing activity. These data further demonstrate the utility of
PfMSP8 as a parasite-specific carrier protein to enhance the production of
complex malaria vaccine targets.
PMID- 28993461
TI - Brucella abortus Promotes a Fibrotic Phenotype in Hepatic Stellate Cells, with
Concomitant Activation of the Autophagy Pathway.
AB - The liver is frequently affected in patients with active brucellosis. The present
study demonstrates that Brucella abortus infection induces the activation of the
autophagic pathway in hepatic stellate cells to create a microenvironment that
promotes a profibrogenic phenotype through the induction of transforming growth
factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), collagen deposition, and inhibition of matrix
metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) secretion. Autophagy was revealed by upregulation of
the LC3II/LC3I ratio and Beclin-1 expression as well as inhibition of p62
expression in infected cells. The above-described findings were dependent on the
type IV secretion system (VirB) and the secreted BPE005 protein, which were
partially corroborated using the pharmacological inhibitors wortmannin, a
phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase inhibitor, and leupeptin plus E64 (inhibitors of
lysosomal proteases). Activation of the autophagic pathway in hepatic stellate
cells during Brucella infection could have an important contribution to
attenuating inflammatory hepatic injury by inducing fibrosis. However, with time,
B. abortus infection induced Beclin-1 cleavage with concomitant cleavage of
caspase-3, indicating the onset of apoptosis of LX-2 cells, as was confirmed by
the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling
assay and Hoechst staining. These results demonstrate that the cross talk of LX-2
cells and B. abortus induces autophagy and fibrosis with concomitant apoptosis of
LX-2 cells, which may explain some potential mechanisms of liver damage observed
in human brucellosis.
PMID- 28993462
TI - A functional analysis of TOEFAZ1 uncovers protein domains essential for
cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei.
AB - The parasite Trypanosoma brucei is highly polarized, including a flagellum that
is attached along the cell surface by the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). During
cell division, the new FAZ positions the cleavage furrow, which ingresses from
the anterior tip of the cell towards the posterior. We recently identified
TOEFAZ1 (for 'Tip of the Extending FAZ protein 1') as an essential protein in
trypanosome cytokinesis. Here, we analyzed the localization and function of
TOEFAZ1 domains by performing overexpression and RNAi complementation
experiments. TOEFAZ1 comprises three domains with separable functions: an N
terminal alpha-helical domain that may be involved in FAZ recruitment, a central
intrinsically disordered domain that keeps the morphogenic kinase TbPLK at the
new FAZ tip, and a C-terminal zinc finger domain necessary for TOEFAZ1
oligomerization. Both the N-terminal and C-terminal domains are essential for
TOEFAZ1 function, but TbPLK retention at the FAZ is not necessary for
cytokinesis. The feasibility of alternative cytokinetic pathways that do not
employ TOEFAZ1 are also assessed. Our results show that TOEFAZ1 is a multimeric
scaffold for recruiting proteins that control the timing and location of cleavage
furrow ingression.
PMID- 28993463
TI - Pib2 and the EGO complex are both required for activation of TORC1.
AB - The TORC1 complex is a key regulator of cell growth and metabolism in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae The vacuole-associated EGO complex couples activation of
TORC1 to the availability of amino acids, specifically glutamine and leucine. The
EGO complex is also essential for reactivation of TORC1 following rapamycin
induced growth arrest and for its distribution on the vacuolar membrane. Pib2, a
FYVE-containing phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P)-binding protein, is a
newly discovered and poorly characterized activator of TORC1. Here, we show that
Pib2 is required for reactivation of TORC1 following rapamycin-induced growth
arrest. Pib2 is required for EGO complex-mediated activation of TORC1 by
glutamine and leucine as well as for redistribution of Tor1 on the vacuolar
membrane. Therefore, Pib2 and the EGO complex cooperate to activate TORC1 and
connect phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling and TORC1 activity.
PMID- 28993464
TI - Lipid-dependent regulation of exocytosis in S. cerevisiae by OSBP homolog (Osh)
4.
AB - Polarized exocytosis is an essential process in many organisms and cell types for
correct cell division or functional specialization. Previous studies established
that homologs of the oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) in S. cerevisiae, which
comprise the Osh protein family, are necessary for efficient polarized exocytosis
by supporting a late post-Golgi step. We define this step as the docking of a
specific sub-population of exocytic vesicles with the plasma membrane. In the
absence of other Osh proteins, yeast Osh4p can support this process in a manner
dependent upon two lipid ligands, PI4P and sterol. Osh6p, which binds PI4P and
phosphatidylserine, is also sufficient to support polarized exocytosis, again in
a lipid-dependent manner. These data suggest that Osh-mediated exocytosis depends
upon lipid binding and exchange without a strict requirement for sterol. We
propose a two-step mechanism for Osh protein-mediated regulation of polarized
exocytosis by using Osh4p as a model. We describe a specific in vivo role for
lipid binding by an OSBP-related protein (ORP) in the process of polarized
exocytosis, guiding our understanding of where and how OSBP and ORPs may function
in more complex organisms.
PMID- 28993465
TI - cAMP signaling mediates behavioral flexibility and consolidation of social status
in Drosophila aggression.
AB - Social rituals, such as male-male aggression in Drosophila, are often stereotyped
and the component behavioral patterns modular. The likelihood of transition from
one behavioral pattern to another is malleable by experience and confers
flexibility to the behavioral repertoire. Experience-dependent modification of
innate aggressive behavior in flies alters fighting strategies during fights and
establishes dominant-subordinate relationships. Dominance hierarchies resulting
from agonistic encounters are consolidated to longer-lasting, social-status
dependent behavioral modifications, resulting in a robust loser effect. We showed
that cAMP dynamics regulated by the calcium-calmodulin-dependent adenylyl
cyclase, Rut, and the cAMP phosphodiesterase, Dnc, but not the Amn gene product,
in specific neuronal groups of the mushroom body and central complex, mediate
behavioral plasticity necessary to establish dominant-subordinate relationships.
rut and dnc mutant flies were unable to alter fighting strategies and establish
dominance relationships during agonistic interactions. This real-time flexibility
during a fight was independent of changes in aggression levels. Longer-term
consolidation of social status in the form of a loser effect, however, required
additional Amn-dependent inputs to cAMP signaling and involved a circuit-level
association between the alpha/beta and gamma neurons of the mushroom body. Our
findings implicate cAMP signaling in mediating the plasticity of behavioral
patterns in aggressive behavior and in the generation of a temporally stable
memory trace that manifests as a loser effect.
PMID- 28993466
TI - Erratum: Deletion of Men1 and somatostatin induces hypergastrinemia and gastric
carcinoids.
PMID- 28993468
TI - A Ragulator-BORC interaction controls lysosome positioning in response to amino
acid availability.
AB - Lysosomes play key roles in the cellular response to amino acid availability.
Depletion of amino acids from the medium turns off a signaling pathway involving
the Ragulator complex and the Rag guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), causing
release of the inactive mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)
serine/threonine kinase from the lysosomal membrane. Decreased phosphorylation of
mTORC1 substrates inhibits protein synthesis while activating autophagy. Amino
acid depletion also causes clustering of lysosomes in the juxtanuclear area of
the cell, but the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are poorly
understood. Herein we show that Ragulator directly interacts with BLOC-1-related
complex (BORC), a multi-subunit complex previously found to promote lysosome
dispersal through coupling to the small GTPase Arl8 and the kinesins KIF1B and
KIF5B. Interaction with Ragulator exerts a negative regulatory effect on BORC
that is independent of mTORC1 activity. Amino acid depletion strengthens this
interaction, explaining the redistribution of lysosomes to the juxtanuclear area.
These findings thus demonstrate that amino acid availability controls lysosome
positioning through Ragulator-dependent, but mTORC1-independent, modulation of
BORC.
PMID- 28993470
TI - Fluoride exposure and indicators of thyroid functioning: study design and data
analysis considerations.
PMID- 28993467
TI - LAMTOR/Ragulator is a negative regulator of Arl8b- and BORC-dependent late
endosomal positioning.
AB - Signaling from lysosomes controls cellular clearance and energy metabolism.
Lysosomal malfunction has been implicated in several pathologies, including
neurodegeneration, cancer, infection, immunodeficiency, and obesity.
Interestingly, many functions are dependent on the organelle position. Lysosomal
motility requires the integration of extracellular and intracellular signals that
converge on a competition between motor proteins that ultimately control
lysosomal movement on microtubules. Here, we identify a novel upstream control
mechanism of Arl8b-dependent lysosomal movement toward the periphery of the cell.
We show that the C-terminal domain of lyspersin, a subunit of BLOC-1-related
complex (BORC), is essential and sufficient for BORC-dependent recruitment of
Arl8b to lysosomes. In addition, we establish lyspersin as the linker between
BORC and late endosomal/lysosomal adaptor and mitogen activated protein kinase
and mechanistic target of rapamycin activator (LAMTOR) complexes and show that
epidermal growth factor stimulation decreases LAMTOR/BORC association, thereby
promoting BORC- and Arl8b-dependent lysosomal centrifugal transport.
PMID- 28993471
TI - Early life socioeconomic determinants of dietary score and pattern trajectories
across six waves of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
AB - BACKGROUND: Social patterning of dietary-related diseases may partly be explained
by population disparities in children's diets. This study aimed to determine
which early life socioeconomic factors best predict dietary trajectories across
childhood. METHODS: For waves 2-6 of the Baby (B) Cohort (ages 2-3 to 10-11
years) and waves 1-6 of the Kindergarten (K) Cohort (ages 4-5 to 14-15 years) of
the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, we constructed trajectories of
dietary scores and of empirically derived dietary patterns. Dietary scores, based
on the Australian Dietary Guidelines, summed children's consumption frequencies
of seven groups of foods or drinks over the last 24 hours. Dietary patterns at
each wave were derived using factor analyses of 12-16 food or drink items. Using
multinomial logistic regression analyses, we examined associations of baseline
single (parental education, remoteness area, parental employment, income, food
security and home ownership) and composite (socioeconomic position and
neighbourhood disadvantage) factors with adherence to dietary trajectories.
RESULTS: All dietary trajectory outcomes across both cohorts showed profound
gradients by composite socioeconomic position but not by neighbourhood
disadvantage. For example, odds for children in the lowest relative to highest
socioeconomic position quintile being in the 'never healthy' relative to the
'always healthy' score trajectory were OR=16.40, 95% CI 9.40 to 28.61 (B Cohort).
Among the single variables, only parental education consistently predicted
dietary trajectories. CONCLUSION: Child dietary trajectories vary profoundly by
family socioeconomic position. If causal, reducing dietary inequities may require
researching underlying pathways, tackling socioeconomic inequities and targeting
health promoting interventions to less educated families.
PMID- 28993469
TI - Microtubule stabilization drives 3D centrosome migration to initiate primary
ciliogenesis.
AB - Primary cilia are sensory organelles located at the cell surface. Their assembly
is primed by centrosome migration to the apical surface, yet surprisingly little
is known about this initiating step. To gain insight into the mechanisms driving
centrosome migration, we exploited the reproducibility of cell architecture on
adhesive micropatterns to investigate the cytoskeletal remodeling supporting it.
Microtubule network densification and bundling, with the transient formation of
an array of cold-stable microtubules, and actin cytoskeleton asymmetrical
contraction participate in concert to drive apical centrosome migration. The
distal appendage protein Cep164 appears to be a key actor involved in the
cytoskeleton remodeling and centrosome migration, whereas intraflagellar
transport 88's role seems to be restricted to axoneme elongation. Together, our
data elucidate the hitherto unexplored mechanism of centrosome migration and show
that it is driven by the increase and clustering of mechanical forces to push the
centrosome toward the cell apical pole.
PMID- 28993472
TI - Explaining time changes in oral health-related quality of life in England: a
decomposition analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Oral diseases are highly prevalent and impact on oral health-related
quality of life (OHRQoL). However, time changes in OHRQoL have been scarcely
investigated in the current context of general improvement in clinical oral
health. This study aims to examine changes in OHRQoL between 1998 and 2009 among
adults in England, and to analyse the contribution of demographics, socioeconomic
characteristics and clinical oral health measures. METHODS: Using data from two
nationally representative surveys in England, we assessed changes in the Oral
Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), in both the sample overall (n=12 027) and by
quasi-cohorts. We calculated the prevalence and extent of oral impacts and
summary OHIP-14 scores. An Oaxaca-Blinder type decomposition analysis was used to
assess the contribution of demographics (age, gender, marital status),
socioeconomic position (education, occupation) and clinical measures (presence of
decay, number of missing teeth, having advanced periodontitis). RESULTS: There
were significant improvements in OHRQoL, predominantly among those that
experienced oral impacts occasionally, but no difference in the proportion with
frequent oral impacts. The decomposition model showed that 43% (-4.07/-9.47) of
the decrease in prevalence of oral impacts reported occasionally or more often
was accounted by the model explanatory variables. Improvements in clinical oral
health and the effect of ageing itself accounted for most of the explained change
in OHRQoL, but the effect of these factors varied substantially across the
lifecourse and quasi-cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: These decomposition findings indicate
that broader determinants could be primarily targeted to influence OHRQoL in
different age groups or across different adult cohorts.
PMID- 28993474
TI - Relapse of neuromyelitis optica associated with oral progestin.
PMID- 28993473
TI - Changes in marital quality over 6 years and its association with cardiovascular
disease risk factors in men: findings from the ALSPAC prospective cohort study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Marital relationship quality has been suggested to have independent
effects on cardiovascular health outcomes. This study investigates the
association between changes in marital relationship quality and cardiovascular
disease (CVD) risk factors in men. METHODS: We used data from The Avon
Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a prospective birth cohort study
(Bristol, UK). Our baseline sample was restricted to married study fathers with
baseline relationship and covariate data (n=2496). We restricted final analysis
(n=620) to those with complete outcome, exposure and covariate data, who were
married and confirmed the study child's father at 6.4 years and 18.8 years after
baseline. Relationship quality was measured at baseline and 6.4 years and
operationalised as consistently good, improving, deteriorating or consistently
poor relationship. We measured CVD risk factors of blood pressure, resting heart
rate, body mass index, lipid profile and fasting glucose at 18.8 years after
baseline. RESULTS: Improving relationships were associated with lower levels of
low-density lipoprotein (-0.25 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.46 to -0.03) and relative
reduction of body mass index (-1.07 kg/m2, 95% CI -1.73 to -0.42) compared with
consistently good relationships, adjusting for confounders. Weaker associations
were found between improving relationships and total cholesterol (-0.24 mmol/L,
95% CI -0.48 to 0.00) and diastolic blood pressure (-2.24 mm Hg, 95% CI -4.59 to
+0.11). Deteriorating relationships were associated with worsening diastolic
blood pressure (+2.74 mm Hg, 95% CI 0.50 to 4.98). CONCLUSIONS: Improvement and
deterioration of longitudinal relationship quality appears associated with
respectively positive and negative associations with a range of CVD risk factors.
PMID- 28993475
TI - Diet and disease modification in multiple sclerosis: a nutritional epidemiology
perspective.
PMID- 28993476
TI - Contribution of dietary intake to relapse rate in early paediatric multiple
sclerosis.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The role of diet in multiple sclerosis (MS) course remains largely
unknown. Children with MS have a higher relapse rate compared with MS in adults.
Thus, studying the effect of diet on relapse rate in this age group is likely to
provide more robust answers. METHODS: This is a multicentre study done at 11
paediatric MS centres in the USA. Patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) or
clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) with disease onset before 18 years of age and
duration of less than 4 years were included in this study. Dietary intake during
the week before enrolment was assessed with the validated Block Kids Food
Screener. The outcome of the study was time from enrolment to the next relapse.
219 patients with paediatric RRMS or CIS were enrolled. Each 10% increase in
energy intake from fat increased the hazard of relapse by 56% (adjusted HR 1.56,
95% CI 1.05 to 2.31, p=0.027), and in particular each 10% increase in saturated
fat tripled this hazard (adjusted HR: 3.37, 95% CI 1.34 to 8.43, p=0.009). In
contrast, each additional one cup equivalent of vegetable decreased the hazard of
relapse by 50% (adjusted HR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.91, p=0.024). These
associations remained with mutual adjustment and persisted when adjusting for
baseline 25(OH) vitamin D serum level. Other studied nutrients were not
associated with relapse. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in children with
MS, high energy intake from fat, especially saturated fat, may increase the
hazard to relapse, while vegetable intake may be independently protective.
PMID- 28993477
TI - Development of rapid immunochromatographic strip test for the detection of
porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus.
AB - Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) causes acute and severe watery diarrhoea
and dehydration, as well as 50-100 per cent mortality in piglets. For the PEDV
diagnosis, a rapid test kit that is specific and sensitive to PEDV is critical to
monitor this disease at pig farms. The present study aimed to develop an
immunochromatographic assay (ICA) strip test for detecting PEDV in faecal swabs.
The newly developed diagnostic test showed a detection limit of 104.0 TCID50/ml
of PEDV. Using faecal swab samples, the relative sensitivity and specificity of
the ICA kit were 95.0 per cent and 98.6 per cent, respectively, compared with
those of real-time RT-PCR. In samples from piglets experimentally infected with
PEDV, the results showed 100 per cent agreement with those found by real-time RT
PCR. Our developed test strip will be useful for rapid diagnosis and can be used
for epidemiological surveillance of PEDV infection.
PMID- 28993478
TI - Effect of Mutant p53 Proteins on Glycolysis and Mitochondrial Metabolism.
AB - TP53 is one of the most commonly mutated genes in human cancers. Unlike other
tumor suppressors that are frequently deleted or acquire loss-of-function
mutations, the majority of TP53 mutations in tumors are missense substitutions,
which lead to the expression of full-length mutant proteins that accumulate in
cancer cells and may confer unique gain-of-function (GOF) activities to promote
tumorigenic events. Recently, mutant p53 proteins have been shown to mediate
metabolic changes as a novel GOF to promote tumor development. There is a strong
rationale that the GOF activities, including alterations in cellular metabolism,
might vary between the different p53 mutants. Accordingly, the effect of
different mutant p53 proteins on cancer cell metabolism is largely unknown. In
this study, we have metabolically profiled several individual frequently
occurring p53 mutants in cancers, focusing on glycolytic and mitochondrial
oxidative phosphorylation pathways. Our investigation highlights the diversity of
different p53 mutants in terms of their effect on metabolism, which might provide
a foundation for the development of more effective targeted pharmacological
approaches toward variants of mutant p53.
PMID- 28993479
TI - Lamin B2 Modulates Nucleolar Morphology, Dynamics, and Function.
AB - The nucleolus is required for ribosome biogenesis. Human cells have 2 or 3
nucleoli associated with nucleolar organizer region (NOR)-bearing chromosomes. An
increase in number and altered nucleolar morphology define cancer cells. However,
the mechanisms that modulate nucleolar morphology and function are unclear. Here
we show that in addition to localizing at the nuclear envelope, lamin B2
localizes proximal to nucleolin at the granular component (GC) of the nucleolus
and associates with the nucleolar proteins nucleolin and nucleophosmin. Lamin B2
knockdown severely disrupted the nucleolar morphology, which was rescued to
intact and discrete nucleoli upon lamin B2 overexpression. Furthermore, two
mutually exclusive lamin B2 deletion mutants, DeltaHead and DeltaSLS, rescued
nuclear and nucleolar morphology defects, respectively, induced upon lamin B2
depletion, suggesting independent roles for lamin B2 at the nucleolus and nuclear
envelope. Lamin B2 depletion increased nucleolin aggregation in the nucleoplasm,
implicating lamin B2 in stabilizing nucleolin within the nucleolus. Lamin B2
knockdown upregulated nucleolus-specific 45S rRNA and upstream intergenic
sequence (IGS) transcripts. The IGS transcripts colocalized with aggregates of
nucleolin speckles, which were sustained in the nucleoplasm upon lamin B2
depletion. Taken together, these studies uncover a novel role for lamin B2 in
modulating the morphology, dynamics, and function of the nucleolus.
PMID- 28993480
TI - Mitochondrial Abnormality Facilitates Cyst Formation in Autosomal Dominant
Polycystic Kidney Disease.
AB - Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) constitutes the most common
inherited kidney disease. Mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes, encoding
respective polycystin-1 and polycystin-2 Ca2+ ion channels, results in tubular
epithelial cell-derived renal cysts. Recent clinical studies demonstrate
oxidative stress as present early in ADPKD. Mitochondria comprise the primary
reactive oxygen species source and also their main effector target; however, the
pathophysiological role of mitochondria in ADPKD remains uncharacterized. To
clarify this function, we examined the mitochondria of cyst-lining cells in ADPKD
model mice (Ksp-Cre PKD1flox/flox ) and rats (Han:SPRD Cy/+), demonstrating
obvious tubular cell morphological abnormalities. Notably, mitochondrial DNA copy
number and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha
(PGC-1alpha) expression were decreased in ADPKD model animal kidneys, with PGC
1alpha expression inversely correlated with oxidative stress levels. Consistent
with these findings, human ADPKD cyst-derived cells with heterozygous and
homozygous PKD1 mutation exhibited morphological and functional abnormalities
including increased mitochondrial superoxide. Furthermore, PGC-1alpha expression
was suppressed by decreased intracellular Ca2+ levels via calcineurin, p38
mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nitric oxide synthase deactivation.
Moreover, the mitochondria-specific antioxidant MitoQ reduced intracellular
superoxide and inhibited cyst epithelial-cell proliferation through extracellular
signal-related kinase/MAPK inactivation. Collectively, these results indicated
mitochondrial abnormalities facilitate cyst formation in ADPKD.
PMID- 28993482
TI - The Prediction of Impact of a Looming Stimulus onto the Body Is Subserved by
Multisensory Integration Mechanisms.
AB - In the jungle, survival is highly correlated with the ability to detect and
distinguish between an approaching predator and a putative prey. From an
ecological perspective, a predator rapidly approaching its prey is a stronger cue
for flight than a slowly moving predator. In the present study, we use functional
magnetic resonance imaging in the nonhuman primate, to investigate the neural
bases of the prediction of an impact to the body by a looming stimulus, i.e., the
neural bases of the interaction between a dynamic visual stimulus approaching the
body and its expected consequences onto an independent sensory modality, namely,
touch. We identify a core cortical network of occipital, parietal, premotor, and
prefrontal areas maximally activated by tactile stimulations presented at the
predicted time and location of impact of the looming stimulus on the faces
compared with the activations observed for spatially or temporally incongruent
tactile and dynamic visual cues. These activations reflect both an active
integration of visual and tactile information and of spatial and temporal
prediction information. The identified cortical network coincides with a well
described multisensory visuotactile convergence and integration network suggested
to play a key role in the definition of peripersonal space. These observations
are discussed in the context of multisensory integration and spatial, temporal
prediction and Bayesian causal inference.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Looming stimuli
have a particular ecological relevance as they are expected to come into contact
with the body, evoking touch or pain sensations and possibly triggering an
approach or escape behavior depending on their identity. Here, we identify the
nonhuman primate functional network that is maximally activated by tactile
stimulations presented at the predicted time and location of impact of the
looming stimulus. Our findings suggest that the integration of spatial and
temporal predictive cues possibly rely on the same neural mechanisms that are
involved in multisensory integration.
PMID- 28993481
TI - The mTOR-Bach2 Cascade Controls Cell Cycle and Class Switch Recombination during
B Cell Differentiation.
AB - The transcription factor Bach2 regulates both acquired and innate immunity at
multiple steps, including antibody class switching and regulatory T cell
development in activated B and T cells, respectively. However, little is known
about the molecular mechanisms of Bach2 regulation in response to signaling of
cytokines and antigen. We show here that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)
controls Bach2 along B cell differentiation with two distinct mechanisms in pre-B
cells. First, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibited accumulation of Bach2 protein in
nuclei and reduced its stability. Second, mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) inhibited FoxO1
to reduce Bach2 mRNA expression. Using expression profiling and chromatin
immunoprecipitation assay, the Ccnd3 gene, encoding cyclin D3, was identified as
a new direct target of Bach2. A proper cell cycle was lost at pre-B and mature B
cell stages in Bach2-deficient mice. Furthermore, AZD8055, an mTOR inhibitor,
increased class switch recombination in wild-type mature B cells but not in Bach2
deficient cells. These results suggest that the mTOR-Bach2 cascade regulates
proper cell cycle arrest in B cells as well as immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.
PMID- 28993484
TI - Interneurons in the Honeybee Primary Auditory Center Responding to Waggle Dance
Like Vibration Pulses.
AB - Female honeybees use the "waggle dance" to communicate the location of nectar
sources to their hive mates. Distance information is encoded in the duration of
the waggle phase (von Frisch, 1967). During the waggle phase, the dancer produces
trains of vibration pulses, which are detected by the follower bees via
Johnston's organ located on the antennae. To uncover the neural mechanisms
underlying the encoding of distance information in the waggle dance follower, we
investigated morphology, physiology, and immunohistochemistry of interneurons
arborizing in the primary auditory center of the honeybee (Apis mellifera). We
identified major interneuron types, named DL-Int-1, DL-Int-2, and bilateral DL
dSEG-LP, that responded with different spiking patterns to vibration pulses
applied to the antennae. Experimental and computational analyses suggest that
inhibitory connection plays a role in encoding and processing the duration of
vibration pulse trains in the primary auditory center of the
honeybee.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The waggle dance represents a form of symbolic
communication used by honeybees to convey the location of food sources via
species-specific sound. The brain mechanisms used to decipher this symbolic
information are unknown. We examined interneurons in the honeybee primary
auditory center and identified different neuron types with specific properties.
The results of our computational analyses suggest that inhibitory connection
plays a role in encoding waggle dance signals. Our results are critical for
understanding how the honeybee deciphers information from the sound produced by
the waggle dance and provide new insights regarding how common neural mechanisms
are used by different species to achieve communication.
PMID- 28993483
TI - The Ste20 Family Kinases MAP4K4, MINK1, and TNIK Converge to Regulate Stress
Induced JNK Signaling in Neurons.
AB - The c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway regulates nervous system
development, axon regeneration, and neuronal degeneration after acute injury or
in chronic neurodegenerative disease. Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) is
required for stress-induced JNK signaling in neurons, yet the factors that
initiate DLK/JNK pathway activity remain poorly defined. In the present study, we
identify the Ste20 kinases MAP4K4, misshapen-like kinase 1 (MINK1 or MAP4K6) and
TNIK Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK or MAP4K7), as upstream regulators
of DLK/JNK signaling in neurons. Using a trophic factor withdrawal-based model of
neurodegeneration in both male and female embryonic mouse dorsal root ganglion
neurons, we show that MAP4K4, MINK1, and TNIK act redundantly to regulate DLK
activation and downstream JNK-dependent phosphorylation of c-Jun in response to
stress. Targeting MAP4K4, MINK1, and TNIK, but not any of these kinases
individually, is sufficient to protect neurons potently from degeneration.
Pharmacological inhibition of MAP4Ks blocks stabilization and phosphorylation of
DLK within axons and subsequent retrograde translocation of the JNK signaling
complex to the nucleus. These results position MAP4Ks as important regulators of
the DLK/JNK signaling pathway.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neuronal degeneration occurs
in disparate circumstances: during development to refine neuronal connections,
after injury to clear damaged neurons, or pathologically during disease. The dual
leucine zipper kinase (DLK)/c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway represents a
conserved regulator of neuronal injury signaling that drives both
neurodegeneration and axon regeneration, yet little is known about the factors
that initiate DLK activity. Here, we uncover a novel role for a subfamily of MAP4
kinases consisting of MAP4K4, Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK or MAP4K7),
and misshapen-like kinase 1 (MINK1 or MAP4K6) in regulating DLK/JNK signaling in
neurons. Inhibition of these MAP4Ks blocks stress-induced retrograde JNK
signaling and protects from neurodegeneration, suggesting that these kinases may
represent attractive therapeutic targets.
PMID- 28993485
TI - Focusing on the mental health of treatment-seeking veterans.
PMID- 28993486
TI - Defence policy and doctrine on captured persons (CPers): further guidance.
PMID- 28993487
TI - Managing post laparotomy pain in a contingency setting: the utility of rectus
sheath catheters.
PMID- 28993488
TI - Support needs and experiences of family members of wounded, injured or sick UK
service personnel.
AB - INTRODUCTION: When a service person has been wounded, injured or sick (WIS),
family members may provide care during their recovery in an unpaid capacity. This
may occur in diverse environments including hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation
centres, in the community and at home. METHOD: Thirty-seven family members of WIS
personnel were interviewed regarding their support needs, family relationships
and use of UK support services. Semistructured, in-depth telephone interviews
were used, with data analysis undertaken using a thematic approach. RESULTS:
'Family member involvement' was the main theme under which four subthemes were
situated: 'continuity of support', 'proactive signposting and initiating
contact', 'psychoeducation and counselling' and 'higher risk groups'. Family
members felt they might benefit from direct, consistent and continuous care
regardless of the WIS person's injury or engagement type, and whether the WIS
person was being treated in a hospital, rehabilitative centre or at home.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that family members of WIS
personnel value proactive, direct and sustained communication from support
service providers. We suggest that families of UK service personnel may benefit
from family care coordinators, who could provide continuous and consistent care
to family members of WIS personnel.
PMID- 28993489
TI - Civilian and military doctors' knowledge of tranexamic acid (TXA) use in major
trauma: a comparison study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Tranexamic acid (TXA) administration within the recommended time of
3 hours has been demonstrated to improve outcomes following trauma. The aim of
this study was to identify potential knowledge gaps in the administration of TXA
in order to target further educational training in those doctors responsible for
the management of acute trauma. METHODS: 104 military and 852 civilian doctors
were invited to complete a four-item web-based questionnaire pertaining to the
indications, dose, side effects and evidence base for TXA administration in
trauma. Doctors of all grades and surgical specialties including emergency
trainees and anaesthetics were surveyed. RESULTS: 65 military and 460 civilian
doctors responded with a response rate of 62% and 54%, respectively. Responses
were required for every question to allow progression and submission. 93% of
military doctors knew the initial dose of TXA compared with 34% of civilian
doctors. The Clinical randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant
Haemorrhage (CRASH) 2 trial was known to 91% of military doctors compared with
24% of civilian doctors. The optimal time for delivery of TXA in under 3 hours
was correctly identified by 91% of military doctors compared with 10% by civilian
doctors. DISCUSSION: Military doctors are more familiar with TXA and its side
effect profile. Given the potential impact of TXA on patient outcome and the
findings of this study, further education of all doctors is recommended including
dose, timing and potential side effects.
PMID- 28993490
TI - Two sides of a coin: ecological and chronobiological perspectives of timing in
the wild.
AB - Most processes within organisms, and most interactions between organisms and
their environment, have distinct time profiles. The temporal coordination of such
processes is crucial across levels of biological organization, but disciplines
differ widely in their approaches to study timing. Such differences are
accentuated between ecologists, who are centrally concerned with a holistic view
of an organism in relation to its external environment, and chronobiologists, who
emphasize internal timekeeping within an organism and the mechanisms of its
adjustment to the environment. We argue that ecological and chronobiological
perspectives are complementary, and that studies at the intersection will enable
both fields to jointly overcome obstacles that currently hinder progress.
However, to achieve this integration, we first have to cross some conceptual
barriers, clarifying prohibitively inaccessible terminologies. We critically
assess main assumptions and concepts in either field, as well as their common
interests. Both approaches intersect in their need to understand the extent and
regulation of temporal plasticity, and in the concept of 'chronotype', i.e. the
characteristic temporal properties of individuals which are the targets of
natural and sexual selection. We then highlight promising developments, point out
open questions, acknowledge difficulties and propose directions for further
integration of ecological and chronobiological perspectives through Wild Clock
research.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild Clocks: integrating
chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living animals'.
PMID- 28993491
TI - Methods in field chronobiology.
AB - Chronobiological research has seen a continuous development of novel approaches
and techniques to measure rhythmicity at different levels of biological
organization from locomotor activity (e.g. migratory restlessness) to physiology
(e.g. temperature and hormone rhythms, and relatively recently also in genes,
proteins and metabolites). However, the methodological advancements in this field
have been mostly and sometimes exclusively used only in indoor laboratory
settings. In parallel, there has been an unprecedented and rapid improvement in
our ability to track animals and their behaviour in the wild. However, while the
spatial analysis of tracking data is widespread, its temporal aspect is largely
unexplored. Here, we review the tools that are available or have potential to
record rhythms in the wild animals with emphasis on currently overlooked
approaches and monitoring systems. We then demonstrate, in three question-driven
case studies, how the integration of traditional and newer approaches can help
answer novel chronobiological questions in free-living animals. Finally, we
highlight unresolved issues in field chronobiology that may benefit from
technological development in the future. As most of the studies in the field are
descriptive, the future challenge lies in applying the diverse technologies to
experimental set-ups in the wild.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild
clocks: integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free
living animals'.
PMID- 28993492
TI - Chronobiology of interspecific interactions in a changing world.
AB - Animals should time activities, such as foraging, migration and reproduction, as
well as seasonal physiological adaptation, in a way that maximizes fitness. The
fitness outcome of such activities depends largely on their interspecific
interactions; the temporal overlap with other species determines when they should
be active in order to maximize their encounters with food and to minimize their
encounters with predators, competitors and parasites. To cope with the constantly
changing, but predictable structure of the environment, organisms have evolved
internal biological clocks, which are synchronized mainly by light, the most
predictable and reliable environmental cue (but which can be masked by other
variables), which enable them to anticipate and prepare for predicted changes in
the timing of the species they interact with, on top of responding to them
directly. Here, we review examples where the internal timing system is used to
predict interspecific interactions, and how these interactions affect the
internal timing system and activity patterns. We then ask how plastic these
mechanisms are, how this plasticity differs between and within species and how
this variability in plasticity affects interspecific interactions in a changing
world, in which light, the major synchronizer of the biological clock, is no
longer a reliable cue owing to the rapidly changing climate, the use of
artificial light and urbanization.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild
clocks: integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free
living animals'.
PMID- 28993493
TI - Timing as a sexually selected trait: the right mate at the right moment.
AB - Sexual selection favours the expression of traits in one sex that attract members
of the opposite sex for mating. The nature of sexually selected traits such as
vocalization, colour and ornamentation, their fitness benefits as well as their
costs have received ample attention in field and laboratory studies. However,
sexually selected traits may not always be expressed: coloration and ornaments
often follow a seasonal pattern and behaviours may be displayed only at specific
times of the day. Despite the widely recognized differences in the daily and
seasonal timing of traits and their consequences for reproductive success, the
actions of sexual selection on the temporal organization of traits has received
only scant attention. Drawing on selected examples from bird and mammal studies,
here we summarize the current evidence for the daily and seasonal timing of
traits. We highlight that molecular advances in chronobiology have opened
exciting new opportunities for identifying the genetic targets that sexual
selection may act on to shape the timing of trait expression. Furthermore, known
genetic links between daily and seasonal timing mechanisms lead to the hypothesis
that selection on one timescale may simultaneously also affect the other. We
emphasize that studies on the timing of sexual displays of both males and females
from wild populations will be invaluable for understanding the nature of sexual
selection and its potential to act on differences within and between the sexes in
timing. Molecular approaches will be important for pinpointing genetic components
of biological rhythms that are targeted by sexual selection, and to clarify
whether these represent core or peripheral components of endogenous clocks.
Finally, we call for a renewed integration of the fields of evolution,
behavioural ecology and chronobiology to tackle the exciting question of how
sexual selection contributes to the evolution of biological clocks.This article
is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks: integrating chronobiology and ecology
to understand timekeeping in free-living animals'.
PMID- 28993494
TI - Seasonal reproductive tactics: annual timing and the capital-to-income breeder
continuum.
AB - Tactics of resource use for reproduction are an important feature of life-history
strategies. A distinction is made between 'capital' breeders, which finance
reproduction using stored energy, and 'income' breeders, which pay for
reproduction using concurrent energy intake. In reality, vertebrates use a
continuum of capital-to-income tactics, and, for many species, the allocation of
capital towards reproduction is a plastic trait. Here, we review how trophic
interactions and the timing of life-history events are influenced by tactics of
resource use in birds and mammals. We first examine how plasticity in the
allocation of capital towards reproduction is linked to phenological flexibility
via interactions between endocrine/neuroendocrine control systems and the sensory
circuits that detect changes in endogenous state, and environmental cues. We then
describe the ecological drivers of reproductive timing in species that vary in
the degree to which they finance reproduction using capital. Capital can be used
either as a mechanism to facilitate temporal synchrony between energy supply and
demand or as a means of lessening the need for synchrony. Within many species, an
individual's ability to cope with environmental change may be more tightly linked
to plasticity in resource allocation than to absolute position on the capital-to
income breeder continuum.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks:
integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living
animals'.
PMID- 28993495
TI - Sleep research goes wild: new methods and approaches to investigate the ecology,
evolution and functions of sleep.
AB - Despite being a prominent aspect of animal life, sleep and its functions remain
poorly understood. As with any biological process, the functions of sleep can
only be fully understood when examined in the ecological context in which they
evolved. Owing to technological constraints, until recently, sleep has primarily
been examined in the artificial laboratory environment. However, new tools are
enabling researchers to study sleep behaviour and neurophysiology in the wild.
Here, we summarize the various methods that have enabled sleep researchers to go
wild, their strengths and weaknesses, and the discoveries resulting from these
first steps outside the laboratory. The initial studies to 'go wild' have
revealed a wealth of interindividual variation in sleep, and shown that sleep
duration is not even fixed within an individual, but instead varies in response
to an assortment of ecological demands. Determining the costs and benefits of
this inter- and intraindividual variation in sleep may reveal clues to the
functions of sleep. Perhaps the greatest surprise from these initial studies is
that the reduction in neurobehavioural performance resulting from sleep loss
demonstrated in the laboratory is not an obligatory outcome of reduced sleep in
the wild.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks: integrating
chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living animals'.
PMID- 28993497
TI - Marine biorhythms: bridging chronobiology and ecology.
AB - Marine organisms adapt to complex temporal environments that include daily,
tidal, semi-lunar, lunar and seasonal cycles. However, our understanding of
marine biological rhythms and their underlying molecular basis is mainly confined
to a few model organisms in rather simplistic laboratory settings. Here, we use
new empirical data and recent examples of marine biorhythms to highlight how
field ecologists and laboratory chronobiologists can complement each other's
efforts. First, with continuous tracking of intertidal shorebirds in the field,
we reveal individual differences in tidal and circadian foraging rhythms. Second,
we demonstrate that shorebird species that spend 8-10 months in tidal
environments rarely maintain such tidal or circadian rhythms during breeding,
likely because of other, more pertinent, temporally structured, local ecological
pressures such as predation or social environment. Finally, we use examples of
initial findings from invertebrates (arthropods and polychaete worms) that are
being developed as model species to study the molecular bases of lunar-related
rhythms. These examples indicate that canonical circadian clock genes (i.e. the
homologous clock genes identified in many higher organisms) may not be involved
in lunar/tidal phenotypes. Together, our results and the examples we describe
emphasize that linking field and laboratory studies is likely to generate a
better ecological appreciation of lunar-related rhythms in the wild.This article
is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks: integrating chronobiology and ecology
to understand timekeeping in free-living animals'.
PMID- 28993496
TI - Timing avian long-distance migration: from internal clock mechanisms to global
flights.
AB - Migratory birds regularly perform impressive long-distance flights, which are
timed relative to the anticipated environmental resources at destination areas
that can be several thousand kilometres away. Timely migration requires diverse
strategies and adaptations that involve an intricate interplay between internal
clock mechanisms and environmental conditions across the annual cycle. Here we
review what challenges birds face during long migrations to keep track of time as
they exploit geographically distant resources that may vary in availability and
predictability, and summarize the clock mechanisms that enable them to succeed.
We examine the following challenges: departing in time for spring and autumn
migration, in anticipation of future environmental conditions; using clocks on
the move, for example for orientation, navigation and stopover; strategies of
adhering to, or adjusting, the time programme while fitting their activities into
an annual cycle; and keeping pace with a world of rapidly changing environments.
We then elaborate these themes by case studies representing long-distance
migrating birds with different annual movement patterns and associated
adaptations of their circannual programmes. We discuss the current knowledge on
how endogenous migration programmes interact with external information across the
annual cycle, how components of annual cycle programmes encode topography and
range expansions, and how fitness may be affected when mismatches between timing
and environmental conditions occur. Lastly, we outline open questions and propose
future research directions.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks:
integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living
animals'.
PMID- 28993499
TI - Time is honey: circadian clocks of bees and flowers and how their interactions
may influence ecological communities.
AB - The interactions between flowering plants and insect pollinators shape ecological
communities and provide one of the best examples of coevolution. Although these
interactions have received much attention in both ecology and evolution, their
temporal aspects are little explored. Here we review studies on the circadian
organization of pollination-related traits in bees and flowers. Research, mostly
with the honeybee, Apis mellifera, has implicated the circadian clock in key
aspects of their foraging for flower rewards. These include anticipation, timing
of visits to flowers at specified locations and time-compensated sun-compass
orientation. Floral rhythms in traits such as petal opening, scent release and
reward availability also show robust daily rhythms. However, in only few studies
was it possible to adequately determine whether these oscillations are driven by
external time givers such as light and temperature cycles, or endogenous
circadian clocks. The interplay between the timing of flower and pollinator
rhythms may be ecologically significant. Circadian regulation of pollination
related traits in only few species may influence the entire pollination network
and thus affect community structure and local biodiversity. We speculate that
these intricate chronobiological interactions may be vulnerable to anthropogenic
effects such as the introduction of alien invasive species, pesticides or
environmental pollutants.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks:
integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living
animals'.
PMID- 28993500
TI - Keeping time without a spine: what can the insect clock teach us about seasonal
adaptation?
AB - Seasonal change in daylength (photoperiod) is widely used by insects to regulate
temporal patterns of development and behaviour, including the timing of diapause
(dormancy) and migration. Flexibility of the photoperiodic response is critical
for rapid shifts to new hosts, survival in the face of global climate change and
to reproductive isolation. At the same time, the daily circadian clock is also
essential for development, diapause and multiple behaviours, including correct
flight orientation during long-distance migration. Although studied for decades,
how these two critical biological timing mechanisms are integrated is poorly
understood, in part because the core circadian clock genes are all transcription
factors or regulators that are able to exert multiple effects throughout the
genome. In this chapter, we discuss clocks in the wild from the perspective of
diverse insect groups across eco-geographic contexts from the Antarctic to the
tropical regions of Earth. Application of the expanding tool box of molecular
techniques will lead us to distinguish universal from unique mechanisms
underlying the evolution of circadian and photoperiodic timing, and their
interaction across taxonomic and ecological contexts represented by insects.This
article is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks: integrating chronobiology and
ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living animals'.
PMID- 28993498
TI - Flexible clock systems: adjusting the temporal programme.
AB - Under natural conditions, many aspects of the abiotic and biotic environment vary
with time of day, season or even era, while these conditions are typically kept
constant in laboratory settings. The timing information contained within the
environment serves as critical timing cues for the internal biological timing
system, but how this system drives daily rhythms in behaviour and physiology may
also depend on the internal state of the animal. The disparity between timing of
these cues in natural and laboratory conditions can result in substantial
differences in the scheduling of behaviour and physiology under these conditions.
In nature, temporal coordination of biological processes is critical to maximize
fitness because they optimize the balance between reproduction, foraging and
predation risk. Here we focus on the role of peripheral circadian clocks, and the
rhythms that they drive, in enabling adaptive phenotypes. We discuss how
reproduction, endocrine activity and metabolism interact with peripheral clocks,
and outline the complex phenotypes arising from changes in this system. We
conclude that peripheral timing is critical to adaptive plasticity of circadian
organization in the field, and that we must abandon standard laboratory
conditions to understand the mechanisms that underlie this plasticity which
maximizes fitness under natural conditions.This article is part of the themed
issue 'Wild clocks: integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand
timekeeping in free-living animals'.
PMID- 28993501
TI - Wild clocks: preface and glossary.
PMID- 28993502
TI - Cardiovascular Effects of Renal Distal Tubule Deletion of the FGF Receptor 1
Gene.
AB - The bone-derived hormone fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) activates complexes
composed of FGF receptors (FGFRs), including FGFR1, and alpha-Klotho in the
kidney distal tubule (DT), leading to increased sodium retention and
hypertension. However, the role of FGFR1 in regulating renal processes linked to
hypertension is unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of selective FGFR1
loss in the DT. Conditional knockout (cKO) of FGFR1 in the DT (FGFR1DT-cKO mice)
resulted in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and decreased kidney expression of
alpha-Klotho in association with enhanced BP, decreased expression of angiotensin
converting enzyme 2, and increased expression of the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter.
Notably, recombinant FGF-23 administration similarly decreased the kidney
expression of alpha-Klotho and induced LVH in mice. Pharmacologic activation of
FGFR1 with a monoclonal anti-FGFR1 antibody (R1MAb1) normalized BP and
significantly attenuated LVH in the Hyp mouse model of excess FGF-23, but did not
induce a response in FGFR1DT-cKO mice. The hearts of FGFR1DT-cKO mice showed
increased expression of the transient receptor potential cation channel,
subfamily C, member 6 (TRPC6), consistent with cardiac effects of soluble Klotho
deficiency. Moreover, administration of recombinant soluble Klotho lowered BP in
the Hyp mice. Thus, FGFR1 in the DT regulates systemic hemodynamic responses
opposite to those predicted by the actions of FGF-23. These cardiovascular
effects appear to be mediated by paracrine FGF control of kidney FGFR1 and
subsequent regulation of soluble Klotho and TRPC6. FGFR1 in the kidney may
provide a new molecular target for treating hypertension.
PMID- 28993503
TI - MYH9 E1841K Mutation Augments Proteinuria and Podocyte Injury and Migration.
AB - Intronic variants of the MYH9 gene that encodes the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain
IIA are associated with diabetic nephropathy in European Americans and with
sickle cell disease-associated nephropathy. However, the causal functional
variants of MYH9 have remained elusive. Rare missense mutations in MYH9 cause
macrothrombocytopenia and are occasionally associated with development of
nephropathy. The E1841K mutation is among the common MYH9 missense mutations and
has been associated with nephropathy in some carriers. To determine the
contribution of the E1841K mutation in kidney disease, we studied the effects of
the E1841K mutation in mice subjected to high salt or angiotensin II (Ang II) as
models of hypertension and in mice subjected to renal mass reduction as a model
of CKD. Despite similar levels of BP among wild-type (MYH9+/+ ) mice and mice
heterozygous (MYH9+/E1841K ) and homozygous (MYH9E1841K/E1841K ) for the mutation
in each model, MYH9E1841K/E1841K mice exhibited mildly increased albuminuria in
response to high salt; severe albuminuria, nephrinuria, FSGS, and podocyte foot
effacement in Ang II-induced hypertension; and early mortality in the renal mass
reduction model. Treatment with candesartan during Ang II-induced hypertension
attenuated kidney disease development in MYH9E1841K/E1841K mice. In vitro,
isolated primary podocytes from MYH9E1841K/E1841K mice exhibited increased
lamellipodia formation and reorganization of F-actin stress fibers. Wound healing
assays revealed that MYH9+/+ podocytes had the lowest migration rate, followed by
MYH9+/E1841K then MYH9E1841K/E1841K podocytes. In conclusion, the MYH9 E1841K
variant alters podocyte cytoskeletal structure and renders podocytes more
susceptible to injury after a damaging stimulus.
PMID- 28993504
TI - Precision Transplant Medicine: Biomarkers to the Rescue.
AB - The concept that individuals with the same disease and a similar clinical
presentation may have very different outcomes and need very different therapies
is not novel. With the development of many innovative tools derived from the
omics technologies, transplant medicine is slowly entering the era of precision
medicine. Biomarkers are the cornerstone of precision medicine, which aims to
integrate biomarkers with traditional clinical information and tailor medical
care to achieve the best outcome for an individual patient. Here, we discuss the
basic concepts of precision medicine and biomarkers, with a specific focus on
progress in renal transplantation. We delineate the different types of biomarkers
and provide a general assessment of the current applications and shortcomings of
previously proposed biomarkers. We also outline the potential of precision
medicine in transplantation. Moving toward precision medicine in the field of
transplantation will require transplant physicians to embrace the increased
complexity and expanded decision algorithms and therapeutic options that are
associated with improved disease nosology.
PMID- 28993505
TI - Factor H Competitor Generated by Gene Conversion Events Associates with Atypical
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.
AB - Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a rare form of thrombotic
microangiopathy caused by complement pathogenic variants, mainly affects the
kidney microvasculature. A retrospective genetic analysis in our aHUS cohort
(n=513) using multiple ligation probe amplification uncovered nine unrelated
patients carrying a genetic abnormality in the complement factor H related 1 gene
(CFHR1) that originates by recurrent gene conversion events between the CFH and
CFHR1 genes. The novel CFHR1 mutants encode an FHR-1 protein with two amino acid
substitutions, L290S and A296V, converting the FHR-1 C terminus into that of
factor H (FH). Next-generation massive-parallel DNA sequencing (NGS) analysis did
not detect these genetic abnormalities. In addition to the CFHR1 mutant, six
patients carried the previously uncharacterized CFH-411T variant. In functional
analyses, the mutant FHR-1 protein strongly competed the binding of FH to cell
surfaces, impairing complement regulation, whereas the CFH-411T polymorphism
lacked functional consequences. Carriers of the CFHR1 mutation presented with
severe aHUS during adulthood; 57% of affected women in this cohort presented
during the postpartum period. Analyses in patients and unaffected carriers showed
that FH plasma levels determined by the nonmutated chromosome modulate disease
penetrance. Crucially, in the activated endothelial (HMEC-1) cell assay, reduced
FH plasma levels produced by the nonmutated chromosome correlated inversely with
impairment of complement regulation, measured as C5b-9 deposition. Our data
advance understanding of the genetic complexities underlying aHUS, illustrate the
importance of performing functional analysis, and support the use of
complementary assays to disclose genetic abnormalities not revealed by current
NGS analysis.
PMID- 28993506
TI - Kidney Proximal Tubule Lipoapoptosis Is Regulated by Fatty Acid Transporter-2
(FATP2).
AB - Albuminuria and tubular atrophy are among the highest risks for CKD progression
to ESRD. A parsimonious mechanism involves leakage of albumin-bound nonesterified
fatty acids (NEFAs) across the damaged glomerular filtration barrier and
subsequent reabsorption by the downstream proximal tubule, causing lipoapoptosis.
We sought to identify the apical proximal tubule transporter that mediates NEFA
uptake and cytotoxicity. We observed transporter-mediated uptake of fluorescently
labeled NEFA in cultured proximal tubule cells and microperfused rat proximal
tubules, with greater uptake from the apical surface than from the basolateral
surface. Protein and mRNA expression analyses revealed that kidney proximal
tubules express transmembrane fatty acid transporter-2 (FATP2), encoded by
Slc27a2, but not the other candidate transporters CD36 and free fatty acid
receptor 1. Kidney FATP2 localized exclusively to proximal tubule epithelial
cells along the apical but not the basolateral membrane. Treatment of mice with
lipidated albumin to induce proteinuria caused a decrease in the proportion of
tubular epithelial cells and an increase in the proportion of interstitial space
in kidneys from wild-type but not Slc27a2-/- mice. Ex vivo microperfusion and in
vitro experiments with NEFA-bound albumin at concentrations that mimic apical
proximal tubule exposure during glomerular injury revealed significantly reduced
NEFA uptake and palmitate-induced apoptosis in microperfused Slc27a2-/- proximal
tubules and Slc27a2-/- or FATP2 shRNA-treated proximal tubule cell lines compared
with wild-type or scrambled oligonucleotide-treated cells, respectively. We
conclude that FATP2 is a major apical proximal tubule NEFA transporter that
regulates lipoapoptosis and may be an amenable target for the prevention of CKD
progression.
PMID- 28993508
TI - Personalized siRNA-Nanoparticle Systemic Therapy using Metastatic Lymph Node
Specimens Obtained with EBUS-TBNA in Lung Cancer.
AB - Inhibiting specific gene expression with siRNA provides a new therapeutic
strategy to tackle many diseases at the molecular level. Recent strategies called
high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-mimicking peptide-phospholipid nanoscaffold (HPPS)
nanoparticles have been used to induce siRNAs-targeted delivery to scavenger
receptor class B type I receptor (SCARB1)-expressing cancer cells with high
efficiency. Here, eight ideal therapeutic target genes were identified for
advanced lung cancer throughout the screenings using endobronchial
ultrasonography-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and the
establishment of a personalized siRNA-nanoparticle therapy. The relevance of
these genes was evaluated by means of siRNA experiments in cancer cell growth. To
establish a therapeutic model, kinesin family member-11 (KIF11) was selected as a
target gene. A total of 356 lung cancers were analyzed immunohistochemically for
its clinicopathologic significance. The antitumor effect of HPPS-conjugated siRNA
was evaluated in vivo using xenograft tumor models. Inhibition of gene expression
for these targets effectively suppressed lung cancer cell growth. SCARB1 was
highly expressed in a subset of tumors from the lung large-cell carcinoma (LCC)
and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. High-level KIF11 expression was
identified as an independent prognostic factor in LCC and squamous cell carcinoma
(SqCC) patients. Finally, a conjugate of siRNA against KIF11 and HPPS
nanoparticles induced downregulation of KIF11 expression and mediated dramatic
inhibition of tumor growth in vivoImplications: This approach showed delivering
personalized cancer-specific siRNAs via the appropriate nanocarrier may be a
novel therapeutic option for patients with advanced lung cancer. Mol Cancer Res;
16(1); 47-57. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993507
TI - Dialysate Potassium, Dialysate Magnesium, and Hemodialysis Risk.
AB - One of the fundamental goals of the hemodialysis prescription is to maintain
serum potassium levels within a narrow normal range during both the intradialytic
and interdialytic intervals. Considering the extraordinarily high rate of
cardiovascular mortality in the hemodialysis population, clinicians are obligated
to explore whether factors related to dialytic potassium removal can be modified
to improve clinical outcomes. Observational studies and circumstantial evidence
suggest that extreme concentrations of serum and dialysate potassium can trigger
cardiac arrest. In this review, we provide an overview of factors affecting
overall potassium balance and factors modulating potassium dialysate fluxes in
dialysis, and we review data linking serum and dialysate potassium concentrations
with arrhythmias, cardiovascular events, and mortality. We explore potential
interactions between serum and dialysate magnesium levels and risks associated
with dialysate potassium levels. Finally, we conclude with proposed dialytic and
novel nondialytic approaches to optimize outcomes related to potassium
homeostasis in patients on hemodialysis. Dialysis clinicians need to consider
changes in the overall clinical scenario when choosing dialysate potassium
concentrations, and an effective change in practice will require more frequent
serum potassium monitoring and responsive dialysis care teams.
PMID- 28993509
TI - A Large-Scale RNAi Screen Identifies SGK1 as a Key Survival Kinase for GBM Stem
Cells.
AB - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary malignant brain
cancer and has a very poor prognosis. A subpopulation of cells known as GBM stem
like cells (GBM-SC) have the capacity to initiate and sustain tumor growth and
possess molecular characteristics similar to the parental tumor. GBM-SCs are
known to be enriched in hypoxic niches and may contribute to therapeutic
resistance. Therefore, to identify genetic determinants important for the
proliferation and survival of GBM stem cells, an unbiased pooled shRNA screen of
10,000 genes was conducted under normoxic as well as hypoxic conditions. A number
of essential genes were identified that are required for GBM-SC growth, under
either or both oxygen conditions, in two different GBM-SC lines. Interestingly,
only about a third of the essential genes were common to both cell lines. The
oxygen environment significantly impacts the cellular genetic dependencies as 30%
of the genes required under hypoxia were not required under normoxic conditions.
In addition to identifying essential genes already implicated in GBM such as
CDK4, KIF11, and RAN, the screen also identified new genes that have not been
previously implicated in GBM stem cell biology. The importance of the serum and
glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) for cellular survival was validated in
multiple patient-derived GBM stem cell lines using shRNA, CRISPR, and
pharmacologic inhibitors. However, SGK1 depletion and inhibition has little
effect on traditional serum grown glioma lines and on differentiated GBM-SCs
indicating its specific importance in GBM stem cell survival.Implications: This
study identifies genes required for the growth and survival of GBM stem cells
under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions and finds SGK1 as a novel potential
drug target for GBM. Mol Cancer Res; 16(1); 103-14. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993510
TI - Genomic Gain of 16p13.3 in Prostate Cancer Predicts Poor Clinical Outcome after
Surgical Intervention.
AB - Identifying tumors with high metastatic potential is key to improving the
clinical management of prostate cancer. Recently, we characterized a chromosome
16p13.3 gain frequently observed in prostate cancer metastases and now
demonstrate the prognostic value of this genomic alteration in surgically treated
prostate cancer. Dual-color FISH was used to detect 16p13.3 gain on a human
tissue microarray representing 304 primary radical prostatectomy (RP) cases with
clinical follow-up data. The results were validated in an external dataset. The
16p13.3 gain was detected in 42% (113/267) of the specimens scorable by FISH and
was significantly associated with clinicopathologic features of aggressive
prostate cancer, including high preoperative PSA (P = 0.03) levels, high Gleason
score (GS, P < 0.0001), advanced pathologic tumor stage (P < 0.0001), and
positive surgical margins (P = 0.009). The 16p13.3 gain predicted biochemical
recurrence (BCR) in the overall cohort (log-rank P = 0.0005), and in subsets of
patients with PSA <=10 or GS <=7 (log-rank P = 0.02 and P = 0.006, respectively).
Moreover, combining the 16p13.3 gain status with standard prognostic markers
improved BCR risk stratification and identified a subgroup of patients with high
probability of recurrence. The 16p13.3 gain status was also associated with an
increased risk of developing distant metastases (log-rank P = 0.03) further
substantiating its role in prostate cancer progression.Implications: This study
demonstrates the prognostic significance of the 16p13.3 genomic gain in primary
prostate tumors, suggesting potential utility in the clinical management of the
disease by identifying patients at high risk of recurrence who may benefit from
adjuvant therapies. Mol Cancer Res; 16(1); 115-23. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993511
TI - Cell Cycle-Dependent Tumor Engraftment and Migration Are Enabled by Aurora-A.
AB - Cell-cycle progression and the acquisition of a migratory phenotype are hallmarks
of human carcinoma cells that are perceived as independent processes but may be
interconnected by molecular pathways that control microtubule nucleation at
centrosomes. Here, cell-cycle progression dramatically impacts the engraftment
kinetics of 4T1-luciferase2 breast cancer cells in immunocompetent BALB/c or
immunocompromised NOD-SCID gamma (NSG) mice. Multiparameter imaging of wound
closure assays was used to track cell-cycle progression, cell migration, and
associated phenotypes in epithelial cells or carcinoma cells expressing a
fluorescence ubiquitin cell-cycle indicator. Cell migration occurred with an
elevated velocity and directionality during the S-G2-phase of the cell cycle, and
cells in this phase possess front-polarized centrosomes with augmented
microtubule nucleation capacity. Inhibition of Aurora kinase-A (AURKA/Aurora-A)
dampens these phenotypes without altering cell-cycle progression. During G2
phase, the level of phosphorylated Aurora-A at centrosomes is reduced in
hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR)-silenced cells as is the nuclear
transport of TPX2, an Aurora-A-activating protein. TPX2 nuclear transport depends
upon HMMR-T703, which releases TPX2 from a complex with importin-alpha (KPNA2) at
the nuclear envelope. Finally, the abundance of phosphorylated HMMR-T703, a
substrate for Aurora-A, predicts breast cancer-specific survival and relapse-free
survival in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative (n = 941), triple
negative (TNBC) phenotype (n = 538), or basal-like subtype (n = 293) breast
cancers, but not in those patients with ER-positive breast cancer (n = 2,218).
Together, these data demonstrate an Aurora-A/TPX2/HMMR molecular axis that
intersects cell-cycle progression and cell migration.Implications: Tumor cell
engraftment, migration, and cell-cycle progression share common regulation of the
microtubule cytoskeleton through the Aurora-A/TPX2/HMMR axis, which has the
potential to influence the survival of patients with ER-negative breast tumors.
Mol Cancer Res; 16(1); 16-31. (c)2017 AACR.
PMID- 28993512
TI - Loss of NLRX1 Exacerbates Neural Tissue Damage and NF-kappaB Signaling following
Brain Injury.
AB - Traumatic and nontraumatic brain injury results from severe disruptions in the
cellular microenvironment leading to massive loss of neuronal populations and
increased neuroinflammation. The progressive cascade of secondary events,
including ischemia, inflammation, excitotoxicity, and free-radical release,
contribute to neural tissue damage. NLRX1 is a member of the NLR family of
pattern recognition receptors and is a potent negative regulator of several
pathways that significantly modulate many of these events. Thus, we hypothesized
that NLRX1 limits immune system signaling in the brain following trauma. To
evaluate this hypothesis, we used Nlrx1-/- mice in a controlled cortical impact
(CCI) injury murine model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this article, we
show that Nlrx1-/- mice exhibited significantly larger brain lesions and
increased motor deficits following CCI injury. Mechanistically, our data indicate
that the NF-kappaB signaling cascade is significantly upregulated in Nlrx1-/-
animals. This upregulation is associated with increased microglia and macrophage
populations in the cortical lesion. Using a mouse neuroblastoma cell line (N2A),
we also found that NLRX1 significantly reduced apoptosis under hypoxic
conditions. In human patients, we identify 15 NLRs that are significantly
dysregulated, including significant downregulation of NLRX1 in brain injury
following aneurysm. We further demonstrate a concurrent increase in NF-kappaB
signaling that is correlated with aneurysm severity in these human subjects.
Together, our data extend the function of NLRX1 beyond its currently
characterized role in host-pathogen defense and identify this highly novel NLR as
a significant modulator of brain injury progression.
PMID- 28993513
TI - DNA Vaccination by Electroporation Amplifies Broadly Cross-Restricted Public TCR
Clonotypes Shared with HIV Controllers.
AB - Rare patients who spontaneously control HIV replication provide a useful model to
inform HIV vaccine development. HIV controllers develop particularly efficient
antiviral CD4+ T cell responses mediated by shared high-affinity TCRs. To
determine whether the candidate DNA vaccine ADVAX could induce similar responses,
we analyzed Gag-specific primary CD4+ T cells from healthy volunteers who
received ADVAX DNA by electroporation. Vaccinated volunteers had an
immunodominant response to the Gag293 epitope with a functional avidity
intermediate between that of controllers and treated patients. The TCR repertoire
of Gag293-specific CD4+ T cells proved highly biased, with a predominant usage of
the TCRbeta variable gene 2 (TRBV2) in vaccinees as well as controllers. TCRalpha
variable gene (TRAV) gene usage was more diverse, with the dominance of TRAV29
over TRAV24 genes in vaccinees, whereas TRAV24 predominated in controllers.
Sequence analysis revealed an unexpected degree of overlap between the specific
repertoires of vaccinees and controllers, with the sharing of TRAV24 and TRBV2
public motifs (>30%) and of public clonotypes characteristic of high-affinity
TCRs. MHC class II tetramer binding revealed a broad HLA-DR cross-restriction,
explaining how Gag293-specific public clonotypes could be selected in individuals
with diverse genetic backgrounds. TRAV29 clonotypes also proved cross-restricted,
but conferred responses of lower functional avidity upon TCR transfer. In
conclusion, DNA vaccination by electroporation primed for TCR clonotypes that
were associated with HIV control, highlighting the potential of this vaccine
delivery method. To our knowledge, this study provides the first proof-of-concept
that clonotypic analysis may be used as a tool to monitor the quality of vaccine
induced responses and modulate these toward "controller-like" responses.
PMID- 28993516
TI - Mechanisms of the Innate Defense Regulator Peptide-1002 Anti-Inflammatory
Activity in a Sterile Inflammation Mouse Model.
AB - Innate defense regulator (IDR) peptide-1002 is a synthetic host defense peptide
derivative with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Extending previous data, IDR
1002 suppressed in vitro inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 murine
monocyte/macrophage cells challenged with the TLR4 agonist LPS and TLR2 agonists
lipoteichoic acid and zymosan. To investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of
IDR-1002 in vivo, the PMA-induced mouse ear inflammation model was used. Topical
IDR-1002 treatment successfully dampened PMA-induced ear edema, proinflammatory
cytokine production, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species release, and neutrophil
recruitment in the ears of CD1 mice. Advanced RNA transcriptomic analysis on the
mouse ear transcriptome revealed that IDR-1002 reduced sterile inflammation by
suppressing the expression of transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (class
A/1 rhodopsin-like), including receptors for chemokines, PGs, histamine, platelet
activating factor, and anaphylatoxin. IDR-1002 also dampened the IFN-gamma
response and repressed the IFN regulatory factor 8-regulated network that
controls central inflammatory pathways. This study demonstrates that IDR-1002
exhibits strong in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities, informs the
underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and reveals its potential as a novel
therapeutic for inflammatory diseases.
PMID- 28993514
TI - The NF-kappaB-Responsive Long Noncoding RNA FIRRE Regulates Posttranscriptional
Regulation of Inflammatory Gene Expression through Interacting with hnRNPU.
AB - Long noncoding RNAs, a newly identified class of noncoding RNAs, are important
regulators of gene expression in innate immunity. We report in this study that
the transcription of FIRRE, a conserved long noncoding RNA between humans and
mice, is controlled by NF-kappaB signaling in macrophages and intestinal
epithelial cells. Functionally, FIRRE appears to positively regulate the
expression of several inflammatory genes in macrophages or intestinal epithelial
cells in response to LPS stimulation via posttranscriptional mechanisms.
Specifically, FIRRE physically interacts with heterogeneous nuclear
ribonucleoproteins U, regulating the stability of mRNAs of selected inflammatory
genes through targeting the AU-rich elements of their mRNAs in cells following
LPS stimulation. Therefore, our data indicate a new regulatory role for NF-kappaB
responsive FIRRE in the posttranscriptional regulation of inflammatory genes in
the innate immune system.
PMID- 28993515
TI - Nonclassical Monocytes Mediate Secondary Injury, Neurocognitive Outcome, and
Neutrophil Infiltration after Traumatic Brain Injury.
AB - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in rapid recruitment of leukocytes into the
injured brain. Monocytes constitute a significant proportion of the initial
infiltrate and have the potential to propagate secondary brain injury or generate
an environment of repair and regeneration. Monocytes are a diverse population of
cells (classical, intermediate, and nonclassical) with distinct functions,
however, the recruitment order of these subpopulations to the injured brain
largely remains unknown. Thus, we examined which monocyte subpopulations are
required for the generation of early inflammatory infiltrate within the injured
brain, and whether their depletion attenuates secondary injury or neurocognitive
outcome. Global monocyte depletion correlated with significant improvements in
brain edema, motor coordination, and working memory, and abrogated neutrophil
infiltration into the injured brain. However, targeted depletion of classical
monocytes alone had no effect on neutrophil recruitment to the site of injury,
implicating the nonclassical monocyte in this process. In contrast, mice that
have markedly reduced numbers of nonclassical monocytes (CX3CR1-/-) exhibited a
significant reduction in neutrophil infiltration into the brain after TBI as
compared with control mice. Our data suggest a critical role for nonclassical
monocytes in the pathology of TBI in mice, including important clinical outcomes
associated with mortality in this injury process.
PMID- 28993518
TI - Naringenin Ameliorates Acute Inflammation by Regulating Intracellular Cytokine
Degradation.
AB - Ungoverned activation of innate and adaptive immunity results in acute
inflammatory disease, such as bacteria-induced endotoxemia and fulminant
hepatitis by virus infection. Thus, therapeutic control of inflammation is
crucial for clinical management of many human diseases. In murine models of LPS-
and Con A-induced liver injury, we found that naringenin, a natural predominant
flavanone, is capable of protecting against lethality induced by LPS and
preventing inflammation-induced organ injury. The protective effect of naringenin
is mediated by reducing the levels of several inflammatory cytokines.
Unexpectedly, naringenin inhibits TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion in macrophages and
T cells without interfering with the TLR signaling cascade, cytokine mRNA
stability, or protein translation. These results indicate the existence of a
posttranslational control mechanism. Further studies show that naringenin
enhances intracellular cytokine degradation through lysosome- and TFEB-dependent
mechanisms. This study provides evidence that naringenin has the capacity to
dampen cytokine production by regulating lysosome function. Thus, naringenin may
represent a potential therapeutic agent for controlling inflammation-related
diseases.
PMID- 28993517
TI - Revisiting the Road Map of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Differentiation.
AB - The basic two-step terminal differentiation model of the medullary thymic
epithelial cell (mTEC) lineage from immature MHC class II (MHCII)lo to mature
MHCIIhi mTECs has recently been extended to include a third stage, namely the
post-Aire MHCIIlo subset as identified by lineage-tracing models. However, a
suitable surface marker distinguishing the phenotypically overlapping pre- from
the post-Aire MHCIIlo stage has been lacking. In this study, we introduce the
lectin Tetragonolobus purpureas agglutinin (TPA) as a novel cell surface marker
that allows for such delineation. Based on our data, we derived the following
sequence of mTEC differentiation: TPAloMHCIIlo -> TPAloMHCIIhi -> TPAhiMHCIIhi ->
TPAhiMHCIIlo Surprisingly, in the steady-state postnatal thymus TPAloMHCIIlo pre
Aire rather than terminally differentiated post-Aire TPAhiMHCIIlo mTECs were
marked for apoptosis at an exceptionally high rate of ~70%. Hence, only the minor
cycling fraction of the MHCIIlo subset (<20%) potentially qualified as mTEC
precursors. FoxN1 expression inversely correlated with the fraction of slow
cycling and apoptotic cells within the four TPA subsets. TPA also further
subdivided human mTECs, although with different subset distribution. Our revised
road map emphazises close parallels of terminal mTEC development with that of
skin, undergoing an alternative route of cell death, namely cornification rather
than apoptosis. The high rate of apoptosis in pre-Aire MHCIIlo mTECs points to a
"quality control" step during early mTEC differentiation.
PMID- 28993520
TI - Tobacco product developments in the Australian market in the 4 years following
plain packaging.
AB - This paper aimed to identify continued and emerging trends in the Australian
tobacco market following plain packaging implementation, over a period of
substantial increases in tobacco taxes. Since 2012, our surveillance activities
(including review of trade product and price lists, ingredient reports submitted
by tobacco companies to government and monitoring of the retail environment)
found several trends in the factory-made cigarette market. These include the
continued release of extra-long and slim cigarettes and packs with bonus
cigarettes, particularly in the mainstream and premium market segments; new
menthol capsule products; other novel flavourings in cigarettes; filter
innovations including recessed and firm filters; continued use of evocative and
descriptive product names; the proliferation of the new super-value market
segment; and umbrella branding, where new products are introduced within
established brand families. Several similar trends were also observed within the
smoking tobacco market. While not all of these trends were new to the Australian
market at the time of plain packaging implementation, their continued and
increased use is notable. Plain packaging legislation could be strengthened to
standardise cigarette and pack size, restrict brand and variant names, and ban
features such as menthol capsules and filters innovations that provide novelty
value or that may provide false reassurance to smokers.
PMID- 28993519
TI - Tobacco industry strategies undermine government tax policy: evidence from
commercial data.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Taxation equitably reduces smoking, the leading cause of health
inequalities. The tobacco industry (TI) can, however, undermine the public health
gains realised from tobacco taxation through its pricing strategies. This study
aims to examine contemporary TI pricing strategies in the UK and implications for
tobacco tax policy. DESIGN: Review of commercial literature and longitudinal
analysis of tobacco sales and price data. SETTING: A high-income country with
comprehensive tobacco control policies and high tobacco taxes (UK). PARTICIPANTS:
2009 to 2015 Nielsen Scantrak electronic point of sale systems data. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Tobacco segmentation; monthly prices, sales volumes of and net revenue
from roll-your-own (RYO) and factory-made (FM) cigarettes by segment; use of
price-marking and pack sizes. RESULTS: The literature review and sales data
concurred that both RYO and FM cigarettes were segmented by price. Despite
regular tax increases, average real prices for the cheapest FM and RYO segments
remained steady from 2013 while volumes grew. Low prices were maintained through
reductions in the size of packs and price-marking. Each year, at the point the
budget is implemented, the TI drops its revenue by up to 18 pence per pack,
absorbing the tax increases (undershifting). Undershifting is most marked for the
cheapest segments. CONCLUSIONS: The TI currently uses a variety of strategies to
keep tobacco cheap. The implementation of standardised packaging will prevent
small pack sizes and price-marking but further changes in tax policy are needed
to minimise the TI's attempts to prevent sudden price increases.
PMID- 28993521
TI - Securing a cardiology speciality training programme in the UK: how did other
people do it?
AB - BACKGROUND: Application to cardiology specialty training is competitive with
uncertainty among candidates as to what the secret recipe for a successful
appointment is. We aimed to investigate objective variables, which were
demonstrated by successful appointees to cardiology training schemes in the UK.
METHODS: Data from successful cardiology applicants for the years 2014 to 2016
were obtained from the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board under
the Freedom of Information Act. These data included basic demographics as well as
objective scores awarded for selection categories such as qualifications,
academic, teaching and other achievements. RESULTS: There were a total of 976
applicants during the study period, of whom 423 were successfully appointed,
generating a competition ratio of 2.3 applicants for each position. There was an
increasing proportion of successful female applicants (22% in 2014, 28% in 2015
and 32% in 2016). Median scores for postgraduate exams (14/14), presentations
(6/6) and quality improvement (10/10) scores corresponded to maximum possible
scores, whereas median scores for additional undergraduate and postgraduate
degrees were 0. Median scores for prizes, publications and teaching experience
were 6/10, 4/8 and 9/10, respectively. CONCLUSION: The secret to a successful
cardiology training appointment is associated with completion of all postgraduate
clinical exams, completion and presentation of quality improvement projects,
national presentations and substantial teaching achievements. At least half of
the successful candidates had no additional undergraduate or postgraduate degrees
but had evidence of some prizes and publications. The ratio of successful female
candidates is rising, but remains less than males in cardiology training.
PMID- 28993522
TI - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation on television: are we miseducating the public?
AB - BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates in the UK are poor, and
non-medically trained individuals have been identified to perform substandard
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Millions watch televised medical dramas and,
for many, these comprise their only education on CPR. This study aims to
investigate the quality of CPR portrayed on these programmes and whether this has
an effect on public knowledge. METHODS: Prospective observational study of 30
consecutive episodes of three popular medical dramas. Public knowledge of CPR and
viewing habits were assessed with a survey of non-medically trained personnel.
RESULTS: 90 episodes were reviewed with 39 resuscitation attempts shown. Chest
compression rates varied from 60 to 204 compressions per minute with a median of
122 (95% CI 113 to 132). Depth varied from 1.5 to 7.5 cm with a median of 3 (3.15
4.31). Rate and depth were significantly different from the UK Resuscitation
Council Guidelines (2010) (p<0.05, t-test). Survey participants (n=160, 80%
response rate) documented what they thought was the correct rate and depth of
chest compressions and were scored accordingly. Those who documented watching
medical dramas regularly scored significantly worse than those who watched
occasionally (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSION: Televised medical dramas
depict CPR inaccurately and laypersons may be less well informed about the
correct technique the more they tune into these programmes. While there may be
other confounding variables, given the popularity of television medical dramas,
the poor depiction may be significantly contributing to poor public CPR knowledge
and represent a potential new avenue of public education.
PMID- 28993523
TI - Giuliano Vanghetti and the innovation of "cineplastic operations".
AB - OBJECTIVE: Developing functional artificial limbs for amputees has been a
centuries-old challenge in medicine. We review the mechanical and neurologic
principles of "cineplastic operations" and "plastic motors" used to restore
movements in prostheses, with special attention to the work of Giuliano
Vanghetti. METHODS: We evaluated original publications describing cineplastic
operations, biographic information, writings, drawings, and unpublished letters
from the Vanghetti library, preserved in Empoli, Italy, and performed a
bibliographic search and comparison for similar procedures in the literature.
RESULTS: Vanghetti's method for cineplastic operations differs from similar
previous methods, being the first aimed at exploiting natural movements of the
remnant muscles to activate the mechanical prosthesis, and the first to do so by
directly connecting the prosthesis to the residual muscles and tendons. This
represented a frame-changing innovation for that time and paved the way for
current neuroprosthetic approaches. The first description of the method was
published in 1898 and human studies started in 1900. The results of these studies
were presented in 1905 and published in 1906 in Plastic and Kinematic Prosthesis.
A German surgeon, Ferdinand Sauerbruch, often acknowledged as the inventor of the
method, published his first results in 1915. CONCLUSIONS: Vanghetti was the first
to accurately perform and describe cineplastic operations for patients following
an upper arm amputation. He considered the neurologic implications of the problem
and, perhaps in an effort to provide more appropriate proprioceptive feedback, he
intuitively applied the prostheses so that they were functionally activated by
the muscles of the proximal stump.
PMID- 28993524
TI - TIPIC syndrome.
PMID- 28993525
TI - Editors' Note.
PMID- 28993526
TI - Letter re: Burnout, career satisfaction, and well-being among US neurologists in
2016.
PMID- 28993527
TI - Letter re: Burnout, career satisfaction, and well-being among US neurologists in
2016.
PMID- 28993528
TI - Letter re: Burnout, career satisfaction, and well-being among US neurologists in
2016.
PMID- 28993529
TI - Letter re: Burnout, career satisfaction, and well-being among US neurologists in
2016.
PMID- 28993530
TI - Letter re: Burnout, career satisfaction, and well-being among US neurologists in
2016.
PMID- 28993531
TI - Author response: Burnout, career satisfaction, and well-being among US
neurologists in 2016.
PMID- 28993532
TI - Increased brain-predicted aging in treated HIV disease.
PMID- 28993533
TI - Clinical Reasoning: A 55-year-old man with rapidly progressive dementia and
parkinsonism.
PMID- 28993534
TI - Teaching NeuroImages: Interferon-induced psoriasis flare in a multiple sclerosis
case remits with dimethyl fumarate.
PMID- 28993535
TI - Teaching NeuroImages: Giant cell arteritis presenting with acute ischemic strokes
due to diffuse intracranial stenoses.
PMID- 28993536
TI - Teaching NeuroImages: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 presenting with a cock-walk
gait phenotype.
PMID- 28993537
TI - Long-term treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with
nintedanib: results from the TOMORROW trial and its open-label extension.
AB - The TOMORROW trial of nintedanib comprised a randomised, placebo-controlled, 52
week period followed by a further blinded treatment period and an open-label
extension. We assessed outcomes across these periods in patients randomised to
nintedanib 150 mg twice daily or placebo at the start of TOMORROW. The annual
rate of decline in FVC was -125.4 mL/year (95% CI -168.1 to -82.7) in the
nintedanib group and -189.7 mL/year (95% CI -229.8 to -149.6) in the comparator
group. The adverse event profile of nintedanib remained consistent throughout the
studies. These results support a benefit of nintedanib on slowing progression of
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis beyond 52 weeks.
PMID- 28993538
TI - Subpleural cystic change in a patient with multiple rib exostoses.
PMID- 28993539
TI - Lung function response and side effects to rapamycin for
lymphangioleiomyomatosis: a prospective national cohort study.
AB - RATIONALE: Mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors reduce loss of lung
function in lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), although their benefit varies between
individuals. We examined lung function response and side effects to rapamycin in
a national cohort. METHODS: Subjects were receiving rapamycin for progressive
lung disease. Clinical evaluation, detailed phenotyping, serial lung function,
rapamycin and safety monitoring were performed according to a clinical protocol.
Lung function change, measured as FEV1 slope (DeltaFEV1), was reported for those
treated for 1 year or longer. RESULTS: Rapamycin was associated with improved
DeltaFEV1 in 21 individuals where pretreatment data were available (p<0.0001). In
47 treated for a mean duration of 35.8 months, mean DeltaFEV1 was +11 (SD 75)
mL/year, although it varied from +254 to -148 mL/year. The quartile with the
highest positive DeltaFEV1 had greater pretreatment FEV1 (p=0.02) and shorter
disease durations (p=0.02) than the lowest quartile. Serum rapamycin level was
positively associated with side effects (p=0.02) but not DeltaFEV1 over 1 year.
Within the first month of therapy, apthous ulcers, nausea and diarrhoea were
associated with higher rapamycin levels. Acne, oedema and menstrual
irregularities tended to increase over the first year of therapy. At the end of
observation, the prevalence of side effects was 5% or less. CONCLUSIONS:
Rapamycin reduces lung function loss in LAM, although in some, DeltaFEV1
continues to fall at an accelerated rate. Poor response to rapamycin was
associated with lower pretreatment lung function and longer disease duration but
not serum level. Early intervention with low-dose rapamycin may preserve lung
function and reduce side effects.
PMID- 28993540
TI - Quantification of CT bronchiectasis and its relationship to ventilation in cystic
fibrosis.
PMID- 28993541
TI - Psychiatrists' Attitude and Use of Second-generation Antipsychotics for the
Treatment of Schizophrenia in Taiwan.
AB - OBJECTIVES: This survey aimed to understand the attitude of psychiatrists and
their use of commonly prescribed second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for the
treatment of schizophrenia in Taiwan. It also attempted to identify the factors
that might influence their preference for selecting SGAs. METHODS: Psychiatrists
were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire
addressed various issues involved in the treatment of patients with
schizophrenia, including the reasons for selecting SGAs, psychiatrists' level of
satisfaction with commonly prescribed SGAs, and their current use of SGAs in
clinical practice. RESULTS: Gender and age of the psychiatrists, and practice
setting were not related to SGA selection. The selection of a SGA might be
influenced by characteristics of the psychiatrist, properties of the drugs, and
the healthcare insurance system. Most psychiatrists agreed that the performance
of brand-name drugs was superior to that of generic drugs. Better symptom
control, improvement in cognition, and higher tolerability were among the major
factors considered by psychiatrists in Taiwan when prescribing antipsychotics.
CONCLUSION: Selection of a SGA in Taiwan is potentially influenced by the
characteristics of the psychiatrist, properties of the drug, and the healthcare
insurance system. Efficacy and tolerability were among the major determining
factors when prescribing antipsychotics for the treatment of patients with
schizophrenia.
PMID- 28993542
TI - Community Perceptions of Mental Illness in Jharkhand, India.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Understanding and perceptions about mental illness vary among
individuals based on their experience with the illness or their contact with the
people affected by it. These may be further influenced by the individuals'
sociocultural background. This study aimed to understand the differences in the
beliefs about, understanding of, and explanations for mental illness between
different population groups of Jharkhand, India. METHODS: During July 2014 to
February 2016, we recruited the following 3 groups of individuals aged between 18
and 60 years: individuals with mental illness (group 1, n = 240), relatives of
individuals with mental illness (group 2, n = 240), and the general public (group
3, n = 240). Qualitative and quantitative findings were combined in this study,
and participants were asked about their beliefs about, understanding of, and
explanations about mental illness. RESULTS: Individuals with mental illness and
their relatives shared similar beliefs whereas the general public held a
different opinion in various domains. There were significant differences among
all groups in their understanding of various aspects of mental illnesses
including the definition, causes, signs and symptoms, treatment, and outcomes.
CONCLUSION: Individuals' perception towards different aspects of mental illness
varies, despite they are sharing the same sociocultural milieu. Differences in
beliefs, understanding, and explanations may lead to conflicts in treatment goals
and expectations, and hamper the intervention strategies that promote mental
health and patient care. Focused strategies to develop uniformity in beliefs and
explanations about various aspects of mental illness may help to develop
collaboration with different community groups that may in turn help in developing
effective interventions and treatment.
PMID- 28993543
TI - Psychiatric and Behavioural Problems in Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the psychiatric and behavioural symptoms in children
and adolescents with epilepsy. METHODS: Patients with epilepsy and aged 4 to 16
years were recruited from a medical centre in Azerbaijan during January 2012 to
December 2013. A community sample was drawn from 3 schools as the comparison
group. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administered to
parents of both patients with epilepsy and children in the comparison group. The
total difficulties score and the scores for each subscale were compared between
the 2 groups. Additionally, scores between different groups of epileptic patients
were compared. RESULTS: A total of 409 patients with epilepsy and 515 children in
the comparison group were recruited. Those with epilepsy had a significantly
higher mean total difficulties score and mean difficulties subscale scores (p <
0.001). In epileptic children with severe mental or physical disabilities,
prosocial behaviour scores were significantly lower than those in the comparison
group. The proportion of children with a total difficulties score in the abnormal
range was higher in the epilepsy group than in the comparison group (53.1% vs.
15.7%; p < 0.001). Children with symptomatic epilepsy showed a higher total
difficulties score than those with idiopathic epilepsy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
Children with epilepsy have a higher rate of psychiatric and behavioural
symptoms. These rates are even higher in children with symptomatic epilepsy.
PMID- 28993544
TI - Distress Related to Individual Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study in
Thai Patients with Major Depression.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine the distress related to individual depressive symptoms, the
correlation between symptom distress and disability, and the gender difference in
distress levels in patients with major depressive disorder. METHODS: This was a
cross-sectional, observational study carried out at a university hospital
providing tertiary care in northern Thailand. Participants were patients with
major depressive disorder aged between 18 and 65 years. Depression severity was
self-rated using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We expanded the
9 symptom items of the PHQ-9 into 13 individual symptoms. The participants rated
their distress for each symptom on a scale of 0 to 4, from 0 indicating 'not at
all' to 4 indicating 'extremely'. RESULTS: A total of 130 (92 female and 38 male)
patients with major depressive disorder participated in this study. Of the 13
symptoms, the distress level of overeating was lowest. Compared with overeating,
the distress levels of feeling depressed / hopeless, feeling guilty, poor
concentration, anhedonia, initial insomnia, middle / terminal insomnia, and
fatigue were significantly higher and had a large effect size of differences (p <
0.001, Cohen's dz >= 0.8). The distress levels related to feeling depressed /
hopeless, feeling guilty, poor concentration, anhedonia, fatigue, suicidal
ideation, and moving / speaking slowly were moderately and significantly
correlated with overall functional impairment (Pearson's r = 0.31-0.48, p <
0.001). Analysis of covariance, adjusted by the PHQ-9 total score, indicated no
significant difference between men and women on any symptom. CONCLUSIONS:
Depressive symptoms related to high distress levels and moderately correlated
with functional impairment were feeling depressed / hopeless, feeling guilty,
poor concentration, and anhedonia.
PMID- 28993545
TI - Folie a deux by Proxy in a Father, after Physical Abuse by a Mentally Ill
Daughter.
AB - This is the first case report in a country predominated by Chinese that describes
the physical abuse of a recipient by the inducer in shared delusional disorder.
The report describes a 42-year-old patient who physically abused her father until
he submitted to her delusions. Subsequently and for years, both sustained
persecutory delusions against their neighbours. While the patient was undergoing
treatment, the father continued reinforcing her delusions. There is a need to
explore the possibility of any forms of abuse of the recipient by the inducer in
shared psychotic disorder. This report discusses the development of such
delusions in a specific case and makes recommendations for the management of
similar cases.
PMID- 28993546
TI - Differentiation of Seromucinous Borderline Tumor from Serous Borderline Tumor on
MR Imaging.
AB - PURPOSE: Seromucinous borderline tumor (SMBT) is a newly categorized ovarian
tumor in the 2014 revised World Health Organization (WHO) classification. SMBT is
similar to serous borderline tumor (SBT) on MRI reflecting their pathological
findings. This study was conducted to demonstrate the usefulness of MRI findings
and quantitative values for differentiating SMBT from SBT. METHODS: This
retrospective study examined 23 lesions (20 patients) from SMBT and 26 lesions
(22 patients) from SBT. The following quantitative values were evaluated using
receiver-operating characteristics analysis: overall and solid portion sizes,
intracystic fluid signal intensity (SI) ratio compared with skeletal muscle on
T1weighted image (T1WI) and T2weighted image (T2WI), contrast enhancement (CE)
ratio, and mean and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient values of the solid
portion. Two radiologists evaluated the prevalence of MRI finding characteristics
of SMBT and SBT. The SI of the intracystic fluid on T1WI and T2WI and the
association with endometriosis were evaluated visually. RESULTS: The CE ratio was
significantly higher in SBT (P = 0.007). It achieved the highest area under the
curve (AUC) (0.739). The fluid SI ratio on T1WI was higher in SMBT (P = 0.036,
AUC = 0.676). Exophytic growth of the solid portion was observed only in SBT (P =
0.011). Intracystic fluid SI of SMBT was higher on T1WI and lower on T2WI in
visual evaluation (P = 0.008 and 0.007, respectively). Findings suggesting
endometriosis were observed more frequently in SMBT patients (P = 0.019).
CONCLUSION: Higher CE ratio of the solid portion and exophytic growth were
findings suggesting SBT. Higher intracystic fluid SI on T1WI and lower SI on T2WI
suggested SMBT. MRI findings suggesting endometriosis favored the diagnosis of
SMBT.
PMID- 28993547
TI - Development of Novel Therapies for Cardiovascular Diseases by Clinical
Application of Basic Research.
AB - Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is secreted from vascular smooth muscle cells, inflammatory
cells, activated platelets, and cardiac fibroblasts in response to oxidative
stress. Excessive and continuous activation of the RhoA/Rho-kinase system
promotes the secretion of CyPA, resulting in the development of multiple
cardiovascular diseases. Basigin (Bsg), a transmembrane glycoprotein that
activates matrix metalloproteinases, is an extracellular receptor for CyPA that
promotes cell proliferation and inflammation. Thus, the CyPA/Bsg system is
potentially a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. Importantly,
plasma CyPA levels are increased in patients with coronary artery disease,
abdominal aortic aneurysms, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure. Moreover,
plasma CyPA levels can predict all-cause death in patients with coronary artery
disease and pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, plasma soluble Bsg levels are
increased and predict all-cause death in patients with heart failure, suggesting
that CyPA and Bsg are novel biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. To discover
further novel molecules targeting the CyPA/Bsg system, high-throughput screening
of compounds found molecules that ameliorate the development of cardiovascular
diseases. In addition to CyPA and Bsg, novel therapeutic targets and their
inhibitors for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension have been recently
screened and identified. Ultimately, the final goal is to develop novel
biomarkers and medications that will be useful for improving the prognosis and
quality of life in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
PMID- 28993548
TI - Immunoglobulin G4-Related Cardiovascular Diseases.
PMID- 28993549
TI - Isolation of equine papillomavirus type 1 from racing horse in Japan.
AB - Although many studies have been conducted worldwide for Equus caballus
papillomavirus (EcPV), limited information is available on the virus in Japan. We
recently collected one classical viral papillomatosis sample (E150904) from a
racing horse in Japan. Papillomavirus infection was confirmed by histopathology,
immunohistochemistry and PCR assays, and the sample was diagnosed as epithelial
papilloma. Full-length genome of the virus was cloned and sequenced. It was 7,613
bp in length and had the same genome organization with reported EcPV-1. Moreover,
phylogenetic analysis based on L1 gene revealed that the infection was caused by
a variant of EcPV-1. This is the first report of EcPV infection in Japan, and
would further contribute to the molecular epidemiological and pathological
studies for EcPV.
PMID- 28993551
TI - Usefulness of Two-Compartment Model-Assisted and Static Overall Inhibitory
Activity Method for Prediction of Drug-Drug Interaction.
AB - Our study of drug-drug interaction (DDI) started with the clarification of
unusually large DDI observed between ramelteon (RAM) and fluvoxamine (FLV). The
main cause of this DDI was shown to be the extremely small hepatic availability
of RAM (vFh). Traditional DDI prediction assuming the well-stirred hepatic
extraction kinetic ignores the relative increase of vFh by DDI, while we could
solve this problem by use of the tube model. Ultimately, we completed a simple
and useful method for prediction of DDI. Currently, DDI prediction becomes more
complex and difficult when examining issues such as dynamic changes in
perpetrator level, inhibitory metabolites, etc. The regulatory agents recommend
DDI prediction by use of some sophisticated methods. However, they seem
problematic in requiring plural in vitro data that reduce the flexibility and
accuracy of the simulation. In contrast, our method is based on the static and
two-compartment models. The two-compartment model has advantages in that it uses
common pharmacokinetics (PK) parameters determined from the actual clinical data,
guaranteeing the simulation of the reference standard in DDI. Our studies
confirmed that dynamic changes in perpetrator level do not make a difference
between static and dynamic methods. DDIs perpetrated by FLV and itraconazole were
successfully predicted by use of the present method where two DDI predictors
[perpetrator-specific inhibitory activities toward CYP isoforms (pAi, CYPs) and
victim-specific fractional CYP-isoform contributions to the clearance (vfm,
CYPs)] are determined successively as shown in the graphical abstract.
Accordingly, this approach will accelerate DDI prediction over the traditional
methods.
PMID- 28993552
TI - The effects of changes in the meal providing system on emergency shelter menus
following the Great East Japan Earthquake.
AB - Objectives To assess the improvement of the menus by the meal providing system in
emergency shelters, we reanalyzed the data obtained from the dietary survey at
emergency shelters in the Miyagi Prefecture one month after the Great East Japan
Earthquake in 2011.Methods We performed secondary use of the dietary survey
conducted by the Miyagi prefectural government. In total, 386 emergency shelters
participated in the dietary survey of one day in April 2011. We examined the meal
providing system (the frequency of meals per day, the frequency of mass feeding
for evacuees per day, and menu creators) and the menus at each emergency shelter
(260). We classified menus into the following five groups: staple foods, main
dishes, side dishes, dairy products, and fruits, and calculated the frequency of
provision per day.Results There was no emergency shelter that provided zero or
one meal per day. Compared with the emergency shelters that provided two meals
per day, shelters that provided three had a significantly higher provision
frequency of staple foods. However, there were no significant differences in the
provision frequencies of the other four food groups between the shelters with two
or three meals per day. In emergency shelters with a higher frequency of mass
feeding for evacuees, the provision frequency of four food groups (staple foods,
main dishes, side dishes, and fruits) was significantly higher compared to
shelter with a lower frequency of mass feeding for evacuees. Furthermore, in the
emergency shelters where dietitians created menus, the provision frequency for
two food groups (dairy products and fruits) was significantly higher compared to
shelters without dietitians.Conclusion A high frequency of mass feeding for
evacuees resulted in a high provision frequency of main dishes, side dishes, and
fruits, which can be limited in supply after a disaster. Also, in the emergency
shelters where dietitians created menus, the provision frequency of dairy
products and fruits was higher than in those without dietitians. These results
suggested that diets in the emergency shelters may be improved by mass feeding
and the involvement of dietitians.
PMID- 28993550
TI - Mechanism of M-cell differentiation accelerated by proliferation of indigenous
bacteria in rat Peyer's patches.
AB - The mechanism by which indigenous bacteria on the follicle-associated epithelium
(FAE) of lymphatic follicles (LFs) accelerate the differentiation of microvillous
columnar epithelial cells (MV) into M-cells was immunohistochemically
investigated in rat Peyer's patches. The results showed that the number of Toll
like receptor (TLR) -4+ M-cells was greater in the FAE with expansion of
bacterial colonies (LFs with bacterial colonies on the FAE: b-LF) than the FAE
without expansion of bacterial colonies (nb-LF). TLR-4 was also expressed in the
striated borders of MV upstream next to M-cells in the FAE of the b-LF. TLR-4+
vesicles were frequently detected in the cytoplasms of MV with TLR-4+ striated
borders upstream next to TLR-4+ M-cells in the FAE of b-LF. These findings
suggest that TLR-4+ MV take up TLR-4 ligands and differentiate into M-cells in
the b-LF. Neither the distribution of RANK nor that of RANKL was coincident with
that of M-cells in the b-LF. Moreover, RANK, but not RANKL, was expressed in
intestinal villi, whereas cleaved caspase-3 was immunonegative in the MV and M
cells of the FAE, unlike in villous epithelial cells. Therefore, RANK/RANKL
signaling in the LF might contribute to the down-regulation of epithelial
apoptosis to facilitate the differentiation of MV into M-cells in rat Peyer's
patches.
PMID- 28993553
TI - Utilization effect of floor plan sketches in hypothetical cases assuming a
community care meeting.
AB - Objective Floor plan sketches (FPSs) are schematic representations of floors in a
home. FPSs display information gathered from observations and interviews on
people's way of dwelling. To elucidate the effects of utilizing FPSs in case
reviews assuming a community care meeting attended by multidisciplinary
professionals, we conducted reviews of hypothetical cases created for
experimental purposes.Methods Two hypothetical cases (Cases 1 and 2) were
developed, and each case was reviewed with and without FPSs. Two groups (Groups A
and B) were created, each consisting of five health care and welfare
professionals involved in actual case reviews. Group A reviewed Case 1 without
FPSs followed by Case 2 with FPSs, while Group B reviewed Case 2 without FPSs
followed by Case 1 with FPSs. Case conferences and group interviews conducted
after the completion of these reviews. Based on the verbatim transcripts of the
reviews and interviews, we investigated differences between case reviews with and
without FPSs with regard to the time required for the review and the number and
contents of participants' comments.Results Review content could largely be
divided into two categories: (1) the living conditions and support for the case
subjects and their families, and (2) their homes and their way of dwelling at
home. These categories were common to case reviews both with and without FPSs. In
discussions about the homes and ways of dwelling, however, confirmation of the
locations of rooms consumed a large amount of time in case reviews without FPSs.
In case reviews with FPSs, discussions were more specific and included details
such as room usage and paths by which residents move. The mean time required for
a review was 41 minutes per case (range: 36 to 44 minutes), which did not greatly
differ based on whether or not FPSs were used. Participants made more comments
and seemed to interact more actively with each other when they had the FPSs than
when they did not. The impressions of participants were that FPSs allowed the
visualization of the case subjects and their families in their homes and fostered
a greater feeling of familiarity with the case.Conclusion The use of FPSs in case
reviews reduces the time spent on information sharing and allows more detailed
review contents. Furthermore, FPSs enhance the ability to imagine the daily lives
of case subjects and their families, thereby potentially broadening assessments
in case reviews.
PMID- 28993554
TI - The concept of food risk, knowledge, awareness, and behavior of preschool
children's mothers.
PMID- 28993555
TI - Complete chloroplast genome and 45S nrDNA sequences of the medicinal plant
species Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
AB - Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra, members of the Fabaceae, are medicinally
important species that are native to Asia and Europe. Extracts from these plants
are widely used as natural sweeteners because of their much greater sweetness
than sucrose. In this study, the three complete chloroplast genomes and five 45S
nuclear ribosomal (nr)DNA sequences of these two licorice species and an
interspecific hybrid are presented. The chloroplast genomes of G. glabra, G.
uralensis and G. glabra * G. uralensis were 127,895 bp, 127,716 bp and 127,939
bp, respectively. The three chloroplast genomes harbored 110 annotated genes,
including 76 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. The 45S nrDNA
sequences were either 5,947 or 5,948 bp in length. Glycyrrhiza glabra and G.
glabra * G. uralensis showed two types of nrDNA, while G. uralensis contained a
single type. The complete 45S nrDNA sequence unit contains 18S rRNA, ITS1, 5.8S
rRNA, ITS2 and 26S rRNA. We identified simple sequence repeat and tandem repeat
sequences. We also developed four reliable markers for analysis of Glycyrrhiza
diversity authentication.
PMID- 28993556
TI - Telomere biology in aging and cancer: early history and perspectives.
AB - The ends of eukaryotic linear chromosomes are protected from undesired enzymatic
activities by a nucleoprotein complex called the telomere. Expanding evidence
indicates that telomeres have central functions in human aging and tumorigenesis.
While it is undoubtedly important to follow current advances in telomere biology,
it is also fruitful to be well informed in seminal historical studies for a
comprehensive understanding of telomere biology, and for the anticipation of
future directions. With this in mind, I here summarize the early history of
telomere biology and current advances in the field, mostly focusing on mammalian
studies relevant to aging and cancer.
PMID- 28993557
TI - Biological functions of glucolipids in Bacillus subtilis.
AB - Glyceroglycolipids are very important in Gram-positive bacteria and
cyanobacteria. In Bacillus subtilis, a model organism for the Gram-positive
bacteria, the ugtP mutant, which lacks glyceroglucolipids, shows abnormal
morphology. Lack of glucolipids has many consequences: abnormal localization of
the cytoskeletal protein MreB and activation of some extracytoplasmic function
(ECF) sigma factors (sigmaM, sigmaV and sigmaX) in the log phase are two
examples. Conversely, the expression of monoglucosyldiacylglycerol (MGlcDG) by
1,2-diacylglycerol 3-glucosyltransferase from Acholeplasma laidlawii (alMGS)
almost completely suppresses the ugtP disruptant phenotype. Activation of ECF
sigmas in the ugtP mutant is decreased by alMGS expression, and is suppressed to
low levels by MgSO4 addition. When alMGS and alDGS (A. laidlawii 1,2
diacylglycerol-3-glucose (1-2)-glucosyltransferase producing
diglucosyldiacylglycerol (DGlcDG)) are simultaneously expressed, sigmaX
activation is repressed to wild type level. These observations suggest that
MGlcDG molecules are required for maintenance of B. subtilis cell shape and
regulation of ECF sigmas, and that DGlcDG regulates sigmaX activity. The
activation of ECF sigmas is not accompanied by proteolysis of anti-sigma. Thus,
glyceroglucolipids may have the specific role of helping membrane proteins
function by acting in the manner of chaperones.
PMID- 28993560
TI - Clinical Applicability and Psychometric Properties of Manual Function Test for
Patients with Stroke.
AB - The Manual Function Test (MFT) is a tool to assess upper extremity motor
impairment associated with stroke. This study investigated psychometric
properties of the Korean version of the MFT and to establish normative data.
Eighty-one patients were enrolled to evaluate MFT, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)
and manual muscle test (MMT). MFT was completed by eight raters on two occasions
separated by 6 weeks. Absolute and relative reliability and validity were
examined. Additionally, MFT was assessed on 75 healthy controls of different
ages. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (2,1) values for total and each
dimension of Korean MFT ranged from 0.984 to 0.998 in the affected side of
hemiplegic patients, indicating inter-rater reliability. Percentage values of
standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest real difference (SRD) ranged
3.10-10.57% and 8.58-29.29% respectively. Test-retest reliability ICCs for all
raters were above 0.98. Effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM)
were larger in the acute-subacute group (onset to initial evaluation <= 4 months)
(ES = 0.12; SRM = 0.41) than those in the chronic group (onset to evaluation > 4
months) (ES = 0.01; SRM = 0.11). MFT score was significantly correlated with FMA
score (p < 0.001) and MMT score (p < 0.001). In healthy controls, regression
analysis indicated that age significantly predicts manual function scores on both
dominant and non-dominant. The Korean MFT showed good reliability and validity.
Modest responsiveness was observed in patients evaluated early after stroke
onset. The Korean MFT is useful in evaluating upper extremity motor deficits for
clinical and research purposes.
PMID- 28993561
TI - A Missense Variant rs4645843 in TNF-alpha Gene Is a Risk Factor of Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome in the Uygur Population.
AB - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine syndrome, resulting from
the interaction of gene variants and environmental factors. PCOS is viewed as a
proinflammatory state and is characterized by hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia,
and over-weight. In China, the incidence of PCOS is higher in the Uygur
population than that in the Chinese Han population. The association of the tumor
necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) gene with PCOS remains to be clarified. Here,
we investigated the association of TNF-alpha polymorphisms with PCOS in the Uygur
population (393 patients with PCOS and 381 healthy subjects). Two single
nucleotide polymorphisms in TNF-alpha were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction
restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method: rs1800629 (-308G/A
polymorphism), a commonly tested variant and rs4645843 (6213C/T polymorphism)
that causes a Pro-to-Leu substitution at position 84, the most damaging variant
of TNF-alpha based on in silico analysis. We thus found that both the genotypic
and allelic distributions of rs4645843 were significantly different between PCOS
and control groups (p = 0.03 and 0.024, respectively), whereas those of rs1800629
were similar between the groups. Furthermore, rs4645843 was significantly
associated with serum testosterone levels and the score of Homeostatic Model
Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), but no such association was found
with rs1800629. Importantly, both rs4645843 and rs1800629 were significantly
associated with higher body mass index (p < 0.05). This is the first study that
shows the association of TNF-alpha gene with PCOS in the Uygur population. The
TNF-alpha gene may influence the pathogenesis of PCOS through regulating
testosterone level, obesity and HOMA-IR.
PMID- 28993559
TI - Carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (Ge-132) treatment during in vitro culture
protects fertilized porcine embryos against oxidative stress induced apoptosis.
AB - Compared with the in vivo environment, porcine in vitro embryo-culture systems
are suboptimal, as they induce oxidative stress via the accumulation of reactive
oxygen species (ROS). High ROS levels during early embryonic development cause
negative effects, such as apoptosis. In this study, we examined the effects of
the antioxidant carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (Ge-132) during in vitro
culture (IVC) on embryonic development in porcine in vitro fertilization (IVF)
embryos. Zygotes were treated with different concentrations of Ge-132 (0, 100,
200 and 400 MUg/ml). All of the Ge-132 treatment groups displayed greater total
cell numbers after IVC (98.1, 98.5 and 103.4, respectively) compared with the
control group (73.9). The 200 MUg/ml Ge-132 treatment group exhibited
significantly increased intracellular GSH levels compared with the control group,
whereas the ROS generation levels decreased in Ge-132 dose-dependent manner (P <
0.05). The mRNA expression levels of the KEAP1 gene and proapoptotic genes BAX
and CASPASE3 were lower in the Ge-132 treated blastocysts compared with the
control group (P < 0.05). The percentages of apoptotic and necrotic cells in the
Ge-132 treated embryos on day 2 (48 h) were significantly lower than the
untreated embryos (9.1 vs. 17.1% and 0 vs. 2.7%, respectively). In the day 7
blastocysts, the percentages of apoptotic cells in 200 ug/ml Ge-132 treated group
were lower compared to controls (1.6 vs. 2.5%). More KEAP1 protein was found to
be localized in cytoplasm of the 200 MUg/ml Ge-132 treated blastocysts, whereas
KEAP1 protein was predominantly nuclei in the control blastocysts. These results
indicate that the developmental competence of embryos cultured under Ge-132
treatment may be associated with KEAP1 signaling cascades involved in oxidative
stress and apoptosis during porcine preimplantation embryo development.
PMID- 28993562
TI - Ultrastructural features of canine neuroaxonal dystrophy in a Papillon dog.
AB - Neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by
severe axonal swelling (spheroids) throughout the nervous system. In dogs, NAD
has been reported in several breeds and a missense mutation in PLA2G6 gene has
recently been identified in the Papillon dog NAD. Here we performed
ultrastructural analysis to clarify the detailed ultrastructural features of the
Papillon dog NAD. Dystrophic axons consisted of accumulation of filamentous
materials, tubulovesicular structures, and swollen edematous mitochondria with
degenerated inner membranes were often observed in the central nervous system. At
axonal terminals, degeneration of presynaptic membrane was also detected. As
reported in Pla2g6 knockout mice, mitochondrial and presynaptic degeneration may
be related with the pathogenesis of NAD in Papillon dogs.
PMID- 28993563
TI - MRI Findings Consistent with Peripatellar Fat Pad Impingement: How Much Related
to Patellofemoral Maltracking?
AB - Peripatellar fat pads are intracapsular extrasynovial adipose cushions that
accommodate the changing shape and volume of articular spaces during movement.
Variations in bone geometry, passive and active stabilization mechanisms and/or
functional demands may lead to peripatellar fat pad abnormalities. While
peripatellar fat pads may be affected a variety of conditions such as synovial
inflammation, tumor and fibrosis, a mechanical origin should also be considered.
Commonly, the clinical term "impingement" is used synonymously in the
radiological literature to refer to three distinct entities of structural
peripatellar fat pad abnormalities: superolateral the infrapatellar fat pad
(Hoffa fat pad) edema, suprapatellar fat pad edema, and prepatellar fat pad
edema, implying a mechanical origin of these conditions. The aim of this
pictorial review is to describe the normal anatomy of the extensor mechanism of
the knee, and discuss the relation of patellofemoral maltracking to the above
mentioned peripatellar fat pad conditions based on current evidence.
PMID- 28993564
TI - Swine used in the medical university: overview of 20 years of experience.
AB - Center for Development of Advanced Medical Technology (CDAMTec) in Jichi Medical
University was established in 2009. It is the first educational research facility
specialized for medical research and training using swine in Japan. Preclinical
studies on large animals are essential prior to clinical trials to develop
regenerative medical products and medical equipment. We have continued
comprehensively considering using miniature swine for experiments to develop
advanced medical technologies and train physicians with advanced clinical
abilities, while paying attention to animal welfare. The center plays a
pioneering role in this field by accumulating know-how such as (1) Construction
and effective utilization of research facilities, (2) Procurement of quality
animal resources, (3) Education and training of technical staff, (4)
Establishment of support system for physicians and researchers. We now open up
widely these expertise and foundation for medical research and training not only
within our university but also outside the university, so as to move faster to
practical use of advanced medical technology and contribute to human health and
welfare.
PMID- 28993565
TI - A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the repositories for
Thoroughbreds at yearling sales in Japan.
AB - This study aimed to evaluate whether radiographic abnormalities at yearling sales
were associated with the failure to start racing at 2-3 years of age.
Radiographic abnormalities in the carpal (n=852), tarsal (n=976),
metacarpophalangeal (n=1,055), and metatarsophalangeal joints (n=1,031) from
1,082 horses, recorded at yearling sale, were reviewed. Eighty-two horses (7.6%)
failed to start racing. Radiographic abnormalities such as wedged or collapsed
tarsal bones, irregular lucency of a sagittal ridge at the distal aspect of the
distal third metatarsal bone, and proximal dorsal fragmentation of the first
phalanx in metatarsophalangeal joints were associated with failure to start
racing in these horses. In the follow-up survey of 12 horses with one or more
these radiographic abnormalities, the horses failed to start racing due to
reasons unrelated to these radiographic abnormalities such as pelvic fractures (2
horses), fracture of a distal phalanx (1 horse), cervical stenotic myelopathy and
proximal sesamoid fracture (1 horse), superficial digital flexor tendonitis (2
horses), laryngeal hemiplegia (1 horse), economic problems (2 horses) and unknown
causes (3 horses). Although radiographic abnormalities at yearling sales can be
associated with failure to start racing at 2-3 years of age, these
radiographically detected abnormalities might not necessarily cause that failure.
PMID- 28993566
TI - Fecal microbiome in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal lymphoma.
AB - Although alteration of commensal microbiota is associated with chronic
gastrointestinal (GI) diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs,
the microbiota composition in intestinal lymphoma, an important differential
diagnosis of canine IBD, has not been investigated. The objective of this study
was to compare the fecal microbiota in dogs with IBD, dogs with intestinal
lymphoma, and healthy dogs. Eight dogs with IBD, eight dogs with intestinal
lymphoma, and fifteen healthy dogs were included in the study. Fecal samples were
analyzed by 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing. Rarefaction analysis failed
to reveal any difference in bacterial diversity among healthy dogs and diseased
dogs. Based on PCoA plots of unweighted UniFrac distances, the bacterial
composition in dogs with intestinal lymphoma was different from those observed in
dogs with IBD and healthy dogs. When compared with healthy dogs, intestinal
lymphoma subjects showed significant increases in organisms belonging to the
Eubacteriaceae family. The proportion of the family Paraprevotellaceae and the
genus Porphyromonas was significantly higher in dogs with IBD compared to healthy
dogs. These observations suggest that dysbiosis is associated with intestinal
lymphoma as well as IBD in dogs.
PMID- 28993567
TI - Reference intervals and allometric scaling of two-dimensional echocardiographic
measurements in 150 healthy cats.
AB - The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of body weight (BW),
breed, and sex on two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic measures, reference
ranges, and prediction intervals using allometrically-scaled data of left atrial
(LA) and left ventricular (LV) size and LV wall thickness in healthy cats. Study
type was retrospective, observational, and clinical cohort. 150 healthy cats were
enrolled and 2D echocardiograms analyzed. LA diameter, LV wall thickness, and LV
dimension were quantified using three different imaging views. The effect of BW,
breed, sex, age, and interaction (BW*sex) on echocardiographic variables was
assessed using univariate and multivariate regression and linear mixed model
analysis. Standard (using raw data) and allometrically scaled (Y=a * Mb)
reference intervals and prediction intervals were determined. BW had a
significant (P<0.05) independent effect on 2D variables whereas breed, sex, and
age did not. There were clinically relevant differences between reference
intervals using mean +/- 2SD of raw data and mean and 95% prediction interval of
allometrically-scaled variables, most prominent in larger (>6 kg) and smaller (<3
kg) cats. A clinically relevant difference between thickness of the
interventricular septum (IVS) and dimension of the LV posterior wall (LVPW) was
identified. In conclusion, allometric scaling and BW-based 95% prediction
intervals should be preferred over conventional 2D echocardiographic reference
intervals in cats, in particular in small and large cats. These results are
particularly relevant to screening examinations for feline hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy.
PMID- 28993568
TI - Antibody response to equine coronavirus in horses inoculated with a bovine
coronavirus vaccine.
AB - A vaccine for equine coronavirus (ECoV) is so far unavailable. Bovine coronavirus
(BCoV) is antigenically related to ECoV; it is therefore possible that BCoV
vaccine will induce antibodies against ECoV in horses. This study investigated
antibody response to ECoV in horses inoculated with BCoV vaccine. Virus
neutralization tests showed that antibody titers against ECoV increased in all
six horses tested at 14 days post inoculation, although the antibody titers were
lower against ECoV than against BCoV. This study showed that BCoV vaccine
provides horses with antibodies against ECoV to some extent. It is unclear
whether antibodies provided by BCoV vaccine are effective against ECoV, and
therefore ECoV challenge studies are needed to evaluate efficacy of the vaccine
in the future.
PMID- 28993569
TI - Immunolocalization of beta-catenin, E-cadherin and N-cadherin in neonate and
adult rat kidney.
AB - beta-catenin, E-cadherin and N-cadherin are adhesion molecules that play
important roles in organogenesis, tissue homeostasis, renal epithelial integrity
and polarity. The present study demonstrated their immunolocalization in adult
and neonate rat kidney. Membranous or cytoplasmic expression of beta-catenin, E
cadherin and N-cadherin were seen in adult and developing renal tubular
epithelial cells. Particularly, in adult kidney, E-cadherin and beta-catenin were
intensively expressed in distal renal tubules, whereas N-cadherin was expressed
in proximal renal tubules. In neonate rat kidney on 1 and 4 days old, developing
renal tubular epithelial cells were mainly reacted with E-cadherin and very
weakly expressed N-cadherin; beta-catenin was expressed in developing renal
tubules and mesenchymal blastemal cells. Interestingly, beta-catenin-positive
renal tubular epithelial cells simultaneously expressed E-cadherin in the kidney
of adult and developing rats. Collectively, the adhesion molecules were
differentially distributed in the renal tubules of adult rats and beta-catenin
and E-cadherin are predominant adhesion molecules in developing kidney. The
present findings would provide the basic information of evaluating renal tubular
toxicity using rats, in addition to renal genesis, in terms of adhesion
molecules.
PMID- 28993570
TI - Competencies required for occupational health nurses.
AB - OBJECTIVES: For occupational health (OH) nurses to perform activities
effectively, not only skills and knowledge but also competencies proposed by Dr.
McClelland are indispensable. This study aimed to identify competencies required
for OH nurses and to show their structure diagram. METHODS: Qualitative
descriptive research was conducted from October 2010 to August 2011. Eight high
performing OH nurses participated, and data were collected from semi-structured
interviews held for each nurse. Data were qualitatively and inductively analyzed
using the KJ method. RESULTS: Seven competencies were identified: "self-growth
competency," "OH nursing essence perpetuation competency," "strategic planning
and duty fulfillment competency," "coordination competency," "client growth
support competency," "team empowerment competency," and "creative competency." A
structure diagram of the seven competencies was clarified. As the definitions of
the competencies were different, the findings of competencies for OH nursing in
the United States of America (USA) could not simply be compared with the findings
of our study; however, all seven competencies were compatible with those in AAOHN
model 1 and AAOHN model 2 in the USA. CONCLUSION: Our seven competencies are
essential for OH nurses to perform activities that meet the expectations of
employees and the employer.
PMID- 28993571
TI - Job safety analysis and hazard identification for work accident prevention in
para rubber wood sawmills in southern Thailand.
AB - OBJECTIVE: We utilized job safety analysis (JSA) and hazard identification for
work accident prevention in Para rubber wood sawmills, which aimed to investigate
occupational health risk exposures and assess the health hazards at sawmills in
the Trang Province, located in southern Thailand. METHODS: We conducted a cross
sectional study which included a walk-through survey, JSA, occupational risk
assessment, and environmental samplings from March through September 2015 at four
Para rubber wood sawmills. RESULTS: We identified potential occupational safety
and health hazards associated with six main processes, including: 1) logging and
cutting, 2) sawing the lumber into sheets, 3) planing and re-arranging, 4)
vacuuming and wood preservation, 5) drying and planks re-arranging, and 6)
grading, packing, and storing. Working in sawmills was associated with high risk
of wood dust and noise exposure, occupational accidents injuring hands and feet,
chemicals and fungicide exposure, and injury due to poor ergonomics or repetitive
work. DISCUSSION: Several high-risk areas were identified from JSA and hazard
identification of the working processes, especially high wood dust and noise
exposure when sawing lumber into sheets and risk of occupational accidents of the
hands and feet when struck by lumber. All workers were strongly recommended to
use personal protective equipment in any working processes. Exposures should be
controlled using local ventilation systems and reducing noise transmission. We
recommend that the results from the risk assessment performed in this study be
used to create an action plan for reducing occupational health hazards in Para
rubber sawmills.
PMID- 28993572
TI - Exposure assessment of carbon nanotubes at pilot factory focusing on quantitative
determination of catalytic metals.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The application of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) currently
extends to various fields. However, it has been reported that exposure to CNT
causes hazardous effects on animals and cells. The purpose of this study was to
quantify the exposure to MWCNT in MWCNT/polymer composites for exposure
assessment. We focused on catalytic metals included in the MWCNT and the diameter
of dust released during the working processes. Although the Co in MWCNTs is not a
common catalyst, it was used as a tracer in this study. METHODS: A field survey
was conducted in a MWCNT/polymer composite pilot factory. Airborne MWCNTs were
monitored using black carbon monitors (BCMs) and optical particle sizers (OPSs)
and collected on a filter. The MWCNT powder, all polymer resins used during the
working processes, and the filter were analyzed in our lab using inductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and electron microscopic observation.
RESULTS: The mean concentration of airborne MWCNT contained in the collected dust
was 0.92 MUg/m3 a few meters away from the extruder during the working processes
(using elemental analysis). The maximum concentration measured using BCMs was
shown to be seven times higher than the base concentration during the pelletizing
process of polycarbonate (PC) and MWCNT composites. However, free, isolated, and
unbound agglomerated MWCNTs were not detected using scanning electron microscopic
(SEM) observation. CONCLUSIONS: The result obtained by elemental analysis
indicated it was possible to quantify MWCNT in composites. The mean concentration
at this factory was lower than the recommended exposure limit. However,
additional studies during the pelletizing process are required in the future.
PMID- 28993573
TI - Measurement of nanoparticle exposure in crematoriums and estimation of
respiratory deposition of the nanoparticles by number and size distribution.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Nanoparticles (NPs), including hazardous substances, are generated in
crematoriums due to the high temperatures during the combustion process. NPs are
reported to greatly impact animals' health by reaching the alveoli and being
carried to the entire body through the blood stream. However, studies in
crematoriums have yet to assess workers' exposure to the generated NPs. The
purpose of this study is to assess workers' exposure to NPs released in
crematoriums. METHODS: Field surveys were conducted in three crematoriums with an
emphasis on cremation, bone rearrangement and cleaning processes. The NP
concentrations and size distributions were analyzed. The deposition of NPs in
each respiratory region during each working process was calculated based on the
measured data using the Human Respiratory Tract Model. RESULTS: The mean particle
number concentration was maximized momentarily during the bone rearrangement
process. The concentration at the time a crematory's door was opened was 500,000
particle/cm3. NPs aggregated to micro-sized particles within a few minutes, dust
generated by the bone rearrangement, or both. As a result of model calculation,
the mean ratios (alveolar per the other regions by a crematory) were
approximately 3.0 (bronchus and bronchioles regions: except for the first survey
in crematorium A which had the obstruction of measurement) and 4.3 (extrathoracic
airways). The ratios were similar for all crematoriums. CONCLUSIONS: These
results can be used for health risk assessments in crematoriums. In addition,
these results should be applicable to estimate the inhalation unit risk of each
respiratory organ such as lungs and nose.
PMID- 28993574
TI - Systematic review of the association between physical activity and burnout.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Burnout constitutes a health risk, and interventions are needed to
reduce it. The aim of this study was to synthesize evidence regarding the
relationship between physical activity and burnout by conducting a systematic
review of longitudinal and intervention studies. METHODS: A literature search
resulted in the identification of a final set of ten studies: four longitudinal
and six intervention studies. In separate analyses for each category, evidence
was synthesized by extracting the study characteristics and assessing the
methodological quality of each study. The strength of evidence was calculated
with the standardized index of convergence (SIC). RESULTS: In longitudinal
studies, we found moderately strong evidence (SIC (4) = -1) for a negative
relationship between physical activity and the key component of burnout, i.e.,
exhaustion. We found strong evidence (SIC (6) = -0.86) for the effect of physical
activity on reducing exhaustion in intervention studies. As only one study could
be classified as a high quality study, these results of previous studies need to
be interpreted with some caution. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests
that physical activity constitutes an effective medium for the reduction of
burnout. Although consistent evidence was found, there is a lack of high quality
longitudinal and intervention studies considering the influence of physical
activity on burnout. Therefore, future research should be conducted with the aim
to produce high quality studies, to develop a full picture of physical activity
as a strategy to reduce burnout.
PMID- 28993576
TI - Prevention of alcohol-related health harm in the workplace.
PMID- 28993575
TI - The reciprocal relationship between sickness presenteeism and psychological
distress in response to job stressors: evidence from a three-wave cohort study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Sickness presenteeism (SP) is postulated as workers' response to
their general state of health; hence, SP is expected to affect workers' future
health. In the present study, we examined the reciprocal relationship between SP
and health in response to job stressors, with specific reference to psychological
distress (PD) as workers' state of health. METHODS: We conducted mediation
analysis, using data from a three-wave cohort occupational survey conducted at 1
year intervals in Japan; it involved 1,853 employees (1,661 men and 192 women) of
a manufacturing firm. We measured SP and PD, using the World Health Organization
Health and Work Performance Questionnaire and Kessler 6 score, respectively. For
job stressors, we considered job demands and control, effort and reward, and
procedural and interactional justice. RESULTS: PD mediated 11.5%-36.2% of the
impact of job control, reward, and procedural and interactional justice on SP,
whereas SP mediated their impact on PD, albeit to a much lesser extent in the
range of 3.4%-11.3%. Unlike in the cases of these job stressors related to job
resources, neither SP nor PD mediated the impact of job demands or effort.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the reciprocal relationship between SP and PD
in response to selected types of job stressors, emphasizing the need for more in
depth analysis of the dynamics of these associations.
PMID- 28993577
TI - Effect of Biochanin A versus 17beta estradiol in rat submandibular salivary
gland.
AB - The epigenetic nature of development mandates the observation of the effect of
any exogenous substance, especially those with estrogenic activities, during
critical phases of development. The submandibular gland (SMG) presents as a great
model due to extensive postnatal development, and is known to be regulated and
affected by hormones as well as growth factors. Herein, we observed postnatal
development following low doses of Biochanin A (BCA) and 17beta estradiol (E2) in
rats. The pups were randomly divided into four groups: control, BCA, E2, and
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and euthanized at the 6th, 15th, 30th, and 60th
postnatal days (PND). SMG morphogenesis was assessed. The nuclear expression of
estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) was evaluated immunohistochemically; ERbeta
expression was up-regulated by BCA and down-regulated by E2. Similarly, caspase
three gene expression, assessed by real time polymerase chain reaction was
increased in the BCA group but decreased in the E2 group. A significant decrease
in epidermal growth factor gene expression was noted at PND 30. The results
presented by this study provide evidence that the effect of a postnatal exposure
of the SMG to Biochanin A during development could be linked to sex hormone
dependent disorders.
PMID- 28993578
TI - Characterizations of oral microbiota in elderly nursing home residents with
diabetes.
AB - Over 700 bacterial species have been detected in the oral cavity. Several studies
have suggested that periodontitis is associated with systemic disorders such as
diabetes mellitus, indicating a key role for oral microbiota in human health.
However, the relationship between oral microbiota and diabetes has not been well
clarified. Therefore, we conducted microbiome analysis of saliva samples obtained
from 15 elderly residents (3 with type 2 diabetes mellitus [DM] and 12 without
diabetes [non-DM]) at three different nursing homes, as well as 9 young healthy
controls (HC). Genomic DNA was extracted from each sample, and then the V4 region
of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Alpha diversity, in terms of
operational taxonomic unit richness, was significantly higher in samples from the
non-DM group than in those from the HC group. Weighted UniFrac distance analysis
showed that salivary microbial communities in the DM group were separately
clustered. Furthermore, in the DM group, Actinomyces and Selenomonas showed
significantly higher abundance, whereas Alloprevotella showed significantly lower
abundance, relative to the non-DM group. Although our findings were limited by
the small sample size, oral bacterial diversity in the DM group was clearly
different from that in the non-DM group.
PMID- 28993579
TI - Role of orexin receptor subtypes in the inhibitory effects of orexin-A on
potassium chloride-induced increases in intracellular calcium ion levels in
neurons derived from dorsal root ganglion of carrageenan-treated rats.
AB - We analysed the roles of orexin receptors in the effects of orexin-A on KCl
induced increases in intracellular calcium ion levels ([Ca2+]i) in C-fiber-like
small neurons of rats with inflammation induced by intraplantar injection of
carrageenan into the hind paw. Controls were treated with saline. Paw withdrawal
and threshold forces in response to tactile stimuli were determined using von
Frey filaments. [Ca2+]i in C-fiber-like neurons derived from dorsal root ganglia
was visualised using a calcium fluorescence probe. Changes in neuronal [Ca2+]i
were assessed as relative fluorescence intensity (F/F0). One day after
carrageenan injection, the paw withdrawal response to tactile stimuli and the paw
withdrawal threshold were increased and reduced, respectively. KCl loading of
neurons from either carrageenan-treated or control rats increased F/F0 to about
2.0. KCl-induced increases in F/F0 of carrageenan-treated, but not control, rats
were inhibited by orexin-A. The OX1 and OX2 receptor antagonist MK-4305, but not
the OX1 receptor antagonist SB334867, counteracted the effects of orexin-A on the
KCl-induced increase in F/F0. These results suggest that OX2, but not OX1
receptors mediate the inhibitory effect of orexin-A on KCl-induced increases in
[Ca2+]i in C-fiber-like neurons of rats with inflammation.
PMID- 28993580
TI - Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry.
PMID- 28993581
TI - Quantitative Detection of Ambroxol in Human Plasma Using HPLC-APCI-MS/MS:
Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study.
AB - In this study, a rapid and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem
mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of ambroxol in human
plasma was developed and validated using palmatine as an internal standard (IS).
Ambroxol and IS were extracted from 200 MUL of human plasma via a simple protein
precipitation preparation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Platisil
C18 column (150 * 4.6 mm, 5 MUm) using methanol-0.01% formic acid (70:30, v/v) as
the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min under an isocratic condition. The
MS acquisition m/z 379 -> 264 for ambroxol and 352 -> 336 for IS was performed by
atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry in selected
reaction monitoring mode. The calibration curve for ambroxol was linear over the
concentration range of 2.500 - 180.0 ng/mL. The matrix effects of ambroxol ranged
from 104.6 to 112.7%. This fully validated method was successfully applied to a
pharmacokinetic study of ambroxol in humans after oral administration of ambroxol
at a single dose of 75 mg.
PMID- 28993582
TI - A Study of Electrochemical Sensor Based on BHb-imprinted Magnetic Nanoparticles.
AB - A study of an electrochemical sensor based on bovine hemoglobin (BHb) imprinted
magnetic nanoparticles (MIPs) was investigated. First, BHb MIPs were successfully
synthesized with magnetic Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles as carrier by surface
modification of mercapto propionic acid for introducing carboxyl groups, combined
with dopamine as the functional monomer and BHb as the template protein. Then,
the MIPs were modified to the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for
electrochemical analysis by using cyclic voltammetry in the potassium
ferricyanide solution. Results show that there was a good dynamic response
between electrochemical signals and the adsorption amount of protein in the range
of 0.05 to 0.5 mg mL-1. Results show that the sensor exhibits a significant
specific recognition toward the template protein via selective test and can be
used for analysis of serum samples. The synthesized MIPs are suitable for the
removal and enrichment of template protein in proteomics. At the same time, the
proposed electrochemical sensor can be used for recognition of BHb.
PMID- 28993583
TI - Immunoassay for Human IgG Using Antibody-functionalized Silver Nanoparticles.
AB - A simple colorimetric immunoassay for quantification of human immunoglobulin G
(hIgG) is herein described. The assay is based on the aggregation inhibition of
silver nanoparticles (AgNP) functionalized with hIgG antibody (anti-hIgG) on the
surface. The aggregation is measured in terms of attenuance values ratio at 400
and 530 nm (A400/A530). A linear response between A400/A530 and hIgG
concentration is observed in the range 25 - 200 ng mL-1, and the detection limit
is estimated as 11 ng mL-1 hIgG.
PMID- 28993584
TI - Simultaneous Production and Surface Functionalization of Silver Nanoparticles for
Label-free Colorimetric Detection of Copper Ion.
AB - In this work, a simple method was developed to simultaneously fabricate silver
nanoparticles (AgNPs) and modify their surfaces with recognition functional
groups for colorimetric detection of Cu2+ ions. To prepare the AgNPs with proper
functional group on their surface for detection of Cu2+ ions, photochemical
reaction was employed and a photoactive species of tyrosine (Tyr) was used to
trigger the photoreduction of AgNPs, while the oxidized Tyr (TyrOx) was used to
functionalize the AgNPs surface at the same time. To understand the behaviors,
the prepared color AgNPs colloidal solution was characterized by UV-visible
spectrometer, FT-IR spectrometer, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray
photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT). Based on
DFT calculation results, TyrOx was adsorbed on the surface of AgNPs by the
quinone ring and its functional group of amino acid was freely exposed to the
aqueous media for rapid interaction of Cu2+ ions. Based on detection of different
metal ions, TyrOx@AgNPs were selective to interact with Cu2+ ions through
formation of highly stable Cu2+-TyrOx@AgNPs complexes. The evidence in formation
of Cu2+-TyrOx@AgNPs complex could be obtained through the red shift of the
surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) band of TyrOx@AgNPs located at 557 nm, which
gives a color change from light yellow to brown color allowing visual
identification of Cu2+ ions for rapid screening purposes. For quantitative
analysis, a band intensity ratio of A557/(A404-A557) was constructed to correlate
with the concentration of Cu2+ ions. A linear range up to 10 MUM with a detection
limit close to 150 nM was found.
PMID- 28993586
TI - Synthesis of Carbon Dots Originated from Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose for
Sensing Ciprofloxacin.
AB - Hereby, one kind of facile carbon dots (CDs) from hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose
(HPMC) has been successfully provided, which obviously emitted blue fluorescence.
With the related characterizations in detail, the CDs prepared here mainly
consisted of C and O, owing to the functional groups of -OH and C=O on their
surfaces. Likewise, the CDs also showed multiple advantages, including excellent
photostability, superior dispersity and desirable stability. Moreover, the CDs
were applied for sensing ciprofloxacin due to forming complexes with
ciprofloxacin, thus leading to the fluorescence quenching of CDs. This proposed
method was permitted to sense ciprofloxacin in a linear range of 10 nM L-1 - 90
MUM L-1, suggesting that it may broaden the sensing ways for assaying
ciprofloxacin.
PMID- 28993585
TI - Determination of Brilliant Blue FCF by a Novel Solid-state ECL Quenching Sensor
of Ru(bpy)32+-poly(sulfosalicylic acid)/GCE.
AB - A novel solid-state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) quenching sensor was
constructed for determination of brilliant blue FCF (BB FCF). Under a simple
electropolymerization step, poly(sulfosalicylic acid) (PSSA) film attached
luminophore Ru(bpy)32+ was successfully formed on the surface of a glass carbon
electrode [Ru(bpy)32+-PSSA/GCE], which exhibited excellent ECL behavior. A high
quenching effect on the ECL signal of the Ru(bpy)32+-PSSA/GCE was obtained with
the presence of low concentration of BB FCF. Moreover, the quenched ECL intensity
showed a linear relation within the BB FCF concentration range of 0.5 - 7 and 7 -
10 MUmol/L, with a detection limit of 57 nmol/L (S/N = 3). Besides, Ru(bpy)32+
PSSA/GCE exhibited good reproducibility and was successfully applied in the
practical detection of BB FCF in peppermint candy samples.
PMID- 28993587
TI - Determination of Three Organochlorine Pesticides in Aqueous Samples by Solid
Phase Extraction Based on Natural Nano Diatomite in Packed Syringe Coupled to Gas
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
AB - A rapid, simple, and sensitive technique is proposed based on a miniaturized
solid-phase extraction method named mictroextraction in a packed syringe coupled
with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the preconcentration and
determination of three organochlorine pesticides. These include
hexachlorobenzene, heptachlor and aldrine in aqueous samples. For the first time,
the natural nano diatomite is used a sorbent. Based on this technique, 6.0 mg of
the nano sorbent is inserted in a syringe between two polypropylene frits. The
analytes would be adsorbed on the solid phase, and would subsequently be eluted
using organic solvents. The influence of some important parameters, such as the
solution pH, type and volume of the organic desorption solvent, and amount of
sorbent on the extraction efficiency of the selected pesticides, is investigated.
The proposed method shows good linearity in the range of 0.1 - 40.0 MUg L-1, and
at low limits of detection in the range of 0.02 - 0.13 MUg L-1 using the selected
ion-monitoring mode. The reproducibility of this method was found to be in the
range of 3.5 - 11.1% for the understudied pesticides. In order to evaluate the
matrix effect, the developed method is also applied to the preconcentration and
determination of the selected pesticides in different water samples.
PMID- 28993588
TI - Multi-coloration of Calixarene-coated Silver Nanoparticles for the Visual
Discrimination of Metal Elements.
AB - Upon mixing with metal ions such as CdII, TbIII, CuII, NiII, PbII, ZnII, and CoII
at pH 10.0, solutions of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) coated with calix[4]arene-p
tetrasulfonate (CAS-AgNP) exhibited multi-coloration from yellow to orange,
violet, and green, depending on the metal elements present, which allowed for
visual discrimination of the ions. This is contrary to the AgNP sensors
exhibiting a uniform color change from yellow to red upon binding of a receptor
molecules at the surface of AgNPs to an analyte. The TEM images of the samples
obtained from the resultant solution showed two regions. First, a region where
CAS-AgNPs assembled on the surface of the metal hydroxides. The size of the
hydroxide crystals varied from 50 to 200 nm with the type of metal element
present, and roughly correlated with the extinction band of the aggregated AgNPs.
Second, the amorphous region in which CAS-AgNPs dispersed randomly. The
difference in the amount of the crystal region and the area seemed to lead to the
multi-coloration.
PMID- 28993589
TI - Moment Analysis Theory for Size Exclusion Capillary Electrochromatography with
Chemical Reaction of Intermolecular Interaction.
AB - New moment equations were developed for size exclusion capillary
electrochromatography (SECEC), in which intermolecular chemical reactions
simultaneously took place. They explain how the first absolute and second central
moments of elution peaks are correlated with some fundamental equilibrium and
kinetic parameters of mass transfer and chemical reaction in SECEC column. In
order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the moment equations, they were used to
predict chromatographic behavior under hypothetical SECEC conditions. It was
quantitatively studied how the association and dissociation rate constants of
intermolecular interaction affected the position and spreading of elution peaks.
It was indicated that both the intermolecular reaction kinetics and axial
dispersion of solute molecules in a capillary column had a predominant
contribution to the band broadening.
PMID- 28993590
TI - An Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Based on Au-reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite
for Transgenic Event Bt63 Detection.
AB - A simple and reliable electrochemical biosensor based on an in situ synthetic Au
reduced graphene oxide (Au-RGO) nanocomposite was constructed in this work, which
is considered to be a potential sensing platform for sensitive and selective Bt63
rice detection. UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and
cyclic voltammograms of the surface characterization indicated that RGO was
prepared successfully and Au nanoparticles were well dispersed on its surface
with an average size of 20 nm. The square-wave voltammetry (SWV) response of the
electrochemical marker methylene blue (MB) was chosen to monitor the probe
immobilization and target hybridization event. Under the optimum conditions, the
peak values of MB were linear with the logarithm of the target DNA concentrations
being from 1.0 * 10-9 to 1.0 * 10-14 M; the detection limit was 3.36 * 10-15 M.
Studies also demonstrated that the DNA biosensor had high reproducibility and
stability. At last, we used this biosensor to detect several rice samples; it
showed good sensitivity and selectivity. Thus the applicability of the method as
an effective tool for genetically modified organism (GMO) quantification was
confirmed by its accurate and sensitive results in Bt63 rice screening.
PMID- 28993591
TI - Cool Mist Scavenging of Gas-Phase Molecules.
AB - The purpose of analytical extractions is to simplify sample matrix without losing
analyte molecules. Here we present a technique of extracting volatile compounds
by scavenging gas-phase molecules with tiny liquid droplets (<10 MUm). A cool
mist of the extracting solvent is generated by an ultrasonic transducer,
transferred to the headspace of the sample chamber under atmospheric conditions,
and pushed by a small pressure difference toward a condenser. By slowly passing
over the sample, the microdroplets extract volatile species present in the sample
headspace, and they coalesce in a cooled zone. The condensed liquid is collected
for analysis by direct infusion mass spectrometry or chromatography coupled with
mass spectrometry. Due to the high surface-to-volume ratio of the microdroplets,
the mist depletes a great share of the volatile organics present in the
headspace. Other advantages of cool mist scavenging include: selective extraction
of gas-phase molecules, the extracting solvent can be miscible with the sample
solvent, simplicity, high speed, and no requirement for heating that could
potentially decompose the sample. In this study, cool mist scavenging was first
tested on artificial samples containing esters. The relationship between the
sample concentration and the extract concentration was verified theoretically and
experimentally. Some of the possible confounding effects were tested and
discussed. The technique was subsequently applied to qualitative analysis of
selected complex samples in liquid and solid phase as well as an esterification
reaction.
PMID- 28993592
TI - Rhodol-derived Colorimetric and Fluorescent Probe with the Receptor of
Carbonothioate for the Specific Detection of Mercury Ions.
AB - Developing some methods that can simply and effectively detect mercury ions
(Hg2+) in the environment and biological systems are very important due to the
problems of high toxicity and biological accumulation. Herein, we report a simple
rhodol-derived colorimetric and fluorescent probe rhodol-Hg with a recognition
receptor of carbonothioate for the specific determination of Hg2+. The color of
probe rhodol-Hg solution changed remarkably from colorless to pink in the
presence of Hg2+, thus rhodol-Hg could act as a "naked-eye" probe for Hg2+.
Additionally, this probe exhibited high selectivity and ultrasensitivity in
aqueous solution with the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.4 nM toward Hg2+, and the
linear range was 0 - 0.8 MUM determined by turn-on fluorescence spectrometry.
Importantly, this probe has been successfully used for the detection of Hg2+ in
environmental waters and living cells.
PMID- 28993593
TI - A Newly Designed Solid-Phase Extraction-type Collection Device for Precise
Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Air.
AB - A newly designed styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer adsorbent packed solid-phase
extraction (SPE)-type collection device for the quantitative determination of
airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing two to five rings is
reported in this manuscript. This SPE-type collection device offers rapid, easy
and quantitative elution of the analytes and easier reuse. A small collection
device was initially developed for investigating the basic collection and elution
performances of the adsorbent with respect to PAHs. The analytes were
quantitatively collected on the adsorbent up to 3 m3 of air sampling at a
sampling temperature of 35 degrees C. The collected analytes were then completely
eluted from the adsorbent by passing 3 mL of dichloromethane without carry-over
of the analyte. During air collection, because no moisture was trapped on the
adsorbent, the subsequent gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis was not
influenced by moisture. Based on these successful performances, a wide-bore
collection device was introduced for collecting larger air samples. After a
quantitative investigation of the collection and elution performances of the wide
bore collection device, it device was successfully applied for precise
determinations of PAHs in atmospheric air. Further application and employment of
the device for the precise determination of semi-volatile organic compounds in
environmental air samples is expected due to these excellent results.
PMID- 28993594
TI - Study on the Interaction between Rhodamine Dyes and Allura Red Based on
Fluorescence Spectra and Its Analytical Application in Soft Drinks.
AB - Allura red (AR) is a common food additive. It is of significance to detect AR
sensitively and selectively in soft drinks. In this report, fluorescence spectra
of allura red-rhodamine dyes systems were studied. In a pH 6.0 Britton-Robinson
buffer medium, the fluorescence of rhodamine dyes, such as rhodamine B (RB),
butylrhodamine B (BRB) and rhodamine 6G (R6G), can be quenched by AR.
Impressively, the emission spectrums of the RB and BRB change slightly upon the
addition of AR, but it was clear that the emission of R6G decreased dramatically
in the presence of AR. Thus, we have succeeded in planning an improved method for
specifically detecting AR on the basis of hydrophobic forces and the
electrostatic attraction between R6G and AR. The results show that AR could
combine with R6G to form an ion-association complex, which causes quenching of
the emission intensity of R6G and changes of the UV-visible spectra. In this
system, 0.097 - 6.0 MUmol L-1 AR could be simply detected owing to the decreased
fluorescence of R6G in soft drinks, with a detection limit of 0.029 MUmol L-1. In
addition, we also optimized the reaction conditions and evaluated the effects of
some coexisting substances. According to the fluorescence decay time, the UV
visible absorption spectra and the Stern-Volmer plots, the fluorescence quenching
of R6G by AR is a static quenching process.
PMID- 28993595
TI - Optimization of Analytical Conditions for a Rapid Determination of Aniline in
Environmental Water by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
AB - A rapid determination of aniline in environmental water was examined based on
liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Environmental water
samples were diluted 20-fold with Mill-Q water and measured by LC/MS/MS after
adding a surrogate substance (aniline-d5). In the results of the present study,
the calibration curve of aniline showed good linearity in the range of 0.05 - 2.0
MUg/L. Since the RSD (repeatability) by measuring repeatedly an aniline standard
solution (0.05 MUg/L, n = 7) was 3.2%, the repeatability of this work was very
excellent. In addition, the recovery rate of aniline in environmental water was
in the range of 99.0 - 102% with RSD 3.4 - 7.7%, and very good recovery test
results were obtained. From these results, this analytical method was confirmed
to be effective for aniline measurements of environmental water samples. Also, it
is possible to conduct rapid analyses of aniline in environmental water without
any solid-phase extraction process, compared to the solid-phase extraction-GC/MS
method.
PMID- 28993596
TI - Polycrystalline Boron-doped Diamond Electrolyte-solution-gate Field-effect
Transistor Applied to the Measurement of Water Percentage in Ethanol.
AB - A polycrystalline diamond electrolyte-solution-gate field-effect transistor (BDD
SGFET) was successfully applied to the analysis of water content in ethanol. Due
to the use of a no-gate-insulator FET, the developed sensor showed a four-times
faster response than the conventional Si-FET, and a ten-times-faster response
than a glass electrode. The output voltage showed good linearity with respect to
the water content. This result is of practical importance because the traditional
water content measurement methods are impractical due to their slow response.
PMID- 28993597
TI - Using Laser Interference Lithography in the Fabrication of a Simplified Micro-
and Nanofluidic Device for Label-free Detection.
AB - Recently, we developed a label-free detection method based on optical
diffraction, and implemented it in on our fabricated micro- and nanofluidic
device. This detection method is simple and useful for detecting biomolecules,
but the device fabrication consists of complicated processes. In this paper, we
propose a simple method for fabricating the micro- and nanofluidic device; the
fabrication combines laser interference lithography with conventional
photolithography. The performance of a device fabricated by the proposed method
is comparable to the performance of the device in our previous study.
PMID- 28993599
TI - Circulating gonadotropins and testicular hormones during sexual maturation and
annual changes in male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
AB - To reveal the reproductive biology in male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus), circulating gonadotropins (follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and
luteinizing hormone [LH]) and testicular hormones (testosterone and inhibin) were
monitored for 8-12 years in 2 captive bottlenose dolphins (Mars and Regulus).
During the study period, Mars was undergoing sexual maturation, whereas Regulus
was already mature at the beginning of the study. Assuming that Mars had reached
sexual maturity when the significant increase in circulating testosterone levels
was observed, serum concentration of inhibin was higher in the sexually immature
stage than in the mature stage, whereas the serum concentration of FSH was higher
in the sexually mature stage than in the immature stage. No difference was
observed in the LH levels between pre- and post-sexual maturation. There was a
significant increase in serum concentration of testosterone during spring in both
animals. These results suggest that the mechanism responsible for regulating FSH
secretion by inhibin functions during the sexually immature stage in this
species.
PMID- 28993600
TI - Triple-phase helical computed tomography in dogs with solid splenic masses.
AB - We investigated the utility of triple-phase helical computed tomography (CT) in
differentiating between benign and malignant splenic masses in dogs. Forty-two
dogs with primary splenic masses underwent triple-phase helical CT scanning
(before administration of contrast, and in the arterial phase, portal venous
phase, and delayed phase) prior to splenectomy. Tissue specimens were sent for
pathological diagnosis; these included hematomas (n=14), nodular hyperplasias
(n=12), hemangiosarcomas (n=11), and undifferentiated sarcomas (n=5). The CT
findings were compared with the histological findings. Nodular hyperplasia
significantly displayed a homogeneous normal enhancement pattern in all phases.
Hemangiosarcoma displayed 2 significant contrast-enhancement patterns, including
a homogeneous pattern of poor enhancement in all phases, and a heterogeneous
remarkable enhancement pattern in the arterial and portal venous phases. Hematoma
and undifferentiated sarcoma displayed a heterogeneous normal enhancement pattern
in all phases. The contrast-enhanced volumetric ratios of hematoma tended to be
greater than those of undifferentiated sarcoma. Our study demonstrated that the
characteristic findings on triple-phase helical CT could be useful for the
preoperative differentiation of hematoma, nodular hyperplasia, hemangiosarcoma,
and undifferentiated sarcoma in dogs. Triple-phase helical CT may be a useful
diagnostic tool in dogs with splenic masses.
PMID- 28993601
TI - Potency of an inactivated influenza vaccine prepared from
A/duck/Hokkaido/162/2013 (H2N1) against a challenge with
A/swine/Missouri/2124514/2006 (H2N3) in mice.
AB - H2N2 influenza virus caused a pandemic starting in 1957 but has not been detected
in humans since 1968. Thus, most people are immunologically naive to viruses of
the H2 subtype. In contrast, H2 influenza viruses are continually isolated from
wild birds, and H2N3 viruses were isolated from pigs in 2006. H2 influenza
viruses could cause a pandemic if re-introduced into humans. In the present
study, a vaccine against H2 influenza was prepared as an effective control
measure against a future human pandemic. A/duck/Hokkaido/162/2013 (H2N1), which
showed broad antigenic cross-reactivity, was selected from the candidate H2
influenza viruses recently isolated from wild birds in Asian countries.
Sufficient neutralizing antibodies against homologous and heterologous viruses
were induced in mice after two subcutaneous injections of the inactivated whole
virus particle vaccine. The inactivated vaccine induced protective immunity
sufficient to reduce the impact of challenges with A/swine/Missouri/2124514/2006
(H2N3). This study demonstrates that the inactivated whole virus particle vaccine
prepared from an influenza virus library would be useful against a future H2
influenza pandemic.
PMID- 28993602
TI - Triple-phase helical computed tomography of an arterio-hepatic venous shunt in a
hepatic tumor in a dog.
AB - A 10-year-old French bulldog presented with an abdominal tumor. Triple-phase
helical computed tomography was performed, revealing a hepatic tumor, an enlarged
hepatic lymph node, and no masses in other organs. The hepatic tumor demonstrated
marked enhancement, similar to that of the aorta in the arterial phase. The tumor
had rich vascularization and a hepatic arterio-venous shunt formed between the
hepatic artery and middle hepatic vein. The hepatic tumor was surgically removed
and histological diagnosis revealed a hepatic carcinoid tumor. During surgery,
rapid massive arterial hemorrhage occurred from the site of the incision. The
animal died without improvement post-surgery. In the case of an arterio-venous
shunt in a hepatic tumor, it is important to be careful to avoid perioperative
bleeding.
PMID- 28993604
TI - Corrections.
PMID- 28993603
TI - Comparison of Characteristics According to Reflux Type in Patients With
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To analyze laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) as an acidic, nonacidic, or
mixed type according to 24-hour multi-channel intraluminal impedance (MII) pH
monitoring and the clinical characteristics of each type. METHODS: Ninety
patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients underwent 24
hour MII pH monitoring as a diagnostic tool. Eighty-three patients were diagnosed
with LPR. The patients were classified into three groups according to the pH of
the hypopharyngeal probe: the acid reflux group, nonacid reflux group, and mixed
reflux group. Subjective symptoms and objective findings were evaluated based on
patients' responses to the Short Form 12 Survey (SF-12), LPR health-related
quality of life (LPR-HRQOL), reflux symptom index, and reflux finding score.
RESULTS: The results of each group were compared. As a result, 34 patients were
classified into the nonacid reflux group and 49 into the mixed reflux group.
There were no patients classified as having acid reflux alone. There was no
significant difference between the two groups when comparing the reflux symptom
index, reflux finding score, LPR-HRQOL, or the mental component score of the SF
12. However, the physical component score of the SF-12 was higher in the nonacid
reflux group (P=0.018). The DeMeester composite score (P=0.015) and total number
of LPR events (P=0.001) were lower in the nonacid reflux group than in the mixed
reflux group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, no LPR patient had only acid reflux. The
nonacid reflux LPR patients showed similar clinical characteristics and findings
compared to the mixed reflux group, but exhibited significantly fewer LPR
episodes.
PMID- 28993605
TI - A Case of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage as a Possible Complication of Bivalirudin
Therapy.
AB - BACKGROUND Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare but potentially fatal
complication of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. Bivalirudin is a specific
and reversible direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI). CASE REPORT We report a case of
severe DAH, possibly related to bivalirudin use, in a 61-year-old patient
undergoing coronary intervention. The patient had presented with an out-of
hospital cardiac arrest due to acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
During the coronary intervention, shortly after receiving bivalirudin, the
patient started having frank bleeding from the endotracheal tube and developed
hemodynamic compromise. Despite aggressive intervention and intensive care, the
patient died. CONCLUSIONS At this time, to our knowledge, there have been no
reports of DAH associated with the use of bivalirudin.
PMID- 28993606
TI - External Validation of Survival-Predicting Models for Acute Myocardial Infarction
with Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Chinese Single-Center
Cohort.
AB - BACKGROUND This study was designed as an external evaluation of potentially
relevant models for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with extracorporeal
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR). MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty AMI adults
that met criteria were retrospectively analyzed from January 2009 to January
2015. Six possible models - ENCOURAGE, SAVE, ECPR, GRACE, SHOCK, and a simplified
risk chart - were identified by literature review and model scores calculated
based on original data. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, commonly used in intensive care units,
served as controls. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to compare
the models' discriminative power for predicting survival to discharge. RESULTS
The ECPR model showed the best discriminative performance, with an area under the
curve (AUC) of 0.893 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.733-1.530, p=0.006); the
cutoff was 12.5 points, with 66.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The
"clinical" SHOCK model (including infarct site) showed weaker but still good
discriminative power, with an AUC of 0.804 (95% CI, 0.580-1.027, p=0.035); the
cutoff was 45.5 points, with 83.3% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. The
remaining models did not show significant discriminative power for predicting
survival to discharge. Risk stratifications indicated that a statistically
significant difference was observed in the distribution of patients into the ECPR
group with different prognoses when stratified by its cutoff (p=0.003), while a
trend of significant difference was shown when applied to the SHOCK model
(p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS The ECPR and SHOCK models possess important abilities to
predict intrahospital outcomes of AMI patients treated with E-CPR.
PMID- 28993607
TI - Liver Transplantation for High Risk Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver
Resection: A Sequential or Salvage Approach?
AB - BACKGROUND Liver transplantation (LT) is the best radical treatment of
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Salvage liver transplantation (SalvLT) provides
good outcomes for recurrent HCC cases after initial curative liver resection
(LR). However, the salvage strategy is not feasible in all situations due to
aggressive recurrences. Recently, sequential liver transplantation (SeqLT) was
proposed for cases that show adverse pathological features after LR, thus LT is
performed pre-emptively before recurrence. In this report, we compared the
outcomes of SalvLT and SeqLT for surgical treatment of HCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS
One hundred and ten cases underwent LR for HCC, then were subjected to either
SalvLT (n=91) or SeqLT (n=19), from January 2001 to December 2015. For cases that
underwent several LR before LT, we collected the data of the last LR before
transplantation. A comparison was made according to pre- and post-transplant
clinical and pathological variables. Survival analysis and comparison between
both pathways are provided. RESULTS The median interval (months) between LR and
LT for the SeqLT group and the SalvLT group were 9.6 and 22.2, respectively.
(p=0.01). The LR histopathological features were similar in both groups. In the
SalvLT group, the histopathological comparison between the criteria of last LR
and the criteria of liver explants revealed that 14 cases advanced from stage I
to stage II, one cases from stage I to stage IIIa, one case from stage I to stage
IIIb, one case from stage I to stage IIIc, three cases from stage II to stage
IIIb and one case from stage II to stage IIIc. The overall rate of pathological
upstaging in the SalvLT group was 27%. The incidence of post-transplant HCC
recurrence was 5% (1/19) and 11% (10/91) for the SeqLT and SalvLT groups,
respectively (p=0.4). The incidence of post-LT in-hospital mortality was 0% among
the SeqLT group and 2% (2/91) among the SalvLT group. The estimated rates of five
year overall survival and cancer specific survival for the SeqLT group versus the
SalvLT group were (92.3% versus 87.6%; p=0.4) and (92.3% versus 91.9%; p=0.7),
respectively. CONCLUSIONS The SeqLT approach might be associated with low
incidence of cancer recurrence, better overall survival, and less operative
mortality. Another possible benefit is the avoidance of aggressive non
transplantable HCC recurrences. More studies and/or randomization are required
for highre evidence conclusions.
PMID- 28993608
TI - Cascading effects of thermally-induced anemone bleaching on associated
anemonefish hormonal stress response and reproduction.
AB - Organisms can behaviorally, physiologically, and morphologically adjust to
environmental variation via integrative hormonal mechanisms, ultimately allowing
animals to cope with environmental change. The stress response to environmental
and social changes commonly promotes survival at the expense of reproduction.
However, despite climate change impacts on population declines and diversity
loss, few studies have attributed hormonal stress responses, or their regulatory
effects, to climate change in the wild. Here, we report hormonal and fitness
responses of individual wild fish to a recent large-scale sea warming event that
caused widespread bleaching on coral reefs. This 14-month monitoring study shows
a strong correlation between anemone bleaching (zooxanthellae loss), anemonefish
stress response, and reproductive hormones that decreased fecundity by 73%. These
findings suggest that hormone stress responses play a crucial role in changes to
population demography following climate change and plasticity in hormonal
responsiveness may be a key mechanism enabling individual acclimation to climate
change.Elevated temperatures can cause anemones to bleach, with unknown effects
on their associated symbiotic fish. Here, Beldade and colleagues show that
climate-induced bleaching alters anemonefish hormonal stress response, resulting
in decreased reproductive hormones and severely impacted reproduction.
PMID- 28993609
TI - Transcription factor Foxo1 is essential for IL-9 induction in T helper cells.
AB - Interleukin 9 (IL-9)-producing helper T (Th9) cells have a crucial function in
allergic inflammation, autoimmunity, immunity to extracellular pathogens and anti
tumor immune responses. In addition to Th9, Th2, Th17 and Foxp3+ regulatory T
(Treg) cells produce IL-9. A transcription factor that is critical for IL-9
induction in Th2, Th9 and Th17 cells has not been identified. Here we show that
the forkhead family transcription factor Foxo1 is required for IL-9 induction in
Th9 and Th17 cells. We further show that inhibition of AKT enhances IL-9
induction in Th9 cells while it reciprocally regulates IL-9 and IL-17 in Th17
cells via Foxo1. Mechanistically, Foxo1 binds and transactivates IL-9 and IRF4
promoters in Th9, Th17 and iTreg cells. Furthermore, loss of Foxo1 attenuates IL
9 in mouse and human Th9 and Th17 cells, and ameliorates allergic inflammation in
asthma. Our findings thus identify that Foxo1 is essential for IL-9 induction in
Th9 and Th17 cells.The transcription factor Foxo1 can control regulatory T cell
and Th1 function. Here the authors show that Foxo1 is also critical for IL-9
production by Th9 cells and other IL-9-producing cells.
PMID- 28993610
TI - Evolution of host adaptation in the Salmonella typhoid toxin.
AB - The evolution of virulence traits is central for the emergence or re-emergence of
microbial pathogens and for their adaptation to a specific host 1-5 . Typhoid
toxin is an essential virulence factor of the human-adapted bacterial pathogen
Salmonella Typhi 6,7 , the cause of typhoid fever in humans 8-12 . Typhoid toxin
has a unique A2B5 architecture with two covalently linked enzymatic 'A' subunits,
PltA and CdtB, associated with a homopentameric 'B' subunit made up of PltB,
which has binding specificity for the N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac)
sialoglycans 6,13 prominently present in humans 14 . Here, we examine the
functional and structural relationship between typhoid toxin and ArtAB, an
evolutionarily related AB5 toxin encoded by the broad-host Salmonella Typhimurium
15 . We find that ArtA and ArtB, homologues of PltA and PltB, can form a
functional complex with the typhoid toxin CdtB subunit after substitution of a
single amino acid in ArtA, while ArtB can form a functional complex with wild
type PltA and CdtB. We also found that, after addition of a single-terminal Cys
residue, a CdtB homologue from cytolethal distending toxin can form a functional
complex with ArtA and ArtB. In line with the broad host specificity of S.
Typhimurium, we found that ArtB binds human glycans, terminated in N
acetylneuraminic acid, as well as glycans terminated in N-glycolylneuraminic acid
(Neu5Gc), which are expressed in most other mammals 14 . The atomic structure of
ArtB bound to its receptor shows the presence of an additional glycan-binding
site, which broadens its binding specificity. Despite equivalent toxicity in
vitro, we found that the ArtB/PltA/CdtB chimaeric toxin exhibits reduced
lethality in an animal model, indicating that the host specialization of typhoid
toxin has optimized its targeting mechanisms to the human host. This is a
remarkable example of a toxin evolving to broaden its enzymatic activities and
adapt to a specific host.
PMID- 28993611
TI - Natural product diversity associated with the nematode symbionts Photorhabdus and
Xenorhabdus.
AB - Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus species dedicate a large amount of resources to the
production of specialized metabolites derived from non-ribosomal peptide
synthetase (NRPS) or polyketide synthase (PKS). Both bacteria undergo symbiosis
with nematodes, which is followed by an insect pathogenic phase. So far, the
molecular basis of this tripartite relationship and the exact roles that
individual metabolites and metabolic pathways play have not been well understood.
To close this gap, we have significantly expanded the database for comparative
genomics studies in these bacteria. Clustering the genes encoded in the
individual genomes into hierarchical orthologous groups reveals a high-resolution
picture of functional evolution in this clade. It identifies groups of genes-many
of which are involved in secondary metabolite production-that may account for the
niche specificity of these bacteria. Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus appear very
similar at the DNA sequence level, which indicates their close evolutionary
relationship. Yet, high-resolution mass spectrometry analyses reveal a huge
chemical diversity in the two taxa. Molecular network reconstruction identified a
large number of previously unidentified metabolite classes, including the
xefoampeptides and tilivalline. Here, we apply genomic and metabolomic methods in
a complementary manner to identify and elucidate additional classes of natural
products. We also highlight the ability to rapidly and simultaneously identify
potentially interesting bioactive products from NRPSs and PKSs, thereby
augmenting the contribution of molecular biology techniques to the acceleration
of natural product discovery.
PMID- 28993613
TI - Consumers control carbon.
PMID- 28993612
TI - An even pattern of xylan substitution is critical for interaction with cellulose
in plant cell walls.
AB - Xylan and cellulose are abundant polysaccharides in vascular plants and essential
for secondary cell wall strength. Acetate or glucuronic acid decorations are
exclusively found on even-numbered residues in most of the glucuronoxylan
polymer. It has been proposed that this even-specific positioning of the
decorations might permit docking of xylan onto the hydrophilic face of a
cellulose microfibril 1-3 . Consequently, xylan adopts a flattened ribbon-like
twofold screw conformation when bound to cellulose in the cell wall 4 . Here we
show that ESKIMO1/XOAT1/TBL29, a xylan-specific O-acetyltransferase, is necessary
for generation of the even pattern of acetyl esters on xylan in Arabidopsis. The
reduced acetylation in the esk1 mutant deregulates the position-specific activity
of the xylan glucuronosyltransferase GUX1, and so the even pattern of glucuronic
acid on the xylan is lost. Solid-state NMR of intact cell walls shows that,
without the even-patterned xylan decorations, xylan does not interact normally
with cellulose fibrils. We conclude that the even pattern of xylan substitutions
seen across vascular plants enables the interaction of xylan with hydrophilic
faces of cellulose fibrils, and is essential for development of normal plant
secondary cell walls.
PMID- 28993614
TI - Mammal diversity influences the carbon cycle through trophic interactions in the
Amazon.
AB - Biodiversity affects many ecosystem functions and services, including carbon
cycling and retention. While it is known that the efficiency of carbon capture
and biomass production by ecological communities increases with species
diversity, the role of vertebrate animals in the carbon cycle remains
undocumented. Here, we use an extensive dataset collected in a high-diversity
Amazonian system to parse out the relationship between animal and plant species
richness, feeding interactions, tree biomass and carbon concentrations in soil.
Mammal and tree species richness is positively related to tree biomass and carbon
concentration in soil-and the relationship is mediated by organic remains
produced by vertebrate feeding events. Our research advances knowledge of the
links between biodiversity and carbon cycling and storage, supporting the view
that whole community complexity-including vertebrate richness and trophic
interactions-drives ecosystem function in tropical systems. Securing animal and
plant diversity while protecting landscape integrity will contribute to soil
nutrient content and carbon retention in the biosphere.
PMID- 28993615
TI - Logic Synthesis of Recombinase-Based Genetic Circuits.
AB - A synthetic approach to biology is a promising technique for various
applications. Recent advancements have demonstrated the feasibility of
constructing synthetic two-input logic gates in Escherichia coli cells with long
term memory based on DNA inversion induced by recombinases. Moreover, recent
evidences indicate that DNA inversion mediated by genome editing tools is
possible. Powerful genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9 systems, have
great potential to be exploited to implement large-scale recombinase-based
circuits. What remains unclear is how to construct arbitrary Boolean functions
based on these emerging technologies. In this paper, we lay the theoretical
foundation formalizing the connection between recombinase-based genetic circuits
and Boolean functions. It enables systematic construction of any given Boolean
function using recombinase-based logic gates. We further develop a methodology
leveraging existing electronic design automation (EDA) tools to automate the
synthesis of complex recombinase-based genetic circuits with respect to area and
delay optimization. In silico experimental results demonstrate the applicability
of our proposed methods as a useful tool for recombinase-based genetic circuit
synthesis and optimization.
PMID- 28993617
TI - A Bivariate Hypothesis Testing Approach for Mapping the Trait-Influential Gene.
AB - The linkage disequilibrium (LD) based quantitative trait loci (QTL) model
involves two indispensable hypothesis tests: the test of whether or not a QTL
exists, and the test of the LD strength between the QTaL and the observed marker.
The advantage of this two-test framework is to test whether there is an
influential QTL around the observed marker instead of just having a QTL by random
chance. There exist unsolved, open statistical questions about the inaccurate
asymptotic distributions of the test statistics. We propose a bivariate null
kernel (BNK) hypothesis testing method, which characterizes the joint
distribution of the two test statistics in two-dimensional space. The power of
this BNK approach is verified by three different simulation designs and one whole
genome dataset. It solves a few challenging open statistical questions, closely
separates the confounding between 'linkage' and 'QTL effect', makes a fine genome
division, provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire genome, overcomes
limitations of traditional QTL approaches, and connects traditional QTL mapping
with the newest genotyping technologies. The proposed approach contributes to
both the genetics literature and the statistics literature, and has a potential
to be extended to broader fields where a bivariate test is needed.
PMID- 28993616
TI - Bone corticalization requires local SOCS3 activity and is promoted by androgen
action via interleukin-6.
AB - Long bone strength is determined by its outer shell (cortical bone), which forms
by coalescence of thin trabeculae at the metaphysis (corticalization), but the
factors that control this process are unknown. Here we show that SOCS3-dependent
cytokine expression regulates bone corticalization. Young male and female
Dmp1Cre.Socs3 f/f mice, in which SOCS3 has been ablated in osteocytes, have high
trabecular bone volume and poorly defined metaphyseal cortices. After puberty,
male mice recover, but female corticalization is still impaired, leading to a
lasting defect in bone strength. The phenotype depends on sex-steroid hormones:
dihydrotestosterone treatment of gonadectomized female Dmp1Cre.Socs3 f/f mice
restores normal cortical morphology, whereas in males, estradiol treatment, or IL
6 deletion, recapitulates the female phenotype. This suggests that androgen
action promotes metaphyseal corticalization, at least in part, via IL-6
signaling.The strength of long bones is determined by coalescence of trabeculae
during corticalization. Here the authors show that this process is regulated by
SOCS3 via a mechanism dependent on IL-6 and expression of sex hormones.
PMID- 28993618
TI - Mid-infrared dispersive wave generation in gas-filled photonic crystal fibre by
transient ionization-driven changes in dispersion.
AB - Gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fibre is being used to generate ever
wider supercontinuum spectra, in particular via dispersive wave emission in the
deep and vacuum ultraviolet, with a multitude of applications. Dispersive waves
are the result of nonlinear transfer of energy from a self-compressed soliton, a
process that relies crucially on phase-matching. It was recently predicted that,
in the strong-field regime, the additional transient anomalous dispersion
introduced by gas ionization would allow phase-matched dispersive wave generation
in the mid-infrared-something that is forbidden in the absence of free electrons.
Here we report the experimental observation of such mid-infrared dispersive
waves, embedded in a 4.7-octave-wide supercontinuum that uniquely reaches
simultaneously to the vacuum ultraviolet, with up to 1.7 W of total average
power.Dispersive wave emission in gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fibres
has been possible in the visible and ultraviolet via the optical Kerr effect.
Here, Kottig et al. demonstrate dispersive waves generated by an additional
transient anomalous dispersion from gas ionization in the mid-infrared.
PMID- 28993619
TI - Enhanced nanochannel translocation and localization of genomic DNA molecules
using three-dimensional nanofunnels.
AB - The ability to precisely control the transport of single DNA molecules through a
nanoscale channel is critical to DNA sequencing and mapping technologies that are
currently under development. Here we show how the electrokinetically driven
introduction of DNA molecules into a nanochannel is facilitated by incorporating
a three-dimensional nanofunnel at the nanochannel entrance. Individual DNA
molecules are imaged as they attempt to overcome the entropic barrier to
nanochannel entry through nanofunnels with various shapes. Theoretical modeling
of this behavior reveals the pushing and pulling forces that result in up to a 30
fold reduction in the threshold electric field needed to initiate nanochannel
entry. In some cases, DNA molecules are stably trapped and axially positioned
within a nanofunnel at sub-threshold electric field strengths, suggesting the
utility of nanofunnels as force spectroscopy tools. These applications illustrate
the benefit of finely tuning nanoscale conduit geometries, which can be designed
using the theoretical model developed here.Forcing a DNA molecule into a
nanoscale channel requires overcoming the free energy barrier associated with
confinement. Here, the authors show that DNA injected through a funnel-shaped
entrance more efficiently enters the nanochannel, thanks to facilitating forces
generated by the nanofunnel geometry.
PMID- 28993620
TI - D-Alanylation of teichoic acids contributes to Lactobacillus plantarum-mediated
Drosophila growth during chronic undernutrition.
AB - The microbial environment influences animal physiology. However, the underlying
molecular mechanisms of such functional interactions are largely undefined.
Previously, we showed that during chronic undernutrition, strains of
Lactobacillus plantarum, a major commensal partner of Drosophila, promote host
juvenile growth and maturation partly through enhanced expression of intestinal
peptidases. By screening a transposon insertion library of Lactobacillus
plantarum in gnotobiotic Drosophila larvae, we identify a bacterial cell-wall
modifying machinery encoded by the pbpX2-dlt operon that is critical to enhance
host digestive capabilities and promote animal growth and maturation. Deletion of
this operon leads to bacterial cell wall alteration with a complete loss of D
alanylation of teichoic acids. We show that L. plantarum cell walls bearing D
alanylated teichoic acids are directly sensed by Drosophila enterocytes to ensure
optimal intestinal peptidase expression and activity, juvenile growth and
maturation during chronic undernutrition. We thus conclude that besides
peptidoglycan, teichoic acid modifications participate in the host-commensal
bacteria molecular dialogue occurring in the intestine.
PMID- 28993622
TI - Evidence for mid-Holocene rice domestication in the Americas.
AB - The development of agriculture is one of humankind's most pivotal achievements.
Questions about plant domestication and the origins of agriculture have engaged
scholars for well over a century, with implications for understanding its legacy
on global subsistence strategies, plant distribution, population health and the
global methane budget. Rice is one of the most important crops to be domesticated
globally, with both Asia (Oryza sativa L.) and Africa (Oryza glaberrima Steud.)
discussed as primary centres of domestication. However, until now the pre
Columbian domestication of rice in the Americas has not been documented. Here we
document the domestication of Oryza sp. wild rice by the mid-Holocene residents
of the Monte Castelo shell mound starting at approximately 4,000 cal. yr BP,
evidenced by increasingly larger rice husk phytoliths. Our data provide evidence
for the domestication of wild rice in a region of the Amazon that was also
probably the cradle of domestication of other major crops such as cassava
(Manihot esculenta), peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and chilli pepper (Capsicum sp.).
These results underline the role of wetlands as prime habitats for plant
domestication worldwide.
PMID- 28993621
TI - Structural basis for IL-1alpha recognition by a modified DNA aptamer that
specifically inhibits IL-1alpha signaling.
AB - IL-1alpha is an essential cytokine that contributes to inflammatory responses and
is implicated in various forms of pathogenesis and cancer. Here we report a
naphthyl modified DNA aptamer that specifically binds IL-1alpha and inhibits its
signaling pathway. By solving the crystal structure of the IL-1alpha/aptamer, we
provide a high-resolution structure of this critical cytokine and we reveal its
functional interaction interface with high-affinity ligands. The non-helical
aptamer, which represents a highly compact nucleic acid structure, contains a
wealth of new conformational features, including an unknown form of G-quadruplex.
The IL-1alpha/aptamer interface is composed of unusual polar and hydrophobic
elements, along with an elaborate hydrogen bonding network that is mediated by
sodium ion. IL-1alpha uses the same interface to interact with both the aptamer
and its cognate receptor IL-1RI, thereby suggesting a novel route to
immunomodulatory therapeutics.The cytokine interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha) plays
an important role in inflammatory processes. Here the authors use SELEX to
generate a modified DNA aptamer which specifically binds IL-1alpha, present the
structure of the IL-1alpha/aptamer complex and show that this aptamer inhibits
the IL-1alpha signaling pathway.
PMID- 28993623
TI - Barriers and facilitators of effective self-management in asthma: systematic
review and thematic synthesis of patient and healthcare professional views.
AB - Self-management is an established, effective approach to controlling asthma,
recommended in guidelines. However, promotion, uptake and use among patients and
health-care professionals remain low. Many barriers and facilitators to effective
self-management have been reported, and views and beliefs of patients and health
care professionals have been explored in qualitative studies. We conducted a
systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research into self
management in patients, carers and health care professionals regarding self
management of asthma, to identify perceived barriers and facilitators associated
with reduced effectiveness of asthma self-management interventions. Electronic
databases and guidelines were searched systematically for qualitative literature
that explored factors relevant to facilitators and barriers to uptake, adherence,
or outcomes of self-management in patients with asthma. Thematic synthesis of the
56 included studies identified 11 themes: (1) partnership between patient and
health care professional; (2) issues around medication; (3) education about
asthma and its management; (4) health beliefs; (5) self-management interventions;
(6) co-morbidities (7) mood disorders and anxiety; (8) social support; (9) non
pharmacological methods; (10) access to healthcare; (11) professional factors.
From this, perceived barriers and facilitators were identified at the level of
individuals with asthma (and carers), and health-care professionals. Future work
addressing the concerns and beliefs of adults, adolescents and children (and
carers) with asthma, effective communication and partnership, tailored support
and education (including for ethnic minorities and at risk groups), and
telehealthcare may improve how self-management is recommended by professionals
and used by patients. Ultimately, this may achieve better outcomes for people
with asthma.
PMID- 28993625
TI - The mystery of life beyond menopause.
PMID- 28993624
TI - Structure of the calcium-dependent type 2 secretion pseudopilus.
AB - Many Gram-negative bacteria use type 2 secretion systems (T2SSs) to secrete
proteins involved in virulence and adaptation. Transport of folded proteins via
T2SS nanomachines requires the assembly of inner membrane-anchored fibres called
pseudopili. Although efficient pseudopilus assembly is essential for protein
secretion, structure-based functional analyses are required to unravel the
mechanistic link between these processes. Here, we report an atomic model for a
T2SS pseudopilus from Klebsiella oxytoca, obtained by fitting the NMR structure
of its calcium-bound subunit PulG into the ~5-A-resolution cryo-electron
microscopy reconstruction of assembled fibres. This structure reveals the
comprehensive network of inter-subunit contacts and unexpected features,
including a disordered central region of the PulG helical stem, and highly
flexible C-terminal residues on the fibre surface. NMR, mutagenesis and
functional analyses highlight the key role of calcium in PulG folding and
stability. Fibre disassembly in the absence of calcium provides a basis for
pseudopilus length control, essential for protein secretion, and supports the
Archimedes screw model for the type 2 secretion mechanism.
PMID- 28993626
TI - The application of thermophilic DNA primase TtDnaG2 to DNA amplification.
AB - For DNA replication in vivo, DNA primase uses a complementary single-stranded DNA
template to synthesize RNA primers ranging from 4 to 20 nucleotides in length,
which are then elongated by DNA polymerase. Here, we report that, in the presence
of double-stranded DNA, the thermophilic DNA primase TtDnaG2 synthesizes RNA
primers of around 100 nucleotides with low initiation specificity at 70 degrees
C. Analysing the structure of TtDnaG2, we identified that it adopts a compact
conformation. The conserved sites in its zinc binding domain are sequestered away
from its RNA polymerase domain, which might give rise to the low initiation
specificity and synthesis of long RNA segments by TtDnaG2. Based on these unique
features of TtDnaG2, a DNA amplification method has been developed. We utilized
TtDnaG2 to synthesize RNA primers at 70 degrees C after 95 degrees C
denaturation, followed by isothermal amplification with the DNA polymerase Bst3.0
or phi29. Using this method, we successfully amplified genomic DNA of a virus
with 100% coverage and low copy number variation. Our data also demonstrate that
this method can efficiently amplify circular DNA from a mixture of circular DNA
and linear DNA, thus providing a tool to amplify low-copy-number circular DNA
such as plasmids.
PMID- 28993627
TI - High-performance MnO2-deposited graphene/activated carbon film electrodes for
flexible solid-state supercapacitor.
AB - High theoretical capacitance of MnO2 nanoparticles were successfully
electrodeposited on the conductive graphene/activated carbon (GN/AC) composite
film, and the urchin type MnO2 microspheres were controlled by adjusting the
electro-deposition reaction times. The GN/AC/MnO2-1200s composite electrodes
exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 1231 mF/cm2 (MnO2 loading mass of
7.65 mg/cm2 and the mass specific capacitance of 123 F/g) at a current density of
0.5 mA/cm2. The assembled flexible solid-state symmetric supercapacitor had a
good mechanical flexibility (about 88.6% of its original capacitance after 500
bending times) and prominent cycling stability (about 82.8% retention in
capacitance over 10000 cycles). More importantly, the device could possess a
maximum energy density of 0.27 mW h/cm3 and a maximum power density of 0.02
W/cm3. These results well demonstrate a great potential for applications of
GN/AC/MnO2 composite electrodes in flexible energy storage devices.
PMID- 28993628
TI - Oxidized g-C3N4/polyaniline nanofiber composite for the selective removal of
hexavalent chromium.
AB - Nanomaterials with selective adsorption properties are in demand for
environmental applications. Herein, acid etching and oxidative decomposition of
melon units of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was performed to obtain the
oxidized graphitic carbon nitride (Ox-g-C3N4) nanosheets. Ox- g-C3N4 nanosheets
were further decorated on the polyaniline nanofiber (Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF). Ox-g
C3N4/Pani-NF was well characterized and further applied for a selective removal
of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) form aqueous solution. The zeta potential
analysis indicate that the surface of Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF was positively charged
which could be beneficial to bind anionic Cr(VI) ions electrostatically. In
addition, nitrogen and oxygen containing functional groups exist on the Ox-g
C3N4/Pani-NF were mainly responsible for adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous
solution. Moreover, the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions was also dependent on solution
pH, reaction temperature and initial concentration of Cr(VI) ions. The maximum
monolayer adsorption capacity of Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF for Cr(VI), calculated from
Langmuir isotherm was 178.57 mg/g at pH = 2 and 30 degrees C. The activation
energy (Ea = -20.66 kJ/mol) and the enthalpy change (DeltaH degrees = -22.055
kJ/mol) validate the role of physical forces in adsorption of Cr(VI). These
results demonstrate that Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF can be used as a potential adsorbent
for environmental remediation applications.
PMID- 28993629
TI - Global trade statistics lack granularity to inform traceability and management of
diverse and high-value fishes.
AB - Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood supply chain fraud
are multifaceted problems that demand multifaceted solutions. Here, we
investigate the extent to which global fisheries trade data analyses can support
effective seafood traceability and promote sustainable seafood markets using one
of the world's most highly prized, yet misunderstood, groups of fishes as a
model: the snappers, family Lutjanidae. By collating and comparing production,
import and export data from international and national statistical collections
for the period 2006-2013, we show that official trade data severely lack the
level of detail required to track snapper trade flows, uncover potential IUU
activities and/or inform exploitation management of snappers and related species.
Moreover, we contend that the lack of taxonomic granularity and use of vague
generic names in trade records represent one of the most insidious impediments to
seafood traceability, and suggest that widely used harmonised commodity
classification systems should evolve to address these gaps.
PMID- 28993630
TI - alpha-Synuclein impairs ferritinophagy in the retinal pigment epithelium:
Implications for retinal iron dyshomeostasis in Parkinson's disease.
AB - Retinal degeneration is prominent in Parkinson's disease (PD), a neuromotor
disorder associated with aggregation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) in the
substantia-nigra (SN). Although alpha-syn is expressed in the neuroretina,
absence of prominent aggregates suggests altered function as the likely cause of
retinal pathology. We demonstrate that alpha-syn impairs ferritinophagy,
resulting in the accumulation of iron-rich ferritin in the outer retina in-vivo
and retinal-pigment-epithelial (RPE) cells in-vitro. Over-expression of Rab1a
restores ferritinophagy, suggesting that alpha-syn impairs lysosomal function by
disrupting the trafficking of lysosomal hydrolases. Surprisingly, upregulation of
ferritin in RPE cells by exogenous iron in-vitro stimulated the release of
ferritin and alpha-syn in exosomes, suggesting that iron overload due to impaired
ferritinophagy or other cause(s) is likely to initiate prion-like spread of alpha
syn and ferritin, creating retinal iron dyshomeostasis and associated
cytotoxicity. Since over-expression of alpha-syn is a known cause of PD, these
results explain the likely cause of PD-associated retinal degeneration.
PMID- 28993632
TI - Erratum: Laparoscopic versus opengastric surgery for the treatment of
pathological T1N0M0 gastric cancer in elderly patients: a matched study.
AB - A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML
version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
PMID- 28993633
TI - Rabies virus modifies host behaviour through a snake-toxin like region of its
glycoprotein that inhibits neurotransmitter receptors in the CNS.
AB - Rabies virus induces drastic behaviour modifications in infected hosts. The
mechanisms used to achieve these changes in the host are not known. The main
finding of this study is that a region in the rabies virus glycoprotein, with
homologies to snake toxins, has the ability to alter behaviour in animals through
inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors present in the central nervous
system. This finding provides a novel aspect to virus receptor interaction and
host manipulation by pathogens in general. The neurotoxin-like region of the
rabies virus glycoprotein inhibited acetylcholine responses of alpha4beta2
nicotinic receptors in vitro, as did full length ectodomain of the rabies virus
glycoprotein. The same peptides significantly altered a nicotinic receptor
induced behaviour in C. elegans and increased locomotor activity levels when
injected into the central nervous system of mice. These results provide a
mechanistic explanation for the behavioural changes in hosts infected by rabies
virus.
PMID- 28993631
TI - Establishment of a repeated social defeat stress model in female mice.
AB - Numerous studies have employed repeated social defeat stress (RSDS) to study the
neurobiological mechanisms of depression in rodents. An important limitation of
RSDS studies to date is that they have been conducted exclusively in male mice
due to the difficulty of initiating attack behavior directed toward female mice.
Here, we establish a female mouse model of RSDS by inducing male aggression
toward females through chemogenetic activation of the ventrolateral subdivision
of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl). We demonstrate that females susceptible
to RSDS display social avoidance, anxiety-like behavior, reduction of body
weight, and elevated levels of circulating interleukin 6. In contrast, a subset
of mice we term resilient only display anxiety-like behaviors after RSDS. This
model allows for investigation of sex differences in the neurobiological
mechanisms of defeat-induced depression-like behaviors. A robust female social
defeat model is a critical first step in the identification and development of
novel therapeutic compounds to treat depression and anxiety disorders in women.
PMID- 28993634
TI - Changes in soil properties, X-ray-mineral diffractions and infrared-functional
groups in bulk soil and fractions following afforestation of farmland, Northeast
China.
AB - Analysis of soil properties, the compositional traits in bulk soil and different
fractions and their responses to afforestation practices may possibly facilitate
clarification of the mechanisms underlying soil changes. Soil properties, the
compositional functional groups and minerals were determined in the bulk soil and
fractions from forests and adjacent farmlands. The afforestation of farmland
could induce accumulation of soil organic carbon [SOC] (+18%) and nitrogen [N]
(+4%) with pH increase (+4%), and declines in electric conductivity (-15%) and
bulk density (-3%). Sand and aggregates [SA] and easily oxidized fraction [EO]
mainly contributed to the SOC and N accumulation. Moreover, afforestation-induced
changes were observed in O-H & N-H stretching (-26%), feldspar (+52%) and huntite
crystallinity (-40%). The changes of soil properties were strongly associated
with the changes in functional groups, followed by minerals. Of them, asymmetric
COO- & C = O stretching & O-H bending, symmetric COO- stretching, huntite and
smectite-vermiculite crystallinity were the key factors responsible for the
changes of soil properties. Our findings highlight that degraded farmland
afforestation could strongly affect soil properties in the bulk soil, and the
changes in fractions (mainly SA and EO) as well as their changes in the
compositional traits strongly supported these bulk soil changes.
PMID- 28993635
TI - Response of human periodontal ligament stem cells to IFN-gamma and TLR-agonists.
AB - Periodontal ligament stem cells similarly to the mesenchymal stem cells of other
tissues possess immunomodulatory properties, which are regulated by different
cytokines, particularly by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In contrast, less
information is provided about the effect of toll-like receptors ligand on
immunomodulatory properties of these cells. In the present study we investigated
the response of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) in response to
simultaneous stimulation with IFN-gamma and toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists.
The resulting expression of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1), interleukin
(IL)-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) was investigated. The
expression of IDO-1 was upregulated by IFN-gamma in both gene and protein levels.
TLR2 agonists Pam3CSK4 induced gene expression of IDO-1, but had no effect on
protein expression. IFN-gamma induced IDO-1 protein expression was further
enhanced by Pam3CSK4. TLR-4 agonist E. coli LPS has no significant effect on
neither basal nor IFN-gamma induced IDO-1 protein expression. The production of
IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 was induced by TLR agonists. Neither basal nor TLR agonists
induced production of these proteins was affected by IFN-gamma. Our data shows
potential interaction between IFN-gamma and TLR2 responses in hPDLSCs, which
might be involved in regulation of immune response in inflammatory diseases, and
particularly periodontitis.
PMID- 28993636
TI - Involvement of PUF60 in Transcriptional and Post-transcriptional Regulation of
Hepatitis B Virus Pregenomic RNA Expression.
AB - Here we identified PUF60, a splicing factor and a U2 small nuclear
ribonucleoprotein auxiliary factor, as a versatile regulator of transcriptional
and post-transcriptional steps in expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) 3.5 kb,
precore plus pregenomic RNA. We demonstrate that PUF60 is involved in: 1) up
regulation of core promoter activity through its interaction with transcription
factor TCF7L2, 2) promotion of 3.5 kb RNA degradation and 3) suppression of 3.5
kb RNA splicing. When the 1.24-fold HBV genome was introduced into cells with the
PUF60-expression plasmid, the 3.5 kb RNA level was higher at days 1-2 post
transfection but declined thereafter in PUF60-expressing cells compared to viral
replication control cells. Deletion analyses showed that the second and first RNA
recognition motifs (RRMs) within PUF60 are responsible for core promoter
activation and RNA degradation, respectively. Expression of PUF60 mutant deleting
the first RRM led to higher HBV production. To our knowledge, this is the first
to identify a host factor involved in not only positively regulating viral gene
expression but also negative regulation of the same viral life cycle. Functional
linkage between transcriptional and post-transcriptional controls during viral
replication might be involved in mechanisms for intracellular antiviral defense
and viral persistence.
PMID- 28993638
TI - Pulsed sputtering epitaxial growth of m-plane InGaN lattice-matched to ZnO.
AB - m-Plane GaN and InGaN films were grown on m-plane ZnO substrates at ~350 degrees
C by pulsed sputtering deposition. It was found that the critical thickness of
the m-plane GaN films grown on ZnO lies between 25 and 62 nm, whereas 180-nm
thick m-plane In0.12Ga0.88N can be coherently grown on ZnO substrates, which is
explained well by theoretical calculations based on an energy-balance model. The
coherently grown m-plane InGaN on ZnO exhibited narrow X-ray rocking curves
compared with the m-plane GaN grown on ZnO. These results demonstrate the benefit
of lattice-matched ZnO substrates for epitaxy of high-quality nonpolar InGaN
films.
PMID- 28993637
TI - HTLV-1 bZIP factor suppresses TDP1 expression through inhibition of NRF-1 in
adult T-cell leukemia.
AB - Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is an aggressive T-cell malignancy caused by human T
cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). We recently reported that abacavir, an anti
HIV-1 drug, potently and selectively kills ATL cells. This effect was attributed
to the reduced expression of tyrosyl-DNA-phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1), a DNA repair
enzyme, in ATL cells. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the
downregulation of TDP1 in ATL cells remains elusive. Here we identified the core
promoter of the TDP1 gene, which contains a conserved nuclear respiratory factor
1 (NRF-1) binding site. Overexpression of NRF-1 increased TDP1-promoter activity,
whereas the introduction of dominant-negative NRF-1 repressed such activity.
Overexpression of NRF-1 also upregulated endogenous TDP-1 expression, while
introduction of shNRF-1 suppressed TDP1 in Jurkat T cells, making them
susceptible to abacavir. These results indicate that NRF-1 is a positive
transcriptional regulator of TDP1-gene expression. Importantly, we revealed that
HTLV-1 bZIP factor (HBZ) protein which is expressed in all ATL cases physically
interacts with NRF-1 and inhibits the DNA-binding ability of NRF-1. Taken
together, HBZ suppresses TDP1 expression by inhibiting NRF-1 function in ATL
cells. The HBZ/NRF-1/TDP1 axis provides new therapeutic targets against ATL and
might explain genomic instability leading to the pathogenesis of ATL.
PMID- 28993639
TI - Evaluation of water quality based on a machine learning algorithm and water
quality index for the Ebinur Lake Watershed, China.
AB - The water quality index (WQI) has been used to identify threats to water quality
and to support better water resource management. This study combines a machine
learning algorithm, WQI, and remote sensing spectral indices (difference index,
DI; ratio index, RI; and normalized difference index, NDI) through fractional
derivatives methods and in turn establishes a model for estimating and assessing
the WQI. The results show that the calculated WQI values range between 56.61 and
2,886.51. We also explore the relationship between reflectance data and the WQI.
The number of bands with correlation coefficients passing a significance test at
0.01 first increases and then decreases with a peak appearing after 1.6 orders.
WQI and DI as well as RI and NDI correlation coefficients between optimal band
combinations of the peak also appear after 1.6 orders with R2 values of 0.92,
0.58 and 0.92. Finally, 22 WQI estimation models were established by POS-SVR to
compare the predictive effects of these models. The models based on a spectral
index of 1.6 were found to perform much better than the others, with an R2 of
0.92, an RMSE of 58.4, and an RPD of 2.81 and a slope of curve fitting of 0.97.
PMID- 28993640
TI - Reconstruction of non-error magnetic hologram data by magnetic assist recording.
AB - Hologram memory is expected to be the next-generation of optical data storage
technology. Bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet is typically used for
rewritable magnetic hologram media. The diffraction efficiency of magnetic
holography depends on the Faraday rotation angle, but the experimental
diffraction efficiency is not as high as that expected from calculations. This
difference could be caused by incomplete magnetization reversal at the recorded
region. In this study, we investigated the effects of magnetic assist (MA)
recording through numerical simulation and experiment to improve the diffraction
efficiency and the resulting reconstructed images. The improvement of diffraction
efficiency was more effective in garnet films thinner than the width of a fringe,
and a suitable value of the assist magnetic field was identified for the
improvement. In addition, MA recording improved the intensity of reconstructed
images and broadened the non-error recording conditions to the low energy region.
This technique shows promise in improving the reconstructed quality of magnetic
hologram data.
PMID- 28993641
TI - Revealing hidden complexities of genomic rearrangements generated with Cas9.
AB - Modelling human diseases caused by large genomic rearrangements has become more
accessible since the utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 in mammalian systems. In a
previous study, we showed that genomic rearrangements of up to one million base
pairs can be generated by direct injection of CRISPR/Cas9 reagents into mouse
zygotes. Although these rearrangements are ascertained by junction PCR, we
describe here a variety of anticipated structural changes often involving
reintegration of the region demarcated by the gRNAs in the vicinity of the edited
locus. We illustrate here some of this diversity detected by high-resolution
fibre-FISH and conclude that extensive molecular analysis is required to fully
understand the structure of engineered chromosomes generated by Cas9.
PMID- 28993642
TI - Evidence for in-gap surface states on the single phase SmB6(001) surface.
AB - Structural and electronic properties of the SmB6(001) single-crystal surface
prepared by Ar+ ion sputtering and controlled annealing are investigated by
scanning tunneling microscopy. In contrast to the cases of cleaved surfaces, we
observe a single phase surface with a non-reconstructed p(1 * 1) lattice on the
entire surface at an optimized annealing temperature. The surface is identified
as Sm-terminated on the basis of spectroscopic measurements. On a structurally
uniform surface, the emergence of the in-gap state, a robust surface state
against structural variation, is further confirmed inside a Kondo hybridization
gap at 4.4 K by temperature and atomically-resolved spatial dependences of the
differential conductance spectrum near the Fermi energy.
PMID- 28993643
TI - A sexually dimorphic pre-stressed translational signature in CA3 pyramidal
neurons of BDNF Val66Met mice.
AB - Males and females use distinct brain circuits to cope with similar challenges.
Using RNA sequencing of ribosome-bound mRNA from hippocampal CA3 neurons, we
found remarkable sex differences and discovered that female mice displayed
greater gene expression activation after acute stress than males. Stress
sensitive BDNF Val66Met mice of both sexes show a pre-stressed translational
phenotype in which the same genes that are activated without applied stress are
also induced in wild-type mice by an acute stressor. Behaviourally, only
heterozygous BDNF Val66Met females exhibit spatial memory impairment, regardless
of acute stress. Interestingly, this effect is not observed in ovariectomized
heterozygous BDNF Val66Met females, suggesting that circulating ovarian hormones
induce cognitive impairment in Met carriers. Cognitive deficits are not observed
in males of either genotype. Thus, in a brain region not normally associated with
sex differences, this work sheds light on ways that genes, environment and sex
interact to affect the transcriptome's response to a stressor.Animals' response
to acute stress is known to be influenced by sex and genetics. Here the authors
performed RNA-seq on actively translated mRNAs in hippocampal CA3 neurons in
mice, and document the effects of sex and genotype (i.e., BDNF Val66Met) on acute
stress-induced gene expression.
PMID- 28993645
TI - The Impact of parasitic loss on solar cells with plasmonic nano-textured rear
reflectors.
AB - Significant photocurrent enhancement has been demonstrated using plasmonic light
trapping structures comprising nanostructured metallic features at the rear of
the cell. These structures have conversely been identified as suffering
heightened parasitic absorption into the metal at certain resonant wavelengths
severely mitigating benefits of light trapping. In this study, we undertook
simulations exploring the relationship between enhanced absorption into the solar
cell, and parasitic losses in the metal. These simulations reveal that resonant
wavelengths associated with high parasitic losses in the metal could also be
associated with high absorption enhancement in the solar cell. We identify
mechanisms linking these parasitic losses and absorption enhancements, but found
that by ensuring correct design, the light trapping structures will have a
positive impact on the overall solar cell performance. Our results clearly show
that the large angle scattering provided by the plasmonic nanostructures is the
reason for the enhanced absorption observed in the solar cells.
PMID- 28993644
TI - Membrane Trafficking Modulation during Entamoeba Encystation.
AB - Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite that infects 50-100 million
people and causes up to 55,000 deaths annually. The transmissive form of E.
histolytica is the cyst, with a single infected individual passing up to 45
million cysts per day, making cyst production an attractive target for infection
control. Lectins and chitin are secreted to form the cyst wall, although little
is known about the underlying membrane trafficking processes supporting
encystation. As E. histolytica does not readily form cysts in vitro, we assessed
membrane trafficking gene expression during encystation in the closely related
model Entamoeba invadens. Genes involved in secretion are up-regulated during
cyst formation, as are some trans-Golgi network-to-endosome trafficking genes.
Furthermore, endocytic and general trafficking genes are up-regulated in the
mature cyst, potentially preserved as mRNA in preparation for excystation. Two
divergent dynamin-related proteins found in Entamoeba are predominantly expressed
during cyst formation. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that they are paralogous
to, but quite distinct from, classical dynamins found in human, suggesting that
they may be potential drug targets to block encystation. The membrane-trafficking
machinery is clearly regulated during encystation, providing an additional facet
to understanding this crucial parasitic process.
PMID- 28993646
TI - LSD1 protects against hippocampal and cortical neurodegeneration.
AB - To investigate the mechanisms that maintain differentiated cells, here we
inducibly delete the histone demethylase LSD1/KDM1A in adult mice. Loss of LSD1
leads to paralysis, along with widespread hippocampus and cortex
neurodegeneration, and learning and memory defects. We focus on the hippocampus
neuronal cell death, as well as the potential link between LSD1 and human
neurodegenerative disease and find that loss of LSD1 induces transcription
changes in common neurodegeneration pathways, along with the re-activation of
stem cell genes, in the degenerating hippocampus. These data implicate LSD1 in
the prevention of neurodegeneration via the inhibition of inappropriate
transcription. Surprisingly, we also find that transcriptional changes in the
hippocampus are similar to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia
(FTD) cases, and LSD1 is specifically mislocalized to pathological protein
aggregates in these cases. These data raise the possibility that pathological
aggregation could compromise the function of LSD1 in AD and FTD."LSD1 is a
histone demethylase that plays many roles during development. Here, the authors
provide evidence that loss of LSD1 in adult mice leads to paralysis and
neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and cortex and suggest a potential link
between LSD1 and human neurodegenerative disease.
PMID- 28993647
TI - Usefulness of kidney slices for functional analysis of apical reabsorptive
transporters.
AB - Kidney plays a key role in the elimination and reabsorption of drugs and
nutrients, however in vitro methods to evaluate renal disposition are limited. In
the present study, we investigated usefulness of isolated kidney slice, which had
been used for transport only at basolateral membrane of tubular epithelial cells,
for evaluation of apical membrane transporters. As transporters that are easy to
discriminate between apical and basolateral transports, apical membrane specific
and sodium-dependent transporters (SGLTs and OCTNs) and pH-dependent transporters
(PEPTs) are selected. Uptake of ergothioneine, carnitine and methyl-alpha-D
glucopyranoside, which are substrates of apical Octn1, Octn2, and Sglt1/2,
respectively, by mice kidney slices showed clear Na+ dependence and reduction by
selective inhibitors. In addition, sodium dependence of ergothioneine uptake was
negligible in the kidney slice from Octn1-gene deficient mice. Moreover, uptake
of PepT1/2 substrate glycyl-sarcosine, was higher than that in the presence of
glycyl-leucine, a non-specific Pept inhibitor. The K m and IC 50 values for
substrates and inhibitors of each transporter were mostly comparable to those
obtained in transporter-transfected cells. In conclusion, it was demonstrated
that kidney slices are promising tool to study transporters expressed at the
apical membranes as well as basolateral membranes of kidney tubular epithelial
cells.
PMID- 28993648
TI - Upstream watershed condition predicts rural children's health across 35
developing countries.
AB - Diarrheal disease (DD) due to contaminated water is a major cause of child
mortality globally. Forests and wetlands can provide ecosystem services that help
maintain water quality. To understand the connections between land cover and
childhood DD, we compiled a database of 293,362 children in 35 countries with
information on health, socioeconomic factors, climate, and watershed condition.
Using hierarchical models, here we find that higher upstream tree cover is
associated with lower probability of DD downstream. This effect is significant
for rural households but not for urban households, suggesting differing
dependence on watershed conditions. In rural areas, the effect of a 30% increase
in upstream tree cover is similar to the effect of improved sanitation, but
smaller than the effect of improved water source, wealth or education. We
conclude that maintaining natural capital within watersheds can be an important
public health investment, especially for populations with low levels of built
capital.Globally diarrheal disease through contaminated water sources is a major
cause of child mortality. Here, the authors compile a database of 293,362
children in 35 countries and find that upstream tree cover is linked to a lower
probability of diarrheal disease and that increasing tree cover may lower
mortality.
PMID- 28993649
TI - A three-dimensional view of structural changes caused by deactivation of fluid
catalytic cracking catalysts.
AB - Since its commercial introduction three-quarters of a century ago, fluid
catalytic cracking has been one of the most important conversion processes in the
petroleum industry. In this process, porous composites composed of zeolite and
clay crack the heavy fractions in crude oil into transportation fuel and
petrochemical feedstocks. Yet, over time the catalytic activity of these
composite particles decreases. Here, we report on ptychographic tomography,
diffraction, and fluorescence tomography, as well as electron microscopy
measurements, which elucidate the structural changes that lead to catalyst
deactivation. In combination, these measurements reveal zeolite amorphization and
distinct structural changes on the particle exterior as the driving forces behind
catalyst deactivation. Amorphization of zeolites, in particular, close to the
particle exterior, results in a reduction of catalytic capacity. A concretion of
the outermost particle layer into a dense amorphous silica-alumina shell further
reduces the mass transport to the active sites within the composite.Catalyst
deactivation in fluid catalytic cracking processes is unavoidably associated with
structural changes. Here, the authors visualize the deactivation of zeolite
catalysts by ptychography and other imaging techniques, showing pronounced
amorphization of the outer layer of the catalyst particles.
PMID- 28993650
TI - Development of A Machine Learning Algorithm to Classify Drugs Of Unknown Fetal
Effect.
AB - Many drugs commonly prescribed during pregnancy lack a fetal safety
recommendation - called FDA 'category C' drugs. This study aims to classify these
drugs into harmful and safe categories using knowledge gained from
chemoinformatics (i.e., pharmacological similarity with drugs of known fetal
effect) and empirical data (i.e., derived from Electronic Health Records). Our
fetal loss cohort contains 14,922 affected and 33,043 unaffected pregnancies and
our congenital anomalies cohort contains 5,658 affected and 31,240 unaffected
infants. We trained a random forest to classify drugs of unknown pregnancy class
into harmful or safe categories, focusing on two distinct outcomes: fetal loss
and congenital anomalies. Our models achieved an out-of-bag accuracy of 91% for
fetal loss and 87% for congenital anomalies outperforming null models. Fifty
seven 'category C' medications were classified as harmful for fetal loss and
eleven for congenital anomalies. This includes medications with documented
harmful effects, including naproxen, ibuprofen and rubella live vaccine. We also
identified several novel drugs, e.g., haloperidol, that increased the risk of
fetal loss. Our approach provides important information on the harmfulness of
'category C' drugs. This is needed, as no FDA recommendation exists for these
drugs' fetal safety.
PMID- 28993651
TI - Escape and surveillance asymmetries in locusts exposed to a Guinea fowl-mimicking
robot predator.
AB - Escape and surveillance responses to predators are lateralized in several
vertebrate species. However, little is known on the laterality of escapes and
predator surveillance in arthropods. In this study, we investigated the
lateralization of escape and surveillance responses in young instars and adults
of Locusta migratoria during biomimetic interactions with a robot-predator
inspired to the Guinea fowl, Numida meleagris. Results showed individual-level
lateralization in the jumping escape of locusts exposed to the robot-predator
attack. The laterality of this response was higher in L. migratoria adults over
young instars. Furthermore, population-level lateralization of predator
surveillance was found testing both L. migratoria adults and young instars;
locusts used the right compound eye to oversee the robot-predator. Right-biased
individuals were more stationary over left-biased ones during surveillance of the
robot-predator. Individual-level lateralization could avoid predictability during
the jumping escape. Population-level lateralization may improve coordination in
the swarm during specific group tasks such as predator surveillance. To the best
of our knowledge, this is the first report of lateralized predator-prey
interactions in insects. Our findings outline the possibility of using biomimetic
robots to study predator-prey interaction, avoiding the use of real predators,
thus achieving standardized experimental conditions to investigate complex and
flexible behaviours.
PMID- 28993652
TI - Oxygen vacancy clusters essential for the catalytic activity of CeO2 nanocubes
for o-xylene oxidation.
AB - Catalytic oxidation of o-xylene was investigated on CeO2 nanocubes calcined at
350, 450, 550, and 650 degrees C, among which the samples calcined at 550
degrees C exhibited the highest activity and long durability. Positron
annihilation spectroscopy measurements revealed that the size and distribution of
oxygen vacancies for CeO2 nanocubes could be tuned by carefully controlling the
calcination temperature. An excellent linear correlation between a factor related
to size and density of oxygen vacancy clusters and reaction rate of o-xylene
oxidation was revealed on ceria nanocubes. This means that oxygen vacancy
clusters with suitable size and distribution are responsible for catalytic
reaction via simultaneous adsorption and activation of oxygen and o-xylene.
Electron spin resonance spectra revealed that over the CeO2 cubes, water vapor
significantly promoted the formation of ?OH radicals with a sharp decrease in the
signals relating to oxygen vacancies, accelerating the transformation of o-xylene
to the intermediate benzoate species, resulting in an enhancement of catalytic
activity. Water thus serves as a "smart" molecule; its introduction into the feed
mixture further confirmed the key role of oxygen vacancies in the catalytic
performance of CeO2 nanocubes. A possible mechanism of oxygen vacancy formation
during the calcination process was also proposed.
PMID- 28993653
TI - Ctenophore trees.
PMID- 28993654
TI - Ctenophore relationships and their placement as the sister group to all other
animals.
AB - Ctenophora, comprising approximately 200 described species, is an important
lineage for understanding metazoan evolution and is of great ecological and
economic importance. Ctenophore diversity includes species with unique
colloblasts used for prey capture, smooth and striated muscles, benthic and
pelagic lifestyles, and locomotion with ciliated paddles or muscular propulsion.
However, the ancestral states of traits are debated and relationships among many
lineages are unresolved. Here, using 27 newly sequenced ctenophore
transcriptomes, publicly available data and methods to control systematic error,
we establish the placement of Ctenophora as the sister group to all other animals
and refine the phylogenetic relationships within ctenophores. Molecular clock
analyses suggest modern ctenophore diversity originated approximately 350 million
years ago +/- 88 million years, conflicting with previous hypotheses, which
suggest it originated approximately 65 million years ago. We recover Euplokamis
dunlapae-a species with striated muscles-as the sister lineage to other sampled
ctenophores. Ancestral state reconstruction shows that the most recent common
ancestor of extant ctenophores was pelagic, possessed tentacles, was
bioluminescent and did not have separate sexes. Our results imply at least two
transitions from a pelagic to benthic lifestyle within Ctenophora, suggesting
that such transitions were more common in animal diversification than previously
thought.
PMID- 28993656
TI - Multiple similarly effective solutions exist for biomedical feature selection and
classification problems.
AB - Binary classification is a widely employed problem to facilitate the decisions on
various biomedical big data questions, such as clinical drug trials between
treated participants and controls, and genome-wide association studies (GWASs)
between participants with or without a phenotype. A machine learning model is
trained for this purpose by optimizing the power of discriminating samples from
two groups. However, most of the classification algorithms tend to generate one
locally optimal solution according to the input dataset and the mathematical
presumptions of the dataset. Here we demonstrated from the aspects of both
disease classification and feature selection that multiple different solutions
may have similar classification performances. So the existing machine learning
algorithms may have ignored a horde of fishes by catching only a good one. Since
most of the existing machine learning algorithms generate a solution by
optimizing a mathematical goal, it may be essential for understanding the
biological mechanisms for the investigated classification question, by
considering both the generated solution and the ignored ones.
PMID- 28993657
TI - Measuring selection for genes that promote long life in a historical human
population.
AB - The unusually long lifespans of humans and the persistence of post-reproductive
lifespans in women represent evolutionary puzzles because natural selection
cannot directly favour continued living in post-menopausal women or elderly men.
Suggested sources of indirect selection require genetic correlations between
fitness and survival or reproduction at younger ages, reproduction in the
opposite sex, or late-life contributions to offspring or grandoffspring fitness.
Here we apply quantitative genetic analyses to data from a historical human
population to explicitly test these evolutionary genetic hypotheses. Total
genetic selection increased the male post-50 lifespans by 0.138 years per
generation; 94% of this arose from indirect selection acting to favour early-life
fitness in both sexes. These results argue strongly against life-history models
of ageing that depend on trade-offs between reproduction and late-life survival.
No source of indirect selection for female post-50 lifespan was detected,
deepening the mystery of why female post-reproductive survival persists. This
result is probably due to recent changes in the genetic architecture of female
lifespan, and it highlights the need for similar quantitative genetic analyses of
human populations at other points along demographic transitions.
PMID- 28993655
TI - Climates on incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in 72 countries.
AB - We are aimed to systematically assess the worldwide trend in incidence of
childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus (CT1DM) from 1965 to 2012 and to discuss
whether climate affect incidence of CT1DM. We searched the relevant literatures
in detail to judge the effect of different climates on incidence of CT1DM. The
climates included Mediterranean, monsoon, oceanic, continental, savanna, and
rainforest. According to different climates, we further researched relevant
factor such as sunshine durations and latitudes. The overall incidence of CT1DM
in 72 countries was 11.43 (95% CI 10.31-12.55) per 100,000 children/yr. The
incidence of CT1DM in Oceanic climate [10.56 (8.69-12.42)] is highest compared
with other climates; the incidence in 40 degrees -66 degrees 34'N/S [14.71 (12.30
17.29)] is higher than other latitude groups; the incidence in sunshine durations
with 3-4 hours per day [15.17 (11.14-19.20)] is highest compared with other two
groups; the incidence of CT1DM from 2000 to 2012 [19.58 (14.55-24.60)] is higher
than other periods; all p < 0.01. Incidence of CT1DM was increasing from 1965 to
2012, but incidence in Oceanic climate is higher than other climates.
Furthermore, it is higher in centers with higher latitude and lower sunshine
durations. The climates might play a key role in inducing CT1DM.
PMID- 28993658
TI - Fast-charging high-energy lithium-ion batteries via implantation of amorphous
silicon nanolayer in edge-plane activated graphite anodes.
AB - As fast-charging lithium-ion batteries turn into increasingly important
components in forthcoming applications, various strategies have been devoted to
the development of high-rate anodes. However, despite vigorous efforts, the low
initial Coulombic efficiency and poor volumetric energy density with insufficient
electrode conditions remain critical challenges that have to be addressed.
Herein, we demonstrate a hybrid anode via incorporation of a uniformly implanted
amorphous silicon nanolayer and edge-site-activated graphite. This architecture
succeeds in improving lithium ion transport and minimizing initial capacity
losses even with increase in energy density. As a result, the hybrid anode
exhibits an exceptional initial Coulombic efficiency (93.8%) and predominant fast
charging behavior with industrial electrode conditions. As a result, a full-cell
demonstrates a higher energy density (>=1060 Wh l-1) without any trace of lithium
plating at a harsh charging current density (10.2 mA cm-2) and 1.5 times faster
charging than that of conventional graphite.It is desirable to develop fast
charging batteries retaining high energy density. Here, the authors report a
hybrid anode via incorporation of an implanted amorphous silicon nanolayer and
edge-plane-activated graphite, which meets both criteria.
PMID- 28993659
TI - Comparative genomics of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens ZW3 and related members of
Lactobacillus. spp reveal adaptations to dairy and gut environments.
AB - It is important for probiotics that are currently utilized in the dairy industry
to have clear genetic backgrounds. In this study, the genetic characteristics of
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens ZW3 were studied by undertaking a comparative
genomics study, and key genes for adaptation to different environments were
investigated and validated in vitro. Evidence for horizontal gene transfer
resulting in strong self-defense mechanisms was detected in the ZW3 genome. We
identified a series of genes relevant for dairy environments and the intestinal
tract, particularly for extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production. Reverse
transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) revealed significant increases in the relative
expression of pgm, ugp, and uge during the mid-logarithmic phase, whereas the
expression of pgi was higher at the beginning of the stationary phase. The
enzymes encoded by these four genes concertedly regulated carbon flux, which in
turn modulated the production of EPS precursors. Moreover, ZW3 tolerated pH 3.5
and 3% bile salt and retained cell surface hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation.
In conclusion, we explored the potential of ZW3 for utilization in both the dairy
industry and in probiotic applications. Additionally, we elucidated the
regulation of the relevant genes involved in EPS production.
PMID- 28993660
TI - Molecular evidence of Chlamydia pecorum and arthropod-associated Chlamydiae in an
expanded range of marsupials.
AB - The order Chlamydiales are biphasic intracellular bacterial pathogens infecting
humans and domesticated animals. Wildlife infections have also been reported,
with the most studied example being Chlamydia pecorum infections in the koala, an
iconic Australian marsupial. In koalas, molecular evidence suggests that spill
over from C. pecorum infected livestock imported into Australia may have had a
historical or contemporary role. Despite preliminary evidence that other native
Australian marsupials also carry C. pecorum, their potential as reservoirs of
this pathogen and other Chlamydia-related bacteria (CRBs) has been understudied.
Mucosal epithelial samples collected from over 200 native Australian marsupials
of different species and geographic regions across Australia were PCR screened
for Chlamydiales. Previously described and genetically distinct C. pecorum
genotypes and a range of 16S rRNA genotypes sharing similarity to different CRBs
in the broader Chlamydiales order were present. One 16S rRNA Chlamydiales
genotype recently described in Australian ticks that parasitise native Australian
marsupials was also identified. This study provides further evidence that
chlamydial infections are widespread in native fauna and that detailed
investigations are required to understand the influence these infections have on
host species conservation, but also whether infection spill-over plays a role in
their epidemiology.
PMID- 28993661
TI - Metabolic Signatures in Response to Abscisic Acid (ABA) Treatment in Brassica
napus Guard Cells Revealed by Metabolomics.
AB - Drought can severely damage crops, resulting in major yield losses. During
drought, vascular land plants conserve water via stomatal closure. Each stomate
is bordered by a pair of guard cells that shrink in response to drought and the
associated hormone abscisic acid (ABA). The activation of complex intracellular
signaling networks underlies these responses. Therefore, analysis of guard cell
metabolites is fundamental for elucidation of guard cell signaling pathways.
Brassica napus is an important oilseed crop for human consumption and biodiesel
production. Here, non-targeted metabolomics utilizing gas chromatography mass
spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
were employed for the first time to identify metabolic signatures in response to
ABA in B. napus guard cell protoplasts. Metabolome profiling identified 390
distinct metabolites in B. napus guard cells, falling into diverse classes. Of
these, 77 metabolites, comprising both primary and secondary metabolites were
found to be significantly ABA responsive, including carbohydrates, fatty acids,
glucosinolates, and flavonoids. Selected secondary metabolites, sinigrin,
quercetin, campesterol, and sitosterol, were confirmed to regulate stomatal
closure in Arabidopsis thaliana, B. napus or both species. Information derived
from metabolite datasets can provide a blueprint for improvement of water use
efficiency and drought tolerance in crops.
PMID- 28993662
TI - Stochastic resonance improves vision in the severely impaired.
AB - We verified whether a stochastic resonance paradigm (SR), with random
interference ("noise") added in optimal amounts, improves the detection of sub
threshold visual information by subjects with retinal disorder and impaired
vision as it does in the normally sighted. Six levels of dynamic, zero-mean
Gaussian noise were added to each pixel of images (13 contrast levels) in which
alphabet characters were displayed against a uniform gray background. Images were
presented with contrast below the subjective threshold to 14 visually impaired
subjects (age: 22-53 yrs.). The fraction of recognized letters varied between 0
and 0.3 at baseline and increased in all subjects when noise was added in optimal
amounts; peak recognition ranged between 0.2 and 0.8 at noise sigmas between 6
and 30 grey scale values (GSV) and decreased in all subjects at noise levels with
sigma above 30 GSV. The results replicate in the visually impaired the
facilitation of visual information processing with images presented in SR
paradigms that has been documented in sighted subjects. The effect was obtained
with low-level image manipulation and application appears readily possible: it
would enhance the efficiency of today vision-improving aids and help in the
development of the visual prostheses hopefully available in the future.
PMID- 28993663
TI - Renal iron accumulation occurs in lupus nephritis and iron chelation delays the
onset of albuminuria.
AB - Proteins involved in iron homeostasis have been identified as biomarkers for
lupus nephritis, a serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We
tested the hypothesis that renal iron accumulation occurs and contributes to
renal injury in SLE. Renal non-heme iron levels were increased in the (New
Zealand Black x New Zealand White) F1 (NZB/W) mouse model of lupus nephritis
compared with healthy New Zealand White (NZW) mice in an age- and strain
dependent manner. Biodistribution studies revealed increased transferrin-bound
iron accumulation in the kidneys of albuminuric NZB/W mice, but no difference in
the accumulation of non-transferrin bound iron or ferritin. Transferrin excretion
was significantly increased in albuminuric NZB/W mice, indicating enhanced
tubular exposure and potential for enhanced tubular uptake following filtration.
Expression of transferrin receptor and 24p3R were reduced in tubules from NZB/W
compared to NZW mice, while ferroportin expression was unchanged and ferritin
expression increased, consistent with increased iron accumulation and
compensatory downregulation of uptake pathways. Treatment of NZB/W mice with the
iron chelator deferiprone significantly delayed the onset of albuminuria and
reduced blood urea nitrogen concentrations. Together, these findings suggest that
pathological changes in renal iron homeostasis occurs in lupus nephritis,
contributing to the development of kidney injury.
PMID- 28993664
TI - Fragmentation transitions in a coevolving nonlinear voter model.
AB - We study a coevolving nonlinear voter model describing the coupled evolution of
the states of the nodes and the network topology. Nonlinearity of the interaction
is measured by a parameter q. The network topology changes by rewiring links at a
rate p. By analytical and numerical analysis we obtain a phase diagram in p,q
parameter space with three different phases: Dynamically active coexistence phase
in a single component network, absorbing consensus phase in a single component
network, and absorbing phase in a fragmented network. For finite systems the
active phase has a lifetime that grows exponentially with system size, at
variance with the similar phase for the linear voter model that has a lifetime
proportional to system size. We find three transition lines that meet at the
point of the fragmentation transition of the linear voter model. A first
transition line corresponds to a continuous absorbing transition between the
active and fragmented phases. The other two transition lines are discontinuous
transitions fundamentally different from the transition of the linear voter
model. One is a fragmentation transition between the consensus and fragmented
phases, and the other is an absorbing transition in a single component network
between the active and consensus phases.
PMID- 28993665
TI - Variabilities in retinal function and structure in a canine model of cone-rod
dystrophy associated with RPGRIP1 support multigenic etiology.
AB - Defects in the cilia gene RPGRIP1 cause Leber congenital amaurosis and cone-rod
dystrophy in humans. A form of canine cone-rod dystrophy (cord1) was originally
associated with a homozygous insertion in RPGRIP1 (RPGRIP1 ins/ins) as the
primary disease locus while a homozygous deletion in MAP9 (MAP9 del/del) was
later identified as a modifier associated with the early onset form. However, we
find further variability in cone electroretinograms (ERGs) ranging from normal to
absent in an extended RPGRIP1 ins/ins canine colony, irrespective of the MAP9
genotype. Ophthalmoscopically, cone ERGabsent RPGRIP1 ins/ins eyes show
discolouration of the tapetal fundus with varying onset and disease progression,
while sd-OCT reveals atrophic changes. Despite marked changes in cone ERG and
retinal morphology, photopic vision-guided behaviour is comparable between normal
and cone ERGabsent RPGRIP1 ins/ins littermates. Cone morphology of the dogs
lacking cone ERG are truncated with shortened outer and inner segments.
Immunohistochemically, cone ERGabsent RPGRIP1 ins/ins retinas have extensive L/M
opsin mislocalization, lack CNGB3 labelling in the L/M-cones, and lack GC1 in all
cones. Our results indicate that cord1 is a multigenic disease in which mutations
in neither RPGRIP1 nor MAP9 alone lead to visual deficits, and additional gene(s)
contribute to cone-specific functional and morphologic defects.
PMID- 28993666
TI - HIV-infected macrophages and microglia that survive acute infection become viral
reservoirs by a mechanism involving Bim.
AB - While HIV kills most of the cells it infects, a small number of infected cells
survive and become latent viral reservoirs, posing a significant barrier to HIV
eradication. However, the mechanism by which immune cells resist HIV-induced
apoptosis is still incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that while acute
HIV infection of human microglia/macrophages results in massive apoptosis, a
small population of HIV-infected cells survive infection, silence viral
replication, and can reactivate viral production upon specific treatments. We
also found that HIV fusion inhibitors intended for use as antiretroviral
therapies extended the survival of HIV-infected macrophages. Analysis of the pro-
and anti-apoptotic pathways indicated no significant changes in Bcl-2, Mcl-1,
Bak, Bax or caspase activation, suggesting that HIV blocks a very early step of
apoptosis. Interestingly, Bim, a highly pro-apoptotic negative regulator of Bcl
2, was upregulated and recruited into the mitochondria in latently HIV-infected
macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. Together, these results demonstrate that
macrophages/microglia act as HIV reservoirs and utilize a novel mechanism to
prevent HIV-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, they also suggest that Bim
recruitment to mitochondria could be used as a biomarker of viral reservoirs in
vivo.
PMID- 28993668
TI - Non-Mendelian assortment of homologous autosomes of different sizes in males is
the ancestral state in the Caenorhabditis lineage.
AB - Organismal genome sizes vary by six orders of magnitude and appear positively
correlated with organismal size and complexity. Neutral models have been proposed
to explain the broad patterns of genome size variation based on organism
population sizes. In the Caenorhabditis genus, hermaphrodite genomes are smaller
than those of gonochoristic species. One possible driving force for this genome
size difference could be non-random chromosome segregation. In Caenorhabditis
elegans, chromosome assortment is non-independent and violates Mendel's second
law. In males, the shorter homologue of a heterozygous autosome pair
preferentially co-segregates with the X chromosome while the longer one
preferentially co-segregates with the nullo-X (O) chromosome in a process we call
"skew". Since hermaphrodites preferentially receive the shorter chromosomes and
can start populations independently, their genome size would be predicted to
decrease over evolutionary time. If skew is an important driver for genome size
reduction in hermaphroditic Caenorhabditis species, then it should be present in
all congeneric species. In this study, we tested this hypothesis and found that
skew is present in all eight examined species. Our results suggest that skew is
likely the ancestral state in this genus. More speculatively, skew may drive
genome size patterns in hermaphroditic species in other nematodes.
PMID- 28993669
TI - Cell-cell communication enhances bacterial chemotaxis toward external
attractants.
AB - Bacteria are able to coordinate their movement, growth and biochemical activities
through cell-cell communication. While the biophysical mechanism of bacterial
chemotaxis has been well understood in individual cells, the role of
communication in the chemotaxis of bacterial populations is not clear. Here we
report experimental evidence for cell-cell communication that significantly
enhances the chemotactic migration of bacterial populations, a finding that we
further substantiate using numerical simulations. Using a microfluidic approach,
we find that E. coli cells respond to the gradient of chemoattractant not only by
biasing their own random-walk swimming pattern through the well-understood
intracellular chemotaxis signaling, but also by actively secreting a chemical
signal into the extracellular medium, possibly through a hitherto unknown
communication signal transduction pathway. This extracellular signaling molecule
is a strong chemoattractant that attracts distant cells to the food source. The
observed behavior may represent a common evolved solution to accelerate the
function of biochemical networks of interacting cells.
PMID- 28993667
TI - The global distribution of tetrapods reveals a need for targeted reptile
conservation.
AB - The distributions of amphibians, birds and mammals have underpinned global and
local conservation priorities, and have been fundamental to our understanding of
the determinants of global biodiversity. In contrast, the global distributions of
reptiles, representing a third of terrestrial vertebrate diversity, have been
unavailable. This prevented the incorporation of reptiles into conservation
planning and biased our understanding of the underlying processes governing
global vertebrate biodiversity. Here, we present and analyse the global
distribution of 10,064 reptile species (99% of extant terrestrial species). We
show that richness patterns of the other three tetrapod classes are good spatial
surrogates for species richness of all reptiles combined and of snakes, but
characterize diversity patterns of lizards and turtles poorly. Hotspots of total
and endemic lizard richness overlap very little with those of other taxa.
Moreover, existing protected areas, sites of biodiversity significance and global
conservation schemes represent birds and mammals better than reptiles. We show
that additional conservation actions are needed to effectively protect reptiles,
particularly lizards and turtles. Adding reptile knowledge to a global
complementarity conservation priority scheme identifies many locations that
consequently become important. Notably, investing resources in some of the
world's arid, grassland and savannah habitats might be necessary to represent all
terrestrial vertebrates efficiently.
PMID- 28993670
TI - Contralateral cortico-ponto-cerebellar pathways reconstruction in humans in vivo:
implications for reciprocal cerebro-cerebellar structural connectivity in motor
and non-motor areas.
AB - Cerebellar involvement in cognition, as well as in sensorimotor control, is
increasingly recognized and is thought to depend on connections with the cerebral
cortex. Anatomical investigations in animals and post-mortem humans have
established that cerebro-cerebellar connections are contralateral to each other
and include the cerebello-thalamo-cortical (CTC) and cortico-ponto-cerebellar
(CPC) pathways. CTC and CPC characterization in humans in vivo is still
challenging. Here advanced tractography was combined with quantitative indices to
compare CPC to CTC pathways in healthy subjects. Differently to previous studies,
our findings reveal that cerebellar cognitive areas are reached by the largest
proportion of the reconstructed CPC, supporting the hypothesis that a CTC-CPC
loop provides a substrate for cerebro-cerebellar communication during cognitive
processing. Amongst the cerebral areas identified using in vivo tractography, in
addition to the cerebral motor cortex, major portions of CPC streamlines leave
the prefrontal and temporal cortices. These findings are useful since provide MRI
based indications of possible subtending connectivity and, if confirmed, they are
going to be a milestone for instructing computational models of brain function.
These results, together with further multi-modal investigations, are warranted to
provide important cues on how the cerebro-cerebellar loops operate and on how
pathologies involving cerebro-cerebellar connectivity are generated.
PMID- 28993671
TI - MDSCs are induced after experimental blunt chest trauma and subsequently alter
antigen-specific T cell responses.
AB - Severe blunt chest trauma (TxT) induces a strong inflammatory response with
posttraumatic immune suppression pointing to an impaired adaptive immune
response. Since CD11b+Gr-1+-expressing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs)
are induced after inflammation and suppress T cell responses, MDSC induction and
their impact on T cell functions was analysed in an experimental TxT model. MDSCs
were induced preferentially in the lung until 24 hours after TxT. Although MDSC
numbers were only faintly increased in the spleen, splenic MDSCs isolated after
TxT strongly inhibited alloantigen-induced T cell proliferation in vitro.
Suppressive activity correlated with increased expression of arginase-1 and iNOS.
MDSCs also prevented antigen-induced T cell expansion in vivo, since
staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB)-induced proliferation of vbeta8+ T cells was
impaired in TxT mice in the presence of CD11b+Gr-1+ cells. Surprisingly, MDSCs
were not involved in shifting T cells into Th2 cells, characterized by the
secretion of cytokines impairing cell-mediated immunity and promoting
immunosuppression. Instead, the presence of CD11b+Gr-1+ cells was required for
efficient IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNFalpha production after antigenic stimulation,
indicating, that elevation of MDSCs early after traumatic injuries might
contribute to restrict the initial inflammatory response by alleviating T cell
expansion, however, without impeding Th1 functions.
PMID- 28993673
TI - Deep-level defects in n-type GaAsBi alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy at low
temperature and their influence on optical properties.
AB - Deep-level defects in n-type GaAs1-x Bi x having 0 <= x <= 0.023 grown on GaAs by
molecular beam epitaxy at substrate temperature of 378 degrees C have been
injvestigated by deep level transient spectroscopy. The optical properties of the
layers have been studied by contactless electroreflectance and photoluminescence.
We find that incorporating Bi suppresses the formation of GaAs-like electron
traps, thus reducing the total trap concentration in dilute GaAsBi layers by over
two orders of magnitude compared to GaAs grown under the same conditions. In
order to distinguish between Bi- and host-related traps and to identify their
possible origin, we used the GaAsBi band gap diagram to correlate their
activation energies in samples with different Bi contents. This approach was
recently successfully applied for the identification of electron traps in n-type
GaAs1-x N x and assumes that the activation energy of electron traps decreases
with the Bi (or N)-related downward shift of the conduction band. On the basis of
this diagram and under the support of recent theoretical calculations, at least
two Bi-related traps were revealed and associated with Bi pair defects, i.e.
(VGa+BiGa)-/2- and (AsGa+BiGa)0/1-. In the present work it is shown that these
defects also influence the photoluminescence properties of GaAsBi alloys.
PMID- 28993672
TI - Oligomerization-primed coiled-coil domain interaction with Ubc13 confers
processivity to TRAF6 ubiquitin ligase activity.
AB - Ubiquitin ligase TRAF6, together with ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc13/Uev1,
catalyzes processive assembly of unanchored K63-linked polyubiquitin chains for
TAK1 activation in the IL-1R/TLR pathways. However, what domain and how it
functions to enable TRAF6's processivity are largely uncharacterized. Here, we
find TRAF6 coiled-coil (CC) domain is crucial to enable its processivity. The CC
domain mediates TRAF6 oligomerization to ensure efficient long polyubiquitin
chain assembly. Mutating or deleting the CC domain impairs TRAF6 oligomerization
and processive polyubiquitin chain assembly. Fusion of the CC domain to the E3
ubiquitin ligase CHIP/STUB1 renders the latter capable of NF-kappaB activation.
Moreover, the CC domain, after oligomerization, interacts with Ubc13/Ub~Ubc13,
which further contributes to TRAF6 processivity. Point mutations within the CC
domain that weaken TRAF6 interaction with Ubc13/Ub~Ubc13 diminish TRAF6
processivity. Our results reveal that the CC oligomerization primes its
interaction with Ubc13/Ub~Ubc13 to confer processivity to TRAF6 ubiquitin ligase
activity.Ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 catalyzes assembly of free polyubiquitin chains
for TAK1 activation in the IL-1R/TLR pathways, but the mechanism underlying its
processivity is unclear. Here, the authors show that TRAF6 coiled-coil
oligomerization domain primes its interaction with Ubc13/Ub~Ubc13 to confer
processivity.
PMID- 28993674
TI - Geometry Optimization with Machine Trained Topological Atoms.
AB - The geometry optimization of a water molecule with a novel type of energy
function called FFLUX is presented, which bypasses the traditional bonded
potentials. Instead, topologically-partitioned atomic energies are trained by the
machine learning method kriging to predict their IQA atomic energies for a
previously unseen molecular geometry. Proof-of-concept that FFLUX's architecture
is suitable for geometry optimization is rigorously demonstrated. It is found
that accurate kriging models can optimize 2000 distorted geometries to within
0.28 kJ mol-1 of the corresponding ab initio energy, and 50% of those to within
0.05 kJ mol-1. Kriging models are robust enough to optimize the molecular
geometry to sub-noise accuracy, when two thirds of the geometric inputs are
outside the training range of that model. Finally, the individual components of
the potential energy are analyzed, and chemical intuition is reflected in the
independent behavior of the three energy terms [Formula: see text](intra-atomic),
[Formula: see text] (electrostatic) and [Formula: see text] (exchange), in
contrast to standard force fields.
PMID- 28993675
TI - Optical Manipulation of nanoparticles by simultaneous electric and magnetic field
enhancement within diabolo nanoantenna.
AB - In this paper, we propose and numerically simulate a novel optical trapping
process based on the enhancement and the confinement of both magnetic and
electric near-fields by using gold Diabolo Antenna (DA). The later was recently
proposed to generate huge magnetic near-field when illuminated by linearly
polarized wave along its axis. Numerical 3D - FDTD simulation results demonstrate
the high confinement of the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the DA. This
enhancement is then exploited for the trapping of nano-particles (NP) as small as
30 nm radius. Results show that the trapping process greatly depends on the
particle dimensions and that three different regimes of, trapping at contact,
trapping without contact, or pushing can be achieved within the same DA. This
doubly resonant structure opens the way to the design of a novel generation of
efficient optical nano-tweezers that allow manipulation of nano-particles by
simply changing the operation wavelength.
PMID- 28993676
TI - Properties analysis of transcription factor gene TasMYB36 from Trichoderma
asperellum CBS433.97 and its heterogeneous transfomation to improve antifungal
ability of Populus.
AB - The transcription of TasMYB36 in the biocontrol species T. asperellum was
upregulated in four different pathogenic fermentation broths, suggesting that
TasMYB36 plays an important role in the response to biotic stresses. Seventy-nine
MYB transcription factors that were homologous to TasMYB36 from six sequenced
Trichoderma genomes were analyzed. They were distributed in fourteen clades in
the phylogenetic tree. The 79 MYBs contained 113 DNA binding domains, and their
amino acid sequences were conserved and were different to those in plants. The
promoters of 79 MYBs contained 1374 cis-regulators related to the stress
response, such as GCR1 (17.5%) and GCN4 (15.5%). Subsequently, TasMYB36 was
integrated into the genome of Populus davidiana * P. alba var. pyramidalis (PdPap
poplar), and after co-culture of the transformants (PdPap-TasMYB36s) with
Alternaria alternate, the transcription of genes in the jasmonic acid (JA) and
salicylic acid (SA) hormone signaling pathways were upregulated; the POD, SOD and
CAT activities were enhanced; and the reactive oxygen content was reduced in
PdPap-TasMYB36s. The disease spots area on PdPap-TasMYB36s leaves infected by A.
alternate were average 0.63% (PdPap-Con: 24.7%). In summary, TasMYB36 of T.
asperellum CBS433.97 is an important defense response gene that upregulates other
stress response genes and could improve resistance to biotic stresses.
PMID- 28993677
TI - Squeezing giant spin states via geometric phase control in cavity-assisted Raman
transitions.
AB - Squeezing ensemble of spins provides a way to surpass the standard quantum limit
in quantum metrology and test the fundamental physics as well, and therefore
attracts broad interest. Here we propose an experimentally accessible protocol to
squeeze a giant ensemble of spins via the geometric phase control (GPC). Using
the cavity-assisted Raman transition (CART) in a double Lambda-type system, we
realize an effective Dicke model. Under the condition of vanishing effective spin
transition frequency, we find a particular evolution time where the cavity
decouples from the spins and the spin ensemble is squeezed considerably. Our
scheme combines the CART and the GPC, and has the potential to improve the
sensitivity in quantum metrology with spins by about two orders.
PMID- 28993678
TI - Erratum: Characterization of Mechanically Matched Hydrogel Coatings to Improve
the Biocompatibility of Neural Implants.
AB - A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML
version of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
PMID- 28993679
TI - Erratum: Sample-based approach can outperform the classical dynamical analysis -
experimental confirmation of the basin stability method.
AB - A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML
version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
PMID- 28993680
TI - Rheumatoid arthritis and risk for Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and
meta-analysis and a Mendelian Randomization study.
AB - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have been observed to be at a lower risk of
developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Clinical trials have showed no relationship
between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and AD. The aim of this
study was to establish if there is a causal link between RA and AD. A systematic
literature review on RA incidence and its link to AD was carried out according to
the PRISMA guidelines. Eight case-control and two population-based studies were
included in a random effects meta-analysis. The causal relationship between RA
and AD was assessed using Mendelian Randomization (MR), using summary data from
the largest RA and AD Genome Wide Association (GWA) and meta-analysis studies to
date using a score of 62 RA risk SNPs (p < 5 * 10-8) as instrumental variable
(IV). Meta-analysis of the literature showed that RA was associated with lower AD
incidence (OR = 0.600, 95% CI 0.46-0.77, p = 1.03 * 10-4). On the contrary, MR
analysis did not show any evidence of a causal association between RA and AD (OR
= 1.012, 95% CI 0.98-1.04). Although there is epidemiological evidence for an
association of RA with lower AD incidence, this association does not appear to be
causal. Possible explanations for this discrepancy could include influence from
confounding factors such as use of RA medication, selection bias and differential
RA diagnosis.
PMID- 28993681
TI - Equiaxial Strain Modulates Adipose-derived Stem Cell Differentiation within 3D
Biphasic Scaffolds towards Annulus Fibrosus.
AB - Recurrence of intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation is the most important factor
leading to chronic low back pain and subsequent disability after discectomy.
Efficacious annulus fibrosus (AF) repair strategy that delivers cells and
biologics to IVD injury site is needed to limit the progression of disc
degeneration and promote disc self-regeneration capacities after discectomy
procedures. In this study, a biphasic mechanically-conditioned scaffold
encapsulated with human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) is studied as a
potential treatment strategy for AF defects. Equiaxial strains and frequencies
were applied to ASCs-encapsulated scaffolds to identify the optimal loading
modality to induce AF differentiation. Equiaxial loading resulted in 2-4 folds
increase in secretion of extracellular matrix proteins and the reorganization of
the matrix fibers and elongations of the cells along the load direction. Further,
the equiaxial load induced region-specific differentiation of ASCs within the
inner and outer regions of the biphasic scaffolds. Gene expression of AF markers
was upregulated with 5-30 folds within the equiaxially loaded biphasic scaffolds
compared to unstrained samples. The results suggest that there is a specific
value of equiaxial strain favorable to differentiate ASCs towards AF lineage and
that ASCs-embedded biphasic scaffold can potentially be utilized to repair the AF
defects.
PMID- 28993682
TI - Olaparib modulates DNA repair efficiency, sensitizes cervical cancer cells to
cisplatin and exhibits anti-metastatic property.
AB - PARP1 trapping at DNA lesion by pharmacological inhibitors has been exploited in
several cancers exhibiting defects in DNA repair mechanisms. PARP1
hyperactivation is involved in therapeutic resistance in multiple cancers. The
role of PARP1 in cervical cancer (CC) resistance and implication of PARP
inhibitor is yet to be elucidated. Our data demonstrates significantly higher
expression of PARP1 in primary cervical tumors and CC cell lines SiHa and ME180.
Upon cisplatin treatment CC cells display significant overexpression of PARP1 and
its hyperactivation. PARP inhibitor olaparib shows significant anti-proliferative
effect on CC cells and drive loss of clonogenic survival and enhanced cell death
in combination with cisplatin. PARP inhibited cells show delay in resolution of
gammaH2A.X foci and prolonged late S and G2-M phase arrest resulting in
apoptosis. Further, PARP inhibition disrupts the localization of base excision
repair (BER) effector XRCC1 and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) proteins Ku80
and XRCC4. Due to disrupted relocation of repair factors, cisplatin induced
stalled replication forks collapse and convert into double strand breaks (DSBs).
Interestingly, PARP inhibition also shows anti-migratory and anti-invasive
properties in CC cells, increases anchorage independent cell death and induces
anoikis. Collectively, our data demonstrates therapeutic potential of PARP
inhibitor in cervical cancer.
PMID- 28993684
TI - The prognostic correlation of AFP level at diagnosis with pathological grade,
progression, and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB - The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive study of the clinical
correlation between the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level at diagnosis and
pathological grades, progression, and survival of patients with hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC). A total of 78,743 patients in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and
End Results Program (SEER)-registered HCC was analyzed. The AFP test results for
patients with HCC were mainly recorded as AFP-negative and AFP-positive. Logistic
regression analysis revealed that the AFP level at diagnosis was an independent
risk factor of pathological grade (odds ratio [OR], 2.559; 95% confidence
interval [CI], 2.075-3.157; P < 0.001), TNM-7 stage (OR, 2.794; CI, 2.407-3.242;
P < 0.001), and tumor size (OR, 1.748; 95% CI, 1.574-1.941; P < 0.001).
Multivariable Cox regression analyses identified AFP level as an independent
predictor of survival risk of patients with HCC who did not undergo surgery
(hazard ratio [HR], 1.660; 95% CI, 1.534-1.797; P < 0.001), and those who
underwent surgery (HR, 1.534; 95% CI, 1.348-1.745; P < 0.001). The AFP level at
diagnosis was an independent risk predictor associated with pathological grade,
progression, and survival. Further, surgery may not significantly reverse the
adverse effects of AFP-positive compared with AFP-negative.
PMID- 28993683
TI - Short term changes in the proteome of human cerebral organoids induced by 5-MeO
DMT.
AB - Dimethyltryptamines are entheogenic serotonin-like molecules present in
traditional Amerindian medicine recently associated with cognitive gains,
antidepressant effects, and changes in brain areas related to attention. Legal
restrictions and the lack of adequate experimental models have limited the
understanding of how such substances impact human brain metabolism. Here we used
shotgun mass spectrometry to explore proteomic differences induced by 5-methoxy
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) on human cerebral organoids. Out of the 6,728
identified proteins, 934 were found differentially expressed in 5-MeO-DMT-treated
cerebral organoids. In silico analysis reinforced previously reported anti
inflammatory actions of 5-MeO-DMT and revealed modulatory effects on proteins
associated with long-term potentiation, the formation of dendritic spines,
including those involved in cellular protrusion formation, microtubule dynamics,
and cytoskeletal reorganization. Our data offer the first insight about molecular
alterations caused by 5-MeO-DMT in human cerebral organoids.
PMID- 28993685
TI - microRNA profiling in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage of cigarette smoke
exposed mice and in COPD patients: a translational approach.
AB - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a progressive
airflow limitation and is associated with a chronic inflammatory response in both
airways and lungs. microRNAs (miRNAs) are often highly conserved between species
and have an intricate role within homeostatic conditions and immune responses.
Also, miRNAs are dysregulated in smoking-associated diseases. We investigated the
miRNA profile of 523 miRNAs by stem-loop RT-qPCR in lung tissue and cell-free
bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant of mice exposed to air or cigarette
smoke (CS) for 4 or 24 weeks. After 24 weeks of CS exposure, 31 miRNAs were
differentially expressed in lung tissue and 78 in BAL supernatant. Next, we
correlated the miRNA profiling data to inflammation in BAL and lung, obtained by
flow cytometry or ELISA. In addition, we surveyed for overlap with newly assessed
miRNA profiles in bronchial biopsies and with previously assessed miRNA profiles
in lung tissue and induced sputum supernatant of smokers with COPD. Several
miRNAs showed concordant differential expression between both species including
miR-31*, miR-155, miR-218 and let-7c. Thus, investigating miRNA profiling data in
different compartments and both species provided accumulating insights in miRNAs
that may be relevant in CS-induced inflammation and the pathogenesis of COPD.
PMID- 28993686
TI - Multiobjective differential evolution-based multifactor dimensionality reduction
for detecting gene-gene interactions.
AB - Epistasis within disease-related genes (gene-gene interactions) was determined
through contingency table measures based on multifactor dimensionality reduction
(MDR) using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Most MDR-based methods use
the single contingency table measure to detect gene-gene interactions; however,
some gene-gene interactions may require identification through multiple
contingency table measures. In this study, a multiobjective differential
evolution method (called MODEMDR) was proposed to merge the various contingency
table measures based on MDR to detect significant gene-gene interactions. Two
contingency table measures, namely the correct classification rate and normalized
mutual information, were selected to design the fitness functions in MODEMDR. The
characteristics of multiobjective optimization enable MODEMDR to use multiple
measures to efficiently and synchronously detect significant gene-gene
interactions within a reasonable time frame. Epistatic models with and without
marginal effects under various parameter settings (heritability and minor allele
frequencies) were used to assess existing methods by comparing the detection
success rates of gene-gene interactions. The results of the simulation datasets
show that MODEMDR is superior to existing methods. Moreover, a large dataset
obtained from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium was used to assess
MODEMDR. MODEMDR exhibited efficiency in identifying significant gene-gene
interactions in genome-wide association studies.
PMID- 28993688
TI - Modulation of electronic transport properties in armchair phosphorene nanoribbons
by doping and edge passivation.
AB - The electronic structures and transport properties of group IV atoms (C, Si, Ge)
doped armchair phosphorene nanoribbons (APNRs) are investigated using first
principles calculations, considering different edge passivation. The results show
that the C, Si, Ge dopants can induce the transition occur from semiconductor to
metal in the APNRs. The negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior in the
doped APNR system is robust with respect to the doping concentration and edge
passivation type. However, their current peak positions and peak-to-valley ratio
(PVR) values are correlated with doping concentration and edge passivation type.
In particular, for the C, Si-doped APNRs, the low bias NDR behavior with the PVR
(105-108) can be observed when doping concentration is low in the APNRs with the
F and H edge passivation. These results may play an important role for the
fabrication of future low power consumption nano-electronic devices.
PMID- 28993687
TI - Dynamic mRNA and miRNA expression analysis in response to hypoxia and
reoxygenation in the blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala).
AB - Adaptation to hypoxia is a complex process involving various pathways and
regulation mechanisms. A better understanding of the genetic influence on these
mechanisms could permit selection for hypoxia-sensitive fish. To aid this
understanding, an integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression was performed
in Megalobrama amblycephala under four acute hypoxia and reoxygenation stages. A
number of significantly differentially-expressed miRNAs and genes associated with
oxidative stress were identified, and their functional characteristics were
revealed by GO function and KEGG pathway analysis. They were found to be involved
in HIF-1 pathways known to affect energy metabolism and apoptosis. MiRNA-mRNA
interaction pairs were detected from comparison of expression between the four
different stages. The function annotation results also showed that many miRNA
mRNA interaction pairs were likely to be involved in regulating hypoxia stress.
As a unique resource for gene expression and regulation during hypoxia and
reoxygenation, this study could provide a starting point for further studies to
better understand the genetic background of hypoxia stress.
PMID- 28993689
TI - Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) Antennas via Mode Combining and Canceling in Near
field.
AB - Orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode combining and canceling in the near-field was
investigated using a Cassegrain dual-reflectarray antenna composed of multiple
microstrip patches on the main and sub-reflectarrays. Microstrip patches on
dielectric substrates were designed to radiate the particular OAM modes for
arithmetic mode combining, where two OAM wave-generating reflectarrays are very
closely placed in the near-field. We conducted near-field antenna measurements at
18 [GHz] by manually replacing the sub-reflectarray substrates with different OAM
mode numbers of 0, +/-1, when the OAM mode number of the main reflectarray was
fixed to +1. We subsequently checked the azimuthal phase distributions of the
reflected total electromagnetic waves in the near-field, and verified that the
OAM waves mutually reflected from the main and sub-reflectarrays are added or
subtracted to each other according to their OAM mode numbers. Based on our
proposal, an OAM mode-canceling reflectarray antenna was designed, and the
following measurements indicate that the antenna has a better reflection
bandwidth and antenna gain than a conventional reflectarray antenna. The concept
of OAM mode canceling in the near-field can contribute widely to a new type of
low-profile, broad-reflection bandwidth, and high-gain antenna.
PMID- 28993690
TI - Spred2-deficiecy Protects Mice from Polymicrobial Septic Peritonitis by Enhancing
Inflammation and Bacterial Clearance.
AB - Sepsis is an infection-induced systemic inflammatory syndrome and a major cause
of death for critically ill patients. Here, we examined whether the absence of
Sprouty-related EVH1-domain-containing protein 2 (Spred2), a negative regulator
of the Ras/Raf/ERK/MAPK pathway, influences host defense against polymicrobial
sepsis (PMS) induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Compared to wild-type
mice, Spred2-/- mice exhibited higher survival rates with increased level of
leukocyte infiltration and local chemokine production and reduced plasma and
peritoneal bacterial loads after CLP. The MEK inhibitor U0126 significantly
reduced LPS-induced chemokine production by Spred2-/- resident macrophages in
vitro, and decreased CLP-induced leukocyte infiltration in vivo. Spred2-/-
resident macrophages, but not neutrophils or elicited macrophages, exhibited
increased phagocytic activity. Interestingly, surface expression of complement
receptor 1/2 (CR1/2) was increased in Spred2-/- resident macrophages in response
to lipopolysaccharide in a manner dependent on the ERK/MAPK pathway, and blocking
CR1/2 in vivo resulted in reduced leukocyte infiltration and increased bacterial
loads after CLP. Taken together, our results indicate that Spred2-deficiency
protects mice from PMS via increased activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway and
subsequent increase in innate immune responses. Thus, inhibiting Spred2 may
present a novel means to prevent the development of PMS.
PMID- 28993691
TI - Fermi surface topology and magnetotransport in semimetallic LuSb.
AB - Several rare-earth monopnictides were shown to exhibit extreme magnetoresistance
and field-induced low-temperature plateau of electrical resistivity. These
features are also hallmarks of topological semimetals, thus the family is
intensively explored with respect to magneto-transport properties and possible
hosting Dirac fermion states. We report a comprehensive investigation of Fermi
surface and electrical transport properties of LuSb, another representative of
this family. At low temperatures, the magnetoresistance of LuSb was found to
exceed 3000% without saturation in fields up to 9 T. Analysis of the Hall effect
and the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations revealed that the Fermi surface of this
compound consists of several pockets originating from fairly compensated multi
band electronic structure, in full accordance with our first-principles
calculations. Observed magnetotransport properties of LuSb can be attributed to
the topology of three-dimensional Fermi surface and a compensation of electron
and hole contributions.
PMID- 28993692
TI - Dissecting the mycobacterial cell envelope and defining the composition of the
native mycomembrane.
AB - The mycobacterial envelope is unique, containing the so-called mycomembrane (MM)
composed of very-long chain fatty acids, mycolic acids (MA). Presently, the
molecular composition of the MM remains unproven, due to the diversity of methods
used for determining its composition. The plasma membranes (PM) and the native MM
containing cell walls (MMCW) of two rapid-growing mycobacterial species,
Mycobacterium aurum and M. smegmatis, were isolated from their cell lysates by
differential ultracentrifugation. Transmission electron microscopy and
biochemical analyses demonstrated that the two membranes were virtually pure.
Bottom-up quantitative proteomics study indicated a different distribution of
more than 2,100 proteins between the PM and MMCW. Among these, the
mannosyltransferase PimB, galactofuranosyltransferase GlfT2, Cytochrome p450 and
ABC transporter YjfF, were most abundant in the PM, which also contain
lipoglycans, phospholipids, including phosphatidylinositol mannosides, and only a
tiny amount of other glycolipids. Antigen85 complex proteins, porins and the
putative transporters MCE protein family were mostly found in MMCW fraction that
contains MA esterifying arabinogalactan, constituting the inner leaflet of MM.
Glycolipids, phospholipids and lipoglycans, together with proteins, presumably
composed the outer leaflet of the MM, a lipid composition that differs from that
deduced from the widely used extraction method of mycobacterial cells with
dioctylsulfosuccinate sodium.
PMID- 28993693
TI - Uroplakin traffic through the Golgi apparatus induces its fragmentation: new
insights from novel in vitro models.
AB - Uroplakins (UPs) play an essential role in maintaining an effective urothelial
permeability barrier at the level of superficial urothelial cell (UC) layer.
Although the organization of UPs in the apical plasma membrane (PM) of UCs is
well known, their transport in UCs is only partially understood. Here, we
dissected trafficking of UPs and its differentiation-dependent impact on Golgi
apparatus (GA) architecture. We demonstrated that individual subunits UPIb and
UPIIIa are capable of trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum to the GA in
UCs. Moreover, UPIb, UPIIIa or UPIb/UPIIIa expressing UCs revealed fragmentation
and peripheral redistribution of Golgi-units. Notably, expression of UPIb or
UPIb/UPIIIa triggered similar GA fragmentation in MDCK and HeLa cells that do not
express UPs endogenously. The colocalization analysis of UPIb/UPIIIa-EGFP and
COPI, COPII or clathrin suggested that UPs follow constitutively the post-Golgi
route to the apical PM. Depolymerisation of microtubules leads to complete
blockade of the UPIb/UPIIIa-EGFP post-Golgi transport, while disassembly of actin
filaments shows significantly reduced delivery of UPIb/UPIIIa-EGFP to the PM. Our
findings show the significant effect of the UPs expression on the GA
fragmentation, which enables secretory Golgi-outpost to be distributed as close
as possible to the sites of cargo delivery at the PM.
PMID- 28993694
TI - Quantifying the relative immune cell activation from whole tissue/organ-derived
differentially expressed gene data.
AB - Evaluation of immune responses in individual immune cell types is important for
the development of new medicines. Here, we propose a computational method
designated ICEPOP (Immune CEll POPulation) to estimate individual immune cell
type responses from bulk tissue and organ samples. The relative gene responses
are scored for each cell type by using the data from differentially expressed
genes derived from control- vs drug-treated sample pairs, and the data from
public databases including ImmGen and IRIS, which contain gene expression
profiles of a variety of immune cells. By ICEPOP, we analysed cell responses
induced by vaccine-adjuvants in the mouse spleen, and extended the analyses to
human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and gut biopsy samples focusing on human
papilloma virus vaccination and inflammatory bowel disease treatment with
Infliximab. In both mouse and human datasets, our method reliably quantified the
responding immune cell types and provided insightful information, demonstrating
that our method is useful to evaluate immune responses from bulk sample-derived
gene expression data. ICEPOP is available as an interactive web site (
https://vdynamics.shinyapps.io/icepop/ ) and Python package (
https://github.com/ewijaya/icepop ).
PMID- 28993695
TI - Measurement of linear response functions in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
AB - We measure multi-time correlation functions of a set of Pauli operators on a two
level system, which can be used to retrieve its associated linear response
functions. The two-level system is an effective spin constructed from the nuclear
spins of 1H atoms in a solution of 13C-labeled chloroform. Response functions
characterize the linear response of the system to a family of perturbations,
allowing us to compute physical quantities such as the magnetic susceptibility of
the effective spin. We use techniques exported from quantum information to
measure time correlations on the two-level system. This approach requires the use
of an ancillary qubit encoded in the nuclear spins of the 13C atoms and a
sequence of controlled operations. Moreover, we demonstrate the ability of such a
quantum platform to compute time-correlation functions of arbitrary order, which
relate to higher-order corrections of perturbative methods. Particularly, we show
three-time correlation functions for arbitrary times, and we also measure time
correlation functions at fixed times up to tenth order.
PMID- 28993696
TI - An eQTL variant of ZXDC is associated with IFN-gamma production following
Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-specific stimulation.
AB - There is a large inter-individual variability in the response to Mycobacterium
tuberculosis infection. In previous linkage analyses, we identified a major locus
on chromosome region 8q controlling IFN-gamma production after stimulation with
live BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin), and a second locus on chromosome region 3q
affecting IFN-gamma production triggered by the 6-kDa early secretory antigen
target (ESAT-6), taking into account the IFN-gamma production induced by BCG
(IFNgamma-ESAT6BCG). High-density genotyping and imputation identified ~100,000
variants within each linkage region, which we tested for association with the
corresponding IFN-gamma phenotype in families from a tuberculosis household
contact study in France. Significant associations were replicated in a South
African familial sample. The most convincing association observed was that
between the IFNgamma-ESAT6BCG phenotype and rs9828868 on chromosome 3q (p = 9.8 *
10-6 in the French sample). This variant made a significant contribution to the
linkage signal (p < 0.001), and a trend towards the same association was observed
in the South African sample. This variant was reported to be an eQTL of the ZXDC
gene, biologically linked to monocyte IL-12 production through CCL2/MCP1. The
identification of rs9828868 as a genetic driver of IFNgamma production in
response to mycobacterial antigens provides new insights into human anti
tuberculosis immunity.
PMID- 28993697
TI - N-terminal gelsolin fragment potentiates TRAIL mediated death in resistant
hepatoma cells.
AB - TNF-alpha related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively kills tumor
cells, without damaging normal cells. TRAIL receptors facilitate induction of
apoptosis for selective elimination of malignant cells. However, some cancer
cells have developed resistances to TRAIL which limits anticancer potential.
Gelsolin, a multifunctional actin-binding protein, mediates cell death involving
the TRAIL receptors in the hepatic stellate cell line, LX2. Here, we have shown
that conditioned medium (CM) containing gelsolin fragments or an N-terminal
gelsolin fragment (amino acid residues 1-70) in the presence of TRAIL impairs
cell viability of TRAIL resistant transformed human hepatocytes (HepG2). Cell
growth regulation by CM and TRAIL was associated with the modulation of p53/Mdm2,
Erk and Akt phosphorylation status. The use of N-terminal gelsolin peptide1-70
alone or in combination with TRAIL, induced inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and
key survival factors, Mdm2 and Survivin. Treatment of cells with an Akt activator
SC79 or p53 siRNA reduced the effects of the N-terminal gelsolin fragment and
TRAIL. Together, our study suggests that the N-terminal gelsolin fragment
enhances TRAIL-induced loss of cell viability by inhibiting phosphorylation of
Akt and promoting p53 function, effecting cell survival.
PMID- 28993698
TI - Structural decomposition of decadal climate prediction errors: A Bayesian
approach.
AB - Decadal climate predictions use initialized coupled model simulations that are
typically affected by a drift toward a biased climatology determined by
systematic model errors. Model drifts thus reflect a fundamental source of
uncertainty in decadal climate predictions. However, their analysis has so far
relied on ad-hoc assessments of empirical and subjective character. Here, we
define the climate model drift as a dynamical process rather than a descriptive
diagnostic. A unified statistical Bayesian framework is proposed where a state
space model is used to decompose systematic decadal climate prediction errors
into an initial drift, seasonally varying climatological biases and additional
effects of co-varying climate processes. An application to tropical and south
Atlantic sea-surface temperatures illustrates how the method allows to evaluate
and elucidate dynamic interdependencies between drift, biases, hindcast residuals
and background climate. Our approach thus offers a methodology for objective,
quantitative and explanatory error estimation in climate predictions.
PMID- 28993699
TI - Effect of a positive Sea Surface Temperature anomaly on a Mediterranean tornadic
supercell.
AB - Extreme events represent a topic of paramount importance and a challenge for
modelling investigations. Due to the need of high-resolution models, the study of
severe localized convective phenomena is even more critical, especially in
relation to changes in forcing factors, such as sea surface temperatures (SSTs),
in future climate scenarios. Here, we analyze the effect of changes in SSTs on
the intensity of a tornadic supercell in the Mediterranean through modelling
investigations. We show dramatic (nonlinear) changes for updraft helicity and
vertical velocity, which measure the intensity of the supercell, even for
variations of SST only of + /-1 K.
PMID- 28993700
TI - Vegetation morphologic and aerodynamic characteristics reduce aeolian erosion.
AB - ABSRACT: Vegetation cover is crucial to controlling aeolian erosion but highly
efficient vegetation is critical. How this efficiency is influenced by vegetation
response to airflow is not clear. Here we evaluate the responses of Cosmos
bipinnatus and Ligustrum lucidum Ait to a range of wind speeds in a wind tunnel.
For both species, we calculate shelter effect and sand flux. We show that plant
effectiveness in reducing wind speed and sediment transport is linked to their
aerodynamic response to airflow which results from their morphology. We
demonstrate that in low-density cover the flow-response and resistance of
individuals is most critical in the optimal effectiveness of a canopy. Our wind
tunnel experiment suggests that vegetation morphology and structure must be
priority parameters in facilitating aeolian erosion control.
PMID- 28993701
TI - Parkinson's disease-related DJ-1 functions in thiol quality control against
aldehyde attack in vitro.
AB - DJ-1 (also known as PARK7) has been identified as a causal gene for hereditary
recessive Parkinson's disease (PD). Consequently, the full elucidation of DJ-1
function will help decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying PD pathogenesis.
However, because various, and sometimes inconsistent, roles for DJ-1 have been
reported, the molecular function of DJ-1 remains controversial. Recently, a
number of papers have suggested that DJ-1 family proteins are involved in
aldehyde detoxification. We found that DJ-1 indeed converts methylglyoxal
(pyruvaldehyde)-adducted glutathione (GSH) to intact GSH and lactate. Based on
evidence that DJ-1 functions in mitochondrial homeostasis, we focused on the
possibility that DJ-1 protects co-enzyme A (CoA) and its precursor in the CoA
synthetic pathway from aldehyde attack. Here, we show that intact CoA and beta
alanine, an intermediate in CoA synthesis, are recovered from methylglyoxal
adducts by recombinant DJ-1 purified from E. coli. In this process, methylglyoxal
is converted to L-lactate rather than the D-lactate produced by a conventional
glyoxalase. PD-related pathogenic mutations of DJ-1 (L10P, M26I, A104T, D149A,
and L166P) impair or abolish detoxification activity, suggesting a pathological
significance. We infer that a key to understanding the biological function of DJ
1 resides in its methylglyoxal-adduct hydrolase activity, which protects low
molecular thiols, including CoA, from aldehydes.
PMID- 28993703
TI - Zebra Finch chicks recognise parental scent, and retain chemosensory knowledge of
their genetic mother, even after egg cross-fostering.
AB - Mechanisms underlying parent-offspring recognition in birds have fascinated
researchers for centuries. Yet, the possibility that chicks recognise parental
odour at hatching has been completely overlooked, despite the fact that olfaction
is one of the first sensory modalities to develop, and social chemosignals occur
in avian taxa. Here we show that Zebra Finch chicks (Taeniopygia guttata) are
capable of identifying parental odours at hatching. In our first experiment,
chicks begged significantly longer in response to the odour of their genetic
mother or father compared to the odour of a non-relative of the same sex and
reproductive status. In a second experiment, we cross-fostered eggs and tested
the response of hatchlings to the scent of genetic vs. foster parents. Chicks
from cross-fostered eggs responded significantly more to the odour of their
genetic mother than their foster mother, but exhibited no difference in response
to genetic vs. foster fathers. This is the first evidence that embryonic
altricial birds are capable of acquiring chemosensory knowledge of their parents
during early development, and retain chemical familiarity with their genetic
mother despite egg cross-fostering. Furthermore our data reveals that kin
recognition in birds can develop without any association with a genetic parent at
hatching.
PMID- 28993702
TI - ERV1 Overexpression in Myeloid Cells Protects against High Fat Diet Induced
Obesity and Glucose Intolerance.
AB - Non-resolving inflammation is a central pathologic component of obesity, insulin
resistance, type 2 diabetes and associated morbidities. The resultant
hyperglycemia is deleterious to the normal function of many organs and its
control significantly improves survival and quality of life for patients with
diabetes. Macrophages play critical roles in both onset and progression of
obesity-associated insulin resistance. Here we show that systemic activation of
inflammation resolution prevents from morbid obesity and hyperglycemia under
dietary overload conditions. In gain-of-function studies using mice
overexpressing the human resolvin E1 receptor (ERV1) in myeloid cells, monocyte
phenotypic shifts to increased patrolling-to-inflammatory ratio controlled
inflammation, reduced body weight gain and protected from hyperglycemia on high
fat diet. Administration of a natural ERV1 agonist, resolvin E1, recapitulated
the pro-resolving actions gained by ERV1 overexpression. This protective
metabolic impact is in part explained by systemic activation of resolution
programs leading to increased synthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators.
PMID- 28993704
TI - Interfacial contact stiffness of fractal rough surfaces.
AB - In this work we describe a theoretical model that predicts the interfacial
contact stiffness of fractal rough surfaces by considering the effects of elastic
and plastic deformations of the fractal asperities. We also develop an original
test rig that simulates dovetail joints for turbo machinery blades, which can
fine tune the normal contact load existing between the contacting surfaces of the
blade root. The interfacial contact stiffness is obtained through an inverse
identification method in which finite element simulations are fitted to the
experimental results. Excellent agreement is observed between the contact
stiffness predicted by the theoretical model and by the analogous experimental
results. We demonstrate that the contact stiffness is a power law function of the
normal contact load with an exponent alpha within the whole range of fractal
dimension D(1 < D < 2). We also show that for 1 < D < 1.5 the Pohrt-Popov
behavior (alpha = 1/(3 - D)) is valid, however for 1.5 < D < 2, the exponent
alpha is different and equal to 2(D - 1)/D. The diversity between the model
developed in the work and the Pohrt-Popov one is explained in detail.
PMID- 28993705
TI - A vicious loop of fatty acid-binding protein 4 and DNA methyltransferase 1
promotes acute myeloid leukemia and acts as a therapeutic target.
AB - Aberrant DNA methylation mediated by deregulation of DNA methyltransferases
(DNMT) is a key hallmark of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), yet efforts to target
DNMT deregulation for drug development have lagged. We previously demonstrated
that upregulation of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) promotes AML
aggressiveness through enhanced DNMT1-dependent DNA methylation. Here, we
demonstrate that FABP4 upregulation in AML cells occurs through vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, thus elucidating a crucial FABP4
DNMT1 regulatory feedback loop in AML biology. We show that FABP4 dysfunction by
its selective inhibitor BMS309403 leads to downregulation of DNMT1, decrease of
global DNA methylation and re-expression of p15INK4B tumor suppressor gene by
promoter DNA hypomethylation in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Functionally,
BMS309403 suppresses cell colony formation, induces cell differentiation, and,
importantly, impairs leukemic disease progression in mouse models of leukemia.
Our findings highlight AML-promoting properties of the FABP4-DNMT1 vicious loop,
and identify an attractive class of therapeutic agents with a high potential for
clinical use in AML patients. The results will also assist in establishing the
FABP4-DNMT1 loop as a target for therapeutic discovery to enhance the index of
current epigenetic therapies.
PMID- 28993706
TI - Rare-Earth Free Self-Activated Graphene Quantum Dots and Copper-Cysteamine
Phosphors for Enhanced White Light-Emitting-Diodes under Single Excitation.
AB - Rare-earth (RE) based phosphors are attractive due to their potential
applications. However, owing to the resource issue, these kinds of phosphors are
expensive and costly. On the contrary, as for phosphor-convert white light
emitting-diodes (pc-WLEDs), a solution-processed tunable warm white emission LED
composite is fabricated in this study under single excitation, with both RE free
phosphors graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and Copper-Cysteamine (Cu-Cy). By using
microwave-assisted wet-chemical method and with graphite as raw material, cold
white fluorescence of the GQDs is obtained. Cu-Cy which shows intense
photoluminescence in the red region has the structure where both the thio and
amine groups connected with copper and forming cysteamine. Warm white light is
achieved by mixing the two self-activated RE free phosphors at the weight ratio
of 1: 1.7 under the excitation at 365 nm. The designed optimal LED device has the
properties of CIE (x, y) = (0.341, 0.327), T = 4436 K, R = 87.9 EQE = 0.31%. The
experimental results demonstrate that RE free phosphor(s) excited under a single
chip can open up a new avenue to develop much lower device for warm WLEDs.
PMID- 28993707
TI - Effects of active commuting and leisure-time exercise on fat loss in women and
men with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled trial.
AB - BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise is recommended for weight management but energy
balance is often less negative than predicted from exercise energy expenditure
(ExEE). OBJECTIVE: To examine effects of active commuting and leisure-time
exercise on fat loss in women and men with overweight and obesity. METHODS: We
randomized 130 younger, physically inactive women and men with overweight and
obesity (body mass index: 25-35 kg m-2) to 6 months of habitual lifestyle
(control; CON, n=18), active commuting (BIKE, n=35) or leisure-time exercise of
moderate (MOD, 50% VO2peak reserve, n=39) or vigorous intensity (VIG, 70% VO2peak
reserve, n=38). The primary outcome was change in fat mass measured by dual
energy X-ray absorptiometry, which was analyzed intention-to-treat. Accumulated
energy balance was calculated based on changes in body composition, and ExEE was
calculated based on heart rate monitoring during exercise. RESULTS: Testing at 3
and 6 months was completed by 95 and 90 participants, respectively. Fat mass was
reduced after 3 and 6 months in BIKE (3 months: -3.6 (-5.5; -1.7) kg (mean (95%
CI)); 6 months: -4.2 (-6.6; -1.9) kg; both: P<0.001), MOD (3 months: -2.2 (-3.9;
0.4) kg; 6 months: -2.6 (-4.8; -0.5) kg, both: P<0.02) and VIG (3 months: -3.4 (
5.2; -1.7) kg; 6 months: -4.5 (-6.6; -2.3) kg; both: P<0.001) compared with CON.
Furthermore, fat loss was greater in VIG compared with MOD (6 months: -1.8 (-3.6;
-0.1) kg, P=0.043). Based on the ExEE and the accumulated energy balance MOD
compensated for the ExEE (77 (48; 106) %) but not BIKE (38 (-18; 95) %) and VIG
(21 (-14; 55) %). CONCLUSIONS: A meaningful fat loss was obtained by 6 months of
active commuting and leisure-time exercise, but fat loss was greater with
vigorous compared with moderate intensity exercise. Active commuting is an
alternative to leisure-time exercise in the management of overweight and obesity.
The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01962259 (main trial) and
NCT01973686 (energy metabolism sub-study).
PMID- 28993708
TI - Body mass index is associated with cortical thinning with different patterns in
mid- and late-life.
AB - OBJECTIVE: High BMI at midlife is associated with increased risk of dementia as
well as faster decline in cognitive function. In late-life, however, high BMI has
been found to be associated with both increased and decreased dementia risk. The
objective of this study was to investigate the neural substrates of this age
related change in body mass index (BMI) risk. METHODS: We measured longitudinal
cortical thinning over the whole brain, based on magnetic resonance imaging scans
for 910 individuals aged 44-66 years at baseline. Subjects were sampled from a
large population study (PATH, Personality and Total Health through Life). After
attrition and exclusions, the final analysis was based on 792 individuals,
including 387 individuals aged 60-66 years and 405 individuals aged 44-49 years.
A mixed-effects model was used to test the association between cortical thinning
and baseline BMI, as well as percentage change in BMI. RESULTS: Increasing BMI
was associated with increased cortical thinning in posterior cingulate at midlife
(0.014 mm kg-1 m-2, confidence interval; CI=0.005, 0.023, P<0.05 false discovery
rate (FDR) corrected). In late-life, increasing BMI was associated with reduced
cortical thickness, most prominently in the right supramarginal cortex (0.010 mm
kg-1 m-2, CI=0.005-0.016, P<0.05 FDR corrected), as well as frontal regions. In
late-life, decreasing BMI was also associated with increased cortical thinning,
including right caudal middle frontal cortex (0.014 mm kg-1 m-2 (CI=0.006-0.023,
P<0.05 FDR corrected). CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of cortical thinning-in
association with increasing BMI at both midlife and late-life-is consistent with
known obesity-related dementia risk. Increased cortical thinning in association
with decreasing BMI at late-life may help explain the 'obesity paradox', where
high BMI in midlife appears to be a risk factor for dementia, but high BMI in
late-life appears, at times, to be protective.
PMID- 28993709
TI - The association between BMI and health-related quality of life in the US
population: sex, age and ethnicity matters.
AB - BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major public health problem. Detailed knowledge about
the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life
(HRQL) is important for deriving effective and cost-effective prevention and
weight management strategies. This study aims to describe the sex-, age- and
ethnicity-specific association between BMI and HRQL in the US adult population.
METHODS: Analyses are based on pooled cross-sectional data from 41 459
participants of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component
(HC) for the years 2000-2003. BMI was calculated using self-reported height and
weight, and HRQL was assessed with the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire.
Generalized additive models were fitted with a smooth function for BMI and a
smooth-factor interaction for BMI with sex adjusted for age, ethnicity, poverty,
smoking and physical activity. Models were further stratified by age and
ethnicity. RESULTS: The association between BMI and HRQL is inverse U-shaped with
a HRQL high point at a BMI of 22 kg m-2 in women and a HRQL high plateau at BMI
values of 22-30 kg m-2 in men. Men aged 50 years and older with a BMI of 29 kg m
2 reported on average five-point higher visual analog scale (VAS) scores than
peers with a BMI of 20 kg m-2. The inverse U-shaped association is more
pronounced in older people, and the BMI-HRQL relationship differs between
ethnicities. In Hispanics, the BMI associated with the highest HRQL is higher
than in white people and, in black women, the BMI-HRQL association has an almost
linear negative slope. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that a more differentiated
use of BMI cutoffs in scientific discussions and daily practice is indicated. The
findings should be considered in the design of future weight loss and weight
management programs.
PMID- 28993710
TI - Dose-dependent expression of claudin-5 is a modifying factor in schizophrenia.
AB - Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects up to 1% of the
general population. Various genes show associations with schizophrenia and a very
weak nominal association with the tight junction protein, claudin-5, has
previously been identified. Claudin-5 is expressed in endothelial cells forming
part of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Furthermore, schizophrenia occurs in 30%
of individuals with 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), a population who are
haploinsufficient for the claudin-5 gene. Here, we show that a variant in the
claudin-5 gene is weakly associated with schizophrenia in 22q11DS, leading to 75%
less claudin-5 being expressed in endothelial cells. We also show that targeted
adeno-associated virus-mediated suppression of claudin-5 in the mouse brain
results in localized BBB disruption and behavioural changes. Using an inducible
'knockdown' mouse model, we further link claudin-5 suppression with psychosis
through a distinct behavioural phenotype showing impairments in learning and
memory, anxiety-like behaviour and sensorimotor gating. In addition, these
animals develop seizures and die after 3-4 weeks of claudin-5 suppression,
reinforcing the crucial role of claudin-5 in normal neurological function.
Finally, we show that anti-psychotic medications dose-dependently increase
claudin-5 expression in vitro and in vivo while aberrant, discontinuous
expression of claudin-5 in the brains of schizophrenic patients post mortem was
observed compared to age-matched controls. Together, these data suggest that BBB
disruption may be a modifying factor in the development of schizophrenia and that
drugs directly targeting the BBB may offer new therapeutic opportunities for
treating this disorder.Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication, 10
October 2017; doi:10.1038/mp.2017.156.
PMID- 28993711
TI - Social impairments in autism spectrum disorder are related to maternal immune
history profile.
AB - Maternal immune activation has been highlighted as a factor that might increase
the risk and severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. Preclinical
animal evidence shows that immune activation in mothers during pregnancy causes
ASD-like behavioural traits in offspring. To this point, there has been no
investigation of whether immune system activation in human mothers during
pregnancy is associated with more severe symptoms in children with ASD. In this
study, data from an existing ASD cohort (N=220) were analysed to investigate
whether immune conditions in the mother were associated with greater severity of
autism-related symptoms. Results showed that children whose mothers reported a
history of immune activation (allergies and asthma) had significantly higher
scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS; P=0.016), suggesting more severe
social impairment symptoms in these children. This increasing severity of social
impairment symptoms was further shown on the SRS cognition (P=0.007) and
mannerisms (P=0.002) subscales. While immune history was associated with an
increase in the severity of social impairment symptoms, history of autoimmune
conditions in the mother did not have any effect in this cohort. To the best of
our knowledge, this study is the first to show an association between immune
activation history in the mother and increased ASD symptom severity in children
with ASD. These findings support the idea of an immune system-mediated subtype in
ASD, where the immune history of the mother may be an important factor.
PMID- 28993712
TI - Reversing the amyloid trend: Mechanism of fibril assembly and dissolution of the
repeat domain from a human functional amyloid.
AB - Amyloids are traditionally observed in the context of disease. However, there is
growing momentum that these structures can serve a beneficial role where the
amyloid carries out a specific function. These so called 'functional amyloids'
have all the structural hallmarks of disease-associated amyloids, raising the
question as to what differentiates a well-behaved benign amyloid from a lethally
destructive one. Here, we review our work on the repeat domain (RPT) from Pmel17,
an important functional amyloid involved in melanin biosynthesis. Particularly,
we focused our attention on the unique reversible aggregation-disaggregation
process of RPT that is controlled strictly by solution pH. This pH dependence of
RPT amyloid formation functions as a switch to control fibril assembly and
maintains the benign nature that is associated with functional amyloids.
PMID- 28993713
TI - Synthesis of pH indicators for Cerenkov imaging by electrophilic substitution of
bromine by fluorine in an aromatic system.
AB - Direct electrophilic fluorination using molecular fluorine gas is used in organic
synthesis to create novel fluorine-containing compounds with potential beneficial
activity that could not be obtained by nucleophilic substitution. In this paper,
we report a novel electrophilic substitution of bromine by fluorine in an
aromatic system. The mechanism of this type of fluorination was explored using
the reaction between bromothymolsulfonphthalein (Bromothymol Blue) and dilute
fluorine gas under acidic conditions. Substitution occurs in the bromine atoms
located in the ortho-position relative to the hydroxyl group. A similar
electrophilic fluorination of thymolsulfonphthalein (Thymol Blue) leads to a
substitution of hydrogen atoms in the same position (ortho to hydroxyl). NMR
spectroscopy was used to confirm the fluorination sites. NMR spectra of
thymolsulfonphthalein and its derivatives under basic conditions can be explained
by considering the absence of resonance between the two phenolic rings. Both
dibromothymol blue and fluorobromothymol blue revealed intermolecular attenuate
Cerenkov radiation selectively near their maximum absorbance in a pH dependent
manner.
PMID- 28993714
TI - Consequences of Partner Incarceration for Women's Employment.
AB - Research has documented the limited opportunities men have to earn income while
in prison and the barriers to securing employment and decent wages upon release.
However, little research has considered the relationship between men's
incarceration and the employment of the women in their lives. Economic theory
suggests that family members of incarcerated individuals may attempt to smooth
income fluctuation resulting from incarceration by increasing their labor supply.
This study used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N =
3,780) to investigate how men's incarceration is associated with the number of
hours their female partners work as well as variation in this association.
Results showed that, on average, women's hours of work were not significantly
impacted by the incarceration of their partners. However, there was a positive
relationship between partner incarceration and employment among more advantaged
groups of women (e.g., married women, white women).
PMID- 28993715
TI - Online Social Support for Young People: Does It Recapitulate In-person Social
Support; Can It Help?
AB - As social media websites have grown in popularity, public concern about online
victimization has grown as well; however, much less attention has focused on the
possible beneficial effects of online social networks. If theory and research
about in-person social networks pertain, then online social relationships may
represent an important modern source of or vehicle for support. In a study of 231
undergraduates, three major findings emerged: (1) for people with weaker in
person social support, social media sites provide a source of social support that
is less redundant of the social support they receive in person; (2) in ways that
were not redundant of each other, both online and in-person social support were
associated with lower levels of depression-related thoughts and feelings, and (3)
the beneficial effects of online social support (like in-person social support)
offset some of the adverse effects of peer victimization. The study suggests that
augmenting social relations via strategic use of social media can enhance young
people's social support systems in beneficial ways.
PMID- 28993716
TI - Latent-level relations between DSM-5 PTSD symptom clusters and problematic
smartphone use.
AB - Common mental health consequences following the experience of potentially
traumatic events include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and addictive
behaviors. Problematic smartphone use is a newer manifestation of addictive
behaviors. People with anxiety severity (such as PTSD) may be at risk for
problematic smartphone use as a means of coping with their symptoms. Unique to
our knowledge, we assessed relations between PTSD symptom clusters and
problematic smartphone use. Participants (N = 347), recruited through Amazon's
Mechanical Turk (MTurk), completed measures of PTSD and smartphone addiction.
Results of the Wald tests of parameter constraints indicated that problematic
smartphone use was more related to PTSD's negative alterations in cognitions and
mood (NACM) than to PTSD's avoidance factor, Wald chi2(1, N = 347) = 12.51, p =
0.0004; and more to PTSD's arousal compared to PTSD's avoidance factor, Wald
chi2(1, N = 347) = 14.89, p = 0.0001. Results indicate that problematic
smartphone use is most associated with negative affect and arousal among trauma
exposed individuals. Implications include the need to clinically assess
problematic smartphone use among trauma-exposed individuals presenting with
higher NACM and arousal severity; and targeting NACM and arousal symptoms to
mitigate the effects of problematic smartphone use.
PMID- 28993717
TI - Plasticity may change inputs as well as processes, structures, and responses.
AB - Significant work has documented neuroplasticity in development, demonstrating
that developmental pathways are shaped by experience. Plasticity is often
discussed in terms of the results of differences in input; differences in brain
structures, processes, or responses reflect differences in experience. In this
paper, I discuss how developmental plasticity also effectively changes input into
the system. That is, structures and processes change in response to input, and
those changed structures and processes influence future inputs. For example,
plasticity may change the pattern of eye movements to a stimulus, thereby
changing which part of the scene becomes the input. Thus, plasticity is not only
seen in the structures and processes that result from differences in experience,
but also is seen in the changes in the input as those structures and processes
adapt. The systematic study of the nature of experience, and how differences in
experience shape learning, can contribute to our understanding of neuroplasticity
in general.
PMID- 28993719
TI - The prevalence and marketing of electronic cigarettes in proximity to at-risk
youths: An investigation of point-of-sale practices near alternative high
schools.
AB - This study examines the point-of-sale marketing practices used to promote
electronic cigarettes at stores near schools that serve at-risk youth. One
hundred stores selling tobacco products within a half mile of alternative high
schools in Southern California were assessed for this study. Seventy percent of
stores in the sample sold electronic cigarettes. Convenience stores heavily
frequented by youth had the highest number of interior ads for e-cigarettes and
were the most likely to employ in-store product placement strategies. Increased
exposure to the promotion of these products at the point-of-sale poses a
challenge for anti-smoking efforts directed toward vulnerable populations.
PMID- 28993718
TI - Substituent Effects on Carbon Acidity in Aqueous Solution and at Enzyme Active
Sites.
AB - Methods are described for the determination of pKas for weak carbon acids in
water. The application of these methods to the determination of the pKas for a
variety of carbon acids including nitriles, imidazolium cations, amino acids,
peptides and their derivatives and, alpha-iminium cations is presented. The
substituent effects on the acidity of these different classes of carbon acids are
discussed; and, the relevance of these results to catalysis of the deprotonation
of amino acids by enzymes and by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is reviewed. The
procedure for estimating the pKa of uridine 5'-phosphate for C-6 deprotonation at
the active site of orotidine 5'-phosphate decarboxylase is described, and the
effect of a 5-F substituent on carbon acidity of the enzyme-bound substrate is
discussed.
PMID- 28993720
TI - Visions of the Life Course: Risks, Resources, and Vulnerability.
AB - Life course studies have ushered in unprecedented scientific interest not only in
specific periods of human lives but also in the long-term processes associated
with growing older. Studies that link periods of the life course have identified
important sources of continuity and discontinuity and highlighted the antecedents
of misfortune. Theories and conceptual frameworks have emerged to help scholars
splice pieces of the life course together, but the need for conceptual clarity
remains. Concepts such as vulnerability and disadvantage are important but used
in many different ways by researchers. We pose questions to enhance clarity of
these and related terms and call for greater attention to temporal referents in
studying the life course. The attention to chronological time-manifest in the
identification of age, period, and cohort-is excellent but greater attention to
perceptions of time also is needed to better integrate human agency and
historical context in studies of life course processes.
PMID- 28993721
TI - Team Clinic: An Innovative Group Care Model for Youth with Type 1 Diabetes
Engaging Patients and Meeting Educational Needs.
AB - The purpose of this pilot was to implement an innovative group care model, "Team
Clinic", for adolescents with type 1 diabetes and assess patient and provider
perspectives. Ninety-one intervention patients and 87 controls were enrolled.
Ninety-six percent of intervention adolescents endorsed increased support and
perceived connecting with peers as important. The medical providers and staff
also provided positive feedback stating Team Clinic allowed more creativity in
education and higher quality of care. Team Clinic may be a promising model to
engage adolescents and incorporate education and support into clinic visits in a
format valued by patients and providers.
PMID- 28993722
TI - Type 1 Diabetes and Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia Are Associated with
Reduced Brain Gray Matter Volumes.
AB - In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the anatomical MRI data acquired from
52 subjects with type 1 diabetes (26M/26F, 36 +/- 11 years old, A1C = 7.2 +/-
0.9%) and 50 age, sex and BMI frequency-matched non-diabetic controls (25M/25F,
36 +/- 14 years old). The T1D group was further sub-divided based on whether
subjects had normal, impaired, or indeterminate awareness of hypoglycemia (n =
31, 20, and 1, respectively). Our goals were to test whether the gray matter (GM)
volumes of selected brain regions were associated with diabetes status as well as
with the status of hypoglycemia awareness. T1D subjects were found to have
slightly smaller volume of the whole cortex as compared to controls (-2.7%, p =
0.016), with the most affected brain region being the frontal lobe (-3.6%, p =
0.024). Similar differences of even larger magnitude were observed among the T1D
subjects based on their hypoglycemia awareness status. Indeed, compared to the
patients with normal awareness of hypoglycemia, patients with impaired awareness
had smaller volume of the whole cortex (-7.9%, p = 0.0009), and in particular of
the frontal lobe (-9.1%, p = 0.006), parietal lobe (-8.0%, p = 0.015) and
temporal lobe (-8.2%, p = 0.009). Such differences were very similar to those
observed between patients with impaired awareness and controls (-7.6%, p = 0.0002
in whole cortex, -9.1%, p = 0.0003 in frontal lobe, -7.8%, p = 0.002 in parietal
lobe, and -6.4%, p = 0.019 in temporal lobe). On the other hand, patients with
normal awareness did not present significant volume differences compared to
controls. No group-differences were observed in the occipital lobe or in the
anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, hippocampus, and thalamus. We conclude
that diabetes status is associated with a small but statistically significant
reduction of the whole cortex volume, mainly in the frontal lobe. The most
prominent structural effects occurred in patients with impaired awareness of
hypoglycemia (IAH) as compared to those with normal awareness, perhaps due to the
long-term exposure to recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia. Future studies aimed at
quantifying relationships of structural outcomes with functional outcomes, with
cognitive performance, as well as with parameters describing glucose variability
and severity of hypoglycemia episodes, will be necessary to further understand
the impact of T1D on the brain.
PMID- 28993724
TI - PLPP/CIN Regulates Seizure Activity by the Differential Modulation of Calsenilin
Binding to GluN1 and Kv4.2 in Mice.
AB - Calsenilin (CSEN) binds to Kv4.2 (an A-type K+ channel) as well as N-methyl-D
aspartate receptor (NMDAR), and modulates their activities. However, the
regulatory mechanisms for CSEN-binding to Kv4.2 or NMDAR remain elusive. Here, we
demonstrate the novel role of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate phosphatase/chronophin
(PLPP/CIN), one of the cofilin-mediated F-actin regulators, in the CSEN binding
to Kv4.2 or GluN1 (an NMDAR subunit). PLPP/CIN dephosphorylated CSEN in
competition with casein kinase 1, independent of cofilin dephosphorylation. As
compared to wild-type mice, PLPP/CIN transgenic (PLPP/CINTg) mice showed the
enhancement of Kv4.2-CSEN binding, but the reduction in CSEN-GluN1 binding. In
addition, PLPP/CINTg mice exhibited the higher intensity (severity), duration and
progression of seizures, but the longer latency of seizure on-set in response to
kainic acid. PLPP/CIN knockout mice reversed these phenomena. Therefore, we
suggest that PLPP/CIN-mediated CSEN dephosphorylation may play an important role
in the functional coupling of NMDAR and Kv4.2, which regulates the neuronal
excitability.
PMID- 28993723
TI - BACE1-Dependent Neuregulin-1 Signaling: An Implication for Schizophrenia.
AB - Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of
about 1% in the general population. Recent studies have shown that Neuregulin-1
(Nrg1) is a candidate gene for schizophrenia. At least 15 alternative splicing of
NRG1 isoforms all contain an extracellular epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like
domain, which is sufficient for Nrg1 biological activity including the formation
of myelin sheaths and the regulation of synaptic plasticity. It is known that
Nrg1 can be cleaved by beta-secretase (BACE1) and the resulting N-terminal
fragment (Nrg1-ntf) binds to receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB4, which activates
Nrg1/ErbB4 signaling. While changes in Nrg1 expression levels in schizophrenia
still remain controversial, understanding the BACE1-cleaved Nrg1-ntf and
Nrg1/ErbB4 signaling in schizophrenia neuropathogenesis is essential and
important. In this review paper, we included three major parts: (1) Nrg1
structure and cleavage pattern by BACE1; (2) BACE1-dependent Nrg1 cleavage
associated with schizophrenia in human studies; and (3) Animal studies of Nrg1
and BACE1 mutations with behavioral observations. Our review will provide a
better understanding of Nrg1 in schizophrenia and a potential strategy for using
BACE1 cleavage of Nrg1 as a unique biomarker for diagnosis, as well as a new
therapeutic target, of schizophrenia.
PMID- 28993725
TI - Laser Speckle Imaging of Rat Pial Microvasculature during Hypoperfusion
Reperfusion Damage.
AB - The present study was aimed to in vivo assess the blood flow oscillatory patterns
in rat pial microvessels during 30 min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion
(BCCAO) and 60 min reperfusion by laser speckle imaging (LSI). Pial
microcirculation was visualized by fluorescence microscopy. The blood flow
oscillations of single microvessels were recorded by LSI; spectral analysis was
performed by Wavelet transform. Under baseline conditions, arterioles and venules
were characterized by blood flow oscillations in the frequency ranges 0.005
0.0095 Hz, 0.0095-0.021 Hz, 0.021-0.052 Hz, 0.052-0.150 Hz and 0.150-0.500 Hz.
Arterioles showed oscillations with the highest spectral density when compared
with venules. Moreover, the frequency components in the ranges 0.052-0.150 Hz and
0.150-0.500 were predominant in the arteriolar total power spectrum; while, the
frequency component in the range 0.150-0.500 Hz showed the highest spectral
density in venules. After 30 min BCCAO, the arteriolar spectral density decreased
compared to baseline; moreover, the arteriolar frequency component in the range
0.052-0.150 Hz significantly decreased in percent spectral density, while the
frequency component in the range 0.150-0.500 Hz significantly increased in
percent spectral density. However, an increase in arteriolar spectral density was
detected at 60 min reperfusion compared to BCCAO values; consequently, an
increase in percent spectral density of the frequency component in the range
0.052-0.150 Hz was observed, while the percent spectral density of the frequency
component in the range 0.150-0.500 Hz significantly decreased. The remaining
frequency components did not significantly change during hypoperfusion and
reperfusion. The changes in blood flow during hypoperfusion/reperfusion caused
tissue damage in the cortex and striatum of all animals. In conclusion, our data
demonstrate that the frequency component in the range 0.052-0.150 Hz, related to
myogenic activity, was significantly impaired by hypoperfusion and reperfusion,
affecting cerebral blood flow distribution and causing tissue damage.
PMID- 28993726
TI - Pavlovian Extinction and Recovery Effects in Aversive Pavlovian to Instrumental
Transfer.
AB - Three studies explored the sensitivity of aversive Pavlovian to instrumental
transfer (PIT) to Pavlovian extinction in rodents. Rats underwent Pavlovian
conditioning prior to avoidance training. The PIT test then involved assessment
of the effects of the Pavlovian conditioned stimulus (CS) on the performance of
the avoidance response (AR). Conducting extinction prior to avoidance training
and transfer testing, allowed spontaneous recovery and shock reinstatement of
extinguished motivation, whereas conducting extinction following avoidance
training and just prior to PIT testing successfully reduced transfer effects.
This was also the case in a design that compared responding to an extinguished CS
against a non-extinguished CS rather than comparing extinguished and non
extinguished groups to one another. While extinction treatments in many
appetitive PIT studies do not successfully reduce transfer, and can sometimes
enhance the effect, the current findings show that an extinction treatment
temporally close to transfer testing can reduce the motivational impact of the
aversive Pavlovian CS on instrumental avoidance responding.
PMID- 28993727
TI - Pain Processing in a Social Context and the Link with Psychopathic Personality
Traits-An Event-Related Potential Study.
AB - Empathy describes the ability to understand another person's feelings.
Psychopathy is a disorder that is characterized by a lack of empathy. Therefore,
empathy and psychopathy are interesting traits to investigate with respect to
experiencing and observing pain. The present study aimed to investigate pain
empathy and pain sensitivity by measuring event-related potentials (ERPs)
extracted from the ongoing EEG in an interactive setup. Each participant
fulfilled subsequently the role of "villain" and "victim". In addition, mode of
control was modulated resulting in four different conditions; passive villain,
active villain, active victim and passive victim. Response-, visual- and pain
ERPs were compared between the four conditions. Furthermore, the role of
psychopathic traits in these outcomes was investigated. Our findings suggested
that people experience more conflict when hurting someone else than hurting
themselves. Furthermore, our results indicated that self-controlled pain was
experienced as more painful than uncontrolled pain. People that scored high on
psychopathic traits seemed to process and experience pain differently. According
to the results of the current study, social context, attention and personality
traits seem to modulate pain processing and the empathic response to pain in self
and others. The within-subject experimental design described here provides an
excellent approach to further unravel the influence of social context and
personality traits on social cognition.
PMID- 28993728
TI - Age Drives Distortion of Brain Metabolic, Vascular and Cognitive Functions, and
the Gut Microbiome.
AB - Advancing age is the top risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative
disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the contribution of aging
processes to AD etiology remains unclear. Emerging evidence shows that reduced
brain metabolic and vascular functions occur decades before the onset of
cognitive impairments, and these reductions are highly associated with low-grade,
chronic inflammation developed in the brain over time. Interestingly, recent
findings suggest that the gut microbiota may also play a critical role in
modulating immune responses in the brain via the brain-gut axis. In this study,
our goal was to identify associations between deleterious changes in brain
metabolism, cerebral blood flow (CBF), gut microbiome and cognition in aging, and
potential implications for AD development. We conducted our study with a group of
young mice (5-6 months of age) and compared those to old mice (18-20 months of
age) by utilizing metabolic profiling, neuroimaging, gut microbiome analysis,
behavioral assessments and biochemical assays. We found that compared to young
mice, old mice had significantly increased levels of numerous amino acids and
fatty acids that are highly associated with inflammation and AD biomarkers. In
the gut microbiome analyses, we found that old mice had increased
Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and alpha diversity. We also found impaired blood
brain barrier (BBB) function and reduced CBF as well as compromised learning and
memory and increased anxiety, clinical symptoms often seen in AD patients, in old
mice. Our study suggests that the aging process involves deleterious changes in
brain metabolic, vascular and cognitive functions, and gut microbiome structure
and diversity, all which may lead to inflammation and thus increase the risk for
AD. Future studies conducting comprehensive and integrative characterization of
brain aging, including crosstalk with peripheral systems and factors, will be
necessary to define the mechanisms underlying the shift from normal aging to
pathological processes in the etiology of AD.
PMID- 28993730
TI - Molecular Guided Therapy Provides Sustained Clinical Response in Refractory
Choroid Plexus Carcinoma.
AB - Choroid plexus carcinomas (CPCs) are rare, aggressive pediatric brain tumors with
no established curative therapy for relapsed disease, and poor survival rates.
TP53 Mutation or dysfunction correlates with poor or no survival outcome in CPCs.
Here, we report the case of a 4 month-old female who presented with disseminated
CPC. After initial response to tumor resection and adjuvant-chemotherapy, the
tumor recurred and metastasized with no response to aggressive relapse therapy
suggesting genetic predisposition. This patient was then enrolled to a Molecular
Guided Therapy Clinical Trial. Genomic profiling of patient tumor and normal
sample identified a TP53 germline mutation with loss of heterozygosity, somatic
mutations including IDH2, and aberrant activation of biological pathways. The
mutations were not targetable for therapy. However, targeting the altered
biological pathways (mTOR, PDGFRB, FGF2, HDAC) guided identification of possibly
beneficial treatment with a combination of sirolimus, thalidomide, sunitinib, and
vorinostat. This therapy led to 92% reduction in tumor size with no serious
adverse events, excellent quality of life and long term survival.
PMID- 28993729
TI - Differential Impact of Single-Dose Fe Ion and X-Ray Irradiation on Endothelial
Cell Transcriptomic and Proteomic Responses.
AB - Background and Purpose: Radiotherapy is an essential tool for cancer treatment.
In order to spare normal tissues and to reduce the risk of normal tissue
complications, particle therapy is a method of choice. Although a large part of
healthy tissues can be spared due to improved depth dose characteristics, little
is known about the biological and molecular mechanisms altered after particle
irradiation in healthy tissues. Elucidation of these effects is also required in
the context of long term space flights, as particle radiation is the main
contributor to the radiation effects observed in space. Endothelial cells (EC),
forming the inner layer of all vascular structures, are especially sensitive to
irradiation and, if damaged, contribute to radiation-induced cardiovascular
disease. Materials and Methods: Transcriptomics, proteomics and cytokine analyses
were used to compare the response of ECs irradiated or not with a single 2 Gy
dose of X-rays or Fe ions measured one and 7 days post-irradiation. To support
the observed inflammatory effects, monocyte adhesion on ECs was also assessed.
Results: Experimental data indicate time- and radiation quality-dependent changes
of the EC response to irradiation. The irradiation impact was more pronounced and
longer lasting for Fe ions than for X-rays. Both radiation qualities decreased
the expression of genes involved in cell-cell adhesion and enhanced the
expression of proteins involved in caveolar mediated endocytosis signaling.
Endothelial inflammation and adhesiveness were increased with X-rays, but
decreased after Fe ion exposure. Conclusions: Fe ions induce pro-atherosclerotic
processes in ECs that are different in nature and kinetics than those induced by
X-rays, highlighting radiation quality-dependent differences which can be linked
to the induction and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Our findings
give a better understanding of the underlying processes triggered by particle
irradiation in ECs, a crucial aspect for the development of protective measures
for cancer patients undergoing particle therapy and for astronauts in space.
PMID- 28993731
TI - Small and Intermediate Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel Openers Improve Rat
Endothelial and Erectile Function.
AB - Modulation of endothelial calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels has been
proposed as an approach to restore endothelial function. The present study
investigated whether novel openers of KCa channels with small (KCa2.x) and
intermediate (KCa3.1) conductance, NS309 and NS4591, improve endothelium
dependent relaxation and erectile function. Rat corpus cavernosum (CC) strips
were mounted for isometric tension recording and processed for immunoblotting.
Mean arterial pressure (MAP), intracavernosal pressure (ICP), and
electrocardiographic (ECG) measurements were conducted in anesthetized rats.
Immunoblotting revealed the presence of KCa2.3 and large KCa conductance (KCa1.1)
channels in the corpus cavernosum. NS309 and NS4591 increased current in CC
endothelial cells in whole cell patch clamp experiments. Relaxation induced by
NS309 (<1 MUM) was inhibited by endothelial cell removal and high extracellular
potassium. An inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and blockers of KCa2.x and
KCa1.1 channels, apamin and iberiotoxin also inhibited NS309 relaxation.
Incubation with NS309 (0.5 MUM) markedly enhanced acetylcholine relaxation. Basal
erectile function (ICP/MAP) increased during administration of NS309. Increases
in ICP/MAP after cavernous nerve stimulation with NS309 were unchanged, whereas
NS4591 significantly improved erectile function. Administration of NS309 and
NS4591 caused small changes in the electrocardiogram, but neither arrhythmic
events nor prolongation of the QTc interval were observed. The present study
suggests that openers of KCa2.x and KCa3.1 channels improve endothelial and
erectile function. The effects of NS309 and NS4591 on heart rate and ECG are
small, but will require additional safety studies before evaluating whether
activation of KCa2.3 channels has a potential for treatment of erectile
dysfunction.
PMID- 28993733
TI - LncRNA-uc002mbe.2 Interacting with hnRNPA2B1 Mediates AKT Deactivation and p21 Up
Regulation Induced by Trichostatin in Liver Cancer Cells.
AB - Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in liver carcinogenesis. We
previously showed that the induction of lncRNA-uc002mbe.2 is positively
associated with the apoptotic effect of trichostatin A (TSA) in hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC) cells. The current study further analyzed the role of uc002mbe.2
in TSA-induced liver cancer cell death. The level of uc002mbe.2 was markedly
increased by TSA in the cytoplasm of HCC cells. Knockdown of uc002mbe.2
prohibited TSA-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, p21 induction, and apoptosis of
Huh7 cells and reversed the TSA-mediated decrease in p-AKT. RNA pull-down and RNA
binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays revealed that TSA induced an
interaction between uc002mbe.2 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1
(hnRNPA2B1) in Huh7 cells. This interaction mediated AKT deactivation and p21
induction in liver cancer cells. In an athymic xenograft mouse model, knockdown
of uc002mbe.2 significantly prohibited the TSA-mediated reduction in tumor size
and weight. In addition, the ability of TSA to reduce hnRNPA2B1 and p-AKT levels
and induce p21 in the xenograft tumors was prevented by uc002mbe.2 knockdown.
Therefore, the interaction of uc002mbe.2 and hnRNPA2B1 in mediating AKT
deactivation and p21 induction is involved in the cytostatic effect of
trichostatin in liver cancer cells.
PMID- 28993734
TI - Osmotin Protects H9c2 Cells from Simulated Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through
AdipoR1/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.
AB - Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of osmotin on myocardial
ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods:In
vitro I/R injury model was established on rat cardiac myoblast H9c2 cells by
oxygen and glucose deprivation followed by reperfusion (OGD/R). Cells were
administrated with osmotin, and transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)
which specifically target adiponectin receptor 1 or 2 (AdipoR1/2). Besides, the
cells were incubated with or without LY294002 as inhibitor of
phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) under OGD/R condition. Cell viability,
apoptosis, expressions of apoptosis-related proteins and inflammatory factors
were analyzed. Results: The results showed that osmotin significantly increased
H9c2 cells viability compared with the cells treated with vehicle (P < 0.05), and
decreased H9c2 cells apoptosis by regulating expressions of apoptosis-related
proteins. Moreover, we observed that osmotin statistically reduced the release of
proinflammatory factors and increased the release of anti-inflammatory factors in
H9c2 cells (P < 0.05). However, these effects were markedly reversed by AdipoR1
silence but not AdipoR2. Furthermore, osmotin dramatically upregulated the
phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, ERK, and downregulated the phosphorylation
level of NF-kappaB (P < 0.05). While administration of LY294002 reduced cell
viability, increased cell apoptosis, and aggravated inflammatory response (P <
0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggested that the protective effect of osmotin on
the simulated OGD/R injured H9c2 cells might be associated with AdipoR1/PI3K/AKT
signaling pathway.
PMID- 28993735
TI - Comparative Physiological, Biochemical, and Genetic Responses to Prolonged
Waterlogging Stress in Okra and Maize Given Exogenous Ethylene Priming.
AB - Waterlogging is an environmental challenge affecting crops worldwide. Ethylene
induces the expression of genes linked to important agronomic traits under
waterlogged conditions. The ability of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench.)
and maize (Zea mays L.) given exogenous ethylene priming to tolerate prolonged
waterlogged conditions was investigated in this study. The investigation was
carried out as field experiments using 3 week-old plants grouped into four
treatments; control, waterlogged plants, ethylene priming of plants before
waterlogging, and ethylene priming of plants after waterlogging. Different growth
parameters were recorded. Soil chemical and bacterial analyses were performed.
The activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes were studied. The
ethylene biosynthetic genes expression analysis and root anatomy of surviving
okra plants were also carried out. Results revealed that okra and maize plants
showed increase in their height under waterlogged conditions. Ethylene priming
and waterlogged conditions induced early production of adventitious roots in okra
and maize. Maize survival lasted between 5 and 9 weeks under waterlogging without
reaching the flowering stage. However, okra survived up to 15 weeks under
waterlogging producing flower buds and fruits in all treatments. Variable changes
were also recorded for total soluble phenolics of soil. Cross sections of
waterlogged okra roots showed the formation of a dark peripheral layer and
numerous large aerenchyma cells which may have assisted in trapping oxygen
required for survival. The activity and gene expression levels of antioxidant
enzymes were studied and showed higher increases in the root and leaf tissues of
okra and maize subjected to both waterlogging and ethylene priming, as compared
to control or waterlogged condition. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis also showed
that the ethylene biosynthetic gene expression levels in all okra and maize
tissues were up-regulated and showed much higher levels under ethylene-treated
waterlogged conditions than those expressed under control or waterlogged
conditions at all time points. These results indicate that okra and maize tissues
respond to the conditions of waterlogging and exogenous ethylene priming by
inducing their ethylene biosynthetic genes expression in order to enhance
ethylene production and tolerate the prolonged waterlogging stress. In
conclusion, this study revealed that exogenously generated ethylene gas as a
priming treatment before or after waterlogging could enhance waterlogging
tolerance in maize and okra crops.
PMID- 28993737
TI - Current Trends and Research Challenges Regarding "Preparation for Oxidative
Stress".
AB - Survival under stress, such as exposure to hypoxia, anoxia, freezing,
dehydration, air exposure of water breathing organisms, and estivation, is
commonly associated to enhanced endogenous antioxidants, a phenomenon coined
"preparation for oxidative stress" (POS). The regulation of free radical
metabolism seems to be crucial under these selective pressures, since this
response is widespread among animals. A hypothesis of how POS works at the
molecular level was recently proposed and relies on two main processes: increased
reactive species production under hypoxia, and activation of redox-sensitive
transcription factors and signaling pathways, increasing the expression of
antioxidants. The present paper brings together the current knowledge on POS and
considers its future directions. Data indicate the presence of POS in 83 animal
species (71.6% among investigated species), distributed in eight animal phyla.
Three main research challenges on POS are presented: (i) to identify the
molecular mechanism(s) that mediate/induce POS, (ii) to identify the evolutionary
origins of POS in animals, and (iii) to determine the presence of POS in natural
environments. We firstly discuss the need of evidence for increased RS production
in hypoxic conditions that underlie the POS response. Secondly, we discuss the
phylogenetic origins of POS back 700 million years, by identifying POS-positive
responses in cnidarians. Finally, we present the first reports of the POS
adaptation strategy in the wild. The investigation of these research trends and
challenges may prove useful to understand the evolution of animal redox
adaptations and how they adapt to increasing stressful environments on Earth.
PMID- 28993736
TI - Pathogenic Mechanisms of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Aortopathy.
AB - Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital valvular defect and is
associated with ascending aortic dilation (AAD) in a quarter of patients. AAD has
been ascribed both to the hemodynamic consequences of normally functioning and
abnormal BAV morphology, and to the effect of rare and common genetic variation
upon function of the ascending aortic media. AAD manifests in two overall and
sometimes overlapping phenotypes: that of aortic root aneurysm, similar to the
AAD of Marfan syndrome; and that of tubular AAD, similar to the AAD seen with
tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs). These aortic phenotypes appear to be independent
of BAV phenotype, have different embryologic origins and have unique etiologic
factors, notably, regarding the role of hemodynamic changes inherent to the BAV
phenotype. Further, in contrast to Marfan syndrome, the AAD seen with BAV is
infrequently present as a strongly inherited syndromic phenotype; rather, it
appears to be a less-penetrant, milder phenotype. Both reduced levels of normally
functioning transcriptional proteins and structurally abnormal proteins have been
observed in aneurysmal aortic media. We provide evidence that aortic root AAD has
a stronger genetic etiology, sometimes related to identified common non-coding
fibrillin-1 (FBN1) variants and other aortic wall protein variants in patients
with BAV. In patients with BAV having tubular AAD, we propose a stronger
hemodynamic influence, but with pathology still based on a functional deficit of
the aortic media, of genetic or epigenetic etiology. Although it is an attractive
hypothesis to ascribe common mechanisms to BAV and AAD, thus far the genetic
etiologies of AAD have not been associated to the genetic etiologies of BAV,
notably, not including BAV variants in NOTCH1 and GATA4.
PMID- 28993738
TI - Continuous Release of Tumor-Derived Factors Improves the Modeling of Cachexia in
Muscle Cell Culture.
AB - Cachexia is strongly associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients but the
biological trigger is unknown and therefore no therapeutics exist. The loss of
skeletal muscle is the most deleterious aspect of cachexia and it appears to
depend on secretions from tumor cells. Models for studying wasting in cell
culture consist of experiments where skeletal muscle cells are incubated with
medium conditioned by tumor cells. This has led to candidates for cachectic
factors but some of the features of cachexia in vivo are not yet well-modeled in
cell culture experiments. Mouse myotube atrophy measured by myotube diameter in
response to medium conditioned by mouse colon carcinoma cells (C26) is
consistently less than what is seen in muscles of mice bearing C26 tumors with
moderate to severe cachexia. One possible reason for this discrepancy is that in
vivo the C26 tumor and skeletal muscle share a circulatory system exposing the
muscle to tumor factors in a constant and increasing way. We have applied
Transwell(r)-adapted cell culture conditions to more closely simulate conditions
found in vivo where muscle is exposed to the ongoing kinetics of constant tumor
secretion of active factors. C26 cells were incubated on a microporous membrane
(a Transwell(r) insert) that constitutes the upper compartment of wells
containing plated myotubes. In this model, myotubes are exposed to a constant
supply of cancer cell secretions in the medium but without direct contact with
the cancer cells, analogous to a shared circulation of muscle and cancer cells in
tumor-bearing animals. The results for myotube diameter support the idea that the
use of Transwell(r) inserts serves as a more physiological model of the muscle
wasting associated with cancer cachexia than the bolus addition of cancer cell
conditioned medium. The Transwell(r) model supports the notion that the dose and
kinetics of cachectic factor delivery to muscle play a significant role in the
extent of pathology.
PMID- 28993739
TI - Increased Subjective Distaste and Altered Insula Activity to Umami Tastant in
Patients with Bulimia Nervosa.
AB - The aim of this study was to examine differences in brain neural activation in
response to monosodium glutamate (MSG), the representative component of umami,
between patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and healthy women (HW) controls. We
analyzed brain activity after ingestion of an MSG solution using functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a group of women with BN (n = 18) and a
group of HW participants (n = 18). Both groups also provided a subjective
assessment of the MSG solution via a numerical rating scale. The BN group
subjectively rated the MSG solution lower in pleasantness and liking than the
control group, although no difference in subjective intensity was noted. The fMRI
results demonstrated greater activation of the right insula in the BN group
versus the control group. Compared with the HW controls, the BN patients
demonstrated both altered taste perception-related brain activity and more
negative hedonic scores in response to MSG stimuli. Different hedonic evaluation,
expressed as the relative low pleasing taste of umami tastant and associated with
altered insula function, may explain disturbed eating behaviors, including the
imbalance in food choices, in BN patients.
PMID- 28993740
TI - Pharmacological Augmentation of Psychosocial and Remediation Training Efforts in
Schizophrenia.
AB - Pharmacological approaches to cognitive enhancement have received considerable
attention but have not had considerable success in improving their cognitive and
functional targets. Other intervention strategies, such as cognitive remediation
therapy (CRT), have been shown to enhance cognitive performance but have not been
found to improve functional outcomes without additional psychosocial
interventions. Recently, several studies have attempted to enhance the effects of
CRT by adding pharmacological interventions to the CRT treatments. In addition,
as CRT has been shown to synergistically improve the effects of psychosocial
interventions, the combination of pharmacological therapies aimed at cognition
and psychosocial interventions may itself provide a promising strategy for
improving functional outcomes. This review and commentary examines the current
state of interventions combining CRT and psychosocial treatments with
pharmacological augmentation. Our focus is on the specific level of effect of the
pharmacological intervention, which could be enhancing motivation, training
efficiency, or the consolidation of therapeutic gains. Different pharmacological
strategies (e.g., stimulants, plasticity-inducing agents, or attentional or
alertness enhancers) may have the potential to lead to different types of gains
when combined with CRT or psychosocial interventions. The relative potential of
these different mechanisms for immediate and durable effects is considered.
PMID- 28993741
TI - Executive Control and Striatal Resting-State Network Interact with Risk Factors
to Influence Treatment Outcomes in Alcohol-Use Disorder.
AB - Alterations within mesocorticolimbic terminal regions commonly occur with alcohol
use disorder (AUD). As pathological drug-seeking behavior may arise as a
consequence of alcohol-induced neuroadaptations, it is critical to understand how
such changes increase the likelihood of relapse. This report examined resting
state functional connectivity (RSFC) using both a seed-based and model-free
approach in individuals in treatment for AUD and how dysregulation of network
connectivity contributes to treatment outcomes. In order to provide a mechanism
by which neural networks promote relapse, interactive effects of
mesocorticolimbic connectivity and AUD risk factors in treatment completers and
non-completers were examined. AUD group showed stronger RSFC between striatum,
insula, and anterior cingulate cortex than controls. Within the AUD group, non
completers compared to completers showed enhanced RSFC between (1) striatum
insula, (2) executive control network (ECN)-amygdala, and (3) basal
ganglia/salience network and striatum, precuneus, and insula. Completers showed
enhanced RSFC between striatum-right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Furthermore,
completers and non-completers differed in relationships between RSFC and relapse
risk factors, where non-completers exhibited positive associations between
craving intensity and RSFC of striatum-insula and ECN-amygdala. These findings
provide evidence for interactions between corticolimbic connectivity in AUD and
craving and establish an important link between network connectivity and dynamic
risk factors that contribute to relapse. Results demonstrate that relapse
vulnerability is attributed to craving dysregulation manifested by enhanced
connectivity in striato-limbic regions and diminished corticostriatal
connectivity.
PMID- 28993742
TI - Development and Validation of the Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Motive
Questionnaire in a Clinical Population.
AB - Approximately 35.7 million people world-wide use amphetamine-type stimulants
(ATS) leading to a high demand for effective treatment. Understanding the motives
behind ATS use is a necessary basis for preventive and therapeutic treatment. The
objective of this study is to develop the Amphetamine-Type stimulants Motive
Questionnaire (AMQ) and to confirm its construct and concurrent validity in
respect to the first and the latest month of ATS use based on answers of 233
patients with ATS disorders (74.2% male; mean age: 31.1 years). Confirmatory
factor analyses were employed to test for the construct validity of the AMQ.
Nested models of confirmatory factor analyses with increasing constraints for
gender and age were estimated to test the equivalence of the factor structure in
different subgroups. Independent sample t-tests were conducted to test for mean
differences in the motive dimensions. A structural equation model was estimated
to confirm the concurrent validity using the latent four motive factors (i.e.,
enhancement, coping, social, and conformity motives) as independent variables and
frequency of ATS use in the first and the latest month of use as a dependent
variable. The results confirmed the AMQ's four-dimensional factor structure in
general, and across gender and age groups for both periods of time. Men (first
month: M = 4.21, SD = 0.75; latest month: M = 3.86, SD = 0.93) use ATS more
frequently due to enhancement motives than women (first month: M = 3.85, SD =
1.12; latest month: M = 3.46, SD = 1.29) at both periods of time [first month:
t(77) = -2.33, p = 0.022; latest month: t(80) = -2.19, p = 0.031]. Structural
equation modeling confirmed an association between coping motives and use
frequency, for both periods of time (first and latest month: beta = 0.32, p <
0.001), as well as between social motives and frequency of use for the latest
month of use (beta = 0.30, p < 0.01). To conclude, the AMQ is a valid and
reliable instrument for assessing motives of ATS use in a clinical population. It
can provide important insights into the motivational structure of the first and
latest months of ATS use which are useful for preventive and therapeutic
treatments as well as the development of abstinence skills.
PMID- 28993743
TI - The Joint Contribution of Activation and Inhibition in Moderating Carryover
Effects of Anger on Social Judgment.
AB - Carryover effects of emotions that lead to biases in social judgments are
commonly observed. We suggest that such effects may be influenced by the ability
to engage or disengage attention from emotional stimuli. We assessed the ability
to activate and inhibit attention to anger stimuli, experimentally induced anger
in a demanding task, and measured social judgment toward an ambiguous target.
Results show that higher activation and higher inhibition of anger-related
information predicted more biased evaluations of the ambiguous target when
individuals were experiencing anger, but not in an emotionally neutral condition.
Interestingly, the effect of activation and inhibition in the anger condition
emerged only when such variables were entered simultaneously in the regression
model, indicating that they had an additive effect in predicting carryover
effects of anger on social judgement. Results are consistent with a cooperative
suppression effect (Conger, 1974) of activation and inhibition and may be
explained by either an increased accessibility of anger-related cues leading to
more biased social judgments, or by an instance in which being good at engaging
in and disengaging attention from emotional cues might have depleted
participants' resources making carryover effects of anger more likely to occur.
Ultimately, the finding highlight that individual differences in attentional
processes are important moderators for carryover effects of emotions.
PMID- 28993744
TI - More Stable Ties or Better Structure? An Examination of the Impact of Co-author
Network on Team Knowledge Creation.
AB - This study aims to explore the influence of co-author network on team knowledge
creation. Integrating the two traditional perspectives of network relationship
and network structure, we examine the direct and interactive effects of tie
stability and structural holes on team knowledge creation. Tracking scientific
articles published by 111 scholars in the research field of human resource
management from the top 8 American universities, we analyze scholars' scientific
co-author networks. The result indicates that tie stability changes the teams'
information processing modes and, when graphed, results in an inverted U-shape
relationship between tie stability and team knowledge creation. Moreover,
structural holes in co-author network are proved to be harmful to team knowledge
sharing and diffusion, thereby impeding team knowledge creation. Also, tie
stability and structural hole interactively influence team knowledge creation.
When the number of structural hole is low in the co-author network, the graphical
representation of the relationship between tie stability and team knowledge
creation tends to be a more distinct U-shape.
PMID- 28993745
TI - When the Sound Becomes the Goal. 4E Cognition and Teleomusicality in Early
Infancy.
AB - In this paper we explore early musical behaviors through the lenses of the
recently emerged "4E" approach to mind, which sees cognitive processes as
Embodied, Embedded, Enacted, and Extended. In doing so, we draw from a range of
interdisciplinary research, engaging in critical and constructive discussions
with both new findings and existing positions. In particular, we refer to
observational research by French pedagogue and psychologist Francois Delalande,
who examined infants' first "sound discoveries" and individuated three different
musical "conducts" inspired by the "phases of the game" originally postulated by
Piaget. Elaborating on such ideas we introduce the notion of "teleomusicality,"
which describes the goal-directed behaviors infants adopt to explore and play
with sounds. This is distinguished from the developmentally earlier
"protomusicality," which is based on music-like utterances, movements, and
emotionally relevant interactions (e.g., with primary caregivers) that do not
entail a primary focus on sound itself. The development from protomusicality to
teleomusicality is discussed in terms of an "attentive shift" that occurs between
6 and 10 months of age. This forms the basis of a conceptual framework for early
musical development that emphasizes the emergence of exploratory, goal-directed
(i.e., sound-oriented), and self-organized musical actions in infancy. In line
with this, we provide a preliminary taxonomy of teleomusical processes discussing
"Original Teleomusical Acts" (OTAs) and "Constituted Teleomusical Acts" (CTAs).
We argue that while OTAs can be easily witnessed in infants' exploratory
behaviors, CTAs involve the mastery of more specific and complex goal-directed
chains of actions central to musical activity.
PMID- 28993746
TI - Rumination as a Mediator between Childhood Trauma and Adulthood
Depression/Anxiety in Non-clinical Participants.
AB - Objective: Although there is strong evidence that childhood trauma is associated
with the development of depression and anxiety, relatively few studies have
explored potential mediating factors for this relationship. The present study
aimed to evaluate the mediating role of rumination in the link between childhood
trauma and mood status such as depression, anxiety and affective lability.
Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seven non-clinical participants completed
the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Ruminative Response Scale, the Beck
Depression Inventory, the State Anxiety Inventory, and the Affective Lability
Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the results. Results:
Our results supported that rumination is a meaningful mediator between childhood
trauma and depression/anxiety in non-clinical participants. The mediation model
indicated that childhood trauma and its subtypes are linked to depression and
anxiety through three subtypes of rumination, thereby supporting a significant
indirect relationship (Standardized coefficient [SC] = 0.56, p < 0.001 for the
path from trauma to rumination; SC = 0.67, p < 0.001, from rumination to mood).
The direct relationship between childhood trauma and mood symptoms was also
significant in a model including rumination (SC = 0.68, p < 0.001). The mediation
effect of rumination in the relationship between childhood trauma and mood was
more predominant in female participants. Conclusions: The present study found
that rumination mediates the influence of childhood trauma on the development of
mood symptoms in non-clinical participants. Childhood trauma appears to be a
critical determinant for developing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
PMID- 28993747
TI - The Use of Virtual Reality Facilitates Dialectical Behavior Therapy(r) "Observing
Sounds and Visuals" Mindfulness Skills Training Exercises for a Latino Patient
with Severe Burns: A Case Study.
AB - Sustaining a burn injury increases an individual's risk of developing
psychological problems such as generalized anxiety, negative emotions,
depression, acute stress disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite the
growing use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy(r) (DBT(r)) by clinical
psychologists, to date, there are no published studies using standard DBT(r) or
DBT(r) skills learning for severe burn patients. The current study explored the
feasibility and clinical potential of using Immersive Virtual Reality (VR)
enhanced DBT(r) mindfulness skills training to reduce negative emotions and
increase positive emotions of a patient with severe burn injuries. The
participant was a hospitalized (in house) 21-year-old Spanish speaking Latino
male patient being treated for a large (>35% TBSA) severe flame burn injury.
Methods: The patient looked into a pair of Oculus Rift DK2 virtual reality
goggles to perceive the computer-generated virtual reality illusion of floating
down a river, with rocks, boulders, trees, mountains, and clouds, while listening
to DBT(r) mindfulness training audios during 4 VR sessions over a 1 month period.
Study measures were administered before and after each VR session. Results: As
predicted, the patient reported increased positive emotions and decreased
negative emotions. The patient also accepted the VR mindfulness treatment
technique. He reported the sessions helped him become more comfortable with his
emotions and he wanted to keep using mindfulness after returning home.
Conclusions: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is an empirically validated treatment
approach that has proved effective with non-burn patient populations for treating
many of the psychological problems experienced by severe burn patients. The
current case study explored for the first time, the use of immersive virtual
reality enhanced DBT(r) mindfulness skills training with a burn patient. The
patient reported reductions in negative emotions and increases in positive
emotions, after VR DBT(r) mindfulness skills training. Immersive Virtual Reality
is becoming widely available to mainstream consumers, and thus has the potential
to make this treatment available to a much wider number of patient populations,
including severe burn patients. Additional development, and controlled studies
are needed.
PMID- 28993748
TI - White Matter Correlates of Musical Anhedonia: Implications for Evolution of
Music.
AB - Recent theoretical advances in the evolution of music posit that affective
communication is an evolutionary function of music through which the mind and
brain are transformed. A rigorous test of this view should entail examining the
neuroanatomical mechanisms for affective communication of music, specifically by
comparing individual differences in the general population with a special
population who lacks specific affective responses to music. Here we compare white
matter connectivity in BW, a case with severe musical anhedonia, with a large
sample of control subjects who exhibit normal variability in reward sensitivity
to music. We show for the first time that structural connectivity within the
reward system can predict individual differences in musical reward in a large
population, but specific patterns in connectivity between auditory and reward
systems are special in an extreme case of specific musical anhedonia. Results
support and extend the Mixed Origins of Music theory by identifying multiple
neural pathways through which music might operate as an affective signaling
system.
PMID- 28993749
TI - When One Shape Does Not Fit All: A Commentary Essay on the Use of Graphs in
Psychological Research.
PMID- 28993750
TI - The Role of Second-Person Information in the Development of Social Understanding.
AB - We consider the second-person or interactive approach to social understanding,
conceived as an understanding of intentional relations. We identify five forms of
second-person information - self-directedness, contingency, reciprocity,
affective engagement, and shared intentions - that occur only in interactions. We
assess the extent to which these forms of information are available to observers
of interactions as well as to the participants of an interaction and conclude
that whereas observers may gain some second-person information, interactive
participants have a privileged position. We also ask whether these forms of
second-person information can deliver social understanding in terms of the
understanding of intentional relations that are descriptive of persons. We argue
that whereas none of these forms alone is sufficient for understanding
intentional relations, they all play an important role in the developmental
processes that enable the construction of social understanding. Therefore, the
second-person approach, understood as theorizing how second-person information
available in interactions is used in the development of social understanding, is
a critically important approach to a full theory of social understanding.
PMID- 28993752
TI - Histological Characteristics of Intracranial Atherosclerosis in a Chinese
Population: A Postmortem Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Anterior and posterior circulation atherosclerosis differ in vascular
risk factors and stroke mechanisms. However, few studies have compared the
pathological features between these lesions. Using a series of intracranial
artery specimens, we characterized the intracranial atherosclerotic lesions and
compared pathological features among different arteries of the intracranial
vasculature. METHODS: Intracranial large arteries of 32 consecutively recruited
autopsy cases of Chinese adults aged 45 years or older were examined
pathologically using routine histology and immunostaining, to characterize the
pathological features of the atherosclerotic lesions. We analyzed middle cerebral
arteries (MCAs) (both left and right), vertebral arteries (VAs) (side more
affected), and basilar arteries (BAs). RESULTS: Progressive atherosclerotic
lesions were present in 91(71%) of the 128 arteries examined. Features of
complicated plaques were infrequently detected: plaque hemorrhage was encountered
in 12%, neovasculature in 12%, lumen thrombi in 13%, macrophage infiltration in
20%, and calcification in 25% of arteries. Luminal narrowing of MCA was the most
severe, followed by VA; the BA least stenotic (37 +/- 25 vs. 30 +/- 24 vs. 20 +/-
20%, all p < 0.05). MCA had more eccentric (vs. concentric) plaques than VA (69
vs. 25%, p = 0.003) and BA (69 vs. 38%; p = 0.03). Lumen thrombi were more
frequent in BA, and calcification most commonly occurred in VA atherosclerotic
lesions. CONCLUSION: Intracranial atherosclerotic plaques were commonly present
in this sample, but the lesions generally lacked features of complicated plaques.
MCA lesions had demonstrable differences compared with VA and BA lesions. Further
studies are needed to determine whether these characteristics indicate a
distinctive atherosclerotic phenotype for the intracranial vasculature.
PMID- 28993751
TI - Immune Modulation in the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Review of
Clinical Trials.
AB - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons. Though many molecular and
genetic causes are thought to serve as predisposing or disease propagating
factors, the underlying pathogenesis of the disease is not known. Recent
discoveries have demonstrated the presence of inflammation propagating substrates
in the central nervous system of patients afflicted with ALS. Over the past
decade, this hypothesis has incited an effort to better understand the role of
the immune system in ALS and has led to the trial of several potential immune
modulating therapies. Here, we briefly review advances in the role of such
therapies. The clinical trials discussed here are currently ongoing or have been
concluded at the time of writing.
PMID- 28993732
TI - Purinergic Signalling: Therapeutic Developments.
AB - Purinergic signalling, i.e., the role of nucleotides as extracellular signalling
molecules, was proposed in 1972. However, this concept was not well accepted
until the early 1990's when receptor subtypes for purines and pyrimidines were
cloned and characterised, which includes four subtypes of the P1 (adenosine)
receptor, seven subtypes of P2X ion channel receptors and 8 subtypes of the P2Y G
protein-coupled receptor. Early studies were largely concerned with the
physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry of purinergic signalling. More
recently, the focus has been on the pathophysiology and therapeutic potential.
There was early recognition of the use of P1 receptor agonists for the treatment
of supraventricular tachycardia and A2A receptor antagonists are promising for
the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Clopidogrel, a P2Y12 antagonist, is widely
used for the treatment of thrombosis and stroke, blocking P2Y12 receptor-mediated
platelet aggregation. Diquafosol, a long acting P2Y2 receptor agonist, is being
used for the treatment of dry eye. P2X3 receptor antagonists have been developed
that are orally bioavailable and stable in vivo and are currently in clinical
trials for the treatment of chronic cough, bladder incontinence, visceral pain
and hypertension. Antagonists to P2X7 receptors are being investigated for the
treatment of inflammatory disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Other
investigations are in progress for the use of purinergic agents for the treatment
of osteoporosis, myocardial infarction, irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy,
atherosclerosis, depression, autism, diabetes, and cancer.
PMID- 28993754
TI - Commentary: The Case for Abandoning Therapeutic Chelation of Copper Ions in
Alzheimer's Disease.
PMID- 28993753
TI - Electroencephalography in the Diagnosis of Genetic Generalized Epilepsy
Syndromes.
AB - Genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) consists of several syndromes diagnosed and
classified on the basis of clinical features and electroencephalographic (EEG)
abnormalities. The main EEG feature of GGE is bilateral, synchronous, symmetric,
and generalized spike-wave complex. Other classic EEG abnormalities are
polyspikes, epileptiform K-complexes and sleep spindles, polyspike-wave
discharges, occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity, eye-closure
sensitivity, fixation-off sensitivity, and photoparoxysmal response. However,
admixed with typical changes, atypical epileptiform discharges are also commonly
seen in GGE. There are circadian variations of generalized epileptiform
discharges. Sleep, sleep deprivation, hyperventilation, intermittent photic
stimulation, eye closure, and fixation-off are often used as activation
techniques to increase the diagnostic yield of EEG recordings. Reflex seizure
related EEG abnormalities can be elicited by the use of triggers such as
cognitive tasks and pattern stimulation during the EEG recording in selected
patients. Distinct electrographic abnormalities to help classification can be
identified among different electroclinical syndromes.
PMID- 28993755
TI - Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Tortuosity and Body Mass Index.
AB - BACKGROUND: Extracranial internal carotid artery (eICA) tortuosity may trigger
cerebral ischemia, and body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body mass based on
height and weight. The main purpose of this study is to determine the influence
of BMI on the tortuosity of eICA. METHODS: A total of 926 carotid artery
angiograms were performed in 513 patients, of which 116 cases and matched
controls were selected. Arterial tortuosity was defined as simple tortuosity,
kinking, or coiling. The severity of tortuosity was measured by tortuosity index,
formula: [(actual length/straight-line length - 1) * 100]. RESULTS: BMIs were
different between the two groups [tortuosity: 27.06 kg/m2 (SD 2.81 kg/m2) versus
none: 23.3 kg/m2 (SD 2.78 kg/m2); p < 0.001]. BMI was independently and
significantly associated with eICA tortuosity (odds ratio 1.59; 95% confidence
interval, 1.35-1.86; p < 0.001). eICA tortuosity index is linearly associated
with BMI (exponential coefficient beta = 1.067, p < 0.001). The optimal
predictive threshold of BMI for eICA tortuosity was 25.04 kg/m2. The
physiological mechanism underlying the reasons why higher BMI has negative
influence on extracranial carotid artery tortuosity may be an intra-abdominal
hypertension caused by a much higher amount of body fat stored in visceral
adipose tissue. CONCLUSION: Our result reveals a novel role for greater BMI on
the presence of eICA tortuosity. For each increase in BMI of 1 kg/m2, there is a
corresponding 1.59-fold increase in the risk of developing eICA tortuosity. The
severity of eICA tortuosity increases linearly with increased BMI.
PMID- 28993756
TI - Trench Foot or Non-Freezing Cold Injury As a Painful Vaso-Neuropathy: Clinical
and Skin Biopsy Assessments.
AB - BACKGROUND: Trench foot, or non-freezing cold injury (NFCI), results from cold
exposure of sufficient severity and duration above freezing point, with
consequent sensory and vascular abnormalities which may persist for years. Based
on observations of Trench foot in World War II, the condition was described as a
vaso-neuropathy. While some reports have documented nerve damage after extreme
cold exposure, sensory nerve fibres and vasculature have not been assessed with
recent techniques in NFCI. OBJECTIVE: To assess patients with chronic sensory
symptoms following cold exposure, in order to diagnose any underlying small fibre
neuropathy, and provide insight into mechanisms of the persistent pain and cold
hypersensitivity. METHODS: Thirty soldiers with cold exposure and persistent
sensory symptoms (>4 months) were assessed with quantitative sensory testing,
nerve conduction studies, and skin biopsies. Immunohistochemistry was used to
assess intraepidermal (IENF) and subepidermal (SENF) nerve fibres with a range of
markers, including the pan-neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5),
regenerating fibres with growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), and nociceptor
fibres with transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1
(TRPV1), sensory neuron-specific receptor (SNSR), and calcitonin gene-related
peptide (CGRP). von Willebrand factor (vWF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase
(eNOS), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were used for assessing
blood vessels, and transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A
member 1 (TRPA1) and P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2X7) for keratinocytes, which regulate
nociceptors via release of nerve growth factor. RESULTS: Clinical examination
showed pinprick sensation was abnormal in the feet of 20 patients (67%), and
between 67 and 83% had abnormalities of thermal thresholds to the different
modalities. 7 patients (23%) showed reduced sensory action potential amplitude of
plantar nerves. 27 patients (90%) had decreased calf skin PGP 9.5 IENF (p <
0.0001), the remaining 3 patients had decreased nerve markers in subepidermis or
foot skin. There were marked increases of all vascular markers (for vWF in calf
skin, p < 0.0001), and increased sensory or regenerating SENF (for calf skin,
GAP43, p = 0.002). TRPA1 (p = 0.0012) and P2X7 (p < 0.0001) were increased in
basal keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: A range of skin biopsy markers and plantar nerve
conduction studies are useful objective assessments for the diagnosis of
peripheral neuropathy in NFCI. Our results suggest that an increase in blood
vessels following tissue ischaemia/hypoxia could be associated with
disproportionate and abnormal nerve fibres (irritable nociceptors), and may lead
to NFCI as a "painful vaso-neuropathy."
PMID- 28993757
TI - Painful and Prolonged Muscle Cramps following Insulin Injections in a Patient
with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Revisiting the 1992 Duke Case.
AB - A 56-year-old middle-eastern male with a long-standing history of poorly
controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to us complaining of severely
painful bilateral upper and lower extremity cramps occurring shortly after his
rapid-acting insulin analog injection(s). The cramps had started 6 months ago and
have been occurring intermittently in non-predictable episodes since then. He had
otherwise never experienced any insulin-related adverse reaction(s) before. His
cramps are very painful and debilitating, interfering with his daily activities
and placing him in a state of constant fear/anxiety of re-experiencing them. This
caused him to become non-adherent with his prescribed treatment and poorly
compliant with his follow-up regimens. Thorough examination showed a diffuse loss
of sensation over the lower limbs. This was subsequently confirmed with a
combined electromyography-nerve conduction study which indicated extensive
diabetic axonal polyneuropathy. By contrast, lower extremity segmental arterial
pressures were negative for peripheral vasculo-occlusive disease, ruling out
vascular insufficiency as a possible etiology of the cramps. We then measured the
levels of serum electrolytes right-before and 30 min right-after injecting the
patient with his insulin. Potassium dropped by about 16% from its initial level,
compared to a drop of only around 4% for calcium and none (0%) for magnesium.
Thus, we speculated this insulin-induced sharp drop in serum potassium levels as
potentiating the patient's already existing advanced diabetic neuropathy, thereby
leading to muscle cramping. However, attempting potassium supplementation for a
brief period of time led to a rapid resolution of cramps when they occurred and
an overall reduction in their frequency of recurrence. This tilted our diagnosis
toward the insulin-induced acute drop in serum potassium levels as the most
likely etiology underlying the patient's cramps. Such an observation has been
made only once previously within the literature, back in 1992, at the Duke
University Medical Center.
PMID- 28993758
TI - Experimental Models of Maternal Obesity and Neuroendocrine Programming of
Metabolic Disorders in Offspring.
AB - Evidence from epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies have clearly
shown that disease risk in later life is increased following a poor early life
environment, a process preferentially termed developmental programming. In
particular, this work clearly highlights the importance of the nutritional
environment during early development with alterations in maternal nutrition,
including both under- and overnutrition, increasing the risk for a range of
cardiometabolic and neurobehavioral disorders in adult offspring characterized by
both adipokine resistance and obesity. Although the mechanistic basis for such
developmental programming is not yet fully defined, a common feature derived from
experimental animal models is that of alterations in the wiring of the
neuroendocrine pathways that control energy balance and appetite regulation
during early stages of developmental plasticity. The adipokine leptin has also
received significant attention with clear experimental evidence that normal
regulation of leptin levels during the early life period is critical for the
normal development of tissues and related signaling pathways that are involved in
metabolic and cardiovascular homeostasis. There is also increasing evidence that
alterations in the epigenome and other underlying mechanisms including an altered
gut-brain axis may contribute to lasting cardiometabolic dysfunction in
offspring. Ongoing studies that further define the mechanisms between these
associations will allow for identification of early risk markers and
implementation of strategies around interventions that will have obvious
beneficial implications in breaking a programmed transgenerational cycle of
metabolic disorders.
PMID- 28993760
TI - Monitoring the Secretory Behavior of the Rat Adrenal Medulla by High-Performance
Liquid Chromatography-Based Catecholamine Assay from Slice Supernatants.
AB - Catecholamine (CA) secretion from the adrenal medullary tissue is a key step of
the adaptive response triggered by an organism to cope with stress. Whereas
molecular and cellular secretory processes have been extensively studied at the
single chromaffin cell level, data available for the whole gland level are much
scarcer. We tackled this issue in rat by developing an easy to implement
experimental strategy combining the adrenal acute slice supernatant collection
with a high-performance liquid chromatography-based epinephrine and
norepinephrine (NE) assay. This technique affords a convenient method for
measuring basal and stimulated CA release from single acute slices, allowing thus
to individually address the secretory function of the left and right glands. Our
data point that the two glands are equally competent to secrete epinephrine and
NE, exhibiting an equivalent epinephrine:NE ratio, both at rest and in response
to a cholinergic stimulation. Nicotine is, however, more efficient than
acetylcholine to evoke NE release. A pharmacological challenge with
hexamethonium, an alpha3-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist,
disclosed that epinephrine- and NE-secreting chromaffin cells distinctly
expressed alpha3 nicotinic receptors, with a dominant contribution in NE cells.
As such, beyond the novelty of CA assays from acute slice supernatants, our study
contributes at refining the secretory behavior of the rat adrenal medullary
tissue, and opens new perspectives for monitoring the release of other hormones
and transmitters, especially those involved in the stress response.
PMID- 28993759
TI - The Four-Way Stop Sign: Viruses, 12-Lipoxygenase, Islets, and Natural Killer
Cells in Type 1 Diabetes Progression.
AB - Natural killer (NK) cells represent an important effector arm against viral
infection, and mounting evidence suggests that viral infection plays a role in
the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in at least a portion of patients. NK
cells recognize their target cells through a delicate balance of inhibitory and
stimulatory receptors on their surface. If unbalanced, NK cells have great
potential to wreak havoc in the pancreas due to the beta cell expression of the
as-yet-defined NKp46 ligand through interactions with the activating NKp46
receptor found on the surface of most NK cells. Blocking interactions between
NKp46 and its ligand protects mice from STZ-induced diabetes, but differential
expression non-diabetic and diabetic donor samples have not been tested.
Additional studies have shown that peripheral blood NK cells from human T1D
patients have altered phenotypes that reduce the lytic and functional ability of
the NK cells. Investigations of humanT1D pancreas tissues have indicated that the
presence of NK cells may be beneficial despite their infrequent detection. In non
obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we have noted that NK cells express high levels of the
proinflammatory mediator 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO), and decreased levels of
stimulatory receptors. Conversely, NK cells of 12/15-LO deficient NOD mice, which
are protected from diabetes development, express significantly higher levels of
stimulatory receptors. Furthermore, the human NK92 cell line expresses the ALOX12
protein [human 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO), related to mouse 12/15-LO] via Western
blotting. Human 12-LO is upregulated in the pancreas of both T1D and T2D human
donors with insulin-containing islets, showing a link between 12-LO expression
and diabetes progression. Therefore, our hypothesis is that NK cells in those
susceptible to developing T1D are unable to function properly during viral
infections of pancreatic beta cells due to increased 12-LO expression and
activation, which contributes to increased interferon-gamma production and an
imbalance in activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors, and may contribute to
downstream autoimmune T cell responses. The work presented here outlines evidence
from our lab, as well as published literature, supporting our hypothesis,
including novel data.
PMID- 28993762
TI - Commentary: Lactobacilli Dominance and Vaginal pH: Why Is the Human Vaginal
Microbiome Unique?
PMID- 28993761
TI - PCR and Omics Based Techniques to Study the Diversity, Ecology and Biology of
Anaerobic Fungi: Insights, Challenges and Opportunities.
AB - Anaerobic fungi (phylum Neocallimastigomycota) are common inhabitants of the
digestive tract of mammalian herbivores, and in the rumen, can account for up to
20% of the microbial biomass. Anaerobic fungi play a primary role in the
degradation of lignocellulosic plant material. They also have a syntrophic
interaction with methanogenic archaea, which increases their fiber degradation
activity. To date, nine anaerobic fungal genera have been described, with further
novel taxonomic groupings known to exist based on culture-independent molecular
surveys. However, the true extent of their diversity may be even more extensively
underestimated as anaerobic fungi continue being discovered in yet unexplored gut
and non-gut environments. Additionally many studies are now known to have used
primers that provide incomplete coverage of the Neocallimastigomycota. For
ecological studies the internal transcribed spacer 1 region (ITS1) has been the
taxonomic marker of choice, but due to various limitations the large subunit rRNA
(LSU) is now being increasingly used. How the continued expansion of our
knowledge regarding anaerobic fungal diversity will impact on our understanding
of their biology and ecological role remains unclear; particularly as it is
becoming apparent that anaerobic fungi display niche differentiation. As a
consequence, there is a need to move beyond the broad generalization of anaerobic
fungi as fiber-degraders, and explore the fundamental differences that underpin
their ability to exist in distinct ecological niches. Application of genomics,
transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to their study in pure/mixed
cultures and environmental samples will be invaluable in this process. To date
the genomes and transcriptomes of several characterized anaerobic fungal isolates
have been successfully generated. In contrast, the application of proteomics and
metabolomics to anaerobic fungal analysis is still in its infancy. A central
problem for all analyses, however, is the limited functional annotation of
anaerobic fungal sequence data. There is therefore an urgent need to expand
information held within publicly available reference databases. Once this
challenge is overcome, along with improved sample collection and extraction, the
application of these techniques will be key in furthering our understanding of
the ecological role and impact of anaerobic fungi in the wide range of
environments they inhabit.
PMID- 28993764
TI - Legacy Effects on the Recovery of Soil Bacterial Communities from Extreme
Temperature Perturbation.
AB - The type and frequency of disturbances experienced by soil microbiomes is
expected to increase given predicted global climate change scenarios and
intensified anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems. While the direct effect of
multiple disturbances to soil microbes has been explored in terms of function,
their effect on the recovery of microbial community composition remains unclear.
Here, we used soil microcosm experiments and multiple model disturbances to
explore their short-term effect on the recovery of soil microbiota after
identical or novel stresses. Soil microcosms were exposed to a heat shock to
create an initial effect. Upon initial community recovery (25 days after stress),
they were subjected to a second stress, either a heat or a cold shock, and they
were monitored for additional 25 days. To carefully verify the bacterial response
to the disturbances, we monitored changes in community composition throughout the
experiment using 16S rRNA gene transcript amplicon sequencing. The application of
a heat shock to soils with or without the initial heat shock resulted in similar
successional dynamics, but these dynamics were faster in soils with a prior heat
shock. The application of a cold shock had negligible effects on previously
undisturbed soils but, in combination with an initial heat shock, caused the
largest shift in the community composition. Our findings show that compounded
perturbation affects bacterial community recovery by altering community structure
and thus, the community's response during succession. By altering dominance
patterns, disturbance legacy affects the microbiome's ability to recover from
further perturbation within the 25 days studied. Our results highlight the need
to consider the soil's disturbance history in the development of soil management
practices in order to maintain the system's resilience.
PMID- 28993763
TI - Sixty Years (1957-2017) of Research on Toxoplasmosis in China-An Overview.
AB - Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous zoonotic pathogen belonging to apicomplexan
parasites. Infection in humans and animals may cause abortion and other severe
symptoms under certain circumstances, leading to great economical losses and
public health problems. T. gondii was first discovered in China in 1955 and the
corresponding work was published in 1957. Since then, a lot of work has been done
on this parasite and the diseases it causes. This review summarizes the major
progress made by Chinese scientists over the last 60 years, and gives our
perspectives on what should be done in the near future. A wide variety of
diagnostic approaches were designed, including the ones to detect T. gondii
specific antibodies in host sera, and T. gondii specific antigens or DNA in
tissue and environmental samples. Further work will be needed to translate some
of the laboratory assays into reliable products for clinic uses. Epidemiological
studies were extensively done in China and the sero-prevalence in humans
increased over the years, but is still below the world average, likely due to the
unique eating and cooking habits. Infection rates were shown to be fairly high in
meat producing animals such as, pigs, sheep, and chickens, as well as in the
definitive host cats. Numerous subunit vaccines in the form of recombinant
proteins or DNA vaccines were developed, but none of them is satisfactory in the
current form. Live attenuated parasites using genetically modified strains may be
a better option for vaccine design. The strains isolated from China are dominated
by the ToxoDB #9 genotype, but it likely contains multiple subtypes since
different ToxoDB #9 strains exhibited phenotypic differences. Further studies are
needed to understand the general biology, as well as the unique features of
strains prevalent in China.
PMID- 28993765
TI - Prolonged Excretion of Poliovirus among Individuals with Primary Immunodeficiency
Disorder: An Analysis of the World Health Organization Registry.
AB - Individuals with primary immunodeficiency disorder may excrete poliovirus for
extended periods and will constitute the only remaining reservoir of virus after
eradication and withdrawal of oral poliovirus vaccine. Here, we analyzed the
epidemiology of prolonged and chronic immunodeficiency-related vaccine-derived
poliovirus cases in a registry maintained by the World Health Organization, to
identify risk factors and determine the length of excretion. Between 1962 and
2016, there were 101 cases, with 94/101 (93%) prolonged excretors and 7/101 (7%)
chronic excretors. We documented an increase in incidence in recent decades, with
a shift toward middle-income countries, and a predominance of poliovirus type 2
in 73/101 (72%) cases. The median length of excretion was 1.3 years (95%
confidence interval: 1.0, 1.4) and 90% of individuals stopped excreting after 3.7
years. Common variable immunodeficiency syndrome and residence in high-income
countries were risk factors for long-term excretion. The changing epidemiology of
cases, manifested by the greater incidence in recent decades and a shift to from
high- to middle-income countries, highlights the expanding risk of poliovirus
transmission after oral poliovirus vaccine cessation. To better quantify and
reduce this risk, more sensitive surveillance and effective antiviral therapies
are needed.
PMID- 28993766
TI - Therapeutic Potential of Shark Anti-ICOSL VNAR Domains is Exemplified in a Murine
Model of Autoimmune Non-Infectious Uveitis.
AB - Induced costimulatory ligand (ICOSL) plays an important role in the activation of
T cells through its interaction with the inducible costimulator, ICOS.
Suppression of full T cell activation can be achieved by blocking this
interaction and has been shown to be an effective means of ameliorating disease
in models of autoimmunity and inflammation. In this study, we demonstrated the
ability of a novel class of anti-ICOSL antigen-binding single domains derived
from sharks (VNARs) to effectively reduce inflammation in a murine model of non
infectious uveitis. In initial selections, specific VNARs that recognized human
ICOSL were isolated from an immunized nurse shark phage display library and lead
domains were identified following their performance in a series of antigen
selectivity and in vitro bioassay screens. High potency in cell-based blocking
assays suggested their potential as novel binders suitable for further
therapeutic development. To test this hypothesis, surrogate anti-mouse ICOSL VNAR
domains were isolated from the same phage display library and the lead VNAR clone
selected via screening in binding and ICOS/ICOSL blocking experiments. The VNAR
domain with the highest potency in cell-based blocking of ICOS/ICOSL interaction
was fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1 and was tested in vivo in a mouse model
of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein-induced uveitis. The anti-mICOSL
VNAR Fc, injected systemically, resulted in a marked reduction of inflammation in
treated mice when compared with untreated control animals. This approach
inhibited disease progression to an equivalent extent to that seen for the
positive corticosteroid control, cyclosporin A, reducing both clinical and
histopathological scores. These results represent the first demonstration of
efficacy of a VNAR binding domain in a relevant clinical model of disease and
highlight the potential of VNARs for the treatment of auto-inflammatory
conditions.
PMID- 28993768
TI - CD30 Is Dispensable for T-Cell Responses to Influenza Virus and Lymphocytic
Choriomeningitis Virus Clone 13 but Contributes to Age-Associated T-Cell
Expansion in Mice.
AB - CD30 is a tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family member whose expression is
associated with Hodgkin's disease, anaplastic large cell lymphomas, and other T
and B lymphoproliferative disorders in humans. A limited number of studies have
assessed the physiological role of CD30/CD30 ligand interactions in control of
infection in mice. Here, we assess the role of CD30 in T-cell immunity to acute
influenza and chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13
infection, two viral infections in which other members of the TNFR superfamily
are important for T-cell responses. We show that CD30 is expressed on activated
but not resting CD4 and CD8 T cells in vitro, as well as on regulatory T cells
and marginally on T helper 1 cells in vivo during influenza infection. Despite
this, CD4 and CD8 T-cell expansion in response to influenza virus was comparable
in CD30+/+ and CD30-/- littermates, with no discernable role for the pathway in
the outcome of influenza infection. Similarly, during persistent infection with
LCMV clone 13, CD30 plays no obvious role in CD4 or CD8 T-cell responses, the
level of T-cell exhaustion or viral control. In contrast, in the steady state, we
observed increased numbers of total CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as increased
numbers of regulatory T cells in unimmunized older (~8 months) CD30+/+ but not in
CD30-/- age-matched littermates. Naive T-cell numbers were unchanged in the aged
CD30+/+ mice compared to their CD30-/- littermate controls, rather the T-cell
expansions were explained by an increase in CD4+ and CD8+ CD44mid-hiCD62L-
effector memory cells, with a similar trend in the central memory T-cell
compartment. In contrast, CD30 did not impact the numbers of T cells in young
mice. These data suggest a role for CD30 in the homeostatic regulation of T cells
during aging, contributing to memory T-cell expansions, which may have relevance
for CD30 expression in human T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases.
PMID- 28993767
TI - Genomic Programming of Human Neonatal Dendritic Cells in Congenital Systemic and
In Vitro Cytomegalovirus Infection Reveal Plastic and Robust Immune Pathway
Biology Responses.
AB - Neonates and especially premature infants are highly susceptible to infection but
still can have a remarkable resilience that is poorly understood. The view that
neonates have an incomplete or deficient immune system is changing. Human
neonatal studies are challenging, and elucidating host protective responses and
underlying cognate pathway biology, in the context of viral infection in early
life, remains to be fully explored. In both resource rich and poor settings,
human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection. By
using unbiased systems analyses of transcriptomic resources for HCMV neonatal
infection, we find the systemic response of a preterm congenital HCMV infection,
involves a focused IFN regulatory response associated with dendritic cells.
Further analysis of transcriptional-programming of neonatal dendritic cells in
response to HCMV infection in culture revealed an early dominant IFN-chemokine
regulatory subnetworks, and at later times the plasticity of pathways implicated
in cell-cycle control and lipid metabolism. Further, we identify previously
unknown suppressed networks associated with infection, including a select group
of GPCRs. Functional siRNA viral growth screen targeting 516-GPCRs and subsequent
validation identified novel GPCR-dependent antiviral (ADORA1) and proviral
(GPR146, RGS16, PTAFR, SCTR, GPR84, GPR85, NMUR2, FZ10, RDS, CCL17, and SORT1)
roles. By contrast a gene family cluster of protocadherins is significantly
differentially induced in neonatal cells, suggestive of possible immunomodulatory
roles. Unexpectedly, programming responses of adult and neonatal dendritic cells,
upon HCMV infection, demonstrated comparable quantitative and qualitative
responses showing that functionally, neonatal dendritic cell are not overly
compromised. However, a delay in responses of neonatal cells for IFN subnetworks
in comparison with adult-derived cells are notable, suggestive of subtle
plasticity differences. These findings support a set-point control mechanism
rather than immaturity for explaining not only neonatal susceptibility but also
resilience to infection. In summary, our findings show that neonatal HCMV
infection leads to a highly plastic and functional robust programming of
dendritic cells in vivo and in vitro. In comparison with adults, a minimal number
of subtle quantitative and temporal differences may contribute to variability in
host susceptibility and resilience, in a context dependent manner.
PMID- 28993769
TI - Phosphoproteomics Reveals Regulatory T Cell-Mediated DEF6 Dephosphorylation That
Affects Cytokine Expression in Human Conventional T Cells.
AB - Regulatory T cells (Tregs) control key events of immune tolerance, primarily by
suppression of effector T cells. We previously revealed that Tregs rapidly
suppress T cell receptor (TCR)-induced calcium store depletion in conventional
CD4+CD25- T cells (Tcons) independently of IP3 levels, consequently inhibiting
NFAT signaling and effector cytokine expression. Here, we study Treg suppression
mechanisms through unbiased phosphoproteomics of primary human Tcons upon TCR
stimulation and Treg-mediated suppression, respectively. Tregs induced a state of
overall decreased phosphorylation as opposed to TCR stimulation. We discovered
novel phosphosites (T595_S597) in the DEF6 (SLAT) protein that were
phosphorylated upon TCR stimulation and conversely dephosphorylated upon
coculture with Tregs. Mutation of these DEF6 phosphosites abrogated interaction
of DEF6 with the IP3 receptor and affected NFAT activation and cytokine
transcription in primary Tcons. This novel mechanism and phosphoproteomics data
resource may aid in modifying sensitivity of Tcons to Treg-mediated suppression
in autoimmune disease or cancer.
PMID- 28993770
TI - Adjuvant-Mediated Epitope Specificity and Enhanced Neutralizing Activity of
Antibodies Targeting Dengue Virus Envelope Protein.
AB - The heat-labile toxins (LT) produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli display
adjuvant effects to coadministered antigens, leading to enhanced production of
serum antibodies. Despite extensive knowledge of the adjuvant properties of LT
derivatives, including in vitro-generated non-toxic mutant forms, little is known
about the capacity of these adjuvants to modulate the epitope specificity of
antibodies directed against antigens. This study characterizes the role of LT and
its non-toxic B subunit (LTB) in the modulation of antibody responses to a
coadministered antigen, the dengue virus (DENV) envelope glycoprotein domain III
(EDIII), which binds to surface receptors and mediates virus entry into host
cells. In contrast to non-adjuvanted or alum-adjuvanted formulations, antibodies
induced in mice immunized with LT or LTB showed enhanced virus-neutralization
effects that were not ascribed to a subclass shift or antigen affinity.
Nonetheless, immunosignature analyses revealed that purified LT-adjuvanted EDIII
specific antibodies display distinct epitope-binding patterns with regard to
antibodies raised in mice immunized with EDIII or the alum-adjuvanted vaccine.
Notably, the analyses led to the identification of a specific EDIII epitope
located in the EF to FG loop, which is involved in the entry of DENV into
eukaryotic cells. The present results demonstrate that LT and LTB modulate the
epitope specificity of antibodies generated after immunization with
coadministered antigens that, in the case of EDIII, was associated with the
induction of neutralizing antibody responses. These results open perspectives for
the more rational development of vaccines with enhanced protective effects
against DENV infections.
PMID- 28993771
TI - Tumor-Derived Microvesicles Modulate Antigen Cross-Processing via Reactive Oxygen
Species-Mediated Alkalinization of Phagosomal Compartment in Dendritic Cells.
AB - Dendritic cells (DCs) are the only antigen-presenting cells able to prime naive T
cells and cross-prime antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Their functionality is a
requirement for the induction and maintenance of long-lasting cancer immunity.
Albeit intensively investigated, the in vivo mechanisms underlying efficient
antigen cross-processing and presentation are not fully understood. Several
pieces of evidence indicate that antigen transfer to DCs mediated by
microvesicles (MVs) enhances antigen immunogenicity. This mechanism is also
relevant for cross-presentation of those tumor-associated glycoproteins such as
MUC1 that are blocked in HLA class II compartment when internalized by DCs as
soluble molecules. Here, we present pieces of evidence that the internalization
of tumor-derived MVs modulates antigen-processing machinery of DCs. Employing MVs
derived from ovarian cancer ascites fluid and established tumor cell lines, we
show that MV uptake modifies DC phagosomal microenvironment, triggering reactive
oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and early alkalinization. Indeed, tumor MVs
carry radical species and the MV uptake by DCs counteracts the chemically
mediated acidification of the phagosomal compartment. Further pieces of evidence
suggest that efficacious antigen cross-priming of the MUC1 antigen carried by the
tumor MVs results from the early signaling induced by MV internalization and the
function of the antigen-processing machinery of DCs. These results strongly
support the hypothesis that tumor-derived MVs impact antigen immunogenicity by
tuning the antigen-processing machinery of DCs, besides being carrier of tumor
antigens. Furthermore, these findings have important implications for the
exploitation of MVs as antigenic cell-free immunogen for DC-based therapeutic
strategies.
PMID- 28993772
TI - Rescuing Self: Transient Isolation and Autologous Transplantation of Bone Marrow
Mitigates Radiation-Induced Hematopoietic Syndrome and Mortality in Mice.
AB - The inflamed bone marrow niche shortly after total body irradiation (TBI) is
known to contribute to loss of hematopoietic stem cells in terms of their number
and function. In this study, autologous bone marrow transfer (AL-BMT) was
evaluated as a strategy for mitigating hematopoietic form of the acute radiation
syndrome by timing the collection phase (2 h after irradiation) and reinfusion
(24 h after irradiation) using mice as a model system. Collection of bone marrow
(BM) cells (0.5 * 106 total marrow cells) 2 h after lethal TBI rescued different
subclasses of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from the
detrimental inflammatory and damaging milieu in vivo. Cryopreservation of
collected graft and its reinfusion 24 h after TBI significantly rescued mice from
lethal effects of irradiation (65% survival against 0% in TBI group on day 30th)
and hematopoietic depression. Transient hypometabolic state (HMS) induced 2 h
after TBI effectively preserved the functional status of HSPCs and improved
hematopoietic recovery even when BM was collected 8 h after TBI. Homing studies
suggested that AL-BMT yielded similar percentages for different subsets of HSPCs
when compared to syngeneic bone marrow transfer. The results suggest that the
timing of collection, and reinfusion of graft is crucial for the success of AL
BMT.
PMID- 28993773
TI - Targeting Malignant Brain Tumors with Antibodies.
AB - Antibodies have been shown to be a potent therapeutic tool. However, their use
for targeting brain diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and brain
cancers, has been limited, particularly because the blood-brain barrier (BBB)
makes brain tissue hard to access by conventional antibody-targeting strategies.
In this review, we summarize new antibody therapeutic approaches to target brain
tumors, especially malignant gliomas, as well as their potential drawbacks. Many
different brain delivery platforms for antibodies have been studied such as
liposomes, nanoparticle-based systems, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), and cell
based approaches. We have already shown the successful delivery of single-chain
fragment variable (scFv) with CPP as a linker between two variable domains in the
brain. Antibodies normally face poor penetration through the BBB, with some
variants sufficiently passing the barrier on their own. A "Trojan horse" method
allows passage of biomolecules, such as antibodies, through the BBB by receptor
mediated transcytosis (RMT). Such examples of therapeutic antibodies are the
bispecific antibodies where one binding specificity recognizes and binds a BBB
receptor, enabling RMT and where a second binding specificity recognizes an
antigen as a therapeutic target. On the other hand, cell-based systems such as
stem cells (SCs) are a promising delivery system because of their tumor tropism
and ability to cross the BBB. Genetically engineered SCs can be used in gene
therapy, where they express anti-tumor drugs, including antibodies. Different
types and sources of SCs have been studied for the delivery of therapeutics to
the brain; both mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural stem cells (NSCs) show
great potential. Following the success in treatment of leukemias and lymphomas,
the adoptive T-cell therapies, especially the chimeric antigen receptor-T cells
(CAR-Ts), are making their way into glioma treatment as another type of cell
based therapy using the antibody to bind to the specific target(s). Finally, the
current clinical trials are reviewed, showing the most recent progress of
attractive approaches to deliver therapeutic antibodies across the BBB aiming at
the specific antigen.
PMID- 28993775
TI - IL-27-Induced Type 1 Regulatory T-Cells Produce Oxysterols that Constrain IL-10
Production.
AB - The behaviors of lymphocytes, including CD4+ T helper cells, are controlled on
many levels by internal metabolic properties. Lipid metabolites have recently
been ascribed a novel function as immune response modulators and perturbation of
steroids pathways modulates inflammation and potentially promotes a variety of
diseases. However, the impact of lipid metabolism on autoimmune disease
development and lymphocyte biology is still largely unraveled. In this line,
oxysterols, oxidized forms of cholesterol, have pleiotropic roles on the immune
response aside from their involvements in lipid metabolism. The oxysterols 25
hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC) and 7alpha,25-dihydroxycholesterol (7alpha,25-OHC)
regulate antiviral immunity and immune cell chemotaxis. However, their
physiological effects on adaptive immune response in particular on various subset
CD4+ T lymphocytes are largely unknown. Here, we assessed oxysterol levels in
subset of CD4+ T cells and demonstrated that 25-OHC and transcript levels of its
synthesizing enzyme, cholesterol 25-hydroxylase, were specifically increased in
IL-27-induced type 1 regulatory T (TR1) cells. We further showed that 25-OHC acts
as a negative regulator of TR1 cells in particular of IL-10 secretion via liver X
receptor signaling. Not only do these findings unravel molecular mechanisms
accounting for IL-27 signaling but also they highlight oxysterols as pro
inflammatory mediators that dampens regulatory T cell responses and thus unleash
a pro-inflammatory response.
PMID- 28993776
TI - Human Cytomegalovirus Delays Neutrophil Apoptosis and Stimulates the Release of a
Prosurvival Secretome.
AB - Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major cause of viral disease in the young and
the immune-suppressed. At sites of infection, HCMV recruits the neutrophil, a
cell with a key role in orchestrating the initial immune response. Herein, we
report a profound survival response in human neutrophils exposed to the clinical
HCMV isolate Merlin, but not evident with the attenuated strain AD169, through
suppression of apoptosis. The initial survival event, which is independent of
viral gene expression and involves activation of the ERK/MAPK and NF-kappaB
pathways, is augmented by HCMV-stimulated release of a secretory cytokine profile
that further prolongs neutrophil lifespan. As aberrant neutrophil survival
contributes to tissue damage, we predict that this may be relevant to the immune
pathology of HCMV, and the presence of this effect in clinical HCMV strains and
its absence in attenuated strains implies a beneficial effect to the virus in
pathogenesis and/or dissemination. In addition, we show that HCMV-exposed
neutrophils release factors that enhance monocyte recruitment and drive monocyte
differentiation to a HCMV-permissive phenotype in an IL-6-dependent manner, thus
providing an ideal vehicle for viral dissemination. This study increases
understanding of HCMV-neutrophil interactions, highlighting the potential role of
neutrophil recruitment as a virulence mechanism to promote HCMV pathology in the
host and influence the dissemination of HCMV infection. Targeting these
mechanisms may lead to new antiviral strategies aimed at limiting host damage and
inhibiting viral spread.
PMID- 28993777
TI - The Procoagulant Activity of Apoptotic Cells Is Mediated by Interaction with
Factor XII.
AB - Apoptotic cells, by externalizing phosphatidylserine (PS) as a hallmark feature,
are procoagulant. However, the mechanism by which apoptotic cells activate
coagulation system remains unknown. Intrinsic coagulation pathway is initiated by
coagulation factor XII (FXII) of contact activation system. The purpose of this
study was to determine whether FXII is involved in procoagulant activity of
apoptotic cells. Using western blotting and chromogenic substrate assay, we found
that incubation with apoptotic cells, but not with viable cells, resulted in
rapid cleavage and activation of FXII in the presence of prekallikrein and high
molecular weight kininogen (HK), other two components of contact activation
system. As detected by flow cytometry, FXII bound to apoptotic cells in a
concentration-dependent manner, which was inhibited by annexin V and PS liposome.
Direct association of FXII with PS was confirmed in a surface plasmon resonance
assay. Clotting time of FXII-deficient plasma induced by apoptotic cells was
significantly prolonged, which was fully reversed by replenishment with FXII.
Corn trypsin inhibitor, a FXII inhibitor, completely prevented apoptotic cells
induced intrinsic tenase complex formation. Consistently, apoptotic cells
significantly increased thrombin production in normal plasma, which was not
affected by an inhibitory anti-tissue factor antibody. However, blocking of PS by
annexin V, inhibition of FXII, or the deficiency of FXII suppressed apoptotic
cells-induced thrombin generation. Addition of purified FXII to FXII-deficient
plasma recovered thrombin generation to the normal plasma level. In conclusion,
FXII binds to apoptotic cells via PS and becomes activated, thereby constituting
a novel mechanism mediating the procoagulant activity of apoptotic cells.
PMID- 28993774
TI - The Clinical Application of MicroRNAs in Infectious Disease.
AB - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single-stranded non-coding RNA sequences that
posttranscriptionally regulate up to 60% of protein encoding genes. Evidence is
emerging that miRNAs are key mediators of the host response to infection,
predominantly by regulating proteins involved in innate and adaptive immune
pathways. miRNAs can govern the cellular tropism of some viruses, are implicated
in the resistance of some individuals to infections like HIV, and are associated
with impaired vaccine response in older people. Not surprisingly, pathogens have
evolved ways to undermine the effects of miRNAs on immunity. Recognition of this
has led to new experimental treatments, RG-101 and Miravirsen-hepatitis C
treatments which target host miRNA. miRNAs are being investigated as novel
infection biomarkers, and they are being used to design attenuated vaccines,
e.g., against Dengue virus. This comprehensive review synthesizes current
knowledge of miRNA in host response to infection with emphasis on potential
clinical applications, along with an evaluation of the challenges still to be
overcome.
PMID- 28993778
TI - Potential Role of Vdelta2+ gammadelta T Cells in Regulation of Immune Activation
in Primary HIV Infection.
AB - Although conventional regulatory T cells (Tregs) are sufficient in controlling
low residual T-cell activation in ART-treated patients, they are not efficient in
controlling exaggerated immune activation associated with high levels of HIV
replication in primary HIV infection (PHI). Our previous data suggested that
double negative (DN) T cells including mainly gammadelta DN T cells play a role
in the control of immune activation in PHI. Since gammadelta T cells are capable
of exerting regulatory functions, we investigated their implication as Tregs in
PHI as well as chronic HIV infection (CHI). In a cross-sectional study of 58 HIV
infected patients, in the primary and the chronic phase either ART-treated or
untreated (UT), we analyzed phenotype and cytokine production of gammadelta T
cells using flow cytometry. Cytokine production was assessed following in vitro
stimulation with isopentenyl pyrophosphate or plate-bound anti-CD3/anti-CD28
monoclonal antibodies. We found that the proportion of gammadelta T cells
negatively correlated with CD8 T-cell activation in PHI patients. Furthermore, we
found that in these patients, the Vdelta2 receptor bearing (Vdelta2+) gammadelta
T cells were strongly activated, exhibited low terminal differentiation, and
produced the anti-inflammatory cytokine, TGF-beta. In contrast, in UT-CHI, we
observed a remarkable expansion of gammadelta T cells, where the Vdelta2+
gammadelta T cells comprised of an elevated proportion of terminally
differentiated cells producing high levels of IFN-gamma but very low levels of
TGF-beta. We also found that this loss of regulatory feature of gammadelta T
cells in CHI was a lasting impairment as we did not find recovery of TGF-beta
production even in ART-CHI patients successfully treated for more than 5 years.
Our data therefore suggest that during the primary HIV infection, Vdelta2+
gammadelta T cells may act as Tregs controlling immune activation through
production of TGF-beta. However, in CHI, gammadelta T cells transform from an
anti-inflammatory into pro-inflammatory cytokine profile and participate in
sustenance of immune activation.
PMID- 28993782
TI - Root Traits, Nodulation and Root Distribution in Soil for Five Wild Lentil
Species and Lens culinaris (Medik.) Grown under Well-Watered Conditions.
AB - The efficient use of resources such as water and nutrients by plants is
increasingly important as the world population food demand continues to grow.
With the increased production of lentil in the temperate zones of North America,
improvement in yield needs to be maintained. The use of wild lentil genotypes as
sources of genetic diversity for introgression into cultivated lentil is an
important breeding strategy, but little is known about their root systems. We
evaluated the root systems of five wild lentil species and Lens culinaris under
fully watered conditions. Plants were grown in 60 cm tubes containing equal
volumes of soil collected from the reconstructed A, B, and C horizons.
Significant differences were observed for root traits and fine root distribution
between and within species and the proportion of root biomass partitioned into
each soil layer was unique for each genotype. We also observed variability in
nodule number and nodule shape within and between genotypes. Some genotypes more
efficiently used water for either biomass or seed production. The allocation of
resources to seed production also varied between genotypes. These observations
could have impact on the design of future lentil breeding in the context of
strategies for managing changes in rainfall amount and distribution for lentil
production ecosystems.
PMID- 28993779
TI - Natural Killer Cell Response to Chemotherapy-Stressed Cancer Cells: Role in Tumor
Immunosurveillance.
AB - Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphoid cells that actively
prevent neoplastic development, growth, and metastatic dissemination in a process
called cancer immunosurveillance. An equilibrium between immune control and tumor
growth is maintained as long as cancer cells evade immunosurveillance. Therapies
designed to kill cancer cells and to simultaneously sustain host antitumor
immunity are an appealing strategy to control tumor growth. Several
chemotherapeutic agents, depending on which drugs and doses are used, give rise
to DNA damage and cancer cell death by means of apoptosis, immunogenic cell
death, or other forms of non-apoptotic death (i.e., mitotic catastrophe,
senescence, and autophagy). However, it is becoming increasingly clear that they
can trigger additional stress responses. Indeed, relevant immunostimulating
effects of different therapeutic programs include also the activation of pathways
able to promote their recognition by immune effector cells. Among stress
inducible immunostimulating proteins, changes in the expression levels of NK cell
activating and inhibitory ligands, as well as of death receptors on tumor cells,
play a critical role in their detection and elimination by innate immune
effectors, including NK cells. Here, we will review recent advances in
chemotherapy-mediated cellular stress pathways able to stimulate NK cell effector
functions. In particular, we will address how these cytotoxic lymphocytes sense
and respond to different types of drug-induced stresses contributing to
anticancer activity.
PMID- 28993781
TI - Natural Killer T Cell-Targeted Immunotherapy Mediating Long-term Memory Responses
and Strong Antitumor Activity.
AB - Current tumor therapies, including immunotherapies, focus on passive eradication
or at least reduction of the tumor mass. However, cancer patients quite often
suffer from tumor relapse or metastasis after such treatments. To overcome these
problems, we have developed a natural killer T (NKT) cell-targeted immunotherapy
focusing on active engagement of the patient's immune system, but not directly
targeting the tumor cells themselves. NKT cells express an invariant antigen
receptor alpha chain encoded by Trav11 (Valpha14)-Traj18 (Jalpha18) gene segments
in mice and TRAV10 (Valpha24)-TRAJ18 (Jalpha18) in humans and recognize
glycolipid ligand in conjunction with a monomorphic CD1d molecule. The NKT cells
play a pivotal role in the orchestration of antitumor immune responses by
mediating adjuvant effects that activate various antitumor effector cells of both
innate and adaptive immune systems and also aid in establishing a long-term
memory response. Here, we established NKT cell-targeted therapy using a newly
discovered NKT cell glycolipid ligand, RK, which has a stronger capacity to
stimulate both human and mouse NKT cells compared to previous NKT cell ligand.
Moreover, RK mediates strong adjuvant effects in activating various effector cell
types and establishes long-term memory responses, resulting in the continuous
attack on the tumor that confers long-lasting and potent antitumor effects. Since
the NKT cell ligand presented by the monomorphic CD1d can be used for all humans
irrespective of HLA types, and also because NKT cell-targeted therapy does not
directly target tumor cells, this therapy can potentially be applied to all
cancer patients and any tumor types.
PMID- 28993783
TI - Genetic Variability of 27 Traits in a Core Collection of Flax (Linum
usitatissimum L.).
AB - Assessment of genetic variability of plant core germplasm is needed for efficient
germplasm utilization in breeding improvement. A total of 391 accessions of a
flax core collection, which preserves the variation present in the world
collection of 3,378 accessions maintained by Plant Gene Resources of Canada
(PGRC) and represents a broad range of geographical origins, different
improvement statuses and two morphotypes, was evaluated in field trials in up to
8 year-location environments for 10 agronomic, eight seed quality, six fiber and
three disease resistance traits. The large phenotypic variation in this subset
was explained by morphotypes (22%), geographical origins (11%), and other
variance components (67%). Both divergence and similarity between two basic
morphotypes, namely oil or linseed and fiber types, were observed, whereby
linseed accessions had greater thousand seed weight, seeds m-2, oil content,
branching capability and resistance to powdery mildew while fiber accessions had
greater straw weight, plant height, protein content and resistance to pasmo and
fusarium wilt diseases, but they had similar performance in many traits and some
of them shared common characteristics of fiber and linseed types. Weak
geographical patterns within either fiber or linseed accessions were confirmed,
but specific trait performance was identified in East Asia for fiber type, and
South Asia and North America for linseed type. Relatively high broad-sense
heritability was obtained for seed quality traits, followed by agronomic traits
and resistance to powdery mildew and fusarium wilt. Diverse phenotypic and
genetic variability in the flax core collection constitutes a useful resource for
breeding.
PMID- 28993780
TI - Spontaneous Secretion of the Citrullination Enzyme PAD2 and Cell Surface Exposure
of PAD4 by Neutrophils.
AB - Autoantibodies directed against citrullinated epitopes of proteins are highly
diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and elevated levels of protein
citrullination can be found in the joints of patients with RA. Calcium-dependent
peptidyl-arginine deiminases (PAD) are the enzymes responsible for
citrullination. PAD2 and PAD4 are enriched in neutrophils and likely drive
citrullination under inflammatory conditions. PADs may be released during NETosis
or cell death, but the mechanisms responsible for PAD activity under
physiological conditions have not been fully elucidated. To understand how PADs
citrullinate extracellular proteins, we investigated the cellular localization
and activity of PAD2 and PAD4, and we report that viable neutrophils from healthy
donors have active PAD4 exposed on their surface and spontaneously secrete PAD2.
Neutrophil activation by some stimulatory agents increased the levels of
immunoreactive PAD4 on the cell surface, and some stimuli reduced PAD2 secretion.
Our data indicate that live neutrophils have the inherent capacity to express
active extracellular PADs. These novel pathways are distinguished from
intracellular PAD activation during NETosis and calcium influx-mediated
hypercitrullination. Our study implies that extracellular PADs may have a
physiological role under non-pathogenic conditions as well as a pathological role
in RA.
PMID- 28993785
TI - Vector Transmission Alone Fails to Explain the Potato Yellow Vein Virus Epidemic
among Potato Crops in Colombia.
AB - The potato yellow vein disease, caused by the potato yellow vein virus (PYVV), is
a limiting potato disease in northern South America. The virus can be transmitted
either by the greenhouse whitefly (GWF), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood)
(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), or through vegetative propagules, such as infected
tubers. Recently, GWF populations have been spotlighted as one of the main
drivers of PYVV re-emergence, and consequently, PYVV management has been
predominantly directed toward vector control, which is heavily based on
insecticide use. However, the drivers of the PYVV outbreaks as well as the
contribution of GWF populations on the spread of PYVV among potato crops are
still not completely understood. This study aims to assess the role of the GWF as
a driver of the PYVV epidemic in the potato-producing areas in Colombia, one of
the countries more severely affected by the PYVV epidemic, and whose geography
allows the study of the spatial association between the vector and the disease
epidemic across a wide altitude range. The geographical clusters where the PYVV
epidemic is concentrated, as well as those of farms affected by the GWF were
identified using a novel spatial epidemiology approach. The influence of altitude
range on the association between PYVV and T. vaporarioum was also assessed. We
found a relatively poor spatial association between PYVV epidemic and the
presence of the GWF, especially at altitudes above 3,000 m above mean sea level.
Furthermore, GWF populations could only explain a small fraction of the extent of
the PYVV epidemic in Colombia. Movement of infected seed tubers might be the main
mechanism of dispersion, and could be a key driver for the PYVV infection among
potato crops. Agricultural policies focused on improving quality of seed tubers
and their appropriate distribution could be the most efficient control
intervention against PYVV dispersion.
PMID- 28993784
TI - The Intergenic Interplay between Aldose 1-Epimerase-Like Protein and Pectin
Methylesterase in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Control.
AB - The mechanical damage that often precedes the penetration of a leaf by a pathogen
promotes the activation of pectin methylesterase (PME); the activation of PME
leads to the emission of methanol, resulting in a "priming" effect on intact
leaves, which is accompanied by an increased sensitivity to Tobacco mosaic virus
(TMV) and resistance to bacteria. In this study, we revealed that mRNA levels of
the methanol-inducible gene encoding Nicotiana benthamiana aldose 1-epimerase
like protein (NbAELP) in the leaves of intact plants are very low compared with
roots. However, stress and pathogen attack increased the accumulation of the
NbAELP mRNA in the leaves. Using transiently transformed plants, we obtained data
to support the mechanism underlying AELP/PME-related negative feedback The
insertion of the NbAELP promoter sequence (proNbAELP) into the N. benthamiana
genome resulted in the co-suppression of the natural NbAELP gene expression,
accompanied by a reduction in the NbAELP mRNA content and increased PME
synthesis. Knockdown of NbAELP resulted in high activity of PME in the cell wall
and a decrease in the leaf glucose level, creating unfavorable conditions for
Agrobacterium tumefaciens reproduction in injected leaves. Our results showed
that NbAELP is capable of binding the TMV movement protein (MPTMV) in vitro and
is likely to affect the cellular nucleocytoplasmic transport, which may explain
the sensitivity of NbAELP knockdown plants to TMV. Although NbAELP was primarily
detected in the cell wall, the influence of this protein on cellular PME mRNA
levels might be associated with reduced transcriptional activity of the PME gene
in the nucleus. To confirm this hypothesis, we isolated the N. tabacum PME gene
promoter (proNtPME) and showed the inhibition of proNtPME-directed GFP and GUS
expression in leaves when co-agroinjected with the NbAELP-encoding plasmid. We
hypothesized that plant wounding and/or pathogen attack lead to PME activation
and increased methanol emission, followed by increased NbAELP expression, which
results in reversion of PME mRNA level and methanol emission to levels found in
the intact plant.
PMID- 28993786
TI - An NAM Domain Gene, GhNAC79, Improves Resistance to Drought Stress in Upland
Cotton.
AB - Plant-specific NAC proteins comprise one of the largest transcription factor
families in plants and play important roles in plant development and the stress
response. Gossypium hirsutum L. is a major source of fiber, but its growth and
productivity are limited by many biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, the
NAC domain gene GhNAC79 was functionally characterized in detail, and according
to information about the cotton genome sequences, it was located on scaffold42.1,
containing three exons and two introns. Promoter analysis indicated that the
GhNAC79 promoter contained both basic and stress-related elements, and it was
especially expressed in the cotyledon of Arabidopsis. A transactivation assay in
yeast demonstrated that GhNAC79 was a transcription activator, and its activation
domain was located at its C-terminus. The results of qRT-PCR proved that GhNAC79
was preferentially expressed at later stages of cotyledon and fiber development,
and it showed high sensitivity to ethylene and meJA treatments. Overexpression of
GhNAC79 resulted in an early flowering phenotype in Arabidopsis, and it also
improved drought tolerance in both Arabidopsis and cotton. Furthermore, VIGS
induced silencing of GhNAC79 in cotton led to a drought-sensitive phenotype. In
summary, GhNAC79 positively regulates drought stress, and it also responds to
ethylene and meJA treatments, making it a candidate gene for stress studies in
cotton.
PMID- 28993787
TI - Fitness of ALS-Inhibitors Herbicide Resistant Population of Loose Silky Bentgrass
(Apera spica-venti).
AB - Herbicide resistance is an example of plant evolution caused by an increased
reliance on herbicides with few sites of action to manage weed populations. This
micro-evolutionary process depends on fitness, therefore the assessment of
fitness differences between susceptible and resistant populations are pivotal to
establish management strategies. Loose silky bentgrass (Apera spica-venti) is a
serious weed in Eastern, Northern, and Central Europe with an increasing number
of herbicide resistant populations. This study examined the fitness and growth
characteristics of an ALS resistant biotype. Fitness and growth characteristics
were estimated by comparing seed germination, biomass, seed yield and time to key
growth stages at four crop densities of winter wheat (0, 48, 96, and 192 plants m
2) in a target-neighborhood design. The resistant population germinated 9-20
growing degree days (GDD) earlier than the susceptible population at 10, 16, and
22 degrees C. No differences were observed between resistant and susceptible
populations in tiller number, biomass, time to stem elongation, time to first
visible inflorescence and seed production. The resistant population reached the
inflorescence emergence and flowering stages in less time by 383 and 196 GDD,
respectively, at a crop density of 96 winter wheat plants m-2 with no differences
registered at other densities. This study did not observe a fitness cost to
herbicide resistance, as often hypothesized. Inversely, a correlation between non
target site resistance (NTSR), earlier germination and earlier flowering time
which could be interpreted as fitness benefits as these plant characteristics
could be exploited by modifying the timing and site of action of herbicide
application to better control ALS NTSR populations of A. spica-venti.
PMID- 28993788
TI - Lanthanum Inhibits Primary Root Growth by Repressing Auxin Carrier Abundances in
Arabidopsis.
AB - Lanthanum (La) is one of rare earth elements that was used as a crop growth
stimulants; however, high concentration of La markedly inhibited plant growth.
Our previous study indicated that, although La induced the expression of auxin
biosynthesis-related genes, it markedly repressed primary root (PR) elongation by
reducing auxin accumulation in PR tips. In this study, we exhibited that La
reduces the abundances of auxin carriers. Treatment with La markedly inhibited
the auxins IAA-, 2,4-D-, and NAA-induced elevation of DR5:GUS activity in the
roots, suggesting that La inhibited auxin transport through both the influx and
efflux transporters. Supplementation with auxin transport inhibitor
naphthylphthalamic acid in La-treated seedlings did not further reduce PR growth
compared with that of the La treatment alone, further confirmed that auxin
transport is involved in La-induced inhibition of PR growth. Analysis of the
protein abundances using the transgenic AUX1-YFP and PIN1/2/4/7-GFP marker lines
indicated that La treatment reduced the abundances of all these auxin carriers in
the PR tips. La also increased the stabilization of Aux/IAA protein AXR3. Taken
together, these results indicated that La treatment inhibits PIN-mediated auxin
transport and subsequently impairs auxin distribution and PR growth via reducing
auxin carrier abundances.
PMID- 28993789
TI - Editorial: Melatonin in Plants.
PMID- 28993790
TI - Network Diffusion-Based Prioritization of Autism Risk Genes Identifies
Significantly Connected Gene Modules.
AB - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is marked by a strong genetic heterogeneity, which
is underlined by the low overlap between ASD risk gene lists proposed in
different studies. In this context, molecular networks can be used to analyze the
results of several genome-wide studies in order to underline those network
regions harboring genetic variations associated with ASD, the so-called "disease
modules." In this work, we used a recent network diffusion-based approach to
jointly analyze multiple ASD risk gene lists. We defined genome-scale
prioritizations of human genes in relation to ASD genes from multiple studies,
found significantly connected gene modules associated with ASD and predicted
genes functionally related to ASD risk genes. Most of them play a role in
synapsis and neuronal development and function; many are related to syndromes
that can be in comorbidity with ASD and the remaining are involved in
epigenetics, cell cycle, cell adhesion and cancer.
PMID- 28993791
TI - A Flow Cytometry Protocol to Estimate DNA Content in the Yellowtail Tetra
Astyanax altiparanae.
AB - The production of triploid yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae is a key factor
to obtain permanently sterile individuals by chromosome set manipulation. Flow
cytometric analysis is the main tool for confirmation of the resultant triploids
individuals, but very few protocols are specific for A. altiparanae species. The
current study has developed a protocol to estimate DNA content in this species.
Furthermore, a protocol for long-term storage of dorsal fins used for flow
cytometry analysis was established. The combination of five solutions with three
detergents (Nonidet P-40 Substitute, Tween 20, and Triton X-100) at 0.1, 0.2, and
0.4% concentration was evaluated. Using the best solution from this first
experiment, the addition of trypsin (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5%) and sucrose (74 mM)
and the effects of increased concentrations of the detergents at 0.6 and 1.2%
concentration were also evaluated. After adjustment of the protocol for flow
cytometry, preservation of somatic tissue or isolated nuclei was also evaluated
by freezing (at -20 degrees C) and fixation in saturated NaCl solution, acetic
methanol (1:3), ethanol, and formalin at 10% for 30 or 60 days of storage at 25
degrees C. Flow cytometry analysis in yellowtail tetra species was optimized
using the following conditions: lysis solution: 9.53 mM MgCl2.7H20; 47.67 mM KCl;
15 mM Tris; 74 mM sucrose, 0.6% Triton X-100, pH 8.0; staining solution:
Dulbecco's PBS with DAPI 1 MUg mL-1; preservation procedure: somatic cells
(dorsal fin samples) frozen at -20 degrees C. Using this protocol, samples may be
stored up to 60 days with good accuracy for flow cytometry analysis.
PMID- 28993792
TI - The price of whole-genome sequencing may be decreasing, but who will be
sequenced?
AB - AIM: Since whole-genome sequencing (WGS) information can have positive and
negative personal utility for individuals, we examined predictors of willingness
to pay (WTP) for WGS. PATIENTS & METHODS: We surveyed two independent
populations: adult patients (n = 203) and college seniors (n = 980). Ordinal
logistic regression models were used to characterize the relationship between
predictors and WTP. RESULTS: Sex, age, education, income, genomic knowledge and
knowing someone who had genetic testing or having had genetic testing done
personally were associated with significantly higher WTP for WGS. After
controlling for income and education, males were willing to pay more for WGS than
females. CONCLUSION: Differences in WTP may impact equity, coverage,
affordability and access, and should be anticipated by public dialog about
related health policy.
PMID- 28993793
TI - Chiral Organic Dyes Endowed with Circularly Polarized Laser Emission.
AB - The direct generation of efficient, tunable, and switchable circularly polarized
laser emission (CPLE) would have far-reaching implications in photonics and
material sciences. In this paper, we describe the first chiral simple organic
molecules (SOMs) capable of simultaneously sustaining significant chemical
robustness, high fluorescence quantum yields, and circularly polarized
luminescence (CPL) ellipticity levels (|glum|) comparable to those of similar CPL
SOMs. All these parameters altogether enable efficient laser emission and CPLE
with ellipticity levels 2 orders of magnitude stronger than the intrinsic CPL
ones.
PMID- 28993794
TI - Antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activity of prenyl-1,2,3-triazoles.
AB - A series of prenyl 1,2,3-triazoles were prepared from isoprenyl azides and
different alkynes. The dipolar cycloaddition reaction provided exclusively
primary azide products as regioisomeric mixtures that were separated by column
chromatography and fully characterized. Most of the compounds displayed
antiparasitic activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania donovani. The
most active compounds were assayed as potential TcCYP51 inhibitors.
PMID- 28993796
TI - Supporting Evidence-Based National Cancer Control Planning: The Asia-Pacific
Phase II Leadership Forum.
PMID- 28993795
TI - Reactive Carbonyl Species Scavengers-Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Chronic
Diseases.
AB - PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: To summarize recent evidence supporting the use of
reactive carbonyl species scavengers in the prevention and treatment of disease.
RECENT FINDINGS: The newly developed 2-aminomethylphenol class of scavengers
shows great promise in preclinical trials for a number of diverse conditions
including neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular disease. In addition, new
studies with the thiol-based and imidazole-based scavengers have found new
applications outside of adjunctive therapy for chemotherapeutics. SUMMARY:
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by cells and tissues act as signaling
molecules and as cytotoxic agents to defend against pathogens, but ROS also cause
collateral damage to vital cellular components. The polyunsaturated fatty acyl
chains of phospholipids in the cell membranes are particularly vulnerable to
damaging peroxidation by ROS. Evidence suggests that the breakdown of these
peroxidized lipids to reactive carbonyls species plays a critical role in many
chronic diseases. Antioxidants that abrogate ROS-induced formation of reactive
carbonyl species also abrogate normal ROS signaling and thus exert both
beneficial and adverse functional effects. The use of scavengers of reactive
dicarbonyl species represent an alternative therapeutic strategy to potentially
mitigate the adverse effects of ROS without abrogating normal signaling by ROS.
In this review, we focus on three classes of reactive carbonyl species
scavengers: thiol-based scavengers (2-mercaptoethanesulfonate and amifostine),
imidazole-based scavengers (carnosine and its analogs), and 2-aminomethylphenols
based scavengers (pyridoxamine, 2-hydroxybenzylamine, and 5'-O-pentyl
pyridoxamine) that are either undergoing pre-clinical studies, advancing to
clinical trials, or are already in clinical use.
PMID- 28993797
TI - The Linkage between Breast Cancer, Hypoxia, and Adipose Tissue.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The development of breast cancer cells is linked to hypoxia. The
hypoxia-induced factor HIF-1alpha influences metastasis through
neovascularization. Hypoxia seems to decrease the responsiveness to hormonal
treatment due to loss of estrogen receptors (ERs). Obesity is discussed to
increase hypoxia in adipocytes, which promotes a favorable environment for tumor
cells in mammary fat tissue, whereas, tumor cells profit from good oxygen supply
and are influenced by its deprivation as target regions within tumors show. This
review gives an overview of the current state on research of hypoxia and breast
cancer in human adipose tissue. METHODS: A systematic literature search was
conducted on PubMed (2000-2016) by applying hypoxia and/or adipocytes and breast
cancer as keywords. Review articles were excluded as well as languages other than
English or German. There was no restriction regarding the study design or type of
breast cancer. A total of 35 papers were found. Eight studies were excluded due
to missing at least two of the three keywords. One paper was removed due to
Russian language, and one was dismissed due to lack of adherence. Seven papers
were identified as reviews. After applying exclusion criteria, 18 articles were
eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: Two articles describe the impairment of mammary
epithelial cell polarization through hypoxic preconditioning. A high amount of
adipocytes enhances cancer progression due to the increased expression of HIF
1alpha which causes the loss of ER alpha protein as stated in four articles. Four
articles analyzed that increased activation of HIF's induces a series of
transcriptions resulting in tumor angiogenesis. HIF inhibition, especially when
combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy, holds strong potential for tumor
suppression as stated in further four articles. In two articles there is evidence
of a strong connection between hypoxia, oxidative stress and a poor prognosis for
breast cancer via HIF regulated pathways. Acute hypoxia seems to normalize the
microenvironment in breast cancer tissue and has proven to affect tumor growth
positively as covered in two articles. CONCLUSION: This review indicates that the
development of breast cancer is influenced by hypoxia. A high amount of
adipocytes enhances cancer progression due to the increased expression of HIF
1alpha.
PMID- 28993798
TI - Challenges for Quality Assurance of Target Volume Delineation in Clinical Trials.
AB - In recent years, new radiotherapy techniques have emerged that aim to improve
treatment outcome and reduce toxicity. The standard method of evaluating such
techniques is to conduct large scale multicenter clinical trials, often across
continents. A major challenge for such trials is quality assurance to ensure
consistency of treatment across all participating centers. Analyses from previous
studies have shown that poor compliance and protocol violation have a significant
adverse effect on treatment outcomes. The results of the clinical trials may,
therefore, be confounded by poor quality radiotherapy. Target volume delineation
(TVD) is one of the most critical steps in the radiotherapy process. Many studies
have shown large inter-observer variations in contouring, both within and outside
of clinical trials. High precision techniques, such as intensity-modulated
radiotherapy, image-guided brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiotherapy have
steep dose gradients, and errors in contouring may lead to inadequate dose to the
tumor and consequently, reduce the chance of cure. Similarly, variation in organ
at risk delineation will make it difficult to evaluate dose response for
toxicity. This article reviews the literature on TVD variability and its impact
on dosimetry and clinical outcomes. The implications for quality assurance in
clinical trials are discussed.
PMID- 28993799
TI - Genetic Characterization of Brain Metastases in the Era of Targeted Therapy.
AB - In the current era of molecularly targeted therapies and precision medicine,
choice of cancer treatment has been increasingly tailored according to the
molecular or genomic characterization of the cancer the individual has.
Previously, the clinical observation of inadequate control of brain metastases
was widely attributed to a lack of central nervous system (CNS) penetration of
the anticancer drugs. However, more recent data have suggested that there are
genetic explanations for such observations. Genomic analyses of brain metastases
and matching primary tumor and other extracranial metastases have revealed that
brain metastases can harbor potentially actionable driver mutations that are
unique to them. Identification of genomic alterations specific to brain
metastases and targeted therapies against these mutations represent an important
research area to potentially improve survival outcomes for patients who develop
brain metastases. Novel approaches in genomic testing such as that using cell
free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) facilitate
advancing our understanding of the genomics of brain metastases, which is
critical for precision medicine. CSF-derived ctDNA sequencing may be particularly
useful in patients who are unfit for surgical resection or have multiple brain
metastases, which can harbor mutations that are distinct from their primary
tumors. Compared to the traditional chemotherapeutics, novel targeted agents
appear to be more effective in controlling the CNS disease with better safety
profiles. Several brain metastases-dedicated trials of various targeted therapies
are currently underway to address the role of these agents in the treatment of
CNS disease. This review focuses on recent advances in genomic profiling of brain
metastases and current knowledge of targeted therapies in the management of brain
metastases from cancers of the breast, lung, colorectum, kidneys, and ovaries as
well as melanoma.
PMID- 28993801
TI - Obesity-Related Hypertension in Children.
AB - Obesity and hypertension have both been on the rise in children. Each is
associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk and both track into
adulthood, increasing the prevalence of heart disease and related morbidity and
mortality. All children should be screened for hypertension, but children with
comorbid obesity may not only particularly benefit from the screening but may
also prove the most challenging to screen. Increased arm circumference and
conical arm shape are particularly problematic when attempting to obtain an
accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement. This review focuses on the unique
aspects of hypertension evaluation and management in the child with comorbid
obesity. Specific traditional and non-traditional risk factors that may
contribute to elevated BP in children with obesity are highlighted. Current
proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms by which obesity may contribute to elevated
BP and hypertension is reviewed, with focus on the role of the sympathetic
nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This review also
presents a targeted treatment approach to children with obesity-related
hypertension, providing evidence for the recommended therapeutic lifestyle change
that should form the basis of any antihypertensive treatment plan in this
population of at-risk children. Advantages of specific pharmacologic agents in
the treatment of obesity-related hypertension are also reviewed.
PMID- 28993800
TI - Gene Duplication and Protein Evolution in Tick-Host Interactions.
AB - Ticks modulate their hosts' defense responses by secreting a biopharmacopiea of
hundreds to thousands of proteins and bioactive chemicals into the feeding site
(tick-host interface). These molecules and their functions evolved over millions
of years as ticks adapted to blood-feeding, tick lineages diverged, and host
shifts occurred. The evolution of new proteins with new functions is mainly
dependent on gene duplication events. Central questions around this are the rates
of gene duplication, when they occurred and how new functions evolve after gene
duplication. The current review investigates these questions in the light of tick
biology and considers the possibilities of ancient genome duplication, lineage
specific expansion events, and the role that positive selection played in the
evolution of tick protein function. It contrasts current views in tick biology
regarding adaptive evolution with the more general view that neutral evolution
may account for the majority of biological innovations observed in ticks.
PMID- 28993802
TI - Glycemia Is Related to Impaired Cerebrovascular Autoregulation after Severe
Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective Observational Study.
AB - INTRODUCTION: A strong association exists between hyperglycemia and outcome in
pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Herein, we describe observations of serum
markers of glucose metabolism in a cohort of pediatric TBI patients and how these
variables are related to parameters of intracranial pathophysiology. METHODS: A
retrospective analysis was performed on pediatric severe TBI patients admitted to
Addenbrookes Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) between January 2001
and December 2013. Demographic, outcome, systemic physiological, and cerebral
autoregulatory data were extracted for patients who had received continuous
invasive monitoring (ICM+, Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge, UK). Data were
analyzed using a mixed linear model. RESULTS: Forty-four patients with an average
age of 12.2 years were admitted to the PICU with a TBI requiring invasive
neurosurgical monitoring. Thirty-two patients (73%) survived, with favorable
outcomes in 62%. The mean (SD) intracranial pressure (ICP) was 17.6 + 9.0 mmHg,
MAP was 89.7 + 9.0 mmHg, and pressure-reactivity index (PRx) was -0.01 + 0.23
a.u. The mean (SD) serum lactate was 2.2 (3.3) mmol/L. and the mean (SD) serum
glucose was 6.1 (1.6) mmol/L. Early hyperglycemia was strongly associated with
both PRx (Pearson correlation 0.351, p < 0.001) and ICP (Pearson correlation
0.240, p = 0.002) death (p = 0.021) and impaired cerebral autoregulation (p =
0.02). There was a strong association between ICP and serum lactate (p = 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Increases in systemic glucose are associated with impaired
cerebrovasular autoregulation after severe pediatric TBI. Moreover, deranged
blood glucose is a marker of poor prognosis. Further studies are required to
delineate putative mechanisms of hyperglycemia induced cerebral harm.
PMID- 28993803
TI - Opinion: "Heart Rate Variability, Health and Well-Being: A Systems Perspective"
Research Topic.
PMID- 28993804
TI - Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A Systematic Review of Guidelines on Genetic
Testing and Patient Management.
AB - BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal-dominant
hereditary disorder of lipid metabolism that causes lifelong exposure to
increased LDL levels resulting in premature coronary heart disease and, if
untreated, death. Recent studies have shown its prevalence to be higher than
previously considered, which has important implications for the mortality and
morbidity of associated cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several clinical tools are
used worldwide to help physicians diagnose FH, but nevertheless most patients
remain undetected. This systematic review of guidelines aims to assess the role
of genetic testing in the screening, diagnosis, and management of patients
affected by heterozygous or homozygous FH and to identify related health-care
pathways. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature; inclusion
criteria were English or Italian guidelines focusing on genetic testing. The
guidelines were included and evaluated for their content and development process
using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument.
RESULTS: Ten guidelines were considered eligible, and all were judged to be of
good quality, with slight differences among them. The most common indications for
performing genetic tests were high levels of cholesterol, or physical findings
consistent with lipid disorder, in the subject or in the family history.
Subsequent screening of family members was indicated when a mutation had been
identified in the index patient. Regarding patient management, the various
guidelines agreed that intensive treatment with lipid-lowering medications should
begin as quickly as possible and that lifestyle modifications should be an
integral part of the therapy. CONCLUSION: Since the early detection of affected
patients is beneficial for effective prevention of CVD, genetic testing is
particularly useful for identifying family members via cascade screening and for
distinguishing between heterozygous and homozygous individuals, the latter of
which require more extreme therapeutic intervention.
PMID- 28993805
TI - Addressing Pressing Needs in the Development of Advanced Therapies.
AB - The commercial development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs)
represents great opportunity for therapeutic innovation but is beset by many
challenges for its developers. Although the ATMP field continues to progress at a
rapid pace, evidenced by the increasing number of clinical trials conducted over
the past few years, several factors continue to complicate the introduction of
ATMPs as a curative treatment for multiple disease types, by blocking their
translational pathway from research to the patient. While several recent
publications (Trounson and McDonald, 2015; Abou-El-Enein et al., 2016a,b) as well
as an Innovative Medicines Initiative consultation (IMI, 2016) this year have
highlighted the major gaps in ATMP development, with manufacturing, regulatory,
and reimbursement issues at the forefront, there remains to be formulated a
coherent strategy to address these by bringing the relevant stakeholders to a
single forum, whose task it would be to design and execute a delta plan to
alleviate the most pressing bottlenecks. This article focuses on two of the most
urgent areas in need of attention in ATMP development, namely manufacturing and
reimbursement, and promotes the concept of innovation-dedicated research
infrastructures to support a multi-sector approach for ensuring the successful
development, entry, and ensuing survival of ATMPs in the healthcare market.
PMID- 28993807
TI - Examining Plausibility of Self-Reported Energy Intake Data: Considerations for
Method Selection.
AB - Self-reported dietary intake data contain valuable information and have long been
used in the development of nutrition programs and policy. Some degree of
measurement error is always present in such data. Biological plausibility,
assessed by determining whether self-reported energy intake (rEI) reflects
physiological status and physical activity level, must be examined and accounted
for before drawing conclusions about intake. Methods that may be used to account
for plausibility of rEI include crude methods such as excluding participants
reporting EIs at the extremes of a range of intake and individualized methods
such as statistical adjustment and applying cutoffs that account for the errors
associated with within-participant variation in EI and total energy expenditure
(TEE). These approaches allow researchers to determine how accounting for under-
and overreporting affects study results and to appropriately address misreporting
in drawing conclusions with data collected and in interpreting reported research.
In selecting a procedure to assess and account for plausibility of intake, there
are a number of key considerations, such as resources available, the dietary
report instrument, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
While additional studies are warranted to recommend one procedure as superior to
another, researchers should apply one of the available methods to address the
issue of implausible rEI. If no method is applied, then at minimum, mean TEE or
rEI/TEE should be reported to allow readers to ascertain the degree of
misreporting at a gross level and better interpret the data and results provided.
PMID- 28993806
TI - Genetics in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Pathogenesis, Prognosis, and Treatment.
AB - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common form of idiopathic
interstitial pneumonia (IIP), is characterized by irreversible scarring of the
lung parenchyma and progressive decline in lung function leading to eventual
respiratory failure. The prognosis of IPF is poor with a median survival of 3-5
years after diagnosis and no curative medical therapies. Although the
pathogenesis of IPF is not well understood, there is a growing body of evidence
that genetic factors contribute to disease risk. Recent studies have identified
common and rare genetic variants associated with both sporadic and familial forms
of pulmonary fibrosis, with at least one-third of the risk for developing
fibrotic IIP explained by common genetic variants. The IPF-associated genetic
loci discovered to date are implicated in diverse biological processes, including
alveolar stability, host defense, cell-cell barrier function, and cell
senescence. In addition, some common variants have also been associated with
distinct clinical phenotypes. Better understanding of how genetic variation plays
a role in disease risk and phenotype could identify potential therapeutic targets
and inform clinical decision-making. In addition, clinical studies should be
designed controlling for the genetic backgrounds of subjects, since clinical
outcomes and therapeutic responses may differ by genotype. Further understanding
of these differences will allow the development of personalized approaches to the
IPF management.
PMID- 28993808
TI - MicroRNAs: New Players in the Pathobiology of Preeclampsia.
AB - Our understanding of how microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene networks and affect
different molecular pathways leading to various human pathologies has
significantly improved over the years. In contrary, the role of miRNAs in
pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia (PE) is only
beginning to emerge. Recent papers highlight that adverse pregnancy outcomes are
associated with aberrant expression of several miRNAs. Presently, efforts are
underway to determine the biologic function of these placental miRNAs which can
shed light on their contribution to these pregnancy-related disease conditions.
The discovery that miRNAs are stable in circulation coupled with the fact that
the placenta is capable of releasing them to the circulation in exosomes
generates a lot of enthusiasm to use them as biomarkers. In this review, we will
summarize the recent findings of our understanding of miRNA regulation in
relation to PE, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Particular emphasis will be
given to the role of key miRNA molecules such as miR-210 and miR-155 that are
known to be consistently dysregulated in women with PE.
PMID- 28993809
TI - Characterization of a Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Heidelberg
Outbreak Strain in Commercial Turkeys: Colonization, Transmission, and Host
Transcriptional Response.
AB - : In recent years, multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar
Heidelberg (S. Heidelberg) has been associated with numerous human foodborne
illness outbreaks due to consumption of poultry. For example, in 2011, an MDR S.
Heidelberg outbreak associated with ground turkey sickened 136 individuals and
resulted in 1 death. In response to this outbreak, 36 million pounds of ground
turkey were recalled, one of the largest meat recalls in U.S. HISTORY: To
investigate colonization of turkeys with an MDR S. Heidelberg strain isolated
from the ground turkey outbreak, two turkey trials were performed. In experiment
1, 3-week-old turkeys were inoculated with 108 or 1010 CFU of the MDR S.
Heidelberg isolate, and fecal shedding and tissue colonization were detected
following colonization for up to 14 days. Turkey gene expression in response to
S. Heidelberg exposure revealed 18 genes that were differentially expressed at 2
days following inoculation compared to pre-inoculation. In a second trial, 1-day
old poults were inoculated with 104 CFU of MDR S. Heidelberg to monitor
transmission of Salmonella from inoculated poults (index group) to naive penmates
(sentinel group). The transmission of MDR S. Heidelberg from index to sentinel
poults was efficient with cecum colonization increasing 2 Log10 CFU above the
inoculum dose at 9 days post-inoculation. This differed from the 3-week-old
poults inoculated with 1010 CFU of MDR S. Heidelberg in experiment 1 as
Salmonella fecal shedding and tissue colonization decreased over the 14-day
period compared to the inoculum dose. These data suggest that young poults are
susceptible to colonization by MDR S. Heidelberg, and interventions must target
turkeys when they are most vulnerable to prevent Salmonella colonization and
transmission in the flock. Together, the data support the growing body of
literature indicating that Salmonella establishes a commensal-like condition in
livestock and poultry, contributing to the asymptomatic carrier status of the
human foodborne pathogen in our animal food supply.
PMID- 28993810
TI - Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Are Equivalent in Mensuration
and Similarly Inaccurate in Grade and Type Predictability of Canine Intracranial
Gliomas.
AB - While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold-standard imaging modality for
diagnosis of intracranial neoplasia, computed tomography (CT) remains commonly
used for diagnosis and therapeutic planning in veterinary medicine. Despite the
routine use of both imaging modalities, comparison of CT and MRI has not been
described in the canine patient. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate
CT and MRI studies of 15 dogs with histologically confirmed glioma. Multiple
lesion measurements were obtained, including two-dimensional and volumetric
dimensions in pre-contrast and post-contrast images. Similar measurement
techniques were compared between CT and MRI. The glioma type (astrocytoma or
oligodendroglioma) and grade (high or low) were predicted on CT and MRI
independently. With the exception of the comparison between CT pre-contrast
volume to T2-weighted MRI volume, no other statistical differences between CT and
MRI measurements were identified. Overall accuracy for tumor grade (high or low)
was 46.7 and 53.3% for CT and MRI, respectively. For predicted tumor type,
accuracy of CT was 53.3% and MRI and MRI 60%. Based on the results of this study,
both CT and MRI contrast measurement techniques are considered equivalent options
for lesion mensuration. Given the low-to-moderate predictability of CT and MRI in
glioma diagnosis, histopathology remains necessary for accurate diagnosis of
canine brain tumors.
PMID- 28993811
TI - A New Mining Method to Detect Real Time Substance Use Events from Wearable
Biosensor Data Stream.
AB - Detecting real time substance use is a critical step for optimizing behavioral
interventions to prevent drug abuse. Traditional methods based on self-reporting
or urine screening are inefficient or intrusive for drug use detection, and
inappropriate for timely interventions. For example, self-report suffers from
distortion or recall bias; while urine screening often detects drug use that
occurred only within the previous 72 hours. Methods for real-time substance use
detection are severely underdeveloped, partly due to the novelty of wearable
biosensor technique and the lack of substantive clinical data for evaluation. We
propose a new real-time drug use event detection method using data obtained from
wearable biosensors. Specifically, this method is built upon the slide window
technique to process the data stream, and a distance-based outlier detection
method to identify substance use events. This novel method is designed to examine
how to detect and set up the thresholds of parameters in real-time drug use event
detection for wearable biosensor data streams. Our numerical analyses empirically
identified the thresholds of parameters used to detect the cocaine use and showed
that this proposed method could be adapted to detect other substance use events.
PMID- 28993812
TI - Dynamic Alterations in DNA Methylation Precede Tris(1,3-dichloro-2
propyl)phosphate-Induced Delays in Zebrafish Epiboly.
AB - Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCIPP) is an organophosphate flame
retardant that impacts zebrafish epiboly - an effect that may be associated with
genome-wide hypomethylation. Using zebrafish as a model, the objectives of this
study were to (1) quantify concentration-dependent impacts of TDCIPP on epiboly;
(2) determine whether co-exposure with folic acid (FA) - a methyl donor -
mitigates TDCIPP-induced impacts; and (3) using ten previously identified TDCIPP
susceptible loci, rely on bisulfite amplicon sequencing (BSAS) to monitor CpG
methylation dynamics across multiple TDCIPP concentrations in the presence or
absence of FA. Embryos were exposed to TDCIPP from 0.75 h post-fertilization
(hpf) to 2, 4, 6, or 24 hpf in the presence or absence of 1 mM FA. Although
TDCIPP delayed epiboly up to 3 h by 6 hpf and induced malformations by 24 hpf, FA
was unable to mitigate TDCIPP-induced effects at all stages evaluated. Moreover,
while no differences in global methylation were detected using a 5-methylcytosine
(5-mC) DNA ELISA, BSAS revealed that TDCIPP-induced effects on CpG methylation
were dependent on concentration and developmental stage, and that early effects
on methylation do not persist despite continuous exposure. Our findings
demonstrate that TDCIPP delays zebrafish epiboly, a phenotype that is preceded by
complex, dynamic alterations in DNA methylation.
PMID- 28993813
TI - MIFuzzy Clustering for Incomplete Longitudinal Data in Smart Health.
AB - Missing data are common in longitudinal observational and randomized controlled
trials in smart health studies. Multiple-imputation based fuzzy clustering is an
emerging non-parametric soft computing method, used for either semi-supervised or
unsupervised learning. Multiple imputation (MI) has been widely-used in missing
data analyses, but has not yet been scrutinized for unsupervised learning
methods, although they are important for explaining the heterogeneity of
treatment effects. Built upon our previous work on MIfuzzy clustering, this paper
introduces the MIFuzzy concepts and performance, theoretically, empirically and
numerically demonstrate how MI-based approach can reduce the uncertainty of
clustering accuracy in comparison to non- and single-imputation based clustering
approach. This paper advances our understanding of the utility and strength of
MIFuzzy clustering approach to processing incomplete longitudinal behavioral
intervention data.
PMID- 28993814
TI - A Dopamine Receptor genetic variant enhances perceptual speed in cognitive
healthy subjects.
AB - Cognition is under strong genetic control, yet the specific genes are unknown. To
investigate genetic influences on specific cognitive domains, 153 cognitive
healthy subjects of European ancestry from the Reference Abilities Study (RANN)
were genotyped for 1,160 variants within 446 neuropsychiatric genes. Adjusted
linear regression models evaluated the association between the genetic variants
and four reference abilities, which capture variance in age-related cognitive
function (Vocabulary, Episodic Memory, Perceptual Speed, and Reasoning). 159
variants nominally significant in the RANN cohort were then re-evaluated in an
independent cohort of 868 cognitive healthy subjects from the Religious Orders
Study and Rush Memory Aging Project. Meta-analysis yielded a Bonferroni adjusted
statistically significant association between perceptual speed and a variant
located in the promoter of the dopamine receptor D4 gene, rs3756450 (beta=0.23,
SE=0.05, P meta =2.3 * 10-5). Our data suggest that genetic variation in a
dopamine pathway gene influences perceptual speed performance in cognitively
healthy individuals.
PMID- 28993816
TI - Psychological and psychobiological responses to immediate early intervention in
the emergency department: Case report of one-session exposure therapy for the
prevention of PTSD.
AB - Research suggests that exposure therapy provided in the hours immediately
following trauma exposure may prevent PTSD development. This case report presents
data on an at-risk for PTSD participant involved in a motor-vehicle crash that
caused her severe distress. She received one session of exposure therapy in the
emergency department (ED) as part of an ongoing randomized controlled study
examining the optimal dose of exposure therapy in the immediate aftermath of
trauma. PTSD and depression measures were collected at pre-treatment assessment
and one- and three-month follow-up. Potential PTSD biomarkers were also examined.
Psychophysiological reactions were measured using skin conductance data measured
on an iPad during the exposure therapy session and the follow-up assessments. A
fear-potentiated startle paradigm and an functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI) behavioral inhibition task were used at follow-up. The participant
demonstrated subjective and psychophysiological extinction from pre- to post
imaginal exposure. At follow-up, she did not meet DSM-IV criteria for PTSD or
demonstrate hyperarousal to trauma reminders and showed robust fear extinction
and the ability to inhibit responses in an fMRI behavioral inhibition task. In
line with previous early intervention for the prevention of PTSD studies, this
case report supports the need for ongoing empirical research investigating the
possibility that one session of exposure therapy in the ED may attenuate risk for
PTSD. Furthermore, the current findings demonstrate psychophysiological
extinction serving as a prognostic indicator of treatment response for PTSD early
intervention to be an exciting avenue to explore in future systematic research.
PMID- 28993815
TI - Membrane Pore Spacing Can Modulate Endothelial Cell-Substrate and Cell-Cell
Interactions.
AB - Mechanical cues and substrate interaction affect the manner in which cells
adhere, spread, migrate and form tissues. With increased interest in tissue-on-a
chip and co-culture systems utilizing porous membranes, it is important to
understand the role of disrupted surfaces on cellular behavior. Using a
transparent glass membrane with defined pore geometries, we investigated
endothelial fibronectin fibrillogenesis and formation of focal adhesions as well
as development of intercellular junctions. Cells formed fewer focal adhesions and
had shorter fibronectin fibrils on porous membranes compared to non-porous
controls, which was similar to cell behavior on continuous soft substrates with
Young's moduli seven orders of magnitude lower than glass. Additionally, porous
membranes promoted enhanced cell-cell interactions as evidenced by earlier
formation of tight junctions. These findings suggest that porous membranes with
discontinuous surfaces promote reduced cell-matrix interactions similarly to soft
substrates and may enhance tissue and barrier formation.
PMID- 28993817
TI - Nonworksite Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Behavior among Adults: A Systematic
Review.
AB - PURPOSE: Sedentary behavior has been identified as a major health risk. While
interventions to reduce time spent sedentary have become increasingly prevalent,
the vast majority of this work in adults has been focused on workplace sedentary
behavior, and often pairs sedentary reduction interventions with increasing
physical activity. As research designed to specifically decrease sedentary time
that is not limited to the workplace becomes available, identifying strategies
and approaches, along with feasibility and efficacy of these interventions, is
warranted. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for sedentary
interventions with eligibility criteria including: (a) interventions designed to
explicitly reduce sedentary behavior that were not limited to the workplace, (b)
outcomes specific to sedentary behavior, (c) adults aged at least 18 years, and
(d) written in English. RESULTS: A total of 767 full-text manuscripts were
identified, with thirteen studies meeting all eligibility criteria. While
intervention characteristics and methodological quality varied greatly among
studies, ten of the thirteen studies observed a significant reduction in
objectively measured sitting time post-intervention. In those studies that
collected participant feasibility/acceptability data, all reported that the
intervention was viewed as "favorable to very favorable," would use again, and
that participant burden was quite low, suggesting that these interventions were
feasible. CONCLUSION: Sedentary behavior interventions not limited to the
workplace appear to be largely efficacious. While results varied with respect to
the magnitude of the decrease in time spent sedentary, they are encouraging.
However, due to the small body of evidence and the variability of study designs,
our ability to make overarching statements regarding "best practices" at this
time is limited. Well-controlled trials of longer duration with larger samples,
using theoretically-based interventions with consistent prescriptions for
limiting sedentary time are needed.
PMID- 28993818
TI - Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 and Glutamate Involvement in Major Depressive
Disorder: A Multimodal Imaging Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Preclinical and postmortem studies have implicated the metabotropic
glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder
(MDD). The goal of the present study was to determine the role of mGluR5 in a
large group of individuals with MDD compared to healthy controls (HC) in vivo
with [18F]FPEB and positron emission tomography (PET). Furthermore, we sought to
determine the role glutamate plays on mGluR5 availability in MDD. METHODS: Sixty
five participants (30 MDD and 35 HC) completed [18F]FPEB PET to estimate the
primary outcome measure - mGluR5 volume of distribution (VT), and the secondary
outcome measure - mGluR5 distribution volume ratio (DVR). A subgroup of 39
participants (16 MDD and 23 HC) completed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
(1H MRS) to estimate anterior cingulate (ACC) glutamate, glutamine, and Glx
(glutamate + glutamine) levels relative to creatine (Cr). RESULTS: No significant
between-group differences were observed in mGluR5 VT or DVR. Compared to HC,
individuals with MDD had higher ACC glutamate, glutamine, and Glx levels.
Importantly, the ACC mGluR5 DVR negatively correlated with glutamate/Cr and
Glx/Cr levels. CONCLUSIONS: In this novel in vivo examination, we show an inverse
relationship between mGluR5 availability and glutamate levels. These data
highlight the need to further investigate the role of glutamatergic system in
depression.
PMID- 28993820
TI - Editorial: Is the Current Periodontitis Classification Supported by
Pathophysiological Evidence?
PMID- 28993819
TI - Vigilance, the Amygdala, and Anxiety in Youths with a History of Institutional
Care.
AB - BACKGROUND: Early adversity is commonly associated with alterations of amygdala
circuitry and increased anxiety. While many theoretical and clinical accounts of
early adversity suggest that it increases vigilance to threatening stimuli, the
present study tested whether heightened anxiety and amygdala reactivity
associated with early adversity enhanced goal-directed attention for threatening
stimuli. Showing this association would provide support that these adversity
induced alterations are developmental adaptations of the individual. METHODS: 34
children and adolescents who experienced early adversity in the form of previous
institutionalization (PI) (26 female, mean age=13.49 years) and a comparison
group of 33 children and adolescents who were reared by their biological parents
since birth (16 female, mean age=13.40 years) underwent fMRI scanning while
completing a visual search task that involved quickly locating a negative
(fearful face) or positive target (happy face) in an array of neutral distractor
stimuli (neutral faces). RESULTS: Across both groups, individual differences in
vigilant behavior were positively associated with amygdala responses for negative
versus positive stimuli. However, a moderation analysis revealed that the degree
to which amygdala responses were greater for negative versus positive stimuli was
associated with greater anxiety symptomology for PI youth, but not comparison
youth. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these findings suggest that institutional care
strengthens linkages between amygdala reactivity and anxiety, perhaps serving to
enhance goal-directed attention. The findings are discussed as both adaptations
as well as risk to the individual.
PMID- 28993821
TI - Control of Plaque and Gingivitis by an Herbal Toothpaste - A Randomised
Controlled Study.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of an herbal toothpaste with two other
chemically active toothpastes regarding plaque and gingivitis control. MATERIALS
AND METHODS: Seventy-six (27 females and 49 males, mean age 47.8 years, range 40
58 years) of 84 initial participants with slight and moderate chronic
periodontitis used standardised manual toothbrushes and their usual technique for
daily manual mechanical plaque control for 24 weeks of supportive periodontal
therapy. The volunteers were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: group 1 used
the herbal toothpaste, group 2 a triclosan/copolymer toothpaste, and group 3 an
amine/stannous fluoride toothpaste. OHI, API, SBI, BOP, PD and AL were recorded
at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 weeks (PD and AL only at baseline). The
Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U-, Friedman, and Wilcoxon tests were used for
statistical analysis. RESULTS: Moderate changes occurred in API and OHI in all
groups. The herbal toothpaste resulted in significantly lower API and OHI in
comparison to the fluoride toothpaste during the study period (p = 0.001 and
0.049, minimum and maximum of cases, respectively). SBI was significantly
improved in all groups starting after 12 weeks (p = 0.001 and 0.033). BOP
remained largely unchanged in all groups and was always significant lower in the
herbal toothpaste group (p = 0.001 and 0.036). CONCLUSION: During the study
period of 24 weeks, the herbal toothpaste was as good as the control toothpastes.
No side effects were seen. In terms of improving periodontal conditions, the
tested herbal toothpaste could be a suitable alternative to conventional
toothpastes with artificial chemical ingredients.
PMID- 28993822
TI - Survey of Caries Experience in 3- to 5-year-old Children in Northeast Italy in
2011 and Its Trend 1984-2011.
AB - PURPOSE: To describe dental caries experience by age and gender among preschool
children in a health district in northeast Italy and to plot a trend of primary
dentition dental caries prevalence and severity over a 27-year time span (1984
2011). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 27 out of 88
kindergartens were randomly selected with a sample of 2603 preschoolers drawn
from a population of 8328 3-, 4- and 5-year-old children. Dental caries (d3 t)
experience according to the criteria of the British Association for the Study of
Community Dentistry was evaluated by two calibrated examiners at schools in 1960
(75.3%) 3- to 5-year-old children from October 2010 to May 2011. Three previous
surveys performed in the same area, applying the criteria of the World Health
Organization, were used to plot a trend over a 27-year period. Comparisons
between groups were made using Pearson's chi-squared test, and caries occurrence
was established by logistic regression analysis to assess the influence of sex
and age (independent variables) on caries experience (dependent variable).
RESULTS: Prevalence (%) and severity (mean dmft +/- SD) increased with age (17%
and 0.5 +/- 1.7 at age 3; 24% and 0.8 +/- 2.2 at age 4; 35% and 1.3 +/- 2.6 at
age 5). The level of untreated caries was 85.8%. No statistically significant
difference was found for gender. From 1984 to 2004, the prevalence and severity
of caries declined at all examined ages, but were unchanged from 2004 to 2011.
CONCLUSION: The current caries scores in preschoolers are low and similar to
those reported in other western European countries. Nevertheless, as very early
childhood is a key opportunity to intervene, an effort must be made to provide
clear oral health guidance and increase the cooperation among all health
professionals.
PMID- 28993823
TI - Comment on "Glycine-functionalized copper(ii) hydroxide nanoparticles with high
intrinsic superoxide dismutase activity" by K. Korschelt, R. Ragg, C. S. Metzger,
M. Kluenker, M. Oster, B. Barton, M. Panthofer, D. Strand, U. Kolb, M. Mondeshki,
S. Strand, J. Brieger, M. N. Tahir and W. Tremel, Nanoscale, 2017, 9, 3952.
AB - Detoxification of cigarette smoke employing copper compounds has a potential for
the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and should
not be practiced before the degree of formation has been shown to be harmless.
PMID- 28993824
TI - The ideal porous structure of EDLC carbon electrodes with extremely high
capacitance.
AB - We propose an ideal porous structure of carbon electrodes for electric double
layer capacitors (EDLCs). The porous carbon successfully improved the gravimetric
capacitance above ~200 F g-1 even in an organic electrolyte by utilizing the
carbon nanopore surface more effectively. High-resolution transmission electron
microscopy images and X-ray diffraction patterns classified 15 different porous
carbon electrodes into slit-shape and worm-like-shape, and the pore size
distributions of the carbons were carefully determined applying the grand
canonical Monte Carlo method to N2 adsorption isotherms at 77 K. The ratio of
pores where solvated ions and/or desolvated ions can penetrate also has a
significant effect on the EDL capacitance as well as the pore shape. The detailed
study on the effect of porous morphologies on the EDLC performance indicates that
a hierarchical porous structure with a worm-like shaped surface and a pore size
ranging from a solvated ion to a solvent molecule is an ideal electrode
structure.
PMID- 28993825
TI - A transparent CdS@TiO2 nanotextile photoanode with boosted photoelectrocatalytic
efficiency and stability.
AB - In the present work, we report the exploration of a transparent CdS@TiO2
nanotextile photoanode with boosted photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) efficiency and
stability, by the controllable coating of an amorphous TiO2 ultrathin layer via
the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The optimal CdS@TiO2 nanotextile
photoanode with a 3.5 nm TiO2 ultrathin layer exhibits a photocurrent density of
1.8 mA cm-2 at 0 V vs. RHE, which is 11 times higher than that of the pristine
CdS counterpart. The photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of CdS@TiO2 ranges up to
47.5 mmol g-1 h-1, which is superior to those reported for one-dimensional CdS
based counterparts. Moreover, the photocurrent of CdS@TiO2 nanotextile
photoanodes shows only 9% decay after 9 h, suggesting its profoundly enhanced PEC
stability, in comparison with that of pristine CdS photoanodes (almost down to
zero after 3 hours). It is verified that the introduced TiO2 nanoshells could
limit the charge recombination, facilitate the charge separation, reduce the
charge transfer resistance, and enhance the wettability of the electrodes,
resulting in their significantly enhanced PEC performance.
PMID- 28993826
TI - Effect of size and curvature on the enzyme activity of bionanoconjugates.
AB - Biotic-abiotic hybrids comprised of globular proteins and functional
nanostructures with complementary and synergistic properties are central to a
number of bionanotechnological applications. A comprehensive understanding of the
effect of physicochemical properties of abiotic nanostructures on the biological
activity of the bionanoconjugates is critical in the design of these bio-nano
hybrids. In this study, using size and curvature-controlled gold nanoparticles as
a model abiotic system, we investigated the effect of hydrodynamic diameter and
surface curvature on the activity of a model enzyme, horseradish peroxidase
(HRP), adsorbed on the surface of the nanostructures. In contrast with the
previous studies, we have employed a novel class of gold superstructures (gold
nanoparticles on spheres) to deconvolute the effects of size and curvature on the
catalytic activity of the bionanoconjugates. This study improves our
understanding of the bio/nano interface and the design of bioinorganic hybrids
with potential applications in biomimetic and bioenabled sensors, energy
harvesting, optoelectronic components and devices, responsive and autonomous
materials.
PMID- 28993827
TI - Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel teixobactin analogues.
AB - The cyclic depsipeptide, teixobactin, possesses promising activity against a
range of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogenic bacteria, including
Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Teixobactin contains a
number of non-canonical residues, including the synthetically challenging amino
acid, l-allo-enduracididine, complicating clinical application of this peptide.
Herein, we report the synthesis of six analogues of teixobactin, in which the non
canonical l-allo-enduracididine amino acid is replaced by isosteric, commercially
available Fmoc-amino acid building blocks. Biological evaluation of the analogues
has revealed promising activity, particularly for guanidine isosteres, against
AMR strains of S. aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, highlighting the potential
for this class of cyclic depsipeptides in the treatment of Gram-positive
infections.
PMID- 28993828
TI - Deep convolutional neural networks for Raman spectrum recognition: a unified
solution.
AB - Machine learning methods have found many applications in Raman spectroscopy,
especially for the identification of chemical species. However, almost all of
these methods require non-trivial preprocessing such as baseline correction
and/or PCA as an essential step. Here we describe our unified solution for the
identification of chemical species in which a convolutional neural network is
trained to automatically identify substances according to their Raman spectrum
without the need for preprocessing. We evaluated our approach using the RRUFF
spectral database, comprising mineral sample data. Superior classification
performance is demonstrated compared with other frequently used machine learning
algorithms including the popular support vector machine method.
PMID- 28993829
TI - Structural stability and uniformity of magnetic Pt13 nanoparticles in NaY
zeolite.
AB - Based on first-principles calculations, the structural stability and magnetic
variety of Pt13 nanoparticles encapsulated in a NaY zeolite are investigated.
Among 50 stable isomers in the gas phase, due to geometrical constraints, only
about 1/3 of those clusters can be inserted in the zeolite pores. Severe
structural rearrangements occur depending on whether the solid angle at the Pt
vertex bound to the super-cage is larger than 2 sr (i.e., icosahedron). The most
relevant example is the structural instability of the icosahedron and, when
including van der Waals dispersion forces the opening of the gas phase global
minimum moves towards a new L-shaped cubic wire, otherwise unstable. The total
magnetisation of the encapsulated Pt13 decreases due to the stabilisation of less
coordinated isomers, with the majority of clusters characterised by a total
magnetisation of 2MUB, while the majority of free clusters exhibit a threefold
value. This analysis allows the understanding of the magnetic behaviour observed
in recent experiments through the variety of the isomers which can be
accommodated in the zeolite pore.
PMID- 28993830
TI - [Tumors of the sensory organs].
PMID- 28993832
TI - [Diagnostics and treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism].
AB - Primary hyperparathyroidism is a disease that occurs more frequently than
generally thought and is often overlooked. Classical symptoms are bone pain and
osteoporosis, renal calculi and peptic ulcers. Many patients are asymptomatic or
have unspecific complaints. It is easy to establish the biochemical diagnosis
based on calcium and parathormone (PTH) levels and 24-h urine calcium excretion.
The most sensitive localization procedures for parathyroid adenomas are
sonography and Tc-99m-MIBI scintigraphy. The indication for surgery is undisputed
in symptomatic patients; however, there is controversy concerning patients
without classical symptoms. Operative therapy is highly successful. Focused
operative procedures are currently available besides the traditional 4-gland
exploration. When focused techniques are used, the operative success should be
confirmed by intraoperative determination of the parathormone level.
PMID- 28993831
TI - Association of SNPs/haplotypes in promoter of TNF A and IL-10 gene together with
life style factors in prostate cancer progression in Indian population.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Levels of proinflammatory (TNF A) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10)
cytokines play a key role in the progression of inflammation as well as cancer
disease. We were investigating the potential association of single-nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs)/haplotypes in proinflammatory (TNF A) and anti-inflammatory
(IL-10) cytokines locus with the development of PCa in Indian population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We had genotyped 235 BPH/PCa samples (130 BPH and 105
cancer) along with 115 control samples for proinflammatory (TNF A -238G/A and
308G/A) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 -1082A/G, -819C/T and -592C/A) cytokines
SNPs in the gene promoter region using ARMS-PCR method. RESULTS: Allelic
frequencies of TNF A and IL-10 SNPs were found to be significantly associated
with the risk of prostate cancer and BPH when compared to controls (p = 0.05).
Further haplotypic analysis showed that two haplotypes of TNF A (AG and AA) and
IL-10 gene (CCG and CTG) were serving as risk haplotypes for prostate cancer
development. IL-10 risk haplotypes were found to be positively associated with
aggressiveness of prostate cancer. We also noticed successively increasing
percentage of TNF A and IL-10 risk haplotypes with life style habits like smoking
(10 and 26%) and alcohol consuming (9 and 27%). CONCLUSIONS: According to our
data, TNF A -238G>A and IL-10 -1082A>G, -819C>T and -592C>A may be associated
with the development of prostate cancer and BPH. We could also notice higher
frequency of TNF A and IL-10 risk haplotypes in smoker and alcohol user.
Interestingly, IL-10 risk haplotype was positively associated with aggressiveness
of tumor. This information can be used for the early diagnosis of disease and to
improve tissue-specific treatment's efficacy which will be moving ultimately
towards the discovery of personalized therapy.
PMID- 28993835
TI - Delta Opioid Receptors and Modulation of Mood and Emotion.
AB - Depression is a pervasive and debilitating mental disorder that is inadequately
treated by current pharmacotherapies in a majority of patients. Although opioids
have long been known to regulate mood states, the use of opioids to treat
depression is rarely discussed. This chapter explores the preclinical and
clinical evidence supporting the antidepressant-like effects of opioid ligands,
and in particular, delta opioid receptor (DOR) agonists. DOR agonists have been
shown to produce antidepressant-like effects in a number of animal models. Some
DOR agonists also produce convulsions which has limited their clinical utility.
However, DOR agonists that generate antidepressant-like effects without
convulsions have recently been developed and these drugs are beginning to be
evaluated in humans. Work investigating potential mechanisms of action for the
antidepressant-like effects of DOR agonists is also explored. Understanding
mechanisms that give rise to DOR-mediated behaviors is critical for the
development of DOR drugs with improved safety and clinical utility, and future
work should be devoted to elucidating these pathways.
PMID- 28993833
TI - Do anti-stroma therapies improve extrinsic resistance to increase the efficacy of
gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer?
AB - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most devastating human
malignancies, with approximately 20-30% of PDAC patients receiving the surgical
resection with curative intent. Although many studies have focused on finding
ideal "drug chaperones" that facilitate and/or potentiate the effects of
gemcitabine (GEM) in pancreatic cancer, a significant benefit in overall survival
could not be demonstrated for any of these combination therapies in PDAC. Given
that pancreatic cancer is characterized by desmoplasia and the dual biological
roles of stroma in pancreatic cancer, we reassess the importance of stroma in GEM
based therapeutic approaches in light of current findings. This review is focused
on understanding the role of stromal components in the extrinsic resistance to
GEM and whether anti-stroma therapies have a positive effect on the GEM delivery.
This work contributes to the development of novel and promising combination GEM
based regimens that have achieved significant survival benefits for the patients
with pancreatic cancer.
PMID- 28993834
TI - iPSC-derived neural precursor cells: potential for cell transplantation therapy
in spinal cord injury.
AB - A number of studies have demonstrated that transplantation of neural precursor
cells (NPCs) promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI).
However, the NPCs had been mostly harvested from embryonic stem cells or fetal
tissue, raising the ethical concern. Yamanaka and his colleagues established
induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) which could be generated from somatic
cells, and this innovative development has made rapid progression in the field of
SCI regeneration. We and other groups succeeded in producing NPCs from iPSCs, and
demonstrated beneficial effects after transplantation for animal models of SCI.
In particular, efficacy of human iPSC-NPCs in non-human primate SCI models
fostered momentum of clinical application for SCI patients. At the same time,
however, artificial induction methods in iPSC technology created alternative
issues including genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, and tumorigenicity after
transplantation. To overcome these problems, it is critically important to select
origins of somatic cells, use integration-free system during transfection of
reprogramming factors, and thoroughly investigate the characteristics of iPSC
NPCs with respect to quality management. Moreover, since most of the previous
studies have focused on subacute phase of SCI, establishment of effective NPC
transplantation should be evaluated for chronic phase hereafter. Our group is
currently preparing clinical-grade human iPSC-NPCs, and will move forward toward
clinical study for subacute SCI patients soon in the near future.
PMID- 28993836
TI - Natural (and Unnatural) Small Molecules as Pharmacological Chaperones and
Inhibitors in Cancer.
AB - Mutations causing single amino acid exchanges can dramatically affect protein
stability and function, leading to disease. In this chapter, we will focus on
several representative cases in which such mutations affect protein stability and
function leading to cancer. Mutations in BRAF and p53 have been extensively
characterized as paradigms of loss-of-function/gain-of-function mechanisms found
in a remarkably large fraction of tumours. Loss of RB1 is strongly associated
with cancer progression, although the molecular mechanisms by which missense
mutations affect protein function and stability are not well known. Polymorphisms
in NQO1 represent a remarkable example of the relationships between intracellular
destabilization and inactivation due to dynamic alterations in protein ensembles
leading to loss of function. We will review the function of these proteins and
their dysfunction in cancer and then describe in some detail the effects of the
most relevant cancer-associated single amino exchanges using a translational
perspective, from the viewpoints of molecular genetics and pathology, protein
biochemistry and biophysics, structural, and cell biology. This will allow us to
introduce several representative examples of natural and synthetic small
molecules applied and developed to overcome functional, stability, and regulatory
alterations due to cancer-associated amino acid exchanges, which hold the promise
for using them as potential pharmacological cancer therapies.
PMID- 28993837
TI - GABA Receptors and the Pharmacology of Sleep.
AB - Current GABAergic sleep-promoting medications were developed pragmatically,
without making use of the immense diversity of GABAA receptors. Pharmacogenetic
experiments are leading to an understanding of the circuit mechanisms in the
hypothalamus by which zolpidem and similar compounds induce sleep at
alpha2betagamma2-type GABAA receptors. Drugs acting at more selective receptor
types, for example, at receptors containing the alpha2 and/or alpha3 subunits
expressed in hypothalamic and brain stem areas, could in principle be useful as
hypnotics/anxiolytics. A highly promising sleep-promoting drug, gaboxadol, which
activates alphabetadelta-type receptors failed in clinical trials. Thus, for the
time being, drugs such as zolpidem, which work as positive allosteric modulators
at GABAA receptors, continue to be some of the most effective compounds to treat
primary insomnia.
PMID- 28993838
TI - Delta Opioid Receptor Expression and Function in Primary Afferent Somatosensory
Neurons.
AB - The functional diversity of primary afferent neurons of the dorsal root ganglia
(DRG) generates a variety of qualitatively and quantitatively distinct
somatosensory experiences, from shooting pain to pleasant touch. In recent years,
the identification of dozens of genetic markers specifically expressed by
subpopulations of DRG neurons has dramatically improved our understanding of this
diversity and provided the tools to manipulate their activity and uncover their
molecular identity and function. Opioid receptors have long been known to be
expressed by discrete populations of DRG neurons, in which they regulate cell
excitability and neurotransmitter release. We review recent insights into the
identity of the DRG neurons that express the delta opioid receptor (DOR) and the
ion channel mechanisms that DOR engages in these cells to regulate sensory input.
We highlight recent findings derived from DORGFP reporter mice and from in situ
hybridization and RNA sequencing studies in wild-type mice that revealed DOR
presence in cutaneous mechanosensory afferents eliciting touch and implicated in
tactile allodynia. Mechanistically, we describe how DOR modulates opening of
voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) to control glutamatergic neurotransmission
between somatosensory neurons and postsynaptic neurons in the spinal cord dorsal
horn. We additionally discuss other potential signaling mechanisms, including
those involving potassium channels, which DOR may engage to fine tune
somatosensation. We conclude by discussing how this knowledge may explain the
analgesic properties of DOR agonists against mechanical pain and uncovers an
unanticipated specialized function for DOR in cutaneous mechanosensation.
PMID- 28993839
TI - Predicting suitability of intramedullary fixation for displaced midshaft clavicle
fractures.
AB - PURPOSE: Implant-related irritation is a technique-specific complication seen in
a substantial number of patients treated with intramedullary nailing for clavicle
fractures. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors for developing
implant-related irritation in patients with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures
treated with elastic stable intramedullary nailing. METHODS: A retrospective
analysis of the surgical database in two level 2 trauma centers was performed.
Patients who underwent intramedullary nailing for displaced midshaft clavicle
fractures between 2005 and 2012 in the first hospital were included. Age, gender,
fracture comminution and fracture location were assessed as possible predictors
for developing irritation using multivariate logistic regression analysis. These
predictors were externally validated using data of patients treated in another
hospital. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included in initial analysis. In the
multivariate analysis, comminuted fractures in comparison to non-comminuted
fractures (72 vs. 38%, p = 0.027) and fracture location (p < 0.001) were
significantly associated with the development of implant-related irritation. In
particular, lateral diaphyseal fractures caused irritation compared to fractures
on the medial side of the cut-off point (88 vs. 26%). External validation of
these predictors in 48 additional patients treated in another hospital showed a
similar predictive value of the model and a good fit. CONCLUSION: Comminuted and
lateral diaphyseal fractures were found to be statistically significant and
independent predictors for developing implant-related irritation. We, therefore,
believe that intramedullary nailing might not be suitable for these types of
fractures. Future studies are needed to determine whether alternative surgical
techniques or implants would be more suitable for these specific types of
fractures.
PMID- 28993840
TI - Impact of right ventricular diastolic dysfunction on clinical outcomes in
inferior STEMI.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of
restrictive right ventricular filling pattern (RRVFP) in patients with the first
acute inferior wall myocardial infarction (IWMI) complicated by right ventricular
myocardial infarction (RVMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary
intervention (p-PCI). METHOD: A total of 152 patients with acute IWMI complicated
by RVMI undergoing p-PCI were divided into two groups according to the presence
of RRVFP. RRVFP was defined as tricuspid diastolic early/late flow velocities
(Et/At) > 2 and Et deceleration time (DT) < 120 ms. RESULTS: There were 23
patients with RRVFP in the study cohort. At, DTt, isovolumetric relaxation time
(IVRT), and tissue Doppler tricuspid annular late velocity (A't) were reduced
significantly in patients with RRVFP than in those without RRVFP (At 19.6 +/- 2.7
vs. 39.1 +/- 7.4 cm/s, p < 0.001; DTt 106 +/- 13 vs.156 +/- 21 ms, p = 0.001;
IVRT 59 +/- 6.7 vs. 62 +/- 7.4 ms, p = 0.01; A't 4.6 +/- 1.1 vs. 8.6 +/- 1.05, p
= 0.001). Et/At ratios were higher in patients with RRVFP than in those without
RRVFP (Et/At 2.20 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.15 +/- 0.37, p < 0.001). Et, tissue Doppler
tricuspid annular early velocity (E't), E't/A't ratio, and Et/E't ratio were not
significantly different between groups (Et 43.3 +/- 5.4 vs. 40.7 +/- 9.2 cm/s p =
0.18; E't 8.8 +/- 1.4 vs. 9.5 +/- 2.3, p = 0.15; E't/A't 1.08 +/- 0.24 vs. 1.13
+/- 0.30, p = 0.52; Et/E't ratio 5.0 +/- 1.1 vs. 4.5 +/- 1.5 p = 0.09). Presence
of E't/A't > 2, short DTt, RRVFP, unsuccessful p-PCI, and cardiogenic shock on
admission were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (p < 0.05) in
multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Presence of RRVFP is
associated with in-hospital mortality in patients presenting with their first
IWMI complicated by RVMI.
PMID- 28993841
TI - Extent of jugular venous distension and lower extremity edema are the best tools
from history and physical examination to identify heart failure exacerbation.
AB - INTRODUCTION: We aimed to identify the best tools from history and physical
examination that predict severity of heart failure (HF) exacerbation among
patients with an ejection fraction (EF) <= 30%. METHODS: Patients enrolled in the
ESCAPE trial were divided into tertiles according to the combined value of
pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and right atrial pressure (RAP) which
we used as a marker of volume loading of both pulmonary and systemic
compartments. Variables of congestion from history and physical examination were
examined across tertiles. RESULTS: There were significant differences across
tertiles (tertile 1: PCWP + RAP < 31 mm Hg, tertile 2: PCWP + RAP 31-42 mm Hg and
tertile 3: PCWP + RAP > 42 mm Hg) with respect to baseline B-type natriuretic
peptide (P = 0.016), blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.022), sodium (P = 0.015), left
ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.005), and inferior vena cava diameter during
inspiration (P < 0.001) and expiration (P < 0.001). With respect to variables of
congestion from history and physical examination, we found significant
differences across tertiles predominantly in signs of right sided failure,
specifically, the frequency of jugular venous distension (JVD, P < 0.001) and JVD
> 12 cmH2O (p < 0.001), lower extremity edema (P = 0.001) and lower extremity
edema of at least grade 2 + (P = 0.029), and positive hepatojugular reflux (HJR,
P = 0.022) but no differences in patients' symptoms such as degree of dyspnea,
orthopnea or fatigue. With regards to post-discharge outcomes, there was a
significant difference across tertiles in all-cause mortality (P = 0.029) and
rehospitalization for HF (P = 0.031) at 6 months following randomization.
Receiver operator characteristic curves showed that admission PCWP + RAP had an
area under the curve of 0.623 (P = 0.0075) and 0.617 (P = 0.0048), respectively,
in predicting 6-month all-cause mortality and rehospitalization for HF.
CONCLUSION: The presence and extent of JVD and lower extremity edema, and a
positive HJR are better than other signs and symptoms in identifying severity of
HF exacerbation among patients with EF <= 30%.
PMID- 28993842
TI - [The right opioid for my patient].
PMID- 28993843
TI - In-hospital mortality after acute STEMI in patients undergoing primary PCI.
AB - BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the main cause of global and in
hospital mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to examine
the association between the coronary artery involved and the in-hospital
mortality in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention
(pPCI) after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: The in
hospital mortality of STEMI patients who underwent pPCI was assessed at the
Department of Cardiology, Harzklinik Goslar, Germany, which has no access to
immediate mechanical circulatory support (MCS), between 2013 and 2017. RESULTS:
We enrolled 312 STEMI patients, with a mean age of 67.1 +/- 13.4 years, of whom
211 (68%) were male. In-hospital mortality was documented in 31 patients (10%).
In-hospital mortality was associated with pre-hospital cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR; n = 39/12.5%), older age, lower systolic blood pressure,
Killip class > 1, triple-vessel disease (each p < 0.0001), female gender (p =
0.0158), and with the localization of the treated culprit lesion in the left main
coronary artery (LMCA; p = 0.0083) and in the ramus circumflexus (RCX; p =
0.0141). CONCLUSION: In this monocentric cohort, all-cause in-hospital mortality
of STEMI patients after pPCI was significantly higher in those patients with
culprit lesions in the LMCA and in the RCX, which may prove to be a substantial
novel risk factor for STEMI-related mortality. Increasing age and female gender
may be interdependent risk factors for mortality in this patient population.
Furthermore, our data highlight the importance of the availability of MCS options
in pPCI centers for patients after CPR.
PMID- 28993844
TI - Lost and found: the science lost in World War II.
PMID- 28993845
TI - [New experimental strategies in cartilage surgery].
AB - BACKGROUND: Cell and growth factor based strategies bear great potential to
support the healing processes in cartilage repair and the therapy of
osteoarthritic joints. OBJECTIVES: The following review provides an overview of
novel experimental strategies for the therapy of focal cartilage defects and
osteoarthritis, with emphasis on cell and growth factor based approaches.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors summarize their own data regarding the
intraarticular injection of stem cells to treat osteoarthritis of the knee and
provide a synopsis of the available literature discussing the most significant
publications. RESULTS: The development of novel strategies for the treatment of
focal and arthrotic cartilage lesions focuses on the application of growth
factors, platelet rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow (BMSAC) or adipose derived
(stromal vascular fraction - SVF) cell concentrates, and ex vivo expanded
mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). First clinical data on the use of expanded MSCs
show the potential of this innovative therapeutic strategy. These approaches,
however, are governed by EU law and often require approval by regulatory bodies.
CONCLUSION: Currently, only a limited number of published, randomized, controlled
trials available. Therefore, it is not possible to finally assess the efficacy of
these strategies at this point in time.
PMID- 28993846
TI - [Hyaluronan as a key for accelerated wound healing in human 3D full thickness
skin models].
AB - BACKGROUND: Wound healing can be divided into three phases: (1) exsudation phase,
(2) granulation phase, (3) regeneration phase. In particular, the epithelization
phase is of great importance in order to quickly reconstitute the natural skin
barrier. The aim of the present study was to determine the reepithelization
kinetics of untreated and 0.5% sodium hyaluronate (NHA) treated human 3D full
thickness skin models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The test protocol consisted of
topically applying 10 ul of the test substance 0.5% NHA twice a day. Evaluation
of reepithelialization kinetics was carried out from days 2-6. Determination of
the influence on immune response was performed based on quantification of IL
1alpha and IL-10. RESULTS: Application of 0.5% NHA twice a day enhanced the
reepithelialization speed at all time points (p < 0.001). This observation is
accompanied by a reduced expression of IL-10 paralleled by an elevated expression
of IL-1alpha on days 2-4 (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The treatment of human skin
models with NHA resulted in a significantly increased reepithelization velocity
of wounded tissue and consequently promoted faster wound closure, compared to
untreated controls. It can be assumed that the downregulation of IL-10 caused the
IL1-alpha mediated increased immune response which finally leads to accelerated
wound healing. Follow-up studies will reveal if the faster wound healing and the
modulation of the immune response through the application of NHA is valid in
vivo.
PMID- 28993847
TI - Vitamin D deficiency and functional response to CRT in heart failure patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a poor outcome in
patients with heart failure (HF). We examined the role of vitamin D in the
response of HF patients to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: The
study comprised 50 patients (30 men and 20 women) with HF undergoing CRT
implantation who were prospectively enrolled. Response to CRT was defined as a
combination of >=15% reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV)
and >=10% improvement in the 6-Minute Walk Test within 6 months. Patients were
grouped based on their levels of vitamin D prior to CRT implantation. Clinical
and echocardiographic examinations were performed prior to and 6 months after the
procedure. RESULTS: Of the patients, 11 (22%) failed to respond to CRT; two
patients died within 6 months and an additional nine patients showed no
improvement in the 6-Minute Walk Test and no reduction in their baseline LVESV. A
comparison was made between 25 patients with sufficient levels of vitamin D and
25 patients with insufficient levels. Nine patients (36%) in the "insufficient"
group and two patients (8%) in the "sufficient" group failed to respond to CRT
implantation (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Adequate serum concentrations of vitamin D
play a significant role in improving the functional status of patients with
systolic HF following CRT implantation.
PMID- 28993848
TI - Altered long-term health-related quality of life in patients following patella
fractures: a long-term follow-up study of 49 patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The primary aim was to investigate the health-related quality of
life (HRQOL) in patients treated for a patella fracture. The explorative aim was
to report the associations between HRQOL, knee osteoarthritis, muscle strength
and gait function. METHODS: The study design was a cohort study. Patients who
were treated for patella fractures at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark
between January 2006 and December 2009 were identified. Patients between the age
of 18 and 80 were included. The main outcome was assessed by the EQ5D-5L
questionnaire. Classifications by Sperner and Kellgren/Lawrence were applied to
evaluate osteoarthritis. Moreover, functional outcomes were evaluated by: KOOS,
muscle strength and gait analysis. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were included
with a mean follow-up time of 8.5 years. The mean age was 53.9 years. The mean
EQ5D-5L index value was 0.741, and was significantly worse compared to a
reference population. X-rays taken at the time of diagnosis and the time of
follow-up showed progression towards a higher degree of osteoarthritis in the
injured knee for both the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joints. Patients
demonstrated significantly lower knee extension strength in the injured leg
compared to the non-injured leg (P = 0.011). No significant difference in gait
speed and cadence were observed compared to the reference population. Knee
osteoarthritis, muscle strength and gait patterns were not associated with HRQOL
(R < 0.35). CONCLUSION: At 8.5 years following a patella fracture, HRQOL was
significantly worse compared to an age-matched reference population.
PMID- 28993849
TI - Identification of Novel Congenital Heart Disease Candidate Genes Using Chromosome
Microarray.
AB - While the majority of patients have isolated heart disease, congenital heart
disease (CHD) may be associated with other congenital anomalies or syndromes. Our
institution utilizes chromosomal microarray (CMA) to identify chromosomal
abnormalities, specifically copy number variations (CNVs). While CNVs have been
associated with CHD, their direct impact on cardiac development remains unclear.
This study sought to identify potential novel CHD candidate genes by comparing
CNVs present in our institution's CHD population with those already recognized in
the literature. A list of candidate genes was compiled from recent medical
literature that utilized CMA. Records from neonatal cases at our institution over
10 years were reviewed. Genes identified from CMAs were compared with those
reported in the literature and cross-referenced with the Online Mendelian
Inheritance in Man catalog. We identified 375 CNVs reported in patients with CHD.
At our institution between 2005 and 2015, 307 neonates with CHD had CMA. Of
these, 77 patients (25%) had CNVs containing 832 unique candidate genes. 49
patients (16%) had isolated CHD with 353 candidate genes expressed within the
CNVs, many of which were previously reported. However, there were 16 unique
candidate genes identified that have been expressed with heart structure of the
mouse knock-out models. Our findings demonstrate a high incidence of abnormal
genes identified by CMA in CHD patients, including many CNVs of "unknown clinical
significance". We conclude that a portion of these CNVs (including 16 genes
expressed in the heart of the mouse knock-out models) could be candidate genes
involved in CHD pathogenesis.
PMID- 28993850
TI - Expression of Collagenase is Regulated by the VarS/VarA Two-Component Regulatory
System in Vibrio alginolyticus.
AB - Vibrio alginolyticus is an opportunistic pathogen in both humans and marine
animals. Collagenase encoded by colA is considered to be one of the virulence
factors. Expression of colA is regulated by multiple environmental factors, e.g.,
temperature, growth phase, and substrate. To elucidate the mechanism of
regulation of colA expression, transposon mutagenesis was performed. VarS, a
sensor histidine kinase of the two-component regulatory system, was demonstrated
to regulate the expression of colA. VarA, a cognate response regulator of VarS,
was also identified and shown to be involved in the regulation of colA
expression. In vitro phosphorylation assays showed that phosphorylated VarS acted
as a phosphoryl group donor to VarA. A site-directed mutagenesis study showed
that the His300, Asp718 and His874 residues in VarS were essential for the
phosphorylation of VarS, and the Asp54 residue in VarA was likely to receive the
phosphoryl group from VarS. The results demonstrate that the VarS/VarA two
component regulatory system regulates the expression of collagenase in V.
alginolyticus.
PMID- 28993851
TI - Usefulness of the WCD in patients with suspected tachymyopathy.
AB - AIMS: The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is used for temporary
protection of patients deemed to be at high risk for sudden death. There is
limited experience regarding the clinical development of patients with
tachymyopathy. We aimed to evaluate the clinical development of tachymyopathy
patients protected with a WCD in a single-center non-randomized patient cohort.
METHODS AND RESULTS: We fitted 130 consecutive patients deemed to be at high risk
for ventricular tachyarrhythmias with the WCD. Of these, 20 patients (15%)
presenting with newly diagnosed heart failure in the setting of rapidly conducted
atrial fibrillation/flutter were suspected to suffer from tachymyopathy. The
control group consisted of the remaining 110 patients with other indications for
WCD therapy. LVEF increased by more than 10% in 13/20 (65%) tachymyopathy
patients compared to 40/110 (36%) patients in the control population (p = 0.01).
Similarly, BNP levels decreased in 15/20 (75%) tachymyopathy patients compared to
41/110 (37%) in the control group (p = 0.05). ICD implantation rates were lower
in the tachymyopathy group (3/20) compared to the control population (40/110; p =
0.04). On further follow-up (mean 12 +/- 8 months), patients with suspected
tachymyopathy had no sustained ventricular arrhythmias. Compared to 5/110
patients in the control group, no tachymyopathy patient died. CONCLUSION: Most of
the patients with suspected tachymyopathy have a favorable clinical outcome. The
WCD is useful for temporary protection while LV function recovers.
PMID- 28993852
TI - The effects of the obesogen tributyltin on the metabolism of Sertoli cells
cultured ex vivo.
AB - Human exposure to environmental contaminants is widespread. Some of these
contaminants have the ability to interfere with adipogenesis, being thus
considered as obesogens. Recently, obesogens have been singled out as a cause of
male infertility. Sertoli cells (SCs) are essential for male fertility and their
metabolic performance, especially glucose metabolism, is under a tight endocrine
control, being essential for the success of spermatogenesis. Herein, we studied
the impact of the model obesogen tributyltin in the metabolic profile of SCs. For
that, ex vivo-cultured rat SCs were exposed to increasing doses of tributyltin.
SCs proliferation was evaluated by the sulforhodamine B assay and the maturation
state of the cells was assessed by the expression of specific markers (inhibin B
and the androgen receptor) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The
metabolic profile of SCs was established by studying metabolites
consumption/production by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by
analyzing the expression of key transporters and enzymes involved in glycolysis
by Western blot. The proliferation of SCs was only affected in the cells exposed
to the highest dose (1000 nM) of tributyltin. Notably, SCs exposed to 10 nM
tributyltin decreased the consumption of glucose and pyruvate, as well as the
production of lactate. The decreased lactate production hampers the development
of germ cells. Intriguingly, the lowest levels of tributyltin were more prone to
modulate the expression of key players of the glycolytic pathway. This is the
first study showing that tributyltin reprograms glucose metabolism of SCs under
ex vivo conditions, suggesting new targets and mechanisms through which obesogens
modulate the metabolism of SCs and thus male (in)fertility.
PMID- 28993853
TI - Analysis of Medium-Chain-Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Producing Bacteria in
Activated Sludge Samples Enriched by Aerobic Periodic Feeding.
AB - Analysis of mixed microbial populations responsible for the production of medium
chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (MCL-PHAs) under periodic substrate feeding in
a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was conducted. Regardless of activated sludge
samples and the different MCL alkanoic acids used as the sole external carbon
substrate, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that
Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the dominant bacterium enriched during the SBR
process. Several P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from the enriched activated
sludge samples. The isolates were subdivided into two groups, one that produced
only MCL-PHAs and another that produced both MCL- and short-chain-length PHAs.
The SBR periodic feeding experiments with five representative MCL-PHA-producing
Pseudomonas species revealed that P. aeruginosa has an advantage over other
species that enables it to become dominant in the bacterial community.
PMID- 28993854
TI - [Autophagy in the genesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma].
PMID- 28993855
TI - Postoperative fixed flexion deformity greater than 10 degrees lead to poorer
functional outcome 10 years after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
AB - PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of
postoperative fixed flexion deformity (FFD) on the clinical outcomes 10 years
after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The secondary aim was to identify
predictors for the occurrence of postoperative FFD. METHODS: Patients who
underwent UKA between 2003 and 2007 were prospectively followed up for 10 years.
A total of 172 patients were categorized into 3 groups based on the amount of
postoperative FFD: (1) 0 degrees or less (Min-FFD), (2) 1 degrees -9 degrees
(Mid-FFD), and (3) 10 degrees or more (Max-FFD). Functional outcome was
quantified using Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), Knee Society Knee Score
(KSKS) and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). RESULTS: At 10 years after UKA, the mean KSKS
and OKS were 6 +/- 5 (95% CI 6-18, p = 0.050) and 5 +/- 2 (95% CI 0-9, p = 0.041)
points lower in patients with Max-FFD than those with Min-FFD. Other clinical
outcomes were not different between groups. Patients with a higher preoperative
body mass index (OR 1.122 per unit increase, 95% CI 1.006-1.253, p = 0.040) or
worse preoperative FFD (OR 1.108 per unit increase, 95% CI 1.022-1.201, p =
0.013) were at increased risk of having postoperative FFD of 10 degrees or more
at 10 years after UKA. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical relevance of this study was to
demonstrate the long-term negative correlation between severe postoperative FFD
and functional outcome and, therefore, the importance of achieving good knee
alignment after UKA. The authors recommend that FFD should be fully corrected
intra-operatively if possible while preserving knee balance and stable dynamic
function through full range of motion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level II.
PMID- 28993856
TI - [Malignant lymphomas of the eye].
AB - The eye and the ocular adnexae are rare sites for malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma
(NHL). Based on their anatomical location, intraocular lymphomas must be
discerned from NHL of adnexal structures including conjunctiva, lacrimal gland,
and orbit. Whereas the latter group mostly consists of indolent extranodal
marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type
or secondary manifestations of systemic NHL, most primary intraocular lymphomas
are classified as diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) and are considered a
variant of primary DLBCL of the central nervous system. The most common form is
primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), which presents with nonspecific symptoms
and is difficult to discern from uveitis. Diagnosis of PVRL is usually made by
cytological, immunocytochemical, and molecular analysis of vitreous aspirates.
Degenerative changes, limited material, and the occurrence of pseudoclonality in
the molecular analysis of B-cell clonality can hamper diagnostic assessment.
Novel techniques such as detection of MYD88 mutations common in PVRL can increase
diagnostic sensitivity. Close cooperation with clinical colleagues and rapid
specimen processing are fundamental for successful diagnosis.
PMID- 28993857
TI - SMABcare study: subcutaneous monoclonal antibody in cancer care: cost-consequence
analysis of subcutaneous rituximab in patients with follicular lymphoma.
AB - Rituximab is used as a standard of care for follicular lymphoma and is usually
administered intravenously. A novel subcutaneous formulation recently showed non
inferior efficacy with similar pharmacokinetic and safety profiles compared to
intravenous rituximab in patients with follicular lymphoma. This new approach is
promising in terms of comfort for patients and time-saving for hospital staff. To
evaluate the real-life economic impact of subcutaneous rituximab as maintenance
therapy in patients with follicular lymphoma in real life, we conducted a cost
consequence analysis from the hospital's point of view in three French teaching
hospitals. Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-3L) was investigated as well as
patients' and nurses' perception. Compared to intravenous rituximab, subcutaneous
administration showed an estimated cost-saving of ?109.20 per patient per cycle
(p < 0.001), 78.6% of which could be attributed to the rituximab cost. Health
related quality of life showed no significant difference between the two groups
despite tendencies for greater pain in the subcutaneous group and greater anxiety
in the intravenous group. Thus, subcutaneous rituximab had a favorable
pharmacoeconomic profile, with clinical efficacy similar to that of intravenous
rituximab. The subcutaneous form was preferred by almost all patients, but
further consideration should be given to improve the patients' experience: a
dedicated day unit with trained medical, nursing, and pharmaceutical staff could
be helpful.
PMID- 28993858
TI - Treatment of abdominal pseudocysts and associated ventricuoperitoneal shunt
failure.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether drainage and revision
are an effective treatment for abdominal pseudocyst associated
ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt failure by estimating the total rate of secondary
shunt failure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of children with
hydrocephalus diagnosed with and treated for an abdominal pseudocyst at the
Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) between January 1, 2000
and May 31, 2016 (ethics approval # 108136). Patients with a VP shunt were
included if (i) the development of an abdominal pseudocyst at age 2 to 18 years
was identified, (ii) treatment of the pseudocyst by either interventional
radiology (IR) or surgical drainage, and (iii) revision of the VP shunt.
Demographic data and details of pseudocyst formation/ treatment as well as
subsequent failures were identified. RESULTS: Twelve patients who had a VP shunt
developed abdominal pseudocyst and met inclusion criteria. A 91% shunt failure
rate after drainage and shunt revision was identified. Three patients had the
pseudocyst drained in interventional radiology and then externalized due to shunt
infection. Nine patients were treated by surgical revision. Ten patients
experienced recurrent shunt failure following initial drainage of the pseudocyst:
pseudocyst reoccurrence (n = 3), distal obstruction from adhesions (n = 1), and
uncleared infection (n = 6). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that pseudocyst
drainage and shunt revision is ineffective in providing long-term resolution of
shunt problems.
PMID- 28993859
TI - [Diabetes mellitus].
PMID- 28993861
TI - [Intraocular metastases].
AB - Metastatic cancer represents the most common form of intraocular malignancy. Due
to its abundant vascular supply the choroid is the most common ocular site for
intraocular metastatic disease (approximately 90%). Less than 10% of intraocular
metastases are located in the iris and/or ciliary body, whereas the retina and
vitreous are rarely affected. Most intraocular metastases are carcinomas; the
majority of metastases originate from breast cancer in females and lung cancer in
males. However, virtually every primary malignancy has been described to
metastasize to intraocular structures. In this review we address the pathology
and clinical features of intraocular metastases, noninvasive and invasive
diagnostic procedures, as well as the pathological work-up of cytological and
histological specimens obtained either by fine needle aspiration biopsy or
special biopsy forceps.
PMID- 28993860
TI - Lanthanum damages learning and memory and suppresses astrocyte-neuron lactate
shuttle in rat hippocampus.
AB - Rare-earth elements (REEs) are applied in various fields by virtue of their
superior physical and chemical properties. Surveys have reported that REEs can
impair learning and memory in children and induce neurobehavioral abnormalities
in animals. However, the mechanism underlying this neurotoxicity is still
unclear. Lanthanum (La) is often chosen to study the effects of REEs. Here, we
investigated the role of astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) in spatial
learning and memory impairment induced by LaCl3 in hippocampus, an important
spatial memory-related brain region. Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to 0,
0.125, 0.25, 0.5, or 1% LaCl3 in drinking water during pregnancy and lactation.
After weaning, young rats continued to receive 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% LaCl3
in the drinking water for 1 month. The results showed that LaCl3 exposure
impaired the spatial learning and memory of rats in Morris water maze test,
significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of glycogen synthetase,
glycogen phosphorylase, lactate dehydrogenase A, monocarboxylate transporter 4,
MCT-1, and MCT-2, and decreased total LDH activity and lactate contents in rat
hippocampus. These results indicate that LaCl3 impairs spatial learning and
memory in rats probably by suppressing ANLS in rat hippocampus. The study
provides a novel clue of energy supply for neurons to clarify the neurotoxicity
of REEs.
PMID- 28993863
TI - Long-term Water Table Monitoring of Rio Grande Riparian Ecosystems for
Restoration Potential Amid Hydroclimatic Challenges.
AB - Hydrological processes drive the ecological functioning and sustainability of
cottonwood-dominated riparian ecosystems in the arid southwestern USA. Snowmelt
runoff elevates groundwater levels and inundates floodplains, which promotes
cottonwood germination. Once established, these phreatophytes rely on accessible
water tables (WTs). In New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande corridor diminished
flooding and deepening WTs threaten native riparian communities. We monitored
surface flows and riparian WTs for up to 14 years, which revealed that WTs and
surface flows, including peak snowmelt discharge, respond to basin climate
conditions and resource management. WT hydrographs influence the composition of
riparian communities and can be used to assess if potential restoration sites
meet native vegetation tolerances for WT depths, rates of recession, and
variability throughout their life stages. WTs were highly variable in some sites,
which can preclude native vegetation less adapted to deep drawdowns during
extended droughts. Rates of WT recession varied between sites and should be
assessed in regard to recruitment potential. Locations with relatively shallow
WTs and limited variability are likely to be more viable for successful
restoration. Suitable sites have diminished greatly as the once meandering Rio
Grande has been constrained and depleted. Increasing demands on water and the
presence of invasive vegetation better adapted to the altered hydrologic regime
further impact native riparian communities. Long-term monitoring over a range of
sites and hydroclimatic extremes reveals attributes that can be evaluated for
restoration potential.
PMID- 28993864
TI - Frequency sensitivity in Northern saw-whet owls (Aegolius acadicus).
AB - Northern saw-whet owls (Aegolius acadicus) are known for their unique
asymmetrical ear structure and ability to localize prey acoustically, yet few
attempts have been made to explore the auditory capabilities of this species. In
this study, we evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) with tonebursts to
assess three main hypotheses regarding the evolution of auditory sensitivity:
sender-receiver matching, ecological constraints, and phylogenetic/morphological
constraints. We found that ABR amplitude increased with increasing stimulus
level, which is consistent with results in other avian species. ABR amplitudes,
latencies, and thresholds indicate that the hearing range of Northern saw-whet
owls extends from 0.7 to 8.6 kHz, with an extended frequency range of best
sensitivity between 1.6 and 7.1 kHz. Sensitivity fell off rapidly above and below
these frequencies. The average audiogram was structurally similar to those found
in other species of owls, suggesting that phylogeny or morphology may be
constraining the frequency range of auditory sensitivity. However, ABR thresholds
were 10-25 dB lower than those of Eastern screech-owls (Megascops asio), with
thresholds below 0 dB SPL in some individuals. The lowest thresholds were at
frequencies not found in the vocalizations of Northern saw-whet owls, suggesting
ecological constraints rather than conspecific vocalizations are driving absolute
sensitivity.
PMID- 28993862
TI - Utilization of bone mineral density testing among breast cancer survivors in
British Columbia, Canada.
AB - : Breast cancer survivors are at high osteoporosis risk. Bone mineral density
testing plays a key role in osteoporosis management. We analyzed a historical
utilization of bone mineral density testing in breast cancer survivors. The
utilization remained low in the 1995-2008 period. Lower socio-economic status and
rural residency were associated with lower utilization. INTRODUCTION: To evaluate
the utilization of bone mineral density (BMD) testing for female breast cancer
survivors aged 65+ surviving >= 3 years in British Columbia, Canada. METHODS: A
retrospecitve population-based data linkage study. Trends in proportion of
survivors with >= 1 BMD test for each calendar year from 1995 to 2008 were
evaluated with a serial cross-sectional analysis. Associations between factors
(socio-demographic and clinical) and BMD testing rates over the period 2006-2008
for 7625 survivors were evaluated with a cross-sectional analysis and estimated
as adjusted prevalence ratios (PRadj) using log-binomial models. RESULTS:
Proportions of survivors with >= 1 BMD test increased from 1.0% in 1995 to 10.1%
in 2008. The BMD testing rate in 2006-2008 was 26.5%. Socio-economic status (SES)
and urban/rural residence were associated with BMD testing rates in a dose
dependent relationship (p for trend< 0.01). Survivors with lower SES (PRadj =
0.66-0.78) or rural residence (PRadj = 0.70) were 20-30% less likely to have BMD
tests, compared with survivors with the highest SES or urban residence. BMD
testing rates were also negatively associated with older age (75+) (PRadj = 0.47;
95% CI = 0.42, 0.52), nursing home residency (0.05; 0.01, 0.39), recent
osteoporotic fractures (0.21; 0.14, 0.32), and no previous BMD tests (0.26; 0.23,
0.29). CONCLUSION: Utilization of BMD testing was low for breast cancer survivors
in BC, Canada. Lower SES and rural residence were associated with lower BMD
testing rates. IMPLICATION FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Female breast cancer survivors,
especially those with lower SES or rural residence, should be encouraged to
receive BMD tests as recommended by Canadian guidelines.
PMID- 28993866
TI - CDH1 mutation screen in a BRCA1/2-negative familial breast-/ovarian cancer
cohort.
AB - PURPOSE: Mutations in the CDH1 gene are linked both to diffuse gastric cancer and
invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). A high mutation rate is found in families
fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. Aim of
this study was to clarify whether or not there is a significant contribution of
CDH1 mutations in hereditary breast-/ovarian cancer (HBOC). METHODS: Ninety-seven
unrelated probands fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for HBOC (96 affected, 1
unaffected) but tested negative for pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutations were screened
for CDH1 mutations by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC)
and subsequent Sanger sequencing of suspicious and positive DHPLC results.
RESULTS: In total, we found two potentially pathogenic CDH1 alterations, c.1774G
> A, pAla592Thr, and c.2512 A > G, p.Ser838Gly, classified as variants of unknown
significance according to ClinVar. In addition, we detected a high number of
known CDH1 polymorphisms (n = 62), some of them more frequent in patients with
lobular (55%) than in those with invasive ductal carcinoma (27%). CONCLUSION:
Although none of the probands studied carried a clearly pathogenic CDH1 mutation,
CDH1 could be considered a potential breast cancer gene, esp. for ILC worth
including it in the NGS (next generation sequencing) HBOC panel.
PMID- 28993865
TI - Two-year cortical and trabecular bone loss in CKD-5D: biochemical and clinical
predictors.
AB - : This prospective two-year study of patients on chronic dialysis measured
changes in bone mineral density (BMD). Patients with higher baseline BMD and
shorter dialysis vintage lost more bone. Treatment with anti-hypertensives acting
on the central nervous system was protective against bone loss. Baseline serum
levels of sclerostin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase predicted bone loss.
INTRODUCTION: This prospective 2-year study of chronic kidney disease on dialysis
(CKD-5D) patients assessed trabecular and cortical bone loss at the hip and spine
and examined potential demographic, clinical, and serum biochemical predictors of
bone loss. METHODS: Eighty-nine CKD-5D patients had baseline, year 1, and year 2
bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and
quantitative computed tomography (QCT); concurrent blood samples were drawn and
clinical variables recorded. No study treatments occurred. RESULTS: The 2-year
total hip BMD change was - 5.9% by QCT and - 3.1% by DXA (p < 0.001). Spinal BMD
was unchanged. QCT total hip cortical mass and volume decreased (- 7.3 and -
10.0%); trabecular volume increased by 5.9% (ps < 0.001). BMD changes did not
vary with age, BMI, race, diabetes, smoking, or exercise. Patients with higher
baseline BMD and shorter dialysis vintage lost more bone (p < 0.05). Vitamin D
analogs and phosphate binders were not protective against bone loss; cinacalcet
was protective by univariate but not by multivariable analysis. CNS-affecting
antihypertensives were protective against loss of BMD, cortical mass, cortical
volume (ps < 0.05) and trabecular mass (p = 0.007). These effects remained after
adjustment. BSAP correlated with changes in BMD, cortical mass, and volume (p <
0.01) as did sclerostin (inversely). CONCLUSIONS: There was severe cortical bone
loss at the hip best recognized by QCT. Patients with shorter dialysis vintage
and less pre-existing bone loss lost more bone, while treatment with CNS-acting
antihypertensives was protective. BSAP and sclerostin were useful markers of bone
loss.
PMID- 28993867
TI - Efficacy of pelvic artery embolisation for severe postpartum hemorrhage.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the outcome of selective pelvic
arterial embolisation (PAE) in women with severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).
METHODS: We performed a retrospective, controlled, single-center cohort study. A
total of 16 consecutive women with PPH who underwent therapeutic PAE were
included. As historical control group, we included 22 women with similar severity
of PPH who were managed without PAE. Outcome measures included necessity of
surgical interventions such as postpartum hysterectomy and laparotomy after
vaginal delivery, the amount of red blood cell transfusions, and hematologic
findings after the procedure. RESULTS: PAE was successful in stopping PPH and
preserving the uterus in all 16 women in the study group. No woman in the PAE
group required a postpartum hysterectomy, whereas postpartum hysterectomy was
unavoidable in two women in the control group. Laparotomy after vaginal delivery
was necessary in two women of the group without embolisation. Hematologic
parameters after the treatment were better in the PAE group than in the control
group, although these differences were only in part statistically significant.
There were no unwarranted effects of PAE identifiable in the study group.
CONCLUSION: This is the first controlled study assessing the efficacy of PAE for
the treatment of PPH. Our data suggest that PAE is effective for the treatment of
severe PPH. In view of the lack of complications and unwarranted effects,
clinical use of PAE in severe PPH seems justified, particularly in view of the
life-threatening condition and the potential to preserve fertility in affected
patients. Further evidence from well-designed prospective randomized-controlled
trials would be nevertheless desirable in the future.
PMID- 28993868
TI - [Dementia - View of sufferers and their relatives].
AB - Dementia is the leading cause of cognitive and functional impairment in old age;
however, within the scientific community this complex disease is predominantly
viewed from a narrow neurobiological and medical perspective, whereas the
subjective aspects of dementia, particularly the psychological and social
consequences, albeit severe are more or less neglected. In this article the
subjective side of experiences of persons with dementia and their relatives are
discussed and special aspects of their specific problems and needs during the
course of the illness are described. The progress made in supporting persons with
dementia and their carers during the last decades is considered and areas where
further progress is necessary are delineated.
PMID- 28993869
TI - Lack of silent cerebral ischemic events: a case series of patients after left
atrial appendage closure.
PMID- 28993870
TI - Serum serotonin levels and bone in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
AB - In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by bone loss, increased
levels of serotonin have been reported. Recent studies have demonstrated a role
for circulating serotonin as a regulator of osteoblastogenesis, inhibiting bone
formation. Thus, we measured serum serotonin levels (SSL) in a Portuguese sample
of 205 RA patients and related these to anthropometric variables, disease
parameters, serum bone biomarkers, and bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by
dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at several sites (total proximal femur, lumbar
spine, left hand, and left second proximal phalange). SSL were inversely
associated with body mass index (BMI) in RA women (r = - 0.218; p = 0.005),
independent of exposure to biologics and/or bisphosphonates. Among biologic
naives, there was an inverse association between SSL and osteoprotegerin in RA
women (r = - 0.260; p = 0.022). Serum beta-CTX and dickkopf-1 were strongly
associated with SSL in RA men not treated with bisphosphonates (r = 0.590; p <
0.001/r = 0.387; p = 0.031, respectively). There was also an inverse association
between SSL and sclerostin in RA men (r = - 0.374; p < 0.05), stronger among
biologic naive or bisphosphonates-unexposed RA men. In crude models, SSL
presented as a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD in RA
women as well as in postmenopausal RA women. After adjustment for BMI, disease
duration, and years of menopause, SSL remained a significant negative predictor
of total proximal femur BMD only in postmenopausal RA women. Our data reinforce a
role, despite weak, for circulating serotonin in regulating bone mass in RA
patients, with some differences in terms of gender and anatomical sites.
PMID- 28993871
TI - Dual Bronchodilation with Indacaterol Maleate/Glycopyrronium Bromide Compared
with Umeclidinium Bromide/Vilanterol in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe COPD:
Results from Two Randomized, Controlled, Cross-over Studies.
AB - PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of two long-acting dual
bronchodilator combinations: indacaterol/glycopyrrolate (IND/GLY) versus
umeclidinium/vilanterol (UMEC/VI). METHODS: Studies A2349 and A2350 were
replicate, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, cross-over
studies in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Patients were randomized to
sequential 12-week treatments of twice-daily IND/GLY 27.5/15.6 MUg and once-daily
UMEC/VI 62.5/25 MUg, each separated by a 3-week washout. The primary objective
was to demonstrate non-inferiority of IND/GLY compared with UMEC/VI in terms of
the 24-h forced expiratory volume in 1 s profile at week 12 (FEV1 AUC0-24).
Rescue medication use, symptom control, and safety were assessed throughout.
RESULTS: Both treatments delivered substantial bronchodilation over 12 weeks,
with improvements in FEV1 AUC0-24h at week 12 of 232 and 185 mL for IND/GLY, and
244 and 203 mL with UMEC/VI in Studies A2349 and A2350, respectively. The primary
efficacy objective of non-inferiority of IND/GLY relative to UMEC/VI was not met
as the lower bound of the confidence interval for the LS treatment comparison was
below the pre-specified non-inferiority margin of -20 mL in both studies: -26.9
and -34.2 mL, respectively (LS mean between-treatment differences: -11.5 and
18.2 mL). Both drugs were well tolerated, with AE profiles consistent with their
respective prescribing information. CONCLUSIONS: IND/GLY and UMEC/VI provided
clinically meaningful and comparable bronchodilation. Non-inferiority of IND/GLY
to UMEC/VI could not be declared although between-treatment differences were not
clinically relevant. The data support the use of IND/GLY as an efficacious and
well tolerated treatment option in patients with COPD. (ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT02487446 and NCT02487498).
PMID- 28993872
TI - A novel mutation of VAPB in one Chinese familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
pedigree and its clinical characteristics.
AB - The mutation of vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB)
was proved to cause family amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). Only two
mutations of VAPB associated with ALS have been reported (p.Pro56Ser and
p.Thr46Ile). Here we reported a Chinese Han FALS family caused by a novel VAPB
point mutation. The clinical materials of one Chinese Han FALS family were
collected. The genetic analysis was carried out by target sequencing and further
verified by Sanger sequencing. One novel mutation of c.167C>A (p.Pro56His) on
VAPB was found in the proband. The age at onset of the proband was 48 with the
onset symptoms of weakness in the right arm, followed by progressive limb and
trunk weakness with decreased deep-tendon reflexes, muscular cramps and
fasciculation. But the disease duration was more than 15 years. He was under the
tracheotomy for 1 year at last visit. Electromyography showed widespread acute
and chronic neurogenic damages. His mother presented weakness in her limbs in 50
s and died 15 years later. One of his younger sisters diagnosed as ALS for 6
years also carried the same mutation. She presented the similar symptoms on 41.
No dominant upper motor neuron sign was showed. The clinical features were
similar to the patients carrying the known mutation of p.Pro56Ser. A novel
mutation of VAPB was found in one Chinese Han FALS pedigree. The affected
patients presented a much slower progression and the lesions were limited in
lower motor neurons.
PMID- 28993873
TI - Heart rate variability decreases after 3 months of sustained treatment with
fingolimod.
AB - The objective is to prospectively investigate short- and mid-term changes of
heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis (RRMS), being started on fingolimod. In this prospective clinical
trial, patient (n = 33) with RRMS starting treatment with fingolimod underwent a
time-domain-based analysis of HRV (breathing at rest, deep breath, and in
response to the Valsalva maneuver) shortly before, 4.5 h and 3 months after first
intake. Blood pressure changes after the Valsalva maneuver were used as a marker
of the sympathetic noradrenergic system. We used a non-invasive continuous beat
to-beat heart rate and blood pressure monitoring. In addition, the Fatigue
Severity Scale and the refined and abbreviated Composite Autonomic Symptom Score
were applied. Significant changes in HRV in RRMS patients, following treatment
with fingolimod, were detected. After an initial increase in HRV, measured 4.5 h
after the first intake of fingolimod, a substantial decrease in HRV occurred
within 3 months on continuous treatment. There is a growing body of evidence for
short-term cardiovascular side effects in continuous treatment with fingolimod,
driven by the ANS. The mechanisms and the clinical relevance of the observed
changes in HRV need further evaluation, especially in longer and larger
prospective studies.
PMID- 28993874
TI - Prognosis of patients with primary malignant brain tumors admitted to the
intensive care unit: a two-decade experience.
AB - The purpose of this study is to describe the reasons for ICU admission and to
evaluate the outcome and prognostic factors of patients with primary malignant
brain tumors (PMBT) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This is a
retrospective observational cohort study of 196 PMBT patients admitted to two
ICUs over a 19-year period. Acute respiratory failure was the main reason for ICU
admission (45%) followed by seizures (25%) and non-epileptic coma (14%). Seizures
were more common in patients with glial lesions (84 vs. 67%), whereas patients
with primary brain lymphoma were more frequently admitted for shock (42 vs. 18%).
Overall ICU and 90-day mortality rates were 23 and 50%, respectively. Admission
for seizures was independently associated with lower ICU mortality [odds ratio
(OR) 0.06], whereas the need for mechanical ventilation (OR 6.85), cancer
progression (OR 7.84), respiratory rate (OR 1.11) and Glasgow coma scale (OR
0.85) were associated with higher ICU mortality. Among the 95 patients who
received invasive mechanical ventilation, ICU mortality was 37% (n = 35). For
these patients, admission for seizures was associated with lower ICU mortality
(OR 0.050) whereas cancer progression (OR 7.49) and respiratory rate (OR 1.08)
were associated with higher ICU mortality. The prognosis of PMBT patients
admitted to the ICU appears relatively favorable compared to that of hematologic
malignancies or solid tumors, especially when the patient is admitted for
seizures. The presence of a PMBT, therefore, does not appear to be sufficient for
refusal of ICU admission. Predictive factors of mortality may help clinicians
make optimal triage decisions.
PMID- 28993875
TI - Suicidality is a common and serious feature of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor
encephalitis.
AB - We aimed to assess suicidality risk amongst people who had had anti-N-methyl-D
aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. All people with a definitive diagnosis
of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in West China Hospital between June 2012 and February
2017 were identified and their notes were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic
and clinical characteristics and risk predictors for suicidality were summarized;
those with suicidality were compared to those without. 17 of 133 people (13%)
presented with suicidality symptoms: 7 (5%) with suicidal ideation; 8 (6%) who
attempted suicide; and 2 (1.5%) who completed suicide. Median age was 27 (16-78)
years, most were female [13 (76%)]. Compared with those with no suicidality,
psychiatric symptoms as the initial symptoms were more frequent in those who
reported suicidality (p = 0.039); insomnia, aggression, mania, depression and
delusion were also more common (p < 0.05). The use of antidepressants (p < 0.001)
and recurrence of encephalitis (p = 0.020) were higher in people with suicidality
than in those without. Other characteristics were not significantly different in
those who had suicidality and those who did not. Suicidality is a common and
potentially lethal risk for people with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Those presenting
with psychiatric symptoms as the initial symptom and with insomnia, aggression,
mania, depression and delusion should be carefully screened for suicidality.
Closely monitoring people who have been treated with antidepressants is
necessary.
PMID- 28993876
TI - IL-8 Gene Variants and Expression in Childhood Asthma.
AB - PURPOSE: To examine the IL-8 expression levels and association of genetic
variants with the risk of childhood persistent asthma prognosis. METHODS:
Overall, 170 asthmatic children and 170 healthy controls were included in this
case-control study. The human IL-8 serum levels were measured using ELISA. The IL
8 mRNA expression levels were assessed by a real-time quantitative reverse
transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The genotyping was performed
by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)
methods. RESULTS: The IL-8 expression at both protein and mRNA levels was found
to be significantly elevated in asthmatic children compared to healthy subjects
(P < 0.0001, P = 0.004; respectively). Higher levels of IL-8 mRNA are detected in
subjects with moderate to severe asthma. The presence of IL8-251 A/T (rs4073) and
+ 781C/T (rs2227306) polymorphisms was significantly associated with an increased
risk of asthma (P = 0.002, P = 0.036, respectively). In addition, we noted a
significant association between these polymorphisms and an elevated risk of
atopic asthma (P < 0.05). For rs2227306 SNP, the highest median level of IgE was
detected for the presence of TT genotype (865 +/- 99.74 IU/mL). Although, the
rs4073 polymorphism conferred a higher risk to develop asthma at an advanced
stage of severity (P = 0.008). The rs4073 T and rs2227306 C alleles are
considered as risk factors for asthma development. The rs4073 T allele is
represented also as a risk factor for asthma severity in Tunisian children.
CONCLUSIONS: Both IL-8 gene and protein expression may play a key role in asthma
pathogenesis.
PMID- 28993877
TI - Anxiety, Depression, and Health-Related QOL in Patients Diagnosed with PAH or
CTEPH.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic
pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are life-threatening diseases with a high burden
of symptoms. Although depression, anxiety, and reduced health related quality of
life (HRQOL) have also been reported, a comparative analysis which explores these
traits and their underlying factors was lacking. METHODS: A retrospective
analysis of depression, anxiety, and health related QOL was conducted using a
Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) as well as the SF-36 HRQOL
questionnaire. Results from these tools were compared with haemodynamic and
functional parameters in 70 PAH and 23 CTEPH outpatients from a German tertiary
care center specializing in pulmonary hypertension. RESULTS: Although HRQOL was
reduced in both cohorts of patients, individuals diagnosed with CTEPH scored
lower in nearly all SF-36 parameters. Significance was noted in both "mental
health" (p = 0.01) and "mental component summary score" (MCS) (p = 0.02).
Depression was also more frequent in patients with CTEPH (56%) than in patients
with PAH (30%), (p = 0.03). Overall, depression and anxiety correlated with most
SF-36 scales in both PAH and CTEPH. In CTEPH, depression also correlated with the
Borg Dyspnea Scale (r = 0.44, p = 0.01). These patients also had significantly
lower pCO2 levels than the PAH cohort reflecting more severe
ventilation/perfusion mismatch. All other haemodynamic and functional parameters
did not differ across the groups. CONCLUSION: While both cohorts of patients
suffer from a reduced HRQOL as well as depression and anxiety, decreases in
mental health parameters are more pronounced in the CTEPH cohort. This suggests a
strong effort to improve early detection, especially in dyspneic patients with
classical risk factors for CTEPH and PAH and argues for mental illness
interventions alongside routine clinical care provided to patients diagnosed with
PAH or CTEPH.
PMID- 28993878
TI - Fuzzy neuronal model of motor control inspired by cerebellar pathways to online
and gradually learn inverse biomechanical functions in the presence of delay.
AB - Contrary to forward biomechanical functions, which are deterministic, inverse
biomechanical functions are generally not. Calculating an inverse biomechanical
function is an ill-posed problem, which has no unique solution for a manipulator
with several degrees of freedom. Studies of the command and control of biological
movements suggest that the cerebellum takes part in the computation of
approximate inverse functions, and this ability can control fast movements by
predicting the consequence of current motor command. Limb movements toward a goal
are defined as fast if they last less than the total duration of the processing
and transmission delays in the motor and sensory pathways. Because of these
delays, fast movements cannot be continuously controlled in a closed loop by use
of sensory signals. Thus, fast movements must be controlled by some open loop
controller, of which cerebellar pathways constitute an important part. This
article presents a system-level fuzzy neuronal motor control circuit, inspired by
the cerebellar pathways. The cerebellar cortex (CC) is assumed to embed internal
models of the biomechanical functions of the limb segments. Such neural models
are able to predict the consequences of motor commands and issue predictive
signals encoding movement variables, which are sent to the controller via
internal feedback loops. Differences between desired and expected values of
variables of movements are calculated in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). After
motor learning, the whole circuit can approximate the inverse function of the
biomechanical function of a limb and acts as a controller. In this research,
internal models of direct biomechanical functions are learned and embedded in the
connectivity of the cerebellar pathways. Two fuzzy neural networks represent the
two parts of the cerebellum, and an online gradual learning drives the
acquisition of the internal models in CC and the controlling rules in DCN. As
during real learning, exercise and repetition increase skill and speed. The
learning procedure is started by a simple and slow movement, controlled in the
presence of delays by a simple closed loop controller comparable to the spinal
reflexes. The speed of the movements is then increased gradually, and output
error signals are used to compute teaching signals and drive learning. Repetition
of movements at each speed level allows to properly set the two neural networks,
and progressively learn the movement. Finally, conditions of stability of the
proposed model as an inverter are identified. Next, the control of a single
segment arm, moved by two muscles, is simulated. After proper setting by motor
learning, the circuit is able to reject perturbations.
PMID- 28993879
TI - Accuracy of Diagnostic Coding for Sarcoidosis in Electronic Databases: A
Population-Based Study.
AB - PURPOSE: Epidemiologic study of sarcoidosis utilizing electronic databases has
been increasingly popular. However, the accuracy of diagnostic codes for
sarcoidosis is unknown. METHODS: The medical record-linkage system of the
Rochester Epidemiology Project was searched to identify all potential adult cases
of sarcoidosis between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2013 in Olmsted County,
Minnesota, using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
(ICD-9) code 135 (sarcoidosis). Complete medical records of those potential cases
were individually reviewed. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed by the
presence of non-caseating granuloma on histopathology, radiographic findings of
intrathoracic sarcoidosis, and compatible clinical presentations. Positive
predictive value (PPV) was estimated as the number of patients verified to have
sarcoidosis divided by the number of patients with a diagnostic code for
sarcoidosis. RESULTS: The study cohort included 366 patients with at least one
code for sarcoidosis. Of these, 224 cases of confirmed sarcoidosis were
identified, resulting in PPV of 61.2% (95% CI 56.0-66.2%). A total of 268
patients in the database had a code for sarcoidosis on least two occasions
separated by at least 30 days. Of these, there were 205 cases of confirmed
sarcoidosis. The PPV for having the code at least twice was 76.5% (95% CI 71.0
81.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The PPV of ICD-9 code for sarcoidosis is relatively low and,
thus, further verification is required for studies using electronic databases.
PMID- 28993882
TI - Commuter exposure to fine and ultrafine particulate matter in Vienna.
AB - Mass concentrations PM10, PM2.5, PM1, particle number concentrations of ultrafine
particles and lung deposited surface area were measured during commutes with a
subway, tram, bus, car and bicycle in Vienna for the first time. Obtained data
were examined for significant differences in personal exposure when using various
transport modalities along similar routes. Mean PM2.5 and PM1 mass concentrations
were significantly higher in the subway when compared to buses. Mean PM10, PM2.5
and PM1 mass concentrations were significantly higher in the subway when compared
to cars using low ventilation settings. Particle number concentrations of
ultrafine particles were significantly higher in trams when compared to the
subway and lung deposited surface area was significantly greater on bicycles when
compared to the subway. After adjusting for different vehicle speeds, exposure to
PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 along the same route length was significantly higher in the
subway when compared to cars while exposure to ultrafine particles and partly
also lung deposited surface area was significantly higher in bus, tram and on
bicycle when compared to the subway. Car and bus passengers could be better
isolated from ambient fine particulate matter than passengers in the subway,
where a lot of ventilation occurs through open windows and larger doors. Tram
passengers and cyclists might be exposed to increased amounts of ultrafine
particles and larger lung deposited surface area due to a closer proximity to
road traffic. Comparing cumulative exposure along the same route length leads to
different results and favors faster traffic modes, such as the subway.
PMID- 28993881
TI - Maximal rate of heart rate increase correlates with fatigue/recovery status in
female cyclists.
AB - PURPOSE: Being able to identify how an athlete is responding to training would be
useful to optimise adaptation and performance. The maximal rate of heart rate
increase (rHRI), a marker of heart rate acceleration has been shown to correlate
with performance changes in response to changes in training load in male
athletes; however, it has not been established if it also correlates with
performance changes in female athletes. METHODS: rHRI and cycling performance
were assessed in six female cyclists following 7 days of light training (LT), 14
days of heavy training (HT) and a 10 day taper period. rHRI was the first
derivative maximum of a sigmoidal curve fit to R-R data recorded during 5 min of
cycling at 100 W. Cycling performance was assessed as work done (kJ) during time
trials of 5 (5TT) and 60 (60TT) min duration. RESULTS: 5TT was possibly decreased
at HT (ES +/- 90% confidence interval = - 0.16 +/- 0.25; p = 0.60), while, 5TT
and 60TT very likely to almost certainly increased from HT to taper (ES = 0.71 +/
0.24; p = 0.007 and ES = 0.42 +/- 0.19; p = 0.02, respectively). Large within
subject correlations were found between rHRI, and 5TT (r = 0.65 +/- 0.37; p =
0.02) and 60TT (r = 0.70 +/- 0.31; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: rHRI during the
transition from rest to light exercise correlates with training induced-changes
in exercise performance in females, suggesting that rHRI may be a useful
monitoring tool for female athletes.
PMID- 28993880
TI - Effects of prenatal caffeine exposure on glucose homeostasis of adult offspring
rats.
AB - Epidemiological evidences show that prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) could induce
intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The IUGR offspring also present glucose
intolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus after maturity. We have previously
demonstrated that PCE induced IUGR and increased susceptibility to adult
metabolic syndrome in rats. This study aimed to further investigate the effects
of PCE on glucose homeostasis in adult offspring rats. Pregnant rats were
administered caffeine (120 mg/kg/day, intragastrically) from gestational days 11
to 20. PCE offspring presented partial catch-up growth pattern after birth,
characterizing by the increased body weight gain rates. Meanwhile, PCE had no
significant influences on the basal blood glucose and insulin phenotypes of adult
offspring but increased the glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin section
and beta cell sensitivity to glucose in female progeny. The insulin sensitivity
of both male and female PCE offspring were enhanced accompanied with reduced beta
cell fraction and mass. Western blotting results revealed that significant
augmentation in protein expression of hepatic insulin signaling elements of PCE
females, including insulin receptor (INSR), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1)
and the phosphorylation of serine-threonine protein kinase (Akt), was also
potentiated. In conclusion, we demonstrated that PCE reduced the pancreatic beta
mass but increased the glucose tolerance in adult offspring rats, especially for
females. The adaptive compensatory enhancement of beta cell responsiveness to
glucose and elevated insulin sensitivity mainly mediated by upregulated hepatic
insulin signaling might coordinately contribute to the increased glucose
tolerance.
PMID- 28993883
TI - Shaping somatosensory responses in awake rats: cortical modulation of thalamic
neurons.
AB - Massive corticothalamic afferents originating from layer 6a of primary sensory
cortical areas modulate sensory responsiveness of thalamocortical neurons and are
pivotal for shifting neuronal firing between burst and tonic modes. The influence
of the corticothalamic pathways on the firing mode and sensory gain of thalamic
neurons has only been extensively examined in anesthetized animals, but has yet
to be established in the awake state. We made lesions of the rat barrel cortex
and on the following day recorded responses of single thalamocortical and
thalamic reticular neurons to a single vibrissal deflection in the somatosensory
system during wakefulness. Our results showed that the cortical lesions shifted
the response of thalamic neurons towards bursting, elevated the response
probability and the gain of thalamocortical neurons, predominantly of recurring
responses. In addition, after the lesions, the spontaneous activities of the
vibrissa-responsive thalamic neurons, but not those of vibrissa-unresponsive
cells, were typified by waxing-and-waning spindle-like rhythmic spiking with
frequent bursting. In awake rats with intact cortex, identified layer 6a
corticothalamic neurons responded to a single vibrissal deflection with short
latencies that matched those of layer 4 neurons, strongly suggesting the
existence of an immediate corticothalamic feedback. The present results show the
importance of corticothalamic neurons in shaping thalamic activities during
wakefulness.
PMID- 28993884
TI - Responsiveness of the EuroQoL 5-dimension (EQ-5D) in adolescent idiopathic
scoliosis.
AB - PURPOSE: To test the responsiveness of the EuroQoL 5-dimension (EQ-5D) utility
scores for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: A baseline sample of
227 AIS patients was recruited between August and October 2015, and was surveyed
prospectively to 9-12 months follow-up. EQ-5D-5L utility scores were derived
using a two-step approach: (1) cross-walking from five-level responses to three
level responses and (2) applying the EQ-5D-3L Chinese population value set. An
anchor approach was adopted to assess the responsiveness of EQ-5D. Effect size
statistics (standardized effect size and standardized response mean) and
independent t test were used to assess the responsiveness, as well as to analyze
the ability of measures to detect score changes with global health condition
changes or discriminate between the worsened and unchanged/improved groups.
RESULTS: Approximately two-thirds of follow-up patients (64.2%) reported no
change in global health condition based on the self-reported health anchor,
whilst 4.6 and 31.3% of patients rated worse and better in current health
condition compared to baseline, respectively. In the subgroup where health
worsened, EQ-5D utility scores were responsive to detect negative changes. EQ-5D
utility scores had slight improvement in the group where health improved, despite
a high mean score of 0.92 at baseline. Neither statistical significance nor
moderate-large effect size was observed in mean changes among unchanged group.
Responsiveness property of the EQ-5D utility score was generally satisfactory
with respect to each health condition group. CONCLUSIONS: EQ-5D is found to be
able to capture positive changes, and responsive in detecting important clinical
changes in the improved group of this AIS population.
PMID- 28993885
TI - Gait variability predicts a subset of falls in cerebellar gait disorders.
PMID- 28993886
TI - Thrombotic microangiopathy following haematopoietic stem cell transplant.
AB - Thrombotic microangiopathy is a potentially lethal complication of haematopoietic
stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation. The pathophysiology is incompletely
understood, although endothelial damage appears to be central. Platelet
activation, neutrophil extracellular traps and complement activation appear to
play key roles. Diagnosis may be difficult and universally accepted diagnostic
criteria are not available. Treatment remains controversial. In some cases,
withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitors is adequate. Rituximab and defibrotide also
appear to have been used successfully. In severe cases, complement inhibitors
such as eculizumab may play a valuable role. Further research is required to
define the pathophysiology and determine both robust diagnostic criteria and the
optimal treatment.
PMID- 28993887
TI - The effect of everolimus on renal angiomyolipoma in pediatric patients with
tuberous sclerosis being treated for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) often have multiple
TSC-associated hamartomas, particularly in the brain and kidney. METHODS: This
was a post hoc analysis of pediatric patients being treated for subependymal
giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) during the phase 3, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled EXIST-1 trial. Patients were initially randomly assigned to
receive everolimus 4.5 mg/m2/day (target blood trough 5-15 mg/dl) or placebo and
could continue in an open-label extension phase. Angiomyolipoma response rates
were analyzed in patients aged <18 years with >=1 target angiomyolipoma lesion at
baseline. Response was defined as the proportion of patients with a >=50%
reduction in the sum volume of target renal angiomyolipomata from baseline, in
the absence of new target angiomyolipomata, a >20% increase in kidney volume from
nadir, and angiomyolipoma-related bleeding >= grade 2. Tolerability was also
assessed. RESULTS: Overall, this analysis included 33 patients. Renal
angiomyolipoma response was achieved by 75.8% of patients (95% confidence
interval, 57.7-88.9%), with sustained mean reductions in renal angiomyolipoma
volume over nearly 4 years of treatment. In addition, most (>=80%) achieved
clinically relevant reductions in angiomyolipoma volume (>=50%), beginning at
week 24 and continuing for the remainder of the study. Everolimus was generally
well tolerated in this subgroup, with most adverse events being grade 1 or 2 in
severity. CONCLUSIONS: Although everolimus is currently not indicated for this
use, this analysis from EXIST-1 demonstrates its long-term efficacy and safety
for the treatment of renal angiomyolipoma in pediatric patients undergoing
treatment for TSC-associated SEGA.
PMID- 28993888
TI - Oncologists' responses to patient and caregiver negative emotions and patient
perception of quality of communication: results from a multi-ethnic Asian
setting.
AB - PURPOSE: Patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers experience many
negative emotions. Empathic responses from oncologists can help alleviate their
distress. We aimed to assess expressions of negative emotions among patients with
advanced cancer and their caregivers and oncologists' empathic responses during
consultations in an Asian setting. We also assessed the association between
oncologists' expression of empathy and patients' and caregivers' perception of
communication quality. METHODS: We surveyed 100 patients with advanced cancer and
their caregivers and audio recorded consultations with their oncologists. We
coded expressions of negative emotions by patients and caregivers and
oncologists' empathic responses. We also surveyed participating oncologists (n =
30) about their confidence in expressing empathy and perceived communication
behavior outcomes. RESULTS: About 52% of patients and 49% of caregivers expressed
at least one negative emotion during the consultation, though 59% of patients and
48% of caregivers reported not wanting to discuss negative emotions. Oncologists
responded empathically to 12% of patients' negative emotions and 9% of
caregivers' negative emotions, despite 92% of them reporting confidence in
expressing empathy. Oncologists' expression of empathy did not vary significantly
by patient, caregiver, or their own demographic characteristics. It also did not
differ based on their confidence in expressing empathy and positive outcome
expectations. When oncologists responded empathically just one time, patients
perceived communication more favorably. CONCLUSIONS: In this Asian setting,
patients and caregivers commonly expressed negative emotions. Oncologists'
expressed empathy infrequently, although when they were empathic, it was related
to improved patient perception of communication quality.
PMID- 28993889
TI - Recurrent primary osseous hemangiopericytoma in the thoracic spine: a case report
and literature review.
AB - PURPOSE: Primary osseous hemangiopericytoma (HPC) of the spine is exceedingly
rare. HPC has malignant potential and has the capacity for metastasis and local
recurrence. We herein present the first case of recurrent primary osseous HPC in
the thoracic spine that was successfully treated by total spondylectomy at three
vertebral levels and spinal reconstruction. METHODS: We performed a two-stage
operation for recurrent HPC using anterior and posterior approaches at the T5-T7
vertebrae. The preoperative embolization of the tumor was performed to prevent
massive intraoperative bleeding. Then, total spondylectomy was performed (T5-T7)
to resect the tumor. Anterior spinal reconstruction and posterior instrumentation
were performed, with abundant bone autograft and allograft used to achieve
sufficient boney fusion following the removal of the tumor. RESULTS: At 2 years
after surgery, the patient had made a sufficient recovery from his symptoms. The
bone union was complete without tumor recurrence or implant failure. CONCLUSIONS:
Total spondylectomy and spinal reconstruction with instrumentation might be
useful for performing the safe and adequate excision of recurrent HPC of the
spine. However, patients should be closely monitored to detect local recurrence
and the malignant degeneration of the tumor after surgery.
PMID- 28993890
TI - Resting GABA concentration predicts inhibitory control during an auditory Go-Nogo
task.
AB - Inhibitory control plays an important role in goal-directed behavior. Although
substantial inter-individual variability exists in the behavioral performance of
response inhibition, the corresponding modulating neurochemical and
neurophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to
explore the relationship between behavioral response inhibition, GABA+
concentrations and automatic sensory gating (SG) in the auditory cortices. We
recruited 19 healthy adults to undergo magnetoencephalography, magnetic resonance
spectroscopy (MRS), and behavioral experiments. A paired-stimulus paradigm was
used to study SG of the auditory cortices, and an auditory-driven Go-Nogo task
was used to evaluate the behavioral response inhibition. Resting GABA+
concentrations were measured in the bilateral superior temporal gyri by means of
MRS. Neither GABA+ concentrations nor auditory SG showed significant hemispheric
asymmetry. However, an enhanced SG (lower ratio) was found to correlate with
improved behavioral inhibition. Moreover, a higher GABA+ concentration was
strongly related to improved inhibitory control. These findings highlight the
important role of automatic neurophysiological processes and inhibitory
neurotransmitters in the prediction of the behavioral performance of inhibitory
control.
PMID- 28993891
TI - Value of antibiotic prophylaxis in routine knee arthroscopy : A retrospective
study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Prophylactic antibiotic use prior to routine knee arthroscopy remains
controversial. It is important to know whether antibiotics help decrease the
surgical site infection (SSI) rate. Our aims were to assess the efficacy of
antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing SSI and to identify risk factors for SSI
following routine knee arthroscopy without an implant. METHODS: A retrospective
study was conducted using the electronic medical records at the authors' hospital
to identify patients that underwent routine knee arthroscopy without an implant
between October 2010 and October 2016. Data on demographics, clinical
characteristics and antibiotic administration were extracted. Arthroscopic
diagnosis, debridement, partial or complete meniscectomy, arthroscopic shaving
and microfracture, removal of loose bodies, synovectomy and lateral retinacular
release were included. Complex knee arthroscopy with an implant was excluded.
Patients were divided into evaluation (with prophylactic antibiotics) and control
(no antibiotic treatment) groups. Continuous variables between groups were
compared using the Student's t-test. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared
test for percentages between groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to
identify independent risk factors of SSI. RESULTS: Of 1326 patients, 614 (46.3%)
received prophylactic antibiotics, while 712 (53.7%) did not. There were seven
(0.53%) SSIs. The SSI rate did not differ significantly between patients
receiving antibiotics (0.49%, three) and those not (0.56%, four). Five patients
(0.37%) had superficial infections, two (0.33%) were in the prophylactic
antibiotic group and three (0.42%) were in the other group. Deep infections
occurred in two patients (0.15%), one (0.16%) in the prophylactic antibiotic
group and one (0.14%) in the other group. The difference between the two groups
was not statistically significant (P = 1.0). Age over 50 years was associated
with an increased risk of SSI (relative ratio [RR] = 1.469, 95% confidence
interval [CI] 1.09-2.13, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic antibiotic use in
routine knee arthroscopy without an implant may not be necessary. Age over 50
years was associated with an increased risk of SSI.
PMID- 28993892
TI - Screening investigations in small-for-gestational-age near-term and term infants.
AB - : The aims of this study are to examine how frequently near-term and term small
for-gestational-age (SGA) infants were investigated in our clinical practice,
whether being born less than the third centile for weight increased the yield of
positive investigations, and whether there were additional characteristics in
infants with positive investigations. This retrospective cohort study was
compiled using a database of a large maternity network, using the search near
term and term gestational age (greater than or equal to 35 weeks) over a span of
4 years. SGA babies were further filtered into less than the tenth centile and
third centile. Out of a population of 30,461 infants in the study period, 3437
(11.3%) SGA infants were identified. Four hundred fifteen SGA infants (12.1%)
underwent screening investigations, of which 49 infants (11.8%) yielded a
positive investigation. 27.2% of karyotypes, 12.8% of cranial ultrasounds and
0.4% of urine CMV tests showed positive results in < 10th centile group. Being
born less than the third centile for weight did not increase the yield of
positive investigations. Most infants with positive investigations had an
additional maternal or neonatal characteristic or risk factor present.
CONCLUSION: SGA babies without additional maternal or neonatal characteristics
have a poor yield on neonatal screening investigations. Additional
characteristics may be considered while deciding whether a SGA infant needs
screening investigation. What is Known: * Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants
have an increased risk of short- and long-term complications. * Whilst the causes
for SGA are multifactorial, there has been a tendency to undertake screening
investigations like Toxoplasma, Others, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes group of
viruses (TORCH) screening and cranial ultrasounds in the neonatal period. What is
New: * Comprehensive study investigating the rates of screening in near-term and
term SGA population. * The yield of screening tests for near-term and term SGA
infants without additional antenatal and postnatal characteristics is low.
PMID- 28993893
TI - Identification of arbuscular mycorrhiza-inducible Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide
Transporter Family (NPF) genes in rice.
AB - Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonize up to 90% of all land plants and
facilitate the acquisition of mineral nutrients by their hosts. Inorganic
orthophosphate (Pi) and nitrogen (N) are the major nutrients transferred from the
fungi to plants. While plant Pi transporters involved in nutrient transfer at the
plant-fungal interface have been well studied, the plant N transporters
participating in this process are largely unknown except for some ammonium
transporters (AMT) specifically assigned to arbuscule-colonized cortical cells.
In plants, many nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family (NPF) members
are involved in the translocation of nitrogenous compounds including nitrate,
amino acids, peptides and plant hormones. Whether NPF members respond to AMF
colonization, however, is not yet known. Here, we investigated the
transcriptional regulation of 82 rice (Oryza sativa) NPF genes in response to
colonization by the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis in roots of plants grown under
five different nutrition regimes. Expression of the four OsNPF genes NPF2.2/PTR2,
NPF1.3, NPF6.4 and NPF4.12 was strongly induced in mycorrhizal roots and depended
on the composition of the fertilizer solution, nominating them as interesting
candidates for nutrient signaling and exchange processes at the plant-fungal
interface.
PMID- 28993894
TI - The association of lumbar intervertebral disc calcification on plain radiographs
with the UTE Disc Sign on MRI.
AB - PURPOSE: The pathogenesis and the clinical impact of disc calcification are not
well known. Utilizing ultra-short time-to-echo (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging,
the UTE Disc Sign (UDS) (i.e., hypo/hyper-intense disc band) was developed and
found to be more significantly related to pain and disability than the
conventional T2-weighted (T2W) MRI. It has been hypothesized that the UDS may
represent mineralized deposits in the disc. The following study addressed the
relationship between disc calcification on plain radiographs to that of the UDS
on MRI. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 106 Southern Chinese
subjects (50% male; mean age 52.3 years). Standing lateral plain radiographs as
well as T2W and UTE MRI of L1-S1 (n = 530 discs) were performed of all subjects.
Lateral radiographs were used to localize disc calcification of the lumbar spine,
T2W MRI was utilized to assess disc degeneration based on a defined grading
scheme, and the UTE MRI was implemented to detect the UDS (hyper- or hypo-intense
band across a disc). Disc degeneration and UDS scores were summed to represent
cumulative scores. Subject demographics and disability profiles (Oswestry
Disability Index: ODI) were obtained. RESULTS: Disc calcification on plain
radiographs was observed in 33.9% of subjects (55.5% males; mean age 54.3 years),
whereas UDS was noted in 40.5% of subjects (51.1% males; mean age 55.0 years). Of
these subjects, 66.6% calcification and 74.4% UDS occurred at the three lowest
lumbar levels, while multilevel calcification and UDS involved 19.4 and 39.5%,
respectively. 72.2% of subjects with plain radiographic disc calcification had
corresponding UDS on UTE MRI (p < 0.001). Multilevel disc calcification on plain
radiographs was associated with multilevel UDS (71.4%, p < 0.001). Both the
number of calcified disc levels on plain radiographs and the number of UDS levels
were also significantly and positively correlated with each other (r = 0.58, p <
0.001). Subjects with disc calcification and positive UDS as well as individuals
with increased disc degeneration scores on T2 W MRI were significantly older (p <
0.05). The cumulative UDS score on UTE MRI significantly correlated with worse
ODI scores (r = 0.31; p = 0.001), whereas cumulative disc calcification scores on
plain radiographs did not (r = 0.15; p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
study to compare the UDS on UTE MRI with disc calcification on plain radiographs.
Disc calcification was correlated with the UDS on UTE, suggesting that the UDS
may represent disc calcification. However, UTE MRI appears to be a more sensitive
imaging modality in identifying subtle and unique disc changes that may not be
revealed on plain radiographs or conventional MRI. This disconnect may
rationalize the significant correlation of UTE with disability in comparison with
the conventional imaging, further stressing its potential clinical importance.
PMID- 28993895
TI - Subcellular localization and function of 2LIM proteins in plants and humans.
PMID- 28993896
TI - RCAN1 Mutation and Functional Characterization in Children with Sporadic
Congenital Heart Disease.
AB - Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most frequent birth defect. RCAN1
(regulator of calcineurin 1) contributes to CHD in Down syndrome. However,
whether RCAN1 is also associated with nonsyndromic CHD remains unclear. This
study sequenced the exons and flanking region of RCAN1 in 128 sporadic CHD
patients and 150 normal controls. We identified six novel heterozygous mutations
in CHD patients. Functional assay showed that the g.482G>T could obviously raise
the promoter activity of RCAN1.4 in vitro; However, we failed to detect the
expression of RCAN1 in the right auricle, which made it confused to evaluate the
pathogenicity of this mutation. In addition, we demonstrated that c.290T>C and
g.1056+58C>A had no effect on the alternative splicing of RCAN1. The *196C>T,
*790G>A, and *1278C>G did not influence the translation of RCAN1 post
transcription. In conclusion, a novel mutation of g.482G>T in RCAN1 may be
related to CHD by causing overexpression of RCAN1.4.
PMID- 28993897
TI - Quantitative Image Feature Engine (QIFE): an Open-Source, Modular Engine for 3D
Quantitative Feature Extraction from Volumetric Medical Images.
AB - The aim of this study was to develop an open-source, modular, locally run or
server-based system for 3D radiomics feature computation that can be used on any
computer system and included in existing workflows for understanding associations
and building predictive models between image features and clinical data, such as
survival. The QIFE exploits various levels of parallelization for use on
multiprocessor systems. It consists of a managing framework and four stages:
input, pre-processing, feature computation, and output. Each stage contains one
or more swappable components, allowing run-time customization. We benchmarked the
engine using various levels of parallelization on a cohort of CT scans presenting
108 lung tumors. Two versions of the QIFE have been released: (1) the open-source
MATLAB code posted to Github, (2) a compiled version loaded in a Docker
container, posted to DockerHub, which can be easily deployed on any computer. The
QIFE processed 108 objects (tumors) in 2:12 (h/mm) using 1 core, and 1:04 (h/mm)
hours using four cores with object-level parallelization. We developed the
Quantitative Image Feature Engine (QIFE), an open-source feature-extraction
framework that focuses on modularity, standards, parallelism, provenance, and
integration. Researchers can easily integrate it with their existing segmentation
and imaging workflows by creating input and output components that implement
their existing interfaces. Computational efficiency can be improved by
parallelizing execution at the cost of memory usage. Different parallelization
levels provide different trade-offs, and the optimal setting will depend on the
size and composition of the dataset to be processed.
PMID- 28993898
TI - Dynamic transcriptomic analysis in hircine longissimus dorsi muscle from fetal to
neonatal development stages.
AB - Muscle growth and development from fetal to neonatal stages consist of a series
of delicately regulated and orchestrated changes in expression of genes. In this
study, we performed whole transcriptome profiling based on RNA-Seq of caprine
longissimus dorsi muscle tissue obtained from prenatal stages (days 45, 60, and
105 of gestation) and neonatal stage (the 3-day-old newborn) to identify genes
that are differentially expressed and investigate their temporal expression
profiles. A total of 3276 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified
(Q value < 0.01). Time-series expression profile clustering analysis indicated
that DEGs were significantly clustered into eight clusters which can be divided
into two classes (Q value < 0.05), class I profiles with downregulated patterns
and class II profiles with upregulated patterns. Based on cluster analysis, GO
enrichment analysis found that 75, 25, and 8 terms to be significantly enriched
in biological process (BP), cellular component (CC), and molecular function (MF)
categories in class I profiles, while 35, 21, and 8 terms to be significantly
enriched in BP, CC, and MF in class II profiles. KEGG pathway analysis revealed
that DEGs from class I profiles were significantly enriched in 22 pathways and
the most enriched pathway was Rap1 signaling pathway. DEGs from class II profiles
were significantly enriched in 17 pathways and the mainly enriched pathway was
AMPK signaling pathway. Finally, six selected DEGs from our sequencing results
were confirmed by qPCR. Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the
molecular mechanisms during goat skeletal muscle development from fetal to
neonatal stages and valuable information for future studies of muscle development
in goats.
PMID- 28993899
TI - Industrial antifoam agents impair ethanol fermentation and induce stress
responses in yeast cells.
AB - The Brazilian sugarcane industry constitutes one of the biggest and most
efficient ethanol production processes in the world. Brazilian ethanol production
utilizes a unique process, which includes cell recycling, acid wash, and non
aseptic conditions. Process characteristics, such as extensive CO2 generation,
poor quality of raw materials, and frequent contaminations, all lead to excessive
foam formation during fermentations, which is treated with antifoam agents (AFA).
In this study, we have investigated the impact of industrial AFA treatments on
the physiology and transcriptome of the industrial ethanol strain Saccharomyces
cerevisiae CAT-1. The investigated AFA included industrially used AFA acquired
from Brazilian ethanol plants and commercially available AFA commonly used in the
fermentation literature. In batch fermentations, it was shown that industrial AFA
compromised growth rates and glucose uptake rates, while commercial AFA had no
effect in concentrations relevant for defoaming purposes. Industrial AFA were
further tested in laboratory scale simulations of the Brazilian ethanol
production process and proved to decrease cell viability compared to the control,
and the effects were intensified with increasing AFA concentrations and exposure
time. Transcriptome analysis showed that AFA treatments induced additional stress
responses in yeast cells compared to the control, shown by an up-regulation of
stress-specific genes and a down-regulation of lipid biosynthesis, especially
ergosterol. By documenting the detrimental effects associated with chemical AFA,
we highlight the importance of developing innocuous systems for foam control in
industrial fermentation processes.
PMID- 28993900
TI - Outcome of secondary root canal treatment filled with Thermafil: a 5-year follow
up of retrospective cohort study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present retrospective cohort study was to assess the 5
year outcome and survival of secondary root canal treatments (2 degrees RCT),
exploring the influence of pre-, intra-, and post-operative variables. MATERIALS
AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-two endodontically retreated teeth were
radiographically and clinically re-examined after 5 years. 2 degrees RCT had been
performed during a Masters program following standardized protocols and filled
with AH Plus/Thermafil (TF). Pre-, intra-, and post-operative data were
collected. The 5-year outcome was blindly evaluated and categorized as
healed/diseased on the basis of the periapical index. Bivariate analysis and chi
square test evaluated the association between outcome and 31 demographic/clinical
parameters. Multilevel analysis was performed at both patient and tooth level.
Statistical significance was calculated at 5% level. RESULTS: At 5-year
evaluation, survival rate was 80% with 7.5% lost for endodontic reasons. Eighty
three percent of the teeth were classified as healed. Multilevel analysis
identified significant predictors of increased survival: female gender (p =
0.012), absence of a pre-operative metal post (p = 0.017), conservative apical
preparation (diameter size < #35) (p = 0.039), teeth restored with a crown (p =
0.009), and final PAI (after 5 years) <= 2 (p = 0.001). Multilevel analysis
identified as predictor healing: not being a smoker (p = 0.048) and conservative
apical preparation < size #35 (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Outcome of 2 degrees RCT
filled with Thermafil was successful at 5 years, showing a high rate of survived
and healed teeth comparable to that reported previously for other obturation
techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Present findings confirm 2 degrees RCT as a valid
therapeutic option to retain natural teeth.
PMID- 28993901
TI - Collagen gel droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity test for adjuvant
chemotherapy after complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer.
AB - PURPOSE: We conducted a prospective clinical study to individualize adjuvant
chemotherapy after complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC),
based on the drug sensitivity test. METHODS: Patients with resectable c-stage IB
IIIA NSCLC were registered between 2005 and 2010. We performed the collagen gel
droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) on a fresh surgical
specimen to assess in vitro chemosensitivity and evaluated the prognostic outcome
after adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin/paclitaxel based on the CD-DST.
RESULTS: Among 92 registered patients, 87 were eligible for inclusion in the
analysis. The success rate of CD-DST was 86% and chemosensitivity to carboplatin
and/or paclitaxel was evident in 57 (76%) of the 75 patients. Adjuvant
chemotherapy was completed in 22 (73%) of 30 patients. The 5-year overall
survival rates were 71, 73, and 75% for all, CD-DST success, and chemosensitive
patients, respectively. The 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival
rates of the chemosensitive patients who completed adjuvant chemotherapy using
carboplatin/paclitaxel were 68 and 82%, respectively. The 5-year disease-free
survival and overall survival rates of the patients with stage II-IIIA
chemosensitive NSCLC were 58 and 75%, respectively. Comparative analyses of the
chemosensitive and non-chemosensitive/CD-DST failure groups showed no significant
survival difference. CONCLUSIONS: CD-DST can be used to evaluate chemosensitivity
after lung cancer surgery; however, its clinical efficacy for assessing
individualized treatment remains uncertain.
PMID- 28993903
TI - 2017 Awards in the Journal of Plant Research.
PMID- 28993902
TI - Cardiac involvement in undifferentiated connective tissue disease at risk for
systemic sclerosis (otherwise referred to as very early-early systemic
sclerosis): a TDI study.
AB - Undifferentiated connective tissue disease at risk for systemic sclerosis (UCTD
risk-SSc), otherwise referred to as very early-early SSc, is a condition
characterized by Raynaud's phenomenon with serum SSc marker autoantibodies and/or
typical capillaroscopic findings and unsatisfying classification criteria for the
disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of right (RV)
or left ventricular (LV) systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction by standard
echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Thirty patients with UCTD-risk
SSc (28 female, mean age 47 +/- 13 years, range 21-70) and 30 age- and sex
matched controls underwent cardiac assessment by standard echocardiography and
TDI. UCTD-risk-SSc patients and controls did not show any difference at standard
echocardiography. Despite results falling within the respective normal ranges,
TDI pointed out a mild impairment of LV and RV diastolic (E m 15 +/- 4 vs. 19 +/-
5, p = 0.0004; E/E m 6.1 +/- 1.7 vs. 4.8 +/- 1.2, p = 0.001; E t 14 +/- 3 vs. 16
+/- 2, p = 0.02; E t/A t 0.9 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.3, p = 0.002; E/E t 3.5 +/-
1.2 vs. 4.2 +/- 0.9, p = 0.02) and systolic function (S m 13 +/- 3 vs. 15 +/- 2
cm/s, p < 0.0003; S t 14 +/- 2 vs. 16 +/- 3 cm/s, p < 0.0001) and increased
estimated pulmonary artery wedge pressure (9 +/- 2 vs. 8 +/- 1, p = 0.001) in
UCTD-risk-SSc patients as compared to controls. Notably, a statistically
significant difference also emerged in the prevalence of TDI detected E'/A't,
(71% of UCTD-risk-SSc patients vs. 19% of controls; p < 0.0001). Our study shows
that UCTD-risk-SSc patients show a previously unrecognized, mild biventricular
systolic and diastolic dysfunction as compared to controls. The pathophysiologic
meaning as well the predictive value of developing overt SSc await to be
elucidated.
PMID- 28993904
TI - Management of radiation-induced mucosal necrosis with photobiomodulation therapy.
PMID- 28993905
TI - Large semicircular inverted internal limiting membrane flap in the treatment of
macular hole in high myopia.
AB - PURPOSE: To describe the technique and surgical outcomes of a modified large
semicircular inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap in the management of
macular holes (MHs) in patients with high myopia. METHODS: We performed this
retrospective study on consecutive patients with MH and high myopia (axial length
>= 28 mm),who received vitrectomy, a large semicircular ILM flap 4 discs in
diameter to cover the MH, incomplete air-fluid exchange, and SF6 gas tamponade.
All of the patients maintained an upright position for 2 h postoperatively,
followed by either a face-down or upright position for 1 week. Post-operative
visual acuity was measured, and MH status was assessed using spectral-domain
optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Seventeen highly myopic eyes in 16
patients with a mean axial length of 30.49 +/- 0.98 mm and mean age of 62.25 +/-
9.40 years were included in this study, including five eyes with foveoschisis and
four eyes with chronic MH, two with myopic choroidal neovascularization, and four
with MH-associated retinal detachment. The MHs of all patients were successfully
closed after a single operation. All of the patients were followed for at least 6
months. The average visual acuity in logarithm of minimal angle of resolution
improved from 1.26 +/- 0.52 preoperatively to 0.69 +/- 0.45 6 months
postoperatively (p = 0.01, paired t-test). CONCLUSION: A large semicircular
inverted ILM flap can close a myopic MH efficiently without the need for a long
term face-down position.
PMID- 28993906
TI - Antiangiogenesis and medical therapy failure in intracranial atherosclerosis.
AB - Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is one of the most common causes of
stroke worldwide and the one with the worst prognosis. In this study, we assessed
the hypothesis that the balance of circulating pro- and antiangiogenic factors
plays a role in the evolution of the disease and can be used as a potential
marker for the disease course and a target for treatment. Seventy-four patients
with severe ICAD were enrolled in this prospective observational study, medically
optimized, and followed for 6 months. Thirteen pro- and eight antiangiogenic
factors were measured in the participants' serum using a sandwich multiplex
ELISA. Angiogenic profiles were calculated using principal component analysis. We
tested the association between angiogenic profiles and recurring cerebrovascular
events despite intensive medical therapy, disability at 6 months after
enrollment, and angiographic neovascularization in patients who failed medical
treatment and underwent indirect revascularization surgery. There is a strong
association between a functionally antiangiogenic profile and recurrent stroke or
TIA in patients with ICAD (OR = 7.2, CI 2.4-34.4). Multivariable regression
analysis showed that this antiangiogenic profile was also associated with poor
functional status after 6 months (p = 0.002), independent from other clinical
features such as history of previous stroke, diabetes, and age. In patients who
failed medical management and underwent indirect revascularization surgery, high
endostatin and angiostatin levels were also associated with low angiographic
neovascularization (p = 0.02). The results of this study point to the striking
importance of antiangiogenesis as a determinant of ICAD patient prognosis and
suggest a possible new target for therapy.
PMID- 28993907
TI - [Munich Nomenclature III: classification according to risk : Follow-up for
conspicuous squamous findings].
AB - AIM: The present study evaluates the risk of progression of cytologic diagnoses
which do not require immediate therapy but do need follow-up. The presented data
can contribute to risk-adapted management strategies, according to Munich
Nomenclature III. METHODS: Between January 2014 and March 2016, 3396 women were
diagnosed as group II-p, IIID1, III-p, IIID2, IVa-p, IVb-p, and V-p and represent
the study population. Follow-up information on all subsequent cytologic and
histologic findings were collected up to July 2017. For the initial cytologic
diagnosis, the cumulative risk of CIN2+ or CIN3+ and the risk for persistent
pathologic findings was calculated. RESULTS: The cumulative risk of CIN2+ for
initial findings II-p, IIID1, III-p, and IIID2 is calculated as 7.3, 17.1, 46.3,
and 62.4%, respectively, after a mean observation period of 24.4, 21.1, 15.6, and
14.3 months. The cumulative risk of CIN3+ (%) is determined as 5.0, 9.3, 37.6,
and 45.8. For persistent cytologic diagnoses II-p, IIID1, III-p, and IIID2, the
risk of CIN2+ increases significantly after the second result (0 to 3.6, 0.21 to
3.6, 7.2 to 58.3, and 8.1 to 64.7%). Risk of CIN2+ and CIN3+ for group III-p is
significantly higher for women <35 years and <30 years compared with women of
higher age. There are no significant age-dependent differences for findings II-p,
IIID1, and IIID2. CONCLUSIONS: The Munich Nomenclature III classifies cytologic
findings according to risk. The diagnostic groups of the Munich Nomenclature III
provide a solid basis for a risk-adapted clinical management, if the cytologic
history of the individual patient is taken into account.
PMID- 28993908
TI - ROS generation and JNK activation contribute to 4-methoxy-TEMPO-induced
cytotoxicity, autophagy, and DNA damage in HepG2 cells.
AB - 4-Methoxy-TEMPO, a derivative of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO), is
a stable nitroxide radical and is generally used in organic and pharmaceutical
syntheses for the oxidation of alcohols. Previously, we reported the involvement
of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) in TEMPO
induced apoptosis in mouse L5178Y cells. In this study, we investigated 4-methoxy
TEMPO induced toxicity in human HepG2 hepatoma cells and its underlying
mechanisms. Treatments with 4-methoxy-TEMPO (0.5-5 mM for 2-6 h) caused oxidative
stress as demonstrated by increased intensity of the ROS indicator H2DCF-DA,
decreased levels of glutathione. 4-Methoxy-TEMPO treatment also induced DNA
damage as characterized by increased levels of DNA tail intensity in the Comet
assay, increased phosphorylation of related proteins including gamma-H2A.X, p
Chk1, and p-Chk2, and activation of MAPK signaling pathways. In addition, 4
methoxy-TEMPO also induced autophagy as demonstrated by the conversion of LC3B-I
to II, decreased level of p62, and the appearance of GFP-LC3B punctae. To
investigate the crosstalk between different signaling pathways, pretreatment of
HepG2 with N-acetylcysteine, an ROS scavenger, attenuated 4-methoxy-TEMPO-induced
DNA damage, suppressed JNK activation, and diminished autophagy induction.
Furthermore, inhibiting JNK activation by a JNK-specific inhibitor, SP600125,
decreased DNA damage levels induced by 4-methoxy-TEMPO. These results suggest
that multiple mechanisms including ROS generation, DNA damage, and MAPK
activation contribute to 4-methoxy-TEMPO-induced toxicity.
PMID- 28993909
TI - Coexistence of CLCN1 and SCN4A mutations in one family suffering from myotonia.
AB - Non-dystrophic myotonias are characterized by clinical overlap making it
challenging to establish genotype-phenotype correlations. We report clinical and
electrophysiological findings in a girl and her father concomitantly harbouring
single heterozygous mutations in SCN4A and CLCN1 genes. Functional
characterization of N1297S hNav1.4 mutant was performed by patch clamp. The
patients displayed a mild phenotype, mostly resembling a sodium channel myotonia.
The CLCN1 c.501C>G (p.F167L) mutation has been already described in recessive
pedigrees, whereas the SCN4A c.3890A>G (p.N1297S) variation is novel. Patch clamp
experiments showed impairment of fast and slow inactivation of the mutated Nav1.4
sodium channel. The present findings suggest that analysis of both SCN4A and
CLCN1 genes should be considered in myotonic patients with atypical clinical and
neurophysiological features.
PMID- 28993910
TI - Improved process conditions for increasing expression of MHC class II protein
from a stable Drosophila S2 cell line.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of operational process conditions on
expression of MHC class II protein from a stable Drosophila S2 cell line.
RESULTS: When the Drosophila S2 cells were grown in vented orbitally shaken
TubeSpin bioreactor 600 containers, cell growth was improved three-fold and the
yield of recombinant major histocompatibility (MHC) class II protein (HLA
DR12xHis) increased four-fold over the levels observed for the same cells
cultivated in roller bottles (RB) without vented caps. Culturing in RB with
vented caps while increasing the rotation speed from 6 rpm to 18 rpm also
improved cell growth five-fold and protein productivity three-fold which is
comparable to the levels observed in the orbitally shaken containers. Protein
activity was found to be almost identical between the two vessel systems tested.
CONCLUSIONS: Optimized cell culture conditions and a more efficient vessel type
can enhance gas transfer and mixing and lead to substantial improvement of
recombinant product yields from S2 cells.
PMID- 28993911
TI - Identifying the Intersection of Alcohol, Adherence and Sex in HIV Positive Men on
ART Treatment in India Using an Adapted Timeline Followback Procedure.
AB - People living with HIV (PLHIV) on anti-retroviral treatment (ART) who drink are
less adherent and more likely to engage in unprotected sex but the connections
among these events are correlational. Using an adapted Timeline Follow-Back (A
TLFB) procedure, this paper examines the day by day interface of alcohol,
medication adherence and sex to provide a fine grained understanding of how
multiple behavioral risks coincide in time and space, explores
concordance/discordance of measures with survey data and identifies potential
recall bias. Data are drawn from a survey of behavior, knowledge and attitudes,
and a 30 day TLFB assessment of multiple risk behaviors adapted for the Indian
PLHIV context, administered to 940 alcohol-consuming, HIV positive men on ART at
the baseline evaluation stage of a multilevel, multi-centric intervention study.
On days participants drank they were significantly more likely to be medication
non-adherent and to have unprotected sex. In the first day after their alcohol
consuming day, the pattern of nonadherence persisted. Binge and regular drinking
days were associated with nonadherence but only binge drinking co-occurred with
unprotected sex. Asking about specific "drinking days" improved recall for
drinking days and number of drinks consumed. Recall declined for both drinking
days and nonadherence from the first week to subsequent weeks but varied randomly
for sex risk. There was high concordance and low discordance between A-TLFB
drinking and nonadherence but these results were reversed for unprotected sex.
Moving beyond simple drinking-adherence correlational analysis, the A-TLFB offers
improved recall probes and provides researchers and interventionists with the
opportunity to identify types of risky days and tailor behavioral modification to
reduce alcohol consumption, nonadherence and risky sex on those days.
PMID- 28993912
TI - The utility of magnetic resonance imaging in addition to computed tomography
scans in the evaluation of cervical spine injuries: a study of obtunded blunt
trauma patients.
AB - PURPOSE: Evidence guiding the use of CT and MRI scans in blunt trauma patients
who are obtunded remains controversial. This study aims to determine and predict
if computed tomography (CT) scans alone can be performed without risking
oversight of substantial injuries found on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI). METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 63 blunt trauma patients
with a Glasgow Coma Scale of < 8. Data were collated from electronic medical
records and included patient demographics, premorbid mobility, mechanism of
injury, suspected level of injury and neurological examination findings. Patients
were urgently evaluated using CT scans, followed by non-contrast MRI scans within
48 h of admission. The accuracy of CT scan was evaluated using MRI as a
reference. Adjusted multivariable analysis was also performed to identify
predictors for findings detected on MRI but not on CT. RESULTS: The mean age of
patients was 42.3 years and 90.5% were males. CT scans had a high specificity of
100% and sensitivity of 87.2%. Predictors of MRI abnormalities include females,
patients with relatively milder mechanisms of injury, patients with suspected
thoracic spine injury, and CT scan findings of facet dislocation and intracranial
haemorrhage. There was no predictor for spinal cord oedema. CONCLUSIONS: MRI
should be performed in the presence of the aforementioned predictive factors and
in the presence of neurological deficits. Otherwise, patients can be treated
medically without the fear of missing a substantial cervical injury.
PMID- 28993913
TI - Pelvic fractures in the Netherlands: epidemiology, characteristics and risk
factors for in-hospital mortality in the older and younger population.
AB - PURPOSE: To examine nationwide epidemiology of pelvic fractures in the
Netherlands and to compare characteristics and outcome of older versus younger
patients as well as predictors for in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Retrospective
review of pelvic fracture patients admitted to all Dutch hospitals (2008-2012)
utilizing National Trauma Registry. Average annual incidence of (minor and major)
pelvic fractures was calculated for the population. Older (>= 65 years) and
younger (< 65 years) patients were compared. Multivariate regression analysis was
performed to identify independent predictors for in-hospital mortality. RESULTS:
Of 11,879 pelvic fracture patients (61.8%, >= 65 years), annual incidence of
pelvic fractures in older versus younger population was 57.9 versus 6.4 per
100,000 persons. Older patients had lower ISS (7.1 (SD 6.9) vs 15.4 (SD 13.4))
and less frequently had severe associated injuries (15.6 vs 43.5%), an admission
systolic blood pressure (SBP) <= 90 mmHg (1.6 vs 4.1%) or Glasgow Coma Score
(GCS) <= 12 (2.0 vs 13.3%) (all, p < 0.01). In-hospital mortality was equal in
older and younger patients (5.3 vs 4.8%: p = 0.28). In both subgroups, greatest
independent predictors for in-hospital mortality were GCS <= 12, ISS >= 16, and
SBP <= 90 mmHg and in all patients age >= 65 (OR 6.59 (5.12-8.48): p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: The annual incidence of (both minor and major) pelvic fractures in
the older population was substantially higher than in the younger population.
Elderly patients had a disproportionately high in-hospital mortality rate
considering they were less severely injured. Among other factors, age was the
greatest independent predictor for in-hospital mortality in all pelvic fracture
patients.
PMID- 28993915
TI - Impact of the New Mental Health Services on Rates of Suicide and Hospitalisations
by Attempted Suicide, Psychiatric Problems, and Alcohol Problems in Brazil.
AB - A sizeable proportion of all suicides have mental health issues in the
background. The association between access to mental health care in the community
and decreased suicide rates is inconsistent in the literature. Brazil undertook a
major psychiatric reform strengthening psychiatric community-based care. To
evaluate the impact of the new Brazilian community mental health care units (CAPS
Psychosocial-Community-Centres) on municipal rates of suicide, and
hospitalisations by attempted suicide, psychiatric and alcohol problems. We
performed robust multivariable negative binomial regression models with fixed
effect for panel data from all 5507 Brazilian municipalities. Suicide and
hospitalization rates were calculated by sex and standardised by age for each
municipality and year from 2008 to 2012. The main variable of interest was
municipal CAPS coverage. CAPS municipal coverage was associated with lower
suicide rates but this was not statistically significant (RR: 0.981; 95% CI 0.952
1.011). However, increased CAPS coverage was associated with lower
hospitalizations for attempted suicide (RR: 0.887; 95% CI 0.841-0.935),
psychiatric (RR: 0.841; 95% CI 0.821-0.862), and alcohol problems (RR: 0.882; 95%
CI 0.860-0.904). Our results suggest that access to community mental health
services seems to reduce hospitalisations due to attempted suicide, psychiatric
and alcohol problems but not suicidal rates. Therefore, increased investments in
community mental health services in low-middle-income countries might decrease
costs associated with potentially avoidable hospitalizations.
PMID- 28993914
TI - Operative vectors, anatomic distortion, fluid dynamics and the inherent effects
of pneumatic insufflation encountered during transanal total mesorectal excision.
AB - BACKGROUND: Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) is an altogether
different approach to rectal cancer surgery, and the effects of carbon dioxide
(CO2) on this dissection remain poorly described. METHODS: This article
critically examines the effect of carbon dioxide insufflation and the workspace
it creates during the process of taTME. The unique aspects of insulation with
this approach are governed by the laws of physics, especially the principles of
fluid dynamics, an area that remains poorly described for laparoscopy and not at
all described for taTME. RESULTS: A summary of established factors which affect
the operative field of the taTME surgeon is delineated and further explored. In
addition, new concepts regarding gas delivery, such as insufflation vectors,
anatomic distortion, hyper-dissection, and workspace volume rate of change as a
function of taTME dissection time, are addressed. Collectively, these factors
pose important challenges which increase case complexity and are thus essential
for taTME trainers and trainees alike to understand. CONCLUSIONS: Although an
invisible gas, CO2 insufflation with taTME produces markedly visible effects
which are imposed upon the operative field. This can result in anatomic
distortion and misperception of operative planes. Thus, practicing taTME surgeons
should be cognizant of these effects.
PMID- 28993916
TI - Antimicrobial metabolites from Saraca asoca impairs the membrane transport system
and quorum-sensing system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB - This study was conducted to explore the antimicrobial mechanism of metabolites
from Saraca asoca (SA1) using differential proteomics and metabolic profile of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa after treatment with effective sub-MIC dose of 312 ug/mL.
SA1 fraction was found to contain antibacterial metabolites catechol,
protocatechuic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate. Proteome analysis revealed 33
differentially expressed proteins after SA1 treatment. Protein network analysis
showed that SA1 treatment upregulated the DNA topological and metabolic
processes. Furthermore, it revealed that T2SS, cellular component biogenesis, and
response to chemical stimuli were inhibited by SA1 treatment, supported by down
regulated Na+/H+ antiporter, SdeX, ompK, and trbD proteins. Statistical analysis
of mass data revealed the altered level of 20 metabolites includes HSLs, PQS,
rhamnolipid, and pyocyanin. Proteome and metabolome results showed that treatment
impaired cell membrane functions and quorum-sensing system. It was further
confirmed by increased MDA (3.95 fold), and rhamnolipids (4.3 fold) production
and, therefore, oxidative stress (36.9%) after SA1 treatment.
PMID- 28993917
TI - Cognitive test batteries in animal cognition research: evaluating the past,
present and future of comparative psychometrics.
AB - For the past two decades, behavioural ecologists have documented consistent
individual differences in behavioural traits within species and found evidence
for animal "personality". It is only relatively recently, however, that
increasing numbers of researchers have begun to investigate individual
differences in cognitive ability within species. It has been suggested that
cognitive test batteries may provide an ideal tool for this growing research
endeavour. In fact, cognitive test batteries have now been used to examine the
causes, consequences and underlying structure of cognitive performance within and
between many species. In this review, we document the existing attempts to
develop cognitive test batteries for non-human animals and review the claims that
these studies have made in terms of the structure and evolution of cognition. We
argue that our current test battery methods could be improved on multiple fronts,
from the design of tasks, to the domains targeted and the species tested.
Refining and optimising test battery design will provide many benefits. In
future, we envisage that well-designed cognitive test batteries may provide
answers to a range of exciting questions, including giving us greater insight
into the evolution and structure of cognition.
PMID- 28993918
TI - A new albumin-depletion strategy improves proteomic research of gingival
crevicular fluid from periodontitis patients.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), the inflammatory infiltrate within
the crevicular sulcus, is of great importance for diverse processes in the oral
cavity and has a high impact in oral sciences. It is assumed to serve as a source
of biomarkers for systemic or periodontal diseases and mediators of orthodontic
tooth movement. In order to characterize the protein content of the GCF in an
unbiased and complete approach, we employed mass spectrometry (MS), which allows
not only the identification, but also the quantification of these proteins. In
samples obtained from patients suffering from periodontitis, this method is often
limited due to the presence of highly abundant serum albumin deriving from serum.
The aim of this investigation was to employ a protein precipitation procedure for
the efficient depletion of serum albumin from GCF samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
GFC samples collected from five adult periodontitis patients were fractionated by
trichloroacetic acid/acetone precipitation and the resulting soluble and pelleted
fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
RESULTS: Trichloroacetic acid/acetone precipitation was successfully employed as
a protein precipitation procedure for the efficient depletion of serum albumin
from GCF samples. Careful analysis revealed that the precipitation step reduced
the serum albumin content efficiently, and increased subsequent protein
identifications by 32%. Three hundred seventeen proteins could only be identified
with this new approach. CONCLUSION: The increased coverage of the GCF proteome
will help improve our understanding of molecular mechanisms in the periodontium
during pathogenesis of periodontitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our new albumin
depletion strategy combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry can be used to
effectively monitor the molecular signals of the periodontium.
PMID- 28993919
TI - Deinococcus petrolearius sp. nov. isolated from crude oil recovery water in
China.
AB - A Gram-stain positive, non-motile, spherical, red-pigmented and facultatively
anaerobic bacterium, designated strain 6.1T, was isolated from a crude oil
recovery water sample from the Huabei oil field in China. The novel strain
exhibited tolerance of UV irradiation (> 1000 J m-2). Based on 16S rRNA gene
sequence comparisons, strain 6.1T shows high similarity to Deinococcus citri DSM
24791T (98.1%) and Deinococcus gobiensis I-0T (97.8%), with less than 93.5%
similarity to other closely related taxa. The major cellular fatty acids were
identified as summed feature 3 (C16:1 omega7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH), followed by
iso-C17:1 omega9c and C16:0. The polar lipid profile was found to contain
phospholipids, glycolipids, phosphoglycolipids and aminophospholipids. The
predominant respiratory quinone was identified as MK-8. The DNA G + C content was
determined to be 68.3 mol %. DNA-DNA hybridization between strain 6.1T and D.
citri DSM 24791T was 45.6 +/- 7.1% and with D. gobiensis I-OT was 36.6 +/- 4.7%.
On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, we conclude
strain 6.1T represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which we
propose the name Deinococcus petrolearius sp. nov. The type strain is 6.1T (=
CGMCC 1.15053T = KCTC 33744T).
PMID- 28993920
TI - Laparoscopic lymph node dissection around the inferior mesenteric artery for left
sided colon and rectal cancer.
AB - Lymph node dissection is a critical part of surgery for colorectal cancer.
Japanese D3 and complete mesocolic excision are two unique principles for lymph
node dissection in colorectal cancer. Laparoscopic surgery magnifies the targets
and provides insight about the micro-anatomy through high-quality, high
definition imaging, which benefits the surgeon. Although laparoscopic colorectal
resection is feasible, there is no universal procedure. We describe in detail the
anatomy viewed during lymph node dissection around the inferior mesenteric
artery. Visual recognition of two folds on both sides of Landzert's fossa is the
critical first step, as recognizing these structures allows laparoscopic
procedures to be performed safely. Our findings suggest that this procedure is
feasible and effective for the surgical treatment of patients with left-sided
colon or rectal cancer.
PMID- 28993921
TI - [Nanna Svartz (1890-1986) : The first female professor of medicine in Sweden].
AB - Nanna Svartz was a charismatic character who played a significant role in Swedish
medicine in the mid-twentieth century. As one of five brothers and sisters, she
escaped an early death from tuberculosis. She reached 96 years of age. Her
diligence and sense of duty were legendary, along with her ambition to fully
prove herself as "the first female professor". She inherited a certain insecurity
from her father that led to her difficulty in taking criticism. Despite extensive
academic obligations, she worked as a treating doctor for 55 years and always
took her time with her patients, especially if they held important public
positions. Nanna was honoured several times in her lifetime. Among others, she
was a member of the Leopoldina, the National Academy of Germany, and received
many honorary doctorates, for example, from Rockefeller College (USA) and the Abo
University (Turku, Finland). She was an honorary member of over 40 scientific
societies. Underneath the new auditorium in the Karolinska Institute, a
restaurant and a street in her home town of Vasteras bear her name. An annual
international Nanna Svartz Lecture is held by the Swedish Society for
Rheumatology, and a Nanna Svartz Prize is awarded annually to a deserving young
Swedish rheumatologist.
PMID- 28993922
TI - 100 kGy gamma-affected microbial communities within the ancient Arctic permafrost
under simulated Martian conditions.
AB - This research aimed to investigate the viability and biodiversity of microbial
communities within ancient Arctic permafrost after exposure to a gamma-radiation
dose of 100 kGy at low temperature (- 50 degrees C), low pressure (1 Torr) and
dehydration conditions. The main objective was to assess the possibility for long
term survival of Earth-bound microorganisms in the subsurface of Martian regolith
or inside small space bodies at constant absorption and accumulation of the gamma
radiation dose. Investigated microbial communities had shown high resistance to a
simulated Martian environment. After irradiation the total count of prokaryotic
cells and number of metabolically active bacterial cells remained at the control
level, while the number of bacterial CFUs decreased by 2 orders of magnitude, and
the number of metabolically active cells of archaea decreased threefold. Besides,
the abundance of culturable bacteria after irradiation was kept at a high level:
not less than 3.7 * 105 cells/g. Potential metabolic activity of irradiated
microbial communities in general were higher than in the control sample. A fairly
high biodiversity of bacteria was detected in the exposed sample of permafrost,
although the microbial community structure underwent significant changes after
irradiation. In particular, actinobacteria populations of the genus Arthrobacter,
which was not revealed in the control samples, became predominant in bacterial
communities following the exposure. The results of the study testify that long
term preservation of microbial life inside Martian permafrost is possible. The
data obtained can also be evaluated from the perspective of the potential for
discovering viable Earth-bound microorganisms on other objects in the Solar
system and inside of small bodies in outer space.
PMID- 28993923
TI - An optimal design for the study of palliative sedation-making somewhat better
pictures.
PMID- 28993924
TI - Effects of Acetylcholine on beta-Amyloid-Induced cPLA2 Activation in the TB
Neuroectodermal Cell Line: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's
Disease.
AB - The role of beta-amyloid (Abeta) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD)
is still considered crucial. The state of Abeta aggregation is critical in
promoting neuronal loss and neuronal function impairment. Recently, we
demonstrated that Acetylcholine (ACh) is neuroprotective against the toxic
effects of Abeta in the cholinergic LAN-2 cells. In biophysical experiments, ACh
promotes the soluble Abeta peptide conformation rather than the aggregation-prone
beta-sheet conformation. In order to better understand the biological role of ACh
in AD, we studied the effect of Abeta on the phosphorylation of the cytosolic
phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in the TB neuroectodermal cell line, which
differentiates toward a neuronal phenotype when cultured in the presence of
retinoic acid (RA). We chose the phosphorylated form of cPLA2 (Ser505, Phospho
cPLA2) as a biomarker to test the influence of ACh on the effects of Abeta in
both undifferentiated and RA-differentiated TB cells. Our results show that TB
cells are responsive to Abeta. Moreover, in undifferentiated cells 1 h treatment
with Abeta induces a 2.5-fold increase of the Phospho-cPLA2 level compared to the
control after 24 h in vitro, while no significant difference is observed between
Abeta-treated and non-treated cells after 4 and 7 days in vitro. The RA
differentiated cells are not sensitive to Abeta. In TB cell line ACh is able to
blunt the effects of Abeta. The ability of ACh to protect non-cholinergic cells
against Abeta reinforces the hypothesis that, in addition to its role in
cholinergic transmission, ACh could also act as a neuroprotective agent.
PMID- 28993925
TI - Microhabitat use of the western black-crested gibbon inhabiting an isolated
forest fragment in southern Yunnan, China: implications for conservation of an
endangered species.
AB - Due to the synergistic effects of hunting and habitat loss, populations of the
western black-crested gibbon are currently restricted to isolated forest
fragments. The home range use of this species in fragmented forests is
presumptively related to spatial, food and vegetation attributes, as in other
primates. We examined the distributions of different food resources, the
structure of the vegetation (tree density, DBH, and height), and the microhabitat
use of one gibbon group in an isolated and disturbed forest at Bajiaohe in
southern Yunnan, China. The results indicated that the gibbons used the edge
habitat frequently, which was subject to more anthropogenic disturbance than the
interior forest, and they appeared to adapt to discontinuous canopy cover by
using bamboo and tsaoko plants for travel. The group also modified its diet in
response to fluctuations in food availability and the local flora. However, the
gibbons intensively used areas with high tree fruit availability across the two
study periods. It is suggested that the microhabitat use by the group was mostly
affected by the distribution of particular food resources and canopy gaps caused
by selective logging. Protecting the current distribution area and planting
native important food species to boost habitat quality and connectivity should be
considered as part of conservation plans of the western black crested gibbon
living in limited areas.
PMID- 28993926
TI - Effects of dust on forest tree health in Zagros oak forests.
AB - Dust is one of the most devastating factors for the environment threatening all
animal and plant species. In many regions, the ecological and economic impact of
microdust on scarce species is critical. In the western region of Iran, the
Zagros forests have been exposed to dust storms for many years. In this study,
the effect of dust on oak trees, the most important trees of Zagros forests, is
investigated. For this purpose, 3-year-old seedlings of three species of oak
trees under natural conditions were exposed to dust during spring and summer
months. Seedlings were divided into two groups; one group was assigned as dust
treatment and the other as control that the control group washed regularly to
remove dust. Anatomical characteristics of leaves and dust deposits on leaves
during the study period were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The
rate of photosynthesis and gas exchange in control and treated plants was
examined by IRGA, LCI. SEM images showed that stomata structure, trichome
density, and epicuticular waxes of leaves are different in all three species.
This difference in micromorphology of species influences the effects of dust
deposited on the leaves. A comparison of leaf species images in control and dust
treatment showed that in dust treatment the percentage of stomata blocked by dust
in three species (per unit area) of Quercus infectoria, Q. libni, and Q. brantii
were 61/6, 48/4, and 38/1%, respectively. The results of leaf gas exchange
investigation indicated that stomatal occlusion by dust had a negative impact on
the examined parameters of three oak species (P <= 0.01). Thus, gas exchange and
photosynthetic rates of the treated species were significantly reduced. The
results of both parts of the study showed the vulnerability of the three species
to dust as Q. infectoria > Q. libni > Q. brantii. Therefore, based on these
findings, dust can disrupt the physiological activities of the studied species
and the continuation of the exposure to dust will accelerate the process of
destruction of these forests.
PMID- 28993927
TI - Rhodium (II) complex with 2-benzoylpyridine, a novel potential chemotherapeutic
drug, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells.
AB - Rhodium (II) complex with 2-benzoylpyridine (Rh(L)2Cl2) is a new, synthetic,
active metal-complex, which is produced by the reaction of 2-benzoylpyridine (L)
with rhodium chloride hydrate (RhCl3.nH2O). The crystal structure was determined
by X-ray diffraction which is mono-nuclear. In order to explore the biological
properties of the novel complex, a series of studies were performed. The results
showed that Rh(L)2Cl2 had the anti-tumor activity in HepG2 and other cell lines
and has been shown to induce G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells.
The anti-cancer effect of Rh(L)2Cl2 is regulated by increased expression of
caspase-3 and PARP via the mitochondrial and the death receptor pathways. Bcl-2
family proteins might play an important role in the Rh(L)2Cl2-induced changes in
these two pathways. Further studies indicated that Rh(L)2Cl2 increased the level
of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but that Rh(L)2Cl2-induced apoptosis was ROS
independent. In conclusion, Rh(L)2Cl2 is a potential new anti-tumor drug, which
induces HepG2 cell death via the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways and
has no obvious toxicity to normal liver cell.
PMID- 28993928
TI - TvZNF1 is a C2H2 zinc finger protein of Trichomonas vaginalis.
AB - The zinc fingers proteins (ZNF) are the largest family of DNA binding proteins
and can act as transcriptional factors in eukaryotes. ZNF are implicated in
activation in response to environmental stimulus by biometals such as Zn2+. Many
of these proteins have the classical C2H2 zinc finger motifs (C2H2-ZNFm) of
approximately 30 amino acids, where a Zn2+ ion is coordinated by two cysteine and
two histidine residues. Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite than
responds to environmental changes including Zn2+. Until now has not been
described any ZNF that could be involved in the regulation of genic expression of
T. vaginalis. Here, we characterized in silico and experimentally an annoted ZNF
(TvZNF1) from T. vaginalis and isolated the gene, tvznf1 encoding it. TvZNF1 have
eight C2H2-ZNFm with residues that maybe involved in the structural stability of
DNA binding motifs. In this work we confirmed the Zn2+ upregulation expression of
tvznf1 gene. Recombinant TvZNF1 was able to bind to specific DNA sequences
according to EMSA assay. Additionally, we demonstrated that recombinant TvZNF1
bind to MRE signature in vitro, which strongly suggests its role in
transcriptional regulation, similar to the one observed for mammalian MTF-1. This
result suggested a conserved mechanism of genic regulation mediated by ZNFs in T.
vaginalis.
PMID- 28993929
TI - Exploring Provider Use of a Digital Implementation Support System for School
Mental Health: A Pilot Study.
AB - This pilot study explored provider use of an online system, Centervention, to
support the delivery of empirically supported school-based mental health
interventions (ESIs); and associations between components of this system
[resources, training, technical assistance (TA), feedback loops], implementation
indicators, and student outcomes. Multilevel modeling data were collected from 39
providers implementing ESIs with 758 students. Training, TA, and progress
monitoring predicted ESI adherence, and perceived value of resources and TA
influenced student responsiveness. Greater adherence was predictive of better
socio-emotional outcomes. Interviews with 15 providers illuminated how they used
these four Centervention support strategies. Implications for digital
implementation support research are discussed.
PMID- 28993931
TI - Irreversible electroporation in the eradication of rabbit VX2 cervical tumors.
AB - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of irreversible electroporation
(IRE) on the eradication of rabbit VX2 cervical tumors. A VX2 cervical cancer
model was first made in 20 New Zealand rabbits. IRE ablation was performed for
the cervical cancers of 15 rabbits when the diameter of the tumor was about 1.0
1.5 cm. The control group (n = 5) did not receive IRE ablation. The gross
pathology, ultrasound, computed tomography, hematoxylin and eosin, terminal
deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay, and proliferating cell
nuclear antigen immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate the
efficacy of IRE on cervical cancer. All the rabbits tolerated the IRE ablation
without serious complications. The tumors treated by IRE slightly increased in
size during the first two days, but decreased gradually. IRE caused tumor cell
death efficiently, mainly through cell apoptosis; however, it did not induce
complete tumor ablation in our study. The results suggested that IRE could
eradicate rabbit VX2 cervical tumors efficiently. However, the optimal IRE
parameters remain to be determined.
PMID- 28993930
TI - In search of a standard when analyzing medication adherence in patients with
heart failure using claims data: a systematic review.
AB - To determine and address medication non-adherence is important and may improve
patient outcomes. Our aim was to perform a systematic review on the
operationalization of adherence measures in patients with heart failure using
claims data. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. A quality
check of the full-text articles was performed using the Quality in Prognosis
Studies tool. We included 28 studies. Eleven studies used the medication
possession ratio, 15 the proportion of days covered, and six studies used own
methods to calculate medication adherence. Almost all studies used an observation
period of 1 year. Twenty-one studies considered angiotensin converting enzyme
inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, 17 beta-blockers, 11 diuretics,
eight mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, six digitalis-glycosides, and six
statins. Eight studies looked at single substance classes; 18 studies analyzed
more than one drug class. Different assumptions for the dosage were used. In
seven studies, switching within therapeutic classes was allowed. Three studies
allowed stockpiling, nine studies censored hospital stays, and four studies
censored death. Seventeen studies dichotomized the results, applying the cutoff
>= 0.8 to define a patient as adherent. Eight studies analyzed adherence as a
continuous value. The reporting quality of the methodology applied varied widely
between studies. A gold standard is currently not available for the
quantification of medication adherence in patients with chronic heart failure via
claims data. To assess the methodology, the following parameters should be
described: method of measurements, observation period, substances, dosing,
switches, stockpiling, truncations, statistical analysis, and cutoff for
adherence.
PMID- 28993932
TI - Genome-wide identification of Cd-responsive NRAMP transporter genes and analyzing
expression of NRAMP 1 mediated by miR167 in Brassica napus.
AB - In plants, metal transporters are responsible for metal uptake, translocation and
homeostasis. These metals include essential nutrients such as zinc (Zn) and
manganese (Mn) or non-essential metals like cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Although
a few metal transporters have been well characterized in model plants, little is
known about their functionality in rapeseed (Brassica napus). In the study, 22
NRAMP transporter genes from B. napus genome were identified and annotated using
bioinformatics and high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Based on the
sequence identity, these NRAMP transporters can be classified into 6 subfamilies.
RNA-seq analysis revealed that 19 NRAMP transporters were detected and some of
the genes were well confirmed by qRT-PCR. Ten NRAMP transporters (45.5%, 10/22)
were found to be differentially expressed (> 2 fold change, p < 0.05) under Cd
exposure. As an example, we specified expression of BnNRAMP1b under Cd exposure.
BnNRAMP1b is a constitutive gene expressing throughout all development stages
including seedlings, vegetative tissue, flowers and siliques. Expression of
BnNRAMP1b can be strongly induced in seedlings exposed to 80, 160 and 240 MUM Cd.
To define whether BnNRAMP1b was specific for Cd transport, a yeast (wild-type,
BY4741) system with its mutants (ycf1, zrc1, and smf1) defective in transport
activity of Cd, Zn and Mn, respectively were tested. Compared to empty vectors
(pYES2), cells carrying BnNRAMP1b can rescue the transport functions. As a
consequence, excess Cd, Zn and Mn were taken in the cells, which led to metal
toxicity, suggesting that BnNRAMP1b is responsible for transport of these metals
in B. napus. Using our previously created degradome datasets, we found that
BnNRAMP1b could be cleaved by miR167, suggesting that BnNRAMP1b is a target of
miR167 in B. napus. The contrasting expression pattern of BnNRAMP1b and miR167
under Cd stress supported the post-transcriptional regulation of BnNRAMP1b by
miR167.
PMID- 28993933
TI - Gamma-Glutamyltransferase and Future Risk of Pneumonia: A Long-Term Prospective
Cohort Study.
AB - Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) has been linked with the risk of adverse
health outcomes. We aimed to assess the prospective association of GGT activity
with pneumonia risk. Serum GGT was measured at baseline in 2400 middle-aged men.
Within-person variability in GGT values was corrected for using data from repeat
measurements. During a median follow-up of 25.3 years, 409 pneumonia cases were
recorded. The age-adjusted regression dilution ratio of GGT was 0.68 (95% CI 0.63
0.73). Gamma-glutamyltransferase was approximately log-linearly associated with
pneumonia risk. In analysis adjusted for several major pneumonia risk factors,
the hazard ratio (95% CI) for pneumonia per 1 standard deviation increase in GGT
was 1.14 (1.02-1.28). The association was however attenuated on additional
adjustment for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) 1.08 (0.96-1.22).
There is an approximately log-linear positive association between GGT activity
and future risk of pneumonia in a middle-aged male population, which is partly
dependent on hsCRP.
PMID- 28993934
TI - Successful nuclear DNA profiling of rootless hair shafts: a novel approach.
AB - Historically, rootless hair shaft samples submitted to a forensic laboratory for
DNA analysis are reserved for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis due to the
presence of highly degraded as well as insufficient amounts of nuclear DNA.
Although mtDNA has been very successful in obtaining results from rootless hair,
this system has its limitations, namely, it is a lineage marker that cannot
differentiate between maternally related genotypes. Given the high incidence of
hairs as forensic evidence, there is a need for the use of a nuclear DNA test
system capable of producing reliable results for hair shaft forensic evidence.
This study reports the utilization of an enhanced DNA extraction methodology for
hairs, in combination with a recently developed novel, nuclear DNA typing assay,
InnoTyper(r) 21, to improve the success rate for obtaining informative results
from highly compromised, degraded, and trace forensic samples such as rootless
hair shafts. The InnoTyper 21 kit is a small amplicon retrotransposon marker
typing system compatible with currently used capillary electrophoresis platforms.
This system contains 20 Alu element markers, ranging in size from 60 to 125 bp,
making the assay highly sensitive for extremely degraded forensic samples and
thus enabling recovery of nuclear DNA profiles from samples that would otherwise
require mtDNA sequencing. A subset of samples was also tested with the
GlobalFiler kit with less success due to the larger amplicon sizes in comparison
with InnoTyper 21. Results were variable but very promising, with approximately
40% of the total number of hairs tested producing interpretable nuclear DNA
profiles with InnoTyper 21. These results demonstrate the ability of the utilized
methodologies to produce nuclear DNA results with high statistical power from
rootless hair shafts.
PMID- 28993935
TI - Treatment outcome in patients with clinically defined carpal tunnel syndrome but
normal electrodiagnostic test results: a randomized controlled trial.
AB - Little is known about treatment effect of carpal tunnel release in patients with
clinically defined carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but normal electrodiagnostic
test results (EDX). The aim of this study was to determine whether this category
of patients will benefit from surgical treatment. 57 patients with clinically
defined CTS and normal EDX were randomized for surgical treatment (n = 39) or non
surgical treatment (n = 18). A six-point scale for perceived improvement as well
as the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire was completed at baseline and at follow
up after 6 months. A significant improvement of complaints was reported by 70.0%
of the surgically treated patients and 39.4% reported full recovery 6 months
after surgery. Furthermore, both Functional Status Score and Symptom Severity
Score improved significantly more in the surgically treated group (p = 0.036 and
p < 0.001, respectively). This study demonstrates that most patients with
clinically defined CTS and normal EDX results will benefit from carpal tunnel
release. Therefore, this group of CTS patients must not a priori be refrained
from surgery.
PMID- 28993936
TI - The Influence of Body Composition on Pulmonary Rehabilitation Outcomes in Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Alterations in body composition are commonly present in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The hypothesis of this study is that COPD
patients would achieve clinical benefits after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)
independent of muscle mass depletion or body weight. METHODS: We conducted a
retrospective cohort study using single-frequency bioelectrical impedance
analysis (BIA) for assessment of fat-free mass (FFM) depletion (muscle
depletion). Patients were stratified into three categories based on (1) obesity
BMI >= 30 kg/m2, (2) non-obesity BMI < 30 kg/m2, and (3) combined cachexia (BMI <
21 kg/m2 and FFM index < 16 kg/m2) and muscle atrophy (BMI >= 21 kg/m2 and FFMI <
16 kg/m2). PR outcomes were defined as the improvement in exercise capacity
(maximal exercise capacity, 6-min walk, constant workload cycle exercise
duration) and quality of life determined by Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire
after PR. RESULTS: We studied 72 patients with available FFM measured by BIA.
Patients were predominantly elderly man (N = 71; 98%), with a mean age of 72
years with COPD GOLD stage I-IV. The groups were balanced in terms of age,
comorbidities, baseline FEV1, exercise capacity, and quality of life. The
absolute changes in patients with muscle depletion or obesity compared to those
without muscle depletion or obesity were not statistically different as was the
percentage of patients reaching the minimal clinically important difference
(MCID) after PR. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive PR program in COPD patients improved
exercise tolerance and quality of life independent of muscle mass depletion or
obesity. Similarly, muscle depletion or obesity had no effect on the percentage
of patients achieving the MCID for measures of quality of life and exercise
tolerance after PR.
PMID- 28993938
TI - I Think We're Alone Now: Solitary Social Behaviors in Adolescents with Autism
Spectrum Disorder.
AB - Research into emotional responsiveness in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has
yielded mixed findings. Some studies report uniform, flat and emotionless
expressions in ASD; others describe highly variable expressions that are as or
even more intense than those of typically developing (TD) individuals.
Variability in findings is likely due to differences in study design: some
studies have examined posed (i.e., not spontaneous expressions) and others have
examined spontaneous expressions in social contexts, during which individuals
with ASD-by nature of the disorder-are likely to behave differently than their TD
peers. To determine whether (and how) spontaneous facial expressions and other
emotional responses are different from TD individuals, we video-recorded the
spontaneous responses of children and adolescents with and without ASD (between
the ages of 10 and 17 years) as they watched emotionally evocative videos in a
non-social context. Researchers coded facial expressions for intensity, and noted
the presence of laughter and other responsive vocalizations. Adolescents with ASD
displayed more intense, frequent and varied spontaneous facial expressions than
their TD peers. They also produced significantly more emotional vocalizations,
including laughter. Individuals with ASD may display their emotions more
frequently and more intensely than TD individuals when they are unencumbered by
social pressure. Differences in the interpretation of the social setting and/or
understanding of emotional display rules may also contribute to differences in
emotional behaviors between groups.
PMID- 28993937
TI - Cytogenetic abnormalities of the descendants of permanent residents of heavily
contaminated East Kazakhstan.
AB - More than 400 nuclear explosion tests were conducted at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear
Test Site (SNTS) and significant radioactive substances were released. The long
term consequences of the activities at the SNTS and the appearance of any
hereditary effects remain insufficiently studied about 25 years after the test
site was closed. The population living in villages near the SNTS are considered
to have been heavily exposed to external and internal radiation. This study aims
to perform an assessment and comprehensive cytogenetic analysis of the
inhabitants living near the SNTS, and their first-(F1) and second-(F2) generation
children. Residents of the East Kazakhstan region living in the area covered by
the former SNTS were included in the study. To evaluate the hereditary effects of
nuclear testing, comprehensive chromosome analyses were performed in lymphocytes
using conventional Giemsa and fluorescent in situ hybridization methods in 115 F1
and F2 descendants in the villages of Dolon and Sarzhal, which were heavily
contaminated. The parents of the subjects had permanently lived in the villages.
A higher number of stable-type chromosome aberrations such as translocations was
found in these residents than in 80 residents of the control area, Kokpecty,
which indicates the possibility that radiation had biological effects on the
exposed subjects.
PMID- 28993939
TI - Treatment of sphenopalatine artery bleeding.
PMID- 28993940
TI - A Randomized Crossover Study Evaluating the Use and Acceptability of the SILCS
Diaphragm Compared to Vaginal Applicators for Vaginal Gel Delivery.
AB - INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess acceptability and preferences for the
SILCS diaphragm for vaginal gel delivery compared to a prefilled applicator.
METHODS: A randomized crossover study among 115 women in South Africa, using both
methods during five sex acts. RESULTS: We found no significant differences in
acceptability between the two products. Experience of gel leakage after sex was
greater when inserted via applicator. More women were interested in SILCS/gel for
multipurpose protection (68%) than in either SILCS alone (17%) or microbicide gel
alone (14%). CONCLUSIONS: A SILCS gel delivery system for multipurpose prevention
seems feasible and acceptable.
PMID- 28993941
TI - IL-8 Is Involved in Estrogen-Related Receptor alpha-Regulated Proliferation and
Migration of Colorectal Cancer Cells.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studies revealed that estrogenic signals were involved in
the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), while the roles of estrogen related
receptor (ERR) on the progression of CRC have not been well illustrated. Its
roles on the development of CRC were investigated. METHODS: The expression of
ERRalpha/beta/gamma in CRC cells were measured. The effects of ERRalpha on cell
proliferation, migration and expression of cytokines were investigated
accordingly. RESULTS: Our data revealed that the expression of ERRalpha, while
not ERRbeta or ERRgamma, was significantly increased in CRC cells and clinical
CRC tissues. Both the inverse agonist of ERRalpha (XCT-790) and si-ERRalpha can
inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells. XCT-790 treatment can also suppress the
wound healing and in vitro migration of CRC cells. Cytokine assays showed that
XCT-790 can significantly decrease the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), while
not IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-18, IFN-gamma, or TGF-beta, in CRC cells.
Over expression of ERRalpha increased the expression of IL-8. Luciferase assay
showed XCT-790 decreased the promoter activity of IL-8. XCT-790 can increase the
decay of IL-8 mRNA in SW480 cells. The recombinant IL-8 (rIL-8) can rescue XCT
790 induced suppression of proliferation and migration of CRC cells. XCT-790 can
decrease the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and STAT3, two downstream signal molecules
of IL-8, in CRC cells. While rIL-8 can markedly attenuate XCT-790 induced
dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 and STAT3. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that ERRalpha
can trigger the proliferation and migration of CRC cells via up regulation of IL
8. Therefor targeted inhibition of ERRalpha/IL-8 might be a potential approach
for CRC treatment and drug development.
PMID- 28993942
TI - Cannabinoid receptor 2 as a novel target for promotion of renal cell carcinoma
prognosis and progression.
AB - PURPOSE: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignancy of urogenital
system, and patients with RCC may face a poor prognosis. However, limited curable
therapeutic options are currently available. The aim of this study is to
investigate the role of Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) in RCC progression. METHODS:
Immunohistochemistry was to investigate the expression pattern of CB2 in 418 RCC
tissues and explore its prognostic function in RCC patients. Furthermore, the
role of used CB2 si-RNA knockdown and inhibited by AM630, a CB2 inverse agonist,
on cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycle of RCC cell lines in vitro was
also investigated. RESULTS: We observed that CB2 was up-regulated in RCC tissues,
and presented as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of RCC
patients and higher CB2 expression tends to have poor clinical outcomes in
survival analyses. Moreover, we also observed that CB2, incorporated with pN
stage, pathological grade, and recurrence or distant metastasis after surgery,
could obviously enhance their prognostic accuracy in a predictive nomogram
analysis. In addition, knockdown or inhibition by AM630 for the expression of CB2
in vitro could significantly decreased cell proliferation and migration, and
obviously induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M of RCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: CB2
expression is functionally related to cellular proliferation, migration, and cell
cycle of RCC cells. Our data suggest that CB2 might be a potential therapeutic
target for RCC.
PMID- 28993943
TI - The female advantage in natural populations of gynodioecious Plantago coronopus:
seed quantity vs. offspring quality.
AB - In gynodioecious plant species, females can only persist when they have a
reproductive advantage in comparison with hermaphrodites. However, several
studies have shown that females do not necessarily produce more seeds than
hermaphrodites, since seed production can be affected by population
characteristics, such as female frequency or population size. The aim of this
study was to quantify the female advantage across a large number of natural
populations, examine its relationship with population sex ratio and size, and to
assess the role of competition on the magnitude of the female advantage. We
sampled 27 populations of Plantago coronopus (nuclear-cytoplasmic gynodioecy)
along the Belgian and Dutch coast. In each population, we estimated population
sex ratio and size, and assessed seed production per flower and seed production
per plant. Subsequently, germination, growth, and competition experiments were
performed in the greenhouse to determine the female advantage regarding offspring
quality. Females produced fewer seeds per plant than hermaphrodites (FA = 0.90),
and seed production was negatively related to female frequency. Since both sex
morphs were equally affected by pollen availability, the female advantage was not
related to population sex ratio. On the other hand, offspring of females showed
higher germination and growth rates, resulting in higher competitive abilities
when seeds of a female and a hermaphrodite were grown together. Overall, these
results indicate that differences in competitive abilities between the offspring
of females and hermaphrodites may have contributed to the maintenance of females
in relatively high frequencies in populations of this short-lived gynodioecious
plant species.
PMID- 28993944
TI - Palliative care content on cancer center websites.
AB - PURPOSE: Professional guidelines recommend that palliative care begin early in
advanced cancer management, yet integration of palliative and cancer care remains
suboptimal. Cancer centers may miss opportunities to provide palliative care
information online. In this study, we described the palliative care content on
cancer center websites. METHODS: We conducted a systematic content analysis of 62
National Cancer Institute- (NCI) designated cancer center websites. We assessed
the content of center homepages and analyzed search results using the terms
palliative care, supportive care, and hospice. For palliative and supportive care
webpages, we assessed services offered and language used to describe care. Two
researchers analyzed all websites using a standardized coding manual. Kappa
values ranged from 0.78 to 1. RESULTS: NCI-designated cancer center homepages
presented information about cancer-directed therapy (61%) more frequently than
palliative care (5%). Ten percent of cancer centers had no webpage with
palliative care information for patients. Among centers with information for
patients, the majority (96%) defined palliative or supportive care, but 30% did
not discuss delivery of palliative care alongside curative treatment, and 14% did
not mention provision of care early in the disease process. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer
center homepages rarely mention palliative care services. While the majority of
centers have webpages with palliative care content, they sometimes omit
information about early use of care. Improving accessibility of palliative care
information and increasing emphasis on early provision of services may improve
integration of palliative and cancer care.
PMID- 28993945
TI - Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization in the treatment for
unresectable soft tissue sarcoma refractory to systemic chemotherapy: a
preliminary evaluation of efficacy and safety.
AB - PURPOSE: To preliminarily evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of drug
eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for unresectable soft
tissue sarcoma refractory to systemic chemotherapy. METHODS: Ten patients with
refractory sarcoma who underwent DEB-TACE therapy between January 2015 and
January 2017 were identified. Clinical information and radiological data were
retrospectively collected to analyze tumor response, overall survival (OS),
progression-free survival and adverse events (AEs). Tumor response to DEB-TACE
was assessed with modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST)
guidelines applied to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS:
All DEB-TACE procedures were successfully performed for ten patients with 15
tumor lesions. The median follow-up duration was 19 months and the median
survival time was 21 months (range 11-30 months). The 1- and 2-year OS rate was
90 and 30%, respectively. According to the guidance of mRECIST, complete
response, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease were noted in
zero (0%), three (30%), four (40%) and three (30%) patients, respectively. The
disease control rate and objective response rate was 70 and 30%, respectively.
There were no serious AEs in patients after DEB-TACE. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
showed that DEB-TACE was effective and safe for patients with soft tissue
sarcoma. Therefore, DEB-TACE can be considered as an alternative treatment option
for unresectable soft tissue sarcoma refractory to conventionally systemic
chemotherapy.
PMID- 28993946
TI - Tobacco alpha-expansin EXPA4 plays a role in Nicotiana benthamiana defence
against Tobacco mosaic virus.
AB - MAIN CONCLUSION: Tobacco EXPA4 plays a role in Nicotiana benthamiana defence
against virus attack and affects antioxidative metabolism and phytohormone
mediated immunity responses in tobacco. Expansins are cell wall-loosening
proteins known for their endogenous functions in cell wall extensibility during
plant growth. The effects of expansins on plant growth, developmental processes
and environment stress responses have been well studied. However, the exploration
of expansins in plant virus resistance is rarely reported. In the present study,
virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and Agrobacterium-mediated transient
overexpression were conducted to investigate the role of Nicotiana tabacum alpha
expansin 4 (EXPA4) in modulating Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-GFP) resistance in
Nicotiana benthamiana. The results indicated that silencing of EXPA4 reduced the
sensitivity of N. benthamiana to TMV-GFP, and EXPA4 overexpression accelerated
virus reproduction on tobacco. In addition, our data suggested that the changes
of virus accumulation in response to EXPA4 expression levels could further affect
the antioxidative metabolism and phytohormone-related pathways in tobacco induced
by virus inoculation. EXPA4-silenced plants with TMV-GFP have enhanced
antioxidant enzymes activities, which were down-regulated in virus-inoculated
35S:EXPA4 plants. Salicylic acid accumulation and SA-mediated defence genes
induced by TMV-GFP were up-regulated in EXPA4-silenced plants, but depressed in
35S:EXPA4 plants. Furthermore, a VIGS approach was used in combination with
exogenous phytohormone treatments, suggesting that EXPA4 has different responses
to different phytohormones. Taken together, these results suggested that EXPA4
plays a role in tobacco defence against viral pathogens.
PMID- 28993947
TI - Laparoscopic left ureteral substitution using the cecal appendix after en-bloc
rectosigmoidectomy: a case report and video demonstration.
PMID- 28993948
TI - A model for cell migration in non-isotropic fibrin networks with an application
to pancreatic tumor islets.
AB - Cell migration, known as an orchestrated movement of cells, is crucially
important for wound healing, tumor growth, immune response as well as other
biomedical processes. This paper presents a cell-based model to describe cell
migration in non-isotropic fibrin networks around pancreatic tumor islets. This
migration is determined by the mechanical strain energy density as well as
cytokines-driven chemotaxis. Cell displacement is modeled by solving a large
system of ordinary stochastic differential equations where the stochastic parts
result from random walk. The stochastic differential equations are solved by the
use of the classical Euler-Maruyama method. In this paper, the influence of
anisotropic stromal extracellular matrix in pancreatic tumor islets on T
lymphocytes migration in different immune systems is investigated. As a result,
tumor peripheral stromal extracellular matrix impedes the immune response of T
lymphocytes through changing direction of their migration.
PMID- 28993949
TI - Poly-N-methylated Abeta-Peptide C-Terminal fragments (MEPTIDES) reverse the
deleterious effects of amyloid-beta in rats.
AB - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid
beta (Abeta) plaques. These protein deposits impair synaptic plasticity thereby
producing a progressive decline in cognitive function. Current therapies are
merely palliative and only slow cognitive decline. Poly-N-methylated Abeta
Peptide C-Terminal Fragments (MEPTIDES) were recently shown to reduce Abeta
toxicity in vitro and in Drosophila melanogaster, however whether these novel
compounds are effective in inhibiting Abeta-induced toxicity in the mammalian
brain remains unclear. We therefore investigated whether MEPTIDES have the
ability to reduce the neurotoxic effects of Abeta in male Sprague-Dawley (SD)
rats. Abeta42 (100 MUg, 2 mM) or vehicle (0.15 M Tris buffer) was stereotaxically
injected bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus at a rate of 1 MUl/min for 10
min. The effects on hippocampal-mediated learning were subsequently assessed
using the Morris water maze (MWM). The presence of apoptotic activity was also
assessed by determining the expression levels of active caspase-3 using real-time
polymerase chain reaction and Western Blot techniques. In addition, half of the
animals (n = 20) received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of MEPTIDES (2
mg/kg) 48 h after intrahippocampal injection of Abeta42. Matrix-assisted laser
desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI -TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) showed
that MEPTIDES crossed the blood brain barrier (BBB) and revealed their
distribution in the rat brain. Rats treated with Abeta42 displayed spatial
learning deficits and increased hippocampal caspase-3 gene (CASP-3) expression
which was reversed by subsequent injection of MEPTIDES. The present results show
that MEPTIDES have the potential to reverse the toxic effects of Abeta42 in vivo.
PMID- 28993950
TI - Competition in pharmaceuticals: more product- than price-oriented?
PMID- 28993951
TI - Dinuclear adducts of di-o-iminoquinone ligands with CoII diketonates:
computational insights into two-step valence tautomeric rearrangements.
AB - Density functional theory (DFT) computational modeling [B3LYP*/6-311++G(d,p)] of
a series of potentially valence tautomeric (VT) dinuclear 2:1 adducts of CoII bis
acetylacetonate, bis-trifluoroacetylacetonate and bis-hexafluoroacetylacetonate
with redox-active tetradentate di-o-iminoquinone ligands has been performed. The
significant energy preference of the low-spin electromeric forms of the complexes
on the basis of CoII bis-acetylacetonate points to a low probability of VT in
these compounds. Electron-withdrawing CF3-groups in the diketonate moiety of the
mixed-ligand complexes promote narrowing of the energy gaps between the
electronic states, which allows one-step VT rearrangements to be expected in the
adducts of CoII bis-trifluoromethylacetylacetonate. The most suitable energy
parameters for the occurrence of two-step VT conversion (stability of the adduct
with respect to dissociation into the components, small relative energies of
electromeric forms and thermally achievable energy barriers to intramolecular
electron transfers estimated as minimum energy crossing points) are found for the
adduct of di-o-iminoquinone with CoII bis-trifluoroacetylacetonates comprising a
diphenylene linker.
PMID- 28993952
TI - Discordance of the Framingham cardiovascular risk score and the 2013 American
College of Cardiology/American Heart Association risk score in systemic lupus
erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
AB - Despite the increasing use of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American
Heart Association (ACC/AHA) cardiovascular (CV) risk score in clinical practice,
few studies have compared this score to the Framingham risk score among
rheumatologic patients. We calculated Framingham and 2013 ACC/AHA risk scores in
subjects with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
and assessed demographic, CV, and rheumatologic characteristics associated with
discordant scores (high-risk ACC/AHA scores but low-risk Framingham scores). SLE
and RA subjects drawn from two population-based cohort studies were assessed
during in-person study visits. We used chi-squared tests and t tests to examine
the association of discordant CV risk scores with baseline characteristics.
Eleven (7.0%) of 157 SLE subjects and 11 (11.5%) of 96 RA subjects had discordant
CV risk scores with high ACC/AHA scores and low Framingham scores. These findings
did not significantly change when a 1.5 multiplier was applied to the Framingham
score. Rheumatologic disease duration, high-sensitivity CRP levels, African
American race, diabetes, current use of anti-hypertensive medication, higher age,
and higher systolic blood pressure were each significantly associated with
discordant risk scores. Approximately 10% of SLE and RA subjects had discordant
10-year CV risk scores. Our findings suggest that the use of the 2013 ACC/AHA
risk score could result in changes to lipid-lowering therapy recommendations in a
significant number of rheumatologic patients. Prospective studies are needed to
compare which score better predicts CV events in rheumatologic patients,
especially those with risk factors associated with discordant risk scores.
PMID- 28993953
TI - Intestinal toxicity of deoxynivalenol is limited by Lactobacillus rhamnosus RC007
in pig jejunum explants.
AB - Probiotics have been explored to stimulate gut health in weaned pigs, when they
started to consume solid diet where mycotoxins could be present. The aim of this
study was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus RC007 on the
intestinal toxicity of deoxynivalenol (DON) in an ex vivo model. Jejunal
explants, obtained from 5-week-old crossbred castrated male piglets, were kept as
control, exposed for 3 h to 10 MUM DON, incubated for 4 h with 109 CFU/mL L.
rhamnosus, or pre-incubated 1 h with 109 L. rhamnosus and exposed to DON.
Histological lesions were observed, para- and transcellular intestinal
permeability was measured in Ussing chambers. The expression levels of mRNA
encoding six inflammatory cytokines (CCL20, IL-10, IL-1beta, TNFalpha, IL-8 and
IL-22) were determined by RT-PCR. The expressions of the phosphorylated MAP
kinases p42/p44 and p38 were assessed by immunoblotting. Exposure to DON induced
histological changes, significantly increased the expression of CCL20, IL-1beta,
TNFalpha, IL-8, IL-22 and IL-10, increased the intestinal paracellular
permeability and activated MAP kinases. Incubation with L. rhamnosus alone did
not have any significant effect. By contrast, the pre-incubation with L.
rhamnosus reduced all the effects of DON: the histological alterations, the pro
inflammatory response, the paracellular permeability and the phosphorylation of
MAP kinases. Of note, L. rhamnosus did not adsorb DON and only slightly degrade
the toxin. In conclusion, L. rhamnosus RC007 is a promising probiotic which,
included as feed additive, can decrease the intestinal toxicity of DON.
PMID- 28993954
TI - Obesity-alleviating potential of asiatic acid and its effects on ACC1, UCP2, and
CPT1 mRNA expression in high fat diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats.
AB - The present study evaluated the effects of asiatic acid (AA), a pentacyclic
triterpenoid from Centella asiatica on lipid metabolism parameters in a rat model
of obesity induced using a high fat diet (HFD) for 42 days. AA (20 mg/kg body
weight [BW]) was administered orally once daily for 42 days, and an orlistat
treated group of rats (10 mg/kg BW) was included for comparison. Changes in BW,
blood glucose levels, insulin resistance and leptin, adiponectin, amylase, and
lipase levels in the blood; lipid profiles of plasma; liver antioxidants levels;
and acetyl CoA carboxylase(ACC), uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2), and carnitine
palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) mRNA expression were observed in the experimental
rats. Our results revealed that AA (20 mg/kg BW), similar to orlistat, reduced
the increase in BW; increased bone mineral contents and bone mineral densities;
reduced blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, leptin, plasma lipid levels;
increased adiponectin, amylase, lipase levels in the blood; showed antioxidant
activity; and altered mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes,
including ACC, UCP 2, and CPT 1, in the HFD-fed rats. From these results, we
concluded that AA possesses significant anti-obesity potential through the
suppression of BW gain, lipid lowering action, development of insulin and leptin
sensitivity, antioxidant activity, and increased mRNA expression of lipid
metabolism-related genes.
PMID- 28993956
TI - Notch signaling controls sprouting angiogenesis of endometriotic lesions.
AB - Angiogenesis is essential for the engraftment and growth of endometriotic
lesions. In this study, we analyzed whether this process is regulated by Notch
signaling. Endometriotic lesions were induced by endometrial tissue
transplantation into dorsal skinfold chambers of C57BL/6 mice, which were treated
with the gamma-secretase inhibitor DAPT or vehicle. Vascularization, morphology,
and proliferation of the newly developing lesions were analyzed using intravital
fluorescence microscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry over 14 days.
Inhibition of Notch signaling by DAPT significantly increased the number of
angiogenic sprouts within the endometrial grafts during the first days after
transplantation when compared to vehicle-treated controls. This was associated
with an accelerated vascularization, as indicated by a higher functional
microvessel density of DAPT-treated lesions on day 6. However, inhibition of
Notch signaling did not affect the morphology and proliferating activity of the
lesions, as previously described for tumors. Both DAPT- and vehicle-treated
lesions finally consisted of cyst-like dilated glands, which were surrounded by a
well-vascularized stroma and contained comparable numbers of proliferating cell
nuclear antigen-positive cells. These findings demonstrate that sprouting
angiogenesis in endometriotic lesions is controlled by Notch signaling. However,
inhibition of Notch signaling does not have beneficial therapeutic effects on
lesion development.
PMID- 28993955
TI - The c.29T>C polymorphism of the transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1) gene,
bone mineral density and the occurrence of low-energy fractures in patients with
inflammatory bowel disease.
AB - Gastrointestinal tract conditions are frequently associated with low bone mineral
density and increased risk of fractures due to osteoporosis, the latter
concerning particularly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. One of the
candidate genes involved in osteoporosis is the transforming growth factor beta-1
(TGFB1) whose polymorphisms may be responsible for the development of this
disease. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of TGFB1 polymorphic
variants and determine the association between the c.29T>C TGFB1 polymorphism,
and bone mineral density and fractures in IBD patients. The study subjects
included 198 IBD patients [100 suffering from Crohn's disease (CD) and 98 from
ulcerative colitis (UC)] and 41 healthy volunteers as a control group.
Densitometric bone measurements were obtained using dual energy X-ray
absorptiometry. The TGFB1 genotyping was conducted using restriction fragments
length polymorphism. We conducted an analysis of genotype distribution's
concordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We found statistically significant
differences in lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femoral neck BMD and T-scores between CD,
UC and control subgroups. The distribution of TGFB1 polymorphic variants among CD
and UC patients was concordant with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There were no
statistically significant differences in densitometric parameters (lumbar spine
and femoral neck BMD, T-score, and Z-score) between carriers of different TGFB1
polymorphisms among IBD (CD and UC) patients nor among controls. We have found no
statistically significant differences in the prevalence of low-energy fractures
between groups of different TGFB1 polymorphic variant carriers. The allele dose
effect, recessive effect and dominant effect analysis did not show an association
between low-energy fractures and the TGFB1 polymorphisms among CD and UC
patients. We have not observed an association between the c.29T>C TGFB1
polymorphic variant and the bone mineral density within the cancellous and
cortical bones (L2-L4 and femoral neck, respectively), or the occurrence of
fractures among the IBD patients and their family members.
PMID- 28993957
TI - Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in ADA2 Deficiency: Early Restoration of
ADA2 Enzyme Activity and Disease Relapse upon Drop of Donor Chimerism.
PMID- 28993958
TI - Functional Evaluation of an IKBKG Variant Suspected to Cause Immunodeficiency
Without Ectodermal Dysplasia.
AB - Hypomorphic IKBKG mutations in males are typically associated with anhidrotic
ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency (EDA-ID). Some mutations cause
immunodeficiency without EDA (NEMO-ID). The immunological profile associated with
these NEMO-ID variants is not fully documented. We present a 2-year-old patient
with suspected immunodeficiency in which a hemizygous p.Glu57Lys IKBKG variant
was identified. At the age of 1 year, he had an episode of otitis media that
evolved into a bilateral mastoiditis (Pseudomonas spp). Hypogammaglobulinemia,
specific (polysaccharide) antibody deficiency, and low switched memory B cell
subsets were noticed. The mother was heterozygous for the variant but had no
signs of incontinentia pigmenti. Patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells
produced low amounts of IL-6 after stimulation with IL-1beta, Pam3CSK4, and FSL
1. In patient fibroblasts, IkappaB-alpha was degraded normally upon stimulation
with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. Transduction of wild-type and variant NEMO in NEMO-/-
deficient SV40 fibroblasts revealed a slight but significant reduction of IL-6
production upon stimulation with IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. In conclusion, we
demonstrated that p.Glu57Lys leads to specific immunological defects in vitro. No
other pathogenic PID variants were identified through whole exome sequencing. As
rare polymorphisms have been described in IKBKG and polygenic inheritance remains
an option in the presented case, this study emphasizes the need for thorough
functional and genetic evaluation when encountering and interpreting suspected
disease-causing NEMO-ID variants.
PMID- 28993959
TI - Comprehensive analysis of phospholipids in the brain, heart, kidney, and liver:
brain phospholipids are least enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids.
AB - It is commonly accepted that brain phospholipids are highly enriched with long
chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). However, the evidence for this remains
unclear. We used HPLC-MS to analyze the content and composition of phospholipids
in rat brain and compared it to the heart, kidney, and liver. Phospholipids
typically contain one PUFA, such as 18:2, 20:4, or 22:6, and one saturated fatty
acid, such as 16:0 or 18:0. However, we found that brain phospholipids containing
monounsaturated fatty acids in the place of PUFAs are highly elevated compared to
phospholipids in the heart, kidney, and liver. The relative content of
phospholipid containing PUFAs is ~ 60% in the brain, whereas it is over 90% in
other tissues. The most abundant species of phosphatidylcholine (PC) is
PC(16:0/18:1) in the brain, whereas PC(18:0/20:4) and PC(16:0/20:4) are
predominated in other tissues. Moreover, several major species of plasmanyl and
plasmenyl phosphatidylethanolamine are found to contain monounsaturated fatty
acid in the brain only. Overall, our data clearly show that brain phospholipids
are the least enriched with PUFAs of the four major organs, challenging the
common belief that the brain is highly enriched with PUFAs.
PMID- 28993961
TI - Predictive factors for live birth after in vitro maturation of oocytes in women
with polycystic ovary syndrome.
AB - OBJECTIVE: In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes can be an alternative
treatment option to conventional in vitro fertilization. Women with polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS) are considered the classical candidates for IVM because of
the associated ovarian morphology and because IVM diminishes the risk of
developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The objective of this study was to
identify predictive factors for live birth in a cohort of women with PCOS who
underwent IVM. METHODS: This retrospective study included 159 patients with PCOS
who had IVM cycles in which single or double embryo transfer was performed. The
IVM protocol included three days of gonadotropin ovarian stimulation and hCG
priming when the leading follicle size was 10-12 mm. Collected cumulus-oocyte
complexes were cultured for 24 h for maturation. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
(ICSI) was used for fertilization. Embryo transfer was performed two days after
fertilization. Demographic and clinical parameters were analyzed with logistic
regression to identify predictors for live birth. RESULTS: The women's mean age
was 27.4 years, the mean number of retrieved oocytes was 14, and the live birth
rate was 34.6%. The logistic regression revealed the following significant
factors for live birth: infertility duration (OR 0.9; 95% CI, 0.82-0.98), number
of collected oocytes (OR 1.56; 95% CI, 1.01-3.2), embryo cell number (OR 2.1; 95%
CI, 1.4-3.5), and embryo grade (OR 1.84; 95% CI, 1.13-4.2). CONCLUSION:
Infertility duration, oocyte number, embryo cell number, and embryo grade were
the most significant predictors for live birth after IVM in PCOS patients. These
prognostic factors can be used when planning treatment or counselling patients.
PMID- 28993960
TI - Effect of environmental parameters on biodiversity of the fungal component in
lithic Antarctic communities.
AB - A wide sampling of rocks, colonized by microbial epi-endolithic communities, was
performed along an altitudinal gradient from sea level to 3600 m asl and sea
distance from the coast to 100 km inland along the Victoria Land Coast,
Antarctica. Seventy-two rock samples of different typology, representative of the
entire survey, were selected and studied using denaturing gradient gel
electrophoresis to compare variation in fungal diversity according to
environmental conditions along this altitudinal and sea distance transect.
Lichenized fungi were largely predominant in all the samples studied and the
biodiversity was heavily influenced even by minimal local variations. The n-MDS
analysis showed that altitude and sea distance affect fungal biodiversity, while
sandstone allows the communities to maintain high biodiversity indices. The
Pareto-Lorenz curves indicate that all the communities analyzed are highly
adapted to extreme conditions but scarcely resilient, so any external
perturbation may have irreversible effects on these fragile ecosystems.
PMID- 28993962
TI - Deep Sequencing Reveals the Significant Involvement of cAMP-Related Signaling
Pathways Following Sciatic Nerve Crush.
AB - Peripheral nerve injury and regeneration is a complex biological process jointly
mediated by numerous factors. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modifies the
cellular behaviors of neurons and Schwann cells, and thus may contribute to
peripheral nerve regeneration. Despite the importance of cAMP, the temporal and
spatial expressions of genes involved in cAMP-related signaling pathways during
peripheral nerve regeneration remain unclear. In the current study, by using rat
sciatic nerve crush model, we analyzed previously obtained RNA deep sequencing
data, explored the significance of cAMP-mediated signaling pathway and protein
kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway after peripheral nerve injury, and examined the
expression patterns of genes involved in these cAMP-related signaling pathways.
Our results, from the genetic aspect, emphasized the critical involvement of cAMP
related signaling pathways, identified the dynamic changes of some key signaling
cascades, and may help the discovery of potential therapeutic targets for
peripheral nerve repair and regeneration.
PMID- 28993963
TI - A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial of omega-3 supplementation in
children with moderate ADHD symptoms.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials and inconclusive meta-analyses have investigated the
effects of omega-3 supplements in children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD). We performed a randomised placebo-controlled trial to evaluate
the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids. METHODS: Children aged 6-15 years with
established diagnosis of ADHD were randomised 1:1 to receive either supplements
containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or a
placebo for 3 months. Psychotropic or omega-3-containing treatments were not
authorised during the study. The primary outcome was the change in the Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale version 4 (ADHD-RS-IV). Other
outcomes included safety, lexical level (Alouette test), attention (Test of
Attentional Performance for Children-KiTAP), anxiety (48-item Conners Parent
Rating Scale-Revised-CPRS-R), and depression (Children's Depression Inventory
CDI). RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2011, 162 children were included in five French
child psychiatry centres. The mean age was 9.90 (SD 2.62) years and 78.4% were
boys. The inclusion ADHD-RS-IV at was 37.31 (SD 8.40). The total ADHD-RS-IV score
reduction was greater in the placebo group than in the DHA-EPA group: -19 (-26,
12) % and -9.7 (-16.6, -2.9) %, respectively, p = 0.039. The other components of
the Conners score had a similar variation but the differences between groups were
not significant. Two patients in the DHA-EPA group and none in the placebo group
experienced a severe adverse event (hospitalisation for worsening ADHD symptoms).
CONCLUSION: This study did not show any beneficial effect of omega-3 supplement
in children with mild ADHD symptoms.
PMID- 28993964
TI - Estimating cadmium concentration in the edible part of Capsicum annuum using
hyperspectral models.
AB - Hyperspectral remote sensing can be applied to the rapid and nondestructive
monitoring of heavy-metal pollution in crops. To realize the rapid and real-time
detection of cadmium in the edible part (fruit) of Capsicum annuum, the leaf
spectral reflectance of plants exposed to different levels of cadmium stress was
measured using hyperspectral remote sensing during four growth stages. The
spectral indices or bands sensitive to cadmium stress were determined by
correlation analysis, and hyperspectral estimation models for predicting the
cadmium content in the fruit of C. annuum during the mature growth stage were
established. The models were cross validated by taking the sensitive spectral
indices in the bud stage and the sensitive spectral bands in the flowering stage
as the input variables. The results indicated that cadmium accumulated in the
leaves and fruit of C. annuum and leaf cadmium content in the three early growth
stages were correlated with the cadmium content of the pepper in the mature
stage. Leaf spectral reflectance was sensitive to cadmium stress, and the first
derivative of the original spectral reflectance was strongly correlated with leaf
cadmium content during all growth stages. Among the established models, the
multiple regression model based on the sensitive spectral bands in the flowering
stage was optimal for predicting fruit cadmium content of the pepper. This model
provides a promising method to ensure food safety during the early growth stage
of the plant.
PMID- 28993965
TI - An optimization model to determine appointment scheduling window for an
outpatient clinic with patient no-shows.
AB - This paper investigates appointment scheduling for an outpatient department in
West China Hospital (WCH), one of the largest single point of access hospitals in
the world. Our pilot data analysis shows that the appointment system at WCH can
be improved through leveraging the scheduling window (i.e., the number of days in
advance a patient makes an appointment for future services). To gain full insight
into this strategy, our study considers two cases, based on if patients are
willing to wait for scheduled appointments or not. We developed a stylized single
server queueing model to find optimal scheduling windows. Results show that, when
patients are less sensitive to time delay (i.e., patients will wait for scheduled
services), levering scheduling windows is not effective to minimize the total
cost per day of the appointment system. In contrast, when patients are sensitive
to time delay (i.e., patients may find services elsewhere), then our model
considers the potential cost of physician idle time. The modeling results
indicate that the total cost per day is relatively sensitive to the magnitude of
scheduling window. Thus, adopting a proper scheduling window is very important.
In addition, our study proves that the cost functions of both cases are quasi
concave, which are also validated by actual data drawn from the Healthcare
Information System at WCH. A comparison of numerical results between two cases is
made to draw further managerial insights into scheduling policies for WCH.
Discussion of our findings and research limitations are also provided.
PMID- 28993966
TI - Neuroscience in Nigeria: the past, the present and the future.
AB - The science of the brain and nervous system cuts across almost all aspects of
human life and is one of the fastest growing scientific fields worldwide. This
necessitates the demand for pragmatic investment by all nations to ensure
improved education and quality of research in Neurosciences. Although obvious
efforts are being made in advancing the field in developed societies, there is
limited data addressing the state of neuroscience in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we
review the state of neuroscience development in Nigeria, Africa's most populous
country and its largest economy, critically evaluating the history, the current
situation and future projections. This review specifically addresses trends in
clinical and basic neuroscience research and education. We conclude by
highlighting potentially helpful strategies that will catalyse development in
neuroscience education and research in Nigeria, among which are an increase in
research funding, provision of tools and equipment for training and research, and
upgrading of the infrastructure at hand.
PMID- 28993967
TI - Outcomes after inferior vena cava filter placement in cancer patients diagnosed
with pulmonary embolism: risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism.
AB - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in cancer patients and
anticoagulation (AC) remains the standard of care for treatment. Inferior vena
cava (IVC) filters may also used to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism, either
alone or in addition to AC. Although widely used, data are limited on the safety
and efficacy of IVC filters in cancer patients. We performed a retrospective
review of outcomes after IVC filter insertion in a database of 1270 consecutive
patients with cancer-associated pulmonary embolism (PE) at our institution
between 2008 and 2009. Outcomes measured included rate of all recurrent VTE,
recurrent PE, and overall survival within 12 months. 317 (25%) of the 1270
patients with PE had IVC filters placed within 30 days of the index PE event or
prior to the index PE in the setting of prior DVT. Patients with IVC filters had
markedly lower overall survival (7.3 months) than the non-IVC filter patients
(13.2 months). Filter patients also had a lower rate of AC use at time of initial
PE. There was a trend towards higher recurrent VTE in patients with IVC filters
(11.9%) compared to non-filter patients (7.7%), but this was not significant (p =
0.086). The risk of recurrent PE was similar between the IVC filter cohort (3.5%)
and non-filter group (3.5%, p = 0.99). Cancer patients receiving IVC filters had
a similar risk of recurrent PE, but a trend towards more overall recurrent VTE.
The filter patients had poorer overall survival, which may reflect a poorer
cancer prognosis, and had greater contraindication to AC; therefore these
patients likely had a higher inherent risk for recurrent VTE. A prospective study
would be helpful for further clarification on the partial reduction in the
recurrent PE risk by IVC filter placement in cancer patients.
PMID- 28993968
TI - Enteral Autonomy with Teduglutide Treatment of Intestinal Failure/Short Bowel
Syndrome with Depleted Central Venous Access.
PMID- 28993969
TI - Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin and Swimming Exercise Protects Against Cognitive
Decline: A Study on M1 Acetylcholine Receptors in Aging Male Rat Brain.
AB - Decline in cognition is one of the earliest signs of normal brain aging. Several
dietary and non-pharmacological approaches have been tested to slow down this
process. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of grape seed
proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) either individually or in combination with
swimming training on acetylcholine esterase activity (AChE) and m1 acetylcholine
receptor (m1AChR) on the extent of cognitive decline with aging. The experimental
protocol included the oral administration of GSPE (400 mg/kg body weight) for 14
weeks to 4 (adult) and 18-month-old (middle-aged) male Wistar rats along with
swimming training. They were subjected to behavioral testing followed by
biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis. The results demonstrated that GSPE
supplementation and swimming training either individually or in combination had
an improvement on acquisition and working memory with reduced AChE activity in
the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HC). Immunohistochemical and
qRT-PCR evaluation showed an increase in m1AChR protein and mRNA in the CA1
region of HC and also mPFC upon swimming training with GSPE treatment. These
beneficial and synergistic effects of GSPE and swimming training are suggestive
as interventions in modulating the cognitive function, with GSPE alone being more
suitable for middle-aged individuals.
PMID- 28993971
TI - Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction with Maximum Parsimony.
AB - One of the main aims in phylogenetics is the estimation of ancestral sequences
based on present-day data like, for instance, DNA alignments. One way to estimate
the data of the last common ancestor of a given set of species is to first
reconstruct a phylogenetic tree with some tree inference method and then to use
some method of ancestral state inference based on that tree. One of the best
known methods both for tree inference and for ancestral sequence inference is
Maximum Parsimony (MP). In this manuscript, we focus on this method and on
ancestral state inference for fully bifurcating trees. In particular, we
investigate a conjecture published by Charleston and Steel in 1995 concerning the
number of species which need to have a particular state, say a, at a particular
site in order for MP to unambiguously return a as an estimate for the state of
the last common ancestor. We prove the conjecture for all even numbers of
character states, which is the most relevant case in biology. We also show that
the conjecture does not hold in general for odd numbers of character states, but
also present some positive results for this case.
PMID- 28993970
TI - Factors affecting palatability of four submerged macrophytes for grass carp
Ctenopharyngodon idella.
AB - Grass carp can weaken the growth and reproductive capacity of submerged
macrophytes by consuming valuable tissues, but factors affecting palatability of
submerged macrophytes for grass carp rarely are considered. In this study,
relative consumption rate of grass carp with regard to submerged macrophytes was
in the following order: Hydrilla verticillata > Vallisneria natans >
Ceratophyllum demersum > Myriophyllum spicatum. Firmness of macrophytes was in
the following order: M. spicatum > C. demersum > H. verticillata = V. natans,
whereas shear force was M. spicatum > C. demersum > H. verticillata > V. natans.
After crude extracts of M. spicatum were combined with H. verticillata, grass
carp fed on fewer macrophyte pellets that contained more plant secondary
metabolites (PSMs). This indicated that structure and PSMs affected palatability
of macrophytes.PSMs do not contribute to reduction in palatability through
inhibition of intestinal proteinases activity, but they can cause a decrease in
the abundance of Exiguobacterium, Acinetobacter-yielding proteases, lipases, and
cellulose activity, which in turn can weaken the metabolic capacity of grass carp
and adversely affect their growth. Thus, the disadvantages to the growth and
development of grass carp caused by PSMs may drive grass carp to feed on
palatable submerged macrophytes with lower PSMs.
PMID- 28993972
TI - The Effect of Acute and Repeated Stress on CRH-R1 and CRH-R2 mRNA Expression in
Pituitaries of Wild Type and CRH Knock-Out Mice.
AB - The activation of the HPA axis is the endocrine measure of stress responsiveness
that is initiated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH exerts its
effects via CRHR1 and CRH-R2 receptors coupled to the cAMP signaling system and
this process involves transcription factor cAMP-responsive element-binding
protein (CREB).This study investigated the role of CRH and the possible
involvement of CREB in gene regulation of CRH receptor, under basal conditions
and after stress application in the pituitary. We used wild type (wt +/+)
controls and CRH knock-out (CRH-KO -/-) male mice. Using CRH-deficient mice, we
were able to investigate the consequences of the lack of the CRH on the
expression of CRH receptors and transcriptional regulation mediated by CREB. We
estimated the effect of acute (IMO 1*) and repeated (IMO 7*) restraint stressors
lasting 30 and 120 min on the expression of mRNA CREB, CRH-R1, and CRH-R2 by
qPCR. We found very significant difference in the expression of these peptides
under the effect of single and repeated stress in control and CRH-KO mice. Our
results indicate that both CRH receptors and CREB might be involved in the
regulation of stress response in the pituitary of mice. We propose that
regulation of the stress response may be better understood if more were known
about the mechanisms of CRH receptor signal transduction and involvement of CREB
system.
PMID- 28993973
TI - CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of myostatin in Chinese indigenous Erhualian pigs.
AB - CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as one of the most popular genome editing tools due to
its simple design and high efficiency in multiple species. Myostatin (MSTN)
negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth and mutations in myostatin cause
double-muscled phenotype in various animals. Here, we generated myostatin
mutation in Erhualian pigs using a combination of CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell
nuclear transfer. The protein level of myostatin precursor decreased dramatically
in mutant cloned piglets. Unlike myostatin knockout Landrace, which often
encountered health issues and died shortly after birth, Erhualian pigs harboring
homozygous mutations were viable. Moreover, myostatin knockout Erhualian pigs
exhibited partial double-muscled phenotype such as prominent muscular protrusion,
wider back and hip compared with wild-type piglets. Genome editing in Chinese
indigenous pig breeds thus holds great promise not only for improving growth
performance, but also for protecting endangered genetic resources.
PMID- 28993974
TI - Unique variations and characteristics of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome in
China: a case series of 58 patients.
AB - PURPOSE: Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is a rare condition, and unique
characteristics in Chinese patients can make diagnosis difficult. Our purpose was
to describe the clinical characteristics and variations of ICE syndrome in 58
consecutive Chinese patients. METHODS: The clinical data of consecutive patients
with ICE syndrome who were seen between 2008 and 2011 at the glaucoma clinic of
our ophthalmology department were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnostic
criteria for ICE syndrome were a "hammered-silver" appearance of the corneal
endothelium and specular microscopy showing ICE cells characterized by the
absence of a hexagonal appearance, dark areas within the cells, and a light-dark
reversal pattern. The general characteristics of the cornea, iris, pupil, and
anterior chamber angles were compiled and examined. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients
with ICE syndrome were identified: 26 had Chandler's syndrome (CS), 23 Cogan
Reese syndrome, and nine progressive iris atrophy (PIA). The incidence of
glaucoma was 98%. Twenty-three (39.7%) patients had atypical ICE syndrome.
Intraocular pressure was relatively high in 13 patients with slightly damaged
irises, while the corneal endothelium remained relatively intact. Slit lamp
examination showed an intact iris in ten patients (17.2%), with massive
deposition of black pigment in the anterior chamber angle. In the 25 patients in
whom the anterior chamber angle was only partially closed, 80% of the anterior
chamber angles were hyperpigmented. CONCLUSIONS: CS is the most common variation
of ICE syndrome in Chinese patients, and PIA is the least common. A slight change
or an intact iris under slit lamp examination is a characteristic of ICE
syndrome.
PMID- 28993975
TI - Mood disorders are highly prevalent in patients investigated with a multiple
sleep latency test.
AB - PURPOSE: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a debilitating symptom which
occurs commonly in both primary sleep and mood disorders. The prevalence of mood
disorders in patients with EDS, evaluated objectively with a mean sleep latency
test (MSLT), has not been reported. We hypothesize that mood disorders are highly
prevalent in patients being investigated for EDS. This study aims to report the
prevalence of mood disorder in the MSLT population and investigate the
association between mood disorder and objective and subjective scores of
sleepiness. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study of adults with a MSLT and
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) identified over a 3-year period. The
HADS is a validated questionnaire in detecting depression (HADS-D >= 8) and
anxiety (HADS-A >= 11) in the sleep clinic population. Data collected included
demographics, medical, and sleep study information. Mood disorder prevalence was
compared to the general sleep clinic population. Correlation between measures of
sleepiness and mood was performed. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty patients were
included with mean age 41.1 +/- 15.7 years, mean body mass index 28.6 kg/m2 of
whom 30% had anxiety (HADS-A > 11) and 43% depression (HADS-D > 8). Mean results
for the cohort are ESS 13.7, mean sleep latency 11.5 min, HADS-A 8.2, and HADS-D
7. There was no significant correlation between objective sleepiness, as measured
by the mean sleep latency, and either HADS-A (-0.006, p = 0.93) or HADS-D score
(0.002, p = 0.98). There was, however, a weak correlation between subjective
sleepiness, as measured by the ESS, and the mean sleep latency (-0.25, p < 0.01),
HADS-A (0.15, p = 0.03), and HADS-D (0.2, p = 0.004). There was no significant
association between diagnosis of hypersomnia disorders and presence of anxiety (p
= 0.71) or depression (p = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Mood disorders are highly
prevalent in the MSLT population. There was a weak correlation found between
subjective measures of sleepiness and mood disorders, but not between objective
measures of sleepiness and mood disorders. Routine screening for mood disorders
in patients with hypersomnolence should be considered.
PMID- 28993977
TI - Questions about horse spleen ferritin crossing the blood brain barrier via mouse
transferrin receptor 1.
PMID- 28993976
TI - Boric Acid and Commercial Organoboron Products as Inhibitors of Drug-Resistant
Candida albicans.
AB - Clinical use of boric acid as a topical antifungal in women who have failed
standard antifungal therapy with azole drugs has been used sporadically for
decades. Our previous in vitro work showing inhibition of Candida albicans growth
was conducted on clinical isolates without antifungal drug susceptibility
profiling. Here, we report that boric acid restricts growth of drug-resistant
Candida albicans and inhibits hyphal growth and diminishes cell volume. The
availability of over-the-counter organoboron compounds intended for use as oral
nutritional supplements led us to determine if these also were inhibitory toward
resistant Candida and show here that they also possess antifungal activity.
Candida glabrata was also found to be inhibited by boric acid and organoboron
compounds. Further development of organoboron compounds as topical therapeutics
is of potential value.
PMID- 28993978
TI - Anemia in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission: A study from western
India.
AB - BACKGROUND: Anemia is common in patients with active ulcerative colitis. We aimed
to study the anemia profile in patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical
remission. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with ulcerative colitis and with a
clinical Mayo score less than 3 for at least 3 months were evaluated for anemia.
Initial screening was done by hemogram and only patients with anemia were
evaluated further for the cause of anemia. We also screened a control population
for anemia. Patients with mild anemia were given oral iron, moderate anemia were
given intravenous iron and severe anemia were given blood transfusion. RESULTS:
The mean hemoglobin in ulcerative colitis patients was 11.75 g/dL and in controls
was 13.1 g/dL (p=0.011). The prevalence of anemia was 53.1% in the ulcerative
colitis patients and 13.3% in the controls (p=<0.001). 58.8% had mild anemia,
29.4% had moderate anemia and 8.8% had severe anemia. Iron deficiency was the
most common cause of anemia (70.5%) followed by anemia of chronic disease
combined with iron deficiency in 23.5%. Ferritin levels did not correlate with
hemoglobin levels. Oral iron increased the hemoglobin by 1.4 g/dL and intravenous
iron by 2.2 g/dL at 1 month. CONCLUSION: Anemia was seen in more than half of
patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical remission, iron deficiency being the
most common cause.
PMID- 28993980
TI - Characterization, Cytotoxicity, and Genotoxicity of TiO2 and Folate-Coupled
Chitosan Nanoparticles Loading Polyprenol-Based Nanoemulsion.
AB - The structure and bioactivity of Ginkgo biloba leaves polyprenol (GBP) are
similar to that of dolichol which widely exists in human and mammalian organs.
GBP possesses potential pharmacological activities against cancer. This study
involved oil-in-water type nanoemulsion (NE) loading GBP was prepared by
dissolving polyprenol in nanoemulsion of sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP)/TiO2
solution, Triton X-100, and 1-octanol by inversed-phase emulsification (EIP) and
ultrasonic emulsification (UE) method. Folic acid (FA)-coupled chitosan (CS)
nanoparticles (NPs), GBP-FA-CS-NPs and GBP-TiO2-FA-CS-NPs, were fabricated by
ionic cross-linking of positively charged FA-CS conjugates and negatively charged
nanoemulsion with TPP/TiO2. And characterizations of them were investigated by
TEM, SEM, FTIR, particle size, and zeta potential. The cytotoxic and genotoxic
effects of GBP-TiO2-FA-CS-NP treatment were higher than GBP-NE, GBP-FA-CS-NPs,
TiO2-NE, GBP-TiO2-NE, TiO2-FA-CS-NPs, and GBP-TiO2-FA-CS-NP treatment at the same
tested concentrations in HepG2 cells. GBP-TiO2-FA-CS-NPs at low TiO2
concentration (from 1 to 2.5 MUg/ml) showed good inhibition capacity on HepG2
cells and low cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on HL-7702 cells. The possible
mechanism of cytotoxicity on GBP-TiO2-FA-CS-NPs against HepG2 cells is by
preventing excessive intracellular Ca2+ into extracellular spaces via inhibiting
Ca2+-ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase.
PMID- 28993979
TI - Methamphetamine Augments Concurrent Astrocyte Mitochondrial Stress, Oxidative
Burden, and Antioxidant Capacity: Tipping the Balance in HIV-Associated
Neurodegeneration.
AB - Methamphetamine (METH) use, with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1
comorbidity, exacerbates neurocognitive decline. Oxidative stress is a probable
neurotoxic mechanism during HIV-1 central nervous system infection and METH
abuse, as viral proteins, antiretroviral therapy and METH have each been shown to
induce mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanisms regulating
mitochondrial homeostasis and overall oxidative burden in astrocytes are not well
understood in the context of HIV-1 infection and METH abuse. Here, we report METH
mediated dysregulation of astrocyte mitochondrial morphology and function during
prolonged exposure to low levels of METH. Mitochondria became larger and more rod
shaped with METH when assessed by machine learning, segmentation analyses. These
changes may be mediated by elevated mitofusin expression coupled with inhibitory
phosphorylation of dynamin-related protein-1, which regulate mitochondrial fusion
and fission, respectively. While METH decreased oxygen consumption and ATP levels
during acute exposure, chronic treatment of 1 to 2 weeks significantly enhanced
both when tested in the absence of METH. Together, these changes significantly
increased not only expression of antioxidant proteins, augmenting the astrocyte's
oxidative capacity, but also oxidative damage. We propose that targeting
astrocytes to reduce their overall oxidative burden and expand their antioxidant
capacity could ultimately tip the balance from neurotoxicity towards
neuroprotection.
PMID- 28993981
TI - Surgical treatment of marginal osteochondral impaction in acetabular fractures.
AB - PURPOSE: Clinical and radiological evaluation of the results of the technique of
elevation and grafting of osteochondral marginal impaction fragment of posterior
wall acetabular fractures. METHODS: Twenty patients available for this study had
fracture acetabulum with marginal impaction fragment. Elevation, reduction and
bone graft impaction of the defect were the technique in all cases. Follow-up was
at least for 1 year. Evaluation of patient was done clinically by modified Merle
d'Aubigne and Postel score and radiologically by Matta's criteria of reduction
quality and that of radiological hip evaluation. Ficat criteria for avascular
necrosis and Brocker criteria were used for evaluation of heterotopic
ossification. RESULTS: Radiologically, according to the Matta's criteria of
reduction quality there were anatomic reduction in 16 patients (80%) and
satisfactory reduction in 4 patients (20%). Clinical assessments based on
modified Merle d'Aubigne and Postel score include 4 (20%) excellent scores, 12
(80%) good scores, 3 (15%) fair results and poor in one patient who had revision
by total hip replacement. CONCLUSION: Diagnose of marginal impaction fragment
preoperatively makes operative technique by elevation, reduction, bone graft
packing and fixation mandatory to obtain anatomic reduction and favorable
outcome. This technique should be completed before final fixation of the main
fracture acetabulum.
PMID- 28993982
TI - Comparative Assessment on the Expression Level of Recombinant Human Follicle
Stimulating Hormone (FSH) in Serum-Containing Versus Protein-Free Culture Media.
AB - Production of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins has made a great contribution
to modern biotechnology. At present, quick advances in protein expression lead to
the enhancement of product quantity and quality as well as reduction in timescale
processing. In the current study, we assessed the expression level of recombinant
human follicle-stimulating hormone (rhFSH) in adherent and suspension Chinese
hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines by cultivation in serum-containing and chemically
defined, protein-free media. The expression cassette entailing FSH subunits was
transfected to CHO/dhfr- and CHO DG44 cell lines, and gene amplification was
achieved using dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)/methotrexate (MTX) system.
Afterward, the expression level of rhFSH was studied using real-time PCR, Western
blotting and ELISA. Our achievements revealed that stepwise increase in MTX [up
to 2000 nano-molar (nM)] leads to boost the expression level of rhFSH mRNA in
both cell lines, although DG44 have better results, as mRNA expression level
reached 124.8- and 168.3-fold in alpha and beta subunits, respectively. DG44
cells have also the best protein production in 2000 nM MTX, which reached 1.7
fold in comparison with that of the mock group. According to the above results
and many advantages of protein-free media, DG44 is preferable cell line for
future steps.
PMID- 28993984
TI - Facial soft tissue volume decreases during metreleptin treatment in patients with
partial and generalized lipodystrophy.
AB - PURPOSE: Lipodystrophy (LD) patients suffer from loss or maldistribution of
subcutaneous adipose tissue accompanied by dysregulation of several adipocyte
secreted factors, e.g., leptin. The effect of recombinant leptin (metreleptin)
therapy on facial soft tissue volume in patients with non-human immunodeficiency
virus LD has not been quantified to date. METHODS: Eight LD patients (six female,
two male; six familial partial LD [FPLD], two generalized LD) were treated with
metreleptin over 1 year. Anthropometric parameters and 3D stereophotogrammetric
imaging of the patients' faces were assessed at baseline and after 1 year of
metreleptin treatment. RESULTS: Median fat mass was significantly reduced during
metreleptin treatment from 22.3 kg at baseline to 20.0 kg at 1 year (p = 0.031);
however, body weight, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio were not
significantly affected. Five of the six patients with FPLD lost between 4 and 114
cm3 of facial soft tissue volume in the pre-auricular, buccal, and submandibular
area during metreleptin treatment whereas a slight volume gain was seen in one
FPLD patient. The two patients with generalized LD developed a volume loss of 20
and 8 cm3 in the buccal region between baseline and 1 year of metreleptin
therapy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Metreleptin replacement leads to loss of
facial soft tissue volume in FPLD and generalized LD. However, volume changes in
most patients are not visible by the naked eye.
PMID- 28993986
TI - ESMRMB 2017, 34th Annual Scientific Meeting, Barcelona, ES, October 19-October
21: Electronic Posters / Paper Posters / Clinical Review Posters / Software
Exhibits.
PMID- 28993987
TI - ESMRMB 2017, 34th Annual Scientific Meeting, Barcelona, ES, October 19-October
21: Abstracts, Thursday.
PMID- 28993985
TI - Gastroesophageal Reflux After Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Prospective Mechanistic
Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Evolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after sleeve
gastrectomy (SG) is controversial. Some authors report worsening or improvement
of preoperative GERD, others the occurrence of de novo GERD between 5 and 69%.
AIMS: The aims of this study are to evaluate the evolution of GERD after SG by
ambulatory 24-h pH monitoring (APM) and to determine pre- and postoperative
clinical and manometric factors associated with its evolution. METHODS: Between
2013 and 2015, 47 patients operated in our center performed APM before and 1 year
(14.8 +/- 4.9 months) after SG. GERD was defined as a percentage of time with
esophageal pH < 4 (TpH < 4) > 4.2. Among them, 30 had pre- and postoperative high
resolution esophageal manometry (HRM). RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (66%) had no
preoperative GERD (group 1), and 16 had preoperative GERD (group 2). One year
after SG, mean TpH < 4 increased significantly in group 1 (5.8 +/- 4.6 vs. 1.8 +/
1.1%, p < 0.01) whereas it was not modified in group 2 (7.4 +/- 6.6 vs. 6.6 +/-
2.6%). In group 1, 16 patients (52%) had de novo GERD whereas in group 2, 7 had
no more GERD, 3 improved, and 6 worsened. Maximal intragastric pressure after
swallows increased significantly at postoperative HRM only in patients with de
novo GERD (49.2 +/- 22.0 vs. 25.4 +/- 9.4 mmHg, p = 0.03). No preoperative
clinical or manometric parameters were predictive of postoperative GERD.
CONCLUSIONS: One year after SG, esophageal acid exposure globally worsened,
mostly because of de novo GERD, whereas 63% patients with preoperative GERD
improved, without preoperative predictive clinical or manometric factor.
PMID- 28993988
TI - ESMRMB 2017, 34th Annual Scientific Meeting, Barcelona, ES, October 19-October
21: Abstracts, Saturday.
PMID- 28993983
TI - Skin Manifestations Associated with Autoimmune Liver Diseases: a Systematic
Review.
AB - Autoimmune liver diseases, which include mainly autoimmune hepatitis, primary
biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and the variant syndromes,
are often associated with extrahepatic autoimmune diseases. However, the
association with cutaneous diseases is less well described. In the present
article, we provide a systematic literature review on skin manifestations linked
to each of these four autoimmune liver diseases, excluding skin manifestations of
systemic diseases. The association of autoimmune hepatitis with vitiligo is well
known, with a particular striking association with type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, a
condition occurring almost entirely in children and adolescents, much rarer and
more aggressive than type 1 autoimmune hepatitis; probable associations are also
identified with alopecia areata, psoriasis, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Primary
biliary cholangitis is not linked to lichen planus as previously assumed, but to
vitiligo, psoriasis and the very rare amicrobial pustulosis of the folds. The
proposed diagnostic criteria for this latter condition include the presence of
anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies, the serological hallmark of primary biliary
cholangitis. The very strong association of primary sclerosing cholangitis with
inflammatory bowel diseases hampers the search for an association with skin
diseases, since inflammatory bowel diseases have a strong association with
various dermatological condition, including neutrophilic dermatoses and erythema
nodosum. Nevertheless, a probable association of primary sclerosing cholangitis
with psoriasis is identified in this review. Variant syndromes, also called
overlap syndromes, are likely associated with vitiligo as well, which is not
surprising, since autoimmune hepatitis is a feature of these conditions and they
may share regions of the MHC.
PMID- 28993989
TI - ESMRMB 2017, 34th Annual Scientific Meeting, Barcelona, ES, October 19-October
21: Abstracts, Friday.
PMID- 28993991
TI - POCUS in perioperative medicine: a North American perspective.
AB - Ultrasound (US) performed at the point of care has found fertile ground in
perioperative medicine. In the hands of anesthesiologists, transesophageal
echocardiography (TEE) has become established as a powerful diagnostic and
monitoring tool in the perioperative care of cardiac and non-cardiac patients. A
number of point-of-care US (POCUS) applications are relevant to perioperative
care, including airway, cardiac, lung and gastric US. Although guidelines exist
to define the scope of practice for basic and advanced TEE, there remains a lack
of such guidelines for perioperative point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), despite a
number of recent calls for action in the academic anesthesia community. POCUS
training has been integrated into anesthesia residency curricula in Canada and
the United States of America (USA). However, a nation-wide curriculum is still
lacking. Many limitations to the development of perioperative POCUS curricula
exist, including the need to define the scope of practice and design integrated
longitudinal learning approaches. The main anesthesiologist societies in both the
USA and Canada are promoting the development of guidelines and have introduced
POCUS courses into their national conferences. Although bedside US imaging has
been integrated into the curricula of many medical schools in North America, the
need for specific national guidelines for the training and practice of POCUS in
the perioperative setting by anesthesiologists is crucial to the further
development of POCUS in perioperative medicine.
PMID- 28993992
TI - Sulfur-Containing Agrochemicals.
AB - Modern agricultural chemistry has to support farmers by providing innovative
agrochemicals. In this context, the introduction of sulfur atoms into an active
ingredient is still an important tool in modulating the properties of new crop
protection compounds. More than 30% of today's agrochemicals contain at least one
sulfur atom, mainly in fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. A number of
recently developed sulfur-containing agrochemical candidates represent a novel
class of chemical compounds with new modes of action, so we intend to highlight
the emerging interest in commercially active sulfur-containing compounds. This
chapter gives a comprehensive overview of selected leading sulfur-containing
pesticidal chemical families namely: sulfonylureas, sulfonamides, sulfur
containing heterocyclics, thioureas, sulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides and
sulfoximines. Also, the most suitable large-scale synthetic methods of the
recently launched or provisionally approved sulfur-containing agrochemicals from
respective chemical families have been highlighted.
PMID- 28993993
TI - A Practical Guide About Tattooing in Patients with Chronic Skin Disorders and
Other Medical Conditions.
AB - With tattoos becoming increasingly mainstream, dermatologists are more and more
often consulted by patients who are considering getting an ornamental, cosmetic,
or even a medical tattoo, and who subsequently ask for advice. This includes not
only patients with chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis
but also patients with other medical conditions. This review first explores the
reasons why patients may want to get a tattoo and aims to offer some key
information to dermatologists on what they should know about tattooing and the
main risks associated with this procedure. Second, the risks and recommendations
of tattooing in patients with specific skin diseases are described more in
detail, and the relative and strict contraindications discussed, including the
necessity to discontinue certain treatments that could influence the outcome of
the procedure and the final result. Our aim was to provide dermatologists with
the current knowledge they need to help their patients make adequate and informed
choices on skin art, focusing specifically on considerations in patients with
chronic skin conditions. Finally, other aspects regarding some general systemic
conditions and concomitant diseases that the patient could present are also
addressed. In particular, the risks of tattooing in patients with diabetes,
coagulation disorders, heart conditions, immunosuppressive treatments, and
pregnancy are discussed.
PMID- 28993994
TI - Efficacy and factors determining the outcome of dorsal root entry zone lesioning
procedure (DREZotomy) in the treatment of intractable pain syndrome.
AB - BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a disabling condition that adversely affects patient
quality of life. The dorsal root entry zone lesioning procedure (DREZotomy) is a
modality used to treat intractable pain caused by insults to neural structures.
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of and the factors that determine
the outcome of microsurgical DREZotomy (MDT). METHOD: All consecutive patients
who underwent MDT for treatment of intractable pain during September 2008 to
December 2016 were enrolled. Demographic data, clinical characteristics,
intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The
40 included patients underwent MDT for relief of intractable pain caused by 27
brachial plexus injuries (BPIs), 6 spinal cord injuries, 3 neoplasms, and 4 other
causes. A significant reduction in pain was observed post-MDT for both average (p
< 0.001) and maximal pain (p < 0.001). Favorable outcome (>=50% pain reduction)
was observed in 67.5% of patients, with the best outcome in BPI-related pain. In
multivariate analysis, injury of the spinal nerve root (root avulsion or injury)
was significantly associated with good average pain relief (OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.2
27.5; p = 0.026) and pain freedom (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.12-22.30; p = 0.035).
Electrical pain (OR, 6.49; 95% CI, 1.20-35.19; p = 0.030) and lower number of
painful dermatomes (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.01-1.67; p = 0.039) were significantly
associated with good maximal pain relief. CONCLUSIONS: MDT is an effective
procedure for treatment of intractable pain in well-selected patients,
particularly in cases with brachial plexus avulsion pain. Injury of the spinal
nerve root (brachial plexus avulsion and cauda equina injury) was associated with
good average pain relief and pain freedom, and electrical pain and lower number
of painful dermatomes were associated with good maximal pain relief. The results
are useful in the selection of candidates for DREZotomy and prediction of
surgical outcome.
PMID- 28993995
TI - PI3K/Akt and ERK/MAPK Signaling Promote Different Aspects of Neuron Survival and
Axonal Regrowth Following Rat Facial Nerve Axotomy.
AB - The ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways play important role in neuronal
survival and axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. However, the
relative importance and degree of functional overlap of the two pathways are
still debated due to lack of in-vivo data. We used rats which underwent a facial
nerve axotomy, and examined subsequent ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling activity
by quantifying phosphorylation of ERK and Akt. We also assessed the survival rate
of facial neurons, number of regenerated axons, and the length of axonal regrowth
in axotomized animals treated with an inhibitor of ERK/MAPK (U0126) or PI3K/Akt
(LY294002) phosphorylation, or with vehicle. Axotomy increased phosphorylation of
ERK and Akt in the facial nucleus 7 days after injury. The inhibition of ERK
phosphorylation significantly reduced the length of regenerated axons, but not
the other parameters. Inhibition of Akt phosphorylation significantly reduced the
survival rate of facial neurons and the number of new axons, as well as the
length of regenerated axons. The results indicate that facial nerve injury
activates the ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in the facial nerve
nucleus and its axons. However, the pathways promoted aspects of regeneration
with only slight overlap: PI3K/Akt signaling improved the survival of neurons, as
well as axonal growth and branching, whereas ERK/MAPK signaling promoted only
axonal extension.
PMID- 28993996
TI - Toward multi-day-ahead forecasting of suspended sediment concentration using
ensemble models.
AB - This study explores two ideas to made an improvement on the artificial neural
network (ANN)-based models for suspended sediment forecasting in several time
steps ahead. In this regard, both observed and forecasted time series are
incorporated as input variables of the models when applied for more than one lead
time. Secondly, least-square ensemble models employing multiple wavelet-ANN
models are developed to increase the performance of the single model. For this
purpose, different wavelet families are linked with the ANN model and performance
of each model is evaluated using error measures. The Skagit River near Mount
Vernon in Washington county is selected as the case study. The daily flow
discharge and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the current day are
considered as input variables to predict suspended sediment concentration in the
next day. For more lead times, the input structure is updated by adding the
forecast of SSC in the previous time step. Results of this study demonstrate that
incorporating both observed and predicted variables in the input structure
improves performance of conventional models in which those only employ observed
time series as input variables. Moreover, ensemble model developed for each lead
time outperforms the best single wavelet-ANN model which indicates superiority of
the ensemble model over the other one. Findings of this study reveal that
acceptable forecasts of daily suspended sediment concentration up to 3 days in
advance can be achieved using the proposed methodology.
PMID- 28993997
TI - Evaluation of the prognostic factors in patients with pT3N0 or pT1N2-3 gastric
cancer: a single institutional retrospective cohort study.
AB - PURPOSE: The impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on the survival of patients with the
pT3N0/pT1N2-3 subset of Stage II gastric cancer is unclear. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the survival rate of pT3N0/pT1N2-3 patients who were treated by
surgery alone and to identify a high-risk group within this cohort. METHODS: A
total of 258 patients with pT3N0/pT1N2-3 gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy
alone in our hospital between January 1992 and December 2012 were enrolled in the
present study. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate
the survival rates and investigate prognostic factors. RESULTS: The 3- and 5-year
recurrence-free survival rates of this cohort were 84 and 80%, respectively. The
3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 89 and 83%, respectively. A
multivariate analysis revealed that pathological venous infiltration was an
independent prognostic factor. The survival of patients with pathological venous
infiltration was significantly worse than that of those without (5-year
recurrence-free survival, 75 vs. 90%, p = 0.0005; 5-year overall survival, 78 vs.
91%, p = 0.0062). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of pT3N0/pT1N2-3 gastric cancer
patients treated by surgery alone was relatively good; however, patients with
pathological vessel infiltration may be at high risk of recurrence and could be
candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.
PMID- 28993998
TI - Lithocholic bile acid inhibits lipogenesis and induces apoptosis in breast cancer
cells.
AB - BACKGROUND: It has amply been documented that mammary tumor cells may exhibit an
increased lipogenesis. Biliary acids are currently recognized as signaling
molecules in the intestine, in addition to their classical roles in the digestion
and absorption of lipids. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of
lithocholic acid (LCA) on the lipogenesis of breast cancer cells. The putative
cytotoxic effects of LCA on these cells were also examined. METHODS: The effects
of LCA on breast cancer-derived MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were studied using MTT
viability assays, Annexin-FITC and Akt phosphorylation assays to evaluate anti
proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties, qRT-PCR and Western blotting assays
to assess the expression of the bile acid receptor TGR5 and the estrogen receptor
ERalpha, and genes and proteins involved in apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2, p53) and
lipogenesis (SREBP-1c, FASN, ACACA). Intracellular lipid droplets were visualized
using Oil Red O staining. RESULTS: We found that LCA induces TGR5 expression and
exhibits anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231
cells. Also, an increase in pro-apoptotic p53 protein expression and a decrease
in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression were observed after LCA treatment of
MCF-7 cells. In addition, we found that LCA reduced Akt phosphorylation in MCF-7
cells, but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. We also noted that LCA reduced the expression
of SREBP-1c, FASN and ACACA in both breast cancer-derived cell lines and that
cells treated with LCA contained low numbers of lipid droplets compared to
untreated control cells. Finally, a decrease in ERalpha expression was observed
in MCF-7 cells treated with LCA. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a potential
therapeutic role of lithocholic acid in breast cancer cells through a reversion
of lipid metabolism deregulation.
PMID- 28993999
TI - Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in background air around the Aegean:
implications for phase partitioning and size distribution.
AB - The occurrence and atmospheric behavior of tri- to deca-polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDEs) were investigated during a 2-week campaign concurrently conducted
in July 2012 at four background sites around the Aegean Sea. The study focused on
the gas/particle (G/P) partitioning at three sites (Ag. Paraskevi/central
Greece/suburban, Finokalia/southern Greece/remote coastal, and Urla/Turkey/rural
coastal) and on the size distribution at two sites (Neochorouda/northern
Greece/rural inland and Finokalia/southern Greece/remote coastal). The lowest
mean total (G + P) concentrations of ?7PBDE (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-66, BDE-99, BDE
100, BDE-153, BDE-154) and BDE-209 (0.81 and 0.95 pg m-3, respectively) were
found at the remote site Finokalia. Partitioning coefficients, K P, were
calculated, and their linear relationships with ambient temperature and the
physicochemical properties of the analyzed PBDE congeners, i.e., the subcooled
liquid pressure (P L degrees ) and the octanol-air partition coefficient (K OA),
were investigated. The equilibrium adsorption (P L degrees -based) and absorption
(K OA-based) models, as well as a steady-state absorption model including an
equilibrium and a non-equilibrium term, both being functions of log K OA, were
used to predict the fraction Phi of PBDEs associated with the particle phase. The
steady-state model proved to be superior to predict G/P partitioning of BDE-209.
The distribution of particle-bound PBDEs across size fractions < 0.95, 0.95-1.5,
1.5-3.0, 3.0-7.2, and > 7.2 MUm indicated a positive correlation between the mass
median aerodynamic diameter and log P L degrees for the less brominated
congeners, whereas a negative correlation was observed for the high brominated
congeners. The potential source regions of PBDEs were acknowledged as a
combination of long-range transport with short-distance sources.
PMID- 28994000
TI - Fungal Olecranon Bursitis in an Immunocompetent Patient by Knoxdaviesia
dimorphospora sp. nov.: Case Report and Review.
AB - Bursitis is a common medical condition that can occur either with or without
infection. We present a case of fungal olecranon bursitis in an immunocompetent
individual caused by the new species Knoxdaviesia dimorphospora. It is a
dematiaceous filamentous fungus characterized by the production of two different
conidia: hyaline and cylindrical, which rise up from phialidic conidiogenous
cells located in the upper part of differentiated and unbranched conidiophores,
and pale brown and ellipsoidal conidia produced by phialidic conidiogenous cells
which are born directly on hyphae. In addition to its morphological
peculiarities, the novelty of the fungus was confirmed by sequence analysis of
the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and D1/D2 domains of the 28S of the
nuclear rRNA gene. The fungal infection was confirmed by cytological examination
and repeated cultures. The infection was resolved by surgical debridement and
drainage, and the patient presented a complete functional recovery 3 months
later. The in vitro antifungal susceptibility to this new human opportunist is
provided, terbinafine being the drug with the most potent activity.
PMID- 28994001
TI - Comparison Between Etest and Broth Microdilution Methods for Testing Itraconazole
Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus Susceptibility to Antifungal Combinations.
AB - The checkerboard broth microdilution assay (BMD) is the most frequently used
method for the in vitro evaluation of drug combinations. However, its use to
evaluate the effect of antifungal drugs on filamentous fungi is sometimes
associated with endpoint-reading difficulties, and different degrees of
interaction are assigned to the same drug combination. We evaluated combinations
of the azoles, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole, with the
echinocandins, anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin, against 15
itraconazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus clinical strains via the
checkerboard BMD and Etest assay. Readings after 24 and 48 h, considering the two
reading endpoints, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum
effective concentration (MEC), were performed for both methods. Our results
showed that the correlation coefficients between the BMD and Etest methods were
quite diverse to the drug combinations tested. The highest correlation
coefficients of the Etest with the BMD assays (MEC and MIC reading) were the
Etest-MIC reading at 24 h and the Etest-MEC reading at 48 h. Improvements in
experimental conditions may increase the correlation between the two methods and
ensure that Etest assay can be safely used in the evaluation of antifungal
combinations against Aspergillus species.
PMID- 28994002
TI - Medical Pluralism in the Use of Sobadores among Mexican Immigrants to North
Carolina.
AB - Mexican immigrants have a rich history of traditional healers. This analysis
describes the conditions for which Mexican immigrants seek treatment from
sobadores, and delineates factors that influence seeking treatment from a sobador
or a biomedical doctor. This systematic qualitative analysis uses interview data
collected with 24 adult Mexican immigrants to North Carolina who had been treated
by a sobador in the previous 2 years. Immigrants are engaged in medical
pluralism, seeking care from sobadores and biomedical doctors based on the
complaint and patient's age. Using a hierarchy of resort, adults seek treatment
from sobadores for musculoskeletal pain not involving a fracture. Doctors are
first consulted when treating children; sobadores are consulted if doctors do not
provide culturally appropriate treatment. Mexican immigrants seek care that
addresses their culturally determined health concerns. The need to improve access
to culturally competent biomedical health care for vulnerable immigrant
populations continues.
PMID- 28994003
TI - Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors Potentiate 5'-Adenosine Monophosphate
Activated Protein Kinase Stimulation and Glucose Uptake Triggered by Thapsigargin
Induced Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry in Human Neuroblastoma Cells.
AB - The 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator
of the cellular energy metabolism and may induce either cell survival or death.
We previously reported that in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells stimulation of
muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) activate AMPK by triggering store
operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). However, whether mAChRs may control AMPK activity by
regulating additional mechanisms beyond SOCE remains to be investigated. In the
present study we examined the effects of mAChRs on AMPK when SOCE was induced by
the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin. We found that
in SH-SY5Y cells depleted of Ca2+ by thapsigargin, the re-addition Ca2+ to the
medium stimulated AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172, which is required for full
kinase activity. This response occurred through SOCE, as it was blocked by either
the SOCE modulator 2-aminoethoxydiphephenyl borate, knockdown of the SOCE
molecular component STIM1, or inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent
protein kinase kinase beta (CaMKKbeta). In thapsigargin-pretreated cells,
stimulation of pharmacologically defined M3 mAChRs potentiated SOCE-induced AMPK
activation. This potentiation did not involve an increased Ca2+ influx, but was
associated with CaM mobilization from membrane to cytosol, increased
CaM/CaMKKbeta interaction, and enhanced CaMKK stimulation by thapsigargin-induced
SOCE. In thapsigargin-pretreated cells Ca2+ re-addition stimulated glucose uptake
and increased the membrane expression of the glucose transporter GLUT1. Both
responses were significantly potentiated by mAChRs. These data indicate that in
human neuroblastoma cells mAChRs up-regulate AMPK and the downstream glucose
uptake by triggering not only SOCE but also CaM translocation and enhanced
formation of active CaM/CaMKKbeta complexes.
PMID- 28994004
TI - Advantages of 18F FDG-PET/CT over Conventional Staging for Sarcoma Patients.
AB - The effective management of patients with sarcomas requires accurate diagnosis
and staging. Imaging, such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT),
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the most freqently used methods for the
detection of the lesion location, size, morphology and structural changes to
adjacent tissues; however, these modalities provide little information about
tumour biology. MRI is a robust and useful modality in tumour staging of
sarcomas, however metabolic-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/
computer tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) provides greater accuracy to overall staging
in combination with MRI [1]. The advantages of 18F-FDG PET/CT method compared
with CT and MRI is that it provides a whole body imaging, maps the viability of
the tumour or the metabolic activity of the tissue. Additionally, PET detects the
most agressive part of the tumour, demonstrates the biological behaviour of the
tumour and therefore has a predictive value. Little data ara available on the
role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the management of sarcomas. The present manuscript aims
to provide a review of the major indications of 18F-FDG PET/CT for diagnosis,
staging, restaging and monitoring response to therapy and to compare its
usefulness with the conventional imaging modalities in the management of patients
with sarcomas.
PMID- 28994005
TI - Characterisation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells
under shear stress using an easy-to-use microfluidic cell culture system.
AB - Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPSC-ECs) can contribute
to elucidating the pathogenesis of heart and vascular diseases and developing
their treatments. Their precise characteristics in fluid flow however remain
unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to characterise these
features. We cultured three types of ECs in a microfluidic culture system:
commercially available human iPS-ECs, human umbilical vein endothelial cells
(HUVECs) and human umbilical artery endothelial cells (HUAECs). We then examined
the mRNA expression levels of endothelial marker gene cluster of differentiation
31 (CD31), fit-related receptor tyrosine kinase (Flk-1), and the smooth muscle
marker gene smooth muscle alpha-actin, and investigated changes in plasminogen
activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) secretion and intracellular F-actin arrangement
following heat stress. We also compared expressions of the arterial and venous
marker genes ephrinB2 and EphB4, and the endothelial gap junction genes connexin
(Cx) 37, 40, and 43 under fluidic shear stress to determine their arterial or
venous characteristics. We found that iPS-ECs had similar endothelial marker gene
expressions and exhibited similar increases in PAI-1 secretion under heat stress
as HUVECs and HUAECs. In addition, F-actin arrangement in iPSC-ECs also responded
to heat stress, as previously reported. However, they had different expression
patterns of arterial and venous marker genes and Cx genes under different fluidic
shear stress levels, showing that iPSC-ECs exhibit different characteristics from
arterial and venous ECs. This microfluidic culture system equipped with variable
shear stress control will provide an easy-to-use assay tool to examine
characteristics of iPS-ECs generated by different protocols in various
laboratories and contribute to basic and applied biomedical researches on iPS
ECs.
PMID- 28994006
TI - Isolation and complete genome sequence of Halorientalis hydrocarbonoclasticus sp.
nov., a hydrocarbon-degrading haloarchaeon.
AB - Bioremediation in hypersaline environments is particularly challenging since the
microbes that tolerate such harsh environments and degrade pollutants are quite
scarce. Haloarchaea, however, due to their inherent ability to grow at high salt
concentrations, hold great promise for remediating the contaminated hypersaline
sites. This study aimed to isolate and characterize novel haloarchaeal strains
with potentials in hydrocarbon degradation. A haloarchaeal strain IM1011 was
isolated from Changlu Tanggu saltern near Da Gang Oilfield in Tianjin (China) by
enrichment culture in hypersaline medium containing hexadecane. It could degrade
57 +/- 5.2% hexadecane (5 g/L) in the presence of 3.6 M NaCl at 37 degrees C
within 24 days. To get further insights into the mechanisms of petroleum
hydrocarbon degradation in haloarchaea, complete genome (3,778,989 bp) of IM1011
was sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene, RNA polymerase beta
subunit (rpoB') gene and of the complete genome suggested IM1011 to be a new
species in Halorientalis genus, and the name Halorientalis hydrocarbonoclasticus
sp. nov., is proposed. Notably, with insights from the IM1011 genome sequence,
the involvement of diverse alkane hydroxylase enzymes and an intact beta
oxidation pathway in hexadecane biodegradation was predicted. This is the first
hexadecane-degrading strain from Halorientalis genus, of which the genome
sequence information would be helpful for further dissecting the hydrocarbon
degradation by haloarchaea and for their application in bioremediation of oil
polluted hypersaline environments.
PMID- 28994007
TI - Impact of Moringa oleifera seed aqueous extract on some biological, biochemical,
and histological aspects of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.
AB - Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases. It is a snail-borne
trematode infection, and Biomphalaria alexandrina snails are the intermediate
host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt. The objective of this study is to evaluate
the molluscicidal activity of the aqueous seed extract of Moringa oleifera
against B. alexandrina snails. The results showed that this aqueous extract was
lethal for B. alexandrina snails (LC50 0.27 g/l; LC90 0.41 g/l). Exposure of
snails to the sublethal concentrations of this aqueous extract caused a
considerable reduction in survival rates and hatchability rates of eggs of these
snails. Moreover, it negatively affected some biochemical aspects, where it
increased the levels of transaminases (ALT and AST), while it decreased the
concentrations of total protein, albumin, and globulin concentration.
Histological examinations of the digestive gland of snails exposed to the
sublethal concentrations of aqueous seed extract of M. oleifera revealed severe
damage in the digestive cells, where they lost their tips and some were
degenerated, while the secretory cells increased in number. Regarding the
hermaphrodite gland, there were losses of connective tissues and irregular
sperms, and the eggs were degenerated. These findings prove the potent activity
of aqueous seed extract of M. oleifera against the intermediate hosts of
Schistosoma mansoni and provide a considerable scope in exploiting local
indigenous resources for snails' molluscicidal agents.
PMID- 28994008
TI - How Do Hunter-Gatherer Children Learn Subsistence Skills? : A Meta-Ethnographic
Review.
AB - Hunting and gathering is, evolutionarily, the defining subsistence strategy of
our species. Studying how children learn foraging skills can, therefore, provide
us with key data to test theories about the evolution of human life history,
cognition, and social behavior. Modern foragers, with their vast cultural and
environmental diversity, have mostly been studied individually. However, cross
cultural studies allow us to extrapolate forager-wide trends in how, when, and
from whom hunter-gatherer children learn their subsistence skills. We perform a
meta-ethnography, which allows us to systematically extract, summarize, and
compare both quantitative and qualitative literature. We found 58 publications
focusing on learning subsistence skills. Learning begins early in infancy, when
parents take children on foraging expeditions and give them toy versions of
tools. In early and middle childhood, children transition into the multi-age
playgroup, where they learn skills through play, observation, and participation.
By the end of middle childhood, most children are proficient food collectors.
However, it is not until adolescence that adults (not necessarily parents) begin
directly teaching children complex skills such as hunting and complex tool
manufacture. Adolescents seek to learn innovations from adults, but they
themselves do not innovate. These findings support predictive models that find
social learning should occur before individual learning. Furthermore, these
results show that teaching does indeed exist in hunter-gatherer societies. And,
finally, though children are competent foragers by late childhood, learning to
extract more complex resources, such as hunting large game, takes a lifetime.
PMID- 28994009
TI - Blood cadmium levels associated with short distant metastasis-free survival time
in invasive breast cancer.
AB - Distant metastasis is strongly associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer.
Cadmium (Cd) exposure was previously found associated with breast cancer
incidence. We explored the associations of blood cadmium levels (BCLs) and
clinicopathologic characteristics with invasive breast cancer distant metastasis.
Blood samples were collected and analyzed for BCLs by graphite-furnace atomic
absorption spectrometry. Clinicopathologic characteristics, including basic
clinical information and tumor characteristics, were obtained from medical
records. Breast cancer distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) time was
calculated at follow-up. The associations of BCLs and clinicopathologic
characteristics with DMFS time were examined by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox
regression analysis, and associations between BCLs and tumor characteristics were
also explored. Blood Cd level was positively associated with distant metastasis,
clinical stage, BMI, and age. On univariate analysis, older age at diagnosis,
family history of breast cancer, high N classification and clinical stage,
positivity for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and high BCLs were
associated with short DMFS time. On multivariate analysis model, older age at
diagnosis, family history of breast cancer, high N classification, and BCLs were
predictors for breast cancer distant metastasis. BCLs were a risk factor for
short DMFS time of invasive breast cancer. BCLs and some clinicopathologic
factors affect breast cancer distant metastasis, which needs further
epidemiological and experimental studies to confirm.
PMID- 28994010
TI - Parsing the neural correlates of anxious apprehension and anxious arousal in the
grey-matter of healthy youth.
AB - Neuroscientific and psychological research posits that there are two
transdiagnostic facets of anxiety: anxious arousal and anxious apprehension.
Though these two facets of anxiety are distinct, they are often subsumed into one
domain (e.g., trait anxiety). The primary goal of the current study was to
delineate the relationship between anxious arousal and cortical thickness versus
the relationship between anxious apprehension and cortical thickness in a sample
of typically functioning youth. The secondary aim was to determine where in the
brain cortical thickness significantly correlated with both components of
anxiety. Results indicated that the right anterior insula has a stronger
relationship to anxious arousal, whereas the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and
left anterior insula were found to correlate with both anxious arousal and
apprehension. We also observed volumetric differences in the amygdala and
hippocampus between anxious arousal and anxious apprehension. Whereas anxious
arousal, but not apprehension, predicted left amygdala volume, anxious
apprehension, but not arousal, predicted right hippocampal volume. These findings
demonstrated that there are both differences and similarities in the neural
regions that contribute to independent facets of anxiety. Results are discussed
in terms of previous findings from the affective and developmental cognitive
neurosciences.
PMID- 28994011
TI - Vanadium(V) complexes with hydrazides and their spectroscopic and biological
properties.
AB - The present study explores the synthesis and inhibitory potential of vanadium(V)
complexes of hydrazides (1c-12c) against oxidative enzymes including xanthine
oxidase and lipoxygenase (LOX). In addition, non-enzymatic radical scavenging
activities of these complexes were also determined. On the basis of spectral,
elemental and physical data, synthesized vanadium(V) complexes are tentatively
assigned to have an octahedral geometry with two hydrazide ligands and two oxo
groups forming a negatively charged sphere complex with ammonium as counter ion.
This is further verified by the conductivity studies of the complexes. Results
show that hydrazide ligands (1-12) and their respective vanadium(V) complexes (1c
12c) posses scavenging and inhibition potential against DPPH and LOX,
respectively. However, contrary to that uncoordinated ligands showed no activity
against nitric oxide, superoxide and xanthine oxidase whereas their complexes
showed varying degree of activity. These studies indicate that geometry of
complex, nature and position of substituent groups play a vital role in
scavenging and inhibition potential of these compounds.
PMID- 28994012
TI - Comparative In Vitro Toxicity Evaluation of Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic,
and Methylmercury) on HT-22 Hippocampal Cell Line.
AB - Heavy metals are considered some of the most toxic environmental pollutants.
Exposure to heavy metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and
methyl mercury (MeHg) has long been known to cause damage to human health. Many
recent studies have supported the hippocampus as the major target for these four
metals for inflicting cognitive dysfunction. In the present study, we proposed
hippocampal relevant in vitro toxicity of Pb, Cd, As, and MeHg in HT-22 cell
line. This study reports, initially, cytotoxic effects in acute, subchronic,
chronic exposures. We further investigated the mechanistic potency of DNA damage
and apoptosis damage with the observed cytotoxicity. The genotoxicity and
apoptosis were measured by using the comet assay, annexin-V FTIC / propidium
iodide (PI) assay, respectively. The results of cytotoxicity assay clearly
demonstrated significant concentration and time-dependent effects on HT-22 cell
line. The genotoxic and apoptosis effects also concentration-dependent fashion
with respect to their potency in the range of IC10-IC30, maximal level of damage
observed in MeHg. In conclusion, the obtained result suggests concentration and
potency-dependent response; the maximal level of toxicity was observed in MeHg.
These novel findings support that Pb, Cd, As, and MeHg induce cytotoxic,
genotoxic, and apoptotic effects on HT-22 cells in potency-dependent manner;
MeHg> As> Cd> Pb. Therefore, the toxicity of Pb, Cd, As, and MeHg could be useful
for knowing the common underlying molecular mechanism, and also for estimating
the mixture impacts on HT-22 cell line.
PMID- 28994013
TI - Outcomes, safety, and feasibility of video-assisted thoracic surgery in lung
cancer patients on hemodialysis: a case series.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The rate of surgical resection of lung cancer in patients on
hemodialysis is expected to increase due to the development of hemodialysis,
improved diagnosis of lung cancer, and increases in the number and age of
patients. However, studies assessing outcomes of lung resection in these patients
are limited. In this retrospective case series, we investigated the safety and
efficacy of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for lobectomy or segmentectomy
for lung cancer in patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: Between January 2010 and
January 2017, lobectomy or segmentectomy using VATS was performed for seven lung
cancer cases in six patients receiving hemodialysis at our institution. There
were two female and five male patients, with a median age of 61 years (range 53
76 years). Six patients underwent lobectomy, and segmentectomy and wedge
resection were performed in each one case, respectively; systematic mediastinal
lymph node dissection (ND2a-2) was performed in six patients. RESULTS: There were
no perioperative deaths in this case series. Median recurrence-free and overall
survival rates were 20 months (range 3-82 months) and 31 months (range 3-82
months), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a
safe and effective procedure for resection of lung cancer in hemodialysis
patients and should be considered after accurate determination of surgical
indications and careful perioperative management.
PMID- 28994014
TI - Intra- and inter-specific variations in chitin in lichens along a N-deposition
gradient.
AB - The mechanisms of nitrogen (N) tolerance in lichens are not yet fully understood.
Here, we investigated how the increase of chitin content is related with N excess
at inter- and intra-specific levels, by using species with differing ecological N
tolerances (the tolerant Xanthoria parietina and Parmotrema hypoleucinum and the
sensitive Evernia prunastri and Usnea sp.) and thalli of X. parietina and P.
hypoleucinum from sites with different availabilities of N of agricultural origin
(livestock), as confirmed by lichen N content and delta15N. Nitrogen, chitin (N
containing compound), and ergosterol contents were measured in lichen thalli.
Nitrogen and chitin contents were higher in tolerant species than those in
sensitive ones (inter-specific level) and in thalli collected from the N-polluted
site than in thalli from the clean site (intra-specific level). We suggest that
chitin contributes to N stress tolerance in lichens, and that excess N can be
partially stored as chitin (non-toxic form) in the cell walls of tolerant
species.
PMID- 28994015
TI - Exploring standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index for drought
assessment in Bangladesh.
AB - Drought is a critical issue, and it has a pressing, negative impact on
agriculture, ecosystems, livelihoods, food security, and sustainability. The
problem has been studied globally, but its regional or even local dimension is
sometimes overlooked. Local-level drought assessment is necessary for developing
adaptation and mitigation strategies for that particular region. Keeping this in
understanding, an attempt was made to create a detailed assessment of drought
characteristics at the local scale in Bangladesh. Standardized precipitation
evapotranspiration (SPEI) is a new drought index that mainly considers the
rainfall and evapotranspiration data set. Globally, SPEI has become a useful
drought index, but its local scale application is not common. SPEIbase (0.5
degrees grid data) for 110 years (1901-2011) was utilized to overcome the lack
of long-term climate data in Bangladesh. Available weather data (1955-2011) from
Bangladesh Meteorology Department (BMD) were analyzed to calculate SPEIweather
station using the SPEI calculator. The drivers for climate change-induced
droughts were characterized by residual temperature and residual rainfall data
from different BMD stations. Grid data (SPEIbase) of 26 stations of BMD were used
for drought mapping. The findings revealed that the frequency and intensity of
drought are higher in the northwestern part of the country which makes it
vulnerable to both extreme and severe droughts. Based on the results, the SPEI
based drought intensity and frequency analyses were carried out, emphasizing
Rangpur (northwest region) as a hot spot, to get an insight of drought assessment
in Bangladesh. The findings of this study revealed that SPEI could be a valuable
tool to understand the evolution and evaluation of the drought induced by climate
change in the country. The study also justified the immediate need for drought
risk reduction strategies that should lead to relevant policy formulations and
agricultural innovations for developing drought adaptation, mitigation, and
resilience mechanisms in Bangladesh.
PMID- 28994016
TI - Cardiopulmonary Manifestations of Collagen Vascular Diseases.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The study aimed to illustrate the cardiopulmonary findings of
the following collagen vascular diseases on cross-sectional imaging: rheumatoid
arthritis, scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis), systemic lupus
erythematosus, the inflammatory myopathies (polymyositis/dermatomyositis), and
Sjogren's syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: Although collagen vascular diseases can
affect any part of the body, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension
are the two most important cardiopulmonary complications and are responsible for
the majority of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Interstitial
pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) is a newly described entity that
encompasses interstitial lung disease in patients with clinical, serologic, or
morphologic features suggestive of but not diagnostic of collagen vascular
disease; these patients are thought to have better outcomes than idiopathic
interstitial pneumonias. Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension
determine the prognosis in collagen vascular disease patients. IPAF is a new term
to label patients with possible collagen vascular disease-related interstitial
lung disease. Collagen vascular disease patients are at increased risk for
various malignancies.
PMID- 28994017
TI - Comparison of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with
gallium-67 scintigraphy in the initial clinical staging of diffuse large B-cell
lymphoma.
AB - Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has been
recommended as a complementary tool for the staging of various malignancies,
including malignant lymphoma. PET findings often shift patients to higher stages
and may affect treatment outcomes. In this study, we retrospectively compared
staging and treatment outcomes of newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
(DLBCL) assessed by PET (n = 153) or gallium-67 scintigraphy (Ga) (n = 95). In
total, Ga upstaged two (2.1%) of 95 patients, whereas PET upstaged 13 (8.5%) of
153 patients. Bone/bone marrow (15 vs. 4%, P = 0.01) and muscle lesion (5 vs. 0%,
P = 0.03) were identified more frequently in the PET group than in the Ga group.
The estimated 3-year overall and progression-free survival rates did not differ
significantly in the two groups at any stage. However, patients with stage III
disease tended to have better progression-free survival in the PET group than in
the Ga group [92.3 (95% CI 56.6-98.9%) vs. 58.3% (95% CI 27.0-80.1%), P = 0.086].
These results suggest that PET has a greater potential in detecting
musculoskeletal lesions of DLBCL as extranodal lesions than Ga, and may
contribute to the optimal staging.
PMID- 28994018
TI - Memory CD4+ T cell subsets in tumor draining lymph nodes of breast cancer
patients: A focus on T stem cell memory cells.
AB - BACKGROUND: The compartments of memory T cells play a fundamental role in the
immune system by substantiating specific and acquired immunity. A new subset of
memory cells, T stem cell memory (TSCM) cells, with stem cell-like properties, a
high capacity to proliferate, a long survival, and an ability to differentiate
into all effector and memory cells has recently been introduced. In the present
study, we aimed to determine the frequency of CD4+ TSCM and other T memory cell
subsets in tumor draining lymph nodes of breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: Mononuclear cells were obtained from axillary lymph nodes of 52
untreated patients with breast cancer (BC) and stained with fluorochrome
conjugated anti-CD4, -CCR7, -CD45RO and -CD95 antibodies to detect different
subtypes of memory cells in CD4+ lymphocyte populations. Data were acquired using
a four-color FACSCalibur flow cytometer and analyzed using CellQuest Pro
software. RESULTS: We found that >70% of CD4+ lymphocytes in draining lymph nodes
of BC patients exhibited a memory phenotype of which 7.04 +/- 1.04% had a TSCM
phenotype (CD4+CCR7+CD45RO-CD95+). The frequency of TSCM cells was significantly
higher in tumor positive lymph nodes compared to tumor negative lymph nodes (p =
0.026) as well as among those patients who had at least one affected lymph node
(p = 0.012). Moreover, we found that the total frequency of central memory T
cells (TCM) with a low expression of CD45RO was significantly higher among these
patients. The percentage of CD45ROLow TCM cells was also found to increase with
tumor progression from stage I to stage III (p = 0.020). On the other hand, we
found that the percentage of CD95Hi effector memory T cells (TEM) was
significantly decreased in involved lymph nodes (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Our data
suggest that following long-term exposure to putative tumor antigens, TSCM cells
proliferate to generate a pool of committed memory and effector T cells. As the
tumor progresses, the immunosuppressive milieu induced by tumor cells may slow
down the differentiation of CD45ROLow TCM cells to more functional sub
populations.
PMID- 28994019
TI - Tempo-spatial dynamics of water quality and its response to river flow in estuary
of Taihu Lake based on GOCI imagery.
AB - Knowledge of tempo-spatial dynamics of water quality and its response to river
flow is important for the management of lake water quality because river
discharge associated with rainstorms can be an important source of pollutants to
the estuary. Total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll a (Chl-a), and total suspended
matter (TSM) are important indexes of water quality and important factors
influencing eutrophication and algal blooms. In this study, remote sensing was
used to monitor these indexes to investigate the effects of river discharge on
the estuary of Taihu Lake by the largest inflow river which is Chendong River
using a total of 136 Geostationary Ocean Color Images (GOCI). In situ datasets
collected during the four cruise experiments on Taihu Lake between 2011 and 2015
were used to develop the TP, Chl-a, and TSM inversion models based on simple
empirical algorithms: 154 points for TP (mg/L), 114 for Chl-a (MUg/L), and 181
for TSM (mg/L). The spatial and temporal changes of the concentration of the
three parameters in the Chendong River estuary were analyzed by combining the
GOCI data, the flow of the Chendong River, and meteorological data throughout the
year in 2014. The several key findings are as follows: (1) In summer and autumn,
TP, Chl-a, and TSM contents were significantly higher than in winter and spring.
TP and Chl-a have a few similar distribution characteristics. And organic
suspended matter in summer was the main reason for the increase of the TSM
concentration. (2) The severe surface erosion in the rivers cannot be ignored;
the high erodibility is an important factor in the increase of TP and TSM
concentrations in the estuary. The concentration of the water quality parameter
showed exponential decay with distance from the shore. The concentration
decreased slowly after 12 km and then remained essentially constant. (3) TP
content in the Chendong River estuary decreased under steady flow inputs and
dramatically increased when the flow became large. The increase in Chl-a content
was linked to higher levels of TP and good weather conditions after the rain
event. Higher flow rates mainly play a dilution role for the Chl-a concentration.
Erosion of the surface soil via rainfall is a major source of TSM to the estuary.
This paper firstly analyzes tempo-spatial dynamics of water quality and its
response to river flow in estuary of Taihu Lake, helps to further understand the
impact of river input on lake water quality, and is important for lake
eutrophication.
PMID- 28994020
TI - Vitamin D and the Skin: An Update for Dermatologists.
AB - Vitamin D plays a key role in skeletal and cardiovascular disorders, cancers,
central nervous system diseases, reproductive diseases, infections, and
autoimmune and dermatological disorders. The two main sources of vitamin D are
sun exposure and oral intake, including vitamin D supplementation and dietary
intake. Multiple factors are linked to vitamin D status, such as Fitzpatrick skin
type, sex, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol intake, and vitamin D
receptor polymorphisms. Patients with photosensitive disorders tend to avoid sun
exposure, and this practice, along with photoprotection, can put this category of
patients at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Maintaining a vitamin D serum
concentration within normal levels is warranted in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis,
vitiligo, polymorphous light eruption, mycosis fungoides, alopecia areata,
systemic lupus erythematosus, and melanoma patients. The potential determinants
of vitamin D status, as well as the benefits and risks of vitamin D (with a
special focus on the skin), will be discussed in this article.
PMID- 28994021
TI - Radial head prosthesis: surgical tips and tricks.
AB - Radial head prostheses (RHP) have been developed to decrease the complications
rate following a radial head resection surgery. The aim of the RHP is to
replicate the physiological radiocapitellar tracking, reproducing the mechanical
function of the native radial head: to stabilize the elbow and to shear the
forces passing through the elbow along with the other stabilizers. The currently
used RHP models try to achieve this target with three different prosthesis'
strategies: (a) loose fit stem, (b) bipolar radial head or (c) anatomical radial
head. Even if the radial head fixation is the preferred technique in every
possible case and the resection can be still considered a possible option, in the
last years there has been a growing worldwide consensus in using the radial head
replacement in patients with unfixable radial head fractures, especially if
associated with complex elbow instability. However, complications after a RHP are
not uncommon, and their rate is raising as long as the implants number are
increasing. The main difficulties are due to the implantation technique that
needs to be performed with the same attention and precision used for the
replacement of all the other joints, and to the concurrent treatment of the
associated lesions. A personalized postoperative rehabilitation program is
essential for obtaining good results and decreasing the complications rate.
Concern exists for the young age of the patients that often require a RHP:
personal experience and literature analysis suggest that if the clinical and
radiographic results are positive after a 6-12-month follow-up, good outcomes can
be also expected at a medium- or long-term follow-up.
PMID- 28994024
TI - Association of Vitamin B12, Lactate Dehydrogenase, and Regulation of NF-kappaB in
the Mitigation of Sodium Arsenite-Induced ROS Generation in Uterine Tissue by
Commercially Available Probiotics.
AB - Managing arsenic intoxication with conventional metal chelators is a global
challenge. The present study demonstrated the therapeutic role of probiotics
against arsenic-induced oxidative stress and female reproductive dysfunction.
Sodium arsenite-treated (1.0 mg/100 g body weight) Wistar female rats were
followed up by a post-treatment of commercially available probiotic mixture in
powder form (0.25 mg/100 g body weight) orally. Rats that experienced arsenic
ingestion showed a significant lessening in the activities of uterine superoxide
dismutase (SOD), catalase activities, and the level of non-protein soluble thiol
(NPSH) with a concomitant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes
(CD). Exposure to arsenic significantly lowered the levels of vitamin B12 and
estradiol. Exposure to arsenic highly expressed the inflammatory marker and
transcription factor NF-kappaB. Arsenic-mediated instability of these above
parameters was controlled by the probiotics with a rebuilding of better function
of anti-oxidant components. Besides its function in regulating endogenous anti
oxidant system, probiotics were able to augment the protection against mutagenic
uterine DNA-breakage, necrosis, and ovarian-uterine tissue damages in arsenicated
rats.
PMID- 28994022
TI - Evaluation of epigenetic alterations (mir-126 and mir-155 expression levels) in
Mexican children exposed to inorganic arsenic via drinking water.
AB - Recently, a great number of epidemiological studies have shown evidence that
exposure to inorganic arsenic could have harmful effects on the cardiovascular
system of humans. However, the underlying mechanisms through which arsenic
induces cardiovascular toxic effects remain unclear. In this regard, epigenetic
mechanisms have emerged as a probable connection between environment and disease
phenotypes, including cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to
evaluate epigenetic changes related to cardiotoxicity (miR-126 and miR-155
expression levels) in children from San Luis Potosi, Mexico exposed to inorganic
arsenic. From 2014 to 2015, in a cross-sectional study, children (aged 6-12
years; n = 73) attending public schools at the studied sites were enrolled to
take part in this study. Urinary arsenic was used as an exposure biomarker and
analyzed by an atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. On the other hand,
miR-126 and miR-155 expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR. A mean urinary
arsenic level of 30.5 +/- 25.5 MUg/g of creatinine was found. Moreover, the data
showed a significant negative association (p < 0.05) between urinary arsenic
concentrations and plasma miR-126 levels. However, an association between urinary
arsenic concentrations and plasma miR-155 levels was not found (p > 0.05). In
this regard, some investigations have shown an association between diminished
plasma miR-126 levels and cardiovascular illnesses. The results found in this
study are of concern. However, more similar studies including a larger sample
size are necessary in order to clarify the real significance of the data.
PMID- 28994023
TI - Treatment with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) differently
affects survival, locomotor activity, and biochemical markers in Drosophila
melanogaster.
AB - PTZ is a convulsive agent that acts via selective blockage of GABAA receptor
channels, whereas 4-AP leads to a convulsive episode via blockage of K+ channels.
However, the mechanism(s) by which pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and 4-aminopyridine
(4-AP) cause toxicity to Drosophila melanogaster needs to be properly explored,
once it will help in establishing an alternative model for development of proper
therapeutic strategies and also to counteract the changes associated with
exposure to both epileptic drugs. For the purpose, we investigated the effects of
exposure (48 h) to PTZ (60 mM) and/or 4-AP (20 mM) on survival, locomotor
performance, and biochemical markers in the body and/or head of flies. 4-AP-fed
flies presented a higher incidence of mortality and a worse performance in the
open field test as compared to non-treated flies. 4-AP also caused a significant
increase in the reactive species (RS) and protein carbonyl (PC) content in the
body and head. Also a significant increase in catalase and acetylcholinesterase
(AChE) activities was observed in the body. In the same vein, PTZ exposure
resulted in a significant increase in RS, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
(TBARS), PC content, and catalase activity in the body. PTZ exposure also caused
a significant increase in AChE activity both in body and head. It is important to
note that PTZ-treated flies also down-regulated the NRF2 expression. Moreover,
both 4AP- and PTZ-fed flies presented a significant decrease in MTT reduction,
down-regulation, and inhibition of SOD in body. However, SOD was significantly
more active in the head of both 4-AP and PTZ-treated flies. Our findings provide
evidence regarding the toxicological potential of both PTZ and/or 4-AP to flies.
This model will help in decoding the underlying toxicological mechanisms of the
stated drugs. It will also help to properly investigate the therapeutic
strategies and to counteract the drastic changes associated with both
epileptogenic drugs.
PMID- 28994025
TI - Applying the Glenoid Track Concept in the Management of Patients with Anterior
Shoulder Instability.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the recent evolution
in the treatment of anterior shoulder instability and the dynamic interaction
between the glenoid and Hill-Sachs lesion. RECENT FINDINGS: Through the glenoid
track concept, glenoid- and humeral-sided bone loss are evolving away from being
approached as separate entities. Recent cadaveric studies have validated the
glenoid track concept. Moreover, a recent clinical study has demonstrated a much
higher rate of failure after arthroscopic Bankart repair for shoulders that were
off track. The glenoid track concept is a useful tool in evaluating patients with
anterior shoulder instability. Shoulders that are off track may require more than
a simple arthroscopic Bankart, and the addition of a remplissage or bony transfer
may be considered.
PMID- 28994026
TI - Eight Years at the Helm.
PMID- 28994027
TI - Management of Glenoid Bone Loss with Anterior Shoulder Instability: Indications
and Outcomes.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Glenoid Bone Loss is a commonly encountered problem in
anterior shoulder instability. In this article, we review current techniques for
diagnosis, indications and management of glenoid bone loss. RECENT FINDINGS:
Multiple bone grafting techniques are available depending on the glenoid defect
size including the coracoid, distal clavicle, iliac crest, and allograft distal
tibia. Advancement in imaging methods allows for more accurate quantification of
bone loss. Indications and techniques are continuing to evolve, and emerging
evidence suggests that smaller degrees of bone loss "subcritical" may be best
treated with bone grafting. Future directions for innovation and investigation
include improved arthroscopic techniques and a refinement of indications for the
type of bone grafts and when to indicate a patient of arthroscopic repair versus
glenoid bone grafting for smaller degrees of bone loss to ensure successful
outcome.
PMID- 28994028
TI - Treatment for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: Current Concepts and New
Evidence.
AB - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Current guidelines for the optimal treatment degenerative
spondylolisthesis are weak and based on limited high-quality evidence. RECENT
FINDINGS: There is some moderate evidence that decompression alone may be a
feasible treatment with lower surgical morbidity and similar outcomes to fusion
when performed in a select population with a low-grade slip. Similarly, addition
of interbody fusion may be best suited to a subset of patients with high-grade
degenerative spondylolisthesis, although this remains controversial. Minimally
invasive techniques are increasingly being utilized for both decompression and
fusion surgeries with more and more studies showing similar outcomes and lower
postoperative morbidity for patients. This will likely be an area of continued
intense research. Finally, the role of spondylolisthesis reduction will likely be
determined as further investigation into optimal sagittal balance and spinopelvic
parameters is conducted. Future identification of ideal thresholds for sagittal
vertical axis and slip angle that will prevent progression and reoperation will
play an important role in surgical treatment planning. Current evidence supports
surgical treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis. While posterolateral spinal
fusion remains the treatment of choice, the use of interbodies and decompressions
without fusion may be efficacious in certain populations. However, additional
high-quality evidence is needed, especially in newer areas of practice such as
minimally invasive techniques and sagittal balance correction.
PMID- 28994030
TI - GeLC-MS: A Sample Preparation Method for Proteomics Analysis of Minimal Amount of
Tissue.
AB - Application of various proteomics methodologies have been implemented for the
global and targeted proteome analysis of many different types of biological
samples such as tissue, urine, plasma, serum, blood, and cell lines. Among the
aforementioned biological samples, tissue has an exceptional role into clinical
research and practice. Disease initiation and progression is usually located at
the tissue level of different organs, making the analysis of this material very
important for the understanding of the disease pathophysiology. Despite the
significant advances in the mass spectrometry instrumentation, tissue proteomics
still faces several challenges mainly due to increased sample complexity and
heterogeneity. However, the most prominent challenge is attributed to the
invasive procedure of tissue sampling which restricts the availability of fresh
frozen tissue to minimal amounts and limited number of samples. Application of
GeLC-MS sample preparation protocol for tissue proteomics analysis can greatly
facilitate making up for these difficulties. In this chapter, a step by step
guide for the proteomics analysis of minute amounts of tissue samples using the
GeLC-MS sample preparation protocol, as applied by our group in the analysis of
multiple different types of tissues (vessels, kidney, bladder, prostate, heart)
is provided.
PMID- 28994029
TI - Identification of the quinolinedione inhibitor binding site in Cdc25 phosphatase
B through docking and molecular dynamics simulations.
AB - Cdc25 phosphatase B, a potential target for cancer therapy, is inhibited by a
series of quinones. The binding site and mode of quinone inhibitors to Cdc25B
remains unclear, whereas this information is important for structure-based drug
design. We investigated the potential binding site of NSC663284 [DA3003-1 or 6
chloro-7-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethylamino)-quinoline-5, 8-dione] through docking and
molecular dynamics simulations. Of the two main binding sites suggested by
docking, the molecular dynamics simulations only support one site for stable
binding of the inhibitor. Binding sites in and near the Cdc25B catalytic site
that have been suggested previously do not lead to stable binding in 50 ns
molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In contrast, a shallow pocket between the C
terminal helix and the catalytic site provides a favourable binding site that
shows high stability. Two similar binding modes featuring protein-inhibitor
interactions involving Tyr428, Arg482, Thr547 and Ser549 are identified by
clustering analysis of all stable MD trajectories. The relatively flexible C
terminal region of Cdc25B contributes to inhibitor binding. The binding mode of
NSC663284, identified through MD simulation, likely prevents the binding of
protein substrates to Cdc25B. The present results provide useful information for
the design of quinone inhibitors and their mechanism of inhibition.
PMID- 28994031
TI - Differential Adipose Tissue Proteomics.
AB - Differential proteomic analysis (comparative quantitative proteomics) is a robust
quantitative technique used to detect and identify the proteome of selected
tissues. The expression levels (upregulated vs. downregulated) of proteins in
tissue samples that differ by experimental design or anatomic location are
determined by a series of assays including (1) 2D difference gel electrophoresis
(2D-DiGE), (2) protein spot picking based on a priori thresholds, (3) Mass
Spectrometry, and (4) follow-up Western Blot for antibody validation (Chen et
al., Mol Cell Proteomics 14:2466-2478, 2015). Differential proteomic analysis is
a perfect method for analyzing a heterogeneous tissue such as adipose tissue with
a composition spectrum consisting of white to brown adipocytes along with a
stromal vascular fraction dependent on anatomical location and inflammation. The
adipose tissue proteomic protocol outlined here was successful in identifying
differentially expressed proteins both significantly upregulated and
downregulated between the experimental and control groups (Shields et al., Pulm
Circ 6:586-596, 2016).
PMID- 28994032
TI - HLA Class I and Class II-Induced Intracellular Signaling and Molecular
Associations in Primary Human Endothelial Cells.
AB - The signaling capacity of HLA molecules in vascular cells has been well
established. Intracellular signaling and association with the coreceptor integrin
beta4 has been well-studied for HLA class I. However, little is known regarding
HLA class II intracellular signaling in human endothelial cells. Investigation of
HLA class II has been challenging due to the loss of HLA class II expression in
cultured primary cells. Herein, we describe methods for inducing expression of
endogenous alleles and loci of HLA class II molecules, as well as for studying
intracellular signaling. This includes siRNA knockdown of proteins and
coimmunoprecipitation of putative coreceptors for HLA in primary human aortic
endothelial cells.
PMID- 28994033
TI - The effect of simulator fidelity on acquiring non-technical skills: a randomized
non-inferiority trial.
AB - INTRODUCTION: As simulator fidelity (i.e., realism) increases from low to high,
the simulator more closely resembles the real environment, but it also becomes
more expensive. It is generally assumed that the use of high-fidelity simulators
results in better learning; however, the effect of fidelity on learning non
technical skills (NTS) is unknown. This was a non-inferiority trial comparing the
efficacy of high- vs low-fidelity simulators on learning NTS. METHODS: Thirty-six
postgraduate medical trainees were recruited for the trial. During the pre-test
phase, the trainees were randomly assigned to manage a scenario using either a
high-fidelity simulator (HFS) or a low-fidelity simulator (LFS), followed by
expert debriefing. All trainees then underwent a video recorded post-test
scenario on a HFS, and the NTS were assessed between the two groups. The primary
outcome was the overall post-test Ottawa Global Rating Scale (OGRS), while
controlling for overall pre-test OGRS scores. Non-inferiority between the LFS and
HFS was based on a non-inferiority margin of greater than 1. RESULTS: For our
primary outcome, the mean (SD) post-test overall OGRS score was not significantly
different between the HFS and LFS groups after controlling for pre-test overall
OGRS scores [3.8 (0.9) vs 4.0 (0.9), respectively; mean difference, 0.2; 95%
confidence interval, -0.4 to 0.8; P = 0.48]. For our secondary outcomes, the post
test total OGRS score was not significantly different between the HFS and LFS
groups after controlling for pre-test total OGRS scores (P = 0.33). There were
significant improvements in mean overall (P = 0.01) and total (P = 0.003) OGRS
scores from pre-test to post-test. There were no significant associations between
postgraduate year (P = 0.82) and specialty (P = 0.67) on overall OGRS
performance. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that low-fidelity simulators are non
inferior to the more costly high-fidelity simulators for teaching NTS to
postgraduate medical trainees.
PMID- 28994034
TI - On the interactions among zinc availability and responses to ozone stress in
durum wheat seedlings.
AB - Seedlings of durum wheat [Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn] were
exposed to zinc nutrition and to ozone (O3) in a factorial combination: adequate
(+Zn treatment) or no Zn (-Zn) in the nutrient solution, followed by exposure to
either ozone-free air (filtered air, FA) or to 150 nL L-1 ozone (O3) for 4 h.
Although omitting Zn from the nutrient solution failed to impose a genuine Zn
deficiency, -Zn*FA durum wheat seedlings showed a typical deficiency behaviour,
i.e. Zn mobilisation from root to shoot. Such inter-organ Zn redistribution,
however, did not occur in -Zn*O3 plants. Exposure to each stress singly decreased
the activity and the protein amount of foliar plasma membrane H+-ATPase, but not
stress combination, which even increased the H+-ATPase expression with respect to
control. In the -Zn*O3 plants, moreover, the foliar activities of the plasma
membrane-bound NAD(P)H-dependent superoxide synthase and of Cu,Zn-superoxide
dismutase, and the transcripts abundance of the luminal binding protein and of
the protein disulphide isomerase, were also stimulated. It is proposed that, even
in the absence of actual Zn starvation, the perception of deficiency conditions
could trigger changes in redox homoeostasis at the plasma membrane level, helpful
in compensating an O3-dependent oxidative damage.
PMID- 28994035
TI - SurvivorCHESS to increase physical activity in colon cancer survivors: can we get
them moving?
AB - PURPOSE: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of SurvivorCHESS,
an eHealth intervention, on physical activity in colon cancer survivors and to
explore the impact of SurvivorCHESS on quality of life and distress. METHODS:
This was a two-arm single-blinded multi-site randomized controlled trial
comparing a control group to an intervention group receiving a smartphone with
the SurvivorCHESS program. RESULTS: Participants using SurvivorCHESS (n = 144)
increased their moderate to vigorous physical activities from 19.4 min at
baseline to 50 min compared to the control group (n = 140) increasing from 15.5
to 40.3 min at 6 months (p = .083) but was not sustained 3 months after the study
ended. No significant differences were found between groups over time for quality
of life or distress items. Reports of physical symptoms were greater than other
categories for distress items. Patients who had a higher body mass index and
number of comorbid conditions were less likely to increase their physical
activity. Self-determination theory including autonomous motivation and
relatedness was not associated with the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity
did increase over time in both groups and was not significantly different with
the use of the eHealth intervention, SurvivorCHESS, compared to the control
group. The amount of SurvivorCHESS use was not associated with physical activity.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Increasing physical activity in colon cancer
survivors has the potential to improve quality of life and reduce recurrences.
Using smartphone-tracking devices may be useful in helping to change this health
behavior.
PMID- 28994036
TI - Comparison of 4 different strategies of DAPT after PCI in ACS real world
population from a Northern Italy registry.
AB - Aim of the study was to compare four different strategies of dual antiplatelet
therapy (DAPT) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) treated with PCI.
DAPT with Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor and Prasugrel has proved to be effective in
patients with ACS treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by
reducing major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE). However, the effect of the
different strategies in a real-world population deserves further verification. A
retrospective analysis of 2404 discharged ACS patients treated with PCI was
performed, with a median follow-up of 1 year. The study population was stratified
in four drug treatment cohorts: ASA + Clopidogrel (A-C), ASA + Plavix (A-PLx),
ASA + Ticagrelor (A-T), ASA + Prasugrel (A-P). We assessed the incidence of net
adverse cardiovascular events (NACE): all-cause death, myocardial infarction
(MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR), stroke and bleeding during follow
up. At 1-year, the use of A-C and A-PLx was associated with the highest
cumulative incidence of NACE in comparison with A-T and A-P therapies
(respectively 14.8 and 29.6% vs. 9.2 and 6%). This difference was mainly driven
by the mortality and TVR outcomes. Considering selection bias and differences in
the patients baseline characteristics, the association of A-T and A-P seems to be
superior in comparison with a DAPT strategy of A-C and A-PLx in low risk ACS-PCI
patients from real world. In our Region the prescription is consistent with
guidelines recommendations and Clopidogrel and Plavix are still predominantly
used in older patients with more comorbidities, and this could partially explain
the inferiority of this association.
PMID- 28994039
TI - Utility of Pit-1 Immunostaining in Distinguishing Pituitary Adenomas of Primitive
Differentiation from Null Cell Adenomas.
AB - Pit-1 immunostaining is not routinely used in the characterization of pituitary
adenomas, and its utility in distinguishing adenomas dedicated towards the
lactotroph, somatotroph, and thyrotroph lineage from null cell adenomas warrants
further evaluation. Pituitary adenomas that were negative for expression of a
basic panel of hormonal markers (ACTH, prolactin, and growth hormone) were
further evaluated for TSH, SF-1, and Pit-1 expression using a tissue microarray.
Among the 147 identified pituitary adenomas that were negative for ACTH,
prolactin, growth hormone, and TSH, expression of SF-1 was present in 68 cases
(46%). Of the remaining 72 cases with sufficient tissue for further analysis,
four were Pit-1 positive (6% of the adenomas negative for ACTH, prolactin, growth
hormone, TSH, and SF-1); the remaining 68 were potentially null cell adenomas.
Two of the Pit-1-positive adenomas displayed a paranuclear CAM 5.2 staining
pattern suggestive of a sparsely granulated somatotroph adenoma; however, only
one case contained fibrous bodies within a majority of the adenoma cells. Our
data suggests that Pit-1 can be utilized as a second tier immunostain in cases of
clinically non-functioning adenomas that are immunonegative for ACTH, prolactin,
growth hormone, TSH, and SF-1 in order to further segregate rare cases of Pit-1
positive adenomas from null cell adenomas. Pit-1 immunostaining can recognize
rare cases of sparsely granulated somatotroph adenomas that appear immunonegative
for growth hormone, as well as rare cases of other Pit-1-positive adenomas that
are negative for Pit-1 lineage hormones. Overall, pituitary adenomas of the Pit-1
lineage that do not produce prolactin, growth hormone, or TSH are rare, with only
four cases identified in the current study.
PMID- 28994037
TI - Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of inherited distal renal tubular
acidosis.
AB - Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is a tubular disorder with a primary defect
of urinary acidification and acid excretion in the collecting duct system.
Consequently, patients develop hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis with an
inappropriately alkaline urine. Inherited forms of dRTA are due to mutations in
at least three distinct genes: SLC4A1, ATP6V1B1, ATP6V0A4. Mutations in SLC4A1
(AE1) are inherited either in an autosomal dominant manner or in a recessive one.
ATP6V1B and ATP6V0A4 mutations affect two different subunits of the vacuolar H+
ATPase proton-pump, the B1 and a4 subunits, and are inherited in an autosomal
recessive manner. Clinical manifestations of inherited forms of dRTA usually
occur during infancy or childhood. However, heterozygous carriers of ATP6V1B1 and
ATP6V0A4 mutations may have a higher risk of developing nephrolithiasis and
nephrocalcinosis in adulthood, respectively. In full forms of dRTA, patients may
present with mild clinical symptoms, such as mild metabolic acidosis and
incidental detection of kidney stones, as well as with more severe manifestations
such as failure to thrive, severe metabolic acidosis, and nephrocalcinosis.
Progressive sensorineural hearing loss develops in the majority of patients with
recessive dRTA (ATP6V1B1 and ATP6V0A4 mutations). Some patients with recessive
dRTA may also develop abnormal widening of the vestibular aqueduct. This review
will discuss our current understanding of the pathophysiology of inherited forms
of dRTA, diagnosis and prognosis of patients, and therapy.
PMID- 28994040
TI - The Protective Effect of Selenium on the Chicken Pancreas against Cadmium
Toxicity via Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Autophagy.
AB - Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that can affect human and animal
health. Selenium (Se) is an essential microelement that can protect various
organs against toxic heavy metals. Although many studies have investigated the
adverse effect of Cd in rats and several other animals, little is known regarding
the mechanisms of Cd-induced autophagy in the chicken pancreas and the
antagonistic effect of Se on Cd. In the current study, we fed chickens Se, Cd, or
Se and Cd supplements to establish the Se and Cd interaction model and to measure
the concentrations of Se and Cd in the chicken pancreas. The ultrastructure
changes of the chicken pancreas were also observed, and we detected oxidative
stress indexes in each group. The expression levels of autophagy-related genes
were also examined. We found that Cd exposure could increase the concentration of
Cd, the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and
glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)
content in the chicken pancreas. The protein expression levels of dynein,
Beclin1, LC3-1, LC3-2, and Atg5 were increased and that of TOR was decreased
under Cd exposure conditions. However, the changes induced by Cd were
significantly alleviated by Se. This study suggested that Cd could accumulate in
the chicken pancreas and lead to oxidative stress and autophagy. Se was shown to
antagonize Cd toxicity though reducing Cd accumulation, alleviating oxidative
stress, and inhibiting autophagy. This study revealed a concrete mechanism for
the Se antagonism of Cd and might provide a new clue for the detoxification of Cd
poisoning.
PMID- 28994038
TI - Clusia hilariana and Eugenia uniflora as bioindicators of atmospheric pollutants
emitted by an iron pelletizing factory in Brazil.
AB - The objectives of this work were to evaluate if the pollution emitted by the
pelletizing factory causes visual symptoms and/or anatomical changes in exposed
Eugenia uniflora and Clusia hilariana, in active biomonitoring, at different
distances from a pelletizing factory. We characterize the symptomatology,
anatomical, and histochemistry alterations induced in the two species. There was
no difference in the symptomatology in relation to the different distances of the
emitting source. The foliar symptoms found in C. hilariana were chlorosis,
necrosis, and foliar abscission and, in E. uniflora, were observed necrosis
punctuais, purple spots in the leaves, and increase in the emission of new leaves
completely purplish. The two species presented formation of a cicatrization
tissue. E. uniflora presented reduction in the thickness of leaf. In C.
hilariana, it was visualized hyperplasia of the cells and the adaxial epidermis
did not appear collapsed due to thick cuticle and cuticular flanges. Leaves of C.
hilariana showed positive staining for iron, protein, starch, and phenolic
compounds. E. uniflora showed positive staining for total phenolic compounds and
starch. Micromorphologically, there was accumulation of particulate matter on the
leaf surface, obstruction of the stomata, and scaling of the epicuticular wax in
both species. It was concluded that the visual and anatomical symptoms were
efficient in the diagnosis of the stress factor. C. hilariana and E. uniflora
showed to be good bioindicators of the atmospheric pollutants emitted by the
pelletizing factory.
PMID- 28994042
TI - ?
PMID- 28994043
TI - ?
PMID- 28994041
TI - Quantification of Wilms' tumor 1 mRNA by digital polymerase chain reaction.
AB - Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) is overexpressed in various hematopoietic tumors and widely
used as a marker of minimal residual disease. WT1 mRNA has been analyzed using
quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). In the present
study, we analyzed 40 peripheral blood and bone marrow samples obtained from
cases of acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and
myelodysplastic syndrome at Sapporo Medical University Hospital from April 2012
to January 2015. We performed quantification of WT1 was performed using
QuantStudio 3D Digital PCR System (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and compared the
results between digital PCR and real-time PCR technology. The correlation between
digital PCR and real-time PCR was very strong (R = 0.99), and the detection
limits of the two methods were equivalent. Digital PCR was able to accurately
detect lower WT levels compared with real-time PCR. Digital PCR technology can
thus be utilized to predict WT1/ABL1 expression level accurately and should thus
be useful for diagnosis or the evaluation of drug efficiency in patients with
leukemia.
PMID- 28994044
TI - ?
PMID- 28994045
TI - ?
PMID- 28994046
TI - ?
PMID- 28994047
TI - ?
PMID- 28994048
TI - ?
PMID- 28994050
TI - ?
PMID- 28994049
TI - ?
PMID- 28994051
TI - ?
PMID- 28994052
TI - ?
PMID- 28994054
TI - ?
PMID- 28994055
TI - ?
PMID- 28994057
TI - ?
PMID- 28994056
TI - ?
PMID- 28994058
TI - ?
PMID- 28994060
TI - ?
PMID- 28994059
TI - ?
PMID- 28994061
TI - ?
PMID- 28994062
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PMID- 28994063
TI - ?
PMID- 28994064
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PMID- 28994066
TI - ?
PMID- 28994065
TI - [How can prevention be made successful?]
PMID- 28994067
TI - ?
PMID- 28994068
TI - [Flu vaccination - Protect also pregnant women and your team!]
PMID- 28994069
TI - ?
PMID- 28994070
TI - ?
PMID- 28994071
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PMID- 28994072
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PMID- 28994074
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PMID- 28994073
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PMID- 28994093
TI - Circulating tumor cells in urological cancers.
AB - Circulating tumor cells (CTC) represent a very small subpopulation of the cancer
cells found in the bloodstream of patients in the metastatic phase of neoplastic
disease. Due to the timeline of the disease, they are regarded as a negative
prognostic marker. This study focused on determining CTC percentages; these
values vary be-tween different types of cancer. In addition to their diagnostic
use, CTCs may also be used to treat the disease. Calculating CTC population size
and analyzing their biology in patients in advanced stages of cancer may prove
valuable in creating a molecular profile for the disease. This would strongly
encourage diagnostics and enable personalized treatment. We here present an
analysis of recent data on CTCs in urological cancers and their potential uses.
PMID- 28994094
TI - Novel prognostic molecular factors: a quantum leap in the field of chronic
lymphocytic leukemia.
AB - Cytogenetic lesions do not completely explain clinical heterogeneity of chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The 2016 revision of the World Health Organization
classification 2008 indicated that molecular lesions of TP53, NOTCH1, SF3B1 and
BIRC3 have potential clinical relevance and could be integrated into an updated
risk profile. The negative clinical implications of TP53 disruptions are well
constituted and patients with these mutations should be considered for novel,
small molecule signal transduction inhibitors therapies. Mutations of NOTCH1,
SF3B1 and BIRC3 are associated with poor prognosis. Patients with mutated SF3B1
or NOTCH1 genes present shorter time to first treatment compared to unmutated
group. NOTCH1 mutations are related to a high risk of Richter's syndrome
transformation, especially in case of TP53 disruptions' coexistence. Large
studies on MYD88 mutations in CLL have not explained clearly their clinical
importance.The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review on novel
molecular aberrations identified in CLL.
PMID- 28994095
TI - Repression of the Notch pathway prevents liver damage in streptozotocin-induced
diabetic mice.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Sunitinib is an oral inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth
factor that is used to treat a variety of cancer. There are limited data
regarding the effect of sunitinib on diabetes. In the liver, Notch signaling
plays an important role in liver tissue development and homeostasis and its
dysfunction is associated with liver pathol-ogies. The aim of the present study
is to investigate the effects of sunitinib on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
diabetic liver in mice models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An experimental diabetes
mellitus (DM) model was created in 28 male CD-1 mice. Twenty-eight male CD-1 mice
divided in four groups (n = 7 each) were used; control mice (C), control mice
treated with sunitinib (C + S), diabetic mice (DM), and diabetic mice treated
with sunitinib (DM + S) for four weeks. The histopathological changes in the
liver were examined by histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity
of Notch1, Jagged1, DLL-1 and VEGF were evaluated in control and diabetic mice
after sunitinib treatment. RESULTS: The significant morphological changes in the
liver were mostly seen in hepatocytes that were hyper-trophied in the DM mice,
with an increased amount of eosinophilic granules; moreover, some hepatocytes
contained empty vacuole-like structures. The livers of the DM mice revealed
increased deposition of collagen fibers. After sunitinib treatment the
hepatocytes and hepatic lobules had almost similar morphology to control mice.
The immunoreactivities of Notch1, Jagged1, DLL-1 and VEGF in hepatocytes were
significantly lower in the DM group when compared with the C, DM + S and C + S
group treated with sunitinib. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sunitinib
effectively protects the liver from diabetes-induced damage through the
inhibition of the Notch pathway.
PMID- 28994096
TI - Impaired expression of testicular androgen receptor and collagen fibers in the
testis of diabetic rats under HAART: the role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Wide spectrum of alterations associated with highly active
antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been reported. The current study aimed at
evaluating the role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea (HH) aqueous extract on the
testosterone levels, expression of androgen receptors and collagen fibers in the
testes of streptozoto-cin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats under HAART regimen.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (189.0 +/- 4.5 g)
were divided into eight groups (8 animals in each treatment groups and 6 rats in
the control group). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperi-toneal injection
of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg bw) followed by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg bw) and the
animals were then subjected to various treatments with HAART, HH extract or
melatonin. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to measure
serum testosterone levels. Testes were fixed in buffered formaldehyde and
paraffin processed. The expression of androgen receptor (AR) was assessed by
immunohistochemistry and collagen fibers were visualized by Masson trichrome
staining. RESULTS: Serum testosterone level was drastically (p < 0.0001) reduced
in all rats with induced diabetes. In the testis of diabetic rats increased
collagen fibers deposition with varying derangements in germinal epithelium of
spermatogenic layers were observed. Intertubular hemorrhages and absence of
spermatozoa were also noted in the testes of diabetic rats subjected to HAART.
Reduced immunoexpression of ARs was found in the nuclei of Sertoli cells and the
cytoplasm of spermatogonia and spermatocytes in III-IV stages of the seminiferous
epithelium cycle of diabetic animals treated with different dosages of HH alone
and those treated with HAART concomitantly with melatonin and HH. The expression
of ARs was almost negative in the testes of rats treated with HAART alone.
CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant treatment of rats with aqueous HH extract during the
HAART did not change se-rum testosterone level nor mitigate the altered
expression of collagen fibers and androgen receptor resulting from STZ
nicotinamide-induced diabetes. Therefore, anti-diabetic properties of Hypoxis
extract require further investigation.
PMID- 28994097
TI - Reliability of histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry of a single
biopsy for evaluation of endometrial health in Icelandic mares.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Endometritis and endometrosis have been and still are the major
reasons for infertility in mares. The diagnosis of endometritis can be based on
cytology and microbiology, but endometrial biopsy is still the only way to
diagnose endometrosis in the mare. Our study attempted to determine if a single
biopsy using his-topathology and immunohistochemistry is sufficient to ascertain
reasons for infertility in Icelandic mares. The objectives of this study were to
examine the relationship between deviations in endometrial biopsies in terms of
prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (PTGS-2) and fibronectin expression and
polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) infiltration, as well as scoring degeneration in
two endometrial biopsies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Materials were collected from 53
Icelandic breed mares, from whom two endometrial biopsies were collected and they
were used for histopathology and for immunohistochemistry for PTGS-2 and
fibronectin. RESULTS: In our study, twenty-six of 53 mares (49%) showed
differences in the biopsy score between the left and the right uterine horns (p =
0.002). There were statistically significant differences in fibronectin
expression (p = 0.001), as well as in PTGS-2 expression in the superficial
epithelium (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in the biopsy score,
and fibronectin and PTGS-2 expression, between two endometrial biopsies obtained
from individual mares demonstrated that a single biopsy could be insufficient for
diagnosing uterine health status in Icelandic mares.
PMID- 28994098
TI - The impact of antiandrogen flutamide on the hypoxia inducible factor 1a and
vascular endothelial growth factor A gene and protein expression in the pig
placenta during late pregnancy.
AB - INTRODUCTION: In contrast to estradiol action, little is known about androgen
signaling in placental development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
impact of diminished androgen action on hypoxia inducible factor 1a (HIF-1a) and
vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) protein expression as well as their
mRNAs in the structures of fetal and maternal parts of porcine placenta during
late pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pregnant pigs were injected daily with
antiandrogen flutamide, at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight at different stages of
pregnancy: between gestational days 83-89 (90 dpc) and 101-107 (108 dpc). Control
groups (90 dpc or 108 dpc) were treated with vehicle (corn oil). One day after
the last injection animals were sacrificed and tissues were collected. Tissue
samples were frozen for mRNA isolation or fixed for immu-nohistochemistry (IHC).
The expression of HIF-1a and VEGFA were investigated by real-time PCR and IHC.
RESULTS: Flutamide treatment caused changes in both HIF-1a and VEGFA mRNA levels
only in the placentas of the 90 dpc group. Relative optical density analysis
showed decreased HIF-1a and increased VEGFA protein expression in the placentas
obtained from flutamide-treated 108 dpc group while no differences were observed
in the 90 dpc group. CONCLUSIONS: Experimentally induced androgen deficiency in
pigs deregulates the expression of some genes important for placental blood
circulation. We suggest that androgens are involved in the control of expression
of HIF-1a and VEGFA in porcine placenta during late pregnancy.
PMID- 28994099
TI - Sociodemographic factors modulate the spatial response of brown bears to
vacancies created by hunting.
AB - There is a growing recognition of the importance of indirect effects from hunting
on wildlife populations, e.g. social and behavioural changes due to harvest,
which occur after the initial offtake. Nonetheless, little is known about how the
removal of members of a population influences the spatial configuration of the
survivors. We studied how surviving brown bears (Ursus arctos) used former home
ranges that had belonged to casualties of the annual bear hunting season in
southcentral Sweden (2007-2015). We used resource selection functions to explore
the effects of the casualty's and survivor's sex, age and their pairwise genetic
relatedness, population density and hunting intensity on survivors' spatial
responses to vacated home ranges. We tested the competitive release hypothesis,
whereby survivors that increase their use of a killed bear's home range are
presumed to have been released from intraspecific competition. We found strong
support for this hypothesis, as survivors of the same sex as the casualty
consistently increased their use of its vacant home range. Patterns were less
pronounced or absent when the survivor and casualty were of opposite sex. Genetic
relatedness between the survivor and the casualty emerged as the most important
factor explaining increased use of vacated male home ranges by males, with a
stronger response from survivors of lower relatedness. Relatedness was also
important for females, but it did not influence use following removal; female
survivors used home ranges of higher related female casualties more, both before
and after death. Spatial responses by survivors were further influenced by bear
age, population density and hunting intensity. We have shown that survivors
exhibit a spatial response to vacated home ranges caused by hunting casualties,
even in nonterritorial species such as the brown bear. This spatial
reorganization can have unintended consequences for population dynamics and
interfere with management goals. Altogether, our results underscore the need to
better understand the short- and long-term indirect effects of hunting on animal
social structure and their resulting distribution in space.
PMID- 28994100
TI - Temporal changes in hamlet communities (Hypoplectrus spp., Serranidae) over 17
years.
AB - Transect surveys of hamlet communities (Hypoplectrus spp., Serranidae) covering
14 000 m2 across 16 reefs off La Parguera, Puerto Rico, are presented and
compared with a previous survey conducted in the year 2000. The hamlet community
has noticeably changed over 17 years, with a > 30% increase in relative abundance
of the yellowtail hamlet Hypoplectrus chlorurus on the inner reefs at the expense
of the other hamlet species. The data also suggest that the density of H.
chlorurus has declined and that its distribution has shifted towards shallower
depths. Considering that H. chlorurus has been previously identified as one of
the few fish showing a positive association with seawater turbidity on the inner
reefs of La Parguera and that sedimentation of terrestrial origin has increased
over recent decades on these reefs, it is proposed that turbidity may constitute
an important but so far overlooked ecological driver of hamlet communities.
PMID- 28994101
TI - When to choose dynamic vs. static social network analysis.
AB - There is increasing interest in using dynamic social networks in the study of
animal sociality and its consequences. However, there is a general lack of
guidance on the when and how such an approach will be valuable. The aim of this
paper is to provide a guide on when to choose dynamic vs. static social network
analysis, and how to choose the appropriate temporal scale for the dynamic
network. I first discuss the motivations for using dynamic animal social
networks. I then provide guidance on how to choose between dynamic networks and
the "standard" approach of using static networks. I discuss this in the context
of the temporal scale of changes observed, of their predictability and of the
data availability. Dynamic networks are important in a number of scenarios.
First, if the network data are being compared to independent processes, such as
the spread of information or disease or environmental changes, then dynamic
networks will provide more accurate estimates of spreading rates. Second, if the
network has predictable patterns of change, for example diel cycles or seasonal
changes, then dynamic networks should be used to capture the impact of these
changes. Third, dynamic networks are important for studies of spread through
networks when the relationship between edge weight and transmission probability
is nonlinear. Finally, dynamic social networks are also useful in situations
where interactions among individuals are dense, such as in studies of captive
groups. The use of static vs. dynamic network requires careful consideration,
both from a research question perspective and from a data perspective, and this
paper provides a guide on how to evaluate the relative importance of these.
PMID- 28994102
TI - Site affinity of whitespotted eagle rays Aetobatus narinari assessed using
photographic identification.
AB - Photographic identification was used to track the movements of the whitespotted
eagle ray Aetobatus narinari around South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands. A
total of 165 individuals were identified, aided by the computer program I3 S
Spot. The sex ratio across all study sites in 2015 was not significantly
different from 1:1 (chi2 = 2.8, P > 0.05). 33.9% of all individual rays were
resighted at least once and the maximum number of days between the first and last
sighting was 1640 (median 165, interquartile range, IQR = 698). Sightings of
individuals occurred at locations differing from the original sighting location
24.6% of the time (0.7-20 km away). The entire population around South Caicos has
yet to be sampled and these rays exhibited site affinity during the study period;
they are either resident to South Caicos or are using the area for parts of the
year before making movements elsewhere and then returning. Given these results,
A. narinari is suited to local-scale management and conservation efforts.
PMID- 28994103
TI - Migratory animals feel the cost of getting sick: A meta-analysis across species.
AB - Migratory animals are widely assumed to play an important role in the long
distance dispersal of parasites, and are frequently implicated in the global
spread of zoonotic pathogens such as avian influenzas in birds and Ebola viruses
in bats. However, infection imposes physiological and behavioural constraints on
hosts that may act to curtail parasite dispersal via changes to migratory timing
("migratory separation") and survival ("migratory culling"). There remains little
consensus regarding the frequency and extent to which migratory separation and
migratory culling may operate, despite a growing recognition of the importance of
these mechanisms in regulating transmission dynamics in migratory animals. We
quantitatively reviewed 85 observations extracted from 41 studies to examine how
both infection status and infection intensity are related to changes in body
stores, refuelling rates, movement capacity, phenology and survival in migratory
hosts across taxa. Overall, host infection status was weakly associated with
reduced body stores, delayed migration and lower survival, and more strongly
associated with reduced movement. Infection intensity was not associated with
changes to host body stores, but was associated with moderate negative effects on
movement, phenology and survival. In conclusion, we found evidence for negative
effects of infection on host phenology and survival, but the effects were
relatively small. This may have implications for the extent to which migratory
separation and migratory culling act to limit parasite dispersal in migratory
systems. We propose a number of recommendations for future research that will
further advance our understanding of how migratory separation and migratory
culling may shape host-parasite dynamics along migratory routes globally.
PMID- 28994104
TI - Epidemiology of keratinocyte carcinomas after organ transplantation.
AB - Keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) is the most common type of cancer among white
populations, but it is even more common among solid organ transplant recipients
(OTRs). The most frequent histological type of KC among OTRs is cutaneous
squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), followed by basal cell carcinoma, although the
reverse is seen in the general population. Metastatic cSCCs are more frequent,
and mortality is increased compared with immunocompetent populations. There is
strong evidence that the risk of KC among OTRs rises with increasing time after
transplantation and older age at transplantation, and that KC is enhanced in
those with sun-damaged skin. This evidence suggests that accelerated accumulation
of genetic damage from several sources leads to excess KC in OTRs. We describe
international variation in KC and focus on trends in immunosuppressive regimens,
the role of ultraviolet susceptibility and exposure, and the contribution of
genetics to tumour development. Further epidemiological studies are needed to
address gaps in our understanding of the mediation of excess KC by
immunosuppressive drugs, viral infection, genetic susceptibility, timing of
relevant ultraviolet exposure or some combination of these factors.
PMID- 28994105
TI - Surgical management of apocrine hidrocystoma on the penile shaft.
PMID- 28994106
TI - Safety Culture and Mortality after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Study of
Medicare Beneficiaries at 171 Hospitals.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between hospital safety culture and 30
day risk-adjusted mortality for Medicare patients with acute myocardial
infarction (AMI) in a large, diverse hospital cohort. SUBJECTS: The final
analytic cohort consisted of 19,357 Medicare AMI discharges (MedPAR data) linked
to 257 AHRQ Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture surveys from 171 hospitals
between 2008 and 2013. STUDY DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional study using
hierarchical logistic models to estimate the association between hospital safety
scores and 30-day risk-adjusted patient mortality. Odds ratios of 30-day, all
cause mortality, adjusting for patient covariates, hospital characteristics (size
and teaching status), and several different types of safety culture scores
(composite, average, and overall) were determined. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: No
significant association was found between any measure of hospital safety culture
and adjusted AMI mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In a large cross-sectional study from a
diverse hospital cohort, AHRQ safety culture scores were not associated with AMI
mortality. Our study adds to a growing body of investigations that have failed to
conclusively demonstrate a safety culture-outcome association in health care, at
least with widely used national survey instruments.
PMID- 28994107
TI - FAT1 modulates EMT and stemness genes expression in hypoxic glioblastoma.
AB - Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by the presence of hypoxia, stemness and
local invasiveness. We have earlier demonstrated that FAT1 promotes invasiveness,
inflammation and upregulates HIF-1alpha expression and its signaling in hypoxic
GBM. Here, we have identified the role of FAT1 in regulating EMT (epithelial
mesenchymal transition) and stemness characteristics in GBM. The expression of
FAT1, EMT (Snail/LOX/Vimentin/N-cad), stemness (SOX2/OCT4/Nestin/REST) and
hypoxia markers (HIF-1alpha/VEGF/PGK1/CA9) was upregulated in >=39% of GBM tumors
(n = 31) with significant positive correlation (p <= 0.05) of the expression of
FAT1 with LOX/Vimentin/SOX2/HIF-1alpha/PGK1/VEGF/CA9. Furthermore, positive
correlation (p <= 0.01) of FAT1 with Vimentin/N-cad/SOX2/REST/HIF-1alpha has been
observed in TCGA GBM-dataset (n = 430). Analysis of cells (U87MG/A172) exposed to
severe hypoxia (0.2%O2 ) revealed elevated mRNA expression of FAT1, EMT
(Snail/LOX/Vimentin/N-cad), stemness (SOX2/OCT4/Nestin/REST) and hypoxia markers
(HIF-1alpha/PGK1/VEGF/CA9) as compared to their normoxic (20%O2 ) counterparts.
FAT1 knockdown in U87MG/A172 maintained in severe hypoxia and in normoxic primary
glioma cultures led to significant reduction of EMT/stemness markers as compared
to controls. HIF-1alpha knockdown in U87MG cells markedly reduced the expression
of all the EMT/stemness markers studied except for Nestin and SOX2 which were
more under the influence of FAT1. This indicates FAT1 has a novel regulatory
effect on EMT/stemness markers both via or independent of HIF-1alpha. The
functional relevance of our study was corroborated by significant reduction in
the number of soft-agar colonies formed in hypoxic-siFAT1 treated U87MG cells.
Hence, our study for the first time reveals FAT1 as a novel regulator of
EMT/stemness in hypoxic GBM and suggests FAT1 as a potential therapeutic
candidate.
PMID- 28994108
TI - Value of a molecular screening program to support clinical trial enrollment in
Asian cancer patients: The Integrated Molecular Analysis of Cancer (IMAC) Study.
AB - The value of precision oncology initiatives in Asian contexts remains unresolved.
Here, we review the institutional implementation of prospective molecular
screening to facilitate accrual of patients into biomarker-driven clinical
trials, and to explore the mutational landscape of advanced tumors occurring in a
prospective cohort of Asian patients (n = 396) with diverse cancer types. Next
generation sequencing (NGS) and routine clinicopathological assays, such as
immunohistochemistry, copy number analysis and in situ hybridization tests, were
performed on tumor samples. Actionable biomarker results were used to identify
eligibility for early-phase, biomarker-driven clinical trials. Overall, NGS was
successful in 365 of 396 patients (92%), achieving a mean depth of 1,943* and
coverage uniformity of 96%. The median turnaround time from sample receipt to
return of genomic results was 26.0 days (IQR, 19.0-39.0 days). Reportable
mutations were found in 300 of 365 patients (82%). Ninety-one percent of patients
at study enrollment indicated consent to receive incidental findings and
willingness to undergo genetic counseling if required. The most commonly mutated
oncogenes included KRAS (19%), PIK3CA (16%), EGFR (5%), BRAF (3%) and KIT (3%);
while the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor genes included TP53 (40%),
SMARCB1 (12%), APC (8%), PTEN (6%) and SMAD4 (5%). Among 23 patients enrolled in
genotype-matched trials, median progression-free survival was 2.9 months (IQR,
1.5-4.0 months). Nine of 20 evaluable patients (45%; 95% CI, 23.1-68.5%) derived
clinical benefit, including 3 partial responses and 6 with stable disease lasting
>= 8 weeks.
PMID- 28994109
TI - The Hospital: Still the Doctors' Workplace(s)-A Cautionary Note for Approaches to
Safety and Value Improvement.
PMID- 28994110
TI - Relapsing polychondritis, an underestimated dermatological urgency: case report
and literature review.
AB - BACKGROUND: Relapsing polychondritis is an autoimmune multisystemic disease with
primary chondral involvement. Its high mortality and morbidity make it a real
clinical challenge. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 32-year-old woman with a history of
relapsing polychondritis, refractory to multiple treatments, with multisystem
compromise, imminent risk of death due to severe tracheobronchial damage and
difficult ventilatory support, and successful treatment with infliximab.
DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION: Several treatments have been described in the
literature, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids,
dapsone, azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate. However,
the cases refractory to conventional therapy may lead to chronicity,
irreversibility, and death. As a result, a third-line therapy could improve the
prognosis of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Biological therapy is a good option for
disease control and quality of life improvement. In addition, the physician
should consider these treatments to avoid the chronicity and risk of death of
these patients.
PMID- 28994111
TI - Retrospective study of the effect of remifentanil use during labor on fetal heart
rate patterns.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible associations between remifentanil and the
appearance of sinusoidal heart rate patterns in fetuses, and neonatal outcomes.
METHODS: The present retrospective cohort study included data from patients at
over 37 weeks of singleton or multiple pregnancies attending Zuyderland Medical
Center, Sittard, the Netherlands, in labor between June 1, and August 31, 2015.
Patient data were stratified by whether remifentanil was administered during
delivery (remifentanil group) or not (control group), and fetal heart rate
tracings were reviewed to identify sinusoidal heart rate patterns. The neonatal
outcomes compared were 5-minute Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH. RESULTS:
There were 119 patients included in the study; 60 in the remifentanil group and
59 in the control group. Tracings from 20 (33%) patients in the remifentanil
group exhibited a sinusoidal heart rate pattern after remifentanil
administration, compared with 5 (8%) patients in the control group (P=0.001). The
median time before the onset of sinusoidal patterns after remifentanil
administration was 12 minutes. No adverse neonatal outcomes were recorded in
either group. CONCLUSION: Remifentanil use during labor was associated with the
occurrence of sinusoidal heart rate patterns in the fetus; this was not
associated with adverse neonatal outcomes.
PMID- 28994112
TI - Celastrol attenuates pain and cartilage damage via SDF-1/CXCR4 signalling pathway
in osteoarthritis rats.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Celastrol has attracted wide interests for its anticancer and anti
inflammation properties, and studies have demonstrated that celastrol negatively
modulates the stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and receptor C-X-C chemokine
receptor type 4 (CXCR4) signalling. We aim in this study to investigate the
effects of celastrol in osteoarthritis (OA) in vivo and explored the underlying
molecular mechanisms. METHODS: We established a monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced rat
OA model and evaluated the joint pain and cartilage damage with or without
celastrol treatments. We further assessed the alterations of the SDF-1/CXCR4
pathway and cartilage-specific genes, at both mRNA and protein levels. KEY
FINDINGS: Celastrol significantly attenuated the joint pain and cartilage damage
induced by MIA in OA rats and suppressed the upregulation of SDF-1/CXCR4 and
associated genes caused by MIA injections. Furthermore, MIA induced a decrease in
cartilage-specific genes which was also prevented by celastrol treatments.
CONCLUSIONS: Celastrol ameliorate OA in vivo as evidenced by the attenuated joint
pain and less cartilage damage in OA rats given celastrol treatments, an effect
mediated via suppression of the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway.
PMID- 28994114
TI - Macrophage subtypes in recurrent nodular basal cell carcinoma after Mohs
micrographic surgery.
AB - BACKGROUND: The macrophages associated with solid tumors are related to the
progression or regression of tumors, depending on the differentiation in M1 or
M2. M2 subtype promotes angiogenesis, remodeling, and tissue repair (tumor
proliferation). In contrast, M1 produces toxic mediators and presents antigens,
destroying microorganisms and tumor cells. The microenvironment of most
aggressive forms of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) shows an increase in macrophages
due to M2 phenotype compared to noninvasive forms. The treatment of nodular BCC
by Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) provides high cure rates, but relapses can
occur. AIMS: To compare the total population of macrophages and their
subpopulations M1 and M2 in cases of recurrent and nonrecurrent nodular BCC after
excision by MMS. MATERIALS & METHODS: Histological sections obtained from
paraffin blocks of nine cases of recurrent nodular BCC after MMS and 18 cases of
nonrecurrent nodular BCC operated by MMS were immunostained for iNOS, CD204,
CD163, and CD68. The expression of these markers was analyzed by image analysis.
RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups in relation to
the average percentage of M1 cells, M2 cells, and total cells. DISCUSSION AND
CONCLUSION: A relationship was not seen between tumor-associated macrophages
(TAM) and tumor recurrence.
PMID- 28994115
TI - The effect of fertility treatment on adverse perinatal outcomes in women aged at
least 40 years.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare perinatal outcomes between spontaneous conception and
assisted reproductive technologies (ART) among patients of advanced maternal age.
METHODS: The present retrospective study included data from singleton pregnancies
of women aged at least 40 years who delivered between January 1, 1991, and
December 31, 2013, at Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Demographic, obstetric, and perinatal data were compared between pregnancies
conceived with ART (in vitro fertilization [IVF] or ovulation induction) and
those conceived spontaneously. Multiple regression models were used to define
independent predictors of adverse outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 8244 singleton
pregnancies were included; 229 (2.8%) following IVF, 86 (1.0%) following
ovulation induction, and 7929 (96.2%) were spontaneous. Preterm delivery
(P<0.001), fetal growth restriction (FGR) (P<0.001), and cesarean delivery
(P<0.001) demonstrated linear associations with the conception mode; the highest
rates for each were observed for IVF, with decreased rates for ovulation
induction and spontaneous conception. The incidence of gestational diabetes and
hypertensive disorders were highest among pregnancies following ART. No
association was observed between conception mode and perinatal mortality.
Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that IVF was independently
associated with increased odds of preterm delivery (P<0.001) and FGR (P=0.027)
compared with spontaneous conception. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients of advanced
maternal age, ART were independently associated with increased FGR and preterm
delivery rates compared with spontaneous pregnancies; perinatal mortality was
comparable.
PMID- 28994113
TI - Rates and predictors of success and failure in repeat epilepsy surgery: A meta
analysis and systematic review.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Medically refractory epilepsy is a debilitating disorder that is
particularly challenging to treat in patients who have already failed a surgical
resection. Evidence regarding outcomes of further epilepsy surgery is limited to
small case series and reviews. Therefore, our group performed the first
quantitative meta-analysis of the literature from the past 30 years to assess for
rates and predictors of successful reoperations. METHODS: A PubMed search was
conducted for studies reporting outcomes of repeat epilepsy surgery. Studies were
excluded if they reported fewer than five eligible patients or had average follow
ups < 1 year, and patients were excluded from analysis if they received a
nonresective intervention. Outcomes were stratified by each variable of interest,
and quantitative meta-analysis was performed to generate odds ratios (ORs) and
95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Seven hundred eighty-two patients who
received repeat resective epilepsy surgery from 36 studies were included. Engel I
outcome was observed in 47% (n = 369) of patients. Significant predictors of
seizure freedom included congruent over noncongruent electrophysiology data (OR =
3.6, 95% CI = 1.6-8.2), lesional over nonlesional epilepsy (OR = 3.2, 95% CI =
1.9-5.3), and surgical limitations over disease-related factors associated with
failure of the first surgery (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.3-5.3). Among patients with at
least one of these predictors, seizure freedom was achieved in 58%. Conversely,
the use of invasive monitoring was associated with worse outcome (OR = 0.4, 95%
CI = 0.2-0.9). Temporal lobe over extratemporal/multilobe resection (OR = 1.5,
95% CI = 0.8-3.0) and abnormal over normal preoperative magnetic resonance
imaging (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 0.6-5.4) showed nonsignificant trends toward seizure
freedom. SIGNIFICANCE: This analysis supports considering further resection in
patients with intractable epilepsy who continue to have debilitating seizures
after an initial surgery, especially in the context of factors predictive of a
favorable outcome.
PMID- 28994116
TI - Response to 'Effects of diesel exhaust particles on coagulation'.
PMID- 28994117
TI - Melatonin ameliorates Abeta1-42 -induced Alzheimer's cognitive deficits in mouse
model.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether melatonin could
ameliorate cognitive function in Abeta1-42 -induced mouse model and its
underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Series behaviour tests were performed to
demonstrate the amelioration of cognitive function of the Alzheimer's disease
(AD) mice induced by Abeta1-42 . Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
was applied to detect the expression of Abeta1-42 , BACE1 and p-tau protein in
the brain of the AD mice. JC-1 was performed to investigate the role in
alleviating mitochondrial damage by melatonin in vitro. Western blot was used to
detect the expression of melatonin on apoptosis-related factors caspase-3 and Bcl
2, as well as the expressions of GSK-3beta and PP2A to further determine the
mechanisms of melatonin on the expression of p-tau protein. KEY FINDINGS:
Melatonin significantly ameliorated the cognitive function and mitochondrial
damage in AD mice, reduced the expression levels of GSK-3beta, caspase-3, Abeta1
42 , BACE1, p-tau protein and increased the expressions of PP2A and Bcl-2.
CONCLUSION: From the overall results, we concluded that melatonin alleviated the
mitochondrial damage effectively and decreased the expressions of the p-tau and
some key proteins of apoptosis, leading to the improvement of cognitive function
of the mice induced by Abeta1-42 .
PMID- 28994119
TI - Naturally occurring omega-Hydroxyacids.
AB - omega-Hydroxyacids are fatty acids bearing a hydroxyl group on the terminal
carbon. They are found in mammals and higher plants and are often involved in
providing a permeability barrier, the primary purpose of which is to reduce water
loss. Some omega-hydroxyacid derivatives may be involved in waterproofing and
signalling. The purpose of this review was to survey the known natural sources of
omega-hydroxyacids. omega-Hydroxyacids are produced by two different P450
dependent mechanisms. The longer (30-34 carbons) omega-hydroxyacids are produced
by chain extension from palmitic acid until the chain extends across the membrane
in which the extension is taking place, and then the terminal carbon is
hydroxylated. Shorter fatty acids can be hydroxylated directly to produce C16 and
C18 omega-hydroxyacids found in plants and 20-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) by
a different P450. The C16 and C18 omega-hydroxyacids are components of polymers
in plants. The long-chain omega-hydroxyacids are found in epidermal
sphingolipids, in giant-ring lactones from the sebum of members of the equidae,
as a component of meibum and in carnauba wax and wool wax.
PMID- 28994118
TI - Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) selectively modulates the effector
functions of human neutrophils.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the hydroalcoholic extract from Baccharis
dracunculifolia leaves (BdE) modulates the human neutrophil oxidative metabolism,
degranulation, phagocytosis and microbial killing capacity. METHODS: In-vitro
assays based on chemiluminescence, spectrophotometry, flow cytometry and
polarimetry were used, as well as docking calculations. KEY FINDINGS: At
concentrations that effectively suppressed the neutrophil oxidative metabolism
elicited by soluble and particulate stimuli (<10 MUg/ml), without clear signs of
cytotoxicity, BdE (1) inhibited NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase activity; (2)
scavenged H2 O2 and HOCl; (3) weakly inhibited phagocytosis; and (4) did not
affect neutrophil degranulation and microbial killing capacity, the expression
levels of TLR2, TLR4, FcgammaRIIa, FcgammaRIIIb and CR3 and the activity of
elastase and lysozyme. Caffeic acid, one of the major B. dracunculifolia
secondary metabolites, did not inhibit phagocytosis but interfered in the
myeloperoxidase-H2 O2 -HOCl system by scavenging H2 O2 and HOCl, and interacting
with the catalytic residues His-95, Arg-239 and Gln-91. CONCLUSIONS: BdE
selectively modulates the effector functions of human neutrophils, inhibits the
activity of key enzymes and scavenges physiological oxidant species. Caffeic acid
contributes to lower the levels of oxidant species. Our findings help to unravel
the mechanisms by which these natural products exert immunomodulatory action
towards neutrophils.
PMID- 28994121
TI - Navigating the new, transplanted self: how recipients manage the cognitive risks
of organ transplantation.
AB - The physiological risks of organ transplantation are well documented, but more
poorly understood are the sociological ways in which organ recipients redefine
themselves in reaction to physiological risks and social changes accompanying
transplantation. This article analyses transplantation as a procedure that is not
only physiologically risky but also poses risk to the social identity of the
recipient, and explores how transplant recipients cognitively navigate
transplantation surgery from waiting for to recovering after a transplant. It
builds on previous sociological exploration of risk as a socially constructed
process mediating experiences of health and illness with a focused contribution
on explaining how individuals navigate risks posed to their social identities by
major biophysical transformations. This article pointedly analyses narratives of
fourteen organ recipients and the four dominant phases of identity management
that emerged to create what we have coined as the new 'transplanted self',
indicating the varied ways the individual social self emerges in response to the
social risks of transplantation. We conclude that a better understanding of the
recipient experience will contribute to improved care in the transplantation
field.
PMID- 28994120
TI - Complications After Endoscopic Laryngopharyngeal Surgery.
AB - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery (ELPS), a hybrid of
head and neck surgery and gastrointestinal endoscopic treatment, has been
attracting attention as a new therapeutic modality for superficial
laryngopharyngeal cancers. Although this technique is less invasive than
traditional open procedures, some complications including postoperative bleeding,
subcutaneous emphysema, or aspiration pneumonia can occur after treatment. The
purpose of this study was to investigate the complications associated with ELPS
to better understand the indications for this procedure. STUDY DESIGN:
Retrospective medical chart review. METHODS: One hundred five patients with 159
laryngeal or pharyngeal lesions were treated with ELPS between August 2009 and
September 2015 at Kyoto University Hospital. In total, 147 resections were
performed, and complications after the resections were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the
147 resections, postoperative bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, and aspiration
pneumonia were observed in 10, 17, and 10 cases, respectively. All cases with
postoperative bleeding and aspiration pneumonia occurred in patients over 65
years of age. A history of taking anticoagulation/platelet medications, and
macroscopic 0-IIa lesions were shown to correlate with postoperative bleeding
after ELPS. Resection of lesions in the pyriform sinus was found to be associated
with subcutaneous emphysema. CONCLUSIONS: All complications after ELPS were
safely managed. A history of taking anticoagulation/platelet medications and
macroscopic 0-IIa lesions were identified as risk factors for postoperative
bleeding, whereas resection of pyriform sinus lesions was found to be a risk
factor for subcutaneous emphysema. These risk factors should be carefully
considered when treating pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions by ELPS. LEVEL OF
EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1546-1550, 2018.
PMID- 28994124
TI - Disclosing hidden information in the electroencephalogram using advanced signal
analytical techniques.
PMID- 28994123
TI - Systematic review with meta-analysis: rifaximin for the prophylaxis of
spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
AB - BACKGROUND: The primary and secondary prevention of spontaneous bacterial
peritonitis (SBP) is recommended in high-risk patients with cirrhosis. Several
studies evaluating the efficacy of rifaximin for SBP prophylaxis have yielded
conflicting results. Rifaximin has the potential advantage of preventing
bacterial overgrowth and translocation without the systemic side effects of broad
spectrum antibiotics. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of rifaximin in the primary
and secondary prevention of SBP. METHODS: A literature search using five
databases was performed to identify studies on the association between rifaximin
and SBP. We performed two meta-analyses: (1) rifaximin compared to systemic
antibiotics and (2) rifaximin compared to no antibiotics. Random-effect modelling
was conducted to determine overall pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals
(CIs). RESULTS: Five studies with 555 patients (295 rifaximin, 260 systemic
antibiotics) compared rifaximin with systemic antibiotics. The pooled odds ratio
(OR) for SBP was 0.45 (95% CI 0.16-1.27; P = .13) in patients receiving rifaximin
and strengthened on sensitivity analysis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19-0.76, P = .01). In
the analysis comparing rifaximin with no antibiotics, there were five studies
with 784 patients (186 rifaximin, 598 no antibiotics). The OR for SBP was 0.34
(95% CI 0.11-0.99; P < .05) in patients receiving rifaximin. In subgroup
analysis, rifaximin reduced the risk of SBP by 47% compared to no antibiotics for
primary prophylaxis and by 74% compared to systemic antibiotics for secondary
prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Rifaximin may be effective in preventing SBP in patients
with cirrhosis and ascites compared to systemically absorbed antibiotics and
compared to placebo.
PMID- 28994122
TI - Beta-blockers in hospitalised patients with cirrhosis and ascites: mortality and
factors determining discontinuation and reinitiation.
AB - BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that beta-blockers may increase mortality in
patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites but the effect of beta-blockers
discontinuation or reinitiation has not been examined. AIMS: To compare, in
hospitalised patients with cirrhosis and ascites, the effect of BB on survival
and to examine the effect/predictors of beta-blockers discontinuation and
reinitiation. METHODS: Sub-analysis of NACSELD (North American consortium for the
study of end-stage liver disease, database containing prospective data on
hospitalised patients with cirrhosis) data from 7 centres enrolling >100 patients
with ascites. Data on BB discontinuation and reinitiation were collected by chart
review. RESULTS: Seven hundred and sixteen patients, 307 (43%) on beta-blockers
at admission and 366 (51%) with refractory ascites, were followed to death or
hospital discharge. Beta-blocker use was associated with a lower white blood cell
count at admission. Beta-blocker use in hospitalised patients with ascites was
not associated with a higher mortality, even in those with refractory ascites. No
significant changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) were observed between groups.
Discontinuation of beta-blockers (49%) was driven by low MAP, infection and acute
kidney injury at time of discontinuation but was not associated with a higher
mortality. Beta-blocker reinitiation occurred in 40% prior to discharge and was
mainly driven by an increase in MAP. CONCLUSIONS: Beta-blocker use is safe in
patients with cirrhosis and ascites (including those with refractory ascites)
provided beta-blockers are discontinued in the presence of a low MAP and
reinitiated once MAP reincreases. A potentially beneficial anti-inflammatory
effect of beta-blockers is suggested.
PMID- 28994125
TI - Propionibacterium acnes as an emerging pathogen in skull base osteomyelitis: A
case series.
AB - Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is recognized as a potentially life-threatening
infection that has been classically attributed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
However, growing data shows that the bacteriology of SBO is changing.
Traditionally thought of as commensal bacterium, P. acnes has been implicated as
a serious pathogen in other specialties. Building on a previous case report from
our institution, we have identified three patients with SBO who are culture
positive for Propionibacterium acnes as a single isolate. Herein, we describe the
clinical history of the three patients, along with treatment, present outcome,
and review of the literature. Laryngoscope, 128:332-335, 2018.
PMID- 28994126
TI - Staphylococcus Aureus V8 protease disrupts the integrity of the airway epithelial
barrier and impairs IL-6 production in vitro.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection is known to contribute to
the severity and recalcitrance of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and its secreted
products have been shown to alter the airway barrier. Extracellular proteases
secreted by S. aureus are thought to be important in epithelial infection and
immune evasion; however, their effect on airway mucosal barrier function is not
known. METHODS: To investigate the impact of extracellular proteases on airway
epithelial integrity, the purified S. aureus proteases V8 protease, Staphopain A,
Staphopain B, Exfoliative toxin A, and serine protease-like A-F were applied to
human nasal epithelial cell air-liquid interface (HNEC-ALI) cultures.
Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), permeability (Papp) measurements,
and immuno-localization of the tight junction proteins claudin-1 and ZO-1 were
used to assess barrier integrity. Effects of the proteases on inflammation and
cell viability were measured using interleukin-6 (IL-6) ELISA and a lactate
dehydrogenase assay. RESULTS: Application of V8 protease to HNEC-ALI cultures
caused a significant concentration and time-dependent decrease in TEER (22.67%, P
< 0.0001), a reciprocal Papp increase (20.14-fold, P < 0.05), and a discontinuous
ZO-1 immuno-localization compared to control. IL-6 production was significantly
reduced in V8 protease-treated cells (153.5 pg/mL, P = 0.0069) compared to
control (548.3 pg/mL), whereas no difference in cell viability was observed.
CONCLUSION: S. aureus V8 protease causes dysfunction of mucosal barrier structure
and function indicative of a leaky barrier. A reduction in IL-6 levels suggests
that the mucosal immunity is impaired by this protease and thus has the potential
to contribute to CRS recalcitrance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:E8
E15, 2018.
PMID- 28994127
TI - The negative impact of HBV/HCV coinfection on cirrhosis and its consequences.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) confection has been
rarely studied in nonasian series. AIM: To compare the characteristics of HBV/HCV
coinfected patients to those of HBV- or HCV-monoinfected patients in the ANRS
CO22 HEPATHER cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the 20 936 included
patients, 95 had HBV/HCV coinfection (hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV
antibody and HCV RNA positive) and were matched with 375 HBV- and 380 HCV
monoinfected patients on age, gender and time since HBV or HCV diagnosis.
RESULTS: F3-F4 fibrosis was more frequent in coinfected patients (58%) than in
HBV- (32%, P < .0001), but similar in HCV-monoinfected patients (52%, P = .3142).
Decompensated cirrhosis was more frequent in coinfected patients (11%) than in
HBV- (2%, P = .0002) or HCV- (4%, P = .0275) monoinfected patients. Past
excessive alcohol use was more frequent in coinfected patients (26%) than in HBV
(12%, P = .0011), but similar in HCV monoinfected patients (32%, P = .2868).
Coinfected patients had a higher proportion with arterial hypertension (42%) than
HBV- (26%) or HCV-monoinfected patients (25%) (P < .003). Multivariable analysis
confirmed the association between F3-F4 fibrosis and HCV infection in HBV
infected patients (OR = 3.84, 95% CI 1.99-7.43) and the association between
decompensated cirrhosis and coinfection in HBV infected (OR = 5.58, 95% CI 1.42
22.0) or HCV infected patients (OR = 3.02, 95% CI 1.22-7.44). CONCLUSIONS: HCV
coinfection harmfully affects liver fibrosis in HBV patients, while decompensated
cirrhosis is increased in coinfected patients compared with HBV- or HCV
monoinfected patients. HCV treatment is as safe and effective in coinfected as
monoinfected patients and should be considered following the same rules as HCV
monoinfected patients.
PMID- 28994128
TI - Validity of automated measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction and
volume using the Philips EPIQ system.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess the efficiency and reproducibility of automated measurements
of left ventricular (LV) volumes and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in comparison to
manually traced biplane Simpson's method. METHOD: This is a single-center
prospective study. Apical four- and two-chamber views were acquired in patients
in sinus rhythm. Two operators independently measured LV volumes and LVEF using
biplane Simpson's method. In addition, the image analysis software a2DQ on the
Philips EPIQ system was applied to automatically assess the LV volumes and LVEF.
Time spent on each analysis, using both methods, was documented. Concordance of
echocardiographic measures was evaluated using intraclass correlation (ICC) and
Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Manual tracing and automated measurement of LV
volumes and LVEF were performed in 184 patients with a mean age of 67.3 +/- 17.3
years and BMI 28.0 +/- 6.8 kg/m2 . ICC and Bland-Altman analysis showed good
agreements between manual and automated methods measuring LVEF, end-systolic, and
end-diastolic volumes. The average analysis time was significantly less using the
automated method than manual tracing (116 vs 217 seconds/patient, P < .0001).
CONCLUSION: Automated measurement using the novel image analysis software a2DQ on
the Philips EPIQ system produced accurate, efficient, and reproducible assessment
of LV volumes and LVEF compared with manual measurement.
PMID- 28994129
TI - Self-reported minor infections in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa and
healthy controls.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) often report
opportunistic infections such as herpes and urinary tract infections. AIM: To
compare opportunistic infections in patients with HS against a group of healthy
controls (HCs). METHODS: In total, 99 patients with HS and 109 HCs were recruited
at random to this retrospective case-control study. We devised a questionnaire to
explore the frequency of minor infections, general practitioner (GP) visits and
sick days experienced during the past 6 months. Additionally, participants were
asked if they felt unwell more often compared with their peers. RESULTS: Patients
with HS felt unwell more often than did HCs (26.3% vs. 7.3%, P < 0.001). Although
there was no difference between the groups in five of the seven diseases studied,
patients with HS had a higher frequency of the common cold (P < 0.01) and genital
herpes (P < 0.01). Number of pack-years of smoking did not affect risk of
infections (Pearson correlation, P = 0.51). Subgroup analysis of nonsmokers found
the same differences in frequency of minor infections, common cold and genital
herpes between patients with HS and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HS
appear to experience more frequently symptoms compatible with minor infections in
general, and the common cold and genital herpes specifically. This results in
more GP visits and more sick days. Further research is needed to determine if
this is caused by an immunological hyper-reactive state in these patients or a
reduced threshold for minor infections.
PMID- 28994130
TI - Eruptive melanocytic naevi secondary to azathioprine: case report and review of
the literature.
PMID- 28994131
TI - Systematic review and meta-analysis: assessment of factors affecting disability
in inflammatory bowel disease and the reliability of the inflammatory bowel
disease disability index.
AB - BACKGROUND: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index (IBD-DI) has recently
been developed for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis
(UC). AIM: To assess the severity of disability and associated factors using the
IBD-DI, and review the validity of the IBD-DI as a tool. METHOD: Systematic
review of cross-sectional studies. Patients included had UC or CD and were
classified as active, in remission, or needing surgery, biological and/or steroid
treatment. We included studies assessing disability using the IBD-DI and that
were captured by electronic and manual searches (January 2017). The possibility
of bias was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Nine studies were
included with 3167 patients. Comparatively, patients with active disease had
higher disability rates than those in remission (SMD [CI95] = 1.49[1.11, 1.88],
I2 = 94%, P<.01), while patients on biological treatment had lower disability
rates than those receiving corticosteroid treatment (SMD [CI95] = -0.22[-0.36,
0.08], I2 = 0%, P<.01). Disease activity and unemployment were found to be
associated factors. The IBD-DI scored "good" for internal consistency, "fair" to
"excellent" for intra-rater reliability and "excellent" for inter-rater
reliability. Construct validity was "moderately strong" to "very strong" and
structural validity was found to be mainly unidimensional. The IBD-DI had
excellent responsiveness, while its interpretability was only useful on a group
level. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant
association between disease activity, treatment received and disability; although
significant heterogeneity was found. The IBD-DI is reliable and valid, but
further studies are needed to measure its interpretability.
PMID- 28994132
TI - Fast and accurate multi-channel B1+ mapping based on the TIAMO technique for 7T
UHF body MRI.
AB - PURPOSE: Current methods for mitigation of transmit field B1+ inhomogeneities at
ultrahigh field (UHF) MRI by multi-channel radiofrequency (RF) shimming rely on
accurate B1+ mapping. This can be time consuming when many RF channels have to be
mapped for in vivo body MRI, where the B1 maps should ideally be acquired within
a single breath-hold. Therefore, a new B1+ mapping technique (B1TIAMO) is
proposed. METHODS: The performance of this technique is validated against an
established method (DREAM) in phantom measurements for a cylindrical head phantom
with an 8-channel transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) array. Furthermore, measurements for a
32-channel Tx/Rx remote array are conducted in a large body phantom and the |B1+|
map reliability is validated against simulations of the transmit RF field
distribution. Finally, in vivo results of this new mapping technique for human
abdomen are presented. RESULTS: For the head phantom (8-channel Tx/Rx coil), the
single |B1+| comparison between B1 TIAMO, the direct DREAM measurements, and
simulation data showed good agreement with 10-19% difference. For the large body
phantom (32-channel Tx/Rx coil), B1TIAMO matched the RF field simulations well.
CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the potential to acquire 32 accurate single
channel B1+ maps for large field-of-view body imaging within only a single breath
hold of 16 s at 7T UHF MRI. Magn Reson Med 79:2652-2664, 2018. (c) 2017
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
PMID- 28994133
TI - Efficacy of perilesional and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections in
pemphigus vulgaris lesions of the scalp: an effective therapeutic option.
AB - The scalp is a common location for pemphigus vulgaris (PV), and scalp lesions may
be resistant to standard treatment. Perilesional/intralesional triamcinolone
acetonide (TA) injections have been used successfully to treat oropharyngeal and
ocular involvement in PV. Data on the efficacy of perilesional and intralesional
triamcinolone acetonide injections in scalp lesions in PV are lacking. We report
two patients with immunopathologically and histopathologically confirmed PV and
residual scalp lesions resistant to standard treatment, who were treated with
perilesional and intralesional injections of TA 10 mg/mL. Clearance of scalp
lesions was achieved after one after, respectively, one and two perilesional and
intralesional injections. Perilesional and intralesional TA injections may serve
as an effective and safe treatment for recalcitrant scalp lesions in pemphigus.
PMID- 28994135
TI - Delusional infestation caused by pramipexole.
PMID- 28994134
TI - First-line treatment in lymphomatoid papulosis: a retrospective multicentre
study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Data regarding response to treatment in lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP)
are scarce. AIM: To assess the daily clinical practice approach to LyP and the
response to first-line treatments. METHODS: This was a retrospective study
enrolling 252 patients with LyP. RESULTS: Topical steroids, methotrexate and
phototherapy were the most common first-line treatments, prescribed for 35%, 20%
and 14% of the patients, respectively. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 48%
of treated patients. Eczematous lesions significantly increased relative risk
(RR) of not achieving CR (RR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.16-2.11). Overall median time to CR
was 10 months (95% CI 6-13 months), and 78% of complete responders showed
cutaneous relapse; both results were similar for all treatment groups (P > 0.05).
Overall estimated median disease-free survival (DFS) was 11 months (95% CI 9-13
months) but DFS for patients treated with phototherapy was 23 months (95% CI 10
36 months; P < 0.03). Having the Type A LyP variant (RR = 2.04; 95% CI 0.96-4.30)
and receiving a first-line treatment other than phototherapy (RR = 5.33; 95% CI
0.84-33.89) were significantly associated with cutaneous early relapse. Of the
252 patients, 31 (13%) had associated mycosis fungoides unrelated to therapeutic
approach, type of LyP or T-cell receptor clonality. CONCLUSIONS: Current
epidemiological, clinical and pathological data support previous results. Topical
steroids, phototherapy and methotrexate are the most frequently prescribed first
line treatments. Although CR and cutaneous relapse rates do not differ between
them, phototherapy achieves a longer DFS. Presence of Type A LyP and use of
topical steroid or methotrexate were associated with an increased risk of early
relapse.
PMID- 28994136
TI - The ineluctable constraints of thermodynamics in the aetiology of obesity.
AB - We exploit the detail-independence feature of thermodynamics to examine issues
related to the development of obesity. We adopt a 'global' approach consistent
with focus on the first law of thermodynamics - namely that the metabolic energy
provided by dietary foodstuffs has only three possible fates: the performance of
work (be it microscopic or macroscopic), the generation of heat, or storage -
primarily in the form of adipose tissue. Quantification of the energy expended,
in the form of fat metabolised, during selected endurance events, reveals the
inherent limitation of over-reliance on exercise as a primary agent of weight
loss. This result prompts examination of various (non-exercise based)
possibilities of increasing the rate of heat loss. Since these, too, give little
cause for optimism, we are obliged to conclude that obesity can be prevented, or
weight loss achieved, only if exercise is supplemented by reduction of food
intake.
PMID- 28994137
TI - Peristomal psoriasis: an intriguing new subset of psoriasis.
PMID- 28994138
TI - Optic disc pit maculopathy.
PMID- 28994140
TI - Fetal lung volume and pulmonary artery changes in congenital heart disease with
decreased pulmonary blood flow: Quantitative ultrasound analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: It has been reported that congenital heart disease with decreased
pulmonary blood flow (CHD-DPBF) may affect postnatal lung morphogenesis and
function. However, there has been a lack of information regarding the impact of
CHD-DPBF on prenatal fetal lung development. METHODS: Fifty-four fetuses with CHD
DPBF were compared with 110 controls. Fetal lung volume (FLV) was estimated using
three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US). Estimated fetal weight (EFW) and
McGoon index (MGI) were estimated using two-dimensional ultrasonography (2D-US).
RESULTS: FLV/EFW and MGI values measured using sonography for the CHD-DPBF group
were significantly reduced compared to those of the control group (P < .05).
Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the summed diameter of the right
pulmonary artery and left pulmonary artery (RPA + LPA) measured by 2D-US
correlated well with FLV measured by 3D-US. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, FLV/EFW
and MGI values for fetuses with CHD-DPBF tended to be decreased and FLV was
associated with RPA + LPA. We concluded that CHD-DPBF might delay fetal lung
development. The summed diameter of the RPA + LPA measurement could be used as an
alternative to FLV for assessing fetal lung development.
PMID- 28994139
TI - Advanced imaging for the diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration: a case
vignettes study.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnosis, staging, imaging
and management preferences, and the effect of advanced imaging among practising
optometrists in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Up to 20 case
vignettes (computer-based case simulations) were completed online in a computer
laboratory in random order by 81 practising optometrists of Australia. Each case
presented findings from a randomly selected patient seen previously at the Centre
for Eye Health for a macular assessment in the following order: case history,
preliminary tests and colour fundus photography. Participants were prompted to
provide their diagnosis, management and imaging preference. One additional
imaging result (either modified fundus photographs and infrared images, fundus
autofluorescence, or optical coherence tomography [OCT]) was then provided and
the questions repeated. Finally, all imaging results were provided and the
questions repeated a third time. RESULTS: A total of 1,436 responses were
analysed. The presence of macular pathology in AMD was accurately detected in 94
per cent of instances. The overall diagnostic accuracy of AMD was 61 per cent
using colour fundus photography. This improved by one per cent using one
additional imaging modality and a further four per cent using all imaging. Across
all responses, a greater improvement in the diagnostic accuracy of AMD occurred
following the presentation of OCT findings (versus other modalities). OCT was the
most preferred imaging modality for AMD, while multimodal imaging was of greatest
benefit in cases more often misdiagnosed using colour fundus photography alone.
Overall, the cohort also displayed a tendency to underestimate disease severity.
CONCLUSION: Despite reports that imaging technologies improve the stratification
of AMD, our findings suggest that this effect may be small when applied among
practising optometrists without additional or specific training.
PMID- 28994142
TI - Appropriate use of echocardiography and relation to clinical decision making in
both inpatients and outpatients in a developing country.
AB - BACKGROUND: Use of echocardiography (echo) has exponentially increased in recent
decades. Concerned about this scientific society developed appropriate use
criteria (AUC). Clinical management still suffers geographical variations, and no
objective data are available about echo AUC in developing countries. We aimed to
evaluate (1) the appropriateness of referrals and (2) their relation to changes
in clinical decision management. METHODS: Prospective analysis of referrals from
January to December 2014. Appropriateness and endpoints analyzed in different
time points from medical archives. ENDPOINTS: (1) change in the diagnosis, (2)
indication for another method to complete the diagnosis, (3) change in clinical
treatment, (4) indication for a treatment intervention, or (5) no change in
management. Descriptive statistical analysis, Fisher's or chi-square tests, and
Cox regression used as appropriate (significance if P < .05). RESULTS: One
thousand one hundred referrals were analyzed (55.5 +/- 16.1 years, 44.6% male).
80.5% of referrals were appropriate (A), 11.2% "Rarely Appropriate" (RA), and
8.3% "May Be Appropriate" (MBA). Proportion of (A) did not differ between
modalities (TTE-80.5% vs TEE-87.7% vs STR-81.2%, P = .67). (A) referrals were
more related to clinical decision than (RA)+(MBA) (38.9% [A] vs 15% [RA]+[MBA], P
< .001). The most frequent clinical indications of (RA) and (MBA) TTE were
reevaluation of ventricular function without clinical change (AUC 10 and 11) and
search of infectious endocarditis when low clinical probability (53).
CONCLUSIONS: In a developing country, appropriateness of echo was similar to the
United States and Europe. However, a significant proportion of referrals were
still (RA) or (MBA), with no effect in clinical management. Controlling referrals
10, 11, and 53 can optimize echo use in developing countries.
PMID- 28994141
TI - Potential drug-drug interactions of OMBITASVIR, PARITAPREVIR/ritonavir +/-
DASABUVIR +/- ribavirin in clinical practice.
AB - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with
ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir and with or without
ribavirin (OBV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV) are common in clinical trials. Our aim was
to analyze the prevalence and management of potential DDIs and adverse events
(AEs) related to DDIs in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving
OBV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV in clinical practice. METHODS: 177 CHC patients started
OBV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV in 4 Spanish hospitals and were screened for potential
DDIs using the University of Liverpool database. Patients were classified
according to the most serious potential DDIs at baseline and AEs during therapy.
RESULTS: At least one potential DDI was found in 110 (62.1%) patients: 100
(56.5%) had at least one manageable potential DDI and 10 (5.6%) at least one
contraindicated. Patients with potential DDIs were receiving a higher number of
concomitant drugs (4 vs. 2, P < 0.001). Routine medication was modified at
baseline due to potential DDIs in 49 (27.7%) patients. During antiviral
treatment, 67 (37.9%) patients presented at least one AE. In 9 (4.5%) patients, a
DDI was suspected between OBV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV and the concomitant drug,
requiring antiviral discontinuation in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Potential DDIs
are frequent with OBV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV, although a change in baseline
medication is made in only one-quarter of patients. More than half of potential
DDIs were only followed, and only 5% of patients developed AEs in which the
implication of DDIs could not be excluded.
PMID- 28994143
TI - Correlates of physical activity among depressed older people in six low-income
and middle-income countries: A community-based cross-sectional study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA) in older people with
depression, many do not comply with the International PA guidelines. Thus, we
investigated what factors influence PA participation among 915 community-dwelling
older adults (aged >=65 years) with depression in 6 low-income and middle-income
countries (LMICs). METHODS: Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the World
Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health. The sample was
restricted to those with DSM-IV depression or receiving depression treatment in
the last 12 months. PA was assessed by the Global Physical Activity
Questionnaire. Participants were dichotomized into low (ie, not meeting 150
minutes of moderate PA per week) and moderate-to-high physically active groups.
Associations between PA and a range of correlates were examined using
multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: The prevalence of low PA was 40.4%
(95%CI = 34.8%-46.1%). After adjusting for age, sex, and country, larger
household size and unemployment were significant sociodemographic correlates of
low PA. Former smoking (vs never), anxiety, mild cognitive impairment (MCI),
lower body mass index, bodily pain, asthma, chronic back pain, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, hearing problems, stroke, slow gait, poor self
rated health, higher levels of disability, and lower levels of social cohesion
were identified as significant negative correlates of PA. CONCLUSIONS: The
current data provide guidance for future interventions across LMICs to assist
older people with depression engage in regular PA. The promotion of social
cohesion may increase the efficacy of future public health initiatives, while
from a clinical perspective, somatic co-morbidities, MCI, pain, and slow gait
need to be considered.
PMID- 28994144
TI - Stereoacuity measurement using a phoropter combined with two 4K smartphones.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate stereoacuity using a combination of a phoropter and two 4K
smartphones. METHODS: A stereopsis measurement system was established using a
phoropter (Topcon VT-10) and two Sony 4K smartphones (Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Dual
E6883). A total of 154 subjects (69 children and 85 adults) were enrolled for
evaluation using this system and subsequent comparison with the Fly Stereo Acuity
test. RESULTS: There was a high level of agreement between the two methods using
Bland-Altman statistical analysis (children group, 95 per cent limits of
agreement +/-0.14 log arcseconds [arcsec]; adult group, 95 per cent limits of
agreement +/-0.13 log arcsec). CONCLUSION: The closely spaced pixels of a 4K
smartphone display enable measurement of stereoacuity at a relatively short
distance. The flexibility and versatility of the mobile test system are likely to
be useful in clinical practice.
PMID- 28994145
TI - Adherence to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer guidelines in field practice: Results
of Progetto Epatocarcinoma Campania.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) algorithm is the
standard system for clinical management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Data
on adherence to this therapeutic paradigm are scarce. This field practice study
aimed to provide a description of HCC cirrhotic patients in Southern Italy, to
evaluate the adherence to BCLC guidelines and its impact on patients' survival.
METHODS: We analyzed the region-wide Italian database of Progetto Epatocarcinoma
Campania, which includes data of HCC cirrhotic patients, prospectively collected
from January 2013 to December 2015 in 16 regional centers. RESULTS: Overall, 1008
HCC patients were enrolled: 70.6% patients received therapies recommended by BCLC
algorithm, while 29.4% underwent different treatments. Among patients who were
treated in adherence to guidelines, a higher rate of diagnosis on surveillance
programs, better liver function, lower rate of alpha-fetoprotein > 200 ng/mL,
more early-stage and monofocal HCC, lower frequency of nodules > 5 cm, portal
vein thrombosis and metastases were observed. The overall survival was evaluated
according to HCC stage and no differences between groups and patients managed
differently were found. The multivariate analysis showed that non-adherence to
treatment guidelines was independently associated to the BCLC stage B, Child-Pugh
classes B and C, and the presence of neoplastic thrombosis and metastases.
CONCLUSION: Adherence to BCLC algorithm in field practice was high in early and
end-stage HCC patients, but it was poor in intermediate and advanced patients.
PMID- 28994146
TI - Congenital unruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva, quadricuspid aortic valve,
and ascending aortic aneurysm associated with genetic leukoencephalopathy in an
infant: A new syndrome?
AB - We report a 15-month-old female with unruptured noncoronary sinus of Valsalva
anreurysm (SOVA) associated with quadricuspid aortic valve, ascending aortic
aneurysm (AAA), moderate aortic insufficiency, mild mitral insufficiency, genetic
leukoencepaholpathy, developmental delay and mild mixed aminoaciduria. She was
referred for evaluation of a cardiac murmur. Initial echocardiographic
examination showed the aneurysm as a round cyst in the right atrium which changed
in size during systole and diastole. As to the best of our knowledge, this is the
first report of association of SOVA, quadricuspid aortic valve, AAA and genetic
leukoencephalopathy in an infant. These associations may suggest a new syndrome.
We describe the echocardiographic and computed tomographic angiography findings.
We also review 641 cases in the literature and the current six classification
systems for SOVA.
PMID- 28994147
TI - Reduction effect of the quantity of radiation exposure and contrast media by
image support system in transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of
hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIM: We confirmed the clinical utility of a three-dimensional
navigation system during transarterial chemoembolization. METHODS: We evaluated
128 tumors in 91 patients enrolled between May 2015 and August 2016. We evaluated
the accuracy of the three-dimensional navigation imaging system for all tumors.
We compared the patients who were able to undergo route detection using three
dimensional navigation with previously treated patients who underwent
transarterial chemoembolization without using three-dimensional navigation (n =
21). For 38 patients who underwent super-selective microcatheter insertion after
a feeding artery was identified by three-dimensional navigation, we confirmed the
relationship between the tumors and contrasted liver parenchyma and divided the
computed tomography hepatic arteriography findings into four grades. Grade 1: an
overlap of > 5 mm, grade 2: an overlap between 0 and 5 mm, grade 3: the borders
of the tumor within the liver parenchyma but in contact with the edges, and grade
4: a tumor outside the borders of the liver parenchyma. RESULTS: Using the three
dimensional navigation system, we identified a tumor-feeding artery in 125/128
tumors (97.6%). Furthermore, this system allowed us to significantly reduce the
volume of contrast media and the radiation exposure dose in patients undergoing
an evaluation. We identified 15 grade 1 tumors (39.5%), 3 grade 2 tumors (7.9%),
11 grade 3 tumors (28.9%), and 9 grade 4 tumors (23.7%) according to our
definitions. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional navigation is useful not only for
patients but also for surgeons who have relatively little experience.
PMID- 28994148
TI - LincRNA-p21 suppresses development of human prostate cancer through inhibition of
PKM2.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Previously, we found that long intergenic non-coding RNA-p21 (lincRNA
p21) inhibited the development of human prostate cancer. However, the underlying
molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we attempted to investigate the
downstream targets of lincRNA-p21 in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Expression of lincRNA-p21 and PKM2 was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot.
Lentivirus expressing shPKM2 or shCtrl was used to explore the role of PKM2 on
the enhanced cell proliferation and glycolysis of lincRNA-p21-silenced prostate
cancer cells. A xenograft mouse model was performed to investigate the effect of
PKM2 suppression, glycolytic or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor on
the tumorigenic capacity of lincRNA-p21-silenced prostate cancer cells. RESULTS:
We revealed that lincRNA-p21 silencing in DU145 and LNCaP cells induced up
regulation of PKM2 and activation of glycolysis, which could be reversed by PKM2
knockdown or rapamycin treatment. We also found that the proliferation and
tumorigenesis of lincRNA-p21-silenced prostate cancer cells were significantly
inhibited after knocking down PKM2. 3-bromopyruvate (3-Brpa) or rapamycin
treatment largely decreased the tumour burden. Importantly, PKM2 expression was
inversely correlated with the lincRNA-p21 level and the survival of prostate
cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that lincRNA-p21 blunted the
prostate cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenic capacity through down
regulation of PKM2. Therefore, targeting PKM2 or glycolysis might be a
therapeutic strategy in prostate cancer patients with lowly expressed lincRNA
p21.
PMID- 28994150
TI - Unraveling the Mystery of the Blue Fog: Structure, Properties, and Applications
of Amorphous Blue Phase III.
AB - The amorphous blue phase III of cholesteric liquid crystals, also known as the
"blue fog," are among the rising stars in materials science that can potentially
be used to develop next-generation displays with the ability to compete toe-to
toe with disruptive technologies like organic light-emitting diodes. The
structure and properties of the practically unobservable blue phase III have
eluded scientists for more than a century since it was discovered. This progress
report reviews the developments in this field from both fundamental and applied
research perspectives. The first part of this progress report gives an overview
of the 130-years-long scientific tour-de-force that very recently resulted in the
revelation of the mysterious structure of blue phase III. The second part reviews
progress made in the past decade in developing electrooptical, optical, and
photonic devices based on blue phase III. The strong and weak aspects of the
development of these devices are underlined and criticized, respectively. The
third- and-final part proposes ideas for further improvement in blue phase III
technology to make it feasible for commercialization and widespread use.
PMID- 28994149
TI - Enzyme-Free Colorimetric Detection of Cu2+ by Utilizing Target-Triggered DNAzymes
and Toehold-Mediated DNA Strand Displacement Events.
AB - A new enzyme-free system for colorimetric Cu2+ detection, which relies on target
triggered DNAzymes and toehold-mediated DNA strand-displacement circuits, is
described. The system employs a DNAzyme designed to undergo self-cleavage in the
presence of Cu2+ and release a catalyst strand that triggers a sequential toehold
mediated strand displacement reaction. This event leads to the release of a split
G-quadruplex DNAzyme strand that is initially caged and inactivated by a blocker
strand. A fuel strand is further incorporated for the recycling of the catalyst
strand to promote another toehold-mediated strand displacement event, which
consequently produces a large number of active split G-quadruplex DNAzymes. By
employing this design principle, target Cu2+ was very successfully identified
with a detection limit of 1.31 nm based on the distinct colorimetric signal
developed by the oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic
acid promoted by the peroxidase mimicking activity of the released G-quadruplex
DNAzymes. Finally, the practical capability of this sensing system was very
successfully demonstrated by its use to reliably determine Cu2+ in tap water.
PMID- 28994151
TI - Negative hepatic computed tomographic attenuation pattern in a dog with vacuolar
hepatopathy and hepatic fat accumulation secondary to cushing's syndrome.
AB - This report describes an unusual computed tomographic (CT) hepatic pattern,
characterized by negative attenuation values (from -19.59 to -28.85 Hounsfield
Units, HU) in a canine patient with severe Cushing's syndrome. Attenuation values
of the splenic parenchyma (63.26 HU) and abdominal fat (-118.34 HU) were within
normal limits. The negative hepatic attenuation values allowed a CT diagnosis of
severe hepatic fatty infiltration that was subsequently confirmed by tissue-core
biopsy and histopathological examination.
PMID- 28994152
TI - Genomics of adaptive divergence with chromosome-scale heterogeneity in crossover
rate.
AB - Genetic differentiation between divergent populations is often greater in
chromosome centres than peripheries. Commonly overlooked, this broadscale
differentiation pattern is sometimes ascribed to heterogeneity in crossover rate
and hence linked selection within chromosomes, but the underlying mechanisms
remain incompletely understood. A literature survey across 46 organisms reveals
that most eukaryotes indeed exhibit a reduced crossover rate in chromosome
centres relative to the peripheries. Using simulations of populations diverging
into ecologically different habitats through sorting of standing genetic
variation, we demonstrate that such chromosome-scale heterogeneity in crossover
rate, combined with polygenic divergent selection, causes stronger hitchhiking
and especially barriers to gene flow across chromosome centres. Without requiring
selection on new mutations, this rapidly leads to elevated population
differentiation in the low-crossover centres relative to the high-crossover
peripheries of chromosomes ("Chromosome Centre-Biased Differentiation", CCBD).
Using simulated and empirical data, we then show that strong CCBD between
populations can provide evidence of polygenic adaptive divergence with a phase of
gene flow. We further demonstrate that chromosome-scale heterogeneity in
crossover rate impacts analyses beyond that of population differentiation,
including the inference of phylogenies and parallel adaptive evolution among
populations, the detection of genetic loci under selection, and the
interpretation of the strength of selection on genomic regions. Overall, our
results call for a greater appreciation of chromosome-scale heterogeneity in
crossover rate in evolutionary genomics.
PMID- 28994153
TI - X-ray elemental mapping techniques for elucidating the ecophysiology of
hyperaccumulator plants.
AB - Contents Summary 432 I. Introduction 433 II. Preparation of plant samples for X
ray micro-analysis 433 III. X-ray elemental mapping techniques 438 IV. X-ray data
analysis 442 V. Case studies 443 VI. Conclusions 446 Acknowledgements 449 Author
contributions 449 References 449 SUMMARY: Hyperaccumulators are attractive models
for studying metal(loid) homeostasis, and probing the spatial distribution and
coordination chemistry of metal(loid)s in their tissues is important for
advancing our understanding of their ecophysiology. X-ray elemental mapping
techniques are unique in providing in situ information, and with appropriate
sample preparation offer results true to biological conditions of the living
plant. The common platform of these techniques is a reliance on characteristic X
rays of elements present in a sample, excited either by electrons
(scanning/transmission electron microscopy), protons (proton-induced X-ray
emission) or X-rays (X-ray fluorescence microscopy). Elucidating the cellular and
tissue-level distribution of metal(loid)s is inherently challenging and accurate
X-ray analysis places strict demands on sample collection, preparation and
analytical conditions, to avoid elemental redistribution, chemical modification
or ultrastructural alterations. We compare the merits and limitations of the
individual techniques, and focus on the optimal field of applications for
inferring ecophysiological processes in hyperaccumulator plants. X-ray elemental
mapping techniques can play a key role in answering questions at every level of
metal(loid) homeostasis in plants, from the rhizosphere interface, to uptake
pathways in the roots and shoots. Further improvements in technological
capabilities offer exciting perspectives for the study of hyperaccumulator plants
into the future.
PMID- 28994154
TI - Concealing a shiny facial skin appearance by an Aerogel-based formula. In vitro
and in vivo studies.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To explore, in vitro and in vivo, the potential interest of an Aerogel
based formula, in concealing a naturally shiny facial skin. METHODS: In vitro,
various formulae and ingredients were applied as a thin film onto contrast plates
and studied through measuring the shine induced following pump spraying of a
mixture of oleic acid and mineral water as a sebum/sweat mix model. In such a
test, an Aerogel ingredient led to very positive results. In vivo, two different
formulae with various concentrations of Aerogel were randomly tested on half side
of the face vs. bare side of Chinese women, under some provocative environmental
conditions, known to enhance facial shine. These conditions comprised a normal
activity under a hot and highly humid summer time followed - or not - by a hamam
session. Both studies included comparative evaluations using a half-face
procedure (treated/untreated or vehicle). In the first case, evaluations were
quantitatively carried out, whereas the second one was based on a quantitative
self-evaluations from standardized full-face photographs RESULTS: In vitro, the
tested Aerogel, incorporated at 1% or 2% concentration in a common O/W cosmetic
emulsion, shows an immediate light scattering effect, thereby masking shine. Such
effect appears of much higher amplitude than that of two other tested particulate
ingredients (Talc and Perlite). A noticeable remanence of anti-shine effect was
confirmed in vivo in extreme conditions. The latter was self-perceived by all
participants in the second study. This result is likely related to the super
hydrophobic behaviour of the Aerogel. CONCLUSION: As cosmetic ingredient, this
new Aerogel appears as a highly promising ingredient for concealing the facial
skin shine, a source of complaint from many consumers living in hot and humid
regions.
PMID- 28994156
TI - Synthesis of nano-sized hydrogen phosphate-imprinted polymer in
acetonitrile/water mixture and its use as a recognition element of hydrogen
phosphate selective all-solid state potentiometric electrode.
AB - Herein, a new recipe is introduced for the preparation of hydrogen phosphate ion
imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nano-IIP) in acetonitrile/water (63.5:36.5)
using phosphoric acid as the template. The nano-IIP obtained was used as the
recognition element of a carbon paste potentiometric sensor. The IIP electrode
showed a Nernstian response to hydrogen phosphate anion; whereas, the non
imprinted polymer (NIP)-based electrode had no considerable sensitivity to the
anion. The presence of both methacrylic acid and vinyl pyridine in the IIP
structure, as well as optimization of the functional monomers-template
proportion, was found to be important to observe the sensing capability of the
IIP electrode. The nano-IIP electrode showed a dynamic linear range of 1 * 10-5
1 * 10-1 mol L-1, Nernstian slope of 30.6 +/- (0.5) mV decade -1 , response time
of 25 seconds, and detection limit of 4.0 * 10-6 mol L-1 . The utility of the
electrodes was checked by potentiometric titration of hydrogen phosphate with
La3+ solution.
PMID- 28994155
TI - Regenerable-Catalyst-Aided, Opened to Air and Sunlight-Driven "CuAAC&ATRP"
Concurrent Reaction for Sequence-Controlled Copolymer.
AB - An ideal stimuli-responsive controlled/living radical polymerization should have
the ability to manipulate the reaction through spatiotemporal "on/off" controls,
achieving the polymerization under fully open conditions and allowing for precise
control over macromolecular architecture with defined molecular weights and
monomer sequence. In this contribution, the photo (sunlight)-induced electron
transfer atom transfer radical-polymerization (PET-ATRP) can be realized to be
reversibly activated and deactivated under fully open conditions utilizing one
component copper(II) thioxanthone carboxylate as multifunctional photocatalyst
and oxygen scavenger. The polymerization behaviors are investigated, presenting
controlled features with first-order kinetics and linear relationships between
molecular weights and monomer conversions. More importantly, "CuAAC&ATRP"
concurrent reaction combining PET-ATRP, photodriven deoxygenation, and
photoactivated CuAAC click reaction is successfully employed to synthesize the
sequence-defined multiblock functional copolymers, in which the iterative monomer
additions can be easily manipulated under fully open conditions.
PMID- 28994157
TI - Genome-wide association study and annotating candidate gene networks affecting
age at first calving in Nellore cattle.
AB - We performed a genome-wide mapping for the age at first calving (AFC) with the
goal of annotating candidate genes that regulate fertility in Nellore cattle.
Phenotypic data from 762 cows and 777k SNP genotypes from 2,992 bulls and cows
were used. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects based on the single-step
GBLUP methodology were blocked into adjacent windows of 1 Megabase (Mb) to
explain the genetic variance. SNP windows explaining more than 0.40% of the AFC
genetic variance were identified on chromosomes 2, 8, 9, 14, 16 and 17. From
these windows, we identified 123 coding protein genes that were used to build
gene networks. From the association study and derived gene networks, putative
candidate genes (e.g., PAPPA, PREP, FER1L6, TPR, NMNAT1, ACAD10, PCMTD1, CRH,
OPKR1, NPBWR1 and NCOA2) and transcription factors (TF) (STAT1, STAT3, RELA, E2F1
and EGR1) were strongly associated with female fertility (e.g., negative
regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion, folliculogenesis and establishment
of uterine receptivity). Evidence suggests that AFC inheritance is complex and
controlled by multiple loci across the genome. As several windows explaining
higher proportion of the genetic variance were identified on chromosome 14,
further studies investigating the interaction across haplotypes to better
understand the molecular architecture behind AFC in Nellore cattle should be
undertaken.
PMID- 28994158
TI - The myths of medication adherence.
PMID- 28994160
TI - The use of accelerometer to measure sleeping posture of beef cows.
AB - Sleep is one of the essential behaviors for mammals. The aims of this study were
to validate the use of accelerometer for measuring sleeping posture of cattle.
Duration of sleeping posture of seven Japanese Black cows from 19.00 to 07.00
hours was measured by both accelerometer and video, and a total of 67
accelerometer and video measurement sets were collected. We calculated Cohen's
kappa coefficient between accelerometer and video measurements and 91.5% of the
kappa-values were >0.80. Intra- and inter-observer coefficient of variance showed
that specific acceleration waveform patterns of sleeping posture could be easily
and accurately detected by independent observers. There were no significant
differences in the frequency of sleeping posture occurrences between
accelerometer and video measurements. We compared averaged sleeping posture bout,
and the total sleeping posture time between accelerometer and video measurements
using regression. In each trait, the slope was close to 1 and the intercept was
not different from 0, which showed a strong agreement between accelerometer and
video measurements. This shows that an accelerometer could accurately detect
sleeping postures of cattle. We conclude that adequate measurements of sleeping
postures can be made using an accelerometer.
PMID- 28994161
TI - Vitrification of bovine matured oocytes and blastocysts in a paper container.
AB - In the present study, we aimed to determine the applicability of a paper
container for the vitrification of in vitro matured (IVM) bovine oocytes. In
experiment 1, IVM oocytes were exposed to vitrification solution (20%
dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 20% ethylene glycol (EG), and 5 mol/L sucrose), using a
two-step method, for 30 s; loaded onto either a paper container or Cryotop; and
stored in liquid nitrogen. No significant difference (P < 0.05) in the survival
and blastocyst formation rates after in vitro vitrification was observed between
the paper container and Cryotop. In experiment 2, IVM oocytes were exposed to
either a two- or three-step vitrification solution. The three-step vitrification
solution was not significantly different from the two-step solution in terms of
oocyte survival, cleavage and blastocyst rates. In experiment 3, in vitro
produced blastocysts were graded according to the manual of the International
Embryo Transfer Society (grades 1 and 2) and vitrified using the two- and three
step methods. For grade 2 blastocysts, the three-step method showed significantly
higher (P < 0.05) survival and hatched blastocyst rates than the two-step method,
whereas for grade 1 blastocysts, no significant difference was observed. In
conclusion, the paper device and three-step technique are suitable for oocytes
and embryo vitrification.
PMID- 28994159
TI - Calcium and electrical dynamics in lymphatic endothelium.
AB - KEY POINTS: Endothelial cell function in resistance arteries integrates Ca2+
signalling with hyperpolarization to promote relaxation of smooth muscle cells
and increase tissue blood flow. Whether complementary signalling occurs in
lymphatic endothelium is unknown. Intracellular calcium and membrane potential
were evaluated in endothelial cell tubes freshly isolated from mouse collecting
lymphatic vessels of the popliteal fossa. Resting membrane potential measured
using intracellular microelectrodes averaged ~-70 mV. Stimulation of lymphatic
endothelium by acetylcholine or a TRPV4 channel agonist increased intracellular
Ca2+ with robust depolarization. Findings from Trpv4-/- mice and with
computational modelling suggest that the initial mobilization of intracellular
Ca2+ leads to influx of Ca2+ and Na+ through TRPV4 channels to evoke
depolarization. Lymphatic endothelial cells lack the Ca2+ -activated K+ channels
present in arterial endothelium to generate endothelium-derived
hyperpolarization. Absence of this signalling pathway with effective
depolarization may promote rapid conduction of contraction along lymphatic muscle
during lymph propulsion. ABSTRACT: Subsequent to a rise in intracellular Ca2+
([Ca2+ ]i ), hyperpolarization of the endothelium coordinates vascular smooth
muscle relaxation along resistance arteries during blood flow control. In the
lymphatic vasculature, collecting vessels generate rapid contractions coordinated
along lymphangions to propel lymph, but the underlying signalling pathways are
unknown. We tested the hypothesis that lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) exhibit
Ca2+ and electrical signalling properties that facilitate lymph propulsion. To
study electrical and intracellular Ca2+ signalling dynamics in lymphatic
endothelium, we excised collecting lymphatic vessels from the popliteal fossa of
mice and removed their muscle cells to isolate intact LEC tubes (LECTs).
Intracellular recording revealed a resting membrane potential of ~-70 mV.
Acetylcholine (ACh) increased [Ca2+ ]i with a time course similar to that
observed in endothelium of resistance arteries (i.e. rapid initial peak with a
sustained 'plateau'). In striking contrast to the endothelium-derived
hyperpolarization (EDH) characteristic of arteries, LECs depolarized (>15 mV) to
either ACh or TRPV4 channel activation. This depolarization was facilitated by
the absence of Ca2+ -activated K+ (KCa ) channels as confirmed with PCR,
persisted in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ , was abolished by LaCl3 and was
attenuated ~70% in LECTs from Trpv4-/- mice. Computational modelling of ion
fluxes in LECs indicated that omitting K+ channels supports our experimental
results. These findings reveal novel signalling events in LECs, which are devoid
of the KCa activity abundant in arterial endothelium. Absence of EDH with
effective depolarization of LECs may promote the rapid conduction of contraction
waves along lymphatic muscle during lymph propulsion.
PMID- 28994162
TI - Effect of probiotics on perinatal outcome in patients at high risk of preterm
birth.
AB - AIM: Recent reports have shown lower levels of Clostridium and higher levels of
Lactobacillales in the intestinal microbiota in preterm birth patients compared
to term birth patients. However, the influence of probiotics on perinatal status
has not been elucidated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of
probiotics on perinatal outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the
effects of oral probiotics on perinatal outcome in patients at high risk of
preterm birth. Probiotics containing Streptococcus faecalis, Clostridium
butyricum and Bacillus mesentericus were administered for prophylaxis of
bacterial vaginosis or treatment of constipation starting at 12.5 +/- 4.1 weeks
until delivery. Patients not administered probiotics were defined as the non
probiotics group. Between these two groups, perinatal outcomes including
gestational age at birth, birth weight, chorioamnionitis or funisitis and preterm
birth before 32 weeks were compared. In addition, multivariate regression
analyses were performed to evaluate factors influencing preterm birth before 32
weeks, chorioamnionitis/funisitis and normal vaginal flora. RESULTS: The
probiotics group showed longer gestation, higher birth weight, lower rates of
chorioamnionitis and higher rates of normal vaginal flora compared to the non
probiotics group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that probiotics
significantly suppressed preterm birth before 32 weeks and tended to suppress
chorioamnionitis/funisitis. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval)
for preterm birth before 32 weeks and chorioamnionitis/funisitis were 0.05 (0.01
0.71) and 0.07 (0.01-1.03), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Oral probiotics containing
Clostridium had a significant effect on the prevention of preterm birth before 32
weeks of gestation.
PMID- 28994163
TI - Responses of phenology and biomass production of boreal fens to climate warming
under different water-table level regimes.
AB - Climate change affects peatlands directly through increased air temperatures and
indirectly through changes in water-table level (WL). The interactions of these
two still remain poorly known. We determined experimentally the separate and
interactive effects of temperature and WL regime on factors of relevance for the
inputs to the carbon cycle: plant community composition, phenology, biomass
production, and shoot:root allocation in two wet boreal sedge-dominated fens,
"southern" at 62 degrees N and "northern" at 68 degrees Nu. Warming (1.5 degrees
C higher average daily air temperature) was induced with open-top chambers and WL
drawdown (WLD; 3-7 cm on average) by shallow ditches. Total biomass production
varied from 250 to 520 g/m2 , with belowground production comprising 25%-63%.
Warming was associated with minor effects on phenology and negligible effects on
community composition, biomass production, and allocation. WLD clearly affected
the contribution of different plant functional types (PFTs) in the community and
the biomass they produced: shrubs benefited while forbs and mosses suffered.
These responses did not depend on the warming treatment. Following WLD,
aboveground biomass production decreased mainly due to reduced growth of mosses
in the southern fen. Aboveground vascular plant biomass production remained
unchanged but the contribution of different PFTs changed. The observed changes
were also reflected in plant phenology, with different PFTs showing different
responses. Belowground production increased following WLD in the northern fen
only, but an increase in the contributions of shrubs and forbs was observed in
both sites, while sedge contribution decreased. Moderate warming alone seems not
able to drive significant changes in plant productivity or community composition
in these wet ecosystems. However, if warming is accompanied by even modest WL
drawdown, changes should be expected in the relative contribution of PFTs, which
could lead to profound changes in the function of fens. Consequently,
hydrological scenarios are of utmost importance when estimating their future
function.
PMID- 28994165
TI - A Demonstrative Tactile Method to Guide Mandibular Movements.
AB - Dental practitioners often require patients to perform specific mandibular
movements (protrusive, retrusive, and lateral) in order to make centric relation
and eccentric records. Occasionally, patients are unable to comprehend and
perform the desired movements, even after repeated instructions. This article
describes a quick, simple, and easy-to-follow technique to help guide patients
with their mandibular movements.
PMID- 28994164
TI - Utilization of increased risk for transmission of infectious disease donor organs
in solid organ transplantation: Retrospective analysis of disease transmission
and safety.
AB - The inadequate supply of transplantable organs necessitates new approaches to
organ availability. Serologies and nucleic acid testing (NAT) for hepatitis C
virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are
used in microbiologic screening of potential organ donors. Organs from donors
considered at "high risk" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC 1994)
or "increased risk" (U.S. Public Health Service, PHS 2013) for transmission of
viral infection to recipients may provide an expanded source of organs for
transplantation. We review a single-center experience with 257 adult organ
recipients of organs from donors meeting either CDC 1994 or PHS 2013 risk
criteria between 2011 and 2016. Tracking these transplants required modification
of the Transplant Center electronic database to identify all recipients of
increased-risk donor (IRD) organs, documentation of informed consent, and
microbiologic testing data. No transmissions of HIV, HBV, or HCV were identified
by NAT or clinically. Nine patients developed positive serologic assays for one
of the tested viruses; all recipients were retested and remain negative by NAT.
Notably, post-transplant HBV core serologies reverted to negative on re-testing;
these positive serologies are likely false positives caused by receipt of blood
products. Use of IRD organs can be performed safely with appropriate informed
consent and rigorous pre- and post-transplant microbiological testing.
PMID- 28994166
TI - Newer treatments of psoriasis regarding IL-23 inhibitors, phosphodiesterase 4
inhibitors, and Janus kinase inhibitors.
AB - The rapid progress of genetic engineering furthermore opens up new prospects in
the therapy of this difficult-to-treat disease. IL-23 inhibitors,
phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are
currently encouraging further research. Two drugs which are IL-23 inhibitors are
now in phase III of clinical trials. The aim of the action of both drugs is
selective IL-23 inhibition by targeting the p19 subunit. Guselkumab is a fully
human monoclonal antibody. Tildrakizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody,
which also belongs to IgG class and is targeted to subunit p19 of interleukin 23
(IL-23). Phosphodiesterase inhibitors exert an anti-inflammatory action and their
most common group is the PDE4 family. PDE4 inhibits cAMP, which reduces the
inflammatory response of the pathway of Th helper lymphocytes, Th17, and type 1
interferon which modulates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as
IL-10 interleukins. The Janus kinase (JAK) signaling pathway plays an important
role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Tofacitinib suppresses the
expression of IL-23, IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22 receptors during the stimulation
of lymphocytes. Ruxolitinib is a selective inhibitor of JAK1 and JAK2 kinases and
the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. This article is a review of the aforementioned
drugs as described in the latest available literature.
PMID- 28994167
TI - Optimization and physicochemical properties of nutritional protein isolate from
pork liver with ultrasound-assisted alkaline extraction.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal conditions of ultrasound
assisted alkaline extraction (UAAE) on pork liver protein isolate (UPLPI) and its
physico-chemical properties. Response surface methodology was used to determine
the optimal conditions for UAAE, which were at ultrasonic power 265 W, ultrasonic
time 42 min, NaOH concentration 0.80%, temperature 50 degrees C, and solvent/raw
material ratio 70. The extraction yield and efficiency of UPLPI were
significantly improved over the conventional alkaline extraction (PLPI). The
results of amino acid composition showed that UAAE could increase serine (36.5
g/kg), arginine (38.1 g/kg), alanine (37.5 g/kg), proline (48.7 g/kg),
phenylalanine (55.6 g/kg) and lysine (47.2 g/kg) elution amount. The changes in
fourier transform infrared spectra indicated unfolding and destruction of the
protein structure in UPLPI. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis
presented UPLPI with a slightly lower onset and peak denaturation temperature
over PLPI. Surface hydrophobicity increased and the microstructures presented
larger and more pores of UPLPI, therefore, it had better in vitro digestibility
than PLPI. Therefore, UPLPI might have a potential application prospect in the
food field due to its changes on molecular structure as well as on the
microstructure of protein by UAAE.
PMID- 28994168
TI - Hair cortisol levels of lactating dairy cows in cold- and warm-temperate regions
in Japan.
AB - We compared the hair cortisol levels of lactating dairy cows in a cold- and a
warm-temperate region out of four climatic zones in Japan. We simultaneously
investigated the effects of calving number, lactation period and month of hair
sampling. Hair of nine Holstein lactating cows chosen from each region (i.e. 18
cows per sampling) was sampled in March, June, September and December. Number of
calvings (1, 2, >=3) and lactation duration (early: <100, middle: 101-200, and
late: >201 days) were balanced between regions. Cortisol was extracted from hair
by methanol, and its level was determined with a cortisol immunoassay kit. A
multi-way analysis of variance revealed that the effects of month of hair
sampling (P < 0.001) and its combination with region (P < 0.05) were significant.
In a multiple comparison test, significant differences (P < 0.01) in hair
cortisol level (pg/mg of hair) were found between June (13.0 +/- 1.0) and the
other 3 months, and between September (1.6 +/- 0.2) and December (4.5 +/- 0.3).
The rise in cortisol level from March to June was more intense in the cold
temperate region. These results demonstrate the necessity of considering seasonal
variations in each climatic region when we use hair cortisol level as an
indicator of stress.
PMID- 28994169
TI - Methotrexate-induced pneumonia: A dermatologist wake up call.
PMID- 28994170
TI - Why decadal to century timescale palaeoclimate data are needed to explain present
day patterns of biological diversity and change.
AB - The current distribution of species, environmental conditions and their
interactions represent only one snapshot of a planet that is continuously
changing, in part due to human influences. To distinguish human impacts from
natural factors, the magnitude and pace of climate shifts, since the Last Glacial
Maximum, are often used to determine whether patterns of diversity today are
artefacts of past climate change. In the absence of high-temporal resolution
palaeoclimate reconstructions, this is generally done by assuming that past
climate change occurred at a linear pace between widely spaced (usually, >=1,000
years) climate snapshots. We show here that this is a flawed assumption because
regional climates have changed significantly across decades and centuries during
glacial-interglacial cycles, likely causing rapid regional replacement of biota.
We demonstrate how recent atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (AOGCM)
simulations of the climate of the past 21,000 years can provide credible
estimates of the details of climate change on decadal to centennial timescales,
showing that these details differ radically from what might be inferred from
longer timescale information. High-temporal resolution information can provide
more meaningful estimates of the magnitude and pace of climate shifts, the
location and timing of drivers of physiological stress, and the extent of novel
climates. They also produce new opportunities to directly investigate whether
short-term climate variability is more important in shaping biodiversity patterns
rather than gradual changes in long-term climatic means. Together, these more
accurate measures of past climate instability are likely to bring about a better
understanding of the role of palaeoclimatic change and variability in shaping
current macroecological patterns in many regions of the world.
PMID- 28994171
TI - Brain abscesses caused by Cladophialophora bantiana in a lung transplant patient:
A case report and review of the literature.
AB - Cladophialophora bantiana brain abscesses are rare, but are frequently and
quickly lethal in transplanted patients. We report the case of a 63-year-old man
who had undergone lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
and presented with headaches and a neurological deficit. Magnetic resonance
imaging revealed multiple brain abscesses. C. bantiana was identified by DNA
sequencing performed directly on cerebral tissue obtained by surgical biopsy.
After 6 months of antifungal treatment, the brain abscesses were replaced by
ischemic sequelae. The patient died suddenly 2 months later from a pulmonary
bacterial infection. This is the second reported case of C. bantiana brain
abscesses in a lung transplant recipient, to our knowledge, who experienced a
long survival period with medical antifungal treatment alone. We review the
literature and discuss our treatment.
PMID- 28994172
TI - Ultraviolet filters in hair-care products: a possible link with frontal fibrosing
alopecia and lichen planopilaris.
PMID- 28994173
TI - Looking for Japan's missing third baby boom.
AB - AIM: High-income countries are now experiencing a decline in fertility. After
experiencing baby booms in 1947-1949 and 1971-1974, Japan's population has been
decreasing since 2015. In an attempt to predict the next baby boom, we searched
for any upward demographic trends occurring after 1974. METHODS: We analyzed time
trends of the numbers and rates of live births, stillbirths and induced abortions
using Japanese government data from 1975 to 2014. We then selected two birth
cohorts: the first baby boomers who were 0-4 years old in 1950, and the second
baby boomers who were 0-4 years old in 1975, and analyzed their rates of live
births, stillbirths, and abortions by five-year age groups. RESULTS: There was no
upswing in the numbers of births, stillbirths, or induced abortions; however, the
abortion rate increased during 1996-2002. Compared with the first baby boomer
cohort, the second baby boomer cohort had half the peak live birth rate for the
same age group (25-29 years old), and half the peak rate of abortions, with a
shift toward a younger age group (20-24). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of Japanese
fertility trends derived from all pregnancy outcomes showed no upward trend in
fertility in Japan since 1974.
PMID- 28994175
TI - Mild Reduction of Phosphine Oxides with Phosphites To Access Phosphines.
AB - A new method for the iodine-catalyzed reduction of phosphine oxides with
phosphites at room temperature is reported. The mild reaction conditions,
scalability, and simple purification requirements render it a method of choice
for the large-scale production and facile regeneration of a variety of
phosphines. Mechanistic studies, supported by DFT calculations of the oxygen
transfer between the starting phosphine oxide and the phosphite reagent, are also
presented. Such transmutations of phosphorus species were previously unknown.
PMID- 28994174
TI - Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in kidney transplant recipients: A series of seven
cases.
AB - BACKGROUND: Superficial and deep fungal infections are more frequent in
transplant recipients primarily because of the failure of cell-mediated immunity
and lesser amount of antigen-presenting Langerhans cells in their epidermis.
Here, we report seven cases of post-renal transplant subcutaneous
phaeohyphomycosis, all of which manifested within 1 year after transplantation
and were unresponsive to prolonged courses of itraconazole. This is the first
case series, to our knowledge, of phaeohyphomycosis in transplant recipients in
India. METHOD: We performed a retrospective review of cases of phaeohyphomycosis
among kidney transplant recipients for type of transplant, immunosuppression,
histopathology, and treatment, with prospective follow-up of healed lesion.
RESULTS: An overall incidence of 8.3% was noted, with a median duration of
approximately 6 months post transplant to the onset of skin lesion. None of the
lesions responded to itraconazole alone and 6/7 lesions were surgically excised.
Histopathology showed various lesions and culture could isolate Neocytalidium and
Exophiala jeanselmi in two cases. CONCLUSION: Dematiaceous fungi are increasingly
implicated in cutaneous lesions in transplant recipients. Histopathology and
surgical excision are the appropriate tools for diagnosis and treatment,
respectively.
PMID- 28994176
TI - Dimethylamine as a Substrate in Hydroaminoalkylation Reactions.
AB - Transition-metal-catalyzed hydroaminoalkylations of alkenes have made great
progress over the last decade and are heading to become a viable alternative to
the industrial synthesis of amines through hydroformylation of alkenes and
subsequent reductive amination. In the past, one major obstacle of this progress
has been an inability to apply these reactions to the most important amines,
methylamine and dimethylamine. Herein, we report the first successful use of
dimethylamine in catalytic hydroaminoalkylations of alkenes with good yields. We
also report applicability for a variety of alkenes to show the tolerance of the
reaction towards different functional groups. Additionally, we present a
catalytic dihydroaminoalkylation reaction using dimethylamine, which has never
been reported before.
PMID- 28994178
TI - Review of appendicectomies over a decade in a tertiary hospital in New Zealand.
AB - BACKGROUND: Acute appendicectomy is the most common emergency operation for
patients with abdominal pain. In the last decade, computed tomography (CT) scans
have increasingly been used to aid in the diagnosis in order to reduce the
negative appendicectomy rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate our
institution's negative appendicectomy rate and the use of pre-operative imaging.
METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken for all adult patients (>16
years), who underwent an appendicectomy on emergency basis in the years 2004,
2009 and 2014. Cases were identified from the hospital electronic theatre record
system. Data were also obtained from the patients records and laboratory reports.
RESULTS: A total of 874 patients were included, 227 in 2004, 308 in 2009 and 339
in 2014. The negative appendicectomy rate was 29.1% in 2004, 20.1% in 2009 and
19.5% in 2014 (P = 0.014). Negative appendicectomies were more common in women (P
= <0.001), patients between the ages of 16-30 years (P = <0.001) and were
associated with low inflammatory markers (median white cell count of 10.2, C
reactive protein of 8, P = <0.001). The use of CT scan prior to operation
increased between 2009 and 2014 (34 (11.0%) versus 64 (18.9%), P = <0.001).
CONCLUSION: Though the number of appendicectomies being performed in our
institution has increased over the last decade, the negative appendicectomy rate
remains fairly static and the increased use of CT scans did not further decrease
the proportion of negative appendicectomies between 2009 and 2014.
PMID- 28994177
TI - Sirtuins at the crossroads of stemness, aging, and cancer.
AB - Sirtuins are stress-responsive proteins that direct various post-translational
modifications (PTMs) and as a result, are considered to be master regulators of
several cellular processes. They are known to both extend lifespan and regulate
spontaneous tumor development. As both aging and cancer are associated with
altered stem cell function, the possibility that the involvement of sirtuins in
these events is mediated by their roles in stem cells is worthy of investigation.
Research to date suggests that the individual sirtuin family members can
differentially regulate embryonic, hematopoietic as well as other adult stem
cells in a tissue- and cell type-specific context. Sirtuin-driven regulation of
both cell differentiation and signaling pathways previously involved in stem cell
maintenance has been described where downstream effectors involved determine the
biological outcome. Similarly, diverse roles have been reported in cancer stem
cells (CSCs), depending on the tissue of origin. This review highlights the
current knowledge which places sirtuins at the intersection of stem cells, aging,
and cancer. By outlining the plethora of stem cell-related roles for individual
sirtuins in various contexts, our purpose was to provide an indication of their
significance in relation to cancer and aging, as well as to generate a clearer
picture of their therapeutic potential. Finally, we propose future directions
which will contribute to the better understanding of sirtuins, thereby further
unraveling the full repertoire of sirtuin functions in both normal stem cells and
CSCs.
PMID- 28994179
TI - Lysosome-Targeting Amplifiers of Reactive Oxygen Species as Anticancer Prodrugs.
AB - Cancer cells produce elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, which has been
used to design cancer specific prodrugs. Their activation relies on at least a
bimolecular process, in which a prodrug reacts with ROS. However, at low
micromolar concentrations of the prodrugs and ROS, the activation is usually
inefficient. Herein, we propose and validate a potentially general approach for
solving this intrinsic problem of ROS-dependent prodrugs. In particular, known
prodrug 4-(N-ferrocenyl-N-benzylaminocarbonyloxymethyl)phenylboronic acid pinacol
ester was converted into its lysosome-specific analogue. Since lysosomes contain
a higher concentration of active ROS than the cytoplasm, activation of the
prodrug was facilitated with respect to the parent compound. Moreover, it was
found to exhibit high anticancer activity in a variety of cancer cell lines (IC50
=3.5-7.2 MUm) and in vivo (40 mg kg-1 , NK/Ly murine model) but remained weakly
toxic towards non-malignant cells (IC50 =15-30 MUm).
PMID- 28994180
TI - A Conjugate of an Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) VHH and a Cell
Penetrating Peptide Drives Receptor Internalization and Blocks EGFR Activation.
AB - Overexpression of (mutated) receptor tyrosine kinases is a characteristic of many
aggressive tumors, and induction of receptor uptake has long been recognized as a
therapeutic modality. A conjugate of a synthetically produced cell-penetrating
peptide (CPP), corresponding to amino acids 38-59 of human lactoferrin, and the
recombinant llama single-domain antibody (VHH) 7D12, which binds the human
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), was generated by sortase A mediated
transpeptidation. The conjugate blocks EGF-mediated EGFR activation with higher
efficacy than that of both modalities alone; a phenomenon that is caused by both
effective receptor blockade and internalization. Thus, the VHH-CPP conjugate
shows a combination of activities that implement a highly powerful new design
principle to block receptor activation by its clearance from the cell surface.
PMID- 28994181
TI - Age-associated dysregulation of protein metabolism in the mammalian oocyte.
AB - Reproductive aging is characterized by a marked decline in oocyte quality that
contributes to infertility, miscarriages, and birth defects. This decline is
multifactorial, and the underlying mechanisms are under active investigation.
Here, we performed RNA-Seq on individual growing follicles from reproductively
young and old mice to identify age-dependent functions in oocytes. This unbiased
approach revealed genes involved in cellular processes known to change with age,
including mitochondrial function and meiotic chromosome segregation, but also
uncovered previously unappreciated categories of genes related to proteostasis
and organelles required for protein metabolism. We further validated our RNA-Seq
data by comparing nucleolar structure and function in oocytes from reproductively
young and old mice, as this organelle is central for protein production. We
examined key nucleolar markers, including upstream binding transcription factor
(UBTF), an RNA polymerase I cofactor, and fibrillarin, an rRNA methyltransferase.
In oocytes from mice of advanced reproductive age, UBTF was primarily expressed
in giant fibrillar centers (GFCs), structures associated with high levels of rDNA
transcription, and fibrillarin expression was increased ~2-fold. At the
ultrastructural level, oocyte nucleoli from reproductively old mice had
correspondingly more prominent fibrillar centers and dense fibrillar centers
relative to young controls and more ribosomes were found in the cytoplasm. Taken
together, our findings are significant because the growing oocyte is one of the
most translationally active cells in the body and must accumulate high-quality
maternally derived proteins to support subsequent embryo development. Thus,
perturbations in protein metabolism are likely to have a profound impact on
gamete health.
PMID- 28994182
TI - Traffic congestion and blood pressure elevation: A comparative cross-sectional
study in Lebanon.
AB - This comparative cross-sectional study examines the association between traffic
congestion and elevation of systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure levels among
a convenience sample of 310 drivers. Data collection took place during a gas
station pause at a fixed time of day. Higher average systolic (142 vs 123 mm Hg)
and diastolic (87 vs 78 mm Hg) blood pressures were detected among drivers
exposed to traffic congestion compared with those who were not exposed (P<.001),
while controlling for body mass index, age, sex, pack-year smoking, driving hours
per week, and occupational driving. Moreover, among persons exposed to traffic
congestion, longer exposure time was associated with higher systolic and
diastolic blood pressures. Further studies are needed to better understand the
mechanisms of the significant association between elevated blood pressure and
traffic congestion.
PMID- 28994183
TI - Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema: A review of the
literature.
AB - According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012, one third
of antihypertensive prescriptions in the United States in the past decade were
for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). An important and serious
side effect of ACEIs is angioedema caused by a reduction in bradykinin
degradation. In a national medical chart abstraction study conducted at the US
Veterans Affairs Health Care System in 2008, 0.20% of ACEI initiators developed
angioedema while on the medication. The angiotensin-converting enzyme is a part
of the renin-angiotensin system that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. It
is additionally responsible for the degradation of bradykinin, which is generated
from high molecular weight kininogen by kallikrein. Via bradykinin 2 receptors,
bradykinin affects vascular permeability and stimulates the release of substance
P, which is a peptide that causes vasodilation and fluid extravasation into
tissues. Inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme and subsequent blockade
of bradykinin degradation is thought to be a likely explanation for ACEI-induced
angioedema. Studies have shown that blacks, women, and smokers are at an
increased risk for ACEI-induced angioedema. A 2005 study identified black race,
history of drug rash, age older than 65 years, and seasonal allergies as
independent risk factors for angioedema related to enalapril. Angioedema may
occur at any time during treatment with ACEIs and may continue after the
medication is discontinued. The degree of ACEI-angiotensin receptor blocker
angioedema cross-reactivity is difficult to determine from the literature.
However, multiple studies have reported relatively low rates of native angioedema
with angiotensin receptor blockers (approximately half that of ACEIs, or 0.1%)
and a low incidence of cross-reactivity (<10%). Common treatments for angioedema,
such as antihistamines and glucocorticoids, have not been shown to be effective
in ACEI-induced angioedema. However, medications that have been used for acute
treatment of hereditary angioedema and target the factors that cause ACEI
mediated angioedema are being explored.
PMID- 28994184
TI - Racemization at the Asp 58 residue in alphaA-crystallin from the lens of high
myopic cataract patients.
AB - Post-translational modifications in lens proteins are key causal factors in
cataract. As the most abundant post-translational modification in the lens,
racemization may be closely related to the pathogenesis of cataract. Racemization
of alphaA-crystallin, a crucial structural and heat shock protein in the human
lens, could significantly influence its structure and function. In previous
studies, elevated racemization from l-Asp 58 to d-isoAsp58 in alphaA-crystallin
has been found in age-related cataract (ARC) lenses compared to normal aged human
lenses. However, the role of racemization in high myopic cataract (HMC), which is
characterized by an early onset of nuclear cataract, remains unknown. In the
current study, apparently different from ARC, significantly increased
racemization from l-Asp 58 to d-Asp 58 in alphaA-crystallin was identified in HMC
lenses. The average racemization rates for each Asp isoform were calculated in
ARC and HMC group. In ARC patients, the conversion of l-Asp 58 to d-isoAsp 58, up
to 31.89%, accounted for the main proportion in racemization, which was in
accordance with the previous studies. However, in HMC lenses, the conversion of l
Asp 58 to d-Asp 58, as high as 35.44%, accounted for the largest proportion of
racemization in alphaA-crystallin. The different trend in the conversion of
alphaA-crystallin by racemization, especially the elevated level of d-Asp 58 in
HMC lenses, might prompt early cataractogenesis and a possible explanation of
distinct phenotypes of cataract in HMC.
PMID- 28994185
TI - Electrostatic-Assisted Liquefaction of Porous Carbons.
AB - Porous liquids are a newly developed porous material that combine unique fluidity
with permanent porosity, which exhibit promising functionalities for a variety of
applications. However, the apparent incompatibility between fluidity and
permanent porosity makes the stabilization of porous nanoparticle with still
empty pores in the dense liquid phase a significant challenging. Herein, by
exploiting the electrostatic interaction between carbon networks and polymerized
ionic liquids, we demonstrate that carbon-based porous nanoarchitectures can be
well stabilized in liquids to afford permanent porosity, and thus opens up a new
approach to prepare porous carbon liquids. Furthermore, we hope this facile
synthesis strategy can be widely applicated to fabricate other types of porous
liquids, such as those (e.g., carbon nitride, boron nitride, metal-organic
frameworks, covalent organic frameworks etc.) also having the electrostatic
interaction with polymerized ionic liquids, evidently advancing the development
and understanding of porous liquids.
PMID- 28994186
TI - Chronic kidney disease with comorbid cardiac dysfunction exacerbates cardiac and
renal damage.
AB - To address the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying chronic kidney disease
with comorbid cardiac dysfunction, we investigated renal and cardiac, functional
and structural damage when myocardial infarction (MI) was applied in the setting
of kidney injury (induced by 5/6 nephrectomy-STNx). STNx or Sham surgery was
induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats with MI or Sham surgery performed 4 weeks
later. Rats were maintained for a further 8 weeks. Rats (n = 36) were randomized
into four groups: Sham+Sham, Sham+MI, STNx+Sham and STNx+MI. Increased renal
tubulointerstitial fibrosis (P < 0.01) and kidney injury molecule-1 expression (P
< 0.01) was observed in STNx+MI compared to STNx+Sham animals, while there were
no further reductions in renal function. Heart weight was increased in STNx+MI
compared to STNx+Sham or Sham+MI animals (P < 0.05), despite no difference in
blood pressure. STNx+MI rats demonstrated greater cardiomyocyte cross-sectional
area and increased cardiac interstitial fibrosis compared to either STNx+Sham (P
< 0.01) or Sham+MI (P < 0.01) animals which was accompanied by an increase in
diastolic dysfunction. These changes were associated with increases in ANP, cTGF
and collagen I gene expression and phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-p44/42 MAPK
protein expression in the left ventricle. Addition of MI accelerated STNx-induced
structural damage but failed to significantly exacerbate renal dysfunction. These
findings highlight the bidirectional response in this model known to occur in
cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and provide a useful model for examining potential
therapies for CRS.
PMID- 28994187
TI - Performance of F-18 FDG PET/CT for predicting malignant potential of
gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND AND AIM: We aimed to explore the role of the diagnostic accuracy of F
18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18 FDG PET) or positron
emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for prediction of malignant
potential of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) through a systematic review
and meta-analysis. METHODS: The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library database,
from the earliest available date of indexing through May 31, 2017, were searched
for studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of F-18 FDG PET or PET/CT for
prediction of malignant potential of GIST. We determined the sensitivities and
specificities across studies, calculated positive and negative likelihood ratios
(LR+ and LR-), and constructed summary receiver operating characteristic curves.
RESULTS: Across seven studies (188 patients), the pooled sensitivity for F-18 FDG
PET or PET/CT was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-0.94) without
heterogeneity (chi2 = 6.15, P = 0.72) and a pooled specificity of 0.88 (95% CI:
0.75-0.94) with heterogeneity (chi2 = 23.2, P = 0.01). LR syntheses gave an
overall LR+ of 7.2 (95% CI: 3.3-15.3) and LR- of 0.13 (95% CI: 0.07-0.24). The
pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 54 (95% CI: 16-181). CONCLUSION: F-18 FDG PET or
PET/CT demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of
malignant potential of GIST. At present, the literature regarding the use of F-18
FDG PET or PET/CT for the prediction of malignant potential of GIST remains still
limited; thus, further large multicenter studies would be necessary to
substantiate the diagnostic accuracy of F-18 FDG PET or PET/CT prediction of
malignant potential of GIST.
PMID- 28994188
TI - Natural history of endoscopically detected hiatus herniae at late follow-up.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hiatus herniae are commonly seen at endoscopy. Many patients with a
large hiatus hernia are endoscoped for symptoms associated with the hernia and
many of these will progress to surgical treatment. However, little is known about
the natural history of small to medium size hiatus herniae, and their risk of
progressing to a larger hernia requiring surgery. This study aims to determine
the need for subsequent surgery in these patients. METHODS: A retrospective audit
of the endoscopy database at Flinders Medical Centre and the Repatriation General
Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia for the 2-year period 2002-2003 was
performed to identify all patients with a hiatus hernia. Patients under the age
of 65 and with a sliding hiatus hernia <5 cm in length were selected for this
study, and sent a questionnaire which determines the long-term (>10 years)
outcome of these herniae. RESULTS: Small- to medium-sized hiatus herniae (<5 cm
length) were found at 10% of endoscopies performed. In this group, 38% had reflux
as the indication for endoscopy. 1.5% subsequently progressed to anti-reflux
surgery or hiatus hernia repair. Thirty-nine percent reported being on proton
pump inhibitors for symptom control. No patients required emergency surgical
repair of their hiatus hernia. CONCLUSION: While patients with small- to medium
sized sliding hiatus hernia commonly have symptomatic reflux, an acute problem
requiring emergency surgery is unlikely over long-term follow-up.
PMID- 28994189
TI - Assembly, Thermodynamics, and Structure of a Two-Wheeled Composite of a Dumbbell
Shaped Molecule and Cylindrical Molecules with Different Edges.
AB - A carbonaceous dumbbell was able to spontaneously glue two tubular receptors to
form a unique two-wheeled composite through van der Waals interactions, thus
forcing the wheel components into contact with each other at the edges. In the
present study, two tubular receptors with enantiomeric carbon networks were
assembled on the dumbbell joint, and the handedness of the receptors was
discriminated, thus leading to the self-sorting of homomeric receptors from a
mixture of enantiomeric tubes. The crystal structures of the composites revealed
the structural origins of the molecular recognition driven by van der Waals
forces as well as the presence of a columnar array of C120 molecules in a 1:1
composite.
PMID- 28994190
TI - Analysis of Molecular Orientation in Organic Semiconducting Thin Films Using
Static Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Enhanced Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.
AB - Molecular orientation in amorphous organic semiconducting thin-film devices is an
important issue affecting device performance. However, to date it has not been
possible to analyze the "distribution" of the orientations. Although solid-state
NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy can provide information on the "distribution" of
molecular orientations, the technique is limited because of the small amount of
sample in the device and the low sensitivity of ssNMR. Here, we report the first
application of dynamic nuclear polarization enhanced ssNMR (DNP-ssNMR)
spectroscopy for the orientational analysis of amorphous phenyldi(pyren-1
yl)phosphine oxide (POPy2 ). The 31 P DNP-ssNMR spectra exhibited a sufficient
signal-to-noise ratio to quantify the distribution of molecular orientations in
amorphous films: the P=O axis of the vacuum-deposited and drop-cast POPy2 shows
anisotropic and isotropic distribution, respectively. The different molecular
orientations reflect the molecular origin of the different charge transport
behaviors.
PMID- 28994191
TI - Transient Behavior of the Metal Interface in Lithium Metal-Garnet Batteries.
AB - The interface between solid electrolytes and Li metal is a primary issue for
solid-state batteries. Introducing a metal interlayer to conformally coat solid
electrolytes can improve the interface wettability of Li metal and reduce the
interfacial resistance, but the mechanism of the metal interlayer is unknown. In
this work, we used magnesium (Mg) as a model to investigate the effect of a metal
coating on the interfacial resistance of a solid electrolyte and Li metal anode.
The Li-Mg alloy has low overpotential, leading to a lower interfacial resistance.
Our motivation is to understand how the metal interlayer behaves at the interface
to promote increased Li-metal wettability of the solid electrolyte surface and
reduce interfacial resistance. Surprisingly, we found that the metal coating
dissolved in the molten piece of Li and diffused into the bulk Li metal, leading
to a small and stable interfacial resistance between the garnet solid electrolyte
and the Li metal. We also found that the interfacial resistance did not change
with increase in the thickness of the metal coating (5, 10, and 100 nm), due to
the transient behavior of the metal interface layer.
PMID- 28994192
TI - Narrow- and regular-diameter implants in the posterior region of the jaws to
support single crowns: A 3-year split-mouth randomized clinical trial.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this 3-year split-mouth randomized controlled
clinical study was to compare narrow-diameter implants (NDIs) to regular-diameter
implants (RDIs) in the posterior region of the jaws (premolars and molars) in
regards to (i) the marginal bone level (MBL) and (ii) implant and prosthesis
survival and success rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 22 patients were
included in the study. Each patient received at least one implant of each
diameter (O3.3 and O4.1 mm), placed either in the maxilla or mandible to support
single crowns. A total 44 implants (22 NDIs and 22 RDIs) were placed and included
in the study. Twenty-one implants were placed in the premolar, whereas 23 were
placed in molar areas. Radiographic evaluations to access the MBL were performed
immediately after implant placement, 1 and 3 years after implant loading. Peri
implant clinical variables including probing pocket depth (PPD) and bleeding on
probing (BoP) were obtained after crown delivery, 1 and 3 years after loading.
Furthermore, the survival and success rates of the implants and prosthesis were
also evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty patients were able to complete the study. There
was no statistically significant difference regarding MBL between groups at
implant placement (p = .084), 1-year (p = .794) and 3-year (p = .598) time
intervals. The mean peri-implant bone loss at 3-year follow-up was -0.58 +/- 0.39
mm (95% CI: -0.751 to -0.409) and -0.53 +/- 0.46 mm (95% CI: -0.731 to -0.329)
for NDIs and RDIs, respectively. BoP was present at 15% and 10% of NDIs and RDIs,
respectively, at 3-year follow-up. PPD >5 mm was observed in 5% and 0% of the
implants of NDIs and RDIs, respectively, at 3-year follow-up. At the 3-year
examination, the implant success rates were in the NDIs and RDIs sites,
respectively, 95% and 100%. The corresponding values for prosthesis success rates
were 90% for NDIs and 95% for RDIs. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated
that NDIs placed to support single crowns in the posterior region did not differ
to RDIs in regards to MBL, implant survival, and success rates.
PMID- 28994193
TI - Interplay between FGFR2b-induced autophagy and phagocytosis: role of PLCgamma
mediated signalling.
AB - Signalling of the epithelial splicing variant of the fibroblast growth factor
receptor 2 (FGFR2b) induces both autophagy and phagocytosis in human
keratinocytes. Here, we investigated, in the cell model of HaCaT keratinocytes,
whether the two processes might be related and the possible involvement of
PLCgamma signalling. Using fluorescence and electron microscopy, we demonstrated
that the FGFR2b-induced phagocytosis and autophagy involve converging
autophagosomal and phagosomal compartments. Moreover, the forced expression of
FGFR2b signalling mutants and the use of specific inhibitors of FGFR2b substrates
showed that the receptor-triggered autophagy requires PLCgamma signalling, which
in turn activates JNK1 via PKCdelta. Finally, we found that in primary human
keratinocytes derived from light or dark pigmented skin and expressing different
levels of FGFR2b, the rate of phagocytosis and autophagy and the convergence of
the two intracellular pathways are dependent on the level of receptor expression,
suggesting that FGFR2b signalling would control in vivo the number of melanosomes
in keratinocytes, determining skin pigmentation.
PMID- 28994194
TI - Positive experiences related to living with tinnitus: A cross-sectional survey.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to gain insights related to positive
experiences reported by adults with tinnitus living in the United Kingdom.
DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design was used in a sample of adults with
tinnitus who were interested in undertaking an Internet-based intervention for
tinnitus. SETTING: The study was UK wide and data collection was online.
PARTICIPANTS: Participants consisted of 240 adults (137 males, 103 females), with
an average age of 48.16 years and average tinnitus duration of 11.52 years (SD:
11.88). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tinnitus severity was measured by means of the
Tinnitus Functional Index. To evaluate the secondary effects of tinnitus, the
Insomnia Severity Index, the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults-Screening
Version and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaires were administered. Positive
experiences related to tinnitus were explored using an open-ended question
format. RESULTS: Around a third of participants (32.5%) reported positive
experiences associated with tinnitus. The number of positive responses ranged
from one to eight responses per participant, although there were fewer
participants with more than one positive response. The predominant themes
concerned for (i) coping; (ii) personal development; (iii) support, and to a
lesser extent (iv) outlook. Younger participants, those with a lower hearing
disability and those with fewer cognitive failures were more likely to report
positive experiences associated with having tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS: This study has
identified that personal development and a positive outlook are possible despite
experiencing tinnitus. Ways to facilitate positive experiences related to
tinnitus should be promoted, as these may reduce the negative consequences
associated with tinnitus. The most prevalent positive theme was the ability to
cope with tinnitus. Positive experiences were also drawn from having clinical and
other support networks. This highlights the importance of providing tinnitus
interventions that can assist people in coping with tinnitus, particularly to
those less likely to relate tinnitus to any positive experiences. Those most
likely to be helped include those who are older with greater cognitive
difficulties and a greater hearing disability.
PMID- 28994195
TI - Appropriateness, diagnostic value, and outcomes of repeat testing following index
echocardiography.
AB - AIMS: Emergency admission to hospital is associated with an economic burden and
mortality. Echocardiography is often the first-line cardiovascular imaging
investigation. Repeat testing is common; however, there are sparse data on the
prevalence, appropriateness, or outcome of repeat testing. METHODS: We performed
an electronic database search for patients with emergency admissions to our
institution in February 2015. An electronic patient record review of inpatient
echocardiograms was undertaken. Indications for echocardiography were classified
as appropriate, may be appropriate, or rarely appropriate. One-year follow-up for
repeat testing and mortality was investigated. RESULTS: A total of 409 of 2306
(17.7%) unplanned/emergency admissions underwent inpatient echocardiography.
Abnormalities were identified in 165/409 (40.3%) of these patients; 154 of 409
(37.7%) had a repeat echocardiogram within the next year. Rarely appropriate
indications for echocardiography occurred in 51 (33%) of repeat vs 53 (16%) of
index echocardiograms, P < .0001. Repeat testing was associated with a change in
findings in 17/154 (11%) patients overall. All of whom had an abnormal index
echocardiogram and had an appropriate indication. There was no difference in mean
survival time between patients who underwent repeat and those who only underwent
a single index echocardiogram (310 days vs 327 days), P = .34. CONCLUSION:
Inpatient echocardiography in emergency hospital admissions identifies clinically
important pathology. Repeated testing is common within 1 year of hospital
admission. New diagnostic findings occurred in 11% of patients and only in
patients with appropriate studies and an abnormal index echocardiogram.
Identification of methods to reduce repeat testing and implement appropriateness
criteria is warranted.
PMID- 28994196
TI - Demographics, management and treatment outcomes of benign and malignant
retroperitoneal tumors in Japan.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To show the demographics, type of treatment and clinical outcomes of
patients with retroperitoneal tumors in Japan. METHODS: We carried out a
retrospective analysis of patients with retroperitoneal tumors treated between
2000 and 2012 at 12 university hospitals in Japan. Histology was re-evaluated
using the 2013 World Health Organization classification. RESULTS: A total of 167
patients were included in the analysis. The number of diagnosed patients
increased over the 12-year study period. Liposarcoma and schwannoma were the most
common histological types among intermediate/malignant and benign tumors,
respectively. The intermediate/malignant tumors were larger and were more
frequently found in older people. Surgical resection was the primary treatment
for 151 patients. The median survival duration for patients with malignant tumors
was 91 months, and was significantly shorter than that for patients with benign
and intermediate tumors (P < 0.01). R2 resection was associated with
significantly shorter survival than R0/R1 resection for malignant tumors (P <
0.01), but not for intermediate. Grossly complete resection of the recurrent
tumors improved survival. CONCLUSION: The number of patients diagnosed with
retroperitoneal tumors increased over time. R2 resection of primary tumors was
found to be associated with poor prognosis in malignant tumors, but not in
intermediate tumors. Complete surgical resection of recurrent tumors was
associated with a better oncological outcome.
PMID- 28994197
TI - In Vino Veritas: An Invitation for Ambitious, Collaborative Proteogenomics
Campaigns on Plant and Animal Models.
AB - Vitis vinifera has been an emblematic plant for humans since the Neolithic
period. Human civilization has been shaped by its domestication as both its
medicinal and nutritional values were exploited. It is now cultivated on all
habitable continents, and more than 5000 varieties have been developed. A global
passion for the art of wine fuels innovation and a profound desire for knowledge
on this plant. The genome sequence of a homozygotic cultivar and several RNA-seq
datasets on other varieties have been released paving the way to gaining further
insight into its biology and tailoring improvements to varieties. However, its
genome annotation remains unpolished. In this issue of Proteomics, Chapman and
Bellgard (Proteomics 2017, 17, 1700197) discuss how proteogenomics can help
improve genome annotation. By mining shotgun proteomics data, they defined new
protein-coding genes, refined gene structures, and corrected numerous mRNA
splicing events. This stimulating study shows how large international consortia
could work together to improve plant and animal genome annotation on a large
scale. To achieve this aim, time should be invested to generate comprehensive,
high-quality experimental datasets for a wide range of well-defined lineages and
exploit them with pipelines capable of handling giant datasets.
PMID- 28994198
TI - The incidence of thyroid cartilage invasion in early-stage laryngeal carcinoma:
Our experience on sixty-two patients.
PMID- 28994200
TI - A nonpharmacological approach to improve sleep quality in older adults.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent among older adults and is
associated with poor quality of life, cognitive and physical decline, depression,
and increased mortality. Medication options commonly used are not ideal, and
alternative treatment strategies are needed. We evaluate a community-based
psychosocial intervention program and its effect on sleep quality in older
adults. METHOD: Elderly participants aged 60 and above were included. Those with
Geriatric Depression Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory scores above 5 and 10,
respectively, were excluded. The community program included tai chi exercise, art
therapy, mindfulness awareness practice, and music reminiscence therapy.
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Geriatric Anxiety
Inventory were administered at baseline and at 1 year. RESULTS: A hundred and
eighty-nine subjects (44 men, 145 women; mean age = 69 years, SD = 5.7, range =
60-89) participated. The proportion of participants with good sleep quality had
increased from 58.2% to 64.6%. Sleep disturbance was significantly reduced
(baseline, 1.04; postintervention, 0.76; mean difference 0.28; P < .01); men
experienced greater improvement (P < .001). Improvements were independent of
changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: Participation in this
community program led to positive effects on sleep disturbances after a year.
Psychosocial interventions have potential as a nondrug intervention approach for
sleep problems, and further research is needed to understand its mediating
mechanisms.
PMID- 28994199
TI - Inhibition of MEK/ERK signalling pathway promotes erythroid differentiation and
reduces HSCs engraftment in ex vivo expanded haematopoietic stem cells.
AB - The MEK/ERK pathway is found to be important in regulating different biological
processes such as proliferation, differentiation and survival in a wide variety
of cells. However, its role in self-renewal of haematopoietic stem cells is
controversial and remains to be clarified. The aim of this study was to
understand the role of MEK/ERK pathway in ex vivo expansion of mononuclear cells
(MNCs) and purified CD34+ cells, both derived from human umbilical cord blood
(hUCB). Based on our results, culturing the cells in the presence of an inhibitor
of MEK/ERK pathway-PD0325901 (PD)-significantly reduces the expansion of CD34+
and CD34+ CD38- cells, while there is no change in the expression of stemness
related genes (HOXB4, BMI1). Moreover, in vivo analysis demonstrates that PD
reduces engraftment capacity of ex vivo expanded CD34+ cells. Notably, when ERK
pathway is blocked in UCB-MNCs, spontaneous erythroid differentiation is
promoted, found in concomitant with increasing number of burst-forming unit
erythroid colony (BFU-E) as well as enhancement of erythroid glycophorin-A
marker. These results are in total conformity with up-regulation of some
erythroid enhancer genes (TAL1, GATA2, LMO2) and down-regulation of some
erythroid repressor genes (JUN, PU1) as well. Taken together, our results support
the idea that MEK/ERK pathway has a critical role in achieving the correct
balance between self-renewal and differentiation of UCB cells. Also, we suggest
that inhibition of ERK signalling could likely be a new key for erythroid
induction of UCB-haematopoietic progenitor cells.
PMID- 28994201
TI - Polyhedral-Like NiMn-Layered Double Hydroxide/Porous Carbon as Electrode for
Enhanced Electrochemical Performance Supercapacitors.
AB - Polyhedral-like NiMn-layered double hydroxide/porous carbon (NiMn-LDH/PC-x)
composites are successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method (x = 1, 2 means
different mass percent of porous carbon (PC) in composites). The NiMn-LDH/PC-1
composites possess specific capacitance 1634 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g
1 , and it is much better than that of pure LDH (1095 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 ).
Besides, the sample can retain 84.58% of original capacitance after 3000 cycles
at 15 A g-1 . An asymmetric supercapacitor with NiMn-LDH/PC-1 as anode and
activated carbon as cathode is fabricated, and the supercapacitor can achieve an
energy density of 18.60 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 225.03 W kg-1 . The
enhanced electrochemical performance attributes to the high faradaic
pseudocapacitance of NiMn-LDH, the introduction of PC, and the 3D porous
structure of LDH/PC-1 composites. The introduction of PC hinders serious
agglomeration of LDH and further accelerates ions transport. The encouraging
results indicate that these materials are one of the most potential candidates
for energy storage devices.
PMID- 28994202
TI - 'Beak Technique' for emergency dilation of tracheostomy stenosis- a technical
note.
PMID- 28994203
TI - Highly Spin-Frustrated Magnetism in the Topochemically Prepared Triangular
Lattice Cluster Magnets Na3 A2 (MoO4 )2 Mo3 O8 (A=In, Sc).
AB - The physical properties of novel cluster-based triangular lattice
antiferromagnets Na3 A2 (MoO4 )2 Mo3 O8 (A=In, Sc), synthesized through a
topochemical Na-intercalation to nonmagnetic Na2 A2 (MoO4 )2 Mo3 O8 , are
reported. The S=1/2 [Mo3 ]11+ clusters form a regular triangular lattice, which
gives the magnetic system a strong geometrical spin frustration effect. Despite
the strong antiferromagnetic couplings among [Mo3 ]11+ clusters, they show no
long-range magnetic orderings down to 0.5 K with the finite residual magnetic
entropy. The ground states of Na3 A2 (MoO4 )2 Mo3 O8 have been characterized as a
quantum spin liquid, owing to the strong spin frustration of cluster spins on the
triangular lattice.
PMID- 28994204
TI - Directed evolution of DGAT1 to increase triacylglycerol content.
PMID- 28994205
TI - Proteomics and Network Analyses Reveal Inhibition of Akt-mTOR Signaling in CD4+ T
Cells by Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mannose-Capped Lipoarabinomannan.
AB - Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cell wall glycolipid mannose-capped
lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) inhibits CD4+ T-cell activation by inhibiting proximal
T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling when activated by anti-CD3. To understand the
impact of ManLAM on CD4+ T-cell function when both the TCR-CD3 complex and major
costimulator CD28 are engaged, we performed label-free quantitative MS and
network analysis. Mixed-effect model analysis of peptide intensity identified 149
unique peptides representing 131 proteins that were differentially regulated by
ManLAM in anti-CD3- and anti-CD28-activated CD4+ T cells. Crosstalker, a novel
network analysis tool identified dysregulated translation, TCA cycle, and RNA
metabolism network modules. PCNA, Akt, mTOR, and UBC were found to be bridge node
proteins connecting these modules of dysregulated proteins. Altered PCNA
expression and cell cycle analysis showed arrest at the G2M phase. Western blot
confirmed that ManLAM inhibited Akt and mTOR phosphorylation, and decreased
expression of deubiquitinating enzymes Usp9x and Otub1. Decreased NF-kappaB
phosphorylation suggested interference with CD28 signaling through inhibition of
the Usp9x-Akt-mTOR pathway. Thus, ManLAM induced global changes in the CD4+ T
cell proteome by affecting Akt-mTOR signaling, resulting in broad functional
impairment of CD4+ T-cell activation beyond inhibition of proximal TCR-CD3
signaling.
PMID- 28994206
TI - The computed tomographic "tree-in-bud" pattern: Characterization and comparison
with radiographic and clinical findings in 36 cats.
AB - In humans, a CT "tree-in-bud" pattern has been described as a characteristic of
centrilobular bronchiolar dilation, with bronchiolar plugging by mucus, pus, or
fluid. Aims of this retrospective, descriptive, multi-center study were to
characterize the CT appearance of a "tree-in-bud" pattern in a group of cats, and
compare this pattern with radiographic and clinical findings. Databases from four
hospitals were searched during the period of January 2012 to September 2015 and
cats with thoracic radiographs, thoracic CT scans and CT reports describing
findings consistent with a "tree-in-bud" pattern were included. Images were
reviewed by two veterinary radiologists and characteristics were recorded based
on consensus. Clinical findings were recorded by one observer from each center.
Thirty-six cats met inclusion criteria. Six cats were asymptomatic, 12 were
diagnosed with bronchial disease and 23 were suspected to have bronchial disease.
Right cranial and right caudal lung lobes were most commonly affected on both
imaging modalities. Localization of the "tree-in-bud" pattern was most often
peripheral. On radiographs, the CT "tree-in-bud" pattern often appeared as soft
tissue opacity nodules; their number and affected pulmonary segments were often
underestimated compared with CT. In conclusion, the "tree-in-bud" pattern should
be considered as a differential diagnosis for radiographic soft tissue opaque
nodules in feline lungs. Based on lesion localization and presence or suspicion
of a concomitant bronchial disease for cats in this sample, authors propose that
the CT "tree-in-bud" pattern described in humans is also a characteristic of
bronchial or bronchiolar plugging and bronchial disease in cats.
PMID- 28994208
TI - The fine print behind the big picture.
PMID- 28994207
TI - Identification of peptide-binding sites within BSA using rapid, laser-induced
covalent cross-linking combined with high-performance mass spectrometry.
AB - We are developing a rapid, time-resolved method using laser-activated cross
linking to capture protein-peptide interactions as a means to interrogate the
interaction of serum proteins as delivery systems for peptides and other
molecules. A model system was established to investigate the interactions between
bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 2 peptides, the tridecapeptide budding-yeast
mating pheromone (alpha-factor) and the decapeptide human gonadotropin-releasing
hormone (GnRH). Cross-linking of alpha-factor, using a biotinylated,
photoactivatable p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (Bpa)-modified analog, was energy
dependent and achieved within seconds of laser irradiation. Protein blotting with
an avidin probe was used to detect biotinylated species in the BSA-peptide
complex. The cross-linked complex was trypsinized and then interrogated with nano
LC-MS/MS to identify the peptide cross-links. Cross-linking was greatly
facilitated by Bpa in the peptide, but some cross-linking occurred at higher
laser powers and high concentrations of a non-Bpa-modified alpha-factor. This was
supported by experiments using GnRH, a peptide with sequence homology to alpha
factor, which was likewise found to be cross-linked to BSA by laser irradiation.
Analysis of peptides in the mass spectra showed that the binding site for both
alpha-factor and GnRH was in the BSA pocket defined previously as the site for
fatty acid binding. This model system validates the use of laser-activation to
facilitate cross-linking of Bpa-containing molecules to proteins. The rapid cross
linking procedure and high performance of MS/MS to identify cross-links provides
a method to interrogate protein-peptide interactions in a living cell in a time
resolved manner.
PMID- 28994209
TI - Identifying patterns of adaptation in breast cancer patients with cancer-related
fatigue using response shift analyses at subgroup level.
AB - Fatigue is the most prevalent symptom in breast cancer. It might be perceived
differently among patients over time as a consequence of the differing patients'
adaptation and psychological adjustment to their cancer experience which can be
related to response shift (RS). RS analyses can provide important insights on
patients' adaptation to cancer but it is usually assumed that RS occurs in the
same way in all individuals which is unrealistic. This study aimed to identify
patients' subgroups in which different RS effects on self-reported fatigue could
occur over time using a combination of methods for manifest and latent variables.
The FATSEIN study comprised 466 breast cancer patients followed over a 2-year
period. Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory
questionnaire (MFI-20) during 10 visits. A novel combination of Mixed Models,
Growth Mixture Modeling, and Structural Equation Modeling was used to assess the
occurrence of RS in fatigue changes to identify subgroups displaying different RS
patterns over time. An increase in fatigue was evidenced over the 8-month follow
up, followed by a decrease between the 8- and 24-month. Four latent classes of
patients were identified. Different RS patterns were detected in all latent
classes between the inclusion and 8 months (last cycle of chemotherapy). No RS
was evidenced between 8- and 24-month. Several RS effects were evidenced in
different groups of patients. Women seemed to adapt differently to their
treatment and breast cancer experience possibly indicating differing needs for
medical/psychological support.
PMID- 28994210
TI - Immunomagnetic beads-based isolation of erythropoietins from urine and blood for
sports anti-doping control.
AB - According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) technical document for
erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) analysis (TD2014EPO), double-blotting of
serum/plasma samples is mandatory for all analysis by isoelectric focusing (IEF)
and for the confirmation procedures (CP) performed by SDS-PAGE or SAR-PAGE. The
goal is to prevent potential cross-reactions of the secondary antibody with
remaining proteins in the purified samples. To this end, we have developed an
immunopurification method of ESA in serum/plasma samples using a combination of
streptavidin-coated immunomagnetic beads and biotinylated anti-EPO polyclonal
antibodies. Here we report that this immunomagnetic bead-based purification
allows the analysis of serum/plasma samples by single-blotting. Serum and plasma
samples, either intact or spiked with different ESAs, were immunopurified and
analyzed by single-blotting, after SAR-PAGE or IEF using a cross-reaction
minimized secondary antibody coupled to HRP. The results show that when samples
are immunopurified according to this strategy, there is no non-specific binding
when single-blotting is performed after SAR-PAGE. With IEF, we observe a faint
smearing, however, in the pH gradient outside the ESA detection region. These
interferences did not alter ESA profiles of spiked urinary samples or of samples
received for routine testing. This approach was compared to the MAIIA monoliths
purification or to the isolation of ESAs with other combinations of
immunomagnetic reagents (ie, anti-Mouse IgG-coated magnetic beads and anti-EPO
mAb). The recovery of ESAs was shown to be significant for serum/plasma samples.
Our results suggest that single-blotting could be performed on serum/plasma
samples without non-specific interferences. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons,
Ltd.
PMID- 28994211
TI - Sleep duration is associated with sperm chromatin integrity among young men in
Chongqing, China.
AB - This study explores whether sleep duration is associated with sperm chromatin
integrity. To do so, we conducted a three-phase panel study of 796 male
volunteers from colleges in Chongqing (China) from 2013 to 2015. Sleep duration
was measured using a modified Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Sperm DNA
integrity was examined via Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay and Comet assay.
Setting 7-7.5 h day-1 of sleep duration as a reference, either longer or shorter
sleep duration was associated negatively with high DNA stainability (HDS) (P =
0.009), which reflected the immaturity of sperm chromatin. The volunteers with >
9.0 h day-1 sleep and those with <= 6.5 h day-1 sleep had 40.7 and 30.3% lower
HDS than did volunteers with 7-7.5 h day-1 sleep. No association was found
between sleep duration and DNA fragmentation index or Comet assay parameters.
This study suggests that sleep duration is associated with sperm chromatin
integrity. Further studies are required to validate these findings and
investigate the mechanism underlying this association.
PMID- 28994213
TI - A novel and innovative hair test to determine glucocorticoid levels in racing
camels for use in assessment of doping, health, and disease.
AB - The aim of this project was to develop and validate a new test for the analysis
of glucocorticoids in camel hair and to use the new test to analyse hair samples
from a variety of camel breeds in sports and racing applications. These findings
could be of importance when evaluating racing camels for suspected doping
offenses or for injury and disease control. Camel hair samples were collected
from 30 non-racing dromedary camels along with 3 racing camels in Al Ain, UAE and
were decontaminated, pulverised, sonicated, and extracted prior to analysis. A
liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method was employed to determine the
levels of glucocorticoids in the hair samples. The 4 drugs of interest, namely
hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, flumethasone and methylprednisolone, and an
internal standard were quantified in camel hair samples. All 4 of the
glucocorticoids were detected in camel hair samples with concentrations ranging
between 31 and 935 pg/mg for hydrocortisone, 8-59 pg/mg for dexamethasone, 0.7
1034 pg/mg for flumethasone and 5-66 pg/mg for methylprednisolone in non-racing
camels. One of the racing camels displayed high concentrations of hydrocortisone
(1130 pg/mg), flumethasone (2576 pg/mg), methylprednisone (1156 pg/mg) and
dexamethasone (29 pg/mg). The authors believe this is the first report of a test
for corticosteroids in camel hair. The new test has been validated according to
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. This new hair test could be useful
for further studies in doping control, toxicological studies, pharmacological
studies and other clinical applications in camel health, injury, and disease.
PMID- 28994214
TI - Effect of replacing alfalfa hay with a mixture of cassava foliage silage and
sweet potato vine silage on ruminal and intestinal digestion in sheep.
AB - This study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing alfalfa hay (AH) with a
mixture of cassava foliage silage and sweet potato vine silage (CSP) (1:1 on a
dry matter (DM) basis) on ruminal and intestinal nutrient digestion in sheep.
Four wethers were fed a control diet containing 35% of AH and two treatment diets
containing 15% and 30% of the CSP as substitute for AH at 1.5 times the
metabolizable energy required for maintenance. Replacing AH with the CSP silage
did not affect DM intake, whereas it linearly increased (P < 0.05) the intake of
ether extract and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN). Increasing the CSP
substitution linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ruminal DM and neutral detergent fiber
(aNDFom) digestibility; however, it did not affect total tract aNDFom
digestibility. The CSP substitution did not affect nitrogen (N) intake and
duodenal total N flow, whereas it linearly increased duodenal ADIN flow (P <
0.01) and decreased ruminal ammonia-N concentration (P < 0.01), and intestinal (P
= 0.08) and total N digestibility (P < 0.01). These results indicate that
replacing AH with the CSP reduced the ruminal N degradation as well as the
digestion of ruminal aNDFom and intestinal N.
PMID- 28994212
TI - High frequency of brain metastases after adjuvant therapy for high-risk melanoma.
AB - The incidence of CNS progression in patients with high-risk regional melanoma
(stages IIIAN2a-IIIC) is not well characterized. Data from the S0008 trial
provided an opportunity to examine the role of CNS progression in treatment
failure and survival. All patients were surgically staged. Following wide
excision and full regional lymphadenectomy, patients were randomized to receive
adjuvant biochemotherapy (BCT) or high-dose interferon alfa-2B (HDI). CNS
progression was retrospectively identified from data forms. Survival was measured
from date of CNS progression. A total of 402 eligible patients were included in
the analysis (BCT: 199, HDI: 203). Median follow-up (if alive) was over 7 years
(range: 1 month to 11 years). The site of initial progression was identifiable in
80% of relapsing patients. CNS progression was a component of systemic melanoma
relapse in 59/402 patients (15% overall). In 34/402 patients (9%) CNS progression
represented the initial site of treatment failure. CNS progression was a
component of initial progression in 27% of all patients whose melanoma relapsed
(59/221). The risk of CNS progression was highest within 3 years of
randomization. The difference in CNS progression rates between treatment arms was
not significant (BCT = 25, HDI = 34, P = 0.24). Lymph node macrometastases
strongly associated with CNS progression (P = 0.001), while ulceration and head
and neck primaries were not significant predictors. This retrospective analysis
of the S0008 trial identified a high brain metastasis rate (15%) in regionally
advanced melanoma patients. Further studies are needed to establish whether
screening plus earlier treatment would improve survival following CNS
progression.
PMID- 28994215
TI - Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Eating Attitudes Test in
Young Female Patients with Eating Disorders in Mainland China.
AB - The study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the Chinese
version of the eating attitudes test (EAT-26) among female adolescents and young
adults in Mainland China. This scale was administered to 396 female eating
disorder patients and 406 noneating disorder healthy controls, in addition 35
healthy controls completed a retest after a 4-week intervals. Tests for
reliability, convergent validity and receiver operating characteristic analysis
were performed to detect the psychometric properties. The EAT-26 demonstrated
good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.822-0.922), test-retest
reliability (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.817) and convergent
validity(r = 0.450-0.750). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed
that the cut-off 14 for anorexia nervosa and 15 for bulimia nervosa represented
good compromises with approximate sensitivity (0.66-0.68) and specificity (0.85
0.86). Our findings provided evidence that the Chinese version of the EAT-26 was
a psychometrically reliable and valid self-rating instrument for identifying
people suffering from an eating disorder in Mainland China. A clinical cut-off
range between 14 and 15 could be used, but caution should be exercised because of
the low sensitivity of the tool. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and
Eating Disorders Association.
PMID- 28994218
TI - Author Responsibilities.
PMID- 28994217
TI - Individually Prefabricated Prosthesis for Maxilla Reconstruction.
AB - The reconstruction of maxillofacial bone defects by the intraoperative modeling
of implants may reduce the predictability of the esthetic result, leading to more
invasive surgery and increased surgical time. To improve the maxillofacial
surgery outcome, modern manufacturing methods such as rapid prototyping (RP)
technology and methods based on reverse engineering (RE) and medical imaging data
are applicable to the manufacture of custom-made maxillary prostheses. After
acquisition of data, an individual computer-based 3D model of the bony defect is
generated. These data are transferred into RE software to create the prosthesis
using a computer-aided design (CAD) model, which is directed into the RP machine
for the production of the physical model. The precise fit of the prosthesis is
evaluated using the prosthesis and skull models. The prosthesis is then directly
used in investment casting such as "Quick Cast" pattern to produce the titanium
model. In the clinical reports presented here, reconstructions of two patients
with large maxillary bone defects were performed using this new method. The
custom prostheses perfectly fit the defects during the operations, and surgery
time was reduced. These cases show that the prefabrication of a prosthesis using
modern manufacturing technology is an effective method for maxillofacial defect
reconstruction.
PMID- 28994219
TI - Recognizing Our Reviewers.
PMID- 28994220
TI - Bacteremia after supragingival scaling and dental extraction: Culture and
molecular analyses.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and magnitude of bacteremia after dental
extraction and supragingival scaling. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were
taken before and 5 and 30 min after dental extraction and supragingival scaling
from individuals at high (n = 44) or negligible risk (n = 51) for infective
endocarditis. The former received prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Samples were
subjected to aerobic and anaerobic culture and quantitative real-time polymerase
chain reaction to determine the incidence of bacteremia and total bacterial
levels. RESULTS: Patients who did not receive prophylactic antibiotic therapy had
a higher incidence of positive blood cultures (30% 5 min after extraction) than
patients who received prophylactic antibiotic therapy (0% 5 min after extraction;
p < .01). Molecular analysis did not reveal significant differences in the
incidence or magnitude of bacteremia between the two patient groups either 5 or
30 min after each of the procedures evaluated. Extraction was associated with
higher incidence of bacteremia than supragingival scaling by blood culture (p =
.03) and molecular analysis (p = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Molecular methods revealed
that dental extraction and supragingival scaling were associated with similar
incidence of bacteremia in groups receiving or not prophylactic antibiotic
therapy. However, blood culture revealed that antibiotic therapy reduced viable
cultivable bacteria in the bloodstream in the extraction group.
PMID- 28994221
TI - Direct Production of (R)-3-Hydroxybutyric Acid of High Optical Purity by
Halomonas sp. OITC1261 Under Aerobic conditions.
AB - The chiral compound (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid (R-3HB) has some important
physiological functions in the human body and can also be applied as a functional
material for industrial products. A novel Halomonas sp. OITC1261 isolated from a
coastal sediment is selected for efficient production of R-3HB. This strain
secreted R-3HB of high optical purity into the extracellular medium while
maintaining poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) inside the microbial cell under
aerobic conditions. There is a possibility that R-3HB is generated independently
of PHB. Under aerobic cultivation, 58 g L-1 (0.65 g L-1 h-1 ) of R-3HB was
produced simultaneously with 27 g L-1 (0.30 g L-1 h-1 ) of PHB. This direct
production method of R-3HB contributes to the improvement of mass production
technology.
PMID- 28994222
TI - Guianolactones A and B, Two Rearranged Pentacyclic Limonoids from the Seeds of
Carapa guianensis.
AB - Two novel rearranged limonoids, guianolactones A (1) and B (2), were isolated
from Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae) seeds. The structures of 1 and 2 with
their absolute configurations were elucidated in detailed examinations using
single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and 2D NMR spectra. Guianolactone A (1)
has a novel 5/6/6/6/6 pentacyclic core including two delta-lactone and a
tetrahydropyran ring, while guianolactone B (2) is a novel limonoid with a
6/6/5/6/6 pentacyclic core featuring a delta-lactone and a tetrahydrofuran ring.
PMID- 28994223
TI - Multiple Taf subunits of TFIID interact with Ino2 activation domains and
contribute to expression of genes required for yeast phospholipid biosynthesis.
AB - Expression of phospholipid biosynthetic genes in yeast requires activator protein
Ino2 which can bind to the UAS element inositol/choline-responsive element (ICRE)
and trigger activation of target genes, using two separate transcriptional
activation domains, TAD1 and TAD2. However, it is still unknown which cofactors
mediate activation by TADs of Ino2. Here, we show that multiple subunits of basal
transcription factor TFIID (TBP-associated factors Taf1, Taf4, Taf6, Taf10 and
Taf12) are able to interact in vitro with activation domains of Ino2. Interaction
was no longer observed with activation-defective variants of TAD1. We were able
to identify two nonoverlapping regions in the N-terminus of Taf1 (aa 1-100 and aa
182-250) each of which could interact with TAD1 of Ino2 as well as with TAD4 of
activator Adr1. Specific missense mutations within Taf1 domain aa 182-250
affecting basic and hydrophobic residues prevented interaction with wild-type
TAD1 and caused reduced expression of INO1. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation
we demonstrated Ino2-dependent recruitment of Taf1 and Taf6 to ICRE-containing
promoters INO1 and CHO2. Transcriptional derepression of INO1 was no longer
possible with temperature-sensitive taf1 and taf6 mutants cultivated under
nonpermissive conditions. This result supports the hypothesis of Taf-dependent
expression of structural genes activated by Ino2.
PMID- 28994224
TI - Rare and unusual presentation of Cladophialophora infection in a pulmonary
transplant cystic fibrosis patient.
AB - A 35-year-old woman with severe cystic fibrosis was admitted for sudden loss of
strength in both legs, revealing a myelitis. The medullary lesion biopsy revealed
phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora species. Myelitis caused by
Cladophialophora bantiana is a rare disease associated with high mortality.
PMID- 28994225
TI - Scaffold Composition Determines the Angiogenic Outcome of Cell-Based Vascular
Endothelial Growth Factor Expression by Modulating Its Microenvironmental
Distribution.
AB - Delivery of genetically modified cells overexpressing Vascular Endothelial Growth
Factor (VEGF) is a promising approach to induce therapeutic angiogenesis in
ischemic tissues. The effect of the protein is strictly modulated by its
interaction with the components of the extracellular matrix. Its therapeutic
potential depends on a sustained but controlled release at the microenvironmental
level in order to avoid the formation of abnormal blood vessels. In this study,
it is hypothesized that the composition of the scaffold plays a key role in
modulating the binding, hence the therapeutic effect, of the VEGF released by 3D
cell constructs. It is found that collagen sponges, which poorly bind VEGF,
prevent the formation of localized hot spots of excessive concentration,
therefore, precluding the development of aberrant angiogenesis despite
uncontrolled expression by a genetically engineered population of adipose tissue
derived stromal cells. On the contrary, after seeding on VEGF-binding egg-white
scaffolds, the same cell population caused aberrantly enlarged vascular
structures after 14 d. Collagen-based engineered tissues also induced a safe and
efficient angiogenesis in both the patch itself and the underlying myocardium in
rat models. These findings open new perspectives on the control and the delivery
of proangiogenic stimuli, and are fundamental for the vascularization of
engineered tissues/organs.
PMID- 28994226
TI - Proteinuria in pediatric renal transplant recipients.
AB - Proteinuria has been shown to be an important and potentially treatable risk
factor for graft loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence,
etiology, and outcome of proteinuria during the follow-up of children with renal
transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed the files of renal transplanted
children between 2006 and 2016 in our center. All patients were interpreted with
respect to the demographic data and clinical and laboratory features including
information about proteinuria. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used
for analysis. Fifty-two children were eligible for the study. Proteinuria was
observed in 34 (65%) and nephrotic range proteinuria was detected in 5 (9.6%)
patients. Etiology of proteinuria could be identified in 21 patients. Acute
rejection and uncontrolled hypertension were the most frequent causes of
proteinuria. Proteinuria had resolved during the follow-up in 59% of the
patients. We found that children with and without proteinuria had similar
glomerular filtration rate at the end of 50 months of follow-up period.
Proteinuria seems to be a common complication in renal transplant recipients.
Graft functions can be preserved by immediate evaluation of increasing
proteinuria, and by fixing treatable causes rapidly and efficiently during the
follow-up in majority of the patients.
PMID- 28994228
TI - Lithium Azide as an Electrolyte Additive for All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur
Batteries.
AB - Of the various beyond-lithium-ion battery technologies, lithium-sulfur (Li-S)
batteries have an appealing theoretical energy density and are being intensely
investigated as next-generation rechargeable lithium-metal batteries. However,
the stability of the lithium-metal (Li degrees ) anode is among the most urgent
challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the long-term stability of Li-S
batteries. Herein, we report lithium azide (LiN3 ) as a novel electrolyte
additive for all-solid-state Li-S batteries (ASSLSBs). It results in the
formation of a thin, compact and highly conductive passivation layer on the Li
degrees anode, thereby avoiding dendrite formation, and polysulfide shuttling.
It greatly enhances the cycling performance, Coulombic and energy efficiencies of
ASSLSBs, outperforming the state-of-the-art additive lithium nitrate (LiNO3 ).
PMID- 28994227
TI - Disentangling the mechanisms behind winter snow impact on vegetation activity in
northern ecosystems.
AB - Although seasonal snow is recognized as an important component in the global
climate system, the ability of snow to affect plant production remains an
important unknown for assessing climate change impacts on vegetation dynamics at
high-latitude ecosystems. Here, we compile data on satellite observation of
vegetation greenness and spring onset date, satellite-based soil moisture,
passive microwave snow water equivalent (SWE) and climate data to show that
winter SWE can significantly influence vegetation greenness during the early
growing season (the period between spring onset date and peak photosynthesis
timing) over nearly one-fifth of the land surface in the region north of 30
degrees, but the magnitude and sign of correlation exhibits large spatial
heterogeneity. We then apply an assembled path model to disentangle the two main
processes (via changing early growing-season soil moisture, and via changing the
growth period) in controlling the impact of winter SWE on vegetation greenness,
and suggest that the "moisture" and "growth period" effect, to a larger extent,
result in positive and negative snow-productivity associations, respectively. The
magnitude and sign of snow-productivity association is then dependent upon the
relative dominance of these two processes, with the "moisture" effect and
positive association predominating in Central, western North America and Greater
Himalaya, and the "growth period" effect and negative association in Central
Europe. We also indicate that current state-of-the-art models in general
reproduce satellite-based snow-productivity relationship in the region north of
30 degrees, and do a relatively better job of capturing the "moisture" effect
than the "growth period" effect. Our results therefore work towards an improved
understanding of winter snow impact on vegetation greenness in northern
ecosystems, and provide a mechanistic basis for more realistic terrestrial carbon
cycle models that consider the impacts of winter snow processes.
PMID- 28994229
TI - General and Efficient Intermolecular [2+2] Photodimerization of Chalcones and
Cinnamic Acid Derivatives in Solution through Visible-Light Catalysis.
AB - [2+2] Photocycloaddition, for example, the dimerization of chalcones and cinnamic
acid derivatives, is a unique strategy to construct cyclobutanes, which are
building blocks for a variety of biologically active molecules and natural
products. However, most attempts at the above [2+2] addition have focused on
solid-state, molten-state, or host-guest systems under ultraviolet-light
irradiation in order to overcome the competition of facile geometric
isomerization of nonrigid olefins. We report a general and simple method to
realize the intermolecular [2+2] dimerization reaction of these acyclic olefins
to construct cyclobutanes in a highly regio- and diastereoselective manner in
solution under visible light, which provides an efficient solution to a long
standing problem.
PMID- 28994230
TI - Land use of drained peatlands: Greenhouse gas fluxes, plant production, and
economics.
AB - Drained peatlands are hotspots for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which could be
mitigated by rewetting and land use change. We performed an ecological/economic
analysis of rewetting drained fertile peatlands in a hemiboreal climate using
different land use strategies over 80 years. Vegetation, soil processes, and
total GHG emissions were modeled using the CoupModel for four scenarios: (1)
business as usual-Norway spruce with average soil water table of -40 cm; (2)
willow with groundwater at -20 cm; (3) reed canary grass with groundwater at -10
cm; and (4) a fully rewetted peatland. The predictions were based on previous
model calibrations with several high-resolution datasets consisting of water,
heat, carbon, and nitrogen cycling. Spruce growth was calibrated by tree-ring
data that extended the time period covered. The GHG balance of four scenarios,
including vegetation and soil, were 4.7, 7.1, 9.1, and 6.2 Mg CO2 eq ha-1 year-1
, respectively. The total soil emissions (including litter and peat respiration
CO2 + N2 O + CH4 ) were 33.1, 19.3, 15.3, and 11.0 Mg CO2 eq ha-1 year-1 ,
respectively, of which the peat loss contributed 35%, 24%, and 7% of the soil
emissions for the three drained scenarios, respectively. No peat was lost for the
wet peatland. It was also found that draining increases vegetation growth, but
not as drastically as peat respiration does. The cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is
sensitive to time frame, discount rate, and carbon price. Our results indicate
that the net benefit was greater with a somewhat higher soil water table and when
the peatland was vegetated with willow and reed canary grass (Scenarios 2 and 3).
We conclude that saving peat and avoiding methane release using fairly wet
conditions can significantly reduce GHG emissions, and that this strategy should
be considered for land use planning and policy-making.
PMID- 28994232
TI - It is time to restore Rules for Authorship of scientific publications.
PMID- 28994231
TI - TIPE1 suppresses invasion and migration through down-regulating Wnt/beta-catenin
pathway in gastric cancer.
AB - Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the
invasiveness and metastasis of gastric cancer. Therefore, identifying key
molecules involved in EMT will provide new therapeutic strategy for treating
patients with gastric cancer. TIPE1 is a newly identified member of the TIPE
(TNFAIP8) family, and its contributions to progression and metastasis have not
been evaluated. In this study, we found that the levels of TIPE1 were
significantly reduced and inversely correlated with differentiation status and
distant metastasis in primary gastric cancer tissues. We further observed
overexpression of TIPE1 in aggressive gastric cancer cell lines decreased their
metastatic properties both in vitro and in vivo as demonstrated by markedly
inhibiting EMT and metastasis of gastric cancer cells in nude mice. Consistently,
gene silencing of TIPE1 in well-differentiated gastric cancer cell line (AGS)
inhibited these processes. Mechanistically, we found that TIPE1-medicated
Wnt/beta-catenin signalling was one of the critical signal transduction pathways
that link TIPE1 to EMT inhibition. Importantly, TIPE1 dramatically restrained the
expression and activities of MMP2 and MMP9 which are demonstrated to promote
tumour progression and are implicated in EMT. Collectively, these findings
provide new evidence for a better understanding of the biological activities of
TIPE1 in progression and metastasis of gastric cancer and suggest that TIPE1 may
be an innovative diagnostic and therapeutic target of gastric cancer.
PMID- 28994233
TI - Large Continuous Mechanical Gradient Formation via Metal-Ligand Interactions.
AB - Mechanical gradients are often employed in nature to prevent biological materials
from damage by creating a smooth transition from strong to weak that dissipates
large forces. Synthetic mimics of these natural structures are highly desired to
improve distribution of stresses at interfaces and reduce contact deformation in
manmade materials. Current synthetic gradient materials commonly suffer from non
continuous transitions, relatively small gradients in mechanical properties, and
difficult syntheses. Inspired by the polychaete worm jaw, we report a novel
approach to generate stiffness gradients in polymeric materials via incorporation
of dynamic monodentate metal-ligand crosslinks. Through spatial control of metal
ion content, we created a continuous mechanical gradient that spans over a 200
fold difference in stiffness, approaching the mechanical contrast observed in
biological gradient materials.
PMID- 28994234
TI - Outcomes of a co-facilitation skills training programme for mental health service
users, family members, and clinicians: the EOLAS project.
AB - Health policy is increasingly advocating for involvement of service users and
family members in service development. In the present study, we evaluated the
impact of a 4-day education programme in co-facilitation skills on clinician and
peer (service users and family members) knowledge, confidence, and subsequent
experience as co-facilitators. The programme was designed to train peers and
clinicians as co-facilitators on a clinician and peer-led information programme
for people experiencing mental health problems. The study employed a mixed
methods design involving a pre-post survey with 128 participants, and follow-up
qualitative interviews with a sample of 17 participants. To examine changes in
levels of knowledge and confidence in facilitating from time 1 (T1) to time 2
(T2), paired sample t-tests were conducted, and thematic analysis was conducted
on the interviews. The programme had a statistically-significant positive impact
on participants' knowledge, confidence, and skills, with no significant
difference between the facilitator groups (i.e. service user, family member, and
clinician) in terms of their improvement at the end of the training, indicating
that all groups benefited equally from the training. A majority of participants
reported a high level of preparedness as co-facilitators and an open and
respectful approach towards each other's expertise, and many continued to gain
skills and develop their confidence as they co-facilitated the 8-week EOLAS
programme ('eolas' is the Irish word for knowledge). The findings also provide
evidence of the acceptability and feasibility of the programme, and appears to be
the first detailed study reported on a programme of this nature.
PMID- 28994235
TI - Lipo-Protein Emulsion Structure in the Diet Affects Protein Digestion Kinetics,
Intestinal Mucosa Parameters and Microbiota Composition.
AB - SCOPE: Food structure is a key factor controlling digestion and nutrient
absorption. We test the hypothesis that protein emulsion structure in the diet
may affect digestive and absorptive processes. METHODS & RESULTS: Rats (n = 40)
are fed for 3 weeks with two diets chemically identical but based on lipid
protein liquid-fine (LFE) or gelled-coarse (GCE) emulsions that differ at the
macro- and microstructure levels. After an overnight fasting, they ingest a 15 N
labeled LFE or GCE test meal and are euthanized 0, 15 min, 1 h, and 5 h later. 15
N enrichment in intestinal contents and blood are measured. Gastric emptying,
protein digestion kinetics, 15 N absorption, and incorporation in blood protein
and urea are faster with LFE than GCE. At 15 min time point, LFE group shows
higher increase in GIP portal levels than GCE. Three weeks of dietary adaptation
leads to higher expression of cationic amino acid transporters in ileum of LFE
compared to GCE. LFE diet raises cecal butyrate and isovalerate proportion
relative to GCE, suggesting increased protein fermentation. LFE diet increases
fecal Parabacteroides relative abundance but decreases Bifidobacterium,
Sutterella, Parasutterella genera, and Clostridium cluster XIV abundance.
CONCLUSION: Protein emulsion structure regulates digestion kinetics and
gastrointestinal physiology, and could be targeted to improve food health value.
PMID- 28994236
TI - mRNA transport in fungal top models.
AB - Eukaryotic cells rely on the precise determination of when and where proteins are
synthesized. Spatiotemporal expression is supported by localization of mRNAs to
specific subcellular sites and their subsequent local translation. This holds
true for somatic cells as well as for oocytes and embryos. Most commonly, mRNA
localization is achieved by active transport of the molecules along the actin or
microtubule cytoskeleton. Key factors are molecular motors, adaptors, and RNA
binding proteins that recognize defined sequences or structures in cargo mRNAs. A
deep understanding of this process has been gained from research on fungal model
systems such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Ustilago maydis. Recent highlights
of these studies are the following: (1) synergistic binding of two RNA-binding
proteins is needed for high affinity recognition; (2) RNA sequences undergo
profound structural rearrangements upon recognition; (3) mRNA transport is
tightly linked to membrane trafficking; (4) mRNAs and ribosomes are transported
on the cytoplasmic surface of endosomes; and (5) heteromeric protein complexes
are, most likely, assembled co-translationally during endosomal transport. Thus,
the study of simple fungal model organisms provides valuable insights into
fundamental mechanisms of mRNA transport boosting the understanding of similar
events in higher eukaryotes. WIREs RNA 2018, 9:e1453. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1453 This
article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules
> Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules >
RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization.
PMID- 28994237
TI - CO2 Reduction on the Pre-reduced Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conducting Perovskites
La0.6 Sr-0.4 FeO3-delta and SrTi0.7 Fe0.3 O3-delta.
AB - The activity of the pre-reduced perovskites La0.6 Sr0.4 FeO3-delta (LSF64) and
SrTi0.7 Fe0.3 O3-delta (STF73) for the CO2 reduction to CO was investigated with
special focus on the reactivity of oxide-dissolved hydrogen. This is of
particular interest in hydrogen solid-oxide electrolysis cell (H-SOEC)
technology, where proton-conducting ceramics are used and the reaction 2e- +2H+
+CO2 ->CO+H2 O is of central importance. To clarify if hydrogen dissolved in
LSF64 and STF73 partakes in the CO2 reduction, temperature-programmed reduction
(TPR) in H2 , followed by temperature-programmed reoxidation (TPO) in CO2 and,
moreover, temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of ad- and absorbed species
were utilized. The experiments reveal that 50 mol % of the CO2 is converted by
hydrogen dissolved in STF73 and reacts quantitatively. On the other hand, LSF64
converts less than 20 mol % of CO2 via dissolved hydrogen and a residual of bulk
OH is still detectable after CO2 -TPO.
PMID- 28994239
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28994238
TI - Specificity of presenilin-1- and presenilin-2-dependent gamma-secretases towards
substrate processing.
AB - The two presenilin-1 (PS1) and presenilin-2 (PS2) homologs are the catalytic core
of the gamma-secretase complex, which has a major role in cell fate decision and
Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Understanding the precise contribution of
PS1- and PS2-dependent gamma-secretases to the production of beta-amyloid peptide
(Abeta) from amyloid precursor protein (APP) remains an important challenge to
design molecules efficiently modulating Abeta release without affecting the
processing of other gamma-secretase substrates. To that end, we studied PS1- and
PS2-dependent substrate processing in murine cells lacking presenilins (PSs)
(PS1KO, PS2KO or PS1-PS2 double-KO noted PSdKO) or stably re-expressing human PS1
or PS2 in an endogenous PS-null (PSdKO) background. We characterized the
processing of APP and Notch on both endogenous and exogenous substrates, and we
investigated the effect of pharmacological inhibitors targeting the PSs activity
(DAPT and L-685,458). We found that murine PS1 gamma-secretase plays a
predominant role in APP and Notch processing when compared to murine PS2 gamma
secretase. The inhibitors blocked more efficiently murine PS2- than murine PS1
dependent processing. Human PSs, especially human PS1, expression in a PS-null
background efficiently restored APP and Notch processing. Strikingly, and
contrary to the results obtained on murine PSs, pharmacological inhibitors appear
to preferentially target human PS1- than human PS2-dependent gamma-secretase
activity.
PMID- 28994240
TI - Benchmarking Water Oxidation Catalysts Based on Iridium Complexes: Clues and
Doubts on the Nature of Active Species.
AB - Water oxidation (WO) is a central reaction in the photo- and electro-synthesis of
fuels. Iridium complexes have been successfully exploited as water oxidation
catalysts (WOCs) with remarkable performances. Herein, we report a systematic
study aimed at benchmarking well-known Ir WOCs, when NaIO4 is used to drive the
reaction. In particular, the following complexes were studied: cis-[Ir(ppy)2 (H2
O)2 ]OTf (ppy=2-phenylpyridine) (1), [Cp*Ir(H2 O)3 ]NO3 (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5
pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl anion) (2), [Cp*Ir(bzpy)Cl] (bzpy=2-benzoylpyridine)
(3), [Cp*IrCl2 (Me2 -NHC)] (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) (4), [Cp*Ir(pyalk)Cl]
(pyalk=2-pyridine-isopropanoate) (5), [Cp*Ir(pic)NO3 ] (pic=2-pyridine
carboxylate) (6), [Cp*Ir{(P(O)(OH)2 }3 ]Na (7), and mer-[IrCl3 (pic)(HOMe)]K (8).
Their reactivity was compared with that of IrCl3 ?n H2 O (9) and [Ir(OH)6 ]2-
(10). Most measurements were performed in phosphate buffer (0.2 m), in which 2,
4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 showed very high activity (yield close to 100 %, turnover
frequency up to 554 min-1 with 10, the highest ever observed for a WO-driven by
NaIO4 ). The found order of activity is: 10>2~4>6>5>7>1>9>3>8. Clues concerning
the molecular nature of the active species were obtained, whereas its exact
nature remains doubtfully.
PMID- 28994241
TI - Legumain correlates with neuroblastoma differentiation and can be used in prodrug
design.
AB - Neuroblastoma (NB) is a highly malignant solid tumor in children. The cysteine
endopeptidase legumain is expressed in adult solid tumors, but its expression in
NB has not been examined. In this study, we assayed legumain expression in two NB
cell lines and in microarrays of tumor tissues collected from 46 children with
undifferentiated NB, differentiated NB, and ganglioneuroblastoma. Correlation
analyses showed that legumain was expressed in all NB cell lines tested and that
expression correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation. The efficacy,
specificity, and toxicity of EMC-AANL-DOX, a novel doxorubicin-based legumain
activated prodrug, were then evaluated in mouse model of NB. Compared with DOX,
EMC-AANL-DOX showed greater inhibition of tumor growth and a lower toxicity at
high doses. Neither leukocyte or platelet counts nor renal function or cardiac
anatomy differed significantly between the EMC-AANL-DOX and control groups (p >
.05), suggesting that the prodrug caused minimal bone marrow depression and did
not induce renal or cardiac damage. The good specificity and efficacy of EMC-AANL
DOX and low toxicity recommend its use in the treatment of NB. Correlation
analyses of NB differentiation and legumain expression may reveal a novel anti
tumor-related functions of the drug and a new strategy for the treatment of
pediatric solid tumors.
PMID- 28994242
TI - Spring fasting behavior in a marine apex predator provides an index of ecosystem
productivity.
AB - The effects of declining Arctic sea ice on local ecosystem productivity are not
well understood but have been shown to vary inter-specifically, spatially, and
temporally. Because marine mammals occupy upper trophic levels in Arctic food
webs, they may be useful indicators for understanding variation in ecosystem
productivity. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are apex predators that primarily
consume benthic and pelagic-feeding ice-associated seals. As such, their
productivity integrates sea ice conditions and the ecosystem supporting them.
Declining sea ice availability has been linked to negative population effects for
polar bears but does not fully explain observed population changes. We examined
relationships between spring foraging success of polar bears and sea ice
conditions, prey productivity, and general patterns of ecosystem productivity in
the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas (CSs). Fasting status (>=7 days) was estimated
using serum urea and creatinine levels of 1,448 samples collected from 1,177
adult and subadult bears across three subpopulations. Fasting increased in the
Beaufort Sea between 1983-1999 and 2000-2016 and was related to an index of
ringed seal body condition. This change was concurrent with declines in body
condition of polar bears and observed changes in the diet, condition and/or
reproduction of four other vertebrate consumers within the food chain. In
contrast, fasting declined in CS polar bears between periods and was less common
than in the two Beaufort Sea subpopulations consistent with studies demonstrating
higher primary productivity and maintenance or improved body condition in polar
bears, ringed seals, and bearded seals despite recent sea ice loss in this
region. Consistency between regional and temporal variation in spring polar bear
fasting and food web productivity suggests that polar bears may be a useful
indicator species. Furthermore, our results suggest that spatial and temporal
ecological variation is important in affecting upper trophic-level productivity
in these marine ecosystems.
PMID- 28994243
TI - Addressing weight bias and discrimination: moving beyond raising awareness to
creating change.
AB - Weight discrimination is the unjust treatment of individuals because of their
weight. There have been very few interventions to address weight discrimination,
due in part to the lack of consensus on key messages and strategies. The
objective of the third Canadian Weight Bias Summit was to review current evidence
and move towards consensus on key weight bias and obesity discrimination
reduction messages and strategies. Using a modified brokered dialogue approach,
participants, including researchers, health professionals, policy makers and
people living with obesity, reviewed the evidence and moved towards consensus on
key messages and strategies for future interventions. Participants agreed to
these key messages: (1) Weight bias and obesity discrimination should not be
tolerated in education, health care and public policy sectors; (2) obesity should
be recognized and treated as a chronic disease in health care and policy sectors;
and (3) in the education sector, weight and health need to be decoupled.
Consensus on future strategies included (1) creating resources to support policy
makers, (2) using personal narratives from people living with obesity to engage
audiences and communicate anti-discrimination messages and (3) developing a
better clinical definition for obesity. Messages and strategies should be
implemented and evaluated using consistent theoretical frameworks and
methodologies.
PMID- 28994244
TI - Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes Derived from Metal-Organic Frameworks for
Potassium-Ion Battery Anodes.
AB - To tackle the issue of the poor rate capability of graphite anodes for potassium
ion batteries (KIBs), nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) with an edge-open
layer-alignment structure were synthesized using a simple and scalable approach
of pyrolyzing cobalt-containing metal-organic frameworks. The unique structure
enables a facile and fast intercalation of K ions. As anodes of KIBs, the NCNTs
demonstrated an improved rate capability by a high capacity retention of 102 mA h
g-1 at a high current density of 2000 mA g-1 and a good stability without evident
capacity loss over 500 cycles at 2000 mA g-1 . Our findings can help to develop
highperformance anode materials for potassium-ion batteries as large-scale and
low-cost energy-storage systems.
PMID- 28994245
TI - Chemoinformatics in France.
PMID- 28994246
TI - Time to learn: How chronotype impacts education.
AB - A growing body of literature has linked chronotype and sleep to school
performance. Chronotype is under the control of the circadian clock and refers to
sleep timing and diurnal preferences. Chronotype changes with age and is latest
during adolescence, giving rise to a mismatch between the (late) circadian clock
and the (early) school clock. In general, evening (late) chronotypes obtain lower
grades. School performance is influenced by many other factors, such as
motivation, intelligence, and conscientiousness. Some of these factors also
relate to chronotype. The present paper reviews the literature on the
relationship between chronotype and school performance, with the aim of
suggesting hypotheses about the mechanisms behind this complex phenomenon and
exploring solutions for an optimized school system. Based on the literature
reviewed, we hypothesize that chronotype has both a direct and an indirect effect
on school performance. The indirect effect is mediated by factors such as
conscientiousness, learning/achieving motivation, mood, and alertness. In
addition, time of day of testing plays an important role since the chronotype
effect on grades is strongest in the morning and disappears in the afternoon.
Strategies to decrease the mismatch between the adolescent circadian clock and
the school clock could involve light interventions to advance the students' sleep
timing, delays in school starting times, and rearrangements of test schedules
(tests later in the day).
PMID- 28994247
TI - Transcatheter embolization of a large mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysm with
short neck.
PMID- 28994248
TI - MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging: A Novel Tool for the Identification and
Classification of Amyloidosis.
AB - Amyloidosis is a group of diseases caused by extracellular accumulation of
fibrillar polypeptide aggregates. So far, diagnosis is performed by Congo red
staining of tissue sections in combination with polarization microscopy.
Subsequent identification of the causative protein by immunohistochemistry
harbors some difficulties regarding sensitivity and specificity. Mass
spectrometry based approaches have been demonstrated to constitute a reliable
method to supplement typing of amyloidosis, but still depend on Congo red
staining. In the present study, we used matrix-assisted laser
desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging coupled with ion mobility
separation (MALDI-IMS MSI) to investigate amyloid deposits in formalin-fixed and
paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Utilizing a novel peptide filter method, we
found a universal peptide signature for amyloidoses. Furthermore, differences in
the peptide composition of ALlambda and ATTR amyloid were revealed and used to
build a reliable classification model. Integrating the peptide filter in MALDI
IMS MSI analysis, we developed a bioinformatics workflow facilitating the
identification and classification of amyloidosis in a less time and sample
consuming experimental setup. Our findings demonstrate also the feasibility to
investigate the amyloid's protein composition, thus paving the way to establish
classification models for the diverse types of amyloidoses and to shed further
light on the complex process of amyloidogenesis.
PMID- 28994250
TI - Synthesis and evaluation of a novel 99m Tc nitrido radiopharmaceutical with
alendronate dithiocarbamate as a potential bone-imaging agent.
AB - Currently, a popular strategy for designing novel radioprobes as bone-imaging
agents is based on the concept of bifunctional radiopharmaceuticals. Considering
the dithiocarbamate ligand can act as a suitable bifunctional linking agent to
attach technetium-99m (99m Tc) to corresponding target molecules, in this study,
alendronate dithiocarbamate (ALNDTC) was synthesized and radiolabeled with [99m
Tc=N]2+ core by ligand exchange reaction to produce 99m TcN-ALNDTC complex, for
the potential use as a novel probe for bone imaging. The radiochemical purity of
the complex was over 90%. The complex was stable in vitro and could bind to
hydroxyapatite. The partition coefficient result indicated it was hydrophilic,
and an evaluation of biodistribution in mice indicated that the complex exhibited
a higher bone uptake than did 99m Tc-labeled methylenediphosphonate (99m Tc-MDP).
Further, single photon emission computed tomography imaging study indicated clear
accumulation in bone, suggesting that 99m TcN-ALNDTC would be a promising
candidate for bone imaging.
PMID- 28994251
TI - Painful loss of vision after an episode of herpes simplex encephalitis.
PMID- 28994252
TI - Hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis resembing Gitelman syndrome with focal segmental
glomerulosclerosis.
PMID- 28994253
TI - Addiction medicine ethics: relapse, no lapse and the struggle to treat addicts
like everyone else.
AB - Two case studies are presented as a focus for discussion of ethics in addiction
medicine. The first is that of the alcohol-dependent patient who receives a liver
transplant. The second is that of a heroin-dependent patient who continues to
inject himself while in a general medical ward. I make some comments about the
obligations of doctors to treat those who cause harm to themselves as they would
treat those who are 'not responsible'.
PMID- 28994249
TI - Molecular pathways of oestrogen receptors and beta-adrenergic receptors in
cardiac cells: Recognition of their similarities, interactions and therapeutic
value.
AB - Oestrogen receptors (ERs) and beta-adrenergic receptors (betaARs) play important
roles in the cardiovascular system. Moreover, these receptors are expressed in
cardiac myocytes and vascular tissues. Numerous experimental observations support
the hypothesis that similarities and interactions exist between the signalling
pathways of ERs (ERalpha, ERbeta and GPR30) and betaARs (beta1 AR, beta2 AR and
beta3 AR). The recently discovered oestrogen receptor GPR30 shares structural
features with the betaARs, and this forms the basis for the interactions and
functional overlap. GPR30 possesses protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation sites
and PDZ binding motifs and interacts with A-kinase anchoring protein 5 (AKAP5),
all of which enable its interaction with the betaAR pathways. The interactions
between ERs and betaARs occur downstream of the G-protein-coupled receptor,
through the Galphas and Galphai proteins. This review presents an up-to-date
description of ERs and betaARs and demonstrates functional synergism and
interactions among these receptors in cardiac cells. We explore their signalling
cascades and the mechanisms that orchestrate their interactions and propose new
perspectives on the signalling patterns for the GPR30 based on its structural
resemblance to the betaARs. In addition, we explore the relevance of these
interactions to cell physiology, drugs (especially beta-blockers and calcium
channel blockers) and cardioprotection. Furthermore, a receptor-independent
mechanism for oestrogen and its influence on the expression of betaARs and
calcium-handling proteins are discussed. Finally, we highlight promising
therapeutic avenues that can be derived from the shared pathways, especially the
phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K/Akt) pathway.
PMID- 28994254
TI - HMG CoA reductase inhibitor associated myositis and autoimmune hepatitis.
PMID- 28994255
TI - Do all services provided as part of a clinical trial require research ethics and
governance review?
AB - Appropriate ethical oversight underpins the conduct of all clinical trials in
Australia. In addition, clinical trials require a suitable approach to research
governance in order to ensure that research is appropriately governed. However,
such governance processes are often onerous and time-consuming and are not
required when trial practices are more appropriately understood as standard of
care clinical services.
PMID- 28994256
TI - Pneumococcal vaccination and incident hospitalisation for pneumonia in type 2
diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II.
AB - Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine should be given to patients with diabetes at
diagnosis with up to two further 5-yearly doses. In 1465 representative community
based Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II participants with type 2 diabetes (mean
age 66 years, 52% males), 624 (42.6%) self-reported pneumococcal vaccination in
the previous 5 years. Vaccination was significantly associated with insulin
treatment and cardiovascular pharmacotherapy, suggesting that medical reviews
provide the opportunity to address sub-optimal coverage.
PMID- 28994257
TI - 'A most malignant malady': a rare case of laryngeal tuberculosis in epidermal
growth factor receptor mutant lung adenocarcinoma.
PMID- 28994258
TI - USA withdrawal from Paris climate agreement: requiring unity among physicians
worldwide more than ever before?
PMID- 28994259
TI - Long distance heart transplantation: a tale of two cities.
AB - In this 'paired' case report, we describe two heart transplants performed 3 days
apart at our centre. Both cases involved very prolonged transportation time of
the donor heart. In one case, the donor heart was transported in an ice chest,
while in the other case the organ was transported using a normothermic ex vivo
perfusion (NEVP) system. The additional retrieval costs incurred by the use NEVP
were more than offset by the reduction in subsequent inpatient costs.
PMID- 28994260
TI - Author reply.
PMID- 28994261
TI - The purpose of the College.
PMID- 28994262
TI - Association between altered QT interval in sepsis and mortality: a possible
effect of antimicrobial therapy?
PMID- 28994263
TI - Patient safety and the Triple Aim.
PMID- 28994264
TI - Recent advances in malignant melanoma.
AB - In Australia, there is a high incidence of melanoma, and until recently, the
treatment and median overall survival for advanced metastatic melanoma had not
changed in decades. The recognition of BRAF as an important tumour oncogene in
melanoma has led to the development of targeted therapies, and in the last few
years, we have seen the impact of these therapies, with significant improvement
in response rate, duration of disease control and overall survival for patients
with BRAF mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. Concurrently, the science of
immunotherapy has evolved beyond the knowledge of the importance of the immune
system in cancer, leading to the development of checkpoint inhibitors. The
development of checkpoint inhibitors as a tolerable and effective therapy for
metastatic melanoma, which has demonstrated improved response rates, duration of
control and overall survival for patients, has implications beyond the care of
patients with metastatic melanoma as these therapies are being trialled in other
malignancies. This article will review the current standard of care and available
therapies for metastatic malignant melanoma.
PMID- 28994265
TI - Recognition of giant cell arteritis in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica who
have a stroke: a cautionary tale.
AB - An 82-year-old woman with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) on prednisone 7 mg daily
was admitted to an acute stroke unit with a right homonymous hemianopia, a left
posterior cerebral artery occlusion and occipital lobe infarct. She had raised
inflammatory markers, did not have a temporal artery biopsy, and was discharged
on the same dose of prednisone. After 21 months, off prednisone, her
ophthalmologist, concerned about giant cell arteritis (GCA), restarted prednisone
40 mg daily, with rapid, profound visual improvement. After 3 days her general
practitioner, noting normal baseline inflammatory markers, stopped treatment-with
rapid visual reversion. It is critical to recognise GCA in patients with PMR
admitted to a stroke unit and not to withdraw prematurely corticosteroids once
commenced.
PMID- 28994266
TI - Core-shell microspheres with porous nanostructured shells for liquid
chromatography.
AB - The development of new stationary phases has been the key aspect for fast and
efficient high-performance liquid chromatography separation with relatively low
backpressure. Core-shell particles, with a solid core and porous shell, have been
extensively investigated and commercially manufactured in the last decade. The
excellent performance of core-shell particles columns has been recorded for a
wide range of analytes, covering small and large molecules, neutral and ionic
(acidic and basic), biomolecules and metabolites. In this review, we first
introduce the advance and advantages of core-shell particles (or more widely
known as superficially porous particles) against non-porous particles and fully
porous particles. This is followed by the detailed description of various methods
used to fabricate core-shell particles. We then discuss the applications of
common silica core-shell particles (mostly commercially manufactured), spheres-on
sphere particles and core-shell particles with a non-silica shell. This review
concludes with a summary and perspective on the development of stationary phase
materials for high-performance liquid chromatography applications.
PMID- 28994267
TI - Pupillary light reflex and circadian synchronization in the elderly.
AB - Most elderly lack a synchronized circadian rhythm and often cannot benefit from
light therapy. Non-visual effects of light are mediated through intrinsic
photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). With chromatic pupillometry, the
functionality of ipRGCs and their functional circuit in the brain can be tested.
PMID- 28994268
TI - Classification of Lacrimal Punctal Stenosis and Its Related Histopathological
Feature in Patients with Epiphora.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate the classification of punctal stenosis based on the shape of
the external punctum, clinical characteristics and histopathologic features.
METHODS: Patients who experienced tearing and were diagnosed with punctal
stenosis were evaluated in this study. Punctal stenosis was classified according
to the shape of the lower external punctum, which included membranous type, slit
type, horseshoe type, and pinpoint type. Tear meniscus height, 2% fluorescein dye
disappearance test and lacrimal pathway irrigation were measured or performed.
For treatment, a punctal snip operation and silicone tube placement were
performed, and the peripunctal histopathological findings were evaluated.
RESULTS: Punctal stenosis was classified into four types: membranous type (17
eyes, 21.5%), slit type (11 eyes, 13.9%), horseshoe type (25 eyes, 31.6%), and
pinpoint type (26 eyes, 32.9%). The tear meniscus was significantly higher, and
the 2% fluorescein dye disappeared significantly more slowly in the punctal
stenosis group. However, correlation of the tear meniscus height and 2%
fluorescein dye disappearance test with the punctum shape was not statistically
significant. A history of previous chemotherapy was significantly associated with
the occurrence of punctal stenosis, especially the membranous type (p < 0.05).
Histopathologic evaluation of the punctum showed differences between the punctum
types. Pinpoint puncta exhibited a high density of muscle fibers, while they were
faintly visible in the membranous type. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired punctal stenosis
has various shapes, and the major types of stenotic puncta exhibited unique
histopathologic features. Punctal stenosis and its pathophysiology may be related
to multiple factors, such as age and systemic 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy
history.
PMID- 28994269
TI - Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness Change of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy
after Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.
AB - PURPOSE: To investigate the peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT) of polypoidal
choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
and to evaluate their responses to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF). METHODS: Thirty eyes with PCV and 25 eyes with exudative AMD who were
treatment naive were included in this study. PCT and subfoveal choroidal
thickness were evaluated both before and after intravitreal anti-VEGF. RESULTS:
The initial mean PCT of PCV (153.78 +/- 56.23 MUm) was thicker than that of
exudative AMD (88.77 +/- 23.11 MUm, p < 0.001). Temporal, superior, nasal, and
inferior PCTs of PCV were all thicker than those observedin exudative AMD (all p
< 0.05). After anti-VEGF, the mean PCT of PCV was significantly reduced (134.17
+/- 41.66 MUm, p < 0.001), but the same was not true not in exudative AMD (86.87
+/- 22.54 MUm, p = 0.392). PCTshowed a similar tendency in all quadrants.
CONCLUSIONS: PCV exhibits a thick choroid in the peripapillary region. PCT
decreases after anti-VEGF in PCV but not in exudative AMD. In exudative AMD,
subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased, but that in the peripapillary region did
not.
PMID- 28994270
TI - Bilateral Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Associated with Giant Cell
Arteritis in Korea.
PMID- 28994271
TI - Imaging evaluation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: focused on
quantification.
AB - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been an emerging major health
problem, and the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries.
Traditionally, liver biopsy has been gold standard method for quantification of
hepatic steatosis. However, its invasive nature with potential complication as
well as measurement variability are major problem. Thus, various imaging studies
have been used for evaluation of hepatic steatosis. Ultrasonography provides
fairly good accuracy to detect moderate-to-severe degree hepatic steatosis, but
limited accuracy for mild steatosis. Operator-dependency and
subjective/qualitative nature of examination are another major drawbacks of
ultrasonography. Computed tomography can be considered as an unsuitable imaging
modality for evaluation of NAFLD due to potential risk of radiation exposure and
limited accuracy in detecting mild steatosis. Both magnetic resonance
spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging using chemical shift technique
provide highly accurate and reproducible diagnostic performance for evaluating
NAFLD, and therefore, have been used in many clinical trials as a non-invasive
reference of standard method.
PMID- 28994273
TI - Secretory Carcinoma Arising in a Fibroadenoma: A Brief Case Report.
PMID- 28994272
TI - Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression and Its Correlation with Lymph Node
Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.
AB - BACKGROUND: The immunotherapeutic role of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in
life expectancy in many cancers has been highlighted. However, data regarding PD
L1 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are limited. In this study, we
describe the PD-L1 and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expressions in PTC
and analyze their correlation with lymph node (LN) metastasis. METHODS:
Clinicopathological data were obtained from 116 patients with PTC who were
treated in Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea in 2009. Tissue
microarray blocks were made using representative paraffin blocks of classical
PTCs excluding follicular variants. Two pathologists graded the proportion and
intensity of PD-L1 and PD-1 expression in both tumor and inflammatory cells.
According to their proportions, positive PTC cells were scored as negative (0%),
grade 1 (1%-50%), and grade 2 (51%-100%). Similarly, positive inflammatory cells
were graded as negative (0%), grade 1 (1%-10%), and grade 2 (11%-20%). The
intensity of each protein expression was simplified as positive or negative.
RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation exists between the proportions
of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression both in papillary carcinoma (p=.001) and peritumoral
lymphoid cells in the thyroid (p<.001). In addition, the proportion of PD-L1
expression in PTC cells was closely related to metastatic LNs (p=.036).
CONCLUSIONS: PD-L1 is a valuable predictive marker for LN metastasis in PTC.
Immunomodulating therapies that inhibit PD-L1 might be an option for patients
with LN metastasis.
PMID- 28994274
TI - Thyroid Cytology in India: Contemporary Review and Meta-analysis.
AB - Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a screening test for triaging thyroid
nodules, aiding in subsequent clinical management. However, the advantages have
been overshadowed by the multiplicity of reporting systems and a wide range of
nomenclature used. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology
(TBSRTC) was formulated in 2007, to give the world a uniform thyroid cytology
reporting system, facilitating easy interpretation by the clinicians. Here, we
review the status of thyroid FNAC in India in terms of various reporting systems
used including a meta-analysis of the previously published data. An extensive
literature search was performed using internet search engines. The reports with
detailed classification system used in thyroid cytology were included. The meta
analysis of published data was compared with the implied risk of malignancy by
TBSRTC. More than 50 studies were retrieved and evaluated. TBSRTC is currently
the most widely used reporting system with different studies showing good
efficacy and interobserver concordance. Ancillary techniques have, as of now,
limited applicability and acceptability in thyroid cytology in India. Twenty
eight published articles met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis.
When compared with TBSRTC recommendations, the meta-analysis showed a higher risk
of malignancy for categories I and III. Thyroid FNAC is practiced all over India.
TBSRTC has found widespread acceptance, with most institutions using this system
for routine thyroid cytology reporting. However, reasons for a high malignancy
risk for categories I and III need to be looked into. Various possible
contributing factors are discussed in the review.
PMID- 28994275
TI - Combined Adenosquamous and Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the
Gallbladder.
AB - Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the gallbladder is extremely rare
and usually combined with other type of malignancy, mostly adenocarcinoma. We
report an unusual case of combined adenosquamous carcinoma and LCNEC of the
gallbladder in a 54-year-old woman. A radical cholecystectomy specimen revealed a
4.3*4.0 cm polypoid mass in the fundus with infiltration of adjacent liver
parenchyma. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of two distinct components.
Adenosquamous carcinoma was predominant and abrupt transition from adenocarcinoma
to squamous cell carcinoma was observed. LCNEC showed round cells with large,
vesicular nuclei, abundant mitotic figures, and occasional pseudorosette
formation. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. However, multiple liver
metastases were identified at 3-month follow-up. Metastatic nodules were composed
of LCNEC and squamous cell carcinoma components. Detecting LCNEC component is
important in gallbladder cancer, because the tumor may require a different
chemotherapy regimen and show early metastasis and poor prognosis.
PMID- 28994276
TI - Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Practice in the Philippines.
AB - Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a well accepted initial approach in the
management of thyroid lesions. It has come a long way since its introduction for
nearly a century ago. In the Philippines, FNA of the thyroid was first introduced
30 years ago and has been utilized until now as a mainstay in the diagnosis of
thyroid malignancy. The procedure is performed by pathologists, endocrinologists,
surgeons, and radiologists. Most pathologists report the cytodiagnosis using a
combination of the aspiration biopsy cytology method that closely resembles the
histopathologic diagnosis of thyroid disorders and the six-tier nomenclature of
The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. Local endocrinologists
and surgeons follow the guidelines of the 2015 American Thyroid Association in
the management of thyroid disorders. There is still a paucity of local research
studies but available data deal with cytohistologic correlations, sensitivity,
specificity, and accuracy rates as well as usefulness of ultrasound-guided FNA.
Cytohistologic correlations have a wide range of sensitivity from 30.7% to 73%
and specificity from 83% to 100%. The low sensitivity can be attributed to poor
tissue sampling since a majority of the thyroid FNA is done by palpation only.
The reliability can be improved if FNA is guided by ultrasound as attested in
both international and local studies. Overall, FNA of the thyroid has enabled the
diagnosis of thyroid disorders with an accuracy of 72.8% to 87.2% and it
correlates well with histopathology.
PMID- 28994277
TI - Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Ag-Modified Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 Composites by a
Facile Electroless Plating Method.
AB - A large-scale and facile electroless plating Ag method has been developed to
fabricate high-performing Ag/Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 (Ag/BST) composites. Ag can be doped
into BST and also forms Ag2Te secondary phase in BST, leading to a low lattice
thermal conductivity of 0.34 Wm-1K-1. Consequently, a peak zT of 1.07 and average
zT of 1.02 are achieved in 0.03wt% Ag/BST. The average zT value is enhanced by
100% in the temperature interval from 300 to 500 K compared with that of Ag-free
BST. This work provides a facile and large-scale method to fabricate the high
performance Bi2Te3-based alloy for applying in the low-temperature power
generation.
PMID- 28994278
TI - Electro-Grafted Electrode with Graphene-Oxide-Like DNA Affinity for Ratiometric
Homogeneous Electrochemical Biosensing of MicroRNA.
AB - This work demonstrated for the first time a simple and rapid approach to endow
the electrode with the excellent discrimination ability over single-stranded DNA
(ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) through the robust electrochemical
grafting of in situ generated 1-naphthalenesulfonate (NS-) diazonium salt onto
the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. On the basis of understanding
the influence of sequence and length on the binding affinity of ssDNA and dsDNA
toward NS- grafted ITO (NS--ITO) electrode, these interesting findings were
successfully employed to rationally develop a ratiometric homogeneous
electrochemical biosensing platform for microRNA based on the affinity-mediated
signal transduction. The achievement of ultrasensitive detection of microRNA lies
in a compatibly designed T7 exonuclease-assisted isothermal amplification
strategy, in which the presence of target microRNA initiated the continual and
opposite affinity inversion of two rationally engineered electrochemical signal
reporters, methylene blue (MB) labeled hairpin reporter and ferrocene (Fc)
labeled dsDNA reporter, toward NS--ITO electrode, thereby providing the
ratiometric transduction and amplification of the homogeneous electrochemical
output signal. By measuring the distinct variation in the peak current intensity
ratios of Fc and MB tags, this ratiometric homogeneous electrochemical microRNA
biosensing platform showed a detection limit of 25 aM, which is much lower than
that of the reported homogeneous electrochemical biosensors. Therefore, we
envision that the proposed approach will find useful applications in disease
molecular diagnoses and biomedicine.
PMID- 28994279
TI - Pyridine-Based Electron-Transport Materials with High Solubility, Excellent Film
Forming Ability, and Wettability for Inkjet-Printed OLEDs.
AB - Film morphology has predominant influence on the performance of multilayered
organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), whereas there is little reported
literature from the angle of the molecular level to investigate the impact on
film-forming ability and device performance. In this work, four isomeric cross
linkable electron-transport materials constructed with pyridine, 1,2,4-triazole,
and vinylbenzyl ether groups were developed for inkjet-printed OLEDs. Their
lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (~3.20 eV) and highest occupied molecular
orbital (~6.50 eV) levels are similar, which are mainly determined by the 1,2,4
triazole groups. The triplet energies of these compounds can be tuned from 2.51
to 2.82 eV by different coupling modes with the core of pyridine, where the 2,6
pyridine-based compound has the highest value of 2.82 eV. Film formation and
solubility of the compounds were investigated. It was found that the 2,6-pyridine
based compound outperformed the 2,4-pyridine, 2,5-pyridine, and 3,5-pyridine
based compounds. The spin-coated blue OLEDs based on the four compounds have
achieved over 14.0% external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) at the luminance of 100
cd m-2, and a maximum EQE of 12.1% was obtained for the inkjet-printed device
with 2,6-pyridine-based compound.
PMID- 28994280
TI - Stable and Biocompatible Mushroom beta-Glucan Modified Gold Nanorods for Cancer
Photothermal Therapy.
AB - Naturally occurring beta-glucans have been widely regarded as a natural source
for functional foods and pharmaceuticals due to their immunomodulatory property
and antitumor activity. However, physicochemically stable and biocompatible beta
glucans are rarely explored as a carrier for nanomaterials to overcome the
problems of aggregation and nanotoxicity. Here, we developed highly stable and
biocompatible mushroom beta-glucan coated gold nanorods (AuNR-Glu) for cancer
photothermal therapy by integrating Pleurotus tuber-regium sclerotial beta-glucan
(Glu) and plasmonic gold nanorods (AuNRs) possessing photothermal property in the
second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. AuNR-Glu showed high colloidal stability in
various biological media, even in simulated gastric fluid. Moreover, AuNR-Glu had
low cytotoxicity and high photothermal stability, which are excellent
characteristics for photothermal agents for cancer therapy. In vitro experiments
showed that AuNR-Glu nanohybrid was effective against MCF-7 (only 4.5 +/- 0.9%
viability) at a low dose of 20 MUg/mL under NIR-II at a safe laser power density
(0.75 W/cm2). Natural mushroom beta-glucans are potential functional polymers
that can be used to fabricate nanohybrids for biomedical applications.
PMID- 28994281
TI - pH and Glucose Dual-Responsive Injectable Hydrogels with Insulin and Fibroblasts
as Bioactive Dressings for Diabetic Wound Healing.
AB - pH and glucose dual-responsive injectable hydrogels were prepared through the
cross-linking of Schiff's base and phenylboronate ester using phenylboronic
modified chitosan, poly(vinyl alcohol) and benzaldehyde-capped poly(ethylene
glycol). Protein drugs and live cells could be incorporated into the hydrogels
during the in situ cross-linking, displaying sustained and pH/glucose-triggered
drug release from the hydrogels and cell viability and proliferation in the three
dimensional hydrogel matrix as well. Hence, the hydrogels with insulin and
fibroblasts were considered as bioactive dressings for diabetic wound healing. A
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model was used to evaluate the efficacy of
hydrogel dressings in wound repair. The results revealed that the incorporation
of insulin and L929 in the hydrogels could promote neovascularization and
collagen deposition and enhance the wound-healing process of diabetic wounds.
Thus, the drug- and cell-loaded hydrogels have promising potential in wound
healing as a medicated system for various therapeutic proteins and live cells.
PMID- 28994282
TI - Role of Shellfish Aquaculture in the Reduction of Eutrophication in an Urban
Estuary.
AB - Land-based management has reduced nutrient discharges; however, many coastal
waterbodies remain impaired. Oyster "bioextraction" of nutrients and how oyster
aquaculture might complement existing management measures in urban estuaries was
examined in Long Island Sound, Connecticut. Eutrophication status, nutrient
removal, and ecosystem service values were estimated using eutrophication,
circulation, local- and ecosystem-scale models, and an avoided-costs valuation.
System-scale modeling estimated that 1.31% and 2.68% of incoming nutrients could
be removed by current and expanded production, respectively. Up-scaled local
scale results were similar to system-scale results, suggesting that this up
scaling method could be useful in bodies of water without circulation models. The
value of removed nitrogen was estimated using alternative management costs (e.g.,
wastewater treatment) as representative, showing ecosystem service values of $8.5
and $470 million per year for current and maximum expanded production,
respectively. These estimates are conservative; removal by clams in Connecticut,
oysters and clams in New York, and denitrification are not included.
Optimistically, the calculation of oyster-associated removal from all leases in
both states (5% of bottom area) plus denitrification losses showed increases to
10%-30% of annual inputs, which would be higher if clams were included. Results
are specific to Long Island Sound, but the approach is transferable to other
urban estuaries.
PMID- 28994283
TI - Carbon Nanotubes versus Graphene as Flexible Transparent Electrodes in Inverted
Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB - Transparent carbon electrodes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene were used as the
bottom electrode in flexible inverted perovskite solar cells. Their photovoltaic
performance and mechanical resilience were compared and analyzed using various
techniques. Whereas a conventional inverted perovskite solar cells using indium
tin oxide showed a power conversion efficiency of 17.8%, the carbon nanotube- and
graphene-based cells showed efficiencies of 12.8% and 14.2%, respectively. An
established MoO3 doping was used for carbon electrode-based devices. The
difference in the photovoltaic performance between the carbon nanotube- and
graphene-based cells was due to the difference in morphology and transmittance.
Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic flexural testing revealed that the graphene-based
cells were more susceptible to strain than the carbon nanotube-based cells,
though the difference was marginal. Overall, despite higher performance, the
transfer step for graphene has lower reproducibility. Thus, the development of
better graphene transfer methods would help maximize the current capacity of
graphene-based cells.
PMID- 28994284
TI - Gastro-Resistant Insulin Receptor-Binding Peptide from Momordica charantia
Improved the Glucose Tolerance in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice via
Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway.
AB - Momordica charantia is a commonly used food and has been used for the management
of diabetes. Our previous study has identified an insulin receptor (IR)-binding
protein (mcIRBP) from Momordica charantia. Here we identified the gastro
resistant hypoglycemic bioactive peptides from protease-digested mcIRBP. By in
vitro digestion and IR kinase activity assay, we found that a 9-amino-acid
residue peptide, mcIRBP-9, was a gastro-resistant peptide that enhanced IR kinase
activities. mcIRBP-9 activated IR signaling transduction pathway, which resulted
in the phosphorylation of IR, the translocation of glucose transporter 4, and the
uptake of glucose in cells. Intraperitoneal and oral administration of mcIRBP-9
stimulated the glucose clearance by 30.91 +/- 0.39% and 32.09 +/- 0.38%,
respectively, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Moreover, a pilot study
showed that daily ingestion of mcIRBP-9 for 30 days decreased the fasting blood
glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels by 23.62 +/- 6.14% and
24.06 +/- 1.53%, respectively. In conclusion, mcIRBP-9 is a unique gastro
resistant bioactive peptide generated after the digestion of mcIRBP. Furthermore,
oral administration of mcIRBP-9 improves both the glucose tolerance and the HbA1c
levels in diabetic mice via targeting IR signaling transduction pathway.
PMID- 28994285
TI - Biologically Inspired Design of Nanoparticle Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cells
for Immunomodulation.
AB - Particles engineered to engage and interact with cell surface ligands and to
modulate cells can be harnessed to explore basic biological questions as well as
to devise cellular therapies. Biology has inspired the design of these particles,
such as artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) for use in immunotherapy.
While much has been learned about mimicking antigen presenting cell biology, as
we decrease the size of aAPCs to the nanometer scale, we need to extend
biomimetic design to include considerations of T cell biology-including T-cell
receptor (TCR) organization. Here we describe the first quantitative analysis of
particle size effect on aAPCs with both Signals 1 and 2 based on T cell biology.
We show that aAPCs, larger than 300 nm, activate T cells more efficiently than
smaller aAPCs, 50 nm. The 50 nm aAPCs require saturating doses or require
artificial magnetic clustering to activate T cells. Increasing ligand density
alone on the 50 nm aAPCs did not increase their ability to stimulate CD8+ T
cells, confirming the size-dependent phenomenon. These data support the need for
multireceptor ligation and activation of T-cell receptor (TCR) nanoclusters of
similar sizes to 300 nm aAPCs. Quantitative analysis and modeling of a
nanoparticle system provides insight into engineering constraints of aAPCs for T
cell immunotherapy applications and offers a case study for other cell-modulating
particles.
PMID- 28994286
TI - Novel Derivative of Bardoxolone Methyl Improves Safety for the Treatment of
Diabetic Nephropathy.
AB - Currently, no effective and safe medicines are available to treat diabetic
nephropathy (DN). Bardoxolone methyl (CDDO-Me) has displayed promising anti-DN
activity as well as serious side effects in clinical trials, probably because the
highly reactive alpha-cyano-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone (CUK) in ring A of CDDO
Me can covalently bind to thiol functionalities in many biomacromolecules. In
this study, we designed and synthesized a gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)
based and CUK-modified derivative of CDDO-Me (2) to address this issue. 2 can be
specifically cleaved by GGT, which is highly expressed in the kidney, to liberate
CDDO-Me in situ. It should be noted that 2 exhibited anti-DN efficacy comparable
to that of CDDO-Me with much less toxicity in cells and db/db mice, suggesting
that its safety is better than CDDO-Me. Our findings not only reveal the
therapeutic potential of 2 but also provide a strategy to optimize other
synthetic molecules or natural products bearing a pharmacophore like CUK to
achieve safer pharmaceutical drugs.
PMID- 28994288
TI - Interfacial Effects in Solid-Liquid Electrolytes for Improved Stability and
Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB - With the purpose of achieving stable dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with high
efficiency, a new type of soft matter electrolyte is tested in which specific
amounts of nanosized silica particles are finely dispersed in short-chained
polyethylene glycol dimethylether encompassing an iodide/triiodide redox
mediator. This results in a solid-liquid composite having synergistic electrical
and favorable mechanical properties. The combination of interfacial effects and
particle network formation promotes enhanced ion transport, which directly
impacts the short-circuit photocurrent density. Thorough analysis reveals that
this newly elaborated class of electrolytes is able to improve, at the same time,
the thermal and long-term stability of DSSCs, as well as power conversion
efficiency under standard and lower irradiation intensities. Lab-scale devices
with champion efficiency exceeding 11% under attenuated sunlight (20 mW cm-2,
with a compact TiO2 blocking layer) are obtained, along with impressively stable
performance under both thermal stress and light soaking in an indoor environment
(>96% performance retention after 2500 h of accelerated aging under full sun
alternated with thermal ramps), matching the durability criteria applied to
silicon solar cells for outdoor applications. The new findings might foster
widespread practical application of DSSCs.
PMID- 28994287
TI - Independent Generation and Reactivity of Thymidine Radical Cations.
AB - Thymidine radical cation (1) is produced by ionizing radiation and has been
invoked as an intermediate in electron transfer in DNA. Previous studies on its
structure and reactivity have utilized thymidine as a precursor, which limits
quantitative product analysis because thymidine is readily reformed from 1. In
this investigation, radical cation 1 is independently generated via beta
heterolysis of a pyrimidine radical generated photochemically from an aryl
sulfide. Thymidine is the major product (33%) from 1 at pH 7.2. Diastereomeric
mixtures of thymidine glycol and the corresponding 5-hydroxperoxides resulting
from water trapping of 1 are formed. Significantly lower yields of products such
as 5-formyl-2'-deoxyuridine that are ascribable to deprotonation from the C5
methyl group of 1 are observed. Independent generation of the N3-methyl analogue
of 1 (NMe-1) produces considerably higher yields of products derived from water
trapping, and these products are formed in much higher yields than those
attributable to the C5-methyl group deprotonation in NMe-1. N3-Methyl-thymidine
is, however, the major product and is produced in as high as 70% yield when the
radical cation is produced in the presence of excess thiol. The effects of
exogenous reagents on product distributions are consistent with the formation of
diffusively free radical cations (1, NMe-1). This method should be compatible
with producing radical cations at defined positions within DNA.
PMID- 28994289
TI - Structural Characterization and Immunostimulatory Activity of Polysaccharides
from Brassica rapa L. .
AB - Two neutral polysaccharides (BRNP-1, 6.9 kDa; BRNP-2, 4.8 kDa) were purified from
the common edible plant Brassica rapa L. via the combined techniques of ion
exchange chromatography and high-performance gel permeation chromatography.
Monosaccharide composition analysis showed that BRNP-1 and BRNP-2 were composed
of glucosyl residues. Methylation and 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses revealed that both
BRNP-1 and BRNP-2 contained a backbone chain that was composed of alpha-D-(1 ->
4)-linked Glcp residues and side chains that were composed of terminally linked
Glcp residues attached at the O-6 position of backbone-glycosyl residues. BRNP-1
and BRNP-2, however, differed in branch degree and molecular weight. Bioassay
results showed that treatment with the higher dosage (400 MUg/mL) of BRNP-1 and
BRNP-2 stimulated the proliferation, NO release, and cytokine secretion (IL-6 and
TNF-alpha) of RAW264.7 macrophages. These results suggested that BRNP-1 and BRNP
2 may enhance macrophage-mediated immune responses.
PMID- 28994290
TI - Coupling Real-Time Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory with Polarizable
Force Field.
AB - Real-time time-dependent density functional theory (RT-TDDFT) is a powerful tool
for obtaining spectroscopic observables and understanding complex, time-dependent
properties. Currently, performing RT-TDDFT calculations on large, fully quantum
mechanical systems is not computationally feasible. Previously, polarizable mixed
quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MMPol) models have been
successful in providing accurate, yet efficient, approximations to a fully
quantum mechanical system. Here we develop a coupling scheme between induced
dipole based QM/MMPol and RT-TDDFT. Our approach is validated by comparing
calculated spectra with both real-time and linear-response TDDFT calculations.
The model developed within provides an accurate method for performing RT-TDDFT
calculations on extended systems while accounting for mutual polarization between
the quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical regions.
PMID- 28994291
TI - Potential Energy Curves, Transition Dipole Moments, and Franck-Condon Factors of
the 12 Low-Lying States of BrO- Anion.
AB - This work investigates the spectroscopic parameters, vibrational levels, and
transition probabilities of 12 low-lying states, which are generated from the
first dissociation limit, Br(2Pu) + O-(2Pu), of the BrO- anion. The 12 states are
X1Sigma+, 21Sigma+, 11Sigma-, 11Pi, 21Pi, 11Delta, a3Pi, 13Sigma+, 23Sigma+,
13Sigma-, 23Pi, and 13Delta. The potential energy curves are calculated with the
complete active-space self-consistent field method, which is followed by the
internally contracted multireference configuration interaction approach with
Davidson modification. The dissociation energy D0 of X1Sigma+ state is determined
to be approximately 26876.44 cm-1, which agrees well with the experimental one of
26494.50 cm-1. Of these 12 states, the 21Sigma+, 11Sigma-, 21Pi, 11Delta,
13Sigma+, 23Sigma+, 23Pi, and 13Delta states are very weakly bound states, whose
well depths are only several-hundred cm-1. The a3Pi, 23Pi, and 13Delta states are
inverted and account for the spin-orbit coupling effect. No states are repulsive
regardless of whether the spin-orbit coupling effect is included. The
spectroscopic parameters and vibrational levels are determined. The transition
dipole moments of 12-pair electronic states are calculated. Franck-Condon factors
of a number of transitions of more than 20-pair electronic states are evaluated.
The electronic transitions are discussed. The spin-orbit coupling effect on the
spectroscopic parameters and vibrational properties is profound for all the
states except for X1Sigma+, a3Pi, and 11Pi. The spectroscopic parameters and
transition probabilities obtained in this paper can provide some powerful
guidelines for observing these states in a proper spectroscopy experiment, in
particular the states that have very shallow potential wells.
PMID- 28994292
TI - Modulation of the Photophysical, Photochemical, and Electrochemical Properties of
Re(I) Diimine Complexes by Interligand Interactions.
AB - The photophysical and photochemical properties of transition metal complexes have
attracted considerable attention because of their recent applications as
photocatalysts in artificial photosynthesis and organic synthesis, as light
emitters in electroluminescent (EL) devices, and as dyes in solar cells. The
general control methods cannot be always used to obtain transition metal
complexes with photochemical properties that are suitable for the above-mentioned
applications. In the fields of solar energy conversion, strong metal-to-ligand
charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption of redox photosensitizers and/or photocatalysts
in the visible region with long wavelength is essential. However, the usual
methods, i.e., introduction of electron-withdrawing groups into the electron
accepting ligand and/or weak-field ligands into the central metal, have several
drawbacks, including shorter excited-state lifetime, lower emission efficiency,
and lower oxidation and reduction power. Herein we describe a new method to
control the photophysical, photochemical, and electrochemical properties of Re(I)
diimine carbonyl complexes that have been widely used in various fields such as
photocatalysts for CO2 reduction and emitters in EL devices and sensors. This
method involves the introduction of interligand interactions (pi-pi and CH-pi
interactions) into the Re(I) complexes; the aromatic diimine ligand coordinating
to the Re center approaches the aryl groups on the phosphine ligand or ligands at
the cis position, which "compulsorily" induces a weak interaction between these
aromatic groups. As a result of this interligand interaction, the Re complexes
with the aromatic diimine ligand and the arylphosphine ligand(s) exhibit red
shifted 1MLCT absorption but afford blue-shifted emission from the triplet metal
to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) excited state. This increases the oxidation
power and lifetime of the 3MLCT excited state. These unique property changes are
favorable, particularly for redox photosensitizers. The interligand interaction
is strongly expressed by the ring-shaped multinuclear Re(I) complexes (Re-rings).
In the case of Re-rings with high steric hindrance due to a small inner cavity,
the lifetime of the 3MLCT excited state is up to 8 MUs and the emission quantum
yield is up to 70%. These properties cannot be obtained by the corresponding
mononuclear Re(I) complexes, which generally exhibit shorter lifetimes (<1 MUs)
and lower emission quantum yields (<10%). Some of the Re-rings could be
successfully applied as efficient photosensitizers in photocatalytic systems for
CO2 reduction; the highest quantum yields for CO2 reduction were achieved by
using photocatalytic systems composed of Re-rings as the photosensitizers and
Re(I) (82%), Ru(II) (58%), and Mn(I) (48%) complexes as catalysts. This
interligand interaction potentially provides unique and useful methods for
controlling the photophysical, photochemical, and electrochemical functions of
various metal complexes, paving the way to create new functions for metal
complexes.
PMID- 28994293
TI - Investigation of the Best Approach for Assessing Human Exposure to Poly- and
Perfluoroalkyl Substances through Indoor Air.
AB - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including fluorotelomer alcohols
(FTOHs), perfluoroalkyl sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs), and perfluoroalkyl
sulfonamides (FOSAs), were assessed in 61 residential indoor air and 15 personal
air samples collected in Oslo area, Norway. FTOHs were detected in all samples,
and the median concentrations in residential indoor air were 2970, 10400, and
3120 pg m-3 for 6:2, 8:2, and 10:2 FTOH, respectively. This is similar to or
higher than previously reported in studies from the same geographical area and
worldwide. FOSEs and FOSAs were detected in 49-70% and 7-13% of the residential
indoor air samples, respectively. The median FTOH concentrations observed in
personal air were 1970, 7170, and 1590 pg m-3 for 6:2, 8:2, and 10:2 FTOH,
respectively, which is 30 to 50% lower than the median concentrations in
residential indoor air. No FOSEs or FOSAs were detected above the method
detection limit (MDL) in the personal air samples. Intakes of perfluorohexanoate
(PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA),
perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorodecanoate (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoate
(PFUnDA), and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS) through inhalation and
biotransformation of PFAS precursors in air were estimated. Median intakes of
1.7, 0.17, 5.7, 0.57, 1.8, 0.18, and 2.3 pg kg bw-1 day-1 were obtained in
residential indoor air, while 1.0, 0.10, 3.3, 0.33, 0.88, and 0.09 pg kg bw-1 day
1 were found in personal air for PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, and
PFOS, respectively. The median PFOA intakes from residential indoor air (5.7 pg
kg bw-1 day-1) and personal air (3.3 pg kg bw-1 day-1) were both around 5 orders
of magnitude lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) reported by the European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
PMID- 28994294
TI - Growth Mechanism and Surface State of CuInS2 Nanocrystals Synthesized with
Dodecanethiol.
AB - Ternary metal chalcogenide nanocrystals (NCs) offer exciting opportunities as
novel materials to be explored on the nanoscale showing optoelectronic properties
tunable with size and composition. CuInS2 (CIS) NCs are the most widely studied
representatives of this family as they can be easily prepared with good size
control and in high yield by reacting the metal precursors (copper iodide and
indium acetate) in dodecanethiol (DDT). Despite the widespread use of this
synthesis method, both the reaction mechanism and the surface state of the
obtained NCs remain elusive. Here, we perform in situ X-ray diffraction using
synchrotron radiation to monitor the pre- and postnucleation stages of the
formation of CIS NCs. SAXS measurements show that the reaction intermediate
formed at 100 degrees C presents a periodic lamellar structure with a
characteristic spacing of 34.9 A. WAXS measurements performed after nucleation of
the CIS NCs at 230 degrees C demonstrate that their growth kinetics depend on
the degree of precursor conversion achieved in the initial stage at 100 degrees
C. NC formation requires the cleavage of S-C bonds. We reveal by means of
combined 1D and 2D proton and carbon NMR analyses that the generated dodecyl
radicals lead to the formation of a new thioether species R-S-R. The latter is
part of a ligand double layer, which consists of dynamically bound
dodecanethiolate ligands as well as of head-to-tail bound R-S-R molecules. This
ligand double layer and a high ligand density (3.6 DDT molecules per nm2) are at
the origin of the apparent difficulty to functionalize the surface of CIS NCs
obtained with the DDT method.
PMID- 28994295
TI - Thermodynamics of Polypeptide Supramolecular Assembly in the Short-Chain Limit.
AB - The self-assembly of peptides into ordered supramolecular structures, such as
fibrils and crystals, is of relevance in such diverse areas as molecular medicine
and materials science. However, little information is available about the
fundamental thermodynamic driving forces of these types of self-assembly
processes. Here, we investigate in detail the thermodynamics of assembly of
diphenylalanine (FF). This dipeptide forms the central motif of the Abeta
peptides, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease through their presence in
amyloid plaques in the nervous systems of affected individuals. We identify the
molecular origins of the self-assembly of FF in aqueous solution, and we evaluate
these findings in the context of the aggregation free energies of longer peptides
that are able to form amyloid fibrils. We find that the thermodynamics of FF
assembly displays the typical characteristics of hydrophobic desolvation
processes, and detailed analysis of the temperature dependence of the kinetics of
assembly within the framework of crystallization theories reveals that the
transition state from solution to crystalline aggregates is enthalpically
unfavorable and entropically favorable, qualitatively similar to what has been
found for longer sequences. This quantitative comparison of aggregating peptides
of very different lengths is the basis of an in-depth understanding of the
relationship between sequence and assembly behavior.
PMID- 28994296
TI - Nonmonotonic Dependence of Auger Recombination Rate on Shell Thickness for
CdSe/CdS Core/Shell Nanoplatelets.
AB - Nonradiative Auger recombination limits the efficiency with which colloidal
semiconductor nanocrystals can emit light when they are subjected to strong
excitation, with important implications for the application of the nanocrystals
in light-emitting diodes and lasers. This has motivated attempts to engineer the
structure of the nanocrystals to minimize Auger rates. Here, we study Auger
recombination rates in CdSe/CdS core/shell nanoplatelets, or colloidal quantum
wells. Using time-resolved photoluminescence measurements, we show that the rate
of biexcitonic Auger recombination has a nonmonotonic dependence on the shell
thickness, initially decreasing, reaching a minimum for shells with thickness of
2-4 monolayers, and then increasing with further increases in the shell
thickness. This nonmonotonic behavior has not been observed previously for
biexcitonic recombination in quantum dots, most likely due to inhomogeneous
broadening that is not present for the nanoplatelets.
PMID- 28994297
TI - Some personal reminiscences of the long road to acceptance of the Three Rs.
PMID- 28994298
TI - Human aortic endothelial cells respond to shear flow in well-plate microfluidic
devices.
AB - Although chronic progressive cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis are
often challenging to fully model in vitro, it has been shown that certain in
vitro methods can effectively evaluate some aspects of disease progression. This
has been demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies of endothelial cells that
have illustrated the effects of nitric oxide (NO) production, filamentous actin
(F-actin) formation, and cell and actin angle alignment on vascular function and
homeostasis. Systems utilising shear flow have been established, in order to
create a physiologically relevant environment for cells that require shear flow
for homeostasis. Here, we investigated the use of a well-plate microfluidic
system and associated devices (0-20dyn/cm2) to demonstrate applied shear effects
on primary Human Aortic Endothelial Cells (HAECs). Changes in cell and actin
alignment in the direction of flow, real-time production of NO and gross cell
membrane shape changes in response to physiological shear flow were observed.
These commercial systems have a range of potential applications, including within
the consumer and pharmaceutical industries, thereby reducing the dependency on
animal testing for regulatory safety assessments.
PMID- 28994299
TI - Use of the Bovine Udder Skin model to evaluate the tolerability of Mesem cosmetic
cream.
AB - Observational studies of Mesem cream (based on Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.
plant extract) found that it had positive effects on skin hydration and smoothing
of the skin. However, some patients reported skin irritation effects. The current
study evaluated the skin tolerability of Mesem cream, as compared to the carrier
cream (without the active ingredient), by using the isolated perfused bovine
udder skin model. The primary outcomes investigated were cytotoxicity (i.e. cell
viability), assessed with the MTT assay, and irritancy and inflammation, assessed
by measuring PGE2 tissue levels. A total reaction score was calculated by
combining the results for each parameter. In the case of a single topical
application, significant differences were found between the carrier cream and the
Mesem cream. While the application of carrier cream resulted in low cytotoxicity
(-8.4% change in viability, as compared to the untreated control), the Mesem
cream was more cytotoxic (-18.7% change). In addition, one hour after
application, PGE2 levels were higher in Mesem cream-treated skin, as compared to
carrier cream-treated skin (16.6% versus 11.3%). Further experiments (tape
stripped skin and repeated application) also found significant differences
between the two creams in the results obtained. Evaluation of the effectiveness,
safety and tolerability of phyto-cosmetic products is important. Our results
confirmed the findings of two previous human observational studies (the human
patch test and open application study). Future experiments to understand the
underlying principles of its effectiveness, safety and tolerability should
include extracts of M. crystallinum L. juice, as well as the Mesem cream itself.
PMID- 28994300
TI - In vitro models as a platform to investigate traumatic brain injury.
AB - Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) remains a significant cause of mortality and
morbidity, affecting individuals of all age groups. Much remains to be learned
about its complex pathophysiology, with a view to designing effective
neuroprotective strategies to protect sublethally injured brain tissue that would
otherwise die in secondary injury processes. Experimental in vivo models offer
the potential to study TBI in the laboratory, however, treatments that were
neuroprotective in animals have, thus far, largely failed to translate in human
clinical studies. In vitro models of neurotrauma can be used to study specific
pathophysiological cascades - individually and without confounding factors - and
to test potential neuroprotective strategies. These in vitro models include
transection, compression, barotrauma, acceleration, hydrodynamic, chemical injury
and cell-stretch methodologies. Various cell culture systems can also be
utilised, including brain-on-a-chip, immortalised cell lines, primary cultures,
acute preparations and organotypic cultures. Potential positive outcomes of the
increased use of in vitro platforms to study TBI would be the refinement of in
vivo experiments, as well as enhanced translation of the results into clinically
meaningful neuroprotective strategies for the future. In addition, the
replacement of in vivo experiments by suitable in vitro studies would lead to a
welcome reduction in the numbers of animal procedures in this ethically
challenging field.
PMID- 28994301
TI - Medact/IPPNW Health Through Peace York University conference statement: an
introduction.
PMID- 28994302
TI - Observing eye movements and the influence of cognition during a symbol search
task: a comparison across three age groups.
AB - This study examined eye movements during a visual search task as well as
cognitive abilities within three age groups. The aim was to explore scanning
patterns across symbol grids and to better understand the impact of symbol
location in AAC displays on speed and accuracy of symbol selection. For the
study, 60 students were asked to locate a series of symbols on 16 cell grids. The
EyeLink 1000 was used to measure eye movements, accuracy, and response time.
Accuracy was high across all cells. Participants had faster response times,
longer fixations, and more frequent fixations on symbols located in the middle of
the grid. Group comparisons revealed significant differences for accuracy and
reaction times. The Leiter-R was used to evaluate cognitive abilities. Sustained
attention and cognitive flexibility scores predicted the participants' reaction
time and accuracy in symbol selection. Findings suggest that symbol location
within AAC devices and individuals' cognitive abilities influence the speed and
accuracy of retrieving symbols.
PMID- 28994304
TI - An exploration of the experience of using calendar reminders for people with
dementia and family carers.
AB - People with dementia and family carers often use calendars to support time
orientation to maintain routine. However, little is known about the use of
calendars as a compensatory strategy. This study examines the experience and
practicalities of using calendar reminders from the perspective of people with
dementia and family carers. Six dyads were recruited and interviewed at home.
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to develop a narrative
interpreted from an occupational therapy perspective. The themes were reflected
on during two subsequent focus groups. Findings suggested that calendars are used
either intensively as external memory records or more casually and randomly for
reassurance. The familiarity and location of the calendar and its utility to the
person with dementia and carer, all contribute to its efficacy. For carers the
experience of supporting calendar reminders encompasses practical, cognitive and
emotional effort. There was little awareness amongst participants of electronic
assistive technology.
PMID- 28994303
TI - The lines are open: An artist's experience of working with dementia research.
AB - This paper offers a first-hand account from a visual artist working with people
living with a rare dementia. It explores the processes and motivations involved
in situating an individual artistic practice in the field of dementia research.
The paper discusses the potential role of creative art-making for
neuropsychological testing and some of the complexities of interpretation that
this involves. This account also highlights the ways in which working with people
with dementia can be personally and artistically transformative.
PMID- 28994306
TI - Pharmacological treatments and infectious diseases in pediatric inflammatory
bowel disease.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is
rising, as is the employment of immunosuppressive and biological drugs. Most
patients with IBD receive immunosuppressive therapies during the course of the
disease. These molecules are a double-edged sword; while they can help control
disease activity, they also increase the risk of infections. Therefore, it is
important that pediatricians involved in primary care, pediatric
gastroenterologists, and infectious disease physicians have a thorough knowledge
of the infections that can affect patients with IBD. Areas covered: A broad
review of the major infectious diseases that have been reported in children and
adolescents with IBD was performed, and information regarding surveillance,
diagnosis and management were updated. The possible correlations with IBD
pharmacological tools are discussed. Expert commentary: Opportunistic infections
are possible in pediatric IBD, and immunosuppressive and immunomodulator therapy
seems to play a causative role. Heightened awareness and vigilant surveillance
leading to prompt diagnosis and treatment are important for optimal management.
PMID- 28994305
TI - Plant homeodomain finger protein 2 as a novel IKAROS target in acute
lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB - AIM: Clinical significance of plant homeodomain finger 2 (PHF2) expressions is
explored in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. METHODS: mRNA level was
examined by qPCR. The retroviral gene expression, shRNA knockdown and chromatin
immunoprecipitation are used to observe IKAROS regulation on PHF2 transcription.
RESULTS: PHF2 expression is significantly reduced in subsets of ALL patients, and
PHF2 low expression correlates with leukemia cell proliferation and an elevation
of several poor prognostic markers in B-cell ALL. IKAROS directly promotes PHF2
expression and patients with IKAROS deletion have significantly lower PHF2
expression. Casein kinase II (CK2) inhibitor significantly promotes PHF2
expression in an IKAROS-dependent manner, and casein kinase II inhibitor
treatment also results in an increase of PHF2 expression and enrichment of IKAROS
and H3K4me3 at PHF2 promoter in primary cells. CONCLUSION: Our results
demonstrate that the IKAROS promotes PHF2 expression, and suggest that PHF2 low
expression works with the IKAROS gene deletion to drive oncogenesis of ALL.
PMID- 28994307
TI - Alert Workplace From Healthcare Workers' Perspective: Behavioral and
Environmental Strategies to Improve Vigilance and Alertness in Healthcare
Settings.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the behavioral and environmental
strategies that healthcare workers view as helpful for managing sleepiness,
improving alertness, and therefore optimizing workplace safety. BACKGROUND:
Reduced alertness is a common issue in healthcare work environments and is
associated with impaired cognitive performance and decision-making ability as
well as increased errors and injuries. METHOD: We surveyed 136 healthcare
professionals at a primary care clinic, an acute care hospital, and a mental
health clinic. Nonstructured, semistructured, and structured questionnaires were
used to elicit relevant information which was analyzed using qualitative content
analysis and logistic regression models, respectively. RESULTS: In order by
frequency of endorsement: dietary intervention; physical mobility; cognitive,
sensory, or social stimulation; personal lifestyle strategies; and rest/nap
opportunities were reported as behavioral strategies used to address workplace
alertness. Compared to other environmental features, daylight and thermal comfort
were perceived to be more important to addressing workplace alertness ( p < .05).
CONCLUSIONS: By optimizing the physical environment and organizational policies
and providing education programs, we have an opportunity to support healthcare
professionals in managing sleepiness and maintaining alertness at work. In
addition, such system level interventions may reduce unhealthy choices such as
frequent caffeine intake to keep alert. The development of multidisciplinary
evidence-based guidelines is needed to address sleepiness and alertness to
improve workplace safety in healthcare facilities.
PMID- 28994308
TI - Critical health psychology in New Zealand: Developments, directions and
reflections.
AB - We examine how critical health psychology developed in New Zealand, taking an
historical perspective to document important influences. We discuss how academic
appointments created a confluence of critical researchers at Massey University,
how interest in health psychology arose and expanded, how the critical turn
eventuated and how connections, both local and international, were important in
building and sustaining these developments. We discuss the evolution of teaching
a critical health psychology training programme, describe the research agendas
and professional activities of academic staff involved and how this sustains the
critical agenda. We close with some reflections on progress and attainment.
PMID- 28994309
TI - Overview of small bowel angioectasias: clinical presentation and treatment
options.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities are at an increased
risk of developing small bowel angioectasias. Treating these lesions can be both
challenging and costly with patients requiring extensive investigations and
recurrent admissions for iron infusions and blood transfusions as well as
invasive procedures. This review presents treatment options and describes in
detail drugs that should be considered whilst taking into account their
effectiveness and their safety profile. Areas covered: A PubMed search was
carried out using the following keywords: small bowel angiodysplasias, small
bowel angioectasias, small bowel bleeding and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
to assess existing evidence. The pathophysiology and risk factors are covered in
this review together with appropriate methods of investigation and management.
Treatment options discussed are endoscopic measures, surgical options and
pharmacotherapy. The role of serum biomarkers is also discussed. Expert
commentary: Future work should be directed at alternative drugs with a good
safety profile that target biomarkers. Novel pharmacotherapy directed at
biomarkers could potentially provide a non-invasive treatment option for
angioectasias particularly in the elderly where management can be challenging.
PMID- 28994311
TI - Death associated with intravenous turmeric (Curcumin) preparation.
PMID- 28994310
TI - Pharmacogenetic considerations for HIV treatment in different ethnicities: an
update.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Variations in the human genome sequence sometimes play an important
role in pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics. Previous studies have
demonstrated a high degree of variation both between and within different ethnic
populations. Areas covered: This review sought to summarize key SNPs in CYP2B6,
CYP3A enzymes, CYP2C enzymes, UGT2 enzymes, ABCB1, ABCC2, SLCO1B1, NR1I2, and
NR1I3 that have previously been associated with variability in antiretroviral
pharmacokinetics. Additionally, the impact of ethnicity in these pharmacogenetics
studies is discussed, and variation in findings between different ethnic groups
is reviewed. A literature search of relevant published work was conducted between
April 2017 and September 2017 utilizing the following databases: PubMed, Google
Scholar, Web of Science, and Ensembl. Keywords used included drug name, rs (SNP
identifier) number, and known effect (if applicable). This report highlights the
variation observed between different ethnic populations and subsequently the
importance of stratification within pharmacogenetic studies. Expert opinion:
Utilization of these findings in future pharmacogenetics studies would aid in the
understanding of the extent and impact of genetic variants in different
populations and the consequences this has for achieving sustained virological
response to antiretroviral therapy.
PMID- 28994312
TI - Association between re-admission rate and hospital characteristics for ischemic
heart disease.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Hospital re-admission is considered an important marker of patient
health outcomes and healthcare system performance. Korea introduced the Korean
Diagnosis Procedure Combination (KDPC) for all regional public hospitals in July
2012. This study examined re-admission rates within 30 days to assess whether the
hospital payment system is associated with the re-admission rate, focusing on
ischemic heart disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using
national claims data for 2013. We analyzed data of patients with a major
diagnosis of ischemic heart disease who were admitted to general hospitals with
more than 500 beds in Korea. Of the eight general hospitals, two that have been
operating under the new Korean payment system were public hospitals using the
KDPC, and the remaining six were private general hospitals with fee for service
(FFS) systems. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify
associations between re-admission rate and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: The
study analyzed 4,290 cases (889 cases in KDPC and 3,401 cases in FFS). The 30-day
unplanned re-admission rate was higher in KDPC than in FFS (7.9% vs 5.6%,
respectively). The unplanned re-admission odds ratios of KDPC was 1.74.
CONCLUSIONS: KDPC had higher 30-day unplanned re-admissions rates than did FFS.
PMID- 28994313
TI - TRAIL and curcumin codelivery nanoparticles enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis
through upregulation of death receptors.
AB - Active targeting nanoparticles were developed to simultaneously codeliver tumor
necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and Curcumin (Cur). In
the nanoparticles (TRAIL-Cur-NPs), TRAIL was used as both active targeting ligand
and therapeutic agent, and Cur could upregulate death receptors (DR4 and DR5) to
increase the apoptosis-inducing effects of TRAIL. Compared with corresponding
free drugs, TRAIL-Cur-NPs group showed enhanced cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and
apoptosis induction effect on HCT116 colon cancer cells. In addition, in vivo
anticancer studies suggested that TRAIL-Cur-NPs had superior therapeutic effect
on tumors without obvious toxicity, which was mainly due to the high tumor
targeting and synergistic effect of TRAIL and Cur. The synergistic mechanism of
improved antitumor efficacy was proved to be upregulation of DR4 and DR5 in tumor
cells induced by Cur. Thus, the prepared codelivery nanoparticles may have
potential applications in colorectal cancer therapy.
PMID- 28994314
TI - Preventing liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD and the road ahead.
PMID- 28994315
TI - First-line treatment disruption among post-menopausal women with HR+/HER2-
metastatic breast cancer: a retrospective US claims study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study assessed disruption of first-line treatments initiated
after the approval of the first CDK 4/6 inhibitor, palbociclib, among post
menopausal women with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in the US.
METHODS: Post-menopausal women with HR+/HER2- mBC who initiated first-line
endocrine therapy or chemotherapy (index therapy) between February 3, 2015
(palbociclib approval date) and February 29, 2016 (end of data) were identified
from the Symphony Source Lx database. Patients were required to have continuous
quarterly activity (defined as >=1 pharmacy or medical claim) for 12 months prior
to and 1 month after the initiation of the index therapy (index date). Treatment
disruption was defined as a treatment gap of >=60 days or adding an agent after
the original therapy. Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted to estimate treatment
disruption rates during the 6 months following the index date. Patients without
treatment disruption were censored at the end of continuous quarterly activity or
end of data. RESULTS: A total of 8,160 and 2,153 eligible patients initiated
endocrine therapy or chemotherapy as their first-line mBC treatment, with a
median follow-up of 6.7 and 7.6 months, respectively. The three most prevalent
metastatic sites were bone (28.1-42.2%), liver (8.8-17.3%), and lung (8.6-9.5%).
Overall, 37.7% (n = 3,074) of patients receiving endocrine therapy and 86.1% (n =
1,852) of patients receiving chemotherapy encountered treatment disruption at 6
months (log-rank test p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment disruption rates of first
line therapies were sub-optimal among post-menopausal women with HR+/HER2- mBC,
primarily driven by chemotherapy users. New therapies or interventions are needed
to reduce treatment disruption in this patient population.
PMID- 28994316
TI - Life on the ground floor: letters from the edge of emergency medicine.
PMID- 28994317
TI - Isolated cervical anterior spinal artery aneurysm: case report.
AB - Isolated cervical anterior spinal artery (CASA) aneurysms are extremely rare with
most of them mostly associated with arteriovenous malformation. The underlying
pathology is not known but some factors leading to the aneurysm are inflammatory,
infection and connective tissue disorders. Trauma with formation of
pseudoaneurysm has also been reported. We report a case which presented with
fourth ventricle bleed and was managed successfully with conservative treatment.
PMID- 28994318
TI - Tungsten (W) bioavailability in paddy rice soils and its accumulation in rice
(Oryza sativa).
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate the accumulation characteristics of
tungsten (W) by different indica rice cultivars from the soil and to assess the
potential risks to human health via dietary intake of W in rice consumption. A
total of 153 rice (ear) samples of 15 cultivars and the corresponding surface
soil samples were collected from 7 cities in Fujian Province of southeastern
China. The available soil W were extracted using H2C2O4.2H2O-(NH4)2C2O4.H2O at pH
3.3). Results showed that the total soil W ranged from 2.03 mg kg-1 to 15.34 mg
kg-1 and available soil W ranged from 0.03 mg kg-1 to 1.61 mg kg-1. The W
concentration in brown rice varied from 7 MUg kg-1 to 283 MUg kg-1 and was
significantly correlated with the available soil W. The highest mean TFavail
(transfer factor based on available soil W) was 0.91 for Te-you 627 (hybrid,
indica rice), whereas the lowest was 0.08 for Yi-you 673 (hybrid, indica rice).
The TFavail decreased with the increase in available soil W, clay content, and
cation exchange capacity. The consumption of the brown rice produced from the
investigated areas in some cultivars by the present study may cause risks to
human health.
PMID- 28994319
TI - A review of clinical safety data for sumatriptan nasal powder administered by a
breath powered exhalation delivery system in the acute treatment of migraine.
AB - INTRODUCTION: AVP-825 (sumatriptan nasal powder) is an FDA-approved intranasal
medication delivery system containing low-dose sumatriptan powder for acute
treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. AVP-825 utilizes unique
nasal anatomy features to avoid limitations of other intranasal delivery methods.
Areas covered: Literature search terms: 'AVP-825', 'sumatriptan nasal powder',
'intranasal sumatriptan', 'sumatriptan safety', 'sumatriptan acute migraine'.
Pharmacokinetic, Phase 2/3 studies, reviews (AVP-825) and metanalyses/reviews
(sumatriptan) were evaluated. Expert opinion: AVP-825 provides a more efficient
sumatriptan delivery method versus other formulations. Pharmacokinetics showed
that a single dose of AVP-825 (22 mg) delivers 15-16 mg sumatriptan and produces
significantly lower exposure than oral or injectable formulations, which may
translate into a better safety/tolerability profile. AVP-825 was well tolerated
in controlled trials, with the most common adverse events localized at the
administration-site (abnormal taste, nasal discomfort); these were mostly mild,
leading to only one discontinuation. Compared to 100 mg oral sumatriptan, AVP-825
had a significantly lower rate of atypical sensations across multiple attacks.
AVP-825 has the advantage of early efficacy onset associated with faster
absorption at a lower delivered dose than liquid nasal spray or oral
formulations. AVP-825 provided earlier efficacy (within 30 min) vs. 100 mg oral
sumatriptan and similar sustained efficacy. AVP-825 offers the benefits of a non
oral, low-dose, tolerable acute migraine medication.
PMID- 28994320
TI - Unravelling the core microbiome of biofilms in cooling tower systems.
AB - In this study, next generation sequencing and catalyzed reporter deposition
fluorescence in situ hybridization, combined with confocal microscopy, were used
to provide insights into the biodiversity and structure of biofilms collected
from four full-scale European cooling systems. Water samples were also analyzed
to evaluate the impact of suspended microbes on biofilm formation. A common core
microbiome, containing members of the families Sphingomonadaceae, Comamonadaceae
and Hyphomicrobiaceae, was found in all four biofilms, despite the water of each
coming from different sources (river and groundwater). This suggests that
selection of the pioneer community was influenced by abiotic factors
(temperature, pH) and tolerances to biocides. Members of the Sphingomonadaceae
were assumed to play a key role in initial biofilm formation. Subsequent biofilm
development was driven primarily by light availability, since biofilms were
dominated by phototrophs in the two studied 'open' systems. Their interactions
with other microbial populations then shaped the structure of the mature biofilm
communities analyzed.
PMID- 28994321
TI - Heatable carbon nanotube composite membranes for sustainable recovery from
biofouling.
AB - Membrane filtration is one of the most reliable methods for water treatment.
However, wider application is limited due to biofouling caused by accumulation of
microorganisms on the membrane surface. This report details a heatable carbon
nanotube composite membrane with self-cleaning properties for sustainable
recovery from biofouling. Microfiltration polycarbonate/carbon-nanotubes hybrid
membranes were fabricated using drawable nanotubes that maintained the porosity
and provided electrical conductivity to the membrane. Less than 25 V potential
and 2-3 W power increase membrane temperature to 100 degrees C in ~10 s. This
temperature is above what most microbial life, bacteria and viruses can handle.
When this membrane was employed, filtered Escherichia coli collected on its
surface were successfully annihilated within 1 min. Ohmic heating of this
membrane could be an effective solution to combat biofouling and complications
associated with membrane-based filtration. This is a novel and highly desirable
approach to combat biofouling, due to its simplicity and economic advantage.
PMID- 28994322
TI - Viewpoints of Parents and Nurses on How to Design Products to Enhance Parent
Infant Bonding at Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Qualitative Study Based on
Existing Designs.
AB - AIM: To investigate how product design can be used to improve parent-infant
bonding in a neonatal intensive care unit. BACKGROUND: Impaired parent-infant
bonding is an inevitable consequence of premature birth, which negatively
influences development. Products, systems, or services that support the bonding
process might counter these negative influences. METHOD: The first step was to
trace existing products by performing a literature search in PubMed, the
university library, and Google. The identified existing designs were then used in
semistructured interviews with nurses and parents to get insights into their
desires and recommendations for product design to enhance bonding. Interviews
contained open questions and a multiple-choice questionnaire based on the
literature search. RESULTS: In total, 17 existing design types were used in
interviews with 11 parents and 23 nurses. All nurses explicitly stated that
practicality was the first criterion designs aimed at enhancing bonding
definitely had to meet. All parents indicated that they would like to use a
design to enhance bonding if that would contribute to their child's health and
development. For both parents and nurses, the most valuable way to enhance
bonding seemed to be products to improve Kangaroo care; however, their specific
desires varied substantially. Therefore, seven recurring themes were defined,
resulting in nine general recommendations and six opportunities intended to
enhance parent-infant bonding. CONCLUSION: This study provides design
recommendations and opportunities based on parents' and nurses' expert opinions.
Designing to enhance bonding is considered valuable; however, designs should
match the stakeholders' desires and conditions.
PMID- 28994323
TI - Atezolizumab in invasive and metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Until recently, there has been little advancement in the management
of invasive and metastatic urothelial cancer in over 30 years, and outcomes with
cisplatin-based chemotherapy remain unchanged. Inhibitors targeting PD-1
signaling on cytotoxic T-cells have revolutionized bladder cancer therapy leading
to durable responses. Atezolizumab is an engineered humanized anti-PD-L1
monoclonal antibody that inhibits PD-L1 binding to PD-1 and B7.1, enhancing
immune-mediated tumor killing and is currently approved as second-line treatment
after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy as well as first-line in cisplatin
ineligible patients. Areas covered: This article summarizes all reported phase I,
II and III clinical trials that assessed the safety and efficacy of atezolizumab
in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Expert
commentary: Treatment with atezolizumab showed durable response and a toxicity
profile that appears favorable to cytotoxic chemotherapy historically in the
treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer among individuals who had progressed
after prior platinum-based therapy and among those ineligible for treatment with
first-line cisplatin. PD-L1 expression and tumor mutation load associate with
response, however further research is needed to identify additional markers to
improve prediction of response to atezolizumab.
PMID- 28994324
TI - Self-assembling HA/PEI/dsRNA-p21 ternary complexes for CD44 mediated small active
RNA delivery to colorectal cancer.
AB - Our previous work proved that sequence specific double strand RNA (dsRNA-p21)
effectively activated p21 gene expression of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and
consequently suppressed CRC growth. However, efficient delivery system is a
significant challenge to achieve sufficient therapy. In this study, a self
assembled HA/PEI/dsRNA-p21 ternary complex (TC-dsRNA-p21) was developed for the
tumor-target delivery of dsRNA-p21 into CRC cells. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was
introduced to shield the PEI/dsRNA-p21 binary complexes (BC-dsRNA-p21) for
reducing the cytotoxicity of PEI and for increasing the tumor-targeted
intracellular uptake by cancer cells through HA-CD44 mediated endocytosis.
Comparing to the BC-dsRNA-p21, the TC-dsRNA-p21 showed increase in size, decrease
in zeta potential, low cytotoxicity as well as high stability in physiological
conditions due to the anionic shielding. Confocal microscopy analysis and flow
cytometry confirmed that TC-dsRNA-p21 had high transfection efficiency in the
CD44-abundant Lovo cells, as compared with binary complex. In vitro physiological
experiment showed that, comparing to the control group, the TC-dsRNA-p21
effectively activated the expression of p21 mRNA and P21 protein, causing
blockage of cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and suppression of cancer cell
proliferation as well as colony formation. Furthermore, in vivo distribution
experiment demonstrated that the TC-dsRNA-p21 could effectively accumulate at
rectal wall for up to 10 h, following in situ application. These findings
indicated that TC-dsRNA-p21 might hold great potential for delivering dsRNA-p21
to treat CRC.
PMID- 28994325
TI - Folic acid conjugated PEG coated gold-iron oxide core-shell nanocomplex as a
potential agent for targeted photothermal therapy of cancer.
AB - This study reports the synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol)
coated gold@iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles conjugated with folic acid (FA
PEG-Au@IONP). Also, targeted therapeutic properties of such a nanocomplex were
studied on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line KB and human breast
adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 in vitro. The synthesized nanocomplex was
characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering
(DLS), UV-Vis spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Fourier
transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The photothermal effects of nanocomplex
on both KB and MCF-7 cell lines were studied. Cell death and apoptosis were
evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)
assay and flow cytometry using an annexin V-fluorescein
isothiocyanate/propidiumiodide apoptosis detection kit. It was found that
nanocomplex is spherical in shape and its size is approximately 60 nm. UV-vis
spectrum showed that nanocomplex has appropriate absorption near infrared region.
FTIR spectra obtained from nanocomplex before and after conjugation with FA
confirmed the formation of folate conjugated nanocomplex. Significant cell
lethality was observed for KB (~62%) and MCF-7 (~33%) cells following
photothermal therapy. Also, it was found that majority of the cell deaths were
related to apoptosis process. It can be concluded that, the synthesized
nanocomplex is an effective and promising multifunctional nanoplatform for
targeted photothermal therapy of cancer.
PMID- 28994326
TI - When things get complicated: At-risk attachment in children and adolescents with
chronic pain.
AB - Pain is a signal of danger, and danger activates the attachment system. When a
parent responds to a child's pain with appropriate protection and comfort, more
often than not, the pain resolves. But what happens in families when a child's
pain becomes chronic and continues to signal a danger that has long passed? This
study explored patterns of attachment in 48 children and adolescents with chronic
functional pain and 48 healthy controls using structured attachment interviews.
Patterns of attachment were identified using the Dynamic Maturational Model of
Attachment. Compared to controls, children and adolescents with chronic
functional pain were classified into at-risk patterns of attachment (chi2 = 76.4,
df = 2, p < .001) and had higher rates of unresolved loss and trauma (chi2 =
10.8, df = 1, p = .001), suggesting a long-standing history of relational stress
and the disruption of nurturing relationships. The findings suggest that the
quality of attachment relationships contribute to the development and maintenance
of chronic functional pain. Ongoing anxiety within the attachment relationship,
combined with unresolved loss and trauma, may function much like catastrophising,
contributing to chronic functional pain by activating the body's arousal systems.
The assessment process for chronic functional pain should include a family
assessment to identify ruptures in attachment relationships, as well as
unresolved loss and trauma events that need to be addressed through family
interventions or individual therapy.
PMID- 28994327
TI - Mental health services for our most vulnerable children.
PMID- 28994328
TI - Th17/Treg immunoregulation and implications in treatment of sulfur mustard gas
induced lung diseases.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Sulfur mustard (SM) is an extremely toxic gas used in chemical
warfare to cause massive lung injury and death. Victims exposed to SM gas acutely
present with inhalational lung injury, but among those who survive, some develop
obstructive airway diseases referred to as SM-lung syndrome.
Pathophysiologically, SM-lung shares many characteristics with smoking-induced
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including airway remodeling, goblet
cell metaplasia, and obstructive ventilation defect. Some of the hallmarks of
COPD pathogenesis, which include dysregulated lung inflammation, neutrophilia,
recruitment of interleukin 17A (IL -17A) expressing CD4+T cells (Th17), and the
paucity of lung regulatory T cells (Tregs), have also been described in SM-lung.
Areas covered: A literature search was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and
Web of Science databases inclusive of all literature prior to and including May
2017. Expert commentary: Here we review some of the recent findings that suggest
a role for Th17 cell-mediated inflammatory changes associated with pulmonary
complications in SM-lung and suggest new therapeutic approaches that could
potentially alter disease progression with immune modulating biologics that can
restore the lung Th17/Treg balance.
PMID- 28994329
TI - The value of self-medication: summary of existing evidence.
AB - AIM: The aim of this review was to identify the international evidence that is
currently available on the economic value of self-care through responsible self
medication, in terms of the measures related to access to treatment, time, and
productivity. METHODS: A targeted literature search was conducted for 1990-2016,
including data gathered from members of the World Self-Medication Industry and
searches on PubMed, EBSCOHost, and Google Scholar. Specific searches of
individual drug classes known to be switched to non-prescription status in this
period were also conducted. RESULTS: A total of 71 articles were identified, of
which 17 (11 modeling studies, six retrospective analyses) were included in the
review. Evidence from modeling studies and retrospective analyses of grouped data
across a range of common conditions for which non-prescription medications are
available in different countries/regions showed that the use of non-prescription
products for the treatment of common conditions or for symptom management (e.g.
allergies, chronic pain, migraine, vaginitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, or
common cold symptoms) had considerable value to patients, payers, and employers
alike in terms of cost savings and improved productivity. Potential benefits of
self-medication were also identified in preventative healthcare strategies, such
as those for cardiovascular health and osteoporosis. LIMITATIONS: This review was
limited by a targeted, but non-systematic approach to literature retrieval, as
well as the inclusion of unpublished reports/white papers and patient self
reported data. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence identified in this literature review
shows that responsible, appropriate self-medication with non-prescription
products can provide significant economic benefits for patients, employers, and
healthcare systems worldwide.
PMID- 28994330
TI - Molecular mechanisms and theranostic potential of miRNAs in drug resistance of
gastric cancer.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Systemic chemotherapy is a curative approach to inhibit gastric
cancer cells proliferation. Despite the great progress in anti-cancer treatment
achieved during the last decades, drug resistance and treatment refractoriness
still extensively persists. Recently, accumulating studies have highlighted the
role of miRNAs in drug resistance of gastric cancers by modulating some drug
resistance-related proteins and genes expression. Pre-clinical reports indicate
that miRNAs might serve as ideal biomarkers and potential targets, thus holding
great promise for developing targeted therapy and personalized treatment for the
patients with gastric cancer. Areas covered: This review provide a comprehensive
overview of the current advances of miRNAs and molecular mechanisms underlying
miRNA-mediated drug resistance in gastric cancer. We particularly focus on the
potential values of drug resistance-related miRNAs as biomarkers and novel
targets in gastric cancer therapy and envisage the future research developments
of these miRNAs and challenges in translating the new findings into clinical
applications. Expert opinion: Although the concrete mechanisms of miRNAs in drug
resistance of gastric cancer have not been fully clarified, miRNA may be a
promising theranostic approach. Further studies are still needed to facilitate
the clinical applications of miRNAs in drug resistant gastric cancer.
PMID- 28994331
TI - Evaluating the involvement of cerebral microvascular endothelial Na+/K+-ATPase
and Na+-K+-2Cl- co-transporter in electrolyte fluxes in an in vitro blood-brain
barrier model of dehydration.
AB - The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is involved in brain water and salt homeostasis.
Blood osmolarity increases during dehydration and water is osmotically extracted
from the brain. The loss of water is less than expected from pure osmotic forces,
due to brain electrolyte accumulation. Although the underlying molecular
mechanisms are unresolved, the current model suggests the luminally expressed Na+
K+-2Cl- co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) as a key component, while the role of the Na+/K+
ATPase remains uninvestigated. To test the involvement of these proteins in brain
electrolyte flux under mimicked dehydration, we employed a tight in vitro co
culture BBB model with primary cultures of brain endothelial cells and
astrocytes. The Na+/K+-ATPase and the NKCC1 were both functionally dominant in
the abluminal membrane. Exposure of the in vitro BBB model to conditions
mimicking systemic dehydration, i.e. hyperosmotic conditions, vasopressin, or
increased [K+]o illustrated that NKCC1 activity was unaffected by exposure to
vasopressin and to hyperosmotic conditions. Hyperosmotic conditions and increased
K+ concentrations enhanced the Na+/K+-ATPase activity, here determined to consist
of the alpha1 beta1 and alpha1 beta3 isozymes. Abluminally expressed endothelial
Na+/K+-ATPase, and not NKCC1, may therefore counteract osmotic brain water loss
during systemic dehydration by promoting brain Na+ accumulation.
PMID- 28994332
TI - Ultrasonography findings and physical examination outcomes in dancers with and
without patellofemoral pain.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To identify whether a physical examination for patello-femoral pain
(PFP) is related to ultrasonography findings at the knee, and to identify
possible factors related to PFP in young dancers. METHODS: Sixty-seven young
female dancers (7th grade, aged 12.8 +/- 0.5) from three schools with identical
special dance programs were included in the study. All the dancers were
interviewed for demographic details, dance background, and training intensity;
were evaluated for anthropometric measurements; underwent physical examination of
both knees for PFP and for knee range of motion (ROM); and, had ultrasonography
assessment for pathologies and of anatomical parts of their knees. RESULTS: PFP
was found in 54.5% of the 134 knees physically examined. In ultrasonography
assessment, infra-articular effusion was found in 46.2% of the knees examined.
H/week of dance practice was significantly higher among dancers with PFP (in both
knees) compared with dancers with no PFP (p < .05). Knees with PFP had a
significantly higher prevalence of intra articular effusion (p = .018) and higher
prevalence of genu-recurvatum (p = .042). Knees with PFP had significantly
greater growth plate width-anterior tibial tuberosity (p = .022) and a greater
bony trochlear groove angle (p = .048). CONCLUSION: This study describes the
relationship between physical examination for PFP and the sonographic findings,
and the factors related to knee injuries. The results showed a high prevalence of
PFP and intra articular knee effusion among young dancers at the age of 12-13
years; and, that the number of hours of practice and anatomical structure are
related to PFP. Our results should alert physicians, physiotherapists, athletic
trainers and dance teachers to the need for devising modifications of training
and injury prevention strategies from a young age (<12 years old).
PMID- 28994333
TI - Pyruvate kinase activators as a therapy target: a patent review 2011-2017.
AB - INTRODUCTION: It is well known that cancer cells have an altered metabolism both
to meet the energy needs and to provide initial molecules for the synthesis of
macromolecules. To cope with the new metabolic state, different forms of certain
enzymes are expressed in extreme amounts. These enzymes are seen as very
attractive targets to deal with cancer. Pyruvate kinases isoenzyme M2 (PKM2) is a
key enzyme that determines whether glucose is used for energy or synthesis of
biosynthetic molecules. The dimeric form of PKM2 main form in several cancer
cells serves the formation of synthetic precursors required for the cell growth
and proliferation from glycolytic intermediates. Areas covered: This article
reviews appropriate publications on PKM2 activators from the points of view of
synthesis and biological activities between 2011-2017. Herein, based on the
chemical structure, PKM2 activators are classified into sulfonamide, phenolic,
carboxamide and pyridopyrimidinone derivatives. Expert opinion: PKM2 activation
inhibits cell growth and proliferation by decreasing a number of biomolecules
required for cell building. Therefore; PKM2 activators are considered as an ideal
drug for or the treatment of many cancer pathogens. It is necessary to discover
new, more active and selective compounds for PKM2 activation.
PMID- 28994334
TI - Clinical and economic benefits of professional CGM among people with type 2
diabetes in the United States: analysis of claims and lab data.
AB - BACKGROUND: It is estimated that one in 10 people in the US have a diagnosis of
diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 95% of all cases in the US, with annual
costs estimated to be $246 billion per year. This study investigated the impact
of a glucose-measuring intervention to the burden of type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE:
This analysis seeks to understand how professional continuous glucose monitoring
(professional CGM) impacts clinical and economic outcomes when compared to
patients who are not prescribed professional CGM. METHODS: This study utilized a
large healthcare claims and lab dataset from the US, and identified a cohort of
patients who were prescribed professional CGM as identified by CPT codes 95250
and 95251. It calculated economic and clinical outcomes 1 year before and 1 year
after the use of professional CGM, using a generalized linear model. RESULTS:
Patients who utilized professional CGM saw an improvement in hemoglobin A1C. The
"difference-in-difference" calculation for A1C was shown to be -0.44%. There was
no statistically significant difference in growth of total annual costs for
people who used professional CGM compared to those who did not ($1,270, p = .08).
Patients using professional CGM more than once per year had a -$3,376 difference
in the growth of total costs (p = .05). Patients who used professional CGM while
changing their diabetes treatment regimen also had a difference of -$3,327 in
growth of total costs (p = .0023). CONCLUSION: Significant clinical benefits were
observed for patients who used professional CGM. Economic benefits were observed
for patients who utilized professional CGM more than once within a 1-year period
or who used it during a change of diabetes therapy. This suggests that
professional CGM may help decrease rising trends in healthcare costs for people
with type 2 diabetes, while also improving clinical outcomes.
PMID- 28994335
TI - Erratum.
PMID- 28994336
TI - Chronic hypertension: effect of blood pressure control on pregnancy outcome.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether in patients with CH and mild to moderate
hypertension the level of control of blood pressure during pregnancy has a
beneficial or adverse effect on the risk of PE or SGA. METHODS: We performed a
systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of patients
with mild to moderate CH in pregnancy that reported the impact of different
levels of control of blood pressure on the risk of PE or SGA. We completed a
literature search through PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, Web of science, Cochrane
CENTRAL Library Relative risks with random effect were calculated with their 95%
confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: Six trials including 495 participants
provided data on blood pressure (BP) after entry to the study. Four studies
compared antihypertensive agents to no treatment and two studies compared
antihypertensive agents to placebo. All trials were conducted between 1976 and
1990 and were considered to be at high risk of bias. There was high heterogeneity
between studies for mean arterial pressure (MAP) after randomization (I2 = 87%)
and SGA (I2 = 60%), but not for PE (I2 = 0%). There were large differences
between studies in the inclusion criteria, antihypertensive regimens, targets of
therapy, and gestational age range at entry to the trials. In women receiving
antihypertensive therapy, compared to those receiving placebo or no treatment,
the MAP after entry to the trial was significantly lower (mean difference -4.2
mmHg, 95%CI -6.6 to -1.8; p = .006). However, there was no significant reduction
in the risk of PE (relative risks (RR) 1.03, 95%CI 0.63-1.68; p = .90) or SGA (RR
1.01, 95%CI 0.35-2.93; p = .99). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the meta-analysis
suggest that lowering the blood pressure by antihypertensive medication in women
with mild to moderate hypertension in the context of CH has no significant effect
on the risk of SGA or PE.
PMID- 28994337
TI - Aerosol therapy through high flow nasal cannula in pediatric patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is increasingly used in pediatric
patients suffering from respiratory failure. In some disease processes, patients
may also benefit from aerosol therapy. Therefore, the use of HFNC to deliver
aerosolized medications is a convenient and attractive option. Areas covered:
This review aims to appraise available evidence concerning the efficiency of
aerosol nebulized therapy delivery using HFNC in pediatric patients. Expert
commentary: Delivery of aerosol particles is a very complex process and depends
on the use of oxygen vs. heliox, nebulizer type and position within the HFNC
circuit, patient's breathing effort and pattern, and more importantly cannula
size and flow rates. Current in vitro evidence suggests the amount of aerosol
delivery is likely to be very low at high flows. Clinical studies are limited in
pediatric patients and given the limited clinical data, it is not possible to
make recommendations for or against aerosol delivery through HFNC for pediatric
patients.
PMID- 28994338
TI - A targeted graphene nanoplatform carrying histamine dihydrochloride for effective
inhibition of leukemia-induced immunosuppression.
AB - Despite the introduction of many efficient post-consolidation therapies for
complete relapse in leukemia patients, many patients suffer from relapse.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered an important parameter in the
immunosuppression of acute myeloid leukemia, where they suppress the cytotoxic
action of immune cells such as NK cells and T cells. This study demonstrates a
way to achieve effective inhibition of immunosuppression by loading the drug
histamine dihydrochloride (HDC) onto graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using
hyaluronic acid as a targeting moiety for K-562 cells. The prepared GQD-based
nanoplatform was stable and achieved high drug loading on the surface, which
resulted in a sustained drug release profile over a period of time. Additionally,
the drug-loaded graphene nanoplatform proved to be non-toxic at higher
concentrations to K-562 cells and could be effectively taken up into cells due to
the targeting moiety. In vitro ROS detection assays proved that the HDC loaded
graphene nanoplatform could effectively inhibit ROS and thus prevent the
immunosuppression caused by leukemic cells.
PMID- 28994339
TI - Intranasal drug delivery devices and interventions associated with post-operative
endoscopic sinus surgery.
AB - This review article highlights the importance and advantages of the drug delivery
systems applied via the nasal route after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for
patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). After ESS, patients often
require ongoing topical and systemic medication. To reduce the incidence of
immediate and delayed post-surgical complications, a variety of temporary post
operative nasal interventions are currently used. However, newly developed
intranasal drug delivery devices can enhance tissue recovery after ESS by
releasing therapeutic drugs locally, while providing structural support to reduce
tissue adhesion and scaring. Intranasal drug delivery devices are promising next
generation post-surgery devices, offering advantages for enhancing tissue
recovery through release of loaded therapeutic drugs locally in a controlled
manner over the required time-frame during post-operative healing. The mechanisms
and effectiveness of these drug delivery systems initiate a new era in providing
topical controlled drug delivery to the sinus tissue and can be a guide for the
future development of specific effective therapies of preparations with other
drugs that otherwise should be administered parenterally. Hence, further research
is required to validate their efficacy.
PMID- 28994340
TI - 3D plasmonic nanoarchitecture as an emerging biosensing platform.
PMID- 28994341
TI - "A sweet smile": the modulatory role of emotion in how extrinsic factors
influence taste evaluation.
AB - It has recently been demonstrated that the reported tastes/flavours of
food/beverages can be modulated by means of external visual and auditory stimuli
such as typeface, shapes, and music. The present study was designed to assess the
role of the emotional valence of the product-extrinsic stimuli in such crossmodal
modulations of taste. Participants evaluated samples of mixed fruit juice whilst
simultaneously being presented with auditory or visual stimuli having either
positive or negative valence. The soundtracks had either been harmonised with
consonant (positive valence) or dissonant (negative valence) musical intervals.
The visual stimuli consisted of images of emotional faces from the International
Affective Picture System (IAPS) with valence ratings matched to the soundtracks.
Each juice sample was rated on two computer-based scales: One anchored with the
words sour and sweet, while the other scale required hedonic ratings. Those
participants who tasted the juice sample while presented with the positively
valenced stimuli rated the juice as tasting sweeter compared to negatively
valenced stimuli, regardless of whether the stimuli were visual or auditory.
These results suggest that the emotional valence of food-extrinsic stimuli can
play a role in shaping food flavour evaluation and liking.
PMID- 28994342
TI - Malignant Ectomesenchymoma: Series Analysis of a Histologically and Genetically
Heterogeneous Tumor.
AB - AIMS: Malignant ectomesenchymoma is a rare pediatric neoplasm with dual
mesenchymal and neuroectodermal elements. Mesenchymal component is usually
rhabdomyosarcoma, particularly embryonal subtype, whereas neuroectodermal
derivatives are frequently a neuroblastic tumor. Ectomesenchymoma manifests in
various sites given the wide migration of neural crest cells during development,
though the pelvis/perineum is most often involved. Moreover, no unique unifying
molecular abnormality has been determined. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective
study to analyze the spectrum of ectomesenchymal tumors encountered in our
pediatric population. Six patients were identified and data pertaining to
patients' demographic, tumor size and site, histologic components with
immunophenotypic profile, molecular alterations, treatment, and outcome were
collected. RESULTS: Mesenchymal elements, represented by rhabdomyosarcoma in all
instances, were the dominant component in the majority of cases (5/6). Embryonal
and alveolar morphology had similar distribution (3/6) and all patients with
alveolar subtype harbored the characteristic translocations of this entity. The
neuroectodermal component was most often a neuroblastic-like neoplasm (4/6);
however, 2/6 cases demonstrated primitive neuroectodermal tumor-like morphology.
No unifying alterations were found on molecular studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our
analysis extends the histologic and molecular spectrum of these tumors and
highlights their heterogeneity. The percentage of cases with alveolar
rhabdomyosarcoma or primitive neuroectodermal-like tumor components suggests that
these types of elements might be underreported. This study is also the first to
demonstrate FOXO1 gene rearrangements in malignant ectomesenchymoma with alveolar
rhabdomyosarcoma subtype.
PMID- 28994343
TI - Radiotherapy plus rituximab as first-line regimen for localized follicular
lymphoma.
AB - Early-stage follicular lymphoma (FL) can be cured with involved-field
radiotherapy (IF-RT); however, many patients relapse in non-irradiated areas. A
combined association with chemotherapy could increase treatment efficacy, but
toxic effects could be unacceptable. In vitro synergistic effect between
rituximab (R) and RT has been observed, but clinical data are limited. We
retrospectively analyzed 41 early-stage FL patients receiving R and IF-RT as
first-line treatment. We administered R 375mg/m2 weekly for four courses, before
or after IF-RT (median dose 24 Gy). Primary outcome was PFS, secondary endpoints
were CR rate, OS and safety. All patients achieved CR, after a median follow-up
of 46 months only three patients relapsed after 18, 26 and 42 months; estimated 5
year PFS was 90%. We suggest R in association with IF-RT could represent a
feasible first-line treatment option for early-stage FL and could increase
efficacy without additional toxicity compared to available data about RT alone.
PMID- 28994344
TI - Phase-I randomized trial of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection versus
Caelyx(r) in multiple myeloma.
PMID- 28994345
TI - Modelling period fertility: Schooling and intervals following a birth in Eastern
Africa.
AB - We describe a regression-based approach to the modelling of age-, order-, and
duration-specific period fertility, using retrospective survey data. The approach
produces results that are free of selection biases and can be used to study
differential fertility. It is applied to Demographic and Health Survey data for
Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe to investigate differential trends in
fertility by education. Parity progression fell and the intervals following each
birth lengthened between the 1970s and 2000s in all four countries. Fertility
fell most among women with secondary education. In contrast to other world
regions, postponement of successive births for extended periods accounted for
much of the initial drop in fertility in these African countries. However, family
size limitation by women with secondary education in Ethiopia and Kenya and
longer birth spacing in Zimbabwe also played significant roles. Thus, birth
control is being adopted in Eastern Africa in response to diverse changes in
fertility preferences.
PMID- 28994346
TI - The factor structure of the Dispositional Hope Scale in hemiplegic stroke
patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hope is an important coping strategy and psychological resource for
patients with a chronic illness. Stroke patients are exposed to stressful
situations such as limited daily life activities, cognitive impairments and
financial burdens. AIM: This study investigated the factor structure of the
Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS) and verified its validity when examining stroke
patients. METHODS: This methodological study used secondary, cross-sectional data
analysis to investigate the factors related to participation restriction in
chronic stroke patients. The DHS's reliability was assessed by calculating the
internal consistency of Cronbach's alpha. The structure of the DHS was analyzed
by confirmatory factor analysis. The one-factor model (Korean version), two
factor model (original version) and bifactor models were compared. RESULTS: The
fit indices provided evidence for the two-factor DHS model among hemiplegic
stroke patients. Although the two-factor model was identified as superior by the
Akaike information criterion value, both models had strong goodness-of-fit
indices. The DHS had an adequate level of internal consistency in measuring hope
in stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: The DHS is a valid, reliable and useful tool for
examining hemiplegic stroke patients. Identifying the psychometric properties of
the DHS can help health professionals implement program development for stroke
patients.
PMID- 28994347
TI - Children's educational attainment, occupation, and income and their parents'
mortality.
AB - Using data from Finland, this paper contributes to a small but growing body of
research regarding adult children's education, occupation, and income and their
parents' mortality at ages 50+ in 1970-2007. Higher levels of children's
education are associated with 30-36 per cent lower parental mortality at ages 50
75, controlling for parents' education, occupation, and income. This association
is fully mediated by children's occupation and income, except for cancer
mortality. Having at least one child educated in healthcare is associated with 11
16 per cent lower all-cause mortality at ages 50-75, an association that is
largely driven by mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Children's higher white
collar occupation and higher income is associated with 39-46 per cent lower
mortality in the fully adjusted models. At ages 75+, these associations are much
smaller overall and children's schooling remains more strongly associated with
mortality than children's occupation or income.
PMID- 28994349
TI - The therapeutic potential of a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet for the
management of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.
AB - Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a maternally inherited, bilateral,
sequential optic neuropathy that usually affects young males. LHON arises from a
defect in complex I of the oxidative phosphorylation chain that generates
increased reactive oxygen species and causes a decline in cellular ATP
production. There exists no cure at present for LHON. Asymptomatic LHON mutation
carriers show signs of increased mitochondrial biogenesis that may compensate for
the compromise in complex I activity. Partial recovery in LHON is associated with
a wider optic disc diameter and a younger age at disease onset, which may allow
for greater mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity. Rescuing a mitochondrial
bioenergetic deficit soon after disease onset may improve the chances of recovery
and reduce visual loss in the second eye. We here propose that a calorie
restricted ketogenic diet has the potential to enhance mitochondrial bioenergetic
capacity and should be explored as a potential therapeutic option for treating
LHON.
PMID- 28994348
TI - From pathogenesis to novel therapies in the treatment of primary biliary
cholangitis.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an immune-mediated liver
disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the intrahepatic bile ducts,
causing progressive ductopenia, cholestasis and fibrosis, and leading to liver
failure. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the first-line therapy for the treatment
of PBC patients. This is effective in majority of patients; however, up to 20
percent of patients have an incomplete response to UDCA therapy and have a
reduced prognosis as compared to healthy individuals. Obeticholic acid (OCA) has
been recently registered as second-line therapy for patients with incomplete
response to UDCA, with plans to demonstrate the long-term clinical efficacy.
Areas covered: Recent evolution in our understanding of disease mechanisms is
leading to the advent of new and re-purposed therapeutic agents targeting key
processes in the etiopathogenesis. Several therapeutic targets have been proposed
which can be categorized into three compartments: immune, biliary and fibrosis.
In this review we describe the main biological mechanisms underpinning disease
development and progression in PBC and the new targeted therapies on the horizon.
Expert commentary: Testing new drugs towards hard clinical endpoints is
challenging in PBC due to its low prevalence and the slow progression of the
disease. Novel promising biomarkers are under study and should be evaluated as
surrogate endpoints in clinical trials.
PMID- 28994350
TI - The validity of the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF Symptom Validity Scale (FBS/FBS-r) is
established: reply to Nichols (2017).
AB - We reply to Nichols' (2017) critique of our commentary on the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF
Symptom Validity Scale (FBS/FBS-r) as a measure of symptom exaggeration versus a
measure of litigation response syndrome (LRS). Nichols claims that we
misrepresented the thrust of the original paper he co-authored with Gass; namely,
that they did not represent that the FBS/FBS-r were measures of LRS but rather,
intended to convey that the FBS/RBS-r were indeterminate as to whether the scales
measured LRS or measured symptom exaggeration. Our original commentary offered
statistical support from published literature that (1) FBS/FBS-r were associated
with performance validity test (PVT) failure, establishing the scales as measures
of symptom exaggeration, and (2) persons in litigation who passed PVTs did not
produce clinically significant elevations on the scales, contradicting that
FBS/FBS-r were measures of LRS. In the present commentary, we draw a distinction
between the psychometric data we present supporting the validity of FBS/FBS-r,
and the conceptual, non-statistical arguments presented by Nichols, who does not
refute our original empirically based conclusions.
PMID- 28994352
TI - The impact of a multi-level maternal health programme on facility delivery and
capacity for emergency obstetric care in Zambia.
AB - In 2012, Saving Mothers, Giving Life (SMGL), a multi-level health systems
initiative, launched in Kalomo District, Zambia, to address persistent challenges
in reducing maternal mortality. We assessed the impact of the programme from 2012
to 2013 using a quasi-experimental study with both household- and health facility
level data collected before and after implementation in both intervention and
comparison areas. A total of 21,680 women and 75 non-hospital health centres were
included in the study. Using the difference-in-differences method, multivariate
logistic regression, and run charts, rates of facility-based birth (FBB) and
delivery with a skilled birth provider were compared between intervention and
comparison sites. Facility capacity to provide emergency obstetric and newborn
care was also assessed before and during implementation in both study areas.
There was a 45% increase in the odds of FBB after the programme was implemented
in Kalomo relative to comparison districts, but there was a limited measurable
change in supply-side indicators of intrapartum maternity care. Most facility
level changes related to an increase in capacity for newborn care. As SMGL and
similar programmes are scaled-up and replicated, our results underscore the need
to ensure that the health services supply is in balance with improved demand to
achieve maximal reductions in maternal mortality.
PMID- 28994354
TI - Monitoring and assessment of ingestive chewing sounds for prediction of herbage
intake rate in grazing cattle.
AB - Accurate measurement of herbage intake rate is critical to advance knowledge of
the ecology of grazing ruminants. This experiment tested the integration of
behavioral and acoustic measurements of chewing and biting to estimate herbage
dry matter intake (DMI) in dairy cows offered micro-swards of contrasting plant
structure. Micro-swards constructed with plastic pots were offered to three
lactating Holstein cows (608+/-24.9 kg of BW) in individual grazing sessions
(n=48). Treatments were a factorial combination of two forage species (alfalfa
and fescue) and two plant heights (tall=25+/-3.8 cm and short=12+/-1.9 cm) and
were offered on a gradient of increasing herbage mass (10 to 30 pots) and number
of bites (~10 to 40 bites). During each grazing session, sounds of biting and
chewing were recorded with a wireless microphone placed on the cows' foreheads
and a digital video camera to allow synchronized audio and video recordings. Dry
matter intake rate was higher in tall alfalfa than in the other three treatments
(32+/-1.6 v. 19+/-1.2 g/min). A high proportion of jaw movements in every grazing
session (23 to 36%) were compound jaw movements (chew-bites) that appeared to be
a key component of chewing and biting efficiency and of the ability of cows to
regulate intake rate. Dry matter intake was accurately predicted based on easily
observable behavioral and acoustic variables. Chewing sound energy measured as
energy flux density (EFD) was linearly related to DMI, with 74% of EFD variation
explained by DMI. Total chewing EFD, number of chew-bites and plant height (tall
v. short) were the most important predictors of DMI. The best model explained 91%
of the variation in DMI with a coefficient of variation of 17%. Ingestive sounds
integrate valuable information to remotely monitor feeding behavior and predict
DMI in grazing cows.
PMID- 28994355
TI - Treating depression with physical activity in adolescents and young adults: a
systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
AB - We aimed to establish the treatment effect of physical activity for depression in
young people through meta-analysis. Four databases were searched to September
2016 for randomised controlled trials of physical activity interventions for
adolescents and young adults, 12-25 years, experiencing a diagnosis or threshold
symptoms of depression. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the
standardised mean difference (SMD) between physical activity and control
conditions. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression investigated potential
treatment effect modifiers. Acceptability was estimated using dropout. Trials
were assessed against risk of bias domains and overall quality of evidence was
assessed using GRADE criteria. Seventeen trials were eligible and 16 provided
data from 771 participants showing a large effect of physical activity on
depression symptoms compared to controls (SMD = -0.82, 95% CI = -1.02 to -0.61, p
< 0.05, I2 = 38%). The effect remained robust in trials with clinical samples (k
= 5, SMD = -0.72, 95% CI = -1.15 to -0.30), and in trials using
attention/activity placebo controls (k = 7, SMD = -0.82, 95% CI = -1.05 to
0.59). Dropout was 11% across physical activity arms and equivalent in controls
(k = 12, RD = -0.01, 95% CI = -0.04 to 0.03, p = 0.70). However, the quality of
RCT-level evidence contributing to the primary analysis was downgraded two levels
to LOW (trial-level risk of bias, suspected publication bias), suggesting
uncertainty in the size of effect and caution in its interpretation. While
physical activity appears to be a promising and acceptable intervention for
adolescents and young adults experiencing depression, robust clinical
effectiveness trials that minimise risk of bias are required to increase
confidence in the current finding. The specific intervention characteristics
required to improve depression remain unclear, however best candidates given
current evidence may include, but are not limited to, supervised, aerobic-based
activity of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, engaged in multiple times per week
over eight or more weeks. Further research is needed. (Registration: PROSPERO-CRD
42015024388).
PMID- 28994356
TI - Age modification of the relationship between C-reactive protein and fatigue:
findings from Understanding Society (UKHLS).
AB - BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation may play a role in the development of
idiopathic fatigue, that is, fatigue not explained by infections or diagnosed
chronic illness, but this relationship has never been investigated in community
studies including the entire adult age span. We examine the association of the
inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and fatigue assessed annually in a 3
year outcome period for UK adults aged 16-98. METHODS: Multilevel models were
used to track fatigue 7, 19, and 31 months after CRP measurement, in 10 606 UK
individuals. Models accounted for baseline fatigue, demographics, health
conditions diagnosed at baseline and during follow-up, adiposity, and
psychological distress. Sensitivity analyses considered factors including
smoking, sub-clinical disease (blood pressure, anaemia, glycated haemoglobin),
medications, ethnicity, and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Fatigue and CRP
increased with age, and women had higher values than men. CRP was associated with
future self-reported fatigue, but only for the oldest participants. Thus, in
those aged 61-98 years, high CRP (>3 mg/L) independently predicted greater
fatigue 7, 19, and 31 months after CRP measurement [odds ratio for new-onset
fatigue after 7 months: 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-2.92; 19 months:
2.25, CI 1.46-3.49; 31 months: 1.65, CI 1.07-2.54]. No significant longitudinal
associations were seen for younger participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
support previously described CRP-fatigue associations in older individuals.
However, there are clear age modifications in these associations, which may
reflect a contribution of unmeasured sub-clinical disease of limited relevance to
younger individuals. Further work is necessary to clarify intervening processes
linking CRP and fatigue in older individuals.
PMID- 28994357
TI - The cross-national epidemiology of specific phobia in the World Mental Health
Surveys - CORRIGENDUM.
PMID- 28994358
TI - A qualitative study conducted in the USA exploring Latino fathers' beliefs,
attitudes and practices related to their young children's eating, physical
activity and sedentary behaviours.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence documents fathers' influential role in their
children's eating, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB). We aimed
to expand limited existing research examining fathers' influence in these areas
by exploring Latino fathers' beliefs, attitudes and practices related to eating,
PA and SB of their young children. DESIGN: Seven focus group discussions were
conducted in Spanish with Latino fathers (n 28) of children aged 2-8 years. Audio
recordings were transcribed and translated verbatim without identifiers. Data
were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key concepts and themes using
NVivo 11 software. RESULTS: Fathers expressed positive beliefs and attitudes
about the importance of healthy eating for their young children, themselves and
their families. Nevertheless, the majority reported familial practices including
eating out, getting take-out, etc. that have been linked to increased obesity
risk among Latino children. Fathers were more involved and engaged in children's
PA than eating and feeding. However, several fathers reported engaging
predominantly in sedentary activities with their children, appeared permissive of
children's sedentary habits and struggled to set limits on children's screen
time. CONCLUSIONS: We provide new information on Latino fathers' beliefs and
child feeding and PA practices that may provide important targets for
interventions aimed at promoting healthful eating and PA behaviours of Latino
children. Future research should further quantify the influence of Latino
fathers' parenting styles and practices on development of children's eating, PA
and SB. This information is needed to identify risk factors amenable to
interventions and to design culturally appropriate parenting and family-based
interventions targeting Latino children's home environment and designed to meet
this ethnic group's specific needs.
PMID- 28994359
TI - Weight resilience and fruit and vegetable intake among African-American women in
an obesogenic environment.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationships between weight resilience (maintaining a
normal weight in a food desert environment) and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake,
attitudes and barriers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, in-person surveys collected May
December 2011, including self-reported data on F&V-related psychosocial factors,
attitudes and barriers. Two 24 h dietary recalls were completed; weight and
height were measured. Multivariable regression models estimated prevalence ratios
(95 % CI). SETTING: Two low-income, predominantly African-American food deserts
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. SUBJECTS: Women aged 18-49 years (n 279) who
were the primary food shopper in a household randomly selected for a parent
study. RESULTS: Fifteen per cent were weight resilient, 30 % were overweight and
55 % were obese. Overall, 25 % reported eating >=5 F&V servings/d. After
adjustment for age, education, parity, employment, living alone, physical
activity, per capita income and mean daily energy intake, women eating >=5 F&V
servings/d were 94 % more likely to be weight resilient compared with those
eating <5 servings/d (1.94; 1.10, 3.43). Across BMI groups, self-efficacy
regarding F&V consumption was high and few F&V barriers were reported. The most
frequently reported barrier was concern about the cost of F&V (36 %). Of the
attitudinal F&V-related factors, only concern about wasting food when serving F&V
was associated with weight resilience in adjusted models (0.29; 0.09, 0.94). In a
model predicting consuming >=5 F&V servings/d, driving one's own car to the store
was the only attitudinal F&V-related factor associated with consumption (1.50;
1.00, 2.24). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, weight resilience may be encouraged
by improving access to affordable and convenient F&V options and providing
education on ways to make them palatable to the entire household, rather than by
shifting women's F&V perceptions, which are already positive.
PMID- 28994360
TI - Effects of childhood trauma on left inferior frontal gyrus function during
response inhibition across psychotic disorders.
AB - BACKGROUND: Childhood trauma is a risk factor for psychosis. Deficits in response
inhibition are common to psychosis and trauma-exposed populations, and associated
brain functions may be affected by trauma exposure in psychotic disorders. We
aimed to identify the influence of trauma-exposure on brain activation and
functional connectivity during a response inhibition task. METHODS: We used
functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain function within regions-of
interest [left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), right dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex, right supplementary motor area, right inferior parietal lobule
and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex], during the performance of a Go/No-Go
Flanker task, in 112 clinical cases with psychotic disorders and 53 healthy
controls (HCs). Among the participants, 71 clinical cases and 21 HCs reported
significant levels of childhood trauma exposure, while 41 clinical cases and 32
HCs did not. RESULTS: In the absence of effects on response inhibition
performance, childhood trauma exposure was associated with increased activation
in the left IFG, and increased connectivity between the left IFG seed region and
the cerebellum and calcarine sulcus, in both cases and healthy individuals. There
was no main effect of psychosis, and no trauma-by-psychosis interaction for any
other region-of-interest. Within the clinical sample, the effects of trauma
exposure on the left IFG activation were mediated by symptom severity.
CONCLUSIONS: Trauma-related increases in activation of the left IFG were not
associated with performance differences, or dependent on clinical diagnostic
status; increased IFG functionality may represent a compensatory (overactivation)
mechanism required to exert adequate inhibitory control of the motor response.
PMID- 28994361
TI - Prediction of drug abuse recurrence: a Swedish National Study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Relapse from drug abuse (DA) is common, but has rarely been studied
in general population samples using a wide range of objective predictors. METHOD:
Using nationwide registries, we ascertained 44 523 subjects first registered for
DA between the ages of 15 and 40 in 1998 to 2004 and followed for 8 years. We
predicted relapse in subjects defined as a second DA registration. We also
predicted DA relapse in relative pairs concordant for DA but discordant for
relapse. RESULTS: In multivariate regression analyses, the strongest predictors
for relapse were prior criminal behavior, male sex, being on social welfare, low
school achievement, prior alcoholism, and a high-risk father. A risk index
trained from these analyses on random split-halves demonstrated a risk ratio of
1.11 [95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.10-1.11] per decile and an ROC value of
0.70 (0.69-0.71). Co-relative analyses indicated that a modest proportion of this
association was causal, with the remainder arising from familial confounders. A
developmental structural equation model revealed a complex interviewing of risk
pathways to DA with three key mediational hubs: low educational attainment, early
age at first registration, and being on social welfare. CONCLUSIONS: In a general
population sample, using objective registry information, DA relapse is
substantially predictable. However, the identified risk factors may not be valid
targets for interventions because many index familial risk and may not impact
causally on probability of relapse. Risk for DA relapse may reflect an inter
weaving, over developmental time, of genetic-temperamental vulnerability, indices
of externalizing behaviors and social factors reflecting deprivation.
PMID- 28994362
TI - Perceived Workplace Interpersonal Support Among Workers of the Fukushima Daiichi
Nuclear Power Plants Following the 2011 Accident: The Fukushima Nuclear Energy
Workers' Support (NEWS) Project Study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident was the worst nuclear
disaster since Chernobyl. The Daiichi workers faced multiple stressors (workplace
trauma, victim experiences, and public criticism deriving from their company's
post-disaster management). Literatures suggest the importance of workplace
interpersonal support (WIS) in enhancing psychological health among disaster
workers. We sought to elucidate the role of their demographics, disaster-related
experiences, and post-traumatic stress symptoms on perceived WIS. METHODS: We
analyzed self-report questionnaires of 885 workers 2-3 months post-disaster. We
used sociodemographic and disaster exposure-related variables and post-traumatic
stress symptoms (measured by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised) as independent
variables. We asked whether WIS from colleagues, supervisors, or subordinates was
perceived as helpful, and used yes or no responses as a dependent variable.
Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess correlates of WIS. RESULTS:
Of the participants, one-third (34.7%) reported WIS. WIS was associated with
younger age (20-28 years [vs 49-], adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.99
5.32), supervisory work status (aOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.35-3.92), and discrimination
or slur experience (aOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.08-2.53). CONCLUSIONS: Educational
programs focusing on WIS might be beneficial to promote psychological well-being
among nuclear disaster workers, especially younger workers, supervisors, and
workers with discrimination experiences. (Disaster Med Public Health
Preparedness. 2018;12:460-463).
PMID- 28994363
TI - Mass Casualty Triage in the Case of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Lessons Learned.
AB - ABSTRACTCarbon monoxide (CO) can cause mass intoxication, but no standard triage
algorithm specifically addresses CO poisoning. The roles of some recent
diagnostic tools in triage as well as treatment with hyperbaric oxygen are
controversial. We describe a mass casualty case of CO poisoning involving 77
patients, with a focus on the triage and treatment options decided on-site. The
reasons for choosing these options are reviewed, and the pitfalls that occurred
and the lessons learned from this major incident are described. We discuss the
potential to improve the management of such an event and strategies to accomplish
this, including simplifying triage and administering oxygen to all exposed
persons for 6 h. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 373-378).
PMID- 28994364
TI - Comparison of the therapeutic effects and side effects of tadalafil and
sildenafil after surgery in young infants with pulmonary arterial hypertension
due to systemic-to-pulmonary shunts.
AB - Young children with CHD and large systemic-to-pulmonary shunts eventually develop
pulmonary hypertension. At present, phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors such as
sildenafil have been used to control pulmonary pressure before and after cardiac
surgery. Recently, tadalafil has been utilised in older children with similar
efficacy, but it has been used to a lesser extent in young infants. From April,
2015 to June, 2016, 42 patients aged 3-24 months with a large septal defect and
pulmonary arterial hypertension were randomly divided into two equal groups: one
group received oral sildenafil (1-3 mg/kg/day every 8 hours), whereas the other
group received oral tadalafil (1 mg/kg once a day) from 7-10 days before surgery
to 3-4 weeks after surgery. During the first 48 hours after surgery, pulmonary
artery-to-aortic pressure ratio and recorded systolic pulmonary artery pressures
were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05); moreover, there
were no differences in paediatric ICU length of stay, mechanical ventilation
time, clinical findings of low cardiac output state, and echocardiographic data
between the two groups (p>0.05). Most of the patients had no side effects, and
only five patients had a minor with no significant difference in both groups
(p=0.371). Tadalafil can be considered as an effective oral therapy for
preoperative and postoperative pulmonary hypertension in young infants. It can be
administered at a once-daily dose with an appropriate efficacy and safety profile
as sildenafil, and therefore it can be considered as an alternative to sildenafil
in young children.
PMID- 28994365
TI - Cardiovascular pre-participation screening in young athletes: Recommendations of
the Association of European Paediatric Cardiology - CORRIGENDUM.
PMID- 28994366
TI - [Child abuse and neglect in France. Finally recognize its individual and societal
impact].
PMID- 28994367
TI - [Tau and cognitive disorders: a role for T lymphocytes].
PMID- 28994368
TI - [Origin of human dendritic cell diversity].
PMID- 28994370
TI - [Clostridium difficile: the beauty and the beast].
PMID- 28994369
TI - [Motivation and apathy in Parkinson's disease: implication of dopaminergic D3
receptors].
PMID- 28994371
TI - [The neuronal keepers of our dreams identified: are they a target of Parkinson
disease?]
PMID- 28994372
TI - [Clarifying the role of RIPK3 and necroptosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis].
PMID- 28994373
TI - [Neurotrophic factors for motor neurons: an a la carte menu].
PMID- 28994374
TI - [The actin cytoskeleton goes retroviral].
PMID- 28994375
TI - [How is transcription reinitiation governed in measles virus?]
PMID- 28994376
TI - [Spironolactone: a sleeping pill for HIV in T lymphocytes].
PMID- 28994377
TI - [The loss of SCRIB ignites the macrophages].
PMID- 28994378
TI - [Cancer immunotherapy via systemic RNA delivery to dendritic cells].
PMID- 28994379
TI - [Fibromodulin, an oxidative stress-sensitive proteoglycan, regulates the
fibrogenic response to liver injury in mice].
PMID- 28994380
TI - [Infiltrated B cells promote pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma].
PMID- 28994381
TI - [Microbiome-derived butyrate alleviates intestinal graft versus host reaction].
PMID- 28994382
TI - ?
PMID- 28994383
TI - [The complement system: a double edge sword in tumor progression].
AB - The complement system is a key component of the innate immunity, playing a role
in pathogen elimination and in host homeostasis. The complement system has been
considered for long time as an anti-tumoral element. However, recent studies
showed a pro-tumoral effect of complement and particularly of the anaphylatoxines
C3a and C5a in a large variety of tumor types. Complement proteins act on
different levels of tumor progression, affecting the tumor cells, the
angiogenesis and the immune microenvironment. The impact of the complement system
on tumor progression seems to be cancer type-dependent and this has to be taken
into account in the establishment of potential biomarkers and development of
therapeutic strategies.
PMID- 28994384
TI - [Follicular helper T cells and HIV - United for better and worse].
AB - Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) have been discovered in lymph nodes and, since
then, are the focus of very intensive research to understand their origin,
differentiation and functions. Tfh interact with B cells in the secondary
lymphoid organs leading to B cell differentiation and maturation. Tfh are
particularly studied in pathological contexts such as autoimmune diseases and
infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the context of HIV
infection, broadly neutralizing antibodies have been identified in a few
patients. The generation of these broadly neutralizing antibodies requires a long
and complex maturation of B cells in the secondary lymphoid organs.
Characterizing Tfh functions and the relation with the quality of antibodies in
HIV infection might help in designing novel immunotherapies and vaccination
strategies to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies.
PMID- 28994385
TI - [Physical rehabilitation, train the brain!]
AB - Since centuries, scientists, clinicians and philosophers have been debating about
the interactions between the body and the mind. Researches and advances in
neurophysiology over the last decades have challenged many principles and
theories, mainly based on empirical observations, generally well accepted in
clinical practice. These new findings, achieved through functional "magnetic
resonance imaging", awake brain surgery and allow new techniques and
opportunities in physical rehabilitation. More than ever the body and the brain
must be considered and treated as a functional entity, the distinction between
body and soul developed by Platon should no longer be applied. The development of
new technologies, in particular the virtual reality, lends itself perfectly to
this global approach. The aim of this article is to present how a purely
cognitive training can have beneficial effects on the body and the motor
performances in clinics.
PMID- 28994386
TI - [Integrating clinical research into epidemic response: the field perspective in
the Ebola experience].
AB - During the 2013-2016 west African Ebola outbreak that affected West Africa,
accelerated clinical trials, testing unproven but promising and potentially
lifesaving experimental interventions emerged as a key component of the global
outbreak. In 2017, no Ebola medical countermeasures had proven antiviral efficacy
in patients. However, in September 2014, the World Health Organization
inventoried a list of potential drug candidates developed or repurposed with
demonstrated antiviral efficacy in vitro or in animal models. Numerous
therapeutics were considered or explored during the outbreak, including
nucleoside and nucleotide analogues, nucleic acid-based drugs and
immunotherapeutics. Drugs in clinical trials were tested within the framework of
optimized supportive care with fluids and electrolytes and management of severe
compromise of multiple organs resulting from viral cytopathology and immune
mediated cell damage. Assessment of those therapeutics with encouraging
preliminary efficacy or safety profile, like the repurposed direct antiviral
agent favipiravir or the combination of antibodies ZMapp requires further
investigation to confirm their efficacy in humans, propose appropriate doses and
evaluate the possibility of treatment combinations. During the lull before the
next epidemic, major challenges for managing future Ebola epidemics include
scientific, clinical and public health preparedness with establishment of
innovative patient care and clinical research support in remote poor areas where
Ebola and other deadly infectious diseases typically reemerge.
PMID- 28994387
TI - [The identity of normal and cancer stem cells].
AB - What is a stem cell? Is stemness an intrinsic or extrinsic property? What role
does the microenvironment play in the stemness identity? We distinguish four
identities for normal and cancerous stem cells and explore their consequences for
therapeutic strategy choice in the oncology setting. Acquisition of genetic and
epigenetic alterations during cell transformation and disease progression
questions the stability of the stemness property's identity in cancers.
PMID- 28994388
TI - [Cancer: three eras of personalized medicine].
AB - Since the completion of the first human DNA sequence, genomic approaches have
penetrated into cancer research and therapy: first through expression profiling
for diagnostic, prognostic and predictive purposes, then by sequencing of tumour
DNA in order to define and apply targeted therapies. These overlapping changes
occurred quite rapidly and are now overshadowed by immuno-oncology approaches
that show much promise. There is however still much left to understand to make
this more widely applicable, and the extreme cost of these therapies is a serious
concern.
PMID- 28994389
TI - Molecular architecture underlying fluid absorption by the developing inner ear.
AB - Mutations of SLC26A4 are a common cause of hearing loss associated with
enlargement of the endolymphatic sac (EES). Slc26a4 expression in the developing
mouse endolymphatic sac is required for acquisition of normal inner ear structure
and function. Here, we show that the mouse endolymphatic sac absorbs fluid in an
SLC26A4-dependent fashion. Fluid absorption was sensitive to ouabain and
gadolinium but insensitive to benzamil, bafilomycin and S3226. Single-cell RNA
seq analysis of pre- and postnatal endolymphatic sacs demonstrates two types of
differentiated cells. Early ribosome-rich cells (RRCs) have a transcriptomic
signature suggesting expression and secretion of extracellular proteins, while
mature RRCs express genes implicated in innate immunity. The transcriptomic
signature of mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs) indicates that they mediate vectorial
ion transport. We propose a molecular mechanism for resorption of NaCl by MRCs
during development, and conclude that disruption of this mechanism is the root
cause of hearing loss associated with EES.
PMID- 28994390
TI - Clearance of beta-amyloid is facilitated by apolipoprotein E and circulating high
density lipoproteins in bioengineered human vessels.
AB - Amyloid plaques, consisting of deposited beta-amyloid (Abeta), are a
neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Cerebral vessels play a
major role in AD, as Abeta is cleared from the brain by pathways involving the
cerebrovasculature, most AD patients have cerebrovascular amyloid (cerebral
amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and cardiovascular risk factors increase dementia risk.
Here we present a notable advance in vascular tissue engineering by generating
the first functional 3-dimensioinal model of CAA in bioengineered human vessels.
We show that lipoproteins including brain (apoE) and circulating (high-density
lipoprotein, HDL) synergize to facilitate Abeta transport across bioengineered
human cerebral vessels. These lipoproteins facilitate Abeta42 transport more
efficiently than Abeta40, consistent with Abeta40 being the primary species that
accumulates in CAA. Moreover, apoE4 is less effective than apoE2 in promoting
Abeta transport, also consistent with the well-established role of apoE4 in Abeta
deposition in AD.
PMID- 28994392
TI - Building a better blood-brain barrier.
AB - A new three-dimensional model of the blood-brain barrier can be used to study
processes that are involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
PMID- 28994393
TI - Quantitative measurement of HCV core antigen for management of interferon-free
therapy in HCV-infected patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: According to current recommendations diagnosis and management of HCV
infection need detection and quantification of nucleic acids. In the era of
direct-acting antivirals (DAA) it is essential to develop an inexpensive and
simple method replacing polymerase chain reaction. Since there is no available
data on HCV core antigen (HCVcAg) versus HCV RNA kinetics in the early phase of
treatment with DAA, we carried out this study to evaluate the possible
application of HCVcAg quantitative measurement for management of HCV infection.
METHODS: 33 patients with HCV infection were enrolled and treated with either
ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir +/- ribavirin (OBV/PRV/r+/-DSV+/
RBV) or ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF). Samples for quantitative HCV RNA and
HCVcAg measurement were collected at the baseline, after 1, 7, 28 days and at the
end of treatment, and then after 12 and 24 weeks of post-treatment follow-up.
RESULTS: There was positive correlation between HCVcAg and HCV RNA levels at the
baseline and after 1 day of treatment. Mean HCVcAg concentration declined faster
than HCV RNA levels during the treatment phase. At week 4 HCV RNA was
undetectable in 24, whereas HCVcAg in 28 patients. At the end of treatment and
after 12 weeks of follow-up all patients were undetectable for both HCV RNA and
HCVcAg. CONCLUSIONS: HCVcAg concentration and its early on-treatment testing can
predict virological response. Simple testing procedures and significantly lower
cost compared to HCV RNA testing support possible replacement of the viral load
measurement in management of the majority of HCV-infected patients.
PMID- 28994391
TI - A viral protein promotes host SAMS1 activity and ethylene production for the
benefit of virus infection.
AB - Ethylene plays critical roles in plant development and biotic stress response,
but the mechanism of ethylene in host antiviral response remains unclear. Here,
we report that Rice dwarf virus (RDV) triggers ethylene production by stimulating
the activity of S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase (SAMS), a key component of the
ethylene synthesis pathway, resulting in elevated susceptibility to RDV. RDV
encoded Pns11 protein specifically interacted with OsSAMS1 to enhance its
enzymatic activity, leading to higher ethylene levels in both RDV-infected and
Pns11-overexpressing rice. Consistent with a counter-defense role for ethylene,
Pns11-overexpressing rice, as well as those overexpressing OsSAMS1, were
substantially more susceptible to RDV infection, and a similar effect was
observed in rice plants treated with an ethylene precursor. Conversely, OsSAMS1
knockout mutants, as well as an osein2 mutant defective in ethylene signaling,
resisted RDV infection more robustly. Our findings uncover a novel mechanism
which RDV manipulates ethylene biosynthesis in the host plants to achieve
efficient infection.
PMID- 28994394
TI - Controlling the crack formation in inkjet-printed silver nanoparticle thin-films
for high resolution patterning using intense pulsed light treatment.
AB - During the last years, intense pulsed light (IPL) processing has been employed
and studied intensively for the drying and sintering of metal nanoparticle layers
deposited by means of printing methods on flexible polymer substrates. IPL was
found to be a very fast and substrate-gentle approach qualified for the field of
flexible and large-area printed electronics, i.e. manufactured via roll-to-roll
processing. In this contribution, IPL is used for the fine-patterning of printed
silver nanoparticle layers. The patterning is obtained by induced and controlled
crack formation in the thin silver layer due to the intense exposure of IPL. The
crack formation is controlled by selection of the substrate material, the fine
tuning of the morphology of the silver layer and an application of a dielectric
layer on top of the silver layer that acts as a stress concentrator. Careful
optimization of the IPL parameters allowed to adjust the lateral width of the
crack. This novel approach turned out to be a fast and reproducible high
resolution patterning process for multiple applications, e.g. to pattern the
source-drain electrodes for all-inkjet-printed thin-film transistors.
PMID- 28994395
TI - In situ biasing and off-axis electron holography of a ZnO nanowire.
AB - Quantitative characterization of electrically active dopants and surface charges
in nano-objects is challenging, since most characterization techniques using
electrons [1-3], ions [4] or field ionization effects [5-7] study the chemical
presence of dopants, which are not necessarily electrically active. We perform
cathodoluminescence and voltage contrast experiments on a contacted and biased
ZnO nanowire with a Schottky contact and measure the depletion length as a
function of reverse bias. We compare these results with state-of-the-art off-axis
electron holography in combination with electrical in situ biasing on the same
nanowire. The extension of the depletion length under bias observed in scanning
electron microscopy based techniques is unusual as it follows a linear rather
than square root dependence, and is therefore difficult to model by bulk
equations or finite element simulations. In contrast, the analysis of the axial
depletion length observed by holography may be compared with three-dimensional
simulations, which allows estimating an n-doping level of 1 * 1018 cm-3 and
negative sidewall surface charge of 2.5 * 1012 cm-2 of the nanowire, resulting in
a radial surface depletion to a depth of 36 nm. We found excellent agreement
between the simulated diameter of the undepleted core and the active thickness
observed in the experimental data. By combining TEM holography experiments and
finite element simulation of the NW electrostatics, the bulk-like character of
the nanowire core is revealed.
PMID- 28994396
TI - Analysis of noise generation and electric conduction at grain boundaries in CVD
grown MoS2 field effect transistors.
AB - Grain boundaries in a chemical vapour deposition (CVD)-grown monolayer of MoS2
induce significant effects on the electrical and low frequency noise
characteristics of the MoS2. Here, we investigated the electrical properties and
noise characteristics of MoS2 field effect transistors (FETs) made with CVD-grown
monolayer MoS2. The electrical and noise characteristics of MoS2 FETs were
analysed and compared for the MoS2 channel layers with and without grain
boundaries. The grain boundary in the CVD-grown MoS2 FETs can be the dominant
noise source, and dependence of the extracted Hooge parameters on the gate
voltage indicated the domination of the correlated number-mobility fluctuation at
the grain boundaries. The percolative noise characteristics of the single grain
regions of MoS2 were concealed by the noise generated at the grain boundary. This
study can enhance understanding of the electrical transport hindrance and
significant noise generation by trapped charges at grain boundaries of the CVD
grown MoS2 devices.
PMID- 28994397
TI - Light scattering and random lasing in aqueous suspensions of hexagonal boron
nitride nanoflakes.
AB - Liquid phase exfoliation allows large scale production of 2D materials in
solution. The particles are highly anisotropic and strongly scatter light. While
spherical particles can be accurately and precisely described by a single
parameter-the radius, 2D nanoflakes, however, cannot be so easily described. We
investigate light scattering in aqueous solutions of 2D hexagonal boron nitride
nanoflakes in the single and multiple scattering regimes. In the single
scattering regime, the anisotropic 2D materials show a much stronger
depolarization of light when compared to spherical particles of similar size. In
the multiple scattering regime, the scattering as a function of optical path for
hexagonal boron nitride nanoflakes of a given lateral length was found to be
qualitatively equivalent to scattering from spheres with the same diameter. We
also report the presence of random lasing in high concentration suspensions of
aqueous h-BN mixed with Rhodamine B dye. The h-BN works as a scattering agent and
Rhodamine B as a gain medium for the process. We observed random lasing at 587 nm
with a threshold energy of 0.8 mJ.
PMID- 28994398
TI - Highly sensitive and flexible strain sensors based on patterned ITO nanoparticle
channels.
AB - We demonstrate a highly sensitive and flexible bending strain sensor using tin
doped indium oxide (ITO) nanoparticles (NPs) assembled in line patterns on
flexible substrates. By utilizing transparent ITO NPs without any surface
modifications, we could produce strain sensors with adjustable gauge factors and
optical transparency. We were able to control the dimensional and electrical
properties of the sensors, such as channel height and resistance, by controlling
the NP assembly speed. Furthermore, we were able to generate controlled gauge
factor with values ranging from 18 to 157, which are higher than previous cases
using metallic Cr NPs and Au NPs. The alignment of the ITO NPs in parallel lines
resulted in low crosstalk between the transverse and longitudinal bending
directions. Finally, our sensor showed high optical transmittance, up to ~93% at
500 nm wavelength, which is desirable for flexible electronic applications.
PMID- 28994399
TI - Contaminant deposition building shielding factors for US residential structures.
AB - This paper presents validated building shielding factors designed for
contemporary US housing-stock under an idealized, yet realistic, exposure
scenario from contaminant deposition on the roof and surrounding surfaces. The
building shielding factors are intended for use in emergency planning and level
three probabilistic risk assessments for a variety of postulated radiological
events in which a realistic assessment is necessary to better understand the
potential risks for accident mitigation and emergency response planning. Factors
are calculated from detailed computational housing-units models using the general
purpose Monte Carlo N-Particle computational code, MCNP5, and are benchmarked
from a series of narrow- and broad-beam measurements analyzing the shielding
effectiveness of ten common general-purpose construction materials and ten
shielding models representing the primary weather barriers (walls and roofs) of
likely US housing-stock. Each model was designed to scale based on common
residential construction practices and include, to the extent practical, all
structurally significant components important for shielding against ionizing
radiation. Calculations were performed for floor-specific locations from
contaminant deposition on the roof and surrounding ground as well as for
computing a weighted-average representative building shielding factor for single-
and multi-story detached homes, both with and without basement as well for single
wide manufactured housing-unit.
PMID- 28994400
TI - Quasielastic and low-energy inelastic neutron scattering study of
HoCrO3 by high resolution time-of-flight neutron spectroscopy.
AB - n order to understand the origin of the huge quasielastic magnetic
scattering
observed previously with a back-scattering neutron spectrometer
we
have re-investigated the low energy excitations in HoCrO$_3$ by
inelastic neutron scattering in a much wider energy range with
time-of
flight neutron spectrometers. The inelastic signals are due to
the
excitations between the ground state doublet of the Ho ion. The quasielastic
signal is due to the fluctuation of the disordered Ho moments. At low temperature
the intensity of quasielastic scattering is small. It starts increasing as the
temperature increases above 30 K. At the same temperature the elastic intensity
due to Ho moment ordering decreases in a similar way. This observation
strengthens the hypothesis that the quasielastic scattering is due the
fluctuations of the disordered Ho moments. The time scale of fluctuations has
been determine from the quasielastic scattering and was found to vary from about
22 ps at T = 70 K to about 2.5 ps at T = 160 K. The stretched exponential line
shape indicates a distribution of decay rates at low temperatures.
PMID- 28994401
TI - Crystal structure of type II NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from Caldalkalibacillus
thermarum with an improved resolution of 2.15 A.
AB - Type II NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-2) is a respiratory enzyme found in the
electron-transport chain of many species, with the exception of mammals. It is a
40-70 kDa single-subunit monotopic membrane protein that catalyses the oxidation
of NADH and the reduction of quinone molecules via the cofactor FAD. NDH-2 is a
promising new target for drug development given its essential role in many
bacterial species and intracellular parasites. Only two bacterial NDH-2
structures have been reported and these structures are at moderate resolution
(2.3-2.5 A). In this communication, a new crystallization platform is reported
that produced high-quality NDH-2 crystals that diffracted to high resolution
(2.15 A). The high-resolution NDH-2 structure was used for in silico quinone
substrate-docking studies to investigate the binding poses of menadione and
ubiquinone molecules. These studies revealed that a very limited number of
molecular interactions occur at the quinone-binding site of NDH-2. Given that the
conformation of the active site is well defined, this high-resolution structure
is potentially suitable for in silico inhibitor-compound screening and ligand
docking applications.
PMID- 28994402
TI - Crystal structure of the starch-binding domain of glucoamylase from Aspergillus
niger.
AB - Glucoamylases are widely used commercially to produce glucose syrup from starch.
The starch-binding domain (SBD) of glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger is a small
globular protein containing a disulfide bond. The structure of A. niger SBD has
been determined by NMR, but the conformation surrounding the disulfide bond was
unclear. Therefore, X-ray crystal structural analysis was used to attempt to
clarify the conformation of this region. The SBD was purified from an Escherichia
coli-based expression system and crystallized at 293 K. The initial phase was
determined by the molecular-replacement method, and the asymmetric unit of the
crystal contained four protomers, two of which were related by a
noncrystallographic twofold axis. Finally, the structure was solved at 2.0 A
resolution. The SBD consisted of seven beta-strands and eight loops, and the
conformation surrounding the disulfide bond was determined from a clear electron
density map. Comparison of X-ray- and NMR-determined structures of the free SBD
showed no significant difference in the conformation of each beta-strand, but the
conformations of the loops containing the disulfide bond and the L5 loop were
different. In particular, the difference in the position of the Calpha atom of
Cys509 between the X-ray- and NMR-determined structures was 13.3 A. In addition,
the B factors of the amino-acid residues surrounding the disulfide bond are
higher than those of other residues. Therefore, the conformation surrounding the
disulfide bond is suggested to be highly flexible.
PMID- 28994403
TI - Large-scale crystallization and neutron crystallographic analysis of HSP70 in
complex with ADP.
AB - HSP70 belongs to the heat-shock protein family and binds to unfolded proteins,
driven by ATP hydrolysis, in order to prevent aggregation. Previous X-ray
crystallographic analyses of HSP70 have shown that HSP70 binds to ADP with
internal water molecules. In order to elucidate the role of the water molecules,
including their H/D atoms, a neutron diffraction study of the human HSP70 ATPase
domain was initiated. Deuterated large crystals of the HSP-ADP complex (1.2-1.8
mm3) were successfully grown by large-scale crystallization, and a neutron
diffraction experiment at BIODIFF resulted in diffraction to a maximum resolution
of 2.2 A. After data reduction, the overall completeness, Rmeas and average
I/sigma(I) were 90.4%, 11.7% and 8.1, respectively, indicating that the data set
was sufficient to visualize H and D atoms.
PMID- 28994404
TI - Identification, biochemical characterization and crystallization of the central
region of human ATG16L1.
AB - ATG16L1 plays a major role in autophagy. It acts as a molecular scaffold which
mediates protein-protein interactions essential for autophagosome formation. The
ATG12~ATG5-ATG16L1 complex is one of the key complexes involved in autophagosome
formation. Human ATG16L1 comprises 607 amino acids with three functional domains
named ATG5BD, CCD and WD40, where the C-terminal WD40 domain represents
approximately 50% of the full-length protein. Previously, structures of the C
terminal WD40 domain of human ATG16L1 as well as of human ATG12~ATG5 in complex
with the ATG5BD of ATG16L1 have been reported. However, apart from the ATG5BD, no
structural information for the N-terminal half, including the CCD, of human
ATG16L1 is available. In this study, the authors aimed to structurally
characterize the N-terminal half of ATG16L1. ATG16L111-307 in complex with ATG5
has been purified and crystallized in two crystal forms. However, both crystal
structures revealed degradation of ATG16L1, resulting in crystals comprising only
full-length ATG5 and the ATG5BD of ATG16L1. The structures of ATG5-ATG5BD in two
novel crystal forms are presented, further supporting the previously observed
dimerization of ATG5-ATG16L1. The reported degradation points towards a high
instability at the linker region between the ATG5BD and the CCD in ATG16L1. Based
on this observation and further biochemical analysis of ATG16L1, a stable 236
amino-acid subfragment comprising residues 72-307 of the N-terminal half of
ATG16L1, covering the residual, so far structurally uncharacterized region of
human ATG16L1, was identified. Here, the identification, purification,
biochemical characterization and crystallization of the proteolytically stable
ATG16L172-307 subfragment are reported.
PMID- 28994405
TI - Crystallization and X-ray analysis of 23 nm virus-like particles from Norovirus
Chiba strain.
AB - Norovirus is a major causative pathogen of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis.
Despite the sequence similarity among various strains, noroviruses of different
genotypes show different antigenicities and different binding profiles to histo
blood group antigens (HBGAs). To reveal the relationships between the structure
of the capsid and the diversity in antigenicity and the HBGA-binding profile,
virus-like particles (VLPs) of the Chiba strain that belongs to genogroup I,
genotype 4 were crystallized for X-ray structural analysis. Diffraction data were
collected and processed at 3.2 A resolution. The crystal belonged to space group
I222, with unit-cell parameters a = 290.0, b = 310.4 c = 350.4 A. The possible
packing model indicated that the diameter of the particle was 280 A, which was
much smaller than the 38 nm VLPs of Norovirus Norwalk strain (NV) with T = 3
icosahedral symmetry and composed of 180 VP1 proteins. The structure was solved
by molecular replacement using the structure of the VP1 pentamer of NV 38 nm VLPs
as a search model, revealing that the VLPs were smaller particles: 23 nm VLPs
with T = 1 icosahedral symmetry, the structure of which has not yet been analyzed
at high resolution. The structure of 23 nm VLPs will enable the two different
VLPs of Norovirus to be compared, which will provide important information for
understanding the structural basis of capsid formation.
PMID- 28994406
TI - Crystallization via tubing microfluidics permits both in situ and ex situ X-ray
diffraction.
AB - A microfluidic platform was used to address the problems of obtaining diffraction
quality crystals and crystal handling during transfer to the X-ray
diffractometer. Crystallization conditions of a protein of pharmaceutical
interest were optimized and X-ray data were collected both in situ and ex situ.
PMID- 28994407
TI - Structure, activity and thermostability investigations of OXA-163, OXA-181 and
OXA-245 using biochemical analysis, crystal structures and differential scanning
calorimetry analysis.
AB - The first crystal structures of the class D beta-lactamases OXA-181 and OXA-245
were determined to 2.05 and 2.20 A resolution, respectively; in addition, the
structure of a new crystal form of OXA-163 was resolved to 2.07 A resolution. All
of these enzymes are OXA-48-like and have been isolated from different clinical
Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and also from other human pathogens such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Here, enzyme kinetics and
thermostability studies are presented, and the new crystal structures are used to
explain the observed variations. OXA-245 had the highest melting point (Tm = 55.8
degrees C), as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, compared with OXA
163 (Tm = 49.4 degrees C) and OXA-181 (Tm = 52.6 degrees C). The differences
could be explained by the loss of two salt bridges in OXA-163, and an overall
decrease in the polarity of the surface of OXA-181 compared with OXA-245.
PMID- 28994408
TI - Conformational dynamics of the essential sensor histidine kinase WalK.
AB - Two-component systems (TCSs) are key elements in bacterial signal transduction in
response to environmental stresses. TCSs generally consist of sensor histidine
kinases (SKs) and their cognate response regulators (RRs). Many SKs exhibit
autokinase, phosphoryltransferase and phosphatase activities, which regulate RR
activity through a phosphorylation and dephosphorylation cycle. However, how SKs
perform different enzymatic activities is poorly understood. Here, several
crystal structures of the minimal catalytic region of WalK, an essential SK from
Lactobacillus plantarum that shares 60% sequence identity with its homologue VicK
from Streptococcus mutans, are presented. WalK adopts an asymmetrical closed
structure in the presence of ATP or ADP, in which one of the CA domains is
positioned close to the DHp domain, thus leading both the beta- and gamma
phosphates of ATP/ADP to form hydrogen bonds to the E- but not the delta-nitrogen
of the phosphorylatable histidine in the DHp domain. In addition, the DHp domain
in the ATP/ADP-bound state has a 25.7 degrees asymmetrical helical bending
coordinated with the repositioning of the CA domain; these processes are mutually
exclusive and alternate in response to helicity changes that are possibly
regulated by upstream signals. In the absence of ATP or ADP, however, WalK adopts
a completely symmetric open structure with its DHp domain centred between two
outward-reaching CA domains. In summary, these structures of WalK reveal the
intrinsic dynamic properties of an SK structure as a molecular basis for
multifunctionality.
PMID- 28994409
TI - Introducing site-specific cysteines into nanobodies for mercury labelling allows
de novo phasing of their crystal structures.
AB - The generation of high-quality protein crystals and the loss of phase information
during an X-ray crystallography diffraction experiment represent the major
bottlenecks in the determination of novel protein structures. A generic method
for introducing Hg atoms into any crystal independent of the presence of free
cysteines in the target protein could considerably facilitate the process of
obtaining unbiased experimental phases. Nanobodies (single-domain antibodies)
have recently been shown to promote the crystallization and structure
determination of flexible proteins and complexes. To extend the usability of
nanobodies for crystallographic work, variants of the Nb36 nanobody with a single
free cysteine at one of four framework-residue positions were developed. These
cysteines could be labelled with fluorophores or Hg. For one cysteine variant
(Nb36-C85) two nanobody structures were experimentally phased using single
wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) and single isomorphous replacement with
anomalous signal (SIRAS), taking advantage of radiation-induced changes in Cys-Hg
bonding. Importantly, Hg labelling influenced neither the interaction of Nb36
with its antigen complement C5 nor its structure. The results suggest that Cys-Hg
labelled nanobodies may become efficient tools for obtaining de novo phase
information during the structure determination of nanobody-protein complexes.
PMID- 28994410
TI - Structure of the conserved Francisella virulence protein FvfA.
AB - Francisella tularensis is a potent human pathogen that invades and survives in
macrophage and epithelial cells. Two identical proteins, FTT_0924 from F.
tularensis subsp. tularensis and FTL_1286 from F. tularensis subsp. holarctica
LVS, have previously been identified as playing a role in protection of the
bacteria from osmotic shock and its survival in macrophages. FTT_0924 has been
shown to localize to the inner membrane, with its C-terminus exposed to the
periplasm. Here, crystal structures of the F. novicida homologue FTN_0802, which
we call FvfA, in two crystal forms are reported at 1.8 A resolution. FvfA differs
from FTT_0924 and FTL_1286 by a single amino acid. FvfA has a DUF1471 fold that
closely resembles the Escherichia coli outer membrane lipoprotein RscF, a
component of a phosphorelay pathway involved in protecting bacteria from outer
membrane perturbation. The structural and functional similarities and differences
between these proteins and their implications for F. tularensis pathogenesis are
discussed.
PMID- 28994411
TI - X-ray and EM structures of a natively glycosylated HIV-1 envelope trimer.
AB - The structural and biochemical characterization of broadly neutralizing anti-HIV
1 antibodies (bNAbs) has been essential in guiding the design of potential
vaccines to prevent infection by HIV-1. While these studies have revealed
critical mechanisms by which bNAbs recognize and/or accommodate N-glycans on the
trimeric envelope glycoprotein (Env), they have been limited to the visualization
of high-mannose glycan forms only, since heterogeneity introduced from the
presence of complex glycans makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution
structures. 3.5 and 3.9 A resolution crystal structures of the HIV-1 Env trimer
with fully processed and native glycosylation were solved, revealing a glycan
shield of high-mannose and complex-type N-glycans that were used to define the
complete epitopes of two bNAbs. Here, the refinement of the N-glycans in the
crystal structures is discussed and comparisons are made with glycan densities in
glycosylated Env structures derived by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy.
PMID- 28994412
TI - Towards a compact and precise sample holder for macromolecular crystallography.
AB - Most of the sample holders currently used in macromolecular crystallography offer
limited storage density and poor initial crystal-positioning precision upon
mounting on a goniometer. This has now become a limiting factor at high
throughput beamlines, where data collection can be performed in a matter of
seconds. Furthermore, this lack of precision limits the potential benefits
emerging from automated harvesting systems that could provide crystal-position
information which would further enhance alignment at beamlines. This situation
provided the motivation for the development of a compact and precise sample
holder with corresponding pucks, handling tools and robotic transfer protocols.
The development process included four main phases: design, prototype manufacture,
testing with a robotic sample changer and validation under real conditions on a
beamline. Two sample-holder designs are proposed: NewPin and miniSPINE. They
share the same robot gripper and allow the storage of 36 sample holders in uni
puck footprint-style pucks, which represents 252 samples in a dry-shipping dewar
commonly used in the field. The pucks are identified with human- and machine
readable codes, as well as with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags.
NewPin offers a crystal-repositioning precision of up to 10 um but requires a
specific goniometer socket. The storage density could reach 64 samples using a
special puck designed for fully robotic handling. miniSPINE is less precise but
uses a goniometer mount compatible with the current SPINE standard. miniSPINE is
proposed for the first implementation of the new standard, since it is easier to
integrate at beamlines. An upgraded version of the SPINE sample holder with a
corresponding puck named SPINEplus is also proposed in order to offer a
homogenous and interoperable system. The project involved several European
synchrotrons and industrial companies in the fields of consumables and sample
changer robotics. Manual handling of miniSPINE was tested at different institutes
using evaluation kits, and pilot beamlines are being equipped with compatible
robotics for large-scale evaluation. A companion paper describes a new sample
changer FlexED8 (Papp et al., 2017, Acta Cryst., D73, 841-851).
PMID- 28994413
TI - FlexED8: the first member of a fast and flexible sample-changer family for
macromolecular crystallography.
AB - Automated sample changers are now standard equipment for modern macromolecular
crystallography synchrotron beamlines. Nevertheless, most are only compatible
with a single type of sample holder and puck. Recent work aimed at reducing
sample-handling efforts and crystal-alignment times at beamlines has resulted in
a new generation of compact and precise sample holders for cryocrystallography:
miniSPINE and NewPin [see the companion paper by Papp et al. (2017, Acta Cryst.,
D73, 829-840)]. With full data collection now possible within seconds at most
advanced beamlines, and future fourth-generation synchrotron sources promising to
extract data in a few tens of milliseconds, the time taken to mount and centre a
sample is rate-limiting. In this context, a versatile and fast sample changer,
FlexED8, has been developed that is compatible with the highly successful SPINE
sample holder and with the miniSPINE and NewPin sample holders. Based on a six
axis industrial robot, FlexED8 is equipped with a tool changer and includes a
novel open sample-storage dewar with a built-in ice-filtering system. With seven
versatile puck slots, it can hold up to 112 SPINE sample holders in uni-pucks, or
252 miniSPINE or NewPin sample holders, with 36 samples per puck. Additionally, a
double gripper, compatible with the SPINE sample holders and uni-pucks, allows a
reduction in the sample-exchange time from 40 s, the typical time with a standard
single gripper, to less than 5 s. Computer vision-based sample-transfer
monitoring, sophisticated error handling and automatic error-recovery procedures
ensure high reliability. The FlexED8 sample changer has been successfully tested
under real conditions on a beamline.
PMID- 28994414
TI - Mismodeled purines: implicit alternates and hidden Hoogsteens.
AB - Hoogsteen base pairs are seen in DNA crystal structures, but only rarely. This
study tests whether Hoogsteens or other syn purines are either under-modeled or
over-modeled, which are known problems for rare conformations. Candidate purines
needing a syn/anti 180 degrees flip were identified by diagnostic patterns of
difference electron-density peaks. Manual inspection narrowed 105 flip candidates
to 20 convincing cases, all at <=2.7 A resolution. Rebuilding and refinement
confirmed that 14 of these were authentic purine flips. Seven examples are
modeled as Watson-Crick base pairs but should be Hoogsteens (commonest at duplex
termini), and three had the opposite issue. Syn/anti flips were also needed for
some single-stranded purines. Five of the 20 convincing cases arose from an
unmodeled alternate duplex running in the opposite direction. These are in semi
palindromic DNA sequences bound by a homodimeric protein and show flipped-purine
like difference peaks at residues where the palindrome is imperfect. This study
documents types of incorrect modeling which are worth avoiding. However, the
primary conclusions are that such mistakes are infrequent, the bias towards
fitting anti purines is very slight, and the occurrence rate of Hoogsteen base
pairs in DNA crystal structures remains unchanged from earlier estimates at
~0.3%.
PMID- 28994415
TI - SCI peer health coach influence on self-management with peers: a qualitative
analysis.
AB - STUDY DESIGN: A process evaluation of a clinical trial. OBJECTIVES: To describe
the roles fulfilled by peer health coaches (PHCs) with spinal cord injury (SCI)
during a randomized controlled trial research study called 'My Care My Call', a
novel telephone-based, peer-led self-management intervention for adults with
chronic SCI 1+ years after injury. SETTING: Connecticut and Greater Boston Area,
MA, USA. METHODS: Directed content analysis was used to qualitatively examine
information from 504 tele-coaching calls, conducted with 42 participants with
SCI, by two trained SCI PHCs. Self-management was the focus of each 6-month PHC
peer relationship. PHCs documented how and when they used the communication tools
(CTs) and information delivery strategies (IDSs) they developed for the
intervention. Interaction data were coded and analyzed to determine PHC roles in
relation to CT and IDS utilization and application. RESULTS: PHCs performed three
principal roles: Role Model, Supporter, and Advisor. Role Model interactions
included CTs and IDSs that allowed PHCs to share personal experiences of managing
and living with an SCI, including sharing their opinions and advice when
appropriate. As Supporters, PHCs used CTs and IDSs to build credible
relationships based on dependability and reassuring encouragement. PHCs fulfilled
the unique role of Advisor using CTs and IDSs to teach and strategize with peers
about SCI self-management. CONCLUSION: The SCI PHC performs a powerful, flexible
role in promoting SCI self-management among peers. Analysis of PHC roles can
inform the design of peer-led interventions and highlights the importance for the
provision of peer mentor training.
PMID- 28994416
TI - A high-quality genome assembly of quinoa provides insights into the molecular
basis of salt bladder-based salinity tolerance and the exceptional nutritional
value.
AB - Chenopodium quinoa is a halophytic pseudocereal crop that is being cultivated in
an ever-growing number of countries. Because quinoa is highly resistant to
multiple abiotic stresses and its seed has a better nutritional value than any
other major cereals, it is regarded as a future crop to ensure global food
security. We generated a high-quality genome draft using an inbred line of the
quinoa cultivar Real. The quinoa genome experienced one recent genome duplication
about 4.3 million years ago, likely reflecting the genome fusion of two
Chenopodium parents, in addition to the gamma paleohexaploidization reported for
most eudicots. The genome is highly repetitive (64.5% repeat content) and
contains 54 438 protein-coding genes and 192 microRNA genes, with more than 99.3%
having orthologous genes from glycophylic species. Stress tolerance in quinoa is
associated with the expansion of genes involved in ion and nutrient transport,
ABA homeostasis and signaling, and enhanced basal-level ABA responses. Epidermal
salt bladder cells exhibit similar characteristics as trichomes, with a
significantly higher expression of genes related to energy import and ABA
biosynthesis compared with the leaf lamina. The quinoa genome sequence provides
insights into its exceptional nutritional value and the evolution of halophytes,
enabling the identification of genes involved in salinity tolerance, and
providing the basis for molecular breeding in quinoa.
PMID- 28994417
TI - An essential role for PNLDC1 in piRNA 3' end trimming and male fertility in mice.
PMID- 28994419
TI - Targeted therapy: ARIEL3 - broad benefit of PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer.
PMID- 28994420
TI - Lung Cancer: Dacomitinib delays disease progression.
PMID- 28994418
TI - PTPN2: a tumor suppressor you want deleted?
PMID- 28994421
TI - Breast cancer: LAG3 expression indicates favourable outcomes.
PMID- 28994422
TI - Lung Cancer: SABR effective against oligometastatic disease.
PMID- 28994424
TI - Thyroid cancer: Cabozantinib effective in selected patients.
PMID- 28994425
TI - Targeting ligand-functionalized photothermal scaffolds for cancer cell capture
and in situ ablation.
AB - Scaffolds have been explored as a useful carrier to deliver efficient
photothermal conversion agents for localized photothermal therapy applications
because they can confine the agents in designated regions. However, cell capture
by porous structures cannot discriminate between cancer cells and normal cells.
In this study, folic acid (FA) as a typical targeting ligand for cancer cells was
introduced into the porous photothermal scaffolds. Poly-l-lysine was mixed with
gelatin to increase the amino side groups for FA incorporation. By changing the
poly-l-lysine amount, the number of free amino groups in the scaffolds could be
controlled. After the reaction with activated FA, composite scaffolds
incorporated with different amounts of FA were prepared. Cell culture results
showed that the FA-functionalized photothermal scaffolds could efficiently
capture folate-positive cervical cancer cells compared with gelatin scaffolds.
The capture efficiency increased with the increase in the amount of FA in the
scaffolds. Furthermore, cancer cells in the FA-functionalized photothermal
scaffolds can be efficiently killed during near-infrared laser irradiation. The
results indicated that the FA-functionalized photothermal scaffolds had good
cancer cell capture ability and excellent cancer cell ablation efficacy, which
may provide useful information for the design of multifunctional scaffolds with
cancer cell capture capacity and photothermal ablation ability.
PMID- 28994430
TI - RGD-QD-MoS2 nanosheets for targeted fluorescent imaging and photothermal therapy
of cancer.
AB - The fast-developing field of nanotechnology provides unprecedented opportunities
for the increasing demands of biomedicine, especially for cancer diagnostics and
treatment. Here, novel multifunctional zero-dimensional-two-dimensional (0D-2D)
RGD-QD-MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) with excellent fluorescence, photothermal
conversion, and cancer-targeting properties were successfully prepared by
functionalizing single-layer MoS2 NSs with fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) and
arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD) containing peptides. By using RGD-QD-MoS2 NSs as
a multifunctional theranostic agent, targeted fluorescent imaging and
photothermal therapy (PTT) of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells were
achieved. Moreover, HeLa tumors in mouse models can be fluorescently imaged and
completely eradicated by photothermal irradiation using a low power NIR laser,
due to the effective accumulation of RGD-QD-MoS2 NSs at the tumor sites through
the RGD-integrin targeting and the enhanced penetration and retention (EPR)
effect. Without exhibiting any appreciable toxicity to treated cells or animals,
RGD-QD-MoS2 NSs have been demonstrated as promising multifunctional theranostic
agents for cancer imaging and therapy.
PMID- 28994431
TI - Nanodiamonds as pH-switchable oxidation and reduction catalysts with enzyme-like
activities for immunoassay and antioxidant applications.
AB - Nanodiamonds (NDs) have recently become a focus of interest from the viewpoints
of both science and technology. Their intriguing properties make them suitable as
biologically active substrates, in biosensor applications as well as diagnostic
and therapeutic biomedical imaging probes. Here, we demonstrate that NDs, as
oxidation and reduction catalysts, possess intrinsic enzyme mimetic properties of
oxidase, peroxidase and catalase, and these behaviors can be switched by
modulating the pH value. NDs not only catalyze the reduction of oxygen (O2) and
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at acidic pH, but also catalyze the dismutation
decomposition of H2O2 to produce O2 at alkaline pH. It was proposed that the
molecular mechanism of their peroxidase-like activity is electron-transfer
acceleration, the source of which is likely derived from oxygen containing
functional groups on their surface. Based on the color reaction, a nanodiamond
based enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established for the detection
of immunoglobulin G (IgG). Surprisingly, NDs display an excellent antioxidant
activity due to the protective effect against H2O2-induced cellular oxidative
damage. These findings make NDs a promising enzyme mimetic candidate and expand
their applications in biocatalysis, bioassays and nano-biomedicine.
PMID- 28994423
TI - Cholangiocarcinoma - evolving concepts and therapeutic strategies.
AB - Cholangiocarcinoma is a disease entity comprising diverse epithelial tumours with
features of cholangiocyte differentiation: cholangiocarcinomas are categorized
according to anatomical location as intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), or
distal (dCCA). Each subtype has a distinct epidemiology, biology, prognosis, and
strategy for clinical management. The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma,
particularly iCCA, has increased globally over the past few decades. Surgical
resection remains the mainstay of potentially curative treatment for all three
disease subtypes, whereas liver transplantation after neoadjuvant chemoradiation
is restricted to a subset of patients with early stage pCCA. For patients with
advanced-stage or unresectable disease, locoregional and systemic
chemotherapeutics are the primary treatment options. Improvements in external
beam radiation therapy have facilitated the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.
Moreover, advances in comprehensive whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing have
defined the genetic landscape of each cholangiocarcinoma subtype. Accordingly,
promising molecular targets for precision medicine have been identified, and are
being evaluated in clinical trials, including those exploring immunotherapy.
Biomarker-driven trials, in which patients are stratified according to anatomical
cholangiocarcinoma subtype and genetic aberrations, will be essential in the
development of targeted therapies. Targeting the rich tumour stroma of
cholangiocarcinoma in conjunction with targeted therapies might also be useful.
Herein, we review the evolving developments in the epidemiology, pathogenesis,
and management of cholangiocarcinoma.
PMID- 28994432
TI - An intelligent NIR-responsive chelate copper-based anticancer nanoplatform for
synergistic tumor targeted chemo-phototherapy.
AB - The chelate copper-based anticancer drug bleomycin (BLM) is usually believed to
bind metal ions especially Cu(ii) to generate the "activated BLM" for DNA
cleavage. Herein, BLM and L-menthol (LM) co-loaded hollow mesoporous Cu2-xS
nanoparticles (HMCu2-xS NPs) with surface folic acid (FA) modification were
formulated to construct an intelligent NIR-responsive nanoplatform for
synergistic tumor targeted chemo-phototherapy. With the tumor targeting ability
of the folate receptor (FR)-positive, FA-HMCu2-xS/BLM/LM could pinpoint tumor
cells efficiently. Under NIR irradiation, the versatile HMCu2-xS would be bound
to exploit the merits of phototherapy (including PTT and PDT-like effects) for
cancer treatment. Meanwhile, benefiting from the controllable "solid-liquid" (S
L) phase transition feature of LM as a gatekeeper, FA-HMCu2-xS/BLM/LM offered a
platform for simultaneous NIR-mediated temperature-responsive BLM and copper ion
release, which further initiated the generation of the "activated BLM". As a
matter of course, the remarkable synergistic combination of Cu-dependent chemo
phototherapy in vitro and in vivo by such a smart all-in-one drug delivery
nanoplatform developed here provided information for advancing nanotherapy in
biomedical fields.
PMID- 28994433
TI - Wafer-scale reliable switching memory based on 2-dimensional layered organic
inorganic halide perovskite.
AB - Recently, organic-inorganic halide perovskite (OHP) has been suggested as an
alternative to oxides or chalcogenides in resistive switching memory devices due
to low operating voltage, high ON/OFF ratio, and flexibility. The most studied
OHP is 3-dimensional (3D) MAPbI3. However, MAPbI3 often exhibits less reliable
switching behavior probably due to the uncontrollable random formation of
conducting filaments. Here, we report the resistive switching property of 2
dimensional (2D) OHP and compare switching characteristics depending on
structural dimensionality. The dimensionality is controlled by changing the
composition of BA2MAn-1PbnI3n+1 (BA = butylammonium, MA = methylammonium), where
2D is formed from n = 1, and 3D is formed from n = infinity. Quasi 2D
compositions with n = 2 and 3 are also compared. Transition from a high
resistance state (HRS) to a low resistance state (LRS) occurs at 0.25 * 106 V m-1
for 2D BA2PbI4 film, which is lower than those for quasi 2D and 3D. Upon reducing
the dimensionality from 3D to 2D, the ON/OFF ratio significantly increases from
102 to 107, which is mainly due to the decreased HRS current. A higher Schottky
barrier and thermal activation energy are responsible for the low HRS current. We
demonstrate for the first time reliable resistive switching from 4 inch wafer
scale BA2PbI4 thin film working at both room temperature and a high temperature
of 87 degrees C, which strongly suggests that 2D OHP is a promising candidate
for resistive switching memory.
PMID- 28994434
TI - Addressing carrier extraction from optically-optimized nanopillar arrays for thin
film photovoltaics.
AB - Decorating the top surface of silicon solar cells with nanopillar arrays of
subwavelength periodicity is a promising path toward low-cost thin-film
photovoltaics with enhanced solar radiation absorption due to the inherent light
trapping capabilities of nanopillar arrays. Common practice and knowledge for the
efficient carrier extraction from the excited nanopillars is the formation of
ultra-shallow radial p-n junctions that provide both short carrier collection
lengths, and also ensure that the volume of the photo inactive emitter is as
small as possible. In the current manuscript, both finite-difference time-domain
simulations and three-dimensional device simulations are used to examine carrier
extraction from nanopillar arrays that are geometrically optimized in terms of
array periodicity and nanopillar diameter to provide maximum absorption of the
solar spectrum. The discussion is limited to nanopillars with heights of 2 MUm in
line with what is currently available with leading top-down fabrication
technologies for the formation of nanopillars with smooth sidewalls and radial
uniformity. The examination considers both radial and axial homojunctions for
various junction depths. It is shown that, contrary to common practice and
knowledge, the ultra-shallow junctions are detrimental to the photovoltaic
performance of such systems while the radial configuration with a junction depth
of ~50 nm is the most efficient. Furthermore, the open circuit voltage is highest
for axial junctions with a junction depth of 100 nm. Also, it is shown that the
axial junction is preferable in the low dopant concentration regime and that
overall, the axial junction is less sensitive to variations in junction depth.
PMID- 28994435
TI - Hierarchical cobalt-nitride and -oxide co-doped porous carbon nanostructures for
highly efficient and durable bifunctional oxygen reaction electrocatalysts.
AB - Here we report the preparation of hollow microspheres with a thin shell composed
of mixed cobalt nitride (Co-N) and cobalt oxide (Co-O) nanofragments encapsulated
in thin layers of nitrogen-doped carbon (N-C) nanostructure (Co-N/Co-O@N-C)
arrays with enhanced bifunctional oxygen electrochemical performance. The hybrid
structures are synthesized via heat treatment of N-doped hollow carbon
microspheres with cobalt nitrate, and both the specific ratio of these precursors
and the selected annealing temperature are found to be the key factors for the
formation of the unique hybrid structure. The as-obtained product (Co-N/Co-O@N-C)
presents a large specific surface area (493 m2 g-1), high-level heteroatom doping
(Co-N, Co-O, and N-C), and hierarchical porous nanoarchitecture containing
macroporous frameworks and mesoporous walls. Electronic interaction between the
thin N-C layers and the encapsulated Co-N and Co-O nanofragments efficiently
optimizes oxygen adsorption properties on the Co-N/Co-O@N-C and thereby triggers
bifunctional oxygen electrochemical activity at the surface. The Co-N/Co-O@N-C
nanohybrid exhibited a high onset potential of 0.93 V, and a limiting current
density of 5.6 mA cm-2 indicating 4-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR),
afforded high catalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and even
exceeded the catalytic stability of the commercial precious electrocatalysts;
furthermore, when integrated into the oxygen electrode of a regenerative fuel
cell device, it exhibited high-performance oxygen electrodes for both the ORR and
the OER.
PMID- 28994436
TI - Engineering a periplasmic binding protein for amino acid sensors with improved
binding properties.
AB - Periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) are members of a widely distributed protein
superfamily found in bacteria and archaea, and are involved in the cellular
uptake of solutes. In this report, a leucine-binding PBP was engineered to detect
l-Leu based on a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) change upon ligand
binding. A fluorescent unnatural amino acid, l-(7-hydroxycoumarin-4
yl)ethylglycine (CouA), was genetically incorporated into the protein as a FRET
donor, and a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) was fused with its N-terminus as a
FRET acceptor. When CouA was incorporated into position 178, the sensor protein
showed a 2.5-fold increase in the FRET ratio. Protein engineering significantly
improved its substrate specificity, showing minimal changes in the FRET ratio
with the other 19 natural amino acids and d-Leu. Further modification increased
the sensitivity of the sensor protein (14-fold) towards l-Leu, and it recognized
l-Met as well with moderate binding affinity. Selected mutant sensors were used
to measure concentrations of l-Leu in a biological sample (fetal bovine serum)
and to determine the optical purity of Leu and Met. This FRET-based sensor design
strategy allowed us to easily manipulate the natural receptor to improve its
binding affinity and specificity and to recognize other natural molecules, which
are not recognized by the wild-type receptor. The design strategy can be applied
to other natural receptors, enabling engineering receptors that sense
biochemically interesting molecules.
PMID- 28994437
TI - [(ZnSb6)2]4-: a new structure type for coupled norbornadiene-like subunits.
AB - The norbornadiene-like bimetallic dimer [(ZnSb6)2]4- anion (1) was prepared by
direct extraction from a ternary alloy with nominal composition "K6ZnSb5" in
ethylenediamine/toluene/2,2,2-crypt solutions. The structure represents a new
type for coupled norbornadiene subunits, however, distortions around the Zn2+
ions degrade the overall symmetry. The Zn2+ ions achieve a 16e- configuration and
reside in near perfect ZnSb3 triangular coordination environments. DFT
calculations reveal a 2.35 eV HOMO-LUMO gap and suggest covalent bonding between
the Zn and Sb atoms.
PMID- 28994438
TI - Biobased, self-healable, high strength rubber with tunicate cellulose
nanocrystals.
AB - Cellulose nanocrystals represent a promising and environmentally friendly
reinforcing nanofiller for polymers, especially for rubbers and elastomers. Here,
a simple approach via latex mixing is used to fabricate biobased, healable rubber
with high strength based on epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). Tunicate cellulose
nanocrystals (t-CNs) isolated from marine biomass with a high aspect ratio are
used to improve both mechanical properties and self-healing behavior of the
material. By introducing dynamic hydrogen bond supramolecular networks between
oxygenous groups of ENR and hydroxyl groups on the t-CN surface, together with
chain interdiffusion in permanently but slightly cross-linked rubber, self
healing and mechanical properties are facilitated significantly in the resulting
materials. Macroscopic tensile healing behavior and microscopic morphology
analyses are carried out to evaluate the performance of the materials. Both t-CN
content and healing time have significant influence on healing behavior. The
results indicate that a synergistic effect between molecular interdiffusion and
dynamic hydrogen bond supramolecular networks leads to the improved self-healing
behavior.
PMID- 28994439
TI - Enhanced surface acoustic wave cell sorting by 3D microfluidic-chip design.
AB - We demonstrate an acoustic wave driven microfluidic cell sorter that combines
advantages of multilayer device fabrication with planar surface acoustic wave
excitation. We harness the strong vertical component of the refracted acoustic
wave to enhance cell actuation by using an asymmetric flow field to increase cell
deflection. Precise control of the 3-dimensional flow is realized by
topographical structures implemented on the top of the microchannel. We
experimentally quantify the effect of the structure dimensions and acoustic
parameter. The design attains cell sorting rates and purities approaching those
of state of the art fluorescence-activated cell sorters with all the advantages
of microfluidic cell sorting.
PMID- 28994440
TI - Influence of a pH-sensitive polymer on the structure of monoolein cubosomes.
AB - Cubosomes consist in submicron size particles of lipid bicontinuous cubic phases
stabilized by surfactant polymers. They provide an appealing road towards the
practical use of lipid cubic phases for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications,
and efforts are currently being made to control the encapsulation and release
properties of these colloidal objects. We overcome in this work the lack of
sensitivity of monoolein cubosomes to pH conditions by using a pH sensitive
polymer designed to strongly interact with the lipid structure at low pH. Our
cryo-transmission electron microscope (cryo-TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering
(SAXS) results show that in the presence of the polymer the cubic phase structure
is preserved at neutral pH, albeit with a larger cell size. At pH 5.5, in the
presence of the polymer, the nanostructure of the cubosome particles is
significantly altered, providing a pathway to design pH-responsive cubosomes for
applications in drug delivery.
PMID- 28994441
TI - A novel explanation for the enhanced colloidal stability of silver nanoparticles
in the presence of an oppositely charged surfactant.
AB - The structural behavior in aqueous mixtures of negatively charged silver
nanoparticles (Ag NPs) together with the cationic surfactants
cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride
(DTAC), respectively, has been investigated using SANS and SAXS. From our SANS
data analysis we are able to conclude that the surfactants self-assemble into
micellar clusters surrounding the Ag NPs. We are able to quantify our results by
means of fitting experimental SANS data with a model based on cluster formation
of micelles with very good agreement. Based on our experimental results, we
propose a novel mechanism for the stabilization of negatively charged Ag NPs in a
solution of positively charged surfactants in which cluster formation of micelles
in the vicinity of the particles prevents the particles from aggregating.
Complementary SAXS and DLS measurements further support this novel way of
explaining stabilization of small hydrophilic nanoparticles in surfactant
containing solutions.
PMID- 28994442
TI - Dinuclear nitrido-bridged ruthenium complexes bearing diimine ligands.
AB - Reactions of K3[Ru2NCl8(H2O)2] with 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'
bipyridine (dmbpy), and 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine (dmobpy) yielded the
nitrido-bridged dinuclear complexes [Ru2N(L)2Cl5(DMF)] where L = bpy (1), dmbpy
(2), and dmobpy (3). The crystal structures of these complexes reveal a linear Ru
N-Ru moiety with each ruthenium center bearing a bidentate diimine ligand. The
complexes were further characterized by NMR, IR, and UV-vis spectroscopic methods
and cyclic voltammetry. Because the compounds bear some structural similarities
with the mitochondrial calcium uptake inhibitor Ru360, the ability of these
complexes to act in this capacity was evaluated. The results demonstrate that 1-3
all fail to block mitochondrial calcium uptake, revealing new facets of the
structure-activity relationships for ruthenium-based mitochondrial calcium uptake
inhibitors.
PMID- 28994443
TI - Role of Raltegravir in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV in the era of direct
antiviral agents.
AB - Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are the preferred third agent in
first-line antiretroviral therapies. Raltegravir (RAL) was the first INSTI to be
approved and used in naive and experienced patients. Due to its good tolerability
and low side effects, RAL has been largely used also in hepatitis coinfected
patients. Many years of experience in RAL use now allow literature evidence to be
gathered on its safety in HIV/HCV-co-infected patients pre, during and post
direct acting agents (DAA) treatment, at all possible stages. In both clinical
trials and published case series, RAL has been well tolerated in patients
harboring HCV co-infection and also in cirrhotic patients with mild hepatic
impairment. Literature data show no major interactions or the need for dose
adjustments with any of the DAA currently in use for HCV treatment, or with
ribavirine. Hence, RAL can be safely administered during HCV treatment with DAA
and may be used as a "temporary" regimen in patients who do not present major
integrase-inhibitor mutations. Moreover, its characteristics are also favorable
in case of orthotropic liver transplantation, both for the evidence of hepatic
safety and for possible co-administration with immunosuppressant agents.
PMID- 28994444
TI - Biomarkers of monitoring and functional reserve of physiological systems over
time in HIV: expert opinions for effective secondary prevention.
AB - HIV-positive individuals are more vulnerable to poor health than HIV-negative
individuals. This vulnerability is characterized by a higher risk of several
common, age-related health problems, even after adjustment for established risk
factors. This expert opinion report aims at identifying the optimal biomarkers
for monitoring the structural integrity and function of physiological systems at
risk across aging in HIV-seropositive subjects. These biomarkers, readily
available locally and relatively cost-effective for clinicians in primary and
secondary care, should allow early detection of the first preclinical structural
and functional changes in renal, brain, cardiovascular, and skeleton systems or
apparatus in HIV subjects across aging. A particular interest of this report is
the definition of the concept of biomarker of the "organ functional reserve".
This definition emphasizes the fact that some biomarkers for monitoring the
molecular, structural and functional integrity of a given organ reflect a level
of impairment that is basically irremediable despite effective pharmacological or
nonpharmacological intervention.
PMID- 28994445
TI - Diagnostic performance of hepatitis E virus antigen assay in hepatitis E virus
acute infection.
AB - The aim of this study was to analyze the sensitivity of hepatitis E virus antigen
(HEV-Ag) to determine acute E hepatitis. Ninety-four serum samples resulting anti
HEV IgM by DIA.PRO assay were analyzed with Wantai assay to check for HEV-Ag.
Thirty samples were anti-HEV IgM positive and HEV-RNA positive, 19 samples
harbored genotype 3, whereas 11 samples were genotype 1. Overall, 16% of anti-HEV
IgM samples resulted HEV-Ag positive and 33.3% of HEV-RNA positive were also HEV
Ag positive. Among 64 HEV-RNA negative samples, 5 (7.8%) were HEV-Ag positive.
The concordance of HEV-RNA and HEV-Ag was low (Cohen's Kappa=0.36). The Bland
Altman plot revealed a low agreement between HEV-RNA viral load and HEV-Ag,
confirmed by a not significant Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho=0.137,
p>0.05). Moreover, the HEV-Ag showed 100% specificity. In genotype 3f samples
with a viral load >800 cp/ml HEV-Ag was positive in 80% of samples, whereas all
patients harboring genotype 3e were HEV-Ag-negative irrespective of HEV-RNA viral
load. Among genotype 1, HEV-Ag positivity was observed only in 27.7% patients and
in all samples the viremia was >2000 cp/ml. These data suggest that anti-HEV IgM
positivity represents the main biological marker of hepatitis E acute infection
in clinical real life settings in developed countries.
PMID- 28994447
TI - Prevalence of Clostridium difficile and ribotype 027 infection in patients with
nosocomial diarrhoea in Southern Italy.
AB - Clostridium difficile is an emerging cause of healthcare-associated infections.
The increasing frequency and severity is attributed to highly virulent ribotypes
such as 027. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the prevalence
of CDI and ribotype 027 in 481 clinical samples collected from hospitalized
patients and sent to the laboratory of molecular biology, UOC Microbiology and
Virology, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Policlinico of Bari, Italy. Toxins
A+B and DNA C. difficile detections were performed using immunochromatographic
test and a multiplex real-time PCR assay, respectively. Overall, 37/366 (10.11%)
patients were positive at the immunochromatographic assay. This result was
confirmed in 31 (8.47%) samples from 31 different patients by molecular assay.
Logist regression confirmed age >50 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.29,
95%CI:1.44-18.50) and hospitalization in the Infectious Diseases (aOR: 3.77,
95%CI: 1.34-9.85) ward were risk factors for CDI. The associated 027 ribotype
deletion D117tcd was detected in seven (22.58%) of 31 positive patients.
Exploratory analysis of monthly prevalence of 027 ribotype suggested a slight
increase after August 2015. Our results show that a monitoring program is needed
to either better assess the diffusion of CDI and ribotype 027 or also to
establish the risk factors associated with the transmission in our healthcare
facilities.
PMID- 28994446
TI - Colonization of residents and staff of an Italian long-term care facility and an
adjacent acute care hospital geriatric unit by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
AB - In 2016, we undertook a point prevalence screening study for Enterobacteriaceae
with extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), high-level AmpC cephalosporinases
and carbapenemases, and also methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
and vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) in a long-term care facility (LTCF)
and the associated acute care hospital geriatric unit in Bolzano, Northern Italy.
Urine samples and rectal, inguinal, oropharyngeal and nasal swabs were plated on
selective agars. Demographic data were collected. ESBL and carbapenemase genes
were sought by PCR. We found the following colonization percentages with
multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in 2016 in LTCF residents: all MDR organisms,
66.1%; ESBL producers, 53.0%; carbapenemase-producers, 1.7%; MRSA, 14.8%; VRE,
0.8%. Colonization by all MDR bacteria was 19.4% for LTCF staff and 26.0% for
geriatric unit patients. PCR showed that 80.3% of Escherichia coli isolates from
LTCF residents, all E. coli isolates from LTCF staff, 62.5% and 100% of
Klebsiella pneumoniae from LTCF residents and geriatric unit patients,
respectively, had a blaCTX-M-type gene. All carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae harboured a blaVIM-type gene. To conclude, the ongoing
widespread diffusion of MDR bacteria in the LTCF suggests that efforts should be
strengthened on MDR screening, implementation of infection control strategies and
antibiotic stewardship programs targeting the unique aspects of LTCFs.
PMID- 28994448
TI - Characterization of an IncL/M plasmid carrying blaOXA-48 in a Klebsiella
pneumoniae strain from Italy.
AB - Here we report the complete nucleotide sequence of a 49.257-bp IncL/M conjugative
plasmid (pRAY) carrying the blaOXA-48 gene collected from a Klebsiella pneumoniae
clinical strain isolated in Italy. The genetic environment of pRAY plasmid
revealed that the blaOXA-48 gene was located within a Tn1999.2 transposon. The
pRAY plasmid differed from blaOXA-48-harboring IncL/M plasmids by genetic context
and size. Comparative analysis demonstrated that pRAY plasmid lacked a region of
~15 kb carrying genes encoding proteins involved in pilus assembly and plasmid
conjugative apparatus.
PMID- 28994449
TI - Postantifungal effect of micafungin against Candida albicans, Candida
dubliniensis and Candida africana in the presence and absence of serum.
AB - We compared the micafungin killing rate and postantifungal effect (PAFE) at 4, 16
and 32 mg/L in RPMI- 1640 and in 50% serum against the C. albicans complex. In
RPMI-1640 PAFEs were 1.5 - >19.4, 9.7 - >20.1 and 15.9 - >18.5 hours for C.
albicans, C. africana and C. dubliniensis, respectively. In 50% serum PAFEs
decreased sharply to 0-1.7 hours for all three species; killing rates were always
negative. Short growth inhibition without killing in 50% serum suggests that
micafungin PAFE has a limited role in the eradication of the C. albicans complex
from the bloodstream.
PMID- 28994450
TI - The role of transient receptor potential channels in joint diseases.
AB - Transient receptor potential channels (TRP channels) are cation selective
transmembrane receptors with diverse structures, activation mechanisms and
physiological functions. TRP channels act as cellular sensors for a plethora of
stimuli, including temperature, membrane voltage, oxidative stress, mechanical
stimuli, pH and endogenous, as well as, exogenous ligands, thereby illustrating
their versatility. As such, TRP channels regulate various functions in both
excitable and non-excitable cells, mainly by mediating Ca2+ homeostasis.
Dysregulation of TRP channels is implicated in many pathologies, including
cardiovascular diseases, muscular dystrophies and hyperalgesia. However, the
importance of TRP channel expression, physiological function and regulation in
chondrocytes and intervertebral disc (IVD) cells is largely unexplored.
Osteoarthritis (OA) and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are chronic age-related
disorders that significantly affect the quality of life by causing pain, activity
limitation and disability. Furthermore, currently available therapies cannot
effectively slow-down or stop progression of these diseases. Both OA and DDD are
characterised by reduced tissue cellularity, enhanced inflammatory responses and
molecular, structural and mechanical alterations of the extracellular matrix,
hence affecting load distribution and reducing joint flexibility. However,
knowledge on how chondrocytes and IVD cells sense their microenvironment and
respond to its changes is still limited. In this review, we introduced six
families of mammalian TRP channels, their mechanisms of activation, as well as,
activation-driven cellular consequences. We summarised the current knowledge on
TRP channel expression and activity in chondrocytes and IVD cells, as well as,
the significance of TRP channels as therapeutic targets for the treatment of OA
and DDD.
PMID- 28994451
TI - Efficacy of the Danish epilepsy surgery programme.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Despite optimal medical treatment, approximately one-third of patients
with epilepsy continue to have seizures. Epilepsy surgery is widely accepted as a
therapeutic option in the selected subset of patients with drug-resistant focal
epilepsy. Here, we report the results of the Danish epilepsy surgery programme
from 2009 to 2014. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 169 consecutive patients,
operated at Rigshospitalet, were included. Information was gathered from digital
patient records. Before 1-year follow-up, two patients were lost to follow-up and
three were referred to new surgery. RESULTS: The median years of drug resistance
before operation were 11 years. At 1-year follow-up (n = 164), seizure outcomes
were as follows: 65% Engel I (free from disabling seizures), 51% Engel IA
(completely seizure free) and 9% Engel IV (no worthwhile improvement), and for
patients operated in the medial temporal lobe (n = 114): 70% Engel I, 56% Engel
IA, 5% Engel IV. The outcomes of the 53 patients needing intracranial EEG
recording (ICR) were not significantly different from the patients only evaluated
with surface EEG. None of the eight MRI-negative patients operated outside the
medial temporal lobe after ICR were free of disabling seizures. 12% of MTLE
patients developed de novo depression after epilepsy surgery despite good
surgical outcome. Three patients required rehabilitation due to post-operative
hemiplegia. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of the Danish epilepsy surgery programme
align with international results found in recent meta-analyses. Serious
complications to epilepsy surgery are seldom. In accordance with international
recommendations, Danish drug-resistant patients should be referred to epilepsy
surgery evaluation at an earlier stage of the disease.
PMID- 28994453
TI - Effects of two different domestic boiling practices on the allergenicity of cow's
milk proteins.
AB - BACKGROUND: The sale of raw drinking milk through automatic dispensers is
permitted in some EU member states, but consumers are usually advised to boil the
milk before consumption. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the
effects of two common domestic boiling techniques on the proteins of raw milk
and, in particular, on their potential allergenicity. RESULTS: Native one
dimensional electrophoresis, N-terminal amino acid sequencing and immunoblotting
have been used to characterize the protein pattern and to evaluate the possible
changes in the allergenic properties of the processed milk. The main result of
this investigation is that heating induces the aggregation of beta-lactoglobulin
in higher-molecular-weight products, while caseins seem to be more resistant to
the treatments. beta-Lactoglobulin aggregates have been found to be non
immunoreactive with the sera of subjects suffering from cow's milk protein
allergy. CONCLUSION: Domestic boiling modifies the milk protein profile, causing
a minor reduction in milk allergenicity. (c) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID- 28994452
TI - Comparison of the Guidelines of the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation
Consortium and the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group.
AB - Both the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and Dutch
Pharmacogenetics Working Group provide therapeutic recommendations for well-known
gene-drug pairs. Published recommendations show a high rate of concordance.
However, as a result of different guideline development methods used by these two
consortia, differences between the published guidelines exist. The aim of this
paper is to compare both initiatives and explore these differences, with the
objective to achieve harmonization.
PMID- 28994454
TI - Healthcare professionals' work engagement in Finnish university hospitals.
AB - BACKGROUND: Concerns about the sufficiency and dedication of the healthcare
workforce have arisen as the baby boomer generation is retiring and the
generation Y might have different working environment demands. AIMS AND
OBJECTIVE: To describe the association between work engagement of healthcare
professionals' and its background factors at five Finnish university hospitals.
METHODS: Survey data were collected from nurses, physicians and administrative
staff (n = 561) at all five university hospitals in Finland. Data were collected
using an electronic questionnaire that comprised the Utrecht Work Engagement
Scale (9 items) and 13 questions regarding the respondents' backgrounds.
Descriptive and correlational analyses were used to examine the data. RESULTS:
Most respondents were female (85%) and nursing staff (72%). Baby boomers (49%)
were the largest generational cohort. The work engagement composite mean for the
total sample was 5.0, indicating high work engagement. Significant differences in
work engagement existed only among sex and age groups. The highest work
engagement scores were among administrative staff. CONCLUSIONS: Work engagement
among healthcare professionals in Finnish university hospitals is high. High work
engagement might be explained by suitable job resources and challenges, as well
as opportunities provided by a frontline care environment. Attention should
especially be paid to meeting the needs of young people entering the workforce to
strengthen their dedication and absorption.
PMID- 28994455
TI - Fluoridation cessation: More science from Alberta.
PMID- 28994456
TI - 'The other right': control strategies and the role of language use in
laparoscopic training.
AB - CONTEXT: Laparoscopic techniques present a particular challenge to the academic
surgeon in maintaining control and patient safety. The authors explored the use
of verbal and physical control strategies including deixis, language used to
locate subject in spatio-temporal, social and discoursal contexts, in this
setting. METHODS: Forty cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy at an academic
centre were video and audio-recorded. Surgeon and trainee discourses and physical
gestures during the crucial anatomical steps of the operation were qualitatively
analysed using a hybrid inductive and deductive technique with explicit attention
to the use of deixis. RESULTS: Laparoscopic surgeon educators use verbal and
physical strategies and engage in bidirectional communication to maintain
indirect control of an operation where direct control is not possible. Among
verbal strategies, deictic language predominates. DISCUSSION: As in open surgery,
laparoscopic surgical educators attempt to exert control over surgical procedures
when the instruments are in the hands of a trainee. One dominant strategy is the
use of deictic language, which may be ambiguous. In addition to the physical
manoeuvres and bidirectional communication used to disambiguate, instructors must
attend to potential uncertainties and explicitly clarify frames of reference in
order to enhance educational experiences and maximise patient safety.
PMID- 28994457
TI - Back from basics: integration of science and practice in medical education.
AB - CONTEXT: In 1988, the Edinburgh Declaration challenged medical teachers,
curriculum designers and leaders to make an organised effort to change medical
education for the better. Among a series of recommendations was a call to
integrate training in science and clinical practice across a breadth of clinical
contexts. The aim was to create physicians who could serve the needs of all
people and provide care in a multitude of contexts. In the years since, in the
numerous efforts towards integration, new models of curricula have been proposed
and implemented with varying levels of success. SCOPE OF REVIEW: In this paper,
we examine the evolution of curricular integration since the Edinburgh
Declaration, and discuss theoretical advances and practical solutions. In doing
so, we draw on recent consensus reports on the state of medical education,
emblematic initiatives reported in the literature, and developments in education
theory pertinent to the role of integrated curricula. CONCLUSIONS: Interest in
integration persists despite 30 years of efforts to respond to the Edinburgh
Declaration. We argue, however, that a critical shift has taken place with
respect to the conception of integration, whereby empirical models support a view
of integration as pertaining to both cognitive activity and curricular structure.
In addition, we describe a broader definition of 'basic science' relevant to
clinical practice that encompasses social and behavioural sciences, as well as
knowledge derived from biomedical science.
PMID- 28994458
TI - A blind deconvolution method incorporated with anatomical-based filtering for
partial volume correction: Validations with 123 I-mIBG cardiac SPECT/CT.
AB - PURPOSE: Segmentation of contrast-enhanced CT and measurement of SPECT point
spread function (PSF) are usually required for conventional partial volume
correction (PVC). This study was to develop a segmentation-free method with blind
deconvolution (BD) and anatomical-based filtering for SPECT PVC. METHODS: The
proposed method was implemented using an iterative BD algorithm to estimate the
restored image and the PSF simultaneously. An anatomical-based filtering was
implemented at each iteration to reduce Gibbs artifact and suppress noise
amplification in the deconvolution process. The proposed method was validated
with 123 I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123 I-mIBG) SPECT/CT imaging of NCAT phantoms
with and without myocardial perfusion defect and a physical cardiac phantom.
Fifteen heart-to-mediastinum ratios (HMRs) were configured in the NCAT and
physical phantoms. Correlations between SPECT-quantified and true HMRs were
calculated from images without PVC as well as from BD restored images. The
proposed method was also performed on a human 123 I-mIBG study. RESULTS: Relative
bias and standard deviation images of NCAT phantoms showed that the proposed
method reduced both bias and noise. Mean relative bias in the simulated normal
myocardium was markedly improved (-16.8% +/- 0.4% versus -0.8% +/- 0.6% for low
noise level; -16.7% +/- 0.7% versus -2.3% +/- 0.9% for high noise level). Mean
relative bias in the simulated myocardial defect was also noticeably improved (
12.7% +/- 1.2% versus 1.2% +/- 1.6% for low noise level; -13.5% +/- 2.4% versus
0.9% +/- 2.8% for high noise level). The signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the
defect was improved from 2.95 +/- 0.09 to 4.07 +/- 0.16 for low noise level (38%
increase of mean), and from 2.56 +/- 0.15 to 3.62 +/- 0.22 for high noise level
(41% increase of mean). For both NCAT and physical phantoms, HMRs calculated from
images without PVC were underestimated (correlations between SPECT-quantified and
true HMRs: y = 0.81x + 0.1 for NCAT phantom; y = 0.82x + 0.14 for physical
phantom). HMRs from BD restored images were markedly improved (correlations
between SPECT-quantified and true HMRs: y = x + 0.05 for NCAT phantom; y = 0.97x
0.12 for physical phantom). After applying the proposed PVC method, the
estimation error between the SPECT-quantified and true HMRs was significantly
reduced from -0.75 +/- 0.57 to 0.04 +/- 0.17 for NCAT phantom (P = 8e-05), and
from -0.68 +/- 0.67 to -0.26 +/- 0.42 for physical phantom (P = 0.005). The human
study demonstrated that the HMR increased by 8% with PVC. CONCLUSIONS: The
proposed segmentation-free PVC method has the potential of improving SPECT
quantification accuracy and reducing noise without the need for premeasuring the
image PSF.
PMID- 28994460
TI - Ethical considerations when conducting joint interviews with close relatives or
family: an integrative review.
AB - BACKGROUND: Researchers are obligated to do no harm to participants of research.
Conflicts in relationships can cause negative well-being; therefore, insight is
needed into the particular ethical considerations that arise when conducting
joint interviews with close relatives or family members simultaneously in the
healthcare setting. AIM: To collect and share knowledge related to ethical
considerations conducting joint interviews. DESIGN AND METHODS: A literature
review inspired by the integrative review method was performed. Data were
retrieved through a structured search in PubMed, CINAHL and the Philosopher's
Index and Academic Search Premier for articles published in English from 1980 to
2016 and included 18 articles, of a possible 2153. Article content was assessed
line-by-line, and ethical considerations were extracted and organized in three
subgroups regarding: Planning joint interviews; Conduction joint interviews and
Reporting on joint interviews Findings: Participants should be offered the best
terms for a constructive, on-going relationship after the joint interview has
ended. This obligates the researcher to ensure a safe environment during the
joint interview and create a delicate balance between the needs of the
participants, using nonconfrontational techniques that foster equal and neutral
but dedicated attention to all parties, before, during and after the joint
interviews. CONCLUSION: Specific ethical considerations should be taken into
account before, during and after joint interviewing. Further research is needed
before a final conclusion can be drawn.
PMID- 28994459
TI - Neural network dose models for knowledge-based planning in pancreatic SBRT.
AB - PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for pancreatic cancer
requires a skillful approach to deliver ablative doses to the tumor while
limiting dose to the highly sensitive duodenum, stomach, and small bowel. Here,
we develop knowledge-based artificial neural network dose models (ANN-DMs) to
predict dose distributions that would be approved by experienced physicians.
METHODS: Arc-based SBRT treatment plans for 43 pancreatic cancer patients were
planned, delivering 30-33 Gy in five fractions. Treatments were overseen by one
of two physicians with individual treatment approaches, with variations in
prescribed dose, target volume delineation, and primary organs at risk. Using
dose distributions calculated by a commercial treatment planning system (TPS),
physician-approved treatment plans were used to train ANN-DMs that could predict
physician-approved dose distributions based on a set of geometric parameters
(vary from voxel to voxel) and plan parameters (constant across all voxels for a
given patient). Patient datasets were randomly allocated, with two-thirds used
for training, and one-third used for validation. Differences between TPS and ANN
DM dose distributions were used to evaluate model performance. ANN-DM design,
including neural network structure and parameter choices, was evaluated to
optimize dose model performance. RESULTS: Remarkable improvements in ANN-DM
accuracy (i.e., from > 30% to < 5% mean absolute dose error, relative to the
prescribed dose) were achieved by training separate dose models for the treatment
style of each physician. Increased neural network complexity (i.e., more layers,
more neurons per layer) did not improve dose model accuracy. Mean dose errors
were less than 5% at all distances from the PTV, and mean absolute dose errors
were on the order of 5%, but no more than 10%. Dose-volume histogram errors (in
cm3 ) demonstrated good model performance above 25 Gy, but much larger errors
were seen at lower doses. CONCLUSIONS: ANN-DM dose distributions showed excellent
overall agreement with TPS dose distributions, and accuracy was substantially
improved when each physician's treatment approach was taken into account by
training their own dedicated models. In this manner, one could feasibly train ANN
DMs that could predict the dose distribution desired by a given physician for a
given treatment site.
PMID- 28994461
TI - Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in the elderly: Predictors of appropriate
interventions and mortality at 12-month follow-up.
AB - BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in
the elderly is uncertain, given their competing risk of nonarrhythmic death.
Guidelines state that an ICD should be implanted if the expectation of survival
is at least 1 year. However, survival is not easy to predict in elderly patients
with severe cardiac disease. AIM: To assess 12-month survival after ICD
implantation in patients aged >=75 years, to identify predictors of 12-month
mortality, and to evaluate the incidence of ICD therapy during follow-up.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all clinical, instrumental, and survival
data of patients >=75 years old who received an ICD in our center from 2000 to
2013. RESULTS: We included 127 patients (mean age 78 years). ICD was implanted
for primary prevention in 61%. The 12-month survival rate was 87.4%. At both
univariate and multivariate analyses, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) <=
25%, and moderate to severe impaired renal function (IRF) independently predicted
12-month mortality that was as high as 45.5% in patients with both risk factors.
During a median follow-up of 38 months, 30 patients (23.6%) received >=1
appropriate ICD interventions, but only 3.1% of shocks occurred during the first
year, and none in the subgroup of patients with EF <= 25% and IRF. CONCLUSION:
Twelve-month survival in elderly patients after ICD implantation is good and the
indication for ICD should not be based on age alone. However, the subgroup with
EF <= 25% and IRF showed a high 12-month nonarrhythmic mortality and did not
benefit from ICD implantation.
PMID- 28994462
TI - Limitations of fluoridation effectiveness studies: Lessons from Alberta, Canada.
AB - A paper published in this journal, "Measuring the short-term impact of
fluoridation cessation on dental caries in Grade 2 children using tooth surface
indices," by McLaren et al had shortcomings in study design and interpretation of
results, and did not include important pertinent data. Its pre-post cross
sectional design relied on comparison of decay rates in two cities: Calgary,
which ceased fluoridation, and Edmonton, which maintained fluoridation. Dental
health surveys conducted in both cities about 6.5 years prior to fluoridation
cessation in Calgary provided the baseline. They were compared to decay rates
determined about 2.5 years after cessation in a second set of surveys in both
cities. A key shortcoming was the failure to use data from a Calgary dental
health survey conducted about 1.5 years prior to cessation. When this third data
set is considered, the rate of increase of decay in Calgary is found to be the
same before and after cessation of fluoridation, thus contradicting the main
conclusion of the paper that cessation was associated with an adverse effect on
oral health. Furthermore, the study design is vulnerable to confounding by caries
risk factors other than fluoridation: The two cities differed substantially in
baseline decay rates, other health indicators, and demographic characteristics
associated with caries risk, and these risk factors were not shown to shift in
parallel in Edmonton and Calgary through time. An additional weakness was low
participation rates in the dental surveys and lack of analysis to check whether
this may have resulted in selection biases. Owing to these weaknesses, the study
has limited ability to assess whether fluoridation cessation caused an increase
in decay. The study's findings, when considered with the additional information
from the third Calgary survey, more strongly support the conclusion that
cessation of fluoridation had no effect on decay rate. Consideration of the
limitations of this study can stimulate improvement in the quality of future
fluoridation effectiveness studies.
PMID- 28994463
TI - Prognosis, risk stratification, and management of asymptomatic individuals with
Brugada syndrome: A systematic review.
AB - Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a primary electrical disease associated with increased
risk of sudden cardiac death due to polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias. The
prognosis, risk stratification, and management of asymptomatic individuals remain
the most controversial issues in BrS. Furthermore, the decision to manage
asymptomatic patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator should be
made after weighing the potential individual risk of future arrhythmic events
against the risk of complications associated with the implant and follow-up of
patients living with such devices, and the accompanying impairment of the quality
of life. Several clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiological markers
have been proposed for risk stratification of subjects with BrS phenotype, but
the majority have not yet been tested in a prospective manner in asymptomatic
individuals. Recent data suggest that current risk factors are insufficient and
cannot accurately predict sudden cardiac death events in this setting. This
systematic review aims to discuss contemporary data regarding prognosis, risk
stratification, and management of asymptomatic individuals with diagnosis of
Brugada electrocardiogram pattern and to delineate the therapeutic approach in
such cases.
PMID- 28994464
TI - Dosimetric consequences of gold nanoparticle clustering during photon
irradiation.
AB - PURPOSE: The radiation dose enhancement caused by introducing gold nanoparticles
(GNP) into cells can increase the dose locally absorbed. A disconnect between
experimentally determined survival and dose enhancements predicted by Monte Carlo
simulations on macroscopic scales, suggests small-scale energy deposition
patterns play an important role in GNP dose enhancement. Clustering of the GNPs
could potentially alter small-scale energy deposition patterns. Here we use Monte
Carlo simulations to quantify energy deposition patterns in the presence of
clustered GNPs and address the question of whether clustering of the
nanoparticles affects the energy deposition patterns and ultimately cellular
response. METHODS: Using the PENELOPE Monte Carlo code, we examine the absorption
of energy in the environment of a single irradiated GNP following its interaction
with a set of primary monoenergetic photon beams. We introduce successive GNPs to
form a cluster about the particle in which the primary photon interactions occur
and report on the energy deposited locally (within a 500 nm radius) and
nonlocally (beyond 500 nm) in the surrounding water-equivalent medium as a
function of the number of additional GNPs and the packing geometry they assume.
RESULTS: When additional GNPs cluster in tightly packed formations about a GNP in
which an incident photon interacts, both the energy deposited locally and
released nonlocally are reduced relative to the case where other GNPs are not
present. The degree of the reduction depends on incident photon energy, the
number of GNPs added to the cluster, and the packing geometry. With 90 additional
GNPs in a hexagonal close packing (HCP) cluster about a directly irradiated test
particle, the local energy deposition was reduced to 29% (of the value in the
absence of neighbors) in the most extreme monoenergetic case. Energy released
into the nonlocal volume was most affected by the cluster for low-incident photon
energies (< 40 keV), where reductions to 26% of the value in the absence of a
cluster were shown. The packing geometry mitigated these results. When the
irradiated GNP was on the periphery of the HCP cluster, or when the cluster was
confined to a plane, the observed effects were weaker and when an equal number of
GNPs were uniformly distributed in the local volume, the changes were trivial
(less than 2%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide grounds for reconciling the
observations of cell survival with Monte Carlo predictions of GNP dose
enhancement. This work is significant because it demonstrates that GNP clustering
needs to be understood and accounted to optimize local dose enhancement.
PMID- 28994465
TI - Impact of PET/CT system, reconstruction protocol, data analysis method, and
repositioning on PET/CT precision: An experimental evaluation using an oncology
and brain phantom.
AB - PURPOSE: In longitudinal oncological and brain PET/CT studies, it is important to
understand the repeatability of quantitative PET metrics in order to assess
change in tracer uptake. The present studies were performed in order to assess
precision as function of PET/CT system, reconstruction protocol, analysis method,
scan duration (or image noise), and repositioning in the field of view. METHODS:
Multiple (repeated) scans have been performed using a NEMA image quality (IQ)
phantom and a 3D Hoffman brain phantom filled with 18 F solutions on two systems.
Studies were performed with and without randomly (< 2 cm) repositioning the
phantom and all scans (12 replicates for IQ phantom and 10 replicates for Hoffman
brain phantom) were performed at equal count statistics. For the NEMA IQ phantom,
we studied the recovery coefficients (RC) of the maximum (SUVmax ), peak (SUVpeak
), and mean (SUVmean ) uptake in each sphere as a function of experimental
conditions (noise level, reconstruction settings, and phantom repositioning). For
the 3D Hoffman phantom, the mean activity concentration was determined within
several volumes of interest and activity recovery and its precision was studied
as function of experimental conditions. RESULTS: The impact of phantom
repositioning on RC precision was mainly seen on the Philips Ingenuity PET/CT,
especially in the case of smaller spheres (< 17 mm diameter, P < 0.05). This
effect was much smaller for the Siemens Biograph system. When exploring SUVmax ,
SUVpeak , or SUVmean of the spheres in the NEMA IQ phantom, it was observed that
precision depended on phantom repositioning, reconstruction algorithm, and scan
duration, with SUVmax being most and SUVpeak least sensitive to phantom
repositioning. For the brain phantom, regional averaged SUVs were only minimally
affected by phantom repositioning (< 2 cm). CONCLUSION: The precision of
quantitative PET metrics depends on the combination of reconstruction protocol,
data analysis methods and scan duration (scan statistics). Moreover, precision
was also affected by phantom repositioning but its impact depended on the data
analysis method in combination with the reconstructed voxel size (tissue fraction
effect). This study suggests that for oncological PET studies the use of SUVpeak
may be preferred over SUVmax because SUVpeak is less sensitive to patient
repositioning/tumor sampling.
PMID- 28994466
TI - Chilled to the bone: embodied countertransference and unspoken traumatic
memories.
AB - Starting from a deeply challenging experience of early embodied
countertransference in a first encounter with a new patient, the author explores
the issues it raised. Such moments highlight projective identification as well as
what Stone (2006) has described as 'embodied resonance in the
countertransference'. In these powerful experiences linear time and subject
boundaries are altered, and this leads to central questions about analytic work.
As well as discussing the uncanny experience at the very beginning of an analytic
encounter and its challenges for the analytic field, the author considers 'the
time horizon of analytic process' (Hogenson ), the relationship between 'moments
of complexity and analytic boundaries' (Cambray ) and the role of mirror neurons
in intersubjective experience.
PMID- 28994468
TI - The historicity and potential of Jungian analysis: another view of 'SWOT'.
PMID- 28994469
TI - Transgenderism and transformation: an attempt at a Jungian understanding.
AB - While transgenderism as a cultural phenomenon seems to be based on a collective
taste for the sensational, its emergence represents a collective shift towards a
new or more differentiated way of experiencing and expressing sex and gender, a
movement of world soul. This paper attempts to explore that emergence from a
Jungian perspective. The paper utilizes clinical examples which illustrate how
dissociated aspects of the personality are seeking assimilation and expression in
order to move the personality towards greater wholeness. In that sense, it
attempts to understand the teleology of transgenderism on an individual and
collective level. The paper is intended as a starting-off point for discussion
and explores gender as fantasy, anima/animus dynamics, the psyche/soma
relationship, the role of hormones/biochemistry in our experience of ourselves
and what transgender people carry and suffer for our culture.
PMID- 28994471
TI - God of the hinge: treating LGBTQIA patients.
AB - This paper looks at systems of gender within the context of analysis. It explores
the unique challenges of individuation faced by transsexual, transgender, gender
queer, gender non-conforming, cross-dressing and intersex patients. To receive
patients generously we need to learn how a binary culture produces profound and
chronic trauma. These patients wrestle with being who they are whilst
simultaneously receiving negative projections and feeling invisible. While often
presenting with the struggles of gender conforming individuals, understanding the
specifically gendered aspect of their identity is imperative. An analyst's
unconscious bias may lead to iatrogenic shaming. The author argues that rigorous,
humble inquiry into the analyst's transphobia can be transformative for patient,
analyst, and the work itself. Analysis may, then, provide gender-variant patients
with their first remembered and numinous experience of authentic connection to
self. Conjuring the image of a hinge, securely placed in the neutral region of a
third space, creates a transpositive analytic temenos. Invoking the spirit of the
Trickster in the construction of this matrix supports the full inclusion of
gender-variant patients. Nuanced attunement scaffolds mirroring and the
possibility of play. Being mindful that gender is sturdy and delicate as well as
mercurial and defined enriches the analyst's listening.
PMID- 28994472
TI - The future of Jungian analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
('SWOT').
AB - Using a methodology derived from management and organizational studies, the
author reviews the future of Jungian analysis. The methodology is termed SWOT -
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. A selected list in each of these
categories is presented. The author is transparent in allowing for the fact that
the paper not only derives from a public lecture on the topic, but also retains
the immediacy and the contrarian and opinionated style of such a lecture.
PMID- 28994473
TI - Preliminary thoughts on the neurobiology of innate unconscious structures and the
psychodynamics of language acquisition.
AB - This paper builds upon Britton's recent writing on 'models in the mind', in which
he gives an account of preverbal metaphoric structures based on object relations
(Britton 2015). These correspond with Jung's theory of innate unconscious
structures. These innate models are considered alongside current linguistic
theory following Chomsky and post-Chomskyan views about language acquisition.
Neuroscience evidence linking language and abstract thinking with structures
involved in tool use are presented. The implications of these findings, and our
understanding of the relational context within which language, metaphor and
abstract thought are acquired, will be discussed along with the failures of
symbolization and verbal communication common amongst those with severe
narcissistic disorders.
PMID- 28994474
TI - The wrong side of history.
AB - Psychoanalysis (including analytical psychology), once a pioneering and forward
looking movement of the early 20th century has now become a conservative backward
looking 'tradition'. After considering some of the internal problems associated
with this historical change such as idealization and tribalism, some ways forward
are suggested - a focus on clinical excellence as practical craft, openness to
the unknown and engagement with others beyond the confines of private practice.
PMID- 28994477
TI - Editorial.
PMID- 28994476
TI - The words we work with that work on us: clinical paradigm and cumulative
relational trauma.
AB - This paper addresses a gap between analytic clinical theory and practice which
emerges when examining the words we work with via textual and narrative research
of case histories. Both subject matter and methodology fit with the remit of
conceptual research in psychoanalysis, currently ranging from inductive to
nomothetical approaches. Research of clinical language reveals an implicit
account of human nature and the world which undergirds clinical practice. Based
in the critical philosophy of the previous century, this is termed clinical
paradigm. Such implicit views are induced rather than explicitly taught during
analytic training, and need to be spelled out in order to become available to
discourse and difference of opinion. Textual research shows these implicit pre
clinical attitudes to be inherently pessimistic and thus too similar to the views
of self and others found in cumulative relational trauma. Moreover, clinical
accounts tend to normalize subtly antagonistic forms of relating, recently
recognised as micro-trauma. Importantly, this contravenes the agapic orientation
of our theories and ethics. Paradigmatic reflection as a form of professional
individuation addresses this gap. This includes a more optimistic outlook which
can be traced through the philosophical implications of quantum theory.
PMID- 28994478
TI - Treatment of developmental stress disorder: mind, body and brain - analysis and
pharmacology coupled.
AB - The schism between psychiatry, psychology and analysis, while long present, has
widened even more in the past half-century with the advances in
psychopharmacology. With the advances in electronic brain imaging, particularly
in developmental and post-traumatic stress disorders, there has emerged both an
understanding of brain changes resulting from severe, chronic stress and an
ability to target brain chemistry in ways that can relieve clinical
symptomatology. The use of alpha-1 adrenergic brain receptor antagonists
decreases many of the manifestations of PTSD. Additionally, this paper discusses
the ways in which dreaming, thinking and the analytic process are facilitated
with this concomitant treatment and hypervigilence and hyper-arousal states are
signficiantly decreased.
PMID- 28994479
TI - Bureaucracy and creativity: do they make companionable bedfellows?
AB - This essay will look at the benefits and weaknesses of the increasingly
bureaucratic nature of training structures and processes in the training of
Jungian psychotherapists and analysts. The author will draw on her experiences
during two different periods of time as Director of Training at the Society of
Analytical Psychology in London with observations on and discussion about some of
the changes that have evolved. By way of contrast, she will offer some
comparisons with developments in the training of Jungian analysts in countries
with little or no legacy of an analytic culture. Here, there is a need to
professionalize training in Jungian analysis but the attendant growth of
bureaucracy can easily come to echo the politics of non-democratic regimes.
PMID- 28994480
TI - Andrei Tarkovsky: stalker of the unconscious.
PMID- 28994481
TI - Unconscious choice: the dissociation of creative animus among writers and
psychotherapists.
AB - The paper argues that writers and psychotherapists are drawn to their work
through the desire to remedy an unconscious sense of lack brought about by early
relational trauma. Often, because of its origins in psychic pain, the connection
between these individuals' beginnings and their profession remains largely
dissociated. The theme is developed with reference to the idea of the wounded
healer taken up by Jung. It is proposed that the original wound is also the crack
that lets the light in: a dissociated tough spirit that can be channelled into
discriminating countertransference and strong writing. This paper is implicitly
arguing against an objective or neutral analytic stance, and for the therapeutic
and creative value of acquaintance with negative affect.
PMID- 28994483
TI - 'Clemency on the way to the gallows': death, dreams and dissociation.
AB - The survivor of a decade of childhood sexual trauma and violence, perpetrated by
a monstrous father, produced a series of dreams in the final year of a ten-year
analysis. They illuminated the 'death drive' beneath a lifelong preoccupation
with dying and fantasies of submission to death, perpetuated by the promise of
hoped-for freedom from pain and release from a life of suffering. The initial
dream involved the collapse of a team of white horses drawing him in a pillory
cart to his own hanging for a crime he did not commit. It signified the collapse
of a fragile psychological system based on his role as the 'sacrificial lamb,'
protecting a (not so) innocent mother. The raw truth was now unconcealed: primal,
violent, and terrifying dreams and affects emerged where he was now the murderous
aggressor. His dreams would become primary agents for an instinctive, life-giving
authenticity to emerge, offering him clemency from the shattering repetitions of
persecution and dissociation.
PMID- 28994484
TI - Brief remarks on Toshio Kawai's response to my SAP lecture.
PMID- 28994486
TI - Mitigation of near-band balanced steady-state free precession through-plane flow
artifacts using partial dephasing.
AB - PURPOSE: To mitigate artifacts from through-plane flow at the locations of steady
state stopbands in balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) using partial
dephasing. METHODS: A 60 degrees range in the phase accrual during a TR was
created over the voxel by slightly unbalancing the slice-select dephaser. The
spectral profiles of SSFP with partial dephasing for various constant flow rates
and during pulsatile flow were simulated to determine if partial dephasing
decreases through-plane flow artifacts originating near SSFP dark bands while
maintaining on-resonant signal. Simulations were then validated in a flow
phantom. Lastly, phase-cycled SSFP cardiac cine images were acquired with and
without partial dephasing in six subjects. RESULTS: Partial dephasing decreased
the strength and non-linearity of the dependence of the signal at the stopbands
on the through-plane flow rate. It thus mitigated hyper-enhancement from out-of
slice signal contributions and transient-related artifacts caused by variable
flow both in the phantom and in vivo. In six volunteers, partial dephasing
noticeably decreased artifacts in all of the phase-cycled cardiac cine datasets.
CONCLUSION: Partial dephasing can mitigate the flow artifacts seen at the
stopbands in balanced SSFP while maintaining the sequence's desired signal. By
mitigating hyper-enhancement and transient-related artifacts originating from the
stopbands, partial dephasing facilitates robust multiple-acquisition phase-cycled
SSFP in the heart. Magn Reson Med 79:2944-2953, 2018. (c) 2017 International
Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
PMID- 28994485
TI - Modified risk stratification grouping using standard clinical and biopsy
information for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: Results from SEARCH.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and risk stratification
systems have been proposed to guide treatment decisions. However, significant
heterogeneity remains for those with unfavorable-risk disease. METHODS: This
study included 3335 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy without adjuvant
radiotherapy in the SEARCH database. High-risk patients were dichotomized into
standard and very high-risk (VHR) groups based on primary Gleason pattern,
percentage of positive biopsy cores (PPBC), number of NCCN high-risk factors, and
stage T3b-T4 disease. Similarly, intermediate-risk prostate cancer was separated
into favorable and unfavorable groups based on primary Gleason pattern, PPBC, and
number of NCCN intermediate-risk factors. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 78
months. Patients with VHR prostate cancer had significantly worse PSA relapse
free survival (PSA-RFS, P < 0.001), distant metastasis (DM, P = 0.004), and
prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM, P = 0.015) in comparison to standard
high-risk (SHR) patients in multivariable analyses. By contrast, there was no
significant difference in PSA-RFS, DM, or PCSM between SHR and unfavorable
intermediate-risk (UIR) patients. Therefore, we propose a novel risk
stratification system: Group 1 (low-risk), Group 2 (favorable intermediate-risk),
Group 3 (UIR and SHR), and Group 4 (VHR). The c-index of this new grouping was
0.683 for PSA-RFS and 0.800 for metastases, compared to NCCN-risk groups which
yield 0.666 for PSA-RFS and 0.764 for metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Patients
classified as VHR have markedly increased rates of PSA relapse, DM, and PCSM in
comparison to SHR patients, whereas UIR and SHR patients have similar prognosis.
Novel therapeutic strategies are needed for patients with VHR, likely involving
multimodality therapy.
PMID- 28994487
TI - Scan-rescan of axcaliber, macromolecular tissue volume, and g-ratio in the spinal
cord.
AB - PURPOSE: Recent MRI techniques have been introduced that can extract
microstructural information in the white matter, such as the density or
macromolecular content. Translating quantitative MRI to the clinic raises many
challenges in terms of acquisition strategy, modeling of the MRI signal, artifact
corrections, and metric extraction (template registration and partial volume
effects). In this work, we investigated the scan-rescan repeatability of several
quantitative MRI techniques in the human spinal cord. METHODS: AxCaliber metrics,
macromolecular tissue volume, and the fiber g-ratio were estimated in the spinal
cord of eight healthy subjects, scanned and rescanned the same day in two
different sessions. RESULTS: Scan-rescan repeatability deviation was 3% for all
metrics, in average in the white matter of all subjects. Intraclass correlation
coefficient was up to 0.9. A three-way analysis of variance showed significant
effects of white matter pathway, laterality, and subject. CONCLUSION: The present
study suggests that quantitative MRI gives stable measurements of white matter
microstructure in the spinal cord of healthy subjects. Our findings remain to be
evaluated in diseased populations. Magn Reson Med 79:2759-2765, 2018. (c) 2017
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
PMID- 28994488
TI - Families' experiences of raising concerns in health care services: An
interpretative phenomenological analysis.
AB - BACKGROUND: This exploratory study aimed to increase understanding of the
experiences of families of people with intellectual disabilities when noticing
and raising concerns in services. A qualitative design was employed. METHODS:
Seven participants (all female) were recruited through local and national
voluntary agencies; five were mothers of people with intellectual disabilities,
one was the aunt and one the sister. Participants took part in semi-structured
interviews centred on their experiences of noticing and raising concerns, these
were recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed using interpretative
phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith, 1996). RESULTS: The data were grouped into
three superordinate themes: the nature and importance of concerns, relationships
between familes and staff and the process of raising concerns. A key and
surprising finding was the importance of "the little things." CONCLUSIONS: This
research highlights important implications for services such as the need to
simplify the process of raising concerns, attend to the relationship with
families and ensure advocacy services are identified for those without family.
PMID- 28994489
TI - Short-term resource allocation during extensive athletic competition.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Following predictions from life history theory, we sought to identify
acute trade-offs between reproductive effort (as measured by psychological
arousal) and somatic maintenance (via functional measures of innate immunity)
during conditions of severe energetic imbalance. METHODS: Sixty-six male
ultramarathon runners (ages 20 to 37 years) were sampled before and after a
lengthy race. Saliva and sera were collected for testosterone and immunological
analyses (hemolytic complement activity and bacterial killing ability). Lean body
mass was assessed by bioelectrical impedance, and libido was measured using a
slideshow of arousing and neutral images. RESULTS: Following predictions, there
was a significant decrease in salivary testosterone levels (109.59 pg/mL versus
97.61 pg/mL, P < .001) and arousal scores in response to provocative images (5.40
versus 4.89, P = .001) between prerace and postrace time points. Additionally,
participant bacterial killing ability (P = .035) and hemolytic complement
activity (P = .021) increased between prerace and postrace. CONCLUSIONS:
Decreased libido and testosterone with concomitant heightened innate immune
responses suggest a shift in energetic priorities away from reproduction and
toward maintenance/defense during a period of energetic stress.
PMID- 28994490
TI - Computed tomographic findings in 205 dogs with clinical signs compatible with
middle ear disease: a retrospective study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is considered to be the reference method to
evaluate middle ear structures. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presence and severity
of CT changes in the middle ear and establish if any specific clinical
presentations are associated with otitis media. ANIMALS: Medical records of
animals referred for CT with history and clinical signs consistent with middle
ear disease. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of CT examinations of tympanic
bullae performed over a six year period. Medical records were reviewed for
signalment, clinical signs and cytological evaluation of the external ear canal.
Dogs were divided into three clinical groups: chronic otitis externa (Group 1),
peripheral vestibular disorder (Group 2) and other clinical presentations (Group
3). RESULTS: Group 1 - Of 214 ears, 87 (40.7%) had CT abnormalities: 38 of 87
(17.7%) had material-filled bullae, 42 of 87 (19.6%) had thickened bullae walls
and seven of 87 (3.2%) had lysis of the bulla. Abnormalities were significantly
more frequent in dogs with suppurative otitis than in erythemato-ceruminous
otitis (57% and 23%, respectively; P = 0.003). Proliferative otitis, particularly
in French bulldogs, was associated with severe otitis media. Group 2 - Of the 106
ears, 91 (85.8%) had normal tympanic bullae. Group 3 - Of the 26 ears from deaf
dogs, 17 had filled bullae; all nine affected dogs were Cavalier King Charles
spaniels. All dogs with Claude Bernard Horner syndrome or head tilt had normal
tympanic bullae. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CT is useful for canine chronic otitis
externa, particularly in suppurative or proliferative otitis, even in the absence
of associated neurological signs.
PMID- 28994491
TI - Slow-Photon-Effect-Induced Photoelectrical-Conversion Efficiency Enhancement for
Carbon-Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Inorganic CsPbBr3 Inverse Opal Perovskite Solar
Cells.
AB - All-inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite is suggested as a promising candidate
for perovskite solar cells due to its prominent thermal stability and comparable
light absorption ability. Designing textured perovskite films rather than using
planar-architectural perovskites can indeed optimize the optical and
photoelectrical conversion performance of perovskite photovoltaics. Herein, for
the first time, this study demonstrates a rational strategy for fabricating
carbon quantum dot (CQD-) sensitized all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite inverse
opal (IO) films via a template-assisted, spin-coating method. CsPbBr3 IO
introduces slow-photon effect from tunable photonic band gaps, displaying novel
optical response property visible to naked eyes, while CQD inlaid among the IO
frameworks not only broadens the light absorption range but also improves the
charge transfer process. Applied in the perovskite solar cells, compared with
planar CsPbBr3 , slow-photon effect of CsPbBr3 IO greatly enhances the light
utilization, while CQD effectively facilitates the electron-hole extraction and
injection process, prolongs the carrier lifetime, jointly contributing to a
double-boosted power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.29% and an increased
incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of up to 76.9%. The present
strategy on CsPbBr3 IO to enhance perovskite PCE can be extended to rationally
design other novel optoelectronic devices.
PMID- 28994492
TI - Quality of clinical brain tumor MR spectra judged by humans and machine learning
tools.
AB - PURPOSE: To investigate and compare human judgment and machine learning tools for
quality assessment of clinical MR spectra of brain tumors. METHODS: A very large
set of 2574 single voxel spectra with short and long echo time from the eTUMOUR
and INTERPRET databases were used for this analysis. Original human quality
ratings from these studies as well as new human guidelines were used to train
different machine learning algorithms for automatic quality control (AQC) based
on various feature extraction methods and classification tools. The performance
was compared with variance in human judgment. RESULTS: AQC built using the
RUSBoost classifier that combats imbalanced training data performed best. When
furnished with a large range of spectral and derived features where the most
crucial ones had been selected by the TreeBagger algorithm it showed better
specificity (98%) in judging spectra from an independent test-set than previously
published methods. Optimal performance was reached with a virtual three-class
ranking system. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that feature space should be
relatively large for the case of MR tumor spectra and that three-class labels may
be beneficial for AQC. The best AQC algorithm showed a performance in rejecting
spectra that was comparable to that of a panel of human expert spectroscopists.
Magn Reson Med 79:2500-2510, 2018. (c) 2017 International Society for Magnetic
Resonance in Medicine.
PMID- 28994493
TI - Biofilm removal potential of neutral electrolysed water on pathogen and spoilage
bacteria in dairy model systems.
AB - AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of neutral electrolysed water
(NEW) on biofilm and planktonic forms of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli
and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth, 0.5 and 3% w/w fat
pasteurized and ultra high temperature (UHT) milk. METHODS AND RESULTS: Biofilm
was established on stainless steels in a simulated industrial model biofilm
reactor. NEW had a bactericidal effect on planktonic forms of all bacteria at 25
MUg ml-1 concentration. Biofilm production index (BPI) was affected by the type
of media and micro-organisms and incubation temperatures. In general, biofilms
were more intense at 22 degrees C in milk containing 3% fat than 0.5% fat and LB.
The highest BPI (1.12) was reported for the biofilm of E. coli at 22 degrees C in
3% fat pasteurized milk. No significant change in biofilm formation for any
bacteria at UHT and pasteurized milk was obtained. NEW at 75 MUg ml-1
concentration had more significant biofilm removal activity on all the tested
bacteria. The biofilm removal property of NEW in high-fat milk was lower than
that in low-fat milk and LB broth. CONCLUSIONS: NEW can be used at 75 MUg ml-1
concentration as a sanitizing and biofilm removal compound in dairy plant
facilities. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study highlighted the
effect of different growth media, including culture media and different types of
milk, and the biofilm removal activity of NEW on foodborne pathogens and spoilage
bacteria which could be considered in plant sanitation schedule.
PMID- 28994494
TI - Development of a Thai version of the paediatric bleeding assessment tool (Thai
paediatric-BAT) suitable for use in children with inherited mucocutaneous
bleeding disorders.
PMID- 28994495
TI - Ankyloglossia as a risk factor for maxillary hypoplasia and soft palate
elongation: A functional - morphological study.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To characterize associations between restricted tongue mobility and
maxillofacial development. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Cross-sectional cohort
study of 302 consecutive subjects from an orthodontic practice. MATERIAL AND
METHODS: Tongue mobility (measured with tongue range of motion ratio [TRMR] and
Kotlow free tongue measurement) was correlated with measurements of the
maxillofacial skeleton obtained from dental casts and cephalometric radiographs.
RESULTS: Tongue range of motion ratio and Kotlow measures of restricted tongue
mobility were associated with (i) ratio of maxillary intercanine width to canine
arch length, (ii) ratio of maxillary intermolar width to canine arch length and
(iii) soft palate length. Restricted tongue mobility was not associated with
hyoid bone position or Angle's skeletal classification. CONCLUSIONS: Restricted
tongue mobility was associated with narrowing of the maxillary arch and
elongation of the soft palate in this study. These findings suggest that
variations in tongue mobility may affect maxillofacial development.
PMID- 28994496
TI - Effects of Bithiophene Imide Fusion on the Device Performance of Organic Thin
Film Transistors and All-Polymer Solar Cells.
AB - Two new bithiophene imide (BTI)-based n-type polymers were synthesized. f-BTI2-FT
based on a fused BTI dimer showed a smaller band gap, a lower LUMO, and higher
crystallinity than s-BTI2-FT containing a BTI dimer connected through a single
bond. s-BTI2-FT exhibited a remarkable electron mobility of 0.82 cm2 V-1 s-1 ,
and f-BTI2-FT showed a further improved mobility of 1.13 cm2 V-1 s-1 in
transistors. When blended with the polymer donor PTB7-Th, f-BTI2-FT-based all
polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) attained a PCE of 6.85 %, the highest value for an
all-PSC not based on naphthalene (or perylene) diimide polymer acceptors.
However, s-BTI2-FT all-PSCs showed nearly no photovoltaic effect. The results
demonstrate that f-BTI2-FT is one of most promising n-type polymers and that ring
fusion offers an effective approach for designing polymers with improved
electrical properties.
PMID- 28994499
TI - Re: Moderately elevated blood pressure during pregnancy and odds of hypertension
later in life: The POUCHmoms longitudinal study Potential mechanism for pregnant
and nonpregnant hypertension: Authors' reply.
PMID- 28994498
TI - A Three-Dimensionally pi-Conjugated Diradical Molecular Cage.
AB - pi-Conjugated molecular cages are very challenging targets in structural organic
chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and materials science. The synthesis and
physical characterizations are reported of the first three-dimensionally pi
conjugated diradical molecular cage PTM-C, in which two polychlorotriphenylmethyl
(PTM) radicals are linked by three bis(3,6-carbazolyl) bridges. This cage
compound was synthesized mainly by intermolecular Yamamoto coupling followed by
deprotonation and oxidation. It is stable and its structure was confirmed by X
ray crystallographic analysis. The two carbon-centered PTM radicals are weakly
coupled through electronic interactions with the carbazole spacers, as revealed
by optical, electronic, and magnetic measurements as well as theoretical
calculations.
PMID- 28994497
TI - Effects of Vernonia cinerea Compounds on Drug-metabolizing Cytochrome P450s in
Human Liver Microsomes.
AB - Vernonia cinerea has been widely used in traditional medicines for various
diseases and shown to aid in smoking abstinence and has anticancer properties. V.
cinerea bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and hirsutinolide-type
sesquiterpene lactones, have shown an inhibition effect on the nicotine
metabolizing cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) enzyme and hirsutinolides reported
suppressing cancer growth. In this study, V. cinerea ethanol extract and its
bioactive compounds, including four flavonoids and four hirsutinolides, were
investigated for an inhibitory effect on human liver microsomal CYPs 1A2, 2A6,
2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4 using cocktail inhibition assays combined
with LC-MS/MS analysis. Among tested flavonoids, chrysoeriol was more potent in
inhibition on CYP2A6 and CYP1A2 than other liver CYPs, with better binding
efficiency toward CYP2A6 than CYP1A2 (Ki values in competitive mode of 1.93 +/-
0.05 versus 3.39 +/- 0.21 MUM, respectively). Hirsutinolides were prominent
inhibitors of CYP2A6 and CYP2D6, with IC50 values of 12-23 and 15-41 MUM,
respectively. These hirsutinolides demonstrated time-dependent inhibition, an
indication of mechanism-based inactivation, toward CYP2A6. Quantitative
prediction of microsomal metabolism of these flavonoids and hirsutinolides,
including half-lives and hepatic clearance rate, was examined. These findings may
have implications for further in vivo studies of V. cinerea. Copyright (c) 2017
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID- 28994500
TI - The Cysteinome of Protein Kinases as a Target in Drug Development.
AB - Drugs that function through covalent bond formation represent a considerable
fraction of our repository of effective medicines but safety concerns and the
complexity of developing covalent inhibitors has rendered covalent targeting a
less attractive strategy for rational drug design. The recent approval of four
covalent kinase inhibitors and the development of highly potent covalent kinase
probes with exceptional selectivity has raised significant interest in industry
and academic research and validated the concept of covalent kinase targeting for
clinical applications. The abundance of cysteines at diverse positions in and
around the kinase active site suggests that a large fraction of kinases can be
targeted by covalent inhibitors. Herein, we review recent developments of this
rapidly growing area in kinase drug development and highlight the unique
opportunities and challenges of this strategy.
PMID- 28994501
TI - Decoupled Thermo- and pH-Responsive Hydrogel Microspheres Cross-Linked by
Rotaxane Networks.
AB - Rotaxane cross-linked (RC) microgels that exhibit a decoupled thermo- and pH
responsive volume transition were developed. The pH-induced changes of the
aggregation/disaggregation states of cyclodextrin in the RC networks were used to
control the swelling capacity of the entire microgels. Different from
conventional thermo- and pH-responsive microgels, which are usually obtained from
copolymerizations involving charged monomers, the RC microgels respond to
temperature as intended, even in the presence of charged functional molecules
such as dyes in the microgel dispersion. The results of this study should lead to
new applications, including drug delivery systems that require a retention of
their smart functions even in environments that may contain foreign ions, for
example, in in vivo experiments.
PMID- 28994503
TI - Authors' reply re: Trends in operative vaginal delivery, 2005-2013: a population
based study.
PMID- 28994502
TI - Pro-protein subtilisin kexin-9 (PCSK9) inhibition in practice: lipid clinic
experience in 2 contrasting UK centres.
AB - BACKGROUND: Prescribing criteria have been suggested for proprotein convertase
subtilisin kexin-9 (PCSK-9) inhibitors but few studies exist of their real-world
effectiveness. METHODS: This study audited PCSK-9 inhibitor therapy in 105
consecutive patients from two hospital centres-a university hospital (UH; n = 70)
and a district general hospital (DGH; n = 35). Baseline characteristics including
cardiovascular disease risk factors, NICE qualification criteria, efficacy and
side effects were assessed. RESULTS: Baseline LDL-C levels were similar in both
centres. NICE criteria were met for 2.05 items in the whole study (UH patients
1.7 and DGH patients 2.7). District general hospital patients were more likely to
have familial hypercholesterolaemia (89 vs 69%; P = .02); intolerance to statins
(94 vs 52%; P < .001) and polyvascular disease (42% vs 17%; P = .005).
Prescriptions (evolocumab 73%; alirocumab 23%) were collected by 76% of patients
(UH 64% vs DGH 100%). Therapy was discontinued by time of review in 15% of
patients (UH 7% vs DGH 25%; P = .02). In adherent patients PCSK-9 inhibitor
treatment reduced TC by 28% (2.24 +/- 2.39 mmol/L; P < .001) and LDL-C by 49%
(2.10 +/- 1.33 mmol/L; P < .001). A LDL-C < 2.5 mmol/L was achieved in 30% of
patients and <2.0 mmol/L in 20%. PCSK-9 therapy was effective and safe in
patients with increased lipoprotein (a), diagnosed muscle diseases (including
myopathies and muscular dystrophy) or poststatin rhabdomyolysis, nephrotic
syndrome or HIV disease. Mixed results were obtained in patients with significant
mixed hyperlipidaemia. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that PCSK-9 inhibitors
are effective but that prescriptions should not be changed to long-term delivery
until patients have been reviewed and shown to be adherent.
PMID- 28994504
TI - Selective Activation of C-H Bonds in a Cascade Process Combining Photochemistry
and Biocatalysis.
AB - Selective oxyfunctionalizations of inert C-H bonds can be achieved under mild
conditions by using peroxygenases. This approach, however, suffers from the poor
robustness of these enzymes in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as the
stoichiometric oxidant. Herein, we demonstrate that inorganic photocatalysts such
as gold-titanium dioxide efficiently provide H2 O2 through the methanol-driven
reductive activation of ambient oxygen in amounts that ensure that the enzyme
remains highly active and stable. Using this approach, the stereoselective
hydroxylation of ethylbenzene to (R)-1-phenylethanol was achieved with high
enantioselectivity (>98 % ee) and excellent turnover numbers for the biocatalyst
(>71 000).
PMID- 28994505
TI - Lithiation Behavior of Silicon Nanowire Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Impact
of Functionalization and Porosity.
AB - Metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) provides a versatile way to synthesize
silicon nanowires (SiNW) of different morphologies. MACE was used to synthesize
oxide-free porous and nonporous SiNW for use as anodes for lithium-ion batteries.
To improve their processing behavior, the SiNW were functionalized using acrylic
acid. Differential capacity plots were used as a way to identify the degradation
processes during cycling through tracking the formation of Li15 Si4 and changes
in polarization. The cycling performance between porous and nonporous SiNW
differed regarding Coulombic efficiency and cycling stability. The differences
were attributed to the porous hull and its ability to reduce the volume
expansion, although not through its porous nature but the reduced uptake of Li
ions.
PMID- 28994506
TI - Inflammatory cells in liquid-based cytology smears classified as bacterial
vaginosis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) remains an enigmatic question. The term
"osis" instead of "itis" is used because commonly, there are no inflammatory
process associated with BV. However, leukocytes are often observed in it.
METHODS: In a transversal study, we evaluated 1178 cases with diagnosis of BV by
liquid-based cytology (more than 20% of clue cells), attended in general
gynecologic private clinic. Depending of the presence of more than five
leukocytes on average per field in immersion objective (1000*), the cases were
divided in two groups: few or no leukocytes (< 5 leukocytes per field) (BV) and
with leukocytes (>= 5 leukocytes per field) (BV-L). The Fisher exact and Student
t tests was applied to a confidence interval of 95%. The project was approved by
the Ethic Committee of Federal University of Ceara, Brazil. RESULTS: The age
between the groups was the only different socio-demographic variable. The
assessment of vaginal discharge aspect had no characteristic aspect. Colposcopy
findings suggesting colpitis and ectopy were more frequent in the group of BV-L,
7.1% and 6.9%, respectively. The study of the microbiology demonstrated in the BV
L group, more frequently co-occurrence of Candida sp (15.1%) than in BV group
(1.5%) (P < .0001). The cellular atypia was present more frequently in the BV-L
(9.6%) than in BV (5.7%) (P = .0116). CONCLUSION: The presence of leukocytes in
BV (or BV-L) may suggest a mixed infection, ectopy influencing the vaginal milieu
and even epithelial atypia.
PMID- 28994507
TI - Re: Trends in operative vaginal delivery, 2005-2013: a population-based study.
PMID- 28994508
TI - Loss of BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) expression is useful in diagnostic
cytopathology of malignant mesothelioma in effusions.
AB - BACKGROUND: The important diagnostic challenge facing the cytopathologist is
whether a mesothelial proliferation on effusions represents a malignant
mesothelioma (MM) or a benign mesothelial hyperplasia (MH). Here, we evaluated
the diagnostic utility of BAP1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) in distinguishing
between reactive and neoplastic mesothelial cells. METHODS: In pleural and
peritoneal effusions from 147 patients with diagnosed MM or with a differential
diagnosis of MM and MH, the expression of BAP1 was examined by IHC on paraffin
embedded cell blocks (n = 121) and biopsies (n = 44). Included were also
synchronous and methacronous cytology/biopsy pair samples. BAP1 IHC was evaluated
for nuclear staining as positive or negative on target mesothelial cells, with
appropriate internal control. RESULTS: In MM cases, loss of BAP1 nuclear staining
was observed in 76.5% of the cell blocks and 47.5% of the biopsies. All BAP1
negative cases with a differential diagnosis of benign and malignant mesothelial
proliferations were MM at follow-up. All MH cases, the 29% of epithelial MM and
the 90% of nonepithelial MM, retained BAP1 expression. Synchronous and
methacronous biopsy/cytology pairs showed matching BAP1 results. CONCLUSION: In
effusions with mesotheliomatous cells or atypical mesothelial cells of uncertain
significance, negative BAP1 IHC strongly supports a diagnosis of MM. With
prudence in interpreting immunostaining, BAP1 may be included in IHC panels for
MM cytodiagnosis, given its high specificity and sensitivity.
PMID- 28994509
TI - Cytology of breast pleomorphic adenoma associated with extensive apocrine
metaplasia.
PMID- 28994510
TI - Isolated lingual cysticercosis: A rare case diagnosed on cytology.
AB - Cysticercosis is caused by larval stage of Taenia solium called cysticercus
cellulosae. Cysticercosis most commonly infects skeletal muscles, subcutaneous
tissues, brain and ocular tissue. On extensive search of literature, only around
64 cases of lingual cysticercosis have been reported till date. We report a case
of cysticercosis of tongue in a 35-year-old male who presented with a painless,
slowly growing swelling over the lateral border of tongue. Fine needle aspiration
cytology revealed wavy integument of cysticercus cellulosae alongwith
inflammatory cells. The findings were confirmed on histopathology. No other
cystic swelling was encountered in the body on retrospective examination and
investigations. This case is being presented on account of its rarity as well as
the utility of FNAC as a primary diagnostic technique in evaluation of parasitic
lesions.
PMID- 28994511
TI - Relationships of family conflict, cohesion, and chaos in the home environment on
maternal and child food-related behaviours.
AB - This study examined how food-related behaviours differed in mothers and their
preschool children by levels of family functioning (cohesion and conflict) and
household disorganization (chaos). A nationally representative sample of mothers
of preschoolers completed an online survey assessing food-related behaviours of
themselves and their children. Maternal and child diet, eating behaviours, and
health status; household availability of fruits/vegetables, salty/fatty snacks,
and sugar-sweetened beverages; family mealtime atmosphere; and family conflict,
cohesion, and household chaos were assessed with valid, reliable scales. Cluster
analyses assigned families into low, middle, and high conflict, cohesion, and
chaos groups. Participants (n = 550) were 72% White, and 82% had some post
secondary education. Regression analysis examining the association of cluster
grouping levels on diet-related behaviour measures revealed that positive home
environments (i.e., low family conflict, high family cohesion, and low household
chaos) were associated with healthier food-related behaviours (e.g., increased
fruits/vegetables intake), whereas negative home environments (i.e., high family
conflict, low family cohesion, and high household chaos) were associated with
unhealthy food-related behaviours (e.g., greater % total calories from fat) even
after controlling for sociodemographic and related behavioural factors. Findings
suggest family functioning and household chaos are associated with food-related
behaviours. This frequently overlooked component of family interaction may affect
intervention outcomes and objectives of educational and interventional
initiatives.
PMID- 28994512
TI - Creating effective and engaging presentations.
PMID- 28994513
TI - Authors reply re: Clinical follow up of women after hypertensive disease in
pregnancy.
PMID- 28994514
TI - Six domains to develop critical medical humanities.
PMID- 28994515
TI - Role of pelvic ultrasound simulation.
AB - BACKGROUND: Pelvic ultrasound is a critical diagnostic imaging tool in obstetrics
and gynaecology. Training opportunities in transvaginal ultrasound have not kept
pace with the demand among learners because of the increased complexity of modern
ultrasound technology and duty-hour restrictions. Ultrasound simulation training
has the potential to overcome this gap. Training opportunities in transvaginal
ultrasound have not kept pace with the demand OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to
determine the usefulness, applicability and attitudes toward pelvic ultrasound
simulation training among residents, sonographers and practising doctors.
METHODS: Pelvic ultrasound simulation activity using high-fidelity virtual
reality ultrasound simulators lasted 4 hours and consisted of three modules:
abnormal uterine bleeding, adnexal masses and bleeding in pregnancy. All learners
completed a pre- and post-encounter quiz, and an anonymous post-simulation survey
on the relevance of ultrasound simulation to clinical learning, and its
usefulness to improve scanning performance and interpretation skills. RESULTS:
Thirty-one participants attended the workshop, and 28 (90.3%) of them responded
to the survey. Five respondents agreed and 23 strongly agreed that pelvic
ultrasound simulation applies to their clinical ultrasound practice, and seven of
them agreed and 21 strongly agreed that their performance of ultrasound and
interpretation skills will be improved following their simulation training. The
average post-activity knowledge score for all three topics significantly
increased (paired Student's t-test, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: All 28 respondents
believe that ultrasound simulation is a useful complement to learning with real
patients, with the potential to improve their pelvic ultrasound performance,
interpretation skills and clinical reasoning.
PMID- 28994516
TI - The Implication of Combat Stress and PTSD Trajectories in Metabolic Syndrome and
Elevated C-Reactive Protein Levels: A Longitudinal Study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study sheds light on the importance of long-term follow-up of
trauma survivors, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) trajectories, and early
detection of health risk factors in trauma survivors. The present study
prospectively assessed the following over 23 years: (1) the association of
psychological and physiologic stress during captivity with elevated C-reactive
protein (CRP) levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS), which includes hypertension;
elevated levels of insulin, triglycerides, and fasting glucose; decreased levels
of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and obesity and (2) the implication of
PTSD trajectories in elevated CRP levels and MetS. METHODS: Measurements were
taken in 1991, 2003, 2008, and 2015. Participants were 116 Israeli combat
veterans of the 1973 Yom Kippur War (of these, 101 were former prisoners of war
[ex-POWs] and 15 were comparable controls). The medical assessments relevant for
this study were body mass index, fasting blood glucose levels, and diabetes,
blood pressure or a diagnosis of hypertension, high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and medication intake. In addition, the PTSD
Inventory was used to assess PTSD symptoms and trajectories over time according
to DSM-IV-TR PTSD criteria. RESULTS: Captivity-in particular, the captivity
stressors of weight loss, physical suffering, psychological suffering, and
humiliation-was implicated in both elevated CRP levels and MetS, significantly so
with elevated CRP levels (P = .01, R2 = 0.33). Captivity-induced PTSD, in
particular chronic and delayed PTSD trajectories, was associated with elevated
CRP levels and MetS, significantly so for MetS (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring
inflammation using markers like CRP level in trauma survivors can be beneficial,
particularly if PTSD is chronic or delayed. Clinicians treating trauma survivors
should raise awareness of the importance of such measures in light of long-term
health vulnerabilities.
PMID- 28994517
TI - The Impact of Obesity on Cognitive Functioning in Euthymic Bipolar Patients: A
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of body mass index (BMI) on cognition in
euthymic bipolar patients and healthy matched controls in a post hoc study of 2
cross-sectional and longitudinal exploratory studies. METHOD: A total sample of
121 individuals was examined, which included 52 euthymic bipolar disorder I or II
patients (DSM-IV-TR criteria) and 69 healthy controls matched by age and gender,
categorized in 2 subgroups in terms of body mass index (BMI-factor): normal
weight (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) versus overweight-obesity (overweight, BMI: 25.0
29.9 kg/m2; and obese, BMI >= 30 kg/m2). Demographic, clinical, cognitive, and
psychosocial functioning data were collected from 2003 until 2011. Cognitive
domains studied were executive function, attention, processing speed, verbal
memory, and visual memory. Fifty-four subjects (28 bipolar and 26 healthy
controls) were reevaluated after 6 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Obesity and
bipolar disorder showed a significant effect on cognition in cross-sectional and
long-term MANOVA analyses (F7,111 = 2.54, P = .018 and F19,23 = 2.25, P = .033,
respectively). In the cross-sectional linear regression model, global cognitive
functioning was predicted by the interaction of BMI-factor by group (beta =
0.44, SE = 0.14, P = .002), current age (beta = -0.44, P < .0001), and premorbid
IQ (beta = 0.28, P = .0002), which explained 56% of variance (F5,115 = 29.6, P <
.0001). Change in cognitive functioning over time was predicted by the
interaction of BMI-factor by group (beta = -0.8, SE = 0.33, P = .022) and
cognition at baseline (beta = -0.46, SE = 0.15, P = .004), which explained 27.65%
of variance (F6,40 = 2.548, P = .0349). Generalized estimating equations analysis
showed that interaction of group by BMI (Wald chi21 = 5.37, P = .02), age (Wald
chi21 = 22.08, P < .0001), and premorbid IQ (Wald chi21 = 25.65, P < .0001) were
the significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was significantly associated
with cognitive impairment in euthymic bipolar patients, and it also appeared to
affect cognition in the long term.
PMID- 28994518
TI - [Quality evaluation of decoction of single medicinal herb--a case of Lonicerae
Japinicae Flos].
AB - Decoction of single medicinal herb is a reference for the standardization of
different dosage form of Chinese medicine and it provides a new direction for
solving the problems existing in the quality of Chinese medicinal granules such
no uniform dosage forms and no clear quality standard. There are few reports on
the idea, method and preparation of single herb standard decoction. Our country
is in urgent need of that information in order to improve the consistency and
stability of traditional Chinese medicine products. Here, Lonicerae Japinicae
Flos was selected as an example to elucidate the preparation and quality
evaluation of Chinese single herbal medicine decoction. Twelve batches of
representative Lonicerae Japinicae Flos were collected, UPLC fingerprints were
established, and the chemical structures of main peaks were identified with UPLC
QTOF-MS and standard compounds. The main components in the decoction are organic
acids and iridoids. The extract rate of the standard decoction was (34.2+/-2.9)%
and the transfer rate is (78.6+/-8.4)% in the form of chlorogenic acid, within
the range of 75%-125% of mean. This paper established a method for the quality
evaluation of standard decoction of Lonicerae Japinicae Flos and provided
reference for the quality control method of terminal products from decoction of
Lonicerae Japinicae Flos.
PMID- 28994519
TI - [Establish quality evaluation method based on standard decoction of Danshen
extract].
AB - The quality of Danshen extract granules on market is largely different from each
other mainly due to the heterogeneous quality of raw materials of Salvia
miltiorrhiza, various producing procedures and lack of good quality evaluation
method. Formula granule and "standard decoction" have the same quality. In this
paper, a systematic evaluation method for the quality of Danshen decoction was
established from the perspective of "standard decoction", in order to explore the
main factors affecting the quality uniformity of Danshen extract granules.
Danshen standard decoction was prepared; then the fingerprint method was
developed to determine the content of salvianolic acid B; and the main peaks in
the fingerprint were identified with UPLC-QTOF/MS to clarify the chemical
compositions of Danshen decoction. Three indexes were calculated to evaluate the
stability of whole process, including the extraction ratio; transfer rate of
index components and pH value. The results showed that the main components of
Danshen decoction were phenolic acids, while the extraction rate, the transfer
rate of salvianolic acid B and pH value were in a relatively stable level, and
the similarity in the fingerprint of standard decoction was high, indicating that
the preparation procedure was stable. The level of salvianolic acid B in the
standard decoction was in a large range, which was mainly due to the difference
in the quality of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.
PMID- 28994520
TI - [Establish quality evaluation system for standard Ephedrae Herba decoction].
AB - To establish the quality control methods for the standard decoction of Ephedrae
Herba, and provide the reference for quality evaluation method of all Chinese
herbal medicine decoction.Standard decoction of Ephedrae Herba was prepared, and
UPLC-UV fingerprint was established to determine the total contents of ephedrine
and pseudoephedrine. Then UPLC-QTOF/MS was used to confirm the major common peaks
in the fingerprint to clarify the main chemical constituents in the decoction. In
addition, the stability of the process was evaluated by calculating the
parameters such as the extraction ratio, transfer rate of the index components
and the pH values.In the decoction of Ephedrae Herba, the total average
concentration of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine was (2.11+/-0.70) g*L-1; the
similarities of all the fingerprints were more than 0.85; there were 10 major
common peaks in the fingerprint, including alkaloids, flavonoids and organic
acids; the extraction ratio was (17+/-3.2)%, and the overall transfer rate of
ephedrine and pseudoephedrine was (32.4+/-8.1)%.The method for evaluating the
quality of standard decoction of Ephedrae Herba was established in this article,
providing reference for the quality control of products which were stemmed from
the water extract of Ephedrae Herba.
PMID- 28994521
TI - [Research on Glycyrrhizeae Radix standard decoction].
AB - Fifteen batches of Glycyrrhizeae Radix standard decoction were prepared for
determination of the content of the glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin, then the
transfer rate and the extract rate were calculated and a method was established
to analyze the fingerprint by HPLC. According to the measurement of 15 batches of
samples,the transfer rate of the glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin were 59.4%
87.4% and 49.8%-78.9% with extract rate of 29.9%-38.9%. Moreover,10 common
chromatographic peaks were determined based on their fingerprint by using
similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional
Chinese medicine (TCM)(2012A) .The similarity results of 15 batches of samples
were analyzed and compared,and the results showed that the similarity was all
higher than 0.9. Fifteen batches of samples,prepared by a standard method,have
stable quality and the high similarity.The method displayed good
precision,stability and repeatability in fingerprint analysis. Therefore,this
study can provide a reference for the quality control of Glycyrrhizae Radix
dispensing granules.
PMID- 28994522
TI - [Moderation-integrated-balance presupposition of Chinese medicine compound and
pharmacological problems in traditional Chinese drug research].
AB - The moderation-integrated-balance presupposition (MIBP) of Chinese medicine
compound was first proposed in this paper based on the review of function
characteristics and action principles of Chinese medicine compound. Furthermore,
the pharmacological problems of traditional Chinese drug research were discussed
in details. The results were of important value in accelerating the
transformation of traditional Chinese medicine compound, and constructing the new
drug innovation and review system for traditional Chinese medicine.
PMID- 28994523
TI - [Discussion on clinical problems about bases of new drug of traditional Chinese
medicine development].
AB - In view of the industry lacking of sufficient analyses on the bases of project
establishment about the new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) during
their applying for the clinical research, from the perspective of clinical
evaluation, this paper reviewed and analyzed the present situation and
development paths of new drugs of TCM in recent years. Through the analyses of
the rationality of formulations, human use experiences and clinical studies, the
paper puts forward the countermeasures to solve these difficulties during the
technical evaluation of new drugs of TCM in order to improve the new drugs'
clinical research.
PMID- 28994524
TI - [Clinical value evaluation of Chinese herbal formula in context of multi-omics
network].
AB - Clinical value evaluation is the key issue to solve the problems such as high
repetition rate, fuzzy clinical positioning, broad indications and unclear
clinical values in Chinese herbal formula(Chinese patent medicine). By analyzing
the challenges and opportunities of Chinese herbal formula in clinical value
evaluation, this paper introduced a strategy of multi-omic network analysis.
Through comparative analysis of three stroke treatment formulas, we suggested
their different characteristic advantages for variant symptoms or phenotypes of
stroke, which may provide reference for rational clinical choice. Such multi-omic
network analysis strategy may open a unique angle of view for clinical evaluation
and comparison of Chinese herbal formula.
PMID- 28994525
TI - [Discussion on efficacy evaluation thought and method for innovation medicine of
Chinese herbal compound formula based on clinical application characteristics].
AB - The Chinese herbal compound formula preparation was made based on theory of
Chinese medicine, which was confirmed by long period clinical application, and
with multi-compound and multi-target characteristics. During the exploitation
process of innovation medicine of Chinese herbal compound formula, selecting and
speeding up the research development of drugs with clinical value shall be paid
more attention, and as request of rules involved in new drug research and
development, the whole process management should be carried out, including
project evaluation, manufacturing process determination, establishment of quality
control standards, evaluation for pharmacological and toxic effect, as well as
new drug application process. This reviews was aimed to give some proposals for
pharmacodynamics research methods involved in exploration of Chinese herbal
compound formula preparation, including: 1the endpoint criteria should meet the
clinical attribution of new drugs; 2the pre-clinical pharmacodynamics evaluation
should be carried on appropriate animal models according to the characteristics
of diagnosis and therapy of Chinese medicine and observation indexes; 3during the
innovation of drug for infants and children, information on drug action
conforming to physiological characteristics of infants and children should be
supplied, and the pharmacodynamics and toxicology research shall be conducted in
immature rats according to the body weight of children. In a summary, the
clinical application characteristics are the important criteria for evaluation of
pharmacological effect of innovation medicine of Chinese herbal compound formula.
PMID- 28994526
TI - [Research progress of Baizhu Shaoyao powder in treating ulcerative colitis].
AB - Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, nonspecific and complex intestinal disease. The
current clinical treatment guideline of this disease recommends a variety of
options with oral western medicines, such as aminosalicylic acids,
glucocorticosteroids, and immunosuppressors. However, due to their unstable
therapeutic effects, high toxicities, and strong drug dependence, they are not
suitable for long-term administration. Baizhu Shaoyao powder, a traditional
Chinese medicinal prescription, is clinically and commonly used for tonifying
spleen and softening liver as well as eliminating dampness and relieving
diarrhea. Recent researches suggest that Baizhu Shaoyao powder has significant
effect in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This article reviewed the research
progress on the curative effect and action mechanism of Baizhu Shaoyao powder in
treating ulcerative colitis, and provided the ideas and directions for its
further research in future.
PMID- 28994527
TI - [Advance on quality control of toad venom and its key influence factors].
AB - Toad venom (Chansu) is prepared from the dried secretion of Bufo bufo gargarizans
or B. melanostictus. It is not only one of the famous and expensive traditional
Chinese medicines(TCMs) from animal origin, but also one of 28 kinds of toxic
TCMs to be required for special management issued by the State Council of the
People's Republic of China. Chansu contains the rich bufadienolides and indole
alkaloids, and displays various bioactivity including cardiotonic, anti-tumor,
analgesia, and local anesthesia. Based on the published references in the recent
years, the advance on the identification of adulterants and quality evaluation as
well as the influence factors on the quality of toad venom was summarized to
improve the quality standards and promote the level of quality control of toad
venom and its preparations.
PMID- 28994528
TI - [Research progress on regulation effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on
mitochondria].
AB - Mitochondria is the key energy source of cells and plays an important role in
energy synthesis and release, and maintenance of cellular functions. As the most
important active ingredients in Chinese medicine pseudo-ginseng, Panax
notoginseng saponins(PNS) have pharmacological effects on protecting against
thrombosis, dilating blood vessels, lowering the blood pressure, anti
inflammation, and antioxidant, etc. Domestic and foreign studies have shown that
PNS participates in regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism, oxidative stress,
biosynthesis, apoptosis, mitophagy and the status of membrane channels.
Therefore, the mitochondria is one of the important targets of PNS. In this
paper, the regulation effects of P. notoginseng saponins on mitochondria were
reviewed.
PMID- 28994529
TI - [Soil improvement promoted micro-ecology of farmlands for ginseng cultivation].
AB - This study has revealed the change of the soil micro-ecology of farmlands, which
used for ginseng cultivation, brought by comprehensive soil improvement. The
process of soil improvement was described as follows: soil was sterilized using
trichloronitromethane, and then perilla seeds were planted. After growing up, the
perillas were turned over into the field and fermented, then organic fertilizer
was added. Rotary tillages were carried out during the intervals. Physical and
chemical properties of treated soil were measured, as well as microbial
diversity, which was illustrated using 16s high through-put sequencing. The
survival rate and growth data of ginseng seedlings were recorded. The analysis
showed that after improvement, the soil organic matter content was increased and
soil bulk density was decreased, compare to the controls, and the fertility in 0
20 cm of soil layer was increased in the treatment. Additionally, the soil
microbial diversity was changed greatly. In detail, alpha diversity of the soil
decreased after soil improvement while the beta diversity increased. In order to
verify the achievement of soil improvement, ginseng seedlings were planted.
Compared to the untreated land blocks, the survival rate of ginseng on improved
blocks was increased up to 21.4%, and the ginseng physiological index were all
better than the controls. Results showed that comprehensive soil improvements
including soil sterilization, green manure planting and organic fertilization
application effectively improved the soil micro-ecology in farmlands. This study
will pave the way for the future standardization of ginseng cultivation on
farmlands.
PMID- 28994530
TI - [Regional stability analysis of Pseudostellariae Radix new variety "Shitai
No.1"].
AB - To provide guidance for certification, popularization and application of
Pseudostellariae Radix new variety, the regional adaptation and stabilities of
"Shitai No.1" were evaluated. The "Qian taizishen No.1" and "SB-C" varieties
(strains) were used as the control varieties. The agronomic, medicinal material
traits and medicine quality were used as evaluation index to compare the
phenotypic difference of the three varieties (strains) in four planting areas.
Compared to the control varieties, 10 agronomic traits of "Shitai No.1" had the
smallest coefficient of variation among the 18 agronomic traits, and other 8
agronomic traits placed the middle level. Among 8 medicinal material traits and
medicine quality indicators, the coefficient of variation of different regions of
the extract content, pseudostellarin B content, the number of 50 g root tuber,
the plant medicinal materials weight and weight of single root of "Shitai No.1"
were the smallest compare to other varieties (strains). It could be divided into
three groups based on the phenotypic difference of the three varieties (strains)
in four planting areas. The "Shitai No.1" was classified as one group, while the
"Qian taizishen No.1" and "SB-C" had cross clustering. The regional stability of
several index about agronomic traits, medicinal material traits and medicine
quality of "Shitai No.1" were better than that of the control varieties
(strains). "Shitai No.1" was suitable for planting, popularization and
application in the appropriate ecological areas of Guizhou province.
PMID- 28994531
TI - [Cloning, subcellular localization, and heterologous expression of ApNAC1 gene
from Andrographis paniculata].
AB - Andrographis paniculata is widely used as medicinal herb in China for a long time
and andrographolide is its main medicinal constituent. To investigate the
underlying andrographolide biosynthesis mechanisms, RNA-seq for A. paniculata
leaves with MeJA treatment was performed. In A. paniculata transcriptomic data,
the expression pattern of one member of NAC transcription factor family (ApNAC1)
matched with andrographolide accumulation. The coding sequence of ApNAC1 was
cloned by RT-PCR, and GenBank accession number was KY196416. The analysis of
bioinformatics showed that the gene encodes a peptide of 323 amino acids, with a
predicted relative molecular weight of 35.9 kDa and isoelectric point of 6.14. To
confirm the subcellular localization, ApNAC1-GFP was transiently expressed in A.
paniculata protoplast. The results indicated that ApNAC1 is a nucleus-localized
protein. The analysis of real-time quantitative PCR revealed that ApNAC1 gene
predominantly expresses in leaves. Compared with control sample, its expression
abundance sharply increased with methyl jasmonate treatment. Based on its
expression pattern, ApNAC1 gene might involve in andrographolide biosynthesis.
ApNAC1 was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and recombinant protein
was purified by Ni-NTA agarose. Further study will help us to understand the
function of ApNAC1 in andrographolide biosynthesis.
PMID- 28994532
TI - [Study on identification of Dendrobium officinale and related species by
bidirectional PCR amplification of mismatched and specific alleles].
AB - Based on rDNA ITS sequences of Dendrobium officinale and the other 69 species of
Dendrobium, a pair of dismatched allele-specific diagnostic primers, TPSH-AS1F
and TPSH-AS1R were designed to authenticate D. officinale from the other species.
Thebidirectional PCR amplification were performed using the diagnostic primers
with the total DNAs of the original plants or processing products as a template.
When the annealing temperature was raised to 60 C, only the template DNA of D.
officinale could be amplified whereas the diagnostic PCRs of the other Dendrobium
species were all negative. Compared with the other authentification methods, the
bidirectional PCR amplifications is not only simpler and time-saving but
practical and effective.
PMID- 28994533
TI - [Identification and phylogenetic analysis of endophytic fungi isolated from
Scrophularia ningpoensis].
AB - The endophytic fungi from root, main stem, branch and leaf of Scrophularia
ningpoensis were isolated and identified from Wulong and Chongqing, and the
population diversity analysis and phylogenetic analysis were followed. The result
indicated that, as to population diversity index, S. ningpoensis from Wulong:
leaf>main stem=branch>root, branch from Chongqing>branch from Wulong. Fifty-eight
endophytic fungi were obtained, most of which were the pathogens of the plant.
Colletotrichum was the prevailing genus, of which C. gloeosporioides and C.
boninense were the prevailing strains. Leaf and seedlings might be the main path
of infection. Endophytic fungi and pathogen might convert to each other,
influenced by such factors as environment, genotype et al.
PMID- 28994534
TI - [A new styrene dimer derivative from Litsea greenmaniana].
AB - A new styrene dimer derivative has been isolated from the branch of Litsea
greenmaniana by column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, as well
as semi-preparative HPLC. Its structure was identified by spectroscopic data
analysis (MS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR) as (E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenol,
named as listeanol. At a concentration of 1*10-5 mol*L-1, compound 1 was inactive
in the assays, including cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines (HCT-8, Bel
7402, BGC-823, A549 and A2780), antioxidant activity in Fe2+-cystine-induced rat
liver microsomal lipid peroxidation, neuroprotective activity against serum
deprivation or glutamate induced neurotoxicity in cultures of PC12 cells, and the
inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).
PMID- 28994535
TI - [Antitumor activity and structure-activity relationship of seven lanostane-type
triterpenes from Fomitopsis pinicola and F. officinalis].
AB - Seven lanostane-type triterpenes including fomitopsin C(1),3-keto
dehydrosulfurenic acid(2),dehydroeburiconic acid(3),3-acetyloxylanosta-8, 24-dien
21-oic acid(4),pinicolic acid A(5),trametenolic acid B(6),and eburicoic
acid(7),were isolated from the fruitbodies of Fomitopsis pinicola and F.
officinalis. In vitro assay, all compounds were evaluated against MCF-7, HeLa,
HepG2 and A549 cells lines using the MTT assay and the structure-activity
relationship of antitumor activity was discussed. The results showed that the
seven compounds were more sensitive to MCF-7 cells.The IC50 value for MCF-7 was
2<5<4<1<3<6<7. H22 tumor mouse model was used to assay compounds 2, 3, 4 and 5 in
vivo. Compounds 2 and 4 had obvious effect and the necrosis area and measurement
were positively correlated. The results showed that compounds 2, 4 and 5 had
significant antitumor activities at a dose of 20 mg*L-1 with 65.31%, 56.71%,
58.72% suppression, respectively, approaching to CTX group with 69.19%
suppression in subcutaneous H22-implanted mice.The results showed that these
compounds had significant against the expression of VEGF, cytokines IL-4 and IFN
gamma tumor, additionally, the structure-activity relationship of lanostane-type
triterpenes indicated that the acetoxyl or carbonyl at C-3 and hydroxy at C-15
can enhance the antitumor activity.
PMID- 28994536
TI - [Changes of chemical constituents in Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma before and after
carbonized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method].
AB - In order to explore the effect on chemical constituents after carbonized, the
changes of chemical constituents in raw and carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma
were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The research also used principal component
analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)
for data statistics to find out the main differences on components before and
after carbonized. The accurate m/z values of Q-TOF-MS and Q-TOF-MS-MS fragments
were applied to identify the structures. The results showed that 6 more
discrepant constituents were existed between raw and carbonized Rubiae Radix et
Rhizoma. Three constituents were selected as the main discrepant components
according to the peak area (276 nm) and identified, as lucidin, xanthopurpurin
and 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone. After carbonized, contents of
xanthopurpurin and 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone were observably
increasing, while lucidin was obviously decreasing. They could be used as the
chemical markers for the differentiation between raw and carbonized Rubiae Radix
et Rhizoma. The results of this experiment played an important role in the study
of processing principle of carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma. It also provided
important evidences for the interpretation of effective material based on
carbonized Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma.
PMID- 28994537
TI - [Simultaneous determination of eleven components in Ginkgo biloba leaves by high
performance liquid chromatography method].
AB - To study Ginkgo biloba leaves in different producing area, we establish an HPLC
method for the simultaneously determination of seven flavonoids glycosides and
four biflavonoids in G. biloba leaves. The analysis was performed on an Agilent
ZORBAX SB-C18 column(4.6 mm*250 mm, 5 MUm) wich acetonitrile, and 0.4% phosphoric
acid as mobile phase at flow rate of 1 mL*min-1 in a gradient edution, and the
detection was carried out at 254 nm.The calibration curves of the seven
flavonoids glycosides and four biflavonoids had a good linearitiy with good
recoveries. The established HPLC method is simple, rapid, accurate, reliable, and
sensitive, and can be applied to the identification and quality control of G.
biloba leaves.
PMID- 28994538
TI - [Effects of pure total flavonoids from Citrus changshan-huyou on blood lipid
metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats].
AB - To observe and investigate the effects and mechanisms of the pure total
flavonoids from Citrus changshan-huyou(PTFC) on blood lipid metabolism in
hyperlipidemic rats. SD rats were fed with high fat diet for 4 weeks to induce
hyperlipidemic rats model, meanwhile three dosages (50, 100, 200 mg*kg -1*d -1)
of PTFC were administrated intragastrically for 4 weeks respectively.After 2
weeks of modeling, their tail blood was taken and serum TC, TG, and HDL-C levels
were detected by biochemical method and their body weight was measured. After 4
weeks of modeling, their body weight was measured and liver weight was measured,
then the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, ALT, AST, MDA and SOD in serum were
detected to calculate lipid comprehensive index(LDL-C/HDL-C and LDL-C/TC ratios)
and atherogenic index(AI); in addition, MDA and SOD levels were detected by
biochemical method. The hitopathological changes of the liver tissues were
observed by HE staining; the protein expression levels of PPAR-alpha, Lpl, and
Lipc were detected by ELISA; and the mRNA expression levels of PPAR-alpha in the
liver tissue were detected by Real-time PCR. The results showed that gavage
administration of the PTFC significantly decreased the body weight, liver weight,
liver index, serum ALT and AST activities, the levels of serum TC, TG, LDL-C, LDL
C/HDL-C, AI and increased serum HDL and LDL/TC level. Moreover, the PTFC
significantly enhanced SOD activity and decreased the concentration of MDA in
serum and liver tissue. Further mechanism investigation indicated that PTFC
inhibited serum lipid accumulation by increasing the expressions PPAR-alpha, Lpl,
Lipc protein and PPAR-alpha mRNA of the liver tissues. PTFC could actively
regulate blood lipid metabolism by ameliorating hepatic function, improving the
body's antioxidant capacity, lowering levels of oxidative stress, as well as
positively regulating the expression levels of PPAR-alpha, Lpl, Lipc protein and
PPAR-alpha mRNA of the liver tissues in rats.
PMID- 28994539
TI - [Siwu decoction improves iron deficiency anemia in infant rats and regulates iron
metabolism].
AB - To investigate the effect of Siwu decoction on improving iron deficiency anemia
in infant rats and observe its regulatory effects on iron metabolism. SD rats
were fed with low iron fodder for 2 weeks, and then the rats with hemoglobin
level less than 75 g*L -1 were screened out and randomly divided into model
group, Ferrous succinate 50 mg*kg -1 group, Siwu decoction 4 g*kg -1, 8 g*kg -1
and 16 g*kg -1 groups. After 4 weeks' gavage administration, Wright-Giemsa's
staining of blood smear and HE staining of the livers were conducted, and all
rats were tested for blood routine, serum iron, total iron binding capacity,
serum ferritin, serum hepcidin and liver hepcidin. The expression levels of liver
ferritin, transferrin and transferrin receptor 1 were also detected. The results
showed that as compared with normal group, the activity level of model group was
decreased, and the color and lustre of auricles and toes were pale white; the
number of red blood cells was decreased; the volume was smaller, with an
increased zone of central pallor; the body weight and blood routine parameters
were decreased significantly; the livers were pale red, and the hepatic cords
around thecentral veins were unclear and misaligned; the serum iron, serum
ferritin, liver iron levels and the expression of liver ferritin were decreased
significantly; the total iron binding capacity, serum hepcidin, liver hepcidin,
the expression levels of liver transferrin and transferrin receptor 1 were
significantly increased, indicating successful establishment of models. As
compared with the model group, activity was increased in Siwu decoction group;
the color and lustre of auricles and toes were ruddy; the number of red blood
cells was increased; the volume was larger, with a decreased zone of central
pallor; the body weight and blood routine parameters were increased
significantly; the livers were red, hepatic cords around the central veins were
clear and aligned;the serum iron, serum ferritin, liver iron levels and the
expression of liver ferritin were significantly increased, the total iron binding
capacity, serum hepcidin, liver hepcidin, the expression of liver transferrin and
transferrin receptor 1 were decreased significantly. The results demonstrated
that Siwu decoction had a certain effect on improving iron deficiency anemia in
infant rats, and the mechanism may be associated with the regulatory effect of
hepcidin iron metabolism.
PMID- 28994541
TI - [Effect of Chinese herb chicory extract on expression of renal transporter Glut9
in rats with hyperuricemia].
AB - Sixty SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group,
benzbromarone group(20 mg*kg-1*d-1), chicory extract high dose, middle dose and
low dose groups (5, 7.5, 10 g*kg-1*d-1). The rats in normal group were given with
water, and the rats in other groups were given with 10% fructose solution to
establish hyperuricemia models. All the rats were sacrificed on the 42th day.
Then their serum uric acid(SUA), serum creatinine(CRE), urea nitrogen(BUN) and
urinary uric acid(UUA) levels were detected to calculate the clearance rate of
uric acid in kidney(CUA). Meanwhile, the protein and gene expression levels of
renal glucose transporter family member 9(Glut9) were detected by
immunohistochemical and Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase
chain reaction(RT-qPCR) methods. The effects of Chinese herb chicory extract on
expression of renal Glut9 and decreasing uric acid were explored in this study,
and the results showed that chicory extract could reduce SUA level in rats with
hyperuricemia, increase renal CUA, decrease the protein expression of renal
Glut9, inhibit uric acid re-absorption in kidney, and thus promote renal uric
acid excretion.
PMID- 28994540
TI - [Protective effect of Shuyu Yiban decoction on atherosclerosis in rats induced by
chronic unpredictable mild stress].
AB - Shuyu Yiban decoction(SYYB) has significant effect in treating the patients with
coronary heart disease combined with chronic psychological stress. In this study,
in order to observe the effects of SYYB on early formation of atherosclerosis(As)
and inflammation response induced by chronic psychological stress, high-fat
diet+intraperitoneal injections of Vitamin D3 were given to establish As early
lesion models, and based on these models, chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)
was used to observe whether the chronic psychological stress could increase
coronary atherosclerotic lesions investigate the intervention effect of SYYB(6.6,
13.2, 26.4 mg*kg-1). The tail suspension test and novelty-feeding test were
adopted to detectadrenocortico-tropic hormone(ACTH), cortisol(Cor)
andnoradrenaline(NE) in serum and weigh thymus and adrenal gland, in order to
assess the effects of SYYB on CUMS model rats. The pathological changes of
vascular tissues in aortic arch were observed by using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)
staining, and then the levels of triglycerides(TG), total cholesterol(TC) and
high density lipoprotein(HDL-C) in serum were determined to assess effects of
SYYB on As lesions. The effects of SYYB on the inflammatory response in As rats
were assessed by detecting high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP),
interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in serum. The results showed
that as compared with the blank control group, TC and TG levels in As group were
increased while HDL-C was markedly decreased; furthermore, the aortic wall was
thickened in HE staining. Meanwhile, foam cells were formed, and the behavioral
assessment and serum stress hormone test showed that there was a chronic stress
response, indicating successful establishment of As+CUMS models in this study.
The experiment demonstrated that SYYB could lower the levels of serum TC and TG,
reduce foam cells, calcification and inflammatory cells infiltration. Moreover,
SYYB could obviously lower levels of ACTH, Cor and NE and the As related
inflammatory indicatorhs-CRP, IL-1beta and IL-6 in serum.These results indicated
that SYYB had protective effect on chronic psychological stress induced in As
rats, and the mechanism was associated with balancing the neuroendocrine-immune
network system and regulating inflammation response.
PMID- 28994542
TI - [Mechanism of Ezhu-containing serum in inhibiting expression of Shh and Gli1 in
hepatic stellate cells].
AB - To explore the mechanism of Ezhu-containing serum in inhibiting the expression of
sonic hedgehog(Shh) and glioma-associated oncogene homolog-1(Gli1) in hepatic
stellate cells(HSCs) induced by leptin. Twenty sprague-dawley (SD) rats were
randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10), and given Ezhu-decoction and physiological
saline by gavage for 10 days to prepare drug-containing serums. The HSCs during
the exponential growth phase were divided into 7 groups: blank control group,
model group, hedgehog pathway inhibitor(cyclopamine) group, Ezhu group, Ezhu and
cyclopamine group, hedgehog pathway agonost(pumorphamine) group, Ezhu and
purmorphamine group. HSCs were cultured in vitro and induced with 100 MUg*L -1
leptin(except for the blank control group), then treated separately with the
corresponding drugs for 24 hours. After the cells were collected, HSCs
proliferation was detected using MTT colorimetric assay; the expressions of Shh
and Gli1 were determined by PT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence,
respectively. The expressions of Shh and Gli1 were significantly increased after
the HSCs of rats were induced by leptin (compared with the blank control group,
P<0.01). After being interfered with Hh pathway inhibitor (cyclopamine) and Ezhu
containing serum, the expressions of Shh and Gli1 were decreased
significantly(compared with the model group, P<0.01). After Ezhu-containing serum
was used to interfere the Hh pathway inhibitor group, the mRNA and protein
expressions of Shh and Gli1 were decreased significantly(compared with the model
group, P<0.01). After Ezhu-containing serum was used to interfere the
purmorphamine group, the mRNA and protein expressions of Shh and Gli1 decreased
significantly(compared with the purmorphamine group, P<0.01). Ezhu-containing
serum plays an important role in inhibiting HSCs activation by taking part in
hedgehog signaling pathway, so as to regulate the expression of Shh and Gli1 in
leptin-induced HSCs and then inhibit liver fibrosis.
PMID- 28994543
TI - [Effect of Tongxie Yaofang on endogenous metabolites in serum of IBS model rats].
AB - To evaluate the effect of Tongxie Yaofang on cardiac endogenous metabolism in
irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) rats by using metabolomics method, find its
potential biomarkers, analyze the metabolic pathways, and explore the
pharmacological effects, mechanisms of action and syndrome essence of syndrome
model. Forty Wistar rats were used to establish IBS models, and then randomly
divided into four groups: model control group and Tongxie Yaofang treatment
groups (high, medium, low dose). Another 10 rats were used as normal group. The
rats in Tongxie Yaofang-treated(low, medium and high dose) groups were orally
administrated with Tongxie Yaofang extracts once a day for 2 weeks, respondingly
with the doses of 0.203,0.406,0.812 g*mL-1. The rats in normal group and model
control group were given with equal volume of saline once a day for 2 weeks. On
the 0 and 15th days, serum was collected and each sample extract was analyzed by
UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Eight potential biomarkers were identified and 8 major metabolic
pathways were found to be related with IBS diseases neurotransmitter metabolism,
inflammatory immunity, brain function and energy metabolism, etc. Tongxie Yaofang
had certain pharmacological effects on IBS, and its mechanism may be related to
serotonergic synapse, tryptophan metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism,
glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and so on,
which might be the biological basis of IBS liver-spleen deficiency syndrome.
PMID- 28994544
TI - [Effect of Shuxuetong injection on anticoagulant effect of warfarin in rats].
AB - To explore the effect of Shuxuetong injection on the pharmacodynamics and
pharmacokinetics of warfarin in rats, and to provide reference for rational drug
use. In studies on the single dose of warfarin, Wistar rats were randomly divided
into four groups: blank control group(group A), Shuxuetong injection group(group
B), warfarin control group(group C), and warfarin+Shuxuetong injection
group(group D). In studies on the steady state of warfarin, Wistar rats were
randomly divided into warfarin control group(group E) and warfarin+Shuxuetong
injection group(group F). To investigate the pharmacodynamic effect of Shuxuetong
injection on warfarin, prothrombin time(PT) and activated partial thromboplastin
time(APTT) were measured by coagulation analyzer, and international normalized
ratio(INR) was calculated. To investigate the pharmacokinetic effect of
Shuxuetong injection on warfarin, the blood concentrations of S-warfarin and R
warfarin were determined by UPLC-MS/MS combined with technology of chiral
chromatographic column, and the related pharmacokinetic parameters were
calculated accordingly. The results on the single dose of warfarin showed that
Shuxuetong injection markedly increased PT, INR(P<0.01), and APTT(P<0.05).
Meanwhile, when Shuxuetong injection was co-administrated with warfarin, it
significantly increased PT, INR(P<0.01), and APTT(P<0.05) as compared with
warfarin control group. In addition, increased pharmacokinetic parameters
including Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-infinity, prolonged t1/2, and decreased CL/F were
observed for S-warfarin and R-warfarin. The results of the steady state of
warfarin suggested that Shuxuetong injection significantly increased PT and INR
of warfarin(P<0.01), and elevated the plasma concentrations of S-warfarin and R
warfarin when co-administrated with warfarin. These findings indicated that
Shuxuetong injection had anticoagulant effect, and would produce pharmacodynamics
synergistic action when it was co-administrated with warfarin. Shuxuetong
injection also decelerated the metabolism of warfarin, and resulted in
pharmacokinetics interaction. Therefore, Shuxuetong injection could significantly
increase anticoagulant effect of warfarin, indicating that the combination use of
these two drugs should be refrained in order to avoid the risk of bleeding in
clinical application. If they need to be used in combination, special attention
should be paid to ensure the safety of patients.
PMID- 28994545
TI - [Analysis of varieties and standards of Composite medicinal plants used in Dai
medicine].
AB - The study aims to analyze the varieties and standards of compositae medicinal
plants used in Dai medicine. The results showed that there were 78 species
(including varieties) compositae plants recorded in literatures, which belongs to
63 medicinal materials varieties. And 47 original plants (60.25%) were recorded
in Chinese medicinal material standards. In those standards and literatures of
Dai medicine, there are great differences in translated Chinese names, original
plants, medicinal parts, and efficacy of medicinal plants. Therefore, the variety
systematization and the quality standards of Dai medicine should be strengthened.
PMID- 28994546
TI - [Variety systematization and research progress of Mongolian medicine "Bashaga"].
AB - Mongolian medicine is the traditional drug with the theory of Mongolian medicine
and pharmacy as a guide, which made a great contribution to the survival and
development of the Mongolian people. Mongolian medicine "Bashaga" faced the
situations of origin is unclear, and clinical therapy is confused and so on. This
paper summarizes the original plants and studies the species textual research and
ethnopharmacology of Mongolian medicine "Bashaga". This paper intends to ensure
authentic plant and provide comprehensive insight into the chemical constituents,
pharmacology and application status of Mongolian medicine "Bashaga" to discuss
the rationality of the confirmation in "Bashaga" authentic plant.
PMID- 28994547
TI - [Explore molecular mechanism of Chinese herbs with promoting blood circulation
and resolving phlegm effects on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury based on
correlation between microRNA and mtDNA].
AB - A large number of basic and clinical studies have shown that the Chinese herbs
with promoting blood circulation and resolving phlegm effects could prevent and
treat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) by regulating lipid
metabolism. But its mechanism is not yet clear. The studies show that
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), microRNAs and lipid metabolism participate in the
whole process of MIRI and affect the prognosis. mtDNA mutation is the primary
factor to cause myocardial ischemia and reperfusion myocardial cell damage.
microRNAs aggravate or reduce MIRI injury by down-regulating or up-regulating
related genes expression, while miR-33, as a key regulator of cholesterol
transport, regulates lipid metabolism through CROT, PGC-1alpha, AMPK and other
genes located in the mitochondria. There are less studies on correlation between
miR-33 and mtDNA, microRNAs. Therefore, further studies on the correlation
between miR-33 and mtDNA, microRNAs, as well as the discussions on whether the
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with promoting blood circulation and resolving
phlegm effects could target miR-33 to regulate lipid metabolism and inducemt DNA
mutations or deletions, would have important significance for the prevention and
treatment of MIRI.
PMID- 28994548
TI - Chlamydia infection raises long-term risk of reproductive complications.
PMID- 28994554
TI - Diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
AB - Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may previously have received a
diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and there may be a delay in making the
correct diagnosis. This is particularly the case in patients with ileal Crohn's
disease and those under 40. Diagnosis of IBD involves endoscopy and biopsy.
Histology may not be available - for example in small bowel Crohn's disease - and
in this situation, typical radiological appearances help make the diagnosis.
Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract - most commonly
the terminal ileum or colon. Perianal involvement is also common. Intestinal
inflammation in Crohn's disease can extend transmurally. Ulcerative colitis
almost always affects the rectum with a variable proximal extent and continuous
distribution. Inflammation affects the mucosa only. Approximately 25% of people
with IBD will have extra-intestinal manifestations of the disease, involving
skin, eyes, joints or the liver. There is an increased risk of colorectal cancer
in patients with ulcerative colitis estimated at 2% at 10 years, 8% at 20 years
and 18% at 30 years. It is important to be aware of infection risk in IBD both
due to the disease itself and the impact of treatment. Flu vaccination should be
offered to patients with IBD.
PMID- 28994553
TI - Improving the detection of coeliac disease.
AB - The common presentation of coeliac disease has shifted from the historically
classical symptoms of malabsorption in childhood to non-classical symptoms in
adulthood such as irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms, anaemia, chronic
fatigue, change in bowel habit, abdominal pain and osteoporosis. A combination of
coeliac serology and duodenal biopsy is required to diagnose coeliac disease in
adults. Testing for IgA-tissue transglutaminase antibodies should be carried out
as a first-line screening test. Advise patients to eat a gluten-containing diet
for six weeks before their investigations to ensure the serological and
histological results are not affected. A confirmatory duodenal biopsy is
mandatory to ensure that patients are correctly diagnosed with coeliac disease. A
lifelong strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment currently
available. All patients should be referred to a specialist dietitian for guidance
and support. Annual follow-up can begin when the disease is stable and patients
are managing well on their diet.
PMID- 28994555
TI - Have a high index of suspicion for meningitis in adults.
AB - Bacterial meningitis and meningococcal sepsis are rare in adults. Any diagnostic
delays with subsequent delay to treatment can have disastrous consequences. The
decline in bacterial meningitis over the past few decades has not been
accompanied by a reduction in case fatality rate which can be as high as 20% for
all causes of bacterial meningitis and 30% in pneumococcal meningitis. The
classic triad of neck stiffness, fever and altered consciousness is present in <
50% of cases of bacterial meningitis. Patients with viral meningitis also present
with signs of meningism (headache, neck stiffness and photophobia) possibly with
additional non-specific symptoms such as diarrhoea or sore throat. Suspected
cases of meningitis or meningococcal sepsis must be referred for further
assessment and consideration of a lumbar puncture. Most patients will fully
recover. However, the sequelae of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease
can be disabling. Many patients feel well at discharge and do not realise that
they may not be able to return to all their normal duties and activities
straightaway. Fatigue, headaches, sleep disorders and emotional problems are
often reported in the weeks and months after discharge.
PMID- 28994556
TI - Identifying patients with complex PTSD.
AB - While the common perception of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is of an
individual suffering from a single traumatic event, clinicians need to be aware
of those people who have been exposed to multiple potentially traumatic events.
Type 2 or complex trauma results from multiple or repeated traumatic events
occurring over extended periods. Complex trauma is often associated with other
adversity and stressors such as neglect, loss or deprivation. For many
individuals these traumas occur at a developmentally vulnerable time with the
perpetrator often in a caregiving role; thus the trauma incorporates a betrayal
of trust. Disclosure can be a problem particularly with complex trauma such as
sexual abuse or domestic violence, and is often incremental as trust with the
clinician is formed. Patients who have experienced complex trauma should be
assessed for the core symptoms of PTSD. In addition, patients should be assessed
for disturbances in the three domains of emotional dysregulation, negative self
concept and interpersonal disturbances.
PMID- 28994557
TI - Increasing survival of metastatic breast cancer through locoregional surgery.
AB - BACKGROUND: Surgery for the primary tumor in metastatic breast cancer is usually
not recommended, assuming that local therapy provides no advantage. Recent
reports suggest a survival improvement after locoregional treatment, but this is
still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of locoregional
treatment in primary metastatic breast cancer and to determine associated
factors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 39 women with de-novo metastatic
breast cancer at La Paz University Hospital, from January 2012 to June 2016,
grouped by locoregional treatment (n=23) or not (n=16). Multivariate assessment
of prognostic factors was performed using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean
tumor size was 6 cm. Eighteen patients (46.2%) had multifocal tumors, 29 (74.4%)
multicentric and 10 (25.7%) bilateral breast cancer. Eighteen patients (46.2%)
had an oligometastatic disease and 21 (53.8%) multiorgan metastatic disease. The
average time from diagnosis to surgery was 7.7 months, without delay in the start
of systemic treatment compared to the no-surgery group. The main surgical
procedure was mastectomy in 18 (78.3%) patients. Half of the patients survived 48
months (95% CI: 39-57). In the multivariate analysis, we have not detailed
differences in survival by age, chemotherapy, neoadjuvancy, number of systemic
treatment lines, radiotherapy, and tumor histology or grade. However, surgery
(HR=0.2; 95% CI: 0.07-0.57) and high tumor burden (HR=2.96, 95% CI: 1.23-7.13)
have acted as a protective and a risk factor respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our
cohort supports that locoregional treatment in selected patients with de-novo MBC
significantly improved survival, so it might be considered in combination with
systemic therapy.
PMID- 28994558
TI - Flexible CO2 laser fiber: first look at the learning curve required in
gynecological laparoscopy training.
AB - BACKGROUND: The advent of flexible CO2 laser fiber to gynecology arena might
represent a turning point in the use of laser energy on a large-scale basis in
gynecological surgery. However, there might be some concerns regarding the degree
of surgical skills required to use the flexible system. The purpose of our study
is to evaluate whether flexible CO2 laser fiber is technically accessible.
METHODS: Fourteen residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology without surgical
experience attending laparoscopic box training with both flexible CO2 laser fiber
and traditional line-of-sight CO2 laser using Lumenis AcuPulse Duo CO2 laser
(Lumenis, Yokne'am Illit, Israel) were prospectively enrolled. Participants were
tested at sequential time points on specific surgical tasks and results obtained
with the flexible CO2 laser fiber and the traditional line-of-sight CO2 laser
were compared. Results were compared by means of paired t-test and a two-tailed P
value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean grading at the beginning of
training were similar between flexible fiber and line-of-sight CO2 laser. At the
end of training, significant improvement in surgical skills was obtained for both
techniques, with a statistically significant higher grading for flexible fiber
CO2 laser compared to line-of-sight CO2 laser. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that
residents without surgical experience show better skills with the flexible CO2
laser fiber delivery system compared to the standard line-of-sight CO2 laser
system after a two-month training period with gynecological laparoscopic box.
According to our results, flexible CO2 laser fiber delivery system is technically
accessible and holds a potential in gynecological surgery.
PMID- 28994559
TI - Spontaneous rupture of bilateral pelvic vessels following vacuum-assisted vaginal
delivery.
PMID- 28994560
TI - Epidemiology and pathogenesis of fulminant viral hepatitis in pregnant women.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The pregnancy-associated immunological and hormonal changes may
alter the immune response to infectious agents, including hepatitis viruses.
Therefore, this phenomenon may affect the clinical course and the outcome of
acute viral hepatitis in pregnant women. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: For this reason,
we have focused on epidemiological and pathogenetic aspects of the fulminant
liver failure caused by acute viral hepatitis reviewing PubMED in April of 2017.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Although all the viruses might cause a fulminant acute viral
hepatitis in a pregnant woman, the large majority of fulminant failure reported
in the literature had been related to hepatits E virus (HEV) mainly and had been
concentrated in Indian subcontinent and some African areas, whereas the problem
seems to be very low or absent in the remaining geographical areas. However, the
rate of maternal mortality due to fulminant E hepatitis may vary inside the
endemic areas of India and Africa, likely due to the circulation of HEV genotypes
with different degree of virulence. The other hepatitis viruses have not been
reported to cause a greater risk for fulminant hepatitis in pregnant women
respect to non-pregnant ones, except Herpes simplex virus, that has been
associated to some cases of fatal hepatitis in absence of a prompt antiviral
therapy. CONCLUSIONS: AVH should be considered when the pregnant woman develop
fever, abdominal pain, malaise, nausea and anicteric hepatic dysfunction.
PMID- 28994561
TI - Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio: a point of care for the diagnosis of
preeclampsia.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the
urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR) and the 24-hour urine protein excretion
test (UPET), and to identify the optimal threshold values of UPCR for the
diagnosis of preeclampsia and its severe form. METHODS: This prospective cohort
study included 81 hypertensive pregnant patients who had a 24-h UPET and a UPCR
tests. Two groups were created using a UPCR cut-off of 23.2 mg/mmol (40 negative
UPCR, 41 positive UPCR). RESULTS: Forty-nine patients of were diagnosed with
preeclampsia, and 23 of them had a severe disease. There was a significant
correlation between UPCR and 24-h UPET. A cut-off UPCR value of 23.2 mg/mmol had
an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.27, sensitivity of 89%, specificity 88%,
positive predictive value 90%, a positive likelihood ratio (+LR) of 7.41 and a
negative likelihood ratio (-LR) of 0.13 for the diagnosis of preeclampsia. UPCR
value of 325 mg/mmol had an AUC of 0.841, and a sensitivity of 83%, specificity
81%, positive predictive value 81%, +LR of 4.4 and -LR of 0.2 for the diagnosis
of severe preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: The UPCR test is highly correlated with the
24-h UPET. We propose a novel and sensitive cut-off for the diagnosis of
preeclampsia by UPCR test. The UPCR test can be used for the identification of
hypertensive patients with preeclampsia and severe disease.
PMID- 28994562
TI - Can unexplained infertility be evaluated by a new immunological four-biomarkers
panel? A pilot study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Inflammation and oxidative stress are known to be triggering factors
for a decrease of the pregnancy rate like maternal immunosuppression. Under these
circumstances our study was performed to verify four immunological biomarkers
(IMMUNOX Panel) in terms of incidence in a sine-causa infertile population and
the overall pregnancy rate when the Panel was showing some non-physiologic
values. METHODS: Sera of 86 women affected by unexplained infertility were
screened for the IMMUNOX panel of biomarkers composed by: tumor necrosis factor
alpha (TNF-alpha,) glycodelin (GLY), total oxidative status (TOS), and complement
activity toxic factor (CATF). When at least one of the biomarkers tested was
showing values outside the physiologic range, the woman was considered IMMUNOX
Positive. RESULTS: The first data was indented to verify the incidence of the
women with an IMMUNOX-positive panel. Results show that 19.8%, 18.6%, 25.6%, and
47.7% were IMMUNOX-positive for GLY, TNF-alpha, TOS and CATF respectively. The
overall incidence of IMMUNOX-positive patients, with at least one biomarker
positive was 70,9%. Subsequently we have analysed the correlation between IMMUNOX
Panel positivity and the pregnancy rate. The pregnancy rate in a subgroup (N.=55)
of the entire population tested (N.=86) was 2.9% and 36.6% for the IMMUNOX
positive and IMMUNOX-negative patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Further
validation studies are needed to prove that there is a correlation between
unexplained infertility and immunological disorders screened by the IMMUNOX
Panel, nevertheless our data shows that this diagnostic approach may be helpful
to predict and to identify women at higher risk of IVF cycles failure.
PMID- 28994563
TI - An update on the genetics of pre-eclampsia.
AB - Pre-eclampsia is a progressive multisystem disorder that is exclusive to human
pregnancy and defined as new hypertension presenting after 20 weeks with
significant proteinuria. It is a multifactorial condition with a strong genetic
component and several genes have been linked with this disorder. The main players
implicated in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia include immune maladaptation,
hemodynamics, endothelial function, thrombophilic disorders, oxidative stress and
lipid metabolism. All of these mechanisms encompass genetic factors that might be
responsible for the pathogenic changes taking place. Pre-eclampsia has been
referred to as a primipaternity disease. A number of studies examined the
contribution of paternal genes in pre-eclampsia. Although there is evidence that
paternal genes significantly increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, there is still
inconclusive evidence whether having the same partner is a protective factor.
Gene expression, through imprinting and epistasis, also play an important role in
the pathogenesis of this disorder. Pre-eclampsia remains a disease of theories.
Despite the growing body of research exploring this complex disorder, the
etiology of pre-eclampsia remains elusive and the struggle is still ongoing to
find an effective predictive test that can detect this disorder at an early stage
where intervention can prevent the progression of the disorder. Research is still
ongoing. Prevention and early detection of pre-eclampsia remain the ultimate
goal.
PMID- 28994564
TI - Targeted therapy for ovarian cancer: the rapidly evolving landscape of PARP
inhibitor use.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are a targeted
therapy option for ovarian cancer. The goal of this review was to organize and
summarize the clinical trials evaluating PARP inhibitor therapy in ovarian cancer
as monotherapy, maintenance therapy after partial or complete remission to
therapy or as a part of a combination regimen. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed,
ClinicalTrials.gov, data from the United States Food and Drug Administration (US
FDA) and proceedings from scientific conferences were searched for published and
unpublished data pertaining to clinical trials and approvals of PARP inhibitor
use in ovarian cancer. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: There have been 36 published phase 1,
2 and 3 studies evaluating the use of olaparib, niraparib, veliparib and
rucaparib in ovarian cancer. Olaparib and rucaparib have been approved by the US
FDA as monotherapy for advanced recurrent ovarian cancer. Niraparib and olaparib
have been approved by the US FDA for maintenance therapy after partial or
complete remission in recurrent ovarian cancer. There are currently ten phase 3
trials evaluating PARP inhibitors at various timepoints in ovarian cancer therapy
including at the time of primary adjuvant therapy, as maintenance therapy after
primary chemotherapy, as monotherapy for recurrent cancer and as maintenance
therapy after chemotherapy for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The landscape of PARP
inhibitor use for ovarian cancer is rapidly evolving and PARP inhibitors have
become more available as a targeted therapy option for ovarian cancer treatment.
PMID- 28994565
TI - Research on the correlation between MMP gene polymorphism and susceptibility to
cervical cancer in Chinese women.
PMID- 28994566
TI - Sorbitol malabsorption in patients with abdominal discomfort.
AB - BACKGROUND: The role of sorbitol malabsorption in patients with functional
abdominal discomfort has not been finally clarified yet. Therefore, aim of this
study was to evaluate the clinical significance of sorbitol malabsorption,
diagnosed by sorbitol hydrogen breath testing in these patients. METHODS: Data of
all patients referred to our hospital for hydrogen breath testing between May
1st, 2013 and December 31st, 2014 were retrospectively collected and analyzed.
Patients with confirmed sorbitol malabsorption completed a symptom-based
questionnaire before and after nutritional counseling. RESULTS: Five hundred and
ten patients with functional abdominal discomfort (65.5% female, 34.5% male; mean
age 45+/-16.4 years) were referred to our hospital for hydrogen breath testing.
H2-sorbitol breath tests were performed in 252 of these patients. In 122 of them
(48%), sorbitol-malabsorption was diagnosed. In 66 of these patients (54%), the
results of the symptom-based questionnaire showed a significant improvement of
the frequency of abdominal discomfort (P<0.001) and of the influence of these
symptoms on daily life (P<0.001) after sorbitol testing/nutritional counseling.
CONCLUSIONS: Sorbitol malabsorption is a common finding in patients with
functional abdominal discomfort. Dietary intervention positively affects
abdominal symptoms in these patients.
PMID- 28994567
TI - Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection: an alternative treatment for large
colorectal polyp removal.
AB - BACKGROUND: Large sessile/flat colonic polyps are traditionally removed by lift
polypectomy. Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) is a novel technique
where air is suctioned out and replaced by water to decompress the colon so that
the flat lesions assumes a more polypoid shape facilitating its removal with the
standard snare resection. We report the feasibility and safety in our series of
patients utilizing this technique. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study
of all patients who underwent removal of large colonic polyps (>10 mm) over a
period of 3 years (January 2012 to January 2015) at a tertiary care center by
UEMR were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 102 polyps were removed in
93 adult patients using UEMR. The mean age of patients was 64.7+/-9.7 years. The
average number of polyps per patient was 1.84+/-1.3 with a range of 1-7. The
range of the polyp size was 10 to 60 mm. The mean size of the polyp was 20.4+/
9.4 mm, median size 26.9+/-9.4 mm. Ninety-two (90.2%) were removed in piecemeal
fashion and ten (9.8%) were removed en bloc. Delayed bleeding occurred in seven
(9.7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this largest series on UEMR, we report the
feasibility and safety of this procedure. Future randomized trials comparing this
technique versus standard lift polypectomy technique will further elucidate the
benefit of one over other.
PMID- 28994568
TI - Management of H1N1 influenza infection in asthmatic patients.
PMID- 28994569
TI - Carbon-coated self-expandable stents in patients with atherosclerotic iliac
artery disease.
AB - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of
carbon-coated self-expandable stents in the revascularization of atherosclerotic
iliac artery lesions. METHODS: Between January 2012 and June 2016 54 carbon
coated self-expandable stents (Easy HiFlype and Easy Flype; manufactured by CID
S.p.A., a member of Alvimedica Group, Istanbul, Turkey) in 40 patients were
implanted in our Center. Early and 2-year outcomes have been evaluated in terms
of major morbidity, mortality, primary patency, primary assisted patency,
secondary patency, absence of target lesion restenosis (TLR), healing of the
lesions/relief of symptoms, and limb salvage. RESULTS: The patients were
predominantly males (32/40, 80%) with a mean age of 71 years (range 46-94). One
patient (2.5%) had a documented nickel allergy. Mean duration of follow-up was
13.9 months (range 1-48). At 30 days no patient died and 1 patient underwent
surgical revision of percutaneous femoral access. The estimated 2-year primary
patency, primary assisted patency, secondary patency, absence of TLR, and limb
salvage were 92.8%, 93.1%, 95.7%, 79.5%, and 100%, respectively. At univariate
analysis none of the pre- or intra-operative factors significantly affected the
primary and primary assisted patency rates. Secondary patency was significantly
affected by absence of post-stent balloon dilatation (P=0.003). Absence of TLR
was significantly affected by age more than 80 years (P=0.01) and common iliac
artery lesions (P=0.02). These significances were confirmed at Cox regression
analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Use of carbon-coated self-expandable stents in
atherosclerotic iliac lesions was safe and effective. At 2 years, the patency
rates and the absence of TLR were encouraging. Post-stent balloon dilatation
should be recommended in all cases. Older patients and common iliac artery
lesions were risk factors for restenosis in the mid-term period.
PMID- 28994570
TI - Clustering of Cyclodextrin-Functionalized Microbeads by an Amphiphilic
Biopolymer: Real-Time Observation of Structures Resembling Blood Clots.
AB - Colloidal particles can be induced to cluster by adding polymers in a process
called bridging flocculation. For bridging to occur, the polymer must bind
strongly to the surfaces of adjacent particles, such as via electrostatic
interactions. Here, we introduce a new system where bridging occurs due to
specific interactions between the side chains of an amphiphilic polymer and
supramolecules on the particle surface. The polymer is a hydrophobically modified
chitosan (hmC) while the particles are uniform polymeric microbeads (~160 MUm in
diameter) made by a microfluidic technique and functionalized on their surface by
alpha-cyclodextrins (CDs). The CDs have hydrophobic binding pockets that can
capture the n-alkyl hydrophobes present along the hmC chains. Clustering of CD
coated microbeads in water by hmC is visualized in real time using optical
microscopy. Interestingly, the clustering follows two distinct stages: first, the
microbeads are bridged into clusters by hmC chains, which occurs by the
interaction of individual chains with the CDs on adjacent particles. Thereafter,
additional hmC from the solution adsorbs onto the surfaces of the microbeads and
an hmC "mesh" grows around the clusters. This growing nanostructured mesh can
trap surrounding microsized objects and sequester them within the overall
cluster. Such clustering is reminiscent of blood clotting where blood platelets
initially cluster at a wound site, whereupon they induce growth of a protein
(fibrin) mesh around the clusters, which entraps other passive cells. Clustering
does not occur with the native chitosan (lacking hydrophobes) or with the bare
particles (lacking CDs); these results confirm that the clustering is indeed due
to hydrophobic interactions between the hmC and the CDs. Microbead clustering via
amphiphilic biopolymers could be applicable in embolization, which is a surgical
technique used to block blood flow to a particular area of the body, or in
agglutination assays.
PMID- 28994571
TI - Facile Coordination-Precipitation Route to Insoluble Metal Roussin's Black Salts
for NIR-Responsive Release of NO for Anti-Metastasis.
AB - A facile and general coordination-precipitation method is developed to synthesize
insoluble metal Roussin's black salts (Me-RBSs) as a new type of NIR-responsive
NORMs. The weak-field ligand coordination of metal+-RBS- brings a NIR absorption
effect of Me-RBSs, and further gives rise to the NIR adsorption-dependent NIR
responsive NO release profile. Intratumoral NIR-responsive release of NO
effectively inhibits the growth and metastasis of the metastatic breast cancer.
Aqueous insolubility of Me-RBSs ensures lower cytotoxicity and higher
thermostability compared with traditional soluble RBSs. This work establishes a
new class of NIR-sensitive NO donors, and may spark new inspiration for designing
intelligent gas-releasing molecules.
PMID- 28994572
TI - Water and Solute Transport Governed by Tunable Pore Size Distributions in
Nanoporous Graphene Membranes.
AB - Nanoporous graphene has the potential to advance membrane separations by offering
high selectivity with minimal resistance to flow, but how mass transport depends
on the structure of pores in this atomically thin membrane is poorly understood.
Here, we investigate the relationship between tunable pore creation using ion
bombardment and oxygen plasma etching, the resulting pore size distributions, and
the consequent water and solute transport. Through tuning of the pore creation
process, we demonstrate nanofiltration membranes that reject small molecules but
offer high permeance to water or monovalent ions. Theoretical multiscale modeling
of transport across the membranes reveals a disproportionate contribution of
large pores to osmotic water flux and diffusive solute transport and captures the
observed trends in transport measurements except for the smallest pores. This
work provides insights into the effects of graphene pore size distribution and
support layer on transport and presents a framework for designing atomically thin
membranes.
PMID- 28994573
TI - Preparation of a Sulfur-Functionalized Microporous Polymer Sponge and In Situ
Growth of Silver Nanoparticles: A Compressible Monolithic Catalyst.
AB - We report a compressible monolithic catalyst based on a microporous organic
polymer (MOP) sponge. The monolithic MOP sponge was synthesized via Sonogashira
Hagihara coupling reaction between 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene and 1,3,5
triethynylbenzene in a cosolvent of toluene and TEA (2:1, v/v) without stirring.
The MOP sponge had an intriguing microstructure, where tubular polymer fibers
having a diameter of hundreds of nanometers were entangled. It showed
hierarchical porosity with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 512 m2
g-1. The MOP sponge was functionalized with sulfur groups by the thiol-yne
reaction. The functionalized MOP sponge exhibited a higher BET surface area than
the MOP sponge by 13% due to the increase in the total pore and micropore
volumes. A MOP sponge-Ag heterogeneous catalyst (S-MOPS-Ag) was prepared by in
situ growth of silver nanoparticles inside the sulfur-functionalized MOP sponge
by the reduction of Ag+ ions. The catalytic activity of S-MOPS-Ag was
investigated for the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol in an aqueous condition.
When S-MOPS-Ag was compressed and released during the reaction, the rate of the
reaction was considerably increased. S-MOPS-Ag was easily removed from the
reaction mixture owing to its monolithic character and was reused after washing
and drying.
PMID- 28994574
TI - Ultralow Friction Self-Lubricating Nanocomposites with Mesoporous Metal-Organic
Frameworks as Smart Nanocontainers for Lubricants.
AB - Smart nanocontainers with stimuli-responsive property can be used to fabricate a
new kind of self-lubricating nanocomposite, while the practical potential of the
metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as nanocontainers for lubricants has not been
realized. In this work, mesoporous Cu-BTC MOFs storing oleylamine nanocomposites
were explored from synthesis and microstructure to self-lubricating
characterization. The stress stimuli-responsiveness behavior of the Cu-BTC
storing oleylamine (Cu-BTCO) for lubrication has been investigated by subjecting
it to macroscopic ball-on-disc friction tests. The steady-state coefficients of
friction (COFs) of the Cu-BTC nanocomposites without lubricants were ca. 0.5. In
contrast, after oleylamine as the lubricant was incorporated into the Cu-BTC
container in the nanocomposite, ultralow friction (COF, ca. 0.03) was achieved.
It has been demonstrated that the improved lubricating performance was associated
with the lubricating film which was in situ produced by the chemical reaction
between the oleylamine released from the nanocontainer and the friction pairs.
Therefore, the nanocomposite with smart Cu-BTC container holds the promise of
realizing extraordinary self-lubricating properties under stress stimuli.
PMID- 28994576
TI - Combined Computed Nanotomography and Nanoscopic X-ray Fluorescence Imaging of
Cobalt Nanoparticles in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB - Synchrotron radiation phase-contrast computed nanotomography (nano-CT) and two-
and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) nanoscopic X-ray fluorescence (nano-XRF) were
used to investigate the internal distribution of engineered cobalt nanoparticles
(Co NPs) in exposed individuals of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Whole
nematodes and selected tissues and organs were 3D-rendered: anatomical 3D
renderings with 50 nm voxel size enabled the visualization of spherical
nanoparticle aggregates with size up to 200 nm within intact C. elegans. A 20 *
37 nm2 high-brilliance beam was employed to obtain XRF elemental distribution
maps of entire nematodes or anatomical details such as embryos, which could be
compared with the CT data. These maps showed Co NPs to be predominantly present
within the intestine and the epithelium, and they were not colocalized with Zn
granules found in the lysosome-containing vesicles or Fe agglomerates in the
intestine. Iterated XRF scanning of a specimen at 0 degrees and 90 degrees
angles suggested that NP aggregates were translocated into tissues outside of the
intestinal lumen. Virtual slicing by means of 2D XRF tomography, combined with
holotomography, indicated presumable presence of individual NP aggregates inside
the uterus and within embryos.
PMID- 28994575
TI - Thrombin-Activatable Microbubbles as Potential Ultrasound Contrast Agents for the
Detection of Acute Thrombosis.
AB - Acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in the deep
veins of the body that can lead to fatal pulmonary embolism. Acute DVT is
difficult to distinguish from chronic DVT by ultrasound (US), the imaging
modality of choice, and is therefore treated aggressively with anticoagulants,
which can lead to internal bleeding. Here we demonstrate that conjugating
perfluorobutane-filled (PFB-filled) microbubbles (MBs) with thrombin-sensitive
activatable cell-penetrating peptides (ACPPs) could lead to the development of
contrast agents that detect acute thrombosis with US imaging. Successful
conjugation of ACPP to PFB-filled MBs was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy
and flow cytometry. Fluorescein-labeled ACPP was used to evaluate the efficiency
of thrombin-triggered cleavage by measuring the mean fluorescence intensity of
ACPP-labeled MBs (ACPP-MBs) before and after incubation at 37 degrees C with
thrombin. Lastly, control MBs and ACPP-MBs were infused through a tube containing
a clot, and US contrast enhancement was measured with or without the presence of
a thrombin inhibitor after washing the clot with saline. With thrombin activity,
91.7 +/- 14.2% of the signal was retained after ACPP-MB infusion and washing,
whereas only 16.7 +/- 4% of the signal was retained when infusing ACPP-MBs in the
presence of hirudin, a potent thrombin inhibitor.
PMID- 28994577
TI - Improving Water-Treatment Performance of Zirconium Metal-Organic Framework
Membranes by Postsynthetic Defect Healing.
AB - Microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as building materials for molecular
sieving membranes offer unique opportunities to tuning the pore size and chemical
property. The recently reported polycrystalline Zr-MOF membranes have greatly
expanded their applications from gas separation to water treatment. However, Zr
MOFs are notoriously known for their intrinsic defects caused by ligand/cluster
missing, which may greatly affect the molecular sieving property of Zr-MOF
membranes. Herein, we present the mitigation of ligand-missing defects in
polycrystalline UiO-66(Zr)-(OH)2 membranes by postsynthetic defect healing
(PSDH), which can help in increasing the membranes' Na+ rejection rate by 74.9%.
Intriguingly, the membranes also exhibit excellent hydrothermal stability in
aqueous solutions (>600 h). Our study proves the feasibility of PSDH in improving
the performance of polycrystalline Zr-MOF membranes for water-treatment
applications.
PMID- 28994578
TI - Tuning the Gold Nanoparticle Colorimetric Assay by Nanoparticle Size,
Concentration, and Size Combinations for Oligonucleotide Detection.
AB - Gold nanoparticle (GNP)-based aggregation assay is simple, fast, and employs a
colorimetric detection method. Although previous studies have reported using GNP
based colorimetric assay to detect biological and chemical targets, a mechanistic
and quantitative understanding of the assay and effects of GNP parameters on the
assay performance is lacking. In this work, we investigated this important aspect
of the GNP aggregation assay including effects of GNP concentration and size on
the assay performance to detect malarial DNA. Our findings lead us to propose
three major competing factors that determine the final assay performance
including the nanoparticle aggregation rate, plasmonic coupling strength, and
background signal. First, increasing nanoparticle size reduces the Brownian
motion and thus aggregation rate, but significantly increases plasmonic coupling
strength. We found that larger GNP leads to stronger signal and improved limit of
detection (LOD), suggesting a dominating effect of plasmonic coupling strength.
Second, higher nanoparticle concentration increases the probability of
nanoparticle interactions and thus aggregation rate, but also increases the
background extinction signal. We observed that higher GNP concentration leads to
stronger signal at high target concentrations due to higher aggregation rate.
However, the fact the optimal LOD was found at intermediate GNP concentrations
suggests a balance of two competing mechanisms between aggregation rate and
signal/background ratio. In summary, our work provides new guidelines to design
GNP aggregation-based POC devices to meet the signal and sensitivity needs for
infectious disease diagnosis and other applications.
PMID- 28994579
TI - Dual Amplification Fluorescence Assay for Alpha Fetal Protein Utilizing
Immunohybridization Chain Reaction and Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence of Carbon
Nanodots.
AB - As an emerging fascinating fluorescent nanomaterial, carbon nanodots (CDs) have
attracted much attention owing of their unique properties such as small size,
antiphotobleaching, and biocompatibility. However, its use in biomedical analysis
is limited because of its low quantum yield. Herein, we constructed a dual
amplification fluorescence sensor by incorporating immunohybridization chain
reaction (immuno-HCR) and metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) of CDs for the
detection of alpha fetal protein (AFP). The immunoplasmonic slide and detection
antibodies-conjugated oligonucleotide initiator are served to capture and probe
AFP molecules, respectively. Then, CD-tagged hairpin nucleic acids were
introduced to trigger the HCR, in which the hairpin nucleic acid and
oligonucleotide initiator are complementary. The interaction between CDs and the
gold nanoisland film greatly improves the radiative decay rate, increases the
quantum yield, and enhances the fluorescence emission of the CDs. Furthermore,
the HCR provides secondary amplification of fluorescence intensity. Therefore,
the MEF-capable immunohybridization reactions provide obvious advantages and
result in exceptional sensitivity. In addition, the sandwich immunoassay method
offers high specificity. The results show a wide linearity between the
fluorescence intensity and AFP concentration over 5 orders of magnitude (0.0005-5
ng/mL), and the detection limit reaches as low as 94.3 fg/mL. This method offers
advantages of high sensitivity and reliability, wide detection range, and
versatile plasmonic chips, thus presenting an alternative for the technologies in
biomedical analysis and clinical applications.
PMID- 28994580
TI - Surface Hydrogenation of Boron-Doped Diamond Electrodes by Cathodic Reduction.
AB - Boron-doped diamond (BDD) has attracted much attention as a promising electrode
material especially for electrochemical sensing systems, because it has excellent
properties such as a wide potential window and low background current. It is
known that the electrochemical properties of BDD electrodes are very sensitive to
the surface termination such as to whether it is hydrogen- or oxygen-terminated.
Pretreating BDD electrodes by cathodic reduction (CR) to hydrogenate the surface
has been widely used to achieve high sensitivity. However, little is known about
the effects of the CR treatment conditions on surface hydrogenation. In this
Article, we report on a systematic study of CR treatments that can achieve
effective surface hydrogenation. As a result, we found that the surface
hydrogenation could be improved by applying a more negative potential in a lower
pH solution. This is because hydrogen atoms generated from protons in the CR
treatment contribute to the surface hydrogenation. After CR treatments, BDD
surface could be hydrogenated not completely but sufficiently to achieve high
sensitivity for electrochemical sensing. In addition, we confirmed that
hydrogenation with high repeatability could be achieved.
PMID- 28994581
TI - Sulfur-Doped Graphene-Based Immunological Biosensing Platform for Multianalysis
of Cancer Biomarkers.
AB - The accurate tumor marker detection at an early stage can prevent people from
getting cancer to a great extent. Herein, a novel tri-antibody dual-channel
biosensing strategy is applied in multianalysis of carcino-embryonic antigen
(CEA) and nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22). In this immunosensor fabrication
process, graphene oxide/polyaniline nanostructures are used as matrix and
mesoporous NKF-5-3 is used as labels. Two kinds of antigens can be obtained from
the signals of neutral red and toluidine blue, respectively, which are modified
on the labels. In this tri-antibody dual-channel biosensing platform, sulfur
doped graphene sheet is synthesized by click chemistry as the framework
structure. Majority of the incubations are conducted in individual steps, which
ensure the surface incubation more tightly. The detection limit of NMP22 and CEA
are 25 and 30 fg/mL, respectively. The low detection limit and excellent
stability can ascribe to the tri-antibody dual-channel strategy, which makes the
sensor platform from surface to the space. The clinical urine sample analysis
achieves a good performance. The urine-based test can avoid the secondary injury
on hemophilia or ischemic patients, displaying a potential application in
clinical diagnosis.
PMID- 28994582
TI - Internal Light Source-Driven Photoelectrochemical 3D-rGO/Cellulose Device Based
on Cascade DNA Amplification Strategy Integrating Target Analog Chain and DNA
Mimic Enzyme.
AB - In this work, a chemiluminescence-driven collapsible greeting card-like
photoelectrochemical lab-on-paper device (GPECD) with hollow channel was
demonstrated, in which target-triggering cascade DNA amplification strategy was
ingeniously introduced. The GPECD had the functions of reagents storage and
signal collection, and the change of configuration could control fluidic path,
reaction time and alterations in electrical connectivity. In addition, three
dimentional reduced graphene oxide affixed Au flower was in situ grown on paper
cellulose fiber for achieving excellent conductivity and biocompatibility. The
cascade DNA amplification strategy referred to the cyclic formation of target
analog chain and its trigger action to hybridization chain reaction (HCR),
leading to the formation of numerous hemin/G-quadruplex DNA mimic enzyme with the
presence of hemin. Subjected to the catalysis of hemin/G-quadruplex, the strong
chemiluminiscence of luminol-H2O2 system was obtained, which then was used as
internal light source to excite photoactive materials realizing the
simplification of instrument. In this analyzing process, thrombin served as proof
of-concept, and the concentration of target was converted into the DNA signal
output by the specific recognition of aptamer-protein and target analog chain
recycling. The target analog chain was produced in quantity with the presence of
target, which further triggered abundant HCR and introduced hemin/G-quadruplex
into the system. The photocurrent signal was obtained after the nitrogen-doped
carbon dots sensitized ZnO was stimulated by chemiluminescence. The proposed
GPECD exhibited excellent specificity and sensitivity toward thrombin with a
detection limit of 16.7 fM. This judiciously engineered GPECD paved a luciferous
way for detecting other protein with trace amounts in bioanalysis and clinical
biomedicine.
PMID- 28994583
TI - A Vision for Vaccines: Combating the Opioid Epidemic.
PMID- 28994584
TI - Highly Efficient Red and White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with External
Quantum Efficiency beyond 20% by Employing Pyridylimidazole-Based
Metallophosphors.
AB - Two highly efficient red neutral iridium(III) complexes, Ir1 and Ir2, were
rationally designed and synthesized by selecting two pyridylimidazole derivatives
as the ancillary ligands. Both Ir1 and Ir2 show nearly the same photoluminescence
emission with the maximum peak at 595 nm (shoulder band at about 638 nm) and
achieve high solution quantum yields of up to 0.47 for Ir1 and 0.57 for Ir2.
Employing Ir1 and Ir2 as emitters, the fabricated red organic light-emitting
diodes (OLEDs) show outstanding performance with the maximum external quantum
efficiency (EQE), current efficiency (CE), and power efficiency (PE) of 20.98%,
33.04 cd/A, and 33.08 lm/W for the Ir1-based device and 22.15%, 36.89 cd/A, and
35.85 lm/W for the Ir2-based device, respectively. Furthermore, using Ir2 as red
emitter, a trichromatic hybrid white OLED, showing good warm white emission with
low correlated color temperature of <2200 K under the voltage of 4-6 V, was
fabricated successfully. The white device also realizes excellent device
efficiencies with the maximum EQE, CE, and PE reaching 22.74%, 44.77 cd/A, and
46.89 lm/W, respectively. Such high electroluminescence performance for red and
white OLEDs indicates that Ir1 and Ir2 as efficient red phosphors have great
potential for future OLED displays and lightings applications.
PMID- 28994585
TI - Amplifying (Im)perfection: The Impact of Crystallinity in Discrete and Disperse
Block Co-oligomers.
AB - Crystallinity is seldomly utilized as part of the microphase segregation process
in ultralow-molecular-weight block copolymers. Here, we show the preparation of
two types of discrete, semicrystalline block co-oligomers, comprising an
amorphous oligodimethylsiloxane block and a crystalline oligo-l-lactic acid or
oligomethylene block. The self-assembly of these discrete materials results in
lamellar structures with unforeseen uniformity in the domain spacing. A
systematic introduction of dispersity reveals the extreme sensitivity of the
microphase segregation process toward chain length dispersity in the crystalline
block.
PMID- 28994587
TI - Concerted Mechanisms of Excited-State Proton Intramolecular Transfer for Bis-2,4
(2-benzoxazolyl)-hydroquinone and Its Derivatives.
AB - The concerted mechanisms of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT)
of bis-2,4-(2-benzoxazolyl)-hydroquinone (BBHQ') and its derivatives (BBHQ'- and
DHBO') have been investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) and the
time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The calculated absorption and
emission spectra of BBHQ' and its derivatives are in good agreement with the
experimental results. The calculated bond lengths, bond angles, and IR
vibrational spectra linked with hydrogen bond of molecular BBHQ' in the S0 and S1
states demonstrate that the hydrogen bond is strengthened in the S1 state.
Compared to BBHQ', BBHQ'- has a weak change of hydrogen bond between the S1 and
S0 states. The calculation results show that there are three stable structures of
BBHQ' in the S1 state. We find that the structure corresponding to the 481 nm
fluorescence spectrum corresponds to BBHQ'-A rather than BBHQ'--K (Tetrahedron
Lett., 2016, 57, 3518). The calculated frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) indicate
the nature of the charge distribution and the trend of proton transfer of BBHQ'
A. The constructed potential energy surfaces of BBHQ' and DBHO' further elucidate
the proposed mechanism that one-proton or two-proton transfer can happen
(stepwise or synchronous) in the S1 states. The proposed ESIPT mechanism can
provide a good explanation of the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching of BBHQ'
and its derivatives. Finally, the weak interaction types are discriminated
through the reduced density gradient (RDG) analyses of BBHQ' and BBHQ'-.
PMID- 28994586
TI - Colossal Volume Contraction in Strong Polar Perovskites of Pb(Ti,V)O3.
AB - The unique physical property of negative thermal expansion (NTE) is not only
interesting for scientific research but also important for practical
applications. Chemical modification generally tends to weaken NTE. It remains a
challenge to obtain enhanced NTE from currently available materials. Herein, we
successfully achieve enhanced NTE in Pb(Ti1-xVx)O3 by improving its
ferroelectricity. With the chemical substitution of vanadium, lattice
tetragonality (c/a) is highly promoted, which is attributed to strong spontaneous
polarization, evidenced by the enhanced covalent interaction in the V/Ti-O and Pb
O2 bonds from first-principles calculations. As a consequence, Pb(Ti0.9V0.1)O3
exhibits a nonlinear and much stronger NTE over a wide temperature range with a
volumetric coefficient of thermal expansion alphaV = -3.76 * 10-5/ degrees C (25
550 degrees C). Interestingly, an intrinsic giant volume contraction (~3.7%) was
obtained at the composition of Pb(Ti0.7V0.3)O3 during the ferroelectric-to
paraelectric phase transition, which represents the highest value ever reported.
Such volume contraction is well correlated to the effect of spontaneous volume
ferroelectrostriction. The present study extends the scope of the NTE family and
provides an effective approach to explore new materials with large NTE, such as
through adjusting the NTE-related ferroelectric property in the family of
ferroelectrics.
PMID- 28994588
TI - Regulation of the Oligomeric Status of CCR3 with Binding Ligands Revealed by
Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging.
AB - The relationship between the oligomeric status and functions of chemokine
receptor CCR3 is still controversial. We use total internal reflection
fluorescence microscopy at the single-molecule level to visualize the oligomeric
status of CCR3 and its regulation of the membrane of stably transfected T-REx-293
cells. We find that the population of the dimers and oligomers of CCR3 can be
modulated by the binding of ligands. Natural agonists can induce an increase in
the level of dimers and oligomers at high concentrations, whereas antagonists do
not have a significant influence on the oligomeric status. Moreover, monomeric
CCR3 exhibits a stronger chemotactic response in the migration assay of stably
transfected CCR3 cells. Together, these data support the notion that CCR3 exists
as a mixture of monomers and dimers under nearly physiological conditions and the
monomeric CCR3 receptor is the minimal functional unit in cellular signaling
transduction. To the best of our knowledge, these results constitute the first
report of the oligomeric status of CCR3 and its regulation.
PMID- 28994589
TI - What on Earth Have We Been Burning? Deciphering Sedimentary Records of Pyrogenic
Carbon.
AB - Humans have interacted with fire for thousands of years, yet the utilization of
fossil fuels marked the beginning of a new era. Ubiquitous in the environment,
pyrogenic carbon (PyC) arises from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil
fuels, forming a continuum of condensed aromatic structures. Here, we develop and
evaluate 14C records for two complementary PyC molecular markers, benzene
polycarboxylic acids (BPCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
preserved in aquatic sediments from a suburban and a remote catchment in the
United States (U.S.) from the mid-1700s to 1998. Results show that the majority
of PyC stems from local sources and is transferred to aquatic sedimentary
archives on subdecadal to millennial time scales. Whereas a small portion stems
from near-contemporaneous production and sedimentation, the majority of PyC
(~90%) experiences delayed transmission due to "preaging" on millennial time
scales in catchment soils prior to its ultimate deposition. BPCAs (soot) and PAHs
(precursors of soot) trace fossil fuel-derived PyC. Both markers parallel
historical records of the consumption of fossil fuels in the U.S., yet never
account for more than 19% total PyC. This study demonstrates that isotopic
characterization of multiple tracers is necessary to constrain histories and
inventories of PyC and that sequestration of PyC can markedly lag its production.
PMID- 28994590
TI - Oxygen-Centered Radicals Formed in the Reaction Mixtures Containing Chloroiron
Tetraphenylporphyrin, Iodosylbenzene, and Ethanol.
AB - Heme and nonheme high-valent FeIV?O can mediate reactions of olefin epoxidation,
alkane hydroxylation, aromatic hydroxylation, S-oxidation, P-oxidation, N
dealkylation, alkylaromatic oxidation, and alcohol oxidation. Bromocycloheptane
forms as a product in the reaction of high-valent FeIV?O with cycloheptane,
suggesting that a cycloheptyl radical reacts with CCl3Br. However, the
cycloheptyl radical has not yet been directly detected. To directly detect the
radical intermediate in the reaction of the high-valent FeIV?O, we analyzed
reaction mixtures containing chloroiron tetraphenylporphyrin, iodosylbenzene,
ethanol, and alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN) in 1,2
dichloroethane by an electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping method. As a
spin-trapping reagent, we used 4-POBN. Prominent ESR signals were observed in the
reaction mixtures. To determine the structure of the radical, the reaction was
performed using ethanol-1-13C (or ethanol-2-13C) instead of ethanol. ESR spectra
with no additional hyperfine splitting were observed, indicating that the radical
formed in complete reaction mixtures of the porphyrin pi-cation-radical species
(TPP)*+FeIV?O (TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine) with ethanol has an
unpaired electron at neither the alpha-carbon nor the beta-carbon. When the
reaction mixture containing ethanol-d6 instead of ethanol was analyzed using high
performance liquid chromatography-ESR-mass spectrometry, the ions m/z 240 (4
POBN/*OCH2CH3) shifted to m/z 245 (4-POBN/*OCD2CD3). Thus, the radical formed in
the complete reaction mixture of (TPP)*+FeIV?O with ethanol has an unpaired
electron at the oxygen atom in ethanol. We detected and identified the ethanol
derived oxygen-centered radicals in the reaction of (TPP)*+FeIV?O with ethanol
for the first time in this study.
PMID- 28994591
TI - Geometrical Optimization Approach to Isomerization: Models and Limitations.
AB - We study laser-driven isomerization reactions through an excited electronic state
using the recently developed Geometrical Optimization procedure. Our goal is to
analyze whether an initial wave packet in the ground state, with optimized
amplitudes and phases, can be used to enhance the yield of the reaction at faster
rates, driven by a single picosecond pulse or a pair of femtosecond pulses
resonant with the electronic transition. We show that the symmetry of the system
imposes limitations in the optimization procedure, such that the method
rediscovers the pump-dump mechanism.
PMID- 28994592
TI - Zero-Valent Iron Enhances Biocathodic Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Methane.
AB - Methanogenic bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), which convert carbon dioxide
(CO2) directly to methane (CH4), promise to be an innovative technology for
anaerobic digester biogas upgrading. Zero-valent iron (ZVI), which has previously
been used to improve CH4 production in anaerobic digesters, has not been explored
in methanogenic biocathodes. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the
effect of biocathode ZVI on BES performance at 1 and 2 g/L initial ZVI
concentrations and at various cathode potentials (-0.65 to -0.80 V versus SHE).
The total CH4 produced during a 7-day feeding cycle with 1 and 2 g/L initial ZVI
was 2.8- and 2.9-fold higher, respectively, than the mean CH4 production in the
four prior cycles without ZVI addition. Furthermore, CH4 production by the ZVI
amended biocathodes remained elevated throughout three subsequent feeding cycles,
despite catholyte replacement and no new ZVI addition. The fourth cycle following
a single ZVI addition of 1 g/L and 2 g/L yielded 123% and 231% more total CH4
than in the non-ZVI cycles, respectively. The higher CH4 production could not be
fully explained by complete anaerobic oxidation of the ZVI and utilization of
produced H2 by hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Microbial community analysis showed
that the same phylotype, most closely related to Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus,
dominated the archaeal community in the ZVI-free and ZVI-amended biocathodes.
However, the bacterial community experienced substantial changes following ZVI
exposure, with more Proteobacteria and fewer Bacteroidetes in the ZVI-amended
biocathode. Furthermore, it is likely that a redox-active precipitate formed in
the ZVI-amended biocathode, which sorbed to the electrode and/or biofilm, acted
as a redox mediator, and enhanced electron transfer and CH4 production. Thus, ZVI
may be used to increase biocathode CH4 production, assist in the start-up of an
electromethanogenic biocathode, and/or maintain microbial activity during voltage
interruptions.
PMID- 28994593
TI - A One-Step Rapid Assembly of Thin Film Coating Using Green Coordination Complexes
for Enhanced Removal of Trace Organic Contaminants by Membranes.
AB - We report a fast, simple, and green coating method using the coordination complex
of tannic acid (TA) and ferric ion (Fe3+) to enhance the removal of trace organic
contaminants (TrOCs) by polyamide membranes. The entire coating process can be
completed in less than 2 min; quartz crystal microbalance characterization
revealed that a TA-Fe thin film formed in merely 10-20 s. Coating this TA-Fe thin
film on a commercial nanofiltration membrane (NF270) reduced its effective pore
size from 0.44 to 0.40 nm. The TA-Fe-coated NF270 showed significantly increased
rejection of both NaCl and trace organic contaminants. In comparison with the
more-time-consuming polydopamine coating (e.g., 0.5 h), the TA-Fe coating
presented greater resistance to TrOC permeation (i.e., lower permeability of
TrOCs). The advantages of the fast coating process, greatly improved rejection
performance, and use of green accessible materials make TA-Fe a highly promising
coating material for large-scale applications.
PMID- 28994594
TI - Benzoyl Peroxide Detection in Real Samples and Zebrafish Imaging by a Designed
Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe.
AB - A novel near-infrared fluorescence off-on probe, (E)-3,3-dimethyl-1-propyl-2-(2
(6-(2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzyloxy)-2,3-dihydro-1H
xanthen-4-yl)vinyl)-3H-indolium (1), is developed and applied to benzoyl peroxide
(BPO) detection in real samples and fluorescence imaging in living cells and
zebrafish. When arylboronate as the recognition unit is connected to a stable
hemicyanine skeleton, the probe is readily prepared, which exhibits superior
analytical performance, such as near-infrared fluorescence emission over 700 nm
and high sensitivity with a low detection limit of 47 nM. Upon reaction with BPO,
phenylboronic acid pinacol ester is oxidized, followed by hydrolysis and 1,4
elimination of o-quinone methide to release fluorophore. In addtion, the probe
displays high selectivity toward BPO over other common substances, which makes it
of great potential use in quantitative and simple detection of BPO in wheat flour
and antimicrobial agent. More importantly, the probe has been successfully
demonstrated for monitoring BPO in living HeLa cells and zebrafish. The probe
with superior properties could be of great potential use in other biosystems and
in vivo studies.
PMID- 28994595
TI - Pertechnetate-Induced Addition of Sulfide in Small Olefinic Acids: Formation of
[TcO(dimercaptosuccinate)2]5- and [TcO(mercaptosuccinate)2]3- Analogues.
AB - Technetium-99 (99Tc) is important to the nuclear fuel cycle as a long-lived
radionuclide produced in ~6% fission yield from 235U or 239Pu. In its most common
chemical form, namely, pertechnetate (99TcO4-), it is environmentally mobile. In
situ hydrogen sulfide reduction of pertechnetate has been proposed as a potential
method to immobilize environmental 99TcO4- that has entered the environment.
Reactions of 99TcO4- with sulfide in solution result in the precipitation of
Tc2S7 except when olefinic acids, specifically fumaric or maleic acid, are
present; a water-soluble 99Tc species forms. NMR (1H, 13C, and 2D methods) and X
ray absorption spectroscopy [XAS; near-edge (XANES) and extended fine structure
(EXAFS)] studies indicate that sulfide adds across the olefinic bond to generate
mercaptosuccinic acid (H3MSA) and/or dimercaptosuccinic acid (H4DMSA), which then
chelate(s) the 99Tc to form [99TcO(MSA)2]3-, [99TcO(DMSA)2]5-, or potentially
[99TcO(MSA)(DMSA)]4-. 2D NMR methods allowed identification of the products by
comparison to 99Tc and nonradioactive rhenium standards. The rhenium standards
allowed further identification by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
99TcO4- is essential to the reaction because no sulfide addition occurs in its
absence, as determined by NMR. Computational studies were performed to
investigate the structures and stabilities of the potential products. Because
olefinic acid is a component of the naturally occurring humic and fulvic acids
found in soils and groundwater, the viability of in situ hydrogen sulfide
reduction of environmental 99TcO4- as an immobilization method is evaluated.
PMID- 28994596
TI - 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing Reveals Significant Changes in Microbial
Compositions during Cyanobacteria-Laden Drinking Water Sludge Storage.
AB - This is the first study to systematically investigate the microbial community
structure in cyanobacteria-laden drinking water sludge generated by different
types of coagulants (including AlCl3, FeCl3, and polymeric aluminum ferric
chloride (PAFC)) using Illumina 16S rRNA gene MiSeq sequencing. Results show that
Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and
Planctomycetes were the most dominant phyla in sludge, and because of the
toxicity of high Al and Fe level in AlCl3 and FeCl3 sludges, respectively, the
PAFC sludge exhibited greater microbial richness than that in AlCl3 and FeCl3
sludges. Due to lack of light and oxygen in sludge, relative abundance of the
dominant genera Microcystis, Rhodobacter, Phenylobacterium, and Hydrogenophaga
clearly decreased, especially after 4 days storage, and the amounts of
extracellular microcystin and organic matter rose. As a result, the relative
abundance of microcystin and organic degradation bacteria increased
significantly, including pathogens such as Bacillus cereus, in particular after 4
days storage. Hence, sludge should be disposed of within 4 days to prevent
massive growth of pathogens. In addition, because the increase of extracellular
microcystins, organic matter, and pathogens in AlCl3 sludge was higher than that
in FeCl3 and PAFC sludges, FeCl3 and PAFC may be ideal coagulants in drinking
water treatment plants.
PMID- 28994597
TI - Methodology for Monobactam Diversification: Syntheses and Studies of 4-Thiomethyl
Substituted beta-Lactams with Activity against Gram-Negative Bacteria, Including
Carbapenemase Producing Acinetobacter baumannii.
AB - Bromine induced lactamization of vinyl acetohydroxamates facilitated syntheses of
monocyclic beta-lactams suitable for incorporation of a thiomethyl and extended
functionality at the C(4) position. Elaboration of the resulting substituted N
hydroxy-2-azetidinones allowed incorporation of functionalized alpha-amino
substituents appropriate for enhancement of antibiotic activity. Evaluation of
antibacterial activity against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative
bacteria revealed structure-activity relationships (SAR) and identification of
potent new monobactam antibiotics. The corresponding bis-catechol conjugate, 42,
has excellent activity against Gram-negative bacteria including carbapenemase and
carbacephalosporinase producing strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, which have
been listed by the WHO as being of critical concern worldwide.
PMID- 28994598
TI - Hysteresis and Photoinstability Caused by Mobile Ions in Colloidal Quantum Dot
Photovoltaics.
AB - Organic-inorganic hybrid photovoltaics (PVs) have recently attracted considerable
attention as their PV performance has rapidly improved. Abnormal current-voltage
(I-V) characteristics or I-V hysteresis, however, were occasionally observed in
such systems that hampered the development of the PV technology. Here we study
the hysteresis of organic-inorganic hybrid colloidal quantum dot (CQD) PVs by
analyzing I-V characteristics upon systematic modulation of organic components of
CQDs. We demonstrate that an external bias stress to CQD films transiently
prompts redistribution of mobile ions, particularly protons of surface ligands,
thus leading to the formation of a transient space-charge region in the CQD
films. The variable space-charge region causes I-V hysteresis and
photoinstability of CQD PVs, which is closely correlated with the transient
behavior of mobile ions. Our findings here could provide significant implications
to the understanding of the influence of mobile ions on I-V hysteresis in other
organic-inorganic hybrid PVs such as perovskites.
PMID- 28994599
TI - Metabolomics and Lipidomics Study of Mouse Models of Type 1 Diabetes Highlights
Divergent Metabolism in Purine and Tryptophan Metabolism Prior to Disease Onset.
AB - With the increase in incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1DM), there is an urgent need
to understand the early molecular and metabolic alterations that accompany the
autoimmune disease. This is not least because in murine models early intervention
can prevent the development of disease. We have applied a liquid chromatography
(LC-) and gas chromatography (GC-) mass spectrometry (MS) metabolomics and
lipidomics analysis of blood plasma and pancreas tissue to follow the progression
of disease in three models related to autoimmune diabetes: the nonobese diabetic
(NOD) mouse, susceptible to the development of autoimmune diabetes, and the NOD-E
(transgenic NOD mice that express the I-E heterodimer of the major
histocompatibility complex II) and NOD-severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
mouse strains, two models protected from the development of diabetes. All three
analyses highlighted the metabolic differences between the NOD-SCID mouse and the
other two strains, regardless of diabetic status indicating that NOD-SCID mice
are poor controls for metabolic changes in NOD mice. By comparing NOD and NOD-E
mice, we show the development of T1DM in NOD mice is associated with changes in
lipid, purine, and tryptophan metabolism, including an increase in kynurenic acid
and a decrease in lysophospholipids, metabolites previously associated with
inflammation.
PMID- 28994600
TI - Cleavable Multifunctional Targeting Mixed Micelles with Sequential pH-Triggered
TAT Peptide Activation for Improved Antihepatocellular Carcinoma Efficacy.
AB - Although tumor-targeting nanovehicles for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
chemotherapy have attracted great research and clinic interest, the poor cancer
penetration, inefficient cellular uptake, and slow intracellular drug release
greatly compromise their therapeutic outcomes. In this work, a multifunctional
mixed micellar system, consisting of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) for specific liver
targeting, trans-activator of transcription (TAT) peptide for potent cell
penetration, and pH-sensitive poly(beta-amino ester) polymers for acidic
triggered drug release, was developed to provide HCC-targeting delivery and pH
triggered release of doxorubicin (DOX). These micelles were hypothesized to
efficaciously accumulate in HCC site by the guide of GA ligands, enter into
cancer cells facilitated by the activated TAT peptide on the micellar surface,
and finally rapidly release DOX in cytoplasm. To demonstrate this design, DOX was
initially loaded in micelles modified with both GA and TAT (DOX/GA@TAT-M) with
high drug loading efficiency and pH-sensitive drug release profiles. The HCC
targeting cellular uptake and synergetic anticancer efficacy were tested,
indicating DOX/GA@TAT-M could be specifically and effectively internalized into
HCC cells by the effect of GA targeting and TAT penetrating with enhanced
cytotoxicity. In addition, the prolonged circulation time and enhanced
accumulation in tumor facilitated its potent tumor growth inhibition activity in
vivo. These results demonstrated that the cleavable multifunctional mixed
micelles with tumor targeting, controlled TAT peptide activation, and sequential
pH-sensitive drug release could be an efficient strategy for HCC treatment.
PMID- 28994601
TI - Infrared-Enhanced Fluorescence-Gain Spectroscopy: Conformation-Specific Excited
State Infrared Spectra of Alkylbenzenes.
AB - An ultraviolet-infrared (UV-IR) double-resonance method for recording
conformation-specific excited-state infrared spectra is described. The method
takes advantage of an increase in fluorescence signal in phenylalkanes produced
by infrared excitation of the S1 origin levels of different conformational
isomers. The shorter lifetimes of these IR-excited molecules, combined with their
red-shifted emission, provides a way to discriminate the fluorescence due to the
infrared-excited molecules from the S1 origin fluorescence, resulting in spectra
with high signal-to-noise ratios. Spectra for a series of phenylalkanes and a
capped phenylalanine derivative (Ac-Phe-NHMe) demonstrate the potential of the
method. The excited-state spectrum in the alkyl CH stretch region of ethylbenzene
is well-fit by an anharmonic model developed for the ground electronic state,
which explicitly takes into account stretch-bend Fermi resonance.
PMID- 28994602
TI - Hydroboration Catalyzed by 1,2,4,3-Triazaphospholenes.
AB - The synthesis and study of the catalytic activity of 1,2,4,3-triazaphospholenes
(TAPs) is reported. TAPs represent a more modular scaffold than previously
reported diazaphospholenes. TAP halides were shown to catalyze the 1,2
hydroboration of 19 imines, and three alpha,beta unsaturated aldehydes with
pinacolborane, including examples that did not undergo hydroboration by
previously reported diazaphospholene systems. DFT calculations support a
mechanism where a triazaphospholene cation interacts with the substrate, a
mechanism distinct from diazaphospholene catalyzed hydroborations.
PMID- 28994603
TI - Suvorexant: scientifically interesting, utility uncertain.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Suvorexant, a new hypnotic, is indicated for the treatment of insomnia
characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance, and is
used long-term. This paper will briefly review suvorexant. RESULTS: Orexin is a
hypothalamic peptide which promotes wakefulness. By blocking orexin receptors,
suvorexant induces sleep. Peaking 2 h after ingestion, it has a half-life of 12 h
and is hepatically metabolized mainly by CYP3A. Kinetics are not affected by age
but concentrations are higher in females and obese patients. There may be
interactions with benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antipsychotics. Suvorexant
is available in 15 mg and 20 mg doses at which benefits are moderate: after three
months' treatment users fell asleep 6 min faster and slept 16 min longer than
those on placebo. Studies with 40 mg showed greater benefits but more side
effects: next day somnolence, fatigue, xerostomia and peripheral oedema.
Hallucinations, sleep paralysis and somnambulism occur rarely. Tolerance,
withdrawal and rebound do not generally occur at recommended doses. CONCLUSION:
Suvorexant has not been trialled against other hypnotics, is expensive and its
utility for insomnia in patients with psychiatric disorders is unknown.
Currently, use of suvorexant could be considered where more established
treatments are inappropriate.
PMID- 28994604
TI - National awareness campaign to prevent medication-overuse headache in Denmark.
AB - Background Medication-overuse headache is prevalent, but in principle
preventable. Objective To describe the Danish national awareness campaign for
medication-overuse headache. Methods The Danish Headache Center, the Association
of Danish Pharmacies, and headache patient organizations implemented a four-month
medication-overuse headache awareness campaign in 2016. Target groups were the
general public, general practitioners, and pharmacists. Key messages were:
Overuse of pain-medication can worsen headaches; pain-medication should be used
rationally; and medication-overuse headache is treatable. A range of
communication technologies was used. A survey on the public's awareness of
medication-overuse headache was conducted. Results The Danish adult population is
4.2 million. Online videos were viewed 297,000 times in three weeks. All 400
pharmacies received campaign materials. Over 28,000 leaflets were distributed.
Two radio interviews were conducted. A television broadcast about headache
reached an audience of 520,000. Forty articles were published in print media.
Information was accessible at 32 reputable websites and five online news
agencies. Three scientific papers were published. Information was available at an
annual conference of general practitioners, including a headache lecture. The
survey showed an increase in percentage of the public who knew about medication
overuse headache (from 31% to 38%). Conclusion A concerted campaign to prevent
medication-overuse headache can be implemented through involvement of key
stakeholders.
PMID- 28994605
TI - Explicit diagnostic criteria for transient ischemic attacks to differentiate it
from migraine with aura.
AB - Background The diagnosis of transient ischemic attacks is fraught with problems.
The inter-observer agreement has repeatedly been shown to be low even in a
neurological setting, and the specificity of the diagnosis is modest to low,
reflected in a poor separation of transient ischemic attacks and mimics,
particularly migraine with aura with its varied symptomatology. In other disease
areas, explicit diagnostic criteria have improved sensitivity and specificity of
diagnoses. We therefore present novel explicit diagnostic criteria for transient
ischemic attacks tested for sensitivity and for specificity against migraine with
aura. Methods The proposed criteria were developed using the format of the
international headache classification. We drew upon the existing literature about
clinical characteristics and diagnosis of migraine with aura and transient
ischemic attacks. We tested the criteria for sensitivity in a prospectively
collected material of 120 patients with transient ischemic attacks diagnosed
before we developed the criteria using extensive semi-structured interview forms
in the acute phase after admission. Eligible patients had focal brain or retinal
ischemia with resolution of symptoms within 24 hours without presence of new
infarction on magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion weighted imaging (n =
112) or computed tomography (n = 8). These criteria were also tested for
specificity against a Danish (n = 1390) and a Russian (n = 152) material of
patients with migraine with aura diagnosed according to the International
Classification of Headache Disorders edition 3 (beta). Results The sensitivity of
the proposed criteria was 99% in patients with transient ischemic attacks. The
specificity was 95% in the Danish material of patients with migraine with aura
and 96% in the Russian material. Conclusions Proposed explicit diagnostic
criteria for transient ischemic attacks showed both high specificity and
sensitivity. They are likely to improve the emergency room diagnosis of transient
ischemic attacks. Further testing in unselected materials referred to transient
ischemic attacks clinics was beyond the scope of the present study but is
recommended for future study.
PMID- 28994611
TI - Modeling the survival of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium during
the fermentation of yogurt.
AB - The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of Salmonella
Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium, the two most important serovars of
salmonellosis , during the fermentation of yogurt. The microorganisms were
enumerated in milk throughout the fermentation process at three initial inoculum
levels (3, 5 and 7 log CFU/mL). DMFit software was used in the fitting procedure
of the data (IFR, Norwich, UK, Version 3.5). The data provided sigmoidal curves
that were successfully displayed with the Baranyi model. The results showed that
the initial inoculum level did not affect the growth for both pathogens; thus,
the umax values (maximum specific growth rate) did not significantly differ
across all the contamination levels, ranging from 0.26 to 0.38 for S. Enteritidis
and from 0.50 to 0.56 log CFU/g/h for S. Typhimurium ( P > 0.05). However, the
umax values significantly differed between the two serovars ( P < 0.05). The
lambda values (lag time) did not have a clear trend in either of the pathogens.
The present study showed that Salmonella can survive the fermentation process of
milk even at a low contamination level. In addition, the models presented in this
study can be used in quantitative risk assessment studies to estimate the threat
to consumers.
PMID- 28994612
TI - Metal Concentrations in Samples of Frozen Cephalopods (Cuttlefish, Octopus,
Squid, and Shortfin Squid): An Evaluation of Dietary Intake.
AB - Cephalopods are an important source of nutrients and some of the most widely
consumed marine foods. However, because of contamination of the oceans and the
bioaccumulative nature of toxic metals, these foods may pose a health risk. For
this reason, the concentrations of some trace elements (chromium [Cr], lithium,
strontium [Sr], copper [Cu], and nickel) and toxic metals (aluminum [Al],
cadmium, and lead) were determined in 65 frozen samples of cuttlefish, octopus,
common squid, and shortfin squid by inductively coupled plasma optical emission
spectrometry to evaluate dietary intake and toxic risk. Sr was the major trace
element (3.03 mg/kg) in cuttlefish; however, Cu (1.57 mg/kg) was found in the
highest concentration in common squid. Among the toxic metals, Al had the highest
concentration (3.09 mg/kg) in common squid. Al can pose an important health risk
to individuals with kidney problems and to children because these groups are most
vulnerable to the toxic effects. Significant differences among the four
cephalopod types were found in the concentrations of most of the metals examined.
Taking into account the average consumption of cephalopods, the contribution of
toxic metals does not pose a risk to the health of adults.
PMID- 28994613
TI - Gyrase A Mutations in Campylobacter Associated with Decreased Susceptibility to
Different Fluoroquinolones.
AB - Campylobacter is a leading cause of foodborne diarrheal illness worldwide, and
the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains is a major global public health
concern. The goal of this study was to compare the activity of different
fluoroquinolone antibiotics against ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter jejuni
and Campylobacter coli. Isolates from retail meats collected between 2002 and
2009 were selected based on their in vitro susceptibility testing results against
ciprofloxacin. In total, 289 C. jejuni and 165 C. coli were collected and
analyzed. All ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates had a single mutation (Thr86Ile)
in their gyrase A (gyrA) gene and exhibited decreased susceptibility to all eight
fluoroquinolones tested. Gatifloxacin, enrofloxacin, and levofloxacin showed
greater activity than the other fluoroquinolone drugs in both ciprofloxacin
sensitive and -resistant strains.
PMID- 28994614
TI - Meta-analysis for the efficacy of S-1-based regimens as the first-line treatment
in Asian chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
AB - AIM: We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety for S-1
based regimens as the first-line treatment in Asian chemotherapy-naive patients
with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. PATIENTS & METHODS: Eligible randomized
clinical trials (RCTs) were included, of which data were extracted by inclusion
criteria and exclusion one. Odds ratio and hazard ratio (HR) of outcomes
including objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall
survival (OS) and adverse effects (AEs) were explored for the final analysis.
RESULTS: Twenty-one RCTs including 3263 patients were fit into the analysis.
Pooled HR for PFS was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.92-1.10; p = 0.88), the pooled HR for OS
was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.85-1.06; p = 0.33) and the pooled odds ratio for ORR was 0.74
(95% CI: 0.61-0.90; p = 0.003). S-1-based regimens showed milder AEs in high
grade nausea/vomit, anorexia, leukopenia, neutropenia and febrile neutropenia
(all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study has revealed that S-1-based
regimens are accompanied by the similar efficacy and slighter AEs compared with
standard regimens as the first-line treatment in Asian chemotherapy-naive
patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
PMID- 28994616
TI - Assessing speech perception in Swedish school-aged children: preliminary data on
the Listen-Say test.
AB - To meet the need for a linguistic speech perception test in Swedish, the 'Listen
Say test' was developed. Minimal word pairs were used as speech material to
assess seven phonetic contrasts in two auditory backgrounds. In the present
study, children's speech discrimination skills in quiet and in four-talker (4T)
speech background were examined. Associations with lexical-access skills and
academic achievement were explored. The study included 27 school children 7-9
years of age. Overall, the children discriminated phonetic contrasts well in both
conditions (quiet: Mdn 95%; 4T speech; Mdn 91% correct). A significant effect of
4T speech background was evident in three of the contrasts, connected to place of
articulation, voicing and syllable complexity. Reaction times for correctly
identified target words were significantly longer in the quiet condition,
possibly reflecting a need for further balancing of the test order. Overall
speech discrimination accuracy was moderately to highly correlated with lexical
access ability. Children identified as having high concentration ability by their
teacher had the highest speech discrimination scores in both conditions followed
by children identified as having high reading ability. The first wave of data
collection with the Listen-Say test indicates that the test appears to be
sensitive to predicted perceptual difficulties of phonetic contrasts particularly
in noise. The clinical benefit of using a procedure where speech discrimination,
lexical-access ability and academic achievement are taken into account is
discussed as well as issues for further test refinement.
PMID- 28994615
TI - MTRR A66G, RFC1 G80A, and MTHFR C677T and A1298C Polymorphisms and Disease
Activity in Mexicans with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Methotrexate.
AB - AIM: To investigate the relationships of polymorphisms in genes whose protein
products are related in the metabolic pathway of folic acid, particularly MTRR
A66G, RFC1 G80A, and MTHFR C677T and A1298C, and disease activity in Mexican
patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with RA were included in the study
who were being treated with MTX, either with or without other drugs. In addition
to general data, disease activity was measured by the disease activity score 28
(DAS28). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyping was performed by
allelic discrimination using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS:
Differences in genotype (homozygotic or heterozygotic for each allele), allele
distributions, and phenotype were not statistically different between the RA
group and control populations. We did not find any association between the
studied polymorphisms and disease activity nor with the intragroup variables
(e.g., clinical activity, body mass index, and single- or combined-drug
treatment) or between genetic markers; we also did not find any association
within the RA group or between the RA group and control populations. CONCLUSION:
Additional studies of more polymorphisms related to this or other metabolic
pathways are required to determine the influence of genetics on disease activity
in RA.
PMID- 28994617
TI - An Interim Examination of the US Public Health Response to Ebola.
AB - From the summer of 2014 to the spring of 2016, the United States was involved in
the Ebola response on both the national and international levels. The United
States received 2 imported cases from West Africa and had 2 locally hospital
acquired cases, which spurred a massive and unprecedented public health response.
As the domestic response stabilized and the epidemic in West Africa slowed, the
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the National
Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), through a cooperative
agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), led an in
progress review to assess the national public health response to Ebola. The goal
was to identify opportunities to improve the Ebola response and best practices to
inform future responses. To inform the review, NACCHO and ASTHO relied on
feedback collected from several sources, including a stakeholder meeting held in
August 2015, a series of key informant interviews, ASTHO's and NACCHO's internal
response assessments, and perspectives shared by state and local health
department members and workgroups and national partner organizations. ASTHO and
NACCHO engaged experts and practitioners in public health, health care, emergency
management, laboratory sciences, environmental health, occupational health,
homeland security, communications, and public works from US federal, state, and
local governments, the nonprofit community, and private industry. This article
summarizes feedback and lessons learned as shared by these sources. Additionally,
this article presents recommendations for federal, state, local, and
nongovernment partners to improve current and future preparedness and response
efforts to infectious disease threats.
PMID- 28994618
TI - Pilot evaluation of a coping-oriented supportive program for people with spinal
cord injury during inpatient rehabilitation.
AB - PURPOSE: To report the feasibility and preliminary effects of a psychosocial care
program entitled "coping-oriented supportive program" (COSP) for people with
spinal cord injury (SCI) during inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: This was a
pilot test of the COSP using a convenience sample of 22 participants with SCI (11
participants per group) with pre- and post-test, comparison group design. The
feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the COSP were examined.
RESULTS: Nine patients with SCI in the intervention group and 11 in the
comparison group who completed five or more sessions of the intervention were
included in the data analysis. The COSP was feasible with high levels of
recruitment, retention and protocol adherence. Good acceptability was suggested
by the participants' feedback on the intervention program. The intervention group
had a statistically significant greater improvement in self-efficacy (z = -1.978,
p = 0.048), life enjoyment and satisfaction (z = -2.801, p = 0.005), and
satisfaction of social support (z = -2.298, p = 0.022) at post-test, when
compared to the comparison group. Whereas, no significant improvement was found
for coping. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the feasibility and acceptability
of the COSP, and suggest that this intervention is a promising psychosocial care
program to enhance people's life satisfaction and well-being as well as the
satisfaction of social support after SCI. Further testing of this program with a
larger-sized and diverse sample of people with SCI is needed. Implications for
Rehabilitation The Chinese culturally-sensitive psychosocial care program (coping
oriented supportive program) is feasible, and has the potential to enhance
people's self-efficacy in coping with spinal cord injury, and improve their
psychosocial well-being and life satisfaction. The conventional inpatient spinal
cord injury rehabilitation services could be improved by providing this "first
line" psychosocial care program in line with the current medical rehabilitation
service.
PMID- 28994619
TI - Biological evaluation of benzosuberones.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Several natural products containing benzosuberone moiety are
clinically reported as anti-tumor agents. Furthermore, several synthetic
benzosuberones cited in this review exhibited wide range of theraputic activities
such as bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressants and anti-tumor
activities. Our recent review provides an overview of the different methods to
synthesize the benzosuberones and their extensive biological activities. Areas
covered: Thirty-two patents among 130 references are cited in this review that
covered the recent inhibitory activities of the benzosuberone scaffolds and their
broad area of biological applications up to the first quarter of 2017. The areas
covered included anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, selective estrogen
receptor, anti-obesity, beta-amyloid production, enzymes and HCV inhibitors in
addition to anti-Alzheimer and anti-tuberculosis activities as well as several
receptors antagonists. Expert opinion: It is important for medical and
pharmaceutical researchers to prepare the first intensive review article
concerning the highly biologically active benzosuberone derivatives where they
are potent anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antitumor activities and
inhibitors of several enzymes. They are useful for treating abnormalities such as
sleep disorders, eating disorders and reproductive disorders. Some of these
compounds have potential as vascular disrupting agents to selectively target
microvessels feeding tumors and some were potential leads for the development of
promising therapeutic drugs.
PMID- 28994620
TI - PTSD symptoms associated with myocardial infarction: practical clinical
implications.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Several studies have demonstrated a link between post-traumatic
stress disorder and myocardial infarction. We aim to determine what phenotypic
features or symptom profile associated with cardiovascular disease may help with
early detection and intervention. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. The
study population comprises trauma-exposed Vietnam War veterans. RESULTS:
Variables significantly associated with myocardial infarction from the bivariate
analysis were avoidance memories, avoidance reminders and sleep disturbance.
These variables were put into a logistic regression with known risk factors for
myocardial infarction. Only sleep disturbance retained its effect, with a p-value
of 0.015. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that sleep disturbance may be a modifiable
risk factor in the treatment and prevention of myocardial infarction.
PMID- 28994622
TI - Characteristics and correlates of coping with multiple sclerosis: a systematic
review.
AB - PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine coping strategies
that people with multiple sclerosis use, and to identify factors that influence
their coping pattern. METHOD: This systematic review followed the Joanna Briggs
Institute guidelines for synthesizing descriptive quantitative research. The
following databases were searched from the inception of databases until December
2016: Ovid (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO), Science Direct, Web of
Science, and Scopus. Manual search was also conducted from the reference lists of
retrieved articles. Findings related to the patterns of coping with multiple
sclerosis and factors influencing coping with multiple sclerosis were extracted
and synthesized. RESULTS: The search of the database yielded 455 articles. After
excluding duplicates (n = 341) and studies that did not meet the inclusion
criteria (n = 27), 71 studies were included in the full-text review. Following
the full-text, a further 21 studies were excluded. Quality appraisal of 50
studies was completed, and 38 studies were included in the review. Synthesis of
findings indicated that people with multiple sclerosis use emotional and
avoidance coping strategies more than other types of coping, particularly in the
early stages of the disease. In comparison to the general population, people with
multiple sclerosis were less likely to use active coping strategies and used more
avoidance and emotional coping strategies. The pattern of coping with multiple
sclerosis was associated with individual, clinical and psychological factors
including gender, educational level, clinical course, mood and mental status,
attitude, personality traits, and religious beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of
this review suggest that considering individual or disease-related factors could
help healthcare professionals in identifying those less likely to adapt to
multiple sclerosis. This information could also be used to provide client
centered rehabilitation for people living with multiple sclerosis based on their
individual responses and perceptions for coping. Implications for rehabilitation
Engagement in coping with multiple sclerosis has been associated with individual
factors and neuropsychological functions. Considering individual and disease
related factors would allow healthcare professionals to provide more tailored
interventions to maintain and master coping with multiple sclerosis. People
living with multiple sclerosis should be empowered to appraise and manage ability
to cope based on the contextual evidence (individual and clinical condition).
Rehabilitation services should move beyond physical management incorporating
behavioral aspects for better functioning in living with multiple sclerosis.
PMID- 28994621
TI - A rare anomalous origin of right vertebral artery with double branch: First case
report.
AB - Vertebral artery origin anomalies are typically incidental findings during
angiography. We present an extremely rare variant in which the right vertebral
artery has a double origin from the right subclavian artery and right common
carotid artery in association with an aberrant right subclavian artery, which has
never been reported before.
PMID- 28994623
TI - Exploring functional outcomes and allied health staffing levels in an inpatient
paediatric rehabilitation unit.
AB - PURPOSE: This study provides data from a paediatric tertiary hospital on the
length of stay, functional improvement and allied health workload for children
and adolescents on active inpatient rehabilitation programs. METHODS: An audit
was conducted of records of patients managed through an inpatient rehabilitation
program at a 359 bed tertiary children's hospital in Brisbane, Australia between
December 2014 and December 2015. Data relating to diagnosis, length of stay,
functional change, occasions of allied health service and hours of patient
attributable allied health professional time were collected. RESULTS: Data on 94
children and adolescents with a total of 102 rehabilitation episodes of care were
sourced. The greatest average length of stay was for the "Stroke" group. The
highest average allied health professional contact hours were for the "Brain
Dysfunction - Traumatic" group. The greatest average functional change was
observed in the "Brain Dysfunction- Traumatic group." Physiotherapy accounted for
the largest proportion of allied health professional service time, with an
average of 32% of total time. CONCLUSIONS: This review from a tertiary hospital
based inpatient paediatric rehabilitation service provides information regarding
the length of stay, functional change and allied health workload for children and
adolescents on active inpatient rehabilitation programs. As expected, total and
rehabilitation episode length of stay, functional improvement and allied health
contact and input varied according to diagnostic groups. This information is
likely to be of value to other Paediatric Rehabilitation Medicine inpatient units
when developing staffing for services and benchmarking service delivery.
Implications for Rehabilitation Paediatric Rehabilitation Medicine supports
children and adolescents to achieve the highest level possible of physical,
cognitive, psychological and social functioning following accident or injury.
There are little data in the literature to inform the optimal allied health
staffing levels required for intensive inpatient multidisciplinary for children
and adolescents suffering acquired neurological impairments. Data from this
tertiary hospital-based paediatric inpatient rehabilitation program provide
information on the length of stay, functional improvement and allied health
professional contact for patients across broad diagnostic groupings. This
information is useful for other paediatric rehabilitation services when planning
for allied health staffing in service development.
PMID- 28994624
TI - Plasma heparanase is associated with blood glucose levels but not urinary
microalbumin excretion in type 2 diabetic nephropathy at the early stage.
AB - AIM: To explore the possible correlations between plasma heparanase and
albuminuria, glucose and lipid metabolism in the type 2 diabetic nephropathy
patients at the early stage. METHODS: One hundred and forty patients with type 2
diabetic nephropathy at early stage were recruited into the study. Plasma
heparanase and the characterized advanced glycation end products (AGEs),
carboxymethyllysine (CML) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: Plasma heparanase was positively associated with fasting blood glucose
(R = 0.24, p = .01) while heparanase was not significantly correlated with the
urinary microalbumin to creatinine ratio (urinary mAlb/Cr) (R = 0.05, p = .58)
and CML (R = 0.16, p = .26). On stepwise linear regression analysis, fasting
blood glucose was the main independent determinants of plasma heparanase
concentration. CONCLUSION: Plasma heparanase is not significantly associated with
urinary mAlb/Cr while it is correlated positively with blood glucose levels in
the early stage of diabetic nephropathy. Plasma heparnase might be regarded as a
marker for vascular endothelial cells injury in diabetic patients.
PMID- 28994625
TI - The letter knowledge assessment tool.
AB - PURPOSE: There is a need to develop letter knowledge assessment tools to
characterise the letter knowledge in Portuguese pre-schoolers and to compare it
with pre-schoolers from other countries, but there are no tools for this purpose
in Portugal. The aim of this paper is to describe the development and validation
procedures of the Prova de Avaliacao de Competencias de Pre-Literacia (PACPL),
which assesses letter knowledge. METHOD: This study includes data that has been
gathered in two phases: pilot and main study. In the pilot study, an expert panel
of six speech and language pathologists analysed the instrument. Children (n =
216) aged 5;0-7;11 participated in the main study that reports data related to
the psychometric characteristics of the PACPL. Content validity, internal
consistency, reliability and contributing factors to performance were examined
statistically. RESULTS: A modified Bland-Altman method revealed good agreement
amongst evaluators. The main study showed that the PACPL has a very good internal
consistency and high inter-rater (96.2% of agreement and a Cohen's k value of
0.92) and intra-rater (95.6% of agreement and a Cohen's k value of 0.91)
agreement. Construct validity of the PCAPL was also assured (Cronbach's alpha of
0.982). Significant differences were found between age groups with children
increasing their letter knowledge with age. In addition, they were better at
identifying than at producing both letter names and letter sounds. CONCLUSIONS:
The PACPL is a valid and reliable instrument to assess letter knowledge in
Portuguese children.
PMID- 28994627
TI - myBrain: a novel EEG embedded system for epilepsy monitoring.
AB - The World Health Organisation has pointed that a successful health care delivery,
requires effective medical devices as tools for prevention, diagnosis, treatment
and rehabilitation. Several studies have concluded that longer monitoring periods
and outpatient settings might increase diagnosis accuracy and success rate of
treatment selection. The long-term monitoring of epileptic patients through
electroencephalography (EEG) has been considered a powerful tool to improve the
diagnosis, disease classification, and treatment of patients with such condition.
This work presents the development of a wireless and wearable EEG acquisition
platform suitable for both long-term and short-term monitoring in inpatient and
outpatient settings. The developed platform features 32 passive dry electrodes,
analogue-to-digital signal conversion with 24-bit resolution and a variable
sampling frequency from 250 Hz to 1000 Hz per channel, embedded in a stand-alone
module. A computer-on-module embedded system runs a Linux(r) operating system
that rules the interface between two software frameworks, which interact to
satisfy the real-time constraints of signal acquisition as well as parallel
recording, processing and wireless data transmission. A textile structure was
developed to accommodate all components. Platform performance was evaluated in
terms of hardware, software and signal quality. The electrodes were characterised
through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the operating system
performance running an epileptic discrimination algorithm was evaluated. Signal
quality was thoroughly assessed in two different approaches: playback of EEG
reference signals and benchmarking with a clinical-grade EEG system in alpha-wave
replacement and steady-state visual evoked potential paradigms. The proposed
platform seems to efficiently monitor epileptic patients in both inpatient and
outpatient settings and paves the way to new ambulatory clinical regimens as well
as non-clinical EEG applications.
PMID- 28994626
TI - PRogram In Support of Moms (PRISM): a pilot group randomized controlled trial of
two approaches to improving depression among perinatal women.
AB - PURPOSE: This pilot study was designed to inform a larger effectiveness trial by:
(1) assessing the feasibility of the PRogram In Support of Moms (PRISM) and our
study procedures; and, (2) determining the extent to which PRISM as compared to
an active comparison group, the Massachusetts Child Access Psychiatry Program
(MCPAP) for Moms alone, improves depression among perinatal women. METHODS: Four
practices were randomized to either PRISM or MCPAP for Moms alone, a state-wide
telephonic perinatal psychiatry program. PRISM includes MCPAP for Moms plus
implementation assistance with local champions, training, and implementation of
office prompts and procedures to enhance depression screening, assessment and
treatment. Patients with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scales (EPDS) >= 10 were
recruited during pregnancy, and completed the EPDS and a structured interview at
baseline and 3-12 weeks' postpartum. RESULTS: Among MCPAP for Moms alone
practices, patients' (n = 9) EPDS scores improved from 15.22 to 10.11 (p =
0.010), whereas in PRISM practices patients' (n = 21) EPDS scores improved from
13.57 to 6.19 (p = 0.001); the between groups difference-of-differences was 2.27
(p = 0.341). CONCLUSIONS: PRISM was beneficial for patients, clinicians, and
support staff. Both PRISM and MCPAP for Moms alone improve depression symptom
severity and the percentage of women with an EPDS >10. The improvement difference
between groups was not statistically significant due to limited power associated
with small sample size.
PMID- 28994629
TI - High-resolution CT evaluation of bronchial lumen to vertebral body, pulmonary
artery to vertebral body and bronchial lumen to pulmonary artery ratios in
Dirofilaria immitis-infected cats with and without selamectin administration.
AB - Objectives The bronchial lumen to pulmonary artery (BA) ratio is utilized to
evaluate pulmonary pathology on CT images. The BA ratio may be unreliable when
changes are present in bronchial and pulmonary arteries concurrently. Bronchial
lumen to vertebral body (BV) and pulmonary artery to vertebral body (AV) ratios
have been established in normal cats and may serve as an alternative. This study
aimed to evaluate the BV, AV and BA ratios in cats before and after infection
with Dirofilaria immitis, with and without selamectin administration, and to
characterize the distribution of disease. Methods Archived CT images were
reviewed from three groups of cats: D immitis-infected untreated (n = 6);
infected pretreated with selamectin (n = 6); and uninfected untreated (n = 5).
The BV, AV and BA ratios were calculated for all lung lobes for baseline (D0) and
day 240 (D240) postinfection. Ratios and percentage change from baseline were
compared between lobes and between groups. Results BV and AV ratios were more
consistent in identifying abnormalities when disease was present in bronchial and
arteries concurrently than BA ratios. Infected untreated cats had significant
changes in both BV and AV ratios and percentage change from baseline. Abnormal BV
and AV ratios were noted in the infected selamectin group, although less widely
distributed. Conclusions and relevance The BV and AV ratios more accurately
identified bronchial and pulmonary artery abnormalities in D immitis-infected
cats. Both bronchial and pulmonary artery changes were present in infected cats,
decreasing the diagnostic application of the BA ratio. Pulmonary artery changes
were more widely distributed than bronchial changes in the lung. Heartworm
infected cats receiving selamectin had bronchial and pulmonary artery changes but
to a lesser extent than untreated heartworm-infected cats. The CT-derived BV and
AV ratios are a useful measure to evaluate lung disease of cats.
PMID- 28994628
TI - Effects of total flavonoids of sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on
cytotoxicity of NK92-MI cells.
AB - Sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.) has multifarious medicinal properties
including immunoregulatory effect. The total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides
L. (TFH) are the main active components isolated from berries of sea buckthorn.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of TFH on the cytotoxicity of
NK92-MI cells and its possible mechanisms. NK92-MI cells were treated with TFH
(2.5 or 5.0 mg/L) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 24 h, the cytotoxicity
against K562 was detected by measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase
(LDH), expression levels of NCRs (NKp30, NKp44, NKp46) and NKG2D were detected by
flow cytometry, and expression levels of perforin and granzyme B were detected by
western blot. Cytokine Antibody Arrays with 80 cytokine proteins were used to
profile the effect of TFH on cytokines. Western blot was adopted to detect the
effects of TFH on STAT1, STAT4, and STAT5 signal pathway. Compared with the
normal control group, TFH could significantly enhance NK92-MI cell cytotoxicity
against K562 cells, upregulate expressions of NKp44, NKp46, perforin, and
granzyme B. TFH could upregulate expressions of IL-1alpha, IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, CSF
2, CSF-3, MCP-1, MIG, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and TNF-beta and downregulate
expressions of IL-16, MIP-1beta, CX3CL-1, and MIF. TFH could increase expressions
of phospho-STAT1 and phospho-STAT5. The results suggest that TFH stimulated NK92
MI cells to activate and enhance cytotoxicity of NK92-MI cells.
PMID- 28994630
TI - Clinical presentations, treatments and risk factors for mortality in cats with
tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus: 2077 cases (2008-2016).
AB - Objectives The objective of this study was to describe seasonality, demographics,
presentations, treatments, complications and outcomes for cats with Ixodes
holocyclus causing tick paralysis, and to identify risk factors for mortality.
Methods This was a retrospective single cohort study with 2077 cases occurring
between 2008 and 2016, and presenting to one of four emergency clinics in south
eastern Queensland, Australia. Case mortality at 5 days post-presentation could
be determined for 1742 cases, and potential risk factors for mortality were
assessed using random-effects logistic regression. Results Cases occurred all
year round, but there was a marked seasonal pattern with more cases presenting in
spring than any other season. Overall, 54/1742 cases (3%) died by 5 days after
presentation. Five day mortality incidence for cases that received polyclonal
canine tick antitoxin serum (TAS) and recommended treatment was 28/1410 (2%) vs
4/52 (8%) for cases that did not receive TAS ( P <0.001). Mechanical ventilation
was recommended for 131/2077 cases (6%). Where mechanical ventilation was
recommended but not implemented, mortality incidence was 15/17 (88%), whereas
4/22 cases (18%) that received mechanical ventilation died by day 5. From
multivariable analyses, initial gait score (overall P = 0.047) and body
temperature on presentation (overall P <0.001) were independently associated with
mortality; cases with higher gait scores and those with body temperatures <35
degrees C were at greater risk of death. Cases that had an adverse reaction to
TAS were also more likely to die ( P = 0.002). Additional ticks were detected at
coat clipping for 80/872 (9%) the cases that were clipped, and coat clipping was
associated with a reduced risk of mortality ( P = 0.020). Risk of mortality did
not differ significantly by time of year, clinic location, breed, sex, neuter
status, age, weight, coat length or number of ticks found. Conclusions and
relevance The overall mortality risk for cats treated for tick paralysis caused
by I holocyclus is low. Risk factors for mortality include advanced gait and
respiratory scores, and hypothermia at presentation. Coat clipping and TAS reduce
the risk of mortality, whereas the occurrence of a TAS reaction increases the
risk. Mechanical ventilation reduces mortality risk in cats with respiratory
failure due to tick paralysis.
PMID- 28994631
TI - Health Care Resource Utilization for Outpatient Cardiovascular Disease and
Diabetes Care Delivery Among Advanced Practice Providers and Physician Providers
in Primary Care.
AB - Although effectiveness of diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD) care delivery
between physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) has been shown to be
comparable, health care resource utilization between these 2 provider types in
primary care is unknown. This study compared health care resource utilization
between patients with diabetes or CVD receiving care from APPs or physicians.
Diabetes (n = 1,022,588) or CVD (n = 1,187,035) patients with a primary care
visit between October 2013 and September 2014 in 130 Veterans Affairs facilities
were identified. Using hierarchical regression adjusting for covariates including
patient illness burden, the authors compared number of primary or specialty care
visits and number of lipid panels and hemoglobinA1c (HbA1c) tests among diabetes
patients, and number of primary or specialty care visits and number of lipid
panels and cardiac stress tests among CVD patients receiving care from physicians
and APPs. Physicians had significantly larger patient panels compared with APPs.
In adjusted analyses, diabetes patients receiving care from APPs received fewer
primary and specialty care visits and a greater number of lipid panels and HbA1c
tests compared with patients receiving care from physicians. CVD patients
receiving care from APPs received more frequent lipid testing and fewer primary
and specialty care visits compared with those receiving care from physicians,
with no differences in the number of stress tests. Most of these differences,
although statistically significant, were numerically small. Health care resource
utilization among diabetes or CVD patients receiving care from APPs or physicians
appears comparable, although physicians work with larger patient panels.
PMID- 28994632
TI - Firearm Projectile in the Maxillary Tuberosity Located by Adjunctive Examination
of Wide-Field Optical Fluorescence.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the use of wide-field optical fluorescence as an
adjunctive examination in a clinical routine to oral diagnosis. BACKGROUND DATA:
Use of wide-field optical fluorescence in the oral cavity has been restricted to
topics related to the detection and diagnosis of oral cancer. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: In a regular medical appointment, a 58-year-old female patient, without
any complaint or oral symptom, underwent the complementary examination by wide
field optical fluorescence. A device with high-power light-emitting diode
emitting light centered at a wavelength of (400 +/- 10) nm and maximum irradiance
of (0.040 +/- 0.008) W/cm2 was used for fluorescence visualization. RESULTS: We
report the location of a firearm projectile, intraosseous, in the maxillary
tuberosity using wide-field optical fluorescence. CONCLUSIONS: It is evidenced
that wide-field optical fluorescence, within a clinical routine, can provide
relevant images and data, with an immediate result, without the use of ionizing
radiation, enabling an efficient oral diagnosis.
PMID- 28994633
TI - Endovascular aneurysm repair in the elderly: First do no harm.
AB - Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the intervention of choice for
supra-threshold aortic aneurysms due to the lower 30-day mortality of EVAR as
compared with open surgery, despite no long-term longevity gains. Trials such as
EVAR-1 that established the current status of endovascular aortic intervention
often excluded participants over the age of 80, and specific studies of EVAR in
the elderly reveal higher mortality than accepted averages. Analyses of the cost
effectiveness of EVAR have not demonstrated superiority of endovascular
intervention over open repair, in particular when considering complications such
as endoleak. Post-intervention surveillance and the frequent need for re
intervention following EVAR has a detrimental impact on quality of life. Taking
these factors into consideration, combined with an ageing population and the
likely increase in octogenarian endovascular intervention, there is a clear
clinical need for appropriate risk-stratification of elderly patients with supra
threshold aneurysms to determine who will benefit from endovascular repair.
PMID- 28994634
TI - The EU project "United4Health": Results and experiences from automatic health
status assessment in a Norwegian telemedicine trial system.
AB - Introduction Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease require help in
daily life situations to increase their individual perception of security,
especially under worsened medical conditions. Unnecessary hospital (re
)admissions and home visits by doctors or nurses shall be avoided. This study
evaluates the results from a two-year telemedicine field trial for automatic
health status assessment based on remote monitoring and analysis of a long time
series of vital signs data from patients at home over periods of weeks or months.
Methods After discharge from hospital treatment for acute exacerbations, 94
patients were recruited for follow-up by the trial system. The system supported
daily measurements of pulse and transdermal peripheral capillary oxygen
saturation at patients' homes, a symptom-specific questionnaire, and provided
nurses trained to use telemedicine ("telenurses") with an automatically generated
health status overview of all monitored patients. A colour code
(green/yellow/red) indicated whether the patient was stable or had a notable
deterioration, while red alerts highlighted those in most urgent need of follow
up. The telenurses could manually overwrite the status level based on the
patients' conditions observed through video consultation. Results Health status
evaluation in 4970 telemonitor datasets were assessed retrospectively. The
automatic health status determination (subgroup of 33 patients) showed green
status at 46% of the days during a one-month monitoring period, 28% yellow
status, and 19% red status (no data reported at 7% of the days). The telenurses
manually downrated approximately 10% of the red or yellow alerts. Discussion The
evaluation of the defined real-time health status assessment algorithms, which
involve static rules with personally adapted elements, shows limitations to adapt
long-term home monitoring with adequate interpretation of day-to-day changes in
the patient's condition. Thus, due to the given sensitivity and specificity of
such algorithms, it seems challenging to avoid false high alerts.
PMID- 28994636
TI - Meetings Calendar 2017.
PMID- 28994637
TI - Cortical lesions and HLA genotype: Still a grey area?
PMID- 28994635
TI - Does Isolation of Enterococcus Affect Outcomes in Intra-Abdominal Infections?
AB - BACKGROUND: Enterococci are isolated frequently as pathogens in patients with
intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) and may predict poor clinical outcomes. It
remains controversial whether enterococci warrant an altered treatment approach
with regard to antimicrobial treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study
population was derived from the Study to Optimize Peritoneal Infection Therapy
(STOP-IT) trial database. Through post hoc analysis subjects were stratified into
two groups based on isolation of Enterococcus. Fifty subjects of the cohort (n =
518) had Enterococcus isolated. Uni-variable and multi-variable analyses were
conducted to determine whether isolation of Enterococcus constituted an
independent predictor of the pre-defined STOP-IT composite outcome (surgical site
infection, recurrent IAI, or death) and the individual components of the
composite outcome. RESULTS: From the cohort of 50 subjects, we identified 52
isolates of Enterococcus spp. with a predominance of Enterococcus faecalis (40%)
followed by other Enterococcus spp. (37%) and Enterococcus faecium (17%).
Baseline demographic characteristics were statistically similar between the two
groups. Antibiotic utilization distribution remained balanced between the
Enterococcus and no Enterococcus groups with the majority receiving piperacillin
tazobactam (62% and 54%, respectively). The groups had comparable infection
characteristics including setting of acquisition (>50% community acquired) and
origin of infection (predominantly colon or rectum). Individual and composite
clinical outcomes were not different statistically between the Enterococcus and
no Enterococcus groups: surgical site infection (10% vs. 7.5%; p = 0.53),
recurrent IAI (20% vs. 14.1%; p = 0.26), death (2% vs. 1%; p = 0.40), and
composite of all three (30% vs. 20.9%; p = 0.14], respectively. Multi-variable
analysis revealed that isolation of Enterococcus did not predict independently
the incidence of the composite outcome (odds ratio [OR] 1.53 [95% confidence
interval {CI} = 0.78-3.01]; p = 0.22; c-statistic = 0.65; goodness of fit, p =
0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Enterococcus was not a more common pathogen in health-care
associated IAIs and was not an independent risk factor for the composite outcome.
The isolation of Enterococcus from IAIs may not warrant an alternative treatment
approach but larger studies are needed to validate these findings.
PMID- 28994638
TI - Dendrimers, Carotenoids, and Monoclonal Antibodies.
AB - Dendrimers are unimolecular architectural nano- or microparticle entities that
can accommodate various nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals between their branches
(dendrons) and provide targeted delivery of biomimetics into different tissues
upon addition of functionalized groups to the dendrimer's surface. Covalent
binding, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic interactions between dendrimer
composing molecules are known to form and stabilize dendrimer structure.
Carotenoids have recently been shown to form dendrimer-like structures and
promote targeted delivery of "cargo" molecules into organs characterized by high
carotenoid uptake (adrenal glands, prostate, liver, and brain). The use of
carotenoid dendrimers, in particular lycosome particles loaded with various
xenobiotics (resveratrol, cocoa flavanols, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors),
reportedly has a beneficial effect in diabetic foot syndrome, prehypertension,
and cardiovascular disease. New applications for carotenoid dendrimers may arise
from the use of complexes formed by carotenoid dendrimers and monoclonal
antibodies (mAbs). The internalization of carotenoid dendrimer-mAb complexes
through receptor-mediated mechanisms may prevent interactions of dendrimer
incorporated xenobiotics with membrane-associated P-glycoprotein, a major factor
of drug resistance in tumor cells. The incorporation of mAb fragments with higher
binding capacity to the membrane receptors and higher affinity to the target
molecule may further increase the bioavailability of "cargo" molecules
transported by the carotenoid dendrimer-mAb complexes and open new doors in
nanodelivery technologies.
PMID- 28994639
TI - Migraine, menopause and hormone replacement therapy.
AB - Perimenopause marks a period of increased migraine prevalence in women and many
women also report troublesome vasomotor symptoms. Migraine is affected by
fluctuating estrogen levels with evidence to support estrogen 'withdrawal' as a
trigger of menstrual attacks of migraine without aura, while high estrogen levels
can trigger migraine aura. Maintaining a stable estrogen environment with
estrogen replacement can benefit estrogen-withdrawal migraine particularly in
women who would also benefit from relief of vasomotor symptoms. In contrast to
contraceptive doses of ethinylestradiol, migraine aura does not contraindicate
use of physiological doses of natural estrogen. In women with migraine with or
without aura, using only the lowest doses of transdermal estrogen necessary to
control vasomotor symptoms minimizes the risk of unwanted side effects. Cyclical
progestogens can have an adverse effect on migraine so continuous progestogens,
as provided by the levonorgestrel intrauterine system or in continuous combined
transdermal preparation, are preferred. There are no data on the effect of
micronized progesterone on migraine, either cyclical or continuous. Non-hormonal
options for both conditions are limited but there is evidence of efficacy for
escitalopram and venflaxine.
PMID- 28994640
TI - Serum symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine in Birman cats compared with cats
of other breeds.
AB - Objectives The aim of this study was to assess whether, in contrast to serum
creatinine, which is higher in Birman cats than in other breeds, the serum
concentration of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is comparable in clinically
healthy Birmans and in the general feline population. This could allow, in this
breed, to better evaluate chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods Serum creatinine
and SDMA were measured in clinically healthy Birmans (n = 50) and in cats of
other breeds (n = 46), and the results were statistically compared. A breed
specific reference interval (RI) was established for Birmans and compared with
the RI for the general feline population (0.0-14.0 ug/dl). Results Creatinine
(1.58 +/- 0.36 mg/dl) and SDMA (12.2 +/- 2.8 ug/dl) were higher ( P <0.001) in
Birmans than in cats of other breeds (1.19 +/- 0.17 mg/dl; 10.3 +/- 2.5 ug/dl).
In 20/50 Birman cats (40.0%) serum creatinine was higher than both the non-breed
specific RI of our laboratory and the threshold recommended to classify cats as
IRIS stage 2 (1.6 mg/dl). The concentration of SDMA was higher than the pre
existing RI in 10/50 Birmans (20.0%) and in four cats of other breeds (8.7%).
Among Birmans, the proportion of cats with SDMA >14 ug/dl was lower ( P <0.017)
than the proportion of cats with creatinine >1.60 mg/dl. However, the deviation
from the upper limit of the RI was lower than the analytical variability of the
method in 7/10 Birmans and in 4/4 cats of other breeds. The breed-specific RI
(3.5-18.7 ug/dl) overlapped with the pre-existing one. Conclusions and relevance
SDMA may be a better marker of CKD in Birman cats than creatinine when non-breed
specific RIs are utilised. The coupled analysis of creatinine and SDMA could help
prevent errors in diagnosing and staging CKD in Birman cats.
PMID- 28994641
TI - HLA genotype and cortical lesions: Response to the letter from Spencer et al.
PMID- 28994642
TI - Reasons for Not Treating Women with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis with Prescription
Medications: Physicians' and Patients' Perspectives.
AB - BACKGROUND: In the United States, between one-third and two thirds of
postmenopausal women do not begin treatment with a prescription osteoporosis
medication after a diagnosis of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to
understand the reasons for this lack of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online
physician and patient surveys were administered in 2013. The physician survey
included a chart review of untreated postmenopausal women recently diagnosed with
osteoporosis and gathered data on physicians' practices regarding the management
of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The patient survey was given to
untreated postmenopausal women with a recent osteoporosis diagnosis. RESULTS: The
physician survey was completed by 224 physicians, who also reviewed 811 patient
charts. A total of 165 patients completed the patient survey. In the chart
review, physicians reported that 19% of the postmenopausal women they diagnosed
with osteoporosis were not prescribed an osteoporosis medication. The patient
declined a physician's recommendation for pharmacological treatment in 81% and
52% of cases in the physician and patient surveys, respectively. The most
frequent reasons for physicians not recommending treatment were: low calcium
and/or vitamin D levels, patients potentially at risk of medication side effects,
pre-existing gastrointestinal problems, and polypharmacy. The most frequent
reasons for patients deciding against treatment were: concerns about side
effects, considering nonprescription options and behavioral modifications, and
questioning the potential benefit of taking the medication. CONCLUSIONS: Patients
decided against pharmacological treatment of newly diagnosed osteoporosis in at
least half of the cases of nontreatment. The principal reasons for not being
treated with a prescription medication, given by both physicians and patients,
were that there were alternatives and concern about the risks of prescription
medications.
PMID- 28994644
TI - Belgian Society of Cardiology Belgian Heart Rhythm Association (BeHRA).
PMID- 28994643
TI - Shorter Treatment Intervals of East Asians with Port-Wine Stain with Pulsed Dye
Laser Are Safe and Effective-A Prospective Side-by-Side Comparison.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) at
different intervals for the treatment of East Asians with Port-Wine Stain (PWS).
BACKGROUND: The population of East Asians around the world is about 1.6 billion,
and they are considered to have more melanin in their skin compared with
Caucasians. Nevertheless, no studies about the optimal treatment intervals for
East Asians with PWS have been carried out. METHODS: We prospectively
investigated 39 East Asian patients with untreated PWS. Half of the PWS lesion
was randomly allocated to be treated at 3 weeks and the other half at 6 weeks.
Both halves of the PWS were treated three times in total. The efficacy outcome 2
months post final treatment was evaluated by visual and chromameter evaluation.
RESULTS: The average blanching rate was 40.27% and 44.17% for PDL treatments at
the 3- and 6-week interval sites, respectively (p > 0.05). No patient developed
scarring or permanent pigmentation change. LIMITATIONS: There was no age criteria
involved in the enrollment of patients in this study. Additionally, there is no
comparison with long-term treatments at different intervals. CONCLUSIONS: PDL
treatment at 3-week interval proved to be safe for East Asians with PWS. This can
reduce the total duration of the course of treatments and had no increase in side
effects compared with the standard interval treatments.
PMID- 28994645
TI - Risky Sexual Behavior of Senior Secondary School Students in an Urban Community
of Oyo State, South West Nigeria.
AB - BACKGROUND: Young people worldwide are now at increased risk of unsafe sexual
behavior; it is thus imperative to understand the determinants of such practices
among them. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with Risky Sexual
Behavior (RSB) among secondary school students in Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: This
cross-sectional study was conducted using multistage sampling technique among 375
secondary school students in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. A pretested questionnaire was
used for data collection; chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis
were done. RESULT: Overall, 23.0% of the respondents had at least one RSB;
students not in steady relationships were 5 times more likely to have RSB ( OR =
4.50, 95% CI [2.66, 7.71]). Also, respondents who had positive attitude toward
RSB had 24% increased odds of RSB practice compared with those with negative
attitude ( OR = 23.75, 95%CI [2.48, 22.78]). CONCLUSION: The burden of RSB is
high among secondary school students in South West Nigeria. There is urgent need
for reprogramming of sex education for the Nigerian secondary school students.
PMID- 28994646
TI - Envisioning Eye Care From a Rural Perspective: A Photovoice Project From India.
AB - Background To understand barriers and promoters for accessing eye care by rural
communities, we used a modified approach to Photovoice, a community-based
participatory action research approach Methods Community members took photographs
and wrote or spoke stories based upon a series of questions intended to
facilitate deeper thinking. Fifteen rural paramedical team members who were
affiliated with the rural network of L V Prasad Eye Institute, and 60 people from
four villages reported barriers and promoters for eye care access for 20 villages
Results Important barriers for accessing eye care included the following: no
caretaker at home for grandchildren except for the grandparent(s), alcoholism,
uncontrolled blood pressure, inadequate diabetes management, lack of escort for
blind people and elders, affordability, and inadequate clinic staffing during
summer season when farming villagers were available. Important promoters for
seeking eye care included having a neighbor who had a good surgical outcome in
one eye which resulted in the ability to resume work. The Photovoice project
offered specific suggestions to hospital management for improving eye care
access, including providing evening transportation, providing additional surgical
staffing during busy summer season, and the creation of tool spectacle repair
kits to be kept at the primary vision centers Conclusions This Photovoice project
facilitated a deeper understanding of the important barriers and promoters for
accessing eye care by villagers, and by the rural eye care team, offering
specific suggestions to hospital management for improving eye care access and to
communicate without any inhibiting factors like fear of hierarchy within the
hospital administration.
PMID- 28994647
TI - Factors Influencing the Initiation of Smokeless Tobacco Consumption Among Low
Socioeconomic Community in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Investigation.
AB - This study explored factors influencing the initiation of smokeless tobacco (SLT)
consumption in a low socioeconomic urban community in Bangladesh. The study
conducted four focus group discussions among 33 informants involves school
teachers, community leaders, women, and betel-nut shops owners. The results were
prepared by thematic analysis of the transcripts where informants mean age was 30
( SD +/- 6.8) years with varying level of education. Tradition of hospitality,
curiosity, offer from an elderly person, and avoiding nausea during pregnancy and
at time of quitting smoking were key factors for the initiation of SLT
consumption. The results also revealed most people were aware about the danger of
SLT consumption but, in practice, consumed frequently. The research suggested
that doctors might advise people not to use any form of SLT while they seeking
health services. Furthermore, community-based awareness program could minimize
the wider use of SLT among low-income community in Bangladesh.
PMID- 28994648
TI - Smokeless tobacco (snus) use and colorectal cancer incidence and survival:
Results from nine pooled cohorts.
AB - AIMS: Although smoking is considered to be an established risk factor for
colorectal cancer, the current evidence on the association between smokeless
tobacco and colorectal cancer is scant and inconclusive. We used pooled
individual data from the Swedish Collaboration on Health Effects of Snus Use to
assess this association. METHODS: A total of 417,872 male participants from nine
cohort studies across Sweden were followed up for incidence of colorectal cancer
and death. Outcomes were ascertained through linkage to health registers. We used
shared frailty models with random effects at the study level to estimate hazard
ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: During 7,135,504 person
years of observation, 4170 men developed colorectal cancer. There was no clear
association between snus use and colorectal cancer overall. Exclusive current
snus users, however, had an increased risk of rectal cancer (HR 1.40: 95% CI
1.09, 1.79). There were no statistically significant associations between snus
use and either all-cause or colorectal cancer-specific mortality after colorectal
cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, from a large sample, do not support
any strong relationships between snus use and colorectal cancer risk and survival
among men. However, the observed increased risk of rectal cancer is noteworthy,
and in merit of further attention.
PMID- 28994649
TI - Planar cell polarity signaling coordinates oriented cell division and cell
rearrangement in clonally expanding growth plate cartilage.
AB - Both oriented cell divisions and cell rearrangements are critical for proper
embryogenesis and organogenesis. However, little is known about how these two
cellular events are integrated. Here we examine the linkage between these
processes in chick limb cartilage. By combining retroviral-based multicolor
clonal analysis with live imaging, the results show that single chondrocyte
precursors can generate both single-column and multi-column clones through
oriented division followed by cell rearrangements. Focusing on single column
formation, we show that this stereotypical tissue architecture is established by
a pivot-like process between sister cells. After mediolateral cell division, N
cadherin is enriched in the post-cleavage furrow; then one cell pivots around the
other, resulting in stacking into a column. Perturbation analyses demonstrate
that planar cell polarity signaling enables cells to pivot in the direction of
limb elongation via this N-cadherin-mediated coupling. Our work provides new
insights into the mechanisms generating appropriate tissue architecture of limb
skeleton.
PMID- 28994650
TI - CDK9-dependent RNA polymerase II pausing controls transcription initiation.
AB - Gene transcription can be activated by decreasing the duration of RNA polymerase
II pausing in the promoter-proximal region, but how this is achieved remains
unclear. Here we use a 'multi-omics' approach to demonstrate that the duration of
polymerase pausing generally limits the productive frequency of transcription
initiation in human cells ('pause-initiation limit'). We further engineer a human
cell line to allow for specific and rapid inhibition of the P-TEFb kinase CDK9,
which is implicated in polymerase pause release. CDK9 activity decreases the
pause duration but also increases the productive initiation frequency. This shows
that CDK9 stimulates release of paused polymerase and activates transcription by
increasing the number of transcribing polymerases and thus the amount of mRNA
synthesized per time. CDK9 activity is also associated with long-range chromatin
interactions, suggesting that enhancers can influence the pause-initiation limit
to regulate transcription.
PMID- 28994653
TI - TAVI risk scoring using established versus new scoring systems: role of the new
STS/ACC model.
AB - AIMS: The aim of this study was to validate the recently developed STS/ACC TAVR
in-hospital mortality risk score for predicting in-hospital mortality after
transcatheter aotic valve implantation (TAVI) and to compare its ability to
predict 30-day mortality with that of four other established risk models
(EuroSCORE I, EuroSCORE II, STS-PROM, and German AV Score). METHODS AND RESULTS:
The study cohort included 946 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between
2013 and 2015. Each of the five scores was fitted as a continuous linear variable
into a logistic regression model estimating 30-day mortality. The STS/ACC TAVR
score was additionally analysed for in-hospital mortality. C-statistics and
likelihood ratio (LR) test p-values were estimated for each model to describe the
model fit. The ability of the STS/ACC score to predict in-hospital mortality was
similar to the reported STS/ACC TVT registry data (this study's C-statistic 0.65
vs. STS/ACC TVT registry 0.66). The STS-PROM score (C-statistic=0.68; LR
p<0.0001) and the new STS/ACC TAVR score (C-statistic=0.68; LR p<0.0001) were
superior to the other scores (EuroSCORE I [C-statistic=0.55; LR p=0.02],
EuroSCORE II [C-statistic=0.58; LR p=0.02], German AV Score [C-statistic=0.62; LR
p<0.01]) for prediction of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: These data show the
superiority of the STS-PROM and STS/ACC TAVR scores compared with other existing
risk calculation models in predicting 30-day mortality after TAVI in a German all
comers population. The STS/ACC TAVR score, however, is easier to calculate (12
vs. 28 variables), and may thus gain wider acceptance and be accompanied by
improved inter-observer reliability.
PMID- 28994651
TI - HMMR acts in the PLK1-dependent spindle positioning pathway and supports neural
development.
AB - Oriented cell division is one mechanism progenitor cells use during development
and to maintain tissue homeostasis. Common to most cell types is the asymmetric
establishment and regulation of cortical NuMA-dynein complexes that position the
mitotic spindle. Here, we discover that HMMR acts at centrosomes in a PLK1
dependent pathway that locates active Ran and modulates the cortical localization
of NuMA-dynein complexes to correct mispositioned spindles. This pathway was
discovered through the creation and analysis of Hmmr-knockout mice, which suffer
neonatal lethality with defective neural development and pleiotropic phenotypes
in multiple tissues. HMMR over-expression in immortalized cancer cells induces
phenotypes consistent with an increase in active Ran including defects in spindle
orientation. These data identify an essential role for HMMR in the PLK1-dependent
regulatory pathway that orients progenitor cell division and supports neural
development.
PMID- 28994654
TI - Impact of concomitant mitral regurgitation on transvalvular gradient and flow in
severe aortic stenosis: a systematic ex vivo analysis of a subentity of low-flow
low-gradient aortic stenosis.
AB - AIMS: Evaluation of aortic stenosis (AS) is based on echocardiographic
measurement of mean pressure gradient (MPG), flow velocity (Vmax) and aortic
valve area (AVA). The objective of the present study was to analyse the impact of
systemic haemodynamic variables and concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) on
aortic MPG, Vmax and AVA in severe AS. METHODS AND RESULTS: A pulsatile
circulatory model was designed to study function and interdependence of stenotic
aortic (AVA: 1.0 cm2, 0.8 cm2 and 0.6 cm2) and insufficient mitral prosthetic
valves (n=8; effective regurgitant orifice area [EROA] <0.2 cm2 vs. >0.4 cm2)
using Doppler ultrasound. In the absence of severe MR, a stepwise increase of
stroke volume (SV) and a decrease of AVA was associated with a proportional
increase of aortic MPG. When MR with EROA <0.2 cm2 vs. >0.4 cm2 was introduced,
forward SV decreased significantly (70.9+/-1.1 ml vs. 60.8+/-1.6 ml vs. 47.4+/
1.1 ml; p=0.02) while MR volume increased proportionally. This was associated
with a subsequent reduction of aortic MPG (57.1+/-9.4 mmHg vs. 48.6+/-13.8 mmHg
vs. 33.64+/-9.5 mmHg; p=0.035) and Vmax (5.09+/-0.4 m/s vs. 4.91+/-0.73 m/s vs.
3.75+/-0.57 m/s; p=0.007). Calculated AVA remained unchanged (without MR:
AVA=0.53+/-0.04 cm2 vs. with MR: AVA=0.52+/-0.05 cm2; p=ns). In the setting of
severe AS without MR, changes of vascular resistance (SVR) and compliance (C) did
not impact on aortic MPG (low SVR and C: 66+/-13.8 mmHg and 61.1+/-20 mmHg vs.
high SVR and C: 60.9+/-9.2 mmHg and 71.5+/-13.5 mmHg; p=ns) In concomitant severe
MR, aortic MPG and Vmax were not significantly reduced by increased SVR (36.6+/
2.2 mmHg vs. 34.9+/-5.6 mmHg, p=0.608; 3.89+/-0.18 m/s vs. 3.96+/-0.28 m/s;
p=ns). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic haemodynamic variables and concomitant MR may
potentially affect diagnostic accuracy of echocardiographic AS evaluation. As
demonstrated in the present study, MPG and Vmax are flow-dependent and
significantly reduced by a reduction of forward SV from concomitant severe MR,
resulting in another entity of low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis. In
contrast, calculated AVA appears to be a robust parameter of AS evaluation if
severe MR is present. Changes of SVR and C did not affect the diagnostic accuracy
of AS evaluation.
PMID- 28994655
TI - Functional comparison between the BuMA Supreme biodegradable polymer sirolimus
eluting stent and a durable polymer zotarolimus-eluting coronary stent using
quantitative flow ratio: PIONEER QFR substudy.
AB - AIMS: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) based on three-dimensional quantitative
coronary angiography (3D-QCA) is a novel method to assess physiological
functionality after treatment with stents. The current study aimed to evaluate
the difference in physiological functionality nine months after implantation of a
bioresorbable polymer-based sirolimus-eluting stent with an electrografting base
layer (BuMA Supreme: B-SES) versus a durable polymer-based zotarolimus-eluting
stent (Resolute: R-ZES). METHODS AND RESULTS: The current post hoc analysis was
performed in the PIONEER randomised trial (1:1 randomisation to B-SES [83
patients/95 lesions] and R-ZES [87 patients/101 lesions]). QFR was measured in
stented vessels in both arms at preprocedural, post-procedural and nine-month
angiography without pharmacologically induced hyperaemia (contrast QFR). At nine
months, both the values of QFR distal to the stent (B-SES: 0.89+/-0.10 vs. R-ZES:
0.89+/-0.11, p=0.97) and the number of vessels with QFR <=0.8 were not
significantly different between the two groups (11.0% vs. 12.8%, p=0.72), while
the in-stent binary restenosis rate was also comparable (3.7% vs. 3.5%, p=1.00).
QFR gradient across the device (?QFR) at nine months was also similar between the
groups (B-SES: 0.03+/-0.04 vs. R-ZES: 0.03+/-0.07, p=0.95). CONCLUSIONS:
Quantitative flow assessment nine months after stenting did not differ between B
SES and R-ZES, despite a significant difference in in-stent late lumen loss.
PMID- 28994656
TI - Videodensitometric quantification of paravalvular regurgitation of a
transcatheter aortic valve: in vitro validation.
AB - AIMS: Videodensitometric assessment of aortography provides a periprocedural
quantitation of prosthetic valve regurgitation (PVR) after transcatheter aortic
valve implantation. We sought to compare the videodensitometric parameters of PVR
severity to the regurgitation fraction (RF) in a controlled in vitro setting.
METHODS AND RESULTS: In a mock circulation system, a transcatheter balloon
expandable valve inserted at the aortic valve position was gradually deformed to
induce different grades of paravalvular leakage and the RF was measured with a
transonic flow probe. Contrast aortography was performed and the following
videodensitometric parameters were generated: left ventricle aortic regurgitation
(LV-AR), LV outflow tract AR (LVOT-AR), quantitative regurgitation assessment
(qRA) index, relative maximum density (relative max), and maximum upslope of the
LV time-density curve. The correlation was substantial between videodensitometric
parameters (LV-AR, LVOT-AR, qRA index, relative max, and maximum upslope) and RF
(r2=0.96, 0.96, 0.93, 0.87, and 0.93; p<0.001 for all). LV-AR (region of interest
[ROI]=entire LV) and LVOT-AR (ROI=LVOT) were not different (p=0.51) and were
strongly correlated (r2=0.99) with a mean difference of 1.92% (95% limits of
agreement: +/-2.83). The correlations of LV-AR and LVOT-AR with RF were stronger
when more than one cardiac cycle was included in the analysis (one cycle: r2=0.85
and r2=0.83; four cycles: r2=0.96 and r2=0.96, for LV-AR and LVOT-AR,
respectively). Including more cycles beyond four did not improve accuracy.
CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative assessment of PVR by videodensitometry of aortograms
strongly correlates with the actual RF in a controlled in vitro setting. Accuracy
is improved by including more than one cardiac cycle in the analysis.
PMID- 28994652
TI - Mechanism of activation at the selectivity filter of the KcsA K+ channel.
AB - Potassium channels are opened by ligands and/or membrane potential. In voltage
gated K+ channels and the prokaryotic KcsA channel, conduction is believed to
result from opening of an intracellular constriction that prevents ion entry into
the pore. On the other hand, numerous ligand-gated K+ channels lack such gate,
suggesting that they may be activated by a change within the selectivity filter,
a narrow region at the extracellular side of the pore. Using molecular dynamics
simulations and electrophysiology measurements, we show that ligand-induced
conformational changes in the KcsA channel removes steric restraints at the
selectivity filter, thus resulting in structural fluctuations, reduced K+
affinity, and increased ion permeation. Such activation of the selectivity filter
may be a universal gating mechanism within K+ channels. The occlusion of the pore
at the level of the intracellular gate appears to be secondary.
PMID- 28994657
TI - Thrombosed mechanical tricuspid valve: emergent valvuloplasty as rescue.
PMID- 28994658
TI - Non-invasive treatment planning of tandem coronary artery lesions using an
interactive planner for PCI.
PMID- 28994659
TI - Our experience training a neurocardiologist: a case for an emerging specialty.
PMID- 28994660
TI - Pharmacokinetics of rilpivirine and 24-week outcomes after switching from
efavirenz in virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected adolescents.
AB - BACKGROUND: Rilpivirine (RPV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
drug, could be a favourable drug for maintenance therapy in HIV-infected
adolescents because it has few long-term side effects. However, data among
adolescents switching from efavirenz (EFV) to RPV are limited. This study
investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and efficacy of RPV in
virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected adolescents after switching from EFV.
METHODS: Adolescents aged 12-18 years on EFV-based antiretroviral therapy (ART)
were switched from EFV to RPV (25 mg, once daily). Intensive 24-h blood samplings
at 0 (pre-dose), 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h were performed 4 weeks after
switching. PK parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental method and
compared with published data from the PAINT and pooled ECHO/THRIVE substudies.
HIV RNA level was measured at weeks 12 and 24. Biochemical profiles were measured
at baseline and week 24. RESULTS: From January to June 2016, 20 adolescents (12
male) were enrolled. Median (IQR) age was 16 (15-17) years and weight was 49 (42
59) kg. Mean (sd) AUC24 h, C24 h and Cmax of RPV were 2,041 (745) ng*h/ml, 69
(29) ng/ml and 143 (65) ng/ml, respectively. Median (IQR) Tmax was 5 (2-9) h.
Four adolescents had C24 h <40 ng/ml. All PK parameters were comparable with
published data. All adolescents remained virologically suppressed at week 24.
Significant decreases in fasting total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density
lipoprotein were observed (P-value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Virologically suppressed
HIV-infected adolescents had adequate RPV exposure and remained virologically
suppressed after switching from EFV. RPV can be used as long-term maintenance ART
in HIV-infected adolescents.
PMID- 28994662
TI - The dosimetric impact of including the patient table in CT dose estimates.
AB - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dosimetric impact of including the
patient table in Monte Carlo CT dose estimates for both spiral scans and scan
projection radiographs (SPR). CT scan acquisitions were simulated for a Siemens
SOMATOM Force scanner (Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany) with and without
a patient table present. An adult male, an adult female and a pediatric female
voxelized phantom were simulated. The simulated scans included tube voltages of
80 and 120 kVp. Spiral scans simulated without a patient table resulted in
effective doses that were overestimated by approximately 5% compared to the same
simulations performed with the patient table present. Doses in selected
individual organs (breast, colon, lung, red bone marrow and stomach) were
overestimated by up to 8%. Effective doses from SPR acquired with the x-ray tube
stationary at 6 o'clock (posterior-anterior) were overestimated by 14-23% when
the patient table was not included, with individual organ dose discrepancies
(breast, colon, lung red bone marrow and stomach) all exceeding 13%. The
reference entrance skin dose to the back were in this situation overestimated by
6-15%. These results highlight the importance of including the patient table in
patient dose estimates for such scan situations.
PMID- 28994661
TI - Vitamin D supplementation decreases immune activation and exhaustion in HIV-1
infected youth.
AB - BACKGROUND: Heightened immune activation and exhaustion drive HIV disease
progression and comorbidities. Vitamin D has pleiotropic immunomodulatory
effects, but little is known about the effects of supplementation in HIV. Our
study investigates changes in immune activation and exhaustion markers after 12
months of supplementation in virologically suppressed HIV-infected youth with
vitamin D insufficiency. METHODS: This is a randomized, active-control, double
blind trial investigating with three different vitamin D3 doses (18,000
[standard/active-control dose], 60,000 [moderate dose] and 120,000 IU/month [high
dose]) in 8-25-year-old HIV-infected youth on combination antiretroviral therapy
with baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations <=30 ng/ml. Only
subjects (n=51) who maintained an undetectable HIV-1 RNA over the 12-month study
period were included in this analysis. RESULTS: Baseline serum 25(OH)D
concentrations and immune activation/exhaustion markers were not different
between groups. By 12 months, 25(OH)D increased significantly within each dosing
group with the greatest increase and most sustained concentrations >=30 ng/ml in
the high-dose group. Overall, all measured markers decreased with CD4 activation
(CD4+CD38+HLA-DR+), CD8 activation (CD8+CD38+HLA-DR+), CD4 exhaustion
(CD4+CD38+HLA-DR+PD1+) and inflammatory monocytes (CD14+CD16+) reaching
statistical significance. When analysed separately, there were no significant
decreases in the moderate- or standard-dose groups, but CD4 and CD8 activation
and inflammatory monocytes decreased significantly in the high-dose group.
CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D supplementation decreased markers of T-cell
activation/exhaustion and monocyte activation in HIV-infected youth, with
subjects given the highest dose (120,000 IU/month) showing the greatest
decreases. These data suggest that high-dose vitamin D supplementation may
attenuate immune activation and exhaustion, and serve as adjuvant therapy to
antiretroviral therapy in HIV. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01523496.
PMID- 28994663
TI - System geometry optimization for molecular breast tomosynthesis with focusing
multi-pinhole collimators.
AB - Imaging of 99mTc-labelled tracers is gaining popularity for detecting breast
tumours. Recently, we proposed a novel design for molecular breast tomosynthesis
(MBT) based on two sliding focusing multi-pinhole collimators that scan a
modestly compressed breast. Simulation studies indicate that MBT has the
potential to improve the tumour-to-background contrast-to-noise ratio
significantly over state-of-the-art planar molecular breast imaging. The aim of
the present paper is to optimize the collimator-detector geometry of MBT. Using
analytical models, we first optimized sensitivity at different fixed system
resolutions (ranging from 5 to 12 mm) by tuning the pinhole diameters and the
distance between breast and detector for a whole series of automatically
generated multi-pinhole designs. We evaluated both MBT with a conventional
continuous crystal detector with 3.2 mm intrinsic resolution and with a pixelated
detector with 1.6 mm pixels. Subsequently, full system simulations of a breast
phantom containing several lesions were performed for the optimized geometry at
each system resolution for both types of detector. From these simulations, we
found that tumour-to-background contrast-to-noise ratio was highest for systems
in the 7 mm-10 mm system resolution range over which it hardly varied. No
significant differences between the two detector types were found.
PMID- 28994664
TI - Compton camera study for high efficiency SPECT and benchmark with Anger system.
AB - Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is at present one of the major
techniques for non-invasive diagnostics in nuclear medicine. The clinical routine
is mostly based on collimated cameras, originally proposed by Hal Anger. Due to
the presence of mechanical collimation, detection efficiency and energy
acceptance are limited and fixed by the system's geometrical features. In order
to overcome these limitations, the application of Compton cameras for SPECT has
been investigated for several years. In this study we compare a commercial SPECT
Anger device, the General Electric HealthCare Infinia system with a High Energy
General Purpose (HEGP) collimator, and the Compton camera prototype under
development by the French collaboration CLaRyS, through Monte Carlo simulations
(GATE-GEANT4 Application for Tomographic Emission-version 7.1 and GEANT4 version
9.6, respectively). Given the possible introduction of new radio-emitters at
higher energies intrinsically allowed by the Compton camera detection principle,
the two detectors are exposed to point-like sources at increasing primary gamma
energies, from actual isotopes already suggested for nuclear medicine
applications. The Compton camera prototype is first characterized for SPECT
application by studying the main parameters affecting its imaging performance:
detector energy resolution and random coincidence rate. The two detector
performances are then compared in terms of radial event distribution, detection
efficiency and final image, obtained by gamma transmission analysis for the Anger
system, and with an iterative List Mode-Maximum Likelihood Expectation
Maximization (LM-MLEM) algorithm for the Compton reconstruction. The results show
for the Compton camera a detection efficiency increased by a factor larger than
an order of magnitude with respect to the Anger camera, associated with an
enhanced spatial resolution for energies beyond 500 keV. We discuss the
advantages of Compton camera application for SPECT if compared to present
commercial Anger systems, with particular focus on dose delivered to the patient,
examination time, and spatial uncertainties.
PMID- 28994666
TI - Primal-dual convex optimization in large deformation diffeomorphic metric
mapping: LDDMM meets robust regularizers.
AB - This paper proposes a method for primal-dual convex optimization in variational
large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping problems formulated with robust
regularizers and robust image similarity metrics. The method is based on
Chambolle and Pock primal-dual algorithm for solving general convex optimization
problems. Diagonal preconditioning is used to ensure the convergence of the
algorithm to the global minimum. We consider three robust regularizers liable to
provide acceptable results in diffeomorphic registration: Huber, V-Huber and
total generalized variation. The Huber norm is used in the image similarity term.
The primal-dual equations are derived for the stationary and the non-stationary
parameterizations of diffeomorphisms. The resulting algorithms have been
implemented for running in the GPU using Cuda. For the most memory consuming
methods, we have developed a multi-GPU implementation. The GPU implementations
allowed us to perform an exhaustive evaluation study in NIREP and LPBA40
databases. The experiments showed that, for all the considered regularizers, the
proposed method converges to diffeomorphic solutions while better preserving
discontinuities at the boundaries of the objects compared to baseline
diffeomorphic registration methods. In most cases, the evaluation showed a
competitive performance for the robust regularizers, close to the performance of
the baseline diffeomorphic registration methods.
PMID- 28994665
TI - Combining deep learning with anatomical analysis for segmentation of the portal
vein for liver SBRT planning.
AB - Automated segmentation of the portal vein (PV) for liver radiotherapy planning is
a challenging task due to potentially low vasculature contrast, complex PV
anatomy and image artifacts originated from fiducial markers and vasculature
stents. In this paper, we propose a novel framework for automated segmentation of
the PV from computed tomography (CT) images. We apply convolutional neural
networks (CNNs) to learn the consistent appearance patterns of the PV using a
training set of CT images with reference annotations and then enhance the PV in
previously unseen CT images. Markov random fields (MRFs) were further used to
smooth the results of the enhancement of the CNN enhancement and remove isolated
mis-segmented regions. Finally, CNN-MRF-based enhancement was augmented with PV
centerline detection that relied on PV anatomical properties such as tubularity
and branch composition. The framework was validated on a clinical database with
72 CT images of patients scheduled for liver stereotactic body radiation therapy.
The obtained accuracy of the segmentation was [Formula: see text] 0.83 and
[Formula: see text] 1.08 mm in terms of the median Dice coefficient and mean
symmetric surface distance, respectively, when segmentation is encompassed into
the PV region of interest. The obtained results indicate that CNNs and anatomical
analysis can be used for the accurate segmentation of the PV and potentially
integrated into liver radiation therapy planning.
PMID- 28994667
TI - Relative contribution of different altered motor unit control to muscle weakness
in stroke: a simulation study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Chronic muscle weakness impacts the majority of individuals after a
stroke. The origins of this hemiparesis is multifaceted, and an altered spinal
control of the motor unit (MU) pool can lead to muscle weakness. However, the
relative contribution of different MU recruitment and discharge organization is
not well understood. In this study, we sought to examine these different effects
by utilizing a MU simulation with variations set to mimic the changes of MU
control in stroke. APPROACH: Using a well-established model of the MU pool, this
study quantified the changes in force output caused by changes in MU recruitment
range and recruitment order, as well as MU firing rate organization at the
population level. We additionally expanded the original model to include a
fatigue component, which variably decreased the output force with increasing
length of contraction. Differences in the force output at both the peak and
fatigued time points across different excitation levels were quantified and
compared across different sets of MU parameters. MAIN RESULTS: Across the
different simulation parameters, we found that the main driving factor of the
reduced force output was due to the compressed range of MU recruitment.
Recruitment compression caused a decrease in total force across all excitation
levels. Additionally, a compression of the range of MU firing rates also
demonstrated a decrease in the force output mainly at the higher excitation
levels. Lastly, changes to the recruitment order of MUs appeared to minimally
impact the force output. SIGNIFICANCE: We found that altered control of MUs
alone, as simulated in this study, can lead to a substantial reduction in muscle
force generation in stroke survivors. These findings may provide valuable insight
for both clinicians and researchers in prescribing and developing different types
of therapies for the rehabilitation and restoration of lost strength after
stroke.
PMID- 28994668
TI - Correction of patient motion in cone-beam CT using 3D-2D registration.
AB - Cone-beam CT (CBCT) is increasingly common in guidance of interventional
procedures, but can be subject to artifacts arising from patient motion during
fairly long (~5-60 s) scan times. We present a fiducial-free method to mitigate
motion artifacts using 3D-2D image registration that simultaneously corrects
residual errors in the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of geometric
calibration. The 3D-2D registration process registers each projection to a prior
3D image by maximizing gradient orientation using the covariance matrix
adaptation-evolution strategy optimizer. The resulting rigid transforms are
applied to the system projection matrices, and a 3D image is reconstructed via
model-based iterative reconstruction. Phantom experiments were conducted using a
Zeego robotic C-arm to image a head phantom undergoing 5-15 cm translations and 5
15 degrees rotations. To further test the algorithm, clinical images were
acquired with a CBCT head scanner in which long scan times were susceptible to
significant patient motion. CBCT images were reconstructed using a penalized
likelihood objective function. For phantom studies the structural similarity
(SSIM) between motion-free and motion-corrected images was >0.995, with
significant improvement (p < 0.001) compared to the SSIM values of uncorrected
images. Additionally, motion-corrected images exhibited a point-spread function
with full-width at half maximum comparable to that of the motion-free reference
image. Qualitative comparison of the motion-corrupted and motion-corrected
clinical images demonstrated a significant improvement in image quality after
motion correction. This indicates that the 3D-2D registration method could
provide a useful approach to motion artifact correction under assumptions of
local rigidity, as in the head, pelvis, and extremities. The method is highly
parallelizable, and the automatic correction of residual geometric calibration
errors provides added benefit that could be valuable in routine use.
PMID- 28994670
TI - Atmospheric pollution in cardiac operating rooms.
PMID- 28994671
TI - Congenital syndromes affecting heart and airway alike.
PMID- 28994672
TI - Low-dose intravenous ketamine for postcardiac surgery pain: Effect on opioid
consumption and the incidence of chronic pain.
AB - BACKGROUND: Recent meta-analyses have concluded that low-dose intravenous
ketamine infusions (LDKIs) during the postoperative period may help to decrease
acute and chronic postoperative pain after major surgery. AIMS: This study aims
to evaluate the level of pain at least 3 months after surgery for patients
treated with a postoperative LDKI versus patients who were not treated with a
postoperative LDKI. METHODS: Administrative and Ethics Board approval were
obtained for this study. We performed a retrospective chart review for all
patients receiving LDKI, and equal number of age-, sex-, and surgery-matched
patients who did not receive LDKI. Low-dose ketamine was prepared using 100 mg of
ketamine in 100 ml of normal saline and run between 50 and 200 mcg/kg/h. RESULTS:
We reviewed 115 patients with LDKI and 115 without LDKI. The average age was 63.1
years, 73% of the patients were men and sex was evenly distributed between LDKI
and non-LDKI. The average duration of the ketamine infusions was 26.8 h with the
average dose being 169.9 mg. At an average of 9 months after surgery, 42% of the
ketamine group and 38% of the nonketamine group stated that they had had pain on
discharge. Of these patients, 30% of the ketamine group and 26% of the
nonketamine group still had pain at the time of the phone call. Women in both
groups had more acute and chronic pain than men. CONCLUSION: These results show
that LDKI does not promote a decrease in long-term postoperative pain.
PMID- 28994673
TI - An innovative technique to improve safety of volatile anesthetics suction from
the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit.
AB - CONTEXT: Myocardial injury during cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)
is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality. Preclinical and clinical
evidence of dose- and time-related cardioprotective effects of volatile
anesthetic drugs exist and their use during the whole surgery duration could
improve perioperative cardiac protection. Even if administering volatile agents
during CPB are relatively easy, technical problems, such as waste gas scavenging,
may prevent safe and manageable administration of halogenated vapors during CPB.
AIMS: The aim of this study is to improve the safe administration of volatile
anesthesia during CPB. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Tertiary teaching hospital. SUBJECTS
AND METHODS: We describe an original device that collects and disposes of any
volatile anesthetic vapors present in the exit stream of the oxygenator, hence
preventing its dispersal into the operating theatre environment and adaptively
regulates pressure of oxygenator chamber in the CPB circuit. RESULTS: We have so
far applied a prototype of this device in more than 1300 adult cardiac surgery
patients who received volatile anesthetics during the CPB phase. CONCLUSIONS:
Widespread implementation of scavenging system like the one we designed may
facilitate the perfusionist and the anesthesiologist in delivering these
cardioprotective drugs with beneficial impact on patients' outcome without
compromising on safety.
PMID- 28994674
TI - Relationship between perioperative left atrial appendage doppler velocity
estimates and new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing coronary
artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
AB - BACKGROUND: Literature search reveals that postoperative atrial fibrillation
(POAF) occurs in 15%-40% of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients.
Although several risk models exist for predicting the development of POAF, few
have studied left atrial appendage (LAA) velocity. We hypothesize that an
association between LAA velocity and development of POAF exists. DESIGN AND
METHODS: Single institution university hospital prospective observational
clinical study performed between May 2016 and November 2016 in 96 adult patients
undergoing CABG surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Transesophageal
echocardiography was performed perioperatively to measure LAA velocity and left
atrial (LA) size after anesthetic induction, post-CPB and during the
postoperative period before extubation. Student's t-test was used for inter-group
comparisons. Data are expressed as mean +/- (standard deviation). The value of P
< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients
(69 males and 26 females) completed the study and were included in the final
analysis. Of these, 21 (22%) (15 males and 5 females) developed POAF. The patient
group which developed POAF was compared with the group that did not develop POAF.
On comparing mean age of patients in each group (59 years in patients with no
POAF and 63.71 years in patients with POAF, P = 0.04). LA volume indexed in POAF
group (34.13 ml/m2) compared with that in group with no POAF (34.82 ml/m2)
resulted in P = 0.04. Mean LAA velocities (pre-CPB, post-CPB, postoperative
Intensive Care Unit) in group with no POAF were 41.06, 56.33, and 60.44 cm/s,
respectively, whereas in the other group with POAF the values were 39.68, 55.04,
and 58.09 cm/s, respectively. No statistical significance was noted (P > 0.05).
Comparison of comorbidities also did not yield any significant results (P >
0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing LAA velocity does not appear to independently
predict the development of POAF in patients undergoing CABG surgery with the use
of CPB. There is, however, a positive correlation of POAF with age and LA volume.
PMID- 28994676
TI - Does bilevel positive airway pressure improve outcome of acute respiratory
failure after open-heart surgery?
AB - BACKGROUND: Respiratory failure is of concern in the postoperative period after
cardiac surgeries. Invasive ventilation (intermittent positive pressure
ventilation [IPPV]) carries the risks and complications of intubation and
mechanical ventilation (MV). AIMS: Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation
(NIPPV) is an alternative method and as effective as IPPV in treating
insufficiency of respiration with less complications and minimal effects on
respiratory and hemodynamic parameters next to open-heart surgery. DESIGN: This
is a prospective, randomized and controlled study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty
four patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were divided into two equal groups:
Group I (IPPV) and Group II (NIPPV). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure
(MAP), respiratory rate (RR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), arterial blood gas,
weaning time, reintubation, tracheotomy rate, MV time, postoperative hospital
stay, and ventilator-associated pneumonia during the period of hospital stay were
recorded. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference in HR between
groups with higher in Group I at 30 and 60 min and at 12 and 24 h. According to
MAP, it started to increase significantly at hypoxemia, 15 min, 30 min, 4 h, 12
h, and at 24 h which was higher in Group I also. RR, PaO2, and PaCO2showed
significant higher in Group II at 15, 30, and 60 min and 4 h. According to pH,
there was a significant difference between groups at 15, 30, and 60 min and at 4,
12, and 24 h postoperatively. SpO2showed higher significant values in Group I at
15 and 30 min and at 12 h postoperatively. Duration of postoperative supportive
ventilation was higher in Group I than that of Group II with statistically
significant difference. Complications were statistically insignificant between
Group I and Group II. CONCLUSION: Our study showed superiority of invasive over
noninvasive mode of ventilator support. However, NIPPV (bilevel positive airway
pressure) was proved to be a safe method.
PMID- 28994675
TI - Comparison of the renoprotective effect of dexmedetomidine and dopamine in high
risk renal patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A double-blind randomized study.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to compare the renoprotective
effects of continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine and dopamine in high-risk renal
patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized study.
SETTING: Cardiac Centers. PATIENTS: One hundred and fifty patients with baseline
serum creatinine level >=1.4 mg/dl were scheduled for cardiac surgery with
cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTION: The patients were classified into two
groups (each = 75): Group Dex - the patients received a continuous infusion of
dexmedetomidine 0.4 MUg/kg/h without loading dose during the procedure and the
first 24 postoperative hours and Group Dopa - the patients received a continuous
infusion of dopamine 3 MUg/kg/min during the procedure and the first 24
postoperative hours. MEASUREMENTS: The monitors included serum creatinine,
creatinine clearance, blood urea nitrogen, and urine output. MAIN RESULTS: The
creatinine levels and blood urea nitrogen decreased at days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in
Dex group and increased in patients of Dopa group (P < 0.05). The creatinine
clearance increased at days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Dex group and decreased in
patients of Dopa group (P < 0.05). The amount of urine output was too much higher
in the Dex group than the Dopa group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The continuous
infusion of dexmedetomidine during cardiac surgery has a renoprotective effect
and decreased the deterioration in the renal function in high-risk renal patients
compared to the continuous infusion of dopamine.
PMID- 28994677
TI - Comparison of dexmedetomidine and ketamine versus propofol and ketamine for
procedural sedation in children undergoing minor cardiac procedures in cardiac
catheterization laboratory.
AB - BACKGROUND: The ideal anaesthetic technique for management of paediatric patients
scheduled to undergo cardiac catheterisation is still not standardised. AIM: To
compare the effects of ketamine-propofol and ketamine-dexmedetomidine
combinations on hemodynamic parameters and recovery time in paediatric patients
undergoing minor procedures and cardiac catheterisation under sedation for
various congenital heart diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 children of either
sex undergoing cardiac catheterisation were randomly assigned into two groups
Dexmedetomidine-ketamine group (DK) and Propofol-ketamine (PK) of 30 patients
each. All patients were premedicated with glycopyrrolate and midazolam
(0.05mg/kg) intravenously 5-10 min before anaesthetic induction. Group
'DK'received dexmedetomidineiv infusion 1 MUg/kg over 10 min + ketamine1mg/kg
bolus, followed by iv infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.5MUg/kg/hr and of ketamine1
mg/kg/hr. Group 'PK' received propofol 1mg/kg and ketamine 1mg/kg/hr for
induction followed by iv infusion of propofol 100 MUg/kg/hr and ketamine 1
mg/kg/hr for maintenance. Haemodynamic parameters and recovery time was recorded
postoperatively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Independent sample t test was used to
compare the statistical significance of continuous variables of both the
groups.Chi square test was used for numerical data like gender.Fischer exact test
was applied for non parametric data like ketamine consumption. RESULTS: We
observed that heart rate in dexmedetomidine (DK) group was significantly lower
during the initial 25 mins after induction compared to the propofol (PK) group.
Recovery was prolonged in the DK group compared to the PK group (40.88 vs. 22.28
min). Even ketamine boluses consumption was higher in DK group. CONCLUSION: Use
of dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination is a safe alternative, without any
hemodynamic orrespiratory effects during the cardiac catheterization procedure
but with some delayed recovery.
PMID- 28994678
TI - Evaluation of the effect of metformin and insulin in hyperglycemia treatment
after coronary artery bypass surgery in nondiabetic patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Insulin therapy is the most commonly used treatment for controlling
hyperglycemia after coronary artery bypass surgery in both diabetic and
nondiabetic patients. Metformin has been indicated for critically ill patients as
an alternate for the treatment of hyperglycemia. This study evaluated the effect
of metformin and insulin in hyperglycemia treatment after coronary artery bypass
surgery in nondiabetic patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was a clinical
trial comprising nondiabetic patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass
surgery. Patients were randomly divided into the insulin group and the metformin
group. METHODS: Patients in the insulin group received continuous infusion of
insulin while those in the metformin group received 500 mg metformin tablets
twice daily. All the patients were followed up for 3 days after stabilization of
blood glucose levels. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using Chi-square
test and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: This study included a total of 56
patients. During the study period, the mean blood glucose levels decreased from
225.24 to 112.36 mg/dl (?112.88 mg/dl) in the insulin group and from 221.80 to
121.92 mg/dl in the metformin group (?99.88 mg/dl). There was no significant
difference in the blood glucose levels of the patients between the two groups at
any measurement times (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using 500 mg metformin twice daily
is similar to using insulin in nondiabetic patients undergoing coronary artery
bypass graft. Therefore, the use of metformin can be considered as a treatment
strategy for controlling hyperglycemia in this group of patients.
PMID- 28994679
TI - Ischemic mitral regurgitation.
AB - Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is a frequent complication of left
ventricular (LV) global or regional pathological remodeling due to chronic
coronary artery disease. It is not a valve disease but represents the valvular
consequences of increased tethering forces and reduced closing forces. IMR is
defined as mitral regurgitation caused by chronic changes of LV structure and
function due to ischemic heart disease and it worsens the prognosis. In this
review, we discuss on etiology, pathophysiology, and mechanisms of IMR, its
classification, evaluation, and therapeutic corrective methods of IMR.
PMID- 28994680
TI - Rising Central venous pressure: Impending right-sided failure?
AB - Central venous pressure generally indicates right sided cardiac filling pressure.
Although it is a static hemodynamic parameter, however trend of CVP gives
important information regarding the patient's management. Patient with left
ventricular assist device is prone to develop right ventricular dysfunction which
can easily be suspected by trend of CVP. However rising CVP does not always imply
right heart dysfunction.
PMID- 28994681
TI - Pulmonary valve reconstruction during conduit revision: Technique and
transesophageal echocardiography imaging.
AB - Transesophageal echocardiography can be a useful adjunct in assessing the quality
of repair in patients undergoing novel methods of reconstruction of the right
ventricular outflow. We present one such patient here.
PMID- 28994682
TI - Successful surgical osteoplasty of the left main coronary artery with concomitant
mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty.
AB - A 50-year-old woman with rheumatic heart disease, mitral stenosis, and critical
isolated left main ostial stenosis was successfully treated by mitral valve
replacement, tricuspid annuloplasty, and surgery of left main osteoplasty and is
reported for its rarity. Notable clinical findings included an intermittently
irregular pulse, blood pressure of 100/70 mmHg, cardiomegaly, a diastolic
precordial thrill, a mid-diastolic murmur without presystolic accentuation that
was loudest at the mitral area. Chest radiograph revealed cardiomegaly with a
cardiothoracic ratio of 0.7 due to enlarged right atrium, right ventricle with a
straightened left heart border and evidence of pulmonary hypertension. The
investigation shows that surgical reconstruction of the left main coronary artery
is safe and effective for the treatment.
PMID- 28994683
TI - Sutureless aortic valve implantation in patient with porcelain aorta via
unclamped aorta and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.
AB - Severe atherosclerotic calcification of the ascending aorta, the so-called
porcelain aorta, precludes cardiac surgeons from placing an aortic cross-clamp
and direct aortic cannulation due to the increased risk of systemic embolism and
stroke. In the present report, we support the option of sutureless valve
implantation in a case of a porcelain ascending aorta, with deep hypothermic
circulatory arrest and also without aortic cross-clamp.
PMID- 28994684
TI - Atrial myxomas causing severe left and right ventricular dysfunction.
AB - Myxomas are the most common cardiac tumors, accounting for about 50% of benign
primary cardiac tumors, with the majority located in the left atrium, and 80% of
which originate in the interatrial septum. We report two cases with severe
cachexia, neurological sequelae, and severe biventricle dysfunction secondary to
atrial myxomas with marked early improvement after tumor excision.
PMID- 28994685
TI - Rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome in a bodybuilder undergoing minimally
invasive cardiac surgery.
AB - Rhabdomyolysis is the result of skeletal muscle tissue injury and is
characterized by elevated creatine kinase levels, muscle pain, and myoglobinuria.
It is caused by crush injuries, hyperthermia, drugs, toxins, and abnormal
metabolic states. This is often difficult to diagnose perioperatively and can
result in renal failure and compartment syndrome if not promptly treated. We
report a rare case of inadvertent rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome in a
bodybuilder undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The presentation,
differential diagnoses, and management are discussed. Hyperkalemia may be the
first presenting sign. Early recognition and management are essential to prevent
life-threatening complications.
PMID- 28994686
TI - Lutembacher syndrome: Dilemma of doing a tricuspid annuloplasty.
AB - We discuss the case of a 24-year-old woman with Lutembacher syndrome and severe
tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who underwent surgical closure of atrial septal
defect and mitral valve replacement without tricuspid annuloplasty despite a
severe TR and a large tricuspid annulus on preoperative echo. The pathophysiology
of Lutembacher syndrome is discussed below. The utility of perioperative
echocardiography in assessing the annular diameter, tenting area and coaptation
depth and thus providing insights into the functioning of the tricuspid valve
will also be emphasized.
PMID- 28994687
TI - Two episodes of cardiac tamponade in the same patient from removing pacing wires
and a pericardial drain: A case report.
AB - A patient presented for an elective transcatheter aortic valve replacement with
temporary transvenous pacing (TVP) wires placement per protocol. On postoperative
day 1, the patient remained stable, so the wires were subsequently removed, after
which the patient acutely decompensated, with transthoracic echocardiography
revealing pericardial effusion. Emergent pericardiocentesis was performed, and a
pericardial drain was placed. Three days later, the drain was removed; again, the
patient acutely decompensated, requiring another emergent pericardiocentesis.
Despite the relatively benign nature of TVP wires and pericardial drains, the
possibility of cardiac tamponade should be kept in mind as a potential
complication when they are being removed.
PMID- 28994688
TI - The use of intravenous hydroxocobalamin as a rescue in methylene blue-resistant
vasoplegic syndrome in cardiac surgery.
AB - Vasoplegic syndrome is a well-recognized complication during cardiopulmonary
bypass (CPB) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially
when refractory to conventional vasoconstrictor therapy. This is the first
reported case of vasoplegia on CPB unresponsive to methylene blue whereas
responsive to hydroxocobalamin, which indicates that the effect of
hydroxocobalamin outside of the nitric oxide system is significant or that the
two drugs have a synergistic effect in one or multiple mechanisms.
PMID- 28994689
TI - A case report of combined radical pericardiectomy and beating heart coronary
artery bypass grafting in a patient with tubercular chronic constrictive
pericarditis with coronary artery disease.
AB - We here report a successful midterm outcome following combined off-pump radical
pericardiectomy and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in a 65-year-old male
patient who was suffering from chronic constrictive calcified tubercular
pericarditis with coronary artery disease. Simultaneous off-pump CABG and radical
pericardiectomy for nonsurgical constrictive pericarditis is reported very rarely
in English literature.
PMID- 28994690
TI - Perioperative management of a patient with glanzmann's thrombasthenia for mitral
valve repair under cardiopulmonary bypass.
AB - A 30-year-old male patient presented with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and mitral
valve prolapse. He was in acute decompensated congestive heart failure due to
severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. After his cardiac failure had been
stabilized, the patient was subjected to mitral and tricuspid valve repair. His
transfusion requirements were guided by thrombelastography and his bleeding
disorder was managed by infusing single donor plasmapheresed platelet
transfusions in the perioperative period. The patient underwent surgery
uneventfully.
PMID- 28994691
TI - Distortion of aortic valve from mechanical traction imposed by the mitral valve
prosthesis: The three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic perception.
AB - Iatrogenic injury to the aortic valve is a rare but frequently reported
complication during mitral valve surgeries. Intraoperative 2-dimensional
transesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) has a major impact in diagnosing these
injuries, so that timely intervention is possible. However, 2D TEE has lot of
limitations during the perioperative period, which can be overcome by the three
dimensional echocardiography (3D-TEE). We report a case where 3D TEE has
undoubtedly delineated the cause for distortion of aortic sinus after mitral
valve replacement and helped in the successful outcome.
PMID- 28994692
TI - Think beyond right bundle branch block in atrial septal defect.
PMID- 28994693
TI - Accidental placement of central venous catheter into internal mammary vein: A
rare catheter malposition.
PMID- 28994694
TI - Bifid epiglottis: What perioperative physician should know about it?
PMID- 28994695
TI - Inadvertent diversion of inferior vena cava to left atrium after repair of atrial
septal defect - Early diagnosis and correction of error: role of intraoperative
transesophageal echocardiography.
PMID- 28994696
TI - An uncommon intraoperative implantable cardiac device complication and subsequent
troubleshooting.
PMID- 28994697
TI - Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, yamaguchi syndrome and kounis syndrome:
Clinical challenges.
PMID- 28994698
TI - Priority of a Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Preference Relation with a Normal
Distribution in Meteorological Disaster Risk Assessment.
AB - As meteorological disaster systems are large complex systems, disaster reduction
programs must be based on risk analysis. Consequently, judgment by an expert
based on his or her experience (also known as qualitative evaluation) is an
important link in meteorological disaster risk assessment. In some complex and
non-procedural meteorological disaster risk assessments, a hesitant fuzzy
linguistic preference relation (HFLPR) is often used to deal with a situation in
which experts may be hesitant while providing preference information of a
pairwise comparison of alternatives, that is, the degree of preference of one
alternative over another. This study explores hesitation from the perspective of
statistical distributions, and obtains an optimal ranking of an HFLPR based on
chance-restricted programming, which provides a new approach for hesitant fuzzy
optimisation of decision-making in meteorological disaster risk assessments.
PMID- 28994699
TI - Fisetin Regulates Nrf2 Expression and the Inflammation-Related Signaling Pathway
to Prevent UVB-Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice.
AB - Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure may cause skin damage, disrupt skin barrier
function, and promote wrinkle formation. UV induces oxidative stress and
inflammation, which results in extracellular matrix degradation in the dermis and
epidermal hyperplasia. Our previous study demonstrated that fisetin exerts
photoprotective activity by inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase/activator
protein-1/matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activation. In this study, fisetin was
applied topically to investigate its antiphotodamage effects in hairless mice.
The erythema index (a* values) and transepidermal water loss were evaluated to
assess skin damage, and immunohistochemical staining was conducted to elucidate
the photoprotective mechanism of fisetin. The results revealed that the topical
application of fisetin reduced UVB-induced increase in the a* value and wrinkle
formation. In addition, fisetin inhibited epidermal hyperplasia and increased the
collagen content in the dermis. Fisetin exerted photoprotective activity by
inhibiting the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and cyclooxygenase-2 and increasing
the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor. Furthermore, fisetin
increased the expression of filaggrin to prevent UVB-induced barrier function
disruption. Altogether, the present results provide evidence of the effects and
mechanisms of fisetin's antiphotodamage and antiphotoinflammation activities.
PMID- 28994700
TI - Social Hazards as Manifested Workplace Discrimination and Health (Vietnamese and
Ukrainian Female and Male Migrants in Czechia).
AB - Social hazards as one of the dimensions of workplace discrimination are a
potential social determinant of health inequalities. The aim of this study was to
investigate relations between self-reported health and social hazard
characteristics (defined as-discrimination as such, violence or threat of
violence, time pressure or work overload and risk of accident) among Vietnamese
and Ukrainian migrants (males and females) in Czechia by age, education level and
marital status. This study is based on data from a survey of 669 immigrants in
Czechia in 2013. Logistic regression analysis indicates that the given
independent variables (given social hazards and socio-demographic
characteristics), as predictors of a quality of self-reported health are more
important for immigrant females than for males, irrespective of citizenship,
albeit only for some of them and to differing extents. We found out that being
exposed to the selected social hazards in the workplace leads to worsening self
rated health, especially for females. On the other hand, there was no
statistically significant relationship found between poor self-rated health and
discrimination as such. Reality calls for more research and, consequently, better
policies and practices in the field of health inequalities.
PMID- 28994701
TI - Study of Statin- and Loratadine-Induced Muscle Pain Mechanisms Using Human
Skeletal Muscle Cells.
AB - Many drugs can cause unexpected muscle disorders, often necessitating the
cessation of an effective medication. Inhibition of monocarboxylate transporters
(MCTs) may potentially lead to perturbation of l-lactic acid homeostasis and
muscular toxicity. Previous studies have shown that statins and loratadine have
the potential to inhibit l-lactic acid efflux by MCTs (MCT1 and 4). The main
objective of this study was to confirm the inhibitory potentials of atorvastatin,
simvastatin (acid and lactone forms), rosuvastatin, and loratadine on l-lactic
acid transport using primary human skeletal muscle cells (SkMC). Loratadine (IC50
31 and 15 uM) and atorvastatin (IC50 ~130 and 210 uM) demonstrated the greatest
potency for inhibition of l-lactic acid efflux at pH 7.0 and 7.4, respectively
(~2.5-fold l-lactic acid intracellular accumulation). Simvastatin acid exhibited
weak inhibitory potency on l-lactic acid efflux with an intracellular lactic acid
increase of 25-35%. No l-lactic acid efflux inhibition was observed for
simvastatin lactone or rosuvastatin. Pretreatment studies showed no change in
inhibitory potential and did not affect lactic acid transport for all tested
drugs. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that loratadine and atorvastatin can
inhibit the efflux transport of l-lactic acid in SkMC. Inhibition of l-lactic
acid efflux may cause an accumulation of intracellular l-lactic acid leading to
the reported drug-induced myotoxicity.
PMID- 28994703
TI - A Straight Skeleton Based Connectivity Restoration Strategy in the Presence of
Obstacles for WSNs.
AB - Connectivity has significance in both of data collection and aggregation for
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Once the connectivity is lost, relay nodes are
deployed to build a Steiner Minimal Tree (SMT) such that the inter-component
connection is reestablished. In recent years, there has been a growing interest
in connectivity restoration problems. In previous works, the deployment area of a
WSN is assumed to be flat without obstacles. However, such an assumption is not
realistic. In addition, most of the existing strategies chose the representative
of each component, which serves as the starting point of relay node deployment
during the connectivity restoration, either in a random way or in the shortest
distance based manner. In fact, both ways of representative selection could
potentially increase the length of the SMT such that more relay nodes are
required. In this paper, a novel connectivity restoration strategy is proposed
Obstacle-Avoid connectivity restoration strategy based on Straight Skeletons
(OASS), which employs both the polygon based representative selection with the
presence of obstacles and the straight skeleton based SMT establishment. The OASS
is proved to be a 3- o p t approximation algorithm with the complexity of O ( n
log n ) , and the approximation ratio can reduce to 3 3 2 while it satisfies a
certain condition. The theoretical analysis and simulations show that the
performance of the OASS is better than other strategies in terms of the relay
count and the quality of the established topology (i.e., distances between
components, delivery latency and balanced traffic load) as well.
PMID- 28994702
TI - Transforming Growth Factor-beta Drives the Transendothelial Migration of
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.
AB - The entry of malignant hepatocytes into blood vessels is a key step in the
dissemination and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The
identification of molecular mechanisms involved in the transmigration of
malignant hepatocytes through the endothelial barrier is of high relevance for
therapeutic intervention and metastasis prevention. In this study, we employed a
model of hepatocellular transmigration that mimics vascular invasion using
hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells and malignant hepatocytes evincing a
mesenchymal-like, invasive phenotype by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta.
Labelling of respective cell populations with various stable isotopes and
subsequent mass spectrometry analyses allowed the "real-time" detection of
molecular changes in both transmigrating hepatocytes and endothelial cells.
Interestingly, the proteome profiling revealed 36 and 559 regulated proteins in
hepatocytes and endothelial cells, respectively, indicating significant changes
during active transmigration that mostly depends on cell-cell interaction rather
than on TGF-beta alone. Importantly, matching these in vitro findings with HCC
patient data revealed a panel of common molecular alterations including
peroxiredoxin-3, epoxide hydrolase, transgelin-2 and collectin 12 that are
clinically relevant for the patient's survival. We conclude that hepatocellular
plasticity induced by TGF-beta is crucially involved in blood vessel invasion of
HCC cells.
PMID- 28994704
TI - Characterization of Mucosal Disaccharidases from Human Intestine.
AB - In this study, we used a brush border membrane (BBM) preparation from human small
intestine to analyze the proportion and the activity of major intestinal
disaccharidases, including sucrase-isomaltase (SI), maltase-glucoamylase (MGAM)
and lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH). SI, MGAM and LPH respectively constituted
8.2%, 2.7% and 1.4% of total BBM protein. The activity of SI and LPH decreased
threefold after purification from the brush border membrane, which highlights the
effect of membrane microdomains on the functional capacity of these enzymes. All
of the disaccharidases showed optimal activity at pH 6, over 50% residual
activity between pH 5 to pH 7, and increasing activity with rising temperatures
up to 45 degrees C, along with a stable functional structure. Therefore the
enzymes can withstand mild intraluminal pH alterations with adequate function,
and are able to increase their activity with elevated core body temperature. Our
data provide a functional measure for characterization of intestinal
disaccharidases under different physiological and pathological conditions.
PMID- 28994706
TI - Analysis of the Impact of Known SPINK1 Missense Variants on Pre-mRNA Splicing
and/or mRNA Stability in a Full-Length Gene Assay.
AB - It is increasingly appreciated that missense variants may not only alter protein
structure and function but may also influence pre-mRNA splicing and/or mRNA
stability. Here we explore this issue in the context of currently known SPINK1
missense variants using a full-length gene assay. We demonstrated that 4 (17%)
out of 24 variants tested significantly reduced pre-mRNA splicing and/or
stability as compared with the wild-type. However, since the strongest effect
observed was a 23% reduction from normal, the contribution of SPINK1 missense
variants to the clinical phenotype through an impact on mRNA processing alone may
be relatively minor compared with their effects in relation to protein
structure/function.
PMID- 28994705
TI - Role of Purified Anthocyanins in Improving Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in
Chinese Men and Women with Prediabetes or Early Untreated Diabetes-A Randomized
Controlled Trial.
AB - Objective: In vitro and animal studies suggest that purified anthocyanins have
favorable effects on metabolic profiles, but clinical trials have reported
inconsistent findings. Furthermore, no study has been specifically conducted
among individuals with prediabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate
whether purified anthocyanins could improve cardiometabolic risk factors in
Chinese adults with early untreated hyperglycemia. Research Design and Methods:
This was a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of
160 participants aged 40-75 years with prediabetes or early untreated diabetes
were randomly allocated to receive either purified anthocyanins (320 mg/day, n =
80) or placebo (n = 80) of identical appearance. A three-hour oral glucose
tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and cardiometabolic biomarkers (glycated
hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and
lipids) were measured at baseline and at the end of the trial. Results: A total
of 138 subjects completed the protocol. Compared with placebo, purified
anthocyanins moderately reduced HbA1c (-0.14%, 95% CI: -0.23~-0.04%; p = 0.005),
low-density lipoprotein-c (LDL-c) (-0.2 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.38~-0.01, p = 0.04),
apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A1) (0.09 g/L, 95% CI: 0.02~0.17; p = 0.02), and
apolipoprotein B (apo B) (-0.07 g/L, 95% CI: -0.13~-0.01; p = 0.01) according to
intention-to-treat analysis. Subgroup analyses suggested that purified
anthocyanins were more effective at improving glycemic control, insulin
sensitivity, and lipids among patients with elevated metabolic markers.
Conclusions: The 12-week randomized controlled trials (RCT) in Chinese adults
with prediabetes or early untreated diabetes indicated that purified anthocyanins
favorably affected glycemic control and lipid profile. Future studies of a longer
duration that explore the dose-response relationship among patients with
cardiometabolic disorders are needed to confirm our findings.
PMID- 28994708
TI - Photocatalytic Performance of a Novel MOF/BiFeO3 Composite.
AB - In this study, MOF/BiFeO3 composite (MOF, metal-organic framework) has been
synthesized successfully through a one-pot hydrothermal method. The MOF/BiFeO3
composite samples, pure MOF samples and BiFeO3 samples were characterized by X
ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive
spectroscopy (EDS), and by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The results and analysis
reveal that MOF/BiFeO3 composite has better photocatalytic behavior for methylene
blue (MB) compared to pure MOF and pure BiFeO3. The enhancement of photocatalytic
performance should be due to the introduction of MOF change the surface
morphology of BiFeO3, which will increase the contact area with MB. This
composing strategy of MOF/BiFeO3 composite may bring new insight into the
designing of highly efficient photocatalysts.
PMID- 28994709
TI - Advanced Materials in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells.
AB - Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) have attracted much interest due to the
need for an efficient, non-polluting power source with high energy density for
vehicles in urban environments, as well as portable electronics [...].
PMID- 28994707
TI - Why Human Papillomavirus Acute Infections Matter.
AB - Most infections by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are 'acute', that is non
persistent. Yet, for HPVs, as for many other oncoviruses, there is a striking gap
between our detailed understanding of chronic infections and our limited data on
the early stages of infection. Here we argue that studying HPV acute infections
is necessary and timely. Focusing on early interactions will help explain why
certain infections are cleared while others become chronic or latent. From a
molecular perspective, descriptions of immune effectors and pro-inflammatory
pathways during the initial stages of infections have the potential to lead to
novel treatments or to improved handling algorithms. From a dynamical
perspective, adopting concepts from spatial ecology, such as meta-populations or
meta-communities, can help explain why HPV acute infections sometimes last for
years. Furthermore, cervical cancer screening and vaccines impose novel
iatrogenic pressures on HPVs, implying that anticipating any viral evolutionary
response remains essential. Finally, hints at the associations between HPV acute
infections and fertility deserve further investigation given their high,
worldwide prevalence. Overall, understanding asymptomatic and benign infections
may be instrumental in reducing HPV virulence.
PMID- 28994710
TI - Large-Scale Oral Treatment Study with the Four Most Promising D3-Derivatives for
the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.
AB - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is
associated with the aggregation of the amyloid beta protein (Abeta). Abeta
oligomers are currently thought to be the major neurotoxic agent responsible for
disease development and progression. Thus, their elimination is highly desirable
for therapy development. Our therapeutic approach aims at specific and direct
elimination of toxic Abeta oligomers by stabilizing Abeta monomers in an
aggregation-incompetent conformation. We have proven that our lead compound "D3",
an all d-enantiomeric-peptide, specifically eliminates Abeta oligomers in vitro.
In vivo, D3 enhances cognition and reduces plaque load in several transgenic AD
mouse models. Here, we performed a large-scale oral proof of concept efficacy
study, in which we directly compared four of the most promising D3-derivatives in
transgenic mice expressing human amyloid precursor protein with Swedish and
London mutations (APPSL), transgenic mice, to identify the most effective
compound. RD2 and D3D3, both derived from D3 by rational design, were discovered
to be the most effective derivatives in improving cognition in the Morris water
maze. The performance of RD2- and D3D3-treated mice within the Morris water maze
was significantly better than placebo-treated mice and, importantly, nearly as
good as those of non-transgenic littermates, suggesting a complete reversal of
the cognitive deficit of APPSL mice.
PMID- 28994711
TI - Production of Fish Protein Hydrolysates from Scyliorhinus canicula Discards with
Antihypertensive and Antioxidant Activities by Enzymatic Hydrolysis and
Mathematical Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology.
AB - Fish discards are of major concern in new EU policies. Alternatives for the
management of the new biomass that has to be landed is compulsory. The production
of bioactive compounds from fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) has been explored in
recent years. However, the viability of Scyliorhinus canicula discards, which
might account for up to 90-100% of captures in mixed trawler, gillnet, and
longline industrial fisheries, to produce FPH from the muscle with bioactivities
has still not been studied in terms of the optimization of the experimental
conditions to enhance its production. The effect of pH and temperature on the
hydrolysis of the S.canicula muscle was mediated by three commercial proteases
using response surface methodology. Temperatures of 64.6 degrees C and 60.8
degrees C and pHs of 9.40 and 8.90 were established as the best hydrolysis
conditions for Alcalase and Esperase, respectively. Optimization of the best
conditions for the maximization of antihypertensive and antioxidant activities
was performed. Higher Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was found with
Esperase. The pH optimum and temperature optimum for antioxidants were 55
degrees C/pH8.0 for ABTS/DPPH-Esperase, 63.1 degrees C/pH9.0 for DPPH-Alcalase,
and 55 degrees C/pH9.0 for ABTS-Alcalase. No hydrolysis was detected when using
Protamex.
PMID- 28994712
TI - Improving Influenza Vaccination Rate among Primary Healthcare Workers in Qatar.
AB - The purpose of this study was to improve influenza vaccination, and determine
factors influencing vaccine declination among health care workers (HCW) in Qatar.
We launched an influenza vaccination campaign to vaccinate around 4700 HCW in 22
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) centers in Qatar between 1st and 15th of
November, 2015. Our target was to vaccinate 60% of all HCW. Vaccine was offered
free of charge at all centers, and information about the campaign and the
importance of influenza vaccination was provided to employees through direct
communication, emails, and social media networks. Staff were reported as
vaccinated or non-vaccinated using a declination form that included their
occupation, place of work and reasons for declining the vaccine. Survey responses
were summarized as proportional outcomes. We exceeded our goal, and vaccinated
77% of the target population. Only 9% declined to take the vaccine, and the
remaining 14% were either on leave or had already been vaccinated. Vaccine uptake
was highest among aides (98.1%), followed by technicians (95.2%), and was lowest
amongst pharmacists (73.2%), preceded by physicians (84%). Of those that declined
the vaccine, 34% provided no reason, 18% declined it due to behavioral issues,
and 21% declined it due to medical reasons. Uptake of influenza vaccine
significantly increased during the 2015 immunization campaign. This is attributed
to good planning, preparation, a high level of communication, and providing
awareness and training to HCW with proper supervision and monitoring.
PMID- 28994713
TI - The Luteovirus P4 Movement Protein Is a Suppressor of Systemic RNA Silencing.
AB - The plant viral family Luteoviridae is divided into three genera: Luteovirus,
Polerovirus and Enamovirus. Without assistance from another virus, members of the
family are confined to the cells of the host plant's vascular system. The first
open reading frame (ORF) of poleroviruses and enamoviruses encodes P0 proteins
which act as silencing suppressor proteins (VSRs) against the plant's viral
defense-mediating RNA silencing machinery. Luteoviruses, such as barley yellow
dwarf virus-PAV (BYDV-PAV), however, have no P0 to carry out the VSR role, so we
investigated whether other proteins or RNAs encoded by BYDV-PAV confer protection
against the plant's silencing machinery. Deep-sequencing of small RNAs from
plants infected with BYDV-PAV revealed that the virus is subjected to RNA
silencing in the phloem tissues and there was no evidence of protection afforded
by a possible decoy effect of the highly abundant subgenomic RNA3. However,
analysis of VSR activity among the BYDV-PAV ORFs revealed systemic silencing
suppression by the P4 movement protein, and a similar, but weaker, activity by
P6. The closely related BYDV-PAS P4, but not the polerovirus potato leafroll
virus P4, also displayed systemic VSR activity. Both luteovirus and the
polerovirus P4 proteins also showed transient, weak local silencing suppression.
This suggests that systemic silencing suppression is the principal mechanism by
which the luteoviruses BYDV-PAV and BYDV-PAS minimize the effects of the plant's
anti-viral defense.
PMID- 28994714
TI - Inhibition of 5alpha-Reductase, IL-6 Secretion, and Oxidation Process of
Equisetum debile Roxb. ex Vaucher Extract as Functional Food and Nutraceuticals
Ingredients.
AB - This study aims to investigate the biological activities related to hair loss of
Equisetum debile extracts, including 5alpha-reductase inhibition, interleukin-6
(IL-6) secretion reduction, and anti-oxidation. E. debile extracts were obtained
by maceration in various solvents. Crude extract (CE) was obtained by maceration
in 95% ethanol. Chlorophyll-free extract (CF) was the CE which of the chlorophyll
has been removed by electrocoagulation. Hexane extract (HE), ethyl acetate
extract (EA), and ethanolic extract (ET) were fraction extracts obtained from
maceration in hexane, ethyl acetate, and 95% ethanol, respectively. The extracts
were investigated for inhibitory activity against 5alpha-reductase and IL-6
secretion. Total phenolic contents (TPC) were investigated and antioxidant
activities were determined by means of 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6
sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing
antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation was
determined by the ferric thiocyanate method. The cytotoxicity of the extracts on
dermal papilla cells and irritation test by hen's egg test chorioallantoic
membrane assay were also investigated. All extracts could inhibit 5alpha
reductase and decrease IL-6 secretion in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated
macrophage. The antioxidant activity of E. debile extracts was directly related
to their TPC. ET which contained the highest TPC (68.8 +/- 6.7 mg GA/g) showed
the highest equivalent concentration (EC1) of 289.1 +/- 26.4 mM FeSO4/g, TEAC of
156.6 +/- 34.6 mM Trolox/g, and 20.0 +/- 6.0% DPPH inhibition. However, EA
exhibited the highest inhibition against lipid peroxidation (57.2 +/- 0.4%). In
addition, EA showed no cytotoxicity on dermal papilla cell line and no irritation
on chorioallantoic membrane of hen's eggs. In conclusion, EA was suggested as the
most attractive ingredients for functional food and nutraceuticals because of the
high inhibitory activity against 5alpha-reductase, IL-6 secretion, and lipid
peroxidation inhibition.
PMID- 28994717
TI - Sparse Aperture InISAR Imaging via Sequential Multiple Sparse Bayesian Learning.
AB - Interferometric inverse synthetic aperture radar (InISAR) imaging for sparse
aperture (SA) data is still a challenge, because the similarity and matched
degree between ISAR images from different channels are destroyed by the SA data.
To deal with this problem, this paper proposes a novel SA-InISAR imaging method,
which jointly reconstructs 2-dimensional (2-D) ISAR images from different
channels through multiple response sparse Bayesian learning (M-SBL), a
modification of sparse Bayesian learning (SBL), to achieve sparse recovery for
multiple measurement vectors (MMV). We note that M-SBL suffers a heavy
computational burden because it involves large matrix inversion. A
computationally efficient M-SBL is proposed, which, proceeding in a sequential
manner to avoid the time-consuming large matrix inversion, is denoted as
sequential multiple sparse Bayesian learning (SM-SBL). Thereafter, SM-SBL is
introduced to InISAR imaging to simultaneously reconstruct the ISAR images from
different channels. Numerous experimental results validate that the proposed SM
SBL-based InISAR imaging algorithm performs superiorly against the traditional
single-channel sparse-signal recovery (SSR)-based InISAR imaging methods in terms
of noise suppression, outlier reduction and 3-dimensional (3-D) geometry
estimation.
PMID- 28994716
TI - Association of Waist Circumference Gain and Incident Prediabetes Defined by
Fasting Glucose: A Seven-Year Longitudinal Study in Beijing, China.
AB - The risk of incident prediabetes with gain in waist circumference (WC) has not
been addressed among Chinese adults. A total of 7951 participants who underwent
health check-ups at the Beijing Physical Examination Center and Beijing
Xiaotangshan hospital were recruited in 2009 and followed up in 2016.
Participants were classified into four groups according to categories of percent
WC gain: <=-2.5%, -2.5-2.5%, 2.5-5%, and >5%. The effect of WC gain on
prediabetes was evaluated using modified Poisson regression models. Over seven
years of follow-up, we identified 1034 prediabetes cases (413 women). Compared
with a WC gain of <=-2.5%, participants with a WC gain of >5% have a higher risk
of prediabetes, be they male (non-abdominal obesity at baseline group: RR = 1.57,
95% CI: 1.10-2.24, abdominal obesity at baseline group: RR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.20
2.30) or female (non-abdominal obesity at baseline group: RR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.14
2.64, abdominal obesity at baseline group: RR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.43-4.28). In
conclusion, the risk of prediabetes increased significantly with increasing WC
for both genders in the Chinese population. Lifestyle interventions aiming at
preventing abdominal obesity are urgently needed to reduce the increasing burden
of prediabetes, diabetes, and its complications.
PMID- 28994718
TI - Efficient Usage of Dense GNSS Networks in Central Europe for the Visualization
and Investigation of Ionospheric TEC Variations.
AB - The technique of the orthogonal projection of ionosphere electronic content
variations for mapping total electron content (TEC) allows us to visualize
ionospheric irregularities. For the reconstruction of global ionospheric
characteristics, numerous global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers
located in different regions of the Earth are used as sensors. We used dense GNSS
networks in central Europe to detect and investigate a special type of plasma
inhomogeneities, called travelling ionospheric disturbances (TID). Such use of
GNSS sensors allows us to reconstruct the main TID parameters, such as spatial
dimensions, velocities, and directions of their movement. The paper gives
examples of the restoration of dynamic characteristics of ionospheric
irregularities for quiet and disturbed geophysical conditions. Special attention
is paid to the dynamics of ionospheric disturbances stimulated by the magnetic
storms of two St. Patrick's Days (17 March 2013 and 2015). Additional
opportunities for the remote sensing of the ionosphere with the use of dense
regional networks of GNSS receiving sensors have been noted too.
PMID- 28994719
TI - An IoT-Based Solution for Monitoring a Fleet of Educational Buildings Focusing on
Energy Efficiency.
AB - Raising awareness among young people and changing their behaviour and habits
concerning energy usage is key to achieving sustained energy saving.
Additionally, young people are very sensitive to environmental protection so
raising awareness among children is much easier than with any other group of
citizens. This work examines ways to create an innovative Information &
Communication Technologies (ICT) ecosystem (including web-based, mobile, social
and sensing elements) tailored specifically for school environments, taking into
account both the users (faculty, staff, students, parents) and school buildings,
thus motivating and supporting young citizens' behavioural change to achieve
greater energy efficiency. A mixture of open-source IoT hardware and proprietary
platforms on the infrastructure level, are currently being utilized for
monitoring a fleet of 18 educational buildings across 3 countries, comprising
over 700 IoT monitoring points. Hereon presented is the system's high-level
architecture, as well as several aspects of its implementation, related to the
application domain of educational building monitoring and energy efficiency. The
system is developed based on open-source technologies and services in order to
make it capable of providing open IT-infrastructure and support from different
commercial hardware/sensor vendors as well as open-source solutions. The system
presented can be used to develop and offer new app-based solutions that can be
used either for educational purposes or for managing the energy efficiency of the
building. The system is replicable and adaptable to settings that may be
different than the scenarios envisioned here (e.g., targeting different climate
zones), different IT infrastructures and can be easily extended to accommodate
integration with other systems. The overall performance of the system is
evaluated in real-world environment in terms of scalability, responsiveness and
simplicity.
PMID- 28994715
TI - beta-Amyloid and the Pathomechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease: A Comprehensive
View.
AB - Protein dyshomeostasis is the common mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases such
as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aging is the key risk factor, as the capacity of the
proteostasis network declines during aging. Different cellular stress conditions
result in the up-regulation of the neurotrophic, neuroprotective amyloid
precursor protein (APP). Enzymatic processing of APP may result in formation of
toxic Abeta aggregates (beta-amyloids). Protein folding is the basis of life and
death. Intracellular Abeta affects the function of subcellular organelles by
disturbing the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria cross-talk and causing severe
Ca2+-dysregulation and lipid dyshomeostasis. The extensive and complex network of
proteostasis declines during aging and is not able to maintain the balance
between production and disposal of proteins. The effectivity of cellular pathways
that safeguard cells against proteotoxic stress (molecular chaperones,
aggresomes, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy) declines with age.
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion causes dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier
(BBB), and thus the Abeta-clearance from brain-to-blood decreases. Microglia
mediated clearance of Abeta also declines, Abeta accumulates in the brain and
causes neuroinflammation. Recognition of the above mentioned complex pathogenesis
pathway resulted in novel drug targets in AD research.
PMID- 28994720
TI - Augmented Reality as a Telemedicine Platform for Remote Procedural Training.
AB - Traditionally, rural areas in many countries are limited by a lack of access to
health care due to the inherent challenges associated with recruitment and
retention of healthcare professionals. Telemedicine, which uses communication
technology to deliver medical services over distance, is an economical and
potentially effective way to address this problem. In this research, we develop a
new telepresence application using an Augmented Reality (AR) system. We explore
the use of the Microsoft HoloLens to facilitate and enhance remote medical
training. Intrinsic advantages of AR systems enable remote learners to perform
complex medical procedures such as Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) without
visual interference. This research uses the HoloLens to capture the first-person
view of a simulated rural emergency room (ER) through mixed reality capture (MRC)
and serves as a novel telemedicine platform with remote pointing capabilities.
The mentor's hand gestures are captured using a Leap Motion and virtually
displayed in the AR space of the HoloLens. To explore the feasibility of the
developed platform, twelve novice medical trainees were guided by a mentor
through a simulated ultrasound exploration in a trauma scenario, as part of a
pilot user study. The study explores the utility of the system from the trainees,
mentor, and objective observers' perspectives and compares the findings to that
of a more traditional multi-camera telemedicine solution. The results obtained
provide valuable insight and guidance for the development of an AR-supported
telemedicine platform.
PMID- 28994722
TI - Design, Modeling and Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazole-Linked Nucleoside-Amino Acid
Conjugates as Potential Antibacterial Agents.
AB - Copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC or click chemistry) are
convenient methods to easily couple various pharmacophores or bioactive
molecules. A new series of 1,2,3-triazole-linked nucleoside-amino acid conjugates
have been designed and synthesized in 57-76% yields using CuAAC. The azido group
was introduced on the 5'-position of uridine or the acyclic analogue using the
tosyl-azide exchange method and alkylated serine or proparylglycine was the
alkyne. Modeling studies of the conjugates in the active site of LpxC indicate
they have promise as antibacterial agents.
PMID- 28994723
TI - Middle Ear Prosthesis with Bactericidal Efficacy-In Vitro Investigation.
AB - Materials used in ossicular replacement prostheses must possess appropriate
biological properties, such as biocompatibility, stability, no cytotoxicity. Due
to the risk of infection (otitis media and chronic otitis media), it is desirable
to use an antibacterial agent for illness prevention during the ossicular
reconstruction. The goal of this work was to observe biological properties of a
new composite prosthesis made of ABS containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs 45T).
Samples for biological tests and then a prototype of middle ear prosthesis were
prepared using injection moulding and extrusion techniques. In vitro experiments
were carried out to assess bactericidal efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus
and Pseudomona aeruginosa standard strains, cell proliferation, viability and
cytotoxicity, using Hs680.Tr. fibroblast cells. Surface parameters of the samples
were evaluated, including roughness and wettability. The silver ions were
continually released from the polymer in aqueous solution. The silver ions
release was measured as increasing with time and concentration of the silver
nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. No cytotoxicity effect was observed, while
bactericidal efficacy was noticed for silver nanoparticles. The roughness studies
showed an increase in roughness for the samples with silver nanoparticles. All
polymer and composite materials containing silver nanoparticles showed
hydrophilic properties. The composites were found to release silver ions at a
concentration level capable of rendering the antimicrobial efficacy even with the
lowest concentration of silver nanoparticles in the material. Our results
demonstrate that middle ear prosthesis made of polymer and silver nanoparticles
may eliminate bacteria during inflammation in the middle ear.
PMID- 28994724
TI - Identification of Metabolites of the Cardioprotective Alkaloid Dehydrocorydaline
in Rat Plasma and Bile by Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple Quadrupole
Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry.
AB - Dehydrocorydaline (DHC), a quaternary alkaloid from Corydalis yanhusuo, has been
demonstrated to be the active constituent in the treatment of coronary heart
disease. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray
ionization-triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTRAP
MS) technique was used to identify DHC metabolites in plasma and bile after oral
administration of DHC to rats. A total of 18 metabolites (M1 to M18) were
identified and characterized by LC-MS/MS in the positive ion mode. These 18
metabolites were all present in rat bile, while only 9 were detected in plasma. O
demethylation, hydroxylation, di-hydroxylation, glucuronidation of O-demethyl
DHC, sulfation of O-demethyl DHC and di-hydroxylation of dehydro-DHC were the
major metabolic pathways of DHC. This is the first time that these metabolites of
DHC have been identified in rat plasma and bile, which provides useful
information for further analysis of the biotransformation of DHC and other
quaternary protoberberine-type alkaloids.
PMID- 28994721
TI - Natriuretic Peptides: The Case of Prostate Cancer.
AB - Cardiac natriuretic peptides have long been known to act as main players in the
homeostatic control of blood pressure, salt and water balance. However, in the
last few decades, new properties have been ascribed to these hormones. A
systematic review of English articles using MEDLINE Search terms included
prostate cancer, inflammation, cardiac hormones, atrial natriuretic peptide, and
brain natriuretic peptide. Most recent publications were selected. Natriuretic
peptides are strongly connected to the immune system, whose two branches, innate
and adaptive, are finely tuned and organized to kill invaders and repair injured
tissues. These peptides control the immune response and act as anti-inflammatory
and immune-modulatory agents. In addition, in cancers, natriuretic peptides have
anti-proliferative effects by molecular mechanisms based on the
inhibition/regulation of several pathways promoting cell proliferation and
survival. Nowadays, it is accepted that chronic inflammation is a crucial player
in prostate cancer development and progression. In this review, we summarize the
current knowledge on the link between prostate cancer and inflammation and the
potential use of natriuretic peptides as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.
PMID- 28994725
TI - "He's the Number One Thing in My World": Application of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model
to Explore Child Car Seat Use in a Regional Community in New South Wales.
AB - We explored the factors influencing the use of age-appropriate car seats in a
community with a high proportion of Aboriginal families in regional New South
Wales. We conducted a survey and three focus groups with parents of children aged
3-5 years enrolled at three early learning centres on the Australian south-east
coast. Survey data were triangulated with qualitative data from focus groups and
analysed using the PRECEDE-PROCEED conceptual framework. Of the 133 eligible
families, 97 (73%) parents completed the survey including 31% of parents who
reported their children were Aboriginal. Use of age-appropriate car seats was
reported by 80 (83%) of the participants, and awareness of the child car seat
legislation was high (91/97, 94%). Children aged 2-3 years were less likely
reported to be restrained in an age-appropriate car seat than were older children
aged 4-5 years (60% versus 95%: chi2 = 19.14, p < 0.001). Focus group
participants highlighted how important their child's safety was to them, spoke of
the influence grandparents had on their use of child car seats and voiced mixed
views on the value of authorised child car seat fitters. Future programs should
include access to affordable car seats and target community members as well as
parents with clear, consistent messages highlighting the safety benefits of using
age-appropriate car seats.
PMID- 28994726
TI - Trap Nesting Wasps and Bees in Agriculture: A Comparison of Sown Wildflower and
Fallow Plots in Florida.
AB - Wildflower strip plantings in intensive agricultural systems have become a
widespread tool for promoting pollination services and biological conservation
because of their use by wasps and bees. Many of the trap-nesting wasps are
important predators of common crop pests, and cavity-nesting bees that utilize
trap-nests are important pollinators for native plants and many crops. The impact
of wildflower strips on the nesting frequency of trap-nesting wasps or bees
within localized areas has not been thoroughly investigated. Trap-nests made of
bamboo reeds (Bambusa sp.) were placed adjacent to eight 0.1 ha wildflower plots
and paired fallow areas (control plots) to determine if wildflower strips
encourage the nesting of wasps and bees. From August 2014 to November 2015,
occupied reeds were gathered and adults were collected as they emerged from the
trap-nests. Treatment (wildflower or fallow plots) did not impact the number of
occupied reeds or species richness of trap-nesting wasps using the occupied
reeds. The wasps Pachodynerus erynnis, Euodynerus megaera, Parancistrocerus
pedestris, and Isodontia spp. were the most common trap-nesting species
collected. Less than 2% of the occupied reeds contained bees, and all were from
the genus Megachile. The nesting wasp and bee species demonstrated preferences
for reeds with certain inside diameters (IDs). The narrow range of ID preferences
exhibited by each bee/wasp may provide opportunities to take advantage of their
natural histories for biological control and/or pollination purposes.
PMID- 28994729
TI - Tetraphenylpyrimidine-Based AIEgens: Facile Preparation, Theoretical
Investigation and Practical Application.
AB - Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) has become a hot research area and tremendous
amounts of AIE-active luminogens (AIEgens) have been generated. To further
promote the development of AIE, new AIEgens are highly desirable. Herein, new
AIEgens based on tetraphenylpyrimidine (TPPM) are rationally designed according
to the AIE mechanism of restriction of intramolecular motion, and facilely
prepared under mild reaction conditions. The photophysical property of the
generated TPPM, TPPM-4M and TPPM-4P are systematically investigated and the
results show that they feature the aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE)
characteristics. Theoretical study shows the high-frequency bending vibrations in
the central pyrimidine ring of TPPM derivatives dominate the nonradiative decay
channels. Thanks to the AEE feature, their aggregates can be used to detect
explosives with super-amplification quenching effects, and the sensing ability is
higher than typical AIE-active tetraphenylethene. It is anticipated that TPPM
derivatives could serve as a new type of widely used AIEgen based on their facile
preparation and good thermo-, photo- and chemostabilities.
PMID- 28994727
TI - Biosensing Using Magnetic Particle Detection Techniques.
AB - Magnetic particles are widely used as signal labels in a variety of biological
sensing applications, such as molecular detection and related strategies that
rely on ligand-receptor binding. In this review, we explore the fundamental
concepts involved in designing magnetic particles for biosensing applications and
the techniques used to detect them. First, we briefly describe the magnetic
properties that are important for bio-sensing applications and highlight the
associated key parameters (such as the starting materials, size,
functionalization methods, and bio-conjugation strategies). Subsequently, we
focus on magnetic sensing applications that utilize several types of magnetic
detection techniques: spintronic sensors, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
sensors, superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), sensors based on
the atomic magnetometer (AM), and others. From the studies reported, we note that
the size of the MPs is one of the most important factors in choosing a sensing
technique.
PMID- 28994728
TI - Dose- and Ion-Dependent Effects in the Oxidative Stress Response to Space-Like
Radiation Exposure in the Skeletal System.
AB - Space radiation may pose a risk to skeletal health during subsequent aging.
Irradiation acutely stimulates bone remodeling in mice, although the long-term
influence of space radiation on bone-forming potential (osteoblastogenesis) and
possible adaptive mechanisms are not well understood. We hypothesized that
ionizing radiation impairs osteoblastogenesis in an ion-type specific manner,
with low doses capable of modulating expression of redox-related genes. 16-weeks
old, male, C57BL6/J mice were exposed to low linear-energy-transfer (LET) protons
(150 MeV/n) or high-LET 56Fe ions (600 MeV/n) using either low (5 or 10 cGy) or
high (50 or 200 cGy) doses at NASA's Space Radiation Lab. Five weeks or one year
after irradiation, tissues were harvested and analyzed by microcomputed
tomography for cancellous microarchitecture and cortical geometry. Marrow
derived, adherent cells were grown under osteoblastogenic culture conditions.
Cell lysates were analyzed by RT-PCR during the proliferative or mineralizing
phase of growth, and differentiation was analyzed by imaging mineralized nodules.
As expected, a high dose (200 cGy), but not lower doses, of either 56Fe or
protons caused a loss of cancellous bone volume/total volume. Marrow cells
produced mineralized nodules ex vivo regardless of radiation type or dose; 56Fe
(200 cGy) inhibited osteoblastogenesis by more than 90% (5 weeks and 1 year post
IR). After 5 weeks, irradiation (protons or 56Fe) caused few changes in gene
expression levels during osteoblastogenesis, although a high dose 56Fe (200 cGy)
increased Catalase and Gadd45. The addition of exogenous superoxide dismutase
(SOD) protected marrow-derived osteoprogenitors from the damaging effects of
exposure to low-LET (137Cs gamma) when irradiated in vitro, but had limited
protective effects on high-LET 56Fe-exposed cells. In sum, either protons or 56Fe
at a relatively high dose (200 cGy) caused persistent bone loss, whereas only
high-LET 56Fe increased redox-related gene expression, albeit to a limited
extent, and inhibited osteoblastogenesis. Doses below 50 cGy did not elicit
widespread responses in any parameter measured. We conclude that high-LET
irradiation at 200 cGy impaired osteoblastogenesis and regulated steady-state
gene expression of select redox-related genes during osteoblastogenesis, which
may contribute to persistent bone loss.
PMID- 28994730
TI - PrLPAAT4, a Putative Lysophosphatidic Acid Acyltransferase from Paeonia rockii,
Plays an Important Role in Seed Fatty Acid Biosynthesis.
AB - Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases (LPAATs) are essential for the acylation
of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and the synthesis of phosphatidic acid (PA), a key
intermediate in the synthesis of membrane phospholipids and storage lipids. Here,
a putative lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase gene, designated PrLPAAT4, was
isolated from seed unsaturated fatty acid (UFA)-rich P. rockii. The complete
PrLPAAT4 cDNA contained a 1116-bp open reading frame (ORF), encoding a 42.9 kDa
protein with 371 amino acid residues. Bioinformatic analysis indicates that
PrLPAAT4 is a plasma membrane protein belonging to acyl-CoA:1-acylglycerol-sn-3
phosphate acyltranferases (AGPAT) family. PrLPAAT4 shared high sequence
similarity with its homologs from Citrus clementina, Populus trichocarpa, Manihot
esculenta, and Ricinus communis. In Arabidopsis, overexpression of PrLPAAT4
resulted in a significant increase in the content of oleic acid (OA) and total
fatty acids (FAs) in seeds. AtDGAT1, AtGPAT9, and AtOleosin, involved in TAG
assembly, were upregulated in PrLPAAT4-overexpressing lines. These results
indicated that PrLPAAT4 functions may be as a positive regulator in seed FA
biosynthesis.
PMID- 28994731
TI - Validation of Foot Placement Locations from Ankle Data of a Kinect v2 Sensor.
AB - The Kinect v2 sensor may be a cheap and easy to use sensor to quantify gait in
clinical settings, especially when applied in set-ups integrating multiple Kinect
sensors to increase the measurement volume. Reliable estimates of foot placement
locations are required to quantify spatial gait parameters. This study aimed to
systematically evaluate the effects of distance from the sensor, side and step
length on estimates of foot placement locations based on Kinect's ankle body
points. Subjects (n = 12) performed stepping trials at imposed foot placement
locations distanced 2 m or 3 m from the Kinect sensor (distance), for left and
right foot placement locations (side), and for five imposed step lengths. Body
points' time series of the lower extremities were recorded with a Kinect v2
sensor, placed frontoparallelly on the left side, and a gold-standard motion
registration system. Foot placement locations, step lengths, and stepping
accuracies were compared between systems using repeated-measures ANOVAs,
agreement statistics and two one-sided t-tests to test equivalence. For the right
side at the 2 m distance from the sensor we found significant between-systems
differences in foot placement locations and step lengths, and evidence for
nonequivalence. This distance by side effect was likely caused by differences in
body orientation relative to the Kinect sensor. It can be reduced by using
Kinect's higher-dimensional depth data to estimate foot placement locations
directly from the foot's point cloud and/or by using smaller inter-sensor
distances in the case of a multi-Kinect v2 set-up to estimate foot placement
locations at greater distances from the sensor.
PMID- 28994733
TI - New Textile Sensors for In Situ Structural Health Monitoring of Textile
Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites Based on the Conductive Poly(3,4
ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) Polymer Complex.
AB - Many metallic structural and non-structural parts used in the transportation
industry can be replaced by textile-reinforced composites. Composites made from a
polymeric matrix and fibrous reinforcement have been increasingly studied during
the last decade. On the other hand, the fast development of smart textile
structures seems to be a very promising solution for in situ structural health
monitoring of composite parts. In order to optimize composites' quality and their
lifetime all the production steps have to be monitored in real time. Textile
sensors embedded in the composite reinforcement and having the same mechanical
properties as the yarns used to make the reinforcement exhibit actuating and
sensing capabilities. This paper presents a new generation of textile fibrous
sensors based on the conductive polymer complex poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)
poly(styrenesulfonate) developed by an original roll to roll coating method.
Conductive coating for yarn treatment was defined according to the preliminary
study of percolation threshold of this polymer complex. The percolation threshold
determination was based on conductive dry films' electrical properties analysis,
in order to develop highly sensitive sensors. A novel laboratory equipment was
designed and produced for yarn coating to ensure effective and equally
distributed coating of electroconductive polymer without distortion of textile
properties. The electromechanical properties of the textile fibrous sensors
confirmed their suitability for in situ structural damages detection of textile
reinforced thermoplastic composites in real time.
PMID- 28994732
TI - Production of Single-Chain Fv Antibodies Specific for GA-Pyridine, an Advanced
Glycation End-Product (AGE), with Reduced Inter-Domain Motion.
AB - Due to their lower production cost compared with monoclonal antibodies, single
chain variable fragments (scFvs) have potential for use in several applications,
such as for diagnosis and treatment of a range of diseases, and as sensor
elements. However, the usefulness of scFvs is limited by inhomogeneity through
the formation of dimers, trimers, and larger oligomers. The scFv protein is
assumed to be in equilibrium between the closed and open states formed by
assembly or disassembly of VH and VL domains. Therefore, the production of an
scFv with equilibrium biased to the closed state would be critical to overcome
the problem in inhomogeneity of scFv for industrial or therapeutic applications.
In this study, we obtained scFv clones stable against GA-pyridine, an advanced
glycation end-product (AGE), by using a combination of a phage display system and
random mutagenesis. Executing the bio-panning at 37 degrees C markedly improved
the stability of scFvs. We further evaluated the radius of gyration by small
angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), obtained compact clones, and also visualized open.
PMID- 28994734
TI - Synthesis of 11C-Labelled Ureas by Palladium(II)-Mediated Oxidative
Carbonylation.
AB - Positron emission tomography is an imaging technique with applications in
clinical settings as well as in basic research for the study of biological
processes. A PET tracer, a biologically active molecule where a positron-emitting
radioisotope such as carbon-11 has been incorporated, is used for the studies.
Development of robust methods for incorporation of the radioisotope is therefore
of the utmost importance. The urea functional group is present in many
biologically active compounds and is thus an attractive target for incorporation
of carbon-11 in the form of [11C]carbon monoxide. Starting with amines and
[11C]carbon monoxide, both symmetrical and unsymmetrical 11C-labelled ureas were
synthesised via a palladium(II)-mediated oxidative carbonylation and obtained in
decay-corrected radiochemical yields up to 65%. The added advantage of using
[11C]carbon monoxide was shown by the molar activity obtained for an inhibitor of
soluble epoxide hydrolase (247 GBq/MUmol-319 GBq/MUmol). DFT calculations were
found to support a reaction mechanism proceeding through an 11C-labelled
isocyanate intermediate.
PMID- 28994735
TI - Prediction Potential of Serum miR-155 and miR-24 for Relapsing Early Breast
Cancer.
AB - Oncogenic microRNAs (oncomiRs) accumulate in serum due to their increased
stability and thus serve as biomarkers in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis. Four
oncogenic microRNAs (miR-155, miR-19a, miR-181b, and miR-24) and one tumor
suppressor microRNA (let-7a) were shown to differentiate between high- and low
risk early breast cancer (EBC) and reflect the surgical tumor removal and
adjuvant therapy. Here we applied the longitudinal multivariate data analyses to
stochastically model the serum levels of each of the oncomiRs using the RT-PCR
measurements in the EBC patients (N = 133) that were followed up 4 years after
diagnosis. This study identifies that two of the studied oncomiRs, miR-155 and
miR-24, are highly predictive of EBC relapse. Furthermore, combining the oncomiR
level with Ki-67 expression further specifies the relapse probability. Our data
move further the notion that oncomiRs in serum enable not only monitoring of EBC
but also are a very useful tool for predicting relapse independently of any other
currently analyzed characteristics in EBC patients. Our approach can be
translated into medical practice to estimate individual relapse risk of EBC
patients.
PMID- 28994737
TI - Anti-Inflammatory Pyranochalcone Derivative Attenuates LPS-Induced Acute Kidney
Injury via Inhibiting TLR4/NF-kappaB Pathway.
AB - Treatment of septic acute kidney injury (AKI) has still been beyond satisfaction,
although anti-inflammatory therapy is beneficial for sepsis-induced AKI. Compound
5b was derived from natural pyranochalcones and exhibited potent anti
inflammatory activity in adjuvant-induced arthritis. In this study, we aimed to
investigate the renoprotective effects and potential mechanism of 5b against
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI. C57BL/6 mice and human renal proximal
tubule cell line (HK-2 cell) were treated with LPS, respectively. Compound 5b was
orally administrated at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day for 5 days before LPS (10 mg/kg)
intraperitoneal injection. Cells were pretreated with 25 MUg/mL 5b for 30 min
before LPS (1 MUg/mL) treatment. Pretreatment with 5b markedly alleviated tubular
injury and renal dysfunction in LPS-induced AKI. The expression of IL-1beta, IL
6, and TNF-alpha both in renal tissue of AKI mice and in the LPS-stimulated HK-2
cell culture medium were reduced by 5b treatment (p < 0.05). The results of
immunohistochemistry staining showed that 5b reduced the expression of NF-kappaB
p65 in kidneys. Similarly, 5b decreased the LPS-induced levels of NF-kappaB p65
and TLR4 proteins in kidneys and HK-2 cells. These data demonstrated that a
potent pyranochalcone derivative, 5b, exhibited renoprotective effect against LPS
induced AKI, which was associated with anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting
the TLR4/NF-kappaB pathway.
PMID- 28994736
TI - A Review on the Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology of
Geniposide, a Natural Product.
AB - Iridoid glycosides are natural products occurring widely in many herbal plants.
Geniposide (C17H24O10) is a well-known one, present in nearly 40 species
belonging to various families, especially the Rubiaceae. Along with this herbal
component, dozens of its natural derivatives have also been isolated and
characterized by researchers. Furthermore, a large body of pharmacological
evidence has proved the various biological activities of geniposide, such as anti
inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective,
cholagogic effects and so on. However, there have been some research articles on
its toxicity in recent years. Therefore, this review paper aims to provide the
researchers with a comprehensive profile of geniposide on its phytochemistry,
pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology in order to highlight some present
issues and future perspectives as well as to help us develop and utilize this
iridoid glycoside more efficiently and safely.
PMID- 28994738
TI - Single Silver Nanoparticle Instillation Induced Early and Persisting Moderate
Cortical Damage in Rat Kidneys.
AB - The potential toxic effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), administered by a
single intratracheal instillation (i.t), was assessed in a rat model using
commercial physico-chemical characterized nanosilver. Histopathological changes,
overall toxic response and oxidative stress (kidney and plasma protein
carbonylation), paralleled by ultrastructural observations (TEM), were evaluated
to examine renal responses 7 and 28 days after i.t. application of a low AgNP
dose (50 ug/rat), compared to an equivalent dose of ionic silver (7 ug
AgNO3/rat). The AgNPs caused moderate renal histopathological and ultrastructural
alteration, in a region-specific manner, being the cortex the most affected area.
Notably, the bulk AgNO3, caused similar adverse effects with a slightly more
marked extent, also triggering apoptotic phenomena. Specifically, 7 days after
exposure to both AgNPs and AgNO3, dilatation of the intercapillary and peripheral
Bowman's space was observed, together with glomerular shrinkage. At day 28, these
effects still persisted after both treatments, accompanied by an additional
injury involving the vascular component of the mesangium, with interstitial micro
hemorrhages. Neither AgNPs nor AgNO3 induced oxidative stress effects in kidneys
and plasma, at either time point. The AgNP-induced moderate renal effects
indicate that, despite their benefits, novel AgNPs employed in consumer products
need exhaustive investigation to ensure public health safety.
PMID- 28994740
TI - Antibacterial and Antitubercular Activities of Cinnamylideneacetophenones.
AB - Cinnamaldehyde is a natural product with broad spectrum of antibacterial
activity. In this work, it was used as a template for design and synthesis of a
series of 17 cinnamylideneacetophenones. Phenolic compounds 3 and 4 exhibited MIC
(minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration)
values of 77.9 to 312 uM against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and
Streptococcus sanguinis. Compounds 2, 7, 10, and 18 presented potent effects
against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (57.2 uM <= MIC <= 70.9 uM). Hydrophilic
effects caused by substituents on ring B increased antibacterial activity against
Gram-positive species. Thus, log Po/w were calculated by using high-performance
liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) analyses, and
cinnamylideneacetophenones presented values ranging from 2.5 to 4.1. In addition,
the effects of 3 and 4 were evaluated on pulmonary cells, indicating their
moderate toxicity (46.3 uM <= IC50 <= 96.7 uM) when compared with doxorubicin.
Bioactive compounds were subjected to in silico prediction of pharmacokinetic
properties, and did not violate Lipinski's and Veber's rules, corroborating their
potential bioavailability by an oral route.
PMID- 28994739
TI - Managing Early Childhood Caries with Atraumatic Restorative Treatment and Topical
Silver and Fluoride Agents.
AB - Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant global health problem affecting
millions of preschool children worldwide. In general, preschool children from
families with 20% of the lowest family incomes suffered about 80% of the ECC.
Most, if not all, surveys indicated that the great majority of ECC was left
untreated. Untreated caries progresses into the dental pulp, causing pain and
infection. It can spread systemically, affecting a child's growth, development
and general health. Fundamental caries management is based on the conventional
restorative approach. Because preschool children are too young to cope with
lengthy dental treatment, they often receive dental treatment under general
anaesthesia from a specialist dentist. However, treatment under general
anaesthesia poses a life-threatening risk to young children. Moreover, there are
few dentists in rural areas, where ECC is prevalent. Hence, conventional dental
care is unaffordable, inaccessible or unavailable in many communities. However,
studies showed that the atraumatic restorative treatment had a very good success
rate in treating dentine caries in young children. Silver diamine fluoride is
considered safe and effective in arresting dentine caries in primary teeth. The
aim of this paper is to review and discuss updated evidence of these alternative
approaches in order to manage cavitated ECC.
PMID- 28994741
TI - Assessment of the Public Health Risks and Impact of a Tornado in Funing, China,
23 June 2016: A Retrospective Analysis.
AB - (1) Background: Tornadoes are one of the deadliest disasters but their health
impacts in China are poorly investigated. This study aimed to assess the public
health risks and impact of an EF-4 tornado outbreak in Funing, China; (2)
Methods: A retrospective analysis on the characteristics of tornado-related
deaths and injuries was conducted based on the database from the Funing's Center
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Funing People's Hospital. A change
point time-series analysis of weekly incidence for the period January 2010 to
September 2016 was used to identify sensitive infectious diseases to the tornado;
(3) Results: The 75 to 84 years old group was at the highest risk of both death
(RR = 82.16; 95% CIs = 19.66, 343.33) and injury (RR = 31.80; 95% CI = 17.26,
58.61), and females were at 53% higher risk of death than males (RR = 1.53; 95%
CIs = 1.02, 2.29). Of the 337 injuries, 274 injuries (81%) were minor. Most
deaths occurred indoors (87%) and the head (74%) was the most frequent site of
trauma during the tornado. Five diseases showed downward change-points; (4)
Conclusions: The experience of the Funing tornado underscores the relative danger
of being indoors during a tornado and is successful in avoiding epidemics post
tornado. Current international safety guidelines need modification when
generalized to China.
PMID- 28994742
TI - Blood Lead Levels and Learning Disabilities: A Cross-Sectional Study of the 2003
2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
AB - Difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing,
reasoning or mathematical abilities are present among persons diagnosed with
learning disabilities (LDs). Previous studies suggest a significant relationship
between lead (Pb) exposure and LDs. This study evaluated the potential dose
response relationship between blood Pb levels and the risk of LDs. This cross
sectional study examined 1411 children (32,788,743 weighted-persons) between 6
and 15 years old from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey (NHANES) by analyzing demographics, health related-questions, and
laboratory tests using survey logistic and frequency modeling in SAS. On a ug
Pb/dL basis, a significant dose-dependent relationship between increasing blood
Pb levels and increasing risk of LDs was observed (odds ratio (OR) = 1.21, 95%
confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.43). The relationship remained significant when
examining covariates such as gender and race (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.00-1.40). By
contrast, no dose-dependence was observed between increasing blood Pb levels and
the risk of hay fever in the last year (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.56-1.056), a non
plausibly biologically related outcome of blood Pb levels. Persons in the 50th
75th (12.80%) and 75th-100th (17.14%) percentiles of blood Pb were significantly
more likely to have LDs than persons in the 0-50th percentile of blood Pb
(8.78%). An estimated 1 million persons born in the US from 1989 to 1998
developed LDs from elevated blood Pb levels. Overall, this study revealed a
significant dose-dependent association between increasing childhood blood Pb
levels and the risk of a LD diagnosis, but it was not possible to ascribe a
direct cause-effect relationship between blood Pb exposure and LD diagnosis.
Childhood Pb exposure should be considered when evaluating children with LDs, and
continuing efforts should be made to reduce Pb exposure.
PMID- 28994743
TI - An IoT-Based Computational Framework for Healthcare Monitoring in Mobile
Environments.
AB - The new Internet of Things paradigm allows for small devices with sensing,
processing and communication capabilities to be designed, which enable the
development of sensors, embedded devices and other 'things' ready to understand
the environment. In this paper, a distributed framework based on the internet of
things paradigm is proposed for monitoring human biomedical signals in activities
involving physical exertion. The main advantages and novelties of the proposed
system is the flexibility in computing the health application by using resources
from available devices inside the body area network of the user. This proposed
framework can be applied to other mobile environments, especially those where
intensive data acquisition and high processing needs take place. Finally, we
present a case study in order to validate our proposal that consists in
monitoring footballers' heart rates during a football match. The real-time data
acquired by these devices presents a clear social objective of being able to
predict not only situations of sudden death but also possible injuries.
PMID- 28994745
TI - Phosphorus-Sulfur Heterocycles Incorporating an O-P(S)-O or O-P(S)-S-S-P(S)-O
Scaffold: One-Pot Synthesis and Crystal Structure Study.
AB - A new one-pot preparative route was developed to synthesize novel
organophosphorus-sulfur heterocycles via the reaction of the four-membered ring
thionation reagent [2,4-diferrocenyl-1,3,2,4-diathiadiphosphetane 2,4-disulfide
(FcLR, a ferrocene analogue of Lawesson's reagent)] and alkenyl/aryl-diols and I2
(or SOCl2) in the presence of triethylamine. Therefore, a series of five- to ten
membered heterocycles bearing an O-P(S)-O or an O-P(S)-S-S-P(S)-O linkage were
synthesized. The synthesis features a novel application of the multicomponent
reaction, providing an efficient and environmentally benign method for the
preparation of the unusual phosphorus-sulfur heterocycles. Seven representative X
ray structures confirm the formation of these heterocycles.
PMID- 28994744
TI - Multi-Contextual Segregation and Environmental Justice Research: Toward Fine
Scale Spatiotemporal Approaches.
AB - Many environmental justice studies have sought to examine the effect of
residential segregation on unequal exposure to environmental factors among
different social groups, but little is known about how segregation in non
residential contexts affects such disparity. Based on a review of the relevant
literature, this paper discusses the limitations of traditional residence-based
approaches in examining the association between socioeconomic or racial/ethnic
segregation and unequal environmental exposure in environmental justice research.
It emphasizes that future research needs to go beyond residential segregation by
considering the full spectrum of segregation experienced by people in various
geographic and temporal contexts of everyday life. Along with this comprehensive
understanding of segregation, the paper also highlights the importance of
assessing environmental exposure at a high spatiotemporal resolution in
environmental justice research. The successful integration of a comprehensive
concept of segregation, high-resolution data and fine-grained spatiotemporal
approaches to assessing segregation and environmental exposure would provide more
nuanced and robust findings on the associations between segregation and
disparities in environmental exposure and their health impacts. Moreover, it
would also contribute to significantly expanding the scope of environmental
justice research.
PMID- 28994746
TI - Input Forces Estimation for Nonlinear Systems by Applying a Square-Root Cubature
Kalman Filter.
AB - This work presents a novel inverse algorithm to estimate time-varying input
forces in nonlinear beam systems. With the system parameters determined, the
input forces can be estimated in real-time from dynamic responses, which can be
used for structural health monitoring. In the process of input forces estimation,
the Runge-Kutta fourth-order algorithm was employed to discretize the state
equations; a square-root cubature Kalman filter (SRCKF) was employed to suppress
white noise; the residual innovation sequences, a priori state estimate, gain
matrix, and innovation covariance generated by SRCKF were employed to estimate
the magnitude and location of input forces by using a nonlinear estimator. The
nonlinear estimator was based on the least squares method. Numerical simulations
of a large deflection beam and an experiment of a linear beam constrained by a
nonlinear spring were employed. The results demonstrated accuracy of the
nonlinear algorithm.
PMID- 28994748
TI - A Reliable and Real-Time Tracking Method with Color Distribution.
AB - Occlusion is a challenging problem in visual tracking. Therefore, in recent
years, many trackers have been explored to solve this problem, but most of them
cannot track the target in real time because of the heavy computational cost. A
spatio-temporal context (STC) tracker was proposed to accelerate the task by
calculating context information in the Fourier domain, alleviating the
performance in handling occlusion. In this paper, we take advantage of the high
efficiency of the STC tracker and employ salient prior model information based on
color distribution to improve the robustness. Furthermore, we exploit a scale
pyramid for accurate scale estimation. In particular, a new high-confidence
update strategy and a re-searching mechanism are used to avoid the model
corruption and handle occlusion. Extensive experimental results demonstrate our
algorithm outperforms several state-of-the-art algorithms on the OTB2015 dataset.
PMID- 28994747
TI - A Perspective on the Experimental Techniques for Studying Lamins.
AB - Lamins are type V intermediate filaments that collectively form a meshwork
underneath the inner nuclear membrane, called nuclear lamina. Furthermore, they
are also present in the nucleoplasm. Lamins are experiencing a growing interest,
since a wide range of diseases are induced by mutations in the gene coding for A
type lamins, globally known as laminopathies. Moreover, it has been demonstrated
that lamins are involved in other pathological conditions, like cancer. The role
of lamins has been studied from several perspectives, exploiting different
techniques and procedures. This multidisciplinary approach has contributed to
resolving the unique features of lamins and has provided a thorough insight in
their role in living organisms. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions,
which constantly generate research in the field. The present work is aimed to
review some interesting experimental techniques performed so far to study lamins.
Scientists can take advantage of this collection for their novel investigations,
being aware of the already pursued and consolidated methodologies. Hopefully,
advances in these research directions will provide insights to achieve better
diagnostic procedures and effective therapeutic options.
PMID- 28994749
TI - On Efficient Deployment of Wireless Sensors for Coverage and Connectivity in
Constrained 3D Space.
AB - Sensor networks have been used in a rapidly increasing number of applications in
many fields. This work generalizes a sensor deployment problem to place a minimum
set of wireless sensors at candidate locations in constrained 3D space to k-cover
a given set of target objects. By exhausting the combinations of
discreteness/continuousness constraints on either sensor locations or target
objects, we formulate four classes of sensor deployment problems in 3D space:
deploy sensors at Discrete/Continuous Locations (D/CL) to cover
Discrete/Continuous Targets (D/CT). We begin with the design of an approximate
algorithm for DLDT and then reduce DLCT, CLDT, and CLCT to DLDT by discretizing
continuous sensor locations or target objects into a set of divisions without
sacrificing sensing precision. Furthermore, we consider a connected version of
each problem where the deployed sensors must form a connected network, and design
an approximation algorithm to minimize the number of deployed sensors with
connectivity guarantee. For performance comparison, we design and implement an
optimal solution and a genetic algorithm (GA)-based approach. Extensive
simulation results show that the proposed deployment algorithms consistently
outperform the GA-based heuristic and achieve a close-to-optimal performance in
small-scale problem instances and a significantly superior overall performance
than the theoretical upper bound.
PMID- 28994750
TI - Use of Immunolabeling to Analyze Stable, Dynamic, and Nascent Microtubules in the
Zebrafish Embryo.
AB - Microtubules (MTs) are dynamic and fragile structures that are challenging to
image in vivo, particularly in vertebrate embryos. Immunolabeling methods are
described here to analyze distinct populations of MTs in the developing neural
tube of the zebrafish embryo. While the focus is on neural tissue, this
methodology is broadly applicable to other tissues. The procedures are optimized
for early to mid-somitogenesis-stage embryos (1 somite to 12 somites), however
they can be adapted to a range of other stages with relatively minor adjustments.
The first protocol provides a method to assess the spatial distribution of stable
and dynamic MTs and perform a quantitative analysis of these populations with
image-processing software. This approach complements existing tools to image
microtubule dynamics and distribution in real-time, using transgenic lines or
transient expression of tagged constructs. Indeed, such tools are very useful,
however they do not readily distinguish between dynamic and stable MTs. The
ability to image and analyze these distinct microtubule populations has important
implications for understanding mechanisms underlying cell polarization and
morphogenesis. The second protocol outlines a technique to analyze nascent MTs
specifically. This is accomplished by capturing the de novo growth properties of
MTs over time, following microtubule depolymerization with the drug nocodazole
and a recovery period after drug washout. This technique has not yet been applied
to the study of MTs in zebrafish embryos, but is a valuable assay for
investigating the in vivo function of proteins implicated in microtubule
assembly.
PMID- 28994751
TI - Three-dimensional Imaging and Analysis of Mitochondria within Human
Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers.
AB - The goal of this protocol is to study mitochondria within intraepidermal nerve
fibers. Therefore, 3D imaging and analysis techniques were developed to isolate
nerve-specific mitochondria and evaluate disease-induced alterations of
mitochondria in the distal tip of sensory nerves. The protocol combines
fluorescence immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy and 3D image analysis
techniques to visualize and quantify nerve-specific mitochondria. Detailed
parameters are defined throughout the procedures in order to provide a concrete
example of how to use these techniques to isolate nerve-specific mitochondria.
Antibodies were used to label nerve and mitochondrial signals within tissue
sections of skin punch biopsies, which was followed by indirect
immunofluorescence to visualize nerves and mitochondria with a green and red
fluorescent signal respectively. Z-series images were acquired with confocal
microscopy and 3D analysis software was used to process and analyze the signals.
It is not necessary to follow the exact parameters described within, but it is
important to be consistent with the ones chosen throughout the staining,
acquisition and analysis steps. The strength of this protocol is that it is
applicable to a wide variety of circumstances where one fluorescent signal is
used to isolate other signals that would otherwise be impossible to study alone.
PMID- 28994752
TI - A Technique for Subcutaneous Abdominal Adipose Tissue Biopsy via a Non-diathermy
Method.
AB - Adipose tissue biopsies offer tissue samples that, upon analysis, may provide
insightful overviews of mechanisms relating to metabolism and disease. To obtain
subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies in the abdominal area, researchers and
physicians use either a surgical or a needle-based technique. However, surgical
subcutaneous fat biopsies can offer tissue samples that may provide a more
comprehensive overview of the complexities of biological indices in white adipose
tissue. Usually, a surgical adipose tissue biopsy includes a diathermy treatment
for cauterizing blood vessels to prevent excessive bleeding. Nevertheless, side
effects, such as flash fires and skin lesions in the tissue, have been reported
after diathermy. Therefore, we aimed to standardize a surgical abdominal adipose
tissue biopsy performed under local anesthesia using a non-diathermy method. We
conducted 115 subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies in healthy men using a non
diathermy abdominal surgical biopsy method. Our results showed three cases of
excessive post-operation bleeding out of 115 operations (2.61%).In conclusion,
our standardized subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue surgical biopsy using a
non-diathermy method can be safely applied to healthy men at the bedside, with
minimal side effects.
PMID- 28994753
TI - Genome-wide Analysis of HDAC Inhibitor-mediated Modulation of microRNAs and mRNAs
in B Cells Induced to Undergo Class-switch DNA Recombination and Plasma Cell
Differentiation.
AB - Antibody responses are accomplished through several critical B cell-intrinsic
processes, including somatic hypermutation (SHM), class-switch DNA recombination
(CSR), and plasma cell differentiation. In recent years, epigenetic modifications
or factors, such as histone deacetylation and microRNAs (miRNAs), have been shown
to interact with B-cell genetic programs to shape antibody responses, while the
dysfunction of epigenetic factors has been found to lead to autoantibody
responses. Analyzing genome-wide miRNA and mRNA expression in B cells in response
to epigenetic modulators is important for understanding the epigenetic regulation
of B-cell function and antibody response. Here, we demonstrate a protocol for
inducing B cells to undergo CSR and plasma cell differentiation, treating these B
cells with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDIs), and analyzing mRNA and
microRNA expression. In this protocol, we directly analyze complementary DNA
(cDNA) sequences using next-generation mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) and miRNA-seq
technologies, mapping of the sequencing reads to the genome, and quantitative
reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR. With these approaches, we have defined that, in
B cells induced to undergo CSR and plasma cell differentiation, HDI, an
epigenetic regulator, selectively modulates miRNA and mRNA expression and alters
CSR and plasma cell differentiation.
PMID- 28994754
TI - A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in
Permanent Cerebral Ischemia.
AB - MRI provides a sensitive and specific imaging tool to detect acute ischemic
stroke by means of a reduced diffusion coefficient of brain water. In a rat model
of ischemic stroke, differences in quantitative T1 and T2 MRI relaxation times
(qT1 and qT2) between the ischemic lesion (delineated by low diffusion) and the
contralateral non-ischemic hemisphere increase with time from stroke onset. The
time dependency of MRI relaxation time differences is heuristically described by
a linear function and thus provides a simple estimate of stroke onset time.
Additionally, the volumes of abnormal qT1 and qT2 within the ischemic lesion
increase linearly with time providing a complementary method for stroke timing. A
(semi)automated computer routine based on the quantified diffusion coefficient is
presented to delineate acute ischemic stroke tissue in rat ischemia. This routine
also determines hemispheric differences in qT1 and qT2 relaxation times and the
location and volume of abnormal qT1 and qT2 voxels within the lesion.
Uncertainties associated with onset time estimates of qT1 and qT2 MRI data vary
from +/- 25 min to +/- 47 min for the first 5 hours of stroke. The most accurate
onset time estimates can be obtained by quantifying the volume of overlapping
abnormal qT1 and qT2 lesion volumes, termed 'Voverlap' (+/- 25 min) or by
quantifying hemispheric differences in qT2 relaxation times only (+/- 28 min).
Overall, qT2 derived parameters outperform those from qT1. The current MRI
protocol is tested in the hyperacute phase of a permanent focal ischemia model,
which may not be applicable to transient focal brain ischemia.
PMID- 28994755
TI - Foodborne Pathogen Screening Using Magneto-fluorescent Nanosensor: Rapid
Detection of E. Coli O157:H7.
AB - Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been linked to both waterborne and
foodborne illnesses, and remains a threat despite the food- and water-screening
methods used currently. While conventional bacterial detection methods, such as
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA)
can specifically detect pathogenic contaminants, they require extensive sample
preparation and lengthy waiting periods. In addition, these practices demand
sophisticated laboratory instruments and settings, and must be executed by
trained professionals. Herein, a protocol is proposed for a simpler diagnostic
technique that features the unique combination of magnetic and fluorescent
parameters in a nanoparticle-based platform. The proposed multiparametric magneto
fluorescent nanosensors (MFnS) can detect E. coli O157:H7 contamination with as
little as 1 colony-forming unit present in solution within less than 1 h.
Furthermore, the ability of MFnS to remain highly functional in complex media
such as milk and lake water has been verified. Additional specificity assays were
also used to demonstrate the ability of MFnS to only detect the specific target
bacteria, even in the presence of similar bacterial species. The pairing of
magnetic and fluorescent modalities allows for the detection and quantification
of pathogen contamination in a wide range of concentrations, exhibiting its high
performance in both early- and late-stage contamination detection. The
effectiveness, affordability, and portability of the MFnS make them an ideal
candidate for point-of-care screening for bacterial contaminants in a wide range
of settings, from aquatic reservoirs to commercially packaged foods.
PMID- 28994756
TI - Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the
Inflammatory Response.
AB - The endothelial layer is essential for maintaining homeostasis in the body by
controlling many different functions. Regulation of the inflammatory response by
the endothelial layer is crucial to efficiently fight against harmful inputs and
aid in the recovery of damaged areas. When the endothelial cells are exposed to
an inflammatory environment, such as the outer component of gram-negative
bacteria membrane, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), they express soluble pro
inflammatory cytokines, such as Ccl5, Cxcl1 and Cxcl10, and trigger the
activation of circulating leukocytes. In addition, the expression of adhesion
molecules E-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 on the endothelial surface enables the
interaction and adhesion of the activated leukocytes to the endothelial layer,
and eventually the extravasation towards the inflamed tissue. In this scenario,
the endothelial function must be tightly regulated because excessive or defective
activation in the leukocyte recruitment could lead to inflammatory-related
disorders. Since many of these disorders do not have an effective treatment,
novel strategies with a focus on the vascular layer must be investigated. We
propose comprehensive assays that are useful to the search of novel endothelial
regulators that modify leukocyte function. We analyze endothelial activation by
using specific expression targets involved in leukocyte recruitment (such as,
cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules) with several techniques,
including: real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western
blot, flow cytometry and adhesion assays. These approaches determine endothelial
function in the inflammatory context and are very useful to perform screening
assays to characterize novel endothelial inflammatory regulators that are
potentially valuable for designing new therapeutic strategies.
PMID- 28994757
TI - Determination of the Relative Potency of an Anti-TNF Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) by
Neutralizing TNF Using an In Vitro Bioanalytical Method.
AB - This protocol shows the measurement of the apoptotic activity neutralization of
TNFalpha in a mouse fibroblast cell model (WEHI 164) using an anti-TNFalpha mAb.
In addition, this protocol can be used to evaluate other anti-TNFalpha molecules,
such as fusion proteins. The cellular model employed here is sensitive to
TNFalpha-mediated apoptosis when an additional stress factor is induced in cell
culture conditions (e.g., serum deprivation). This procedure exemplifies how to
execute this analytical assay, highlighting the key operations relating to the
sample preparation, cell dilution, apoptosis induction, and spectrophotometric
measurements that are critical to ensure successful results. This protocol
reveals the best-performance conditions relating to apoptosis induction and
efficient signal recording, leading to low uncertainty values.
PMID- 28994758
TI - Using Gold-standard Gait Analysis Methods to Assess Experience Effects on Lower
limb Mechanics During Moderate High-heeled Jogging and Running.
AB - A limited number of studies have explored lower-limb biomechanics during high
heeled jogging and running, and most studies have failed to clarify the wearing
experience of subjects. This protocol describes the differences in lower-limb
kinematics and ground reaction force (GRF) between experienced wearers (EW) and
inexperienced wearers (IEW) during moderate high-heeled jogging and running. A
three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system with a configured force platform
was used to synchronously capture lower-limb joint movements and GRF. 36 young
females volunteered to participate in this study and were asked about high-heeled
shoe-wearing experience, including frequency, duration, heel types, and heel
heights. Eleven who had the experience of 3 to 6 cm heels for a minimum of three
days per week (6 h per day) for at least two years and eleven who wore high heels
less than twice per month participated. Subjects performed jogging and running at
comfortable low and high speeds, respectively, with the right foot completely
stepping onto a force platform when passing by along a 10 m walkway. EW and IEW
adopted different biomechanical adaptations while jogging and running. IEW
exhibited a generally larger range of joint movement, while EW showed a
dramatically larger loading rate of GRF during running. Hence, further studies on
the lower-limb biomechanics of high-heeled gait should strictly control the
wearing experience of the subjects.
PMID- 28994759
TI - A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling.
AB - Primary aldosteronism (PA) and subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) are
conditions in which the adrenal glands autonomously produce excessive amounts of
aldosterone and cortisol, respectively. The conventional adrenal venous sampling
(cAVS) method collects blood samples from both adrenal central veins and is
useful for identifying the laterality of excess hormone production in a
unilateral lesion(s), as documented in PA cases. In cAVS, plasma cortisol
concentrations (PCCs) are used to normalize plasma aldosterone concentrations
(PACs). A novel "super-selective" adrenal venous sampling (ssAVS) method was
developed using a micro-catheter, which collects blood samples from adrenal
tributary veins (TVs). PACs in ssAVS samples do not require PCC normalization
because samples contain a limited amount of systemic venous blood, if any. The
ssAVS method enabled segmental lesion(s) to be detected in both adrenal glands,
which may be treated by bilateral adrenalectomy, thereby sparing lesion-free
segment(s). Right and left adrenals typically have three TVs each, i.e., the
superior, lateral, and inferior TVs in the right adrenal as well as the superior
median, superior-lateral, and lateral TVs in the left adrenal. In the ssAVS
method, specific parent catheters and a technique to handle them are required,
and have been described herein. Furthermore, ssAVS results from three cases of PA
are presented: bilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) (Case #1), left APA
and right possible cortisol-producing adenoma causing SCS (Case #2), and
idiopathic hyperaldosteronism in which bilateral adrenal segments produced
excessive amounts of aldosterone (Case #3). The ssAVS method is not difficult for
expert angiographers, and, thus, is recommended worldwide to treat PA cases for
which cAVS does not represent a viable surgical treatment option.
PMID- 28994760
TI - Assessment of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Reserve and Intracellular Diastolic
Calcium Removal in Isolated Ventricular Cardiomyocytes.
AB - Intracellular calcium recycling plays a critical role in regulation of systolic
and diastolic function in cardiomyocytes. Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)
serves as a Ca2+ reservoir for contraction, which reuptakes intracellular Ca2+
during relaxation. The SR Ca2+ reserve available for beats is determinate for
cardiac contractibility, and the removal of intracellular Ca2+ is critical for
cardiac diastolic function. Under some pathophysiological conditions, such as
diabetes and heart failure, impaired calcium clearance and SR Ca2+ store in
cardiomyocytes may be involved in the progress of cardiac dysfunction. Here, we
describe a protocol to evaluate SRCa2+ reserve and diastolic Ca2+ removal.
Briefly, a single cardiomyocyte was enzymatically isolated, and the intracellular
Ca2+ fluorescence indicated by Fura-2 was recorded by a calcium imaging system.
To employ caffeine for inducing total SR Ca2+ release, we preset an automatic
perfusion switch program by interlinking the stimulation system and the perfusion
system. Then, the mono-exponential curve fitting was used for analyzing decay
time constants of calcium transients and caffeine-induced calcium pulses.
Accordingly, the contribution of the SR Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and Na+-Ca2+
exchanger (NCX) to diastolic calcium removal was evaluated.
PMID- 28994761
TI - Optical Coherence Tomography: Imaging Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells In Vivo.
AB - Structural changes in the retina are common manifestations of ophthalmic
diseases. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) enables their identification in vivo
rapidly, repetitively, and at a high resolution. This protocol describes OCT
imaging in the mouse retina as a powerful tool to study optic neuropathies (OPN).
The OCT system is an interferometry-based, non-invasive alternative to common
post mortem histological assays. It provides a fast and accurate assessment of
retinal thickness, allowing the possibility to track changes, such as retinal
thinning or thickening. We present the imaging process and analysis with the
example of the Opa1delTTAG mouse line. Three types of scans are proposed, with
two quantification methods: standard and homemade calipers. The latter is best
for use on the peripapillary retina during radial scans; being more precise, is
preferable for analyzing thinner structures. All approaches described here are
designed for retinal ganglion cells (RGC) but are easily adaptable to other cell
populations. In conclusion, OCT is efficient in mouse model phenotyping and has
the potential to be used for the reliable evaluation of therapeutic
interventions.
PMID- 28994762
TI - In Vitro Bioluminescence Assay to Characterize Circadian Rhythm in Mammary
Epithelial Cells.
AB - The circadian rhythm is a fundamental physiological process present in all
organisms that regulates biological processes ranging from gene expression to
sleep behavior. In vertebrates, circadian rhythm is controlled by a molecular
oscillator that functions in both the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN; central
pacemaker) and individual cells comprising most peripheral tissues. More
importantly, disruption of circadian rhythm by exposure to light-at-night,
environmental stressors and/or toxicants is associated with increased risk of
chronic diseases and aging. The ability to identify agents that can disrupt
central and/or peripheral biological clocks, and agents that can prevent or
mitigate the effects of circadian disruption, has significant implications for
prevention of chronic diseases. Although rodent models can be used to identify
exposures and agents that induce or prevent/mitigate circadian disruption, these
experiments require large numbers of animals. In vivo studies also require
significant resources and infrastructure, and require researchers to work all
night. Thus, there is an urgent need for a cell-type appropriate in vitro system
to screen for environmental circadian disruptors and enhancers in cell types from
different organs and disease states. We constructed a vector that drives
transcription of the destabilized luciferase in eukaryotic cells under the
control of the human PERIOD 2 gene promoter. This circadian reporter construct
was stably transfected into human mammary epithelial cells, and circadian
responsive reporter cells were selected to develop the in vitro bioluminescence
assay. Here, we present a detailed protocol to establish and validate the assay.
We further provide details for proof of concept experiments demonstrating the
ability of our in vitro assay to recapitulate the in vivo effects of various
chemicals on the cellular biological clock. The results indicate that the assay
can be adapted to a variety of cell types to screen for both environmental
disruptors and chemopreventive enhancers of circadian clocks.
PMID- 28994763
TI - Effects of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on the Primary Motor
Cortex by Online Combined Approach with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
AB - Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is a neuromodulatory
technique able to act through sinusoidal electrical waveforms in a specific
frequency and in turn modulate ongoing cortical oscillatory activity. This
neurotool allows the establishment of a causal link between endogenous
oscillatory activity and behavior. Most of the tACS studies have shown online
effects of tACS. However, little is known about the underlying action mechanisms
of this technique because of the AC-induced artifacts on Electroencephalography
(EEG) signals. Here we show a unique approach to investigate online physiological
frequency-specific effects of tACS of the primary motor cortex (M1) by using
single pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to probe cortical
excitability changes. In our setup, the TMS coil is placed over the tACS
electrode while Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) are collected to test the effects
of the ongoing M1-tACS. So far, this approach has mainly been used to study the
visual and motor systems. However, the current tACS-TMS setup can pave the way
for future investigations of cognitive functions. Therefore, we provide a step-by
step manual and video guidelines for the procedure.
PMID- 28994764
TI - Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for
Biological Applications.
AB - There are many biological stimuli that can influence cell behavior and stem cell
differentiation. General cell culture approaches rely on soluble factors within
the medium to control cell behavior. However, soluble additions cannot mimic
certain signaling motifs, such as matrix-bound growth factors, cell-cell
signaling, and spatial biochemical cues, which are common influences on cells.
Furthermore, biophysical properties of the matrix, such as substrate stiffness,
play important roles in cell fate, which is not easily manipulated using
conventional cell culturing practices. In this method, we describe a
straightforward protocol to provide patterned bioactive proteins on synthetic
polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels using photochemistry. This platform allows
for the independent control of substrate stiffness and spatial biochemical cues.
These hydrogels can achieve a large range of physiologically relevant stiffness
values. Additionally, the surfaces of these hydrogels can be photopatterned with
bioactive peptides or proteins via thiol-ene click chemistry reactions. These
methods have been optimized to retain protein function after surface
immobilization. This is a versatile protocol that can be applied to any protein
or peptide of interest to create a variety of patterns. Finally, cells seeded
onto the surfaces of these bioactive hydrogels can be monitored over time as they
respond to spatially specific signals.
PMID- 28994765
TI - Cardiopulmonary Bypass in a Mouse Model: A Novel Approach.
AB - As prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass becomes more essential during cardiac
interventions, an increasing clinical demand arises for procedure optimization
and for minimizing organ damage resulting from prolonged extracorporal
circulation. The goal of this paper was to demonstrate a fully functional and
clinically relevant model of cardiopulmonary bypass in a mouse. We report on the
device design, perfusion circuit optimization, and microsurgical techniques. This
model is an acute model, which is not compatible with survival due to the need
for multiple blood drawings. Because of the range of tools available for mice
(e.g., markers, knockouts, etc.), this model will facilitate investigation into
the molecular mechanisms of organ damage and the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass
in relation to other comorbidities.
PMID- 28994766
TI - Preparation of Liquid Crystal Networks for Macroscopic Oscillatory Motion Induced
by Light.
AB - A strategy based on doped liquid crystalline networks is described to create
mechanical self-sustained oscillations of plastic films under continuous light
irradiation. The photo-excitation of dopants that can quickly dissipate light
into heat, coupled with anisotropic thermal expansion and self-shadowing of the
film, gives rise to the self-sustained deformation. The oscillations observed are
influenced by the dimensions and the modulus of the film, and by the
directionality and intensity of the light. The system developed offers
applications in energy conversion and harvesting for soft-robotics and automated
systems. The general method described here consists of creating free-standing
liquid crystalline films and characterizing the mechanical and thermal effects
observed. The molecular alignment is achieved using alignment layers (rubbed
polyimide), commonly used in the display manufacturing industry. To obtain
actuators with large deformation, the mesogens are aligned and polymerized in a
splay/bend configuration, i.e., with the director of the liquid crystals (LCs)
going gradually from planar to homeotropic through the film thickness. Upon
irradiation, the mechanical and thermal oscillations obtained are monitored with
a high-speed camera. The results are further quantified by image analysis using
an image processing program.
PMID- 28994767
TI - Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced
by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment.
AB - Atopic dermatitis is chronically relapsing pruritic eczema and prevails around
the world especially in developed countries. Complex interactions between genetic
and environmental factors are known to play an important role in the
pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis. However, we still lack a detailed picture
of the pathogenesis of this disease. Thus, it is of importance to develop
appropriate animal models for elucidating the progression of atopic dermatitis.
Moreover, investigating the effect of environmental factors such as air
pollutants on atopic dermatitis expands understanding of the disease. Here, we
describe a method for inducing atopic dermatitis in rats with neonatal capsaicin
treatment and a protocol for exposure of a constant concentration of formaldehyde
to rats to reveal effects on the development of atopic dermatitis in infantile
and adolescent periods. These protocols have been successfully applied to several
experiments and can be used for other substances.
PMID- 28994768
TI - Using Virtual Reality to Transfer Motor Skill Knowledge from One Hand to Another.
AB - As far as acquiring motor skills is concerned, training by voluntary physical
movement is superior to all other forms of training (e.g. training by observation
or passive movement of trainee's hands by a robotic device). This obviously
presents a major challenge in the rehabilitation of a paretic limb since
voluntary control of physical movement is limited. Here, we describe a novel
training scheme we have developed that has the potential to circumvent this major
challenge. We exploited the voluntary control of one hand and provided real-time
movement-based manipulated sensory feedback as if the other hand is moving.
Visual manipulation through virtual reality (VR) was combined with a device that
yokes left-hand fingers to passively follow right-hand voluntary finger
movements. In healthy subjects, we demonstrate enhanced within-session
performance gains of a limb in the absence of voluntary physical training.
Results in healthy subjects suggest that training with the unique VR setup might
also be beneficial for patients with upper limb hemiparesis by exploiting the
voluntary control of their healthy hand to improve rehabilitation of their
affected hand.
PMID- 28994769
TI - Isolation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood.
AB - The existence of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in peripheral blood and its
involvement in vasculogenesis was first reported by Ashara and colleagues1.
Later, others documented the existence of similar types of EPCs originating from
bone marrow2,3. More recently, Yoder and Ingram showed that EPCs derived from
umbilical cord blood had a higher proliferative potential compared to ones
isolated from adult peripheral blood4,5,6. Apart from being involved in postnatal
vasculogenesis, EPCs have also shown promise as a cell source for creating tissue
engineered vascular and heart valve constructs7,8. Various isolation protocols
exist, some of which involve the cell sorting of mononuclear cells (MNCs) derived
from the sources mentioned earlier with the help of endothelial and hematopoietic
markers, or culturing these MNCs with specialized endothelial growth medium, or a
combination of these techniques9. Here, we present a protocol for the isolation
and culture of EPCs using specialized endothelial medium supplemented with growth
factors, without the use of immunosorting, followed by the characterization of
the isolated cells using Western blotting and immunostaining.
PMID- 28994770
TI - Intratracheal Inoculation of Fischer 344 Rats with Francisella tularensis.
AB - Pulmonary infection with the bacterium Francisella tularensis can lead to the
serious and potentially fatal disease, tularemia, in humans. Due to the current
lack of an approved tularemia vaccine for humans, research is focused on vaccine
development utilizing appropriate animal models. The Fischer 344 rat has emerged
as a model that reflects human susceptibility to F. tularensis infection, and
thus is an attractive model for tularemia vaccine development. Intratracheal
inoculation of the Fischer 344 rat with F. tularensis mimics pulmonary exposure
in humans. The successful delivery into the rat trachea is critical for pulmonary
delivery. A laryngoscope with illumination is used to properly intubate the
tracheae of anesthetized rats; the correct placement within the trachea is
determined by a simple device to detect breathing. Following intubation, the F.
tularensis culture is delivered in a measured dose via syringe. This technique
standardizes pulmonary delivery of F. tularensis within the rat trachea to
evaluate vaccine efficacy.
PMID- 28994772
TI - In Situ Characterization of Boehmite Particles in Water Using Liquid SEM.
AB - In situ imaging and elemental analysis of boehmite (AlOOH) particles in water is
realized using the System for Analysis at the Liquid Vacuum Interface (SALVI) and
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). This paper describes the method and key steps
in integrating the vacuum compatible SAVLI to SEM and obtaining secondary
electron (SE) images of particles in liquid in high vacuum. Energy dispersive x
ray spectroscopy (EDX) is used to obtain elemental analysis of particles in
liquid and control samples including deionized (DI) water only and an empty
channel as well. Synthesized boehmite (AlOOH) particles suspended in liquid are
used as a model in the liquid SEM illustration. The results demonstrate that the
particles can be imaged in the SE mode with good resolution (i.e., 400 nm). The
AlOOH EDX spectrum shows significant signal from the aluminum (Al) when compared
with the DI water and the empty channel control. In situ liquid SEM is a powerful
technique to study particles in liquid with many exciting applications. This
procedure aims to provide technical know-how in order to conduct liquid SEM
imaging and EDX analysis using SALVI and to reduce potential pitfalls when using
this approach.
PMID- 28994771
TI - Semiautomated Longitudinal Microcomputed Tomography-based Quantitative Structural
Analysis of a Nude Rat Osteoporosis-related Vertebral Fracture Model.
AB - Osteoporosis-related vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) are a common and
clinically unmet need with increasing prevalence as the world population ages.
Animal OVCF models are essential to the preclinical development of translational
tissue engineering strategies. While a number of models currently exist, this
protocol describes an optimized method for inducing multiple highly reproducible
vertebral defects in a single nude rat. A novel longitudinal semiautomated
microcomputed tomography (uCT)-based quantitative structural analysis of the
vertebral defects is also detailed. Briefly, rats were imaged at multiple time
points post-op. The day 1 scan was reoriented to a standard position, and a
standard volume of interest was defined. Subsequent uCT scans of each rat were
automatically registered to the day 1 scan so the same volume of interest was
then analyzed to assess for new bone formation. This versatile approach can be
adapted to a variety of other models where longitudinal imaging-based analysis
could benefit from precise 3D semiautomated alignment. Taken together, this
protocol describes a readily quantifiable and easily reproducible system for
osteoporosis and bone research. The suggested protocol takes 4 months to induce
osteoporosis in nude ovariectomized rats and between 2.7 and 4 h to generate,
image, and analyze two vertebral defects, depending on tissue size and equipment.
PMID- 28994774
TI - Establishment of Larval Zebrafish as an Animal Model to Investigate Trypanosoma
cruzi Motility In Vivo.
AB - Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, whose
motility is not only important for localization, but also for cellular binding
and invasion. Current animal models for the study of T. cruzi allow limited
observation of parasites in vivo, representing a challenge for understanding
parasite behavior during the initial stages of infection in humans. This
protozoan has a flagellar stage in both vector and mammalian hosts, but there are
no studies describing its motility in vivo.The objective of this project was to
establish a live vertebrate zebrafish model to evaluate T. cruzi motility in the
vascular system. Transparent zebrafish larvae were injected with fluorescently
labeled trypomastigotes and observed using light sheet fluorescence microscopy
(LSFM), a noninvasive method to visualize live organisms with high optical
resolution. The parasites could be visualized for extended periods of time due to
this technique's relatively low risk of photodamage compared to confocal or
epifluorescence microscopy. T. cruzi parasites were observed traveling in the
circulatory system of live zebrafish in different-sized blood vessels and the
yolk. They could also be seen attached to the yolk sac wall and to the
atrioventricular valve despite the strong forces associated with heart
contractions. LSFM of T. cruzi-inoculated zebrafish larvae is a valuable method
that can be used to visualize circulating parasites and evaluate their tropism,
migration patterns, and motility in the dynamic environment of the cardiovascular
system of a live animal.
PMID- 28994773
TI - Improved Method for the Establishment of an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model
Based on Porcine Brain Endothelial Cells.
AB - The aim of this protocol presents an optimized procedure for the purification and
cultivation of pBECs and to establish in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) models
based on pBECs in mono-culture (MC), MC with astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM),
and non-contact co-culture (NCC) with astrocytes of porcine or rat origin. pBECs
were isolated and cultured from fragments of capillaries from the brain cortices
of domestic pigs 5-6 months old. These fragments were purified by careful removal
of meninges, isolation and homogenization of grey matter, filtration, enzymatic
digestion, and centrifugation. To further eliminate contaminating cells, the
capillary fragments were cultured with puromycin-containing medium. When 60-95%
confluent, pBECs growing from the capillary fragments were passaged to permeable
membrane filter inserts and established in the models. To increase barrier
tightness and BBB characteristic phenotype of pBECs, the cells were treated with
the following differentiation factors: membrane permeant 8-CPT-cAMP (here
abbreviated cAMP), hydrocortisone, and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, RO-20-1724
(RO). The procedure was carried out over a period of 9-11 days, and when
establishing the NCC model, the astrocytes were cultured 2-8 weeks in advance.
Adherence to the described procedures in the protocol has allowed the
establishment of endothelial layers with highly restricted paracellular
permeability, with the NCC model showing an average transendothelial electrical
resistance (TEER) of 1249 +/- 80 Omega cm2, and paracellular permeability (Papp)
for Lucifer Yellow of 0.90 10-6 +/- 0.13 10-6 cm sec-1 (mean +/- SEM, n=55).
Further evaluation of this pBEC phenotype showed good expression of the tight
junctional proteins claudin 5, ZO-1, occludin and adherens junction protein p120
catenin. The model presented can be used for a range of studies of the BBB in
health and disease and, with the highly restrictive paracellular permeability,
this model is suitable for studies of transport and intracellular trafficking.
PMID- 28994775
TI - Assessment of Human Adipose Tissue Microvascular Function Using Videomicroscopy.
AB - While obesity is closely linked to the development of metabolic and
cardiovascular disease, little is known about mechanisms that govern these
processes. It is hypothesized that pro-atherogenic mediators released from fat
tissues particularly in association with central/visceral adiposity may promote
pathogenic vascular changes locally and systemically, and the notion that
cardiovascular disease may be the consequence of adipose tissue dysfunction
continues to evolve. Here, we describe a unique method of videomicroscopy that
involves analysis of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor responses of intact small
human arterioles removed from the adipose depot of living human subjects.
Videomicroscopy is used to examine functional properties of isolated microvessels
in response to pharmacological or physiological stimuli using a pressured system
that mimics in vivo conditions. The technique is a useful approach to gain
understanding of the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms that contribute to
vascular dysfunction locally within the adipose tissue milieu. Moreover,
abnormalities in the adipose tissue microvasculature have also been linked with
systemic diseases. We applied this technique to examine depot-specific vascular
responses in obese subjects. We assessed endothelium-dependent vasodilation to
both increased flow and acetylcholine in adipose arterioles (50 - 350 um internal
diameter, 2 - 3 mm in length) isolated from two different adipose depots during
bariatric surgery from the same individual. We demonstrated that arterioles from
visceral fat exhibit impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation compared to
vessels isolated from the subcutaneous depot. The findings suggest that the
visceral microenvironment is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction
which may be relevant to clinical observation linking increased visceral
adiposity to systemic disease mechanisms. The videomicroscopy technique can be
used to examine vascular phenotypes from different fat depots as well as compare
findings across individuals with different degrees of obesity and metabolic
dysfunction. The method can also be used to examine vascular responses
longitudinally in response to clinical interventions.
PMID- 28994776
TI - Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers.
AB - Non-canonical nucleic acid secondary structure G-quadruplexes (G4) are involved
in diverse cellular processes, such as DNA replication, transcription, RNA
processing, and telomere elongation. During these processes, various proteins
bind and resolve G4 structures to perform their function. As the function of G4
often depends on the stability of its folded structure, it is important to
investigate how G4 binding proteins regulate the stability of G4. This work
presents a method to manipulate single G4 molecules using magnetic tweezers,
which enables studies of the regulation of G4 binding proteins on a single G4
molecule in real time. In general, this method is suitable for a wide scope of
applications in studies for proteins/ligands interactions and regulations on
various DNA or RNA secondary structures.
PMID- 28994778
TI - Creation of a Dense Transposon Insertion Library Using Bacterial Conjugation in
Enterobacterial Strains Such As Escherichia Coli or Shigella flexneri.
AB - Transposon mutagenesis is a method that allows gene disruption via the random
genomic insertion of a piece of DNA called a transposon. The protocol below
outlines a method for high efficiency transfer between bacterial strains of a
plasmid harboring a transposon containing a kanamycin resistance marker. The
plasmid-borne transposase is encoded by a variant tnp gene that inserts the
transposon into the genome of the recipient strain with very low insertional
bias. This method thus allows the creation of large mutant libraries in which
transposons have been inserted into unique genomic positions in a recipient
strain of either Escherichia coli or Shigella flexneri bacteria. By using
bacterial conjugation, as opposed to other methods such as electroporation or
chemical transformation, large libraries with hundreds of thousands of unique
clones can be created. This yields high-density insertion libraries, with
insertions occurring as frequently as every 4-6 base pairs in non-essential
genes. This method is superior to other methods as it allows for an inexpensive,
easy to use, and high efficiency method for the creation of a dense transposon
insertion library. The transposon library can be used in downstream applications
such as transposon sequencing (Tn-Seq), to infer genetic interaction networks, or
more simply, in mutational (forward genetic) screens.
PMID- 28994777
TI - A General Method for Detecting Nitrosamide Formation in the In Vitro Metabolism
of Nitrosamines by Cytochrome P450s.
AB - N-nitrosamines are a well-established group of environmental carcinogens, which
require cytochrome P450 oxidation to exhibit activity. The accepted mechanism of
metabolic activation involves formation of alpha-hydroxynitrosamines that
spontaneously decompose to DNA alkylating agents. Accumulation of DNA damage and
the resulting mutations can ultimately lead to cancer. New evidence indicates
that alpha-hydroxynitrosamines can be further oxidized to nitrosamides
processively by cytochrome P450s. Because nitrosamides are generally more stable
than alpha-hydroxynitrosamines and can also alkylate DNA, nitrosamides may play a
role in carcinogenesis. In this report, we describe a general protocol for
evaluating nitrosamide production from in vitro cytochrome P450-catalyzed
metabolism of nitrosamines. This protocol utilizes a general approach to the
synthesis of the relevant nitrosamides and an in vitro cytochrome P450 metabolism
assay using liquid chromatography-nanospray ionization-high resolution tandem
mass spectrometry for detection. This method detected N'-nitrosonorcotinine as a
minor metabolite of N'-nitrosonornicotine in the example study. The method has
high sensitivity and selectively due to accurate mass detection. Application of
this method to a wide variety of nitrosamine-cytochrome P450 systems will help
determine the generality of this transformation. Because cytochrome P450s are
polymorphic and vary in activity, a better understanding of nitrosamide formation
could aid in individual cancer risk assessment.
PMID- 28994779
TI - Assessment of Dopaminergic Homeostasis in Mice by Use of High-performance Liquid
Chromatography Analysis and Synaptosomal Dopamine Uptake.
AB - Dopamine (DA) is a modulatory neurotransmitter controlling motor activity, reward
processes and cognitive function. Impairment of dopaminergic (DAergic)
neurotransmission is strongly associated with several central nervous system
associated diseases such as Parkinson's disease, attention-deficit-hyperactivity
disorder and drug addiction1,2,3,4. Delineating disease mechanisms involving DA
imbalance is critically dependent on animal models to mimic aspects of the
diseases, and thus protocols that assess specific parts of the DA homeostasis are
important to provide novel insights and possible therapeutic targets for these
diseases. Here, we present two useful experimental protocols that when combined
provide a functional read-out of the DAergic system in mice. Biochemical and
functional parameters on DA homeostasis are obtained through assessment of DA
levels and dopamine transporter (DAT) functionality5. When investigating the DA
system, the ability to reliably measure endogenous levels of DA from adult brain
is essential. Therefore, we present how to perform high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) on brain tissue from mice to determine levels of DA. We
perform the experiment on tissue from dorsal striatum (dStr) and nucleus
accumbens (NAc), but the method is also suitable for other DA-innervated brain
areas. DAT is essential for reuptake of DA into the presynaptic terminal, thereby
controlling the temporal and spatial activity of released DA. Knowing the levels
and functionality of DAT in the striatum is of major importance when assessing DA
homeostasis. Here, we provide a protocol that allows to simultaneously deduce
information on surface levels and function using a synaptosomal6 DA uptake assay.
Current methods combined with standard immunoblotting protocols provide the
researcher with relevant tools to characterize the DAergic system.
PMID- 28994780
TI - A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head
and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact.
AB - Conventional wisdom and the language in international helmet testing and
certification standards suggest that appropriate helmet fit and retention during
an impact are important factors in protecting the helmet wearer from impact
induced injury. This manuscript aims to investigate impact-induced injury
mechanisms in different helmet fit scenarios through analysis of simulated
helmeted impacts with an anthropometric test device (ATD), an array of headform
acceleration transducers and neck force/moment transducers, a dual high speed
camera system, and helmet-fit force sensors developed in our research group based
on Bragg gratings in optical fiber. To simulate impacts, an instrumented headform
and flexible neck fall along a linear guide rail onto an anvil. The test bed
allows simulation of head impact at speeds up to 8.3 m/s, onto impact surfaces
that are both flat and angled. The headform is fit with a crash helmet and
several fit scenarios can be simulated by making context specific adjustments to
the helmet position index and/or helmet size. To quantify helmet retention, the
movement of the helmet on the head is quantified using post-hoc image analysis.
To quantify head and neck injury potential, biomechanical measures based on
headform acceleration and neck force/moment are measured. These biomechanical
measures, through comparison with established human tolerance curves, can
estimate the risk of severe life threatening and/or mild diffuse brain injury and
osteoligamentous neck injury. To our knowledge, the presented test-bed is the
first developed specifically to assess biomechanical effects on head and neck
injury relative to helmet fit and retention.
PMID- 28994781
TI - Methods for Imaging Intracellular pH of the Follicle Stem Cell Lineage in Live
Drosophila Ovarian Tissue.
AB - Changes in intracellular pH (pHi) play important roles in the regulation of many
cellular functions, including metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation.
Typically, pHi dynamics are determined in cultured cells, which are amenable to
measuring and experimentally manipulating pHi. However, the recent development of
new tools and methodologies has made it possible to study pHi dynamics within
intact, live tissue. For Drosophila research, one important development was the
generation of a transgenic line carrying a pHi biosensor, mCherry::pHluorin.
Here, we describe a protocol that we routinely use for imaging live Drosophila
ovarioles to measure pHi in the epithelial follicle stem cell (FSC) lineage in
mCherry::pHluorin transgenic wild type lines; however, the methods described here
can be easily adapted for other tissues, including the wing discs and eye
epithelium. We describe techniques for expressing mCherry::pHluorin in the FSC
lineage, maintaining ovarian tissue during live imaging, and acquiring and
analyzing images to obtain pHi values.
PMID- 28994782
TI - Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural
Watersheds.
AB - Pollutant concentrations and loads in watersheds vary considerably with time and
space. Accurate and timely information on the magnitude of pollutants in water
resources is a prerequisite for understanding the drivers of the pollutant loads
and for making informed water resource management decisions. The commonly used
"grab sampling" method provides the concentrations of pollutants at the time of
sampling (i.e., a snapshot concentration) and may under- or overpredict the
pollutant concentrations and loads. Continuous monitoring of nutrients and
sediment has recently received more attention due to advances in computing,
sensing technology, and storage devices. This protocol demonstrates the use of
sensors, sondes, and instrumentation to continuously monitor in situ nitrate,
ammonium, turbidity, pH, conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO) and
to calculate the loads from two streams (ditches) in two agricultural watersheds.
With the proper calibration, maintenance, and operation of sensors and sondes,
good water quality data can be obtained by overcoming challenging conditions such
as fouling and debris buildup. The method can also be used in watersheds of
various sizes and characterized by agricultural, forested, and/or urban land.
PMID- 28994783
TI - Atomic Scale Structural Studies of Macromolecular Assemblies by Solid-state
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.
AB - Supramolecular protein assemblies play fundamental roles in biological processes
ranging from host-pathogen interaction, viral infection to the propagation of
neurodegenerative disorders. Such assemblies consist in multiple protein subunits
organized in a non-covalent way to form large macromolecular objects that can
execute a variety of cellular functions or cause detrimental consequences. Atomic
insights into the assembly mechanisms and the functioning of those macromolecular
assemblies remain often scarce since their inherent insolubility and non
crystallinity often drastically reduces the quality of the data obtained from
most techniques used in structural biology, such as X-ray crystallography and
solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). We here present magic-angle spinning
solid-state NMR spectroscopy (SSNMR) as a powerful method to investigate
structures of macromolecular assemblies at atomic resolution. SSNMR can reveal
atomic details on the assembled complex without size and solubility limitations.
The protocol presented here describes the essential steps from the production of
13C/15N isotope-labeled macromolecular protein assemblies to the acquisition of
standard SSNMR spectra and their analysis and interpretation. As an example, we
show the pipeline of a SSNMR structural analysis of a filamentous protein
assembly.
PMID- 28994784
TI - Technique of Minimally Invasive Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice for
Induction of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.
AB - Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice is one of the most commonly used
surgical techniques for experimental investigation of pressure overload-induced
left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and its progression to heart failure. In the
majority of the reported investigations, this procedure is performed with
intubation and ventilation of the animal which renders it demanding and time
consuming and adds to the surgical burden to the animal. The aim of this protocol
is to describe a simplified technique of minimally invasive TAC without
intubation and ventilation of mice. Critical steps of the technique are
emphasized in order to achieve low mortality and high efficiency in inducing LVH.
Male C57BL/6 mice (10-week-old, 25-30 g, n=60) were anesthetized with a single
intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of ketamine and xylazine. In a
spontaneously breathing animal following a 3-4 mm upper partial sternotomy, a
segment of 6/0 silk suture threaded through the eye of a ligation aid was passed
under the aortic arch and tied over a blunted 27-gauge needle. Sham-operated
animals underwent the same surgical preparation but without aortic constriction.
The efficacy of the procedure in inducing LVH is attested by a significant
increase in the heart/body weight ratio. This ratio is obtained at days 3, 7, 14
and 28 after surgery (n = 6 - 10 in each group and each time point). Using our
technique, LVH is observed in TAC compared to sham animals from day 7 through day
28. Operative and late (over 28 days) mortalities are both very low at 1.7%. In
conclusion, our cost-effective technique of minimally invasive TAC in mice
carries very low operative and post-operative mortalities and is highly efficient
in inducing LVH. It simplifies the operative procedure and reduces the strain put
on the animal. It can be easily performed by following the critical steps
described in this protocol.
PMID- 28994785
TI - Aerosol-assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition of Metal Oxide Structures: Zinc Oxide
Rods.
AB - Whilst columnar zinc oxide (ZnO) structures in the form of rods or wires have
been synthesized previously by different liquid- or vapor-phase routes, their
high cost production and/or incompatibility with microfabrication technologies,
due to the use of pre-deposited catalyst-seeds and/or high processing
temperatures exceeding 900 degrees C, represent a drawback for a widespread use
of these methods. Here, however, we report the synthesis of ZnO rods via a non
catalyzed vapor-solid mechanism enabled by using an aerosol-assisted chemical
vapor deposition (CVD) method at 400 degrees C with zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as the
precursor and ethanol as the carrier solvent. This method provides both single
step formation of ZnO rods and the possibility of their direct integration with
various substrate types, including silicon, silicon-based micromachined
platforms, quartz, or high heat resistant polymers. This potentially facilitates
the use of this method at a large-scale, due to its compatibility with state-of
the-art microfabrication processes for device manufacture. This report also
describes the properties of these structures (e.g., morphology, crystalline
phase, optical band gap, chemical composition, electrical resistance) and
validates its gas sensing functionality towards carbon monoxide.
PMID- 28994786
TI - Touchscreen Sustained Attention Task (SAT) for Rats.
AB - Sustained attention is the ability to monitor intermittent and unpredictable
events over a prolonged period of time. This attentional process subserves other
aspects of cognition and is disrupted in certain neurodevelopmental,
neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, it is clinically
important to identify mechanisms that impair and improve sustained attention.
Such mechanisms are often first discovered using rodent models. Therefore,
several behavior procedures for testing aspects of sustained attention have been
developed for rodents. One, first described by McGaughy and Sarter (1995), called
the sustained attention task (SAT), trains rats to distinguish between signal
(i.e., brief light presentation) and non-signal trials. The signals are short and
thus require careful attention to be perceived. Attentional demands can be
increased further by introducing a distractor (e.g., flashing houselight). We
have modified this task for touchscreen operant chambers, which are configured
with a touchscreen on one wall that can present stimuli and record responses.
Here we detail our protocol for SAT in touchscreen chambers. Additionally, we
present standard measures of performance in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.
Comparable performance on this task in both sexes highlights its use for
attention studies, especially as more researchers are including female rodents in
their experimental design. Moreover, the easy implementation of SAT for the
increasingly popular touchscreen chambers increases its utility.
PMID- 28994787
TI - In Situ MHC-tetramer Staining and Quantitative Analysis to Determine the
Location, Abundance, and Phenotype of Antigen-specific CD8 T Cells in Tissues.
AB - T cells are critical to many immunological processes, including detecting and
eliminating virus-infected cells, preventing autoimmunity, assisting in B-cell
and plasma-cell production of antibodies, and detecting and eliminating cancer
cells. The development of MHC-tetramer staining of antigen-specific T cells
analyzed by flow cytometry has revolutionized our ability to study and understand
the immunobiology of T cells. While extremely useful for determining the quantity
and phenotype of antigen-specific T cells, flow cytometry cannot determine the
spatial localization of antigen-specific T cells to other cells and structures in
tissues, and current disaggregation techniques to extract the T cells needed for
flow cytometry have limited effectiveness in non-lymphoid tissues. In situ MHC
tetramer staining (IST) is a technique to visualize T cells that are specific for
antigens of interest in tissues. In combination with immunohistochemistry (IHC),
IST can determine the abundance, location, and phenotype of antigen-specific CD8
and CD4 T cells in tissues. Here, we describe a protocol to stain and enumerate
antigen-specific CD8 T cells, with specific phenotypes located within specific
tissue compartments. These procedures are the same that we used in our recent
publication by Li et al., entitled "Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Producing Cells
in Follicles Are Partially Suppressed by CD8+ Cells In Vivo." The methods
described are broadly applicable because they can be used to localize, phenotype,
and quantify essentially any antigen-specific CD8 T cell for which MHC tetramers
are available, in any tissue.
PMID- 28994788
TI - Evaluating Primary Blast Effects In Vitro.
AB - Exposure to blast events can cause severe trauma to vital organs such as the
lungs, ears, and brain. Understanding the mechanisms behind such blast-induced
injuries is of great importance considering the recent trend towards the use of
explosives in modern warfare and terrorist-related incidents. To fully understand
blast-induced injury, we must first be able to replicate such blast events in a
controlled environment using a reproducible method. In this technique using shock
tube equipment, shock waves at a range of pressures can be propagated over live
cells grown in 2D, and markers of cell viability can be immediately analyzed
using a redox indicator assay and the fluorescent imaging of live and dead cells.
This method demonstrated that increasing the peak blast overpressure to 127 kPa
can stimulate a significant drop in cell viability when compared to untreated
controls. Test samples are not limited to adherent cells, but can include cell
suspensions, whole-body and tissue samples, through minor modifications to the
shock tube setup. Replicating the exact conditions that tissues and cells
experience when exposed to a genuine blast event is difficult. Techniques such as
the one presented in this article can help to define damage thresholds and
identify the transcriptional and epigenetic changes within cells that arise from
shock wave exposure.
PMID- 28994789
TI - Focal Macropatch Recordings of Synaptic Currents from the Drosophila Larval
Neuromuscular Junction.
AB - Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an excellent model system to study
glutamatergic synaptic transmission. We describe the technique of focal
macropatch recordings of synaptic currents from visualized boutons at the
Drosophila larval NMJ. This technique requires customized fabrication of
recording micropipettes, as well as a compound microscope equipped with a high
magnification, long-distance water immersion objective, differential interference
contrast (DIC) optics, and a fluorescent attachment. The recording electrode is
positioned on the top of a selected synaptic bouton visualized with DIC optics,
epi-fluorescence, or both. The advantage of this technique is that it allows
monitoring the synaptic activity of a limited number of sites of release. The
recording electrode has a diameter of several microns, and the release sites
positioned outside of the electrode rim do not significantly affect the recorded
currents. The recorded synaptic currents have fast kinetics and can be readily
resolved. These advantages are especially important for the studies of mutant fly
lines with enhanced spontaneous or asynchronous synaptic activity.
PMID- 28994790
TI - Modelling Zika Virus Infection of the Developing Human Brain In Vitro Using Stem
Cell Derived Cerebral Organoids.
AB - The recent emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in susceptible populations has led to
an abrupt increase in microcephaly and other neurodevelopmental conditions in
newborn infants. While mosquitos are the main route of viral transmission, it has
also been shown to spread via sexual contact and vertical mother-to-fetus
transmission. In this latter case of transmission, due to the unique viral
tropism of ZIKV, the virus is believed to predominantly target the neural
progenitor cells (NPCs) of the developing brain. Here a method for modeling ZIKV
infection, and the resulting microcephaly, that occur when human cerebral
organoids are exposed to live ZIKV is described. The organoids display high
levels of virus within their neural progenitor population, and exhibit severe
cell death and microcephaly over time. This three-dimensional cerebral organoid
model allows researchers to conduct species-matched experiments to observe and
potentially intervene with ZIKV infection of the developing human brain. The
model provides improved relevance over standard two-dimensional methods, and
contains human-specific cellular architecture and protein expression that are not
possible in animal models.
PMID- 28994791
TI - Subcellular Fractionation for ERK Activation Upon Mitochondrial-derived Peptide
Treatment.
AB - Mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are a new class of peptides that are
encoded by small open reading frames within other known genes of the
mitochondrial genome. MDPs have a wide variety of biological effects such as
protecting neurons from apoptosis, improving metabolic markers, and protecting
cells from chemotherapy. Humanin was the first MDP to be discovered and is the
most studied peptide among the MDP family. The membrane receptors and downstream
signaling pathways of humanin have been carefully characterized. Additional MDPs
such as MOTS-c and SHLP1-6 have been more recently discovered and the signaling
mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Here we describe a cell culture based
method to determine the function of these peptides. In particular, cell
fractionation techniques in combination with western blotting allow for the
quantitative determination of activation and translocation of important signaling
molecule. While there are other methods of cell fractionation, the one described
here is an easy and straightforward method. These methods can be used to further
elucidate the mechanism of action of these peptides and other therapeutic agents.
PMID- 28994792
TI - The Rabbit Model of Accelerated Atherosclerosis: A Methodological Perspective of
the Iliac Artery Balloon Injury.
AB - Acute coronary syndrome resulting from coronary occlusion following
atherosclerotic plaque development and rupture is the leading cause of death in
the industrialized world. New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits are widely used as an
animal model for the study of atherosclerosis. They develop spontaneous lesions
when fed with atherogenic diet; however, this requires long time of 4 - 8 months.
To further enhance and accelerate atherogenesis, a combination of atherogenic
diet and mechanical endothelial injury is often employed. The presented procedure
for inducing atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits uses a balloon catheter to
disrupt the endothelium in the left iliac artery of NZW rabbits fed with
atherogenic diet. Such mechanical damage caused by the balloon catheter induces a
chain of inflammatory reactions initiating neointimal lipid accumulation in a
time dependent fashion. Atherosclerotic plaque following balloon injury show
neointimal thickening with extensive lipid infiltration, high smooth muscle cell
content and presence of macrophage derived foam cells. This technique is simple,
reproducible and produces plaque of controlled length within the iliac artery.
The whole procedure is completed within 20 - 30 min. The procedure is safe with
low mortality and also offers high success in obtaining substantial intimal
lesions. The procedure of balloon catheter induced arterial injury results in
atherosclerosis within two weeks. This model can be used for investigating the
disease pathology, diagnostic imaging and to evaluate new therapeutic strategies.
PMID- 28994794
TI - High-speed Continuous-wave Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Spectrometer for
Material Analysis.
AB - Recent years have witnessed a significant increase in the use of spontaneous
Brillouin spectrometers for non-contact analysis of soft matter, such as aqueous
solutions and biomaterials, with fast acquisition times. Here, we discuss the
assembly and operation of a Brillouin spectrometer that uses stimulated Brillouin
scattering (SBS) to measure stimulated Brillouin gain (SBG) spectra of water and
lipid emulsion-based tissue-like samples in transmission mode with <10 MHz
spectral-resolution and <35 MHz Brillouin-shift measurement precision at <100 ms.
The spectrometer consists of two nearly counter-propagating continuous-wave (CW)
narrow-linewidth lasers at 780 nm whose frequency detuning is scanned through the
material Brillouin shift. By using an ultra-narrowband hot rubidium-85 vapor
notch filter and a phase-sensitive detector, the signal-to-noise-ratio of the SBG
signal is significantly enhanced compared to that obtained with existing CW-SBS
spectrometers. This improvement enables measurement of SBG spectra with up to 100
fold faster acquisition times, thereby facilitating high spectral-resolution and
high-precision Brillouin analysis of soft materials at high speed.
PMID- 28994793
TI - Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport
Substrate-binding-protein SP0092.
AB - Development of new antimicrobials and vaccines for Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) are necessary to halt the rapid rise in multiple resistant
strains. Carbohydrate substrate binding proteins (SBPs) represent viable targets
for the development of protein-based vaccines and new antimicrobials because of
their extracellular localization and the centrality of carbohydrate import for
pneumococcal metabolism, respectively. Described here is a rationalized
integrated protocol to carry out a comprehensive characterization of SP0092,
which can be extended to other carbohydrate SBPs from the pneumococcus and other
bacteria. This procedure can aid the structure-based design of inhibitors for
this class of proteins. Presented in the first part of this manuscript are
protocols for biochemical analysis by thermal shift assay, multi angle light
scattering (MALS), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC), which optimize the
stability and homogeneity of the sample directed to crystallization trials and so
enhance the probability of success. The second part of this procedure describes
the characterization of the SBP crystals using a tunable wavelength anomalous
diffraction synchrotron beamline, and data collection protocols for measuring
data that can be used to resolve the crystallized protein structure.
PMID- 28994795
TI - A Method to Estimate Cadaveric Femur Cortical Strains During Fracture Testing
Using Digital Image Correlation.
AB - This protocol describes the method using digital image correlation to estimate
cortical strain from high speed video images of the cadaveric femoral surface
obtained from mechanical testing. This optical method requires a texture of many
contrasting fiduciary marks on a solid white background for accurate tracking of
surface deformation as loading is applied to the specimen. Immediately prior to
testing, the surface of interest in the camera view is painted with a water-based
white primer and allowed to dry for several minutes. Then, a black paint is
speckled carefully over the white background with special consideration for the
even size and shape of the droplets. Illumination is carefully designed and set
such that there is optimal contrast of these marks while minimizing reflections
through the use of filters. Images were obtained through high speed video capture
at up to 12,000 frames/s. The key images prior to and including the fracture
event are extracted and deformations are estimated between successive frames in
carefully sized interrogation windows over a specified region of interest. These
deformations are then used to compute surface strain temporally during the
fracture test. The strain data is very useful for identifying fracture initiation
within the femur, and for eventual validation of proximal femur fracture strength
models derived from Quantitative Computed Tomography-based Finite Element
Analysis (QCT/FEA).
PMID- 28994796
TI - The Knob Supination Task: A Semi-automated Method for Assessing Forelimb Function
in Rats.
AB - Tasks that accurately measure dexterity in animal models are critical to
understand hand function. Current rat behavioral tasks that measure dexterity
largely use video analysis of reaching or food manipulation. While these tasks
are easy to implement and are robust across disease models, they are subjective
and laborious for the experimenter. Automating traditional tasks or creating new
automated tasks can make the tasks more efficient, objective, and quantitative.
Since rats are less dexterous than primates, central nervous system (CNS) injury
produces more subtle deficits in dexterity, however, supination is highly
affected in rodents and crucial to hand function in primates. Therefore, we
designed a semi-automated task that measures forelimb supination in rats. Rats
are trained to reach and grasp a knob-shaped manipulandum and turn the
manipulandum in supination to receive a reward. Rats can acquire the skill within
20 +/- 5 days. While the early part of training is highly supervised, much of the
training is done without direct supervision. The task reliably and reproducibly
captures subtle deficits after injury and shows functional recovery that
accurately reflects clinical recovery curves. Analysis of data is performed by
specialized software through a graphical user interface that is designed to be
intuitive. We also give solutions to common problems encountered during training,
and show that minor corrections to behavior early in training produce reliable
acquisition of supination. Thus, the knob supination task provides efficient and
quantitative evaluation of a critical movement for dexterity in rats.
PMID- 28994797
TI - Sequential Salt Extractions for the Analysis of Bulk Chromatin Binding Properties
of Chromatin Modifying Complexes.
AB - Elucidation of the binding properties of chromatin-targeting proteins can be very
challenging due to the complex nature of chromatin and the heterogeneous nature
of most mammalian chromatin-modifying complexes. In order to overcome these
hurdles, we have adapted a sequential salt extraction (SSE) assay for evaluating
the relative binding affinities of chromatin-bound complexes. This easy and
straightforward assay can be used by non-experts to evaluate the relative
difference in binding affinity of two related complexes, the changes in affinity
of a complex when a subunit is lost or an individual domain is inactivated, and
the change in binding affinity after alterations to the chromatin landscape. By
sequentially re-suspending bulk chromatin in increasing amounts of salt, we are
able to profile the elution of a particular protein from chromatin. Using these
profiles, we are able to determine how alterations in a chromatin-modifying
complex or alterations to the chromatin environment affect binding interactions.
Coupling SSE with other in vitro and in vivo assays, we can determine the roles
of individual domains and proteins on the functionality of a complex in a variety
of chromatin environments.
PMID- 28994798
TI - Large Volume, Behaviorally-relevant Illumination for Optogenetics in Non-human
Primates.
AB - This protocol describes a large-volume illuminator, which was developed for
optogenetic manipulations in the non-human primate brain. The illuminator is a
modified plastic optical fiber with etched tip, such that the light emitting
surface area is > 100x that of a conventional fiber. In addition to describing
the construction of the large-volume illuminator, this protocol details the
quality-control calibration used to ensure even light distribution. Further, this
protocol describes techniques for inserting and removing the large volume
illuminator. Both superficial and deep structures may be illuminated. This large
volume illuminator does not need to be physically coupled to an electrode, and
because the illuminator is made of plastic, not glass, it will simply bend in
circumstances when traditional optical fibers would shatter. Because this
illuminator delivers light over behaviorally-relevant tissue volumes (~ 10 mm3)
with no greater penetration damage than a conventional optical fiber, it
facilitates behavioral studies using optogenetics in non-human primates.
PMID- 28994799
TI - The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In
Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody
Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analysis and Imaging.
AB - Multicellular tubes, fundamental units of all internal organs, are composed of
polarized epithelial or endothelial cells, with apical membranes lining the lumen
and basolateral membranes contacting each other and/or the extracellular matrix.
How this distinctive membrane asymmetry is established and maintained during
organ morphogenesis is still an unresolved question of cell biology. This
protocol describes the C. elegans intestine as a model for the analysis of
polarized membrane biogenesis during tube morphogenesis, with emphasis on apical
membrane and lumen biogenesis. The C. elegans twenty-cell single-layered
intestinal epithelium is arranged into a simple bilaterally symmetrical tube,
permitting analysis on a single-cell level. Membrane polarization occurs
concomitantly with polarized cell division and migration during early
embryogenesis, but de novo polarized membrane biogenesis continues throughout
larval growth, when cells no longer proliferate and move. The latter setting
allows one to separate subcellular changes that simultaneously mediate these
different polarizing processes, difficult to distinguish in most polarity models.
Apical-, basolateral membrane-, junctional-, cytoskeletal- and endomembrane
components can be labeled and tracked throughout development by GFP fusion
proteins, or assessed by in situ antibody staining. Together with the organism's
genetic versatility, the C. elegans intestine thus provides a unique in vivo
model for the visual, developmental, and molecular genetic analysis of polarized
membrane and tube biogenesis. The specific methods (all standard) described here
include how to: label intestinal subcellular components by antibody staining;
analyze genes involved in polarized membrane biogenesis by loss-of-function
studies adapted to the typically essential tubulogenesis genes; assess polarity
defects during different developmental stages; interpret phenotypes by
epifluorescence, differential interference contrast (DIC) and confocal
microscopy; quantify visual defects. This protocol can be adapted to analyze any
of the often highly conserved molecules involved in epithelial polarity, membrane
biogenesis, tube and lumen morphogenesis.
PMID- 28994800
TI - Fabrication and Validation of an Organ-on-chip System with Integrated Electrodes
to Directly Quantify Transendothelial Electrical Resistance.
AB - Organs-on-chips, in vitro models involving the culture of (human) tissues inside
microfluidic devices, are rapidly emerging and promise to provide useful research
tools for studying human health and disease. To characterize the barrier function
of cell layers cultured inside organ-on-chip devices, often transendothelial or
transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) is measured. To this end, electrodes
are usually integrated into the chip by micromachining methods to provide more
stable measurements than is achieved with manual insertion of electrodes into the
inlets of the chip. However, these electrodes frequently hamper visual inspection
of the studied cell layer or require expensive cleanroom processes for
fabrication. To overcome these limitations, the device described here contains
four easily integrated electrodes that are placed and fixed outside of the
culture area, making visual inspection possible. Using these four electrodes the
resistance of six measurement paths can be quantified, from which the TEER can be
directly isolated, independent of the resistance of culture medium-filled
microchannels. The blood-brain barrier was replicated in this device and its TEER
was monitored to show the device applicability. This chip, the integrated
electrodes and the TEER determination method are generally applicable in organs
on-chips, both to mimic other organs or to be incorporated into existing organ-on
chip systems.
PMID- 28994802
TI - Use of a Rat Model to Study Ventral Abdominal Hernia Repair.
AB - Ventral abdominal hernia is a relatively common clinical condition that sometimes
requires herniorraphy (surgical repair). The repair of ventral abdominal hernia
typically requires implantation of a material to serve as a mechanical bridge
across the defect in the abdominal wall. Biomaterials, such as porcine small
intestinal submucosa (SIS), also serve as a lattice for cell growth into the
implant and can naturally incorporate into the host tissue. Development of such
repair materials benefits from use of animal models in which experimental
abdominal wall defects are easily created and are amenable to repair in a
reproducible fashion. The method offered here describes surgical creation and
repair of ventral abdominal hernia in a rat model. When SIS is used to repair an
experimental ventral abdominal hernia in this model, it is rapidly incorporated
into host tissue within 28 days of implantation. Histologically, incorporation of
their implanted material into host tissue is characterized by a robust
fibrovascular response. Future refinements and applications of the rat abdominal
hernia model may likely involve diabetic and/or obese animals as a means to more
closely mimic common co-morbidities of man.
PMID- 28994801
TI - Sequence-specific and Selective Recognition of Double-stranded RNAs over Single
stranded RNAs by Chemically Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids.
AB - RNAs are emerging as important biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Thus, there is
great potential in developing chemical probes and therapeutic ligands for the
recognition of RNA sequence and structure. Chemically modified Peptide Nucleic
Acid (PNA) oligomers have been recently developed that can recognize RNA duplexes
in a sequence-specific manner. PNAs are chemically stable with a neutral peptide
like backbone. PNAs can be synthesized relatively easily by the manual Boc
chemistry solid-phase peptide synthesis method. PNAs are purified by reverse
phase HPLC, followed by molecular weight characterization by matrix-assisted
laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF). Non-denaturing
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique facilitates the imaging of
the triplex formation, because carefully designed free RNA duplex constructs and
PNA bound triplexes often show different migration rates. Non-denaturing PAGE
with ethidium bromide post staining is often an easy and informative technique
for characterizing the binding affinities and specificities of PNA oligomers.
Typically, multiple RNA hairpins or duplexes with single base pair mutations can
be used to characterize PNA binding properties, such as binding affinities and
specificities. 2-Aminopurine is an isomer of adenine (6-aminopurine); the 2
aminopurine fluorescence intensity is sensitive to local structural environment
changes, and is suitable for the monitoring of triplex formation with the 2
aminopurine residue incorporated near the PNA binding site. 2-Aminopurine
fluorescence titration can also be used to confirm the binding selectivity of
modified PNAs towards targeted double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) over single-stranded
RNAs (ssRNAs). UV-absorbance-detected thermal melting experiments allow the
measurement of the thermal stability of PNA-RNA duplexes and PNA.RNA2 triplexes.
Here, we describe the synthesis and purification of PNA oligomers incorporating
modified residues, and describe biochemical and biophysical methods for
characterization of the recognition of RNA duplexes by the modified PNAs.
PMID- 28994803
TI - An Experimental Protocol for Assessing the Performance of New Ultrasound Probes
Based on CMUT Technology in Application to Brain Imaging.
AB - The possibility to perform an early and repeatable assessment of imaging
performance is fundamental in the design and development process of new
ultrasound (US) probes. Particularly, a more realistic analysis with application
specific imaging targets can be extremely valuable to assess the expected
performance of US probes in their potential clinical field of application. The
experimental protocol presented in this work was purposely designed to provide an
application-specific assessment procedure for newly-developed US probe prototypes
based on Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) technology in
relation to brain imaging. The protocol combines the use of a bovine brain fixed
in formalin as the imaging target, which ensures both realism and repeatability
of the described procedures, and of neuronavigation techniques borrowed from
neurosurgery. The US probe is in fact connected to a motion tracking system which
acquires position data and enables the superposition of US images to reference
Magnetic Resonance (MR) images of the brain. This provides a means for human
experts to perform a visual qualitative assessment of the US probe imaging
performance and to compare acquisitions made with different probes. Moreover, the
protocol relies on the use of a complete and open research and development system
for US image acquisition, i.e. the Ultrasound Advanced Open Platform (ULA-OP)
scanner. The manuscript describes in detail the instruments and procedures
involved in the protocol, in particular for the calibration, image acquisition
and registration of US and MR images. The obtained results prove the
effectiveness of the overall protocol presented, which is entirely open (within
the limits of the instrumentation involved), repeatable, and covers the entire
set of acquisition and processing activities for US images.
PMID- 28994804
TI - Biodegradable Magnesium Stent Treatment of Saccular Aneurysms in a Rat Model -
Introduction of the Surgical Technique.
AB - The steady progess in the armamentarium of techniques available for endovascular
treatment of intracranial aneurysms requires affordable and reproducable
experimental animal models to test novel embolization materials such as stents
and flow diverters. The aim of the present project was to design a safe, fast,
and standardized surgical technique for stent assisted embolization of saccular
aneurysms in a rat animal model. Saccular aneurysms were created from an arterial
graft from the descending aorta.The aneurysms were microsurgically transplanted
through end-to-side anastomosis to the infrarenal abdominal aorta of a syngenic
male Wistar rat weighing >500 g. Following aneurysm anastomosis, aneurysm
embolization was performed using balloon expandable magnesium stents (2.5 mm x 6
mm). The stent system was retrograde introduced from the lower abdominal aorta
using a modified Seldinger technique. Following a pilot series of 6 animals, a
total of 67 rats were operated according to established standard operating
procedures. Mean surgery time, mean anastomosis time, and mean suturing time of
the artery puncture site were 167 +/- 22 min, 26 +/- 6 min and 11 +/- 5 min,
respectively. The mortality rate was 6% (n=4). The morbidity rate was 7.5% (n=5),
and in-stent thrombosis was found in 4 cases (n=2 early, n=2 late in stent
thrombosis). The results demonstrate the feasibility of standardized stent
occlusion of saccular sidewall aneurysms in rats - with low rates of morbidity
and mortality. This stent embolization procedure combines the opportunity to
study novel concepts of stent or flow diverter based devices as well as the
molecular aspects of healing.
PMID- 28994805
TI - Bouncing Ball with a Uniformly Varying Velocity in a Metronome Synchronization
Task.
AB - Sensorimotor synchronization (SMS), a fundamental human ability to coordinate
movements with external rhythms, has long been thought to be modality specific.
In the canonical metronome synchronization task that requires tapping a finger
along with an isochronous sequence, a well-established finding is that
synchronization is much more stable to an auditory sequence consisting of
auditory tones than to a visual sequence consisting of visual flashes. However,
recent studies have shown that periodically moving visual stimuli can
substantially improve synchronization compared with visual flashes. In
particular, synchronization of a visual bouncing ball that has a uniformly
varying velocity was found to be not less stable than synchronization of auditory
tones. Here, the current protocol describes the application of the bouncing ball
with a uniformly varying velocity in a metronome synchronization task. The usage
of the bouncing ball in sequences with different inter-onset intervals (IOI) is
included. The representative results illustrate synchronization performance of
the bouncing ball, as compared with the performances of auditory tones and visual
flashes. Given its comparable synchronization performance to that of auditory
tones, the bouncing ball is of particular importance for addressing the current
research topic of whether modality-specific mechanisms underlay SMS.
PMID- 28994806
TI - Solubility of Hydrophobic Compounds in Aqueous Solution Using Combinations of
Self-assembling Peptide and Amino Acid.
AB - Self-assembling peptides (SAPs) are promising vehicles for the delivery of
hydrophobic therapeutics for clinical applications; their amphipathic properties
allow them to dissolve hydrophobic compounds in the aqueous environment of the
human body. However, self-assembling peptide solutions have poor blood
compatibility (e.g., low osmolarity), hindering their clinical application
through intravenous administrations. We have recently developed a generalized
platform for hydrophobic drug delivery, which combines SAPs with amino acid
solutions (SAP-AA) to enhance drug solubility and increase formulation osmolarity
to reach the requirements for clinical uses. This formulation strategy was
thoroughly tested in the context of three structurally different hydrophobic
compounds - PP2, rottlerin, and curcumin - in order to demonstrate its
versatility. Furthermore, we examined effects of changing formulation components
by analyzing 6 different SAPs, 20 naturally existing amino acids at low and high
concentrations, and two different co-solvents dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and
ethanol. Our strategy proved to be effective in optimizing components for a given
hydrophobic drug, and therapeutic function of the formulated inhibitor, PP2, was
observed both in vitro and in vivo. This manuscript outlines our generalized
formulation method using SAP-AA combinations for hydrophobic compounds, and
analysis of solubility as a first step towards potential use of these
formulations in more functional studies. We include representative solubility
results for formulation of the hydrophobic compound, curcumin, and discuss how
our methodology serves as a platform for future biological studies and disease
models.
PMID- 28994807
TI - Dry Film Photoresist-based Electrochemical Microfluidic Biosensor Platform:
Device Fabrication, On-chip Assay Preparation, and System Operation.
AB - In recent years, biomarker diagnostics became an indispensable tool for the
diagnosis of human disease, especially for the point-of-care diagnostics. An easy
to-use and low-cost sensor platform is highly desired to measure various types of
analytes (e.g., biomarkers, hormones, and drugs) quantitatively and specifically.
For this reason, dry film photoresist technology - enabling cheap, facile, and
high-throughput fabrication - was used to manufacture the microfluidic biosensor
presented here. Depending on the bioassay used afterwards, the versatile platform
is capable of detecting various types of biomolecules. For the fabrication of the
device, platinum electrodes are structured on a flexible polyimide (PI) foil in
the only clean-room process step. The PI foil serves as a substrate for the
electrodes, which are insulated with an epoxy-based photoresist. The microfluidic
channel is subsequently generated by the development and lamination of dry film
photoresist (DFR) foils onto the PI wafer. By using a hydrophobic stopping
barrier in the channel, the channel is separated into two specific areas: an
immobilization section for the enzyme-linked assay and an electrochemical
measurement cell for the amperometric signal readout. The on-chip bioassay
immobilization is performed by the adsorption of the biomolecules to the channel
surface. The glucose oxidase enzyme is used as a transducer for electrochemical
signal generation. In the presence of the substrate, glucose, hydrogen peroxide
is produced, which is detected at the platinum working electrode. The stop-flow
technique is applied to obtain signal amplification along with rapid detection.
Different biomolecules can quantitatively be measured by means of the introduced
microfluidic system, giving an indication of different types of diseases, or, in
regard to therapeutic drug monitoring, facilitating a personalized therapy.
PMID- 28994808
TI - Study of Siphon Breaker Experiment and Simulation for a Research Reactor.
AB - Under the design conditions of a research reactor, the siphon phenomenon induced
by pipe rupture can cause continuous outward flow of water. To prevent this
outflow, a control device is required. A siphon breaker is a type of safety
device that can be utilized to control the loss of coolant water effectively. To
analyze the characteristics of siphon breaking, a real-scale experiment was
conducted. From the results of the experiment, it was found that there are
several design factors that affect the siphon breaking phenomenon. Therefore,
there is a need to develop a theoretical model capable of predicting and
analyzing the siphon breaking phenomenon under various design conditions. Using
the experimental data, it was possible to formulate a theoretical model that
accurately predicts the progress and the result of the siphon breaking
phenomenon. The established theoretical model is based on fluid mechanics and
incorporates the Chisholm model to analyze two-phase flow. From Bernoulli's
equation, the velocity, quantity, undershooting height, water level, pressure,
friction coefficient, and factors related to the two-phase flow could be obtained
or calculated. Moreover, to utilize the model established in this study, a siphon
breaker analysis and design program was developed. The simulation program
operates on the theoretical model basis and returns the result as a graph. The
user can confirm the possibility of the siphon breaking by checking the shape of
the graph. Furthermore, saving the entire simulation result is possible and it
can be used as a resource for analyzing the real siphon breaking system. In
conclusion, the user can confirm the status of the siphon breaking and design the
siphon breaker system using the program developed in this study.
PMID- 28994809
TI - Sample Preparation for Mass Spectrometry-based Identification of RNA-binding
Regions.
AB - Noncoding RNAs play important roles in several nuclear processes, including
regulating gene expression, chromatin structure, and DNA repair. In most cases,
the action of noncoding RNAs is mediated by proteins whose functions are in turn
regulated by these interactions with noncoding RNAs. Consistent with this, a
growing number of proteins involved in nuclear functions have been reported to
bind RNA and in a few cases the RNA-binding regions of these proteins have been
mapped, often through laborious, candidate-based methods. Here, we report a
detailed protocol to perform a high-throughput, proteome-wide unbiased
identification of RNA-binding proteins and their RNA-binding regions. The
methodology relies on the incorporation of a photoreactive uridine analog in the
cellular RNA, followed by UV-mediated protein-RNA crosslinking, and mass
spectrometry analyses to reveal RNA-crosslinked peptides within the proteome.
Although we describe the procedure for mouse embryonic stem cells, the protocol
should be easily adapted to a variety of cultured cells.
PMID- 28994810
TI - Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell
Culture.
AB - The protocol presents a facile, efficient, and versatile method to prepare
chitosan-based hydrogels using dynamic imine chemistry. The hydrogel is prepared
by mixing solutions of glycol chitosan with a synthesized benzaldehyde terminated
polymer gelator, and hydrogels are efficiently obtained in several minutes at
room temperature. By varying ratios between glycol chitosan, polymer gelator, and
water contents, versatile hydrogels with different gelation times and stiffness
are obtained. When damaged, the hydrogel can recover its appearances and modulus,
due to the reversibility of the dynamic imine bonds as crosslinkages. This self
healable property enables the hydrogel to be injectable since it can be self
healed from squeezed pieces to an integral bulk hydrogel after the injection
process. The hydrogel is also multi-responsive to many bio-active stimuli due to
different equilibration statuses of the dynamic imine bonds. This hydrogel was
confirmed as bio-compatible, and L929 mouse fibroblast cells were embedded
following standard procedures and the cell proliferation was easily assessed by a
3D cell cultivation process. The hydrogel can offer an adjustable platform for
different research where a physiological mimic of a 3D environment for cells is
profited. Along with its multi-responsive, self-healable, and injectable
properties, the hydrogels can potentially be applied as multiple carriers for
drugs and cells in future bio-medical applications.
PMID- 28994811
TI - Precise, High-throughput Analysis of Bacterial Growth.
AB - Bacterial growth is a central concept in the development of modern microbial
physiology, as well as in the investigation of cellular dynamics at the systems
level. Recent studies have reported correlations between bacterial growth and
genome-wide events, such as genome reduction and transcriptome reorganization.
Correctly analyzing bacterial growth is crucial for understanding the growth
dependent coordination of gene functions and cellular components. Accordingly,
the precise quantitative evaluation of bacterial growth in a high-throughput
manner is required. Emerging technological developments offer new experimental
tools that allow updates of the methods used for studying bacterial growth. The
protocol introduced here employs a microplate reader with a highly optimized
experimental procedure for the reproducible and precise evaluation of bacterial
growth. This protocol was used to evaluate the growth of several previously
described Escherichia coli strains. The main steps of the protocol are as
follows: the preparation of a large number of cell stocks in small vials for
repeated tests with reproducible results, the use of 96-well plates for high
throughput growth evaluation, and the manual calculation of two major parameters
(i.e., maximal growth rate and population density) representing the growth
dynamics. In comparison to the traditional colony-forming unit (CFU) assay, which
counts the cells that are cultured in glass tubes over time on agar plates, the
present method is more efficient and provides more detailed temporal records of
growth changes, but has a stricter detection limit at low population densities.
In summary, the described method is advantageous for the precise and reproducible
high-throughput analysis of bacterial growth, which can be used to draw
conceptual conclusions or to make theoretical observations.
PMID- 28994812
TI - The C. elegans Excretory Canal as a Model for Intracellular Lumen Morphogenesis
and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis in a Single Cell: labeling by GFP
fusions, RNAi Interaction Screen and Imaging.
AB - The four C. elegans excretory canals are narrow tubes extended through the length
of the animal from a single cell, with almost equally far extended intracellular
endotubes that build and stabilize the lumen with a membrane and submembraneous
cytoskeleton of apical character. The excretory cell expands its length
approximately 2,000 times to generate these canals, making this model unique for
the in vivo assessment of de novo polarized membrane biogenesis, intracellular
lumen morphogenesis and unicellular tubulogenesis. The protocol presented here
shows how to combine standard labeling, gain- and loss-of-function genetic or RNA
interference (RNAi)-, and microscopic approaches to use this model to visually
dissect and functionally analyze these processes on a molecular level. As an
example of a labeling approach, the protocol outlines the generation of
transgenic animals with fluorescent fusion proteins for live analysis of
tubulogenesis. As an example of a genetic approach, it highlights key points of a
visual RNAi-based interaction screen designed to modify a gain-of-function cystic
canal phenotype. The specific methods described are how to: label and visualize
the canals by expressing fluorescent proteins; construct a targeted RNAi library
and strategize RNAi screening for the molecular analysis of canal morphogenesis;
visually assess modifications of canal phenotypes; score them by dissecting
fluorescence microscopy; characterize subcellular canal components at higher
resolution by confocal microscopy; and quantify visual parameters. The approach
is useful for the investigator who is interested in taking advantage of the C.
elegans excretory canal for identifying and characterizing genes involved in the
phylogenetically conserved processes of intracellular lumen and unicellular tube
morphogenesis.
PMID- 28994813
TI - A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated
with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta.
AB - Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal
outcomes that are likely mediated by compromised placental function that can be
attributed to, in part, the dysregulation of autophagy. Aberrant changes in the
expression of autophagy regulators in the placentas from obese pregnancies may be
regulated by inflammatory processes associated with both obesity and pregnancy.
Described here is a protocol for sampling of villous tissue and isolation of
villous cytotrophoblasts from the term human placenta for primary cell culture.
This is followed by a method for simulating the inflammatory milieu in the obese
intrauterine environment by treating primary trophoblasts from lean pregnancies
with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), a proinflammatory cytokine that is
elevated in obesity and in pregnancy. Through the implementation of the protocol
described here, it is found that exposure to exogenous TNFalpha regulates the
expression of Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy, in trophoblasts from
lean pregnancies with female fetuses. While a variety of biological factors in
the obese intrauterine environment maintain the potential to modulate critical
pathways in trophoblasts, this ex vivo system is especially useful for
determining if expression patterns observed in vivo in human placentas with
maternal obesity are a direct result of TNFalpha signaling. Ultimately, this
approach affords the opportunity to parse out the regulatory and molecular
implications of inflammation associated with maternal obesity on autophagy and
other critical cellular pathways in trophoblasts that have the potential to
impact placental function.
PMID- 28994814
TI - Real-time Quaking-induced Conversion Assay for Detection of CWD Prions in Fecal
Material.
AB - The RT-QuIC technique is a sensitive in vitro cell-free prion amplification assay
based mainly on the seeded misfolding and aggregation of recombinant prion
protein (PrP) substrate using prion seeds as a template for the conversion. RT
QuIC is a novel high-throughput technique which is analogous to real-time
polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Detection of amyloid fibril growth is based on
the dye Thioflavin T, which fluoresces upon specific interaction with ?-sheet
rich proteins. Thus, amyloid formation can be detected in real time. We attempted
to develop a reliable non-invasive screening test to detect chronic wasting
disease (CWD) prions in fecal extract. Here, we have specifically adapted the RT
QuIC technique to reveal PrPSc seeding activity in feces of CWD infected cervids.
Initially, the seeding activity of the fecal extracts we prepared was relatively
low in RT-QuIC, possibly due to potential assay inhibitors in the fecal material.
To improve seeding activity of feces extracts and remove potential assay
inhibitors, we homogenized the fecal samples in a buffer containing detergents
and protease inhibitors. We also submitted the samples to different methodologies
to concentrate PrPSc on the basis of protein precipitation using sodium
phosphotungstic acid, and centrifugal force. Finally, the feces extracts were
tested by optimized RT-QuIC which included substrate replacement in the protocol
to improve the sensitivity of detection. Thus, we established a protocol for
sensitive detection of CWD prion seeding activity in feces of pre-clinical and
clinical cervids by RT-QuIC, which can be a practical tool for non-invasive CWD
diagnosis.
PMID- 28994815
TI - In Vitro Characterization of the Electrophysiological Properties of Colonic
Afferent Fibers in Rats.
AB - Dysfunction of the colonic sensory nerves has been implicated in the
pathophysiology of several common conditions, including functional and
inflammatory bowel diseases and diabetes. Here, we describe a protocol for the in
vitro characterization of the electrophysiological properties of colonic
afferents in rats. The colorectum, with the intact pelvic ganglion (PG) attached,
is removed from the rat; superfused with carbogenated Krebs solution in the
recording chamber; and cannulated at the oral and anal ends to allow for
distension. A fine nerve bundle emanating from the PG is identified, and the
multiunit afferent nerve activity is recorded using a suction electrode.
Distension of the colonic segment elicits gradual increases in multiunit
discharge. A principal component analysis is conducted to differentiate the low
threshold, the high-threshold, and the wide-dynamic range afferent fibers.
Chemical sensitivity of colonic afferents can be studied through the bath or
intraluminal administration of test compounds. This protocol can be modified for
application to other species, such as mice and guinea pigs, and to study the
differences in the electrophysiological properties of thoracolumbar/hypogastric
and lumbosacral/pelvic afferents of the descending colon in normal and
pathological conditions.
PMID- 28994816
TI - The Aortic Ring Co-culture Assay: A Convenient Tool to Assess the Angiogenic
Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells In Vitro.
AB - Angiogenesis is a complex, highly regulated process responsible for providing and
maintaining adequate tissue perfusion. Insufficient vasculature maintenance and
pathological malformations can result in severe ischemic diseases, while overly
abundant vascular development is associated with cancer and inflammatory
disorders. A promising form of pro-angiogenic therapy is the use of angiogenic
cell sources, which can provide regulatory factors as well as physical support
for newly developing vasculature. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) are
extensively investigated candidates for vascular regeneration due to their
paracrine effects and their ability to detect and home to ischemic or inflamed
tissues. In particular, first trimester human umbilical cord perivascular cells
(FTM HUCPVCs) are a highly promising candidate due to their pericyte-like
properties, high proliferative and multilineage potential, immune-privileged
properties, and robust paracrine profile. To effectively evaluate potentially
angiogenic regenerative cells, it is a requisite to test them in reliable and
"translatable" pre-clinical assays. The aortic ring assay is an ex vivo
angiogenesis model that allows for easy quantification of tubular endothelial
structures, provides accessory supportive cells and extracellular matrix (ECM)
from the host, excludes inflammatory components, and is fast and inexpensive to
set up. This is advantageous when compared to in vivo models (e.g., corneal
assay, Matrigel plug assay); the aortic ring assay can track the administered
cells and observe intercellular interactions while avoiding xeno-immune
rejection. We present a protocol for a novel application of the aortic ring
assay, which includes human MSCs in co-cultures with developing rat aortic
endothelial networks. This assay allows for the analysis of the MSC contribution
to tube formation and development through physical pericyte-like interactions and
of their potency for actively migrating to sites of angiogenesis, and for
evaluating their ability to perform and mediate ECM processing. This protocol
provides further information on changes in MSC phenotype and gene expression
following co-culture.
PMID- 28994817
TI - A Simple, Robust, and High Throughput Single Molecule Flow Stretching Assay
Implementation for Studying Transport of Molecules Along DNA.
AB - We describe a simple, robust and high throughput single molecule flow-stretching
assay for studying 1D diffusion of molecules along DNA. In this assay, glass
coverslips are functionalized in a one-step reaction with silane-PEG-biotin. Flow
cells are constructed by sandwiching an adhesive tape with pre-cut channels
between a functionalized coverslip and a PDMS slab containing inlet and outlet
holes. Multiple channels are integrated into one flow cell and the flow of
reagents into each channel can be fully automated, which significantly increases
the assay throughput and reduces hands-on time per assay. Inside each channel,
biotin-lambda-DNAs are immobilized on the surface and a laminar flow is applied
to flow-stretch the DNAs. The DNA molecules are stretched to >80% of their
contour length and serve as spatially extended templates for studying the binding
and transport activity of fluorescently labeled molecules. The trajectories of
single molecules are tracked by time-lapse Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence
(TIRF) imaging. Raw images are analyzed using streamlined custom single particle
tracking software to automatically identify trajectories of single molecules
diffusing along DNA and estimate their 1D diffusion constants.
PMID- 28994818
TI - Live-cell Measurement of Odorant Receptor Activation Using a Real-time cAMP
Assay.
AB - The enormous sizes of the mammalian odorant receptor (OR) families present
difficulties to find their cognate ligands among numerous volatile chemicals. To
efficiently and accurately deorphanize ORs, we combine the use of a heterologous
cell line to express mammalian ORs and a genetically modified biosensor plasmid
to measure cAMP production downstream of OR activation in real time. This assay
can be used to screen odorants against ORs and vice versa. Positive odorant
receptor interactions from the screens can be subsequently confirmed by testing
against various odor concentrations, generating concentration-response curves.
Here we used this method to perform a high-throughput screening of an odorous
compound against a human OR library expressed in Hana3A cells and confirmed that
the positively-responding receptor is the cognate receptor for the compound of
interest. We found this high-throughput detection method to be efficient and
reliable in assessing OR activation and our data provide an example of its
potential use in OR functional studies.
PMID- 28994819
TI - Building a locally diploid genome and transcriptome of the diatom Fragilariopsis
cylindrus.
AB - The genome of the cold-adapted diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus is characterized
by highly diverged haplotypes that intersperse its homozygous genome. Here, we
describe how a combination of PacBio DNA and Illumina RNA sequencing can be used
to resolve this complex genomic landscape locally into the highly diverged
haplotypes, and how to map various environmentally controlled transcripts onto
individual haplotypes. We assembled PacBio sequence data with the FALCON
assembler and created a haplotype resolved annotation of the assembly using
annotations of a Sanger sequenced F. cylindrus genome. RNA-seq datasets from six
different growth conditions were used to resolve allele-specifc gene expression
in F. cylindrus. This approach enables to study differential expression of
alleles in a complex genomic landscape and provides a useful tool to study how
diverged haplotypes in diploid organisms are used for adaptation and evolution to
highly variable environments.
PMID- 28994821
TI - Chemical, microbial and antibiotic susceptibility analyses of groundwater after a
major flood event in Chennai.
AB - During floods, human exposure to pathogens through contaminated water leads to
the outbreak of epidemic diseases. This research presents the first extensive
assessment of surface and groundwater samples collected immediately after a flood
(December 2015) and post-flood (April 2016) from the Adyar River of Chennai, a
major city in India, for major ions, trace metals, bacterial population, and
pathogens. Severe rains in a short period of time resulted in flooding which
inundated the wells, allowing the entry of sewage contaminated river water into
the groundwater zone. This has led to bacterial counts and chemical ions
exceeding Bureau of Indian Standard's recommended limits in most flood affected
areas. Pathogens isolated from the groundwater showed resistance to antibiotics,
namely ceftriaxone, doxycycline and nalidixic acid. However, they were sensitive
to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and tetracycline. Determining the
antibiotic susceptibility of pathogens will help in the treatment of humans
affected by contaminated water through an appropriate selection of prescribed
medication.
PMID- 28994823
TI - A multilayer network dataset of interaction and influence spreading in a virtual
world.
AB - Presented data contains the record of five spreading campaigns that occurred in a
virtual world platform. Users distributed avatars between each other during the
campaigns. The processes varied in time and range and were either incentivized or
not incentivized. Campaign data is accompanied by events. The data can be used to
build a multilayer network to place the campaigns in a wider context. To the best
of the authors' knowledge, the study is the first publicly available dataset
containing a complete real multilayer social network together, along with five
complete spreading processes in it.
PMID- 28994822
TI - Whole genome DNA methylation sequencing of the chicken retina, cornea and brain.
AB - Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) analysis of DNA methylation uses
massively parallel next generation sequencing technology to characterize global
epigenetic patterns and fluctuations throughout a range of tissue samples.
Development of the vertebrate retina is thought to involve extensive epigenetic
reprogramming during embryogenesis. The chicken embryo (Gallus gallus) is a
classic model system for studying developmental biology and retinogenesis,
however, there are currently no publicly available data sets describing the
developing chicken retinal methylome. Here we used Illumina WGBS analysis to
characterize genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation in the developing chicken
retina as well as cornea and brain in an effort to further our understanding of
retina-specific epigenetic regulation. These data will be valuable to the vision
research community for correlating global changes in DNA methylation to
differential gene expression between ocular and neural tissues during critical
developmental time points of retinogenesis in the chicken retina.
PMID- 28994820
TI - Sexual dimorphism of AMBRA1-related autistic features in human and mouse.
AB - Ambra1 is linked to autophagy and neurodevelopment. Heterozygous Ambra1
deficiency induces autism-like behavior in a sexually dimorphic manner.
Extraordinarily, autistic features are seen in female mice only, combined with
stronger Ambra1 protein reduction in brain compared to males. However,
significance of AMBRA1 for autistic phenotypes in humans and, apart from
behavior, for other autism-typical features, namely early brain enlargement or
increased seizure propensity, has remained unexplored. Here we show in two
independent human samples that a single normal AMBRA1 genotype, the intronic SNP
rs3802890-AA, is associated with autistic features in women, who also display
lower AMBRA1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells relative to
female GG carriers. Located within a non-coding RNA, likely relevant for mRNA and
protein interaction, rs3802890 (A versus G allele) may affect its stability
through modification of folding, as predicted by in silico analysis. Searching
for further autism-relevant characteristics in Ambra1+/- mice, we observe reduced
interest of female but not male mutants regarding pheromone signals of the
respective other gender in the social intellicage set-up. Moreover, altered
pentylentetrazol-induced seizure propensity, an in vivo readout of neuronal
excitation-inhibition dysbalance, becomes obvious exclusively in female mutants.
Magnetic resonance imaging reveals mild prepubertal brain enlargement in both
genders, uncoupling enhanced brain dimensions from the primarily female
expression of all other autistic phenotypes investigated here. These data support
a role of AMBRA1/Ambra1 partial loss-of-function genotypes for female autistic
traits. Moreover, they suggest Ambra1 heterozygous mice as a novel multifaceted
and construct-valid genetic mouse model for female autism.
PMID- 28994826
TI - Kidney cancer: Combination of HDAC inhibitor with IL-2 promising.
PMID- 28994824
TI - Single cell genomics of uncultured marine alveolates shows paraphyly of basal
dinoflagellates.
AB - Marine alveolates (MALVs) are diverse and widespread early-branching
dinoflagellates, but most knowledge of the group comes from a few cultured
species that are generally not abundant in natural samples, or from diversity
analyses of PCR-based environmental SSU rRNA gene sequences. To more broadly
examine MALV genomes, we generated single cell genome sequences from seven
individually isolated cells. Genes expected of heterotrophic eukaryotes were
found, with interesting exceptions like presence of proteorhodopsin and vacuolar
H+-pyrophosphatase. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated SSU and LSU rRNA gene
sequences provided strong support for the paraphyly of MALV lineages.
Dinoflagellate viral nucleoproteins were found only in MALV groups that branched
as sister to dinokaryotes. Our findings indicate that multiple independent
origins of several characteristics early in dinoflagellate evolution, such as a
parasitic life style, underlie the environmental diversity of MALVs, and suggest
they have more varied trophic modes than previously thought.
PMID- 28994827
TI - Bladder cancer: Mastering the immune microenvironment.
PMID- 28994825
TI - Clustergrammer, a web-based heatmap visualization and analysis tool for high
dimensional biological data.
AB - Most tools developed to visualize hierarchically clustered heatmaps generate
static images. Clustergrammer is a web-based visualization tool with interactive
features such as: zooming, panning, filtering, reordering, sharing, performing
enrichment analysis, and providing dynamic gene annotations. Clustergrammer can
be used to generate shareable interactive visualizations by uploading a data
table to a web-site, or by embedding Clustergrammer in Jupyter Notebooks. The
Clustergrammer core libraries can also be used as a toolkit by developers to
generate visualizations within their own applications. Clustergrammer is
demonstrated using gene expression data from the cancer cell line encyclopedia
(CCLE), original post-translational modification data collected from lung cancer
cells lines by a mass spectrometry approach, and original cytometry by time of
flight (CyTOF) single-cell proteomics data from blood. Clustergrammer enables
producing interactive web based visualizations for the analysis of diverse
biological data.
PMID- 28994828
TI - Prostate cancer: Potential biomarkers of aggressive disease.
PMID- 28994829
TI - Bladder cancer: Benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in UTUC unclear.
PMID- 28994830
TI - Surgery: Enhanced recovery after cystectomy: cocktails, culture, or consistency?
PMID- 28994831
TI - Bladder cancer: Combination therapy effective in advanced disease.
PMID- 28994832
TI - Carotid endarterectomy for treatment of carotid in-stent restenosis: long-term
follow-up results and surgery experiences from one single centre.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Few studies have reported the surgical treatment of carotid in-stent
restenosis (ISR), more data and longer follow-up are needed. We describe the
surgical treatment of ISR by standard carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with stent
removal, including long-term follow-up in 10 patients from our centre. METHODS:
Ten patients from our centre who underwent CEA with stent removal for ISR were
retrospectively analysed, including nine symptomatic and one asymptomatic ISR of
at least 70% with mean age 67.3, the median time between carotid artery stenting
and CEA was 17 months (range, 2-54 months). RESULTS: Standard CEA with stent
removal was performed in all 10 patients without much technical difficulty (9
male and 1 female, mean age 67.3). Two cases were performed in hybrid operation
room. There were a total of three complications that happened in three patients
(30%) respectively. An asymptomatic dissecting aneurysm was formed on the petrous
internal carotid artery in one patient who was followed up without intervention.
In the second case, dissection occurred in the arterial wall distal to the site
of the stent after stent removal revealed by intraoperative angiography, and
another stent was implanted. The patient sustained temporary hypoglossal nerve
dysfunction postoperatively. The third patient suffered cerebral hyperperfusion
with complete recovery when discharged. No neurological complications occurred in
other seven patients. After follow-up of 25 months (range, 11-54 months), one
patient died of rectal cancer without ischaemic attack and restenosis 4 years
postoperation; in one patient occurred recurrent symptomatic restenosis (90%) 1
year later; all other patients remained asymptomatic and without recurrent
restenosis (>50%) by follow-up carotid ultrasound or CT angiography. CONCLUSION:
It seems that CEA with stent removal is a reasonable choice, by experienced hand,
for symptomatic ISR with higher but acceptable complications. The indication of
stent removal for asymptomatic ISR needs further observation.
PMID- 28994834
TI - Insights into the mechanism of ethanol synthesis and ethyl acetate inhibition
from acetic acid hydrogenation over Cu2In(100): a DFT study.
AB - Developing low-cost and high-efficiency non-noble metal catalysts is beneficial
for industrially massive synthesis of ethanol from acetic acid, which can be
obtained from renewable biomass. Understanding the detailed mechanism of the
reaction from a molecular level provides insights that can be used to tailor
catalysts to improve their performance. In this study, alternative mechanisms for
ethanol synthesis from acetic acid hydrogenation over Cu2In(100) have been
investigated using periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The
pathway of CH3COOH -> CH3COO -> CH3CHOO -> CH3CHO -> CH3CH2O -> CH3CH2OH was
found to be most favorable. The high activation barriers for CH3COO hydrogenation
to CH3CHOO (1.33 eV) and CH3CH2O hydrogenation to CH3CH2OH (1.04 eV) indicate
that these two steps are the rate-limiting steps. In addition, the results also
show that there are probably two more active intermediate species of CH3CO and
CH3CH(OH)O besides CH3COO. Furthermore, the synergy and the role of copper and
indium in the Cu-In bimetallic catalyst were discussed. The adsorption strength
of copper will be improved by indium. Indium, however, has high chemical
inertness in Cu2In. They evenly divided the surface into small reaction areas
which could significantly inhibit ethyl acetate formation through the hindrance
effect.
PMID- 28994833
TI - The efficacy and safety of endovascular recanalization of occluded large cerebral
arteries during the subacute phase of cerebral infarction: a case series report.
AB - BACKGROUND: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator with or without mechanical
thrombectomy during the acute phase are approved therapies for ischaemic stroke.
Due to the short treatment time window (<6 hours) and often treatment failure,
these patients would still have an intracranial arterial occlusion (IAO). It is
unclear whether these patients can benefit from subsequent interventional
recanalizationof their occluded artery in the subacute phase. In this
retrospective study, we have examined the efficacy and safety in patients who
have received either percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or percutaneous
transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for IAO in the subacute phase of
their stroke. METHODS: Patients with subacute symptomatic ischaemic stroke caused
by IAO were assessed to identify the responsible artery and low perfusion areas
by CT angiography, MR angiography or digital subtraction angiography. In eligible
patients, a PTA or PTAS was performed to reopen the occluded artery. Regular
antithrombotic therapy, use of statins, control of risk factors and
rehabilitation therapy were prescribed after the procedure. All patients had
regular follow-up up to 12 months. RESULTS: PTA or PTAS was performed in 16
patients with cerebral infarction caused by IAO in the subacute phase. After the
procedure, 12 cases were recanalized, two were partially recanalized and two
failed to open. One patient with left C6 segment occlusion of the carotid artery
had a central retinal artery embolism after PTAS. The perioperative adverse
events were 6.25%. At 3 months, the distribution of modified Rankin scale scores
was 0 (seven cases), 1 (three cases), 2 (five cases) and 3 (one case).
CONCLUSION: Selective PTA or PTAS could be performed in ischaemic stroke patients
with a small infarct size and large area of hypoperfusion from an occluded large
cerebral artery after the acute phase. It may improve neurological dysfunction
and reduce the incidence of disability.
PMID- 28994835
TI - Attractive PHHP interactions revealed by state-of-the-art ab initio calculations.
AB - We report in this work a combined structural and state-of-the-art computational
study of homopolar P-HH-P intermolecular contacts. Database surveys have shown
the abundance of such surprisingly unexplored contacts, which are usually
accompanied by other weak interactions in the solid state. By means of a detailed
theoretical study utilizing SAPT(DFT), MP2, SCS-MP2, MP2C and CCSD(T) methods and
both aug-cc-pVXZ and aug-cc-pCVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5) basis sets as well as
extrapolation to the CBS limit, we have shown that P-HH-P contacts are indeed
attractive and considerably strong. SAPT(DFT) calculations have revealed the
dispersive nature of the P-HH-P interaction with only minor contribution of the
inductive term, whereas the first-order electrostatic term is clearly
overbalanced by the first-order exchange energy. In general the computed
interaction energies follow the trend: E ~ E < E < E. Our results have also shown
that the aug-cc-pVDZ (or aug-cc-pCVDZ) basis set is not yet well balanced and
that the second-order dispersion energy term is the slowest converging among all
SAPT(DFT) energy components. Compared to aug-cc-pVXZ basis sets, their core
correlation counterparts have a modest influence on all supermolecular
interaction energies and a negligible influence on both the SAPT(DFT) interaction
energy and its components.
PMID- 28994836
TI - Confined water dynamics in a hydrated photosynthetic pigment-protein complex.
AB - Water is of fundamental importance for life. It plays a critical role in all
biological systems. In phycocyanin, a pigment-protein complex, the hydration
level influences its absorption spectrum. However, there is currently a gap in
the understanding of how protein interfaces affect water's structure and
properties. This work presents combined dielectric and calorimetric measurements
of hydrated phycocyanin with different levels of hydration in a broad temperature
interval. Based on the dielectric and calorimetric tests, it was shown that two
types of water exist in the phycocyanin hydration shell. One is confined water
localized inside the phycocyanin ring and the second is the water that is
embedded in the protein structure and participates in the protein solvation. The
water confined in the phycocyanin ring melts at the temperature 195 +/- 3 K and
plays a role in the solvation at higher temperatures. Moreover, the dynamics of
all types of water was found to be effected by the presence of the ionic buffer.
PMID- 28994837
TI - Size-dependent Raman shift of semiconductor nanomaterials determined using bond
number and strength.
AB - Significant variations in Raman shifts with decreasing material size, D, have
been detected in Raman spectroscopy. In this study, we propose a simple and
unified model to determine and explain the size-dependent Raman shift, omega(D),
of low-dimensional semiconductor nanomaterials. omega(D) was found to be a
function of bond number in a system, with an obvious decline in Raman shift
observed when size dropped to the nanoscale. This arose from a decrease in
coordination number, Z(D), and increase in single bond strength, epsilon(D). The
predicted results show good agreement with experimental data for a series of
semiconductor nanomaterials, showing that bond number can be used to calculate
Raman shifts of nanomaterials. Moreover, this theoretical model was successfully
applied to both single crystals and some binary semiconductor nanomaterials.
Furthermore, bond number, which is directly related to the nanomaterial shape and
size, becomes the only parameter required to determine omega(D) in this model, as
both Z(D) and epsilon(D) can be determined from the bond number. This indicates
that the established model has the potential to determine Raman shifts of
nanomaterials with different shapes and sizes.
PMID- 28994838
TI - DFT investigation of the interaction between single-walled carbon nanotubes and
fluorene-based conjugated oligomers.
AB - pi-Conjugated oligomers with relatively short molecular backbones can be used
effectively in dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In this paper, we present a
systematic study on interactions between diphenylene-fluorene oligomers (DPFs)
and single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) using density functional theory (DFT)
calculations. Four DFT methods are used in this work: the long range (LR)
corrected CAM-B3LYP, the dispersion (D)-corrected B97D, the LR- and D-corrected
wB97XD, and the hybrid B3LYP. The DPFs examined in this study contain different
functional groups attached to the pi-conjugated backbone, including two different
end groups, carboxaldehyde (ALD) and dithiafulvenyl (DTF), and three different
side chains (SCs), C8H17, OC10H21, and SC10H21. The computational results
disclose the effects of end groups, SCs, and DFT methods on structures, dipole
moments, and energetics of isolated DPFs and DPF/SWCNT combinations. Consistent
with our previous study (involving oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene)s (OPEs))
[Aljohani et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 2017, 121, 4692-4702], our results herein
demonstrate that the type of end group plays a key role in determining the
strength of interactions between SWNTs and conjugated oligomers. In particular,
DTF-endcapped oligomers have a stronger electrostatic interaction with SWCNT than
ALD-endcapped oligomers do. As a result, DTF-endcapped conjugated oligomers
become more polarized than ALD-endcapped oligomers after complexing with SWCNTs.
The magnitude of binding energy, on the other hand, shows dependence on the
orientation of the backbone and side chains of these oligomers relative to the
SWCNT which in the case of fluorene-based oligomers is not always favourable for
optimal binding. This study indicates that fluorene-based oligomers might not be
as good dispersants of SWCNTs as OPEs.
PMID- 28994839
TI - Feasibility of using microencapsulated phase change materials as filler for
improving low temperature performance of rubber sealing materials.
AB - The feasibility of a novel composite rubber sealing material to improve sealing
under transient cooling (in a so-called blowdown scenario) is investigated here.
A composite of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) filled with Micro
Encapsulated Phase Change Materials (MEPCM) is described. The fillers contain
phase change materials that release heat during the phase transformation from
liquid to solid while cooling. This exotherm locally heats the rubber and may
improve the function of the seal during a blowdown event. A representative HNBR
MEPCM composite was made and the critical thermal and mechanical properties were
obtained by simulating the temperature distribution during a blowdown event.
Simulations predict that the MEPCM composites can delay the temperature decrease
in a region of the seal during the transient blowdown. A sensitivity analysis of
material properties is also presented which highlights possible avenues of
improvement of the MEPCMs for sealing applications.
PMID- 28994840
TI - Silica nanowire assemblies as three-dimensional, optically transparent platforms
for constructing highly active SERS substrates.
AB - Three-dimensional surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates are
prepared via the in situ deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on silica
nanowire (SiO2 NW) assemblies, either in a free-standing membrane structure or as
an optically transparent film supported on Scotch tape. The negatively charged
surface of the SiO2 NW favors Ag+ ion enrichment around itself, with the ions
forming densely deposited AgNPs on the NW after reducing agents are added to the
solution. A SERS substrate with high sensitivity is achieved owing to abundant
"hot spots" generated by the inter-AgNP gaps in the 3D geometry of the NW
networks. The AgNP-deposited SiO2 NW membrane has a SERS enhancement factor of
2.9 * 108 and a detection limit of 10-9 M towards 4-mercaptopyridine probing and
10-8 M towards dithiocarbamate pesticide (i.e., thiram) probing. Moreover, the
AgNP-deposited, Scotch tape-supported SiO2 NW film achieves non-invasive, direct
detection of real-world surfaces due to its high sensitivity, high flexibility
and optically transparent properties.
PMID- 28994841
TI - Phthalocyanine-based coordination polymer nanoparticles for enhanced photodynamic
therapy.
AB - In the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer, zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) as a
photosensitizer possesses superior photosensitive properties. However, the
therapeutic effect of ZnPc in PDT is limited due to its aggregation, low
solubility and poor selectivity. In this study, charge-reversal phthalocyanine
based coordination polymer nanoparticles (PCPN) are developed for improving the
curative effect of ZnPc. Tetra(4-carboxyphenoxy)-phthalocyaninatozinc(ii)
(TPZnPc) is coordinated with the zinc ion to form the core of PCPN, which is
coated with a lipid bilayer by self-assembly (PCPNs@Lip). TPZnPc molecules in the
core of PCPN are in the monomeric state and can generate cytotoxic singlet oxygen
(1O2) efficiently, which solves the solubility and aggregation problems of ZnPc.
Meanwhile, 1,2-dicarboxylic-cyclohexane anhydride modified lysyl-cholesterol
(DLC) is functionalized on the surface of PCPN (PCPNs@Lip/DLC), endowing PCPN
with a charge-reversal ability which could be triggered by a mildly acidic tumor
microenvironment. PCPNs@Lip/DLC is proved to enhance tumor cellular uptake and
generate more intracellular 1O2 after irradiation. As confirmed by in vitro and
in vivo studies, PCPNs@Lip/DLC remarkably increases the PDT effect. All these
results demonstrate that PCPNs@Lip/DLC is a promising nanoplatform for the
application of ZnPc in effective PDT.
PMID- 28994842
TI - Preparation of Bi2S3/carbon quantum dot hybrid materials with enhanced
photocatalytic properties under ultraviolet-, visible- and near infrared
irradiation.
AB - To solve the growing pollution issues, it is a promising alternative to develop
efficient sunlight-driven photocatalysts for purifying organic wastewater.
Herein, we report a new and efficient full-spectrum-responsive photocatalyst
composed of Bi2S3 nanotubes incorporated with carbon quantum dots (C-dots) for
rapidly degrading methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC).
Compared with naked Bi2S3 nanotubes, the as-prepared Bi2S3/C-dot nanohybrids show
a remarkably higher photocatalytic efficiency for degrading MB or TC under
ultraviolet (UV-), visible (vis-) and near-infrared (NIR-) light irradiation
within 5 minutes. A possible mechanism is proposed for the enhanced
photocatalytic activity of the Bi2S3/C-dot nanohybrids. A lower band gap as well
as a wider absorbance in the UV-, vis- and NIR-regions can increase the light
harvesting ability of the Bi2S3/C-dots. Meanwhile, the existence of C-dots can
facilitate the charge separation of the photo-generated electron/hole pairs while
electrons transfer from Bi2S3 to C-dots. Besides, an increased surface area of
the Bi2S3/C-dot nanohybrids also contributes to the excellent photocatalytic
activity.
PMID- 28994844
TI - Ru-Catalysed synthesis of fused heterocycle-pyridinones and -pyrones.
AB - The synthesis of fused heterocycle-pyridinones has been achieved by oxidative
coupling of N-unprotected primary heterocycle-amides with internal alkynes. The
reaction, which is catalysed by Ru(ii) and assisted by Cu(ii), takes place
through C-H and N-H bond activation of the heterocyclic unit. The scope of the
reaction includes a variety of alkynes, electron-rich thiophenes, furans and
pyrroles, and even electron-poor pyridines. The reaction is fully regioselective
with respect to the position of the C-H bond activation due to the directing
effect of the amide group. In the same way, the synthesis of fused heterocycle
pyrones (isocoumarins) has been developed by Ru-catalysed oxidative coupling of
heterocyclic carboxylic acids and internal alkynes. The reaction involves C-H and
O-H bond activation. This reaction also has a broad scope, from electron-rich
thiophenes, furans and pyrroles to electron-deficient pyridines and quinolines.
PMID- 28994845
TI - Continuous fabrication of a MnS/Co nanofibrous air electrode for wide integration
of rechargeable zinc-air batteries.
AB - Exploring highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts toward the oxygen
reduction and evolution reactions is essential for the realization of high
performance rechargeable zinc-air batteries. Herein, a novel nanofibrous
bifunctional electrocatalyst film, consisting of metallic manganese sulfide and
cobalt encapsulated by nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (CMS/NCNF), is prepared
through a continuous electrospinning method followed by carbonization treatment.
The CMS/NCNF bifunctional catalyst shows both comparable ORR and OER performances
to those of commercial precious metal-based catalysts. Furthermore, the free
standing CMS/NCNF fibrous thin film is directly used as the air electrode in a
solid-state zinc-air battery, which exhibits superior flexibility while retaining
stable battery performance at different bending angles. This study provides a
versatile design route for the rational design of free-standing bifunctional
catalysts for direct use as the air electrode in rechargeable zinc-air batteries.
PMID- 28994846
TI - 3D self-assembly of ultrafine molybdenum carbide confined in N-doped carbon
nanosheets for efficient hydrogen production.
AB - Electrochemical water splitting has been intensively pursued as a promising
approach to produce clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel. However, the lack of low
cost and high-performance electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction
(HER) hinders the large-scale application. Herein, we have rationally designed
and synthesized 3D self-assembly architectures assembled from ultrafine MoC
nanoparticles (0D) uniformly embedded within N-doped carbon nanosheets (2D) for
the HER via a simple protocol. The well-organized 3D nanostructures are composed
of very small MoC nanocrystallites (<2 nm) and free-stretching conductive carbon
nanosheets with high specific surface areas and abundant mesopores, which can
expose more active sites and facilitate electron/ion transport pathways. Based on
the merits of the composition and configuration, the resultant hierarchical 3D
self-assembly architectures exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic performance and
stability for the HER.
PMID- 28994847
TI - One-step synthesis of SnCo nanoconfined in hierarchical carbon nanostructures for
lithium ion battery anode.
AB - A new strategy for the one-step synthesis of a 0D SnCo nanoparticles-1D carbon
nanotubes-3D hollow carbon submicrocube cluster (denoted as SnCo@CNT-3DC)
hierarchical nanostructured material was developed via a simple chemical vapor
deposition (CVD) process with the assistance of a water-soluble salt (NaCl). The
adopted NaCl not only acted as a cubic template for inducing the formation of the
3D hollow carbon submicrocube cluster but also provides a substrate for the SnCo
catalysts impregnation and CNT growth, ultimately leading to the successful
construction of the unique 0D-1D-3D structured SnCo@CNT-3DC during the CVD of
C2H2. When utilized as a lithium-ion battery anode, the SnCo@CNT-3DC composite
electrode demonstrated an excellent rate performance and cycling stability for Li
ion storage. Specifically, an impressive reversible capacity of 826 mA h g-1
after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g-1 and a high rate capacity of 278 mA h g-1 even after
1000 cycles at 5 A g-1 were achieved. This remarkable electrochemical performance
could be ascribed to the unique hierarchical nanostructure of SnCo@CNT-3DC, which
guarantees a deep permeation of electrolytes and a shortened lithium salt
diffusion pathway in the solid phase as well as numerous hyperchannels for
electron transfer.
PMID- 28994849
TI - Unexpected formation of gold nanoflowers by a green synthesis method as agents
for a safe and effective photothermal therapy.
AB - Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) juice rich in vitamin C and polyphenolic
antioxidants was used to synthesize branched gold nanoflowers. These
biocompatible and stable gold nanoflowers show strong near-infrared absorption.
They are successfully demonstrated to be highly efficient for both in vitro and
in vivo photothermal therapy by using an 808 nm laser.
PMID- 28994852
TI - ?
AB - High dose insulin euglycemia therapy - an important addition to the treatment
arsenal in severe toxic myocardial depression Fifty-nine patients who developed
hemodynamic symptoms necessitating treatment with vasopressors or inotropes after
poisoning with calcium channel blockers (CCB) and beta blockers (BB) between
January 2010 and August 2016 were identified by a search of the Poisons
Information Centre database. In-hospital circulatory arrest occurred in 16/59 (27
%) and the mortality rate was 7/59 (12 %). Two cases of analytically confirmed
combined BB and CCB poisoning were treated with high dose insulin therapy (HIE)
and are presented in detail. The outcome in both cases was good. They were the
only cases in the study population treated with HIE, although signs of cardiac
dysfunction was present in 55/59 (93%) and in all cases of circulatory arrest.
Animal studies and international clinical cases indicate that HIE is a safe and
effective method to improve cardiac function in CCB and BB poisoning, and its
implementation in Sweden may improve the outcome for this at risk population.
PMID- 28994853
TI - ?
AB - Acute occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery - in the "blind spot" of
the ECG? Acute coronary artery occlusion should be treated with urgent
revascularization. ECG is important in the triage of patients with acute coronary
syndrome. ST deviation depends on the relation between the location of the
transmural ischemia and the positive poles of the 12 ECG leads. In acute
occlusion of the left circumflex artery, ST elevation in two contiguous leads is
not always present. Instead, isolated ST depression in leads V1-V3 may be present
and represents a "STEMI-equivalent" pattern. Detection of acute occlusion of the
left circumflex artery may be improved either by including inverted leads or by
recording from electrodes on the posterior thorax.
PMID- 28994854
TI - ?
AB - Alcoholic ketoacidosis - a review A chronic alcoholic with severe metabolic
acidosis presents a difficult diagnostic problem in the emergency room. Over and
above methanol- and ethylene glycol intoxication, alcoholic ketoacidosis is a
common but less recognized etiology. The disorder occurs in alcoholics who have
had a recent binge drinking followed by the abrupt cessation of alcohol
consumption because of abdominal pain and vomiting, with resulting dehydration,
starvation, and then a beta-hydroxybutyrate dominated ketoacidosis. Laboratory
results may be misleading as the common urine-ketone tests may be negative or
only weakly positive, since they only respond to acetoacetate. The short-term
prognosis is good if treatment including replacement of fluid, electrolytes,
glucose and thiamine is provided. However, recent studies have indicated that
alcoholic ketoacidosis may be a significant cause of mortality in patients with
alcohol dependence.
PMID- 28994855
TI - ?
AB - Melioidosis, an important diagnosis in the severely ill traveler Melioidosis is a
common tropical infection in Southeast Asia and is caused by the highly
pathogenic soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Diagnosis and treatment is
often challenging due to variations in clinical presentation, limited antibiotic
susceptibility and high risk of recurring infection. In this report, three cases
with different clinical presentations are described.
PMID- 28994857
TI - ?
PMID- 28994856
TI - ?
PMID- 28994859
TI - ?
PMID- 28994858
TI - ?
PMID- 28994860
TI - ?
PMID- 28994862
TI - ?
PMID- 28994861
TI - ?
PMID- 28994863
TI - ?
PMID- 28994864
TI - Tunisian adult's Hodgkin lymphoma Study Group.
AB - The Tunisian adult's Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) Study Group was created in 1999. It
aimed to improve the management of this curable hematologic malignancy by
standardizing the diagnosis, assessment of disease, treatment management and
therapeutic evaluation in different Tunisian centers (Hematology, oncology and
radiotherapy).Since 1998, four versions of the prospective national protocol for
treating adult Hodgkin lymphoma have succeeded (MDH99, MDH2002, MDH2008,
MDH2015). Each version was based on the results of the previous version and
analyzed according to new data from the literature. Due to this national study
group, the number of patients lost to follow decreased significantly (30% before
the creation of the group and only 3% for patients treated with MDH2008), the
complete and uncertain response rates have improved (75% before the creation of
the group and 92% in patients treated with MDH2008) with dramatically improved
rates of overall survival from 57% to 90%. On the other hand there was an
improvement of toxic death rate (13% of toxic deaths in MDH2002 to 4.37% in the
MDH2008) with a decrease of the respective rate of primary failure and relapse by
17% and 12.5% in MDH2002 against the 11.4% and 7.8% in the MDH2008. This resulted
in an improvement in overall survival (90%) and event-free survival at 5 years
(75%). Now with the introduction of positron emission tomography in Tunisia, we
hope yet to finalize the assessment of response and thus better adapt the
treatment of this disease. Our objective remains the improvement of event-free
survival rate to reach 80%.
PMID- 28994865
TI - Value of Cine-MRI sequences before and after injection in the diagnosis of acute
myocarditis.
AB - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has become the examination of
choice in case of suspicion of acute myocarditis. Late gadolinium enhancement
(LGE) imaging is very important to establish this diagnosis. Cine MRI sequences
are useful for the study of the myocardial contractility. AIMS: The purpose is
to estimate the value of cine MRI sequences before and after injection for the
diagnosis of acute myocarditis compared with late gadolinium enhanced sequences.
METHODS: We prospectively included 40 patients having a high suspicion of acute
myocarditis and examined using a 1.5 Tesla CMR. Cine MRI sequences before and
after injection were performed. The protocol also include T2-weighted short-
tau-inversion-recovery (STIR T2) fast spin echo MRI and LGE imaging eight minutes
after injection with visual adjustment of inversion time. RESULTS: Delayed
enhancement was found among 23 patients. Fifteen patients (65 %) presented a
spontaneous hyper signal detected visually on Cine MRI sequences before injection
and 11 patients (48 %) on STIR T2. The hyper signal on Cine MRI sequences after
injection of gadolinium was the same topography that the late raising at 23
patients. In addition, we highlighted a significant difference between this hyper
signal before injection and the left ventricle ejection fraction (p=0.022) as
well as with the telesystolic volume of the left ventricle (LV) indexed by the
body mass (p=0.039). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that Cine MRI sequences after
injection are of equal performance in the diagnosis of acute myocarditis as the
LGE sequences and its contibution is important when we want to shorten the
examination or when inversion time isn't optimal.
PMID- 28994866
TI - Multiple bile duct stones: Comparison of two surgical techniques done at
laparotomy.
AB - BACKGROUND: Biliary lithiasis is the most common surgical disease in Tunisia.
Multiple bile duct stones are one of his most rare complications.It poses real
problems with the best therapeutic approach. AIMS: To analyze the results of
conventional surgery for multiple bile duct stones by comparing two techniques:
The choledochotomy for stoneextraction followed by external biliary drainage and
biliary-enteric anastomosis, to identify and to analyze the factors influencing
the therapeuticchoice. METHODS: During study period spanning 16 years, 137
choledochotomy were made for multiple bile duct stones. These patients had either
acholedochotomy with stone extraction and then drained through a T-tube or a
biliary-enteric anastomosis. RESULTS: Preoperative diagnosis of multiple bile
duct stones has been made in 32.1 % of patients. Cholangiography was found in all
casesmultiple bile duct stones and had demonstrated an association with
intrahepatic stones in 18.2 %. External drainage by a Kehr drain wasperformed in
39.4 % and biliary-enteric anastomosis in 60.6 %. Univariate and multivariate
analysis had identified three factors significantlyassociated with external
drainage: age <= 65 years, bile duct diameter < 15 mm and the existence of a
pronounced inflammatory reaction of thecholedochal wall. No factors had
influenced the choice between different bilio-enteric anastomosis techniques.
These three techniques did notdiffer from the post operative morbidity (p = 0.84)
or mortality (p = 58). CONCLUSION: Basing on the analysis of our series and the
comparison with other series reported in the literature, we recommend biliary
drainagewith a T-tube in young people under 65 years who have a little dilated
bile duct, not exceeding 15mm. In patients aged over 65 years or thosewith a CBD
dilated more than 15 mm, even with intrahepatic stones, in cases of distal bile
duct stricture or periampullary diverticulum, biliaryentericanastomosis seems to
be the safest technique.
PMID- 28994867
TI - Mid-terme results of cardiac surgery of valve replacement by mechanical
prosthesis. About 861 patients.
AB - BACKGROUND: Patients with mechanical valvular prostheses are becoming more
numerous in our country. Their medical care poses a number of problems in a
particular socio-economic context of our geographical regions. AIM: The purpose
of this study was to identify the complications of this heart valve replacement
surgery by mechanical prostheses and try to compare our results with those of
literature. METHODS: From January 1998 to June 2003, 861 patients were operated
for acquired valvular heart disease (413 men and 448 women), average age 39+/-11
years. It was 495 mitral valve replacement, 205 aortic valve replacement, 158
mitral-aortic replacement and 3 aorto-mitral-tricuspid replacement. One hundred
seventy eight (178) gestures were needed on the tricuspid valve. RESULTS:
Hospital mortality was 6.2% CI [5.0 - 8.5]. Remote 9 years mortality was 21
deaths. No structural deterioration prosthesis occurred. Hospital Morbidity was
14 thromboembolism, 52 hemorrhage and 8 mediastinitis. Remote morbidity was 3
strokes, 2 serious gastrointestinal bleeding and two endocarditis. The survival
rate at 5 years was 90 % CI [0.88 - 0.91]. CONCLUSION: Heart valve replacement
surgery with mechanical prostheses gives satisfactory results in the medium term.
PMID- 28994868
TI - Foodborne outbreak simulation to teach field epidemiology: the Moroccan Field
Epidemiology Training Program.
AB - BACKGROUND: Morocco in 2010 launched a new field epidemiology training program to
enhance the skills of health professionals in charge of epidemiological
surveillance and to investigate outbreaks; including foodborne diseases that
represent a very substantial burden of disease. AIM: To apply an active learning
method to teach outbreak investigation within a controled environment for field
epidemiology trainees program at the Moroccan National school of public Health.
METHODS: A scenario describing digestive symptoms evoking a restaurant-associated
foodborne outbreak that would affect the school staff was designed for the
residents to investigate, to assess their organizational capacity and application
of all stages of epidemiological investigation. RESULTS: Nine Residents applied
study design, database management and statistical analysis to investigate the
foodborne outbreak, to estimate attack rates, classify cases and controls, to
identify the contaminated foods and pathogens and to issue preventive
recommendations for the control and the prevention of further transmission. The
overall resident's satisfaction of the learning method was 67%. CONCLUSION: A
simulation of an outbreak investigation within an academic setting is an active
learning method to be used in the curriculum for introducing the residents on
field epidemiology program to the principles and practices of outbreak
investigation before their implication in a real situation.
PMID- 28994869
TI - Acute acoustic trauma: how to manage and how to prevent?
AB - INTRODUCTION: The consequence of an exposure to intense sounds can be a temporary
or permanent hearing loss and even with a rapid therapeutic management, severe
sensorineural sequelae may persist. METHODS: the authors report a retrospective
study about 64 patients followed for an acute acoustic trauma during a period of
8 years (2006 to 2013). For all the cases, a clinical examination associated to a
pure-tone audiometry was conducted. Hearing levels were measured at the
frequencies 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hertz. Auditory evoked potentials were
performed in 17 cases. The therapeutic and evolutive data were detailed and
discussed. RESULTS: All our patients were male with a mean age of 34 years. The
cause of acoustic trauma was a firing of a gun near the ear in 48 cases, an
explosion near the ear in 5 cases and a sudden exposure to loud noises near
military planes in 11 cases. Clinical complaints were acute hearing loss with
tinnitus. Audiometric exams found a sensorineural hearing loss with a hearing
level average of 38 decibels (dB) +/- 14 SD. The therapy consisted of systemic
cortisteroids associated in all the cases to peripheral vasodilators. It was
given intravenously during 10 days and then orally with vasodilators during one
to 3 months. Hyperbaric oxygenotherapy have been administrated for 25 patients.
The follow-up consisted of questioning about symptoms, clinical examination and
pure-tone audiometry. A good evolution was noted in 52 cases (81%) and the mean
of hearing level after therapy was: 24 dB +/- 12 dB. Despite a prolonged therapy
with vaso-active drugs, tinnitus persisted in 36 cases. CONCLUSION: Controlling
noise and its harmful effects through technical devices and safety professionals
programs are the best way to reduce the frequency and the sensorineural sequelae
due to acute acoustic trauma.
PMID- 28994870
TI - Predictive scores of early mortality from variceal gastrointestinal bleeding in
cirrhotic patients.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The variceal bleeding, main complication of portal hypertension
during cirrhosis, is associated with high early mortality riskestimated between
15 and 20%. This highlights the necessity of predictive models that allow
identifying high-risk patients raising the issue of amore aggressive therapeutic
care. OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of four scores for the prediction of
cirrhotic patients' high early mortality risk due to digestive hemorrhageand to
compare them to the Child-Pugh reference score. METHODS: We collected 87
cirrhotic patients admitted to the Gastroenterology Department of Charles Nicolle
Hospital for a high digestivehemorrhage by rupture of gastric or esophageal
varicose veins. RESULTS: 56 men and 31 women were included in this study. The
average value of Rockall, Glasgow Blatchford, MELD and MELD-Na scores,was
respectively equal to 6.19, 10.91, and 17.6 and at 20. Early mortality was 30%.
The average value of all the scores was significantly higherwith the prematurely
deceased patients (p<0.001). The MELD-Na score had higher sensitivity and
specificity for the prediction of prematuremortality compared to the other scores
but without statistical significantly difference (Area under the ROC curve: MELD
Na=0.867, p<0.001;Child-Pugh=0.809, p<0.001; Rockall=0.777, p=0.001; Glasgow
Blatchford=0.761, p<0.001; MELD=0.838, p<0.001). The predictive value of thecut
off MELD-Na score was equal to 19 with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of
82%. CONCLUSION: The studied four scores had a good predictive value of early
mortality risk by varicose digestive hemorrhage with cirrhotic patients.
PMID- 28994871
TI - Evaluation of anticoagulation therapy in non-valvular atrial Fibrillation in the
emergency department.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are currently the most effective
therapeutic class for the prevention of cerebrovascular eventsin atrial
fibrillation (AF) patients. However, several studies showed an under-prescription
of this therapy.The aim of the study was to assess the prescription of VKAs in
non-valvular AF (NVAF) patients and factors influencing the non-prescription
ofsuch treatment. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational study in an
emergency department (ED). Patients with high thromboembolic risk NVAFand not
receiving VKAs beforehand were included. Calculation of CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED
scores was performed. An analytic study wasconducted in order to identify
independent predictors of the under-prescription of VKAs. RESULTS: During study,
176 patients were enrolled, the mean age was 67+/-13 years and 66% were women.
The mean CHA2DS2VASc andHASBLED scores were 2.88 +/- 1.55 and 1.52 +/- 1.05,
respectively. Among our cohort, VKA was prescribed in 36% of cases. Age >70
years(OR=1.59, 95%CI[1.11-2.21],p<0.001), creatinine level >=110 MUmol/l
(OR=2.54,95%CI[1.20-5.37],p=0.01) and aspirin use (OR =1.7,95%CI [1.08
2.67],p=0.02) were independently associated with under-prescription of VKAs.
Bedside, the main causes reported by the emergency physicians(EP) were: factors
related to patient characteristics (n=38,34%), factors related to emergency
physician (n=62,55%), factors related to the patientenvironment (n=20,17%) and
factors related to the drug (n=22,23%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the
prescription of VKAs was low in ED. The reasons of VKA under-prescription are
linked usually toseveral factors inherent to patient and to the adherence of EP
to new recommendations.
PMID- 28994872
TI - Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the sphenoid sinus with orbital and intracranial
extension: a case report.
AB - Ewing's sarcoma is a high-grade neuroectodermal primary bone tumor. This is the
second primary bone tumor in children afterosteosarcoma and represents 4 to10% of
cases. It can occur in all skeletal bones. However, the location at the facial
bones is uncommon (1to2%) and extremely rare at the sphenoid sinus. We report the
clinical results of a rare case of Ewing's sarcoma of the sphenoid with
intraorbitaland intracranial extension.
PMID- 28994873
TI - Anal imperforation in adults: Diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic options.
AB - Anorectal malformations are congenital anomalies ranging from simple perineal
fistulas to complex malformations. They are usually treated inchildhood, and
exceptionally in adult. We herein report the case of a 22 years aged patient and
relate the diagnosis difficulties and therapeuticoptions. She consulted for anal
imperforation discovered since birth. Initially, His parents refused the surgical
management. It was an analimperforation with a vestibular fistula. The patient
was operated by a low approach. She had a disconnection of the recto-vestibular
fistula,dissection of the anal canal and a perineal posterior transposition.
Postoperative course was uneventful. The evaluation of continence usingKelly's
score found good Functional result.
PMID- 28994874
TI - Central serous chorioretinopathy after nasal corticosteroids in the aviator.
PMID- 28994875
TI - Fetal thrombotic vasculopathy: a rare and serious lesion.
PMID- 28994876
TI - Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare bronchial tumor.
PMID- 28994877
TI - Xanthogranuloma of the sellar region.
PMID- 28994879
TI - Meckel's diverticulum present as pyogenic liver abscess.
PMID- 28994878
TI - Toxic hepatitis and hematologic disorder in a work environment: A case report.
PMID- 28994881
TI - Povidone Iodine Pleurodesis for Refractory Congenital Chylothorax: A Review of
Literature.
AB - BACKGROUND: Povidone iodine (PVI) pleurodesis is commonly used in adult. However,
this procedure is still nonconsensual in newborns. AIMS: This article aimed to
report a new case of refractory congenital chylothorax (CCT) managed with PVI
pleurodesis with a review of previousreported cases. METHODS: a systematic review
of similar cases published in PubMed. Clinical patterns, therapeutic modalities
and outcome variables werereported. RESULT: In a full term neonate presenting
refractory CCT, PVI pleurodesis was performed at day 16 of life by one
intrapleural instillation of PVI4% with rapid success and no side effects. Renal
function and thyroid tests stilled normal before and after instillation. The
analysis of 18 casesreported in Medeline and our observation provided the
following data: this procedure was successful without side effects in 11/19
cases. Severeside effects were reported in four patients with high risks before
procedure. CONCLUSION: PVI pleurodesis seems to be effective and inoffensive in
the management of refractory CCT. It may be a good alternative tosurgery.
Nevertheless, randomized studies on large neonatal population are required to
precise: the risks and benefits of this procedure, thetiming and the modalities
of its realization (duration of intervention, dilution and dosage of PVI)
according to the patient's field (gestational age,weight and associated
morbidity).
PMID- 28994882
TI - Cardiovascular risk estimation in non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
AB - BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is rising to the growing epidemic of
metabolic syndrome. Recent data suggest that this liver disease may represent a
real marker of cardiovascular risk. The aim of our study was to calculate
cardiovascular risk and to estimate the frequency of subclinical coronary artery
disease by conducting an exercise testing. METHODS: This is a prospective study
conducted over a period of one year including all patients followed for non
alcoholic fatty liver disease. We realized in all patients an exercise testing
and we calculated the ACC / AHA score that estimates the risk of developing
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This risk is considered very high if the
score> 7.5. RESULTS: We included 103 patients. The mean age was 52 years. The sex
ratio (M/F) was 0.3. Diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension were present
respectively in 45.6%, 48.5% and 38.8% of cases. Obesity was noted in 69.9% of
our patients. Metabolic syndrome was found in 78.6% of patients. The ACC / AHA
average score was 8.03 +/- 9 and a score> 7.5 was noted in 35.9% of cases. The
exercise testing was positive in 12 patients (11.65%). Of these, 11 underwent
coronary angiography which was normal in 10 cases and showed a coronary artery
infiltration without significant stenosis in only one case, and 2 patients
underwent coro-scanner which was without significant anomalies. In univariate
analysis, the presence of metabolic syndrome (p = 0.05), waist circumference >=
94 cm in men and >= 80 cm in women (p = 0.019), diabetes (p = 0.03) were
associated with a high risk of developing cardiovascular events. In multivariate
analysis, the only independent variable associated with a positive exercise
testing was diabetes (OR 4.5, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: During non alcoholic fatty
liver disease, there is an increased cardiovascular risk. It would be necessary
to consider this excess risk in the surveillance of patients followed for non
alcoholic liver disease to early detection of any cardiovascular disease.
PMID- 28994883
TI - Long-term outcome of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy with
maintenance for urinary bladder carcinoma in situ: About 47 cases.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Data concerning the efficacy of intravesical Bacillus Calmette
Guerin (BCG) on carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder are limited. OBJECTIVES:
We analyzed long-term outcomes of instillation therapy with BCG to treat bladder
CIS, evaluated its effectiveness and safety and searched for prognostic factors
that could predict disease recurrence and progression. METHODS: Between March
1994 and December 2010, 47 patients (male: 40; female: 7) with median age of 59,5
years (range 40-76 years), diagnosed with bladder CIS underwent weekly BCG
instillations (75 mg of Pasteur strain) for six weeks followed by 6 monthly
instillations. Patients were collected from four different institututions.Proven
bladder CIS diagnosis was made through random biopsy (n=19), macroscopic lesion
(n=28) and urinary cytology (n=6).Primary, concomitant, and secondary CIS was
found in 13 (27,6%), 28 (59,6%) and 6 (12,7%), patients, respectively. RESULTS:
The median follow up period was 67.5 months (range 60-116 months).The recurence
rates were 15,4%, 35,7% and 50% respectively in group I,II and III at 5 years
follow-up. The overall complete response rate was 68%.The five-year progression
free survival rate was 87.2%.Several factors, such as age (<60 or >60 years),
gender, previous transurethral resection and type of CIS, were examined by
multivariate analysis to predict recurrence and progression. None of them was an
independent prognostic factor.Bladder irritation symptoms were the main BCG
adverse effects. There were no severe adverse effects requiring discontinuation
of drug administration.Radical cystectomy was performed in 5 patients.
Extravesical involvement was identified in only one patient. During follow-up
period, none died of bladder cancer. CONCLUSION: Therapy with BCG is remarkably
effective and safe for primary CIS and concomittent CIS, which might be a
prognostic factor. We didn't find any significant risk factor. Recurrence and
disease progression including extravesical involvement should be carefully
monitored over the long-term after BCG therapy.
PMID- 28994884
TI - Trauma of the hand from circular saw table: a series of a 130 cases.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Trauma of the hand from a circular saw table is a common occurrence
in developing countries it tends to occur in young hand working people and it
causes a serious lesions. METHODS: It was a retrospective series about a 130
cases of hand trauma from circular saw table. Epidemiological features,
treatment, and permanent disabilities left by hand trauma from circular saw table
were studied to identify ways to prevent such an accident. RESULTS: The average
age was 31.24 years, these patients were exclusively men, 62% were apprentice
wood workers, and the left hand was twice more injured than the right hand.
Regarding clinical aspects, in 77% of cases, two or more fingers were injured,
tip amputations of the left fingers predominated (49%), in 50% of the cases of
hand wounds occurred to the dorsum of the hand, and extensor tendon injuries were
observed twice more than flexor tendon injuries. Regarding the surgical
treatment, performing an amputation stump was the most practiced primary surgery
(107 cases i.e. 82% of primary surgeries). Arthrodesis, reconstructive flap
surgery, and spongy bone grafts were the most practiced secondary surgeries (79%
of secondary surgeries). Joint stiffness was the most observed complication
(26%). CONCLUSION: Hand injuries from circular saw table such as those described
in this study will continue to challenge the skill of surgeons devoted to the
restoration of function and form to the damaged hand. Prevention, of course,
should be the goal because of the severe functional and psychological impairment
that may result from them.
PMID- 28994885
TI - Management of combat-related facial injuries.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Combat-related facial injuries involve various lesions of the
mouth, the eye sockets and the facial bones. The goal of this study is to precise
the particularities of these affections and their therapeutic management.
METHODS: A retrospective study was performed about 56 cases of combat-related
facial injuries over a period of 5 years (2010 - 2014). RESULTS: Our study
included 56 male patients with an average age of 29 years (20-37). The trauma
occurred during a real security intervention in all the cases. It was isolated in
18 cases and associated to other lesions in 38 cases. Clinical examination
revealed facial edema (57%), facial cuts and lacerations (74%), broken teeth
(14%), nasal deformation (26%), skin defect (16%) and periorbital ecchymosis
(32%). The diagnosis retained after clinical examination and imaging exams were:
fractures of the mandible (34 cases), of the eye sockets (18 cases), of the nasal
bones (15 cases), parotid gland injury (5 cases) and facial arterial injuries in
(24 cases). The treatment was surgical in all the cases: stabilization of
fractured segments (43 cases), suture of facial and vascular lacerations (51
cases), reduction of nasal fractures (15 cases), and reposition of teeth
dislocations (35 cases). The evolution was good in 34 cases. The functional
sequelae noted were ophthalmic (7 cases), dental abnormal occlusions (11 cases),
residual trismus (4 cases) and facial palsy in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Combat
related facial injuries must be diagnosed and treated early to prevent the
functional and, sometimes, life-threatening damages dues to those lesions.
PMID- 28994886
TI - Is there a real benefit of hyperbaric oxygenotherapy in the treatment of
necrotizing otitis externa?
AB - INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing otitis externa remains a severe and sometimes life
threatening disease in diabetic patient. Many therapeutic approaches have been
described but what about the real benefit of hyperbaric oxygenotherapy in the
management of this disease? METHODS: The authors reported a retrospective study
about 42 patients treated for necrotizing external otitis over a period of 9
years (2006 to 2014). The patients were treated either by only antibiotherapy (23
cases) or with both antibiotherapy and hyperbaric oxygenotherapy (19 cases). The
evolution under treatment was appreciated in the two groups through clinical,
biological and radiological parameters. RESULTS: The study included 42 diabetic
patients with a mean age of 67 years (50 to 84 years). The sex-ratio M/F was
0.82. The diagnosis of necrotizing otitis externa was assessed through clinical
and bacteriologic criteria in diabetic patients. A temporal bone CT-scan and a
technetium scintigraphy were performed in order to precise the topography of the
disease and the level of bone lysis. Antibiotherapy was prescribed intravenously
and then orally for a mean period of 8 weeks (5 to 15 weeks). Hyperbaric
oxygenotherapy was given for 19 patients (average: 20 sessions). The recovery was
affirmed on clinical, biological and radiological features. Otalgia disappeared
at the 11th day of treatment without HOT and at the 5th day with HOT. Otorrhea
disappeared at the 6th day of treatment by HOT and at the 13th day without HOT.
The recovery or the regression of facial palsy occurred in 75% of the cases when
HOT was given. The total recovery from the disease was diagnosed in 36 patients
(86%). The rate of recovery was 100% in the group treated by HOT and 74% in the
group treated by only antibiotics. The recurrence of the disease was noted in 6
patients that haven't benefited from HOT. The end of the oral therapy was guided
by the results of the Gallium bone scintigraphy. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric
oxygenotherapy must be associated in the treatment of necrotizing otitis externa.
The results of our study suggest a real benefit of this therapy regarding
clinical, biological and radiological parameters of this severe affection.
PMID- 28994887
TI - Hepatic hydrothorax: About a hospital serie of 63 cases.
AB - BACKGROUND: Hepatic hydrothorax is a less common complication of cirrhosis with
an estimated prevalence of 10- 15%. In the vast majority of cases, ascites are
also present but significant pleural effusion may develop in patients without
ascites. Hepatic hydrothorax is associated with cirrhosis whatever its etiology.
The prognosis of hepatic hydrothorax remains unclear and is closely related to
available therapeutic options. The aim of our study is to determine the
prevalence of hydrothorax in cirrhotic patients, detail its clinical and
therapeutic characteristics, and study the evolutive profile of cirrhotic
patients with hydrothorax by comparing it to those without hydrothorax. We also
search predictive factors of development of this complication in cirrhotic
patients. METHODS: We conduct a retrospective and case-control study including 63
cirrhotic patients with hepatic hydrothorax hospitalized in gastroenterology
department of Charles Nicolle hospital of Tunis, during a period of fiveteen
years, from January 2000 to January 2015. RESULTS: The prevalence of hydrothorax
was 14.5%. The mean age was 62 +/- 14 years (range, 22- 86 years). The sex ratio
H/F was 1.52. Hepatic hydrothorax was symptomatic in 35 patients. It was right
sided in 60%, left-sided in 24% and bilateral in 16% of cases. Hydrothorax was on
average size abundance in 54% of cases. It was transsudatif in 52.5% of cases.
Hepatitis C was the most frequent cause of cirrhosis (54%). Our results show that
hepatic hydrothorax was present with important ascites in 35 patients.
Hydrothorax was significantly related to Child-Pugh C severity of cirrhosis
(p=0.0001). Hydrothorax occurence was significantly associated with a low level
of albumin (p=0.001), an important hyponatremia (p=0.001) and a low prothrombin
rate (p=0.02). A therapeutic thoracentesis was performed in 57% of cases.
Diuretics based on spironolactone and furosemide were indicated in 30 patients.
Evolution was favorable in 19 patients. Refractory hepatic hydrothorax was
present in 31 patients. Death, in the days which follow the hospitalisation, was
in 13 patients. The 5-years survival rate was 60%. The mean survival time of
patients with hepatic hydrothorax was 8.41 years against 10.75 years at patients
without hepatic hydrothorax. CONCLUSION: Hepatic hydrothorax is a common
complication in our study. The improvement of the prognosis of our patients would
require a better therapeutic management and especially the possibility of
orthotopic liver transplantation which is the optimal therapeutic option for
patients with hepatic hydrothorax.
PMID- 28994888
TI - Treatment of inguinal hernia by lichtenstein technique: an open prospective
study.
AB - BACKGROUND: Treatment of inguinal hernia is still a challenge for the surgeon.
The multitude of surgical techniques attests of the difficulty of choosing the
best procedure. In the surgical B department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital we
have chosen the Lichtenstein technique since 2008. The aim of this study was to
evaluate the immediate and long-term results of this technique and to identify
the predictive factors of recurrence. METHODS: This open prospective study
included all patients who underwent an elective inguinal hernia repair in the
surgical B department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital between June 1st 2008 and
December 31st 2009. These patients were regularly followed for at least three
years. Hernia's recurrence was the primary study endpoint. Postoperative pain,
wound complications, urinary complications were secondary endpoints. An
univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify predictive factor
of hernia recurrence. RESULTS: 256 men and eight women were involved in this
study with a sex ratio to 32. The average age was 54 years, ranging from 18 to 85
years. we identified seven cases of recurrent hernia (2,6%) with a risk of
recurrence at five years equal to 4.9%, 95%CI[4,5 - 5,3].Wound complications were
present in 90 patients (34%), dominated by serums seen in 12.1% of cases. The
scrotal edema was found in 32 patients (12%). Eight patients kept a postoperative
pain after three years of follow-up (3%). The presence of coagulation disorders
in pre-operative check-up ( OR 32.25, 95% CI [3.33- 333.3], p = 0.003) and the
persistence of pain after one year of intervention ( OR 16.12,95% CI [2.68 -100],
p = 0.01) were two predictive factors of hernia recurrence. CONCLUSION: The
Lichtenstein technique remains the gold standard technique in the treatment of
inguinal hernias by open surgery. It is a safe, simple, reproducible procedure
with a low recurrence rate.
PMID- 28994889
TI - Heart Rate Beat-to-Beat Slope Change during Six-Minute Walk Test: a Useful
Clinical Tool for Estimating Fitness level.
AB - BACKGROUND: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is one of the most common exercise
tests and is used to estimate the level of physical fitness. This study aimed to
evaluate the feasibility of the beat-to-beat heart rate 6MWT slope (6MWTS) and
recovery slope for predicting and estimating the level of physical fitness during
6MWT, instead of depending on the distance covered during the test. METHODS:
Seventy healthy adult male subjects aged 18 to 27 years were recruited randomly
from the general Saudi population in Riyadh. Using a 50-m corridor, 6MWT was
performed according to standardised American Thoracic Society guidelines.
RESULTS: The mean distance walked in 6 minutes (470.5+/-64.6 m) and beat-to-beat
heart rate (HR) were calculated using a HR monitor. In addition, the body mass
index, body surface area, Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion, and maximum
predicted HR percentage were also calculated. A stepwise regression equation was
used to predict the 6MWT distance (6MWTD), 6MWTS, and recovery slope. There was a
significant correlation between 6MWTS and the recovery slope (r= -0.575,
p<0.001), between 6MWTS and 6MWTD (r= 0.414, p<0.001), and between recovery slope
and 6MWTD (r= -0.454, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that both 6MWTS
and recovery slope can predict 6MWTD.
PMID- 28994890
TI - Errors in preparation and administration of parenteral drugs in neonatology:
evaluation and corrective actions.
AB - BACKGROUND: The medication iatrogenic risk is quite unevaluated in neonatology
Objective: Assessment of errors that occurred during the preparation and
administration of injectable medicines in a neonatal unit in order to implement
corrective actions to reduce the occurrence of these errors. METHODS: A
prospective, observational study was performed in a neonatal unit over a period
of one month. The practice of preparing and administering injectable medications
were identified through a standardized data collection form. These practices were
compared with summaries of the characteristics of each product (RCP) and the
bibliography. RESULTS: One hundred preparations were observed of 13 different
drugs. 85 errors during preparations and administration steps were detected.
These errors were divided into preparation errors in 59% of cases such as
changing the dilution protocol (32%), the use of bad solvent (11%) and
administration errors in 41% of cases as errors timing of administration (18%) or
omission of administration (9%). CONCLUSION: This study showed a high rate of
errors during stages of preparation and administration of injectable drugs. In
order to optimize the care of newborns and reduce the risk of medication errors,
corrective actions have been implemented through the establishment of a quality
assurance system which consisted of the development of injectable drugs
preparation procedures, the introduction of a labeling system and staff training.
PMID- 28994891
TI - Uncommon cause of multinodular thoracic tumors.
PMID- 28994892
TI - Bilateral macular hemorrhage and retinitis pigmentosa.
PMID- 28994893
TI - Calcified amorphous tumor in right atrium presenting with syncope.
PMID- 28994894
TI - Central serous chorioretinopathy after nasal corticosteroids in the aviator.
PMID- 28994895
TI - Complete Trisomy 9 with unusual phenotypic associations.
PMID- 28994896
TI - Adult granulosa cell tumor of the testis: a case report.
PMID- 28994897
TI - Trichoblastoma arising in nevus sebaceus.
PMID- 28994898
TI - Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) induced by
antituberculous treatment.
PMID- 28994899
TI - Prophylactic antibiotics for preventing pneumococcal infection in children with
sickle cell disease.
AB - BACKGROUND: Persons with sickle cell disease (SCD) are particularly susceptible
to infection. Infants and very young children are especially vulnerable. The 'Co
operative Study of Sickle Cell Disease' observed an incidence rate for
pneumococcal septicaemia of 10 per 100 person years in children under the age of
three years. Vaccines, including customary pneumococcal vaccines, may be of
limited use in this age group. Therefore, prophylactic penicillin regimens may be
advisable for this population. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first
published in 2002, and previously updated, most recently in 2014. OBJECTIVES: To
assess the effects of antibiotic prophylaxis against pneumococcus in children
with SCD in relation to:1. incidence of infection;2. mortality;3. drug-related
adverse events (as reported in the included studies) to the individual and the
community;4. the impact of discontinuing at various ages on incidence of
infection and mortality. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis
and Genetic Disorders Group Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register, which is
comprised of references identified from comprehensive electronic database
searches and also two clinical trials registries: ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO
International Registry Platform. Additionally, we carried out handsearching of
relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings.Date of the most
recent search: 19 December 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or quasi
randomised controlled trials comparing prophylactic antibiotics to prevent
pneumococcal infection in children with SCD with placebo, no treatment or a
comparator drug. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both authors independently
extracted data and assessed trial quality. The authors used the GRADE criteria to
assess the quality of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials were identified by
the searches, of which three trials (880 children randomised) met the inclusion
criteria. All of the included trials showed a reduced incidence of infection in
children with SCD (SS or Sbeta0Thal) receiving prophylactic penicillin. In trials
which investigated initiation of penicillin on risk of pneumococcal infection,
the odds ratio was 0.37 (95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.86) (two trials, 457
children) (low-quality evidence), while for withdrawal the odds ratio was 0.49
(95% confidence interval 0.09 to 2.71) (one trial, 400 children) (low-quality
evidence). Adverse drug effects were rare and minor. Rates of pneumococcal
infection were found to be relatively low in children over the age of
five.Overall, the quality of the evidence for all outcomes was judged to be low.
The results from the risk of bias assessment undertaken identified two domains in
which the risk of bias was considered to be high, these were incomplete outcome
data (attrition bias) (two trials) and allocation concealment (selection bias)
(one trial). Domains considered to have a low risk of bias for all three trials
were selective reporting (reporting bias) and blinding (performance and detection
bias). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The evidence examined suggests that prophylactic
penicillin significantly reduces risk of pneumococcal infection in children with
homozygous SCD, and is associated with minimal adverse reactions. Further
research may help to determine the ideal age to safely withdraw penicillin.
PMID- 28994900
TI - Diagnosing and Treating Patients With Mixed Features.
AB - Many patients with mood disorders do not experience pure episodes of depression
or mania. Rather, these individuals experience mixed presentations. In the past,
individuals experiencing mixed mood episodes were often misdiagnosed due to
overly strict diagnostic criteria, leading to poor outcomes and treatment
response. The addition of the mixed features specifier to the DSM-5 holds promise
for improving recognition in patients who may be experiencing mixed symptoms.
Furthermore, awareness has grown important warning signs that should be
considered risk factors for progression to bipolar disorder and should warrant
special clinical attention. Finally, guidelines for patients experiencing
depression with mixed features have recently become available to help provide
evidence-based treatment to this patient population. .
PMID- 28994901
TI - Risk of First Onset Stroke in SSRI-Exposed Adult Subjects: Survival Analysis and
Examination of Age and Time Effects.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been
shown to increase the risk of stroke. In this study, we investigated age and time
effects on the risk of first onset stroke in SSRI-exposed (SSRIEXP) adult
subjects. METHODS: We analyzed an 8-year cohort from the National Health
Insurance Research Database, Taiwan. Patients were defined as SSRIEXP subjects if
they received SSRI prescriptions for at least 2 consecutive months during January
1, 2001, to December 31, 2007. Otherwise, they were categorized as SSRI
nonexposed (SSRINONE) subjects. Stroke diagnosis was made according to ICD-9
codes 430-432 (hemorrhagic stroke) and 433-437 (ischemic stroke). RESULTS: Kaplan
Meier survival analysis showed a greater probability of first onset stroke in
SSRIEXP than SSRINONE subjects (P < .001). The higher incidence rates in SSRIEXP
subjects persisted to the 3 year time point. Ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke
cumulative incidence ratios were also higher during the first 3 years in SSRIEXP
subjects. Analysis of adjusted hazard ratios indicated that younger SSRIEXP
subjects were more likely to experience stroke, with a slight increase of risk in
subjects older than 65 years. Stratified analysis of ischemic stroke and
hemorrhagic stroke resulted in a similar hazard ratio trend. CONCLUSIONS: Use of
SSRIs independently increases the risk of stroke across age strata. The risk is
higher in younger adult subjects, and the stroke is more likely to be ischemic
than hemorrhagic. The underlying mechanisms of stroke may be related to cerebral
microbleeding or an overcorrection of hemostasis function.
PMID- 28994903
TI - Antidepressant Exposure During Pregnancy and Risk of Autism in the Offspring, 1:
Meta-Review of Meta-Analyses.
AB - There are no randomized controlled trials of antidepressant drugs to treat
depression, or to prevent relapse into depression, during pregnancy; therefore,
the safety of antidepressant drug exposure during pregnancy is based on evidence
from case-control or cohort studies. Many of these observational studies, during
the past decade, examined the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in exposed
offspring. Different studies using different methods and examining different
periods of antidepressant exposure before and during pregnancy obtained different
results. Studies with adverse outcomes were highlighted in the mass media,
whereas those with reassuring outcomes were mostly ignored. Meta-analyses were
conducted to reconcile the findings of the different studies and determine the
magnitude of the effect size. In the last year or so, at least 6 such meta
analyses examined the effects of antidepressant exposure during pregnancy on the
risk of ASD in the offspring. The meta-analyses set different study selection
criteria and employed different methods of analysis to address different
objectives. The findings across meta-analyses have been reasonably consistent.
Antidepressant exposure during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of
ASD in the offspring. The risk is decreased after adjusting for confounding
variables and is mostly no longer statistically significant after adjusting for
maternal mental illness. Additionally, antidepressant exposure is associated with
an increased risk of ASD in the offspring even when exposure is limited to the
preconception period, when the drugs cannot have a physiological effect on the
fetus. These findings suggest that maternal mental illness is an important
determinant of the risk of ASD associated with antidepressant exposure during
pregnancy.
PMID- 28994904
TI - The Yarkand Embassy.
PMID- 28994902
TI - Corrected QT Interval and Methadone Dose and Concentrations in Pregnant and
Postpartum Women.
AB - BACKGROUND: Methadone is a standard treatment for opioid dependence in pregnancy;
however, its impact on maternal corrected QT interval (QTc) has not been
evaluated. We studied the association between methadone dose and enantiomer
specific plasma concentrations and QTc among pregnant and postpartum women and
newborns. We assessed the relevance of QTc screening guidelines for pregnant
women and infants. METHODS: From 2006 to 2008, plasma methadone concentrations
were measured during pregnancy, postpartum, and in cord blood in women treated
for opioid dependence at a single treatment program. Electrocardiograms (ECGs)
were obtained at peak methadone concentrations in mothers and within 48 hours of
birth for infants. Pearson correlations were performed at each time point for QTc
and R-methadone, S-methadone, and total methadone concentrations and ratio of R
methadone/S-methadone concentrations. RESULTS: Mean (SD) daily methadone dose for
the 25 women was 94.2 (39.1) mg during pregnancy and 112.5 (46.6) mg postpartum.
During the third trimester, higher methadone dose and R-methadone concentration
correlated with longer QTc (Pearson r = 0.67, P < .001 and Pearson r = 0.49, P =
.02, respectively), while S-methadone concentration, R-methadone/S-methadone
concentration ratio, and total methadone concentration did not. Postpartum, QTc
did not significantly correlate with dose or enantiomer concentrations. Infant
QTc did not correlate with maternal dose at delivery or enantiomer-specific cord
methadone concentrations. In pregnant and postpartum women, 13% and 17%,
respectively, had QTc >= 450 ms, as did 19% of infants. CONCLUSIONS: QTc
correlated with dose and R-methadone concentration during the third trimester.
However, longer QTc was common among women during and after pregnancy. Given the
relatively high rate of QTc > 450 ms, an ECG before and after methadone
initiation is advisable for pregnant and postpartum women.
PMID- 28994905
TI - Professor Liebrich's Operation for Cataract.
PMID- 28994906
TI - Case of Cirrhosis of the Left Lung.
PMID- 28994907
TI - Carbolic Acid as a Febrifuge.
PMID- 28994908
TI - Osteo-Cephaloma of the Humerus.
PMID- 28994909
TI - The Water-Supply of Indian Hill Stations.
PMID- 28994910
TI - Atisine.
PMID- 28994911
TI - A Case of Fish in the Throat.
PMID- 28994912
TI - On Sound as a Cause of Pathological Conditions.
PMID- 28994913
TI - Extracts from a Report on Leprosy and Yaws in the West Indies.
PMID- 28994915
TI - Cinchona Cultivation in the North-Western Provinces and Punjab.
PMID- 28994914
TI - Maggots in Nose or So-Called Vermes Nasi.
PMID- 28994916
TI - The "Umrit Sagur".
PMID- 28994917
TI - Food Equivalents.
PMID- 28994918
TI - Surgical Cases in the Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
PMID- 28994920
TI - Invaliding.
PMID- 28994919
TI - The Etiology of Madura-Foot.
PMID- 28994922
TI - Death from Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 28994921
TI - Benicassa Cerifera, a Specific for Haemoptysis.
PMID- 28994923
TI - The Madras Medical College.
PMID- 28994925
TI - What Next?
PMID- 28994924
TI - Case of Snake-Bite at Deesa.
PMID- 28994926
TI - A Case of Strangulated Hernia Successfully Treated by Inversion.
PMID- 28994927
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28994928
TI - Observations on the Liability of Natives of India to Enteric Fever, with Notes of
Cases Reported from Abbottabad during the Last Two Years.
PMID- 28994929
TI - A Case of Aneurism of the Ascending Aorta.
PMID- 28994930
TI - Rupture of the Heart from Concussion.
PMID- 28994932
TI - Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28994931
TI - Darjeeling as a Sanitarium.
PMID- 28994933
TI - On Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28994934
TI - The Grant Medical College, Bombay.
PMID- 28994935
TI - Death Caused by Thrusting a Bamboo-Stick into the Rectum.
PMID- 28994936
TI - The Hooghly Fever.
PMID- 28994937
TI - Quixotic Etiology: Dr. Cuningham on Cholera in Northern India, 1872.
PMID- 28994938
TI - Gunshot Wound of Heart Not Immediately Fatal.
PMID- 28994939
TI - Contribution to Indian Dietetics No. 2.
PMID- 28994940
TI - Curative Value of Indian Hill Climates.
PMID- 28994941
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28994942
TI - Cholera in Calcutta during the Year 1873.
PMID- 28994944
TI - The Mortality of Thigh Amputations in Bengal.
PMID- 28994943
TI - Typhus Fever in Dacca.
PMID- 28994945
TI - Report on the Recent Epidemic of Fever in the Rawulpindee Jail.
PMID- 28994947
TI - Dr. Cuningham at the Epidemiological Society.
PMID- 28994946
TI - Report on the Treatment of Leprosy with Gurjon Oil.
PMID- 28994948
TI - Dr. Cuningham at the Epidemiological Society.
PMID- 28994949
TI - The Investigation of Indian Fevers.
PMID- 28994950
TI - Case of Traumatic Tetanus Treated with Chloral Hydrate: Recovery.
PMID- 28994951
TI - Does Cholera Attack Horses?
PMID- 28994952
TI - Compound Comminuted Fracture of Right Forearm; Gangrene; Amputation; Tetanus;
Death.
PMID- 28994953
TI - Congestive Stricture of Urethra; Retention of Urine; Puncture of Bladder.
PMID- 28994954
TI - Extracts from a Report on Leprosy and Yaws in the West Indies.
PMID- 28994955
TI - Erratum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 8 in vol. 9.].
PMID- 28994956
TI - Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28994957
TI - Elephantiasis of Scrotum and Penis-Amputation.
PMID- 28994958
TI - Darjeeling as a Sanitarium.
PMID- 28994959
TI - Report on the Recent Epidemic of Fever in the Rawalpindee Jail.
PMID- 28994960
TI - Case of Erysipelatous Inflammation of the Face, Neck, and Upper Part of the
Chest, Produced by Smoke from "Bhelawah" Wood.
PMID- 28994962
TI - Case of Salivary Calculus.
PMID- 28994961
TI - On Urethral Lithotrity.
PMID- 28994963
TI - Extracts from a Diary Kept during a Visit to Burdwan in September 1873.
PMID- 28994964
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28994965
TI - On Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28994967
TI - Eucalyptus Globulus.
PMID- 28994966
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite Treated by Injection of Liquor Ammoniae into the Veins:
Death.
PMID- 28994968
TI - Excision of Carpal Portion of Radius; Cartilaginous, or Bony Union; and Recovery
with a Strong Limb.
PMID- 28994970
TI - Microscopic Examinations of Air.
PMID- 28994969
TI - Cases of Elephantiasis Scroti.
PMID- 28994971
TI - Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28994972
TI - Retrograde Views on Cholera.
PMID- 28994973
TI - Lithotomy Lateral; Calculi Removed Twice, but the Third Time No Calculus Was
Found.
PMID- 28994974
TI - Report on Treatment of Leprosy with Gurjon Oil.
PMID- 28994975
TI - Contributions to Indian Dietetics; No. 1.
PMID- 28994976
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28994977
TI - Sir George Campbell.
PMID- 28994978
TI - Eucalyptus Globulus: Its Use in Therapeutics and Its Value as a Fever-Destroyer.
PMID- 28994979
TI - Chloroform v. Tetanus.-Case of Compound Comminuted Fracturs of Leg; Tetanus;
Amputation: Death.
PMID- 28994980
TI - Observations on Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28994982
TI - Epidemic Goitre.
PMID- 28994981
TI - Report on Cholera in the Jehanabad Subdivision of Burdwan.
PMID- 28994984
TI - The Value of European Life in India.
PMID- 28994983
TI - A Case of Spina Bifida Cured by Aspiration and Injection of Iodine.
PMID- 28994986
TI - Notes of Cases of Aneurism.
PMID- 28994985
TI - Notes on Medico-Legal Work in the Punjab.
PMID- 28994987
TI - The "Umrit Sagur".
PMID- 28994989
TI - The Milk Treatment of Diabetes in the Seventeenth Century.
PMID- 28994988
TI - The Localization of Disease.
PMID- 28994991
TI - Moribund Medication.
PMID- 28994990
TI - Cholera among Assam Tea Coolies in River Steamers.
PMID- 28994992
TI - Case of Lipoma, Weighing 29lbs-Excision-Successful Result.
PMID- 28994993
TI - Clinical Studies.
PMID- 28994994
TI - Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28994995
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28994996
TI - Esmarch's "Bloodless Method" Employed for the Excision of a Scrotal Tumour.
PMID- 28994997
TI - Post-Mortem Examination of the Bodies of 6 Individuals Who Died from Poisoning by
Arsenic.
PMID- 28994999
TI - 1873.
PMID- 28994998
TI - Extracts from a Diary Kept during a Visit to Burdwan in September 1873.
PMID- 28995000
TI - Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28995002
TI - Double Spleen and Kidneys.
PMID- 28995001
TI - Congenital Malformation.
PMID- 28995003
TI - Report on the Recent Epidemic of Fever in the Rawalpindee Jail.
PMID- 28995004
TI - A Case of Perfect Recovery from an Abscess of the Liver Opening into the Lungs.
PMID- 28995005
TI - Fibrous Tumour of the Neck and Face: Removal.
PMID- 28995006
TI - Nineteen Cases of Cholera Treated by the Hypodermic Injection of Hydrate of
Chloral.
PMID- 28995007
TI - Old Notes on Malarial Fevers and Cognate Ailments.
PMID- 28995008
TI - The Umrit Sagur.
PMID- 28995009
TI - Vernacular Medical Education.
PMID- 28995010
TI - Case of Elephantiasis of Labia.
PMID- 28995011
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995012
TI - Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28995013
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995014
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995015
TI - Famine and Fever in Rajpootana.
PMID- 28995017
TI - Physiological Researches on the Nature of Cholera.
PMID- 28995016
TI - Erratum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 336 in vol. 8.].
PMID- 28995019
TI - Mortality of Lithotomy in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28995018
TI - "Ainhum," or Spontaneous Amputation of the Toes.
PMID- 28995020
TI - Scorpion Poisoning.
PMID- 28995021
TI - What Are the Duties of a Health Officer.
PMID- 28995022
TI - Report on Cholera in the Shahabad District.
PMID- 28995023
TI - Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28995024
TI - Case of Preputial Calculus.
PMID- 28995025
TI - Report on Cholera in the Arrah Jail.
PMID- 28995027
TI - Physiological Researches into the Digestive and Absorbing Powers of the Large
Intestine.
PMID- 28995026
TI - Dr. Livingstone.
PMID- 28995029
TI - The Reductio ad Absurdam of Sanitation.
PMID- 28995028
TI - Pyaemia in the Horse.
PMID- 28995030
TI - Dr. Hutchinson's Glossary of Medical and Medico-Legal Terms.
PMID- 28995031
TI - Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28995032
TI - Cases of Septicaemia Consequent on Operations upon the Scrotum.
PMID- 28995033
TI - Two Cases of Tumour of the Upper Jaw.
PMID- 28995034
TI - Penal Settlement, Port Blair; Hospital, Ross Island. In Medical Charge of Surgeon
Major J. Dougall: Selections from Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28995035
TI - Remarks on the Electric Cautery with Cases.
PMID- 28995037
TI - Famine Eever in India.
PMID- 28995036
TI - On Subcutaneous Injection of Chloral in Asthma.
PMID- 28995038
TI - Ulwar Sudder Dispensary.
PMID- 28995040
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995039
TI - Eulogium on Louis, Pronounced at the Annual Meeting of the Academy of Medicine,
on the 17th March 1874.
PMID- 28995041
TI - Treatment of Cancer of the Cervix Uteri by the Galvanic Cautery.
PMID- 28995043
TI - Suicide and Lumbrici.
PMID- 28995042
TI - Case of Tubercular Spinal Meningitis with Deposit of Tubercle in the Liver and
Peritoneum.
PMID- 28995044
TI - Observations on Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28995045
TI - Two Cases of Tetanus after Delivery.
PMID- 28995046
TI - Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28995048
TI - Titles.
PMID- 28995047
TI - Dr Dougall's Treatment of Leprosy with Gurjon-Oil.
PMID- 28995050
TI - A Congress on Cholera.
PMID- 28995049
TI - An Instance of Water Serving as a Vehicle of Cholera Poison.
PMID- 28995051
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28995053
TI - The Bulrampur Medical School.
PMID- 28995052
TI - A Case of Meningocele (Congenital) Complicated with Chronic Hydrocephalus.
PMID- 28995055
TI - The Hygiene of Malaria.
PMID- 28995054
TI - On Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28995056
TI - The "Umrit Sagur".
PMID- 28995057
TI - On Compression of the Artery in Amputation at the Shoulder.
PMID- 28995058
TI - Charles Dickens' Consultation with Mr. Syme.
PMID- 28995059
TI - Meteorology in India.
PMID- 28995060
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995061
TI - Rhinoplastic Operation.
PMID- 28995062
TI - Mortality of Lithotomy in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28995063
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease-Cholera.
PMID- 28995064
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28995065
TI - The "Umrit Sagur" (6th Paper).
PMID- 28995066
TI - Civil Surgeons and Their Duties.
PMID- 28995067
TI - The Hydro-Therapeutic Treatment of Intermittent Fevers.
PMID- 28995068
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995069
TI - The Logical Non-Contagiousness of Cholera.
PMID- 28995070
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen with Protrusion of Small Intestine, 3
Feet Long, Treated by Ice, Carbolic Oil, and Opium: Recovery without Peritonitis.
PMID- 28995071
TI - Report upon the Epidemic Fever of 1873-74 in the Rawalpindi Jail.
PMID- 28995072
TI - Cholera in the Central Provinces in the Year 1873.
PMID- 28995073
TI - Medical Administration.
PMID- 28995074
TI - Calculus in a Female.
PMID- 28995076
TI - Sanitation.
PMID- 28995075
TI - Laborious Labour from Impaction of the Head: Craniotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 28995077
TI - Death from Inhalation of Poisonous Gases Generated in a Grain Pit or Katee; Post
Mortem Examination and Remarks.
PMID- 28995078
TI - Snake Poisoning.
PMID- 28995079
TI - On Herpes.
PMID- 28995080
TI - Lectures on the Vasculo-Cardiacs.
PMID- 28995081
TI - Observations on Leprosy and on Its Treatment by Means of Vaporized Carbolic Acid
in Union with Watery Vapor.
PMID- 28995082
TI - Case of Strychnia Poisoning.
PMID- 28995083
TI - Cases of Hospital Gangrene.
PMID- 28995085
TI - Cholera and Lumbrici.
PMID- 28995084
TI - Gangrene of the Right Leg Consequent on Pott's Fracture; Amputation at Lower
Third of Thigh; Tetanus: Recovery.
PMID- 28995086
TI - A Case of Gun-Shot Wound of the Forearm Involving Fracture of the Radius.
PMID- 28995087
TI - Sloughing Ulcer of Leg: Amputation.
PMID- 28995088
TI - Indian Fevers.
PMID- 28995090
TI - The Election of Tagore Law Professor.
PMID- 28995089
TI - The "Umrit Sagur".
PMID- 28995091
TI - Bloodless Operations with Illustrative Cases.
PMID- 28995093
TI - Dislocation of the Hip-Reduction by Flexion.
PMID- 28995092
TI - Calculus Vesicae in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28995095
TI - The Aboo Lawrence School.
PMID- 28995094
TI - Prolonged Pyrexia in Children Treated by the Cold Bath; a Few General Remarks
upon This System.
PMID- 28995097
TI - The Vienna Conference on the Communicability of Cholera.
PMID- 28995096
TI - Medical Fees.
PMID- 28995098
TI - Elephantiasis of the Female Generative Organs.
PMID- 28995099
TI - Report upon the Epidemic Fever of 1873-74 in the Rawalpindi Jail.
PMID- 28995101
TI - A Case of Traumatic Gangrene, Following Compound Fracture of Both Bones of the
Right Leg, Complicated with a Sloughing Wound of the Thigh; Amputation Upper
Third of Femur Seven Days after Accident: Recovery.
PMID- 28995100
TI - Notes from Post--Mortem Examinations: Comminuted Fracture of the Skull without
Any External Marks of Injury.
PMID- 28995103
TI - Enteric Fever in Hazareebagh.
PMID- 28995102
TI - On Herpes.
PMID- 28995104
TI - Female Medical Education in Madras.
PMID- 28995105
TI - Milky Juice of Jatropha Curcas a Powerful Haemostatic.
PMID- 28995106
TI - Deputy Surgeon-General H. B. Buckle, C.B.
PMID- 28995107
TI - DeRenzy versus Cuningham.
PMID- 28995108
TI - A Case of Elephantiasis of the Female External Generative Organs; Excision:
Recovery.
PMID- 28995110
TI - Civil Surgeons and Charitable Dispensaries.
PMID- 28995109
TI - Death from Starvation: Post-Mortem Examination.
PMID- 28995112
TI - A Widow and Orphan Fund for the Warrant Medical Officers of the Bombay
Presidency.
PMID- 28995111
TI - The Nagpore Medical School.
PMID- 28995113
TI - Medical Missions.
PMID- 28995114
TI - Civil Surgeons and Charitable Dispensaries.
PMID- 28995116
TI - Report upon the Epidemic Fever of 1873-74 in the Rawalpindi Jail.
PMID- 28995115
TI - Case of Calculus in a Female.
PMID- 28995117
TI - The Electric Cautery in the Treatment of Cystic Growths of the Neck.
PMID- 28995118
TI - Civil Surgeons and Their Duties.
PMID- 28995119
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995121
TI - The Vizianagram Female Dispensary, Benares.
PMID- 28995120
TI - A Case of Traumatic Stricture of Urethra Treated by Perineal Section.
PMID- 28995122
TI - Case of Madura Foot.
PMID- 28995123
TI - Report on Enteric Fever in 1st Battalion, 11th Regiment, at Subathoo, in 1873.
PMID- 28995124
TI - Bismuth in Dysentery.
PMID- 28995125
TI - Lectures on the Vasculo-Cardiacs.
PMID- 28995126
TI - Cholera and Lumbrici.
PMID- 28995127
TI - Cholera and Quarantine.
PMID- 28995128
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.-Part I.
PMID- 28995130
TI - The Lahore Medical School.
PMID- 28995129
TI - An Instructive Case of Nervous Exhaustion Similating Intermittent Fever.
PMID- 28995132
TI - A Case of Tetanus Probably Due to Thread Worms and Ottorrhoea; Cure.
PMID- 28995131
TI - Double Uterus.
PMID- 28995133
TI - The Diagnosis of Fevers.
PMID- 28995134
TI - A Health Officer for the Port of Calcutta.
PMID- 28995135
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Boils and Ulcers in the 36th Regiment Native Infantry.
PMID- 28995137
TI - The Etiology of Madura Foot.
PMID- 28995136
TI - Four Cases of Aconite Poisoning.
PMID- 28995138
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995139
TI - Lumbrici and Cholera.
PMID- 28995140
TI - Shoulder Pads.
PMID- 28995141
TI - A Case of Osteoid Cancer of Forearm: Amputation: Death.
PMID- 28995142
TI - Uterine Calculus.-Histogical Examination of a Calculus Obtained by Dr. Amussat in
1829, Proving It to Be a Calcified Myoma.
PMID- 28995143
TI - Cholera and Lumbrici.
PMID- 28995145
TI - A Case of Rupture of the Spleen, Complicated with Fracture of the Left Temporal
Bone and Effusion of Blood on the Right Cerebral Hemisphere.
PMID- 28995144
TI - Fever in the Godavery District.
PMID- 28995146
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease.
PMID- 28995148
TI - Dr. Fayrer.
PMID- 28995147
TI - A Case of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 28995149
TI - Remarks on Varix Lymphaticus or Naevoid Elephantiasis.
PMID- 28995150
TI - Treatment of Leprosy by Gurjon Oil.
PMID- 28995151
TI - Mortality of Lithotomy in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28995152
TI - The Milk Treatment in India.
PMID- 28995153
TI - Opium as a Prophylactic of Malarious Fevers.
PMID- 28995155
TI - Monthly Report of the Medical College Surgical Dispensary for June 1874.
PMID- 28995154
TI - Dr. Francis' Vade Mecum.
PMID- 28995156
TI - Penetrating Wound of the Head, Protrusion and Loss of Cerebral Substance:
Recovery.
PMID- 28995158
TI - An Awkward Accident.
PMID- 28995157
TI - Remarks Concerning the Nepalese, Chiefly with Reference to the Goorkhas and the
Military Classes, Being an Appendix to the Annual Sanitary Report of the 2nd
Goorkha Regiment for 1873.
PMID- 28995159
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28995160
TI - Treatment of Snake-Poisoning by Artificial Respiration.
PMID- 28995161
TI - Fever in the Sote Valley, Pergunnah Sumbhul, District Moradabad.
PMID- 28995162
TI - A Case of Lacerated and Contused Wound of the Scrotum.
PMID- 28995163
TI - Case of Foreign Body in the OEsophagus, Causing Death by Perforation of the
Aorta.
PMID- 28995164
TI - Reorganization of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28995165
TI - A Case of Traumatic Aneurism of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery.
PMID- 28995166
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995167
TI - Cholera in the East.
PMID- 28995168
TI - Cholera in Hoshangabad, 1872.
PMID- 28995169
TI - Sulphate of Quinine in Remittent Fever.
PMID- 28995170
TI - Poisoning by Sub-Cutaneous Insertion of Nux Vomica.
PMID- 28995172
TI - Case of Large Enchondromatous Tumour of the Testicle; Removal; Recovery.
PMID- 28995173
TI - Chloride of Ammonium in the Treatment of Hepatic Disease in India.
PMID- 28995171
TI - Mesmerism (?).
PMID- 28995174
TI - Post-Mortem Delivery.
PMID- 28995175
TI - Case of Poisoning with Tincture of Aconite.
PMID- 28995176
TI - Digitalis as a Cardiac Stimulant.
PMID- 28995178
TI - The Study of Meteorology in Bengal.
PMID- 28995177
TI - Milk and Cholera.
PMID- 28995180
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995179
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28995181
TI - The Contagious Diseases' Act (XIV. of 1868) in the Presidency Towns.
PMID- 28995182
TI - Locusts.
PMID- 28995183
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995184
TI - On the Etiology and Hygiene of Cholera.
PMID- 28995185
TI - Case of Syphilitic Iritis.
PMID- 28995186
TI - Treatment of Carbuncle by Nitrate of Silver.
PMID- 28995187
TI - Adulterated Sulphate of Quinine.
PMID- 28995189
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995190
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995188
TI - Vernacular Medical Education.
PMID- 28995191
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995192
TI - Improvement of Water-Supply.
PMID- 28995193
TI - Draining Bengal.
PMID- 28995194
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28995195
TI - Cholera in St. Peter's College, Agra.
PMID- 28995196
TI - On the Pathology and Treatment of Heat Apoplexy.
PMID- 28995198
TI - The Burdwan Fever Not to Be "Suppressed by Theory."
PMID- 28995197
TI - Notes on Post-Mortem Examinations Conducted in the Pooree District.
PMID- 28995199
TI - Chloride of Ammonium in the Treatment of Hepatic Disease in India.
PMID- 28995200
TI - A Case of Asiatic Cholera, with Remarks.
PMID- 28995201
TI - Typhoid Fever in Dacca.
PMID- 28995202
TI - The Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28995204
TI - Medical Club.
PMID- 28995203
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995205
TI - Dengue.
PMID- 28995206
TI - Notes from Practice.
PMID- 28995207
TI - The Study of Meteorology in Bengal.
PMID- 28995208
TI - Treatment of Intermittent Fever by the Hypodermic Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 28995210
TI - Malaria.
PMID- 28995209
TI - Chylous Urine.
PMID- 28995211
TI - Pedantic Language.
PMID- 28995213
TI - A Case of Asiatic Cholera, with Remarks.
PMID- 28995212
TI - Locusts.
PMID- 28995214
TI - Reorganization of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28995215
TI - Case of Perforation of Small Intestine.
PMID- 28995216
TI - Case Illustrating the Skim-Milk Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.
PMID- 28995217
TI - Adulterated Milk.
PMID- 28995218
TI - Treatment of Snake-Poisoning by Artificial Respiration.
PMID- 28995219
TI - Cholera in St. Peter's College, Agra.
PMID- 28995220
TI - Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 28995222
TI - Case of Enteric Fever, with Unusual Complications.
PMID- 28995221
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease.
PMID- 28995223
TI - Adulterated Quinine.
PMID- 28995225
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995224
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995227
TI - Notes on Post-Mortem Examinations Conducted in the Pooree District.
PMID- 28995226
TI - Case of Relapsing Fever in Delhi during the Famine of 1860-61.
PMID- 28995229
TI - Cases of Ruptured Spleen.
PMID- 28995228
TI - Double-Storied Barracks.
PMID- 28995230
TI - Honor to Whom Honor Is Due.
PMID- 28995231
TI - Six Cases of Cholera by Muriate of Ammonia.
PMID- 28995232
TI - Urethro Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 28995233
TI - The Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28995234
TI - An Inquiry into the Circumstances Attending an Outbreak of Cholera in H. M.'s
18th Hussars at Secunderabad in the Month of May, 1871.
PMID- 28995235
TI - On Tetanus.
PMID- 28995236
TI - Religion, Science and Medicine.
PMID- 28995237
TI - A Case of Congenital Malformation.
PMID- 28995238
TI - Cases of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28995239
TI - Sanitary Defects in the Calcutta Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28995241
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995240
TI - Case of Tetanus Treated with Hydrate of Chloral.
PMID- 28995243
TI - Medical Meteorology.
PMID- 28995242
TI - Cases of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 28995244
TI - Opium.
PMID- 28995246
TI - Treatment of Fever.
PMID- 28995245
TI - Enteric Fever in Bengal.
PMID- 28995247
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease.
PMID- 28995248
TI - Case of Ablation of the Nose, and Partial Union after Replacing the Piece.
PMID- 28995249
TI - Cholera on the Oating Tea Estate, Assam.
PMID- 28995250
TI - Mortuary Registration in the Central Provinces.
PMID- 28995252
TI - The Looshai Expedition.
PMID- 28995251
TI - Remarks on the Treatment of "Intermittent" and "Remittent" Fevers by the
Hypodermic Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 28995253
TI - On Tetanus.
PMID- 28995254
TI - Portable Diseases.
PMID- 28995255
TI - Cases of Abscess of the Liver Which Occurred among the Men of H. M's 58th
Regiment during the Years 1869 and 1870, with Special Reference to the Connection
of the Disease with Dysentery.
PMID- 28995257
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28995256
TI - Typhoid Fever in Fort William.
PMID- 28995258
TI - Lord Mark Ker on "Delhi Boils."
PMID- 28995259
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995260
TI - Post-Mortem Delivery.
PMID- 28995261
TI - On Epidemic and Endemic Fever in the Saharunpore District.
PMID- 28995262
TI - Promotion in the British Medical Service.
PMID- 28995263
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995264
TI - Physical Degeneracy.
PMID- 28995266
TI - Four Cases of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen with Protrusion of Uninjured
Intestines and Omentum-One Case Complicated with Emphysema of the Right Side of
the Chest from Wounded Unprotruded Intestines.
PMID- 28995265
TI - Remarks on Some of the Symptoms of "Dengue."
PMID- 28995267
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995269
TI - Snake Poisoning.
PMID- 28995268
TI - On the Treatment of Intermittent Fevers by Small Doses of Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 28995270
TI - Clinical Lectures on Dengue, Delivered at the Medical College.
PMID- 28995271
TI - Notes of Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28995272
TI - Cases Treated in 1871.
PMID- 28995273
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995274
TI - Spurious Generalization.
PMID- 28995275
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995276
TI - Alcoholism.
PMID- 28995277
TI - Cases of Abscess of the Liver Which Occurred among the Men of H. M's 58th
Regiment, during the Years 1869 and 1870 with Special Reference to the Connection
of the Disease with Dysentery.
PMID- 28995278
TI - Nature and Cause of the Changes in Color of the Chameleon.
PMID- 28995279
TI - Clinical Lectures on Dengue, Delivered at the Medical College.
PMID- 28995280
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 28995281
TI - The Lieutenant-Governor's Minute on Jail Buildings in Bengal.
PMID- 28995282
TI - Dispensary Midwifery Practice.
PMID- 28995283
TI - Case of Locomotor Ataxy.
PMID- 28995284
TI - A Case of Tramnatic Tetanus, Successfully Treated by Hydrate of Chloral.
PMID- 28995285
TI - Leprosy.
PMID- 28995286
TI - On Wounds of the Throat.
PMID- 28995287
TI - Remittent Fever.
PMID- 28995288
TI - Cardiac Embolism or Thrombosis in Child-Birth.
PMID- 28995289
TI - On Epidemic and Endemic Fever in the Saharunpore District.
PMID- 28995291
TI - Notes of London Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28995290
TI - Fibrous Tumour of Hand.
PMID- 28995292
TI - The Elimination Hypothesis.
PMID- 28995293
TI - A Case of Gonorrhoea Treated with Carbolic Acid and Oil.
PMID- 28995294
TI - Dengue.
PMID- 28995295
TI - Scarlatina in India.
PMID- 28995296
TI - Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 28995297
TI - Cholera among Coolies.
PMID- 28995298
TI - Tumour Fatty (Lipoma).
PMID- 28995299
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995300
TI - Two Remarkable Cases of Injury of Head.
PMID- 28995301
TI - Discussion on Pyaemia.
PMID- 28995302
TI - Typhoid Fever in Fort William.
PMID- 28995303
TI - Effect of Alcohol.
PMID- 28995304
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995306
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 28995305
TI - Report on the Epidemic of Cholera Prevailing in the Pertabgurh District.
PMID- 28995308
TI - Dengue.
PMID- 28995307
TI - Memorandum of Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28995309
TI - Experiments with Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 28995310
TI - Honour to Whom Honour Is Due.
PMID- 28995311
TI - Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 28995313
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28995312
TI - A Few Remarks on the Causes of "Insolatio or Heat Apoplexy" with the Line of
Treatment Indicated.
PMID- 28995314
TI - Milk and Cholera.
PMID- 28995316
TI - Mr. Netten Rodcliffe on the "Prospects of Cholera".
PMID- 28995315
TI - Case of Poisoning by Gloriosa Superba.
PMID- 28995318
TI - Cholera among Assam Coolies.
PMID- 28995317
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995319
TI - Olutkombol in Dysmenorrhoea.
PMID- 28995320
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995321
TI - Enormous Pendulous Tumour Occupying the Whole of the Left Side of the Neck and
Parotid Space-Weight 3lb 81/2oz.; Removed Successfully.
PMID- 28995322
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995323
TI - Jungle Fever in Calcutta.
PMID- 28995324
TI - Cases of Abscess of the Liver Which Occurred among the Men of H. M.'s 58th
Regiment during the Years 1869 and 1870, with Special Reference to the Connection
of the Disease with Dysentery.
PMID- 28995326
TI - Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28995325
TI - Malarious Fevers Attended with Indistinctness of Speech, &c.
PMID- 28995328
TI - Royal Medical Benevolent Fund Society of Ireland.
PMID- 28995327
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995329
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995330
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995331
TI - An Outbreak of Cholera at Dehing Mookh, in Assam.
PMID- 28995332
TI - Lord Napier on Jail Sanitation.
PMID- 28995333
TI - Congenital Absence of the Left Kidney.
PMID- 28995335
TI - Carbolic Acid; Its Use, External and Internal.
PMID- 28995334
TI - Description of a New Bullet Forceps.
PMID- 28995336
TI - The Contagious Diseases Act (XIV. of 1868) in the Presidency Towns.
PMID- 28995337
TI - Pthisis Simulated by Pneumonia of the Upper Lobes; Diagnosis Discussed.
PMID- 28995338
TI - Medical Staff Employed in Burdwan.
PMID- 28995339
TI - Three Cases of Tiger Wound.
PMID- 28995340
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease.
PMID- 28995341
TI - The Times on Indian Cholera.
PMID- 28995342
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995343
TI - Cases of Abdominal Wounds.
PMID- 28995344
TI - On Rupture of the Perinaeum.
PMID- 28995345
TI - Malarial Ataxy.
PMID- 28995347
TI - Dr. Fayrer on Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28995346
TI - Case of Exophthalmos.
PMID- 28995348
TI - Adulterated Milk.
PMID- 28995349
TI - Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28995350
TI - Abstract of Cases of Cholera Treated with Chloral Hydrate.
PMID- 28995351
TI - Mr. Campbell on the Working of the Jails of Bengal for 1871.
PMID- 28995352
TI - Effect of Opium on Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28995354
TI - The Earl of Derby on Sanitation.
PMID- 28995353
TI - Filaria Dracunculus or Medinensis at Kherwarrah.
PMID- 28995355
TI - Notes on Cholera in the Jounpore District.
PMID- 28995356
TI - Two Cases of Tumour.
PMID- 28995357
TI - Badly United Fracture of Femur; Refracture.
PMID- 28995359
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995358
TI - On Epidemic and Endemic Fever in the Saharunpore District.
PMID- 28995360
TI - A Few Practical Remarks on Midwifery as Practised in India.
PMID- 28995362
TI - The Looshai Expedition.
PMID- 28995361
TI - On a Case of Depressed Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 28995363
TI - Typhoid Fever in Jounpore Jail.
PMID- 28995364
TI - Cholera at Chezzetcook, Halifax, U. S., in 1871.
PMID- 28995365
TI - Cholera in Chowringhee.
PMID- 28995366
TI - Clinical Lectures on Dengue Delivered at the Medical College.
PMID- 28995367
TI - Remarks on the Formation and General Economy of the Native Army in India.
PMID- 28995368
TI - A Case of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 28995369
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28995370
TI - Leprosy.
PMID- 28995371
TI - Prophylaxis in Periodic Fevers.
PMID- 28995372
TI - Amputation of Both Arms; Recovery.
PMID- 28995374
TI - The Hot Sulphur Springs at Sonah.
PMID- 28995373
TI - Amputation of the Leg.
PMID- 28995375
TI - Case of Wolf-Bite.
PMID- 28995376
TI - Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28995377
TI - Case of Leopord-Bite.
PMID- 28995379
TI - Dengue.
PMID- 28995378
TI - A Cases of Hydrophobia with Endocarditis as a Marked Symptom.
PMID- 28995381
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995380
TI - Cases of Abscess of the Liver Which Occurred among the Men of H. M's 58th
Regiment during the Years 1869 and 1870 with Special Reference to the Connection
of the Disease with Dysentery.
PMID- 28995382
TI - The Lancet Versus Intestinal Lesions in Cholera.
PMID- 28995383
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995385
TI - Goitre.
PMID- 28995384
TI - Notes with the Lushai Field Force, Left Column.
PMID- 28995387
TI - An Inquiry into the Endemic Skin Diseases of India.
PMID- 28995386
TI - Reminiscences of an Attack of Dengue.
PMID- 28995388
TI - Syme's Operation at the Ankle Joint for Cartilaginous Tumour of the Left Foot,
Involving the Tarsal and Metatarsal Bones; Result, Cure.
PMID- 28995390
TI - Cholera in Chowringhee.
PMID- 28995389
TI - Short Practical Remarks on the Nature, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention of Delhi
Ulcers.
PMID- 28995391
TI - External Application of Carbolic Acid in Cases of Small-Pox.
PMID- 28995392
TI - Deaths from Coal Gas.
PMID- 28995393
TI - Cases of "Rotheln" Followed by Renal Dropsy.
PMID- 28995394
TI - Clinical Lectures on Dengue Delivered at the Medical College.
PMID- 28995395
TI - A Case of Foreign Body in the Cornea; Removal and Rapid Recovery.
PMID- 28995396
TI - Water-Supply to European Troops in India.
PMID- 28995398
TI - On Epidemic and Endemic Fever in the Saharunpore District.
PMID- 28995397
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995399
TI - Medical Man and Court Honours.
PMID- 28995400
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease.
PMID- 28995402
TI - Medical Meteorology.
PMID- 28995401
TI - Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 28995403
TI - Simple Auriscope.
PMID- 28995405
TI - Royal Medical Fund Society of Ireland.
PMID- 28995404
TI - Report on the Outbreak of Cholera at Delhi.
PMID- 28995406
TI - The Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28995407
TI - An Indian Asylum.
PMID- 28995408
TI - Case of Tumour of the Scalp.
PMID- 28995409
TI - Cases of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28995410
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease.
PMID- 28995411
TI - Lord Mark Kerr on the Delhi Sore.
PMID- 28995412
TI - How Scarlatina Is Imported into India.
PMID- 28995414
TI - Purulent Infection.
PMID- 28995413
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995415
TI - Darwinism.
PMID- 28995416
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Version Terminated within 13 Hours.
PMID- 28995417
TI - Medico-Legal Cases.
PMID- 28995418
TI - Notes on the Eruptive Fever Prevailing in and around Calcutta.
PMID- 28995419
TI - Dengue.
PMID- 28995420
TI - On Malarial Fevers and Sites, Relating Chiefly to Assam.
PMID- 28995421
TI - Clinical Lecture on Dengue Delivered at the Medical College.
PMID- 28995422
TI - An Explanation by the Editors of the Indian Medical Gazette.
PMID- 28995423
TI - Remarks on a Case of "Morbillose Blutdissolution," or the So-Called Morbillous
Dissolution of the Blood.
PMID- 28995424
TI - Typhoid Fever in Jounpore Jail.
PMID- 28995426
TI - Fever in Burdwan.
PMID- 28995425
TI - Cases of Traumatic Tetanus (Amputation).
PMID- 28995428
TI - Skin Grafting.
PMID- 28995427
TI - Notes of Three Typical Cases of the Eruptive Fever Which Has Lately Prevailed in
Calcutta.
PMID- 28995429
TI - Religion, Science, and Medicine.
PMID- 28995431
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995430
TI - Three Cases of Amputation of the Upper Extremity.
PMID- 28995432
TI - Ligature of the Subclavian for Axillary Aneurism.
PMID- 28995433
TI - Post-Mortem Delivery.
PMID- 28995435
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995434
TI - Case of Scrotal Fistula Discharging Calculous Matter.
PMID- 28995436
TI - Cases of Small-Pox Treated by the External Application of Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 28995438
TI - The Aboo Lawrence School.
PMID- 28995437
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Cholera in the Rajmehal Jail.
PMID- 28995439
TI - Adulterated Sulphate of Quinine.
PMID- 28995440
TI - On the Etiology and Hygiene of Cholera.
PMID- 28995441
TI - Amputation of Thigh; Recovery. Two Cases of Enteric Fever; Recovery.
PMID- 28995442
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease.
PMID- 28995443
TI - Experiments with Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 28995444
TI - Transported by Order of "Medicine".
PMID- 28995445
TI - Prevention Is Better Than Cure.
PMID- 28995446
TI - Cases of Lightning Stroke.
PMID- 28995447
TI - Cases of Abscess of Liver Which Occurred among the Men of H.M.'s 58th Regiment
during the Years 1869 and 1870, with Special Reference to the Connection of the
Disease with Dysentery.
PMID- 28995448
TI - Notes on Post-Mortem Examinations Conducted in the Pooree District.
PMID- 28995450
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28995449
TI - East Indian Finance Committee.
PMID- 28995451
TI - Dr. Burdon Sanderson on Pyaemia.
PMID- 28995452
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28995453
TI - Case of Calculus Vesicae.
PMID- 28995454
TI - Case of Atresia Oris.
PMID- 28995455
TI - A Case of Suicidal Poisoning by Arsenic, Illustrative of the Extreme Insolubility
of the Poison; Two Lumps of Arsenic, Weighing 105 Grains, Passed per Rectum;
Recovery.
PMID- 28995456
TI - Professor Pettenkofer on Pilgrims and Puri.
PMID- 28995457
TI - Reversion.
PMID- 28995459
TI - Poisoning by Chloroform.
PMID- 28995458
TI - Chloride of Ammonium in the Treatment of Hepatic Disease in India.
PMID- 28995461
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995460
TI - A Case of Asiatic Cholera, with Remarks.
PMID- 28995462
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995464
TI - Case of Extirpation of Eyeball for Disease Affecting Sympathetically the Sound
Eye.
PMID- 28995463
TI - Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 28995465
TI - Case of Snake-Bite Treated by Means of Liquor Ammoniae, Administered
Subcutaneously and Internally.
PMID- 28995466
TI - Report upon the Epidemic Fever of 1873-74 in the Rawalpindi Jail.
PMID- 28995467
TI - Observations on Leprosy and on Its Treatment by Means of Vaporized Carbolic Acid
in Union with Watery Vapor.
PMID- 28995468
TI - Liquor Lyttae in Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 28995469
TI - Cholera in Russia.
PMID- 28995470
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28995472
TI - Case III.-Scrotal Elephantiasis and Haematocele: Tapping: Inflammation and
Sloughing of Scrotum: Removal of Elephantoid Mass: Tetanus: Death. Under the Care
of Dr. K. McLeod.
PMID- 28995471
TI - Witchcraft in Rajpootana.
PMID- 28995473
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995474
TI - Civil Surgeons and Charitable Dispensaries.
PMID- 28995475
TI - Lectures on the Vasculo-Cardiacs.
PMID- 28995476
TI - On Herpes.
PMID- 28995477
TI - Cases of Madura Foot Disease.
PMID- 28995478
TI - Case II.-Compound Comminuted Fracture of Leg: Tetanus: Amputation: Death. Under
the Care of Dr. K. McLeod.
PMID- 28995480
TI - Observations upon Some Severe Injuries of the Skull and Brain.
PMID- 28995479
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes: Part I.
PMID- 28995481
TI - Small-Pox in the Central Provinces in the Year 1873.
PMID- 28995482
TI - Case I.-Compound Dislocation of Ankle Joint and Compound Fracture of Tarsus:
Excision: Recovery. Under the Care of Dr. K. McLeod.
PMID- 28995483
TI - Plaster Bandage in Gunshot Fractures.
PMID- 28995485
TI - A Sanitarium for Calcutta.
PMID- 28995484
TI - Case of Idiopathic Tetanus Treated by Means of Hydrate of Chloral, Which
Apparently Gave Rise to Ecchymosed Patches on the Face and Other Parts of the
Body, as Well as Aphthous Inflammation of the Mouth.
PMID- 28995486
TI - A Week's Practice in the Saharunpore Dispensary.
PMID- 28995488
TI - Subcutaneous Injection of Quinine: From the Annual Report of the Regiment.
PMID- 28995487
TI - Notes on the Diffusion of Cholera.
PMID- 28995489
TI - Severe Wound of the Head by a Bear.
PMID- 28995491
TI - Scarlatina in the Hills (Query, "Rotheln.").
PMID- 28995490
TI - The Subcutaneous Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 28995493
TI - Our Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28995492
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 28995494
TI - Practising and Non-Practising Medical Officers.
PMID- 28995495
TI - Abstract by the House Surgeon, of Cases of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 28995497
TI - Crowners' Quests.
PMID- 28995496
TI - Royal Irish Benevolent Fund Society.
PMID- 28995498
TI - The Site of Impregnation and Extra Uterine Pregnancy Explained.
PMID- 28995499
TI - Case of Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 28995500
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice in the Cowasjee Jehangheer Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28995501
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995502
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28995503
TI - Sun-Stroke.
PMID- 28995504
TI - Indian Cholera.
PMID- 28995505
TI - Case of Injury to the Small Intestines, Causing Death.
PMID- 28995506
TI - Hydrate of Chloral in Tetanus.
PMID- 28995507
TI - Ophthalmic Surgery.
PMID- 28995508
TI - The Murree Sanitarium.
PMID- 28995509
TI - The Cause of Hill Diarrhoea Exemplified by the Sickness from the Disease in the
Dhurmsalla.
PMID- 28995510
TI - Puchmurree: Proposed New Station for British Troops.
PMID- 28995511
TI - Report on Sanitary Improvements in India.
PMID- 28995512
TI - Rain-Fall of Simla for 1870.
PMID- 28995513
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995514
TI - Diseased Meat.
PMID- 28995515
TI - Hydatid Cysts (Echinococcus Hominis) and Tropical Abscess.
PMID- 28995516
TI - Injection of Serum in Cholera.
PMID- 28995517
TI - Report on the Action of Quinodine and Cinchonine, as Regards Their Influence on
Malarious Fevers.
PMID- 28995518
TI - Hospital 1/5th Fusiliers: Case of Softening of the Brain.
PMID- 28995521
TI - New Sanitaria.
PMID- 28995522
TI - Vaccination in Bengal.
PMID- 28995519
TI - Azimgunge Dispensary.
PMID- 28995520
TI - Cinchona Alkaloids.
PMID- 28995523
TI - On the Curability of Leprosy.
PMID- 28995524
TI - Delhi Boils.
PMID- 28995526
TI - Presidency General Hospital: Case of Abscess Treated Antiseptically, with
Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 28995525
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice in the Cowasjee Jehangheer Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28995527
TI - Regulation of Lodging-House at Pooree.
PMID- 28995528
TI - Fever in the Saharunpore District.
PMID- 28995529
TI - Ague and Its Sequelae.
PMID- 28995530
TI - Injury to the Cervical Vertebrae.
PMID- 28995532
TI - Native Students.
PMID- 28995531
TI - List of Cases Treated by the Subcutaneous Injection of Quinine in the Hoshungabad
Police Hospital during 1869.
PMID- 28995533
TI - On the Curability of Leprosy.
PMID- 28995534
TI - Contribution to the Vital Statistics of the Punjab.
PMID- 28995535
TI - Calabar Bean in Tetanus.
PMID- 28995536
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28995537
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice in the Cowasjee Jehangheer Ophthalmic
Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28995539
TI - A Case of Protracted Labour, Extending over 102 Hours.
PMID- 28995538
TI - Mortuary Registration in India.
PMID- 28995540
TI - A Description of "Aboojee Pahar" or Mount Aboo.
PMID- 28995541
TI - Fracture of the Base of the Skull; Recovery.
PMID- 28995542
TI - Cases Illustrative of Two Common Causes of Death after Amputation.
PMID- 28995544
TI - Scarlatina Unknown in India.
PMID- 28995543
TI - The Medical and Sanitary Services.
PMID- 28995545
TI - Our Netley Men.
PMID- 28995546
TI - Quinine in Ague.
PMID- 28995547
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995549
TI - Marriageable Age of Natives.
PMID- 28995548
TI - A Case of Strangulated Direct Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 28995550
TI - Vaccination and Syphilis.
PMID- 28995551
TI - Caution to Bathers.
PMID- 28995552
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 28995553
TI - Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28995554
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of the Bladder; Recovery.
PMID- 28995556
TI - Cholera in the Bengal Presidency during 1871.
PMID- 28995555
TI - Field Surgery on the North-West Frontier.
PMID- 28995557
TI - Case of Cobra Bite.
PMID- 28995559
TI - A Description of "Aboojee Pahar" or Mount Aboo.
PMID- 28995558
TI - Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28995560
TI - On the Influence of Liquor Ammoniae Hypodermically Injected.
PMID- 28995561
TI - Alcoholism.
PMID- 28995562
TI - Wound of Abdomen, with Protrusion of Bowel; Recovery with Artificial Anus.
PMID- 28995563
TI - Contribution to the Vital Statistics of the Panjab.
PMID- 28995564
TI - Case of Rupture of the Uterus.
PMID- 28995565
TI - A Case of Filaria in a Horse's Eye.
PMID- 28995566
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen, with Protrusion of Omentum; Recovery.
PMID- 28995568
TI - The Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28995567
TI - List of Cases Treated by the Subcutaneous Injection of Quinine in the Hoshungabad
Police Hospital during 1869.
PMID- 28995570
TI - Notes from Practice:-Stricture.
PMID- 28995569
TI - Cases Treated during the Month of April.
PMID- 28995571
TI - Experiments on Snake Poison.
PMID- 28995572
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28995573
TI - Spontaneous Combustion.
PMID- 28995574
TI - On Fish as Food, or the Reputed Origin of Disease.
PMID- 28995575
TI - Case of Aortic Aneurism.
PMID- 28995576
TI - Abstract of Eight Cases of Amputation at the Hip-Joint.
PMID- 28995577
TI - The Peshawar Fever.
PMID- 28995578
TI - Case of Elephantiasis Scroti.
PMID- 28995579
TI - Suggestions on the Prevention of Heat Apoplexy among European Troops in India.
PMID- 28995580
TI - On the Curability of Leprosy.
PMID- 28995581
TI - Traumatic Mydriasis.
PMID- 28995582
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995583
TI - The Drainage and Conservancy of Calcutta.
PMID- 28995584
TI - On the Immediate Treatment of Persons Bitten by Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28995585
TI - Report of Ophthalmic Practice in the Cowasjee Jehanghier Hospital, Bombay, during
the Month of August 1870.
PMID- 28995586
TI - Chandney Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 28995587
TI - On the Sanitary Services of Armies in War.
PMID- 28995588
TI - On Fish as Food, or the Reputed Origin of Disease.
PMID- 28995589
TI - Dr. Fayrer's Observations and Experiments on Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28995590
TI - A Mirror of Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28995591
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28995592
TI - Moorshedabad City Dispensary. Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28995593
TI - The Peshawar Fever.
PMID- 28995595
TI - Summary of Experiments on the Influence of Snake Poison.
PMID- 28995594
TI - The Murree Sanitarium.
PMID- 28995597
TI - The Proposed Bill to Facilitate Drainage and Irrigation in Bengal.
PMID- 28995596
TI - Bustee Dispensary Cases.
PMID- 28995598
TI - Hospital of 1/25th Royal Artillery. A Curious Case.
PMID- 28995600
TI - On Malarial Sites and Fevers, Relating Chiefly to Assam.
PMID- 28995599
TI - Case of Rupture of the Womb.
PMID- 28995601
TI - Scarlatina in India.
PMID- 28995602
TI - Case of Poisoning by Dhatoorah.
PMID- 28995603
TI - Report on the Kohat Water-Supply.
PMID- 28995604
TI - Scarlatina Known in India.
PMID- 28995605
TI - Case of Rupture of the Stomach, Produced by Violence, the Body Having Been Hung
up after Death to Simulate Suicidal Hanging.
PMID- 28995606
TI - A Month's Experience in the Surgical Wards of Hutteesing's Hospital, Ahmedabad.
PMID- 28995607
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice in the Cowasjee Jehangheer Ophthalmic
Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28995608
TI - Furlough Rules and Civil Surgeons.
PMID- 28995609
TI - Cases of Ague-3 Quotidian, 4 Tertian-Treated by Hypodermic Injection.
PMID- 28995610
TI - Dr. Parkes' Croonian Lectures.
PMID- 28995611
TI - Treatment of Bubo.
PMID- 28995613
TI - Natural Science.
PMID- 28995612
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28995614
TI - Intramural Fibroid Tumour, Probably of 11 Years' Standing; Removal by Laceration
and Enucleation; Recovery.
PMID- 28995615
TI - Scarlatina in Poona.
PMID- 28995616
TI - Field Surgery on the North-West Frontier.
PMID- 28995617
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995619
TI - The Narculdangah Slaughter-House.
PMID- 28995618
TI - Case of Sunstroke Treated by Depletion.
PMID- 28995620
TI - A Series of Cases of Disease of the Nostrils.
PMID- 28995621
TI - Another Antidote for Snake Poison.
PMID- 28995622
TI - Case of Strangulated Direct Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 28995623
TI - Treatment of Bubo.
PMID- 28995624
TI - Notes on a Case of Leucoderma.
PMID- 28995626
TI - The Subordinate Medical Service.
PMID- 28995625
TI - The Main Drainage Works of London.
PMID- 28995628
TI - The Health of the Children of Our European Soldiers in India.
PMID- 28995627
TI - Intussusceptions-Complicated Case.
PMID- 28995630
TI - Fatal Case of Snake Bite.
PMID- 28995629
TI - Case of Aneurism of the Femoral Artery; Deligation at the Apex of Scarpa's
Triangle; Recovery.
PMID- 28995631
TI - The Treatment of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28995632
TI - The Results of the Cinchona Commission.
PMID- 28995633
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice in the Cowasjee Jehangheer Ophthalmic
Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28995634
TI - Case of Epilepsy Treated by Chloral Hydrate.
PMID- 28995635
TI - Case of Abscess of the Liver: Of Hydatid Origin.
PMID- 28995636
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995637
TI - Asiatic Cholera in Russia.
PMID- 28995638
TI - Scarlatina at Sealkote.
PMID- 28995639
TI - The Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 28995640
TI - On Malarial Sites and Fevers Relating Chiefly to Assam.
PMID- 28995641
TI - Thoughts on the Origin of Disease.
PMID- 28995642
TI - Simple Epileptiform Neuralgia (Trousseau).
PMID- 28995643
TI - The Superintendence of Jails, Bengal.
PMID- 28995644
TI - The Income Tax Minute.
PMID- 28995645
TI - The Table of Precedence.
PMID- 28995646
TI - A Plan for the Extension of Vaccination.
PMID- 28995647
TI - Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28995648
TI - A Case of Monstrosity.
PMID- 28995649
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995650
TI - Cultivation of Ipecacuanha in India.
PMID- 28995651
TI - Scarlatina in Calcutta.
PMID- 28995652
TI - Enteric Fever in Bengal.
PMID- 28995653
TI - Case of Perforation of Stomach from Chronic Ulceration.
PMID- 28995654
TI - A Case of Scarlatina Maligna.
PMID- 28995655
TI - The Physiological and Therapeutical Effects of Carbolic Acid Administered
Internally.
PMID- 28995656
TI - Scarlatina in India.
PMID- 28995657
TI - The Howrah General Hospital.
PMID- 28995658
TI - Hyposulphite of Soda in Ague.
PMID- 28995660
TI - Blaney to the Rescue.
PMID- 28995659
TI - Cases of Datura Poisoning, with Remarks on the Antidote.
PMID- 28995661
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice in the Cowasjee Jehangheer Ophthalmic
Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28995663
TI - Royal Medical Benevolent Fund Society of Ireland.
PMID- 28995662
TI - On Malarial Sites and Fevers Relating Chiefly to Assam.
PMID- 28995665
TI - Mofussil Dispensary Practice.
PMID- 28995664
TI - Case of Rupture of the Urethra; Extravasation of Urine; Extensive Sloughing;
Recovery.
PMID- 28995667
TI - Cholera Maps.
PMID- 28995666
TI - Poisoning by Opium-Death.
PMID- 28995668
TI - The Antiseptic Method of Treatment in Surgery.
PMID- 28995669
TI - Sanitary Progress.
PMID- 28995670
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995671
TI - Relapsing Fever in Lower Bengal.
PMID- 28995672
TI - A Case of Recovery after Swallowing Strong Sulphuric Acid.
PMID- 28995673
TI - List of Cases Treated by the Subcutaneous Injection of Quinine in the Hoshungabad
Police Hospital during 1869.
PMID- 28995674
TI - How Does Ipecacuanha Cure Dysentery?
PMID- 28995675
TI - Hill Diarrhoea.
PMID- 28995676
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995678
TI - The Indian Medical and Sanitary Departments.
PMID- 28995677
TI - A Case of Self-Strangulation.
PMID- 28995679
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995680
TI - Bustee Dispensary-Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28995681
TI - Poisoning by "Kurwa Thumree"-Cucarbita Sagenaria.
PMID- 28995683
TI - Epidemic Intermittent Fever in the Mauritius.
PMID- 28995682
TI - Ague and Its Sequelae.
PMID- 28995684
TI - Reparative Operation for Cicatrix with Skin Grafting.
PMID- 28995686
TI - Dr. Royston Piggott's Addition to the Microscope.
PMID- 28995685
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice in the Cowasjee Jehangheer Ophthalmic
Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28995687
TI - The Contagious Diseases' Act.
PMID- 28995688
TI - Observations on the Power That Round Worms (Nematelmia) Possess to Penetrate the
Tissues of the Body.
PMID- 28995689
TI - A Few Remarks on Sun-Stroke.
PMID- 28995690
TI - A Very Large Ulcer on the Leg; Transplantation of Skin; Rapid Cure.
PMID- 28995691
TI - Dr. Bennett and Army Surgeons.
PMID- 28995693
TI - Case of Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 28995692
TI - A Curious Form of Eruptive Fever in Calcutta.
PMID- 28995694
TI - On Malarial Sites and Fevers, Relating Chiefly to Assam.
PMID- 28995695
TI - Case of Gun-Shot Wound of the Hand.
PMID- 28995696
TI - Notes of London Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28995698
TI - The Physiological and Therapeutical Effects of Carbolic Acid Administered
Internally.
PMID- 28995697
TI - A Clinical Lecture on Colles's Fracture.
PMID- 28995700
TI - Dengue-Scarlatina Rheumatica.
PMID- 28995699
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28995702
TI - The Secunderabad Cholera of 1871.
PMID- 28995701
TI - Report on the Prevailing Diseases in the Madhopore District.
PMID- 28995703
TI - Diabetes in India.
PMID- 28995705
TI - Rumoured Changes in the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28995706
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995704
TI - Two Cases of Snake-Bites.
PMID- 28995707
TI - Scarlatina in India.
PMID- 28995709
TI - The Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28995708
TI - An Inquiry into the Circumstances Attending an Outbreak of Cholera in H. M.'s
18th Hussars at Secunderabad in the Month of May, 1871.
PMID- 28995710
TI - Malarious Poisoning; Carbuncular Condition of the Cheek; Death from Pulmonary
Embolism.
PMID- 28995712
TI - Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28995711
TI - A Case of Malarious (?) Albuminuria Successfully Treated.
PMID- 28995713
TI - Impregnation without Rupture of Hymen.
PMID- 28995714
TI - Poisonous Effects of Goonj (Seeds of Abrus Pecatorius.).
PMID- 28995715
TI - Enteric Fever in Bengal.
PMID- 28995716
TI - Penetrating Wound of Abdominal Cavity with Protrusion; Recovery.
PMID- 28995717
TI - Mofussil Dispensary Practice.
PMID- 28995718
TI - Remarks on the Value of Quinine as a Prophylactic.
PMID- 28995719
TI - Gondah Dispensary Cases.
PMID- 28995720
TI - How the Bite of Snakes-Supposed to Be Poisonous-May Be Cured.
PMID- 28995721
TI - Medico-Legal Notes.
PMID- 28995723
TI - Relapsing Fever in Lower Bengal.
PMID- 28995722
TI - Case of Gun-Shot Wound.
PMID- 28995724
TI - Epithelioma Involving Both the Upper and Lower Lips and the Insides of the
Cheeks; Formation of a New Lower, and Re-Modelling of the Upper Lip, &c.
PMID- 28995725
TI - The Late Surgeon James Fawcus.
PMID- 28995726
TI - Case of Extreme Cardiac Hypertrophy and Dilatation.
PMID- 28995727
TI - Rumoured Changes in the Bengal Medical Service.
PMID- 28995728
TI - Cholera at Secunderabad.
PMID- 28995729
TI - District Sanitation.
PMID- 28995730
TI - The Antiseptic Method of Treatment in Surgery.
PMID- 28995731
TI - Enteric Fever in Bengal.
PMID- 28995732
TI - The Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28995733
TI - Lock Hospital Administration in 1870.
PMID- 28995735
TI - Scarlet Fever in India.
PMID- 28995734
TI - Two Interesting Cases Treated with Hypodermic Injections of Tartar Emetic.
PMID- 28995736
TI - Darwinism.
PMID- 28995737
TI - East Indian Immigrants in Trinidad.
PMID- 28995738
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28995740
TI - The New Merchant Shipping Act.
PMID- 28995739
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease.
PMID- 28995741
TI - Radical Cure of a Large Ventral Hernia.
PMID- 28995742
TI - Remarks on the So-Called Contagious Fever of Our Indian Jails.
PMID- 28995743
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995745
TI - Paris Correspondence.
PMID- 28995744
TI - Four Cases of Puncture of the Bladder above the Pubis.
PMID- 28995747
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. February 1, 1868.
PMID- 28995746
TI - Parisnath Sanitarium.
PMID- 28995749
TI - The Municipality and the Hospitals.
PMID- 28995748
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995750
TI - Outbreak of Epidemic Cholera in the Garrison and District of Kohat, 1867.
PMID- 28995751
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of December, 1867.
PMID- 28995752
TI - What to Observe on Foreign Service.
PMID- 28995753
TI - The Suburban Hospital at Chitpoor.
PMID- 28995754
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995756
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28995755
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28995758
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995757
TI - Jeypore.
PMID- 28995760
TI - On Insolation.
PMID- 28995759
TI - Bengal Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28995762
TI - Distribution of Prizes at the Medical College.
PMID- 28995761
TI - Aphasia.
PMID- 28995763
TI - Case of Chronic Dysentery, with Remarkable Lesion of Mucous Membrane of Stomach.
PMID- 28995764
TI - Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28995765
TI - Medical Orders.
PMID- 28995766
TI - On Cholera.
PMID- 28995767
TI - Experiments on the Action of the Cobra Poison.
PMID- 28995768
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995769
TI - Notes on Four Cases of Poisoning by Chlorodyne, Treated at the Medical College
Hospital, Calcutta, during 1867.
PMID- 28995770
TI - Poisoning by Majoon or Majum.
PMID- 28995771
TI - List of Medical Officers Who Passed at the Last Competitive Examination for the
Three Presidencies in India.
PMID- 28995772
TI - On Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28995774
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. June 1, 1868.
PMID- 28995773
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995775
TI - A Course of Lectures on the Principles and Practice of Medicine, Delivered at the
Medical College of Bengal.
PMID- 28995776
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995777
TI - Snake-Bite, Cured by Stimulants.
PMID- 28995779
TI - The Proposed Medical School at Rangoon.
PMID- 28995778
TI - Hemiplegia.
PMID- 28995780
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995781
TI - To the Neilgherries and Back.
PMID- 28995782
TI - Strychnia.
PMID- 28995784
TI - The Eighth Annuity.
PMID- 28995783
TI - Mortality Amongst Opium Cultivators.
PMID- 28995786
TI - Unlicensed Practitioners.
PMID- 28995785
TI - Summary of Fifty Post-Mortem Examinations of Inhabitants of Jessore.
PMID- 28995787
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995788
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995789
TI - Cinchona Cultivation in British Sikkim.
PMID- 28995791
TI - Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28995790
TI - The Poison of Snakes.
PMID- 28995792
TI - Vaccination.
PMID- 28995793
TI - Return of Medical Officers Admitted into the Three Presidencies of India, &c.
PMID- 28995794
TI - Hermaphroditism.
PMID- 28995795
TI - Annual Monthly Rainfall in Berhampore, &c.
PMID- 28995796
TI - Weight of the Human Lungs in India.
PMID- 28995797
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995798
TI - On Snow-Blindness and Snow-Ophthalmia.
PMID- 28995799
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995800
TI - Ourselves.
PMID- 28995801
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995803
TI - To the Neilgherries and Back.
PMID- 28995802
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28995805
TI - Vaccination.
PMID- 28995804
TI - Notes on Cinchona Cultivation in British Sikkim (Near Darjeeling).
PMID- 28995807
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 28995806
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995808
TI - Indian Experience of Lithotrity.
PMID- 28995809
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995810
TI - Poison in Milk.
PMID- 28995812
TI - The Medical Charge of Native Regiments.
PMID- 28995811
TI - Warrant Medical Officers' Widows' and Orphans' Fund.
PMID- 28995814
TI - Insolation.
PMID- 28995813
TI - Scurvy in Fort William.
PMID- 28995815
TI - Lock Hospitals in Calcutta.
PMID- 28995816
TI - Notes on the Malarious Diseases of Pegu.
PMID- 28995817
TI - Summary of Fifty Post-Mortem Examinations of Inhabitants of the Jessore District,
Performed in the Jail Hospital.
PMID- 28995819
TI - Typographical Errors.
PMID- 28995818
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995821
TI - Natural and Physical Science in India.
PMID- 28995820
TI - A Port Surgeon for Calcutta.
PMID- 28995822
TI - Periodic Hoematuria.
PMID- 28995823
TI - Cholera Hospitals.
PMID- 28995825
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995824
TI - Medico-Legal Notes.
PMID- 28995827
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995826
TI - Civil Surgeons in India.
PMID- 28995828
TI - Bichloride of Methylene as an Anaesthetic.
PMID- 28995829
TI - Application of Ice in the Cure of Sciatica.
PMID- 28995830
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28995831
TI - The Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28995832
TI - Primary Amputation of Both Lower Limbs after Railway Injuries.
PMID- 28995833
TI - Memorandum of Points to be Studied, Chiefly with the Help of the Microscope, in
Postmortem Examinations of Leprosy.
PMID- 28995835
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995834
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28995836
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995837
TI - Snake-Bites.-How to Treat Them.
PMID- 28995838
TI - New Furlough Regulations.
PMID- 28995839
TI - New Serge Coat for the Artillery.
PMID- 28995841
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995840
TI - Antiseptic Dressing.
PMID- 28995843
TI - As You Were.
PMID- 28995842
TI - Riverside Dispensaries.
PMID- 28995845
TI - The Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28995844
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28995846
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995847
TI - Case of Abscess in the Brain.
PMID- 28995848
TI - An Indian Publishing Medical Society.
PMID- 28995849
TI - Bhurtpore Hospital Reports.-No. I.
PMID- 28995850
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28995851
TI - Indian Experiences of Lithotrity.-No. II.
PMID- 28995852
TI - Mismanagement.
PMID- 28995853
TI - On Cholera.-No. V.
PMID- 28995855
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995854
TI - Paucity of Medical Officers.
PMID- 28995856
TI - Vernacular Medical Education.
PMID- 28995857
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995858
TI - Difficult Cases in Midwifery, Occurring among Native Women.
PMID- 28995860
TI - The Epidemic Cyanosis of Lower Bengal.
PMID- 28995859
TI - Insolatio, Considered as a Zymotic Disease.
PMID- 28995862
TI - Native Midwifery.
PMID- 28995861
TI - Case of Atrophy of the Lungs in a New-Born Infant.
PMID- 28995863
TI - Proposed Alterations in the Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28995864
TI - The New Scale of Pay for Uncovenanted Medical Officers in Civil Medical Charge.
PMID- 28995865
TI - Statement of Contributions to the Museum of the Medical College, Calcutta, by
Medical Officers in the Mofussil, for the Three Months Ending 31st December,
1867.
PMID- 28995866
TI - Anaesthetic Leprosy; &c.
PMID- 28995867
TI - Official Documents.
PMID- 28995868
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995869
TI - Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 28995870
TI - Case of Guinea-Worm or Narve, Successfully Treated with Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 28995871
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995872
TI - Dislocation Backwards of the Sternal End of the Clavicle.
PMID- 28995874
TI - Notes on Ladak in 1867.
PMID- 28995873
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. January 1, 1868.
PMID- 28995875
TI - The New Sanitary Inspectors-General.
PMID- 28995876
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995877
TI - Obstetric Cases.
PMID- 28995878
TI - Fibrous Tumour of the Arm, &c.
PMID- 28995879
TI - Ourselves.
PMID- 28995881
TI - Fracture by Ointment.
PMID- 28995880
TI - Stray Notes on Chloroform.
PMID- 28995882
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of November, 1867.
PMID- 28995884
TI - Paris Correspondence.
PMID- 28995883
TI - Practical Remarks on the Treatment of Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 28995885
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 28995886
TI - Four Cases of Chionyphe Carterii (Mucedinous or Fungus Disease of India.).
PMID- 28995887
TI - The Treatment of Gonorrhoea by Blistering.
PMID- 28995888
TI - Case of Cardiac Embolism.
PMID- 28995889
TI - Shealkanta Oil as an External Application for Itch.
PMID- 28995890
TI - Ourselves.
PMID- 28995891
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995892
TI - Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28995893
TI - Syphilization.
PMID- 28995894
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28995896
TI - Good Service Pensions.
PMID- 28995895
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995898
TI - Hint from a Hakeem.
PMID- 28995897
TI - Amputation of Penis, Etc.
PMID- 28995899
TI - Field Surgery with Our Frontier Force.
PMID- 28995900
TI - Meeting of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995901
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. May 1, 1868.
PMID- 28995902
TI - The Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28995903
TI - A Course of Lectures on the Principles and Practice of Medicine, Delivered at the
Medical College of Bengal.
PMID- 28995904
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995905
TI - Distribution of Prizes at the Medical College.
PMID- 28995906
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995907
TI - Case of Fatal Melaena.
PMID- 28995908
TI - Report of the Outbreak of Cholera at Ajmeer during 1867.
PMID- 28995909
TI - A Plea for Hakeems.
PMID- 28995910
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995912
TI - "Aide-Memoire," &c., for India.
PMID- 28995911
TI - Remarks on the Dry-Earth System of Conservancy.
PMID- 28995913
TI - Case of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28995914
TI - The Jeypoor Medical School.
PMID- 28995915
TI - On the Action of Cobra Poison.
PMID- 28995916
TI - State of the Heart in Arsenical Poisoning.
PMID- 28995918
TI - Meeting of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995917
TI - Pathology and Treatment of Coup-De-Soleil or Insolatio.
PMID- 28995919
TI - Suburban Hospitals.
PMID- 28995920
TI - Amputation of the Penis.
PMID- 28995921
TI - Wound of the Spleen.
PMID- 28995923
TI - A Burmese Medical Missionary.
PMID- 28995922
TI - Cholera in the Bunnoo District in 1867.
PMID- 28995924
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995925
TI - On the Action of Cobra Poison.
PMID- 28995926
TI - Elephantiasis of Labia Majora and Clitoris Removed and Cured.
PMID- 28995927
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. April 1, 1868.
PMID- 28995928
TI - Treatment of Dysentery by Native Medicines.
PMID- 28995929
TI - Statement of Contributions to the Museum of the Medical College, Calcutta, by
Medical Officers in the Mofussil, for the Three Months Ending 31st March, 1868.
PMID- 28995930
TI - Rapidly Growing Encephaloid Cancer of the Femur, &c.
PMID- 28995931
TI - The Pathology of Hepatic Abscess, Resulting from Dysentery.
PMID- 28995932
TI - Horn Growing from the Human Chest.
PMID- 28995934
TI - Mr. Fitzgerald's Pamphlet on Cholera.
PMID- 28995933
TI - Suspected Criminal Poisoning by Dhatoora.
PMID- 28995935
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995936
TI - The Dilution of Vaccine Lymph with Glycerine, &c.
PMID- 28995937
TI - Remarks on the So-Called Contagious Fever of Our Indian Jails.
PMID- 28995939
TI - Poisoning by Lunar Caustic.
PMID- 28995938
TI - Hairy Growth in the Scrotum.
PMID- 28995940
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28995941
TI - Progress in Jyepore.
PMID- 28995943
TI - A Medical Directory for India.
PMID- 28995942
TI - The Ooterpara Investigation.
PMID- 28995944
TI - Civil Stations in the Central Provinces.
PMID- 28995945
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995946
TI - Abscess of the Liver.
PMID- 28995947
TI - The Jyepoor Medical School and Maternity Charity.
PMID- 28995948
TI - Meteorological Observations.
PMID- 28995949
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28995950
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28995951
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. March 2, 1868.
PMID- 28995952
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995953
TI - Laceration of the Left Thumb.
PMID- 28995955
TI - Vernacular Education in Midwifery.
PMID- 28995954
TI - A New Class and Demonstrating Microscope.
PMID- 28995956
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28995957
TI - Treatment of Gonorrhoea and Syphilitic Warts.
PMID- 28995958
TI - A Suggestion Regarding Post-Partum Haemorrhage.
PMID- 28995959
TI - Two Cases of Calculus Vesicae.
PMID- 28995960
TI - Experiments on the Action of the Cobra Poison.
PMID- 28995961
TI - Improvements in Medical and Surgical Appliances.
PMID- 28995962
TI - Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28995963
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995964
TI - Introductory Lecture at the Medical College.
PMID- 28995965
TI - Abstract of Lithotomy Cases Performed in the Government Charitable Dispensary at
Goojerat during the past 27 Months, from 8th December 1865 to 27th March 1868.
PMID- 28995966
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. July 1, 1868.
PMID- 28995967
TI - New Edition of Dr. Chevers' Medical Jurisprudence for India.
PMID- 28995968
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995969
TI - A Case of Lithotrity.
PMID- 28995970
TI - Medical Subordinate Officers' Widows' and Orphans' Fund.
PMID- 28995971
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28995972
TI - Small-Pox Hospital for Calcutta.
PMID- 28995973
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995974
TI - On Cholera.
PMID- 28995975
TI - Meteorological Phenomena in India.
PMID- 28995976
TI - Compound Comminuted Gun-Shot Fracture of Both Bones of the Forearm.
PMID- 28995977
TI - One Year More.
PMID- 28995978
TI - On Fatty Degeneration.
PMID- 28995980
TI - A Case of Fracture of the Base of Skull by Contrecoup.
PMID- 28995979
TI - Case of Haemorrhagic Flux.
PMID- 28995981
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995982
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28995983
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of October, 1867.
PMID- 28995984
TI - Lectures on Diseases of the Conjunctiva: No. V.
PMID- 28995986
TI - Opium-Eating in England.
PMID- 28995985
TI - The Lariboisiere and the Medical College Hospitals.
PMID- 28995987
TI - Coolie Emigration.
PMID- 28995988
TI - Meeting of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28995989
TI - Anaesthetic Leprosy; with Especial Reference to Its Diagnosis and Treatment in
the Earlier Stages.
PMID- 28995990
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28995991
TI - A Case of Vicarious Menstruation.
PMID- 28995992
TI - Lectures on the Diseases of the Iris.
PMID- 28995993
TI - Case of Unusual Susceptibility of the Action of Strychnia.
PMID- 28995995
TI - The President of the Asiatic Society.
PMID- 28995994
TI - How Service Is Dated.
PMID- 28995996
TI - Statement of Contributions to the Museum of the Medical College, Calcutta, by
Medical Officers in the Mofussil, for the Three Months Ending 31st March, 1867.
PMID- 28995997
TI - Notes on Cases of Functional Paralysis in Children.
PMID- 28995998
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996000
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28995999
TI - Case of Urethral Calculus.
PMID- 28996001
TI - The Training of Medical Missionaries.
PMID- 28996002
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996003
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of February, 1867.
PMID- 28996004
TI - Notes of a Case of Hooping Cough, with Remarks on Nervous Dyspnoea.
PMID- 28996005
TI - Audi Alteram Partem.
PMID- 28996006
TI - Contributions to the Cholera Literature.
PMID- 28996007
TI - The Health Officer of Calcutta.
PMID- 28996008
TI - Chlorodyne in Obstetric Operations.
PMID- 28996010
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996009
TI - Destruction of the Eyeball, and an Impetiginous Eruption on the Face Caused by
Peripheral Irritation of the Fifth Nerve.
PMID- 28996011
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996012
TI - Abstract of Lithotomy Cases Performed in the Government Charitable Dispensary,
Sealkote, for the Months Commencing from September 1865 to June 1866.
PMID- 28996013
TI - Official Documents.
PMID- 28996014
TI - Case of Spina Bifida in a Young Man, &c., &c.
PMID- 28996015
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken in the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, during the Month of March, 1867.
PMID- 28996016
TI - Reports of Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28996017
TI - Case of Arsenical Poisoning.
PMID- 28996018
TI - Poisonous Snakes.
PMID- 28996020
TI - The Recent Promotions in the British Medical Service.
PMID- 28996019
TI - Case of Ruptured Liver, Spleen, and Kidney, with Fracture of One Arm, &c., &c.
PMID- 28996022
TI - The Grievances of Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28996021
TI - Notes of a Case of Ovarian Tumour in Which an Exploratory Incision Was Made, &c.,
&c.; and of a Case in Which Ovariotomy Was Performed with a Successful Result.
PMID- 28996023
TI - The Statistical Department.
PMID- 28996024
TI - Remarks on the So-Called Contagious Fever of Our Indian Jails.
PMID- 28996025
TI - Lectures on Diseases of the Iris-No. II.
PMID- 28996026
TI - A Gem of Official Literature.
PMID- 28996027
TI - Case of Ascites: With Remarks on Karell's Milk Cure and Thermometrics.
PMID- 28996028
TI - Compound Dislocation of Right Femur; Cured.
PMID- 28996029
TI - State of the Heart in Arsenical Poisoning.
PMID- 28996030
TI - Case of Cholera.
PMID- 28996031
TI - Contributions to the Cholera Literature.
PMID- 28996033
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996032
TI - A Sketch of the Sanitary Arrangements in the Camps Assembled during the Agra
Durbar of November 1866.
PMID- 28996034
TI - Health in India during 1865.
PMID- 28996035
TI - Notes on Some Points Affecting the Diminution in the Rates of Mortality among
Europeans in India.
PMID- 28996036
TI - Case of Spontaneous Salivation.
PMID- 28996037
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996038
TI - Cases from the European General Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28996040
TI - A New Medical Scheme in the Punjab.
PMID- 28996039
TI - On the Endemicity of Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 28996041
TI - A Case of Intussusception of the Ileum into the Coecum and Ascending Colon;
Death; Autopsy.
PMID- 28996042
TI - Salus Populi Suprema Lex.
PMID- 28996043
TI - Rare Case of "Monster".
PMID- 28996044
TI - Ourselves.
PMID- 28996045
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996046
TI - On the Use of Strychnine in the Treatment of Intermittent Fever.
PMID- 28996047
TI - Statement of a Case of Chylo-Serous Urine.
PMID- 28996048
TI - Midwives' Midwifery.
PMID- 28996049
TI - A Case of Idiopathic Tetanus, Successfully Treated with Tincture of Aconite.
PMID- 28996050
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of January, 1867.
PMID- 28996051
TI - Case of Fibrous Tumour of Upper Jaw; Excision; Recovery.
PMID- 28996053
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28996052
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996055
TI - Promotion in the British Medical Service.
PMID- 28996054
TI - Lectures on Diseases of the Conjunctiva: No. IV.
PMID- 28996056
TI - A Case of Alcoholic Narcotism, with Remarks.
PMID- 28996058
TI - Anaesthetic Leprosy; with Especial Reference to Its Diagnosis and Treatment in
the Earlier Stages.
PMID- 28996057
TI - A Case of Pelvic Cellulitis Causing Retention of Urine.
PMID- 28996059
TI - Notes on Ladak in 1867.
PMID- 28996061
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996060
TI - Gunshot Wound; Amputation at the Hip-Joint.
PMID- 28996062
TI - Paris Correspondence.
PMID- 28996063
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996064
TI - Case of Operation for the Restoration of the Nose.
PMID- 28996065
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of September, 1867.
PMID- 28996066
TI - Abscess of the Liver Successfully Treated by Tapping.
PMID- 28996067
TI - The Sanitary Aspect of "Melas."
PMID- 28996068
TI - On Ulcus Grave; Morbus Tuberculosis Pedis; Podelkoma; Mycetoma; Madura Foot; or
Fungus Foot Disease.
PMID- 28996069
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28996070
TI - Abstract of Capital and Important Surgical Operations Performed in the Government
Charitable Dispensary at Patna, from 1st July 1865 to 30th June 1867.
PMID- 28996071
TI - Two Cases of Diabetes.
PMID- 28996072
TI - On the Relative Action of the Kidneys in the Cold and Hot Weather of India.
PMID- 28996074
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28996073
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996076
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996075
TI - Contributions to the Cholera Literature.
PMID- 28996078
TI - Annual Report upon Vaccination at Basein for the Year Ending 31st March, 1867.
PMID- 28996077
TI - A Few Notes from Nepaul.
PMID- 28996079
TI - Abstract of Lithotomy Operations Performed in the Government Charitable
Dispensary at Patna, from 1st July 1865 to 30th June 1867.
PMID- 28996080
TI - Sub-Assistant Surgeons in Civil Medical Charge.
PMID- 28996081
TI - Results of Endo and Peri-Carditis.
PMID- 28996082
TI - Lectures on Diseases of the Conjunctiva: No. I.
PMID- 28996083
TI - Dispensary Vaccination.
PMID- 28996084
TI - Medico-Legal Notes.
PMID- 28996085
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for June, 1867.
PMID- 28996087
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996086
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996088
TI - Vernacular Medical Education in Madras.
PMID- 28996089
TI - The Appointment of Health Officer in Calcutta.
PMID- 28996091
TI - Our Appeal.
PMID- 28996090
TI - Cases of Epithelial Cancer of Penis, Treated with Acetic Acid.
PMID- 28996093
TI - Dr. Lees' Case of "Spontaneous Evolution."
PMID- 28996092
TI - Contributions to the Practice of Midwifery.
PMID- 28996094
TI - On the Detection of Dhatoora in Medico-Legal Cases.
PMID- 28996095
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996096
TI - On Glycerene.
PMID- 28996097
TI - An Indian "Medical Agency."
PMID- 28996098
TI - Excision of the Os Calcis.
PMID- 28996099
TI - Vernacular Medical Education.
PMID- 28996100
TI - The Treatment of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28996101
TI - Bengal Sanitary Report for 1865.
PMID- 28996102
TI - Medical Transport.
PMID- 28996103
TI - The Water-Supply of Calcutta.
PMID- 28996105
TI - Remarks on Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28996104
TI - From Landour to the Snowy Range.
PMID- 28996106
TI - Notes on Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996108
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996107
TI - Double Rupture of the Heart.
PMID- 28996109
TI - Contributions to the Cholera Literature.
PMID- 28996110
TI - Regimental Documentary Work.
PMID- 28996112
TI - A Peep into Fort William.
PMID- 28996111
TI - Animal Radiation: Rough Notes on No. 1 of Dr. Bonavia's "Contributions to the
Cholera Literature," in the "Indian Medical Gazette" of Last Month.
PMID- 28996113
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996114
TI - Medical Charge of Political Agencies.
PMID- 28996115
TI - Case of Complete Absence of Both Rectum and Anus.
PMID- 28996116
TI - Paris Correspondence.
PMID- 28996117
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996119
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996118
TI - Case of Sloughing Ulcer Treated by Potassae Chloras.
PMID- 28996120
TI - Case of Occlusion of the Vagina.
PMID- 28996121
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of July, 1867.
PMID- 28996122
TI - Lithotomy; Removal of a Slate Pencil from the Bladder.
PMID- 28996123
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996125
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996124
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996127
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28996126
TI - Lectures on Diseases of the Conjunctiva: No. III.
PMID- 28996128
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996129
TI - Addenda to Remarks on the "Pathology of Hepatic Abscess."
PMID- 28996130
TI - Official Documents.
PMID- 28996131
TI - Statement of Contributions to the Museum of the Medical College, Calcutta, by
Medical Officers in the Mofussil, for the Three Months Ending 30th September,
1867.
PMID- 28996132
TI - Two Cases of Fracture of the Skull, Extravasation of Blood, and Laceration of
Cerebral Substance, Having Different Symptoms in Each.
PMID- 28996133
TI - Mortality among Immigrants to the Tea Districts of Eastern Bengal.
PMID- 28996134
TI - Notes on Abyssinia.
PMID- 28996135
TI - Bromide of Potassium in Insanity.
PMID- 28996136
TI - Paris Correspondence.
PMID- 28996137
TI - The New Scale of Pay.
PMID- 28996138
TI - Post-Mortem Appearances in a Case of Death by Lightning.
PMID- 28996139
TI - Gutta-Percha Tissue.
PMID- 28996140
TI - Notes of a Case of Trismus Nascentium.
PMID- 28996141
TI - Lectures on Diseases of the Iris.-No. III.
PMID- 28996142
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996143
TI - A Move in the Wrong Direction.
PMID- 28996144
TI - Abstract of Capital and Important Surgical Operations Performed in the Government
Charitable Dispensary at Meerut for 18 Months, from July 1864 to December, 1865.
PMID- 28996146
TI - The Goodsir Fellowship.
PMID- 28996145
TI - Two Cases of Amputation, Illustrative of the Advantage of Acupressure over
Ligature.
PMID- 28996148
TI - Lord Napier's Apology.
PMID- 28996147
TI - Note on the Action of the Juice of the Leaves and Stalk of Madar (Asclepias
Gigantea.).
PMID- 28996149
TI - Case of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28996151
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996150
TI - Abstract of Lithotomy Cases Performed in the Government Charitable Dispensary at
Meerut, from July 1864 to December 1865.
PMID- 28996152
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996153
TI - Case of Cystic Disease of Mamma and Ovary; Amputation of the Breast.; Recovery.
PMID- 28996154
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996155
TI - Secondary Resection of Shoulder-Joint.
PMID- 28996156
TI - Contributions to the Cholera Literature.
PMID- 28996157
TI - Vaccination in the Punjab.
PMID- 28996158
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996159
TI - Case of Cranial Wound, Involving Loss of a Portion of the Occipital Bone;
Laceration of Meninges, and Exposure of Brain Substance; Rapid Recovery.
PMID- 28996161
TI - Farewell Address to Dr. Francis from the Professors of the Medical College of
Bengal.
PMID- 28996160
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of April 1867.
PMID- 28996162
TI - Vernacular Medical Education.
PMID- 28996163
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of July, 1867.
PMID- 28996164
TI - Remarks on the Pathology of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28996165
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996166
TI - The Goodsir Fellowship.
PMID- 28996167
TI - Anaesthetic Leprosy; with Especial Reference to Its Diagnosis and Treatment in
the Earlier Stages.
PMID- 28996168
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. September 2, 1867.
PMID- 28996169
TI - Case of Medullary Tumour of the Arm, &c.
PMID- 28996171
TI - Remarks on the Fever Now Prevailing in Mauritius.
PMID- 28996170
TI - A Case of Mania Treated Successfully.
PMID- 28996172
TI - Paris Correspondence.
PMID- 28996173
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996174
TI - Meetings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28996175
TI - The "Contagious Diseases Act" for India.
PMID- 28996176
TI - On the Pathology of Hepatic Abscess as a Result of Dysentery.
PMID- 28996178
TI - Official Documents.
PMID- 28996177
TI - On the Fungus Foot Disease and Its Treatment.
PMID- 28996179
TI - Lectures on Diseases of the Conjunctiva: No. II.
PMID- 28996180
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996181
TI - Medical Titles.
PMID- 28996182
TI - The Water Supply of Calcutta.
PMID- 28996183
TI - Case of Gonorrhoea, Followed by a Roseolar Eruption, Not Depending on the Use of
Copaiba.
PMID- 28996184
TI - A Cry for Help.
PMID- 28996185
TI - The Minute Anatomy of Muscle, and the Staining Action of Aniline.
PMID- 28996186
TI - The Fate of the Salaries Commission Report.
PMID- 28996187
TI - Retirement on Reaching a Certain Age.
PMID- 28996189
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996188
TI - Note on the Treatment of Squamous Diseases of the Skin.
PMID- 28996190
TI - Contributions to the Cholera Literature.
PMID- 28996191
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996192
TI - Case of Severe Incised Wound; Excision of the Shoulder-Joint; Successful.
PMID- 28996193
TI - The Bengal Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28996194
TI - A Bad Start.
PMID- 28996195
TI - The Work of Deputy Inspectors-General of Hospitals.
PMID- 28996196
TI - Linear Extraction.
PMID- 28996197
TI - Defamation or No Defamation.
PMID- 28996198
TI - Case of Excision of the Os Calcis.
PMID- 28996199
TI - Case of Poisoning by Aconite.
PMID- 28996201
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28996200
TI - A Case of Depressed Fracture of the Skull, in Which a Portion of the Cerebral
Substance Escaped; Recovery.
PMID- 28996202
TI - A Monster Kidney: Extract from the Half-Yearly Report of the Burrisaul Dispensary
Ending 30th June, 1864.
PMID- 28996204
TI - The Use of Kousso as an Anthelmintic.
PMID- 28996203
TI - 1867.
PMID- 28996205
TI - Stray Observations on Stone in the Bladder, and the Taking of It out.
PMID- 28996207
TI - The Calcutta Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28996206
TI - Strangulated Hernia Operation, and Subsequent Operation for the Radical Cure.
PMID- 28996208
TI - Case of Poisoning by Quinine.
PMID- 28996209
TI - Results of Sanitation in India.
PMID- 28996210
TI - A Few Notes from Nepaul.
PMID- 28996212
TI - How Service Is Dated.
PMID- 28996211
TI - A Sketch of the Fevers of Assam.
PMID- 28996213
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. July 1, 1867.
PMID- 28996214
TI - Case from the European General Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28996215
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996216
TI - A Case Worthy of Further and More Accurate Investigation.
PMID- 28996217
TI - Summary of Meteorological Observations Taken at the Office of the Civil Assistant
Surgeon, Jessore, for the Month of May 1867.
PMID- 28996218
TI - The Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996219
TI - Lectures on Diseases of the Iris-No. IV.
PMID- 28996220
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996221
TI - Case of Rabies Canina; Salivation; Recovery.
PMID- 28996222
TI - Relapsing Fever in the Shahpore Jail in the Spring of 1867.
PMID- 28996224
TI - A Public Medical Library for Calcutta.
PMID- 28996223
TI - Female Medical Missions.
PMID- 28996225
TI - Abstract of Amputations Performed in the Government Charitable Dispensary at
Ajmere, from January 1865 to June 1867; with Remarks.
PMID- 28996226
TI - Statement of Contributions to the Museum of the Medical College, Calcutta, by
Medical Officers in the Mofussil, for the Three Months Ending 30th June, 1867.
PMID- 28996227
TI - The Medical College of Bengal.
PMID- 28996228
TI - Case of Worms-Species Unknown-Treated in the City of Nagpoor.
PMID- 28996230
TI - Report of Assistant-Surgeons Lewis and D. Cunningham, on Special Duty at the
Presidency Connected with the Investigation of Cholera, to the Medical
Department, Forwarded to the Government of India in August, 1869.
PMID- 28996229
TI - Cases of Poisoned Bites.
PMID- 28996231
TI - Medical Administration.
PMID- 28996232
TI - On the Relation of Fungi to Disease.
PMID- 28996234
TI - Sanitary Reform in Turkey.
PMID- 28996233
TI - Remarks on Ozaena.
PMID- 28996235
TI - Fatal Case of Idiopathic Tetanus in a European.
PMID- 28996237
TI - British Association Committee on the Treatment and Utilisation of Sewage.
PMID- 28996236
TI - Traumatic Mydriasis.
PMID- 28996239
TI - Transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bombay.
PMID- 28996238
TI - Dalhousie as a Sanitarium.
PMID- 28996241
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996240
TI - Experiments upon Monkeys with Strychnine.
PMID- 28996242
TI - Canals and Sanitation.
PMID- 28996243
TI - Mr. Broughton's Researches into the Chemistry of the Cinchonas.
PMID- 28996244
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996246
TI - Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28996245
TI - Extract from Mr. Broughton's Report to the Madras Government.
PMID- 28996247
TI - Epithelioma of the Lower Lip, and Chin, Involving the Lower Jaw on the Left Side
of the Symphysis; Removal of the Diseased Parts; Formation of a New Lip and Chin;
Asphyxia from the Passage of a Clot into the Larynx with Spasm of the Glottis;
Impending Death; Tracheotomy; Recovery.
PMID- 28996248
TI - Gangrene of the Integument of the Leg from a Contusion; Fatal Termination Due to
Splenic Cachexia and the Formation of Fibrinous Coagula in the Right Side of the
Heart.
PMID- 28996249
TI - On the Health of Settlers in the Darjeeling Terai.
PMID- 28996250
TI - Remarks on Heat Apoplexy.
PMID- 28996251
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996252
TI - Experiments on Snake Poison.
PMID- 28996253
TI - AEther Spary for Internal (Vesical) Haemorrhage.
PMID- 28996254
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996255
TI - Changes in the Service.
PMID- 28996256
TI - Nagpore Medical School.
PMID- 28996257
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28996259
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996258
TI - Bite from a Snake Said to Have Been Poisonous; Liquor Ammoniae Treatment;
Recovery.
PMID- 28996260
TI - The Late Sir James Simpson, Bart.
PMID- 28996261
TI - Meteorology of the Punjab for the Years 1867 and 1868.
PMID- 28996262
TI - Points of Interest in the Medical History of H. M.'s 58th Regiment during the
Last Five Years, with Special Reference to the Advisability of Locating All, or
Nearly All, Our European Troops in India on the Mountain Ranges.
PMID- 28996264
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996263
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996265
TI - Case of Smothering.
PMID- 28996266
TI - Small-Pox and Vaccination in Bhurtpoor.
PMID- 28996267
TI - Native Midwives.
PMID- 28996268
TI - Health of the British Troops in the Madras Command, Including British Burmah, for
the Year 1868.
PMID- 28996269
TI - The Sanitation of the Camp at Calcutta.
PMID- 28996270
TI - Progressive Advance in the Health of London.
PMID- 28996271
TI - Ventilation in India.
PMID- 28996272
TI - Extracts from the Records, Bengal Medical Department.
PMID- 28996273
TI - Hyposulphite of Soda in Small-Pox.
PMID- 28996274
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996275
TI - Circular to All Deputy Inspectors-General of Hospitals.
PMID- 28996277
TI - Cashmir.
PMID- 28996276
TI - Treatment of Intermittent Fever by the Hypodermic Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 28996278
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996279
TI - Dr. Bryden on Cholera.
PMID- 28996280
TI - Cinchona and Other Medical Drugs.
PMID- 28996282
TI - The Water Supply of Calcutta.
PMID- 28996281
TI - Chronic Diarrhoea, &c.
PMID- 28996283
TI - Cases of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28996284
TI - Contribution from the Mitford Hospital, Dacca.
PMID- 28996285
TI - Excision of the Superior Maxillary Bone.
PMID- 28996286
TI - Milk Diet in Disease.
PMID- 28996287
TI - Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996289
TI - Cinchona Cultivation in Java.
PMID- 28996288
TI - Darjeeling.
PMID- 28996290
TI - Points of Interest in the Medical History of H. M.'s 58th Regiment during the
Last Five Years, with Special Reference to the Advisability of Locating All, or
Nearly All, Our European Troops in India on the Mountain Ranges.
PMID- 28996291
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996292
TI - Irish Correspondence.
PMID- 28996293
TI - Cod-Liver Cream.
PMID- 28996294
TI - A Rare Case.
PMID- 28996295
TI - The Bengal Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28996296
TI - Experiments on Snake Poison.
PMID- 28996297
TI - Modification of Borelli's Operation for Partial Staphyloma of the Cornea.
PMID- 28996299
TI - Treatment of Phthisis by Iodide of Potassium.
PMID- 28996298
TI - On the Origin of Disease.
PMID- 28996300
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996302
TI - Guinea Worm: Novel Mode of Extraction.
PMID- 28996301
TI - A Case of Peenash.
PMID- 28996303
TI - The Royal Irish Medical Benevolent Fund Society.
PMID- 28996304
TI - Clinical Lecture on Contusion of the Hip.
PMID- 28996306
TI - Experiments on Snake Poison.
PMID- 28996305
TI - The Value of Quinine.
PMID- 28996307
TI - The Morbid Anatomy of Insanity.
PMID- 28996309
TI - Vaccination in Scotland.
PMID- 28996308
TI - On the Protective Power of Vaccination as Influenced by Change of Climate.
PMID- 28996310
TI - Case of Crushed Hand and Fore-Arm; Amputation below the Elbow; Antiseptic
Treatment.
PMID- 28996311
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996312
TI - Points of Interest in the Medical History of H. M.'s 58th Regiment during the
Last Five Years, with Special Reference to the Advisability of Locating All, or
Nearly All, Our European Troops in India on the Mountain Ranges.
PMID- 28996313
TI - Microscopic Appearance of the Tumor, &c., Referred to at the Conclusion of Dr.
Ewart's Case, Page 131.
PMID- 28996314
TI - Case of Erythema Scarlatiniforme.
PMID- 28996315
TI - The Medical Charge of the Native Army.
PMID- 28996316
TI - Two Cases of Heat Apoplexy.
PMID- 28996317
TI - Impetiginous Eruption of the Face Caused by Peripheral Irritation of Branches of
the Trigeminal Nerve.
PMID- 28996319
TI - Army Medical Service and the Army Estimates.
PMID- 28996318
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Cholera on Board the "Edith Moore".
PMID- 28996320
TI - The Term "Native Doctor".
PMID- 28996321
TI - Contributions from the Mitford Hospital.
PMID- 28996322
TI - Extracts from Dr. B. W. Richardson's Lectures on Meteorological Readings in
Relation to Surgical Practice.
PMID- 28996324
TI - The Madras Monthly Journal of Medical Science.
PMID- 28996323
TI - Acute Mania Successfully Treated with Hydrate of Chloral.
PMID- 28996326
TI - Scurvy.
PMID- 28996325
TI - Vaccination in Ladak in the Years 1868 and 1869.
PMID- 28996327
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28996328
TI - Clinical Lecture on Periostitis, &c.
PMID- 28996329
TI - Manufacture of the Cinchona Alkaloid in India.
PMID- 28996330
TI - Note on Color Blindness.
PMID- 28996331
TI - Case of Encephaloid Cancer of the Lungs; Death; Autopsy.
PMID- 28996332
TI - Extract from the Report of the Agri-Horticultural Society of the Punjab on
Sunflowers.
PMID- 28996333
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996334
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28996335
TI - Remarks on the Temperature, Pulse, and Respirations in Healthy Sepoys.
PMID- 28996336
TI - Proceedings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28996338
TI - Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 28996337
TI - Dalhousie as a Sanitarium.
PMID- 28996339
TI - Annual Meeting of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28996340
TI - Tempora Mutantur; Nos Non Mutantur in Illis.
PMID- 28996341
TI - The Consumption of Horse-Meat in France.
PMID- 28996342
TI - Vital Statistics of Melbourne and Suburbs for October 1869.
PMID- 28996344
TI - Operative Treatment of Varicose Veins.
PMID- 28996343
TI - Vienna Clinique.-The Local Treatment of Croup.
PMID- 28996345
TI - The New York School of Medicine.
PMID- 28996346
TI - Was It Malarious Fever or Sun-Stroke Cured by Quinine?: Naturam Morborum Remedia
Ostendunt.
PMID- 28996347
TI - Medullary Cancer of the Lower End of Femur and Head of the Tibia;-Amputation.
PMID- 28996348
TI - Protrusion of Lung from a Wound in the Abdomen.
PMID- 28996349
TI - The Hyderabad Cholera Statistics.
PMID- 28996350
TI - The "Dreadnought," Hospital Ship off Greenwich.
PMID- 28996351
TI - Vital Statistics of France.
PMID- 28996352
TI - Small-Pox and Vaccination in Bhurtpoor.
PMID- 28996354
TI - The Calcutta Tanks.
PMID- 28996353
TI - Belladona an Antidote to Opium.
PMID- 28996355
TI - Simla as a Sanitarium.
PMID- 28996356
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996357
TI - "Dreadnought," Hospital Ship.-Cases of Scurvy: Reported in the Lancet.
PMID- 28996358
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996359
TI - Irish Correspondence.
PMID- 28996360
TI - Notes of a Case of Transposition of the Viscera.
PMID- 28996361
TI - St. George's Hospital Medical Cases: Reported in the Lancet.
PMID- 28996363
TI - The Origin of Life.
PMID- 28996362
TI - The Indications from Tracheotomy in Cases of Laryngitis and Diptheria.
PMID- 28996364
TI - Darjeeling.
PMID- 28996366
TI - M. Leon Colin on Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 28996365
TI - Experiments on Snake Poison.
PMID- 28996368
TI - On the Calcutta Drinking Waters the Natural History or Changes in Potable Waters
of Tropical Climates, &c.
PMID- 28996367
TI - Case of Scarlatina in the Hills.
PMID- 28996369
TI - Death from Chloroform.
PMID- 28996370
TI - Observations on the Action of Quinine on the Temperature of the Body in Disease.
PMID- 28996371
TI - Amputation at the Lower Third of Thigh, by a Long Anterior Flap.
PMID- 28996372
TI - Water-Supply at Peshawar.
PMID- 28996374
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996373
TI - A Case without a Name; Diagnosis Required.
PMID- 28996375
TI - Death from a Sword Wound.
PMID- 28996376
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996377
TI - Dandies for Field Service.
PMID- 28996378
TI - Bright's Disease Treated with Milk.
PMID- 28996379
TI - Experiments on the Regeneration of Cartilage.
PMID- 28996380
TI - Copaiba in Dropsy.
PMID- 28996381
TI - A Case of Peenash.
PMID- 28996383
TI - Contributions from the Mitford Hospital.
PMID- 28996382
TI - Case of Rupture of the Womb.
PMID- 28996384
TI - Deep Sea Explorations.
PMID- 28996385
TI - Enlarged Spleen.
PMID- 28996386
TI - Lunatics, Idiots, and Cretins in France.
PMID- 28996387
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996388
TI - Saline Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28996389
TI - Belladonna in Intussusception, and Obstinate Constipation of the Bowels.
PMID- 28996390
TI - Extemporaneous Substitute for the Short Forceps in Midwifery.
PMID- 28996391
TI - Progress of Cholera.
PMID- 28996392
TI - On the Use of Cod Liver Oil in Ulceration of the Cornea, Occurring during
Recovery from Severe Cholera, or Low Forms of Disease.
PMID- 28996393
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996394
TI - Ventilation in India.
PMID- 28996395
TI - Atelektasis Pulmonium.
PMID- 28996396
TI - Dr. C. Macnamara on Cholera.
PMID- 28996397
TI - Avoidance of Purgatives, and Employment of Bael Sherbet, When Foreign Bodies,
Such as Coins, Buttons, &c., Are Swallowed, Especially by Children.
PMID- 28996399
TI - Small-Pox and Vaccination in Holland.
PMID- 28996398
TI - Treatment by Pine-Apple Juice and the Salts of Soda and Potash, of a Form of
Jaundice of Frequent Occurrence in Bengal.
PMID- 28996401
TI - Treatment and Utilisation of Sewage.
PMID- 28996400
TI - Ranula: Its Treatment by Iodine.
PMID- 28996403
TI - Early Notice of Chloroform.
PMID- 28996402
TI - Simla as a Sanitarium.
PMID- 28996404
TI - Deputy Inspectors-General of Hospitals.
PMID- 28996405
TI - Mode of Dislodging a Calculus Impacted in the Urethra.
PMID- 28996406
TI - Sanitary Matters in Holland.
PMID- 28996407
TI - Extracts from the Records of the Bengal Medical Department.
PMID- 28996408
TI - Case of Bending of the Radius in an Adult.
PMID- 28996409
TI - Optic Neuritis-The Result of Malarial Toxaemia.
PMID- 28996411
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996410
TI - Ptyalism as a Symptom of Syphilis.
PMID- 28996413
TI - Case of Mussammut Muthree: From the Barielly Female Medical School.
PMID- 28996412
TI - Experiments on Snake Poison.
PMID- 28996414
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Surgery.
PMID- 28996416
TI - The Most Recent Accounts about Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 28996415
TI - A Case of Broken Neck.
PMID- 28996417
TI - The Endemic or Epidemic Fever of Lower Bengal.
PMID- 28996418
TI - Vital Statistics of the London Police.
PMID- 28996420
TI - Darjeeling.
PMID- 28996419
TI - A Marine Sanitarium for Calcutta.
PMID- 28996421
TI - A Month's Practice in a Small Indian Dispensary.
PMID- 28996422
TI - Military Medicine in Prussia.
PMID- 28996423
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996424
TI - Native Midwives.
PMID- 28996425
TI - Remarks on Taenia Echinococcus.
PMID- 28996427
TI - Military Medicine in France.
PMID- 28996426
TI - Reduction of Temperature in Fever.
PMID- 28996428
TI - Economics.
PMID- 28996429
TI - Points of Interest in the Medical History of H. M.'s 58th Regiment, &c.
PMID- 28996430
TI - The Thanatophidia of India.
PMID- 28996431
TI - Re-Vaccination.
PMID- 28996432
TI - On Recent Improved Methods of Analyses of Potable Waters, and on the Drinking
Waters of Calcutta.
PMID- 28996433
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996434
TI - On the Origin of Disease.
PMID- 28996435
TI - The New Medical Act.
PMID- 28996437
TI - Important Improvement in the Microscope.
PMID- 28996436
TI - Case of Malignant Tumour of Right Knee-Joint-Amputation.
PMID- 28996438
TI - Lasciate ogni speranza voi che entrate.
PMID- 28996439
TI - On the Influence of the Poison of Bungarus Coeruleus or Krait.
PMID- 28996441
TI - Anaemia Treated with Milk: Contributed from the Case Book of the General
Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 28996440
TI - Heat Apoplexy Treated with Quinine; Recovery.
PMID- 28996442
TI - Paracentesis in Synovitis of the Knee-Joint.
PMID- 28996443
TI - On the Influence of Snake-Poison on the Blood.
PMID- 28996444
TI - Remarkable Case of Fracture of the Pelvis.
PMID- 28996445
TI - On the Use of Dhatura as a Mydriatic.
PMID- 28996446
TI - Cysts and Tape-Worms.
PMID- 28996447
TI - Persistent Delusions in Small-Pox.
PMID- 28996449
TI - The Thanatophidia of India: Deaths by Snake-Bite in the Bengal Presidency during
1869.
PMID- 28996448
TI - Incontinence of Urine in Childhood.
PMID- 28996450
TI - A Large Hepatic Abscess Tapped and Injected with Carbolic Oil; Convalescence;
Sudden Death Four Weeks after the Operation.
PMID- 28996451
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette, November 1, 1870.
PMID- 28996452
TI - Water Supply at Peshawar.
PMID- 28996454
TI - Caries of the Tarsal Bones of Left Foot, with Disease of the Joint; Amputation;
Successful Result.
PMID- 28996453
TI - Fibrous Tumour, of 35 Years' Standing, Occupying the Whole of the Buccal Cavity;
Removal; Fatal Result.
PMID- 28996456
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996455
TI - The Medical Administration of the Turkish Army.
PMID- 28996457
TI - Cancer of the Pancreas; Simulating Hepatic Abscess; Death; Autopsy.
PMID- 28996458
TI - Experiments on Snake Poison.
PMID- 28996459
TI - On the Therapeutical Value of Hydrate of Chloral, as a Hypnotic, Anodyne, and
Sedative.
PMID- 28996460
TI - Two Cases of Vascular Tumor, Treated by Injection with a Saturated Watery
Solution of Tannin.
PMID- 28996461
TI - Case of Sergeant James Scott, 79th Cameron Highlanders.
PMID- 28996462
TI - Observations on the Pathology and Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28996463
TI - Progress of the Medical Sciences.
PMID- 28996464
TI - Great Britain.
PMID- 28996465
TI - Some of the Physiological Effects of Quinine.
PMID- 28996466
TI - Abscess of Liver Bursting into the Pericardium.
PMID- 28996468
TI - Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28996467
TI - Clinical Observations on Three Cases of a Form of Hemiplegia: Which Illustrate
the Great Importance of Early, Correct Diagnosis; for If Recognized in the Early
Stage, It Is Susceptible of Complete Cure; While, If the Diagnosis Is Delayed, or
the Proper Treatment Be Not Applied, the Damaged Condition Becomes Permanent, and
the Patient Is Doomed to Pass the Remainder of His Life a Cripple.
PMID- 28996469
TI - On Science in India.
PMID- 28996470
TI - Lecture on Linear Extraction.
PMID- 28996471
TI - Our New Sailor's Home.
PMID- 28996472
TI - Small-Pox.
PMID- 28996473
TI - Practical Observations on European Life in India.
PMID- 28996474
TI - Hydrophobia (?).
PMID- 28996475
TI - On Linear Extraction.
PMID- 28996477
TI - Precis of Medico-Legal Post-Mortem Examinations Made in Dacca during the Year
1865.
PMID- 28996476
TI - Extension of Vaccination.
PMID- 28996478
TI - Destitution in Calcutta.
PMID- 28996479
TI - Ourselves.
PMID- 28996480
TI - A Case of Extra-Uterine Gestation.
PMID- 28996481
TI - Clinical Observations on a Rare Form of Dysphagia Lately Treated in the General
Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 28996482
TI - Fallen through.
PMID- 28996483
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996484
TI - Calculus Vesicae in the Female.
PMID- 28996485
TI - The Adulterations of Chloroform.
PMID- 28996486
TI - Observations on the Pathology and Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28996487
TI - Notes on Recurrent Mania.
PMID- 28996488
TI - Indian Conservancy and Health in Assam.
PMID- 28996489
TI - Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28996491
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996490
TI - Case of Fracture and Displacement Forwards of the Body of 1st Lumbar Vertebra.
PMID- 28996492
TI - The Question of Fees.
PMID- 28996493
TI - State Sanitation and Municipal Commissions.
PMID- 28996494
TI - Remarks on the Treatment of Cholera, with Cases.
PMID- 28996495
TI - Cases from Chuckdigee Charitable Dispensary.
PMID- 28996496
TI - Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 28996497
TI - On the Diarrhoea of Infants.
PMID- 28996499
TI - The Chandney Hospital.
PMID- 28996498
TI - Horse-Hair Sutures.
PMID- 28996501
TI - Our Census and Our Health Statistics.
PMID- 28996500
TI - Slow Arsenical Poisoning.
PMID- 28996503
TI - The Indian Ethnological Congress.
PMID- 28996502
TI - Strictures on Sodomy.
PMID- 28996504
TI - Case of Ovarian Dropsy, Treated by Tapping and Injection with Iodine.
PMID- 28996505
TI - Good-Service Pensions.
PMID- 28996506
TI - Note on Hydrargyrum Cum Creta.
PMID- 28996508
TI - A New General Civil Hospital in Calcutta.
PMID- 28996507
TI - Abstract of the Half-Yearly Report of the Mitford Hospital at Dacca, for the Half
Year Ending June 30th, 1866.
PMID- 28996509
TI - The Exalted Star of India.
PMID- 28996510
TI - The City of Palaces.
PMID- 28996511
TI - The Radical Cure of Hernia by Wood's Method.
PMID- 28996512
TI - The Chitpore Hospital.
PMID- 28996513
TI - Case of Strangulated, Oblique, Inguinal Hernia; Operation; Recovery.
PMID- 28996515
TI - The Mitford Hospital at Dacca.
PMID- 28996514
TI - Notes on the Medicinal Properties of the "Thistle-Oil," or Oil Extracted from the
Seed of the "Argemone Mexicana".
PMID- 28996516
TI - Periodical Orchitis.
PMID- 28996517
TI - The Calcutta Nurses' Institution.
PMID- 28996519
TI - The Progress of Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996518
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28996520
TI - On the Action of Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28996521
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen, with Protrusion of a Portion of the
Omentum; Excision and Ligature; Recovery.
PMID- 28996522
TI - Cases from the European General Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28996523
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996524
TI - A Query.
PMID- 28996525
TI - A Case of Compound Comminuted Fracture of Both Bones of the Leg, Involving the
Ankle-Joint, and Compound Dislocation of the Tarsal Bones of the Foot: Amputation
in the Middle of the Limb by the Modified Flap Method Originally Planned and
Recommended by Dr. Fayrer, Professor of Surgery, Medical College, Calcutta, in an
Article Published in the "Indian Annals of Medical Science".
PMID- 28996526
TI - Case of Obstinate Constipation of the Bowels, Treated by Small Doses of
Strychnine.
PMID- 28996527
TI - Compound Dislocation of the Knee-Joint; Recovery without Amputation.
PMID- 28996529
TI - Cholera in the Port.
PMID- 28996528
TI - Cases from the Hooghly Emambarah Hospital.
PMID- 28996530
TI - The Leisure Hours of a Native Prince.
PMID- 28996531
TI - A Case of Albuminuria Cured by Ergot and Iron.
PMID- 28996532
TI - Fistula in Perineo, through Which All the Urine Passed, the Urethra Being
Impervious an Inch Anterior to It; Operation; Recovery.
PMID- 28996534
TI - Professional Etiquette Disregarded in India.
PMID- 28996533
TI - Remarks on Malaria and Some of Its Effects.
PMID- 28996535
TI - Lecture on Atrophy of the Retina, and Paralysis of the Muscles of the Eyeball,
Due to Irritation of the Supra-Orbital Nerve.
PMID- 28996536
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 28996537
TI - Mitford Hospital Reports.-No. I.
PMID- 28996538
TI - The Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28996539
TI - Softening of Bone; Amputation below the Knee; Recovery.
PMID- 28996540
TI - The Cholera Conference.
PMID- 28996542
TI - The President of the Sanitary Commission.
PMID- 28996541
TI - Case of Stone in the Bladder in a Female Child; High Operation Performed;
Recovery.
PMID- 28996543
TI - Professor J. Y. Simpson, of Edinburgh.
PMID- 28996544
TI - Professional Remuneration.
PMID- 28996545
TI - Remarks on Dry Earth Conservancy.
PMID- 28996546
TI - Two Cases of Compound Fracture of Both Bones of the Leg, Involving the Ankle
Joint; in One Death, and One Recovery.
PMID- 28996547
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996549
TI - The Calcutta College Hospital.
PMID- 28996548
TI - New Medicinal Preparations.
PMID- 28996550
TI - Remarks on Rupture of the Rectus Femoris, at Its Connections with the Common
Tendon, Complicating Fractures of the Thigh.
PMID- 28996551
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996552
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996553
TI - The Term "Native Doctor."
PMID- 28996554
TI - A Case of Melanotic Tumor of Hand, Removed by Amputation at Wrist-Joint.
PMID- 28996555
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996556
TI - Note on the Use of Bisulphate of Iron and Alumina, and Sulphur, in the Treatment
of Dysentery.
PMID- 28996557
TI - Simulated Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28996558
TI - An Act for the Prevention of Contagious Disease.
PMID- 28996559
TI - The Indian Medical Officer.
PMID- 28996561
TI - Mitford Hospital, Dacca.
PMID- 28996560
TI - Note on the Earthquake Experienced at Patna.
PMID- 28996562
TI - Sharks and Bathing Ghats.
PMID- 28996563
TI - Aphasia and Death Resulting from Softening in Left Anterior Cerebral Lobe and
Cerebellum, Due to Atheromatous Degeneration and Embolism of the Cerebral
Arteries.
PMID- 28996564
TI - Case of Bronchitis Followed by Symptoms of Phthisis; Recovery.
PMID- 28996565
TI - Note on the Action of Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28996566
TI - Case of Horn Growing in the Human Scalp.
PMID- 28996567
TI - Rupture of the Duodenum by a Kick; Death.
PMID- 28996568
TI - On the Influence of Intestinal Worms in the Causation and Modification of
Disease.
PMID- 28996570
TI - Analysis of Water in India.
PMID- 28996569
TI - A Few Remarks on the Treatment of Delirium Tremens.
PMID- 28996572
TI - The New Chitpore Hospital.
PMID- 28996571
TI - A Case of Combined Pelvic Haematoma and Pelvic Abscess.
PMID- 28996573
TI - Ethnology in India.
PMID- 28996574
TI - A Word with Our Friends.
PMID- 28996575
TI - Cases of Fracture of Left Humerus, and Dislocation of the Wrist-Joint.
PMID- 28996577
TI - The Mitford Hospital, Dacca.
PMID- 28996576
TI - Case of Gall Stones Escaping Externally through the Abdominal Parietes.
PMID- 28996578
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996579
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996580
TI - Resection of the Knee-Joint.
PMID- 28996581
TI - On the Probable Causes of the Sparseness of Population in the Town of Akyab and
the Arakan Division Generally.
PMID- 28996582
TI - Case of Hydatid Tumour in the Brain.
PMID- 28996584
TI - Designation of Army Medical Officers.
PMID- 28996583
TI - Poisoning by Chloride of Cadmium; Death.
PMID- 28996585
TI - Case of Gunshot Wound.
PMID- 28996586
TI - Recto-Vaginal Fistula; Cure.
PMID- 28996587
TI - Elephantiasis of Left Leg of Fifteen Years' Duration; Amputation, Only One Vessel
Requiring Ligature.
PMID- 28996588
TI - Three Cases of Amputation at the Shoulder Joint; Two Recoveries, One Death.
PMID- 28996589
TI - A Case of Contraction of the Lower Jaw from Adhesions (Internal) of Twelve Years'
Standing.
PMID- 28996590
TI - Tumour of the Uterus.
PMID- 28996591
TI - Progress of the Medical Sciences.
PMID- 28996592
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996593
TI - Case of Popliteal Aneurism, Cured by Combined Pressure and Flexion.
PMID- 28996595
TI - The Cholera Congress at Constantinople.
PMID- 28996594
TI - Poisoning by Datura (Stramonium)- Recovery.
PMID- 28996596
TI - Indian Ethnology.
PMID- 28996597
TI - Case of Extraordinary Recovery in a Native.
PMID- 28996598
TI - An Hermaphrodite?
PMID- 28996600
TI - Extracts from European Journals.
PMID- 28996599
TI - Compound Fracture of Left Forearm Successfully Treated by Secondary Amputation at
the Shoulder-Joint after Necrosis.
PMID- 28996601
TI - The Indian Medical Gazette.
PMID- 28996602
TI - A Case of Carious Disease Affecting the Bones of Right Hand-Amputation at the
Wrist-Joint.-Recovery.
PMID- 28996604
TI - Professional Co-Operation.
PMID- 28996603
TI - A Case of Aneurism of the Abdominal Aorta.
PMID- 28996605
TI - Abdominal Wounds, with Protusion of the Omentum and Small Intestines.-Recovery.
PMID- 28996606
TI - Obscure Cases of Renal Disease.
PMID- 28996607
TI - A Case of Carious Disease of Wrist-Joint Treated Successfully by Circular
Amputation of the Arm; the Stump Healing by the "First Intention."
PMID- 28996608
TI - A Case of Syphilitic Cirrhosis, Considered in Connection with Other Syphilitic
Lesions of the Liver.
PMID- 28996609
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28996610
TI - Regarding Indian Medical Warrants and Civil Pay.
PMID- 28996611
TI - Notes of Cases Treated in the Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28996612
TI - Statement of Fractures Treated in the Calcutta Native Hospital during the Year
1864.
PMID- 28996613
TI - Abscess of Spleen.-Recovery.
PMID- 28996614
TI - Severe Tiger-Bite.-Recovery.
PMID- 28996615
TI - A Case of Atelectasis Pulmonum.
PMID- 28996616
TI - Articles.
PMID- 28996617
TI - The Actual Cautery in Secondary Haemorrhage.
PMID- 28996619
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996618
TI - Statistics of Cases of Tetanus Treated in the Medical College Hospital during
1861-62-63 and 64, Showing Its Rates of Mortality and Cure, as Also Its
Prevalence, in Different Months and Years.
PMID- 28996620
TI - Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28996621
TI - Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996622
TI - Abstract of Lithotomy Cases Treated in the Calcutta Native Hospital during the
Years 1863-64-65.
PMID- 28996623
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996624
TI - The Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28996625
TI - Progress of the Medical and General Sciences.
PMID- 28996626
TI - Professional Remuneration, &c., in Madras.
PMID- 28996627
TI - On the Gratuitous, Compulsory Attendance of Indian Military Doctors in Ordinary
Cases of Midwifery.
PMID- 28996628
TI - Two Cases of Fracture.
PMID- 28996629
TI - Notes and Queries.
PMID- 28996630
TI - Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996632
TI - The Medical Act.
PMID- 28996631
TI - On Leprosy.
PMID- 28996633
TI - The Question of "Physic."
PMID- 28996634
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996635
TI - On Emetina, as a Substitute for Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 28996636
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996637
TI - Ethnology of the Chuas of Shawdowla Temple, Goojrat, Punjab.
PMID- 28996638
TI - Cases of Cholera, Tetanus, and Calculus Vesicae.
PMID- 28996640
TI - Cinchona Alkaloids.
PMID- 28996639
TI - Case of Jackal-Bite.
PMID- 28996641
TI - Mitford Hospital Reports.-No. II.
PMID- 28996643
TI - Annual Health Report of Calcutta for 1865.
PMID- 28996642
TI - Cases from the City Dispensary at Moorshedabad.
PMID- 28996644
TI - Professional Courtesy.
PMID- 28996645
TI - A Case of Turning; Recovery.
PMID- 28996646
TI - The Microscope.
PMID- 28996647
TI - Note on the Use of the Powder of Mudar, as a Perfect Substitute for Ipecacuanha,
in the Treatment of Acute Dysentery in Natives.
PMID- 28996648
TI - Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 28996649
TI - Case of "Spontaneous Evolution."
PMID- 28996651
TI - Cases from the European General Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 28996650
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 301 in vol. 1.].
PMID- 28996652
TI - Glaucoma.
PMID- 28996654
TI - Ourselves.
PMID- 28996653
TI - Some Further Remarks upon Asthenic Hepatic Abscess, with Case.
PMID- 28996656
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28996655
TI - Case of Amputation below the Knee; Secondary Haemorrhage; Recovery.
PMID- 28996657
TI - Case of Extraordinary Susceptibility of the Action of Strychnia.
PMID- 28996658
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996659
TI - The Education of Dhyes or Native Midwives.
PMID- 28996660
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996661
TI - Dispensary Vaccination in the Punjab.
PMID- 28996662
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996663
TI - Mitford Hospital Reports.-No. V.
PMID- 28996664
TI - Congres Medical International De Paris: Statuts Et Programme.
PMID- 28996665
TI - The New Administrative Staff.
PMID- 28996666
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996667
TI - Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 28996668
TI - Biliary Coma in the Sixth Month of Pregnancy.
PMID- 28996670
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996669
TI - International Medical Congress.
PMID- 28996672
TI - Tertiary Amputation in a Case of Gunshot Wound of the Forearm; Recovery.
PMID- 28996671
TI - Cholera in the Port.
PMID- 28996673
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 28996675
TI - The Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28996674
TI - Case of Supra-Pubic Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996677
TI - Medical Fees in India.
PMID- 28996676
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen with Protrusion of a Large Portion of
the Pancreas; Its Removal by Ligature; Recovery.
PMID- 28996678
TI - Case of Aphasia.
PMID- 28996679
TI - Two Successful Cases of Turning, Occurring within a Fortnight of Each Other.
PMID- 28996680
TI - Action of Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28996681
TI - The Progress of Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996683
TI - The Howrah General Hospital.
PMID- 28996682
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996684
TI - Proposed Removal of the Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28996685
TI - Case of Necrosis of the Lower Part and Posterior Half of the Humerus.
PMID- 28996686
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28996687
TI - Mitford Hospital Reports.-No. III.
PMID- 28996688
TI - The New Calcutta Pauper Hospital.
PMID- 28996689
TI - Designation of Army Medical Officers.
PMID- 28996690
TI - Success versus Truth.
PMID- 28996692
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996691
TI - Case of Chronic Hydrocephalus; Recovery by Tapping.
PMID- 28996693
TI - Case of Simple Dislocation of the Astragalus.
PMID- 28996694
TI - Cases of Craniotomy and Forceps.
PMID- 28996696
TI - The Bengal Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28996695
TI - On the Probable Causes of the Sparseness of Population in the Town of Akyab and
the Arakan Division Generally.
PMID- 28996697
TI - Remarks on Cholera.
PMID- 28996699
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996698
TI - Practical Observations on the Means of Detecting Dhatoora, When It Has Been
Administered to Human Beings with the Intention of Inducing Stupefaction,
Intoxication, or Death.
PMID- 28996700
TI - Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28996701
TI - The Fyzabad Dispensary.
PMID- 28996702
TI - On Some Peculiar Effects Observed from the Use of the Indian Hemp.
PMID- 28996703
TI - Observations on a Case of Aphasia, or Loss of Speech, Connected with Disease of
the Anterior Lobe of the Right Side of the Brain.
PMID- 28996705
TI - Cardiac Embolism.
PMID- 28996704
TI - Vital Statistics-Census in India.
PMID- 28996706
TI - A Shadow of Good Things to Come.
PMID- 28996707
TI - Spectral Analysis.
PMID- 28996708
TI - Delhi Sores.
PMID- 28996709
TI - Scurvy.
PMID- 28996710
TI - On Protrusion of the Pancreas through an Abdominal Wound.
PMID- 28996711
TI - Hydrargyrum Cum Creta.
PMID- 28996712
TI - Report on Two Outbreaks of Epidemic Cholera in the Balasore Jail in March, April,
May, and June, 1866.
PMID- 28996713
TI - A Query.
PMID- 28996715
TI - Treatment of Fever by Cobwebs.
PMID- 28996714
TI - State of the Heart in Arsenical Poisoning.
PMID- 28996716
TI - Acetic Acid in Cholera.
PMID- 28996717
TI - A Young Assistant-Surgeon's Grievance.
PMID- 28996718
TI - Case of Protrusion of the Pancreas.
PMID- 28996719
TI - Hydrargyrum Cum Creta.
PMID- 28996720
TI - Remarks on Travelling in India, and the Influence It Has on the Health of Young
Children.
PMID- 28996721
TI - On the Detection of Dhatoora.
PMID- 28996722
TI - The Pay of Native Doctors.
PMID- 28996723
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996724
TI - The Progress of Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996725
TI - Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28996726
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996727
TI - Clerical Surgery in India.
PMID- 28996728
TI - Idiosyncrasies.
PMID- 28996729
TI - On the Communicability of Cholera.
PMID- 28996731
TI - On Dhyes or Native Midwives.
PMID- 28996730
TI - Suggestions for the Systematic Study of the History and Relations of Cholera.
PMID- 28996733
TI - Our Pauper Hospitals.
PMID- 28996732
TI - Importance of Fatty Degeneration of the Liver as a Predisposing Cause of Abscess.
PMID- 28996735
TI - Case of Difficult Child Delivery.
PMID- 28996734
TI - Cases of Excision of the Lower Jaw.
PMID- 28996736
TI - Further Remarks on Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen, with Protrusion of the
Pancreas.
PMID- 28996738
TI - Progress of the Medical and Allied Sciences.
PMID- 28996737
TI - Case of Compound Fracture of Hand; Softening of Bones about Elbow-Joint;
Conversion of Muscles around Joint into Adipocere; Amputation of Arm; Recovery.
PMID- 28996739
TI - Cases of Lithotomy Performed at the Saharunpore Dispensary during the Half-Year
Ending June 30th, 1866.
PMID- 28996740
TI - The Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28996741
TI - Notes on Some of the Diseases Most Frequently Met with among the Natives of
Tirhoot.
PMID- 28996742
TI - Case of False Traumatic Aneurism of the Femoral Artery, Complicated with General
Anasarca and Subsequent Serious Haemorrhage, Cured by Ligature of the Main Trunk.
PMID- 28996743
TI - On Cobweb as a Remedy for Malarious Fevers.
PMID- 28996744
TI - Obstetric Cases.
PMID- 28996745
TI - The Crystalline Lens.
PMID- 28996747
TI - A Case of Traumatic Tetanus, with Anoesthesia of the Trunk and Upper Extremities,
Treated Successfully.
PMID- 28996746
TI - Remarks on Bindaal, a New Remedy in the Treatment of Spleen Diseases.
PMID- 28996748
TI - Strychnine in Fever.
PMID- 28996750
TI - A Case of Compound Comminuted Fracture of Right Femur, with Some Laceration of
the Soft Parts; Recovery without the Performance of Amputation.
PMID- 28996749
TI - Ipecacuanha versus Koorchee in Dysentery.
PMID- 28996752
TI - Poisoning and Medical Evidence.
PMID- 28996751
TI - Mitford Hospital Reports.-No. IV.
PMID- 28996753
TI - Cases from Umritsur Charitable Dispensary.
PMID- 28996754
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28996755
TI - A Lock Hospital for Calcutta.
PMID- 28996757
TI - On the Detection of Dhatoora.
PMID- 28996756
TI - Hindustani Examinations: Caution to Junior Assistant-Surgeons.
PMID- 28996758
TI - Ulceration of the Larynx in a Case of Leprosy; OEdema Glottidis; Laryngotomy.
PMID- 28996759
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996760
TI - Horn Growing from the Human Body.
PMID- 28996761
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996762
TI - On the Use of Arsenic in Periodic and Skin Diseases.
PMID- 28996763
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of the Chest and Abdomen, with Protrusion Ofo Mentum,
Simulating Pancreas.
PMID- 28996764
TI - Case of Compound Fracture of the Knee-Joint; Excision; Recovery.
PMID- 28996765
TI - Remarks on Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28996766
TI - On McDougall's Disinfecting Powder.
PMID- 28996767
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28996768
TI - Etiology of Epithelioma among the Kashmiris.
PMID- 28996770
TI - The Future of the Bengal Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28996769
TI - Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 28996771
TI - Reorganization of the Administrative Staff of the British and Indian Medical
Services.
PMID- 28996772
TI - Remarks on Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28996773
TI - On the Minute Anatomy of Muscle.
PMID- 28996774
TI - Worm in the Eye:-A Contribution to Equine Surgery.
PMID- 28996775
TI - A Case of Poisoning by Sheth Kurrubbee, the White Oleander.
PMID- 28996776
TI - Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28996777
TI - The Study of Idiosyncrasies.
PMID- 28996779
TI - Treatment of Cholera with Acetic Acid.
PMID- 28996778
TI - A Case of Fibro-Cartilaginous Tumour of the Left Upper Jaw-Bone; Excision & Cure.
PMID- 28996780
TI - In-Growing of the Toe-Nail.
PMID- 28996782
TI - Physiological Idiosyncrasies.
PMID- 28996781
TI - Remarks on a Case of Abdominal Wound with Protrusion of the Pancreas.
PMID- 28996783
TI - Extracts from the Annual Report on the Working Party of the 79th Cameron
Highlanders, during the Hot Season of 1865.
PMID- 28996785
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28996786
TI - The Progress of Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28996784
TI - Dysentery.
PMID- 28996787
TI - Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen, with Protrusion of the Tail of the Pancreas.
PMID- 28996788
TI - Competition.
PMID- 28996789
TI - Bengal Jails and Their Superintendents.
PMID- 28996791
TI - Notes on Arsenical Poisoning.
PMID- 28996790
TI - A Case of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen and Thorax.
PMID- 28996792
TI - Dangers of Eighth Labours.
PMID- 28996793
TI - Our Knowledge of Cholera.
PMID- 28996794
TI - Cobwebs in Cases of Intermittent Fever.
PMID- 28996795
TI - Famine.
PMID- 28996796
TI - The Colour for a Studio.
PMID- 28996797
TI - Case of Supra-Public Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996798
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28996799
TI - Epidemic Small-Pox and Vaccine Protection.
PMID- 28996801
TI - How Goes It with British Soldiers at 8,000 Feet above Sea-Level?
PMID- 28996800
TI - On the Use of Strychnine in the Treatment of Malarious Fevers.
PMID- 28996802
TI - Cases of Atelektasis Pulmonum.
PMID- 28996805
TI - Case of Perforating Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 28996804
TI - Effects of "Cannabis Sativa."
PMID- 28996803
TI - Wood's Operation for the Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 28996807
TI - The Exalted Star of India.
PMID- 28996806
TI - Case of Calculus Vesicae: Lithotomy; Tetanus; Alarming Symptoms of Dyspnoea; Coma
and Death.
PMID- 28996808
TI - The Pathology and Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28996809
TI - Case of Intermittent Fever.
PMID- 28996810
TI - Ergot of Rye and Indian Hemp in Obstinate Cases of Menorrhagia.
PMID- 28996812
TI - On the Diarrhoea of Infants.
PMID- 28996811
TI - Medicine for Leprosy.
PMID- 28996814
TI - Transliteration versus Translation.
PMID- 28996813
TI - An Address Delivered on the Occasion of the Distribution of Prizes at the Medical
College, Calcutta, at the Close of Session 1872-73.
PMID- 28996815
TI - A Case of Nasal Calculus.
PMID- 28996817
TI - Water-Supply of Bombay Towns and Villages.
PMID- 28996816
TI - Case of Hydatid Cysts Found in the Brain, &c.
PMID- 28996819
TI - The Macnamara Filter.
PMID- 28996818
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28996820
TI - Our Relations to Government.
PMID- 28996821
TI - Thermic Fever.
PMID- 28996822
TI - Further Observations on the Epidemic Fever of Burdwan.
PMID- 28996823
TI - Memorandum of the Identification of Blood Stains.
PMID- 28996824
TI - Malingering in the Native Army.
PMID- 28996825
TI - On the Use of a Reflector in the Treatment of Diseases of the Uterus.
PMID- 28996826
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28996827
TI - Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996829
TI - The Cause of the Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28996828
TI - Rough Notes on the Common Forms of Skin Disease Met with in Calcutta.
PMID- 28996830
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28996831
TI - Report on Cholera in the Sagar Circle of Medical Administration during the Year
1872.
PMID- 28996833
TI - A Writer for Civil Surgeons.
PMID- 28996832
TI - Fragmentary Remarks on New and Old Medicine.
PMID- 28996834
TI - On the Etiology and Hygiene of Cholera. Part II.
PMID- 28996836
TI - Cultivation of Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 28996835
TI - Urinary Fistula with Loss of Much Adjacent Tissues Laying Bare the Roof of the
Parineal Portion of the Urethra; Urethro-Plasty: Cure.
PMID- 28996837
TI - Lock-Hospitals in the Madras Presidency.
PMID- 28996839
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28996838
TI - On a Cystic Parasite Infesting Sheep.
PMID- 28996840
TI - Cases of Small-Pox Treated with Sulphuret of Calcium Solution.
PMID- 28996841
TI - Report on Cholera in the Hoshungabad District during 1871-72.
PMID- 28996842
TI - Elephantiasis Preputialis.
PMID- 28996843
TI - The New Indian Medical Warrant.
PMID- 28996845
TI - A Dispensary for Russapugla.
PMID- 28996844
TI - On the Treatment of Conical Cervix Uteri.
PMID- 28996846
TI - Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996847
TI - A Case of Poisoning by Opium; Recovery after the Use of Sulphate of Atropia, as a
Subcutaneous Injection.
PMID- 28996848
TI - Remarks on Dr. Lyons' "Treatise on Relapsing or Famine Fever."
PMID- 28996849
TI - Mortuary Registration in Bengal.
PMID- 28996851
TI - Mortality among Tea Coolies.
PMID- 28996850
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Fever (Miliaria?) at Seoni.
PMID- 28996852
TI - Calcutta "Bustees".
PMID- 28996853
TI - Calculous in the Bladder; Abscess of Kidneys; Death.
PMID- 28996854
TI - Dr. L. Boehm on Cholera.
PMID- 28996855
TI - Haepatic Abscess in Natives.
PMID- 28996856
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28996857
TI - Report on the Outbreak of Cholera in the Julpigoree District in 1872-73.
PMID- 28996858
TI - Ainhum.
PMID- 28996859
TI - On Some Prominent Fallacies in Epidemiology.
PMID- 28996860
TI - Cases and Observations.
PMID- 28996861
TI - Medical Fees.
PMID- 28996862
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28996864
TI - Malarial Fever.
PMID- 28996863
TI - Rough Notes on the Common Forms of Skin Disease Met with in Calcutta.
PMID- 28996865
TI - List of Vernacular Medical Publications.
PMID- 28996866
TI - Remarks on the Vaporization of Carbolic Acid as an Air Purifier and Disinfectant.
PMID- 28996867
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28996868
TI - On Some Prominent Fallacies in Epidemiology.
PMID- 28996869
TI - Report on the Recent Epidemic of Fever in the Rawulpindee Jail.
PMID- 28996870
TI - Cases and Observations.
PMID- 28996871
TI - Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996872
TI - Post-Mortem Notes of Three Cases of Judicial Hanging.
PMID- 28996874
TI - Death-Rate of European Soldiers.
PMID- 28996873
TI - Lord Lawrence on the Double Medical Administration.
PMID- 28996875
TI - Three Cases of Antiseptic Surgery.
PMID- 28996877
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28996876
TI - Remarks on Dr. Lyons' "Treatise on Relapsing or Famine Fever."
PMID- 28996879
TI - Cholera Precautions.
PMID- 28996878
TI - Dr. L. Boehm on Cholera.
PMID- 28996880
TI - Memorial by the Sub-Assistant Surgeons in the N. W. Provinces.
PMID- 28996881
TI - Famine and Fever, as Cause and Effect in Rajpootana in 1868 and 1869.
PMID- 28996883
TI - Remarks on Dieting Sepoys in Hospital.
PMID- 28996882
TI - Case of Death from Division of the Spinal Cord in the Neck.
PMID- 28996884
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28996885
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28996886
TI - The Causation of the Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28996887
TI - The Recently-Promoted Surgeons-Major of the British Medical Service.
PMID- 28996888
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28996890
TI - Notes from Practice.
PMID- 28996889
TI - The Abuse of Patronage.
PMID- 28996891
TI - Malaria.
PMID- 28996892
TI - The Indian Locust.
PMID- 28996893
TI - Liebrich's Operation for Cataract.
PMID- 28996894
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28996895
TI - Local and General Enquiries.
PMID- 28996896
TI - Extracts from a Diary Kept during a Visit to Burdwan in September 1873.
PMID- 28996898
TI - Emigration.
PMID- 28996897
TI - Typhus Fever in Lower Bengal.
PMID- 28996899
TI - The Sealdah Vernacular Medical School.
PMID- 28996900
TI - Notes on a Form of Sloughing Phagedoena, Prevalent at Indore and Its Vicinity.
PMID- 28996901
TI - A Case of Delirium Tremens Simulating Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28996902
TI - Case of Madura Foot-Mycetoma.
PMID- 28996903
TI - ?
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 302 in vol. 8.].
PMID- 28996904
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28996905
TI - So-Called Typhus Fever in the Rawalpindee Jail.
PMID- 28996906
TI - Tetanus Resulting from Retained Placenta until Putrid, in a Young Woman
Miscarried in Her Third Month: Recovery.
PMID- 28996907
TI - A Case of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28996908
TI - Report on the Recent Epidemic of Fever in the Rawalpindee Jail.
PMID- 28996909
TI - Old Notes on Malarial Fevers and Cognate Ailments.
PMID- 28996910
TI - Report on the Burdwan Fever for the Year 1872; and the Measures Adopted for the
Relief of the Sick.
PMID- 28996911
TI - Selections from Cases Treated during 1872.
PMID- 28996912
TI - On the Mode of Action of Some of the Essential Oils in the Cure of Gripes.
PMID- 28996913
TI - Case of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 28996914
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28996915
TI - "Primitive Belief" as to Propagation of Cholera.
PMID- 28996916
TI - On Some Prominent Fallacies in Epidemiology.
PMID- 28996918
TI - Simple Continued Fever.
PMID- 28996917
TI - A Case of Carbolic Acid Poisoning.
PMID- 28996919
TI - Case of Bite of Cobra: Recovery.
PMID- 28996920
TI - Notes on an Outbreak of Remittent Fever in the District of Backergunge.
PMID- 28996921
TI - Notes on Some Points Connected with Fungus Foot Disease.
PMID- 28996923
TI - Does Cholera Attack Horses?
PMID- 28996924
TI - Sedative Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28996922
TI - On Sick Sepoys.
PMID- 28996926
TI - Tea Garden Hospitals.
PMID- 28996925
TI - Dr. Parkes on Sanitary Progress.
PMID- 28996927
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28996928
TI - Notes of a Case of Cholera Treated by the Hypodermic Injection of Chloral
Hydrate.
PMID- 28996929
TI - On a Mode of Poisoning by Insertion of the Poison into the Subcutaneous Tissue.
PMID- 28996931
TI - The Liability of Young Children to Cholera.
PMID- 28996930
TI - Report on the Burdwan Fever for the Year 1872; and the Measures Adopted for the
Relief of the Sick.
PMID- 28996932
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28996933
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28996934
TI - Report on the Recent Epidemic of Fever in the Rawalpindee Jail.
PMID- 28996935
TI - Extracts from a Diary Kept during a Visit to Burdwan in September 1873.
PMID- 28996936
TI - Four Cases of Elephantiasis in the European, Recurrence of Scrotal Tumour after
Operation.
PMID- 28996937
TI - Contemporary Medical Superstitions.
PMID- 28996939
TI - Typhus Fever in Lower Bengal.
PMID- 28996938
TI - A Case of Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 28996941
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28996940
TI - Two Cases of Snake-Bite Treated by Injection of Liquor Ammoniae into the Veins,
with Remarks on the Action of Snake Poison.
PMID- 28996942
TI - Simple Continued Fever.
PMID- 28996943
TI - On Some Prominent Fallacies in Epidemiology.
PMID- 28996944
TI - A Case of Amputation at the Hip-Joint.
PMID- 28996945
TI - A Medical School for Burmah.
PMID- 28996946
TI - The Effect of Hard Labor and Strict Discipline on the Mortality of Jails.
PMID- 28996947
TI - Reports from Practice.
PMID- 28996948
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite; Cure.
PMID- 28996949
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28996950
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28996951
TI - Marsh Fever Produced by Obstruction of the Outlets of Sub-Soil Water.
PMID- 28996952
TI - Re-Organization of the Indian Medical Department.
PMID- 28996953
TI - An Aid to Vaccination.
PMID- 28996954
TI - Two Cases of Snake-Bite Treated by Injection of Liquor Ammoniae into the Veins,
with Remarks on the Action of Snake Poison.
PMID- 28996955
TI - Case of Poisoning by Fungi.
PMID- 28996957
TI - Malaria.
PMID- 28996956
TI - Report on the Recent Epidemic of Fever in the Rawul Pindee Jail.
PMID- 28996958
TI - Case of Arrow Wound.
PMID- 28996959
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28996960
TI - Bengal Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28996961
TI - A Case of Post-Mortem Delivery.
PMID- 28996963
TI - The Value of European Life in India.
PMID- 28996962
TI - On the Temperature in Health.
PMID- 28996964
TI - On Some Prominent Fallacies in Epidemiology.
PMID- 28996965
TI - Vernacular Medical Education in Bengal.
PMID- 28996967
TI - Vital Statistics in India.
PMID- 28996966
TI - The Ceylon Medical School.
PMID- 28996969
TI - Dr. Henderson's "Lahore to Yarkand".
PMID- 28996968
TI - Milk and Disease.
PMID- 28996970
TI - Case of OEdema of the Glottis.
PMID- 28996971
TI - Precaution against the Infection of Cholera.
PMID- 28996972
TI - Safe Passage of a "Ghungree" through the Intestines of a Child Aged Four Years.
PMID- 28996973
TI - Famine and Fever as Cause and Effect in Rajpootana in 1868 and 1869.
PMID- 28996974
TI - Lithotomy.
PMID- 28996975
TI - Mortuary Registration in Bengal.
PMID- 28996976
TI - Case of Encephaloid Disease of the Inguinal Glands; Simulating Aneurism of the
External Iliac Artery.
PMID- 28996977
TI - Elephantiasis of the Female External Generative Organs.
PMID- 28996978
TI - Effusion into the Pericardium in Strangulation.
PMID- 28996979
TI - The Heart, in a Case of Poisoning by Arsenic.
PMID- 28996980
TI - Case of Fracture of Both Os Calcis.
PMID- 28996982
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28996981
TI - Suggestions as to the Cause of Unhealthiness of Lower Bengal and the Recent
Outbreak of Epidemic Fever.
PMID- 28996984
TI - Sepoys in Hospital.
PMID- 28996983
TI - Case of Compound Fracture of Femur.
PMID- 28996985
TI - Case of Fracture of the Base of the Skull.
PMID- 28996986
TI - Classification of Tumours.
PMID- 28996987
TI - Eight Persons Suffocated in a Railway Waggon.
PMID- 28996988
TI - Jolly on the Dangers of Chloral Hydrate.
PMID- 28996989
TI - Report on Cholera in the Gujranwala District for 1872.
PMID- 28996990
TI - Report on the Epidemic of Dengue in the Dacca District during 1872.
PMID- 28996991
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28996992
TI - Water-Supply for Nagpore.
PMID- 28996993
TI - Action of Mercury on the Liver.
PMID- 28996994
TI - Water-Supply of British Troops.
PMID- 28996996
TI - Veratrum Viride in Haemorrhage and Aneurism.
PMID- 28996995
TI - Fragmentary Remarks on New and Old Medicine.
PMID- 28996998
TI - Recent Sanitary Legislation in England.
PMID- 28996997
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28997000
TI - Cholera in Calcutta during the Year 1872.
PMID- 28996999
TI - The Propagation of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28997001
TI - The Re-Organization of the Indian Medical Department.
PMID- 28997002
TI - Two Rare Cases of Stone.
PMID- 28997003
TI - On Compulsory Vaccination.
PMID- 28997005
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997004
TI - Emigration.
PMID- 28997006
TI - Abstract of a Lecture on the Therapeutic Uses of Electricity, Delivered at Guy's
Hospital.
PMID- 28997008
TI - Briquet on the Mode of Action and Administration of the Salts of Quinine.
PMID- 28997007
TI - Report on Cholera in the Gujrat District.
PMID- 28997009
TI - Dr. Fayrer on Cobra Poison.
PMID- 28997011
TI - The Concurrence of Epidemics.
PMID- 28997010
TI - Fragmentary Remarks on New and Old Medicine.
PMID- 28997013
TI - Case of Multiple Calculus Vesicae.
PMID- 28997012
TI - Notes on the Causation of Periodic Fever.
PMID- 28997014
TI - Cases of Dysmenorrhoea, Treated with Olutkombol (Abroma Agustum).
PMID- 28997015
TI - Sunstroke.
PMID- 28997016
TI - Quinine as an Emmenagogue.
PMID- 28997017
TI - Report on Preventive Measures Adopted at Dinapore to Mitigate an Epidemic of
Cholera.
PMID- 28997018
TI - Compound Dislocation of Wrist; Primary Union under Antiseptics; Death by Tetanus
on the Tenth Day; Post-Mortem Examination of the Injury.
PMID- 28997019
TI - The Education of "Dhais".
PMID- 28997020
TI - A Case of Cerebral Rheumatism.
PMID- 28997021
TI - A Remarkable Medico-Legal Case.
PMID- 28997023
TI - Tetanus and Its Treatment.
PMID- 28997022
TI - Olutkombul.
PMID- 28997024
TI - The Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28997025
TI - Large Doses of Chloral Hydrate.
PMID- 28997027
TI - Sewage Irrigation.
PMID- 28997026
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997028
TI - The Fund for Widows and Orphans of Medical Officers.
PMID- 28997030
TI - Case of Infantile Convulsions.
PMID- 28997029
TI - Phlebitis Umbilicalis.
PMID- 28997031
TI - M. Ricord on the Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 28997033
TI - Hyperpyrexia Treated by Cold and Quinine.
PMID- 28997032
TI - A Rare Case of Nasal Calculus.
PMID- 28997034
TI - Quinine as an Emenagogue.
PMID- 28997035
TI - On the Fall of Temperature Accompanying Great Wounds by Fire-Arms.
PMID- 28997036
TI - Affections of the Eye Following Dengue.
PMID- 28997037
TI - Bullet Wound of Right Lung in a Child Three and a Half Years Old.
PMID- 28997039
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Ergotin in Inter-Haemorrhages.
PMID- 28997038
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997041
TI - Scarlatina in India.
PMID- 28997040
TI - Recent Sanitary Legislation in England.
PMID- 28997042
TI - Report on the Epidemic of Dengue in the Dacca District during 1872.
PMID- 28997043
TI - Sewage Irrigation.
PMID- 28997044
TI - A Case of Cystic Tumour; Operation.
PMID- 28997046
TI - Microscopical Researches into the Agents Producing Cholera.
PMID- 28997045
TI - Vernacular Medical Education.
PMID- 28997047
TI - A Case of Large Fatty Tumour.
PMID- 28997048
TI - Cholera in Calcutta during the Year 1872.
PMID- 28997049
TI - Haemorrhage from a Ruptured Aneurism of the Femoral Artery at Poupart's Ligament;
Ligature of Both the External Iliac and Femoral Arteries by Carbolized Catgut;
Recovery.
PMID- 28997050
TI - M. Oulmont on Hyoscyamine.
PMID- 28997052
TI - Alligator Bite.
PMID- 28997051
TI - Native Medical and Surgical Practice in Marwar.
PMID- 28997053
TI - Columbidae.
PMID- 28997054
TI - A Case of Cholera Treated by Injection of Salines and Transfusion of Blood.
PMID- 28997056
TI - The Beauperthuy Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 28997055
TI - Lithotomy.
PMID- 28997057
TI - Translation.
PMID- 28997058
TI - Lock Hospital Administration in 1871.
PMID- 28997059
TI - The Aboo Lawrence School.
PMID- 28997060
TI - Report on Cholera in the Hoshungabad District during 1871-1872.
PMID- 28997061
TI - A New Vesical Irrigator.
PMID- 28997062
TI - On Some Prominent Fallacies in Epidemiology.
PMID- 28997063
TI - Amputation in the Scapulo-Humeral Articulation.
PMID- 28997064
TI - A Typical Case of Typhus Fever.
PMID- 28997066
TI - Remarks on Dr. Lyons' "Treatise on Relapsing or Famine Fever."
PMID- 28997065
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 28997067
TI - Case of Malformation of the Lower Half of the Body.
PMID- 28997068
TI - Malarial Fever.
PMID- 28997069
TI - Dr. Mouat on Health Administration in India.
PMID- 28997070
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997071
TI - A Case of Lithotomy with Very Rapid Recovery.
PMID- 28997073
TI - The Contagious Diseases' Act in England.
PMID- 28997072
TI - Cases and Observations.
PMID- 28997074
TI - The New Warrant for the Army (British Medical Department).
PMID- 28997075
TI - On Some Affections of the Skin Occurring in Pregnant and Puerperal Women.
PMID- 28997076
TI - Rough Notes on the Common Forms of Skin Disease Met with in Calcutta.
PMID- 28997078
TI - M. Gilette on Gun-Shot Wounds.
PMID- 28997077
TI - Calcutta Milk.
PMID- 28997080
TI - Small-Pox.
PMID- 28997079
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997082
TI - Medical Missions in Bengal.
PMID- 28997081
TI - Intravenous Injection of Ammonia in Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28997083
TI - The Solvent Action of the Papaya Juice on the Nitrogenous Articles of Food.
PMID- 28997084
TI - On the Etiology and Hygiene of Cholera. Part II.
PMID- 28997085
TI - The Treatment of Inveterate Ague.
PMID- 28997086
TI - Amputation at the Shoulder-Joint for Rapidly Spreading Traumatic Gangrene.
PMID- 28997087
TI - A Rare Case of Urethral Calculus.
PMID- 28997088
TI - The Operation for the Removal of Scrotal Tumours (Elephantiasis Scroti).
PMID- 28997090
TI - Filaria Sanguinis Hominis.
PMID- 28997089
TI - Microscopical Researches into the Agents Producing Cholera.
PMID- 28997091
TI - The Medical Service of the French Army.
PMID- 28997092
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28997093
TI - Experiments on Cobra Poison and on a Reputed Antidote.
PMID- 28997094
TI - A Medico-Legal Case: Death of a Girl from the Effects of Rupture of the Vagina.
PMID- 28997095
TI - Report on the Epidemic of Dengue in the Dacca District during 1872.
PMID- 28997097
TI - Rupture of the Bladder.
PMID- 28997096
TI - A Complicated Case of Scrotal Hernia.
PMID- 28997099
TI - Eighteen Hundred and Seventy-Two.
PMID- 28997100
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997098
TI - Effusion into the Pericardium in Strangulation.
PMID- 28997101
TI - On Rupture of the Perinaeum.
PMID- 28997102
TI - Case of Elephantiasis of the Prepuce, Weighing 22lbs; Excision; Recovery.
PMID- 28997104
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997103
TI - Columbidae.
PMID- 28997105
TI - State Encouragement of Inoculation in Bengal!
PMID- 28997106
TI - Typhoid Fever in the Native Army.
PMID- 28997107
TI - Chloride of Ammonium in the Treatment of Hepatic Disease in India.
PMID- 28997109
TI - Impure Water and Cholera in India.
PMID- 28997108
TI - Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28997111
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997110
TI - Notes on Sanitation.
PMID- 28997112
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28997113
TI - The Sun's Rays as a Cause of Disease.
PMID- 28997115
TI - The Death-Rate among European Troops in India.
PMID- 28997114
TI - Cholera at Puri.
PMID- 28997116
TI - Rough Notes on the Common Forms of Skin Disease Met with in Calcutta.
PMID- 28997118
TI - Cholera among Assam Coolies.
PMID- 28997117
TI - Fragmentary Remarks on New and Old Medicine.
PMID- 28997119
TI - A Rare Case of Wound of the Abdominal Wall and Colon.
PMID- 28997120
TI - Dr. Fayrer's Treatment of Snake-Bite by Artificial Respiration.
PMID- 28997121
TI - Sunstroke.
PMID- 28997123
TI - Cases of Death by Hanging.
PMID- 28997122
TI - Abortion, Iliac Abscess, Death from Cardiac Embolism.
PMID- 28997124
TI - A Case of Cholera Treated by Hypodermic Injection of Nitrite of Amyl.
PMID- 28997125
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997126
TI - Report on the Water Supplied from the Calcutta Hydrants during the Year 1872.
PMID- 28997127
TI - Goitre and Cretinism in the Bari Dooab, Gurdaspur.
PMID- 28997128
TI - Case of Extravasation of Urine Caused by Calculus, Lateral Lithotomy, and
Recovery.
PMID- 28997129
TI - Observations on the Nature of Cholera Poison.
PMID- 28997131
TI - Report on the Causes of Reduced Mortality in the French Army Serving in Algeria.
PMID- 28997130
TI - Hydrocele of the Tunica Vaginalis Connected through the Inguinal Canal, with a
Large Cyst Situated within the Abdomen; Cured by Repeated Injections of Iodine.
PMID- 28997133
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28997132
TI - Mortuary Registration in the District of Gurdaspur, Punjab.
PMID- 28997135
TI - Extracts from the Records of Bengal Medical Department.
PMID- 28997134
TI - Dengue in the Calcutta La Martiniere.
PMID- 28997136
TI - Afloat or Ashore.
PMID- 28997137
TI - The Annual Meeting of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28997139
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997138
TI - Clinical Notes of Cases Recently Treated in the General Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 28997140
TI - Guinea-Worm Treated by the Local Application of Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 28997142
TI - Vaccination in the Punjab.
PMID- 28997141
TI - Abscess of the Spleen.
PMID- 28997143
TI - Notes on the Journey Home.
PMID- 28997144
TI - Death Caused by Swallowing Native Tooth-Stick.
PMID- 28997145
TI - On Lunar Influence over Malarious Fevers.
PMID- 28997146
TI - Report on the Means Adopted to Stamp out Small-Pox at Umballa, 1869.
PMID- 28997147
TI - New Work on Anatomy in Oordoo.
PMID- 28997149
TI - Remarks on Cyst-Infected Meat at Meean Meer; Its Nature and Prevention.
PMID- 28997148
TI - Professor Syme's Recent Illness.
PMID- 28997151
TI - Education in Natural and Physical Science.
PMID- 28997150
TI - Cystic Tumour of the Left Labium.
PMID- 28997152
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice.
PMID- 28997154
TI - Passage of a Calculus from the Female Bladder.
PMID- 28997153
TI - On Puncture of the Knee-Joint in the Treatment of Synovitis.
PMID- 28997155
TI - Remittent and Continued Fevers.
PMID- 28997156
TI - The Quid Pro Quo.
PMID- 28997157
TI - The Jails and Jail System of India.
PMID- 28997158
TI - The Furlough Rules of 1868.
PMID- 28997159
TI - The Peking Hospital.
PMID- 28997160
TI - The North Suburban Hospital.
PMID- 28997161
TI - On the Bite of the Sea-Snake.
PMID- 28997162
TI - A Successful Case of Venomous Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28997164
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997163
TI - Arm Presentation. Version Five Hours after Rupture of the Membranes.
PMID- 28997166
TI - The Camp at Umballa.
PMID- 28997165
TI - Note on Embelia Ribes as a Remedy for Tape-Worm.
PMID- 28997167
TI - The East Indian Railway.
PMID- 28997168
TI - A Case of Extensive Injuries of the Hands, and a Successful Case of Rhinoplastic
Operation.
PMID- 28997169
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28997170
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28997171
TI - Hill Stations in Bengal.
PMID- 28997172
TI - Extracts from the Records of the Bengal Medical Department.
PMID- 28997173
TI - Selections from Ophthalmic Practice.
PMID- 28997174
TI - Heart Disease in India.
PMID- 28997175
TI - The Indian Medical Gazette.
PMID- 28997176
TI - Delenda Est Carthago?
PMID- 28997177
TI - Case of Criminal Abortion, by a Native Medicine.
PMID- 28997178
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28997179
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997180
TI - The Carbolic Acid Treatment of Wounds.
PMID- 28997182
TI - Experiments on the Action of Snake-Poison and Its Antidote: Conducted at the
Gwalior Residency.
PMID- 28997181
TI - Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28997183
TI - Melanopathia.
PMID- 28997184
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28997185
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 28997186
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28997187
TI - Prevailing Diseases in the Angami Naga Hills.
PMID- 28997188
TI - Subordinate Medical Education in India.
PMID- 28997189
TI - Summary of Fifty Post-Mortem Examinations of Inhabitants of the Jessore District,
Performed in the Jail Hospital.
PMID- 28997190
TI - Sanitary Commissioners.
PMID- 28997191
TI - Joseph Fayrer Decorated.
PMID- 28997192
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997193
TI - English Correspondence.
PMID- 28997194
TI - Proceedings of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 28997195
TI - Hysteria.
PMID- 28997196
TI - Summary of Fifty Post-Mortem Examinations Performed in the Jessore Jail Hospital.
PMID- 28997197
TI - Subordinate Medical Education.
PMID- 28997198
TI - Dispensaries in H. H. the Nizam's Dominions.
PMID- 28997199
TI - Railway Surgeons in India.
PMID- 28997200
TI - Sun-Stroke.
PMID- 28997201
TI - The Jails and Jail System of India.
PMID- 28997202
TI - Rattle His Bones over the Stones.
PMID- 28997203
TI - Two Cases of Poisoning by Daturah Stramonium.
PMID- 28997204
TI - The New Nomenclature of Diseases.
PMID- 28997205
TI - Cholera Enquiry.
PMID- 28997206
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28997207
TI - Cui Bono?
PMID- 28997209
TI - Lock Hospitals.
PMID- 28997208
TI - Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28997210
TI - Subordinate Medical Education in India.
PMID- 28997211
TI - Of Snake-Poison and Its Antidotes.
PMID- 28997212
TI - The Governor-General's Surgeon.
PMID- 28997213
TI - Intestinal Haemorrhage.
PMID- 28997215
TI - Circumstances Attending the Death of the Late Mr. R. Thorp, at Sirinagar.
PMID- 28997214
TI - The Viceroy's Private Surgeon.
PMID- 28997216
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997217
TI - Progress of the Medical and Collateral Sciences.
PMID- 28997218
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Certain Reputed Antidotes for Snake-Poisoning.
PMID- 28997219
TI - The Jails and Jail System of India.
PMID- 28997220
TI - On Certain Doubtful Points in the Pathology of Cholera.
PMID- 28997222
TI - On the Nasal Administration of Sulphate of Quinine.
PMID- 28997221
TI - Note on Sulphurous Acid.
PMID- 28997223
TI - Septennial Examinations of Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 28997224
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997225
TI - Cases of Amputation at the Hip-Joint.
PMID- 28997226
TI - On the Removal of Deeply and Firmly Impaired Foreign Bodies.
PMID- 28997227
TI - Ventilation in India.
PMID- 28997229
TI - Medical Education at Dispensaries.
PMID- 28997228
TI - Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28997230
TI - Experiments on the Action of Snake-Poison When Applied to the Surface of the
Conjunctiva, and Also on the Influence of Eau De Luce in the Treatment of Snake
Poisoning.
PMID- 28997231
TI - The Physiological Action of Quinine.
PMID- 28997232
TI - Memorandum on the Effects of Famine in Rajpootana.
PMID- 28997233
TI - Contributions from the Mitford Hospital, Dacca.
PMID- 28997234
TI - Notes on Fourteen Cases of Cholera Treated by Hypodermic Injection of Strychnine.
PMID- 28997235
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison on the Blood of Animals.
PMID- 28997236
TI - Note on Cholera.
PMID- 28997237
TI - Case of Smothering.
PMID- 28997238
TI - Abdominal Aneurism Bursting into the Left Pleural Cavity.
PMID- 28997240
TI - The Jail and Jail System of India.
PMID- 28997239
TI - Primary Amputation of Thigh; Rapid Recovery under Antiseptic Treatment.
PMID- 28997242
TI - French Medical Service.
PMID- 28997241
TI - On the Use of Stellar Incisions in Certain Operations Followed by a Circular
Cicatrix.
PMID- 28997243
TI - Immunity of a Monkey to Strychnine.
PMID- 28997244
TI - Small-Pox and Vaccination in Bhurtpoor.
PMID- 28997245
TI - Cessation of Small-Pox in Ireland.
PMID- 28997246
TI - Case of Suffocation.
PMID- 28997247
TI - The East Indian Railway.
PMID- 28997249
TI - Regarding Some Ordinary Applications Used in Surgery.
PMID- 28997248
TI - Compound Fracture of the Leg; Death from Disturbed Innervation Inducing Jaundice
and Ischuria.
PMID- 28997250
TI - Education of Native Doctors.
PMID- 28997251
TI - Results of Sanitation in India.
PMID- 28997252
TI - Extract from an Ispection Report on Hooghly, by Deputy Inspector-General of
Hospitals G. Saunders.
PMID- 28997254
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison, and the Use of Certain Reputed
Antidotes; and the Effects of Excision, &c.
PMID- 28997253
TI - Case of Hydrocephaloid Disease.
PMID- 28997255
TI - Contagious Diseases' Acts.
PMID- 28997257
TI - Extract from a Report on the Sanitary State of the City of Umritsir by Assistant
Surgeon A. Taylor, Civil Surgeon.
PMID- 28997256
TI - Notes on Three Cases of Cholera Treated by Hypodermic Injection of Liquor
Ammoniae.
PMID- 28997259
TI - The Sanitary Commission of Bengal.
PMID- 28997258
TI - A Case of Worms, Distoma Hepaticum, or Liver Fluke, in the Human Intestines.
PMID- 28997260
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997261
TI - Stricture of the Urethra; Death from Urethral Fever and Uraemia.
PMID- 28997263
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997262
TI - Pulsating Abdominal Tumour.
PMID- 28997265
TI - Abscess of Spleen with Empyema.
PMID- 28997264
TI - Dr. Cornish on Opium and Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28997266
TI - Strangulated Inguinal Hernia, as It Is Met with among Natives; Its Treatment by
Full Doses of Opium.
PMID- 28997267
TI - Experiments on the Accumulation of Foul Air in Ill-Ventilated Rooms.
PMID- 28997268
TI - On the Relation between the Variolous Disease of Cattle Called "Gootee," and True
Vaccinia, with Special Reference to Inoculation and Vaccination.
PMID- 28997269
TI - Extracts from the Records of the Bengal Medical Department.
PMID- 28997270
TI - Medical Missionaries in India.
PMID- 28997271
TI - Feigned Tumor of the Jaw.
PMID- 28997272
TI - Paucity of Medical Officers.
PMID- 28997273
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28997274
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28997275
TI - The Jails and Jail System of India.
PMID- 28997277
TI - Cuilibet in Arte Sua Perito Est Credendum.
PMID- 28997276
TI - Native Hospital at Howrah.
PMID- 28997278
TI - Subordinate Medical Education.
PMID- 28997279
TI - General Paralysis of the Insane.
PMID- 28997280
TI - Sanitation (Communicated).
PMID- 28997281
TI - Native Medical Progress in India.
PMID- 28997283
TI - Native Mortality.
PMID- 28997282
TI - A Disputed Case of Obstinate Costiveness.
PMID- 28997284
TI - Indian Experiences of Lithotrity.
PMID- 28997285
TI - Retention of Urine; Paracentesis Vesicae.
PMID- 28997286
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28997287
TI - Native Doctors' English!
PMID- 28997288
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997289
TI - Punctured Wound of the Leg, &c.
PMID- 28997291
TI - Summary of Post-Mortem Examinations.
PMID- 28997290
TI - Hydatid Disease of the Liver.
PMID- 28997292
TI - Native Beneficence.
PMID- 28997293
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28997294
TI - Note on Dry Earth Dressing.
PMID- 28997296
TI - The Influence of Cold in Preventing the Anoesthetic Effect of Chloroform.
PMID- 28997295
TI - Cantharides in Cholera.
PMID- 28997298
TI - Extracts from the Records of the Bengal Medical Department.
PMID- 28997297
TI - Antiseptic Treatment of Necrosis.
PMID- 28997300
TI - A Case of Rupture of the Heart.
PMID- 28997299
TI - Temperature of the Body in Health and Disease.
PMID- 28997301
TI - Heat Apoplexy.
PMID- 28997302
TI - Scientific Information.
PMID- 28997303
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake Poison, and on the Injection of Liquor
Ammoniae into the Venous Circulation as an Antidote.
PMID- 28997304
TI - Post Partum Haemorrage; Death from Shock.
PMID- 28997305
TI - Note on the Antiseptic Treatment of Wounds.
PMID- 28997306
TI - On Lunar Influence over Malarious Fevers.
PMID- 28997307
TI - The New Nomenclature of Diseases.
PMID- 28997308
TI - Apoplexy.
PMID- 28997309
TI - Summary of Fifty Post-Mortem Examinations of Inhabitants of the Jessore District,
Performed in the Jail Hospital.
PMID- 28997310
TI - Cases from Ophthalmic Practice: Herpes Zoster Frontalis.
PMID- 28997311
TI - Cases of Heat Apoplexy.
PMID- 28997312
TI - Results of Sanitation in India.
PMID- 28997313
TI - On the Influence of Snake-Poison When Applied to Unwounded Surfaces.
PMID- 28997314
TI - Retention of Urine; Discharge of Pus with Urine; Rapid Development and Subsidence
of an Abdominal Tumour.
PMID- 28997315
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison, and on the Effects of Certain
Methods of Treatment.
PMID- 28997316
TI - On the Relations between the Variolous Disease of Cattle Called "Gootee" and True
Vaccinia, with Special Reference to Inoculation and Vaccination.
PMID- 28997317
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28997319
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997318
TI - The Delhi Ulcers.
PMID- 28997321
TI - Dr. Cornish on Opium and Ipecacuanha in Dysentery.
PMID- 28997320
TI - The Experiments on Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28997322
TI - Antagonistic Action of Opium to Belladona.
PMID- 28997323
TI - Irish Correspondence.
PMID- 28997324
TI - The Want of Surgical Mechanicians in India.
PMID- 28997325
TI - The Furlough Rules and the Medical Service.
PMID- 28997326
TI - A Case of Aphasia.
PMID- 28997327
TI - Abscess in the Cavity of the Tunica Vaginalis, &c.
PMID- 28997328
TI - Health of the Central Provinces.
PMID- 28997329
TI - Professor Petenkoffer's Theory of Cholera.
PMID- 28997330
TI - Case of Sympathetic Orchitis.
PMID- 28997331
TI - Dr. John Murray on Cholera.
PMID- 28997332
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison and on the Injection of Certain
Fluids into the Venous Circulation as Antidotes, and on the Application of the
Ligature and Actual Cautery.
PMID- 28997333
TI - Case of Dislocation of the Patella, Inwards.
PMID- 28997334
TI - Herpes Frontalis.
PMID- 28997335
TI - Case of Profuse Hoemorrhage of Which the Cause Was Uncertain.
PMID- 28997336
TI - Preventive Sanitation in the Bhawulpore State.
PMID- 28997337
TI - Abstract of a Case of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28997338
TI - Professor Syme.
PMID- 28997339
TI - Amputation of Leg for Caries; Recovery under the Care of Dr. Baillie.
PMID- 28997340
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Liquor Ammoniae in Cholera.
PMID- 28997341
TI - Deaths from Snake-Bites: A Trial, Condensed from the Sessions Report.
PMID- 28997342
TI - A Case of Shoulder-Presentation; Spontaneous Expulsion.
PMID- 28997343
TI - Oxaluria, and a Case of Albuminaria: Extracted from Annual Regimental Report.
PMID- 28997345
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997344
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28997346
TI - The Drainage and Conservancy of Calcutta.
PMID- 28997347
TI - Report on the Jails, &c., of Eastern Bengal.
PMID- 28997348
TI - Severe Injury to the Wrist-Joints; Recovery.
PMID- 28997349
TI - English Training for Native Doctors.
PMID- 28997350
TI - Calcutta Native Hospital.-Excision of the Elbow; Recovery under the Care of Dr.
Baillie.
PMID- 28997351
TI - Captain Jennings' Punkah-Pulling Machine.
PMID- 28997352
TI - Report on Typhoid Fever in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders.
PMID- 28997353
TI - Carbolic Acid in Small-Pox.
PMID- 28997354
TI - The Medical Service and the New Furlough Rules.
PMID- 28997355
TI - Irish Correspondence.
PMID- 28997356
TI - Lahore Medical School.
PMID- 28997357
TI - Ice in Chloroform Accidents.
PMID- 28997359
TI - Drinking Water in Bengal.
PMID- 28997358
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997361
TI - Chronic Arsinical Poisoning-Complete Recovery.
PMID- 28997360
TI - On the Use of Petroleum or Earth-Oil as an Antiseptic in the Treatment of
Surgical Diseases.
PMID- 28997362
TI - At What Point Is It Best to Open the Knee-Joint for the Removal of Pus?
PMID- 28997363
TI - Experiments on the Influence of Snake-Poison of the Cobra, the Daboia, and the
Bungarus, and of Certain Methods of Treatment.
PMID- 28997364
TI - What Is Contre-Coup?
PMID- 28997366
TI - Subsoil Water.
PMID- 28997365
TI - Historical Evidence Regarding the Practice of Using Large Doses of Opium and
Ipecacuanha in the Treatment of Acute Tropical Dysentry.
PMID- 28997367
TI - Division of Sphincter Ani in Rectal Abscess.
PMID- 28997368
TI - Jamaica Medical News.
PMID- 28997369
TI - Experiments on the Use of the Ligature and Carbolic Acid in the Treatment of
Snake-Bites.
PMID- 28997370
TI - Tatties at Night.
PMID- 28997371
TI - Case of Insidious Dysentery.
PMID- 28997372
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Morphia in the Vomiting of Pregnancy.
PMID- 28997374
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28997373
TI - Case of Slight Injury of the Head Followed by Blood-Poisoning, and Death from
Cardiac Apnoea in an English Child Aged 41/2 Years.
PMID- 28997376
TI - On Maladies Attributed to Lunar Influence -Rheumatism, Paralysis, Ocular, &c.
PMID- 28997375
TI - Extracts from the Records of the Bengal Medical Department.
PMID- 28997377
TI - Boils.
PMID- 28997379
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28997378
TI - Belladona an Antidote to Opium.
PMID- 28997381
TI - Primary Cancer of the Liver; Secondary Deposit in the Intestines and Pleurae.
PMID- 28997380
TI - A Hard Case.
PMID- 28997382
TI - Fees for Inquests.
PMID- 28997383
TI - The Nagpore Medical School.
PMID- 28997384
TI - Three Cases of Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 28997385
TI - Extension of Knowledge in Rajpootana.
PMID- 28997386
TI - Enucleation of Suppurating or Diseased Glands in the Groin.
PMID- 28997388
TI - Native Midwives.
PMID- 28997387
TI - Burnt Alum in Fungus Testis.
PMID- 28997389
TI - Case of Locomotor Ataxy.
PMID- 28997391
TI - Cholera Hospitals.
PMID- 28997390
TI - Fibrous Tumour of the Upper Jaw Removal.
PMID- 28997392
TI - Three Cases of Ictus Fulmenis Which Occurred during the Late Hazara Campaign.
PMID- 28997393
TI - On Sub-Soil Drainage, by Mr. Clark, C.E.
PMID- 28997394
TI - Local Correspondence.
PMID- 28997395
TI - Case of Lodgment of Foreign Body in the Bladder; Extraction by Perinael Incision
Recovery.
PMID- 28997396
TI - The Jails and Jail System of India.
PMID- 28997397
TI - Aneurism in the Army.
PMID- 28997398
TI - The Royal Sanitary Commission.
PMID- 28997399
TI - Notes from a Surgeon-Major on Furlough.
PMID- 28997400
TI - Medical Missionaries in India.
PMID- 28997401
TI - Death from Swallowing a Miswak or Tooth-Stick.
PMID- 28997403
TI - Indigenous Food.
PMID- 28997402
TI - Case of Cutaneous Anaesthesia.
PMID- 28997404
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997405
TI - Treatment for Heat Apoplexy.
PMID- 28997407
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997406
TI - Case of Chionyphe Carterii.
PMID- 28997409
TI - The Future of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28997408
TI - A Case of Sudden Death from Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 28997410
TI - Is Quinine an Abortifacient?
PMID- 28997412
TI - Cases Treated by Surgeon-Major F. Odevine, F.R.C.S. (Hydatid Tumour of the
Spleen).
PMID- 28997411
TI - Dermoid Tumour on Cornea and Sclerotic.
PMID- 28997414
TI - 1877.
PMID- 28997413
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Cholera in the 8th Regiment, B. N. I., Stationed at
Agra.
PMID- 28997416
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997415
TI - Case of Stricture of the OEsophagus.
PMID- 28997417
TI - Report on a Case of Death from Severe Internal Injuries in Which a Diseased
Spleen Escaped Rupture.
PMID- 28997418
TI - After-Results in Lithotomy Cases.
PMID- 28997419
TI - Case of Excision of the Elbow-Joint.
PMID- 28997420
TI - Malarial Paralysis and Apoplexy.
PMID- 28997421
TI - The "Plague" of Kumaun and Garhwal.
PMID- 28997422
TI - Notes of a Case of Cataract: Loss of Greater Part of Vitreous Humour during the
Operation: Ultimate Satisfactory Results.
PMID- 28997423
TI - Case of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia, with Gangrene of the Gut: Recovery, with
Artificial Anus.
PMID- 28997424
TI - Case of Excision of the Knee-Joint.
PMID- 28997425
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997426
TI - Murder or Suicide.
PMID- 28997427
TI - Mosquitoes and Haematozoa.
PMID- 28997428
TI - Vital Statistics of the Native Army of Bengal for the Year 1876.
PMID- 28997429
TI - Do You Believe in Presentiment.
PMID- 28997430
TI - Tension.
PMID- 28997431
TI - Aspiration and Aspersion.
PMID- 28997432
TI - Medico-Topographical Notes on Subathoo.
PMID- 28997433
TI - Lecture on Rickets.
PMID- 28997434
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28997435
TI - A Century of Medical Education in the United States.
PMID- 28997436
TI - The Interior Economy of Army Hospitals in India.
PMID- 28997437
TI - Ten Cases of Synovitis of the Knee-Joint, Treated by Aspiration and Rest.
PMID- 28997438
TI - Cinchona Febrifuge.
PMID- 28997439
TI - Case of Typhoid Fever in a Hindoo.
PMID- 28997440
TI - On the Extraction of the Lens in Its Capsule.
PMID- 28997441
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997443
TI - Suicide in China.
PMID- 28997442
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28997444
TI - Operative Surgery in the Azamgarh Sudder Dispensary.
PMID- 28997445
TI - Medical Reorganization.
PMID- 28997446
TI - Gleanings from a Mofussil Practice.
PMID- 28997447
TI - Case of Stone in the Female Bladder.
PMID- 28997448
TI - Vital Statistics of the Presidency Jail, Calcutta, during the Years 1871-1876.
PMID- 28997449
TI - Compound Fracture of the Cranium, Accompanied by Symptoms of Compression
Trephining-Death.
PMID- 28997450
TI - A Case of Thrombosis Resulting in Death.
PMID- 28997451
TI - Case of Double Hydronephrosis with Pyelitis Calculosus of the Left Kidney.
PMID- 28997452
TI - Extraction of a Bullet after Being Thirty-Seven Years in the Leg of a Man.
PMID- 28997453
TI - Medical Heroism.
PMID- 28997454
TI - Case of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia Successfully Treated by Inversion: Under
Care of Mr. J. W. Higginson.
PMID- 28997456
TI - Does Imprisonment in India Involve Increased Risk to Life?
PMID- 28997455
TI - Cataract.
PMID- 28997457
TI - Suicide in India.
PMID- 28997459
TI - The Causation of Cataract.
PMID- 28997458
TI - Bromide of Potassium in Writer's Palsy.
PMID- 28997460
TI - Cartilaginous Degeneration of the Capsule of the Spleen.
PMID- 28997461
TI - Case of Acute Rheumatism Rapidly Cured by Salicylic Acid.
PMID- 28997462
TI - Suggestions for the Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28997463
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Stomatitis in the 31st Regiment Native Infantry.
PMID- 28997465
TI - Carbolic Acid as an External Application in Small-Pox.
PMID- 28997464
TI - Carbolic Acid in Whooping Cough.
PMID- 28997466
TI - Salicin, Salicylic Acid and the Salicylates.
PMID- 28997467
TI - Cases of Tracheotomy.
PMID- 28997468
TI - Nerve Stretching in Anaesthetic Leprosy.
PMID- 28997470
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997469
TI - Dacca Mitford Hospital.
PMID- 28997472
TI - Case of Excision of Knee-Joint; Recovery.
PMID- 28997473
TI - Sanitation in Bengal.
PMID- 28997471
TI - Report of an Outbreak of Cholera in Detachments of the 41st Regiment Native
Infantry and 7th Bengal Cavalry, Morar.
PMID- 28997474
TI - Case of Disseminated Choroiditis.
PMID- 28997476
TI - A Case of Fatal Thermal Fever.
PMID- 28997475
TI - Kashmir.
PMID- 28997478
TI - Cases Reported by Surgeon R. D. Murray, M.B. B.M.S.
PMID- 28997477
TI - A Unique Accident While Swimming.
PMID- 28997479
TI - Intestinal Haemorrhage in Cholera.
PMID- 28997480
TI - The Interior Economy of Army Hospitals in India.
PMID- 28997481
TI - Do You Believe in Presentiment?
PMID- 28997482
TI - Presentiment.
PMID- 28997483
TI - A Case of Faecal Fistula of 51/2 Years' Standing Cured by Operation and Continued
Pressure.
PMID- 28997484
TI - Separation of the Fronto-Parietal Suture.
PMID- 28997485
TI - Hospitalism and Some of the Methods by Which Septicaemia May Be Prevented.
PMID- 28997486
TI - Clinical Observations in Ophthalmic Surgery. Cases of Cataract Previously
Operated on by Native Sathiyas.
PMID- 28997487
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997488
TI - Mixed Anaesthesia.
PMID- 28997490
TI - Poisoning in Bombay.
PMID- 28997489
TI - A Case of Compound Comminuted Fracture of the Left Humerus: Excision: Recovery.
PMID- 28997491
TI - The Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28997492
TI - Cholera in Relation to Certain Physical Phenomena.
PMID- 28997493
TI - Diagnosis of Diseases of the Eye Made Easy.
PMID- 28997494
TI - Syphilitic Dactylitis.
PMID- 28997496
TI - The Sanitation of Simla.
PMID- 28997495
TI - On the Operative Proceedings for Artificial Pupil.
PMID- 28997497
TI - Health of Calcutta during the First Quarter of 1878.
PMID- 28997498
TI - Lecture on the Detection of Particles of Hepatic Structure in Abscess of the
Liver.
PMID- 28997499
TI - Remarkable Injury of the Heart.
PMID- 28997501
TI - Fever and Drainage.
PMID- 28997500
TI - Post-Mortem Reports on Some Cases of Cerebral, Cerebro-Spinal, and Spinal Disease
or Injury.
PMID- 28997503
TI - The Fevers of British Burma.
PMID- 28997502
TI - Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen, with Intestinal Protrusion.
PMID- 28997504
TI - Ourselves.
PMID- 28997505
TI - Notes on the Interior Economy of Army Hospitals in India.
PMID- 28997506
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Cholera in Gorakhpur Jail, 1877.
PMID- 28997508
TI - Enteric Fever in Burma.
PMID- 28997507
TI - Cases Treated by Assistant-Surgeon Poornoo Chunder Ghose.
PMID- 28997509
TI - Clinical Lecture on Sclerosis of Bone.
PMID- 28997511
TI - Medical Honors.
PMID- 28997510
TI - Case of Popliteal Aneurism Cured by Digital Compression.
PMID- 28997512
TI - Is Quinine an Abortifacient?
PMID- 28997513
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997515
TI - The Recent Appointment to the Eye Infirmary.
PMID- 28997514
TI - A Novel Method of Restoring Sensibility.
PMID- 28997516
TI - Too Many Cooks.
PMID- 28997517
TI - Goa Powder as a Remedy in Psoriasis.
PMID- 28997518
TI - Quinine as an Abortifacient.
PMID- 28997519
TI - Health of Calcutta during the Last Quarter of 1876.
PMID- 28997520
TI - Post-Mortem Reports on Some Cases of Cerebral, Cerebro-Spinal, and Spinal Disease
or Injury.
PMID- 28997521
TI - Cases of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28997522
TI - The Function of the Mosquito.
PMID- 28997523
TI - Medico-Topographical Notes on Subathoo.
PMID- 28997525
TI - Hospitalism and Some of the Methods by Which Septicaemia May Be Prevented.
PMID- 28997524
TI - Case of Cancerous Ulceration of the Throat, Simulating Syphilis.
PMID- 28997526
TI - Treatment and Statistical Details of the Treatment of 600 Cases of Malarious
Fever in the Bhopal Battalion Hospital by Cinchona Febrifuge or Mixed Alkaloids.
PMID- 28997527
TI - Statistical Geography.
PMID- 28997528
TI - Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India for 1876.
PMID- 28997529
TI - Cases of Removal of Scrotal Elephantiasis.
PMID- 28997530
TI - Treatment of Liver Abscess by Aspiration.
PMID- 28997531
TI - Vital Statistics of the European Army in India in 1876.
PMID- 28997532
TI - The Use of Bael in Bowel Complaints.
PMID- 28997533
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997534
TI - Medical Administration in Bengal.
PMID- 28997535
TI - Purpura Hoemorrhagica; Dry Gangrene of Both Feet in a Child: Death.
PMID- 28997537
TI - Lunatic Asylums in Victoria.
PMID- 28997536
TI - Case of Atresia of the Hymen,-Haemometra.
PMID- 28997538
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997539
TI - Divination Amongst the Khasias, and the Punishment of Witchcraft.
PMID- 28997540
TI - Injury to a Knee Antiseptically Treated.
PMID- 28997542
TI - Cases of Fever and Acute OEdema Treated at the Mayo Hospital.
PMID- 28997541
TI - Kashmir.
PMID- 28997544
TI - Report of the Chemical Examiner, Bengal, for the Year 1877-78.
PMID- 28997543
TI - A New Remedy for Dysentery.
PMID- 28997545
TI - The Dose of Salicylate of Soda Illustrated by Two Cases.
PMID- 28997547
TI - Notes from Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28997546
TI - A Death Caused by Mistaking Prostatic Enlargement for Stricture.
PMID- 28997548
TI - Another Suggestion for the Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28997550
TI - Surgeon-General Gordon on Enteric Fever in the European Army of Madras.
PMID- 28997549
TI - Remarks on a Case of Amputation of the Penis.
PMID- 28997551
TI - Local Therapeutics.
PMID- 28997553
TI - Remarks on a Case of Chyluria Treated with Creasote.
PMID- 28997552
TI - Nerve-Stretching in Anaesthetic Leprosy.
PMID- 28997554
TI - Case of Trephining for Abscess of the Brain.
PMID- 28997556
TI - Remarks on Eleven Cases of Lithotomy Performed by the Left Lateral Method.
PMID- 28997555
TI - Impetigo Folliculorum.
PMID- 28997557
TI - Liver Abscess Treated by Aspiration.
PMID- 28997559
TI - The Social Position of the Profession of Medicine.
PMID- 28997558
TI - Clinical Notes in Ophthalmic Surgery; 146 Cases of Cataract.
PMID- 28997561
TI - Martin Memorial.
PMID- 28997560
TI - Gleanings from a Mofussil Practice.
PMID- 28997562
TI - Case of Acute Pneumonia: Recovery under Veratrum.
PMID- 28997563
TI - The Famine Commission.
PMID- 28997564
TI - Radical Cure of a Case of Direct Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 28997565
TI - Case of Intusussception in an Adult: Laparotomy and Enterotomy; Death Seven Hours
after Operation.
PMID- 28997568
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28997567
TI - Famine Statistics.
PMID- 28997566
TI - Notes of a Case of Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 28997569
TI - Homoeopathy in the University of Calcutta.
PMID- 28997570
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997571
TI - Vesical Calculus: Lithotomy.
PMID- 28997573
TI - Cholera, a Malarious Disease.
PMID- 28997572
TI - A Word on the Treatment of Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 28997575
TI - Milk Treatment of Chyluria.
PMID- 28997574
TI - Vital Statistics of the Presidency Jail, Calcutta, during the Years 1871-1876.
PMID- 28997576
TI - Change of Air, with Special Reference to Mooltan.
PMID- 28997578
TI - The Abu Lawrence Asylum.
PMID- 28997577
TI - The Madras Medical College.
PMID- 28997580
TI - Sarcomatous Tumour of Left Upper Jaw: Partial Excision of Bone.
PMID- 28997579
TI - The Famine Commission.
PMID- 28997581
TI - A Case of Hypertrophy of Both Eyelids; Deficiency of Cranium over Torcular
Herophili; Tumours over Both Eyebrows and Right Side of Face and over Trunk and
Extremities.
PMID- 28997582
TI - Atrophy of the Optic Papillae.
PMID- 28997583
TI - The Hot Weather Morning Walk of the European Soldier: Communicated.
PMID- 28997584
TI - Is It True?
PMID- 28997585
TI - Notes on the Interior Economy of Army Hospitals in India: Chapter III.
PMID- 28997587
TI - The Health of Bengal Jails in 1877.
PMID- 28997586
TI - Radical Cure of Hernia (Wood's Operation).
PMID- 28997588
TI - The Parkes Memorial Fund.
PMID- 28997589
TI - Kashmir.
PMID- 28997590
TI - Case of Peripheral Paralysis of the Third Nerve.
PMID- 28997591
TI - On Syphilitic Contraction of Muscles.
PMID- 28997592
TI - Professor Balfour of Edinburgh.
PMID- 28997593
TI - Hemp (Ganja) Smoking in Tetanus on a New Principle.
PMID- 28997594
TI - Turpentine.
PMID- 28997595
TI - A Case of Fatal Thermal Fever(?).
PMID- 28997596
TI - Health of the Jails of the N. W. Provinces and Oudh in 1877.
PMID- 28997598
TI - Therapeutical Laws.
PMID- 28997597
TI - The Health of Calcutta during the 2nd Quarter of 1878.
PMID- 28997599
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997601
TI - Quarantine.
PMID- 28997600
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28997602
TI - Radical Cure of Hernia (Wood's Operation.).
PMID- 28997603
TI - Barhang.
PMID- 28997604
TI - Post Mortem Notes on Cases of Enteric Fever Which Occurred during the Late
Epidemic at Bareilly.
PMID- 28997605
TI - Local Therapeutics.
PMID- 28997606
TI - Attendance on Soldiers by Civil Practitioners.
PMID- 28997607
TI - Diet in Indian Military Hospitals.
PMID- 28997608
TI - Lightning Accident.
PMID- 28997610
TI - The Epidemic Phase of Cholera in India.
PMID- 28997609
TI - Report of the Mayo Hospital, Lahore, for the Year 1877.
PMID- 28997611
TI - A Functional (?) Derangement of the Circulatory System Observed in European
Soldiers in the Hot Weather.
PMID- 28997612
TI - On the Condition of the Heart in Cholera Collapse.
PMID- 28997613
TI - The Fungus Disease of India.
PMID- 28997614
TI - Cases Reported by Surgeon-Major F. Odevaine.
PMID- 28997615
TI - Notes on Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28997616
TI - Manufacture of Morphia at Ghazeepore.
PMID- 28997617
TI - Cholera in 1874.
PMID- 28997618
TI - A Hospital for the Blind and Incurable.
PMID- 28997619
TI - The Army Hospital Corps.
PMID- 28997620
TI - The Rational Treatment of Cholera; with Chemical and Pathological Remarks.
PMID- 28997621
TI - Cases Treated by Surgeon-Major T. E. B. Brown.
PMID- 28997622
TI - On the Phytodermata or Parasitic Diseases of the Skin (Tineae) of Vegetable
Origin.
PMID- 28997623
TI - Notes of a Case of Elephantiasis Arabum.
PMID- 28997624
TI - Case of Sting.
PMID- 28997625
TI - The Gurjon Oil Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 28997626
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997627
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997628
TI - Report on a Case of Cholera in the Bhopal Battalion.
PMID- 28997629
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28997631
TI - 1875.
PMID- 28997630
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997632
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997633
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28997634
TI - Life.
PMID- 28997635
TI - Simple Oblique Fracture of Left Femur Just above the Condyles, and Subsequent
Extensive Suppurative Disorganisation of the Corresponding Knee-Joint: Amputation
(Secoodary) of the Thigh at Its Upper Third: Recovery.
PMID- 28997636
TI - Acupuncture in Chronic Muscular Rheumatism.
PMID- 28997637
TI - On the Phytodermata or Parasitic Diseases of the Skin (Tineae) of Vegetable
Origin.
PMID- 28997638
TI - On the Practice of Hakims in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28997640
TI - A Case of Haemic Murmur of the Heart.
PMID- 28997639
TI - Cases Illustrating Different Types or Degrees of Severity of Cholera at Different
Periods.
PMID- 28997641
TI - Life.
PMID- 28997643
TI - Abstract of a Report on the Epidemic of Cholera in the Jail at Laufen on the
Salzach.
PMID- 28997642
TI - The Soil in Its Relations to Disease.
PMID- 28997645
TI - Snake-Poisoning in Australia.
PMID- 28997644
TI - Rapid Recovery after Operation for Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 28997646
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997647
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997648
TI - The Plague.
PMID- 28997649
TI - A Case of Chylous Urine.
PMID- 28997650
TI - Case of Strangulated Umbilical Hernia Reduced by Inversion.
PMID- 28997651
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28997652
TI - Cases of Anasarca Treated with Skimmed Milk.
PMID- 28997653
TI - Lead in Aerated Waters.
PMID- 28997655
TI - International Medical Congress, Philadelphia.
PMID- 28997654
TI - On the Phytodermata or Parasitic Diseases of the Skin (Tineae) of Vegetable
Origin.
PMID- 28997656
TI - Report on the Outbreak of Cholera at Nowgong, Bundlecund, in July 1875.
PMID- 28997657
TI - Dr. Fayrer.
PMID- 28997658
TI - Harvey and Vivisection.
PMID- 28997659
TI - The Memorial to the Late Dr. Parkes.
PMID- 28997660
TI - Abdominal Abscess; Communication with Gall Bladder, Extraction of Three Biliary
Calculi: Recovery.
PMID- 28997661
TI - On the Treatment of Malignant Cholera, by Nitrite of Amyl and Hydrate of Chloral.
Illustrated by a Case.
PMID- 28997662
TI - Clinical Remarks Addressed to the Students Attending the Surgical Dispensary,
Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28997663
TI - Appendices to the Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil
Surgeons in the Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997664
TI - Quarantine at Roorkee in 1872.
PMID- 28997665
TI - The Use of Drainage Tubes.
PMID- 28997666
TI - Treatment of Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 28997668
TI - Hepatic Abscess Which Burst into the Bowels: Death.
PMID- 28997667
TI - Cases of Eye Operation.
PMID- 28997669
TI - Gurjon-Oil Treatment of Leprosy. Reply to Surgeon G. C. Roy, M.D., F.R.S.
PMID- 28997671
TI - Water-Supply to the Shipping.
PMID- 28997670
TI - General Martine.
PMID- 28997673
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28997672
TI - Observations on "Tinning" Cooking Pots in India.
PMID- 28997674
TI - Case of Tetanus Treated by Hydrate of Chloral and Quinine: Recovery.
PMID- 28997675
TI - Sulphate of Copper Lotion in Prickly Heat.
PMID- 28997676
TI - Case from Practice-Calculi Vesicae.
PMID- 28997677
TI - Inquiry into the Changes Which Iron Compounds Undergo before Absorption into the
Blood.
PMID- 28997679
TI - Night Blindness.
PMID- 28997678
TI - Case of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28997680
TI - Sanitation in Calcutta.
PMID- 28997681
TI - Sanitation in Calcutta.
PMID- 28997682
TI - Sulphurous Acid as an Antiseptic in the Treatment of Wounds and Injuries.
PMID- 28997683
TI - Congenital Hernia of the Lung.
PMID- 28997684
TI - Functional Disorders of the Liver.
PMID- 28997685
TI - Case of Synovial Effusions Complicating Hemiplegia.
PMID- 28997687
TI - Progress in Therapeutics.
PMID- 28997686
TI - Case of Snake-Bite; Treatment by Cold Douche, Forced Exercise, Subcutaneous
Injection of Liquor Ammonia, and Galvanism: Recovery.
PMID- 28997688
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases in India.
PMID- 28997690
TI - Effects of Alcohol in the Human Economy.
PMID- 28997689
TI - Syme's Amputation at the Ankle-Joint.
PMID- 28997691
TI - Recent Rulings under the New Army Medical Warrant.
PMID- 28997692
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997693
TI - Sanitation in Calcutta.
PMID- 28997695
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997694
TI - Lead as an Application to Wounds; Its Antiphlogistic and Antiseptic Properties.
PMID- 28997696
TI - Warburg's Tincture.
PMID- 28997697
TI - Report on a Case in Which a Foreign Body Was Embedded in the Foot for 13 Months
without Exciting Inflammation.
PMID- 28997698
TI - Remarks on "Cut Throat," Illustrated by a Case.
PMID- 28997699
TI - A Case of Syphiloma of the Heart, Lungs, and Liver.
PMID- 28997700
TI - Syphilis; and the Recent Discussion at the Pathological Society of London.
PMID- 28997701
TI - Report on the Snake-Bite Cases Which Occurred in Bengal, Behar, Orissa, Assam,
Cachar, &c., during the Year 1873-74.
PMID- 28997702
TI - Case of Partial Paralysis, Supposed to Have Followed the Injudicious
Administration of Arsenic.
PMID- 28997703
TI - Hakims Are Not so Ignorant as Doctors Believe Them to Be.
PMID- 28997704
TI - A Hill Sanitarium for Burmah.
PMID- 28997705
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997706
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997707
TI - A Case of Cataract in a Leper; Extraction of Lens: Recovery in Seven Days.
PMID- 28997708
TI - A Case of Leprosy Healed by Gurjon Oil and Afterwards by Oil of Turpentine and
Mustard.
PMID- 28997709
TI - The Marriage of near Kin.
PMID- 28997710
TI - On the Phytodermata or Parasitic Diseases of the Skin (Tineae) of Vegetable
Origin.
PMID- 28997711
TI - On the Theory and Treatment of the Collapse Stage of Cholera, Ague and Irritant
Poisons.
PMID- 28997712
TI - The Cholera Outbreak in Goa Bagan.
PMID- 28997713
TI - Cases of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia Treated during the Year 1875.
PMID- 28997714
TI - Movements of Maxima.
PMID- 28997715
TI - Case of Excision of Upper Half of Patella after Transverse Fracture of Long
Standing. Under Care of W D. Stewart, Offg. Civil Surgeon.
PMID- 28997716
TI - Quarantine at Roorkee in 1872.
PMID- 28997717
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997718
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Hydrate of Chloral in Cases of Malignant Cholera.
PMID- 28997719
TI - Turmeric Flower as a Remedy for Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 28997720
TI - A Want.
PMID- 28997721
TI - Diagnosis Wanted.
PMID- 28997722
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Chloral Hydrate in Tetanus.
PMID- 28997723
TI - Arterial Haemorrhage. Was It Known to the Ancients?
PMID- 28997724
TI - Quinine in Hooping Cough.
PMID- 28997725
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases of India.
PMID- 28997726
TI - Case of "Recent" Strangulated Inguinal Hernia; Minor Operation: Recovery, with
Some Remarks on Chloroform in India.
PMID- 28997727
TI - Quarantine at Roorkee in 1872.
PMID- 28997728
TI - Syphilis and the Recent Discussion at the Pathological Society of London.
PMID- 28997729
TI - Stricture at External Meatus, with Phimosis, Followed by Abscess and Fistula;
Remarks.
PMID- 28997730
TI - The Subordinate Medical Department in Army Hospitals.
PMID- 28997731
TI - Case of Pneumonia of Right Lung.
PMID- 28997732
TI - Poisoning by Tartar Emetic.
PMID- 28997734
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997733
TI - Pseudo-Hypertrophic Paralysis (Duchenne.).
PMID- 28997735
TI - The Gurjon Oil Treatment of Leprosy, at Port Blair.
PMID- 28997736
TI - Case of Remittent Fever Simulating Enteric Fever. Under the Care of Dr. Lucas.
PMID- 28997737
TI - The Competition for the Medical Services.
PMID- 28997738
TI - Experiments with Cobra Poison.
PMID- 28997739
TI - Cases of Dysentery Simulating Cholera.
PMID- 28997740
TI - A Fatal Case of Snake-Bite; Intravenous Injection of Ammonia. Remarks on the
Application of the Ligature in Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28997741
TI - Case of Coma Followed by a State of Consciousness to within 12 Hours of Death. P.
M.-Large Cerebral Abscess Found.
PMID- 28997742
TI - Muscat.
PMID- 28997743
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997744
TI - On the Use of the Rectum in Operations for Lithotomy.
PMID- 28997746
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997745
TI - The Bather's Earache.
PMID- 28997747
TI - The Snake-Stone.
PMID- 28997748
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases of India.
PMID- 28997749
TI - The Non-Emetic Use of Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 28997750
TI - The Pathology of Suicide.
PMID- 28997751
TI - Ascarides Proving Suddenly Fatal by Perforative Peritonitis.
PMID- 28997752
TI - Night Blindness.
PMID- 28997753
TI - Salivation from Local Application of the Biniodide of Mercury.
PMID- 28997755
TI - Treatment of Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 28997754
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Quinine in Fever.
PMID- 28997756
TI - Cases Reported by F. Odevaine, Surgeon-Major.
PMID- 28997757
TI - Infants' Food.
PMID- 28997759
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997758
TI - A Popular Fallacy, or a Physiological Fact; Which Is It?
PMID- 28997760
TI - Conservative Surgery.
PMID- 28997762
TI - Malarious Fever in Midnapore in 1874-75.
PMID- 28997761
TI - Skin and Other Diseases of Indian and Hot Climates Generally.
PMID- 28997764
TI - District Skeleton Maps for Civil Surgeons.
PMID- 28997763
TI - Fibrous Tumour between the Epiglottis and Base of the Tongue Removed with the
Ecraseur.
PMID- 28997765
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997766
TI - Sudden Transfers of Army Medical Officers in May.
PMID- 28997767
TI - Emphysematous Condition of the Right Auricular Appendix in Cases of Death by
Hanging.
PMID- 28997768
TI - The Aboo Lawrence School.
PMID- 28997769
TI - Malarious Fevers and Rainfall in Rajpootana.
PMID- 28997770
TI - Plague Spots in Calcutta.
PMID- 28997771
TI - Remarks on Venesection.
PMID- 28997772
TI - Chronic Alcoholism. Death by Rupture of the Liver from a Fall.
PMID- 28997773
TI - Sudden Death from Latent Aneurism.
PMID- 28997774
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997775
TI - Remarks on a Case of Hepatic Abscess; Evacuation by Dieulafoy's Pneumatic
Aspirator.
PMID- 28997776
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997777
TI - Early Dentition.
PMID- 28997778
TI - Case of Fnugus Foot.
PMID- 28997779
TI - Case of Gangrene of Left-Arm and Fore-Arm, Following Fracture of Humerus and
Tight Bandaging. Amputation. Recovery.
PMID- 28997780
TI - Notes on Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28997781
TI - Erratum: Poisoning by Tartar Emetic.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 272 in vol. 11.].
PMID- 28997782
TI - On the Treatment of Fractures by Position.
PMID- 28997783
TI - Are All 'Suicides' Insane?
PMID- 28997784
TI - On Hair Grafting.
PMID- 28997785
TI - Rupture of the Pericardium.
PMID- 28997786
TI - Nitrite of Amyl in Ague, &C.
PMID- 28997788
TI - The Ashanti Campaign of 1873.
PMID- 28997787
TI - Case of Lithotomy; Removal of Two Calculi Weighing Respectively, 5oz. 4dr. 52gr.,
and 7dr. 8gr. Total 61/2oz.,-Recovery.
PMID- 28997790
TI - Subscribers to the Parkes-Memorial Fund.
PMID- 28997789
TI - Calcutta Health Officer's Report for Quarter Ending 30th September, 1876.
PMID- 28997791
TI - On the Rational Treatment of Cholera, and Remarks on the Outbreak at Ranchee.
PMID- 28997792
TI - Examination for Promotion in the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28997793
TI - Two Recent Medico-Legal Cases in the Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28997794
TI - Impure Aerated Waters in Calcutta and Bombay.
PMID- 28997796
TI - A Case of Posioning by Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 28997795
TI - Notes of a Case of Paraplegia, Treated in the Wards of the Second Resident
Surgeon, Presidency General Hospital.
PMID- 28997797
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997798
TI - The New Army Medical Warrant.
PMID- 28997800
TI - Ourselves, and the Profession in India.
PMID- 28997799
TI - A Popular Fallacy; Or, a Physiological Fact: Which Is It?
PMID- 28997801
TI - "Intermittent Haemorrhage" from Malarial Influence.
PMID- 28997802
TI - On the Phytodermata or Parasitic Diseases of the Skin (Tineae) of Vegetable
Origin.
PMID- 28997803
TI - Warburg's Tincture.
PMID- 28997804
TI - Emphysematous Condition of the Right Auricular Appendix in a Case of Death by
Hanging.
PMID- 28997805
TI - Remarks on the Gurjun Oil Treatment of Leprosy at Port Blair.
PMID- 28997806
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997807
TI - Indian Soda-Water and Aerated-Water.
PMID- 28997809
TI - Norman Chevers, M. D.
PMID- 28997808
TI - Notes of Three Cases of Scarlatina Treated in the Wards of the Second Resident
Surgeon, Presidency General Hospital.
PMID- 28997810
TI - Injection of Quinine in Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 28997811
TI - Injection of Cinchona Infusion in Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 28997812
TI - Brow-Ague, or Brow-Ache. Dyspepsia versus Malaria.
PMID- 28997813
TI - The Army Medical Warrant.
PMID- 28997814
TI - Review of Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28997816
TI - Notes on Infantile Disease in India.
PMID- 28997815
TI - Injection of Quinine in Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 28997817
TI - Oxyuris Vermicularis, an Unmentioned Cause of Fistula-In-Ano.
PMID- 28997818
TI - The Practice of Hakims in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28997819
TI - Value of Gukhru in Certain Forms of Seminal Discharges and Incontinance of Urine.
PMID- 28997820
TI - Skin and Other Diseases of Indian and Hot Climates Generally.
PMID- 28997821
TI - Treatment of Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 28997822
TI - Case of Enteric Fever, Showing the Value of Turpentine in the Treatment of This
Disease.
PMID- 28997823
TI - Two Cases Showing the Peculiar Effects of Chloroform in Different Individuals.
PMID- 28997825
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997824
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28997826
TI - Dispensaries and Sickness in the Province of Bengal, during 1874.
PMID- 28997827
TI - Two Cases of Paralysis on the Side of the Brain Lesion under the Care of Surgeon
J. F. P. McConnell, M. B.
PMID- 28997828
TI - Sanitary Notes in Poona.
PMID- 28997829
TI - Remarks on the Pathology and Treatment of Lichen Tropicus or Prickly Heat.
PMID- 28997830
TI - Treatment of "Prolapsed Funis".
PMID- 28997831
TI - A Case of Internal Obstruction of the Large Intestine.
PMID- 28997833
TI - Calcutta Tanks.
PMID- 28997832
TI - Salicin, Salicylic Acid and Its Salts.
PMID- 28997834
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Cholera in the Secundra Jail, Agra, during June and July
1878.
PMID- 28997835
TI - Goalundo Dispensary.-Compound Fracture of the Cranium, Accompanied by Symptoms of
Compression-Trephining-Recovery.
PMID- 28997836
TI - Short Sketch of Two Cases of Cholera.
PMID- 28997837
TI - Azamgarh Dispensary.-1.-Large Enchondroma of Submaxillary Gland: Removal:
Complete Excision of Gland Necessitated; 2.-Large Enchondroma of Parotid Gland:
Removal: Excision of Greater Part of Gland.
PMID- 28997838
TI - The Same.
PMID- 28997839
TI - Case of Nervous Aphonia.
PMID- 28997840
TI - Palas Papra.
PMID- 28997841
TI - A Case of Compound Comminuted Fracture of the Femur.
PMID- 28997842
TI - Cataract.
PMID- 28997844
TI - Bengal Lunatic Asylums.
PMID- 28997843
TI - A Case of Cholera Treated by Hypodermic Injections of Choloral Hydrate.
PMID- 28997845
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997846
TI - Barhang Query Bartang.
PMID- 28997847
TI - Local Therapeutics.
PMID- 28997848
TI - Fever and Irrigation.
PMID- 28997849
TI - A Case of Croup : Tracheotomy; Death.
PMID- 28997850
TI - Brief Report of Some Cases Treated in the Soory Charitable Dispensary.
PMID- 28997851
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28997852
TI - Child-Mortality by Dr. Pfeiffer of Weimar.
PMID- 28997853
TI - A Very Remarkable and Extraordinary Condition of the Renal Organs : Single
Kidney.
PMID- 28997854
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28997855
TI - Contributions to Forensic Medicine.
PMID- 28997856
TI - Cases from the Khundwa Dispensary Case Book.
PMID- 28997857
TI - Poisoning by Red Arsenic.
PMID- 28997859
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997858
TI - Notes of Post-Mortem Examination of Two Cases of Judicial Hanging.
PMID- 28997860
TI - The Opium Question.
PMID- 28997861
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Chloral Hydrate in Cholera.
PMID- 28997862
TI - A Case of Enlargement of the Female Breast Treated in the Soory Charitable
Dispensary.
PMID- 28997863
TI - General Hospital, Madras. Clinical Cases from the Assistant-Physician's Wards.
PMID- 28997864
TI - Medical Experiences during the Late Campaigns in Afghanistan.
PMID- 28997865
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28997866
TI - Child-Mortality by Dr. Pfeiffer of Weimar.
PMID- 28997867
TI - Cases of Litholapaxy.
PMID- 28997868
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28997869
TI - Remarks on an Anonymous Attack on His Recent Work Which Appeared Lately, in the
Form of a Pseudo-Criticism, in the Columns of a Madras Newspaper.
PMID- 28997870
TI - A Report on the Treatment of Ten Cases of Enteric Fever-All Ending in Recovery.
PMID- 28997871
TI - Cases of Gunshot Wounds Treated in Divisional Field Hospital, Kabul.
PMID- 28997872
TI - Cholera and Fever Poisons.
PMID- 28997873
TI - Cases from Practice in a Bengal Village.
PMID- 28997874
TI - Liebig's Wine of Phosphates.
PMID- 28997875
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28997876
TI - Retained Menses from Imperforate Hymen-Free Incision: Recovery.
PMID- 28997877
TI - Malarial Cachexy.
PMID- 28997878
TI - The Subcutaneous Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 28997879
TI - Cases Treated at the Huttesing Hospital, Ahmedabad.
PMID- 28997880
TI - Urticaria Following the Administration of Quinine.
PMID- 28997881
TI - Amaranthus Spinosa.
PMID- 28997882
TI - A Case of Tiger Bite, &c., Treated in the Tavoy Hospital.
PMID- 28997883
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28997884
TI - A Correction.
PMID- 28997885
TI - Litholapaxy and Supra-Pubic Lithotomy.
PMID- 28997886
TI - Double Quotidian Fever.
PMID- 28997887
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28997888
TI - Hyperpyrexia of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28997889
TI - Hot Weather Expeditions in Afghanistan.
PMID- 28997890
TI - Malaria vs. Recognisable Climatic Influences.
PMID- 28997891
TI - Case of Aortic Aneurism.
PMID- 28997892
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28997893
TI - Case from Practice in the Hospital of the 38th Regiment Bengal Infantry.
PMID- 28997894
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon. Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1880.
PMID- 28997895
TI - Epidemic Dropsy in Calcutta.
PMID- 28997896
TI - The Mortality of Indian Jails.
PMID- 28997898
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28997897
TI - Notes on Recent Therapeutics.
PMID- 28997900
TI - Cases of Injury of the Knee-Joint.
PMID- 28997899
TI - On the Poisonous Principle of Gloriosa Superba-Second Notice.
PMID- 28997901
TI - Cholera Amongst Emigrants to the Tea Districts.
PMID- 28997903
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997902
TI - Imperforate Hymen with Retention of Menses.
PMID- 28997904
TI - A Correction.
PMID- 28997905
TI - Enteric and Other Fevers in Afghanistan.
PMID- 28997906
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28997907
TI - A Note on the Incubation Period of Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 28997908
TI - Introductory Lecture on Constitutional Conditions of Surgical Importance.
Delivered at the Opening of the Session, 1881-82.
PMID- 28997909
TI - Reduction of an Irreducible Inguinal Hernia by the Smoking of Indian Hemp.
PMID- 28997911
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997910
TI - Cases of Ignipedites.
PMID- 28997912
TI - A Case of Leprosy.
PMID- 28997913
TI - The Benzoates in Dysentery.
PMID- 28997914
TI - The Grievances of Civil Hospital Assistants.
PMID- 28997915
TI - Cleaning Filters.
PMID- 28997916
TI - Ignipedites.
PMID- 28997917
TI - Special Detailed Report on a Case of Enteric Fever with Remarks on the Influence
of Quinine on Temperature.
PMID- 28997918
TI - Child-Mortality by Dr. Pfeiffer of Weimar.
PMID- 28997919
TI - Gun-Shot Wound of the Right Arm: Amputation: Recovery.
PMID- 28997921
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28997920
TI - Discharge of a Thin Watery Fluid from the Ear and Its Importance.
PMID- 28997922
TI - Cinchona Cultivation in Darjeeling.
PMID- 28997923
TI - Bengal Charitable Dispensaries.
PMID- 28997924
TI - Lectures on Errors of Refraction and Accommodation of the Eye.
PMID- 28997925
TI - Cases from Practice at a Bengal Village.
PMID- 28997926
TI - The Opium Question.
PMID- 28997927
TI - Child-Mortality by Dr. Pfeiffer of Weimar.
PMID- 28997928
TI - A Case of Placenta Praevia Treated by Partial Separation of Placenta and Ergot:
Recovery.
PMID- 28997929
TI - Paralysis the Result of a Slight Fall.
PMID- 28997930
TI - A Case of Imperforate Anus with Absence of Rectum.
PMID- 28997931
TI - Lectures on Errors of Refraction and Accommodation of the Eye.
PMID- 28997932
TI - Madras Medical College.-Valedictory Address Delivered at the Close of Season 1880
81.
PMID- 28997933
TI - Suggestions on Chorea and Allied Nervous Disorders.
PMID- 28997934
TI - Cases from Practice at a Bengal Village.
PMID- 28997936
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28997935
TI - The Causation of Enteric Fever with Remarks on Its Prevention and Treatment.
PMID- 28997937
TI - A Case of Sclerosis of the Cord : Fracture of Thigh : Rapid Union and Subsequent
Improvement of Symptoms.
PMID- 28997938
TI - Some Cases of Abdominal Tumour.
PMID- 28997939
TI - Spirillum Fever.
PMID- 28997940
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28997941
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28997942
TI - Dietetic Enlargement of the Spleen, Physiological and Pathological.
PMID- 28997943
TI - Cold Baths in Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28997945
TI - Rotheln.
PMID- 28997944
TI - A Note on the Use of Willow Leaves in Intermittent Fevers.
PMID- 28997946
TI - The New Exanthem.
PMID- 28997947
TI - The Prevention of Cholera.
PMID- 28997948
TI - Cholera and Fever Poisons.
PMID- 28997949
TI - The Ductless Glands.
PMID- 28997951
TI - A Case of Abscess in the Right Anterior Lobe of the Brain with an External
Communication by Means of a Sinus.
PMID- 28997950
TI - Cholera and Fever Poisons.
PMID- 28997953
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28997952
TI - "Nim" as a Medicinal Agent in Surgery.
PMID- 28997954
TI - Remarks on the Circulatien of the Brain.
PMID- 28997955
TI - A Case of Irreducible Obstructed Inguinal Hernia; Symptoms of Strangulation One
Month After; Operation of Herniotomy; Recovery.
PMID- 28997956
TI - Report on Acute Anaemic Dropsy in Mauritius.
PMID- 28997958
TI - Child-Mortality by Dr. Pfeiffer of Weimar.
PMID- 28997957
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997959
TI - Cases of Rupture of Spleen.
PMID- 28997961
TI - 1880.
PMID- 28997960
TI - The Afghanistan Memorial.
PMID- 28997963
TI - The Jail Administration Report.
PMID- 28997962
TI - A Case of Dysidrosis.
PMID- 28997965
TI - Some Notes on the Different Diseases Diagnosed as Fever in the General Hospital
at Madras.
PMID- 28997964
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28997966
TI - My Contribution towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India-A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28997967
TI - A Medical Sketch of Inland Emigration Operations from 1863-64 to 1879-80.
PMID- 28997968
TI - Two Cases of Self-Mutilation.
PMID- 28997969
TI - Case of Retained Testis.
PMID- 28997971
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette, January 1, 1881.
PMID- 28997970
TI - Two Cases of Injury by Lighting.
PMID- 28997972
TI - Case of Injury Requiring Double Amputation.
PMID- 28997973
TI - Notes on Enteric Fever or Abdominal Typhus, with Remarks on Enteric Fever in
Afghanistan and on a Case Occurring There.
PMID- 28997974
TI - Case of Poisoning by Nerium Odoraum.
PMID- 28997976
TI - Alcohol and Spirit Drinking Amongst Soldiers.
PMID- 28997975
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28997977
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28997978
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28997979
TI - Chaulmugra (Gynocardia Odorata) in Leprosy.
PMID- 28997980
TI - Sulphurous Acid Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28997981
TI - Notes on the Interior Economy of Army Hospitals in India.
PMID- 28997983
TI - A Case of Paraplegia Following Malarious Fever: Rapid Recovery under the Use of
Quinine and Strychnine.
PMID- 28997982
TI - Thrombosis of the Cerebellar (?) Arteries.
PMID- 28997984
TI - Post-Mortem Examination of a Case of Monstrous Twins.
PMID- 28997985
TI - The Cholera Epidemic in the Chittagong Division.
PMID- 28997986
TI - On a New Way of Applying Mr. Lister's Method of Treating Wounds.
PMID- 28997987
TI - Notes from Home.
PMID- 28997988
TI - Cases (Tetanus).
PMID- 28997989
TI - Dyed Quinine.
PMID- 28997990
TI - Testing Tinned Cooking Pots for Lead.
PMID- 28997991
TI - On Army Hospital Corps.
PMID- 28997992
TI - Case of United Twins: Three Months' Old.
PMID- 28997993
TI - The Insertion of Disease Intelligence in Newspapers.
PMID- 28997994
TI - Notes on Pathology.
PMID- 28997995
TI - Case of Cholera Treated by Sulphurous Acid: Recovery.
PMID- 28997996
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases of India.
PMID- 28997997
TI - To Remove In-Growing Toe Nail.
PMID- 28997998
TI - Carnification of the Lung from the Pressure of a Melanotic Cancerous Liver.
PMID- 28997999
TI - Clinical Lecture on Three Cases of Rodent Ulcer, Now in the Hospital.
PMID- 28998000
TI - Case of "Ainhum."
PMID- 28998001
TI - A Fatal Case of Compound Depressed Fracture of the Skull, and Compound Comminuted
Fracture of Radius and Ulna.
PMID- 28998003
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998002
TI - Scorpion-Sting: Death in 12 Hours.
PMID- 28998004
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998005
TI - Medico-Topographical Notes on Mean Meer.
PMID- 28998006
TI - On Ulcers of the Left Leg Depending on Disease of the Spleen.
PMID- 28998007
TI - Tracheotomy in a Case of Laryngitis: Recovery.
PMID- 28998008
TI - Notes of Cases of Cholera Treated by Sulphurous Acid.
PMID- 28998010
TI - The Aboo Lawrence School.
PMID- 28998009
TI - Opium-Eating.
PMID- 28998011
TI - Notes on Pathology.
PMID- 28998013
TI - Nine Propositions Bearing on the AEtiology and Prophylaxis of Cholera. Deduced
from the Official Reports of the Cholera-Epidemic in East India and North
America.
PMID- 28998012
TI - Case of Scleroderma.
PMID- 28998015
TI - Typho-Malarial Fever: Is It a Special Type of Fever?
PMID- 28998014
TI - Two Cases of Traumatic Tetanus: Recovery.
PMID- 28998016
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28998018
TI - A Report on an Outbreak of Cholera in the Old Jail Palamcottah on the 5th, 6th,
and 7th of November 1876.
PMID- 28998017
TI - A Case of Fracture of Skull and Other Injuries.
PMID- 28998019
TI - Post-Mortem Examination in a Case of Rifleshot Injury.
PMID- 28998020
TI - Notes on Pathology.
PMID- 28998021
TI - Remarks on the Indian Pharmacopoeia.
PMID- 28998022
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases of India.
PMID- 28998023
TI - Nerve Stretching.
PMID- 28998024
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28998025
TI - Observations on the Action of the Darjeeling Cinchona Febrifuge in Malarious
Fevers.
PMID- 28998027
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998026
TI - Treatment of Delirium Tremens by Quinine.
PMID- 28998029
TI - The Materia Medica of the Hindus.
PMID- 28998028
TI - Dyed Quinine.
PMID- 28998031
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998030
TI - Case of Floating Cartaract: Extraction.
PMID- 28998032
TI - Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28998033
TI - Suffocation by Fumes of Charcoal.
PMID- 28998034
TI - The Sulphurous Acid Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28998035
TI - Stricture of Urethra with Perinaeal Tumour.
PMID- 28998036
TI - Nine Propositions Bearing on the AEtiology and Prophylaxis of Cholera, Deduced
from the Official Reports of the Cholera Epidemic in East India and North
America.
PMID- 28998038
TI - A Case of Traumatic Emphysema.
PMID- 28998037
TI - Cases Illustrating the Effects of Fright.
PMID- 28998039
TI - Results of the Treatment of Cholera by Sulphurous Acid and the Hyposulphites in
the Epidemic of 1875 at Delhi.
PMID- 28998040
TI - Uterine Physiology and Pathology and Their Effects on the Nervous System.
PMID- 28998041
TI - Cases (Glaucoma).
PMID- 28998042
TI - Surgeon-General W. G. Hunter's Report on the So-Called 'Famine Fever' of Bombay.
PMID- 28998043
TI - The Treatment of Entropium and Trichiasis.
PMID- 28998044
TI - Leprosy in India.
PMID- 28998046
TI - Note on Cholera.
PMID- 28998045
TI - Cholera Amongst Dhanger Coolies on Board the Assam Steamers.
PMID- 28998047
TI - A Case of "Oriental Sore."
PMID- 28998049
TI - Dr. Howard's "Direct Method" of Artificial Respiration.
PMID- 28998048
TI - A Case of Acute Tonsilitis Accompanied with Suppuration of the Parotid Gland.
PMID- 28998051
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28998050
TI - How Far Can Ulcers of the Left Leg Be Said to Depend on Disease of the Spleen?
PMID- 28998052
TI - A Clinical Lecture on Caries and Necrosis, and a New Method of Treating Them.
PMID- 28998053
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998054
TI - A Case of Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 28998055
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998056
TI - Goa Powder as a Remedy in Psoriasis.
PMID- 28998057
TI - Case of Lithotomy: Stone of 20-Years' Duration: Death.
PMID- 28998059
TI - The Opacitometer.
PMID- 28998058
TI - Case of Excision of the Bones of the Foot.
PMID- 28998060
TI - Copy of a Report on New Wines under Trial for Issue to European Hospitals in Lieu
of Port.
PMID- 28998061
TI - Case of Erysipeloid Inflammation of Nose, the Result of Irritation Setup by
Maggots in the Posterior Nares.
PMID- 28998062
TI - Pyrethrum Radix in Alopecia.
PMID- 28998063
TI - Treatment of Acute Orchitis by Puncture.
PMID- 28998065
TI - A Difficult Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28998064
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998067
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998066
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28998068
TI - Cholera in Rajpootana: With Maps Showing the Prevalence of the Disease.
PMID- 28998069
TI - Antiseptic Surgery in Edinburgh.
PMID- 28998070
TI - A Reply to an Address of Prof. Max Von Pettenkofer of Munich.
PMID- 28998071
TI - Remarks on Enteric Fever in India, with the Details of Two Fatal Cases in Which
Diarrhoea Was Absent Throughout.
PMID- 28998073
TI - Dr. Marston's Appointment.
PMID- 28998072
TI - Notes of Two Surgical Cases.
PMID- 28998074
TI - A Novel Method of Restoring Sensibility.
PMID- 28998075
TI - The Bengal Fever Commission.
PMID- 28998076
TI - A Case of Iliac Abscess Opened below Poupart's Ligament with Successful Result:
Death from Congestion of the Lungs.
PMID- 28998077
TI - Filaria Sanguinis Hominis-Mature Form.
PMID- 28998078
TI - A Case of Fracture of the Thigh, Just below the Trochanter, Treated by Flexion,
with Good Results.
PMID- 28998079
TI - Notes of a Case of Crocodile Bite with Removal of a Large Portion of Omentum.
PMID- 28998080
TI - Short Clinical Notes and Registers of Temperature of Eighteen Doubtful or
Anomalous Cases of Fever, with Remarks.
PMID- 28998081
TI - A Case of (So-Called) Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28998082
TI - Sanitation in Calcutta.
PMID- 28998084
TI - Rum or No Rum?
PMID- 28998083
TI - Case of Ovariotomy: Successful Result.
PMID- 28998085
TI - A Few Practical Remarks on Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 28998087
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28998086
TI - A Clinical Note on Croupous Pneumonia and Gangrene of the Lung in India.
PMID- 28998088
TI - Non-Appearance of the Testes in the Scrotum in Adult Life.
PMID- 28998089
TI - Sulphurous Acid Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28998090
TI - A Reply to an Address of Prof. Max Von Petenkofer of Munich.
PMID- 28998092
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998091
TI - A Case of Traumatic Gangrene Supervening on Compound Fracture of the Left
Forearm: Amputation at the Shoulder Joint: Recovery.
PMID- 28998093
TI - Leukaemia and Pseudo-Leukaemia.
PMID- 28998095
TI - New Army Medical Warrant.
PMID- 28998094
TI - Contribution to the Practice of Midwifery (Puerperal Tetanus).
PMID- 28998096
TI - Indian Medical Officers' Pensions.
PMID- 28998097
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998098
TI - Case of Compound Fracture of the Cranium with Impaction of Bone: Successfully
Treated.
PMID- 28998099
TI - A Case of Death from Lightning.
PMID- 28998100
TI - Case of Ruptured Intestines, and Comminuted Fracture of the Second, Third, and
Fourth Lumbar Vertibrae.
PMID- 28998101
TI - Contribution to the Practice of Midwifery.
PMID- 28998102
TI - Self-Mutilation by a Boy.
PMID- 28998103
TI - Use of the Rectum in Operations for Lithotomy.
PMID- 28998104
TI - To Remove Ingrowing Toe-Nail.
PMID- 28998105
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 28998106
TI - Uterine Physiology and Pathology and Their Effects on the Nervous System.
PMID- 28998108
TI - 1876.
PMID- 28998107
TI - Cases of Amputation of Thigh, Arm, and Leg in the Mayo Native Hospital during the
First Half of 1876.
PMID- 28998109
TI - The Medical Consultation in the Bravo Case.
PMID- 28998110
TI - On Indian Surgical Instruments; Illustrated.
PMID- 28998111
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998112
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases of India.
PMID- 28998113
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998114
TI - Posterior Dislocation of the Knee-Joint. Rupture of False Ligaments, Excision of
the Joint.
PMID- 28998115
TI - Silver-Coated Pills-A Caution.
PMID- 28998117
TI - Vaccination under Municipalities in Bengal, and the Revised Rules for Vaccination
in the Madras Presidency.
PMID- 28998116
TI - Darjeeling, Mixed Cinchona-Alkaloid.
PMID- 28998118
TI - Biniodide of Mercury as a Parasiticide.
PMID- 28998120
TI - Cholera Statistics.
PMID- 28998119
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28998121
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998122
TI - The Cholera Epidemic of 1875.
PMID- 28998123
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28998125
TI - The Champion Rifle Shot of India.
PMID- 28998124
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28998126
TI - The Rumoured Reorganization of the Medical Departments.
PMID- 28998127
TI - Two Cases of Obstruction of the Bowels and Its Results.
PMID- 28998128
TI - The Snake-Stone.
PMID- 28998130
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Cholera in the District, City, and Cantonments of
Sailkot in August and September 1876.
PMID- 28998129
TI - Contusion of the Face, with Fracture of the Nasal Bones: Tetanus: Death.
PMID- 28998131
TI - Calcutta Health Officer's Quarterly Report.
PMID- 28998132
TI - Hysteric Epilepsy.
PMID- 28998133
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998134
TI - A Case of Death from Lightning.
PMID- 28998135
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases of India.
PMID- 28998137
TI - The Army Medical Department.
PMID- 28998136
TI - A Sporadic Outbreak of Cholera.
PMID- 28998138
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28998139
TI - Thermal Phenomena in Injuries of the Nervous System.
PMID- 28998140
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998141
TI - Case of Arsenical Poisoning with Characteristic Appearances in the Alimentary
Canal and in the Heart: Chronic Obstruction of Both Fallopian Tubes.
PMID- 28998142
TI - The Sulphurous Acid Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28998143
TI - Notes on Pathology.
PMID- 28998145
TI - Nomenclature of Diseases.
PMID- 28998144
TI - Acute Peritonitis Due to Contraction of the Ascending Colon: Death.
PMID- 28998146
TI - The Parkes' Memorial.
PMID- 28998147
TI - Malarial Cachexia in the Garo Hills.
PMID- 28998148
TI - A Case of Compound Comminuted Fracture of the Right Leg: Amputation: Recovery.
PMID- 28998150
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28998149
TI - Nine Propositions Bearing on the AEtiology and Prophylaxis of Cholera, Deduced
from the Official Reports of the Cholera Epidemic in East India and North
America.
PMID- 28998151
TI - Question Put at a Recent Examination of Assistant-Surgeons for Promotion.
PMID- 28998153
TI - The Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
PMID- 28998152
TI - Fever and Relief Measures in Burdwan in 1875.
PMID- 28998154
TI - "Oriental Sore" or Lupus Endemicus.
PMID- 28998155
TI - Hiccough of More Than Five Days' Duration, Successfully Treated by Large Doses of
Quinine.
PMID- 28998156
TI - Medical Registration.
PMID- 28998157
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998158
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28998159
TI - Notes on Pathology.
PMID- 28998160
TI - Notes on the Influence of the Seasons on Suicide.
PMID- 28998161
TI - Designation of Army Medical Officers.
PMID- 28998162
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28998163
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998164
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases of India.
PMID- 28998165
TI - The Competition for the Medical Services.
PMID- 28998166
TI - Nine Propositions Bearing on the AEtiology and Prophylaxis of Cholera, Deduced
from the Official Reports of the Cholera Epidemic in East India and North
America.
PMID- 28998167
TI - The Hypodermic Administration of Quinine in Intermittent Fever.
PMID- 28998168
TI - Four Cases of Stone: Lithotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 28998169
TI - A Case of Puerperal Tetanus Treated with Chloral Hydrate and Bromide of
Potassium: Recovery.
PMID- 28998170
TI - Report on Five Cases of Cholera Treated in the Medical College Hospital by
Sulphur Fumigation.
PMID- 28998171
TI - Murderous Assault on an European Medical Officer.
PMID- 28998172
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998173
TI - Cholera Epidemic of 1875: Quarantine and Remedial Measures.
PMID- 28998174
TI - Pensions and Deferred Annuities.
PMID- 28998175
TI - Fracture with Dislocation of Spine.
PMID- 28998177
TI - Poor-Houses or Hospitals?
PMID- 28998176
TI - History of the Cholera Outbreak in the Shahpur District in 1876.
PMID- 28998178
TI - Notes on Infantile Diseases of India.
PMID- 28998180
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998179
TI - The Confectio Damocratis.
PMID- 28998181
TI - Case of Idiopathic Tetanus Treated by Chloral: Recovery.
PMID- 28998183
TI - Dengue.
PMID- 28998182
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28998184
TI - A Note on the Physiology or Mechanism of Micturition.
PMID- 28998185
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Chloral Hydrate in the Collapsed Stage of Cholera:
Recovery.
PMID- 28998186
TI - Notes on a Case of Ring-Worm.
PMID- 28998187
TI - Cases of Poisoning by "Corrosive Sublimate:" Recovery.
PMID- 28998188
TI - Hydrocele of the Neck.
PMID- 28998190
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998189
TI - On the Physiology of Sugar in Relation to Blood.
PMID- 28998191
TI - Case of Acute Mania, Apparently Due to Syphilis: Specific Treatment: Recovery.
PMID- 28998192
TI - Therapeutic Notes on the Chloride of Calcium.
PMID- 28998193
TI - Case of Poisoning from the Oleander Root (Nerium Odorum).
PMID- 28998194
TI - Remarks on the Action of Snake Poison on the Blood.
PMID- 28998196
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28998195
TI - Errors of Refraction; Their Diagnosis and Treatment Simply Explained.
PMID- 28998198
TI - The Late Poisoning Case at Peshawar.
PMID- 28998197
TI - Cases: Traumatic Gangrene of Arm: Amputation: Recovery.
PMID- 28998199
TI - A Reply to an Address of Prof. Max Von Pettenkofer of Munich.
PMID- 28998201
TI - Cases at Goalundo: A Case of Drowning: Death from Secondary Apnoea. Necrosis of
Lower End of Tibia; Sequestrotomy: Recovery. Lacerated Wound of the Foot; Syme's
Amputation at Ankle Joint: Death from Tetanus.
PMID- 28998200
TI - The Late Surgeon-Major N. B. Baillie's Lithotomy Cases.
PMID- 28998202
TI - Case of Emphysema of the Cellular Tissue of the Neck and Thorax in the Course of
Double Pneumonia.
PMID- 28998203
TI - Shakespeare on Syphilis.
PMID- 28998204
TI - Asthma.
PMID- 28998205
TI - The Wearing of Uniform.
PMID- 28998207
TI - Curious Symptoms Following the Administration of Cinchonine.
PMID- 28998206
TI - Cases from Practice: Remarkable Case of Fatty Degeneration Compound Fracture of
Forearm, with Comminuted Fracture of Upper-Arm: Amputation. Case of Fracture of
Skull-Trephining.
PMID- 28998208
TI - The Army Medical Department.
PMID- 28998209
TI - Indian Medical Officers' Pensions.
PMID- 28998210
TI - Fertility of Lepers.
PMID- 28998211
TI - Remarks on the Indian Pharmacopoeia.
PMID- 28998212
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction Successfully Treated by Aspiration at the Arrah
Dispensary.
PMID- 28998213
TI - Etawah Dispensary.-Case of Scalp Wound with Sloughing-The Calvarium Being Laid
Perfectly Bare for about a Space of 5 Sq. Inches.
PMID- 28998214
TI - Case of Traumatic Tetanus Treated with Conia. Recovery.
PMID- 28998216
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998215
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998217
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998218
TI - The Treatment of Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 28998219
TI - Pettenkofer's Last Utterance on Cholera.
PMID- 28998221
TI - Selections from the Records of the Indian Medical Departments.
PMID- 28998220
TI - A Second Series of Ten Cases of Lithotrity at One Sitting.
PMID- 28998223
TI - Epidemic among Fish.
PMID- 28998222
TI - Perforation of Stomach.
PMID- 28998225
TI - The Grievances of Assistant-Surgeons.
PMID- 28998224
TI - Notes on the Analysis of Potable Waters.
PMID- 28998227
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998226
TI - Notes on the Indian Expedition to Egypt.
PMID- 28998228
TI - Ophthalmic Cases: Extracts from a Medical Diary.
PMID- 28998230
TI - Case of Arm Presentation and Retained Placenta.
PMID- 28998229
TI - Dr. W. R. Rice on Typhus in India.
PMID- 28998231
TI - On the Physiological and Medicinal Action of Hydrofluoric Acid and the Fluorides.
PMID- 28998233
TI - Medical Women for India.
PMID- 28998232
TI - On Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998235
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998234
TI - Remarks on the Operation for Radical Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 28998236
TI - On the Radical Cure of Hernia by Spanton's Method.
PMID- 28998237
TI - A Case of Abscess of the Spleen.
PMID- 28998238
TI - On Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998239
TI - Cerebral Dyspepsia.
PMID- 28998240
TI - Case of Puerperal Fever with Remarks.
PMID- 28998241
TI - Litholapaxy.
PMID- 28998242
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998243
TI - Cases of Penetrating Wounds of the Abdomen Caused by the Horns of Bullocks :
Recovery.
PMID- 28998245
TI - Notes on the Variations in the Incidence of Cholera on the Population of Towns
and Villages.
PMID- 28998244
TI - Notes of a Case of Dhatura Poisoning.
PMID- 28998246
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998247
TI - Notes on a Case of Scarlet Fever.
PMID- 28998248
TI - Faecal Gas as an Illuminant.
PMID- 28998249
TI - The Health of the European Army in India.
PMID- 28998250
TI - Notes on Six Cases of Cholera Treated in the Hospital of the Left Wing 33rd
Regiment N. I., Alipore.
PMID- 28998251
TI - Case of Calculus Vesicae in a Young Girl, Removed by Crushing and Dilatation.
PMID- 28998252
TI - Note on the Variations in the Incidence of Cholera on the Population of Towns and
Villages.
PMID- 28998253
TI - Removal of Right Side of Lower Jaw for Cystic Tumour.
PMID- 28998254
TI - On the Use of Jaborandi and Pilocarpine in Fever.
PMID- 28998255
TI - A Case of Tetanus : Recovery.
PMID- 28998256
TI - Two Cases of Strangulated Hernia with Complications after Operation, and a Case
of Wound of AEsophagus.
PMID- 28998257
TI - Note on the Examination of Potable Water, with Experiments.
PMID- 28998258
TI - On the Physiological and Medicinal Action of Hydrofluoric Acid and the Fluorides.
PMID- 28998259
TI - Manson on the Pathology of Elephantiasis.
PMID- 28998260
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998261
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998262
TI - The Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28998263
TI - International Medical Congress.
PMID- 28998265
TI - Venereal Disease in the European Army of India.
PMID- 28998264
TI - On Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998266
TI - A Case of Urethral Stricture (? Malarial.).
PMID- 28998267
TI - On the Treatment of Aneurism by Esmarch's Bandage.
PMID- 28998268
TI - Arithmetical Pathology.
PMID- 28998269
TI - Can Cholera be Generated De Novo?
PMID- 28998270
TI - Cases of Laryngotomy and Tracheotomy.
PMID- 28998271
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998272
TI - On the Physiological and Medicinal Action of Hydrofluoric Acid and the Fluorides.
PMID- 28998273
TI - Report on Some Observations in Connection with Pneumonia as Observed on the
Punjab Frontier.
PMID- 28998274
TI - Gunshot Fracture of Head of Humerus: Excision.
PMID- 28998275
TI - On Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998276
TI - Notes of Cases of Gun-Shot Wounds.
PMID- 28998277
TI - Tuberculosis.
PMID- 28998278
TI - On the Preservation of Bodies for Dissection.
PMID- 28998279
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998280
TI - On a Modified Method of Using the Aspirator.
PMID- 28998282
TI - Purulia Dispensary.
PMID- 28998281
TI - Drs. S. Weir Mitchell and Edward T. Reichert on the Poison of Heloderma Suspectum
(Cope), the Gila Monster.
PMID- 28998283
TI - On Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998284
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1882.
PMID- 28998285
TI - Poisoning by Green Vitriol; Recovery.
PMID- 28998286
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998288
TI - Case of Fibro-Sarcoma of Thigh.
PMID- 28998287
TI - A Case of Holt's Operation for Recurrent Stricture of the Urethra.
PMID- 28998289
TI - The Disposal of Sewage: No. 2.
PMID- 28998290
TI - Notes on the Indian Expedition to Egypt.
PMID- 28998292
TI - 1882.
PMID- 28998291
TI - Notes on Indigenous Vegetable Poisons : Seeds of the Abrus Precatorius.
PMID- 28998293
TI - Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28998294
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998295
TI - The Grievances of Assistant-Surgeons.
PMID- 28998297
TI - Phrenology: An Address Delivered on the Occasion of the Seventh Anniversary of
the Calcutta Improvement Association.
PMID- 28998296
TI - Coto Bark in Dysentery.
PMID- 28998298
TI - Two Unnatural Cases of Labour.
PMID- 28998300
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998299
TI - Case-Taking, with an Example.
PMID- 28998301
TI - Indore Charitable Hospital-A Case of Traumatic Emphysema.
PMID- 28998302
TI - On Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998304
TI - Retraction of the Flap after Syme's Amputation.
PMID- 28998303
TI - Fibrinous Coagula in the Heart.
PMID- 28998305
TI - On the Physiological and Medicinal Action of Hydrofluoric Acid and the Fluorides.
PMID- 28998307
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998306
TI - Note on a Case of Occlusion of the Orifice of the Urethra and of the Prepuce with
Adhesion.
PMID- 28998308
TI - In the Case of the Empress vs. Upendro Kisto Dutt.
PMID- 28998309
TI - Malarial Cachexy.
PMID- 28998310
TI - Case of Urethral Calculus.
PMID- 28998312
TI - Experiences in Egypt.
PMID- 28998311
TI - Contributions to the Practice of Midwifery.
PMID- 28998313
TI - A Case of Encysted Peritoneal Effusion : Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 28998314
TI - The "Black Disease" of the Garo Hills.
PMID- 28998316
TI - Radical Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 28998315
TI - Ophthalmic Cases.
PMID- 28998317
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998319
TI - Remarks on Fever in India.
PMID- 28998318
TI - Nitrate of Silver Enema in Chronic Dysentery.
PMID- 28998320
TI - Clinical Lecture on Haematocele: Delivered at the Medical College Hospital on the
25th September 1883.
PMID- 28998322
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele by the Application of Iodoform.
PMID- 28998321
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 28998323
TI - On the Physiological and Medicinal Action of Hydrofluoric Acid and the Fluorides.
PMID- 28998324
TI - Some Further Notes on Colour-Blindness in India.
PMID- 28998325
TI - Wound of the External Carotid and Vertebral Arteries: Ligature of the Common
Carotid: Death.
PMID- 28998326
TI - On the Physiological and Medicinal Action of Hydrofluoric Acid and the Fluorides.
PMID- 28998327
TI - On Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998328
TI - Report on Some Observations in Connection with Pneumonia as Observed on the
Punjab Frontier.
PMID- 28998329
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998330
TI - Etawah Dispensary.
PMID- 28998331
TI - Treatment of Erysipelas with External Application of White Lead Paint.
PMID- 28998333
TI - Notes on a Case of Extroversion of the Bladder.
PMID- 28998332
TI - A Third Case of Judicial Hanging.
PMID- 28998334
TI - A Case of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28998335
TI - The Drainage of Bombay.
PMID- 28998336
TI - Retention of Menses from Absence of Vagina: Operation: Peritonitis: Death.
PMID- 28998338
TI - Great Facts and Little Facts.
PMID- 28998337
TI - Report on Surgical Operations Performed in the Mayo Hospital, Lahore, during
1882.
PMID- 28998339
TI - Internal Urethrotomy.
PMID- 28998341
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998340
TI - The Nature of Snake Poisons-Viewed by the Light of the Most Recent Researches.
PMID- 28998343
TI - The Same.
PMID- 28998342
TI - The Feeding of Cholera Patients.
PMID- 28998344
TI - A Brief Account of the Epidemic of Cholera Which Prevailed at the Station of
Mettupalaiyam from 11th January 1883 to 18th March 1883.
PMID- 28998345
TI - On the Physiological and Medicinal Action of Hydrofluoric Acid and the Fluorides.
PMID- 28998346
TI - Chloroform and Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 28998348
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998347
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1882.
PMID- 28998349
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen with Laceration and Protrusion of the
Spleen, Protrusion of Large Intestine and Portion of Omentum and Fracture of Two
Ribs, the 9th and 10th, Terminating in Recovery.
PMID- 28998350
TI - A Case of Hepatic Abscess Treated by Dr. G. C. Roy, Recovered after Free Opening
and Drainage.
PMID- 28998351
TI - Carbolic Acid Poisoning.
PMID- 28998352
TI - Case of Obstruction of the Bowels; Recovery.
PMID- 28998354
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998353
TI - Hazy Cover-Glasses.
PMID- 28998355
TI - The Contagious Diseases Act.
PMID- 28998357
TI - The Sanitary Contrasts of the Crimean War.
PMID- 28998356
TI - Two Cases of Carbuncle Treated with Nitric Acid.
PMID- 28998359
TI - Mergui Charitable Dispensary.
PMID- 28998358
TI - A New Disease in Calcutta (Beriberi?).
PMID- 28998360
TI - Lithotomy Statistics.
PMID- 28998361
TI - Mergui Charitable Despensary.
PMID- 28998362
TI - Lecture on Diseases of the Hip-Joint.
PMID- 28998364
TI - The Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India for 1878.
PMID- 28998363
TI - European General Hospital, Bombay.-Ovariotomy, Recovery without a Bad Symptom.
PMID- 28998365
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998366
TI - The Liver and Its Urea-Forming Function.
PMID- 28998367
TI - The New Disease.
PMID- 28998369
TI - Allahabad Dispensary.
PMID- 28998368
TI - Clinical Lecture:-Lithotomy and Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 28998370
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998371
TI - On the Association of Fracture of the Upper Third of the Ulna with Dislocation
Forwards of the Head of the Radius.
PMID- 28998372
TI - Bengal Notes.
PMID- 28998373
TI - Partabgurh Dispensary.-Case of Herniotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 28998374
TI - The Dacca Medical Society.
PMID- 28998375
TI - A Case of Accidental Suffocation.
PMID- 28998376
TI - Artificial Pupil in a Case of Leucoma Complicated with Partial Staphyloma of the
Cornea.
PMID- 28998377
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998379
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998378
TI - Srinagar Dispensary, Gurhwal.
PMID- 28998381
TI - Antiseptic Surgery.
PMID- 28998380
TI - A Synopsis of Recent Views Regarding the Treatment of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998382
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998383
TI - Medical Reorganization.
PMID- 28998385
TI - Notes on Enteric Fever, or Abdominal Typhus.
PMID- 28998386
TI - Topographical Report on the Town of Mandalay, Upper Burma, and Its Environs.
PMID- 28998384
TI - Bengal Notes.
PMID- 28998387
TI - Alleged Death from Witchcraft.
PMID- 28998388
TI - Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28998389
TI - Official Paper.
PMID- 28998390
TI - A Case of Wound of Axillary Artery: Ligature of the Vessel above and below the
Seat of Injury: Death.
PMID- 28998391
TI - Cuttack General Hospital:-Notes of Cases Taken by Assistant-Surgeon Chooney Lal
Dass.
PMID- 28998392
TI - Nerve-Stretching in Anaesthetic Leprosy.
PMID- 28998394
TI - The Defamation Case.
PMID- 28998393
TI - Shillong Dispensary.-Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 28998395
TI - A Medical Sketch of Inland Emigration Operations from 1863-64 to 1879-80.
PMID- 28998396
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998397
TI - Some Observations upon the Urine in Health in India.
PMID- 28998399
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998398
TI - My Contribution Towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India-A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28998401
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998400
TI - Enquiry on Colour-Blindness in India.
PMID- 28998403
TI - The Sale of Drugs in Calcutta.
PMID- 28998402
TI - Snake-Poisoning and Its Treatment.
PMID- 28998404
TI - Remarks on the Retinal Spectrum Produced by Sunlight.
PMID- 28998406
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998405
TI - Ferruginous Compounds in Sewage-Antisepsis.
PMID- 28998407
TI - Gonorrhoea as Treated in Vernacular Medical Literature, Especially with Reference
to Its Therapeutics.
PMID- 28998409
TI - Severe Scalp-Wound: Diffuse Cellular Inflammation: Necrosis of Cranium.
PMID- 28998408
TI - Some Gun-Shot Injuries.
PMID- 28998410
TI - Medical Advertising.
PMID- 28998411
TI - The Opium Question.
PMID- 28998412
TI - Cinchona Cultivation and Alkaloid Manufacture.
PMID- 28998413
TI - A Case of Ainhum.
PMID- 28998414
TI - My Contribution Towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India-A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28998415
TI - A Medical Sketch of Inland Emigration Operations from 1863-64 to 1879-80.
PMID- 28998416
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998417
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998419
TI - Beri-Beri in Singapore.
PMID- 28998420
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998421
TI - Post-Mortem Appearances in a Case of Rape.
PMID- 28998418
TI - The Treatment of Opium-Eaters.
PMID- 28998422
TI - Post-Mortems and Law.
PMID- 28998423
TI - Beri-Beri.
PMID- 28998424
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998425
TI - Cases of Mycetoma.
PMID- 28998426
TI - Report on an Epidemic of Relapsing Fever in the Rupar Jail in the Years 1878-79.
PMID- 28998427
TI - Notes of a Case Attacked by an Elephant: Death and Post-Mortem Appearances.
PMID- 28998428
TI - Vital Resistance.
PMID- 28998429
TI - Contused Wound of the Head: Intrameningeal Suppuration: Trephining: Death.
PMID- 28998431
TI - The Ecbolic Action of Quinine.
PMID- 28998430
TI - Pelvic Abscesses: Their Surgical Anatomy, Diagnosis and Treatment, with a
Statement of Cases.
PMID- 28998432
TI - The Effect of Lunar Influence on Disease.
PMID- 28998434
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998433
TI - Pay Hospitals.
PMID- 28998435
TI - Personal Equipment of Medical Officers on Active Service.
PMID- 28998436
TI - Abscess of Spleen Extending to and Involving the Liver.
PMID- 28998437
TI - Case from Practice in the Hospital of the 38th Bengal Native Infantry.
PMID- 28998438
TI - Cases Reported by Koilash Chandra Mukhopadhyay, M.B.
PMID- 28998439
TI - Satkhira Charitable Dispensary.-Severe Incised Wounds; Wound of the Lung:
Recovery.
PMID- 28998440
TI - Charitable Dispensaries in Bengal.
PMID- 28998441
TI - Excision of the Upper Jaw for Myeloid Tumour.
PMID- 28998442
TI - Two Cases of General Cutaneous Papillomata.
PMID- 28998444
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998443
TI - Nursing in War.
PMID- 28998445
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998446
TI - Some Notes on the Different Diseases Diagnosed as Fever in the General Hospital
at Madras.
PMID- 28998447
TI - A Medical Sketch of Inland Emigration Operations from 1863-64 to 1879-80.
PMID- 28998449
TI - Particulars Regarding the Prevalence of Diarrhoea at Simla in 1880.
PMID- 28998448
TI - My Contribution Towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India- A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28998451
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998450
TI - Beri-Beri.
PMID- 28998452
TI - Cholera Fever.
PMID- 28998454
TI - Sulphuric Acid in Cholera.
PMID- 28998455
TI - Bengal Notes.
PMID- 28998453
TI - Cases Illustrating the Benefit of Belladonna in Opium-Poisoning.
PMID- 28998457
TI - Ewart on Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 28998456
TI - Unusual Situation of Sebaceous Cysts in the Sole of the Foot.
PMID- 28998459
TI - Comparative Faecology.
PMID- 28998458
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998461
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998460
TI - Tayaya.
PMID- 28998463
TI - Acute OEdema.
PMID- 28998462
TI - A Case of Acute Atrophy of Liver.
PMID- 28998464
TI - Medico-Topographical Report on Calcutta.
PMID- 28998465
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the Second Surgeon, Medical
College Hospital, during the Year 1879.
PMID- 28998466
TI - Lecture on Diseases of the Hip-Joint.
PMID- 28998467
TI - Notes on Loss of Vitreous after Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 28998469
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the Second Surgeon, Medical
College Hospital, during the Year 1879.
PMID- 28998468
TI - Indian Medical Department.
PMID- 28998470
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998471
TI - Pulsating Tumour of the Head.
PMID- 28998472
TI - Medical Reorganization.
PMID- 28998473
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998475
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998474
TI - Beri-Beri.
PMID- 28998476
TI - Compound Depressed Fracture of Skull with Aphasia and Paralysis of the Right
Upper Limbs: Recovery.
PMID- 28998477
TI - Strangulated Hernia: Three Cases Successfully Treated by the Continued
Application of Ice.
PMID- 28998478
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 28998479
TI - Cases from Practice in the Hospital of the 38th Regiment, Bengal Native Infantry,
at Barrackpore: Hypertrophy of the Spleen, the Result of Malarial Fever: Death
from Asthenia.
PMID- 28998480
TI - Cases of Affections of the Genitals in Young Children.
PMID- 28998481
TI - Recovery after the Bite of a Cobra.
PMID- 28998482
TI - Penetrating Abdominal Wound with Protrusion of Lacerated Intestine: Artificial
Anus Temporarily Established: Ultimate Complete Recovery.
PMID- 28998484
TI - Case of Elephantiasis of Scrotum.
PMID- 28998483
TI - On the Poisonous Principle of Gloriosa Superba: A Chemico-Physiological Research.
PMID- 28998486
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998485
TI - Case of Injury to the Antrum of Highmore.
PMID- 28998487
TI - My Contribution Towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India-A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28998489
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette, October 1, 1880.
PMID- 28998488
TI - The Opium Question.
PMID- 28998490
TI - Cobra-Bite: Immediate Treatment: Recovery.
PMID- 28998491
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 28998492
TI - Decalcified Bone Drainage Tubes.
PMID- 28998493
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998494
TI - Treatment of Opium-Eaters.
PMID- 28998495
TI - Case of Unnatural Labour: Both Arms Presenting: Child Extracted Piecemeal.
PMID- 28998497
TI - Contribution to the Medical History of Goitre.
PMID- 28998496
TI - Contribution to the Practice of Midwifery.
PMID- 28998498
TI - Rape of Infant Children.
PMID- 28998499
TI - Lunar Influence on Disease.
PMID- 28998500
TI - On Rearing Infants.
PMID- 28998502
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998501
TI - Some Notes on the Treatment of Cholera and the Administration of Cholera
Hospitals.
PMID- 28998504
TI - Appendix to the Report on the Health of the Troops Forming the Vitakri Field
Force.
PMID- 28998503
TI - Notes on 133 Cases of Goitre Treated in the Hospital of the 38th Regiment, Bengal
Native Infantry at Baxa Duar, Bhutan, from 1873 to 1875.
PMID- 28998505
TI - Bengal Notes.
PMID- 28998506
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998507
TI - Cases of Shark-Bite.
PMID- 28998509
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28998508
TI - Dubbing.
PMID- 28998510
TI - Memorandum on the Prevention of Sickness among Prisoners in Extra-Mural Gangs.
PMID- 28998512
TI - Purulia Dispensary.-A Run of Cancer Cases.
PMID- 28998511
TI - Observations on Some Interesting and Peculiar Symptoms of Cholera as Observed in
Four Epidemics at Peshawar.
PMID- 28998514
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998513
TI - A Case of Excision of the Knee-Joint: And of Urethrotomy for Impacted Calculus:
Recovery.
PMID- 28998515
TI - Fees.
PMID- 28998516
TI - Tayuya.
PMID- 28998517
TI - Case of Obstruction of the Bowel.
PMID- 28998518
TI - Sulphuric Acid as a Prophylactic in Cholera Outbreaks.
PMID- 28998520
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998519
TI - Warm Baths Gradually Cooled down in Increased Bodily Temperature.
PMID- 28998521
TI - The Same.
PMID- 28998522
TI - Cholera in the Royal Artillery in Kandahar.
PMID- 28998523
TI - The Dissemination of Cholera by Human Intercourse.
PMID- 28998524
TI - Notes on Early Sanitation in India.
PMID- 28998525
TI - "Indigenous Drugs": (Salicylic Acid, Salicylates, and Salicin.
PMID- 28998527
TI - Sulphurous Acid in Cholera.
PMID- 28998526
TI - Is Quinine an Abortifacient?
PMID- 28998528
TI - Cases from Practice in the Hospital of the 38th Bengal Native Infantry at
Barrackpore.
PMID- 28998530
TI - Medical College Hospital-Case of Abscess of the Spleen: Free Drainage: Recovery.
PMID- 28998529
TI - Medical College Hospital.-An Enormous Elephantoid Tumour of the Scrotum;
Successfully Removed.
PMID- 28998531
TI - Insurance Office Fees.
PMID- 28998533
TI - Bullet Wound of the Chest.
PMID- 28998532
TI - Typhoid and Remittent Fevers.
PMID- 28998534
TI - Official Paper.
PMID- 28998535
TI - Report on the Health of the Troops Forming the Vitakri Field Force, and upon an
Outbreak of Scurvy Amongst Them.
PMID- 28998536
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998537
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 28998538
TI - Memorandum on Famine Dietetics.
PMID- 28998540
TI - On Sulphurous Acid as a Remedy for Cholera.
PMID- 28998539
TI - The Cold Bath, and Affusion in Hyper-Pyrexia: Advantages Experienced in Cases of
Remittent Fever.
PMID- 28998541
TI - Post-Mortem Appearances after Hanging.
PMID- 28998542
TI - Lithotomy Statistics in India.
PMID- 28998543
TI - Hydro-Nephrosis. A Short Lecture to the Hospital Assistants of Akola District.
PMID- 28998544
TI - 1879.
PMID- 28998545
TI - Beri-Beri in the Mauritius.
PMID- 28998546
TI - The Treatment of Opium-Eaters.
PMID- 28998547
TI - On Large and Repeated Doses of Belladonna in Acute Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 28998548
TI - My Contribution Towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India. A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28998549
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998550
TI - On Examination for Colour-Blindness.
PMID- 28998551
TI - A New Lithotomy Forceps.
PMID- 28998553
TI - Dressings.
PMID- 28998554
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998552
TI - Cases of Cholera Treated by the Hypodermic Injection of a Solution of Chloral
Hydrate-(One Grain to Ten Minims of Water.).
PMID- 28998556
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998555
TI - Remarks on the So-Called Typho-Malarial Fevers and Their Treatment.
PMID- 28998558
TI - Boracie Acid in Diphtheria.
PMID- 28998557
TI - Remarks on Ignipedites.
PMID- 28998559
TI - Penetrating Wound of the Thorax: Immediate Pneumocele: Excision of Portion of
Lung: Recovery.
PMID- 28998561
TI - The Calcutta Hospitals.
PMID- 28998560
TI - Case of Loss of Function of the Chorda Tympani Nerve Resulting from Pressure of a
Syphilitic Node in the Petrous Portion of the Temporal Bone: Rapid Cure.
PMID- 28998562
TI - Arithmetical Pathology.
PMID- 28998564
TI - Washing out the Uterine Cavity.
PMID- 28998563
TI - A Case of Traumatic Tetanus; Recovery.
PMID- 28998565
TI - The Nuddea Fever.
PMID- 28998566
TI - Amputation of the Penis.
PMID- 28998567
TI - Clinical Lecture on Haematocele: Delivered at the Medical College Hospital on the
2nd October 1883.
PMID- 28998569
TI - Case of Foreign Body in the Nose for Seven Years; Persistent Neuralgia of One
Half of the Face, Removal of the Body; Recovery.
PMID- 28998568
TI - Case of Occlusion of the Vagina : Operation.
PMID- 28998570
TI - Report of the Commission Appointed to Enquire into the Causes of the Epidemic
Fever in Nuddea.
PMID- 28998571
TI - An Interesting Case of Hydrocele in a European.
PMID- 28998572
TI - On the Physiological and Medicinal Action of Hydrofluoric Acid and the Fluorides.
PMID- 28998574
TI - The Causation and Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28998575
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998573
TI - Hypodermic Syringe Used for a Trocar and Canula in a Case of Hydrocele.
PMID- 28998577
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998576
TI - Contraction of Leg at a Right-Angle, Due to Abscess of the Thigh.
PMID- 28998579
TI - On Malarious Urticaria.
PMID- 28998578
TI - Paralysis after Fevers.
PMID- 28998581
TI - Murchison Memorial.
PMID- 28998580
TI - Sulphurous Acid in Cholera.
PMID- 28998582
TI - The New Surgeon-General for Bengal.
PMID- 28998583
TI - Two Cases of Abscess of the Liver. Case I.-Old Abscess: Operation: Recovery. Case
II.-Old Abscess Masked by Ascites: Rupture: Death.
PMID- 28998584
TI - Case of Ovarian Gestation.
PMID- 28998585
TI - The Grant College Medical Society, Bombay.
PMID- 28998586
TI - Cases Reported by Assistant-Surgeon Devendra Nath Roy.
PMID- 28998587
TI - Cases Reported by Assistant-Surgeon Ram Kishen.
PMID- 28998588
TI - Notes on Early Sanitation in India.
PMID- 28998589
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998590
TI - Kite-Flying.
PMID- 28998592
TI - Case of Dislocation of Lens.
PMID- 28998591
TI - Nature and Art in Disease.
PMID- 28998593
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998595
TI - Mr. Sanders and Lithotomy.
PMID- 28998594
TI - Bengal Notes.
PMID- 28998596
TI - Hospital Discpline.
PMID- 28998597
TI - Sunstroke.
PMID- 28998599
TI - Two Cases of Typhoid Fever Occurring among Prisoners in the Rupar Jail.
PMID- 28998598
TI - Croup and Diphtheria.
PMID- 28998600
TI - On the Use of an Aqueous Solution of Chlorine as a Deodorant.
PMID- 28998602
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28998601
TI - Books on Hill Stations.
PMID- 28998604
TI - Literature of Hill Stations and Climates.
PMID- 28998603
TI - Continued Fever at Aden.
PMID- 28998605
TI - Case Illustrating Long-Continued Suppression of Urine in Cholera with Ultimate
Recovery.
PMID- 28998606
TI - Xanthelasma.
PMID- 28998607
TI - The Health of Calcutta in 1878.
PMID- 28998609
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998608
TI - Removal of a Large Fibro-Cystic Tumour from the Neck.
PMID- 28998610
TI - Fever in the Punjab.
PMID- 28998611
TI - Remarks on an Epidemic of Ague with Jaundice in the 15th Loodianah Sikhs at
Kandahar in April 1879.
PMID- 28998612
TI - Typhoid and Remittent Fever.
PMID- 28998613
TI - Typhoid Fever in Cabul, Its Local Name and Treatment by Local Hakims.
PMID- 28998615
TI - Correspondence Relating to the Use of "Cinchona Febrifuge" in the Treatment of
Periodic Fevers.
PMID- 28998614
TI - Meningitis, Associated with Local Paralysis and Gastric Ulcer.
PMID- 28998616
TI - Cinchona Alkaloid.
PMID- 28998617
TI - Introductory Lecture on the History of Anatomy in India, Delivered at the Opening
of Session 1879-80.
PMID- 28998618
TI - Sooree Charitable Dispensary, Compound Dislocation of Left Humerus at the Elbow;
Reduction; Arthritis; Excision of Elbow Joint; Recovery. II.-Schirrous Cancer of
the Breast and Involvement of an Axillary Gland; Extirpation and Enucleation;
Recovery.
PMID- 28998619
TI - Notes on Water Analysis; the Supply of Bhagulpore.
PMID- 28998621
TI - A Remarkable Case of Sodomy.
PMID- 28998620
TI - Report on the Outbreak of Cholera in the Bareilly Lunatic Asylum in April 1878.
PMID- 28998623
TI - Fusiform Aneurism of Aorta and the Difficulty in Diagnosing It.
PMID- 28998622
TI - Case of Glioma of Eyeball.
PMID- 28998624
TI - Cases of Abscess of the Brain.
PMID- 28998625
TI - Statement Showing the Results of the Major Surgical Operations Performed in the
Dispensaries of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, for the Year 1877.
PMID- 28998626
TI - Chronic Obstruction of the Bowels with Stercoraceous Vomiting.
PMID- 28998627
TI - Report on the Epidemic of Dengue of 1872, as It Appeared in Fort William,
Calcutta.
PMID- 28998628
TI - Fever in the Punjab.
PMID- 28998629
TI - Hepatic Abcess, Simulating Ascites, and Complicated with Extensive Peritonitis;
Symptoms of Addison's Disease and Tuberculosis.
PMID- 28998630
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998631
TI - Surgery in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28998633
TI - The Famine in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28998632
TI - Case of Dislocation of the Femur in an Infant.
PMID- 28998634
TI - Tapi Muhrika Does Not Correspond with Any One Particular Fever of the Modern
Nomenclature.
PMID- 28998635
TI - The Plague in Russia.
PMID- 28998636
TI - Chronic Starvation.
PMID- 28998638
TI - Annual Report of the Agra Lunatic Asylum for 1878.
PMID- 28998637
TI - Acute OEdema.
PMID- 28998639
TI - The Immunity of Infants from Cholera.
PMID- 28998641
TI - The Sanitary Condition of Dinagepore.
PMID- 28998640
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Enteric Fever in B. Battery 2nd Brigade R. A. at Deesa,
in August and September 1878.
PMID- 28998642
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998643
TI - Health of Calcutta during the 3rd Quarter of 1878.
PMID- 28998644
TI - Cinchona Cultivation in Sikkim.
PMID- 28998645
TI - Enteric Fever in Civil Practice.
PMID- 28998646
TI - Foul Water and Dysentery.
PMID- 28998647
TI - Case of Congenital Misplacement of the Intestines.
PMID- 28998648
TI - Case of Eversion of Bladder.
PMID- 28998649
TI - Sinuous Ulcer of the Knee, Causing Its Contraction; Forcible Extension, Followed
by Rupture of the Popliteal Artery; Its Ligature Followed by Gangrene of the Leg;
Amputation, and Recovery.
PMID- 28998650
TI - Case of Acute Malarious Poisoning.
PMID- 28998651
TI - Famine and Fecundity.
PMID- 28998652
TI - Cholagogues.
PMID- 28998653
TI - Poisoning in the North-Western Provinces, Oudh, and the Central Provinces.
PMID- 28998654
TI - Cases of Frost-Bite in the Base Hospital, Quettah.
PMID- 28998655
TI - Notes on a Case of Poisoning by Orpiment.
PMID- 28998657
TI - The Health of the European Army in India in 1877.
PMID- 28998656
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998658
TI - Symptoms of Atropia Poisoning Following the Hypodermic Administration of the
Drug.
PMID- 28998660
TI - Report on the Epidemic of Dengue of 1872, as It Appeared in Fort William,
Calcutta.
PMID- 28998659
TI - Fever in the Punjab.
PMID- 28998661
TI - Narrative of the March of the 15th Loodianah Sikhs, from Sailkote to Kandahar.
PMID- 28998662
TI - Acute Malarial Poisoning: Death in 24 Hours.
PMID- 28998663
TI - Is Acute Dropsy (the New Disease) Contagious?
PMID- 28998664
TI - Case of Imperforate Anus, &c.
PMID- 28998665
TI - Health Statistics of the Native Army.
PMID- 28998666
TI - Case of Asphyxia Caused by Post Pharyngeal Abscess; Resusctation by Evacuation,
and Howard's Direct Method of Artificial Respiration.
PMID- 28998667
TI - Typhoid and Remittent Fevers.
PMID- 28998668
TI - Some Remarks on the Relation of Filaria Sanguinis Hominis to Chyluria and Other
Lymphoid Diseases.
PMID- 28998669
TI - Casualties in the 4th Punjab Cavalry and 4th Sikh Infantry during the Recent
Disturbances in the Dera Ismael Khan District.
PMID- 28998670
TI - Case of Draining the Cavity of the Peritoneum.
PMID- 28998671
TI - Pneumatic Aspiration; Puncture of Parenchymatous Organs; Direct Depletion.
PMID- 28998672
TI - Cholera and Pilgrims.
PMID- 28998673
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998674
TI - Clinical Lecture on Synovitis and Granular Disease of the Synovial Membrane-
Pulpy Degeneration; Scrofulous Synovitis.
PMID- 28998675
TI - On Iridectomy in Certain Complications of Iritis.
PMID- 28998676
TI - The Army Sanitary Commission on Typhoid Fever in India.
PMID- 28998677
TI - Current Medical Notes.
PMID- 28998678
TI - Continued Fever at Aden.
PMID- 28998679
TI - Accident with Tr. Iodi.
PMID- 28998680
TI - Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28998681
TI - Medicos Advertizing in Bombay.
PMID- 28998683
TI - Chloroform. Part of a Lecture Delivered at the Medical College.
PMID- 28998682
TI - Madras Lunatic Asylums.
PMID- 28998684
TI - Vegetable Germs and Disease.
PMID- 28998685
TI - Cases of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28998686
TI - An Attack of Angina Pectoris Brought on by Rice and Milk Diet.
PMID- 28998688
TI - Report of the Chemical Analyser, Bombay, for 1877-78.
PMID- 28998687
TI - Official Report on an Outbreak of Fever at the Nira Canal Camp.
PMID- 28998690
TI - Hedysarum Gangeticum in Dysentery.
PMID- 28998689
TI - Famine Pathology.
PMID- 28998691
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998692
TI - Cases of Abscess in the Liver Treated in the Mayo Native Hospital during 1878.
PMID- 28998693
TI - The Cause of Cholera.
PMID- 28998694
TI - Operation for Entropium and Trichaisis.
PMID- 28998695
TI - Caustic Potash in the Treatment of Carbuncle.
PMID- 28998696
TI - Case of Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 28998697
TI - A Record of Ophthalmic Practice in Oudh.
PMID- 28998698
TI - Case of Multiple Vesical and Urethral Calculi.
PMID- 28998699
TI - Bombay Lunatic Asylums.
PMID- 28998700
TI - Remarks on the "Case of Fatal Thermal Fever(?) by Surgeon-Major G. C. Gribbon, M.
B., A. M. D."
PMID- 28998701
TI - Scarlatina in Calcutta.
PMID- 28998702
TI - Case of Urethro-Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 28998704
TI - Management of Habitual Catarrah.
PMID- 28998703
TI - The Calcutta Hospitals.
PMID- 28998706
TI - Dharmsala.
PMID- 28998705
TI - A Case of Abscess of the Liver Treated by Aspiration.
PMID- 28998707
TI - Report on Dengue in Howrah District during 1872.
PMID- 28998708
TI - Apoplectic Trance, or Perfect Coma of 18 Days' Duration, Followed by Recovery.
PMID- 28998710
TI - The Localization of Cerebral Disease.
PMID- 28998709
TI - Health of the Native Army in 1877.
PMID- 28998711
TI - Medical Education in Ceylon.
PMID- 28998712
TI - Fever in the Punjab.
PMID- 28998713
TI - Salicylic Acid in Neuralgia.
PMID- 28998714
TI - Wanted-Skulls.
PMID- 28998715
TI - Mayo Native Hospital-I.-Aneurism of the Femoral Artery; Ligature of External
Iliac: Recovery. II.-A Case of Ovarian Tumour: Ovariotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 28998717
TI - Nervous Diffusion.
PMID- 28998716
TI - Depressed Comminuted Fracture of the Skull; Trephining; Recovery.
PMID- 28998718
TI - An Action for the Recovery of Fees.
PMID- 28998719
TI - Literature of Hill Stations and Climates.
PMID- 28998720
TI - Amputation of the Penis.
PMID- 28998721
TI - Remarks on Imperforate Anus.
PMID- 28998722
TI - Fourteen Months' Lithotomy Operations in Rohilkhund.
PMID- 28998723
TI - Medical College Hospital-Case of Glandular Sarcoma of the Neck; Removal; Death
from Paeymia.
PMID- 28998725
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998724
TI - Narrative of the March of the Right Wing, 15th Loodianah Sikhs, from Sukkur until
They Joined the Regimental Head-Quarters at Kandahar.
PMID- 28998726
TI - 1878.
PMID- 28998727
TI - A Wound of the Scalp, with Traumatic Tetanus.
PMID- 28998728
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998729
TI - A Record of Ophthalmic Practice in Oudh.
PMID- 28998730
TI - A Few Observations on Enteric or Typhoid Fever: Apropos of a Report on the Same
in Relation to British Troops in the Madras Command.
PMID- 28998731
TI - Excision of Lateral Half of Lower Jaw.
PMID- 28998732
TI - Three Cases of Goitre.
PMID- 28998733
TI - A Case of Primary Adenitis under the Care of Surgeon J. C. Lucas, M. D., F. R. C.
S.
PMID- 28998734
TI - Acute Dropsy (Beriberi?.).
PMID- 28998735
TI - Case of Impassable Stricture of the Urethra with Vesico-Rectal and Perineal
Fistula and Stones in the Prostatic Portion of the Urethra: Partial Recovery.
PMID- 28998737
TI - On the Detection of Magnesic-Chloride in Portable-Waters.
PMID- 28998736
TI - A Case of Typhoid Lesion Confined to the Large Intestine, and Some Remarks on the
Causation of the Disease.
PMID- 28998739
TI - Inguinal Abscess: Communication with Abdominal Cavity and Peritonitis after
Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 28998738
TI - Report on Cases of Fever Treated by "Eucalyptus Globulus" in Dehree, from June
17th to October 17th, 1878.
PMID- 28998740
TI - Modified Wood's Operation after Reduction of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 28998741
TI - A Case of Vesical Calculus; Lateral Lithotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 28998742
TI - Two Successful Cases of Excision of the Lower Jaw for Myeloid Tumour, with
Remarks.
PMID- 28998743
TI - "The Functional(?) Derangement of the Circulatory System in European Soldiers in
the Hot Weather.
PMID- 28998744
TI - Gauhati Dispensary.-Case of Opium Poisoning: Recovery.
PMID- 28998745
TI - Observations on the Operation of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28998746
TI - Treatment of Opium-Eaters.
PMID- 28998748
TI - A Case of Intravenous Injection of Milk.
PMID- 28998747
TI - Lectures on Diseases of Joints.
PMID- 28998750
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998749
TI - A Case of Protracted Labor Attended with Convulsions: Delivery by Forceps:
Recovery.
PMID- 28998751
TI - Case of Obstruction of the Bowels.
PMID- 28998753
TI - Notes on Early Sanitation in India.
PMID- 28998752
TI - Report on the Use of Apomorphia in Sunstroke.
PMID- 28998755
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998754
TI - Case of Scirrhus Cancer of Mesentery.
PMID- 28998756
TI - Memorandum on Famine Dietetics.
PMID- 28998757
TI - Sanitation in Bengal.
PMID- 28998758
TI - Case of Cancerous Tumour of Upper Jaw: Removal, and Temporary Recovery.
PMID- 28998759
TI - Surgeon-General Gordon's Prize.
PMID- 28998760
TI - Report on Scurvy and Chronic Rheumatism (Scorbutus and Myalgia) as It Occurred in
the 1st Infantry H. C. at Lingsugoor in 1878.
PMID- 28998761
TI - Nurses in Zululand.
PMID- 28998762
TI - The Ceylon Medical School.
PMID- 28998763
TI - Notes on Early Sanitation in India.
PMID- 28998764
TI - Cinchona Febrifuge in Malarious Fevers.
PMID- 28998765
TI - Calculus, Vesical, in a Hermaphrodite: Lithotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 28998766
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998767
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998768
TI - Compound Fracture of Left Humerus with Compound Dislocation of Left Elbow-Joint:
Traumatic Gangrene: Amputation below Shoulder: Recovery.
PMID- 28998770
TI - Medical Education.
PMID- 28998769
TI - Remarks, and Notes on Tetanus.
PMID- 28998772
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998771
TI - Memorandum on Famine Dietetics.
PMID- 28998773
TI - Notes Sur Le Cholera Du Village DeVadakencoulam En Decembre 1877.
PMID- 28998774
TI - The Medical Services and the Affghan War.
PMID- 28998775
TI - Notes on Aspirating and Aspirators.
PMID- 28998776
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998777
TI - Croup and Diphtheria.
PMID- 28998778
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998779
TI - A Case of Morphia Poisoning Successfully Treated with Hypodermic Injection of
Sulphate of Atropia.
PMID- 28998780
TI - Case of Congenital Hydrocephalus.
PMID- 28998781
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 28998782
TI - Bengal Notes.
PMID- 28998784
TI - The Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
PMID- 28998783
TI - Enteric Fever among Natives.
PMID- 28998785
TI - Hospital of the 10th N. I.-Case of Profuse Sweating of Hands and Feet with
Anaesthesia.
PMID- 28998786
TI - On the Diagnosis between Enteric or Typhoid Fever and Remittent or Intermittent
Fever.
PMID- 28998787
TI - Insurance Office Fees.
PMID- 28998788
TI - Medical College Hospital-Case of Compound Comminuted Fracture of Thigh, &c.;
Amputation; Death in 75 Hours; Dissection of Aseptic Stump and Colles's Fracture
of Right Radius.
PMID- 28998790
TI - Cancrum Oris in an European Soldier; Enlarged Spleen; Pancreatic Disease Post
Mortem Results.
PMID- 28998789
TI - Partabgarh Dispensary.-Cases of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 28998791
TI - Malposition of Organs in a Human Body.
PMID- 28998792
TI - Report on Acute Anaemic Dropsy in Mauritius.
PMID- 28998793
TI - A Case of Hepatic Abscess, with Remarks.
PMID- 28998795
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998794
TI - The Treatment of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28998796
TI - 1881.
PMID- 28998797
TI - Two Cases of Hydrorrhoea Gravidorum.
PMID- 28998798
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998799
TI - The Ductless Glands.
PMID- 28998800
TI - Some Surgical Operations and Other Cases.
PMID- 28998801
TI - Experiments with Permanganate of Potash in Snake-Poisoning.
PMID- 28998802
TI - The Treatment of Leprosy with Gurjun Oil.
PMID- 28998803
TI - On Epidemics of Dengue Fever, Their Diffusion and Etiology.
PMID- 28998805
TI - Notes on Dr. Wall's Monograph on Cobra and Daboia Poisons.
PMID- 28998804
TI - A Vindication.
PMID- 28998807
TI - Cholera and Filth.
PMID- 28998806
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998808
TI - Cases Illustrating the Use of Infrequent Antiseptic Dressing.
PMID- 28998809
TI - The Eden Hospital for Women and Children.
PMID- 28998810
TI - Clinical Lecture on the Direct Operation for the Cure of Hernia: Delivered on the
15th August 1882 at the Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28998811
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998812
TI - Resection of the Long Bones.
PMID- 28998813
TI - The Indore Charitable Hospital.
PMID- 28998814
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998815
TI - Cases from the Purulia Dispensary.
PMID- 28998816
TI - Case of Aneurism of Aorta.
PMID- 28998818
TI - A Record of Ophthalmic Practice in Gurhwal, N. W. P.
PMID- 28998817
TI - Valvular Disease of Heart with Embolism of the Cerebral and Posterior Tibial
Arteries.
PMID- 28998820
TI - Tetanus in Parturient Women.
PMID- 28998819
TI - A Plea for Malaria.
PMID- 28998821
TI - Snake-Bite; Recovery.
PMID- 28998823
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998822
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1881.
PMID- 28998825
TI - The Treatment of Acute Rheumatism by the Salicylates.
PMID- 28998824
TI - Compound Dislocation of Inferior Angle of Scapula Together with Severe Lacerated
Wounds Caused by a Bear; Excision of Inferior Angle of Scapula with Recovery.
PMID- 28998826
TI - Pay of the Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28998827
TI - The Pay of Junior Medical Officers.
PMID- 28998828
TI - A Case of Traumatic Gangrene Following Compound Fracture of the Right Leg.
PMID- 28998830
TI - Case of Tumour of the Bladder (in the Male) Successfully Removed through a
Perineal Section of the Urethra.
PMID- 28998829
TI - Death from Chloroform.
PMID- 28998831
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998832
TI - The Tubercle Bacillus.
PMID- 28998833
TI - Hydrobromic Acid.
PMID- 28998834
TI - The Dublin Murder; Medical Evidence at the Inquest.
PMID- 28998835
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998836
TI - Child-Mortality by Dr. Pfeiffer of Weimar.
PMID- 28998837
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite: Hypodermic Injection of Permanganate of Potash.
PMID- 28998839
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998838
TI - Delirium Tremens as a Complication in Acute Diseases.
PMID- 28998840
TI - Report on Epidemic Fever in Buxar.
PMID- 28998841
TI - Cases of Fever Treated Successfully by Hypodermic Injection of Bromine of
Quinine.
PMID- 28998842
TI - Fracture and Wound of the Leg Followed by Tetanus.
PMID- 28998843
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998844
TI - Hydrophobia: Its Pathology and Prevention.
PMID- 28998845
TI - The Origin of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28998846
TI - Topographical Report on the Andaman Islands and Port Blair.
PMID- 28998847
TI - Case of Dislocation of Hip-Joint; Reduction.
PMID- 28998848
TI - Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28998849
TI - Report of Surgical Operations Performed at the Mayo Hospital, Lahore, during
January, February and March 1882.
PMID- 28998850
TI - Case from Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28998851
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998852
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998854
TI - The Mortality of Indian Jails.
PMID- 28998853
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1881.
PMID- 28998855
TI - Retention of Urine-Extravasation-Operation-Recovery.
PMID- 28998856
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998857
TI - Notes of Post-Mortem Examination of a Case Which Formed the Subject of Judicial
Enquiry.
PMID- 28998858
TI - Notes on Dengue Fever.
PMID- 28998859
TI - Cholera and Fever Poisons.
PMID- 28998860
TI - A Case of Spurious Hermaphroditism.
PMID- 28998862
TI - A Case of Cholera.
PMID- 28998861
TI - Leiter's Pliable Metal Temperature Regulators.
PMID- 28998863
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998864
TI - Notes of a Case of Aconite Poisoning, Treated at Kasauli.
PMID- 28998865
TI - Tripathy Kumpryng Hospital, Gurhwal: Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28998866
TI - Notes on Indigenous Vegetable Poison Seeds of the Abrus Precatorius.
PMID- 28998867
TI - Papaw-Carica Papaya, L.: From New Commercial Plants and Drugs.
PMID- 28998868
TI - Ten Cases of Lithotrity at One Sitting.
PMID- 28998870
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998869
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 28998871
TI - Pilocarpine.
PMID- 28998872
TI - A Rhino-Plastic Operation.-Recovery.
PMID- 28998873
TI - How Cholera Is Bred and Spread.
PMID- 28998874
TI - A Case of Traumatic Tetanus from Practice.
PMID- 28998875
TI - Bareilly Dispensary: Two Cases of Severe Injury to the Head.
PMID- 28998877
TI - On Scrofula, Tuberculosis, and Phthisis in India.
PMID- 28998876
TI - Diagnosis Wanted.
PMID- 28998878
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998879
TI - Treatment of Cholera with Sulphurous Acid.
PMID- 28998880
TI - Etawah Sudder Dispensary: Case of Obstruction of the Bowels.
PMID- 28998881
TI - Pestilentia-Pali Plague-Mahamurree.
PMID- 28998882
TI - On Epidemic Catarrah as It Occurred in the Jhang Jail in May 1881.
PMID- 28998883
TI - Remarks on the Subject of Micro-Organisms in Disease: Read before the Gwalior
District Medical Society.
PMID- 28998884
TI - The Bengal Medical Service in 1782.
PMID- 28998885
TI - Uncomfortable Effects of Quinine.
PMID- 28998886
TI - The Bacillus Malariae.
PMID- 28998887
TI - The Climate of Indian Hill-Sanitaria: Is It Beneficial in Scrofula, Tuberculosis,
and Phthisis?(a).
PMID- 28998888
TI - On the Prevalence of Enteric Fever among Young Soldiers in India.
PMID- 28998891
TI - Statistics of Operations at the Necker Hospital.
PMID- 28998889
TI - On Epidemics of Dengue Fever; Their Diffusion and Etiology.
PMID- 28998890
TI - Clinical Notes of Two Cases of Injuries to the Head.
PMID- 28998893
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998892
TI - Experiments with Permanganate of Potash in Snake-Poisoning.
PMID- 28998895
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998894
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998896
TI - The Penal Settlement of Port Blair.
PMID- 28998897
TI - Case of Fibro-Cellular Tumour.
PMID- 28998898
TI - Treatment of Typhoid Fever by Salicylate of Soda.
PMID- 28998899
TI - Codeia in Diabetes.
PMID- 28998900
TI - Dress of Apothecary Class, S. M. Department.
PMID- 28998901
TI - The "Parangi Disease" of Ceylon.
PMID- 28998902
TI - Malaria.
PMID- 28998904
TI - Reduction of Dislocation by Manipulation.
PMID- 28998903
TI - A Very Interesting Case of Hysterical Heptalgia Simulating Suppurative Hepatitis
and Terminating in Hystero-Epilepsy: Hysteria in a Male.
PMID- 28998905
TI - Proceedings of the Gwalior District Medical Society.
PMID- 28998906
TI - Report on the Treatment of Acute Dysentery by Aconite Based on One Hundred and
Fifty-One Cases.
PMID- 28998907
TI - Experiments with Permanganate of Potash in Snake-Poisoning.
PMID- 28998908
TI - Nitrogenous Waste in the Blood and Its Probable Use.
PMID- 28998910
TI - A Specific for Eczema.
PMID- 28998909
TI - The Health of the European Army of India in 1880.
PMID- 28998911
TI - A Nematoid Haematozoon in a Camel.
PMID- 28998912
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998913
TI - The Delivery of the Placenta.
PMID- 28998914
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998915
TI - A Case of Chyluria Treated with Benzoic Acid.
PMID- 28998916
TI - The Pre-Cancerous Stage of Cancer, and the Importance of Early Operations.
PMID- 28998918
TI - Dress of the S. M. D.
PMID- 28998917
TI - Micro-Organisms or Granules of Bizzozero in the Blood.
PMID- 28998919
TI - On Insolation or Sunstroke.
PMID- 28998920
TI - The Hypodermic Injection of Quinine as a Prophylactic against Cholera.
PMID- 28998921
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 28998922
TI - Hydrangea.
PMID- 28998923
TI - Penetrating Gunshot Wound of Chest: Recovery.
PMID- 28998924
TI - Pyaenia.
PMID- 28998925
TI - The A. M. D.
PMID- 28998926
TI - Some Remarks on Surgeon M. D. O'Connells Article on "Nitrogenous Waste in the
Blood and Its Probable Use." Which Appeared in the "Indian Medical Gazette" for
April 1882.
PMID- 28998928
TI - Women Doctors for India.
PMID- 28998927
TI - "Cholera Fever" in Amritsar.
PMID- 28998929
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998930
TI - Enquiry.
PMID- 28998931
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28998932
TI - Lance Wound of Face.
PMID- 28998933
TI - On the Treatment of Toothache Arising from Dental Caries, and on a Simple Method
of Stopping Teeth.
PMID- 28998934
TI - Ovariotomy.
PMID- 28998935
TI - Extreme Physiological Action of Sulphate of Quinine.
PMID- 28998936
TI - Notes on a Case of Puerperal Fever.
PMID- 28998937
TI - Indore Charitable Hospital.-A Case of Sciatica Treated by Nerve Stretching.
PMID- 28998938
TI - The Artificial Feeding of Infants.
PMID- 28998939
TI - Specificity in Disease.
PMID- 28998941
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998940
TI - On the Use of Antiseptic Dry and Infrequent Dressings.
PMID- 28998943
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998942
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998944
TI - Amaranthus Spinosa.
PMID- 28998945
TI - Notes of a Case of Hydrocele of the Spermatic Cord, Complicated with Symptoms of
Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 28998946
TI - Ophthalmic Notes.
PMID- 28998947
TI - A Case of Craniotomy.
PMID- 28998948
TI - Report of Surgical Operations during the Second Quarter of 1882.
PMID- 28998949
TI - Note on Malarial Fever.
PMID- 28998951
TI - Notes on Feeding Cholera Patients: Reprinted from the Edinburgh Medical Journal
for November 1881.
PMID- 28998950
TI - Srinagur Hospital, Gurhwal.
PMID- 28998952
TI - Treatment of the Uric Acid Diathesis.
PMID- 28998954
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Cholera in the Lahore Central Jail in August 1881.
PMID- 28998953
TI - Tapping the Bowel.
PMID- 28998956
TI - Medical Practice in Calcutta.
PMID- 28998955
TI - Combined Use of Morphia and Chloroform.
PMID- 28998957
TI - The Hypodernire Injection of Quinue in Cholera.
PMID- 28998958
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998959
TI - A Case of Traumatic Tetanus and Death, under Dr. Halpin.
PMID- 28998961
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998960
TI - Further Experiments with Permanganate of Potash, Liq. Potassae, and Iodine in
Cobra-Poisoning.
PMID- 28998962
TI - A Few Cases from Upper Assam.
PMID- 28998964
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998963
TI - Peshawar Branch Dispensary: Wound of the Heart.
PMID- 28998965
TI - Cases of Hernia Cerebri.
PMID- 28998966
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998967
TI - Case of Snake-Bite: Recovery.
PMID- 28998968
TI - Pestilentia-Pali Plague-Muahamrree.
PMID- 28998969
TI - A Charge of Manslaughter against a Medical Man.
PMID- 28998970
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28998971
TI - Notes from Memory of a Case of Perforating Ulcer of Duodenum.
PMID- 28998972
TI - A Case of Splenic Abscess Treated in the Durbhunga Raj Hospital.
PMID- 28998973
TI - Case of Death from Snake-Bite.
PMID- 28998974
TI - Partial Resection of the Lungs.
PMID- 28998975
TI - A Case of Cobra-Bite, with Remarks.
PMID- 28998976
TI - Post-Mortem Examinations.
PMID- 28998977
TI - The Amritsar Fever.
PMID- 28998978
TI - Clinical Lecture on the Operation for Removal of Scrotal Elephantiasis: Delivered
on the 10th October 1882, at the Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28998979
TI - Notes on Indigenous Vegetable Poisons- Seeds of the Abrus Precatorius.
PMID- 28998981
TI - The Indore Charitable Hospital.
PMID- 28998980
TI - Sind Boil: Suppuration.
PMID- 28998982
TI - Bovine Post-Mortem Examinations by Medicai Men.
PMID- 28998984
TI - The Disposal of Sewage: No. I.
PMID- 28998983
TI - A Case of Right-Sided Hemiplegia with Aphasia: Recovery.
PMID- 28998986
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28998985
TI - A Case of Lumbo-Abdominal Neuralgia, Treated with Sulphuric AEther and
Belladonna.
PMID- 28998987
TI - Measures to Be Adopted against Pollution of the Soil by Cesspools.
PMID- 28998988
TI - Nitro-Glycerin in Puerperal Convulsions.
PMID- 28998989
TI - Carbolic Acid in Cholera.
PMID- 28998990
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28998991
TI - Clinical Lecture on the Direct Operation for the Cure of Hernia: Delivered on the
22nd August 1882, at the Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28998992
TI - The Treatment of the Uric Acid Diathesis.
PMID- 28998994
TI - Miscellaneous Jottings from Daily Practice.
PMID- 28998993
TI - Notes on Dr. Wall's Monograph on Cobra and Daboia Poisons.
PMID- 28998995
TI - Diagnosis Wanted.
PMID- 28998996
TI - Pay of the Subordinate Medical Department.
PMID- 28998997
TI - Tincture of Iodine and Burnt Alum in Intermitent Fever.
PMID- 28998999
TI - Erratum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 176 in vol. 17.].
PMID- 28998998
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999000
TI - A Case of Acute Mania.
PMID- 28999001
TI - Notes on False Point.
PMID- 28999002
TI - Women Doctors in Russia.
PMID- 28999003
TI - Bovine Post-Mortem Examinations, by Medical Men.
PMID- 28999004
TI - Case of Snake-Bite: Treatment with Permanganate of Potash.
PMID- 28999005
TI - Report on a Case of Cholera.
PMID- 28999006
TI - Case of Compound Depressed Fracture of Skull.
PMID- 28999008
TI - Enteric and Other Fevers in Afghanistan.
PMID- 28999007
TI - Medical Department-Pensions.
PMID- 28999009
TI - Death by Entrance of Air or Gas into the Right Heart.
PMID- 28999010
TI - Three Cases of Poisoning by the Fruit of Cheena Kuroopee, Natural Order
Apocynaceae-One Proving Fatal.
PMID- 28999012
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999011
TI - Ruttesing Hospital, Ahmedabad.
PMID- 28999013
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999014
TI - Iron Biscuits.
PMID- 28999015
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999017
TI - Consumption as a Contagious Disease.
PMID- 28999016
TI - Report on Some Case of Scarlet Fever 8th K. R. I. Hussars.
PMID- 28999018
TI - A Case of Hypospadias with Great Deficiency of Corpus Spongiosum.
PMID- 28999019
TI - Child-Mortality by Dr. Pfeiffer of Weimar.
PMID- 28999020
TI - The Treatment of Acute Pneumonia by Large Doses of Belladonna.
PMID- 28999021
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1880.
PMID- 28999023
TI - Srinagar Dispensary, Gurhwal.-A Case of Pinash.
PMID- 28999022
TI - Traumatic Tetanus.
PMID- 28999025
TI - Cholera and Pilgrims.
PMID- 28999024
TI - A Case of Fibroid Tumour of the Neck Weighing 51/4 Lbs.: Excision: Recovery.
PMID- 28999026
TI - Treatment of Opium-Eaters.
PMID- 28999027
TI - Case of Fracture of Skull.
PMID- 28999028
TI - Kurchicine in Acute Dysentery.
PMID- 28999029
TI - The Hygiene and Etiological Import of Relapse in Enteric Fever: And Dr. Irvine.
PMID- 28999030
TI - Report on the Outbreak of Beri-Beri in the Criminal Prison, Singapore.
PMID- 28999031
TI - Tapeworm.
PMID- 28999032
TI - My Contribution towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India-A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28999033
TI - A Case of Fracture of Both Thighs, One Being Comminuted: Recovery without
Shortening of Either Leg.
PMID- 28999034
TI - Acute Bronchocele.
PMID- 28999036
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999035
TI - Snake-Poisoning and Its Treatment.
PMID- 28999038
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999037
TI - Abstract of a Clinical Lecture on Amputation, Delivered on the 1st of February
1881.
PMID- 28999039
TI - Lithotomy.
PMID- 28999041
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999040
TI - Hygiene of Indian Prisons.
PMID- 28999042
TI - Treatment of Opium-Eaters.
PMID- 28999043
TI - A Medical Sketch of Inland Emigration Operations from 1863-64 to 1879-80.
PMID- 28999044
TI - Some Notes on the Different Diseases Diagnosed as Fever in the General Hospital
at Madras.
PMID- 28999045
TI - Civil Hospital Assistants.
PMID- 28999046
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999047
TI - The Cholera of 1873 in Germany.
PMID- 28999049
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999048
TI - Cholera Amongst Emigrants to the Tea Districts.
PMID- 28999051
TI - Bhagulpore Hospital. Case of Traumatic Tetanus after Compound Fracture of
Forearm: Hypodermic Injection of Atropiae Sulphas: Recovery.
PMID- 28999050
TI - Papaya Juice.
PMID- 28999053
TI - Partabgarh Dispensary. Cases Recorded.
PMID- 28999052
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999054
TI - Analysis of Liebig's Chemical Food, or Wine of Phosphates.
PMID- 28999055
TI - A Case of Suppression of Urine in Which Symptoms of Uraemic Poisoning Did Not
Develop for 13 Days.
PMID- 28999056
TI - My Contribution towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India-A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28999057
TI - Note of a Case of Heteradelphic Monstrosity.
PMID- 28999059
TI - Report on the Outbreak of Beri-Beri in the Criminal Prison, Singapore.
PMID- 28999058
TI - Cholera and Pilgrims.
PMID- 28999060
TI - Srinagar Dispensary, Garhwal. A Case of Traumatic Gangrene Supervening on
Compound Fracture of the Right Humerus: Amputation at Shoulder Joint: Recovery.
PMID- 28999061
TI - Cases Treated by Assistant-Surgeon A. C. Kastagir.
PMID- 28999062
TI - On the Hygiene of Indian Prisons.
PMID- 28999064
TI - Charitable Dispensaries in the N. W. Provinces and Oudh.
PMID- 28999063
TI - Ignipedites.
PMID- 28999065
TI - Ligature of the Right Common Carotid Artery for Supposed Aneurism, the Tumour
Really Being Pulsating Encephaloid.
PMID- 28999066
TI - Fungus Disease-Recurrence after Amputation.
PMID- 28999067
TI - Cobra-Bite: Immediate Treatment.
PMID- 28999068
TI - Compound Complicated Fracture of Left Humerus at the Elbow-Joint: Primary
Amputation: Recovery.
PMID- 28999069
TI - Some Remarks on Leprosy.
PMID- 28999070
TI - My Contribution towards a Clinical History of Hepatitis in India-A Personal
Sketch.
PMID- 28999071
TI - Lithotrity with Rapid Evacution of the Debris.
PMID- 28999072
TI - Beri-Beri.
PMID- 28999073
TI - The Monthly Official Army List.
PMID- 28999074
TI - The Treatment of Opium-Eaters.
PMID- 28999075
TI - A Medico-Topographical Report of Sambalpur, Central Provinces.
PMID- 28999076
TI - A Case of Ventral Hernia.
PMID- 28999077
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999078
TI - Some Notes on the Different Diseases Diagnosed as Fever in the General Hospital
at Madras.
PMID- 28999079
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999080
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999082
TI - The Punjab Medical College.
PMID- 28999081
TI - Case of Osteo-Sarcoma.
PMID- 28999083
TI - The Effects of a Reduced Jail Dietary.
PMID- 28999085
TI - A Medical Sketch of Inland Emigration Operations from 1863-64 to 1879-80.
PMID- 28999084
TI - Refrigerating Apparatus.
PMID- 28999086
TI - Case of Resection of Tibia.
PMID- 28999088
TI - The Abortive Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 28999087
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon. Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1883.
PMID- 28999090
TI - Some Notes on the Poison Contained in Choleraic Alvine Discharges.
PMID- 28999089
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999092
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999091
TI - How Is Criminal Abortion Brought on in India?
PMID- 28999093
TI - How Are Newly-Born Illegitimate Children Killed in India?
PMID- 28999095
TI - A Case of Dermatolysis or Pachydermatocele.
PMID- 28999094
TI - A Case of Kidney Disease Including Hypertrophy of Heart and Haemorrhage into the
Brain.
PMID- 28999097
TI - Cholera in Egypt: Reprinted from the "Medical Times and Gazette".
PMID- 28999096
TI - Placenta Previa Unavoidable Haemorrhage.
PMID- 28999099
TI - Dr. Couvidon's Report to the French Government on the Cholera in Egypt.
PMID- 28999098
TI - On the Radical Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 28999101
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999100
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999102
TI - Notes on the Surgical Treatment of Liver Abscess in Dispensary Practice-Results
of 14 Cases.
PMID- 28999103
TI - Notes of a Few Operations Performed at the Delhi Civil Hospital.
PMID- 28999104
TI - Antiseptic Dressing.
PMID- 28999106
TI - The Census of Bengal.
PMID- 28999105
TI - Clinical Lecture on Herniotomy: Delivered at the Medical College Hospital on the
8th of January, 1884.
PMID- 28999107
TI - Three Cases of Excision of the Tongue by Scissors.
PMID- 28999108
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 28999109
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999110
TI - Dr. Vincent Richards' Experiments with Cholera Stools.
PMID- 28999111
TI - On the Treatment of Small-Pox and Chicken-Pox by the External Application of
Calcium Sulphide Lotion.
PMID- 28999113
TI - Supplementary Notes on the Specific Poison Contained in Choleraic Alvine
Discharges.
PMID- 28999112
TI - Removal of Very Large Fatty Tumour.
PMID- 28999114
TI - Complete Absence of Rectum. Colotomy.
PMID- 28999116
TI - The Treatment of Simple and Sloughing Dysentery by Large Doses of Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 28999115
TI - Litholapaxy in Male Children.
PMID- 28999117
TI - The Cholera Bacillus.
PMID- 28999118
TI - Amputation of Thigh for Scrofulous Disease of Knee Joint. Union by First
Intention.
PMID- 28999119
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999120
TI - Operative Treatment of Cancer of Penis.
PMID- 28999121
TI - Galvanism in Cholera Collapse.
PMID- 28999123
TI - Cancerous Tumour of Tongue: Excision.
PMID- 28999122
TI - Cases of Ulcer Occurring Amongst the XVth Sikhs at Delhi.
PMID- 28999124
TI - The Management of Cases of "Sui" Poi Oning.
PMID- 28999125
TI - Gunshot Wound of Lung and of Colon: Recovery.
PMID- 28999126
TI - Case of Remittent Fever with Intestinal Ulceration.
PMID- 28999128
TI - A Year's Ophthalmic and General Surgery.
PMID- 28999127
TI - Small-Pox Treated by Calcium Sulphide Lotion.
PMID- 28999130
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999129
TI - A Cheerful Practice.
PMID- 28999131
TI - An Elephantine Dose.
PMID- 28999132
TI - The Cholera Germ.
PMID- 28999133
TI - St. John Long's Liniment.
PMID- 28999134
TI - Cancer of Breast: Amputation.
PMID- 28999136
TI - A Cannibal Snake.
PMID- 28999135
TI - The Cold-Water Treatment of Fever.
PMID- 28999137
TI - Destruction of Cattle by Tigers.
PMID- 28999138
TI - Opium-Smoking.
PMID- 28999139
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 28999141
TI - Some Experiments with Cholera Dejections on the Lower Animals.
PMID- 28999140
TI - The Army Medical School at Netley.
PMID- 28999142
TI - Outbreak of Sickness in the Thayetmyo Jail in 1881.
PMID- 28999143
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999144
TI - Report on Two Fatal Cases of Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 28999145
TI - A Further Series of 57 Cases of Litholapaxy Performed during the Year 1883.
PMID- 28999147
TI - Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India, for 1882.
PMID- 28999146
TI - Hereditary Syphilis-Gangrene of Hand and Forearm: Recovery.
PMID- 28999148
TI - Urticaria.
PMID- 28999150
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999149
TI - A Case of Suppuration of an Inguinal Gland, Treated by Hypodermic Syringe.
PMID- 28999151
TI - Venereal Disease in the European Army.
PMID- 28999152
TI - Paralysis after Fever.
PMID- 28999154
TI - Etawah Sudder Dispensary: Mal-Presentation of a Dead Foetus : Delivery by Means
of Instruments.
PMID- 28999153
TI - A Case of Insanity Caused by Round Worms.
PMID- 28999155
TI - Acute Goitre; Its AEtiology-30 Cases Treated by the Application of Biniodide of
Mercury Ointment.
PMID- 28999157
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 28999156
TI - Chronic Diarrhoea and Dysentery in Persons Returned from Tropical to Temperate
Climates.
PMID- 28999159
TI - Examination of Apothecaries for Promotion.
PMID- 28999158
TI - Lithotomy by Petersen's Method.
PMID- 28999160
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999161
TI - Jail Mortality in Bengal and the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 28999163
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 28999164
TI - Surgical Cases: I-Compound Fracture of Leg: Amputation: Tetanus: Recovery. II
Compound Fracture of Leg Involving Knee-Joint: Amputation: Re-Amputation:
Recovery.
PMID- 28999162
TI - The Active Principle of Indian Hemp.
PMID- 28999166
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 28999165
TI - The Uncertain Composition of Grey-Powder in India.
PMID- 28999167
TI - Cholera in Bengal in 1883.
PMID- 28999168
TI - A Case of Hepatic Abscess Treated by Incision and Drainage: Quick Recovery.
PMID- 28999169
TI - On Sunstroke and Thermic Fever.
PMID- 28999171
TI - Destruction of Cattle by Wild Animals.
PMID- 28999170
TI - A Case of Phlegmasia Dolens in a Soldier.
PMID- 28999172
TI - Eucalyptus Trees and Malaria.
PMID- 28999173
TI - Persistence of Floral Forms.
PMID- 28999174
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 28999175
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999176
TI - Case of Castration Said to Be Self-Inflicted.
PMID- 28999177
TI - Sarcomatous Tumour of Neck. Operation : Death : Necropsy. Remarks.
PMID- 28999178
TI - Pyaemia Following Gonorrhoea : Recovery.
PMID- 28999179
TI - Notes on Some Cases of Aneurism.
PMID- 28999180
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 28999181
TI - Census of Indian Physicians and Surgeons.
PMID- 28999182
TI - The Poison of Cholera Stools.
PMID- 28999183
TI - Keratoscopy.
PMID- 28999185
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999184
TI - Comp. Commtd. Fracture of Tibia & Fibula: Amputation.
PMID- 28999186
TI - Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 28999187
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 28999188
TI - Poisonous Principle in Indian Liquo-Arice Root.
PMID- 28999189
TI - The Sanitation of Calcutta.
PMID- 28999190
TI - OEdema Glottidis : Tracheotomy.
PMID- 28999191
TI - Abrus or Jequirity Poison.
PMID- 28999192
TI - Two Cases of Poisoning by Tartar Emetic.
PMID- 28999194
TI - Prophylactic Use of Arsenic in Malaria.
PMID- 28999193
TI - Ligature of Ulnar Artery.-Excision of Eye-Ball.-Subcoracoid Dislocation of
Humerus.
PMID- 28999195
TI - The Health Officership.
PMID- 28999197
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999196
TI - Radical Cure of Congenital Hydrocele.
PMID- 28999198
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during 1883.
PMID- 28999199
TI - Application of the Forceps in Breech Cases.
PMID- 28999200
TI - Non-Bacillar Nature of Abrus or Jequirity Poison.
PMID- 28999202
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999201
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 28999203
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999204
TI - Female Medical Scholarships in Bengal.
PMID- 28999205
TI - Buboes Treated by Aspiration.
PMID- 28999206
TI - Revaccination.
PMID- 28999208
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999207
TI - Amputation of Thigh for Syphilitic Disease in a Patient Far Advanced in Phthisis.
PMID- 28999209
TI - An Outbreak of Cholera Amongst Assam Emigrants.
PMID- 28999210
TI - Is Quarantine Effective in Cholera?
PMID- 28999211
TI - Cancer of the Stomach : Adhesion and Subsequent Softening : Disintegration and
Perforation of the Gastric and Abdominal Walls, Allowing Free Escape of Food,
&c., through the Opening of the Wound.
PMID- 28999212
TI - Ophthalmic Cases: Atrophy of the Optic Nerve Following Severe Pain, of a
Neuralgic Nature, in the Brow.
PMID- 28999213
TI - Note on Sympathetic Ophthalmitis.
PMID- 28999214
TI - A Case of Shoulder Amputation for Spreading Traumatic Gangrene.
PMID- 28999215
TI - Cases.
PMID- 28999216
TI - On Cholera as a Form of Uraemia.
PMID- 28999218
TI - Muriate of Quinine.
PMID- 28999217
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999219
TI - Notes on Necrosis of the Femur after Gunshot Injury.
PMID- 28999221
TI - 1883.
PMID- 28999220
TI - Clinical Lecture on Two Cases of Amputation of the Shoulder and Hip for Sarcoma:
Delivered at the Medical College Hospital on Tuesday, 11th December, 1883.
PMID- 28999223
TI - Soory Charitable Dispensary-A Case of Haematoma or Bloody Cyst in the Left
Axillary Region, Treated by Free Incision: Recovery.
PMID- 28999222
TI - Incised Wound of the Eye-Ball.
PMID- 28999225
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999224
TI - Note on Malarial Fever.
PMID- 28999226
TI - A Sickness and Life Assurance Association for India.
PMID- 28999228
TI - A Case of Hyrophobia: Incubation 23 Months.
PMID- 28999227
TI - A Case of Fracture of Patella Treated by Metallic Sutures.
PMID- 28999230
TI - Perforating Ulcer of the Duodenum : Death by Haemorrhage: Post-Mortem
Appearances.
PMID- 28999229
TI - The Acute and Chronic Gastritis of Hot Climates.
PMID- 28999231
TI - The Morality of Plants.
PMID- 28999232
TI - Lewis on Koch's Cholera Bacillus.
PMID- 28999233
TI - Subordinate Charge of Station Hospitals.
PMID- 28999234
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999236
TI - Recent Researches into Snake-Poison.
PMID- 28999235
TI - A Tailed Child.
PMID- 28999237
TI - Removal of a Large Elephantoid Tumour of Scrotum, Complicated with Scrotal Hernia
of Right Side.
PMID- 28999238
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 28999239
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 28999240
TI - Tenure of Netley Professorships.
PMID- 28999241
TI - Senile Gangrene : Amputation : Recovery.
PMID- 28999242
TI - Bullet Wound of Brain : Death during the Sixth Week : Necropsy.
PMID- 28999243
TI - Ten Cases of Abdominal Section.
PMID- 28999244
TI - A Case of Catheter Fever.
PMID- 28999245
TI - Six Months' Surgical Operations.
PMID- 28999246
TI - Necrosis of Femur: Operation: Spontaneous Fracture: Amputation: Recovery.
PMID- 28999248
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 28999247
TI - Abscess of Testis Bursting into Tunica Vaginalis: Remarks.
PMID- 28999249
TI - Ulcers of Leg Amongst Sepoys.
PMID- 28999250
TI - Stone in the Bladder in Upper Assam.
PMID- 28999251
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Disseminated Sclerosis in Soldiers.
PMID- 28999253
TI - Pettenkofer on Virchow's Cholera Theories.
PMID- 28999252
TI - Cobra Poison,-Its Chemical Nature and Physiological Action.
PMID- 28999254
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999255
TI - A Monster.
PMID- 28999256
TI - The Active Principle of Indian Hemp.
PMID- 28999258
TI - The Gynecologist.
PMID- 28999257
TI - Excision of Tongue by Scissors by Billroth's Method.
PMID- 28999259
TI - A Caution to Vaccinators.
PMID- 28999260
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999261
TI - Indian Medicinal Plants (Part II).
PMID- 28999262
TI - Cases Illustrating the Use of the Elastic Ligature.
PMID- 28999263
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999264
TI - A New Disease in Madras.
PMID- 28999265
TI - On Disorders of Pigmentation.
PMID- 28999266
TI - The Massacre in the Naga Hills.
PMID- 28999267
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28999268
TI - Cases Treated in the 2nd Surgeon's Ward, Medical College Hospital.
PMID- 28999269
TI - Adulteration of Milk.
PMID- 28999271
TI - The Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28999270
TI - A Case of Death from Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 28999272
TI - Notes on a Trip Home by China and America.
PMID- 28999273
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999274
TI - Periosteal Abscess of Thigh Extending to Knee-Joint: Aspiration: Incision:
Recovery.
PMID- 28999276
TI - Cholera in 1873.
PMID- 28999275
TI - Cholera in Gurgaon.
PMID- 28999277
TI - Extension of the University of Edinburgh.
PMID- 28999278
TI - The Etiology of Madura Foot.
PMID- 28999280
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28999279
TI - Some Notes on Skin Grafting.
PMID- 28999281
TI - Lewis on Nematode Haematozoa.
PMID- 28999282
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999283
TI - Medical and Sanitary Report of the Native Army of Bengal for the Year 1873.
PMID- 28999284
TI - The Medical Aspect of Short Leave to Europe.
PMID- 28999285
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28999286
TI - Indian Medicinal Plants.
PMID- 28999288
TI - Typhoid Fever in Meean Meer.
PMID- 28999287
TI - A Case of Tetanus Successfully Treated.
PMID- 28999290
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999289
TI - Observations on the Treatment of Ulcers in the Convict Hospital at Haddo, in
Medical Charge of Surgeon J. Reid, M. B., 2nd Medical Officer, Port Blair.
PMID- 28999291
TI - The Late Deputy Surgeon General H. B. Buckle, C.B.
PMID- 28999293
TI - Idiopathic Tetanus Treated with Chloral Hydrate; Recovery.
PMID- 28999292
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999294
TI - Notes with Observations on a Case of Enteric Fever in a Native.
PMID- 28999296
TI - Case of Obstruction of the Bowels Treated by Means of Strychnine.
PMID- 28999295
TI - A Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28999297
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999298
TI - Medical and Sanitary Report of the Native Army of Bengal for the Year 1873.
PMID- 28999299
TI - 1874.
PMID- 28999301
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999300
TI - Phimosis and Circumcision.
PMID- 28999302
TI - Case of Poisoning by the Mylabris Cichorii (Telini Fly).
PMID- 28999303
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999304
TI - A Case of Death by Maggots.
PMID- 28999306
TI - The Late Sir James Ranald Martin, C. B.
PMID- 28999305
TI - Observations on Leprosy and on Its Treatment by Means of Vaporized Carbolic Acid
in Union with Watery Vapor.
PMID- 28999307
TI - The Medical Retiring Fund.
PMID- 28999308
TI - Honoris Causa.
PMID- 28999309
TI - On the Bloodless Removal of Elephantoid Tumours of the Scrotum.
PMID- 28999310
TI - Observations upon Some Severe Injuries of the Skull and Brain.
PMID- 28999311
TI - Case of Haematocele of the Spermatic Cord.
PMID- 28999312
TI - A Sanitarium for Tonghoo.
PMID- 28999313
TI - Case of Empyema.
PMID- 28999314
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999315
TI - Overwork.
PMID- 28999316
TI - Notes on Cases of Pneumonia on the N W. Provinces.
PMID- 28999317
TI - Treatment of Heat Apoplexy or Sunstroke.
PMID- 28999318
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28999319
TI - Reports.
PMID- 28999320
TI - Conveyance of Contagion by Flies.
PMID- 28999321
TI - Two Cases of Poisoning by Opium Successfully Treated by Subcutaneous Injection of
Atropine.
PMID- 28999322
TI - Wanted.-A Diagnosis.
PMID- 28999324
TI - Abscess of the Liver.
PMID- 28999323
TI - On Disorders of Pigmentation.
PMID- 28999325
TI - A Successful Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 28999327
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999326
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999329
TI - Operation for Fistula in Ano.
PMID- 28999328
TI - Exchange into the British Medical Department.
PMID- 28999330
TI - Sir John Campbell Brown, K.C.B.
PMID- 28999331
TI - A Case of Asphyxia Followed by Tracheotomy.
PMID- 28999332
TI - Notes from the United States and Canada.
PMID- 28999333
TI - Medical Superstitions in Rajputana.
PMID- 28999334
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999335
TI - Intravenous Injection of Choleraic and Other Organic Fluids.
PMID- 28999337
TI - Sulphur Fumigations in Cholera.
PMID- 28999336
TI - Cases Treated in the 2nd Surgeon's Wards.
PMID- 28999339
TI - Enteric Fever in the 85th Regiment.
PMID- 28999338
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999340
TI - On the Treatment of Cholera by Sub-Cutaneous Injection of Water.
PMID- 28999341
TI - On the Treatment of Heat Apoplexy.
PMID- 28999342
TI - Assistant Surgeons' Grievances.
PMID- 28999343
TI - Experiences of an Assistant Surgeon, Principally Medico-Legal.
PMID- 28999345
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28999344
TI - Malformations of the Hands and Feet.
PMID- 28999346
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999347
TI - On Disorders of Pigmentation.
PMID- 28999348
TI - An Inquiry into Leprosy.
PMID- 28999350
TI - Cardiac Polypus in Connection with Malaria.
PMID- 28999349
TI - A Medico-Legal Case.
PMID- 28999351
TI - Insane Delusions.
PMID- 28999352
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999353
TI - Case of Scrotal Tumour; Operation; Repeated Secondary Haemorrhage; Diabetes:
Recovery.
PMID- 28999355
TI - The Punjab Medical Missionary Society.
PMID- 28999354
TI - Notes of Surgical Cases at the Kooshteah Dispensary.
PMID- 28999357
TI - Departmental Examinations.
PMID- 28999356
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999358
TI - Vaccination in Bengal.
PMID- 28999359
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28999360
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Small-Pox in the Darjeeling District.
PMID- 28999362
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999361
TI - Curry-Eaters Beware!
PMID- 28999363
TI - Notes of Surgical Cases under Treatment at the Goalundo Dispensary.
PMID- 28999365
TI - On Disorders of Pigmentation.
PMID- 28999364
TI - The Indian Medical Service and Dr. Fayrer.
PMID- 28999367
TI - Notes on Cases of Pneumonia on the N. W. Frontier.
PMID- 28999366
TI - Soldiers' Wives and Children.
PMID- 28999368
TI - Free Sulphurous Acid as a Prophylactic against Cholera.
PMID- 28999370
TI - The Disposal of the Dead.
PMID- 28999369
TI - Bengal Lunatic Asylum.
PMID- 28999371
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28999372
TI - Report of the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency, during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999373
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999374
TI - Aphasia with Hemiplegia of the Right Side; the Result of Injury to the Left
Hemisphere.
PMID- 28999375
TI - The Carbazotate of Ammonia.
PMID- 28999376
TI - Case of Salivary Fistula.
PMID- 28999378
TI - Medical Notes from the City of the Saints.
PMID- 28999377
TI - Report of an Enquiry into the Conditions during Life of the Liver and Kidneys in
Asiatic Cholera, with Especial Reference to the Management of the Stage of
Collapse, and to the Prevention and Treatment of the Cholo-Uraemic Complication
of the Reaction Stage of Cholera.
PMID- 28999379
TI - Droppings of Birds a Cause of Cholera.
PMID- 28999380
TI - A Case of Sporadic Cholera.
PMID- 28999381
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28999383
TI - On Disorders of Pigmentation.
PMID- 28999382
TI - Surgery in the Malarious District of Jehanabad.
PMID- 28999384
TI - The Microscopic Appearances of the Blood in Cholera.
PMID- 28999385
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28999386
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999388
TI - Medical Fees.
PMID- 28999387
TI - A Case of Traumatic Tetanus Treated with Chloral Hydrate and Potassii Bromid.
Recovery.
PMID- 28999390
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999389
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28999391
TI - Disinfectant Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28999392
TI - Hypodermic Injection of Chloral Hydrate in Two Cases of Colapsed Stage of
Cholera: Recovery.
PMID- 28999393
TI - Medical Fees.
PMID- 28999395
TI - Cholera in the Burdwan Jail; Sudden Outbreak; Sudden Cessation after Fumigation
with Sulphurous Acid.
PMID- 28999394
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999397
TI - The Medical Fee Question in Madras.
PMID- 28999396
TI - Gunshot Fracture of the Femur: Recovery, without Amputation.
PMID- 28999398
TI - On the Phytodermata or Parasitic Diseases of the Skin (Tineae) of Vegetable
Origin.
PMID- 28999400
TI - State of the Pericardium in Hanging.
PMID- 28999399
TI - Report of an Outbreak of Cholera in the Thomason Civil Engineering College,
Roorkee.
PMID- 28999401
TI - Cholera in Simla.
PMID- 28999403
TI - Report on the Malwa Charitable Dispensaries for the Year 1874.
PMID- 28999402
TI - A Suggestion for the Prevention of Osteo-Myelitis.
PMID- 28999405
TI - Cholera in Simla.
PMID- 28999404
TI - Erysipelas in Calcutta.
PMID- 28999406
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns, Received from the Civil Surgeons in the
Bengal Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999407
TI - Blood-Letting.
PMID- 28999408
TI - Case of Diabetes Mellitus or Glycohaemia.
PMID- 28999409
TI - Extraction of a Pea from the Ear by the Aid of Chloroform.
PMID- 28999411
TI - Chloride of Ammonium in Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28999410
TI - Incessant Hiccup.
PMID- 28999412
TI - The Burdwan Fever.
PMID- 28999413
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 28999414
TI - Disinfectant Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28999416
TI - A Diagnosis.
PMID- 28999415
TI - On the Phytodermata or Parasitic Diseases of the Skin (Tineae) of Vegetable
Origin.
PMID- 28999417
TI - Report of an Outbreak of Cholera in the Thomason Civil Engineering College,
Roorkee.
PMID- 28999419
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999418
TI - Medical Missions.
PMID- 28999421
TI - Cases Treated in the 1st Surgeon's Wards.
PMID- 28999420
TI - Case of Strangulated Scrotal Hernia: Reduction by Inversion.
PMID- 28999422
TI - Dhatura Poisoning.
PMID- 28999423
TI - Quacks and Quackery.
PMID- 28999424
TI - The Treatment of Snake-Poisoning in Australia.
PMID- 28999425
TI - Sulphur Fumigation in Cholera.
PMID- 28999426
TI - Malformations of the Hands and Feet.
PMID- 28999428
TI - Dr. Fayrer at Netley.
PMID- 28999429
TI - Indian Medicinal Plants: Part III.
PMID- 28999427
TI - Notes on Liver Abscess.
PMID- 28999431
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999430
TI - Treatment of Heat Apoplexy, or Sunstroke.
PMID- 28999432
TI - On Disorders of Pigmentation.
PMID- 28999434
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999433
TI - The Treatment of Chronic Dysentery.
PMID- 28999436
TI - A Case of Spina Bifida Successfully Treated by Puncture and Injection.
PMID- 28999435
TI - The Place for the Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department.
PMID- 28999437
TI - Overwork.
PMID- 28999438
TI - Dr. Moore's Manual of Family Medicine.
PMID- 28999439
TI - Injury of the Head; Abcess; Brain Symptoms: Death.
PMID- 28999440
TI - Errata.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 124 in vol. 10.].
PMID- 28999441
TI - Simla.
PMID- 28999442
TI - Precedence.
PMID- 28999443
TI - Report of an Outbreak of Cholera in the Thomason Civil Engineering College,
Roorkee.
PMID- 28999444
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999446
TI - Cinchona Cultivation in Darjeeling.
PMID- 28999445
TI - A Case Illustrating the State of the Pericardium after Death by Hanging.
PMID- 28999447
TI - The Election of Tagore Law Professor.
PMID- 28999448
TI - The Aboo Lawrence School.
PMID- 28999449
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999450
TI - On Disorders of Pigmentation.
PMID- 28999451
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease-Pneumonia.
PMID- 28999452
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999453
TI - Case of Hepatic Abscess Treated by the Aspirator.
PMID- 28999454
TI - Disinfectant Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 28999455
TI - Amputation of the Forearm; Osteomyelitis and Pyaemia: Recovery.
PMID- 28999456
TI - Case of Human Sacrifice, Suicidal or Murderous.
PMID- 28999457
TI - Conversion of Nerve Force into Heat.
PMID- 28999460
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28999459
TI - Properties of Jaborandi.
PMID- 28999458
TI - Case of Calculus in the Female Bladder.
PMID- 28999462
TI - Female Medical Education in Madras.
PMID- 28999463
TI - Medical Education in Burmah.
PMID- 28999461
TI - Leprosy in Norway.
PMID- 28999464
TI - Nattore Dispensary.
PMID- 28999465
TI - Case of Cholera Treated by Sulphurous Acid.
PMID- 28999467
TI - On the Nature and Physiological Action of the Poison of Naja Tripudians and Other
Indian Venomous Snakes.
PMID- 28999466
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999468
TI - Case of Twins: Transverse Presentation: Turning.
PMID- 28999469
TI - The Female Medical School at Bareilly.
PMID- 28999470
TI - Report on the Medico-Legal Returns Received from the Civil Surgeons in the Bengal
Presidency during the Years 1870, 1871, and 1872.
PMID- 28999471
TI - Jehanabad Dispensary.
PMID- 28999472
TI - Indian Medicinal Plants.
PMID- 28999473
TI - On the Phytodermata or Parasitic Disease of the Skin (Tineoe) of Vegetable
Origin.
PMID- 28999474
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 28999475
TI - Cases of Penetrating Abdominal Wound- Purulia Dispensary.
PMID- 28999476
TI - Chuckdighee Dispensary.
PMID- 28999478
TI - Kishnaghur Dispensary.
PMID- 28999477
TI - Report of an Outbreak of Cholera in the Thomason Civil Engineering College,
Roorkee.
PMID- 28999479
TI - On the Treatment of Ringworm and Other Forms of Skin Disease by Boracic Acid.
PMID- 28999480
TI - Maldah Dispensary.
PMID- 28999481
TI - Fireflies.
PMID- 28999482
TI - Ferruginous Preparations in Specific Cholera.
PMID- 28999483
TI - Leper Burial.
PMID- 28999484
TI - Pooteah Dispensary.
PMID- 28999485
TI - Irritant Causes of Disease-Pneumonia.
PMID- 28999486
TI - Extract from Dr. Koch's Report on Cholera in Egypt.
PMID- 28999488
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999487
TI - Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen: Recovery.
PMID- 28999489
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999490
TI - Reasoning by Analogy.
PMID- 28999491
TI - Alterations in the Red Blood-Corpuscles from the Action of Malaria.
PMID- 28999492
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999493
TI - On the Instruments Required in the Operation of Litholapaxy.
PMID- 28999494
TI - General Hospital: Two Cases of Acute Rheumatism.
PMID- 28999496
TI - Appointments, Leave, Promotions, and Retirements.
PMID- 28999495
TI - 1885.
PMID- 28999497
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999498
TI - A Severe Case of Irritation of the Superior Maxillary Nerve and Its Connections,
Caused by the Roots of a Diseased Molar.
PMID- 28999499
TI - Burrisal Dispensary: Case of Puerperal Eclampsia, Contracted Pelvis, Prolapse of
the Cord; Craniotomy.
PMID- 28999501
TI - Can Flies Carry Cholera?
PMID- 28999500
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999502
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999503
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999504
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28999505
TI - Acute Pneumonia in Famine.
PMID- 28999506
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999507
TI - On Aconite in the Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 28999508
TI - Amritsar Civil Hospital: Laryngeal Fistula-Amputation of Leg-Sarcoma-Epithilial
Cancer-Cystic Tumour.
PMID- 28999510
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999509
TI - A Peculiar Form of Whooping Cough.
PMID- 28999511
TI - Brief Notes on the So-Called 'Panjdeh sore'.
PMID- 28999512
TI - On Some Pathologico-Pigmentary Changes Seen in Remittent Fever.
PMID- 28999513
TI - Calcutta Police Hospital: Syphilitic Paraplegia-Pleuro-Pneumonia.
PMID- 28999514
TI - The Calcutta L. M. S.
PMID- 28999515
TI - Cause of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28999516
TI - Syncope of Heart in Acute Gastro-Intestinal Disorders.
PMID- 28999517
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999518
TI - Bengal Jails.
PMID- 28999520
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999519
TI - Fever.
PMID- 28999521
TI - Case of Laceration of Perineum and Scrotum.
PMID- 28999522
TI - Transmission of Yellow Fever by the Mosquito. Hydrofluoric Inhalations in
Phthisis.
PMID- 28999523
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999524
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999525
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999526
TI - District Jail Hospital, Bilaspur: Case of Obscure Peritonitis.
PMID- 28999527
TI - Intubation of the Larynx.
PMID- 28999528
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28999530
TI - Brain Surgery.
PMID- 28999529
TI - Contributions to the Indian Materia Medica.
PMID- 28999531
TI - Memorandum on Fusel Oil.
PMID- 28999532
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999533
TI - A Case of Unnatural Labor.
PMID- 28999535
TI - Dr. Harley on Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28999534
TI - On the Treatment of Ophthalmia.
PMID- 28999537
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999536
TI - Pathology of Remittent Fever.
PMID- 28999538
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999539
TI - Some Remarks on the Specific Origin of Disease.
PMID- 28999541
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999540
TI - Pepsine in the Treatment of Chronic Tropical Diarrhoea.
PMID- 28999542
TI - Case of Snake-Poisoning.
PMID- 28999544
TI - Native Treatment of Retained Placenta.
PMID- 28999543
TI - Case of Death from Rupture of the Liver, &c.
PMID- 28999546
TI - Epidemic or Endemic.
PMID- 28999545
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999547
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999548
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Indore Charitable Dispensary.
PMID- 28999549
TI - Notes of a Case of Cerebro-Spinal Fever, with Autopsy.
PMID- 28999550
TI - Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 28999551
TI - Examination for the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28999553
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999552
TI - Note on Pasteur's Treatment.
PMID- 28999554
TI - Acute Pneumonia in Famine.
PMID- 28999556
TI - The Advantages and Disadvantages of Human and Animal Lymph.
PMID- 28999555
TI - On the Therapeutic Value of Tinctura Cannabis Indica in the Treatment of
Dysentery.
PMID- 28999557
TI - Kala-Azar.
PMID- 28999558
TI - The Treatment of Toothache.
PMID- 28999559
TI - Amritsar Civil Hospital: Idiopathic Tetanus-Obstruction of Bowels.
PMID- 28999560
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999561
TI - Bhawalpore State Sadar Hospital: Notes on the Surgical Treatment of a Huge Liver
Abscess.
PMID- 28999562
TI - The Operation of Litholapaxy.
PMID- 28999563
TI - Two More Cases of Stone in a Prolapsed Bladder.
PMID- 28999564
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999565
TI - Emphysema of Right Cheek and Side of Neck after Dislocation of Nasal Cartilage.
PMID- 28999566
TI - The Twenty-First Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government
of India.
PMID- 28999567
TI - Unconscious Memory in Disease.
PMID- 28999568
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999569
TI - Calcutta Medical College Hospital: Case of Fracture of Skull, Exploration of
Wound, Death.
PMID- 28999570
TI - The Thermometer in Epilepsy.
PMID- 28999571
TI - A New Source of Danger in Wounds of the Throat and Neck.
PMID- 28999572
TI - The Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999574
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999573
TI - Notes on the Prevention and Treatment of Scurvy in Peace and War.
PMID- 28999575
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999576
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999577
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999578
TI - Regimental Hospital, 23rd Bo. L. I. Case of Mercurialism.
PMID- 28999579
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999580
TI - Sadar Dispensary, Dharmsala: Removal of an Enormous Fibro-Cellular Tumor of 15
Years' Standing.
PMID- 28999582
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999581
TI - A Case of Suicidal Hanging.
PMID- 28999583
TI - Enteric Fever in the European Army of India in 1884.
PMID- 28999584
TI - Official Science.
PMID- 28999585
TI - Prevalence of Goitre in Chiniot, and in the Villages about It.
PMID- 28999586
TI - New Mode of Applying Cocaine.
PMID- 28999587
TI - Case of Impacted Urethral Calculus.
PMID- 28999588
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999589
TI - Improved Lithotrites.
PMID- 28999590
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999591
TI - Presidency General Hospital: Cases of Miliary Fever.
PMID- 28999592
TI - Note on the Meteorological Phenomena Accompanying an Outbreak of Cholera in Agra.
PMID- 28999593
TI - Notes on the Prevention and Treatment of Scurvy in Peace and War.
PMID- 28999594
TI - The Treatment of Wounds.
PMID- 28999595
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999596
TI - Epileptic Insanity.
PMID- 28999597
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999598
TI - On Antiseptic Surgery and Its Application in Military Hospitals and in the Field.
PMID- 28999599
TI - Cholera in Relation to Water-Supply in Southern India.
PMID- 28999600
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999601
TI - Indore Charitable Dispensary: A Second Case of Hydrophobia Treated by the Topical
Application of Muriate of Cocaine.
PMID- 28999602
TI - Appointments, &c.
PMID- 28999603
TI - Pass Lists of British and Indian Medical Services.
PMID- 28999604
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999606
TI - Haddo Hospital, Port Blair: A Case of Traumatic Tetanus Ending in Recovery.
PMID- 28999605
TI - Cocaine and Cataract.
PMID- 28999607
TI - Army Medical School, Netley.
PMID- 28999608
TI - Spaying.
PMID- 28999609
TI - Vaccination.
PMID- 28999610
TI - Fever.
PMID- 28999611
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999612
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999614
TI - Surgeon-General Cowie on Cerbro-Spinal Fever in Calcutta.
PMID- 28999613
TI - Prevention of Scurvy in Peace and War.
PMID- 28999615
TI - Gunshot Wound of Heart. Patient Survived 42 Hours after Injury.
PMID- 28999617
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999616
TI - The University of Calcutta.
PMID- 28999618
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999619
TI - The Action of Reagents on Cobra-Poison.
PMID- 28999621
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 28999620
TI - Begooserai Charitable Dispensary-Case of Omental Protrusion.
PMID- 28999623
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999622
TI - Civil Hospital, Amritsar, Punjab: Glandular Tumour of Neck-Extravasation of Urine
Cock's Operation-Large Tumour of Breast-Rhinoplasty.
PMID- 28999624
TI - On Antiseptic Surgery and Its Application in Military Hospitals and in the Field.
PMID- 28999625
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999626
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999627
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999628
TI - On Antiseptic Surgery: And Its Application in Military Hospitals and in the
Field.
PMID- 28999629
TI - Litholapaxy in Male Children and Male Adults.
PMID- 28999630
TI - Pubna Charitable Dispensary. Cases from Hospital Practice.
PMID- 28999631
TI - The Value of Chrysophanic Acid as a Remedy in Skin Disease.
PMID- 28999633
TI - Equine Relapsing Fever.
PMID- 28999632
TI - Appointments, &c.
PMID- 28999634
TI - A Case of Protracted Labor.
PMID- 28999635
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999636
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999637
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999638
TI - Dropsy in Famine.
PMID- 28999639
TI - Dumraon Raj Hospital: A Case of Partial Resection of the Elbow Joint for Compound
Dislocation, with Laceration of the Brachial Artery at the Bend of the Elbow.
PMID- 28999640
TI - A Case of Unnatural Labour.
PMID- 28999641
TI - On the Occurrence of Icterus, Icteric Urine, and Haematinuria in Remittent Fever.
PMID- 28999642
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999644
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999643
TI - A Case of Puerperal Convulsions. Treated with Chloroform Inhalation.
PMID- 28999645
TI - Malarial Scurvy and the Post-Molar Ulcer.
PMID- 28999647
TI - Appointments, Retirements, &c.
PMID- 28999646
TI - On the Use of Cocaine in the Treatment of Gonorrhoeal Ophthalmia.
PMID- 28999648
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999649
TI - The Malarial Germ.
PMID- 28999650
TI - Notes on the Rabic Virus.
PMID- 28999651
TI - On Antiseptic Surgery and Its Application in Military Hospitals and in the Field.
PMID- 28999652
TI - The Position and Pay of Brigade-Surgeons in India.
PMID- 28999653
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999654
TI - Notes on a Series of 100 Cases of Lithotomy Performed at the Bhuj Civil Hospital.
PMID- 28999655
TI - The Cause of Rupture of Spleen.
PMID- 28999656
TI - Dropsy in Famine.
PMID- 28999658
TI - Nursing in Indian Military Hospitals.
PMID- 28999657
TI - Antipyrin: Its Value in Pyrexia.
PMID- 28999660
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999659
TI - Opium Dyscrasia.
PMID- 28999661
TI - Syphilis and Marriage.
PMID- 28999662
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999663
TI - Appointments, Furlough, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999664
TI - Pubna Charitable Dispensary: Tumour of Vulva-Ranula-Enchondroma-Amputation of
Leg.
PMID- 28999665
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999667
TI - Pettenkofer on Cholera.
PMID- 28999666
TI - The Treatment of Diabetes with Pepsine.
PMID- 28999668
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999669
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999670
TI - Spina Bifida Cured by Structure of Iodine and Glycerine.
PMID- 28999671
TI - Civil and Presidency Surgeon.
PMID- 28999672
TI - Burrisal Charitable Dispensary: Case of Compound Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 28999673
TI - Clinical Notes on Mycetoma.
PMID- 28999674
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999675
TI - The Influence of Sewerage and Water-Supply on Public Health.
PMID- 28999676
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999678
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999677
TI - Fever in the Madras Famine.
PMID- 28999679
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999680
TI - Bengal Jails.
PMID- 28999681
TI - Cases of Gun-Shot Injuries Which Occurred at Shwebo, Upper Burma.
PMID- 28999682
TI - Cause of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 28999684
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999683
TI - Scurvy.
PMID- 28999686
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999685
TI - A Word of Advice to Young Indian Medical Graduates.
PMID- 28999687
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999688
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999689
TI - Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 28999691
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999690
TI - Scurvy.
PMID- 28999692
TI - Rectal Injection of Gases in Diseases of the Lungs.
PMID- 28999693
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999694
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999695
TI - Cases of Litholapaxy Performed on Children.
PMID- 28999696
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999697
TI - Civil Hospital, Bareilly: A Brief Description of Four Interesting Cases.
PMID- 28999698
TI - Report of a Localized Outbreak of Cholera Due Apparently to Contaminated Water
and Milk.
PMID- 28999699
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999701
TI - Uniform of Surgeons.
PMID- 28999700
TI - Medical Education and Relief in Hyderabad.
PMID- 28999702
TI - Purulia Dispensary, Manbhoom: Clinical Notes on Some Surgical Cases.
PMID- 28999704
TI - Dr. Richards on Pasteurism.
PMID- 28999703
TI - Cases of Litholapaxy in Male Children.
PMID- 28999705
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the 1st Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital.
PMID- 28999706
TI - Litholapaxy in Male Children.
PMID- 28999708
TI - New Cure for Consumption.
PMID- 28999707
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999709
TI - Operations Performed in the Afzul Gunj Hospital.
PMID- 28999710
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999711
TI - The Mayo Memorial Hospital.
PMID- 28999712
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999713
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999714
TI - Scirrhus Recti in India-The Liability of Mistaking Chronic Dysentery for This
Disease.
PMID- 28999716
TI - Pasteurism.
PMID- 28999715
TI - Phthisis in Famine.
PMID- 28999717
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999718
TI - New Investigations on Cholera.
PMID- 28999719
TI - On Some Forms of Albuminuria Not Dangerous to Life.
PMID- 28999720
TI - The Effects of an Overdose of Cocaine.
PMID- 28999722
TI - The Products of Bacteria.
PMID- 28999721
TI - Diagram of the Medical Corps of an English Army in the Field.
PMID- 28999723
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999724
TI - Women and Medicine.
PMID- 28999725
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999726
TI - Umballa Civil Hospital: A Case of Retention of Urine.
PMID- 28999727
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999728
TI - The Educational Function of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 28999729
TI - An Indian Degree in Sanitary Science.
PMID- 28999731
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999730
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999733
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999732
TI - The Calcutta L.M.S.
PMID- 28999735
TI - 1886.
PMID- 28999734
TI - Contributions to the Indian Materia Medica: On the Medical Properties of Some of
the Indigenous Plants of Southern India.
PMID- 28999736
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999738
TI - Note on the Connection between Papillitis and Chronic Cerebral Disease.
PMID- 28999737
TI - A Case of Transverse Presentation, with Prolapse of Both Arms and Cord, and Its
Successful Delivery.
PMID- 28999739
TI - The Countess of Dufferin's Fund.
PMID- 28999741
TI - Fazilka Dispensary: A Case of Imperforate Anus.
PMID- 28999743
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28999740
TI - On the Relative Digestive Value of Fairchild's Peptonising Powders, Pepsine, and
Papaya Juice on Milk.
PMID- 28999742
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999745
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999744
TI - Borax in Enlargement of the Spleen.
PMID- 28999746
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999747
TI - Extract.
PMID- 28999749
TI - The Treatment of Toothache.
PMID- 28999748
TI - Erratum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 90 in vol. 22.].
PMID- 28999750
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999751
TI - Civil Hospital Amritsur: Cases of Operations Performed.
PMID- 28999753
TI - Fasting.
PMID- 28999752
TI - The Health of the European Army of India in 1885.
PMID- 28999754
TI - Some Notes on the Interior Economy of Army Hospitals in India.
PMID- 28999755
TI - The Sister Medical Services.
PMID- 28999756
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 28999758
TI - Venereal Disease in the European Army.
PMID- 28999757
TI - Notes on an Epidemic of Pneumonitis.
PMID- 28999760
TI - Mortality of Bengal Jails.
PMID- 28999759
TI - On Puncturing the Liver's Capsule as a Remedial Measure in Case of Chronic
Congestive Hypertrophy.
PMID- 28999762
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999761
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999763
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital: During the Year 1886.
PMID- 28999764
TI - A Case of Transverse Presentation with Prolapse of Right Arm and Hand, and
Successful Delivery of a Living Child.
PMID- 28999765
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999766
TI - Pasteurism.
PMID- 28999767
TI - Remarks on the Mode of Action of Oil of Turpentine in the Cure of the Pain of
Burns.
PMID- 28999768
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999770
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999769
TI - Remarks on "Hepatic Phlebotomy".
PMID- 28999772
TI - Anti-Febrin as Antipyretic and Antiseptic.
PMID- 28999771
TI - Memo. on Dr. Greany's Report.
PMID- 28999773
TI - Relative Rank.
PMID- 28999774
TI - Notes on Some Surgical Cases Treated in the Charitable Dispensary, Mymensingh.
PMID- 28999776
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999775
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999777
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999778
TI - Strophanthus.
PMID- 28999779
TI - Case of Obscure Heart Disease.
PMID- 28999781
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999782
TI - Extirpation of the Spleen.
PMID- 28999780
TI - Report on the Recent Prevalence of Malarial Fever in Chudderghat and Its
Surrounding Suburbs, and on Their General Unhealthiness.
PMID- 28999783
TI - A Gun-Shot Wound Treated in the Noakhalli Dispensary.
PMID- 28999784
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999785
TI - Mr. McHale on Cannabis Indica for Dysentery.
PMID- 28999786
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999787
TI - Dr. Moore on an American Work Adapted to India.
PMID- 28999788
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999789
TI - Penjdeh Swelling.
PMID- 28999790
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999791
TI - Destruction versus Decomposition.
PMID- 28999792
TI - The Diagnosis of Tropical Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28999793
TI - Gun-Shot Wound: A Medico-Legal Case.
PMID- 28999794
TI - A Case of Phosphorus Poisoning.
PMID- 28999796
TI - Massage.
PMID- 28999797
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999795
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the 1st Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital.
PMID- 28999799
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999798
TI - Mr. Bonnar on the Post-Molar Ulcer.
PMID- 28999800
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999801
TI - On Successful Vaccination in the Plains during the Hot Season.
PMID- 28999802
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999803
TI - The Treatment of Paraplegia.
PMID- 28999804
TI - Prince of Wales' Hospital, Benares: Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 28999806
TI - Surgery in the N. W. Provinces.
PMID- 28999805
TI - The Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 28999807
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999808
TI - A Case of Lawn Tennis Leg.
PMID- 28999809
TI - Double Abscess in the Groins Treated by Tapping and Drainage.
PMID- 28999810
TI - A Case of Triplets.
PMID- 28999811
TI - Some Interesting and Peculiar Cases at Poonamallee, Madras from 1883-1885.
PMID- 28999813
TI - A Vexed Question.
PMID- 28999812
TI - Chittagong Dispensary-Cases Treated.
PMID- 28999814
TI - Remarks on Fever Mortality at Deobund in 1884.
PMID- 28999815
TI - Cholera at Sea.
PMID- 28999816
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999817
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999818
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999819
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999821
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999820
TI - A Case of Post-Mortem Parturition.
PMID- 28999822
TI - Beri-Beri.
PMID- 28999823
TI - Jungadh State Hospital: Cases of Accidental Explosions.
PMID- 28999824
TI - The Progress and Distribution of Cholera Mortality in Calcutta.
PMID- 28999825
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999826
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999828
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999827
TI - Remark on Fever Mortality in Deobund in 1884.
PMID- 28999829
TI - The Sanitation of Calcutta.
PMID- 28999830
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999831
TI - Antipyrin in Acute Pyrexial Delirium.
PMID- 28999833
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1886.
PMID- 28999832
TI - Midnapore Dispensary: Three Cases of External Anthrax.
PMID- 28999834
TI - Narail Charitable Dispensary: Case of Foreign Body.
PMID- 28999835
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999836
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999837
TI - Tapping the Intestines.
PMID- 28999838
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999839
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999840
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999841
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999843
TI - College Appointments.
PMID- 28999842
TI - The Progress and Distribution of Cholera Mortality in Calcutta.
PMID- 28999844
TI - Medical Registration.
PMID- 28999846
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital during the Year 1886.
PMID- 28999845
TI - Eden Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 28999848
TI - Appointment, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999847
TI - Mr. Reid on the Interior Economy of Army Hospitals in India.
PMID- 28999849
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999850
TI - Milk and Cheese Ptomaines.
PMID- 28999851
TI - The Interior Economy of Army Hospitals in India.
PMID- 28999853
TI - Lanoline Formulae.
PMID- 28999852
TI - Dr. Fairland on the Diagnosis of Tropical Enteric Fever.
PMID- 28999854
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999855
TI - Cholera in Tonquin.
PMID- 28999856
TI - Some Complicated Cases of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 28999857
TI - Solon Station Hospital: Antipyrin Rash.
PMID- 28999858
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999859
TI - M. Verghese on the Diseases of Bellary.
PMID- 28999860
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999861
TI - Some Interesting and Peculiar Cases at Poonamallee, Madras, from 1883 to 1885.
PMID- 28999862
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999863
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999864
TI - Medical Inspection.
PMID- 28999865
TI - Royal Medical College, Epsom.
PMID- 28999866
TI - Memorandum on Hill Diarrhoea, and Its Treatment by Perchloride of Mercury.
PMID- 28999868
TI - Case of Traumatic Rupture of the Diaphragm.
PMID- 28999867
TI - Hepatic Abscess in Children.
PMID- 28999869
TI - Antipyrin in Neuralgia.
PMID- 28999870
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999871
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999872
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1886.
PMID- 28999873
TI - Royal Medical College, Epsom.
PMID- 28999874
TI - Mayo Hospital, Nagpur-Case of Abdominal Injury.
PMID- 28999875
TI - Sanitation in India.
PMID- 28999876
TI - The Efficacy of Salicylic Acid in the Treatment of Scurvy.
PMID- 28999877
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999878
TI - Case of Aneurism of Aorta, with Rupture of Spleen.
PMID- 28999879
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999880
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999881
TI - On Cholera.
PMID- 28999883
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999882
TI - Hepatic Exhaustion, and Its Influence on Health in the Tropics.
PMID- 28999884
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999885
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 28999887
TI - Extracts.
PMID- 28999886
TI - Quacks and Emperics in Goa.
PMID- 28999889
TI - The Medical Confessional.
PMID- 28999888
TI - Cases of Puerperal Eclampsia.
PMID- 28999891
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999890
TI - The Toxic Principles of Snake-Venoms.
PMID- 28999892
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999893
TI - Remarks on Fever Mortality in Deobund in 1884.
PMID- 28999894
TI - Fees for Medical Reports for Life Assurance.
PMID- 28999896
TI - Ambulance Classes.
PMID- 28999895
TI - The Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 28999897
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999898
TI - Medical Registration.
PMID- 28999899
TI - Case of Cobra-Bite : Cure.
PMID- 28999901
TI - The Treatment of Hill Diarrhoea.
PMID- 28999900
TI - Notes on an Epidemic of Cholera in Purnia District: February-June 1891.
PMID- 28999903
TI - Medical News, &c.
PMID- 28999902
TI - Permanent Subcutaneous Suture of the Patella for Ununited Fracture.
PMID- 28999904
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999905
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999906
TI - Abdominal Surgery at the Eden Hospital, Calcutta, during the Year 1891.
PMID- 28999907
TI - Ophthalmic Cases at the Darjeeling Dispensary.
PMID- 28999908
TI - Short-Hand Writing.
PMID- 28999909
TI - Deposit of Yellow Arsenic on the Endocardium in a Case of a Arsenical Poisoning:
Reported with the Kind Permission of Dr. Warden.
PMID- 28999910
TI - Brigade-Surgeon McLeod.
PMID- 28999911
TI - Cure for Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 28999912
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitation.
PMID- 28999913
TI - Service Notes, &c.
PMID- 28999914
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999915
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite: Treatment by Hypodermic Injection of Sulphate of Strychnia:
Recovery.
PMID- 28999916
TI - Recurrent Glio-Sarcoma in the Orbit.
PMID- 28999917
TI - Cholera in Paris.
PMID- 28999918
TI - Selected Cases from Barisal.
PMID- 28999919
TI - A Study of Indian Fevers.
PMID- 28999920
TI - Notes on Some Surgical Cases.
PMID- 28999922
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999921
TI - Case of Non-Union in a Fractured Clavicle.
PMID- 28999923
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 28999924
TI - The Treatment of Cholera by Strychnine.
PMID- 28999925
TI - The Modern Apollo Smintheus.
PMID- 28999926
TI - Medical News, &c.
PMID- 28999928
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999927
TI - Service Notes, &c.
PMID- 28999929
TI - Case of Chronic Ulcer of the Stomach: Haematemesis-Death.
PMID- 28999930
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999931
TI - On the Treatment of Bubo.
PMID- 28999932
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999933
TI - The Principles of Rational Medicine: A Farewell Lecture Delivered to the Students
of the Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 28999935
TI - Notes on a Case of Aneurism of Anterior Division of Superficial Temporal Artery.
PMID- 28999934
TI - The Dufferin Fund.
PMID- 28999936
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999937
TI - Rupture of the Internal Semilunar Cartilage of the Knee-Joint.
PMID- 28999938
TI - Report on Fever on the Chaman Extension Railway.
PMID- 28999939
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999940
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitation.
PMID- 28999941
TI - Anchylostoma Duodenalis on Tea Gardens.
PMID- 28999942
TI - Pregnancy with Diabetes Mellitus and Corpulence: Death of Foetus in Utero at Full
Term.
PMID- 28999943
TI - Scrotal Elephantiasis.
PMID- 28999944
TI - Keloid Growths Following Vaccination.
PMID- 28999945
TI - Goitre or Bronchocele and Its Curative Treatment.
PMID- 28999947
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999948
TI - A Case of Local Spasms of Face and Neck.
PMID- 28999946
TI - Use of Bhuphali (Corchorus Fascienlatus).
PMID- 28999950
TI - Hypnotism.
PMID- 28999949
TI - Hypnotism and Suggestion.
PMID- 28999951
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999952
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999953
TI - Strychnine in Cholera Cases.
PMID- 28999954
TI - Urine - Increased by Large Doses of Quinine.
PMID- 28999955
TI - Case of Kala-Azar in the Insane.
PMID- 28999957
TI - Bacteriological Examinations of Butter.
PMID- 28999956
TI - Fits of Gravel Corresponding with Appearance of New Moon.
PMID- 28999958
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999959
TI - An Analysis of 500 Litholapaxies Performed at the Indore Charitable Hospital,
Central India, with Remarks.
PMID- 28999960
TI - Medical News, &c.
PMID- 28999961
TI - Notes on Anchylostomiasis, a Resume of a Report on the Diseases Known in Assam as
Kala-Azar and Beri-Beri.
PMID- 28999962
TI - A Case of Excision of the Lower Jaw.
PMID- 28999964
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999963
TI - Unusual Sites for Lipomata.
PMID- 28999966
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitation.
PMID- 28999965
TI - Service Notes, &c.
PMID- 28999967
TI - Dr. Crombie's Summary of the Opium Discussion.
PMID- 28999968
TI - Notes ou Chlorine as an Antidote for Cobra Venom.
PMID- 28999969
TI - The Discussion at the Calcutta Medical Society on the Effects of the Habitual Use
of Opium on the Human Constitution.
PMID- 28999971
TI - Curious Case of Congenital Malformation.
PMID- 28999970
TI - Abstract of an Address on Famine: Delivered at the London Epidemiological
Society, 16th December 1891, Surgeon-General Ewart, President.
PMID- 28999973
TI - Midwifery among the Alaskan Indians.
PMID- 28999972
TI - Action of the Sterno-Cleido-Mastoid Muscles.
PMID- 28999974
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 28999975
TI - Notes on an Epidemic of Cholera in the Purnia District: February-June 1891.
PMID- 28999976
TI - Antipyrin and Sp. Eth. Netrosi.
PMID- 28999978
TI - The New Titles.
PMID- 28999977
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 28999979
TI - Case of Gunshot Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 28999980
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 28999981
TI - Sir Spencer Wells' Visit to Calcutta.
PMID- 28999982
TI - Jambul in Diabetes Mellitus.
PMID- 28999983
TI - Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 28999984
TI - Hypnotism and Suggestion.
PMID- 28999985
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 28999986
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation-Vital Statistics, Sanitation, and Vaccination in
Bengal.
PMID- 28999987
TI - Erratum: Malarial Fevers.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 353 in vol. 26.].
PMID- 28999989
TI - Kala-Azar and Beri-Beri in Assam.
PMID- 28999988
TI - Notes on Cases of Abdominal Surgery.
PMID- 28999990
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 28999991
TI - Mahubari District Hospital Cases.
PMID- 28999992
TI - Spontaneous Fracture of Femur Following Gunshot Wound of Thigh. Amputation:
Recovery.
PMID- 28999993
TI - Stone in the Bladder Successfully Removed by Suprapublic Lithotomy.
PMID- 28999994
TI - Case of Enormous Hydrocephalus.
PMID- 28999995
TI - Parke's Memorial Prize.
PMID- 28999996
TI - Erythrophlein.
PMID- 28999997
TI - Inguinal Colotomy; a Suggestion.
PMID- 28999998
TI - A Case of Litholapaxy with a Peculiar Complication.
PMID- 28999999
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000000
TI - Entero-Septic Fevers.
PMID- 29000001
TI - Note of Some Observations on the Morphology of the Blood in Cases of Malarial
Infection.
PMID- 29000002
TI - Dysentery and the Amocha Coli.
PMID- 29000003
TI - Select Cases from the Barisaul Charitable Hospital and Dispensary.
PMID- 29000004
TI - Service Notes, &c.
PMID- 29000005
TI - Clinical Notes on Diseases of the Throat, Nose and Ear.
PMID- 29000006
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000008
TI - Medical News, &c.
PMID- 29000007
TI - On the Study of Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29000009
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitation.
PMID- 29000010
TI - Notes on an Antidote for Snake-Poison.
PMID- 29000011
TI - The Relation of Elevation to Hill Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29000012
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000013
TI - The Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India for
1890.
PMID- 29000014
TI - A Peculiar Form of Hysteria in the Male.
PMID- 29000015
TI - The Treatment of Hill Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29000016
TI - Medical News, &c.
PMID- 29000017
TI - A Case of Gunshot Wound of the Knee-Joint.
PMID- 29000018
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000019
TI - Notes on an Antidote for Snake Poison.
PMID- 29000020
TI - Myxoedema.
PMID- 29000021
TI - Plastic Operation for Upper and Lower Lip-Cheiloplastic Operation.
PMID- 29000022
TI - Indigenous Drugs of India.
PMID- 29000024
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000023
TI - Dicephalous Child.
PMID- 29000025
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000027
TI - Competitive Physical Examination.
PMID- 29000026
TI - Excision of the Inner Two-Thirds of the Right Clavicle for Sarcoma.
PMID- 29000029
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000028
TI - Malarial Blood.
PMID- 29000030
TI - Enteric Fever in the European Army.
PMID- 29000031
TI - Service Notes, &c.
PMID- 29000032
TI - Special Supplement to "Indian Medical Gazette" April 1892.
PMID- 29000033
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000034
TI - Fetch the Doctor.
PMID- 29000035
TI - Anchylostoma Duodenalis on Tea Gardens.
PMID- 29000036
TI - A Severe Case of Worms (Ascaris Lumbricoides).
PMID- 29000037
TI - Farewell.
PMID- 29000038
TI - Notes on an Epidemic of Cholera in the Burma District: February-June 1891.
PMID- 29000039
TI - Presidency General Hospital: Four Cases of Alcoholic Neuritis.
PMID- 29000040
TI - On the Passage from the Human Intestine of Swarms of Maggots and an Explanation
of the Source from Which They Are Derived.
PMID- 29000041
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitation.
PMID- 29000042
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000043
TI - Report on Fever on the Chaman Extension Railway.
PMID- 29000044
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000045
TI - Appointments, &c.
PMID- 29000046
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000047
TI - Select Cases from the Charitable Dispensary and Hospital, Noakhally.
PMID- 29000049
TI - Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen - Laparotomy.
PMID- 29000048
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000050
TI - 1891.
PMID- 29000051
TI - A Case of Paraplegia with Partial Cervical Paralysis-The Result of Malarial
Poisoning.
PMID- 29000052
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000054
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000053
TI - Report on Fever on the Chaman Extension Railway.
PMID- 29000056
TI - Treatment of Post - Partum Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29000055
TI - The New Theory of Heredity: A Synopsis.
PMID- 29000057
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000058
TI - The 1884 Military Class Students of the Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 29000060
TI - A Preliminary Note on OEsophagostoma Columbeanum Curtici.
PMID- 29000059
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000061
TI - The Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29000062
TI - A Case of Complete Rupture of the Small Intestine.
PMID- 29000064
TI - Vital Statistics & Sanitation.
PMID- 29000063
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000065
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000066
TI - A Fatal Case of Purpura Haemorrhagica in a Child.
PMID- 29000067
TI - Microscopical Observations in the Blood and Excreta in Cholera Cases.
PMID- 29000068
TI - Penetrating Wounds of the Abdominal Cavity: Treatment-Recovery.
PMID- 29000069
TI - A Case of Large Hydrocele.
PMID- 29000070
TI - The Effects of Quinine Alone and Combined in the Treatment of Ague.
PMID- 29000071
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000072
TI - Abdominal Surgery at the Eden Hospital, Calcutta, during 1891.
PMID- 29000073
TI - The Crusade against Opium.
PMID- 29000074
TI - Therapeutic Action of Certain Herbs and Vegetables.
PMID- 29000075
TI - Chemical Factors in Causation of Disease.
PMID- 29000076
TI - Medical News, &c.
PMID- 29000077
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000078
TI - A Case of Mineral or Calcareous Degeneration of the Crystalline Lens.
PMID- 29000079
TI - Grafting.
PMID- 29000080
TI - Inhalation of Oxygen in Cases of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29000081
TI - Cases of Febricula with Abdominal Tenderness.
PMID- 29000083
TI - Service Notes, &c.
PMID- 29000082
TI - Notes on Two Cases of Aphonia.
PMID- 29000084
TI - Notes on Anchylostomiasis. Resume of a Report on the Diseases Known in Assam as
Kala-Azar and Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29000086
TI - Stricture of the Urethra after Lateral Lithotomy.
PMID- 29000085
TI - Two Cases of Impermeable Stricture.
PMID- 29000088
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000087
TI - Hiccough in Ague.
PMID- 29000089
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000090
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000091
TI - The Pathogenic Fungus of Malaria.
PMID- 29000093
TI - Clinical Notes on Diseases of the Throat, Nose and Ear.
PMID- 29000092
TI - The Amoeba Coli: Its Relations to Dysentery and Tropical Suppurative Hepatitis.
PMID- 29000095
TI - Appointments.
PMID- 29000094
TI - A Note on the Pathology of Kala-Azar or Beri-Beri of Assam.
PMID- 29000096
TI - Recent German Researches on Malaria: Its Treatment by Methylene Blue. With
Introductory Remarks.
PMID- 29000097
TI - Ainhum of a Supernumerary Finger.
PMID- 29000098
TI - Leave.
PMID- 29000099
TI - Typhus Fever in the Khojak Pass.
PMID- 29000100
TI - The Protection of Seamen in Port from Heat and Sun.
PMID- 29000101
TI - The Sewers of Calcutta.
PMID- 29000102
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000103
TI - Malarial Infection.
PMID- 29000104
TI - Jail Administration Reform.
PMID- 29000105
TI - Clinical Notes on Cases of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29000107
TI - Treatment of Poisoning by Cocaine.
PMID- 29000106
TI - The Bacteriology of the "Crofton Hall" Tragedy.
PMID- 29000108
TI - Transfers-Promotions-Leave, &c. - Dismissal-Language.
PMID- 29000109
TI - Appointments.
PMID- 29000110
TI - Note Regarding the Prevalence of the Dochmius Duodenalis.
PMID- 29000112
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000111
TI - Notes on Some Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29000114
TI - Note on the Bacteriology of the "Crofton Hall" Tragedy.
PMID- 29000115
TI - A Few Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29000113
TI - Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29000116
TI - A Note on the Pathology of Kala-Azar, or Beri-Beri, of Assam.
PMID- 29000117
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000118
TI - Notes on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29000119
TI - Note of a Successful Case of Extirpation of Penis for Cancer.
PMID- 29000121
TI - New Treatment for Trachoma.
PMID- 29000120
TI - Enteric Fever in the European Army.
PMID- 29000122
TI - Abdominal Wound-Intestinal and Omental Hernia.
PMID- 29000124
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 29000123
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the 1st Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1888.
PMID- 29000126
TI - The Dose of Arsenic for Infants.
PMID- 29000125
TI - The Twenty-Fourth Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government
of India for 1887.
PMID- 29000127
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29000128
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000129
TI - A Sketch of the Medical and Surgical Experiences of the War of the Rebellion in
America during the Years 1861-65.
PMID- 29000131
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000130
TI - Perchloride of Mercury and Cannabis Indica in Dysentery.
PMID- 29000132
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000133
TI - Medical Registration.
PMID- 29000135
TI - Hot Water as a Haemostatic.
PMID- 29000134
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000136
TI - Fevers and Their Rational Treatment by Antipyretics.
PMID- 29000137
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000138
TI - The Bacillus Typhosus.
PMID- 29000139
TI - The Fruits of Sanitation.
PMID- 29000140
TI - Wound of Neck and Spine-Recovery.
PMID- 29000141
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000142
TI - Childbed Fever.
PMID- 29000143
TI - The Pasteur Institute.
PMID- 29000144
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000145
TI - Medico-Legal Points Involved in a Recent State Trial-Homicide and Suicide:
Empress v. Sudhabode Bhattacharji.
PMID- 29000146
TI - The Rigor Mortis Enquiry.
PMID- 29000147
TI - Penetrating Punctured Wound of Skull-Recovery.
PMID- 29000148
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000149
TI - A Case of Throttling.
PMID- 29000150
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 29000151
TI - Tape Worm in the Crow.
PMID- 29000153
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000152
TI - Three Cases of Strangulated Scrotal Hernia with Remarks.
PMID- 29000155
TI - Very Hot Compresses in Surgical Practice-Hot Water in Epistaxis.
PMID- 29000154
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000156
TI - Eight Cases of Saponification.
PMID- 29000157
TI - The Riviera as a Winter Health Resort.
PMID- 29000158
TI - The Commission on Leprosy.
PMID- 29000159
TI - On the Treatment of a Case of Cholera in an European by a Deep Subcutaneous
Injection of Perchloride of Mercury.
PMID- 29000161
TI - Reorganization of Medical Service in India.
PMID- 29000160
TI - A Sketch of the Medical and Surgical Experiences of the War of the Rebellion in
America during the Years 1861-65.
PMID- 29000162
TI - Phenacetin and Thallin for Children.
PMID- 29000163
TI - A Case of Rupture of the Right Phrenic Nerve Followed by Instantaneous Death.
PMID- 29000164
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000165
TI - Effects of Excessive Tea-Drinking.
PMID- 29000166
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000167
TI - The Leper Bill.
PMID- 29000168
TI - Injections for Obstinate Leucorrhoea.
PMID- 29000169
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000170
TI - Two Cases of Traumatic Tetanus.
PMID- 29000172
TI - A New Diagnostic Sign in Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29000171
TI - Notes on the Comparative Value of Antipyrin, Antifebrin, and Phenacetin as
Antipyretics.
PMID- 29000173
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000174
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000176
TI - Use of Corrosive Sublimate in Laparotomies.
PMID- 29000175
TI - Notes on a Case of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29000178
TI - Bacterioscopy in the Diagnosis of Meningitis Cerebro-Spinalis.
PMID- 29000177
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29000180
TI - Menthol in Pruritus.
PMID- 29000179
TI - Migraine.
PMID- 29000181
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000182
TI - Poisoning by Preserved Meat Which Had Become Tainted in the Tins.
PMID- 29000184
TI - Case of Compound Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29000183
TI - The Royal Commission on Vaccination.
PMID- 29000185
TI - The Importance of Manure Heaps and Poultry in the Etiology of Diphtheria.
PMID- 29000186
TI - Brief Notes on Three Hundred and Five Cases of Drowning.
PMID- 29000187
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000188
TI - Masso Therapeutics and Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 29000189
TI - Notes on an Outbreak of Cholera in the Town of Burisal in December 1888.
PMID- 29000191
TI - Lanolin Urethral Injections.
PMID- 29000190
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000192
TI - Case of Tetanus Following Dog Bite. Treatment-Recovery.
PMID- 29000193
TI - Case of Laryngismus Stridulus.
PMID- 29000194
TI - A Note on the Use of Perchloride of Mercury Gauze as a Substitute for Sponges in
Abdominal Surgery.
PMID- 29000195
TI - Contra-Indications for the Use of Antipyrin during the Menstrual Period.
PMID- 29000196
TI - A Few Points on Enteric Fever as Illustrated by the Army Medical Department
Report for 1886 and the Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the
Government of India.
PMID- 29000197
TI - Tetanus.
PMID- 29000198
TI - The Auto-Toxicity of Snakes.
PMID- 29000200
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000199
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000201
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000202
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000203
TI - The Cocoanut as an Anthelmintic.
PMID- 29000204
TI - Cremation of Garbage in Savannah.
PMID- 29000205
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000206
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000207
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the 1st Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1888.
PMID- 29000209
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000208
TI - Rhinoscleroma.
PMID- 29000211
TI - Bayu, Pitta, Kapha.
PMID- 29000210
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000213
TI - Poisoning by Strychinos Nux Vomica.
PMID- 29000212
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000214
TI - Intubation vs. Tracheotomy.
PMID- 29000215
TI - Richards on Pasteurism.
PMID- 29000216
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 29000217
TI - Cases from Practice.
PMID- 29000219
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000218
TI - Beri-Beri: Reprinted from the Transactions of the, South Indian Branch of the
British Medical Association.
PMID- 29000221
TI - Caffein in Diseases of the Lung.
PMID- 29000220
TI - Formula for Hysterical Hyperaethesia, Vomiting, and Spasmodic Conditions.
PMID- 29000222
TI - The Anthrax Question in India.
PMID- 29000223
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 29000224
TI - Presidency General Hospital-Case of Diabetes Insipidus.
PMID- 29000226
TI - The Use of Naphthol in the Paris Hospitals.
PMID- 29000225
TI - On the Value of Antifebrin and Quinine in Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29000227
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000228
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000229
TI - Incompatible Antiseptics.
PMID- 29000230
TI - An Early Sign of Endocarditis.
PMID- 29000231
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000232
TI - The Use of Certain Medicaments with or without Precedent, Dilatation in the
Treatment of Endometritis, Metritis, Fibromyomata and Fluxions of the Uterus.
PMID- 29000234
TI - Notes on Phenomena Occurring after Death.
PMID- 29000233
TI - Enteric Fever Lesions in Dogs: A Contribution Towards the Investigation of the
Prevalence of Enteric Fever in Cantonments.
PMID- 29000235
TI - Tank-Filling with Garbage in Calcutta.
PMID- 29000236
TI - The Need of an Imperial Sanitary Board.
PMID- 29000237
TI - Phthisis from House Sweepings.
PMID- 29000238
TI - Cure of a Case of Leprosy.
PMID- 29000239
TI - Novel Means of Diagnosis of Perforation of the Membrana Tympani.
PMID- 29000240
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000241
TI - Eden Hospital - Case of Hyperpyrexia Treated by the Cold Bath.
PMID- 29000242
TI - Infection of an Infant through the Milk of a Tuberculous Nurse.
PMID- 29000243
TI - Antiseptics in Ophthalmic Surgery.
PMID- 29000244
TI - Notes on Cholera.
PMID- 29000245
TI - Identification of Poisonous Snakes.
PMID- 29000246
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000247
TI - Abstract of the Hyderabad Chloroform Commission's Report.
PMID- 29000249
TI - The Bengal Medical Service One Hundred Years Ago.
PMID- 29000248
TI - Abrus Poisoning.
PMID- 29000250
TI - A Case of Amputation of the Thigh.
PMID- 29000251
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000252
TI - Tragia Cannabina & Involucrata.
PMID- 29000254
TI - Suprapubic Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29000253
TI - A Temperature of 112.8 degrees F. Followed by Recovery.
PMID- 29000256
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000255
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000257
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000258
TI - Sanitation of Bombay.
PMID- 29000259
TI - The Use of Pessaries.
PMID- 29000260
TI - Ruptures of the Liver Complicated with Ruptures of Other Internal Organs.
PMID- 29000261
TI - Historical Retrospects of Sanitation: A Lecture Delivered at the Madrasa-I-Alaga,
Hyderabad, Deccan.
PMID- 29000262
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000263
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000264
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000265
TI - Ovarian Dropsy-Tapping-Extraction of Cyst-Death.
PMID- 29000267
TI - A Sketch of the Medical and Surgical Experience of the War of the Rebellion in
America during the Year 1861-65.
PMID- 29000266
TI - Hot Water as a Haemostatic.
PMID- 29000268
TI - Four Cases of Rhino-Scleroma.
PMID- 29000270
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000269
TI - Deep-Seated Tumour of the Neck-Successful Removal.
PMID- 29000271
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000272
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000273
TI - 1888.
PMID- 29000274
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 29000275
TI - Vienna as a Medical School for Post - Graduate Work.
PMID- 29000276
TI - Pharyngitis.
PMID- 29000278
TI - Unusual Effects of Chloroform.
PMID- 29000277
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000280
TI - Infectious Jaundice.
PMID- 29000279
TI - The Treatment of Cholera with Oil of Eucalyptus.
PMID- 29000281
TI - Origin of the Vesicular Respiratory Murmur.
PMID- 29000282
TI - Two Successful Cases of Lacerated Wounds of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29000283
TI - A Hospital for Sick and Lame Animals in Calcutta.
PMID- 29000285
TI - Notes of Cases Treated in the Puri Pilgrim Hospital.
PMID- 29000284
TI - Ruptures of the Spleen.
PMID- 29000287
TI - The Late Professor David Boyes Smith.
PMID- 29000286
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 29000289
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000288
TI - How Far May a Cow Become Tuberculous before Her Milk Becomes Dangerous as an
Article of Food.
PMID- 29000290
TI - Treatment of Gout.
PMID- 29000291
TI - Exalgine in Neuralgias.
PMID- 29000292
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000293
TI - Bulau's Operation for Empyema.
PMID- 29000295
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000294
TI - The Etiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29000296
TI - Heart Complications in Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 29000298
TI - Treatment of Chronic Cystitis in Women.
PMID- 29000297
TI - Successful Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29000299
TI - Death from Sulphonal.
PMID- 29000300
TI - Value of the Diagnostic Tampon in Chronic Endometritis.
PMID- 29000301
TI - A Geographical Sketch of Leprosy and the Question of Its Relation to the
Consumption of Fish in Bengal, Behar, Orissa, and Assam.
PMID- 29000302
TI - Delivery by the Short Forceps in a Case of Protracted Labour and Rigid Os Uteri.
PMID- 29000303
TI - The Bacillus of Tetanus.
PMID- 29000304
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000305
TI - Three Fatal "Head" Cases with Post-Mortem Examinations.
PMID- 29000306
TI - Diagnostic Significance of Increase of the Knee Phenomenon and of the Foot
Clonus.
PMID- 29000307
TI - Fatal Intoxication with Bichloride of Mercury.
PMID- 29000308
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000309
TI - Case of Arrow-Wound.
PMID- 29000311
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000312
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000310
TI - The Report of Lord Camperdown's Committee.
PMID- 29000313
TI - Formation of Ptomaines and Toxines by Pathogenic Bacteria.
PMID- 29000314
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000315
TI - Treatment of Cholera with Salol.
PMID- 29000316
TI - Cocaine Poisoning.
PMID- 29000317
TI - Incineration.
PMID- 29000318
TI - Brain Centre for Bladder Movement.
PMID- 29000319
TI - Extirpation of the Pancras and Diabetes.
PMID- 29000320
TI - The Bacilli of Cholera, Typhoid Fever and Tuberculosis in Milk, Butter, and
Cheese.
PMID- 29000321
TI - Thoughts and Queries.
PMID- 29000322
TI - The Kashmir Cholera Epidemic of 1888.
PMID- 29000323
TI - Notes on One Hundred and Eleven Cases of Ruptures of Internal Organs.
PMID- 29000324
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000325
TI - A Case of Latent Diabetes.
PMID- 29000326
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000328
TI - Modifications of Egg-Albumen.
PMID- 29000327
TI - Incompatibility of Antipyrine with Cinchona and Chloral Hydrate.
PMID- 29000329
TI - Medical Jurisprudence in India.
PMID- 29000330
TI - Unusual Distribution of Herpes Zosters.
PMID- 29000331
TI - Treatment of Cholera by Subcutaneous Injections.
PMID- 29000332
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000334
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000333
TI - The Report of Lord Camperdown's Committee.
PMID- 29000335
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000336
TI - Sterilising Milk.
PMID- 29000337
TI - Case of Oleander Poisoning.
PMID- 29000338
TI - Permanganate of Potassium and Chloroform in Snake Bites.
PMID- 29000339
TI - Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 29000340
TI - Contributions to Indian Materia Medica: "Our Indigenous Medical Plants Deserve
Far More Study Than They Have Yet Received." On the Medicinal Properties of Some
of the Indigenous Plants of Southern India.
PMID- 29000341
TI - Bromide of Potassium as an Antidote to Chloroform.
PMID- 29000342
TI - Historical Retrospect of Sanitation: A Lecture Delivered at the Madrasa-I-Alaga,
Hyderabad, Deccan.
PMID- 29000343
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000344
TI - Agaric Acid : A New Drug for Night Sweating.
PMID- 29000346
TI - Incompatibility of Morphine with Prussic Acid.
PMID- 29000345
TI - Case of Incised Wound of Superior Maxillae.
PMID- 29000348
TI - Glaucoma and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29000347
TI - Antipyrine Checking Convulsions in a Dog.
PMID- 29000349
TI - Case of Concealment of Sex.
PMID- 29000350
TI - Prevention of Bed-Sores.
PMID- 29000351
TI - Some Quack Remedies.
PMID- 29000352
TI - Experiments with the Revd. Mr. Lorbeer's Antidote (Tiriyaq) to Cobra-Venom.
PMID- 29000354
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000353
TI - A Local and Circumscribed Outbreak of Cholera, Bearing a Special Relation to
Food.
PMID- 29000356
TI - Lectures on Sanitation to British Troops, Fort William.
PMID- 29000355
TI - Historical Retrospect of Sanitation: A Lecture Delivered at the Madras A-I-Alaga,
Hyderabad, Deccan.
PMID- 29000357
TI - On Cold Abscesses after Malaria.
PMID- 29000358
TI - Foreign Body in the Subcutaneous Connective Tissue.
PMID- 29000359
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000360
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000361
TI - Accouchement after Extirpation of the Sacrum.
PMID- 29000362
TI - Recent Views on Diabetes.
PMID- 29000363
TI - The Late Professor David Boyes Smith.
PMID- 29000364
TI - The Late Professor David Boyes Smith.
PMID- 29000365
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000367
TI - Contagious Diseases in Cantonments.
PMID- 29000366
TI - Notes on Phenacetin in the Treatment of Continuous & Malarious Fevers, and on
Sulphonal as an Hypnotic.
PMID- 29000368
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000369
TI - An Ingenious Malingerer.
PMID- 29000371
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000370
TI - Severe Puerperal Hemorrhage Successfully Treated by Iodoform Gauze Tampons.
PMID- 29000373
TI - On the Formation of Adipocere.
PMID- 29000372
TI - A Case of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29000374
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000375
TI - Influenza.
PMID- 29000376
TI - Antipyretic Action of Soda Bicarbonate.
PMID- 29000378
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000377
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000379
TI - Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29000380
TI - Rupture of Spleen; Death Half an Hour after.
PMID- 29000382
TI - Medical Education.
PMID- 29000381
TI - Contributions to Our Knowledge of Non-Typical Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29000383
TI - Entero-Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29000384
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000385
TI - A Case of Hepatic Abscess in an European Female Child 20 Months Old.
PMID- 29000387
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000386
TI - The Hour at Which Death Most Usually Occurs.
PMID- 29000388
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1889.
PMID- 29000389
TI - Chloroform and Fatty Heart.
PMID- 29000391
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000390
TI - Cerebro Spinal Fever: Extract from Sanitary Report of Hazaribagh Jail for the
Year 1889.
PMID- 29000392
TI - The Treatment of Burns of the Eye.
PMID- 29000394
TI - Leprosy and Syphilis.
PMID- 29000393
TI - Two Cases Illustrating Age with Reference to the Effects of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29000395
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1889.
PMID- 29000396
TI - Notes on Anaemia: Its Pathology and Treatment.
PMID- 29000397
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000399
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000398
TI - Thirteen Sudden Deaths from Suffocation.
PMID- 29000400
TI - Perforating Gunshot Wounds of the Chest and of the Wrist Joint, Both in the Same
Patient and Followed by Recovery.
PMID- 29000401
TI - Microscopical Society of Calcutta.
PMID- 29000403
TI - Child-Wives.
PMID- 29000402
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000404
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000405
TI - A Case of Epileptiform Fits.
PMID- 29000406
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000407
TI - Sewage Disposal in Bengal.
PMID- 29000409
TI - Malarial Fevers and Influenza at Fort Tregear.
PMID- 29000408
TI - The Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29000410
TI - Tait versus Lister.
PMID- 29000411
TI - Cholera and Phthisis.
PMID- 29000412
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000413
TI - Method of Operation for Cataract in the Bijnor Dispensary with the Result of 100
Cases in 1889.
PMID- 29000414
TI - Cholera Diffusion.
PMID- 29000416
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000415
TI - Notes on a Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29000417
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000418
TI - Stone in the Uterus.
PMID- 29000419
TI - A Case of Very Large Calculus.
PMID- 29000420
TI - Mnemonics for Intra-Cardiac Sounds.
PMID- 29000421
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000422
TI - Ptomaines and Leucomaines.
PMID- 29000423
TI - Simple and Complicated Ruptures of the Intestines.
PMID- 29000424
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000425
TI - Cholera and Milk.
PMID- 29000427
TI - Joint Diseases Following Variola.
PMID- 29000426
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000429
TI - Report of the Second Hyderabad Chloroform Commission.
PMID- 29000428
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000431
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000430
TI - Salol in Cholera.
PMID- 29000432
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000434
TI - Report of the Second Hyderabad Chloroform Commission.
PMID- 29000433
TI - A Case of Diabetes.
PMID- 29000436
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000435
TI - Vaccination and Cowpox.
PMID- 29000438
TI - Case of Pendulous Fibrous Tumour of Mouth.
PMID- 29000437
TI - Contributions to the Indian Materia Medica.
PMID- 29000440
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000439
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000442
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000441
TI - River Pollution in India.
PMID- 29000443
TI - Complicated Ruptures of the Spleen.
PMID- 29000445
TI - A Yunani School at Delhi.
PMID- 29000444
TI - Further Experiences of the Surgery of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29000446
TI - Ectopic Gestation.
PMID- 29000447
TI - Salol in Cholera.
PMID- 29000448
TI - Salol in the Gastro-Intestinal Derangements of Children.
PMID- 29000450
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000449
TI - Eden Hospital, Calcutta; Abdominal Surgery during the Year 1888-89.
PMID- 29000451
TI - Glycerine Enemata.
PMID- 29000452
TI - On the Association of Several Distinct Species of Comma-Bacilli with Cases of
Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 29000453
TI - Tolerance of Operation on the Liver.
PMID- 29000454
TI - Latrine Arrangements in Calcutta Institutions.
PMID- 29000456
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000455
TI - The Salol Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29000457
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1889.
PMID- 29000459
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000458
TI - Contribution to the Practice of Midwifery.
PMID- 29000460
TI - Medical and Surgical Work in Kashmir.
PMID- 29000461
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000463
TI - The Twenty-Fifth Report of the Sanitary Commissioner, with the Government of
India.
PMID- 29000462
TI - Change of Colour in a Cock's Feathers from Fear.
PMID- 29000464
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1889.
PMID- 29000465
TI - Notes on Cholera Treatment.
PMID- 29000466
TI - Lord Camperdown's Committee.
PMID- 29000467
TI - Rhamnus Catharticus as a Remedy for Toothache.
PMID- 29000469
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000468
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000470
TI - A Successful Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29000471
TI - Influenza.
PMID- 29000472
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000473
TI - Report of the Second Hyderabad Chloroform Commission.
PMID- 29000474
TI - Epsom College.
PMID- 29000475
TI - Ruptures of Internal Organs, Part VI: Simple and Complicated Ruptures of the
Heart.
PMID- 29000476
TI - Salol in Cholera.
PMID- 29000478
TI - The Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29000477
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000479
TI - Rupture of the Spleen: Death Occurring 13 Days after the Injury.
PMID- 29000480
TI - Rupture of the Spleen No. 2: Death 11 Days after.
PMID- 29000481
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000482
TI - The Treatment of Cholera by Salol.
PMID- 29000484
TI - Removal of a Very Large Tumour from the Neck.
PMID- 29000483
TI - A Record of Six Months' Medico-Legal Work in the Medical College, Calcutta.
PMID- 29000485
TI - Cholera Diffusion.
PMID- 29000486
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000487
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000488
TI - Trephining as a Means of Relieving Tension.
PMID- 29000489
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000490
TI - Carcinoma of Breast.
PMID- 29000491
TI - Pneumonia-Gangrene of the Lung. Recovery.
PMID- 29000492
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000493
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000494
TI - Recent Researches in Malarial Infection.
PMID- 29000495
TI - Cause of Leprosy.
PMID- 29000496
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000497
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000498
TI - Diphtheria and Its Relation to the Lower Animals.
PMID- 29000499
TI - On the Etiology of Asiatic Cholera: A Report Furnished to the German Medical
Society of Prague.
PMID- 29000500
TI - Some of the Relations of the Business of the Dairy Farmer to Public Health.
PMID- 29000501
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000502
TI - The after Treatment of Circumcision Cases.
PMID- 29000503
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000504
TI - Two Cases of Supra-Pubic Lithotomy.
PMID- 29000505
TI - Gunshot Wound of Head, Causing Destruction of the Internal Ear.
PMID- 29000506
TI - On the Principles of the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.
PMID- 29000507
TI - Vesical Complications in Connection with Pelvic Affections.
PMID- 29000508
TI - Leprosy in China.
PMID- 29000509
TI - Hystero-Epilepsy.
PMID- 29000511
TI - Friedreich's Disease.
PMID- 29000510
TI - Operation on the Diabetic.
PMID- 29000512
TI - Faecal Anaemia.
PMID- 29000513
TI - Notes on a Visit to the Alexandra Hospital, Moscow.
PMID- 29000514
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000515
TI - Herpes Menstrualis.
PMID- 29000517
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000516
TI - Stricture of the Rectum in a Child-Anasarca and Albuminuria.
PMID- 29000518
TI - Hypertrophied Wandering Spleen with Ascites. Treatment. Recovery.
PMID- 29000520
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000519
TI - Remarks on Acute Tonsillitis and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29000522
TI - Pathogenic Characteristics of Microbes Found in Malignant Neoplasms.
PMID- 29000521
TI - Anasarca and Albuminuria from Tight Lacing.
PMID- 29000523
TI - Test for Iodoform and Iodides.
PMID- 29000524
TI - Alimentary Regimen in Bright's Disease.
PMID- 29000526
TI - The Fatal-After Action of Chloroform.
PMID- 29000525
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1889.
PMID- 29000527
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000528
TI - Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29000529
TI - Porter on Famine Diseases.
PMID- 29000530
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000531
TI - Ruptures of Internal Organs, Part VII.
PMID- 29000532
TI - Forty Wounds from a Bear.
PMID- 29000534
TI - On the Surgical Aspects of Impacted Labour: Extracts from Lectures to the
Midwifery Class of the Medical College, Calcutta, from 1881.
PMID- 29000533
TI - Clinical Lecture on Glaucoma.
PMID- 29000536
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000535
TI - Medical Education.
PMID- 29000537
TI - Antiseptics.
PMID- 29000539
TI - A Few Words on the Subject of Village Sanitation.
PMID- 29000538
TI - Self-Mutilation-Transposition of Urethral Orifice.
PMID- 29000541
TI - Syphilitic Alopecia.
PMID- 29000540
TI - Letters from Drs. Maclean, Farquharson and Macnamara.
PMID- 29000542
TI - The Salol Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29000543
TI - Stone in Uterus.
PMID- 29000544
TI - Very Large Malignant Tumour of Breast: Removal: Recovery.
PMID- 29000545
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000546
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000547
TI - Phenacetin as an Anti-Rheumatic.
PMID- 29000548
TI - Village Sanitation in India.
PMID- 29000549
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000550
TI - Castor Oil Chocolate.
PMID- 29000551
TI - Iodoform in Chronic Cystitis.
PMID- 29000552
TI - Mexican Ideas Concerning the Contagiousness of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29000553
TI - Antifebrin in Quinsy.
PMID- 29000554
TI - 1889.
PMID- 29000556
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000555
TI - The Fever of Bhamo.
PMID- 29000557
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000558
TI - A Case Showing the Contagiousness of Phthisis.
PMID- 29000560
TI - The Relation of Dentition to Diseases of the Alimentary Tract.
PMID- 29000559
TI - Further Experiences in the Surgery of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29000561
TI - Rhinoplastic Surgery.
PMID- 29000562
TI - An Epidemic of Phthisis.
PMID- 29000563
TI - Cerebral Localisation in Its Practical Relations.
PMID- 29000564
TI - Malaria v. More Recognisable Causes of Disease.
PMID- 29000565
TI - Small Doses of Antimony in Inflammations: Extract from a Report of the Civil
Med'. Department of His Highness the Nizam's Govt. for 1888 (1297 Fasli).
PMID- 29000567
TI - The Treatment of Obesity.
PMID- 29000566
TI - Codeine in Diabetes.
PMID- 29000569
TI - Phenacetin.
PMID- 29000568
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000570
TI - Experiences of a Beginner in Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29000571
TI - Notes on Two Fatal Cases of Gunshot Wound.
PMID- 29000572
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1890.
PMID- 29000573
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000574
TI - Tar Ointment in Chronic Eczema.
PMID- 29000576
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000575
TI - Ague or Intermittent Fever.
PMID- 29000577
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000578
TI - The International Congress of Hygiene and Demography.
PMID- 29000579
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia Cured by Subcutaneous Injection of Hydrochlorate of
Pilocarpine.
PMID- 29000580
TI - Case of Foreign Body in Male Bladder Removed by Lithotomy.
PMID- 29000581
TI - The Treatment of Hernia by Median Abdominal Section.
PMID- 29000583
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000582
TI - Surgical Notes from the Black Mountain.
PMID- 29000584
TI - Vital Events of 1889.
PMID- 29000585
TI - The Hurdwar Kumbh of 1891.
PMID- 29000587
TI - Dangers of Catheterization.
PMID- 29000588
TI - Is Colonization in Central Africa by Europeans Practicable.
PMID- 29000586
TI - A Case of Catheter Fever Followed by Suppression of Urine and Death.
PMID- 29000589
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000590
TI - A Case of Splenectomy.
PMID- 29000591
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000592
TI - The Treatment of the Sac.
PMID- 29000593
TI - Opium Suicides in the Hurdoi District.
PMID- 29000594
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000595
TI - A Case of Uraemicpoisoning-Recovery.
PMID- 29000596
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1890.
PMID- 29000597
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000598
TI - Cases of Hysteria.
PMID- 29000600
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000599
TI - A Preliminiary Note on the Nature and Pathology of the Disease Known as "Surra,"
Affecting Horses and Mules in India.
PMID- 29000602
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000601
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000604
TI - Phagocytes.
PMID- 29000603
TI - Notes of a Case of Large Fatty Tumour Removed at the Arrah Hospital.
PMID- 29000605
TI - On Recruiting the Anglo-Indian Army.
PMID- 29000606
TI - Notes on Cocaine Operations.
PMID- 29000607
TI - Cases of Foreign Body.
PMID- 29000608
TI - The Treatment of the Morphine Disease.
PMID- 29000609
TI - Case of Aneurism of the Arch of the Aorta.
PMID- 29000610
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000611
TI - Microscopical Society of Calcutta.
PMID- 29000612
TI - What Changes Take Place in the Lower Portion of a Scrotal Hernial Sac after
Ligature and Division of Its Neck.
PMID- 29000614
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000613
TI - Pneumonia.
PMID- 29000615
TI - Note on the Bad Effects of Poultices for Spreading Ulcers.
PMID- 29000616
TI - Successful Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29000618
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000619
TI - Koch's Remedy and Homoeopathy.
PMID- 29000617
TI - Note on Arsenic as a Prophylactic for Malaria.
PMID- 29000621
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000622
TI - Virchow on Koch's Treatment of Tubercle.
PMID- 29000620
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000623
TI - Plastic Operation on the Face for Bite from a Bear.
PMID- 29000624
TI - Case of Myxo-Sarcoma.
PMID- 29000625
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000626
TI - Treatment of Diphtheria.
PMID- 29000627
TI - A Case of Concussion of the Spine.
PMID- 29000628
TI - Cocaine in Asthma.
PMID- 29000629
TI - The Treatment of the Morphine-Disease.
PMID- 29000630
TI - On Carlsbad Treatment for Anglo-Indians.
PMID- 29000631
TI - A Further Communication on a Remedy for Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29000632
TI - Burdwan Dispensary: Death from Chloroform.
PMID- 29000633
TI - Pilgrims and Cholera.
PMID- 29000634
TI - A Form of Ulcerative Gingivitis Common to Men and Dogs in India.
PMID- 29000635
TI - A Case of Acute Ectropium of Both Eyes Ending in Disorganization of Both
Eyeballs.
PMID- 29000638
TI - Henry Jacob Bigelow.
PMID- 29000637
TI - Tenacity of Vitality in Larvae and Low Forms of Organic Life.
PMID- 29000636
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000639
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000640
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000641
TI - Malarial Analogies.
PMID- 29000643
TI - The Disinfecting Value of Sulphur Dioxide.
PMID- 29000642
TI - Case of Foreign Body in the Stomach.
PMID- 29000644
TI - Compound Fractures Treated by Creolin Irrigation.
PMID- 29000645
TI - Case of Porro's Operation.
PMID- 29000646
TI - Notes of a Case of Aural Vertigo Following an Injury to the Head.
PMID- 29000647
TI - Clinical Studies of Disease as Observed in China.
PMID- 29000648
TI - For the Relief of Earache.
PMID- 29000649
TI - Compound Fracture of Skull: Sudden Death without Brain Symptoms.
PMID- 29000650
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000651
TI - Prophylaxis in Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29000652
TI - Significance of Difference between Two Radial Pulses.
PMID- 29000653
TI - A Case of Compound Comminuted Fracture of the Vertex of the Skull under the Care
of Surgeon-Major R. Macrae, M.B.
PMID- 29000655
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000656
TI - Untoward Effects of Exalgine.
PMID- 29000654
TI - Notes of Two Cases of Cerebro-Spinal Fever, Rungpore Jail.
PMID- 29000658
TI - What Is the Rational Treatment of Acute Dysentery?
PMID- 29000657
TI - Treatment of Syphilis by Hypodermic Injections of Corrosive Sublimate.
PMID- 29000659
TI - Cases of Glaucoma.
PMID- 29000660
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Med. Coll.
Hospital.
PMID- 29000661
TI - Angina Pectoris with Post-Mortem Examination. Fatty Degeneration of Heart.
PMID- 29000663
TI - Case of Chorea with Pregnancy.
PMID- 29000662
TI - Case of Foreign Body in the Bladder.
PMID- 29000664
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000665
TI - Recovery of the Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29000666
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000668
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000667
TI - Ehrlich's Test in Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29000669
TI - The Inoculability of Malignant Growths.
PMID- 29000670
TI - Life History of the Haematozoon of Malaria.
PMID- 29000671
TI - Case of Leprosy. Unna's Treatment-No Benefit.
PMID- 29000672
TI - Electricity in the Treatment of Disease.
PMID- 29000673
TI - Professor Koch's Discovery.
PMID- 29000674
TI - Notes on Hill Malaria.
PMID- 29000675
TI - Pneumonia.
PMID- 29000676
TI - Vaginal Atresia.
PMID- 29000677
TI - Fissure of the Anus and Masturbation.
PMID- 29000679
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000678
TI - Contagiosity of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29000680
TI - Treatment of Diphtheria by Inoculation.
PMID- 29000681
TI - Traumatic Stricture: Wheelhouse: Failure.
PMID- 29000682
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000683
TI - Abscess of the Lung-Peribronchial.
PMID- 29000684
TI - A Further Communication on a Remedy for Tuberculosis: Translated from the
Original Article Published in the "Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift," and
Published as a Special Supplement to the "British Medical Journal" of November
15th.
PMID- 29000685
TI - Tumour on a Nerve.
PMID- 29000687
TI - 1890.
PMID- 29000686
TI - Mental Depression, Hallucinations and Delusions Associated with Ischio - Rectal
Abscess.
PMID- 29000688
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000689
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000691
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000690
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000692
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1890.
PMID- 29000693
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000694
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000695
TI - Two Cases Bearing on the Treatment in an Early Stage of Filarial Disease of the
Lymphatics.
PMID- 29000696
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000697
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000698
TI - Basu on the Study of Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29000699
TI - A Case of Acute Malarial Poisoning, Enteric Fever Ensuing. Complicated by Brain
and Lung Symptoms, Also by Extensive Cancrum Oris.
PMID- 29000700
TI - Resection of a Rib for Abscess of Right Lung-Recovery.
PMID- 29000701
TI - Immunity.
PMID- 29000702
TI - Arthrectomy.
PMID- 29000703
TI - Remarks on the Therapeutic Uses and Effects of Antipyrin.
PMID- 29000704
TI - Notes of a Case of Dysidrosis: Syn.-Chiro-Pompholyx, Hydro-Adenitis.
PMID- 29000706
TI - The Treatment of Hydrocele by Incision.
PMID- 29000705
TI - For Painful Haemorrhoids.
PMID- 29000707
TI - Concussion of the Lungs and Pneumonia.
PMID- 29000708
TI - Dysentery and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29000709
TI - On the Medico-Legal Detection of Human Blood.
PMID- 29000710
TI - Enchoudroma of the Lower Jaw-Excision-Recovery.
PMID- 29000711
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000712
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000713
TI - Erratum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 176 in vol. 26.].
PMID- 29000714
TI - The Eliminative Treatment of Puerperal Septicaemia.
PMID- 29000716
TI - Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29000715
TI - Transposition of Viscera.
PMID- 29000717
TI - Wholesale Poisoning at a Wedding Feast.
PMID- 29000718
TI - Coffee as a Germicide.
PMID- 29000720
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000719
TI - Multiple Injuries: Compound Comminuted Fracture of the Neck of the Scapula
(Including the Entire Glemoid Cavity) and of the Acromion and Coracoid Processes
Poisoned Wounds-Recovery.
PMID- 29000722
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000721
TI - On the Study of Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29000723
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000724
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1890.
PMID- 29000725
TI - Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29000726
TI - Tuberculosis in Cattle.
PMID- 29000727
TI - Recovery of Animals Attacked with Rabies.
PMID- 29000728
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000729
TI - The Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 29000730
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000731
TI - A Case of Ovarian Tumour.
PMID- 29000732
TI - Large Abscess of Spleen.
PMID- 29000733
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital.
PMID- 29000734
TI - Cases of Obstructed Labour.
PMID- 29000735
TI - Winter Practice in Kashmir.
PMID- 29000737
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000736
TI - Village Sanitation.
PMID- 29000739
TI - Cases of Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29000738
TI - The Treatment of Carbuncle.
PMID- 29000740
TI - Kala-Azar in Assam.
PMID- 29000741
TI - Contributions to the Practice of Midwifery.
PMID- 29000742
TI - Fatal Injury by a Stick Thrust into the Rectum.
PMID- 29000744
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000743
TI - Operations for Hernia.
PMID- 29000745
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia Caused by Squirrel-Bite.
PMID- 29000746
TI - Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29000747
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000748
TI - Rudolf Virchow.
PMID- 29000749
TI - Maritime Quarantine and Indian Cholera.
PMID- 29000751
TI - A Case of Peculiar Paralysis.
PMID- 29000750
TI - Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29000753
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000752
TI - Case of Persistent Hyaloid Artery.
PMID- 29000754
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000756
TI - Maritime Quarantine and Sanitation in Relation to Cholera.
PMID- 29000755
TI - Antipyrin and Sp. Eth. Nitrosi.
PMID- 29000758
TI - Prevalence of Bowel-Complaints in Prisons.
PMID- 29000757
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000759
TI - Case of Chyluria Treated with Gallic Acid and Thymol.
PMID- 29000761
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000760
TI - Two Cases of Large Uterine Polypus.
PMID- 29000762
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000763
TI - Ainhum and Polydactylism.
PMID- 29000765
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000764
TI - A Case of Vesical Calculus with Peculiar Complications.
PMID- 29000767
TI - Koch on Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 29000766
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000769
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000768
TI - Three Cases of Strangulation.
PMID- 29000770
TI - Remittent and Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29000772
TI - Poisonous Holds and Store-Rooms.
PMID- 29000771
TI - Short Notes of Cases of Pernicious Anaemia (Presumed Addison's Disease.).
PMID- 29000773
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000774
TI - Diagnosis of Insanity.
PMID- 29000775
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of First Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1887.
PMID- 29000777
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000776
TI - Recent Experiences in the Treatment of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29000778
TI - Typhoid and Remittent Fever.
PMID- 29000779
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the 1st Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1887.
PMID- 29000780
TI - Local Sweating in the Armpits.
PMID- 29000781
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000782
TI - Traumatic Aneurism in a Child under One Year.
PMID- 29000783
TI - Remarks on the Significance of Albuminuria and Glycosuria in Native Patients.
PMID- 29000784
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000785
TI - Polypus of the Uterus.
PMID- 29000786
TI - Sulphide of Calcium.
PMID- 29000787
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000788
TI - The Radical Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 29000789
TI - A Note on the Climate of Hill Stations in Southern India.
PMID- 29000791
TI - Hill Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29000790
TI - A Case of Dyspepsia Attended with Severe Spasms of the Diaphragm, Duration Three
Months, Cured within a Week.
PMID- 29000792
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000793
TI - Rabic Virus and Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29000795
TI - Stones in the Uterus.
PMID- 29000794
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29000796
TI - Indian Sprue.
PMID- 29000798
TI - Cholera and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29000797
TI - Feeding after Excision of Tongue.
PMID- 29000800
TI - Disease of the Suprarenal Capsules, or Pernicious Anaemia.
PMID- 29000799
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000802
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000801
TI - An Interesting Case of Hysteria in a Boy.
PMID- 29000803
TI - The Lewis Memorial.
PMID- 29000805
TI - Criminal Lunatics.
PMID- 29000804
TI - Case of Spurious Hermaphroditism.
PMID- 29000807
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000806
TI - Recent Experiences in the Treatment of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29000808
TI - Report on the Outbreak of Cholera in the Remount Depot at Babooghur in 1887.
PMID- 29000810
TI - A Case of Urethral Calculus.
PMID- 29000809
TI - Two Cases of Fracture of Spine.
PMID- 29000812
TI - Notes on Cataract and Other Operations on the Eyeball.
PMID- 29000811
TI - Notes on the Evolution of Disease.
PMID- 29000813
TI - Gunshot Wound Followed by Pulmonary Embolism and Cardiac Thrombosis.
PMID- 29000814
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000815
TI - Cocaine in the Surgical Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29000816
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000817
TI - Short Notes on 130 Cases of Hanging.
PMID- 29000818
TI - A Note on the Usefulness of Naoshadar or Sal Ammoniac.
PMID- 29000819
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000821
TI - An Obscure Skin Disease.
PMID- 29000820
TI - Cases of Rhinoplasty.
PMID- 29000822
TI - On Cholera.
PMID- 29000824
TI - Fish Poisoning.
PMID- 29000823
TI - Extract.
PMID- 29000826
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000825
TI - A Sketch of the Medical and Surgical Experiences of the War of the Rebellion in
America, during the Years 1861-65.
PMID- 29000828
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000827
TI - Milk and Water.
PMID- 29000829
TI - Cases of Enteric Fever in Calcutta.
PMID- 29000830
TI - The Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government
of India.
PMID- 29000831
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000832
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000833
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000834
TI - Conservative Dentistry versus Tooth Extraction.
PMID- 29000835
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000836
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000838
TI - Netley.
PMID- 29000837
TI - A Case of Empyema Following on Remittent Fever.
PMID- 29000839
TI - A Sketch of the Medical and Surgical Experiences of the War of the Rebellion in
America during the Years 1861-65.
PMID- 29000841
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000840
TI - Purpura Haemorrhagica Occurring during the Course of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29000843
TI - Sanitation in India.
PMID- 29000842
TI - The Action of Antipyrin on the Vaso-Motor System.
PMID- 29000844
TI - Recent Experiences in the Treatment of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29000845
TI - Short Notes of Cases of Pernicious Anaemia.
PMID- 29000846
TI - The Treatment of Dracunculus by Amarpatee.
PMID- 29000847
TI - Hepatic Disease in Young Children.
PMID- 29000848
TI - A Sketch of the Medical and Surgical Experiences of the War of the Rebellion in
America, during the Years 1861-65.
PMID- 29000849
TI - Aconite Treatment in Acute Dysentery.
PMID- 29000850
TI - Cases of Rhinoplasty.
PMID- 29000852
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000851
TI - A Stretcher.
PMID- 29000854
TI - Purpura Rheumatica et Haemorrhagica.
PMID- 29000853
TI - Contributions to the Indian Materia Medica-On the Medical Properties of Some of
the Indigenous Plants of Southern India.
PMID- 29000855
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000857
TI - The Logic of Quackery.
PMID- 29000856
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000859
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000858
TI - Case of Occlusion of the Mouth of the Right Coronary Artery in the Course of
General Atheroma, with Aneurismal Dilitation of the Arch of the Aorta.
PMID- 29000860
TI - Dentists and Medical Men.
PMID- 29000861
TI - The Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government
of India.
PMID- 29000862
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000863
TI - Spleen Pills.
PMID- 29000865
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000864
TI - Notes on Abortive Typhoid.
PMID- 29000866
TI - Pasteurism.
PMID- 29000867
TI - A Successful Case of Supra Pubic Lithotomy.
PMID- 29000868
TI - Notes on Litholapaxy with Special Reference to the Operation as Performed on Male
Children.
PMID- 29000870
TI - Dissolution and Evolution and the Science of Medicine.
PMID- 29000869
TI - Notes on the Evolution of Disease.
PMID- 29000871
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000872
TI - On the Treatment of Carbuncle by Scraping.
PMID- 29000874
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000873
TI - Miss Anna Williams.
PMID- 29000875
TI - Eserine in Night-Blindness.
PMID- 29000877
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000876
TI - A Query.
PMID- 29000878
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000879
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000880
TI - On Cholera.
PMID- 29000881
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the 1st Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1887.
PMID- 29000882
TI - Cases of Rhinoplasty.
PMID- 29000884
TI - The Physical Concomitants of Malaria.
PMID- 29000883
TI - Strange Course of a Bullet.
PMID- 29000885
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000886
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000887
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000888
TI - A Sketch of the Medical and Surgical Experiences of the War of the Rebellion in
America during the Years 1861-65.
PMID- 29000890
TI - Case of Transverse Presentation.
PMID- 29000891
TI - The Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government
of India.
PMID- 29000889
TI - Aconite Treatment in Acute Dysentery.
PMID- 29000892
TI - A Sketch of the Medical and Surgical Experiences of the War of the Rebellion in
America, during the Years 1861-65.
PMID- 29000893
TI - A Medical Revival in Egypt.
PMID- 29000895
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000894
TI - Precis of Operations Performed in the Wards of the 1st Surgeon, Medical College
Hospital, during the Year 1887.
PMID- 29000896
TI - On Cholera.
PMID- 29000897
TI - Modern Antipyretics in Remittent Fever.
PMID- 29000898
TI - A Case of Venomous Bite by Echis Carinata.
PMID- 29000899
TI - Changing Your Doctor.
PMID- 29000900
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000902
TI - Case of Foreign Body in the Windpipe.
PMID- 29000901
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000903
TI - Cases of Rhinoplasty.
PMID- 29000904
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000905
TI - Pancreatic Diabetes.
PMID- 29000906
TI - Remittent and Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29000908
TI - Notes on Litholapaxy, with Special Reference to the Operation as Performed on
Male Children.
PMID- 29000907
TI - Cases Illustrating the Diverse Appearances Found on Postmortem Examination of the
Drowned.
PMID- 29000909
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000910
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000911
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000913
TI - Medical Education of Women in Rajputana.
PMID- 29000912
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000914
TI - The Anchylostomum Duodenale: Its Wide Prevalence, and Connection with Jail
Debility.
PMID- 29000916
TI - Rigor Mortis.
PMID- 29000915
TI - The National Association for Supplying Female Medical Aid to the Women of India.
PMID- 29000918
TI - Fancy Fees.
PMID- 29000917
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29000920
TI - Dispensaries of the N.-W. Provinces and Oudh.
PMID- 29000919
TI - Case of Rodent Ulcer.
PMID- 29000921
TI - An Interesting Case of Insolation in the Jhang Jail.
PMID- 29000922
TI - On Cholera.
PMID- 29000924
TI - The Diagnosis of Tropical Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29000923
TI - The Causation of Cholera.
PMID- 29000926
TI - Fish Poisoning.
PMID- 29000925
TI - Gonorrhoea as Seen in the Army.
PMID- 29000928
TI - Tumour of the Supra-Orbital Region.
PMID- 29000927
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000929
TI - Hepatic Cirrhosis in Children.
PMID- 29000930
TI - Fees for Medical Reports for Life Assurance.
PMID- 29000931
TI - Tumour Simulating Spina Bifida.
PMID- 29000932
TI - Re-Fracture and Re-Setting of Bones.
PMID- 29000933
TI - Case of Mania in a Child.
PMID- 29000935
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000934
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000936
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000937
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000938
TI - Erratum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 322 in vol. 23.].
PMID- 29000939
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000941
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29000940
TI - Surgical Work in the State Hospital of Kashmere.
PMID- 29000943
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29000942
TI - Remakrs on Fever Mortality at Deobund in 1884.
PMID- 29000944
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000945
TI - Remedies for Uterine Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29000947
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29000946
TI - Hospital Bed for the Helpless and Injured.
PMID- 29000949
TI - Treatment of Constipation by Faradism.
PMID- 29000948
TI - 1887.
PMID- 29000950
TI - Dr. Francis on the Variolation of Cows.
PMID- 29000951
TI - Some Interesting and Peculiar Cases at Poonamalee, Madras, from 1883 to 1885.
PMID- 29000952
TI - Two Successful Cases of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29000953
TI - A Note on the Treatment of Mammary Sinus by Extract of Belladonna.
PMID- 29000954
TI - Medico-Legal Work in the District of Backergunge from January to June 1892.
PMID- 29000955
TI - Archibald Hamilton Hilson, M.D.
PMID- 29000957
TI - Chloroform.
PMID- 29000956
TI - Select Cases from the Santosh Golokenath Dispensary.
PMID- 29000959
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000958
TI - Pathological and Etiological Relations of Tropical Suppurative Hepatitis.
PMID- 29000961
TI - Memoranda on Water Filtration by the Chamberland-Pasteur and Nordtmeyer-Berk Feld
Systems (Illustrated).
PMID- 29000960
TI - India in 1892.
PMID- 29000962
TI - The Comma Bacillus and Immunity against Cholera.
PMID- 29000963
TI - Proposed Registration of Still-Born Children.
PMID- 29000964
TI - Liver Abscess-Incision-Drainage-Recovery.
PMID- 29000965
TI - Appointments, Promotions, Retirement, Leave, Language.
PMID- 29000966
TI - Indian Fevers.
PMID- 29000967
TI - Notes Regarding the Prevalence of the Dochmius Duodenalis.
PMID- 29000968
TI - Vaccine Lymph-Its Origin and Cultivation.
PMID- 29000969
TI - The Chest Measurement of Recruits.
PMID- 29000970
TI - A Protest.
PMID- 29000971
TI - Neglect of Children's Teeth.
PMID- 29000972
TI - The Revival of Symphysiotomy.
PMID- 29000974
TI - Chloroform Administration.
PMID- 29000973
TI - The Evolution of Antiseptic Surgery: A Retrospect.
PMID- 29000975
TI - Neglect of Children's Teeth.
PMID- 29000976
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000977
TI - Appointments, Leave, Transfers.
PMID- 29000978
TI - Treatment of Chronic Dysentry.
PMID- 29000979
TI - The Hyderabad Chloroform Commissions.
PMID- 29000980
TI - The White Man's Grave.
PMID- 29000981
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29000982
TI - Current Medical Literature.
PMID- 29000983
TI - The Etiological Relations of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 29000985
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29000984
TI - Peculiar Symptoms in an Infant Due to Contracted Prepuce.
PMID- 29000986
TI - Large Hepatic Abscess Bursting into the Peritoneum: Laparotomy.
PMID- 29000987
TI - A Resume of Some of the More Important Facts Relating to Indian Cholera.
PMID- 29000988
TI - Some Remarks on the Value of Ehrlich's Test for Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29000990
TI - Etiological and Clinical Studies in Malaria.
PMID- 29000989
TI - Ovarian Tumour: Operation-Death.
PMID- 29000992
TI - The Anti-Cholera Vaccination: An Experimental Critique. (Read before the
Pathological Society of London).
PMID- 29000991
TI - Current Medical Literature.
PMID- 29000994
TI - Appointments, Leave, Transfers, Promotions, Languages, Retirements.
PMID- 29000993
TI - Klein's Critique Criticised.
PMID- 29000995
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29000997
TI - Proliferous Ovarian Cystic Tumour of 2 1/2 Years' Growth: Removal.
PMID- 29000996
TI - Rhinoceros' Urine in Hindu Medicine.
PMID- 29000998
TI - Aneurism of Right Common Carotid Artery.
PMID- 29001000
TI - Vaccination in Bengal.
PMID- 29000999
TI - A Resume of Some of the More Important Facts Relating to Indian Cholera.
PMID- 29001002
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001001
TI - Epidemic Infectious Pneumonia.
PMID- 29001003
TI - The Hyderabad Chloroform Commissions.
PMID- 29001005
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001004
TI - Case of Unusual Foreign Body in the Eye.
PMID- 29001006
TI - The Cholera Epidemic of 1892.
PMID- 29001007
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001008
TI - Note on a Curious Condition of Enlarged Spleen.
PMID- 29001009
TI - Report of a Case of Inoculation with Carbolized Anti-Choleraic Vaccine
(Haffkine).
PMID- 29001010
TI - Chest Measurement of Recruits.
PMID- 29001012
TI - Spread of Cholera Organisms by the Agency of Flies.
PMID- 29001011
TI - Anti-Choleraic Vaccination.
PMID- 29001013
TI - The Hyderabad Chloroform Commissions.
PMID- 29001014
TI - The Specific Gravity of the Urine in Diabetes Mellitus.
PMID- 29001016
TI - A Bacteriological Study of Drinking Water.
PMID- 29001015
TI - Etiological and Clinical Studies in Malaria.
PMID- 29001017
TI - Vaccination against Asiatic Cholera.
PMID- 29001019
TI - Appointments.
PMID- 29001018
TI - The Immorality of Over-Work.
PMID- 29001021
TI - Cases from Chingleput District.
PMID- 29001020
TI - Prevesical Abscess.
PMID- 29001023
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001022
TI - Cases of Dysentery Treated with Ipecacuanha Sine Emetina (Merck).
PMID- 29001024
TI - India and the Contagious Diseases Act.
PMID- 29001025
TI - The Evolution of Antiseptic Surgery: A Retrospect.
PMID- 29001026
TI - Current Medical Literature.
PMID- 29001027
TI - On the Etiology and Classification of Abscesses in the Liver.
PMID- 29001028
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29001029
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001030
TI - Remarks on Some Recent Researches in Malaria.
PMID- 29001032
TI - Criminal Poisoning.
PMID- 29001031
TI - Animal Vaccine: Its Origin and Cultivation.
PMID- 29001033
TI - Chest Measurement.
PMID- 29001035
TI - Cases from Imambarrah Hospital, Hughli, under Surg.-Lt.-Col. K. P. Gupta, M.B.,
F.R.C.S.
PMID- 29001034
TI - Facts about Whiskey.
PMID- 29001036
TI - A Case of Beri Beri.
PMID- 29001037
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001038
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001039
TI - Jail Notes.
PMID- 29001040
TI - Snake-Bite Cases.
PMID- 29001041
TI - Appointments, &c.
PMID- 29001042
TI - Asthma and Its Analogues.
PMID- 29001044
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001043
TI - Horse Surra.
PMID- 29001045
TI - Intermittent Child-Crying and Malaria.
PMID- 29001046
TI - Cases from the Imambarrah Hospital in Hughli.
PMID- 29001047
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29001048
TI - Medical Professorships in India.
PMID- 29001049
TI - Current Medical Literature.
PMID- 29001050
TI - Pilgrims and Mecca.
PMID- 29001051
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001052
TI - Sanitation, &c.
PMID- 29001053
TI - A Supposed Rare Symptom in Malaria.
PMID- 29001054
TI - On Microbes in Soda-Water.
PMID- 29001055
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001056
TI - Coloured Spectacles.
PMID- 29001057
TI - A Case of Enteric Fever in a Gurkha-Intestinal Haemorrhage: Death.
PMID- 29001058
TI - Hindu System of Medicine.
PMID- 29001059
TI - Sanitary Administration in India.
PMID- 29001060
TI - Etiology of Tropical Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29001061
TI - A Modified Operation for Extraction of Senile Cataract.
PMID- 29001062
TI - On the Use of Methylene Blue in Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29001063
TI - Boiled Water for Troops &c.
PMID- 29001064
TI - Diurnal Vomiting.
PMID- 29001065
TI - Strychnine as an Antidote to Snake-Poison.
PMID- 29001066
TI - On a Symptom Specially Diagnostic of Guinea-Worm in Central India.
PMID- 29001067
TI - Extraction of Senile Cataract.
PMID- 29001068
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001069
TI - Matinal (Hill) Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29001070
TI - Malignant Remittent Fever at Peshawar.
PMID- 29001071
TI - Unna's Treatment of Leprosy. A Paper Read before the Bombay Branch of the British
Medical Association.
PMID- 29001072
TI - Excision of Scrofulous Glands of the Neck.
PMID- 29001073
TI - Pathological and Etiological Relations of Tropical Suppurative Hepatitis.
PMID- 29001074
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001076
TI - An Important Possibility Regarding the Haematozoon Malariae.
PMID- 29001075
TI - The Chest-Measurement of Recruits.
PMID- 29001077
TI - Vicarious Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29001079
TI - 1892.
PMID- 29001078
TI - Mad Animal's Bite.
PMID- 29001081
TI - The Customs Department of Bengal, 1891-92.
PMID- 29001080
TI - Notes Regarding the Prevalence of the Dochmius Duodenalis.
PMID- 29001082
TI - A Case of Unilateral Loss of Taste, the Result of an Injury to the Ear.
PMID- 29001084
TI - Diarrhoea Alba.
PMID- 29001083
TI - Indian Fevers.
PMID- 29001086
TI - Typhus Fever in the Khojak Pass.
PMID- 29001085
TI - Appointments, Promotions, Retirement, Resignation, Leave, Language.
PMID- 29001088
TI - The Curability of Cancer by Erysipelas.
PMID- 29001089
TI - Undescended Testis with Hydrocele Totalis Communicans.
PMID- 29001087
TI - Two Cases of Perforation of Intestine.
PMID- 29001091
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001090
TI - Frequency of Stone in Children and Absence in Adults.
PMID- 29001092
TI - A Case of Tumour: Innocent but Remarkable for Size and Appearance.
PMID- 29001093
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001094
TI - Current Medical Literature.
PMID- 29001096
TI - Report of the Leprosy Commission in India.
PMID- 29001095
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite Treated by Hypodermic Injection of Sulphate of Strychnia:
Recovery.
PMID- 29001097
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001098
TI - Further Notes on the Prevalence of the Dochmius Duodenalis.
PMID- 29001100
TI - The Evolution of Antiseptic Surgery: A Retrospect.
PMID- 29001099
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001101
TI - Peculiar Symptoms in an Infant Due to Contracted Prepuce.
PMID- 29001103
TI - Case of Urethral Calculus.
PMID- 29001102
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29001104
TI - Treatment of Cholera by Irrigation of the Bowel.
PMID- 29001105
TI - Headache.
PMID- 29001106
TI - Notes Regarding the Prevalence of the Dochmius Duodenalis.
PMID- 29001107
TI - Proposed Registration of Still-Born Children.
PMID- 29001108
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001110
TI - On the Use of Chloride of Calcium in the Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29001109
TI - Cases from Chingleput District.
PMID- 29001111
TI - Cases from Barisal Municipal Hospital.
PMID- 29001112
TI - Cases of Malarial Neuroretinitis.
PMID- 29001113
TI - Pathological and Etiological Relations of Tropical Suppurative Hepatitis.
PMID- 29001114
TI - Malarial Fevers. Geo. Ranking.
PMID- 29001115
TI - Cholera in Europe and India.
PMID- 29001117
TI - Ophthalmic Surgery, 1892.
PMID- 29001116
TI - College and Hospital Appointments.
PMID- 29001118
TI - Appointments, &c.
PMID- 29001120
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001119
TI - A Discussion on Cholera; Its Epidemic Progression and Causation.
PMID- 29001122
TI - Appointments, Leave, Retirement.
PMID- 29001121
TI - The True Nature of the Plasmodium and of Some Other Parasitic Appearances in
Blood.
PMID- 29001123
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001124
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001126
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001125
TI - Four Cases from the Local Fund Hospital, Chingleput.
PMID- 29001128
TI - Current Medical Literature.
PMID- 29001127
TI - Surgery - Antiseptic Vagaries.
PMID- 29001129
TI - Report of the Leprosy Commission: Contagion.
PMID- 29001130
TI - On the Study of Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29001131
TI - A Note on Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29001132
TI - Malaria.
PMID- 29001133
TI - Progress of Sanitation in Assam.
PMID- 29001134
TI - Six Cases of Cardiac Thrombosis Causing Sudden Death.
PMID- 29001136
TI - Mecca and Indian Pilgrims.
PMID- 29001135
TI - A Case of Carbolic Acid Poisoning.
PMID- 29001137
TI - A Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29001138
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001139
TI - Indian Pilgrims to Mecca.
PMID- 29001140
TI - Current Medical Literature.
PMID- 29001141
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite: Strychnia Treatment, Recovery.
PMID- 29001142
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001143
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001144
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001145
TI - The Evolution of Antiseptic Surgery: A Retrospect.
PMID- 29001146
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001147
TI - Report of the Leprosy Commission: Heredity.
PMID- 29001149
TI - Medico Legal Work in the District of Backergunge in 1892.
PMID- 29001148
TI - Treatment of Chronic Dysentery.
PMID- 29001150
TI - A Case Fracture-Dislocation of the Cervical Spinal Column.
PMID- 29001151
TI - Lathyrism.
PMID- 29001152
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001153
TI - Waterborne Cholera: An Address Delivered before the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting
of the American Medical Associations, Held at Milwaukee, Wis., June 7, 1893.
PMID- 29001154
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001155
TI - A Resume of Some of the More Important Facts Relating to Indian Cholera.
PMID- 29001157
TI - Dysentery in Hot Countries and Its Relation to Abscess of the Liver.
PMID- 29001156
TI - Notes on the Treatment and Management of Lunatics in Jails.
PMID- 29001158
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001159
TI - Ipecacuanha Sine Emetfna.
PMID- 29001160
TI - Current Medical Literature.
PMID- 29001162
TI - A Pasteur Institute for India.
PMID- 29001161
TI - A Case of Hydrocele Reaching High into the Abdomen.
PMID- 29001163
TI - Chronic Purulent Otorrhoea.
PMID- 29001164
TI - Ipecacuanha and Emetine.
PMID- 29001166
TI - An Argument in Favour of Tobacco.
PMID- 29001165
TI - Male Sick Nurses.
PMID- 29001167
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29001168
TI - Medical Congresses.
PMID- 29001169
TI - Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 29001170
TI - A Freak of Nature.
PMID- 29001171
TI - Fearful Mortality among Pilgrims.
PMID- 29001172
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29001173
TI - Cholera in Persia.
PMID- 29001174
TI - The Proper Adoption and Use of Compound Titles.
PMID- 29001175
TI - The Prevalence of Dochmus Duodenalis.
PMID- 29001177
TI - A Case of Strangulated Hernia with Complications.
PMID- 29001176
TI - The Bhau Daji Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29001179
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001178
TI - Lanoline Vaccination.
PMID- 29001180
TI - Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29001181
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001183
TI - Case of Suffocation by a Fish.
PMID- 29001182
TI - To Subscribers & Readers.
PMID- 29001184
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 29001185
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001186
TI - Notes of Three Cases of Diphtheritic and Inflammatory Croup and Ulcerative Sore
Throat, with Remarks on Treatment.
PMID- 29001187
TI - A Case of Compound Fracture of the Skull and Spine, with Loss of Brain Substance.
PMID- 29001188
TI - Cocaine in the Treatment of Hypopion.
PMID- 29001189
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001190
TI - Withania Coagulans and Somnifera.
PMID- 29001191
TI - Compound Fracture of the Skull, with Great Loss of Cerebral Matter; Recovery.
PMID- 29001192
TI - Ovarian Cystic Tumour Successfully Removed by Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29001194
TI - The Spray.
PMID- 29001193
TI - Notes on the Treatment of Malarial Fevers with Tincture of Iodine.
PMID- 29001196
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 29001195
TI - Case of Foreign Body in the Rectum.
PMID- 29001197
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001198
TI - Case of Strangulated Hernia Treated Successfully by Taxis.
PMID- 29001200
TI - Gangrene of Forearm Caused by Undue Tightening of Splints Applied to a Simple
Fracture of Humerus.
PMID- 29001199
TI - Two Cases of Fracture of Skull with Recovery.
PMID- 29001201
TI - The Supply of Medicines in Civil Dispensaries.
PMID- 29001203
TI - The Action of Castor Oil.
PMID- 29001202
TI - Thirty Cases of Pneumonia Amongst the XVth Sikhs at Delhi.
PMID- 29001204
TI - Diabetes in India.
PMID- 29001205
TI - Removal of Tattoo Marks.
PMID- 29001207
TI - The Magnifying Power of Microscopes.
PMID- 29001206
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001209
TI - Another Cholera Microbe.
PMID- 29001208
TI - Surgical Operations at the Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
PMID- 29001210
TI - Vital Statistics-Mortality of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
PMID- 29001212
TI - Medical Degrees: Special Letter from a Correspondent on Furlough.
PMID- 29001211
TI - Two Cases of Atrophy of Liver.
PMID- 29001213
TI - Necessity for Examining Vomited Matters in Cases of Suspected Poisoning.
PMID- 29001214
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001216
TI - Vaccination for Cholera.
PMID- 29001215
TI - On the Prevelance of Epidemic Roseola in Calcutta.
PMID- 29001217
TI - Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29001218
TI - Reduction of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia En Bloc-Operative Formation of
Artificial Anus-Recovery.
PMID- 29001219
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001220
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 29001221
TI - The Symptoms in Datura Poisoning, with Notes of Thirty-Two Cases.
PMID- 29001222
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001223
TI - A Case of Supplementary or Second Spleen.
PMID- 29001224
TI - The Ideal Physician.
PMID- 29001225
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001227
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001226
TI - Unemployed Pay of Surgeons-Major.
PMID- 29001228
TI - Warburg's Tincture.
PMID- 29001229
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001230
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001231
TI - Case of Multiple Wounds Healing by Primary Union without the Employment of
Antiseptics.
PMID- 29001233
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 29001232
TI - The Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital and the Local Medical Graduates.
PMID- 29001234
TI - The Utilization of Condemned Criminals for Cholera Experiments.
PMID- 29001235
TI - Case of Inversion of Uterus Following Delivery: Recovery, after Reduction.
PMID- 29001236
TI - Electricity for Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 29001237
TI - The Cause of Cholera.
PMID- 29001238
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001239
TI - Vital and Sanitary Statistics.
PMID- 29001240
TI - Hurdwar Pilgrims and Cholera, More Especially with Regard to the Epidemic in
1885.
PMID- 29001241
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001243
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001242
TI - Note on the Chemical Composition of the Leaves of Erythroxylon Monogynum (Vel
Indicum).
PMID- 29001245
TI - The Influence of Sea-Voyaging on the Genito-Urinary Functions.
PMID- 29001244
TI - Litholapaxy in Male Children and Male Adults, with Notes of Three Cases of
Lithotomy at the Indore Charitable Hospital.
PMID- 29001247
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001246
TI - Removal of 26 Calculi from a Prolapsed Bladder-Prolapsus of Bladder and Vagina of
25 Years' Duration Reduced Successfully.
PMID- 29001248
TI - The Natural Production of Malaria and the Means of Making Malarial Countries
Healthier.
PMID- 29001249
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001250
TI - A Statistical Review of 108 Cases of Glaucoma.
PMID- 29001251
TI - Reduction of Dislocated Hip-Joint.
PMID- 29001252
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001253
TI - The Utilization of Condemned Criminals for Cholera Experiments.
PMID- 29001255
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 29001254
TI - One Hundred and Twenty-Two Round Worms Discharged by a Child in Five Days.
PMID- 29001257
TI - The Cause of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 29001256
TI - The Treatment of Gonorhoea.
PMID- 29001259
TI - The Poisons Used to Destroy Human Life in Bengal.
PMID- 29001258
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001260
TI - The Constitutional Requirements for Tropical Life: With Special Reference to
Temperaments.
PMID- 29001262
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001261
TI - Obesity in a Child.
PMID- 29001263
TI - A Case of Camphor-Poisoning.
PMID- 29001264
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001266
TI - The Pishin Expeditionary Force.
PMID- 29001265
TI - The AEtiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29001268
TI - Potential Capacity of the Bladder in an Infant.
PMID- 29001267
TI - Cerebral Haemorrhage, with Right Hemiplegia and Typical Aphasia.
PMID- 29001270
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001269
TI - Two Cases of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia Operated on Successfully for Radical
Cure.
PMID- 29001271
TI - Leper Hospitals.
PMID- 29001272
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001273
TI - Abstracts & Extracts.
PMID- 29001274
TI - Loosening of the Teeth.
PMID- 29001275
TI - Case of Persistent Hiccough Treated Successfully by Ergot.
PMID- 29001277
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001276
TI - The Comma-Bacillus of Koch Not a Distinct Species.
PMID- 29001279
TI - Cocaine and Cataract at Lahore.
PMID- 29001278
TI - Epidemic Progression of Cholera.
PMID- 29001280
TI - Poisoning by Jatropha Multifida.
PMID- 29001281
TI - Cure for Stammering.
PMID- 29001283
TI - A Saline Intra-Venous Injection for Cholera.
PMID- 29001282
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001284
TI - Glycerine.
PMID- 29001286
TI - Abolition of Unemployed Pay.
PMID- 29001285
TI - Pilocarpine in Ascites.
PMID- 29001287
TI - The Mortality of the Globe.
PMID- 29001288
TI - The True Role of the Comma-Bacillus Unveiled.
PMID- 29001289
TI - Case of External Anthrax or Malignant Pustule.
PMID- 29001290
TI - Haematuria Due to the Presence of a Leech in the Urethra.
PMID- 29001291
TI - Enteric Fever among Soldiers in India.
PMID- 29001293
TI - The Crow and the Country Doctor.
PMID- 29001292
TI - Note on the AEtiology of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29001294
TI - Modes of Inducing Criminal Abortion in the Punjab.
PMID- 29001296
TI - 1884.
PMID- 29001295
TI - Nasal Polypi Removed by Tannic Acid Snuff.
PMID- 29001297
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 29001298
TI - Letter No. 1 from a Correspondent on How to Spend One's Furlough.
PMID- 29001299
TI - Compound Fracture of Both Forearms.
PMID- 29001300
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001301
TI - Case of Traumatic Tetanus: Recovery.
PMID- 29001302
TI - The Report of the English Cholera Commission.
PMID- 29001303
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001304
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001305
TI - The Native Methods of Treating Lying-In-Women in India.
PMID- 29001306
TI - The Cholera Epidemic in Thalchotiali District, Beluchistan.
PMID- 29001307
TI - Traumatic Rupture of Spleen in a Case of Dengue.
PMID- 29001309
TI - Indian Medical Jurisprudence.
PMID- 29001308
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001310
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitary Notes.
PMID- 29001311
TI - Medical Women for India.
PMID- 29001313
TI - Notes of a Research upon the Nature of Cobra-Poison.
PMID- 29001312
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001314
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001315
TI - "Enteric" Fever among Natives.
PMID- 29001316
TI - Isapghol and Other Mucilaginous Seeds in the Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29001317
TI - Large Abscess on Back, Communicating with the Lung-Recovery.
PMID- 29001318
TI - Horse Allowance to Officers Warned for Service.
PMID- 29001319
TI - Repair of Columna of Nose-Lymphocele-Tenotomy-Urethral Haemorrhage-Excision of
Superior Maxilla-Round-Celled Sarcomata-Amputation of Thigh for Sarcoma-Strumous
Inflammation of Cervical Vertebrae.
PMID- 29001320
TI - Indian Hemp as a Cause of Insanity.
PMID- 29001321
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001322
TI - Epidemic Prevalence of Cholera in Calcutta.
PMID- 29001324
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001323
TI - Imperforate Anus: Operation: Recovery. Cataract with Atresia Pupilaris and
Posterior Synechia.
PMID- 29001325
TI - Treatment of Writer's Cramp.
PMID- 29001326
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001327
TI - Abstracts & Extracts.
PMID- 29001329
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001328
TI - The Constitutional Requirements for Tropical Life: With Special Reference to
Temperaments.
PMID- 29001331
TI - The Execretion of Urea in Natives.
PMID- 29001330
TI - Mess Subscriptions.
PMID- 29001332
TI - A Further Series of 42 Cases of Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29001333
TI - A Case of Enteric Fever in a Native.
PMID- 29001334
TI - Thirty-Four Cases of Litholapaxy, with One Death.
PMID- 29001335
TI - Insanity in Bengal.
PMID- 29001337
TI - Assistant Surgeons' Promotion Examination.
PMID- 29001336
TI - Myxoedema & Goitre in India.
PMID- 29001338
TI - Excessive Discharge of Round Worms.
PMID- 29001339
TI - Dermoid Cyst in Connection with Upper Eyelid and Frontal Bone: Removal.
PMID- 29001341
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001340
TI - A Case of Pachydermatocele or Dermatolysis, Associated with Fibroma Molluscum.
Illustrated.
PMID- 29001342
TI - Bicarbonate of Sodium in Iodoform Poisoning.
PMID- 29001344
TI - The Maclean Fund.
PMID- 29001343
TI - Two Cases of Gastrorhexis, or Spontaneous Rupture of the Stomach.
PMID- 29001346
TI - Two Cases of Dislocation on to the Dorsum Ilii Reduced by Manipulation.
PMID- 29001345
TI - The Boy and the Bone-Setter.
PMID- 29001347
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001348
TI - Abstracts and Extracts.
PMID- 29001349
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001350
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001351
TI - Note on the Use of Babarang (Embelia Ribes) as an Efficient Remedy for Tapeworm.
PMID- 29001353
TI - Liniment for Earache.
PMID- 29001352
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001354
TI - Nine Cases of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29001355
TI - The Civil Department of the Indian Medical Service as a Field for Operative
Surgery.
PMID- 29001356
TI - Remarks on the Nature of Nerve Motion or Force.
PMID- 29001357
TI - Incised Wound of Head with Fracture of Skull-Hemiplegia-Recovery.
PMID- 29001358
TI - Diabetes in India.
PMID- 29001360
TI - Bombay University.
PMID- 29001359
TI - Researches on Snake-Venom.
PMID- 29001364
TI - Letter No. 2 from a Correspondent on Furlough.
PMID- 29001362
TI - Cholera in Relation to Water and Soil.
PMID- 29001363
TI - Abstracts & Extracts.
PMID- 29001361
TI - Medical Education in Lower Bengal.
PMID- 29001365
TI - A Fatal Case of Remittent Fever in a Soldier, with Autopsy.
PMID- 29001366
TI - The Topical Application of Muriate of Cocaine in a Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29001368
TI - Litholapaxy in India.
PMID- 29001367
TI - Diseases of Children.
PMID- 29001369
TI - Amchur or Dried Mango-Pulp as an Antiscorbutic.
PMID- 29001371
TI - Chemical Terminology of Tea.
PMID- 29001370
TI - Cocaine in Ophthalmic Surgery.
PMID- 29001372
TI - Village Registration of Statistics.
PMID- 29001373
TI - Surgery.
PMID- 29001375
TI - Oriental Witchcraft.
PMID- 29001374
TI - Foreign Body in Lower Part of Pharynx, with Formation of Abscess and Perforation
of Larynx; Tracheotomy; Death; P.M.
PMID- 29001376
TI - A Dentists Order.
PMID- 29001377
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001378
TI - Census of Medical Men.
PMID- 29001379
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001380
TI - Deformity of the Hands Caused by Absorption of the Phalangeal Bones.
PMID- 29001382
TI - Strychnia Poisoning in India.
PMID- 29001383
TI - Therapeutics.
PMID- 29001381
TI - Five Cases of Charcoal Vapour Poisoning.
PMID- 29001384
TI - Two Cases of Excision of Elbow Joint.
PMID- 29001385
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001386
TI - Fever in Bengal.
PMID- 29001387
TI - Litholapaxy in Male Children and Male Adults: A Second Series of Cases.
PMID- 29001388
TI - A Case of Chylous Urine.
PMID- 29001389
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001390
TI - Removal of Nitrate of Silver Stains from Hands.
PMID- 29001392
TI - Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India.
PMID- 29001391
TI - Field Service Kit.
PMID- 29001393
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001394
TI - Where Is Urea Formed?
PMID- 29001396
TI - The Struggle for Existence in Indian Forests.
PMID- 29001395
TI - External Application of Ether in Vomiting.
PMID- 29001397
TI - Enormous Elephantoid Growth of Leg: Amputation of Lower Extremity (Illustrated).
PMID- 29001398
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001399
TI - An Address on Cholera Enquiry.
PMID- 29001401
TI - Oil of Peppermint in Burns.
PMID- 29001400
TI - Nux-Vomica Poisoning of an Habituee.
PMID- 29001402
TI - A Piece of Stick Introduced by a Woman into the Interior of Her Uterus for the
Cure of Amenorrhoea: Removal.
PMID- 29001403
TI - Is Herpes Zoster Contagious?
PMID- 29001404
TI - The Sanitation of Calcutta Suburbs.
PMID- 29001405
TI - A Testimonial to Dr. Docker.
PMID- 29001406
TI - Three Cases of Radical Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 29001407
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001408
TI - Diagnosis of Leprosy.
PMID- 29001410
TI - The Origin of Indian Hospitals.
PMID- 29001411
TI - Elastic Cord for Arresting Haemorrhage in the Field.
PMID- 29001409
TI - Treatment of Stammering.
PMID- 29001412
TI - Management of the Third Stage of Labor.
PMID- 29001413
TI - Case of Transposition of the Viscera.
PMID- 29001414
TI - Obstinate Case of Obstruction of Bowel.
PMID- 29001415
TI - The Ayur-Veda Sastra on Opium.
PMID- 29001416
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001417
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology: Intestinal Origin of Chlorosis, &c.
PMID- 29001418
TI - Notes on the Meteorology of Cholera in Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29001420
TI - Persistent Sneezing under Chloroform Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29001419
TI - A Case of Cerebral Tumour.
PMID- 29001421
TI - Well-Construction and the Preservation of the Purity of Well-Water.
PMID- 29001423
TI - Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Cavities.
PMID- 29001422
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001425
TI - Waterborne Cholera.
PMID- 29001424
TI - Permanganate of Potash as an Antidote to Opium.
PMID- 29001426
TI - Medicine: Therapeutic Uses of Phenocoll-Antidote to Hydrocyanic Acid, &c.
PMID- 29001427
TI - Cocaine Anaesthetic in Removal of Tumours.
PMID- 29001428
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001429
TI - Hysterectomy by the Clamp Operation.
PMID- 29001430
TI - Sanitation in India.
PMID- 29001431
TI - Headache as a Consequence of Menorrhagia and Utero-Ovarian Irritation.
PMID- 29001432
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29001433
TI - Appointments, Leave.
PMID- 29001434
TI - Surgical Extracts: A Mode of Controlling the Circulation through the Abdominal
Aorta, &c.
PMID- 29001435
TI - Professor Haffkine's Method of Inoculation against Cholera.
PMID- 29001436
TI - Treatment of Cases of Suppurating Ovarian Cyst, &c.
PMID- 29001437
TI - Infectious Diseases and Cremation among Europeans.
PMID- 29001438
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29001439
TI - Opium: Its Manufacture and Composition.
PMID- 29001440
TI - Treatment of Chronic Hydrocephalus.
PMID- 29001441
TI - History of the Opium Habit, and Opium-Poppy Culture.
PMID- 29001442
TI - Surgical Extracts: Union of a Ureter-Hutchins on Leprosy-Laminectomy.
PMID- 29001444
TI - Ophthalmology: Pernicious Influence of Albinism upon the Eye, &c.
PMID- 29001443
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology: Jaundice from Mental Emotion, &c.
PMID- 29001446
TI - Appointments, Transfers, Promotions.
PMID- 29001445
TI - Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children.
PMID- 29001448
TI - Proper Adoption and Use of Compound Titles.
PMID- 29001447
TI - A Case of "Filarial Disease" of the Lymphatics in Which a Number of Adult Filaria
Were Removed from the Arm.
PMID- 29001449
TI - Electricity in an Obstinate Case of Eczema.
PMID- 29001450
TI - The "M. D." Degree of the Calcutta University.
PMID- 29001451
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001452
TI - Medicine: HystericalAphonia-Sur la Pathogenie du Rhumatisme Articulaire Aigu
Frave-Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29001453
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001454
TI - Opium, &c.
PMID- 29001455
TI - Intolerence of Iodine.
PMID- 29001456
TI - Ipecacuanha Sine Emetina.
PMID- 29001458
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001457
TI - Case of a Madrasi Woman Bitten by a Russell's Viper.
PMID- 29001459
TI - Malarial Melanaemia.
PMID- 29001460
TI - A Case of Cerebellar Tumour with Secondary Growths in the Meninges.
PMID- 29001462
TI - The Bacteriology of Dysentery.
PMID- 29001461
TI - The Thyroid Treatment of Myxoedema.
PMID- 29001463
TI - An Analysis of the Symptoms Referable to the Alimentary System Observed in 250
Cases of Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29001465
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001464
TI - Typhoid Fever in India.
PMID- 29001466
TI - Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum.
PMID- 29001467
TI - Sterilised Water.
PMID- 29001468
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001469
TI - Studies on the Etiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29001470
TI - Erysipelas of the Face.
PMID- 29001471
TI - Anchylostomiasis in Egypt.
PMID- 29001473
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001472
TI - Some Remarks on Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29001474
TI - Note on Cholera in the Berar Province.
PMID- 29001475
TI - The Treatment of Cancer of the Stomach: La Tribune Medicale, 22nd March 1894.
PMID- 29001476
TI - Appointments, Leave, Acknowledgments.
PMID- 29001477
TI - Enteric Fever Amongst the Troops in Paris, &c.
PMID- 29001479
TI - A Case of Sarcoma of the Left Upper Extremity-Amputation at the Shoulder Joint:
Recovery.
PMID- 29001478
TI - Chloroform and AEther: A Comparison.
PMID- 29001480
TI - Anchylostomiasis.
PMID- 29001481
TI - A Case of Pulmonary Embolism.
PMID- 29001483
TI - Medicine: Venesection in Diseases of the Heart. &c.
PMID- 29001482
TI - The Plague in Hongkong, and the Measures to Prevent Its Introduction into
Calcutta.
PMID- 29001484
TI - Cases from the Emambarrah Hospital in Hughli.
PMID- 29001486
TI - Rheumatic Fever with Hyperpyrexia.
PMID- 29001485
TI - Eighth Inter. Congress of Hygiene and Demography.
PMID- 29001487
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001488
TI - Allahabad Magh Mela of 1894.
PMID- 29001492
TI - The Proper Adoption and Use of Compound Titles.
PMID- 29001491
TI - The Role of the Bacillus Coli Communis as a Pathogenic Organism.
PMID- 29001493
TI - Animal Vaccine: Its Origin and Cultivation.
PMID- 29001495
TI - Treatment of Diabetes.
PMID- 29001494
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001497
TI - Ophthalmology: Subconjunctival Injections in Interstitial Keratitis, &c.
PMID- 29001496
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001499
TI - Appointments, Leave, Furlough, Transfers, &c.
PMID- 29001498
TI - The Case against Surgeon-Lieutenant Pearse.
PMID- 29001501
TI - Diseases of Women and Children.
PMID- 29001500
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29001502
TI - On the Relation between Atmospheric Pressure and Cholera in the Bombay Province.
PMID- 29001503
TI - Diabetes.
PMID- 29001504
TI - Further Observations on the Modified Operation for Extraction of Senile Cataract.
PMID- 29001505
TI - Surgical Extracts: Where Pus is Formed in Quinsy?
PMID- 29001506
TI - A Case of Bilateral Cerebral Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29001507
TI - Waterborne Cholera: An Address Delivered before the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting
of the American Medical Association, Held at Milwaukee, Wis., June 7, 1893.
PMID- 29001508
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001509
TI - Cases from the Imambarah Hospital in Hughli.
PMID- 29001511
TI - Position of Beri-Beri among Infectious Diseases.
PMID- 29001510
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001512
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001513
TI - Appointments, &c.
PMID- 29001514
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29001515
TI - Injury to the Cervical Cord.
PMID- 29001516
TI - Medical Evidence.
PMID- 29001518
TI - Surgical Extracts: Surgical Teatment of Goitre Hypertrophy of the Prostate -
Rhinitis OEdematosa.
PMID- 29001517
TI - Third Element of the Blood and Malaria Parasite.
PMID- 29001520
TI - Miscellaneous Notes, &c.
PMID- 29001519
TI - Tuberculosis of Peritoneum.
PMID- 29001521
TI - The Royal Commission on Opium - General Evidence.
PMID- 29001522
TI - Ophthalmology: The Therapeutic Value of Weak Lenses-Abnormal Conditions of the
Eye and Uterine Diseases, &c., &c.
PMID- 29001523
TI - Indian Medical Congress.
PMID- 29001525
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001524
TI - On the Cataract Pricking of the Hindu.
PMID- 29001527
TI - Appointments, Leave, Acknowledgments.
PMID- 29001526
TI - Note on a Case of Obstruction of the Bowels: Presumably Due to the Presence of
Common Round Worms.
PMID- 29001528
TI - Enteric Fever among Natives.
PMID- 29001529
TI - Snake-Bite; Treatment by Strychnine: Recovery.
PMID- 29001532
TI - Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two Operations for Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29001531
TI - Medicine: The Ingleby Lectures on the Common Forms of Dyspepsia in WomenNote on
Strychnine as a Cardiac and Respiratory Stimulent.
PMID- 29001530
TI - Technique of Haffkine's Anti-Choleraic Inoculations.
PMID- 29001534
TI - Appointment of the Visiting Surgeon and Clinical Teacher to the Medical College.
PMID- 29001533
TI - The Most Common Eye Diseases in the N.-W. P. and Oudh. Illustrated by 1,000
Cases.
PMID- 29001536
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001535
TI - Surgical Extracts: On the Treatment of Some Forms of Stone in the Bladder by
Perinaeal Lithotrity the Operative Treatment of Sarcoma of the Kidney, &c., &c.
PMID- 29001538
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001537
TI - A Case of Idiopathic Tetanus Treated with Sub-Cutaneous Injection of
EserineSulphas: Recovery.
PMID- 29001540
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001539
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29001541
TI - Intra-Peritoneal Injection in Cholera.
PMID- 29001542
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29001543
TI - Water-Borne Cholera.
PMID- 29001544
TI - Fatal Sword Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29001545
TI - Foecal Impaction Causing Sciatica in a Puerperal Women.
PMID- 29001547
TI - Alcohol as a Therapeutic Agent.
PMID- 29001546
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29001548
TI - A Resume of Some of the More Important Facts Relating to Indian Cholera.
PMID- 29001549
TI - The Opium Question.
PMID- 29001550
TI - Medicine: Traitement Chirurgical des Absces du Foie-Actions of Drugs upon the
Kidney, &c.
PMID- 29001552
TI - Appointments, Leave.
PMID- 29001551
TI - Surgical Extracts: Saline Aperients in Peritonitis-The Bacteriological Origin of
Chronic Rheumatic Joint Inflammations, &c.
PMID- 29001553
TI - A Case of Acute Atrophy of the Liver.
PMID- 29001555
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001554
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite Treated by Strychnine.
PMID- 29001556
TI - Transposition of the Testicles.
PMID- 29001557
TI - Professor Cunningham's Recent Observations on the Comma Bacillus.
PMID- 29001558
TI - The Visiting Surgeon and Clinical Teacher of Surgery at the Calcutta Medical
Hospital.
PMID- 29001559
TI - Ophthalmology: The Operative Cure of High Myopia-Temporary Blindness, &c.
PMID- 29001561
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001562
TI - Opthalmology: Surgical Treatment of Granular Lids -Tumours of the Optic Nerve,
&c.
PMID- 29001560
TI - Chloroform and AEther: A Comparison.
PMID- 29001563
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001564
TI - Observations on Typhoid OutBreaks: I.-Typhoid and "Dahi".
PMID- 29001565
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29001566
TI - Perforation in Typhoid Treated Byexcising the Perforation, and Washing out the
Peritonial Cavity, &c.
PMID- 29001567
TI - A Case of Intussusception: Laparotomy: Remarks on the Mortality of Such Cases.
PMID- 29001569
TI - The Pathology of Diabetes.
PMID- 29001568
TI - The Operative Treatment of Acute Suppurative Peritonitis.
PMID- 29001570
TI - Medical Advertisements in Lay Papers.
PMID- 29001571
TI - Sanitation and Medical Relief in Rural Tracts.
PMID- 29001572
TI - Medcine: Diagnostic Palpation of the Vermiform Appendix, &c.
PMID- 29001573
TI - Abdominal Surgery at the Eden Hospital, Calcutta, during the Years, 92-93.
PMID- 29001574
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001576
TI - A Protest.
PMID- 29001575
TI - Remarks on the Operative Treatment of Stricture of the Urethra: More Particularly
the Impermeable.
PMID- 29001577
TI - The Future of the Wounded in War: A Note.
PMID- 29001578
TI - Two Cases of Tetanus.
PMID- 29001579
TI - A Case of Progressive Muscular Atrophy.
PMID- 29001580
TI - Medical Fees.
PMID- 29001581
TI - The Treatment of Cancer of the Stomach: La Tribune Medicale, 22nd March 1894.
PMID- 29001583
TI - The Nucleins and Nuclein Therapy.
PMID- 29001582
TI - Appointments-Leave-Acknowledgments.
PMID- 29001584
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite: Treatment by Hypodermic Injection of Strychnia: Death.
PMID- 29001586
TI - The Future of the Wounded in War.
PMID- 29001585
TI - Anchylostomiasis.
PMID- 29001587
TI - The Madras Govt. and Their Medical Officers.
PMID- 29001588
TI - Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29001589
TI - The Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29001590
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29001591
TI - Medicine: Rapid Method of Demonstrating Tubercle Bacilli in Sputa-Relapses in
Typhoid Fever - The Diazo-Benzoic Reaction in Urine, &c.
PMID- 29001592
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001593
TI - Haffkine's Preventive Inoculation.
PMID- 29001594
TI - Abdominal Surgery at the Eden Hospital, Calcutta, during the Years, '92-93.
PMID- 29001596
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001595
TI - Inoculation as a Prophylactic of Cholera.
PMID- 29001597
TI - Indian Medical Congress.
PMID- 29001598
TI - Rainfall and Seasonal Cholera in India.
PMID- 29001599
TI - An Epidemic of Yaws in Assam.
PMID- 29001600
TI - On Insanity Produced by the Abuse of Ganja and Other Preparations of Indian Hemp,
with Notes of Cases.
PMID- 29001601
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001602
TI - Cholera and Preventive Inoculation in Gya Jail.
PMID- 29001603
TI - Prevention of Sore Feet.
PMID- 29001604
TI - Cholera in the J. J. Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 29001605
TI - Heatstroke-Sunstroke - With Hyperpyrexia, Temperature 109 degrees . 8 F.
Recovery.
PMID- 29001606
TI - Antiseptic Surgery in India-In Theory and Practice.
PMID- 29001608
TI - Appointments-Leave-Acknowledgments.
PMID- 29001607
TI - Selections: Karlinski's Short Contributions to the AEtiology of Cholera-Measures
against Cholera; the Sanitary Conditions of Lunatic Aylums, Infirmaries, &c.
PMID- 29001610
TI - A Case of Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29001609
TI - The Strychnia Treatment of Cobra-Bite.
PMID- 29001611
TI - A Case of Sarcoma of Left Upper Jaw : Excision : Recovery.
PMID- 29001612
TI - The Colombo Leper Asylum.
PMID- 29001613
TI - A List of Natural Appearances in the Blood Which Have Been Mistaken for Forms of
the Malaria Parasite.
PMID- 29001614
TI - Medicine-Entomology Applied to Medico-Legal Medicine-Tea as a Possible Course of
Plumbism-The Therapeutics of the Homologues of Quinine-Sodium Nitrate - Diagnosis
of Latent Aortic Aneurism - Treatment of Tuberculosis, &c., &c.
PMID- 29001616
TI - The Marriage of Syphilitics-The Treatment of Fracture by Massage-Comparative
Statement of Mortality after Chloroformand Ether, &c., &c.
PMID- 29001615
TI - Suggestions as to the Operation for the Radical Cure of Oblique Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29001617
TI - Malarial Melanmia.
PMID- 29001618
TI - Death under Chloroform.
PMID- 29001619
TI - Good Service Pensions.
PMID- 29001620
TI - On Insanity Produced by the Abuse of Ganja and Other Preparations of Indian Hemp,
with Notes of Cases.
PMID- 29001621
TI - Round Worms Passing through the Abdominal Wall.
PMID- 29001622
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001623
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29001624
TI - Case of Snake-Bite Treated with Hypodermic Injection of Strychine: Recovery.
PMID- 29001625
TI - On the Abandonment of Iridectomy and the New Operation for Hard Cataract.
PMID- 29001626
TI - Clinical Notes on Mycetoma Differentiating the Pale from the Black Variety.
PMID- 29001627
TI - Gynaecology in Bagdad.
PMID- 29001628
TI - Abdominal Surgery at the Eden Hospital, Calcutta, during the Rears '92-93.
PMID- 29001629
TI - Intestinal Obstruction, by Bands-LaparotomyRecovery.
PMID- 29001630
TI - Titles of Medical Officers in the Army.
PMID- 29001631
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001633
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001632
TI - Acute Jaundice Associated with Occlusion of the Cystic Duct and a Subnormal
Temperature.
PMID- 29001634
TI - Appointments-Leave-Acknowledgments.
PMID- 29001635
TI - Epidemic of Yaws in Assam.
PMID- 29001636
TI - Testimonial to Sir Joseph Lister.
PMID- 29001637
TI - Metchnikoff's Researches on the Cholera Vibrio.
PMID- 29001638
TI - Contracted Liver-Death 16 Years after Removal of the Cause.
PMID- 29001639
TI - Flies and Cholera Diffusion.
PMID- 29001641
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29001640
TI - Atmospheric Pressure and Cholera in India.
PMID- 29001643
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001642
TI - Treatmentof Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29001644
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001645
TI - Two Cases of Snake - Bite.
PMID- 29001646
TI - Trephining for Hemiplegia-The Result of Injury-Recovery.
PMID- 29001647
TI - A Query.
PMID- 29001648
TI - The Temperature in Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29001649
TI - Appointments-Leave-Acknowledgments.
PMID- 29001650
TI - Varieties of the Comma Bacillus.
PMID- 29001651
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-Non-Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver by Auto
Intoxication of Gastro - Intestinal Origin - Floating Spleen with Twisted Pedicle
Influence of Atmospheric Pressure on the Prevalence of Pneumonia - Bacteriology
of Diphtheria.
PMID- 29001652
TI - Surgical Extracts-Gall Bladder Surgery - Antipyrine in Painful Affections of the
Bladder and Prostate - Fracture of the Patella, &c.
PMID- 29001654
TI - Medicine-The Treatment of Croupous Pneumonia-Beri-Beri-Enteric Fever in India
Local Treatment of Psoriosis-Salicylic Colloid in Lupus-Antitoxine Treatment of
Diphtheria, &c.
PMID- 29001653
TI - The Desinfection of Wells.
PMID- 29001655
TI - Cholera and Bread.
PMID- 29001656
TI - An Appeal.
PMID- 29001657
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001658
TI - Dysentery in Jail.
PMID- 29001659
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29001661
TI - Presidential Address: Tropical Section, at Eight International Congress of
Hygiene and Demography, Budapest: 1894.
PMID- 29001660
TI - Incision of Cervix in Certain Complicated Labour Cases.
PMID- 29001662
TI - Abdominal Surgery at the Eden Hospital, Calcuttta, during the Years 1892-93.
PMID- 29001663
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001664
TI - Erratum: Yaws in Assam: Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 326 in vol. 29.].
PMID- 29001666
TI - Snake Bites.
PMID- 29001665
TI - Dental Caries and Cervical Abscess in Children, &c.
PMID- 29001667
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001668
TI - On Insanity Produced by the Abuse of Ganja and Other Preparations of Indian Hemp,
with Notes of Cases.
PMID- 29001669
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29001671
TI - Ophthalmology-Tuberculous Iritis-Blinding by Direct Sunlight, &c.
PMID- 29001670
TI - Medicine-Does Previous Small-Pox in the Parents Render Their Offspring
Insusceptible to the Action of Vaccine Lymph? Choloralose-Hypodermic Medication
in Syphilis.
PMID- 29001673
TI - A Query.
PMID- 29001672
TI - Fourcases of Injury to the Thoracic Duct Occurring in the Course of Surgical
Operations.
PMID- 29001674
TI - The Incineration of Refuse in Calcutta and Other Towns of India.
PMID- 29001675
TI - Appointments-Leave-Acknowledgments.
PMID- 29001676
TI - Judicial Hanging.
PMID- 29001677
TI - A Case of Snake-Poisoning Treated with Strychnia: Recovery.
PMID- 29001678
TI - Obstructed Arm Presentation with Death of the Foetus-Craniotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 29001679
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001681
TI - A Case of Pyo-Pneumothorax from Perforation of a Phthisical Cavity and Pale
Granular Kidney.
PMID- 29001680
TI - Dr. Ranking on the Treatment of Remittent Fever, &c. &c.
PMID- 29001683
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001682
TI - A Case of Compound Comminuted Depressed Fracture of Frontal Bone.
PMID- 29001684
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001685
TI - Water-Borne Cholera.
PMID- 29001686
TI - Further Correspondence between Sir Andrew Clark and Mr. Stanhope.
PMID- 29001687
TI - Fattening on Diabetic Urine.
PMID- 29001688
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001689
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001690
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001692
TI - A Case of Amputation at the Hip Joint.
PMID- 29001691
TI - Transposed Liver and Spleen.
PMID- 29001693
TI - The Pathology and Treatment of Furunculosis.
PMID- 29001694
TI - Current Medical Topics.
PMID- 29001695
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001696
TI - The Absorption of Medicaments from Ointments.
PMID- 29001697
TI - Cystitis and Sugar.
PMID- 29001698
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001699
TI - On Carlsbad Treatment for Anglo-Indians.
PMID- 29001701
TI - A Parasitic Protozoou in Carcinomata.
PMID- 29001700
TI - Erratum: On Carlsbad Treatment for Anglo-Indians: Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 71 in vol. 26.].
PMID- 29001702
TI - Sir Andrew Clark and Mr. Stanhope.
PMID- 29001703
TI - The Influence of Medicaments Upon the Culture of the Achorion Schonleinii and
Trichophyton.
PMID- 29001704
TI - Microbes and Malaria.
PMID- 29001705
TI - Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Paediatrics: Treatment of Uterine Fibroid by Vaginal
Ligation of the Base of the Broad Ligament-A New Method of Treatment for Prolapse
of the Uterus-Maternal Risk in Twin-Pregnancy-A New Incision in Caesarean
Section.
PMID- 29001707
TI - The Anti-Venomous Properties of Bile.
PMID- 29001706
TI - Medicine: Beri-Beri and Rice-Medical Geography-High Altitudes for European
Soldiers in Tropical Countries-Sporadic and Endemic Cretinism-Inflammations of
the Colon-Test for Malingering (Feigned) Blindness-A New Form of Multiple
Neuritis.
PMID- 29001708
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001709
TI - A Simple Form of Incubator.
PMID- 29001710
TI - Case of Diabetes Mellitus with Very Low Specific Gravity.
PMID- 29001712
TI - Education in Tropical Disease.
PMID- 29001711
TI - Further Observations on the Transformation of Crescents.
PMID- 29001713
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001714
TI - Fungus-Disease of the Ear.
PMID- 29001715
TI - The Source of the Error in the Popular Belief as to the Danger of Curing Itch and
Other Skin Diseases.
PMID- 29001716
TI - Surgery: The Radical Cure of Herniz by Zinc Chloride Injections-Silk or Catgut in
Abdominal Section-Reduction of Old Dislocations of the Shoulder-An Ointment for
Pruritus-Double-Pointed Tacks for Sutures-Bunion: Its Etiology, Anatomy, and
Operative Treatment - Disinfectant Soap.
PMID- 29001717
TI - Special Senses: Hereditary Tendency to Cataract-Eucain in Operations on the Nose,
Throat and Ear.
PMID- 29001718
TI - The Kala-Azar: Report and Its Critics.
PMID- 29001720
TI - The Physiological Action of Human Sweat.
PMID- 29001719
TI - On the Epidemic of Plague in Lower Damaun (Portuguese India), and on the Effect
of Preventive Inoculation There.
PMID- 29001721
TI - Some General Laws Which Govern the Evolution of Malaria.
PMID- 29001723
TI - Hygiene: Addition to Quarantine Regulations to Be Observed at Ports and on the
Frontiers of the United States-Notes on Practical Sanitary Science-Earthclosets
and Disease-Germs-The Preservation of Sight in Infancy and Early Life-The
Education of the Speaking Voice.
PMID- 29001722
TI - Dysentery on Field-Service.
PMID- 29001725
TI - Appointments, Transfers, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001724
TI - Heights and Weights of Prisoners.
PMID- 29001726
TI - The Etiology of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29001728
TI - Laveran's Description of Texas Cattle Fever.
PMID- 29001727
TI - Summary of Cases of Gunshot Wounds Received in the Mohmund and Mamund Countries
and Transferred to the Base-Hospital at Nowshera for Treatment.
PMID- 29001729
TI - Snake Poison Wanted.
PMID- 29001730
TI - Reason and Instinct.
PMID- 29001731
TI - Has Adipocere Been Observed in India?
PMID- 29001732
TI - A Criticism of Dr. Rogers' Report on Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29001733
TI - Kala-Azar in Madras.
PMID- 29001734
TI - Eucalyptus Oil Poisoning.
PMID- 29001735
TI - Necrosis of Scapula.
PMID- 29001736
TI - Ages and Occupations of Plague Cases Treated at Parel Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 29001738
TI - Medicine: Malaria in the Mauritius-The Mosquito and Malaria-The Administration of
Quinine, How and When-Anchylostomiasis in St. Lucia-An Effervescing Quinine
Mixture-Scurvy and Uric Acid-Experimental Typhoid Fever-Alcohol and Immunity.
PMID- 29001737
TI - Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Paediatrics: Post-Mortem Delivery-Stypticin in
Uterine Haemorrhage-The Ultimate Fate of Placental Tissue Retained in Utero
Congenital Luxation of Knee-Extra Uterine Gestation-Antiseptic Performance of
Embryotomy-Conservation of the Ovary in Hysterectomy and Hystero-Myomectomy
Conservative Surgery of Uterine Appendages-Conservative Treatment of Fallopian
Tube Disease.
PMID- 29001739
TI - "That Comfortable Word" Malaria.
PMID- 29001740
TI - Vesical Calculi: One Free, the Other Encysted.
PMID- 29001741
TI - Malaria the Chief Cause of Infantile Convulsions in the Tropics.
PMID- 29001742
TI - Diabetes.
PMID- 29001743
TI - A Clinical Lecture on Filarial Lymphangiectasis.
PMID- 29001744
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001746
TI - Plague Administration.
PMID- 29001745
TI - Clamp for Circumcision.
PMID- 29001747
TI - Notes on a Case of Acute Plague Septicaemia with Post-Mortem Examination.
PMID- 29001748
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001749
TI - Surgery: The Surgical Treatment of Goitre-Gelatine as a Haemostatic-Some
Additional Facts Relating to Skin-Grafting-Suppuration of Meckel's Diverticulum
Pulmonary Abscess; Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 29001751
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001750
TI - The Source of the Error in the Popular Belief as to the Danger of Curing Itch and
Other Skin Diseases.
PMID- 29001752
TI - The New Chemical Examiners' Department.
PMID- 29001753
TI - Liver Abscess: A Plea for More Accurate Diagnosis and Localisation by Exploratory
Laparotomy: Cases: Round Worms Found in Abscess.
PMID- 29001754
TI - Plague Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29001755
TI - Calcutta Medical Society, Proceedings of the.
PMID- 29001756
TI - Surgery: The Silver Treatment of Wounds-A Case of Double Floating Kidney with
Recovery after Double Lumbar Nephrorraphy-Treatment of Fractures by Massage and
without Fixation-Treatment of Lupus of the Face by Cauterising with Hot Air
Curative Treatment of Vaginal Hydrocele by Injections of Solution of Corrosive
Sublimate-Forcible Reduction of Potts' Curvature-Laparotomy in Tubercular
Peritonitis.
PMID- 29001757
TI - Special Senses: Painless Eye Operations-A Case of Otitis Media from Swallowing a
Pin.
PMID- 29001758
TI - Kala-Azar of Assam.
PMID- 29001759
TI - A Case of Prostatectomy for the Radical Cure of Prostatic Stone.
PMID- 29001760
TI - A Case of Idiosyncrasy of Intolerance of Quinine.
PMID- 29001761
TI - Remarks upon Certain Diseases in India.
PMID- 29001763
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001762
TI - A Criticism of Dr. Rogers's Report on Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29001764
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001765
TI - Cases of Hepatic Abscess of Special Interest.
PMID- 29001766
TI - The Prophylaxis of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29001768
TI - Hospital Abuse.
PMID- 29001767
TI - Bombay Plague in the Hooghly District.
PMID- 29001769
TI - Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Paediatrics: Antipyrine as an Anti-Galactagogue
Hyperemesis Gravidarum-Quinine during Labour-Toxic Materials Absorbed from the
Bowel as a Cause of Version of the Uterus-Apnoea of Premature Infants-On the Use
of Senecio in Disorders of Menstruation-Phenacetin for Pain in Cancer of the
Uterus-Airol in Ophthalmia Neonatorum-New Methods of Resuscitating Still-Born and
Feeble-Born Infants.
PMID- 29001770
TI - A Note on Dysentery in Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29001771
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001772
TI - Notes of a Case of Mycetoma of the Neck.
PMID- 29001773
TI - The British Medical Association.
PMID- 29001775
TI - Medicine: The Exact Treatment of Malarial Fever-The Abortive Treatment of Typhoid
Yaws or Syphilis-The Value of Widal's Reaction in Typhoid-Plague Bacteriology
Liver Abscess and Dysentery.
PMID- 29001774
TI - Case of Mycetoma of the Abdominal Wall.
PMID- 29001777
TI - The Role of the Spleen in Infective Disease.
PMID- 29001776
TI - Three Cases of Abdominal Section in the Maternity Hospital, Trivandrum.
PMID- 29001778
TI - Summary of Cases of Gun-Shot Wounds Received in the Mohmund and Mamund Countries
and Transferred to the Base Hospital at Nowshera for Treatment.
PMID- 29001779
TI - Surgery: A Note on Certain Points of Technique-A New Method for the Relief of
Certain Enlargements of the Turbinated Bodies-Van Arsdale's Triangular Splint in
Thirty-Three Cases of Fracture of the Shaft of the Femur in Infants and Children
under Six Years-On Immediate Closure of Bladder and Abdominal Wall after
Suprapubic Lithotomy.
PMID- 29001780
TI - Report on a Preliminary Investigation into Malaria in the Sigur Ghat, Ootacamund.
PMID- 29001781
TI - The Colonial Medical Service.
PMID- 29001782
TI - Case of General Tuberculosis Simulating Malarial Cachexia.
PMID- 29001784
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001783
TI - Segregation versus Inoculation.
PMID- 29001785
TI - Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatrics: The Bicycle and Gynaecology-Nephrotomy
and Pregnancy-Iodoform-Ether in Cervical Catarrh-Vomiting of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29001786
TI - Cholera-What Is Its Proper Therapeutic Treatment?
PMID- 29001787
TI - The Chausa Camp Plague Case.
PMID- 29001788
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001789
TI - Aspiration of Liver : Fatal Cases.
PMID- 29001790
TI - Hygiene: Circular Letter Relating to Post-Epidemic Disinfection and AEration
Issued by the Supervising Surgeon-General, U. S. Marine Hospital Service-The
Sanitary Aspects of Utopia.
PMID- 29001791
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001792
TI - Plague and Overcrowding in Bombay.
PMID- 29001793
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001794
TI - Medicine: Disease and Food-Grains-Thayer's Lectures on Malarial Fevers-The
Treatment of Psilosis or Sprue-Vital Statistics in Ceylon-A New Nematode
Haematozoon-Atypical Typhoid Fever-Summer Diarrhoea in Australia.
PMID- 29001795
TI - A Report on Working of the Sedimentation Test in Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29001796
TI - The Prospects of Indian Graduates of Medicine.
PMID- 29001797
TI - The Last Case Injected by Yersin's Serum at Parel.
PMID- 29001798
TI - Special Senses: Hypertrophy of the Lingual Tonsil-Ear Complications of Influenza
The Ear Clinics of Berlin-Explanation of the Action of Iridectomy in Glaucoma
Recovery after Recurrence of a Malignant Tumour of the Orbit-Extract of the
Ciliary Body of the Ox.
PMID- 29001800
TI - Suture of the Conjunctival Flap in Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29001799
TI - A Clinical Lecture on the Surgical Treatment of Local Manifestations of Filarial
Disease.
PMID- 29001801
TI - Incubation Period of Plague.
PMID- 29001802
TI - Uterus Bicornis: Removal of Half Uterus and Ovary: Recovery.
PMID- 29001803
TI - Naso - Pharyngeal Polypus Operation.
PMID- 29001804
TI - Rachitic Dwarf Delivered by Caesarian Section: Recovery.
PMID- 29001805
TI - The Epidemic Malarial Fever of Assam, or Kala-Azar: A Reply to Criticisms.
PMID- 29001806
TI - Is Malaria Infectious?
PMID- 29001807
TI - London Letter: Acclimatisation of Europeans in the Tropics-Dr. Manson and Filaria
Prophylaxis-The Royal Army Medical Corps with Reference to the Indian Service-The
Late Dr. Partridge.
PMID- 29001808
TI - Field Hospitals in the Tirah Campaign: Their Defects and Remedies.
PMID- 29001809
TI - A Recent Series of 100 Operations for Stone in the Bladder, with Practical
Remarks Thereon.
PMID- 29001810
TI - Plague Convalescence Period. Analysis of 108 Cases.
PMID- 29001811
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001813
TI - News and Service Notes.
PMID- 29001812
TI - A Medical Reference Library for India.
PMID- 29001814
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001815
TI - A Thousand Litholapaxies, Including 110 Perineal Litholapaxies.
PMID- 29001816
TI - A Fatal Case of Plague Contracted at a Post-Mortem Examination.
PMID- 29001818
TI - The Need for a Medical Library in India.
PMID- 29001817
TI - Abscess of the Liver.
PMID- 29001820
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001819
TI - Some Remarks on Glare Retinalgia.
PMID- 29001822
TI - Two Cases of Cerebral Compression: Trephining.
PMID- 29001821
TI - The Selection of Sex.
PMID- 29001823
TI - Portable Rations.
PMID- 29001825
TI - A Note on Liver Abscess, Dysentery and the Amoeba.
PMID- 29001824
TI - Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatrics: Age Changes in the Placenta-Spurious
Abortion-Ovarian Cyst in a Child 4 Months Old-Some Practical Points in Abdominal
Section-Congenital Hydrocephalus Treated by Intra-Cranial Drainage.
PMID- 29001826
TI - A Case Showing the Apparent Great Value of Cholera Inoculation.
PMID- 29001827
TI - Weights of Prisoners as an Indication of the Class of Labour for Which They Are
Fit.
PMID- 29001828
TI - Morbid Anatomy.
PMID- 29001829
TI - Studies in Obstetrics: The Proper Time for Instrumental Interference.
PMID- 29001830
TI - Fracture of the Patella.
PMID- 29001831
TI - Surgery: Surgical Treatment of Tumours of the Liver-Prostatic Hypertrophy-The
Treatment of Inoperable Sarcoma by Means of Coley's Fluid-Acquired Oblique
Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29001832
TI - Sarcoma of Left Thigh and Knee: Successful Amputation of Thigh.
PMID- 29001834
TI - Amendment of the Calcutta Municipal Consolidation Act of 1888.
PMID- 29001835
TI - A Case of Traumatic Empyema, with Foreign Body in the Right Lung Removed by
Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 29001833
TI - A Case of Obstructed Labour by Fibrous Polypus; Craniotomy; Subsequent Carbolic
Acid Poisoning and Recovery; Followed by Tetanus and Death.
PMID- 29001837
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001838
TI - Report on a Preliminary Investigation into Malaria in the Sigur Ghat, Ootacamund.
PMID- 29001836
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001839
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001840
TI - Ground Water and Malaria.
PMID- 29001841
TI - Medicine: Dr. Chauvin's Treatment of Cholera-Amoebic Dysentery-Antivenine in the
Treatment of Leprosy-Elephantiasis and the X-Rays-The Sleeping Sickness-The
Saline Treatment of Dysentery-Euchinin in Malaria-The Beri-Beri Epidemic in
Dublin.
PMID- 29001842
TI - Chronic Venereal Sores.
PMID- 29001843
TI - Hygiene: Regulations for the Erection of New Buildings-The Sanitation of Domestic
Buildings.
PMID- 29001845
TI - Three Successful Ovariotomies.
PMID- 29001846
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001844
TI - Notes on Some of the Prevalent Diseases Amongst Goorkhas.
PMID- 29001847
TI - A Case of Dry Gangrene.
PMID- 29001848
TI - Chloroform Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29001849
TI - Special Senses: Chronic Empyema of Antrum of Highmore-Cataract Extraction - The
Rontgen Rays and Eye Surgery-Digestion of Inflammatory Products in Chronic Otitis
Media-Chronic Symmetrical Enlargement of the Salivary and Lachrymal Glands-The
Pharyngeal Pouch of Ranke-The Open Treatment of Wounds in Eye Operations-Holocain
as an Anaesthetic.
PMID- 29001851
TI - The Alt-Scherbitz Asylum.
PMID- 29001852
TI - Registration of Deaths.
PMID- 29001850
TI - The Conjunctival Flap in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29001853
TI - Revision of Army Form a. 7.
PMID- 29001854
TI - Rogers on a Circulating Medical Library in India.
PMID- 29001856
TI - An Analysis of 200 Cases of Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29001855
TI - Grant on Collective Investigation in Cholera.
PMID- 29001858
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001859
TI - Extraction of Cataract in India.
PMID- 29001860
TI - Elliot and Maynard on Conjunctival Flap in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29001857
TI - Large Encysted Vesical Calculus, Litholapaxy, Suprapubic Cystotomy.
PMID- 29001862
TI - The Practical Training of Hospital Assistants.
PMID- 29001861
TI - Operating for Cataract.
PMID- 29001863
TI - Method and Results in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29001865
TI - A Plague Congress.
PMID- 29001864
TI - Intralaryngeal Papillomata, Thyrotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 29001867
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29001866
TI - Extraction of a Vesical Calculus in a Female.
PMID- 29001868
TI - The Epidemic Malarial Fever of Assam: A Reply to Criticisms.
PMID- 29001869
TI - A Case of Supposed Cerebral Tumour, Trephining.
PMID- 29001870
TI - The Danger of Aspirating the Liver.
PMID- 29001871
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29001872
TI - Further Observations on Framboesia or Yaws.
PMID- 29001873
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001874
TI - Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 29001875
TI - Hereditary Tendency to Cataract.
PMID- 29001877
TI - Plague Relapses.
PMID- 29001876
TI - Insolation as a Zymotic Disease.
PMID- 29001878
TI - Medical Education in India.
PMID- 29001879
TI - The Care of the Wounded at Sea.
PMID- 29001880
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001881
TI - Further Cases of Bubonic Plague Contracted at Plague Necropsies.
PMID- 29001883
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001882
TI - The Modern Treatment of Fractures.
PMID- 29001885
TI - The Abuse of the Term Malaria.
PMID- 29001884
TI - Leaves from My Plague Note-Book.
PMID- 29001886
TI - A New Operation for Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29001887
TI - Sir Ranald Martin: His Life and Work.
PMID- 29001888
TI - Case of Fatty Malarial Liver.
PMID- 29001889
TI - Heights and Weights of Prisoners.
PMID- 29001890
TI - Haemoglobinuric Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29001891
TI - London Letter: Manson's Book on Tropical Diseases-Goodeve's Method of Washing
Dysenteric Stools-The Mosquito Theory of Malarial Infection-Malarial Scurvy
Service Dinners-The New Warrant.
PMID- 29001892
TI - Three Cases of Appendicitis in Natives of India.
PMID- 29001893
TI - Incubation Period of Plague.
PMID- 29001894
TI - The Treatment of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 29001895
TI - London Letter: The Edinburgh Meeting - The Journal of Tropical Medicine-Quinine
and Haemoglobinuria-Obituary.
PMID- 29001896
TI - Plague Epidemics in Russia : Some Historical Notes.
PMID- 29001897
TI - The Post-Mortem Appearances of a Plague Case Showing Unusually Marked
Extravasations of Blood.
PMID- 29001899
TI - Supply of Milk.
PMID- 29001898
TI - A Note on the New British Pharmacopoeia, 1898.
PMID- 29001900
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001901
TI - On Some of the Less Common Manifestations of Filariasis: Filaria Bancrofti.
PMID- 29001902
TI - Professor Koch and Malaria.
PMID- 29001904
TI - Widal's Test.
PMID- 29001903
TI - Malaria v. Scurvy.
PMID- 29001905
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001907
TI - Some Possible Sources of Infection in Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29001906
TI - The Serum Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29001908
TI - Case of Hysteria in a Female.
PMID- 29001909
TI - Lumbar Varix.
PMID- 29001910
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29001911
TI - Contributions from Military Medical Officers.
PMID- 29001913
TI - Sanitation in Bombay and Its Neighbourhood.
PMID- 29001912
TI - Uniform and the New Titles.
PMID- 29001914
TI - Cases of Plague Following Accidental Inoculation.
PMID- 29001915
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001916
TI - Answer to Correspondent.
PMID- 29001917
TI - On Some of the Less Common Manifestations of Filariasis: Filaria Bancrofti.
PMID- 29001918
TI - The Presence of Bubonic Plague in Calcutta.
PMID- 29001919
TI - Cases of Plague at the Chausa Plague Observation Camp.
PMID- 29001921
TI - Quarters for Students.
PMID- 29001920
TI - A Case of Haemato-Colpos.
PMID- 29001923
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29001922
TI - A Case of Blood Cyst of the Sciatic Nerve.
PMID- 29001924
TI - Leaves from My Plague Note-Book.
PMID- 29001925
TI - Plague Epidemics in Russia: Some Historical Notes.
PMID- 29001926
TI - Points in the Treatment of the Complications of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29001927
TI - Erratum: A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 283 in vol. 33.].
PMID- 29001928
TI - Dhobies' Itch.
PMID- 29001929
TI - London Letter: School of Tropical Medicine-The Treatment of Syphilis in the Army
The New Warrant for the A.M.S.
PMID- 29001930
TI - On Behalf of European and Indian Lepers.
PMID- 29001931
TI - The Defects of Field Hospitals.
PMID- 29001932
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29001934
TI - The Study of Tropical Diseases.
PMID- 29001933
TI - A Report on Kala Dukh.
PMID- 29001935
TI - Report on the Cultivation of Proteosoma, Labbe, in Grey Mosquitos.
PMID- 29001936
TI - Etiology of Sunstroke.
PMID- 29001937
TI - Entrance Examination for the Medical Services.
PMID- 29001938
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001939
TI - The Defects of Field Hospitals.
PMID- 29001940
TI - The Role of the House-Fly in the Propagation of Disease.
PMID- 29001941
TI - A Case of Cut - Throat: Through the Thyro-Hyoid Space.
PMID- 29001942
TI - Cases in Hospital Practice.
PMID- 29001943
TI - Some Possible Sources of Infection in Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29001944
TI - London Letter: The Soudan Campaign-Koch and Virchow-The Tuberculosis Campaign.
PMID- 29001945
TI - Accidental Plague Inoculations.
PMID- 29001946
TI - Haemoglobinuria in a Case of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29001947
TI - Sarcoma of the Skull.
PMID- 29001948
TI - Papillomata of Face, Etc.
PMID- 29001950
TI - News and Service Notes.
PMID- 29001949
TI - Leaves from My Plague Note-Book.
PMID- 29001951
TI - The Need for the Term "Malarial Cachexia".
PMID- 29001952
TI - Is Yaws Syphilis?
PMID- 29001953
TI - Ulcerating Granuloma of the Pudenda.
PMID- 29001954
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001955
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001956
TI - Case of Multiple Wounds of a Dangerous and Severe Nature: Recovery.
PMID- 29001957
TI - A Case of Traumatic Dislocation of the Penis.
PMID- 29001958
TI - The Need of a Sanitary Service for India.
PMID- 29001959
TI - Treatment of Snake Bite.
PMID- 29001960
TI - Medicine-The Treatment of Intermittent Fever-Malarial Fever in Madagascar
Overlooking of Mitral Stenosis-Bichromate of Potash in Certain Gastric Affections
The Centenary of Vaccination, &c., &c.
PMID- 29001961
TI - The Jail Duties of a Civil Surgeon.
PMID- 29001962
TI - Appointments, Leave.
PMID- 29001964
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001963
TI - Surgical Cases from the Chapra Charitable Dispensary.
PMID- 29001965
TI - Surgical Extracts-Laparotomy for Intussusception in Very Young Children-Results
of Operations for Cancer of the Breast, &c.
PMID- 29001967
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001966
TI - Relationship of Crime to Insanity and Head-Measurement with Special Reference to
Criminal Responsibility.
PMID- 29001969
TI - Notes on the Technique of Snake Poison Experiments.
PMID- 29001968
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-On the Etiology of Epidemic Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis
the Infections Myelites, &c., &c.
PMID- 29001970
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-A Study of the More Recent Frozen Sections in Their
Bearing on the Mechanism of Labour and the Third Stage-The Lower Uterine Segment
and Retraction Ring-Importance of Soft Parts in Labour-Engagement of the Head-The
Cause of Internal Rotation-The Puerperium, &c., &c.
PMID- 29001972
TI - Address Delivered in the Puri Zillah School.
PMID- 29001971
TI - Observations on the Parasites of Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29001973
TI - Re-Organisation of the Sanitary Department in India.
PMID- 29001974
TI - Appointments-Leave.
PMID- 29001976
TI - A Case of Compound Comminuted Depressed Fracture of the Frontal Bone.
PMID- 29001975
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29001977
TI - A Contribution to the Etiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29001979
TI - An Unusual Case of Small-Pox.
PMID- 29001978
TI - Pathology & Bacteriology-The Serum Treatment of Disease-Pathology of the Blood
Leucocytosis in Malarial Fever-The Blood in Diabetes.
PMID- 29001980
TI - Medicine-The Therapeutic Value of Nuclein-Mercurial Salts in the Treatment of
Diphtheria-Diphtheria Antitoxin-Watercress Typhoid-Papin in the Treatment of
Chronic Gastric Ulcer, &c.
PMID- 29001982
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29001981
TI - Water-Logging of the Villages along the Course of the Western Jumna Canal and Its
Effects.
PMID- 29001984
TI - The Kurseong Sanitarium.
PMID- 29001983
TI - On the Prevalence of the Anchylostoma Duodenalis in Madras.
PMID- 29001986
TI - Puerperal Eclampsia.
PMID- 29001987
TI - Small-Pox in Calcutta.
PMID- 29001985
TI - Surgical Extracts-The Treatment of Penetrating Wounds of the Ciliary Region and
Lens-A New Operation for the Radical Cure of Haemorrhoids-Castration for the
Relief of Hypertrophy of the Prostate-Removal of the Tonsils by Wire Snare.
PMID- 29001988
TI - The Medical History of Bhagalpore Central Jail with Some Remarks on Jail
Mortality.
PMID- 29001989
TI - Tetany.
PMID- 29001990
TI - On the Value of the Chemical and Bacteriological Examination of Water.
PMID- 29001991
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-The Employment of Glycerine for Inducing Labour-On the
Prophylactic Treatment of Ophthalmic Neonatorum-On a Delivery-Pan in Use at the
Present Time in Spain-On the Local Treatment of Puerperal Fever.
PMID- 29001992
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29001994
TI - Notes on the Examination of Malarial Blood.
PMID- 29001995
TI - Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29001993
TI - Surgical Cases from the Chapra Charitable Dispensary.
PMID- 29001997
TI - Medicine-Calomel-Recovery from Tubercular Meningitis-Phenocoll in Malarial Fever
Treatment of Flatulence-Diabetes Mellitus-Carasso's Treatment of Pulmonary
Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29001996
TI - Anchylostoma Duodenale : Is It Widespread in India, Assam and Ceylon, and Is It a
Harmless or a Harmful Parasite?
PMID- 29001998
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Why Does the Foetus Present by the Cephalic Extremity?
The Treatment of Foetal Impaction by Cleidotomy-Accidents during Curettage.
PMID- 29001999
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002000
TI - Miscellaneous News.
PMID- 29002001
TI - Notes of Some Cases of Surgical Practice at the Civil Hospital Gaya, in 1894.
PMID- 29002002
TI - Surgical Extracts-Elbow-Joint Fractures Treated in the Position of Acute Flexion
without Splints-A New Method of Treating a Hydrocele Sac after Incision-The
Aseptic Treatment of Suppuration, &c.
PMID- 29002003
TI - Medico-Legal Work of Civil Surgeons.
PMID- 29002004
TI - The Treatment of Enteric Fever on the Antiseptic Principle.
PMID- 29002006
TI - Vesical Calculus in India: Its Distribution and a Theory of Its Cause.
PMID- 29002005
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002007
TI - The Prospects of the Indian Medical Service in Lower Bengal.
PMID- 29002009
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002008
TI - Anchylostomiasis-Replies to Criticisms.
PMID- 29002010
TI - A Case of Detachment of the Retina Treated Successfully by Hypodermic Injection
of Pilocarpine.
PMID- 29002011
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-The Hongkong Bubonic Plague of 1894-Report on
Psorosperms in Their Relation to the Etiology of Cancer, &c.
PMID- 29002012
TI - Appointments, Leave.
PMID- 29002013
TI - Anti-Choleraic Inoculations in India.
PMID- 29002014
TI - Presidential Address in Pharmacology and Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29002016
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29002015
TI - Presidential Address, Section of Pharmacology.
PMID- 29002017
TI - Appointments-Leave.
PMID- 29002018
TI - Indian Medical Congress.
PMID- 29002019
TI - Presidential Address in Public Health.
PMID- 29002021
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002020
TI - Presidential Address of the Congress.
PMID- 29002022
TI - Summaries of Addresses in in Obstetrics, Surgery and Ophthalmology and Military
Medicine and Surgery.
PMID- 29002023
TI - Presidential Address in Medicine and Pathology.
PMID- 29002024
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002025
TI - Physical Drill.
PMID- 29002026
TI - Presidential Address in Medico-Legal Medicine and Insanity.
PMID- 29002028
TI - The Treatment of Enteric Fever on the Antiseptic Principle.
PMID- 29002027
TI - Selected Cases from St. Stephen's Hospital for Women and Children, Delhi.
PMID- 29002029
TI - Formaldehyde or Formol as the Disinfectant for India.
PMID- 29002030
TI - A Case of Interstitial Hernia with Undescended Testis.
PMID- 29002032
TI - A New Method of Preservation of the Perinaeum-On the Management of the Pregnant,
Parturient and Lying-In Women Suffering from Cardiac Disease-The Diet of Nursing
Mothers-Vaginal Injections during Labour-Abdominal vs. Vaginal Hysterectomy &c.,
&c.
PMID- 29002031
TI - Anchylostoma Duodenale : Is It Widespread in India, Assam and Ceylon, and Is It a
Harmless or a Harmful Parasite?
PMID- 29002034
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002033
TI - Hypertrophy of the Adenoid Tissue in the Naso-Pharynx : An Analysis of One
Hundred Cases.
PMID- 29002035
TI - Medical and Sanitary Matters in India.
PMID- 29002036
TI - Appointments, Leave.
PMID- 29002037
TI - Heat in the Treatment for Lobar Pneumonia-Cold in the Treatment of Lobar
Pneumonia-Water-Borne Typhoid-Electrical Treatment in Paralysis Agitans-Cardiac
Therapeutics-Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
PMID- 29002038
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002039
TI - Surgical Extracts.
PMID- 29002040
TI - A Contribution to the History of Artificial Immunity.
PMID- 29002041
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002043
TI - Notes on Comparative Heights and Weights in Prisoners.
PMID- 29002042
TI - Cases of Gunshot Wounds and Other Serious Injuries at the Barisal Hospital.
PMID- 29002045
TI - Doctors in Parliament.
PMID- 29002044
TI - Neuralgia of Kidney. Nephrotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 29002046
TI - Immunity to Snake-Poison.
PMID- 29002047
TI - Erratum: A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 249 in vol. 30.].
PMID- 29002048
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology: Diphtheria.
PMID- 29002049
TI - A Faulty Method of Treating Hydrocele.
PMID- 29002050
TI - The Bacteriological Test for Drinking Water.
PMID- 29002052
TI - The Pilgrims' Ship Bill.
PMID- 29002051
TI - Appointments, Leave.
PMID- 29002054
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002053
TI - Typhus Never: Its Apparent Origin DeNovo.
PMID- 29002055
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002056
TI - The Late Dr. Coates.
PMID- 29002057
TI - Small-Pox.
PMID- 29002058
TI - The Natural History of Hardwar Fair Cholera Outbreaks.
PMID- 29002059
TI - Non-Malignant Stricture of Rectum: Death from Acute Septicaemia.
PMID- 29002061
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002062
TI - On Menstruation.
PMID- 29002060
TI - Unhealthy Tracts in Bengal.
PMID- 29002063
TI - Another Protest.
PMID- 29002065
TI - Lithotomy in Assam.
PMID- 29002064
TI - Surgical Extracts-Which Operation Is the Best for Most Cases of Haemorrhoids
Rose's Operation for Trigeminal Neuralgia and Others, with Results and Remarks
Antipyrin as a Vesical Analgesic.
PMID- 29002066
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-Micro-Pathology of Ostemalacia-Changes in the Bone,
Changes in the Kidneys, Changes in the Blood.
PMID- 29002067
TI - Medico-Legal Work in the Backergunge District.
PMID- 29002068
TI - Medicine-The Immunisation of Animals against Snake-Poison-Bathing-Blood
Examinations Regarding the Malarial Origin of Zoster-The Therapeutics of Papain
Sterilisation of Milk-Lactophenine.
PMID- 29002069
TI - Causation of Urinary Calculus.
PMID- 29002070
TI - Food Adulteration.
PMID- 29002071
TI - On Some Modifications in the Usual Method of Extraction of Senile Cataract.
PMID- 29002072
TI - Relative Heights and Weights of Bengal Prisoners.
PMID- 29002073
TI - On the Value of the Chemical and Bacteriological Examination of Water.
PMID- 29002075
TI - Medicine-The Serum Treatment of Tetanus-Green Hair-Treatment of Croupous
Pneumonia-The Schott Treatment of Chronic Heart Disease-Uricedin-The
Standardisation of Eucalyptus Oil.
PMID- 29002074
TI - Typhus Fever in Hoti Mardan and in Baluchistan.
PMID- 29002076
TI - The Dangers of Strychnine in Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29002077
TI - Results of Mons. Haffkine's Anti-CholeraicInoculations in Cachar.
PMID- 29002078
TI - Appointments-Leave.
PMID- 29002079
TI - Uncertainty of Tenure of Appointments among Senior Medical Officers in Civil
Employ.
PMID- 29002080
TI - Notes on a Case of Lymphadenoma(Hodgkins' Disease) in a Native.
PMID- 29002081
TI - Anti-Choleraic Inoculations.
PMID- 29002082
TI - Intussusception, Intestinal Obstruction, Abdominal Section and Reduction-Death
from Exhaustion.
PMID- 29002083
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002084
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002085
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Vaginal Oophorectomy-Scrobutus in Infancy-Reproduction
of the Uterine Mucous Membrane after Curetting-The Condition of the Pateller
Reflex in Pregnant Women-Successful Removal of an Ovarian Cyst Weighing over
80lbs.
PMID- 29002086
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002087
TI - Miscellaneous Notes.
PMID- 29002089
TI - Large Pendulous Elephantoid Tumour of the Neck, Weighing 30lbs. Removal-Recovery.
PMID- 29002088
TI - Vesical Calculus in India: Its Distribution and a Theory of Its Cause.
PMID- 29002090
TI - Treatment of Enteric Fever on the Antiseptic Principle.
PMID- 29002092
TI - Snake-Bites.
PMID- 29002093
TI - The Discussion on Mons. Haffkine's Paper on Anticholeraic Inoculations.
PMID- 29002091
TI - Note on the Symptoms of Filaria Medinensis or Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29002095
TI - Vital-Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002094
TI - A Case of Central Sarcoma of the Lower End of Femur Disarticulation at the Hip:
Death.
PMID- 29002096
TI - Infectious Pneumonia.
PMID- 29002097
TI - The Surgical Significance of Modern Small Calibre Rifles.
PMID- 29002098
TI - Secondary Syphilitic Eruption in Abeyance until 15 Months after Contraction of
the Primary Sore.
PMID- 29002099
TI - Concerning Contagiousness of Small-Pox.
PMID- 29002100
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002101
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-The Technique of Vaginal Hysterectomy-Treatment of
Placenta Praevia by Means of Intra-Uterine Colpeurynter, &c., &c.
PMID- 29002102
TI - The Micro-Pathology of Constitutional Malaria with Special Reference to Its
Treatment by Alkaline Saline Mineral Waters.
PMID- 29002104
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002103
TI - Malarial Influence in Abortion and Sterility.
PMID- 29002105
TI - Scrotal Surgery in Mofussil Villages.
PMID- 29002106
TI - Appointments-Leave.
PMID- 29002107
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-The Transmission of Bacilli through the Placenta
Cultivation of the Tetanus Bacillus-Studies in the Pathology of Diphtheria-Anti
Diphtheritic Serum.
PMID- 29002108
TI - The Third Clause of the Cantonment Amendment Bill and the Indian Medical
Congress.
PMID- 29002109
TI - Cocaine Poisoning.
PMID- 29002110
TI - The Pasteur Institute and Vivisection.
PMID- 29002112
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002111
TI - Cases of Gunshot Wounds and Other Serious Injuries at the Barisal Hospital.
PMID- 29002113
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-Discussion on Diphtheria-The Leucocytosis of
Diphtheria under the Influence of Serum-Therapy-Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Rectal
Examination of Pregnant Women-Deep Incision of the Parturient Cervix for Rapid
Delivery-The Nephritis and Eclampsia of Pregnancy and Parturition.
PMID- 29002114
TI - Medicine-Waters and Baths for Chronic Gout and Its Complications-The Salts of
Uranium in Diabetes Melitus-Intravenous Mercurial Injections in Syphilis-The
Liver as an Organ of Elemination of Corpuscular Elements-Anarcotine.
PMID- 29002115
TI - A Few Cases of Surgical Practice.
PMID- 29002117
TI - The Sanitary Commissionership of Bengal.
PMID- 29002116
TI - Susceptibility to Disease.
PMID- 29002118
TI - A Case of Revolver Wound.
PMID- 29002119
TI - Antidote for Snake-Poison.
PMID- 29002120
TI - Causation of Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29002121
TI - Sewage Farming in Madras and the Suitability of the System for India.
PMID- 29002122
TI - The Treatment of Enteric Fever on the Antiseptic Principle.
PMID- 29002123
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002124
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002126
TI - Notice to Medical Men.
PMID- 29002125
TI - Anchylostoma Duodenale : Is It Widespread in India, Assam and Ceylon, and Is It a
Harmless or a Harmful Parasite?
PMID- 29002127
TI - Diaphragmatic Pleurisy.
PMID- 29002128
TI - Appointments, Leave.
PMID- 29002129
TI - The Symptoms and Treatment of Snake-Bite in India with Special Mention of Dr. A.
Mueller's Subcutaneous Injection of Strychnine Based on the Consideration of 37
Cases.
PMID- 29002130
TI - Tuberculous Infection through the Alimentary Canal.
PMID- 29002132
TI - Appointments-Leave.
PMID- 29002131
TI - Antitoxine in Diphtheria.
PMID- 29002133
TI - Quinine and Malarial Fever in India.
PMID- 29002134
TI - Recognition by the State of the Services of Members of the Medical Profession.
PMID- 29002136
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
PMID- 29002135
TI - A Case of Puerperal Eclampsia, Treated by Pilocarpine and Chloroform-Recovery.
PMID- 29002138
TI - Medico-Legal Notes from the Mymensingh District.
PMID- 29002137
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29002139
TI - Surgical Extracts.
PMID- 29002140
TI - Translations from French Journals.
PMID- 29002141
TI - Remarks on Gonorrhoeal Rheumatism and Gonorrhoeal Endo- and Peri-Carditis.
PMID- 29002143
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002142
TI - Notes of a Case of Ruptured Aneurism of the Right Popliteal Artery in a Burman.
PMID- 29002144
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002145
TI - Typhus Fever in Hoti Mardan and in Baluchistan.
PMID- 29002146
TI - Medico-Legal Work in District Backergunge.
PMID- 29002148
TI - Cholera and Filters.
PMID- 29002147
TI - Diphtheria and Antitoxin.
PMID- 29002149
TI - Diphtheria Researches.
PMID- 29002150
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002151
TI - A Method of Dealing with Very Large Calculi in Bladder.
PMID- 29002152
TI - Selections from German Journals.
PMID- 29002153
TI - Medicine-The Gouty Heart-Disinfection-Test for the Contamination of Well-Water
The Infective Period of Syphilis-Treatment of Typhoid Fever-The Prevention of
Phthisis, &c., &c.
PMID- 29002154
TI - The Supposed Influence of Tropical Climate on Menstruation.
PMID- 29002155
TI - Scrotal Surgery in Mufasal Villages.
PMID- 29002156
TI - Complete Rectal Prolapse Treated by Ventro-Fixation of the Rectum.
PMID- 29002157
TI - Diabetes Mellitus and Its Prevention.
PMID- 29002158
TI - Comparative Heights and Weights of Prisoners in Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29002159
TI - A Contribution to the Etiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29002160
TI - A Case of Swollen Testicles and Intermittent Fever.
PMID- 29002161
TI - Appointments-Leave.
PMID- 29002163
TI - The Surgical Significance of Small Calibre Rifles-III.
PMID- 29002162
TI - The Possibility of a Special Sanitary Service for the Mufasal.
PMID- 29002164
TI - Diphtheria and Anti-Toxine.
PMID- 29002166
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29002165
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-The Origin of Papillomatous Cysts-An Axis-Traction
Forceps-A Study of Puerperal Fever or Septico-Pyaemia-Treatment of Vesico-Vaginal
Fistula by Operation from within the Bladder.
PMID- 29002168
TI - Surgn-Maj.-Genl. Rice, M.D., M.R.C.S., C.S.I.
PMID- 29002167
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002170
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002169
TI - The Need of an Isolation Hospital for Calcutta.
PMID- 29002172
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002173
TI - A Case of Meningocele.
PMID- 29002171
TI - A Remarkable Case of Quinine Poisoning.
PMID- 29002174
TI - Acute Leuchaemia-A Study of Anaemia, Etc.-Pernicious Anaemia-Gonorrhoeal
Rheumatism, Etc.-Thymol as an Anthelmintic-Treatment of Erysipelas-The
Physiological Actions of Sparteine, &c.
PMID- 29002175
TI - Observations on Cholera in India.
PMID- 29002176
TI - A Contribution to the Etiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29002177
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Sugar in Uterine Inertia-The Minute Anatomy of the
Fallopian Tubes-The Incision in Abdominal Surgery-The Treatment of Asphyxia
Neonatorum-Restoration of Life by Rhythmical Tractions on the Tongue-Care of the
Navel-On Puerperal Albuminuria and Convulsions, &c.
PMID- 29002178
TI - Diabetic Coma in a Child.
PMID- 29002179
TI - Appointments-Leave.
PMID- 29002181
TI - On the Prophylaxis of Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29002180
TI - A Suggestion.
PMID- 29002182
TI - Filarial Disease.
PMID- 29002183
TI - The Cantonment Bill.
PMID- 29002185
TI - The Small-Pox Epidemic in Calcutta.
PMID- 29002184
TI - Puerperal Eclampsia.
PMID- 29002186
TI - Typhoid Fever in a Native of India.
PMID- 29002188
TI - The Surgical Significance of Small Calibre Rifles.-II.
PMID- 29002187
TI - Excision of the Tongue.
PMID- 29002189
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002190
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002191
TI - The Pasteur Filter.
PMID- 29002192
TI - Scrotal Surgery in Mofussil Villages.
PMID- 29002193
TI - Note on Dr. Arthur Powell's Paper on "Certain Intestinal Parasites".
PMID- 29002194
TI - Ankylostoma Duodenale.
PMID- 29002195
TI - Medical Ethics.
PMID- 29002196
TI - The Services in 1898.
PMID- 29002197
TI - The Madras Plague Case.
PMID- 29002198
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002199
TI - Haematuria or "Blackwater" Fever in India.
PMID- 29002200
TI - Odd Notes.
PMID- 29002202
TI - The Radical Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 29002201
TI - Plague Declaration: Plague in Calcutta.
PMID- 29002203
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002204
TI - Plague in Monkeys and Squirrels.
PMID- 29002205
TI - Medical Zoology: Further Researches upon the Cycle of Human Malaria in the Body
of the Mosquito.
PMID- 29002207
TI - Serum-Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29002206
TI - Multiple Visical Calculi in a Child.
PMID- 29002209
TI - The Saline Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29002208
TI - Absence of Syphilis in Fiji.
PMID- 29002210
TI - Surgical Cases: Treated in the Sambhu Nath Pandit Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29002212
TI - Mosquito-Theory of Malaria.
PMID- 29002211
TI - A Case of Severe Syphilis with Prolonged Pyrexia.
PMID- 29002214
TI - Congenital Cystic Tumour.
PMID- 29002213
TI - A Case of Dislocation of the Trapezoid Bone,Illustrated by a Skiagraph.
PMID- 29002215
TI - Gunshot Wounds in the Late Frontier War.
PMID- 29002216
TI - The Queen's Visit to Netley.
PMID- 29002217
TI - Plague Pills.
PMID- 29002218
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002219
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002221
TI - Dysentery in English Asylums and Indian Jails.
PMID- 29002220
TI - Cases of Abdominal Section.
PMID- 29002223
TI - The Late Surgeon-General Maclean.
PMID- 29002222
TI - Tubercular Disease of the Caecum.
PMID- 29002224
TI - Instruction in Use of Roentgen Rays.
PMID- 29002225
TI - The School of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29002226
TI - Tuberculosis in India.
PMID- 29002227
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002229
TI - The Introductories.
PMID- 29002230
TI - Keloid Growths.
PMID- 29002231
TI - Hypnotic Therapeutics in India.
PMID- 29002232
TI - Collection of Mosquitos and Their Larvae.
PMID- 29002233
TI - A Case of Abscess of the Spleen.
PMID- 29002236
TI - Heat Apoplexy.
PMID- 29002235
TI - Thermic Fever.
PMID- 29002234
TI - Stricture of the Pylorus, Gastrotomy.
PMID- 29002238
TI - The "Practitioner" on Netley.
PMID- 29002237
TI - Dipterous Larvae.
PMID- 29002239
TI - The Technique of Serum Diagnosis.
PMID- 29002240
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002241
TI - Manson's Generalizations.
PMID- 29002242
TI - Cases of Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29002243
TI - The London School of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29002244
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002245
TI - Enteric Fever among Natives.
PMID- 29002246
TI - The Crusade against Vermin.
PMID- 29002248
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29002247
TI - Enteric Fever in Natives.
PMID- 29002249
TI - The Boom in Tropical Medicine in England.
PMID- 29002251
TI - Secret Commissions.
PMID- 29002250
TI - Infectiousness of Malarial Fever and Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29002253
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002252
TI - Wanted Mosquitos.
PMID- 29002254
TI - Medical Dusturi in India.
PMID- 29002255
TI - Extermination of Malaria.
PMID- 29002256
TI - The Prognosis of Guinea-Worm in Its Relation to the Assurance of Native Lives in
India.
PMID- 29002258
TI - Teeth-Blows in Their Medico-Legal Aspect.
PMID- 29002259
TI - A Case of Ulceration of the Caecum Followed by Multiple Abscesses of the Liver.
PMID- 29002260
TI - Rickets in India and Burma.
PMID- 29002261
TI - A Word for Netley.
PMID- 29002262
TI - What Is the "Hill Fever of Mysore and Deccan"?
PMID- 29002264
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002263
TI - Increase of Vaccination in England.
PMID- 29002265
TI - Medical Science and the Study of Nature: Lectures Introductory to the Course on
Chemistry at the Medical College, Calcutta, Session 1899.
PMID- 29002266
TI - Vaccine-Virus and Transmission of Disease.
PMID- 29002267
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002269
TI - Cantharides as a Haemostatic in Haematuria.
PMID- 29002270
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002272
TI - X-Rays in Military Surgery.
PMID- 29002271
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele by Incision and Eversion.
PMID- 29002273
TI - Tetanus in Calcutta.
PMID- 29002274
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002276
TI - Combined Typhoid and Malarial Infection.
PMID- 29002275
TI - Segregation in Hindu Ritual.
PMID- 29002277
TI - Two Cases of Poisoning by Oleander: (NERIUM ODORUM).
PMID- 29002278
TI - Notes on Skin Diseases: Sclerotising Granuloma of the Pudenda.
PMID- 29002279
TI - The Indian Section of the British Pharmacopoeia.
PMID- 29002280
TI - A Case of Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia.
PMID- 29002281
TI - A Case of Peripheral Neuritis Probably Malarial.
PMID- 29002282
TI - Suppression of Consumption.
PMID- 29002283
TI - Tuberculosis and Milk Supply.
PMID- 29002284
TI - Oxygen and Permanganate of Potash in the Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29002285
TI - Antitoxin in Tetanus in Calcutta.
PMID- 29002286
TI - Unclassified Fevers.
PMID- 29002287
TI - Two Cases of Abdominal Section with Unusual Complications.
PMID- 29002288
TI - A New Disease from East Africa.
PMID- 29002289
TI - Dufferin Hospital in Bengal.
PMID- 29002292
TI - Sickness and Mortality in Indian Jails.
PMID- 29002291
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002290
TI - Inoculation of an Entire Community with Haffkine's Plague Vaccine.
PMID- 29002293
TI - Boom in Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29002294
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002295
TI - Nitric Peroxide as a Disinfectant in Plague and Jigger.
PMID- 29002296
TI - Cause and Prevention of Heat Apoplexy in the Army.
PMID- 29002298
TI - Riding the Tropical Hobby Too Hard.
PMID- 29002297
TI - The Alcoholic Liquors of India.
PMID- 29002299
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Fever in Alipur Central Jail.
PMID- 29002300
TI - An Outbreak of Severe Diarrhoea Traced to Food.
PMID- 29002301
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002302
TI - Mosquitoes and Malaria.
PMID- 29002303
TI - Dysentery in English Asylums and Jails.
PMID- 29002304
TI - Abdominal Surgery at Raipur.
PMID- 29002305
TI - Filarial Metamorphosis in the Mosquito.
PMID- 29002306
TI - Tropical Disease outside the Tropics.
PMID- 29002307
TI - Sanitation in Cantonment.
PMID- 29002308
TI - The Cause of Cancer.
PMID- 29002309
TI - Therapeutical Notes.
PMID- 29002310
TI - The Coroner in the Mofassal.
PMID- 29002311
TI - Dr. Bahadurji's Motion.
PMID- 29002312
TI - The Public Medical Services.
PMID- 29002313
TI - A Case of Cholecystotomy.
PMID- 29002316
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002314
TI - Entertainments.
PMID- 29002317
TI - Malarial Apoplexy.
PMID- 29002319
TI - Municipal Engineering in Bengal.
PMID- 29002318
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002321
TI - The Business of the Meeting.
PMID- 29002320
TI - A Disclaimer.
PMID- 29002322
TI - The Tropical Section.
PMID- 29002323
TI - The British Medical Association at Portsmouth.
PMID- 29002324
TI - Microscopical Examination of the Blood in Cases of Fever in India.
PMID- 29002325
TI - Certain Cases of Hyperpyrexia.
PMID- 29002326
TI - A Case of Caesarean Section during Labour.
PMID- 29002327
TI - Insanity in India.
PMID- 29002328
TI - British Medical Association Meeting at Portsmouth.
PMID- 29002330
TI - Excursions.
PMID- 29002329
TI - Notes on the Use of Sulphate of Cinchonidine as a Prophylactic.
PMID- 29002331
TI - Dipterous Larvae in the Human Alimentary Canal.
PMID- 29002332
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 328 in vol. 34.].
PMID- 29002333
TI - A Case of Pseudo-Hypertrophic Muscular Paralysis.
PMID- 29002334
TI - The Examination of the Blood in Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29002335
TI - Two Cases of Peritonitis (One Caused by Tubercle and One by Enteric Fever) in
Natives of India.
PMID- 29002336
TI - Alleged Infectiousness of Malaria.
PMID- 29002337
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002338
TI - The Anti-Venene Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29002339
TI - A Case of Macroglossia.
PMID- 29002340
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002341
TI - Field-Hospital Operation-Tables.
PMID- 29002342
TI - A New Fashoda Incident: The Italian Flag Hoisted on the Mosquito-Theory.
PMID- 29002343
TI - The Preventive Treatment of Infective Surgical Diseases.
PMID- 29002344
TI - Scurvy in Indian Jails.
PMID- 29002345
TI - Infection of Birds with Proteosoma by the Bites of Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29002346
TI - Accidental Plague Inoculation.
PMID- 29002348
TI - Asst.-Surgn. C. Ringrow.
PMID- 29002347
TI - Diseased Arteries in Natives.
PMID- 29002349
TI - Heights and Weights.
PMID- 29002351
TI - The Plague in Vienna.
PMID- 29002350
TI - Obstruction of the Bowel.
PMID- 29002352
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29002353
TI - Cancer in Kashmir.
PMID- 29002354
TI - Egyptian Insanitation.
PMID- 29002356
TI - Malarial Parasites in Fever Cases.
PMID- 29002355
TI - A Case of Renal Calculus.
PMID- 29002357
TI - Indian Plague Commission.
PMID- 29002358
TI - Serum Treatment of Leprosy-Guaicol.
PMID- 29002359
TI - A Simple Bed-Rest.
PMID- 29002360
TI - A Year's Surgery in the Charitable Hospitals of the Punjab, Bengal and Madras.
PMID- 29002361
TI - A Suggestion on the Formation of Crescentic Bodies in Malaria.
PMID- 29002362
TI - Criminal Abortion in India.
PMID- 29002363
TI - Public Health and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002364
TI - Tropical Diseases at the U. S. Camp in Cuba.
PMID- 29002365
TI - Surgical Cases: Treated in the Sambhu Nath Pandit Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29002366
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002367
TI - Herpes of Intercostal & Intercosto - Humeral Nervearea.
PMID- 29002368
TI - Ulceration of Caecum Followed by Multiple Abscess of Liver.
PMID- 29002370
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002369
TI - Keloid Nature of "Fibrous" Tumours of Auricle.
PMID- 29002371
TI - Preventive Inoculation against Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29002372
TI - Cerebellar Abscess: Trephining-Death.
PMID- 29002373
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002374
TI - Medical Science and the Study of Nature: Lectures Introductory to the Course on
Chemistry at the Medical College, Calcutta, Session 1899.
PMID- 29002375
TI - The Extirpation of Malaria.
PMID- 29002376
TI - Tuberculosis Congress at Berlin.
PMID- 29002377
TI - Diseases Due to Self-Empoisoning or Auto-Intoxications.
PMID- 29002378
TI - A Life Assurance Congress.
PMID- 29002380
TI - Scarlatina in India.
PMID- 29002381
TI - Dermatitis Exfoliativa Neonatorum: Ritter's Disease.
PMID- 29002383
TI - Influenza Epidemic.
PMID- 29002382
TI - Sawdust Urinals.
PMID- 29002384
TI - The Treatment of Carbuncle.
PMID- 29002385
TI - The Mussack and Typhoid.
PMID- 29002386
TI - The Jigger or Chigo Pest.
PMID- 29002388
TI - Antitoxic Use of Bile in Hindu Medicine.
PMID- 29002387
TI - A Series of Cases of Compound Depressed Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29002390
TI - Treatment of Piles and Allied Affections, Including Pruritus Ani.
PMID- 29002389
TI - Is Medical Enthusiasm Decadent in Calcutta?
PMID- 29002391
TI - A Case of Hypertrophy of the Toes.
PMID- 29002392
TI - Medical Ethics.
PMID- 29002393
TI - Two Recent Cases of Successful Operation for Impacted Stone in the Ureter.
PMID- 29002394
TI - A Subject for Research.
PMID- 29002395
TI - Its Victims.
PMID- 29002397
TI - The British Medical Association.
PMID- 29002396
TI - Therapeutical Notes.
PMID- 29002399
TI - Indian Hospital Reports: Ancient and Modern.
PMID- 29002398
TI - Cases in Mofassil Dispensary.
PMID- 29002400
TI - How to Remain Young.
PMID- 29002401
TI - Anchylostoma in the North-Western Provinces.
PMID- 29002402
TI - Inspection of Dispensaries.
PMID- 29002403
TI - Need for Medical Societies in India.
PMID- 29002404
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002405
TI - Kashmir Mission Hospital: A Year's Surgical Work.
PMID- 29002407
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002406
TI - Cases of Liver Abscess and Hydatid Treated in Berhampur Hospital during the Year
1898.
PMID- 29002408
TI - Relapsing Fever (Sunjar) in the Kumaon Himalayas.
PMID- 29002409
TI - The Latest Service Examinations.
PMID- 29002410
TI - Pneumonia Since the Influenza Epidemic.
PMID- 29002414
TI - The Prophylactic Issue of Quinine.
PMID- 29002411
TI - A Case of Rupture of the Gravid Uterus: Abdominal Section and Removal of Foetus
Recovery.
PMID- 29002413
TI - Case of Alcoholic Peripheral Neuritis: Peripheral Neuritis of the Pneumogastric.
With Comments upon the Case.
PMID- 29002415
TI - Case of Acute Pulmonary OEdema during Chloroform Inhalation-Death.
PMID- 29002416
TI - The Crusade against the Mosquito.
PMID- 29002417
TI - The Suggested New Heading "Fevers Not Classified".
PMID- 29002418
TI - Cinchonidine and Wrightia Antidysenterica as Prophylactics against Dysentery and
Malaria.
PMID- 29002419
TI - Note on the Prophylactic Use of Quinine and Cinchonidine.
PMID- 29002420
TI - An Unpigmented Haemamoeba Found in Chronic Malarials.
PMID- 29002421
TI - An Outbreak of Fever Attributed to Mosquitos.
PMID- 29002423
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29002422
TI - Dr. Haffkine at the Royal Society.
PMID- 29002424
TI - Notes on Three Cases of Interest.
PMID- 29002426
TI - The Plague in Egypt.
PMID- 29002425
TI - The Teeth of Healthy Prisoners.
PMID- 29002427
TI - Snake Poison & Plague.
PMID- 29002428
TI - Abdominal Surgery at Raipur.
PMID- 29002429
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002430
TI - Bengal Medical Institutions.
PMID- 29002432
TI - Plague in Ancient India.
PMID- 29002431
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Fever at Omdurman.
PMID- 29002433
TI - Glycerin vs. Lanolin Lymph.
PMID- 29002434
TI - The Cultivation of the Quartan Parasite in the Mosquito.
PMID- 29002435
TI - The Laveran Body in Birds: Experiments Performed on Birds in the Temporary
Laboratory of the Hyderabad Medical School, September 1898-September 1899.
PMID- 29002436
TI - Plague on S. S. Carthage.
PMID- 29002437
TI - Cases from Hospital Practice.
PMID- 29002438
TI - A Case of Continued Fever Ending Fatally.
PMID- 29002441
TI - Bad Teeth among Sepoys.
PMID- 29002440
TI - Rational Dress for the Soldier.
PMID- 29002442
TI - District Medical Histories.
PMID- 29002443
TI - Chondrocarcinoma of the Testicle.
PMID- 29002444
TI - Proposed Sale of Poisons Act.
PMID- 29002445
TI - Unpigmented Amoebae.
PMID- 29002446
TI - The Physical Requirements of the Public Services.
PMID- 29002447
TI - Case of Scarlatina in India.
PMID- 29002448
TI - Enteric Fever in Natives of India.
PMID- 29002449
TI - Surgical Training for Military Surgeons.
PMID- 29002450
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002451
TI - Acute Tetanus Treated by Intracerebral Injection of Tetanus Antitoxin.
PMID- 29002452
TI - Extermination of Mosquitos.
PMID- 29002453
TI - Scarlatina in India.
PMID- 29002454
TI - Case of Acute Pulmonary OEdema during Chloroform Inhalation-Death.
PMID- 29002455
TI - Infective Cicatrising Granuloma or "Ulcerating Granuloma" of Manson.
PMID- 29002456
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002457
TI - Notes on Certain Cases of Hyperpyrexia.
PMID- 29002458
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002459
TI - The Administration of Antiperiodics & Iron.
PMID- 29002460
TI - Serum Treatment in Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29002461
TI - Cholera Inoculation for Coolies.
PMID- 29002462
TI - Extirpation of the Three Lower Coccygeal Vertebrae for Coccygodinia.
PMID- 29002464
TI - Serum Treatment in Syphilis.
PMID- 29002463
TI - A Short Note on the Change the Malarial Parasite Undergoes in the Mosquito.
PMID- 29002465
TI - Municipal Rules for the Prevention of Cholera.
PMID- 29002466
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Albuminuria in Pregnancy-Eclampsia-Asphyxia
Neonatorum.
PMID- 29002467
TI - Medicine-Tests for Sugar, Albumen, and Mucin-Rampoldi's Sign in Phthisis
Pharmacology of Purgatives.
PMID- 29002468
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002469
TI - The Venomous Ophidians of Colombia, South America.
PMID- 29002470
TI - Otitis Media - Trephining.
PMID- 29002471
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002472
TI - A Case of Complete Closure of Anus, Rectum Normal.
PMID- 29002473
TI - Cases in the Delhi Mission Hospital.
PMID- 29002474
TI - Puerperal Convulsions during Delivery: Craniotomy.
PMID- 29002475
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002476
TI - Directions for the Use of Mallein (Research Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College)
Rules Regarding Vaccination.
PMID- 29002477
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002478
TI - The Presidential Address at the Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 29002479
TI - A Case of Macroglossia.
PMID- 29002480
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002481
TI - Surgical Cases in the Gaya Hospital.
PMID- 29002483
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002482
TI - Myxo-Sarcoma of the Arm, Amputation at the Shoulder-Joint.
PMID- 29002484
TI - Malaria.
PMID- 29002485
TI - Errata in July Report.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 253 in vol. 30.].
PMID- 29002486
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002487
TI - The Boiling of Drinking Water.
PMID- 29002488
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002489
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-An Original Operation for the Radical Relief of
Uterine Flexions & Eclampsia: Its Treatment, and a Report of 126 Cases Observed
in the Leipsic Maternity Hospital-The Treatment of Puerperal Fever by Injections
of Serum-Preventive Treatment of Inflamed Breasts-An Operation for the Cure of
Incontinence of Urine in the Female-A Contribution to the Pathological Anatomy of
Puerperal Eclampsia-Atropine in Uterine Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29002491
TI - Mr. Hart on Prison Diet in Bengal: Error ubique patet; falsa est doctrina periti.
PMID- 29002490
TI - Surgical Extracts-New Posture for Major Operations within the Nasal Cavities-The
Treatment of Epididymitis and Orchitis-A New Operation for Nephrorrhaphy-Surgical
Aspects of Tuberculosis-Antipyrine and Tannic Acid as a Styptic.
PMID- 29002492
TI - A Note on the Nutritive Values of the Dietaries of Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29002493
TI - An Analysis of Three Hundred Cases of Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29002494
TI - M. Haffkine's Explanation of His Inoculation Report Forms.
PMID- 29002495
TI - On the Use of Calcium Chloride to Lessen Haemorrhage during Operations: With an
Illustrative Case.
PMID- 29002496
TI - Mr. Hankin & M. Calmette's Serum.
PMID- 29002497
TI - Medicine-The Isolation and Incubation Periods of Infectious Diseases-Observations
on Epidemics of Cholera in India, with Special Reference to Their Immediate
Connection with Pilgrimage-Embarrassed Respiration-The Diagnostic Value of Sudden
and Acute Pain as a Symptom in Abdominal Disease-Nitroglycerine for Sciatica
Methods of Preparing Sputa for the Staining of Tubercle Bacilli-The Prevention of
Sea-Sickness in Short Voyages.
PMID- 29002498
TI - Extracts from the French Journals-Hydatid of the Ilium and Sacrum-Lupus of the
Tongue.
PMID- 29002499
TI - Appointments, Leave, Acknowledgments, &c.
PMID- 29002500
TI - Ne Sutor Ultra Crepidam.
PMID- 29002501
TI - Fibro-Cystic Tumour of the Uterus-Hysterectomy: Recovery.
PMID- 29002502
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Worcester's Method of Rendering Cow's Milk (Which Is
Believed to Be Poor in Lactalbumin) as Nearly as Possible an Equivalent for
Mother's Milk-Uncontrollable Vomiting of Pregnancy-Bacteriology of the Birth
Canal - Bromoform in Whooping Cough-Placenta Praevia: Its Rational Treatment.
PMID- 29002505
TI - Treatment of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29002503
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-The Detection of the Diphtheria Bacillus.
PMID- 29002504
TI - Ophthalmology-Cataract Operations between the Ages of 80 and 90, with a Table of
Cases-Prognostic Significance of Albuminuric Retinitis-Extensive Colloid Changes
in the Choroid with Report of Cases-Traumatic Enophthalmos, with a Case-Which
Canaliculus to Slit for Probing the Nasal Duct?
PMID- 29002506
TI - Diabetes.
PMID- 29002507
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002508
TI - A Case of Milk Secretion without Pregnancy.
PMID- 29002509
TI - Criminology.
PMID- 29002510
TI - Two Cases of Symphysiotomy.
PMID- 29002512
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002511
TI - Creasote as an Antipyretic.
PMID- 29002513
TI - The Etiology of Malarial Fever, with Special Reference to the Ground-Water Level
and the Parasite.
PMID- 29002514
TI - Some Practical Points Respecting the Malarial Parasite.
PMID- 29002515
TI - The Deciduoma Malignum.
PMID- 29002516
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002517
TI - Antivenene as an Antidote for Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29002518
TI - Appointments, Leave, Acknowledgments, &c.
PMID- 29002519
TI - Treatment of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29002520
TI - A Supply of Snake Venom Antitoxin for India.
PMID- 29002521
TI - Notes on Sanitation in Barracks and on the March in India.
PMID- 29002523
TI - The Investigation of Malaria in India.
PMID- 29002522
TI - Note on a Case of Secondary Syphilis Modified by Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29002524
TI - Note on the Prevalence of Molluscum Contagiosum in the Mymensingh District.
PMID- 29002525
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002526
TI - M. Haffkine on the Inoculation of Coolies.
PMID- 29002527
TI - The Proposed Indian Medical Service Club.
PMID- 29002528
TI - The Disinfection of Wells during Cholera Epidemics as Exemplified in the Town of
Midnapore, Bengal: III.-The Epidemic of 1895.
PMID- 29002530
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Bone-Marrow in Osteomalacia-Obstetric Teaching
Congenital Teeth-Vaginal Tablets.
PMID- 29002529
TI - Cholera and Its Treatment by Preventive Inoculation in the Darbhanga Jail.
PMID- 29002531
TI - Soloids of Compressed Antiseptics.
PMID- 29002532
TI - Potato Scurvy.
PMID- 29002533
TI - Results of Anticholera Inoculations in Cachar.
PMID- 29002535
TI - Kala Azar.
PMID- 29002534
TI - Medicine-Thymol Treatment of Anchylostomiasis-Salicylic Acid in Rheumatism
Salicylate of Methyl-Cimicifuga Racemosa-Thyroidin in Obesity-Guaiacol as an
Anaesthetic-Diagnosis of Diabetes.
PMID- 29002536
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002537
TI - The Boiling of Water.
PMID- 29002538
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002539
TI - The Etiological Relations of Cholera.
PMID- 29002540
TI - Dr. Manson's Mosquito-Malaria Theory.
PMID- 29002541
TI - Bacteriological Analysis of Water.
PMID- 29002542
TI - Apparatus for the Medication of the Middle Ear.
PMID- 29002543
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29002545
TI - The Transmission of Leprosy.
PMID- 29002544
TI - Directions for the Use of Permanganate of Potassium in Combating Water-Borne
Diseases.
PMID- 29002546
TI - Susceptibility to Vaccination.
PMID- 29002547
TI - A Case of Injury to the Abdominal Wall.
PMID- 29002548
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002549
TI - Notes on Sanitation in Barracks and on the March in India.
PMID- 29002550
TI - Medicine-Action of Tobacco-Treatment of Typhoid Fever-Tinea Versicolor-Iodide of
Mercury Haemol.
PMID- 29002551
TI - Venesection in Opium Poisoning.
PMID- 29002552
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29002553
TI - Bangalore Sanitation.
PMID- 29002554
TI - A Case of Ovarian Dropsy: Ovariotomy-Recovery.
PMID- 29002555
TI - Appointments, Leave, Acknowledgments, &c.
PMID- 29002556
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002557
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Operation for Anteflexion-Placenta Praevia-Ophthalmia
Neonatorum.
PMID- 29002558
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29002559
TI - Operative Treatment of Haemorrhoids.
PMID- 29002560
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002561
TI - Selections from French Journals-Cholecystostomy-X Rays-A Diverticulum of the
Bladder-Inguinal Cystocele.
PMID- 29002563
TI - Kala Azar.
PMID- 29002562
TI - Surgery-Surgical Shock-Peritoneal Tuberculosis-Intraperitoneal Treatment of
Abdominal Hydatids.
PMID- 29002564
TI - Cholera Puzzle.
PMID- 29002565
TI - Vaccine Produced by Passing the Virus of Small-Pox through the Cow and Calf.
PMID- 29002566
TI - The Disinfection of Wells during Cholera Epidemics as Exemplified in the Town of
Midnapore, Bengal.
PMID- 29002567
TI - Technique of Haffkine's Anticholera Inoculations.
PMID- 29002568
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002569
TI - Some Practical Points Respecting the Malaria-Parasite.
PMID- 29002570
TI - Cholera Antitoxine.
PMID- 29002571
TI - A Lecture on Vaccination against Cholera: Delivered in the Examination Hall of
the Conjoint Board of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London and Surgeons of
England, December 18th, 1895.
PMID- 29002572
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002573
TI - Description of a Cheap, Easily Improvised and Portable Bacteriological Apparatus.
PMID- 29002574
TI - Appointments, Leave, Acknowledgments, &c.
PMID- 29002576
TI - Sanitation in Burdwan.
PMID- 29002575
TI - Anchylostomiasis: Replies to Criticisms and Objections.
PMID- 29002577
TI - The Anatomical Rooms in the Medical College.
PMID- 29002578
TI - The Tea-Kettle Policy in Cholera.
PMID- 29002579
TI - On a New Rhinoplastic Operation.
PMID- 29002580
TI - A Case of "Phlegmasia Alba" Dolens in a Young Virgin.
PMID- 29002581
TI - Antivenene: A Hint to Collectors of Snake-Poison.
PMID- 29002582
TI - Unusual Cases of Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29002583
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-The Prevention of Puerperal Fever in Private Practice
Missed Labour-Icterus Neonatorum - A Special Milk for Infants-Placenta
Circumvallata-Post-Mortem Caesarean Section - Mittleschmerz-Dr. Haultain
Observations Respecting the Influence of Epidemic Influenza upon the Female
Sexual Organs-Induction of Premature Labour in the Latter Months of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29002584
TI - Pneumonia, Its Forms, Course and Results and Prevalence in the District of
Pachbadra.
PMID- 29002585
TI - Cases Illustrating an Unusual Susceptibility to Vaccination.
PMID- 29002586
TI - Dissecting and Surgical Dressers.
PMID- 29002587
TI - Medicine-Anhalonium Lewinii-Mescal Buttons-Izal as a Disinfectant and Antiseptic
Diastase in Dyspepsia-The Education of Deaf-Mutes - Guaiacol in Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29002589
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002588
TI - The Treatment of Impassable Urethral Stricture.
PMID- 29002590
TI - Hepatic Abscess-Treatment: Recovery.
PMID- 29002591
TI - Two Years of Anti-Choleraic Inoculations: Being a Report Submitted to the
Chairman of the Calcutta Corporation on July 1st, 1896.
PMID- 29002593
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002592
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002594
TI - Canine Rabies in India.
PMID- 29002595
TI - Chemistry, Pharmacy and Other Allied Subjects-Resorcinol-A Delicate Test for
Albumin in Urine.
PMID- 29002596
TI - Notes on Hysterectomy and Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29002597
TI - Transactions of Medical Society.
PMID- 29002598
TI - Evolution and Disease.
PMID- 29002600
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002599
TI - The Tea-Kettle Policy in Cholera.
PMID- 29002601
TI - On "Sporadic" Cases of Cholera.
PMID- 29002602
TI - The Increase of Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29002603
TI - Extracts from French Medical Journals-Treatment of Congenital Dislocation of the
Hip-X Rays-Diphoretic Paralysis after Serumtherapy - Symphysiotomy-Beneficial
Effects of Intravenous Injection of Saline Solutions in Tetanus, Traumatic
Haemorrhage and Peritoneal Infective Inflammation - Cases of Gastro-Enterotomy
and Intestinal Resection in Which Murphy's Button Was Employed.
PMID- 29002604
TI - Surgical-Hour-Glass Stomach Due to Cicatrisation of Gastric Ulcer-Closure of
Arterial Wounds by Suture-Antitoxin Treatment in Diphtheria-Mustard as an
Antiseptic.
PMID- 29002605
TI - Extracts from German Journals-Specific Protective Property of the Enteric
Bacillus.
PMID- 29002606
TI - Four Cases of Yaws: With Remarks on the Importance of Recognising and Segregating
Cases in India.
PMID- 29002607
TI - Medicine-The TopicalTreatment of Acne-Erysipelas-Therapeutics of Aristol
Tuberculosis of the Skin-Bilateral Neuritis of the Brachial Plexus after Lobar
Pneumonia.
PMID- 29002608
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-The Liver in Diabetes-Lardaceous Disease and Cirrhosis
of the Liver.
PMID- 29002609
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Placental Tissue, Fresh and Old-The Evolution of the
Surgical Treatment of the Broad Ligament Pedicle-A New Operation for Uterine
Prolapse - Some Observations on the Pathology and Treatment of Adherent Placenta
Eclampsia Treated by Repeated Enemata of Warm Water-A Sympathetic Ganglion in the
Human Ovary and Its Influence on Menstruation and Ovulation-Plans for the
Delivery of Occipito-Posterior Positions - The Effect of Symphysiotomy in
Permanently Enlarging the Pelvis-Antipyrin-Salol in the Treatment of Uterine
Haemorrhage - Diphtheria-Treatment of Carcinoma of the Uterus, Certain Forms of
Ovarian Disease and Fibroids of the Uterus by Means of Thyroid, Parotid and
Mammary Gland Therapeutics-The Technique of the Dilatation of the Perineum in
Labor-The Diagnosis of Pregnancy by Microscopical Changes in the Urine -
Haemorrhage from a Ruptured Graafian Follicle Simulating Haemorrage from a
Ruptured Extra-Uterine Pregnancy.
PMID- 29002610
TI - Hepatic Abscess: Treatment: Recovery.
PMID- 29002611
TI - Case of Sunstroke: Insidious Onset and Uninterrupted Recovery.
PMID- 29002612
TI - The New Anatomical Department of Aberdeen University.
PMID- 29002613
TI - Drugs and Diseases.
PMID- 29002615
TI - Transactions of Medical Society.
PMID- 29002614
TI - Outbreak of Cholera in the District Jail, Yeotmal: Wun District.
PMID- 29002616
TI - Acute Uraemia with Amaurosis Occurring in the Course of Treatment of Stricture of
the Urethra.
PMID- 29002617
TI - Rheumatism: Its Forms, Course, Prevalence, Treatment, and Its Etiological
Relations to Peculiar Meteorological Condition and Malaria, as Treated at
Pachbadra, Rajputana.
PMID- 29002618
TI - Fourth Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29002620
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002619
TI - A Doubtful Case of Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29002621
TI - Chemistry, Pharmacy and Other Allied Subjects-Indian Hemp Constituents
Guttapercha from Leaves-Antipyrin as a Poison-Anti-Choleraic Serum-Two Kinds of X
Rays-Oxygen Gas as a Restorative-Pepsin Digestion-Aseptic Surgical Catgut
Mercuric Cyanide in Ophthalmic Practice-Endosine in Intestinal Catarrh-Quinosol:
A New Antiseptic-Malakin in Acute Rheumatism - Electric Treatment of Diabetes
Mustard Oil as a Poison in Trinidad-Tuberculosis in Goats-The X Rays in Dentistry
The Action of the Rontgen Rays on Certain Microbes-Diagnostic Value of the X Rays
"Photographing Thought".
PMID- 29002622
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002623
TI - The Pasteur Institute for India.
PMID- 29002624
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Indications for Repair of Lacerations of the Cervix
Uteri and the Proper Operations to Meet Them-Tamponing the Cervix to Check Nausea
and Vomiting of Pregnancy - An Application of the X Rays to Intra-Uterine
Photography-Statistics on Weight of Infants and Foetal Heart Rate-Hernia of the
Ovary in an Infant with Torsion of the Pedicle - A New Method of Ligating the
Umbilical Cord-Antipyrin in Infantile Diarrhoea - New Method of Treating
Misplaced Uterus-Antipyrin in Labour-Lactation Atrophy of the Uterus-The
Indigestion of Breast Babies-Intravenous Injections of Normal Saline Solution-A
Case of Subcutaneous Emphysema Occurring during Labour.
PMID- 29002626
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002625
TI - Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner for Bengal, 1895.
PMID- 29002628
TI - Medicine-Stethoscopic Percussion-Tic de Salaam-Sulfonal in Enuresis-Thiosinamine
Oleo-Stearate of Zinc-Calcium Chloride in Pruritus-Salicylate of Sodium and
Bromide of Potassium in the Irritable Temper of Gout and Cardiac Disease-Resorcin
in Skin Disease.
PMID- 29002627
TI - Removal of Large Vesical Calculus by Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29002629
TI - The Evolution-Past and Prospective-Of Medical and Sanitary Work in India.
PMID- 29002630
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette, January 1896.
PMID- 29002631
TI - Surgical Extracts-Trephining for Tubercular Meningitis-A Variation in the
Technique of Major Amputations-Pseudo-Chancre-A Deodoriser for Iodoform.
PMID- 29002632
TI - The Incineration of Refuse.
PMID- 29002633
TI - The Mortality in Jails of Bengal.
PMID- 29002634
TI - Medicine-Remittent Fever in Mekong-Yellow Fever and Its Treatment-Bile as a
Culture Medium-Treatment of Liver Abscess-Suicide in Old Age-Antipyrine Erythema
Codeine in the Treatment of the Morphine Habit-Permanganate of Potassium in Opium
Poisoning-The Prevention of Asiatic Cholera-Chloride of Calcium in Haemophilia
The Absence of the First Sound of the Heart in Typhoid Fever-Vaccination of
School Children-Suicide and the Law.
PMID- 29002635
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology-Breech Presentation-Rupture of Child's Perineum by
Midwife-Version in Dorso-Posterior Position-The Treatment of Purulent Ophthalmia
in New-BornChildren-On the Line of Action to Be Adopted in the Case of a Woman
Who Is about to Die, Whilst Yet Undelivered.
PMID- 29002636
TI - Notes on Dr. Haffkine's Anti-Cholera Inoculations in Assam, Cachar and Sylhet
from October 1894 to July 1895.
PMID- 29002637
TI - Relationship of Crime to Insanity and Head-Measurement with Special Reference to
Criminal Responsibility.
PMID- 29002638
TI - Pathology and Bacteriology-The Immediate Preservation of Post-Mortem Specimens.
PMID- 29002639
TI - Anchylostomiasis.
PMID- 29002641
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002640
TI - Notes of Some Cases of Surgical Practice at the Civil Hospital, Gaya, in 1894:
Litholapaxy in Children.
PMID- 29002642
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002643
TI - A Note on External Applications of Creasote in the Treatment of Malarial
Intermittent Fevers.
PMID- 29002644
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002645
TI - Certain Facts Regarding the Poison-Lore of the Hindus.
PMID- 29002646
TI - Action of Hydrobromate of Scopolamine upon the Iris and Ciliary Muscle-Hypnotic
Anaesthesia-Turck's Gyromele in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases of the
Stomach-Europhen-A Simple Remedy for Enuresis.
PMID- 29002647
TI - Cataract Cases.
PMID- 29002648
TI - Albuminuria and Eclampsia-Calcium Carbide in the Treatment of Uterine Cancer
Intra-Uterine Infection of Syphilis-Treatment of Retro-Diviation of the Uterus
Management of Pelvic Presentations-Suturing Abdominal Wounds without Buried
Sutures to Prevent Ventral Hernia-Presentation of the Foetal Head-Puerperal
Convulsions in Twin Sisters-Ovarian Pregnancy-New Method of Inducing Abortion.
PMID- 29002649
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002650
TI - The Presidency General Hospital.
PMID- 29002651
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002652
TI - An Appeal to Our Countrymen.
PMID- 29002653
TI - Increase of Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29002654
TI - A Brief Historical Sketch of the Parasite of Malaria.
PMID- 29002655
TI - Erratum: Disinfection of Wells.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 202 in vol. 31.].
PMID- 29002657
TI - The Preservation of Animal Lymph, Vaseline or Lanoline.
PMID- 29002656
TI - Suggestion for the Prevention of Atropism.
PMID- 29002658
TI - Cajeput Oil in Pneumonia, with Cases.
PMID- 29002659
TI - Extract from an Account of Experiments for the Preservation of Animal Lymph
Conducted.
PMID- 29002660
TI - Surgical Extracts.
PMID- 29002661
TI - Hydatid Diseases.
PMID- 29002662
TI - Distribution and Life History of Dochmius Duodenalis.
PMID- 29002663
TI - Two Cases of Sub-Hyaloid Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29002664
TI - The First Case of Plague in Howrah.
PMID- 29002665
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002666
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002667
TI - Some Observations on the Proper Cooking of Dals (Indian Pulses).
PMID- 29002669
TI - The Plague.
PMID- 29002668
TI - Dr. Maclagan on Rheumatism.
PMID- 29002670
TI - Note on a Case of Congenital Malformation.
PMID- 29002671
TI - Main Dispensary, Sambalpore. Case of Preternatural Anus.
PMID- 29002672
TI - An Account of the Production of Vaccine in India, by Passing Small-Pox Virus
through the Calf.
PMID- 29002673
TI - Notes on Three Cases of Intestinal Obstruction Treated by Dr. Charles by
Enterotomy, Reported by Asst.-Surgn. Sushil Chandra Bhattacharya: Read at the
November Meeting of the Calcutta Medical Society.
PMID- 29002674
TI - Case of Traumatic Tetanus Treated with Antitoxin Unsuccessfully.
PMID- 29002675
TI - Case of Tubal Foetation: Laparotomy.
PMID- 29002677
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002676
TI - Kala Azar.
PMID- 29002678
TI - Meteorology and Cholera.
PMID- 29002679
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002680
TI - Case of Compound Comminuted and Depressed Fracture of Skull.
PMID- 29002681
TI - The High Mortality of Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29002682
TI - Native Methods of Treating Diseases of the Eye.
PMID- 29002683
TI - Pestis Ambulans.
PMID- 29002684
TI - Pestis Ambulans.
PMID- 29002685
TI - Irrigation of the Anterior Chamber in Operations on the Eye.
PMID- 29002686
TI - Case of Bullet Wound.
PMID- 29002688
TI - Case of Hydatid Cyst in a Native of India.
PMID- 29002687
TI - Anchylostomum Duodenale.
PMID- 29002689
TI - Technique of Haffkine's Method of Preparing Fixed Cholera Vaccine.
PMID- 29002690
TI - Apenta Water-Graves' Disease-Meat Poisoning-American Pediatric Society's
Collective Investigation.
PMID- 29002691
TI - Bubonic Plague at Bombay.
PMID- 29002692
TI - The Extra Pension and Administrative Medical Officers.
PMID- 29002693
TI - Transactions of Medical Society.
PMID- 29002694
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002695
TI - Vaccination in the Punjab and Vaseline Paste Lymph.
PMID- 29002696
TI - Price Memorial Fund.
PMID- 29002697
TI - Reply to Brig.-Surgn.-Lieut.-Col. Sanders' Impeachment of the Anti-Choleraic
Statistics in Calcutta and Serampur.
PMID- 29002699
TI - Proposed International Congress for the Suppression of Leprosy.
PMID- 29002698
TI - Suppurating Hydatid Cyst of Liver.
PMID- 29002700
TI - Leprosy.
PMID- 29002701
TI - The Best Way of Vaccinating.
PMID- 29002702
TI - Anti-Cholera Inoculation.
PMID- 29002703
TI - The British Medical Association at Carlisle.
PMID- 29002704
TI - Surgn.-Lieut.-Col. Lawrie and the Parasite of Malaria.
PMID- 29002705
TI - Main Dispensary, Sambalpur Cases.
PMID- 29002706
TI - Anti-Syphilitic Serum.
PMID- 29002707
TI - Controllable Disease in the Army.
PMID- 29002708
TI - Criticism on the Cholera Inoculation at Calcutta and Serampur: Speech at the
Municipal Meeting.
PMID- 29002709
TI - Extracts from French Medical Journals.
PMID- 29002710
TI - The Test for the Cholera Microbe.
PMID- 29002711
TI - Specific for Dysentery.
PMID- 29002712
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002713
TI - The Radical Cure of Hydrocele of the Tunica Vaginalis by Excision of the Sac: 126
Cases.
PMID- 29002714
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002715
TI - Chemistry, Pharmacy and Other Allied Sciences-Iodoform-Vasogene in Suppurations
Tincture of Horse-Chestnut for Haemorrhoids - Resorcin-Dermatology - Malakin as
an Anthelmintic-Glycerine in Hepatic Colic-Eucane in Dentistry-Narcotine in
Malaria.
PMID- 29002716
TI - Medicine-Scurvy-Lycopersicum Cardiopathia-The Superiority of Thiol to Ichthyol.
PMID- 29002717
TI - Surgn.-Major Ross' Paper on Lawrie's Discoveries.
PMID- 29002718
TI - Surgical Extracts-A Modification of Trendlelenburg's Operation for Varicose Veins
Surgical Operations upon Diabetic Patients.
PMID- 29002719
TI - The Presidency General Hospital of Calcutta.
PMID- 29002720
TI - Dysentery in Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29002721
TI - Serum Treatment against Rabies.
PMID- 29002723
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002722
TI - A Report on the Epidemic of Bubonic Plague at Hongkong in the Year 1896.
PMID- 29002724
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29002725
TI - Adipocere in India.
PMID- 29002726
TI - Preternatural Labor.
PMID- 29002727
TI - The Indian Medical Gazette.
PMID- 29002728
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002730
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002729
TI - Notes on Some Cases of Malaria Amoeba Coli and Cercomonas.
PMID- 29002732
TI - Medical Registration.
PMID- 29002731
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
PMID- 29002733
TI - Some Suggestions as to the Treatment and After-Treatment of Cataract Derived from
an Experience of 1,100 Cases.
PMID- 29002734
TI - The Human Factor in the Spread of Plague and the Lesson It Teaches.
PMID- 29002735
TI - Notes on the Spread of the Plague in Bombay.
PMID- 29002736
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002737
TI - Ligature of the External Iliac for Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29002739
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002738
TI - Chronic Extra-Dural Cerebral Abscess-Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 29002740
TI - Tropical Intermittent Fevers.
PMID- 29002741
TI - A Successful Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29002742
TI - Calf Vaccination in Prussia.
PMID- 29002743
TI - The Wedge Operation for Entropion and Trichiasis.
PMID- 29002744
TI - Medicine: Examination of Eyes in the Public Schools of Baltimore-Sub-Conjunctival
Injections in the Treatment of Certain Diseases of the Eye-Medico-Legal Aspect of
Eye and Ear Cases-Treatment of Optic Nerve Atrophy by Mercurial Inunctions in
Conjunction with the Hot Baths of the Hot Springs of Arkansas-Blennostasine-A
Physical Sign of the Rheumatic Diathesis-Treatment of Sciatica by Massage
Corsican Fever-Simple Method for the Detection of Lead in Organic Fluids.
PMID- 29002745
TI - Lord Sandhurst's Measures against Plague.
PMID- 29002746
TI - Memorandum on the Use of a Saturated Solution of Common Salt as a Preservative
for Viscera Sent for Chemical Examination.
PMID- 29002747
TI - Vivisection (So-Called): Its Role in the Service of Man and Beast.
PMID- 29002748
TI - Precautions against Plague.
PMID- 29002749
TI - Cholera Diffusion by Flies.
PMID- 29002750
TI - The Epidemic of Bubonic Plague in Hongkong, 1894.
PMID- 29002752
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002751
TI - Enteric Fever in Rangoon, and Its Rational Treatment.
PMID- 29002754
TI - M. Haffkine.
PMID- 29002753
TI - The Malarial Parasite.
PMID- 29002755
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002756
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Treatment of Eclampsia-Secondary Abdominal Pregnancy.
PMID- 29002757
TI - An Account of the Production of Vaccine in India by Passing Small-Pox Virus
through the Calf.
PMID- 29002758
TI - The Epidemic of Bubonic Plague in Hongkong, 1894.
PMID- 29002759
TI - Agar-Agar.
PMID- 29002760
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002761
TI - The Howrah Case.
PMID- 29002762
TI - Aryan Medical Science.
PMID- 29002764
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002763
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Deciduoma Malignum-Ovarian Dermoids-Methyl Blue in
Inoperable Cancer-Ovarian Therapy-Contribution to the Study of Ovulation,
Menstruation and Conception-Position of the Normal Ovary-Physiology of
Menstruation.
PMID- 29002766
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29002765
TI - Increase of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29002767
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002768
TI - Kala Azar.
PMID- 29002769
TI - Medicine: Kebler on Poisonous Honey-Proben on Pilocarpine in the Uraemia of
Brights' Disease-Babcock on Treatment of Haemoptysis-Herrick on Thyroid Therapy
McEwen on Chloroform Narcosis-Eskridge on Comparative Temperature on Each Side of
the Body in Cerebral Lesions.
PMID- 29002770
TI - Imperforate Hymen and Retained Menses.
PMID- 29002771
TI - The Disinfection of the Skin in Surgical Operation.
PMID- 29002772
TI - Hydatid Cysts.
PMID- 29002773
TI - The Medical Board and Plague in Calcutta.
PMID- 29002774
TI - Notes on an Unusual Case.
PMID- 29002775
TI - The Treatment of Granular Ophthalmia and Its Complications in Southern India.
PMID- 29002776
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002777
TI - Pressure in the Pregnant Uterus-Deciduoma Malignum - Non-Ligation of the
Umbilical Cord-Electricity in Obstetrics.
PMID- 29002778
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002780
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002779
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002782
TI - Hospital Nursing in Calcutta.
PMID- 29002781
TI - New Bye-Laws on House Sanitation in Bangalore.
PMID- 29002783
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002784
TI - Plague in Bombay.
PMID- 29002785
TI - Notes on Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29002786
TI - Has Adipocere Been Observed in India.
PMID- 29002787
TI - Report on Plague.
PMID- 29002788
TI - Malaria and Immunity.
PMID- 29002789
TI - Enteric Fever in Rangoon, and Its Rational Treatment.
PMID- 29002790
TI - Epithelial Xerosis in Natives of India.
PMID- 29002791
TI - Use of Camphoric Acid in Excessive Sweating. On a Special Tract in the Lateral
Limiting Layer of the Spinal Cord - Malignant Disease of the Stomach-The Internal
Secretions of the Thyroid and Suprarenal Glands.
PMID- 29002792
TI - A Case of Hyperaemia of the Ovary.
PMID- 29002793
TI - Extracts from French Journals-A Case of Alcaptonuria.
PMID- 29002795
TI - Report on the Working of the Charitable Dispensaries in Bengal, 1893-95.
PMID- 29002794
TI - The Howrah Case.
PMID- 29002796
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002797
TI - Experimental Investigations on Protective Inoculation of Men against Typhus
Abdominalis.
PMID- 29002798
TI - The Medical Board of Calcutta.
PMID- 29002799
TI - Plague in Bombay.
PMID- 29002801
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002800
TI - Preservation of Vaccine Lymph.
PMID- 29002802
TI - Eucain in Ophthalmic Surgery.
PMID- 29002803
TI - Medicine: Anhelonium Lewinii-Glenard's Disease, or Enteroptosis-Sparteine
Sulphate and Chloroform-Uraemic Dyspnoea-Chloride of Ammonium in Delirium Tremens
Electro Diagnosis and Electro-Therapeutics Simplified -Salol in Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29002804
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002806
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29002807
TI - Ligature of the External Iliac Artery for Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29002805
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Post-Partum Haemorrhage-Intravenous Injections of
Saline Solution in Puerperal Eclampsia-Best Method of Suture after Laparotomy-Non
Draining Gauze Tampons in the Treatment of Post-Partum Haemorrhage-The First
Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29002808
TI - The Epidemic of Bubonic Plague in Hongkong, 1894.
PMID- 29002809
TI - A Case of Hepatic Abscess: Operation and Recovery.
PMID- 29002810
TI - List of Medical Officers and Guests Present at the I.M.S. Dinner.
PMID- 29002811
TI - Plague Precautions in Bengal.
PMID- 29002812
TI - The Value of Exploratory Laparotomy Per Se in (a) Real, and (b) Supposed
Malignant Disease of the Abdominal Organs-Delayed Expulsion of Second Twin
Camphorasan Antigolactagogue-A Simple Method of Treating Post-Partum Haemorrhage
from Atony of the Uterus.
PMID- 29002813
TI - Some Suggestions as to the Treatment and after Treatment of Cataract Derived from
an Experience of 1,100 Cases.
PMID- 29002814
TI - Ligature of the External Iliac Artery for Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29002815
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002817
TI - Urticaria.
PMID- 29002816
TI - A Report on the Epidemic of Bubonic Plague at Hongkong in the Year 1896.
PMID- 29002819
TI - Notes on Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29002818
TI - A Case of Congenital Deformity.
PMID- 29002820
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29002821
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002823
TI - I. M. S. Dinner in London.
PMID- 29002822
TI - A Case of Chancre of the Eyelid.
PMID- 29002824
TI - What Should Midwives Be Taught?
PMID- 29002826
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002825
TI - The So-Called Kala-Azar of Assam.
PMID- 29002827
TI - Use and Abuse of Ergot in Obstetrics.
PMID- 29002828
TI - The Infiltration (Schleich) Method for Producing Local Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29002829
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002832
TI - The Organisation of the Military Medical Services.
PMID- 29002830
TI - Case of Umbilical Hernia, without a Sac or Other Covering, Complicated by
Intussusception and Perforation of the Bowel.
PMID- 29002833
TI - The Plague Campaign.
PMID- 29002831
TI - Spelling of Ankylostoma.
PMID- 29002835
TI - Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29002834
TI - Large Urethral Calculus.
PMID- 29002837
TI - Two Cases of Coloboma Iridis in Mother and Son, with Monocular Policoria Also in
the Son.
PMID- 29002836
TI - On the Comparative Value and Cost of Disinfectants.
PMID- 29002838
TI - Kala-Azar and Diseases Confused with It.
PMID- 29002839
TI - Medicine: Anaesthetic Leprosy Non-Contagious-Iced Drinks and Dyspepsia-Taka
Diastase as a Digestive Agent-Thymol as a Vermifuge - Appendicitis as a Medical
Disease - Herpes in Malarial Fevers-Toxic Sweat and Prickly-Heat-An Emergent Army
Ration - Syphilis and Locomotor Ataxy in Negroes-The Malarial Hand-Cretinism
Treated by Thyroid Extract-Splenectomy-Conjugal Diabetes and the Theory of
Contagion.
PMID- 29002840
TI - Remarks on Yersin's Serum in Plague.
PMID- 29002841
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29002842
TI - Special Senses: Toxic Amblyopia-Otitic Brain Disease.
PMID- 29002843
TI - Appointments, Transfers, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002845
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002844
TI - Is Yaws Syphilis?
PMID- 29002846
TI - Case of Abscess of the Liver of Long Standing Which Opened into the Lung:
Subsequent Operation and Death from Multiple Abscess.
PMID- 29002847
TI - Abstract Report on Gunshot Wounds Received in the Attack on the Malakand and in
the Operations Immediately Following, and Which Were Transferred for Treatment to
the Base Hospital, Nowshera.
PMID- 29002848
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Ovariine - Vesical Calculus after Caesarean Section
Hysterectomy in a Child Nine Months Old-Precocious Menstruation-The Anticipation
of Post-Partum Haemorrhage-Plural Pregnancies.
PMID- 29002849
TI - A Clinical Lecture on Tetanus.
PMID- 29002850
TI - Rupture of the Heart by a Blow with a Stick : Survival for over Three Hours.
PMID- 29002851
TI - Service Note.
PMID- 29002853
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002852
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology: On Posterior-Occipital Positions of the Foetal Head -
Diagnosis and Treatment of Rupture of the Uterus-Abortion and Quinine-Eclampsia.
PMID- 29002854
TI - Plague and House Disinfection.
PMID- 29002855
TI - Some Curiosities in Comma Bacilli of Asiatic Cholera.
PMID- 29002856
TI - Medicine: Diabetes Mellitus and Lesions of the Pancreas-Accurate Diagnosis of
Diseases of the Chest-Results of Haffkine's Anti-Cholera Inoculations in India -
Carbolic Acid Poisoning - Malarial Haematuria - Simplicity and Palatability in
Prescribing.
PMID- 29002857
TI - Cases at the St. Stephen's Mission Hospital, Delhi: Cases of Dystocia Due to
Monsters, &c.
PMID- 29002858
TI - Complications in the After-Treatment of Cases of Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29002859
TI - The So-Called Kala-Azar of Assam.
PMID- 29002861
TI - Leave and the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29002860
TI - Abdominal Surgery at the Eden Hospital.
PMID- 29002862
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002863
TI - The Pasteur-Chamberland System of Filtration at the Darjeeling Water-Works.
PMID- 29002864
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002865
TI - Three Cases of Empyema Suggestive of an Infectious Nature.
PMID- 29002867
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002866
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29002869
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002868
TI - Drowning in Shallow Water.
PMID- 29002870
TI - Drugs and Appliances.
PMID- 29002871
TI - Fracture of Patella by a Surgeon during Forcible Flexion.
PMID- 29002873
TI - Appointments - Transfers-Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002872
TI - 28,000 Heights and Weights.
PMID- 29002874
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002875
TI - Indian Army Nursing Service.
PMID- 29002876
TI - Medicine: Enteric Fever Amongst Natives of India-Beri-Beri-Spinal Irritation
Angina Pectoris-Rheumatoid Arthritis-Chronic Urticaria-Morphinism-Night Sweats.
PMID- 29002877
TI - The "Indian Medical Gazette".
PMID- 29002878
TI - A Note on Melanoglossia.
PMID- 29002879
TI - Permanganate Disinfection of Village Wells in Epidemics of Dysentery and
Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29002880
TI - A Case of Quinine Eruption.
PMID- 29002881
TI - A Median Incisor Tooth.
PMID- 29002882
TI - Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 29002883
TI - Elephantiasis in Ceylon: Its Prevalence in Villages near the Swampy Ground of Old
Abandoned Tanks.
PMID- 29002885
TI - Sanitation in Srinagar.
PMID- 29002884
TI - Is Yaws Syphilis?: Replies to Mr. Hutchinson's Questions.
PMID- 29002886
TI - Dr. W. J. Simpson.
PMID- 29002887
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002888
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002889
TI - Cinchona Culture and Quinine Production.
PMID- 29002890
TI - Quinine Exanthemata.
PMID- 29002891
TI - Public Health.
PMID- 29002892
TI - Some Remarks on the Position of Certain Remittent Fevers Hitherto Frequently
Classed as Malarial, with Illustrative Cases and Temperature Charts.
PMID- 29002894
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29002893
TI - Abdominal Surgery at Darbhanga in 1896.
PMID- 29002896
TI - Abstract of Remarks by Surgn.-Col. A. Stephen, M.B., Principal Medical Officer
and Sanitary Commissioner, Assam, on Dr. Rogers' Report on Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29002895
TI - Central Asylums for Lunatics.
PMID- 29002898
TI - The Scientific Study of Preventive Medicine in India.
PMID- 29002897
TI - Medicine: Tropical Abscess of Liver-Pneumonia-Appendicitis-The Parasites of
Malaria-Malaria in Animals-Is Diabetes Increasing?-Infection by Flies.
PMID- 29002899
TI - The Lower Bengal (Burdwan) Epidemic Fever Reviewed and Compared with the Present
Assam Epidemic Malarial Fever (Kala-Azar).
PMID- 29002901
TI - Surgery: A Contribution to the Study of Anastomosis of the Hollow Viscera-A
Modified Murphy Button-Some Methods of Healing Granulating Surfaces-Irrigation in
Intussusception-A New Throat Spray.
PMID- 29002900
TI - Can Typhoid Fever Be Aborted?
PMID- 29002902
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002903
TI - Appointments, Transfers, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002904
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002905
TI - The Larymore Boiler.
PMID- 29002906
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002907
TI - A Suggested Improvement in "Surahis".
PMID- 29002908
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Uterine Haemorrhages and Ruptures of the Circular
Sinus-The Treatment of After-Pains-Indications of Symphyseotomy-A Case of
Symphyseotomy-Treatment of Asphyxia Neonatorum-Ovarian Tumours-The Prevention of
Thirst after Abdominal Operations-Caesarian Section-Abdominal Surgery-Shock
during Abdominal Operations.
PMID- 29002910
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002909
TI - Abdominal Surgery at Darbhanga in 1896.
PMID- 29002912
TI - Abdominal Surgery at the Eden Hospital, Calcutta: During the Years 1894, 1895 and
1896.
PMID- 29002911
TI - An Improved Pattern of "Giant" Lithotrite.
PMID- 29002913
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002914
TI - Is Perforation Justifiable in Delay of Delivery of the After-Coming Head?
PMID- 29002915
TI - Prevention of Malaria.
PMID- 29002916
TI - Report on the Sanitary Administration of the Punjab for 1896.
PMID- 29002917
TI - A Case of Gastro-Intestinal Catarrh: Speedy and Unexpected Recovery.
PMID- 29002918
TI - Cholera Cases in Gaya.
PMID- 29002919
TI - Medicine: Quarantine versus Medical Inspection-An Example of Quarantine before
the Late Venice Conference-The Causation and Rhythm of the "Presystolic" Murmur
Practical Conclusions Derived from a Study of Five Hundred Cases of Cardiac
Disease-Cancer of the Stomach in Early Life-Cancer of the Breast in a Child.
PMID- 29002920
TI - Cases of Undiagnosed Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29002922
TI - The Health of Prisoners.
PMID- 29002921
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002923
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002924
TI - The Mortality of Operations in the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29002925
TI - Typhoid Bacilli and the Blood Test.
PMID- 29002926
TI - Enteric Fever in Rangoon.
PMID- 29002927
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Subcutaneous Symphysiotomy-A Case of Intra-Peritoneal
Gestation at Term-Age of Foetus in Miscarriages-Axis of the Foetal Head.
PMID- 29002928
TI - Peculiar Pigmented Cells Found in Two Mosquitoes Fed on Malarial Blood.
PMID- 29002929
TI - On the Difference between Serum and Blood Solutions, the Condition of the Test
Culture and the Significance of Bacterium Coli Infection in Relation to Typhoid
Diagnosis.
PMID- 29002930
TI - Dysentery in Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29002931
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29002933
TI - The Building Commission for Calcutta.
PMID- 29002932
TI - A Successful Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29002934
TI - The Plague Prophylactic.
PMID- 29002935
TI - Appointments, Leave, &c.
PMID- 29002936
TI - Remarks on the Pathology of Plague.
PMID- 29002937
TI - Methods of Malarial Infection.
PMID- 29002938
TI - Kola during Labour-Prevention and Treatment of Puerperal Fever-Guaiacol in
Puerperal Eclampsia-The Anatomy and Development of the Human Placenta.
PMID- 29002939
TI - Cases of Undiagnosed Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29002940
TI - The So-Called Kala-Azar of Assam.
PMID- 29002941
TI - Contributions to the Knowledge of the Placenta and the Maternal Structures
Entering into the Formation of the Foetal Membranes.
PMID- 29002942
TI - Administration of the Presidency General Hospital.
PMID- 29002943
TI - Appendicitis from a Physician's Point of View-Percussion and Palpation-Treatment
of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29002944
TI - Plague in India.
PMID- 29002945
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29002947
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29002946
TI - A Case of Peritonitis Caused by Perforation of the Small Intestine by the Stalk
of an Egg-Plant Fruit and Resulting in Death.
PMID- 29002948
TI - A Report on the Epidemic of Bubonic Plague at Hongkong in the Year 1896.
PMID- 29002949
TI - Treatment of Epilepsy-Epilepsy and Eye Strain-Treatment of Insanity by Hypnotic
Suggestion.
PMID- 29002951
TI - M'Keown's Method of Irrigation in Cataract Operation.
PMID- 29002952
TI - Colonel Thomas Holbein Hendley, C.I.E., I.M.S.
PMID- 29002950
TI - Paper on Slabs of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29002953
TI - Cholera in the District of Puri, with a Special Account of the Epidemic during
the Year 1901.
PMID- 29002954
TI - Gleanings from the Atte Della Societa Per Gli Studi Della Malaria, Vol. III.
PMID- 29002955
TI - The Mechanical Destruction of Bacilli.
PMID- 29002956
TI - The Oyster Scare.
PMID- 29002957
TI - Tubercle of Lungs in Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29002958
TI - The Pathology, Prevention and Treatment of Malignant Disease.
PMID- 29002959
TI - Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson on Leprosy.
PMID- 29002960
TI - Shellfish Poisoning.
PMID- 29002961
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002962
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002963
TI - A Case of "Blastomycetic Dermatitis" in a Chitrali.
PMID- 29002965
TI - The Introduction of the Antiseptic System into India.
PMID- 29002964
TI - The Microbe of Rheumatism.
PMID- 29002966
TI - The Lister Jubilee.
PMID- 29002967
TI - Glioma of the Retina. A Lecture Delivered before the Ahmedabad Medical Society.
PMID- 29002968
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002969
TI - Notes on a Case of Congenital Absence of Both Eyeballs.
PMID- 29002970
TI - The D. P. H. and the Medical Services.
PMID- 29002971
TI - Notes on Two Cases of Caesarean Section (Porro's Modification).
PMID- 29002972
TI - A Case of Hernia of the Bladder Associated with Inguinal Hernia of the Same Side.
PMID- 29002974
TI - The Inquiry into Lathyrism.
PMID- 29002973
TI - Trypanosoma Disease in Man.
PMID- 29002975
TI - Notes on the Origin of the Presidency General Hospital, Calcutta: III. Initial
Steps.
PMID- 29002976
TI - An Analysis of One Thousand Consecutive Cataract Extractions.
PMID- 29002977
TI - Serum Treatment of Traumatic Tetanus: A Successful Case.
PMID- 29002978
TI - Two Rapidly Fatal Cases of Enteric with Marked Pneumonic Symptoms from the Onset.
PMID- 29002979
TI - Neurasthenia in Anglo-Indians.
PMID- 29002980
TI - Note on the Bacteriology of Dysentery and the Value of the Serum Test in Its
Differentiation.
PMID- 29002981
TI - The Prize Essay of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.
PMID- 29002983
TI - The Leprosy Discussion at Swansea.
PMID- 29002982
TI - A Possible Cause of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29002984
TI - Notes on a Case of Pyelitis Due to the Bacillus Coli Communis.
PMID- 29002985
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29002987
TI - Post-Nasal Adenoids and Their Treatment in Australia.
PMID- 29002986
TI - Infantile Paralysis.
PMID- 29002989
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29002988
TI - Notes on Continental Eye Clinics.
PMID- 29002990
TI - A Case of Medico-Legal Interest.
PMID- 29002992
TI - Anchylostomiasis in the United States.
PMID- 29002991
TI - Malaria: As Seen in the Andamans Penal Settlement.
PMID- 29002993
TI - Suicidal Hanging: Deaths from the Secondary Effects.
PMID- 29002994
TI - A Case of Suicidal Hanging-Death after Nine Days.
PMID- 29002995
TI - The Biological Disposal of Sewage.
PMID- 29002996
TI - The Health of the District of Jessore, and How to Improve It.
PMID- 29002997
TI - Cordite Eating.
PMID- 29002998
TI - The Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29002999
TI - Cases from the Crossthwaite Hospital, Naini Tal.
PMID- 29003001
TI - Hospital Sunday.
PMID- 29003000
TI - Red Water and Rinderpest in Cattle.
PMID- 29003002
TI - Diseases of Women and Children.
PMID- 29003003
TI - Extracts from Medical Journals. Medicine.
PMID- 29003004
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003005
TI - Ascaris Lumbricoides Causing Perforation of Stomach and Intestine and Death.
PMID- 29003006
TI - Infant with a Caudal Appendage.
PMID- 29003007
TI - Indian Milk Supply and Infective (Epidemic) Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29003009
TI - Report on the Political Administration of the Territories within the Central
India Agency for 1901-1902.
PMID- 29003008
TI - Note on the Mycoid Body Found in the Blood Corpuscles in Remittent Fevers.
PMID- 29003010
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia of Unascertained Origin.
PMID- 29003011
TI - A New Desiccator for Plague Disinfection.
PMID- 29003012
TI - A Case of Tetanus Treated with Tetanus Antitoxin: Recovery.
PMID- 29003013
TI - Report on Sanitation, Dispensaries and Jails in Rajputana for 1901, and on
Vaccination for the Year 1901-1902.
PMID- 29003014
TI - Special Senses.
PMID- 29003016
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Dislocation of the Head of Radius during Sleep.
PMID- 29003015
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29003017
TI - Fracture of the Leg: Malunion: Operation: Successful Result.
PMID- 29003018
TI - A New Field-Service Dooly.
PMID- 29003019
TI - Cancer.
PMID- 29003020
TI - Cancer in Europe.
PMID- 29003021
TI - Cataract Operations: A Correction.
PMID- 29003022
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003024
TI - Cure of Cancer.
PMID- 29003023
TI - Poisoning by Thevetia Nerifolia (Yellow Oleander).
PMID- 29003025
TI - A Case of Lympho-Sarcoma of the Small Intestine.
PMID- 29003026
TI - A Case of Stone Impacted in the Ureter: Operation, Recovery.
PMID- 29003027
TI - A Suggestion for Plague Treatment.
PMID- 29003028
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003029
TI - Foreign Body in the Stomach-Gastrotomy: Recovery.
PMID- 29003030
TI - An Account of a Race of Idiots Found in the Punjab, Commonly Known as "Shah
Daula's Mice".
PMID- 29003031
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29003032
TI - Some Cases of Labour in Heart Disease.
PMID- 29003034
TI - Freyer's Prostatectomies.
PMID- 29003033
TI - Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29003035
TI - The Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps.
PMID- 29003036
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29003038
TI - Ennore, Boscombe, Bournemouth.
PMID- 29003037
TI - Extracts from Medical Journals. Special Senses.
PMID- 29003040
TI - Report on the Punjab Lunatic Asylum for 1902.
PMID- 29003039
TI - A Case of Tetanus, Treated with Tetanus Antitoxine: Recovery.
PMID- 29003041
TI - Surgery.
PMID- 29003042
TI - Extracts from Foreign Medical Journals.
PMID- 29003043
TI - Diseases of Women and Children.
PMID- 29003044
TI - Ventnor.
PMID- 29003045
TI - The Recent Birthday Honours.
PMID- 29003046
TI - The Use of the Catheter after External Urethrotomy.
PMID- 29003047
TI - Further Notes on Experiments on the Pathology and Treatment of Malignant Disease.
PMID- 29003048
TI - The Cure of Cancer.
PMID- 29003049
TI - A Case of Cerebral Abscess.
PMID- 29003050
TI - The Use of Paraffin in Surgery.
PMID- 29003052
TI - Enteric Fever in Goorkhas : With a Few Remarks as to Its Propagation and
Differential Diagnosis in the Early Stage.
PMID- 29003051
TI - Notes on the Origin of the Presidency General Hospital, Calcutta: IV.-Mr.
Kiernander's Difficulties.
PMID- 29003053
TI - Cold Water vs. Drugs.
PMID- 29003055
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003054
TI - The Mode of Entry of Plague Infection into the Human Body.
PMID- 29003056
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003057
TI - Another Prize Day at Netley.
PMID- 29003058
TI - The Cosmopolitan Diseases in the Tropics.
PMID- 29003059
TI - An Analysis of One Thousand Consecutive Cataract Extractions.
PMID- 29003060
TI - Report on the Outbreak of Epidemic Dropsy in the Barisal Jail.
PMID- 29003061
TI - Mr. Johnathan Hutchinson's Visit to India.
PMID- 29003062
TI - Legislation against Drunkenness.
PMID- 29003064
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003063
TI - Liver Chill as a Factor of Disease in the Tropics.
PMID- 29003065
TI - The Sleeping Sickness of Uganda.
PMID- 29003066
TI - The R. A. M. College.
PMID- 29003067
TI - An Epidemic of Catarrhal Jaundice in Buxar Central Jail.
PMID- 29003068
TI - Malaria: As Seen in the Andamans Penal Settlement.
PMID- 29003069
TI - Physique.
PMID- 29003070
TI - Extracts from Medical Journals-Medicine.
PMID- 29003071
TI - An Attack of Gall-Stones-Collapse: Death.
PMID- 29003072
TI - Surgery.
PMID- 29003073
TI - Jaundice in Port Blair, Andaman Islands.
PMID- 29003075
TI - A Question of Medical Ethics.
PMID- 29003074
TI - Abscess of Ovary Presenting All the Signs of Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29003076
TI - Primary Carcinoma of the Liver.
PMID- 29003078
TI - Diseases of Women and Children.
PMID- 29003077
TI - The Life-Span of the Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29003079
TI - On Diseases of the Liver.
PMID- 29003081
TI - The Services.
PMID- 29003080
TI - Four Cases of Menorrhagia Successfully Treated with Suprarenal Gland Extract.
PMID- 29003083
TI - British Medical Association Meeting. July 2nd-31st, 1903.
PMID- 29003082
TI - A Case of Transposition of Viscera Recognised during Life: Death from Malarial
Fever: Post Mortem-Total Congenital Absence of Spleen.
PMID- 29003084
TI - The Treatment of Yellow Fever.
PMID- 29003085
TI - Notes on Operations for Abscess of the Liver, Ascites, and Gall-Stones.
PMID- 29003086
TI - Diseases of the Liver in India.
PMID- 29003087
TI - On the Physiological Action of the Hydrophidae.
PMID- 29003088
TI - Note on an Unusual Complication Met with during Operation for Punctured Wound of
Abdomen.
PMID- 29003090
TI - Tuberculosis in Calcutta.
PMID- 29003089
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003091
TI - Ambulatory Plague.
PMID- 29003092
TI - A Case of Freyer's Operation for Enlargement of the Prostate.
PMID- 29003093
TI - Antidiphtheritic Inoculation.
PMID- 29003095
TI - The Tropical Diseases Section.
PMID- 29003094
TI - A Case of Colloid Carcinoma of the Mesentery.
PMID- 29003096
TI - The Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 29003097
TI - A Case of Death from Septic Duodenitis after Relief of Acute Intestimal
Obstruction.
PMID- 29003099
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29003098
TI - A Unique Pig-Sticking Accident.
PMID- 29003100
TI - Adrenalin and Its Uses in General Surgery, Especially Applied to Ophthalmology.
PMID- 29003101
TI - Radio Activity.
PMID- 29003102
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003104
TI - Disposal of City Sewage in India.
PMID- 29003103
TI - A Generally Unknown Source of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29003105
TI - Old Unreduced Posterior Dislocation of the Bones of the Forearm: Excision of the
Elbow Joint.
PMID- 29003107
TI - A Note on Some Cases of Poisoning by Scopolia Lurida,-Atropaceae: Proceedings of
the Peshawar Medical Society.
PMID- 29003108
TI - A Case of Elephantiasis of the Scrotum: Operated in the Civil Hospital, Aden.
PMID- 29003106
TI - Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29003109
TI - The Bhowanipur Food Poisoning.
PMID- 29003110
TI - Notes from Continental Eye Clinics: IX.-Denmark.
PMID- 29003111
TI - Poisoning by Antimony.
PMID- 29003112
TI - Appendicitis with Abscess.
PMID- 29003113
TI - Vaccination and Smallpox.
PMID- 29003114
TI - Extracts from Medical Journals-Medicine.
PMID- 29003116
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003115
TI - Perineal Litholapaxy in Children.
PMID- 29003117
TI - Colopexy for Prolapsus Recti.
PMID- 29003119
TI - The Seventy-First Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 29003118
TI - Two Cases of Rupture of the Lung of Uncertain Origin.
PMID- 29003120
TI - Trypanosomiasis.
PMID- 29003121
TI - Case of Meckel's Diverticulum.
PMID- 29003122
TI - Leprosy.
PMID- 29003123
TI - A Medical Directory for Bengal.
PMID- 29003124
TI - The Bengal Branch of the Countess of Dufferin's Fund.
PMID- 29003126
TI - Notes on the Mercurial Treatment of Chronic Dysentery, Cholera and Liver
Complaints.
PMID- 29003125
TI - Cases Illustrating Difficulties in Plague Diagnosis.
PMID- 29003127
TI - Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India, 1901.
PMID- 29003128
TI - The Dissemination of Enteric Fever by Dust.
PMID- 29003129
TI - Note on an Abnormality of the Radial Artery.
PMID- 29003130
TI - A Case of Ligature of the External Iliac Artery for Femoral Aneurism.
PMID- 29003131
TI - Some Modern Views on Primary Glaucoma.
PMID- 29003132
TI - Case of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia: Perforation of the Bowel: Resection of 7
Inches of Gangrenous Gut : Recovery.
PMID- 29003134
TI - Time Flies.
PMID- 29003133
TI - A Note on Anopheles Fuliginosus and Sporozoits.
PMID- 29003136
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003135
TI - Demonstration of Plague Bacilli in Blood.
PMID- 29003137
TI - Ligature of the Right Common Iliac Artery for Diffused Iliac Aneurism.
PMID- 29003139
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003138
TI - A Good Hair Dye.
PMID- 29003140
TI - Notes on the Early Hospitals of Calcutta.
PMID- 29003141
TI - Medico-Legal Notes.
PMID- 29003142
TI - A Note on Operation for Hernia.
PMID- 29003143
TI - Surgeon-General Beatson on the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29003144
TI - Utility of Saline Injections in Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29003145
TI - The Furlough Pay of Majors, I.M.S.
PMID- 29003146
TI - Experimental Inoculation of Malaria, with a Relapse after Eight Months.
PMID- 29003148
TI - Indian Medical Service Men in the "Dictionary of National Biography".
PMID- 29003147
TI - Serum Agglutination and Acute Dysentery.
PMID- 29003149
TI - The First Two Hospitals in Calcutta.
PMID- 29003151
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003150
TI - The Dose of Antitoxins.
PMID- 29003152
TI - Remarks on the Differential Count of the Leucocytes in Malarial and Other Fevers
of India.
PMID- 29003154
TI - Annus Medicus, 1902.
PMID- 29003153
TI - Case of Hernia of the Brain.
PMID- 29003155
TI - Army Medical Organisation in the Field: The Sander Prize Essay.
PMID- 29003156
TI - Notes on the Origin of the Presidency General Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29003157
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis in Burma.
PMID- 29003158
TI - Yellow Fever.
PMID- 29003159
TI - Imambarah Hospital, Hughli; Notes on Some Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29003161
TI - Successful Operation for Cerebral Abscess.
PMID- 29003160
TI - Notes from Continental Eye Clinics: VIII.-Warsaw-Moscow and St. Petersburg.
PMID- 29003162
TI - Some Emergency Rations.
PMID- 29003163
TI - Pathological Exotics.
PMID- 29003164
TI - Notes on the Mycoid Body Found in the Blood Corpuscles in Remittent Fevers.
PMID- 29003165
TI - The Flea as the Missing Link in Plague Infection.
PMID- 29003166
TI - Unaccustomed Plenty and Prevalence of Bowel-Complaints in the Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29003167
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003169
TI - Cancer in India.
PMID- 29003168
TI - Note on the Prevalence of Elephantiasis, Filariasis and Hydrocele Amongst
Prisoners in the Cuttack District Jail.
PMID- 29003171
TI - A Case of Excision of the Os Calcis.
PMID- 29003170
TI - A Case of Cut Throat.
PMID- 29003172
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003173
TI - Extracts from Foreign Journals.
PMID- 29003174
TI - Scarlet Fever at Rawal Pindi.
PMID- 29003176
TI - The Bombay Medical and Physical Society.
PMID- 29003175
TI - Note on the Mycoid Body Found in the Blood Corpuscles in Remittent Fevers.
PMID- 29003178
TI - A Malaria Combine.
PMID- 29003177
TI - Hernia of the Bladder.
PMID- 29003179
TI - Vesical Calculus: Read before the Norfolk Branch of the British Medical
Association.
PMID- 29003180
TI - Note on the Climate of Erythrea.
PMID- 29003181
TI - A Case of Insular or Disseminate Sclerosis.
PMID- 29003182
TI - AEtiology of Leprosy.
PMID- 29003183
TI - Moot Points in Bilharziosis.
PMID- 29003184
TI - Case of Depressed Fracture of Skull with Removal of a Tablespoonful of Brain
Matter and Recovery.
PMID- 29003185
TI - Case of Detachment of Odontoid Process of Axis with Fracture of Atlas.
PMID- 29003186
TI - Two Cases of Spina Bifida: Operation-Recovery.
PMID- 29003188
TI - Bilharzia Disease in India.
PMID- 29003187
TI - Some Septic Infections and Nervous Lesions Following Chancroids.
PMID- 29003189
TI - Undulant Fever.
PMID- 29003190
TI - Bengal Lunatic Asylums.
PMID- 29003191
TI - Case of Cerebral Irritation.
PMID- 29003192
TI - The Kasr-el-'Ain Hospital, Cairo.
PMID- 29003193
TI - A Contribution to the Discussion on the AEtiology of Lepra.
PMID- 29003195
TI - Paraffin Injection for Nasal Deformity.
PMID- 29003194
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003197
TI - The War in South Africa.
PMID- 29003196
TI - Government of Bengal Administration Report: 1901-1902.
PMID- 29003198
TI - The Medical Service of the American Army.
PMID- 29003199
TI - Report on Malaria for the Month of November 1899.
PMID- 29003201
TI - An International Congress on Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29003200
TI - The Destruction of Mosquitos.
PMID- 29003202
TI - Internal Jugular Vein Accidentally Opened.
PMID- 29003203
TI - Ectopic Gestation-A Series of Eight Cases Treated by Abdominal Section.
PMID- 29003205
TI - The Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 29003204
TI - Notes on Some Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29003206
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003207
TI - Tuberculosis in India.
PMID- 29003209
TI - Why Not a Veterinary Faculty.
PMID- 29003210
TI - A Case of Inflamed Strangulated Inguinal Hernia: Operation: Removal of 41/2
Inches of Omentum: Recovery.
PMID- 29003212
TI - Organizations for Research.
PMID- 29003211
TI - Enteric Fever in Natives of India.
PMID- 29003213
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003214
TI - Malarial Pigmentation.
PMID- 29003215
TI - The Destruction of Mosquitos.
PMID- 29003217
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29003216
TI - Two Cases of Compound Depressed Fracture of the Skull-Recovery.
PMID- 29003218
TI - Sir Joseph Fayrer's Reminiscences.
PMID- 29003219
TI - The Mosquito Theory.
PMID- 29003220
TI - Body Temperatures of Gurkhas and Other Hill Tribes.
PMID- 29003222
TI - Cases of Ectopic Gestation.
PMID- 29003221
TI - Cancer of the Pleura.
PMID- 29003223
TI - The Plague Epidemic in Russia in 1899.
PMID- 29003225
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29003224
TI - Parasites Found on Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29003228
TI - The Suppression of Rabies in Great Britain.
PMID- 29003227
TI - A Case of Depressed Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29003229
TI - Anchylostomiasis.
PMID- 29003230
TI - Upon a Type of Acute Lobar Pneumonia Encountered in the Tochi Valley Amongst
Native Troops and Followers.
PMID- 29003231
TI - Elephantiasis of the Penis.
PMID- 29003234
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003233
TI - The Prophylactic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29003232
TI - Plague Commission Report.
PMID- 29003235
TI - A Case of Hysterical Coma.
PMID- 29003236
TI - Difficulties in the Performance of Lithotrity, etc.
PMID- 29003237
TI - The Etiology and Pathology of Yaws.
PMID- 29003239
TI - The Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association.
PMID- 29003238
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003240
TI - Hints for the Inquiry into the Prevalence of the Anchylostoma in India.
PMID- 29003242
TI - Epidemic Dysentery in Japan.
PMID- 29003241
TI - Two Cases of Hepatic Abscess: With Clinical Remarks.
PMID- 29003243
TI - Intracerebral Injection of Antivenine.
PMID- 29003244
TI - A Case of Post-Hemiplegic Athetosis.
PMID- 29003245
TI - The Teaching of Hygiene in Indian Universities.
PMID- 29003246
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003247
TI - The Serum Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29003248
TI - The Report of the India Plague Commission.
PMID- 29003249
TI - Enteric Fever in Natives of India.
PMID- 29003250
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29003251
TI - The Polyclinic.
PMID- 29003252
TI - Poisoning by Castor-Oil Seeds.
PMID- 29003254
TI - The Destruction of Mosquitos.
PMID- 29003253
TI - "Baheda" Poisoning.
PMID- 29003255
TI - Rational Dress for the Soldier.
PMID- 29003257
TI - The War.
PMID- 29003258
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003259
TI - The AEtiology of Goitre.
PMID- 29003260
TI - Treatment of Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29003261
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29003262
TI - Ten Years' Surgical Work in the Mission Hospital, Kashmir.
PMID- 29003263
TI - Further Researches on Olutkombol in Dysmenorrhoea.
PMID- 29003264
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 121 in vol. 35.].
PMID- 29003265
TI - On the Metamorphosis of the Filaria Nocturna in Mosquitos of the Anopheles Genus.
PMID- 29003266
TI - Texas Cattle Fever and the Mosquito Malaria Theory.
PMID- 29003267
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003268
TI - Sir William MacCormack.
PMID- 29003269
TI - Beri-Beri in the 28th Regt., Madras Infantry.
PMID- 29003270
TI - A Criticism of Col. Lawrie's Experiments.
PMID- 29003271
TI - Sclerotising or Cicatrising Granuloma.
PMID- 29003272
TI - Renal Calculus Treated by Nephrectomy.
PMID- 29003274
TI - The Symptoms of Stone in the Kidney.
PMID- 29003275
TI - The Famous Marches of the Guides.
PMID- 29003273
TI - Case of Ectopic Gestation. Abdominal Section-Recovery.
PMID- 29003276
TI - Emphysema of the Intestine Produced by Round Worm.
PMID- 29003277
TI - Ectopic Gestation: A Series of Eight Cases Treated by Abdominal Section.
PMID- 29003279
TI - The Unpopularity of the R. A. M. C.
PMID- 29003278
TI - The Test for Haemoglobin.
PMID- 29003280
TI - De Impotentia.
PMID- 29003281
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29003282
TI - Wound Pensions.
PMID- 29003284
TI - Case of Septic Endocarditis.
PMID- 29003283
TI - Report on Cases of Malarial Fever at the Hyderabad Medical School, during the
Month of October 1899.
PMID- 29003285
TI - The Medical Arrangements.
PMID- 29003286
TI - Dysentery versus Colitis.
PMID- 29003288
TI - The War in South Africa.
PMID- 29003287
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003289
TI - The Extermination of Malaria.
PMID- 29003291
TI - Two Interesting Medico-Legal Cases: (A) False Charge of Dacoity with Self
Inflicted Injuries; (B) Rape-Question of Age of the Girl.
PMID- 29003292
TI - Regimental Marching.
PMID- 29003293
TI - Report on Malarious Fever for the Month of December 1899.
PMID- 29003294
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003295
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite Treated with Calmette's Antivenine.
PMID- 29003296
TI - Recent Italian Work on Mosquito Malaria.
PMID- 29003297
TI - Vaccination in England.
PMID- 29003298
TI - Mosquitos and Malaria.
PMID- 29003299
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite Treated by Antivenine-Recovery.
PMID- 29003300
TI - When Does the 20th Century Commence.
PMID- 29003301
TI - Snake Charmers and Their Ways.
PMID- 29003303
TI - Kangri-Burn Epithelioma in Kashmir.
PMID- 29003304
TI - Calmette's Serum.
PMID- 29003305
TI - An Examination of 400 Slides of Night Blood for Filarial Embryos.
PMID- 29003306
TI - A Note on Snakes, Snake-Bite and Their Treatment.
PMID- 29003307
TI - Anchylostoma in Madras.
PMID- 29003308
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003310
TI - The Crusade against Rats.
PMID- 29003309
TI - On the Use of Cinchonidine Sulphate in Reducing the Prevalence of 'Fever' Cases
in Jails.
PMID- 29003311
TI - 1899.
PMID- 29003312
TI - The Mauser Bullet.
PMID- 29003314
TI - Prophylactic and Curative Inoculations.
PMID- 29003313
TI - Cases of Ectopic Gestation.
PMID- 29003315
TI - Malta and Enteric Fevers in the Delhi-Hissar Districts.
PMID- 29003316
TI - The Perchloride Treatment in Plague.
PMID- 29003317
TI - The Treatment of Night-Blindness.
PMID- 29003319
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003318
TI - The Treatment of Skin Diseases in Frankfurt: Notes from Dr. Karl Herxheimer's
Clinic and Policlinic.
PMID- 29003320
TI - A Case of Transposition of Viscera.
PMID- 29003321
TI - The Annual Reports of the Lunatic Asylums of Bengal, Madras and the Punjab for
1899.
PMID- 29003322
TI - Case of Caesarian Section.
PMID- 29003324
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003323
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003325
TI - A Rhinoplastic Operation.
PMID- 29003326
TI - The Widal Re-Action in the Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever: A Resume of What Is Known
on the Subject.
PMID- 29003327
TI - Acute Inflammation of the Gall-Bladder and Liver Abscess: Operation.
PMID- 29003329
TI - The Dublin Asylum Form of Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29003328
TI - Researches into the Intra-Corpuscular Parasites Found in the Blood of Lizards.
PMID- 29003330
TI - Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29003331
TI - On the Cause of Boils and Carbuncles and Some Points in Their Treatment.
PMID- 29003332
TI - The Biological Treatment of Sewage.
PMID- 29003334
TI - Tuberculosis in India.
PMID- 29003333
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003335
TI - Acetic Acid an Antidote to Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 29003337
TI - Botanical Names of Pulses, &c.
PMID- 29003336
TI - Some Abdominal Sections in Mofussil Practice.
PMID- 29003338
TI - Enteric Fever in India and the Water-Supply.
PMID- 29003339
TI - Chloroform.
PMID- 29003341
TI - The Midwives Bill.
PMID- 29003340
TI - Malaria and Petroleum.
PMID- 29003342
TI - A New Sort of Unqualified Assistant.
PMID- 29003343
TI - An Outbreak of Cerebro-Spinal Fever in the Raipur Central Jail in 1899-1900.
PMID- 29003344
TI - Four Cases of Abdominal Operations at the Mooltan Hospital.
PMID- 29003345
TI - The London Medical Graduates' College and Polyclinic.
PMID- 29003346
TI - Note on the Prevalence of Goitre and Enlarged Spleen Amongst the Population of
Mymensingh.
PMID- 29003349
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003347
TI - An Appeal against the Banishment of Sags.
PMID- 29003350
TI - Malariology.
PMID- 29003352
TI - Venereal Disease in the British Army.
PMID- 29003351
TI - Abdominal Surgery at Gaya Hospital.
PMID- 29003353
TI - The Ptomaine Origin of Scurvy.
PMID- 29003354
TI - Precis of Bone Operations in the Kashmir Mission Hospital with Clinical Notes.
PMID- 29003355
TI - Pneumonia in the Tochi Valley: Predisposing and Exciting Causes of the Disease;
Characteristics of the Type: Treatment.
PMID- 29003356
TI - A Garbled Quotation.
PMID- 29003357
TI - The Army Medical Department Report for 1898.
PMID- 29003359
TI - The Homoeopathic Medical School.
PMID- 29003358
TI - An Outbreak of Cerebro-Spinal Fever in the Raipur Central Jail in 1899-1900.
PMID- 29003360
TI - Serum Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29003361
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29003362
TI - The Victoria Cross.
PMID- 29003363
TI - Enteric Fever in the British Army.
PMID- 29003364
TI - The Return of Sir William MacCormack and Mr. F. Treves.
PMID- 29003366
TI - Preventive Inoculation for Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29003365
TI - The Value of "Sags" as Antiscorbutics in the Jail Dietary.
PMID- 29003368
TI - Filarial Metamorphosis in the Anopheles.
PMID- 29003367
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003369
TI - On Tapping Ovarian Cysts.
PMID- 29003370
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003371
TI - The Assam and Central Provinces Asylum Reports.
PMID- 29003373
TI - Lt.-Col. Spencer's Case of Continued Fever.
PMID- 29003374
TI - The Plague Problem Restated with Some Expert Errors.
PMID- 29003375
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003376
TI - Ten Years' Joint Surgery in the Kashmir Mission Hospital.
PMID- 29003377
TI - Our Ankylostoma Inquiry.
PMID- 29003378
TI - Ankylostomiasis in the Andamans.
PMID- 29003379
TI - Ankylostomiasis as a Cause of Anaemia and "Spongy Gums".
PMID- 29003380
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003381
TI - The Treatment of Skin Diseases in Frankfurt. (Notes from Dr. Karl Herxheimer's
Clinic and Policlinic).
PMID- 29003383
TI - An Indian Grievance.
PMID- 29003382
TI - Report on Cholera Epidemic in the Town of Muzaffarpur during October and
November, 1899.
PMID- 29003384
TI - A Note on the Suppression of Cholera in a Famine Camp.
PMID- 29003385
TI - A Case of Fatal Septic Gangrene: Primary and Secondary Amputation.
PMID- 29003386
TI - Medical Politics.
PMID- 29003387
TI - The Tropical Diseases Section.
PMID- 29003388
TI - Note on the Prevalence of Ascaris Lumbricoides in the Darbhanga District.
PMID- 29003389
TI - The Ipswich Meeting.
PMID- 29003390
TI - Renal Surgery in Kashmir.
PMID- 29003392
TI - Ankylostoma Duodenale.
PMID- 29003391
TI - An Operation for Piles.
PMID- 29003393
TI - Two Cases of "Stone in the Ureter".
PMID- 29003394
TI - Size of Ovarian Tumours.
PMID- 29003395
TI - The Liverpool Tropical School.
PMID- 29003397
TI - The Increase of Tuberculosis in the Jails of India.
PMID- 29003396
TI - The Occurrence of Mediterranean or Malta Fever in Bombay.
PMID- 29003398
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003399
TI - Note on the Mal-Treatment of Malarial Fevers and Its Consequences.
PMID- 29003400
TI - The Opening of the London School of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29003401
TI - The Procedure Adopted in the Plague Research Laboratory, Bombay, for Stoppering
the Plague Prophylactic Bottles.
PMID- 29003402
TI - Ten Years' Surgical Work in the Kashmir Mission Hospital.
PMID- 29003403
TI - Note on the Prevalence of the Ankylostomum in Calcutta: For the I. M. G.
Collective Investigation.
PMID- 29003404
TI - Some Notes and Queries on Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29003405
TI - A Garbled Quotation.
PMID- 29003406
TI - Haemoglobinuric Fever in Malaria.
PMID- 29003407
TI - The Widal Re-Action in the Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever: A Resume of What Is Known
on the Subject.
PMID- 29003408
TI - Therapeutic Preparations.
PMID- 29003410
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003409
TI - A Note on Mr. Milton's Paper on Stone.
PMID- 29003411
TI - Captain Rogers' Recent Investigation on Malaria.
PMID- 29003413
TI - Discussion on Operation for Stone.
PMID- 29003412
TI - Mr. Milton's Paper on Stone.
PMID- 29003414
TI - The Discussion on Stone.
PMID- 29003415
TI - The Cause of Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29003416
TI - The Malaria Experiments.
PMID- 29003417
TI - A Note on Two Cases of Pernicious Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29003418
TI - The Plague.
PMID- 29003419
TI - The Huxley Lecture.
PMID- 29003420
TI - A Reply to Major Ross's Criticism.
PMID- 29003421
TI - Two Cases of Infantile Scurvy.
PMID- 29003422
TI - New Edition of Dr. Manson's Book.
PMID- 29003423
TI - The Rajputana Medico-Topographical Histories.
PMID- 29003424
TI - The Director-General's Note on Jails.
PMID- 29003425
TI - The Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29003426
TI - Carcinoma of the Penis: Notes on Eight Cases of Entire Removal by Pearce Gould's
Method.
PMID- 29003427
TI - The Treatment of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29003428
TI - Pyorrhoea Alveolaris or Scurvy.
PMID- 29003429
TI - Surgeon-Major W. Poulett Harris's Book on Lithotomy.
PMID- 29003430
TI - Some Old Indian Statistics and Notes on Operations for Stone.
PMID- 29003431
TI - Ten Years of Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29003432
TI - Keith's Perineal Litholapaxy at Hyderabad (Sindh).
PMID- 29003433
TI - Litholapaxy in Children.
PMID- 29003434
TI - Dr. Joseph Fayrer on Stone Operations in 1865.
PMID- 29003435
TI - Stone in the Bladder-Operations for.
PMID- 29003437
TI - Litholapaxy at Hyderabad (Sindh).
PMID- 29003436
TI - The Treatment of Stone by Lithotomy and Litho Lapaxy.
PMID- 29003439
TI - Our Special Number.
PMID- 29003438
TI - The Comparative Safety of Litholapaxy and Lateral Lithotomy in Boys.
PMID- 29003440
TI - Record Sized Stones.
PMID- 29003441
TI - The Best Methods of Removing Large Calculi.
PMID- 29003442
TI - Forbes-Keith's Methods at Hyderabad (Sindh): Perineal Lithotrity.
PMID- 29003443
TI - Hints to Beginners.
PMID- 29003444
TI - Lithotomy in Saharanpur in 1868.
PMID- 29003445
TI - Litholapaxy at Gaya Pilgrim Hospital.
PMID- 29003446
TI - A Plea for the More Extensive Use of Urethral Litholapaxy, Perineal Litholapaxy
and Perineal Lithotrity, Based on an Analysis of 7,954 Cases.
PMID- 29003447
TI - Some Cases of Stone Operated on by a Civil Hospital Assistant.
PMID- 29003448
TI - Perineal Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29003449
TI - Lithotomy versus Lithotrity in 1867.
PMID- 29003450
TI - Note on Litholapaxy in Boys.
PMID- 29003451
TI - Litholapaxy and Allied Operations.
PMID- 29003453
TI - Litholapaxy in Females.
PMID- 29003452
TI - Further Experiences in Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29003454
TI - Stone Operations in Mooltan.
PMID- 29003456
TI - The Revival of Suprapubic Lithotomy in England.
PMID- 29003455
TI - The Operative Treatment of Vesical Calculus in Kashmir Based on 116 Consecutive
Cases.
PMID- 29003458
TI - A Few Aphorisms for Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29003457
TI - The Giant Lithotrite.
PMID- 29003460
TI - The Dawn of Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29003459
TI - Historical Sketch of Stone in India.
PMID- 29003462
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003461
TI - Replies to Circular.
PMID- 29003463
TI - Some Reasons Why Lithotomy Is Still Performed.
PMID- 29003464
TI - Water-Itch.
PMID- 29003466
TI - The Acclimatisation of Europeans in the Tropics.
PMID- 29003465
TI - Notes on Some Uncommon Skin Diseases.
PMID- 29003467
TI - Prevalence of Certain Intestinal Parasites in India; with Some Remarks on Kala
Azar.
PMID- 29003468
TI - Movable Kidney with Calculus and New Growth.
PMID- 29003470
TI - The Saline Treatment of Dysentery: 102 Consecutive Cases.
PMID- 29003469
TI - Intralaryngeal Papilloma.
PMID- 29003472
TI - The Tata Gift.
PMID- 29003471
TI - London Letter: Virchow's Oration-Haemoglobinuria and Quinine-The New Vaccination
Act.
PMID- 29003473
TI - The New Bombay Plague Regulations.
PMID- 29003474
TI - Teachers' Certificates.
PMID- 29003475
TI - Vital Statistics and Sanitation.
PMID- 29003476
TI - Currrent Topics.
PMID- 29003477
TI - Haemoglobinuria in a Case of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29003478
TI - Dr. Powell's Paper on Intestinal Parasites in India.
PMID- 29003479
TI - An Unusual Case of Myocarditis.
PMID- 29003480
TI - A Case of Chronic Intussusception.
PMID- 29003481
TI - Microscopic Work in India.
PMID- 29003482
TI - Transactions of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29003483
TI - Plague and Filth.
PMID- 29003484
TI - Report on the Cultivation of Proteosoma, Labbe, in Grey Mosquitos.
PMID- 29003486
TI - Notes from European Eye Clinics, (1) Switzerland.
PMID- 29003485
TI - Military Medical Journals.
PMID- 29003487
TI - A Case of Poisoning from Commercial Cyanide of Potash, Corrosive Action.
PMID- 29003488
TI - Indian Cigars.
PMID- 29003489
TI - The Plague Commission on Haffkine's Anti-Plague Inoculation.
PMID- 29003490
TI - Prevalence of Stone Amongst the Rice-Eating Population of Lower Bengal.
PMID- 29003491
TI - A Case of Filarial Disease of the Pelvic Lymphatics Vessels Simulating Double
Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29003492
TI - The Employment of Setons in the District of Backergunge.
PMID- 29003493
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003494
TI - A Case of Typhoid Fever in a Native Prisoner.
PMID- 29003495
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003496
TI - Current Literature.
PMID- 29003497
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003498
TI - Dilatation of the Pupil in Chlorodyne Poisoning.
PMID- 29003499
TI - The Post-Mortem Appearances in Cases of Asphyxia Caused by Drowning.
PMID- 29003501
TI - The I. M. S. Uniform.
PMID- 29003500
TI - Return of Sudden Deaths Requiring Coroner's Inquests for Five Years (from 1896 to
1900) in the City of Calcutta, with Remarks.
PMID- 29003502
TI - Analysis of the Post-Mortem Examinations in the Murshidabad District during the
Past 5 Years.
PMID- 29003503
TI - Bullet Wound of Large and Small Intestine-Commencing Peritonitis-Operation:
Recovery.
PMID- 29003504
TI - A "Hard Case."
PMID- 29003505
TI - Influence of Colour and Materials upon Anopheles.
PMID- 29003506
TI - Chronic Inflammations of Lymphatic Glands in Rangoon.
PMID- 29003507
TI - Notes on an Outbreak of Surra with Observations on the Trypansoma.
PMID- 29003508
TI - A Case of Compound Depressed Fracture of the Skull.-Recovery.
PMID- 29003509
TI - The Use of Cocaine in Minor Surgery.
PMID- 29003510
TI - Pre-Service Surgeons.
PMID- 29003511
TI - Five Cases of Perineal Lithotrity.
PMID- 29003513
TI - A Further Note on the Occurrence of Typhoid Fever in the Natives of India.
PMID- 29003512
TI - The Thyroid Gland and Puerperal Convulsions.
PMID- 29003514
TI - The Robert Harvey Memorial Fund.
PMID- 29003515
TI - The Occurrence of Typhoid Fever among the Natives of India.
PMID- 29003517
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003516
TI - The Sanitary Commissioner's Note on Jails.
PMID- 29003518
TI - Current Literature.
PMID- 29003519
TI - Weights of Human Viscera in Natives of Bengal.
PMID- 29003520
TI - Preliminary Note on "Pani-Ghao" or "Water-Sores".
PMID- 29003521
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003522
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003523
TI - Statistics of the Medico-Legal Investigations in Moradabad, 1896-1901 Inclusive.
PMID- 29003524
TI - Therapeutic Preparations.
PMID- 29003525
TI - The Pellagrous Affections of the Skin in North Behar.
PMID- 29003526
TI - Current Literature.
PMID- 29003527
TI - The Causation and Prevention of Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29003528
TI - Large Hydrocele of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis, Occupying the Major Part of the
Abdominal Cavity.
PMID- 29003529
TI - The Recent Outbreak of Mahamari (Plague) in Garhwal.
PMID- 29003530
TI - A Leg Splint.
PMID- 29003531
TI - The List of Qualified Medical Practitioners.
PMID- 29003533
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003532
TI - Notes on the Hypodermic Injection of Quinine in Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29003534
TI - Wanted a Good Hair Dye.
PMID- 29003535
TI - Why This Greatness Thrust upon Us.
PMID- 29003536
TI - A Recurrence of Epidemic Dropsy in Calcutta in 1901.
PMID- 29003537
TI - The Treatment of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29003538
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003539
TI - Climatic Buboes.
PMID- 29003540
TI - A Case of Antero-Posterior Bullet Wound of Knee-Joint without Osseous Injury.
PMID- 29003541
TI - A Case of "True" Intestinal Sand.
PMID- 29003542
TI - Modern Views on Dysentery.
PMID- 29003543
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003544
TI - Further Experiments in Connection with the Pathology of Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29003546
TI - The Promotion of Specialist Medical Officers.
PMID- 29003545
TI - The Non-Recognition of Enteric Fever among Natives.
PMID- 29003548
TI - A Medico-Legal Case.
PMID- 29003547
TI - Involuntary Iridectomy.
PMID- 29003549
TI - Two Cases of Death from Suffocation.
PMID- 29003551
TI - Hypnotism in Therapeutics.
PMID- 29003550
TI - Current Literature.
PMID- 29003553
TI - The Factors Determining Malarial Endemicity.
PMID- 29003552
TI - A Case of Tetanus.
PMID- 29003554
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003555
TI - Suppuration in Connection with a Simple Fracture of the Femur.
PMID- 29003557
TI - The Gigantic Anti-Plague Campaign in the Punjab.
PMID- 29003556
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003559
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003558
TI - Report on Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis in the Bhagalpur Central Jail, 1900-1901.
PMID- 29003560
TI - Is "Malarial Cachexia" Purely Malarial?
PMID- 29003561
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003562
TI - Case of Landry's Paralysis.
PMID- 29003563
TI - Encysted Vesical Calculus after Gunshot Wound of the Bladder.
PMID- 29003565
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003564
TI - A Note on Jail Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29003566
TI - A New Operation for Enlarged Spleen.
PMID- 29003567
TI - Note on the Pathology of Mycetoma, and on the Part Played by the Lymphatic
Vessels in the Spread of the Disease.
PMID- 29003568
TI - Therapeutic Preparations.
PMID- 29003569
TI - A Medico-Legal Case.
PMID- 29003570
TI - My Story of a Demon-The Carbonic Oxide Gas: My Punishment for Want of Foresight.
PMID- 29003571
TI - Is Antivenine of Any Value in Cobra Poisoning?
PMID- 29003573
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003572
TI - Experiences in a Chinese Hospital.
PMID- 29003574
TI - Information to Procure a Copy of the Circular of a Judicial Commissioner,
Required.
PMID- 29003575
TI - The Inunction Treatment of Syphilis as Carried out at Aix-La-Chapelle.
PMID- 29003576
TI - Epidemic Malta Fever in Assam-A Short Preliminary Notice of Certain Recent
Discoveries Relating to the True Nature of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29003577
TI - Procidentia Recti-Excision and Sigmoidopexy.
PMID- 29003578
TI - A Case of Aneurism of the Ascending Aorta.
PMID- 29003579
TI - Interscapulo-Thoracic Amputation.
PMID- 29003580
TI - Medical Society.-Madras Branch, B.M.A.
PMID- 29003581
TI - Mosquitos and Malaria.
PMID- 29003582
TI - Syphilitic Pleurisy.
PMID- 29003583
TI - A Few Surgical Notes.
PMID- 29003584
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003585
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003586
TI - Notes on the Prevalence of Filariasis in the Calcutta Police Force.
PMID- 29003587
TI - An Unusual Form of Bubonic Plague.
PMID- 29003588
TI - Involuntary Iridectomy.
PMID- 29003589
TI - Observation of the Clotting Power of the Blood in Plague.
PMID- 29003590
TI - Case of Opium Poisoning.
PMID- 29003591
TI - The Robert Harvey Memorial Fund.
PMID- 29003592
TI - Cocaine as an Intoxicant.
PMID- 29003593
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29003594
TI - Extensive Operation for Aneurism.
PMID- 29003595
TI - A Preliminary Report of the Royal Society Malaria Commission.
PMID- 29003596
TI - A Case of "Syphilitic Fever".
PMID- 29003597
TI - Some Cases of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (Epidemic?).
PMID- 29003599
TI - The Therapeutics of Semi-Carpus Anacardium: Dhobi's Nut.
PMID- 29003598
TI - A Case of Enchondroma of Sub-Maxillary Gland.
PMID- 29003601
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29003602
TI - Quartan Fever in Calcutta and Dacca.
PMID- 29003603
TI - Suprapubic Lithotomy.
PMID- 29003604
TI - Some Practical Suggestions for the Prevention of Malarial Fevers.
PMID- 29003605
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003606
TI - American Views on Heatstroke.
PMID- 29003608
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003607
TI - A Chronic Case of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29003610
TI - Medical Society: The Bombay Medical and Physical Society.
PMID- 29003609
TI - Some Remarks on Captain Rost's Paper on Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29003611
TI - Army Medical Organisation in the Field.
PMID- 29003612
TI - Hydatid of the Liver.
PMID- 29003613
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003614
TI - The Least Quantity of Food a Man Can Live on.
PMID- 29003615
TI - Elephantiasis of the Scrotum and Penis.
PMID- 29003616
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003617
TI - Death from Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29003618
TI - A Series of Cases of Heart Disease.
PMID- 29003619
TI - A Case of Thrombosis of the Middle Cerebral Artery after Normal and Aseptic
Labour.
PMID- 29003621
TI - A Summary of Ehrlich's Theory of Immunity.
PMID- 29003620
TI - Three Cases of Snake-Bite (Daboia Russellii).
PMID- 29003622
TI - Malaria and Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29003623
TI - A Case of Hysteria with Diuresis.
PMID- 29003624
TI - Notes of a Case of Scarlet Fever in Ranchi, Chota Nagpur.
PMID- 29003625
TI - A Case of Lithotomy.
PMID- 29003626
TI - A Note on Dengue Fever.
PMID- 29003627
TI - Note on Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29003628
TI - Liver Abscess Causing Acute Jaundice by Pressure on the Hepatic Duct.
PMID- 29003629
TI - Further Note on Intestinal Sand.
PMID- 29003631
TI - A Method of Direct Cultivation.
PMID- 29003630
TI - Some Cases of Sudden Death in Native Regiments.
PMID- 29003632
TI - Six Cases of Melancholic Stupor.
PMID- 29003633
TI - Medical Societies: Port Blair Medical Society.
PMID- 29003635
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003634
TI - The Introduction of Vaccination into India.
PMID- 29003636
TI - Note on Serum Reactions and the Temperature Curve in Chronic Malaria Including
Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29003637
TI - The Use of Betelnut as a Cause of Cancer in Malabar.
PMID- 29003638
TI - A Case of Atony of the Bladder.
PMID- 29003639
TI - Case of Cerebro-Spinal Fever Simulating Poisoning.
PMID- 29003640
TI - Cases of Reversed Peristalsis.
PMID- 29003641
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003643
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003642
TI - Some Cases of Malignant Disease in Natives of India.
PMID- 29003644
TI - Enteric Fever and Sewage Disposal in India.
PMID- 29003645
TI - Note on the Analysis of the Biliary Concretions.
PMID- 29003646
TI - The Term "Remittent" as Applied to Fevers.
PMID- 29003647
TI - Some Notes on Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29003648
TI - Notes on a Case of Subpleural Abscess, &c.
PMID- 29003649
TI - Eyesight in the Army.
PMID- 29003650
TI - Notes on the Radical Cure of Hydrocele and Haematocele.
PMID- 29003651
TI - The Importance of the Role Played by Mosquitos in Tropical Pathology : With a
Brief Description of the Differences between Anopheles and Culex and a
Classification of the Indian Anopheles.
PMID- 29003652
TI - Glasses in the Army.
PMID- 29003653
TI - The New Therapeutics.
PMID- 29003655
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003654
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003656
TI - Ligature of Vas Deferens, &c.
PMID- 29003657
TI - A Case of Gangrene, &c.
PMID- 29003658
TI - The Treatment of Typhoid Fever by the Woodbridge Method in India.
PMID- 29003659
TI - An Interesting Case of Acute Pneumonia.
PMID- 29003661
TI - Abdominal Wound, &c.
PMID- 29003660
TI - Cercomonads in Ulcers.
PMID- 29003662
TI - Amputation of the Upper Extremity &c.
PMID- 29003663
TI - A Peculiar Case of Malignant Tertian Fever.
PMID- 29003664
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003666
TI - Therapeutic Notes, &c.
PMID- 29003665
TI - Stool Inspection Chamber.
PMID- 29003667
TI - Influence of Colour upon Anopheles.
PMID- 29003669
TI - The Late Surgeon-General Robert Harvey, I.M.S.
PMID- 29003668
TI - The Iodine Terchloride Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29003670
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003671
TI - Gastrotomy for Removal of Foreign Bodies (55 Rupees) from the Stomach-Recovery.
PMID- 29003673
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003672
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003675
TI - Current Literature.
PMID- 29003674
TI - Anopheles Mosquitos in Tezpur, Assam.
PMID- 29003676
TI - Typhoid as a Common Continued Fever of Natives in Calcutta.
PMID- 29003678
TI - Pre-Service Surgeons.
PMID- 29003679
TI - The War against Mosquitos.
PMID- 29003677
TI - A Preliminary Report of the Observations of the Habits of Anopheles.
PMID- 29003682
TI - Annus Medicus.
PMID- 29003680
TI - Cases of Gynaecomastia.
PMID- 29003683
TI - Mosquitos and Malaria: Some Objections to the Theory.
PMID- 29003684
TI - Cancer in India.
PMID- 29003685
TI - Current Literature.
PMID- 29003687
TI - A Case of Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen with Protrusion of the Intestine:
Recovery.
PMID- 29003686
TI - Case of Hydatidiform Mole-Natural Expulsion: Recovery.
PMID- 29003688
TI - A Decade of Tumour Surgery in the Kashmir Mission Hospital.
PMID- 29003689
TI - Leprosy and Ainhum.
PMID- 29003690
TI - The Best Operation for Radical Cure of Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29003691
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003692
TI - Surgeon William Pitts Muston.
PMID- 29003693
TI - The Effect of a Fever Attack on Tropical Liver.
PMID- 29003695
TI - Horny Growth Arising from Neglected Sebaceous Cyst.
PMID- 29003694
TI - Report on an Experimental Enquiry on the Disinfection of Floors for Plague.
PMID- 29003696
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29003697
TI - The Anatomy of the Mosquito.
PMID- 29003698
TI - Case of Hydrophobia Treated with Leaves of Acacia Arabica (Babul): Recovery.
PMID- 29003700
TI - Irrigation, Mosquitos, and Malaria.
PMID- 29003699
TI - Involuntary Iridectomy.
PMID- 29003701
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003702
TI - Some Important Indigenous Drugs and Their Uses.
PMID- 29003703
TI - Case of Penetrating Abdominal Wound: Recovery.
PMID- 29003704
TI - A Curious Case of Urinary Fistulae.
PMID- 29003705
TI - Involuntary Iridectomy.
PMID- 29003707
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003708
TI - The Indiscriminate Use of the Lathi.
PMID- 29003709
TI - Injuries Caused by Lathi Blows.
PMID- 29003710
TI - Notes on Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 29003711
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003712
TI - Adipocere in India.
PMID- 29003713
TI - Medico-Legal Notes from Alipore.
PMID- 29003714
TI - Medico-Legal Notes.
PMID- 29003715
TI - Some Cadaveric Phenomena.
PMID- 29003716
TI - Decomposition.
PMID- 29003717
TI - The Frequency of Poisoning in Calcutta, with Some Illustrative Cases.
PMID- 29003718
TI - Medical Evidence in India.
PMID- 29003719
TI - Our Special Medico-Legal Number.
PMID- 29003720
TI - Six Cases of Ruptured Spleen, Including a Case of Spontaneous Rupture of an
Enlarged Spleen.
PMID- 29003721
TI - Notes of Medico-Legal Cases.
PMID- 29003722
TI - The Differentiation of Crude Excise Opium.
PMID- 29003724
TI - Methods of Criminal Abortion in India.
PMID- 29003723
TI - Perforation of the Stomach and Duodenum from Disease. A Cause of Suspicious
Death.
PMID- 29003725
TI - Tables of Weights of Viscera.
PMID- 29003726
TI - Notes of Some Toxicological Experiences in Bengal and in the Punjab.
PMID- 29003727
TI - Crime in Insanity.
PMID- 29003729
TI - Miner's Pthisis.
PMID- 29003728
TI - Medical Examination in Cases of Rape.
PMID- 29003731
TI - Jail Stomatitis.
PMID- 29003730
TI - The Effect of Creosote Rubbing upon High Temperature in Remittent Fever.
PMID- 29003732
TI - Piroplasmosis: A History of the Discovery of the Donovan Bodies in Madras.
PMID- 29003733
TI - Widows' Pensions.
PMID- 29003734
TI - Vision of Native Soldiers.
PMID- 29003735
TI - An Outbreak of Plague at Arrah in 1902-1903.
PMID- 29003736
TI - Differentiation of Human Blood.
PMID- 29003737
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003738
TI - Case of Large Naevus-Excision : Recovery.
PMID- 29003739
TI - Patent Foods.
PMID- 29003740
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003741
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29003742
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29003743
TI - A Method of Preventing Death from Snake-Bite, Capable of Common and Easy
Practical Application.
PMID- 29003745
TI - The Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29003744
TI - Observations on the Effect of the Injection of Leprolin.
PMID- 29003746
TI - Human and Bovine Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29003747
TI - An Overlooked Sponge.
PMID- 29003748
TI - Obstetrics and Midwifery.
PMID- 29003750
TI - Chloroformed Vaccine Lymph.
PMID- 29003749
TI - A Unique Case of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29003752
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29003751
TI - A Case of Myxoedema.
PMID- 29003753
TI - Diphtheria in Hyderabad.
PMID- 29003755
TI - Service Examinations.
PMID- 29003754
TI - The "Malarial Cachexia of India".
PMID- 29003756
TI - Sanitary Inspectors in Madras.
PMID- 29003757
TI - Excision of Tuberculous Glands.
PMID- 29003758
TI - Foreign Journals, Extracts from.
PMID- 29003760
TI - Sea-Sickness.
PMID- 29003759
TI - Insanity Following the Use of Indian Hemp.
PMID- 29003762
TI - Family Pensions.
PMID- 29003761
TI - Dermoid Cysts.
PMID- 29003764
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003763
TI - Medical Education.
PMID- 29003765
TI - Case of Abdominal Pregnancy : Operation : Recovery: Comments on the Case.
PMID- 29003767
TI - Widows' Pensions.
PMID- 29003766
TI - Surgery of Cancer of Penis.
PMID- 29003768
TI - Diplomas in Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29003769
TI - Indian Hemp Drugs and Insanity.
PMID- 29003771
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003770
TI - Casualties in Tibet.
PMID- 29003772
TI - Robert Koch.
PMID- 29003773
TI - The Romownosky Stain.
PMID- 29003774
TI - Indian Friends and Acquaintances.
PMID- 29003776
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003775
TI - Crypt-Opthalmia Case.
PMID- 29003777
TI - Hysterical Catalepsy.
PMID- 29003778
TI - A Case of Hermaphrodite.
PMID- 29003780
TI - The Report on Lathyrism.
PMID- 29003779
TI - Jameson.
PMID- 29003781
TI - Bovril, the Doctor's Ally.
PMID- 29003782
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29003783
TI - Case of Impacted Stone.
PMID- 29003785
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003784
TI - Further Notes on the Cultivation of the Bacillus Leprae and the Treatment of
Leprosy by the Injections of a Leprolin.
PMID- 29003786
TI - Adrenalin in Plague.
PMID- 29003788
TI - Operation for Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29003787
TI - Commonsense Policy of Plague.
PMID- 29003789
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
PMID- 29003790
TI - Plague in Ferozepore: 1904 (With Some Deductions as to the Nature of Plague).
PMID- 29003791
TI - Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29003792
TI - Use of Guaiquin in Chronic Fevers.
PMID- 29003793
TI - Trypanosomes in India.
PMID- 29003794
TI - Anti-Malarial Sanitation in India.
PMID- 29003795
TI - Elephantiasis of Penis.
PMID- 29003796
TI - Finsen.
PMID- 29003799
TI - Prof. Osler Goes to Oxford.
PMID- 29003797
TI - Notes on a Case of General Lymphadenoma (Hodgkin's Disease).
PMID- 29003800
TI - The Manuscripts of Naples and the Vatican, and That of Boncompagni (Albertotti)
Concerning the Ophthalmic Work of Benvenuto, with Some Considerations and
Theories of Reclination of Cataract.
PMID- 29003798
TI - The Oxford Meeting, B.M.A.
PMID- 29003801
TI - Treatment of Goitre with Iodine.
PMID- 29003802
TI - The New Constitution.
PMID- 29003803
TI - A Step Forward in Indian Sanitation.
PMID- 29003804
TI - Ultra Violet Rays.
PMID- 29003805
TI - Compulsory Notification of Enteric Fevers in India.
PMID- 29003807
TI - Intracranial Operation for Cure of Trigeminal Neuralgia.
PMID- 29003806
TI - Case of Gastric Disease with Tetany.
PMID- 29003808
TI - Wire-Gauze Protection of Dwellings.
PMID- 29003810
TI - Malta Fever Commission.
PMID- 29003809
TI - Surgery.
PMID- 29003811
TI - Notes on Some Cases of Frost Bite.
PMID- 29003812
TI - Anti-Malarial Sanitation in India.
PMID- 29003813
TI - Permanganate in Snake Poison.
PMID- 29003814
TI - The Use of Izal in the Treatment of Tropical Dysentery.
PMID- 29003815
TI - Another Case of Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 29003816
TI - Why Has Calcutta No Branch of B. M. A.
PMID- 29003817
TI - Preventive Medicine as a Factor in Empire Building.
PMID- 29003818
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003819
TI - Entertainments and Excursions.
PMID- 29003820
TI - The Sections.
PMID- 29003821
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003822
TI - Wound of Thorax and Hernia of Lung.
PMID- 29003823
TI - Cholera in Persia.
PMID- 29003824
TI - The Cancer Research Fund.
PMID- 29003825
TI - Permanganate in Opium Poisoning.
PMID- 29003826
TI - The Late Dr. Mohendra Lal Sircar, C.L.E.
PMID- 29003827
TI - Notes on the Destruction of Mosquitoes in Bijapur.
PMID- 29003828
TI - Lemna Minor as a Preventive against Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29003829
TI - An Outbreak of True Beri-Beri in an Assam Jail.
PMID- 29003831
TI - Medical Defence.
PMID- 29003830
TI - Dr. Durham's Report on Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29003833
TI - The British Medical Association.
PMID- 29003832
TI - Piroplasma or Pyroplasma.
PMID- 29003834
TI - Pathology, &c.
PMID- 29003835
TI - Notes on the Cultivation of Streptothrix Madurae.
PMID- 29003836
TI - A Series of Five Cases of Hydrocephalus.
PMID- 29003837
TI - The Late Deputy Surgeon-General H. Cayley, C.M.G.
PMID- 29003838
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003839
TI - A Question of Priority.
PMID- 29003842
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003840
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 29003843
TI - Diagnosis of Malta Fever.
PMID- 29003844
TI - A Pay Grievance.
PMID- 29003845
TI - Further Notes on the Cultivation of the Bacillus Leprae and the Treatment of
Leprosy by the Injections of a Leprolin.
PMID- 29003846
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
PMID- 29003847
TI - Consultation of Medical Witnesses.
PMID- 29003849
TI - The Medical Amendment Act.
PMID- 29003848
TI - Report on Plague and Inoculation Operations, Amritsar District.
PMID- 29003851
TI - An X-Ray Case.
PMID- 29003850
TI - Plague: A Soil Infection.
PMID- 29003852
TI - Leprosy in the Garo Hills, Assam.
PMID- 29003853
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003854
TI - Piroplasma Bigeminum.
PMID- 29003855
TI - How to Cure Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29003857
TI - The Prevention of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29003858
TI - Notes of Cases of Paralysis Treated by "Massage" in the Campbell Hospital.
PMID- 29003859
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003860
TI - Scurvy in Somaliland. Notes on the Condition of the Blood Serum.
PMID- 29003862
TI - The Antimalarial Operations at Mian Mir.
PMID- 29003861
TI - Frost-Bite in the Tibet Mission Force.
PMID- 29003864
TI - Intravenous Injections of Iodoform in Phthisis.
PMID- 29003863
TI - Missing Forceps.
PMID- 29003865
TI - A Rare Congenital Deformity of the Eyes.
PMID- 29003866
TI - Case of Distoma Crassum or Buski.
PMID- 29003867
TI - The Late Sir Henry Thompson, F.R.C.S.
PMID- 29003868
TI - X-Rays in Court.
PMID- 29003869
TI - Ankylostoma Infection.
PMID- 29003870
TI - The Bengal Branch of Dufferin Fund.
PMID- 29003871
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
PMID- 29003872
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003873
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29003874
TI - Intestinal Animal Parasites in Behar and Orissa.
PMID- 29003876
TI - Some Notes on Ankylostomiasis in Assam.
PMID- 29003877
TI - Six Cases of Tetanus.
PMID- 29003875
TI - The Piroplasmata in Man.
PMID- 29003879
TI - An Universal Language of Science.
PMID- 29003878
TI - Leishman-Donovan Bodies in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29003880
TI - Special Senses.
PMID- 29003881
TI - A Case of Acute Haemorrhagic Pancreatitis.
PMID- 29003883
TI - Spotted Fever of the Rocky Mountains.
PMID- 29003882
TI - Two Cases of Enteritis Caused by Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29003884
TI - The Piroplasmata in Man.
PMID- 29003886
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003885
TI - Brief Notes on Surgical Cases in the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29003888
TI - Cobra Bite: Recovery.
PMID- 29003887
TI - The R. A. M. C. College.
PMID- 29003889
TI - Sulphonal Idiosyncrasy.
PMID- 29003890
TI - Indian Medical Reports.
PMID- 29003891
TI - Intestinal Parasites as Factors in the Mortality of Prisoners in Cannanore and
Rajahmundry Jails.
PMID- 29003893
TI - Diplomas in Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29003892
TI - A Note on the Occurrence of Intestinal Parasites in Ranchi, Chota Nagpur.
PMID- 29003894
TI - Dental Surgeons for British Troops.
PMID- 29003895
TI - Jail Stomatitis.
PMID- 29003896
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29003897
TI - Anti-Typhoid Inoculation.
PMID- 29003898
TI - How to Cure Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29003899
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003900
TI - Circumcision and Midwives.
PMID- 29003901
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003902
TI - Splenic Cachexia.
PMID- 29003903
TI - A Preliminary Note on a Pyroplasmosis Found in Man, and in Some of the Lower
Animals.
PMID- 29003905
TI - Continental Eye Clinics.
PMID- 29003906
TI - An English Hospital Report.
PMID- 29003907
TI - Poisoning by Atropine.
PMID- 29003908
TI - The Cultivation of the Bacillus Leprae.
PMID- 29003909
TI - Notes on a Few Selected Operation Cases at the Petit Hospital, Bombay.
PMID- 29003910
TI - A Contribution to the Study of the Action of Indian Cobra Poison.
PMID- 29003911
TI - Cases from the Medical Wards of the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29003912
TI - A Question of Priority.
PMID- 29003913
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29003914
TI - Trypanosomiasis.
PMID- 29003915
TI - Foreign Journals, Extracts from.
PMID- 29003916
TI - A Case of Accessory Lobule of the Spigelian Lobe of the Liver.
PMID- 29003917
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003918
TI - Enlarged Prostate.
PMID- 29003919
TI - The Dum-Dum Spleen.
PMID- 29003920
TI - The Bagdad Boil.
PMID- 29003921
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003922
TI - A Case of Paralysis Agitans: "Parkinson's Palsy" with a Note on Its Causation.
PMID- 29003924
TI - What Is Kala-Azar?
PMID- 29003923
TI - Extract from Medical Journals: Diseases of Women and Children.
PMID- 29003925
TI - The Cancer Enigma.
PMID- 29003926
TI - Estimating the Specific Gravity of Urine.
PMID- 29003928
TI - Plague at Sydney.
PMID- 29003927
TI - Symblepharon and Its Treatment: Two Cases Treated Successfully by Transplantation
of Flaps of Mucous Membrane from the Mouth.
PMID- 29003929
TI - The Cholera Epidemic in Puri Town and District in July, 1902: And Its Spread
Throughout Lower Bengal.
PMID- 29003931
TI - The Pasteur Institute of India.
PMID- 29003930
TI - Notes on a Case of Puerperal Eclampsia Treated by Morphia.
PMID- 29003932
TI - A Note on Stiffness of the Arm after Amputation of the Breast: And a Good Way of
Avoiding It.
PMID- 29003933
TI - The Blood Examination of Three Thousand Four Hundred Cases of Febrile Disease in
Bombay: Seasonal Prevalence of the Different Malaria Parasites. The Diagnosis of
the Variety of the Young Stained Parasites.
PMID- 29003934
TI - Trypanosomiasis.
PMID- 29003936
TI - Arsenical Neuritis.
PMID- 29003935
TI - A Needle Passing through the Intestinal Tract.
PMID- 29003937
TI - Notes on a Case of Prolapsus Uteri with Pyosalpinx.
PMID- 29003938
TI - A Fatal Case of Slow and Continuous Haemorrhage beneath the Dura Mater Producing
Symptoms of Acute Ascending Paralysis: And Associated with Haemorrhage into the
Stomach Immediately before Death.
PMID- 29003939
TI - Case of Rupture of Intestine.
PMID- 29003941
TI - The Services in 1903.
PMID- 29003940
TI - A Case of Hyperpyrexia and Diabetes.
PMID- 29003942
TI - Case of Large Goitre; Excision, Thyroidism: Recovery.
PMID- 29003943
TI - A Short Note on the Parasite of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29003944
TI - Circumcision; Midwives and the Minor Operation.
PMID- 29003946
TI - Extract from Medical Journals: Pathology and Bacteriology.
PMID- 29003945
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis in Akyab Jail.
PMID- 29003947
TI - Infant Mortality.
PMID- 29003948
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003949
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003951
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29003950
TI - A Case of Karobi Poison.
PMID- 29003952
TI - Delhi Boils.
PMID- 29003954
TI - Case of Modified Talma's Operation for Hepatic Sclerosis with Ascites.
PMID- 29003953
TI - Primary Carcinoma of the Pancreas, with Unusual Symptoms.
PMID- 29003956
TI - Caesarian Section.
PMID- 29003955
TI - Ankylostomiasis in the Punjab.
PMID- 29003958
TI - Movable Kidney.
PMID- 29003957
TI - Enlarged Prostate.
PMID- 29003959
TI - Sulphonal Idiosyncrasy.
PMID- 29003960
TI - Case of Pyonephrosis with Calculus: Kashmir Mission Hospital.
PMID- 29003961
TI - The Blood Examination of Three Thousand Four Hundred Cases of Febrile Disease in
Bombay. Seasonal Prevalence of the Different Malaria Parasites. The Diagnosis of
the Variety of the Young Stained Parasites.
PMID- 29003962
TI - A Case of Double Ablepharon (Congenital).
PMID- 29003963
TI - Caesarian Sections.
PMID- 29003964
TI - A Case of Severe Form of Malarial Anaemia Treated with Adrenalin.
PMID- 29003965
TI - Carbolic Acid Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29003967
TI - Sulphonal Idiosyncrasy.
PMID- 29003968
TI - Case of Lightning Stroke.
PMID- 29003969
TI - Pay of Officiating Civil Surgeons.
PMID- 29003970
TI - Note on a Case of Malignant Dermoid Cyst of the Neck: With Pathological Report
and Pathological Comment.
PMID- 29003971
TI - Wound of the Diaphragm by a Wild Boar.
PMID- 29003972
TI - A Case of Syphilitic Disease of the Liver.
PMID- 29003973
TI - Radical Cure of Stricture of the Urethra.
PMID- 29003974
TI - Jail Stomatitis.
PMID- 29003976
TI - Foreign Journals, Extracts from.
PMID- 29003975
TI - Dr. Martin Jansson's Siderophone.
PMID- 29003977
TI - The Recrudescence Theory of Plague.
PMID- 29003978
TI - Extra-Uterine (Tubo-Abdominal) Gestation: The Fallopian Tube Showing an Accessory
Ostium and a Diverticulum.
PMID- 29003979
TI - Multiple Wounds of the Head.
PMID- 29003981
TI - A Disclaimer.
PMID- 29003980
TI - Bacteriology of Parangi (Yaws).
PMID- 29003982
TI - Ligature of the Brachial Artery at the Bend of the Elbow.
PMID- 29003983
TI - A Case of Sub-Phrenic Abscess.
PMID- 29003984
TI - Plague: A Soil Disease.
PMID- 29003985
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29003986
TI - Insanity in Bengal.
PMID- 29003988
TI - The Case of Miss Hickman.
PMID- 29003987
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29003989
TI - Lustig's Serum.
PMID- 29003990
TI - Resisting Powers of the Larvae of Culicidae to Desiccation.
PMID- 29003991
TI - A Forgotten Theory of Plague.
PMID- 29003992
TI - Bayliss versus Coleridge.
PMID- 29003994
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29003993
TI - Malaria: As Seen in the Andamans Penal Settlement.
PMID- 29003995
TI - Case of Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy.
PMID- 29003996
TI - Circumcision : Midwives and 'The Minor Operation'.
PMID- 29003997
TI - The Microbe of Yellow Fever.
PMID- 29003999
TI - Special Senses.
PMID- 29003998
TI - Diphtheria in the Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29004000
TI - Extracts from Medical Journals-Medicine.
PMID- 29004001
TI - Diseases of Women.
PMID- 29004002
TI - Brief Notes on Surgical Cases in the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29004003
TI - Report on a Small Outbreak of Cholera in 10th D. C. O. Lancers (Hodson's Horse)
in June 1903.
PMID- 29004004
TI - The Puff Direct.
PMID- 29004005
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004006
TI - Poisonous Snakes and Calmette's Serum : A Successful Case.
PMID- 29004007
TI - Supposed Dhatura Poisoning : A Personal Experience.
PMID- 29004009
TI - Foreign Journals.
PMID- 29004010
TI - Case of Depressed Fracture of the Skull: Operation, Recovery.
PMID- 29004008
TI - Night-Mares and Some of Our Dreams.
PMID- 29004011
TI - "Liver Chill" as a Factor of Disease in the Tropics.
PMID- 29004012
TI - Doctors as Civil and Political Officers.
PMID- 29004013
TI - Antivivisection Antics.
PMID- 29004014
TI - A Simple Way to Compress the Subclavian Artery.
PMID- 29004015
TI - Operation of Caesarian Section: Recovery.
PMID- 29004016
TI - Involuntary Iridectomy.
PMID- 29004017
TI - A Complication of Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29004018
TI - Involuntary Iridectomy.
PMID- 29004019
TI - The Reconstitution of the R. A. M. C.
PMID- 29004021
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29004020
TI - Poisoning by Thevetia Nerifolia.
PMID- 29004022
TI - On the Chemistry and Toxicology of Nerium Odorum, with a Description of a Newly
Separated Active Principle.
PMID- 29004023
TI - The Mortality of Operation for the Radical Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 29004024
TI - Surgical Cases from Berhampur.
PMID- 29004026
TI - Anopheles and Malaria in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004025
TI - Case of Cobrabite and Antivenene.
PMID- 29004028
TI - The New Therapeutics.
PMID- 29004027
TI - Suggestions to Medical Officers of Field Hospitals.
PMID- 29004030
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004029
TI - Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29004032
TI - Guinea Grass as a Remedy for Herpes.
PMID- 29004031
TI - Sterilization of Hands.
PMID- 29004033
TI - Chronic Venereal Sore.
PMID- 29004034
TI - Is the Goat Immune to Tuberculosis?
PMID- 29004035
TI - The Mortality of Elephantiasis Operations.
PMID- 29004036
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004037
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29004038
TI - Rupture of Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29004040
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004039
TI - Case of Rupture of Intestine.
PMID- 29004041
TI - Typhoid Fever in Natives of Madras.
PMID- 29004042
TI - Sags in Jail Diet.
PMID- 29004043
TI - The Use of Ophthalmic Material in India.
PMID- 29004045
TI - Celli's New Book on Malaria.
PMID- 29004044
TI - The Surgical Treatment of Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29004047
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004046
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004048
TI - Corrections in Letter on Plague.
PMID- 29004050
TI - The Serums of Viper and Cobra.
PMID- 29004049
TI - The Forthcoming Special Ophthalmic Number.
PMID- 29004051
TI - Hydrocele in India.
PMID- 29004052
TI - Beri-Beri in Perak.
PMID- 29004053
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004055
TI - The Malarial Fever Outbreak in the Punjab.
PMID- 29004054
TI - Permanganate in Well Disinfection.
PMID- 29004056
TI - Malta Fever in the Swat Valley.
PMID- 29004057
TI - Mosquitoes and Malaria in Nagpur.
PMID- 29004058
TI - Atresia of the Anterior Nares.
PMID- 29004059
TI - Body Temperature of the Goorkha : Considered in Connection with a Predisposition
to Pulmonary Phthisis.
PMID- 29004060
TI - Notes on Eight Cases of Ovaro-Hysterectomy (Porro's Operation) Performed in the
Ishwari Memorial Hospital, Benares, during the Last Five Years.
PMID- 29004061
TI - Capt. Rogers' Investigations in Malaria.
PMID- 29004063
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004062
TI - The Romanowsky Stain for Malarial Parasite.
PMID- 29004064
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 24 in vol. 36.].
PMID- 29004065
TI - Ovariotomy in Burma.
PMID- 29004066
TI - Bullet Wound of the Foot. Localisation by Means of the X-Ray-Extraction:
Recovery.
PMID- 29004068
TI - The Annual Report of Sanitary Commissioner, India.
PMID- 29004069
TI - The Indian Addendum to the B. P.
PMID- 29004071
TI - Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29004070
TI - Notes on History of Bengal Medical Service.
PMID- 29004072
TI - The Incubation Period of Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29004074
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004073
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004075
TI - A Veldt Sore: A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29004076
TI - Rhinoplasty.
PMID- 29004077
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29004078
TI - Larvicidal Reagents.
PMID- 29004079
TI - Yellow Atrophy of Liver.
PMID- 29004080
TI - Case of Splenectomy.
PMID- 29004081
TI - Case of Enteric in Native Prisoner.
PMID- 29004082
TI - Splenic Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29004083
TI - Eyesight of Indian School-Boys.
PMID- 29004084
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004085
TI - Effects of Cobra Venom, &c., on Blood.
PMID- 29004087
TI - Cases of Enteric in Native Sepoys.
PMID- 29004086
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004088
TI - The Medical Department, U. S. Army.
PMID- 29004089
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29004090
TI - Abscess of Liver.
PMID- 29004091
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004092
TI - Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29004093
TI - Mosquito Brigades for India.
PMID- 29004095
TI - A Year's Experience of Anopheles in Ellichpur.
PMID- 29004096
TI - Ruptured Spleen.
PMID- 29004097
TI - Case of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29004098
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004099
TI - The Recent Calcutta Ghi-Adulteration Case.
PMID- 29004100
TI - Chemistry of Nerium Odorum: The Coates' Memorial Prize Essay.
PMID- 29004101
TI - Therapeutic Preparations.
PMID- 29004102
TI - The Surgical Treatment of Chyluria.
PMID- 29004103
TI - The Free Sale of Tabloids.
PMID- 29004104
TI - A Question of Medical Attendance.
PMID- 29004105
TI - Five Cases of Quartan Fever.
PMID- 29004106
TI - The Entero-Coccus of Dysentery.
PMID- 29004108
TI - Pernicious Malaria or Surra in Animals.
PMID- 29004109
TI - Foreign Extract.
PMID- 29004107
TI - Fourteen Cases of Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29004110
TI - The Reappearance of Epidemic Dropsy in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004111
TI - Some Cases of Malignant Pustule.
PMID- 29004112
TI - On the Use of Lead Plate in Simple Ulcer, and of Sandbag in Bubo.
PMID- 29004114
TI - Herpes Labialis in Acute Pneumonia.
PMID- 29004113
TI - Cases in S. Stephen's Mission Hospital, Delhi.
PMID- 29004116
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004115
TI - Note on Assendelft's Work on Stone.
PMID- 29004118
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004117
TI - The Bengal Chemical Examiner's Report.
PMID- 29004119
TI - Mulroney's Operation.
PMID- 29004120
TI - Colonel G. C. Hall, I.M.S., on Cataract.
PMID- 29004121
TI - The Operation of Extraction in 1866.
PMID- 29004122
TI - A Modification of Priestley Smith's Perimeter.
PMID- 29004123
TI - Cataract Extraction at Bombay.
PMID- 29004124
TI - The Bombay Ophthalmic Hospital.
PMID- 29004125
TI - Senile Cataract as a Cause of Glaucoma.
PMID- 29004127
TI - Drake-Brockman's Operation: Primary Capsule Rupture.
PMID- 29004126
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29004128
TI - Macnamara on Linear Extraction.
PMID- 29004129
TI - Drake-Brockman's Review of 1,626 Cases of Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29004130
TI - The Older Operations in the Madras Eye Infirmary.
PMID- 29004131
TI - Cataract in Kashmir.
PMID- 29004132
TI - Practical Points in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29004134
TI - On Cataract and Its Extraction.
PMID- 29004133
TI - Ophthalmic Notes from Mozufferpur.
PMID- 29004135
TI - The Calcutta Ophthalmic Hospital.
PMID- 29004137
TI - Ophthalmology at the Calcutta Medical Congress.
PMID- 29004136
TI - Eye Operations at Azamgarh.
PMID- 29004138
TI - The Madras Eye Infirmary.
PMID- 29004139
TI - Notice to Contributors.
PMID- 29004140
TI - Dr. Sanders' Methods at the Calcutta Eye Hospital.
PMID- 29004141
TI - Cataract and Its After-Treatment.
PMID- 29004142
TI - Three Hundred Consecutive Cases, Analysis of.
PMID- 29004143
TI - Ophthalmic Notes.
PMID- 29004144
TI - Cataract at Jaipur.
PMID- 29004145
TI - T. H. Pope on Cataract in the Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29004147
TI - The Alleged Susceptibility of the Goorkhas to Tubercle.
PMID- 29004146
TI - The Great Medicinal Value of Plant Lygodinum Pinnatifidum.
PMID- 29004150
TI - Surgical Cases from the Sambhu Nath Pundit Hospital.
PMID- 29004149
TI - Plague Detected Post-Mortem.
PMID- 29004151
TI - On Reparative Operations for the Cure of Oblique Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29004152
TI - Stricture of the Urethra: Lectures Delivered at the Medical Graduates' College,
London, November 1900.
PMID- 29004154
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004153
TI - Elephantiasis of Scrotum.
PMID- 29004156
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004155
TI - Note on a New Method of Treating Malaria.
PMID- 29004157
TI - Lime Juice in Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29004158
TI - Supra-Renal Extract in Heart-Disease.
PMID- 29004159
TI - The Tropical Section, B. M. A.
PMID- 29004160
TI - Transposition of Viscera.
PMID- 29004161
TI - The Causes of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004162
TI - Major Bannerman, I.M.S., on Four Years' Inoculations against Plague.
PMID- 29004163
TI - Intestinal Parasites.
PMID- 29004164
TI - Flagellar Fever in Tertian.
PMID- 29004165
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004166
TI - Beri-Beri among Tamils in Rangoon.
PMID- 29004167
TI - Prophylaxis of Small-Pox.
PMID- 29004168
TI - Black-Water Fever in Duars.
PMID- 29004169
TI - Dry Gangrene after Cholera.
PMID- 29004170
TI - Tetanus Puerperalis.
PMID- 29004171
TI - Ophthalmic Work in India.
PMID- 29004173
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004172
TI - Silting up of River and Malaria, &c.
PMID- 29004174
TI - Stone Cases at Durbhanga.
PMID- 29004176
TI - Medical Society: The Bombay Medical and Physical Society.
PMID- 29004175
TI - Involuntary Iridectomy.
PMID- 29004177
TI - Appendicitis in Bengal.
PMID- 29004178
TI - Therapeutic Preparations, &c.
PMID- 29004179
TI - Cocaine-Eating in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004180
TI - Suggestions for Improvement of a Field Hospital Section.
PMID- 29004181
TI - Parasites in Anopheles.
PMID- 29004183
TI - Snake-Bite and Antivenene.
PMID- 29004182
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004184
TI - The "Nordrach" Treatment of Tubercle.
PMID- 29004185
TI - Sword Wounds of the Head.
PMID- 29004187
TI - Case of Supra-Public Lithotomy.
PMID- 29004186
TI - A Year's Experience of Anopheles in Ellichpur.
PMID- 29004189
TI - Rupture of Uterus (Spontaneous ?).
PMID- 29004188
TI - Salol in Small-Pox.
PMID- 29004190
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004191
TI - Beri-Beri in Tamils.
PMID- 29004192
TI - Anopheles Funestus and Costalis in Duars.
PMID- 29004193
TI - Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29004194
TI - Encysted Stone in Bladder.
PMID- 29004195
TI - Bacteriological Report on Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29004197
TI - Medical Progress in Bombay.
PMID- 29004196
TI - Stricture at the Meatus-Complete Retention of Urine.
PMID- 29004198
TI - Notes on the History of the Bengal Medical Service.
PMID- 29004199
TI - Report on Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29004200
TI - Bone Affections in Yaws.
PMID- 29004201
TI - Case of Snake-Bite Treated with Calmette's Antivenine Recovery.
PMID- 29004203
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004202
TI - Beri-Beri in the Northern Circars.
PMID- 29004204
TI - The Dhoti as a Cause of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004205
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004207
TI - Calculi in Kidneys and Ureters.
PMID- 29004206
TI - Memoirs of Edward Hare, Inspector-General of Hospitals.
PMID- 29004208
TI - A Case of Lumbar Hernia in a Child.
PMID- 29004209
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004210
TI - A Strange Tumour.
PMID- 29004211
TI - The Registration of Operations for Stone.
PMID- 29004213
TI - Medical Progress in India in the past Century.
PMID- 29004212
TI - A Twenty-Two Ounce Stone in Bladder.
PMID- 29004214
TI - Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29004215
TI - Influenzal Pneumonia.
PMID- 29004216
TI - Case of Remittent (?) Fever.
PMID- 29004217
TI - Ophthalmic Complications of Plague.
PMID- 29004218
TI - Cases of Scurvy from China.
PMID- 29004220
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004219
TI - The American Hospital Ship Relief.
PMID- 29004221
TI - A Veldt Sore.
PMID- 29004222
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 291 in vol. 36.].
PMID- 29004223
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004224
TI - A Case of Wound Diphtheria Treated by Ecthol.
PMID- 29004225
TI - Therapeutic Preparations.
PMID- 29004226
TI - Beri-Beri on the Surveying Ships.
PMID- 29004229
TI - Amputation through Trochanters.
PMID- 29004227
TI - Beri-Beri in China Force.
PMID- 29004228
TI - Litholapaxy v. the Suprapubic Operation.
PMID- 29004230
TI - Rational and Safe Treatment of Obesity.
PMID- 29004231
TI - The Prevalent Diseases in Peking.
PMID- 29004232
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004233
TI - Case of Penetrating Wound of Abdomen: Recovery.
PMID- 29004235
TI - Malingering in Indian Prisons.
PMID- 29004234
TI - Cattle Plague in China.
PMID- 29004236
TI - Freyer's Operation for Total Extirpation of the Prostate.
PMID- 29004238
TI - Experimental Inoculation of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29004237
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004239
TI - An Account of Ophthalmic Practice in Russia.
PMID- 29004240
TI - Is the Gurkha Predisposed to Pulmonary Phthisis?
PMID- 29004241
TI - Surgical Cases from the Sambhu Nath Pandit Hospital, Bhowanipur, Calcutta.
PMID- 29004242
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004243
TI - A Case of Intracranial Neurectomy of the Fifth Nerve.
PMID- 29004244
TI - Cholera in Madhubani.
PMID- 29004245
TI - The New Constitution of the B. M. Association.
PMID- 29004246
TI - Hydrocele and Its Causes.
PMID- 29004247
TI - The Distribution of Mosquitos in Ellichpur: For the I. M. G. Collective
Investigation.
PMID- 29004249
TI - The Bombay Medical Society: Plague Treatment with Lustig's Serum.
PMID- 29004248
TI - Ankylostoma Duodenale in Darbhanga: For the I. M. G. Collective Investigation.
PMID- 29004250
TI - The Body Temperature of the European and Native in India, with Special Reference
to the Gurkha.
PMID- 29004252
TI - The Serums of Viper and Cobra.
PMID- 29004251
TI - A Sporozoon Found in Human Blood.
PMID- 29004254
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004253
TI - Typhoid Fever in Natives.
PMID- 29004256
TI - African and Indian Malaria Compared.
PMID- 29004255
TI - Three Cases of Snake-Bite and Antivenene.
PMID- 29004257
TI - Observations on 235 Cataract Cases.
PMID- 29004258
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004259
TI - Ophthalmic Notes from Midnapur.
PMID- 29004260
TI - Tobacco Amblyopia, and Optic Atrophy in Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29004261
TI - Ophthalmic Notes from Chapra.
PMID- 29004262
TI - Professor Koch and His Critics.
PMID- 29004263
TI - The Bombay Medical and Physical Society.
PMID- 29004264
TI - London Letters.
PMID- 29004265
TI - Cataract at Bhagalpore.
PMID- 29004266
TI - Further Experiments on Cause of Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29004267
TI - Malignant Tertian Fever.
PMID- 29004268
TI - A Case of Diphtheria.
PMID- 29004269
TI - Irrigation of Anterior Chamber.
PMID- 29004270
TI - Eye-Diseases in Kashmir.
PMID- 29004272
TI - Cataract Notes.
PMID- 29004271
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004273
TI - The Action of Atropine.
PMID- 29004276
TI - A New Eye Speculum.
PMID- 29004274
TI - Field of Vision in Hysteria.
PMID- 29004277
TI - The Dysentery of English Asylums: A Revelation.
PMID- 29004278
TI - Surgical Cases from the Sambhu Nath Pandit Hospital, Bhowanipur, Calcutta.
PMID- 29004279
TI - Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29004281
TI - Biological Sewage Purification for India.
PMID- 29004280
TI - Ophthalmic Notes from Berhampur.
PMID- 29004283
TI - A Case of Continued Fever (Remittent Fever? Enteric Fever?).
PMID- 29004282
TI - Rheumatism and Dysentery.
PMID- 29004284
TI - Serum Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29004285
TI - London Letter.
PMID- 29004286
TI - Abstract of a Paper on the Relationship of Drinking Water;- Water-Logging and the
Distribution of Anopheles Mosquitoes Respectively to the Prevalence of Malaria
North of Calcutta: From the Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, Read before the
Asiatic Society of Bengal, July 1900.
PMID- 29004287
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004288
TI - Interesting Case of Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29004289
TI - Notes on Beri-Beri in Rangoon.
PMID- 29004290
TI - Extracts from Foreign Medical Journals.
PMID- 29004291
TI - On the Metamorphosis of the Filaria Sanguinis Hominis in Mosquitoes, Especially
with Reference to Its Metamorphosis in the Anopheles Rossii and Other Mosquitoes
of the Anopheles Genus.
PMID- 29004292
TI - A Garbled Quotation.
PMID- 29004293
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004294
TI - The Treatment of Gonorrhoea by Injections of Cocaine and Nitrate of Silver.
PMID- 29004295
TI - A Case of Hernia in the Right Hypochondriac Region.
PMID- 29004296
TI - A Case of Acute Yellow Atrophy of the Liver.
PMID- 29004297
TI - An Operation for the Total Excision of Tonsils.
PMID- 29004298
TI - Experiences in Tubercular Disease.
PMID- 29004299
TI - Sarcoma of the Testicle.
PMID- 29004300
TI - Bite of an Echis Carinata.
PMID- 29004301
TI - A Case of Intraperitoneal Rupture of the Bladder.
PMID- 29004302
TI - Plague Pneumonia: Its Bearing on Recent Controversies and Existing Preventive
Measures Also a Personal Statement.
PMID- 29004303
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29004304
TI - Papillomatous Overgrowth of Both Tonsils.
PMID- 29004306
TI - The Action of Creasote in Reducing High Temperature in Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29004305
TI - Melancholia in Its Relations to Homicide.
PMID- 29004308
TI - Medical Section of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
PMID- 29004307
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004309
TI - On Some Old Eighteenth Century Lists of the I. M. S.
PMID- 29004311
TI - Purification of Tank and Well Water.
PMID- 29004310
TI - Encysted Stone in Urethra.
PMID- 29004312
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004313
TI - Remarks upon the Indian Snake-Bite Records Which Appear in Calmette's Recent
Work.
PMID- 29004314
TI - Reform or Reduction.
PMID- 29004316
TI - Notes from the Hughli Hospitals, 1903 - 1909.
PMID- 29004315
TI - Jail Dysentery, with Special Reference to Forster's Vaccine.
PMID- 29004317
TI - Incarceration of a Retro-Deviated Pregnant Uterus: Re-Opening of a Partially
Obliterated Urachus.
PMID- 29004318
TI - Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29004319
TI - A New Lactic Acid Producing Streptothrix.
PMID- 29004320
TI - The Transmission of Afferent Impulses.
PMID- 29004321
TI - On Some Old Eighteenth Century Lists of the I. M. S.
PMID- 29004322
TI - Lanoline or Glycerine.
PMID- 29004323
TI - Etiology of Double Quotidian Fever with Some Notes on Early Stage of Leishman
Donovan Infection.
PMID- 29004324
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004325
TI - Therapeautic Notes.
PMID- 29004326
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004328
TI - Quinine Bihydrochloride v. Quinine Bisulphate.
PMID- 29004327
TI - Clinical Notes on Small-Pox.
PMID- 29004329
TI - The Campaign against Microbes.
PMID- 29004330
TI - Blackwater Fever and Quinine.
PMID- 29004331
TI - Survivors of the Punjab Campaigns.
PMID- 29004332
TI - Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29004333
TI - I. M. S. Dinner in Edinburgh.
PMID- 29004334
TI - Abscess of the Lung in a Foetus.
PMID- 29004336
TI - Pre-Mutiny Jail Administration.
PMID- 29004337
TI - Alypin with Special Reference to Its Hitherto Undescribed Cycloplegic Action.
PMID- 29004335
TI - A Case of Sarcoma of Lower Lip.
PMID- 29004339
TI - Acidosis and Acid Intoxication.
PMID- 29004338
TI - An Atypical Case of Rabies in a Dog.
PMID- 29004341
TI - A Burman Bored Well.
PMID- 29004340
TI - The Extraction of the Lens in Its Capsule (Smith's Operation) by Division of the
Suspensory Ligament.
PMID- 29004342
TI - Cataract Operations in Outlying Dispensaries.
PMID- 29004344
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 201 in vol. 44.].
PMID- 29004343
TI - Malarial Prevention.
PMID- 29004345
TI - Sarcoma of the Femur.
PMID- 29004347
TI - The XVI International Medical Congress.
PMID- 29004346
TI - Malaria in India: What Can the State Do to Prevent It?
PMID- 29004348
TI - The Calcutta Medical Journal.
PMID- 29004349
TI - Studies Regarding Pathogenic Amoebae.
PMID- 29004350
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004352
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004351
TI - Special Report of the Medical College Hospital for 1908.
PMID- 29004353
TI - On Some Old Eighteenth Century Lists of the I. M. S.
PMID- 29004354
TI - Experiences of Micrococcus Catarrhalis Infection.
PMID- 29004355
TI - Nastin.
PMID- 29004356
TI - Report on an Outbreak of Cholera.
PMID- 29004357
TI - The Self-Constituted Private Medical Institutions in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004358
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004359
TI - A Case of Successful Suture of Both Femoral Artery and Vein in Hunter's Canal for
Traumatic Aneurism.
PMID- 29004360
TI - A Case of Relapsing Fever in the Central Provinces.
PMID- 29004362
TI - Phagedaenic Ulcers in Assam.
PMID- 29004361
TI - Cataract Operations in Outlying Dispensaries.
PMID- 29004363
TI - Service at Netley.
PMID- 29004364
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004365
TI - Sporadic Kala Azar in Behar.
PMID- 29004367
TI - Notes on Surgical Cases in the David Sassoon General Hospital, Poona.
PMID- 29004366
TI - An Old Book.
PMID- 29004368
TI - Sanatorium Treatment for Tubercular Cases in India.
PMID- 29004369
TI - The Medical Administration Reports.
PMID- 29004370
TI - Chloroform Poisoning.
PMID- 29004372
TI - Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29004373
TI - Date of Service for Pension Grievance.
PMID- 29004374
TI - The Theory of Colour Vision.
PMID- 29004375
TI - Enteric Fever in Infancy.
PMID- 29004371
TI - A Case of Congenital Absence of Both Upper Extremities.
PMID- 29004376
TI - Delusions in Young People.
PMID- 29004377
TI - A Case of Acromegaly.
PMID- 29004378
TI - Two Cases of Sigmoidopexy for Prolapse of the Rectum.
PMID- 29004379
TI - On Some Old Eighteenth Century Lists of the I. M. S.
PMID- 29004381
TI - Creosote in High Temperatures.
PMID- 29004380
TI - A Case of Partial Placenta Praevia with Arm Presentation.
PMID- 29004383
TI - Abdomen Torn Open : Recovery.
PMID- 29004382
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004384
TI - Trachoma Also Occlusion of the Pupil.
PMID- 29004386
TI - Notes from the Hughly Hospital, 1903-1909.
PMID- 29004387
TI - Report on the Recent Cholera Outbreak among the Nurses of the Presidency General
Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29004388
TI - The Extraction of the Lens in Its Capsule (Smith's Operation) by Division of the
Suspensory Ligament.
PMID- 29004389
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004390
TI - The New Factory Act.
PMID- 29004391
TI - Clinical Notes on Small-Pox.
PMID- 29004392
TI - Preliminary Note on Increased Intra-Ocular Tension Met with in Cases of Epidemic
Dropsy.
PMID- 29004393
TI - An Indian Screw-Worm.
PMID- 29004394
TI - August Meeting of the Medical Section of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
PMID- 29004395
TI - Service at Netley.
PMID- 29004397
TI - Leave and Furlough in the I.M.S.
PMID- 29004396
TI - Leave in the Burma Medical Service.
PMID- 29004399
TI - Complimentary Dinner to Lieut.-Col., Mrs. Harris and Miss Harris on Their
Departure from the Medical College., Calcutta.
PMID- 29004401
TI - Widows' Pensions.
PMID- 29004398
TI - Research Defence Society.
PMID- 29004400
TI - The Indications and Technique of Transfusion in Cholera, with a Note on Cholera
in Europeans in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004403
TI - The New Factory Act.
PMID- 29004402
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004404
TI - Encysted Stone in the Urethra.
PMID- 29004405
TI - Experiences with the Lactic Acid Baci Lus.
PMID- 29004406
TI - Litholapaxy in Young Children with Suggestions for a Modified Evacuating
Apparatus.
PMID- 29004407
TI - Notes of Seven Consecutive Cases of Cysts, Operated on at Lady Aitchison
Hospital.
PMID- 29004408
TI - Cuban Medical Department.
PMID- 29004409
TI - Two Cases of Pneumocele of the Lachrymal Sac.
PMID- 29004411
TI - Lithotrity and Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29004412
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004410
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette. November, 1909.
PMID- 29004413
TI - Cases of Myiasis in Northern India.
PMID- 29004414
TI - Common Sense Sanitation.
PMID- 29004415
TI - The Lucknow Medical College.
PMID- 29004416
TI - Note on 100 Consecutive Cases Operated on under Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29004417
TI - Fibrolysin in Valvular Disease.
PMID- 29004418
TI - Some Old Eighteenth Century List of the I. M. S.
PMID- 29004419
TI - Relapsing Fever and the Louse.
PMID- 29004420
TI - Small Incinerators.
PMID- 29004422
TI - I. M. S. Dress Regulations.
PMID- 29004421
TI - Note on the Purification of Native Sewage under Defined Conditions.
PMID- 29004423
TI - Transmission of Plague in the Absence of Rats.
PMID- 29004424
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29004425
TI - Nervous Breakdown as Observed in Burma.
PMID- 29004426
TI - To Old Guy's Men.
PMID- 29004427
TI - Clinical Report on the Berhampore Asylum for the Year 1909.
PMID- 29004429
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004428
TI - Smith's Operation for Cataract.
PMID- 29004430
TI - Thevetia Poisoning.
PMID- 29004431
TI - Lanoline or Glycerine.
PMID- 29004432
TI - Mosquito or Man?
PMID- 29004433
TI - Sleeping Sickness in Uganda.
PMID- 29004434
TI - Lens Couching in India.
PMID- 29004436
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004435
TI - The Malaria Laboratory, Amritsar.
PMID- 29004438
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29004437
TI - Lt.-Colonel Smith's Operations in Bombay.
PMID- 29004439
TI - Sclerectomy in Glaucoma.
PMID- 29004440
TI - Tubercle of the Lung in Hughli.
PMID- 29004441
TI - Smith's Operation for Cataract. Two New Instruments.
PMID- 29004442
TI - The Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29004443
TI - The Treatment of Filaria Medinensis.
PMID- 29004444
TI - Simple Trephining in the Operative Treatment of Glaucoma.
PMID- 29004445
TI - Placenta Praevia.
PMID- 29004447
TI - Formaldehyde and Flies.
PMID- 29004446
TI - Camphor Poisoning.
PMID- 29004448
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29004450
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004449
TI - A Case of Myrasis.
PMID- 29004452
TI - The Health of Indians in Natal.
PMID- 29004451
TI - A Case of Hymenolepis Nana.
PMID- 29004453
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004454
TI - Despotic Hygiene at Panama.
PMID- 29004455
TI - The I.S.M.D. and British Qualifications.
PMID- 29004457
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004456
TI - The Ipecacuanha Treatment of Acute Hepatitis.
PMID- 29004458
TI - Effect of Ipecacuanha on the Leucocyte Curve in Amoebic Hepatitis.
PMID- 29004459
TI - The Ipecacuanha Treatment of Acute Hepatitis.
PMID- 29004460
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004461
TI - The Isolation Wards.
PMID- 29004463
TI - Military Medical Notes.
PMID- 29004462
TI - Lithotrity and Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29004464
TI - Some Common Operations in India.
PMID- 29004465
TI - The Ipecacuanha Treatment of Acute Hepatitis.
PMID- 29004466
TI - Major Kilkelly's Reply to Lieut.-Colonel H. Smith.
PMID- 29004467
TI - Ipecacuanha in the Treatment of Acute Hepatitis.
PMID- 29004469
TI - Report for 1909 of Medical College Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29004468
TI - Continental Watering Places.
PMID- 29004471
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004470
TI - Notes on the Ipecacuanha Treatment of Hepatitis.
PMID- 29004472
TI - An Extraordinary Series of Outbreaks of Plague in Cape Colony. Due to Case to
Case Infection.
PMID- 29004474
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29004473
TI - British Qualifications for I. S. M. Dept.
PMID- 29004475
TI - Eclampsia and Puerperal Mania.
PMID- 29004477
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004476
TI - Experiences in the Treatment of Stricture of the Urethra.
PMID- 29004478
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29004479
TI - Annus Medicus.
PMID- 29004480
TI - Twenty-One-Day-Fever in Children.
PMID- 29004481
TI - Smith's Operation of Extraction of the Lens in Its Capsule.
PMID- 29004482
TI - Tubercle, but Where Was the Lesion?
PMID- 29004483
TI - Extraction of Lens in Capsule.
PMID- 29004485
TI - The Minor Medical Services.
PMID- 29004484
TI - Bacteriology of Water Supplies.
PMID- 29004486
TI - An Operation for Varicose Veins.
PMID- 29004488
TI - Three Cases of Hydatid Cyst Situate in the Eye or in the Orbit.
PMID- 29004487
TI - Lalor's Tourniquet.
PMID- 29004489
TI - Burma Branch of B. M. A.
PMID- 29004490
TI - Bishop's Retractor for Lacrymal Sac.
PMID- 29004491
TI - X-Ray Notes.
PMID- 29004492
TI - Smith's Operation.
PMID- 29004493
TI - Ascariasis.
PMID- 29004494
TI - The Medical Service in Campaigns.
PMID- 29004495
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004496
TI - Varieties of Dwarfs.
PMID- 29004497
TI - Smith's Cataract Operation.
PMID- 29004498
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29004499
TI - Difficult Case of Labour.
PMID- 29004500
TI - Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29004502
TI - Hernia Operations.
PMID- 29004501
TI - Ascariasis, Letters on.
PMID- 29004503
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004505
TI - Intestinal Obstruction Caused by Tapeworm.
PMID- 29004504
TI - Hiccough and Cholera.
PMID- 29004506
TI - On Mounting Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29004507
TI - Teaching of Protozoology.
PMID- 29004508
TI - Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29004509
TI - Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29004510
TI - Remarks on Ascariasis, Is There a Round Worm Fever?
PMID- 29004511
TI - Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29004512
TI - Pelvic Diseases.
PMID- 29004513
TI - Smith's Reply to Kilkelly.
PMID- 29004515
TI - A Case of Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteo-Arthropathy.
PMID- 29004514
TI - Poisoning by Eucalyptus.
PMID- 29004516
TI - Note on the Causation of Diseases of the Heart and Aorta in Europeans in India.
PMID- 29004517
TI - Case of Foreign Body (Bottle) in the Rectum.
PMID- 29004518
TI - Transposition of the Viscera.
PMID- 29004519
TI - A Note on the Technique of Intracapsular Extraction.
PMID- 29004520
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Records.
PMID- 29004521
TI - Epilepsy, Nocturnal.
PMID- 29004522
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004523
TI - Treatment of Relapsing Fever by Intramuscular Injections of Orsudon.
PMID- 29004525
TI - Type of Plague.
PMID- 29004524
TI - The Prevention of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29004526
TI - Couchers and Their Methods.
PMID- 29004527
TI - Transmission of Plague in the Absence of Rats and Rat Fleas.
PMID- 29004529
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004528
TI - Myiasis in Burma.
PMID- 29004530
TI - The Medical Services in 1909.
PMID- 29004531
TI - Unusual Type of Plague.
PMID- 29004532
TI - Doctors in Parliament.
PMID- 29004533
TI - Is Thymol a Panacea?
PMID- 29004535
TI - Imperial Malaria Conference at Simla.
PMID- 29004534
TI - Dengue or Phlebotomus Fever.
PMID- 29004536
TI - Note on a Sign of Chronic Malarial Poisoning.
PMID- 29004537
TI - A Case of Pneumonia, Terminating in Gangrene.
PMID- 29004538
TI - Surgical Operation Returns.
PMID- 29004539
TI - Special Snake-Bite Lancet.
PMID- 29004540
TI - Lithotrity and Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29004541
TI - Health Progress in the West Indies.
PMID- 29004542
TI - Painful Heel, with Skiagram.
PMID- 29004544
TI - Vaccine Treatment in a Mofussil Hospital.
PMID- 29004543
TI - Remarks on Ascariasis. Is There a Round Worm Fever?
PMID- 29004545
TI - Notes on Schlosser's Method.
PMID- 29004546
TI - The Illegal Trade in Cocaine.
PMID- 29004547
TI - Mixed Tumour of the Parotid.
PMID- 29004550
TI - The Pathogenesis of Cataract.
PMID- 29004549
TI - Sub-Conjunctival Injections of Cyanide of Mercury in Trachomatous Conditions.
PMID- 29004548
TI - The Rationale of Quinine Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29004551
TI - Leucaemia and Pseudoleucaemia.
PMID- 29004552
TI - Foreign Body in the Rectum.
PMID- 29004554
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004553
TI - Beri-Beri and Rice.
PMID- 29004555
TI - Sub-Lingual Calculi.
PMID- 29004557
TI - A Case of Biliary Colic.
PMID- 29004556
TI - A Screw-Worm beneath the Conjunctiva.
PMID- 29004559
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004558
TI - Kala Azar in Patna.
PMID- 29004560
TI - Colipyelitis.
PMID- 29004561
TI - Enlarged Prostate.
PMID- 29004562
TI - An Extraordinary Series of Outbreaks of Plague.
PMID- 29004563
TI - Widows' Pensions.
PMID- 29004564
TI - Perirenal Abscess.
PMID- 29004565
TI - Death from Intraspinal Injection of Novocaine and Strychnine.
PMID- 29004567
TI - Pseudo-Hypertrophic Muscular Paralysis.
PMID- 29004566
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004568
TI - Ventro-Fixation of the Uterus: A Protest.
PMID- 29004569
TI - Electric Burns.
PMID- 29004570
TI - Circulatory Diseases in India.
PMID- 29004571
TI - Indicanuria and Its Significance.
PMID- 29004572
TI - Case of Cobra-Bite.
PMID- 29004573
TI - Sarcoma of Lower Jaw.
PMID- 29004574
TI - Acute Scurvy.
PMID- 29004575
TI - Lanoline or Glycerine.
PMID- 29004576
TI - Preparation of Hands and Skin.
PMID- 29004577
TI - Accelerated Promotion.
PMID- 29004578
TI - On the Occurrence of an Epizootic of Fowl Septicaemia.
PMID- 29004580
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004579
TI - The Retiring Director-General.
PMID- 29004581
TI - Congenital Absence of Uterus and Vagina.
PMID- 29004583
TI - Extracts from Medical History Sheets, 69th Punjabis.
PMID- 29004582
TI - Medico-Legal Practice in the Mofussil.
PMID- 29004584
TI - A Note on the Administration of Quinine in Cases of Fever during Pregnancy.
PMID- 29004585
TI - Operations for Varicose Veins.
PMID- 29004586
TI - Kenil Calculus in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004587
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004588
TI - Urticaria in Connection with Malaria.
PMID- 29004589
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Records.
PMID- 29004591
TI - Lithotrity and Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29004590
TI - Note on Cases of the "Epidemic Dropsy".
PMID- 29004592
TI - Retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel Gimlette, I.M.S.
PMID- 29004593
TI - Medical Registration.
PMID- 29004594
TI - Supplement to "The Indian Medical Gazette." April, 1910.
PMID- 29004595
TI - Therapeutic Uses of Boerhaavia Diffusa (Linn.).
PMID- 29004596
TI - A Useful Service Book.
PMID- 29004597
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004598
TI - Enteric Fever in Baghdad.
PMID- 29004599
TI - A Case of Staphylococcal Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
PMID- 29004601
TI - Elephantiasis Treated by the Implantation of Silk Sutures as Artificial
Lymphatics.
PMID- 29004600
TI - The Echis Carinata Bite.
PMID- 29004602
TI - Organisation of Abdominal Operations: Part II.
PMID- 29004603
TI - The Advance of Surgery in India.
PMID- 29004604
TI - Surgical Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29004605
TI - Operations for Hernia.
PMID- 29004607
TI - Opium Question in China.
PMID- 29004606
TI - Total Hysterectomy.
PMID- 29004608
TI - Organisation and Management of Abdominal Operations: Part I.
PMID- 29004609
TI - The Ideal Operation for Fistula in Ano.
PMID- 29004611
TI - The I. S. M. D.
PMID- 29004610
TI - Surgery of the Pelvic Organs.
PMID- 29004613
TI - Urethral Surgery.
PMID- 29004612
TI - Enlargement of the Prostate.
PMID- 29004614
TI - Sterilisation of Skin by Iodine.
PMID- 29004616
TI - Septic Phlebitis of Spermatic Cord.
PMID- 29004615
TI - Remarks on Appendicitis.
PMID- 29004617
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004618
TI - Seven-Day-Fever.
PMID- 29004619
TI - The Military Medical Department.
PMID- 29004621
TI - Treatment of Acute Peritonitis.
PMID- 29004620
TI - Some Notes on Tumour and Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29004622
TI - "Rogers" Seven-Day-Fever.
PMID- 29004623
TI - Penetrating Wounds of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29004624
TI - The Operative Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004625
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004626
TI - The Ethical Teaching of Lanfrank.
PMID- 29004627
TI - The Operation Theatre.
PMID- 29004628
TI - A Master-Surgeon of the 14th Century.
PMID- 29004629
TI - The Contents of a Hernia.
PMID- 29004630
TI - Urticaria and Malaria.
PMID- 29004631
TI - Hydatid Cyst of the Orbit.
PMID- 29004632
TI - Experiments on the Intravenous Injection of Permanganates for Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29004633
TI - Vaccination in India.
PMID- 29004634
TI - Treatment of Snake-Bite with Potassium Permanganate.
PMID- 29004635
TI - The Indian Oculist, His Equipment and Methods.
PMID- 29004637
TI - Surgical Operation Returns.
PMID- 29004636
TI - A Case of Rupture of Spleen.
PMID- 29004638
TI - Technique of the Hypodermic Injection.
PMID- 29004639
TI - Ophthalmic Reaction in Early Phthisis.
PMID- 29004640
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004641
TI - A New Combined Needleholder and Scissors.
PMID- 29004642
TI - Retro-Ocular Neuritis.
PMID- 29004643
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004644
TI - Tropo-Ratine.
PMID- 29004645
TI - Chronic Malarial Poisoning.
PMID- 29004647
TI - Dermoid Cyst.
PMID- 29004646
TI - British Medical Association Meeting.
PMID- 29004648
TI - Lithotrity and Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29004650
TI - Medical Education in India.
PMID- 29004649
TI - A Haemophilic Pedigree.
PMID- 29004651
TI - Malaria in Bombay.
PMID- 29004652
TI - Bottle in Rectum.
PMID- 29004653
TI - Beri-Beri and a Lack of Phosphorus.
PMID- 29004655
TI - Operation Rooms in the Tropics.
PMID- 29004654
TI - Four Common Surgical Operations in India.
PMID- 29004656
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29004657
TI - Dysentery and Tubercle.
PMID- 29004658
TI - Sanitation in the Hills.
PMID- 29004659
TI - Punjab Plague Committee's Report.
PMID- 29004660
TI - Treatment of Syphilis at Aix-La-Chapelle.
PMID- 29004661
TI - The Claims of Penology.
PMID- 29004662
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29004663
TI - Rupture of Kidney.
PMID- 29004664
TI - Plague Problems.
PMID- 29004665
TI - Suction of Abscesses.
PMID- 29004666
TI - Sandfly Fever.
PMID- 29004668
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004667
TI - The Bombay Cataract Cases.
PMID- 29004669
TI - Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29004670
TI - Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29004671
TI - Gynaecological Coeliotomy.
PMID- 29004672
TI - Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29004673
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004674
TI - Case of Multiple Keloids Following Small-Pox.
PMID- 29004675
TI - An Influenza-Like Fever in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004676
TI - Vital Statistics, I. M. S.
PMID- 29004678
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29004677
TI - Wasp Sting.
PMID- 29004680
TI - Trichiasis, Entropion and Tinea Tarsi.
PMID- 29004679
TI - Enchrondroma of Parotid Gland.
PMID- 29004681
TI - The New Rates of Pay for the Jail Department.
PMID- 29004682
TI - Tropical Light and White Men.
PMID- 29004683
TI - Gunshot Wound of Bladder.
PMID- 29004684
TI - How to Cure Cholera.
PMID- 29004685
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004686
TI - Tumour of Brain.
PMID- 29004688
TI - New Views on Malaria.
PMID- 29004687
TI - Cases from Madras General Hospital.
PMID- 29004689
TI - Case of Chyluria.
PMID- 29004690
TI - Plague in Animals.
PMID- 29004691
TI - Poisoning by Strychnine: Recovery.
PMID- 29004692
TI - Opium-Poisoning in a Child.
PMID- 29004693
TI - Cataract Extraction in Capsule.
PMID- 29004694
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004695
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004696
TI - Malignant Endocarditis.
PMID- 29004698
TI - The Anatomy of Plague Buboes.
PMID- 29004697
TI - Bactericidal Value of Chlorine and Iodine.
PMID- 29004699
TI - Treatment of Cholera by Izal.
PMID- 29004700
TI - Pratt's Operation for Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004701
TI - Prostatic Enlargement in Natives.
PMID- 29004702
TI - Typhoid with Complications.
PMID- 29004703
TI - Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29004704
TI - Wound of Gravid Uterus.
PMID- 29004705
TI - The Epidemiology of Plague.
PMID- 29004706
TI - Wound of Abdomen.
PMID- 29004707
TI - Ixora in Dysentery.
PMID- 29004708
TI - Pott's Fracture.
PMID- 29004709
TI - Case of Leishman-Donovan Disease in a European.
PMID- 29004710
TI - Traumatic Tetanus.
PMID- 29004711
TI - On Hydatids in the Female Pelvis: With Notes of a Case of Primary Hydatid Disease
of the Bladder.
PMID- 29004712
TI - Sanitation in India.
PMID- 29004713
TI - The R. A. Medical College.
PMID- 29004715
TI - The Earthquake at Dharmsala.
PMID- 29004714
TI - The Colonial Medical Service.
PMID- 29004716
TI - The Operation for the Removal of Elephantiasis of the Scrotum and Penis: Notes on
Two Hundred Consecutive Cases.
PMID- 29004718
TI - Dr. Doyen and Cancer.
PMID- 29004717
TI - Notes on the Prevalence of Malignant Disease in Bengal.
PMID- 29004719
TI - Cataract Couching.
PMID- 29004720
TI - Gastro-Enterotomy for the Relief of Benign Stricture of the Pylorus-With Report
of Six Cases.
PMID- 29004722
TI - The Cultivation Leishman-Donovan Body.
PMID- 29004721
TI - Pemphigus Contagiosus.
PMID- 29004723
TI - After-Results of Sixty-Three Operations for Depression of the Lens Performed by
Indian "Cataract-Prickers".
PMID- 29004725
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004724
TI - The Falling Birth-Rate of Great Britain.
PMID- 29004726
TI - Helouan as a Health Resort.
PMID- 29004727
TI - Medical Cases.
PMID- 29004728
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004729
TI - Some Remarks on Malaria Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29004730
TI - Is Cataract Couching Ever Justifiable?
PMID- 29004732
TI - Utilising the Appendix Vermiformis.
PMID- 29004731
TI - An Account of a Case of Complete Detachment of the Heart.
PMID- 29004734
TI - Special Research in India.
PMID- 29004733
TI - The University of London and Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29004735
TI - A Pterygium of Bacilli.
PMID- 29004736
TI - Poisoning by Sulpho-Cyanide of Mercury.
PMID- 29004737
TI - Two Cases of Diphtheria.
PMID- 29004738
TI - Some Points Connected with Liver Abscess as Seen in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004739
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 52 in vol. 40.].
PMID- 29004740
TI - The Nature and Prophylaxis of the Fevers in the Dinajpur District.
PMID- 29004741
TI - Surgery.
PMID- 29004742
TI - An Outbreak of True Beri-Beri among the Students at Tura, Garo Hills, Assam.
PMID- 29004743
TI - Oil of Eucalyptus in Cholera.
PMID- 29004744
TI - Vaccine Lymphs in the Punjab.
PMID- 29004745
TI - Fancy Cures of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29004746
TI - Sanitary Reforms in India.
PMID- 29004747
TI - A Case of Perchloride of Mercury Poisoning.
PMID- 29004749
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004748
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004750
TI - The Leishman-Donovan Body.
PMID- 29004751
TI - Myxoedema in India.
PMID- 29004752
TI - The Purification of Water by Copper.
PMID- 29004753
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004754
TI - Farewell to the Indian Medical Gazette.
PMID- 29004756
TI - Research in Tropical Diseases in India.
PMID- 29004755
TI - Spirillum Fever in India.
PMID- 29004757
TI - A Preliminary Paper on Extirpation of the Lachrymal Sac in India.
PMID- 29004758
TI - Puerperal Convulsions.
PMID- 29004759
TI - Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29004760
TI - Public Health.
PMID- 29004761
TI - Obscure Irregular Continued Fevers of the "Typhoid" Group.
PMID- 29004763
TI - Is Cataract Couching Ever Justifiable?
PMID- 29004762
TI - Primary Carcinoma of the Liver in a Boy of 19 Years.
PMID- 29004764
TI - Plague Infection and Flies.
PMID- 29004765
TI - A Microbe Agglutinating with Antityphoid Serum.
PMID- 29004766
TI - The Last of Netley.
PMID- 29004767
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004768
TI - The Treatment of Fractures.
PMID- 29004769
TI - Tumour of the Left Caudate Nucleus and Frontal Lobe.
PMID- 29004772
TI - Nyctalopia in India.
PMID- 29004771
TI - Spirillum Fever in India.
PMID- 29004770
TI - Two Cases of Pneumococcic Septicaemia with Some Remarks on Pneumonia as Seen on
the North-West Frontier.
PMID- 29004773
TI - The Bactericidal Power of Nesfield's Method of Water Purification.
PMID- 29004774
TI - Malignant Tertian Simulating Plague.
PMID- 29004775
TI - Mangoes and Boils.
PMID- 29004776
TI - Some Notes on Plague in the Punjab.
PMID- 29004777
TI - Enteric Fever in India.
PMID- 29004778
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004779
TI - Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29004780
TI - Public Health.
PMID- 29004782
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29004781
TI - The Significance of the Pyriform Circular and Irregular Shaped Bodies Present in
the Circulation, Organs, or Tissues, in Various Forms of Disease in Man and
Animals, with Suggestions Regarding Their Identification and Classification.
PMID- 29004784
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004783
TI - A Series of Sixty-Five Cases of Strangulated Herniae.
PMID- 29004785
TI - The Effects of Tropical Light on White Men.
PMID- 29004787
TI - The Antiquity of Vaccination in India.
PMID- 29004786
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29004788
TI - The Relation of Oral Sepsis to Dysentery.
PMID- 29004790
TI - Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29004789
TI - The Use of Izal in Dysentery.
PMID- 29004791
TI - Dysentery: Its Varieties and Causes, Summarised and Criticised with a Note on
Treatment and Prevention.
PMID- 29004792
TI - A Sling for the Arm.
PMID- 29004793
TI - Amoebae and Their Significance.
PMID- 29004794
TI - A Chemical Process of Sterilizing Water for Drinking Purposes for Use in the
Field and at Home.
PMID- 29004795
TI - A Dysentery Toxin and Antitoxin.
PMID- 29004796
TI - Dysentery in the Prisons of the Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29004798
TI - Amoebic Dysentery in India.
PMID- 29004797
TI - The Etiology of Dysentery with Some Notes on Treatment.
PMID- 29004800
TI - Progress of Our Knowledge of Dysenteries.
PMID- 29004799
TI - Dysentery and Diarrhoea Mortality in the Bombay Presidency.
PMID- 29004801
TI - Case of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29004803
TI - Special Dysentery Number.
PMID- 29004802
TI - Dysentery as It Occurs in Jails with Regard to Etiology, Prophylaxis and
Treatment.
PMID- 29004805
TI - The Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29004804
TI - Removal of Large Stones in Bladder.
PMID- 29004806
TI - The Drug Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29004807
TI - Large Stones in the Bladder.
PMID- 29004808
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004809
TI - The Need for a Medical Library in India.
PMID- 29004810
TI - Twelve Cases of Snake-Bite Treated by Incision and Permanganate of Potash; with
Ten Recoveries.
PMID- 29004811
TI - Viper Bite in a Dog Treated with Permanganate of Potash: Recovery.
PMID- 29004813
TI - Litholapaxy, an Unusual Obstacle.
PMID- 29004812
TI - The Significance of the Pyriform and Globular Bodies Present in the Circulation
and Organs in Various Forms of Disease in Man and Animals with Suggestions
Regarding Their Identification and Classification.
PMID- 29004815
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004814
TI - Wharton Hood's Treatment of Injuries.
PMID- 29004816
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004817
TI - Couching for Cataract.
PMID- 29004818
TI - Prostatic Enlargement.
PMID- 29004819
TI - The Treatment of Cataract in Children.
PMID- 29004820
TI - Public Health.
PMID- 29004821
TI - Congenital Phimosis with Encysted Preputial Calculi.
PMID- 29004822
TI - The Varieties of Bubo Met with in Bubonic Plague and the Rational Treatment of
Each Kind.
PMID- 29004824
TI - Anti-Malarial Measures, Ancient and Modern.
PMID- 29004823
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 333 in vol. 40.].
PMID- 29004825
TI - Hydrate of Chloral Poisoning.
PMID- 29004826
TI - Spontaneous Expulsion of a Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29004827
TI - A Report on the Epidemic of Plague in Hughli-Chinsura Municipality January to May
1905: Abridged from an Official Report.
PMID- 29004828
TI - A Case of Recurrent Appendicitis: Operation and Recovery.
PMID- 29004830
TI - Septic Tank Installations in Bengal.
PMID- 29004829
TI - A Case of Both Kidneys on the Right Side.
PMID- 29004831
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004832
TI - Notes on the Presence of Spirilla in a Tropical Ulcer.
PMID- 29004833
TI - Night-Blindness.
PMID- 29004835
TI - The Microbe of Cancer.
PMID- 29004834
TI - Surgical Procedure in Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29004836
TI - Five Cases of Snake-Bite Successfully Treated by the Local Application of
Permanganate of Potash.
PMID- 29004837
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29004838
TI - Sanitary Hair Dressing.
PMID- 29004839
TI - Wound of Abdominal Wall-Partial Splenectomy: Recovery.
PMID- 29004840
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004841
TI - A Case of "Missed Abortion".
PMID- 29004842
TI - Some Clinical Features of Quartan Malaria.
PMID- 29004843
TI - American Sanitary Enterprise in Panama.
PMID- 29004844
TI - Plague, Rats and Fleas.
PMID- 29004846
TI - The Leishman-Donovan Body.
PMID- 29004845
TI - Two Cases of Aneurism.
PMID- 29004847
TI - A Factor in the Epidemiology of Plague.
PMID- 29004848
TI - Problems for the New Plague Research Committee.
PMID- 29004849
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004851
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004850
TI - Hepatic Cirrhosis.
PMID- 29004852
TI - Casual Comments.
PMID- 29004853
TI - Lens Couching.
PMID- 29004854
TI - What Is Hindustani for Scurvy?
PMID- 29004855
TI - Malaria Prevention in Madras.
PMID- 29004857
TI - Rats and Plague.
PMID- 29004856
TI - Death from Haemorrhage in Connection with the Spleen.
PMID- 29004858
TI - Some Analogies Which Favour Protozoal Hypotheses of Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29004859
TI - A Modified Method of Transplanting a Pterygium.
PMID- 29004860
TI - Spirillar Fever in India.
PMID- 29004861
TI - Theories of Reclination of Cataract.
PMID- 29004862
TI - Orbital Sarcoma: Kronlein's Operation.
PMID- 29004863
TI - The Antiquity of Hindu Vaccination.
PMID- 29004865
TI - Ear Douche in Plague Deliriium.
PMID- 29004864
TI - Gluteal Abscess with Aneurism.
PMID- 29004866
TI - Surgical Cases Treated at Arambagh Dispensary.
PMID- 29004867
TI - Case of Abscess of the Liver in a Child.
PMID- 29004869
TI - Zomotherapy.
PMID- 29004870
TI - The Thorough Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 29004868
TI - Cardiac Failure in Plague and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29004871
TI - The Pathology of Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29004872
TI - Antimosquito Work at St. Lucia.
PMID- 29004873
TI - Ambidexterity.
PMID- 29004875
TI - A Case of Formalin Poisoning.
PMID- 29004874
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004876
TI - The Abuse of Hospitals.
PMID- 29004877
TI - Copper Sulphate and Disinfection of Water.
PMID- 29004878
TI - Colour Vision and Night-Blindness.
PMID- 29004880
TI - Preputial Calculus.
PMID- 29004879
TI - Treatment of Leprosy by Rost's Leprolin.
PMID- 29004881
TI - Case of Sarcoma.
PMID- 29004882
TI - Night-Blindness.
PMID- 29004883
TI - Primary Vaginal Cancer.
PMID- 29004884
TI - Obstetrics.
PMID- 29004886
TI - Foreign Extracts.
PMID- 29004885
TI - Round Worm Found in Liver.
PMID- 29004888
TI - Leprosy.
PMID- 29004887
TI - Permanganate and Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29004889
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004890
TI - The Rats of India.
PMID- 29004892
TI - The Treatment of Injuries of the Elbow-Joint.
PMID- 29004891
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004893
TI - Foundation of the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29004894
TI - Myxoedema in India.
PMID- 29004895
TI - Meningo-Myelocele. Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 29004896
TI - Mosquitos and Malaria in Ferozepore District, 1903.
PMID- 29004897
TI - The Spirit of the Schools of Medicine.
PMID- 29004898
TI - Eucalyptus in Cholera.
PMID- 29004899
TI - The Doom of Spectacles.
PMID- 29004900
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction. Strangulation by the Foetal Remains of the
Ophalo-Mesenteric Duct (Meckel's Diverticulum), Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 29004901
TI - Fatal Case of Bee Sting.
PMID- 29004903
TI - Service Notes from the Great War, 1793-1815.
PMID- 29004902
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite (Cobra?): Recovery.
PMID- 29004905
TI - Artificial Respiration.
PMID- 29004906
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004904
TI - A Case of Tetanus, Treated by Serum Antitetanique.
PMID- 29004908
TI - A Case of Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29004907
TI - Myxoedema in India.
PMID- 29004909
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29004910
TI - The Great Value of Inoculation.
PMID- 29004911
TI - The Carbuncular Form of Plague.
PMID- 29004912
TI - The Surgical Treatment of Chronic Dysentery.
PMID- 29004913
TI - A Case of Abscess of the Spleen.
PMID- 29004914
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004915
TI - Notes on the Distribution of the Two Species of Bed-Bug.
PMID- 29004916
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004917
TI - Preputial Calculi.
PMID- 29004918
TI - Further Observations on the Use of Adrenalin in Plague.
PMID- 29004919
TI - A Case of Cystic Kidney.
PMID- 29004920
TI - Appendicitis in Indians.
PMID- 29004921
TI - Surgical Curiosities.
PMID- 29004922
TI - New Views on Goitre.
PMID- 29004923
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004925
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29004924
TI - Manual of Aseptic Surgery.
PMID- 29004927
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004926
TI - Some Notes on the Conservancy of the Smaller Towns in Burma.
PMID- 29004928
TI - Rheumatism.
PMID- 29004930
TI - Rats and Guinea-Pigs in Plague "Barometers".
PMID- 29004929
TI - Snakebite, Case.
PMID- 29004931
TI - Treatment of Otorrhoea.
PMID- 29004932
TI - Case of Hyperpyrexia.
PMID- 29004933
TI - Quackery in India.
PMID- 29004934
TI - Snakebite, Case.
PMID- 29004936
TI - Preliminary Note on Quinine Sulphate as a Factor in the Causation of BlackWater
Fever.
PMID- 29004935
TI - Extra-Peritoneal Wound of Intestines.
PMID- 29004937
TI - Relapsing Fever, an Outbreak.
PMID- 29004939
TI - Abscesses of Liver: Recovery.
PMID- 29004938
TI - Horse-Shoe Kidney.
PMID- 29004940
TI - Weight of Calculi.
PMID- 29004941
TI - Malaria in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29004943
TI - Cyllin and Rideal-Walker Co-Efficient.
PMID- 29004942
TI - Sixty-One Eye Operations in One Day.
PMID- 29004945
TI - Rideal-Walker Co-Efficients of the Following Disinfectants (On Bacillus
Typhosus).
PMID- 29004944
TI - Malta Fever in India.
PMID- 29004946
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations: 'Tabloid' 'Gingamint' (Soda Mint Compound).
PMID- 29004947
TI - Rupture of Uterus.
PMID- 29004949
TI - Injuries and Tetanus.
PMID- 29004948
TI - Injury of Thoracic Duet.
PMID- 29004951
TI - Doctors' Fees for Cancelled Engagements.
PMID- 29004950
TI - Supply of Vaccines and Serums in India.
PMID- 29004952
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004953
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29004954
TI - Catarrhal Jaundice.
PMID- 29004956
TI - The Government Regulation of Medical Fees.
PMID- 29004955
TI - Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29004957
TI - Notes on 103 Gynaecological Abdominal Sections.
PMID- 29004958
TI - Note on the Metabolism of Native Prisoners in the Presidency Jail, Calcutta.
PMID- 29004959
TI - Unqualified Practice in India.
PMID- 29004960
TI - The Weight of Vesical Calculi.
PMID- 29004961
TI - The Work of the Jullundur Civil Hospital in 1906.
PMID- 29004963
TI - Privilege Leave and Staff Pay.
PMID- 29004962
TI - A Cabinet for Preserving Stools for Examination.
PMID- 29004964
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29004965
TI - Privilege Leave and Staff Pay.
PMID- 29004966
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004967
TI - Blackwater Fever in Burma.
PMID- 29004969
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004968
TI - A Five-Day Fever of Calcutta.
PMID- 29004970
TI - The Etiology of Black-Water Fever.
PMID- 29004972
TI - The Disposal of Sewage in Cantonments.
PMID- 29004971
TI - History of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29004973
TI - The United Services Medical Society.
PMID- 29004974
TI - The Radical Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004975
TI - Liq. Sodae Chlorinatae as a Dressing.
PMID- 29004976
TI - The Radical Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004977
TI - On the Incidence of Small-Pox in Calcutta.
PMID- 29004978
TI - The Radical Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004979
TI - The Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29004980
TI - History of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29004981
TI - The Use of Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29004983
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29004982
TI - The Flea-Killing Power of Various Chemicals.
PMID- 29004984
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004985
TI - The Radical Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29004986
TI - Sir Joseph Fayrer.
PMID- 29004987
TI - A Plea for Scraps: "All Knowledge Is Scrappy."-Berthelot.
PMID- 29004988
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29004989
TI - Medicolegal.
PMID- 29004990
TI - Stones in the Urethra.
PMID- 29004991
TI - Two Unusual Post-Mortems.
PMID- 29004992
TI - An Outbreak of Trichinosis in Garhwal: Translation of a Report, Dated 27th March
1907, From Harak Singh, Patwari, of Talla Painkhanda.
PMID- 29004993
TI - The New Antiplague Campaign.
PMID- 29004994
TI - Doctor's Fees for Cancelled Engagements.
PMID- 29004995
TI - Further Experiments as to the Potency to Various Disinfectants against Pulex
Cheopis.
PMID- 29004996
TI - A Case of Faciolopsis Buski: (Distoma Buski v. Crassum) and Amphistoma Hominis.
PMID- 29004997
TI - A Case of an Abscess of Liver Recovery.
PMID- 29004998
TI - The Rideal-Walker Co-Efficient.
PMID- 29005000
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29004999
TI - Case of Old Standing Dysentery Treated by Vaccino-Therapy: As Recommended by
Capt. Forster, I.M.S., I. M. G., June 1907.
PMID- 29005001
TI - Incinerators in Cantonments.
PMID- 29005003
TI - Medical Cases.
PMID- 29005002
TI - Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29005005
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29005004
TI - An Iodide Eruption.
PMID- 29005006
TI - The "Breeding Season" of Rats and the Epidemiology of Plague in Calcutta.
PMID- 29005007
TI - Fever Associated with Spirochaetes in the Blood.
PMID- 29005008
TI - The Urine and Blood of Europeans and Bengalis.
PMID- 29005009
TI - Occupation for Retired Officers.
PMID- 29005010
TI - Another Special Plague Number.
PMID- 29005011
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005012
TI - Cats as Plague Preventers: A Report on the Cat Census in the Amraoti District.
PMID- 29005013
TI - Melanotic Sarcoma and "Sarcomatous Melanoma".
PMID- 29005014
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29005016
TI - The Opsonic Index and Its Utility.
PMID- 29005015
TI - Blackwater Fever: The Liverpool School's Views.
PMID- 29005017
TI - Kala-Azar in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29005018
TI - Privilege Leave and Staff Pay.
PMID- 29005019
TI - An Operation for Entropion.
PMID- 29005020
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005022
TI - History of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29005021
TI - Preliminary Note on the Application of Vaccino-Therapy to Dysentery.
PMID- 29005024
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29005023
TI - The Report of the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29005026
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005025
TI - The Use of Small Incinerators.
PMID- 29005027
TI - Two Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29005028
TI - Late Teething in India.
PMID- 29005029
TI - Rat Poisoning and Its Effects in Azamgarh City.
PMID- 29005030
TI - Small Incinerators.
PMID- 29005031
TI - Pratt's Operation for Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005032
TI - The Varieties of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005033
TI - The Misuse of the Term "Rheumatism".
PMID- 29005034
TI - A Case of Spinal Injury.
PMID- 29005035
TI - Pratt's Operation for Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005036
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005037
TI - Infantile Mortality in India.
PMID- 29005038
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005040
TI - The Prophylaxis of Plague.
PMID- 29005039
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005041
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005042
TI - Angio-Neurotic OEdema: A Case of This Disease with Some Remarks on Its Pathology.
PMID- 29005043
TI - History of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29005044
TI - Internal Derangements of the Knee Joint.
PMID- 29005045
TI - Malta Fever in Bundelkhand.
PMID- 29005046
TI - Short Report on Four Cases of Leishman-Donovan Infection in Gurkhas.
PMID- 29005047
TI - Disinfectants against Fleas.
PMID- 29005048
TI - A Machine for Loading Vaccine Tubes.
PMID- 29005049
TI - A Mahomedan Civilian on Indian Sanitation.
PMID- 29005050
TI - The Incidence of Typhoid Fever on Civilian Europeans and on Natives in Calcutta.
PMID- 29005051
TI - The B. M. A. Meeting, 1907.
PMID- 29005053
TI - The Indian Military Family Pension Fund.
PMID- 29005052
TI - The Use of Rubber Gloves in India.
PMID- 29005054
TI - Viper Bite, Case of.
PMID- 29005055
TI - Hydrocele Operations.
PMID- 29005056
TI - What We Know of Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29005057
TI - Cellulitis, Case of.
PMID- 29005058
TI - Dr. Waller's Address on Anaesthetics.
PMID- 29005059
TI - Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29005060
TI - Special Senses.
PMID- 29005061
TI - New and Old Treatment of Ague Case.
PMID- 29005062
TI - Developments in Eye Surgery.
PMID- 29005064
TI - Expression of Cataract.
PMID- 29005065
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29005063
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005066
TI - Some Forms of Headache.
PMID- 29005067
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005068
TI - An Outbreak of Dropsy.
PMID- 29005069
TI - Black-Water Fever in Jeypore Agency.
PMID- 29005071
TI - Typhoid Ulcer, Perforation.
PMID- 29005070
TI - Operations for Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005072
TI - Fowl Spirillosis.
PMID- 29005074
TI - The Proposed Bengal Hospital for the Insane.
PMID- 29005073
TI - Operations for Hydrocele: A Further Communication.
PMID- 29005076
TI - The Radical Cure of Hydrocele, by Incision and Eversion of the Sac.
PMID- 29005075
TI - Notes of a Successful Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29005077
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29005078
TI - The Bacterial Indicators of Water Pollution.
PMID- 29005079
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005081
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29005080
TI - The Cultivation and Preservation of Calf Lymph.
PMID- 29005082
TI - A Plea for a More General Use of Desmarre's Eye-Lid Retractor in Cataract
Extraction.
PMID- 29005083
TI - Abdominal Pain in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29005084
TI - Sepsis and Asepsis.
PMID- 29005085
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005086
TI - Coloptosis and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29005087
TI - A Case of Traumatic Femoral Aneurism.
PMID- 29005088
TI - Two Cases of Subcranial Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29005089
TI - Arthritis in Dysentery.
PMID- 29005090
TI - History of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29005092
TI - Notes on the High Rate of Infantile Mortality in Chingleput.
PMID- 29005091
TI - Conservancy in Small Towns.
PMID- 29005093
TI - Some Hospital Cases.
PMID- 29005094
TI - Unusual Cases of Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29005095
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29005096
TI - Aneurism of the Common Carotid Artery.
PMID- 29005097
TI - Albuminuria and the Duration of Albuminuria in Cholera.
PMID- 29005098
TI - Extra-Peritoneal Transplantation of Ureters into the Rectum.
PMID- 29005099
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005100
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29005101
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29005102
TI - A Case of "Typho-Malarial Fever".
PMID- 29005103
TI - Rheumatism: Its Forms, Course, Prevalence, Etiology in Relation to the Peculiar
Conditions of the Soil and Climate, and Treatment Adopted, Being a Short Resume
of 976 Cases Treated (1897-1906) at the Northern India Salt Revenue Hospital. And
Jodhpur Raj Dispensary at Bhatki Sanchor Luni Salt Sources, Marwar.
PMID- 29005104
TI - The Operation of Transplantation of the Cornea.
PMID- 29005105
TI - The Burma Government Medical School.
PMID- 29005106
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29005107
TI - Visit to Surgical Clinic of the Drs. Mayo at Rochester, U. S. A.
PMID- 29005109
TI - The Manual of Aseptic Surgery.
PMID- 29005108
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
PMID- 29005111
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005110
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29005112
TI - Civil Hospital Assistants.
PMID- 29005114
TI - Lotio Liquor Sodae Chlorinatae. An Excellent Dressing.
PMID- 29005113
TI - "Small" Incinerators.
PMID- 29005115
TI - Note on the Occurrence of Amoeba Coli in Port Blair, Andaman Islands.
PMID- 29005117
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29005116
TI - Recent Advances of Knowledge in Connection with Rabies.
PMID- 29005118
TI - A Fatal Case of Snake Poisoning.
PMID- 29005119
TI - Visit to the Augustana Hospital, Chicago, U. S. A.
PMID- 29005120
TI - The Plague in Kashmir.
PMID- 29005121
TI - Case of Sarcoma of the Temporal Fascia.
PMID- 29005122
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis in Bhagalpur in 1906.
PMID- 29005123
TI - History of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29005125
TI - Indian Birth-Rates.
PMID- 29005124
TI - A Case of Transverse Fracture of the Patella. Fragments Wired by the Open Method.
PMID- 29005126
TI - Malta Fever in the Punjab.
PMID- 29005128
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005127
TI - The Value of Creasote Inunction in Medicine.
PMID- 29005129
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29005130
TI - Malarial Pneumonia. Is There Such a Thing?
PMID- 29005131
TI - A Note on Two Native Remedies for Acute Dysentery.
PMID- 29005133
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005132
TI - Two Unusual Cases of the Presence of Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29005135
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29005134
TI - An Abnormal Origin of the Pectoralis Major.
PMID- 29005137
TI - The I. M. S. and the Army List.
PMID- 29005136
TI - Rectal Injections of Fresh Bile in Tropical Dysentery.
PMID- 29005138
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005139
TI - An Epidemic of Malignant Jaundice in Bombay.
PMID- 29005140
TI - Note on a Possible Case of Malta Fever.
PMID- 29005141
TI - Operations for Extirpation of the Spleen.
PMID- 29005143
TI - Leishman-Donovan Infection in a Gurkha.
PMID- 29005142
TI - Hepatic Abscess, and Some Points in the Diagnosis of Multiple Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 29005144
TI - A Case of Extra-Uterine Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005145
TI - An Experimental Investigation as to the Potency of Various Disinfectants against
Rat-Fleas.
PMID- 29005146
TI - William Hamilton and the Embassy to Delhi.
PMID- 29005147
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29005148
TI - The Grievances of Hospital Assistants.
PMID- 29005150
TI - Netley.
PMID- 29005149
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 475 in vol. 41.].
PMID- 29005151
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005152
TI - What Is Saturated Steam.
PMID- 29005153
TI - A Year's Experience of Malaria at the Out-Door Department of the Medical College
Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29005154
TI - Annus Medicus, 1906.
PMID- 29005155
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005156
TI - A Case of Retained Placenta. Expectant Method of Treatment.
PMID- 29005158
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005157
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Records : II.-The Incidence of
Tuberculous Diseases in Bengal.
PMID- 29005159
TI - Motor Cars for Medical Men in India.
PMID- 29005160
TI - A Case of Prostatectomy at the Dhubri Hospital.
PMID- 29005161
TI - Some Cases of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29005162
TI - Malarial Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29005163
TI - Quinine and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005164
TI - The Biliary Cirrhosis of Children: Otherwise Known as Infantile Liver.
PMID- 29005165
TI - Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29005166
TI - Quinine and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005167
TI - Tubercular Diseases in India.
PMID- 29005168
TI - Ozone as a Water Purifying Agent in India.
PMID- 29005169
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005171
TI - Puerperal Eclampsia.
PMID- 29005170
TI - Hydatid Cyst Growing from Vertebral Column.
PMID- 29005172
TI - Rupture of the Choroid with Traumatic Mydriasis.
PMID- 29005174
TI - Sick Passengers on Steamships.
PMID- 29005175
TI - Enormous Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29005173
TI - Eight Cases of Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29005177
TI - Widows' and Families' Pensions.
PMID- 29005176
TI - Quinine and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005179
TI - Motoring Notes.
PMID- 29005178
TI - Practical Notes on Gloves for Surgical Use.
PMID- 29005181
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005180
TI - Notes on Two Cases of Excision of the Rectum for Carcinoma.
PMID- 29005182
TI - The New Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29005183
TI - Blackwater Fever, Haemolysis and Quinine.
PMID- 29005184
TI - A Suggestion for the Treatment of Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 29005186
TI - Lycetol and Gout.
PMID- 29005185
TI - Pneumonia: Its Treatment by Iron.
PMID- 29005187
TI - Malarial Urticaria.
PMID- 29005189
TI - On Some Old Eighteenth Century Lists of the I. M. S.: I.-Bengal.
PMID- 29005188
TI - Notes on Two Unusual Sequelae of Plague.
PMID- 29005191
TI - Special Report of the Medical College Hospital for 1908.
PMID- 29005190
TI - The Causation of Sex.
PMID- 29005192
TI - The Far Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29005194
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005193
TI - The Sero-Diagnosis of Syphilis.
PMID- 29005196
TI - The Medical Section and Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29005195
TI - A Case of Pneumococcic Peritonitis.
PMID- 29005197
TI - A Note on the Epidemiology of Pneumonic Plague.
PMID- 29005198
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005200
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005199
TI - A Few Notes in Support of Captain Megaw's Article "Are Seven-Day Fever and Three
Day Fever Forms of Dengue?"
PMID- 29005201
TI - Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005202
TI - Supersensitiveness to Serum-Injections.
PMID- 29005203
TI - A Case of Volkman's Ischemic Paralysis of Both Forearms.
PMID- 29005204
TI - Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005205
TI - Hazaribagh and Tubercular Diseases.
PMID- 29005206
TI - Some Remarks on the Prevalence of Tuberculosis among Our Community.
PMID- 29005208
TI - Recent Research on the Heart's Action.
PMID- 29005207
TI - Tuberculosis Amongst Europeans in Calcutta.
PMID- 29005209
TI - Note on Darjeeling Climate in the Treatment of Phthisis.
PMID- 29005210
TI - Quackery in India.
PMID- 29005211
TI - The Incidence of Phthisis in Calcutta.
PMID- 29005212
TI - Determination of Age in the Living.
PMID- 29005214
TI - Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29005215
TI - Intestinal Animal Parasites in Monghyr.
PMID- 29005213
TI - Hazaribagh in Relation to Tubercular Disease and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29005216
TI - A Case of Encysted Stone in the Urethral Passage.
PMID- 29005217
TI - A Case of Dermoid Cyst.
PMID- 29005218
TI - Pyorrhoea Alveolaris.
PMID- 29005219
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005220
TI - A Case of Atropine Poisoning.
PMID- 29005222
TI - Sick Passengers on Liners.
PMID- 29005221
TI - The Medical Congress at Bombay.
PMID- 29005224
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29005223
TI - Post-Malarial Ascites.
PMID- 29005226
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005225
TI - The Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005227
TI - Indian Medical Congress, Bombay.
PMID- 29005229
TI - Tropical Examinations.
PMID- 29005228
TI - Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29005231
TI - Are "Seven-Day Fever" and "Three-Day Fever" Forms of Dengue?
PMID- 29005230
TI - Annus Medicus, 1908.
PMID- 29005232
TI - John Woodall, Surgeon-General.
PMID- 29005233
TI - Dengue and Seven-Day Fever.
PMID- 29005234
TI - Phagadenic Ulcers.
PMID- 29005235
TI - Phagadenic Ulcers.
PMID- 29005236
TI - The Legend of Gabriel Boughton.
PMID- 29005237
TI - Quinine and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005238
TI - The Etiology of Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29005239
TI - The Inoculation Accident in Manila, P. I., in 1906.
PMID- 29005240
TI - A Case of Myxoma.
PMID- 29005241
TI - Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005242
TI - The I. Subordinate M. Dept., and British Qualifications.
PMID- 29005243
TI - A Case of Acute Ascending (Landry's) Paralysis.
PMID- 29005245
TI - Haemaglobinuria in Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29005244
TI - A Case of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29005246
TI - Two Cases of Streptococcal Infection.
PMID- 29005248
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005247
TI - Splenic Anaemia (Banti's Disease).
PMID- 29005250
TI - Observations on Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29005249
TI - Puerperal Eclampsia.
PMID- 29005251
TI - Ascites and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005253
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005252
TI - Auto-Intoxication and the Lactic Acid Bacillus.
PMID- 29005254
TI - Notes on the Preparation, Assistance, After-Treatment and Management of Cataract
Cases.
PMID- 29005255
TI - A Case of Pancreatic Cyst Treated by Drainage.
PMID- 29005256
TI - A Case of Traumatic Aneurismal Varix.
PMID- 29005257
TI - Note on Two Cases of Chronic Dysentery, Treated with Forster's Anti-Dysenteric
Vaccine.
PMID- 29005258
TI - An Exceptional Case of Urticaria.
PMID- 29005259
TI - Pensions: Widows and Orphans.
PMID- 29005261
TI - Dengue and Chitral Fever.
PMID- 29005260
TI - Wanted.
PMID- 29005262
TI - Accidental Inoculation with the Virus of Plague.
PMID- 29005264
TI - Puerperal Eclampsia.
PMID- 29005263
TI - A Use for the Cupping-Glass.
PMID- 29005265
TI - The Sickness in the Russo-Japanese War.
PMID- 29005266
TI - The Occurrence of Accessory Lobules of the Spigelian Lobe of the Liver.
PMID- 29005267
TI - Antiseptic Surgery in Frontier Warfare.
PMID- 29005268
TI - Some Motor Cycles at the Stanley Show.
PMID- 29005269
TI - Katatonia in India.
PMID- 29005271
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005270
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005273
TI - The Sanatorium Treatment of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29005272
TI - A Round Celled Sarcoma.
PMID- 29005274
TI - The Date of Service for Pension Grievance.
PMID- 29005276
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette, March, 1909.
PMID- 29005275
TI - An Outbreak of Mumps.
PMID- 29005277
TI - Tubercle of the Lungs in Bengal Jails.
PMID- 29005278
TI - A Year's Abdominal Surgery.
PMID- 29005280
TI - Bites of the Echis Carinata.
PMID- 29005282
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005281
TI - Medical Research in India.
PMID- 29005284
TI - What the Indian Medical Service Has Done for India.
PMID- 29005283
TI - Case of Caecum & Appendix in Left Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29005286
TI - Sanitary Measures Taken during the Year 1911-12 in India.
PMID- 29005285
TI - The Intra-Capsular Operation for Cataract (Smith's Method) from the Point-Of-View
of the Civil Surgeon.
PMID- 29005287
TI - The Psycho-Analytic Method of Treatment of the Neuroses.
PMID- 29005289
TI - Medical Colleges, Schools and Hospitals in India.
PMID- 29005288
TI - Review of a Year's Medico-Legal Work in the Calcutta Morgue, 1911.
PMID- 29005290
TI - Ten Months' Work in Military Employ.
PMID- 29005291
TI - The Medical Services in 1911.
PMID- 29005292
TI - Our Special I. M. S. Number.
PMID- 29005293
TI - The Treatment of Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29005294
TI - The Treatment of Aural Sepsis.
PMID- 29005296
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005295
TI - A Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005298
TI - Foreign Body in the Throat.
PMID- 29005297
TI - Hypnotism and Psychotherapy.
PMID- 29005299
TI - Syphilis in Tibet.
PMID- 29005300
TI - The Bombay Medical Act.
PMID- 29005301
TI - Intestinal Parasites in the Wardha District.
PMID- 29005302
TI - Appointment to the Service Examination.
PMID- 29005303
TI - Sanitation in the Plains.
PMID- 29005304
TI - 126 Stones in the Bladder.
PMID- 29005305
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005307
TI - Air Movement in Association Wards.
PMID- 29005306
TI - Sanitation at the Volunteers' Camp, Delhi.
PMID- 29005308
TI - Some Notes on the Proposed Bill to Consolidate and Amend the Law Relating to
Lunacy.
PMID- 29005309
TI - Bicentenary of the School of Physic of Ireland: June, 1912.
PMID- 29005310
TI - American Degrees and Diplomas.
PMID- 29005311
TI - Design for the Out-Patients Department of a Small Indial Hospital.
PMID- 29005312
TI - Some Interesting Cases.
PMID- 29005313
TI - The Vaccine Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29005315
TI - Treatment of Small-Pox by Tincture of Iodine.
PMID- 29005314
TI - Opium Cures: "Combretum Sundaicum" and "Antipav".
PMID- 29005316
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29005317
TI - Rupture of the Spleen: Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 29005318
TI - A Change of Title.
PMID- 29005319
TI - A Cholera Season: Some Observations, Methods and Results.
PMID- 29005320
TI - Details of Vision of 132 Cases of Intracapsular Extraction of Cataract.
PMID- 29005321
TI - Inoculation and the Prevalence of Enteric and Paratyphoid Fevers in the European
Army.
PMID- 29005322
TI - Neo-Salvarsan.
PMID- 29005323
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005326
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005325
TI - Etiology of Deficiency Diseases.
PMID- 29005327
TI - The Treatment of Uterine Prolapse.
PMID- 29005324
TI - An Outbreak of Urticaria Epidemica.
PMID- 29005329
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29005328
TI - The Cinchona Alkaloids.
PMID- 29005330
TI - On Some New Anophelines of Calcutta.
PMID- 29005331
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005332
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29005333
TI - Cowdung and Domestic Hygiene.
PMID- 29005334
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005335
TI - Lamblia Intestinalis and Poona Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29005336
TI - Notes on Early Tubercular Disease of the Calcium.
PMID- 29005337
TI - The Value of Polyvalent Serum.
PMID- 29005338
TI - The Ganja Habit.
PMID- 29005340
TI - Surgical Work at the Prince of Wales' Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29005339
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29005342
TI - Medical Service in Campaigns.
PMID- 29005341
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005343
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005344
TI - A Case of Multiple Cysticercus Cellulosae.
PMID- 29005345
TI - A Provident Fund.
PMID- 29005346
TI - The Treatment of Sprains, Strains, etc., by Movement and Rubbing.
PMID- 29005347
TI - Cholera in the Campbell Hospital, 1911.
PMID- 29005348
TI - Treatment of Gallstones.
PMID- 29005350
TI - New Medical Journals.
PMID- 29005349
TI - A Case of Suppurating Ovarian Dermoid Cyst.
PMID- 29005352
TI - Intestinal Parasites in the Wardha District.
PMID- 29005351
TI - Black-Water Fever in Burma.
PMID- 29005353
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29005354
TI - Cure of Hydrocele by Lymphangioplasty. (Internal Drainage).
PMID- 29005355
TI - Ankylostome Infection.
PMID- 29005356
TI - A New Method of Intraperitoneal Administration of Rogers' Hypertonic Solution in
Cholera.
PMID- 29005358
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005357
TI - The Treatment of the Early Stages of Senile Cataract.
PMID- 29005360
TI - History of a Case of Myositis Ossificans.
PMID- 29005359
TI - The Specific Gravity of the Blood and Its Value in the Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29005361
TI - Treatment of Aural Sepsis.
PMID- 29005363
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005362
TI - The Need for Conferences among Medical Officers.
PMID- 29005364
TI - The Prevention of Guinea-Worm Disease.
PMID- 29005366
TI - Filariasis and Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29005365
TI - Haschisch.
PMID- 29005368
TI - The New Sanitary Scheme for India.
PMID- 29005367
TI - Cinchona Plantations in Bengal.
PMID- 29005369
TI - Intestinal Parasites in Lower Burma.
PMID- 29005370
TI - Treatment of Trachoma.
PMID- 29005371
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29005372
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005373
TI - The Use of Ultra-Violet Rays in the Sterilization of Water.
PMID- 29005374
TI - A Hitherto Undescribed Infective Disease in Rangoon.
PMID- 29005375
TI - Early Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29005376
TI - The Outbreak of Rat-Plague in Suffolk and the Manchurian Epidemic of Human
Plague.
PMID- 29005377
TI - Case of Lymphadenoma.
PMID- 29005378
TI - The Tuberculin Method of Treatment.
PMID- 29005379
TI - Death from Round Worms in the Throat.
PMID- 29005380
TI - An Outbreak of Epidemic Jaundice.
PMID- 29005381
TI - Second Clinical Report on the Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29005382
TI - Vital Statistics.
PMID- 29005383
TI - A Note on Platynemia of the Tibia.
PMID- 29005384
TI - The Diameter of the Cornea: Especially in Its Bearing on Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29005385
TI - Case Diagnosed Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis.
PMID- 29005386
TI - Extermination of Vermin-Solution D.
PMID- 29005388
TI - Martindale's Special Preparations.
PMID- 29005387
TI - Physaloptera Larvae in the Peritoneum.
PMID- 29005390
TI - A New Coating for Pills.
PMID- 29005389
TI - Query.
PMID- 29005391
TI - Action of White Santonin in Night-Blindness Due to Intestinal Worms.
PMID- 29005392
TI - The Acidosis Index.
PMID- 29005393
TI - Therapeutic Use of Tuberculin in Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29005394
TI - The Voluntary Boarder.
PMID- 29005396
TI - Sixty Cases of Amoebic Dysentery Illustrating the Treatment by Ipecacuanha and
Emetine Respectively.
PMID- 29005395
TI - Some Notes of an Epidemic of Dengue Form Fever Amongst Indian Troops, Calcutta.
PMID- 29005397
TI - Regulin.
PMID- 29005399
TI - Dengue Fever.
PMID- 29005398
TI - Emetine and Tropical Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29005400
TI - The Bacteriological Department.
PMID- 29005401
TI - Infantile Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29005402
TI - A Developmental Defect.
PMID- 29005403
TI - Treatment of Small-Pox by Tincture of Iodine.
PMID- 29005405
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005404
TI - Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 296 in vol. 47.].
PMID- 29005406
TI - Some Interesting Effects of Bromural in a Case of Advanced Diabetes.
PMID- 29005407
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005408
TI - Sanitary Reorganisation in Bengal.
PMID- 29005410
TI - Smith's Operation.
PMID- 29005409
TI - A Case of Multiple Hydatid. Infection of the Abdominal Viscera.
PMID- 29005412
TI - Bombay Medical Bill.
PMID- 29005411
TI - Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29005413
TI - A Case of Acute Polioencephalitis Superior: With Amentia: Recovery.
PMID- 29005415
TI - Note on Complement Deviation in the Sera of Vaccinated Calves.
PMID- 29005414
TI - A Case of Infantile Umbilical Hernia.
PMID- 29005416
TI - The Treatment of Trachoma.
PMID- 29005418
TI - The Treatment of Oriental Sore by CO2 Snow.
PMID- 29005417
TI - A Note on Some Cases of Probable Lathyrism.
PMID- 29005419
TI - Convict Marriages in the Andamans.
PMID- 29005421
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005420
TI - Food and Drugs Act in India.
PMID- 29005422
TI - Literary Notes.
PMID- 29005423
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005424
TI - A Case of Tetanus Infection from an Operation Wound.
PMID- 29005425
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Records : No. V.-Diseases of the Lung
Other Than Tubercle.
PMID- 29005426
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005427
TI - Treatment of Trachomatous Conditions by Sub-Conjunctival Injections of Cyanide of
Mercury.
PMID- 29005428
TI - The King George's Medical School College, Lucknow.
PMID- 29005429
TI - Observations on Three Hundred Cases of Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29005430
TI - Nastin Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29005431
TI - Popular Prejudices about Malaria and Quinine.
PMID- 29005432
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005433
TI - Insanity in the Andamans.
PMID- 29005435
TI - Formalin as a Poison for Flies.
PMID- 29005434
TI - Cases of Hydatid Cyst.
PMID- 29005436
TI - Rice as a Food.
PMID- 29005437
TI - Mongolian Birth Marks. An Anthropological Study.
PMID- 29005438
TI - Transfusion of Blood in 15th Century.
PMID- 29005439
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005440
TI - Large Renal Calculus.
PMID- 29005441
TI - A Peculiar Fever Met with on the N.-W. Frontier.
PMID- 29005442
TI - The Asylum Question in India.
PMID- 29005443
TI - Multiple Hydatidose Echinococcal Infection of the Abdominal Viscera.
PMID- 29005445
TI - Melon Eating and Choleraic Attacks.
PMID- 29005444
TI - Hypodermic Syringe.
PMID- 29005446
TI - Covering.
PMID- 29005447
TI - Indian Medical Service in 1911.
PMID- 29005448
TI - Air in the Bladder Amongst Women.
PMID- 29005449
TI - The Research Defence Society and Anti-Vivisection Shops.
PMID- 29005451
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005450
TI - Some Fractures Treated by Operations.
PMID- 29005452
TI - Appointment to the Service Examination.
PMID- 29005453
TI - Tetanus and Quinine.
PMID- 29005454
TI - Abor Arrow Poison.
PMID- 29005455
TI - Antistreptococcus Serum in Erysipelas.
PMID- 29005456
TI - Annus Medicus (1911).
PMID- 29005457
TI - An Improved Method of Using the Tonsil Guillotine.
PMID- 29005458
TI - Presidential Address.
PMID- 29005459
TI - The Bombay Sanitary Conference.
PMID- 29005460
TI - Cysticercus Cellulosae.
PMID- 29005462
TI - Some Notes on the Teaching of Anatomy.
PMID- 29005461
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005463
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29005464
TI - The Extraction of Cataract in Its Capsule, by Division of the Suspensory
Ligament.
PMID- 29005465
TI - Bugs and Their Remedy.
PMID- 29005466
TI - Hypodermic Syringe.
PMID- 29005467
TI - Abscess of Liver with Amoebae, but without Antecedent Bowel Disease.
PMID- 29005468
TI - A Fatal Case of Haemorrhage into the Pancreas.
PMID- 29005469
TI - 'Wellcome' Brand Streptococcus Vaccine, Dental.
PMID- 29005471
TI - An Investigation into the Treatment of Snake-Bite by Permanganate of Potassium.
PMID- 29005470
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Records.
PMID- 29005473
TI - Prevention of Pernicious Malaria.
PMID- 29005474
TI - Protein Element in Nutrition.
PMID- 29005472
TI - A Case in Which Von Pirquet's Reaction Was Followed by Ascites.
PMID- 29005475
TI - Case of Molluscum Fibrosum with Definite Family History.
PMID- 29005476
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005478
TI - 'Vaporole' Pituitary Extract 0.5 C.C.
PMID- 29005477
TI - Bullet Wound of the Lower End of the Femur. Death from Haemorrhage from the
Popliteal Artery Nine Days Later.
PMID- 29005480
TI - The Peristaltic Hormone.
PMID- 29005479
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005481
TI - Notes on a Case of Double Volvulus of the Large Intestines and on One of
Posterior Gastro-Jejunostomy.
PMID- 29005482
TI - Honours and Rewards.
PMID- 29005483
TI - A Special Type of Recurrent Fever Due to a Spirochaeta.
PMID- 29005484
TI - The Relationship between "Pyrexia of Uncertain Origin" and Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29005485
TI - Convict Marriages.
PMID- 29005486
TI - Glycerin as an Antiphlogistic.
PMID- 29005488
TI - Formalin against Flies.
PMID- 29005487
TI - Case of Abdominal Plague.
PMID- 29005489
TI - Presidential Address, Delivered at the Third Meeting of the General Malaria
Committee Held at Madras on the 18th November 1912.
PMID- 29005490
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005491
TI - Eclampsia and the Monsoon.
PMID- 29005493
TI - A Query.
PMID- 29005492
TI - Poisoning by Cassia Occidentalis.
PMID- 29005494
TI - Late Dr. Busteed, I.M.S.
PMID- 29005495
TI - Popularity of I. M. S.
PMID- 29005496
TI - Spirillar Fever in Darjeeling.
PMID- 29005497
TI - Case of Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29005499
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005498
TI - Radio-Activity.
PMID- 29005500
TI - White Men in the Tropics.
PMID- 29005501
TI - Case of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29005502
TI - Sir R. Ross and I.M.S.
PMID- 29005503
TI - Infelix Opportunitate.
PMID- 29005504
TI - Permanganate and Snake-Bite: A Reply.
PMID- 29005505
TI - Case of Conservative Surgery.
PMID- 29005506
TI - Sandfly Fever.
PMID- 29005507
TI - Surgery at Poona.
PMID- 29005508
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005510
TI - A Case of Rupture of Uterus in an Old Caesarean Section Scar.
PMID- 29005509
TI - Ascites and Cirrhosis.
PMID- 29005511
TI - Osteomalacic Pelvis, Full Term Pregnancy. Porro's Operation.
PMID- 29005512
TI - Indian Military Family Pension Fund.
PMID- 29005514
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005513
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005516
TI - The Intravenous Administration of Salvarsan.
PMID- 29005515
TI - Night-Soil Conservancy in Cantonments.
PMID- 29005517
TI - Lipo-Fibroma of the Tonsil.
PMID- 29005519
TI - Indian Military Family Pension Fund.
PMID- 29005518
TI - Bugs in Railway Carriages.
PMID- 29005520
TI - Canal Zone Medical Association.
PMID- 29005521
TI - Notes on an Epidemic of Pyrexia of Uncertain Origin.
PMID- 29005522
TI - A Case of Sub-Conjunctival Cysticercus Cellulosae.
PMID- 29005523
TI - Apparatus for the Treatment of Cholera by Hypertonic Saline Infusion.
PMID- 29005524
TI - Multiple Cysticercus Cellulosae of the Brain.
PMID- 29005525
TI - Intracapsular Removal of Cataract: Experiences and Suggestions.
PMID- 29005527
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005526
TI - Drugs and Drug Habits in Burma.
PMID- 29005528
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29005529
TI - A Resume of Researches on Endemic Goitre.
PMID- 29005530
TI - Averages of Weight and Chest Measurements of 705 Madras Coolies.
PMID- 29005531
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005532
TI - Organisms in Dysentery Stools.
PMID- 29005534
TI - Post-Graduate Study in Europe.
PMID- 29005533
TI - Some Observations on Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005535
TI - Zoological Nomenclature.
PMID- 29005536
TI - The Division of the Suspensory Ligament of the Lens, as a Preliminary to Intra
Capsular Extraction of Cataract.
PMID- 29005537
TI - The Treatment of Leprosy by the Use of a Vaccine Prepared from Cultivations of
the Leprosy Streptothrix.
PMID- 29005538
TI - On an Anopheline Allied to Myzomyia Listoni.
PMID- 29005540
TI - The Dawn of a Health Age.
PMID- 29005539
TI - Ownership of Prescriptions.
PMID- 29005541
TI - Operation Theatre with Accommodation for 20 Students.
PMID- 29005542
TI - The Lucknow Medical College.
PMID- 29005543
TI - A Few Notes about Melbourne and Its Hospitals.
PMID- 29005545
TI - Caecum in Left Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29005544
TI - The Uncovenanted and Subordinate Medical Services.
PMID- 29005547
TI - Research Defence Society.
PMID- 29005546
TI - The Value of Eucalyptus.
PMID- 29005549
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005548
TI - Annus Medicus.
PMID- 29005550
TI - Arrows and Arrow Wounds in Manbhoom.
PMID- 29005551
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005552
TI - Sir John McNeill, G C.B.
PMID- 29005554
TI - The Health of a Bengal District.
PMID- 29005553
TI - Historical Note on Cholera in India.
PMID- 29005555
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29005556
TI - A Case of Traumatic Rupture of the Prostatic Urethra.
PMID- 29005558
TI - A Medico-Legal Query.
PMID- 29005557
TI - Contents of a Hernial Sac.
PMID- 29005559
TI - A Case of General Paralysis of the Insane in a Native of India.
PMID- 29005561
TI - The Ipecacuanha Treatment in Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29005560
TI - Two Cases of Ascariasis.
PMID- 29005562
TI - A Forecast of Medical Matters.
PMID- 29005564
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005563
TI - Ligature of Carotid Artery.
PMID- 29005565
TI - Leucoderma in Burma.
PMID- 29005567
TI - The Incidence of Diphtheria in India.
PMID- 29005566
TI - A Rational Puerperium.
PMID- 29005568
TI - Dilatation of the Anus as a Means of Resuscitation in Chloroform Anaesthesia with
Suggestion for Its Use in Cases of Drowning.
PMID- 29005569
TI - Rubber Gloves in Modern Midwifery Practice in India.
PMID- 29005571
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005570
TI - A North-East Frontier Expedition.
PMID- 29005572
TI - Laboratory Work in Military Hospitals.
PMID- 29005574
TI - Blood Pressure in Natives.
PMID- 29005573
TI - Supplement to "The Indian Medical Gazette." May, 1911.
PMID- 29005576
TI - Haemateikona. The Significance of the Blood Picture in Disease.
PMID- 29005575
TI - Hill Climates.
PMID- 29005577
TI - A Case of Tetanus.
PMID- 29005578
TI - Military Assistant-Surgeons' Memorial.
PMID- 29005579
TI - A Peculiar Pigmentary Condition.
PMID- 29005580
TI - Gall-Bladder Affections.
PMID- 29005581
TI - A Modern Hospital for the Insane.
PMID- 29005582
TI - Air Injection for Sciatica.
PMID- 29005584
TI - Military Medical Subordinates.
PMID- 29005583
TI - The Plague of Flies.
PMID- 29005585
TI - Some Considerations of Medical Education.
PMID- 29005587
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005586
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Records-IV. Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29005588
TI - Bugs in Railway Carriages.
PMID- 29005589
TI - Treatment of Kala-Azar by the Hypodermic Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 29005590
TI - Doctors in Parliament.
PMID- 29005591
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005592
TI - A Speculation on Diabetes Mellitus: Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29005593
TI - On the Technique of Hypodermic Injection.
PMID- 29005594
TI - Sand-Fly Fever in Chitral.
PMID- 29005595
TI - An Unusual Complication in Lithotomy.
PMID- 29005597
TI - Pancreatic Cysts.
PMID- 29005596
TI - A Method of Performing Gastro-Jejunostomy.
PMID- 29005598
TI - Claud Martin and the Operation for Stone.
PMID- 29005599
TI - Remarks on Ascariasis.
PMID- 29005600
TI - Rural Insanitation.
PMID- 29005602
TI - Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29005601
TI - Hill Health Resorts in India.
PMID- 29005603
TI - Study Leave, Promotion and Ordinary Leave.
PMID- 29005604
TI - Wounds Inflicted by Tigers, Panthers and Bears.
PMID- 29005605
TI - Liver Abscess, Aspiration and Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 29005607
TI - Length of Russel's Viper.
PMID- 29005606
TI - Ulcerated and Swollen Gums in the Native Army.
PMID- 29005608
TI - Reply.
PMID- 29005610
TI - Native Gun-Powder Injuries of the Eye.
PMID- 29005609
TI - The Freiburg Eye Clinic.
PMID- 29005611
TI - Exploratory Laparotomy in Affections of the Gall-Bladder and Bile-Ducts.
PMID- 29005612
TI - Use of Mosquito Nets in Ancient Egypt.
PMID- 29005613
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005614
TI - Medico-Legal Value of the Biochemical Test for Blood-Stains.
PMID- 29005615
TI - An Aid to the Diagnosis of Poisonous Snakes.
PMID- 29005616
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005618
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005617
TI - Wanted, Back Numbers of "Indian Medical Gazette".
PMID- 29005619
TI - Modern Midwifery Practice in India.
PMID- 29005620
TI - A Query.
PMID- 29005621
TI - A 50-Rupee Operating Theatre.
PMID- 29005623
TI - "The Prevention of Malaria." A Review Reviewed.
PMID- 29005622
TI - Research Defence Society.
PMID- 29005624
TI - Solid Carbon Dioxide: Its Preparation and Indications for Use.
PMID- 29005625
TI - The Light for Eye Work.
PMID- 29005626
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005627
TI - The Medical Services in 1910.
PMID- 29005628
TI - The Examination of the Faeces for Ova of Intestinal Parasites.
PMID- 29005629
TI - Service Note.
PMID- 29005630
TI - More Notes on Jail Dysentery.
PMID- 29005631
TI - Three Cases of Pseudo-Muscular Hypertrophy in One Family.
PMID- 29005632
TI - Infantile Biliary Cirrhosis.
PMID- 29005633
TI - A Case of Tetanus: Treated by Bacelli's Method in Conjunction with Antitetanic
Serum.
PMID- 29005635
TI - Quinine and Malaria.
PMID- 29005634
TI - The Treatment of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29005636
TI - The Use of Bismuth Paste in Chronic Suppurations.
PMID- 29005637
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005638
TI - Paludism.
PMID- 29005639
TI - Malarial Cachexia, and the Value of Arylarsenates in the Treatment.
PMID- 29005640
TI - Review of "A Review Reviewed".
PMID- 29005641
TI - Notes on Some Interesting Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29005642
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005643
TI - Notes on Two Unusual Cases of Head Injury.
PMID- 29005644
TI - On the Nature of the Epidemic Fever in Lower Bengal Commonly Known as Burdwan
Fever. (1854-75).
PMID- 29005645
TI - A Case of Puerperal Eclampsia.
PMID- 29005646
TI - Dengue-Like Fevers.
PMID- 29005647
TI - Quinine without Tetanus.
PMID- 29005648
TI - Notes on a Case of Tetanus with Two Severe Relapses at Long Intervals.
PMID- 29005649
TI - Civil Sub-Asst. Surgeons' English Qualification Examination.
PMID- 29005650
TI - A Case of Tetanus Treated by Chloretone.
PMID- 29005651
TI - A Case of Anencephalic Monster.
PMID- 29005652
TI - Drug Adulteration in India.
PMID- 29005653
TI - Some Comments of the Amrita Bazar Patrika.
PMID- 29005654
TI - A Medico-Legal Query.
PMID- 29005655
TI - Rural Insanitation in Bengal.
PMID- 29005656
TI - A Case of Malignant OEdema.
PMID- 29005657
TI - Treatment of Local Sores by Carbon Dioxide Snow.
PMID- 29005658
TI - Punjab Anti-Malarial Campaign.
PMID- 29005659
TI - The Treatment of Granular Ophthalmia by the Sub-Conjunctival Injection of a
Solution of Cyanide of Mercury.
PMID- 29005660
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005661
TI - The Treatment of Acute Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 29005662
TI - Covering Unqualified Work.
PMID- 29005663
TI - Leprosy and Nastin.
PMID- 29005664
TI - Ascariasis Simulating Appendicitis.
PMID- 29005665
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005666
TI - A Medical Research Fund for India.
PMID- 29005668
TI - A Fracture of Skull.
PMID- 29005667
TI - Serpents and Vitality.
PMID- 29005669
TI - Puerperal Eclampsia.
PMID- 29005670
TI - Case of General Paralysis.
PMID- 29005671
TI - Molluscum Fibroma.
PMID- 29005672
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005673
TI - Molluscum Fibroma.
PMID- 29005674
TI - The Suppression of Plague and Malaria.
PMID- 29005675
TI - The Andamans: The Prevalence of Malaria and Its Adverse Effect on the Health of
the Convicts.
PMID- 29005676
TI - Pelvic Suppurations.
PMID- 29005677
TI - Subluxation of the Penis.
PMID- 29005678
TI - Tetanus and Quinine: A Consideration of the Value to Clinical Medicine of the
Recent Memoir by Sir D. Semple upon the Relation of Tetanus to the Injection of
Quinine.
PMID- 29005679
TI - I. M. S. & Post-Graduate Study.
PMID- 29005680
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29005681
TI - Thanatophidia: A Few More Constant Signs for Diagnosing Certain Snakes, and a
Hint on Treatment.
PMID- 29005682
TI - On the Biology of Black Mycetoma.
PMID- 29005683
TI - Hemiplegia with Lesion in the Crus-Cerebri.
PMID- 29005684
TI - A Case of Gastro-Enterostomy.
PMID- 29005685
TI - Bombay Malaria.
PMID- 29005687
TI - The Thermal Springs of India.
PMID- 29005686
TI - A Salvarsan Series.
PMID- 29005688
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005689
TI - A Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29005690
TI - Staff Tours and Their Uses.
PMID- 29005691
TI - A Simple Means of Administering Salvarsan.
PMID- 29005692
TI - A Case of Madura Foot.
PMID- 29005693
TI - A Case of Delirious Malaria.
PMID- 29005694
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005696
TI - A Case of Strangulated Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29005695
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005697
TI - Kerosene against Bed Bugs.
PMID- 29005698
TI - Rural Insanitation.
PMID- 29005699
TI - Perforating Wound of the Heart.
PMID- 29005701
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005700
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005702
TI - Radio-Activity of Some Thermal Springs in Bombay.
PMID- 29005703
TI - The Health of British Troops in India.
PMID- 29005704
TI - Sub-Asst.-Surgeons' Examinations.
PMID- 29005705
TI - Worms and Appendicitis.
PMID- 29005707
TI - Leech in the Air Passages.
PMID- 29005706
TI - Hepatitis and Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 29005709
TI - Tetanus and Quinine.
PMID- 29005708
TI - The Food and Drugs Act.
PMID- 29005710
TI - An Uncommon Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29005711
TI - Ultramicroscopic Vision.
PMID- 29005712
TI - Blood Pressure.
PMID- 29005713
TI - Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29005715
TI - New Pattern Urinal (For Use in Forts).
PMID- 29005714
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005717
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005716
TI - On Two Varieties of Relapsing Fever Spirochaetal Infection in India.
PMID- 29005718
TI - Review of a Year's Medico-Legal Work in the Calcutta Morgue, 1910.
PMID- 29005720
TI - The Personal Factor in Sanitation.
PMID- 29005719
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005721
TI - Rupture of Uterus with Recovery.
PMID- 29005722
TI - Remedy for the Bugs in Railway Carriages.
PMID- 29005723
TI - A Simple and Cheap Litholapaxy Evacuator.
PMID- 29005724
TI - Primitive Methods in Rice Milling.
PMID- 29005725
TI - A Case of Mesenteric Thrombosis.
PMID- 29005726
TI - Some Unusual Cases.
PMID- 29005728
TI - Snake-Poisoning in the Hills (7,400 Ft.).
PMID- 29005727
TI - Queries on Leprosy.
PMID- 29005729
TI - Imperial Medical Reform.
PMID- 29005731
TI - Caecum and Appendix in Hernia.
PMID- 29005730
TI - Review of a Years' Medico-Legal Work in the Calcutta Morgue, 1912: Including
Comparative Figures for the Triennium 1910-1912.
PMID- 29005732
TI - A Remedy for Prickly Heat.
PMID- 29005734
TI - Rheumatism after Rat-Bite.
PMID- 29005735
TI - Chronic Epididymitis.
PMID- 29005733
TI - Loose Teeth in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005736
TI - A Mild Epidemic of Jaundice.
PMID- 29005737
TI - Free Dispensaries for Poor Children.
PMID- 29005738
TI - Malarial Gangrene.
PMID- 29005739
TI - Excision of the Thyroid.
PMID- 29005740
TI - A Morphin Containing Patent Drug.
PMID- 29005742
TI - The Pituitary Gland in Labour.
PMID- 29005741
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005743
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005745
TI - The Medical Board of India Office.
PMID- 29005744
TI - Agchylostoma Ceylanicum, a New Human Parasite.
PMID- 29005747
TI - Mental Derangements in India: A Criticism (Communicated).
PMID- 29005746
TI - Spirillar Fever in the Darjeeling District, 1912.
PMID- 29005748
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005749
TI - Health of the American Army.
PMID- 29005750
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005751
TI - Notes on 100 Consecutive Laparotomies Performed for Pyo-Salpinx in the Civil
General Hospital, Rangoon.
PMID- 29005752
TI - A Note on Judicial Hanging.
PMID- 29005753
TI - The Sero-Diagnosis of Syphilis.
PMID- 29005754
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005755
TI - The Civil Surgeon and the Independent Local Profession of India.
PMID- 29005757
TI - Cocoanut Oil as an Insecticide.
PMID- 29005756
TI - Smith's Operation.
PMID- 29005758
TI - Dengue at Meerut.
PMID- 29005759
TI - The Flexner Report on Medical Education.
PMID- 29005760
TI - Natives of India in the I.M.S.
PMID- 29005761
TI - Blue Patches on Newborn Infants.
PMID- 29005762
TI - Can Cholelithiasis Be Successfully Treated without Operation?
PMID- 29005763
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005764
TI - Life Assurance in India.
PMID- 29005765
TI - The Common Disease of Hill People.
PMID- 29005766
TI - Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29005767
TI - Salvarsan in Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29005768
TI - Dysentery in Raipur Central Jail.
PMID- 29005770
TI - Relapsing Fever in Darjeeling District.
PMID- 29005769
TI - Dengue in Guzrat.
PMID- 29005772
TI - Medical Education in London.
PMID- 29005771
TI - Cobra Poisoning Case.
PMID- 29005773
TI - Optimism v. Pessimism in I.M.S.
PMID- 29005774
TI - Steam Sterilization and the Choice of a Sterilizer.
PMID- 29005775
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005776
TI - Sinus Cured by Iodine.
PMID- 29005777
TI - Ankylostomes in Bengal.
PMID- 29005778
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005779
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29005780
TI - Canula for Intravenous Injections.
PMID- 29005781
TI - The Preparation Jintan.
PMID- 29005782
TI - Treatment of Snake Bite.
PMID- 29005783
TI - Iodine and Vaccination.
PMID- 29005784
TI - Sunday Holidays.
PMID- 29005785
TI - Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29005786
TI - Absence of Both Upper Extremities.
PMID- 29005787
TI - Disease Carriers.
PMID- 29005788
TI - Fracture of Spine.
PMID- 29005789
TI - Two Cysts.
PMID- 29005790
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005791
TI - Fracture of Skull.
PMID- 29005792
TI - Gluteal Abscess.
PMID- 29005793
TI - Renal Case.
PMID- 29005794
TI - The Women's Medical Service.
PMID- 29005796
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005795
TI - Effects of Iodoform.
PMID- 29005797
TI - Some Interesting Cases.
PMID- 29005798
TI - Typoparatyphoid Vaccine.
PMID- 29005799
TI - Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29005800
TI - Medical Conference.
PMID- 29005801
TI - Malaria and Colour.
PMID- 29005802
TI - Local Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29005803
TI - Vital Statistics, Gupta.
PMID- 29005804
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005806
TI - Fry's Report on Malaria in Bengal.
PMID- 29005805
TI - An Improved Method for Staining "Negri Bodies".
PMID- 29005807
TI - Travelling Dispensaries in United Provinces.
PMID- 29005808
TI - The Service during 1912.
PMID- 29005810
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005809
TI - White Colonies in the Tropics.
PMID- 29005811
TI - Quartan Parasites and Kidney Disease.
PMID- 29005812
TI - History of I. M. S.: Courts-Martial.
PMID- 29005813
TI - Recent Research on Cholera in India.
PMID- 29005814
TI - An Efficient Sterilizer for Use in Small Towns.
PMID- 29005816
TI - I. M. S. Promotion 30 Years Ago.
PMID- 29005815
TI - Professional Examination for Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 29005817
TI - Pneumonic Plague in Manchuria.
PMID- 29005818
TI - Pyorrhoea Alveolaris in Sylhet Jail.
PMID- 29005819
TI - Annus Medicus, 1912.
PMID- 29005820
TI - The Deficiency Diseases.
PMID- 29005821
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005822
TI - Arsenic in the Treatment of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29005823
TI - A Case of Ovarian Foetation.
PMID- 29005824
TI - Acute Yellow Atrophy of the Liver.
PMID- 29005826
TI - The Leave Difficulty.
PMID- 29005825
TI - Sanitarium Treatment for Phthisis.
PMID- 29005827
TI - A Case of Bagdad Sores.
PMID- 29005828
TI - Trichostrongylus Colubriformis (Giles 1892), a Human Parasite.
PMID- 29005829
TI - Extraction of the Lens in Its Capsule.
PMID- 29005830
TI - The Nastin Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29005831
TI - The Sanitary Requirements of a Slaughter-House in India.
PMID- 29005832
TI - Control of the Eye in Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29005833
TI - Infelix Ager.
PMID- 29005835
TI - The Services in 1912.
PMID- 29005834
TI - Indian Sanitary Reforms.
PMID- 29005836
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005837
TI - An Unusual Case of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29005838
TI - A Rough and Ready Field Sterilizer.
PMID- 29005839
TI - Hat-Pin in the Duodenum.
PMID- 29005840
TI - Emetine and Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29005842
TI - The New I. M. S. Warrant.
PMID- 29005841
TI - Pyosalpinx.
PMID- 29005843
TI - Sterilized Pus for the Treatment of Infectious.
PMID- 29005844
TI - The Psychology of the Anus.
PMID- 29005845
TI - A Remedy for Prickly Heat.
PMID- 29005846
TI - The Madras General Hospital.
PMID- 29005847
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005848
TI - Datura Poisoning.
PMID- 29005849
TI - A Case of Torsion of the Spermatic Cord.
PMID- 29005850
TI - Salvarsan on Tea Estates.
PMID- 29005851
TI - A Note on the Preparation and Use of Subgallate of Bismuth Gauze.
PMID- 29005852
TI - The Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29005853
TI - A Case of Infantile Convulsions Due to "Ascarides".
PMID- 29005854
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Records: No. VII, Diseases of the Nervous
System.
PMID- 29005855
TI - Some Notes on Surgical Experience in the Turco-Balkan War.
PMID- 29005856
TI - A Large Uterine Fibroid.
PMID- 29005857
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005858
TI - Some Observations on the Aetiology of the Malaria in Bengal.
PMID- 29005859
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005860
TI - Review on 422 Cataracts Done by "Smith's Method".
PMID- 29005861
TI - A Case of Serum Therapeutics.
PMID- 29005862
TI - Canal Zone Medical Association : October 1911 to March 1912. (Vol. IV, Pt. 2.).
PMID- 29005863
TI - Some Signs of Typhoid Fever and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29005864
TI - A Residual Eruption in Small-Pox.
PMID- 29005865
TI - An Answer to the Query under Date November '12.
PMID- 29005866
TI - Pneumococcal Peritonitis.
PMID- 29005867
TI - Anaphylaxis.
PMID- 29005868
TI - Trachoma, a Chapter in Military Medicine.
PMID- 29005869
TI - Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29005870
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005871
TI - Appendicitis in a Hernial Sac.
PMID- 29005872
TI - Special Promotions in I. M. S.
PMID- 29005873
TI - "Flaming" in Prevention of Plague and Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29005874
TI - Two Cases Treated Successfully by Psycho-Therapy.
PMID- 29005876
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005875
TI - Some Malarial Problems in Bengal.
PMID- 29005877
TI - Information in Poisoning Cases.
PMID- 29005879
TI - The Value of Amorphous Cinchona Alkaloid in Malaria.
PMID- 29005878
TI - Abdominal Section.
PMID- 29005880
TI - A Case of Perforating Enteric Ulcer of the Ileum.
PMID- 29005882
TI - Sub-Assistant-Surgeons.
PMID- 29005881
TI - The Puerperium and Its Relation to Puerperal Fever.
PMID- 29005883
TI - Heat-Stroke.
PMID- 29005884
TI - Some New Methods of Treatment.
PMID- 29005885
TI - Civil Surgeons in Bengal and Bihar.
PMID- 29005886
TI - Thoraco-Abdominal Injury with Prolapse of the Stomach.
PMID- 29005887
TI - Malaria and Mosquitoes in the Kashmir Valley.
PMID- 29005888
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005889
TI - Mental Derangements in India.
PMID- 29005890
TI - European Doctors in the Mofussal.
PMID- 29005891
TI - Dress Regulations, I.M.S.
PMID- 29005892
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005893
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005894
TI - Iodine as an Aid to Aseptic Vaccination.
PMID- 29005895
TI - Night-Soil Incineration in Cantonments.
PMID- 29005897
TI - The Modern Hospital.
PMID- 29005896
TI - Relapsing Fever in Bulandshahr District.
PMID- 29005899
TI - Four Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29005898
TI - Multiple Injuries of the Face and Head.
PMID- 29005900
TI - Surgical Cases: A Case of Left Buccal Cancer with Involvement of Superior
Maxillar and Grandular Enlargement. Excision of Cheek and Partial Excision of
Upper Jaw; Subsequent Removal of Glands.
PMID- 29005902
TI - The Amorphous Cinchona Alkaloids.
PMID- 29005901
TI - The Incidence of Malaria in the Town of Arambagh.
PMID- 29005903
TI - Malaria in the Andamans: Fever with Jaundice Cases.
PMID- 29005905
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005904
TI - The Serum Diagnosis of Tubercle by Alexin Fixation.
PMID- 29005906
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005907
TI - Ligation of the Internal Iliac and Ovarian Arteries.
PMID- 29005908
TI - The Pure Amorphous Alkaloid (Of Cinchona).
PMID- 29005910
TI - On the Radio-Activity of Some Springs in Bombay.
PMID- 29005909
TI - Congenital Absence of Left Half of Diaphragm.
PMID- 29005911
TI - Faecal Fistula of 12 Months' Duration: The Result of Strangulated Right Inguinal
Hernia.
PMID- 29005913
TI - Mental Derangement in India: A Reply to a Criticism.
PMID- 29005912
TI - Idiosyncrasy to Common Salt.
PMID- 29005914
TI - Pitutrin in Parturition.
PMID- 29005915
TI - Hints on the Administration of Chloroform.
PMID- 29005916
TI - Bounding Bed-Bugs.
PMID- 29005917
TI - Typhoid Fever in Travancore.
PMID- 29005918
TI - A Quantitative Estimation of Chlorides in the Blood.
PMID- 29005919
TI - The Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Malaria and Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29005920
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29005921
TI - Some Unusual Forms of the Parasite of Pernicious Malaria, Found in Blackwater
Fever.
PMID- 29005922
TI - Report on Cases of Leprosy Treated with Leproline during 1911-12 in the Bilaspur
District.
PMID- 29005924
TI - Infirmities as Shown by the Census.
PMID- 29005923
TI - Sanitary Organisation of Our Army in India in War.
PMID- 29005926
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005925
TI - Blue Patches on New Born Infants.
PMID- 29005927
TI - Overcrowding in Barracks and Tubercular Affections among Gurkhas.
PMID- 29005929
TI - Pappataci Fever.
PMID- 29005928
TI - Formalin against Flies.
PMID- 29005930
TI - The Differential Blood Count in Dengue.
PMID- 29005931
TI - The Problem of Dengue, Three-Day and Seven-Day Fever.
PMID- 29005932
TI - A Theory of the Relations of the Malarial Plasmodium to Its Alternative Hosts.
PMID- 29005934
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005933
TI - The Smith Operation.
PMID- 29005936
TI - The Last of Our Lucknow Veterans.
PMID- 29005937
TI - Tropical Medicine at the Ghent Exhibition.
PMID- 29005935
TI - Re Bedbugs and Their Destruction.
PMID- 29005938
TI - Is Syphilis a Factor in Blackwater Fever?
PMID- 29005939
TI - A Case of Myelocythaemia.
PMID- 29005940
TI - A Note in Frontier Sores.
PMID- 29005941
TI - Devil Driving.
PMID- 29005942
TI - A Surgical Curiosity.
PMID- 29005943
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29005945
TI - Note on the Use of Chionanthus Virginiana in Diseases of the Liver.
PMID- 29005944
TI - Delayed Chloroform Poisoning.
PMID- 29005946
TI - Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29005947
TI - Intestinal Obstruction and Scurvy.
PMID- 29005948
TI - A Note on Some Uses of a Modified Purin-Free Diet.
PMID- 29005950
TI - Competition for the I. M. S.
PMID- 29005949
TI - The Indian Journal of Medical Research.
PMID- 29005951
TI - On the Use of Scopolamine, Morphine and Atropine during Chloroform Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29005952
TI - Excision of the Thyroid, at the Sree Sree Sree Bir Hospital, Nepal.
PMID- 29005953
TI - Relapsing Fever in Chitral.
PMID- 29005954
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005955
TI - Round Worms and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29005956
TI - Dengue.
PMID- 29005957
TI - Modern Food Reformers.
PMID- 29005959
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005958
TI - Enlargement of the Prostate in Natives of India.
PMID- 29005960
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29005961
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29005962
TI - Report on the Prevalence of Yaws in the Lower Chindwin District, Upper Burma.
PMID- 29005963
TI - The Treatment of Chronically Enlarged Spleen Cases.
PMID- 29005965
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction, Due to a Stone; Operation : Recovery.
PMID- 29005964
TI - An Analysis of 50 Consecutive Abdominal Sections for Female Pelvic Disease.
PMID- 29005966
TI - Examining for Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29005967
TI - A Case of Total Extirpation of the Prostate by Freyer's Suprapubic Method.
PMID- 29005968
TI - The Anointing of the Bladder in the After-Treatment of Operations for Vesical
Calculi.
PMID- 29005969
TI - A Note on Alypin.
PMID- 29005970
TI - Leishman-Donovan Infection in Europeans.
PMID- 29005971
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005972
TI - De Senectute.
PMID- 29005973
TI - Case of Fractured Pelvis.
PMID- 29005974
TI - New Surgical Block, Calcutta Medical College.
PMID- 29005975
TI - Cases of Recurrent Plague.
PMID- 29005977
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005976
TI - Notes on Rupture of the Spleen (Second Series).
PMID- 29005978
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005979
TI - Malarial Fevers among Europeans in Calcutta, and Their Differentiation from the
Seven-Day Influenza-Like Fever.
PMID- 29005980
TI - The Presence of Balantidium Coli in India.
PMID- 29005981
TI - The History of the Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29005982
TI - The Etiology of Hill Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29005983
TI - Rats and Plague at Giridih.
PMID- 29005985
TI - Public Health.
PMID- 29005984
TI - A Disclaimer.
PMID- 29005986
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29005987
TI - Gall-Stone. Cholelithotomy.
PMID- 29005988
TI - Special Senses.
PMID- 29005990
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29005989
TI - Notes on the Last Plague Epidemic in Giridih.
PMID- 29005991
TI - The Double Commissions.
PMID- 29005992
TI - The Three Days Fever of Chitral : A Contribution to the Study of the Unclassed
Fevers of India.
PMID- 29005993
TI - Case of Piroplasmosis-Splenectomy Followed in Eight Months by Death.
PMID- 29005994
TI - Use of Arsenic, &c., Hypodermically.
PMID- 29005995
TI - The Epidemiology of Plague.
PMID- 29005996
TI - Annus Medicus, 1905.
PMID- 29005997
TI - Ivory Exostosis of Upper Jaw.
PMID- 29005998
TI - Obstetrics and Midwifery.
PMID- 29005999
TI - Foreign Extracts.
PMID- 29006000
TI - Paratyphoid in India.
PMID- 29006002
TI - Forms of Pyrexia Due to Leishman-Donovan's Bodies.
PMID- 29006001
TI - A Case of Recurrent Plague.
PMID- 29006003
TI - Leprosy and Fish Eating: Communicated.
PMID- 29006004
TI - Perforation of Lung with a Sharp-Pointed Iron Rod-Recovery.
PMID- 29006005
TI - Yaws.
PMID- 29006007
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29006006
TI - The Supply of Drinking Water in India and Its Connection with the Subsoil Water.
PMID- 29006008
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29006009
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006010
TI - The Treatments of Dysentery.
PMID- 29006011
TI - Cryptorchides.
PMID- 29006012
TI - A Specific for Whooping Cough.
PMID- 29006013
TI - A Case of Stab Wound of the Spinal Cord.
PMID- 29006014
TI - Yaws in Manipur State.
PMID- 29006015
TI - Leishman-Donovan Infection in U. P.
PMID- 29006016
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule v. the Ordinary or Capsule-Laceration
Method.
PMID- 29006017
TI - Round Worms and Appendicitis.
PMID- 29006018
TI - On Couching of the Lens, as Practised by Native Practitioners in India.
PMID- 29006019
TI - Bacillus Leprae, Gnats and Bugs.
PMID- 29006021
TI - Special Senses.
PMID- 29006020
TI - Aneurism in Child.
PMID- 29006023
TI - A Manual for Junior I.M.S. Officers.
PMID- 29006022
TI - Cataract Expression (Smith's Operation): Results in 175 Operations.
PMID- 29006024
TI - Some Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29006025
TI - Malarial Fevers in India.
PMID- 29006026
TI - Three Unusual Cases of Hernia.
PMID- 29006027
TI - Rats and Plague at Giridih.
PMID- 29006029
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006028
TI - Irrigation in Cataract.
PMID- 29006031
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29006030
TI - A Note on the Value of Revaccination.
PMID- 29006032
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29006034
TI - On the Surgical Treatment of Prostatic Disease.
PMID- 29006033
TI - The Balantidium Coli in India.
PMID- 29006035
TI - Medicine.
PMID- 29006036
TI - Some Practical Points about Vaccine Lymph.
PMID- 29006037
TI - Japanese Medical Arrangements.
PMID- 29006038
TI - The Daturas of Malaya.
PMID- 29006039
TI - Cysticercus Cellulosae of Tongue: With a Note on the Helminthology of One of the
Madras Jails.
PMID- 29006041
TI - Diphtheria and Antitoxic Serum.
PMID- 29006040
TI - Splenic Abscess in Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29006042
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29006043
TI - Extraction of the Lens in Its Capsule: An Experience of 311 Cases, and a Method
of Recording Cases.
PMID- 29006044
TI - A Further Note on Irrigation in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29006045
TI - A Typhoid Fever Case (Paratyphoid) in the Ferozepore Jail.
PMID- 29006047
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 163 in vol. 41.].
PMID- 29006046
TI - Curious Formation of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29006048
TI - Ten Days' Pigmentary Fever of Bengal.
PMID- 29006049
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29006050
TI - The Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 29006052
TI - Doctors in Parliament.
PMID- 29006051
TI - Medico-Legal Notes from Alipur.
PMID- 29006053
TI - Notes on a Case of Fungus Disease of India (Mycetoma or Madura Foot).
PMID- 29006055
TI - Notes on Ophthalmic Surgery.
PMID- 29006054
TI - Medical Cases.
PMID- 29006056
TI - Medical Cases.
PMID- 29006057
TI - Relapsing Fever in the 109th Infantry.
PMID- 29006058
TI - Hill Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29006059
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29006060
TI - An Old Account of Yaws.
PMID- 29006061
TI - Enlargement of the Prostate.
PMID- 29006063
TI - A Medical Visitor's Thanks.
PMID- 29006062
TI - Intra-Capsular Irrigation in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29006064
TI - The Government of India, the Medical Service and Their Critics.
PMID- 29006065
TI - Puri as a Health Resort for Bengal.
PMID- 29006066
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006067
TI - Notes on the Prevalence of Hill Diarrhoea in Maymyo.
PMID- 29006068
TI - Notes on Insanity, with Illustrative Cases.
PMID- 29006069
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29006070
TI - Case of Litholopaxy.
PMID- 29006071
TI - Surgical Cases from Swat Valley.
PMID- 29006073
TI - Dechlorination and Dropsy.
PMID- 29006072
TI - Opticociliary Neurectomy.
PMID- 29006076
TI - I. M. S. and the Army List.
PMID- 29006075
TI - A Midwifery Case.
PMID- 29006074
TI - Plague in Madras.
PMID- 29006077
TI - Revolver Bullet Wound.
PMID- 29006078
TI - Large Abdominal Viscera.
PMID- 29006079
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29006080
TI - The Flaming Method of Sterilization.
PMID- 29006081
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006082
TI - Epidemiology of Plague.
PMID- 29006083
TI - Suprapubic Lithotomy.
PMID- 29006084
TI - Foreign Body in Eye.
PMID- 29006085
TI - Surgery of the Lung.
PMID- 29006086
TI - Is Calcutta Seven-Day Fever Dengue?
PMID- 29006087
TI - Public Health.
PMID- 29006088
TI - The Spread of Plague.
PMID- 29006089
TI - Malarial Fever with Aphasia.
PMID- 29006090
TI - The Bed-Bug and the Transmission of Disease.
PMID- 29006091
TI - An Appeal for Bed-Bugs.
PMID- 29006092
TI - Irrigation in Cataract.
PMID- 29006094
TI - An Account of Plague in Bengal.
PMID- 29006093
TI - Extraction of Cataract in the Capsule v. the Ordinary or Capsule-Laceration
Method.
PMID- 29006095
TI - Permanganate Treatment of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29006096
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29006097
TI - Some Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29006099
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29006098
TI - Some Observations on the Breeding Ground of the Common House-Fly and a
Description of a Species of Moth-Fly.
PMID- 29006101
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006100
TI - Cataract in the Capsule.
PMID- 29006102
TI - The New Rules and Regulations for the Medical Faculty of the Calcutta University.
PMID- 29006103
TI - A Case of Cobra Bite-Recovery.
PMID- 29006104
TI - A Note on the Beneficial Effect of the Immediate Incision into Plague Glands.
PMID- 29006106
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006105
TI - Medical Section of the Asiatic Society.
PMID- 29006109
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29006107
TI - Cholera Treated with Eucalyptus Oil.
PMID- 29006108
TI - Two Cases of Ovariotomy for Tumours of Unusually Large Size.
PMID- 29006110
TI - Beri-Beri in Sylhet Jail.
PMID- 29006111
TI - Two Cases of Pneumonia with Unusual Complications.
PMID- 29006113
TI - Mediterranean Fever in India.
PMID- 29006112
TI - Enlarged Spleen and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29006114
TI - Remittent Fever.
PMID- 29006115
TI - A Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29006116
TI - On the Early Occurrence of Adipocere.
PMID- 29006117
TI - The Surgery of Sarcomata.
PMID- 29006119
TI - The Treatment of Snow-Blindness.
PMID- 29006118
TI - Operations for Cataract.
PMID- 29006120
TI - A Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29006121
TI - Season and Some Diseases in Madras.
PMID- 29006122
TI - Xylol in Small-Pox.
PMID- 29006123
TI - Hygiene, Military.
PMID- 29006124
TI - Litholapaxy at Hyderabad, Sind.
PMID- 29006125
TI - Hysterical Belch.
PMID- 29006126
TI - Poisoning by Myrobalans.
PMID- 29006127
TI - Distomum Crassum.
PMID- 29006128
TI - Note on the "Anchylostomes" of Burma and Assam.
PMID- 29006129
TI - Note on Intra-Capsular Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29006130
TI - Surgical Shock-Post-Operative.
PMID- 29006131
TI - Bilious Typhus Relapsing Fever.
PMID- 29006132
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29006133
TI - Heteroplastic Ovarian Grafting.
PMID- 29006135
TI - Surgery.
PMID- 29006134
TI - The Hypodermic Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29006136
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006137
TI - An Account of Plague in Bengal.
PMID- 29006138
TI - Yaws in Manipur.
PMID- 29006139
TI - Pneumococcic Infection of Joints.
PMID- 29006140
TI - Spontaneous Rupture of Spleen.
PMID- 29006141
TI - Sanitation.
PMID- 29006142
TI - A Case of Osteomalacia.
PMID- 29006143
TI - Post Graduate Courses of Study.
PMID- 29006144
TI - Mosquitoes and Lime.
PMID- 29006145
TI - Orbital Sarcoma, Kronlein's Operation.
PMID- 29006146
TI - Visual Results of H. Smith's Operation.
PMID- 29006147
TI - Plague at Giridih.
PMID- 29006148
TI - Irrigation on Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29006149
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29006150
TI - Medicine: Recent Articles on Pleural Effusion.
PMID- 29006151
TI - Special Senses.
PMID- 29006152
TI - Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29006153
TI - Abscess Mistaken for Hernia.
PMID- 29006154
TI - Editorial Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29006155
TI - Manual of Aseptic Surgery.
PMID- 29006156
TI - Development of Piroplasma Canis.
PMID- 29006157
TI - Permanganate Treatment of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29006158
TI - Surgical Shock.
PMID- 29006159
TI - Appendicitis in Indians.
PMID- 29006160
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006161
TI - Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29006163
TI - The Plague Commission's Report.
PMID- 29006162
TI - Epidemiology of Plague.
PMID- 29006164
TI - The Immunity of Calcutta-Proposed Explanations.
PMID- 29006165
TI - An Experimental Investigation as to the Potency of Various Disinfectants against
Rat-Fleas.
PMID- 29006167
TI - Previous Epidemics of Plague in India.
PMID- 29006166
TI - How Plague Is Spread.
PMID- 29006168
TI - The World-Wide Distribution of Plague.
PMID- 29006169
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006171
TI - Resolution on Plague in 1800.
PMID- 29006170
TI - Rats and Plague.
PMID- 29006172
TI - "Rat-Killing" for Prevention of Plague.
PMID- 29006174
TI - Our Special Plague Number.
PMID- 29006173
TI - Plague in the City of Madras.
PMID- 29006176
TI - Plague and Rats.
PMID- 29006175
TI - Report on the Effects of Rat Extermination on the Incidence of Plague in a
Selected Area in Azamgarh City.
PMID- 29006177
TI - Ten Years of Plague in India.
PMID- 29006178
TI - Bed-Bugs and Leishman-Donovan Bodies.
PMID- 29006179
TI - The Bombay Health Officer on Plague.
PMID- 29006180
TI - Methods of the Spread of Plague.
PMID- 29006181
TI - The Spread of Plague.
PMID- 29006182
TI - Fleas, Rats and Plague.
PMID- 29006183
TI - How Does Plague Spread.
PMID- 29006184
TI - How Plague Is Spread.
PMID- 29006186
TI - The Cataract in Capsule Operation.
PMID- 29006185
TI - The Natural History of Plague.
PMID- 29006187
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006188
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 432 in vol. 48.].
PMID- 29006189
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006190
TI - The 150th Anniversary of I. M. S.
PMID- 29006191
TI - Notes on Some Cases.
PMID- 29006193
TI - Cholera and "Epidemic Doctors".
PMID- 29006192
TI - Observations on Myiasis in Bihar.
PMID- 29006194
TI - Guttate or Nodular Keratitis.
PMID- 29006195
TI - Ambulance Transport in Very Difficult Mountainous Country.
PMID- 29006196
TI - Does Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis) Exist in India?
PMID- 29006198
TI - Annus Medicus, 1913.
PMID- 29006197
TI - A Lecture on Phylacogen.
PMID- 29006199
TI - A Modification in Extirpation of the Lacrimal Sac.
PMID- 29006200
TI - The Treatment of Fractures, Dislocations and Sprains by Massage.
PMID- 29006201
TI - Surgn.-Genl. James Ellis.
PMID- 29006202
TI - Emetine and Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29006203
TI - Emetine and Dysentery.
PMID- 29006204
TI - Emetine and Ipecacuanha: Their Amoebacidal Value in Pathogenic Amoebiasis.
PMID- 29006205
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29006206
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006207
TI - Amoebic Dysentery in the Darjeeling District and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29006208
TI - Emetine in Amoebic Dysentery.
PMID- 29006209
TI - The Operative Treatment of Hepatic Abscess.
PMID- 29006210
TI - The Poison of the Krait.
PMID- 29006211
TI - The Emetine and Other Treatment of Amoebic Dysentery and Hepatitis Including
Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29006212
TI - Treatment of Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29006213
TI - Delayed Chloroform Poisoning.
PMID- 29006214
TI - An Experience in the Use of Emetine in the Treatment of Amoebic Dysentery.
PMID- 29006215
TI - Psycho Analysis.
PMID- 29006216
TI - A Series of 101 Cases of Abscess of the Liver.
PMID- 29006218
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006217
TI - The Emetine Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29006219
TI - A Note on Three Cases Treated with Emetine.
PMID- 29006220
TI - Notes on the Employment of Emetine in the Dharwar District.
PMID- 29006221
TI - Emetine in Hepatitis, and Abscesses of the Liver.
PMID- 29006223
TI - Special Emetine Number.
PMID- 29006222
TI - The Removal of Wounded from the Firing Line in Mountain Warfare.
PMID- 29006225
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006224
TI - Some Generalizations on the Scope, Construction and Administration of Central
Asylums in India.
PMID- 29006226
TI - The Treatment of the Earlier Stages of Senile Cataract.
PMID- 29006227
TI - Radical Cure of Hernia.
PMID- 29006228
TI - Intravenous Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29006229
TI - Abdominal Wounds on the Battlefield.
PMID- 29006230
TI - Anaesthetics in Hot Climates.
PMID- 29006231
TI - Rice Gruel and Its Efficacy.
PMID- 29006232
TI - Compulsory Vaccination.
PMID- 29006233
TI - Digitate Tumours of the Prostate, Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29006234
TI - Prevention and Treatment of Septic Wounds in Warfare.
PMID- 29006236
TI - Asylum Dysentery.
PMID- 29006235
TI - Two Cases of Anergic Stupor Treated with Thyroid Gland Extract.
PMID- 29006237
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29006238
TI - Notes of Two Cases of Hysteria in Males.
PMID- 29006239
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006240
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 208 in vol. 49.].
PMID- 29006241
TI - An Epidemic of Mumps.
PMID- 29006242
TI - The Diagnosis of Minor Fevers.
PMID- 29006243
TI - Some Cases of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29006244
TI - Dates of I. M. S. Commissions.
PMID- 29006245
TI - Case of Absence of Uterus.
PMID- 29006247
TI - "Lecithin" as an After-Treatment in Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29006246
TI - Segregation and Kala-Azar: A Useful Measure.
PMID- 29006248
TI - Ophthalmology in the Orient.
PMID- 29006249
TI - Suspected Addison's Disease Aggravated by Ascaris Lumbricoides and Hysteria.
PMID- 29006250
TI - The B. N. A.
PMID- 29006251
TI - Decline of British Members.
PMID- 29006252
TI - A New Pedicle Suture.
PMID- 29006253
TI - Prevention of Malaria in the Troops of Our Indian Empire.
PMID- 29006255
TI - The Treatment of Malaria: Opinions Asked for.
PMID- 29006254
TI - Iodine as an Aid to Aseptic Vaccination.
PMID- 29006256
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006257
TI - Reduced Fees for Medical Examination in Life Assurance.
PMID- 29006258
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006259
TI - The I. M. S. Dinner in London.
PMID- 29006260
TI - Radical Cure of Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29006262
TI - The Calcutta Tropical School.
PMID- 29006261
TI - Treatment of Cholera by the Intra-Peritoneal Injection of Iodine.
PMID- 29006264
TI - The Medical Services in 1913.
PMID- 29006263
TI - Cure for Snake-Bite by Actual Cautery.
PMID- 29006265
TI - Anoci-Association and Cancer of the Cheek.
PMID- 29006267
TI - The Prophylaxis and Treatment of Pre-Eclamptic Toxaemia and Eclampsia.
PMID- 29006266
TI - "Use and Abuse of Pessaries": A Criticism.
PMID- 29006268
TI - A Short Analysis of Eighty-Nine Cases of Epilepsy.
PMID- 29006269
TI - A Bismuth Paste Injector.
PMID- 29006270
TI - Transient Hemiplegia.
PMID- 29006271
TI - Intestinal Parasites and Hill Peoples.
PMID- 29006272
TI - The B. M. A. and I. M. S.
PMID- 29006273
TI - An Analysis of 77 Cases of Placenta Praevia.
PMID- 29006274
TI - Vaccine Treatment of Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 29006275
TI - Insanity from Exhaustion.
PMID- 29006276
TI - The Bombay Tropical School.
PMID- 29006277
TI - The Surgery of Tubercular Glands.
PMID- 29006278
TI - Zinc Rod in the Uterus.
PMID- 29006279
TI - Two Cases of Abdominal Tumours: With Curious Complications.
PMID- 29006280
TI - A Reply to Captain Barnardo's Letter.
PMID- 29006281
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006282
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006283
TI - How to Keep Flies off Edible Articles for Sale.
PMID- 29006284
TI - Appeal for Calcutta Tropical School.
PMID- 29006285
TI - Mosquito-Malaria Hypothesis: Another Link in the Chain of Its History.
PMID- 29006286
TI - A Portable High Pressure Sterilizer.
PMID- 29006287
TI - Carriers in Ankylostomiasis.
PMID- 29006288
TI - Entamoebic Dysentery.
PMID- 29006289
TI - The Use and Abuse of Pessaries: A Clinical Lecture.
PMID- 29006290
TI - Night-Blindness: Its Causes: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment.
PMID- 29006291
TI - Acclimatisation of Northern Races in the Tropics.
PMID- 29006293
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006292
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Record: No. VIII (concluding) the Primary
Causes of Death and the Most Frequent Errors of Diagnosis in 1,000 Medical Post
Mortems.
PMID- 29006294
TI - Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29006295
TI - Transient Hemiplegia.
PMID- 29006296
TI - Preliminary Note on Asino-Vaccine.
PMID- 29006298
TI - Canarium Commune as an Addition to Milk in Infant Feeding.
PMID- 29006297
TI - Salvarsan Poisoning.
PMID- 29006299
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006300
TI - Two Cases of Relapsing Fever.
PMID- 29006301
TI - I. M. S. in 1913.
PMID- 29006302
TI - Venereal Disease in the Army of Our Indian Empire.
PMID- 29006303
TI - Sir W. M. Osler and the English F.R.C.S.
PMID- 29006305
TI - Subconjunctival Ecchymosis Due to Whooping Cough.
PMID- 29006304
TI - Two Cases of Transposition of the Viscera.
PMID- 29006306
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006308
TI - Crawford's History of I. M. S.
PMID- 29006307
TI - Erratum: The Bombay Plague Laboratory: A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 198 in vol. 49.].
PMID- 29006310
TI - The Report of the Surgeon-General, American Army, 1913.
PMID- 29006309
TI - Vaccination and Re-Vaccination.
PMID- 29006311
TI - Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treated with Tuberculin.
PMID- 29006312
TI - Review of 8th Plague Report.
PMID- 29006313
TI - Plague Jottings.
PMID- 29006315
TI - Retroversion of the Uterus and the 'Sling' Operation.
PMID- 29006314
TI - The Nature of Jail Dysentery.
PMID- 29006316
TI - Live Fish Acting as a Foreign Body in the Throat.
PMID- 29006317
TI - Sweating the Scientist.
PMID- 29006319
TI - Unusual Sequelae of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29006318
TI - Cocaine Eaters of Bombay.
PMID- 29006320
TI - Treatment of Cholera by Emetine.
PMID- 29006321
TI - Osseous New Growths.
PMID- 29006322
TI - Fatal Case of Ophitoxaemia: Bite from the Common Indian Krait (Bungarus
Caeruleus). Toxaemia. Death in 10 Hours.
PMID- 29006323
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006324
TI - Ganja as a Cause of Insanity and Crime in Bengal.
PMID- 29006325
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006326
TI - A Comparison between the Mental Processes in the Sane and in the Insane.
PMID- 29006327
TI - Cow-Dung and Calf-Urine.
PMID- 29006328
TI - The Prevention of Mental and Nervous Diseases.
PMID- 29006329
TI - The Meaning of Insanity.
PMID- 29006330
TI - Ophthalmology in the Orient.
PMID- 29006331
TI - Iodine in Cholera.
PMID- 29006332
TI - Insanity Statistical in India.
PMID- 29006333
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006334
TI - The State Medical Faculty, Bengal.
PMID- 29006335
TI - War Gifts.
PMID- 29006336
TI - Absence of Uterus.
PMID- 29006337
TI - Itinerating Dispensaries.
PMID- 29006339
TI - Anaesthetics in Hot Climates.
PMID- 29006338
TI - The Clear Pupil after Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29006340
TI - Weight of Vesical Stones.
PMID- 29006341
TI - Remarks on Water-Supplies of Troops in India.
PMID- 29006342
TI - Red Iodide of Mercury in Enlarged Malarial Spleen.
PMID- 29006344
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006343
TI - Surgical Treatment of Goitre in Tibet.
PMID- 29006345
TI - The Endemic Typhoid Area in the War.
PMID- 29006346
TI - The Treatment of Malignant New Growths by Dr. De Keating-Hart's Method.
PMID- 29006347
TI - Big Stones.
PMID- 29006348
TI - Quinoidine in Solution.
PMID- 29006349
TI - Anaemia among Indian Troops at Singapore.
PMID- 29006350
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006351
TI - Devil Driving. Panchoa Devils-Classed as "Silent" and "Crying".
PMID- 29006352
TI - Eruptions Complicating Superficial Wounds.
PMID- 29006353
TI - The Proposed New General Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29006355
TI - Report of the General Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29006354
TI - Anagnostakis' Operation for Trichiasis.
PMID- 29006357
TI - Emetine and Young Children.
PMID- 29006356
TI - Case of Echis Toxaemia: Echis One Foot Two Inches Long. Death in 12 Hours.
PMID- 29006358
TI - Ruptured Extra Uterine Pregnancy: 5-6 Months. Laparotomy. Delayed Chloroform
Poisoning? Recovery.
PMID- 29006359
TI - The Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29006360
TI - Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection in Malabar District.
PMID- 29006361
TI - Iodine Method of Vaccination.
PMID- 29006363
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006362
TI - Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 29006364
TI - Anaesthetics in Hot Climates.
PMID- 29006366
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006365
TI - Irrigation, after Cataract: Analysis of 102 Consecutive Cases.
PMID- 29006367
TI - Bombay Tropical School.
PMID- 29006368
TI - Catarrhal Jaundice in Calcutta.
PMID- 29006369
TI - Psoas Abscess Treated by Pneumococcal Vaccine.
PMID- 29006370
TI - Ruptured Spleen, Splenectomy : Recovery.
PMID- 29006371
TI - A Thousand Cataracts Performed in Six Weeks at Shikarpur.
PMID- 29006372
TI - Cataract in the Capsule with Notes on 1,137 Consecutive Operations.
PMID- 29006373
TI - Furlough Allowances in I. M. S.
PMID- 29006374
TI - A History of Medicine.
PMID- 29006375
TI - Peritoneal Cyst of Traumatic Origin and Other Cases.
PMID- 29006376
TI - Cases of Hypo-Thyroidism.
PMID- 29006377
TI - A Case of "Simple, Non-Infective" Thrombosis.
PMID- 29006379
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006378
TI - Cases Treated in the Ripon Hospital, Ahmednagar: Extravasation of Urine with
Gangrene.
PMID- 29006380
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 365d in vol. 49.].
PMID- 29006381
TI - Training of I.M.S. Officers.
PMID- 29006382
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006383
TI - Intussusception.
PMID- 29006384
TI - Pus Inoculations.
PMID- 29006386
TI - The Bombay Tropical School.
PMID- 29006385
TI - A Short Note on Nasha Fever.
PMID- 29006387
TI - Ligation of Broad Pedicles.
PMID- 29006388
TI - Chloroform Inhalation in Whooping Cough.
PMID- 29006389
TI - Studies in Malaria.
PMID- 29006390
TI - Plague Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29006391
TI - Delayed Chloroform Poisoning.
PMID- 29006392
TI - Sclero-Corneal Trephining for Staphyloma.
PMID- 29006394
TI - Asino-Vaccine.
PMID- 29006393
TI - Krait Identification.
PMID- 29006395
TI - Chronic Intestinal Stasis.
PMID- 29006396
TI - Laboratory and Clinical Work.
PMID- 29006397
TI - Surgery at Rangoon.
PMID- 29006398
TI - Vesico-Vaginal Fistula.
PMID- 29006399
TI - Iodine in the Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29006401
TI - The Bombay Tropical Medical School.
PMID- 29006400
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006403
TI - Ascaris Infection.
PMID- 29006402
TI - Abdominal Surprises.
PMID- 29006404
TI - Prolapse of the Uterus.
PMID- 29006405
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006406
TI - A Case of Bilharzia Disease.
PMID- 29006408
TI - Furlough in the I. M. S.
PMID- 29006407
TI - Itinerating Dispensaries.
PMID- 29006409
TI - Agra Medical Missionary Training Institute.
PMID- 29006410
TI - Epidemic Dropsy in the Darjeeling District.
PMID- 29006411
TI - Multilocular Cyst of Neck.
PMID- 29006412
TI - Some Observations on the Uses of the Operation of Appendicostomy.
PMID- 29006413
TI - Some Observations on Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29006414
TI - Dementia Praecox in India.
PMID- 29006415
TI - Typhus Fever in Northern India.
PMID- 29006417
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations, &c.
PMID- 29006416
TI - An Outbreak of Typhus Fever in Peshawar.
PMID- 29006418
TI - Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29006419
TI - Some Effects from Stinging by a Hornet (Vespa Orientalis).
PMID- 29006420
TI - Kala-Azar in Patna.
PMID- 29006422
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006421
TI - The Use of Adrenalin in Rickets.
PMID- 29006424
TI - The "Bossi" Cure.
PMID- 29006423
TI - The Bombay Medical Congress.
PMID- 29006425
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006426
TI - Calcium Chloride and Its Action on the Coagulability of Blood.
PMID- 29006427
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006428
TI - Motor Vehicles for Civil Surgeons.
PMID- 29006429
TI - Spirochaete Fever.
PMID- 29006430
TI - The Use of Gloves in Surgery.
PMID- 29006431
TI - Kala-Azar and Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29006432
TI - Fleas and Disinfectants.
PMID- 29006433
TI - The Use of Ipecacuanha in Hepatitis.
PMID- 29006434
TI - Epidemic Dropsy in the Darjeeling District.
PMID- 29006435
TI - On a New Test for Differentiation of the Bacilli of the Typhoid Group.
PMID- 29006436
TI - Surgical Asepsis in Its Simpler Forms.
PMID- 29006437
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006439
TI - A Note on Lithotrites.
PMID- 29006438
TI - On the Probable Identity of Beri-Beri and Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29006440
TI - Medical Education in India.
PMID- 29006441
TI - Some Suggestions in Connection with the Requisite Apparatus.
PMID- 29006443
TI - Motor Cars for Civil Surgeons.
PMID- 29006442
TI - Report on 50 Cases of Beri-Beri in the Reformatory School, Alipur.
PMID- 29006444
TI - A Case of Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29006445
TI - A Case of Gonorrhoeal Septicaemia.
PMID- 29006446
TI - Viperine Snake-Poisoning.
PMID- 29006447
TI - Psychology, Medicine and So-Called Christian Science.
PMID- 29006448
TI - A New Method of Carrying Wounded off the Field on Service.
PMID- 29006449
TI - Malarial Pneumonia.
PMID- 29006450
TI - Haemoglobinuria and Quinine Sulphate.
PMID- 29006451
TI - A Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29006452
TI - Report on an Epidemic of Dengue Consisting of Both a Three-Day and Seven-Day
Fever Type among the 15th Lancers at Sialkot, 1907.
PMID- 29006453
TI - Cholera Diffusion by Flies.
PMID- 29006454
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006455
TI - Some Notes and Observations on 310 Consecutive Operations for Extirpation of the
Lachrymal Sac.
PMID- 29006457
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006456
TI - Preliminary Note on the Etiology of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29006458
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29006459
TI - Quinine and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29006460
TI - Bombay Notes.
PMID- 29006461
TI - Foreign Extracts.
PMID- 29006462
TI - Incineration in Military Station.
PMID- 29006463
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006464
TI - Is Ordinary (Pneumococcal) Pneumonia an Infectious Disease?
PMID- 29006465
TI - A Radical Change in Methods of Dosage.
PMID- 29006467
TI - Quinine Sulphate and Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29006466
TI - The "Locking-Grip" of Lithotrites.
PMID- 29006468
TI - Memorial to the Late Professor Annandale.
PMID- 29006470
TI - Experiments on "Rat Entermination".
PMID- 29006469
TI - The Subjective Mind.
PMID- 29006472
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006471
TI - Complete Rupture of Uterus.
PMID- 29006473
TI - Broad Ligament Cyst Weighing 130lbs. Removal; Recovery.
PMID- 29006474
TI - A Case of "Surra" in Manipur.
PMID- 29006475
TI - Cases from the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta: Special Report of the Medical
College Hospital for 1907.
PMID- 29006476
TI - A Case of Abscess of the Spleen.
PMID- 29006477
TI - The Advance of Surgery in India.
PMID- 29006478
TI - Dermatology.
PMID- 29006479
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29006480
TI - Therapeutic Notes, &c.
PMID- 29006482
TI - Malaria and Empire Decay.
PMID- 29006481
TI - A Bombay Letter.
PMID- 29006483
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006485
TI - A Case of Calcareous Degeneration of the Tunica Vaginalis.
PMID- 29006484
TI - The Training of Hospital Dressers.
PMID- 29006487
TI - Annus Medicus, 1907.
PMID- 29006486
TI - The High Mortality Due to Child-Bearing Amongst Burmese Women.
PMID- 29006489
TI - Two Cases of Splenectomy.
PMID- 29006490
TI - Elephantiasis Operations: An Improved Method of Grafting.
PMID- 29006488
TI - The Medical Services in the Mutiny.
PMID- 29006492
TI - Note on the Treatment and Diagnosis of Gonorrhoea in Women.
PMID- 29006491
TI - Some Practical Notes on the Use of Rubber Gloves.
PMID- 29006494
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006493
TI - A Critical Analysis of the Etiology and Symptomatology of the Three-Day Fever of
Chitral; and an Analogy between This Condition and Dengue Fever.
PMID- 29006495
TI - Notes on Forster's Vaccine Treatment of Dysentery.
PMID- 29006496
TI - Disinfectants and Their Co-Efficients.
PMID- 29006497
TI - Urotropine in Night-Blindness.
PMID- 29006498
TI - Note on the Phagocytosis in Black-Water Fever.
PMID- 29006499
TI - A Preliminary Note on Blood Pressures as a Guide in Transfusion for Cholera.
PMID- 29006500
TI - A Convenient Capsule for Sending Infective Material to the Laboratory.
PMID- 29006501
TI - Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29006502
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006503
TI - Therapeutic Notes and Preparations.
PMID- 29006504
TI - Erratum: A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 14 in vol. 43.].
PMID- 29006505
TI - Is the Poison of Scarlet Fever Present in India?
PMID- 29006506
TI - Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29006507
TI - Vaccines in India.
PMID- 29006508
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006509
TI - Fleas and Disinfectants.
PMID- 29006510
TI - The Treatment of Enlargement of Spleen with Hypodermic Injection of Turpentine.
PMID- 29006511
TI - A Bombay Letter.
PMID- 29006512
TI - Remarks on the Vaccine Treatment of Colicystitis.
PMID- 29006513
TI - The Etiology of Yaws.
PMID- 29006515
TI - Motor Vehicles for Civil Surgeons.
PMID- 29006514
TI - Account of the Occurrence of "Epidemic Dropsy" in Comilla Jail.
PMID- 29006517
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006516
TI - Some Notes and Observations on 310 Consecutive Operations for Extirpation of the
Lachrymal Sac.
PMID- 29006518
TI - Therapeutic Notes, &c.
PMID- 29006519
TI - Treatment of Leprosy with X-Rays and High Frequency.
PMID- 29006520
TI - Enquiries Regarding the Mode of Spread and the Prevention of Plague.
PMID- 29006521
TI - Enteric Fever in the Native Army.
PMID- 29006522
TI - A Disclaimer.
PMID- 29006523
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29006524
TI - Rat-Destruction Operations in the Punjab.
PMID- 29006525
TI - Notes on Judicial Hanging.
PMID- 29006527
TI - The Need of a Medical Registration Act for India.
PMID- 29006526
TI - Epidemic Pneumonia on N.-W. Frontier.
PMID- 29006528
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006530
TI - Further Observations on the Flea-Killing Power of Certain Chemicals.
PMID- 29006529
TI - Talma's Operation for Ascites.
PMID- 29006531
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006532
TI - The Preparation of Whey.
PMID- 29006533
TI - Outbreak of Epidemic Dropsy in the Lunatic Asylum, Dacca, in March 1908.
PMID- 29006534
TI - Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29006535
TI - Tropical Chicken-Pox, Modified Small-Pox, or a Third Eruptive Fever.
PMID- 29006536
TI - Some Remarks on Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29006537
TI - Cases of Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29006538
TI - A Case of Abscess of the Spleen.
PMID- 29006539
TI - The Factory Report as It Affects the Civil Surgeon.
PMID- 29006540
TI - Hornet Sting.
PMID- 29006541
TI - Large Cysts.
PMID- 29006544
TI - The Metabolism of Bengalis.
PMID- 29006542
TI - Rat Destruction in Kamptee.
PMID- 29006546
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006545
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006547
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006548
TI - Captain Sumner's Recent Article.
PMID- 29006549
TI - List of Surgeons in India in 1749.
PMID- 29006550
TI - A Case of Caesarean Section: Secunderabad.
PMID- 29006551
TI - Some Remarks on the Report on Plague in Calcutta for the Year Ending 30th June
1907.
PMID- 29006552
TI - Note on a Parasite in the Sparrow.
PMID- 29006554
TI - Case of Pyloroplasty.
PMID- 29006553
TI - Vaccination and Pertussis.
PMID- 29006555
TI - The Proposed Medical Congress at Bombay.
PMID- 29006556
TI - Note on the Value of Large Quantities of Hypertonic Salt Solutions in Transfusion
for Cholera.
PMID- 29006557
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29006558
TI - Crude Views on the Use of X-Rays.
PMID- 29006559
TI - An Epidemic of Dropsy.
PMID- 29006561
TI - Appeal for Funds to Build a Hostel for Indians in Connection with the Pasteur
Institute of India, at Kasauli.
PMID- 29006560
TI - Epidemic Dropsy or Beri-Beri in Eastern Bengal.
PMID- 29006562
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006564
TI - A Method of Operating for Umbilical Hernia.
PMID- 29006563
TI - The Duration of the Immunity Conferred by Plague Inoculation.
PMID- 29006565
TI - Pyorrhoea Alveolaris; from a Tropical Standpoint: Part III.-Sequelae. Treatment.
PMID- 29006566
TI - Quinine in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29006567
TI - A Case of Pneumothorax.
PMID- 29006569
TI - Gleanings from the Calcutta Post-Mortem Records.
PMID- 29006570
TI - Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29006571
TI - A Case of Blood Cyst of the Peritoneum.
PMID- 29006572
TI - Medical Society: Asiatic Society of Bengal.
PMID- 29006573
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006574
TI - Notes on the Recent Epidemic of Phagedaenic Ulcers in Assam, with Remarks on a
Bacillus Present in the Sores.
PMID- 29006575
TI - Twenty Years of Puerperal Eclampsia at the Government Maternity Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29006576
TI - Rupture of Bladder from Kick by a Bullock.
PMID- 29006577
TI - Chauffeur's Fracture.
PMID- 29006578
TI - Sprue and Allied Disorders.
PMID- 29006579
TI - Liver Abscess in a Female.
PMID- 29006580
TI - Pyorrhoea Alveolaris; from a Tropical Standpoint.
PMID- 29006581
TI - A Preliminary Note on Spirochaetosis.
PMID- 29006582
TI - The I. M. S. Pension at 271/2 Years Service.
PMID- 29006583
TI - The Surgery of Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29006584
TI - Rupture of Spleen.
PMID- 29006585
TI - Quinine and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29006586
TI - A Phantom Tumour.
PMID- 29006587
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006588
TI - Diabetes in India.
PMID- 29006589
TI - The Treatment of Uncomplicated Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29006590
TI - Prostatectomy for Retention of Urine.
PMID- 29006591
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006593
TI - The Treatment of Immature Cataract.
PMID- 29006594
TI - The Locking-Grip of Lithotrites.
PMID- 29006595
TI - Methylene-Blue in Fevers.
PMID- 29006596
TI - Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29006597
TI - The Value of Taking the Specific Gravity of the Blood during Saline Transfusion
in Cholera.
PMID- 29006598
TI - The Serum Treatment of Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29006599
TI - Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29006600
TI - On the Treatment of Smallpox by Large Doses of Hydrarg. C. Creta.
PMID- 29006601
TI - Observations on Endemic Cretinism in the Chitral and Gilgit Valleys.
PMID- 29006602
TI - Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29006603
TI - A Simple Apparatus for Distilling Water.
PMID- 29006604
TI - Quinine in Uterine Inertia (A Case).
PMID- 29006605
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006606
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006608
TI - The Treatment of Injuries of and about the Elbow Joint.
PMID- 29006609
TI - A Forgotten Service Grievance.
PMID- 29006610
TI - Quinine and Pregnancy.
PMID- 29006611
TI - Cancer in Travancore: A Resume of 1,700 Cases.
PMID- 29006613
TI - I. M. S. Pensions and Pay.
PMID- 29006612
TI - The Bite of Echis Carinata.
PMID- 29006614
TI - X-Rays as an Aid to Diagnosis in Some Common Surgical Conditions.
PMID- 29006615
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 479 in vol. 46.].
PMID- 29006616
TI - Medieal Service in India.
PMID- 29006619
TI - Cholera Prophylactic Vaccination: An Experiment in a Viliage during an Epidemic.
PMID- 29006617
TI - Paka Oil in Mustard Oil as an Adulterant.
PMID- 29006620
TI - The Economic Value of Anti-Cholera Inoculation.
PMID- 29006622
TI - Surgical Emphysema, Complicating Influenza.
PMID- 29006621
TI - Case of Hydatid Cyst.
PMID- 29006623
TI - A Case of Ophitoxaemia-Snake Poisoning: Snake Identified, Echis Carinata, by the
Natural History Society, Bombay. - Recovery.
PMID- 29006624
TI - Midwifery Impressions.
PMID- 29006625
TI - Clinical Cases.
PMID- 29006626
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006627
TI - Wounds Infected with Bacillus Pyocyaneus.
PMID- 29006628
TI - Diabetes in Madras.
PMID- 29006629
TI - The Modern Theory of Renal Excretion.
PMID- 29006630
TI - A Case of Ectopic Gestution Which Burst into the Rectum.
PMID- 29006631
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006632
TI - A Case of Daboia Poisoning.
PMID- 29006634
TI - Colloidal Preparations in Modern Treatment. Colloidal Sulphur and Mercury in
Specific Arthritis.
PMID- 29006633
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006635
TI - A Plea for Simplicity in the Prevention and Cure of Bacterial Infection.
PMID- 29006636
TI - Oriental Sore or Baghdad Boil.
PMID- 29006637
TI - The Temporary Officer in War.
PMID- 29006638
TI - "Protein Shock" and Intravenous Vaccine Therapy.
PMID- 29006639
TI - Some Impressions of a Visit to the Tuberculosis Institute, Madras.
PMID- 29006640
TI - Treatment of Fracture of the Patella.
PMID- 29006641
TI - How a Snake Catches His Prey.
PMID- 29006642
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006643
TI - Malunion in a Fractured Tibia, Due to the Tendon of the Tibialis Anticus.
PMID- 29006644
TI - Snake Venom as a Therapeutic Agent.
PMID- 29006645
TI - Demonstration of Flagella of Spirochaeta Carteri.
PMID- 29006646
TI - Flying Insects from the Rectum.
PMID- 29006647
TI - An Address to the Students of the Medical College, Calcutta.
PMID- 29006648
TI - Hydrogen Peroxide in Cholera.
PMID- 29006649
TI - The Heart on the Right Side.
PMID- 29006651
TI - Anaphylaxis.
PMID- 29006650
TI - A Case of Raptured Abdominal Wall.
PMID- 29006653
TI - Further Observations on Tetanus.
PMID- 29006652
TI - Good Digestion Waits upon Appetite.
PMID- 29006654
TI - Recent Researches on Hookworm Infection in Indonesia.
PMID- 29006655
TI - Surgical Problems and Difficulties in the Tropics.
PMID- 29006656
TI - Generalised Vaccinia in Burma.
PMID- 29006657
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006658
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006659
TI - Yaws in India.
PMID- 29006660
TI - Sand-Fly Fever and Its Relationship to Dengue.
PMID- 29006661
TI - Diptheroid Infection in Influenza.
PMID- 29006662
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006663
TI - Remarks on the Influence of Abdominal Lesions on the Respiratory System.
PMID- 29006664
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006665
TI - The Efficacy of Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29006666
TI - Specific Fever or Syphilitic Septicaemia.
PMID- 29006667
TI - Calculi of the Prostate.
PMID- 29006668
TI - Iodine in Cholera.
PMID- 29006669
TI - Schistosomiasis in India.
PMID- 29006670
TI - Carbolic Acid Gargles in Diphtheria.
PMID- 29006671
TI - A Civil Surgeon at Headquarters in Upper Burma.
PMID- 29006672
TI - Kidney Disease and Kidney Function.
PMID- 29006673
TI - Emetine Injections in Sprue.
PMID- 29006674
TI - Mica Flakes as Substitute for Glass Cover-Slips.
PMID- 29006675
TI - The Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29006676
TI - On the Latest Method of Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29006677
TI - Hypnotism.
PMID- 29006678
TI - The Treatment of Syphilis and the Wassermann Reaction Thereafter.
PMID- 29006679
TI - A Complete Transposition of the Viscera.
PMID- 29006680
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006681
TI - The Calcutta Eye Hospital.
PMID- 29006682
TI - Worms.
PMID- 29006683
TI - The New Treatment of Chronic Parenchymat Us Nephritis.
PMID- 29006684
TI - A Note on the Prevalence of the New Disease (Influenza) in Coorg, Symptoms,
Treatment and Prevention.
PMID- 29006685
TI - Punjab Lunatic Asylum.
PMID- 29006686
TI - An Interesting Case of Parenchymatous Nephritis.
PMID- 29006687
TI - Exchange.
PMID- 29006688
TI - Some Points of Practical Importance in the Operation of Sclero-Corneal Trephining
by Elliot's Method.
PMID- 29006690
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006689
TI - Report on the Pandemic of Influenza (La Grippe) in the Province of Coorg during
the Year 1918.
PMID- 29006691
TI - Glaucoma.
PMID- 29006692
TI - Plague in India in 1618: The Rat Theory Foreshadowed.
PMID- 29006693
TI - Schistosomiasis in India.
PMID- 29006694
TI - Dengue or Three-Day Fever.
PMID- 29006695
TI - Congenital Abnormalities: Case No. 1.
PMID- 29006696
TI - A Fly-Proof Latrine Seat for Indians.
PMID- 29006697
TI - Unusual Effects of Quinine.
PMID- 29006698
TI - Mathematicians in the I.M.S.
PMID- 29006699
TI - Birthday Honours.
PMID- 29006700
TI - The Disinfection of Jails and Asylums with Chlorine Solution.
PMID- 29006701
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006702
TI - Report on Kala-Azar Cases Treated in the Nowgong Earle Hospital, Assam, Since
1917.
PMID- 29006703
TI - Hydrogen Peroxide in Cholera.
PMID- 29006704
TI - Six Cases of Kodra Poisoning.
PMID- 29006705
TI - Flying Intestinal Worms.
PMID- 29006706
TI - The Influence of 1: 1000 Platinum Solution on Pneumonic Infections.
PMID- 29006707
TI - The Complement Fixation Test in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29006709
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006708
TI - Report on the Prevalence of Malaria and Anopheline Mosquitoes and Measures
Recommended for the Prevention of Malaria in Mercara.
PMID- 29006710
TI - Maternity and Child-Welfare.
PMID- 29006711
TI - Erratum: Plans of Fly-Proof Latrine Seat for Indians.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 370 in vol. 54.].
PMID- 29006712
TI - Treatment of Influenza.
PMID- 29006714
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006713
TI - The Eradication of Ankylostomiasis in Ceylon.
PMID- 29006715
TI - Medical Students and the War.
PMID- 29006716
TI - The End of the War and Leave.
PMID- 29006717
TI - A Simplified Technique for Agglutination-Reactions ("Widals").
PMID- 29006718
TI - Treatment of Baghdad Boils by Ionisation.
PMID- 29006719
TI - Gunshot Wounds of the Knee-Joint with Septic Arthritis.
PMID- 29006720
TI - Hookworm Disease among Labourers in the Tea Gardens of the Duars.
PMID- 29006721
TI - Medical Societies.
PMID- 29006723
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006722
TI - The Polyneuritic Psychosis (Korsakoff' Syndrome).
PMID- 29006724
TI - Report of the Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Madras (for the Year 1917).
PMID- 29006726
TI - Influenza in Bombay.
PMID- 29006725
TI - Pneumonia: Heart Tonics in.
PMID- 29006727
TI - A Suggested Antidote for Snake and Scorpion Venom.
PMID- 29006729
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006728
TI - Inflammatory Conditions Due to Calcified Remains of Guinea Worms.
PMID- 29006731
TI - The Quest for Quinine.
PMID- 29006730
TI - Reatment of Malaria by Quinine: Failure of "Splenox".
PMID- 29006732
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006733
TI - Malaria Prevention in Malacca: Lecture on Destruction of Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29006734
TI - Quinine in Malaria Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29006735
TI - Quinine Prophylaxis in Malaria.
PMID- 29006736
TI - Report on the Treatment of Malaria: Abstract of 2,460 Cases-War Office
Investigations.
PMID- 29006737
TI - Notes on Plague Inoculation.
PMID- 29006738
TI - Rat-Killing Operations of Mahableshwar.
PMID- 29006739
TI - Tartar Emetic Treatment in Malaria and Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29006740
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29006741
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006742
TI - A Case of Ectopic Gestation Burst into the Rectum (4 to 5 Months).
PMID- 29006743
TI - Plague and Rat Destruction.
PMID- 29006744
TI - A Case of Post-Operative Tetanus.
PMID- 29006746
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006745
TI - Notes on Cases of Surgical Interest.
PMID- 29006747
TI - Discussion on the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29006749
TI - Sanitary Commissioner's Report: India.
PMID- 29006748
TI - Cerebrospinal Fever at Gaya.
PMID- 29006751
TI - Radishes in Dropsy.
PMID- 29006750
TI - A Case of Eclampsia.
PMID- 29006752
TI - Medical Students and Medical Schools in India.
PMID- 29006753
TI - Anti-Malarial Measures in Relation to the Human Carrier.
PMID- 29006754
TI - Rats and Plague.
PMID- 29006756
TI - Leishmania Sores and Antimony.
PMID- 29006755
TI - A Note on Teeth in the Indian Army.
PMID- 29006757
TI - Treatment of Rat-Bite Fever with Injections of Cacodylate of Soda.
PMID- 29006759
TI - Mr. Montagu and the I. M. S.
PMID- 29006758
TI - Sunstroke or Heatstroke.
PMID- 29006760
TI - I. M. S. and the Honour Lists.
PMID- 29006761
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29006762
TI - Wanted a Diagnosis.
PMID- 29006764
TI - The Syphilitic Factor Is So-Called Chronic Rheumatism.
PMID- 29006763
TI - Treatment of Vesico-Vaginal Fistulae.
PMID- 29006765
TI - Heights and Weights: A Help to Recruiting Officers.
PMID- 29006766
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006767
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006768
TI - Epidemic of Cases of Oedema Amongst West African Porters.
PMID- 29006769
TI - Further Notes on Margosic Acid and Its Salts and Observations on Their Clinical
Use.
PMID- 29006770
TI - A Case of Primary Absecss of the Spleen.
PMID- 29006772
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006771
TI - An Unclassified Form of Long Continued Pyrexia in Mesopotamia: (? Disseminated
Nocardiosis) Preliminary Report.
PMID- 29006774
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006773
TI - The Principles of Military Orthopaedics: With Notes on the Constitution of an
Orthopaedic Hospital.
PMID- 29006775
TI - The Syphilitic Factor in Aortic Incompetence in Bengalis.
PMID- 29006776
TI - Treatment of Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29006777
TI - Notes on Cases Treated with Radium.
PMID- 29006778
TI - Sir Pardey Lukis Memorial Fund: Fresh List of Subscribers.
PMID- 29006779
TI - The Thorough Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29006780
TI - Clinical Notes from Government Maternity Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29006782
TI - Report, General Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29006781
TI - Case of Itching.
PMID- 29006783
TI - Case of Syphilitic Fever.
PMID- 29006784
TI - E. C. Hare and Quinine.
PMID- 29006785
TI - A Tenacious Case of Tetanus and the Effect of Anti-Serum.
PMID- 29006786
TI - Modification of Leishman's Stain.
PMID- 29006787
TI - Urea Quinine.
PMID- 29006788
TI - Urea Quinine.
PMID- 29006789
TI - Cases of Leprosy in Bangkok Treated with Sodium Gynocardate and Sodium
Gynocardate "A."
PMID- 29006790
TI - On a New Method of Standardization of Disinfectants.
PMID- 29006791
TI - Blackwater Fever in the Agency of Ganjam District.
PMID- 29006792
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006793
TI - The Anti-Hookworm Campaign.
PMID- 29006795
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29006794
TI - Gnathostomum Siamense or Gnathostoma Spinigerum, Owen.
PMID- 29006797
TI - Urea Quinine.
PMID- 29006796
TI - "Chuharia" Ulcer in Mayurbhanj and Other Neighbouring Parts of Orissa.
PMID- 29006798
TI - Quinine Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29006799
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006800
TI - The Etiology of Sprue.
PMID- 29006802
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006801
TI - Notes on War Surgery from the Indian Troops War Hospital, Dehra Dun.
PMID- 29006804
TI - Is Aspirin Dangerous.
PMID- 29006803
TI - X-Ray Work in an Indian General Hospital in Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29006805
TI - Jellyfish Poisoning.
PMID- 29006806
TI - A Civil Surgeon "On Tour" in Upper Burma.
PMID- 29006807
TI - Some Observations on "Influenza".
PMID- 29006808
TI - Analysis of 1,200 Consecutive Abdominal Operations Performed for Gynaecological
Disease on Burmese Females.
PMID- 29006809
TI - Annus Medicus, 1918.
PMID- 29006811
TI - Hospital Equipment Wanted.
PMID- 29006810
TI - The Treatment of Panophthalmitis.
PMID- 29006812
TI - Circumcision.
PMID- 29006813
TI - The Influenza Pandemic.
PMID- 29006814
TI - A Dividing Stretcher.
PMID- 29006815
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006816
TI - An Unclassified Form of Long-Continued Pyrexia in Mesopotamia: ? Disseminated
Nocardiosis.
PMID- 29006817
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006818
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006819
TI - Full Pay Leave.
PMID- 29006820
TI - Charaka Samhita.
PMID- 29006822
TI - Cardiac Massage in Chloroform Poisoning.
PMID- 29006821
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006823
TI - X-Ray Observations to Determine the Time Food Remains in the Stomach.
PMID- 29006824
TI - Ether as an Anaesthetic.
PMID- 29006825
TI - Cellulose and Chronic Constipation.
PMID- 29006826
TI - Bug-Eating and Its Results.
PMID- 29006828
TI - A New Technique of Heart Massage with a Case of Resuscitation.
PMID- 29006827
TI - Some Points in Connection with War Injuries of Peripheral Nerves.
PMID- 29006829
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29006830
TI - Treatment of Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 29006831
TI - Exercises on the Ground without Troops and Their Uses to Senior Medical Officers.
PMID- 29006832
TI - Note to Aid the Search for Schistosomiasis in India.
PMID- 29006833
TI - Mr. Montagu on the I. M. S.
PMID- 29006834
TI - Editorship, I. M. Gazette.
PMID- 29006835
TI - Report on Kala-Azar Cases Treated in the Mitford Hospital during 1918.
PMID- 29006836
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29006838
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006837
TI - The Bacteriology of "Spanish Influenza".
PMID- 29006840
TI - Reports.
PMID- 29006839
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006841
TI - Supplementary Report on Treatment of Lepers with Gynecardate of Soda "A".
PMID- 29006842
TI - I. M. S. Pay Rates.
PMID- 29006843
TI - An Unusual Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29006844
TI - A Simple Operation for Piles.
PMID- 29006845
TI - "Rakta-Pittya" (Blood-Bile) of Ayurved.
PMID- 29006846
TI - Results of Microscopic Examination of the Stools of Five Hundred East African
Natives Not Suffering from Intestinal Diseases.
PMID- 29006847
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
PMID- 29006848
TI - Vegetable and Scurvy.
PMID- 29006849
TI - Further Experience of Sodium Hydnocarpate (Sodium Gynocardate A) and a Trial of
Sodium Morrhuate in Leprosy.
PMID- 29006850
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006851
TI - The Mayo Native Hospital.
PMID- 29006852
TI - Tendon Transplantation and Fixation for Nerve Injuries.
PMID- 29006854
TI - Two Cases of Poisoning-Antifebrin and Naphthalene.
PMID- 29006853
TI - A Case Resembling Yaws.
PMID- 29006855
TI - Six Months' Accumulated Privilege Leave.
PMID- 29006856
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006857
TI - Sir Pardey Lukis Memorial Scholarship.
PMID- 29006859
TI - Sir Walter Buchanan, I.M.S., and "The Indian Medical Gazette".
PMID- 29006858
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele by Plication.
PMID- 29006860
TI - Tetanus with Facial Paralysis.
PMID- 29006861
TI - Massive Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29006862
TI - Bills of Mortality.
PMID- 29006863
TI - On the Radical Cure of Inguinal Hernia: A Plea for Greater Simplicity.
PMID- 29006864
TI - Further Investigations on the Chemical Nature of Margosic Acids (Fatty Acids of
the Nim or Margosa Oil). Recent Conclusions Drawn from Experimental and Clinical
Use of Margosates and Ethyl Ester Margosic.
PMID- 29006865
TI - Santonine in Cholera Infantum.
PMID- 29006866
TI - Surgical Notes.
PMID- 29006867
TI - Early Treatment of Mental Diseases.
PMID- 29006868
TI - Unique Case of Elephantiasis in the Female.
PMID- 29006870
TI - Treatment of Beriberi.
PMID- 29006869
TI - Fish Poisoning in the Persian Gulf.
PMID- 29006871
TI - The Wassermann Reaction in Syphilis as a Guide to Treatment.
PMID- 29006872
TI - Dr. Charles Lloyd.
PMID- 29006873
TI - Ileal Stasis and Ulcer of the Stomach.
PMID- 29006874
TI - Calculi of the Urinary Tract as Seen in a British General Hospital in India.
PMID- 29006875
TI - Tetanus.
PMID- 29006876
TI - Surgical Treatment of Tubercular Abscesses.
PMID- 29006877
TI - Notes of Leprosy Cases Treated by Subcutaneous and Intravenous Injections of
Sodium Morrhuate.
PMID- 29006880
TI - War and Insanity.
PMID- 29006879
TI - A Case of Viper Poisoning.
PMID- 29006881
TI - The History of Influenza.
PMID- 29006882
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006884
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006883
TI - Ophthalmological Congress.
PMID- 29006885
TI - Gastrectasis and Gastro-Duodenal Ulceration.
PMID- 29006887
TI - Hermaphroditism.
PMID- 29006886
TI - Cholera Prophylactic Vaccination.
PMID- 29006888
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006889
TI - Influenza.
PMID- 29006890
TI - Second Attack of Eclampsia.
PMID- 29006891
TI - A Case of Intra-Peritoneal Abscess.
PMID- 29006892
TI - A Case of Malignant Tertian.
PMID- 29006893
TI - Wasserman Technique.
PMID- 29006894
TI - Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29006895
TI - Acidosis in Relation to Diabetes.
PMID- 29006896
TI - Railway Travelling in Hot Weather.
PMID- 29006897
TI - Some Reminiscences.
PMID- 29006898
TI - The Bacteriology of the Blood and the Treatment of Influenza.
PMID- 29006899
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29006900
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29006901
TI - Intestinal Colic.
PMID- 29006902
TI - Tetanus.
PMID- 29006903
TI - Kala-Azar in Assam.
PMID- 29006904
TI - The Treatment of Influenza in India.
PMID- 29006905
TI - Ayurveda of To-Day.
PMID- 29006906
TI - The Indications for Gastro-Jejunostomy.
PMID- 29006907
TI - A Cold in the Head Cure.
PMID- 29006908
TI - Green Vision after Quinine.
PMID- 29006910
TI - Calcutta Tropical School.
PMID- 29006909
TI - A Dog-Bite Treatment.
PMID- 29006911
TI - Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29006913
TI - Observations at Some Hospitals at Home.
PMID- 29006912
TI - Influence of Atmospheric Temperature on Sandfly Fever.
PMID- 29006915
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29006914
TI - A New View of Rats and Plague.
PMID- 29006917
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006916
TI - At the Clinic of Lietu.-Col. Henry Smith, Amritsar.
PMID- 29006918
TI - Auto Therapy.
PMID- 29006919
TI - An Interesting Sequela in a Case of Cholera.
PMID- 29006920
TI - Is There a Primary Lesion in Leprosy?
PMID- 29006921
TI - The 50th Vol. of I. M. G.
PMID- 29006923
TI - Surgn-Genl. G. F. A. Harris.
PMID- 29006922
TI - Studies in Malaria: III. Summary and Conclusion.
PMID- 29006924
TI - The New Military Family Pension Fund.
PMID- 29006925
TI - Two Cases of Ruptured Bladder Recovery.
PMID- 29006927
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29006926
TI - Charges of Rape.
PMID- 29006929
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006928
TI - Progress in the Treatment of Cataract in India.
PMID- 29006930
TI - Studies in Malaria: Oral Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29006931
TI - The Nomenclature of Disease.
PMID- 29006932
TI - Further Work on the Treatment of Kala-Azar, with Special Reference to Leucocyte
Increasing Methods, Spleen Tabloids and Alkalies.
PMID- 29006933
TI - Concerning Inoculation against Plague and Pneumonia: Part II. The Study of
Curative Methods.
PMID- 29006934
TI - Simple or Grievous Hurt.
PMID- 29006935
TI - Accelerated Promotion, the War and Study Leave.
PMID- 29006936
TI - Studies in Malaria: Part III-Continued.
PMID- 29006937
TI - Concerning Inoculation against Plague and Pneumonia.
PMID- 29006938
TI - Co-Relation of the Ductless Glands and the Onset of Labour.
PMID- 29006939
TI - Excision of the Upper Jaw for Sarcoma.
PMID- 29006941
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006940
TI - Injections of Cyanide of Mercury.
PMID- 29006942
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29006943
TI - Date of Commission, I. M S.
PMID- 29006944
TI - The Indian Hospitals at Brighton.
PMID- 29006945
TI - Pyorrhoea Alveolaris and Its Treatment by Vaccine and Emetine.
PMID- 29006946
TI - The Medical Services in 1914.
PMID- 29006947
TI - On a Macrostoma Found in Human Intestinal Contents.
PMID- 29006948
TI - Iodine in Vaccination.
PMID- 29006949
TI - Plague and Rats.
PMID- 29006950
TI - Spinal Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29006952
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29006951
TI - Wright's Vaccine Bottles for Keeping Hypodermic Solutions.
PMID- 29006953
TI - Port Health Regulations, Bombay.
PMID- 29006954
TI - A Case of Malingering.
PMID- 29006955
TI - Forty-Four Pounds of Ascites Fluid.
PMID- 29006956
TI - Sero-Diagnosis of Syphilis-III.
PMID- 29006957
TI - Some Cases of Typhoid and Para-Typhoid.
PMID- 29006958
TI - Some Experiences in the War.
PMID- 29006959
TI - Operation of Shortening the Round Ligaments.
PMID- 29006960
TI - Abnormal Labour Case.
PMID- 29006961
TI - Acidosis and Oedema in Its Relation to Glaucoma.
PMID- 29006962
TI - Interesting Cases.
PMID- 29006963
TI - Review of a Year's Medico-Legal Work in the Calcutta Morgue, 1914: Including
Comparative Figures for the Triennium 1912-14.
PMID- 29006964
TI - A Second Caesarean Section.
PMID- 29006966
TI - Pay of Military Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 29006965
TI - A Case of Extensive Emphysema.
PMID- 29006968
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006967
TI - Haemorrhage from the Lateral Sinus.
PMID- 29006969
TI - Oil of Dhup.
PMID- 29006970
TI - Sub-Asst. Surgns.' Conference.
PMID- 29006971
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29006972
TI - The Sero-Diagnosis of Syphilis.-Notes II.
PMID- 29006973
TI - Laboratory Work Done at Kurseong Hospital in 1913.
PMID- 29006974
TI - Surgical Survey of the Casualties in Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29006975
TI - Iodine and Vaccination.
PMID- 29006977
TI - Heart Strain among Sepoys.
PMID- 29006976
TI - Right Scrotal Faecal Fistula.
PMID- 29006978
TI - Quinine and Arsenical Preparations in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29006980
TI - Studies in Malaria: Part III-Continued.
PMID- 29006979
TI - The Significance of Arneth's Leucocyte Count.
PMID- 29006981
TI - Guinea Worm Disease in India.
PMID- 29006982
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006983
TI - Classification of Medical Schools.
PMID- 29006984
TI - The Treatment of Ankylostomiasis, or Hookworm Disease.
PMID- 29006985
TI - A Medico-Legal Suggestion.
PMID- 29006986
TI - Intramuscular Injection of Quinine in Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29006987
TI - Placenta Praevia.
PMID- 29006988
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29006989
TI - Research Work in Madras.
PMID- 29006990
TI - Shrapnel Wounds of the Knee-Joint.
PMID- 29006991
TI - Notes on a Small Outbreak of Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29006992
TI - Studies in Malaria: Salvarsan in Malaria.
PMID- 29006993
TI - A Case of Chronic Intestinal Obstruction Due to Tuberculous Cicatricial
Constrictions of the Jejunum.
PMID- 29006994
TI - A Useful Splint for Compound Fractures of the Leg.
PMID- 29006995
TI - Report and Statistics of the Cholera Epidemic in the Ahmednagar District for the
Years 1912 and 1913.
PMID- 29006997
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29006996
TI - Foreign Body in Trachea.
PMID- 29006998
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29006999
TI - Report on an Unusual Case of "Siamese" Twins.
PMID- 29007000
TI - Emetine during Pregnancy.
PMID- 29007001
TI - Sir Robert Macara.
PMID- 29007002
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29007003
TI - Emetine in Cholera.
PMID- 29007004
TI - Studies in Malaria : Part II.
PMID- 29007005
TI - Scrotal Fistula.
PMID- 29007006
TI - Intravenous Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 29007008
TI - Port Health Regulations, Calcutta.
PMID- 29007007
TI - Death after Salvarsan.
PMID- 29007009
TI - Dysentery.
PMID- 29007010
TI - Review of a Year's Medico-Legal Work in the Calcutta Morgue, 1913.
PMID- 29007012
TI - The War and the Drug Supply.
PMID- 29007011
TI - On a Five Flagellate Trichomonas (N. Sp.) Parasitic in Man.
PMID- 29007013
TI - The Hospital Ship "Madras".
PMID- 29007015
TI - Kedani River Fever in the Federated Malay States.
PMID- 29007014
TI - A Case of Fish Poisoning.
PMID- 29007016
TI - Oleum Ricini: Its Place in Surgery.
PMID- 29007017
TI - Rats and Plague.
PMID- 29007018
TI - Cataract Statistics.
PMID- 29007019
TI - Beta Naphthol Poisoning.
PMID- 29007021
TI - Objectionable Puffing.
PMID- 29007020
TI - Casualties in the Persian Gulf.
PMID- 29007022
TI - A Case of Asphyxia.
PMID- 29007023
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29007024
TI - Jats and Scabies.
PMID- 29007025
TI - Gunshot Wound: Peculiar Symptoms of Shock.
PMID- 29007026
TI - Litholapaxy in India.
PMID- 29007027
TI - Hypnotics and Their Uses.
PMID- 29007028
TI - Retention of a Foreign Body for Twenty Years.
PMID- 29007029
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007031
TI - Case of Bite from Naia Tripudians-Recovery.
PMID- 29007030
TI - Studies in Malaria: III. The Injections of Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29007032
TI - The Open Method of Treatment of Fractures.
PMID- 29007034
TI - An Independent Medical College.
PMID- 29007033
TI - Concerning Inoculation.
PMID- 29007035
TI - Intestinal Parasites in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29007036
TI - Hexamethylene Tetramine in Septic Inflammations of the Cornea and Conjunctiva.
PMID- 29007038
TI - A Year's Surgery at the Secunderabad Civil Hospital.
PMID- 29007037
TI - What Is a "Grievous Hurt?"
PMID- 29007040
TI - Promotions in the I. M. S.
PMID- 29007039
TI - "Morphine Injector's Septicaemia" ("Whitmore's Disease").
PMID- 29007042
TI - General Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29007043
TI - Surgical Notes from Madras Hospital.
PMID- 29007041
TI - Results of the Treatment of 69 Cases of Cholera by Rogers' Method.
PMID- 29007044
TI - Cataract Statistics.
PMID- 29007045
TI - An Outbreak of Anthrax.
PMID- 29007046
TI - Progressive Muscular Dystrophy (Erb.).
PMID- 29007047
TI - Substitutes for German Health Resorts.
PMID- 29007048
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007049
TI - Tetanus and Use of Quinine Hypodermically.
PMID- 29007050
TI - Florence's Reaction-A Neglected Test for Seminal Stains.
PMID- 29007051
TI - A Case of Raynaud's Symmetrical Gangrene.
PMID- 29007052
TI - Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29007053
TI - A Pocket Electroscope.
PMID- 29007054
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29007055
TI - Saline Injection in Cholera.
PMID- 29007056
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007057
TI - Outbreaks of Epidemic Dropsy in Moffassil.
PMID- 29007058
TI - A New Method of Gastro-Enterostomy.
PMID- 29007059
TI - The Indian Military Family Pension Funds.
PMID- 29007060
TI - Some Cholera Experiences.
PMID- 29007061
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia with Incubation of One Year.
PMID- 29007063
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007062
TI - The Treatment of Kala-Azar. By Tartar Emetic Intravenously and Inunctions of
Metallic Antimony.
PMID- 29007064
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29007065
TI - Tetanus and the Use of Quinine Hypodermically.
PMID- 29007066
TI - Nine Stones in a Urinary Bladder.
PMID- 29007067
TI - The St. John Ambulance Association. A Brief Historical Sketch.
PMID- 29007068
TI - Report of the Lady Hardinge Hospital, Brockenhurst.
PMID- 29007070
TI - Rupture of Normal Spleen.
PMID- 29007069
TI - The Treatment of Kala-Azar with Tartar Emetic.
PMID- 29007071
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007073
TI - Irrigation and Cataract: Analysis of 250 Cases.
PMID- 29007072
TI - Anatomical Dissymmetry.
PMID- 29007074
TI - The Medical Practitioners' Bill.
PMID- 29007075
TI - Combined Vaccines.
PMID- 29007076
TI - French Surgery.
PMID- 29007078
TI - War Surgery.
PMID- 29007077
TI - Examination of the Rectum.
PMID- 29007079
TI - Tetanus and Quinine.
PMID- 29007080
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29007081
TI - Hydrocele without Operation.
PMID- 29007082
TI - Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29007083
TI - Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29007084
TI - A Big Stone in Bladder.
PMID- 29007086
TI - Malaria in the Punjab (Gill).
PMID- 29007085
TI - Epidemic Dropsy (Cart): The Epidemic Dropsy at Nator during the Year 1906.
PMID- 29007087
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29007088
TI - A Preliminary Report on the Treatment of Kala-Azar with Intravenous Injection of
Metallic Antimony.
PMID- 29007089
TI - The Actual Cautery in Mental Derangement.
PMID- 29007090
TI - Coolie Anaemia.
PMID- 29007091
TI - Anaemia in Indian Coolies.
PMID- 29007092
TI - Russell's Viper Bite.
PMID- 29007093
TI - Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007094
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007095
TI - Medical Education in U. S. A.
PMID- 29007096
TI - Primary Atheroma of the Pulmonary Artery.
PMID- 29007097
TI - Snake-Bite in C. P.
PMID- 29007098
TI - A New Cataract Operation.
PMID- 29007099
TI - Polo Eye Accidents.
PMID- 29007100
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007101
TI - The Volume of the Dead Space in Breathing.
PMID- 29007102
TI - The Use of Clamps in Restraining Haemorrhage during the Operation for
Elephantiasis of the Scrotum.
PMID- 29007103
TI - Some Observations on the Infant Mortality in Khulna District.
PMID- 29007105
TI - The Year 1921.
PMID- 29007104
TI - A Case of Myiasis of the Frontal and Ethmoidal Sinuses and the Orbit.
PMID- 29007106
TI - A Method of Securing Dressings to Operation Wounds.
PMID- 29007107
TI - Notes on a Case of Venereal Papilloma.
PMID- 29007108
TI - The Research Defence Society.
PMID- 29007109
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007110
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007112
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007111
TI - A Barbaric Method of Circumcision Amongst Some of the Arab Tribes of Yemen.
PMID- 29007113
TI - The Effect of the Control and Rationing of Rice on Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29007115
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007114
TI - Preliminary Notes on the Use of Tincture of Iodine Intravenously.
PMID- 29007116
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007117
TI - A Note on a Recent Outbreak of Influenza.
PMID- 29007118
TI - A Case of Malignant Malaria of an Unusual Type.
PMID- 29007119
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007120
TI - Suggestions to Increase the Utility of the Medical College Journals.
PMID- 29007121
TI - Some Principles in the Prevention of Deformities in Joints.
PMID- 29007122
TI - Preliminary Report of the X-Ray and Radium Protection Committee.
PMID- 29007123
TI - Infantile Enlargement of the Liver.
PMID- 29007124
TI - Cattle in the Prevention of Malaria.
PMID- 29007125
TI - New General Anaesthetic.
PMID- 29007126
TI - The Role of Meteorology in Malaria.
PMID- 29007127
TI - Bacilluria : Another Unnamed Organism.
PMID- 29007128
TI - A Further Note on the Results of Influenza Vaccine Inoculation.
PMID- 29007129
TI - Some Rare Cases.
PMID- 29007130
TI - A Direct Record Scotometer, for Investigating the Central Field of Vision.
PMID- 29007131
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007132
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007133
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007134
TI - Endemic Goitre.
PMID- 29007135
TI - Osmosis through the Skin.
PMID- 29007136
TI - Chronic Dysenteric Peritonitis.
PMID- 29007137
TI - A Remarkable Case of Infantile Paralysis.
PMID- 29007138
TI - Successful Treatment of a Case of Scalding.
PMID- 29007139
TI - A Case of Filarial Cyst on the Eye.
PMID- 29007140
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007141
TI - The Present Position with Regard to the Treatment of Ankylostomiasis.
PMID- 29007142
TI - Recent Work on Malaria.
PMID- 29007143
TI - An Unusual Case of Abdominal Injury.
PMID- 29007144
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007145
TI - The Spirochaete of Dengue.
PMID- 29007146
TI - Glaucoma and Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29007148
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007147
TI - Notes on Filariasis, Elephantiasis and Allied Conditions.
PMID- 29007149
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007150
TI - Blackwater Fever in Khondmals, Orissa.
PMID- 29007151
TI - Recovery of Income Tax.
PMID- 29007152
TI - A Case of Haemophilia.
PMID- 29007153
TI - Four Years' Surgery in an Indian General Hospital in Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29007154
TI - The Value of Sodium Morrhuate and Sodium Linate in Tuberculosis and Leprosy.
PMID- 29007155
TI - Filarial Disease.
PMID- 29007156
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007157
TI - The Cure of Hernia by Vaccine.
PMID- 29007158
TI - A Plea for the More Frequent Use of Intravenous Medication with Special Reference
to the Use of Iodine.
PMID- 29007159
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007160
TI - Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29007161
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007162
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007163
TI - A Case of Death from Hornet-Stings' Popularly Known as "Wasp-Bite".
PMID- 29007164
TI - British Income Tax.
PMID- 29007165
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007166
TI - A Case of Gangrene Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
PMID- 29007167
TI - Eighth Annual Meeting of the Indian Science Congress Calcutta, 1921: Section of
Medical Research.
PMID- 29007169
TI - Industrial Medicine and Hygiene in Bengal.
PMID- 29007168
TI - Chronic Lead Poisoning in the Printing Presses of Calcutta.
PMID- 29007170
TI - A Modified Bassini Method for the Radical Cure of Hernia by Plication and
Overlapping of Externus Obliquus Abdominis with Statistics of 72 Cases.
PMID- 29007172
TI - The Dangers of Delay in Operating on Appendicitis in Children and Pregnant Women.
PMID- 29007171
TI - A Remarkable Case of Natural Recovery of Gangrenous Gut in a Case of Strangulated
Hernia.
PMID- 29007174
TI - Malaria and the Lost Cities of Ceylon.
PMID- 29007173
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007175
TI - Off-Hand Diagnosis of Cataract.
PMID- 29007177
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007176
TI - Indian Science Congress: Eighth Annual Meeting, Calcutta, 1921. Section of
Medical Research.
PMID- 29007179
TI - Broncho-Moniliasis.
PMID- 29007178
TI - Round Worm in Surgery.
PMID- 29007180
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007182
TI - Belladonna Poisoning.
PMID- 29007183
TI - Bilharzia in Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29007181
TI - Bacillus Coli Pericarditis.
PMID- 29007184
TI - Bi-Lateral Cerebellar Abscess.
PMID- 29007185
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007186
TI - Injection for Piles.
PMID- 29007187
TI - Phylacogen in Pleuro-Pneumonia.
PMID- 29007188
TI - Extraction of Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29007189
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007190
TI - Novarsenobillon in Syphilitic Buboes.
PMID- 29007191
TI - Psycho-Analysis.
PMID- 29007192
TI - Intestinal Obstruction with Internal Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29007193
TI - Snake-Swallowing in an Insane.
PMID- 29007194
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007195
TI - The Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29007196
TI - Rheumatic Adenitis.
PMID- 29007197
TI - Is Quinine a Failure?
PMID- 29007198
TI - Arsenical Dermatitis after "606".
PMID- 29007199
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007200
TI - A Medico-Legal Reference.
PMID- 29007202
TI - The Cause of Dysentery.
PMID- 29007201
TI - The Cure of Hernia by Vaccine.
PMID- 29007203
TI - A Wassermann Survey of the Inmates of the Ranchi European Lunatic Asylum.
PMID- 29007204
TI - Advice to Patients.
PMID- 29007205
TI - The Uses of Sodium Cacodylate.
PMID- 29007206
TI - A Curious Case of Ascites.
PMID- 29007208
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007207
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007209
TI - Auto-Haemic or Auto-Serum Therapy.
PMID- 29007210
TI - Strange Migration of a Round Worm.
PMID- 29007211
TI - The Incidence of Gingivitis among the Indian Troops.
PMID- 29007212
TI - Observations on Malaria, Part II.
PMID- 29007214
TI - Plague at Pyawbwe (Upper Burma).
PMID- 29007213
TI - Transfusion of Blood.
PMID- 29007215
TI - Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29007217
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007216
TI - A Case of Strangulation in a Child of 15 Months.
PMID- 29007218
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007219
TI - The Erect Posture of Man.
PMID- 29007221
TI - Enteroptosis and Dropped Kidney. A New Method of Treatment.
PMID- 29007220
TI - Relapsing Fever at Meshed, North-East Persia.
PMID- 29007222
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007224
TI - The Anal-Complex and Its Relation to Delusions of Persecution.
PMID- 29007223
TI - Flavine in Ophthalmic Practice.
PMID- 29007225
TI - A Unique Instance of Lead Intoxication.
PMID- 29007226
TI - A Case of Encephalitis Lethargica.
PMID- 29007227
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007228
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007229
TI - Influenza and Other Respiratory Infections.
PMID- 29007230
TI - Septic Gastritis in Kashmir.
PMID- 29007231
TI - Laboratory Records from Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29007232
TI - Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29007233
TI - Kala-Azar: Diagnosis and Treatment.
PMID- 29007234
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007236
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007235
TI - Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29007237
TI - Haemorrhagic Meningo-Encephalitis in Anthrax: Report of a Case.
PMID- 29007239
TI - The Serdang Doktor Fonds: An Experiment in Practical Sanitation in Sumatra.
PMID- 29007238
TI - Thymol in Uncinariasis.
PMID- 29007242
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007240
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007241
TI - The Teaching of Midwifery in Indian Medical Colleges.
PMID- 29007243
TI - Superacute Oedema of Lungs.
PMID- 29007244
TI - The Formol-Gel Test in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007246
TI - Iodine Injection for Septic Conditions.
PMID- 29007245
TI - A Typhus-Like Fever in India, Possibly Transmitted by Ticks.
PMID- 29007247
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007248
TI - The Cure of Hernia by Vaccine.
PMID- 29007249
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007251
TI - The General Medical Council and Indian Medical Education.
PMID- 29007250
TI - Sebaceous Horn.
PMID- 29007252
TI - Notes on a Case of Liver Abscess Treated by Aspiration and Injection of Quinine
Hydrochloride: Recovery.
PMID- 29007254
TI - Kaolin Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29007253
TI - Notes on the Twelve-Day Fever of Nigeria.
PMID- 29007255
TI - The Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of India for
1919.
PMID- 29007256
TI - The Present Position of Leprosy in India.
PMID- 29007258
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007257
TI - The Use of the Galvanic Current in the Treatment of Fibrous Ankylosis and Kindred
Affections.
PMID- 29007259
TI - Popular Health Instruction.
PMID- 29007260
TI - A Successful Operation of Bilateral Tumours of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29007261
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007262
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007264
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007263
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007266
TI - Notes on 2,412 Eye Operations Performed in a Month at Shikarpur, Sind, in January
and February, 1921.
PMID- 29007265
TI - Pathology of Ringworm and Allied Skin Diseases.
PMID- 29007267
TI - The Poison of the Scolopendridae Being a Special Reference to the Andaman
Species.
PMID- 29007269
TI - Diet in Diabetes.
PMID- 29007268
TI - Short Notes on Two Cases of Snake-Bite, Echis Carinata: Phoorsa.
PMID- 29007270
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007272
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007271
TI - The Treatment of Malarial Fever in Individuals Susceptible to Attacks of Black
Water Fever by Intravenous Injection of an Antihaemolytic Quinine Solution.
PMID- 29007273
TI - The Practical Side of Cheap, Efficient Incineration.
PMID- 29007274
TI - Some Interesting Eye Cases.
PMID- 29007275
TI - The Treatment of Erysipelas.
PMID- 29007276
TI - A Case of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus.
PMID- 29007277
TI - Radical Cure of Hydrocele by Plication and Overlapping of Tunica Vaginalis with
Statistics of 225 Cases.
PMID- 29007278
TI - An Undiagnosed Case of Hepatic Enlargement.
PMID- 29007279
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29007280
TI - The Fight against Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29007281
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007283
TI - Physiological Standardisation of Digitalis with Special Reference to the Method
Suitable for Use in India.
PMID- 29007282
TI - Statistics of the Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29007284
TI - A Case of Cerebral Abscess.
PMID- 29007286
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007285
TI - "Stibenyl" and Its Use in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007287
TI - Relapsing Fever Epidemic in Seoni District (Central Provinces), February to May
1920.
PMID- 29007289
TI - The Use of Calcium Chloride in Labour.
PMID- 29007288
TI - An Interesting Case of Rabies.
PMID- 29007290
TI - A Case of Full Term Pregnancy.
PMID- 29007292
TI - Complete Extirpation of Pancreas with Absence of Glycosuria.
PMID- 29007291
TI - The B. M. A. and the I. M. S.
PMID- 29007293
TI - Report on Dr. Gokal Chand's Specimen.
PMID- 29007294
TI - A Cyst of Interest.
PMID- 29007295
TI - Haemolytic Test in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007296
TI - Toxic Idiopathies.
PMID- 29007297
TI - Cachar Sore and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29007298
TI - Royapuram Medical School War Memorial.
PMID- 29007300
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007299
TI - Permanganate Pills in Cholera.
PMID- 29007301
TI - The British Medical Association and the I.M.S.
PMID- 29007302
TI - A Double-Headed Monster.
PMID- 29007303
TI - A Case of Ovarian Cyst of Unique Dimensions.
PMID- 29007305
TI - Haemorrhagic Type of Malaria.
PMID- 29007306
TI - Some Notes on Novarsenobillon.
PMID- 29007304
TI - Treatment of Malaria with Quinine.
PMID- 29007308
TI - A Medico-Legal Note of Importance: A Male Infant Born with Two Lower Central
Incisor Teeth.
PMID- 29007307
TI - A Case for Diagnosis: A Developmental Defect of Unknown Origin.
PMID- 29007310
TI - Observations on Malaria.
PMID- 29007309
TI - Two Vesical Calculi of Peculiar Shape.
PMID- 29007311
TI - The Incubation Period of Leprosy.
PMID- 29007313
TI - The Stability of "A. B." Insulin in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007312
TI - A Practical Method of Preserving Chloride of Lime in India.
PMID- 29007314
TI - The Technique of Intravenous Injections.
PMID- 29007315
TI - Report on 69 Cases of Non-Venereal Ulcers Treated by Intravenous Injection of a
Solution of Tartar Emetic.
PMID- 29007316
TI - The Preparation of Permanent Stained Microscopical Specimens of Erythrocytes from
Old Blood Stains.
PMID- 29007317
TI - Erratum: The Indian Medical Year, 1923. A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 35 in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29007318
TI - A Short Note on an Outbreak of Three-Day Fever in Patna.
PMID- 29007320
TI - The Treatment of Small-Pox.
PMID- 29007319
TI - Nerve Abscess in Leprosy.
PMID- 29007321
TI - Report on the Treatment of Gonorrhoea by Intravenous Injections of Acriflavine.
PMID- 29007322
TI - Intestinal Coleoptera.
PMID- 29007323
TI - The Typhus Group of Fevers.
PMID- 29007324
TI - A Case of Alastrim (Kaffir Pox).
PMID- 29007325
TI - Gold Chloride in Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29007326
TI - The Geographical Distribution of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007327
TI - A Case of Epithelioma of the Penis.
PMID- 29007329
TI - India in a State of Grave Emergency.
PMID- 29007328
TI - The Hospital Working Day.
PMID- 29007330
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007331
TI - A Simple Method of Staining Leishmania Donovani in Tissues.
PMID- 29007332
TI - Psycho-Therapy in General Practice.
PMID- 29007333
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007334
TI - Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29007335
TI - Ascites as a Complication in Diabetes.
PMID- 29007336
TI - Electrolysis in Trichiasis. With or without Entropion.
PMID- 29007337
TI - Sensitized Anti-Plague Vaccine.
PMID- 29007338
TI - A Case of Double Hernia.
PMID- 29007339
TI - A Fibroma of the Orbital Fossa.
PMID- 29007340
TI - On the Dysenteries of India.
PMID- 29007341
TI - Some Observations on the Toxicity of Emetine.
PMID- 29007342
TI - Intravenous Iodine Injections in Plague.
PMID- 29007343
TI - Notes on the Reorganisation of the Field Ambulance for Work on the Indian
Frontier, with Suggestions for Improvements in Equipment and Training.
PMID- 29007344
TI - Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 200 in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29007345
TI - Insulin in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007347
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007346
TI - Squamous Celled Epithelioma Due to Kangri Burn.
PMID- 29007348
TI - Zinc Ionisation in Eczema of the Auditory Canal.
PMID- 29007349
TI - An Unusual Case of Rupture of an Aortic Aneurysm.
PMID- 29007350
TI - A Suit for Professional Fees.
PMID- 29007351
TI - Erratum: Notes on the Treatment of Malaria with the Alkaloids of Cinchona.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 153b in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29007352
TI - Phenolaine.
PMID- 29007353
TI - The Variability in Rabbits Used for the Assay of Insulin.
PMID- 29007354
TI - Scarlatina in Indians.
PMID- 29007355
TI - On the Seven Scourges of India.
PMID- 29007356
TI - An Unusual Condylomatous Tumour of the Lip.
PMID- 29007357
TI - A Case of Renal Glycosuria.
PMID- 29007358
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007359
TI - Insulin in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007361
TI - The Indian Medical Year.
PMID- 29007360
TI - A Note on the Serological Diagnosis of Typhus by the Weil-Felix Reaction.
PMID- 29007362
TI - A Case of Lymphatic Cyst or Hydrocele of the Neck.
PMID- 29007364
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007363
TI - The Treatment of Syphilis by "Bismuth".
PMID- 29007366
TI - The Next Step.
PMID- 29007365
TI - The Deterioration of Insulin in India.
PMID- 29007367
TI - On a Pseudo-Organism in the Blood in Dengue.
PMID- 29007369
TI - Malaria in Assam.
PMID- 29007368
TI - A Cystic Tumour of the Omentum.
PMID- 29007370
TI - Two Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29007371
TI - Venereal Disease Problems among Indian Women.
PMID- 29007372
TI - Rhinoliths.
PMID- 29007373
TI - Plasmodium Tenue and P. Ovale.
PMID- 29007375
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007374
TI - A Case of Pancreatic Cyst in a Child.
PMID- 29007376
TI - A. B. Insulin Batch, No. 243.
PMID- 29007377
TI - A Case of a Perforating Injury of the Eye from a Foreign Body, at the Clinic of
Wiedenkrankenhaus, Vienna.
PMID- 29007378
TI - Ascaris Lumbricoides and Severe Haemorrhage as Complications in a Case of Mixed
Type of Dysentery.
PMID- 29007379
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007380
TI - Preliminary Notes on the Use of a Sensitised Anti-Plague Vaccine.
PMID- 29007381
TI - The Dosage of Sodium Cacodylate Intravenously.
PMID- 29007382
TI - Liver Function Tests and Carbon Tetrachloride.
PMID- 29007384
TI - The Other Side of the Picture.
PMID- 29007383
TI - Erratum: The Indian Medical Year, 1923. A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 35 in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29007385
TI - On the Failure of Vitex Peduncularis in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29007386
TI - Insulin in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007388
TI - A Sensitized Anti-Plague Vaccine.
PMID- 29007387
TI - On the Potency of Insulin in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007389
TI - Some Common Ailments of Children, Their Identification and Treatment.
PMID- 29007390
TI - Notes on Malaria in Shillong.
PMID- 29007391
TI - The Deterioration of Insulin in India: An Experiment of 6 Months' Duration, with
One Batch of British Insulin, Now 8 Months Old, to Illustrate Its Extent of
Deterioration.
PMID- 29007393
TI - Insulin.
PMID- 29007392
TI - Testing of Insulin.
PMID- 29007394
TI - Malaria on Ambootia Tea Estate near Kurseong and the Success of Some Anti
Malarial Operations.
PMID- 29007396
TI - The Use of Intravenous Injections of Iodine in the Treatment of Septicaemia and
Other Septic Conditions.
PMID- 29007395
TI - A Case of Abdominal Injury Treated by Resection and Enterorrhaphy.
PMID- 29007397
TI - Obstetric Teaching. The Live Method.
PMID- 29007398
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. iii in vol. 58.].
PMID- 29007400
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007399
TI - A Case of Paratyphoid B.
PMID- 29007401
TI - The Rockefeller Foundation.
PMID- 29007402
TI - What Disease Costs India: Being a Statement of the Problem before Medical
Research in India.
PMID- 29007403
TI - Notes on the AEtiology of Some Skin Diseases Met with in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007404
TI - The British Empire Exhibition.
PMID- 29007405
TI - Poisonous Wheat.
PMID- 29007406
TI - The Deterioration of Insulin in India.
PMID- 29007407
TI - On a Standard Treatment for Malaria.
PMID- 29007408
TI - A Case of Anaphylaxis.
PMID- 29007409
TI - An Outbreak of the Epidemic Dropsy Form of Beriberi in Calcutta.
PMID- 29007410
TI - Benger's Food.
PMID- 29007412
TI - Notes on a Year's Work (1923) at the U. F. C. Mission Hospital, Kalna, Burdwan
District.
PMID- 29007411
TI - A Case of Local Tetanus.
PMID- 29007413
TI - The Operation of Litholapaxy and Its Limitations.
PMID- 29007414
TI - The Formol-Gel (Aldehyde) Test as a Means of Diagnosis of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007416
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007415
TI - Some Further Observations in Respect to Syphilis Complicating Mental Disease.
PMID- 29007417
TI - Insulin in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007418
TI - Syphilitic Granulomata of the Uterus and Appendages in a Child of 8 Years.
PMID- 29007419
TI - Clitoria Ternatea in Leucoderma.
PMID- 29007421
TI - On a Non-Operative Treatment for Hernia.
PMID- 29007420
TI - The Leprosy Problem.
PMID- 29007422
TI - On the Results of Anti-Malaria Measures in Five Towns in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29007423
TI - The British Empire Exhibition.
PMID- 29007424
TI - Some Factors in Individual Susceptibility.
PMID- 29007425
TI - Intravenous Iodine in Plague.
PMID- 29007426
TI - Dental Surgery for Medical Practitioners.
PMID- 29007427
TI - An Automatic Fly Proof Latrine Seat.
PMID- 29007428
TI - Intravenous Air Embolism.
PMID- 29007429
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007430
TI - Clinical Notes on Some Interesting Cases of Difficult Labour.
PMID- 29007431
TI - On the Use of Adrenalin in White Asphyxia of the Newly Born.
PMID- 29007432
TI - The Provision of Whole Time District Health Personnel in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29007433
TI - The Effect of Enteric Vaccine on Endemic Goitre in Children.
PMID- 29007434
TI - On Transient Infections with Leishmania Donovani in Man and Animals.
PMID- 29007435
TI - Some Experiments on the Injuries Produced by Firearms at Short Range.
PMID- 29007437
TI - British Income-Tax Refunds.
PMID- 29007436
TI - On a New Treatment for Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29007438
TI - Supernumerary Spleen with Notes on a Case of a Rare Type.
PMID- 29007440
TI - Intestinal Coleoptera.
PMID- 29007439
TI - Is Leprosy Curable?
PMID- 29007442
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007441
TI - Butyn as a Local Anaesthetic in Ophthalmic Surgery.
PMID- 29007443
TI - A Strangulated Diaphragmatic Hernia of the Stomach.
PMID- 29007445
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007444
TI - Typhus Fever in the Agency Tracts, Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29007446
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite (Echis Carinatus) Treated with Hypertonic Saline Solution
Intravenously.
PMID- 29007447
TI - The Treatment of Puerperal Tetanus.
PMID- 29007448
TI - An Unusual Case of Spinal Syphilis.
PMID- 29007449
TI - The Dysenteries of India.
PMID- 29007450
TI - The Spontaneous Absorption of Amoebic Abscess of the Liver under Emetine Therapy.
PMID- 29007451
TI - A Case of Atresia of the Vagina and Uterus.
PMID- 29007452
TI - Marris' Atropine Test in Typhoid Fever and Its Value.
PMID- 29007453
TI - The Problem of Cure in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007455
TI - Report on the Surgical Work at the Madras Government General Hospital, 1923.
PMID- 29007454
TI - Malarial Infection as a Possible Cause of Raynaud's Disease.
PMID- 29007456
TI - Saponification of Bodies in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh: Being a Paper
Read at the Medical Research Section of the Indian Science Congress, 1924.
PMID- 29007457
TI - A Pseudo-Addisonian Syndrome.
PMID- 29007459
TI - Methods of Treatment in Cholera.
PMID- 29007458
TI - The Kala-Azar Transmission Problem.
PMID- 29007461
TI - Intravenous Air Embolism.
PMID- 29007460
TI - Of Fashions in Medicine.
PMID- 29007462
TI - A Case of Hydroa Gravidarum.
PMID- 29007463
TI - A Case of Esophoria after Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29007464
TI - First Progress Report of the Campaign against Mosquitoes, Back Bay Reclamation
Scheme, Bombay: Reviewing the Origin and Progress of the Anti-Malarial Campaign,
during the Period June 1923 to June 1924.
PMID- 29007465
TI - Mastoid Suppuration without Tympanic Perforation and Suppuration.
PMID- 29007466
TI - On Spider-Lick, a Dermatozoosis.
PMID- 29007467
TI - Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29007468
TI - A Case of Stone in the Bladder with Prolapse of the Rectum.
PMID- 29007470
TI - The Treatment of Cholera by Cresol.
PMID- 29007469
TI - Some Interesting Eye Cases.
PMID- 29007471
TI - Fifteen Cases of Exanthematic Typhus in Calcutta.
PMID- 29007472
TI - A Case of Missed Labour.
PMID- 29007473
TI - The Globulin Content of the Serum in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007474
TI - An Extreme Case of Morphia Tolerance.
PMID- 29007476
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007475
TI - A Large Monolocular Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29007477
TI - A Simple Method for Detecting and Estimating Indican in the Urine by Means of the
Cotton-Wool Plug Test.
PMID- 29007478
TI - The Use of the Seton in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007479
TI - A Case of Gangosa in Baluchistan.
PMID- 29007480
TI - Beriberi and Rice Control in Malaya.
PMID- 29007481
TI - Why Are We One-Handed.
PMID- 29007482
TI - A Case of Complete Traumatic Dislocation of the Lens under the Conjunctiva.
PMID- 29007484
TI - Hereditary Glaucoma Affecting Three Generations.
PMID- 29007483
TI - A Case of the Tetany of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29007485
TI - Intestinal Stasis and Cancer in Indians.
PMID- 29007486
TI - Urea-Stibamine in the Treatment of Kala-Azar under Tea Garden Conditions.
PMID- 29007487
TI - A Case of Aneurysm of the External Carotid Artery.
PMID- 29007488
TI - Ante-Natal Care: An Address on "The New Midwifery" at the All-India Baby Week
Conference in Calcutta.
PMID- 29007490
TI - A Congenital Abnormality of the Uterus and Vagina.
PMID- 29007489
TI - Experimental Studies in Bilharzia Therapy (S. Spindalis): A Preliminary Report.
PMID- 29007491
TI - A Case of Uterine Fibroid.
PMID- 29007492
TI - A Case of Rudimentary Uterus in an Adult Female.
PMID- 29007494
TI - Studies in Dracontiasis: Part VI.
PMID- 29007493
TI - Notes on the Local Concentration of Drugs.
PMID- 29007496
TI - A Case of Carcinoma of the Urethra in a Youth.
PMID- 29007497
TI - Dustypore.
PMID- 29007495
TI - Pyorrhoea Alveolaris.
PMID- 29007498
TI - The Diagnosis of Kala-Azar by Examination of Thick Blood Films.
PMID- 29007499
TI - The Use of Emetine Intravenously.
PMID- 29007500
TI - Encysted Guinea-Worm of the Orbit.
PMID- 29007501
TI - A Case of Double Malarial Infection, Complicated with Typhoid Fever in a Patient
Six Months' Pregnant.
PMID- 29007502
TI - Foreign Bodies in the Ear and Nose.
PMID- 29007503
TI - Four Cases of Spotted Fever at Nagpur.
PMID- 29007504
TI - A Unique Case of Hydatid of the Liver.
PMID- 29007505
TI - A New Device for Ionization of the Urethra.
PMID- 29007506
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 304 in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29007507
TI - Ophthalmological Jottings from a Leave Diary.
PMID- 29007508
TI - Two Cases of Pseudo-Hermaphrodism Admitted to the Myingyan Central Jail, Burma.
PMID- 29007509
TI - Of Entamoeba Histolytica Carriers.
PMID- 29007511
TI - An Unusual Number of Intussusceptions.
PMID- 29007510
TI - The Psychology of Freud.
PMID- 29007512
TI - A Case of Abdominal Injury.
PMID- 29007513
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007514
TI - The Psychology of Freud.
PMID- 29007515
TI - The Medical Aspects of the Indian Census of 1921.
PMID- 29007516
TI - Cases of Kala-Azar Showing Little or No Improvement with Sodium Antimony
Tartrate, Subsequently Cured by Urea Stibamine.
PMID- 29007517
TI - A Note on the Cause of Pemphigus Contagiosus (Manson).
PMID- 29007518
TI - Gangosa in India.
PMID- 29007520
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007519
TI - Notes on Malaria in Hill-Stations in or near the Eastern Himalayas.
PMID- 29007521
TI - Some Observations on the Cholera Epidemic in Bombay, 1923.
PMID- 29007522
TI - The Aldehyde Test in Schistosomum Haematobium Infection.
PMID- 29007523
TI - A Case of Rupture of the Retina.
PMID- 29007524
TI - Notes on a Few Cases of Cholera Treated by Various Methods of Treatment.
PMID- 29007525
TI - Why Are We Right Handed.
PMID- 29007526
TI - Pneumonia, Its Complications and Treatment.
PMID- 29007527
TI - A Note upon Routine Blood Cultures.
PMID- 29007528
TI - The Future of Medicine in India.
PMID- 29007529
TI - The Use of Intravenous Iodine in Pyaemia.
PMID- 29007530
TI - A Severe Case of Syphilis.
PMID- 29007531
TI - On the Importance of Keeping Cool.
PMID- 29007532
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Pharmacological Action and Therapeutic Properties of
Kuth Root-Saussurea Lappa.
PMID- 29007533
TI - Animals as Disseminators of Hookworm Eggs and Larvae.
PMID- 29007534
TI - Indian Santonin: Extracted from the Indian Species of Artemisia Maritima.
PMID- 29007536
TI - A Case of Acquired Ventral Hernia.
PMID- 29007535
TI - The Use of Emetine Intravenously.
PMID- 29007537
TI - Antigalactism.
PMID- 29007538
TI - Morphia Tolerance.
PMID- 29007539
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29007541
TI - The Relative Value of Diagnostic Methods, and Evidence of Cure in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007540
TI - Morphia Tolerance.
PMID- 29007542
TI - Sulfarsenol in Rat-Bite Fever.
PMID- 29007544
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007543
TI - Surgical Sundries.
PMID- 29007545
TI - The Therapeutic Value of Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29007546
TI - A Case of Imperforate Anus.
PMID- 29007547
TI - Local Tetanus.
PMID- 29007548
TI - An Epidemic Disease in Bombay.
PMID- 29007550
TI - A Fish Bone in the Laryngo-Pharynx.
PMID- 29007549
TI - Ankylosis of Joints.
PMID- 29007551
TI - A Case of Complete Transposision of the Viscera.
PMID- 29007552
TI - The Treatment of Habituation to Morphia.
PMID- 29007553
TI - A Standard Treatment for Malaria.
PMID- 29007554
TI - A Note on the Testing of Insulin in India.
PMID- 29007556
TI - Reaction after Intravenous Injection of Antimony, and Its Control by the Use of
Normal Saline for the Solution.
PMID- 29007555
TI - On the Life History of Herpetomonas Muscae Domasticae: A Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29007557
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 463a in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29007559
TI - Some Experiments for the Solution of the Rural Health Problem of India.
PMID- 29007558
TI - A "Treatment" for Prolapsus Uteri.
PMID- 29007561
TI - A Summary of Recent Work on Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29007560
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007562
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007563
TI - On a Herpetomonas Found in the Gut of the Sandfly, Phlebotomus Argentipes, Fed On
Kala-Azar Patients: A Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29007564
TI - Canine Leishmaniasis in Bombay.
PMID- 29007565
TI - Some Uses of "E. C." in Hospital Work.
PMID- 29007566
TI - The Venereal Disease Problem in India.
PMID- 29007567
TI - Medical Relief in Rural Areas.
PMID- 29007568
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 588b in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29007569
TI - A Comment on the Report on Maternal Mortality during Childbirth in England by Dr.
J. Campbell of the Ministry of Health with a Reference to Maternal Mortality in
India.
PMID- 29007570
TI - Notes on Some Cases of Relapsing Fever.
PMID- 29007571
TI - Intestinal Coleoptera.
PMID- 29007572
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007573
TI - Clinical Notes on Some Interesting Cases of Difficult Labour.
PMID- 29007574
TI - Notes on the Treatment of Oriental Sore by Intravenous Injections of Antimony
Tartrate.
PMID- 29007575
TI - On the Results of Anti-Malaria Measures in Five Towns in the United Provinces:
Part I.
PMID- 29007576
TI - Foreign Bodies in the Ear and Nose.
PMID- 29007577
TI - Intraperitoneal Injection of Anti-Sera.
PMID- 29007578
TI - Internal Version in a Case of Flattened Pelvis.
PMID- 29007579
TI - A Day in the Shikarpur Eye Clinic.
PMID- 29007580
TI - Observations on OEdema.
PMID- 29007581
TI - A Case of Chloroform Poisoning by the Oral Route.
PMID- 29007582
TI - A Case of Exfoliative Dermatitis after Novoarsenobillon Injections.
PMID- 29007583
TI - Medical Education in India.
PMID- 29007585
TI - A Further Note on the Efficacy of the Essential Oils in the Prevention and
Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29007584
TI - The Typhus Group of Fevers.
PMID- 29007586
TI - Chronic Dysenteric Peritonitis as the Probable Cause of a Common Form of Ascites
in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007588
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007587
TI - Erratum: The Tropical Diseases' Bureau: A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 49 in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29007589
TI - A Case of Hypersensitiveness to Horse Serum with Successful Treatment by De
Sensitization.
PMID- 29007590
TI - The Use of Petrol for Cleansing the Skin Prior to Operating.
PMID- 29007591
TI - Hookworm Dissemination.
PMID- 29007592
TI - A Fatal Case of Poisoning by Neo-Kharsivan.
PMID- 29007594
TI - The "Crescent" Dissecting Microscope.
PMID- 29007593
TI - Insulin in the Tropics.
PMID- 29007596
TI - Note on Hectine and Hectargyre.
PMID- 29007595
TI - A Note on the Value of Prophylactic Inoculation in the Prevention of Chronic
Carriers of Typhoid and Paratyphoid Bacilli.
PMID- 29007597
TI - A Case of Multiple Chondromata.
PMID- 29007599
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007598
TI - The Director-Generalship, I. M. S.
PMID- 29007600
TI - Pneumonia-A Short Note.
PMID- 29007601
TI - Caesarian Section for Dystocia Due to Osteomalacia.
PMID- 29007602
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007603
TI - Medical Diseases of the War.
PMID- 29007604
TI - The Use of Heroin.
PMID- 29007605
TI - Abdominal Surgery: Notes and Observations on the Operative Work of the Miraj
Hospital for the Year, 1915, Including Some More Recent Cases.
PMID- 29007606
TI - Notes on a Case of Hernia (With Obstruction) into the Lesser Sac of the
Peritoneum.
PMID- 29007607
TI - Injuries in the Region of the Elbow and Their Treatment.
PMID- 29007608
TI - Use of Palmyra Fibre.
PMID- 29007609
TI - Bombay Medical Registration Act.
PMID- 29007610
TI - Necrosis, and Strong Solutions of Quinine.
PMID- 29007611
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007612
TI - Ophthalmic Notes.
PMID- 29007613
TI - Anomalous Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007614
TI - Snake Bites.
PMID- 29007615
TI - Ulcerating Granuloma.
PMID- 29007616
TI - Use of Tuberculin.
PMID- 29007617
TI - Helminthiasis among Prisoners.
PMID- 29007619
TI - A Venomous Bite.
PMID- 29007618
TI - Multiple Abscess in the Brain: With Pathological Report.
PMID- 29007620
TI - Epidemic of Jaundice, Waziristan Field Force.
PMID- 29007621
TI - Frontier Sores.
PMID- 29007622
TI - Diabetes.
PMID- 29007623
TI - Vaccination on E. I. Ry.
PMID- 29007624
TI - Tucktoo Bite.
PMID- 29007625
TI - Globulins in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007626
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007627
TI - Position of a Bearer Division or Subdivision during a Rear-Guard Action.
PMID- 29007628
TI - Pernicious Malignant Tertian Malaria Successfully Treated by Quinine Acid
Hydrobromide Intravenously and the Failure of "Splenox" in Benign Tertian
Malaria.
PMID- 29007629
TI - Six Months' Surgical Nursing.
PMID- 29007630
TI - A Fish in the Left Bronchus.
PMID- 29007631
TI - The After-Treatment of Cataract Extraction by Shield Instead of Dressing and
Bandage.
PMID- 29007632
TI - Probable Causes of Fever in the Waziristan Field Force.
PMID- 29007633
TI - Death from Rupture of the Spleen Twenty-Five Days after Abdominal Injuries and
Apparent Recovery.
PMID- 29007634
TI - The Rationing of Patients.
PMID- 29007635
TI - The "New Operation for Cataract".
PMID- 29007636
TI - Quinine Hypodermically.
PMID- 29007638
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29007637
TI - Note on a Case of Ainhum.
PMID- 29007639
TI - Guinea Worm and Iodine.
PMID- 29007640
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29007641
TI - India and Medical Progress.
PMID- 29007643
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007642
TI - Cowhorn in the Abdomen.
PMID- 29007644
TI - Some New Inventions.
PMID- 29007645
TI - The Dressings of Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29007646
TI - Maximal Perchloride Irrigation of the Conjunctiva in Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29007647
TI - Bengali School Boys' Health Examination.
PMID- 29007648
TI - A Note on "Chandu".
PMID- 29007651
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007650
TI - Hookworm Infection in India.
PMID- 29007649
TI - Autotherapy.
PMID- 29007652
TI - Medical Aid in the Rural Areas.
PMID- 29007653
TI - The Hookworm and the War Loan.
PMID- 29007655
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007654
TI - Notes on My Tour of Instruction.
PMID- 29007656
TI - The Maternity Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29007657
TI - Use of Quinoidine.
PMID- 29007658
TI - Gunshot Wounds in the Bengal Stationary Hospital, Amara, 1915-1916.
PMID- 29007659
TI - Case Report-Ankylostomiasis.
PMID- 29007660
TI - Medical Research in India.
PMID- 29007661
TI - Some Cases.
PMID- 29007662
TI - The Legal Aspect of Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 29007664
TI - A New "Specific" for Malaria, Etc.
PMID- 29007663
TI - Frontier Sores and Their Treatment by Antimony Injections.
PMID- 29007666
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007665
TI - The New Calcutta Eye Hospital.
PMID- 29007667
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction Due to Ascaris Lumbricoides Perforation-Death.
PMID- 29007668
TI - Further Experience in the Tartar Emetic Treatment of Kala-Azar Including Its Use
in Young Children.
PMID- 29007669
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007671
TI - General Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29007670
TI - The Use of Salvarsan.
PMID- 29007673
TI - The Prize Essay on Syphilis Treatment.
PMID- 29007672
TI - Carbolic Acid and Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 29007674
TI - The Report of the Sanitary Commissioner, India, 1915.
PMID- 29007675
TI - The King Institute, Guindy.
PMID- 29007676
TI - The Birthday Honours List.
PMID- 29007677
TI - The King Edward VII Memorial Pasteur Institute, Shillong.
PMID- 29007678
TI - Iodine as an Antiseptic.
PMID- 29007679
TI - The Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with Intravenous Injections of Tartar
Emetic.
PMID- 29007681
TI - The Prevention of Sepsis in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29007680
TI - Asthma and Ajwan Ash: A Cheap and Prompt Remedy.
PMID- 29007683
TI - Gunshot Wounds of the Abdomen (During the Siege of Kut).
PMID- 29007682
TI - Surface Tension and the Wassermann Reaction.
PMID- 29007684
TI - The Influence of Beri-Beri on the Body Weight.
PMID- 29007685
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007686
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007687
TI - Cataract Operation "Old" and "New": Site of Election for Incision in Cataract
Extraction.
PMID- 29007688
TI - Vitreous Escape.
PMID- 29007689
TI - Gorget Patches.
PMID- 29007691
TI - The Public Services Commission: Extracts from the Report.
PMID- 29007690
TI - A Case of Hysterical Coma Successfully Treated by Stimulants.
PMID- 29007692
TI - The Pharmaceutical Section for India: Established in December, 1916.
PMID- 29007693
TI - Quinine Idiosyncracy in Five Cases.
PMID- 29007694
TI - Intravenous Eusol in Plague.
PMID- 29007695
TI - Prison Diets in India and Egypt.
PMID- 29007696
TI - Ulcerating Granuloma of the Pudenda.
PMID- 29007697
TI - A Case of Tetanus.
PMID- 29007698
TI - A Plea for Painless Child-Birth in India.
PMID- 29007699
TI - A Case of Camphor Poisoning.
PMID- 29007700
TI - Early Diagnosis of Leprosy.
PMID- 29007701
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007702
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007703
TI - Some Further Hints on the Treatment of Kala-Azar with Antimony Tartrate.
PMID- 29007704
TI - Dr. Willis' Alleged Specific.
PMID- 29007705
TI - Fourth Report on the Treatment of Kala-Azar and Some Blood Reactions in This
Disease.
PMID- 29007706
TI - The Public Services Commission's Report.
PMID- 29007707
TI - The Treatment of Diabetes by Alimentary Rest.
PMID- 29007708
TI - The Comparative Mortality of the Towns in the Nadia District.
PMID- 29007709
TI - Medical Meeting at Kut.
PMID- 29007710
TI - Gangosa.
PMID- 29007711
TI - Medical Aid in the Rural Areas.
PMID- 29007712
TI - Ulcerating Granuloma of the Pudenda.
PMID- 29007713
TI - Scurvy.-A Short Note.
PMID- 29007715
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007714
TI - The Surgical Aspect of the Ruptured Spleen with Note on Cases.
PMID- 29007717
TI - Diabetes and Alimentary Rest.
PMID- 29007716
TI - Scarlet R. in Certain Diseases of the Conjunctiva and Cornea.
PMID- 29007718
TI - A Case of Lumbar Puncture for the Relief of Teething.
PMID- 29007719
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007720
TI - Medical Conference in Bombay.
PMID- 29007721
TI - A New War Splint for Fractured Femur.
PMID- 29007722
TI - Notes on My Tour of Instruction.
PMID- 29007723
TI - The Quarantine Station of Tor.
PMID- 29007725
TI - Chronic Diarrhoea Radically Cured by Emetine Hydrochlor.
PMID- 29007724
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007726
TI - War Honours in the I.M.S.
PMID- 29007727
TI - A Double Monster.
PMID- 29007728
TI - A Rise of Temperature in Algide Malaria.
PMID- 29007730
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007729
TI - Intravenous Tartar Emetic in Crescentic Malaria.
PMID- 29007731
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29007732
TI - Accidental Suffocation, Important from a Medico-Legal Point of View.
PMID- 29007733
TI - Science and the Nation.
PMID- 29007734
TI - Relapsing Fever in Seistan.
PMID- 29007735
TI - Disposal of Human Excreta in Standing Camps.
PMID- 29007737
TI - The Life History of Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29007736
TI - Infantile Biliary Cirrhosis.
PMID- 29007738
TI - Case of Ulcerating Granuloma (?).
PMID- 29007739
TI - How to Administer Quinine.
PMID- 29007740
TI - Cholera.
PMID- 29007741
TI - Sprue Treated by Emetine.
PMID- 29007742
TI - The Life History of Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29007743
TI - The Case of the Disabled Soldiers.
PMID- 29007744
TI - War Emergency Fund of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund.
PMID- 29007745
TI - Eusol in Plague.
PMID- 29007746
TI - Tablet v. Tabloid.
PMID- 29007748
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29007747
TI - Treatment of Ulcerative Granuloma.
PMID- 29007749
TI - Colitis in Waziristan and Its Prevention.
PMID- 29007750
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007751
TI - The Sterilization of Water by Chlorine and Hypo-Chlorites.
PMID- 29007752
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007753
TI - Forgotten Pages of Jail History.
PMID- 29007754
TI - The Bombay Medical Registration Act.
PMID- 29007755
TI - Tetanus and Hypodermic Quinine.
PMID- 29007756
TI - The Evacuation of Serious Cases in Mountain Warfare.
PMID- 29007757
TI - The Prophylaxis of Malaria.
PMID- 29007758
TI - The Cuckoo Psychology of Sir Oliver Lodge.
PMID- 29007759
TI - Ophthalmic Work in Madras.
PMID- 29007760
TI - Some Cases.
PMID- 29007762
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007761
TI - Further Experience in the Tartar Emetic Treatment of Kala-Azar Including Its Use
in Young Children.
PMID- 29007763
TI - A Case of Dextrocardia.
PMID- 29007764
TI - The Advent of Colloidal Alkaloids.
PMID- 29007765
TI - Jail Dysentery.
PMID- 29007766
TI - National Committee for Relief in Belgium.
PMID- 29007768
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007767
TI - Divergent Views on Suppuration after Cataract Operation.
PMID- 29007769
TI - Major Stewart on Ascaris Infection.
PMID- 29007771
TI - A Case of Lithopoedian.
PMID- 29007770
TI - Note on Ascaris Infection in Man, the Pig, Rat, and Mouse.
PMID- 29007772
TI - Hydatid Disease in Kathiawar.
PMID- 29007773
TI - Irrigation after Extra-Capsular Extraction of Cataract. 500 Cases.
PMID- 29007774
TI - Ascaris Lumbricoides and Coprophagia.
PMID- 29007775
TI - A Medico-Legal Case.
PMID- 29007776
TI - Medical Society.
PMID- 29007777
TI - The "New Operation for Cataract".
PMID- 29007779
TI - Case of Difficult Labour.
PMID- 29007778
TI - Legro's Solution and Snake Bites.
PMID- 29007780
TI - A Probable Factor in Diabetes.
PMID- 29007782
TI - Hypertrophy of the Male Breast.
PMID- 29007781
TI - Successful Treatment of Solid OEdema of Scrotum and Penis by Silk Strands.
PMID- 29007783
TI - The Prevention of Sepsis in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29007784
TI - The New Journal of British Opthalmology.
PMID- 29007785
TI - Some Notes from the Study of the After-Treatment of War Injuries and
Disabilities.
PMID- 29007786
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007787
TI - Cholera and Its Prevention.
PMID- 29007788
TI - Purification of Water by Free Chlorine.
PMID- 29007789
TI - Surgical Notes at a War Hospital.
PMID- 29007791
TI - Indian Jail Health Statistics: 1915.
PMID- 29007790
TI - A Case of Fever Resembling Brill's Disease.
PMID- 29007792
TI - Treatment of Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 29007793
TI - Water Purification.
PMID- 29007795
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29007794
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 408 in vol. 51.].
PMID- 29007796
TI - Chronic Splenomegaly in Lower Bengal with Special Reference to the Prevalence and
Clinical Differentiation of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007798
TI - An Epidemiological Note on Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007797
TI - Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
PMID- 29007799
TI - Sir William Edwards.
PMID- 29007800
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007801
TI - Treatment of Chronic Gonorrhoea: A Few Cases.
PMID- 29007802
TI - A Note on the First Six Months' Work of the Radium Institute, at Ranchi.
PMID- 29007803
TI - Intravenous Air Embolism.
PMID- 29007805
TI - Erratum: Echinococcal Infection of the Eyeball.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 376 in vol. 57.].
PMID- 29007804
TI - A Scheme of Medical Inspection of Scholars in Secondary Schools.
PMID- 29007806
TI - Two Family Outbreaks of the Epidemic Dropsy Type of Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29007807
TI - The Merits of the Ayurvedic System of Medicine.
PMID- 29007809
TI - The Rate of Growth of Vesical Calculi.
PMID- 29007808
TI - The Season of Onset of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007810
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007811
TI - A Live Museum.
PMID- 29007812
TI - Expression versus Capsulotomy.
PMID- 29007813
TI - Expulsive Haemorrhage. After Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29007814
TI - A Snake-Bite Poster.
PMID- 29007815
TI - Further Notes on Filariasis.
PMID- 29007817
TI - The Operative Treatment of Trachoma by Excision of the Fornix.
PMID- 29007816
TI - Rarer Types of Fractures.
PMID- 29007819
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007818
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Relationship of the Intestinal Protozoa of Man to the
Hydrogen Ion Concentration of Their Environment.
PMID- 29007820
TI - Filariasis Research Enquiry.
PMID- 29007821
TI - Our Hospitals and Dispensaries.
PMID- 29007822
TI - A Day in the Life of a Port Health Officer.
PMID- 29007823
TI - A Case of Broncho-Moniliasis.
PMID- 29007824
TI - The Beri-Beri and Epidemic Dropsy Problem: Part I.
PMID- 29007825
TI - An Accessory Mouth.
PMID- 29007826
TI - The Treatment of Rhinosporidium by Antimony Tartrate.
PMID- 29007828
TI - "Economy" and Medical Research.
PMID- 29007827
TI - A Case of Idiopathic Dilatation of the Colon.
PMID- 29007829
TI - Erratum: Rarer Types of Fractures: A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 68 in vol. 58.].
PMID- 29007830
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007831
TI - Strongyloidosis.
PMID- 29007832
TI - A Case of Stone in the Bladder Removed by Midwifery Forceps.
PMID- 29007833
TI - An Unusual Termination of Pyo-Pneumo-Thorax Secondary to Pneumonia.
PMID- 29007834
TI - Relapsing Fever in Raichur.
PMID- 29007836
TI - Filariasis and Haemoptysis.
PMID- 29007835
TI - Edward Jenner, 1749-1823.
PMID- 29007837
TI - An Aseptic Thermometer Case.
PMID- 29007838
TI - "Bayer 205" in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007839
TI - A Note upon Spleen Puncture Findings in Malaria.
PMID- 29007840
TI - End Results in Intra-Capsular Extraction (Smith's).
PMID- 29007841
TI - Punarnava.
PMID- 29007842
TI - The Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Boerhaavia Diffusa (Punarnava).
PMID- 29007843
TI - Cysticercus of the Subconjunctival Tissues.
PMID- 29007844
TI - The Biology of Death.
PMID- 29007845
TI - Antimony-Fast Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007846
TI - Expression versus Capsulotomy.
PMID- 29007847
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction Complicated by Tetanus.
PMID- 29007848
TI - A Fatal Case of Cerebral Contusion.
PMID- 29007849
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007850
TI - OEdema Following Plague.
PMID- 29007851
TI - The Beri-Beri and Epidemic Dropsy Problem: Part II.
PMID- 29007853
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007852
TI - A Case of Food Sensitiveness.
PMID- 29007854
TI - An Unusual Infection with Bacillus Pyocyaneus Simulating Leprosy.
PMID- 29007856
TI - Ophthalmology in Egypt and Its Possibilities in India.
PMID- 29007855
TI - A Short Note Concerning a New Method of Treatment for Inoperable Cancer.
PMID- 29007857
TI - Bacteriological Notes on an Epidemic of Seven-Day Fever.
PMID- 29007858
TI - The Surgical Treatment of Chronic Dyspepsia.
PMID- 29007859
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007861
TI - Medical Research, Its Aims and Economic Value.
PMID- 29007863
TI - A Case of OEdema of the Leg Following Plague.
PMID- 29007862
TI - Insulin and Diabetes in India.
PMID- 29007860
TI - Further Practical Experience with the Aldehyde Test.
PMID- 29007864
TI - Therapeutics of the Cinchona Alkaloids.
PMID- 29007866
TI - Berger's Stereoscopic Lenses for Ophthalmic Practice.
PMID- 29007865
TI - An Aseptic Thermometer Case.
PMID- 29007867
TI - A Case of Quintuplets.
PMID- 29007868
TI - Relapsing Fever in Panama.
PMID- 29007869
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007871
TI - A Case of Encephalitis Lethargica with Parkinsonian Syndrome.
PMID- 29007870
TI - The Field for Research in Indian Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29007872
TI - Notice to Contributors.
PMID- 29007873
TI - Kala-Azar in the Madras Presidency outside Madras City.
PMID- 29007875
TI - Thirty Years' Experience of Kala-Azar in the Nowgong District of Assam.
PMID- 29007874
TI - The Kala-Azar Transmission Problem.
PMID- 29007877
TI - Kala-Azar in India. The Present Position.
PMID- 29007876
TI - Stab Wound of Enlarged Spleen.
PMID- 29007878
TI - An Unusually Large Supraclavicular Lipoma.
PMID- 29007879
TI - Notes on the Results of Treatment of Cases of Kala-Azar Admitted to the Madras
City Hospitals between 1913-22.
PMID- 29007880
TI - A Case of Acute Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29007881
TI - Iodine in the Treatment of Malaria, Kala-Azar and Small-Pox.
PMID- 29007882
TI - Clinical Kala-Azar Work Performed at the Special Kala-Azar Hospital, Shillong,
during 1922.
PMID- 29007883
TI - The Evidence of Cure in the Treatment of Kala-Azar by Antimony.
PMID- 29007884
TI - An Epidemiological Study of 663 Cases of Kala-Azar Admitted to the Madras City
Hospitals between 1913-1922.
PMID- 29007885
TI - A New Instrument for the Taking Uncontaminated Swabs from the Interior of the
Uterus.
PMID- 29007886
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007887
TI - The Globulin Opacity Test for Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007888
TI - The Incidence of Kala-Azar in Bengal.
PMID- 29007889
TI - An Unusual Complication in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007890
TI - The Differential Leucocyte Count.
PMID- 29007891
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29007892
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007893
TI - A Case of Auricular Fibrillation Restored to Normal Rhythm.
PMID- 29007894
TI - Some Notes on the Transmission of Leprosy.
PMID- 29007896
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007895
TI - Our Present Knowledge of Insulin.
PMID- 29007898
TI - Two Fatal Cases of Snake Bite.
PMID- 29007897
TI - A Case of Ocular Paralysis with Glycosuria.
PMID- 29007899
TI - An Automatic Fly-Proof Latrine Seat.
PMID- 29007901
TI - A Case of Hernia Obstructed by Mesenteric Glands.
PMID- 29007900
TI - Two Unusual Sarcomatous Tumours.
PMID- 29007902
TI - The Dietetic Value of Sago.
PMID- 29007904
TI - The Far Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine Congress.
PMID- 29007903
TI - Intravenous Sodium Salicylate.
PMID- 29007905
TI - A Case of Fasciolopsis Buski Infection.
PMID- 29007906
TI - Ankylostomiasis Problem.
PMID- 29007907
TI - The Treatment of Kala-Azar by Meta-Chlor-Para-Acetyl-Amino-Phenyl Stibiate of
Sodium.
PMID- 29007908
TI - A Case of Infantile Biliary Cirrhosis.
PMID- 29007909
TI - A Sensitised Anti-Plague Vaccine.
PMID- 29007910
TI - The Therapeutic Value of Intravenous Iodine: Based on Three Years' Experience on
400 Cases.
PMID- 29007911
TI - Hookworm Dissemination.
PMID- 29007912
TI - A Vacuum Apparatus for Cataract Extraction. Record of Failure.
PMID- 29007913
TI - Stone in the Nasal Cavity.
PMID- 29007914
TI - A Note on the Complications Following 1,322 Consecutive Cases of Cataract
Extraction.
PMID- 29007915
TI - Plasmodium Tenue and P. Ovale.
PMID- 29007916
TI - Plasmodium Tenue and P. Ovale.
PMID- 29007917
TI - A Case of Ingestion of Hair by an Infant, with Symptoms Simulating Dysentery.
PMID- 29007918
TI - A New Treatment for Naga Sore.
PMID- 29007919
TI - Hookworm Infection in the Coal Mines of Bengal.
PMID- 29007920
TI - An Abnormal Hernia.
PMID- 29007921
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Radium Treatment of New Growths without the Direct
Application of Radium.
PMID- 29007922
TI - Notes on Some Cases of Framboesia.
PMID- 29007923
TI - Clinical Notes on Four Consecutive Laryngeal Cases.
PMID- 29007925
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007924
TI - A Case of Aneurysm Rupturing into the Pericardium.
PMID- 29007926
TI - Carbon Tetrachloride in Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
PMID- 29007927
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007928
TI - The Memoirs of Sir Ronald Ross.
PMID- 29007929
TI - An Unusual Complication in an Acute Case of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007930
TI - An Unusual Sequel of Trachoma.
PMID- 29007931
TI - Some Notes on a Malaria Investigation on a Sugar Estate in Kamrup, Assam.
PMID- 29007932
TI - A Note to Contributors.
PMID- 29007933
TI - The Use of Germinated Pulse and Beans in the Natural Dietary of the Burmese.
PMID- 29007934
TI - A Case of Absence of the Left Lung.
PMID- 29007935
TI - Note on an Investigation into the Value of Essential Oils in the Prevention and
Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29007936
TI - Five Consecutive Cases of Tetanus Ending in Recovery.
PMID- 29007937
TI - Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29007938
TI - The Ankylostomiasis Problem.
PMID- 29007939
TI - Expression versus Capsulotomy.
PMID- 29007940
TI - A Case of Abdomen Punctured by a Broken Bottle.
PMID- 29007941
TI - The Influence of the Substrate on the Action of Drugs.
PMID- 29007942
TI - Berger's Stereoscopic Lenses.
PMID- 29007944
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007943
TI - Obstetric Impressions.
PMID- 29007945
TI - Glucose Tolerance Tests and Their Interpretation.
PMID- 29007946
TI - A Short Note on the Improvement of the Poona Water Supply by Simple Storage.
PMID- 29007947
TI - Gonorrhoea of the Female Genital Organs and Its Management.
PMID- 29007948
TI - A Plea for the Inception of a Mental Hygiene Movement in India.
PMID- 29007950
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007949
TI - A Case of Hydatid Cyst of the Liver.
PMID- 29007952
TI - The Training of Public Health Officials.
PMID- 29007951
TI - The Medical Profession in India.
PMID- 29007953
TI - A Case of Raynaud's Disease.
PMID- 29007954
TI - A Further Note on Myiasis of the Frontal Sinus.
PMID- 29007955
TI - Cholelithiasis and Its Significance.
PMID- 29007956
TI - Vitreous Escape in Intracapsular Extraction of Cataract in Prominent Eye-Balls or
Fat Patients.
PMID- 29007957
TI - The Bengal Forceps: A Modified Obstetric Forceps for Use in Bengali Women.
PMID- 29007958
TI - Two Cases of Death from Haemorrhage into the Pericardium.
PMID- 29007959
TI - Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29007960
TI - Ourselves.
PMID- 29007961
TI - The Indian Medical Year, 1922.
PMID- 29007962
TI - A Case of Unusual Mal-Presentation.
PMID- 29007963
TI - The Therapeutics of Antimony.
PMID- 29007964
TI - Cataract versus Expression.
PMID- 29007966
TI - The Use of a Non-Motile Strain of B. Typhosus in the Agglutination Reaction.
PMID- 29007965
TI - What Are the Departures from Health and the Diseases Which Arise from the
Negligence, Ignorance and Self-Indulgence of Man.
PMID- 29007967
TI - A Case of Homicidal Yellow Oleander Poisoning.
PMID- 29007968
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007969
TI - Personal Observations on a Few Cases of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007970
TI - The Economy Axe.
PMID- 29007971
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007972
TI - Antimony-Fast Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007974
TI - The Tuberculosis Problem in India.
PMID- 29007973
TI - A Malaria Survey of Sawantwadi State.
PMID- 29007975
TI - Electrolytic Chlorogen.
PMID- 29007976
TI - The Dengue-Sand-Fly Fever Problem.
PMID- 29007977
TI - Great Engineering Works and Their Medical Aspects.
PMID- 29007978
TI - Some Observations on the Dietary of Scholars.
PMID- 29007979
TI - Electrolytic Chlorogen.
PMID- 29007980
TI - Colonel King on Sanitation in India.
PMID- 29007981
TI - A Note on the Effect of Intravenous Injections of Antimony Tartrate upon the
Development of Vaccinia Virus.
PMID- 29007982
TI - Filarial Haemoptysis.
PMID- 29007983
TI - The Occurrence of Balantidium Coli in the Faeces of an Indian.
PMID- 29007985
TI - The Treatment of Malaria by Quinine in Combination with Magnesium Sulphate and
Alkali.
PMID- 29007984
TI - The British Medical Association.
PMID- 29007986
TI - Cancrum Oris Treated by Excision and Subsequent Tube Grafting.
PMID- 29007988
TI - Observations on an Outbreak of Diphtheria at Bishop Cotton's School, Simla.
PMID- 29007989
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29007987
TI - Three Similar Yet Dissimilar Cases of Gynaecological Interest.
PMID- 29007991
TI - Tetanus in Intestinal Cases.
PMID- 29007990
TI - The Schick Test and Immunisation by Toxin-Anti-Toxin in Assam.
PMID- 29007992
TI - Four Interesting Cases.
PMID- 29007993
TI - The Dissemination of Human Helminthic Infections by Animals.
PMID- 29007994
TI - The Failure of "Bayer 205" in the Treatment of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29007995
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29007997
TI - A Case of Molluscum Fibrosum.
PMID- 29007996
TI - Artificial Pneumothorax and Other Surgical Methods in Advanced Tuberculosis and
Pleurisy.
PMID- 29007998
TI - Avoidable Cancer.
PMID- 29007999
TI - A Case of Progressive Muscular Dystrophy.
PMID- 29008000
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008001
TI - British Income Tax Refunds.
PMID- 29008002
TI - Treatment of Oxyuris Infection.
PMID- 29008003
TI - Kala-Azar in Bengal.
PMID- 29008005
TI - A Punctured Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29008004
TI - Gleanings from the Records of the Government Maternity Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29008006
TI - Cultural Examination of the Urine in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29008008
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008007
TI - Intravenous Iodine in the Treatment of Septic Wounds.
PMID- 29008009
TI - The Pandemic of Influenza in India in the Year 1918.
PMID- 29008010
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29008011
TI - A Case of Diabetic Coma Treated with Insulin.
PMID- 29008012
TI - The Psychopathic Child.
PMID- 29008014
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008013
TI - Medical Research and Public Health, the Present Position in India.
PMID- 29008015
TI - Removal of Tattoo Marks.
PMID- 29008016
TI - The "Aldehyde Test" in Malaria.
PMID- 29008017
TI - Medical Research and Sanitary Engineering.
PMID- 29008018
TI - A Case of Blindness Preceding Apoplexy.
PMID- 29008019
TI - A Case of Lipoma of the Thigh.
PMID- 29008020
TI - The Causation of Asthma and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29008021
TI - Experiments with Thyroid Augmentor and a Note on the Post-Operative Treatment of
Exophthalmic Goitre.
PMID- 29008022
TI - The Possibility of Latent Infection with B. Typhosus.
PMID- 29008023
TI - Some Observations on Dysentery.
PMID- 29008024
TI - Insulin.
PMID- 29008025
TI - A Multilocular Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29008026
TI - A Case of Splenectomy.
PMID- 29008027
TI - A Case of Hydatid Cysts of Both Lobes of the Liver.
PMID- 29008028
TI - The Treatment of Rheumatism by Sodium Salicylate Injections.
PMID- 29008029
TI - The Operative Treatment of Fractures.
PMID- 29008030
TI - Some Eye Cases.
PMID- 29008031
TI - A Series of Cases Resembling Paralytic Ileus.
PMID- 29008032
TI - Streptococcal Affections of the Skin.
PMID- 29008033
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008035
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008034
TI - Eye Strain.
PMID- 29008036
TI - "Epigastric Hernia" in Sepoys.
PMID- 29008037
TI - A Note on Cholera Inoculation Carried out on the North-West Frontier, 1915.
PMID- 29008038
TI - Reflections on Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29008040
TI - The Calcutta Tropical School.
PMID- 29008039
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008042
TI - Sugar Tolerance in Medical Practice.
PMID- 29008041
TI - A Proposal for a District Sanitary League.
PMID- 29008044
TI - Bacteriology of Dysentery in Malaya.
PMID- 29008043
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 207 in vol. 51.].
PMID- 29008045
TI - Royal Medical Benevolent Fund.
PMID- 29008046
TI - Double Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29008047
TI - The Value of Quinoidine in Malaria.
PMID- 29008048
TI - The "New" Operation for Cataract.
PMID- 29008050
TI - Likewise and Contrarywise.
PMID- 29008051
TI - Cataract Operations "Old" and "New".
PMID- 29008049
TI - Hymenolepis Nana.
PMID- 29008052
TI - A Reply to Lieut.-Col. Sutherland, I.M.S.
PMID- 29008053
TI - Salvarsan Injections.
PMID- 29008054
TI - The Treatment of Trachoma by Excision of the Tarsus and Tarsal Conjunctiva of the
Upper Lid.
PMID- 29008055
TI - Public Health Statistics, India.
PMID- 29008056
TI - Diarrhoea and Continuous Fever Due to Oysters.
PMID- 29008057
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008058
TI - Some Queries.
PMID- 29008059
TI - The Madras General Hospital Report.
PMID- 29008060
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008062
TI - Civil Leave Rules.
PMID- 29008061
TI - Third Eruption of Teeth in Old Age.
PMID- 29008063
TI - Sandfly Fever and Dengue.
PMID- 29008064
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 308 in vol. 51.].
PMID- 29008065
TI - Glaucoma Operations.
PMID- 29008066
TI - Case of Pellagra in Alipur Jail.
PMID- 29008067
TI - The Use of Eusol.
PMID- 29008068
TI - General Paralysis of the Insane.
PMID- 29008069
TI - Surgery at the Siege of Kut: December 5th, 1915, to April 29th, 1916.
PMID- 29008071
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008070
TI - Ovarian Cyst, Complicating Pregnancy.
PMID- 29008073
TI - Medical Colleges and Schools in India.
PMID- 29008072
TI - Abdominal and Bovine Tuberculosis in India.
PMID- 29008074
TI - A Cheap Absorbent Dressing for the Wounded. Incinerated Paddy Husk.
PMID- 29008076
TI - The Solubility of Quinoidine.
PMID- 29008075
TI - Cases of Hurt.
PMID- 29008077
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008078
TI - The Purification of the Water-Supply of the Lawrence Military Asylum, Sanawar, by
Means of Bleaching Powder.
PMID- 29008079
TI - Iron and Arsenic as a Cure for and a Prophylactic against Malaria.
PMID- 29008081
TI - The Canal Zone Med. Association.
PMID- 29008080
TI - Colouring the Eye-Ball.
PMID- 29008083
TI - The King Institute, Guindy.
PMID- 29008082
TI - A Case of Pellagra.
PMID- 29008084
TI - A Case of Siamese Twins in Mayavaram.
PMID- 29008086
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite (Lachesis Borneensis).
PMID- 29008085
TI - The Use of Residual Alkaloids of Cinchona.
PMID- 29008087
TI - The "New" Method of Extracting Cataractous Lenses.
PMID- 29008089
TI - Soda Salicylas in Appendicitis and Peritonitis.
PMID- 29008088
TI - Malaria in Bengal.
PMID- 29008090
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008091
TI - Persistent Hymen.
PMID- 29008092
TI - Round Worms.
PMID- 29008093
TI - A Readily Made Splint for Compound Fractures of the Femur and the Bones of the
Leg.
PMID- 29008094
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008095
TI - The Prophylaxis of Malaria.
PMID- 29008096
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 196 in vol. 51.].
PMID- 29008097
TI - Ischiopagus Duplicity and Certain Teratoid Growths of the Pelvic Region.
PMID- 29008098
TI - Hymenolepis Nana (Siebold) (The Dwarf Tapeworm) as a Parasite of Indian Soldiers.
PMID- 29008099
TI - Remarks on Dr. Hossack's Paper on "German Influence on Modern Bacteriology": The
Need for Elimination and Revision.
PMID- 29008100
TI - Cataract Operations "Old" and "New" II.
PMID- 29008101
TI - Weight of Lungs.
PMID- 29008102
TI - Abdominal Abscess Caused by Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29008104
TI - The Trip to Busrah.
PMID- 29008103
TI - Intestinal Parasites in the Central Jail, Rajahmundry.
PMID- 29008105
TI - Beta-Naphthol in Ankylostomiasis.
PMID- 29008106
TI - A Case of Impetigo Bullosa.
PMID- 29008107
TI - Vesico-Vaginal Fistulae.
PMID- 29008109
TI - A Medico-Legal Suggestion.
PMID- 29008108
TI - The Uses of Pituitary Extract in Labour, at the Government Maternity Hospital,
Madras.
PMID- 29008110
TI - Grievous Hurt.
PMID- 29008112
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008111
TI - Medical and Surgical Notes at Miraj Hospital.
PMID- 29008114
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008113
TI - Tuberculosis in the Indian Army in France.
PMID- 29008116
TI - Indigenous Drugs Research.
PMID- 29008115
TI - Ectopic Gestation :-Rupture: Operation: Recovery.
PMID- 29008117
TI - Noguchi's Serum Test for Syphilis.
PMID- 29008119
TI - Gynocardates in Leprosy.
PMID- 29008118
TI - A Lucky Wound.
PMID- 29008120
TI - Septic Wounds Affecting English and Indian Troops: A Comparison.
PMID- 29008122
TI - Tropical Expedition to Honduras.
PMID- 29008121
TI - Vesico-Vaginal Fistulae.
PMID- 29008123
TI - The War and the Sub-Assistant-Surgeons in Bengal.
PMID- 29008124
TI - Injuries to Peripheral Nerves.
PMID- 29008125
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 121 in vol. 51.].
PMID- 29008127
TI - The Causes of Failure after Visual Iridectomy.
PMID- 29008126
TI - Tetanus.
PMID- 29008128
TI - Treatment of Kala-Azar with Special Reference to the Use of Antimony and
Formaldehyde.
PMID- 29008129
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008130
TI - Police Cases.
PMID- 29008131
TI - Intravenous Saline in Cholera-A Contra Indication.
PMID- 29008132
TI - Gunshot Wound of the Foot.
PMID- 29008133
TI - Medical Education Problems in India.
PMID- 29008135
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008134
TI - German Influence on Modern Bacteriology-The Need for Elimination and Revision.
PMID- 29008136
TI - The Correct Names of the Helminths of Man.
PMID- 29008137
TI - Some Experiences in a Depot Hospital.
PMID- 29008138
TI - The Evolution of Intracapsular Extraction of Cataract.
PMID- 29008139
TI - Interesting Cases from the Medical Wards of the Medical College Hospital,
Calcutta.
PMID- 29008140
TI - Supernumerary Fingers and Toes.
PMID- 29008141
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008143
TI - Cataract Operation "Old" and "New".
PMID- 29008142
TI - Two Photographs of Bullets Extracted from Sepoys in France and Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29008144
TI - Dreaming.
PMID- 29008146
TI - Septic Shell Wounds.
PMID- 29008145
TI - Quinoidine and Malaria.
PMID- 29008147
TI - Hypertrophy of the Male Breast.
PMID- 29008149
TI - Onset and March of Glycosuria.
PMID- 29008148
TI - Gynocardate of Soda Intravenously in Leprosy.
PMID- 29008150
TI - The Wassermann Reaction.
PMID- 29008152
TI - Treatment of Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 29008151
TI - Some Recent Advances in Cardiology.
PMID- 29008153
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008154
TI - "Eupad" in Sterilization of the Surgeon's Hand.
PMID- 29008155
TI - Comments on Case of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29008156
TI - Tetanus and Amputation.
PMID- 29008157
TI - Health and Mortality among Educated Indians.
PMID- 29008158
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008159
TI - Eusol and Plague : A Suggestion.
PMID- 29008160
TI - The Suprapubic Operation or Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29008162
TI - Eosinophilia in Some Cases of Helminthiasis.
PMID- 29008161
TI - The Training of the Assistant in Smith's Operation.
PMID- 29008163
TI - The New Psychiatry.
PMID- 29008164
TI - The "New Operation for Cataract".
PMID- 29008165
TI - Notes on Emergent Abdominal Surgery.
PMID- 29008166
TI - Quinine and Malaria.
PMID- 29008167
TI - The New Method of Extraction of Cataractous Lenses.
PMID- 29008168
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008169
TI - The Conjunctival Flap.
PMID- 29008170
TI - A Note on the Use of a Conjunctival Flap in Operations for the Intra-Capsular
Extraction of Cataract by Smith's Method.
PMID- 29008171
TI - Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29008172
TI - Some Studies in Malaria in Nadia District: Monthly Variation of Malaria.
PMID- 29008173
TI - Sarcoma of the Dura Mater.
PMID- 29008174
TI - Hypochlorous Acid as an Antiseptic in Wounds.
PMID- 29008175
TI - A New Method of Dressing Eyes after Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29008176
TI - Glycosuria and a Few Facts.
PMID- 29008177
TI - Cataract Operations "Old" and "New".
PMID- 29008178
TI - The Fed. Malay States' Report.
PMID- 29008180
TI - Flies in a Jail.
PMID- 29008179
TI - Some Gynaecological Laparotomies.
PMID- 29008181
TI - Continuous Irrigation of Wounds in the Field.
PMID- 29008182
TI - Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29008183
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008184
TI - The I. M. S. and the F. R. S.
PMID- 29008185
TI - Calcutta Tropical School.
PMID- 29008186
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008187
TI - Peritomy and Keratitis.
PMID- 29008188
TI - Annus Medicus, 1916.
PMID- 29008189
TI - "Possessed by a Devil," with Its Treatment and Cure.
PMID- 29008190
TI - Placenta Praevia.
PMID- 29008191
TI - Tetanus and Hypodermic Quinine.
PMID- 29008192
TI - Further Observations on the Treatment of Kala-Azar and Cases Treated with
Metallic Antimonyl Sodium Tartrate, Formaldehyde and Other Drugs.
PMID- 29008193
TI - Conjunctival Flaps in Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29008194
TI - The Further Reduction of the Mortality of Cholera to 11 per Cent: By the Addition
of Atropine Hypodermically to the Hypertonic and Permanganate Treatment, with an
Addendum Summarising the System of Treatment.
PMID- 29008196
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008195
TI - Two Madras Medical Lists.
PMID- 29008197
TI - Large Stones in Bladder.
PMID- 29008198
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008199
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008200
TI - A Case of Aneurysm of the Descending Thoracic Aorta.
PMID- 29008202
TI - The Calcutta Tropical School.
PMID- 29008201
TI - Hysteria (?) in the Young African.
PMID- 29008203
TI - A Case of Anthrax Treated Successfully by Carbolic Acid.
PMID- 29008204
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008206
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008205
TI - Improvised Triple-Bladed Bamboo Gastro-Enterostomy Clamps.
PMID- 29008207
TI - On an Outbreak of Relapsing Fever in Turkey in 1918.
PMID- 29008208
TI - Epithelioma of Upper Lip in a Boy 14 Years of Age.
PMID- 29008209
TI - Professional Misconduct.
PMID- 29008210
TI - Notes on a Case of Cystic Kidney.
PMID- 29008211
TI - Standard Diets: A Lecture Delivered at the Calcutta Health and Child Welfare
Exhibition.
PMID- 29008212
TI - Typhus and Typhus-Like Fevers in Birjand, East Persia.
PMID- 29008213
TI - Notes on Influenza.
PMID- 29008214
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008215
TI - A Twenty-One Day Fever.
PMID- 29008217
TI - The Pathogenesis of Diphtheritic Paralysis.
PMID- 29008216
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008219
TI - Medical Inspection of Schools.
PMID- 29008218
TI - Ulceration of the Stomach and Duodenum and the Resultant Obstruction in the
Outlet of the Stomach Treated by Posterior Gastro-Enterostomy in a Series of 100
Cases.
PMID- 29008220
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008221
TI - Case of Pneumococcal Arthritis Complicating Tonsillitis.
PMID- 29008222
TI - Congenital Abnormalities.
PMID- 29008224
TI - Typhus and Typhus-Like Fevers in Birjand, East Persia.
PMID- 29008223
TI - Epinephrin in Typhoid.
PMID- 29008225
TI - Further Observations on Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29008226
TI - Second Series of 25 Cases of Malaria Treated by Hypodermic Injections of
Cinchonine Bi-Hydrochloride.
PMID- 29008227
TI - Cobra Poisoning.
PMID- 29008228
TI - Acute Necrotic Parotitis.
PMID- 29008230
TI - A Continuation from 1918 of the Report on Cases of Leprosy in Bangkok, Treated
with Sodium Gynocardate "A".
PMID- 29008229
TI - The Vitamine Value of the Date.
PMID- 29008231
TI - The After-Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29008233
TI - Flying Worms.
PMID- 29008232
TI - Notes on a Case of "Hypospadias Perinealis".
PMID- 29008234
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008235
TI - A Case in Which the Bladder Was a Content of the Inguinal Canal.
PMID- 29008236
TI - A Stone in the Scrotum.
PMID- 29008237
TI - A Report on the Gynocardate and Morrhuate Treatment of Leprosy Based on Forty
Cases Treated in the Kashmir State Leper Hospital.
PMID- 29008238
TI - The Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29008239
TI - Influenza.
PMID- 29008241
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008240
TI - Notes on Two Cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis Due to the Diplococcus
Intracellularis, Treated with Intrathecal Injections of Anti-Meningococcic Serum
(Mulford), in a Field Ambulance in Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29008242
TI - Sodium Morrhuate in Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29008243
TI - The Result of Trials of Sodium Hydnocarpate and Sodium Morrhuate in Thirteen
Indian Leper Asylums.
PMID- 29008244
TI - Syphilis of the Circulatory System.
PMID- 29008245
TI - Kala Azar in Europeans in the Nowgong District of Assam.
PMID- 29008246
TI - Strictnre of the Male Urethera in India.
PMID- 29008247
TI - The Work of a Vaccine Depot, Meiktila.
PMID- 29008248
TI - A Preliminary Note on an Investigation as to the Actual Weight of the Cataractous
Lens, Together with Some Clinical Notes on Cataract.
PMID- 29008250
TI - Influenza as Observed in the Sambhu Nath Pundit Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29008249
TI - Sanitation "Oil Fuel Refuse Destructor," Basrah-Its Working and Economical Value.
PMID- 29008252
TI - Diabetes in India.
PMID- 29008253
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008251
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008254
TI - Brief Report on Cases of Probable Encephalitis Lethargica.
PMID- 29008255
TI - Guinea Worm in the Inguinal Canal.
PMID- 29008257
TI - Epidemic Encephalitis.
PMID- 29008256
TI - An Interesting Case of Plague.
PMID- 29008258
TI - Cervical Rib.
PMID- 29008259
TI - Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29008260
TI - An Epidemic of Fifty-Four Cases of Relapsing Fever Observed in Birjand, East
Persia.
PMID- 29008261
TI - Impassable Strictures of the Urethra.
PMID- 29008262
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008263
TI - Influenza.
PMID- 29008265
TI - Report on Sixty-Four Cases of Eclampsia Treated at the Government Maternity
Hospital, Madras, from October 1917, to October 1919.
PMID- 29008264
TI - Cinchonidine in Malaria.
PMID- 29008266
TI - Recent Researches on Rickets.
PMID- 29008268
TI - Snake Venom as a Therapeutic Agent.
PMID- 29008267
TI - Quinine Prophylaxis and the Treatment of Malaria in a Coolie Population: A
Contribution from Assam.
PMID- 29008269
TI - British Medical Association.
PMID- 29008270
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008271
TI - Further Notes on the Treatment of Diabetes.
PMID- 29008273
TI - Rupture of Gall-Bladder.
PMID- 29008272
TI - Fifteen Cases of Ovarian Tumour Treated by Operation.
PMID- 29008274
TI - A Preliminary Paper on Observations on Black Water Fever (Haemoglobinuria) in the
Coorg Province, 1917-1918: Especially as Regards Its Etiological Factor, Namely,
a Protozoan Parasite of the Genus Piroplasma in Conjunction with the Malarial
Plasmodium; or a New and Undescribed Species of Laverania Malariae (Donovan's
Theory).
PMID- 29008276
TI - Death in the Pot.
PMID- 29008275
TI - Note on the Open-Air Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29008277
TI - Epidemic Influenza in and around the City of Calcutta.
PMID- 29008278
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008279
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008280
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008281
TI - Treatment of Kala-Azar with Intramuscular Injections of Hyper-Acid Antimonyl
Tartrate (+Urethane).
PMID- 29008283
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008284
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008282
TI - Abscess of Brain Due to Chronic Ear Disease.
PMID- 29008286
TI - The General Medical Council and Midwifery.
PMID- 29008285
TI - A Surgical Tour in the United States and Canada.
PMID- 29008287
TI - The Presence of Infectious Jaundice in Bombay.
PMID- 29008288
TI - The Prophylactic Value of Inoculation against Influenza from the Experience of an
Epidemic at Khulna Jail.
PMID- 29008289
TI - Extirpation of the Lachrymal Sac.
PMID- 29008290
TI - The Annual Sanitary Report of the Province of Bihar and Orissa.
PMID- 29008291
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008292
TI - Syphilis in Relation to Mental and Nervous Diseases.
PMID- 29008293
TI - Report of a Case of Fungating Endocarditis (Streptococcal) Leading to Rupture of
an Aortic Valve, Successfully Treated with Stock Serum and Autovaccine.
PMID- 29008294
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008295
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008296
TI - Fracture of the Atlas and Axis Vertebrae.
PMID- 29008297
TI - Prescribing for Symptoms.
PMID- 29008298
TI - Measurement as the Basis of Diagnosis of the Furcocercous Cercariae.
PMID- 29008299
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008300
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008301
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008302
TI - Ether in the Tropics. A New Apparatus.
PMID- 29008304
TI - Notes from the Diary of a Medical Inspector of Schools.
PMID- 29008305
TI - An Unusual Abdominal Tumour.
PMID- 29008303
TI - The Role of Vitamins in Tropical Diseases.
PMID- 29008307
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008306
TI - The Differential Blood Count.
PMID- 29008308
TI - Yaws in Malaya. Its Treatment and Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29008309
TI - A Difficult Obstetric Case after Ventro-Fixation of the Uterus.
PMID- 29008310
TI - The Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29008311
TI - A Case of Hypernephroma of Kidney.
PMID- 29008312
TI - An Epidemic of So-Called Naga Sore at Unao.
PMID- 29008313
TI - Indian Cantharides.
PMID- 29008314
TI - A Case of Leucoderma.
PMID- 29008315
TI - A Cyst over the Sternum.
PMID- 29008316
TI - Rhinosporidium Kinealyi of the Conjunctiva.
PMID- 29008317
TI - An Unusual Post-Operative Phenomenon in Thyroidectomy.
PMID- 29008318
TI - A Case of Acute Inflammation of the Gall-Bladder in Which Gall Stones Were Found
Fractured.
PMID- 29008320
TI - The Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
PMID- 29008319
TI - Removal of Tonsils and Adenoids.
PMID- 29008321
TI - On the Operation of Prostatectomy.
PMID- 29008323
TI - Alcohol as an AEtiological Factor in Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29008322
TI - Notes on Drugs: "Wellcome" Brand Lanoline and "Wellcome" Brand Lanoline
Anhydrous.
PMID- 29008324
TI - Science in Russia.
PMID- 29008325
TI - Rhinosporidium Kinealyi of the Conjunctiva, Cured by Tartarated Antimony (Tartar
Emetic), and Notes on a Case in Which the Lachrymal Sac Was Affected by This
Sporozoon.
PMID- 29008326
TI - Blackwater Fever as It Occurs in the Duars and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29008328
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008327
TI - A Case of Pluriglandular Insufficiency.
PMID- 29008329
TI - Laboratory Records from Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29008330
TI - Note on a Case of a Typhus-Like Fever Occurring at Murree.
PMID- 29008332
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008331
TI - A Case of Radical Cure of Irreducible Scrotal Hernia.
PMID- 29008333
TI - A Case of Traumatic Myositis Ossificans.
PMID- 29008334
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008335
TI - A Case of Fibroma Molluscum.
PMID- 29008337
TI - Mass Treatment of Hookworm Infection.
PMID- 29008336
TI - The Detection of Anthrax Spores in Shaving Brushes.
PMID- 29008338
TI - The Annual Medical Report for Port Blair, 1921.
PMID- 29008339
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008340
TI - The Pasteur Centenary.
PMID- 29008342
TI - The Problems of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29008341
TI - Malignant Disease of the Retained or Imperfectly Descended Testis.
PMID- 29008343
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008344
TI - India's Debt to Medical Research, Being the Presidential Address Delivered to the
Medical Research Section, Indian Science - Congress.
PMID- 29008345
TI - Indian Science Congress, 1922.
PMID- 29008346
TI - Clinical Observations on Adhesion and Retention of the Membranes.
PMID- 29008347
TI - Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 401 in vol. 57.].
PMID- 29008348
TI - Ether in the Tropics: A Further Note.
PMID- 29008349
TI - Report of Cases of Ankylostomiasis Treated in the District Hospital, Penang from
24-8-1921 to 31-12-1921.
PMID- 29008350
TI - The Therapeutics of the Cinchona Alkaloids: Part II.
PMID- 29008352
TI - A Case of Congenital Absence of the Spleen.
PMID- 29008351
TI - Notes on a Case of Cataract in a Child, Following Lightning Stroke.
PMID- 29008354
TI - The Abortive Treatment of Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 29008353
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008355
TI - Notes on Relapsing Fever in Bhavnagar.
PMID- 29008356
TI - A Case of Traumatic Aneurism of the Spleen.
PMID- 29008357
TI - A Case of Tetanus.
PMID- 29008359
TI - The Field for Research in Indian Indigenous Drugs.
PMID- 29008358
TI - The Malarial Position in Assam.
PMID- 29008360
TI - Notes on Some Cases Treated with Electrolytic Chlorogen (E. C.) at the Pusa
Hospital.
PMID- 29008361
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008362
TI - Capsulotomy versus Expression.
PMID- 29008363
TI - Exceptional Hernias.
PMID- 29008364
TI - A Case of Foreign Body (Fish) in the Air Passages, Removed by Laryngo
Tracheotomy.
PMID- 29008365
TI - An Analysis of the Clinical Picture in Kala-Azar: Part II.
PMID- 29008366
TI - British Income Tax.
PMID- 29008368
TI - A New Form of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis-Dermal Leishmanoid.
PMID- 29008367
TI - An Epidemic of Anasarca in the North Andamans.
PMID- 29008369
TI - Tennis Elbow.
PMID- 29008370
TI - Diluted Phenol Injections in Hydrocele.
PMID- 29008371
TI - A Note on a New Disease-"Dermal Leishmaniasis" (Brahmachari).
PMID- 29008372
TI - The Leishmaniasis Problem.
PMID- 29008373
TI - The Danger of Injecting Air into a Vein.
PMID- 29008374
TI - Two Cases of Tropical Abscess of Liver Rupturing into the Abdomen.
PMID- 29008375
TI - Accessory External Ear.
PMID- 29008376
TI - The Indigenous Systems of Medicine.
PMID- 29008378
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008377
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008379
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008380
TI - Short Notes on a Case of Rat-Bite Fever in Shillong.
PMID- 29008381
TI - Electric-Ionisation and Nose Operations.
PMID- 29008382
TI - Laboratory Records from Mesopotamia: No. III. Cholera.
PMID- 29008383
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008384
TI - Note on the Weight Curve of the Normal Indian Infant: During the First Year.
PMID- 29008385
TI - Indian Science Congress 1922: Medical Research Section.
PMID- 29008387
TI - A Case of "Langri's Finger".
PMID- 29008386
TI - The Therapeutics of Emetine.
PMID- 29008388
TI - Acute "Kodon" Poisoning.
PMID- 29008389
TI - An Investigation into the Causation of Lathyrism in Man.
PMID- 29008390
TI - Intravenous Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29008391
TI - The Value of Culture of the Peripheral Blood in Kala-Azar as a Diagnostic
Procedure.
PMID- 29008392
TI - Removal of the Tonsils.
PMID- 29008393
TI - The Value of the Formolgel Test for Syphilis.
PMID- 29008395
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008394
TI - Extraction of the Lens in Its Capsule.
PMID- 29008396
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008398
TI - The Use and Abuse of Vaccine Therapy.
PMID- 29008397
TI - A Case of Abnormal Labour, (Hydrothorax and Ascites in the Foetus).
PMID- 29008399
TI - Observations on "Ulcus Tropicum" in North Palestine.
PMID- 29008401
TI - A Case of Multiple Haemorrhages.
PMID- 29008400
TI - Remarks on the Typhus Fever of Kumaon and on the Suggestion That It Is
Transmitted by a Tick.
PMID- 29008402
TI - A Case of Large Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29008403
TI - Note on the Relative Rate of Absorption of Solar Radiant Heat of Silt Laden
Waters.
PMID- 29008404
TI - Filariasis at Puri.
PMID- 29008405
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008406
TI - Primary Carcinoma of the Liver.
PMID- 29008407
TI - Carbon Tetrachloride in Helminthiasis: A Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29008408
TI - The Late Sir Patrick Manson : Then and Now.
PMID- 29008409
TI - Some Contra-Indications to the Intra-Capsular Operation for Cataract, Based on
8,000 Cases by an Intra-Capsular Operator.
PMID- 29008411
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008410
TI - Medical Education in the United States and in India.
PMID- 29008412
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008414
TI - The Sir Walter Buchanan Scholarship at Epsom College.
PMID- 29008413
TI - Toxic Jaundice of Unknown Origin in the Andamans.
PMID- 29008415
TI - Post-Mortem Examination in Cerebral Malaria: A New and Simple Method of
Demonstrating Parasites in the Capillaries of the Brain.
PMID- 29008416
TI - An Analysis of the Clinical Picture in Kala-Azar: Part I.
PMID- 29008417
TI - The Role of Poisonous Amines.
PMID- 29008418
TI - The Therapeutics of the Cinchona Alkaloids: Part I.
PMID- 29008420
TI - The Production and Pharmacological Action of Khesari Amine.
PMID- 29008419
TI - British Income Tax.
PMID- 29008421
TI - A Case of Salivary Calculus.
PMID- 29008422
TI - A Case of Oxyuris Vermicularis in the Vermiform Appendix.
PMID- 29008423
TI - Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 366 in vol. 57.].
PMID- 29008424
TI - The Care of Women and Children in Indian Industries.
PMID- 29008425
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008427
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008426
TI - The Therapeutics of Digitalis.
PMID- 29008429
TI - Notes on Drugs: The Modern Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29008428
TI - Notes on a Case of Bronchomoniliasis.
PMID- 29008430
TI - The Recent Epidemic in Lucknow: So-Called Cholera.
PMID- 29008431
TI - A Case of Gumma of the Vertebrae.
PMID- 29008432
TI - Clinical Pictures of Tuberculosis in Relation to Bones and Joints.
PMID- 29008434
TI - Kerosine Oil in Asthma.
PMID- 29008433
TI - A Case of Vaginal Tumour of Unusual Size.
PMID- 29008436
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008437
TI - The New Year.
PMID- 29008435
TI - An Unusual Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29008438
TI - Kala-Azar : A Preliminary Note on the Treatment by the Intramuscular Injection of
a Special Preparation of Sodium Antimonyl Tartrate.
PMID- 29008439
TI - A Choleroid Epidemic in the United Provinces: With Pathological Account.
PMID- 29008440
TI - Snake-Bite in India.
PMID- 29008441
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008442
TI - Statistics of the Treatment of Cholera Cases by a Modified Method of Sir Leonard
Rogers, as Carried on at the Mayo Hospital.
PMID- 29008444
TI - Need of Dental Colleges in India.
PMID- 29008443
TI - The Danger of Injecting Air into a Vein.
PMID- 29008445
TI - A Case of Double Facial Paralysis Following Syphilis.
PMID- 29008446
TI - Use of Tincture Iodine Intravenously.
PMID- 29008447
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008448
TI - Rhinosporidium Kinealyi of the Conjunctiva.
PMID- 29008449
TI - The Role of Cattle in the Epidemiology of Malaria.
PMID- 29008451
TI - The Economic Factor in Tropical Diseases.
PMID- 29008450
TI - Some Economic Aspects of Bengal Malaria.
PMID- 29008452
TI - Flavine as a Therapeutic Agent.
PMID- 29008453
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008454
TI - The Causation of Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29008455
TI - Cataract Extraction with Iridotomy.
PMID- 29008457
TI - A Case of Retro-Peritonial Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29008456
TI - Our Hospitals and Dispensaries.
PMID- 29008458
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008459
TI - The Bombay School of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29008460
TI - The Problem of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29008461
TI - Surgical Aspects of Amoebiasis: Amoebae: Their Character and Pathogenicity.
PMID- 29008462
TI - A Case of Liver Abscess Which Had Ruptured into the Abdominal Cavity.
PMID- 29008463
TI - The Price of Quinidine.
PMID- 29008464
TI - Scabies?
PMID- 29008465
TI - A Case of Congenital Hydronephrosis.
PMID- 29008467
TI - The Epidemic Dropsy of Bengal. A Problem Solved.
PMID- 29008466
TI - The Blood Count in Ankylostomiasis. A Warning.
PMID- 29008468
TI - Cinchona Febrifuge in Malaria.
PMID- 29008469
TI - A Note on the Use of E. C.: Electrolytic Chlorogen.
PMID- 29008470
TI - Electrolytic Chlorogen.
PMID- 29008471
TI - Expression versus Capsulotomy.
PMID- 29008472
TI - A Plea for the More Common Use of Lumbar Puncture.
PMID- 29008474
TI - Combretum Pilosum Roxb. as an Anthelmintic for Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29008473
TI - Gleanings from the Records of the Government Maternity Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29008475
TI - The Situation of the Malarial Parasite in Relation to the Red Blood Corpuscle.
PMID- 29008476
TI - A Comparison of E. C. Bleach, and Chlorogen.
PMID- 29008477
TI - The Prevalence of Ileocaecal Kinks in Appendicitis.
PMID- 29008478
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008479
TI - Some Interesting "Eye Cases".
PMID- 29008480
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008481
TI - Drainage in Abdominal Emergencies.
PMID- 29008482
TI - The Advantages of a Single Infection.
PMID- 29008483
TI - A Case of Echinococcal Infection of the Eyeball.
PMID- 29008484
TI - E. C.
PMID- 29008485
TI - A Case of Sarcoma of the Knee.
PMID- 29008486
TI - A Case of Breech Presentation.
PMID- 29008487
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008488
TI - An Analysis of 336 Cases of Hydrocele and Haematocele in Which Operation for
Radical Cure Was Performed.
PMID- 29008489
TI - Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29008490
TI - Is Human Hydrophobia Infective?
PMID- 29008491
TI - Pathogenicity of Spirilla in the Sputum.
PMID- 29008492
TI - The Natural Cure and Prevention of Dysentery.
PMID- 29008493
TI - Tonsillectomy: A Simple Method Used in 840 Cases.
PMID- 29008494
TI - Treatment of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29008495
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008496
TI - Literary Notes.
PMID- 29008497
TI - Midwifery Mechanics.
PMID- 29008498
TI - A Case of Mauling by a Leopard.
PMID- 29008500
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008499
TI - A Case of Tri-Orchid.
PMID- 29008501
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008502
TI - Hibernating Mosquitoes as Carriers of Malaria.
PMID- 29008503
TI - A Case of Suprapublic Cystomy Complicated with Typholumbricosis.
PMID- 29008504
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008506
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008505
TI - An Outbreak of Epidemic Dropsy at Malda Jail.
PMID- 29008508
TI - The Indian Medical Service.
PMID- 29008507
TI - An Antiseptic and Anaesthetic Catheter Oil.
PMID- 29008509
TI - Physiological Notes.
PMID- 29008510
TI - Tuberculous Glands in Axilla.
PMID- 29008511
TI - Treatment of Purpura Haemorrhagica.
PMID- 29008512
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008513
TI - "Medical" Advertisements in the Indian Press.
PMID- 29008514
TI - The Duties and Responsibilities of Students and Practitioners of Medicine.
PMID- 29008515
TI - The Etiology and Treatment of Pyorrhea Alveolaria.
PMID- 29008516
TI - Flavine in Ophthalmic Practice.
PMID- 29008517
TI - A Short Report on the Treatment of Plague by the Solution of Iodine and Camphor.
PMID- 29008518
TI - Elephantiasis Scroti-Weighing 36 Lb.
PMID- 29008519
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008520
TI - Notes on Certain Cases of Fever.
PMID- 29008521
TI - Two Cases of Abdominal Hydatid Cysts.
PMID- 29008522
TI - Human Bites.
PMID- 29008523
TI - A Plea to Ligate the Hydrocele Sac with Living Tissue.
PMID- 29008524
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008525
TI - Unqualified Practitioners.
PMID- 29008526
TI - The Management of a Drug Godown in India.
PMID- 29008527
TI - Transverse Inguinal versus Vertical Scrotal Incision in the Operation for Radical
Cure of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29008528
TI - Bogus Diplomas.
PMID- 29008529
TI - Dreams.
PMID- 29008531
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008530
TI - Preliminary Note on the Treatment of Tubercular Affections of the Enclosed
Cavities Abscesses, and Caries, by Inflation with Oxygen.
PMID- 29008532
TI - An Analysis of over 500 Cases of Genital Chancre in the Native Male.
PMID- 29008534
TI - Physiological Notes.
PMID- 29008533
TI - Notes on Novarsenobillon.
PMID- 29008536
TI - Literary Notes.
PMID- 29008535
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008538
TI - A Case of Tropical Sore Cured by Intravenous Injections of Tartar Emetic.
PMID- 29008537
TI - Treatment of Cerebrospinal Meningitis by Spinal Irrigation with Electrargol.
PMID- 29008539
TI - A Kidney with Large Stone and Hydronephrosis Weighing 12 Ounces.
PMID- 29008540
TI - Encephalitis Lethargica: A Clinical Lecture.
PMID- 29008541
TI - Midwifery Mechanics.
PMID- 29008542
TI - Organo-Therapeutic Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29008543
TI - Observations on the Treatment of Hookworm Disease.
PMID- 29008544
TI - The Superfluous Woman.
PMID- 29008546
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008545
TI - Electricity and Medicine.
PMID- 29008547
TI - A Note on Vaccine Therapy in Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever.
PMID- 29008549
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008548
TI - A Case of Penetrating Abdominal Wound.
PMID- 29008550
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008551
TI - Sodium Morrhuate and Sodium Hydnocarpate in Leprosy.
PMID- 29008552
TI - Hazaribagh: A Popular Health Resort.
PMID- 29008553
TI - Note on a Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29008554
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008556
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008555
TI - Bacteriological Investigation of Normal and Diseased Eyes.
PMID- 29008557
TI - A Case of Melancholic Stupor (Psychocoma).
PMID- 29008559
TI - Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine: The Darbhanga Medical Research Scholarship.
PMID- 29008558
TI - Report on a Large Lipoma in a Child.
PMID- 29008560
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008562
TI - Gastric Ulcer.
PMID- 29008561
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008563
TI - Literary Notes.
PMID- 29008564
TI - Influenza.
PMID- 29008565
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008566
TI - Removal of Filaria from under the Conjunctiva.
PMID- 29008567
TI - Note on Mr. Charles' Specimen.
PMID- 29008568
TI - A Newer Interpretation of the Pathogenesis, Prophylaxis and Treatment of
Influenza.
PMID- 29008569
TI - Surgical Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29008571
TI - A Two-Ounce Stone in the Urethra.
PMID- 29008570
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008572
TI - A Preliminary Report on the Minimum Curative Dose of Quinine in the Treatment of
Malarial Fever by the Intravenous Method.
PMID- 29008573
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008574
TI - Preliminary Note on the Treatment of Leprosy by Antimony.
PMID- 29008575
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008576
TI - Physiological Notes.
PMID- 29008577
TI - Functional Aphonia in a Case of Homicidal Cut-Throat.
PMID- 29008579
TI - Literary Notes.
PMID- 29008578
TI - London School of Tropical Medicine Examination Result. 63rd Session, May-July,
1920.
PMID- 29008580
TI - Notes on Field Ambulance Organisation.
PMID- 29008582
TI - Case of Intolerance to Aspirin.
PMID- 29008581
TI - Treatment of Pregnant Females Suffering from Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29008583
TI - Some Observations on Blood Pressure during Intravenous Injection of Quinine in
the Treatment of Malarial Fever.
PMID- 29008585
TI - A Case of Acute Catarrhal Jaundice.
PMID- 29008586
TI - Post-Graduate Instruction in Veneral Diseases.
PMID- 29008584
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29008587
TI - The Prevalence in India of Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer and Allied Conditions of
the Upper Abdomen with Some Observations of the Diagnosis and Treatment.
PMID- 29008588
TI - Cutaneous Myiasis in Man and Animals in India.
PMID- 29008590
TI - Medical Requirements of Aeronauts.
PMID- 29008589
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008591
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008592
TI - Physiological Notes.
PMID- 29008594
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008593
TI - Some Further Observations on Rupture of the Spleen.
PMID- 29008595
TI - An Indian Creche in Bangalore.
PMID- 29008597
TI - The Treatment of Cerebro-Spinal Syphilis by Means of Sero-Arsenous and Mercuric
Iodide.
PMID- 29008596
TI - Lathyrism.
PMID- 29008598
TI - Note on Intravenous Injections of Tartar Emetic in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29008599
TI - Quinine in Malarial Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29008600
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008601
TI - The Effect of Radishes in Dropsy.
PMID- 29008602
TI - Development of the Round Worm.
PMID- 29008604
TI - Chlorination of Drinking Water Supplies in the Field.
PMID- 29008603
TI - Tobacco Fleas and Plague.
PMID- 29008605
TI - Medical and Surgical Notes (London Mission Hospital).
PMID- 29008606
TI - A Case of Calculous Pyonephrosis.
PMID- 29008607
TI - Sodium Gynocardate and Sodium Morrhuate in Tubercular Disease.
PMID- 29008608
TI - Some Unusual Methods of Disposal of Excreta in Camps.
PMID- 29008609
TI - The Laying out of a Large Military Camp.
PMID- 29008610
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008611
TI - Treatment of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29008612
TI - Four Years' Further Experience of Autogenous Oral Streptococcal Vaccines in the
Treatment of Seventeen Cases of Sprue.
PMID- 29008613
TI - Bombay Medical Council: February Session 1918.
PMID- 29008615
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008614
TI - The British Medical Association and the I. M. S.
PMID- 29008616
TI - Non-Operative Treatment of Carbuncles and Boils.
PMID- 29008617
TI - The Prevention and Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29008618
TI - Case of Toxaemic Jaundice.
PMID- 29008619
TI - The Injection of Lymph as a Protector against Small-Pox.
PMID- 29008621
TI - Indian Medical Service: Memorandum on Its Present Position and the Reforms
Necessary.
PMID- 29008620
TI - How to Examine Recruits.
PMID- 29008622
TI - The Prevention of Malaria in Cantonments.
PMID- 29008623
TI - The Present Position of the Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 29008624
TI - A Snake-Bite (Cobra) Case.
PMID- 29008625
TI - Rat Destruction as a Means for the Prevention of Plague.
PMID- 29008626
TI - A Case of Gangosa at the Alipore Jail.
PMID- 29008627
TI - Sodium Antimonyl Tartrate in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29008628
TI - Constipation in Malaria.
PMID- 29008629
TI - Destruction of Rats and Prevention of Plague.
PMID- 29008631
TI - Tetanus and Technique.
PMID- 29008630
TI - War Surgery in an Indian General Hospital in Mesopotamia.
PMID- 29008632
TI - A Public Health Journal.
PMID- 29008633
TI - A Case of Bilharzia Infection: Imported from Mesopotamia, and Occuring in the
Civil Population at Karachi.
PMID- 29008634
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008635
TI - Sodium Cacodylate in Malaria.
PMID- 29008637
TI - Relapsing Fever.
PMID- 29008636
TI - Fleas and Plague.
PMID- 29008638
TI - Blindness in India.
PMID- 29008639
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008641
TI - Salines in Cholera.
PMID- 29008640
TI - The Haemoglobin Index in Coolies.
PMID- 29008642
TI - The Metals Gold, Silver, and Arsenic in the Colloid State.
PMID- 29008644
TI - A Ministry of Health.
PMID- 29008643
TI - Detection of Hookworm Eggs.
PMID- 29008645
TI - Urea Hydrochloride.
PMID- 29008646
TI - Urea Hydrochloride.
PMID- 29008647
TI - Report on Treatment of Thirty Lepers with Sodium Gynecardate "A".
PMID- 29008649
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008648
TI - The Metamorphosis and Standardization of the L. M. P.
PMID- 29008650
TI - A Case of Sacculation of the Bladder Containing a Dumb-Bell-Shaped Calculus.
PMID- 29008652
TI - Tropical Australia.
PMID- 29008651
TI - Bite from Echis Carinata : Recovery.
PMID- 29008653
TI - Quinine Urea Hydrochloride.
PMID- 29008654
TI - A Case of Syphilitic Fever.
PMID- 29008655
TI - Lathyrism-Like Disease (Due to Bajra).
PMID- 29008656
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008657
TI - Surgical Notes.
PMID- 29008658
TI - Some New Principles in Nutrition.
PMID- 29008659
TI - Stomatitis and Scrotal Eczema.
PMID- 29008660
TI - Forgotten Pages of Jail History.
PMID- 29008662
TI - The Prevention of Scurvy and Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29008663
TI - Ayurvedic Medicine.
PMID- 29008661
TI - On the Importance of Some Minor Eye Operations.
PMID- 29008664
TI - Natural Painless Child-Birth.
PMID- 29008665
TI - Intramuscular Injections of Sodium Gynocardate in Leprosy.
PMID- 29008666
TI - The Life of Lord Lister.
PMID- 29008667
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008668
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008670
TI - Stomatitis and Scrotal Eczema.
PMID- 29008669
TI - The Sir Pardey Lukis Memorial Fund.
PMID- 29008671
TI - Destruction of Rats as a Means for the Prevention of Plague.
PMID- 29008672
TI - Hospital Building in India.
PMID- 29008673
TI - The Susruta Samhita.
PMID- 29008675
TI - Two Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29008674
TI - Intramuscular Injections of Quinine.
PMID- 29008676
TI - A Medico-Legal Question.
PMID- 29008678
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29008677
TI - Quinine and Urea Hydrochloride Hypodermically.
PMID- 29008680
TI - Sodium Gynocardate in Leprosy.
PMID- 29008679
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008681
TI - Recurrent Dislocation of Shoulder.
PMID- 29008683
TI - Sir Pardey Lukis Memorial Committee.
PMID- 29008682
TI - Case of Carotid Aneurism.
PMID- 29008684
TI - Case of Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
PMID- 29008685
TI - A Case of Actinomycotic Pleuro Mediastinitis.
PMID- 29008687
TI - Observations on Three Cases of Actinomycosis Hominis.
PMID- 29008686
TI - Destruction of Rats as a Means for the Prevention of Plague.
PMID- 29008688
TI - Family Epidemic of Scarlet Fever.
PMID- 29008689
TI - Annus Medicus.
PMID- 29008690
TI - Another "New" Operation for Cataract.
PMID- 29008691
TI - Rectal Anaesthesia. (Report of 82 Cases).
PMID- 29008692
TI - Quinoidine.
PMID- 29008693
TI - Adulteration of Quinine.
PMID- 29008694
TI - Serums.
PMID- 29008696
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008695
TI - Service and War Notes.
PMID- 29008697
TI - Capacity of the Bladder of a Child: Two and a Half Months Old.
PMID- 29008699
TI - Haemoglobinuria.
PMID- 29008698
TI - A Glance at Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29008700
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29008701
TI - Kala-Azar and Tartar Emetic.
PMID- 29008702
TI - Quinoidine and Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29008703
TI - Blunderbuss Therapy.
PMID- 29008704
TI - An Extraordinary Case of Self-Mutilation.
PMID- 29008705
TI - An Unusual Fracture.
PMID- 29008706
TI - The Kurchi Treatment of Amoebic Dysentery.
PMID- 29008707
TI - A Case of Agranulocytic Angina.
PMID- 29008708
TI - Quinine "Addiction".
PMID- 29008709
TI - The Value of Medical Societies.
PMID- 29008711
TI - The Cholera Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29008710
TI - Infection by a Gnathostome Simulating Mastoiditis.
PMID- 29008713
TI - On the Role of Argas Persicus Oku, in the Transmission of Pasteurella Avicida.
PMID- 29008712
TI - Scirrhus Cancer of the Breast in the Male.
PMID- 29008714
TI - Enterococcus Bacteriaemia in Association with Infections with Bacillus Typhosus.
PMID- 29008715
TI - Three Cases of Salivary Calculus.
PMID- 29008717
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008716
TI - On the Relative Frequency of Supraclavicular and Infraclavicular Pulmonary
Tuberculosis, and Its Bearing on the Prognosis of the Disease in India.
PMID- 29008718
TI - Unusual Symptoms in a Case of Round-Worm Infection.
PMID- 29008719
TI - Gynaecology and Tropical Diseases in Shakespeare.
PMID- 29008720
TI - The Treatment of Acute Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29008721
TI - Some Observations on the Preparation and Examination of Thick Films for Malaria
Parasites.
PMID- 29008722
TI - A Case of Amoebic Abscess of Liver.
PMID- 29008723
TI - Angioma, Treatment by Diathermy.
PMID- 29008724
TI - Studies in Untreated Malaria: I. A Case of Experimentally Induced Quartan
Malaria.
PMID- 29008725
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008726
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008727
TI - On a Simple Solidified Haemoglobinised Saline Agar Medium Suitable for Surface
Cultures of Leishmania and Allied Flagellates.
PMID- 29008729
TI - Anti-Plague Vaccine in the Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29008728
TI - Petrol Dermatitis.
PMID- 29008730
TI - A Case of Dentigerous Cyst: Follicular Odontome.
PMID- 29008731
TI - The Use of a Standardised Preparation of the Total Alkaloids of Kurchi Bark in
Amoebic Dysentery.
PMID- 29008733
TI - The Effect of Radiation Therapy upon Mediastinal Tumours.
PMID- 29008732
TI - A Simple Treatment for Naga Sores.
PMID- 29008734
TI - The All-India Medical Licentiates' Association.
PMID- 29008735
TI - Some Safeguards and Points of Technique in the Extraction of Senile Cataract with
Capsulotomy.
PMID- 29008736
TI - A Preliminary Report on the Suitability of Paris Green as an Anopheline Larvicide
as Applied to Punjab Conditions.
PMID- 29008737
TI - On Rheumatic Infection as a Cause of Mitral Stenosis Amongst Young Indians.
PMID- 29008738
TI - Blunderbuss Therapy.
PMID- 29008740
TI - Leeches in Cardiac Disease.
PMID- 29008739
TI - Ars Gynaecologica.
PMID- 29008741
TI - Centepeda Orbicularis.
PMID- 29008742
TI - A Case of Germination of Teeth.
PMID- 29008743
TI - A Test for Carbon Tetrachloride.
PMID- 29008744
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 691 in vol. 64.].
PMID- 29008745
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008746
TI - Radium in India.
PMID- 29008748
TI - A Case of Jarisch Herxheimer Phenomenon.
PMID- 29008747
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008749
TI - The Sterilisation of Hypodermic Syringes.
PMID- 29008750
TI - Prolapsus Uteri.
PMID- 29008751
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008752
TI - The Purity of Tube Well Waters.
PMID- 29008753
TI - Keratolysis Plantare Sulcatum, a Lesion Due to an Actinomycotic Fungus.
PMID- 29008754
TI - The Cholera Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29008756
TI - Jungle and Malaria in Bengal.
PMID- 29008755
TI - A Review of Our Present Knowledge of the Bacteriology and Pathology of Human
Leprosy.
PMID- 29008758
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008757
TI - Science versus Art in Medicine.
PMID- 29008759
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 541 in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29008760
TI - Transient Glycosuria in a Comatose Patient.
PMID- 29008761
TI - The Drugs Enquiry Committee, India, 1930.
PMID- 29008762
TI - An Undiagnosed Malady.
PMID- 29008763
TI - Early Infant Mortality in India with Special Reference to Premature Birth.
PMID- 29008764
TI - Impressions of a Tour through Some Well-Known Medical Centres in Europe.
PMID- 29008765
TI - Urobilinuria in Malaria.
PMID- 29008766
TI - Narcosis in Childbirth.
PMID- 29008767
TI - A Suggested Standard Treatment of Malaria Based upon the Results of the
Controlled Investigation of over 3,700 Cases.
PMID- 29008768
TI - Cancer of the Breast in a Man.
PMID- 29008769
TI - Multiple Injuries to the Abdominal Viscera.
PMID- 29008771
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008770
TI - Factors Which Determine the Differences in the Types of Lesions Produced by
Filaria Bancrofti in India.
PMID- 29008772
TI - Tetany in Children.
PMID- 29008773
TI - Note on a Case of "Dermal Leishmanoid" from Madras.
PMID- 29008774
TI - Is Medicine Fulfilling Its Responsibilities to Future Generations? A Plea for the
Study of Eugenics.
PMID- 29008775
TI - A Case of Epistaxis in Purpura.
PMID- 29008776
TI - Records of Findings of Adult Wuchereria (Filaria) Bancrofti in India.
PMID- 29008777
TI - Malaria at Kapurthala Dispensary, Lucknow.
PMID- 29008778
TI - Congenital Bilateral Absence of the Radius and Thumb.
PMID- 29008779
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008781
TI - Some Aspects of the Ascaris Problem.
PMID- 29008780
TI - A Case of Rhinolith.
PMID- 29008783
TI - The Differential Diagnosis of Cholera and Food Poisoning.
PMID- 29008782
TI - The Isolation of Atoxic Strains of Bacillus Tetani in Egypt.
PMID- 29008784
TI - Accelerated Production of Specific Urinary Pigments by Drug Administration. I.
Effect of Phenyldimethylpyrazolon on Urobilin Formation.
PMID- 29008785
TI - A Case of Oxycephaly.
PMID- 29008786
TI - An Experimental Study of Host Susceptibility to Cholera.
PMID- 29008787
TI - The Prognostic Importance of the Widal Reaction in Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29008788
TI - Radium Therapy. A Summary of a Year's Work, with a Detailed Description of Some
Cases.
PMID- 29008789
TI - The Diagnosis of Kala-Azar by Culture of the Peripheral Blood.
PMID- 29008790
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008792
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008791
TI - Intravenous Calcium Chloride in the Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29008794
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008795
TI - The Science of Disease.
PMID- 29008793
TI - The Purity of Tube Well Waters.
PMID- 29008796
TI - Psittacosis.
PMID- 29008797
TI - Milk Injections in Skin Diseases.
PMID- 29008798
TI - Carbon Tetrachloride, Merck.
PMID- 29008799
TI - A New Case of Bertiella Studeri in a Human Being.
PMID- 29008800
TI - Aphonia after Quinine Administration.
PMID- 29008801
TI - Liquid Extracts of Kurchi.
PMID- 29008802
TI - A Case of Full Term Abdominal Pregnancy: Living Mother and Child.
PMID- 29008803
TI - Protein Reactions of Bacteria: A Plea for Their Routine Use and Intensive Study.
PMID- 29008804
TI - The Position of Psychology in the Teaching of Medicine.
PMID- 29008805
TI - The Differential Diagnosis of Leprosy and Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29008806
TI - Some Cases of Surgery of the Hand.
PMID- 29008807
TI - A Note on the Local Treatment of Leprous Ulcers.
PMID- 29008808
TI - A Clinical Study of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29008809
TI - Coconut Milk as an Anthelmintic.
PMID- 29008810
TI - An Easily Improvised Apparatus for the Treatment of Fracture of the Femur.
PMID- 29008811
TI - The Maternity Conditions of Women Mill-Workers in India.
PMID- 29008812
TI - Cholera and Malaria.
PMID- 29008813
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008814
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008815
TI - A Note on an Apparatus Designed to Take Samples of Waters from Wells, Tanks,
Etc., at Stated Depths.
PMID- 29008816
TI - The Place of Non-Specific Protein Therapy in Gynaecology.
PMID- 29008817
TI - Ars Obstetrica.
PMID- 29008818
TI - The Value of the Antimony Test in the Diagnosis of Kala-Azar. Part II. The Finger
Prick Blood Test.
PMID- 29008819
TI - On the Advisability of a Routine Wassermann Reaction in Every Case of Diabetes
Mellitus.
PMID- 29008820
TI - Helminthic Infections in Shillong.
PMID- 29008821
TI - Tannic Acid in the Treatment of Burns.
PMID- 29008822
TI - Forecast of the Probable Major Variations in Cholera, Small-Pox and Plague in
India during 1930, Based on the Meteorology of 1929.
PMID- 29008823
TI - The Anopheles Stephensi Problem in Calcutta.
PMID- 29008824
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008825
TI - Diabetes Mellitus in Children.
PMID- 29008826
TI - Kurchi Extracts in Amoebiasis.
PMID- 29008828
TI - A Note on the Use of Ultraviolet Rays in the Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29008829
TI - Nervous Symptoms Apparently Due to a Heavy Ascaris Infection.
PMID- 29008827
TI - A Case of Meningocele.
PMID- 29008830
TI - Some Notes on the Union of Epiphyses in Indian Girls.
PMID- 29008832
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008831
TI - A Review of Some of the Work by Ophthalmologists in India in 1929.
PMID- 29008834
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008833
TI - Notes on Ulcus Tropicum in the Jharia Coalfieds in 1922.
PMID- 29008835
TI - The Action of Emetine on Entamoeba Histolytica.
PMID- 29008836
TI - A Case of Spotted Fever (Rocky Mountain Fever, Tick Fever or Typhus Fever).
PMID- 29008837
TI - A Simple Method of Treating Salivary and Other Glandular Swellings.
PMID- 29008838
TI - The Technique of Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29008839
TI - Ulcus Tropicum in Kanara District.
PMID- 29008840
TI - A Foreign Body in the Peri-Tonsillar Space.
PMID- 29008841
TI - Contusion of the Eye and Commotio Retinae.
PMID- 29008842
TI - Some Observations on the Incidence and Mortality from Eclampsia in Calcutta, and
Its Prevention.
PMID- 29008843
TI - Urticaria Due to Filarial Toxin.
PMID- 29008844
TI - Gangrenous Stomatitis Following Dysentery.
PMID- 29008846
TI - An Early Pioneer on the Study of Indian Malaria.
PMID- 29008845
TI - A Case of Alkaptonuria.
PMID- 29008847
TI - Some Surgical Aspects of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29008848
TI - The Effect of Sanocrysin on the Efficiency of the Liver.
PMID- 29008850
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008849
TI - Notes on the Pathogenesis of Sprue and the Asthenic Diarrhoea of Indians: With
Special Reference to the Role Played Therein by Amoebiasis. The Probable Identity
of the Two Former Conditions, and Their Connection with Addisonian Anaemia
Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Cord-Hunterian Glossitis Syndrome of Hurst.
PMID- 29008851
TI - Mycetoma in Ramnad.
PMID- 29008852
TI - The Significance of Spirochaetes in the Sputum, with Special Reference to
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29008854
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008853
TI - Occupational Therapy.
PMID- 29008855
TI - Some Observations on an Unusual Epidemic of Malaria in the City of Lucknow (April
September 1929).
PMID- 29008856
TI - Volvulus of the Small Intestine.
PMID- 29008857
TI - The Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29008858
TI - The Value of Phrenic-Exairesis in the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29008859
TI - Cholera in a Khasi Village and Its Treatment with Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29008860
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008861
TI - Filarial Periodicity.
PMID- 29008862
TI - Anti-Rabic Policy in India.
PMID- 29008863
TI - An Epidemic in Rats.
PMID- 29008864
TI - The Organism of Bovine Lymphangitis.
PMID- 29008865
TI - A New and Simple Treatment for Intestinal Tuberculosis, Introduced by M.
McConkey.
PMID- 29008867
TI - The Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29008866
TI - Death from Compressed-Air Sickness in India.
PMID- 29008869
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008868
TI - Retention of a Dead Ectopic Foetus.
PMID- 29008870
TI - Sliding Hernia.
PMID- 29008872
TI - Syphilis in Madras.
PMID- 29008871
TI - A Comparison of the Wassermann and Kahn Tests in 200 Cases.
PMID- 29008873
TI - Is Public Health Worth While?: An Address Delivered on the 29th April, 1930, to
the Rotary Club, Rangoon.
PMID- 29008874
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008875
TI - Some Interesting Cases.
PMID- 29008876
TI - Health Education-A Device.
PMID- 29008877
TI - Errors of Refraction.
PMID- 29008878
TI - Five Years' Anti-Malaria Measures on the Travancore Tea Companies' Estates.
PMID- 29008879
TI - The Treatment of Oriental Sore with Berberine Acid Sulphate.
PMID- 29008880
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 467 in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29008882
TI - The Causation of Cancer.
PMID- 29008881
TI - The Arterial Supply of the Appendix: From the Department of Anatomy, University
Medical College, Mysore.
PMID- 29008884
TI - Malaria Control.
PMID- 29008883
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29008885
TI - A Plea for More Confidence in the Peritoneum.
PMID- 29008887
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008886
TI - Some Difficulties in the Diagnosis of Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29008888
TI - Novasurol in the Treatment of Ascites.
PMID- 29008889
TI - Intravenous Quinine.
PMID- 29008890
TI - A Case of Syringomyelia.
PMID- 29008891
TI - A Note on the Microscopical Examination of Faeces.
PMID- 29008892
TI - "Honeycomb" Infection of the Hands and Feet.
PMID- 29008893
TI - Antityphoid Inoculation.
PMID- 29008894
TI - (1) Milk Injections in Asthma (2) Symptoms Due to Ascaris.
PMID- 29008896
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008895
TI - The Causation of Lymph-Scrotum.
PMID- 29008897
TI - The Use of a Snare in Enucleation of the Eyeball.
PMID- 29008898
TI - A Difference of Opinion.
PMID- 29008899
TI - A Myopia-Preventing Device.
PMID- 29008900
TI - Erratum: A Study of Yaws in Khetri Area, Kamrup, Assam.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 421 in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29008901
TI - The Incidence of Sprue Amongst Indians.
PMID- 29008902
TI - Psittacosis or Typhoid Fever?
PMID- 29008903
TI - Results of Inoculation of Cholera Vaccine in Nabadwip (Bengal).
PMID- 29008904
TI - Report on an Investigation of Beriberi at Guntur.
PMID- 29008905
TI - An Unusual Case of Prolapse of the Uterus.
PMID- 29008906
TI - Malaria in Bombay.
PMID- 29008907
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008908
TI - Emetine in Bacillary Dysentery.
PMID- 29008909
TI - Report of a Second Case of "Dermal Leishmanoid" from Madras.
PMID- 29008910
TI - A Report on the 2nd International Congress on Malaria, Held at Algiers, 19th to
27th May, 1930.
PMID- 29008911
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008912
TI - A Case of Scurvy.
PMID- 29008913
TI - Myiasis of Carious Teeth.
PMID- 29008914
TI - A Case of Congenital Sacral Teratoma.
PMID- 29008916
TI - A Case of Dermal Leishmaniasis Mistaken for Leprosy.
PMID- 29008915
TI - Cardiovascular Manifestations of Epidemic Dropsy and Their Treatment.
PMID- 29008917
TI - Ulcus Tropicum.
PMID- 29008919
TI - The Remote Effects of Nasal Sinus Infections.
PMID- 29008918
TI - The So-Called "Swallowed" Foreign Body.
PMID- 29008920
TI - Experiments on the Vitamin B (Anti-Neuritic Factor) in Parched Rice; on Honey;
and the Mucous Secretion of the Pigeon's Mouth.
PMID- 29008921
TI - A Case of Highly Abnormal Blood Group Associated with Auto-Agglutination in the
Cold.
PMID- 29008923
TI - Ars Obstetrica.
PMID- 29008922
TI - The Age of Consent Act.
PMID- 29008924
TI - The Evolution of Medical Protozoology.
PMID- 29008925
TI - The Uses and Abuses of Vaccines.
PMID- 29008926
TI - Volvulus of the Small Intestine.
PMID- 29008927
TI - Cardiospasm.
PMID- 29008929
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008928
TI - A Case of Pneumonia Treated by "Pneumococcus Immunogen (Combined)".
PMID- 29008930
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008931
TI - A Case of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29008933
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008932
TI - A Case of Fracture-Dislocation Carpal Scaphoid (Navicular).
PMID- 29008934
TI - Bilateral Torticollis.
PMID- 29008935
TI - A Severe Case of Osteomalacia.
PMID- 29008936
TI - The Surgery of Tuberculosis of the Ileo-Caecal Region.
PMID- 29008937
TI - Framboesia Tropica in Bengal.
PMID- 29008939
TI - Aphonia Follow Quinine Administration.
PMID- 29008938
TI - An Account of a Brief Tour with the Malaria Commission of the League of Nations.
PMID- 29008940
TI - Undescended Testis as a Cause of Physical Rejection.
PMID- 29008941
TI - "Naga" Sore in Rajputana.
PMID- 29008942
TI - The Food Value of the Nut of Anacardium Occidentale (Hijli Badam).
PMID- 29008943
TI - Marriage Festivals and the Spread of Cholera.
PMID- 29008944
TI - Elimination of Uric Acid Via the Skin.
PMID- 29008945
TI - Erratum: Psittacosis.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 277 in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29008947
TI - The Infectivity of Malaria Carriers.
PMID- 29008946
TI - Foreign Body in the Ear a Cause of Persistent Hiccough.
PMID- 29008948
TI - A Case of "Scurvy".
PMID- 29008949
TI - An Unusual Abdominal Tumour.
PMID- 29008950
TI - Ganglion-Like Swellings in Leprosy.
PMID- 29008951
TI - Two Cases of Pneumonia with Thrombosis in the Brain, Having a Bearing on the
Pathogenesis of Remote Pneumococcal Complications in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29008952
TI - Plantago Ovata-Ispaghul-In Chronic Diarrhoeas and Dysenteries.
PMID- 29008954
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008953
TI - Multiple Melanomata of the Iris.
PMID- 29008955
TI - Notes on the Treatment of Varicose Veins by Sclerosing Injections.
PMID- 29008956
TI - A Case of Probable Post-Vaccinal Encephalitis.
PMID- 29008957
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008958
TI - A Note on the Action of Ephedrine on Temperature.
PMID- 29008959
TI - Transient Glycosuria of Doubtful Origin.
PMID- 29008961
TI - Erratum: A Clinical Study of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 249 in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29008960
TI - Note on the Occurrence of Jaundice in a Tuberculous Patient during Sanocrysin
Treatment.
PMID- 29008962
TI - A Note on Cancer and Radium in South India: Being Part of the Annual Report of
the Madras Government General Hospital, 1929.
PMID- 29008963
TI - A Case of Myiasis of the Nasal Fossa.
PMID- 29008964
TI - A Case of Latent Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29008965
TI - A Study of Yaws in Khetri Area, Kamrup, Assam.
PMID- 29008967
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008966
TI - Caudal Block.
PMID- 29008968
TI - A Case of Pellagra.
PMID- 29008969
TI - A Case of Trephining of Skull.
PMID- 29008970
TI - Three Cases of Toxaemia Due to Ascariasis.
PMID- 29008971
TI - Erratum: The Evolution of Medical Protozoology.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 23 in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29008972
TI - A Possible Pitfall in Making Leucocyte Counts.
PMID- 29008973
TI - Bacteriophage in Its Clinical Aspect.
PMID- 29008974
TI - Anaphylactic Shock after Milk Injection.
PMID- 29008975
TI - Chopra's Antimony Test in a Non-Endemic Kala-Azar Area.
PMID- 29008976
TI - A Case of Meningocele.
PMID- 29008977
TI - "Beriberi" in Cheduba Island, Arakan, Burma.
PMID- 29008978
TI - A Plea for More Confidence in the Peritoneum.
PMID- 29008979
TI - The Failure of the Alkaloids of Holarrhena Antidysenterica (Kurchi) in the
Treatment of Amoebic Hepatitis.
PMID- 29008980
TI - The Care of the Electrocardiograph in the Tropics.
PMID- 29008982
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29008981
TI - Urobilinuria and Its Importance in Malaria.
PMID- 29008983
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29008984
TI - The Treatment of Ulcus Tropicum.
PMID- 29008985
TI - Studies in the Anopheline Fauna and Malaria of Bhagalpur (Bihar and Orissa).
PMID- 29008986
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29008987
TI - The Parasitology of Malaria in the Darjeeling Terai.
PMID- 29008988
TI - Short Term Fevers in the Punjab.
PMID- 29008989
TI - Intravenous Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29008990
TI - A Preliminary Note on Addiction to "Post" (Unlanced Capsules of Papaver
Somniferum).
PMID- 29008991
TI - Restoration of the Conjunctival Cul-de-Sac in a Case of Extensive Posterior
Symblepharon.
PMID- 29008992
TI - The Bacteriological Findings in the Chlorinated Water Supply of a Large City in
the Tropics.
PMID- 29008993
TI - "Wets" versus "Drys".
PMID- 29008994
TI - The Treatment of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29008995
TI - The Present Position of Hookworm Treatment.
PMID- 29008996
TI - Erratum: Centepeda Orbicularis.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 75 in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29008997
TI - "Appendix" in Relation to Inguinal Hernia and a Note on Local Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29008998
TI - Studies on the Hydrogen Ion Concentration of Saliva.
PMID- 29009000
TI - Spontaneous Pneumothorax.
PMID- 29008999
TI - A Fatal Case of Chronic Interstitial Nephritis with Very High Blood Urea.
PMID- 29009001
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009002
TI - Naga Sore in Rajkot (Kathiawar).
PMID- 29009003
TI - Further Clinical Observations on Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29009004
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009005
TI - A Case of Aplastic Anaemia.
PMID- 29009006
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009008
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009007
TI - Treatment of Chronic Intestinal Amoebiasis with Gavano, a Derivative of
Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 29009009
TI - The Therapeutics of Malaria.
PMID- 29009010
TI - Fracture Equipment: With Notes on Its Use.
PMID- 29009011
TI - Observations on a Case of Coccidial Infection in Man (Isospora Belli Wenyon,
1923).
PMID- 29009012
TI - Treatment of Myiasis.
PMID- 29009013
TI - The Acid and Sanitol Treatment of the Intestinal Fluxes.
PMID- 29009015
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009014
TI - Observations on the Normal Dietary of Infants and Children in Vizagapatam.
PMID- 29009016
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009018
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009017
TI - Latent Malaria Infection in Monkeys.
PMID- 29009019
TI - Roundworms Causing Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29009020
TI - On the Concentration of Quinine in the Blood after Intravenous and Intramuscular
Injections.
PMID- 29009021
TI - Lymphadenitis of the Retroperitoneal Glands Simulating Appendicitis.
PMID- 29009022
TI - Streptococcal Septicaemia and Filarial Orchitis.
PMID- 29009023
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009025
TI - Intravenous Quinine Therapy in Malaria.
PMID- 29009024
TI - An Allergic Manifestation.
PMID- 29009027
TI - Quinine in the Therapeutics of Malaria.
PMID- 29009026
TI - A Case of Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29009028
TI - Two Cases of Peripheral Neuritis Treated by Intravenous Injections of Sodium
Iodide.
PMID- 29009029
TI - Filarial Affections of the Male Genital Tracts.
PMID- 29009031
TI - Intravenous versus Intramuscular Quinine.
PMID- 29009030
TI - Notes on Intravenous versus Intramuscular Quinine.
PMID- 29009032
TI - An Unusual Case of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29009033
TI - A Clinical Study of Climatic Bubo and Allied Conditions.
PMID- 29009034
TI - A Case of Cerebral Meningeal Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29009035
TI - The Early Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29009037
TI - Treatment of Soft Sore and Bubo.
PMID- 29009036
TI - Some Observations after Splenectomy in Rabbits.
PMID- 29009038
TI - Some Observations on the Combined Method of Clot Culture and Widal Reaction, and
on the Prognostic Significance of 'Small-Flaking' or 'O'-Agglutinins in Typhoid
Fever.
PMID- 29009040
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009039
TI - Dysentery Produced by Bacterium Pseudocarolinus.
PMID- 29009041
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009042
TI - Volvulus in a Newborn Child.
PMID- 29009043
TI - The Laboratory Diagnosis and the Treatment of Helminth Infections.
PMID- 29009046
TI - A Case of Cerebro-Spinal Fever Successfully Treated by Intravenous Injections of
Urotropine.
PMID- 29009045
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009044
TI - A Study of Vitamin-A Deficiency in Ceylon with Special Reference to the
Statistical Incidence of Phrynoderma and 'Sore Mouth'.
PMID- 29009047
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009048
TI - The Pharmaceutical Profession and the 'Drugs Scandal'.
PMID- 29009049
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia after Preventive Inoculation.
PMID- 29009050
TI - Thyroid Extract in Prostatic Enlargement.
PMID- 29009051
TI - A Case of Strangulated Hernia Relieved by Atropine.
PMID- 29009052
TI - Removal of a Foreign Body from the OEsophagus.
PMID- 29009053
TI - Acute Bacillary Dysentery in Children: Advantages of Its Treatment by Petroleum
and Allied Preparations.
PMID- 29009054
TI - Anti-Toxic Immunity to Diphtheria among a Group of Indians in Nainital District,
U. P., India, as Evidenced by the Schick Tests.
PMID- 29009055
TI - Cilia in the Anterior Chamber and Traumatic Cyst in the Iris.
PMID- 29009056
TI - Toxic Effects of Emetine on the Cardiovascular System.
PMID- 29009057
TI - Post-Puerperal Polyneuritis.
PMID- 29009058
TI - Hernias of the Large Intestine, with Special Reference to Sliding Hernias.
PMID- 29009059
TI - Voelcker's Method of Extraperitonealization of the Urinary Bladder: Its
Usefulness in Operations for Pathological Conditions of the Bladder and the
Ureters.
PMID- 29009061
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009060
TI - Fevers in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29009062
TI - Nine Cases of Human Gnathostomiasis.
PMID- 29009063
TI - Megacolon and Its Treatment by Sympathectomy.
PMID- 29009064
TI - Calcareous Degeneration in a Uterine Fibroma.
PMID- 29009065
TI - Studies on the Action of Quinine in Monkey Malaria.
PMID- 29009066
TI - Notes and Observations on 'Infantile Biliary Cirrhosis'.
PMID- 29009067
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009068
TI - Toxic Effects Produced by Combined Treatment with Atebrin and Plasmochin.
PMID- 29009070
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009069
TI - Acute Perforation and Haematemesis in Duodenal Ulcer.
PMID- 29009072
TI - Bored-Hole Latrines in the Health Unit, Partabgarh.
PMID- 29009071
TI - A Cerebral Type of Malaria Lighted up by a Sudden Shock.
PMID- 29009073
TI - The Total Cinchona Alkaloids.
PMID- 29009074
TI - The Place of Treatment in an Antimalarial Campaign.
PMID- 29009075
TI - Planocaine in Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29009076
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009077
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009078
TI - Malaria Control in Bengal.
PMID- 29009079
TI - Normal Saline in Cholera.
PMID- 29009080
TI - Clinical Observations on 636 Cases of Cerebro-Spinal Fever Treated in the
Campbell Hospital, Calcutta, from March 1933 to March 1934.
PMID- 29009082
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009081
TI - Carcinoma of the Stomach.
PMID- 29009083
TI - A Case of Deformity of the Bones of the Hand and Feet of a Mother Transmitted to
Her Child.
PMID- 29009084
TI - Molluscum Contagiosum: A Preliminary Note on the Treatment.
PMID- 29009085
TI - Ethidol in the Treatment of Tuberculous Adenitis.
PMID- 29009086
TI - Multiple Ureteral Stones in a Ureterocele and Ureter.
PMID- 29009088
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009087
TI - Medical College Centenary Celebrations Appeal.
PMID- 29009089
TI - Basal Metabolism of Indians in Health and Disease-Its Clinical Significance.
PMID- 29009090
TI - A Simple Method of Recovering Typical Cultures of Dermatophytes from Pleomorphic
Growths.
PMID- 29009091
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009092
TI - Treatment of Tuberculous Caries of the Spine.
PMID- 29009093
TI - Further Observations on the Treatment of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29009095
TI - Two Cases of Bilateral Cervical Ribs.
PMID- 29009094
TI - Some Impressions Derived from Experience in Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29009096
TI - Treatment of Opium Poisoning.
PMID- 29009097
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009098
TI - Granuloma Venereum.
PMID- 29009100
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009099
TI - General Paralysis of the Insane in Burma.
PMID- 29009101
TI - Observations on the Thickness of the Frontal and Parietal Bones.
PMID- 29009102
TI - A Study of Trachoma in Baluchistan.
PMID- 29009103
TI - The Part Played by the Feeling of Guilt in the AEtiology of Mental Disorders.
PMID- 29009104
TI - Hookworm Infection in the Punjab : Survey of a Rural Area in Ambala District.
PMID- 29009105
TI - Treatment of Soft Sore and Bubo.
PMID- 29009107
TI - The Chronic Primary Glaucomas.
PMID- 29009106
TI - Treatment of Enlarged Spleens with Injections of Milk.
PMID- 29009108
TI - Calcutta Medical College Centenary.
PMID- 29009110
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009109
TI - Evipan Sodium for Small Operations.
PMID- 29009111
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009112
TI - Development of Health Education Work in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29009113
TI - An Encouraging Result Obtained by the Use of E. C. C. O. in the Early Stage of
Leprosy- Anaesthetic Type.
PMID- 29009114
TI - The Indian Research Fund Association.
PMID- 29009115
TI - Sodium Evipan Anaesthesia-A Study of 30 Cases.
PMID- 29009116
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009117
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009118
TI - Conjunctivitis Produced by a Ground Beetle.
PMID- 29009119
TI - Phrynoderma: A Condition Due to Vitamin Deficiency.
PMID- 29009120
TI - A Case of Addison's Disease?
PMID- 29009121
TI - Tetanus Cured by Magnesium Sulphate.
PMID- 29009123
TI - A Case of Bilateral Macular Disease in a Child.
PMID- 29009122
TI - Treatment of Typhoid Fever in Children.
PMID- 29009124
TI - The AEtiology and Treatment of Retinal Detachment.
PMID- 29009126
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009125
TI - Nephrolithiasis of the Horse-Shoe Kidney.
PMID- 29009127
TI - Fracture Equipment: With Notes on Its Use.
PMID- 29009128
TI - Fifty Years Ago.
PMID- 29009129
TI - Intravenous Glucose in Pneumonia and Other Toxaemic Conditions like Eclampsia and
Sutika.
PMID- 29009131
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009130
TI - Studies in Untreated Malaria.
PMID- 29009132
TI - A Case of Gangrene Complicating Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29009134
TI - Primary Carcinoma of the Gall-Bladder.
PMID- 29009133
TI - Post-Puerperal Polyneuritis.
PMID- 29009136
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009135
TI - Therapeutic Property of Coconut Oil.
PMID- 29009137
TI - Factors Influencing the Spread of Leprous Infection.
PMID- 29009138
TI - A Case of Schizophrenia with Superimposed Benign Tertian Malaria Cured with
Atebrin.
PMID- 29009140
TI - Three Cases of Subcutaneous Intra-Abdominal Injury with Some Points in Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009139
TI - Peri-Anal Ulceration Complicating Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29009141
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009143
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009142
TI - The Mica Myth in Darjeeling Water.
PMID- 29009144
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29009145
TI - Skeletal Traction by Means of Kirschner's Wire in the Treatment of Lower Limb
Fractures.
PMID- 29009146
TI - A Comparative Record of Anthelmintic Treatment with Tetrachlorethylene and Oil of
Chenopodium.
PMID- 29009147
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009149
TI - Treatment of Compound Fractures of Bones of the Leg by Skeletal Traction.
PMID- 29009148
TI - Administration of Opium to Infants in India.
PMID- 29009151
TI - Dietetics.
PMID- 29009150
TI - A Case of Sarcoma of the Upper Jaw with Sinusitis of the Antrum of Highmore.
PMID- 29009152
TI - Dental Myiasis.
PMID- 29009154
TI - A Case of Psoriasis of Endocrine Origin.
PMID- 29009153
TI - Atropine in Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29009155
TI - Treatment of Soft Sore.
PMID- 29009157
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009156
TI - A Large Urethral Calculus.
PMID- 29009158
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009159
TI - Atebrin in Heavy Infection with P. Falciparum.
PMID- 29009160
TI - Granuloma Venereum.
PMID- 29009162
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009161
TI - Acriflavin in Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
PMID- 29009163
TI - A Case of Cholera Sicca.
PMID- 29009165
TI - The Value of Sanocrysin Treatment in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29009164
TI - Isospora Infection in Indian Cats.
PMID- 29009166
TI - Carbarsone in Intestinal Amoebiasis. Part II.
PMID- 29009167
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009168
TI - Granuloma Genito-Inguinale.
PMID- 29009169
TI - Oleothorax.
PMID- 29009170
TI - Some Observations on Balantidium Coli and Entamoeba Histolytica of Macaques.
PMID- 29009171
TI - A Note on the Treatment of Infective Granuloma with 'Fouadin'.
PMID- 29009172
TI - A Calculus in the Tonsil.
PMID- 29009174
TI - Waste, Wealth, and Health.
PMID- 29009173
TI - An Unusual Form of Tuberculosis: Report of a Case.
PMID- 29009175
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009176
TI - Syphilitic Cirrhosis of the Liver with Ascites in a Child: Report of a Case.
PMID- 29009177
TI - The Incidence of Portal Cirrhosis of the Liver in Vizagapatam, Based on a
Critical Study of Autopsy Records and Observations.
PMID- 29009178
TI - Syphilitic Cirrhosis of the Liver Associated with Glycosuria in a Child: Report
of a Case.
PMID- 29009179
TI - Abdominal Pregnancy Secondary to Tubal Gestation at Term.
PMID- 29009180
TI - Date Stone Causing Appendicitis.
PMID- 29009181
TI - Notes on the Treatment of Oriental Sore with Berberine Acid Sulphate.
PMID- 29009182
TI - Mental Suggestion in Everyday Life.
PMID- 29009184
TI - Tebetren.
PMID- 29009183
TI - Infantilism and Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29009185
TI - Constants of Cow Milk.
PMID- 29009187
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009186
TI - Planocaine in Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29009188
TI - An Ovarian Dermoid with Twisted Pedicle.
PMID- 29009189
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009190
TI - A New Intravenous Anaesthetic: Evipan Sodium.
PMID- 29009191
TI - A Case of Resistant Protozoal Dysentery.
PMID- 29009193
TI - A New Operation for the Cure of Ascites.
PMID- 29009192
TI - The Sanitary Disposal and Agricultural Utilization of Habitation Wastes by the
Indore Process.
PMID- 29009195
TI - The AEtiology and Treatment of Retinal Detachment: January Number, pp. 4-7.
PMID- 29009194
TI - Unsuspected Cholecystitis.
PMID- 29009196
TI - Early Signs of Arsenical Poisoning.
PMID- 29009197
TI - A Large Fibro-Lipoma.
PMID- 29009198
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia after Preventive Inoculation.
PMID- 29009199
TI - Radical Cure for Inguinal Hernia under Local Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29009201
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009200
TI - A Case of Horny Papilloma.
PMID- 29009202
TI - The Therapeutics of Malaria.
PMID- 29009203
TI - Organic Manure from Street Refuse and Night-Soil at Mysore City, India.
PMID- 29009205
TI - Maternity- And Child-Welfare Training.
PMID- 29009204
TI - Further Observations on the Metabolism of Carotene.
PMID- 29009206
TI - The Significance of the Thyro-Thymic Lymph System.
PMID- 29009207
TI - The Incidence of Clonorchis Infection in India.
PMID- 29009209
TI - Nutritive Value of Mustard Oil.
PMID- 29009208
TI - The Toxic Effects of Emetine.
PMID- 29009211
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009210
TI - Relapsing Malaria.
PMID- 29009213
TI - The New British Pharmacopoeia and Indian Usage.
PMID- 29009212
TI - A Case of Prolapsed Uterus.
PMID- 29009214
TI - Planocaine in Spinal Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29009215
TI - A New Capsule Forceps.
PMID- 29009216
TI - Congenital Syphilis.
PMID- 29009217
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009218
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009219
TI - Naga Sore in a Tea-Estate Practice.
PMID- 29009220
TI - Results of Gold Therapy.
PMID- 29009221
TI - A Case of Weil's Disease or Infective Jaundice.
PMID- 29009223
TI - Tropical Phagedaenic Ulcer (Naga Sore).
PMID- 29009222
TI - Prevention of Cholera in Rural India.
PMID- 29009224
TI - A Method of Plating Stools.
PMID- 29009225
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009226
TI - Diagnosis and Treatment of Some Urinary Complications in Gynaecology.
PMID- 29009227
TI - Tinea Imbricata (Tokelau) in Bengal.
PMID- 29009228
TI - Malarcan in the Treatment of Indian Strains of Malaria.
PMID- 29009229
TI - Acute Psoas Abscess.
PMID- 29009230
TI - Surgery of the Sympathetic.
PMID- 29009231
TI - Diagnostic Significances of Urobilinuria in Cases of Pyrexia.
PMID- 29009233
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009232
TI - Study of Vitamin-A Deficiency in Ceylon.
PMID- 29009235
TI - Anti-Malarial Work on a Group of Tea Estates in South Sylhet.
PMID- 29009234
TI - A Case of Resuscitation by Puncture of the Ventricle.
PMID- 29009236
TI - A Form of Generalized OEdema Attended with Malnutrition Which Is Becoming
Increasingly Common in Rangoon.
PMID- 29009237
TI - Hot Weather Ear-A Clinical Entity.
PMID- 29009239
TI - A Case of Pseudocyesis Followed by True Pregnancy.
PMID- 29009238
TI - 'Backdoor Drainage', an Anti-Malarial Measure Designed to Meet a Particular
Physiographical Situation in Sylhet District, Assam.
PMID- 29009240
TI - Study of Vitamin-A Deficiency in Ceylon.
PMID- 29009242
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29009241
TI - Rupture of the Heart: With Slight External Marks of Violence.
PMID- 29009243
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009244
TI - A Case of Extravasation of Urine Due to a Calculus in a Child Six Years of Age.
PMID- 29009245
TI - A Case of Cardiac Failure with Complete Heart Block.
PMID- 29009246
TI - Glabellar Presentation, Its Incidence and Termination.
PMID- 29009247
TI - A Treatment of Acute Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29009248
TI - Medical Research.
PMID- 29009250
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009249
TI - A Case of Empyema Necessitatis, Cured by Aspiration Alone.
PMID- 29009251
TI - A Case of Hydatid Cyst of the Lung.
PMID- 29009252
TI - The Treatment of Acne.
PMID- 29009253
TI - Spinal Percain Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29009255
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009254
TI - Ammonium Chloride in the Treatment of Nephritic OEdema.
PMID- 29009257
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009256
TI - 'Novostiburea' in the Treatment of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29009258
TI - An Account of the Epidemic of Cerebro-Spinal Fever in the Borstal Institution.
PMID- 29009259
TI - Prolapse of Lung Following an Injury.
PMID- 29009261
TI - Air Traffic and Yellow Fever.
PMID- 29009260
TI - Some Bypaths of Orthopaedic Surgery.
PMID- 29009262
TI - Observations on an Epidemic of Whooping-Cough at the Lawrence Royal Military
School, Sanawar: With a Note on the Investigation of a Skin Reaction in This
Disease.
PMID- 29009263
TI - Indian Male Nurses.
PMID- 29009264
TI - Notes on Berberine Sulphate in Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29009265
TI - Comparative Notes on the Cryoscopy of Milk.
PMID- 29009266
TI - A Case of Impacted Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29009268
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009267
TI - The Arneth Count, with Particular Reference to Its Diagnostic Value in Asthma.
PMID- 29009269
TI - Creeping Eruption Produced by Hookworm Larvae.
PMID- 29009271
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009270
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Pneumothorax.
PMID- 29009272
TI - Intensive Iron Treatment of Anaemia in a Tea-Garden Labour Force.
PMID- 29009273
TI - Syphilis of the Brain.
PMID- 29009274
TI - A Note on the Use of Marmite in Tropical Macrocytic Anaemia, Including Pernicious
Anaemia of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29009275
TI - The Occurrence of Haemoglobinuria during Treatment of Malarial Fever with Atebrin
and Plasmoquine.
PMID- 29009277
TI - Fatal Flexner Bacillus Infection in an Anthropoid Ape (Hylobates Hoolock).
PMID- 29009276
TI - Urobilinuria and Its Importance in Malaria.
PMID- 29009278
TI - The Role of Chaetopods (Segmented Worms) in Their Relation to Man.
PMID- 29009279
TI - Jaundice and Acute Mania Following Combined Carbon Tetrachloride and Oil of
Chenopodium Treatment for Hookworm.
PMID- 29009280
TI - Notes on Making Epidemic Forecasts.
PMID- 29009281
TI - A Case of Acute Lupus Erythematosus Disseminatus.
PMID- 29009283
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009282
TI - Strangulated Hernia Reduced by Atropin and Adrenalin Injections.
PMID- 29009284
TI - Sixth British Pharmacopoeia (1932).
PMID- 29009286
TI - A Note on the Prevalence of Lead Poisoning in India.
PMID- 29009285
TI - Malignant Disease in the Punjab.
PMID- 29009287
TI - Report on a Case of Tubercular Iritis.
PMID- 29009288
TI - Life Tables for Bengal, with Notes on the Method of Preparation of Life Tables.
PMID- 29009289
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009290
TI - Tropical Gynaecology and Obstetrics: A Post-Graduate Clinical Lecture.
PMID- 29009291
TI - Hydrochloric Acid Intravenously in the Treatment of Puerperal Infection.
PMID- 29009292
TI - Yaws in the Nicobar Islands.
PMID- 29009293
TI - A New Corneal Scraper for Tattooing.
PMID- 29009295
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009294
TI - Pantocain-A New Cocaine Substitute.
PMID- 29009296
TI - Studies on Inguinal Granuloma: Part I The Lesion and Mode of Infection.
PMID- 29009297
TI - Acute Painful Conditions of the Ear.
PMID- 29009298
TI - A Case of Elephantoid Penis.
PMID- 29009299
TI - The Treatment of Chronic Intestinal Amoebiasis with the Alkaloids of Holarrhena
Antidysenterica (Kurchi).
PMID- 29009300
TI - Three Fatal Cases of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29009301
TI - Comparative Notes on the Cryoscopy of Milk.
PMID- 29009302
TI - Two Cases of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris.
PMID- 29009303
TI - Cyanosis after Plasmochin.
PMID- 29009305
TI - Recent Researches on Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29009304
TI - Rabies in the Mongoose: Further Observations.
PMID- 29009306
TI - Result of the Forecast of Cholera, Smallpox and Plague in India in 1932 and
Forecast for 1933.
PMID- 29009307
TI - Milk Injections in Splenic Enlargements Due to Malaria.
PMID- 29009308
TI - Foreign Body in the Rectum.
PMID- 29009309
TI - A Study on the Preparation of an Efficient Extract of Kurchi (Holarrhena
Antidysenterica).
PMID- 29009310
TI - Splenectomy. Indications and Results, with Special Reference to Conditions
Obtaining in the Tropics.
PMID- 29009311
TI - Sex Hormones of Females.
PMID- 29009313
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009312
TI - The Duration of the Life of the Embryos of Wuchereria Bancrofti in the Human
System.
PMID- 29009314
TI - The Medical Profession and the Birth Control Movement.
PMID- 29009315
TI - Calculus Impacted in the Urethra.
PMID- 29009316
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009317
TI - An Easy Method for Estimating the Protein Content of Milk.
PMID- 29009318
TI - Ceylon Health Units.
PMID- 29009319
TI - The Pathology of Elephantiasis of Filarial Origin.
PMID- 29009320
TI - Association of Medical Women in India.
PMID- 29009321
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009322
TI - A Leech in the Nasal Cavity and Its Removal.
PMID- 29009323
TI - A Penetrating Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29009325
TI - Antiphlogistine Substitutes.
PMID- 29009324
TI - The Present Methods of the King Institute in the Production of Vaccine Lymph.
PMID- 29009326
TI - A Case of Diaphysial Aclasis.
PMID- 29009327
TI - Anti-Rabic Treatment.
PMID- 29009329
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009328
TI - Treatment of Chronic Intestinal Amoebiasis with Carbarsone.
PMID- 29009330
TI - The Occurrence of Haemoglobinuria during Treatment of Malarial Fever with Atebrin
and Plasmoquine.
PMID- 29009331
TI - Rice Infection and Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29009332
TI - The Non-Toxicity of Plasmochin and Atebrin.
PMID- 29009333
TI - Vaccination against Smallpox.
PMID- 29009334
TI - Acute Massive Atelectatic Collapse of the Lungs.
PMID- 29009335
TI - The Synthetic Anti-Malarial Compounds.
PMID- 29009337
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009336
TI - Lethal Properties of Aqueous Extract of Young Bamboo Shoots.
PMID- 29009338
TI - A Fatal Case of Ambulant Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29009339
TI - The Choice of a General Anaesthetic in Major Operations in India.
PMID- 29009340
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009341
TI - Removal of a Foreign Body from the OEsophagus.
PMID- 29009342
TI - The Anaemia of the Leishmania-Infected Hamster.
PMID- 29009343
TI - A Note on the Value of the Ascitic Fluid for the Wassermann Reaction and
Agglutination Tests with Dysentery Organisms.
PMID- 29009345
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009344
TI - A Cause of Damage to Optical Glass in the Tropics.
PMID- 29009346
TI - Some Country Beers of India.
PMID- 29009347
TI - Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29009348
TI - Ethyl Chloride for Short Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29009349
TI - Passage of a Safety-Pin through the Alimentary Canal.
PMID- 29009350
TI - Dangers of Exhaust Fumes.
PMID- 29009351
TI - Basal Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29009352
TI - An Interesting Case of Compound Depressed Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29009354
TI - Anaesthetics in India.
PMID- 29009353
TI - Pseudarthrosis of Humerus.
PMID- 29009355
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009356
TI - Phrynoderma : A Condition Due to Vitamin Deficiency.
PMID- 29009357
TI - Modern Methods of Anaesthesia from the Surgeon's Standpoint.
PMID- 29009358
TI - Complete Transposition of the Viscera.
PMID- 29009359
TI - Suppressed Menstruation.
PMID- 29009360
TI - A Case of Cerebellar Tumour.
PMID- 29009361
TI - Volvulus of the Sigmoid.
PMID- 29009362
TI - On the Therapeutic Value of Thiosarmine in the Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 29009364
TI - The Antigenic Power of Antidysenteric Bilivaccine, as Demonstrated by a
Serological Method.
PMID- 29009363
TI - On the Therapeutic Value of Thio-Sarmine in the Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 29009365
TI - Diet as a Possible Factor in the Causation of Stone in the Bladder in the Punjab.
PMID- 29009366
TI - Encephalitis Lethargica in Assam.
PMID- 29009367
TI - Cytological Studies of the Blood and Tissues in Kala-Azar and Associated
Conditions: Part IV. The Large Mononuclear Cells in Monkey Malaria.
PMID- 29009368
TI - Berberine Sulphate in Chronic Trachoma.
PMID- 29009369
TI - Neuro-Toxins and Bamboo Shoots.
PMID- 29009370
TI - A Case of 'Abnormal Blood Group' in Which Transfusion Was Performed.
PMID- 29009371
TI - A Case of Lymphocytic Leukaemia.
PMID- 29009372
TI - Cytological Studies of the Blood and Tissues in Kala-Azar and Associated
Conditions: Part V. The Large Mononuclear Cells in the Peripheral and in the
Spleen Blood in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29009373
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009374
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009375
TI - A Small Epidemic of Flexner (?) Dysentery.
PMID- 29009376
TI - Leech Bite of Labium Majus.
PMID- 29009377
TI - The Effect of Locality on Filarial Manifestations.
PMID- 29009378
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009379
TI - An Arrow Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29009380
TI - Leprosy Relief in India: A Review of the Present Situation, and a Suggested
Policy for Provincial and Local Authorities.
PMID- 29009381
TI - Immunity in Protozoal Infections.
PMID- 29009382
TI - The New Year's Honours.
PMID- 29009383
TI - A Note from an Estate Medical Practice in Malaya.
PMID- 29009384
TI - A Case of Purpura Haemorrhagica.
PMID- 29009385
TI - Studies on Inguinal Granuloma : II. The Bacterial Flora of Granuloma.
PMID- 29009386
TI - Bacillaemia in Leprosy.
PMID- 29009387
TI - Studies on the Action of Atebrin in Plasmodium Infection of Monkeys.
PMID- 29009389
TI - Insanity Treated by Sulphur Injection.
PMID- 29009388
TI - Recurrent Volvulus of the Sigmoid Colon Cured by Complete Sigmoidectomy.
PMID- 29009390
TI - A Calculus in the Tonsil.
PMID- 29009392
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009391
TI - Studies on Inguinal Granuloma: III. The Donovan Organism of Granuloma.
PMID- 29009393
TI - The Mechanism of Immunity in Malaria: Proof of the Phagocytosis of Malarial
Parasites by Large Mononuclear Cells in Malaria.
PMID- 29009394
TI - Vaccination against Smallpox.
PMID- 29009395
TI - A Case of Hiccough Cured with Apomorphine Hydrochloride.
PMID- 29009396
TI - Congenital Dilatation of the Foetal Urinary Bladder.
PMID- 29009398
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009397
TI - A New Operation for Drainage of the Pleura.
PMID- 29009399
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009400
TI - Some Notes on Planocain in Spinal Analgesia.
PMID- 29009401
TI - Some Observations on Two Cases of Disorder of the Liver in Infancy and Childhood.
PMID- 29009402
TI - A Case of Endocarditis Treated with Polyvalent Antistreptococcus Serum.
PMID- 29009403
TI - Observations on an Unusual Case of Acute Haemorrhagic Purpura.
PMID- 29009404
TI - Modi's Medical Jurisprudence.
PMID- 29009405
TI - A Penetrating Wound of the Anus.
PMID- 29009407
TI - Cholera and Bengal.
PMID- 29009406
TI - On Ectopic Gestation.
PMID- 29009409
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009408
TI - Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava.
PMID- 29009410
TI - Servants of India Society Flood Relief Fund.
PMID- 29009411
TI - Animal Paratyphoid in Guinea-Pigs.
PMID- 29009412
TI - Spasmodic Stricture of the Gullet.
PMID- 29009413
TI - Intestinal Obstruction Relieved by Atropine.
PMID- 29009414
TI - An Unusual Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29009415
TI - The Diagnosis of the Clinical Types of Asthma and Their Causation.
PMID- 29009416
TI - Cardiovascular and Other Manifestations of Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29009417
TI - Spread of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis along Lymphatics.
PMID- 29009418
TI - Spina Bifida with Meningomyelocele.
PMID- 29009419
TI - The Formula of Atebrin.
PMID- 29009420
TI - Erratum: The Anaemia of Kala-Azar.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 545 in vol. 68.].
PMID- 29009422
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009421
TI - Carbon Tetrachlorethylene in the Treatment of Hookworm Infection.
PMID- 29009423
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009424
TI - A Case of Dysidrosis Treated by Calcium.
PMID- 29009425
TI - Bronchoscopy in Asthma and Other Cases.
PMID- 29009426
TI - Fevers in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29009427
TI - Eight Cases of Plague Treated with 'Bayer 205'.
PMID- 29009428
TI - Toxic Effects of Ephedrine-A Warning.
PMID- 29009430
TI - Beri-Beri and Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29009429
TI - Congenital Absence of the Eyes.
PMID- 29009431
TI - A Large Pedunculated Lipoma on the Neck.
PMID- 29009432
TI - The Dosage of Plasmochin.
PMID- 29009433
TI - A Case of Tabes Dorsalis in an Indian.
PMID- 29009434
TI - A Serological Proof of Ethnological Identity of the Hindus and the Mohammedans of
Assam.
PMID- 29009435
TI - The Frequency of Hydatid Disease in India.
PMID- 29009436
TI - Further Notes on Pellagra in Hyderabad Deccan.
PMID- 29009437
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009438
TI - A Plea for Collapse Therapy in the Early Stages of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29009439
TI - Pellagra in Guntur.
PMID- 29009440
TI - Morphine Habit in India.
PMID- 29009441
TI - Filarial Worms under the Human Conjunctiva.
PMID- 29009443
TI - Mixed Tumour of the Face, Not Associated with the Parotid Gland.
PMID- 29009442
TI - Pantocaine in Eye-Surgery.
PMID- 29009444
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009445
TI - Syphilitic Iritis Treated by an Unqualified Practitioner.
PMID- 29009446
TI - A Case of Dermographia with a Short Note on the AEtiology of the Condition.
PMID- 29009447
TI - A Case of Cutaneous Plague.
PMID- 29009448
TI - A Few Observations on the Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Muscle Extract.
PMID- 29009449
TI - Training for Maternity and Infant Welfare Work.
PMID- 29009450
TI - Some Factors Regulating Metastasis in Carcinoma and Their Influence on Prognosis.
PMID- 29009451
TI - Annual Report of the European and Indian Mental Hospitals, Ranchi, for 1931.
PMID- 29009452
TI - On the Incidence of Arsenical Dermatitis.
PMID- 29009453
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009455
TI - The Treatment of Acne.
PMID- 29009454
TI - A Case of Fibro-Lipomatosis Associated with Fever.
PMID- 29009457
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009456
TI - 'Vincent's Disease' in a Macaca Irus Monkey.
PMID- 29009458
TI - Cancrum Oris in a Monkey Infected with Leishmania Donovani.
PMID- 29009459
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009461
TI - An Iron Ring on the Penis.
PMID- 29009460
TI - A Schematic Representation of the Variants of Cholera Vibrio Produced under the
Influence of Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29009462
TI - The Constancy of the Sugar-Chloride Relationship in Diabetic Urines.
PMID- 29009463
TI - Atebrin in the Treatment of Indian Strains of Malaria.
PMID- 29009464
TI - The Filtrable Phase of the Tubercle Bacillus: Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29009465
TI - Experimental Studies with a Spirillum Found in the Nasal Cavity of Some Lepers.
PMID- 29009466
TI - Double Papilloedema Following Antirabic Inoculation: Recovery.
PMID- 29009467
TI - The Role of the Eosinophiles in the Diagnosis of Spasmodic Asthma.
PMID- 29009468
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009469
TI - Diabetes in Children.
PMID- 29009470
TI - A Pedunculate Lipoma.
PMID- 29009471
TI - The International Population Union.
PMID- 29009472
TI - A Note on Professor Nicolle's Views on the Typhus and Relapsing Fevers.
PMID- 29009473
TI - A Case of Tropical Typhus Serologically Related to 'Scrub Typhus' of the
Federated Malay States.
PMID- 29009474
TI - The Census and the Medical Profession in Bengal.
PMID- 29009475
TI - Chorio-Epithelioma or Deciduoma Malignum.
PMID- 29009476
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009477
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009478
TI - Acute Inversion of the Uterus.
PMID- 29009479
TI - An Analysis of One Hundred and Fifty Cases of Asthma.
PMID- 29009480
TI - Vaccination against Smallpox.
PMID- 29009481
TI - A Case of Typhoid Fever with Cerebral Symptoms.
PMID- 29009483
TI - A Case of Rabies with an Unusually Long Incubation Period.
PMID- 29009482
TI - The Zondek-Aschheim Test for Pregnancy as Studied in 200 Cases.
PMID- 29009484
TI - The Classification of the Anaemias.
PMID- 29009485
TI - A Leech in the Nasal Cavity and Its Removal.
PMID- 29009486
TI - Notes on Indian Plague Rats.
PMID- 29009487
TI - A Rare Type of Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29009489
TI - Certain Injuries of the Wrist That Are Frequently Overlooked.
PMID- 29009488
TI - Hydatid Disease in South India.
PMID- 29009490
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009491
TI - A Case of Neurasthenia Apparently Cured by a Diet of Ghee.
PMID- 29009492
TI - Brief Note on the Results Obtained with Anti-Gametocyte Treatment Only, without
Anti-Larval Measures.
PMID- 29009493
TI - Gram-Negative-Bacilli Isolated from the Sputum in Cases of Asthma.
PMID- 29009494
TI - The Action of Some Synthetic Antimalarial Remedies on the Uterus.
PMID- 29009495
TI - Ability to Walk a Long Distance and Give Dying Declaration after Severe Head
Injury.
PMID- 29009496
TI - A Colorimetric Method for the Determination of Milk Proteins.
PMID- 29009497
TI - The Anaemia of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29009498
TI - Biliary Lithiasis: Part I.
PMID- 29009499
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009500
TI - A Case of Purpura Rheumatica (Schonlein's Disease).
PMID- 29009501
TI - The Early Signs of Mental Disorders.
PMID- 29009503
TI - Passage of a Needle through the Alimentary Canal.
PMID- 29009502
TI - The Toxicity of Tetrachlorethylene to Cats.
PMID- 29009504
TI - A Vesical Calculus of Unusual Size.
PMID- 29009506
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009505
TI - Gonorrhoea in a Boy of Seven.
PMID- 29009507
TI - The Problem of Leprosy.
PMID- 29009508
TI - A Large Fibro-Adenoma of Neck.
PMID- 29009509
TI - Erratum: Fungous Diseases: A Clinico-Mycological Text.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 353d in vol. 68.].
PMID- 29009510
TI - A Case with Absence of Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes.
PMID- 29009511
TI - Splenectomy for Splenic Cyst.
PMID- 29009512
TI - A Leech in the Male Urethra.
PMID- 29009514
TI - Faecal Bacteria in Bengal as Indicators of Sewage Contamination of Water : A
Preliminary Study.
PMID- 29009513
TI - Chronic Amoebic Infection as a Cause of Ill-Health.
PMID- 29009515
TI - Bronchoscopy : Its Usefulness in India.
PMID- 29009516
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009517
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009518
TI - Congenital Deficiency of Two Fingers and Their Metacarpal Bones.
PMID- 29009520
TI - The Position of the Indian Medical Councils to the General Medical Council of
London and the Status of British English Medical Degrees and Diplomas.
PMID- 29009519
TI - Berberine Sulphate in Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29009521
TI - The Fate of the Merozoites Seen in the Cultures of Malarial Parasites.
PMID- 29009522
TI - The Illness of H. M. the King-Emperor.
PMID- 29009523
TI - On the Determination of Age in Indians, from a Study of the Ossification of the
Epiphyses of the Long Bones.
PMID- 29009524
TI - A Heart Case-For Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009525
TI - A Case of Unusually Large Cystic Goitre.
PMID- 29009526
TI - The Present Position of Medical Science in India.
PMID- 29009527
TI - Studies in the Treatment of Filariasis.
PMID- 29009528
TI - On the Anopheline Mosquitoes of Hazaribagh (Bihar and Orissa).
PMID- 29009529
TI - Radiology in the Diagnosis of Chronic Appendicitis.
PMID- 29009530
TI - A Case of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29009532
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009531
TI - Gastric Syphilis.
PMID- 29009533
TI - Blood Tests in Relation to Blood Transfusion.
PMID- 29009535
TI - The Response of a Group of Indian Infants and Children to the Schick Test. A
Preliminary Report of 186 Tests.
PMID- 29009534
TI - A Case of Bleeding from the Breast.
PMID- 29009536
TI - Treatment of Gonorrhoea.
PMID- 29009537
TI - Auricular Fibrillation after Aspirin.
PMID- 29009538
TI - Night Blindness and Its Speedy Cure with Liver.
PMID- 29009539
TI - Estimation of Blood Sugar.
PMID- 29009540
TI - A Case of Hysteria (Narcolepsy?).
PMID- 29009541
TI - Some Sources of Vitamin C in India.
PMID- 29009542
TI - Berberine in the Treatment of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29009543
TI - Alastrim or Small-Pox?
PMID- 29009544
TI - Musculo-Spiral Nerve Paralysis Following an Intramuscular Injection of Quinine.
PMID- 29009545
TI - A Case of Cephalic Tetanus.
PMID- 29009546
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009547
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Action of Vasopressin and Oxytocin.
PMID- 29009548
TI - Homogentisuria (Alkaptonuria) with Glycosuria. With Notes on a Detailed Clinical
and Chemical Investigation of a Case.
PMID- 29009549
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009550
TI - The History of Tick-Bites in Cases of Tick-Typhus in India.
PMID- 29009551
TI - The Problem of Population.
PMID- 29009552
TI - Terminalia Arjuna: Its Chemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutic Action.
PMID- 29009554
TI - A Case of Syphilitic Basal Meningitis.
PMID- 29009553
TI - The Spread of Dysentery in a Khasi Village and Its Treatment with Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29009555
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 50b in vol. 64.].
PMID- 29009556
TI - Intravenous Calcium Therapy.
PMID- 29009557
TI - The Campaign against Leprosy.
PMID- 29009558
TI - Hints on the Village Nurse Scheme.
PMID- 29009560
TI - Two Cases of Surgical Interest.
PMID- 29009559
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009561
TI - Diphtheria in India.
PMID- 29009563
TI - An Undescended Testicle in an Unusual Position.
PMID- 29009562
TI - Occurrence of Chyluria after Confinement.
PMID- 29009564
TI - A New Suggestion in Malaria Control.
PMID- 29009565
TI - A Case of Irreducible Hernia Relieved by Atropine Sulphate.
PMID- 29009566
TI - Two Cases of Leprosy Successfully Treated.
PMID- 29009567
TI - A Case of Raynaud's Disease.
PMID- 29009568
TI - The Sterilization of Hypodermic Syringes.
PMID- 29009569
TI - Notes on the Use of Carbon Tetrachloride.
PMID- 29009570
TI - Malaria Therapy in Tabes Dorsalis.
PMID- 29009571
TI - A Case of Aphasia during Spinal Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29009572
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009573
TI - A Further Note on the Treatment of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula by Rectal
Transplantation of the Ureters.
PMID- 29009574
TI - Wertheim Schanta's Interposition Operation for Complete Prolapse of the Uterus.
PMID- 29009575
TI - The Successful Use of a Tuberculous Methylic Antigen in External Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29009576
TI - The Treatment of Vaginismus.
PMID- 29009577
TI - A Case of Enteric in Which the Widal Reaction Became Positive on the 49th Day.
PMID- 29009578
TI - Notes on "The Significance of the Antimony Test in the Diagnosis of Kala-Azar".
PMID- 29009579
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009580
TI - A Note on Museum Making.
PMID- 29009581
TI - A Note on the Action of Synthetic Adrenaline.
PMID- 29009582
TI - A Case of Urticaria.
PMID- 29009583
TI - The Indications for Suprapubic Cystotomy.
PMID- 29009584
TI - New Conceptions of Sciatic Pain and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29009585
TI - Naga Sores in Gwalior.
PMID- 29009587
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 601 in vol. 64.].
PMID- 29009586
TI - The Significance of the Antimony Test in the Diagnosis of Kala-Azar: Part I-Serum
Tests.
PMID- 29009588
TI - An Inquiry into the Physical Conditions of Indian Labour: A Preliminary
Communication.
PMID- 29009589
TI - Bogus "M.Ds."
PMID- 29009590
TI - A Simple Method of Standardizing the Red Cell Suspension in Connection with the
Wassermann Reaction.
PMID- 29009591
TI - Aluminium Utensils and Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29009593
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29009592
TI - Notes on Malaria in the Sibsagar District, Assam.
PMID- 29009594
TI - Gonorrhoea and Its Treatment with "Acriflavin".
PMID- 29009595
TI - T. A. B. Vaccine in Relation to an Outbreak of Enteric Fevers.
PMID- 29009596
TI - Dysentery in the Central Jail, Rajamandry, Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29009598
TI - Research in Filariasis.
PMID- 29009597
TI - Tropical Dietaries.
PMID- 29009599
TI - Plasmochin Compositum in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29009600
TI - A Case of Intolerance to Quinine.
PMID- 29009601
TI - "Kataphylaxia," a Phenomenon Seen Clinically in Filariasis.
PMID- 29009602
TI - The Treatment of Myiasis in Lepers.
PMID- 29009603
TI - Sterilization of Hypodermic Syringe.
PMID- 29009604
TI - Notes on the Detection in the Urine of Some Drugs Used for the Treatment of
Malaria.
PMID- 29009605
TI - Intravenous Iodine in Ulcus Tropicum.
PMID- 29009606
TI - The Age of Consent Act.
PMID- 29009607
TI - A Case of Human Infection with a Gnathostome in India.
PMID- 29009608
TI - Observations on a Series of Bacteriological Examinations of Tube Well Water in
Rangoon.
PMID- 29009609
TI - Epidemic Jaundice (Weil's Disease) or Malaria in Kandi Subdivision of Murshidabad
District in 1928.
PMID- 29009610
TI - Filarial Lymphangitis.
PMID- 29009611
TI - The Indian Medical Department.
PMID- 29009612
TI - The Infectiousness of Leprosy.
PMID- 29009613
TI - A Record of Malarial Cases in the Bengal-Nagpur Railway Construction Hospital,
Titlagarh, from July 1928 to August 1929, with Some Observations on Mosquito
Findings and Conditions of Transmission.
PMID- 29009614
TI - A Chronic Encysted Mammary Abscess Simulating Scirrhous Cancer.
PMID- 29009615
TI - A Case of Filarial Abscess.
PMID- 29009616
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009618
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009617
TI - The Value of Preventive Inoculation against Cholera: Some Figures from Burma.
PMID- 29009619
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009621
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009620
TI - Peritoneal Forceps.
PMID- 29009622
TI - An Interesting Case of "Chorea".
PMID- 29009623
TI - Causes of Blindness: A Statistical Report from the Swedish Mission Hospital,
Tirupattur, Ramnad District, for a Period of Ten Months (from 1st January to 31st
October, 1928).
PMID- 29009624
TI - Indian Dietaries in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29009626
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009627
TI - Ophthalmology in Relation to Research : Bring the Presidential Address to the
Medical and Veterinary Research Section of the Sixteenth Indian Science Congress,
Held at Madras in January, 1929.
PMID- 29009625
TI - A Note on Spirillum Minus (Carter), the Causative Organism of Rat-Bite Fever.
PMID- 29009628
TI - Apyrexial Pneumonia.
PMID- 29009629
TI - A Note on the Anophelines Found in Baroda Camp.
PMID- 29009630
TI - An Unusual Complication of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29009631
TI - A Vaccine for the Treatment of Phthisical Patients Who Expectorate Tubercle
Bacilli in the Sputum.
PMID- 29009632
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009633
TI - A Case of a Rubber Catheter inside the Bladder.
PMID- 29009634
TI - Notes on a Case of Bacillus Coli Septicaemia.
PMID- 29009635
TI - On a Recent Outbreak of Epidemic Dropsy in the District of Birbhum.
PMID- 29009636
TI - Chemotherapy.
PMID- 29009638
TI - Notification of Dangerous Diseases.
PMID- 29009637
TI - A Case of Inguinal Hernia with a Faecal Tumour in the Scrotum.
PMID- 29009639
TI - An Improvised Drop Regulator.
PMID- 29009640
TI - An Interesting Case of Recurrent Pregnancy Toxaemia.
PMID- 29009641
TI - Epidemic Dropsy in Birbhum.
PMID- 29009642
TI - A Modified Sippy's Line of Treatment in Duodenal Ulcer.
PMID- 29009643
TI - Analysis of a Hundred Cases of Cataract Extraction at the Raipur Main Hospital by
Smith's Method with a Flap of Conjunctiva.
PMID- 29009644
TI - The Intravenous Use of Pituitrin.
PMID- 29009645
TI - A Case of Ivory-Grafting.
PMID- 29009646
TI - A Case of Exfoliative Dermatitis after Neosalvarsan Injections.
PMID- 29009647
TI - The AEtiology of Naga Sore.
PMID- 29009649
TI - Detachment of the Retina: A Complete Cure in a Myopic Case.
PMID- 29009648
TI - Plasmoquin in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29009650
TI - Breath Sucker Snakes.
PMID- 29009652
TI - Tattooing of the Cornea with Platinum Chloride Solution for Leucoma.
PMID- 29009651
TI - A Suggestion for Improvement in the Dietary of the Indian Community to Secure a
Higher Degree of Health and Efficiency.
PMID- 29009653
TI - An Interesting Early Right-Sided Goitre: With a Mild Paratyphosus a Complication.
PMID- 29009654
TI - William Harvey's Message to India: Being an Address Delivered to University
College Medical Society, Rangoon, 1928.
PMID- 29009655
TI - The Treatment of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula by Rectal Transplantation of the Ureters.
PMID- 29009656
TI - A Crochet Needle as an Emergency Surgical Instrument.
PMID- 29009658
TI - A Case of Acute Ascending (Landry's?) Paralysis.
PMID- 29009657
TI - A Case of Psuedo-Pregnancy.
PMID- 29009659
TI - A Case of "Glandular Fever".
PMID- 29009660
TI - Leprosy in Manipur State.
PMID- 29009661
TI - The Treatment of Night Blindness.
PMID- 29009662
TI - Malignant Anaemia of the Tropics.
PMID- 29009663
TI - Observations on the Potency of Indian Digitalis.
PMID- 29009664
TI - Erratum: The Indian Medical Year, 1928: Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 1 in vol. 64.].
PMID- 29009665
TI - A Year's Record of Kata-Thermometer Readings at Rangoon.
PMID- 29009666
TI - Quinine Abscesses.
PMID- 29009668
TI - Neosalvarsan.
PMID- 29009667
TI - The Yellow Fever Danger.
PMID- 29009669
TI - Kala-Azar in Bijnor.
PMID- 29009670
TI - Proceedings of a Conference Held at Birnagar (Bengal), the 24th February, 1929,
to Discuss the Problem of Malaria Control at Birnagar.
PMID- 29009671
TI - A Benign Spinal Tumour.
PMID- 29009672
TI - The Carnivorous Habits of Indian "Blood-Worms".
PMID- 29009673
TI - Ascaris Infection Simulating Bright's Disease.
PMID- 29009674
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009675
TI - A Review of Malaria during 1928 in a Minor Hill Station in the Punjab.
PMID- 29009676
TI - The Use of Pneumococcus Immunogen Combined in the Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29009677
TI - The Life-History of Entamoeba Histolytica.
PMID- 29009678
TI - On the Rationale of Treatment of Carcinoma of the Cervix Uteri.
PMID- 29009679
TI - The Intensive Treatment of Kala-Azar by Neostibosan; Part II.
PMID- 29009680
TI - Preventive Surgery.
PMID- 29009681
TI - Melaena and Haematemesis in the New Born.
PMID- 29009684
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009682
TI - Mental Hygiene in India.
PMID- 29009685
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009683
TI - Binding of Indian Medical Gazette Volumes.
PMID- 29009686
TI - Standardised Lives and Their Assessment in Life Insurance.
PMID- 29009687
TI - A Case of Abscess of the Iris.
PMID- 29009688
TI - Kurchi Bismuthous Iodide, Its Value in the Treatment of Chronic Amoebic
Infections of the Bowel.
PMID- 29009689
TI - A Comparative Study of the Effect of Climate and of the Seasons on Body Weight in
Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Different Countries.
PMID- 29009692
TI - Observations on the Excretion of Alcohol in the Cerebro-Spinal Fluid and Urine
after Oral Administration.
PMID- 29009691
TI - The Treatment of Seasickness.
PMID- 29009690
TI - A List of the Species of Mosquitoes Collected in the French Settlements in India.
PMID- 29009693
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009694
TI - The Use of Pneumococcus Immunogen Combined in the Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29009695
TI - The Effect of Tetronal on the Production of Haematoporphyrin in the Urine.
PMID- 29009696
TI - Retention of Urine in Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29009698
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009697
TI - Temporary Insanity Following an Attack of Malaria.
PMID- 29009699
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009700
TI - Goitre in Multan District.
PMID- 29009701
TI - Local Anaesthesia by Apothesine in General Surgery.
PMID- 29009702
TI - The Vital Capacity of the Lungs.
PMID- 29009703
TI - Cerebral Symptoms Caused by Plasmodium Vivax.
PMID- 29009704
TI - A Case of Diverticulum of the OEsophagus.
PMID- 29009706
TI - A Note on Cholera in Infants.
PMID- 29009705
TI - Records of Anophelines from the Bengal Dooars.
PMID- 29009707
TI - Preventable Blindness in India.
PMID- 29009709
TI - A Case of Accidental Poisoning with Barium Sulphide.
PMID- 29009708
TI - The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Test in Leprosy.
PMID- 29009710
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009711
TI - Notes on a Case of Human Hermaphrodite.
PMID- 29009712
TI - Some Cases of Bacillus Coli Bacilluria.
PMID- 29009713
TI - A Case of Staphylococcal Septicaemia.
PMID- 29009714
TI - Khaki Drill and Skin Irritation.
PMID- 29009715
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009717
TI - A Persian Treatment for Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29009716
TI - Pathological Laughing and Crying.
PMID- 29009718
TI - A Case of Rat-Bite Fever.
PMID- 29009719
TI - Ascariasis Simulating Abdominal Tumours.
PMID- 29009720
TI - Nervous Manifestations in Tuberculous Infections.
PMID- 29009721
TI - X-Ray Work in Baluchistan. The New X-Ray and Electrotherapy Department of the C.
M. S. Hospital, Quetta.
PMID- 29009722
TI - The Importance of Refractometry in Clinical Research.
PMID- 29009723
TI - Chemotherapeutic Investigations with Antimony Preparations in the Experimental
Kala-Azar of the Hamster.
PMID- 29009724
TI - A Radical Cure for Hydrocele by Quinine Injection.
PMID- 29009726
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009725
TI - A Case of an Abscess of the Brain.
PMID- 29009727
TI - Vomiting of "Bees".
PMID- 29009728
TI - A Malaria Survey of Madarihat and Its Environs.
PMID- 29009729
TI - Blood Pressure in Indians.
PMID- 29009730
TI - Microscopic Diagnosis of Malaria on a Group of Tea Estates.
PMID- 29009731
TI - Undescended Testis as a Cause of Physical Rejection.
PMID- 29009732
TI - Webster's Operation for Entropion of the Upper Lid.
PMID- 29009733
TI - Notes on the New Conceptions of Sciatic Pain and on Its Treatment.
PMID- 29009734
TI - A Case of Accidental Suffocation in a Well.
PMID- 29009735
TI - A Coat Effect Observed in Mice When Fed with Fats under Certain Conditions. (A
Preliminary Note).
PMID- 29009736
TI - Chaulmoogra Oil in the Treatment of Trachoma.
PMID- 29009737
TI - Maternal Mortality in India: A Preliminary Study.
PMID- 29009738
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009740
TI - The Parasitology of Indian Malaria. Unpublished Information.
PMID- 29009739
TI - A Suggested Measure in the Control of Plague.
PMID- 29009742
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009741
TI - A Case of Variola Treated by Vaccination.
PMID- 29009743
TI - A Case of Induced Poly-Leucocythaemia.
PMID- 29009744
TI - Paris Green as an Anopheline Larvicide.
PMID- 29009745
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009747
TI - The Need for a Therapeutic Substances Act for India.
PMID- 29009746
TI - Intravenous Pituitrin.
PMID- 29009748
TI - Radiological Examination of the Liver in Cases of Suspected Amoebic Abscess.
PMID- 29009750
TI - A Case of Free Bile in the Peritoneal Cavity.
PMID- 29009749
TI - Educational Cinema Films.
PMID- 29009751
TI - Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29009752
TI - The Title of "Doctor".
PMID- 29009753
TI - Dangerous Blood Donors.
PMID- 29009754
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009757
TI - Myiasis in Lepers.
PMID- 29009755
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 252b in vol. 64.].
PMID- 29009756
TI - A Preliminary Note on a Colour Reaction for " 693 " and Its Application in the
Estimation of That Compound in the Urine.
PMID- 29009758
TI - An Obscure Neurological Case Simulating Early Leprosy.
PMID- 29009759
TI - A Case of Myiasis of a Carious Tooth.
PMID- 29009760
TI - Acute Amoebic Dysentery Treated by Hedyotes Auriculares, N. O. Rubiaceae.
PMID- 29009761
TI - Simple Tests for Stock Solutions of Quinine and Potassium Iodide.
PMID- 29009762
TI - A Case of Ectopic Gestation.
PMID- 29009763
TI - Herpes Zoster and Varicella.
PMID- 29009764
TI - Medical Science in India.
PMID- 29009765
TI - The Valuation of Charas.
PMID- 29009766
TI - Encephalitis Lethargica-A Brief Description of the Disease, with Short Notes on
the Post-Encephalitic Lethargic Cases Treated at the Ranchi Indian Mental
Hospital.
PMID- 29009767
TI - Electro-Coagulation (Surgical Diathermy) in Multiple Angiomata of the Head.
PMID- 29009768
TI - The Species Distribution of Hookworms in India.
PMID- 29009769
TI - The Sterilization of Hypodermic Syringes.
PMID- 29009770
TI - The Treatment of Acute Vaginismus.
PMID- 29009771
TI - The Superimposed Blood Agar Slope.
PMID- 29009772
TI - Leprous Reaction.
PMID- 29009773
TI - Isolation of the Antineuritic Vitamin.
PMID- 29009774
TI - The Treatment of Acute Vaginismus.
PMID- 29009775
TI - An Analysis of 675 Cases of Puerperal Morbidity Treated in the Rotunda Hospital,
Dublin.
PMID- 29009776
TI - Three Cases of Combined Leprosy and Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29009777
TI - Perthe's Disease.
PMID- 29009778
TI - The Parasitology of Malaria: An Appeal for Information.
PMID- 29009779
TI - Unusual Intra-Uterine Tumours.
PMID- 29009781
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009780
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009782
TI - The Treatment of Acute Vaginismus.
PMID- 29009783
TI - The Use of Fibrolysin in Leprosy.
PMID- 29009784
TI - Unusual Displacements of the Epiphysis of the Patella.
PMID- 29009785
TI - Lobar Pneumonia with Intermittent Temperature.
PMID- 29009786
TI - Haemoplastin.
PMID- 29009787
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009788
TI - The Importance of Secondary Infections in the Causation of Filarial Lymphangitis.
PMID- 29009789
TI - A Case of Elephantiasis Cured by Arrhenol.
PMID- 29009790
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009791
TI - Tetrachlorethylene in the Treatment of Hookworm Disease.
PMID- 29009792
TI - A District's Scheme for Cholera Control.
PMID- 29009793
TI - Avertin Rectal Narcosis.
PMID- 29009794
TI - The Spleen.
PMID- 29009795
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009796
TI - The Sterilization of Hypodermic Syringes.
PMID- 29009797
TI - A Distended Bladder Simulating a Full-Term Uterus.
PMID- 29009798
TI - Indigenous Medicine and District Boards.
PMID- 29009799
TI - Tabes Dorsalis in an Indian.
PMID- 29009800
TI - Exercise in the Tropics.
PMID- 29009801
TI - A Case of Foreign Body in the Vagina.
PMID- 29009802
TI - Nerve Abscess in Leprosy.
PMID- 29009803
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009804
TI - An Interesting Case.
PMID- 29009805
TI - An Interesting Case of Melaena and Haematemesis in a Newly-Born Baby.
PMID- 29009806
TI - A Case of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in an East Indian.
PMID- 29009807
TI - A Case of Acholuric Jaundice.
PMID- 29009808
TI - The Continuous Administration of Saline per Rectum.
PMID- 29009810
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009809
TI - A Medical Council in India.
PMID- 29009811
TI - Caesarean Section. Some Types and Their Uses.
PMID- 29009812
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Action and Uses of Pseudo-Ephedrine.
PMID- 29009813
TI - Plasmoquine.
PMID- 29009814
TI - Report on the Investigation of an Outbreak of Epidemic Dropsy in Rangoon in the
Year 1924.
PMID- 29009815
TI - A New Test for Albumin in Urine.
PMID- 29009816
TI - Post Encephalitic Parkinsonism.
PMID- 29009817
TI - Seven Cases of Diaphysial Aclasis (Multiple Exostosis) in Indians, Including Four
Cases from One Family.
PMID- 29009818
TI - Supplement:-The Indian Medical Year, 1928.
PMID- 29009819
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009820
TI - A Further Note on the Action of Haemoplastin.
PMID- 29009822
TI - A Case of Medico-Legal Interest.
PMID- 29009821
TI - Subcutaneous Injection of Oils or Oily Preparations.
PMID- 29009823
TI - A Case of Hyperpyrexia for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009824
TI - A Simple Rat Trap.
PMID- 29009825
TI - A Note on the Anopheline Fauna of a Small Tank Throughout the Year.
PMID- 29009826
TI - A Case of Suppression of Urine.
PMID- 29009828
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009827
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 199 in vol. 64.].
PMID- 29009829
TI - Notes on the Value of the Sedimentation Test in the Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29009830
TI - A Case of Acute Vaginismus.
PMID- 29009831
TI - A Case of Valvulus of the Large Intestine at the Splenic Flexure.
PMID- 29009832
TI - Erratum: A Case for Diagnosis. (Corrigendum).
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 118b in vol. 64.].
PMID- 29009833
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009834
TI - A Note on the Value of Medicinal Treatment in Cholera.
PMID- 29009835
TI - The Sterilization of Syringes.
PMID- 29009836
TI - A Simple Method for the Estimation of Blood Urea Applicable at the Bedside.
PMID- 29009838
TI - Recent Researches on the Filtrable Viruses.
PMID- 29009837
TI - Results of Experiments with Crude Oil Products of the Burma Oil Co., Ltd.,
Rangoon: As Larvicide.
PMID- 29009839
TI - Some Reflections on Obstetrics and Gynaecology during 1928.
PMID- 29009840
TI - Roundworm Infection Simulating Appendicitis.
PMID- 29009841
TI - "Cooly Itch." A purulent folliculitis due to the Trichophyton violaceum variety
Indicum.
PMID- 29009842
TI - Accidental Suffocation in a Well.
PMID- 29009843
TI - A Huge Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29009844
TI - Experiments with Isotex as a Larvicide.
PMID- 29009845
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009846
TI - A Case of Typhoid Fever, Relapse, Toxaemic Collapse and Recovery.
PMID- 29009847
TI - Tiger Bites and Their Treatment.
PMID- 29009848
TI - Notes for Staff Engaged on Anti-Malarial Work.
PMID- 29009849
TI - A Further Case of Diaphysial Aclasis, (Multiple Exostosis) with a Marked Family
History.
PMID- 29009850
TI - Sudden Deaths in Young Females.
PMID- 29009851
TI - Chologen Treatment for Cholelithiasis.
PMID- 29009852
TI - Mutation of Cholera-Like Vibrios under the Action of Bacteriophage: Lysability of
Cholera-Like Vibrios by Pure-Line Races of Cholera Bacteriophage and Changes
Induced in the Serological Reactions of Cholera-Like Vibrios under the Influence
of Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29009853
TI - On the Presence of a Filarial Worm in a Tumour Removed from the Left Side of the
Nose of a Child.
PMID- 29009854
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009856
TI - Plasmoquine and Malaria Control.
PMID- 29009855
TI - The Curative Value of a Locally-Prepared Sample of Sulpharsenobenzene.
PMID- 29009858
TI - Abbreviations and Symbols.
PMID- 29009857
TI - A Theory of the AEtiology and Epidemiology of Kala-Azar in India.
PMID- 29009859
TI - Indian Species of Artemesia.
PMID- 29009860
TI - Cocoanut Milk as an Anthelmintic.
PMID- 29009861
TI - Ectopia Vesicae.
PMID- 29009862
TI - The Threat to Medical Organisation in India.
PMID- 29009864
TI - A Case of Multiple Osteomata.
PMID- 29009863
TI - Notes on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ulcus Tropicum.
PMID- 29009866
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009865
TI - Vaccination and Whooping Cough.
PMID- 29009867
TI - The Treatment of Ascariasis.
PMID- 29009868
TI - Further Observations on the Effect of Opium on Blood Sugar.
PMID- 29009869
TI - A Case of Aleukaemic Myelosis.
PMID- 29009870
TI - Further Note on Anti-Malarial Measures on the Travancore Tea Companies' Estates.
PMID- 29009871
TI - A Short Clinical Note on Tincture of Ephedra as a Cardiac Stimulant.
PMID- 29009873
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009872
TI - A Case of Prematurity with Extreme Deficiency in Weight.
PMID- 29009874
TI - Tropical Typhus.
PMID- 29009876
TI - Removal of Foreign Bodies from the OEsophagus by External Manipulation.
PMID- 29009877
TI - An Improved Type of Obstetric Bedstead.
PMID- 29009878
TI - Landry's Paralysis in an Infant.
PMID- 29009879
TI - Observations on the Composition of Human Milk in Burma.
PMID- 29009880
TI - The Relation of Acetonaemia to Juvenile Ill-Health in India.
PMID- 29009881
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009882
TI - A Malaria Survey in Noakhali District, Bengal.
PMID- 29009883
TI - 'Aolan' Treatment in Corneal Ulcer and Corneal Opacity.
PMID- 29009884
TI - Economic Value of Medical Institutions.
PMID- 29009885
TI - Ovarian Tumours. A Ten Years' Record of 547 Cases.
PMID- 29009886
TI - Effect of Milk Injections in Gonorrhoeal Disease of Joints.
PMID- 29009887
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009888
TI - A Somewhat Unusual Case of Algid Malaria.
PMID- 29009889
TI - The 'Control' of Malaria with Special Reference to Treatment.
PMID- 29009890
TI - Scarlet Fever in Bombay.
PMID- 29009891
TI - Note on the Determination of the Nitrogen in Sour Milk as a Subsidiary Standard
of Purity.
PMID- 29009892
TI - Round Worm Infection Simulating Acute Peritonitis.
PMID- 29009894
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009893
TI - Infantile Biliary Cirrhosis and Artificial Feeding of Infants in India.
PMID- 29009895
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Actions and Uses of 'Alepol'.
PMID- 29009896
TI - Opium and Albuminuria.
PMID- 29009897
TI - A Case of Patent Ductus Arteriosus with Infective Endocarditis.
PMID- 29009898
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 671 in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29009899
TI - Enterococcus Infection.
PMID- 29009900
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009901
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 567 in vol. 65.][This corrects the article on p.
57 in vol. 66.][This corrects the article on p. 24 in vol. 66.].
PMID- 29009902
TI - A Case of Acute Glossitis.
PMID- 29009903
TI - Some Observations on Human Amoebiasis : Being an Analysis of Post-Mortem Findings
in 426 Cases.
PMID- 29009904
TI - The Results of Prophylactic Cholera Inoculation in Faridpur District.
PMID- 29009906
TI - Tuberculosis in Animals and Man.
PMID- 29009905
TI - Necrosis of the Mandible Following One of the Exanthemata.
PMID- 29009907
TI - Modified Enterica Following Inoculation.
PMID- 29009908
TI - Heart Affections in Bengali Babies: Case Records.
PMID- 29009909
TI - Lizards and Malaria.
PMID- 29009910
TI - A Case of Pernicious Anaemia of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29009911
TI - Erratum: Minor Surgery and Bandaging.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 724a in vol. 65.].
PMID- 29009912
TI - British Spas: Their Waters and Methods of Treatment: An Extract from Lectures
Given in the University of London.
PMID- 29009913
TI - Epidemic Dropsy in a Family at Sandwip Island.
PMID- 29009915
TI - An Interesting Case of Round-Worm Infection.
PMID- 29009914
TI - Intravenous Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29009916
TI - On the Analysis of the More Commonly Used Ointments of the 'British
Pharmacopoeia' Containing an Inorganic Principle as the Active Constituent.
PMID- 29009917
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009918
TI - A Case of Echis Bite.
PMID- 29009919
TI - A Case of Bullet Wound.
PMID- 29009920
TI - Unsuspected Sources of Leprous Infection.
PMID- 29009921
TI - Pterygium Director.
PMID- 29009922
TI - A Case of Appendicular Abscess.
PMID- 29009923
TI - Four Cases of Plague Treated with 'Bayer 205'.
PMID- 29009924
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009926
TI - Mathematics and Medical Research.
PMID- 29009925
TI - The Existence of Hilum Tuberculosis in Indians.
PMID- 29009927
TI - Icterus Index: Its Significance in the Surgery of the Biliary Tract.
PMID- 29009929
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009928
TI - Syphilitic Diseases of the Eye.
PMID- 29009930
TI - A Case of Embryonal Carcinoma of the Testis.
PMID- 29009931
TI - A Case of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Fragilitas Ossium).
PMID- 29009932
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009933
TI - Fads and Fashions in Indigenous Medicine.
PMID- 29009934
TI - On the Presence of a Filarial Worm in a Tumour Removed from the Left Side of the
Nose of a Child.
PMID- 29009935
TI - Seasonal Variations of Cholera Bacteriophage in Natural Waters and in Man, in
Calcutta during the Year 1930.
PMID- 29009937
TI - The International Viewpoint in Leprosy.
PMID- 29009936
TI - Injection Treatment of Hydrocele.
PMID- 29009938
TI - A Simple Method for Filling Ampoules.
PMID- 29009939
TI - An Investigation of the Short Fevers at Trimulgherry, 1931.
PMID- 29009940
TI - Seasonal Variations of Dysentery Bacteriophages in Natural Waters and in Man, in
Calcutta during the Year 1930.
PMID- 29009941
TI - The Roentgenological Diagnosis of Tuberculous Disease of the Lung, in Adults and
Children.
PMID- 29009943
TI - A Note on the Production of a Cyanogen Radical in Peptone-Water Cultures of
Cholera Vibrio.
PMID- 29009942
TI - Case of Recovery from Cobra Bite.
PMID- 29009944
TI - A Case of Vesical Calculi.
PMID- 29009945
TI - Another Note on Stovarsol.
PMID- 29009947
TI - An Investigation into the Clogging of the Filter Beds at Topchanchi Waterworks
during Hot Weather.
PMID- 29009946
TI - Seasonal Variations of Typhoid Bacteriophage in Natural Waters and in Man, in
Calcutta during the Year 1930.
PMID- 29009948
TI - Effect of Milk Injections on Traumatic Synovitis.
PMID- 29009949
TI - A Thread Ligature Round the Penis.
PMID- 29009951
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009952
TI - Noise.
PMID- 29009950
TI - Notes on the Blood Findings and Results of Treatment in Twenty Cases of
Osteomalacia.
PMID- 29009953
TI - Report of the Malaria Commission of the League of Nations on Their Indian Tour,
1929.
PMID- 29009954
TI - Meningitis as a Complication of Dysentery.
PMID- 29009955
TI - A Simple and Cheap Apparatus for the After-Treatment of Club Foot.
PMID- 29009956
TI - Result of the Forecast of Cholera, Smallpox and Plague Incidence in India in
1930, and New Forecast for 1931.
PMID- 29009957
TI - A Case of Vasomotor Disturbance after an Antimony Injection.
PMID- 29009958
TI - Notes on Painless Childbirth and Infant Feeding.
PMID- 29009959
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009961
TI - Food-Poisoning versus Cholera.
PMID- 29009960
TI - A Case of Anomalous Diaphragmatic Movements.
PMID- 29009962
TI - Skin-Grafting in Complete Avulsion of the Scalp.
PMID- 29009963
TI - Dysphagia and Aphonia as Complications of Malaria.
PMID- 29009964
TI - Short Term Fevers in the Punjab.
PMID- 29009965
TI - Actinomycotic Lesions of the Skin of the Hands and Feet Due to Actinomyces
keratolytica, n. sp.
PMID- 29009966
TI - Therapy in Malaria.
PMID- 29009967
TI - Treponema vincenti and Bacillus fusiformis as Possible Causative Agents in a
Group of Cases Resembling Mild Influenza.
PMID- 29009968
TI - Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29009970
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009969
TI - A Case of Glandular Fever.
PMID- 29009972
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 11 in vol. 66.].
PMID- 29009971
TI - Results of Blood Examinations in Sprue.
PMID- 29009973
TI - A Case of Retention of Urine.
PMID- 29009974
TI - The Distribution and Treatment of Late Rickets and Osteomalacia in Northern
India.
PMID- 29009976
TI - Case of Chyluria.
PMID- 29009975
TI - Gynaecological Progress. A Post-Graduate Clinical Lecture.
PMID- 29009977
TI - A Case of Cellular Emphysema.
PMID- 29009978
TI - Theory in Medicine.
PMID- 29009979
TI - Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29009980
TI - A Case of Tonsillar Calculus.
PMID- 29009981
TI - How the Strongly Positive Wassermann Cases Should Be Reported.
PMID- 29009982
TI - Malaria in Bombay.
PMID- 29009983
TI - Intramuscular Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29009984
TI - Blood Groups and Heredity.
PMID- 29009985
TI - Halometric Readings in Indians: A Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29009986
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29009987
TI - A Case of Acute Pulmonary OEdema in an Adult, as the Result of a Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 29009988
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29009989
TI - Deceased.
PMID- 29009990
TI - Notes on Epidemiology with Special Reference to the Role of the Bacteriophage in
Public Health.
PMID- 29009992
TI - The Romance of Cinchona.
PMID- 29009991
TI - A Prophylactic (?) Against Smallpox.
PMID- 29009993
TI - Tako Powder in Dysentery.
PMID- 29009994
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29009995
TI - The Treatment of Cholera with Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29009996
TI - A Plea for the Lower Uterine Segment Caesarean Section.
PMID- 29009997
TI - Foetal Ascites.
PMID- 29009999
TI - A Case of Tick Typhus in Poona.
PMID- 29009998
TI - Notes on Museum Making. II. Detailed Technique of Glycerine Gelatine Mounting.
PMID- 29010000
TI - The Frequency of Sprue among Indians in Madras.
PMID- 29010001
TI - Intravenous Sodium Bicarbonate in Cases of Nerve-Pain in Leprosy.
PMID- 29010002
TI - Impressions of Surgery in America.
PMID- 29010003
TI - A Case of Ainhum.
PMID- 29010004
TI - An Operation for Utilising the Middle Finger as the 'Trigger' Finger.
PMID- 29010006
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010005
TI - Psychological Aspects of Opium Addiction.
PMID- 29010007
TI - Weil's Disease in the Andamans.
PMID- 29010008
TI - Two Unusual Cases.
PMID- 29010009
TI - Habitual Formation of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29010010
TI - Carbon Tetrachloride in the Treatment of Taenia Infections.
PMID- 29010012
TI - Indian Squills.
PMID- 29010011
TI - An Anaerobic Urinal.
PMID- 29010013
TI - Group-Specific Substances in the Human Body.
PMID- 29010015
TI - The Use of Forceps in England, Two Hundred Years Ago.
PMID- 29010014
TI - Calculus Hydronephrosis in a Horse-Shoe Kidney.
PMID- 29010016
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010017
TI - A Case of Primary Sarcoma of the Heart.
PMID- 29010018
TI - Two Cases of Irreducible Hernia Relieved by Atropine Sulphate.
PMID- 29010019
TI - A Case of Lambliasis.
PMID- 29010020
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010021
TI - Invasion of the Nasal Cavity by a Leech.
PMID- 29010022
TI - Rural Health Work in Travancore State, South India.
PMID- 29010023
TI - Non-Specific Protein Therapy.
PMID- 29010024
TI - A Case of Gastric Syphilis.
PMID- 29010025
TI - A Note on the Use of the Slit-Lamp.
PMID- 29010026
TI - A Psychiatric Tour of Europe.
PMID- 29010027
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010028
TI - Tuberculosis Schemes.
PMID- 29010029
TI - A Very Early Case of Disseminated Sclerosis.
PMID- 29010030
TI - The Problem of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29010031
TI - Two Cases of Drug Dermatitis (Due to the Use of Chrysophanic Acid).
PMID- 29010032
TI - Intestinal Obstruction Caused by Retroverted Uterus.
PMID- 29010033
TI - The Quinine Policy.
PMID- 29010034
TI - A Case of Chronic Mikulicz's Disease of the Right Lachrymal Sac.
PMID- 29010035
TI - A Case of Raynaud's Disease.
PMID- 29010036
TI - Tetany Following Measles.
PMID- 29010037
TI - An Investigation of After-Histories of Sanatorium Patients in India.
PMID- 29010038
TI - Diathermy in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29010039
TI - Hilum Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29010040
TI - Distribution of Quinine in Jhelum District in 1930.
PMID- 29010041
TI - Death from Acute Pulmonary OEdema Due to Scorpion Bite.
PMID- 29010042
TI - A Case of Myeloid Leukaemia.
PMID- 29010043
TI - A Note on the Formation of Leprous Nodules in the Human Skin.
PMID- 29010044
TI - The Serum-Formalin Proportion in the Aldehyde Test for Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010046
TI - Two Pneumonia Cases with a Rare Mode of Onset.
PMID- 29010045
TI - A Case of Stab Wound of the Heart.
PMID- 29010047
TI - Medical Education.
PMID- 29010048
TI - Pellagra in the Deccan: A Report on 40 Cases Occurring among Lepers at the
Leprosy Hospital, Dichpali, Hyderabad, Deccan.
PMID- 29010049
TI - A Case of Habitual Formation of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29010050
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010051
TI - Infantile Biliary Cirrhosis and Artificial Feeding of Infants in India.
PMID- 29010052
TI - Five Cases of Juvenile Megalocolon.
PMID- 29010053
TI - A Scheme for Carrying out a Tuberculosis Survey with a View to the Prevention of
the Disease in a Locality.
PMID- 29010055
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010054
TI - Angioneurotic OEdema.
PMID- 29010057
TI - A Case of Myiasis of the Nasal Cavity.
PMID- 29010056
TI - A Note on the Toxic Symptoms Produced by Eating the Seeds of Pithecolobium
Bigeminum.
PMID- 29010058
TI - Guinea-Worm in a Boy Aged 2.
PMID- 29010059
TI - A Case of Acute Pulmonary OEdema in an Adult, as the Result of a Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 29010060
TI - Malaria in Bombay.
PMID- 29010061
TI - Impressions of a Tour in Europe and America.
PMID- 29010062
TI - Complications Due to Round Worms in Gastro-Intestinal Surgery.
PMID- 29010063
TI - A Case of Pseudo-Hermaphrodism.
PMID- 29010064
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 118c in vol. 66.].
PMID- 29010065
TI - Death from a Snake Bite (Krait Poisoning).
PMID- 29010066
TI - Some Modern Advances in Radiological Diagnosis.
PMID- 29010067
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010068
TI - Insusceptibility to Vaccination.
PMID- 29010069
TI - A Case of Bradycardia.
PMID- 29010070
TI - Pelvic Hydronephrosis.
PMID- 29010071
TI - Notes on the Treatment of B. coli Infection of the Urinary Tract.
PMID- 29010072
TI - An Unusual Focus of B. Typhosus Infection.
PMID- 29010073
TI - Contra-Indications in the Use of the Sphygmomanometer.
PMID- 29010074
TI - Indian Journal of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29010075
TI - Novasurol in the Treatment of Ascites.
PMID- 29010076
TI - Urobilinuria and Its Importance in Malaria.
PMID- 29010079
TI - Use of Thymol Iodide in Interstitial Keratitis.
PMID- 29010078
TI - A Case of Complete Bilateral Cleft Palate.
PMID- 29010077
TI - Rhinosporidium kinealyi Infection.
PMID- 29010080
TI - Recent Advances in Infant Feeding.
PMID- 29010081
TI - Clinical Experiences with Percain as a Spinal and Local Anaesthetic.
PMID- 29010082
TI - The Real Problem in India.
PMID- 29010083
TI - Erratum: Halometric Readings in Indians: A Preliminary Note.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 196 in vol. 66.].
PMID- 29010084
TI - A Case of Enterogenous Cyanosis.
PMID- 29010086
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010085
TI - The Laboratory Diagnosis of Malaria.
PMID- 29010087
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010088
TI - A Case of Primary Bronchial Carcinoma.
PMID- 29010089
TI - The Sanitary Significance of the Presence of Ps. pyocyanea in Water Supplies.
PMID- 29010090
TI - A Case of Tetanus.
PMID- 29010091
TI - A Case of Strangulated Hernia with Reduction En Bloc.
PMID- 29010092
TI - Use of Plasmoquine in Subtertian Malaria: A Note on Bulletin No. 5 of 1930 of the
Institute for Medical Research, Federated Malay States, by C. Russell Amies.
PMID- 29010094
TI - Note on Stovarsol.
PMID- 29010093
TI - A Case of Penetrating Stab Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29010095
TI - Calcium Oxalate Calculus in the Urethra.
PMID- 29010097
TI - Black Pigmentation on the Skin of the Cheeks and Nose.
PMID- 29010096
TI - A Case of Banti's Disease.
PMID- 29010098
TI - Notes on a Visit to the Malay Peninsula.
PMID- 29010099
TI - Application and Use of Larvicides.
PMID- 29010100
TI - A Case of Thrombo-Angiitis Obliterans.
PMID- 29010101
TI - An Indian Journal of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29010102
TI - A Unique Case of Elephantiasis of the Labia Minora and Clitoris Associated with
Pregnancy.
PMID- 29010103
TI - Novocain and Splanchnic Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29010104
TI - Notes on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ulcus Tropicum.
PMID- 29010105
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010106
TI - Quinine Prophylaxis and Other Notes on Malaria.
PMID- 29010107
TI - Present International Position for the Prevention of Blindness.
PMID- 29010108
TI - The Nature of the Bacterial Substance of an Oral Anti-Dysenteric Vaccine.
PMID- 29010109
TI - A Note on the Output and Distribution of Urinary Nitrogen in the Normal Punjabi.
PMID- 29010110
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010112
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010111
TI - Specific Treatment of Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29010113
TI - Insusceptibility to Vaccination.
PMID- 29010115
TI - Filariasis (?).
PMID- 29010114
TI - A Case of Hypospadias with Double Channel Urethra.
PMID- 29010116
TI - Further Observations on Heart Disease in the Punjab.
PMID- 29010117
TI - The Manifestations of Chronic Yaws.
PMID- 29010118
TI - A Case of Spondylitis Deformans. (Strumpell-Marie Type).
PMID- 29010119
TI - Reflex Asthma.
PMID- 29010120
TI - Earliest Record of Caesarean Section.
PMID- 29010121
TI - Psittacosis or Typhoid Fever?
PMID- 29010122
TI - An Unusual Symptom of Round-Worm Infection.
PMID- 29010123
TI - The Madras United Twins, Ganga Bai-Gaura Bai.
PMID- 29010124
TI - Gangrenous Stomatitis Following the Puerperium.
PMID- 29010125
TI - A Fatal Case of Malaria in a Diabetic Subject.
PMID- 29010126
TI - Paralysis of the Right Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Following Carcinoma of Right
Breast with Metastasis in the Spine.
PMID- 29010128
TI - Torsion of the Ovary on Both Sides.
PMID- 29010127
TI - A Case of Erysipelas.
PMID- 29010129
TI - Seventh Conference of the International Union against Tuberculosis at Oslo,
Norway.
PMID- 29010130
TI - A Case of Empyema Thoracis Following Contusion Pneumonia and Its Treatment by
Aspiration and Intravenous Iodine Medication.
PMID- 29010131
TI - A Subperiosteal Fissured Fracture of the Right Fibula.
PMID- 29010132
TI - Clinical Studies in Malaria by Cultural and Enumerative Methods.
PMID- 29010133
TI - A Case of Hydatids of the Liver.
PMID- 29010134
TI - Rat-Guards for Ships' Hawsers.
PMID- 29010135
TI - A Case of 'Tetany' in Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29010136
TI - Irradol, P. D. & Co.
PMID- 29010137
TI - Infantile Mortality in Europe.
PMID- 29010138
TI - The Diagnosis of Lymphatic Obstruction of Filarial Origin.
PMID- 29010139
TI - Two Cases of Myiasis of the Scalp.
PMID- 29010140
TI - A Case of Granuloma Inguinale.
PMID- 29010141
TI - Spontaneous Haemorrhage in the New Born.
PMID- 29010142
TI - An Interesting Case Simulating Tetanus.
PMID- 29010143
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010145
TI - A Case of Imperforate Hymen with Retained Menses, Simulating a Uterine Tumour.
PMID- 29010144
TI - Obstetric Progress. Post-Graduate Clinical Notes.
PMID- 29010146
TI - Abdominal Wounds Treated without Drainage.
PMID- 29010147
TI - Three Interesting Cases.
PMID- 29010148
TI - An Unusual Complication of Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29010149
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010150
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010151
TI - Eosinophilia in Dracontiasis.
PMID- 29010152
TI - Rheumatic Fever in the Tropics.
PMID- 29010153
TI - Anaemia of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29010155
TI - Hilum Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29010154
TI - Notes on Visit to Bangkok and Siam.
PMID- 29010156
TI - Atropine in Cholera.
PMID- 29010157
TI - Inherited Stone.
PMID- 29010158
TI - Diathermy in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29010159
TI - Treatment of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29010160
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010161
TI - A Case of Hemiplegia Complicating Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29010163
TI - Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29010162
TI - Elixir of Life.
PMID- 29010164
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010166
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010165
TI - Length of Life of Ancylostoma.
PMID- 29010168
TI - Mathematics and Medical Research.
PMID- 29010167
TI - Haemangiomatous Myo-Fibromata of the Uterus.
PMID- 29010170
TI - Notes on Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29010169
TI - Novasurol and Salyrgan.
PMID- 29010171
TI - Quinine Urethane in a Case of Hydrocoele.
PMID- 29010172
TI - The Value of the 'Sergents' Method' for Detecting Malarial Infection in
Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29010173
TI - Difference in Axillary Temperature on the Two Sides.
PMID- 29010174
TI - Coriander Seeds.
PMID- 29010176
TI - Report on a Visit to the Leper Island of Culion and on the Anti-Leprosy Work in
the Philippine Islands.
PMID- 29010175
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010177
TI - A Large Calculus.
PMID- 29010178
TI - Yaws (Framboesia) in the Chin Hills.
PMID- 29010180
TI - Two Cases Treated with Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29010179
TI - Notes on a Large Scrotal Hernia Operated upon under Apothesine.
PMID- 29010181
TI - Carrel's Treatment and Electrolytic Chlorine as an Antiseptic.
PMID- 29010182
TI - A Method of Reducing Dislocations of the Shoulder Joint.
PMID- 29010183
TI - A Note on the Disinfestation of Houses by Fumigation with Cresol.
PMID- 29010184
TI - A Case of Abdominal Injury.
PMID- 29010185
TI - Diabetes and Insulin Treatment in Bengal.
PMID- 29010186
TI - A Note on the Treatment of Tropical Ulcer.
PMID- 29010187
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010188
TI - A Case of Ankylosis of the Knee-Joint Cured by Excision.
PMID- 29010189
TI - A Case of Muscular Dystrophy Pseudo-Hypertrophic Type.
PMID- 29010190
TI - Sub-Periosteal Excision of Joints.
PMID- 29010191
TI - B. Coli Infection in the Puerperim.
PMID- 29010192
TI - The Insect Menace.
PMID- 29010194
TI - Treatment of Varicose Veins of the Leg by an Occlusion Method.
PMID- 29010193
TI - A Case of Vesical Calculus Formed around an Inserted Foreign Body.
PMID- 29010195
TI - Vaccination in Rural Areas.
PMID- 29010196
TI - Abdominal Tuberculosis in Indian Practice.
PMID- 29010197
TI - Tuberculosis Sanatorium Reports.
PMID- 29010198
TI - The Medical Education Crisis in Bengal.
PMID- 29010199
TI - Intravenous Pituitrin.
PMID- 29010200
TI - Canine Leishmaniasis in Bombay.
PMID- 29010201
TI - The Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare.
PMID- 29010202
TI - The Art of the Indian Chiropodist.
PMID- 29010203
TI - Cellulitis of the Orbit.
PMID- 29010204
TI - Notes on Two Cases of Encephalitis Haemorrhagica after Novarsenobillon
Administration.
PMID- 29010205
TI - A Case of Right-Sided Pleural Effusion Extending into the Epigastrium.
PMID- 29010206
TI - Render Unto Caesar That Which Is Caesar's.
PMID- 29010207
TI - The Aims of a Medical Man.
PMID- 29010209
TI - Post-Graduate Work in Vienna.
PMID- 29010208
TI - A Note on the Cultivation of an Entamoeba from a Monkey (Macacus Rhesus).
PMID- 29010210
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010211
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010212
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29010213
TI - A Note on the Efficacy of Neem-Battis in the Destruction of Rats and Rat Fleas in
Rat Burrows.
PMID- 29010214
TI - Cholera in Bengal: Past and Present.
PMID- 29010215
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29010217
TI - Hints to Medical Motorists.
PMID- 29010216
TI - An Interesting Case of Diabetes in Combination with a Condition of Low Kidney
Threshold.
PMID- 29010218
TI - A Case of Choleraic Dysentery.
PMID- 29010219
TI - Preliminary Observations on Acquired Diseases of the Heart and Aorta as Met with
in Bengal.
PMID- 29010220
TI - The Bengal Ayurvedic and Unani Committees.
PMID- 29010221
TI - Cellular Elements in Cholera Stools and Their Relative Importance in Diagnosis of
the Disease.
PMID- 29010222
TI - Certain Aspects of Litholapaxy.
PMID- 29010223
TI - Public Health Organisation.
PMID- 29010224
TI - A Case of Kala-Azar with Transposition of the Viscera.
PMID- 29010225
TI - Some Points in the Treatment of Typhus Fever.
PMID- 29010226
TI - Retention of Urine Due to Hematocolpos.
PMID- 29010227
TI - An Unusual Form of Pseudo-Hernia.
PMID- 29010228
TI - Four Unusual Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29010229
TI - Mercurochrome 220 in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29010230
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010231
TI - Excision of the Pineal Body of a Monkey under Intra-Arterial Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29010232
TI - Prevention of Tuberculosis in Children.
PMID- 29010233
TI - A Case of Obstructed Labour by an Intra-Uterine Tumour.
PMID- 29010234
TI - Acriflavine in Otorrhoea.
PMID- 29010235
TI - A Public Health Policy.
PMID- 29010236
TI - Application of Extension in Cases of Simple Fracture.
PMID- 29010237
TI - An Interesting Sign in Retro-Caecal Appendicitis.
PMID- 29010238
TI - Diabetes and Insulin Treatment in Bengal.
PMID- 29010239
TI - Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Problems in Tropical
America.
PMID- 29010240
TI - Cataract Extraction: Notes on 17,000 Operations.
PMID- 29010241
TI - The Treatment of Fractures of the Elbow Joint.
PMID- 29010242
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010243
TI - Treatment of Haemorrhoids by Strangulation and Snipping Method.
PMID- 29010245
TI - The Transmission of Dengue Fever.
PMID- 29010244
TI - The Midwife in India.
PMID- 29010246
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Adhatoda Vasica
(Basak).
PMID- 29010248
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010247
TI - Choroidal Haemorrhage Following Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29010249
TI - Observations on the Anti-Diabetic Properties of Cephalandra Indica (Telakucha).
PMID- 29010250
TI - Intravenous Anaesthesia in Surgical Practice.
PMID- 29010251
TI - An Unusual Effect of Malaria upon the Heart.
PMID- 29010252
TI - The Dosage of Anti-Tetanic Serum.
PMID- 29010253
TI - Recent Advances in the Operative Treatment of Intestinal Stasis.
PMID- 29010254
TI - A Case of Triplets.
PMID- 29010255
TI - A Case of Tick Typhus.
PMID- 29010256
TI - The Supply of Rural Physicians.
PMID- 29010257
TI - A Tumour of the Abdominal Wall.
PMID- 29010258
TI - An Obscure Case of Pneumococcal Infection.
PMID- 29010260
TI - A Note on the Intravenous Use of Urotropine.
PMID- 29010259
TI - Observations on the Treatment of Kala-Azar with Urea Stibamine in the Medical Out
Patient Department of the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta.
PMID- 29010261
TI - Quinine Plus Alkalies in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29010262
TI - An Unusual Complication of Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29010263
TI - The Preventive Use of Quinine.
PMID- 29010264
TI - Erratum: Trichomonas Infection in the Urine.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 160 in vol. 60.].
PMID- 29010265
TI - An Antimony Rash.
PMID- 29010266
TI - Intravenous versus Intramuscular Quinine.
PMID- 29010268
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010267
TI - Giant Urticaria.
PMID- 29010269
TI - A Case of Tetanus.
PMID- 29010270
TI - The Value of the Aldehyde Test in the Diagnosis of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010271
TI - Disorders of Menstruation.
PMID- 29010272
TI - A Young Doctor's Views of Old Doctors.
PMID- 29010274
TI - A Case of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29010273
TI - The Cure of Schistosomiasis by the Intravenous Injection of Antimony Tartrate.
PMID- 29010275
TI - Two Cases of Tumour of the Ovary.
PMID- 29010276
TI - Stricture of the Ileo-Caecal Valve, and Hyperplasia of the Caecum from
Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29010277
TI - Calcium Lactate, a Preventative of Still-Births.
PMID- 29010278
TI - Intramuscular Quinine.
PMID- 29010279
TI - The Treatment of Stiff Joints.
PMID- 29010280
TI - An Investigation into the Origin of Cholera Epidemics in the Jheria Coal-Fields.
PMID- 29010281
TI - British Income-Tax Refunds.
PMID- 29010282
TI - The Causation of Cancer.
PMID- 29010283
TI - Diarrhoea in the Breast-Fed Infant.
PMID- 29010284
TI - Recollections of the Calcutta Medical College Forty-Five Years Ago.
PMID- 29010285
TI - Intravenous Iodine Injections.
PMID- 29010286
TI - Erratum: The Beriberi Problem: A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 1 in vol. 60.].
PMID- 29010287
TI - Leprosy Research.
PMID- 29010288
TI - A Case of Pulmonary Embolism.
PMID- 29010289
TI - A Case of Traumatic Ptosis.
PMID- 29010290
TI - Variations in the Potency of Digitalis Preparations in the Tropics.
PMID- 29010291
TI - The Treatment of Asthma.
PMID- 29010292
TI - Two Interesting Cases of Post-Typhoid Sequelae.
PMID- 29010293
TI - The Short Term Course: Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29010294
TI - The Migration of Hookworm Larvae in Soil.
PMID- 29010296
TI - An Unusual Case of Malaria.
PMID- 29010295
TI - Detaining of Patients.
PMID- 29010297
TI - Yaws in India.
PMID- 29010298
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010299
TI - Left-Handedness.
PMID- 29010300
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010301
TI - A Useful Method of Adapting an Artificial Eye to a Normal or Reconstructed
Socket.
PMID- 29010303
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010302
TI - Peracrina versus Malaria.
PMID- 29010304
TI - A Case of Accidental Abdominal Injury.
PMID- 29010306
TI - The British Social Hygiene Council.
PMID- 29010305
TI - The Treatment of Malaria with Peracrina 303.
PMID- 29010307
TI - A Note on the Value of Iodine Intravenously in the Treatment of Influenza.
PMID- 29010308
TI - Some Points in the Artificial Feeding of Infants.
PMID- 29010309
TI - Extra-Uterine Gestation Going to Term with a Living Mother and Child.
PMID- 29010311
TI - Some Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29010310
TI - Acute Purulent Ophthalmia.
PMID- 29010312
TI - Treatment of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010313
TI - Cases for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29010314
TI - Diagnosis in Hospitals.
PMID- 29010315
TI - A Case of Hydatid Cyst of the Right Parotid and Submaxillary Glands.
PMID- 29010316
TI - Observations on a Fatal Case of Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29010317
TI - The Mosquito Factor in the Malaria of Assam Tea Gardens.
PMID- 29010318
TI - A Case of Food Sensitiveness.
PMID- 29010319
TI - Stone in the Bladder Formed around a Foreign Body.
PMID- 29010320
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010321
TI - Amputation of the Penis.
PMID- 29010323
TI - Chronic Osteomyelitis in Long Bones.
PMID- 29010322
TI - Salient Points on Suprapubic Prostatectomy at One Sitting.
PMID- 29010324
TI - Indian Diets in Relationship to Health and Disease.
PMID- 29010327
TI - The Insect Menace.
PMID- 29010326
TI - Cinchona Febrifuge in Malaria.
PMID- 29010325
TI - Medical Relief and Medical Education Problems in Bengal.
PMID- 29010328
TI - Public Health in Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29010329
TI - Clinical Studies on Digitalis in Bengal.
PMID- 29010330
TI - Medical Relief in Rural Areas.
PMID- 29010331
TI - Haemoplastin in Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29010332
TI - Gastro-Jejunostomy with a Bamboo Clamp.
PMID- 29010333
TI - Mercurochrome in Malaria.
PMID- 29010334
TI - Pharmasol Collo-Calcium.
PMID- 29010335
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010336
TI - Sub-Assistant Surgeon's Allowances in Bengal.
PMID- 29010337
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction into the Fossa Duodeno-Jejunalis.
PMID- 29010339
TI - The Medical Research Council.
PMID- 29010338
TI - Von Heyden 471.
PMID- 29010340
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010341
TI - Thyroid Extract in the Treatment of Nephritis.
PMID- 29010342
TI - The Treatment of Malaria in Pregnant Women.
PMID- 29010343
TI - Two Cases of Tetanus Treated by Injections of Magnesium Sulphate and Carbolic
Acid.
PMID- 29010344
TI - Is Trichomonas Hominis Pathogenic?
PMID- 29010345
TI - Combined Carbon Tetrachloride and Oil of Chenopodium in the Treatment of Hookworm
Disease: A Report on the Treatment of 70 Cases.
PMID- 29010346
TI - A Case of Acute Gastro-Duodenal Ileus.
PMID- 29010347
TI - Puerperal Sepsis. Its Differentiation and Treatment: A Clinical Lecture to Post
Graduates.
PMID- 29010348
TI - Trichomonas Infection in the Urine.
PMID- 29010349
TI - A Case of Recurring and Encysted Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29010350
TI - An Interesting Case of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29010351
TI - Intravenous Injections of Sodium Iodide in the Treatment of Goitre.
PMID- 29010352
TI - On the Technique and Significance of the Rosindole Reaction, Applied to Urine.
PMID- 29010353
TI - Medical Relief in Rural Areas.
PMID- 29010354
TI - The Treatment of Cholera by Cresol and Acid.
PMID- 29010355
TI - A Note on the Outdoor Organisation of the Asansol Mines Board of Health.
PMID- 29010357
TI - The Cause of Cancer.
PMID- 29010356
TI - A Case of Generalised Blastomycosis.
PMID- 29010358
TI - Acute Inflammation of the Prostate.
PMID- 29010359
TI - Interesting Effect of an Insect Bite.
PMID- 29010360
TI - A Summary of the Results of Autopsies Held at the Calcutta Police Morgue during
1923-1924 on Cases of Sudden Death.
PMID- 29010361
TI - A Case of Echis Carinatus (?) Poisoning Failure of Calcium as a Therapeutic
Agent. Death in 861/2 Hours.
PMID- 29010362
TI - A Case of Arsenical Intolerance?
PMID- 29010364
TI - An Interesting Case of Naevus.
PMID- 29010363
TI - The Cancer Problem.
PMID- 29010365
TI - A Case of Ovariotomy.
PMID- 29010366
TI - Pathological Evidence Bearing on Disease Incidence in Calcutta.
PMID- 29010367
TI - Accidental "Marking-Nut" Dermatitis.
PMID- 29010368
TI - A Fatal Case of Snake-Bite (? Echis Carinatus) during Pregnancy.
PMID- 29010369
TI - The Transmission and Etiology of Dengue: A Critical Review.
PMID- 29010370
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010372
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010371
TI - Indian Science Congress.
PMID- 29010373
TI - The Staphylococcal Kidney in Childhood.
PMID- 29010374
TI - A Case of Arsenical Intolerance.
PMID- 29010375
TI - A Note on the Toxic Symptoms of Organic Arsenic.
PMID- 29010376
TI - A Case of Large Ovarian Cyst Not Obstructing Delivery of a Child.
PMID- 29010377
TI - Stibosan (Von Heyden "471").
PMID- 29010378
TI - Leprosy Relief Fund.
PMID- 29010379
TI - Lichen Spinulosus.
PMID- 29010380
TI - A Case of Melanoderma.
PMID- 29010381
TI - A Case of Cobra Bite Successfully Treated with Fitz-Simson's Polyvalent Anti
Venomous Serum.
PMID- 29010383
TI - Izal in Cholera.
PMID- 29010382
TI - Fungo-Spirochaetal Affections of Respiratory Passages.
PMID- 29010384
TI - A Fatal Case of Snake-Bite (? Echis Carinatus).
PMID- 29010385
TI - Soil Acidity and Survival of Hookworm Larvae.
PMID- 29010386
TI - A Case of Volvulus of the Ileum.
PMID- 29010387
TI - Asepsis.
PMID- 29010388
TI - Thyroid Extract in the Treatment of Nephritis.
PMID- 29010389
TI - Experiments in Air Embolism.
PMID- 29010390
TI - A Case of Internal Strangulation by the Spermatic Cord.
PMID- 29010391
TI - "Stibosan" (Von Heyden "471") in Private Practice.
PMID- 29010392
TI - Intravenous Pituitrin.
PMID- 29010393
TI - A Hint on the Transmission of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010394
TI - A Swallowed Cork-Screw.
PMID- 29010395
TI - A Case of Pedunculated Papilloma of the Tongue.
PMID- 29010396
TI - A Case of Malignant Pustule.
PMID- 29010397
TI - Compression of the Eyeball before Cataract Operation When Escape of Vitreous or
Choroidal Haemorrhage Is Apprehended.
PMID- 29010399
TI - A Case of Undetected Gunshot Wound.
PMID- 29010398
TI - Action of Disinfectants on Microbes: An Interesting Phenomenon.
PMID- 29010400
TI - Relapsing Fever and Dysentery.
PMID- 29010401
TI - The Ramblings of a Public Health Officer.
PMID- 29010402
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010404
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010403
TI - The Toxicity of Carbon Tetrachloride to Cats. A Warning.
PMID- 29010405
TI - Treatment of Some Abdominal Conditions with Inflation of Oxygen Gas.
PMID- 29010406
TI - The Typhus-Like Fevers.
PMID- 29010407
TI - "Diagnosis" in Hospitals.
PMID- 29010408
TI - Observations on Cases of Dementia Praecox.
PMID- 29010409
TI - Gangrene of the Testes after Torsion of the Spermatic Cord.
PMID- 29010410
TI - Notes on Some Methods for Diagnosis of Hookworm Infection and for Estimating the
Egg Output.
PMID- 29010411
TI - Typhus-Like Fever, Probably Tick-Typhus, in Central India.
PMID- 29010412
TI - Recent Work on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Tropical Diseases.
PMID- 29010413
TI - Indian Tick-Typhus.
PMID- 29010414
TI - Gangosa in India.
PMID- 29010415
TI - Remarks on the Pathology of the Disease.
PMID- 29010416
TI - Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29010417
TI - Notes on Carbon Tetrachloride as an Anthelmintic.
PMID- 29010418
TI - A Case of Contracture of the Mouth.
PMID- 29010419
TI - Erratum: Venereal Disease, Its Prevention, Symptoms and Treatment.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 523 in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29010420
TI - Gaucher's Type of Splenomegaly in a Mahratta Village, with a Case Treated by
Splenectomy.
PMID- 29010422
TI - Supplement. The Indian Medical Year, 1924.
PMID- 29010421
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010423
TI - Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29010425
TI - Intravenous Air Embolism.
PMID- 29010426
TI - A Case of Muscular Dystrophy, Scapulo-Humoral Type.
PMID- 29010424
TI - A Useful Hypodermic Outfit.
PMID- 29010427
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Successful Treatment of Kala-Azar with "Stibamine
Glucoside".
PMID- 29010428
TI - Phenolaine.
PMID- 29010430
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010429
TI - Intramuscular Quinine.
PMID- 29010431
TI - Indigenous Indian Drugs.
PMID- 29010432
TI - Chunam Cancer.
PMID- 29010434
TI - Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29010433
TI - The Problem of Epidemic Dropsy and Beriberi.
PMID- 29010435
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 571 in vol. 59.].
PMID- 29010436
TI - Alcohol.
PMID- 29010437
TI - Serum Reactions in Syphilis.
PMID- 29010439
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010438
TI - A Case of Typhoid Septicaemia without Typhoid Ulcers.
PMID- 29010440
TI - The Psychology of Freud.
PMID- 29010442
TI - A Disclaimer: Colloid of Calcium.
PMID- 29010441
TI - Intestinal Stasis and Cancer in Indians.
PMID- 29010443
TI - A Case of Framboesia in the Nicobar Islands.
PMID- 29010444
TI - The Treatment of Incisional Sinuses.
PMID- 29010445
TI - Multiple Soft Fibromata of the Face.
PMID- 29010446
TI - A Simple Cure for Leucoderma.
PMID- 29010447
TI - An Unusual Case of Malaria.
PMID- 29010448
TI - Notes on Cases of Acute Yellow Atrophy of the Liver.
PMID- 29010449
TI - A Critical Review of Dr. C. A. Bentley's "Malaria and Irrigation in Bengal".
PMID- 29010451
TI - An Interesting Case of Perineal Fistula.
PMID- 29010450
TI - Pneumonia and Cellulitis Treated with Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29010452
TI - A Case of Malarial Prostatitis with Reflex Retention of Urine.
PMID- 29010453
TI - A Case of Pernicious Malaria Treated with Quinine Intravenously.
PMID- 29010454
TI - An Interesting Case of Transverse Presentation.
PMID- 29010455
TI - The Up-Going Toe.
PMID- 29010457
TI - A Case of Malignant Pustule.
PMID- 29010456
TI - Bacteriological Study of Stools of 746 Clinical Cholera Cases in Calcutta.
PMID- 29010458
TI - The Ancient Systems of Medicine.
PMID- 29010459
TI - Syphilitic Dyspnoea Simulating an Asthmatic Fit.
PMID- 29010460
TI - A Unique Case of Multiple Neuro-Fibromata.
PMID- 29010461
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010462
TI - A Plea for Research in the Treatment of Squint.
PMID- 29010463
TI - A New Organic Antimony Compound for the Treatment of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010464
TI - A Lecture on Blood Sugar and Sugar Tolerance.
PMID- 29010465
TI - A Case of Bullet Wound of the Chest Followed by Pleurisy with Effusion.
PMID- 29010466
TI - Tincture of Iodine in Dysentery and Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29010467
TI - An Enlarged Wandering Spleen Mistaken for an Ovarian Tumour. Splenectomy and
Recovery.
PMID- 29010469
TI - Intra-Muscular Injection of Urea Stibamine.
PMID- 29010468
TI - A Case of Resuscitation after Cessation of the Vital Functions for over 15
Minutes.
PMID- 29010470
TI - Pelvic Measurements in Indian Women.
PMID- 29010472
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010471
TI - A Useful Digitalis Tincture.
PMID- 29010474
TI - Some Notes on Latrines and Hookworm Incidence on an Estate, as Diagnosed by the
Clayton-Lane Centrifuge.
PMID- 29010473
TI - Familial Treatment of the Insane.
PMID- 29010475
TI - The Abuse of Emetine.
PMID- 29010476
TI - Epidemic Dropsy at Sandwip.
PMID- 29010477
TI - A Case of Multiple Stones in the Bladder.
PMID- 29010478
TI - Recovery after Apparent Death.
PMID- 29010479
TI - Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases and Pyosalpinx: Diagnosis, Pathology and Treatment.
PMID- 29010480
TI - A Cataract Family.
PMID- 29010481
TI - A Case of Large Parovarian Cyst in a Young Woman.
PMID- 29010482
TI - A Case of Extravasation of Urine.
PMID- 29010483
TI - A Case of Delayed Labour.
PMID- 29010484
TI - The Pernicious Anaemia of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29010485
TI - The Production of Oriental Sore in Man by Flagellate Culture of Leishmania
Tropica.
PMID- 29010487
TI - White Asphyxia in Male Children.
PMID- 29010486
TI - Diverticulitis.
PMID- 29010488
TI - A Double Intussusception.
PMID- 29010489
TI - A Plea for a Thorough Investigation of the Filariasis Problem.
PMID- 29010490
TI - The Effects of Bee Venom.
PMID- 29010491
TI - Sundry Cases: (1) Keratosis Pharyngis and Laryngis. (2) Long Sojourn of a Foreign
Body in OEsophagus. (3) A Case of Liver Abscess Bursting into the Right Lung.
PMID- 29010493
TI - A Simple Method for Estimating the Available Chlorine in Bleaching Powder.
PMID- 29010492
TI - A Case of Excision of the Elbow Joint.
PMID- 29010494
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010495
TI - The Incidence of Intestinal Parasites in a Calcutta Hospital Population.
PMID- 29010496
TI - A Case of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29010497
TI - A Strange Parasite of Man.
PMID- 29010498
TI - A Case of Hydramnios.
PMID- 29010499
TI - Erratum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 174 in vol. 62.].
PMID- 29010501
TI - The Imperial Functions of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London. An Appeal
to India.
PMID- 29010500
TI - A Case of Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29010502
TI - Self-Inflicted Injuries.
PMID- 29010504
TI - Suggestion as a Treatment.
PMID- 29010503
TI - A Short Report on Some Therapeutic Investigations Carried out at the Ranchi
European Mental Hospital.
PMID- 29010505
TI - A New Species of Anopheline A. Pseudojamesi Common in Bengal.
PMID- 29010506
TI - A Case of Symmetrical Enchondromata (?) of the Eyelids.
PMID- 29010507
TI - Two Cases of Typhus Fever in Kumaon.
PMID- 29010508
TI - Arthritis of Both Elbow Joints Following Small-Pox.
PMID- 29010509
TI - Filarial Haematuria.
PMID- 29010510
TI - A Silver Method of Staining Leishmania Donovani in the Tissues.
PMID- 29010511
TI - The Causation of Cystitis.
PMID- 29010512
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010513
TI - Suggestion as a Remedial Agent.
PMID- 29010514
TI - A Case of Nasal Myiasis.
PMID- 29010515
TI - Flood and Flush Schemes-Ancient and Modern-With Reference to the Site of the
Ancient City of Gour, Malda District, Bengal, and to the Incidence of Malaria.
PMID- 29010516
TI - The Causal Organism of Cholera.
PMID- 29010517
TI - Preventable Yet Not Prevented.
PMID- 29010518
TI - A Study of the Incidence of Tuberculosis in Calcutta as Evidenced by the Von
Pirquet Cuti-Reaction.
PMID- 29010519
TI - The Deleteriousness of Potable Spirits on the Indian Market.
PMID- 29010520
TI - Vaccination and Female Education.
PMID- 29010521
TI - Neurasthenia in the Tropics.
PMID- 29010522
TI - The Use of Fishes for the Control of Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29010523
TI - The Indian Science Congress.
PMID- 29010524
TI - The Treatment of Puerperal Sepsis, with Some Notes on the Bacteriology of
Puerperal Fever.
PMID- 29010526
TI - The Differential Diagnosis of Small-Pox and Chicken-Pox.
PMID- 29010525
TI - Supplement. The Indian Medical Year, 1926. A Review.
PMID- 29010528
TI - Lathyrism in the Gilgit Agency.
PMID- 29010527
TI - A Case of Dermatolysis.
PMID- 29010529
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010530
TI - Quinine-Urea Injections in Malaria.
PMID- 29010531
TI - Comments on the Present Position of the Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29010532
TI - The Treatment of Puerperal Eclampsia, with Notes on 220 Cases of Puerperal
Eclampsia Treated at the Government Hospital for Women and Children, Madras,
during the Years January 1922 to July 1926.
PMID- 29010534
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010533
TI - The Country Dai and Her Ministrations.
PMID- 29010535
TI - Further Observations upon "Dermal Leishmanoid".
PMID- 29010536
TI - A Fatal Case of Infection with Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29010537
TI - A Case of Acute Glossitis.
PMID- 29010538
TI - Neurasthenia in the Tropics.
PMID- 29010540
TI - The Future of Malaria Control in India.
PMID- 29010539
TI - Pneumoperitoneum.
PMID- 29010541
TI - A Case of Genital Atresia.
PMID- 29010542
TI - Suppuration of the Middle Ear: Its Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.
PMID- 29010543
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010544
TI - A Simple Method of Dealing with Destructive Lesions of the Lids.
PMID- 29010545
TI - Beriberi: Its Symptoms and Treatment.
PMID- 29010546
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29010548
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010547
TI - A Note on the Parasite of "Dermal Leishmanoid".
PMID- 29010549
TI - Medical Education and Registration in India.
PMID- 29010550
TI - A Case of Fibroneuroma of the Cauda Equina.
PMID- 29010551
TI - Injuries of the Knee-Joint.
PMID- 29010552
TI - A Case of Acute Glossitis.
PMID- 29010554
TI - The Treatment of Hepatic Abscesses of Amoebic Origin.
PMID- 29010553
TI - A Case of Cerebral Abscess Following Ottorrhoea.
PMID- 29010555
TI - Intramuscular Quinine in Malaria.
PMID- 29010557
TI - Erratum: Thoracic Surgery. The Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Disease.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 630 in vol. 61.].
PMID- 29010556
TI - The Future of Anti-Malarial Research.
PMID- 29010558
TI - Ketosis in Acute Fevers.
PMID- 29010559
TI - The Dispensary Treatment of Malaria in India.
PMID- 29010560
TI - Brief Notes on the Life and Work of Sir Ronald Ross.
PMID- 29010562
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010561
TI - A Case of Haematuria.
PMID- 29010563
TI - The Value of Injections of Carbolic Acid and Magnesium Sulphate in the Treatment
of Tetanus.
PMID- 29010564
TI - A Case of Compound Fracture of the Skull.
PMID- 29010565
TI - Constants of Pure Cow Ghee.
PMID- 29010566
TI - The Incidence of Primary Carcinoma in India as Inferred from Post-Mortem Records
of Fifty Years from 1877 to 1926.
PMID- 29010567
TI - Spur-Like Projections Met with in Bone Radiography.
PMID- 29010569
TI - Surgical Drainage for Ascites.
PMID- 29010568
TI - The Geographical Distribution of Some of the Diseases of India.
PMID- 29010570
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Action of Antimony Compounds on the Blood Serum. A New
Serum Test for Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010571
TI - Wanted a Policy.
PMID- 29010572
TI - Intravenous Hexamine in Mumps.
PMID- 29010573
TI - Vomiting Caused by Morphia.
PMID- 29010575
TI - Medical Education in India.
PMID- 29010574
TI - Parotitis as a Complication of Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29010576
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010577
TI - A Few Important Facts Regarding Manufacture of Soda-Water from the Chalk-Derived
Water of a Deep Tube Well.
PMID- 29010578
TI - A Case of Surgical Emphysema.
PMID- 29010579
TI - The Electrophonoide Method of Treating the Deaf.
PMID- 29010580
TI - On the Transmission of Plague by Xenopsylla Astia and X. Cheopis. Preliminary
Observations.
PMID- 29010581
TI - The Application of Our Knowledge of Tuberculosis to Indian Conditions.
PMID- 29010583
TI - The Need for an Indigenous Profession of Dental Surgery in India with a Brief
History of the Efforts to Meet It Made under the Auspices of the Madras Medical
Department.
PMID- 29010584
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010582
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29010586
TI - Luminal-Sodium in the Treatment of Tetanus.
PMID- 29010585
TI - The Incidence of Helminthic Infections in the Carmichael Hospital for Tropical
Diseases, Calcutta.
PMID- 29010587
TI - The More Easily Observed Pathological Changes in the Cerebro-Spinal Fluid, and
Their Clinical Interpretations.
PMID- 29010588
TI - Urea Stibamine Solution as a Test in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010590
TI - A Case of Bullet Wound of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29010589
TI - The Antimony Test in the Diagnosis of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010591
TI - The Diagnosis of Gangrene of the Small Intestine and Partial Intestinal
Obstruction.
PMID- 29010593
TI - A Case of Transposed Viscera.
PMID- 29010592
TI - Atropine Sulphate in Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29010594
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010595
TI - The Mofussil Dispensary.
PMID- 29010596
TI - The Occipito-Posterior Position: Its Complications and Treatment, with
Observations on the Insulin-Glucose Method in Shock.
PMID- 29010597
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29010598
TI - The Treatment of Bubonic Plague by Intravenous Injections of Anti-Plague Serum.
PMID- 29010599
TI - The Scope of Collapse Therapy (Artificial Pneumothorax and Thoracoplasty) in the
Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in India.
PMID- 29010600
TI - Two Cases of Snake-Bite. A Plea for the More Extensive Use of Antivenene.
PMID- 29010601
TI - Some Problems in Rabies.
PMID- 29010602
TI - Some Observations on Dysentery in Port Blair, Andaman Islands.
PMID- 29010603
TI - Afebrile Cerebral Malaria.
PMID- 29010605
TI - Notes on Two Cases of Undiagnosed Fever.
PMID- 29010604
TI - A Case of Extensive Scalding.
PMID- 29010607
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010606
TI - Kala-Azar at High Altitudes.
PMID- 29010608
TI - The Chemistry of the Blood of Normal Healthy Indians and Its Variations in
Disease.
PMID- 29010609
TI - Difficulties in the Early Diagnosis of the Typhoid Group of Fevers.
PMID- 29010610
TI - A Lipoma of the Cheek and Neck.
PMID- 29010611
TI - Intermittent Fever in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29010612
TI - The Preliminary Excitant Action of Morphia.
PMID- 29010613
TI - The Treatment of Myiasis.
PMID- 29010614
TI - Intramuscular Sodium Salicylate in Lumbago.
PMID- 29010615
TI - Disease of the Gall-Bladder and Gall-Stones.
PMID- 29010616
TI - Further Investigations into the AEtiology of Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29010617
TI - The Treatment of Tuberculous Joints.
PMID- 29010618
TI - The Food Value of the Nut of Trapa Bispinosa.
PMID- 29010619
TI - A Case of Foreign Body in the Larynx.
PMID- 29010620
TI - Intravenous Iodine in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29010621
TI - Kala-Azar in the Simla Hills.
PMID- 29010622
TI - An Interesting Case of Malaria.
PMID- 29010623
TI - Ascaris Infection as a Cause of Abdominal Colic.
PMID- 29010624
TI - A Case of Acute Yellow Atrophy of the Liver.
PMID- 29010625
TI - Two Cases of Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection Simulating Cholera.
PMID- 29010626
TI - A Case of Cirsoid Aneurysm of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery.
PMID- 29010627
TI - A New Serological Test for Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010629
TI - Some Problems in Rabies.
PMID- 29010628
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010630
TI - A Case of Stiff Jaw after Cancrum Oris-Surgical Interference-Cure.
PMID- 29010631
TI - The Germicidal Power of Ethyl Alcohol in Spirits.
PMID- 29010632
TI - A Report on Three Cases of Bacillary Dysentery Treated with Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29010633
TI - The Sanocrysin Treatment of Tuberculosis with Special Reference to Indian
Patients.
PMID- 29010635
TI - Two Forms of Infection of the Kidney.
PMID- 29010634
TI - A Cystic Tumour of the Mesentery.
PMID- 29010636
TI - A New Conception of the Epidemiology and Endemiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29010637
TI - A Case of Cerebral Abscess and One of Tuberculous Peritonitis.
PMID- 29010638
TI - A Case Typical of Rural Midwifery Practice.
PMID- 29010639
TI - A Case of Septicaemia Treated by Intravenous Injection of Iodine.
PMID- 29010640
TI - A Note on the Staining of Tubercle Bacilli.
PMID- 29010641
TI - An Apparently Infectious Outbreak of the Epidemic Dropsy Form of Beriberi.
PMID- 29010642
TI - Radium and the Cure of Cancer.
PMID- 29010643
TI - Three Interesting Cases of Malignant Disease.
PMID- 29010644
TI - New Light on the Epidemiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29010645
TI - Some Observations on the Eruption of Teeth.
PMID- 29010647
TI - Erratum: Chemistry and Recent Progress in Medicine.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 572c in vol. 61.].
PMID- 29010646
TI - A Case of Parovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29010649
TI - A Case of Angio-Neurotic OEdema.
PMID- 29010648
TI - Suspended Animation.
PMID- 29010650
TI - A Case of Imperforate Hymen.
PMID- 29010652
TI - A Case of Ascaris Infection Simulating Cholera.
PMID- 29010653
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010651
TI - A Case of Ascites Cured by Permanent Drainage of the Fluid into the Subcutaneous
Tissue.
PMID- 29010654
TI - A Short Account of the Welsh Mission Hospital, Shillong, and a Resume of Its
Work.
PMID- 29010655
TI - The Result of Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment in Pulmonary Tuberculosis, with a
Synopsis of 182 Cases.
PMID- 29010657
TI - A Case of Accidental Abdominal Injury.
PMID- 29010656
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010658
TI - A Case of Surgical Emphysema Following Fracture of the 5th and 6th Ribs.
PMID- 29010660
TI - A Case of Bilateral Dislocation of the Mandible.
PMID- 29010659
TI - Is Epidemic Dropsy an Infectious Disease?
PMID- 29010661
TI - Notes in Ophthalmic Practice.
PMID- 29010662
TI - Berberine Sulphate in Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29010663
TI - The Control of Kala-Azar on Tea Estates.
PMID- 29010664
TI - A Case of Large Ovarian Cyst in a Young Woman.
PMID- 29010666
TI - Two Interesting Cases of Malaria.
PMID- 29010665
TI - A Case of Arsenical Dermatitis Following Injections of Novarsenobillon.
PMID- 29010667
TI - An Interesting Case of Fracture of the Skull and Injury to the Brain. Ending in
Complete Recovery.
PMID- 29010669
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 596 in vol. 61.].
PMID- 29010668
TI - Gynaecology and Obstetrics. A Practical Survey of Recent Authoritative Opinions.
PMID- 29010670
TI - A Note on the Geographical Distribution of Some of the Diseases of India.
PMID- 29010672
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010671
TI - Preventive Medicine and Mission Hospitals.
PMID- 29010674
TI - Some Observations on Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers in Bengal.
PMID- 29010673
TI - The Serum Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29010675
TI - Ostelin.
PMID- 29010676
TI - A Case of Rodent Ulcer Cured by Injections of Selenium.
PMID- 29010677
TI - Kala-Azar at High Altitudes.
PMID- 29010678
TI - Rickets and Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29010680
TI - Deep Infiltration Anaesthesia in Ophthalmic Operations.
PMID- 29010679
TI - An Analysis of 337 Cases of Oriental Sore Treated by Various Methods.
PMID- 29010681
TI - The Possible Pathogenicity of Giardia Intestinalis.
PMID- 29010683
TI - Our November 1927 Issue.
PMID- 29010682
TI - Indigenous Cases of Malaria at High Altitudes.
PMID- 29010684
TI - Some Problems in Rabies.
PMID- 29010686
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010685
TI - The Woes of an Editor.
PMID- 29010688
TI - A Case of Double Monster (Parasitic Foetus). Removal of Parasite, Recovery of
Autosite.
PMID- 29010687
TI - Quality of Milk of Some Special Breeds of Himalayan Cows.
PMID- 29010689
TI - A New Diluent for Paris Green.
PMID- 29010690
TI - Problems in Rabies.
PMID- 29010691
TI - Joint Symptoms in Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29010692
TI - Some Interesting Cases at the West Hospital, Rajkot.
PMID- 29010694
TI - The Need for a Public Health Policy for India.
PMID- 29010693
TI - Notes on Two Cases of Alastrim.
PMID- 29010695
TI - Indian Public Health.
PMID- 29010696
TI - A Case of Caesarian Section for Osteomalacia.
PMID- 29010697
TI - Physical Efficiency in Hookworm Infection: A Preliminary Report.
PMID- 29010699
TI - A Case of Sweating Blood.
PMID- 29010698
TI - Unusual Lesions in Varicella.
PMID- 29010700
TI - A New Growth of the Eye.
PMID- 29010702
TI - The Treatment of Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29010701
TI - Emetine Administration.
PMID- 29010703
TI - A Case of Quinine Intolerance.
PMID- 29010704
TI - Observations on the Pharmacological Action of Conessine, the Alkaloid of
Holarrhena Antidysenterica.
PMID- 29010705
TI - Notes on Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29010706
TI - A Case of "Typho-Lumbricosis".
PMID- 29010707
TI - British Income-Tax Claims.
PMID- 29010708
TI - A Case of Opacities of the Lens Occurring as a Sequel to an Attack of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010709
TI - Intracapsular Extraction of Cataract, Including the Most Recent Advances.
PMID- 29010710
TI - Some Aspects of Therapeutics in India.
PMID- 29010711
TI - A Case of Dermatitis Exfoliata Cured by the Injection of Urea-Stibamine
(Brahmachari).
PMID- 29010712
TI - The Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29010713
TI - The Operative Treatment of Fractures.
PMID- 29010714
TI - Advertising by Medical Men.
PMID- 29010715
TI - A Case of Tuberculous Disease of the Hip Joint.
PMID- 29010716
TI - The Interchange of Health Personnel in Japan under the Auspices of the League of
Nations.
PMID- 29010717
TI - A Case of Spastic Paraplegia Treated Successfully by Injection of Benign Tertian
Malaria.
PMID- 29010719
TI - A Fatal Case Associated with Filarial Infection.
PMID- 29010718
TI - Vomiting Caused by Morphia: A Note of Warning.
PMID- 29010720
TI - He Ceased to Be a Doctor.
PMID- 29010721
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29010723
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010722
TI - Pernicious Forms of Malaria at Sompeta, Ganjam District.
PMID- 29010724
TI - An Interesting Case of Syphilis.
PMID- 29010725
TI - An Analysis of 108 Intravenous Iodine Injections.
PMID- 29010726
TI - An Unusual Foreign Body in the Ear.
PMID- 29010727
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010729
TI - Treatment by Suggestion.
PMID- 29010728
TI - Tropical Typhus.
PMID- 29010730
TI - Intravenous Sodium Iodide in Goitre.
PMID- 29010731
TI - The Field Distemper Fund.
PMID- 29010733
TI - Co-Operation against Disease.
PMID- 29010732
TI - Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29010734
TI - The Operative Treatment of Fractures.
PMID- 29010735
TI - Quinine Urea in Malaria.
PMID- 29010736
TI - Mass Treatment for Hookworm Infection on Tea Estates in Assam.
PMID- 29010738
TI - A Case of Scorpion Sting.
PMID- 29010737
TI - The Anaemia of Pregnancy: An Enquiry Carried out under the Auspieces of the
Indian Research Fund Association.
PMID- 29010739
TI - A Case of Ovarian Dermoid.
PMID- 29010741
TI - A Case of Medico-Legal Interest.
PMID- 29010740
TI - Raw Caoutchouc in the Stomach.
PMID- 29010742
TI - Two Interesting Cases: Enormous Ovarian Tumour; Enormous Enlargement of the Liver
from Secondary Carcinoma.
PMID- 29010744
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010743
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010745
TI - A Case of Gout in a Burman.
PMID- 29010746
TI - A Case of Iron Ring Incarcerated around the Root of the Penis.
PMID- 29010747
TI - A Case for Diagnosis: (? Variola or Purpura Haemorrhagica).
PMID- 29010748
TI - A Case of Imperforate Anus.
PMID- 29010749
TI - An Unusual Case of Raynaud's Disease.
PMID- 29010750
TI - The Incubation Period of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010751
TI - A Case of Ectopic Gestation.
PMID- 29010752
TI - Torsion of the Spermatic Cord and Spontaneous Recovery.
PMID- 29010753
TI - Plasmochin in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29010754
TI - Counterfeit Drugs.
PMID- 29010755
TI - The Use of the Microscope in the Practice of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29010756
TI - An Epidemic of Dropsy among Indians in Fiji.
PMID- 29010757
TI - A Medico-Legal Study of the Calcutta Riots of 1926.
PMID- 29010758
TI - A Case of Persistent Tremor of the Head.
PMID- 29010759
TI - A Case of Syphilitic Endarteritis Obliterans.
PMID- 29010760
TI - Acetylarsan in the Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 29010761
TI - A Post-Graduate Lecture on the Pathology of Plague.
PMID- 29010762
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Treatment of Small-Pox by Intravenous Administration of
Potassium Permanganate.
PMID- 29010763
TI - Registrable Qualifications.
PMID- 29010764
TI - The Anaemia of Pregnancy. A Study of Forty-Three Cases.
PMID- 29010765
TI - The Sigmoidoscope as an Aid to Diagnosis in Chronic Dysentery and Its Sequelae.
PMID- 29010767
TI - Tropical Dermatology.
PMID- 29010766
TI - He Ceased to Be a Doctor.
PMID- 29010768
TI - The English Doctor in the Middle Ages.
PMID- 29010769
TI - Arthritis Following Small-Pox.
PMID- 29010770
TI - The Species of Malaria Parasites.
PMID- 29010771
TI - The Auto-Sterilizing Mechanism of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract. (A Note on the Use
of Dilute Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Cholera).
PMID- 29010772
TI - The Place of Plasmochin in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29010773
TI - Human Placenta as an Enriching Medium for the Gonococcus.
PMID- 29010774
TI - Some Observations on Appendicitis among Indian Women.
PMID- 29010775
TI - A Case of Sublingual Abscess.
PMID- 29010776
TI - A Case of Typhus Fever in Allahabad.
PMID- 29010777
TI - The Differential Diagnosis of Small-Pox and Chicken-Pox.
PMID- 29010778
TI - A Short Description of an Epidemic Disease of Children Prevalent in Goa Since
1921.
PMID- 29010779
TI - Arthritis of Both Elbow Joints as a Sequel of Small-Pox.
PMID- 29010780
TI - An Interesting Phenomenon in a Case of Cleft Palate.
PMID- 29010781
TI - Report on Leprosy Survey Work at Manbazar Thana, District Manbhum, Bihar and
Orissa.
PMID- 29010782
TI - Blackwater Fever and Malaria.
PMID- 29010783
TI - Aminostiburia in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010784
TI - The Differential Diagnosis of Small-Pox and Chicken-Pox.
PMID- 29010785
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29010786
TI - The Ross-To-Manson Letters of 1895-1899; Missing Portions of Two Important
Letters.
PMID- 29010787
TI - The Treatment of Filarial Fever by Neosalvarsan.
PMID- 29010788
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010789
TI - Further Observations on the Serum Test for Kala-Azar with Organic Antimony
Compounds. A Simple Blood Test for Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29010790
TI - A Case of Toxic Heart-Block Due to Cerbera Thevetia (Yellow Oleander Seeds).
PMID- 29010791
TI - Gland Puncture Findings in Leprosy.
PMID- 29010792
TI - Tinea Cruris: Its Manifestations, Diagnosis and Treatment.
PMID- 29010794
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010793
TI - Guinea-Worm Infection: A Personal Experience.
PMID- 29010795
TI - A Complication of Operation for Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29010796
TI - Leprosy in the Bengal-Bihar Border Line.
PMID- 29010797
TI - Parotitis as a Complication of Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29010798
TI - Some Observations on the Value of Iodine in Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29010799
TI - A Case of Cystic Palpiloma Arising from the Broad Ligament.
PMID- 29010800
TI - The Walking Caliper Splint and Its Uses.
PMID- 29010801
TI - Plasmochin in Malaria.
PMID- 29010803
TI - Sir Norman Walker's Report on Medical Education in India.
PMID- 29010802
TI - The Differential Diagnosis of Small-Pox and Chicken-Pox.
PMID- 29010804
TI - Maternal Mortality in Child-Birth in India.
PMID- 29010806
TI - Can the Non-Agglutinating Vibrios Be Mutation Forms of the Cholera Vibrio?
PMID- 29010805
TI - A Short Note on Mild Small-Pox in Patna.
PMID- 29010807
TI - A Preliminary Report of Work Carried out by the Cholera Bacteriophage Enquiry.
PMID- 29010809
TI - The Far Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine Congress.
PMID- 29010808
TI - Suggestion in Eneuresis.
PMID- 29010810
TI - Seborrhoeic Dermatitis or Pityriasis Capitis: A Lesion Caused by the Malassezia
Ovale.
PMID- 29010811
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29010812
TI - Some Aspects of the Pathology of Pernicious Anaemia.
PMID- 29010813
TI - Dercum's Disease or Adiposis Dolorosa.
PMID- 29010814
TI - Mycetoma.
PMID- 29010815
TI - A Case of Abdominal Injury by an Arrow.
PMID- 29010816
TI - A Case of Bacillus Coli Infection in an Infant.
PMID- 29010817
TI - Malaria Prophylaxis.
PMID- 29010818
TI - Leeches in the Throat.
PMID- 29010819
TI - Prolapsus Uteri: Its AEtiology, Prevention and Treatment.
PMID- 29010821
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010820
TI - A Case of OEdema Following Cholera.
PMID- 29010822
TI - The Prevention of Infection in Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29010824
TI - Dysentery in Burma (Military Stations) with a Note on Some Post-Dysenteric
Infections.
PMID- 29010823
TI - A Case of Scarlet Fever.
PMID- 29010825
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Absorption of 'Makaradhwaja' (Sulphide of Mercury).
PMID- 29010827
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010826
TI - Rabies in the Mongoose.
PMID- 29010828
TI - An Advanced Case of Rickets Treated by Ossin.
PMID- 29010829
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010830
TI - The Tropical Anaemia of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29010832
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010831
TI - The Infectivity of Milk and Meat in Rabies.
PMID- 29010834
TI - The Anaemia of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29010833
TI - A Case of Rhinosporidium Polypus in a Hindu Woman.
PMID- 29010835
TI - Clinical Studies in Malaria by Cultural and Enumerative Methods. Second Series.
PMID- 29010836
TI - Mutation of Cholera Vibrios: The Characters of the Population of a Freshly
Isolated Cholera Colony, with a Note on Some Colony Variants of Cholera and
Cholera-Like Vibrios.
PMID- 29010837
TI - A Case of Stone in the Bladder Presenting a Peculiar Symptom-Complex.
PMID- 29010838
TI - Casualties in War.
PMID- 29010839
TI - Psychological Aspects of Opium Addiction.
PMID- 29010841
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010840
TI - Result of the Forecast of Cholera, Smallpox and Plague in India in 1931 and
Forecast for 1932.
PMID- 29010842
TI - Severe Reaction Following the Injection of Urea-Stibamine.
PMID- 29010843
TI - Cases of Tick-Typhus in a Town.
PMID- 29010844
TI - An Epidemic of Jaundice in the Alipuram Jail, Bellary (South India).
PMID- 29010845
TI - Percain in Spinal Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29010846
TI - A New Eyelid Clamp.
PMID- 29010848
TI - A Case of Rupture of the Urethra.
PMID- 29010849
TI - Neostibosan in Chyluria.
PMID- 29010847
TI - A Case of Recurrent Appendicitis with a Large Faecal Concretion.
PMID- 29010850
TI - Some Snake-Bite Cases.
PMID- 29010851
TI - Indian Ipecacuanha.
PMID- 29010852
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010853
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010854
TI - Reactions Following Hydno-Creol Injections.
PMID- 29010855
TI - Unusual Types of Primary Lesions in Yaws.
PMID- 29010856
TI - Indian Species of Artemesia.
PMID- 29010857
TI - Microfilariae in the Sputum.
PMID- 29010858
TI - Two Interesting Cases of Malaria.
PMID- 29010859
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010860
TI - Primary Bronchogenic Carcinoma.
PMID- 29010861
TI - The Place of Psychiatry in the Medical Colleges and Schools in India.
PMID- 29010862
TI - A Short Account of a Recent Out-Break of Diphtheria at Rajkot, with Special
Reference to the Carrier Problem.
PMID- 29010863
TI - A Case of Locomotor Ataxia in an Indian.
PMID- 29010865
TI - The Biological Assay of Drugs in India.
PMID- 29010864
TI - A Case of Acute Endocarditis.
PMID- 29010866
TI - Post-Mortem Delivery of a Foetus.
PMID- 29010867
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29010868
TI - The Modern Intracapsular Operation for Senile Cataract.
PMID- 29010869
TI - Snake Venoms in Medicine.
PMID- 29010870
TI - A Study of the Distribution of Sugar in the Blood of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic
Indian Subjects.
PMID- 29010871
TI - Changes in Cardiac Rhythm in a Case of Rheumatic Mitral Disease Complicated with
Broncho-Pneumonia.
PMID- 29010872
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010873
TI - The Prevention of Heart Affections in India.
PMID- 29010874
TI - A Leech in the Nasal Cavity.
PMID- 29010875
TI - An Outbreak of Exfoliative Glossitis in an Assam Jail.
PMID- 29010876
TI - Atebrin in Malaria.
PMID- 29010877
TI - Avertin Anaesthesia, a Study of 114 Cases.
PMID- 29010879
TI - An Unusual Case of Sporotrichosis.
PMID- 29010878
TI - A National Drink of the Hill-Folk of Darjeeling.
PMID- 29010880
TI - A Case of Severe Enteric-Like Fever Due to Bacillus Alkaligenes.
PMID- 29010881
TI - Berberine and Berberine-Containing Plants in Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
PMID- 29010883
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010882
TI - The Behaviour of Plasmodia in the Mosquito after Treatment of the Human Host with
Atebrin.
PMID- 29010884
TI - Leprosy in India: The Present Outlook.
PMID- 29010886
TI - Atebrin: A Synthetic Drug for the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29010885
TI - A Case of Malaria with Cerebellar Localization.
PMID- 29010887
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010888
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010889
TI - The Mode of Action of Atropine in the Reduction of Hernia.
PMID- 29010890
TI - Anti-Malarial Measures in Travancore.
PMID- 29010891
TI - On the Failure of Toddalia Aculeata in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29010892
TI - Bilocular Hydrocele Simulating Hernia and Hydrocele.
PMID- 29010893
TI - A Practical Note on the Cyanide Fumigation of Ships.
PMID- 29010894
TI - Field Experiments with Atebrin and Plasmochin.
PMID- 29010896
TI - Aloin in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29010895
TI - A Case of Blackwater Fever Precipitated by Ptomaine Poisoning Due to Unclean
Degchies.
PMID- 29010898
TI - The Profession of Pharmacy.
PMID- 29010897
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29010899
TI - A Case of Dermatolysis.
PMID- 29010900
TI - A Case of Blackwater Fever Treated by Atebrin.
PMID- 29010901
TI - The Treatment of Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29010902
TI - Musk: Its Pharmacological Action and Therapeutic Uses.
PMID- 29010904
TI - The AEtiology of Carcinoma.
PMID- 29010903
TI - The Best Source of Iodine (Organic vs. Inorganic) as Related to Thyroid
Disturbances.
PMID- 29010905
TI - Spontaneous Separation of an Intussusceptum with Recovery.
PMID- 29010906
TI - More about the Population Problem.
PMID- 29010907
TI - A Case of Cerebrospinal Meningitis.
PMID- 29010908
TI - Habitual Formation of Stone in the Bladder.
PMID- 29010909
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010910
TI - A Study of Monkey-Malaria, and Its Experimental Transmission to Man.
PMID- 29010911
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010912
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010913
TI - Welfare Work and the Population Problem.
PMID- 29010915
TI - A Contribution to the Surgery of Fascial Transplantation.
PMID- 29010914
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Antirachitic Value of Sun-Irradiated Yeast.
PMID- 29010916
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29010917
TI - Observations on the Composition of Butter Imported into Burma.
PMID- 29010919
TI - A Plea for the Use of Suction.
PMID- 29010918
TI - An Epidemic of Jaundice in Alipuram Jail, Bellary, from January to July 1931.
PMID- 29010921
TI - Pre-Natal Dentition.
PMID- 29010920
TI - The Interpretation of Wassermann Results in India: Twelve Years' Experience in
Calcutta.
PMID- 29010922
TI - Relapse of Active Signs in 'Burnt-Out' Cases of Leprosy.
PMID- 29010923
TI - A Case of Syphilis of the Lungs.
PMID- 29010924
TI - Alepol in Leprosy.
PMID- 29010926
TI - The Report of the Drugs Enquiry Committee.
PMID- 29010925
TI - Gynaecology in the Tropics: Post-Graduate Clinical Lecture Notes.
PMID- 29010927
TI - A Routine Combined Method of 'Widal Reaction and Clot Culture' for the Diagnosis
of Enteric Infections.
PMID- 29010928
TI - The Uses of Mustard in Medicine.
PMID- 29010930
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010929
TI - Indian Chenopodium.
PMID- 29010931
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010932
TI - A Case of Sebaceous Horn.
PMID- 29010933
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010934
TI - Asphyxia Pallida.
PMID- 29010935
TI - A Case of Acute Dilatation of the Stomach.
PMID- 29010937
TI - An Unusual Case of Foreign Body in the Air Passages.
PMID- 29010936
TI - A Mycetoma-Like Condition of the Foot.
PMID- 29010938
TI - A Case of Complete Absence of the Penis.
PMID- 29010939
TI - The Protective Value of T. A. B. Inoculation as Indicated by the Agglutinating
Power of the Serum.
PMID- 29010941
TI - The Nomenclature of Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29010940
TI - Notes on a Case of Suppurating Hydatid Cyst of the Abdominal Wall.
PMID- 29010942
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010943
TI - Notes on Two Unusual Cases of Stones in the Bladder.
PMID- 29010944
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010946
TI - The 'Negative Phase' in Prophylaxis by Inoculation of Vaccines.
PMID- 29010945
TI - Plasmochin as a Malarial Gametocide.
PMID- 29010947
TI - Milk Injections in Malarial Spleens.
PMID- 29010948
TI - Malaria in Mingaladon Cantonment, Burma.
PMID- 29010949
TI - A Large Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29010950
TI - Malaria in Calcutta.
PMID- 29010952
TI - Public Health Intelligence of the Health Organisation of the League of Nations.
PMID- 29010951
TI - A Case of Strangulated Diaphragmatic Hernia.
PMID- 29010954
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010953
TI - Notes on Urinary Calculi.
PMID- 29010955
TI - A Case of Granuloma Inguinale.
PMID- 29010956
TI - Cholera and Cholera-Like Vibriophages.
PMID- 29010957
TI - Anthrax Pustule of the Neck.
PMID- 29010958
TI - A Case of Congenital Malformation of the Rectum Treated by Colostomy.
PMID- 29010959
TI - Chloral Hydrate and Paraldehyde as Drugs of Addiction.
PMID- 29010960
TI - An Epidemiological and Experimental Study of Dracontiasis in Chitaldrug District.
PMID- 29010961
TI - Erratum: Mercurochrome in Leprosy a Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 124 in vol. 67.].
PMID- 29010962
TI - Quacks versus Qualified.
PMID- 29010963
TI - Delayed Birth of the Second Twin.
PMID- 29010965
TI - Notes on Cataract in the Punjab.
PMID- 29010964
TI - Thymol, Menthol and Camphor from Indian Sources.
PMID- 29010966
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010968
TI - A Preliminary Report on Bacillus Coli in the Calcutta Filtered Water Supply.
PMID- 29010967
TI - An Interesting Case of Fibro-Myxoma of the Epipharynx.
PMID- 29010969
TI - Invasion of the Nasal Cavity by a Leech.
PMID- 29010971
TI - Cinchona Policy.
PMID- 29010970
TI - A Case of Typhus Fever in Rangoon.
PMID- 29010972
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010973
TI - Massive Iron Dosage for Chronic Secondary Anaemias.
PMID- 29010974
TI - A Case of Cerebral Malaria.
PMID- 29010976
TI - The Vitamine Value of the Food Fats of Bengal: A Preliminary Study.
PMID- 29010975
TI - A Case with Entamoeba Histolytica in the Urine.
PMID- 29010977
TI - The Significance of the Widal Reaction and Other Laboratory Findings in Typhoid
Fever.
PMID- 29010978
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010979
TI - 'Novasurol' in a Case of Hepatic Dropsy.
PMID- 29010980
TI - Renal Colic in Infants.
PMID- 29010981
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29010982
TI - Antisera by the Mouth.
PMID- 29010983
TI - A Tuberculosis Scheme.
PMID- 29010984
TI - Notes on a Case of Gonorrhoeal Arthritis Treated by Injection of Milk.
PMID- 29010985
TI - The Calcium Content of the Common Dietaries in India.
PMID- 29010987
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29010986
TI - Isohaemagglutination.
PMID- 29010988
TI - A Case of Multiple Unilateral Exostoses.
PMID- 29010989
TI - More about the Population Problem.
PMID- 29010991
TI - Antagonism in Diseases.
PMID- 29010990
TI - Cytological Studies of the Blood and Tissues in Kala-Azar and Associated
Conditions: Part II Morphology of the Leucocytes in Supra-Vital Preparations.
PMID- 29010992
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Action of the Alkaloid of Moringa Pterygosperma (N. O.
Moringae).
PMID- 29010993
TI - A Case of Volvulus of the Whole of the Small Intestines.
PMID- 29010994
TI - The Passing of a Pioneer.
PMID- 29010995
TI - Cytological Studies of the Blood and Tissues in Kala-Azar and Associated
Conditions: Part III Large Mononuclear Cells in Human Malaria.
PMID- 29010996
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29010997
TI - Obstetrics in the Tropics: Post-Graduate Lecture Notes.
PMID- 29010998
TI - Spinal Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29010999
TI - Is Bismuth Safe for Intravenous Use?
PMID- 29011001
TI - Diphtheria in a Surgical Wound.
PMID- 29011000
TI - 'Mercurochrome-220 Soluble' in Leprosy Work.
PMID- 29011002
TI - The Intradermal Method of Injecting Hydnocarpus Preparations in Leprosy.
PMID- 29011003
TI - Late Eruption of Wisdom Teeth.
PMID- 29011004
TI - Sodium Thiosulphate in Mercurial Poisoning.
PMID- 29011005
TI - A Noseless Man.
PMID- 29011006
TI - Observations on Malaria in Puri District, Orissa.
PMID- 29011007
TI - Fracture of the Carpal Scaphoid -A Radiological Study of Thirty Cases.
PMID- 29011008
TI - The Determination of Sex.
PMID- 29011009
TI - Congenital Bilateral Absence of the Radius and Thumb.
PMID- 29011010
TI - A Case of Ileus.
PMID- 29011011
TI - Rheumatism in India.
PMID- 29011012
TI - The Use of Mustard in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011013
TI - The Prognostic Value of the Aldehyde Reaction in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29011014
TI - Cytological Studies of the Blood and Tissues in Kala-Azar and Associated
Conditions: Part I Supra-Vital Staining Technique.
PMID- 29011015
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011016
TI - The 'Os Naviculare Pedis'.
PMID- 29011017
TI - Erosion of the Skull by an Intracranial Tumour.
PMID- 29011018
TI - A Case of Rat-Bite Fever.
PMID- 29011020
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011019
TI - Acriflavine as a Counter-Stain in the Ziehl-Neelsen Method of Staining.
PMID- 29011022
TI - The Nurses' Charter.
PMID- 29011021
TI - The Dosage of Intravenous Mercurochrome.
PMID- 29011023
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011024
TI - The Reticulo-Endothelial System and Some Diseases in the Tropics.
PMID- 29011025
TI - Disintegrated Foetus Discharged through Abdominal Wall.
PMID- 29011026
TI - Alepol in the Treatment of Leprosy.
PMID- 29011027
TI - A Preliminary Note on New Types of Cholera 'Phage-Types D & E.
PMID- 29011028
TI - Observations on a Plasmodium Infection Which Causes Haemoglobinuria in Certain
Species of Monkey.
PMID- 29011029
TI - Asphyxia Pallida.
PMID- 29011030
TI - The Curative Value of a Locally-Prepared Sample of Sulphar-Senobenzene
Thiosarmine: Part II.
PMID- 29011031
TI - Erratum: Primary Bronchogenic Carcinoma.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 553 in vol. 67.].
PMID- 29011033
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011032
TI - A Case of Dysphagia Due to Round Worms.
PMID- 29011034
TI - Erratum: The Anaemia of Pregnancy: Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 421 in vol. 67.].
PMID- 29011035
TI - A New Conception in the Treatment of Puerperal Sepsis.
PMID- 29011036
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011037
TI - A Case of Cerebral Malaria.
PMID- 29011038
TI - Three Cases of Plague Treated with 'Bayer 205'.
PMID- 29011039
TI - Plasmodium Ovale Stephens, 1922.
PMID- 29011040
TI - Inversion of the Uterus : A Report of Eight Cases with Comments on Treatment.
PMID- 29011041
TI - A Case of Erysipelas.
PMID- 29011042
TI - Implantation of the Ureters for Inoperable Vesico-Vaginal Fistula and Ectopia
Vesicae : A New Technique.
PMID- 29011043
TI - Constants of Pure Buffalo GHI.
PMID- 29011044
TI - A Case of Brodie's Abscess.
PMID- 29011045
TI - Sulphur Treatment in Mental Diseases: An Experimental Study of 100 Cases.
PMID- 29011046
TI - The Influence of Diet on Pregnancy and Early Infant Mortality in India.
PMID- 29011048
TI - Treatment and Prophylaxis of Dracontiasis.
PMID- 29011047
TI - Epidemic Dropsy Glaucoma.
PMID- 29011049
TI - A New Vegetable Culture Medium Made from the Papain Digest of Mung Dal (Phaseolus
Mungo), Green Variety.
PMID- 29011051
TI - Ronald Ross.
PMID- 29011050
TI - Hexylresorcinol as an Anthelmintic.
PMID- 29011052
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011053
TI - The Defence Mechanism of the Human Body.
PMID- 29011054
TI - A Case of Bandicoot-Bite Fever.
PMID- 29011055
TI - The Classification and Grading of Different Qualities of Indian Rices in
Connection with the Epidemic Dropsy Problem.
PMID- 29011056
TI - The AEtiology of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29011057
TI - Generalised Epilepsy Caused by a Dural Cyst.
PMID- 29011058
TI - A Case of Congenital Single Kidney with Dilated Ureter.
PMID- 29011059
TI - Notes on a Brief Tour in Malaya.
PMID- 29011060
TI - Notes on the Study of Plague in the Field.
PMID- 29011061
TI - The Ross Institute.
PMID- 29011062
TI - A Fatal Case of Severe Malignant Tertian Malaria.
PMID- 29011064
TI - Robert Koch.
PMID- 29011063
TI - A Case of Large Pedunculated Lipoma of the Gluteal Region.
PMID- 29011065
TI - Dengue Fever in the Rangoon-Mingaladon Area.
PMID- 29011066
TI - Changes in Cardiac Rhythm in a Case of Rheumatic Mitral Disease Complicated with
Broncho-Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011067
TI - The Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Congestive Glaucoma.
PMID- 29011068
TI - The Place of Psychiatry in the Medical Colleges and Schools in India.
PMID- 29011069
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011071
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011070
TI - Koch's Discovery of the Tubercle Bacillus-Its Importance and Significance.
PMID- 29011072
TI - A Note on Treatment of Liver Abcess by Aspiration.
PMID- 29011073
TI - Erratum: Observations on a Plasmodium Infection Which Causes Haemoglobinuria in
Certain Species of Monkey.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 246 in vol. 67.].
PMID- 29011074
TI - Erratum: A Study of Monkey-Malaria, and Its Experimental Transmission to Man.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 301 in vol. 67.].
PMID- 29011076
TI - A Study of Induced Malignant Tertian Malaria.
PMID- 29011075
TI - A Case of Clinical Malaria with Herpes of the Nose.
PMID- 29011077
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011078
TI - The Treatment of Bacillary Dysentery by Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29011079
TI - The Testing of Anthelminthics.
PMID- 29011081
TI - The Provocative Diagnosis of Malaria.
PMID- 29011082
TI - Reducing Substances in the Urine: Their Detection and Identification.
PMID- 29011080
TI - The Role of Serology in Rabies.
PMID- 29011084
TI - A Case of (?) Myxoedema Associated with Exophthalmic Goitre.
PMID- 29011083
TI - A Case of Cobra-Bite.
PMID- 29011086
TI - The Changing Times.
PMID- 29011085
TI - Betel-Chewer's Cancer.
PMID- 29011087
TI - A Formula for Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29011088
TI - Urea-Stibamine.
PMID- 29011089
TI - A Note on the Use of Emetine Intravenously.
PMID- 29011090
TI - An Entomological Episode of the East African Campaign.
PMID- 29011091
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011092
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Pharmacological Action of Some Organic Antimony
Derivatives.
PMID- 29011093
TI - Quackery in the Mofussil.
PMID- 29011094
TI - The Treatment of Malaria with Peracrina 303.
PMID- 29011095
TI - A Remarkable Case of Pseudo-Muscular Hypertrophy.
PMID- 29011096
TI - A Case of Tuberculous Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011098
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011097
TI - Cholera and River Waters.
PMID- 29011099
TI - The Pathogenic Effects of Helminthic Infections.
PMID- 29011100
TI - A Case of Recovery after Bite by a Russell's Viper.
PMID- 29011101
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 1 in vol. 61.].
PMID- 29011102
TI - A Murder Under Insane Hallucination.
PMID- 29011103
TI - Medical Relief in Indian Rural Areas.
PMID- 29011104
TI - The Treatment of Myelomata by Curettage and Autogenous Cancellous Grafting.
PMID- 29011106
TI - Apyrexial Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011105
TI - Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases among Calcutta University Students.
PMID- 29011107
TI - A Lesion of the Inferior Rectus: Treatment: Result.
PMID- 29011109
TI - A One-Man Apparatus for Intravenous Saline Infusion.
PMID- 29011108
TI - The Choice of Quinine Salts for Injection in Malaria.
PMID- 29011110
TI - A Case of Bacillary Dysentery.
PMID- 29011111
TI - Unusual Symptoms Following the Administration of Urea-Stibamine.
PMID- 29011112
TI - A Case of Acute Intestinal Obstruction Caused by Ascaris Lumbricoides.
PMID- 29011113
TI - Bombay Millponds and Anopheline Control.
PMID- 29011114
TI - Intramuscular Quinine Injections in Malaria.
PMID- 29011115
TI - Common-Sense in Advising "A Change of Climate" to Tuberculous Patients.
PMID- 29011116
TI - A Study of Cancer in India.
PMID- 29011117
TI - Epidemic Dropsy and Secondary Anaemia of Pernicious Type.
PMID- 29011118
TI - A Case of Imperforate Hymen.
PMID- 29011119
TI - A Note on the Treatment of Puerperal Infection.
PMID- 29011120
TI - The Breeding of Anopheles in Sea-Water and at a Short Distance from the Shore.
PMID- 29011121
TI - A Case of Amoebic Abscess of the Lung.
PMID- 29011122
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011124
TI - Vitamines.
PMID- 29011123
TI - The Treatment of Plague: A New Suggestion.
PMID- 29011126
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011125
TI - Treatment by Prolonged Sleep in Psychiatry.
PMID- 29011127
TI - A Case of Diffuse Hypertrophy of the Breasts.
PMID- 29011128
TI - Gastro-Enteritis in Alipuram Jail, Bellary.
PMID- 29011129
TI - A Case of Cerebral Malaria, Presenting Unusual Features.
PMID- 29011130
TI - Intestinal Haemorrhage in a Newly Born Infant.
PMID- 29011132
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011131
TI - Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver: Its Causation and Treatment; from a Study of 59
Cases.
PMID- 29011133
TI - Observations on Marris's Atropine Test in Enteric Fevers.
PMID- 29011134
TI - A Case of Acute Glossitis.
PMID- 29011135
TI - Observations on the Treatment of Cholera with Essential Oils, Mistura Pro
Diarrhoea and Permanganate of Potash.
PMID- 29011136
TI - A Case of Haematuria with Pregnancy in a Retroverted Uterus.
PMID- 29011137
TI - A Case of Blackwater Fever Successfully Treated by Injections of Quinine
Bihydrochloride and Normal Horse Serum.
PMID- 29011138
TI - A Case of Perineal Excision of Ano-Rectal Cancer.
PMID- 29011140
TI - Erratum: Some Cases of Asthma.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 287b in vol. 61.].
PMID- 29011139
TI - The Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29011141
TI - On the Use of Mercurosal in Syphilis.
PMID- 29011142
TI - The Effect of Prolonged Application of Cold on the Eye.
PMID- 29011143
TI - A Case of Wandering Spleen-Splenectomy.
PMID- 29011144
TI - Case Histories.
PMID- 29011145
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011146
TI - Notes on Cases of Phthisis Treated by Sanocrysin at Lucknow.
PMID- 29011147
TI - The Occurrence and Distribution of Yaws in Burma.
PMID- 29011148
TI - The Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011149
TI - Two Cases of Acute Encephalitis Lethargica.
PMID- 29011150
TI - The Treatment of Amoebic Abscess of the Liver.
PMID- 29011152
TI - Iodeol in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011151
TI - A Case of Haematuria Relieved after Removal of a Cystic Tumour of the Great
Omentum.
PMID- 29011153
TI - A Case of Bilateral Dislocation of the Lens.
PMID- 29011155
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011154
TI - On a Species of Trichomonas Prevalent in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011156
TI - Treatment of Varicose Veins of the Leg by an Occlusion Method.
PMID- 29011157
TI - A Case of Sensitiveness to Meat.
PMID- 29011158
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite Treated with Antivenomous Serum.
PMID- 29011160
TI - A Case of Severe Abdominal Injury.
PMID- 29011159
TI - Pulse Diagnosis.
PMID- 29011161
TI - An Outbreak of Anthrax Contracted from Handling Infected Beef.
PMID- 29011162
TI - An Account of an Outbreak of Cholera at Goalundo Ghat.
PMID- 29011163
TI - A Case of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29011164
TI - The Provocative Diagnosis of Malaria.
PMID- 29011165
TI - Soil Acidity and Survival of Hookworm Larvae. A Reply to Dr. Hirst's Critical
Commentary.
PMID- 29011166
TI - A Case of Kala-Azar in the Simla Hills.
PMID- 29011167
TI - The Occurrence of Urticaria in the Treatment of Malaria by Quinine.
PMID- 29011169
TI - The Vagaries of Malaria. The Hepatic Type.
PMID- 29011168
TI - A Note on Some Predisposing Factors in Asthma.
PMID- 29011170
TI - Thumb Impressions after Death.
PMID- 29011172
TI - Cholera in the Punjab in 1925. An Epidemiological Note.
PMID- 29011171
TI - Notes on Malaria in the Agency Tracts, Madras Presidency.
PMID- 29011173
TI - Medical Education in India.
PMID- 29011174
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011175
TI - The Gastro-Intestinal Type of Malaria.
PMID- 29011177
TI - Erratum: The Ayurvedic Treatment of Rabies.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 591 in vol. 60.].
PMID- 29011176
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29011178
TI - Female Medical Aid in Rural Areas.
PMID- 29011179
TI - A Foreign Body in the Pelvis.
PMID- 29011180
TI - The Temperature of Rectal and Intravenous Saline Injections in Cholera.
PMID- 29011181
TI - Soil Acidity and Survival of Hookworm Larvae. A Critical Commentary.
PMID- 29011182
TI - A Case of Hirudiniasis of the Male Urethra.
PMID- 29011183
TI - Expulsive Haemorrhage in Cataract Operation in Rural Practice.
PMID- 29011184
TI - Two Cases of Synovitis Treated by Intravenous Iodine.
PMID- 29011186
TI - A Case of Malignant Tertian Malaria Treated with Intravenous Quinine.
PMID- 29011185
TI - Variations in the Potency of Digitalis Preparations in the Tropics (II).
PMID- 29011187
TI - The Serological Analysis of Bloodstains in Criminal Cases. (Illustrative Cases).
PMID- 29011188
TI - B. Coli Infection in the Puerperim.
PMID- 29011189
TI - A Case of Fatal Poisoning by Nitrobenzene.
PMID- 29011190
TI - The Darling Prize.
PMID- 29011191
TI - The Treatment of Syphilis by Benzo-Bismuth.
PMID- 29011192
TI - A Case of Abnormal Salivary Fistula.
PMID- 29011193
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011194
TI - Back Numbers of the Indian Medical Gazette.
PMID- 29011195
TI - Some Observations on the Blood Sugar after Treatment with Insulin in Diabetes.
PMID- 29011196
TI - Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011197
TI - Retention of Urine Due to an Imperforate Hymen.
PMID- 29011198
TI - The Darling and Lothian Foundations for Research in Malaria.
PMID- 29011199
TI - An Unusual Case of Pneumonia in an Infant.
PMID- 29011200
TI - Yaws in the Chin Hills.
PMID- 29011201
TI - A Case of Foreign Body in the Abdominal Cavity.
PMID- 29011202
TI - A Case of Death Due to Bismuth Injection.
PMID- 29011203
TI - Some Factors Affecting the Propagation of Hookworm Infections in the Asansol
Mining Settlement, with Special Reference to the Part Played by Cockroaches in
Mines.
PMID- 29011204
TI - A Case of Syphilis of the Liver Suggesting Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29011206
TI - A Case of the Meningocele Type of Spina Bifida.
PMID- 29011205
TI - A Case of Accidental Abdominal Injury.
PMID- 29011207
TI - The General Practitioner and Medical Research.
PMID- 29011208
TI - External Medication in Leprosy.
PMID- 29011209
TI - Intravenous Iodine in a Case of Abortion Complicated with Septicaemia.
PMID- 29011210
TI - An Unusual Case of Nasal Polypus.
PMID- 29011211
TI - Glycosuria in Leprosy.
PMID- 29011212
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011213
TI - The Diagnosis of Typhoid-Like Fevers with Special Reference to Typhoid and Kala
Azar.
PMID- 29011215
TI - Malaria and Neurosyphilis.
PMID- 29011214
TI - Notes on the Treatment of Benign Tertian Malaria with Cinchona Febrifuge.
PMID- 29011216
TI - A Few Interesting Cases at the West Hospital, Rajkot.
PMID- 29011217
TI - Anti-Malarial Operations on the Eastern Bengal. Railway-Khulna Branch.
PMID- 29011218
TI - The Sixth Congress of the Far Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29011219
TI - An Atypical Case of Double Hydrocele.
PMID- 29011221
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011220
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Expulsion of a Foreign Body from the Left Bronchus.
PMID- 29011223
TI - Tuberculosis in Bengal.
PMID- 29011222
TI - The Use of Eserine in Eye Cases: A Warning.
PMID- 29011224
TI - "Bilivaccin-Cholera" versus Commercial Cholera Vaccine.
PMID- 29011225
TI - Potassium Permanganate Crystals in Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29011226
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011227
TI - A Trial of Oral Vaccination against Bacillary Dysentery in Indian Jails.
PMID- 29011228
TI - A Note on an Epidemic of Food Poisoning in Multan City (Punjab).
PMID- 29011229
TI - Separation of the Umbilical Cord.
PMID- 29011230
TI - Seven-Day Dengue in Lucknow.
PMID- 29011231
TI - Intravenous Iodine in a Case of Puerperal Sepsis.
PMID- 29011232
TI - Prickly Heat.
PMID- 29011233
TI - New Conceptions in Malaria.
PMID- 29011234
TI - A Foreign Body in Rectus Abdominis Muscle.
PMID- 29011235
TI - Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29011236
TI - A Case of Interstitial Fibroid of the Fundus Uteri Causing Acute Complete
Inversion of the Uterus.
PMID- 29011237
TI - A Curious Preliminary "Treatment" for Couching for Cataract.
PMID- 29011238
TI - Some Ideas Engendered by Recent Work on Malaria.
PMID- 29011239
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011240
TI - Litholapaxy versus Lithotomy.
PMID- 29011241
TI - A Case of Acute Parenchymatous Glossitis.
PMID- 29011242
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011243
TI - The Operative Treatment of Fractures: With Notes on Fifty-Six Cases.
PMID- 29011244
TI - Some Reflections on the Art of Surgery of the Ancient Hindus.
PMID- 29011245
TI - A Case of Infection in an Infant with Giardia (Lamblia) Intestinalis.
PMID- 29011246
TI - Three Cases of Bronchial Spirochaetosis.
PMID- 29011247
TI - A Case of Compound Fracture of the Humerus Treated by a Simple Method.
PMID- 29011248
TI - Non-Diluted Milk for Infants.
PMID- 29011249
TI - Leptospirosis. With Special Reference to the Existence of Spirochaetosis Ictero
Haemorrhagica, or Weil's Disease, in the Andaman Islands.
PMID- 29011250
TI - A Case of Apparent Absence of the Uterus.
PMID- 29011251
TI - A Case of Meddlesome Midwifery.
PMID- 29011252
TI - Suggestion in General Practice.
PMID- 29011253
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29011254
TI - Observations on the Results of Treatment of 100 Cases of Cholera.
PMID- 29011255
TI - A Case of Myositis Ossificans.
PMID- 29011256
TI - Practical Points in Blood Grouping and the Selection of Donors for Blood
Transfusion.
PMID- 29011257
TI - Heredity and Mental Diseases.
PMID- 29011258
TI - Penile Ornaments.
PMID- 29011259
TI - A Case of Pleurisy with Effusion.
PMID- 29011261
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011260
TI - Paresis Following Emetine Injections.
PMID- 29011262
TI - A Case of Malarial Haemoptysis.
PMID- 29011263
TI - A Study of the Results of the Appointment of a Public Health Staff in a Rural
Area (Khulna District).
PMID- 29011264
TI - Iritis Following Cataract Extraction.
PMID- 29011265
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29011266
TI - Twin Pregnancy in a Bicornuate Uterus.
PMID- 29011267
TI - A Case of Facial Erysipelas Successfully Treated by Brilliant Green.
PMID- 29011269
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011268
TI - A Tumour of the Scrotum and Groin Stimulating an Irreducible Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29011270
TI - A Case of Hydrocephalic Monster.
PMID- 29011272
TI - A Case of Severe Sepsis Accompanying Diabetes.
PMID- 29011271
TI - Some Points in Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29011274
TI - New Conceptions in Amoebiasis.
PMID- 29011273
TI - Enterica. Some Notes on the Value of Marris's Atropine Test in Diagnosis, and of
T. A. B. Vaccine in Treatment: A Resume of 151 Cases (1919-26).
PMID- 29011275
TI - The Treatment of Bacillary Dysentery by Cresol.
PMID- 29011276
TI - Principles in the Testing of a Cure.
PMID- 29011277
TI - A Case of Cephalo-Tetanus.
PMID- 29011278
TI - A Microtest for Blood Sugar.
PMID- 29011280
TI - Erratum: The Indian Medical Year, 1925. A Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 1 in vol. 61.].
PMID- 29011279
TI - Some Cases of Asthma.
PMID- 29011281
TI - Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29011283
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011282
TI - A Case of Fever Due to the Bacillus Faecalis Alkaligenes.
PMID- 29011284
TI - A Study of Supra-Pubic Lithotomy.
PMID- 29011285
TI - The "Pallang"; a Dyak Curio.
PMID- 29011286
TI - An Interesting Case of Malaria.
PMID- 29011287
TI - An Interesting Case of Ectopia Vesicae.
PMID- 29011288
TI - A Note on the Treatment of Tetanus.
PMID- 29011289
TI - A Case of Anaphylactic Asthma Successfully Treated by Peptone Injections.
PMID- 29011290
TI - B. I. P. P. in Septic Wounds.
PMID- 29011291
TI - Acute Diarrhoea and Vomiting in Children. Complications and Treatment: A Post
Graduate Lecture.
PMID- 29011292
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011293
TI - Anti-Plague Vaccine.
PMID- 29011294
TI - A Case of Empyema of the Antrum of Highmore of Unusual Interest.
PMID- 29011295
TI - A Case of Pregnancy Complicated by Fibroma of the Cervix Uteri.
PMID- 29011296
TI - A Case of Endemic Funiculitis.
PMID- 29011297
TI - Urea-Stibamine.
PMID- 29011299
TI - Cholera in the Punjab in 1925.
PMID- 29011298
TI - A Case of Severe Anaphylactic Reaction Following Injection of Amino-Stiburea.
PMID- 29011300
TI - Medical Aspects of Life Insurance in India, with Special Reference to Calcutta.
PMID- 29011301
TI - The Medical Register, Bengal.
PMID- 29011302
TI - A Cheap and Waterproof Substitute for Plaster-Of-Paris in Outpost Dispensaries.
PMID- 29011303
TI - Types of Mental Disorder.
PMID- 29011305
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011304
TI - Effects of Bee Venom.
PMID- 29011306
TI - Reactions Following the Administration of the Pentavalent Compounds of Antimony:
An Analysis of Cases Reported by Several Correspondents.
PMID- 29011308
TI - The Use of Sodium Salicylate by Intravenous and Intramuscular Administration.
PMID- 29011307
TI - The Treatment of Burns and Scalds by Sterilized Cocoanut Oil.
PMID- 29011309
TI - A Case of Scorpion-Bite.
PMID- 29011310
TI - On "Agglutinating" and "Non-Agglutinating" Vibrios Found in the Human Intestine
and in Water, and the Relationship between Them.
PMID- 29011311
TI - The Treatment of Malaria: A Plea for Isolation.
PMID- 29011312
TI - A Case of Fracture of the Calvarium.
PMID- 29011313
TI - Cotton Seed Asthma.
PMID- 29011314
TI - Quinine-Urea in Malaria.
PMID- 29011315
TI - The Results of Bismuth Treatment in Seven Hundred Cases of Syphilis.
PMID- 29011317
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011316
TI - A Few "Don'ts" in Ophthalmic Work.
PMID- 29011318
TI - Sterility: Yesterday and To-Day.
PMID- 29011319
TI - The Operative Treatment of Fractures.
PMID- 29011321
TI - The Treatment of Leucoderma.
PMID- 29011320
TI - A Case of Rupture of the Spleen during an Attack of Malaria.
PMID- 29011322
TI - A Case of Enormous Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29011323
TI - Tropical Typhus.
PMID- 29011324
TI - The Action of Emetine.
PMID- 29011325
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011326
TI - A Case of Pleural Effusion with Abdominal Symptoms.
PMID- 29011328
TI - Back Volumes of the Indian Medical Gazette.
PMID- 29011327
TI - A Case of Precocious Sexual Development.
PMID- 29011329
TI - Two Interesting Cases.
PMID- 29011330
TI - The William Gibson Research Scholarship for Medical Women, Royal Society of
Medicine.
PMID- 29011331
TI - Retiring.
PMID- 29011333
TI - Pyrexia of Uncertain Origin.
PMID- 29011332
TI - Operations on Old Men.
PMID- 29011334
TI - The Dangers of Dusting Powders.
PMID- 29011335
TI - A Case of Extensive Fracture of the Skull with Injury to the Brain, Escape of
Brain Matter and Recovery.
PMID- 29011336
TI - Wanted Scorpions.
PMID- 29011337
TI - A Case of Incipient Heart-Block.
PMID- 29011340
TI - A Case Resembling Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver in Which Recovery Took Place.
PMID- 29011339
TI - A Case of Acute Haemorrhagic Pancreatitis.
PMID- 29011338
TI - A Fatal Result Associated with Filarial Infection.
PMID- 29011341
TI - Erratum: On Blood-Sugar and Sugar Tolerance.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 565 in vol. 60.].
PMID- 29011342
TI - Intravenous Iodine in Pulmonary Disease.
PMID- 29011343
TI - A Preliminary Note on Two Cases of Asthma Treated with an Autogenous Vaccine
Prepared from a Gram-Negative Bacillus Isolated from the Sputum during the
Attack.
PMID- 29011345
TI - The Alkaloids of Cinchona.
PMID- 29011344
TI - A Case of Myomectomy.
PMID- 29011346
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011347
TI - A Case of Septic Abortion Complicated by Bacillus Coli Infection.
PMID- 29011348
TI - A Note on the Incidence of Neuro-Syphilis among Coloured Races.
PMID- 29011349
TI - Cases of Foreign Bodies in the Nose and Ear.
PMID- 29011350
TI - The Effect of Posterior Gastro-Jejunostomy on Chronic Duodenal Ulcer.
PMID- 29011351
TI - An Unusual Case of Extra-Uterine Gestation.
PMID- 29011353
TI - A Note on the Treatment of Amoebic Abscess of the Liver.
PMID- 29011352
TI - Glycosuria in Leprosy.
PMID- 29011354
TI - The Treatment of Bubonic Plague with Intravenous Injections of Iodine.
PMID- 29011355
TI - A Huge Sebaceous Cyst of the Scalp.
PMID- 29011356
TI - A New Method of Isolating and Cultivating Vibrios from Faeces, Especially Suited
for the Detection of Vibrio-Carriers in Field Work.
PMID- 29011357
TI - The Influence of Food on Moral and Physical Development in British India.
PMID- 29011358
TI - The Baby Cinema in Public Health Propaganda.
PMID- 29011359
TI - A Case of Madura Foot Treated by Chemotherapy. Apparent Cure.
PMID- 29011360
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology. A Review of Recent Advances.
PMID- 29011361
TI - Katakar Oil Poisoning.
PMID- 29011362
TI - A Case of Dermoid Cyst of the Ovary.
PMID- 29011363
TI - Gymnema Sylvestre in the Treatment of Diabetes.
PMID- 29011364
TI - Congenital Yaws.
PMID- 29011365
TI - A Case of Persistent Hiccough Treated Successfully by Injections of Novocaine
into the Phrenic Nerve.
PMID- 29011366
TI - Iodoform Poisoning.
PMID- 29011367
TI - Fitzsimons' Antivenomous Serum.
PMID- 29011368
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 24 in vol. 61.].
PMID- 29011369
TI - A Case of Complete Avulsion of the Scalp.
PMID- 29011370
TI - One Season of Anti-Malarial Work at Pasighat.
PMID- 29011373
TI - The Treatment of Certain Cases of Intestinal Obstruction with Belladonna.
PMID- 29011372
TI - A Case of Cervical Rib Causing Unilateral Brachial Neuritis; Operation with
Amelioration of Symptoms.
PMID- 29011371
TI - A Case of Snake-Bite Due to Lachesis Cantoris.
PMID- 29011374
TI - A Case of Fibro-Cystic Tumour of the Uterus. Hysterectomy.
PMID- 29011375
TI - A Case of Embolism of the Spinal Cord.
PMID- 29011376
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011377
TI - An Interesting Case of Narcotic Poisoning and Recovery.
PMID- 29011378
TI - Antimony and Filariasis.
PMID- 29011379
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011380
TI - A Case of Night-Blindness Due to Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection.
PMID- 29011381
TI - Essential Oils' Cholera Mixture.
PMID- 29011382
TI - On the Inefficiency of "Mercurochrome 220" in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29011383
TI - Bombay Millponds and Anopheline Control.
PMID- 29011384
TI - Some Impressions of Japan.
PMID- 29011385
TI - Supplement. The Indian Medical Year, 1925.
PMID- 29011386
TI - The Price of Santonin.
PMID- 29011388
TI - A Case of Vesical Calculus with Enlarged Prostate in an Old Man.
PMID- 29011387
TI - Differential Diagnosis in the Tropics.
PMID- 29011389
TI - The Treatment of Lacerated Wounds within Two Hours.
PMID- 29011390
TI - Two Interesting Cases of Liver Abscess.
PMID- 29011392
TI - A Cyst of the Medial Meniscus of the Knee.
PMID- 29011391
TI - Indian Digitalis.
PMID- 29011393
TI - Remarks on the Operability and Operative Technique of Vesicovaginal Fistula.
PMID- 29011394
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011395
TI - A Critical Examination of the Antimony Tests for Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29011396
TI - Report on Some Cases of Fibroids and Uterine Haemorrhages Treated by Radium.
PMID- 29011397
TI - Erratum: A Case of Eclipse Blindness.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 638b in vol. 63.].
PMID- 29011398
TI - An Operation for the Radical Cure of Congenital Oblique Inguinal Hernia in
Children.
PMID- 29011399
TI - A Case of Double Monster.
PMID- 29011400
TI - A Note on the Early History of Grant Medical College, Bombay.
PMID- 29011401
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011402
TI - Notes from an Ophthalmologist's Leave Diary.
PMID- 29011403
TI - Malaria as a Cause of Cataract.
PMID- 29011404
TI - The Treatment of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29011405
TI - Two Cases of (?) Tick Fever from Poona.
PMID- 29011406
TI - Rat-Bite Fever.
PMID- 29011407
TI - A Case of Landry's Paralysis.
PMID- 29011408
TI - A Report on the Investigation into the AEtiology and Prevention of Naga Sore in
Assam.
PMID- 29011409
TI - Sulfarsenol in the Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 29011411
TI - Calcutta Students' Health.
PMID- 29011410
TI - A Case of Transposed Viscera.
PMID- 29011412
TI - The Importance of Medico-Legal Evidence.
PMID- 29011413
TI - Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer.
PMID- 29011414
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011415
TI - A Case of Imperforate Anus.
PMID- 29011416
TI - Chorea in Indians.
PMID- 29011418
TI - Diathesis.
PMID- 29011419
TI - The Use of Sanocrysin in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011417
TI - Erratum: Quality of Milk of Some Special Breeds of Himalayan Cows.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 555 in vol. 62.].
PMID- 29011420
TI - A Case of Chronic Amoebic Infection, Especially Affecting the Vermiform Appendix.
PMID- 29011421
TI - A Case of Lymphatic Leukaemia.
PMID- 29011422
TI - The Value of Inoculation in the Prevention of Cholera.
PMID- 29011423
TI - A Simplified Method for Estimation of Sugar in the Blood.
PMID- 29011424
TI - A Note on Indian Medicine.
PMID- 29011425
TI - Medical Education.
PMID- 29011426
TI - A Case of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis with Recovery.
PMID- 29011427
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011428
TI - Apomorphine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Persistent Hiccough.
PMID- 29011429
TI - A Note on Stability of Solutions of Calcium Hypochlorite Intended for Use in
Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29011430
TI - A Case of Balantidial Dysentery.
PMID- 29011431
TI - Why Are We One-Sided?
PMID- 29011432
TI - Studies in Malaria, as It Affects Indian Railways.
PMID- 29011433
TI - Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Days of the Patriarchs.
PMID- 29011434
TI - Supra-Pubic Cystotomy in a Case of Enlarged Prostate.
PMID- 29011435
TI - An Outbreak of the Epidemic Dropsy Type of Beriberi in Allahabad, 1927.
PMID- 29011437
TI - A Note on the Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29011436
TI - The Wassermann Test in India.
PMID- 29011438
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011439
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Use of Ephedrine in Leprosy.
PMID- 29011440
TI - Sodii Salicylas and Rheumatic Affections.
PMID- 29011442
TI - The Treatment of Bronchial Asthma with Saussurea Lappa (Kuth Root).
PMID- 29011441
TI - The Seventh Congress of the Far Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine: Held at
Calcutta from Dec. 5th to Dec. 10th, 1928.
PMID- 29011443
TI - Chloroform Administration and Its Dangers. And the Role of the Epiglottis in
Anaesthetic Collapse.
PMID- 29011444
TI - The Seventh Congress of the Far Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29011445
TI - Myiasis in a Leper.
PMID- 29011446
TI - A Case of Incised Wound of the Lung.
PMID- 29011447
TI - Difficulties in the Diagnosis of Fevers in the Tropics.
PMID- 29011449
TI - On Some Clinical Features of Malignant Tertian Malaria.
PMID- 29011448
TI - A Note on the Intravenous Use of Urotropine in Influenza and Nephritis.
PMID- 29011451
TI - A Change of Editorship.
PMID- 29011450
TI - Genital Hypoplasia in Women.
PMID- 29011452
TI - The Burma Government Resolution on Indigenous Medicine.
PMID- 29011453
TI - A Case of Foreign Body in the Vaginal Mucous Membrane.
PMID- 29011454
TI - Supplement to the "Indian Medical Gazette," April, 1928.
PMID- 29011455
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011456
TI - Indian Kala-Azar in a Newly-Born Child.
PMID- 29011458
TI - The Indian Science Congress (A Note).
PMID- 29011457
TI - Surgical Work in a Mofussil Dispensary.
PMID- 29011459
TI - Dysphagia as a Complication of Malaria.
PMID- 29011460
TI - A Case of Retrograde Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29011461
TI - A Case of Probable Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29011462
TI - Persistent Hiccough Associated with Ascaris Infection.
PMID- 29011464
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011463
TI - Arthritis as a Complication of Small-Pox.
PMID- 29011465
TI - Cough in Cataract Operations.
PMID- 29011466
TI - A Case of Hydatid Cyst of the Liver.
PMID- 29011467
TI - A Case of Osteo-Sarcoma Following Syphilis.
PMID- 29011468
TI - A Case of Cerebral Malaria.
PMID- 29011470
TI - An Unusual Foreign Body in the Pleural Cavity.
PMID- 29011469
TI - Weil's Disease, as Occurring in the Andamans.
PMID- 29011471
TI - Plasmoquine.
PMID- 29011472
TI - A Case of Submaxillary Calculus.
PMID- 29011473
TI - A Case of Sweating Blood.
PMID- 29011474
TI - Dysentery in Secunderabad.
PMID- 29011475
TI - Conjunctivitis Vernalis or Spring Catarrh of the Conjunctiva. A Study of Seven
Cases.
PMID- 29011476
TI - A Case of Malignant Malaria.
PMID- 29011477
TI - What the State Is Doing to Stem Disease.
PMID- 29011478
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011480
TI - Public Health in India.
PMID- 29011479
TI - A Case of Unusual Foreign Body in the OEsophagus.
PMID- 29011481
TI - Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver and Rickets.
PMID- 29011482
TI - Conjunctival Congestion after Urea-Stibamine Injection.
PMID- 29011483
TI - Cases of Malaria in a Family.
PMID- 29011484
TI - A Snake-Bite Poster.
PMID- 29011485
TI - A Case of Sexual Perversion.
PMID- 29011486
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29011487
TI - A Case of Aneurysm of the Common Carotid Artery at an Early Age.
PMID- 29011488
TI - Deep Infiltration Anaesthesia of the Orbit in Eye Operations.
PMID- 29011489
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011491
TI - Migraine and Suggestion.
PMID- 29011490
TI - Railways and Malaria.
PMID- 29011492
TI - The Pernicious Anaemia of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29011493
TI - A Note on the Intravenous Administration of Sodium Bicarbonate in Blackwater
Fever.
PMID- 29011494
TI - The Antimony Test in the Early Diagnosis of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29011496
TI - The Advance of Medicine and Medical Education.
PMID- 29011495
TI - The Laboratory Consultant.
PMID- 29011497
TI - The Seventh Congress of the Far Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine: Held at
Calcutta, from December 5th to 10th, 1927.
PMID- 29011498
TI - Sodium Cacodylate in the Treatment of Boils.
PMID- 29011499
TI - Intravenous Injections of Sodium Salicylate.
PMID- 29011500
TI - Tropical Neurasthenia.
PMID- 29011501
TI - Anaesthesia of the Splanchnic Area in the Surgery of the Upper Abdomen.
PMID- 29011502
TI - A Case of Recovery after Perforation of a Typhoid Ulcer.
PMID- 29011504
TI - Tetanus and the Bone-Setter.
PMID- 29011503
TI - A Folklore Charm against Bodily Injuries, Hypodermic Insertion of Gold Needles.
PMID- 29011505
TI - An Interesting Case of the Lipoma of the Cheek.
PMID- 29011506
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 72 in vol. 63.].
PMID- 29011507
TI - An Intra-Abdominal Operation for Oblique Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29011509
TI - A Case of Melanotic Carcinoma.
PMID- 29011508
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011510
TI - A Note on the Value of Rectal Injections of Potassium Permanganate in the
Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011512
TI - A Case of Melancholic Atonia or Psychocoma.
PMID- 29011511
TI - Some Laboratory Findings and Their Significance.
PMID- 29011513
TI - A Case of Porro's Hysterectomy.
PMID- 29011514
TI - Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 1927. A Practical Digest.
PMID- 29011515
TI - Eye-Flies.
PMID- 29011516
TI - Massage in the Treatment of Venomous Snake-Bites.
PMID- 29011517
TI - The Rationale of Malaria Treatment in Syphilis of the Central Nervous System.
PMID- 29011518
TI - Economic Significance of Malaria to an Industrial Concern: A Railway.
PMID- 29011519
TI - An Outbreak of Epidemic Dropsy in Allahabad in 1927 (February to April).
PMID- 29011520
TI - A Discussion on the Possibility of Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection Being Acquired
through the Skin.
PMID- 29011522
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011521
TI - Report on the Investigation of an Outbreak of Epidemic Dropsy in Surada, a
Village Ganjam District.
PMID- 29011523
TI - Late Manifestations of Syphilis without a History of Primary Sore.
PMID- 29011524
TI - Estimation of Chlorine in Bleaching Powder.
PMID- 29011525
TI - Sodium Cacodylate in the Treatment of Boils.
PMID- 29011526
TI - A Case of Glioma (Embryonal Neurocytoma) of the Brain Simulating Pituitary
Tumour.
PMID- 29011528
TI - Diphtheria an Ever-Present Danger in India: A Report on A Series of Cases in
Bilaspur District, Central Provinces, India.
PMID- 29011527
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Decolourisation of a Solution of Methylene Blue When
Left in Contact with Kala-Azar Serum.
PMID- 29011529
TI - Technique for Leishman's Stain Suitable for "Field" Application.
PMID- 29011531
TI - The Etiology of Green Diarrhoea of Infants: The Deficiency Factor.
PMID- 29011532
TI - An Epizootic in Squirrels at Kumbakonam.
PMID- 29011530
TI - The Successful Treatment of "Vitiligo Diffusa" by Injections of Sodium
Cacodylate.
PMID- 29011533
TI - Erratum: Vaso-Motor Disturbance after Injection.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 451b in vol. 63.].
PMID- 29011534
TI - Anaesthesia of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29011535
TI - Coagulation of the Peritoneal Inflammatory Exudate.
PMID- 29011536
TI - Kyphosis after Tetanus.
PMID- 29011537
TI - A Case of Haemorrhagic Pleurisy.
PMID- 29011539
TI - The Leprosy Problem-A Step Towards Solution.
PMID- 29011540
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011538
TI - A Note on Weil's Disease, or Leptospirosis Icterohaemorrhagica.
PMID- 29011542
TI - Observations on 8 Cases of Blackwater Fever, Treated with Serums and Alkalies.
PMID- 29011541
TI - Vertical Squint of High Degree in Which Binocular Single Vision Was Maintained in
Comparative Comfort.
PMID- 29011543
TI - Notes on the Use of Certain Preparations in Leprosy.
PMID- 29011544
TI - Toxic Symptoms Following Administration of Carbon Tetrachloride.
PMID- 29011545
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction Following a Penetrating Wound in the Abdomen.
PMID- 29011546
TI - Digitalis with Special Reference to Auricular Fibrillation.
PMID- 29011547
TI - Electro-Coagulation (Diathermy) in Malignant Growth of Face.
PMID- 29011548
TI - Plasmoquin in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29011550
TI - Typhus-Like Fever. (Colonel Megaw's Tick-Typhus?).
PMID- 29011549
TI - The Nutrition of the Lens and Vitreous.
PMID- 29011551
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011552
TI - A Simplified Bed-Side Blood-Sugar Method.
PMID- 29011553
TI - An Easy Method of Draining Inaccessible Suppurating Cavities.
PMID- 29011554
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011555
TI - The Diagnostic Value of a Monocytosis.
PMID- 29011557
TI - Deaths under Anaesthetics.
PMID- 29011556
TI - William Harvey.
PMID- 29011558
TI - The Scientific and Economic Importance of Research on Indian Medicinal Plants.
PMID- 29011559
TI - A Simplified Technique for Culturing Malarial Parasites Aerobically.
PMID- 29011560
TI - A Case of "Eclipse Blindness".
PMID- 29011561
TI - Cerebral Symptoms Associated with Filaria.
PMID- 29011562
TI - Rodent Ulcer.
PMID- 29011563
TI - A Plea for Vaginal Hysterectomy in India: Its Indications and Technique. A Record
of 150 Consecutive Cases.
PMID- 29011564
TI - The Pentavalent Antimony Compounds in Tropical Medicine.
PMID- 29011565
TI - Fungus Infections of the Hands and Feet.
PMID- 29011566
TI - A Case of Renal Calculi at the West Hospital, Rajkot.
PMID- 29011567
TI - Prostatism.
PMID- 29011568
TI - The Liver Treatment of Pernicious Anaemia.
PMID- 29011570
TI - Corrigenda.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 282c in vol. 63.].
PMID- 29011569
TI - The Intensive Treatment of Kala-Azar by Neo-Stibosan.
PMID- 29011571
TI - The Treatment of Intestinal Amoebiasis: (An Analysis of Results, and a Review of
the Literature).
PMID- 29011572
TI - An Interesting Case of Malaria.
PMID- 29011573
TI - "Emergent Surgery" in Head Injuries.
PMID- 29011574
TI - Medical Etiquette.
PMID- 29011575
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011576
TI - Mycetoma Infection: An Appeal for Material.
PMID- 29011578
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011577
TI - Complete Inversion of the Uterus.
PMID- 29011579
TI - Further Observations of the Epidemic Dropsy Form of Beriberi.
PMID- 29011580
TI - Tracheotomy for Diphtheria in Children.
PMID- 29011581
TI - A Case of Acute Yellow Atrophy.
PMID- 29011582
TI - A Case of Serious Vaso-Motor Disturbance after an Injection.
PMID- 29011583
TI - An Indigenous Treatment for Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29011584
TI - A Case of Medico-Legal Interest.
PMID- 29011585
TI - Novel Methods of Treatment.
PMID- 29011586
TI - Quinine Intolerance.
PMID- 29011587
TI - A Foreign Body in the Gluteal Region.
PMID- 29011588
TI - A Case of Infantile Scurvy.
PMID- 29011590
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011589
TI - Stone-In-The-Bladder.
PMID- 29011591
TI - A Second Case of Madura Foot Treated by Chemotherapy with Apparent Cure.
PMID- 29011592
TI - Bleeding of the Gums after Quinine Administration.
PMID- 29011593
TI - On Ether by the Open Method as the Anaesthetic of Choice in Indian Conditions.
PMID- 29011594
TI - Experiments on the Digestibility of Different Kinds of Rice and Rice
Preparations.
PMID- 29011595
TI - A Case of Auricular Fibrillation after Aspirin.
PMID- 29011596
TI - Industrial Medicine.
PMID- 29011597
TI - A Case of Congenital Stenosis of the Pylorus Treated by Rammstedt's Operation.
PMID- 29011598
TI - The Therapeutic Activity of Liquid Preparations of Ergot on the Calcutta Market.
PMID- 29011599
TI - An Interesting Case of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29011600
TI - Radiography as a Help to Correct Diagnosis in Traumatic Lesions.
PMID- 29011602
TI - Symptoms Simulating Cholera, Possibly Caused by Round-Worm Infections.
PMID- 29011601
TI - Rat-Bite Fever as an Indian Disease.
PMID- 29011603
TI - Volvulus of the Small Intestine.
PMID- 29011604
TI - The Composition of Plasmoquine.
PMID- 29011605
TI - Liver Treatment of Pernicious Anaemia.
PMID- 29011606
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011607
TI - Infestation of the Human Intestine by Corpid Beetles in Bengal.
PMID- 29011609
TI - A Simple Apparatus for Facilitating Radiography of the Limbs.
PMID- 29011608
TI - Helminthic Fever.
PMID- 29011610
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 249 in vol. 63.].
PMID- 29011611
TI - A Special X-Ray Technique for the Examination of the Body of the Mandible.
PMID- 29011612
TI - Delayed Putrefaction after Burial: A Case of Medico-Legal Interest.
PMID- 29011613
TI - Osteomalacia: Its Early Recognition, Modern Prevention, and Treatment: (A Three
Years' "Follow Up" of 69 Private Cases).
PMID- 29011614
TI - A Case of Hysterical Blindness.
PMID- 29011615
TI - Fatal Exfoliative Dermatitis as a Complication of Sanocrysin Treatment of
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011616
TI - A New Organic Aromatic Compound of Bismuth Suitable for Intravenous Injection in
the Treatment of Framboesia.
PMID- 29011617
TI - An Unusual Case of "Strangulated Hernia".
PMID- 29011618
TI - Anaesthesia of the Abdomen.
PMID- 29011619
TI - Standards for Maclean's Urea Concentration Test in Healthy Indians.
PMID- 29011620
TI - Afebrile B. Typhosus Entero-Colitis.
PMID- 29011621
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011623
TI - Electro-Cardiology and Some Observations on Indians.
PMID- 29011622
TI - A Case of Multiple Arthritis Following Small-Pox.
PMID- 29011625
TI - The Bengal Medical (Amendment) Bill, 1928.
PMID- 29011624
TI - Electro-Coagulation (Diathermy).
PMID- 29011626
TI - Some Observations on the Anti-Malarial Properties of Plasmochin.
PMID- 29011627
TI - A Note on the Breeding and Habits of the Eye-Fly, Siphonella Funicola, Meij.
PMID- 29011628
TI - A Rare Case of Dermal Leishmanoid.
PMID- 29011629
TI - Three Interesting Photographs.
PMID- 29011630
TI - Observations on the Antimony (Urea-Stibamine) Test for Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29011631
TI - Notes on a Case of "Black Tongue".
PMID- 29011632
TI - Floating Spleen: Splenectomy: Recovery.
PMID- 29011633
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011634
TI - The Use of Intravenous Quinine and Arsenic in Algid Cases of Malaria.
PMID- 29011635
TI - Asphyxia Neonatorum.
PMID- 29011636
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011637
TI - An Interesting Case of Malaria.
PMID- 29011638
TI - An Aberrant Case of Plague.
PMID- 29011640
TI - Atresia of the Vagina and Cervix Uteri.
PMID- 29011639
TI - A Case of Pelvic Peritonitis Following Puerperal Sepsis Treated by Intravenous
Iodine.
PMID- 29011641
TI - A Case of Malaria Simulating Confusional Insanity.
PMID- 29011642
TI - Some Observations on the Value of Novasurol in Cardiac Dropsy.
PMID- 29011643
TI - A Cataract Expression Operation.
PMID- 29011644
TI - The Widal Agglutination Reaction in Healthy Persons.
PMID- 29011645
TI - A Case of Impacted Foreign Body in the OEsophagus.
PMID- 29011646
TI - An Unusual Case of Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011647
TI - Malaria Investigations by the Department of Public Health, Bengal.
PMID- 29011648
TI - The Treatment of Psoriasis by Intramuscular Injections of Milk.
PMID- 29011649
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011650
TI - Why Are We One-Sided?
PMID- 29011651
TI - The Population Problem in India.
PMID- 29011652
TI - A Bael Fruit in the Vagina.
PMID- 29011653
TI - A Case of Congenital Dilatation of the Colon (Hirschsprun's Disease).
PMID- 29011655
TI - A Prescription for Intestinal Colic.
PMID- 29011654
TI - A Case of Lipomatosis.
PMID- 29011656
TI - Two Cases of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
PMID- 29011658
TI - The Rate of Loss of Hookworm Eggs from Faeces.
PMID- 29011657
TI - Tick-Typhus and Other Sporadic Fevers of the Typhus Group.
PMID- 29011659
TI - Tuberculosis of the Body and Cervix of the Uterus.
PMID- 29011661
TI - The Vitamines.
PMID- 29011660
TI - Seventeen Cases of Scarlet Fever.
PMID- 29011662
TI - Neosalvarsan Intravenous Injection: Its Effect on the Patient and the Doctor.
PMID- 29011663
TI - Ascaris Infection Simulating Bright's Disease.
PMID- 29011664
TI - Microcephaly: A Report on "The Shah Daulah's Mice".
PMID- 29011665
TI - A Simple Rat-Trap Used by the Shan Villagers of the Northern Shan States, Burma.
PMID- 29011666
TI - Compression Fractures of the Spine.
PMID- 29011668
TI - A Case of Mycetoma of the Hand and Foot.
PMID- 29011667
TI - A Case of Persistent Hiccough Following Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29011670
TI - Notes on Current Topics.
PMID- 29011669
TI - Two Cases of Renal Tumour in Young Children.
PMID- 29011671
TI - Stock Solutions of Quinine.
PMID- 29011672
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011674
TI - The Treatment of Simple Goitre with Sodium Iodide Intravenously.
PMID- 29011673
TI - A Case for Diagnosis.
PMID- 29011675
TI - Plasmochin as Compared to Quinine in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29011676
TI - Pathological Evidence Bearing on the Incidence of Diseases in Bombay.
PMID- 29011677
TI - Hypertonic Saline in Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29011678
TI - Urea-Stibol in the Treatment of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29011679
TI - Supplement to the Indian Medical Gazette, 1927.
PMID- 29011680
TI - Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment in India. An Analysis of 306 Cases.
PMID- 29011681
TI - Medical Relief in Villages.
PMID- 29011682
TI - Suggested Use of Urea-Stibamine in Septic Cases.
PMID- 29011683
TI - An Unusual Case.
PMID- 29011685
TI - Hookworm Infection in India.
PMID- 29011684
TI - A Case of Identical Delirium in Repeated Attacks of BlackWater Fever at Long
Intervals.
PMID- 29011686
TI - The Price of Novarsenobillon.
PMID- 29011687
TI - First-Aid in Riots.
PMID- 29011688
TI - The Treatment of Cholera by Acid and Cresol.
PMID- 29011689
TI - The Treatment of Fracture of the Femur.
PMID- 29011690
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Rupture of Enlarged Spleen.
PMID- 29011691
TI - The Treatment of Pernicious Anaemia by Liver.
PMID- 29011692
TI - Atropine Sulphate in a Case of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29011693
TI - Nursing Arrangements in Up-Country Hospitals and Infirmary Wards.
PMID- 29011695
TI - Annual Reports.
PMID- 29011694
TI - The Chemistry of the Blood of Normal Healthy Indians.
PMID- 29011696
TI - The Mofussil Dispensary.
PMID- 29011697
TI - The Incubation Period of Measles.
PMID- 29011698
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011699
TI - Nutritive Value of Rice.
PMID- 29011700
TI - The AEtiology of Tropical Macrocytic Anaemia.
PMID- 29011702
TI - A Sacro-Coccygeal Cyst.
PMID- 29011701
TI - On the Intra-Uterine Infection of the Foetus with Leptospira Icterohaemorrhagiae.
PMID- 29011703
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011704
TI - Mapharside in the Treatment of Syphilis-A Clinical Study.
PMID- 29011705
TI - The Pathogenesis of the Commoner Types of Splenomegaly Met with in India.
PMID- 29011706
TI - Further Observations on Leptospiral Infections in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011707
TI - A Study of Treatment of Tetanus Based on a Review of 38 Cases from the Year 1932
1937.
PMID- 29011708
TI - A Medical Tour in Russia.
PMID- 29011710
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011711
TI - Medical Education and Rural Medical Relief.
PMID- 29011709
TI - A Probable Cause of the Difficulty of Treating Chronic Amoebic Infection in This
Country.
PMID- 29011712
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011713
TI - A New Method for the Determination of Small Quantities of Cocaine in Presence of
Novocaine.
PMID- 29011715
TI - Chronic Ulcerative Colitis.
PMID- 29011714
TI - Clinical Notes on the Treatment of Acute Cardiac Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29011716
TI - Marked Wasting and Retardation of Development Resulting from Lack of Essential
Amino Acids in the Diet.
PMID- 29011717
TI - H & O Agglutinins in Cholera Patients.
PMID- 29011720
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011719
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011718
TI - The Effect of M. & B. 693 on Pneumonia Treated in Civil Hospital, Mercara.
PMID- 29011721
TI - A Macroscopic Method for the Detection of Motility of Bacteria and for the Study
of Flagellar Antigen Relationship.
PMID- 29011722
TI - Two Interesting Nervous Cases.
PMID- 29011723
TI - Treatment of Peritonsillar Abscess: A New Method.
PMID- 29011724
TI - An Experiment in Coolie Line Sanitation: Effects on Health.
PMID- 29011725
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011726
TI - The Incidence of Plague in Mawchi Mines and the Advantage of Adopting Early
Preventive and Prophylactic Measures.
PMID- 29011727
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011728
TI - Infant Mortality in India.
PMID- 29011729
TI - Evolution of Gold Therapy in Phthisis: Part II.
PMID- 29011730
TI - Chronic Snake-Bite.
PMID- 29011731
TI - A Case of Aortic Aneurysm.
PMID- 29011733
TI - Treatment of a Carbuncle (Non-Diabetic) Patient without Any Surgical
Interference.
PMID- 29011732
TI - The Intradermal Test as an Index of Vitamin-C Nutrition.
PMID- 29011734
TI - A Lacerated Septic Wound of the Tongue Treated with Cod-Liver Oil.
PMID- 29011736
TI - Urticaria Following Prontosil Rubrum Tablets.
PMID- 29011735
TI - Prontosil in Indian Strains of Malaria.
PMID- 29011737
TI - The Source of Streptococcal Infection in Puerperal Fever.
PMID- 29011739
TI - The Calcium and Phosphorus Content of Students' Dietaries.
PMID- 29011738
TI - Infant Mortality.
PMID- 29011740
TI - 'M. & B. 693' (2-Sulphanilylaminopyridine) in Ape Malaria.
PMID- 29011741
TI - A Method of Filling Screw-Capped Bottles with Fluids under Sterile Conditions.
PMID- 29011742
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011743
TI - The Experimental Production of Syndrome of Epidemic Dropsy in Man.
PMID- 29011745
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011744
TI - Chemotherapy of Gonorrhoea and Other Minor Venereal Diseases with Sulphanilamide
Compounds-A Clinical Study.
PMID- 29011746
TI - The Failure of Sulphanilamide Therapy in the Treatment of Coliform and Gonococcal
Infections of the Genito-Urinary Tract.
PMID- 29011747
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011749
TI - The Anti-Tuberculosis Movement and Social Service.
PMID- 29011748
TI - A Study of the Diet of the Bengali Hindus and Their Nutrition.
PMID- 29011751
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011750
TI - The Quality of Medicinal Cod-Liver Oil and Its Preparations on the Indian Market.
PMID- 29011752
TI - The Comparative Value of Oil of Chenopodium and Tetrachlorethylene as
Anthelmintics for Use in Mass Treatment.
PMID- 29011754
TI - A Case of Typhus Fever.
PMID- 29011755
TI - Investigation into the Natural Breeding Places of the Siphunculina Funicola Fly,
in Assam.
PMID- 29011753
TI - The Drug Industry in India and Its Difficulties.
PMID- 29011756
TI - Eradication of Hymenolepis Nana Infection.
PMID- 29011758
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011757
TI - Observations on Some Immunological Aspects of Leptospiral Infections: Part I.
PMID- 29011760
TI - The Local Provision of Splints and Tackle for Fractures and Joint Infections in
India.
PMID- 29011759
TI - Our Daily Rice.
PMID- 29011761
TI - A Case of Coeliac Disease.
PMID- 29011763
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011762
TI - An Interesting Case of Chronic Tetanus.
PMID- 29011764
TI - Aberrant Pancreatic Tissue in the Alimentary Tract.
PMID- 29011766
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011765
TI - Atypical Amyloid Disease of the Liver.
PMID- 29011767
TI - An Investigation of Calcutta Milk Supply for Presence of Tubercle Bacilli.
PMID- 29011768
TI - Primary and Secondary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011769
TI - Chronic Ulcerative Colitis.
PMID- 29011770
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011772
TI - A Case of Gunshot Wound of Lung.
PMID- 29011771
TI - 'Patent' Medicines, the Public, and the Doctor.
PMID- 29011773
TI - A Recurrent Strangulated Hernia Inguinalis Treated by Section of the Spermatic
Cord.
PMID- 29011774
TI - The Treatment of Otitis Media.
PMID- 29011775
TI - A Note upon an Interesting Serological Type of Leptospira in the Andamans.
PMID- 29011776
TI - The Heart in Anaemia.
PMID- 29011777
TI - The Disposal and Utilization of Horse Dung and Stable Litter by Composting.
PMID- 29011778
TI - Protection of Anti-Plague Workers.
PMID- 29011779
TI - Poisoning by Bite from Bungarus Caeruleus with Recovery.
PMID- 29011780
TI - Cod-Liver Oil Treatment of a Carbuncle and Two Ulcers.
PMID- 29011781
TI - Diet and Peptic Ulcer.
PMID- 29011783
TI - The Vitamins: Nicotinic Acid and Pellagra.
PMID- 29011782
TI - Arthroplasty of the First Interphalangeal Joint of the Middle Finger.
PMID- 29011784
TI - A Probable Cause of the Difficulty of Treating Chronic Amoebic Infection in This
Country.
PMID- 29011785
TI - A Note on the Destruction of Mosquitoes Caught in the Modified Village Mosquito
Trap during Monsoon.
PMID- 29011786
TI - Prawns as a Possible Vector of V. Cholerae.
PMID- 29011787
TI - The Yellow Fever Position.
PMID- 29011788
TI - Spontaneous Subarachnoid Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29011789
TI - Notes on Cases of Pellagra Encountered in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011790
TI - A Case of Alkaptonuria Associated with Ochronosis and Purpuric Rashes.
PMID- 29011791
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011792
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011793
TI - Hydrophobia from a Mongoose Bite.
PMID- 29011794
TI - Anti-Tetanus Serum.
PMID- 29011795
TI - Inhibitory Influence of Chronic Amoebiasis on Immunity against Bacterial
Infection.
PMID- 29011796
TI - Liquor Arsenicalis in the Treatment of Chorea.
PMID- 29011797
TI - An Unusual Case of Cut Throat.
PMID- 29011798
TI - Observation on the Pathology and Therapy of the So-Called Frontier Sore.
PMID- 29011799
TI - A Microsporum New to India.
PMID- 29011800
TI - Colsulanyde in Quinsy.
PMID- 29011801
TI - Urticaria Following Prontosil Rubrum Tablets.
PMID- 29011802
TI - Some Notes on Clinical Heart Disease.
PMID- 29011803
TI - Suprapublic Lithotomy.
PMID- 29011804
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011806
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011805
TI - A Note on Pellagra with Special Reference to the District of Kangra (Punjab).
PMID- 29011807
TI - Pellagra.
PMID- 29011809
TI - A Note on Some Cases of Lathyrism in a Punjab Village.
PMID- 29011808
TI - An Interesting Case of Ascites.
PMID- 29011810
TI - The Use of Dyes in Various Fungal Infections.
PMID- 29011811
TI - An Abdominal Tumour Caused by Gnathostoma Spinigerum (Owen, 1836).
PMID- 29011812
TI - Malarial Infection in the Placenta and Transmission to the Foetus.
PMID- 29011813
TI - Preliminary Tuberculosis Survey of Rural Areas in the Punjab.
PMID- 29011814
TI - Snake Bites and Their Treatment in India: Part II the Management of Sequelae and
Complications.
PMID- 29011815
TI - Coarctation of the Aorta.
PMID- 29011816
TI - The Vital Capacity of the Bengalees.
PMID- 29011817
TI - Schick Test Amongst a Group of Indians and Anglo-Indians in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011818
TI - Thrombo-Angiitis Obliterans: Report of a Case Treated by Lumbar Ganglionectomy.
PMID- 29011820
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011819
TI - Scarabiasis or the Presence of Beetles in the Intestine.
PMID- 29011821
TI - The Use of Blood Tests in Excluding Paternity and Maternity.
PMID- 29011822
TI - Diphtheria in an Unusual Location.
PMID- 29011823
TI - Tumours of the Upper Jaw and Its Immediate Neighbourhood.
PMID- 29011824
TI - Application of Vaughan's Mode of Delivery, Where Forceps Were Definitely
Indicated.
PMID- 29011825
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011826
TI - Lathyrism.
PMID- 29011827
TI - Abstracts from Report.
PMID- 29011828
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011829
TI - Treatment of Cholera (A Note on the Results of Treatment by Different Methods).
PMID- 29011830
TI - Ionisable Iron in Certain Indian Food-Stuffs and in Students' Dietaries.
PMID- 29011831
TI - Pyocoele of the Canal of Nuck.
PMID- 29011832
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011833
TI - Injection Method of Treating Enlarged Inguinal Glands in Early Cases of
Lymphopathia Venereum (Lymphogranuloma Inguinale).
PMID- 29011834
TI - Lecithin and Glucose in the Treatment of the Opium Habit.
PMID- 29011835
TI - Some Experiments on the Absorption of Insulin with Special Reference to
Absorption through the Nasal Passages.
PMID- 29011836
TI - The Treatment of Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011837
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011838
TI - A Simple and Inexpensive Method of Intra-Tracheal Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29011839
TI - On a Foreign Body Introduced by Gunshot.
PMID- 29011840
TI - Posterior Basal Meningitis in a Child.
PMID- 29011841
TI - The Treatment of Acute and Chronic Diarrhoea with a Salt-Free Diet.
PMID- 29011842
TI - Is It Pellagra?
PMID- 29011843
TI - On the Efficacy of the Gonadotropic Hormones in the Treatment of Whooping Cough.
PMID- 29011844
TI - A Rare Cause of Sudden Death.
PMID- 29011845
TI - Basic Principles of Solarium Treatment.
PMID- 29011846
TI - Evolution of Gold Therapy in Phthisis: Part I.
PMID- 29011847
TI - A Case of Cerebellar Apoplexy.
PMID- 29011848
TI - Vitamin C in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011849
TI - Some Anomalies in the Morphology of Plasmodium Vivax Occurring in a Newborn Baby.
PMID- 29011850
TI - The Treatment of Pneumonia by May and Baker's 693: Report on 50 Cases with
Controls.
PMID- 29011852
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011851
TI - Erysipelas in a Child Aged 6 Days Treated Successfully with Prontosil Rubrum
(Bayer).
PMID- 29011853
TI - Chemotherapy in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011854
TI - Clinical Observations on Pneumonia Occurring in a Tea-Garden in Assam.
PMID- 29011855
TI - Public Health-The Foundation of Nation Building.
PMID- 29011856
TI - A Simple Means of Preventing Spider-Lick.
PMID- 29011857
TI - Amelia.
PMID- 29011859
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011858
TI - Arrhenoblastoma.
PMID- 29011861
TI - Abstracts from Report.
PMID- 29011860
TI - Tuberculosis of Lymphatic Glands in the Neck.
PMID- 29011862
TI - Bronchiectasis: Its AEtiology, Pathology, Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment.
PMID- 29011863
TI - Collapse Therapy of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Report on a Second Series of 205
Thoracoplasty Operations on 94 Patients from the Wanless Tuberculosis Sanatorium,
Wanlesswadi, District Satara.
PMID- 29011864
TI - Pneumonoconiosis with Special Reference to Silicosis, Anthracosis and
Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011865
TI - A Tuberculosis Survey in a South Indian Town.
PMID- 29011866
TI - 'Tubercular' and 'Tuberculous'.
PMID- 29011867
TI - The Prognostic Importance of Blood Examinations in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011869
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011868
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011870
TI - The Special Tuberculosis Numbers.
PMID- 29011871
TI - Observations on Some Epidemiological Factors of Tuberculosis in South India: As
Studied from Cases at the Government Tuberculosis Hospital, Madras.
PMID- 29011872
TI - The Planning of Tuberculosis Institutions in India.
PMID- 29011873
TI - Complications during Artificial Pneumothorax Therapy.
PMID- 29011874
TI - The Tuberculosis of Tropical Countries: Primitive Tuberculosis and the Partially
Modified Disease.
PMID- 29011876
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011875
TI - The Comparative Value of Different Gold Preparations in the Treatment of
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011878
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011877
TI - King George Thanksgiving (Antituberculosis) Fund: A Review of the Activities for
the Year 1938-39.
PMID- 29011879
TI - A Case of Moniliasis with a Secondary Allergic Patch or 'Moniliide'.
PMID- 29011880
TI - Five Years of Anti-Malaria Work at Barwadih Railway Settlement.
PMID- 29011881
TI - 'Prontosil Album' in Iliac Abscess.
PMID- 29011882
TI - Treatment of Lobar Pneumonia with M. & B. 693.
PMID- 29011883
TI - Infection with Giardia Lamblia-Its Pathogenicity and Treatment.
PMID- 29011884
TI - Difficulties and Dangers in Providing Donors of Blood.
PMID- 29011885
TI - Experimental Malaria Infections in Two Races of A. Stephensi.
PMID- 29011886
TI - Rat-Bite Fever in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011887
TI - Purulent Arthritis Complicating Smallpox.
PMID- 29011889
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011888
TI - Two Cases of P. U. O. in Children.
PMID- 29011890
TI - On Certain Cyclical Changes Observed in the Blood Pictures of Cases of Untreated
Anaemia Complicating Pregnancy in Tea Estate Coolies.
PMID- 29011891
TI - Ionisable Iron in Cows' and Mothers' Milk.
PMID- 29011892
TI - Neglected Compound Fracture of the Tibia.
PMID- 29011893
TI - Leprosy and Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29011894
TI - Asepsis in the Operating Theatre.
PMID- 29011895
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011896
TI - Anomalies in the Morphology of P. Vivax.
PMID- 29011897
TI - The Epidemiology of Cholera.
PMID- 29011898
TI - A Case of Gnathostomiasis with Some Interesting Features.
PMID- 29011900
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011899
TI - Chordoma.
PMID- 29011901
TI - Treatment of Nervous Diseases by Vitamin B1 with Special Reference to Trigeminal
Neuralgia: A Report of 7 Cases.
PMID- 29011902
TI - An Unusual Case of Subtertian Malaria.
PMID- 29011904
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011903
TI - A Case of Untreated Traumatic Spondylolisthesis of the Third Cervical Vertebra.
PMID- 29011905
TI - Further Observations on Protamine Zinc Insulin in Clinical Diabetes.
PMID- 29011907
TI - Acute Tonsillitis Treated with Soluseptasine.
PMID- 29011906
TI - The Viability of Vibrio Cholerae in Natural Waters.
PMID- 29011908
TI - A Simple Technique of Giving Intravenous Quinine with Saline.
PMID- 29011909
TI - Intravenous Anaesthesia with Pentothal Sodium.
PMID- 29011910
TI - Calcification of Renal Tumours.
PMID- 29011911
TI - Cardio-Vascular Syphilis and Cerebral Symptoms.
PMID- 29011912
TI - A Preliminary Report on the Medico-Legal Value of the Finding of Blood on Nail
Parings.
PMID- 29011913
TI - Acute Mediastinal Emphysema with Generalized Emphysema.
PMID- 29011914
TI - Suggestion for a New Type of Tube for Bacteriological Cultures.
PMID- 29011915
TI - Naphthalene Poisoning.
PMID- 29011916
TI - A Clay Truss for Inguinal Hernia.
PMID- 29011918
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011917
TI - The Use of the Domestic Fowl for the Preparation of Diagnostic Antisera.
PMID- 29011919
TI - Malaria in Chota Nagpur.
PMID- 29011920
TI - The Aschheim-Zondek and the Friedman Tests in the Diagnosis of the Life and Death
of a Foetus.
PMID- 29011921
TI - The AEtiology of Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29011923
TI - Katakar Oil Poisoning.
PMID- 29011922
TI - An Outbreak of Epidemic Dropsy in a Closed Community.
PMID- 29011924
TI - Cerebro-Spinal Fluid Findings in a Case of Meningococcal Meningitis.
PMID- 29011926
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011925
TI - Yaws in Chatra Subdivision of Hazaribagh District, Chotanagpur.
PMID- 29011927
TI - The Quinine Fraud.
PMID- 29011928
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011929
TI - Willett's Forceps: A Commentary on Their Value in the Treatment of Placenta
Praevia, Especially as Applied to Indian Conditions.
PMID- 29011930
TI - An Unusual Case of Cutaneous Amoebic Ulceration around the Anus.
PMID- 29011931
TI - From Warfare to Welfare: Being an Exposition of the Social Services of the Red
Cross in Commemoration of Its 75th Birthday.
PMID- 29011932
TI - Treatment of Two Cases of Acute Meningitis (Pneumococcal Infection) by M. & B.
693.
PMID- 29011934
TI - Ages of Epiphysial Union at the Elbow and Wrist Joints Amongst Indian Girls.
PMID- 29011935
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011933
TI - Demands of Medical Fees from Medical Men.
PMID- 29011936
TI - What May We Expect from the Subtotal Hysterectomy?
PMID- 29011937
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011938
TI - The Titre of Complement in a Sample of Hospital Population in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011939
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011940
TI - Thrombocytosis and Spleen Extracts.
PMID- 29011941
TI - A Home-Made 'Tomoscope'.
PMID- 29011942
TI - A Note on Some Cases of Lathyrism in a Punjab Village.
PMID- 29011943
TI - Notes on Cases of Phthisis Treated with Parenteral Gold.
PMID- 29011944
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29011945
TI - The Diagnosis of Kala-Azar in Dispensary Practice.
PMID- 29011946
TI - Quality of Quinine Preparations in Indian Hospitals and Dispensaries.
PMID- 29011947
TI - Treatment of Lobar Pneumonia with M. & B. 693.
PMID- 29011948
TI - The Quinine Fraud.
PMID- 29011949
TI - The Treatment of Trichuris Infection with Iron.
PMID- 29011950
TI - Transplantation of Ureters for Inoperable Vesicovaginal Fistula: A Report of Two
Cases.
PMID- 29011952
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011951
TI - Clinical and Prognostic Factors in Typhoid in India.
PMID- 29011953
TI - Snake Bites and Their Treatment in India.
PMID- 29011954
TI - Observations on Some Immunological Aspects of Leptospiral Infections: Part II.
PMID- 29011955
TI - A Note on the Medical Ethnology of Tuberculosis in the Hills and Frontier Tracts
of Assam.
PMID- 29011956
TI - Lympho-Sarcoma of Ileum.
PMID- 29011957
TI - Hydatid Disease of the Lungs: A Case Report.
PMID- 29011958
TI - Clinical Observations on Weil's Disease in India.
PMID- 29011959
TI - Study of Diet in Two Industrial Areas in Assam, with Special Reference to the
Incidence of Anaemia.
PMID- 29011961
TI - Bacteriophage in an Experimental Infection in Mice.
PMID- 29011960
TI - The Serological Types of Vibrios Isolated from Cholera Patients in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011962
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011963
TI - Neuropoietin Principle in Gastric Secretion: The AEtiology of Central Nervous
Symptoms in Pernicious Anaemia.
PMID- 29011965
TI - Sternal Puncture in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29011964
TI - Cooley's Erythroblastic Anaemia.
PMID- 29011966
TI - Importance of Chemical Tests for Detection of Seminal Stains in Medico-Legal
Investigations.
PMID- 29011968
TI - Urticaria Following Liver Extract.
PMID- 29011969
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29011967
TI - The Incidence of Monilias in Human Faeces.
PMID- 29011970
TI - Tropical Sprue: A Resume of a Lecture.
PMID- 29011971
TI - Lung Abscess.
PMID- 29011972
TI - M. & B. 693 in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29011973
TI - Serum Intolerance in Families.
PMID- 29011974
TI - M. & B. 693 in Indian Strains of Malaria.
PMID- 29011975
TI - Consent for Examination.
PMID- 29011977
TI - Iron Metabolism.
PMID- 29011976
TI - A Cure for Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 29011978
TI - Report of the Use of M. & B. 693 in Pneumonia, Pneumococcal Meningitis, and
Pneumococcal Empyema, with Reports on Two Cases of Exfoliative Dermatitis and One
of Agranulocytosis Due to M. & B. 693.
PMID- 29011979
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011980
TI - Clinical Observations on Weil's Disease in India.
PMID- 29011981
TI - Early Schizophrenia.
PMID- 29011982
TI - A Diet Survey in Bombay.
PMID- 29011983
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29011984
TI - Localized Pretibial 'Myxoedema' in Thyrotoxicosis.
PMID- 29011986
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29011987
TI - Resection of the Right Half of the Colon (Hemicolectomy).
PMID- 29011985
TI - Sulphapyridine Anuria.
PMID- 29011989
TI - Survival after Shipwreck.
PMID- 29011988
TI - Clinical Observations on Malaria Cases with Dangerous Cerebral Manifestations.
PMID- 29011990
TI - Report on the Occurrence of Naga Sore in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011991
TI - Effect of Yeast and Yeast Products on Complement of Guinea-Pig Serum.
PMID- 29011992
TI - Incompatibility of Sulphonamides and Quinine.
PMID- 29011993
TI - Surgery in an Emergency.
PMID- 29011995
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29011994
TI - A Case of Neuromyelitis Optica (Devics' Disease).
PMID- 29011996
TI - Some Statistics Regarding Confinements amongst 2,500 Full-Term Primiparae.
PMID- 29011997
TI - Inguinal Hernia. (A Record of 104 Cases).
PMID- 29011999
TI - Increasing Incidence of Taenia Solium Infection in Calcutta.
PMID- 29011998
TI - A Case of Abdomino-Thoracic Injury, Prolapse of Omentum; Primary Suture of
Diaphragm and Chest Wall, Recovery.
PMID- 29012000
TI - Vitamin C.
PMID- 29012002
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012001
TI - Post-Mature Pregnancy: A Case Report.
PMID- 29012003
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012004
TI - Intestinal Tuberculosis: Its Diagnosis and Significance in the Treatment of
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012005
TI - A Clinical Study of Fifty Cases of Meningo-Vascular Syphilis.
PMID- 29012007
TI - Treatment of an Epidemic of Acute Bacillary Dysentery with M&B 693.
PMID- 29012006
TI - Novarsenobillon and Mapharside in the Treatment of the Attack of Malaria.
PMID- 29012008
TI - A Simple Thick Drop Method of Staining Blood for Malaria.
PMID- 29012009
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012010
TI - Preparation of a Vitamin-A-Active Material from Plant Sources.
PMID- 29012011
TI - The Problem of Vitamin A Deficiency.
PMID- 29012012
TI - Results of a Survey Undertaken in a Rural Area in Bengal in Maternity and Child
Welfare.
PMID- 29012013
TI - The Action of 2-Chloro-7-Methoxy-5 (delta-Diethyl-Amino-Butyl) Amino-Acridine on
Simian Malaria.
PMID- 29012014
TI - Still Another Method of Staining Malaria Parasites.
PMID- 29012016
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012015
TI - The Effect of Quinine and Stilbamidine (M&B 744) on the Reticulo-Endothelial
System as Measured by the Congo-Red Index.
PMID- 29012017
TI - Organic Arsenicals in the Treatment of Simian Malaria.
PMID- 29012018
TI - Rapid Staining of Malarial Parasites by a Water Soluble Stain.
PMID- 29012019
TI - Mahwa Yeast from an Alcohol Factory and Its Vitamin Content.
PMID- 29012020
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012021
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012022
TI - Erratum: A Clinical Study of Fifty Cases of Meningo-Vascular Syphilis.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 29 in vol. 79.].
PMID- 29012024
TI - On Humero-Scapular Periarthritis.
PMID- 29012023
TI - Some Observations on Ectopia Lentis.
PMID- 29012025
TI - A Plea for a More Comprehensive Outlook on the Human Body.
PMID- 29012026
TI - Giardiasis.
PMID- 29012027
TI - A Case of Acute Encephalitis.
PMID- 29012028
TI - Treatment and Management of Starving Sick Destitutes.
PMID- 29012030
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012029
TI - Basal Tuberculosis and Selective Pneumothorax.
PMID- 29012031
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012032
TI - Studies of Ringworm. Part I. Microsporum Audouini Infection in India.
PMID- 29012033
TI - Cancer of the Penis in a Child Aged Two Years.
PMID- 29012035
TI - The Treatment of Kala-Azar Complicated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012034
TI - Observations on a 24-Hour Rat Test (Aschheim-Zondek Modification) for the
Diagnosis of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29012036
TI - Protein Hydrolysates in Shock and Inanition.
PMID- 29012038
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012037
TI - Amoebiasis with Special Reference to Common Secondary Manifestations in the
Punjab.
PMID- 29012039
TI - The Diagnosis of Malaria, and Field's Rapid Method of Staining Parasites in Blood
Films.
PMID- 29012040
TI - The Treatment of Kala-Azar with Diamidino-Diphenoxy-Pentane (M&B 800). Final
Results of Treatment of the First 32 Cases.
PMID- 29012041
TI - A Critical Examination of the Date of the First Authentic Record of Cataract
Operation.
PMID- 29012042
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012043
TI - Typhus Fevers in India.
PMID- 29012045
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012044
TI - Concerning the Wassermann Reaction.
PMID- 29012046
TI - Typhus in the United Provinces of India. Being a Contribution to the Study of
Typhus Fever.
PMID- 29012047
TI - Recent Experiences in the Symptomatology and Treatment of Plague.
PMID- 29012048
TI - A Case of Syphilitic Melanoderma.
PMID- 29012049
TI - Indian Degrees for Indian Graduates.
PMID- 29012051
TI - The Occurrence of Naga Sore in Benares.
PMID- 29012050
TI - Protein Hydrolysates in the Treatment of Inanition.
PMID- 29012052
TI - Complement-Fixation Tests Performed by N. H. Topping, U.S. Public Health Service,
and Other Observations in 'Mysore Typhus'.
PMID- 29012053
TI - Treatment of Naga Sore.
PMID- 29012054
TI - Typhus in Akola (Berar).
PMID- 29012055
TI - A Method of Rapid Staining of Intestinal Flagellates.
PMID- 29012057
TI - Indian Degrees for Indian Graduates.
PMID- 29012056
TI - A Note on Bacterium Alcaligenes Infection.
PMID- 29012058
TI - Protein Hydrolysates as Transfusion Material.
PMID- 29012060
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012059
TI - The Occurrence of Mites (Acarina) in Human Sputum and Their Possible
Significance.
PMID- 29012061
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012063
TI - Non-Suppurative Osteo-Periostitis as a Complication of Ulcers and Skin Infection:
A Report on Fourteen Cases.
PMID- 29012064
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012062
TI - A Report on Thirty Cases of Typhus Fever (Louse Borne).
PMID- 29012065
TI - Evaluation of Gruskin's Intradermal Test for Pregnancy.
PMID- 29012066
TI - A Case of Cooley's Anaemia.
PMID- 29012067
TI - 'Substitutes for Quinine' and Medical Advertising.
PMID- 29012069
TI - The Goal before Us, the Magnitude of the Task and the Part in It of the Medical
Woman.
PMID- 29012068
TI - A Case of Volvulus of the Sigmoid Colon with an Unusual Post-Operative Course.
PMID- 29012070
TI - Some Common Misconceptions of Malaria.
PMID- 29012072
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012071
TI - 'Lipoid Nephrosis' Cured after an Attack of Typhoid Fever.
PMID- 29012073
TI - Medical Aspect of Chest Injuries.
PMID- 29012074
TI - An Unusual Case of Congenital Heart Disease with 'Mirror-Image' Dextrocardia
(Situs Inversus Totalis), Fallot's Tetralogy and First Degree Heart Block. (A
Clinico-Electrocardiographic Study).
PMID- 29012075
TI - Traumatic Cerebral Hernia.
PMID- 29012076
TI - A Simple Arrangement for Transferring Blood and Serum from Capsules into Tubes
for Serological Tests without the Use of Pipettes.
PMID- 29012077
TI - Severe Anaemia in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29012078
TI - Trans-Pleural OEsophagotomy for a Foreign Body. A Case Report.
PMID- 29012079
TI - Report of a Case of Cerebral Malaria.
PMID- 29012080
TI - Incompatibility of Sulphonamides and Quinine.
PMID- 29012081
TI - Prefrontal Leucotomy in Schizophrenia with Report of 25 Cases.
PMID- 29012082
TI - The Quality of Indian-Made Synthetic Drugs-I. Examination of P-Carbamido-Phenyl
Arsonic Acid (Carbarsone) of Indian Manufacture.
PMID- 29012083
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012084
TI - Pfeiffer Bacillus Meningitis.
PMID- 29012085
TI - Berberine in Malaria. A Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29012086
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012087
TI - Note on the Treatment of Angular Conjunctivitis with Riboflavin.
PMID- 29012088
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012090
TI - Fluorine and Fluorosis.
PMID- 29012089
TI - Observations on the Mottling of Teeth in Rats.
PMID- 29012091
TI - Erratum: Some Common Misconceptions of Malaria.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 207 in vol. 79.].
PMID- 29012092
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012093
TI - A Case of Diaphragmatic Hernia with Many Complications.
PMID- 29012094
TI - Some Tropical Medical Problems in Surgical Cases.
PMID- 29012095
TI - Naga Sore.
PMID- 29012096
TI - Sternal Puncture.
PMID- 29012098
TI - Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis in Adults.
PMID- 29012097
TI - Echis Carinata Poisoning.
PMID- 29012100
TI - Refined Liver Extracts in the Treatment of Nutritional Macrocytic Anaemias.
PMID- 29012099
TI - Treatment of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29012101
TI - Novarsenobillon and Mapharside in the Treatment of the Attack of Malaria.
PMID- 29012102
TI - Degree of Accuracy Realized in Malaria Forecasts in the Punjab for the Years 1923
to 1942.
PMID- 29012103
TI - Search for a Specific Chemical Test for Blood Stains: A Comparative Study of the
Preliminary Chemical Tests for Blood.
PMID- 29012104
TI - Influence of Milk Powder on Fluorine Intoxication in Rats.
PMID- 29012106
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012105
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Treatment of 21 Cases of Kala-Azar with Sodium Antimony
Gluconate. (With Special Reference to Its Suitability for Mass Administration on
Tea Estates).
PMID- 29012107
TI - Foreign Body in the OEsophagus: Report of Three Cases.
PMID- 29012108
TI - Erratum: Notes on the Use of Cotton in Surgery, and on Plaster Technique.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 712 in vol. 77.].
PMID- 29012109
TI - A Case of Acute Cutaneous Glanders in Man.
PMID- 29012110
TI - A Case of Continued Fever Due to Salmonella (Bacterium) Enteritidis (Gaertner).
PMID- 29012111
TI - Zinc Ionization in Eczema and Superficial Dermatoses.
PMID- 29012112
TI - Desirable Minimum Functions and Organization-Principles for Health Activities.
PMID- 29012113
TI - Treatment of Local Sore.
PMID- 29012115
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012114
TI - The Effect of Indian-Made Mepacrine Hydrochloride on Plasmodium Knowlesi.
PMID- 29012116
TI - A Case of Congenital Absence of the Penis.
PMID- 29012117
TI - The Treatment of Bacillary Dysentery.
PMID- 29012118
TI - Breeding of Chrysomyia Megacephala in Closed Septic Tanks.
PMID- 29012119
TI - Hepatitis, Sporadic and Epidemic.
PMID- 29012120
TI - Preservation of Hookworm Ova in Faeces.
PMID- 29012121
TI - Liver Function and Blood Vitamin C in Secondary Syphilis.
PMID- 29012123
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012122
TI - Ascariasis Simulating Acute Abdomen: Two Case Reports.
PMID- 29012124
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012125
TI - A Case of Benign Neutropenia Treated by Sodium Pentnucleotide.
PMID- 29012126
TI - Seasonal Periodicity of Plasmodia of Malaria at Giriulla, Ceylon.
PMID- 29012127
TI - Clinical Experiences of Vitamin Deficiencies in Mysore.
PMID- 29012128
TI - Chemotherapy in Cerebrospinal Fever: Experience with Sulphathiazole in a Recent
Epidemic of the Disease in Osmanabad in H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions.
PMID- 29012129
TI - Bengal Splenomegaly: A Study of 50 Cases with a Discussion of AEtiology.
PMID- 29012130
TI - Transmission of Malaria through Transfusion of Blood.
PMID- 29012131
TI - Hypovitaminosis.
PMID- 29012133
TI - A Case of Chest Injury Exposing Pleural Cavity and Lung.
PMID- 29012132
TI - A Case of Mushroom Poisoning.
PMID- 29012134
TI - A Case of Chronic Staphylococcal Abscess of the Patella.
PMID- 29012135
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012136
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012137
TI - Strangulated Hernia with an Unusual History and Course.
PMID- 29012138
TI - A Case of Aneurysm of the Transverse Part of the Arch of Aorta.
PMID- 29012139
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012141
TI - 'Reconstituted Serum' from Bloodstains: Its Value and Its Limitations.
PMID- 29012140
TI - Scurvy in Bilaspur State.
PMID- 29012142
TI - Sciatica and Its Treatment by Saline Injections Round the Nerve.
PMID- 29012143
TI - A Case of Haemothorax.
PMID- 29012144
TI - The Natural History of a Large Cystic Tumour of a Long Bone.
PMID- 29012145
TI - Anaesthesia in District Hospitals.
PMID- 29012147
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012146
TI - Alkaline Phosphatase in Bone Tumours.
PMID- 29012148
TI - The Health of India.
PMID- 29012149
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012151
TI - Preliminary Observations on the Use of Rauwolfia Serpentina Benth. In the
Treatment of Mental Disorders.
PMID- 29012150
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012152
TI - The Organization of the Calcutta Blood Bank: Donor and Collection Service.
PMID- 29012153
TI - A Plea for a More Comprehensive Outlook on the Human Body.
PMID- 29012155
TI - Mental Symptoms in Pellagra and Nicotinic Acid Deficiency.
PMID- 29012154
TI - War Injuries of the Eye.
PMID- 29012156
TI - Hemeralopia.
PMID- 29012157
TI - Sulphonamides in Undulant Fever.
PMID- 29012158
TI - Sulphapyridine Anuria.
PMID- 29012159
TI - Auto-Haemagglutination.
PMID- 29012160
TI - Report on Tropical Ulcers.
PMID- 29012161
TI - The Present State of Our Knowledge of Soil and Ground Water Pollution.
PMID- 29012162
TI - Phenomenon of Auto-Agglutination in Man after Sulphapyridine.
PMID- 29012163
TI - Mongoose Bite and Hydrophobia.
PMID- 29012164
TI - Anaesthesia in District Hospitals.
PMID- 29012165
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012166
TI - Observations on the Neuropathic Sequel of Diamidino-Stilbene Therapy in Kala
Azar.
PMID- 29012167
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012168
TI - Retention of the Placenta.
PMID- 29012169
TI - Vaginitis Due to Entamoeba Histolytica.
PMID- 29012170
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012171
TI - Regional Ileitis (Crohn's Disease).
PMID- 29012173
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012174
TI - The Pathogenesis of Hepatic Cirrhosis.
PMID- 29012172
TI - Extra-Uterine Pregnancy with a Full-Term Live Foetus.
PMID- 29012176
TI - A Case of Enlarged Thymus Gland.
PMID- 29012175
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Preparation of Seitz Filter-Pads in the Laboratory.
PMID- 29012177
TI - A Rare Congenital Anomaly Producing a Clinical Syndrome in an Adult.
PMID- 29012178
TI - The Danger of Explosion of Ether-Air Mixtures in the Operation Theatre.
PMID- 29012179
TI - The Meningiomas of the Lesser Wing of the Sphenoid.
PMID- 29012180
TI - Amoebic Dysentery.
PMID- 29012181
TI - Serum Shock and Serum Reaction.
PMID- 29012182
TI - Pseudo-Tuberculosis of the Lungs with Eosinophilia.
PMID- 29012183
TI - Deterioration of Ascaridol in Oil of Chenopodium.
PMID- 29012184
TI - The Takata-Ara Test.
PMID- 29012185
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012186
TI - Cancrum Oris and Allied Conditions.
PMID- 29012188
TI - An Efficient and Easily Constructed Drip-Regulator for Transfusions.
PMID- 29012187
TI - A Case of Datura Poisoning from External Application.
PMID- 29012189
TI - Regional Entero-Colitis (Crohn's Disease).
PMID- 29012190
TI - Dr. L. Everard Napier.
PMID- 29012191
TI - Ovarian Cyst in a Nulliparous Woman.
PMID- 29012192
TI - Hemeralopia.
PMID- 29012193
TI - Oro-Genital Syndrome in Avitaminosis : Effect of Treatment with B2 (Complex)
Vitamins.
PMID- 29012194
TI - Cases of Interest Seen at the Radiological Department of the Erskine Hospital,
Madura, during 1941 and 1942.
PMID- 29012195
TI - Malaria at Chandpur (Bengal).
PMID- 29012197
TI - X-Ray Tracing: A Substitute in Film Shortage.
PMID- 29012196
TI - Economy in Quinine.
PMID- 29012199
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012198
TI - Torticollis and Convulsions Apparently Due to Ascariasis.
PMID- 29012200
TI - Haemolytic Anaemia.
PMID- 29012202
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012203
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 278 in vol. 78.].
PMID- 29012201
TI - Psammoma of the Choroid Plexus in a Case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012204
TI - A Complement-Fixation Test for Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29012205
TI - Effect of Reduction of Surface Tension on Mosquito Papae.
PMID- 29012206
TI - Advertisements.
PMID- 29012207
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012208
TI - A Few Suggestions for Blood Bank Workers.
PMID- 29012209
TI - The Anterior Shoulder in Pregnancy and Labour : Its Practical Utility.
PMID- 29012210
TI - First-Aid Posts.
PMID- 29012212
TI - A Note on Vitamin B1 and Experimental Peptic Ulcer.
PMID- 29012211
TI - Death in War Time.
PMID- 29012213
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012214
TI - Treatment of Undulant Fever with Sulphanilamide.
PMID- 29012215
TI - Public Health Organization: VII. The Public Health Laboratory.
PMID- 29012216
TI - The Result of Amputation of a Limb for Filarial Lymphangitis and Elephantiasis.
PMID- 29012217
TI - Grading of Quinine Dosage to Body-Weight : Possible Economy.
PMID- 29012218
TI - A Case of Vesicular Mole with Live Birth.
PMID- 29012219
TI - Reporting a New Form of Rat-Bite Fever or Sodoku in Bombay (The Gummatoid Form).
PMID- 29012220
TI - Rupture of the Left Ventricle- Report of Two Cases.
PMID- 29012221
TI - Cataract in Untreated Cases of Diabetes Mellitus.
PMID- 29012222
TI - Amoebic Dysentery as a Water-Borne Disease.
PMID- 29012223
TI - A Study of Tetanus and Its Treatment with Magnesium Sulphate.
PMID- 29012224
TI - Syphilis and the Seriological Tests.
PMID- 29012225
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012226
TI - Variations in the Radiosensitivity of Cells and Their Therapeutical Significance.
PMID- 29012227
TI - Appendicitis: The Influence of Pathology on Symptoms and Treatment.
PMID- 29012228
TI - Recovery of Agar from Used Media.
PMID- 29012229
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012230
TI - A Study on Leptospirosis in Bombay City.
PMID- 29012231
TI - Pyrexia Due to Beetle Infection.
PMID- 29012232
TI - Death Following Neoarsphenamine Injection.
PMID- 29012233
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012234
TI - Giardiasis-A Definite Disease.
PMID- 29012235
TI - Knowledge of Sex.
PMID- 29012236
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012237
TI - Two Cases of Anthrax Treated with 'M.&B. 693'.
PMID- 29012238
TI - Pseudo-Tuberculosis of the Lungs with Eosinophilia: Contribution to Treatment.
PMID- 29012239
TI - A Case of Bronchogenic Carcinoma.
PMID- 29012240
TI - The Precipitin Test and the Production of Precipitating Sera.
PMID- 29012241
TI - A Design for a Plant for Drying Blood Plasma or Serum.
PMID- 29012242
TI - Studies on the Action of Different Brands of Atebrin in Human and Simian Malaria.
PMID- 29012243
TI - The Search for an Anti-Malarial Drug in the Indigenous Materia Medica: Part II
Caesalpinia Bonducella, Fleming.
PMID- 29012244
TI - Gas Gangrene.
PMID- 29012245
TI - Medical Planning Commission: Draft Interim Report.
PMID- 29012247
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012246
TI - An Epidemic of Small-Pox in the Kolar Gold Fields Area.
PMID- 29012248
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012249
TI - A Plea for a More Comprehensive Outlook on the Human Body.
PMID- 29012251
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012250
TI - A Note on Giardiasis with Steatorrhoea.
PMID- 29012252
TI - The Treatment of Taeniasis.
PMID- 29012254
TI - Pancreatic Cyst Treated by Primary Anastomosis to the Stomach.
PMID- 29012253
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012255
TI - A Case of Acute Monocytic Leukaemia.
PMID- 29012256
TI - The Socialization of Medicine.
PMID- 29012257
TI - Lethal Action of Potassium Permanganate on Vibrios.
PMID- 29012258
TI - The Occurrence of Oriental Sore in the Hyderabad State.
PMID- 29012260
TI - Treatment of Kala-Azar: The Present Position.
PMID- 29012259
TI - Some Possible New Lines of Treatment of Shock.
PMID- 29012261
TI - Developmental Anomaly of Sex-Organs: A Case Note.
PMID- 29012262
TI - Fractures and Dislocations of the Vertebrae, with a Report on Fifty Consecutive
Cases.
PMID- 29012263
TI - Peripheral Neuritis.
PMID- 29012264
TI - An Unusual Fracture.
PMID- 29012266
TI - Parenchymatous Keratitis Following Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Deficiency.
PMID- 29012265
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012267
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012268
TI - An Early Case of Pellagra.
PMID- 29012269
TI - Some Impressions of Public Health in India.
PMID- 29012270
TI - A Study of Invasiveness and Toxicity of Cholera, Para-Cholera and Saprophytic
Vibrios in Animals.
PMID- 29012272
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012271
TI - Recurring Pellagra Syndrome in a Myxoedematous Subject.
PMID- 29012273
TI - The Treatment of Kala-Azar with Diamidino-Di-Phenoxy-Pentane. Preliminary
Observations on the Treatment of 32 Cases.
PMID- 29012274
TI - The Administration of Sulphur through Drugs and Foods in the Course of
Sulphonamide Therapy.
PMID- 29012276
TI - Influence of Anti-Anaemic Treatment on the Gastric Function in Hookworm Disease.
PMID- 29012275
TI - Some Aspects of Tuberculous Infection in Saidapet.
PMID- 29012277
TI - Public Health Organization: VI. The Health of the School Child.
PMID- 29012279
TI - Coliform-Group Infections of the Urinary Tract: Their Clinical Types and
Incidence in Mysore.
PMID- 29012278
TI - Lord Lister and the Treatment of War Wounds.
PMID- 29012280
TI - A Modified Medium for Isolation of Dysentery, Enteric and Cholera Organisms.
PMID- 29012281
TI - Indian-Made Liver Extracts in the Treatment of Macrocytic Anaemia.
PMID- 29012282
TI - Treatment of Oriental Sore with Quinacrine.
PMID- 29012283
TI - Observations on Oxycephaly in a Family.
PMID- 29012284
TI - Peripheral Neuritis.
PMID- 29012285
TI - Agranulocytosis in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29012286
TI - Notes on the Control of Kala-Azar on Tea Estates.
PMID- 29012287
TI - Import and Supply of Medical Preparations.
PMID- 29012288
TI - Toxicology of Young Shoots of Common Bamboos (Bambusa Arundinacea Willd).
PMID- 29012289
TI - Malarial Urticaria-Two Case Reports.
PMID- 29012290
TI - Blockage of the Inferior Haemorrhoidal Nerve for Operation on Haemorrhoids.
PMID- 29012291
TI - Treatment of Naga Sore.
PMID- 29012292
TI - Quinine as a Malaria Prophylactic.
PMID- 29012293
TI - A Note on Occupational Dermatitis in the Jute Industry.
PMID- 29012294
TI - A Rotary Rack for Doing the Weil-Felix Reaction.
PMID- 29012295
TI - Acute Monocytic Leukaemia in Indians.
PMID- 29012296
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012297
TI - Tests with Mepacrine Hydrochloride, B.P. against Plasmodium Relictum.
PMID- 29012299
TI - Lung Abscess Associated with Thrombosis of Veins of Neck and Arm.
PMID- 29012298
TI - The Role of Hormones in Sex Disorders in the Male.
PMID- 29012300
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012301
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012302
TI - The Role of Vital Layer (or Schmutzdecke) in Slow Sand Bacteriological
Purification.
PMID- 29012304
TI - Erratum: A Preliminary Note on the Preparation of Seitz Filter Pads in the
Laboratory.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 235 in vol. 78.].
PMID- 29012303
TI - Hypersensitivity of the Carotid Sinus : Report of a Case Showing Signs of
Congestive Heart Failure.
PMID- 29012305
TI - Need of Industrial Medical Organization.
PMID- 29012306
TI - The Toxicity of Emetine.
PMID- 29012307
TI - A. Stephensi and Malaria in Calcutta.
PMID- 29012309
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012308
TI - The Clavicular Sign in Congenital Syphilis.
PMID- 29012310
TI - Reporting a Unique Respiration Rate of 119 per Minute and a Pulse-Respiration
Ratio of 0.96 : 1.0 in a Case of Broncho-Pneumonia.
PMID- 29012311
TI - Normal Haemoglobin Values of the Population of Bihar.
PMID- 29012312
TI - The Use and Abuse of Liquid Paraffin.
PMID- 29012313
TI - On the Cardiac Effects of Emetine.
PMID- 29012314
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012315
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012316
TI - Prevalent Types of Cholera Vibrio.
PMID- 29012317
TI - The Position of Pulses in a Diet Based Largely on Cereals.
PMID- 29012318
TI - Ectopic Gestation.
PMID- 29012319
TI - On the Writing of Medical Articles.
PMID- 29012320
TI - Madelung's Deformity : Typical and Reverse Type: With a Case Report.
PMID- 29012321
TI - Child Welfare Work: The Importance to the Doctor of First-Hand Knowledge of the
Child's Environment.
PMID- 29012322
TI - Iniencephaly : A Type of Foetal Monstrosity.
PMID- 29012323
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012325
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012324
TI - Pleural Effusion in Artificial Pneumothorax : Its Incidence in Cases Treated from
the Beginning in an Out-Patient Department.
PMID- 29012326
TI - The Tuberculosis Campaign in India : Where Must the Emphasis Be Placed?
PMID- 29012327
TI - Intestinal Tuberculosis : Its Diagnosis and Significance in the Treatment of
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012328
TI - Anti-Tuberculosis Work.
PMID- 29012329
TI - Tuberculosis Surveys in an Urban and a Rural Area in Bengal.
PMID- 29012330
TI - General Hospitals and Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012331
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012332
TI - The Technique of Thoracoscopy and Cauterization of Pleural Adhesions.
PMID- 29012333
TI - War and Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012334
TI - Stomach-Wash Examinations for Tubercle Bacilli: A Report of 500 Examinations.
PMID- 29012335
TI - Pleural Effusion in Pneumothorax Treatment: Statistical Survey.
PMID- 29012336
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012337
TI - The Open Case in Relation to the Control of Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012338
TI - A Symptomless Case of Renal Calculus in Both Kidneys.
PMID- 29012339
TI - Quinine Sulphate for Intramuscular Injections.
PMID- 29012341
TI - The Aldehyde Test.
PMID- 29012340
TI - The Treatment of Shock.
PMID- 29012342
TI - Erratum: Intestinal Tuberculosis: Its Diagnosis and Significance in the Treatment
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 505 in vol. 78.].
PMID- 29012343
TI - A Note on a New Strain of Actinomyces (Actinomyces Mucosus N. Sp. Basu) Obtained
by Blood Culture from a Case of Bronchial (?) Actinomycosis with Metastases.
PMID- 29012344
TI - Processing of Liquid Serum.
PMID- 29012346
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012345
TI - Eosinophil Lung.
PMID- 29012347
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012348
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012349
TI - Royal College of Surgeons of England.
PMID- 29012351
TI - The Use and Abuse of Liquid Paraffin.
PMID- 29012350
TI - Administering Drugs to Rodents by Mouth.
PMID- 29012352
TI - Does a Hookworm Toxin Exist?
PMID- 29012353
TI - A Case of Pseudo-Tuberculosis of the Lungs with Eosinophilia.
PMID- 29012354
TI - A Massive Aneurysm of the Innominate Artery. A Case with Fatal Termination from
Slow 'External Rupture'.
PMID- 29012355
TI - Some Observations on Brahmachari's Disease (Post-kala-Azar Infection of the Skin
with Leishmania Donovani).
PMID- 29012356
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012357
TI - Concerning the Wassermann Reaction.
PMID- 29012358
TI - Acute Aseptic Meningitis.
PMID- 29012359
TI - The Isolysins.
PMID- 29012360
TI - 'Androphilic' Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29012361
TI - Marked Eosinophilia with Lung Infiltration.
PMID- 29012363
TI - A Plea for Medical History Exhibitions in India.
PMID- 29012362
TI - Parkinsonian Manifestations Arising in a Parsee Family with 'Essential, Primary
or Familial Tremor'.
PMID- 29012364
TI - A Case of Tropical Eosinophilia?
PMID- 29012365
TI - A Study of 'Choleriform' Disease in the Typhoon Area of Contai.
PMID- 29012366
TI - Medical History Exhibition.
PMID- 29012367
TI - Chemotherapeutic Studies on Plasmodium Infection in Monkeys: No. V. Action of
Tebetren.
PMID- 29012368
TI - Amibiarson in the Treatment of Chronic Intestinal Amoebiasis.
PMID- 29012369
TI - Some Biochemical Observations on Asthma.
PMID- 29012371
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012372
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012370
TI - First Treatments in Medicine.
PMID- 29012373
TI - Ascaris Infection and the Bore-Hole Latrine.
PMID- 29012374
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012375
TI - The Passage of Hookworms after Treatment.
PMID- 29012376
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012377
TI - Constants of Mustard Oil.
PMID- 29012378
TI - The Immunological Problems of the Typhus Fever Group as Raised by a Sporadic Case
of Typhus (Vector Unknown) from Hamirpur in the Plains of India with a Note on
the History of Tick Typhus in India.
PMID- 29012379
TI - A Case of Hysterical Hiccough.
PMID- 29012380
TI - Study of the Cholera Vibrio: The Epidemic and Endemic Types of Cholera Vibrios.
PMID- 29012381
TI - A Case of Intestinal Obstruction Caused by Extra-Uterine Pregnancy.
PMID- 29012382
TI - A Case of Anophthalmos.
PMID- 29012383
TI - Congenital Hydronephrosis Due to an Abnormal Attachment of the Renal Fascia (Of
Gerota).
PMID- 29012384
TI - Tetrachlorethylene and Its Effect on Tapeworm.
PMID- 29012385
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012386
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012387
TI - Atebrin Musonate.
PMID- 29012388
TI - The Value of Phrenic Exairesis in the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012389
TI - Bernhardt's Syndrome.
PMID- 29012390
TI - The Incidence of Pneumococcal Types in Pneumonia in Assam.
PMID- 29012391
TI - Habitual Use of Barbituric Acid Derivatives in India.
PMID- 29012393
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012392
TI - The Reticulo-Endothelial System in Malarial Haemoglobinuria of Monkeys.
PMID- 29012394
TI - The Reticulo-Endothelial System in Malarial Haemoglobinuria of Monkeys: Part II
The Relation of Spleen to Haemoglobinuria.
PMID- 29012395
TI - A Case of Calcinosis.
PMID- 29012396
TI - Preliminary Observations on a New Soluble Atebrin Compound.
PMID- 29012397
TI - Cure of Filariasis.
PMID- 29012399
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012398
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Cultivation of Vaccinia Virus on the Chorio-Allantoic
Membrane of Chick Embryo.
PMID- 29012401
TI - A Case of Macrodactyly.
PMID- 29012400
TI - A Hygienic Method of Composting Refuse with Night-Soil.
PMID- 29012402
TI - Tonsillectomy by a Combination of Dissection and Guillotine Operation.
PMID- 29012403
TI - Erratum: Drug Addiction in India and Its Treatment.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 121 in vol. 70.].
PMID- 29012404
TI - Calcutta Medical College: 1835-1935.
PMID- 29012405
TI - A Note on Yellow Discoloration in Atebrin Therapy.
PMID- 29012406
TI - Latent Syphilis and False-Positive Wassermann Reaction in the Tropics.
PMID- 29012407
TI - B. Coli Infection Successfully Treated with M.&B. 693.
PMID- 29012408
TI - The Preparation of Liquid Serum for Transfusion Purposes.
PMID- 29012409
TI - The Treatment of War Injuries of the Eye.
PMID- 29012410
TI - A Preliminary Study of the Rideal-Walker Coefficient Values of Certain Indigenous
Essential Oils.
PMID- 29012412
TI - Trans-Grafting Operation for Trichiasis and Entropion of the Upper Lid.
PMID- 29012411
TI - Intercostal Herpes Zoster Treated with Diphtheria Anti-Toxic Serum.
PMID- 29012413
TI - Case of Pityriasis Rosea Showing Enlargement of the Supratrochlear Lymphatic
Glands.
PMID- 29012414
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012415
TI - Clinical Notes on Six Cases of Pneumonia Treated in Tibet at Altitudes Varying
from 9,000 to 13,000 Feet, with M.&B. 693.
PMID- 29012416
TI - Minor Drug Habits of India.
PMID- 29012417
TI - Health Survey of Punjabi Boys: Skeletal System, Lymphatic Organs and Circulation.
PMID- 29012420
TI - Trichinelliasis.
PMID- 29012419
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012418
TI - A Study of Registration of Birth and Its Utilization for Public Health
Administration in Maternity and Child Welfare.
PMID- 29012421
TI - A Record of Trichinella Spiralis (Owen, 1835) in India.
PMID- 29012422
TI - The Effect of Stocking Ricefields with Sullage on Anopheline Breeding at Khurda
Road.
PMID- 29012424
TI - Weil's Disease with Special Reference to Its Diagnosis and Treatment.
PMID- 29012423
TI - A New Type of Drip Regulator for Intravenous Transfusion Work.
PMID- 29012425
TI - Alcoholic Beverages in India: Part I.
PMID- 29012427
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012426
TI - AEtiology of Glaucoma, Its Various Methods of Treatment and Their Merits.
PMID- 29012429
TI - Health of the Industrial Worker.
PMID- 29012428
TI - Pellagra in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29012430
TI - Siamese Twins.
PMID- 29012431
TI - Sulphonamides in Topical Application.
PMID- 29012432
TI - Simmonds' Disease.
PMID- 29012433
TI - The Preparation and Uses of Celluloid Splints.
PMID- 29012435
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012434
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012436
TI - Notes on Human Lice.
PMID- 29012437
TI - Continuous Eructations Treated by Emetine Hydrochloride.
PMID- 29012438
TI - Enteric Tympanites Simulating Acute Intestinal Obstruction.
PMID- 29012439
TI - A Liver Abscess Bursting into the Peritoneal Cavity with Signs of Intestinal
Obstruction.
PMID- 29012441
TI - Erratum: Infantile Beri-Beri.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 97 in vol. 77.].
PMID- 29012440
TI - A Malario-Economic Survey in Rural South India.
PMID- 29012442
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012443
TI - Magnesium Sulphate Powder in the Treatment of Wounds and Ulcers.
PMID- 29012444
TI - Persistence of Diarrhoea in Enteric Fever.
PMID- 29012445
TI - Suppuration of the Middle Ear Treated with Urea Solution.
PMID- 29012446
TI - Blood and Plasma Transfusion.
PMID- 29012447
TI - A Case of Mild Hypopituitarism.
PMID- 29012448
TI - A Note on Eve's Halometer.
PMID- 29012449
TI - Note on 'Tropical Ulcer' in Coorg.
PMID- 29012450
TI - The Assessment of Vitamin Nutrition.
PMID- 29012451
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012452
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012453
TI - Imperforate External Urinary Meatus in a New-Born Child.
PMID- 29012454
TI - Mouse Protection Test as a Method of Diagnosis of Weil's Disease-A Contradiction.
PMID- 29012455
TI - Surgical Complications of Filariasis.
PMID- 29012456
TI - The Potential Danger of Anopheles Leucosphyrus in Assam.
PMID- 29012457
TI - A Brief Review of One Hundred and Thirty-Three Consecutive Cases of Quinsy
Treated by Immediate Tonsillectomy.
PMID- 29012458
TI - Nylon.
PMID- 29012459
TI - Pellagra in Bilaspur State.
PMID- 29012461
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012460
TI - A Case of Air Embolism as a Result of Puncturing the Lung.
PMID- 29012463
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012462
TI - Can the Deterioration of Ergot Extracts Be Prevented in the Tropics?
PMID- 29012464
TI - The Pathological Heart Conditions in Hookworm Disease and Their Causes.
PMID- 29012465
TI - The Leprosy Problem.
PMID- 29012466
TI - Lung Abscess.
PMID- 29012467
TI - Treatment of Cholera with Pyrogen-Free Saline.
PMID- 29012468
TI - A Simple Method of Counting Hookworm Eggs in Faeces.
PMID- 29012470
TI - Congenital Cystic Bronchiectasis.
PMID- 29012469
TI - A Strangulated Paraduodenal Hernia.
PMID- 29012471
TI - Measurement of Radiant Energy in Light Therapy.
PMID- 29012472
TI - The Applications of the Vitamin-C Test for Ovulation in the Diagnosis of Hormonal
Disorders.
PMID- 29012474
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012473
TI - Alcoholic Beverages in India: Part II.
PMID- 29012476
TI - Public Health Organization : I. Introduction.
PMID- 29012475
TI - Pellagra in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29012477
TI - The Anti-Pellagra Factor.
PMID- 29012478
TI - Boils and Carbuncles: Their Treatment by X-Rays.
PMID- 29012479
TI - Toxic Effect of Sulphapyridine on the Liver : A Case Report.
PMID- 29012480
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012481
TI - Liver Extract and Sulphonamides in Smallpox.
PMID- 29012482
TI - Gastric Acidity in Chronic Ulcerative Colitis.
PMID- 29012483
TI - Plagiarism.
PMID- 29012484
TI - Gangrenous Stomatitis Treated with M&B 693.
PMID- 29012485
TI - Uses of Testosterone Propionate: A Review Together with Short Reports on Its Use
in Senile Pruritus and Senile Arthritis in Males.
PMID- 29012486
TI - A Case of Post Eclampsia.
PMID- 29012488
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012487
TI - Treatment of Chronic Intestinal Amoebiasis: Use and Abuse of Emetine.
PMID- 29012489
TI - Infantile Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29012490
TI - Minor Drug Habits of India: Part II.
PMID- 29012491
TI - The Role of Protozoa in the Activated Sludge Process.
PMID- 29012492
TI - A Peculiar Neurological Sequel to Administration of 4: 4'-Diamidino-Diphenyl
Ethylene (M.&B. 744).
PMID- 29012493
TI - Chemotherapy in Bacillary Dysentery.
PMID- 29012494
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012495
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012496
TI - Health Leagues in Indian Villages.
PMID- 29012497
TI - Sulfanilamide in Ascites. Under What Conditions May This Drug Act as a Diuretic?
PMID- 29012498
TI - Intussusception Caused by Amoebic Dysentery.
PMID- 29012499
TI - Intrapartum Uterine Rupture.
PMID- 29012501
TI - Trichlorethylene.
PMID- 29012500
TI - Typhus Fever in Burma: With Record of Three Cases.
PMID- 29012502
TI - Knowledge of Sex.
PMID- 29012503
TI - Alcoholic Beverages in India: Part III.
PMID- 29012504
TI - A Case of Giardiasis.
PMID- 29012505
TI - A Case of Menstruation through the Umbilicus as Well as per Vaginam.
PMID- 29012506
TI - A Plea for Reasonable Atavism in the Treatment of Fractures.
PMID- 29012507
TI - Further Experiences on Endemic Typhus in Mysore.
PMID- 29012509
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012508
TI - The Treatment of Kala-Azar by Diamidino Stilbene : Analysis of 101 Cases.
PMID- 29012510
TI - Amoebiasis Sine Dysentery.
PMID- 29012512
TI - A Case of Pulmonary Myiasis?
PMID- 29012511
TI - Examination of Cholera Vomit.
PMID- 29012513
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012514
TI - A Case of Tetanus.
PMID- 29012515
TI - The Assessment of Vitamin Nutrition.
PMID- 29012517
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012516
TI - Chemotherapy in Bacillary Dysentery.
PMID- 29012518
TI - Transposition of Heart and Viscera.
PMID- 29012519
TI - Determination of the Age in Bengali Girls in Medico-Legal Cases-Some Practical
Difficulties. The Role of X-Ray Examinations of Bones.
PMID- 29012520
TI - The Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis.
PMID- 29012521
TI - Local Chemotherapy of Wounds.
PMID- 29012522
TI - The Health Status of a Bengal Village: All-India Institute of Hygiene and Public
Health Students' Survey.
PMID- 29012523
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012524
TI - Prolapse of Rectum Caused by Vesical Calculus.
PMID- 29012525
TI - Proteolytic System in Normal and Various Pathological Conditions.
PMID- 29012526
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012527
TI - Tetrachlorethylene as an Anthelmintic for Tapeworm.
PMID- 29012528
TI - Tuberculosis of the Heart: Simulating a Neoplasm.
PMID- 29012529
TI - Report of a Case and an Analysis of Twenty-Two Cases of BronchoGenic Carcinomata.
PMID- 29012530
TI - Bacillary Dysentery and M.&B. 693 (Sulphapyridine).
PMID- 29012531
TI - Osteopoikilosis with Disseminated Lenticular Dermatofibrosis: With the Report of
a Case.
PMID- 29012532
TI - Influence of Anti-Anaemic Treatment on the Gastric Function in Hookworm Disease.
PMID- 29012533
TI - In Vivo Action of Some Substances on the Proteolytic System in Blood.
PMID- 29012535
TI - New Emergency Commissions for Service in India Only.
PMID- 29012534
TI - Meningitis-Six Case Reports.
PMID- 29012536
TI - A Carbuncle Treated with Heat and Chemotherapy.
PMID- 29012538
TI - Rural Sanitation-A Key to Success.
PMID- 29012537
TI - Hepatoma (Primary Liver-Celled Carcinoma).
PMID- 29012540
TI - Shock.
PMID- 29012539
TI - A Short Note on the Methods of Water-Proofing Calico or Other Cotton Fabrics.
PMID- 29012541
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012542
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012543
TI - Five-Year Salvage of Carcinoma Cervix Cases Treated by Radical Vaginal Operation.
PMID- 29012544
TI - Pneumonitis.
PMID- 29012546
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012545
TI - Urticaria Due to Malarial Infection.
PMID- 29012547
TI - A Note on the Work of Dr. P. L. Simond on the Transmission and Epidemiology of
Plague.
PMID- 29012549
TI - Annual Public Health Report of the Province of Assam for the Year 1940.
PMID- 29012548
TI - Peculiar Serological Behaviour of a Strain of Leptospira Canicola.
PMID- 29012550
TI - A Comparative Study of the Capsular Reaction and the Agglutination Test in the
Typing of Pneumococcus.
PMID- 29012551
TI - An Analysis of 356 Cases of Enteric Fever Treated in the King Edward Memorial
Hospital, Secunderabad, Deccan.
PMID- 29012552
TI - A Case of Rupture of Uterus Due to Hydrocephalus.
PMID- 29012554
TI - Blood Pressure in the Tropics.
PMID- 29012553
TI - Physical Efficiency Test of Schneider on Bombay Medical Students: Part I.
PMID- 29012555
TI - A Case of Traumatic Appendicitis.
PMID- 29012557
TI - Further Observations on the Mottled Enamel in Nagercoil.
PMID- 29012558
TI - Observations on Some Immunological Aspects of Leptospira Icterohaemorrhagiae:
Part III Development of Active Immunity in Man Following the Injection of
Leptospira Vaccine.
PMID- 29012556
TI - A Hydatid Cyst of the Spleen.
PMID- 29012559
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012560
TI - A Note on 'S. V. Chest Brace'.
PMID- 29012561
TI - A Study of the Normal Blood Pressure in Indians.
PMID- 29012562
TI - A Very Large Ovarian Tumour.
PMID- 29012563
TI - Erratum: Haematological Technique.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 742 in vol. 76.].
PMID- 29012564
TI - Treatment of Smallpox with an Antigen-Antibody Mixture.
PMID- 29012565
TI - Superficial Keratitis Due to Riboflavin Deficiency.
PMID- 29012566
TI - Minor Drug Habits of India.
PMID- 29012567
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012569
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012568
TI - Sterilization of Snake Venom Preparations.
PMID- 29012570
TI - Lung Syphilis.
PMID- 29012571
TI - Achlorhydria and Anaemia: An Analysis of 79 Cases.
PMID- 29012572
TI - A Case of Hymen Imperforata.
PMID- 29012573
TI - Pasteurella Pseudotuberculosis 'Swarming Colonies'.
PMID- 29012574
TI - Tinea Imbricata in India.
PMID- 29012576
TI - Scurvy in the Famine Areas of Hissar District, Punjab.
PMID- 29012575
TI - A Case of Acute Haemorrhagic Pancreatitis.
PMID- 29012577
TI - A Note on Eucodal Habit in India.
PMID- 29012579
TI - The Village Dai and the Rural Health Programme.
PMID- 29012578
TI - Causes of Absence in College-Students.
PMID- 29012581
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012580
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012582
TI - Further Experience of the Treatment of Superficial Keratitis with Riboflavin.
PMID- 29012583
TI - A Case of Acute Bachillary Dysentery Treated with M.&B. 693.
PMID- 29012584
TI - Further Work on Pyrethrum in the Treatment of Pediculosis.
PMID- 29012585
TI - A Modified Method of Reticulocyte Count.
PMID- 29012586
TI - Enteric Fever in Calcutta.
PMID- 29012587
TI - Indiscriminate Drug Therapy: A Plea for War-Time Drug Economy.
PMID- 29012588
TI - Leprosy Institutions in India.
PMID- 29012589
TI - Pellagra in the United Provinces.
PMID- 29012590
TI - Public Health Organization: II. Organization of a Maternal and Child Health
Department.
PMID- 29012591
TI - Giardiasis-Two Case Reports.
PMID- 29012592
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012594
TI - Filters and Filtration: With Special Reference to the Filtration of Blood Plasma
and Serum for Transfusion Purposes.
PMID- 29012593
TI - The Transmission of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29012595
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012596
TI - A Water Emulsion of Pyrethrum Extract for Spray-Killing Adult Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29012597
TI - Bacillary Dysentery Treated with M.&.B. 693: A Case Report.
PMID- 29012598
TI - A Case of Giardiasis.
PMID- 29012599
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012600
TI - The Gall-Bladder and Its Veins.
PMID- 29012601
TI - Cholesterol and Anaemia.
PMID- 29012602
TI - Quinacrine in the Eradication of Giardia Lamblia Infection.
PMID- 29012603
TI - A Plea for Smaller Dosage of Sulphapyridine in the Treatment of Pneumonia.
PMID- 29012604
TI - Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration in the Arabian Desert.
PMID- 29012606
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012605
TI - Suicide: Its Causes and Prevention.
PMID- 29012608
TI - Glaucoma and Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29012607
TI - On the Mode of Action of Atebrin on Plasmodium Knowlesi-A Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29012609
TI - Four Cases of Dust-Sensitive Asthma.
PMID- 29012610
TI - The Technique of Tonsil Enucleation.
PMID- 29012611
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012613
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012612
TI - The Incubation Period of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29012614
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012615
TI - Medical Publications in India.
PMID- 29012616
TI - The Utility of Antiseptics and Coagulants in Composting Habitation Wastes.
PMID- 29012617
TI - Amoebiasis and Appendicitis.
PMID- 29012618
TI - The Species Control of Anophe Lines in India.
PMID- 29012620
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012619
TI - An Extreme Case of Tissue Absorption Caused by a Naevus.
PMID- 29012621
TI - Types of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Found in Different Communities, with Some
Observations Made in Northern India.
PMID- 29012623
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012622
TI - Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Intestinal Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012625
TI - Bilateral Thoracoplasty: Report on 10 Patients Treated in the Wanless
Tuberculosis Sanatorium.
PMID- 29012624
TI - Control of Tuberculosis in Cities through Organized Health Chawls.
PMID- 29012626
TI - Sulphanilamide Packing in the Treatment of Compound Fracture.
PMID- 29012627
TI - After-Histories of Tuberculous Patients.
PMID- 29012629
TI - Anti-Tuberculosis Work in India.
PMID- 29012628
TI - Some Observations Arising from Tuberculosis Work in the Tuberculosis Clinic,
Nagpur.
PMID- 29012630
TI - An Investigation into the Types of Tubercle Bacilli Causing Extra-Pulmonary
Tuberculous Lesions in the Punjab.
PMID- 29012631
TI - P. A. Maplestone.
PMID- 29012632
TI - A Case of Imperforate Hymen.
PMID- 29012633
TI - Extra-Pleural Pneumothorax Pockets with Sinuses.
PMID- 29012634
TI - A Note on a Tuberculin Survey in Sialkot Town.
PMID- 29012635
TI - Thoracoplasty in the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: An Analysis of 150
Cases.
PMID- 29012636
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012637
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012638
TI - Thoracoplasty.
PMID- 29012640
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012639
TI - Behaviour of the Contralateral Lung in Ambulatory Cases under Unilateral
Pneumothorax Treatment: A Record of 500 Cases.
PMID- 29012641
TI - An Enquiry into an Outbreak of Cholera in Burma with Special Reference to the
Value of Preventive Inoculation.
PMID- 29012642
TI - Regional Variations of Leprosy with Special Reference to Tuberculoid Leprosy in
India.
PMID- 29012643
TI - The Clinical Value of Intramuscular Quinine in Fever during the Puerperium in
Tropical and Subtropical Countries.
PMID- 29012644
TI - An Unusual Case of Suicidal Stabbing.
PMID- 29012645
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012646
TI - A Case of Paraplegia and Hydrophobia Following a Full Course of Anti-Rabic
Treatment.
PMID- 29012647
TI - Facial Cellulitis: A Study of 55 Cases; from February 1932 to August 1936.
PMID- 29012648
TI - A Tumour in Which Both Sarcomatous and Carcinomatous Characteristics Are Present.
PMID- 29012649
TI - Erratum: An Abdominal Pregnancy Developing to Full Term.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 590 in vol. 71.].
PMID- 29012650
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012651
TI - Intramuscular Quinine.
PMID- 29012652
TI - Late Reactions after Anti-Cholera Inoculation.
PMID- 29012654
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012653
TI - Drug Addiction in India and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29012655
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012657
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Dislocation of Hip Joint Following Typhoid Arthritis.
PMID- 29012656
TI - The Functions of a Central Maternal and Child Health Department.
PMID- 29012658
TI - Constriction of the Ureter.
PMID- 29012659
TI - A Case of Mitral Stenosis with Apparent Bundle Branch Block, Short P-R Intervals
and Attacks of Paroxysmal Tachycardia: The Wolff, Parkinson and White Syndrome.
PMID- 29012660
TI - Section I Conditions in Trengganu.
PMID- 29012661
TI - Preventive Paediatrics: An Account of Health Work in Trengganu, Malaya.
PMID- 29012662
TI - Spirillum Minus Infection Acquired from an Indian Squirrel (Sciurus SP.).
PMID- 29012663
TI - The Role of Methaemoglobin on the Leptomonad Phase of Leishmania Tropica, with
Special Reference to Its Reversion into Leishmania Forms in Culture.
PMID- 29012664
TI - Retention of Urine in a New-Born.
PMID- 29012665
TI - The Role of Bacillus Faecalis Alcaligenes as a Pathogen in Cystitis of Urinary
Bladder.
PMID- 29012668
TI - Translucent Areas in the Lung Field.
PMID- 29012667
TI - Paratyphoid Infections in India.
PMID- 29012666
TI - Sulphapyridine in the Treatment of Tetanus.
PMID- 29012670
TI - The Kidney in Malaria.
PMID- 29012669
TI - Diagnosis and Pathology of Trachoma in India.
PMID- 29012671
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012672
TI - A Ten-Day Fever Simulating Typhoid.
PMID- 29012673
TI - Quinine Diuresis in Malarial Conditions.
PMID- 29012674
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012675
TI - Public Health Organization: III. Public Health and Nutrition.
PMID- 29012676
TI - Repeated Respiratory Failure in a New-Born Baby.
PMID- 29012677
TI - Composting: A Public Health Problem.
PMID- 29012678
TI - A Few Unusual Cases of Poisoning.
PMID- 29012679
TI - Public Health Organization: IV. Public Health Engineering.
PMID- 29012681
TI - Comments on the History of Leprosy.
PMID- 29012680
TI - On Pulmo-Circulatory Dysfunction in Lung Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29012682
TI - A Case of Tetanus Simulating Acute Abdomen.
PMID- 29012683
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012684
TI - Treatment of Malaria in the Present Emergency.
PMID- 29012686
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012685
TI - Riboflavin and Its Role in Nutrition.
PMID- 29012687
TI - On Soluble Sulphanilamide Derivatives: Part I Toxicity and Absorption.
PMID- 29012688
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012689
TI - A Note on Paranitraniline Poisoning.
PMID- 29012691
TI - The 'Austerity' Course of Quinine and the Present Shortage of Antimalarial Drugs.
PMID- 29012690
TI - A Case of Gas Gangrene.
PMID- 29012692
TI - Intravenous Anaesthesia with Special Reference to the Use of the Barbiturates.
PMID- 29012693
TI - Note on Economy in the Use of Anti-Malarial Drugs.
PMID- 29012694
TI - Circulation in Fibro-Sarcomas.
PMID- 29012695
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012697
TI - Preventive Paediatrics: An Account of Health Work in Trengganu, Malaya: The
Scheme for Health Work.
PMID- 29012696
TI - An Investigation into the Incidence and Type of Tuberculous Infection in Cattle
at Amritsar with Special Reference to Human Infections.
PMID- 29012698
TI - The Control of Anopheles Minimus by 'Shade' and Related Methods.
PMID- 29012699
TI - Partial Degeneration of the Optic Nerve Associated with Vitamin Deficiency.
PMID- 29012701
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012700
TI - Spontaneous Bursting of a Stone in Urethra.
PMID- 29012702
TI - Nutrition and Public Health.
PMID- 29012703
TI - An Unusual Case of Cancrum Oris.
PMID- 29012704
TI - A Case of Ascites Treated by Autoserotherapy.
PMID- 29012706
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012705
TI - Treatment of Multiple Warts.
PMID- 29012707
TI - Two Cases of Caisson Sickness Presenting 'Aphasia' as One of the Chief Symptoms.
PMID- 29012709
TI - A Case of Asthma Treated with Oleo-Sanocrysin.
PMID- 29012708
TI - Tuberculosis of the Mammary Gland.
PMID- 29012710
TI - A Case of Eclampsia in Twin Pregnancy.
PMID- 29012711
TI - Difficulties in the Bacteriological Diagnosis of Cholera Vibrios.
PMID- 29012712
TI - The Disorders of Digestion: The Commoner Digestive Disorders of Children in
India.
PMID- 29012713
TI - Correction.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 503 in vol. 70.].
PMID- 29012715
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012714
TI - Nasal Conditioning.
PMID- 29012717
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012716
TI - A Case of Aconite Poisoning Treated by Hypertonic Saline by the Intravenous
Route.
PMID- 29012718
TI - A Case of Pellagra.
PMID- 29012719
TI - Removal of a Large Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29012720
TI - A Foreign Body in the Hand.
PMID- 29012722
TI - A Case of Haematocolpos.
PMID- 29012721
TI - The Use of Stramonium for the Rigidity and Drowsiness Following Encephalitis
Lethargica.
PMID- 29012723
TI - Cysts of the Spleen: Report of a Case.
PMID- 29012725
TI - A Case of Malaria with Acute Mania.
PMID- 29012724
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012726
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012727
TI - Intra-Uterine Malarial Infection.
PMID- 29012728
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012730
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012729
TI - Mental Derangement in Malaria Cases Treated by Atebrin-Musonate Injections.
PMID- 29012732
TI - Paul Ehrlich and the Salvarsan Silver Jubilee.
PMID- 29012731
TI - Some of the Major Complications in the Treatment of Syphilis.
PMID- 29012734
TI - Malaria, Atebrin, and Mental Disturbances.
PMID- 29012733
TI - Drug Adulteration and Spurious Drugs in India.
PMID- 29012735
TI - The Treatment of Lobar Pneumonia with Intravenous Injections of Alcohol.
PMID- 29012736
TI - The Etherington-Wilson Technique of Intrathecal Nerve-Root Block.
PMID- 29012738
TI - The Scope of an Assam Tea Garden Laboratory.
PMID- 29012737
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29012739
TI - Hydatid Cyst in the Broad Ligament.
PMID- 29012740
TI - Atebrin Treatment in Malaria.
PMID- 29012741
TI - The Combined System of Soil, Water and Ventilation Pipes.
PMID- 29012742
TI - Conservative Surgery in Malignant Disease.
PMID- 29012743
TI - Cutaneous Manifestations of Epidemic Dropsy: Part II A Histopathological Study.
PMID- 29012744
TI - A Note on the Use of Saccharin as a Sweetening Agent from the Point of View of
Public Health.
PMID- 29012745
TI - Liver Extract in Epidemic Dropsy: A Suggestion.
PMID- 29012746
TI - The Incidence of Cerebro-Spinal Fever in the Borstal Institution and Central
Jail, Lahore, during 1934, with a Note on the Use of Anti-Meningococcus
Prophylactic Vaccine.
PMID- 29012747
TI - Abstract from Report.
PMID- 29012748
TI - Observations on Epidemic Dropsy Cases Admitted into the Tropical Diseases
Hospital from 1922 to 1933.
PMID- 29012749
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012751
TI - Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29012750
TI - A Preliminary Report on an Epidemic Dropsy Outbreak in Purulia.
PMID- 29012752
TI - On the Estimation of Minute Quantities of Atebrin in the Blood.
PMID- 29012753
TI - A Case of Psoas Abscess Treated with Injections of Milk.
PMID- 29012754
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Subarachnoid Haemorrhage in an Old Man.
PMID- 29012755
TI - Pathology of Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29012756
TI - A Short Account of Ten Cases of Eclampsia Treated by Intravenous Injections of
Magnesium Sulphate.
PMID- 29012757
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012759
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012758
TI - An Intractable Ulcer on the Scalp.
PMID- 29012760
TI - Clinical Evidence of Rheumatic Fever in the Punjab.
PMID- 29012761
TI - Unusual Identification of Explosive.
PMID- 29012762
TI - A Case of Septicaemic Plague Simulating Pernicious Malaria.
PMID- 29012763
TI - Cutaneous Manifestations of Epidemic Dropsy: Part I A Clinical Study.
PMID- 29012764
TI - A Case of Cysticercosis.
PMID- 29012765
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29012767
TI - The Ocular Complications of Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29012766
TI - Intramuscular versus Intravenous Quinine.
PMID- 29012769
TI - Cinchona Policy.
PMID- 29012768
TI - An Unusual Site for a Hydatid Cyst.
PMID- 29012770
TI - Evipan-Sodium.
PMID- 29012771
TI - Religion and Disease.
PMID- 29012772
TI - A Case of Revealed Accidental Haemorrhage.
PMID- 29012773
TI - A Case of Dysentery Caused by Balantidium Coli.
PMID- 29012775
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012774
TI - The Dyspepsias of Southern India.
PMID- 29012776
TI - Hill Malaria.
PMID- 29012778
TI - A Clinical Case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Complete Recovery Following
Pneumothorax Treatment Even in a Case with Cavitation.
PMID- 29012777
TI - Treatment of Neuritis with Vaccineurin.
PMID- 29012779
TI - Ringworm of the Scalp in India.
PMID- 29012780
TI - Nerve and Cord Degeneration Referable to Vitamin-A Deficiency.
PMID- 29012781
TI - A Case of Minor Epilepsy (Petit mal) Due to Cerebral Trauma.
PMID- 29012782
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012783
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012784
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012786
TI - Some Unusual Acute Abdominal Conditions.
PMID- 29012785
TI - Some Observations on Dermal Leishmaniasis.
PMID- 29012787
TI - A Case of Infantile Scurvy.
PMID- 29012788
TI - A Case of Hydrophobia with the Longest Incubation Period on Record.
PMID- 29012789
TI - The Rate of Development of Hookworm Eggs.
PMID- 29012790
TI - Teeth at Birth.
PMID- 29012791
TI - A Case of Sarcoma of the Thigh.
PMID- 29012792
TI - Basal Metabolism of Indians in Health and Disease: Its Clinical Significance.
PMID- 29012793
TI - Lumbar Sympathectomy in the Treatment of Circulatory Diseases.
PMID- 29012795
TI - The Toxicity of Atebrin.
PMID- 29012794
TI - Diphtheritic Conjunctivitis: A Report of Two Cases.
PMID- 29012797
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012796
TI - Observations on Spinal Novocaine Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29012798
TI - A Fatal Case of Bronchial Asthma.
PMID- 29012800
TI - A Case of Abscess of the Spleen in Malaria.
PMID- 29012799
TI - A Simple Fly Trap.
PMID- 29012801
TI - Some Observations on the Toxicity of Synthetic Anti-Malarial Remedies.
PMID- 29012802
TI - Atebrin in the Treatment of Malaria in Railway Employees.
PMID- 29012803
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012804
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012806
TI - Delirium after Quinine Administration.
PMID- 29012805
TI - A Case of Recurrent Vitreous Haemorrhages.
PMID- 29012807
TI - Passive Collapse of Lung Due to Spontaneous Pneumothorax.
PMID- 29012808
TI - Treatment of Acute Bacillary Dysentery with Anti-Dysenteric Serum and
Bacteriophage.
PMID- 29012809
TI - A Large Ovarian Cyst.
PMID- 29012810
TI - Familial Periodic Paralysis.
PMID- 29012811
TI - Notes on an Experiment on the Prophylactic and Curative Value of Atebrin and
Plasmochin Therapy in a Tea Garden in Assam.
PMID- 29012812
TI - Entire Absence of the Uterus.
PMID- 29012813
TI - The Royal Medico-Psychological Association's Classification of Mental Disorders.
PMID- 29012814
TI - Peri-Anal Ulceration Complicating Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29012815
TI - Intramuscular versus Intravenous Quinine.
PMID- 29012816
TI - A Case of Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29012817
TI - The Influence of Fresh Bile on Guinea-Worm Larvae Encysted in Cyclops: A
Preliminary Report.
PMID- 29012818
TI - The Inspectional Value of Phrynoderma and 'Sore Mouth'.
PMID- 29012819
TI - A Case of Surgical Emphysema.
PMID- 29012820
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012821
TI - Thrombo-Angiitis Obliterans.
PMID- 29012822
TI - A Simple Method of Bug Destruction.
PMID- 29012824
TI - A Case of Severe Bleeding after Tooth Extraction.
PMID- 29012823
TI - Clinical Evidence of Rheumatic Fever in the Punjab.
PMID- 29012825
TI - Conservative Surgery in Malignant Disease.
PMID- 29012826
TI - Intramuscular versus Intravenous Quinine.
PMID- 29012827
TI - The Surgery of the Ruptured Spleen.
PMID- 29012828
TI - Treatment of Psoriasis.
PMID- 29012829
TI - Viper Snake Bite: Treatment and Recovery.
PMID- 29012831
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012830
TI - A Note on an Epidemic of Cerebrospinal Fever in a Closed Community.
PMID- 29012833
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012832
TI - Clinical Observations on Cerebrospinal Meningitis in Indore.
PMID- 29012834
TI - Epidemiology of Leprosy.
PMID- 29012835
TI - Splenic Anaemia and Treatment by Splenectomy.
PMID- 29012836
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012837
TI - A Plea for the Use of Concentrated Saline in Cholera.
PMID- 29012838
TI - A Case of Malignant Tumour.
PMID- 29012839
TI - The Transmission of Kala-Azar in India.
PMID- 29012840
TI - British Spas.
PMID- 29012841
TI - A Case of Guinea-Worm Infection.
PMID- 29012842
TI - A Simple Technique for the Detection of Small Traces of Chloroform in Vaccine
Lymph.
PMID- 29012844
TI - A Case of Melanoma of Rectum.
PMID- 29012843
TI - Splenectomy for Tropical Splenomegaly.
PMID- 29012845
TI - Epidemic Measles in Assam.
PMID- 29012846
TI - A Simple Method of Bug Destruction.
PMID- 29012847
TI - Nephrosis: Its Nature and Incidence in Indians.
PMID- 29012848
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012849
TI - A Case of Triplet Pregnancy.
PMID- 29012850
TI - An Unusually Large Horny Growth.
PMID- 29012851
TI - Distribution of Simple Goitre in Derbyshire.
PMID- 29012852
TI - Drug Addiction in India and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29012853
TI - Duration and Degree of Immunity against Smallpox Conferred by Infantile
Vaccination.
PMID- 29012855
TI - Conservative Surgery in Malignant Disease.
PMID- 29012854
TI - A Case of Myelocytic Leukaemia with Complications.
PMID- 29012856
TI - A Case of Pellagra.
PMID- 29012857
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012858
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012860
TI - The Development of Ophthalmology in Bengal.
PMID- 29012859
TI - Some Observations on Dysentery and Diarrhoea at Darjeeling.
PMID- 29012861
TI - Drug Addiction in India.
PMID- 29012863
TI - A Case of Calculus Formation in the Preputial Sac.
PMID- 29012862
TI - Foetus Papyraceus.
PMID- 29012864
TI - An Unusual Case of Jaundice Associated with Hodgkin's Disease.
PMID- 29012866
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012867
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012865
TI - A Case of Encephalitis Periaxialis: Schilder's Syndrome.
PMID- 29012869
TI - Fumigation and Trapping of Mosquitoes.
PMID- 29012868
TI - Some Observations on the Lactose-Fermenting Organisms Encountered in the
Bacteriological Analysis of Water in the Tropics.
PMID- 29012870
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012871
TI - A Peculiar Case of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula.
PMID- 29012872
TI - The Effect of the Use of Living or Dead Suspensions of Vibrios on the
Agglutination Titre.
PMID- 29012874
TI - The Tuberculosis Problem in India.
PMID- 29012873
TI - The New Synthetic Drugs.
PMID- 29012875
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012876
TI - Erratum: A Fatal Case of Bronchial Asthma.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 29 in vol. 70.].
PMID- 29012877
TI - A Case of Polycystic Disease of the Kidneys.
PMID- 29012878
TI - The Venereal Origin of Granuloma Inguinale.
PMID- 29012880
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012879
TI - Acute Empyema in Childhood.
PMID- 29012881
TI - A Case of a Fibromyoma of the Vaginal Wall?
PMID- 29012882
TI - Observations on the Vitamin-A Value of Halibut-Liver Oil.
PMID- 29012883
TI - A Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29012884
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012885
TI - A Large Ovarian Cyst in a Young Girl.
PMID- 29012886
TI - On the Relationship between the Quinine Concentration in the Circulating Blood
and Parasite Count in Monkey Malaria.
PMID- 29012887
TI - A Case of Rat-Bite Fever.
PMID- 29012888
TI - Granuloma Venereum.
PMID- 29012889
TI - A Case of Nasal Myiasis.
PMID- 29012891
TI - Values of Constants in the Analysis of GHI for Detection of Adulteration.
PMID- 29012890
TI - A Simple Method of Bug Destruction.
PMID- 29012892
TI - A Case of Gynaecomastia.
PMID- 29012893
TI - Corneal Transplantation on Opaque Corneas.
PMID- 29012894
TI - A Case of Gynaecomastia.
PMID- 29012895
TI - A Case of Binocular Subluxation of the Lens in a Child.
PMID- 29012896
TI - Recent Advances in Ophthalmology.
PMID- 29012897
TI - Five Cases of Rhinosporidiosis, Four in Females.
PMID- 29012898
TI - A Case of Retained Gangrenous Placenta.
PMID- 29012899
TI - A Report on Plague in Peermade (Travancore State).
PMID- 29012900
TI - Calcinosis Cutis.
PMID- 29012901
TI - The Treatment of Obstruction of Lacrimal Duct and Chronic Dacryocystitis.
PMID- 29012902
TI - A Small X-Ray Building for a Mofussil Hospital.
PMID- 29012903
TI - Erratum: Splenectomy for Tropical Splenomegaly.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 243 in vol. 70.].
PMID- 29012904
TI - The Rate of Development of Hookworm Eggs.
PMID- 29012905
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012906
TI - Arterial versus Venous Blood Sugar : Arterio-Venous Sugar Difference as a
Criterion of the Severity of Diabetes.
PMID- 29012907
TI - Ewing's Sarcoma: A Clinical and Pathological Study of a Case.
PMID- 29012908
TI - The Sterility of Vaccines.
PMID- 29012909
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012910
TI - A Note on the Vitamin B1-, B2- and C-Values of Country Liquor Prepared from the
Date.
PMID- 29012912
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012911
TI - A Case of Persistent Priapism.
PMID- 29012913
TI - Evipan-Sodium: Intravenous Anaesthetic.
PMID- 29012914
TI - Suspended Animation.
PMID- 29012915
TI - A Case of Eclampsia: Treated with 'Chloral Hydras'.
PMID- 29012916
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012917
TI - A Note on the Relative Vitamin C-Values of Milk and Curd.
PMID- 29012918
TI - Tebetren in Indian Strains of Malaria.
PMID- 29012919
TI - The Essentials of Bore-Hole Latrine Construction.
PMID- 29012920
TI - A Plea for the Use of Concentrated Saline in Cholera.
PMID- 29012921
TI - A Case of Paroxysmal Tachycardia and Its Sequel.
PMID- 29012922
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012923
TI - A Case of Quinine Haemoglobinuria.
PMID- 29012925
TI - The Question of Marriage in Pulmonary Tuberculosis : A Critical Consideration
with Special Reference to Indian Conditions.
PMID- 29012924
TI - Infective Warts and Their Treatment.
PMID- 29012926
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012927
TI - Cerebrospinal Fever in India.
PMID- 29012928
TI - Investigations on Cerebro-Spinal Fever in Nasirabad (Rajputana) during the Period
1931 to 1934: Part I.
PMID- 29012929
TI - Snake Venoms in Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
PMID- 29012930
TI - A Record of Five Years' Ante-Natal and Infant Welfare Work on Estates in Malaya.
PMID- 29012931
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012932
TI - Drug Addiction in India and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29012933
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012934
TI - Herpes Zoster and Sulphanilamide.
PMID- 29012935
TI - An Investigation into the Toxicity of Sulphanilamide in Albino Rats and the
Protective Effect of Nicotinic Acid.
PMID- 29012936
TI - Observations on Inguinal Hernia, Its Treatment and Operative Technique.
PMID- 29012937
TI - A Clinical Sign in Sandfly Fever.
PMID- 29012938
TI - Von Ritter's Disease (Dermatitis Exfoliativa Neonatorum) Treated with
Sulphapyridine.
PMID- 29012939
TI - Survival of Vibrio Cholerae in Gastric Juice.
PMID- 29012940
TI - Search for an Antimalarial Drug in the Indigenous Materia Medica: Part I-Alstonia
Scholaris, F. Br.
PMID- 29012941
TI - Notes on the Use of Cotton in Surgery, and on Plaster Technique.
PMID- 29012942
TI - A Case of Multiple Fractures.
PMID- 29012943
TI - A Brief Note on the Use of Congo Red in Protozoal Dysentery.
PMID- 29012944
TI - Two Rare Complications of Intestinal Amoebiasis.
PMID- 29012945
TI - A Case of Paroxysmal Haematuria Due to Malaria.
PMID- 29012946
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012948
TI - Tetanic Convulsions Apparently Due to Ascariasis.
PMID- 29012947
TI - Scurvy Treated with Tomato Juice.
PMID- 29012949
TI - On Agricultural Malaria and Its Control with Special Reference to South India.
PMID- 29012950
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012951
TI - Economy and Simplification in the Staining of Blood Slides.
PMID- 29012952
TI - Treatment of Carbuncle with Excision.
PMID- 29012953
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012954
TI - The Treatment of Bacillary Dysentery.
PMID- 29012956
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012955
TI - Public Health Organization: V. The Public Health Aspect of Malaria Control.
PMID- 29012957
TI - Vitex Peduncularis-An Antihaemolytic Agent.
PMID- 29012958
TI - An Unusual Injury.
PMID- 29012959
TI - A Case of Diphtheria of the Glans Penis.
PMID- 29012961
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012960
TI - A Foreign Body in the Rectum for Fifteen Years?
PMID- 29012962
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012963
TI - A Case of Iron Encephalopathy.
PMID- 29012964
TI - Injuries of the Skull.
PMID- 29012965
TI - The AEtiology of Blackwater Fever.
PMID- 29012966
TI - Mass Treatment with Injectable Atebrin.
PMID- 29012967
TI - The Prognostic Value of the Variation in the Arneth Count in Cases of Asthma
Treated with Auto-Vaccine.
PMID- 29012968
TI - The Middle-Aged Patient, and Later: A Lecture to Post-Graduates.
PMID- 29012969
TI - The Radio-Activity of the Thermal Springs of Rajgir.
PMID- 29012970
TI - Rheumatic Heart Disease in the Bombay Deccan.
PMID- 29012971
TI - Atebrin-Plasmochin in the Treatment of Malaria.
PMID- 29012972
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012973
TI - Multiple Paralysis Following Measles.
PMID- 29012975
TI - Nutrition Requirements.
PMID- 29012974
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012976
TI - The Treatment of Lobar Pneumonia with Intravenous Injections of Alcohol.
PMID- 29012977
TI - Notes on a Case of Acute Lead Encephalopathy.
PMID- 29012978
TI - A Case of Pyo-Peritoneum.
PMID- 29012979
TI - Ephedrine, and the Reduction of a Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29012981
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29012980
TI - A Case of Malignant Tumour of the Stomach in a Male with Transposition of the
Viscera.
PMID- 29012982
TI - The Trend of Immunity Studies in Malaria.
PMID- 29012983
TI - An Investigation on the Effects of Evipan Sodium on the Blood Sugar of the
Rabbit.
PMID- 29012984
TI - Fluorescein in Lepra Reaction.
PMID- 29012985
TI - Heterotopic Bone in Elephantoid Tissues.
PMID- 29012986
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29012987
TI - Composting of Town Refuse by the 'Edelmist' Process.
PMID- 29012988
TI - The Control of the Drug Trade.
PMID- 29012990
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012989
TI - Some Observations on the Haemolysis Caused by Snake Venoms: A Preliminary Note.
PMID- 29012991
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29012992
TI - The Feeding of Infants in India.
PMID- 29012993
TI - Medical Research in India.
PMID- 29012995
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29012994
TI - The Distribution of Indian Tick Typhus with Notes on Laboratory Findings.
PMID- 29012996
TI - A Note on an Unusual Source of Contamination of Well Water.
PMID- 29012997
TI - A Practical Way of Dealing with AEdes AEgypti (Stegomyia Fasciata) Mosquito
Breeding in Country Craft.
PMID- 29012999
TI - Corrigendum.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 683 in vol. 70.].
PMID- 29012998
TI - Bacteriophage in the Treatment of Cholera.
PMID- 29013000
TI - Jhin-Jhinia and Its Cure.
PMID- 29013001
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013002
TI - Unusual Identification of Explosive.
PMID- 29013003
TI - Epithelioma Adenoides Cysticum: Reports of Three Cases.
PMID- 29013004
TI - A Case of Thrombo-Angiitis Obliterans Treated by Femoral Peri-Arterial
Sympathectomy.
PMID- 29013005
TI - Training in Pharmacy in India.
PMID- 29013006
TI - Petit Mal or Pyknolepsy.
PMID- 29013007
TI - Jhin-Jhinia, or Neuromimesis?
PMID- 29013008
TI - Infection with Bertiella Studeri.
PMID- 29013009
TI - Against Orthodoxies in Rabies.
PMID- 29013010
TI - Non-Plague Rat Mortality.
PMID- 29013011
TI - The Treatment of Lobar Pneumonia with Intravenous Injections of Alcohol.
PMID- 29013012
TI - Intestinal Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013013
TI - Pregnancy, with Partially Occluded Vagina.
PMID- 29013014
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013015
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013017
TI - Tropical Typhus.
PMID- 29013016
TI - Bacteriological Studies in Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29013018
TI - A Peculiar Complication of Labour.
PMID- 29013019
TI - Treatment of Chronic Diarrhoea.
PMID- 29013020
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013021
TI - Pitfalls in Ophthalmic Practice.
PMID- 29013022
TI - A-O Tuberculin in Ophthalmology.
PMID- 29013023
TI - A New Type of Choleraphage-Type M.
PMID- 29013024
TI - Intestinal Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013026
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013025
TI - Natural Spirillum Minus Infection in White Mice.
PMID- 29013027
TI - A Preliminary Note on the Treatment of Neuro-Syphilis with Monkey Malaria.
PMID- 29013028
TI - Short-Wave Therapy.
PMID- 29013030
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013029
TI - 'Man-Made' Malaria in India.
PMID- 29013031
TI - Response to Pilocarpine in Cases of Asthma.
PMID- 29013032
TI - Late Reactions after Anti-Cholera Inoculation.
PMID- 29013033
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013035
TI - Technique for Putting up Fracture of the Clavicle.
PMID- 29013034
TI - The So-Called Mystery Disease of Calcutta (Jhin-Jhinia or Thartharia).
PMID- 29013036
TI - The Feeding of Infants in India.
PMID- 29013037
TI - Description of Bacterium Pseudo-Carolinus.
PMID- 29013038
TI - An Unusual Case of Suicidal Stabbing.
PMID- 29013039
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013040
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013041
TI - A Depressed Compound Fracture of the Skull with Infection.
PMID- 29013042
TI - A Few Points on the Technique of Gastro-Jejunostomy.
PMID- 29013043
TI - A Foetus with Its Placenta Adherent to the Brain.
PMID- 29013044
TI - A Note on the Experimental Infection of Dogs with Dracontiasis.
PMID- 29013045
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013046
TI - A Study of One Hundred Cases of Dermatitis.
PMID- 29013047
TI - The Description of an Old Type of Privy.
PMID- 29013048
TI - Studies on the Action of Antimalarial Remedies on Monkey Malaria: The
Relationship between the Concentration of Atebrin in the Circulating Blood and
Parasite Count.
PMID- 29013050
TI - An Arrow Head in the Mouth for Three Years.
PMID- 29013049
TI - Intra-Uterine Vaccinia in Pregnant Animals.
PMID- 29013051
TI - A Simple Method of Broncho-Radiography.
PMID- 29013053
TI - Dracunculus Medinensis.
PMID- 29013052
TI - Hyperpyrexia in Datura Poisoning.
PMID- 29013054
TI - A Case of Persistent Hiccup.
PMID- 29013056
TI - Cholera and Intestinal Helminths.
PMID- 29013057
TI - Two Cases of Pancreatic Deficiency.
PMID- 29013055
TI - A Village Mosquito-Trap.
PMID- 29013058
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013059
TI - Spirillum Fever Caused by a Monkey Bite.
PMID- 29013060
TI - Three Cases of Adherent Retrocaecal Appendix.
PMID- 29013061
TI - Treatment of 'Sutika' (Puerperal Diarrhoea) by Injection of Grape Sugar Solution.
PMID- 29013062
TI - Injuries of the Skull.
PMID- 29013063
TI - Traumatic Rupture of Pancreas with Formation of a Cyst.
PMID- 29013065
TI - Asthma.
PMID- 29013064
TI - An Extensive Empyema.
PMID- 29013067
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013066
TI - Notes on Pneumonia in a Tea Garden in Assam.
PMID- 29013068
TI - Infection with Bertiella Studeri.
PMID- 29013069
TI - A Practical Way of Dealing with AEdes AEgypti (Stegomyia Fasciata) Mosquito
Breeding in Country Craft.
PMID- 29013070
TI - A Case of Rhino-Meningorrhea.
PMID- 29013071
TI - Immunological Methods in the Determination of Infection in a Random Sample of
Hospital Admissions: Part I (The Frequency and Concentration of 'H' and 'O'
Agglutinins for the Bacilli of the Typhoid-Paratyphoid Group in 280 Individuals
Admitted into the Carmichael Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Calcutta).
PMID- 29013072
TI - Heat Stroke and Carbon Dioxide.
PMID- 29013073
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013074
TI - More on Hill Malaria.
PMID- 29013076
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013075
TI - Velocity, Silt and Larval Drift.
PMID- 29013077
TI - Intravenous Alcohol in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29013078
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013079
TI - The Population Problem in India.
PMID- 29013080
TI - A Case of Gas Gangrene.
PMID- 29013082
TI - Arsenical Intolerance Overcome by Desensitization.
PMID- 29013081
TI - Tuberculosis in Some Rare Situations, Namely Tonsils and Uterus.
PMID- 29013083
TI - Two Cases of Accidental Datura Poisoning.
PMID- 29013084
TI - Examination of Seminal Stains in Medico-Legal Cases.
PMID- 29013085
TI - Observations on the Relative Value of Atebrin and Quinine as Therapeutic Agents
in Malaria.
PMID- 29013086
TI - Epidemiology of Malaria.
PMID- 29013087
TI - A Case of Scorpion Bite.
PMID- 29013089
TI - The Treatment of Rhinosporidiosis in Man Based on the Study of Sixty Cases.
PMID- 29013088
TI - Atebrin by Injection vs. Quinine in a Tea-Garden Practice.
PMID- 29013090
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013092
TI - Dietary and Nutritional Standards in India.
PMID- 29013091
TI - Intestinal Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013093
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013094
TI - A Case of Fibro-Sarcoma of the Orbit.
PMID- 29013096
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013095
TI - Drug Addiction in India and Its Treatment.
PMID- 29013097
TI - Immunological Methods in the Determination of Infection in a Random Sample of
Hospital Admissions: Part III (The Frequency and Concentration of Agglutinins for
Bact. pseudo-carolinus in a Series of 218 Hospital Patients).
PMID- 29013098
TI - A Case of Cerebral Malaria Causing Persistent Loss of Eyesight.
PMID- 29013099
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013100
TI - Paralysis after Measles.
PMID- 29013101
TI - Gold Therapy in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013102
TI - A Note on Cases of Typhus Fever in Burma and Their Distribution.
PMID- 29013103
TI - A Note on Two Leopard Bites.
PMID- 29013104
TI - Pellagra in Vizagapatam.
PMID- 29013105
TI - Changes in Certain Chemical Constituents of the Blood in Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29013106
TI - AEtiology of Primary Glaucoma.
PMID- 29013108
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013107
TI - Report on a Fatal Case of Agranulocytosis.
PMID- 29013110
TI - Clavicle in Two Parts.
PMID- 29013109
TI - Strangulated Hernia.
PMID- 29013111
TI - Intestinal Tuberculosis and Auro-Therapy.
PMID- 29013112
TI - An Untoward Symptom in a Case of Sodium-Evipan Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29013113
TI - An Abdominal Pregnancy Developing to Full Term.
PMID- 29013114
TI - A Comparative Study of the Modified Kline Test with the Wassermann and Kahn Tests
on 946 Blood Samples.
PMID- 29013115
TI - Observations on the Intra-Ocular Pressure in Cats.
PMID- 29013116
TI - A Remarkable Monster.
PMID- 29013117
TI - Guinea-Worm Infection of Cyclops in Nature.
PMID- 29013119
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013118
TI - The Treatment of Peptic Ulcer.
PMID- 29013120
TI - A Biological Method for the Control of Dracontiasis.
PMID- 29013121
TI - An Unusual Foreign Body in the Rectum.
PMID- 29013122
TI - Bilateral Raynaud's Disease Treated by Double Peri-Arterial Sympathectomy.
PMID- 29013123
TI - A Case of Hysterical Monoplegia.
PMID- 29013124
TI - An Unusual Sebaceous Cyst.
PMID- 29013125
TI - Serum Treatment in a Case of Acute Staphylococcal Septicaemia.
PMID- 29013127
TI - Heredity in Ichthyosis.
PMID- 29013126
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013128
TI - A Huge Goitre.
PMID- 29013129
TI - Proximate Analysis of a Native Beer Pachwai of the Aboriginal Tribes in Bengal.
PMID- 29013130
TI - Antiseptic Properties of Raw Cod-Liver Oil.
PMID- 29013131
TI - A Drop Pipette for Use in the Kahn Test.
PMID- 29013132
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013133
TI - Sedimentation of Red Blood Cells in Glaucoma and Other Ocular Diseases.
PMID- 29013134
TI - Treatment of an Inoperable Pancreatic Cyst.
PMID- 29013135
TI - Sodium Mandelate in the Treatment of Bacillus Coli Infection.
PMID- 29013136
TI - Reaction after Anti-Cholera Inoculations.
PMID- 29013137
TI - A Giant Dermoid Cyst.
PMID- 29013138
TI - Cystic Degeneration of Glans Penis.
PMID- 29013139
TI - Experience with Cancer of the Larynx, Pharynx and the Adjoining Regions.
PMID- 29013140
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013141
TI - Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Anaesthesia for Major Surgery.
PMID- 29013142
TI - Infantile Eczema.
PMID- 29013143
TI - Erratum: Against Orthodoxies in Rabies.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 69 in vol. 71.].
PMID- 29013144
TI - X-Ray Appearances Seen 24 Years after Healing in a Case of Extensive Tuberculosis
of Lung.
PMID- 29013145
TI - Conjugal Venereal Granuloma.
PMID- 29013146
TI - A Case of Elephantoid Tumour of the Labium Majus.
PMID- 29013147
TI - Experimental Studies on Atebrin.
PMID- 29013148
TI - Treatment of Scorpion Stings.
PMID- 29013150
TI - Conservative Management of Bowels in Pneumonia.
PMID- 29013149
TI - A Case of Prolonged Hunger-Strike.
PMID- 29013151
TI - Enteric Fever in Vizagapatam.
PMID- 29013152
TI - Dermal Leishmaniasis in China.
PMID- 29013154
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013153
TI - Vaccine Treatment of Typhoid.
PMID- 29013155
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013156
TI - A Case of Human Infection with Dientamoeba Fragilis Jepps and Dobell, 1918, in
Calcutta.
PMID- 29013158
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013157
TI - A Case of Malaria Complicated with Erythematous Rash.
PMID- 29013159
TI - Primary Pyocyanea Infection of the Skin.
PMID- 29013160
TI - The Treatment of Urinary Infections.
PMID- 29013161
TI - A Leech in the Nose.
PMID- 29013162
TI - Thrombophlebitis Migrans.
PMID- 29013163
TI - The Classification of the Anaemias: A Resume of a Clinical Lecture.
PMID- 29013164
TI - Treatment of Syphilis by Modenol.
PMID- 29013165
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013166
TI - Heliotherapy or Sun Cure.
PMID- 29013167
TI - A Comparative Study of the Action of Atebrin and Atebrin-Plasmochin Combination
on Indian Strains of Malaria.
PMID- 29013168
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013169
TI - Gastric Analysis in Asthma.
PMID- 29013170
TI - Hydrophobia Simulating Acute Transverse Myelitis at the Onset.
PMID- 29013172
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013171
TI - Role of Infection in the AEtiology of Infantile Cirrhosis of the Liver.
PMID- 29013173
TI - Antiseptic Properties of Raw Cod-Liver Oil.
PMID- 29013174
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013175
TI - The Effect of the Ingestion of Vitamin C on the Vitamin-C Concentration of the
Milk of Lactating Women.
PMID- 29013176
TI - Immunological Methods in the Determination of Infection in a Random Sample of
Hospital Admissions: Part II (The Frequency and Concentration of Agglutinins for
Proteus X Strains in a Series of Hospital Patients).
PMID- 29013177
TI - Erratum: Intravenous Alcohol in Pneumonia.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 276b in vol. 71.].
PMID- 29013179
TI - Cysticercosis in Man.
PMID- 29013178
TI - A Note on Museum Making III: A Method for Preserving and Mounting Pathological
Fluids.
PMID- 29013180
TI - A Case of Uterus Bicornis with Advanced Pregnancy Complicated by a Large Pelvic
Cyst.
PMID- 29013181
TI - Investigation of Yaws (Koya Disease) in Warangal.
PMID- 29013182
TI - Two Cases of Pyrexia from B. Columbensis.
PMID- 29013183
TI - A Note on the Use of Cyanogas 'A' Dust as a Raticide and Pulicide.
PMID- 29013184
TI - An Apparatus for the Distribution of Antigen Emulsion in the Kahn Test.
PMID- 29013185
TI - Multiple Stones in the Bladder.
PMID- 29013186
TI - Osteomalacia; Torsion of the Pregnant Uterus.
PMID- 29013187
TI - Electrocardiographic Changes in Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29013188
TI - A Melanotic Sarcoma of the Anal Region.
PMID- 29013189
TI - Medical Interference.
PMID- 29013190
TI - The Treatment of Piles.
PMID- 29013192
TI - Milk.
PMID- 29013193
TI - The Clinical Aspect of Placenta Praevia and Its Management in Indian Conditions.
PMID- 29013191
TI - The Protein and Mineral Values of Some Cooked Bengali Diets.
PMID- 29013194
TI - A Case of Acute Infective Myelitis (Influenzal) Treated with Milk Injections.
PMID- 29013195
TI - The Rarity of the Male Enterobius Vermicularis.
PMID- 29013196
TI - Carbuncle Complicated with Erysipelas.
PMID- 29013197
TI - A Stone in the Prepuce.
PMID- 29013199
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013198
TI - Serum Complement in Relation to Vitamin-C Deficiency in Guinea-Pigs.
PMID- 29013201
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013200
TI - Puerperal Sepsis: A Review.
PMID- 29013202
TI - Combined Myopathy and Neuropathy.
PMID- 29013204
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013203
TI - Clinical Study of Sixty-Three Cases of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29013206
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013205
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013207
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013208
TI - Four Maggot-Like Worms Removed from the Left Conjunctival Sac of a Patient.
PMID- 29013209
TI - Radiology of the Heart and Great Vessels.
PMID- 29013211
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013210
TI - A Case of Paraplegia and Hydrophobia Following a Full Course of Anti-Rabic
Treatment.
PMID- 29013213
TI - Stone in the Urethra of a Baby.
PMID- 29013212
TI - Significance of Florence Test for Seminal Stains.
PMID- 29013214
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29013215
TI - Deeds of Violence in India in 1935-36 and Other Crimes in Which Serology Plays a
Part.
PMID- 29013216
TI - The Denuded Penis after Operation for Elephantoid Scrotum.
PMID- 29013217
TI - Haematokolpos and Haematometra.
PMID- 29013218
TI - The Mortality of Operations for Vesical Calculus in India.
PMID- 29013219
TI - Rheumatic Fever in the Punjab.
PMID- 29013220
TI - Calcium Oxalate Calculus in the Urethra.
PMID- 29013221
TI - Experience with Russell's Viper Venom.
PMID- 29013223
TI - Cod-Liver Oil in Surgery.
PMID- 29013224
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013222
TI - Carcinoid Tumour of the Appendix.
PMID- 29013226
TI - Fairs and Festivals in India.
PMID- 29013225
TI - A Case of Haemoglobinuria Caused by Plasmochin Taken as a Prophylactic against
Malaria.
PMID- 29013227
TI - The Eggs of Taenia Solium and Taenia Saginata.
PMID- 29013228
TI - The Epidemiology of Leprosy.
PMID- 29013230
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013229
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013231
TI - Diet and Adaptation to the Tropics.
PMID- 29013233
TI - Infantile Biliary Cirrhosis.
PMID- 29013232
TI - Individual Variations in the Effectiveness of Synthetic Antimalarial Drugs (A
Preliminary Note).
PMID- 29013234
TI - The Giant-Cell Tumour of Bone: With a Report of Six Cases.
PMID- 29013235
TI - The Treatment of Pityriasis Rosea.
PMID- 29013236
TI - Allergy.
PMID- 29013237
TI - A Record of Rhinosporidial Polypi with Some Observations on the Mode of
Infection.
PMID- 29013239
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013238
TI - Malignant Disease of the Prostate in a Small Child.
PMID- 29013240
TI - Fatal Case of Acute Gonorrhoea (Septicaemia with Ulcerative Endocarditis).
PMID- 29013241
TI - Prophylaxis of Chicken-Pox by Inoculation with Vesicular Fluid.
PMID- 29013242
TI - Hodgkin's Disease of the Pelebstein Type: Some Unusual Findings.
PMID- 29013243
TI - The Bisulphite-Binding Power of the Blood in Cases of Epidemic Dropsy, Anaemia
and Malaria and Its Possible Bearing on a Vitamin-B Deficiency.
PMID- 29013245
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013244
TI - Radiological and Laboratory Investigations of Chronic Gastro-Intestinal
Disturbances in the Tropics.
PMID- 29013246
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013247
TI - Use of Prontosil Album in Cellulitis of the Hand.
PMID- 29013248
TI - Study of Commercial Bacteriophages: I. Bacteriophages Active against the
Dysentery Group of Organisms.
PMID- 29013249
TI - Races of A. Stephensi Liston, 1901.
PMID- 29013250
TI - Epidemic Dropsy in Cawnpore (U. P.).
PMID- 29013251
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013252
TI - The Incidence of Clostridium Tetani in the Soil of Calcutta.
PMID- 29013253
TI - Further Experience with Tetrachlorethylene.
PMID- 29013254
TI - Non-Tuberculous Affections of the Lungs Confused with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013255
TI - A Case of Syndactylism.
PMID- 29013256
TI - A Case of Indian Typhus.
PMID- 29013258
TI - Some Common Conditions Treated by Ultra-Violet Radiations.
PMID- 29013257
TI - Snake Venom in Therapeutics.
PMID- 29013259
TI - A Note on a Case of Brucella Abortus Infection in Aden.
PMID- 29013260
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013261
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013262
TI - The Problem of Cancer.
PMID- 29013263
TI - Types of Typhoidphage and a Note on the Protective Value of Typhoidphage in
Animal Experiments.
PMID- 29013264
TI - A Modified Village Mosquito Trap.
PMID- 29013265
TI - A Case of Lead Encephalopathy.
PMID- 29013266
TI - A Case of Cancrum Oris as a Complication of Bacillary Dysentery.
PMID- 29013267
TI - A Plea for a Forward Public-Health Policy in India.
PMID- 29013268
TI - Protamine Zinc Insulin.
PMID- 29013269
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013271
TI - A Case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Complicated with Syphilis.
PMID- 29013270
TI - Strangulated Hernia: Treated by Resection and Enterorrhaphy.
PMID- 29013272
TI - Prontosil in Acute Rheumatic Polyarthritis.
PMID- 29013273
TI - Results of Splenectomy for Tropical Splenomegaly: An Analysis of Thirty-Three
Cases.
PMID- 29013274
TI - A Short Note on the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013275
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013277
TI - Hydatid Disease: A Case Report.
PMID- 29013276
TI - Acute Inflammation of the Attic-Its Diagnosis and Treatment.
PMID- 29013279
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013278
TI - A Case of Rupture of the Vagina.
PMID- 29013280
TI - A Severe Case of Scrub Typhus.
PMID- 29013281
TI - Sodium Evipan Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29013282
TI - Diet and Public Health in India.
PMID- 29013283
TI - Telerontgenography of the Heart in Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29013284
TI - Endemic Fluorosis in the Nellore District of South India.
PMID- 29013285
TI - The Effects of the Injections of Milk Preparations in Leprosy.
PMID- 29013286
TI - Abstract from Report.
PMID- 29013287
TI - A Case of Full-Term Pregnancy with Unruptured Hymen.
PMID- 29013288
TI - Oriental Sore Simulating Leprosy.
PMID- 29013289
TI - Dermatitis Artefacta.
PMID- 29013290
TI - A Fatal Case of Cerebral Malaria Caused by Plasmodium Malariae.
PMID- 29013291
TI - Cholera in Kashmir in 1935 with Special Reference to Certain Aspects of the Value
of Protective Inoculation.
PMID- 29013292
TI - Congenital Obstruction of the Anus.
PMID- 29013293
TI - Haematemesis in a Case of Malaria.
PMID- 29013294
TI - An Apparently Successful Case of Cardiac Massage.
PMID- 29013295
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013296
TI - Chemotherapy in Bacterial Infections.
PMID- 29013297
TI - Clinical Study of Sixty-Three Cases of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29013298
TI - Some Uncommon Affections Seen at an Eye Clinic.
PMID- 29013299
TI - Correspondence.
PMID- 29013301
TI - Letzko's Operation as a Treatment for the 'Failed Forceps' Case.
PMID- 29013300
TI - Treatment of Plague Cases with Convalescent Human Serum.
PMID- 29013302
TI - A Comparative Study of the Action of Atebrin and Atebrin-Plasmochin Combination
on Indian Strains of Malaria: Part II.
PMID- 29013303
TI - Acute Volvulus: A Case Report.
PMID- 29013304
TI - Dissecting Aneurysm-Report of a Case.
PMID- 29013305
TI - Surgical Treatment of Non-Paralytic Squint.
PMID- 29013306
TI - Medical Practice in India: The Economic Outlook.
PMID- 29013307
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013308
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013310
TI - A Study of Thirty-Nine Cases of Auricular Fibrillation.
PMID- 29013309
TI - Insulin Anaphylaxis.
PMID- 29013311
TI - A Case of Complete Encephalocele and Series of Developmental Defects in the Same
Family.
PMID- 29013312
TI - A Stable Solution of Antimony for the Treatment of Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29013313
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013314
TI - The Calcutta Filtered Water Supply.
PMID- 29013315
TI - Arsenic in Human Tissues and Excreta.
PMID- 29013317
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013316
TI - Treatment of Malaria in Children with Atebrin-Musonate.
PMID- 29013318
TI - A Case of Tick Typhus at Allahabad.
PMID- 29013319
TI - Anaemia in Tea-Garden Labour Forces.
PMID- 29013320
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013321
TI - Fatal Anaphylactic Shock.
PMID- 29013322
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013324
TI - The Nutritive Value of Indian Foods and the Planning of Diets.
PMID- 29013323
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013325
TI - The Operative Treatment of Vesico- and Vesico-Urethro Vaginal Fistulae by the
Vaginal Route with Case Notes on ThirtyThree Cases.
PMID- 29013326
TI - An Unusual Result of an Accident.
PMID- 29013327
TI - The Anopheles Sundaicus Invasion of Lower Bengal.
PMID- 29013328
TI - Public Health Aspects of Filariasis in India.
PMID- 29013329
TI - A Syncopal Form of Angina Pectoris: An Electrocardiographical Study.
PMID- 29013330
TI - Vitamin A, as Determined by the Blue Units of the Antimony Trichloride Test, in
the Livers of Malnourished Children.
PMID- 29013331
TI - The Treatment of Opium Habit with Lecithin and Glucose.
PMID- 29013332
TI - A Short Note on the Use of Pneumonia Stock Vaccine in the Treatment of the
Pneumonias.
PMID- 29013333
TI - Fireside Fantasies.
PMID- 29013334
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013335
TI - Electrodialysis in the Purification of Concentrated Serum Antitoxin.
PMID- 29013336
TI - Study of 110 Cases of Dengue Fever in the Madras Penitentiary.
PMID- 29013337
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013338
TI - Bacterium Pseudo-Carolinus Infection of the Bladder.
PMID- 29013339
TI - A Note on Health Unit Work.
PMID- 29013341
TI - Public Health Propaganda and Education.
PMID- 29013340
TI - A Case of Ectopic Gestation Complicated by a Coexistent Unrelated Pelvic Abscess.
PMID- 29013342
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013343
TI - Observations on Prolapse of the Uterus and Its Management in India.
PMID- 29013344
TI - Prognostic Significance of Icterus Index in Lobar Pneumonia.
PMID- 29013346
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013345
TI - A Note on a Cheap Substitute for a Shadowless Lamp for Operation Theatres.
PMID- 29013347
TI - Malaria and Its Treatment by the Synthetic Remedies: Atebrin and Plasmochin.
PMID- 29013348
TI - Recurrent Swelling of the Parotid Glands with the Report of a Case.
PMID- 29013349
TI - Head Injuries: A Clinical Lecture.
PMID- 29013350
TI - Apparatus for Leprosy Clinic.
PMID- 29013352
TI - School Children and Dental Disease.
PMID- 29013351
TI - A Malignant Cystic Haemangio-Blastoma of the Cerebellum.
PMID- 29013353
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013354
TI - Myeloid Leukaemia: The Treatment by Deep X-Rays.
PMID- 29013355
TI - Affections of the Eye in the Malarial Fevers and Kala-Azar.
PMID- 29013357
TI - The Use of Gold in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013356
TI - Gangrene of the Cervix Uteri.
PMID- 29013358
TI - Clinical Study of Sixty-Three Cases of Oriental Sore.
PMID- 29013359
TI - Treatment of Anaemia.
PMID- 29013360
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013361
TI - The Presence of Anopheles Sundaicus ('Ludlowi') on the Chilka Lake.
PMID- 29013362
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013363
TI - Cyanide Poisoning and Its Treatment with Antidotes.
PMID- 29013364
TI - Cobra Venom in Therapeutics.
PMID- 29013365
TI - Pyrexia Simulating That of Enteric Fever Caused by Ps. Pyocyaneus in Children.
PMID- 29013366
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013367
TI - Menstruation at the Age of 31/2 Years.
PMID- 29013368
TI - Yatren in Infection with Indian Strains of E. Histolytica (Chronic Intestinal
Amoebiasis).
PMID- 29013369
TI - The Relation of Systemic Blood Pressure to Intra-Ocular Pressure.
PMID- 29013370
TI - A Malignant Tumour Affecting the Knee Joint.
PMID- 29013371
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013372
TI - Guinea-Worm.
PMID- 29013373
TI - Development of Health Education Work in United Provinces.
PMID- 29013374
TI - A Case of Cataplexy.
PMID- 29013375
TI - The Occurrence of Weil's Disease in India.
PMID- 29013376
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013377
TI - A Case of Datura Poisoning with Hyperpyrexia.
PMID- 29013378
TI - Lead Poisoning from the Lining of Copper or Brass Cooking Utensils, with the
Report of a Case.
PMID- 29013379
TI - Carcinoma of the Penis in a Young Man.
PMID- 29013380
TI - A Case of Vesicular Mole.
PMID- 29013381
TI - Transplantation of Ureters into the Pelvic Colon.
PMID- 29013382
TI - A Case of Ectopic Left Kidney.
PMID- 29013383
TI - A Case of Spontaneous Haemorrhage from the Skin.
PMID- 29013384
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013385
TI - A Case of Convulsions.
PMID- 29013386
TI - Spinal Anaesthesia.
PMID- 29013387
TI - Structural Changes in the Parathyroids in Vitamin Deficiency.
PMID- 29013388
TI - A Note on a Circumscribed Outbreak of a Typhus-Like Fever in Muzaffargarh
District, South-Western Punjab.
PMID- 29013389
TI - The Chemistry of Calcium in Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013391
TI - Further Research on Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29013390
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013393
TI - Sanitary Improvements through Village Health Leagues.
PMID- 29013392
TI - Anaemia of Pregnancy.
PMID- 29013394
TI - Further Research on Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29013395
TI - Study of 110 Cases of Dengue Fever in the Madras Penitentiary.
PMID- 29013396
TI - The Effect of Reduced Pressure Combined with Increased Temperature on the
Viability of Bed Bugs and of Their Eggs.
PMID- 29013397
TI - A Colour Chart for the Determination of Hydrogen-Ion Concentration.
PMID- 29013398
TI - Clearance of Pistia Stratiotes as a Control Measure for F. Malayi Infection.
PMID- 29013399
TI - Sulphanilamide: The Second Phase.
PMID- 29013400
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013401
TI - Experimental Investigation into the Duration of Tolerance to Re-Infection in
Monkey Malaria.
PMID- 29013402
TI - Gnathostomiasis in Human Beings.
PMID- 29013403
TI - Intestinal Disorders in Children Caused by Suckling in Pregnant Mother.
PMID- 29013404
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013405
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013406
TI - The Use of Tea in the Treatment of Burns.
PMID- 29013408
TI - Renal Efficiency in Glaucomatous Patients.
PMID- 29013407
TI - A Case of Erythroderma Desquamativa (Leiner-Moussous) in an Indian Child.
PMID- 29013409
TI - Electrocardiographic Changes in Beri-Beri.
PMID- 29013410
TI - Quinine Tolerance in Pregnancy.
PMID- 29013411
TI - Interatrial Septal Defect with Mitral Insufficiency of Congenital Origin.
PMID- 29013412
TI - Organization of a Blood Transfusion Service in a District Hospital.
PMID- 29013413
TI - The Use of Cod-Liver Oil in Infected Wounds.
PMID- 29013414
TI - Litholapaxy in a Case of Cystocele.
PMID- 29013416
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013417
TI - The Increasing Value of Modern Sanatorium Treatment as Judged by the After
Histories of the Patients.
PMID- 29013415
TI - Sex Education.
PMID- 29013418
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013419
TI - Tuberculosis in Infants and Children.
PMID- 29013420
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013422
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013423
TI - Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Kala-Azar: A Fatal Combination.
PMID- 29013421
TI - The Applicability of Phrenic Evulsion in Pulmonary Tuberculosis at the Out
Patients' Department of a City Hospital.
PMID- 29013424
TI - Thoracoscopic Examination and Cauterization of Adhesions: Intrapleural
Pneumolysis.
PMID- 29013425
TI - The Treatment of Cervical Glandular Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013426
TI - A Case of Hydatid Cyst of the Lung, with Post-Operative Tuberculous Involvement.
PMID- 29013427
TI - Oleothorax in the Treatment of Pleuro-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013428
TI - The Significance of a High Incidence of Xenopsylla Braziliensis Baker.
PMID- 29013429
TI - Some Observations on Chrysotherapy in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013430
TI - Oxygenation of the Peritoneal Cavity in the Treatment of Tuberculosis of the
Abdomen.
PMID- 29013431
TI - Intra-Pleural Pressure: Interpretation of Manometric Readings in Therapeutic
Artificial Pneumothorax.
PMID- 29013432
TI - The Special Tuberculosis Number.
PMID- 29013433
TI - Adrenal Cortical Extract in Cholera.
PMID- 29013434
TI - King George Thanksgiving (Anti-Tuberculosis) Fund.
PMID- 29013435
TI - An Analysis of Artificial Pneumothorax Treatment in 1,039 Patients.
PMID- 29013436
TI - Thoracoplasty in Pulmonary and Pleural Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013437
TI - The Tuberculosis Problem in India.
PMID- 29013438
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013439
TI - Treatment of Tuberculous Haemoptysis by Subcutaneous Emphysema.
PMID- 29013440
TI - Rheumatic Heart Disease.
PMID- 29013441
TI - Role of Calcium Gluconate and Iodine in Whooping Cough.
PMID- 29013442
TI - The Future of Medical Organization in India.
PMID- 29013443
TI - An Unusual Complication after Operation for Removal of Tonsils and Adenoids.
PMID- 29013444
TI - A Note on Dried Blood Plasma and Its Preparation in India.
PMID- 29013446
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013445
TI - A Review of 274 Cases of Lobar Pneumonia Treated with M. & B. 693. With an
Analysis of the Less Successful Responses.
PMID- 29013447
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013448
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013449
TI - Organization of Public Health and Medical Services in India.
PMID- 29013450
TI - The Treatment of Hookworm Anaemia.
PMID- 29013451
TI - Recovery of Spirillum Minus from the Peripheral Blood of a Rat-Bite Fever Case by
Experimental Inoculation into a Clean Mouse.
PMID- 29013452
TI - Sedimentation Rate of Red Blood Cells in Epidemic Dropsy.
PMID- 29013453
TI - A Case of Dacryops.
PMID- 29013454
TI - Biological Control of Culicine Mosquitoes, by Prawns in a Bengal Coal Mine.
PMID- 29013456
TI - Incidence of Lead Poisoning among Hindu Women and Children.
PMID- 29013455
TI - Chemotherapy in Plague.
PMID- 29013457
TI - Thrombophlebitis of the Cavernous Sinus.
PMID- 29013458
TI - Haematological Technique. Part VII.
PMID- 29013459
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013460
TI - An Insectary Colony of A. Stephensi Mysorensis.
PMID- 29013461
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013462
TI - Surgical Complications of Filariasis.
PMID- 29013463
TI - Spontaneous Pneumothorax with a Pleuro-Peritoneal Fistula.
PMID- 29013464
TI - Urinary Excretion of Nicotinic Acid in Pellagrins.
PMID- 29013465
TI - Lecture on Co-Ordinated Effort in Hygiene.
PMID- 29013466
TI - Haematological Technique. Part X.
PMID- 29013467
TI - The Sterility and Potency of Injectable Substances: (ii) Salines for Intravenous
Use.
PMID- 29013468
TI - A Further Type of Choleraphage- Type N.
PMID- 29013469
TI - Viper Venom in a Case of Recurrent Haemorrhage in the Vitreous.
PMID- 29013471
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013470
TI - Reduction of Benedict's Solution by Urine during a Course of Sulphathiazole
Therapy.
PMID- 29013472
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013473
TI - A Report on the Use of Cadmium Sulphide in the Treatment of Pulmonary
Tuberculosis at the Jadabpur Tuberculosis Hospital.
PMID- 29013475
TI - Scorpion Sting in Human Beings.
PMID- 29013474
TI - A Search for Latent Sylvatic Plague in Calcutta.
PMID- 29013476
TI - 'Xiphisternal Ache' or Low Substernal Pain.
PMID- 29013477
TI - The Use of Cassia Fistula in the Treatment of Black-Water Fever.
PMID- 29013479
TI - A Case of Scarlet Fever.
PMID- 29013478
TI - Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Cholera.
PMID- 29013481
TI - The Need for a Cheap and Efficient Anti-Malarial Drug in India.
PMID- 29013480
TI - Treatment of a Case of Small-Pox with Sulphonamide-P.
PMID- 29013482
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013483
TI - Fracture of the Carpal Scaphoid.
PMID- 29013484
TI - Water in Relation to Health.
PMID- 29013485
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013486
TI - Annual Report of the Public Health Commissioner with the Government of India for
the Year 1940.
PMID- 29013487
TI - Reorganization of the Medical and Allied Services in Great Britain.
PMID- 29013488
TI - A Method for Ascertaining the Overlapping of the Pubis by the Head by Means of
Abdominal Examination Alone.
PMID- 29013489
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013490
TI - Trichostrongylus Infection in Man.
PMID- 29013491
TI - Haematological Technique: Part XIV.
PMID- 29013492
TI - Bengal Public Health Report for the Year 1939. By Lieut.-Colonel A. C. Chatterji,
M.B., D.P.H., I.M.S., Director of Public Health.
PMID- 29013493
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013494
TI - Course of Public Health Events.
PMID- 29013495
TI - An Encephalocele.
PMID- 29013496
TI - Endemic Typhus in Mysore.
PMID- 29013497
TI - Blackwater Fever in Darjeeling-Terai.
PMID- 29013499
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013498
TI - Sulphanilylguanidine in Cholera.
PMID- 29013500
TI - A Preliminary Survey of the Industrial Hygiene Problem in the United States.
Public Health Bulletin No. 259, United States Government Printing Office,
Washington, 1940.
PMID- 29013501
TI - Developmental Anomalies of Kidney and Ureter.
PMID- 29013502
TI - Dystocias Due to Anomalies of the Foetus Associated with Dilatation of the Foetal
Urinary Bladder.
PMID- 29013503
TI - The Prevailing Types of Pneumococci in Pneumonia and Pneumococcal Infections.
PMID- 29013504
TI - Russell's Viper Venom in Threatened Miscarriage.
PMID- 29013505
TI - Ocular Manifestations Due to Lack of Vitamin ' A ' in the System : With Special
Reference to the Treatment in General Practice.
PMID- 29013506
TI - Report on the Public Health Administration of the City of Rangoon, for the Year
1940.
PMID- 29013507
TI - Leucoderma.
PMID- 29013509
TI - Post-Sulphapyridine Anuria: With a Case Report.
PMID- 29013508
TI - Arsenic in Food.
PMID- 29013510
TI - A Method of Oiling Streams and Drains by an Automatic Drip System.
PMID- 29013512
TI - The Evolution of Blood Transfusion and the Present Emergency.
PMID- 29013511
TI - Combined Digitalis and Rauwolfia Poisoning in a Human Subject.
PMID- 29013513
TI - Report on the Working of the Harcourt Butler Institute of Public Health, Rangoon,
for the Year 1940.
PMID- 29013514
TI - Detection of Arsenic in Burnt Human Bones and Ashes.
PMID- 29013515
TI - Stains Other Than Blood-Stains as Medico-Legal Evidence.
PMID- 29013516
TI - On the Choice of Drugs in the Treatment of Bacterial Infections.
PMID- 29013517
TI - A Case of Enteric Pneumatosis.
PMID- 29013518
TI - A Case of Snake Bite Successfully Treated with the Help of the 'Iron Lung'.
PMID- 29013519
TI - The Effect of Stocking Rice Fields with Sullage at Khurda Road on Anopheline
Breeding.
PMID- 29013520
TI - A Cheap Flush-Out Latrine.
PMID- 29013521
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013522
TI - Cerebral Malaria Simulating Meningitis.
PMID- 29013523
TI - A Case of Plague Successfully Treated with Sulphapyridine.
PMID- 29013524
TI - Kaposi's Disease.
PMID- 29013525
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013526
TI - The Presence of an Enzootic of Rickettsial Infection in Wild Rats of Calcutta.
PMID- 29013527
TI - Sulphathiazole in Some Experimental Bacterial and Virus Infections.
PMID- 29013528
TI - Two Fatal Cases of Cardiac Malaria.
PMID- 29013529
TI - Erythema Standard for Dose in Light.
PMID- 29013530
TI - A Case of Yaws.
PMID- 29013531
TI - Pseudo-Pancreatic Cyst in a Malarial Subject.
PMID- 29013532
TI - Treatment of Gonorrhoea with M.&B. 693: 75 Patients.
PMID- 29013533
TI - Indian Hospital Unit in London.
PMID- 29013534
TI - Treatment of Tuberculosis Verrucosa Cutis by Local Application of Creosote and
Salicylic Acid.
PMID- 29013535
TI - Hydatid Cyst in the Transverse Mesocolon.
PMID- 29013536
TI - Pre-Auricular Fistulae.
PMID- 29013537
TI - A Case of Gonococcal Vulvo-Vaginitis Treated with M.&B. 693.
PMID- 29013538
TI - Haematological Technique. Part VIII.
PMID- 29013539
TI - Thyroid Drugging in Graves' Disease.
PMID- 29013540
TI - Goitre.
PMID- 29013541
TI - Clinical Observations on Landry's Paralysis (Based on a Study of 10 Cases).
PMID- 29013542
TI - A Simple Method of Obtaining Anaerobiosis.
PMID- 29013543
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013545
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013544
TI - Ages of Epiphysial Union at Elbow and Wrist Joints Amongst 238 Children in North
West Frontier Province.
PMID- 29013546
TI - Haematological Technique.
PMID- 29013547
TI - The Treatment of Burns.
PMID- 29013548
TI - Tuberculosis of the Female Genital Tract.
PMID- 29013550
TI - A Case of Dystrophia Adiposo-Genitalis.
PMID- 29013551
TI - The Sterility of Snake Venom Solutions.
PMID- 29013549
TI - Notes on Common Skin Diseases II. Ringworm of the Scalp.
PMID- 29013553
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013552
TI - Dactylomegaly: A Case Note.
PMID- 29013554
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013555
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013556
TI - Maintenance of Bacterial Cultures.
PMID- 29013558
TI - Antiseptic Analgesic Tannic-Acid Jelly for Burns.
PMID- 29013557
TI - A Case of Acute Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
PMID- 29013559
TI - Cachexia Hypophysio-Priva (Simmonds' Disease). (Describing a Case Cured under
Treatment).
PMID- 29013560
TI - Laboratory Procedures, Apparatus and Improvizations.
PMID- 29013561
TI - School Medical Inspections.
PMID- 29013562
TI - On the Composition of Buffalo Milk and the Detection of Adulterated Samples
Passed as Cow Milk.
PMID- 29013563
TI - Non-Specific Ulcers of the Alimentary Tract.
PMID- 29013564
TI - Haematological Technique. Part XI.
PMID- 29013565
TI - Recovery from Pneumococcal Meningitis Treated with M. & B. 693.
PMID- 29013566
TI - Scars and Opacities of the Cornea and Their Treatment.
PMID- 29013567
TI - Lesser Knowledge of Human Tubercle Bacillus: Serological Affinity with Allergic
States, Variation in Content, etc.
PMID- 29013568
TI - A Note on Complement-Fixation Test in Leprosy and Kala-Azar with Witebsky,
Klingenstein and Kuhn (W.K.K.) Antigen.
PMID- 29013569
TI - Transillumination and Simultaneous Cauterization of Pleural Adhesions.
PMID- 29013570
TI - Pneumo-Peritoneum in the Treatment of Advanced Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013572
TI - Congenital Malaria.
PMID- 29013571
TI - Nursery School and Parent Education in Soviet Russia: A Review.
PMID- 29013573
TI - A Case of Ether Convulsions.
PMID- 29013574
TI - Erratum: Materia Medica of Pharmaceutical Combinations and Specialities.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 440b in vol. 76.].
PMID- 29013576
TI - The Formation, Evolution, and Healing of Tuberculous Cavities in the Lungs.
PMID- 29013575
TI - Certain Epidemiological Aspects of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Northern India.
PMID- 29013577
TI - Bone and Joint Tuberculosis: A Review of 175 Cases.
PMID- 29013578
TI - Tuberculosis as a Public Health Problem in India.
PMID- 29013579
TI - A Case of Imperforate External Urinary Meatus.
PMID- 29013580
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013581
TI - Recent Advances in Our Knowledge about Vitamin B1.
PMID- 29013582
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013583
TI - The Importance of a Standard in Examination for Tubercle Bacilli.
PMID- 29013584
TI - Bored-Hole Absorption Pits.
PMID- 29013585
TI - Viper Venom in a Case of Recurrent Haemorrhage in the Vitreous.
PMID- 29013587
TI - Extra-Pleural Pneumothorax-Its Scope and Limitations.
PMID- 29013586
TI - A Municipal Scheme for Tuberculosis Control.
PMID- 29013588
TI - The Incidence of Bacterium AErogenes in the Faeces of Persons Suffering from
Intestinal Infections and Its Significance in Water Analysis.
PMID- 29013589
TI - Thoracoscopy and Pneumolysis in Tuberculosis.
PMID- 29013590
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013591
TI - The Special Tuberculosis Number.
PMID- 29013592
TI - Public Health Aspects of Enriched Flour and Bread. A Report of an Address.
PMID- 29013593
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013594
TI - Gas Replacement in Pleural Effusions.
PMID- 29013595
TI - A Case of Abdominal Pregnancy and Delivery per Rectum.
PMID- 29013596
TI - The Sterility and Potency of Injectable Substances: (iii) Cholera Vaccines.
PMID- 29013597
TI - Vesical Calculus in a Vaginal Cystocoele.
PMID- 29013598
TI - Medical Practitioners and Medical Relief at the Moghul Court during the Reign of
Akbar the Great.
PMID- 29013599
TI - Brucella Infection in Vizagapatam.
PMID- 29013600
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013601
TI - Plasma Transfusion.
PMID- 29013602
TI - Hypochloraemia in Cholera.
PMID- 29013603
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013604
TI - Treatment of Scabies and Pediculosis with Pyrethrum.
PMID- 29013605
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013606
TI - A Case of Eclampsia.
PMID- 29013607
TI - Treatment of Fractures of the Leg.
PMID- 29013608
TI - Erythropoietic Factor in Human Mixed Saliva.
PMID- 29013610
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013609
TI - A Rare Case of Dermatalgia.
PMID- 29013611
TI - Notes on an Epidemic of Influenza.
PMID- 29013612
TI - Interstitial Keratitis Due to Focal Sepsis.
PMID- 29013613
TI - Prothrombin Time in Health and Disease. (According to Quick's Method).
PMID- 29013614
TI - Erratum: Tuberculosis of the Female Genital Tract.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 257 in vol. 76.].
PMID- 29013615
TI - A Study of Rhinoscleroma in Vizagapatam.
PMID- 29013616
TI - Some Observations on Enteric Fevers.
PMID- 29013618
TI - A Note on the Treatment of Relapsing Malaria.
PMID- 29013619
TI - Induced Malaria with Heavy Malignant Tertian Infection.
PMID- 29013617
TI - The Significance of the Takata-Ara Reaction in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of
Hepatic Cirrhosis.
PMID- 29013620
TI - Toxic Complications of Sulphanilamide Therapy. (An Analysis of 6,070 Cases
Treated in the Venereal Department of the Government General Hospital, Madras).
PMID- 29013621
TI - A Mobile Appendical Abscess.
PMID- 29013622
TI - Itching in Syphilitic Skin Eruptions.
PMID- 29013623
TI - Trichophyton Crateriforme in India.
PMID- 29013624
TI - Cases of Poisoning and Suspected Poisoning. Lecture Given to the Lahore Branch of
the British Medical Association.
PMID- 29013626
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013625
TI - Ideal Marriage.
PMID- 29013627
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013629
TI - Hours of Work.
PMID- 29013628
TI - Omental Lipoma.
PMID- 29013630
TI - Taking Blood for Transfusion : Further Improvisations.
PMID- 29013631
TI - Blackwater Fever in the Hills.
PMID- 29013632
TI - Haematological Technique Part XII.
PMID- 29013633
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013634
TI - A Note on Complement Fixation in Hydatid Disease and Associated Considerations.
PMID- 29013635
TI - A Case of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis Complicating Meningococcal Meningitis with
Recovery.
PMID- 29013636
TI - A Case of Cerebral Malaria with Rare Complications and Complete Recovery.
PMID- 29013637
TI - The Arneth Count in Normal Indians.
PMID- 29013638
TI - Pathogenesis of Bronchiectasis.
PMID- 29013639
TI - A Study of Cardiac Sounds and Murmurs in Severe Anaemia.
PMID- 29013640
TI - A Note on Fevers of the Typhus Group in Assam.
PMID- 29013641
TI - A Thoracopagus Monster.
PMID- 29013642
TI - Multiple Primary Epidermoid Carcinoma.
PMID- 29013644
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013643
TI - A Case of Leucopenia within Twenty-Four Hours of the Initial Administration of
Para-Sulphanilyl-Aminopyridine.
PMID- 29013645
TI - Notes on Common Skin Diseases. III. Ringworm of the Scalp : Favus.
PMID- 29013646
TI - Perforation of a Meckel's Diverticulum with Gastric Mucosa.
PMID- 29013647
TI - The Arneth Count in Normal Indians.
PMID- 29013648
TI - A Case of Pyaemia Treated with Sulphathiazole.
PMID- 29013649
TI - Bact. Alkalescens in Infection of the Urinary Tract and Bacteriophage Therapy.
PMID- 29013650
TI - Bacteriophages in Soil.
PMID- 29013652
TI - An Unusual Case of Proteinuria.
PMID- 29013651
TI - Rural Medical Relief.
PMID- 29013653
TI - Pneumococcal Peritonitis: With Report of a Recovery with M. & B. 693.
PMID- 29013654
TI - The Enumeration of the Blind in India.
PMID- 29013655
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013656
TI - Pneumococcal Peritonitis.
PMID- 29013657
TI - On a Plasmodium SP. of the Malay Chestnut-Bellied Munia [Munia Atricapilla
Atricapilla (Vieill.)].
PMID- 29013658
TI - Notes on Common Skin Diseases: I. Ringworm of the Foot.
PMID- 29013659
TI - Vitamin A and Carotene Reserves in Human Livers.
PMID- 29013661
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013660
TI - Diphtheria: Difficulties in the Morphological Diagnosis of Corynebacterium
Diphtheriae.
PMID- 29013662
TI - On a Trypanosome of the White-Throated Munia-Uroloncha Malabarica (Linn.).
PMID- 29013663
TI - Kangri-Burn Cancer.
PMID- 29013664
TI - Cerebral Malaria-An Afebrile Case with Epileptiform Convulsions.
PMID- 29013665
TI - Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Cerebrospinal Meningitis.
PMID- 29013666
TI - Non-Specific Inflammation of the Lung.
PMID- 29013667
TI - The Use of Bacteriophage for Freeing Protozoal Cultures of Contaminating
Bacteria: Isolation of Leptospira Icterohoemorrhagiae from a Mixed Infection in
Guinea-Pigs.
PMID- 29013669
TI - Hookworm Infection.
PMID- 29013668
TI - The Sterility and Potency of Injectable Substances: (i) Glucose Solutions.
PMID- 29013670
TI - Yellow Fever.
PMID- 29013671
TI - A Preliminary Study of Plague at a Hill Station in the Nilgiris, South India.
PMID- 29013672
TI - Unofficial Qualifications.
PMID- 29013673
TI - A Case of Malarial Psychosis.
PMID- 29013674
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013675
TI - A Case of Duplication of the Genital Tract.
PMID- 29013677
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013676
TI - Haematological Technique: Part IX.
PMID- 29013678
TI - Rural Malaria.
PMID- 29013679
TI - Some Social Obstacles to Malaria Control.
PMID- 29013680
TI - A Note on the Occurrence of Leptospirosis in Bombay.
PMID- 29013681
TI - Glaucoma.
PMID- 29013682
TI - The Biochemical Standardization Laboratory.
PMID- 29013683
TI - Service Notes.
PMID- 29013685
TI - Granulomatous Ulcers of Small Intestine Causing Annular Stricture and Intestinal
Obstruction.
PMID- 29013684
TI - Insulin Requirements in India.
PMID- 29013686
TI - Plaster of Paris in the Treatment of Wounds and Fractures.
PMID- 29013688
TI - Medical News.
PMID- 29013687
TI - A Transfusion Set for Use in Hospitals or in the Field.
PMID- 29013689
TI - Current Topics.
PMID- 29013690
TI - A Case of Tetanus Treated with Serum and Magnesium Sulphate.
PMID- 29013691
TI - Plaster of Paris.
PMID- 29013692
TI - Anti-Malarial Operations in India.
PMID- 29013693
TI - Leptospiral Jaundice in Assam.
PMID- 29013694
TI - Abstracts from Reports.
PMID- 29013695
TI - A Case of Twin Pregnancy-One Uterine and the Other Extra-Uterine.
PMID- 29013696
TI - Malaria Specifics.
PMID- 29013699
TI - Haematological Technique. Part XIII.
PMID- 29013697
TI - Successful Administration of Sulphanilamide to an Infant.
PMID- 29013698
TI - Ephedrine Poisoning in a Human Subject.
PMID- 29013700
TI - Head Injury and Its Management.
PMID- 29013701
TI - Observations on the Naked-Eye Manifestations of Chronic Infective Processes in
the Abdomen.
PMID- 29013702
TI - Erratum: The Formation, Evolution, and Healing of Tuberculous Cavities in the
Lungs.
AB - [This corrects the article on p. 592 in vol. 76.].
PMID- 29013704
TI - Bacteriophage and Water Contamination.
PMID- 29013703
TI - Insulin Requirements in India.
PMID- 29013705
TI - Physiological Hygiene.
PMID- 29013706
TI - An Interesting Case of Malaria.
PMID- 29013707
TI - Practical Aspects on General Anasarca, Especially in Malarial Nephritis and
Hookworm Disease.
PMID- 29013708
TI - The Benzidine Reaction of Blood Simulated by a Clay (Bentonite).
PMID- 29013709
TI - Notes on Common Skin Diseases. IV. Leucoderma.
PMID- 29013710
TI - Studies on Leptospira Icterohaemorrhagiae in Rats in Bombay City.
PMID- 29013711
TI - Abstracts from Reports.